Naturalist: Jungle Magic

Halfway through the meadow on the way back, the two stop to make camp. Ichigo has never traveled so fast and so long in one day, his body weary and his mind already half gone. They'd been traveling a few days with no more sightings of the spirit, so Ichigo has pretty much given up. Grimmjow watches as he nods off, catching him as he falls backward and gently laying him on the ground to sleep. The sun is just going down, a snarl in the tall grass pulling a frown onto the dominant's lips. He wraps Ichigo up in a blanket, stokes the fire so the animals will stay away from him, and heads out for a quick check.

Ichigo groans as he wakes, his member stiff from his erotic dream starring his current lover. With a yawn, he searches out the cause of his over active libido. Grimmjow is snoozing close by, the orangette grinning as he crawls over and straddles the other's waist.

"Mm… Ichi?" Grimmjow mumbles. "What's wrong?"

In answer to the question, Ichigo rocks his hips and grinds his arousal into Grimmjow's stomach. That alone has the man's member standing straight and eager, Grimmjow rolling them so Ichigo is beneath him on his blanket.

"You sure you wanna go there?" he grins.

"Very," the orangette purrs. "Take me."

With that feral grin twisting his lips almost predatorily, Grimmjow lifts those slim hips and thrusts in quickly. Ichigo cries out, growling at the pain inflicted. Unlike last time he went so fast, they hadn't spent the better part of last night screwing around. Grimmjow mumbles an apology, his body trembling as he fights to stay still. The very second Ichigo rocks back on his stiff erection, he wastes no time in slamming into his precious lover. A particularly hard thrust has Ichigo throwing his head back with a lusty moan, his whole back arching along with his neck. Through the fog in his eyes, he makes out a silvery glowing track behind him. His body still rocking roughly as Grimmjow thrusts in repeatedly, Ichigo attempts to get his lover's attention… and fails.

"G-Grimm," he moans. "S-stop."

"… What?"

"S-stop, just for a minute."

"How about I pick up the pace so we can finish?" he growls. "Come on, Ichi, I'm so close I can taste it. Just a little more."

"B-but…"

He slams in hard, ramming straight into Ichigo's prostate effortlessly. Ichigo is blinded by the pleasure, completely forgetting why he wanted to stop, and grips Grimmjow tightly to ground himself. His legs wrap tighter around the other's waist, his hips rolling backward to meet every forward movement and bring that thick arousal deeper into himself. Finally, he shudders in completion and his cum coats his stomach. Grimmjow presses harder and faster into the tightening velvet, barely remembering to pull back so Ichigo doesn't pass out again. The force of his release, however, is so hard that it almost doesn't matter. Ichigo stays dazed only a few moments, teetering on the edge of passing out before pulling himself free of it, and then he's forcing himself on his hands and knees to crawl over to the track he saw.

"You're just begging to be fucked again, aren't you?" Grimmjow asks flatly as he watches the sway of his lover's naked backside.

"Of course not," Ichigo snaps. "Look! I found a track."

"You wanted to stop sex for that?" he asks indignantly.

"It's the spirit panther's track, dumb ass."

"You'd rather stare at a useless track than have me inside you."

"No!"

Grimmjow rolls his eyes and lays down, leaving Ichigo to study the track as he tries to get some sleep. He's only teasing the smaller male, but it is kind of annoying that Ichigo would cut him off from his release for an animal track. It's not long after that Ichigo curls up with him, murmur an apology and kissing his chest. They both fall asleep after that, both with small smiles on their lips.

The next day, Ichigo is sketching a stream filled with colorful fish. He's been sketching a lot since he arrived in this beautiful place, but nothing that he came here to get. Just as he finishing up one of the trickier fish to detail, he gasps and his head bolts up to face straight ahead. Something is traveling down his body, some strange warm feeling he can't place. It seems so familiar, and yet it also seems very foreign. He lets his eyes move to gaze sidelong, catching Grimmjow staring into the water intensely. He's not too close to Ichigo, just far enough away he won't bother the orangette, yet that feeling… that horridly persistent pull that normally has Ichigo on his stomach begging for more… it's back and it's stronger.

