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Warrior	By : NeemaAdaeze Category: Bleach > Yaoi - Male/Male > Grimmjow/Ichigo Views: 6033 -:- Recommendations : 7 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, nor do I profit from it

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
I often wonder if other writers ever have that 'I can't believe I wrote this' feeling whenever they read their own stories. I would have that, especially with the first chapter. I'd be like, "Damn, I wrote this? I don't even remember writing this part!", but it helps to look over them as I write the later chapters. It's great....!
Warrior by Boogermeister
Chapter 11- Fire and Rain- Vulcanalia
Grimmjow kept stepping back around the field, quickly blocking and parrying the unorthodox swings from Ichigo, who kept charging at him. Internally annoyed, he wanted to strike back but the thought of Nel physically abuse him over every little thing popped up and he frowned. But his restraining not to hit back was just as annoying, as Ichigo struck him at the side. "Shit....! Quit it, brat! Stop trying to fight me!" he scowled, stepping away from him. Ichigo, huffing for breath, said nothing as he glared at the Gaul. His grip around the sword tightened before moving forward.
"Hahh!" he gritted, as his raised weapon swung down at him. Grimmjow scoffed and blocked the attack, before pushing the blade away.
"Stop it, this is getting ridiculous!" he scoffed.
"Then fight back!" scowled Ichigo.
"Fuck no!" scoffed Grimmjow, with an angle of his wirst he blocked another attack. Even without any form of experience, he could feel the surprising amount of strength coming from the teen. But he disregarded it as it was just coming from anger. There was no way that Ichigo could have this much power. "I don't care what the reason is but I won't fight you just because you're acting petty!"
"I'm not being petty!" Ichigo scowled angrily, swinging at him again. Grimmjow tried to block and stepped back but stumbled over a tree stump and fell on his back.
"Shit!" he hissed at the pain, but rolled away just in time to dodge an attack. "I'm getting sick of this, brat! I won't do this because of you!" he growled, quickly getting up to his feet.
"No! I'm ordering you as my slave to train me and fight! So do it!" he scowled.
"And why is that!"
"Because I want to use you like you're using me, just like you said!" Grimmjow stiffened from unexpected answer, only to wince when the fake blade struck at his side. "Isn't that right, that I'm just some fucking Roman to you who liked to treat other people like property! You think you're so right!" scowled Ichigo, moving to strike him again. Grimmjow jumped back before countering the next attack, seeing the absolute anger in his eyes. He quickly wondered if the events last night were the reason why Ichigo was being this way, and that he was the cause of it. Scoffing, the Gaul wouldn't believe such a thing. How could he have done wrong to his master if Ichigo's own fate is his fault?
"I'm not gonna fight you for any reason, brat! Just stop it!" he scoffed as he stepped away from him.
"What do you think you're doing, Grimmjow?" demanded Ichigo, when Grimmjow tossed his weapon away.
"I don't want to play this so-called game with you! Just let me go back to the ludus right now, brat!" scoffed Grimmjow as he turned to leave.
"Turn your back on me now, and I'll fucking make sure that you'll never fight in the arena ever again!" Ichigo's incredulous shout made Grimmjow froze in his steps before he turned around with a disbelieving glare on his face.
"But my next fight's tomorrow," he frowned.
"Yet I can forbid you from participating if you dare to disobey me," scowled Ichigo. "I'll take away the only thing that make you happy, Grimmjow. Maybe that way you can do something right for once." Grimmjow narrowed his eyes at him. That was true, being a gladiator was making him happy despite being a slave and the idea of securing the primus was what he wanted. But Ichigo's threat seemed to be legit, as the teen's challenging eyes waited for his next move. "Your choice, Grimmjow, which is going to be?" he questioned.
".... I can't believe this bullshit," scoffed the Gaul, forcing himself to walk back to him. He stopped to stand in front of him and glared down hard at him, but Ichigo stood his ground and glared back. "Why are you doing this? Why do you need to know how to fight?" he questioned.
"I already told you that I don't want to be seen as weak," he frowned. "You've said so yourself that I am a weak master and that you'd never respect me in the state I'm in. I just assumed that if you help me get stronger, you'd do what I say from then on." Grimmjow frowned in surprise, before scoffing. That was only the part of the reason, he believed, but he knew that it was more than what he was saying. But he just shook his head as he walked to to pick up his sword. ".... So you'll take up the offer, Grimmjow?" questioned Ichigo.
"Shit, I have no choice in the matter," grumbled Grimmjow, twirling the weapon in his hand. "Fine.... but if I do this, I get to fight tomorrow, right?"
"Yes.... but I won't be there to watch, however," he muttered, and Grimmjow blinked in surprise. "Tomorrow's match is the same day as the Consualia, another harvest festival. There's a horse race in the Circus Maximus, and I want to go there."
"Are you serious about that?" he scoffed lightly.
"I want to go anyway. Besides, me and my sisters always go there so it's not an option not to miss it."
"Tch, whatever, brat," frowned Grimmjow. "It's not like I'll care whether you're there or not."
"If you say so," muttered Ichigo. "Now, teach me to fight with the sword." Grimmjow frowned but stepped up to him, raising his weapon in preparation.
"If you get hurt, I won't be at fault," he said.
"I'm not worry, since Nel'd beg to differ when we get back," he replied, moving into a defensive position. Both master and slave braced themselves for the true training. Though today was going to be a long hot one at that.
(Blood and Sand)
Wheezing, Ichigo staggered back to sit on one of the tree stumps. The white-hot sun was high, but both he and Grimmjow became exhausted from the intense heat with the Gaul slumped in the grass. He looked at him, seeing that he couldn't move much due to him not eating in the morning, before forcing himself to get up. Grimmjow glanced up when he saw the teen walking past him and frowned lightly. ".... Where are you going?" he frowned as he watched him getting the parcel nearby.
"I'm gonna get some water, we need a break," muttered Ichigo, taking out two clay cups before moving uphill. "I'll be right back...." Grimmjow tiredly sat up and glanced at the partially opened bag. He could see what looked liked food in there, and by the thought of it his stomach suddenly tightened out of hunger. He scooted up to the parcel and reached inside to take out bread. As he ravaged the loaf, his disgruntled mind wandered to the point of what he was doing.
This brat.... he suddenly became harsh and determined than the seemingly naive teen when he first saw him. Again and again, Ichigio tried to befriend him from giving him meat to finding his friend to putting him in many matches as possible, yet he didn't ask to become a slave in the first place. He didn't want to serve under someone when he was the best of his fiercest warrior tribe. And yet he was doing it anyway, and it was to teach Ichigo the skills of the sword. "Fucking shit...." he grumbled, his teeth tearing into the bread as he munched on it.
