Countdown: 1
Sorry all those awaiting Hunter, but there's a new line up (I finally figured out titles for the fics I've yet to post). ^^; The new line up is: Born to the Shadows, College Diva, High Seas Mayhem, Hunter, Jail Bird, and Lust: the Unleashed Sin. While my life sucks majorly, I hope to brighten yours with the new fics. As I mentioned before, Tiger has only one more update and then I'll start posting 'Bleach Bait'. Enjoy the update.
Shiro: I say we kill Isshin in Tiger! He deserves it fer tryin' ta take 'way my baby brother! DX
Grimm: I'm with you!
Ichi: *menacing scowl*
Shiro & Grimm: ... uh... let's go find something to do. =(
Chapter 14
Isshin is sitting with the others, contemplating whether or not to attempt speaking to the little tiger again. Grimmjow has been especially aggressive lately and Ichigo sees nothing wrong with his ill mood toward the humans. Shiro, too, has almost mauled them. It would seem the two are making good on Grimmjow's threat. He's shaken from his musings when Ichigo scampers over and sits down.
"Grimmjow said you are my human father," Ichigo comments.
"Yes, I am. You never told me your name."
"I am Ichigo," he states. "Grimmjow is my mate. He said you want to take me away from here… but I cannot go. My family is here, I do not know how to live in your world… I belong here. I am sorry."
"Are you sure you don't want to leave?"
"Kisuke is my daddy and Yorouchi is my momma, Shiro is my brother, I am a tiger, and that is my family. I thought about it very hard last night, I kept Grimmjow awake for a long time because he was afraid he would wake up and I would not be here anymore… he and my family are all I need. I am happy here."
Isshin frowns, yet nods his understanding. Ichigo probably wouldn't be happy within a world of greedy humans. He's the caring type, the one that wants to save everyone… he'd be taken advantage of or killed in the middle of helping another. On the brighter side, it would seem the other has an exponential knowledge of the animals here. His insight could open new doors in the group's studies.
"Isshin?" Uryu calls as he watches Ichigo walk away. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I would like to erect a lab here, just a small one with living quarters. This place is ripe with questions I'd like to answer… And I would like to stay near my son."
"Of course. I'll call in the request," the raven smirks. "This island is a graveyard of shipwrecks; it would be in our best interests to get people here anyway. As long as we live around the animals, we should be fine. It'll be good to save more lives before they fall to the elements and wildlife."
"Yes, yes it would. I don't want more people losing their loved ones when it could be prevented."
The raven nods and heads to the beach. Their people are still waiting there, eager to explore and take in the sights. One call as a quick survey, via the packs in the den, and they can start building their lodgings… but first, Isshin wants to make sure it's okay with the felines. They're already upset with him; it wouldn't do to make enemies of his child's family.
"Excuse me, Grimmjow?" he calls out.
The jaguar in question turns to regard the man, joining him near the campsite they've been staying at. Grimmjow was overjoyed when Ichigo told him he had no intention of leaving this island, which means he'll be slightly nicer when dealing with the humans.
"What is it?" he asks.
"I want to speak with the clan leaders," the scientist comments. "I have a request to make of them."
Grimmjow thinks on it a moment, and then turns with a roar. It doesn't take long and the leaders of each clan are moving toward them. Aizen and Pantera sit with Grimmjow, Kisuke and Yorouchi beside them, and Byakuya lies down with Kurotsuchi at his side. Isshin looks at them all before nodding in greeting.
"Please tell them I wish to build a small lab here. I want to live here with my team and study the small world this island has created," Isshin explains. "I would also like to be here in case of another shipwreck… the people who were stranded here before could've survived had we known they were here. If I stay, I can help save many lives. They'll get back home to their families like mine could not."
There's a ruckus between the felines, Grimmjow watching with half-lidded eyes. At first, Isshin is afraid he'll get attacked. Once they start settling, however, he begins to relax. Ichigo and Shiro are wandering over now, the orange head standing to stretch his legs. Though he spent a long time crouched like the felines, both he and Grimmjow were taught to walk on two feet. Kisuke thought it would be practical in case they needed to reach something the felines couldn't… which came in handy the time the gorillas needed a certain cliff side flower. Ichigo still keeps a hand on Shiro's back, however, and immediately shrinks down into a crouch to cuddle with Grimmjow.