"Grimm…"

Grimmjow doesn't answer him, his eyes never leaving the water, and Ichigo sets down his things to crawl closer ever so slowly. Suddenly, he's jolted from his trance when the larger male's hand shoots forward into the liquid at an unbelievable speed and yanks a large fish out by the tail. Grimmjow's grin is so wide and self-satisfied that it reminds Ichigo of his sisters when they succeeded in suckering his dad into giving them candy before dinner.

"Gotcha!"

Ichigo shakes his head, clearing it further as he realizes just what he's doing. Grimmjow glances his way, eyes wide and expression curious. After a moment of staring at one another, the more dominant male smirks and gets up.

"Did you say something, Ichi?"

"Uh… no… I didn't."

"Was there something you wanted?"

"No. Just… wondering what you were doing," he lies through his teeth.

"Oh… Well… I'll go make dinner."

He walks off and Ichigo sits back, watching the other and feeling that strange pull slowly lessen. Once it's just an annoying buzz at the back of his head, he gathers his things to finish his sketch. He's seriously getting scared of this weird pull, something that only seems to happen when around Grimmjow. He pushes it from his head, cursing himself and blaming it on his libido… damn hormonal teenager phase! After he adds the last detail and bit of color, Ichigo heads back to the camp in order to eat. When he steps through the brush, he almost passes out. There, locked in a glaring contest that doesn't seem to be getting anywhere, is Grimmjow and a huge black panther.

"Holy fuck," Ichigo squeaks quietly before ducking down to watch.

Nothing is said, no movements made, just the two sitting and glaring challengingly at one another. Finally, Grimmjow growls… a sound that's not human in the least… and the panther sneezes before getting up and walking away. Ichigo takes a deep breath and walks out into the camp, Grimmjow turning and letting his features warm upon seeing the smaller man.

"Hey, Ichi. How'd your sketch go?"

"It was nice… but that one fish just wouldn't cooperate."

"Can I see it?"

"Sure."

Grimmjow takes the sketchpad from Ichigo, the orangette opening it to the right page, and takes in the perfect aquatic scene. He has to admit, Ichigo has some serious talent. As the other is busy checking the fish and eating some fruit, he flips through the other pages… and almost drops the book in the dirt. Three pages back toward the beginning, is a picture of Grimmjow. Many of him, actually, like little doodles of him walking, undressing, sleeping, running, and even in the throws of passion.

*Whoa… how'd he get that one? * he questions internally before the book is yanked from his hands.

"Th-that's just practice," Ichigo stammers with a hot blush of crimson. "I-I j-just got bored."

"Hey, it's not my place to tell you what to draw," Grimmjow grins. "You made me look damn good, too. Could you draw a couple of yourself for me? I'd like to keep them around my tree house… you know… for extra curricular purposes."

"… Why do I even like you?" Ichigo sighs.

"Just lucky I guess."

Grimmjow lays back in the grass, grinning up at Ichigo who slowly lowers himself onto the other's waist. His legs are spread wide on either side of the narrow waist, Ichigo's smaller body laying down so he can lay his arms over the other's chest to pillow his own chin.

"So… what are we doing tonight?"

"I thought we'd watch the stars a bit," Grimmjow says. "And then I'm gonna take you about three times before we pass out, wake up, and I'll do it again. Sound like a plan to you?"

"Sounds like something," Ichigo scoffs. "But… I don't want to have sex tonight."

"… What do you want to do?"

"I just want you to hold me."

"… I guess I can live with that."

As they lay within each other's arms to watch the stars that night, Ichigo's mind is plagued with questions. Ever since he reached this jungle, his dreams of the spirit panther have been replaced with erotic wet dreams of Grimmjow. He doesn't know what that means, yet he's happy for the distraction. He's a bit wary of the other, however, though his body would never let him deny Grimmjow his pleasure. It would seem whenever the feline-like man is close by he sends off some sort of unnatural aura that Ichigo reacts to rather strongly, overheating the teen and drawing out his more lustful side. It's like being drunk when you're sober, or some sort of drug that throws the teen into heat. It doesn't help that he absolutely loves the sex, or that Grimmjow goes out of his way to take care of him. Not to mention, he's noticing that the animals seem to respond to the teal haired hunk as though they fear or respect him. He always thought it was because Grimmjow lived here and got used to them all, but he's beginning to think otherwise.