".... You started eating without me, huh?" Ichigo muttered when he came back, and the Gaul stared hard at him as he walked up to him. He expected for any form of scolding, but the teen simply gave him the cup full of water. "After you finished eating, we'll start back again," muttered Ichigo. He sat down on the grass and rustled inside the bag, before taking out a cut of cooked pork and tossing to Grimmjow. Out of reflex, Grimmjow caught it and chomped it down, but his eyes still fixed on Ichigo. For now, he seemed to be calm down after that angry episode earlier. But he didn't want to believe that the anger towards him was in the right, just because he had left the teen alone over trivial things last night.
Both of them ate silently, not much sound was heard saved for faint chirping of birds flapping in the sky. Ichigo just stared at his lap as he continued eating, completely ignoring the glare from his slave. The same slave who still didn't want to teach him, but had to anyway or be prohibited from fighting again. He didn't expect himself to make such a threat like that.... but the constant indifference from Grimmjow was making him angry, especially from last night. He thought the dramatic events would make the Gaul think about his place, but it was just the same in the end as he berated him even in the fragile state he was in.
".... Are you done yet?" Ichigo questioned after he finished eating, picking up his sword as he stood up. "I want to keep going until the sun sets."
"Tch...." Grimmjow grumbled, getting to his feet now that he was feeling better. Gazing at him, the teen was slightly battered with smudges of dirt on his face and clothes, since he kept holding back. But he was getting annoyed from doing so because of the fact that Ichigo was a Roman and a nobleman at that. The teen couldn't be coming home with blood and bruises all over him. "I don't want to be doing this, brat," he scoffed.
"You don't have a choice in the matter, Grimmjow," reminded Ichigo. Grimmjow scoffed lightly before raising up his sword.
"I told you that I won't guarantee your safety, so what's the point of this--" Grimmjow didn't get a chance to retort, when he reflexively stepped away the sudden strike from his master, and he scowled. "Tch, arrogant brat!" he scoffed as he quickly parried another strike. But his overwhelming strength came out unknowingly, when he pushed him, and Ichigo stumbled to the ground. "Shit! You see, I told you! There's no way you can--"
"Shut up....! I can take it, Grimmjow!" scoffed Ichigo, coughing a little as he got to his knees. But when he glanced up to him, the Gaul blinked in surprise when he noticed a trickle of blood down his chin.
"Shit! You can't be fucking serious with this, brat!" scowled Grimmjow.
"Yes I am! Let's keep going!" he coughed and stumbled to stand up, quickly wiping the blood from his mouth. "Come on, Grimmjow, stop acting so defensive and just teach me how to fight....!" Grimmjow frowned in disbelief, why was the teen so determined about this? It was annoying, and yet.... it felt oddly nostalgic, as if he was once made to teach a youth to use a weapon. He then frowned grimly, at the thought of Diroy being still alive. He wondered if he will ever be found, as his shoulders slumped tiredly.
".... I'll show you what I know back from Gaul, I don't think gladiator fighting's suitable for a Roman like you," he relented. Ichigo frowned lightly but sighed, re-clenching his grip on the hilt of his sword.
"So you're gonna teach me--"
"I said I will show you, I didn't say anything about teaching," scoffed Grimmjow, stalking up to him. "First things first, though.... whatever it is that you're trying to gain outta this, I find it quite annoying," he frowned.
"I'm only gaining what I need to learn, Grimmjow," he muttered quietly. "Now that you mentioned it, I'm interested of what is your style of fighting from your homeland. So.... will you show me, like you said?"
"Tch, might as well, I'm actually getting bored from the Roman fighting skills," grumbled Grimmjow with a shrug. Ichigo nodded in reply, licking away the blood from his cut bottom lip.
"Thanks, Grimmjow...."
Grimmjow frowned in slight confusion at his answer. The teen didn't seem angry anymore, but the Gaul had a feeling that something else was going on in his head. ".... It has to be hold with two hands for a wider swing," he explained, tapping at the wooden blade Ichigo was holding. "You people have shorter swords than our own, I dunno why, but it makes sense to have a long sword. Our weapons are meant to ensure that our prey as well as our enemies are completely skewered. Although the Roman swords are more sharper...." he added disgruntledly, thinking about his scarred abdomen.
"If that's the case, then I'll find a way to ask a blacksmith to see if he can forge such a sword...." Ichigo muttered, and Grimmjow blinked at that. "That is, if you can fare well on tomorrow's game. And if you can keep continuing to help me fight."
".... You keep relying on me, even though I don't want to do this with you," frowned Grimmjow.
"So what? You said that I'm using you even though I wasn't before, but now I am...." frowned Ichigo. "That's what you wanted, right?"
"No, but--"
"But what, Grimmjow? My well-being doesn't really matter to you, so your opinions doesn't matter to me in return," he muttered. "For now, I'm ordering you to do one thing for me, whether you like it or not." His statements bristled Grimmjow in surprise then in annoyance and dismay. The teen was still angry, and at him, but it was getting ridiculous. But he didn't let his words get to him, as he stepped away to get a decent distant between him and Ichigo.
"Whatever your problem is.... I don't give a damn about it," he stubbornly muttered under his breath, narrowing his eyes on Ichigo as he held his weapon with both hands. "You better get ready, brat!" he growled before charging at him. Ichigo stffened a little from the sudden first move, but braced himself.
"Uhn!" he gritted when he parried the strike, nearly faltering from the Gaul's greater strength but attempted to push back. "S-shit....!" he scoffed, before Grimmjow stepped off but moved to strike at him again. He used his sword to block the attack, but the harsh force of it made his knees buckle and the muscles in his arms jolted from the impact.
"Don't say I didn't warn you....!" scowled Grimmjow. Out of nowhere, his leg whipped out to kick him in the side. Ichigo winced from the pain, before another he felt another kick and fell to his knees. "Shit, you naive brat!" he huffed, seeing that Ichigo was hunched over in intense pain as he was holding his side. "You're the one who wanted to do this! But you're stupid enough to think that it'd be that easy, when I've been fighting with a sword since I was a little child! A brat like you would never reach to my level at your age!"
"Sh.... shut up, Grimmjow!" coughed Ichigo, glaring up at the slave. "So the fuck what! I know what you're trying to do, but I wanna keep going!"
"I already told you that if you get hurt then it'd be your fault!" scoffed Grimmjow.
"Just like it's my fault that Ginjou attacked me, right?" he questioned heatedly, and the older man blinked at that. "I stopped you from killing him last night, that's why you're blaming me for everything....! You're the one who's being petty, Grimmjow-- no, you're being the most insensitive jerk I have ever encountered in my entire fucking life!"
