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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
- 20
- 21
- 22
Just waiting for the new awesome updates to the Bleach Manga online! Now that it's possible that Ichigo happens to be part-Quincy! If that turns out to be true, someone's gonna get punched! But I'm glad that Byakuya is still alive, and so is Kenpachi! But I'm still a little miffed about what's going on, it's so confusing....!
Warrior by Boogermeister
Chapter 21- Great and Unfortunate Things
Lazily scrawling on the ground with a stick, Grimmjow frowned with concentration to make out the Roman alphabets. Several weeks had passed, and yet he was still unable to comprehend the written language, even with Ichigo's help. They both agreed to a compromise, that between the hunt Ichigo could teach him basics of reading and writing. Surprisingly, Grimmjow got the patience to learn but he would still get bored after a while. Repeating the alphabet twenty times instead of trapping animals would be considered tedious for a warrior. "Fuck.... Ichigo, is this enough right here?" he grumbled.
"Hm? Let me see." Ichigo was looking over the strips of meat being dried over fire before making his way to see Grimmjow's progress. He frowned a bit at the rather sloppy work but mentally counted the rows of alphabets. ".... You need to write out two more times, and then you're done," he shrugged.
"Fucking hell, can't you at least give me a break on this one, kid?" scoffed Grimmjow. "I've known enough already, I kept writing the same shit for the past few weeks."
"Trust me, Grimmjow, the real instructors would've made you write 100 times," smirked Ichigo. "Fine then, we leave it for now.... but after the meat are finished, we'll resume by spelling and writing out your name."
"Oh, lucky me...." Grimmjow stood up from his haunches and dusted at his cloak. He then moved to sit by the little fire, taking out the dagger at he picked up what's left of the hunted boar. Ichigo had already done the first part of gutting out the animal, though he was initially tentative about it due to the smell and the mess. But the teen was very vigil during the cooking part, watching the meat becoming brown and shriveled as Grimmjow sliced off more flesh.
"Is this my own lesson? Drying and preserving meat, for what reason exactly?" he asked.
"During hunting trips, one must be prepared, especially during long treks," shrugged Grimmjow. "You'd go mad with hunger, if you're not carrying around these."
"Oh, make sense," smiled Ichigo. "Ah, this one's done...." he muttered, removing the cooked meat with a stick. The next several moments were spent stripping and cooking the meat, as the Gaul occassionally glanced at his master. Ichigo seemed to stick by his side more closely than ever recently, ever since he admitted that he felt lonely during their heat of passion almost two months ago. Through the following weeks, the teen was around almost all the time, like an eager puppy freshly adopted, but it didn't bother him. Instead, Grimmjow enjoyed every minute of it.
Almost everyday, they were together, whether they were getting their hands dirty in the woods or swinging faux swords against one another. And between the lessons Ichigo would give him, they would spare an intimate moment or two in the concealment of trees and bushes. But the days were getting colder and colder and daylight becoming dimmer. Isshin, though had been sparsely around due to the season and the increased needs of imported goods, instructed them to return home before sunset.
Meaning they had to limit their time together even tighter, as Grimmjow glanced up at the sun glowing with deep golden light through the bare branches. "Shit, now we gotta hurry. I don't want to hear the shit complaining from that woman," he huffed.
"Come on, Nel's just being more concerned since the nights are getting longer," Ichigo sighed, removing the cooked meat. "And since my father says so, we gotta take it seriously."
"I know that...." sighed Grimmjow. "Your father, I know I'm supposed to respect him as my master.... but he seems to be a little...."
"Odd? Pretty much, as long as I can remember," smirked Ichigo. "He's very kind, but before he often likes to fool around as his reputation was known among our class. One time, he decided to teach me how to swim.... but he did so by tossing me into the deepest river he could find. And it wasn't the right season to be swimming, might I add."
"Sounds very tame in comparison to what I've been through with my father," Grimmjow chuckled a little. "You try braving the blizzard in a week-long hunting trip as a five-year-old. I had a good time, though...."
"You're a very weird man, Grimmjow," Ichigo sighed.
"I know," he smirked.
"Anyway.... my father's never a stern person, but it's bad to cross him whenever he gets serious. But that rarely happens, so you don't have to witness it."
"And I don't care to.... Okay, let's go, kid, we've made enough to last us for weeks," said Grimmjow, tossing the boar carcass away as he stood up.
"Fine," nodded Ichigo, dumping the food into the sack. Grimmjow smothered the small flame out with dirt and walked up to Epona, who was tied to a tree nearby. "You're just gonna leave the carcass there, Grimmjow?" Ichigo asked curiously.
"We have no need for guts and bones. Just leave those to the wolves," smirked Grimmjow. "Get up there, I'm sure we can make it home in time on the horse." Ichigo nodded and with the Gaul's help climbed onto the mare's back. With such ease, Grimmjow got on as well and sat behind him, before reaching for the reins. "Go, go...." he commanded, his feet nudged at Epona's sides and the horse finally went, trotting out of the woods for the open hills and valleys.
"Geez, at least you're not making her run," Ichigo commented.
"Maybe I should--"
"Don't, it stopped being funny the last three times," he frowned at Grimmjow, who smirked teasingly. He looked at him again, noticing that the wild blue hair that was cut during the summer was slowly growing out, with long strands behind his ears and down the back of his neck. ".... Do you think you need a haircut, Grimmjow?" he asked.
"Tch, I doubt it, I'd rather not let that woman get near me with a razor again," frowned Grimmjow. "I'll grow it out, simple as that."
"All right, all right...." nodded Ichigo, before they rode the rest of the way home in silence. He would just have to get used to seeing the Gaul with long hair, then. The last time he had seen him in that state was when he was first bought, with his waist-length hair matted and dirty that had to be cut. It would be interesting to run his fingers through that when it's long enough, as he snuggled against him.
His mind drifted about what was happening recently, about what was going on with Nel. It seemed that she was acting solemn and quiet whenever she was around them, but Grimmjow barely noticed about it. And when he had tried to ask what was wrong, she shrugged it off and went on with her job. He didn't get it, was there something bothering her that she couldn't talk about it? A few moments later, they reached home, with Grimmjow leading the mare to the stall behind the villa.
"Come on...." sighed Grimmjow as he got off then helped Ichigo down. "Guess we won't get to do that lesson of spelling and writing, huh?"
"Oh, we will, we got time to spare before dinner," smirked the teen, much to Grimmjow's annoyance.
"I hate you so much right now," he scoffed. He tethered Epona to the pole before they left the stall, taking a bag from him. "At least let me eat this, kid, lately I think that woman's giving me some shitty food."
"How so?" frowned Ichigo.
"For one thing, my porridge was ice-cold when she gave me my dinner last week," he muttered. "Not to mention that it tasted like dirt. I'm not acting crazy, I swear...."
"Actually, I believe you on that," he replied with a nod. "Nel does seem out of it these past few weeks, but I'm not sure what's going on with her. She won't tell me, but she seems sad."
"Tch, wonder what's going on in her mind....?" huffed Grimmjow.
(Blood and Sand)
Shaking her head, Nel prepared the food for dinner, but she felt half-hearted about the chores. After all, she was still concerned over what had happened two months ago. She was absolutely sure of it that Grimmjow had done something to Ichigo, but the teen acted as if nothing had happened the night before. But Grimmjow seemed content over the ordeal when she saw him the next morning, but that only made Nel more disturbed over it. Still.... she was also afraid of confronting Ichigo over it. She didn't want him to withdraw from the subject as he was still young.
But with Grimmjow.... yes, she must get to him as soon as possble. She had to corner him with this accusation. Already, she had messed up his meals on purpose but that seemed rather petty to do keep doing that. After stirring up the stew, she left the kitchen to prepare the table. She paused in her steps when she suddenly heard the front door opening along with familiar voices discussing with one another. A moment later, Ichigo and Grimmjow came into view when they stepped into the hallway.
"Next week's the new year, right? How can it be new when it's just another cold dry day?" frowned Grimmjow.
"Well it is out here, so it shouldn't be a problem," Ichigo shrugged with a smirk. "And it's not really next week, it's only nine days away...."
"Does it really matter? I only know it's a new year when it stops fucking snowing where I'm from," he scoffed. He glanced up in time to notice Nel, and he frowned deeply at the sight of her. "Oh, it's you...." he grumbled.
"Come on, Grimmjow...." Ichigo chastised him but the Gaul huffed as he crossed his arms. ".... Hey there, Nel," he then smiled at the woman, who frowned lightly. "We got home just in time, as promised. So, no scolding for us, right?"
"Well, I suppose so...." sighed Nel. "Dinner's almost ready, Ichigo, you should get ready."
"Ah.... I was just thinking that I could teach Grimmjow to spell out some words beforehand--" muttered Ichigo.
"Can we do that later, kid? I'm already starving," sighed Grimmjow. Ichigo frowned at him, but the older man smirked back before ruffling at his hair. "Don't worry, I could try to learn for myself. It shouldn't be that bad."
"That's what I'm worried about," frowned Ichigo. "Whatever, we'll resume the lesson and don't try to make excuses for yourself...."
