A/N:

I apologize for slow chapters; college has been really kicking my ass.

Anyways, onwards: Still accepting pairing requests (none with characters that already have pairings, obviously).

Chapter Five

Gesta non verba

"Why are we here." He stated, not asked, sourly.

"As I said, we're studying human relations," Szayel grinned to his colleague with the creepy, shit-eating grin he could have only learned from that blue-haired junior in the hallway. "Drink your punch." Ishida was none too thrilled with sitting in this dark corner while scary, gothic people began entering the vast living room that was now converted into a party room. A few girls dressed provocatively were talking to each other, something about whoever else was coming to the event. He was not looking forward to this night, at all.

The door opened with a clack as it hit the wall uncaringly, the person walking in already spouting off some foul choice-words to the doorkeeper—that short, emo boy. From the entryway leading into the main dance hall he saw the extremely tall, lanker fucker that he'd spied with the blue-haired freak (who appeared behind him, go figure) and even Szayel Aporro. The tall guy was the one spouting, the blue-haired one behind him had his hands in his jean pockets, either annoyed or expecting something else to happen.

Ishida adjusted his glasses over his nose, glaring into the depths of his tropical-fruit punch with stoic and searing hatred he would rather not unleash upon the world. He shifted slightly when he saw Szayel stand and head over to the new entrants. He pat the even-taller-than-him male on the arm and mouthed something Ishida could only assume to be "calm down." The blue-haired one scoffed, looking around the room adjacent to him before his eyes set on Uryuu, recognizing him. Uryuu gulped, holding his gaze for only an instant when the electric orbs shot away from him and to the other end of the room.

He hesitated to follow the Hueco's eyes, but upon looking he wasn't sure why he'd attracted the bulky blue man's attention. It was the boy that had bumped into him in the stairwell (he was sort of hard to miss with that hair), but he thought that those two were enemies. He hoped a fight or something wouldn't break out. Looking back at the orange-haired teen across the room, Uryuu saw he was a bit frozen with aqua orbs trained on him. He saw the orange kid look at him for an instant, and immediately averted his eyes from the two, looking back at his punch, but looking out of the corner of his eye every once in a while. He couldn't help but notice a few other sophomores appearing in the door, one of which he wasn't sure of.

A few hours earlier…

He was pissed.

Toshiro Hitsugaya was known to get pissed off at everything, but today was a special day of pissed-off-ness. Tutoring was anticipated to be as noxious as the locker rooms in middle school, but not nearly as suffocating. Ichimaru-sensei had pulled a desk in front of Toshiro's, the ends touching and making one desk, and he was of course staring at him with slanted eyes and silly grin. And the manner that the teacher spoke with wasn't helping his learning process at all, considering English was not his forte with that wacky accent of his. How did he manage to get a job teaching this class?

Even worse, Ichimaru had physically hunted him down during lunch to re-schedule his tutoring session to…right now.

"Souuu… now we jus' gotta git'ya caught up on this paper due nex' week," Ichimaru mused, seeming to be bored with having to do this too, but Toshiro was sure it was just to try easing the tension that sparked between their desks. "It's persuasive, so ya can pick any topic that isn't abortion."

"Hmmph, or gay marriage." Toshiro muttered under his breath, as he had usually been doing to answer his teacher. Ichimaru only smiled, increasing the creeper factor.

"Nah, tha's fine. They're fascinatin' to read," Hitsugaya raised a snowy eyebrow at that but was distracted by another grading rubric being put in front of him. "There ya go, that'll be 'nuff for today, yea? I know ya like hangin' out with me, but we better git goin'." Ichimaru's grin turned nearly sinister in width, making Hitsugaya cringe.

"I'm fine leaving, Ichimaru-sensei, I'm not easily heartbroken." He scoffed, gathering his papers and aligning them by tapping the bottom on his desk. Ichimaru chuckled a little in his throat but glided out of the desk and pushing it back into its position.

"I see…well, same time Monday, Snowy-chan." He waved as the snowy boy was heading out of the room as fast as he could without looking like he was hurrying—and he most certainly was. Hitsugaya stair-skipped down the tall steps leading up to the room, taking a right at the bottom to reach an alternate exit than the one he'd normally take.

