Chapter Ten

As Ichigo watched Karin and Grimmjow laugh at the large screen television in front of them from his seat at Grimmjow's home office desk he rolled his eyes and wondered not for the first time how he had gotten himself into this mess.

It had all started after Karin and he had seen their father and Yuzu off at the airport Friday morning. Taking a cab back to town and dropping Karin off at school he hurried to make his last classes of review before testing the following week and was sure to be outside her school to wait for her when the chimes rang. Since he never usually worked on Fridays they took their time walking back to the Kurosaki home to pick up items that Karin needed and wandered back to Ichigo's apartment to wait for a call from their father. The first thing Karin did, since she didn't have much choice as it was by then pouring buckets outside, was turn on the TV and sigh at the lack of channels.

"There's nothing on. I still don't see why we can't stay at the house at least until the weekend is over."

"It's just easier for me to do things at my place, that's why. Now shut up and let me study."

They received their waited phone call and were told that Yuzu would be under observation for the rest of the weekend and if all went well with the preliminary tests she would be going in for surgery Monday afternoon. It was a short phone call, international rates where through the roof, and they quickly said their goodbyes. Ichigo had been about to ask what Karin wanted for dinner when there was a knock at the door. She jumped up to answer it but Ichigo beat her to it and pushed her out of the way.

"You don't answer the door here, alright. It's not safe."

"I can take care of myself ya know. Geez, it's just answering the door."

It was Grimmjow, grin wide and hands shoved in pants pockets. Just his luck.

"Yo, Strawberry."

Ichigo stepped outside and closed the door behind him, looking up and down the hall as he did so. "Look, I've got some unexpected company for the rest of the week, so we can't meet for a while."

Grimmjow snorted. "You've gotta be shittin' me. You really telling me to stay away?"

"I.. it's just that…."

"Ah, Ichigo. Nice brisk night out isn't it? Wanna share a drink with me? You can bring your friend." A playful voice called out.

Ichigo jumped and looked down the hall at his nosy neighbor, shawl draped over shoulders and light from the open apartment door behind her gilding the glass of sake in her hand. She smiled at Grimmjow and poked out her chest just a little. Grimmjow grinned and looked back at Ichigo with one raised eyebrow, almost daring him to make up his mind. In the apartment with his sister, or outside where the neighbor who would most likely hear every word. With a sigh he grabbed Grimmjow's hand and began pulling him towards the door.

"Sorry Ms. Matsumoto. We're a little busy. Maybe next time."

With a chuckle Grimmjow let Ichigo pull him inside. Karin looked up at her brother and the man he had just dragged in to the house and cocked an eyebrow before returning her attention back to the television seemingly uninterested. She didn't seem to care one way or another who his man was but Ichigo still pulled him out of the living room and down the hall to his bedroom, shutting the door and putting his back against it.

"Geez, Strawberry. Tossin' me in yer room like this might give yer sister more ideas than just inviting me in would have done. You look a little suspicious there."

"Shut up! Look you can't be here when she's here. That's just not okay."

"Why?" Grimmjow asked, folding his arms over his chest and sitting on the edge of the bed with a grin that showed just how much he was enjoying this.

"You know why."

"Pretend I'm stupid."

Ichigo glared at him and clenched his fists. "I don't want her finding out what's going on with us. It's bad enough I'm gonna have to find a way to still go to work and keep an eye on her, I can't fit in you too."

"Ah, I'm touched. You were thinking of me." Grimmjow unfolded his arms and leaned back on the bed.

"Shut up." Ichigo blushed.

"You see, that just ain't gonna work for me."

"One week, that's all I'm asking! Please?"

Grimmjow shook his head. "Ya know, you sure ask a lot of me. First it's weekends off. Now it's a whole week off. If I didn't know any better I'd think you were tryin' to get rid of me."

"Why would I do that? That's stupid." Ichigo spit out and immediately stopped, his eyes wide and staring at the floor.

