Chapter 6

"Hey, dude, are you listening?!" Nnorita was getting irritated. Lately, Grimmjow has been getting on his nerve. He may be rude and quite disrespectful, but for the past weeks he has been ignoring everyone.

Grimmjow's thoughts were interrupted as he tore away his gaze from a magazine article interviewing Orihime.

"What do you want, Nnorita?"

"Since you were the chosen one, you've been following the chick. The hell is your problem?"

"Nonsense."

"As far as I am concerned, every single one of this building is aware of it." Nnorita said coming to stand next to him. "If you think we didn't noticed you staring, then you're a fool."

Grimmjow eyes narrowed but didn't say anything.

"We all know what happened after that fight with Kurosaki." Nnorita's smirk grew even larger. "Instead of going to Aizen's office, you were at the hospital where one of Kurosaki's friend was hospitalized. Who wouldn't thought a tough ass like you will have care over a little girl?"

Grimmjow cursed under his breathe. The word sure spread fast. Nnorita was damn right. He did went to the hospital, knowing that Orihime must be there, and saw her being comforted by Kurosaki. At that point all negativity was felt; jealously, hopeless and regret. Funny how his insides began to boil. He never had a reason to let his feelings to get involved. Then she happen to be the one.

"What are you gonna do about the chick?" He heard Nnorita asked.

"Stay out of this, Nnorita." And with those words he disappeared into the corner, leaving Nnorita alone in the hallway.

"Well, well, well. Look who is talking! " Nnroita sneered, looking into the distance. That chick surely not only knows how to bandage, but bandaged his 'brain' as well. And even though Grimmjow did not show it., Nnorita knew he was pissed off. But still, he was impressed how he tried to remain his profile. Nnroita smirked.

It was two hours since Nnorita disappeared from his sight. Grimmjow sat on his chair pondering the situation. Orihime and he haven't spoken since the sword fight on that night. He didn't even know where she have been up to and how is she doing. Both group were injured. Sword fights were never a joke. And he was always in for it to fulfill the blood lust in fights. But he remembered the image in his head made him see everything in another light. As much as he hated to admit, Kurosaki will be there for her. Yet he knew this was the wrong time for him. Wrong time, wrong girl, wrong rival. Goddamn it.

He ran a hand through his hair, and sighed heavily. How could he ever treat her this way? No wonder she was still reluctant to confess her feelings for him. Did she even have any feelings? Or was it just compassion? Or worst was she forced? He felt an overwhelming rush of uncertainty and anxiety. But the way she looked at him when he kissed and touched her, she must at least had some feelings for him.

Screw it. He had to know. He had to see her, now. He couldn't wait any longer. Grimmjow knew what he had to do. He had to, at all costs, take her away from her friends, never letting her out of his sight. She might protest, she might tell him to go away. But he will not give up. He could not give up.

He hurried left, ignoring people from behind, saying something to him. Everything was a blur except for the one he wished to see.

Grimmjow finally arrived at her apartment. He looked at the door silently and slowly reached his hand and rang the doorbell.

"Did you forget something, Ichi..." Orihime said opening it, and froze.

Grimmjow stood on the other side, looking back at her.

"No, not Ichigo." He corrected her.

Orihime felt her heart pounding as her anxiety grew, but so did her resolve.

Grimmjow didn't wait for her to invite him in. He stepped inside watching her, then closing the door behind. Usually confident and collected, Grimmjow felt his whole body stiffen, as soon as his eyes met hers. All he wanted to do was nothing more but pull her to him, feeling her warmth, push him inside of her, and keep thrusting until she called out his name.

He couldn't believe that he could lost his self- control so easily.

While he seemed perfectly calm, Orihime was too nervous to think rationally. There was so much she wanted to say, yet not knowing where to start. She felt like she was going out of her mind. He made her feel things, strange things, and things she couldn't comprehend.

"You don't seem to be happy to see me." He began.

She did not reply. Was still a bit bummed by his sudden appearance.

"Are you afraid? To see your friends being injured."

Orihime tensed, her hands were shaking. Should she yell at him? or remain calmness at him? But she felt like a mess inside. Nevertheless, he is standing right here in her house.

"Why did you hurt the ones that I care about?" Orihime finally spoke. "Why was it you?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm a Arrancar and they're Shinigami. Its normal to fight."

