'Niisaaaaan!' Yuzu trilled and bounded into the living room with a plate of cookies.

'What is it, Yuzu?' Ichigo answered in a slightly exasperated tone. After all, this was the third time she was waltzing in with something to say.

'Would you and Grimmjow like some cookies I baked?' she said excitedly. 'They're chocolate and peanuts!'

Ichigo sighed and turned to the sheepishly grinning German sprawled out on the floor opposite him.

'Would you like some cookies, Grimmjow?' he asked with a tired smile.

'I vould…love…to have…a…cookie,' Grimmjow struggled to say in a thick German accent. He was still having trouble talking in English but at least he was getting the hang of it and no longer required a translation of any sort anymore.

'I'll leave the whole plate in case you guys want more,' Yuzu announced and placed it on the coffee table while walking backwards out of the room. 'If you guys need anything just let me know! Okay? And don't hesitate! I don't mind getting you guys anything! It can be drinks or chips or a movie or-!'

'We get it, Yuzu, now can we have some privacy please!'

'Well, niisan, I was only being nice to the guest!'

'And you are! I'm sure he thinks you are a wonderful host! Now we're in the middle of a game of checkers so BYE NOW!'

His sister placed her hands on her hips and walked out of the room in a huff. Grimmjow tried to stifle his laughter and watched Ichigo shake his head. He didn't quite understand what they had been arguing about but he was sure that it was probably about the fact how she kept popping in to say or offer them something. Not that he minded. Yuzu was an amazing cook. He was sure that by the time he left Ichigo's apartment he'd have gained at least 50 pounds.

'Don't mind, Yuzu,' Ichigo said and moved one of his checkers across the board. 'She's always like that.'

'It'z…okay,' Grimmjow stated and followed Ichigo's move with his own. 'Ziblingz are alvayz…annoying.'

The images of Nel and Stark made his heart pang but he quickly suppressed the feeling. He didn't want to get depressed while in Ichigo's presence. Ichigo smiled gratefully and frowned at the board.

'Man, you're really good at this!' he stated in awe and scratched his head. 'You sure you haven't played this before?'

Grimmjow smiled slyly.

'Of courze,' he answered simply. 'I don't even know vhat checkerz iz.'

Ichigo stared suspiciously at him before sighing and finally moving a piece forward. He grabbed two cookies from the table and handed one to Grimmjow. As the German bit into it, the biscuit instantly crumbled in his mouth, filling it with the sweet taste of chocolate and the crunchiness of peanuts. He sighed contentedly and hungrily took in another bite. It was like he had a piece of heaven rolling around in his mouth. Guess getting to know Ichigo had its benefits.

He didn't know what possessed him to finally let Ichigo in but he did. Something about the boy told Grimmjow that even if he had rejected him then, the orange-headed determined teen would keep trying until Grimmjow gave in. And eventually, Grimmjow had given in. Or maybe it was because he was curious to know about Ichigo.

Ichigo wasn't like most of the boys he knew, both in Germany and here in Japan. True he was kind and caring to all his friends and family but other than that he was loyal and focused. He knew right from wrong and didn't do anything unless he knew what he was getting himself into. He had a good head on his shoulders and Grimmjow began to think he had been wrong to shun him all this time. Why did he think that Ichigo would desert him for being different? In fact, Ichigo would be the last person to do that. When he developed a bond with someone, he made sure he stuck by their side till the end. It was probably why he put up with the stuck-up know-it-all Ishida Uryu.

Grimmjow had the pleasure of meeting the stick in the mud guy since he needed a proper translator and immediately found him annoying. He even swore at him in German and grinned in triumph since he knew the raven-haired boy understood him. What he had said to him were by the far the worst swear words one could think of in Germany and in all technicality, Uryu deserved them. He kept acting so pompous and arrogant towards Ichigo that it was annoying even Grimmjow. He had an aversion to arrogant pricks and was glad his language finally came to some use in this country.