"What was that--"
"Shut up, I'm the one talking here!" he shouted angrily as he stood up, and Grimmjow nearly flinched from his tone. "You are truly ungrateful, you don't give a fuck about anything except whether or not you can get your way. Which you shouldn't, by the way, since you're a damn slave! And because of that, you attempting to kill Ginjou-- right in the house of a senator who happens to be his uncle-- was the wrong move! You should be thankful that I stopped it from happening . . . . just so you keep on fighting in the arena, rather than to have you crucified for your selfish actions!"
Grimmjow inhaled sharply, his cyan eyes seemed to glow from his teen master's words but he said nothing. He thought that he had a chance to get at the man who ruined his life. But now that he thought about it more, it made a bit of sense that he would ruin his chance of finding his friend or returning back home. Yet he glared back at him as he clenched his jaw muscles, but Ichigo's glare was just as brazen before huffing. "You finally get it, or do you still think that you want to get things your way?" questioned Ichigo. "Maybe that could happen.... if you're a Roman with a high-class status. But what you are right now is a fucking slave from Gaul. There's no way that someone like you could ever do something like that again. You only got lucky that time.... all because it was 'my fault' that Ginjou tried to hurt me."
"You...." Grimmjow growled lowly but nothing else came out of his mouth, as he couldn't think of anything to debate that. That was what all he was to the Romans, just another slave with little value. Not the warrior nobleman he was known in his village. The brat spoke the truth, and he didn't like it one bit. ".... I'm getting tired of this, I don't wanna keep hearing your prattles about what I should or shouldn't do," he grumbled. But as soon as he glanced away, he didn't react in time to dodge the weapon flying at him.
"Fuck!" he yelled out the moment the sword struck at his head, and he stumbled from the unexpected impact. Pain instantly throbbed in one side of his brain and he felt blood trickling near his hairline. "Fuck! Fucking shit!" he scowled before glaring at Ichigo, who glared back at him. "What the fuck's wrong with you! I can't believe you'd do that!" Ichigo said nothing, as he turned to get the mostly empty parcel. Being ignored was making the Gaul angrier but he didn't try to retort when the teen turned back to him with an impassive expression.
"I think we're done for the day...." muttered Ichigo, walking past him. "Pick up the swords, we'll put them away until after tomorrow."
"What? After what you just did to me, we're just gonna leave?" he scowled angrily.
"Yes, that's right," he replied quietly but anger and annoyance were evident in his tone.
"Fucking shit....!" he growled. But he couldn't dwell on it, as he picked up the sword and gathered the tarp before following after him. "You wanted to get back at me, is that it? Just say it, brat!" he scowled as he stomped after him on the shaky bridge. "All because I hurt your feelings, even though I spoke the truth!"
"The truth is that you're an inconsiderate person who cares only about himself and no one else," Ichigo argued, glaring back at him.
"No, I'm fighting in the arena so I can try to find my friend!"
"Funny, I thought you were doing it for yourself. You mentioned it last night, remember?" questioned Ichigo. At that, Grimmjow almost faltered in his steps but he frowned at him. "If you really care about this friend of yours, then you wouldn't be like this, Grimmjow. Being scornful and hostile against the one who was trying to help you will never get you anywhere with the way you are right now. In fact.... I probably wouldn't be that surprised if you were to lose tomorrow."
Grimmjow felt dumbstruck from his comments, and didn't know what to say about that. He had thought that Ichigo always wanted him to win, but hearing him of himself losing was surprising to say the least. But he frowned in disbelief, following the teen up the hill, as he mulled over his thoughts. He wanted his friend to be found, but he didn't realize it much that he was jeopardizing his goals because of his selfish needs. He could have ruined his chance of seeing Diroy again, as he exhaled heavily.
(Blood and Sand)
The strong smell of fresh corpse and blood-soaked sand lingered, when Grimmjow peered through the iron gate. He was waiting for his turn to come, his fingers tapping lazily on the rusty helmet he was holding. He could hear the crowd roaring from the sight of the fighters killing each other. But he was frowning, mainly because of the fact that his master wasn't out there. Ichigo was proven to be right that he was going to Circus Maximus, a large stadium near the edge of the city that was used for horse-racing, whatever that was. Instead, he was forced to be escorted by none other than Nel, who was overly suspicious over yesterday's events. Like before, Ichigo lied about what happened, saying that Grimmjow was at the ludus. It was hard to believe when the teen winced from the abdominal bruises caused by Grimmjow but the woman accepted it nonetheless.
He growled under his breath, his nose wrinkling slightly in disgust from the smell of dead bodies, which were piled high next to him. The crowd cheered again, now that one opponent had finally fallen in the pool of his own blood. "Finally...." he grumbled. Putting on his helmet, he waited momentarily until the gate had finally opened and he stepped out into the small arena.
"Yeah, Bestia....! Bestia! Bestia! Bestia....!" cheered the rowdy crowd and Grimmjow glared around. His eyes finally settled on the woman within the first few rows, it was easy to see her with the pale blue shawl covering her hair and her narrowed eyes staring back at him. It was obvious that she didn't want to be here, but nothing can be done about it as Grimmjow turned his attention to his opponent who was coming out. He noticed that he was holding a trident and a net made of woven strips of leather. The Gaul frowned, remembering that Renji fought this type of fighter before, called the Retiarius. He was told that they are popular to the public, but they were rather ridiculed within the gladiator world, as they looked like fishermen due to their weapons of choice.
"But don't underestimate them, Gaul.... there are times when they impale their opponents with those tridents," Renji had told him one time. "You'll die quickly if you get caught in those nets, so try to avoid it as much as you can."
"Tch...." Grimmjow scoffed under his breath. "I better win this fight...." The Retiarius chuckled under his masked helmet, whipping his net around as he glared at the blunet.
"Ready to die, you fucking Gaul?" he chuckled.
"Hopefully not by your little net, little girl," sneered Grimmjow, gripping his sword tightly. Almost instantly, he charged at him, and just as instantly he dodged aside when his opponent attempted to toss the net at him. Without a shield, the other fight was practically wide-opened, but he had to dodge again when the trident attempted to jab at him. He glared at him as he quickly paced around him. The Retiarius was not that different than a Hoplomachus, but this type of fighter seemingly moved faster as he quickly whipped around in an attempt to slash at him.
"Shit....!" he gritted, blocking the strike with his shield. The Retiarius retaliated with another toss of the net and Grimmjow was nearly caught. But the net was somehow wrapped around his right arm, and Grimmjow scowled at the knotted ropes stuck around his sword. "Damn it....!" he growled.