"Grimm… can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why did that panther seem to fear you?"

"… I've run into him before," Grimmjow mutters. "He likes a good fight, but I bested him multiple times… he's a kitten, really."

"Why does it seem like you're more animal sometimes?"

"I grew up here," Grimmjow smiles softly in remembrance. "My family lived here, in the jungle, but they were killed when I was born. Jaguars got them, they were attracted to the smell of blood when my mother went into labor. The panthers chased them off and took me in, the alpha female herself took care of me."

"How did you learn to speak and stuff?"

"People have tried to take me in multiple times, but this is where I belong," he sighs. "I've had schooling and shit, but I can't stand their customs and greed. I opted to stay here."

"… Have you see the temple?"

"The panthers live there," he answers. "It's their den. I chose to stay in the outer jungle to keep watch on the humans. They were less likely to attack me than they were my clan."

"True. I bet they love you very much."

"Mm… yeah. I love them, too."

"… The sky is beautiful here, I really like it," Ichigo states as he sketches the stars above. "There aren't skies like this back home. This one seems almost… ethereal."

Grimmjow tightens his hold on the orangette, sighing in content as he breathes in the other's scent. The vibrant haired teen is soon asleep in his arms and Grimmjow carefully puts his things away before laying Ichigo on a blanket to sleep, the more dominant male getting up and leaving for only a little bit.

Ichigo is startled awake by a twig snapping, his eyes roaming the area to find Grimmjow gone. He knows the other is most likely checking on the border again, brushing it off as unimportant and laying back down to get back to sleep. Unfortunately, a low hum of light catches his sight and he sits up immediately upon seeing a glowing white tail swish up from the tall grass. He's on his feet in half a heartbeat, rushing into the grass in nothing but his boxers and an oversized shirt. He stumbles, cursing softly when he steps on a stone, and continues on. The glowing footprints lead him on a chase, the orangette yelping when he falls into the stream.

*This stupid spirit better be worth all this trouble! * he growls mentally.

He sloshes over to the bank and pulls himself up, growling as the shirt hangs heavy on his limbs and the water that soaks it rains down off the fabric. It makes it more difficult to get around, but eventually he comes to the end of the trail. Too bad there isn't a panther spirit there to greet him, but the tracks coming to an abrupt end.

"Shit!" he screams in frustration.

"Ichi?" Grimmjow calls as he comes up from behind Ichigo. "What the hell happened to you?"

"… I fell in the stream," he grouches.

"The fuck were you doing running around in the dark anyway?"

"I saw it! Well… I only saw its tail, but it was still there!" the vibrant haired teen says excitedly. "I followed it all the way out here, but then the tracks just stopped."

"Wow… must've been playing with you."

"… What?"

"Cats like to play, Ichigo," Grimmjow laughs. "Panther gods aren't any different."

"… Damn panther god!"

Grimmjow laughs, drawing Ichigo close to him for a kiss. Feeling the chill upon his skin, he guides him back to the camp and pulls the shirt over his head. After an argument, a sore jaw for Grimmjow, and Ichigo getting bound with his shirt, he's stripped down and wrapped in a blanket by the fire.

"Untie me," he growls.

"I'd much prefer you tied up," the taller huffs. "You've got a killer right hook."

"You deserved it!"

"Did you want to catch cold?"

"… You could've thought of a better way to put it," Ichigo hisses. "I don't think 'strip down and make it good' deserves anything less."

"… Okay, I probably could've," he agrees. "But this was so much more fun."

"Well… do I have to sit on your lap."

"Yep."

"And could you tell me what reason you had to take off your clothes?" Ichigo asks flatly.

Grimmjow doesn't answer, he just grins against Ichigo's shoulder. Ichigo rolls his eyes, grumbling under his breath as the larger male adjusts the blanket around them both. The fire is warm, but the orangette is still shivering. He nestles closer to the warmth that is Grimmjow, sighing in relent as he gets comfortable. It takes exactly two minutes for the moment to be ruined, as the teal haired man's hand grips Ichigo's member.

"Grimm!" Ichigo shouts.

