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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
- 23
- 24
- 25
Hello out there....! Let the drama ensue....!

Warrior by Boogermeister

Chapter 24- Regain or Regret

The sounds of swords clashing and blood splattering were underwhelmed by the cheering roar of the crowd. After months of waiting, Romans young and old alike were overly excited of seeing gladiators ripping each other apart. To start off in the morning, there were fights between imported beasts before the staged executions of criminals and unwanted slaves. With that out of the way, the audience cheered now that the first fighters were starting. In the exclusive pulvinus, many of the high-ranking nobles didn't really pay attention much to the first rounds as they simply conversed with one another.

But even through all of that excitement, Ichigo was just sitting in his seat on the front row, weariness and concern etched into his face as he stared blankly at the arena. It had been over two weeks since Grimmjow felt insulted by his inadequate opinion over their relationship, even when the Gaul was truthful about his love for him the night before they were found out. But now.... Grimmjow wouldn't even look at him and would ignore him every time they would come across each other. He was avoiding him as if he was tainted with diseases, not wanting to be around him as he stayed either in his room or in the stall if he wasn't training in the ludus.

Even when Ichigo had attempted to talk at one time or another, Grimmjow wouldn't want to hear it, going as far as pretending to sleep with his back turned to his so-called master. That made Ichigo feel terribly bad. He hadn't been confronted like this since Grimmjow spent the first few weeks as a hostile slave around him. But the older man was right about one thing.

If they hadn't been caught, they would have kept the affair a secret without the thought of consequences. He had been acting selfish all of this time, not considering who could get hurt in the process. Namely Orihime.... He had never knew that his friend had a deep infatuation towards him after all of this time, but the girl mainly blamed herself for not dealing with it sooner. Ichigo had apologized for hurting her feelings and for not telling her that he had never been interested in the female gender. But Orihime understood that albeit with a broken heart, but the tension was still heavy within the villa.

Almost fortunately, Ichigo's father was still on his business trip but he was still ill-prepared to tell the truth. It wouldn't matter anyway, now that Grimmjow turned his back on him. "Hey.... are you okay, Ichigo?" Rukia asked as she sat next to him, and Ichigo blinked to notice her.

"Oh, um, yeah.... I'm fine, Rukia," he nodded vaguely but his friend frowned in concern.

"You don't look fine," she replied. "This is the first day of the games, I thought you would be excited over it. So what is it, are you concerned about Grimmjow....?"

".... Yeah, it's something like that," muttered Ichigo. "I'm not so sure if he'll be okay for today.... lately, he's been a little moody and I'm not sure how to help him...."

"Well, maybe he's a little nervous after waiting so long to fight," she assured him. "It should be all right, Ichigo.... I don't think he would feel so anxious for long." Ichigo glanced at her again, before putting up a small smile.

"You're right, Rukia," he nodded. "Maybe a little later, I'll try to talk to him. See if he's feeling better...." But he was only kidding himself. Deep down, he was still concerned about the ordeal. How could he talk to Grimmjow when the man wouldn't bother to look at him in the eye? Ichigo felt his stomach twisting into a knot. He had never thought that he would feel this hurtful all because of this misunderstanding.

Meanwhile....

Hearing the roar of the crowd in the distance, Ginjou felt oddly confident as he strolled towards the stadium. Almost half of the city seemed to be there, as there weren't as many bystanders to gawk at him in the streets. Behind him were some subordinates who agreed to keep silence of his upcoming plan, as they were still loyal to him. He was still a praetor, and he still had the power to put fear in anyone. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the German slave being dragged by one of the soldiers.

It was a bit difficult to make the still savage thing to cooperate, as he barely undestood the Roman language after a few months but it didn't matter anyway. It took a while to make him look almost similar to the description from the documents he had stolen, as the only thing he could do was to pull out a couple of his slave's bottom teeth. Looking back at the stadium, he walked to a secret side entrance that was being guarded. His glare darkened once he saw the soldiers flustered by the sight of him, before he walked up to them with his hand tightly gripping at the hilt of his sword.

"S-sir....! We weren't expecting you--" stammered one of them.

"Of course you didn't fucking expect me, now keep your mouth shut if you know what's good for you," he threatened in a deadly tone, and the soldiers stiffened almost in fear. "Good.... if you can get it in your shitty heads, I suggest that you do not alert any of the higher-ups that I am here. I do not wish to be noticed by the likes of them. If I ever found that one of you say anything to them.... I will have your cocks removed and feed them to the crows. Is that fucking clear?"

