Okay... Here's the latest screw up on my part ^^; I was converting more chapters of Asylum into a fanfic... and realized I completely skipped chapter 12 *sigh* I'm telling you guys, my brain is just wired wrong. I'll repost chapter 12... again... with the right chapter this time. Then I'll repost 13 and 14. I'm sorry, I had originally misnumbered chapter 12 as 13. I caught it... but didn't catch the fact I posted 13 as 12 ^^; I'll fix it up. I'm just a bit upset you guys missed something T^T
Shiro: If yer so upset, maybe ya should be more careful postin'.
Vae: *glowers evilly with a light growl*
Shiro: ... Er maybe I can check 'em fer ya so ya don' have so much work on yer mind. *chuckles nervously*
Vae: Why, Shiro! That's a great idea! I'm glad you're being so helpful today, I might have to reward you! XD
Shiro: ... Yeah, that sounds great. =(
Vae: A couple people have asked for a ShiroGin fic... Maybe I'll write one...
Shiro: Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout! XD
Chapter 10
Ichigo wakes with a start, he's not in the salon car anymore. Instead, he's lying against Grimmjow's side on the bottom bunk. He looks around the room, rubbing sleep from his eyes. Something woke him, but this time he's fairly sure it wasn't a camera. Grimmjow mumbles in his sleep and shifts to lie on his side, wrapping his arms tightly around Ichigo. His brow is furrowed, so he must be having a nightmare. Ichigo runs hs fingers through Grimmjow's hair lightly.
"It's okay, Grimm," he says soothingly. "I'm right here."
The larger man sighs and slowly relaxes, humming softly as he buries his face in his pillow. Ichigo carefully slips past him and heads for the bathroom, opening the door quietly and entering wihtout a sound. He doesn't want to wake Grimmjow just because he has to take a piss. While he's washing his hands afterward, he hears something in the hall. Curious, the orange haired male dries his hands and heads toward the door to their room. When he opens the door and looks out, he just makes out someone disappearing into the other coach car. He frowns and shuts the door, returning to Grimmjow for the rest of the night.
In the morning, Grimmjow wakes before Ichigo. He doesn't get up, just enjoys the body next to him. Ichigo groans in his sleep and turns to cuddle into his chest, sighing contently after he stops shifting. There's a knock on his door and Sebastian opens it. He steps into the room and sends a curt nod toward Grimmjow.
"Master Jaegerjaques," he greets. "It's good to see you awake this morning. We have much to discuss."
"Yeah, I sort of figured," Grimmjow smirks. "Go ahead."
"It should be dry enough to leave, though we'll still need to be careful. Though the ground has dried a bit, it's still moist and puddle still litter the ground. We'll have to pack enough to survive with, all of your camping gear is in the baggage car. Your friends are still asleep, but I took the liberty of getting things ready for them all. The chief has gathered as much food as possible to start the journey and we'll both be keeping tabs on those not in your party. I would like for your group to head out first so we can take care of the train as much as possibe, and to negate any encounters with a stalker. We'll follow tomorrow."
"You're awesome, Sebastian!" Grimmjow grins. "Have I ever told you that?"
"Actually, I do believe you usually tell me I'm 'one hell of a butler' on most occasions," he smiles.
"And you still are! Can you get the others to gather in the salon car? We'll tell them what's going on and then head out."
"Of course, Master Jaegerjaques."
Sebastian leaves afterward, heading through the coach cars to wake everyone. Grimmjow carefully shakes Ichigo, rousing him from his pleasant dreams of a white picket fence. When he sits up, he recalls his dream and imediately groans. He gets a curious look from his companin.
"I"m turnign into a chick," he mutters bitterly.
"Well, taking it so many times does that to a guy... although... it's not much of a change. You were sort of already a chick."
"You ass!"
Ichigo smacks him in the face with a pillow, the other laughing at his partner's irritation. Ichigo was never a morning person. They get up and get dressed, foregoing the cold showers. Once they're finished, Ichigo heads for the salon car. Almost everyone is there, crowding the area as they search for seats. Sebastian is on the other end, waiting for everyone to get settled. When he sees Grimmjow and Ichigo, he waves. Ichigo returns the gesture, happy to see the talented butler. Once everyone is present, Sebastian calls for attention.
"Please, quiet down," he calls out in a firm voice. "A plan has been pieced together and I find it necessary to inform you all of what will be happening."
Everyone stops talking, curious about their fate. Sebastian starts to explain what he and Grimmjow spoke of. Ichigo slowly sinks in his seat, groaning at the thought of being alone in forest with a spastic group of people... and a stalker.