He quickly jumped away when the trident thrusted at his face, the sharp prongs centimeters away from nicking his cheek. He couldn't let himself get distracted but with the net tangled on his arm, he had to act fast as he jumped away to gain distance. Tossing away his shield, he yanked at the knotted leather around his blade. It seemed to be working, as the ropes were snapping away, but his opponent charged at him and he had to dodge again. He nimbly stumbled to the blood-splattered ground before getting to his knees. The crowd cheered for him when the Gaul yanked at the net again.
This time the ropes loosened from the blade and he shook the net off, just before the Retiarius came at him and swung his weapon down. Grimmjow parried the attack; like the first time he had fought in the arena, his sword splintered against the wooden staff. "You damn fucker....!" he snarled as he pushed him away, and quickly slashed at him. The audience roared loudly at the sight of first blood gushing out of the fighter's stomach.
"Guh! You piece of shit....!" gritted the Retiarius, despite of his mask Grimmjow could see that he was coughing out blood.
"Heh, I really don't wanna kill you, either you surrender the fight or forfeit your life," sneered Grimmjow but his opponent scowled as he stepped forward, though he staggered a little as more blood spewed out.
"You fucking Gaul....!" he scowled, before charging at him. Grimmjow took the attack head-on, knowing that he would easily dodge it, as he then countered with another strike. Another slash at the man caused more blood spewing, this time at the side. The other fighter fell to his knees, gasping for air, as Grimmjow stood behind him.
"Guess you forfeit your life, then...." smirked the Gaul, raising his blade. Under the thunderous roar of the crowd, he stabbed the sword down the Retiarius' back, and the fighter choked out in intense pain. The sword completely penetrated through his torso before Grimmjow took it out, the blood dripped down the blade as the body crumpled to the ground. "Shit...." he panted heavily with a smirk. "See? I knew that brat was wrong...." he grinned when he glanced up at the audience. But his expression faltered in realization.
Only that woman Nel was there among the cheering crowd, though she was frowning at the sight of brutality. He had forgotten that Ichigo wasn't here to see him win, and for some reason.... it didn't feel right. Instead, it felt rather empty. He won, as expected, but the teen's first-time pessimistic comment had left him feeling somewhat neglected. And it didn't feel right, it didn't feel good. It was as if his victory was bittersweet.
Sighing, he walked slouchfully to the barracks, briefly wondering about Ichigo's reasons of not being here.
(Blood and Sand)
The excited roard of the crowd shook Ichigo out of his dozing, the teen blinked before glancing down at the oblong-shaped sandy track. Four chariots pulled by horses fiercely raced around, with the racers dressed in green taking the lead. He sighed tiredly, as much as he enjoyed the game, it couldn't take away the fact that he was missing Grimmjow's fight. Even though he was still bitter with the Gaul's attitude, he wondered whether or not he was okay of not being there. He winced slightly when one of his sisters leaned against his still bruised side and shifted in his seat.
"You're uncomfortable, Karin?" he muttered, patting the black-haired twin on the head.
"No, just hot...." huffed Karin. "Why can't it rain? This is getting ridiculous."
"I know, the gods must be punishing us for whatever reasons," sighed Ichigo. "We could leave if you want, guys.... if the sun's bothering you."
"But the race is not over yet, Ichigo," pouted Yuzu. "I want the guys in red to win....!" Ichigo chuckled a little and nodded, turning his attention back to the race track.
"Fine. But after a few rounds, then we could leave," he nodded. The teen and his sisters were within the rows of the cheering audience, as he glanced at the pulvinus far across the stadium, where only the richer patrons as well as the owners of the horse-racing teams were in there. It was hard to tell, but he could see Aizen among them. But Ginjou wasn't there.... which was fortunate to him. After what had happened a couple of nights ago, he doesn't wish to handle the confrontation from the army commander. He doesn't want to hear the so-called rational reasons of why he had acted like that and attacked him. That man was infamous for his addiction for wine and sex slaves, so it would be incredulous to believe that it wasn't his fault for acting that way.
Back to the track, the players in red gained the lead on the last lap and then won the race, much to the crowd's excitements. "You're right, Yuzu, the red team won," nodded Ichigo with a light smile. "Come on, let's go. I'm sure Father'll be home this evening for dinner."
"Oh, all right," smiled Yuzu.
"Finally...." sighed Karin, as the siblings stood up to leave. But Ichigo's mind fluttered back to Grimmjow. By now, the Gaul's fight had probably finished by now. It wasn't that his comment of Grimmjow possibly losing on the fight was meant to hurt him, but it made more sense that the constant fighting would hinder him one of these days. Still.... even with the problems and conflicts between him.... Ichigo hoped that the slave had won and went back home, as he and his sisters were going right now.
(Blood and Sand)
Grimmjow didn't like it, as Nel's silent glare burned at the back of his head, once they returned to the villa. Since the incident at the party, the woman had been deeply suspicious over Ichigo's lies. Maybe it had to do with her being close to the teen all of his life, which would explain why she didn't trust his words as well as Grimmjow's reluctant involvement in the lie. ".... How long must you keep staring at me, woman? Is there something on my face?" he frowned, glaring back at Nel.
"If there was, then I wouldn't need to tell you about it," frowned Nel as she took off her shawl. Grimmjow sneered at her comment but scoffed in amusement when he walked up to her. As usual, due to his hulking frame of muscles and power, he would look intimidating compared to Nel's smaller but voluptuous body.
"I really am getting tired of your attitude, woman, but if you got something to say, then say it," he growled. "What is it? Does it have to do with that brat you call your master?"
"Wow, guess all of that savage fighting hadn't messed up your human-like thoughts," she frowned as she walked past him, but Grimmjow followed her through the hallways.
"You're about as savage yourself, with the way I felt your strength," he argued.
"Please, me punching you in the face doesn't consider savage, I prefer discipline," she muttered. "Anyway.... do you mind telling me what is going on with Ichigo?" she questioned, and Grimmjow paused in his steps. He expected her to ask, as she stopped walking and turned to him with a hard glare in her eyes. "I know you know something about it, Grimmjow, when you and Ichigo came back from that party," she interrogated. "Do you honestly believed that Ginjou would hurt Ichigo in a place where his uncle was nearby? I don't think that he could really do that, even though he is a corrupted and arrogant man."
".... Of course, woman, I saw it in my own damn eyes," frowned Grimmjow, crossing his arms. "That's why I beat up that fucker--"
"And whatever for? Ichigo's basically far away from your mind to look out for, unless there was something else in the matter," she said with distrustfullness. Grimmjow scoffed and was about to retort, but quickly held back his tongue. Nel believed that he was over his revenge against Ginjou, but if she knew about that he wanted to kill him right then and there, then she would find a way to prohibit him to do so by any means necessary. "Well....? Does Ichigo mean anything to you by now, or are you really looking out for yourself as usual, Grimmjow?"
