Chapter Eleven

Wednesday night Ichigo was entering the back of the club when he noticed two men in the back of the alley apparently having an argument. They stopped shouting long enough to look at him and move further down the alley. Shaking his head and ignoring it, in this neighborhood it was probably some sort of domestic dispute, he entered the building to find Shinji dancing around on his tip toes.

"What the hell are you doing?" Ichigo asked as he dropped his bag and sat at one of the many mirrored tables.

"He's out there, isn't he? Oh God! I had no idea that my neighbor, the hunk with the tattoos, was even gay! Let alone that he was that overprotective. Maa, so hot!" Shinji babbled.

"What are you talking about?"

Shinji stopped and placed a fist on each hip. "Ya remember my hot neighbor, right? The one with the red hair? Well apparently the new guy and him are datin' and have been for a while." Shinji lowered his voice and sat next to Ichigo. "Apparently the redhead, Renji, and I only know his name now because Shuuhei shouted at him to 'get the fuck out and stop tryin' to run my life!', doesn't like that Shuuhei is workin' here and is demandin' that he stop. Shuuhei is feelin' smothered and wants to explore things like this since he was a closet gay before he started dating Renji." Shinji made a cute pouting face. "And then they went outside to yell at each other and I couldn't follow them without gettin' caught."

Ichigo laughed. "You really want to get all caught up in their drama? You must be bored."

"Tch, I just wanna get laid. Some of us don't have a hot sugar daddy to…." He stopped and bit his bottom lip. "Sorry."

Ichigo sighed and leaned back against the table. "Don't worry about it."

They were silent a moment before Shinji's curiosity got the better of him.

"So, how are things there? He ain't hittin' ya anymore is he?"

"No. In fact I haven't even seen him since Saturday."

The quiet tone of his voice and the scowl he sent to the floor made Shinji want to shake him and yell that it would be a wonderful thing if the man fell off the face of the earth, but he somehow held back.

"Well, that's good ain't it? Now ya got time to study and spend with Karin. You don't need the two of them hangin' out with each other, ne?"

Ichigo remembered how much fun the two of them had had Friday night watching the game and gave a small half smile. "Yeah, yer right."

"By the way, have ya heard from yer dad yet about Yuzu?"

"Oh, yeah. She made it through the surgery okay but she hasn't woken up yet. The doctors said that was pretty normal for such invasive surgery but dad's kinda freaking out a bit. He said he'd call the minute she woke up no matter the time."

Shinji smiled and hugged him tight. "I'm so glad."

As Ichigo stood to ready himself Z walked by and glanced down at him.

"Smile, I don't want sad boys dancin'. Kills the mood."

"Oh, Z! You have to go check on the new guy. He's outside havin' a spat with his lover…."

"I don't give a shit about that!"

Ichigo laughed a bit as Shinji followed Z away regaling him with the newest gossip from the club and looked at himself in the mirror. He did look a bit sad he supposed. More tired than anything. He had somehow managed to fit in a few more hours of studying the night before, before he passed out for good. Luckily the test that day had been relatively easy but Thursday was going to be hard. And then he had a practical on Friday that he wasn't looking forward to. It would be his first time seeing a corpse and he just hoped that he wouldn't embarrass himself by puking or passing out. Or at the very least not the only one. Shaking his head he reached into his bag and pulled out the outfit he would be wearing. He was first up tonight and he needed to get ready.

Ichigo couldn't help but shake his head as he noticed Shinji consoling a down looking newbie, he still hadn't remembered the new guys name, before he left. He hoped Shinji wouldn't get himself in trouble by interfering but figured he could handle himself. He would have been a little insulted if Ichigo had let him know he was a bit worried about it. He made it home in record time and was surprised to see Karin still awake. Usually she went to bed early but she seemed to be wide awake when he walked in the door.

"Hey." He said.

"Do you smell something?" Karin asked, sniffing the air as she did so.

Ichigo frowned at copied her. "No, not really."