"U-uh.... yes, sir," they mumbled with trepidation. Ginjou smirked a little before turning to his subordinate that was holding the shackled slave. He was clearly confused and frightened of what was going on but wasn't sure what, with his widened eyes seemingly pleading to him to spare him for once. He had already been traumatized to last him a few lifetimes. But Ginjou merely grinned, a sense of malice was evident in his narrowed eyes.

Once he goes through with his plan, it will be a matter of times before everyboy in Rome will turn their backs on the Gaul. Then he will target Ichigo next for making him a mockery. He wasn't even afraid of going against the Senate if it meant violating the teen to the point of killing him. He could have never guessed that someone like him could slight him all because of that insufferable Gaul but all of that will change. Walking up to the German boy, he pulled out his dagger and grabbed him by his hair as he pressed the blade against his throat.

"If everything goes well, I may spare you of your death, boy...." he growled lowly. Luckily, he didn't need to hear his annoying foreign pleas as the slave was gagged with a thick wool cloth. But the boy seemingly understood that, as he feebly nodded. "Good.... it'd be a shame to kill you if you didn't cooperate," he muttered, moving the blade away before turning back to the gated entrance. ".... Open the gate now, unless I have to fucking do it myself?" he frowned.

"Right, sir....!" One of the guards fumbled to unlock the gate and open it. A good dark grin crept across Ginjou's face as he entered. He ignored the wretched stench of blood and rotten body parts as he and his men moved through the dimly lit corridors. The primus was only several fights away but these fights were often short so it won't take long. And neither will his plan to unfold.

(Blood and Sand)

Ignoring the deafening but muffled roar of the crowd above him, Grimmjow silently putting on his armor, his back turned to the other fighters as he kept to himself. As a matter of fact, he had been doing that for days now.... now that his relationship with Ichigo had been nothing but shredded. He truly didn't get it. Ichigo said he wanted to be with him, said that he was changing his way of thinking because of him. His teen master had even admitted that he loved him the night before they were discovered. So now what? Did Ichigo take back what he meant all because he was afraid of being disowned by his father....?

Even with that reason, he still saw it as cowardice. Ichigo was bold enough to confront Ginjou with a sword months ago and yet he crumbled at the thought of telling the truth to his own father. Maybe it was the Roman culture to still respect their parents; but Grimmjow's own mother could have cared less if he had repopulated the entire village as long as he was out of her hair.

He huffed and growled as he tightened the straps on his guards, only to stiffen a bit when he felt someone standing over him. ".... You've been oddly quiet, Grimmjow," Renji commented, and Grimmjow glanced up at him briefly.

"Hmm...." he merely grunted as he turned back to his business. He didn't pause when Renji decided to sit next to him, before the red-head let out a deep sigh.

"Did something happen to you that you're in such a mood....?" he broke the conversation.

"Why do you say that?" muttered Grimmjow.

"Lately, you've been taken out your emotions on one wooden pallus and it broke in half and so did your practice sword," replied Renji, his tone attempted humor but it was still serious as he glanced at the Gaul. ".... So.... you won't say anything about it, huh?" he questioned.

"About what exactly....?" Renji frowned at him but Grimmjow wouldn't know it with his back turned to him.

".... Did something happen between you and Ichigo--"

"That's none of your fucking concerns, Renji," Grimmjow coldly replied, and Renji was almost taken aback by his answer. ".... It shouldn't be your business," Grimmjow said quietly. "You should be concerned about your own ordeals.... about your relationship with your own master. As for me, I'll figure things out in my way. Only that.... I won't let anyone else to fuck with me...."

Renji furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Something wasn't right and Grimmjow wouldn't tell him. Whatever happened between and Ichigo was bothering the Gaul's mind, as he had noticed it in the ludus. Grimmjow didn't want to talk to anyone during the past several days, let alone sparring, as he took out his frustration on the pallus. His expression was fixed with total bitterness when he made strike after strike at the wooden stake that it had splintered, and the harsh impact broke his fake sword as well. Even when Kenpachi was yelling straight at his face for breaking it, it was like he was deaf to it with his deep frown still set.

Looking at the haunched figure next to him, Renji let out a harsh sigh and shook his head before standing up but Grimmjow still didn't look up as he continued setting up his armor. "So, are you going to let this problem of yours distract you during your fight....?" Renji questioned him.

"I doubt it...." came Grimmjow's immediate answer.