"What? You're still cold, we both know that'll warm you up plenty," he says innocently.

"Fucking horny jerk!"

"What did you expect? You're sitting on my lap completely naked and dripping with water."

Ichigo growls but says nothing more, allowing Grimmjow to kiss him deeply as he unties his wrists. He moans into the other's mouth, rubbing himself back against the rapidly growing arousal with fervor. The taller of the two quickly scoots them away from the fire, they're too close to go much further and he doesn't want Ichigo hurt, and then lays his lover on his back. Ichigo rolls over on his stomach, raising his ass in the air invitingly as he spreads his legs. Licking his lips hungrily at the sight, Grimmjow gets closer and Ichigo waits for his weight to settle along his back. He yelps in shock when a tongue is thrust into his hole, however, Grimmjow moving it in and out to make his uke eager for more.

"S-stop teasing!" Ichigo stammers. "I n-need you n-now!"

"Mm… who am I to deny such a beautiful creature?"

"D-don't call me beauti… AH!"

Grimmjow thrust in hard, as deeply as possible so he hits that pleasure gland the first go. Ichigo screams his delight, rocking backward to help push his seme further into his tight entrance. the two move frantically, not bothering with anything light. They're both tired and only want to get warm, moving against one another desperately for that warmth and release they seek. That weird pull from Grimmjow's aura is wrapping around Ichigo's mind, the first time it's done so during sex, and he's yanked into a far more frenzied state of mind. He pulls away from Grimmjow, the other confused only a moment before Ichigo turns around and leaps at him.

"Whoa!"

Ichigo slams Grimmjow back onto the ground, amber eyes a strange gold color as he replaces himself on his seme's length. He moans, head thrown back and eyes half lidded, and Grimmjow can honestly say he can't breath from the sight. His hands tighten on Ichigo's hips, helping the other to ride him for all he's worth. As he stares into those gold eyes, he can see the veil of a trance in them and gasps in realization… Ichigo isn't himself right now.

"Ichi, stop," he growls out through his pleasure.

"No."

"Ichigo, stop right now! You don't know what…"

Ichigo growls, a more animalistic sound that should've come from the human, and slams down harder. Grimmjow hisses, feeling nails scratch down his chest harshly. The smaller male picks up his pace, Grimmjow's nails breaking skin in his struggle to push through his lust addled mind. Finally, Ichigo cries out and his walls tighten around Grimmjow's member. The teal haired man quickly pushes Ichigo back, pulling out before he comes and spilling his seed all over the now unconscious teen. He pants harshly, his cyan pools taking in Ichigo's exhausted and blush covered body as he lay in the moonlight. Carefully, he takes Ichigo's still sopping shirt and starts to clean him off.

"Fuck that was close," he grumbles. "I have to be more careful."

Ichigo wakes the next morning sore and tired, trying to remember exactly what happened last night. He remembers the spirit panther, falling in the stream, and sitting by the fire with Grimmjow… but that's where everything starts to get hazy. Like a teen waking from a drunken night at the club, Ichigo can barely remember anything. Grimmjow is just returning, his direction brining him back from the lake, and the smaller male is immediately questioning him.

"What happened?"

"… Uh… I went for a walk?"

"No, idiot, what happened last night?"

"You got seriously aggressive," Grimmjow frowns. "I don't normally mind that in a lover, but you went just a tad overboard. I tried to stop you, but you weren't having it."

"What did I do?"

"You can't figure that out on your own?" the taller scoffs. "Let's just say, you should be really sore this morning and I'm gonna be quite hesitant to start something intimate with you for a bit."

Ichigo groans as a flash of a memory returns to him, unable to believe how much of a tramp he acted. He doesn't know what got into him, he's usually so shy during sex, but then he feels it… that strange pull of Grimmjow's aura. His eyes sharpen, darting over to the oblivious male that's packing up their things. Whatever his aura does, that's what happened to him last night. It completely drugged him out.

*Was it his fault? Or is it this jungle? * Ichigo wonders. *Perhaps… It's the panther god trying to keep me occupied so I won't find it… Stupid fucking panther god! I'll show him! *

"Are you okay? You seem a little… psychotic today," Grimmjow mutters a tad wary.