"That was a waste of my life…" Toshiro muttered under his breath, escaping outside to the cloudy, almost dreary weather. He adjusted his bag over his shoulder, taking the sidewalk towards his grandmother's house and as far away from the silvery teacher as he could be.

He smirked cattishly, his hands folded in his sleeves in a prancing position while he hopped about the room, straightening it. Ichimaru just loved his job, more so because he could actually pick on people that would either think he was funny, or stay their distance.

At least the smart ones would.

He finally got the room neat and tidy, as he preferred, and locked the door while skipping down the steps. His friend and associate Sousuke was out of town for the weekend, and he needed to keep himself amused somehow, no matter how trivial. He had heard some whispering rumor about a party this weekend at someone's house while their parents were away, and he was completely intrigued at this notion. And he knew exactly the student to confer with. He walked out of the school towards the parking lot, taking his time while he surveyed the grounds in slanted vision, finally finding what he had been looking for.

"Heya there, Jaggy-kun." Ichimaru immediately rested his arms and elbows on the handlebars of the fluorescent blue of Grimmjow Jeagerjaquez's motorbike. The electric-blue teen only scowled, not enjoying Ichimaru's presence this close to him (like many).

"Ichimaru-sensei. What do you need now?" He inquired, sounding just as irritated as his constant scowl showed.

"Mah…I heard 'bout some party ta'night…why wouldn't my Jaggy tell me somethin' like that?" He tilted his head, making a face similar to a sad kitten, or in this case, fox. Grimmjow only continued giving his scowl, but slightly more uncomfortable.

"Don't call me that, teach. I ain't tellin' you nothing when ya told the school 'bout the last one."

"Oh, I hav'nt the slightest o' what yer talking about."

"Whatever, you told Hirako last year that if ya went to one more student party ya'd lose yer job for not reportin' it," Grimmjow smirked, starting his bike. "Make yer own party." Ichimaru's grin sunk, making a creased line where the creepy curve of a smirk usually rested.

"I intend ta', then. Don't do anythin' too reckless, my Jaggy." He ran his long, bony fingers through unruly blue locks, ruffling the mess into a bigger mess.

"Don't fucking touch me, you sex offender!" Grimmjow smacked his hand off, revving the bike engine as a threat to get the teacher to remove himself. Ichimaru put his hands up before him, smiling.

"Violent! I'm goin', officer, I'm goin'." He stepped out of the way of the biker, who took off down the street to prepare for his evening. Grinning, the fox-like man went to his car: A 2008 Pontiac GTO, the license plate saying "KITSUNE". It was his ex-girlfriend's idea, and he agreed to shut her up just because he thought it was too girly. It grew on him, however, even if she and her enormous breasts didn't. He shivered at the thought again, sure they'd been friends and of course worked together now, but that didn't mean he had to like her that much. Ichimaru was cold in more ways than one, and Rangiku's warm, hospitable, and sexually enthusiastic attitude clashed with his way of doing things the way he liked.

But off of thinking about her now, he just wanted to get out and crash a few kids' parties. They were amusing to watch, especially when alcohol was involved. There was only that time Grimmjow was referring to when he reported it, since Shinji Hirako had brought illegal drugs into it, and he couldn't let that slide. He had some standards after all. He slid into his comfortably leather seats, shutting the door of his car and sinking into the buckets while his car started. The song began where it had left off; "So Cold" by Breaking Benjamin was always a song he'd favored when driving on a colorful morning. Others may think of it as a depressing, cloudy-day song. For Ichimaru, it was a good song for a depressingly bright day.

He drummed his long fingers on the steering wheel, debating his destination. Of course he wanted to scout out anything that would occupy his time on a Friday night more than NCIS reruns and microwave dinners. He put his vehicle in drive, gracefully exiting the parking lot and veering onto the street towards home, deciding that if he were to discover anything else about ridiculous under-aged partying, he could at least change out of his school attire. Many times before he'd snuck into college parties and asked if he shared classes with the others there. Ichimaru didn't go to these social events to socialize anyways, he just enjoyed observing.

