DISCLAIMER: I don't own BLEACH. BLEACH is a property of Tite Kubo, and is not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only. This fanfiction story is inspired by a real life event. Any resemblance to any real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

DISCLAIMER PART 2:More like an excuse. I'm not a native speaker, so please forgive any grammatical errors. Thank you very much for reading, in advance.

...

Escape

...

I was frowning as I walked towards the still smoking church. Great. More smoke! Just when I was trying to avoid it.

I motioned for my team to follow me then I started looking for Starrk.

And it didn't took that long. I saw Starrk right away. He was standing a few feet away from the door of the church. Not minding the think smoke coming out from it.

"Starrk!"

I shouted. We made it a rule that I won't be calling him Dad while we're on a mission. But I don't want to call him by his rank too. It's too mouthful.

Stark turned to look at me after dismissing the soldiers that he was talking to.

"Hey, how's your assignment?"

He asked as if he was just asking about my day. I really hate this part of him.

"Fine. No one's hiding on the east side. I don't know about the west side though. Because a certain someone just robbed me off my task."

I put all of my frustration to that last word. I saw Starrk sighed.

"He said he wanted to finish our job here as soon as possible, so I allowed him since he's not doing anything. And besides, you know how Nnoitra works. You wouldn't want to pass by that barn I'm telling you."

I looked away out of anger. Yes, we have to pass by the barn where they gathered all the town's men to get to the other side. And yes, I know how he works. He's a monster.

Killing his victims were not enough. Last time, he skewered his victims and hanged them on a tree.

Sick bastard.

I sighed before looking back at my father with my usual frown.

"So, what d'you want me to do with that?" Using my lips to point to the now still-smoking-ruined church.

Starrk raised his eyebrows, asking me a question that only the two of us knows.

Can you enter that place?

That made me frown.

Of course I can enter that damned church. My parents died inside a fucking burning car, not a fucking church!

I just sighed instead, allowing my frown to embed itself on my face.

"Don't worry about me, I'm already over it."

I answered after a few seconds.

Another sigh came out from his lips before getting serious once more and turning to look at the soldiers that are now busy cleaning up the vicinity.

"The usual drill. Make sure that everyone's dead."

It's my turn to raise my eyebrow.

"You got plenty of soldiers here, why not ask them?"

Starrk faced me and straightened my uniform, fixing the buttons that got loose.

"They're not professionals yet. A leader is required when it comes to checking out bodies. I got to go back to the capital right away with Aizen to report what happened here so I can't. And, Nnoitra is too bored to do that, so, you're the only one that's fit to do the job."

He patted my shoulders a bit before he walked pass me. His eyes dropping again. I bet this task alone consumed most of his energy. He's going to sleep for three consecutive days after this I'm sure.

"I'll be waiting for you in the capital after this."

He said as he walk.

Seriously. ? The Capital? That's a two day drive from here! The fuck is he saying?

I looked back towards the church with a frown. There's smoke, but there's no fire anymore. And it is not as thick as before. I think I will be able to handle entering that place with a gas mask.

I reached out for a nearby mask, noticing two soldiers coming out of the church.

What the heck?!

"Heey! You two! What the fuck are you doing inside that church without any permission huh?!"

They stood rigid after hearing my voice, looking at each other with that " We're screwed" look.

I know that they don't have permission. Because Starrk asked me to supervise the checking. He would've told me if he allowed any soldiers to enter that place.

I walked towards them, putting on the gas mask as I go and motioning my crew to follow me again.

"Ummm, we we're just…"

Newbies. How great could this ever be?!

"Do you know why you're here, soldiers?"

I asked, making them jump. But no one answered.

I held out my hand, then someone put a gun on it without being asked to. Must be Yylfordt.

Heh. I love my crew.

"I won't be lecturing you assholes, but the next time that you would try to defy the protocol, I'll put a bullet right fucking inside yer' heads, got that?"

I said in a very menacing tone, while pointing my gun towards the face of that soldier on the left. This day has been a very frustrating one for me. Bullying a few soldiers won't be that bad right?

They nodded, more like forced themselves to nod since their body is now shivering.

"I can't hear you."

I said, allowing my voice to be much more menacing. I think I was born to bully weaklings like these guys.

"YES SIR!"

They shouted, straightening their stance, and avoiding my eyes.

"Alright, scram!"

They ran away without even looking at my direction, this made me chuckle.

"Real smooth oh great leader."

I heard Shawlong said as I handed the gun back to Yylfordt.

