Chapter Forty Nine
Shawlong was surprised when he heard his cell phone ring, expecting it to either be the boss or the kid, but hurried to answer it just the same. He wasn't given a chance to give a proper greeting before someone was shouting at him from the other end.
"Where's the bitch?!"
"Excuse me?"
"Grimm's bitch. Did he leave yet?"
Recognizing the voice now Shawlong sighed. "No, not yet."
"Check the alley behind the club. I think somethin' bad just happened. Damn it, he's gonna be fuckin' pissed." Nnoitra muttered the last part.
"What do you mean check the alley. There is only one way out and…." Shawlong's eyes widened as he remembered something. "Three men left about three minutes ago. One of them seemed to be too drunk to walk. I didn't pay very much attention to them. Are you saying they have made their move and it was against the bosses lover?"
"Fuck! Okay, go inside and see if ya can find anythin' out. I gotta break the news to Grimm." Nnoirta hung up and immediately called his replacement. The room still needed to be monitored so he couldn't leave until someone could take over.
Grimmjow had just finished a large cup of that crappy ginger tea Ichigo had made for him when the phone rang. He sneered at it before he checked the number and rolled his eyes at the name.
"This better be fuckin' good or I'm hangin' up." He greeted.
"Well it ain't fuckin' good but you ain't gonna wanna hang up. I think the bitch got taken."
Grimmjow felt a sick fluttering in his belly that he was pretty sure had nothing to do with the cold.
"What the fuck do you mean 'taken'?"
"Okay, I said fuck it to yer rules and put a surveillance in the hotel room the blonde chick was visiting. Two things. She is a he and from the description it's probably that Junichi guy. And he said that they got him and that you were gonna pay fer shit ya did." Nnoitra sighed. "Fuckin' finally. Look, Grimm. I got Shawlong checkin' the club and I'm on my way there. I'll call the minute I know somethin'. And I know ya ain't gonna listen but ya might wanna stay where ya are. I really don't wanna be lookin' fer both of ya." Without waiting for a response, mostly because he was afraid that it would be emotional on Grimmjow's part, he hung up and left the hotel room.
Grimmjow continued to hold the phone up to his ear as he stared at a fixed spot on the wall across from him. His entire body felt numb and was frozen in place. Ichigo had been taken? But he had just gotten the kid back! When his heart began to race in his chest he lowered his arm and closed his phone, closing his eyes and willing himself to relax. There was a chance, slim really given the information he had, that it wasn't Ichigo. That Ichigo was safe and inside the club chatting it up with Shinji or even on stage at that very moment flaunting that gorgeous body of his. Grimmjow latched on to that idea, even though a large part of him knew he was wrong, and began to make his own phone calls.
Ichigo groaned and slitted his eyes open. His head hurt like hell and for some reason he couldn't move his arms. When the throbbing in his eyes died down just a little he opened them further and scowled at what he saw. The room was small and empty, no window to be seen and the walls were cold, grey metal.
"The fuck?" He muttered as he tried to sit up without the use of his arms.
"Oh, you're awake."
Ichigo frowned when he heard the voice and looked groggily around the room for the speaker. His neck hurt and the back of his head was throbbing.
"The fuck are you?"
"Who I am is unimportant. And I'm not in the room with you so please save your energy. I have things planned soon that will require your full strength."
"Where am I?"
"Does it really matter? In your condition and situation do you really think knowing where you are will make any difference?" The voice paused and Ichigo heard a sharp metal on metal sound as the lock on the door was turned and it was thrown open. "Ah, I see the entertainment has arrived. Do enjoy yourself, young man. I'll be sending a video feed of this to that man you call a lover. With a ten minute time delay of course. We must keep him guessing until the end about your welfare."
"What the…?"
"Get up kid, or I'll just kick ya while yer down." A large man said as he shut the door behind him.
Ichigo looked up at him and sneered. "Fuck you."
The man grinned and suddenly all of Ichigo's breath was leaving him in a rush. He doubled over and bit his lip at the pain before he realized the man was coming in for another kick to his gut. Without thinking about his movements his own leg shot out and up, clipping the man in the chin and making him take several steps backwards. Ichigo rolled out of the man's immediate reach and struggled to get to his feet.
"Tch, not bad kid." The man muttered, barely giving Ichigo enough time to stand before he came in for another attack.