"I will," teased Grimmjow, but the teen rolled his eyes before going upstairs. He turned to go to downstairs, but he caught eyes with Nel and he instantly frowned. It looked like she wanted to say something to him, with the way she was pursing her lips, but she seemed to be contemplating whether or not to speak. He would rather not to make an initial retort, as he decided to walk past her.
"Wait a minute...." Grimmjow heard her say and he glanced back at her with an indifferent frown. "I.... I need to speak to you about something, Grimmjow," frowned Nel. The Gaul narrowed his eyes at her apprehensive tone but snorted as he resumed downstairs.
"Whatever, be my guest," he muttered. As expected, Nel followed him as Grimmjow went to his room, dumping the bag of dried meat onto the small table. "What is it this time, woman? Please don't tell me that it's about the kid again, as usual," he grumbled at her. "I'm merely teaching him how to survive on him own out there in the woods. He would be too inexperienced if I didn't do so--"
"It is about Ichigo, but I'm not talking about that...." she cut him off, and Grimmjow forwned in confusion.
"Then what exactly....?" he questioned.
".... I just.... I was wondering that.... what goes on in your mind whenever you're alone with Ichigo," she managed to get it out. Grimmjow blinked in mild confusion but huffed as he scratched through his hair. "Just tell me, Grimmjow.... has Ichigo been acting unusual lately, these past few months perhaps?"
"Well.... he's more assertive and confident for himself, that's all I know," mumbled Grimmjow. "But that's because I helped him do the things I would normally do," he shrugged. "He may be young, but he's becoming a man anyway. There's no need fo you to keep coddling him like a child, woman."
".... You're underestimating me, Grimmjow," frowned Nel. "I've known Ichigo since he was born.... I have been there for him for every single thing, whenever he's been sick or weary or when he lost his mother-- the same woman who had raised me as her own daughter. That is why I always look after him, as she had asked me to do so on her deathbed.... I just wanted to know if there is something going on with him if he wouldn't tell me. But he might tell you. After all, you two seem to be the closest of friends...." she added the last part with a clipped tone.
Grimmjow frowned but wouldn't bother to retort. He could understand Nel's reason to take care of Ichigo, but more often than not she acted overly protected whenever he gave the teen dangerous opportunity to follow after him. Actually, Ichigo commented that Nel was usually lenient when he wanted to have an adventure but was when he was a curious child. It was just him that Nel often blamed whenever Ichigo came home with scratches and dirt on him, and he was getting annoyed by it.
".... Nothing's going on with that kid, he's just acting like an adult for all we know," he muttered.
"Are you sure about that, Grimmjow?" she questioned him almost accusingly, and he narrowed his eyes at her. "I don't want to see him hurt, especially by the likes of you."
"Is that fucking right....?" he muttered lowly. He stepped up to her, glaring down at her with a light sneer on his face. "Then why don't you try and stop me if I am hurting him, woman? Would that fucking help? You know him far longer than I do, so why not ask him yourself if you're that concerned....? But I highly doubt that there's anything wrong with him, he would've told me himself if that was the case."
"I see.... he trusts you that much, Grimmjow?" she asked skeptically.
"What does that mean?" scoffed Grimmjow, but Nel turned to leave. "Hey, I don't think we're done here, woman....!" he scowled.
"I have to finish up dinner, we'll discuss this another day," she said. "And don't worry, I won't mess up your precious meal...." When she finally left, Grimmjow's frown deepened in utter confusion. He didn't get it, Nel seemed more aggravated than before but for what exactly? It was just the usual pattern he and Ichigo had been doing these past several weeks, with the hunting trips and the lessons with reading and writing. Then what was getting her so fired up about....?
"Tch, that woman's getting crazy by the fucking day," he scoffed under his breath, plopping onto his chair before grabbing at the scraps of paper and a crudely made pen. He needed to remember and ask Ichigo about getting a small lamp for light, as he squinted his eyes to write in the darkened room.
But one thing was certain. He cannot tell Ichigo about the bizarre discussion between him and Nel. It shouldn't be the teen's concern, so it wasn't that important.
(Blood and Sand)
Wisps of smoke drifted from among the barren snow-coated trees, but it didn't bother the Roman army stationed near the area. Just near the border of Gaul, on the Germanic land east of the Rhine river, some of the soldiers were assessing the damage to a nearby village or what was left of it. It appeared that the tribe of that village was not happy seeing Romans around their territory as there was a history of war and battles in order to be annexed into the Roman Empire. Foolishly, they had tried to resist against the army and in doing so many of the men were killed and the village was pillaged and burned.
The other survivors were captured and chained, awaiting to be sold off after certain 'types' of people were weeded out. Fresh snow being crushed by the Roman soldiers' boots simultaneously, but one pair strolled to one of the carriages that was holding the new slaves. ".... Get the fucking keys, I want to see what we got here," Ginjou spoke to a nearby subordinate, his warm breath disappearing into the air.
"Yes, sir....!" said the soldier before walking off. Ginjou sighed and scrubbed his hand over his face. For once, it wasn't his fault that they attacked the village. The Germanic lands were far more hostile than Gaul, so it shouldn't be shocking that they could be attacked by a violent tribe. But the Roman army was organized and used that advantage to defeat them, and the praetor wanted to see the spoils.
"Hurry the fuck up....!" he called out, and a moment later the soldier came back with a set of keys. After the door was unlocked, Ginjou peeked in at the displaced savages. Many of them were young women and teenagers, both of which could be bargained for a higher price. He ignored the growling and cursing from some, due to the language barrier, as he peered at each and every one. The women seemed too aggressive to control and it would be a waste to kill them if they couldn't cooperate. "Tch, let me look at the next one," he huffed as he stepped out.
The soldier obeyed and moved to open another carriage nearby. Ginjou looked in, this time it was men that didn't get killed and many of them looked young, not old enough to pick up swords. But he smirked this time, they seemed weak enough not to fight back, as he looked around. His eyes fell on one youth in the back, who appeared despondent as he gazed at his lap. He seemed rather familiar, something about the form and the hair color, but Ginjou smirked nonetheless as he motioned to another soldier. "Hey.... get me that one over there," he ordered.
"Ah, yes sir!" answered the soldier. As commanded, he took out the young boy who seemed to be in his mid-teens. His face was smudged with dirt and soot after the fight but the expression was still blank. Under the crisp sunlight, Ginjou could see the light golden blond hair framed around the hair in choppy layers. And under the bang showed a right eye with a color of grass. The German boy was just about the height of the praetor's chest, but Ginjou could care less.
He grasped at the hair roughly to get a closer look at him. The frowning boy wanted to curse at him in his native tongue, but it would not do any good since his wrists were shackled and running away wasn't an option either within his conquered land. ".... I could keep this one," Ginjou confirmed with a lecherous gleam in his eyes. "He probably would resist at first, but I could train this one into a perfect slave just for me."
"Yes, of course, sir...." nodded the soldier. Ginjou chuckled before yanking at the boy's hair again, forcing him to follow after the older man to his private tent. He could now hear him cursing under his breath, the voice was borderline between youthfulness and adulthood due to puberty but again Ginjou ignored it due to the unknown language.
"Once I'm done with you.... you won't be able to cry for help in your stupid savage words," he smirked, pushing back the flaps to enter his tent. Almost instantly, he caught eyes with his once favorited slave who was standing in a corner but just as quickly he looked away as hauled his new one to the bed. "You must be utterly stupid to keep looking like that," he muttered out loud, purposely directing it to Tsukishima. "Looking like a fucking lost puppy just because I pushed you aside.... You're fucking pathetic, you know that?"
Tsukishima let out a soft hurtful whimper but remained silent nonetheless from his master's commands months earlier. His hazel eyes misty with dispair and yet there was nothing he could do about it, as Ginjou shoved the confused German teen onto his bed. The slave scowled and protested in his own tongue, only to be met with a sharp smack across the face when he tried to push his captor away.
"Very interesting that you try to go at me...." smirked Ginjou, taking off his scarf. He then pinned down the slim arms as he tied the fabric around the wrists to the bedframe. The protests continued but it fell on deaf ears as he proceeded to strip off his uniform. The boy seemed to understand what was happening, with his green eyes widened at the sight of the half-naked praetor, before vainly tried to wrestle from the bond. "Don't bother to try.... we haven't even started yet," chuckled Ginjou before pulling out his dagger.
Watching the tattered wool clothes being ripped to shreds to reveal the pale and flawless skin, Tsukishima bit his bottom lip to hold down his own voice. He wished he would run away or protest over it. But he really did value his small miserable life, only because of the fact that he still had feelings for the man who berates him with harsh words and even harsher hands. Ginjou chuckled again now that the barbaric boy was disrobed more or less, before finally taking off the rest of his clothes.
"Oh, I'm going to fucking enjoy this...." he sneered before getting on the bed, his erection leaking with eagerness as he forcibly pushed the struggling boy's legs apart. Tsukishima barely flinched the moment he heard the teen screaming out in excrutiating and horrific pain; he was used to that form of sound so many times as he saw Ginjou pushing himself into his new slave. Even in the cold winter air, the sharp smell of fresh blood instantly assaulted his nose. That too was a familiar thing, it was obvious that his master went through without preparation.