"Grimmjow--"

"I told that this isn't of your concern, Renji, so leave it at that," frowned Grimmjow. Renji felt annoyed and a little irritated by his current behavior. The blunet was right about not being his business, but since this involved a friend of his mistress, he had every right to feel worry. So what had happened between them that made Grimmjow utterly miserable?

"Listen, Grimmjow--"

"Bestia! You've been summoned....!" Grimmjow glanced up in slight surprise when an arena guard called him up from an opened gate nearby. He frowned, he wasn't sure why he was being summoned but it was better not to question as he stood up and walked up to the gate. Renji frowned worriedly and watched him being escorted, he hoped that it wasn't serious. But it was a fair chance that it was.

With the iron plates clinking silently, Grimmjow followed the guard in the seemingly winding corridors. Even with the torches lit up on the stone walls, the lighting seemed dim due to the lack of fresh air. The guard paused to open another gate and Grimmjow followed after him before he noticed another guard nearby. And not only that... his frown deepened when he then saw Ichigo as the teen walked up to him. What was this about, why Ichigo would call for him....?

".... Thank you but I can take it from here," nodded Ichigo. At that said, the two guards left them alone though they stayed behind the gated door. Ichigo glanced at Grimmjow but the Gaul just stood there, his hardened cyan eyes simply staring ahead, and he frowned sadly. "Grimmjow.... please, just look at me when I talk to you," Ichigo suggested.

"...." Grimmjow looked down at him but the anger and the stubborness was still there in his face.

"Listen, Grimmjow.... I really am sorry about what had happened a few weeks back. I really didn't mean to sound like I was unsure about it," frowned Ichigo. "Before, I actually did want this to work, without thinking about those might see the thing between us.... You have to understand that this is more complicated than we expected it to be. Just look at it, I cannot bear to let this miserable ordeal affect us. So can we just try to talk about this when you finish with your fight, Grimmjow? Please....?"

"..... If you're finished talking, I would like to get back preparing for the primus," Grimmjow muttered stiffly as he turned to walk back to the gate.

"Come on, Grimmjow--" Ichigo pleaded.

"Let me go back, I'm done here," huffed Grimmjow, slipping out of the gate once it opened and he was escorted back. Ichigo just scoffed hurtfully. Nothing could get through that man's head, no matter what he tried. There was nothing else he could about it now, or maybe he couldn't do anything at all as a spare guard came up to him.

"Young sir, if you could please...." he said to him. Ichigo just nodded sadly and followed after him, his gaze down on his feet echoing in the hollow and dim hallway. With the insult so great, of course Grimmjow wouldn't talk to him and probably would not even forgive him, all because of his apprehension of taking this relationship seriously. Scratching through his head, he glanced up to notice the guard suddenly taking a different route of the corridors and he frowned in confusion and tried to catch up with him.

"Hey! I don't think that's the right way....!" he called out. "The exit's on the other side--" His sentence barely left his mouth, when he was suddenly grabbed from behind. "Ah--" A rough hand covered his mouth as an arm wound around his middle. Ichigo immediately went into a panic mode as he struggled against the captor, trying to scream out for the guard's help. But the guard simply paused into the shadow, not bothering to look at him as he seemingly muttered to someone in front of him.

".... Lucky how destiny works, right, Ichigo....?"

Ichigo froze in his struggling and his widened eyes stared at the figure coming out of the shadow. This couldn't be happening, this couldn't be happening....! Under the dim lighting, Ginjou grinned darkly as he stepped forward, chuckling at the sight of the terrified teen. If only he could have him right now but now there was more important things. "Aw, I can't believe my luck. Finding Ichigo here in the hallways, just when I was about meet.... the undefeated Gaul," he chuckled, watching Ichigo's fearful expression. "What? Shocked that I wanted to see the Gaul, or the fact I'm here after I've been hiding myself since the embarrassment you gave me months ago....?"

"M-mmhh-nhh....!" Ichigo grunted in panic, but the hand was still tight across his face.

"Well, Ichigo, the answer is both...." chuckled Ginjou, reaching out to comb through his bright orange hair despite of the teen's alarmed state. "And it's for the best, too.... because I have a very special gift for him," he smirked. "Tell me, Ichigo, have you seen that surviving friend of his, the one in Gaul over a year ago....?"

Ichigo inhaled in shock, not understanding what he was getting at. Ginjou seemed to notice that and his smirk widened in malicious glee. "I see then.... after all, he was all the way in Syria," he shrugged as he stepped back. "You have never seen him, but you knew of his description, correct? Short, blond hair, missing some teeth, still a youth but not quite an adult.... he looks just like this, right?" At the snap of his fingers, a couple of his soldiers came forward, along with the shackled slave who hobbled behind.

