An update whaaat? Yes, after reading through this and falling in love with the story once more, I've decided to finish the last Bleach story that I'll ever deal with. Unfortunately, after Crossing Paths is finally concluded, I will be officially leaving the Bleach fandom as both Gin and Shuuhei. So until then, please do enjoy the rest of the story. I'm not deleting my stories, just won't ever finish them. If you want to know how Shallow Opacity was supposed to end, feel free to PM me.

I also realized that I contradicted myself so much in this story. Makes me wonder what kind of drug I was on around then 'cause of my heart condition. Aaaanyways, I redrew all the plans and might fix up some of the earlier chapters. And my writing style [and character perception] is very different from two years ago, when Crossing Paths was first published, so I apologize in advance. Which means Shuuhei, Renji, Gin, Grimmjow, and maybe Ichigo will be a bit different than you all remember them. Sorry! For now, I hope you enjoy!

"These scratches, the ones on my cheek ... I got them from Ichimaru." The words were quiet, hushed in the dim light of the cave. "Out in the field, he appeared to me then, but I knew if I said anything then Renji would take away more of my freedom, and I didn't want that ..." Gentle fingers combed through his hair, trying to reassure him. "You don't need to explain yourself to me. I understand what wanting freedom was like. I was just like you when Renji first saved me."

WIthout really noticing it, he tucked the strange necklace into his shirt, all thoughts of it abandoned for the moment. Something about Grimmjow's tone caught his attention. Shuuhei glanced up at the man holding him, cerulean meeting ash.

"When I was little, I lived in a little town at the edge of the kingdom. It wasn't very big but it wasn't that small either. We would have this little festival every year, around when the cherry trees were blooming. I was about six when I lost my mother. Suddenly, all of the people who had come to adore me, all of my friends, even my own family turned their backs on me. It was confusing for a little kid who had only known that place as his home for six years. I spent all of my time as a street rat, stealing my food, sneaking into shelter ... I did anything to survive."

The brunette wasn't exactly sure why Grimmjow had waited to tell him all of this now. He'd never once asked about the man's life, and Grimmjow had never asked the servant about his own. It was just a mutual respect type of thing. But if his friend wanted to share this story with him, Shuuhei was fine with that. He kept his mouth shut and listened.

"Usually I could get away with sleeping and stealing at night. During the day I would go to the pond that sat on the other side of the hill near the village. I had just turned ten when things began to change. They started to chase me away, or they would gather in large groups until I grew uncomfortable ran off. Crowding, as some call it. Then they started to throw things. That lasted for about a week. And then things grew even worse."

"Several of the villagers, the ones I had called my kin, tried to drown me in that pond. Luckily Renji showed up right around then. He took me to the castle, and I've been there ever since. After I began to do a little digging, I figured out why those people began to resent me. I was different, simply put. I could do things that they could not, and it scared them. So they chose the easiest solution; eliminate the problem."

Shuuhei blinked, tilting his head to the side. "Different? How so?" Grimmjow scratched at his chin, seemingly not sure on how to explain it. "Well ... I'm a shapeshifter as well, just like Ichimaru. Not as strong as him but I can still change."

Ash-colored eyes widened. Grimmjow, a shapeshifter? Shuuhei had never thought he'd meet one, especially not two, and certainly not in the span of a day. They were incredibly rare, having been wiped out decades ago. At least, that's what he had heard. "Shapeshifter? Were you born one?" His mind was swimming with questions.

"No, I wasn't. I was born a normal human."

"Then how-"

"I'm getting to that part, Shuuhei, calm down." The brunette clamped his mouth shut, still watching Grimmjow with wide eyes. At this point he was so confused that he wondered if he should continue to listen to the man. He might just get even more confused.

"There's a disease that shapeshifters can get, a special disease only found within them. It's a mutated form of rabies, the sickness that attacks animals. However, this disease specifically targets shapeshifters and cause them to go insane. With their minds riddled by darkness, they begin to secrete a substance within their saliva, or something like that. If a human is bitten by said infected shapeshifter, than the disease - and the substance - are passed on to that human."

