Updated! After writing this the first time and it coming out so beautiful, my computer decided to over heat and I lost it all. So I had to rewrite the whole chapter. I'm sorry if it isn't up to par as the other chapters, it was hard trying to remember what I had wrote before.

Chapter 16

Ichigo smiled, ice cream in hand as he walked side by side with Grimmjow. The sun was high and the air was humid but Ichigo didn't seem to mind. He was so used to something so much hotter and he could feel it radiating from the man next to him. It had been a few days since they left the hotel, but that didn't stop them from spending time with each other. It seemed the Grimmjow had planned a lot while he was in Japan and he was bringing Ichigo along wherever he went.

The blunet vowed that he would be spending the rest of his vacation with no one but Ichigo and that's exactly what he was doing. The long walks on the hot nights, just enjoying the warm breeze that would flutter by. They had ventured back to the beach where they spent most of the time talking and sitting in the sand and just savoring the aroma of seawater. They went to the park, just to longue around under large and shadowy trees, loving the coolness of grass beneath them. Grimmjow even enjoyed just hanging out on the couch at Ichigo's home, laid out with Ichigo between his legs and Pantera sitting on his chest. He reveled in hearing Ichigo's deep breathing and smelling the sweet aroma of orange locks.

The blunet took Ichigo to a few symphonies and the oranget appreciated the fact that they had the same kind of love for music. It had led Ichigo to taking Grimmjow to a few dance clubs. He wasn't much of a dancer, but grinding against a small and plump behind wasn't really what Grimmjow considered dancing. He would never pass up on the chance though. He enjoyed feeling the curvaceous ass clad in tight jeans rocking up against him. The feel of their bodies syncing to the sound of music. He loved feeling Ichigo's exploring hands touching him, wanting to seek out something to grasp, to research. It usually led to something a bit steamier. The hotness of their bodies being pressed together, the feeling of the wet appendage against his own and the satisfaction he received from being buried deep inside Ichigo. Sex had played a major part in Grimmjow's trip back and he knew it was because he would be away for another three months. It was hard being without the intimacy so they strived to take care of it as many times as they could. Grimmjow was starting to realize just how much Ichigo was becoming his addiction.

He found himself needing Ichigo in every way shape and form, not just in a sexual way, but in an emotional way as well. The man had become everything to him and he was starting to strive to be what Ichigo needed. He wanted to be the man that was able to give Ichigo everything he could ever want. He needed to work harder to keep the man by his side and he was willing to do anything to do that. He knew that he was never the kind of man that he would even depend on, but now that he had the oranget he wanted to be the only person that Ichigo could ever need. If something should happen, he wanted Ichigo to know that he would be there for him no matter what.

He knew it seemed like he was the one that didn't need any help, but the thought of being able to be there for Ichigo was enough to keep him strong. When he had been with Luppi, that was never the case. At first it was, but the more they stayed together, the more Grimmjow felt like he was becoming useless in the relationship. It wasn't that Luppi didn't let Grimmjow take care of him. It was that Grimmjow didn't feel the urge, the desire to be there for the petite man. He couldn't find it in him to want to work harder and that had brought about his doubt and loss of self-confidence.

He didn't want to continue being that way around Ichigo. He wasn't sure if it was because he cared about Ichigo so much or if it was a sense of protection for the orange haired man, but he knew whatever the case, he never wanted to feel that incompetent again.

"Grimmjow, what are you thinking about? You're so quiet over there." The blunet glanced over to Ichigo, white eyes gazing in his direction and the man's plump lips pressed against his ice cream. He watched the pink tongue slide up and over the creamy treat and his mind started to produce naughty images. He cleared his throat and looked away, taking a bite at his waffle cone.

"Uh, nothing much. Wondering where we should go next." Ichigo hummed, pulling his lips away from the ice cream, licking them clean.

"I have a place I want to go to. If you are willing."