"I've smelt something funny all evening, I just can't figure out what it is or where it's coming from."

Ichigo dropped his bag and went to the kitchen for a beer. "Don't know what to tell ya. I don't smell anything."

"Does dad know you drink like that?"

"Like what? This is the first beer I've had since you got here."

Karin crossed her arms over her chest. "And you're too young to be drinking."

"Oh God, don't start. I work hard, I deserve a treat every now and then."

"I feel sick." Karin suddenly said, her head drooping to her open hands.

Ichigo frowned and started to say something when there was a knock at the door. Frowning at the time he crossed the room and opened it to see his neighbors' son, Toshiro, panting.

"Gas leak. Everyone has to evacuate." He said before running to the next apartment to alert them.

"Shit."

Soon the all of the building's occupants were standing around outside staring up and wondering if their homes where in danger. Ichigo clutched his phone and debated on calling the one person he knew would be more than eager to help him and Karin out that night. It was late, nearing midnight, and they really just needed a place to sleep at that point. Taking a deep breath he looked down at his shivering sister and sighed. Fine, he'd call.

"A little late, dontcha think, Strawberry?" Grimmjow said, though his voice sounded highly amused. This was, after all, the first time Ichigo had called him.

"Yeah, sorry. Uh, there's a gas leak at my place and Karin and I don't really have any place to go."

"So you thought I'd pack my ass over there to get ya?" When Ichigo didn't answer he laughed. "Yeah, I guess you two can stay here. I'll be over in a bit."

With Karin tucked in bed in the guest room Ichigo sat on the couch and pulled out one of his books. He hadn't had a chance to study yet that evening and hour be damned he had to get some time in. Grimmjow cocked an eyebrow at him but didn't say anything, choosing instead to sit on the floor and drag a piece of yarn around for the kittens to chase. At the childish giggle Ichigo looked up sharply to see one kitten perched on Grimmjow's shoulder watching as the other two tumbled dramatically while missing the string at every pass. Ichigo shook his head and returned his attention back to his book, trying to ignore the playful sounds. He managed to stare at the page in front of him for a full five minutes before he gave up and set it down, slouching on the couch and watching the scene before him.

"Ah, ouch. That ain't food, baka." Grimmjow said when one of the more playful kittens bit his big toe.

Ichigo chuckled and Grimmjow turned his attention to him. "Oh, you think that's funny?"

"Yeah, kinda. I never pegged you for the kitten playing type."

"Tch, shows how much you know then." Grimmjow grumbled and stood, picking up all three kittens and placing them in the 'fenced off' area he had set up for them in the living room. They weren't quite potty trained yet and he didn't feel like getting his carpets cleaned. Again. He turned back to Ichigo and frowned. "You look like shit. Go get some sleep."

"I need to study more." Ichigo yawned, his eyes starting to get droopy.

"Baka." Grimmjow grabbed him by the elbow and dragged him to the bedroom, tossing him on the bed and going directly for the buckle on his pants.

"H-hey!"

"Shut up you can't sleep in jeans stupid."

"You mean yer not…."

Grimmjow rolled his eyes. "Yer not the only tired one here. What, you think I sit around all day watchin' my phone and waitin' for ya to call? I ain't some stupid chick."

"I know that." Ichigo shot back angrily.

"Then shut up and lay down."

With a sigh Ichigo laid back and let Grimmjow undress him before crawling in beside him and snuggling in to the pillows. Ichigo frowned at the back that was presented to him and rolled over, damned if he would reach out to Grimmjow like his hands were itching to do. He closed his eyes and drifted off. As soon as Grimmjow was sure Ichigo was asleep he rolled over and reached out, pulling him close to his chest. He had actually been trying to honor Ichigo's request of staying away for the week but was finding that easier said than done. After four days he was practically chomping at the bit he had placed in his own mouth. If Ichigo hadn't called him that night he had been more than prepared to seek him out. No matter what. He didn't like the desperation in that thought so attributed it the fact that he hadn't been laid since Saturday. His little Strawberry was spoiling him with great sex. That was all there was to it.

