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.

...

Order of the Chrysanthemum

...

Everything looked gray after I opened my eyes.

And for a moment, I really thought I was dead.

After Grimmjow woke me up early this morning to say goodbye, I fell asleep right away. And there, I dreamt about my family. In my dream, we were happily eating our lunch. My father making fun of me as usual. And my mom, she was laughing sweetly as she listened to my father's corny jokes. I really wanted to stay there, but suddenly, and without any reasons, I just opened my eyes.

I frowned. It seems like no one woke me up. Damn body clock.

I sighed, turning my head towards the direction of the window that is now covered by a thick black curtain. A few light manages to get pass by it though, illuminating the room a little, making it look so gray. I don't know why Grimmjow's room is so gloomy. It feels like he's trying his best to avoid being happy. Everything looks white and gray and, it feels really cold in here.

I sat up, feeling hungry for the first time. And with a sigh, I left my bed.

I went out, trying my best to avoid making any sound that's why I was very surprised when he spoke.

"Good morning Ichigo."

Starrk's French accent is very hard. It made me a little proud of myself, even though my friends would always laugh at me because of my weird accent. He was sitting on one of the sofas, the center table in front of him is now filled with parts of his gun that he is now cleaning. Among them, is a cup of steaming coffee.

"I hope you won't mind me speaking in French. I'm not that fluent in Japanese, unlike Grimmjow." He followed.

I shrugged, walking towards his direction.

"Don't you have to go somewhere?" I asked.

I saw him smirked, before sipping from his coffee and sitting on a much relaxing way. "Why? Do you want me to go somewhere?"

I looked at him, trying to study his face, trying to read him. But no matter what I do, the only thing that I can see, is his boredom. His eyes are drooping, and devoid of any emotion. This made me frown a bit.

"No, I was just worried that you're not doing your job properly because of me. Don't worry, I won't do anything stupid."

And for the first time, I heard him laugh. He returned his cup on the table and looked at me grinning.

"I'm on leave. I deserve that, after killing too much innocent people for Hitler."

He's challenging me. Is he expecting me to just burst out crying after hearing that? I'm sorry but I'm not that emotional.

"Well, that's good to hear since there's one inside your house right now. Makes me feel at ease." I answered.

This time, he smiled genuinely. All of his boredom gone. I can see that he's really amused.

"I think I understand now why Grimmjow got smitten by you." He stood up, making his way towards the kitchen and after a few minutes, returned with a nice cup of hot chocolate. If my sense of smell is not betraying me that is.

He returned on his seat, gesturing me to sit down beside him before giving the cup to me and returning to whatever he was doing.

It smells so nice, so I sipped from it without any hesitation.

"Why did you chose to be a soldier?" I asked after a few minutes. I think this surprised him a bit because he suddenly stopped and sat down properly to look at me.

"Why do you ask?" His eyes now firm. I shrugged once more.

"I just want to know the reason how you managed to kill innocent people without even feeling remorse. To the point of being able to joke about it." I answered. Remembering about his joke earlier.

"Are you sure that you're only 12?" He asked again. This made me frown a little because he looked like he heard me said something very very stupid. So I just sighed and nodded before sipping from my cup once more. I think my gesture made him think a little.

"How you asked. Well, through time I guess..." He answered after a few moments of silence. "I've killed countless of people. In the beginning, I only kill bad ones, but then, if your superior would order you to do so, you won't have any choice. It's kill, or be killed boy." He continued. His eyes staring towards the wall. I can say that he is now somewhere, far away.

"Then why don't you go somewhere far away?" I asked, very curious.

He frowned. I can see hesitation from his eyes. Maybe he's thinking whether he should answer me or not.

"Because of Grimmjow." He finally said. Then his former mask of boredom returned. I am now sure that he won't be entertaining my questions anymore. So I stopped. Focusing my attention on my cup instead.

"He's the son of my superior." I heard him say out of nowhere.

"Mr. Louisenbairn, He's like a father to me. He took care of me and took me under his wing. I owe him my life." He paused to sip from his coffee again then rested his back on the sofa. "After hearing about his and his wife's accident, I promised him that that I would take care of his son. That I would give my life for Grimmjow." He continued.

We were both engulfed by silence, me sipping my chocolate, and him staring at the ceiling. Then after a few minutes, he suddenly stood up.

"Well, time to prepare for lunch. Those guys are probably in Glane now."

He said, making his way back to his kitchen with a very bored look.

I just sighed before drinking all of the contents of my cup and following him.

"Hey, is there something that I can do to help?" I asked as I put my cup on top of one of those counters.

