In two days, he gave up. He'd scoured ever resource he knew on the streets and online. He checked his watch and saw that he was down to twenty hours.

He scrubbed his face, changed his clothes, and walked to Aizen's building.

Stark half smiled when he greeted him.

"Don't," Grimmjow warned. "This is business, that's all."

"I'll send you straight up then."

"No." He nodded to a corner away from the main crowd in the lobby. Stark followed him.

"What's up?"

"I need to know what happened to the girl I was with that night."

"One of the show girls?"

"Yeah. I mean did you kill them? Did you let them go?"

Starks eyes shifted back to the elevators. Grimmjow knew what he was going to say before it came out of his mouth.

"The boss will have to discuss it with you,"

"No, I don't want to talk to him," Grimmjow insisted. "Can't you tell me?"

"Sorry kid, I'll send you up."

He scowled the whole way from lobby to penthouse. He stood in the open elevator for a long time before he managed to make himself cross the threshold onto the landing. He let security pat him down, take his phone and his wallet and escort him to the door. He was ticked when he saw plainly that Aizen had been waiting for him. Stark must have called ahead.

"Back so soon?"

"It's not like that," Grimmjow growled. "I uh…" fuck, how could he say this without sounding pathetic? "I need to know something."

"You need my help," Aizen corrected at once.

Grimmjow sighed. "Yeah."

"Well come inside then."

Grimmjow stepped in but didn't budge from the door. He knew it was pointless, but it at least made him feel like he still had a way out. Aizen didn't remark on it. Instead he stepped back and gave Grimmjow a once over, eyeing the bruising on his face.

"Who is it?"

"No one big."

"You're in trouble?"

"They want to know where that girl is—the one I went to see the other night before you smoked us out. All I need to know is where she is. Then I'm gone."

Aizen considered him. "Interesting."

Grimmjow didn't find anything about it interesting. He scowled deeper and just said, "So is she dead? I mean, did you off her?"

"Certainly not."

"Then did you take her?"

"Grimmjow?"

"Yes?"

"If you're looking for such information, I should warn you, there is a price"

Grimmjow squeezed his eyes shut. "What price?"

"I think you know."

"Fuck you." Grimmjow turned but the steel voice caught him.

"I was too rough last time, I'll admit. For information on the girl, all I'll ask is for you to suck my cock."

Grimmjow went rigid but he didn't speak. He knew there was more so he listened.

"For me to get rid of the assholes who did that to your face—well, I think you know the price for that."

"Too right I do. I ain't whoring myself out. Later."

"Grimmjow."

"What?"

"We didn't kill her. But we didn't take her either."

At this, the delinquent turned back. "Then where is she?"

"I have no idea, but I have the resources that can find out."

"You can search for her?"

"Of course—if you pay me, that is."

Grimmjow shook his head. "You're a dick."

Aizen didn't take offense, he just waited. Grimmjow was clearly weighing his options, but his eyes ended up traveling down Aizen's body to the organ in question. He shook himself, remembering the sight and feel of it last time.

"No deal." He opened the door behind him.

"Well the offer stands, if you have no luck on your own."

Grimmjow slammed the door shut at his back but didn't move further. He himself didn't have the resources he needed to do this. And if the people who actually knew the girl couldn't find her themselves, then he really had no chance. On the other hand, what could Aizen find in 20 hours? He would likely have to face off with these assholes no matter what so he'd save what was left of his pride and prepare for the fight that awaited him.

He hesitated another moment but his mind was made up. He left the building again, sure Aizen watched him the whole way.

He returned to his place. Fuck those assholes who'd attacked him. He hadn't done anything wrong—he'd held up his end of the deal. He should be done with them. In fact, he had every right to get back at them for messing up his place and his face. Since he wasn't reneging on a deal, him hurting them back should have no negative impact on his street credit. If anything it would let others know not to mess with him.

So instead of researching the girl, he turned his attention to preparing for his next meeting with the people who'd hired him. When they came for him, he'd be ready.

It was four in the afternoon when they came. They busted his door—again. He cursed but held his ground as they came in, guns already drawn. It was the same three from last time.

"Where is she?"

"Well she ain't here."

"Don't fuck around."

"Fine. I don't know where she is. None of this has anything to do with me. You hired me to give her a message, I did. I ain't a detective."

"You were supposed to get the information out of Aizen."

"He doesn't have her. I asked."