Grimmjow cocked his head and sat forward, grinning. "Now why would that be stupid, Strawberry?"

"I-it just is."

Grimmjow stood and took the two steps needed to pin Ichigo to the door. "Oh? You mean you want me around?" He asked, his voice low and deep. Ichigo gulped and shook his head, still not making eye contact. "You want me close?" Grimmjow's lips were close to Ichigo's ear and his voice was just a whisper.

"B-back up." Ichigo breathed in a rush.

"Why? Am I making you nervous, Strawberry?"

Without waiting for an answer Grimmjow nibbled the spot right behind Ichigo's ear and almost laughed with glee when he heard the quickly stifled moan. He had found that particular spot the night before last and had been dying to try it out again.

"S-stah-p. Ple- oh shit."

Grimmjow cupped the front of Ichigo's pants and squeezed lightly, massaging the half hard member hidden beneath them.

"You don't shut up and she'll really catch us." Grimmjow mumbled into his neck and his hand popped open the buttons of Ichigo's button fly jeans, slipping inside.

Ichigo's hips bucked slightly and his hand flew to his mouth. Struggling at this point would make more noise than standing there and would draw more attention to them anyway. Hopefully Karin had found something interesting on TV and wasn't paying them any mind. He had to stifle another sound when Grimmjow licked the side of his neck as his deft fingers wrapped around him. His skin went white hot and his body moved before his brain could react. Placing both hands in the middle of Grimmjow's chest he pushed back and down on to the edge of the bed, continuing the motion to his knees. His hands slid down Grimmjow's chest to his belt and made quick work of it, almost ripping the button on his slacks as he opened them and pulled him free. As he wrapped a free hand around himself his mouth descended upon the hard cock before him. Grimmjow threw his head back and bit his lip. He hadn't expected to get that far with the young man and he certainly wasn't going to ruin it all by making a peep.

As Ichigo worked up and down, his lips and tongue mapping the expanse of Grimmjow's cock, his own hand brought himself closer to the edge. As soon as he felt the first pulses that signaled Grimmjow's impending release he deep throated as far as he could and pumped himself in time with the pulsing, swallowing around Grimmjow as the both of them came in domino, Ichigo first, the low moan in the back of his throat sending Grimmjow over. Pulling Ichigo away and up, they locked lips and a fierce near silent battle.

"You really wanna stop doin' that for a week?" Grimmjow asked breathlessly.

Ichigo shook his head. "I don't see how we can get away with it." He whispered. After what he had just done it was going to be pretty hard to deny that he wanted the opposite of what he was asking.

"We'll figure somethin' out." Grimmjow said with a grin and stood, fixing his pants and opening the bedroom door, dragging a flustered Ichigo out behind him.

"Yo, what's yer name?"

Karin looked over the back of the couch and frowned. "You two were in there that long and my name never came up? That's kinda stupid Ichi-nii."

Ichigo blushed and opened his mouth. "Karin, shut up. We were talking about…."

"Who cares. My name's Karin Kurosaki. What's your name?"

"Grimmjow Jaegerjaques."

It seemed to be a bit of a stand off then, Karin staring at Grimmjow and Grimmjow grinning at Karin. Ichigo wasn't sure if he should laugh or tell Grimmjow he should leave now. And then he realized that was the first time he had ever heard Grimmjow's last name. A part of him had always sort of figured that Grimmjow was his last name with how strange it was. Why had it never occurred to him to ask? As he become lost in his own thoughts Grimmjow's voice brought him back.

"Yer gonna miss kick off at six. The Strawberry doesn't have that channel."

Karin's gaze flew to her brother's. "Aw man! I knew we should have stayed at the house."

"I was planning on watching the game back at my place." Grimmjow flashed a grin at Ichigo who was only then starting to understand what was going on. "Got a huge TV too. It's a shame to watch it all alone." He stuck his hands in his pockets and turned to the door.