"With the now-mutated disease within them, the human becomes immune to it. However, the disease mixes with the saliva and-"

"The result is a newly-made shapeshifter. Less powerful than the host body, but still a new shapeshifter." Ichimaru's voice startled them both from their conversation, grey eyes dragging across the floor to stare at the man hovering there.

"Didn' know ya were sa scientific, Grimmkitty."

"Don't call me that you bastard. Where's Izuru!"

Shuuhei stood up when Grimmjow nudged him, watching the large male prowl over to the rusty iron bars. "Oh, the little blonde one? I have no idea." The fox's smile grew dangerous, the brunette hearing a growl leave his friend's throat. "If you've done anything to him, I swear I'll-"

"What? Ya gonna break down the door an' play the hero? Trust meh, if ya could do tha', don'tcha think ya woulda done it by now?" Grimmjow's shoulders sagged. He'd been caught within his own threat. If there was a way out of here, he would've already escaped. So his words were empty, threats that Ichimaru didn't even bother fearing. "Lil' Izu-chan is fine. He's bein' good, jus' sa he can see his precious Grimmkitty again, sa ya ain' got anythin' ta worry 'bout."

Ichimaru's attention shifted from Grimmjow, those slitted eyes staring straight at his body. Shuuhei's breath caught in his throat.

"Surely ya musta realized it now, right, Shuu-chan? What ya are an' how ya came inta existance?" Grimmjow slammed his fist against the bars. "Shut up! He doesn't need to hear your lies!"

What I ... am?

I'm a human ... I've always been human ...

His eyes widened, Shuuhei feeling himself being sucked within another flashback, another memory that he did not wish to relive.

The scene was of the field again, the same flowers blowing in the breeze, the sky a beautiful blue, the breeze warm and gentle. Taku was there, the little white dog racing through the grass like the happy little idiot he was.

'Play with me, Shuu-chan! Play with me!'

His eyes widened, the brunette taking a step back.

His world grew dark, the grass slick with crimson, white roses dyed an unnatural red. Even the clouds were tainted red, almost as if they were soaked in blood. Taku was there, writhering in the center of the field. Shuuhei called out for him, reaching his hand forwards, before the fear registered in his mind. That was not Taku. Taku no longer existed in that body. He turned and began to run, feet slipping and sliding in the grass, heart racing a mile a minute. His terror rose like the tide, crashing over him, only to pull back and attack him tenfold. Shuuhei couldn't run fast enough; no matter where he went, Taku was always two steps behind him.

And then he pounced.

Shuuhei screamed.

There was red, so much red. And pain, white-hot and branding against his skin. Everything hurt. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't speak, he couldn't see. All of his senses were clouded with pain and blood and hurt and he wanted to die so badly in that moment.

The flashback ended as quickly as it had come, the brunette staring at the concerned face of Grimmjow and the smug grin of Ichimaru. "Do ya understand now, Shuu-chan? Lil' Taku-chan was never jus' a lil' doggie. Taku-chan was like meh, a born shapeshifter. Then he bit ya, and then ya became one. Ya jus' never gotta chance ta try it out. Tha' stupid redhead found ya 'fore I did, but I s'pose it all worked out in the end. Ya did end up in the castle either way."

Grey eyes went wide. So it was true. He was different. That's why his village hated him so much. It was why they had tried to kill him all those years ago.

"Aizen-sama an' I, we heard 'bout Taku-chan livin' in yer village. We were sent ta retrive 'im. But we saw how close he was ta ya, always hidin' his human form and preferrin' ta be a dog. Sa we waited, knowin' that he'd contract the disease. All shapeshifters do eventually. Then he bit ya, and 'fore I knew it, Aizen-sama had worked ya into all of his plans. We waited and waited, watchin' 'til ya grew older. We were gonna take ya away but Renji got ta ya first."

The silver-haired fox chuckled at Shuuhei's expression.

"Ya ain' jus' a normal shapeshifter. Yer different. The disease mutated ya, makin' ya as powerful, if not more, than meh. Kinda sad tha' we don' get ta see yer true potential."