The sounds of screams transformed into painful sobbing, but Ginjou attempted to silence it with several smacks across the slave's face. "I fucking broken you already....? I was hoping to make it last a moment or two longer!" he grunted, the blood from the torn insides was helping with the thrusts but he hadn't really expected the boy from a fearsome Germanic tribe to get traumatized so quickly. Still, staring at teary frightened eyes was arousing for him. If he could get any harder, he would, as he enjoyed the fear of those beneath him.
As a matter of fact, his subordinates knew of his sadistic side and tried very not to talk out of turn whenever they were addressed around him. There had been a time when Ginjou performed decimation because of a minor error caused by low-ranking recruits, but the ones who were lucky to be spared remained silent as they were still fearful of being killed by him. Fear was one thing that made Ginjou all the more powerful, it was the only way he could get anyone to respect him. Out here, he was a god among them.
"Ah.... ahh, shit," he groaned with a deep shudder, releasing a climax into the writhing teen. "Fuck.... I didn't expect to do that so early," Ginjou scoffed as he pulled out. Now the air was tainted with sweat and the praetor's aftermath, as he leaned down to look at his latest victim's bruised face. The pupil of his eyes were dilated as his body shook from intense shock, his teeth chattered as if trying to form words or any words at all. "Hmph.... oh well, that went better than I expected," he smirked lightly. "I think I made the right choice of picking you, hopefully you won't die on me from this."
"Ah... a-ah.... ahh...." the German boy managed to utter out but soon let out a choking sound before Ginjou tightly gripped at his chin.
"You better learn how to understand the Roman tongue soon, boy, because I'm very impatient when it comes to dumb slaves," he muttered. "If you value the meager pile of shit you call your life, you better fucking serve me. You understand that, right?" he added with a short nod. "Right...?" It appear that the boy did understand, as he fearfully nodded back, afraid to be killed by the one who had just violated him so brutally. "Good.... that's what I thought, boy," he smirked in satisfaction before getting off the bed.
Tsukishima, having to witness the otherwise horrific event before him, felt internally relieved that Ginjou was walking up to him albeit in the nude. But Ginjou frowned at him before looking away. Lately, his master had been ignoring him, only saying a few words for a command, and he didn't like it but again kept his mouth shut. ".... Find someone who understand the language of these fucking savages, so he can teach this one our own," he demanded. "After that, I want him cleaned up for tonight. If he can manage last through that, then I'm certain he could take it again."
Tsukishima frowned sadly but nodded as he turned to leave. But Ginjou grasped at his shoulder and the slave looked back with a sense of apprehension in his eyes. He wondered if he was going to be punished for unknown reasons, but he shivered once the praetor smirked lightly. ".... Do you wish to talk, Tsukishima?" he questioned.
"...." The surprised look on the slim slave's face answered it, as Ginjou's hand traveled to the ivory-skinned neck, his thumb rubbing at the hollow of his throat.
"At first, I thought it was pleasant that I didn't have to listen to your foolishness," he muttered. "But now.... it's fucking boring, because you got such a pathetic look on your face. Like you're nothing but a dumb farm animal with that stupid blank stare...." The last comment didn't really phase Tsukishima, but he shuddered nonetheless. There was still a very good chance that he might be 'disposed' of due to Ginjou's disinterest of him, and he didn't wish to die despite of that. "Tsukishima.... look at me," he commanded.
Tsukishima did so, his hazel eyes gazed at the narrowed sepia ones before Ginjou leaned closed to his face. A faint smell of wine he had drunk earlier wafted out of his breath, before suddenly tightening his hold around the neck. His once favorite slave flinched and grasped at his wrist, choking at the crushing pressure around his windpipe. But Ginjou stared passively, watching the blood rushing to his panicked face. ".... I'm waiting, Tsukishima," he muttered. "I want you to scream, do you hear me? I want you to fucking beg me to spar your life. If you don't want to say anything, then it means that you wish to die. And I will be more than happy to do it for you. I have no reason to have such a worthless slave."
"Ah....! A-ahh....!" Tsukishima gasped out, but it was hard to utter out a sound as his master was literally squeezing the life out of him. Tears fell from his widened eyes, he tried to struggle out of his hold but the other man was just too strong as Ginjou gripped tighter. "P.... p-please..." he winced softly.
"Hm, what was that?" Ginjou muttered, raising an eyebrow in mild surprise.
".... P-please, M-M-Master...." he whimpered, each labored breath hurting his constricted throat. "I.... I wish to live, please...."
".... Heh, I don't think I can hear you, Tsukishima," Ginjou smirked. "You seem to be saying something but I'm not sure what, considering you hadn't talked for such a long time."
"Ah! P-please....!" Tsukishima whimpered louder. "I wish to live.... to serve you, Master! I don't want to die....!"
"Ah, is that right?" he questioned. "Maybe I don't need a slave like you. What can you do to change my mind, Tsukishima?"
"I.... I could do any request y-you ask of me--"
"Sounds rather too easy since you've already done so, but.... there's still a good chance that your foolishness will cost me my job," he said, and Tsukishima whimpered. "However.... I really doubt that you could purposely ruin me. You care about me too much to let that happen. Okay.... I'll consider it, whichever request I have for you, you must do it without a fucking opinion coming out of you. Now then.... do you want to live or die, Tsukishima?" Tsukishima gasped, his vision blurred and darkened by the lack of air but he nodded eagerly.
"I.... I-I want to live.... j-just please, Master...." he mustered out so weakly. Within an instant, he was dropped to the floor. Tsukishima felt the burning oxygen rushing back to his lungs as he choked harshly, almost to the point of vomiting. Just as fresh tears pricked at his eyes, he choked out again when he felt a heavy foot stomping down his back.
"Consider this my kindness, Tsukishima.... but I won't give you another chance again," Ginjou muttered calmly, yet his tone oozed out threateningly as he glared down on him. "The next time you mess up, I'll make sure that my sword fucks your ass instead of my cock. Do you understand that?"
".... Y-y-yes, Master," whimpered Tsukishima feebly. "I will always serve you until you order my death. I promise you that, Master...." His answer seemed to satisfy Ginjou, who smirked smugly as he stepped away.
"That's good to know, as I expected out of you," he smirked. "Get up now." Tsukishima obeyed as he shakily stood up, the bruise around his neck deepened but he bowed his head and waited for another command. ".... You remember what I first said, right? Finding someone to teach that boy our language...."
".... Y-yes, Master," nodded Tsukishima, his long-forgotten voice now weakened from the chokehold. "Also.... you wish for him to be washed and prepared for you later tonight. Those are what you requested for, Master."
"Heh, so staying silence didn't make you dumber than before," Ginjou smirked. "Good, you can leave but hurry back." Tsukishima nodded and left, ignoring the pain in his throat. Ginjou chuckled before turning back to the bed. The German boy now looked pale and sickly from the assault, and was on the brink of losing consciousness. ".... You better not die on me or I'll give you something that's even worse than what I've done to you earlier," he muttered, grasping at the blond hair. The boy's eyes rolled to the back of his head, but he was still breathing even when he suddenly blacked out. "Tch, good...."
(Blood and Sand)
Grimmjow grumbled just as he woke up, his form sprawled underneath the warm lion pelt before he forced himself out of bed. He knew it was morning though it was hard to tell with the sun hiding within layers of clouds. He didn't mind that it would rain today, maybe now he could lay around. Going out to hunt constantly was taking a toll of him, making his body ached at the end of everyday. But there was a good chance that Ichigo will force another lesson on him, as he frowned tiredly at the thought.
The last time he wanted to blow off the lesson, the teen threatened to take away the so-called 'reward' for two days. Then again, the threats were half-hearted as Grimmjow ditched the lessons anyway and Ichigo couldn't help but relent under his troublesome but teasing hands in the safe confines of the woods.
He stretched out his limbs when he let out a purposely loud yawn. The rudely made sound echoed out to the hallway, before Grimmjow heard a startled yelp in a distant. "Hm? What was that about....?" he mumbled before stepping out of his room "I don't think I yawned that loud." But then he saw that girl slave Orihime shying away from staircase with apprehension etched in her face. He frowned a bit but decided to check it, as he walked up to her. "What's going on here?" he asked, somehow startling her when she glanced up at him in surprise.
"Oh! It's you, Grimmjow...." she sighed. "It's just that, well.... there's a giant spider on the wall and I'm afraid to go upstairs now."
"Oh, is that right?" sighed Grimmjow. Normally, he would be annoyed by this but since he had just woken up and was feeling hungry, he wanted to get this thing over with as he looked up. "Where's the damn bug...?" he muttered.
"Eh? Over at the second torch up there but-- what, what're you trying to do, Grimmjow?" she asked when the Gaul strolled up to see.
"Ah, there it is," he said, his eyes narrowed at the pesky brown insect crawling lazily up the stone wall. Without warning, however, he raised his fist and squashed it with such ease, surprising Orihime with a gasp.
"Ah! You didn't have to kill it like that, Grimmjow....!" she pouted.