Ichigo's eyes widened in total surprise but his heart soon thumped rapidly in horror as he looked at the slave then at Ginjou. The praetor chuckled quietly, walking up to the frightened boy. "This must be him, right....? Such an interesting thing he is," he crooned. "Along the way of getting him here, I have gotten a little bored and he was a decent amusement...." His deep sepia eyes traveled to Ichigo, enjoying the hint of anger within the still fearful expression on his face. "What's wrong, Ichigo? You wish to know why I managed to retrieve him, even though you were working with Magistrate Kuchiki to bring him. But what for exactly, aside for the fact that he's friends witht the Gaul? Aren't you two friends....? Unless, of course, you realize that he's nothing but a slave with base emotions. That's why you could never be so trustworthy with property."

Ichigo glared at him but it was barely enough to phase Ginjou, who chuckled as he walked up to him. "Why are you so mad about it, Ichigo, when I am simply here to give a gift?" he questioned. Ichigo's glare was still on him even though a flicker of confusion flashed across his eyes. "However, there is one request I wish to have...." Ginjou smirked, holding up a single finger. "I will give him to you, under your care.... once 'Bestia' wins the primus. That's all I am requiring to give, Ichigo...."

Again, confusion etched in Ichigo's face, trying to figure out Ginjou's ulterior motives, but was just as scared of whether or not the praetor was telling the truth. If he tried to deny it, then he would lose the chance to make up with Grimmjow and Grimmjow would possibly hate him for life, never forgiving him for not taking the deal. Ichigo stared at the slave, his body was hunched over with his shackles rattling from his shivering, clearly afraid of being near Ginjou especially after what had happened to him.

No... he cannot lose this one and only chance now. He couldn't let him fall under Ginjou's sinful hands if he dared to take this away. "Well, what's the answer, Ichigo....?" grinned Ginjou, and Ichigo glanced up at him. But now his eyes showed defeat and reluctantly nodded, agreeing to the sadistic man's terms. It made him sick to do so but he was cornered right now and was left with no choice in the matter. "Good.... let him go now," ordered Ginjou.

Almost immediately, Ichigo felt the constriction immediately around him loosen and he took a deep breath once the hand was removed from his face. He was shaken but he glared up at Ginjou as he felt his heart beating wildly as he felt it against his hand. ".... How do I know if I can trust you on this, Ginjou?" he wheezed shakily.

"Would you rather have me kill him now?" questioned Ginjou with a quirk of his eyebrow.

"N-no, please....!" panicked Ichigo. "Please.... you have your words that if Grimmjow wins the primus, you will release his friend to us. Is that correct, Ginjou?" he asked.

"Well, that is what I'm saying right now...." Ginjou smiled with such evil in his eyes. "I'll give him to you, no harm...."

"All right, Ginjou. I'll.... I'll have to take your word for it," Ichigo eventually relented with evident disgust on his face. It was like giving up his pride in order to please this sick man. And Ginjou knew that, with a smug grin on his face. The teen should be even lucky that he didn't offer a more carnal suggestion.

"All right then, you can go...." he smirked, gesturing his subordinate to take him back. Ichigo winced when the same rough hand grabbed at his arm but before he could be hauled away, Ginjou grabbed for his other arm and stared straight at the widenened eyes. "But.... if you so tell a single fucking soul that I am here and offering you this slave.... I will kill him and deliver his corpse to you myself. Are we clear on that, Ichigo?" Ichigo's eyes were full of fright once again, and it made the praetor hard with sadistic lust. He was no longer the bold young man who dared to defy him, now that he had him in his fingers. "Do you understand that....?"

".... Yes, Ginjou...." he muttered in defeat.

"Heh.... take him back, and I want you to keep a fucking eye on him," he ordered. "I want to make sure that he doesn't say this to anyone...."

"Yes, Praetor...." the soldier nodded and took the scared teen away. This was getting too easy in Ginjou's mind. Now all he had to do next, was to get the Gaul and make him kneel and beg for the life of his 'friend'."

"Let's wait a moment.... I want to give the Gaul the reason why I'm still superior to him as a true Roman...." he grinned.

(Blood and Sand)

Grimmjow just sat in one of the benches, staring at his lap as if it had pissed him off. When he had came back, Renji was nowhere to be seen. Maybe he had to start his fight, but the Gaul didn't care for the moment. His mind kept reeling back to that so-called talk with Ichigo. It was pathetic. Ichigo seemingly tried to apologize for his answer the last time, but it still came out terrible. It was like he was trying to point out the dangerous result if they kept it up.