"Is that because ... you're going to kill me?" Ichimaru leaned against the wall, still all smiles. "Nah, we ain' gonna kill ya. At least, not yet. Ya two are the bait. As soon as the lil' redhead gets 'ere, then we'll decide what ta do with ya."

Grimmjow growled, finally understanding what exactly was going on. "You sent Izuru back to find Renji. Shuuhei couldn't get there alone and I would've fought too hard to break back in, so you sent him to find Renji instead. And as soon as he gets here you're gonna kidnap him, aren't you? To use him against the King?"

"Yer surprisingly spot on, Grimmkitty."

Shuuhei sank to his knees, feeling his heart fill with fear. If Renji was going to be used as bait then that meant they didn't need them at all. The realization that he might never get to see the man again suddenly hit him. Their last encounter had ended horribly, with the redhead raping him and stealing his virginity. He didn't want to remember Renji like that, a cold-hearted man who took advantage of the weaker ones.

'But that's what he does, Shuuhei. Don't you remember? He stole you from your home and made you his servant, his well-trained little dog.'

No. Stop it.

'He always chooses the weaker ones. They don't fight back that way. You're weak, Shuuhei, that's why he chose you. Because you listen to him.'

Leave me alone.

'Can't you see it, Shuuhei? He won't come to this place of shadow and darkness for you; he has no reason to. So many other little dogs will be begging at his feet before long, and Renji will forget you. Isn't that what you want? To be forgotten?'

Go away!

Shuuhei shook the thoughts from his head, staring at the cracked floor beneath his palms.

There has to be a way out, there's always a way out. Right? That's how it goes in fairytales ...

But this wasn't a fairytale, and he wasn't the hero of a story.

"Do stop scaring our guests, Ichimaru. They don't need to be bothered by you every few moments." The new voice startled him; it was familiar. He looked up, spotting the servant that had come to fetch them back at the hot springs. The tear marks and pale skin were the same, but the hardness in those emerald eyes was completely different from before. They were trained on Grimmjow, who was slowly backing away from the newcomer.

"Aw, but Ulqui-kun, 'm havin' sa much fun teasin' 'em. Do I haveta?"

"Leave, Ichimaru." The fox's grin shifted into something unreadable.

"Don' think ya can get away with bossin' meh 'round. Yer gonna pay fer it later." Ichimaru waved to Shuuhei, before skipping off. "Talk to ya later, Shuu-chan!"

The tension didn't drain from the cell, however. Grimmjow and Ulquiorra continued their staring match, Shuuhei looking between them in confusion. Did they know each other? It wasn't often someone go Grimmjow so upset without even uttering a word. Okay, never, so this was a first.

At last the white-skinned male broke the silence. "Trash with a bit of recycled goods. Somehow that seems appropriate for you, Grimmjow."

"Don't talk to me. I want nothing to do with you."

"Are you afraid of me now?"

Grimmjow snorted. "Afraid? Of you? Keep dreaming, Ulquiorra."

"It's been a long time since I've heard you say my name."

"Don't get used to it; I don't plan on saying it again."

The green-eyed man shifted a bit closer to the bars, staring down at Shuuhei now rather than Grimmjow. Said brunette shifted uncomfortablly, not liking that unblinking stare turning upon his body. It made him feel exposed. Moments of this passed, before Ulquiorra seemed to grow bored with their staring contest. His gaze shifted back to Grimmjow, who was practically glaring daggers at him.

"Once Abarai gets here you shall be without a master and a place to go back to. Your kingdom will crumble under Aizen's control and you will once again be lost without a home. When that happens you shall be mine to do with as I please."

"Not likely!" Grimmjow snarled. But the words were lost in the blood-stained air, Ulquiorra already trotting off down the hallway.

Ashen eyes moved to settle on Grimmjow's tightly-wound body. The anger quivering through taut muscles was evident. He looked as if he had seen a ghost, pale as a sheet. It wasn't until Shuuhei tugged on the man's pants that Grimmjow finally broke from his trance. He slid to the floor, staring at the door before them. The brunette shifted closer, enough to press himself against his friend in a reassuring gesture.

