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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
- 19
- 20
- 21
Well.... Let me sum up about what happened to me at the convention. I didn't get Tommy's (the green power ranger) autograph, I didn't get Anne Rice's autograph, I didn't get Stan Lee's autograph, I didn't 'The Walking Dead' actors' autographs, and I didn't get the autograph from the dude who helped creating 'Tiger & Bunny'. But on the plus side..... I got an autograph from the dude who played Masaomi from 'Durarara!' and Rin from 'Blue Exorcist'.
Speaking of which, I saw a couple of episodes, and I gotta say it's really good than what I expected (I read the first manga volume before, and I got bored somehow). But now I wanna look at it in a whole new light.... starting with the yaoi comic version I've downloaded!LOL
Warrior by Boogermeister
Chapter 20- Seeking Comforts
The cold he thought he would have was gone by morning, as Ichigo offered to help Nel out with the errands. Being a decent person that he liked to be, he wandered through the streets carrying a basket full of food, waiting patiently as the woman browse through each stand. She seemed to be feeling better, although she was still a little miffed about the whole horse incident. Grimmjow was still resting with said animal when they left, but Ichigo checked up on him beforehand.
"I'll be okay, kid.... make sure to buy hay or any other feed for this girl," Grimmjow had mentioned, as Epona was nibbling at the faded grass nearby. "It's not like we'll run away or something like that...."
Ichigo looked around the market, wondering where he could buy the horse feed, before he looked back at Nel when she came back to add more vegetables into the basket. "You're holding out okay, Ichigo?" she asked.
"Yeah, it's not that heavy, Nel," smiled Ichigo. "I was just wondering about stuff, that's why...."
"Hmm, much like that horse you brought, right?" sighed Nel, though she didn't sound cranky about it. Ichigo smiled sheepishly like that but nodded.
"I was just wondering if we could buy some food for the horse while we're here," he suggested.
"Oh, Ichigo.... I'm starting to think whether you would be responsible for the animal or Grimmjow would be," she sighed deeply. "But I'm not sure if your father would be okay with this."
"But I bet he will," he nodded. "He used to own a horse during his days in the military, so I'm sure there's nothing wrong with having one. Besides, Grimmjow's right about using one to venture outside the city--"
"I knew it, you were tricked into buying the animal," frowned Nel. "I'm surprised he didn't get that giant grey beast-- what's that called, an elephant."
"Trust me, he had tried so let's just be glad with a horse," Ichigo sighed. "Okay, let's compromise.... We'll return back to the villa and get Grimmjow to buy the feed. He's just as responsible as I am, you can trust him on that."
"Really now?" she huffed with a raised eyebrow, as they moved through the streets. "After what has been happening in the past several weeks, I can't help but to question his trust. Maybe it's just me trying to protect you.... but I can't help feeling that he's doing things behind our backs, Ichigo." Ichigo nearly faltering in his steps but quickly resumed his pace, trying to mask his face as neutral as possible behind the basket.
"I don't think so, Nel.... He was given the opportunity of freedom by the emperor but he chose not to," he said. "He only did that so he could see his friend again."
"That would make sense, but that's not it," muttered Nel. "It's just that with you.... I don't know why, but you guys seems to act as if you two were best friends since forever." Ichigo blinked at that before taking a deep breath of relief. For a second, he thought Nel was getting suspicious about something else between him and Grimmjow. He had assumed that, when he felt the sores around his neck and shoulders from where the Gaul had bitten him during their romp in the woods yesterday. Maybe Nel didn't notice that, she didn't seem to as she moved away to buy more food.
His face unwillingly tingled by the thought of the crude but exciting intimacy. The way Grimmjow was very demanding with his rough voice and his equally rough handling on him. Before losing his virginity, the teen had never thought he could have acted like that with Grimmjow, being at the older man's mercy as the other was giving him pleasure. He immediately took the thought out of his head when he noticed Nel coming back, ducking his face behind the heavy basket.
"You know what.... you're right, we should make Grimmjow buy the food himself," Nel sighed, not really noticing Ichigo's slightly blushed face as she placed the food on the already full basket. "It'd be too much to carry back to villa, so it makes more sense for him to do it since he's so strong."
"Oh, I guess so...." Ichigo nodded, smiling wistfully at the thought of the 'man-beast' Nel often called Grimmjow.
(Blood and Sand)
By the time they came back, both Nel and Ichigo blinked in surprise when they saw Grimmjow leading the mare around nearby. But they soon noticed something else as they got closer, though Nel immediately gaped in surprise. "Oh! I guess they would have found out sooner or later," Ichigo smiled lightly, though the woman soon frowned and was probably thinking up a reasonable excuse to tell Grimmjow off. It was his little sisters enjoying the light ride, although Yuzu was squealing in delight while Karin merely smiled as they held on.
"We can go a little faster if you want," grinned Grimmjow.
"No, no! This is already fast enough!" squealed Yuzu.
"This horse is barely even walking, for crying out loud....!" giggled her sister. Grimmjow just smirked before noticing Ichigo and Nel coming back, but his grin faltered a bit when the woman was practically scolding him with her eyes.
".... Hey there," he nodded as he stopped the mare. "I suppose you guys didn't get the feed, huh?"
"Sorry about that, Grimmjow," sighed Ichigo as they walked up to him. "But you should go and get it, since we got too much food to carry."
"Tch, I wouldn't know where to look but I could try," shrugged the Gaul.
"Girls, how did you find out about the horse?" questioned Nel with a slight frown and the twins more or less pouted out of shame.
"Grimmjow came in for breakfast and he simply told us that Brother bought a horse," Karin explained.
"Right, he asked if we wanted to go on a ride and we said yes!" Yuzu nodded eagerly. Nel just frowned before looking back at Grimmjow, who merely quirked an eyebrow.
"Yes, I tricked them into it also, woman," he said sarcastically. "I really am a bad influence. Next thing we know, I might play with fire and do other crazy things."
"Very funny...." sniffed Nel.
"In the meantime, though...." Grimmjow impromptly plucked a few carrots out of the basket and gave one to Epona, who eagerly chomped on it. "I'll stay around here for a while. Then I'll go, but only if someone could look after this girl."
"Uhm, we could if you want us to!" suggested Yuzu, and Grimmjow smirked a bit.
"That's good to know...."
"I'll look after her, also, so that she won't wander off," said Ichigo. "Is that okay with you, Grimmjow?"
"Sure, kid," smiled Grimmjow, reaching up to ruffle at his hair. "Maybe later on, we could go out and show you how I hunt in the wild."
"Ah, right...." nodded Ichigo, though he was blushing a little when he caught the older man's meaningful eyes. "I'll.... talk to you later, Grimmjow," he muttered.
"Same here with you, kid," smirked Grimmjow, before moving away to lead the horse around some more. Ichigo felt his cheeks getting hotter but glanced down, his face hiding behind the large basket. He was wondering whether or not Grimmjow meant about actual hunting or wishing for another secretive affair. Maybe it could be both, as he put up a small smile.
Two weeks later....
For the umpteenth time, Ichigo saw a single puff of cloud difting by in the sky. He sighed deeply, sitting on the moist ground as he waited. For what exactly, it involved Grimmjow as he glanced at the Gaul preparing the traps for fishing near a flowing stream. He did agree to learn how to hunt with him, but he didn't expect it to be actually time-cosuming. He sighed again, this time the sound caught Grimmjow's attention, and he frowned in embarrassment.
"Sorry, just that it's been over two hours since we've been here," he mumbled, shivering a little from the cool breeze as he huddled his cloak closer to himself. "Goodness, Grimmjow, you actually do this for a living? I could see why this is hard and tedious."
"Tch, you're just now complaining, kid?" smirked Grimmjow. "You could've done it sooner, especially that time when we have to smoke those wild hares out last week."
"Shut it," pouted Ichigo. "It wasn't my fault I let one get away."
"I know.... it was two that got away," he joked, and the teen scoffed. "Just so you know, you're not bad at this. A little clumsy, but you're catching on pretty quickly. It's true that you're a fast learner after all...."
"Oh.... but still, I hadn't really caught anything by myself," Ichigo sighed. "You're an expert on this, that's why you're earning extra money bartering with other merchants."
"Yeah, but that money's for Epona. That girl's very finicky and spoiled, much like an actual woman," he chuckled. "All because your father built that shed for her, she thinks she's a fucking queen."
"Wait a minute, Grimmjow, she'll hear you," smiled Ichigo, looking up to see the dusky mare flicking her ears around. But it seemed that she heard Grimmjow's comments as she snorted and shook her head.
