Chapter Forty Four

"But they look way young here." Shinji said, squinting at the picture. Szayel looked especially young, his face still rounded and full with youth.

"Yeah. I think Grimmjow was about twenty there." He knew Szayel was younger than both Grimmjow and Nnoitra which meant that if he was right in his assumption of Grimmjow's age, Szayel had to be around fifteen.

"So, yer freakin' out because…?"

Ichigo opened his mouth and closed it again a few times before finally speaking. "I… I don't really know what to think about it." He said finally and with a sigh. "I mean, yeah it pisses me off and I half wish he would have told me about it, but… I dunno. I think the fact he was hiding them is what pisses me off the most."

Ichigo had had a lot of time to think on his way over, having decided to take the underground instead of having Shawlong drive him. He really wanted to be upset but a certain numbness was settling in his chest and he wasn't sure what to think about that. About anything. He was just exhausted.

"And the fact that he was makin' out with someone who was probably yer sister's age."

Ichigo scowled. "Not funny."

Shinji nodded and dropped the picture on the floor, resting his head on Ichigo's shoulder.

"So today's kinda shitty, ne?"

Ichigo nodded, his body feeling heavy. He just wanted to lay there and not feel anything for a few hours; or days. Maybe a week. Yeah, a week would be nice. Two would be even better though.

"I know. Let's run away." Shinji suggested with a small laugh.

Ichigo shook his head and let a small smile appear. "Baka."

Shinji had suggested that once before when they were growing up. It had been a year after Ichigo's mother died and he had almost gotten expelled from school for fighting. Again. Shinji had curled up next to him on his bed and rested his head on his shoulder, much like he was now. Ichigo's reaction this time had been the same as before.

"Nah, I'm serious this time. We could go to America and live in San Francisco. And strip and party and have all the men we want 'cause we're foreign and ya know how much American's love foreign guys."

Ichigo chuckled. "Yeah, that would go over real well. You could probably get away with it, but if I even think about dropping out of school I'll have so many people on my ass…."

Shinji smiled and closed his eyes. "Yeah. I guess." He almost bit the question back but let it slip through. He was a curious creature after all. "So have you?"

"Have I what?"

"Been thinkin' about droppin' out again?"

Ichigo was silent for a moment before answering. "A little." He said in a quiet voice. "I'm just not sure what I want to do. At first it was just because I wanted to help people and help the clinic. Now… I feel like the only reason I go is because it's expected of me." He sighed and leaned his head back against the wall. "Maybe it's just all the stress lately."

"Maybe." Shinji agreed, already half asleep. "I'll love ya no matter what ya decide Ichi." He said, his voice slurred a bit.

Ichigo snorted and looked down at the top of Shinji's head. He was pretty sure that Shinji hadn't meant that the way it sounded, but it still made him feel a bit better.

"Ah, Grimmjow. It's good to see you again. I trust you are well?"

Grimmjow stood from his desk and bowed slightly to Aizen, not fully able to suppress the dread he felt at seeing the man. He hated doing that, bowing, but he wanted to stay alive for a while yet.

"Can I help you with something?" He asked, trying not to sound as irritated as he was. What the hell did that man want now?

"Yes actually I believe you can. It's about the company." When Grimmjow raised his eyebrows Aizen smiled. "As I'm sure you understand, Grimmjow, that with things the way they are, this company will soon be outted and the reputation with be tarnished." He looked up, his brown eyes going hard in the middle of a placid face. "My reputation will be tarnished. And we can't have that."

Grimmjow frowned. "What are you saying?"

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to let you go until this mess gets cleared up. I need someone who isn't, for all intents and purposes, looking to be accused of laundering billions of yen from running things."

"Are you firing me?"

Aizen only smiled. "I believe that is a rather harsh way of putting things, Grimmjow, but yes. You can finish the day, but you won't need to come back tomorrow."

Grimmjow's eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched at the words coupled with that fucking smile. He wanted to rip it off the man's face.

"Fine."

Aizen turned to leave but stopped at the door, looking over his shoulder. "Oh, and Grimmjow. I do hope you will continue to work on cleaning up this mess."

With that he was gone and Grimmjow was left wanting to tear the office to shreds.

It was almost two in the morning when he got home and he found every light in the house on. He frowned, looking around the condo for any signs of Grimmjow but couldn't find him. He had been thinking all night about things, rationally for once, and had decided to bring the picture up calmly to Grimmjow. Of course this was going to be there first conversation in a couple days, so he would try and ease his way into it. It wasn't until he was walking to the kitchen that he realized Grimmjow was on the balcony. Smoking. His frown deepened as he slid open the glass door.

