If you'd like to check it out, I have given the first chapter as a preview of another GrimmIchi story I'm writing titled, "Oasis". It's a little darker themed than this one but I've quite the adventure planned... Once this one is complete of course. Give it a look if you please :)

Returning a Favor

When he comes, he'll be like anything but a thief in the night. Nevertheless, he'll be ready to take you for all that you are without cooperation.

Wednesday night.

Ichigo sits comfortably around a campfire that Renji had started a little earlier when the sun went down. In the comfort of his friends and thoughts of being with Grimmjow again racing through his mind, he was content with the world for the first time in weeks.

"Hey, know what we should do!?" Renji asked.

"What?" Rukia asked.

"Tell scary stories! It's so-"

"Inappropriate." Ishida interrupted.

"What? Why?"

"We're in the middle of a national park. How do you see it fit to tell a scary story? I think a more appropriate thing to do would be to…I don't know…sing a song or something. That's what they want you to do in national landscapes… Right?"

"YOU'RE gonna sing!? Oh my gosh!" Senna said ceremoniously.

Everyone turned to Ishida, who blushed and relinquished the idea completely, assuring them he had no intention of singing.

"Oh, we could talk about out favorite Disney movies!" Inoue offered.

"Pass…"

"Pass."

"Pass!"

"W-what's wrong with that?" the girl asked.

"I don't mind doing it…" Ichigo began, "but I don't want to because discussions like those can carry on for way too long."

"Aww…" Inoue brought her legs up to her chest and rested her chin in the crevasse created by them.

Renji got an idea, "What about-"

"What about going to sleep?" Rangiku asked irritably after sticking her head out of the large tent behind Inoue, Rukia, and Senna.

"Well, I hate to agree with such a drama queen, but I am getting kind of tired…" Senna commented.

"I know. I don't really think I can keep my eyes open much longer…" Inoue added with a cute yawn.

"Same here. I think we talked enough for one night." Chad smiled before standing and heading to his tent, "Good night, guys."

"Night night Sado-kun!"

"Good night, Chad."

"Sleep tight big guy!" Senna said.

Ichigo turned back to the group and noticed everyone else following Chad's example.

Renji and Shuhei went to their tent. Ishida got up and headed to his own. And the girls all entered their luxury sized tent Rukia had bought.

Oh well. Chad had a good point anyway. They had all been talking about…nothing really…since about five o'clock. It was now ten twenty-two. Though it was weird, sometimes friends end up doing that kind of thing and have the best time doing it.

Once he heard all the tents being zipped for the night, he shook his head. He decided he would stay at the fire until it turned to embers. Any kind of disaster on their part, even if the area around them was clear, was something he wanted to avoid. There were still treetops overhead and you can never be too careful.

Inoue looked out of her tent. She was dressed in a large, pink, fluffy sweater that revealed some of her cleavage and her hair was pulled into a neat bun.

"You okay, Kurosaki-kun?"

"Oh, yeah. I just wanted to watch the fire die out. It's relaxing."

"There's water nearby if you get too tired for that." She smiled.

"Thanks. Good night, Inoue. Good night girls."

"Night Ichigo!" Senna called from inside the tent.

"Sleep tight." Rukia said.

"Mmm…Night deary…" Rangiku was clearly seconds away from passing out.

Inoue smiled and then got back inside of the tent before zipping it up for the night.

As the flames burned through the firewood, Ichigo felt himself entranced. It was like some kind of dance, watching them. So passionate yet dangerous at the same time.

"Just like Grimm…"

The boy shook his head roughly to rid himself of the thoughts.

Once the fire turned to bright, twinkling embers, Ichigo stood from his seat on the ground and yawned before walking to his tent.

He got inside, zipped it up, and fell face first on the cushioned floor it had.

He grabbed his pillow and turned his head on it so half of it was exposed in the dark and the other was covered by its soft embrace.