"The fuck he doesn't." They took a step.

Grimmjow raised a hand. "I wouldn't."

The men stopped, looking the floor boards over, then the ceiling. They saw nothing, save the smile on Grimmjow's face.

"What?"

"Nothing. I just wouldn't."

"We can still shoot you, asshole."

"I wouldn't do that either."

"What the fuck?"

"The spark," Grimmjow explained. "It would set off the gas."

"What gas?"

"The gas I turned on downstairs just before you got here. You did notice this was a restaurant, right? And see how shitty the floorboards are? Easy for that gas to get up here."

"You idiot. You'd blow up your own place?"

"Well, it won't blow up unless you want to die."

"GAH!" They were enraged, but none of them seemed willing to fire.

This was what Grimmjow had found out when asking around about these three as he prepared for them. They were fucking idiots.

"Then we'll fuckin' beat it out of you."

"I'm telling you, I don't know anything about the girl. But if you're set on a fight, I'll give you one."

They'd caught him off guard last time. This time, he'd show them how he'd survived the streets since he was fourteen years old.

"Get him."

Two came at him. One went down within seconds. Grimmjow was fast, flexible and fearless. He kicked the coffee table straight into their legs and swung as they fell. One tumbled and rolled to the floor on Grimmjow's left. He smoked him in the side of his boot with his foot. He was out.

The next grabbed his arm and twisted. Grimmjow rolled with the move and caught the man in the chin with his elbow. His head snapped back and Grimmjow wrestled out of his grip, throwing a foot back into the man's knee cap. He hollered and collapsed.

By now the last had pulled out a lengthy knife and made his move. He cut though Grimmjow's jacket but didn't hit flesh. Grimmjow spun away to give himself a second to calculate. It took him no time to see his out. The man was panicked and held his blade out defensively. Grimmjow waited. The man waited. Then he lunged.

It was simple, really. The moment he extended his hand, Grimmjow kicked straight up into his fist. Hand and knife flew back and the man hollered in pain, probably still trying to figure out what happened when he clutched his torn ear. The blade had cut clean through the top of it. He wouldn't recover that. It could have been worse though, it could have been his eye.

Grimmjow picked up the fallen knife, then proceeded to retrieve their guns. When he had them all, he cocked one and pointed at the bleeding man.

"You can't shoot."

"Of course I fucking can. I'm not an idiot. There isn't really gas in here."

"You bastard."

"Careful, it's this bastard who gets to decide if you live or die."

Now this was the part Grimmjow hadn't yet decided on. He'd been confident he could stop the three. He wasn't confident he could kill them and get away with it.

He avoided killing whenever possible. For one thing, as tough as he'd had to become, he still didn't like ending someone unless they really, truly deserved it. These guys were just idiots, chasing their tails like lost dogs. He still didn't know why they were so intent on retrieving the girl but he did know they were small timers and not very bright. He also had to consider the fact they were in his home and even if it wasn't his legally, it would be easy for police to pin three murders that took place in here back on him if something were to go wrong. Dealing with bodies wasn't his thing. He knew how to clean up, of course, but he'd only done it once, and he didn't really want to have to do it again.

So he made his choice.

"Get the fuck up." He motioned with the gun. "Grab your boy."

The one-eared man rose shakily. His companion was coming around and he dragged him up. The other was struggling to put weight on his knee.

"Now listen—I could kill you, you hear? But I ain't gonna. I'm gonna let you walk so you can tell your boss I don't know shit about this girl. And I don't have connections with Aizen. You tell him that, okay? And you leave me the fuck alone from now on."

He got no answer. Pride wouldn't let the man agree but their eyes met and it was understood.

They left.

Grimmjow tucked the gun into his back pocket and grinned.

"Fuck I'm good."

"The little shit's a fuckin' ninja," Stark laughed as he reviewed the surveillance footage with his boss. Aizen watched on, unfazed but the slightest touch of a smile on his lips.

"He is rather agile."

Stark's eyebrow arched. "I take it you aren't done with him."

"Stark, I haven't even started. Besides, he thinks he's won but he's just started something much bigger."

"He should have killed them, then."

"No. That would have sparked the same reaction in their boss. He made the right choice, but if he thinks he's in the clear, then he doesn't know who he's dealing with."

"Mmm." Stark nodded and looked down at his phone. "Carlin and his crew ain't big, but the kid's out numbered. And he doesn't know that girl was Carlin's sister. Or that Katagiri offed her two days ago when he found out who she was."

