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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
- 21
- 22
- 23
After this, the plot'll move pretty fast with scenes going some time ahead! So through all the drama, the intensity will be even greater! Yay!
And more good news! Grimm's back in Bleach, whoo....! Of course, you only saw his arm and his rude demeanor but it's him nonetheless! Yayyy.....! Also, I'm telling in advance that there's a hot spring/bathing scene in this chapter. Not that I wanna spoil it to you but since seeing the recent hilarious chapters involving Renji and Byakuya and Rukia floating around like dead bodies, I decided to do so!LOL
Warrior by Boogermeister
Chapter 22- The Engulfing Fear
"No...." Ichigo gasped softly, his dry throat constricted on its own when he saw Ginjou branishing his sword at Grimmjow. He was frozen by the sight of it, despite the fact that Byakuya was holding him back. But he wasn't sure what in the gods' names was going on in Ginjou's mind to fight Grimmjow, who growled lowly with his animalistic eyes glowing in anger and intensity. It seemed that nobody could stop the praetor's choice, not even Aizen whose expression was a mix of anger and shock and uncertainty. The aura within the room was heavy with intense and crackling energy, as Ginjou treaded across the shallow pool.
As soon as he reached the platform, his dark sepia eyes glared down at Renji, who was perplexed but unnerved of what was about to happen. ".... Get out of my way if you know what's good for you," he muttered lowly. Taking the threat seriously, Renji got to his feet albeit with a bloody leg and hobbled off the platform. The red-head watched with a small amount of fear for Grimmjow. He knew that Grimmjow hated the praetor for what happened to him but he was deeply concerned that the hatred will intensify in front of witnesses.
Grimmjow growled once Ginjou turned his attention back to him, but his gaze darted around quickly. The soldiers were on stand by, ready to overwhelm him should he take the advantage. And Ginjou knew that as well, as he smirked smugly. "Don't even try to think that you can get away with it, Gaul...." he sneered. "You were the one who challenged me, but it doesn't mean that I will lose to the likes of you. And I doubt that you can still be champion either way. You won't have any title or honor to back you up."
"Tch, is that right? Because after this, you won't have the title of praetor once I'm through with you," growled Grimmjow.
"You better shut your mouth, Gaul," muttered Ginjou. "I won't hold back on you, so maybe cutting off a limb or two will teach you a lesson."
"Oh no...." gasped Ichigo in disbelief. "This cannot be happening....! Can't you do something about this, Byakuya....? You should try to stop it before Grimmjow gets hurt--"
"Even if I could, it wouldn't do any good for him right now," muttered Byakuya. "You seen it, he had purposely insulted a high-ranking Roman official in front of everyone. There's no way that he could be pardoned so easily since he's a slave.... but it seems that this is the only way he can deal with it."
"But.... this isn't right...." Ichigo frowned in concern. "He'll get killed by Ginjou and there's nothing we can do about it...." His widened eyes stared at the two circling each other, with Grimmjow's narrowed eyes on the smirking praetor. This shouldn't be happening, as his hands clenched into fists. He wished he could do something to stop it....
"What're you waiting for, Gaul? Are you afraid to make the first move, thinking I might pull a trick on you?" smirked Ginjou, and the Gaul scoffed at him.
"You already did that before, Ginjou, but I doubt that you'll use your soldiers to kill off everybody here," he scowled. But Ginjou still smirked before going into an offensive stance.
"If you had only perished in the slave trading, then you wouldn't have given me so much trouble...." he muttered. "You're nothing but a fucking nuisance, so I'll give you the benefit of death for once." In an instant, the praetor jumped forward with his blade held high. Despite of his light injuries, Grimmjow reacted with a strong parry. Through all these past months, they could feel the difference in their powers like before, but this time it was different as Ginjou stopped smirking when he felt that he was being pushed.
"Heh.... you're all talk, Ginjou," Grimmjow gritted with a grin. "Thought you can take me down but your words are nothing but shit."
"Tch...." Ginjou gained his footing and pushed him back, the blades scraped each other before he backed off. He frowned, he didn't expect the Gaul to be this strong. Then again, Grimmjow was a very strong gladiator since he had taken out various of opponents, against a giant and wild beasts and even several men alongside a fellow fighter. But he didn't like it one bit. He couldn't lose to the likes of the barbarian, who in turn went on the offense.
"Hahh....!" he snarled, swinging the longer sword at him. Ginjou hissed in surprise when the sword shallowly hacked across his metal armor. But it wasn't enough to cut him, yet Grimmjow pressed on without hesitation as he swung again at him.
"Shit....!" Ginjou hissed when he parried against him. The guests watched in fear but awe, seeing the Gaul overpowering the praetor almost easily. That didn't give Ichigo any hope of it, however, seeing that Grimmjow's better strength against a Roman might cause grief for the both of them. The teen looked at the other soldiers surrounding the platform, seemingly waiting for any signal to react. He knew what will happen if Grimmjow wins and was afraid for him if he tries to resist.
He wanted to stop it, and so did Aizen, who knew it was out of his hands to stop it until it is over. Grimmjow's muscles in his arms tightened as he pushed against Ginjou, who gritted his teeth at the disadvantage. He was getting gradually irritated by the moment, as he attempted a counterattack at him. But Grimmjow narrowly dodged the slash, his cyan bright eyes glowed intensely as he glared at him. The metal armor blocked out the major vital points for attack, but that would only leave much of his arms and legs vulnerable.... as well as his head.
It was so much easier to get to that as simple as possible, but he couldn't do it, not with these elite looking on as if this was completely normal and mundane to see. But it seemed that Ginjou knew of that as well, as he smirked a little. "Are you thinking that you can really get away with it, Gaul....?" he questioned lowly. "You cannot beat me, not with the way you want to. You'll be executed if you even dare to go against me that way...."
"Funny, I've been doing that since day one, and I haven't lost my head yet," sneered Grimmjow. "Maybe it it has to do with your shitty work as a praetor--" He was suddenly caught off-guard when Ginjou rushed at him, but it only happened briefly when he reacted with a strong parry.
"Guh....!" The force of the swing from the heavy sword made Ginjou stumble backwards, before Grimmjow stuck back at his armored chest. "Ah...! Fuck!" Ginjou hissed out in pain when he landed hard on his back. He glared up in time to see the savage looming over him, white teeth bared in the blunet's triumphant grin with the sword in his hand gleamed by torch light. Almost everyone gasped in horror at the turning point, as Ichigo realized, and seeing a slave taking down a Roman wasn't very good to swallow.
"You're not that great as you boasted to be, Praetor...." grinned Grimmjow, blade threateningly pointed at the scowling man. "Maybe you should have killed me when you had a chance several months back, then maybe you wouldn't be embarrassed of getting your ass kicked by some Gaul."
"Tch, you think you can win this fight....?" spat Ginjou vehemently. "What are you going to do next afterwards? Care to explain that in front of them, in front of your fucking master?" Grimmjow's grin faltered in realization. His internal desire to get back at Ginjou nearly took him over. He glanced at Ichigo, whose widened eyes were full of absolute fear and anxiety, and he in turn frowned worriedly, almost wishing to go to him. But his mind was instantly torn between which was more important to him right now. His revenge or his feelings for the teen.
But that brief distraction was more than enough for Ginjou, who grinned devilishly at the chance. "Hahh....!" he sneered, swinging his gladius at the Gaul's thigh.
"Ahh!" Grimmjow hissed in pain, the burning slash ripped apart his skin as blood gushed out. Many of the elites gasped but some chuckled and clapped the moment Grimmjow was stumbling away from the praetor. But the sudden action made Ichigo gasp in horror.
"Grimmjow....!" he gasped sharply.
"Fuck....! Fucking shit!" snarled Grimmjow, his knees buckled but he quickly used his sword as leverage, gritting his teeth as he glared down at the deep wound on his thigh. Ginjou chuckled boastfully as he got up. He could see the dark crimson blood dripping heavily onto the marble floor, and that made his grin widen.