But even though Uryu was now Grimmjow's translator, Ichigo still served as his guide not only in school but all around Japan. He even managed to teach Grimmjow a few swear words in Japanese and vice versa. This advantage led to them pulling a number of pranks on store owners where Grimmjow would walk in, swear at the owner and then Ichigo would walk in to point out that he's a foreigner who didn't know what that curse meant. The number of times they laughed themselves silly after walking out of the store. It was needless to say that the two had gotten pretty close since that fight with Nnoitra.

Speaking of which, the beanpole stayed clear of them afterwards. Grimmjow told his father all about it who then took it upon himself to complain to the school. The school suspended Nnoitra and his gang so around school, the two of them were safe. Even outside the school grounds, Ichigo's friends weren't far behind and Nnoitra didn't dare pick a fight if Tatsuki or even Chad were around. They just scared the shit out of him.

Everything was perfect. Grimmjow no longer had that empty feeling tormenting him anymore. He had friends to help him out, the communication barrier had more or less crumbled away and he was no longer bored waiting for his father. All he would do was go next door to Ichigo's and spend the entire day there playing board games and even studying. He almost didn't feel like an alien in this country anymore except…

Except there was a new empty feeling. The empty feeling of not having a proper family. Sure Ichigo's family wasn't perfect either with his dad being abusive and constantly coming on and off to demand something outrageous from Ichigo's mother. But at least Ichigo had a loving mother who would pamper him to no ends and his two siblings who loved him to bits.

Grimmjow stared at his half eaten cookie, suddenly reminded of the time Nel had wanted some cookies but there were none in the house so Stark and Grimmjow decided to make some since they were hungry too. Boy, did that turn out to be a disaster! Their mother came home to find a kitchen literally caked in flour, sugar and not to mention cookie batter. Plus the smell of burning biscuits. She wasn't mad. Much. But she made them clean up and then baked a batch of scrumptious ones which they enjoyed later on. It was good times.

'Grimm?' Ichigo voiced in concern. Grimmjow was pulled out of his thoughts and looked up at a worried Ichigo. 'You alright?'

Grimmjow quickly erased the troubled look on his face and smiled.

'Nothing…iz vong, Ichi…go,' Grimmjow answered and glanced back at the checkerboard, pretending to ponder of his next move.

'Oh no,' Ichigo warned. 'Don't pull that one on me! I know something's up! So spill!'

'I didn't ezspill anything,' Grimmjow said in confusion. Since when did they start talking about knocking over liquids!

'I don't mean that way!' Ichigo sighed. 'I mean something is bothering you and you need to tell me!'

'I don't need to tell you anything!'

'Yes, you do!'

'No, I don't!'

'Yes, you do!'

'No, I don't!'

'Yes, you-will you just tell me already, Grimmjow!'

'It'z nothing, Ichi…go,' Grimmjow sighed and placed a knuckle against his cheek. 'I just…I'm just…remembering…things.'

'Like what?'

'Oh, nothing important. Just…home…'

'Like…Germany home?'

Grimmjow hesitated before nodding his head. He couldn't bring himself to answer verbally. It might just cause the flood of nostalgia to come crashing back and he didn't know if he could stop himself from crying if it did.

'Why don't you call home?' Ichigo continued and pulled his legs under him as he continued to watch Grimmjow.

'I don't…know how,' Grimmjow admitted, a little ashamed that he hadn't called home in a while and was wondering if it looked like he didn't care about home at all. What if Ichigo thought he was a heartless person? Wait, why did he care how Ichigo saw him? He could do anything he wanted! But then, if Ichigo thought he was heartless then he might not want to be friends with Grimmjow anymore because he might just treat Ichigo the same way. But when did he mind if Ichigo was his friend anymore?

'I do,' Ichigo exclaimed and hopped to his feet to rush out of the room. He returned with a small plastic cordless phone in hand. He smiled reassuringly at Grimmjow who was staring at him like he had sprouted another head.

What the hell was Ichigo doing? Why did he go all, 'I do,' (like in marriage, Grimmjow thought and blushed internally) and bring out his phone? Was he going to call his home? They just become good friends and Ichigo was already helping him with something as incredible as calling his family all in the way in Germany? Just who did this kid think he was?

'Do you remember your number?' Ichigo asked as he punched something in and handed the phone to a shocked Grimmjow.