"Yeah, show me the way." Ichigo blushed and quickly looked away. He thought he would never hear those words spoken to him again. He was happy that Grimmjow was willing to let him lead, putting his life in his hands and it was just one of the many things Ichigo loved about the blunet. He sheepishly smiled to himself before nibbling on his cone, his heart thumping loudly in his chest.


Ichigo slowly made his way up the long hill, Grimmjow a few steps behind him. The sun was starting to slowly set, but they could still feel the heat, as it seemed to get hotter. The sweat pooling across the oranget's brow didn't bother him as he blindly led the blunet where he was going. Even if it had been a while since he had been up there, he knew the place confidently. It was as if it was imprinted in his mind, burned into his soul for all eternity. He didn't need to be led by someone's hand or guided down the right path. He didn't even have his walking stick with him, it being held by the man behind him, as well as a bouquet of flowers. Grimmjow wondered whom the flowers were for, but he didn't have the urge to ask. He didn't even feel the need to ask Ichigo if he needed any help in finding his way. He knew if the man needed help he would ask him.

Ichigo made his way towards a dirt road and cautiously started to walk up the sloped path, listening to the trees rustle on both sides of him and the sounds of Grimmjow's sports sandals behind him, crushing dirt clumps under his feet.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, Grimmjow noticed their location. He watched the younger man reach out, feeling the tops of stones, letting his fingers linger and dip into groves. They stopped at a set of graves and Ichigo stood in the middle of blunet frowned, standing next to Ichigo and gazing down at him. He watched the sad smile curl across the soft lips and looked back towards the tombstones.

"Hey Mom, Dad, it's been a while since I've been here," Ichigo started. Grimmjow glanced at the names engraved on the stones and realized just whom the flowers were for. "I'm so sorry I haven't been to see you guys. Depression about what happened, coupled with my accident has kept me away, but I'm much better now. I've met someone and if it wasn't for him I wouldn't have been able to come see you guys with a smile on my face."

"Ichigo…" The oranget shook his head, trying his hardest not to tear up.

"Grimmjow has been more than I could ask for and if it wasn't for him I wouldn't have gotten my confidence back. Life has been so hard without you guys here by my side. I know Yuzu and Karin have come to see you, so I don't need to speak on their behalf. I just want to know that I miss you guys, more than anything. A void has been left behind and Grimmjow has been steadily feeling that void and though nothing or no one can compare to the love I have for my parents, Grimmjow has been working his way into my heart. I don't know if it's love or if it's an infatuation. All I know is that life would never be the same if I lost him."

Grimmjow's eyes widened and he gazed at Ichigo, shocked by the confession. He had never heard those words come from Ichigo's mouth and he never knew that the oranget had cared that much.

"I know you guys never thought I would be dating a guy, I was in the same boat at first, but life is so much better with Grimmjow. I don't even see it as we are the same gender, but that he is what I have been missing in my life. He is my other half and without him I don't feel complete. He is my rock, my foundation and I would be so happy if you gave us your blessing to be together."

Ichigo smiled and reached out, wrapping his fingers over Grimmjow's arm. He started to slowly pull the man over until he was standing where he had been. He stood behind him and wrapped his arms around Grimmjow's waist, leaning against him.

"Say something, Grimmjow." The blunet gazed down at the tombstones with a confused expression. He gripped to bouquet of flowers tighter and he could feel nervousness set in.

"Ichigo, I, uh, I don't know what to say."

"Just say whatever you want. I brought you here so that you could meet them. I know it's nothing like it should be, but this is all I have." Ichigo buried his face in the man's tank top, breathing in Grimmjow's strong aroma. "You have already met Karin and Yuzu and they love you so much, I felt it was only right for you to meet my parents as well. I know they would have loved you too." Grimmjow looked over his shoulder to see only a mob of orange hair. He sighed and looked back towards the graves.