"What're you saying....? You're telling me, a warrior and a bloodthirsty gladiator, that I should have killed one little bug?" he frowned at her.
"N-no, it's just that you could have taken it and dropped it in the garden," rephrased Orihime with a nervous smile. "It's something that Nel would often do, I guess.... she's a strong-willed person, after all." The mention of the woman made Grimmjow scoff, wiping the nasty bug guts at his tunic. By the day, Nel seemed far more irritated by the sight of him but he didn't understand why. But when he would see her around Ichigo, her expression instantly switched, smiling like an endearing older sister figure whenever they talked about mudane things. But had he done that would cause her to act despicable at him?
"Whatever, the spider's gone so you can come up here now," he sighed.
"Oh! Right, of course....!" nodded Orihime, before jogging upstairs. "I almost forgot that today's the last day!"
"Of what? Of the year, girl?" he questioned and she nodded eagerly.
"Of course. It's a custom to have the house cleaned and blessed for the start of the new year," she answered. "Why? You've never done that before, Grimmjow?"
"No.... my people build bonfires for the start of the year, but to us the season of spring's considered the start of the new year," he grumbled. "But it was also around the time for marriage and fertility, meaning there was a lot people fucking crazy like wild animals. Including me, no less...." Through his comments, he didn't realize that Orihime turned bright red in shock and embarrassment when they were walking through the hallway. "To have a new year in the middle of winter seems a little odd, don't you think....?" he muttered before glancing at her. "Hm? What's with your face, girl? You caught something?"
"N-no....! But you just said what you people would do for the new year-- isn't that a bit shameful to speak so freely like that?" Orihime questioned in confusion.
"No, because anyone who's at the age of marriage could participate," frowned Grimmjow and stopped walking to look at her. "Men and women who aren't betrothed could choose which partner they would wish to be with during that time. Although I only took the advantage of the tradition to get something worthwhile outta it.... You're a very endowed girl, I'm sure hounds of men would chase after you if you were to live in my tribe," he added, much to Orihime's embarrassed dismay.
"No, don't say that!" she gasped, though her cheek blushing very deep red. "I'm not that type of girl....! And I find that very disrespectful, Grimmjow!"
"Oh.... sorry, I just thought that considering your body--" Grimmjow muttered.
"I know, I'm already concerned about as it is....!" she frowned. "Please, can we drop this subject? It's truly uncomfortable....!"
"All right, all right...." Grimmjow huffed. "I really do not want to be scolded by Ichigo or that woman, so it will not come up ever again. I just thought a girl like you, well.... never mind." Orihime seemed to understand that as she calmed down, though her face was still blushing.
"Yeah, I didn't use to look like this a couple of years back," she sighed. "Overnight, it just.... happened, and I felt quite embarrassed by it. But only Ichigo didn't seem to notice it, it's like he only looks at me like it was normal. I really don't get it."
"Huh, really.... even a blind man could notice your form...." Grimmjow mumbled to himself, though the girl slave didn't hear that as she sighed deeply. But she mentioned something that caught his ears. Of course Ichigo wouldn't notice a pair of breasts that massive, considering that he had zero sexual attraction towards females. Maybe to the teen, Orihime was just another person who happened to have endowments for someone her age.
But.... he now wondered if Orihime even noticed about Ichigo's sexual preference. But she looked like the type who would be clueless and naive, even if the signs were right there. Didn't she truly know all this time, he wondered. ".... Why do you feel the need to be friends with the kid, even though you're a slave?" he suddenly asked. Orihime blinked at him in confusion but shrugged before she let out a deep sigh.
"In truth, Ichigo's family saved me from being sold off," she answered, with a sad frown. "My older brother was taking care of me after our parents had died, but he was building up amounts and amounts of debt in order to take care of me. By the time I was twelve.... he also died, stabbed to death over what little money he had on him. It wasn't long until the creditors found out, and I was condemned as a slave in order to pay it off. But it was the bad kind of slavery, though...."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Grimmjow, though he frowned when he knew of the obvious answer.
".... The kind where they force women to do horrible things," she replied grimly. "Yeah, I thought that would be my fate until one day, straight out of nowhere.... Ichigo's father bargained to take me in to pay off the debt. He only said that he did so in order to help me make friends with his children, but I think it was deeper than that. It's like have a new family, despite of having a slave status, you know....?"
"Is that right?" sighed Grimmjow. "Is that why you're friends with them anyway?"
"Yeah, especially with Ichigo," Orhime smiled a little. "He's always so nice to me since I've been here, he helped me get used to the chores and everything. Even though I was completely clueless at first, he was always there to help me."
"Oh, that would make sense...." sighed Grimmjow, resuming to walk. "He's your friend now, but you shouldn't feel indebted to him just because his family saved you. It's better that you figure out what you wish to do since you feel like a part of the family."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" she asked. "You're around Ichigo almost everyday. I'm sure you're pretty close to him from what it looks like."
"Yeah, 'close' is a very good way to put it," Grimmjow muttered in a brief but sly smirk.
"But.... I like being friends with Ichigo, I really do," Orihime said in a wistful frown. "And yet-- I know it sounds a bit troublesome, but.... I have feelings for him other than friendship." That made Grimmjow pause in his tracks, as he frowned in surprise at her. He heard that right, but he didn't expect that to come out of the girl. And also it proved that she was too naive to notice Ichigo's preference.
"You.... like him, but as more than just a friend," he confirmed. "Is that right, girl?"
"R-right, that's pretty much it...." Orihime nodded sheepishly. "But, unless I got my freedom, I doubt I could freely admit it to Ichigo himself. Since I'm still a slave, and such a relationship like that is forbidden under the law...." Grimmjow just frowned. Even though the girl was obviously naive, he couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her. Ichigo only liked males, and he and the Gaul were in a secret affair. Just telling her the truth straight out would hurt her, not to mention would cause tremendous trouble with Nel and Ichigo.
".... Again, you feel indebted to the kid," grumbled Grimmjow. "You only like him like that you see him like some sorta savior."
"Um, but.... in this family, almost everybody here feel grateful of being here," she reasoned. "What about you, Grimmjow? Aren't you glad that you're here instead of somewhere bad like the mines?"
"I'm all right of being here, but that's only because of certain obligations I have," Grimmjow partially lied. Only because he chose to stay as a slave for Ichigo's sake; before, he selfishly wanted to continue as a gladiator in exchange of finding his surviving friend. But he had changed, now wanting to be with Ichigo, but he knew their relationship was forbidden especially since the teen wasn't the head of household. "Anyway.... leaving it as it is should be okay. It'd probably cause trouble to the kid, anyway."
"I suppose so, you're right about that," sighed Orihime. "Thanks for listening, Grimmjow.... I just wanted to get that out of my chest for so long. I think you're the second person I told it to, after Nel of course."
"Hmph, as if that woman would care if I knew...." grumbled Grimmjow.
"Anyway, I better get going....! This house isn't going to clean itself, you know....!" smiled Orihime before running off, leaving Grimmjow alone. But Grimmjow frowned. He pretty much took away the girl slave's infatuation for Ichigo, even though Ichigo had feelings for him beforehand. He took a very deep sigh before deciding to go to the stall. He would probably be useless for house-cleaning, as he moved to open the front door.
"Grimmjow? Wait, where are you going....?" Grimmjow stiffened in surprise at the voice behind him before looking behind his shoulder to see Ichigo. The teen seemed happy with a light smile on his face, mostly for the new year, as he jogged up to him. "You're going out to hunt again, Grimmjow?" he asked.
"No, I wanna hide out with Epona so I don't have to do chores," Grimmjow replied, smirking a bit when Ichigo frowned at him. "What? You know that I'm not that good, kid."
"Yeah, yeah.... but that's not what I wanted to talk about," Ichigo said. "It's just that my father's coming home tonight, that's why everybody's freaking out."
"Oh, that's good," nodded Grimmjow. "It's been.... how long had he been gone?"
"Just before the last day of Augustalia, I remember," he said. "Anyway, even though today's the final day of the year, we're not going to celebrate until tomorrow. That's what I wanted to talk to you about, Grimmjow."
"Really? What're we doing for tomorrow, then?" asked the Gaul.
"Aizen just sent us an invitation to his dinner party, asking for an exhibition," smiled Ichigo. "Considering that you're a champion, he decided that having you to display your skills in hopes of good luck for the new year."
"Well, that's good to know," smirked Grimmjow. "Although I haven't been back at Urahara's ludus for so long."
"I doubt your strength had diminished, considering the weeks of hunting you've been doing."
"Don't you mean 'we', kid?" he corrected Ichigo, who blinked in slight confusion at him. "You were a great help over these past couple of months. You should tell your father about those things."
"I have, and he replied that he couldn't wait to see it happen in his own eyes," replied Ichigo, and Grimmjow frowned at that. "That's exactly how I reacted...."
"Guess we have to take the hunting trips seriously the next time," the older man sighed. "Now, if you excuse me.... I'll have my breakfast with my horse. I don't wanna be around around that crazy woman all day."
"Fine, I'll send some food for you," muttered Ichigo. "And about Nel.... please, don't worry about it. I'll try to talk to her but I really don't know why she's having this animosity towards you for so long."