For some reason, he couldn't fall asleep. It was strange because he thought he was tired when everyone had left the fire earlier.

After a while of blankly staring at nothing, he did feel himself slipping from consciousness. That is, until his tent unzipped.

When fingers ran up his leg, it caused him to jump up in surprise, "Who-who's there!?"

"Oh my god! Spider! It's huge!"

"Renji!? What the hell, man!?" he hissed.

"Haha, calm down, Ichigo."

"What do you want?"

"Oh, I just wanted to see if you… uh…have a condom I can use…?"

"Damnit, Renji… No I don't… Either go bareback or don't go at all…"

"Well, see you after you're rested, Mr. Cranky."

Renji got out of the tent and zipped it back up again. Maybe this was a sign that Shuhei deserved a break…

Ichigo lay in his tent, trying to fall asleep again after Renji's intrusion.

It wasn't working though.

After being scared fully awake again, he wouldn't be sleeping for a while.

The world outside continued to be alive, even when everyone was powering down and going to sleep. The wind blew and the leaves rustled. The crickets, as loudly as they could, sang their calling songs trying to impress a mate. Owls hooted, some unnecessarily loud. Surely, the moon was shinning as bright as it always did while the stars twinkled and danced about.

He sat up and undid the canopy to see the beautiful night sky, instead of simply guessing.

Once he did, he was immediately rewarded. As he assumed, the stars were shining brightly. The moon lit up the sky and the few clouds that gathered near it in a magnificent display.

Despite its luminosity though, the moon did little to actually light up his small tent. It was fairly dark and Ichigo found it hard to see anything in his surrounding area.

Reaching his hand up, he wondered what it would be like to hold a star; bring it down here and let it light the place up. It probably wasn't as pleasant as everyone wanted it to be though, since they were simply hot gas. But it was still nice to dream like a normal person did.

This thought of stars and having one made the unforgettable words that touched his heart ring about in his head.

"No, it's not that I'll never be able to reach one. I know full well this particular star will fall to me because I'm not giving up on it. And if it doesn't fall to me, which I'm sure it will, I'll jump to space, grab it, and live with it in its stardust."

Ichigo sighed. This was something he'd really rather be doing with-

*ZIIIIIIIIIIP*

The boy didn't even wait to react when he heard his tent being unzipped. He saw the perfect opportunity when Renji popped his face in again and let his foot connect with it harshly.

"Ooooow! Shit…" Grimmjow groaned in pain.

"G-Grimmjow?!"

Said man grabbed his face in agony, turning beet red in the process.

Ichigo sat up quickly and put his hand on Grimmjow's forearm to pull himself closer to him.

"Damnit, Kurosaki! What the fuck was that for!?" the man asked through the hand covering his aching face. Even his eyes were watering.

Ichigo, feeling unbelievably guilty, looked away, "I thought you were Renji…"

"Daaamnit…Fucking hell…"

"I'm so sorry, Grimmjow. I'd never intentionally hurt you like this."

Ichigo slowly pulled the larger man closer and buried his reddening face in his own chest before wrapping his arms around the back of the man's head affectionately.

Grimmjow could feel the boy's heart beating abnormally fast. He was clearly nervous. Which was a good sign, right? Not that he planned to get kicked square in the face, but this contact was very, very nice nonetheless.

After a few minute of soothingly stroking Grimmjow's spiky blue locks, Ichigo released him.

"I have a question for you. What the heck are you opening my tent for anyway?"

"…I… need a place to sleep…"

"What? You didn't remember to bring a tent did you? Did they run out of the spares?"

"Yeah, and if not with you, I'll end up sleeping on the ground in the cold." The man said, clearly trying to guilt trip the other.

"It wouldn't be cold if you slept by the fires." The orange haired boy smirked, "Who's the pussy now?"

"…Shut up…"

"So what if I say no?"

Grimmjow straightened up and grinned, "Wouldn't matter even if you did. You owe me a favor anyway."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"It can't have been that long ago… You don't remember that night you called me and woke me up to talk?"