He looked at me skeptically before smiling and motioning me to come closer.

I must admit that I had fun helping him cook. And that he cooks the most delicious risotto in the whole world.

...

oOOXxXOOo

I sighed. Seriously, that's the only thing that I can do right now. My fucking shoulder is now throbbing after all of those manual work that I did today, and it's making me feel really annoyed.

I allowed Yylforte to sit with Shawlong in front, because I'm fucking sure that I will be much more annoyed there, because of the engine's noise. And so here I am, sitting at the back of this fucking old truck with the rest of my team, and my aching shoulder.

During these moments, I am thankful that my team is good at reading the atmosphere. They're not bickering right now, and it's fucking quiet inside the truck, aside from the muffled noise that's coming from the truck's engine.

I spared each one of them a look. Inside the truck's wagon, is me, Edrad, D Roy, and Nakeem. They're all holding their guns. Alert is the only word that I can use to describe them. Actually, it's quite dangerous to travel alone nowadays because of the war. But I insisted that we go home today. I won't be able to wait for a long time. I need to see Ichigo ASAP.

We've been riding this truck for 4 hours now. Normally, the ride from my house to Glane takes about 6 hours, but since I asked Shawlong to drive as fast as he could, (I think we're now doing 60 on a very bumpy road) it will take another hour before we arrive home.

One more fucking hour.

It's not that long, but many things could happen in an hour. I just wish that my decision to go home as early as I can won't compromise our lives. Specially now that I'm carrying something important.

I sighed once more, wincing a bit because of my shoulder. I definitely should ask D Roy to take a look at it later.

"Are you okay Grimmjow?"

I frowned, looking at the small bag that I retrieved for Ichigo.

"Yeah, I'm okay." I answered.

I released another sigh as the truck passed by a huge rock, making the wagon sway a little before settling back.

Somehow, I managed to hold on to my sit so I didn't fall, but damn, because I was surprised, I used my injured arm, making it ache more.

God damn it.

The pain is so sharp, I almost lost my consciousness. I had to hold my breath and release it slowly to lessen the pain. I didn't even noticed D Roy moving beside me.

"Damn it Grimmjow, you're bleeding!" He exclaimed.

"I'm f-fine. Fuck." I panted.

"Fine my ass! That's why I told you not to help in burying those bodies! Look! You literally ripped yourself open!" Then he did something but I didn't really noticed it.

I've already set my mind that it's not painful. And somehow, it helped.

Ever since I was young, whenever I need to do something that I'm sure I can't do, or whenever I'm in pain, I would always go in to a trance like situation. I can see everything, I can still understand everything, but I feel nothing. Shawlong said that when I'm in this state, I looked very scary because I would always grin like some kind of a crazy murderer.

I guess he's right, because whenever I'm like this, the only thing that would calm me, is blood. I need to see blood. And if I won't, then would end up not being able to control myself and end up on a killing rampage. I remember me activating this state of mind while fighting Nnoitra. He ended up losing his eye. Ahh, that was the most wonderful experience that I've ever had.

Heh. I wonder who would be willing to sacrifice themselves for me later.

"D Roy, that's okay, just get away from me now." I said in a very calm tone.

After hearing me, D Roy didn't even tried to get his equipment, he just sat far away from me with the other guys.

"After we arrived, please don't let anyone near me." I continued, and they all just nodded. But I can see that they're scared. I must have that stupid smile on my face again.

Fuck, I want to touch myself.

And with that, our truck came to a stop. I didn't even bothered asking if we're home. I just know.

I stood up and walked out of the truck, jumping off and casually walking towards the direction of the house. Then I saw him.

"It took you so long. I thought I'd have to wait for your all night."

He was standing there, his back resting on the wall beside the door and his arms crossed in front of him. He's looking at me with a frown, as if he was very bored while waiting for me. His chocolate eyes staring at me like he was trying to read my mind.

I smiled.

"Ichigo! Get away from him!"

I heard someone shouted. This made me feel very annoyed because of that shout, I lost contact of those beautiful orbs, and it's making me feel angry.

I saw Ichigo's frown deepened towards someone. And then he looked at me again, puzzled. I smirked.

Ahhh, kid. You're making me hard with that look.

Those eyes, I wanna see those eyes cry with pleasure. I wanna fuck him until those eyes melt and-

"Fuck off pervert."

I heard him say. I blinked, and for a moment, I don't even know what I was doing. Until I saw that knowing arrogant smile.

"Now let's go inside, your arm is bleeding."

I heard him say with a sigh. He stood up properly, with his arm extended towards my direction. This made me frown.