He scoffed under his breath, he shouldn't be thinking about this at the moment. Fighting was the only thing that can make him go through with it. Then again, Ichigo was the one who first introduced him into being a gladiator.... "One way or another, the kid's on my fucking mind...." he scoffed as he straightened his back. He wondered why he bothered to keep thinking about it. He wanted to stop it, but it was very difficult to even do so.

All because of this one teen who was confused and apprehensive to openly admit love.

Should he still harbor bitterness towards Ichigo's decision, to the point of pretending that he didn't exist....? For once in days, a sense of concern fell on his face, as he frowned. Ichigo wasn't a peasant, he wasn't anything but a Roman, he wasn't warrior or a fighter, he wasn't even a woman.... Ichigo was fully different from his usual interests. A noble Roman young man, who wanted to make up with him after the misunderstanding. But there was one thing that kept him irritated. Grimmjow could blame Nel for trying to mess up the relationship, but to corner Ichigo to reveal it to his family was nothing short of a low blow.

It gave him the reason why he also ignored her throughout those times, only to have her ignore him as well. But he didn't care, it was nothing but bad blood between them and it will never change, simple as that. He stood up and grabbed for his helmet that was next to him. He wasn't sure what he could do about this, but maybe he will have a clear mind after fighting in the primus. "Bestia....!" he froze when he heard his gladiator name was called out and he glanced up to see another army guard nearby. "Bestia, you've been summoned...." the guard announced.

"Huh? I already saw my master...." frowned Grimmjow.

"It's someone else of note, he wishes to speak with you," he affirmed. Grimmjow frowned again in slight confusion. Who could it possibly be....? Only nobles he knew of were Aizen and Byakuya, but maybe it was either one of them, as he decided to follow after the guard. Walking briskly through the dark corridors, he thought briefly about Ichigo. The boy was still young, and this was his first time experiencing love like this. Of course it would be confusing to him.... He should have expected that to happen, so maybe he shouldn't be so hard on him after that incident.

".... This way," the guard spoke, making a turn to another hallway and unlocked a gated door. Grimmjow merely nodded and walked to the route. But he barely took three steps past the door, when he suddenly felt something was off. And he was right, as two more guards came out of nowhere, branishing swords in their hands. Grimmjow's eyes widened in alarm, wondering if he should take a step back and run, as fighting against armed soldiers were out of the question.

"What's going on here....?" he growled, tensing up in defense.

".... Hold him down." Grimmjow froze in total shock, but those few seconds were more than enough for the soldiers to rush him, forcibly hooking his arms behind his back before pushing him forward as his helmet clattered loudly onto the ground. The Gaul growled, but with the blades holding so close to his face and neck, he held back his anger and instead confusion formed in his mind. That voice.... he hadn't expected to hear it, but it was there. So it must mean that....

"Why the fuck are you here.... Ginjou?" he snarled lowly, narrowing his cyan eyes. He was initially answered with a distant but dark chuckle before he heard echoing footsteps coming forward. He gritted and bared his teeth once he saw the seemingly smug praetor, though much of his face was shadowed due to poor lighting. But Ginjou grinned as he stood in front of him, his soft chuckling was making Grimmjow furious.

"The champion himself, I can't believe it...." he chuckled. "It's been a while since I last saw you. Tell me, how's your leg doing after that thrashing I gave you?"

"You shut your fucking face! I want to know why you're here, when every noble would shit on you for your behavior!" growled Grimmjow. But his outburst only made Ginjou grin, just before he suddenly punched him across the face. Pain exploded in Grimmjow's mouth and he coughed as blood drooled from his lips. He winced when he then felt his hair being yanked up and glared at Ginjou, whose smirk finally disappeared into a disgusted frown.

"You.... have been giving me grief ever since you told my uncle about your true origin. That you are next in line to lead that savage tribe of yours," he seethed lowly. "One way or another, you always manage to ruin me little by little. Like how you disrupted my brief time with Ichigo during that party.... You must have loved giving me a trashing and getting away with it. And I bet you wanted to try to destroy my career by telling the emperor about me enslaving you, or that you winning every single fucking game would make me angry. As a matter of fact, you just being alive makes me sick."

".... Then I guess I don't have to worry about you dropping dead once I win the primus fight again," Grimmjow sneered. But instead of getting punched again by Ginjou, the praetor calmly smirked as he took a step back.