Karin sent a pleading look to Ichigo and whispered, "Ichi-nii, it's the playoffs!"

He caught the grin Grimmjow barely sent his way and glared. He did this on purpose! Now if he didn't pretty much invite Karin and himself over to Grimmjow's place he'd never hear the end of it from Karin and Grimmjow would probably just come over to the apartment everyday anyway. With a sigh of defeat Ichigo pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger.

"You don't think we could come over and watch it with you, do you?"

Grimmjow turned back around to face them, his eyebrows raised in mock surprise. "I don't know. Do you really wanna do that?"

"Yes! I mean, if it's okay, that would be great." Karin said eagerly.

"Well, that's entirely up to Strawberry here. You are his little sister after all."

"I already asked, didn't I? Quit messin' around."

Grimmjow laughed and looked down at Karin on the couch. "Why don't you grab an overnight bag. We'll have a little party."

With a grin that rivaled Grimmjow's, Karin jumped off the couch and started putting together a small bag. Grimmjow waited until she was in the bathroom before he reached out and pinched Ichigo's ass. "You too, Strawberry."

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this." Ichigo said an hour later when Karin excused herself to the bathroom.

"Don't be such a fuckin' kill joy. I'm helpin' ya entertain yer sister, right?"

"Yeah but…."

"And then after she passes out I get you all to myself. Win, win, I say."

"Now way! We can't…."

"Oi! Hurry up it's starting up again!" Grimmjow called out as the commercial break ended. "Shut up, Strawberry. You don't have much say tonight."

Grimmjow pushed Ichigo back onto the bed as they kissed, their bodies pressed flush as they ground together. He broke away to suckle his neck, his teeth and tongue roaming feverishly over the smooth skin. Ichigo arched his back when his nipple was pinched harshly before his shirt was torn from him and used to pin his arms above his head.

"You always do that." He breathed even as he wiggled his hips to help Grimmjow take his pants off.

"I like having you at my mercy, Strawberry. And you like it too."

The comeback died in his throat when blunt teeth affixed themselves to his collarbone and a warm hand cupped his ass. As he continued his assault on Ichigo's neck he used one of his hands to undo the buttons on his shirt, pulling it off and reaching for his belt. He saw no point in taking things slow that night. He wanted the Strawberry and Ichigo, though he would have denied it if given the breath or chance to speak, wanted him. As soon as he was completely undressed Grimmjow pressed their bodies together and ground his erection into Ichigo's thigh. Ichigo cried out an bucked his hips, one hand reaching up and threading through the thick blue hair above.

"As much as I love that mouth of yers ya might wanna keep it quiet tonight."

"Sh-ah… shit. Just… just touch me." Ichigo whispered, pulling that ever mocking mouth to his and biting at the full lips.

Grimmjow chuckled and grabbed the bottle of lube. "Now how can I resist a request like that?"

He reached under Ichigo and flipped him over, pulling his hips up and making sure his face was pressed into the pillows. He didn't bother to warn him as he slicked up a few fingers and dove two right in as far as they would go. Ichigo whined and arched his back, pushing back on the invaders as Grimmjow harshly stretched him. When Ichigo began to ride his fingers he knew he had waited long enough and pulled his hand away only to seconds later replace it with his throbbing cock. Ichigo groaned and bit the pillow before he could let out any other noise and Grimmjow didn't waste any time before he began to pound into him. Keeping quiet was a bit harder than he would have thought but it also added a bit to the excitement of it all. He bit back a loud moan when Ichigo clenched around him and reached down to grab the back of his head, pulling him back and flush with his chest. Ichigo kept the movement going, now rising and falling in Grimmjow's lap. Grimmjow bit his shoulder and reached in front of him, wrapping his long fingers around the turgid length jutting from him. It took everything in him not to cry out at the attention, instead letting out a mewling sound before biting his lip so hard it started to bleed.