"Let her, it's your sisters who kept spoiling her with apples and sweet bread," he smirked. "Them and that other girl. What's her name again?"
"It's Orihime, Grimmjow. She's not that hard to miss, she's in the villa all the time."
"Is that so....?" Grimmjow finished weaving up the net and stood up. "Come here, kid, I'll show you how to catch some fish. In fact, any fish, because I don't know what the fuck you Romans have over here."
"Fine...." Ichigo got up and walked up to him. But before he could reach for the net, Grimmjow tilted his head up to look at him. "Grimmjow....?" he frowned a little, but Grimmjow smirked as he leaned down to kiss his lips. Ichigo inhaled but soon relaxed as he kissed back, tasting the usual flavor of bread and meat as he grasped at the other man's cloak, pushing his hips against him for more excitement.
"Mmh, no.... we got work to do, kid," smirked Grimmjow as he pulled away. "Maybe if we catch at least five or six fish, we could do a lot more stuff than the usual fishing."
"Great," Ichigo smiled, blush tingling at his cheeks before Grimmjow straightened up. As the man explained how to use the net, Ichigo's mind ambled about what was happening these past couple of weeks. He didn't expect his father to be immediately okay of having a horse around, even with his often eccentric personality. Within a few days a shed was built behind the villa, to accomodate the mare. In doing so, Nel begrudgingly accepted the decision, although she commented that the horse seemed to be the better animal than Grimmjow.
Plus, with Grimmjow resuming his former job as a hunter, he was becoming well-known besides the champion gladiator. Although plently of the merchants were amazed by his skills, some were initially frightened when he came to them with his bloody hands holding the dead games. And it didn't help at first when the animals' blood were splattered on his clothes and face. The Gaul mentioned that he had done it as a joke to mess with people, and Ichigo believed him for the most part.
But soon he became serious with his job, as he was going to fish right now to trade off. "Hey, were you listening, kid....?" Grimmjow questioned, flicking the teen on the forehead.
"Ow! What was that for, Grimmjow?" scowled Ichigo, rubbing at the sore area as he glared up at Grimmjow.
"It's not my fault, you didn't hear a word I just said," frowned Grimmjow. At that, Ichigo pouted and looked away, but the older man smirked anyway and shrugged it off. "Like I said, this net is big enough for two people to use. You go on the other side of the stream while I stay here, then we'll try to scoop up as many fish as we can."
"Huh? But why do I have to go over there?" frowned Ichigo before looking over the seemingly rough current of the stream. "You're stronger, it'd make more sense for you to go."
"Tch, one of these days you gotta get used to the hunt," grinned Grimmjow. Without wasting a moment, he stepped into the cold water.
"Ah! Wait a minute, Grimmjow! You can't just jump right in like that, idiot!" Ichigo scowled, but he quickly grabbed onto the net as soon as Grimmjow reached the other side. "Geez, Grimmjow, you'll catch your death if you keep doing that!" he scolded.
"Hey, I'm immune to dying, kid! Besides, I've been in colder water, anyway!" smirked Grimmjow. "All right, then.... dump the net into the water and on the count of three, we pull up."
"Oh, fine then," nodded the teen before looking down at the glistening water. Already he could see about two or three fish squirming against the submerged trap.
"One, two.... three!" Both Grimmjow and Ichigo pulled up the net, a couple of fish managed to escape but there were the other two that got caught, flapping and flailing in the trap.
"Yeah! We caught them!" smiled Ichigo, though Grimmjow merely frowned.
"Shit, only two?" he grumbled.
"Come on, Grimmjow, at least it was better than nothing," he replied.
"I supposed.... get that stick, kid, and stab those suckers," said Grimmjow. Ichigo nodded and picked up the the stick sharpened by one of the Gaul's hunting daggers.
"Okay," he nodded. He jabbed at one firmly, and the fish stopped squirming. "I got it, and.... the other one!" he said, stabbing the second one.
"Great work, kid!" smirked Grimmjow. "Now, let's try this again...."
"Okay...."
(Blood and Sand)
Licking his dry lips, Ginjou kicked his white horse to move forward, as he left the city with his own dispatch of army. He should have left first thing in the morning, but the higher-ups wanted to lecture him about how to curb his destructive behavior since he was going to travel around the empire for the next couple of months. As much as that irritated him, he kept his mouth shut about it as he led ahead of his men through the hills.
He didn't bother to have Tsukishima beside him, as he made him to stay with the cargo. The slave had taken the silent vow almost too seriously, and it actually was starting to annoy Ginjou. When he had smacked Tsukishima across the face several times during a brutal sex a week earlier, he felt frustrated by the sight of the blank stare despite of the blood and bruises staining the fair skin. He was getting tired of seeing him like that, and was probably getting tired of him period.
Maybe he needed to get a new personal slave, a male so he didn't need to kill it off after conceiving a 'mistake'. But he wanted someone to break apart, to insert fear into him so he could take delight of taking him again and again. Tsukishima, on the other hand, had taken the joy of getting brutalized, and Ginjou honestly was finding that rather boring. He wanted to be feared by his slaves, that was the point of having them into order to get things right.
He let out a deep exhale. Again.... he was thinking about Ichigo. But for a different reason, as he then frowned. Even though his uncle had ordered him not to speak to him, he found severely annoying to be ignored completely by Ichigo. He couldn't count the times when he wished to hold the teen down, making him beg and cry for mercy with blood oozing down his thighs. But that paled in comparison with what he wanted to do to Grimmjow. He wanted to kill the Gaul with his own hands; he didn't even care that he was the champion, that he was personally praised by the emperor himself.
All it matters that he wanted to get back at him after it was revealed he was the one who enslaved the savage prince Grimmjow. Noble or not, that man was as good as dead to him. As he went down the slope, his eyes caught something in the distance. Usually, it would just be another traveller, but he blinked when he noticed something familiar.
"Well, fuck...." he mumbled in slight surprise, quirking an eyebrow.
It was the Gaul, there was no mistake about it with that wild blue hair. But he realized that the blunet was leading a dusky tan horse back to the city. He didn't know that he would be allowed to have the animal, probably as a reward for being a champion, but for what exactly? With a status of being a slave, Grimmjow shouldn't have it for said slave could use it to escape. He smirked when an idea popped up in his mind, they were well out of the walls of the city and Aizen couldn't stop him here. It was practically perfect.
"You guys, stay here...." he commanded, glancing at his subordinates both on horseback and on foot. "I would like to have a word or two to that man over there."
"Ah, right, sir....!"
Ginjou smirked again, before kicking his horse to move. The Gaul wasn't protected out in the open, he wasn't in the constant awe of the Roman people. Right now, all Ginjou wanted to do is to beat him down, as a dark grin crept up on his face.
(Blood and Sand)
"Hey! Why do I have to carry all of this fish, Grimmjow?" Ichigo scowled, hauling over his shoulder was a sack full of six or seven fish. "Come on, this is so heavy....! I don't think I can do this on the way to the city!" he complained, his feet dragging on as he followed after Grimmjow, who was walking at a nonchalant pace with his hand on the reins of Epona like a leash.
"You know you sound very spoiled when you whine like that, right?" Grimmjow mumbled, not caring to notice the heated glare burning at the back of his head.
"Easy for you to say! You're not the one hauling this smelly shit, you ingrate!" he snapped. "This was your idea, why can't you carry it and I lead the horse home?"
"That's the part of the lesson, kid. You got to learn how to do this as a part of the hunt," Grimmjow sighed. "It's best to do it, anyway. I don't think the Roman army feed you on a daily basis."
"Well, they do with portionate rations, but--"
"Exactly, rations sound like another word for 'gritty shit' so maybe you can catch yourself some games on a side," Grimmjow reason with a light smirk. Ichigo simply huffed but said nothing else about it, jogging awkwardly to catch up with the Gaul. But Grimmjow glanced at him and smirked again as he reached out to wrap his arm around the lithe waist.
"Come on, kid..... the fishing wasn't that bad," he rumbled. "I did promise about one thing if we catch more than five fish, right....?"
"Ah.... it's not funny, Grimmjow," mumbled Ichigo as he tried to glance away but it was pointless with his cheeks blushing hot. Earlier, after getting more than expected amount, Grimmjow made it up to the teen by initiated their kiss. But as much as the older man wanted to push it further, he held it back even though he wanted the same exciting sex like they had in the woods. But instead, he took up an idea to grind against his master.