'Ichigo,' Grimmjow whispered in a hushed voice and glanced uncertainly at the phone. 'It'z…going to cozt you. I don't think…I should…'

'You might not but I think you should. Everyone has a right to talk to their family if they miss them,' Ichigo said firmly. 'C'mon, Grimmjow, just do it.'

'But…your mother…'

'Would kick me if I listened to you. Just call home, Dorothy! There's no place like home!'

'Who'z Dorothy?'

'She's-oh, never mind! Just call home already!'

Grimmjow glanced at an eager Ichigo, then at the phone and then back. He bit his lower lip before finally deciding that Ichigo was nothing but crazy and began to dial in the number he had committed to memory. Ichigo let out a breath of relief and leaned back as Grimmjow uncertainly put the phone to his ear, waiting as the dial tone rang.

Grimmjow's heart was palpitating crazily against his ribcage. What was he going to do? What was he going to say? Worse, who was going to pick up on the other line? The odds were stacked against him. It was a school day so Stark might not even be home. Nel wasn't allowed to pick up the phone because last time she did she drove the person crazy with her nonstop chattering. So that just left his mom.

What was he going to say when she picked up? Can people track other people down through their phone? It happened in movies? Was she going to send the police after them? What was his father going to say? He was going to be so upset and Grimmjow couldn't bear to see him upset-

'Hello?' said a familiar male voice. Grimmjow exhaled, realizing he had been holding his breath. He sent multiple prayers thanking that it was Stark who picked up. Guess he had forgotten the time difference so Stark was probably home.

'Stark?' he croaked. Silence greeted him. His heart picked up in rate again, the suspense literally killing him.

'Grimmjow?' Stark barely whispered. Grimmjow choked out a laugh, feeling his eyes burning with tears. It felt so good to hear his brother's voice. All feelings of homesickness crashed down on him and he started laughing.

'Of course it's me, you idiot!' he cried out, not caring that he was jabbering away in German and it was probably rude of him to talk in another language in front of Ichigo but right now, he didn't care. He had missed his brother so, so much. 'How have you been, you old pile of lazy bones!'

Grimmjow could tell that Stark's voice was cracking with emotion too. He, too, was laughing and shouting in joy as the two began to share a friendly banter of insults, jokes and catching up. It was like the entire world had disappeared and all that was there were the two brothers talking like they hadn't talked in years.

It actually felt like years. Grimmjow had almost forgotten what his older brother looked like. But now, talking to him, he could just picture him standing in this very room with his wavy brown hair, his laidback lanky form, his brooding stormy eyes and that pleasant sleepy grin. His heart began to ache terribly. He missed home badly.

'Nel lost her first tooth?' Grimmjow yelped.

'And you missed it, you jackass! And you know what she said?' Stark laughed. 'She said she's going to stick it under her pillow and wait for the tooth fairy to come so she can surprise her and say she doesn't want the money but her big brother home!'

'Really?' Grimmjow said softly. He always had a soft spot for Nel. He simply loved her to pieces.

'She really misses you, Grimmjow,'Stark stated and although he would never say it, Grimmjow could tell from his tone that he missed his little brother too. Grimmjow felt bad. He didn't think that by listening to his father he was hurting his siblings. If he knew that was the price to pay he would have thought twice before obeying. Though now it was too late to rethink his actions.

'I miss all of you too,' he murmured and pressed the phone to his ear as if hoping it would transport him back home. 'It's not bad where I am. I'm going to school and have made plenty of friends. Plus, Vater has a job…'

Stark inhaled sharply at the mention of their father. Grimmjow stopped, memories of that night flooding back into his head. When he had asked Stark to come along with him and Aizen. How revolted Stark had been and his eyes had hardened. They were probably steely right now too.

'Stark, can you just, for once…' Grimmjow began slowly but pleadingly.

'It doesn't matter how many times you tell me to forgive that bastard, Grimmjow,' Stark growled. 'It doesn't matter how many times he says he'll never do it again. He shouldn't have done it in the first place and he knew it. But he did. And then, it got worse. I'm just upset that it had to happen to you of all people. You didn't deserve that, Grimmjow. You didn't-!'