"I'm fine."

The two are moving through the outer jungle now, Ichigo's heart sinking with every step he takes closer to the exit. Once he reaches the edge, that's when he'll be forced to say good bye to the man he's become addicted to. He glances at Grimmjow, the teal haired man watching the canopy above them as a few monkeys swing past. A frown takes over his features and Ichigo catches fury in his beautiful orbs.

"What's wrong?"

"My tree house is in that direction, you can't miss it," he says flatly. "You keep going that way… I have to check something out."

"I'll go with you."

"No… No, you just keep moving, okay? I can do this on my own."

"… Okay, if you say so."

"Just keep walking and wait for me there, don't turn around or divert from this path for any reason… You're safe on this path."

"Okay, okay. Jeez, if I wanted a mother hen with me I would've asked Renji to come along!" Ichigo gripes as he stomps away.

Grimmjow's eyes turn back in the direction he had smelled it… smoke. With a growl he races off toward the billowing blackness that looks so similar to storm clouds. Before too long, the fire will reach Ichigo and the orangette won't have anywhere to run to. He comes to a halt before the humans burning down the jungle, his eyes narrowing as he catches a few animals trapped within their cages.

*I don't think so, * he snarls.

Before he can do anything, however, a young redhead about Ichigo's age runs up shouting and cursing. The humans turn to regard him, curious and also angry he would intrude upon their work. Grimmjow listens over the roaring of the flames to hear what words are being exchanged.

"Are you crazy!" the redhead snaps. "My best friend is in there!"

"No one is allowed in this jungle, boy," the man in charge scoffs. "The spirit won't let anyone in."

"You're about to take the chance of burning Ichigo Kurosaki alive!" Renji snarls. "Do you seriously want to be the cause of the most talented artist of this day and age's death!"

"… Ichigo Kurosaki?"

"Yes, you dumb ass! Now put those flames out right this minute!"

The man yells, the others scrambling to throw dirt over the flames in hopes of extinguishing them. Once they're finished, Grimmjow moves closer to release the animals and listen to the redhead yell. As he crouches beside a large cage with a jaguar inside, he lets his cyan pools observe this strange man.

"You are so lucky I heard what you were planning before you left!" Renji snaps. "Do you have any idea what would've happened to you if Ichigo went up in flames? You guys are so stupid! And what the hell do you think you're doing burning down a jungle anyway?"

"We need to develop this land, but the machinery has all been destroyed!" the man sighs. "That damn spirit is ruining all our plans."

"Then build beside the damn jungle! If Ichigo knew what you were planning on doing to this place, he'd destroy the lot of you!"

"We're just doing our jobs, we can't do much more than that!"

Grimmjow lets the animals go and darts back into the trees, frowning in thought as the jaguar traipses alongside him. He absently pats it on the head, humming to himself as takes the path with an air of someone who does so daily.

*So… the little berry is quite important on the outside, * he muses. "He could come in handy, don't you think, Dalia?"

The jaguar purrs loudly as it stares into his eyes knowingly, licking his hand in agreement before taking another path. Grimmjow continues on to his home with thoughts turning to plans within his mind, although the minute he sees a worried Ichigo… those plans fly right out the window. Ichigo runs up to him and hugs him for all he's worth, crying into his chest as he tries to speak and the sound gets muffled in his shirt.

"Calm down, Ichigo, I'm fine."

"There was a fire, wasn't there? I was the smoke!" he sobs. "Are you hurt? What happened?"

"… Some people were trying to burn down the jungle," the taller sighs. "Don't worry, though. A weird redhead with tattoos ran up yelling about someone being in the jungle. The guys put the fire out faster than they could've started it."

"That must've been Renji!" Ichigo grins. "I'm so glad he came with me, or I might've been killed!"

"Yeah… they were pretty persistent."

"I can't believe they would kill thousands of animals just to reach the mountains… that's horrible! Places like that temple should be left alone! I don't care what they could learn from it, it isn't theirs to bother!"

"They'll keep coming, Ichi," Grimmjow sighs. "Just like they always do."

"No… I'll stop them. I'll figure out something."

"… Let's just get inside, okay? We're safe now and that's all that matters."