Ichigo didn't want to get too dirty again, so he was straddled on Grimmjow's exposed waist, shuddering when he felt the large throbbing erection sliding against him. He wanted it, but they knew that they couldn't afford being seen in a disheveled state like before. In the end, little mess had been made though both of them did a quick clean up in the cold stream before finally heading home.
"Don't get too worked up, kid," Grimmjow shrugged with a sly smirk. "That woman probably would've asked you why you're limping and it's not from the heavy bag of fish on your shoulder."
"Hmph, you'd like that, wouldn't you?" Ichigo huffed, shrugging away from Grimmjow's hold. Grimmjow chuckled anyway but walked away.
"I'll go on ahead, but I won't run away," he smirked. "You just rest for a second, we're only halfway home."
"Oh, fine...." Ichigo sighed, his shoulders slumping in relief before moving to sit down on the grassy ground. "You're just gonna be on the hill, right?"
"Yeah, we won't wander off. Isn't that right, Epona?" joked Grimmjow, earning a warm snort at the face. "Yeah, yeah, you can't have fun when he's around, I get it...."
"Huh? Don't tell me that the horse is insulting me," Ichigo frowned, but they were already going up the hill. "Hmm, whatever...." he sighed, before glancing up at the sky. "Huh. It's the same little cloud...."
Grimmjow sighed deeply as he treaded up the hill, Epona grunted at the steepness but neither was complaining. He had missed enjoying the life in the woods, he realized, as living in a Roman city for so long was making him too comfortable. Just laying about with nothing to do but chores and talking to strangers wasn't a part of his life, and yet he was seen as a 'barbarian' just because he could get his food out in the wild. But Ichigo didn't seem to mind it at all, getting his hands dirty so he could learn how to hunt.
Though the teen should be living as a Roman, Grimmjow often wondered if he was even one in the first place. For one thing, he didn't mistreat his slaves from what he had noticed on occasions during trips to the city. And Ichigo seemed to care less about being a noble. Was that something Grimmjow liked about him? Maybe that was it, as he smirked about it. Ichigo's rebellious attitude was very admiring, indeed. Taking him out of his musing, Epona snorted at his face and he chuckled.
"What? I can't have a moment to think about shit, girl?" he smirked at her. But the mare grumbled in what sounded like discomfort and she shook her head. Grimmjow took the meaning and frowned, before realizing what was in the distance behind her. He scoffed in surprise as he narrowed his eyes. ".... What are they doing out here?" he questioned quetly.
They weren't really that hard to miss, with their usual color of blood red, but the Roman army seemed to be going somewhere from what he was looking at. But he could care less about it. The sooner they leave, the better. "Come on.... we should tell Ichigo to get moving," he muttered as he was about to turn. But something suddenly caught his eyes. "Hmm?" He took another look at the army, but blinked when he saw one of them on a white horse coming this way. He scoffed, this was not the best time to be confronted by those type of guys.
".... It's been a while since we last saw each other, Gaul, right?"
The conniving but familiar voice rang in Grimmjow's ears, as his cyan eyes widened. He looked again and realized that it was Ginjou coming up to him. Almost like an animal being cornered, his curled his lips back into a silent snarl, revealing his sharp white teeth at the other man. But Ginjou smirked nonetheless, roughly yanking back the reins on his horse to stop. Grimmjow nearly grimaced at the sight of the snow-colored equine neighing in pain, but kept his expression fixed. So the praetor would mistreat animals about as worse as his slaves.
"Aww, aren't you happy to see me, 'Champion'....?" sneered Ginjou. "You should be, after all I will be gone for the next few months. And I thought I could bid farewell to the one who was personally praised by the emperor himself." Grimmjow frowned but mentally he was trying to come up what to say, as he discreetly glanced at the distant view of the city walls of Rome. He knew what was going on here; without being scruntinized by the higher-ups, Ginjou could easily 'discipline' him should he talk back to him. "Eh? What's wrong, Gaul....? I thought you would be acting so arrogant and haughty after not getting yourself killed so many times."
"Much like you, Ginjou?" growled Grimmjow. For a second, Ginjou's smirk nearly fell but regained himself as he let out a low chuckle.
"Where did you get that horse, by the way?" he questioned. "A mere slave cannot own one by law. I doubt that the head of the Kurosaki household would agree to it."
"Who says that I own her? I'm using her for my job as a hunter, as my master allows it," scoffed Grimmjow.
"Oh, that.... I've heard about it, but it just proves that you're nothing but a savage beast," smirked Ginjou. "And speaking of masters.... how is Ichigo doing?" he added, licking his lips as he enjoyed seeing the bristling reaction on the Gaul's face.
"That's none of your concern--" he practically snarled.
"You dare to raise your voice at the praetor, slave?" he questioned in a faux teasing manner. "We're not within the city's perimeter. Out here, anything goes as long as I am still the praetor of the Roman Empire. Much like the time we first met, right?" Grimmjow narrowed his eyes and growled, anger swelled up in his chest as memories of his friends being slayed left and right like cattles flashed in his mind. Epona grunted and nudged her nose at him, trying to calm him down. "It must be tough living in foreign lands without your bethrens beside you," Ginjou goaded mockingly. "You must have stooped so low to be friends with some of the other condemned slaves who are ordered to kill each other. I'd probably be a little surprised if you were forced to kill the magistrate's little pet you seem to be fond of. What's his name, Renji--"
".... Shut up," Grimmjow growled, catching the amused praetor off guard and he frowned.
"What was that, you piece of shit?" he questioned.
"I said to shut your fucking ugly mouth, Ginjou....!" he snarled angrily. "You think you can intimidate me with that shit? You're only acting this tough because your uncle's not breathing on your neck, but in the end you're just fucking nothing....! I know, with your superiors talking behind your back, judging from what your uncle had told Urahara the other day!"
"Wha.... what was that?" Ginjou gasped in absolute anger and possible fear, color had nearly drained from his face. "You don't know what the fuck you're talking about, Gaul! There was no way Uncle would discuss about me to some lowly lanista!"
"Really? Because from what I hear.... is that Urahara used to be in the Roman army," he countered. "During my last days of training, I've overheard them talking about you.... something about him considering the role of praetor should you shit on yourself at the end of the year." By the look of Ginjou's rigid expression, he had hit the mark and it was his turn to smirk. "So it's true then.... you're losing your fucking job because of me, is that it? You're slowly going down, all because you're fucking foolish enough to enslave someone like me!" he sneered.
"Hold your fucking tongue, you worthless slave!" seethed Ginjou. "You've forgotten that your lowly status is nothing but a property of Rome....! I can order your death right here and now if I want to--"
"But the higher-ups would know that it was you who kill me, terminating your job as a praetor!" sneered Grimmjow, again smirking when the other man stiffened by that. "You're so fucking weak, Ginjou....! You're only fearful just because of your lineage, but I'm the real beast here! I won't let myself to be defeated by the likes of you, as I am next in line to control my tribe....! And you will lose your chance at the top, you fucker!" Ginjou gritted his teeth as a furious desire to behead him right then and there. He was definitely asking for it, but before the praetor could even try to reach for his sword, he narrowed eyes blinked at the sight of orange coming up the hill.
"Grimmjow....? What's going on....?" Grimmjow had been so riled up by Ginjou that he had forgotten about Ichigo, as he felt his heart jolted. He turned to see the teen treading up to him, his fear of him noticing the other man proved instantly as Ichigo froze in realization. ".... What is he doing here?" he questioned with obvious apprehension, his eyes widened at the sight of the praetor on the white horse.
Ginjou glanced back but a grin twitched up in his lips, so now Ichigo was at his mercy. He couldn't be ignored like a piece of trash like before, and Ichigo knew that as he instinctively hid behind Grimmjow. ".... Hello to you too, Ichigo," he greeted with a soft chuckle. "I see that you're playing 'friends' with your slaves as usual.... do you mind telling me what you have been doing with the Gaul today?"
"Leave him alone--"
"Don't, Grimmjow," Ichigo cut off Grimmjow, who glanced at him in slight surprise. The teen shook his head in warning, his brown eyes warning him not to talk any further. But his hands that was gripping at the older man's cloak was shaking. He was still wary and scared of the one who wanted him in such a cruel manner. "He'll kill you out here.... just please, keep your mouth shut," he whispered. "For our sake, at least..." Grimmjow frowned but reluctantly nodded, though his narrowed eyes glared at Ginjou.
"Well, Ichigo....?" smirked Ginjou. "I'm not commanding you as a praetor, I am just merely curious," he added, though it was on the contrary as he enjoyed the fright in the teen's eyes. That was it.... the fear of being around him seemed to be perfect for him. He liked it, as he felt his loins aching up. Ichigo was good candidate for a new personal slave to torture.... if only he wasn't a noble.