"But that doesn't mean we can't be friends..."

"All those cuts and bruises. You saw what happened to Kuchiki Rukia. Do you still think its possible? Don't be stupid."

"Stop it! Why are you being like this...?"

"It doesn't matter one way or the other. You should know where we stand." He interrupted and slammed his fist into the wall.

Orihime swallowed.

Nothing about him should ever surprise her anymore. He always did whatever he wanted, changed his mood whenever he wanted, just like a storm that came and went, without any warning. She didn't like it a bit, his behavior was just too weird, and sometimes seemed even hurt. Whenever she wanted to know more about him, those walls of his were too impulsive and difficult to breach. As if he is a monster, refusing anyone and ready to eat up them at any second.

Grimmjow observed Orihime's reaction.

"I will still be planning on fighting. Everything won't change."

"You can't or you won't change it?"

Grimmjow raised his eyebrows.

"Why..."

Why can't you understand that I'm in love with you. And I don't know what to do with myself. I don't want to see you getting hurt and hurting other people.

"It never too late. Just don't it anymore." Orihime said to him.

"While you're concerning about such a thing, one of our people, probably are fighting and bleeding. You are making a useless fuss." Grimmjow paused, and drew out a sigh seeing her hesitation. "This change nothing."

"Of course we can! We are just blinded for not being able to see beyond the rivalry."

Orihime look up to meet his eyes. His sharp expression was gone, replaced by surprise.

"Fighting will not be our first priority, but the things that you do..."

"What am I to you?" He interrupted, his eyes searching hers.

Orihime stared at him trying to come up with an answer.

"Why won't you say it?" There was a strange hint of sadness in his voice.

"I don't understand you." She said, avoiding his eyes.

"Who do your heart and body belongs to?"

Such irrational question. His stares were so intense. So much emotions. Orihime couldn't hold it any longer. The entire experience was a rollarcoaster. He confused her. She should've been mad with him for fighting against her friends, and especially coming after Ichigo, yet, she wanted to forgive him. Falling in love with him leads her into a dangerous territory that she couldn't imagine and terrifies her. How could she be with someone who always acted on his own?

"I don't know anymore." Orihime cried, voice nearly broken. "My feelings are too complicated to make anything out."

Grimmjow didn't respond right away.

"That day when I was told it was you who hurt Rukia. I was devastated, not knowing what to believe. And now, you're here."

More than anything Grimmjow knew very well the damage he had caused won't be fixed. It wasn't because of the intention of fighting, but because she was afraid to be seen as a traitor. He wanted to drag her out from her principles. Her friends, though, were another matters. He wanted her to understand that he had no choice. He was certainly not a lover to her, but definitely more than a friend and the thought of her holding back was because her friends. He wanted her to stop chasing them and be his.

"I'm sorry." He said gravely.

"I wished you would've explained or at least do something..."

But before she could continue. The next thing she knew he had his lips down on hers. His kiss was rough. It felt like a monster, pouring all its feelings into one single kiss. So this was how it felt, to have your heart eaten, the warmth of his that she craved for, seemed like a drug. This men has a strong influence to make her happy and miserable all at the same time.

"I want your heart, your love." He breathed. "But there will be no mercy when it comes to fights."

She shook her head, before she could touch him.

He grabbed her hand. "I love you, Orihime."

Ichigo was standing in Rukia's room, watching her sleeping figure. It was the same routine for him now. He went to school for a few hours, sometimes at the model agency or the sword practices gave him something to do, and spent the rest of his days at the hospital visiting her. This was all he could have done. He came closer and saw her eyelids slightly move.

"How are you feeling?" Ichigo asked in concern.

"Better. I guess."

"Here. Take these pills. It will make you feel better."

Rukia listened to his words and swallowed it all.

"Renji will be coming late today. He got caught by Kenpachi for skipping practice."

Rukia watch the boy in front of her although he, personally, is now in this room with her. But something doesn't feel right, as if he is trying to convince her everything is fine. His action were also strange lately. Despite his weird behavior, assuring herself that they have and will become stronger but his expression is telling her something else.

She carefully observed every gestures of his. Not missing a single expressions being changed. Whats happening? It seems like he's running away from something, something scares him. Ichigo noticed her strange glances. And raised his brows.