What the heck is he saying?

"Common, you must be in pain." he followed.

And with that, as if on cue, my shoulder started throbbing violently that I had to reach out and apply pressure on it to lessen the pain. I started panting, closing my eyes to concentrate.

Fuck it hurts!

"Grimmjow, I said let's go!"

I snapped out of the pain after hearing him shout at me. I even saw Starrk rush out of our house only to stop after seeing me. I can see fear on his face. I must look really terrible. I returned my attention to Ichigo, I looked at him with a crooked smile. Then I started walking towards him. I heard someone call out to me but I didn't even stop to look.

I need Ichigo.

He reached for my other hand and held it tightly with a smile.

"Thank you. Welcome home." he said.

It is now my turn to smile. I closed my eyes and sighed, willing all the pain to go away, then answered.

"Yeah."

xxXoOoXxx

..

"He's fine now. I had to stitch his wound up again, but other than that, he's okay."

D Roy reported. I felt relieved immediately after hearing that. He just got out of Grimmjow's room after fixing Grimmjow's shoulder once more. And while we were waiting, Shawlong told us what happened in Glane. They managed to retrieve my parents. Honestly I don't even know how I'm going to thank them. And they also instructed the nearby towns to help bury the other bodies.

I feel sorry because I wasn't able to help them. It should've been me. But I'm afraid that I'll only cause them headache and worry instead.

I was really quiet during that time. Because I was afraid that I won't be able to hold in the tears that are now pooling around my eyes.

"Ichigo, he's looking for you."

I raised my head towards D Roy's direction.

"Is-s it okay to disturb him? He needs to take some rest."

To tell you the truth, I feel really awkward with them. I know that they don't like me, but they're being forced to like me because of Grimmjow. They like him that much.

I saw D Roy smile at me then he sighed. "He said it's important. So just go before he rips his shoulder again."

I heard someone laugh as I stood up and walked towards the room. D Roy opened the door for me and closed it with a soft thud after I got in.

I sighed.

I saw Grimmjow sitting on the side of his bed. His eyes are closed while his elbows rests on his knees. His torso covered with bandages but somehow, this made him look more bad ass. He's holding something. He looked so tired.

"D said you were looking for me?" I said, to get his attention. He sat up and looked at me, a faint grin appeared on his lips before motioning me to sit beside him. But even though he's smiling, I can still see that he's not feeling very well.

I remember his face after he arrived. He looked so sinister, like he's going to eat me alive. But the funny thing is, I was not scared. Not a bit. Even after seeing that. If I'm going to describe how I felt after I saw his erection, it's more like, ummm... I felt a little hot inside. Like something is boiling inside me. And I don't understand why.

I remember Buzz B talked about his first experience with an older girl from another town. If I remember it correctly, how I felt earlier is the same thing that he felt during that time. I just don't understand why I feel this way with Grimmjow though.

I felt myself blush a bit, but I tried my best to hide it, so I looked down. I walked towards him and sat down. My eyes immediately moving towards the clothed item that he's holding. Then I remembered.

I think my eyes grew wide as memories came rushing back in. It was my father's pouch. He found it.

"I think you already know what this is. This is what you asked me to take from the church's altar." Grimmjow said. "But, before I give this to you, I just want to ask something."

I looked at him, still surprised, but curious at the same time. He was looking at me with a frown, but he still continued.

"Ichigo, I want you to tell me why you're here. What are you and your family doing here in Europe?"

It's my turn to frown. I don't really want to answer that question, but since he's asking seriously, and since he went through a lot just for my sake, I think he deserves an answer to his every question.

I looked down once more and sighed.

"My mother's parents are dying. And their only wish is to see my mom. So we moved here but we can't just go home because of some things. So dad said that we'll stay here for a few years."

I tried my best to sound cool. The atmosphere surrounding Grimmjow is already very dense. And me crying will only add fuel to the fire.

Silence engulfed us. And it was deafening. That's why I was a bit surprised when Grimmjow spoke again.

"How about in Japan? Do you remember anything about your life in Japan?" he continued with too much eagerness.

This made me a bit suspicious. I mean, why is he asking me these questions?

And I think he noticed my hesitation. His face suddenly grew softer.

"Listen Ichigo. This is very important that I know about it. Please just trust me on this." He looked very serious. This is my first time seeing him like this. I guess I have no choice.

"We, live in an ordinary house. Quite big I must say compared to my friend's house." I answered still frowning.

"How about your other relatives? You said you have an uncle right? What do you remember about him?"

I looked down once more, trying to recall my past. But it's hard. I can't really remember anything about them... I was too young during that time.