Ichigo managed to look at him with a wary frown but sighed. ".... We were out in the woods, and Grimmjow was teaching me how to fish all day, that was it...." he finally answered. But both him and Grimmjow nearly flinched when the praetor suddenly let out a loud haughty laugh, before Ichigo grimaced in slight confusion.
"Hah! How ridiculous!" he laughed. "Why would that insufferable Gaul teach you how to catch a few fish? You're of considerable class, Ichigo, there's no need to know an useless skill!"
".... It's not useless if you need to eat, Ginjou," frowned Ichigo. "Sometimes it's better to have a so-called 'barbarian' to teach me the right way rather than some high-class army commander who sees me like a piece of raw meat." At that, Ginjou abruptly stopped laughing and his face scrunched up into an angry frown.
"Noble or not, you dare to talk back to me, Ichigo....?" he questioned lowly. "My uncle can't protect you here like he would within the city. But the only reason I'm holding back is because I don't want the news reaching back to the city of the 'Champion' being dead."
"Yeah, I'm sure that's the reason," Grimmjow scoffed before he could stop himself.
"Grimmjow....!" warned Ichigo but Ginjou unexpectedly chuckled, the tone obviously darkened with devious thoughts in his mind.
"You sure love to keep pushing it, Gaul," he sneered. "But one of these days.... your attitude will have you killed, and I will make sure of it that it'd be me to do so."
"Oh yeah....? And then what, spending the rest of your pathetic life hounding after my master?" questioned Grimmjow. Ginjou chuckled again, but this time moved his hand to reach for his sword.
"How lovely, you still care for Ichigo even though you didn't give a shit about him in the first place," he smirked, pulling out the blade out of the scabbard. In response, Grimmjow tensed up in defense and growled, while Ichigo shivered in fright. "All right then.... not like I'm going to kill you right here and now, but I would prefer to give you a simple warning or two for crossing the line."
"Tch...." growled the blunet.
"Ah, sir....! I'm very sorry to interrupt you, Praetor, we are running behind schedule....!" one of the subordinates called out, coming up to him on horseback. Ginjou's expression instantly fell and wanted to yell at him, but he frowned and held back his tongue. He really did not want this to be relayed back to Aizen, as he disgruntedly sheathed his sword back.
"I won't forget this, Gaul," he scoffed. "Even if the emperor thinks worthy of you, you're nothing but a pathetic piece of shit to my eyes. I'll see to it that you'll suffer one day."
"Pretty much like you are right now," snorted Grimmjow. Ginjou gritted his teeth but said nothing else, yanking at his horse's reins a bit too harshly to turn around. The horse let out a painful whinny but forced itself to comply to its master. "A little word of advice, Ginjou...." Grimmjow called out, and the praetor paused in his movements.
"What?"
"You should respect your horse a bit better than that," he frowned. "They're the ones we have to work for, not the other way around." Ginjou gave off a distasteful snort before finally going away.
"Is that one of your savage ways of thinking....?" he grumbled. He was finally gone, leading the army to their destination, before Grimmjow soon relaxed.
"Shit--" he sighed but flinched in surprise when he felt a harsh smack at his shoulder. He turned his head to glance at Ichigo, who frowned at him in absolute anger and fear.
"You fucking idiot....!" he scowled. "You were so close to getting killed by Ginjou, yet you kept pushing it! Do you realize how stupid that was, Grimmjow? There was no telling that--"
"I know, I know...." Grimmjow frowned. "I was stupid, kid. And I was just as stupid.... to think I can go against him with a simple hunting dagger," he added, pulling back his cloak to reveal his hand gripping at the weapon tied to his waist. Ichigo's frown deepened but he was truly relieved. "I'm sorry, Ichigo.... I was caught up with my own shit, that I nearly forgotten about your safety. It's not like it's about me anymore, you're involved in my problems as well. Now's just as bad because we're getting closer with each other."
Ichigo blinked but nodded in understanding, reaching to grasp at his hands. "Still.... you are making Ginjou take his advantage over you, Grimmjow," sighed the teen. "I won't like it if he finds a way to get you. You really need to be careful next time."
"Yeah, I know...." Grimmjow apologized, moving to wrap his arms around his waist. "Just so you know.... I probably could take him on anyway," he smirked jokingly, and Ichigo scoffed.
"Yeah right, and I could take on the entire Persian Empire with just 300 soldiers," he scoffed. Grimmjow chuckled, his strong hands running up and down his sides, before nuzzling into his slim throat. "Please, Grimmjow.... the last time, Nel thought I had bug bites on my neck," sighed Ichigo.
"Hmm.... guess we have to tell her that the bugs are biting you again," rumbled Grimmjow before nipping at his throat. Ichigo let out a soft moan and gripped at his shoulders, he really wanted not to do this. But the Gaul have a devilish way of getting to him, as the older man grasped at his behind.
"Ahh....! Grimm, please...." whimpered Ichigo, but he moaned again when Grimmjow grounded his hips against him, feeling the growing arousal against his stomach. "We really can't.... we'll get in trouble again," he panted just before his lips were captured into a heated kiss.
"By the fucking gods, I know.... but my body says otherwise," he growled with deep lust. "However, there's one thing that's stopping me."
"Hm? What, Grimmjow....?"
"I don't think I can fuck someone who smells like fish," smirked Grimmjow. That instantly made Ichigo frown and he pushed himself away from the now laughing Gaul, before storming downhill. "I'm only kidding, I'm just kidding! You only smell a little, but that wouldn't bother me!" he cackled.
"But it bothers me so greatly!" Ichigo scoffed in a petty manner, hauling the sack of fish as he stomped back up. "If that's the stupid case, then you should carry it! I'll take the horse back home instead....!"
"Oh, it's not that bad, kid! I've fucked worse--" smirked Grimmjow, but earned an annoyed glare from the teen and he bit back a chuckle. "Those were very poor choices of words right there....!"
"I'm sure," sniffed Ichigo, shoving the bag to Grimmjow's arms. "Let's go home...." he huffed as he grasped at Epona's reins and walked ahead. Grimmjow chuckled, easily carrying the bag over his shoulder, as he strolled behind him. But his smile lessened and glanced back at the distant forest. So Ginjou will be gone for a few months, meaning that he wouldn't be bothered by the likes of him for some times. But one thing was bothering him.
If the other man continues as a praetor, Grimmjow would be too far off to get his revenge. But if that job were to cease, then he wasn't sure if he could get another chance once Ginjou is gone. He glanced back at Ichigo, who was still miffed over the joke earlier, and sighed deeply. He doesn't want to die now, and he doesn't to get killed so easily either. "Fuck...." he grumbled.
"Hm? What is it now, Grimmjow?" frowned Ichigo.
"Nothing, just.... thinking about something important," mumbled Grimmjow.
"Huh? Like what exactly?" he asked, annoyance erased from his face as he looked at him in concern. Grimmjow glanced back at him and put up a reassuring smile.
"It's not that concerning, kid. Trust me," he sighed.
(Blood and Sand)
"Renji.... Renji, wake up! You lazy bum!" Renji snorted from his sleep when he was smacked on the arm. His tired eyes blinked and he frowned, wondering who would dare to wake him. Then again, he was sleeping in Byakuya's bed since last night so he couldn't really question it. "Renji, get up! Brother wants you to send a very important message today....!"
"Hmm? Rukia....?" Renji grumbled as he forced himself to sit up. His crimson hair tangled from sleep as he scratched through it and he yawned loudly, before blinking again to notice Rukia frowning at him. "What's the matter? You said something about Byakuya a second ago or something?"
"Uh, yeah," huffed the petite girl. "Brother said the both of you are doing a favor for Ichigo. He didn't say what, but it's important. Not that I want to care or something," she added with a tart frown.
"Important....? Oh right, why didn't he wake me up in the first place?" he muttered, getting off the bed. But he seemed to have forgotten that he was naked, as bedsheets promptly fell from his waist.
"Damn it, Renji! You got to learn how to dress up before bed....!" Rukia scowled, though her cheeks turned red at the sight before looking away. The red-head merely rolled his eyes before moving to collect his tunic hanging on a chair nearby.
"You've seen me naked many times before," he muttered. "Plus, who would remember to dress for bed with the stuff we did....?"
"Hmph, as if I need to know that," shrugged Rukia. Renji said nothing else, putting on his tunic and tightening his belt before finger-combing his hair.
"Rukia...." he muttered, walking up to her.
"Huh? What is it, Renji?" she asked.