"What are you looking at?"

She ignored his question. "Why are you here?"

"Kenpanchi told me to clear my head for a few days before going back to the practice."

"Why he is not allowing you to practice?"

"He is not banning me from the practice. I've also got some injuries, need some rest, that's all."

Thats it. His words made sense of everything.

"Let me guess. Since that fight with Grimmjow, he didn't badly hurt you, but your ego."

Ichigo did not answer.

Rukia should've realized it sooner. She should've known this at the beginning. Despite he attempts to maintain a detached and cool image, Rukia knows him very well. He is stubborn, short tempered and strong-willed. And when it comes to fighting, Ichigo has a complex sense of honor - strong desire to win his fights, but in what he views as a legitimate manner. His resolve in fights can waver at times, which can motivated him to be more level up in his fighting prowess, or goes into a state of depression and self-loathing when he loses a major fight or lets a friend down. And right now, it was all very clear to her. The realization that Ichigo lost to Grimmjow hurts like hell. He has trained so hard and for long, yet, the result was so disappoint and miserable. He was defeated and failed to protect anyone

Before he could spoke, she immediately silencing him. "It not your fault. I was too careless."

"No. I have failed to protect you. None of this would have happened, if only..." Ichigo clutched his hand. "If only I was stronger."

Seeing his reaction made Rukia jumped out of her bed and came in front of him.

Ichigo noticed her presence, just as he looked up at her. He saw how mad she was from those violet eyes.

"You idiot! If you have the time to be a loser and be eaten up in your sorrows. You should just leave." She grabbed him by the collar and glared. "So what? if you lost to him, but you can't give up like this. If you failed, go back and keep trying! Swear you'll get stronger! I know you can do better than this."

"What...?"

"Shut up and get hold of yourself! Is it scary to feel hopeless and helpless? Do you wish something horrible to happen again? Are you gonna obey or fight against to change your fate?" She paused. "At the very least the Ichigo I've known is not a punk who can sit back and do nothing while somebody is going to die for his sake."

Ichigo widen his eyes in shock. This petite woman who was injured and supposingly should be resting to recover, was standing inches in front and scolded him. What the hell has he been doing? Why would he be like this? She was right. So damn right. Ichigo got up and started walking away from her. Then he stopped. He had to let her know that he will not lose.

"Thanks Rukia." Was all he said.

He saw the grin and left, heading to the place where he should be at. Yes. Nothing now will change his mind. He'll keep trying and become stronger.

He hungrily kissed her once more. Orihime felt him deepen the kiss lustfully, crushing her against him. She moaned. It was just like before as she remember their first kiss, when he said that he wanted her to be his woman. She obviously doesn't hate him. In fact he was getting to her and she was falling hard. Orihime felt nervous, worried and aroused. Everything that she wanted to tell him suddenly evaporated, leaving her mind completely blank, and she wasn't mad anymore, just glad to have him. So this was love - you can choose to surrender, or not, but in the end it strikes like lightening, unpredictable and irrefutable. Love cannot be imprisoned nor can it be legislated. Like the sun, love radiates independently of our fears and desires. Yet, her common sense told her to push him, as his passion would probably consume her. But her heart told her to wait, to feel, and to accept that his love was kind.

He bit her lips, and drew her back into the moment. There was something special about Grimmjow that she couldn't quite explain. He has inappropriate attitude and impulsive personality. Other than that, what could have possibly attracted her to him? It must've been something in his words, in the soft look he gave her whenever they got some quality time together, or in the way his eyes sparks when she caught him watching her.

"Orihime." Grimmjow panted huskily.

"We can't do this." She whispered between her breathe.

"Your body and heart belongs to me."

His mouth once again found hers, lacing his tongue with hers, grabbing the back of her head forcing her to accept the kiss. Orihime groaned from the sudden pressure that teased and tortured her into nothingness. All her strength are fading, all her self control are losing and all her thoughts are disappearing. The woman was practically melting in his arms without a care of the consequences. Grimmjow wrapped his arms around her. His woman. It has to be her. Only her. He lifted her easily and carried her back to her room, laying her tenderly on the bed. If he had to drive her to the edge of sanity, he would do it. If he had to bear her accuses, he was prepared in order to ensure that she would stay by his side forever. And even if she did not love him yet, her heart still yearned, and lusted, and fluttered for that mysterious thing only he could provide. And it was enough reason for him, as long as her body remembers him.