"Ah, you were saying, Gaul....? That you can beat me?" he taunted. "Well, how can you if you're a moment away of being crippled?"
"Kuugo, that is enough....! You've already proven your point, so stand down right now!" commanded Aizen as he glared furiously at his nephew. "I will not tolerate this dishonor in my house any longer....!"
"Don't worry about it, Uncle. I'll end it pretty soon," smirked Ginjou. "I just needed to teach the so-called champion a lesson. Maybe then, he will learn his place beneath us Romans...."
"No, I'm ordering you to stop it immediately!" he scowled angrily. "What you are doing is nothing but a disgrace to me and to our reputations....! Cease this now, or see that your praetorship is forever terminated!" Ginjou frowned a little but he smirked again when he glanced back at his uncle.
"And then who can replace me on such short notice?" he questioned. "Besides, everbody here seems to enjoy it, now that I'm beating down the Gaul."
"F-f-fuck you, Ginjou....!" gritted Grimmjow. His glare burned at the other man as he attempted to step forward, despite of his injured leg shaking in pain. "That was a dirty trick you pulled off....! But I should expect that from a fucking Roman like you!"
"Oh, so you're showing your true colors now, as the barbarian you truly are," Ginjou chuckled at him. "I'll change all that, once I get that leg of yours."
"No! Stop this right now, Ginjou....!" Ichigo called out fearfully, his shoulders being gripped tightly by Byakuya despite wanting to step in. "What more do you want from this? Only to humiliate him and me....?" Ginjou glanced at him and his narrowed eyes glinted dangerously, but the teen figured out the meaning behind it as he felt his heart jolted. "This isn't right, Ginjou....! You shouldn't do this just because you have a grudge against him! Please, just stop it!"
"I already told you that I don't want to hear it from a fucking low-class who can't control his slaves," he smirked darkly. "This is all your fault, Ichigo. If you were able to tame your fighter with harsher hands, he would've been docile to every commands and it would not have ended like this."
"Don't.... don't you dare talk to him that way, you fucker!" Grimmjow snarled lowly as he stepped forward again. "I'll hack that fucking tongue off if it's the last thing I do....!" But Ginjou laughed off that threat, seeing that the Gaul was steadily losing blood by the minute.
"Not unless I get to yours first, Gaul!" he sneered as he suddenly moved to slash at him again.
"No! Grimmjow!" gasped Ichigo, the moment he saw blade sliced across Grimmjow's left shoulder.
"Ahh!" Grimmjow yelled out in pain. More blood sprayed out from the fresh wound as he stumbled back again. This time, his back hit against a stone pillar before he looked to see Ginjou charging at him again. "Shit....!" he hissed, dodging the attack in time to realize that the blade was a milimeter away from his neck.
"Hah! Very good, Gaul!" sneered Ginjou. "Seems that you're only good enough to dodge like a fucking coward! But let's see if you can keep it up for another moment or two....!" He went after him with his sword above his head, before swinging it down at Grimmjow.
"Guh....!" Grimmjow gritted when he deflected the attack with a swing of his own. But his strength was weakened as he was pushed to ground. "Fuck!" he cried out in intense pain, when he landed on his badly injured side.
"Come on! Fight back, Gaul! I thought you were supposed to be a fucking champion!" cackled Ginjou, his fist tightened around the hilt. His sepia eyes gleamed with malice and sadistic glee, seeing that the one who humiliated him was being cornered like a dog with a bad limp. He wickedly punched across his face, causing blood and spit splattering across the platform.
"Ginjou, please, just stop it now....!" pleaded Ichigo. His eyes pricked with warm tears in horror. Grimmjow might die from this unfair fight, and almost everybody else was seeing it with joy and amusement. He hated this, he hated that he was feeling weak and powerless over this situation. He gritted his teeth in frustration, he needed to stop this one way or another, when his eyes suddenly fell on something coincidental.
"Hah....! Worthless piece of shit!" laughed Ginjou, punching Grimmjow again. "I knew that you could never go against a praetor like me! It goes to show that me as a Roman will always be superior to you barbarian!"
"Tch....! Y-you fucker....!" gritted Grimmjow, before hacking a bloody spit at his face. That instantly set the praetor off, as he punched him again and again, bruises and pain erupted across the other's face. The Gaul coughed painfully and groaned. One second of letting his guard down, and led out to this.... His vision was getting hazy from the blood loss but he could see Ichigo staring back in despair. Maybe it was his selfish ego or his determination to resist, but either way it was costing him big time as he felt his hair being yanked tightly. He glared at Ginjou with so much contempt, though the other man smirked over the concluded demise.
"Accept defeat, Gaul, that's the only way to save your life," smirked Ginjou. "Just put the missio sign and it'll all be over.... If you don't do it for yourself, then do if for your beloved master. I'm sure he would utterly appreciate that, after all."
"D-don't you dare bring him into this, y-y-you shit-eating fuck...." scowled Grimmjow, his bleary eyes still burned with absolute hatred. "I-I won't let you f-fucking touch him, I'll make sure of it...." Ginjou chuckled, pulling his head back to reveal his bare throat.
"How can you.... when you can't even stop this fight yourself?" he sneered as he raised his sword. Grimmjow growled but it was feeble. He still had his grip on his own weapon, but he was too weakened to react, as his hand was shaking.
"Go f-fuck yourself, Ginjou.... what makes you think t-that I w-won't die tonight?" he growled weakly.
"I'll know when your head's off your body," smirked Ginjou, before swing his blade down.
"STOP IT RIGHT NOW....!"
Ginjou's hand was already going down when he noticed something out of a corner of his eye. But he couldn't react in time when he realized who was coming his way. "Shit--"
Clank!
The praetor's eyes widened in total surprise. At first, it was the abnormal strength that came out of nowhere and held his sword back.... but it was something else that shocked him, as Grimmjow too realized it in surprise. "Wh.... what the fuck....! Ichigo....!" Ginjou gasped, seeing the teen with a sword of his own to block the other. Many of the guests from the sidelines gasped sharply, and Byakuya couldn't help but look on in unusual bewilderment. He was holding him back as hard as he could, but somehow.... Ichigo wrestled from his grasp and sprinted across the pool, grabbing for the long-forgotten spatha sword the instant he got onto the platform.
Despite of his injuries, even Renji felt shocked of what just happened. He had never expected that Ichigo of all people would go and protect someone, let alone a slave. "Shit...." he gasped.
"I-Ichigo....! What do you think you're doing?" gritted Ginjou but he was still surprised. He didn't hear him coming, mostly because he was distracted beating down Grimmjow. But what was more shocking, was that Ichigo was holding him back with the heavier sword.... with just his right hand. He glanced at Ichigo's face which was filled with anger, and noticed his eyes. It wasn't the usual color of deep amber-brown eyes that was full of fear, but they were hinted of golden hue with fury. He had never seen this of him before, as he backed off before being pushed away. "Ichigo, this is nothing you should be concerned about--" he frowned.
"You shut your fucking mouth, Ginjou...." Ichigo muttered lowly, cutting off the surprised praetor. "I won't take it anymore from someone like you.... you already gave me enough grief as it is...." he frowned, pointing the sword threateningly at him. Ginjou nearly froze at the sight, something like this shouldn't be happening. He blinked back into reality quickly when he saw his subordinates getting their weapons out and he let out a scoff. There was no way he would let those idiots take out Ichigo.
"No, wait....!" he commanded, and the soldiers paused in their movements. "I'll handle him myself, I don't need any help!" He looked back at Ichigo, who seemed determined to fight him, and he smirked a little. "Ichigo, I was just having a little fun. It wasn't as if I was trying--"
"Shut it, Ginjou.... I won't have it, I will not accept any fucking explanation from you....!" scowled Ichigo, his voice shaking with so many levels of emotions. "You're nothing but a sick, depraved man who does nothing but kill those who who won't follow you and will stop at nothing to take advantage of someone who's considered weak to your eyes! Especially me....!"