".... After all these years, are you okay with me being with your brother?" he asked, with a concerned frown. His mistress blinked at that and glanced up at him, but seemed mildly confused about it.
"I've never had any problem about it before," she shrugged. "Why're you asking about it, Renji?" Renji simply frowned, staring at the teen girl. She was the splitting image of her late older sister, who was the wife of his master. In fact, Hisana was an extremely generous and kind person, even towards the slaves who served her. That was because of her humble but secretive past, something not many people of note even knew of.
Rukia was the innocent one during the brief marriage, given that she was only a young toddler when she was adopted into the family. And with Renji knowing her for the most of her life, he was like a second brother to her. But with him being with Byakuya in the past several years, Rukia seemed to be nonchalant about it, seeing their relationship as more than an affair between slave and master. "I'm just feeling a bit concerned about it, about whether or not you have opinion about it."
"Oh, that.... I'd like to see my brother happy, that's all," nodded Rukia. "He seems to be at his happiest when it involves you. Although it sometimes hard to tell with his personality...." Renji chuckled a little, as he and his mistress left the bedroom to make their way to the office.
"I know what he thinks, he tells me so," he smiled lightly. "He said I got something important to do involving Ichigo? Guess that means it involves Grimmjow as well.... You heard that those two are hunting around in the woods, right?"
"Yeah, I'm starting to think they're idiots," pouted Rukia. "Almost everyday, they go there hoping to catch any animals. I know they could be doing something other than setting up traps but what....?" Renji held back his smirk; he believed the real truth of those two waiting around in the forest but knowing Grimmjow he probably would be 'threatened' again.
"Hmm, you're only mad because Grimmjow killed a couple of rabbits a few days ago," he implied, and the petite teen frowned.
"They shouldn't be eaten as food, you know. I'd rather have one as a pet," she sighed.
"You believe so, but pets shouldn't be so tasty," joked Renji.
"Hey....!"
"Renji.... if you would quit dawdling, we have matters to discuss," Byakuya called out calmly from the doorway of his office. Renji smiled sheepishly but nodded before glancing down at Rukia.
"Sorry, adult business, Rukia...." he smiled.
"Tch, fine.... talk to you later," sighed Rukia before walking off. Renji turned to Byakuya, the red-head's joking grin lessened into a composed frown. Obviously, there were serious matters to discuss, as the magistrate stepped into the office.
"Is there something important that you wish to call for me, Master?" he questioned, following after him.
"Yes, of course...." nodded Byakuya. "I've been following the records of the slave trading, the ones concerning the captured friend of Grimmjow," he stated, patting at the documents on his desk.
"Oh, right," nodded Renji. "Did something new come up, Master?" Byakuya answered silently with a deep frown, and the slave frowned as well. By that expression, he knew it wasn't good news. "Did something happen to his friend, Master?" he asked quietly, his tattoo'd eyebrows knitted together.
".... He still lives, fortunately," he nodded. "However, I receive a rather distressing news involving him. I have been in contact with the main trader, but it just so happened that he recently died, probably from some illness during the sea vouyage. He seemed to be the only one who knew of my specific request, but now that he's deceased.... a new trader was substituted and sold off the slaves the moment the ship landed in Sicily."
"Wait a minute, what?" Renji scoffed in disbelief.
"My point exactly," frowned Byakuya, sighing in utter annoyance. "I've just gotten the news this morning, Renji. I honestly don't know how to relay this to Ichigo. I'm not sure how they will react to this news, of that person now sold to whoever it could be."
".... Are you sure he wasn't sold to the mines, Master?" he asked. "Maybe you can find whether or not some nobleman who took him--"
"I could, but it's hard to pintpoint the ones who are living in Sicily or just visiting. Either way, it could take weeks before I can figure out who exactly, and we won't know if this boy is still around by then...."
"Shit...." Feeling fully awake, Renji sighed heavily and shook his head. "So that's why you want me to deliver the message, because I'm friends with Grimmjow...."
"If it's that terrible, I'll send another servant--" Byakuya replied.
"No, no, I'll do it, Master," sighed Renji. "I'm the only one who could bring the news as gently as I can. Let's just hope that Grimmjow don't take it the wrong way." His master nodded at his decision, leaning to kiss at his lips.
"Do what you wish, Renji...." he muttered.
(Blood and Sand)
Ichigo laughed before jumping back, dodging the swing from Grimmjow. It had been a while since they last sparred. But the days of them roaming around the woods to hunt had seemed to harden his abilities as he dodged again before moving to counter. "Shit, you're getting too good, kid! I'm actually impressed....!" smirked Grimmjow as he quickly parried, the wooden swords clanked loudly against one another in the villa hallway.
"Hah! Glad you see it that way!" Ichigo smiled. "I thought you'd be exhausted from chasing deers and rabbits these past few weeks! That's why I'm winning this fight!"
"Tch, if you fucking think so, you arrogant fool....!" he sneered playfully. Indeed, Ichigo seemed to be getting stronger by the day, judging by the muscles slowly building up visually as well as physically with Grimmjow's teasing hands. It was hard to keep it to himself, but between the sparring and the hunting trips, the Gaul must act calm at home. The only things that could keep him preoccupied were thoughts of Diroy getting closer for a reunion. He remembered the teen being overwhelmed by Ginjou's soldiers, seeing his terrified face just before he blacked out from the wound on his torso.
Months had already passed so fast and yet so slowly, Grimmjow wondered if he had changed. There was a chance that he might be traumatized through all of these ordeals, but the man hoped that he could help him get used to the new world here. Maybe for the better, as they must stay here for another several months to help him. But.... more thoughts came up, and it soon concerned him. He decided to stay for Ichigo and yet, he wished to go back to his homelands, to see if his mother had been doing all this time.
Not only that, it felt like his vengeance towards Ginjou was getting weaker and weaker, even though he still wished death on him. Was it because of his affection for Ichigo, or seeing the praetor being beaten down by the superiors of Rome....? He wasn't sure about it, as his thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a harsh strike to the side and he hissed out in surprise. "Fucking shit....!" he groaned.
"Come on, Grimmjow! Don't get distracted, that's the number one rule!" laughed Ichigo.
"I know, fuck....!" sighed Grimmjow. "Sorry, kid, I was just thinking too much again."
"Oh.... you've been doing that lately," Ichigo realized. "Tell me, Grimmjow.... is there something on your mind? You can tell me about it." Grimmjow sighed and straightened up with a roll of his shoulders, his palm patting at the the worn out training weapon.
"Guess you can say that I'm feeling homesick, since I kept thinking about my village," he muttered quietly. "It felt like the more days have passed, the more days I've missed back home.... but it's obvious that I missed my mother the most. I'm glad that she finally replied soon after I won for the emperor, though it only proved that I missed her even more."
"Oh, that...." Ichigo smiled in sympathy. He remembered the messager delivering the letter to Grimmjow, wishing to know what was mentioned but since it was written in the Gaul's natural language, he could only guess by the excited reaction on his face. But a second but smaller letter came with it, this time written in Roman tongue, just for Ichigo.
"Please look after him. I am sure you are kind to him judging from the stories he had told me. Thank you."
It was written rather crudely, but Grimmjow's mother seemed to be very bright to even know how to write the Roman words despite of the obscure location of the village. "She's obviously a very good woman, smart even.... to think that she could've taught you how to write if given the chance," smiled Ichigo, though Grimmjow frowned at him.
"She didn't think it was important," he huffed. "She explained that since Roman representatives rarely come around our territory, there was no need to assimilate ourselves further to them."
"You sure that it's because you're too stubborn to sit still and learn, Grimmjow?" teased the teen.
".... No." Ichigo chuckled a little at the petty remark and shook his head. "It's not that funny, kid," frowned Grimmjow. "I'm a fucking warrior, there shouldn't be a need to know such trivial things."
"You only just saying that because Nel kept nagging you about knowing the so-called trivial things," he smiled.
"Whatever, but if it's that important then I'll try to learn," huffed Grimmjow.
"Great! I could teach you as we wait on the traps during the hunt," he offered. "It won't be hard, although it would be like teaching a young child...." Grimmjow scoffed a bit, but he agreed to it with a nod. Might as well, otherwise both of them would have to come up with more excuses if they keep 'playing around'. They nearly got caught one time when Ichigo appeared to have been rolling around in mud and dirt. The teen actually was rolling around when he was trying to catch the small games that was fleeing away. However, he released the remaining energy by making out with Grimmjow before helping the Gaul's own release with his hands.