Ichigo nods and follows Grimmjow to the rope ladder of the tree house, mentally cheering when he gets to follow the other up as he takes advantage of the perfect view he's handed. Once they're on the balcony-like porch, Ichigo realizes just how lavish this particular tree house is. It has a thick roof over the house and the porch, furniture hand crafted from wood and woven grasses, a door hung on leather strips… so ancient in craft and yet it looks so modern.

*I could like it here, * the orangette muses.

"In you go, Ichi," Grimmjow states as he holds the door open. "It isn't anything too modern, but it's comfortable enough."

"Is it like your cave home? Because I really liked that one," Ichigo grins.

"Almost… but without the hot spring."

Ichigo walks in and grins from ear to ear, his amber eyes taking in the similar furnishings of wood and furs. He's almost jealous that Grimmjow gets to live in such a place while he has to deal with people everyday… almost… he still can't live without running water and electricity. Well… maybe electricity, but definitely not running water. It's far more comfortable to have a toilet rather than a bush.

"This is awesome, Grimm!"

"I'm glad you like it."

"Oh, I could live in a place like this for the rest of my life!"

"… You could, you know."

"I'd love to! But… I can't just abandon my friends and family," Ichigo sighs. "Not to mention, I have to get back to work. This was my holiday, I have a painting request I have to do and a magazine loved my shark pictures so much they wanted me to take a few for their next issue, and…"

"Ichigo, I get the picture," Grimmjow smirks. "You're a really busy artist, aren't you?"

"Well… people say I'm a prodigy, but… I think I'm pretty good. Hey! Would you mind if I sketched this place?"

"Not at all… but only if you sketch a few of yourself for me," Grimmjow grins widely.

"… I'll see what I can do."

"Just like the ones you made of me, it's only fair."

Ichigo sighs and takes his bag outside, giving a minute smirk once his back is facing Grimmjow. He would never admit it, especially not to the other, but he's falling hard and fast for this man. He would do anything in his power to make Grimmjow happy, would give anything to have him accompany him back home. For some reason, he knows without a doubt Grimmjow will never leave this place. He also knows that he would seem so out of place anywhere but here… he was born for this place. He takes out his book and a pencil, sitting in the grass and staring up at the balcony where the teal haired man looks down at him as he leans on the railing.

"Don't move!" Ichigo calls. "The picture just got perfect!"

"… Why's that?" Grimmjow wonders curiously.

"Because, silly, you're in it now."

With a deep rumble of laughter, Grimmjow stays put and watches that perfect smile so filled with a kindness he's never seen in another person tug at the orangette's lips. He won't have a problem staying still for Ichigo, he could watch that boy all day long and not grow weary of it.

Night is coming fast, Grimmjow standing on the ground now as Ichigo fixes something to eat in the house. His sharp cyan eyes pick up on flashes of light here and there, his ears catching the hollering of people searching for something… or someone. The men from the fire are looking for Ichigo, though Grimmjow can't hear the redhead from before with them.

*Well too bad, * he thinks bitterly. *They can't have him. He's mine right now and I won't give him up until I walk him to the edge of this damn jungle! *

With that, he gives a pointed look to the black panther lying at the base of the tree and heads back inside. The panther darts off into the night to keep the humans away from Grimmjow's den, roaring into the pitch to gather a bit of help in protecting it's cub. The teal haired male watches from the balcony, smirking the minute he hears everyone's panicked screaming in the distance.

"Grimm? I thought I heard something," Ichigo says from the doorway. "Is everything okay?"

"It's perfect."

"… What's with the sadistic grin?"

"Nothing."

"You so did something you shouldn't have," the orangette smirks. "Come on, tell me."

"I sent one of my clan to frighten off some people trespassing," he shrugs. "No big deal."

"I bet it was for them when they saw a panther charging them."

Grimmjow cackles at that, the laugh drawing a smile from the vibrant haired teen as he's drawn in close to his lover. He shies away from the kiss he knows is coming, but only to tease the larger male, and Grimmjow smirks as he grabs the orange locks at the back of Ichigo's head and forces him into a rough kiss. Afterward, the smaller of the two pulls his seme into the house to eat dinner… the frustrations of his trip slowly settling in his brain.