Ichigo mumbled something in his sleep and snuggled Grimmjow's chest, wrapping an already sleep warmed arm around his waist. Yes, Grimmjow was being spoiled by a Strawberry. And he loved it.

Riding in the car with Shawlong wasn't exactly what Ichigo had planned for that morning but it couldn't be helped. Grimmjow said he had some urgent business to attend to and couldn't drive them himself. Ichigo was dropped off first, even though he felt a bit strange watching Karin being driven off by that man, he trusted Grimmjow enough to know that Karin was in pretty safe hands. He frowned to himself and wandered off to class.

Karin on the other hand was in awe. She had never been in such a fancy car before, let alone had a personal driver to get her anywhere. At the entrance of the school the man in the driver seat turned around and addressed her.

"Boss has instructed me to pick you up from school as well today, so please, wait here after the bell rings."

"Uh, okay. Thanks!" She hoped out of the car and ran to class.

She still wasn't quite sure what the relationship was between Grimmjow and her brother and after this morning she was even less sure of it. Or more sure. She had been coming out of the guest bedroom when she noticed Grimmjow had Ichigo backed up into the wall and they looked to be having a rather intense conversation. One that had her brother blushing crimson. She took two steps back into the room and called out her brother's name before she reentered the living room. The two had no longer been close but the air in the room felt warmer. Something was up, she just wasn't sure what yet.

Ichigo breathed a sigh of relief as he exited the university two hours later. Last test was finished and all he had to worry about was the practical on Friday. It was way too early to pick up Karin from school so he went back to his apartment to check on things. He was more than surprised to see the yellow tape all over the place and men in jumpsuits wandering around with masks.

"Hey, kid. You can't be here." One of them yelled and trotted over to him.

"I live here."

The man who had yelled at him took off his mask and led Ichigo further away from the building. "Sorry, we haven't found all of the leaks yet so it's not safe to allow anyone back inside. Whoever was taking care of this place wasn't doing that great a job."

"But… I don't have any clothes."

"Sorry, kid. I can't let anyone in. You should get out of here though, the gas is still in the air and it could make you really sick."

Without waiting for a reply the man donned his mask and walked briskly away. Ichigo frowned at the building as he slowly backed up and started to walk away. Now what. As if in answer his cell phone rang.

"Yeah?"

"Hey son, it's dad. Yuzu woke up about an hour ago and asked for her teddy bear. She looked so cute, like a little girl again."

"That's great dad! How's she now?"

"Oh good, back to sleep again, but they say that's normal. I haven't the heart to tell her half her head is shaved though."

A big part of Ichigo wanted to giggle at the picture that ran through his head but he managed to hold back. It was a rather serious situation.

"Well, I haven't slept in days and Yuzu's doctor has ordered me to sleep."

"Yeah dad. Get some rest."

As soon as he hung up he dialed Shinji. A groggy voice answered the phone and this time he did laugh.

"Ichigo?"

"What happened, you go partying after work last night?"

Shinji gave a small laugh and groaned. "My plan to console backfired and I got drunk. I don't even know how I got home."

"Baka!"

"Not so loud please."

"Mind if I come over and take a nap? My place is on lockdown because of a gas leak."

Shinji yawned and nodded then remembered he was on the phone and spoke. "Yeah, whatever. Door's unlocked."

After a nice and very quiet nap Ichigo woke and left the still sleeping Shinji to his own devices. Whatever had really happened the night before he was sure he would find out at work that night. On his way to pick up Karin he let his mind wander to what they were going to do that night. He felt a little awkward asking Grimmjow if they could stay, and this time he wasn't sure for how long. And after last night he was feeling a little unsure of himself. Sure they had woken up in a rather comfortable embrace but not once since Ichigo had gotten there the night before had Grimmjow touched him inappropriately. Even when he had cornered him that morning it was only to sniff him rather animal like and then laugh at his reaction. Just the thought of it had him blushing.