Maybe now, they would get serious and not let the passion get to them so easily. Grimmjow grinned to himself, the feeling of homesickness was easing down for now. It was obvious that Ichigo was helping him dealing with the situation, as he braced himself into a defense position. "All right, let's get back to work, kid," he grinned.
"Fine, Grimmjow, I--" Ichigo smiled but paused in his movements when he noticed Nel walking in. "Oh, Nel. We're not pushing ourselves so hard if that's what you're thinking," he said, and Grimmjow frowned in annoyance when he took a brief glance at her. But Nel was actually frowning in concern as she shook her head.
"No, it's not that.... Renji's here, and he has something to tell you two," she replied.
"Huh? He's here....?" Grimmjow muttered in surprise. Sure enough, Renji stepped into the hallway. But instead of sporting the usual goofy grin, he was frowning rather grimly as he stepped closer. Both Grimmjow and Ichigo noticed it, as the teen furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
"Renji, what's wrong?" he asked with a slight frown. "You say you got something to tell us, right?"
".... Yeah, my master had just received some unfortunate news this morning," nodded Renji. Instant chill fell down on Grimmjow, as his eyes hardened on the red-head.
"Did something happen to Diroy?" he questioned. "Is he okay, or did he get hurt?"
"Well.... yes and no, Grimmjow," Renji frowned.
"What do you mean by that, Renji?" scowled Grimmjow. "Is Diroy in trouble, is that what you're saying?"
"No, it's not that," sighed the red-head. "The ship that was carrying your friend.... the trader died just before they reached Sicily. They hired a new one but since my master didn't immediately inform the other one, a mistake was made and your friend was sold off with the other slaves.
".... What was that?" Grimmjow gasped in disbelief, but anger and confusion filled up his face. "Diroy got sold off? You can't find him anywhere? Do you know where he could be found, which fucker he was sold to?"
"I know how you feel, Grimmjow. We were just as angry about the news as well--" Renji tried to explain, but the Gaul let out a frustrated growl as he tossed his wooden sword aside.
"The fuck is going on with you, Renji!" he growled. "I thought your master was doing great, but this mistake.... Because of this bullshit, my friend's probably gone forever! I won't ever fucking see him again....!"
"No, it's not that, Grimmjow!" Renji tried to assure. "Even if my master could try to fix it up, you've forgotten that he's a very busy magistrate! It's not really possible to deal with your problem specifically!"
"Oh.... is that fucking it?" growled Grimmjow. "That's the problems with these fucking Romans....! There's nothing to deal with us slaves, as long as we do the shit for those lazy fucks!"
"Grimmjow, calm down....! We can talk about it later when--" Ichigo assured, trying to grasp at his shoulder.
"Stop it! How the fuck can I calm down, with Diroy fucking missing because of what they did!" snarled the Gaul, roughly wretching himself from the teen's grip. "I should kill those fuckers for what they did! I cannot believe that bullshit, how dare they do this....!"
"Grimmjow--"
"Shut the fuck up....!" he snarled, cutting off Renji who suddenly felt stunned by the anger towards him. "Get the fuck outta my sight, I don't want to see your face until Diroy's found! You fucking got that?"
"Ah.... I said I'm sorry about the mix-up, Grimmjow," frowned Renji. "I wish I could solve the problems as easily as possible, but--"
"Forget it....! Go back to your beloved master, you shit-eating fuck....!" Grimmjow growled, shoving the red-head aside as he stormed off. Ichigo was stupefied in total disbelief; he had never seen Grimmjow that angry before. Not even when he was being reluctant of being a slave initially. But seeing his anger made him feel concerned, as he slumped his shoulders.
".... Sorry about that, Renji," he muttered, but Renji merely shook his head.
"The fault is mine.... It's just that we hadn't expected this to happen," sighed the red-head. "I could understand his anger, but it wouldn't help with the situation. I'll try the best as I can to find out, Ichigo, but it'll be difficult to do so. Sicily's a pretty big island, and finding the exact buyers around that time is complicated. Still.... it won't happen so quickly even with the informations we're getting in a few days."
"I know...." Ichigo frowned sadly.
"Whether he meant it or not that he doesn't want to see me again, it sounds rather hurtful to hear that," frowned Renji. "Guess that means we won't be able to train together if we don't find his friend in time."
"Um, don't worry about it, Renji. I'm sure he'll cool down sooner or later," he replied. Renji just frowned but nodded as he turned to leave.
"I'll come back if any news come up...." Once he left, Ichigo put up a grim frown. Grimmjow was obviously devastated of his friend being missing, but it shouldn't be okay to lash out at the one who was sorry about it. He glanced up at Nel, who frowned in concern, before sighing.
"I'm sure he's okay.... maybe he's just sad about his friend, that's obviously it," Ichigo said with a small smile. "He's probably in the stall with Epona, I'll go check and see," he nodded as he moved to leave.
"But, I don't think.... oh, it doesn't matter," sighed Nel. "Just be careful, Ichigo...." Ichigo nodded before stepping out of the villa. He turned to walk around his home to the cozy stall. Epona was there, tethered to a wooden pole to give enough walking space with a stack of hay as a makeshift bed. However, Grimmjow was the one sitting in it, slumping over his raised lap with his narrowed eyes staring ahead. Epona grunted softly to get his attention, as the mare sensed his mood, but she was ignored even when she nudged her nose at him. Ichigo carefully stepped in, but it was as if he wasn't noticed by the Gaul. He took a deep breath and stepped closer, standing in front of him but was still invisible to Grimmjow.
".... Grimmjow...." he murmured softly. "I.... know that this is bad to hear what happened to your friend but.... you got to know that you must calm down and think things through. It's best to have hope and wait for the result--"
"Just.... stop it, okay?" Grimmjow muttered, and Ichigo blinked as he unwillingly shut his mouth.
"B-but--"
"It won't do any fucking good to keep talking about it," he frowned, finally glaring up at him. "Diroy's gone, possibly forever, and you're asking me that I have to hope for the best?"
"I.... I really don't know what to say, Grimmjow," frowned Ichigo. "But I'm trying. I just don't want to see you so down like this." Grimmjow exhaled sharply before standing up, towering over his master with his hardened gaze on him.
"Then what can you do about this....?" he questioned. "Sniff him out with your dog? Sacrificing a bull to see the signs? Pray to your fucking gods to find the right directions of where he is? You got any other advice on that, because I'd like to hear that." Ichigo felt the harsh words digging deeply into his skin but he frowned in confusion. He couldn't believe that Grimmjow would act so hurtful to him right now, just when he was trying to cheer him up.
"Look, I'm sorry about this too, but don't take it out on me," he frowned. "Moping about it wouldn't help either, so what can you do about it, Grimmjow?"
"Don't fucking take it out on me--"
"Then don't take it out on me, also," scoffed Ichigo. "I just wanted to help you but you're pushing me away. What are we to each other right now, let alone over the past month? What do you think about that, huh?" Grimmjow couldn't answer, instead he shook his head and sat back down, his cyan eyes gazing down on the hay-covered ground. ".... Please, Grimmjow, I really do care about you," Ichigo sighed in sympathy. "I really don't to see you this way. I'm sorry but that's the best I could say."
".... Just leave me alone, kid," muttered Grimmjow.
"Grimmjow--"
"Stop trying, and leave me alone," he pressed. "There's no way that talking to me could help...." Ichigo fell silent and stared at the blunet. He wasn't sure to feel angry or sorry about it, but he just frowned as he turned to leave, rustling footsteps disappearing. It wasn't long until the sounds completely gone, before Grimmjow let out a deep sigh. What he said to Ichigo wasn't probably the right way, but what else was? His friend is now missing, just when he was close to seeing him again. It was someone's fault; he didn't really mean to blame Renji and his master but it just came out during his anger.
Epona snorted a little, again nudging at him. ".... This is terrible, girl," he muttered quietly, slipping into his language as he reached up to pet her nose. "Diroy's gone.... he's probably being hauled around by some high-ranking fucker. Shit.... I should've protected him when I had the chance. But I guess it wouldn't have mattered anyway. My other friends are dead, and I don't have anyone...." Epona seemed to understand that, and she huffed warm air at his face. He frowned at her, but the mare grunted and stomped her hooves as if trying to tell him worng.
"Tch, you don't get it...." frowned Grimmjow. "Who is there for me, then? How can I deal with this if my only surviving friend is gone....?" Epona plopped herself beside him and huffed deeply before turning her head at the entrance. Grimmjow frowned, maybe she was telling him that Ichigo was important. Then again.... Ichigo had been there for him since day one. When he was totally against being a slave for that teen. Then they soon became friends and then more, hiding their secretive affair as lovers. But.... Grimmjow wasn't sure if he actually have more than just feelings for him. The women before Ichigo was nothing more than flings, but they have never cared much about him. Ichigo was the only one who accepted him for what he was.
