'Grimm-chaaaaannnn!'

'Matsumo-Oof!'

Grimmjow is smothered in breasts as Rangiku pulls him into a tight hug, suffocating him. He tries in vain to push her away but she just hugs him even tighter, driving him even deeper into her voluptuous bust.

'How have you been, Grimm-chan?' she chirrups like a bird. 'I haven't heard from you in so long! How's life? Do you still work at that Chinese restaurant? Is Ichigo still a law-whatcha-ma-call-thems? Is that coffee table still there? Do you still have that tattoo of a blue tiger on your-!'

'That's enough, Rangiku,' Ichigo laughs as he manages to pry her hold loose from Grimmjow, whose face is bright red from lack of oxygen for a good two minutes. 'Why don't you go join everyone else? You'll have plenty of time to catch up once everyone's here and the party's really started. I know how much you love to dance at parties!'

'I sure do, Ichigo!' Rangiku giggles. 'And I hope you've got sake because I'm thirsty!'

'It's in that direction,' Ichigo chortles and points it out to her. 'Enjoy the party. And, Grimmjow, what tattoo is she talking about?'

He turns on Grimmjow suddenly, not even giving him time to catch his breath.

'Oh! Uh! Well, it all started on Toshiro's birthday,' Grimmjow stutters to explain when the doorbell rings again. He thanks the person who just arrived but when he opens the door, he wishes that that person had just crawled up and died somewhere.

'Hi, Grimmjow,' Urahara says cheerily as a gorgeously dressed Yoruichi on his arm smiles at him. 'Aren't you going to let us in?'

'I can but I don't think I want to,' Grimmjow mutter under his breath but feeling Ichigo's gaze on him, he steps aside and lets the couple walk in. Urahara smiles at him while Grimmjow just scowls. Either this guy is completely oblivious of how much Grimmjow hates him or he knows and enjoys it thoroughly.

'Urahara! So glad you could make it!' Ichigo says like a good host, shaking his hand and kissing Yoriuchi's.

'I wouldn't miss it for the world, Ichigo,' Urahara says almost business-like. 'I trust that the classes for Grimmjow are working?'

'They are,' Ichigo says enthusiastically and then, looking to see if Grimmjow is busy, leans in close to the couple therapist. 'In fact, the instructor told me to help him 'fight his demon' by calling his family. Apparently it'll help him get over his anger issues. I just don't want this night to end in a mess. It means a lot to me and I want this party to go perfectly.'

'If all flows smoothly, I'm sure it will.' Urahara pats his arm. 'Now, on with the party!'

As he leaves him to enter the living room which is thronging with people and loud music, Toshiro steps out looking slightly annoyed.

'Ichigo!' he hisses as he approaches his friend. 'This is so awkward! It's like Gin and I are the only gay couple in that room!'

'That's not true!' Ichigo protests. 'There's Grimmjow and me!'

'But you're the hosts! Oh God! It's so weird having people stare at us while we stand in a group and talk about relationship problems!'

'Toshiro! You can be so paranoid sometimes!'

'It's not funny, Ichigo! You should know yourself that it isn't easy being a gay couple among straight ones! It gets uncomfortable and-!'

'There's my little hime!' Gin exclaims as he comes up from behind and wraps his arms around Toshiro's waist. 'Why are you out here instead of inside enjoying that party?'

'Because I feel uncomfortable around those people!' Toshiro snaps and tries to struggle out of his grasp.

'Don't be a party pooper,' Gin chuckles as he nuzzles his lover's neck. Toshiro gasps and then tries to glare at him.

'I don't like being the only one in there,' he mutters. Gin laughs softly and nips his cheek affectionately.

'You're not the only one,' he whispers into his ear. 'I'll always be there so you'll never feel alone.'

Toshiro can't help but smile a little. He lets Gin guide him back into the living room while Gin whispers loving words into his ear. Ichigo grins. They seriously are a cute couple, Toshiro always the negative one and Gin balanced him out with his playful positivity.

