I don't have much to say here, I wasn't really planning on randomly posting one of my chapters today. This one is a birthday gift =D Just so you all know, I'm working on ending Divine now. Though it would probably go much faster if I weren't constantly drawn to facebook... stupid addictive facebook =(
Shiro: I hate facebook, it takes up all a Ichi's attention!
Ichi: Anything takes up more attention that I give you. *rolls eyes*
Shiro: Not fair! I deserve all yer attention... 'less yer lettin' Grimm-kitty fuck ya.
Ichi: You two are unbeliveable! If one of you doesn't have my attention, you're annoying me until I give you my undivided attention!
Shiro & Grimm: ... Duh.
Ichi: *hangs head in defeat*
The Legendary Firestar has requested this post as a birthday present =) Happy birthday! XD
Chapter 7
Grimmjow doesn't move a muscle, barely seems to be breathing, and his heart beat is so quiet the world around him seems to have gone into a rave-mode of sorts. He was supposed to be in a clearing on Aizen's territory choosing a mate… but he got restless. Last year was the same. All the females smother him when they're attempting to attract his eye, yet he knows they're only after him because he's the next clan leader. After an hour of playing an unwanted game of chase with the aggressive females, Grimmjow lost them and snuck into tiger territory. He knows he said they wouldn't meet until after all this craziness; however he just wanted to make sure Ichigo found a mate that would take care of him. It's a good thing he did, as that tiger was a spineless piece of shit in Grimmjow's opinion. He would die to protect his mate.
"Mm," Ichigo utters in disorientation. "Wh-what happened?"
"Your mate baled on you," Grimmjow scoffs. "You're lucky I got bored and decided to keep an eye on you, or you'd be in a cage in some human camp by now."
"… What are those?" Ichigo questions curiously.
"They used to be humans… I think," Grimmjow purrs in thought. "I've never seen one before, but Ma always told me about them. They walk on two legs and have weapons and armor… they're dangerous and hunt creatures around them for sport! They lock them up in cages and study them… or cut them to bits to learn how they work."
"Gross," Ichigo gags. "Thanks for getting rid of them, I don't want to be put in a cage or cut up."
Grimmjow smirks happily at the other, noting the fatigue still displayed on Ichigo's features. Carefully, he moves Ichigo into a den beneath some upturned roots. It's blocked by foliage and difficult to spot, so he slides in as well. Those cyan orbs glow within the darkness, inches from the entrance and still alert for danger. He purrs when Ichigo curls up beside him for warmth, catching how the tiger's breathing evens out easily.
Yorouchi is hell-bent for blood, her vision red as she bears down on those before her. Younger submissive felines quickly take cover behind and beneath their clan leaders, whimpering at the tigress's furious gaze.
"Who was the last one to see my baby!" she howls in rage.
"I… I was," Shuuhei gulps nervously. "I was talking to him in the meadow when we were attacked. When he tripped, I took up an aggressive stance in front of him to give him time… but he never got back on his feet. Something was wrong. He told me to leave… so I did."
"What kind of dominant are you!" she snarls before slamming her large paw against his face. "You never leave a helpless submissive like that! Never!"
"My love, please calm down," Kisuke says quietly. "We'll just have Shuuhei take us to where Ichigo was and track him down from there. Between three clans, we should be able to get him back."
"Three clans?" Mayuri scoffs. "I think not. My clan is small enough without sending more to a sure death. You're on your own concerning that little misfit."
Yorouchi attacks in a flurry of fur and fang, the shocked male unable to defend himself well at the suddenness of it. Kisuke and Shiro are forced to pull her off, one by the scruff of her neck and one by her tail. Once she's settled, they turn to Shuuhei and he quickly scampers off to where he left Ichigo. Byakuya says nothing, merely nods toward his clan and follows. He doesn't mind helping out a friend in need and Rukia has grown fond of the little orange headed misfit.
Silence reigns within the forest, the moon high overhead now. Ichigo is stirring once more, sighing happily as he tries to leave the little den. One snarl of warning from Grimmjow and he's backpedalling to his former spot, the large male leaving first as he tests the area for any awaiting attackers. Once he's positive it's safe enough, he calls for Ichigo to join him.
"I feel so much better," Ichigo purrs. "That was the best sleep I've ever had!"
"You shouldn't let that tiger mate with you," the jaguar comments out of the blue. "He left you in a dangerous situation without even waiting to assess the threat! That's not the type of mate you need."
