Morning sunlight filtered though the rotten slats, held together by sheer willpower at this point, of the shack you had sought shelter in from the storm in the night before. The harsh light burned through the closed eyes of Grimmjow, awakening him rudely from the most refreshing sleep he had had in recent memory. Grumbling under his breath he screwed his eyes shut tighter, defiantly unwilling to let the sun dictate when he should wake.

Despite his efforts, sleep evaded him, senses rushing an onslaught of smells and sensations into his consciousness. His own scent was overpowering, lingering on the soft flesh he had caged in his arms. Cracking his eyes open he was met with his own teeth marks, angrily prominent on the back of your neck. The night rushed back to him with nauseating speed.

The taste of your blood as he sunk his teeth into your pathetically weak skin. You moaning like a bitch in heat as he fucked into your vice like cunt. The pride he felt having a willing bitch to rut into. He felt strong and in control, the undercurrent of his rutting desire was subdued, finally sated enough to not feel like clawing his own skin off.

You moaned in your sleep, nuzzling deeper into the pillow under your head. Grimmjow snatched his arm away from you as though you had caught fire, glaring into the back of your head. His cock had come free during the night, knot deflated. No longer attached to you, Grimmjow crawled from your nest in search of his clothes.

Locating them easily, his eyes kept darting to you as he covered up. The nest was pitiful, worn and dirtied by other men. Grimmjow sneered at the thought, turning to leave the hut to hunt. Humans were disgusting. The state of the nest niggled in the back of his mind, rooting deeply, stopping Grimmjow when he reached the door, pulling his eyes back to it. A growl rumbled in his chest, teeth flashing in a sneer, annoyed with how the nest looked, annoyed that he was bothered by it.

Grimmjow quietly stalked around the room, feet of a hunter not disturbing the smallest of stones scattered around. Grimmjow gathered up the discarded clothing that held your scent, along with the pillow left on the floor where he originally stayed. Meticulously he placed them around your sleeping form, building a barrier around you. It wasn't enough, the alpha sneered. Adding your backpack and some rags he found in a chest near the window, Grimmjow debated going outside do find some greenery to pad up the nest when you rolled to your back in your sleep.

Grimmjow stood above you, taking in your appearance. You looked like shit. Your fur was tangled and knotty, fanned out around you. Dangerous. It would be easy to grab onto in a fight, easy to yank it back and expose your throat, ripe for slitting. Your face was clammy and flushed. You looked sickly. Grimmjow knelt besides the nest, leaning in to sniff at your exposed neck

Grimmjow's own scent was heavy around you, dominating your own salty sweet smell. You didn't smell like infection, which was a relief. Only because he didn't know the way to where the shinigami live. He didn't care if you were sick. His keen eyes spotted two more of his marks on your skin, purpling on your otherwise milky complexion. The one marking your tit was particularly drawing his eye.

With a disgusted huff, Grimmjow determinedly stalked out of the cabin, letting the door swing shut behind him. He took a lung full of the crisp air brought on after a storm, clearing his senses from your lingering scent. He could taste the damp moss and earthy soil in the air, hear the ruffling of feathers and swaying of creaking overhead branches. He felt a tingle in the air to the right, head snapping in that direction. He caught the subtle aroma of a hollow caught in the breeze. Bearing his fangs, Grimmjow gave chase, following the scent easily.

You woke up slowly, body heavy with tiredness, your aching muscles protested as you started to stretch out your tense limbs. A sharp burst of pain between your legs had you gasping. Hissing around clenched teeth you held still, taking stock of your body. You felt weak, limbs sluggish and heavy. Muscles felt tense and tight. Your throat was painfully dry, you tried to swallow and was rewarded with a dry scratchy feel. Your neck throbbed, a pulsating heat reminding you of the vicious bites you endured from that animal.

What had you gasping however, was the pain radiating between your legs. It felt bruised, swollen and uncomfortable. You couldn't remember ever feeling this drained the morning after the night before. Moving slowly, you attempted to sit up, wincing at the shooting burn travelling through you. Head hung down, you closed your eyes waiting for the ache to ebb away.