"What? I was just teaching them."

I said to defend myself. He made sure that I saw his frown before putting on the mask, then motioned for the others to enter the church.

I prepared myself for a pitched-black place but it was not that bad.

Maybe it's because of those big stained art glasses, or maybe because it's still bright outside, honestly, .I don't care. But we need to hurry up, because the sun is now about to set.

Where're not yet even halfway inside the church when we heard it.

It was muffled, but someone is definitely shouting.

"Grimmjow, you hear that?"

Shawlong's stance immediately transformed, readying himself for the worst. And I noticed everyone doing the same thing. This is a part of our training.

But there's something wrong.

I motioned Nakeem to walk forward, D Roy flanking him.

Then we heard the voice once more, this time, it's louder.

"Okasaaaaan!"

I stopped, I saw Shawlong looking at me, but my mind is far away.

I exhaled, looking back at the entrance.

Safe. I think the guys outside didn't hear it.

I looked back to the direction of the church's altar once more, sharpening my ears to pin point where the voice is coming from.

"Grimmjow, do you think…"

I let out a snarl.

"It's the boy."

I said. Everyone's attention was turned towards me. I can tell, even with their gas masks on, that they were all surprised, and scared, because they know. They know that I'm going to save that boy before I could even think about it.

"Yylfordt! Edrad! Guard the door!"

I heard Shawlong commanded, and the two immediately went back to stand by the door.

I just stood there, honestly, I don't know what else to do. They're doing things right before I can even manage to say it.

I don't know if I should be happy about this. They're so accustomed to me, that our wavelengths are now on the same level.

"Grimmjow, it's coming over here!"

My head almost snapped after I heard Nakeem shouted, I saw him pointing somewhere behind the altar. And before I even know it, I'm already running. I rushed over, almost tripping on the rocks and dead bodies.

Then I saw it, the place that Nakeem was talking about.

That kid must be somewhere below the floor. And there's a dead body blocking that place from us.

I can't help but cringe. By the looks of it, it's very obvious that it's a female. And there's only one woman who would be willing to die for this kid.

The kid's mom.

I remembered the woman that has a long auburn wavy hair. Right, I remembered her being pregnant.

Tsk. I feel sorry for her child. But right now…

My attention came back after I heard some banging coming from underneath.

"Ore o shimashou! Ore no okasan, ore no okasan miru hitsuyou ga aruuuuu!"

The kid's voice is getting louder.

My panic returned, kicking the dead body aside without even thinking.

"Oi Gaki! Uruse! Karera wa anata o kiku tsumorida!"

I said. I'm not even sure if he heard me but he did stopped. This made me calm down a bit.

Then I look at Nakeem, asking him a silent question which he did understood right away.

He helped me clear the floor from the debris, and getting rid of that filthy carpet.

Then we saw the trapdoor.

I don't know why I was so nervous. Hell I'm even trembling!

Fuck, this is so uncool.

I saw Nakeem opened the lid, and I can't help but take off my mask even though it's still smoky inside. The only thing inside my head is that the kid needs to recognize me.

Then I saw him. And his eyes went wide as he saw me.

And my heart broke when his tears started to flow out like rivers from his eyes.

He reached out with his trembling hands, and before I could even think about it, I reached out to grab those hands myself.

"T-Tasukete… Tasuk-kete k-kudasai."

I pulled him out, suddenly realizing about the surrounding. So I lift him up, and hid his face on my chest, hugging him tightly.

He continued on sobbing though, and I just felt that I should do something about that.

So I sighed and whispered something to him.

"Shhh, sore ni tsuite wa shinpaishinaide. Watashi wa anata o mamorimasu, yakusoku."

I felt him nod, swallowing all the sobs that instant moment.

Then I heard someone cleared his throat, making me look up.

"Grimmjow, what's the plan? You can't just walk out with him from here."

I growled, not even looking at Shawlong's direction.

"I know that."

I answered, but my head is already working. My eyes darting from all over the place, looking for some things that I could do, but no matter what I do, it's a dead end.

Damn it.

"GRIMMJOW LOOK OUT!"

Someone shouted. But before I could even manage to look out, something sharp already pierced my right shoulder.

"FUUUCK!"

My knee trembled, collapsing, making me kneel on the floor like a helpless idiot. I think it broke my shoulder blade. Damn.

But amidst the pain, I managed to be sure that the boy is okay. Even on this circumstance, he's still the one that I'm thinking about.

I tried to ignore the voice coming from inside my head saying that I'm a fool.