Ichigo chuckles, yet nods his head to agree. They're both startled when the bushes rustle, Grimmjow knocking Ichigo back behind him. A furious snarl erupts from his lips, his body crouching to attack as he bares his fangs. Shuuhei steps into view, nervous at the show of pure dominance and moving along the tree line to keep away from the bloodthirsty male. Yorouchi is next, eager to get her cub and not caring who's in the way. She leaps in front of Grimmjow and smacks him hard with her paw to get to Ichigo. Though Grimmjow's aware this is Ichigo's mother, his instincts are strong and he doesn't even budge at the powerful hit.
"Yorouchi, please calm yourself," Kisuke remarks. "It's obvious Ichigo is unharmed and safe, he doesn't need you smothering…"
Shiro clears Grimmjow head to reach Ichigo, pinning the smaller male and licking him half to death. Ichigo laughs and squeals in joy, hollering and trying to squirm away from his older twin. Yorouchi soon joins, the blue haired jaguar forcing himself to allow them passage.
"Jaguar," Kisuke greets curiously. "What are you doing so far into my territory?"
"Um… I apologize, Kisuke," Grimmjow quickly states. "I was supposed to be finding a mate, but I got restless and needed to get away. They're so fake; they only want to be my mate because I'm the next clan leader. Well… that's not… really your problem… Sorry."
"So… your first thought is to come here to play with my cub," Kisuke frowns.
"No sir, my first thought was to get someplace they wouldn't follow,' Grimmjow admits with a slight blush. "My second thought was to just keep an eye on Ichigo, make sure he chose a good mate that would take care of him. Ma told me how some felines can be during mating season, I just wanted to make sure he was safe… good thing I did."
All eyes turn to the direction Grimmjow is now looking, gasps circulating at the sight of blood and corpse. Carefully, Kisuke moves toward the two deceased humans. It's easy for him to see the attack was vicious, almost panicked while still keeping his head about him. This jaguar cub is, without a doubt, an avid student of the hunt. It makes sense, though; as Pantera was always afraid her baby would be picked off early in life. She most likely taught him survival skills and fighting devotedly.
"As I thought," Kisuke sighs. "These humans wear armor… they're more prepared than the last groups."
"What do we do now?" Byakuya questions. "And what shall we do with the jaguar?"
"Nothing," Yorouchi mutters bitterly. "He may be trespassing, but it's worked in his favor this time. I didn't exactly see your tigers protecting my baby."
"And I apologize for that. Shuuhei is young yet, the hunt wasn't his specialty."
Said tiger blushes hotly, ducking his head in shame at the comment. Ichigo unconsciously moves closer to Grimmjow, nestling against his strong side with a purr. Shiro frowns with Yorouchi, the two catching the mutual interest between the cubs easily and neither liking it. Kisuke hushes them with a look, stepping around the corpses gingerly before looking toward the beach.
"I'm going to see what's going on at the beach," he informs. "I want the rest of you to go back to my den and make yourselves comfortable… we are safest in a joined clan."
"I agree," Byakuya states. "I will hold down the fort until you return, if that's okay with you."
"Yes, thank you. If I don't return by morning… it's likely I'm either captured or dead. If that's the case, Shiro is the new pack leader."
"But… Dad!" Ichigo utter in horror. "You'll be back, right? You won't leave us!"
"Of course I'll be back, Ichigo," Kisuke comment with a fond pat to the other's head. "I just need to take a precautionary measure, that's all. You should always be prepared for the worst case scenario, remember that."
With that, Ichigo watches his father disappear into the foliage. Grimmjow frowns at the sorrow emanating from the smaller in waves, it doesn't suit the fiery feline and the jaguar doesn't like it. The minute he makes certain Ichigo is back in his den, Grimmjow leaves to inform his parents of current events. He had told Yorouchi he was going to try and get more help, but she isn't holding her breath. Aizen would likely use it as a means to get close to Kisuke… and kill him.
Dun, dun, duuuuuuun! And the drama continues! So exciting. I wrote a bit more, but I'm not sharing XD You guys can just wait for the plot to unfold. I do have to answer a review though, which I'm so grateful for all of them =D I was asked if this would be an mpreg, or if I would resist the temptation. In answer, I'll have to say there will be no mpreg in this fic. Disappointing, I know. Unfortunately, there's no possible way for me to explain it, so there's no mpreg.
Ichi: Thank the gods! *cheers*
Grimm: No way to explain it... yet. =3
Ichi: Don't fuck with me, Grimm, I'm so not in the mood! This fic is awesome so far, don't ruin it for me! DX
Grimm: I'm liking it as well... but I'd like it even more if you were knocked up with yet another wonderful litter for me to father! XD
Vae: Sorry, Grimm, you'll just have to be happy with the cubs you're getting now. =(