Feeling as though this was as much relief as you would get, you opened your eyes, only to cock your head confused. What the hell? Littered around you on the bed were your ruined clothing and back pack. Curiously you picked up a rag, inspecting it. It wasn't yours. Grimmjow must have found it. Why he had arranged them around you in the bed though was a mystery.

Grimmjow.

You looked around the small cabin, easily concluding he wasn't there. The fire had long since snuffed out, not helpful in any way to indicate when Grimmjow may have left. Sighing you pinched the bridge of your nose. It could be hours before he returned, if ever. You wouldn't put it past him to make his own way back to soul society without telling you. You may as well get up and ready to leave in case he did come back.

Gingerly you manoeuvred your legs over the side of the bed, lowly groaning through your discomfort. Twisting to grab your bag, you rummaged through it, looking for your shinigami uniform, silently rejoicing in the Knowledge that it would be hung loose on your aching body. You pulled on as much of the uniform you could while sitting, dreading when you'd eventually have to stand

Deciding not to dwell on it, you shakily rose to your feet, grimacing at the pain. Uniform fitted securely, you take small tentative steps towards the cabin door in search of your unhinged companion. A painful throb jolted through you at every step, fatigue making itself known in your abused body. You were panting when you reached the door, sweating from the effort it took. You had not considered feeling this pitiful when you had agreed to help Grimmjow out last night. While it was an experience, you we're thankful it was a one time deal

Outside held no more clues as to where Grimmjow was than inside the cabin did. The worn in path on the Forrest floor seemed like a logical direction to follow. Forcing yourself onwards, you shuffle slowly, scanning the lush green area for a hint of blue

"Grimmjow!" You call out into the quiet, pausing to await a reply. When none came you shuffled further along the path. The sun felt nice on your skin, the black of your clothing sucked up the heat, resting it on your sore muscles. You call out again, letting a surprised yelp when your foot caught in as tree breach, the grassy flooring racing up to meet you

"Grimm-ahh!"

A muscle riddled arm darted out to catch you as you fell, saving you from a heavy impact with the ground. You look up to your would be saviour, about to give thanks when he growled at you

"watch where your fucking going"

You quickly concluded two things. The first being that sex did nothing to improve the Espadas bed side manor, the second is how little his rutting season effected his personality, because even after having sex, he was still an asshole. You were too tired and achy to engage in an argument though.

You leaned heavily on his arm to straighten yourself up. Once you let him go, Grimmjow removed his arm as though you burned him.

"where did you go?" You ask, stalling for time to catch your breath. Grimmjow folded his arms over his chest, glaring out into the trees over your shoulder

"hunting"

Reasonable, you yourself were famished after last night's activities. You were pretty sure you had some more preservatives hidden in the bottom of your bag. They'll suffice until you made it back home. There was still a long days journey ahead, the inn you were originally planning to spend the night was about three hours away, soul society another four beyond that. While normally you could use flash step to take you a good portion, your lack of energy and the throbbing pain wouldn't get you far, only succeeding in draining you further, prolonging your walk.

Seven hours walking with a grumpy Grimmjow. What did you do to deserve this? If you wanted to make it back before nightfall, you had better leave in the next hour. You made to head back to the shack, talking to Grimmjow over your shoulder "we've got a long walk ahead of us, we should start getting ready to leave" You could feel his presence behind you, the only thing letting you know he was following you. His footsteps were eerily silent, walking over the same rubbled path as you were, yet even when straining you couldn't hear the slightest disturbance under his feet. He truly was frightening.

A slightly bigger stride than you should have attempted made you stop suddenly, gasping loudly at the ripping pain jolting up you. In an instant Grimmjow was in front of you, hovering closely.

"you hurt?" He asked you, leaning in to sniff around your neck. "What happened?"

"Im fine Grimmjow," you grunt through clenched teeth. You were throbbing between your legs, sharp prickling pain felt hot inside you. "I'm just sore" You watched as Grimmjow sniffed around you, fascinated by the strange response to your pain. "We really need to... HEY!"