"Uh, hey, I'm Grimmjow, but I guess you already know that." The blunet frowned, but when he felt Ichigo tighten his grip, the nervousness started to slowly dissipate. "I know this is probably awkward for a guy to be sayin' this about your son, but I really do hope that you give us your blessings. Ichigo is someone I care about deeply and I would do anything to make him happy. Just like he said I am his rock and I feel the same way about him. It may sound silly to him, but Ichigo has done so much for me and though he may not know it, I appreciate him greatly. I still don't know if it's love, but I can easily say that life wouldn't be life without him. I consider him my partner, my other half and I would love to be apart of the…Kurosaki family."

Grimmjow sighed, feeling Ichigo's fingers gripping his shirt tightly. "How was that, Ichi?" He looked back over his shoulder to see teary white eyes looking up in his direction. He gave a lop-sided grin, waiting for Ichigo to speak.

"It was…perfect. Now, give them the flowers." The bigger man nodded and turned around. Leaning over, he set the white floras down right in the middle of the graves. Grimmjow felt a hand slide into his and he squeezed it, not even moving an inch. They stood there for a moment, paying their respects before slowly walking down the long hill. The trip to see Ichigo's parents did nothing to put a damper on their time together, only seeming to make them a little lighter. Grimmjow could tell Ichigo was a little more relieved now that he had gone to see them.

The night was still young and Ichigo didn't want to go home yet. Grimmjow was fine with that and they decided to go to a small summer festival that was usually held in Karakura. It didn't take much time getting there since it was close to Ichigo's neighborhood, but they were surprised to see the rest of their friends there. When they arrived, Grimmjow had instantly spotted Orihime clad in a bright green and blue yukata. Her arm was wrapped around a pale arm, which was attached to the blunet's best friend Ulquiorra.

"Grimmjow!" she shouted, waving animatedly in the air. The moment she shouted, Grimmjow noticed Rukia and Renji in a very…comprising position. He snorted, knowing that kind of thing between them wouldn't last, but he said nothing. He enjoyed the rest of the night with Ichigo and the man's friends. It was fun, playing the games and stuffing their faces with all kinds of festival snacks.

After being there for about an hour of having fun, it was almost time to go, but of course everyone wanted to stay and see the fireworks. Ichigo wasn't sure if he wanted to stay, but everyone kept persisting. Grimmjow watched on, seeing the sadness in the man's facial expression and wondered what was wrong. They casually made their way to a grassed area, high on a hill. A few other people were already there; blankets laid out and people gazing up at the stars. Ichigo walked behind Grimmjow, their fingers intertwined and the blunet could feel the tension in the grasp. Looking over his shoulder, he saw the smaller man's head lowered, tangerine locks hiding his eyes.

They finally made it up to the hill and Orihime pulled a blanket out of her small basket she had with her, laying it down and smoothing it out. Everyone piled on, Grimmjow sitting on the far end, Ichigo sitting next to him. He glanced over seeing the sadness still.

"Ichi," he whispered. The oranget looked up, waiting for Grimmjow to continue. "What's wrong? You were so happy earlier." Ichigo looked down, twiddling his thumbs. Grimmjow could see that whatever he was trying to hide was making him nervous.

"I-I…" Ichigo frowned before sighing. "It kind of ruins the mood…that I can't see the fireworks. It would be…romantic to be able to see them together, you know, like everyone else." Grimmjow wanted to snicker. Ichigo could be so cute sometimes without even knowing it. He reached his hand out, softly gripping Ichigo's chin and lifting it up.