Taking a shortcut towards his home, he happened to spot a flash of white hair down the sidewalk and taking steps into a modest wooden home that was probably owned by someone that had owned it for a very long time. Gin smirked, stuck at a red light at a wonderful time. He'd never hear the end of it if the short boy noticed that the two lived nearby each other, but he wasn't going to have him notice him now was he? Toshiro got to the top of the wooden porch that was in need of minor repairs and pulled the screen door open. After that he seemed to have to push the white door with his entire body to force it open, a skill he'd probably learned to do without any pain.

The car behind Ichimaru's honked its horn suddenly, jolting him from his dream-like state. Ice-blue eyes whipped back from the inside of his home to the street, where Ichimaru had stopped paying attention to the light. Cursing, Ichimaru sped back down the street, taking the next turn towards his house. Muttering bitterly, he flipped the bird back to the man in the Prius behind him that had to go and ruin his creeping time. Toshiro has first appeared curious before turning livid at noticing the easily-distinguishable Ichimaru behind the wheel of an equally distinguishable car, and Ichimaru couldn't get the grin off his face.

Present time…

Ichigo forcefully averted his eye from the doorway, feeling like if he continued facing the electric blue Hueco the moment would get even more awkward. Scratch that, it was painfully awkward as he looked back into his cup of orange soda and still felt the complimentary blue watching him. A few moments passed before a wiry arm slid over his shoulder and looped around his neck, pulling him closer to the person that's arm was now wrapped around him. He gasped, almost spilling his drink as he glared up at a slant-eyed snake. "Yo, Berry. Ya actually showed, huh?" Nnoitra hissed, getting a grin on his face, obviously teasing. He was wearing a simple, long white hoodie and his flat raven hair splayed over his shoulders. His jeans were tight and fit the smallest curves of his form and a few bulky studded belts of reds and blacks adorned his thin waist. Ichigo frowned, making a face.

"Duh." He couldn't think of a more intellectual response and instantly regretted replying at all as Nnoitra got that sick smirk on his face that he only had when he felt he'd gained the upper-hand.

"What, Pineapple drag you here? Or maybe limey boy there?" Ichigo raised an eyebrow, going to look in the direction Nnoitra was referring to when a second arm went over his shoulder, laying on top of Jiruga's arm to grasp the other side of Ichigo's nape.

"Neh neh, Nnoi-teme, you still abuse people don't ya?" Shinji Hirako's grin mirrored Jiruga's, until the latter's inverted. Ichigo turned livid, trying to slide his head out from under their arms, but Shinji had intentionally interlocked the spindly men's arms so his escape was much more improbable.

"Hirako..!"

"Pssh, I only bug him cuz you fugged off. Seriously, how do we both get stuck back as sophomores and never see ya. Ya never even call me ya know." Jiruga teased, keeping the frown on his face to promote a serious tone he was not known for. Shinji grinned right back, leaning more on Ichigo with feint guilt.

"Ahh, sorry Nnoi, ya just weren't my type…"

"Skinny shit, no one's yer type." Nnoitra jeered, glaring at Shinji fully, and of course was in Ichigo's space.

"Lanky fucker, yer one to talk," Hirako jabbed back, practically resting his chin on Ichigo's spiky, bleached head. Nnoitra's already narrow eyes practically squinted as he observed the blonde's grin. They both seemed to glare at each other for quite some time, Ichigo still trying to find a way to slide out of their grasps. Shinji finally clapped him on the back, ceasing his escape attempts. "So, Ichigo, why don't ya tell us who ya like more, me or that ugly rat." He thumbed up to Nnoitra, who huffed.

"More like me, the sexy mofo, or him, the limey with the bad-teeth."

"I'm not even British…"

"Uh, guys," Ichigo looked between them. "Why do I have to—"

"Shut up and pick, Berry." Nnoitra's grip on his shoulder tightened, Shinji's doing the same.

"C'mon Ichi, all in good fun. I'll make it worth yer while if ya pick me." He leaned down exceptionally close, speaking in his ear and caused a shiver to go down Ichigo's spine.