Then I heard them all, all of their footsteps.

"YYLFORDT, EDRAD! Stay where you are."

I shouted, making them stop midway, but that didn't stop D Roy from kneeling behind me, checking out my wound.

I tried my best to stop panting. The pain is gradually increasing.

"Are you alright?"

The voice coming from in front of me said in French.

I smiled, nodding as I pet his head.

"This is nothing brat."

But his eyes are saying that he's not stupid. That he knows.

"Fuck, Grimmjow, this looks awful."

D Roy's panicked voice snatched my attention. His voice no longer muffled by his mask.

"Can you move your shoulder Grimmjow?"

Shawlong asked as I felt him sat behind me too. I tried to flex my wounded shoulder, wincing a bit but being relieved that it didn't broke my shoulder blade.

"What the fuck is it?"

I said in a bored tone as I carefully sat down on the gorund, pulling the kid on my lap and feeling that someone is checking out the wound.

"It's a stone, part of the ceiling I guess. Looks like the fire made this church's ceiling weak."

I felt the boy stiffened in my arms. That one word made the magic between us disappear, and made him remember the real situation.

"Don't even try to look, you won't like it."

I said, tightening my arms around him to secure that he won't move an inch.

"I need to see my mom."

He answered in a trembling tone. This made me frown.

"She's not your mother anymore kid. It's just an empty burnt shell now."

I was ready if ever he would try to thrash or anything, that's why I was surprised when his body went limp.

Honestly, I don't know what else to do, so I just kissed his head, and inhaled his scent whispering the same thing that I said to him a while ago, but this time, in French.

"Don't worry, I'm here now, I will protect you."

He did not answered. This made me sigh. Why do I fucking care so much about this brat again?

But then he nodded, and a smile crept on my lips as I kissed the top of his head once more.

"I think that we should pull it out."

"I think so too. But the risk of his blood flowing…"

I rolled my eyes as I listen to them. It's making me feel irritated.

"Just pull the fucking thing out!"

I snarled.

Making the boy flinch a bit, but I felt his hands around me again, and that calmed me down.

"A-Alright. Grimmjow, this is going to hurt like a bitch, so-"

"Just pull it out D Roy, this is your fucking job, so do it."

One thing about D Roy is that, he's a fucking masochist. The more that we're making him look stupid, the more his brain works. It functions more when he's under stress. Now tell me, where the fuck can I find a perfect man like him?

You're asking why? Simple. Because I'm an Alpha male. And he's the best man for a dominant like me.

"Alright! Here I-"

"Wait!" I shouted

"What now Grimmjow?"

I heard D Roy sighed. I straightened out, siting properly as careful as I could to avoid further pain. I'm still hiding the boy's face on my neck, trying my best to not let him see.

"Nakeem, get me anything that I can use to cover this boy's eyes."

I felt the boy tilt his head to look at me. His eyes asking me Why.

So I answered him.

"I need you to trust only me. And right now, I don't want you to see any distractions. You can't see other things, other than me. You hear that boy?"

"Ichigo."

I heard him whisper, enough for me to hear.

"That's my name."

I grinned nodding, as Nakeem handed a cloth to me.

Ichigo closed his eyes right away as I wound the cloth around his eyes.

"I want you to stand up Ichigo, because I will need to put the pain that I'm going to feel to something that's not easy to break. I can't have you in my arms as they pull that thing out of me."

Ichigo just nodded as my arm guided him a foot away from me.

I don't have to tell my men what to do. As soon as Ichigo is away from me, they pulled that damn thing out of my shoulder.

And it hurts like a fucking bitch. Just like what D Roy said.

I even forgot that I was holding Ichigo's hand too tight to lessen the pain. And my eyes went wide as realization hit me.

"H-Hey! Are y-you..."

"I'm fine"

He answered but it was very obvious by his now furrowed eyebrows that I did hurt him.

"I'm not that breakable."

He followed. This somehow made me smile. I just smiled as my blood flowed out freely like a fucking waterfall from my back.

Pain lets you know that you are alive.

And right now, I'm glad that I'm alive.

...

XXXOOOXXX

…

D roy covered my wound with some gauze and secured my arm to avoid further damage. All of these he did, within just a few minutes.

Now that that problem is already resolved, the next problem that we have to face is how we're going to take Ichigo out without other soldiers knowing.

I've been thinking about this the whole time as D Roy patched me up. I've been looking around the church trying to find a way for us to smuggle Ichigo outside. Soon, the soldiers outside will wonder what's taking us so long inside. Soon, they will try to enter, and see us with this kid.