"You don't need fireworks for it to be romantic." He leaned over, pressing his lips against the man's forehead before he slowly started to descend his face. Ichigo sighed every time he felt the lips press against his skin and he wondered what this was going to do. The moment Grimmjow's lips press against Ichigo's lips, he could hear the boom and pop of fireworks. He listened to the ohs and ahs around him, but his mind was only on the hot lips that were against his. He felt Grimmjow's tongue slid against his lips and he slowly opened his mouth, letting it slip inside. Ichigo didn't understand how his body could turn to jelly with just this. The man was exploring every part of him and Ichigo's body was starting to get hot. He slowly closed his eyes and leaned in, feeling large arms wrap round his waist. Tongues intertwined and swapped desire and passion, Ichigo feeling his hands slide across Grimmjow's face and through soft hair. A tingle was swiftly running up and down his body and he felt something spark in his loins. It exploded and touched every nerve in his body. He pushed against the bigger body, feeling Grimmjow fall over and lay against the grass. His lips started to suck on Grimmjow's, loving the feel of them pressed between his.

Grimmjow had been wrong when he said that they didn't need fireworks for it to be romantic, because if that was the case, Ichigo wouldn't feel like his body was on fire. He wouldn't feel like a fuse had been lit inside him and ignited the explosion that was wracking his body at the moment. He may not be able to see them, but the one inside him felt like nothing he had ever felt and he knew no firework display would ever make him feel the way that he felt when Grimmjow touched him, when Grimmjow loved him. His own personal firework.


Luppi pouted as he and Loly walked down the pavement at the summer festival. His yukata fluttered in the warm breeze and sighed, sucking on the candy in his mouth. Looking over his shoulder, he saw his best friend flirting with some guy and he groaned in annoyace.

"I'll be back, Loly." The woman ignored him completely and Luppi stomped away, his sandals slapping against the ground. He didn't understand why Loly felt the need to try to find him a new boyfriend. He had Grimmjow already and that was the only man for him. He made his way towards the men's bathroom that was situated at the edge of where the festival end. He walked inside and did his business before coming out, and standing off to the side. He was so ready to go hours ago and he wished Loly would just hurry up.

He sighed, but flinched when he heard something coming from behind him. He frowned and looked over his shoulder, when he heard the sound again. Quietly making his way over, he stepped over a set of bushes, making sure to pull his yukata up in fear of tearing it. When he got closer, he froze hearing the familiar sounds of sex. His cheeks turned red, but he made no move to leave, in fact slowly getting closer. He pressed his hands against a tree and looked around it, when his eyes went wide and his mouth slowly fell open.

He listened to the sounds coming from the open mouth and seeing the orange hair plastered against the peach-skinned forehead. Looking away, he noticed the blue hair and his eyes were stuck on the figure of his ex-boyfriend. He let his eyes linger, descending down the arching back, hidden under the white tank top. Lavender eyes watched the thrusting hips and tight ass as it flexed and the petite man didn't know how to feel at the moment.

"Grimmjow!" he heard the orange haired man cry out and the lithe body arched as the smaller man's hands leaning against the tree, his body bent over, being pounded into. Luppi listened to the slapping of skin and the familiar moaning voice of Grimmjow. He watched the large hands grip the narrow hips before they pulled the smaller body flush against the larger one. Lips locked and Luppi could see the tears of pleasure rolling down the orange haired man's face.

He quickly backed away, turning around and running away from the scene. He could feel the tears falling down his face and he did not attempt to stop them. He didn't understand why Grimmjow had to hurt him in such a way. He found a bench and sat himself on it, huddling over and burying his face in his hands to sob. It was all that freaks fault. If he hadn't gotten in the way, he would have Grimmjow back by his side.

His dainty hands balled into fists and he could feel the anger in him boiling over. He was just finding more reasons to get rid of that orange haired nuisance and he couldn't wait to be able to act on his newfound plan.


Ichigo's legs felt weak as he started to leave the festival with Grimmjow and the rest of his friends. He didn't know what had come over him when he had asked Grimmjow if they could go somewhere a little more intimate. The man had some kind of hold on him and every touch would make his sensitive body hot. He blushed at what they had just finished doing behind the men's room and vowed to never do something like that again. It wasn't that he didn't like it, but it was the exact opposite. It had been exhilarating and he could understand why people had sex outdoors. He not being able to see anything had made everything so much more intense and he had found himself overly turned on.