So what does that mean....? He patted at the smooth dusky-colored coat and sighed deeply. "There was too much going on in my mind right now...." he sighed deeply. "Let me hide out with you for a while." Epona grunted in understanding, as the Gaul slouched back to close his eyes. He really needed to calm down, like Ichigo had said, so he could talk to him.
(Blood and Sand)
Ichigo kept feeling distracted throughout the evening. His thoughts was nothing but the news of Grimmjow's friend being mistakenly sold off, as well as the Gaul himself. He hadn't returned back to his room as he had checked a few times earlier, but Ichigo didn't want to bother him anymore, believing that the older man just needed some space to think things through. Yet he was feeling a little annoyed that Grimmjow had taken his anger out on him. It wasn't fair that he was given the blame as well. After dinner, he decided to check one more time.
"...." As Ichigo stepped into Grimmjow's bedroom, he glanced around the dark area. It was still empty, however, and he frowned. Maybe Grimmjow was still hiding out with Epona, but it only proved that he still didn't want to be bothered. "Shit...." sighed Ichigo.
He turned around to leave, anxiously running his hands over his shoulders. Does Grimmjow really wish to be left alone, because of what happened today? He really wanted to talk to him but quickly thought against it. He wondered what can he do about it to make it better but he was stumped. They were lovers and yet he felt like a stranger to him right now. As he paced up the stairs and through the hallway, he suddenly heard faint footsteps getting louder and he paused.
".... Grimmjow?" he called out quietly. Almost immediately, a shadow quivered on the floor before Grimmjow came into view. It would have been a pitiful sight if it weren't for bits of hay sticking in his hair, but he was frowning as he stepped closer to him. Ichigo frowned back but with concern as he cleared his throat. ".... Are you feeling better, Grimmjow?" he asked.
".... Somewhat," sighed Grimmjow. "Epona's not easy to sleep next to, though she was warm as fuck." He gazed down at the teen and took a deep exhale, scratching through his hair to remove the hay. ".... Look, kid, I.... I'm sorry," he sighed. "I really didn't mean to say that shit to you, even though I was angry about the news...."
"I know, Grimmjow," muttered Ichigo. "It shouldn't be Renji's fault that it happened either, he and Byakuya didn't see this happening. Fate just happens."
".... Fate led me to this slavery, have you forgotten that?" he frowned.
"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that--"
"I know, kid," nodded Grimmjow. "It's just that.... Diroy's close to your age, he's young. I'm always afraid of what any fucker could do to him, one way or another." Ichigo saw a hint of anxiety in his eyes, thinking of anything to say to him. Sighing, he reached to grasp his hands and gazed at him once again.
".... Everything will be okay, Grimmjow," he nodded with a small smile. "I'm sorry, but that's how my mother would often say it, during her bouts of illness. Somehow, just saying it makes me feel better. And I'm sure that your friend will be found soon...." Grimmjow nodded. His master was still a naive teen, but what he said was true. Plently of times during the slave trading, he cursed his gods for leaving him like this. But maybe for once he had to have faith, as he reached up to ruffle at Ichigo's hair.
"I can try...." he muttered. "Good night, kid," he sighed, walking past by him for downstairs.
"Oh, good night, Grimmjow," said Ichigo. He watched him going inside but he still frowned. It looked like Grimmjow was still disheartened about it. He felt like he didn't help at all, as he slowly walked upstairs. Zangetsu was waiting for him in the bedroom, wagging his tail a little the moment he stepped inside. "I know, I know.... it's time to go to bed, Zangetsu," sighed Ichigo. He began removing his clothes, shivering a little when the cool linen tunic ran over his shoulders and arms.
Tomorrow will not be easy. They probably won't be able to hunt if Grimmjow is still distracted over his friend's predicament. Just as he was reaching for his sleepwear, Zangetsu wagged his tail again and Ichigo noticed it. "Hm? I'm already here, boy," he muttered, "What's there to wag about--"
"Shh...." Ichigo nearly shrieked out in surprise, but a strong hand covered his mouth before he realized who it was. "Shh, it's me...." whispered Grimmjow, his lips deftly pressing at the edge of the teen's ear.
"Mm.... Grimmjow, what the fuck....?" he gasped in surprise as he pulled the hand away, his eyes widened at him, mostly from the fact that he was still nude with his bare back against his waist. "What do you think you're doing here....?" Grimmjow said nothing to respond to it, instead he moved to kiss at his neck. "Grimmjow--"
"Please...." he murmured softly. "Please, Ichigo.... I need you right now." The way the Gaul said sent shivers down Ichigo's spine, but for a different reason. It almost sounded like he was feeling lonely at the moment. He frowned sadly, turning his head a bit to glance at him.
"This shouldn't be right, Grimmjow, it's not what you need," he muttered. But Grimmjow ignored that. Instead, he trailed his rough fingers at the smooth skin before wrapping his arm around the slim waist.
"You're the only one I got right now, Ichigo...." he whispered, almost in a pleading tone. "You can't turn me down now.... I don't have anyone." Ichigo frowned again. He couldn't move away from this plea, not when Grimmjow was feeling unusually vulnerable right now. Slowly, he turned around to face him, seeing the sorrowful expression etched right in.
"You need me, right....?" he muttered. "I'll be there for you, Grimmjow, if you want me to...."
"Of course, Ichigo...." muttered Grimmjow. Ichigo didn't want to see him look like this again, as he reached up to cup his face.
"Sorry about this...." he said as he moved to kiss his lips. His slave instantly kissed back, tongues wrestling as the rough hand ran through the bright orange tresses. It was then Ichigo realized that Grimmjow was holding the small jar of oil in the other hand before the older man moved away, his expression lightened a little but he was still frowning.
"Your dog...." he nodded.
"Right, right...." mumbled Ichigo with his cheeks tingling red. "Zangetsu, we just need a moment or two, okay....?" he muttered, leading the understandable dog out of the room. He shut the door then turned back to Grimmjow, who began to take off his tunic. "Are.... are you really feeling okay, Grimmjow?" he asked with concern.
".... Yeah, I just feel like being with you, Ichigo," muttered the Gaul. Ichigo just nodded and walked up to him. They were already close to the bed when Grimmjow sat down first then Ichigo straddled onto his lap as they resumed kissing. The teen could sense the eagerness biting and licking against his lips. The heat between them was heating up fast, as he felt the arousal swelling up underneath him. "Ichigo...." he growled softly, his free hand that was roaming around settled at his master's hips.
"We need to be quiet...." Ichigo panted.
"I know...." he mumbled. The ache was getting strong by now, feeling himself grinding between the cheeks. "Shit, Ichigo...." he groaned, enjoying the feeble noises seeping out of Ichigo's tight lips. He reached down to feel the small dry entrance before leaning back to reach for oil. Bracing for it, Ichigo kissed at his lips, knowing not to let out any more noises.
"Mmh...!" He flinched when he felt a cool slick finger pushing into him. He clamped onto Grimmjow's shoulder and bit his bottom lip, heat tingled in his face as he felt the digit pumping in and out of him. "Grimm...." he whimpered softly.
"Shh.... it's okay," murmured Grimmjow, not a moment later he pushed a second finger in. Ichigo tensed up at first but quickly relaxed. The teen could sense that he was getting impatient, but he couldn't blame him for that. He whined but Grimmjow kissed him again, first his lips then down to his throat, his sharp teeth grazed at the flawless skin. "Are you ready for it, Ichigo....?" he muttered quietly.
"Y-yes...." nodded Ichigo. Grimmjow moved his fingers a few more times before removing them, scooping some more oil to slather over his erection.
"Get ready...." he warned. Ichigo nodded before the tip slowly nudged into the prepared entrance. He inhaled sharply at the initial intrusion, but kept back his voice as Grimmjow gripped at his hips and pushed him down. "Shit...." groaned Grimmjow, while Ichigo shivered by the full feeling. "Did I hurt you?" he asked when he noticed the misty tears in the teen's eyes.
"No, no.... I just have to get used to this position," muttered Ichigo. His slim legs wrapped around the Gaul's waist before leaning in another kiss.
"Hmm.... this time, you help," Grimmjow said, for once putting up a small smirk after his ordeal. "Brace yourself, Ichigo...." Ichigo gripped his fingers over the older man's shoulders tighter while the stronger hands grasped at his hips.