'Shinji! What the hell are you doing here?' comes Grimmjow's angry voice from the doorway and Ichigo turns around to see his partner looking angrily at a tall man with blonde helmet hair.

'Our boss dragged me here,' Shinji mutters and crosses his arms. 'Like I wanted to come to your little glee party. Please! I could be sitting at home and watching the Jackie Chan marathon!'

'Oh yeah, that is so much more fun, Shinji, how I envy you.' Grimmjow rolls his eyes.

'Shut up you two,' Hiyori snaps and walks in without being asked to. 'Jaguerjack! I got good news for you so listen up! The board really liked your slogan for the new toothpaste. Scratch that, they loved it! Adored it! They could have had sex with it if it was human! Anyways, they wanna meet you and if they like you, which I know they will, they plan to make you head of your department. So you like that? Of course you like that. Who wouldn't? Now where's the food? I'm starved!'

'Uh, right this way,' Ichigo says as he steps in and ushers them towards the other people. Grimmjow seems too stunned to speak. When Hiyori and Shinji have gone, Ichigo turns on Grimmjow and hugs him tightly.

'Did you hear that, Grimm?' he laughs. 'I knew that you were brilliant! You just needed to show the rest of them what you can do! Now, you think you can handle the people while I get Nel? I think just about everyone is here so might as well get on with the evening-!'

'Yo! Ichigo!' Renji calls as he hurriedly approaches Ichigo, a drink in his hand. 'I think Rangiku had a bit too much sake and now she's dancing on the coffee table. Plus I think a couple of guys are just as drunk and are asking her for a lap dance.'

'Oh great, how many times do we have to tell her to only limit herself to two but does she listen? Noooo,' Ichigo groans as he covers his face with one hand. The doorbell rings again which issues another groan from Ichigo. 'Grimmjow, do me a favour and answer that? I'll go get Nel and handle Rangiku. I guess they were right when they said I was the woman in the relationship…'

Grimmjow and Renji snicker as Ichigo stalks off into the living room, waving his hands in the air to get some order.

'I'd be jealous of you, Grimmjow, if I weren't straight,' Renji jokes and sticks a thumb in Ichigo's direction. 'He's more of a girl than my Rukia.'

'I hear that,' Grimmjow agrees.

'So do I,' Rukia says, an enormous tic visible on the side of her head. Renji jumps and begins to stutter as he explains things.

'Never mind,' she sighs and pulls him by his ear back to the crowds. 'I think Ichigo might need our help before he's overwhelmed.'

'Coming, buttercup,' Renji winces as he lets her drag him. Grimmjow rolls his eyes at them. Straight couples. Grimmjow opens the door, wondering who else they have invited.

'Hey, sugar, how's it going?' purrs a cocky voice belonging to an equally cocky person. Grimmjow just stares at the person in the door, his mouth slightly open.

It's like he's looking at a carbon copy of Ichigo except without the colour. This Ichigo look-alike is completely white, like an albino. Except his irises aren't a warm brown but a bright yellow, sparkling with mischief. An impish smile is playing on his lips as he leans against the door frame, on hand on the frame as well to support him and the other resting on his hips while his legs are crossed. He's dressed in extremely tight skinny jeans with chains trailing from the pocket in a curve and a bright red shirt (as if his eyes aren't bright enough). But it's not like this guy is a stranger to Grimmjow. He knows him all too well and for that reason he wishes he isn't here as much as he wishes Urahara isn't.

'Grimm-kitty, how you been?' the man says happily as he casts his hands around a stunned Grimmjow. 'Didja miss me?'

'What the hell are you doing, Shirosaki?' Grimmjow hisses, regaining his senses and slipping out of his grip. 'If Ichigo sees you-!'