"I…uh…"

"Come on, Kurosaki..."

Flashback

Grabbing his phone, Ichigo quickly dialed the number he was so familiar with that he knew it backwards. It felt like time was frozen in those few moments he waited for an answer.

"Hello?"

"Grimmjow…"

"Kurosaki… Why are you calling me this late for?" Grimmjow asked. He sounded like he had just woken up. The "why" and "for" were a clear sign of that.

"I…I just needed to hear your voice…"

"Kurosaki-"

"I love you, okay? I always will."

"…Why are you telling me that like I'd ever forget it? What's going on with you all of a sudden?"

Ichigo sat in silence for a few moments. He was denying all that Ginjo had said before. He absolutely had to. Grimmjow wasn't a loser. He also wasn't a bum. And he wasn't any of those other names that had been laid on his name. He meant more to Ichigo than he would probably ever be able to put into words.

"Will you stay up with me for a while? I just need to talk to you."

"About what?"

"Anything, I don't care. I need to hear your voice."

"…Fine. But if I fall asleep in my classes tomorrow, you know it'll be all your fault. I'm gonna call you if the teacher slams a book on my desk and let you talk to 'em."

"Right now, the last thing I care about is your teachers... I just need this favor…just this once."

"Okay. But I get to ask a favor of you at any time, about anything, and you can't deny me." Grimmjow responded.

"Deal."

"Don't forget because you know I won't."

"Yeah…"

End Flashback

Ichigo moved aside and let Grimmjow into his tent that was now proving to be a bit small for two people.

"Well, get tight… This tent wasn't really made for two people." He said before closing the zipper once more.

The bluenette pulled off his jacket and pants before falling onto his back to enjoy the cushioned floor. He was still decent though. Up top he was wearing a white t-shirt and below he still had a pair of boxers on.

"I can't see too much, but I really hope you didn't just get naked…"

"You want me to, don't you? But don't get your panties in a twist. I still have clothes on."

"Panties!? You're the one wearing panties!"

Grimmjow raised an eyebrow. There was only one way to prove he wasn't.

He reached over, took Ichigo's hand, and placed it on his own upper thigh to prove he was definitely wearing boxer shorts.

Ichigo blushed and pulled his hand away immediately.

"Told ya…Oh… I didn't actually… But you know for sure now."

"Grimmjow! Out! Now! Get out of my tent!"

"Nope."

"What?"

"I said no. You owe me. And you know what, we're gonna sleep…like this…"

Grimmjow grabbed Ichigo into a cuddling position with his stomach and chest pressed against the smaller boy's back.

"I'm not sleeping like this with you…"

"You don't remember? You can't deny me on any part of my favor."

"You're not playing fair."

"That's okay. It's one…I mean, two nights of this. You'll live."

Ichigo sighed and gave up. He had agreed to the condition of not being able to deny Grimmjow what he wanted.

What he wanted…

What if he wanted to…

The familiar feeling of the man's erect penis at his lower backside only made the boy fret even more.

"I won't force you to do anything…like that…with me. I just want… I want to be close to you. It's all I've wanted the whole fucking time we've been apart."

"That's all he's wanted? Well, I want to be close to you too baka…" Ichigo thought.

But he couldn't let Grimmjow know it. He'd undoubtedly want to get back together again. Unfortunately, there was a large pothole in that plan right now.

Luckily he had yet to formally propose they get together again.

"So, this is all you're going to make me do then?"

"Well, if we did what I really wanted to do, then I'd feel like a rapist or something. I know you can feel it pressing against you."

"You…you baka…"

"So, Kurosaki, can you really tell me you don't miss this? My arms around you at night?" the bluenette asked with a light squeeze.

"You always did hold me too tight. So the absence is nice on occasion…"

"On occasion?"