Grimmjow had fallen to his knees mid sentence, sticking his face into your clothed privates and inhaling deeply. The harsh smack across his face you delivered in a knee jerk response rebounded through the trees, echoing deafeningly. The loud animalistic roar he offered in return silenced the sounds of the Forrest, woodland animals ceasing all chatter at the predatory warning.

"what the hell are you doing!?" You demanded outraged, shuffling back a few paces. Grimmjow sprang to his feet, advancing angrily. You could see a vein protruding down the side of his neck, throbbing with hostility

"smack me again woman, and I'll rip off your goddamn arm!"

"you're angry at me?! What the hell are you doing sticking your head between my legs!" You shoved him back a few steps, own anger flaring. You were absolutely flabbergasted at the way he twisted the situation, damn neanderthal.

"checking for infection! The fuck do you think I was doing?!" He snarled back at you, fists clenched at his side, shaking with the desire to reach out and hit you. That would be the last time he would be helping you. In fact, he hoped you did get an infection. Let your cunt fall off for all he cared.

"You.. you can do that?" Surprise calmed your tone, genuinely interested in the unheard of talent. He was a hollow, panther hollow at that. If you took the time to think about it, he had already displayed a few animalistic traits. It wasn't outside the realm of possibility for him to be able to sniff out an infection. A little warning next time would've been nice though.

"Ya can't?" Grimmjow also appeared to be genuinely curious, rage falling off his face as quick as it had appeared. "How you shinigami are still alive is fucking beyond me." Well. That was a short lived reprieve of his anger. "Fucking weak, all of ya"

If he could get a handle on his explosive temper, he would make a great asset to the fourth. He would save loads of time sniffing out an infection instead of waiting for labs to run tests. The idea almost made you chuckle. This brute had zero bedside manners. He would scare off more injured than he helped. Though, if anyone could tame the wild beast, you'd bet good money on Captain Unohana. The woman was terrifying. Most, if not all of the other captains blood ran cold when she gave them that scarily gentle smile. Grimmjow didn't stand a chance.

"So, did you smell any infection?" You asked as he turned his back on you, heading towards the shack. It wasn't the most ideal diagnosis, but out here in the middle of nowhere, you'd rather that than nothing. Grimmjow raised his arms, crossing them behind his head languidly

"Nah," that was a relief. You hadn't packed anything for that. A hot soak was all you needed, and that could wait until you arrived home "ya just reek of my seed"

Your steps falter at the new information, staring at the back of his head at his brazen remark, spoken as easily as though he had mentioned the weather. The man literally had no filter.

"Charming" you utter, hurrying to catch up with him. That bath couldn't come quick enough.

Grimmjow trailed behind you in the aggravatingly slow pace you had set, steadily getting more irritated at the slow ass walk you were blindly leading him on. The trees that littered the dusty path looked the exact same as the hundreds of trees you had already passed in the last three fucking hours. He was bored, his body vibrated with pent up energy, straining his muscles uncomfortably. He needed to run, to fight. Not be led around by this fragile woman on some sight seeing walk.

Maybe that spiky headed Captain would be up for a fight when he got back? Him or that annoying furless guy that always hung around him. Ikku or something. Grimmjow rolled his eyes, there were too many shinigami, the place was infested with them. He couldn't remember any of their damn names either, not that he cared to. Weak sounding names the lot of them. Like that drunk commander guy, he had a fruity name , Sue something. Was told it had ment spring water, not that he had asked.

"How much fucking longer woman" Grimmjow growled at your back, the snarky way he addressed you had your teeth itching. The sun was still high in the sky, you estimated you had only been travelling for about two hours, though you hadn't covered as much ground as you would've liked.

"About fifteen minutes less than the last time you asked, Grimmjow" the sarcastic retort maybe not your finest moment, but you were tired and aching, and the Espada was getting on your last nerves with his moronic complaining. You recognised your surroundings now at least, you knew the inn you were originally planning to stay at was about half an hour away. From there it was a pretty much straight shot to the West White Road Gate entrance to Seireitei, just out side of the elevenths division territory.