"Ahh....!" Ichigo gasped when he was pulled up from the man's lap before being pushed back down. That was probably what Grimmjow meant, as he felt a pleasurable shiver up his spine. "Okay, I get it...." he moaned. Almost awkwardly, he pulled himself up a little then moving back down. This position seemed to have intensified apart from the other times and he moaned again, as he kept trying.
Grimmjow grunted softly, thrusting his hips upwards to meet with Ichigo's. He must have been crazy to be talking to the horse about Ichigo earlier, but an animal like that was smart. He does have more than just feelings for the teen. Roman or not, there was something special about him, but an inkling of something else was nagging at him. He wasn't sure what, as he gripped underneath Ichigo's legs.
"Hmm? Wha--" Ichigo gasped.
"Wait a minute...." Grimmjow grunted as he gingerly stood up, with the confused teen in his arms. He then turned to lay him onto the bed before leaning over him. He watched the perplexed but mystified expression on Ichigo's face but kissed at his lips for reassurance. "It's okay, Ichigo...." he murmured, pushing one of his master's legs back.
"Ahh.... f-fuck...." moaned Ichigo. He bit his lip again the moment Grimmjow resumed, the rough thrusts was sending him over the edge and he didn't want to yelp out to disturb the sleeping household. But it was getting harder to do so, when the blunet decided to stroke off his weeping arousal. Warm tears trickled out of his clenched eyes as he vainly covered his face into his arms, the pleasure was overriding and Grimmjow hadn't even struck that special spot yet.
"Shit...." groaned Grimmjow. Seeing Ichigo like this was very alluring, and he smirked lighty at that. The teen kept tightening on him at every thrust and yet he quivered whenever he pulled back. He leaned down to plant loving kisses against the neck and shoulders, enjoying the muffled moans and whines coming out of Ichigo. "Don't give up, now.... we barely even started," he teased.
"Sh-shut up...." whimpered Ichigo but moaned when Grimmjow thrusted deeper. "Shit.... f-find it, Grimm. Please...."
"I'll try...." After the first two times, Grimmjow would think that he would have found it easily. He adjusted his angles in the next several thrusts, until he heard the teen accidently yelped out. Luckily, his voice was muffled out from the mattress but Grimmjow smirked just the same. "Fucking shit...." he groaned softly, as he thrusted again. Ichigo moaned again, his body writhed at each strike almost in a bruising manner. But it was still gratifying, as he was getting close.
"G-Grimm...." he whimpered, teary eyes gazing up at him with sense of pleading. Grimmjow nodded in understanding as he pushed in a few more thrusts. "Ah! Ahh, shit...!" Ichigo gasped out, finally spilling himself over the Gaul's fist. Grimmjow groaned deeply, the reaction caused a tightening around him but he held back despite of the coiling feeling in his lower stomach.
"Fuck...." he panted. He cupped at Ichigo's tear-stained face and licked at the abused lips for a kiss. Ichigo snifled but kissed back, the smell of the older man's sweat assaulted his nose but he didn't care. "Mmh, Ichigo...." he rumbled.
"Grimm-- ahh....!" Ichigo let out a quivering gasp when Grimmjow climaxed, feeling the warm seed splurting within his insides. "Ahh.... fuck, fuck...." panted the teen before Grimmjow carefully collapsed on top of him. It was hauntingly interesting that the bright cyan seemed to glow in the dark room. He wiped his own eyes before gazing at him; the Gaul seemed to be better but he could still see the solemness within his expression.
".... I didn't hurt you, did I?" Grimmjow muttered, removing himself before lying next to him. Ichigo frowned but shook his head.
"No, though I have a backache now," he sighed. His hand trailed over the smooth scar gently, the silence between them soon fell over them. He doesn't know what to say to him now, it almost felt like the sex was just an excuse to avoid the subject. ".... Grimmjow, are you feeling okay?" he suddenly questioned, gazing at him again. "Please tell me.... why did you say that you needed me? For what purpose, other than this? Because you were feeling lonely....?"
Grimmjow looked at him, but frowned as if trying to find the words for the right answer. Ichigo sighed and cuddled against the bare body for warmth. ".... Sorry, I suppose I shouldn't press you at a time like this," he muttered. But Grimmjow nodded, his strong arms wrapped around the lithe body to pull him closer.
"This place, out of this empire.... you're the only one I could trust, Ichigo," he muttered quietly. "You're a very good kid, you got a kind heart. You have done nothing to wrong me, and I respect that. If it was someone else.... I'd probably give up on myself ages ago. I can't live on as a slave."
"Grimmjow...." Ichigo whispered in surprise. "No, you would have to keep living if it was someone else who has you. You're too much of a stubborn Gaul to give up so easily." Grimmjow quirked a small smirk and nuzzled into the orange hair. "Hmm, you know that I'll be there for you, no matter what. I want you to be happy.... Even if it's about your friend's unfortunate fate, you really do have to keep your hopes up. The gods won't answer if you become pessimistic..."
"Yeah, I know...." nodded Grimmjow, kissing at his forehead. "Do you want me to stay with you until you fall asleep, kid?"
"May you....?" Ichigo asked with a coyful smile. Grimmjow rumbled out a soft chuckle, pulling the bed sheets over them.
"The sooner you go to sleep, the sooner I could slip out of here," he sighed.
"Tch, what a way to spoil the mood...." Grimmjow smirked again, petting through the silky hair as his master shut his eyes. He continued to touch his hair, hearing the breathing and waiting for it to become soft and even. It was true.... without Ichigo as his master, he wasn't sure how to live on as a slave.
He waited a few more moments, before he slowly pulled away. As expected, Ichigo was slumped in his slumber, mumbling a bit but went soon went still. He carefully extracted himself from the bed and put on his tunic. "Shit...." he sighed, looking around until he saw the sleeping tunic on a nearby chair. As quickly and silently as possible, he put it on the sleeping teen who didn't fuss much. After having sex, who wouldn't feel tired? He picked up his jar of oil and moved to open the door. Zangetsu was dutifully waiting when he wagged his tail, before slipping into the room.
"Good boy...." he muttered. "Take care of him for me, okay?" The dog responded by leaping onto the bed and snuggling against his owner. Grimmjow put up a small smile before leaving the door, silently walking to go downstairs. But as soon as he landed on the ground floor, he suddenly frowned.
Something didn't feel right, as he listened for something. Or anything for that matter. But there was no noise saved for soft cooing of resting pigeons in the garden. "Hmm...." he sighed. His sharp eyes glanced around just to make sure, before he turned to go to the slaves' quarters. But as soon as the echoing footsteps disappeared into the dark doorway, moments had passed before a quivering breath was let out.
"Oh my goodness...." came a gasping sound. It was Nel, hiding behind a pillar, but she hadn't expected to be ended up like this. She was making sure that there was no food being left out in the kitchen, when she saw Grimmjow talking to Ichigo earlier. At first, she didn't think much of it when she then watched the Gaul going downstairs. But when she was about to leave the kitchen, she noticed Grimmjow coming back up with something in his hand.
It confused her, usually Ichigo would ask for him to come along. But with Grimmjow going alone, it felt rather suspicious. She walked close to the stairway, but paused when she heard unusual noises. What came next was shocking yet confusing, after she then heard the bedroom door closed. She attempted to go upstairs for a closer inspection, but when she noticed Zangetsu curled up in front of Ichigo's door, something must be wrong.
The dog wagged his tail at the sight of her but didn't move an inch when she walked up to him. That only made Nel's suspicion worsen as she frowned. Through the door, she could hear muffled noises, something that didn't sound recognizable. But she did hear Grimmjow's voice, sounding like soft groans and grunts.
"Oh my...." she had gasped in shock, before running back downstairs. What was he doing in there, and those noises.... did it involve Ichigo? She stared up the stairs in a frozen stupor. It can't be right.... Ichigo was still a young boy, and that man may be doing something to him. Something she feared was wrong to begin with.
She snapped out of it long enough to hear the door open and moved to hide behind a pillar, leading up to the Gaul finally going back to his own room. But she couldn't feel relieved about it, as she slid down to the floor. She just couldn't believe it.... she had known Ichigo for all of his life. And to have Grimmjow 'taint' him like that....
"Oh my goodness.... how could he....?" Nel muttered hurtfully, shaking her head before burying her face into her hands. She could feel warm tears prickling at her eyes, hoping to the gods that it didn't turn out that way.
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Uh-oh, look what I did....! Wonder what's gonna happen now, mainly because I don't either but I can try!
Happy early Halloween, peewees!
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