"What's going on?" Isshin asks.
"Kisuke and my father have agreed with Byakuya," Grimmjow comments. "They're tired of finding humans washing up onto the island only to die. They've no quarrel with the human race, they don't mind you staying to save what you can. But only you and your team. Kurotsuchi is afraid your men with weapons will get too comfortable here. No matter their skill, they can't survive here without us watching over them. This island is meant for the wild, no human can survive without being raised here. And if they start killing off the animals here… we will eradicate them. There can be no truce without trust."
"Agreed. I just wanted them to choose where we will build. I don't want to invade anyone's territory and I would like to keep as close to the shore as possible without getting in everyone's way."
There's another bout of growling and mewls, the two women batting at the men in impatience. Ichigo hisses, moving from beside Grimmjow to behind him, and Shiro snarls as he scoots away from the squabbling adults. It takes a little while longer to get them settled this time, Grimmjow waiting calmly as he had before. Once they're finished, he glances at Isshin.
"Ichigo is now my mate and I stand to inherit the jaguar clan," he comments. "Since our territory is small and our clans have gotten used to staying as a group, my father offers his land to you and your clan. The beach is closer to us, but we survey the lands regularly and can tell you if we find anything. You'll be at the center territory, able to interact with all the clans you wish to study. It's the perfect spot for you. No one ever entered the jaguar territory, especially when our prey migrates into this territory."
"Please, thank your father for me."
"He can understand you just fine," Grimmjow smirks. "Humans aren't new to them."
Ichigo is happy these humans have decided on staying long term, as he likes their company and they're fun to play with when he's allowed. Isshin, satisfied with their talk, bids them 'goodbye' and stands to leave. His feet take him toward the beach and Grimmjow has to block Ichigo from following.
"Why?" Ichigo frowns.
"Let him talk with his clan," Grimmjow comments. "Right now, we have to deal with ours."
"Our parents are the clan leaders."
"For now, yes," Grimmjow agrees. "However, you and I will be the jaguar clan leaders eventually. Mother will want to groom you for it, which means we are included in their inner workings."
Although he's hesitant about it, Ichigo trusts Grimmjow. If his mate thinks he needs to deal with jaguar clan, then he'll bite his lip for now and do so. The felines retire to the den, deciding to go over the new development with the rest of their clans. Shiro watches as Ichigo looks between the jaguar group with Grimmjow and the tiger group with his parents, confused as to which way he should go now that he's found a mate.
"Go wit yer mate," he mumbles. "Ya can sleep wit us later, 'kay?"
"But… you're my family."
"An' now so is he. Ya just gotta learn how ta spend time wit both."
Ichigo sighs and joins Grimmjow, though he sends an uncertain glance toward his twin. He catches sight of the white jaguar he knows to be Gin, that one following Shiro to the tigers. Apparently, the two have a little thing going on between them. Ichigo scratches his head at that, as they're both dominant from what he can tell… maybe they'll take turns or something. Grimmjow catches his look and smirks, pulling him to sit in front of him. The orange headed tiger listens as Aizen and Pantera relay the news, the jaguars answering with groans of annoyance. Ichigo growls at the nearest one, swapping at them in irritation. Surprisingly, they back down immediately at the temperamental reaction. Ichigo glances to Grimmjow, who's glancing away innocently. Apparently, he's a far more dangerous creature than Shiro can be. Ichigo grins widely at the thought, as he managed to garner the attention of a more than capable dominant. He kisses Grimmjow and leans back into him, relishing in the brightness of their future.
That's not the end yet, there's an afterword. I think you'll all enjoy it, it's sort of cute at the end ;p
Shiro: I hate cute. =(
Ichi: No one asked you.
Shiro: They don' need ta, my opinion comes free! XD
Ichi: Yeah... I know... I hear it ALL the time. *sighs in irritation*