Grimmjow huffed at your response, eyes unknowingly dropping to your ass. He was momentarily mesmerised by the way your ass bounced, transfixed on the hypnotic sway of your hips with every step you took. A strong gust of wind picked up, snapping Grimmjow out of his staring as your scent washed over him. He instinctively rumbled at the smell, mouth rushing with saliva. The instinctive reaction made him stiffen, sending him into a fit of rage

"HOW MUCH FUCKING LONGER?!"

He needed to get away from you. It was a mistake, using your body during his rutting season. He could feel your warmth in the air, your taste on his tongue. It was making him weak, pathetic. Damn body betraying him, overtaken with his rutting instincts. That fucking mark on the back of your neck a flashing beacon, drawing him back in.

You stop and turn, startled by his outburst. He wasn't the friendliest of fellows, but that was a little excessive even for him. "What the hell is wrong with you?" You ask rhetorically but with a soft tone, confused by his sudden aggressiveness. He looked murderous, fists clenching at his sides, teeth grinding together behind his clenched jaw "the inn is about half an hour away, when we reach there, I'll direct you which way to go. You can head back by yourself if you want to get back quicker, okay? "

He begrudgingly met your eye, breathing heavily through his nose. He tilted his chin up, unspoken command to get moving. He waited until you were a safe distance away before following. Your smell no longer clouding his reasoning, your words started to register. You wanted him to go back without you? An unusual amount of concern flooded him at the idea of you walking back alone, unprotected.

Grimmjow sneered at the intrusive thought. Damn rutting season messing with his instincts, what did he care if you were unprotected. The alpha in him growled, He couldn't let you be harmed. Mine. Catching himself staring at your ass again, Grimmjow rubbed a large hand down his face, what the hell was wrong with him? He felt like he was going insane.

"Alright Grimmjow". You turned to face him. Thankfully the last stretch of your journey went smoothly, as smoothly as it could go being in the company of that unpredictable heathen. The inn was just to your right, a quaint little building surrounded by trees, flowers decorated the dusty path leading up to the door. Much more pleasing to the eye than the shack you had stayed in the pervious night, the walls actually seemed sturdy on this building. "the gate near the eleventh is that way". You directed his eye line with your hand, "it's a straight shot from here, don't deviate from the path and you'll get there in a couple hours"

Grimmjow had his arms crossed over his wide chest, pointedly making show of refusing to look you in eye. He was, at least, following the direction you were pointing in. He had good instincts, you were confident he would make it back easily. You would follow on in the morning, hopefully feeling much better. You would report to the captain commander, your captain, and return home. You missed your bed.

"It shouldn't take you more than a few hours, especially if you use flash step for part of the way" You felt awkward now, prolonging your parting needlessly.

"Sonido"

"I'm sorry?" You honestly hadn't expected him to say anything, least of all a word you didn't have knowledge on. Grimmjow rolled his eyes, tutting annoyed at having to explain everything to you. How stupid could one shinigami be?

"Sonido. Espada don't use that weak ass flash step"

"Right... well anyway. It shouldn't take you too long." His eyes flashed dangerously at your flippant disregard of his explanation, baring his teeth slightly. "I'll check in with the Captain commander tomorrow, repot in about our mission" you throw a half hearted wave over your shoulder, heading up the path to the inn you were praying had availability. You were in desperate need of a hot bath, full dinner and sleep on a bed that didn't have questionable stains.

Grimmjow followed your movements with his eyes momentarily, before angrily setting off on his own powerful march down the opposite road. He stared deliberately ahead, refusing to look back. His breathing was heavy, eye brows furrowed in unexplained anger. Useless fucking woman. Glad to rid of her. He was better on his own, faster, stronger. Nothing weighing him down, that's how he preferred it. A tight clenching around his chest had him stopping in his stride, as though a thick invisible band wrapped itself around his chest and pulled him to a stop.