"Carlin over played his hand. He should never have tried to spy on Katagiri, least of all with his sister. He's next and he doesn't even know it 'cause he's too busy chasing after her."

"Fuck. And this kid's got himself smack dab in the middle of it all. He's either gonna get off Scott free when Katagiri takes out Carlin or he's gonna end up getting caught right in the middle of it all. Safest bet would be to bring him in."

"It would be. Go get him."

"Yes sir."

Grimmjow didn't know anything about the dead girl, Carlin or Katagiri. He also didn't know that at the moment Stark was in his apartment, cursing his name and dreading calling Aizen to inform him Grimmjow was nowhere to be found.

Instead of worrying about any of this, Grimmjow was intently staring down the wooden shaft of a pool cue and lining it up between his steady fingers. He tapped the tip against the cue ball. Balls banged and bounced and he grinned when the pocket shook, receiving its weight. Another man cursed but threw down his cash. Grimmjow didn't count it but slid it into his inside pocket.

"Thanks." He returned to the bar and took a drink. No one would have guessed he'd been in a fight for his life just thirty minutes ago. But this was his routine. Find people. Find calm. Stay clear of trouble. He would have to drift around for the next couple of days. He knew better than to just sit in his apartment and wait for retaliation. He'd have to keep an ear to the ground and find out what was up with those shitheads before he knew he'd be safe.

He slowed down when he felt the warmth of the alcohol spreading to his limbs. He needed to remain alert until he found a good spot to lay low. Somewhere he'd never been before. He turned on his phone. He only used it to contact dealers as he had no one else left in this world to call. After coming to life, however, he was shocked to see a message there.

Come to the casino.

"That fucker," he said out loud. How had Aizen gotten his number? He'd never given it to either him or Stark, just his regular customers. He'd have to get rid of this phone now. Shit, that was inconvenient but he didn't want to be traceable. He hastily googled motels nearby, memorized the address and then juked his phone.

He was out the door before he could hear it ring.

Grimmjow slept on the hardest mattress money could buy. He groaned in the morning and spent the day walking by the sleaziest joints he knew, listening for info.

Midnight that night, he got the big news that Katagiri had taken out Carlin. He let out a breath. Well there was his problem solved. He stuck around long enough to hear the details. The girl had been his sister, and undercover to boot. Dumbass move.

He left the rumours behind. It was probably the best thing that could have happened for his sake. He'd be back looking for work tomorrow. He wandered around the rest of the night, just to make sure he was clear, and headed back to his place just as the sun came up.

He sighed, thinking about his broken door. Maybe he'd switch it with one from the restaurant. But that was more work than he felt like doing after a long couple of days.

He had no idea much bigger problems awaited him until he turned a corner and found three men huddled around their car, panting, cursing and panicked.

"It's all fucking gone! The boss! The business! What are we gonna—"

They stopped. Grimmjow stopped. It was the worst luck in the world. Not only had the three from the other night escaped the raid that had ended their organization, but he'd just walked in on them in the midst of their escape plans. In addition, it quickly became clear they did not know just who had executed the attack.

"You fuck!"

He had no ploy this time, no fake gas or preplanned assault. The moment they reached for their guns he bolted back the way he'd come but it only took one shot to stop him.

It cut through his thigh. He already knew it was nothing but a flesh wound when his hands scraped over the gritty sidewalk, but that was little consolation as it gave them time to catch up to him.

"Get the fuck off of me." He wrestled with them. What the hell was the point? They should be running not trying to get revenge on him.

"You fuck, did you go back to Aizen? Was that him?"

"What? It was Katagiri, you idiot!"

"How do you know?"

"Everyone knows by now! You really are dumb as shit, aren't you?"

"Yeah? Well I'm gonna fuckin' kill you, asshole."

He didn't go for his gun. He went for his knife that was still tucked in the back of Grimmjow's pants. "You might not have been responsible for the boss, but you took my fucking ear."

"Technically you did it to yourself."

"AH!" The knife plunged down.

Grimmow screamed.

His eyes bulged wide and though he was restrained by all three, he moved his head enough to look down at his right hand. The man's knife was clean through his palm. Grimmjow's whole body broke out in sweat, trembling from the shock and pain.