"I.... I don't have to tell you anything, woman," scoffed Grimmjow, clearly annoyed by her persistence.
"Really? You might as well, considering that I saw you hiding practice swords in your room," she demanded and the Gaul bristled in surprise at that.
"You were spying on me?" he scowled.
"How can it be spying? You were so obvious, you think I wouldn't see you carrying it when you guys came back?" frowned Nel.
"Tch, well I still won't tell you since it's not your business," he scoffed. Nel raised her eyebrows but stepped up to him, her fingers clenched into fists. Grimmjow habitually stepped back and growled, there was no way he would get hurt by her again. But before anything can happen, a servant came by with a rolled up parchment and gave it to Nel who blinked in slight surprise.
"Huh? What's this....?" she mumbled, looking at the message but blinked when she noticed Ichigo's name written on a piece of parchment attached to it. ".... Whatever this is, it's a message for Ichigo," she frowned, glancing at Grimmjow who frowned in slight confusion.
"So? Read it," he scoffed, and Nel scoffed back.
"It's not mine to read, you imbecile," she frowned. "We have to wait until Ichigo comes back. Though I doubt that this was the reason of why you two are hiding something from me."
"Great sarcasm, woman," scoffed Grimmjow.
"Look here, I--" Nel frowned but her words fell out when they heard the front door opening. Shaking her head, she rushed past Grimmjow to greet whoever it was. But Grimmjow was mildly curious of who came, as he soon followed after her. As soon as he stepped into the foyer, he stiffened a little when he saw Ichigo and his sisters arriving. The teen didn't notice him for a moment, when Nel gave him the message and Ichigo frowned lightly in confusion.
"What could it be? I wasn't expecting anything to come for me," he muttered as he opened the mail. ".... No way...." he gasped softly as his eyes widened.
"What? What is it, Ichigo?" asked Nel.
"It's...." he tried to explain, but when he glanced up he saw Grimmjow nearby and his expression shifted into a frowning one. "It's actually about Grimmjow...." he muttered quietly.
"Huh?" frowned Grimmjow.
"What? What do you mean by that, Ichigo?" muttered Nel.
"I recognized the handwriting, it's Aizen's...." Ichigo said rather indifferently. "He pulled a few strings and somehow.... Grimmjow's in the primus for next week's gladiator games. For the Vulcanalia." Grimmjow's face suddenly morphed into shock and disbelief, as his frown deepened. That couldn't be possible, there was no way that a fighter in his position could obtain the primus that fast, not without years of experiences in the arena. Unless, of course....
"Really? That's great, Ichigo!" Yuzu perked up in excitement. "That means Grimmjow will fight the best gladiators, right?"
"Yeah, it's true," nodded Ichigo. "Grimmjow's gonna fight in the primus, and if he wins then he'll become a champion."
"That does sound interesting," smiled Karin. "Do you think it can help with getting patronage for our household or something?"
"Calm down, guys, I have to look over this then we'll talk about it," Ichigo sighed with a light smile. "I'm just as surprised too, maybe Aizen decided to give Grimmjow a shot due to his connection with Father."
"Well.... that's great, Ichigo," Nel smiled lightly. "I'm sure that it'll be a great outcome for the family and its honor."
"Yeah, sure.... " sighed the teen, before catching eyes with Grimmjow. The Gaul was utterly confused, though Ichigo just stared at him with a mute expression. Something wasn't right.... Aizen, that senator and the uncle of that bastard Ginjou, only requested them to keep the events of the attacks and the attempted rape quiet. So what was this about? How can he have secured the primus title, when he had only done a few weeks of fighting and a couple of his best fights barely past the midday sun? "What's wrong, Grimmjow?" Ichigo asked, taking him out of his thoughts.
"Huh, what?" he frowned.
"I thought that this is what you wanted, to get to the primus as soon as possible," replied Ichigo. "You were working so hard, so this is your reward.... you can't really turn down the gift that Aizen gave you." The way the teen had said it was rather hollow than excited to Grimmjow's ears and it didn't feel right. It was true, he wanted it, but why was it that way to require it? Did he only got the primus.... as a form of a bribe for what happened at the party? "You don't seem to be happy about it, Grimmjow. Is there something wrong?"
".... N-no.... it's nothing wrong, I'm just surprised that I'm getting to fight in the primus so soon," Grimmjow shook his head.
"Well, Aizen must have great faith for you to do this," Ichigo sighed, walking up to him. "I know I will.... but who knows?" he added coolly as he then moved past him. "Nel, let me know when dinner's ready, okay?"
"Yes, of course, Ichigo," nodded Nel. Grimmjow just frowned in disbelief, it wasn't right. It really didn't feel right. He would have thought that Ichigo would be overjoyed at the news, but his attitudes and reactions drastically changed right in front of him, and yet he couldn't retort against it. It wasn't that he didn't want the primus, but how he had required was sort of troubling to him. He nearly flinched when someone grasped his hand and looked down to realize that it was the little brunette girl from before, when she first talked to him.
"I'm so happy for you, Grimmjow," smiled Yuzu. "Wish I can see you win over there, though Father forbids us from going to the games. But good luck....!" Grimmjow blinked at that. He felt confused, he never really expected for the Roman child to look up to him as Diroy had when he was a little kid. But she smiled at him, even though he was still sporting a frown. If she only knew what had happened to her brother and how it happened in order to get this far as the primus.
"Come on, Yuzu, let's leave him be. He looks like he's in shock or something," sighed Karin, nudging her sister to walk away. "Let's wait for dinner to start, okay?"
"Oh, right, sure...." she nodded. Once they were gone, Grimmjow sighed as his mind tried to make sense of this. The primus.... he did want it. He was trying to gain it for his own reasons. But the incident with Ichigo was only separate reason of how he had gotten it, the teen was involved in it whether he liked it or not.
SMACK!
Grimmjow inhaled sharply from the sudden slap across the face. His cheek stung and tingled, before his angry eyes shifted to Nel, who exhaled as she glared at him. ".... I hope you're happy about this, Grimmjow," she muttered lowly. "You got what you wanted, just like you said."
"Then what was the point of slapping me, woman?" he growled.
"Because you wouldn't have gotten the damn primus from Aizen without whatever happened to Ichigo at that party," she frowned angrily.
"That brat already told you that Ginjou tried to attack him--"
"But there's something else from that, isn't there?" she questioned. "An incident like that can't be so trivial for Aizen to give you the primus! But you only care about what you want to get, no matter who you hurt! It's always about you, not Ichigo or this family or even your friend!"