"Wh-what....?" Ginjou frowned at first but he quickly smirked." Ichigo, come on, you don't need to do this," he attempted to reason. "There's no need to deal with this type of situation for someone your age--"
"I'm sure that I can do such a thing despite of it....!" gritted Ichigo. "It's because of you, Ginjou, that I feel miserable whenever when you're around me! Always leering at me with those digusting eyes, just waiting for a chance to corner me like you have attempted to do this past summer....!" That shocked Ginjou, who felt his heart jumping almost to the point of panicking.
"W-wait a minute, Ichigo! There's no need to say that--" he stammered as he stepped forward.
"Say what? That the fucking praetor of Rome assaulted and tried to rape me the moment I let my guard down?" he accused. In an instant, color drained from Ginjou's face as he felt the grip on his sword going limp. The room went dead silence of that proclamation, with multiple shocked eyes fell on the older man. Ginjou could only stare at Ichigo, who glared back with the shaking blade still pointing at him. Just moments ago, the teen was downright afraid of him. But now.... there was something to be fearful of coming out of him, as Ichigo huffed angrily.
"Is there something the matter, Ginjou....? Did telling that truth really affect you in such a way that you're practically shitting yourself right now?" he questioned, taking a step towards the praetor. "I really don't care.... I don't fucking care that you are a higher status, that me threatening you could cause serious consequences. But you're nothing but a sick perverted tyrant, and I will not stand for it anymore. Do you get that, Ginjou?"
".... All right, I get it," muttered Ginjou with a short nod. "I didn't mean to give you such trouble after all this time, Ichigo--"
"You think apologizing will erase everything you've done to me?" scoffed Ichigo. "What you've done to Grimmjow a minute ago.... that was the last fucking straw." Ginjou almost blinked at that in surprise. Why does the teen care so much about Grimmjow, despite of the savage Gaul being a lowly slave? Why does it really matter to any Roman that he befriends and supports the barbarian into being a gladiator and a champion at that? He didn't get it, as he realized that Ichigo was inching closer to him and he frowned.
"Are you thinking that you can harm me, Ichigo....?" he questioned, gripping his sword again.
"It's better to know than to think," Ichigo scowled. Before Ginjou could react, Ichigo suddenly charged at him. Out of reflex, the praetor dodged out of the way, the sharp sound of metallic slicing rang by his ear. That shocked Ginjou, he didn't realize how close Ichigo was with the blade.
"Shit....!" he gritted and instantly parried when Ichigo went at him again, surprised by the phenomenal but unnatural strength resonating from him. How was this happening....? Why was Ichigo going against him like that Gaul did almost a year ago, fighting in a similar savage style like him? He took a quick glance at Grimmjow, who was struggling to get up, and he gritted his teeth. He believed that Ichigo was influenced by that primitive man somehow, and he started to hate that now. "Ichigo, you don't have to do this!" he reasoned. "Whatever that fucking Gaul did to change your way of thinking, this is not the reason for you to fight me!"
"That Gaul is the reason I'm able to stand up to you, Ginjou....!" scoffed Ichigo, jumping away from him to ready for an attack. "You think I wanted to be pushed around by anyone, just because I'm a lower class from you or anyone else here? I won't take it any longer....!"
"But, Ichigo--" Ginjou had no choice but to defend himself, as he kept avoiding and parrying Ichigo's strikes. It was frighteningly impressive that the teen possessed this type of skill. It was as if he knew what to do.... Ginjou wondered if it has to do with him watching so many gladiator games to pick up the knowledge. But despite the sense of inexperience coming from Ichigo, he could feel that he was becoming more and more better to react and counterattack. He didn't want to fight back, but the thought of losing by the likes of him was hard to ignore.
"Ah--" Ginjou stepped back when he swung at him, only to realize that Ichigo suddenly switched hands for a left swing. "Ahh! Shit...!" he hissed out in pain the moment the blade slashed at his arm.
"Sh-shit....!" gasped Grimmjow, by now he was able to get onto his good knee. But this wasn't good, he didn't want anything to happen against Ichigo. "D-damn it, I got to stop this...." he panted.
Ginjou gritted his teeth mostly from disbelief rather than pain, his own blood trickled down his arm as he glared at Ichigo. He couldn't believe it, he was being beaten by someone like him and everybody had been watching it with shocking and stupefied eyes. ".... Ichigo, let's talk this out," he muttered. "There really is no need to keep doing this."
"Just like there was no need to keep hacking at Grimmjow like he's nothing," Ichigo frowned with full of resentment. "Maybe I need to make a few cuts to make it even.... All the more reason to deal with it, Ginjou."
"Tch, you're being such a fucking brat, Ichigo.... don't make me hurt you," scoffed Ginjou.
"You've already done that before...." he scowled before moving to strike.
"Fuck it!" gritted Ginjou, trying to parry despite of the burning pain. But Ichigo quickly swapped hands again to produce a low swing, his stronger right hand struck against the praetor's hand. "Agh...!" Ginjou hissed, his weakened grip caused his sword slip out of his hand. His eyes widened in total astonishment, he was now defenseless with the weapon clattering across the floor, before Ichigo glared at him. The angered teen panted heavily and pointed his spatha at him. He gritted his teeth at the humiliation, but he could dwell much on it as Ichigo stepped forward.
"You're defenseless, Ginjou.... this is what happens when you act so arrogant and cruel," he muttered lowly. "Being bested by a low-class Roman who learned how to fight from a savage Gaul.... I'm sure something like that could dishonor you and your reputation very greatly."
"Ichigo, you--" growled Ginjou but his chest tightened when the tip of the sword reached at his throat. He stared at Ichigo's gold-hued eyes that was nothing but scornful hatred. Even though the tip was blunt, he could still be stabbed by the sword with the right amount of force. "Think about what you're doing here, Ichigo....!" he gritted. "Are you really intended to harm me, a praetor of Rome....?"
"Well, who cares about you, Ginjou? Everbody's afraid of you and didn't want to openly admit it," scoffed Ichigo. "But deep down, they only see you as nothing but a disgraceful embarrassment to everything here. Even your uncle sees that.... can you think about that, Ginjou? That everybody's looking down on you, even though you're a high-ranking officer....?"
"I'm telling you to watch it, Ichigo, or else--" gritted Ginjou.
"You'll kill me? I already heard of that already," he said in a vulgar manner.
"Just-- Please, Ichigo.... you don't have to do this," the older man advised. "You cannot do this, you don't need to have blood on your hands."
"I'm okay with it if it's your blood...."
".... Just stop this, Ichigo." Ichigo's anger almost vanished in an instant when he felt the familiar rough hand suddenly clasped his wrist. He would've flinched, and slashed Ginjou in the process, if it wasn't for the strong grip on him before he glanced back to realize that it was Grimmjow. The Gaul was breathing heavily, as he was still bleeding, but he frowned nonetheless as he glanced down at him. "I-I understand your anger.... but this isn't right, kid," he managed to speak but it was coming out as a painful whisper. "Not here, not now.... you can't afford to do this to yourself."
"Grimmjow, I...." Ichigo muttered but froze when Grimmjow slouched over him, struggling to keep his footing as he grasped at the teen's shoulder. "Grimmjow, wait a minute....! You need to lie down right now!" he gasped.
"I know that.... b-but right now, I need to stop you from making a terrible mistake," muttered Grimmjow, his eyebrows tightened as he gazed at him. "You really cannot do this.... this is not you to take a life just like that. It's better to b-back away from this now before your life is ruined...."