"I…well…pick—" He gulped. Why was he acting this way? Ichigo was never stuck for words, but having two tall, older men completely trapping him set something in his flight methods haywire. He certainly didn't want one or the other to become upset at him, especially since he'd only just made acquaintances with Shinji, but if he chose Shinji, who knew what would come from that. He stopped mid-thought as he had both males' eyes boring into him, as well as an extra set that had assimilated before him. "Grimmjow…"

The two tall one's eyes widened and stood back up straight, releasing Ichigo from their tight hold. "Yo, Grimmy!" Shinji smiled, Ichigo still catching something nervous behind the friendly gesture. Grimmjow nodded, acting aloof with his hands in his pockets. Ichigo was trying really hard not to look over the bluenet's attire, instead backing away to get a refill of his drink that he hadn't drank much from. Shinji went on bullshitting with the blue-haired young man while Ichigo saw Nnoitra make glances at him from the counter. Not able to resist, his ears blocked out the booming music from the next room to listen to the three behind him.

"—just havin' a chat, really." Shinji's voice hit his ears first, and a gruff mumble from Grimmjow.

"Yeah, right. I heard that comment ya' horny fucker."

"Whatcha mean?" The cheery blonde replied before shutting up, Ichigo hearing a scuffle. Slowly turning he saw Grimmjow grab the blonde by the front of his shirt, ready to knock his piano-like teeth out until Nnoitra caught sight of him looking. Jeagerjaquez slid his eyes over to Kurosaki, who must've looked confused as hell, before he released the taller boy, who also breathed an overly-exaggerated sigh of relief. It was awkwardly quiet with the loud party rockers only a few feet away before Nnoitra took count of where all three of them were looking, putting a case of Bud on the table between them all.

"So, I snatched this from the old man before leaving. You drink, Berry?" Oh, how smooth of him to change the topic. Ichigo was fine with it for once. Nnoitra obviously had more sorts of drinks with him, judging by the backpack he had on the floor by the table's stools.

"No, I don't." He replied, finally peeling his eyes away from aquamarine. Jiruga rolled his visible eye, the other still being covered by his sleek, pitch black hair. He started getting the smirk over his face, which had become a common sight within the week of him being around Ichigo. For an idiot, Nnoitra could rarely hide that he had concocted a plan.

"Want to start?"

"Not really." Ichigo, unfazed, shrugged. He frowned again, part of his teeth still showing in the grimace.

"Pussy, why the hell not?"

"Drinking looks like a waste of time."

"Coming from the alcoholic virgin."

"Coming from the hopeless guy." Ichigo retorted. Not even hopeless romantic, Jiruga couldn't even spell romantic if he was reading a dictionary. He heard a snort from behind him, more than likely from Shinji. Nnoitra glared across to them and huffed.

"Well, fine. But ya better watch it Berry. I've made it my personal mission to get you fucked-up this year."

"Well aren't I honored, Captain." Another giggle came from behind him, definitely Shinji. Earning a dark frown and occasional eyebrow twitch from Nnoitra, Ichigo turned and exited the kitchen, spotting Grimmjow with a grin on his face next to Shinji. That still worried the hell out of him.

Returning to the dance floor, his eyes practically widened. The huge living room that had been cleared out was packed full of people, the center being an indistinguishable pit of bodies much too close to one another. He went around the outer ring, avoiding the crazy people that had broken away from the main crowd to begin their own circle. On closer inspection, there were plenty of people just standing around and chatting, bouncing to the music gently with their drinks. Couches and chairs lined the ends of the enormous room, and Ichigo was only a little surprised to see his red-headed friend standing by an occupied couch with a few Karakura students. Ichigo went over and stopped by his shoulder, Renji looking up and nodded, not wanting to interrupt a tall, shiny-headed senior from telling his tale. Also around the piece of furniture was a black haired kid with a few tattoos littered over his neck and face, the red-headed Inoue girl Ichigo remembered from middle school, and another average height male with a few-too-many accessories in his hair. A few others were in the vicinity, but none that Ichigo could recognize as kids from any classes he had.

"Matsumoto-sensei said she'd be coming, after all."

"Well, I don't really doubt that she would, but why would Ully invite her?" the effeminate male said, leaning over the back of the couch to hear the bald one talking from the center couch cushion.

"Like he'd tell her to get out, she'd threaten reporting him."