"Anyway, you just need to move on-"

"I've changed. For you I've changed. I know it's not everything you're wanting, because I still have some issues, but I'm making the effort to get you back. I hate losing what's mine after all."

"Things were fine the way they were…" Ichigo whispered.

"What was that? Speak up. I can't hear you." Grimmjow said with a tight squeeze.

"Grimm, stop! You know I hate being held like this! "

"Do I?"

"Yes! Are you trying to break me or something!?"

"No, you're just really fragile…"

Seeing that this would only and could only get violent, Ichigo realized the only thing he could do in this situation and did it. He sent his head backwards and let it connect with Grimmjow's face, thus freeing himself.

He sat up and grinned, "Told yo-"

With an unseen pugnacious grin, Grimmjow tackled the boy to the soft floor and held him down by his wrists.

"You'll never best me, Kurosaki. Give up on that idea altogether."

"Yeah?" Ichigo, having gotten used to being pinned down, finally knew how to get free. He grabbed Grimmjow's wrists and dug his fingernails into them, but not enough to hurt the larger man. He wasn't Ginjo after all.

"Shit!" Grimmjow immediately released his grip and jumped back.

"I think, after all of your immaturity, you deserve this…" the smaller boy said.

"Huh-"

*WAP*

The bluenette fell over, in complete shock.

Ichigo had just punched him in the face. Ichigo of all people!

"Whoo! That felt so good!" the orange haired boy felt like doing Senna's victory dance but fought the temptation.

"Kurosaki-"

"You're a violent guy, huh? And I know you like fighting, so come at me!" said boy baited.

"I- I can't…"

"Why not?"

"'Cuz…when I kick your ass, you'll never want to come back to me." Grimmjow said with a grin.

"See, the Grimmjow I know would kick ass and just take what he wanted afterwards. Even if that wouldn't work here, I think you need to stop trying to be someone else and just be Grimmjow!"

Cerulean eyes, now fully accustomed to the dark, looked the boy ahead of him over. Not that he wanted to, but if kicking Kurosaki's ass would prove he still had spunk, he'd be more than happy to oblige. After all, this was an official challenge. He was the dominant one between them and it was time to reestablish that.

"Look who's the pussy no-"

Quickly, Grimmjow tackled Ichigo again and sent his fist across the boy's face without remorse. He did it twice more before Ichigo kneed him in the gut, making him double over in pain.

Without a second thought, the orange head brought his hands together and slammed them against the other's backside.

The bluenette grinned against the floor, "You like fighting dirty, huh? 'Cuz you know you can't overpower me the old-fashioned way…heh…"

"Don't ask that if you can't stop me from doing it."

"Kurosakiiii!" Grimmjow shouted and charged through the pain at him.

The two went at it, not wanting to let the other win, for about five good minutes rolling and pinning each other, trying to come out on top.

At last, Grimmjow had Ichigo's arms pinned above his head again, and was about to send a blow to him until-

"Hey! Hey! HEY! What on earth is going on in here!?" Miss Misato asked loudly.

She unzipped the tent and stuck a spray bottle in before spraying both of the men with water making them jump like cats.

"Just what is going on in there!?" she asked and then stuck a flashlight and her head inside the tent.

"Uh…we were just-"

"Having a heated debate!" Ichigo interrupted, "We've resolved it though! No need to worry! Get the sleep you deserve, Miss Misato." he smiled.

"I…I do deserve a good night's rest… don't I? Well, don't let your debates get out of control again."

With a yawn, the woman zipped the tent again and went back to her own near the rest of the students.

"Young love…" she said while shaking her head.

Ichigo sat on his posterior and looked in the direction he heard Grimmjow breathing heavily in, "See? *huff* That's more like the old you *huff*."

"I had you beat. Your teacher saved you from a forced night's sleep."

"Whatever…"

Grimmjow crawled over to Ichigo and pushed him into the moonlight provided through the canopy. He grinned before wiping the faint blood trail from under the boy's nose, "Didn't mean to do that."