"What are you doing?"

Grimmjow snorted. "First time you decide to talk to me in like three days and you come up with that?" He took a sharp inhale of the acrid smoke and blew it out forcefully.

"Is something wrong?" The air around Grimmjow was practically crackling and it was making him on edge.

"I'd say there's somethin' fuckin' wrong. My boyfriend is being a bitch, someone is trying to ruin my life and possibly kill me, my best friend keeps making pit stops at a blond stripper's place for booty calls when he should be working and oh yeah, I got fired today."

"You got fired?" Ichigo parroted stupidly, completely forgetting that Grimmjow had just called him a bitch.

"Did I fuckin' stutter?" Grimmjow bit out, his teeth clenched tight.

Ichigo shut the sliding door and leaned against the frame, crossing his arms over his chest.

"So what does that mean?" He had just been talking to Shinji about hiring another stripper to take over some of his hours at work, but it seemed he might not be able to do that just yet.

"It means I get to sleep in." Grimmjow said gruffly, reaching for another cigarette from the almost empty pack.

"I could pick up some more hours…."

He didn't finished his sentence because he was suddenly pushed back into the wall behind him, a very angry Grimmjow clutching the front of his shirt tight between his fist.

"I don't need your fucking help." His lips barely moved to form the words that were enunciated perfectly from between his clenched teeth.

At first Ichigo had been startled, his eyes going wide at the pure anger reflected it Grimmjow's eyes, the fact that his entire body seemed to be barely held in check. Then his eyes narrowed and he leaned forward, his voice so low Grimmjow could barely hear it.

"So it's okay for you to want to help me, but I can't want to help you?"

He was still for a moment, though his tense glare never faltered, before he pushed Ichigo away from him and walked back in the house.

"I'm going for a run." He said, walking straight to the bedroom to change his clothes and grab his running shoes.

By the time Ichigo had come back inside and shut the door Grimmjow was already by the front door and slipping into his shoes, his slacks and dress shirt exchanged for a simple grey sweat suit.

"Grimmjow." Ichigo said, leaning against the back of the couch and biting his lip.

"What?"

"Are you sure it's safe to be out at night like this?" Worry was eating a hole in his stomach and on top of everything else it was starting to make him feel sick.

Grimmjow stopped and stood up straight. "I think I can handle things."

"Just…." Ichigo sighed and stood up straight as well, leveling a look at Grimmjow that he hoped didn't show too much of what he was feeling. "Take your gun then." He added quietly.

Grimmjow took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. He hated stress but it seemed to like to follow him everywhere he went. He reached down and lifted his pant leg, showing the small gun strapped to his calf muscle.

"Way ahead of ya." He said, his voice quiet as well.

Ichigo nodded and looked away, biting his lip. He had had so much else to say to him but it didn't seem like the time. Grimmjow opened the door and left, closing it softly behind him and Ichigo let out another sigh. He stood there for a moment, not sure what to do, before he decided to take a shower and go to bed. Turning all but one light off, he placed the picture back in Grimmjow's desk, arranging everything back to the way it had been when he found it, showered and curled into bed, hoping that Grimmjow would hurry up and get home.

"I've got guys watchin' the boat too. Can't be in two places at once."

Grimmjow nodded as he leaned against the wall next to Nnoitra. They were standing outside one of the more expensive hotels in Tokyo, scanning the patrons coming in and out of the building.

"So you have been working in between fucks."

"Fuck I have. Ya always doubt me and I always deliver, ne? Anyway, check the guy over there with the grey suit on."

Grimmjow's eyes roved over the people until he saw a man standing at attention near a sleek black car. As he zeroed in on the man his body tensed, recognizing him as the man that had taken the bag of money from him when Shinji had been kidnapped, and Nnoitra continued.

"So that's the driver, but they never come out. The only one gets in the car is some blond bitch. Haven't ID'd her yet."

"But ya really think they're in this one?"

"Like I said, it's here or the boat, but ya told me ta be good and quite or I'd've figured this shit out already." Nnoitra was still a bit upset for that stipulation. They would have been done weeks ago with this whole thing if he had control. Or so he thought.

"And what's going on at the boat?"

"The chick goes between the two places, but it's the same there. No sign of the dudes."