"But...." Ichigo almost felt frustrated at the suggestion, but his concern for the blunet was overriding his own cause. His hand that was holding the sword shook but made no more movement as he glared back at Ginjou. The praetor saw that his eyes seemingly reverting back to normal, but there was still anger within them. Nothing cannot be taken back now, but Ichigo appeared to take the advise as he slowly withdrew the blade from Ginjou's throat.
Ginjou almost inhaled in relief, but shielded his true emotion with an indifferent expression as he glared at the two. "You only calm down if your savage slave tells you too....?" he questioned. "That's why you're considered weak if you let some property push you around like that--"
"Just fucking shut it, Ginjou.... you should be grateful that I even stopped at all," he frowned. That immediately silenced Ginjou, but he put up a devious smirk as he straightened his stance despite of his injured arm.
"Very interesting, Ichigo.... you may have managed to 'defeat' me, but you've forgotten that I could still take you away," he smirked. "After all, I'm still the praetor and capable of having you jailed, and sending the Gaul to the mines if I wanted to."
"You will do no such thing....!" Aizen finally seethed, and Ginjou was almost startled by his uncle's unusually vehement tone before he looked over at him. The senator's narrowed eyes were burning at him, and if he weren't being looked at, he would probably be terrified by the enraged expression.
"But, Uncle--"
"You dishonor my house, shame our family name, just to get your selfish agenda across....! I am.... beyond furious at you, Kuugo, of the fact that you've ruined my party!" scoffed the senator. "I don't care of your role, I won't let you bring any more disgrace towards me....!"
"I-I didn't try to, Uncle, but that barbarian defied me as well as you--" Ginjou attempted to explain, but he was cut off by a startled gasp before a sudden heavy thud.
"Ah! Grimmjow....!" Ichigo gasped in horror, when Grimmjow unexpectedly collasped. But the Gaul's fall was broken when his master immediately caught him albeit the other's heavier weight. "Grimmjow....! Grimmjow, can you hear me, are you okay....?" Ichigo questioned as he shook his shoulders.
"Sh-sh-shit...." Grimmjow groaned painfully. His pallor was getting paler as he panted for air, before Ichigo pushed his chin up to look at him. "Losing t-t-too much...." he muttered. Ichigo's eyes widened before he looked down at the bloody leg. It was getting worse by the looks of it.
"Tch.... all of you, carry the gladiator to a spare slave room and fetch the medicus!" Aizen commanded to the army subordinates nearby.
"What? You can't just boss around my men--" Ginjou scoffed but immediately shut his mouth when his uncle glared at him.
"I command them as a former army leader, and I will not be ignored right now....!" he frowned. "Go help them, quickly....!" he demanded. The soldiers had no choice but to obey, rushing to hoist Grimmjow up by his limbs. Ichigo stood up and followed after the group, sword forgotten as well as some blood stains on his hands and clothing as he saw his slave phasing in and out of consciousness.
"Grimmjow...." he frowned in concern. But despite of his predicament, Grimmjow managed to smirk at him through bleary eyes.
"A-as if I would d-d-die, kid...." he muttered through drooling blood. "I'm f-fucking immortal.... that's all th-there to it...." But Ichigo was still concerned. He couldn't have him possibly dying over something like this. His chest ached in dismay.... he couldn't believe that Ginjou would do such a thing to both of them. The praetor finally showed his true color, but so did the teen himself. He let go of his hidden anger in front of everyone and now they knew.
The teen master who befriends his slaves was now considered to be just as savage as his fighter.
(Blood and Sands)
Ginjou's arm was still bleeding, but that was the very least of his concerns at the moment. He gritted his teeth as several emotions swirled within him, standing by the door of his uncle's office. After Aizen escorted the guest out of his home, he forced Ginjou to wait until the senator could talk to Ichigo. His own medical treatment was being ignored, as the medicus was looking after the Gaul as well as Byakuya's fighter, all the more of giving him further embarrassment and misery. "Fuck....! This can't be happening....!" he growled under his breath.
First it was Grimmjow who kept refusing to die.... and now it was Ichigo, who dared to raise a sword at him. Just to protect his slave. But for what....? It was just a slave, nothing but properties with about the same rights as farm animals. And a Roman noble stood up to defend him. What was that about, how could Ichigo go against a high-ranking member of the army? Grasping at his pained arm, Ginjou glanced up to see his uncle walking up to him. Aizen's expression was fixed like an emotionless statue with his eyes narrowed and his mouth thinned.
".... Uncle, I--" he attempted to speak.
"Don't you dare speak to me...." Aizen commanded in a calm but very cold tone. "Go in there now, Kuugo, and don't talk at all. Do you understand me....?"
"...." Ginjou huffed but for now obeyed and kept his mouth shut. Sulking, he followed his uncle into the office. But Aizen had his back turned on him, moving to look out of his window with his hands clasped behind his back. The room was completely silent saved for the crackling of torch fire and the even breathing of both men. Ginjou frowned and wanted to figure out what he was thinking about. But he was already in deep enough trouble as it was, and he didn't want to make it any more worse.
".... In a few weeks' time, I will explain to the Senate of keeping your praetorship after tonight's incident," Aizen finally spoke, and his subdued voice ironically startled his nephew. "Everybody who have witnessed your demise earlier will question your role, now that everything's spilled out in the open. Then again.... nobody is shocked of your alleged assaults of those beneath your status, but it was with Ichigo-- a Roman noble-- that could damage your already severed reputation."
"Uncle--"
"I told you to keep your mouth shut....!" Aizen suddenly snapped, and Ginjou felt his throat constricted from the outburst. ".... Like I said, I will try to convince the other senators to let your job...." he went back to his calm demeanor. "However, there is one thing I will do to guarantee that you can make it on your own from now on...." Ginjou frowned in confusion, before Aizen turned around to face. His hardened gaze was on him, as he pursed his lips.
"What I mean is that.... I am cutting you off, Kuugo," he clarified. "I will not support you financially, nor will I support you of anything at all. As a matter of fact, I won't call you my family from now on."
".... Wh-what was that....?" gasped Ginjou in absolute shock, his sepia eyes widened at his uncle as he felt his jaw dropped. The wound on his arm was suddenly forgotten when he tried to contemplate of what he had just said.
"You heard me, Kuugo.... From this moment on, I do not see you as my nephew and my blood," frowned Aizen. "All of my assets and properties will not be granted to you once I die. I will not bother to bail you out should you get into another predicament. Before tonight that was the final straw, and you completely ruined it.... There is nothing I can do for you any more, Kuugo. You are on your own."
"B-but..... you can't do this to me, Uncle.....!" gasped Ginjou, disbelief as well as anger were eating at him as he glared at him with his still widened eyes. "You're my only relative! How can you do this to me....!"
"You should know the answer to that, Kuugo," frowned Aizen. "Like I said.... I won't relate myself to you any longer. So I'm merely cutting my ties with you as my family member."
"But this cannot be....!" he scowled angrily. "Wh-what about my home, my slaves? Are you going to take those away from me?"
"Actually, I'll give you some amount of mercy and let you have your home and servants," his uncle explained coolly. "After all, it sounds very dismal to have the praetor homeless."
"This isn't fucking funny!" Ginjou fumed at Aizen, who barely blinked an eye at the outrage. "To do this to me.... just because you respect some fucking savage Gaul a lot more than your own flesh and blood! By law, he's nothing but a damn slave with no rights--"
"And by law, I have the rights to banish you as my family," Aizen frowned. "We are nothing but strangers to each other now. That is all, Kuugo...."
"No, this isn't--"
"That is all, you fucking excuse of a parasite....!" he snapped, his bronze eyes blazing with fury as he glared at him. "Even with your distasteful title, I will have your own men throw you out of my house, if earlier events weren't enough of a degradation! Now leave....!" Ginjou breathed harshly and glowered at the man who used to be his uncle. The bleeding had already slowed down from his wound, but he didn't care about it at the moment as he stomped towards him.