So lost in thought he didn't notice the black BMW waiting outside until Karin came running out and went directly to it.

"Karin!"

"Ichi-nii? Shawlong said Grimmjow told him to pick me up today. Didn't you know?"

"No." Ichigo frowned.

Shawlong stepped out of the driver's side and walked around the car to open the back door for them.

"Boss is aware of the gas problem and has instructed that the two of you go directly back to his condo and wait for him."

"Cool." Karin said, jumping into the back seat and looking out expectantly at her brother. "Well?"

Karin went directly to the couch and flipped on the TV, very much at home. Ichigo, even though he had been there more often than Karin, felt more than a little awkward about being there. Alone. He snatched the remote away from Karin and turned the TV off.

"Homework first, you know that."

Karin rolled her eyes and pulled out her work with a sigh. Ichigo did the same and sat next to her at the coffee table, the both of them digging in. He wasn't sure how long they were working when he heard the first high pitched mewlings. Karin looked up and smiled, taking this as a great chance for a break. Next thing he knew the kittens had been freed and were crawling all over him. Karin giggled.

"Looks like they like you. Oh, Yuzu would go nuts if she saw these guys."

Ichigo smiled and pulled one of the kittens off his back bringing it around to face him. It was overly fluffy and striped, black and grey with large bluish yellow eyes. It squeaked at him and swatted at his face.

"I wonder if he gave them names yet."

"He's had them for almost a week, I sure hope so." Karin picked up the smallest one, a splotchy calico, and it immediately started purring. "They're so much better off here than where they were. And they're so happy. You can tell he loves them."

Ichigo frowned at the kitten in his hands and scratched it behind it's ears. It wasn't in the mood for cuddling and twisted in his hands, swatting at him once more and latching onto his thumb.

"Ow!"

"Don't yell at my cat."

Karin and Ichigo looked up to see Grimmjow walking through the door and immediately start pulling at his tie. He hated those things. He grinned widely at them.

"Hungry?"

Karin was in bed, Ichigo was on the couch going over his notes for the practical the next day having called Shinji and asking him to cover for him since he didn't have any clothes, and Grimmjow was at his desk going over the few files he had been unable to finish at work. He hated bringing his work home, but he needed to make the deadline the next day. Ichigo looked up at Grimmjow typing away and chuckled, bringing Grimmjow's attention to himself.

"What?"

"Nothing. I just never pictured you…," He waved his hand in the air as if that would help him find the words. "Like this."

Grimmjow snorted and looked back at the computer. "You can only make a livin' beatin' people's heads in for so long."

Ichigo frowned and looked away. "Don't say that, it's…."

Grimmjow chuckled. "What's 'a matter Strawberry? Does it make you uncomfortable?"

With a loud sigh Ichigo set down his notes and closed his eyes. Something had been bothering him for a while.

"I have a name ya know."

Grimmjow snorted. "Yeah, so. I don't hear you callin' me by mine."

"I-I do to!"

Grimmjow stopped his typing once more and looked up with a grin. "Tch, bullshit. Only time you ever called me by my name was the first time I fucked that tight little ass of yers. And you couldn't even say it properly with my dick in yer ass."

Ichigo blushed and sputtered a bit before he managed real words. "Shut up! My sister is in the other room."

Grimmjow stood up from his chair and stretched before padding over to the couch where Ichigo was seated, plopping down next to him. Ichigo looked resolutely away and began to fold the edges of his notebook. Now that Grimmjow was close to him he was suddenly very nervous and he didn't understand why. Grimmjow watched the blush spread across Ichigo's cheeks and grinned, leaning forward so that he lips barely touched the soft outer shell of his ear.

"I'll say yers if you say mine." He whispered in a low seductive voice. He was done with keeping his distance tonight.

Ichigo shivered and closed his eyes, saying nothing. Grimmjow nibbled the sensitive spot behind his ear and grinned when Ichigo gasped and gulped.