"Ah shit, Strawberry…." Grimmjow moaned as one hand jerked Ichigo's length and the other pulled his head back further.

"Shut up and fuck me." Ichigo breathed between clenched teeth.

With a groan that was probably too loud Grimmjow complied, laying Ichigo back down so that he could finish the both of them off. One hand still worked Ichigo's cock while his own member slid in and out of him in an almost brutal fashion. Without much warning Grimmjow came and Ichigo followed soon after. He pulled the young man close and rolled him over, placing a kiss in the middle of his forehead before he noticed the small trickle of blood down his chin.

"Idiot. Yer bleeding."

He reached up and forced Ichigo to open his mouth with two fingers, running one lightly over the abused and broken skin before bringing it to his own mouth. Ichigo, eyes only half open and breathing still coming in gasps, leaned forward and kissed him, his tongue barely reaching out before his whole body went limp. Grimmjow gave a breathy chuckle before pulling him close and doing the same.

Karin was a little disoriented when she woke up the following morning in a place she had never been before, but when the memories from the night before came back she smiled. Ichi-nii's new friend was pretty cool. After getting dressed she left the room. Grimmjow was leaning up against the wall by one of the windows, smoking a cigarette. Karin wrinkled her nose.

"That's bad for you, you know?"

Grimmjow chuckled and flicked the butt out the window. "You sound like the Strawberry."

"Where is Ichi-nii?"

"Uh, I had some things to do this morning so I sent him to my room to get more rest. Watch some TV while I wake him up. I'll take you guys out for breakfast."

"You don't have to do that you know."

Grimmjow smiled. "Yeah, but sometimes we have to do some good things to balance out the bad." He said it so quietly she wasn't sure she heard it right and then he was gone.

Once in the bedroom Grimmjow sighed and looked at the bed and the sleeping form in the middle of it. Grinning he crawled up and crouched over Ichigo, leaning down to blow softly in his ear.

"Strawberry."

"Mhmm."

"Wake up. I'm hungry."

Ichigo blinked up at Grimmjow's face a frowned. "So?"

"You don't get up I'll just have to take yer sister out to breakfast all alone and who knows what strange things might come out of my mouth then."

With a sigh Ichigo sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Shut up." He yawned.

After breakfast at a nice family restaurant they wandered around a shopping center for some time, enjoying the stores and getting some fresh yet delightfully dry air. It wasn't long though before the rain started up again and Ichigo began insisting that Grimmjow take them home. He had studying to do and his father would kill him if he let Karin get sick. As they were on their way back to the car Grimmjow stopped and stared at a lone woman sitting next to a box underneath a covered door step.

"I wander what's in the box?" Karin said.

Grimmjow grunted and walked closer, looking over the rim and freezing at what he saw. Three tiny kittens stared up at him, all of them drenched and crying pitifully. Ichigo walked up beside him and looked in the box as well before looking up at Grimmjow. He had the most peculiar look on his face, one that he couldn't quite place and to his surprise Grimmjow turned to the young woman sitting next to the box and spoke.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? These things are soaking wet and too small to be away from their mom."

The girl looked up and him with a sad expression and replied. "The mom got hit by a car yesterday. I'm trying to find them homes but no one wants them."

Grimmjow pursed his lips and scowled back in to the box.

"Poor things." Karin said.

"I'll take 'em."

Ichigo looked up at Grimmjow like he had grown another head. "You'll what?"

"I said I'll take them." When he saw the look on Ichigo's face he grinned. "I can't just leave 'em here, right?" He looked back down at the girl. "Can I have the box too?"

She nodded and in one motion Grimmjow bent down and picked up the box, covering the flaps over the side so that the kittens would stay somewhat dry on the way to the car. He dropped Ichigo and Karin off first, much to Ichigo's surprise. As Ichigo was getting out Grimmjow grinned and grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him close. Karin had already gotten out to unlock the door for Ichigo so no one was there to see them share a quick kiss.