Grimmjow grunted. "Give it a bit more. We still have to find out the shit about the money." His eyes narrowed as a tall blond woman exited the building, thick sunglasses shielding her eyes from the mid morning sun, and went directly for the car. "Get someone to take yer place here and follow her. I wanna know who she is."

"Yeah, yeah. Yo, in the meantime, fuck yer bitch. Yer a real asshole lately." Nnoitra said as he reached in his back pocket and took out his phone and a pack of cigarettes. "And I'll need a car." He added, holding out a hand and wriggling his fingers a bit.

Grimmjow shot Nnoitra a look as he made a phone call and rolled his eyes. If only things were that easy, he thought to himself.

It wasn't until Friday that Ichigo had a chance to be alone with Grimmjow. Ever since he had gotten fired he had been in and out of the house more times than Ichigo could remember. They still slept together, just sleeping, and Grimmjow had even managed a quick, sweet, almost apologetic kiss one morning just as Ichigo was waking up. It still made Ichigo blush when he thought about it and it irritated him. His week at school had felt so long and crammed with information, he'd almost forgotten why he was upset with Grimmjow in the first place. After another long day, we walked down the hall to the condo and opened the front door, expecting to find the house empty once more.

Instead he found Grimmjow on the floor and playing with Leiko. Ichigo frowned at the scene and dropped his bag on the floor as he slipped out of his shoes. Grimmjow looked up and grinned, pushing himself off the floor and running a hand through his hair.

"You all done for the day?" He asked.

Ichigo nodded. "Yeah. You?"

Grimmjow nodded, licked his lips and took a small step forward. Ichigo swallowed and took a step forward as well.

"So how was school this week?" He asked, closing the distance slowly between them.

"Long." Ichigo mumbled, biting his lip and looking at the floor.

Before either of them realized it they were only a hand span apart. It was Grimmjow who made the first move, lifting his hand and running his fingers through the back of Ichigo's hair. He sighed and closed his eyes, leaning into the hand.

"You still mad at me?" Grimmjow asked, and small sneer on his face.

"A little but for a different reason." Ichigo muttered, his body tilting forward, begging for more contact.

Grimmjow chuckled and kissed his forehead.

"We need to talk." Ichigo said as he lifted his head and brushed his lips over the skin on the underside of Grimmjow's chin.

Grimmjow groaned quietly and lowered his head so that his mouth was level to Ichigo's. "After." He breathed and Ichigo nodded into his words.

Yes, after.

"So why am I fuckin' workin' with ya 'g'in?" Nnoitra asked as he sneered down into his reflected face.

Szayel adjusted his glasses and smirked. "Because I could never be able to do this on my own. I'm not the one afraid to ask for help when things get tricky." He placed a slim finger in the middle of Nnoitra's chest and slid it down provocatively. "And you're so strong, Nnoi."

Nnoitra glared and batted the hand away, somehow feeling violated by that simple move. "Don't fuckin' touch me, freak."

Szayel sighed. "Whatever." He pointed at a small bench secluded in the business park they were in. "That's him right there, eating the onigiri."

"So what, I just get to go over there and rough him up?" Nnoitra asked with a smile and Szayel chuckled sardonically.

"No, you big testosterone driven Neanderthal. I will go and speak with him while you stay close just in case he runs. If, and only if, he runs, you grab him and do what you need to, to keep him quiet. Not unconscious, Nnoi. Quiet."

Nnoitra waved his hand in the air. "Yeah, yeah." He hated working in pairs, especially this pair, but at least he was going to get to threaten someone today. He wandered off to his position as Szayel straightened his tie and made sure his hair was nice. It wouldn't do to have any bit out of place for this. He made his way over to the man, slowly taking in the entire park and noting each of the people that were still there. It was late enough that soon everyone would be gone. It was perfect.

"Excuse me, do you have the time?" Szayel asked, startling the man a bit. "Oh I'm sorry. Didn't mean to break you from your thoughts."

The man looked up at him and smiled weakly. "Uh, yeah. It's okay." He tilted his wrist to check his watch. "It's five till one."

"Arigato gozaimashita." Szayel bowed slightly and turned to walk away before pausing and smiling back down at the man. "I was wondering if you could help me. You see, I'm looking for the Technical Department in the Yamada building."

"That's on the seventh floor." The man replied, standing. "I could show you there, since I work in that building."

"Oh that would be wonderful. Perhaps you could help me with one more thing." Szayel said, his voice lowering an octave. "You see, I'm looking for one man in particular. His name is," His voice dropped even further. "Akihito Watanabe."