Damn, I need to think fast.

Ichigo is now sitting on my lap, his eyes no longer covered, but I did put my gas mask on his face. The residual smoke, and the smell of those burnt flesh is not good for Ichigo. It doesn't seems like he mind though.

"Grimmjow."

I heard Shawlong sighed as D Roy patted my wound. I know that he just wanted to calm me down. But right now, his calm demeanor is just annoying me.

"I know Shawlong."

It's my turn to sigh, though it's not a good idea because of the smoke around us.

"I can fit inside Mr. Edrad's bag, just so you guys would know."

And then, Ichigo commented out of nowhere. His voice that's muffled by the mask startled me.

But what I don't understand is how the fuck did he know about Edrad's bag? I don't have to look to see that the eyes of my men are all similar to mine's. Round as fuck.

"I saw. I saw his bag as you pulled me out of that hole Grimm. If you would just get rid of those things inside, I could fit in. Normally I would not even accept that I'm that small to fit inside, but in this situation, I know that you need all the info that you could gather."

Now, I know that the rest of his ideas were all much, much more important, but the only word that got me is that thing that he called me.

Grimm.

Normally,I hated that name. Makes me look so weak and childish. That's why I would normally punch the guy that would even dare to call me like that. But now, I don't understand why I feel so giddy inside. That simple pet name made me feel so relaxed. It made me grin.

I didn't even noticed that he's already making a conversation with the others.

"…but it's fine as long as I'm not going to move right?"

"Yes, that theory is possible."

I frowned. He's talking to my men as if it's something normal.

I saw Shawlong stood up and walked towards Edrad with Nakeem, and D Roy fixed and returned his tools back inside his own bag.

Then I saw Ichigo reached out his hand towards me, which I took almost eagerly, allowing him to hold my hand.

But there's something wrong here. Because he's not acting like someone that lost their love ones. I could almost swear that he's acting like nothing happened here. This made me frown more.

A normal kid would not get over something this big that easily.

"How old are ya' Ichigo?"

I asked as he started playing with my fingers. Ichigo faced me with a raised eyebrow.

"12."

My eyebrows furrowed.

"You're too young to act like this. It's okay to mourn since you just lost your family and friends you know."

He turned his face once more to face the now broken stained-glass art right behind the altar.

"Would you rather me crying like a child?"

I sighed.

"No, of course not. I was just puzzled. Because you're acting more like an adult right now."

"I get that a lot. Everybody would say that I looked like a third, or fourth grader. I used to be so angry whenever they would say that. I think, I just got so used to it."

This made me smile.

"You're right. You don't looked like your age. You're too small when in reality, you're already old enough to be enlisted."

He turned to face me once more, his frown plastered on his face like it's already a part of it.

"Are you mocking me?"

And it made me laugh. God, it's been so long since I laughed. I ruffled his hair as I felt my team started walking towards us. All the anxiety around us suddenly disappearing.

He tried to slap my hand away from his hair, snarling a bit towards my direction. I kept on smiling, until I realized something.

"You sure 'bout this Kid?"

He became still, trying to think about something I guess. I was kinda expecting him to ask me about my question. But what caught me off guard, is his answer.

"Are you sure about me?"

God knows how badly I wanted to take off that mask on his face. I wanna see if he's serious enough.

And I know that he wanted to take it off just as badly as I do. But he made a wordless promise to me that he will follow my instructions no matter what.

I should know, because I made the same thing with Starrk, only not to this extent.

Funny how I made a lot of realization today. By just saving this kid, I made a lot of discoveries concerning myself, and my future. And right now, I know.

It's too late to let go of this child now.

"Grimmjow, the bag's ready."

Shawlong's voice is like a bucket of ice-cold water that was poured over our heads, making the both of us jump.

I sighed, surprised as Ichigo suddenly stood and went out of the way for me. We've only been together for a few minutes but he's already reading my moves. This kid is freaking scary.

He stood up and reached out towards Shawlong.

"Thank you, Mr. Shawlong."

And Shawlong took his hand without any hesitation, taking him toward Edrad's bag.

"This is not going to take that long but kid, I want you to be very still once we got outside of the church. Got that?"

Ichigo just nodded as he stepped in, immediately sitting down to settle himself in.

"Alright, I'll carry the bag-"

"No, Grimmjow, let Edrad carry it."

I stood up and frowned, waiting for Ichigo to say something.