'I'm tired of hearing that, Stark,' Grimmjow cut in, exasperated. 'I'm tired of people feeling sorry for me and hating Vater! Can't you forgive and forget? He's our own Vater, for God's sakes, Stark! Can't you-!'

'Can't he?' Stark cut in icily. 'Can't he give up his habits? Can't he think about what he's doing to his own family? What he's doing to you? Open your fucking eyes, Grimmjow! He has you brainwashed into thinking he's nothing but our sweet and loving Vater! You going on and on about 'Vater this' and 'Vater that'! I'm so fucking sick of it! You know what I feel like doing every time you mention your precious Vater? I feel like bashing his head in and asking him what the hell did he to do you? What the fucking hell did he do to you, Grimm?'

Stark's voice was cracking again except it wasn't for joy. Grimmjow could practically hear the tears pouring from his eyes right now. His own body was trembling with emotion. Stark cared so much it was unbearable and literally tore his heart in two. One half for his loyalty to his Vater and the other for his unfathomable love for his brother.

Why did it have to be him? Why did he have to be in the middle of everything? Sometimes…sometimes he wished there was a way he could get away from it all. Go to some faraway land away from everyone and find happiness and peace for once in his life.

'Grimm?'

Grimmjow jumped. He'd forgotten Ichigo was in the room. And he looked worried again. Grimmjow felt his cheeks to be wet and he raised a hand to touch his face. He didn't realize he had started crying. Even his lower lip was trembling. He took a shuddering breath.

'I…' Grimmjow murmured into the phone in German. 'I have to go, Stark. I'll talk to you soon, okay? Say hi to Nel for me. And please, don't tell Mutter I called.'

'Grimm-!' Stark began to argue, his voice now sounding raspy because of his crying.

'Please?' Grimmjow pleaded, his own tears starting to swell up again. This was getting painfully emotional right now and he just wanted to go back to his apartment. He'd had enough.

'Fine,' Stark finally breathed. Sighing, Grimmjow bid a soft goodbye and shut the phone, not waiting for his brother to respond. He stared emptily at the phone, physically motionless but his thoughts tumbling about his head in chaos. All he wanted was a joyful reunion with his family. And this was what he got. Life just sucked. It sucked a lot for him. He felt heavy, like there was too much weight for him to bear right now. He just wanted to throw it all off and never look back. Sure he felt guilty of abandoning those he loved but at least it meant an end to the pain, the guilt, the suffering…

'Is everything alright, Grimm?' Ichigo finally asked. He sounded uncertain about whether he should ask or not. Normally Grimmjow would be angry at whoever dared poke into his life. But he wasn't angry at Ichigo. It was natural for Ichigo to be concerned. Though Grimmjow wasn't that ready to tell him about himself.

Ichigo only knew the basics of Grimmjow's situation: his father had a fight with his mother and so they had moved here until it had all settled out. Sure it sounded a bit extreme and Ichigo had given him a confused look when he had explained but he had accepted it without any questions. Guess having Grimmjow open up a little was better than nothing.

'Stark vaz…being a Bruder,' Grimmjow said calmly, hoping he could hide the tremble in his tone. He went even further and smiled at Ichigo. 'Ve fight often, Ichi…go. Do not…vorry.'

'Ummm, if you say-'

'I am going…back home, okay, Ichi…go? I am very…tired and vant to…rezt.'

Ichigo raised his eyebrows. But he just nodded and, once the two had put away the checkerboard, walked Grimmjow to his door.

'Bye, Ichi…go,' Grimmjow said softly. 'It vaz…fun today.'

Ichigo stared at his feet for moment. Then, he looked up.

'Can I…hug you?' he murmured rather shyly. Grimmjow's eyes widened. 'I mean, if you don't want to I don't mind! It's your choice and you don't have to if you don't want to-!'

He was cut off as Grimmjow literally launched himself at the teen, hugging him fiercely. This was the first time they hugged since that day in Grimmjow's kitchen. Even though then Grimmjow refused to admit he liked it, right now, it was just what he needed to cure his depression.