His blush darkened and he heard a chuckle come from next to him. He scowled, glaring in Grimmjow's direction. "Don't laugh, you pervert."

"You were the one that asked for it," Grimmjow mumbled, not wanting anyone to hear their conversation. "Besides, who was the one screaming my name?" Ichigo's face burned with embarrassment and he quickly stomped ahead, wanting to get farther away from Grimmjow. He listened to the man cackle and he looked behind him, sticking his tongue out. He continued to walk forward, turning his face around and when he did, he collided with something or someone, tripping and falling back, landing on his behind.

"…Ichigo!" Grimmjow ran towards the orange haired man when he saw the petite man he had once called his boyfriend standing over Ichigo. He quickly grabbed the oranget by his arm, helping him up from the ground, azure eyes never leaving the lavender ones. He pulled Ichigo behind him and listened to Ichigo's friends start fussing over the man.

"What the hell, Luppi? Watch where you are goin'!"

"He was the one that ran into me. Tch, such a hassle. Why are you even with him, anyway? You're mine. Don't you remember?" Grimmow glared down at the sickly sweet smile that was plastered on Luppi's face. He really hated the man and he was more than ready to kill him.

"I hate having to repeat myself after so many times, so I refuse to answer that. Yer just fuckin' hardheaded." The smile instantly vanished and Luppi glared up into blue eyes.

He wouldn't stop glaring at the petite man. It wasn't safe to have Ichigo around him and he was worried about what Luppi would do. He felt Ichigo's hand slide into his, making him glance over before looking back towards Luppi, seeing the look of anger on the petite man's face. "I'm sorry, you must be mistaken," Ichigo started and Luppi's eyes turned to him. "He's with me." Grimmjow's eyes went wide at the confidence in Ichigo's voice, but he made no move to look back down at Ichigo. "And I would appreciate it if you just left Grimmjow alone."

Ichigo didn't want to sound rude, but Grimmjow had obviously had had enough of Luppi harassing him and he didn't want the blunet to get stressed out on his vacation.

"You little freak!" Luppi screeched. "How dare you talk to me in such a way!" Ichigo's lips turned up in a sneer and Grimmjow could feel some kind of enraged aura wrapping around the oranget.

"Ichigo…"

"What did you just call me?" Ichigo hissed. Luppi watched the blind man gazing his way but not directly at him. He found himself starting to snicker before it turned into a full-blown laugh, his finger pointing at Ichigo.

"Hahahaha, you heard me, hahahaha, FREAK! A blind one at that! Oh man, this is rich. Grimmjow, stop joking around with this pitiful excuse and come home to me. Seriously, what could a blind person possibly do for you? He can't even see yo-" Everyone's eyes went wide when Ichigo's fist swung across Luppi's mouth, making him fall to the concrete ground. The dark haired man tried not to whimper as he brought his hand up to his face, feeling the blood dripping. He could feel the pain in his lips and the throbbing starting to slowly reveal.

"I may not be able to see, but I have damn good hearing."

"Holy shit!" Renji exclaimed before laughing out loud at the man laid out on the ground, his eyes tightly shut with joy. He couldn't believe his best friend had just done that. It had been so long since he had seen Ichigo raise his hand to anyone. "That was awesome, Ichi!" Opening his eyes, he looked back towards Ichigo's spot to see the man not standing there anymore. "Ichigo?" He looked around and noticed Grimmjow not there as well, blue hair flashing out the corner of his eye. He turned around to see Grimmjow disappearing around the corner. "Where the hell are they going?" Rukia just rolled her eyes and started making her way away from the scene, Ulquiorra and Orihime following behind her. "Hey! Don't leave me!" Renji shouted, running after them, leaving Luppi to fend for himself who was glaring in Grimmjow's direction.