"I'll come back by."

"Wh-when?"

With another grin Grimmjow pushed Ichigo out of the car and laughed. "Don't wanna ruin the surprise of it, now do I?"

"Don't answer the door while I'm gone. Just stay inside and watch TV. No matter what, don't open the door."

"Yeah, yeah. You've been saying that for an hour now. I'm pretty sure it's sunk in now."

"I'm serious, Karin."

Karin nodded again and Ichigo sighed. In the end he hadn't been able to think of anything better to do with Karin so that he could go to work Monday night. Sunday they had spent the day in absolute boredom because Ichigo had locked himself in his room with his books and notes, coming out periodically to order food so they could eat. He had talked to Shinji once and he had been the one to suggest just leaving Karin there.

"You'll only be gone a few hours, what's the harm? She's fourteen."

It hadn't made him feel any better but he knew Shinji was right. After waking up earlier than normal to make sure Karin got to school he completed three of the seven midterm tests with what he hoped was flying colors. At least he felt a bit of the weight come off his shoulders after they were done. Before he left for work his father called to tell them that Yuzu had entered the operating room. Ichigo closed his eyes and prayed that everything would be okay as he shut and locked the door behind him and sped off to the club. Shinji was waiting for him out back with a huge smile on his face.

"What's with the smile?" Ichigo asked as he shook the excess water from his umbrella.

"I've died and gone to heaven that's what." Grabbing Ichigo's hand he pulled him into the club and pointed at a dark haired man.

"That's the new guy, Shuuhei. He's got face tattoo's! And don't get me started on his body."

Ichigo chuckled. "So is he single or have you not asked yet because of all the drool?"

Shinji slapped his shoulder. "I can't talk to him yet! He's only been here ten minutes. If I pounce too soon I'll scare 'em off."

Unfortunately Ichigo didn't get to stay long enough to see the new guy's act but figured he'd hear all about it the next day from Shinji whether he wanted to or not. He managed to make it home before it was too late and found Karin sleeping soundly on the couch. He tucked the blanket around her shoulders and headed for his bedroom to get a bit more studying in before he went to bed himself. He had been surprised when Sunday passed entirely and he hadn't heard from Grimmjow. Surprised and a little sad. He knew he really had no business feeling that way, Grimmjow was supposed to be nothing more to him than an employer, but he still wanted to hear his voice. Ichigo groaned and let his head fall back. He was so stupid.

As soon as the thought crossed his mind his phone rang and he answered it quickly so it wouldn't wake up Karin.

"Miss me, Strawberry?"

"No." Ichigo muttered.

"Liar."

"What do you want? I have to study for tomorrow." Ichigo let his eyes close as he listened to Grimmjow speak.

"Just wanted to call and ask how yer tests went today."

Ichigo gave a half smile into his lonely bedroom. "I think I aced 'em. They were a total piece of cake."

Grimmjow laughed. "Nice. Ow, shit! Yo, you can't climb that!" He suddenly yelled, bringing Ichigo fully awake.

"What the hell?"

"Damn cat is trying to use me as a scratching post." Grimmjow grumbled but Ichigo distinctly heard the sound of a kitten purring into the phone.

"You kept the kittens?" He asked incredulously.

"Of course I did, baka. What did you expect?"

Ichigo had nothing to say to that. He hadn't really been expecting much when Grimmjow had driven away with the kittens, but it still surprised him that he had kept them.

"All three?"

"Yes, all three. Man, get some sleep or your stupid might travel into tomorrow and effect yer test."

"Whatever." He started to pull to phone away from his ear but was stopped by a voice.

"Yo, Strawberry. Good luck tomorrow."

Ichigo couldn't stop the stupid smile from stretching his lips nor the flutter in his chest from making him feel light headed.

"Yeah. Thanks."

He flipped his phone closed and curled up on his bed with his books. He was the stupidest man alive.