"Yeah, but I think I know one thing.... maybe she's a bit jealous that her precious little master is spending so much time with a wild and savage man like myself," Grimmjow joked and Ichigo couldn't help but smiled about it. "I'll come back after this house is cleaned, though it probably wouldn't look as different as before."
"Okay, Grimmjow," nodded Ichigo. Grimmjow smirked before leaving, but his expression fell the moment he stepped outside. First Nel was acting more hateful than usually towards him, then Orihime wished for a relationship with Ichigo deeper than the usual friendship. Never in his life that he wished the fairer sex to back off, but now he does. If only he could talk to someone about it....
"Oh, right...." he sighed, strolling to the stall. He was furious at Renji over the disaster of his friend being sold off, saying that he doesn't want to see him again until Diroy is found. He knew that he had said it out of anger, but he wasn't sure how the red-haired gladiator would feel about it if he tried to talk to him. As soon as he stepped into the stall, Epona flicked her ears to him as he walked up to her.
"I see that those twins fed you junk this morning..." he muttered, patting at her hindquarters. Inside the feeding basket, he could see remnants of sweet breads and apples other than the usual grain. But the mare seemed to be still hungry as her nose at his empty hands. "I don't have anything, girl. I swear, you'll get fat if you keep eating those shit."
Epona snorted in annoyance, whipping her tail to flick at him. Grimmjow chuckled a little, though his mind was occupied with something else. He wonder what he should do once he goes to Aizen's villa. No doubt that it would be a celebration with high-class guests mingling about, but he hoped that it won't end up like the last time they were there. His eyes hardened at the memory of Ginjou's attempted rape on Ichigo. That was one of the few things he had regretted not preventing it from happening. But this time, he will keep in eye on the teen, making sure that no one will try to harm him.
And he wanted to make sure that Ginjou will not be anywhere near him. If Ginjou would be there, that is. That praetor had been gone for a little over two months, so he might come back for the new year. And not a moment too soon, as he picked up a brush and scrubbed across the dusky coat. Tomorrow must bring good luck for the rest year, or he will curse on the gods otherwise.
(Blood and Sand)
Grimmjow wondered if all of gladiators were treated like this, standing frozen stiff like statues as eyes and sometimes hands of Roman aristocrats roaming over them. But there he was, decked out in his armor, narrowed cyan eyes staring ahead as he tried to ignore the conversation buzzing around. He hadn't expected to be this way, when he was requested to come to Aizen's villa earlier today. The next thing he knew, the senator ordered his slaves to clean and oil him up and then made him put the plated guards on his arm and legs. He was a bit estatic when he was given a sword, but it was mostly just for show until the exhibition begins.
He discreetly glanced around, seeing that there were other gladiators lining up like him, either against the wall or around the pillar like him. He recognized a very few fighters from Urahara's rival across from him, judging from the fact that the silver-haired Doctore keeping a stern eye on them. If that was the case, then Kenpachi should be here, and sure enough the large man strolled within his vision.
"Oh.... ah, I thought I saw someone familiar!" Grimmjow shifted his gaze back to notice the eccentric lanista, dressed in a toga colored in emerald and gold, beaming at him. "Well, you seem to be keeping up with your training one way or another," he smiled, clapping his hands together. "I've heard that it had to do with your hunting. Tell me, what was it like-- oh, you're not allowed to talk without your master's permission, right?"
".... Hmm, he never said I couldn't," Grimmjow muttered quietly, finally talking after a few hours of standing since the party had started. "It wasn't that difficult to hunt in this land. Almost everyday, I would find food just like that," he shrugged.
"Well, that's good to know....!" commented Urahara. "But hopefully, you won't dwell in the wilderness for too long, though. I wish for you to come back to the ludus as soon as possible! The gladiator games will start in a few months, and if you want to stay as champion, you better come back as soon as possible!"
"I'll make sure of that," nodded Grimmjow.
"That's great! Until then, Grimmjow....!" the lanista grinned before walking away. Grimmjow exhaled and resumed staring ahead, though he was feeling the dull numbing ache in his legs. He had never expected to feel this bored, even though he was going to be fighting for these rich people. He had a very strong urge to yawn when his eyes caught someone familiar. Byakuya regally strolled by him to greet some people, before seeing that petite sister of his moving to greet Ichigo, who smiled and hugged her. The teen was obviously in a happy mood other than the fact that today was the start of the new year.
Maybe it had to do with his father being home after so long, but Ichigo could be just as estatic seeing perfecting his skills against some sap. He glanced back at Byakuya and mentally frowned. Renji must be here as well; that man would often by his master's side so he was probably somewhere, standing among the gladiators. If he could get permission to talk to him, he would, but as a slave he had to stay still as some form of specimen.
After a while of standing, women garnished in jewels and silk came up to him, their eyes bright with awe and expectation before one of them braved herself to reach out. Grimmjow stiffened at the cautious fingers trailing at the edges of his dark scar, but he clenched his jaws and his eyes set ahead. Ichigo had advised him to answer as simply as possible when addressed to, in order not to insult the elites, so it was obvious that these women wanted to ask judging from their giggling.
"Tell us.... how did you manage to get such a trophy on your body, Bestia?" the noblewoman questioned while her friends giggled softly behind her. As much as Grimmjow wanted to scoff at it, he didn't wish to ruin his own reputation and his masters'.
".... I defeated the god of death to receive such a thing, long before becoming a gladiator," he replied in an even tone. The answer made them laugh again, and Grimmjow mentally frowned. The Roman females were very vain and annoying, unlike the fearsome and strong ones in his tribe.
"I'd love to have this one around...." one of them murmured with a sly smile.
"Your husband wouldn't dream of it....!"
"Then I don't have to tell him!" she joked to her laughing friends.
"Too bad he's owned by that country boy, though. I think it would be better if he was handled by much stronger hands judging from this beast's origin," remarked another.
"Perhaps.... he is a bit of an oddity, isn't he?" sniffed the third one. "Not sure if he got that from his father or that farm woman of a mother, but he does like to play around with his slaves as if they're his friends. It should be beneath him, considering his class."
"Well, that's true," giggled the one who had touched Grimmjow, who narrowed his eyes slightly. They were obviously making fun of Ichigo, and he didn't like it one bit. "Maybe if he had better bloodline, then he would have gained respect by name alone rather than having a savage around to do it for him...." Grimmjow exhaled sharply, his teeth almost bared as he tried not to growl. He really wanted to prove them wrong but there was nothing he could do about it. He had already given up his slim chance of freedom for Ichigo, but after seeing these headless chickens sqwaking about, maybe he should have considered otherwise.
".... Oh, I think we offended him," muttered one of the noblewomen, and the rest frowned warily at the silent Gaul. "I once heard he became beserk at his master's coming-of-age celebration, though it was months ago. But who knows that he would act mad again....?"
"Oh, please.... wait, would you, Gaul?" the first one questioned, her eyes set firmly at Grimmjow.
"Who know? It depends on those who dares to make offense to my master...." Grimmjow rumbled lowly, his lips curled back as his cyan eyes glowed at them. That did the trick, by the appauling sight of the women's startled expressions.
"Goodness, he's nothing but some savage...." one scoffed indignantly, before they hurried away. That felt good, as he smiled in his mind. Maybe now they would think twice about offending him and Ichigo. That made him think.... he does care about Ichigo, but he didn't think he would care that much for his well-beings and pride.
He calmed down before looking over at Ichigo, who was preoccupied with talking to Urahara not far away. He didn't really want to stand around to wait for a fight, he would rather be somewhere else with the teen....
".... Are you feeling bored, Grimmjow?" Aizen asked quietly, but it was more than enough to startle Grimmjow out of his thoughts as he gazed at the senator. "I understand that a warrior such as yourself cannot favor of being still as a statue. You prefer to strike with your blood boiling, am I right?"
"Well, you're not wrong, Senator," muttered Grimmjow. But his offhanded answer only made Aizen smile a little.
"We will start shortly, after my guests replenished themselves with food and wine," he smiled. "Hopefully, the exhibition would provide much excitement for everyone."
".... And I hope that it would give honor to my master," he said, his eyes flickered back to Ichigo. "I am sure that he would appreciate it, Senator."
"Good, good...." nodded Aizen, patting at his shoulder. "Before the fight is to start, the guest will choose which gladiator to fight you. But let's hope that it wouldn't be the one from the ludus you trained in--" The senator suddenly stopped speaking for a moment to notice an army guard walking into the room and he frowned in slight confusion. Grimmjow noticed it as well and he frowned, he knew that the nobleman has house guards but the newcomer seemed to be troublesome. "I'll speak back to you shortly...." he muttered before walking up to the soldier.
Grimmjow's frown deepened. He watched the silent exchange between them before seeing the senator's face stiffened in slight annoyance. The man shook his head, but seemingly relented as he made a brief gesture and the soldier bowed before leaving. It was only a moment later did Grimmjow's eyes widen in surprise, when several other soldiers came in.
And among them was Ginjou, smirking smugly as he stepped in, walking up to his uncle with a quick nod of greeting. "It's been many weeks since we last talked, Uncle," he greeted. "Hopefully, my absence had not been noticed...."