"She's kind of a bitch that way," Renji threw his comment in, the red-headed girl not saying anything from her spot next to the baldy. The latter nodded, looking over at Renji before raising an eyebrow at Ichigo. "Oh, this is my friend I told you about, Ikkaku." The prematurely bald guy still gave Ichigo that look before the orange-haired male gave a short nod.

"Kurosaki Ichigo."

"Oh, right. Sorry; I just saw ya talking to that Shinji kid."

"Yeah, I got a class with him." Not a complete lie—he just was in the same gym as Shinji was. Renji looked back over to the kitchen, leaning over conspicuously to see who Ikkaku was referring to, Ichigo giving him a nudge in the side. He grumbled, giving him a look but spotted who he'd intended to, looking away from the kitchen quickly.

"Jesus, that blond kid? And apparently Nnoitra and the rabid dog are here." Ichigo rolled his eyes. Renji was used to giving Grimmjow some sort of wild animal nickname; no matter how often Ichigo told him he reminded him more like a cat. Lax, hissy, and a fuck-all attitude.

"Yeah, Nnoitra snuck in a case." Ichigo reported to his friend, who had assumed he would try something like that. Ikkaku and the tattooed kid both looked at Ichigo before each other, standing.

"Talk to ya later, Red."

"Later, Shuu." Renji half-waved to the tattoo covered male, getting a smirk before they both entered the kitchen. Ichigo raised an eyebrow, and when Renji looked back at him he batted his eyelashes a few times before getting socked in the arm, Ichigo laughing.

"C'mon Red, just teasing!"

"Shut up, man. Shuuhei ain't like that. And I sure ain't! 'Sides, what about your boyfriend in there that gave me the evil-eye."

"What?" Ichigo asked, genuinely confused when Renji rolled his eyes as response. "Spit it out!"

"Jack in there was lookin' over here when I checked who Ikkaku was talkin' about. Scared the shit out of me." Ichigo glanced back at the doorway, not fully. Is that why Renji looked away so suddenly? Renji sure gave up on pronouncing the Hueco's names, too. Jeagerjaquez was now Jack.

"Well, that's weird."

"Yer telling me," he sighed. "Say, you going to take anything from Nnoitra?"

"Are you kidding? I wouldn't trust him being drunk, let alone getting anyone else drunk with crap from his place."

"Well, I dunno, I thought we could always try it." Ichigo glared at his friend, who just shrugged.

"You know I hate that fucking shit." Ichigo spat back at his friend, who shrunk and looked away, nodding.

"Sorry."

"Don't," Ichigo muttered, moving around to sit on the couch, his cup of orange soda empty and the plastic cup getting crushed in his grip. "We'll leave if shit gets too crazy here," he released his grip on the plastic, the popping sound breaking the beat in the music for a moment. Renji didn't say anything, just watching his friend slowly get to his feet. "I'm getting another soda, want one?"

"No, I'm okay." Renji said as Ichigo had already started to walk away, sighing to himself.

Ichigo re-entered the kitchen, walking around the group of people with different cans or cups of mixed drinks, just grabbing the two-liter of orange soda.

"Yo Ichi, I wouldn't if I were you," he jumped, looking over as Grimmjow had snuck up to his side. Frowning, he glanced back at the bottle before back up at him. "Nnoitra spiked it for ya."

"How kind of him." Ichigo said bitterly, not even able to hide it. Raising another eyebrow, Grimmjow walked to the stainless-steel fridge and withdrew a 24-ounce bottle of Sunkist.

"Here, what's your problem now…bitch." He seemed to add that after a moment, the hesitation still catching Ichigo's attention. He took the bottle from him, twisting the cap and was satisfied to be breaking the seal himself.

"Thanks, but I don't have a problem."

"Tsk, yer such a crap liar."

"Well, yer a crap Algebra student."

"Not my fault when you say you won't gimme yer homework, you do anyways." Ichigo glared back up at the blue-haired, feline-resembling junior that only grinned. "So…spill."

"None of your business."

"I've gotten shot down worse than that."

"I just don't like the idea of drinking, is all."

"Well neither do I, but I don't go around snapping at my best friend over it." Ichigo's eyes widened and he looked back over at Grimmjow, who had taken a seat at the stool next to Ichigo. Grimmjow just shrugged, half lidded eyes kind of glancing back to where the couch was easily visible from where he was seated.