"... he was Ichimaru's servant while they were in the castle. He and I weren't very close, and I only knew him for about a month. He liked to boss me around and there really wasn't anything I could do about it. About a week before the betrayal, the two of us started a routine; we'd fight, we'd fuck, and then we'd go our separate ways. When it came time for him to turn against us he tried to kill me; it was one of the most horrid things I had ever experienced in my short little life."

He stayed silent, allowing Grimmjow to vent his emotions. Shuuhei had never seen the normally stoic man, the one who hid all of his emotions behind a mask of unfriendliness, let go of everything that was plaguing him. It was kind of unnerving. The brunette placed a hand against Grimmjow's back, rubbing it. It was a gesture he'd seen Izuru use quite a bit to soothe their friend, and from what he could tell, it was working. The tension drained from the blue-eyed male's body, shoulders slumping forwards. "At least I know he's safe. He isn't here where Ichimaru can hurt him." Shuuhei agreed with a small nod, wrapping his fingers around the necklace within his shirt.

The feeling of the metal, even through his shirt, somehow reassured him. It's alright, you'll be fine, do not fret.

"Things will get better, you'll see, Taku-chan! People will begin to like us and then we can start playing with the other kids again."

The little dog barked, stumpy tail wagging happily. Shuuhei watched him run through the flowers, petals being scattered into the wind. He laughed, racing after his friend through the tall grass. "Taku-chan, lets go to the stream! We can catch fish for dinner!" A bark, followed by the pattering of feet, and the dog was ahead of him in no time. The white creature leaped into the water, splashing around in the tiny brook. Both of them chased after the fish swimming down the stream, splashing each other and playing until they were both soaked.

Shuuhei ran through the water, glancing down. Something was sparkling below the surface, the brunette reaching down to grab it. His hand was brought back empty, however. Not thinking much of it, he straightened up, turning to call Taku. But the little dog was gone. "Taku-chan? Taku-chaaaan! Where are you?"

The young child seen red out of the corner of his eye, head swiveling back towards the stream. His hands and legs were drenched in crimson; the water had turned to blood. Shuuhei cried out in shock, scrambling up the grass, slipping and sliding in his attempts. At the top of the bank, Ichimaru greeted him, the thin man standing tall over his soaked body. "Shuu-chan, won' ya come an' play with meh?" He vanished in a burst of white sparks, Shuuhei shielding his eyes against the light.

When he moved his arm away, his body was older, the scene around him different. He was in his room at the castle, staring out into the garden. The little butterfly he called Yukina drift outside the window, flying high into the air. Sori stared at him from across the garden, watching him with knowing eyes. The cat leaped towards the window, Shuuhei trying desperately to keep Ichimaru away from him.

These were memories, being twisted and played with inside of his mind.

Everything changed again, the brunette finding himself standing upon the balcony outside Renji's room.

Ashen eyes stared out across the kingdom, villages dotting the plain, a large blue river winding straight through the center. His body was wrapped in a long blanket, the silk fluttering in the early morning breeze. For a few moments, Shuuhei felt calm, almost at peace with himself. "You could jump you know. Just fall from here and let the ground end your life for you. It'd be so easy to do." He turned his head, spotting Renji leaning against the door frame, a small smile on his lips.

"Is Shuu-chan scared?" Ichimaru stood off to his left, hands folded within long sleeves.

"You could be free, Shuuhei, if you really wanted to." Izuru sat on the edge of the balcony, one pale eye hidden by that curtain of blond hair.

"All you have to do is let go. You could see your mother again." Grimmjow watched him from the potted plants at his right, playing with the leaves.

The boy appeared, the one that had given him his necklace. He stood in the center of the balcony, watching him with sad blue eyes. "Do not listen to them, Shuuhei. They are traces of Aizen's power, meant to toy with your mind and drive you insane. All of them are fake."

He took a step back. "Then how do I know if you're real?"

The boy smiled, gentle and loving. "I told you to trust me did I not? I'm not going to lead you astray." Grey eyes followed the stranger as he wandered over to Shuuhei, climbing onto the ledge. He held out his hand to the brunette.

"If I told you to jump with me, would you do it, Shuuhei? Would you jump with me?"

Oooooo, cliffy. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I look forwards to writing the next one!