Orihime shivered and gasp at every caress he was giving her. She groaned, she burned, she craved for everything about him as soon as his body moved against her. His mouth delivering unbearable sensation to her flesh, his hands spreading her legs further apart, his fingers quicken the flick inside her and continued this motion repeatedly. Orihime closed her eyes. Her breath was hot and uneven at every sensation.

Grimmjow leaned further into her and watch how his love consumed her. The woman now arched and moaned and grabbed at him due to the sweet pressure. Quickly pulling his fingers out, he delved in two fingers listening to exotic sounds - her juices and her tempting voices. She's wet. So wet. His fingers are covered and fully moisten. Grimmjow slowly took his fingers out and licked it, tasting the sweetness and feeling more aroused. He took their clothes out of the way and now unbuckling his belt.

"Grimmjow." Her heart was beating loudly and unsteadily.

Seeing her flushed face made him smile. He placed himself at her core, rubbing it gently, forward and backward.

"Mhmm. Grimmjow." She arched her body.

"Tell me. What do you want?"

"I.." Orihime bit her lower lips.

"Do you want this?" He guided her hand to grab and to stroke him. "Or not?"

Orihime couldn't endure it any longer.

"Please. I want you."

"Good girl." Grimmjow leaned down and kissed her.

Grimmjow crashed his hips into hers and heard Orihime breathing shallowly to the jolt of electricity, clouding her sense and . They have become one. He reached for her hand and tangled their fingers together, pressing his forehead on hers and continued to delve himself, inch by inch. He cupped her face, planted a kiss on her lips, on her cheeks, on her chin. The pressure was immense. He felt his last inch being swallowed and sending waves of pleasure through both of their bodies.

Perhaps. He should've be wiser and clearer when he saw her last time. Instead, he absurdly relied on a belief that if he stirred some emotions within her that would lead her back to him. Because he was pulled against his reasons, goals, will and was completely consumed by her. All because of her. But, the woman still struggle in hesistation, and he truly had enough. Jealously and desirously has eaten him, just like little bugs these thoughts never stop haunting him. Loving her was an impossible task when all their ives where chaos. Would things had changed if there was never rivlary and everything have been different? Would they still meet? Or would he still fallen in love? Nevertheless. The bitter truth is that these feelings were only his.

Orihime sat in the middle of the living room, spacing out in her own thoughts. She still wasn't sure why she agreed to him. She understood Grimmjow's intention, fighting against, like Ichigo, absolutely breaks her heart. It made no sense for her to go to all this trouble for just being rivalry. They will get hurt,and knowing that, they will hurt him too. Why couldn't she persuaded anyone to stop? And who else would have listen? Ichigo? Its useless. For how long did she plan on trying? What if they did not change? What if they still hold the same guard against him?

Her thoughts trailed off to Grimmjow. She remembered when she asked him about dropping out those fights, and the answer he gave her broke all her beliefs. Was this her way to make amends? Even though she really wanted her friends to understand, but at the same time, she didn't want them to fight Grimmjow. Orihime felt ashamed, ashamed with the fact that her heart slowly taken side. Where does her loyalty lie? What if Ichigo found out about this whole thing, will they still be the same? Friends? Or family? All of those questions were driving her into depression.

Orihime reseted her chin on the palm of her hand.

If only they knew what she was going through. I wonder if they could understand,even a bit.

"Why are you up at this time?"

There was no need to look at the person to know who the voice belonged to. Orihime slowly turned her head and stared. There, in the corner, with his back to the wall, stood Grimmjow. Without another word he started walking towards her.

"Lets get back to the bed." He said calmly.

She looked unconvinced. Despite this continuous tension between them, despite all of her emotions and his desire, it always seem like Grimmjow was calm and collected than she was. If only their fate were different and they met under different circumstances, perhaps they would've been able to become normal friend, and maybe even develop more for instance, become lovers, receiving bless from friends. In fact, Orihime was weak, naive and stupid. She failed to settle everything once and for all, he would be lost to her, perhaps even her friends.