The man smiled. "We're gonna do this slow." But then he glanced around, as if just now realizing they were in plain sight. Then he nodded to his companions. "Get in him the car boys. We'll get our revenge on our way out of this fuck hole."

Grimmjow struggled. If they got him in that car it would be over. But they had him. Three against one, his leg was bleeding and his vision blurred from the pain in his hand. He caught the side of the car with the other but the butt of a gun came down on his arm and he let out another cry before they shoved him.

It wasn't until he was half way in the car that he realized just how idiotic these three really were. Sure, they were forcing him into the car, but none of them had gotten in to block his way from the other door. When his panicked mind realized this, he calmed, stopped struggling and toppled into the backseat. The movement sent shivers of electric pain though his hand—in which the knife was still buried—but he simply kept rolling over the seat, grabbed the door handle and vaulted out the other side.

The three men were half stunned by their own mistake, and it took them a moment to catch on and start chasing him. He had to hope that would give him the lead but with the wound in his leg he couldn't run full out.

He heard a shot. It bounced off brick and he made it around a street corner. He saw the water. He was almost home. His best bet would be the restaurant where there was a walk in freezer. It wasn't on of course, but once the heavy door shut he could lock it from the inside—he'd had this back-up plan arranged for quite some time. It wasn't an ideal solution as he would then be trapped, but at the moment it didn't look like he had much other choice.

The next shot took out the window of a parked car ahead of him. These guys were shooting at him in broad daylight when they themselves should have been running for their lives.

He heard their breaths. Shit they'd closed the distance. He saw home but went toppling in the dirt before he could reach it.

"Dammit." He scrambled to get up but someone had his ankle and punched him in the kidney as they dragged him back. He gagged and then screamed when a hand clenched around the knife in his own hand. Someone gave a twist. He saw black and barely even heard his own voice as another pained holler escaped him.

"Hold his fuckin' face."

Someone kicked him in the ribs. He was rolled onto his back. Another was on his stomach pulling a second knife from his belt.

"I'm gonna take your fuckin' eye." Hands steadied his head. He tried to shove the guy off but his left wrist was stomped. Then the other man above him raised his foot and planted it on the knife handle, driving it into the ear and pinning his ruined hand there.

Grimmjow was sure he screamed, but all he felt was the air thin, the lightening pain that rippled through his whole body, and the furious thrumming of his heart. Grimmjow convulsed in agony and could only watch as the knife point came toward his face.

A shot rang through the air. The three stopped, though still restraining Grimmjow.

"Who the fuck are you?"

"Name's Stark, but it ain't me you gotta worry about." The gunmen nodded back over their shoulders.

They all turned slowly back the other way. No one had seen Sosuke Aizen coming. His gun was already on them. They were trapped between the mobster and his right hand.

"Shit." The man straddling Grimmjow swore.

Aizen ignored him and looked to Grimmjow. "The offer still stands, Grimmjow. Though my price has doubled. Two hours each. What will it be?"

Grimmjow stared back at Aizen. His breath was ragged, his hand freezing him with pain. And as much as he hated to admit it, he needed to be saved.

He shut his eyes. "Do it."

Three shots sounded in quick succession. The weight that had been straddling Grimmjow fell to one side.

"Get a move on." He heard Aizen say. Stark was already calling back up. They'd have to clear the body as soon as possible.

Grimmjow took a steadying breath and tried to sit. He went rigid, eyes gluing onto the knife impaling his hand.

"Ah…shit…"

He felt hands around his shoulders. Then he realized what was about to happen when Aizen covered his mouth.

"MMMM!" His scream was muffled but no less powerful when Stark yanked back on the blade and dug it out of Grimmjow's hand and the ground. He stared in shock at his ruined appendage, watching blood pour past the ragged edges of flesh.

He felt like he was going to throw up. Instead though his body sagged. Aizen's hold on him tightened and despite his effort to support himself his head fell back against the lapel of a suit that probably cost more than everything he owned.

His mind was slipping into the dark, but he was surprised by the crease of a frown on Aizen's face when he looked up into it. Instead of that cold, half-mocking expression, he saw what could have been mistaken for concern.

But it had to be a mistake, because Sosuke Aizen couldn't possible give a fuck about him.

His eyes rolled back. The last sensation he felt was that of the crisp, clean suit against his face and a whisper he couldn't understand.

Grimmjow owes Aizen big this time! Much naughtiness ahead!

Please review!

~ZQ