"…drunk people piss me off."

"Eh, that's better I guess. Why?"

"That is none of your business." He took a drink, still having Grimmjow's serious eyes on him, making him turn away from where he could see him, preferring to drink his soda in peace.

"Alright alright fine, better hang away from Jiruga and Shinji for the night then."

"I'll see how well that works out."

"Good. Ulquiorra is the only person that should frown at a party, anyways." Ichigo raised an eyebrow before his hair got ruffled by a strong, large hand. Swatting it off, Grimmjow snickered while Ichigo retreated back out to the couch, trying to straighten the spikes on his head. Sitting back down, Renji must have been dragged into another pod of people, or went willingly with how Ichigo had talked to him. He sighed, just getting comfortable on his side of the couch he spun the cap of his bottle until he felt the couch sink. Glancing back over, he was going to tell Renji he was sorry when he practically leapt back at the sight much too close to him.

Leaning into his personal space was an average-built young man dressed entirely in white, even his hair was shock white and his skin must've been close to it, or at least the dark room made it look like it had a glow about it, like shirts under black-light. More shocking was the fact he had highlighter-yellow eyes boring right into Ichigo's and they were surrounded by pitch-black sclera, instead of the normal white. Leaning away from the started Kurosaki, Ichigo could only stare at this mysterious person that looked like…himself.

"Hey," he grinned, teeth just about as white as the rest of him, voice only an octave or two higher than Ichigo's. "Kurosaki, hm?" the young man in question slowly nodded, still stunned and the other took clear recognition of that.

"Do I…?"

"Nah, ya don't know me. I just heard 'bout ya. It's creepy, huh…" his pale hand and black nails brushed part of Ichigo's bright orange hair away from his forehead. "We're like copies…like a color printer ran out of ink when I came 'round." His joke was only slightly funny, more so cruel to himself being an albino.

"…Sure." Ichigo was blocked from leaning further away by the arm of the couch he'd almost sat himself on from the initial surprise the other had given him.

"My name's Shirosaki Hichigo, just Shiro works," Ichigo swallowed, even their names? This was too weird, he vaguely wondered if this other was really sitting next to him. "S'really weird, Ichigo. Ya have no idea how weird."

"I got a pretty good idea." Officially creeped out, he tried standing when Shiro grabbed a belt loop, tugging him back onto his ass with a swift tug. Gods, he was strong.

"Oh c'mon I'm just kiddin'. Aren't ya curious? I wanna know 'bout ya, and you wanna know 'bout me. I can tell— really good at readin' people." Not only did Shiro enjoy talking, he sure talked weird too. He couldn't have grown up in the same area Ichigo had. Even if they looked alike, Shiro was way too fucking close for comfort. Ichigo still tried situating himself in a different position to at least get some distance between them. He wasn't monumentally successful, only getting a couple inches gain under Shiro's notice. He finally leaned back a bit and let Ichigo take a breath. Deciding he should probably humor the albino, or face more heckling for the rest of the evening, Ichigo looked back over at him.

"You're a sophomore, right?"

"Nope, Junior." Good, at least they didn't have the same birthday or some shit.

"Oh," he couldn't think of another question, Shiro giving him another slanted grin, almost threatening to ask something himself if Ichigo didn't initiate one himself. "How'd you hear about me, then?"

"Grimm talks 'bout ya a lot," he shrugged, making Ichigo grimace. Shiro, too? How many people actually knew him thanks to the blue-haired Hueco? "Guess ya've heard that already. That's weird."

"Really weird…" Ichigo finished for him, certain he'd probably emphasize that fact once more. Shiro nodded, a grin still written on his face.

"Oi, Shiro!" Another obnoxiously high voice broke in through the songs rapid bass, drawing the look-alikes attention to the archway of the kitchen. A smile crept across his face and he sprung off the couch.

"Hey, Nnoitra ya stupid pile." Ichigo got a half smile, of course even Nnoitra's friends insulted him. The tall, black haired boy did appear to have already taken a few drinks—he probably had a low tolerance because of his size, even if he was so tall he was thin as hell.

"I'm tryin' ta tell Grimm to show his Moves like Jagger."