"You know.... I've never cared about you, you pathetic old shit....!" he seethed hatefully. "You've been a fucking pain in my ass ever since you took me in! You think I ever appreciated being under your thumb, being berated at every single chance, just because I'm nothing but a fucking disappointment to you....!"
".... And you have been nothing but a disappointment, you utter excuse of a wastrel," his uncle admitted disdainfully, and that only made Ginjou even angier.
"You'll fucking regret it, Uncle-- no, you're no longer my uncle like you said," he spat vehemently. "You cutting me off is the biggest mistake of your natural life.... I doubt that you can stop me from getting away with this shit, you fucking fool."
"I don't think you're threatening me like that, not when there are other high ranking senators to back me up," he frowned, his expression unchanged by the fierce outburst. "You had just gotten your praetorship back, so for you to lose it just like that.... it'll be pretty hard to get back on your feet if you're living in the gutter." At that, Ginjou, exhaled harshly as he stepped back. He loathed this man so very much, but to lose it all was something he didn't wish to gamble with now. Grasping at his bleeding arm, he eventually turned to leave, his footsteps clapped quietly on the exquisite stone floor.
".... You better watch your back, I won't crawl back to you ever again...." he muttered, disappearing into the dark hallway. Aizen just frowned, either out of inner relief that his nephew was finally out of his sight or was still wary that he could still cause trouble for him. But it didn't matter as it was far from over to fix up the scandal, starting with the situation with Grimmjow's injuries.
Meanwhile, occupying the spare room, Ichigo looked with concern at Grimmjow as he sat next to the bed. The Gaul was dozing, though he still appeared pale and sickly due to the blood loss, with his eyebrows tensed up in his sleep. If Byakuya wasn't nearby with his bandaged slave, he would grip at his hand for comfort. "Shit...." he frowned, seeing the bandages on his leg and shoulder. Unlike Renji's similar injuries, Grimmjow was still worse off due to Ginjou's torture.
"Ichigo...." The teen glanced up to see Byakuya strolling up to him, with Renji closely behind. "Are you sure that you wish to stay the night in Senator Aizen's residence?" he asked quietly.
"Yes, of course. I can't leave Grimmjow alone like this," he nodded. "Besides, I don't think I could go home with my clothes ruined like this," he added, looking down at the dried blood stained on his synthesis. "I will be fine, Byakuya. Thank you for your concern."
"It's all right, Ichigo," he sighed before frowning. "Earlier tonight.... those accusations you made on the praetor...." he muttered carefully, and Ichigo glanced up at him with a surprised but knowing gaze. Behind his master, Renji stiffened by the knowledge he already knew but frowned with a bit of guilt as he glanced down. "So it is true, correct....?"
".... Yes, it's true," muttered Ichigo, with a bitter frown. "Luckily, Grimmjow was there to stop it," he said as he glanced back at the passed out Gaul. "I suppose.... that's why Grimmjow was still abhorrent against Ginjou since his enslavement. Maybe that's the reason he wanted to go against him.... but the thought of trying to hurt or even kill him in front of those nobles, I think he wouldn't want to risk losing his life over it."
"But you were about to do the same, yet I wouldn't blame you as I would consider that justified after those accusations," sighed Byakuya. Ichigo glanced up at him but frowned. He hadn't really thought of killing Ginjou, but he only wished to hurt him as much he was hurt. "There's no doubt that the praetor would be questioned of tonight's event in the coming days. After all, some of those guests are related to a senator one way or another. But I don't believe that he would be pitied over it, nor would he get supports from the Senate...."
"I think he'll lose his respects from the others, if not his job," agreed Ichigo.
".... Either way, I'm fucking glad something's gonna happen to that prick," Grimmjow suddenly spoke up, his voice raspy as he peered his eyes open. All of them glanced at him with surprised eyes, before the blunet let out a painful grunt before gingerly touched at his bandaged shoulder. "Fuck.... See, kid? I told you I wouldn't die so easily," he grunted. But Ichigo just smiled in relief, seeing that the older man was acting like himself.
"Either you're an idiot or the gods really did bless you with immortality, Grimmjow," he scoffed but smiled nonetheless. "How are you feeling right now?"
"Tch, like I got ripped to shreds by a tiger," grumbled Grimmjow, licking at his cut lip that was already healing. "So now what....? Am I going to be in trouble for what I did, kid?" he asked seriously as he glanced at his master.
"I don't think so, Grimmjow." Ichigo shook his head. "If anything, it appears that Ginjou's the only one in trouble. I'm not sure if this will affect his job, though...."
"Who cares? As long as I don't get sent to the fucking mines...." he muttered, before he finally noticed Byakuya and Renji nearby. "Oh, I didn't know that you're here," he sighed though he winced a little from the stitched up wound on his thigh.
"It's quite all right.... I was about to give you gratitude for not deciding to follow through that praetor's orders," nodded the magistrate. "He dared to make a mockery on me by having my slave killed, so for you to rebel-- as much as it's hard for me to say as a high-ranking Roman-- I saw it as admirable."
"Wow, thanks a lot.... If this makes you feel any better, I wasn't really angry with the situation with my friend," muttered Grimmjow. "I was only frustrated that it happened in the first place, not knowing if and when he will be found."
"I understand that, Renji told me about the incident so we were hoping to talk to you about the current update," said Byakuya. "But.... I supposed we can wait for another day. Tonight had made all of us weary, after all."
"Yeah, I think that's a good idea," Ichigo sighed. "Maybe when Grimmjow's feeling a little better. Right, Grimmjow?" he asked the Gaul, who simply nodded without a complaint.
"I'm too tired to keep talking anyway," he shrugged. "I'll wait, kid.... I need to sleep off this pain."
"All right.... we're fine here, Byakuya," the teen told Byakuya. "We'll talk to you later, is that all right?"
"Of course, Ichigo.... Come along, Renji, we're done here," said Byakuya, as he moved to leave.
"Ah, yes, Master...." nodded Renji before glancing over at the two. "Good night, guys...."
"Good night, Renji," Ichigo said, while Grimmjow grunted a good-bye. "See you later...." Renji put up a small smile, and followed his master out of the room. It was so late into the night, so the residence was silence asides from a few slaves that was moving about. The red-head paced fairly behind Byakuya, who looked ahead as they finally left.
"Oh.... Master, did you call for a carriage before leaving--" Renji began to ask, but instantly fell silent when the other man turned to look at him. It was almost a scolding look, and Renji frowned in slight confusion. ".... Is there something wrong, Master?" he asked. Byakuya just looked at him but he soon glanced away, crossing his arms across his chest.
".... Why did you give up?" he questioned quietly.
"Huh....? Wh-what do you mean by that--"
"I'm asking.... why were you willing to give up on your own life when a simple exhibition ended up into a fiasco?" he frowned at him. "Renji.... there shouldn't be a reason for you to forfeit just like that, even when I was defending you. So why did you do it?"
"I.... I'm sorry about that, Master," Renji frowned with guilt. "I just assumed you would be embarrassed of me if I tried to beg for my life. I just didn't want to shame you."
"I was shameful that you have given up just like that, whereas the Gaul had the decency to stand up against the idea," countered Byakuya, and Renji immediately understood that as he glanced down.
"Grimmjow's different.... he's a slave for barely a year, and he came from a land where they'd skin you alive over trivial things," he muttered. "Going against the Roman society is nothing but a crazy fantasy for the subservients, Master. I couldn't possibly think of doing something that would get me killed anyway."
"Yet you wanted to die when you felt like you're getting cornered," the magistrate chastised as he stepped up to him. "How could you think like that....? Do you really wish to leave me like that?" he whispered to the surprised red-head, who stared at him.
"I.... didn't know you would feel that way, Master," he muttered softly.
"You didn't think about that....?"