Once everything is out and the outburst of voices comes to a standstill, Grimmjow leads his group outside. The ground is still slightly wet, the occasional puddle stretched along it, and water clings to leaves and grass. They just can't wait anymmore, though. They divide the camping equipment between them; two five person tents, cooking utensils, some matches, a few fishing poles, and of course the bag of food from the chief. Ichigo is handed that to carry.
He's kept between Grimmjow and Shiro as they walk along the tracks, no fear of another train since the only one that uses these tracks is buried. Ichigo looks back to see Sebastian waving at them, the author smiling minutely and waving back. He really likes that butler. He losses sight of him when they walk around the slide. Ichigo hurries to keep pace with the rest, finding them a bit fast for his liking. They must be attempting to put as much space between the train and themselves as possible.
"Slow down, guys," he huffs. "There's no need to rush, you know."
"We're not chancing that stalker catching up," Szayel comments. "You got a bad enough beating last time, the next time he could kill you."
"I was surprised last time, it won't happen again."
"Just keep walkin', Ichi," Shiro mutters. "We'll stop ta rest in a bit, 'kay?"
He nods, a frown on his lips. They're pushing themselves because of him. If one of them gets hurt, it'll be his fault. Grimmjow wraps an arm around his shoulders and pulls him close, kissing him on the head lightly. Nnoitra sees them and smirks, sending a knowing look their way that has Ichigo confused. He shakes it off, staying close to the larger male as they head toward a curve in the tracks.
"We'll follow the tracks for a bit, and then head into the forest around noon," Grimmjow states. "There's a lake near here we can fish at, but it's deeper in the trees. We'll reach it by dinnertime if all goes well, however we'll have to stop for lunch before. Everybody okay with that?"
"Let's just get the fuck outta dodge!" Nnoitra comments. "The faster we get to the resort, the faster I can start playing grab ass with Nelliel."
She immediately gasps and smacks him on the back of the head, not that it deters him from his lewd comments one bit. He just grins wide and smacks her on the ass as she passes by. Ichigo sighs and shakes his head, wondering if Shiro's friends are capable of being serious for two seconds.
The trip doesn't last long, but it's... eventful. Stark went missing twice, so they had to send Hallibel back to get him. After the second time she found him sleeping against a tree trunk, she used a coil of rope to tie around his waist like a leash. The next time he fell asleep, she just dragged him through the terrain... he didn't do it again. Waking up with leaves in your mouth and mud all over your back will do that.
"Are you okay, Stark?" Ichigo asks. "Do we have to stop so you can change? I don't want you catching cold or anything."
"Don' fuckin' mother hen 'im," Shiro scolds. "He's a big boy, if he needs ta stop fer a minute, he'll say somethin'."
"Don't tell me what to do, you ass," Ichigo bites back. "I would've been perfectly happy staying home! But no! You and Gin just had to fuck up my plans for the week! And now, instead of sitting nice and safe on a train and waiting for help to come, I've been dragged into the fucking wilderness when you know how I feel about it!"
"... Did you eat breakfast, Ichi?" Shiro wonders with a blank expresssion.
"... No," Ichigo answer in whine mixed with defeat.
Shiro stops and rummages around in the backpack his brother carries, pulling out an apple and handing it to his irritable twin. If they don't stop for lunch soon, Ichigo might very well kill someone. He's always been easier to anger when hungry.
It takes a few more minutes, but Grimmjow finally comes to a stop. He sends Ichigo with Hallibel and Nelliel to gather any fruit they can find. Ulquiorra and Szayel join Shiro looking for firewood. Grimmjow leave Gin and Stark alone while he surveys the area, searchign for the best path to take toward the lake. There are a lot of fallen trees and steep inclines wrought with mud, so most paths are sort of hazardous. For a moment, he wonders if he shouldn't take those. If the stalker followed them, they would attempt the dangerous crossings as well and might even injure themselves. He'll take it up with the others during lunch.
Ichigo reaches for the apples above his head, thanking his lucky stars he's tall enough to reach. As he picks them, he drops them in a backpack the group emptied for just this occasion. It was filled with the cooking utensils beforehand, but they now sit in near the stone ring Gin and Stark were setting up for the fire. Nelliel is near him and Hallibel is keeping them both in her line of sight... it's like he's being babysat.
"I'm going to look over there," he states. "I think I saw some berry bushes."
"I'll accompany you," the blonde comments.
"But..."
"You will carry more if I am there to help," she explians. "Besides, the berries will get smushed in the backpack and Nelliel needs it to gather apples, peaches, and pears."
"... Fine."
He and Hallibel head over to the bushes while Nelliel moves on to a peach tree. The blonde knows Ichigo's mood is souring quickly, she's well aware he knows what's going on. She had told Shiro and Grimmjow that Ichigo wouldn't like her watching over him, however they insisted someone always be with him. The last time he was alone, he was hurt badly and they don't want that happening again. She can understand where they're coming, especially since Ichigo is all Shiro has and Grimmjow is in love with him. She would kill to protect Stark, and she knows he would do the same for her.
