Tiger was the first requested! Well... duh *rolls eyes* I wouldn't be posting it if it weren't. I believe the last chapter of Tiger left Ichigo and Shiro awaiting their big hunt together! And I only say that because that's what this chapter starts out with ;p Today is supposed to be a novel day, but I got stuck on my latest chapter ^^; I'm working on my new fic I haven't posted yet to get through the block =) I actually deleted two chapters of the 3 to start over... but I thought the new idea was better! =D
Shiro: Code fer 'I changed the font and size, so I needed ta add a bunch a shit ta reach the 6 page limit'.
Vae: Shut up, Shiro! *shakes fist* That's a perfectly valid excuse and I did come up with a better idea to work around!
Ichi: I didn't like the original idea. *mutters*
Grimm: You never like her ideas.
Ichi: Because she picks on me! T^T How many fics has she written where I didn't have an abusive boyfriend or a cheating boyfriend or issues with being raped? She's evil to me!
Vae: Don't be such a sissy, you're the one that makes the whole fic work.
Grimm: Yeah, Ichi, without you the readers wouldn't have a marginally good plot... or hot sex scenes. =3
Ichi: ... I'm gonna ignore that last part. And I'd just like to comment on the fact Vae's excuse for picking on me doesn't make me feel any more appreciated!
Chapter 3
Ichigo is crouched within the tall grass, amber eyes intently watching the herd of gazelle in the meadow. This island is filled with an abundance of species, a little world within itself, and Ichigo has always found it to be fascinating. Shiro is beside him, nose almost touching the ground as he creeps forward. Ichigo has never actually managed to make a kill, but he's injured plenty of prey and slowed them down for his brother to finish off. Just to make the younger male feel useful, Shiro tends to work this way when hunting.
"'Kay, listen up," he murmurs beside his brother. "I'm gonna creep 'round behind 'em, ya scare my way. Got it?"
"I don't have to try bringing one down?"
"No. I'm in a violent mood taday," Shiro comments with a huge toothy grin.
"Okay!"
He watches Ichigo move stealthily through the grass, barely moving a strand as he retreats to his position. Shiro heads the opposite direction, tail flicking subtly in anticipation of the kill. Yorouchi had warned him not to separate from his brother, yet he's positive Ichigo will be okay. When he scares the herd, they'll automatically run in his direction… his little brother will be in the clear, safe while still thinking he's helping. Shiro is always very careful to make sure Ichigo gets the impression he's helping, he hates it when the younger is alienated by the others. Ichigo is as much a part of this pride than they are, yet he more often than not doesn't considers himself as such.
Ichigo creeps behind a fallen log, bracing himself to leap out and chase the nearest gazelle. Just as he's springing over the log, however, a roar sounds on the other side of the herd. He gasps as they deem him the least threatening, stampeding toward him without thought. He cries out, weaving between the bodies running toward him. They knock him around, the orange haired male close to getting his skull crushed in the confusion. An arm wraps around his slim waist, yanking him back as though Shiro is batting a mouse away, and he finds himself back behind the log. A larger body is over him, keeping them both low and grunting when a few hooves graze him. Once the last few creatures pass, the stampede dying off after a few moments, the other male begins to move away.
He smells like feline, something Ichigo's very familiar with, and his build is powerful. The sun glittering off the beads of sweat that travel his frame, dripping slowly down the only piece of cloth on him… a simple loincloth covering his intimate bits. Everything else is all muscle and perfection. Sharp cyan orbs are soft in curiosity, the crouched frame of the larger male scooting closer as he sniffs the unfamiliar creature he just saved. Ichigo hisses at him, swiping with his hand to get a little space between them. Ichigo notes this creature has sky blue locks, vibrant like his orange and styled just as wildly.
"Are you okay?" the larger male wonders.
"… Yes… thank you," Ichigo murmurs shyly.
This male looks so much like him, the same thought obviously flitting through the other's eyes. They circle one another, sniffing curiously before reaching out and hesitantly touching one another. The larger male grins widely, moving closer and licking Ichigo's cheek affectionately. Wide eyed and startled, the orange haired tiger jerks back and rubs at the spot with his hand… just like a cat cleaning its face.
"You're pretty."
Ichigo blushes at the comment, immediately getting aggressive in the face of such a remark. He hisses, growling a bit as he backs away cautiously. He doesn't know this creature, has never seen something like him before, and he's certainly not about to lay down for him.
"I'm Grimmjow, who are you?" the more aggressive male comments.