"Well, some knew that you were gone, but you weren't entirely missed, Kuugo," nodded Aizen. "I see that you made it just in time to celebrate the new year. You didn't waste any time to come back here to reinstate your role and job as a praetor...." he added, though he frowned a little at the thought of it. But Ginjou didn't seem to notice, as he caught eyes with Grimmjow. But the Gaul glared back through narrowed eyes, the muscles in his body tensed up as he willed himself not to be provoked by his presence alone.
But it appeared that the tension was mutely noticed by Aizen, who frowned at his nephew. ".... I do not wish for you to cause a scene over this, Kuugo," he muttered quietly. "Nor will I have you converse to Ichigo. Know your distance, and maybe the gods will be in your favor." Ginjou nearly frowned but nodded as he turned his sight away from the burning eyes on him.
"I understand that.... I'm only here to greet you on the new year, Uncle," nodded the reinstated praetor. "Just think of me as another guest, curious of the exhibition that you're hosting. I merely wish to watch the show."
"Suit yourself.... tell your subordinates to stand somewhere, and wait a while. It will begin shortly."
"All right, Uncle...." muttered Ginjou. Just as he turned to instruct his men, he took a brief glance to notice Ichigo going up to his slave. No doubt that the teen saw him, his concerned face masking the apprehension against him. But right now, he need to prove his relative that he had changed, so he won't lose his praetorship. But he grinned nonetheless. Deep down inside, he enjoyed relishing the fear coming out of the teen.
All the while, coldness washed over Ichigo the instant he saw Ginjou walking in with his soldiers. He swallowed up his fear of the man, since he was in a party full of people, as he walked up to Grimmjow. It was obvious that the Gaul noticed Ginjou as well, by the way he was rigid with his jaws clenched tightly in silent anger. "Grimmjow...." he muttered quietly.
"I know...." gritted Grimmjow through his clenched teeth. "I had a feeling that he would come back, but I didn't think he'd be here." Ichigo frowned in concern but sighed, it wasn't good to fret about it. There was no need to so defensive, as he tried to relax. "Enough about that.... tell me, is Renji here?" he asked quietly.
"Oh, yeah.... I saw him, he was in line with the fighters on the wall behind you," replied Ichigo.
"Tch, wish I could talk to him for a moment," frowned Grimmjow. "I was angry about the slave-trading situation, but I didn't mean to take it out on him."
"I know, I'll see if I can get a word or two from him," he nodded.
"Good to know...." thanked Grimmjow. The teen smiled a little and moved to go see Renji. But before he could take a step, Aizen suddenly grasped him on the shoulder.
"Ichigo.... stay put for a while," he said with a light smile. "The show will begin right now. Unless you have something else to delay it for a while longer...." Ichigo blinked at that before looking at Grimmjow, who heard the announcment with a slight tilt of his head. The blue-haired warrior frowned but nodded, he wanted to get this over with, and Ichigo understood as he nodded back.
"No, I wish to see it done, Aizen," he sighed. "I'd like to see to see the exhibition, please...."
"Well, that's good to know," smiled Aizen, the heavy fabric of his toga flapped as he walked around the shallow pool. "My guests, come gather....! The show will about to begin!" he announced. It caught everybody's attentions and they clustered about, voices died down while they waited to hear the news. "Good.... now then, tonight's the start of the new year and the gods sent their signs to wish us good luck. And what is a better way to make use of it with a show from Rome's undefeated champion Bestia....!"
As announced, Grimmjow finally moved from his post and stepped up to the senator. His aching muscles flexed as he turned his gaze on the clamoring elites. But his eyes softened a bit when he looked at Ichigo, who smiled back in encouragement. "Here he is.... marked by Death himself, yet he still stands!" he pointed out. "And countless of times, he have yet to fall under the swords of his enemies....! It goes to show that he is possibly a descendant of gods, don't you agree?" he asked Grimmjow, who smirked a little.
"You flatter me far too much, Senator," he answered.
"Ah, but it's true.... however, I do wish for you not to spill too much blood on my floor," nodded Aizen before turning back to the crowd. "My charming guests, I have another gift. I have asked some of the best lanistas in the city to show off their other fighters, and I wish to give one of them a chance to fight the champion with the help of my guests--"
"Ah, Uncle.... before you can start on the exhibition, I have something to present to you," Ginjou cut him off, calmly strolling up to them with a long package. "It's a pair of brand-new swords recently developed by the Roman army. I figure that since gladiators often used the sword gladius, they could learn how to use this one.... called the spatha." Removing the fabric away, he revealed two sheathed swords to Aizen, who raised an eyebrow with interest.
"I see," he remarked, picking one up for a closer look. "Would you like to use this one instead of the gladius, Grimmjow?" he asked as he gave it to Grimmjow. The Gaul, though still suspicious at the sight of Ginjou, took it and noted how slightly heavy it was in his hands. But he also noticed that this new sword was slimmer and longer. It was similar to the weapon he onced owned in his home country, as he unsheathed it to see the sharp iron blade.
".... It's perfect," he commented.
"Then it settles, you and your opponent will use the new weapons," nodded Aizen before turning to his nephew. "Thank you for your generosity, Kuugo. I am sure that it proves your status as praetor."
"You honor me, Uncle," smirked Ginjou, his eyes briefly glanced at Grimmjow before turning to walk away. But Grimmjow frowned nonetheless. He didn't believe that the other man would purposely give him a very good weapon, unless to kiss asses from his superiors, but he had to admit that he was feeling nostalgic to have a better sword.
"Now that is passed.... do you have any objection of your opponent being chosen for you, Bestia?" asked Aizen but Grimmjow shook his head.
"I honestly don't care but as long as they are strong, I'm willing for a good fight," he replied.
"Good answer...." As if getting out of a trance, members of the high class moved to assess whichever is good enough for Grimmjow to fight. But the blunet eyed his teen master going over to Renji, now that he got a better look at him. He looked like the other fighters clad in loincloths with the exception of his long crimson hair plaited behind his back. But Renji seemed relieved when Ichigo muttered something to him, and that made him feel better. He wanted to be friends with him again, since he had enough enemies as it was in this world.
His eyes drifted to Ginjou, who was at the far corner of the large room strolling about and making small talks. He wasn't sure why, but it looked like the smug praetor was making a clear distance from Ichigo. He noticed that when Ginjou purposely went another corner, against veering away from him. Maybe since the last time, he learned not to make trouble involving the teen. Yet he doubted that. He would risk his pride and his life to go 'beserk' in front of everyone if that bastard steps out of line.
".... Grimmjow? Grimmjow, is there something wrong?" Grimmjow turned his attention back to his master, who was standing in front of him. "Let me guess.... you think it's strange that Ginjou would offer sword to you before the fight, right?" he frowned in concern.
"Strange or not, that was his mistake to do so," grumbled Grimmjow. "With this type of sword, I could get stronger quite easily. And that could give me an advantage."
"Huh? An advantage of what exactly? You do realize that this is just an exhibition, right?" he frowned at him. But Grimmjow smirked a little before letting out a sigh.
"I know, but maybe I could use this in the arena once the games start," he muttered, his hands gripping tightly at the slimmer sword. "I'll keep continuing being a champion, being the so-called savage that I am...."
"Ichigo.... you were giving your words of encouragement to your fighter?" asked Aizen when he walked by.
"Oh, I doubt he'd need, considering his ego," Ichigo smiled a little, and the senator chuckled softly at that.
"Then you don't mind if I mention the opponent to you two beforehand, to see if that pleases you considering his skills."
"Really? That was fast," blinked Ichigo.
"Well, the people knew of this man for some time and they admired his skills and experiences as well as the role of his wealthy master who is very well known in the government world," he replied.
"Is that so....? That could be anyone, Aizen," the teen said. "Tell me, which of these fighters are going to go against Grimmjow?"
".... It's Renji," answered Aizen. Grimmjow's eyes narrowed at that but it was mostly out of surprise. But Ichigo's expression was more noticeable, as he nearly gaped with his mouth before he composed himself. "Did that choice disappoint you, Ichigo?" he asked.
"N-no, it's just a bit of a surprise since both Grimmjow and Renji are sparring partners at Urahara's ludus," he said. "To see the both of them fighting with actual swords.... it'd be like going against your friend, in my opinion."
"Well, the reason that Renji was chosen was because of the fact that he's believed to be second to Grimmjow, despite of his quick rise to fame," Aizen said, nodding at Grimmjow. "Also.... the guests here wish to see an equal fight between the two of them, rather than the ones who have fought in battles barely passing the midday sun. And I believe that you wish the same thing for Grimmjow, no?"
"Well...." sighed Ichigo before glancing at Grimmjow, who shrugged.
"It's a simple exhibition, it's not like it's the battle to the death," he nodded. "I'll go with it. After all, I wish to fight Renji since he's been training since the end of the games."
"Very well, then...." nodded Aizen and turned to his invited people. "Everyone.... we found the opponent to face our champion....!" he announced, once again getting their attentions. "I thank you for your choosing and congratulate the lucky winner. And it is.... Renji, the crimson-haired gladiator belonging to the magistrate Byakuya Kuchiki!" The nobles murmured in excitement of the announcement as they looked at Renji, who blinked in surprise.