"I'm.... just sorry--" Renji apologized again but was cut off when his master suddenly smacked him across the face. The strike wasn't so hard, but it surprised him anyway as he stared wide-eyed at him, reaching up to feel at his sore cheek.
".... I will have none of that, Renji," he frowned. "You are a gladiator, you're more than just a simple slave. Therefore, you shouldn't able to surrender, no matter what. Even if the command came from some pathetic excuse of a praetor. Do you understand that, Renji?" Renji blinked at his words but nodded. Byakuya truly showed off his real emotions for him, even for a short moment, as he put up a light smile in appreciation.
"I understand completely, Master," he smiled. "I'm really sorry.... but next time, I will be stronger. For myself and for you. I promise you that." For once, Byakuya's expression softened with a minute smile, reaching up to caress the light bruise of his fighter's cheek.
"Good thing you will try, Renji," he said. "Let's go.... the hours are already late, and I need to get up early start my work."
"Okay, Master...." nodded Renji.
(Blood and Sand)
Grimmjow trailed through the woods, his sandals crunched down both the wet and dried leaves as he moved past the bare trees, hoping to hear some movements from anything that he could eat. After the past couple of weeks of hunting, it seemed that either some animals had migrated elsewhere or he was that good of wiping out the prey. With any luck, he might as well could try catching a few squirrels as long as it was meat.
He glanced up at the sky, stale sunlight filtered through the thick warped branches. There was nothing to be found in the usual area where he would hunt, and wanted to dwell further. But he didn't wish to leave Ichigo alone, and he couldn't afford to get lost before sun goes down. "Shit...." he sighed in defeat, turning back to get Epona. He wiggled through a pair of trees before slipping down a slope. "Ah, fuck....!" he gasped and fell onto the twig-covered ground. "Fucking shit...." he gritted, getting up to his feet and dusting at his behind. As soon as he began to walk a moment later, he bit back a hiss when he felt the dull throbbing on his thigh.
It had been nearly a month since his fight with Ginjou, but the scars that was left after the injuries were still fresh. They might be permanent like the one across his chest, but he didn't wish to dwell on it as he continued to go back to his horse. After another moment of trailing, he found her. Along with Ichigo, who crouched by a nearby bush and waited for him. The teen looked up to notice him and smiled as he got up, though Grimmjow frowned a bit. "Oh.... is there something wrong, Grimmjow?" Ichigo realized.
"It's nothing, but it seems that every animal in the forest are gone," sighed Grimmjow. "Even with this season, it's like they went away in this area."
"Maybe they found out who you are and they ran away the moment you stepped here," Ichigo joked. The Gaul cracked a light smirk and chuckled, though he was really hoping to catch something. "We could just call it a day and that's it, Grimmjow. We don't have to keep hunting," he advised.
"Oh.... and what do you have in mind for, then?" grinned Grimmjow, his voice coming out teasingly as he wrapped his arms around the teen. But Ichigo frowned at his dirty thoughts and scolded at him with his furrowed gaze. As usual, it didn't faze Grimmjow, who squeezed him closer before leaning down to kiss at his forehead. "Come on, Ichigo...." he purred, moving to kiss at his lips. "It's been a while since we got this close. Plus we got plenty of daylight to spare."
"But...." Ichigo mumbled but he was kissed again, the Gaul's eager tongue pushed through his lips as he felt the large bulge pressing against his stomach. "Shit, Grimmjow...." he gasped softly.
"Ahh.... you still wanna object, kid?" he grinned.
"Well--"
"Too late," smirked Grimmjow, pulling his young master onto his lap as they sat onto the ground. Despite initially frowning, Ichigo could only bend into his will as he kissed back. "Shit, the next time we do this, we gotta bring the oil," he rumbled, pulling up his cloak and tunic to reveal his growing arousal.
"The jar's always in your room, it's your fault that you keep forgetting that," smirked Ichigo, and Grimmjow playfully growled at him. They kissed again before Ichigo shifted onto the good leg. Even through the intimacy, he could see the thin but wicked scar trailing down the other one. He knew that the Gaul was still in pain though the latter wouldn't openly admit it. Even with the medicine, the wound was purposely deep but luckily it wasn't bad enough to disable him. "Grimm...." he mumbled through the kisses, holding onto the older man as he wrapped his free hand around the pulsating erection.
"Shit, I wanna fuck you so bad, Ichigo...." growled Grimmjow. His rough fingers grasped at Ichigo's behind, making the young man flinch. But Ichigo had already developed to being resistant to this behavior, as he proceeded to stroke him off. "No, kid.... I really want you so bad," Grimmjow grunted but Ichigo smirked lightly at him.
"I can't afford limp back home if we do it right now, Grimmjow," he reasoned with a reassuring kiss. "Remember the last time we've done it? I had to lie that I tripped and fell over a tree tunk."
"Shit.... But, I'll be careful--"
"Please, a man like you could never be careful," Ichigo teased, only to shiver when Grimmjow growled in pleasure. The blunet tilted his head back and his hands gripped tighter on him. He didn't like being teased like this but it was barely better than nothing for now, feeling the friction getting faster.
"Ichigo...." he growled softly. "I-if I say please, can we do it....?" Ichigo paused in his movements and glanced at him with a bemused grin.
"Hmm, maybe but it's still hard to do it without oil," he said. But Grimmjow glared down at him, his eyes glowing in lust, before he grasped at the sunset-colored hair.
"On your back, with those fucking legs spread open...." he demanded, enjoying the embarrassed but shivering reaction from the teen.
"I hate it when you're like this," Ichigo tried to frown. But it was pointless with his cheeks flushing with expectation, and it was Grimmjow's turn to grin.
"You shouldn't have teased me in the first place, kid," he sneered. "Do it now, kid, or else I really won't hold back." Ichigo nearly pouted but complied as he slid off Grimmjow's lap and laid on his back. He blushed even further when he then opened his legs before the older man.
"For once, don't make my clothes too dirty...." he frowned, as Grimmjow pushed up the teen's tunic. In the cool air, his inner thighs shivered at the exposure before he watched him coating his own fingers with saliva almost thoroughly. After a moment or two, Grimmjow took them out and pressed one against the small entrance.
"Get ready...." he warned before pushing it in. Despite the initial abrasiveness, Ichigo relaxed a second later and was breathing deeply, feeling the pleasure tingling around his body. Sometimes he wondered why he relented to Grimmjow's rough charms, with it leading to sex. He blinked and gazed up at the older man, who leaned down to kiss him.
"Hmm...." he whined softly, feeling the sharp teeth nipped at his lips before moving to his throat. "P-please..... I can't get marks at my neck, Grimmjow...." he managed to speak up, but Grimmjow chuckled as he leered at him.
"Force of habit," he grinned and kissed him again, before pushing the second finger in. This time, Ichigo inhaled sharply, his legs shook at the crude burning feeling. This was so difficult to prepare without the slick oil, as he grasped at Grimmjow's shoulders.
"M-m-maybe this was a bad idea...." he whimpered.
"It'll get better soon, kid...." murmured Grimmjow, pumping the fingers in and out of him. "The sooner we do this, the sooner we go home, all right?"
"Idiot, I'll still limp after you fuck me and-- ahh....! Oh sh-shit....!" Ichigo gasped suddenly when Grimmjow pushed in deeper, and unintentionally poked at the special spot.
"Huh, seems like I found it sooner than expected," smirked Grimmjow, seeing Ichigo quivering in submission. "Guess I could stick it right in now, Ichigo?"
"Sh-shit...." panted the teen. "Fine, Grimm.... just do it...." he whimpered relentfully. Grimmjow smirked again before pulling out his fingers and positioned himself between the slim legs. "Ahhh.... fuck, fuck...." he winced when he felt the familiar organ slowly thrusting into him.
"Fuck...." Grimmjow groaned deeply once he fully sheathed himself. "Fuck.... sorry about this, I just can't help myself once I get started."