"… Ichigo."
"I like you," Grimmjow purrs. "You're like me."
Ichigo stills at the comment, curious although still a bit wary. He lets Grimmjow approach him again, the larger man purring as he nuzzles Ichigo's cheek. There's a vicious snarl from the grass, Yorouchi and Shiro moving in sync as though on the hunt. Ichigo is surprised to see his mother, yet Grimmjow seems unworried. Right before the two tigers can get too close; a female jaguar leaps between the two pairs. Her back arches and a furious hiss leaves her lips.
"Pantera," Yorouchi spits. "You of all felines should know where the territories lie! What are you doing hunting on tiger lands?"
"The prey is thinning out, they're migrating out of jaguar land," she grumbles. "I can't help that food is scarce in our lands, surely you can spare a bit."
"You almost killed my baby!" Yorouchi snarls. "We overlooked you hunting here, but when you threaten the life of my cub…"
"It wasn't my intention! We tried to stay where the tigers are least likely to hunt," she bristles. "How was I supposed to know the least hunted area in this territory would be the one your cubs decide to play in?"
"Keep your cub away from mine!" Yorouchi growls. "Ichigo, it's time to go."
"But…"
"Now!"
He hangs his head, sending a longing gaze toward Grimmjow before moving back to his mother and brother. Grimmjow begins to reach for him, yet Pantera stops his actions. She nudges him in the direction of her kill.
"Ma, their hunt was interrupted," Grimmjow remarks. "Can't we just give them our kill and make another? It is their land, after all."
"Fine. We'll stick to the outer areas for hunting," Pantera remarks to Yorouchi. "Please warn your clan, we don't want any more incidences like this."
"Agreed. Shiro, keep Ichigo away from this area," Yorouchi comments. "I'll send scouts daily to find out where the jaguars are. Under no circumstances are you to allow your brother around them."
"But, mom!" Ichigo protests.
"No! We're going home now," the large tiger scolds. "Thank you for the kill, Pantera. Shiro, please gather it. I'll take Ichi home."
The white tiger nods, patting Ichigo toward their mom with a whap to the bottom he hisses at. Once the younger cub is following Yorouchi's relaxed gait, Shiro heads to gather the kill. He glowers at Grimmjow with a rumbling growl, warning the other away from his twin without words. After the tigers leave, Grimmjow tilts his head curiously and looks to his mother.
"Why can't he come with us?"
"He's a tiger, honey, you're a jaguar."
"But… he looks kind of like me."
"Come along, Grimmjow. You know the head of the tiger clan and your father don't get along anymore," she sighs out. "We're lucky Kisuke allows us to hunt here when our prey begins to migrate away."
"Dad needs to make up with the tigers," the other mutters. "He can't even remember why he's pissed at Kisuke anymore, what's the point of holding a forgotten grudge?"
Pantera shrugs carelessly, agreeing with her cub yet not completely willing to go against her mate. Aizen can be stubborn and thoughtless at times, but he's still her mate and what he does is normally best for the pride… normally. Whatever's going on with the two leaders has been that way since Pantera took in Grimmjow. She remembers that day as though it was yesterday, chasing the wolves out of her territory as her clan separated and tore into them. The babe was dropped by one of the canines too eager to get away, left to cry upon the ground. Pantera had but one cub, Nelliel, and she was producing enough milk… so she picked up the baby and ignored her mate's protest. Kisuke had found it a pointless venture, insulting Aizen and Pantera without meaning to. That's what started the feud so many years ago. Pantera wasn't aware Yorouchi had taken in a human cub as well, the thought is almost amusing.
There we have it! Grimm and Ichi have finally met! =D I hope you're all happy ;p I hate to say this, but I just realized Aizen's god-complex seriously would make him start a feud on such a trivial thing... wow. I hadn't even realized it when I wrote that =) Okay, I need to start working on breakign my writer's block! Here are your choices: Tiger x2, Dream x2, Hunter x1, Jail x2, Lust x2, Divine x1, Uncharted x1. First request... yeah... you guys already know.
Shiro: I don' understand why ya can' just pick one yerself.
Vae: Because, when I pick one myself everyone always requests I update a fic I haven't worked on. It's just much easier to tell them what I've worked on and let them pick.
Ichi: And everyone likes a contest! =D How many contests do you actually find on this site?
Grimm: Seriously, why would you want one on this site?
Vae: Blasphemy! Every site deserves at least one contest! D8