But he didn't waste anytime to step forward, though his eyes briefly glanced at Grimmjow. "Renji, if you please do so...." gestured Aizen.
"Senator," replied Renji with a nod, walking up to him. Almost on cue, a couple of slaves came up to apply the armors onto the tattoo'd man, before he was then given the spatha sword. He glanced at Ichigo then at Grimmjow with a slightly confused look on his face. But Ichigo could only smile as he looked at both fighters.
"Good luck, you two...." he muttered, before going to the sidelines.
"All right.... tonight's the night these two men will clash steel with one another, to prove their strength to see if who can be worthy enough to our gods," orated Aizen. "Bestia, Renji.... please take your position." The two fighters nodded, circling one another as they made eye contacts. But Grimmjow sighed, wondering what to say to him.
"Uh, Renji--" he muttered.
"It's all right, Grimmjow," whispered Renji with a reassuring nod. "We'll talk about it later, after I kick your ass," he added with a smirk. Grimmjow blinked at that but he smirked back, as they stepped back from one another to brace themselves.
"Ichigo, do you mind announcing the start of the fight?" asked Aizen, moving to pat at Ichigo's shoulder. Ichigo perked up at the suggestion and smiled. He looked at Renji then at Grimmjow, who grinned a little, and nodded his answer.
"All right," he smiled. "Grimmjow, Renji.... you guys begin!"
"Heh...." Without wasting a moment, Grimmjow stepped forward with an initial swing. Renji saw that and reacted with a parry, his knees buckled a little from the combined weight of the heavier swords. It seemed to be harder to control with just one hand. Grimmjow realized that, and stepped back. "I got it now...." he muttered. They weren't given shields, so he had a free hand. He grinned at Renji, who frowned in confusion, as he decided to grip at the hilt with two hands.
"Oh, shit...." gasped Renji. The red-head parried again, and some of the guests gasped in awe at the difference of powers between them. Ichigo blinked in surprise as well, he knew rhat Renji had been training non-stop while he and Grimmjow were roaming around the woods without without doing much of anything other than hunting. If anything, Renji should have the advantage but maybe the Gaul's innate ability to 'kill' was making him strong and durable.
Grimmjow's grin widened, but Renji smirked back, as the red-head pushed back the blade before moving to counter. "Hahh!" he grunted, making a low swing of the sword. Grimmjow barely jumped back in time to avoid it, hissing when he felt a nick at his right side.
"Fucking shit..." Grimmjow growled. He felt blood trickling when he touched the shallow wound, but he grinned just the same. "Showing off your training, huh....?" he smirked.
"Easy for you to say, slacker...." chuckled Renji. Even with a heavier sword, he quickly got used to it, as he moved to strike again. But Grimmjow blocked it easily. His muscles tensed up from Renji's strength, he really could tell that he had been training a lot more than he was but it didn't mean that the blunet was slacking off. The constant endurance from hunting in the woods seemed to help him, as he pushed him away. "Guh...!" Renji gritted, stumbling back.
"Got you now....!" sneered Grimmjow with his sword above his head. But he knew that the red-head would react to the potential strike, as Renji recovered and parried. "Tch, you're very tough.... glad you're fighting me, Renji."
"Same here, Grimmjow...." smirked his friend. "Too bad I gotta beat you....!" he gritted, just before he aimed a square kick at his abdomen. Grimmjow grunted in pain as he stumbled back to the marble floor. But he quickly got to his knees and swung his blade to parry back, and the two fighters were at a standstill. Some of the upper class gasped and murmured in awe, wondering who can really win.
However, among the crowd, Ginjou watched with such an indifferent gaze. But deep down, he was waiting for the Gaul to falter and fail, so he can wait to humiliate him. However.... even if Grimmjow does win, he knew how these type of people think. They would love to see more blood spilled regardless of the conditions. Either way, both the Gaul and Renji will suffer and he could care less about it. Metallic slicing filled the air when the gladiators backed each other off, before Grimmjow panted lightly with a huge grin plastered on his face. He wanted to cut Renji, but he was trying to resist the urge to go deeply through the marked skin. All he needed to do was to nick at one of the legs in order to overpower him.
It was just nothing but an exhibition, it wasn't a real battle. Grimmjow gazed subtly for any opening, and he found one at the left side. He charged forward, purposely going to Renji's right. "Ah....!" Renji gasped before realizing what was about to happen. But it was too late, as Grimmjow suddenly shifted his hands to strike. "Ah, fuck....!" hissed the red-haired the instant he felt the shallow slice at his left thigh.
"Heh, I got you now...." sneered Grimmjow and moved to attack again. Renji gritted and tried to parry, but the sharp pain in his leg made him falter, and the blunet took the advantage for a different offense by head-butting him in the face. The recoil hurt him, but Renji gritted in pain when he felt fresh blood suddenly gushing out of his nose. Whether that was playing dirty or not, it didn't matter as Renji tried to regain his footing but Grimmjow was quicker by grabbing at the roots of his hair.
"Guh....!" Renji coughed out when he felt a harsh knee to the stomach, making his grip on the spatha sword loosen.
"Yes....!" sneered Grimmjow. Without wasting a moment, he twisted his arm and pinned it behind his opponent's back. Renji inhaled sharply, even through the inflicted pain his garnet eyes widened in surprise he felt the cool blade pressing against his bare throat. He was now unarmed, and that meant that he was defeated, as he glanced up at the smirking Gaul.
"Tch, you fucker...." Renji smirked back, licking the oozing blood off his lips.
"Better luck next time, Renji," chuckled Grimmjow. "You almost had me but I'm still the fucking champion."
"Almost is better than nothing," he muttered, just as the elite Romans applauded at the ending.
"Come on.... kneel down to accept your defeat," he smirked.
"Heh, pushover," chuckled Renji but did so, but not before holding up two fingers in surrender with his free hand. "It wasn't a true defeat but it was a good fight just the same...."
"True, the fight was great," nodded Grimmjow.
"Splendid.... what a great fight," Aizen smiled charmingly, clapping his hands as he walked up to them. "As expected from two of the greatest gladiators of Rome....! It's great to see such a glorious exhibition. But even as such, it's great to see that Bestia is still a champion." Many of the rich agreed to it and applauded, murmuring with admiration over Grimmjow who panted a little. The heavy sword took a lot out of him, but it was worth it. "Now then.... Ichigo, your fighter was the victor. What do you think should happen to his defeated opponent?" he asked Ichigo, who merely smiled.
"I've always admired Renji's skills for so long, but I believe him to keep trying for next time," he assured. "As expected, I wish for him to 'live'--"
"Too easy...." Almost all of the heads turned to the source of the voice, before Ginjou stepped through the crowd with a light smirk on his face. Aizen frowned at the interruption, but Ichigo's eyes widened in surprise as he watched the praetor stepping forward. Grimmjow narrowed his eyes and frowned, but was confused of what was going on. Surely he doubted that the other man could try to sabotage this event. "I have thought much about it, that I was hoping to see a real fight between the best gladiators.... but I found it was a bit too safe, almost like a child's play." Grimmjow's frown deepened but remained in his place; if these other people weren't here, he could teach him a thing or two about this so-called child's play. However, his opinions seemed to change the other elites' own thoughts, as Ichigo heard mutterings of his choice.
"Oh, I see that now...."
"It seems too easy for a win...."
"Maybe the Gaul is too strong for any other opponents, let alone that red-haired fighter...."
"What do you mean by that, Praetor....?" questioned Byakuya, as he narrowed his dark grey eyes at him. He didn't mind of Renji losing a fight since it was an exhibition, but he frowned about the reactions circulating around the room. "I don't consider it easy with the way I was watching it. The swords in which you were presenting were obviously different, so of course it would be difficult to handle for certain fighters who uses unique styles."
"Much like your own fighter, who's happened to be a Secutor," Ginjou pointed out with a light smirk. "Of course that.... Bestia would know how to use a longer sword, since his tribesmen in Gaul are capable of hacking and killing with such a heavy weapon. So like I said, the fight was too easy of a win for him."
"Even so--"
"You don't need to defend your slave just because he lost," he said, taking a brief glance at the disarmed condition of Renji. "As a matter of fact, your slave should be ashamed of himself for losing in the first place, since we all thought that he was very loyal and honorable to you. If this was a real gladiatorial game, the audience would have wish for death on him."
".... As if I would let that happen," frowned Byakuya, much to Renji's subtle surprise. But his eyes told it all, watching at his master in silent awe. Ginjou simply smirked and shook his head.
"So you would sacrifice your status for some slave, Magistrate....? Is that you're saying?" he questioned, along with the muttering of the upper class.
"Kuugo, that's enough," warned Aizen.
"Slaves may be propeties to the Roman people, but when it concerns my own, I won't let anyone insult me through them," frowned the usually stoic nobleman. "So to say that my fighter should be killed for something like that is utterly absurd. Especially when he is already strong enough as he is...."