So I shook my head. "I'm sorry Grimm... I can't remember anything. I was too young when we left Japan."

I heard him sigh in defeat. But then, I remembered something.

"Wait!" I said with enough enthusiasm. "My uncle, I remember him. He's uhh... very young and scary. And I remember me and my father visiting him in his office before we left for France. I think he's quite rich because he lives in a very big house. That's what I thought during that time." I narrated. I think that that information is not a big deal, but I can see that Grimmjow got really serious after hearing me. He looked at the pouch once more, then he opened it to get whatever that's inside and gave it to me.

It's a medallion.

I accepted the medallion thinking about why it looked so familiar to me. Specially the yellow circle that's decorated with 16 petals. Then I gasped.

Petals. How did I even know that these are petals?

I ran my finger on it, trying to remember the connection.

"Mom, what do I have on my back?" I asked my mom as I try my best to look at the image on the base of my nape in front of this huge mirror inside my parent's room.

I heard my mother laugh softly before she approached me, holding a smaller mirror, she made me face the bigger mirror, then placed the smaller one behind me. Then I saw it.

"This is a flower Ichigo. It's a Chrysanthemum." she answered with a smiling face.

I frowned. "A flower? But why do I have a flower on my back? Isn't it girly?"

"Girly?" My mom mimicked sounding really surprised. "No Ichigo. This flower signifies your father's bloodline. This flower means you're special." She answered while lowering her mirror and making me wear my shirt.

I tried to look at the image again, but it's now covered by my shirt. Whoever put that mark there made sure that it won't be seen easily.

"Ichigo. Just promise me, that you won't show this symbol to anyone." My mother continued. This time her voice sounded very serious. "Someday, people would appear and they will want to kill you because of this symbol." I was surprised because of what I heard. Then panic kicked in.

"Then why would you allow this mark to be put on me in that case?" She smiled again, a very pained smile.

"Because this is your destiny my love. I know, it's hard to understand for now. You are still very young. But someday, I hope that you would. No, I'm sure that you would."

The tears that I tried so hard to hide fell without any hint of stopping anytime soon. That memory of my mother came flowing in like a river. It's very clear, as if it just happened yesterday even though I was only 8 years old during that time if I remember it correctly. I held the medallion using both of my hands as if it's the most important thing. And Grimmjow, he just sat there, looking at me, and running his hand on my back as if saying that he's here. He's just right here.

"I-It's the same..."

I mumbled, then I looked at Grimmjow.

"It's the same Grimmjow... I don't understand why..." Grimmjow's eyebrows were furrowed in an attempt to understand what I was trying to say. I wiped my tears and stood up to take off my shirt and show him what I was talking about. I showed him my back. I know that I promised my mom that I won't show this mark to anyone, but Grimmjow is different. I know.

I turned my back on him. And for a few moments, I stood there, trying to relax myself and willing my tears to stop. Then I heard him sighed.

"Ichigo." I heard him whisper. There's too much urgency on his voice that I had to face him again. He just looked at me for a few seconds then he helped me wear my shirt and made me sit beside him again.

"Ichigo." he said again after a few moments of silence. He gave me the medallion and sighed, then returned to his original position when I came in here. It seems like he's having an internal war right now within his head. It seems like he doesn't want me to know. But I want him to tell me everything. I just don't know how I'm going to convince him so, I frowned and looked at the medallion once more. Trying to memorize every detail of it.

Then I heard him sigh once again but this time, when I looked at him, I can say that he already made a decision. His face is firm. Handsome of course. Wait, I shouldn't have said that.

"Ichigo, that thing that you're holding now, is the Japanese Imperial Crest. Do you have any idea why your father has that?"

I furrowed my eyebrows, thinking. Then I shook my head after a few seconds. I really have no idea on why my father has this. Or why they had that tattooed on my bac-

Wait a minute. Did he mentioned about the Japanese Empire?

There's no way they would get that symbol tattooed on me unless...

My eyes grew wide, then I looked at Grimmjow. His eyebrows were furrowed as he watch me figure out whatever that's happening.

"Yes Ichigo. I think that you're a member of the Japanese Imperial Family." he said in a very low tone with a very serious face. I returned my eyes on the Imperial Crest. Then, as if to confirm what he just said, I felt something on the back of the crest. I turned it over and saw my name engraved on it.

No way.

つづく

For those who wants to see how Ichigo's crest look like, please check out the Order of the Chrysanthemum crest.

Ichigo's tattoo is the Japanese Imperial Seal

Thank you very much, and again, please forgive my grammar and spelling mistakes.

-Rei