What if something did happen to you. Surly he would get the blame, easy to blame the arrancar. That would probably mean more of these irritating missions, having to prove himself, again. He would get an earful of that hat wearing weirdo, he was the one who pushed so hard to get Grimmjow a place here in soul society after all. With a huff he begun walking back towards the inn, tightness around his chest loosening as he spotted you, slowly beginning your walk up the few steps that lead to the door

No, what the fuck was he doing?!. Grimmjow growled, forcing himself to turn back around, start running down the path the led back to the shinigamis territory. What the fuck was wrong with him. He couldn't give two fucks if you died out here, one less shinigami polluting the area. If you got hurt, that was on you. Too damn weak to look after yourself. Survival of the fittest. Only the strongest made it. That's why Grimmjow was still around, the only Espada to have survived Aizen, the shinigami, those freaks with the arrows. Grimmjow was a king, didn't need no one.

His feet skidded across the ashy path at his abrupt halt in his run, dust billowing up in a murky cloud. He looked back again, some hidden force prickling in the back of his mind, demanding he get you in his sights. You weren't there, and his stomach felt cold and heavy. With a frustrated growl, Grimmjow screamed up to the sky, a flock of frightened birds fluttering manically out of the tree at the primal sound.

"Fucking god damn it!"

"Welcome to the Lotus Inn!How may I help you?" A small woman greeted you from behind a large dark oak desk, smiling welcomingly at you as you neared the counter.

"Good afternoon, I apologise for the short notice, but was hoping you had availability for one night?" You ask, crossing your fingers out of sight. If they didn't, you'd have to suck it up and walk back to soul society, the next inn you knew about was too close to home to be worth staying in, this was your only hope for today

"You're in luck, we actually have one room left" You let out a relived sigh, muscles already beginning to relax at the promise of a good night sleep. The woman rummaged about the desk, looking for the correct key and paperwork "It's a small room, with a small double futon, but it has access to a decking with a private outdoors hot bath, will that be acceptable for you and your companion? "

Companion? You look behind your shoulder confused, startled to see Grimmjow looking murderous behind you, jaw tight and arms crossed tightly over his chest. You sent him an inquisitive look, head tilting to the side. Grimmjow ignored you, turning to stare at the wall defiantly, seething at his own pathetic decision to return.

"Yes, that's perfect, thank you" you turn back to the Inn worker, smiling pleasantly to make up for your rough tag along. "If you could please send the bill directly to the Captain Commander? He will be taking care of all of our expenses this evening". That was what he used to bribe you into taking this job in the first place, you hadn't yet taken advantage of it, not usually the one to accept gifts or hand outs. Another night stuck with Grimmjow, however, yeah. The captain can pay for the privilege. You might even order a bottle of sake to go with your dinner too, toast to your generous beneficiary this evening.

"Absolutely. If you would like to follow me, I'll show you to your room"

The room was more spacious than you had anticipated, or you were just overjoyed with the difference in size compared to the trapper shack that you imagined the space to be larger than it was. Clean floors, a soft fuzzy rug warmed your feet. There was a small table surrounded by plump pillows to sit on. You appreciated the art work on the walls as the worker quickly and efficiently made up the bed for the evening.

Clean white sheets. A blanket that looked fat with feathers, surly to be cosy this evening. Lanterns were lit, and the large sliding door was opened to reveal the small decking. Two wooden chairs pointed outwards, allowing a view of the rolling fields just over the privacy hedge. Down three wooden steps was a large circular tub, bubbling frantically with steaming hot water. Separated by a wooden panel, that you assumed hid a shower.

Once the woman had left you to your privacy, Grimmjow gruffly announced he was going hunting, leaving you alone in the room without a second glance. You had so many plans. You were going to shower, curl up in one of the outside chairs and read the book you had brought with you, followed by a snack to strive off hunger until your evening meal.

The bed was too inviting, however. Laying down your stretched out your muscles, sinking into the soft padding. It felt heavenly, softly moulding around your body, cradling you perfectly. Just ten minutes you told yourself before falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.