"Oh please.... it's not a secret that you favor him in more ways than one--" scoffed Ginjou, before his uncle suddenly grabbed him by the arm. But Ginjou barely batted an eye by the disapproving frown at him.
"Are you trying to ruin your career just when you got it back?" he frowned.
"No, Uncle.... but think about it. Who would want to see a defeated gladiator granted life, just to lose again?" he muttered, before turning to the guests. "Would you prefer it? To see more blood spill, even when one fighter had already triumphed?" he asked them. Though a few guests were quiet at the question, some mulled over it, as if it should happen regardless of Ichigo's decision. Aizen noticed it and frowned at his nephew once again.
"This was only an exhibition, not a true fight to the death," he muttered lowly. "I don't know what you're doing here, Kuugo, but this has got to stop right here. I, for one, certainly do not wish for any more blood being spilled in my house."
"Oh, no need to worry about that, Uncle, there are plenty of ways to kill without much blood," Ginjou merely smiled. "Besides, my soldiers are there to ensure that can happen." At that said, several soldiers went into position at the snap of his finger, surrounding the perplexed and alarmed gladiators.
"W-wait a minute....!" gasped Ichigo in total surprise, realizing what was going on. "Wait, Ginjou, what do you think you're doing?" he questioned. But Ginjou completely ignored him, instead watching Grimmjow tensing up from being surrounded by the Roman military. Despite of him having a blade close to Renji's neck, the Gaul could feel his grip shaking with uncertainty. What was Ginjou intending to do? It was like the praetor was really wishing to force his hand to kill his friend. And that kind of thought made him internally angry, when he remembered his friends dying unwilling under the hands of the Roman army.
"Well.... the people have spoken, Bestia," smirked Ginjou, eyes narrowed in on the cornered Gaul. "They want to see more blood, and you can start by slitting his throat or stabbing the sword down his back. Either way, it'd be a good finish for us spectators." Grimmjow glared at him, but Ginjou was obviously enjoying the reaction coming out of him. He wanted it to happen, but there was no way that the blunet would purposely obey such a command. ".... We're waiting, Bestia," muttered Ginjou, subtly gesturing at his men.
Some of the guests uttered out gasps when the soldiers pulled out their swords. Ichigo gasped as well, but couldn't do anything about it. Just going against the army was just the same as commiting treason against the empire itself. Grimmjow's heightened eyes darted around, his teeth bared like a wild animal that he was compared to, trying to figure out what to do in this situation.
".... D-don't, Grimmjow...." muttered Renji, catching the other fighter's attention. The red-head was staring ahead but he could tell that his expression was grim as if he accepted his fate. "Resist, and they will kill both of us.... It's one of these times where you must bend in to Roman laws.... There's no other way, Grimmjow...." Grimmjow's expression tensed, he had never thought of Renji to get defeated so easily like that. If anything, the red-head should try to find a way to get out of it but being sucked into the Roman society had made him cornered, instead of rebelling against it.
"Then.... what about your master, Renji?" he questioned, and Renji put up a faint but sad smile as he glanced up at him.
"It had been the greatest years of my life knowing him...." he said grimly.
"Wha--" Grimmjow felt the red-head gripping at his hand that was holding the sword, before he realized that the blade was being pushed against the throat. "N-no, Renji...." he gasped.
"It's for the best.... besides, you have to live for your own master. You have to be there for him no matter what," muttered Renji, holding back a hiss the moment the skin was deftly cut, a thin trickle of blood trailed down his throat and chest. Grimmjow blinked at that before looking at Ichigo, who was watching with frightened and concerned eyes. By doing this, he would lose another friend. But if he resists, then he would lose his own life and leaving Ichigo all alone.
"No, wait...." he gritted. "N-no.... I won't do this....!" he scowled, forcing the sword away from Renji's neck. The surprising action caught Ginjou off-guard, but he quickly composed himself as he frowned. But almost everybody else was shocked, including Ichigo, before Grimmjow moved away from Renji. Renji coughed a little and felt the sensation going back to his arm, but he was confused.
"Wh-what're you doing, Grimmjow....?" he gasped in disbelief, touching at his slightly injured neck as he stared wide-eyed at the Gaul. "Do you realize what you've done? You're gonna get killed for this....!"
"Indeed...." frowned Ginjou, his sepia-colored eyes narrowed at the two gladiators. "As a praetor of Rome, I order you slave to kill another," he commanded. "Do I make myself clear, Gaul....?"
".... I don't follow orders from anyone but my master, simple as that," growled Grimmjow. "Therefore, I won't kill my friend, no matter what you say, Ginjou." Ginjou inhaled sharply in agitation. Even within a room full of high-ranking noble, he was still being disrespectful and defiant to the praetor.
"Oh, is that right, Gaul?" he scoffed. "How about I force you to do it with the help of my men, would that help?"
"If you can try, Ginjou, but I still won't do it," scoffed Grimmjow, gripping the spatha sword tighter. "Either you can force my hand yourself, or I can make you lose yours. Is that correct, Praetor....?" The sense of defiance seemed to disturb the guests with worrisome and even a hint of fear, something that they don't wish to see coming from an enslaved warrior. Ginjou's frown deepened but stood in place as he glanced at his men.
".... Take him down," he ordered.
"What? No, Ginjou! Don't do this!" Ichigo gasped out in horror as he tried to step forward, but Byakuya surprisingly held him back by grabbing at his shoulders.
"Wait a minute, Praetor, you shouldn't be doing this," frowned Byakuya. "Neither of the slaves belong to you and you cannot force them to kill each other off--"
"But the Gaul threatened to rebel against someone like me, and I cannot allow it," affirmed Ginjou. "That would make him a danger to the Roman people, and he should be punished for his insolence. If you don't believe that, then the guests here would probably say otherwise."
"No, stop it, Ginjou!" pleaded Ichigo. "You're only doing this for your own gain, and you know it....!" For once, Ginjou glanced over at the frightened teen, but his lips twitched up a smirk as if this was considered a joke.
"You are far too soft on your slaves, Ichigo," he smirked. "You cannot befriend them and hoping that they would act civilized for you.... This is what happens when you try to 'housebreak' a savage warrior from Gaul. He's too much of a danger, no matter how much time you try to make him like us."
"That's not the point! You only want him gone because of what his truly is!" he argued. "He's not dangerous, but just because he acts like this, you order death on him....! It's not fair!"
"Quit trying to defend him, Ichigo.... I will not tolerate anything coming out from someone of lesser status," muttered Ginjou before turning his gaze back to Grimmjow, who glared back with a snarl wretching in his face. "There's no need to resist, Gaul, you'll only make it harder for yourself and for your master," he warned, but it meant nothing with a smirk on his face. "But if you come quietly, I can assure you that nothing will happen to you--"
"Like I will fucking believe you, Ginjou," Grimmjow snarled lowly, and some of the elites gasped in shock at the resistance. But Ginjou chuckled with a humorless tone, as the soldiers inched closer to the Gaul.
"Then you will leave me with no choice...." he smirked. "Such a shame for you and your master, you could've stayed as a champion if you have only slayed another gladiator."
"Then why not do it yourself? That's what you have done to my friends in my home country," he gritted. "Like my master had said, you only wanted to kill me because of what I am but it's fucking deeper than that.... Something about nobility, I supposed?" The smirk instantly vanished on Ginjou's face, he had forgotten about the secret of Grimmjow's noble lineage. "Go on, Ginjou, kill me now," he egged him. "Just so you know that my death will bring more harm than good, for you and the rest of these Romans. Do you seriously wish for that....?"
Again, the peers around the praetor muttered in surprise and confusion, wondering what did he mean by that. Ginjou glanced briefly at his uncle, who frowned in disgust of what was coming to, before scoffing. He still would not be defeated by this, as he gestured at his subordinates. "Stand back....!" he scoffed. The soldiers obeyed and took a step back. Grimmjow noticed it but he would not let his guard down as he glared at Ginjou, who pulled out his own sword. "I will not tolerate your barbaric resistance, you worthless shit!" he scowled with his shorter sword raising threateningly at him. "I will give you a choice, either you fight me and accept your defeat or resist and fall under the hands of a true Roman....! You think you can handle that challenge, Gaul?"
Grimmjow narrowed his eyes at him but his snarling mouth quickly turned into a smirk. Maybe this is his chance of getting him for once and for all, as he gripped the spatha blade with two hands. ".... It won't be like the last time we fought, Ginjou," he growled. "This time, I will win....!"
"Tch, win or lose, you'll be apprehended and there's nothing you can do about it, Gaul....!" he scowled as he stepped through the shallow pool. "And like the last time, I will not be holding back!"
"We'll see about that, Ginjou....!" snarled Grimmjow.
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Hmmm..... I should've finished this chapter days ago, but I got distracted by a butt-load of old Power Rangers episodes! My favorite ones involved of Tommy becoming the green then the white Ranger and when they have new characters to replace the other rangers!LOL Aw, Johnny Yong Bosch looked so young and cute back then, it makes me wonder why I've never noticed him that way all those years ago!
So, yeah! Another cliffhanger! I love trolling like this, makes me feel as powerful as Kubo-sensei....!
Read and Review.
I'll update ASAP!
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