"F-fine." He whispered, not able to make any more noise than that. He turned to Grimmjow and opened his eyes, taking a deep breath before wetting his lips and opening his mouth. "G-Grimmjow."

He made a deep growling sound in his throat and reached up, cupping the back of Ichigo's neck and letting his fingers thread through the short spiky hair. His gaze was intimidating and penetrating.

"Ichigo." He breathed in a deep heated voice.

Ichigo whined and unconsciously leaned forward, wanting, no needing, to feel more. It was amazing what hearing his name from this man was doing to him. Just before their lips touched he made a feeble attempt to get away.

"I- I have to st-study."

"Mhmm." Grimmjow nodded, his tongue snaking out to flick at the Ichigo's full bottom lip.

"Oh, God."

Trembling, he inclined his head, slanting his lips over Grimmjow's and letting his tongue slide inside that sweet, hot mouth. Grimmjow growled again and reached out his other hand to grip Ichigo's hip, pulling him closer. Ichigo finished the motion by straddling Grimmjow's lap, his hands running up his chest and over his shoulders.

"Wh-why?"

"Are you really gonna talk now?" Grimmjow asked, irritated at being interrupted yet again.

"Why haven't you been touching me?" Ichigo asked, a frown now marring his brow.

Grimmjow chuckled and shook his head. "You stupid idiot. You asked me not to."

Ichigo's frown turned to a scowl. "Since when do you ever listen to me?"

"How 'bout you shut the hell up, ne?"

"But…."

Grimmjow moved suddenly, flipping their positions and kneeling on the floor in front of him, reaching for the front of his pants as he did so. Ichigo sucked in a breath and gritted his teeth.

"I… you… shit…."

"Shut up. You talk too much." Grimmjow said as he unzipped Ichigo's pants and pulled his very erect cock free. "Ichigo."

Ichigo whined again and threw back his head as Grimmjow's mouth descended upon him. Grimmjow's head bobbed up and down in his lap, long sucking pulls on the engorged member in his mouth. Ichigo's head tossed back and forth, his vocal appreciations stifled only by the hand clamped firmly over his mouth. His hips bucked when he came violently and Grimmjow pulled away, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and grinning at the panting figure before him. Ichigo reached up and grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him down and locking lips with him, tasting himself on his tongue. Grimmjow groaned and pulled back.

"Bed."

"Yes."

Not bothering to cover himself Ichigo pulled Grimmjow behind him to the bedroom, barely taking the time to shut the door before pushing him against the wall and kissing him again. Grimmjow's skin felt like it would combust at any moment and Ichigo's forceful actions where only making it worse. He pulled away and took a small step back.

Ichigo blinked at him and frowned. "Don't stop." He whined. It was becoming quite the theme for him that evening.

Grimmjow grinned. "Oh, I have no intention of stopping."

He reached for the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head, Ichigo copying him as soon as he realized what was going on. He barely gave Grimmjow enough time to drop his pants before pushing him back on the bed and landing on him with an 'umph'. Grimmjow chuckled and cupped the sides of Ichigo's face, pulling him close for a slow deep kiss. He needed to slow this kid down before things ended too soon. It seemed to work for a bit, Ichigo's breathing evening out a little as he melted in Grimmjow's arms. He reached back and blindly searched for the bottle of lube in his night stand drawer and was a bit surprised when Ichigo sat up and knocked his hands away, grabbing the small bottle out of the drawer himself and popping the cap. He poured a generous amount in his hand and reached behind him, slipping a single finger inside himself. Grimmjow bit his lip as he watched Ichigo's eyes roll back and he propped himself up on his elbows. Ichigo arched his back and leaned forward, reaching out with his other hand and curling it around the back of Grimmjow's neck. When their lips met they groaned simultaneously and Grimmjow couldn't help but buck his hips just a little.