"Tch.... I sometimes wonder why....." breathed Ichigo with his narrowed but glazed eyes at the blunet. "But what're we going to do about this afterwards? We'll still going to be dirty anyway."
"Well, we could rush into the villa and jump into the bath," he suggested.
"No way...." Ichigo mumbled, before a small idea popped up in his head. "Maybe.... we could go somewhere else to get cleaned up without looking suspicious."
"Really? And what's that....?"
Later....
"This is so.... fucking strange," Grimmjow muttered under his breath, before glancing over at Ichigo. Clearly, Ichigo was content with the enviroment they were currently in, with a relaxed but blissful smile on his face. Then again.... Grimmjow would be feeling a little uncomfortable sitting in a large warm bath with not just him.... but with several other nude men conversing and swimming around nearby. He just frowned before looking back at Ichigo, his head only visible above the mineral green water as he seemingly dozed off. "..... Wake up, kid," he huffed, as he splashed at his face.
"Wha--" Ichigo sputtered and coughed and he quickly stood up. He blinked at Grimmmjow and he frowned in confusion and annoyance. "Geez, Grimmjow, what was that for....?" he frowned.
"I didn't think we have to share a giant bath with other strangers," he whispered, nodding at the others at the other end of the bath. "I know you said that we could somewhere else to bath but I thought, well...."
"You assume that we would be bathing in private, Grimmjow?" questioned Ichigo, sitting back down.
"Well, of course."
".... That's what my home is for, to bathe in privacy," he replied obliviously. "This is a public bath house. It's not that big of a deal to be naked with other strangers, it's simply normal to us people."
"Tch.... I simply find that weird, that's my opinion," scoffed Grimmjow. "Only children bathe together, not grown men. Especially wrinkly old ones at that." But Ichigo simply smiled and let out a deep relieving sigh. He ignored the Gaul's disgruntlement and basked in the hot water that was relaxing his lower back, since they decided to fool around in the woods earlier. In his opinion, he didn't mind the others as long as he had his own space. Then again, when he glanced briefly at the strangers, he noticed that they were purposely keeping to themselves. It was as if they wanted to avoid the both of them.
He began to wonder if it had to do with the confrontation against Ginjou month back. After what he had done, with him swinging a sword like a madman at a praetor, nobody would dare bother with him. But he didn't want to think much of it anymore, as he glanced at the bored Gaul. ".... How's your leg, Grimmjow?" he asked Grimmjow, who glanced at him in slight surprise.
"Hmm, it aches from time to time, but it's good," he muttered with a shrug.
"Are you sure....? I only held off the time of your gladiator training so you can heal up, but I don't want to keep putting it off," he said. But Grimmjow shrugged again, scooping up water to drench his hair and face.
"If I keep training, it'll get my mind off the pain," he replied. "That's the point of being a gladiator, right? I'm pretty sure every fighter have some battle scars."
"But some of your scars didn't come from the battles," Ichigo pointed out, looking at the jagged scar at the older man's chest. He then glanced at the still fresh one at his left shoulder, it wasn't a deep wound before it healed up but it looked like it will take a while before it would go away. And the one on his leg could be permanent as the one on his abdomen. ".... We haven't heard of what happened after the situation, about Ginjou," he whispered to him.
Grimmjow narrowed his eyes at the topic, but deep down he was interesting about it as he reclined deeper into the water. "We didn't get in trouble for it that night, it was clearly that bastard's fault for doing what he had done," he mumbled quietly. "After everything he had done to us.... I wonder if he even deserves keeping that shitty job of his. But all I know is that I'll go back to the arena and keep on winning just to humiliate him further, and until my friend is found, I will try to...." His voice died off in realization as he furrowed his eyebrows. It was still there, the deep-seated grudge to kill Ginjou for what he had done. But it almost felt like it had lessened over the past few months, and it had to with his own feelings with his teen master, who blinked at him in confusion.
".... Until what, Grimmjow?" frowned Ichigo. Grimmjow glanced at him and sat up, combing through his damp hair. This boy.... he was the reason that his life was slowly changing ever since he became a slave. Even after admitting that he felt something for Ichigo, he was still having a hard time comprehending of having feelings other than pointless lust he would have with women. Maybe it was something similar to what his father experienced with his mother. But was it something close to that....?
"Um, kid, I.... Well, the thing is that--" he muttered.
SPLASH!
Both Grimmjow and Ichigo flinched the instant a big splashes of water hit their faces, before the blunet wiped at his own and coughed. "The fuck was that....!" he gasped in annoyance. He glared at the source close to them, only to realize that a pair of young boys popped up to the surface before laughing and swimming away. It seemed that they were unaware that they splashed the fearsome champion from Gaul, and Grimmjow merely frowned but Ichigo just sighed as he shook his wet hair.
"That tends to happen one time or another," muttered Ichigo. Grimmjow looked at him, then glanced at the other men in the fair distance. He decided otherwise, this was not the time or the place to fully discuss it. "Are you sure that you're feeling okay, Grimmjow?" the teen asked him.
"Of course, kid.... Don't worry about it, I'll go back into training first thing in the morning," he nodded with a light smirk. "I'm still a champion, and I will keep being as one. Simple as that." Ichigo blinked at him but smiled warmly. Aside from the steam, his face tingled at the optimism coming from him.
"Very typical of you, Grimmjow," he grinned, and Grimmjow smirked back. If this was a public place, he would have the teen bent over in the bath. But he was settled to dealing with another set of splashes from the same boys.
(Blood and Sand)
".... What do you think about it....? It's obvious that the Senate are talking about you, considering you to get a role in the government," Yoruichi sighed, looking at her husband with an unusual serious gaze as they watched the fighters training from their balcony. "Barely a month into the new year, and already they're on their hands and knees, begging for you to take a military position similar to the one you once had. Do you wish to consider it, Kisuke?"
"That's the thing, my dear.... I gave that up because it's really not the life for me," muttered Urahara. "The military was simply created in order to intimidate and control not only the foreign natives but also our own people into submission. It wasn't really my thing regardless of my skills and capabilities within the Roman army. You knew that I've killed people who wouldn't accept the empire as their superior, but if I didn't do as I was told, I would be considered a disgrace."
"You're not like that buffoon who's always drunk off his ass," she pouted. "You won't have to go into battle all the time if you were to be a praetor. As a matter of fact, you'd probably elevate to a status higher than that."
"Oh, sweetheart, I truly doubt that it would reach that far," Urahara smiled a little. "And it's not that I don't want to consider it. I mean, I don't wish to leave my ludus, as well as those who I've grown to be fond of even though they're my slaves."
"Especially.... 'Bestia', Kisuke?" asked Yoruichi, referring to Grimmjow, with a slight quirk of her thin eyebrow. "He's a very dangerous man, but a good kind of dangerous might I add. To even dare a battle against a high-ranking military official, you don't expect such a thing from a slave. Then again, he is very strong-willed to not act as one."
"True. Grimmjow's a special case," he said. "But that's why he's a great gladiator. Maybe that's why he hadn't been disciplined by the higher-ups, because they already had opinions of Praetor Ginjou."
"You don't need to address that idiot like that, you know," frowned his wife but Urahara smiled as he reached out to wrap his arm around her.
"Force of habit, I'm just a man of honor to those who aren't," he grinned, pecking her on the forehead with a kiss.
"Master.... they have arrived a moment ago," a servant called out to them, and the lanista grinned in gratitude.
"Great," he smiled. "It's been a while since we've last seen Grimmjow in action."
"It's also been a while since I've last teased him," joked Yoruichi, as they went inside. It wasn't long until they saw Ichigo at the entrance with Grimmjow, who was smirking in anticipation.
"Ah, Urahara! It's great to see you....!" smiled Ichigo.