The man froze, slowly taking in his surroundings and finding the park completely empty. Everyone else had gone back inside for the rest of the work day. His heart began to race and his breath was coming out in pants.

"W-what business do you have with him, if I could ask?"

Szayel smiled. He had known this was the man he was looking for before he approached him and was practically lapping up his response. "Oh, I just have some computer related questions to ask him. You see, I haven't been able to find some things that don't really belong to me lately and that really bothers me. Not knowing where they could have gone, that is."

"J-just questions?" Akihito asked, his body only barely relaxing at the thought that this well dressed man would only be wanting to ask him some questions.

"Yes, just questions." Szayel purred, a giddy grin on his face.

Szayel was right behind him now, his chin almost resting on his shoulder. The man shuddered at the darkness in his voice and gulped as he turned around to face him once more.

"What do you want to know?" He asked, quietly. He had told Junichi that he wouldn't risk his life to do this for him and he was holding himself to that. If all this man was planning to do was talk, he'd tell him everything he needed to know. As long as he walked away from it all.

Szayel smiled widely. "Oh not here. Perhaps we should go get some tea." He suggested, turning slightly and walking in the opposite direction.

Nnoitra shook his head and leaned against the tree he had been standing next to, folding his arms across his chest. He had been looking forward to running after the coward but now he would have to wait until Szayel was finished with him. And that was only if the man wasn't so scared out of his mind that he left the country. Szayel had a habit of doing that to people.

Grimmjow pressed Ichigo into the cushions of the couch, teeth scraping across his neck as he used one hand to pull his shirt up and the other to hold his hips in place. Ichigo's hands had pulled Grimmjow's shirt halfway up his back, his fingers alternately scratching and kneading the flesh beneath them. He arched his back and lifted his head, managing to snatch Grimmjow's lips and pull him into a kiss. They parted briefly so that each of them could pull the other's shirt off and returned almost instantly. Ichigo would have thought that at this point, the both of them having gone for sex much longer than they were accustomed to, that they would be pulling and ripping clothes off, lubing up and going straight to it. It was basically what they had done the other times they had go without. But this time Grimmjow was making his moves slow and deliberate.

He ground his cock hard into Ichigo's, rubbing his hips sensually against his as he bit down on Ichigo's bottom lip. Ichigo moaned and flicked his tongue out, smoothing it over Grimmjow's top lip just before Grimmjow let go. He sucked Ichigo's tongue in his mouth and replaced it with his own, dual groans erupting from the both of them as they fucked each others mouths. One of Ichigo's hands slid down Grimmjow's back and rested tentatively against his hip. He had realized a while ago that he had never really felt Grimmjow up properly and his fevered mind propelled his limbs. Grimmjow was settled between his legs so when Ichigo's hand finally lowered enough to latch on to Grimmjow's ass he pulled him close and bucked his hips against him. Grimmjow pulled away with a grin.

"Slow down." HE wanted to take things easy this time, but Ichigo's need was practically radiating out of him and it was making it rather difficult for him.

Ichigo pouted in a way Grimmjow thought shouldn't be sexy but totally was and bit his lip. "But it's been a while." He whined.

"Yeah, so let's enjoy this." Grimmjow husked back, nipping at Ichigo's lips.

Ichigo shuddered and lay back as Grimmjow kissed his way down his neck, trailing his tongue over his collar bone. He nibbled his way to Ichigo's nipples, curling his tongue around one before sucking gently.

"You should get yer nipples pierced too."

Ichigo snorted. "No."

"Tch, you said that about tattoos." Grimmjow pointed out before taking Ichigo's other nipple between his teeth and rolling it.

"Ah! Mmm… th-that's different."

Grimmjow sank his teeth into the soft flesh on the underside of Ichigo's pectoral muscle before trailing light kisses down his ribcage.

"Mhmm. You should get another one of those too. You'd look so fuckin' hot." Grimmjow teased, running his tongue along the waist band of Ichigo's jeans.

"Since when are you such a talker during sex?" Ichigo asked, blushing slightly over his aroused flush even as he wiggled under the attention.

Grimmjow rose up on his elbows and brought his face close to Ichigo's. "I've missed you." He whispered, an almost pained expression on his face. He felt stupid admitting things like that, and under normal circumstances he wouldn't have, but in this case he felt compelled. He wanted Ichigo to know that he had suffered but he wasn't sure why.