Ichigo reflexively tensed his body and ducked at the last minute, sending his shoulder into the man's belly and pushing him back once again. Not waiting for an opening Ichigo's knee slammed into the man's chest before his foot hooked around the back of his neck and sent him to the ground with a loud slapping sound. Again, not giving the man a chance to retaliate he kicked him in the head and sent him rolling, unconscious, to the other side of the small room. Ichigo was only slightly out of breath but he was dizzy now and he slummed back into the wall.
"My! It's a good thing he wasn't the best I had or I would be in serious trouble wouldn't I?" The voice purred through a speaker he had yet to find. "Go ahead and rest for now. I don't want you to be too easy a mark for the next one."
As soon as the voice was gone all the lights went out and Ichigo was plunged into pitch darkness. Ichigo slid down the wall and closed his eyes. What the fuck was going on?
"You realize that your doorman gave me a rather intense look as I was lugging all this up here, right?"
"I don't care. Set it up and find Ichigo."
Szayel rolled his eyes and began to do just what Grimmjow told him to do. "If you would have implanted a tracking chip on him like I told you to it would have made this a lot easier."
"Shut up. He's not a dog." Grimmjow grumbled, crossing and uncrossing his arms as he paced around the room. He knew charging off into the night would do him no good and even though he felt useless, helpless even, he stayed where he was and did what he could. It was a testament of experience and wisdom he didn't know he possessed but at that moment was thankful for.
"There isn't a whole lot I can do in finding him, you realize this right? Until he calls or does something on his part all I can do is guess."
Grimmjow just grunted and began to widen his route of pacing. If he didn't move he was going to go insane. If he didn't move and focus on getting Ichigo back he'd fall into that dark abyss he was teetering so close to and he didn't want that. Szayel rolled his eyes.
"Well make yourself useful and get some tea made. Who knows how long we'll be here."
"Fuck." Nnoitra said as he leaned against Shawlong's car and pulled out a cigarette. He hadn't really expected Ichigo to be there but was still pissed off that he was gone. And now Shinji knew something was up and that was going to make things worse. What's more he couldn't understand why he was sitting outside waiting for the blond to get dressed. He should have left already. He should have been checking every place that the guy could be keeping him.
"So what the hell is goin' on? Where's Ichigo?" Shinji asked as he strode out of the alleyway, still buttoning his shirt.
"Don't know. If yer gonna tag along just keep quiet."
"Fuck you. I wanna know what's goin' on!" Shinji raged as he followed Nnoitra to the other car.
"So do I."
Grimmjow was busy pouring tea, frowning hard enough at the counter to have killed it were it alive, when his phone alerted him to an incoming text message. Both he and Szayel tensed as he pulled the phone from his pocket and flipped it open.
"It's from Ichigo." He said dully.
"Don't be stupid Grimm. Read it." Szayel pointed out.
"It's a web address." He said before showing it to Szayel and watching his fingers input it in the address bar.
Grimmjow methodically put his phone back in his pocket and grabbed the two cups of steaming hot tea, bringing them into the living room before resuming his pacing.
"Uhm, Grimm. You might want to take a look at this."
The website was simple and practically empty save for one open video screen. Szayel turned up the volume and the both of them leaned close to see what was going to happen. At first it was blank and Grimmjow growled, but before he could speak the screen flickered and an image showed a small garishly lit room. They could see a figure laying on the ground in the corner and watched as it slowly began to move. It was then that they both realized who it was and Grimmjow's hand tightened on the arm of the couch. As they listened to Ichigo and the man Grimmjow identified as Junichi converse Grimmjow felt his blood steam. When the door opened and a man stepped in he felt it boil. When that man kicked Ichigo Grimmjow knew that as soon as he got his hands on the man who was doing this he would kill him. As painfully and slowly as possible.
They watched as Ichigo fought back and ultimately won, heard the man chuckle and speak and blinked as everything went dark once more. They could still hear Ichigo rustling around and it seemed to make everything that much worse for Grimmjow.
"The fuck is this shit?"
"Are you sure that all you did was get this guys brother's tongue cut out?" Szayel asked, sitting back but keeping his eyes fixed on the screen.
"I didn't do anything to that guy. He got that done all on his own."
Szayel sighed. "I'm not sure this has anything to do with that situation anymore. The punishment far outweighs the so called crime. To be this drawn out and this thought out…." Szayel trailed off and furrowed his brow in thought.
"So find him so we can end this."
"Grimm, I can't do that as quickly as you want me to. It's not like I can just click a button and poof we know everything."
"Don't talk, just do it."