In one fluid motion Ichigo pulled away and lowered his body, his mouth hovering over Grimmjow's proud cock. His tongue flicked out and caught a pearl of precum just as he slipped a second finger inside himself. He let out a soft mewling sound as he slowly engulfed the thick member and worked his tongue and throat as if he had been doing this his whole life. When Grimmjow caught his breath he spoke.

"God, you are so fuckin' hot."

Ichigo, in one of his rare moments of complete confidence, looked up at him with his entire cock in his mouth and winked before sucking hard and pulling all the way back letting it slip from his lips. His bit his lip and smiled before his head fell back and he let out a deep throated moan. Grimmjow couldn't hold back anymore and pulled Ichigo close, smashing their lips together as he rolled him over and pulled his hand away.

"My turn." He growled and lifted one of Ichigo's legs, slinging it over his shoulder and leaving the other on the bed.

In one smooth motion he was buried deep inside that tight heat and stilled, letting Ichigo's body settle around him. Hugging the leg that was draped over his shoulder he began to move, pistoning slowly in and out at first until Ichigo made a sound that had his eyes rolling and his hips snapping forward. Ichigo cried out and threw his head back, gripping tightly at the sheets. Grimmjow dropped his leg and pulled him to a sitting position, straddling his hips and Ichigo kept the movement going by undulating his hips bringing his stripping experience to the forefront. Wrapping his arms around Grimmjow's neck he nipped at the open mouth in front of him and whispered a quiet, breathy name.

"Grimmjow."

"Ichigo." Grimmjow moaned back as his fingers dug into the soft round flesh of Ichigo's ass.

He lowered his mouth to Ichigo's neck, sinking his teeth in the thick muscle and crying out when Ichigo clenched around him. It was enough to send him over he edge, his cock pulsing and releasing as Ichigo ground into him. They continued to move, a slow languid motion as they explored each other's mouths with tongues, and bodies with hands. Ichigo pulled away only to hug Grimmjow tightly and bury his face in his neck as he tried desperately to control his breathing.

"Thank you." He whispered, his words muffled just a bit as his body began to tremble.

Grimmjow chuckled and hugged him back. "Baka."

Karin lay in bed and listened to the renewed silence. She had gotten up a bit ago for a glass of water and been surprised to see her brother seated on the couch very close to Grimmjow. What surprised her even more was when they turned towards each other and locked lips, her brother crawling into Grimmjow's lap. Eyes wide and water forgotten, Karin turned around and went back to her room. She knew that something was weird between the two, but that?! She hadn't been expecting quiet that. When the first sounds of passion seeped under her door and through the walls she closed her eyes and covered her head with her pillow. Oh, this was so not cool. It seemed to go on for hours; the panting, the moaning, the rhythmic squeak of bed springs pushed beyond their limits, before finally the blessed silence. There was no mistaking what had just happened, even to someone who had never before heard anything like it. Rolling over on her side and staring at the wall in front of her she willed herself to stop thinking about it. A fruitless venture if ever there was one.

A/N Mwahahahahahahahha *ahem* Sorry, that just kinda slipped out. I have no idea why...*innocent look* So I was so keyed up to have this finished yesterday until I found out that someone was trying to pass off SBB AND Sleepless as their own stories. Needless to say I got a bit distracted for a while, but it all worked out. I have new fans on the site this was being done at (Technically they were already mine they just didn't know it yet) and I still managed to finish this chapter that has been trying to jump out for about three chapters now. Trying not to let it come to early *ah, naughty humor, hehe* I held it back. And now it's here! Yayness. ;p And now I ask a favor of you all. I wanna name the kitties! I just can't decide on names. I have it narrowed down to eight and would love it if you guys could pick three and let me know. Pulease???

Here they are along with crappy meanings I got off some website :D:

Aiko- little love, Cho- butterfly, Hana- flower; blossom, Hoshi- star, Kimi- she who is without equal, Leiko- arrogant, Ran- water lily, Yoshiko- good child.

Thanks for your help Duckies!!

Penny;D