"What was that?" he scoffed.
"It's the damn truth, Grimmjow, and you know it....!" she huffed, her eyes narrowed at him. "Even though Ichigo has tried to do everything for you, you're just a selfish, spoiled, arrogant man who don't even deserve it. If anything, I would be glad that you were to just leave this place and never bother us ever again." With that, Nel stormed past him, leaving the Gaul stunned in puzzlement and disbelief. Was that actually true . . . .? Since being here, all Ichigo had wanted was to befriend him, making him try to feel like he was just as equal despite being a slave no matter what. Yet he kept pushing and pushing until he realized that Ichigo was in danger, but his stubborness and anger against the Romans caused him to dismiss his master's traumatized state.
And now.... Ichigo rendered himself with abhorrence and disdain at him, even up to the point that he wouldn't even care whether that the Gaul will win or lose in the one thing that he had wanted him to participate in the first place. The teen actually had faith in him from the start, even though he himself didn't initially believe so. He had done things for him that shouldn't even concern him. So the feeling of being treated this way for the past few days.... as much as he hated to admit it, but.... it might his fault that he had left Ichigo alone in which led to Ginjou's sexual assault. All for his own selfish needs. And him mishandling Ichigo's feelings like that had only made it worse, and now he had to accept the primus just because it was a bribe to cover up the scandal.
He frowned grimly, his tongue filled with bitter taste now that he realized the truth. But he wasn't sure if he can really accept the fact that he was to blame for everything.
(Blood and Sand)
Even after the news of the primus, Grimmjow just frowned out of annoyance as he followed after Ichigo to the ludus the next morning. He thought that the teen wanted him to teach him how to fight, but with the important game being within the week he had go back on his real training. Like before, Ichigo was quiet through the walk in the city, his once enthusiasm and optimism dwindled into near nothing as he simply stared ahead. There was nothing to say between the two, though Grimmjow wasn't sure what to say to him.
He could just go to him and apologize for what happened, but by his attitude and personality, it probably wouldn't even come out sincerely and that would only make things worse. As if it was possible to make it worse. ".... Grimmjow," Ichigo muttered, and the Gaul halted his steps. "We're already here," he muttered as he nodded at the gate of the ludus.
"Oh, okay then...." mumbled Grimmjow, as they went inside. Once they entered, Urahara greeted them but it was unusually subdued when he walked up to them with a serious expression.
"Ichigo, Grimmjow, what a pleasure to see you two," he said. "I'm sure that you have heard the news, no?"
".... That Grimmjow had required the primus, as a gift from Senator Aizen," nodded Ichigo. "I have recieved the message last night, Urahara."
"I see...." sighed Urahara, though his greyish-green eyes showed no sign of suspicion or inquiry. "Then it means that Grimmjow must train harder than before, now that he's in the most important match of the games."
"Of course," muttered Ichigo. "Make sure that Grimmjow trains hard.... I have to leave now."
"Huh? You don't wish to stay around to watch, Ichigo?" the lanista asked out of mild surprise and curiosity.
"Sorry, but I must go," he nodded lightly. "There are more important matters I have to attend to.... but I'll come by later." Grimmjow frowned at that, what could be more important than his training for the primus? "See you, Urahara...." Ichigo muttered, before leaving, but not a word to Grimmjow who frowned. He wasn't sure if he deserved the cold shoulder but it was more annoying than hurtful.
"Well.... guess that's your cue to start your training, Grimmjow," Urahara smiled lightly to break the tension. "Come on, let's go," he nodded as he walked ahead. Grimmjow sighed but followed after him. The other man obviously sensed the bad blood between master and slave, but it wasn't his business to dwell on it. "Go on, Grimmjow...." nodded Urahara at the exit to the training ground.
"...." Grimmjow didn't say anything but stepped out of the ludus to outside. But as soon as he did that, the sparring fighters immediately stopped what they were doing once they noticed him. He bristled by the stares, some out of disbelief or envy, before he looked away but his vision caught the sight of Renji walking up to him. The red-head frowned at him, but not out of anger, just out of mild surprise as he shook his head.
"Can't believe you got the primus, Gaul, I'm impressed," he sighed.
"Should you be?" he asked.
"Yes, because I don't know how you even got the primus title when not even the last of the past month since you've been here and just became a gladiator," he scoffed lightly. "Those guys-- some of them being fighters for years-- have been trying to get it. So...."
"What?"
"Something must've happened that you got the primus so quickly," muttered Renji, his eyes narrowed in slight interest as he nudged him to the side. "Come on, tell me.... is there something going on, involving your master?" he asked, but Grimmjow's frown deepened at that and Renji noticed it. "Whoa, I know that my own master suggested Ichigo to find a way to get you to the primus, but if that kid did something gross and sick--"
"Tch, it wasn't like that," scoffed Grimmjow as he glared at him for thinking like that. "That.... senator guy, he gave me the title to fight because he's friends with the brat's father."
"Aizen....?" frowned Renji before blinking in slight confusion. "Whatever for? Just for amusement, or does he believe that you're good enough for the final match? Or.... is it something else?" Grimmjow frowned but looked away. The alledged Thracian would try to figure what had happened for him to get the primus, so he shrugged as he glanced back at him.
"I guess you're right that the senator's giving me the primus as a gift, thinking I'm good enough to do it," he sighed. The red-head blinked again, but eventually accepted his answer with a shrug.
"Well.... everyone deserves to get a chance like this," he smirked lightly, though Grimmjow just frowned grimly as they picked up their practice swords. How could he feel like he deserved it? Why does he need to, when he knew that the title of the primus was nothing more than a bribe to keep the scandalous ordeals a secret? Now his master was being dispassionate of what was supposed to be the greatest news of his life, and the Gaul couldn't believe that he was at fault because of his self-centered ways. "Hey, quick blanking out, you need to be in top shape for the Vulcanalia," Renji called out, nudging him on the shoulder.
"Oh, right...." nodded Grimmjow. "What is the Vulcanalia, anyway?"
"Oh, it's a festival to appease the fire god Vulcan, to prevent fire-related disasters," he replied. "Makes sense if you think about it, since the drought's on our asses."
"Yeah, great...."
(Blood and Sand)
".... He's to fight that man?" Ichigo questioned, mainly out of surprise and uncertainty, now that he had found out about Grimmjow's opponent. Just a few days since finding out the news of the Gaul gaining the primus, virtually everybody in the city found out as well out of shock and disbelief. Nobody could believe that someone like Grimmjow had required it so fast since making his first appearance in the arena. And apparently, they couldn't believe that he would be against the one man.... who had been rather undefeatable for a long time. "I know that this is the primus, but you can't be serious, Urahara," he frowned.