Hugging Ichigo felt nice. He wasn't broad. His body was rather lanky. But he fit into Grimmjow's hug so perfectly it was like he was meant to be hugged by Grimmjow and only Grimmjow. Somehow that thought gave Grimmjow comfort as he rested his chin on Ichigo's shoulder and the teen did vice versa while wrapping his arms around Grimmjow. If only they could stay like this forever…

'Thanks, Ichigo,' Grimmjow whispered in his ear. When the two parted he noticed, and tried to suppress a smirk, that the boy was blushing a cute coral pink. He wanted to laugh and pinch the teen's cheeks. But he controlled himself and, with one last smile, left the apartment.

Just in time to see Aizen climbing wearily up the stairs.

'Vater!' Grimmjow exclaimed in surprise and strode over the take his father's briefcase. Aizen smiled lovingly at his son and ruffled his hair.

'Thank you, mein Sohn,' he sighed.

'What the fucking hell did he do to you, Grimm?'

He winced as Stark's cry echoed in his head. But he ignored it and the two made their way to their apartment.

'I'll open the door,' Grimmjow stated and pulled out his spare key.

'Oh, were you out?' Aizen queried.

'I was at Ichigo's.'

'It's so nice that you finally have friends! How is your English coming along?'

'It's not bad. Ichigo and his friends are always helping me.'

'That's wonderful, Grimmjow.'

'He has you brainwashed into thinking he's nothing but our sweet and loving Vater!'

As he opened the door, Aizen ruffled his hair once more and pulled him close so he could kiss his head lovingly.

'Open your fucking eyes, Grimmjow!'

Grimmjow cringed as Aizen kissed him. He wished Stark's voice would just go away. He never felt like this before; all squirmy and frightened. His father had kissed him plenty of times and he'd never felt like this before. It wasn't right, it wasn't right…

Aizen wrapped a hand around Grimmjow's waist to bring him closer. Grimmjow's felt his throat tingle. He felt sick.

'Vater…' he said weakly. That was when he heard a door open.

Ichigo felt his heart pounding in his ears. It was such a delirious feeling. He felt high. Like he was on drugs or something. Except he wasn't on drugs. Actually, it was all because Grimmjow had hugged him.

He didn't know what had possessed him to ask for a hug. It was just…Grimmjow looked so upset.

He couldn't fool Ichigo. The orange-head knew that something was on the German's mind. But it was up to him if he wanted to talk about it or not. Ichigo wasn't going to push. Having Grimmjow trust him was enough right now.

Everything had been going perfectly fine. They had been sitting in his living room playing a nice, clean game of checkers (though Ichigo strongly suspected Grimmjow was messing with him since the German seemed exceptionally brilliant at the game) when Grimmjow had gotten that look on his face right after Yuzu had left.

True Yuzu could be a pain in the buttocks with her constant need to pamper people including her own family. She probably wanted to thank Grimmjow for the strudel with treats though with her incessant intervening made Ichigo suspicious and he wondered if she was spying on them. The thought had made him blush, internally of course, and he wasn't going to share that thought with Grimmjow!

But that probably wasn't the reason Grimmjow had looked so upset. It was then Ichigo began to wonder if he missed home. He knew if he had to leave Japan and go live somewhere else because his family was fighting (which it was but at least he didn't have to move countries!) he would have been devastated to leave and would have missed home terribly.

When Grimmjow confessed, Ichigo knew that if he was in Grimmjow's shoes, he would take any opportunity to talk to his family back home. So he decided to be the opportunity for Grimmjow.

The look on Grimmjow's face as he talked to his brother was amazing. He had never seen the German so full of life and joy. It was like he was in heaven. To an extent, Ichigo was jealous. He knew Grimmjow was grateful for Ichigo's generous offer but it was his brother who was making him look like that right now and not Ichigo.

That was when things went slightly downhill. Grimmjow's nature changed almost immediately. Ichigo watched in shock at the German began to cry. He didn't think that Grimmjow would cry over anything. He looked so tough and strong-willed. To see him cry almost made Ichigo cry.

He didn't know what Grimmjow was talking about but the German had taken the liberty of sharing some of his own language with Ichigo so the teen caught snippets of words he could vaguely understand like 'Vater' which meant 'father', 'Mutter' which was 'mother' and such. His tone had also changed. It wasn't light and cheery but hushed and upset.