'It was so rude of my brother not to invite me to his party,' Shirosaki pouts as he saunters in. 'I mean after all, we are twin brothers and we should be tight! I was at dad's house before he left and thankfully I found out about it so here I am!'

'You shouldn't be here!' Grimmjow insists and looks back, hoping he can convince Shiro to leave before Ichigo shows up.

'Why not?' Shiro whines. 'Shouldn't brothers share moments together? Even things?'

With that, he latches himself onto Grimmjow again. Grimmjow cries out and tries to move back but Shiro has a tight grip around his neck. It's not the first time Shiro has made a move on him. It's why the two brothers never got along. Shiro would constantly be making moves on Grimmjow and Ichigo would constantly be throwing him out of their penthouse.

'Shirosaki, let go of Grimmjow,' comes a dull voice form the doorway. A tall angular man drifts in, his hair and clothes flying like there is some imaginary wind blowing. He surveys the two of them through his tinted glasses which he never seems to take off.

'Aw, but Dad, I don't wanna!' Shiro complains and rubs his cheek against Grimmjow. Grimmjow growls.

'Old man Zangetsu,' Grimmjow snarls, glaring daggers at Shirosaki. 'If you can get him off of me before Ichigo shows up, I swear I'll-!'

'Shirosaki!' comes Ichigo's incredulous voice.

Too late.

'Ichigo!' Shiro sings as he finally lets go off Grimmjow to skip towards his brother. 'It's so nice to see you after so long! How long has it been? 5 months? 8?'

'Not enough it seems,' Ichigo snarls, his hands on his hips. 'How many times have I told you to get your hands off Grimmjow? He's not one of your one-night dates so don't even think about it!'

'Touchy, touchy, you sure haven't changed a bit.' Shiro shakes his head and then grins widely. 'Well, for your information I just dropped by to congratulate you on the good news. You got a new dog, right?'

'Just get out of here,' Ichigo says menacingly. 'Before I make you.'

'I know you,' Shiro says tauntingly and wags a finger at him. 'And you wouldn't dare make a scene in front of your friends. So I'm going to be here for a while, little brother.' And with that, he walks into the party room. 'Hey! So who's up for a game of strip poker?'

'You're only older by one minute so don't think that gives you a right to call me little brother!' Ichigo growls under his breath as his father glides up to him.

'Don't let your inner demons take control of you,' he says languidly. 'Be the king.'

'Sure, dad,' Ichigo sighs. 'Why don't you just go and make yourself at home?'

'Me and my family, huh?' Ichigo continues as Grimmjow comes up behind him and puts a hand on his shoulder for support.

'Better yours than mine being here,' Grimmjow chuckles as he makes to finally have some fun in the party room but making a mental note not to play strip poker with Shiro. The last thing he wanted to do was lose his pants to that guy.

'Yeah, about that. Grimmjow?' Ichigo says hesitantly. But as soon as Grimmjow turns around, a man with an abnormally lanky body sticks his head in the doorway, a grin literally splitting his face in two.

'Peekaboo,' he says gleefully. 'Anyone home?'

'Nnoitra!' Grimmjow gapes at the door.

'Well, well, what's up, brother?' Nnoitra laughs as he saunters in. An array of people walk in. 'Family reunions are so touching, aren't they?'

'Grimmjow! It's been too long!' a broad dark-skinned man with a ponytail roars as he thumps Grimmjow on the back.

'Yeah, Yammy,' Grimmjow gasps as he steadies himself to stop falling flat on his face. He turns and glares at Ichigo.

'I can explain,' Ichigo says quickly.

'You better, Ichigo,' Grimmjow growls. ''Cuz if you got another trick up your sleeve, I'ma gonna-!'

'Hello, Grimmjow,' comes a cool voice behind him. Grimmjow gulps and turns around to face a man with brown hair slicked back and a languid smile on his face. He's wearing an elegant white suit; better dressed than Grimmjow for his own party.

'Hi, dad,' Grimmjow mutters bitterly.