Ichigo chewed on his lip before smiling softly and reaching up with the hand that was still on Grimmjow's back, threading his fingers through his hair. "I missed you to." He admitted shyly.

A grin split Grimmjow's face and he chuckled. "We sound like a lame chick movie."

Ichigo closed his eyes and shook his head a bit, a smile also stretching his lips. "Yeah we kinda do."

They laughed softly together before letting it trail off in favor of gazing into each others eyes. Leiko chose that moment to announce his presence by meowing loudly and pawing at Grimmjow's shoulder.

"Not now, daddy's busy." Grimmjow said, pushing the cat away. At Ichigo's snicker he cocked an eyebrow. "What?"

"I can't believe you call yourself daddy to the cats."

As Grimmjow was about to answer the house phone rang and he groaned, dropping his head to Ichigo's shoulder. Why did they always have to deal with so many goddamned interruptions?

"You need to get that?" Ichigo asked, hoping that Grimmjow would refuse.

"Let the machine get it." He grumbled, nipping at Ichigo's skin. Ichigo grinned and began to rub Grimmjow's scalp until he heard the voice of the person leaving the message.

"Grimm, wonderful news. Phase one is complete and we are heading on to phase two. I shall have information to you by morning at the very latest. I expect to be rewarded for this." Szayel's voice was a bit husky, adding a sexual tinge to the last part of message. "A reward only you can give. Bye."

Ichigo stiffened and Grimmjow must have felt it because he pulled back to look at Ichigo once more.

"What?"

"I think we should get this out of the way now." He said, pushing Grimmjow back as he sat up, forcing him to sit back on his heels. Hearing that voice made him remember a bit of his anger.

Grimmjow sighed and barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes. "Let me guess, it's about Szayel?"

Ichigo nodded. "Did you ever date him?"

"You already asked me that. I said no that time too."

Ichigo bit his lip before he confessed. "I was looking for a pencil the other day and found a picture of you two kissing in your desk." He blurt out, scowling down at the couch.

Grimmjow's eyes went wide even as his brow furrowed. "You what? What the hell were you doing in my desk?"

"Looking for a pencil. Why are you hiding them in there?"

Grimmjow sighed again, bring his hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose. "Back when we were lookin' at them Nnoitra found them and I didn't want you to see them and freak out. So I put them away and… forgot about them."

"Why are they of you two kissing if…?"

"Oh come on, Ichigo. Don't be so naïve. Yes, Szayel and I fucked around like three times back when we were younger, but it's no big deal." It really wasn't anything Ichigo should have worried about but Grimmjow was sure that he'd have to spell it out for the young man. Sometimes his youth irritated Grimmjow.

"It was a big enough deal for you to hide it from me." Ichigo pointed out.

"Oh for fuck sake. It was eight years ago."

"Yeah but…."

Grimmjow growled and grabbed Ichigo by his upper arms, shaking him a little. "It didn't mean anything then and it doesn't mean anything now. He never meant anything to me. No one has. Not like you do."

Ichigo's heart nearly stopped in his chest as he looked into Grimmjow's suddenly deep blue eyes, the emotion in them swirling to a storm. Grimmjow licked his lips and reached up with one hand, cupping Ichigo's cheek and running his thumb along the bone. His heart felt like it was going to burst out of his chest and he feared that if that didn't kill him the lack of oxygen would as he was holding his breath. He let it out quickly only to take another one deep inside him. His stomach quivered as he tried to swallow back his nerves. Ichigo's wide brown eyes stared up at him, hope and longing swelling in them along with fear. Grimmjow's gaze flicked to his trembling lips and his eyes slid closed. He took one more steadying breath and opened them again, his eyes bright and almost fierce looking. Like a warrior about to declare an oath.

"I love you, Ichigo."

A/N SOOOOOO SORRY FOR THE WAIT!!! I got sick and some other things happened, ;p Anywho, so a lot happened here and BAM fuckin' finally, ne!? I know you all hate cliffhangers, but I had to to it. What will Ichigo's reaction be?! How long will you have to wait this time?! Hopefully not long. I've already started to next one so don't worry. Also, a little side note to those of you that have read my RP Dirty Me and didn't know that it has been added to... it's been added to ;p V and I did up another two chapters on that one and at there are some important notes in the A/N. So read it up :D Hopefully everyone liked this chapter and again, I'm super sorry it took so long to get this one out.

Ta!

~Penny