Szayel sighed and sat forward once again, setting to work on finding out where the video feed was coming from.
When the lights finally came back on Ichigo blinked and pushed himself off the floor. It was too bright and it stung his eyes but he wanted to be ready for whatever was coming.
"Are you rested?" The man's voice said and Ichigo tensed.
"You sending in another guy to try and beat me up?" Ichigo asked through gritted teeth.
"Why yes, but not quite yet. Look up at the corner of the room straight across from you. That's it." He said when Ichigo did just that. "I want you to smile for the camera. You do have an audience after all."
Ichigo felt his body begin to tremble with anger and he closed his eyes to try and calm himself.
"Let's just get this over with."
"So eager to feel pain are we? Very well."
The door clicked open once again and another man stepped inside, again shutting it firmly behind him. This one wasn't as big as the guy before but Ichigo knew from experience that that didn't mean a damn thing. He braced his legs and did his best to prepare for a fight.
"This is gonna be too easy." The man said before pulling back his fist and hitting Ichigo square in the jaw.
Ichigo's head snapped back and his vision swam but recovered quickly and kneed the man in the groin. Desperate times called for desperate measures.
Nnoitra and Shinji walked into the house to see Grimmjow and Szayel staring at a computer screen intently. Nnoitra frowned and Shinji couldn't stamp his curiosity. The both of them stepped forward to see what the other two were seeing and Shinji gasped just as Ichigo was caught with another punch, this time to his shoulder.
"Oh my God!"
"The fuck is this?" Nnoitra asked but wasn't surprised when no one answered.
The four of them continued to stare as Ichigo fought the man off with only his legs, finally finishing him off with another kick straight to the head. Another man came into the room and dragged the unconscious one out and Ichigo once again slummed against the wall, this time breathing much heavier. He let his head fall back as he shut his eyes, his half whispered, "fuck" barely coming through the computer's speakers.
"Another great show. Wave goodbye to your man now." There was a chuckle followed by, "Oh that's right. You can't."
The screen went dark once again and the room was silent. Grimmjow scrubbed a hand over his face before running it back through his hair. Szayel continued to tap away at a second computer and Nnoitra frowned at the screen.
"What the hell is going on?" Shinji asked quietly, looking at Grimmjow expectantly.
Grimmjow sighed and reached out his hand to Nnoitra. "Gimmie a cigarette."
Nnoitra didn't hesitate and handed entire pack off to him. Grimmjow stick one in his mouth and sent a dark look to Shinji.
"I'm only gonna say this shit once so you better fuckin' listen."
Without having a sense of time Ichigo was still aware that it was long past morning. The lights in the small room flickered on for the fifth time since he had gotten there and once again he struggled to get to his feet. His entire body was covered in dried blood and bruises and everything ached, but he wasn't going to sit back and just take what was being thrown at him. This time the disembodied voice was silent as the door opened and another man walked into the room.
"Looks like I get to kick a little faggot. My lucky day." The man said with a wide grin.
Ichigo sneered. "I'll kick yer ass just like everyone else. I don't need my hands for that."
"Big talk for a beat down faggot." The man sneered.
"Bring it on asshole." Ichigo taunted.
The man didn't come at him like expected, arms swinging and body wide open. Instead he ducked low and caught Ichigo in the chest with his shoulder, slamming him back into the wall with a loud smack. Ichigo grunted and pushed back, hooking one of his feet around the man's ankles and yanking with all his might, managing to unbalance him enough to stumble away.
The man grinned and swung, barely catching Ichigo's chin as he leaned back and away from him. As soon as Ichigo's head was turned the man grabbed him by the front of his shirt and kicked his feet out from under him, dropping him to the floor face first. The man jumped on his back and grabbed him by the back of the head, slamming his face into the floor.
"Where's the big talk now, faggot?" He taunted.
Ichigo felt the blood pouring from his nose and a split above his eye and he tried to get up. The man on his back grabbed the back of his pants with his free hand.
"You like things in yer ass so much why don't we fill it up?"
Ichigo's eyes went wide. "No! Damn it get off me!"
He struggled, kicking his legs out in a desperate attempt to get free. The man laughed, a sickening sound in Ichigo's ear, and pulled his head back once more.
"Shut up faggot. You know you love it."
"Get the fuck off me!" Ichigo screamed out in rage and panic. This wasn't happening. It couldn't be happening. He could handle the constant fighting but this? No, it was too much. His stomach rose to his throat when the man's hand touched the bare skin of his back. "GET OFF!" He screamed and bucked wildly.