"Grimm does have Moves like Jagger, his name is Jeager!"

"Shut the hell up." Ichigo heard Grimmjow mutter lowly, almost missing it with the rumbling music surrounding him that matched the low tenor. The rest of the conversation took place deeper in the kitchen, too far away for him to hear. Observing the dancing groups of people, he had yet to find Renji in the mass. Well, maybe hanging out in the kitchen wouldn't be as bad as sitting alone in a dark, music-filled room. Though then he risked Jiruga and Shinji's antics…

Sitting for another 15 seconds made his mind up. He stood, reentering the kitchen that had started its own party. Everyone had found Nnoitra's stash from his backpack and mixed their own beverages together into plastic cups and were lingering around the room. He even saw that pink-haired guy taking two glasses from the counter, sneaking away from the others with a smirk plain on his face. The two girls from Ichigo's English class were hanging around Ikkaku and Shuuhei, the latter looking more-or-less disgusted at their state while Ikkaku was gung-ho. A busty woman had also taking drinks, leaning off her stool nearby the pair of students. She was too old to be a student herself, surely, but not too much. Ulquiorra was still nowhere in sight, unaware to the mess his kitchen was becoming.

"That was fast, huh." Ichigo muttered, surprised to hear a grumble of agreement to his left. Grimmjow had leaned himself up against what must've been a pantry door to avoid any people going back for more drinks.

"Told ya you shoulda stayed out."

"Yeah, well, Renji found somebody he knew or something, can't find him. And Nnoitra pulled Shiro back in here," Ichigo didn't hear a reply from Grimmjow, looking over he saw that the other had averted his eyes, having a guise similar to a pout. "So, who else do you talk to about me, huh?"

"The fuck did that come from?"

"Well, Shinji, Shiro…"

"Whatever." He stood back up, pacing away from the door. Ichigo frowned, following him.

"You're a crap liar!" He quoted him, getting a glare from the blue-haired man that was nearly dangerous.

"Why can't I talk about people, huh? Nnoitra talks about ya, your friend does, why can't I? There a law against it?" Ichigo figured he had a good point there, not good enough in his book though.

"No, still pretty weird if Shinji tells me to talk to you, or Shiro says you told him we looked alike. Really weird." He shook his head at the thought, unintentionally repeating that line he'd already used against the creepy albino.

"I don't talk to Shinji much, even less tell 'im what to do."

"For not talking to him much he sure hears a lot from you." Ichigo had already moved in front of Grimmjow, who had his hands in his pockets but was keeping his eyes more so on the group of drinkers in the room than the shorter sophomore blocking his escape route. Ichigo huffed, turning away. "Whatever, then." He turned away, not going to get anything out of Grimmjow, of course. He sure had to get that out of his system though. He'd only known Ichigo for a week and he was talking about him like they were old friends. Not that Ichigo could complain, really, he sure talked to Grimmjow like they were friends. The pantry door creaked open, hardly catching Ichigo's attention until he heard something clatter and getting a strong shove on the shoulder. He yelped (totally masculine, by the way) and was sent into the decently-sized pantry. Falling back against a shelf, he was about to chew someone out when he saw Shinji do the gayest gay-wave to him, his fingers waggling when he did before shutting the pantry's door. Snarling, he reached around for a cord to turn on the light bulb he could barely make out above him. He heard another growl, his hand jerking in surprise and brushing against a thin string. Pulling sharply, the dingy light came back on and Ichigo noticed he wasn't exactly stuck on a shelf ledge.

"Shinji, I'm gonna tear you a new asshole!" Grimmjow roared behind him, his vocal cords being close to Ichigo's ear in this position. His face turned bright red, realizing that the shelf he'd be seated on was instead Grimmjow, who had been shoved in before him, or more specifically: his lap. The door clicked, someone obviously figuring out how to lock the small door that Ichigo had really hoped hadn't had a lock installed on it. The position was awkward, Grimmjow having fallen clumsily Ichigo wasn't sitting on him perfectly, at more of a decline that he'd need to use more leverage and balance than he had available to get out.

"Sorry…" Ichigo had to mutter, since his whole bodyweight was practically on the other, and he didn't really want to take notice of the fact he was pressed up against his solid chest.