Ichigo didn't want to pry when Grimmjow started pretending it was nothing and wanted to go home. After all, he had let plenty of things go with the German: that night he had screamed, his peculiar undying love for his father, the reason why he had moved here from Germany. Everything just seemed like it was missing pieces but Ichigo knew better than to butt into other people's business. And besides, Grimmjow wasn't prying so why should he?

So he hugged him instead. Or rather, Grimmjow hugged him. It looked like the German needed the hug because he was clinging so desperately to Ichigo it was almost like he thought he'd get lost if he let Ichigo go.

But he wouldn't. Ichigo wouldn't let him. So he hugged him back just as desperately but his desperation was rooted in something else. He didn't want Grimmjow to feel he had nobody. He wanted to let the German know that he could lean on him anytime and he would be there for him. Ichigo tried to convey as much as he could in that one hug until they parted and Grimmjow had walked out of his apartment.

Did Grimmjow even understand? Did Ichigo even understand? Did either of them understand what was happening to them?

Ichigo realized his body was trembling. This wasn't right. Grimmjow was upset. He couldn't just let him go to his apartment and cry out his feelings. The very thought of Grimmjow crying again but Ichigo's heart ache and his stomach twist uncomfortably.

He made up his mind and opened the door. He was going to comfort Grimmjow whether the German liked it or not.

He froze.

There was Grimmjow in the hallway. With his father. Who had his arms wrapped around him in a rather…awkward way. Like he was going to kiss him on the…on the…

Ichigo shook his head, trying to clear it. No, no, no. That wasn't what he was seeing. It was all in his head, it was all in his over imaginative head…

'Ichi…go?' Grimmjow voice echoed in Ichigo's head from some far away place. When Ichigo looked up, Aizen was smiling sheepishly at him and scratching the back of his head. More than anything, Ichigo wanted to glare at him. He wanted him to go away. Being around him made Ichigo uncomfortable and…vulnerable.

'I just…' Ichigo rasped, glancing at Grimmjow and then Aizen before looking at the boy once more. 'I just wanted to make sure you didn't lock yourself outside your home. It can happen around here!'

'Oh, that's alright!' Aizen laughed and clapped the back of Grimmjow's back. 'My Grimmjow is quite responsible having to stay by himself while I'm gone and all! But thank you for your concern! It's so nice to see Grimmjow has such caring friends!'

'Yeah,' Ichigo murmured, his eyes wandering to Grimmjow's face and noticed, in both shock and surprise, that instead of finding an adoring look for his father Grimmjow wore an expression of worry and uncertainty. Had something happened?

'Zee you tomorrow…in zchool, Ichi…go,' Grimmjow said quickly and followed his father into their apartment. But before he left, Ichigo saw him look in his direction for a millisecond, like he wanted to say something. But he didn't.

Ichigo didn't know how he found his way back into his apartment. He didn't know what he had just seen. Or rather, he didn't know how to feel about what he saw. Sick? Confused? Angry? Horrified?

Why were all these such negative reactions? Well, he couldn't bring himself to feel anything else about that scene. There was a mystery around Grimmjow and his father. Something deep and disturbing. Ichigo knew there was something off about that man. And him living in the same place as Grimmjow made him uneasy plus after today, he felt even more uncomfortable.

He glanced at the wall that separated his and Grimmjow's apartment. Just what had happened to him that his father practically moved them across the globe?

Ichigo listlessly picked the cordless phone which had been tossed onto the couch. He pressed the redial button and found the foreign number. He might need that one day. When things got out of hand. He just hoped he wouldn't be too late.

I hope nobody found Grimmjow talking in English annoying or couldn't visualize it! And I hope this isn't any offense to people who are fluent in German and English! I just tried to imagine what it would be like to learn a new language and how difficult it might be to try speaking in it, y'know?

Anywho I hope this long chapter makes up for the wait and please don't forget to review because reviews let us writers know if we're doing anything right!

Thanks for reading this story and enjoying it enough to Alert and Favorite it! You have my love :3

TRANSLATIONS:

Mutter: mother

Bruder: brother