"Same to you, too, Ichigo," smiled Urahara before turning to Grimmjow. "And Grimmjow....! It seems that you have gotten bigger since the final gladiator games!"
"I'm not a child to be given that type of compliment," smirked Grimmjow, but the lanista laughed it off.
"I just can't help it, it's been such a long time since you've last trained," he joked. "It's just that we've missed you! especially my lovely wife here," he added, with Yoruichi winking wickedly at the Gaul. The woman's questionable personality always seemed to bother him somehow. "But enough of that now! Are you ready to get started on the training, Grimmjow?"
"I'm truly am," smirked Grimmjow.
"Spoken like a true champion," smiled Urahara.
"An egotistical at that," Ichigo joked, as they made their way to the training ground. Peering out of the doorway, Grimmjow looked to notice that there were new gladiators sparring against the veteran ones. It only seemed like yesterday that he was bullied around by the likes of them. Maybe now he could do the same to the recruits, he thought, before Ichigo patted him on the shoulder. "I'll see you from the balcony, okay, Grimmjow?"
"Sure, kid," Grimmjow smirked before walking out.
"Come on, Ichigo, I want you to tell me of your time follicking around in the woods like a little Greek nymph," grinned Yoruichi, her slim arm wrapped around the teen's own as they made their way upstairs.
"I wasn't follicking, I really was learning how to hunt...." pouted Ichigo. But Grimmjow didn't bother to hear that, as he stepped out to the training ground. The moment he did that, everyone had stopped what they were doing to stare at him. The newcomers gawked with a sense of awe and disbelief, while the seasoned fight just stared with a surprised look on their faces.
Kenpachi, a man who would always sport a scary feature, merely quirked an eyebrow and relaxed his shoulder but he frowned nonetheless."There he is, men," he announced as he crossed his arms, "the champion that everyone's been pissing about. The so-called 'Bestia.... believing that he could fuck off training just to roam around in the woods like a wild animal. But he's a ferocious man who thinks only of iron and blood, bringing his master honor with ever single victory. But frankly.... I think he's nothing but a pompous asshole with that attitude of his."
"Thanks for the compliment, Doctore," smirked Grimmjow.
"Shut it. Go find your usual partner and get to work," he scoffed. Grimmjow nodded and walked through the stupefied fighters. It wasn't hard to find Renji with his bright red hair, as he was walking the wooden pallus. He didn't really bother to pause to look up at first, but stopped for a moment now that Grimmjow walked up to him.
"Nice to see that shit-eating grin on you, Grimmjow," smirked Renji.
"Hello to you too, Renji," Grimmjow smiled back. "So.... this is what has been going since I left. I bet some of these fuckers were wishing to take my place as champion."
"You'd think so but...."
"What? What is it, Renji?" he asked, and Renji's grin lessened. He glanced up to see if Kenpachi was looking at them. Luckily, the doctore was distracted and was scowling at the recruits, before Renji leaned closer to him.
"It's more thsn that.... they were wondering about that incident a month ago," he whispered quietly. "About how you defiantly went against Ginjou at the party.... they would never have dreamed of such a thing in their lives. From then until a few days ago, they thought that you were executed soon after that event, either that or you were sent to the mines."
"Oh.... I expected at least some of them would ask me about it," muttered Grimmjow.
"Actually, they really wanted to, but they cannot, under Urahara's orders...." sighed Renji. "They take order from him very seriously. You don't see it very often, but Urahara's a dangerous man when needed to be and one should never cross him, not even some of the senators."
"Coming from a former army commander, I wouldn't be surprised," the Gaul muttered.
"But enough about that, Grimmjow...." Renji shook his head. "I got some news about your friend, Grimmjow."
"What? You found him?" he questioned in surprise but Renji patted him on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, it's good news, though it's only a brief one," he nodded. "My master found him, but the bad news is that he's far away again. This time near the city of Damascus...." The red-head glanced up in time to see Kenpachi glaring at him from afar, albeit with his only good eye. "Oh, he finally noticed us.... come on, let's get started," he sighed. Grimmjow nodded and moved to pick up a nearby wooden sword.
".... How long will it take until he comes here this time?" he asked quietly.
"It was the first few weeks of the new year when we found out.... so four or five months, depending on the distance and the cooperation of the ones who bought him," answered Renji. "Sorry, Grimmjow. I know that it shouldn't be taking so long--"
"It's all right," nodded Grimmjow as they walked to their own space. "As long as he's still alive, I can still wait. It just gives me another reason to keep going as a champion other than my revenge against Ginjou--" The moment those last few words fell out of his mouth, Renji froze in his movements and his widened eyes glared at him in disbelief. Grimmjow himself realized his mistake as well, as he looked up to see if anybody else had heard it. But it was only Renji who heard it, as the red-head grabbed him by the shoulder to face him.
"What do you mean by revenge, Grimmjow....?" he questioned with a deep frown. "By revenge, do you actually mean..... you wish to kill him?" Grimmjow frowned but they both knew the silence answer as he glanced away. Renji gasped then he scoffed in disbelief. "You do realize what you're saying, a slave threatening a high-class Roman's life is punishable by absolute death. And there is no way of getting out of that no matter what....!" he whispered.
"Not even when that bastard killed my bethren right in front of my eyes, Renji....?" frowned Grimmjow but the other man just shook his head.
"It's the law of the empire! We cannot go against anyone just because they had done us wrong!" he argued.
"If Ginjou had killed your master, wouldn't you have vengeance as well....?" Grimmjow questioned, and Renji's eyes narrowed at that. But the red-head stubbornly shook his head, turning away from him as he clenched his wooden sword.
"I should've figured it out several months back," he mumbled. "Ikkaku once mentioned that you were doing this in order to get at someone, and with your animosity towards Ginjou.... It made more sense to put two and two together."
"Renji--"
"Does anyone else know besides me, Grimmjow?"" Renji asked in an almost secretive manner, as he glanced back at him.
".... I'm not sure if he's still aware of it, but I already told the kid about it on the first night of me being a slave," Grimmjow admitted.
"Ichigo....?" Renji frowned in disbelief. "He knew of this and yet.... What if you have gone through with this? That would hold your own master accountable, and he would've been punished as well."
"Shit...." Grimmjow scoffed.
"Yeah.... for your sake and Ichigo's, it's best not to go through that plan," he reasoned. "You cannot do this, do you understand me?"
".... To let him away for what he had done, it's too difficult to deal with that," muttered Grimmjow.
"Well, his pride had already damaged after last month's fiasco," sighed Renji. "I've heard that Aizen disowned him, leaving him to deal with his own shit. You probably have better luck of him trying salvage what's left of his dignity."
"You could say that...." Grimmjow sighed before glancing over at him. "You'll keep it a secret, right? I don't want this to be found out by anyone else."
"I know, I'll keep it quiet," nodded Renji. "I'm loyal to my master, but I know better."
"Thanks a lot, Renji," he smiled lightly. The red-head smirked back and patted at his arm.
"Come on.... we should get back on the training," he said. Grimmjow nodded in agreement, his eyes briefly glanced up to see the teen on the balcony. That was true.... he was that close to killing Ginjou, and that would only end his own life but his life with Ichigo. He just couldn't believe that his feelings for him could change him that much. Maybe he should.... give up his vengeance against Ginjou. He still hated the praetor but now that everything was falling down on that man, he could consider taking the joy of his misery.
"Okay, let's do this, Renji...." he grinned at the red-haired fighter.
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Renji's back in top shape and joining up with Ichigo? Check. Kyouraku becoming the new Captain-Commander? Check. Unohana being revealed as the real Yachiru and the first Kenpachi? Hellz yeah! Greatest chapter ever....!
Again, I should've finished this up earlier but I've been feeling under the weather lately. I'll rest up for the next chapter, since it's gonna be uber dramatic and crazy....!
Read and review.
I'll update ASAP!
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