"Ch…" Grimmjow rumbled, making Ichigo swallow. He reached up and grabbed a shelf just barely, trying to pull himself up when Grimmjow resituated himself better too, making his grip slip and his attempt of removing himself from the other fail. "Well, get off." Grimmjow said once in a better position, his tone darker and hiding something else while Ichigo nodded, also trying to ignore the fact he felt the other's breath by his ear. Pushing all thoughts aside he grabbed the shelf again, having to pull himself up along Grimmjow first to remove himself from the slumped position he'd fallen into, hearing a suppressed groan from Grimmjow. "Alright quit it!" He spat, making Ichigo freeze.

"What?" He felt stupid for asking of course, having already kept himself focused on ignoring how it felt when Grimmjow's arm went around his waist and lifted him up, the other having gotten enough space to pull himself up—doing the same with the smaller student against him. Gulping, Ichigo was steady on his feet, Grimmjow's arm hanging around his waist for a moment before sliding off him. The pantry was much more cramped now that they were standing, probably built for smaller sized people. Ichigo didn't say anything until Grimmjow's arm and hand was completely off him, the latter having been lingering by his side a bit too long. Both were quiet, not sure who should say something first until Ichigo moved, trying the door handle.

"He locked it." He commented simply, guessing that Grimmjow nodded behind him. Both stayed quiet again, Ichigo's back still to the taller of the two.

"Sorry for talking about you," Ichigo blinked and looked back at an apologetic looking bluenet. "Guess not everybody likes that, so sorry."

"…It's not a big deal." He replied with a nod, still accepting the unexpected apology.

"If it helps, it wasn't anything bad."

"…I guess it does."

The small space was quiet again. Ichigo swallowed, before chuckling a little, earning an eyebrow raise from Grimmjow.

"What?" Ichigo caught a tone in his voice that might've been worried, perhaps thinking he was laughing at him.

"Eh, this kinda reminds me of that game kids did at slumber parties, whatever it's called." It was quiet for a few more moments before he heard Grimmjow shift.

"Seven minutes of heaven."

"Yeah, that one."

Silence. Ichigo took in another deep breath when a strong grip came over his arm and spun him around, almost causing him to trip over his tangled feet. Opening his mouth to give a retort, he was silenced by the look on Grimmjow's face. His mouth was still partially agape, words still in his throat but hadn't come out yet. When the blue-haired junior didn't say anything, Ichigo did.

"What?" Grimmjow probably would have raised an eyebrow, but instead lessened his grip on Ichigo's arm and leaned further down, pressing his lips against Ichigo's. What? Ichigo's eyes widened, going to put his hands on Grimmjow's shoulders in a sorry attempt to push him away when he found himself kissing the larger man back. He felt his back hit one side of the pantry wall, slightly uncomfortable but he didn't give a shit. Grimmjow kissing him was way too important right now. Grimmjow was only taken aback by his participation only for a second, Ichigo feeling him get that dead sexy smirk before deepening his kiss and gave Kurosaki's lower lip a nip with his sharp canines.

He winced at the bite, leaning away just slightly from the sting when he heard the door next to them click. Grimmjow heard it too, looking at Ichigo before the length of the pantry was suddenly between them. Light flooded the small space and gave the menacing shadow of the five and a half foot tall inkblot of a young man, his emerald eyes reading both of them in an instant.

"…should I even question as to why you were locked in my pantry." He mulled to himself, his eyes sliding to Ichigo and more specifically his mouth. He jolted again and wiped blood off of his cut lip with the back of his hand, forcing his breathing to be steady.

"Shinji locked us in." Ichigo said as an answer, Ulquiorra obviously not wanting to talk to Grimmjow. He stepped back, Grimmjow slinking out and automatically on the hunt for the thin blonde, Ichigo slowly exiting and careful not to make eye-contact with Ulquiorra.

He still felt verdant eyes tearing at the back of his head up until the door behind him slammed.

A/N: DONE. 4k words written over vacation, chyeah.

Massive thanks to wonderful reader Moonlight and Stardust for leaving a spectacular comment and made me realize I was a lazy buttpile. So here's a treat for you all. Still up for any suggestions for the story!