But by the look of the lanista's face, he begged to differ. Urahara strolled out to the balcony, his eyes gazed down at the fighters below, before looking back at Ichigo. "This is no ordinary match, Ichigo, you should know that," he muttered. "Only the great can acomplish to gain the title, although-- no offense-- I am not so sure of your man being capable of fighting against someone like him."
".... How so, from your perpective as a lanista?" asked Ichigo and Urahara smiled a little to lighten the situation.
"He's like a titan compared to Grimmjow," he answered. "A gigantic animal of a man who relished on bones and blood, with no regards of honor to the gladiators or to Rome itself. Still, the Roman people enjoyed his bloodlust and with the Gaul being thrown in the arena to be his next victim, that would just only add the excitement."
"That doesn't sound very good to hear," the teen frowned.
"Of course not, because at his level he's dead meat when he goes against him," Urahara then frowned seriously. "Unless you can pray to the gods as hard as possible, it'll be inevitable to say the least." Ichigo nodded a bit with a frown, as he stepped out to the balcony. Looking down, he could see that Grimmjow was fighting to the fullest against one of the other fighters. But when he looked closer, it appeared that the blue-haired slave was slacking slightly in his skills. That couldn't be right.... Grimmjow was set to the primus like he had wanted it, then why wasn't he putting his heart into it?
".... You noticed it, too, right?" questioned Urahara as he observed his gaze.
"Yeah, I do," nodded Ichigo.
"Then tell me this.... what is going on between the two of you that Grimmjow had been detached to his role?" he asked.
"It's...." he mumbled, his words fell as his mind tried to figure out how to explain it to the lanista. The attack at the party must be kept a secret, after all. "It's complicated.... something that is rather hard to speak out loud."
"Hmm.... well, whatever it is, it must be fixed lest your slave's life will cease in a few days," frowned Urahara.
"I'd like to but Grimmjow's the one who's being stubborn about it," sighed Ichigo. "It's pretty much out of my hands, Urahara."
"So is the fact that Senator Aizen giving you the benefit of the primus, without anyone of us knowing," he said. "It'll be very disappointing on your part, Ichigo. If he fails, then you will fail as his master, and that would leave a very bitter taste on your family's reputations. You must try to do something about this, and time's running out."
".... I know...."
"And unfortunately, the time of today's training have ran out, and you two must come back for the next day," he replied, looking up at the setting sun in the horizon. "Kenpachi, send Grimmjow back inside, he's done for the day," he called out as he looked back at the training ground. Ichigo watched Grimmjow stopped his sparring, and blinked when his slave glanced up at him.
Grimmjow frowned and shook his head before stepping inside, his master had already came but that was the least of his problems. For the past few days, Ichigo's sober demeanor was eating at him, something that kept distracting him during his training. He didn't like it-- no, as a matter of fact, he hated it that everything wasn't going his way for once. And that his behavior was the cause of all this. As soon as he walked up to the entrance, he glanced up to notice Ichigo and Urahara walking up to him before looking away. He was getting tired of seeing the teen's apathetic expression.
"Ichigo.... remember what I said, all right?" muttered Urahara.
"Yes, of course, Urahara," nodded Ichigo.
"Then I'll see both of you later," he said, returning back to his post. As soon as he left, neither Ichigo or Grimmjow said anything to each other when they left the ludus, it was nothing but the sounds of footsteps and murmurs of passerbys filled the streets. Which was why they didn't notice the army commander nearby, spying on them behind the corner of a building. Ginjou, dressed in plain clothes rather than his army uniform, stared at their dwindling figures through narrowed eyes and scoffed.
How he wanted to talk to Ichigo, wishing to explain to him about the mishap at the party. But by the words of his uncle, he was forbidden to talk to him until the day of Vulcanalia, and that annoyed him to which he had to obey the man. Luckily for him in his mind, the Gaul was to face the so-called undefeatable opponent in the final fight. He smirked a little as he turned to leave, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. Once the barbarian is hacked into bits, he would try to consol Ichigo if the teen becomes insufferable of the loss. He would give the teen as many pleasures as he can, for hours on end.
(Blood and Sand)
Grimmjow couldn't remember the last time he felt like this, feeling remorseful over the things he caused. He recalled losing his father's favorite dagger in the woods in an attempt to hunt on his own as a young child, and hid in the house to avoid punishment. But even the infamous 'Fearsome King' was lenient when he found out, giving Grimmjow a brand new dagger to keep. He felt guilty then, and nothing else until the enslavement of himself and Diroy, to whom he had let down for not protecting him.
He cracked his neck and glanced up as he followed after Ichigo, who had yet to say a word to him since leaving the ludus, before he frowned lightly. It was deja vu like before; he let him down for not protecting him, and he had to live with it. As soon as he stepped into the villa, he quickly made his way to his room, as he didn't want to be near the teen anymore.
".... Ichigo, is that you?" Nel called out, when Ichigo glanced up to see her walking up to him. "Where's Grimmjow?"
"He just went to his room, Nel," he replied but noticed her frowing expression. "Is there something wrong, Nel?"
"No, but actually.... another message came by today," she sighed. "A gift, to be exact, from Aizen."
"A gift....? Well, where is it, then?" Ichigo questioned in surprise.
"Honestly, the gift is meant for Grimmjow, as I left it in his room," she answered, though she was just as surprised when she mentioned it. "And from the looks of it, I think it's for the primus."
"Huh....?" the teen blinked before Nel gave him a rolled up parchment.
"The letter came with the gift," she said. Ichigo frowned but read the letter, only to blink in disbelief.
'I hope that this will be proven beneficial on your fighter's behalf for the coming games. -Senator Sousuke Aizen'
"I see...." sighed Ichigo. "I'll talk to him about it," he muttered as he turned to go.
"Ichigo, wait a minute...." muttered Nel, and he paused to look at her. ".... Tell me something, please. Did something happen between the two of you....?"
".... No, not really," he shook his head.
"Ichigo...." she frowned in a scolding manner as she walked up to him. "You shouldn't hide anything from me. I have been by your side since the day you were born, for crying out loud. To think that you are holding something so great from me, stemming from Ginjou's assault almost a week ago. You must tell me what is going on, Ichigo."
"... Sorry, Nel, but I'll tell you at the appropiate time," he frowned sadly before making his way to the slaves' quarters. Ichigo didn't want to hurt her feelings, but it would kill her deeply if she had known the truth. As he made his way downstairs, he glanced up to notice the Gaul standing near the doorway of his room, lights from the torch perched on the wall flickered over his face. Grimmjow glanced up to see him, before scoffing and nodding at his room.