"He loves you, you know," she finds herself saying. "Grimmjow. He told us that night you slept in the salon car. He's loved you for a long time... since high school, no doubt."
"... Don't be stupid," Ichigo mutters. "You probably just heard him wrong."
"I did not," she frowns.
"... I don't want to talk about this! You heard him wrong, that's all!" the orange head snaps. "Let's just pick these damn berries and get back! I'm fucking starving!"
He moves away a bit, yet Hallibel still pins him with her gaze. She can admit when Grimmjow first stated his feelings for the younger Kurosaki, she didn't believe him one bit. After watching them interact, however, she could remember how they were back then... she could see the love in her friend's eyes. Grimmjow needs Ichigo and it's her duty as his friend to make sure they end up happy.
"Why do you refuse to believe the truth?"
"... I dont' want to talk about this."
"Just answer me. I told you the truth, Grimmjow is in love with you. Why can't you understand how much he needs you? Why do you deny your feelings for him?"
"I'm not ready for that!" he hollers. "Just fucking stop! Grimmjow wouldn't know how to have a committed relationship if he were programmed for it! It doesn't matter how much I feel for him or how he feels about me, there's always going to be something better and he's always going to be looking for it! I'm not ready to fight with that something! Just let it go!"
Hallibel stays silent, watching the emotions play across Ichigo's face. He seems almost desperate... heartbroken. It's like he feels the impending doom that comes with each of Grimmjow's flings, he's waiting for the other to say it's over.
"... You're wrong," she says simply. "He just didn't have you before."
With that, she turns her attention to the bushes. Ichigo scowls at the berries, anger welling in his eyes. It's not fair that they're trying to ruin this for him. He's finally happy, he knows what to expect and he's ready for the end... but now Hallible is trying to get his hopes up. He won't let her, he knows he'll just feel worse if he does.
Grimmjow watches as Shiro piles some wood in the stone circle, Stark is fixing the spit and pot. Szayel had left to gather some water from a small spring he found so they can make soup, taking their canteens to fill as well. Ulquiorra was going to accompany him, but Grimmjow asked that he check on the girls and Ichigo. He returns a few moments later with the three in tow.
"We found a whole bunch of fruit, Grimmy!" Nelliel grins. "And Ichigo found some blackberries!"
The orange head is walking beside Hallibel, sending her a few heated glares every now and then. Grimmjow sighs, wondering what she did to piss off his lover. He doesn't say a word while they're all together, so he pulls Ichigo to the side.
"Okay, what happened?" he asks.
"... Nothing, don't worry about it."
"I"m not kidding, Ichigo. Did she say something to make you mad? Are you really that hungry you're about to kill her?"
"She was just being a gossip, nothing more," he hisses out. "I didn't appreciate what she was saying and I yelled at her, that's all."
Grimmjow is about to press the matter, but Ichigo retreats to the fire. Shiro welcomes him, dragging him down to sit on the ground between his legs. Ichigo leans back into his brother's torso happily, taking comfort in the familiar presence he grew up with. Gin watches the two quiet, but Grimmjow notices that Hallibel does as well. He'll have to ask her what's going on, it isn't like Ichigo to get so angry over a bit of gossip. With a sigh, he returns to the others and waits for their lunch to finish. Hopefully Ichigo will have cooled off by the time they reach the lake. He glances at the relaxing male, a fond smile touching his lips. This is one he'll never let go, no matter what. Unfortunately... he doesn't know if Ichigo will feel the same.
Poor Ichi, bombarded with emotions he's not ready to deal with =( Oh well, Hallibel and the others will likely force them to face these emotions before they reach the resort! Or not... I suppose that depends on how I'm feeling. Anyway, I have dolls to make, so I probably won't get time to write for a few days. Perhaps I'll squeeze it in, I'm not sure. I have three to make and one to finish up =) I'm not telling what they are yet, though. When they're finished, I might post a link to the pictures! You never know ;p I have to get back to work on them, I just stopped to update a fic since I missed yesterday ^^; Enjoy!
Ichi: Sorry she didn't post the cross dressing one, she'll get to it =)
Grimm: Yeah, she's just too lazy to write a summary.
Vae: NO FIC IS POSTED WITHOUT A TITLE AND A SUMMARY! DX
Grimm: ... Yeah... Don't you just hate fanfic writers with rules? ;p
Ichi: Well, have a wonderful day... or what's left of it. =)
Grimm: And have an active night! I know I will =3
Ichi: ... Perv. =(