"Don't think you need to change, Grimm. Someday, someone will love you just the way you are."

"…And I already know who that person is."

"…Shut up…"

With a big yawn, the bluenette fell onto his back, "Get over here and cuddle with me."

"Fine, but only because it's a part of that favor. Don't read into this the wrong way, Grimmjow."

"As long as you do it."

Ichigo moved over to the larger man and got right up next to him once more. He felt those familiar arms wrap around him and smiled in the darkness.

Grimmjow was still the same guy he was when they had first met. And that was what had him smiling the way he was.

There was never any need for him to change anything. It was all merely a cover he had made for Ginjo.

The thought of the manipulative man made the boy remember that this closeness would be short-lived. Regardless, it would be enjoyed for all its worth.

"I hope I don't wake up and find you gone…" Grimmjow said before yawning again and closing his eyes.

"…Good night, Grimm."

"Night, Kurosaki."

Once he heard a faint snore emitting from the other, Ichigo cautiously put his hand on top of Grimmjow's, which was resting just in front of his own stomach, and intertwined their fingers.

Although he wouldn't admit it, this is exactly what he wanted tonight.

Even though he had Grimmjow's strong arms to keep him warm, Ichigo just couldn't fall asleep.

This is exactly what he had been yearning for. Grimmjow here beside him and finally content again.

He sat up a bit to avoid hurting the other man's arm that was underneath him, and turned to face him as he slept calmly, hiding those vibrant blue eyes from the world.

"I wish we could be like this every night, Grimmjow… I really do. But there's something I have to take care of first." He said before wrapping his own arms around the man's lower torso and breathing in his heavy scent.

He wanted to kiss him. Now was the perfect chance too.

But was that right to Ginjo? Even if it was forced, they were technically together right now…

"But he did it to me when he knew I was with Grimmjow… And he knew I didn't want to be with him like that. Besides, it's his own fault I'm in this situation anyway. If he hadn't badmouthed Grimm, I never would have called him and this deal never would have been made."

Ichigo leaned forward and gently pressed his lips to Grimmjow's. They were slightly chapped, but just as wonderful as he remembered them to be. And it was good. No, it was more than good. This tiny contact between them was spectacular.

His stomach turned and he started heating up.

"This is love." he thought.

And for as long as he could, he kept his lips pressed firmly against Grimmjow's.

When he felt a tongue poking eagerly at his lips, he jumped. Before he could pull away, Grimmjow grabbed the back of his head and held him in place.

Seeing that he couldn't pull himself free, he inwardly sighed.

"I…give up..." He thought before opening his mouth and letting the man's tongue roam about freely.

After Ichigo tenderly caught the increasingly familiar tongue between his teeth and sucked it, Grimmjow became immensely excited. That became clear when he let his free hand fly down to the other's private area.

But things couldn't go that far. The boy pulled away and grabbed the hand groping him hungrily, "Just kissing Grimmjow. Nothing else."

"Fuck…"

"No, we absolutely can't."

"I know. It's just, even in my dreams you're holding out on me. I guess we were always meant to break up, huh?"

"Dream…?" Ichigo echoed. Well, if he thought it was a dream... "…Grimmjow, shut that kind of talk up. I… I love you. I always have. But no matter how much you enjoy this kiss, when you wake up in the morning, just pretend like you never dreamt this. It'll only make things awkward tomorrow night."

"Whatever you say. Kurosaki always knows best after all."

"Just…shut up…"

Grimmjow did just that by bringing his lips to Ichigo's once more.

And for the rest of what he could remember from that night, he was not being denied. Kurosaki was eagerly returning his kiss.

It may have felt like nothing more than a dream, but he'd surely make it come to fruition as a guilt free action in the future.

With that dignified thought in mind, he wrapped his arms around the boy once more and held him in a kiss until the world slowly faded out.

Even in a dream, he would always want Kurosaki like this…