"See what that man had given me...." he frowned as he stepped in. Ichigo followed suit, and saw the gift at the center of the bed. "Another gift, isn't it?" questioned Grimmjow, who sat down by the small table.
".... It's a brand-new armor, courtesy of Aizen," muttered Ichigo. The first thing he noticed was the Murmillo-style helmet, which was more updated than the rusty ones Grimmjow had to wear with the sharply edged fin with bright blue feathers down the center and the metal was reflective from the moonlight shining on it, completed with a mask to protect the face from sword strikes. He moved closer to see that surrounding the helmet were two leg guards and a single arm guard, all made of thick plated iron, and a large belt made of leather with round bronze emblem at the center. He looked up to notice the rectangular blue-colored shield perched against the wall next to the bed, with a description of a snarling wolf painted on it. "Seems that Aizen went a bit too far with the gift," Ichigo muttered quietly.
"'A bit' is a fucking understament....!" scoffed Grimmjow. "What does he gain from giving me this? I thought the primus was enough to deal with!"
"Well, your opponent's pretty powerful, it'd make sense to have new armor," he sighed. Grimmjow gritted his teeth and stood up abruptly, making the chair toppled to the floor.
"So it's just another bribe, isn't it?" he scoffed. "Because of that bullshit happened at the party, that Roman's trying everthing to erase it with fucking gifts!"
"And why not? It'd be an embarrassment on his reputation if the public were to know about his nephew's attack on me," Ichigo muttered with a dismissive shrug of his shoulders.
"Shit .... what the fuck's wrong with you, brat?" Grimmjow scowled in total frustration. "How can you act like this, that nothing had ever happened?"
"Why should you care, Grimmjow? Nothing really did happen to me anyway, so why should I be bothered by it?" he muttered, glancing at him.
"Because I'm reason that you're being like this!" he scoffed. "Just admit it, you think I'm the one that failed to protect you from Ginjou."
"But in turn, you seeked the opportunity to go after him the moment his guards were down," frowned Ichigo. "You didn't see me being pinned down and beaten by Ginjou, it was just him and him only."
"But...." Grimmjow gritted his teeth, he wasn't sure what to say about that if that was what the teen believed. "I did see you being attacked by him, but.... that was a part of the reason why I wanted to get to him--"
"Yet afterwards, you still only care to kill him regardless of my well-being," Ichigo scoffed softly before shaking his head. "But it doesn't matter, anyway..... Urahara advised you to fight harder for the primus, unless you wish to die among the sands," he said, moving to leave.
"Wait, brat--"
"There's nothing more to say," frowned Ichigo. Grimmjow inhaled, this was getting too far already.
"Ichigo....!" Ichigo froze near the doorway, before slowly turned around to face Grimmjow, who clenched his teeth tightly ad he exhaled. "I'm.... I'm sorry, okay? I am fucking sorry! About everything I've done to you!" he proclaimed admittedly. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, but.... how can I really accept myself being a slave, within an city where I am seen as one's property? I'm fucking frustrated since being here, even being something like gladiator doesn't really help me despite the fact that I like to fight!" Ichigo stared at him with profound astonishment, his heart thumped under his chest as Grimmjow huffed deeply.
"About that night, at the party.... I didn't really mean what I said," he huffed. "I only said it out of anger because of Ginjou.... he was within my grasp and I wanted him to suffer as I have suffered. Then you stopped me and I just.... lost it. I didn't mean it like that. But, him trying to hurt a young boy like yourself, I just thought it'd be more than enough reason to kill him."
".... Why?" Ichigo questioned in mild disbelief, his eyes flickered to search for any motive on the Gaul's facial expression.
"Before he gave me this fucking scar, I heard him saying that Diroy might be 'useful' as a slave and that he needed to be 'disciplined' before being sold," he frowned. "You know what that means.... do you?" Ichigo frowned regretfully but gave a small nod.
".... There's a good chance that your friend has been used.... sexually," he muutered. Under the dimmed light, Grimmjow's cyan eyes seemed to glow at the answer before he growled in subtle anger.
"That's another reason of why I should kill him," he growled.
".... Never mind, I can't change your mind about it," frowned Ichigo.
".... I'll still fight, on the primus," Grimmjow nodded, and Ichigo blinked at that. "The problem is that.... you don't have faith in me as you wanted to, because of my damn stubborness against you--"
"I've never said that, Grimmjow," replied Ichigo, and Grimmjow blinked in surprise.
"Then.... why'd you act like you don't care about that past few days since the news of the primus?" he questioned.
"Honestly, I was happy but.... I was still angry of how you treated my trauma," he sighed.
"That's understandable," muttered Grimmjow before gazing up on him. "I'm.... really sorry about it, kid. Guess it's my pride that got in the way. I'm a Gaul, a son of a past cheiftain, and I came from one of the most ferocious tribes in my region. It's not like I can shrug it off just like that."
"Yeah, I get that...." nodded Ichigo. Both of them gazed at each other before the teen walked up to him. Grimmjow watched him fiddling his fingers rather nervously, and he sighed. Neither of them were sure what to say. Cautiously, he reached up to pat him on the head, feeling him flinch slightly from the gesture. Ichigo didn't expect that, and glanced up to him. "Grimmjow....?" he frowned.
"What is it?" Grimmjow muttered.
"Well, um...." he mumbled. "You're gonna be nice to me from now on?" At that, Grimmjow managed to crack a small smirk and shrugged as he moved his hand away.
"Nice's too strong of a word," he sighed, turning to glance at his new armory. "I prefer tolerable towards you, since you're not a bad kid to be around anyway." Ichigo blinked in mild surprise but smiled, something that the Gaul hadn't seen in a while when he looked back at him. For some reason.... there was something nice about seeing the teen happy. It reminded him of Diroy being estatic whenever he would take him on hunting trips. He nodded with a light smile, as he moved to pick up his helmet. ".... I won't die without knowing my friend is safe and sound, or tainting my hands with Ginjou's blood," he confirmed quietly. "I will win the primus, kid, and soon the Romans will fear me as they feared my father."
"Well.... I believe in you, Grimmjow," Ichigo smiled softly. "I have been since your first fight, so I know you can do it in the primus." Grimmjow looked at him then at the shiny helmet in his hands. So the teen hadn't lost his faith on him. The feeling of being appreciated was grand. And it felt even more nice to appreciate in return towards the master who was nothing but kind and considerate to him.
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Wahh! It got too long again! I'm so sorry but I had to cut the next scenes to the next chapter again! I hate it . . . .! All I can tell you that Grimmjow's fight is pretty epic, but it's too long for me to continue! Wahh . . . .!
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