"It's okay Grimm, you're wounded, so you won't be able to carry me properly."

My frown deepened. Okay, that hurt my feelings.

Here I was, thinking that that kid can't live without me anymore, that we're somehow bonded to each other. It's not that I'm sulking. Just…

Arrgh. I'm not even that weak! I can carry two of him if I wanted to!

"And besides, it's Edrad's bag, why the hell would you carry Edrad's bag huh Grimmjow? Don't let your emotions get in the way. You'll see him once you're both settled inside the truck."

Yylfordt is still annoying as fuck. I don't know why but what he just said irked me so much. This other things are the reason why I don't talk to him that much.

"Aww, he's pouting."

D Roy added while laughing.

And I snarled. Making them all stop.

"FINE! Do whatever you wanted!"

I shouted as I stormed out of the church. My team immediately followed.

Outside, I guess everybody felt that I was irritated, so they all tried to avoid me as I walked towards our truck.

I heard a soldier ask Nakeem about why I was so angry.

"Well, he got injured, so we forced him to go back home and have his shoulder checked. He didn't like that, you know him, so he got angry."

Heh. They're such good liars.

I kept on walking, contemplating about my behavior. I was not really angry. Just… I don't know. Pissed off maybe? Because they all made me look like a child.

Damn it.

That kid is making me look so stupid.

I sighed so hard, forcing all of my frustrations with it.

I tried to think about happy thoughts as I opened the door of our truck and sat on the passenger's seat.

Me poking Nnoitra's eye, me punching Nnoitra, me snapping Nnoitra's neck, well, basically me trying to kill Nnoitra.

I think it helped.

I was already calm when I saw Shawlong opened the other door and sat down on the driver's seat, immediately starting the engine.

Movements from the back of the truck suggested that the others were now also inside.

So far so good.

"Oi, where the fuck are you going?"

My whole body stiffened with just hearing that voice.

Nnoitra

Of all the fucking time that this prick could interrupt me!

"Sturmhauptfuhrer Jiruga, Ortsgruppenleiter Jeagerjaquez had an accident. We will be taking him in to the city for a proper medical care."

Shawlong immediately answered. He must've known that no proper answer would come out of my mouth this time. Which is just natural.

So I decided to go with the natural.

"Just go and fuck your subordinates, fucking asshole."

The asshole just grinned at me. Even though I am now sitting on the passenger's seat of our truck, this prick still managed to look down on me.

"Grimmjow, calm down. Nnoitra knows that there's no officer here at the moment. He's trying to provoke you so that you'll fight him."

It irks me. The truth that this guy could kill me now just because I'm injured, and that no one's here to stop it is slowly eating up my resolve.

I clenched my fist.

"Get down 'ere you fucking-blue-dog, and I'll make ya' wipe my shoes using 'yer tongue."

And that's all that I needed.

I reached to open the door of the truck but something interrupted me.

A hand, a small hand, is now gripping the cuff of my shirt.

That made me frown for a moment before making me sigh with all the frustration that's building up inside me.

This kid really knows how to stop me.

I wanted to kill that asshole, but that would compromise Ichigo's situation.

Damn it.

"What's up bluebells? Scared co'z Daddy's not 'ere to help ya?"

Other soldiers are now starting to pool around us to see what's happening. I gotta think fast to get out of here.

But then, out of nowhere, Shawlong just suddenly took the radio and started blabbering nonsense

"Yes sir, we're on our way. There's just some problem concerning Ortsgruppenleiter Jeagerjaquez, but it's not a big deal."

Shawlong said, as loud as possible. I'd say that's a good idea, because he now got Nnoitra's attention.

"…roger that."

Shawlong followed before looking out of the window to look at Nnoitra.

"I'm sorry Sturmhauptfuhrer Jiruga, but it seems like we need to go. They're already waiting for our report in the capital."

Nnoitra's grin disappeared as he clicked his tongue. This made me smile as he walked out of the way.

"Rejoice Blueballs. I'll rip yer' grin out of yer' face next-fucking-time."

I just frowned towards him before relaxing and resting my back on my seat.

Our truck started to move once more, and as we passed by him, I can't help but stick my arm out of the window to give him a fucking "Fuck you" sign as I smile smugly, making a silent promise to myself that next time, I'll fucking kill that mother-fucker.

Next-fucking-time.

...

Sorry for any wrong spelling or grammar..

I'm kinda bit tired, and lazy for any corrections..

T_T

*Looking for a beta*

Thanks for reading.

~Zell