Suddenly his face was being slammed against the floor again, his vision and hearing fading out before returning again. He coughed and spit blood out on the ground beneath him.
"That's enough for now." A voice called crisply through the speakers.
"But I was just gettin' started." The man said, still not relinquishing his grip.
Ichigo took the opportunity and twisted his body, slamming his elbow as hard as he could in the side of the man's head. He rolled out from under him and kicked out, pushing the body away from him with his feet as he scooted back against the wall.
"You fuckin' piece of shit!" The man roared, holding his head as he got shakily to his feet.
Ichigo didn't see it coming but felt his collar bone snap when the man's foot connected with it.
"Fuck!" He cried out, gritting his teeth and closing his eyes at the pain.
"That's enough!"
"Tch, whatever." The man said, spitting on the ground near Ichigo. "I'll get you later faggot."
He left the room, slamming the door shut behind him and the room was plunged into darkness, the only sound Ichigo's labored breathing.
"Did you find him yet?" Grimmjow asked impatiently and Szayel sighed.
"Grimm… no I haven't."
"Wait a minute, the lights are comin' back on." Nnoitra said and he leaned forward to get a better look at the room. "The walls are metal and the room is windowless. It looks like a storeroom on a cargo ship. I bet ya fuckin' bank that he's on that boat we been watchin'."
Grimmjow looked at him with wide eyes. "So let's go!"
"Naw, we just show up there and they'll probably kill 'im. You need ta calm the fuck down."
Grimmjow grabbed the front of Nnoitra shirt and yanked him off the couch. "You fuckin' tell me that again and I'll kill you."
Nnoitra rolled his eyes and pried Grimmjow's fingers off his shirt. "Look, the bitch is takin' care of himself right now. You wait fer that call from the dude, I've got an idea."
"Oh my God!" Shinji covered his mouth with his hand as he watched the man on the screen slam Ichigo's face into the ground and struggle with him to get his pants off. "Oh, Ichi." He whispered through his fingers.
Grimmjow's attention was pulled back to the computer and his eyes widened at what he saw. He felt his stomach clench and his knees go weak as he watched the blood pour from Ichigo's wounds, watched him spit it out of his mouth and push himself back against the wall. His heart nearly stopped when Ichigo screamed as the man kicked him in the chest and then left the room. He had been standing behind the couch until that point and he felt himself sinking down to his haunches, his head resting on the back of the cushion and his eyes closing. Nnoitra and Szayel exchanged looks before Nnoitra left the room to make a phone call. Neither one of them had ever seen Grimmjow react like this to anything and if they were honest with themselves, above being slightly sickened at the display, they were worried.
When Grimmjow's phone rang everyone in the room jumped at the sound. He answered it quickly.
"Have you seen enough?" Junichi asked, his voice full of cheer as usual.
"Let him go. You want me fine. But let him go."
"Still no good at games I see. Well I guess I can't ask for that much from someone like you. Should I have your boy go through one more round before I give you a hint at where we are?"
"Grimm, don't let him know that we know where they are yet!" Szayel whispered heatedly.
Grimmjow nodded. "No. Just tell me what you want."
Junichi laughed and spoke clearly. "That's simple. I want you to pay for everything you've done. Whether you remember it or not."
With that said the line went dead and Grimmjow placed his phone back in his pocket.
"What the fuck does that mean?" He muttered, his voice tired and drained.
"What did he say?" Szayel asked curiously.
"He said he wanted me to pay for everything I did. Whether I remembered it or not."
Szayel frowned and looked back at his computer screen for a moment before biting his lip in thought.
"What was that man's name again?"
"Junichi Hiyashi." Nnoitra said as he stepped back in the room. "Why?"
"I want to check on something." Szayel said simply before his fingers began to fly over the keys of his computer.
Grimmjow sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "So who did you call?" He asked Nnoitra to distract himself.
Nnoitra grinned. "I told ya. I got an idea."
A/N Sorry it took so long. I was having a moment of "OMG I SUCK AT THIS!" lol. I think I'm better now. Thanks for the help Storm *hugs* Anyway, cliffhanger, ne? I know you all hate them but it makes the suspense a bit more drawn out. Next chapter the confrontation! Oh, Imma cry *sniff sniff* So much happening and it's not even over yet. The real drama is yet to come. hope you all "enjoyed" this one!
~Penny