A/N: And we have the next chapter up and running. I feel like I'm being a bit slow paced here but this story takes place half a year after Ichigo fought with Aizen. I guess you could say this is an AU since Ichigo will regain his powers in a different way. Anyway, the confrontation and confessions spilled. Edit: Here we are by Breaking Benjamin.

Reviews are welcome and greatly appreciated.

The tension surrounding the air around them was nearly palpable, Ichigo refusing to lower his gaze as he stared at Grimmjow. He took his time to fully take in his old enemy, immediately focusing in on the crescent shaped scar that intersected with the one that he himself had left on the arrancar. "So you survived huh?" He spoke, straightening his posture.

"Seems like it huh?" Grimmjow snorted, surprisingly being the one to unlock their stare as he shifted, glancing about the room.

Ichigo was confused. The Sexta Espada didn't seem like he was really looking for a fight, if anything he just seemed...bored. "Grimmjow..." He waited until the arrancar's attention was fully on him. "What are you doing here Grimmjow?"

Grimmjow shifted again, seeming to contemplate his answer, which was a surprise itself. Grimmjow had always been a act before thinking individual as far as Ichigo could tell. Neverless his answer was even more shocking. "I don't know...Checking I guess."

Ichigo tilted his head. Checking? What kind of answer was that? He voiced his confusion. "What do you mean?"

He wasn't prepared for the irritated sigh that expelled from the other, long fingers running through teal locks as Grimmjow growled. "I was checking if it was true about your damn powers Shinigami. Checking to see if I got cheated again." The anger and frustration was evident in his tone.

The Espada still wasn't making much sense to the teenager. "Cheated?"

"By fucking Aizen!" He hissed, smacking Ichigo's lamp off the desk in anger. "First he fucking takes over as King of Hueco Mundo? As God? Ha! But it doesn't end there, then he takes and puts us in order? Then he has the audacity to take away my rank? Letting Tousen take my arm?" Grimmjow whirled around to slam his hand against the side of the window, staring out into the night sky, nearly obscured by the torrent of rain. "Then he takes you away. I've snooped around, you had to give up everything to defeat him right? Even then that guy with the clogs had to seal him away right. Ugh. Can't even fight ya'...It's such bullshit!"

Ichigo was speechless. What was he supposed to say to something like that. He uncurled his fist, not sure if it was smart to approach the aggravated arrancar. "I'm...sorry."

"Tch. The hell ya' apologizing for? Ain't like ya' had a choice right? You and your fucking 'protect at all cost' complex. Its all bullshit."

"You're right. I didn't have a choice. So get the hell off my back about it!" Something about the Sexta always managed to flare him up. It usually started as a small cinder, and the Sexta's words and actions usually kindled it to a growing inferno. Sometimes...he dare say it excited him.

"You picking a fight Shinigami?" Grimmjow turned back towards him, eyes glinting.

"No. But I don't fucking deserve your asshole nature right now. I didn't have a choice, like you just said. Think I like the fact I'm no where near as strong as I used to be? Huh? I have to leave it up my my friends to keep this place safe since I no longer can. Think it's nice being able to sense hollows around and knowing you can't do a damn thing about it!?" Ichigo didn't know why he was spilling his feelings of resentment towards his situation with his enemy of all people, but the words simply leaked from his mouth. "I'd be lying if I said after everything had settled, I wouldn't want a rematch with you. You're my most formidable opponent." Now it sounded like he was just fueling the Espada's ego, but it was the truth.

Grimmjow seemed stunned, for the most part. His hands were shoved into his pockets and he slouched, his tongue clicking before a smirk etched it's way onto his face. "Formidable opponent huh? Even above Ulquiorra, or Aizen?" He teased, but really he was curious. Why had he eloped to number one? The arrancar himself would be lying if he said the thought didn't appeal to him. He loved the teen's attention and focus on him.

"Yes. Aizen wanted to murder everyone! And he just used everyone as pawns, even you. And Ulquiorra. He let everyone take the brunt of the dirty work. At least with you, it was just a fight! In your case, a fight to the death. When I won you have to respect that I didn't want to kill you, I know you don't agree and I never expected you to spare me if we had our battle and you won. But..." Ichigo paused, feeling light-headed from spilling so much out, and the fact that another reiatsu had sparked. He turned towards the window, alarmed.

"Don't bother. Just a hollow that followed me out here. He won't stand a chance against the two Shinigami I had to sneak past that were patrolling around." Grimmjow grunted.

That relieved Ichigo, but it's presence still made him uneasy and he opted to take a seat on his bed, cupping his hands together and resting them against his forehead. He heard shuffled footsteps and wasn't sure if he could be surprised as much anymore when he felt weight added to the bed.

"When did shit get so complicated?" He heard Grimmjow ask.

"I don't know..." The teen answered truthfully. "Grimmjow..."

"What?"

"What happens now?" Ichigo didn't look up, didn't shift or move from his position. He simply waited for a response.

He felt a hand placed on his back, and it startled him enough so that he finally looked at the man next to him. Grimmjow wasn't looking at him, his gaze focused in front of him. But when Ichigo straightened up so that he was almost leveled with Grimmjow the Espada finally looked at him, electric blue glimmering with honesty.

"Honestly Ichigo, I ain't got no fuckin' idea."