"Ichigo!" Grimmjow ran after the oranget, worried that he would hurt himself. "Ichigo, slow down!" The orange haired man started to slow down before he came to a complete stop near a lamppost on the corner of the deserted street. Grimmjow came up behind him, stopping as well. "…Are…are you okay?"

"No! I'm not okay!" Ichigo yelled. He turned around and Grimmjow could see the tear stains on the man's face. "I'm not okay, Grimmjow!"

"…What's wrong?"

"Everything is wrong! …He…he was right. You are just wasting your time on me. I'll never be able to do anything for you with the way I am. I know that you said all that stuff earlier, but do you really feel that way? I'm a burden on everyone and I will continue to be for as long as I'm blind. I'm not the kind of person that you should put your heart and soul into. I'm not the kind of person that even deserves anything that you offer me. I'm just going to get spoiled by it and then I'm going to feel like all you're doing is pitying me."

Grimmjow sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Glancing over, he saw a short wall and made his way over to sit on it. "Luppi wasn't right. In fact, Luppi has NEVER been right about anything. He's an asshole and he only does things that benefit him. He says whatever he knows is going to hurt people's feelings because he's a selfish, bigheaded brat. He always has been and he always will be. I'm really starting to wonder how the hell we even got to together." Grimmjow looked up seeing Ichigo still looking away from him. "But whatever, I did really feel that way. I would never say something like that in front of your parents if I didn't mean it."

Grimmjow reached out, grabbing the belt loop at the top of Ichigo's shorts. He started pulling the man towards him before wrapping his arms around the lithe waist. Ichigo refused to look his way, his head turned to the side and his arms folded across his chest.

"You're not a burden, Ichigo. That was obvious today. You led me around without a problem; you were being your own self. You even punched Luppi in the mouth. Pretty hard I might add." Azure eyes watched the small smile reveal at the revelation. "Ichigo, I love everything about you and that's the reason I pour my heart and soul into you. There is a reason that I'm still standing by your side. There is a reason that I spoil you and it's never out of pity. It's because I want you to be happy." He watched Ichigo turn his full attention towards him and Grimmjow gazed down into white eyes.

"Before I met you I just saw everything in black and white, but now my vision has widened. And even though you can't see what I see, you can see so much more. You're perspective on everything is so much different from mine. The way you see people and can understand them just from being able to listen to them is something I admire. So quit saying everything is wrong, stop saying that you aren't good enough for me, because it's actually the other way around."

Ichigo frowned, not sure what to say. He never thought Grimmjow really felt that way. He knew the man said it all the time, but words sometimes never meant anything. He thought about everything Grimmjow had done for him and he realized that the blunet really wouldn't possibly waste his time if there wasn't a reason to. He leaned over, burying his face in the man's chest.

"I still have a lot of doubt about what we have, Grimmjow."

"Honestly, you should, but if I have to keep confirming my feelings I will. Until it's seared into your mind so you can never forget it." Ichigo felt smooth fingers run through his hair and he pushed closer to the larger man.

"I don't want you to go back to America. I need you here, with me." Grimmjow frowned and lowered his face into Ichigo's hair. "It doesn't feel right when you aren't here. My confidence just gets worse and worse. You think I'm bad now, you should see how much I hide inside when you're gone. I try, Grimmjow. I really do, but this life is just so hard to get used to."

"You can do it. You've been doing so well so far. I can't even tell that you are having problems. Just keep telling yourself that you can do it, no matter what is. You don't need me here, Ichigo. You're fine on your own and you know that I'm always a phone call away.

Ichigo looked up and Grimmjow gazed down at him. "I don't want the phone calls. I just want to feel you near me." The blunet sighed and pressed his lips against the man's lips, still gazing into the cloudy eyes.

"You'll be fine…I promise." I promise.


...Luppi got what he deserved, though I think he needs a little more ass-kicking. As for the outdoors sex, well...it was Grimmjow's fault. He is a pervert after all, lol. Hope everyone enjoyed. Please review and see you next chapter.