"Oh, what makes you think that you'll win the primus this time, Gaul....?" he questioned, and Grimmjow scowled in confusion.

"The fuck are you getting at, Ginjou?" he growled. "Are you using this chance to kill me now? Because if so, that would bring more problems to the empire due to my former status."

"Oh, I would like to kill you but that would only bring just a brief satisfaction for me," he chuckled softly. "I'd rather have you suffer by the fucking day.... until I make the time to have you dead at my feet."

"How so? I'm practically immortal, you piece of shit," goaded Grimmjow. "Even with the injuries you have given me, I cannot be beaten by the likes of you. Cut me all you want, I'll still be standing...." But Ginjou laughed again, this time a little louder and somewhat a bit more crazed. The echoing sound was making Grimmjow even more confused and angry, not understanding what was going on here.

"Hah....! You truly believe that! You, being held down by my men in a place where anyone scarcely used.... have the fucking guts to still talk down to me!" he cackled, before stepping out of the torchlight, going back into the darkness. "But....! Would you still talk down to me.... just when I have a precious gift for you?" he sneered, as he came back, hauling the small blond-haired slave into full view.

Within the dim humid corridor, Grimmjow suddenly felt a sharp coldness drop around him as his breath left the life out of him. What was this....? This couldn't be right, but his widened cyan eyes wasn't deceiving him. For a second, he wanted to deny it but.... it was him....!

".... Diroy.... is that you?" he managed to gasp out under his shocked stupor. He wanted to make sure of it, he wanted to see his face to see if it really was him regardless of the poor lighting. But Ginjou kept the slave's head down, his hand tightly grasping at the shaggy blond hair.

"Sorry, he won't talk to you as there's a gag around his mouth," smirked Ginjou. "But it doesn't matter anyway.... I told him not to speak with you lest he wants his tongue cut off." His comments took Grimmjow out of his shock and the Gaul's eyes immediately turned vicious on him.

"How the fuck did you get him, Ginjou....!" he raged, his teeth bared like a rabid dog. "Only the magistrate knew of his location in Syria when he told me! Where did you get the information--" The blades by his throat pressed closer, silencing Grimmjow, but he still glowered at the other man. ".... Tell me the fucking truth, you piece of shit. How did you get Diroy?" he snarled lowly.

"Oh, that.... Do you really want to know, Gaul?" grinned Ginjou, glancing down at the slave before back at Grimmjow. "I am a praetor, I have my ways of getting things that I wanted. And right now, I want something out of you.... now that I have your little friend here...."

"You bastard....! You think you can get away with this?" snarled Grimmjow.

"Well, I cannot kill you, like you say. But.... he's a nobody, a common slave," he replied smugly. "I could just take his life and nobody would know the difference. I doubt I could get in trouble over this but who knows....?"

"Don't fucking lay your hands on him!" he threatened but that only made the praetor laughed as if it was nothing but a joke.

"Trust me.... I've already done that," he grinned, lecherously licking his lips. Grimmjow felt his heart drop at that and his legs nearly buckled. This couldn't be....! Diroy had been.... taken from him, his innocence shattered completely and never to be recovered. He was close to losing it, as he glared back at Ginjou with so much fury that it could rival the gods.

"I'll fucking kill you, do you hear me....?" he hissed deadly. "I will kill you and your men right here, I don't care if I'll get executed for it, I do it to get Diroy away from you...." Even with such a threat, Ginjou had the guff to laugh straight at his face, before taking a step forward.

"I really like that about you, Gaul...." he sneered. "You honestly believe that you can go against me time after time. But not fucking this time.... not when I have an offer to give to you."

"An offer? What do you want out of me, just so I can get my firend back, Ginjou?" snarled Grimmjow in utter disbelief. "What makes you think I should give in to that bullshit, you fucker?"

"Because your precious master agreed to this bargain earlier...." Ginjou merely replied, and Grimmjow's eyes widened at that.

"Ichigo....?" he questioned in total surprise, as if he was hearing it wrong. Ichigo couldn't possibly bend into the sick praetor's will in order to take this so-called deal, the boy had too much pride to do so....! "That's not true, you're fucking lying, you prick....!" he snarled angrily. "There's just no way Ichigo would have done this! How can he--"

"But he did, Gaul, even though he was actually reluctant to do so," smirked Ginjou, much to Grimmjow's surprise. "Despite him being your master, he was very willing to please you in any way. Including this.... even though it appeared that your so-called friendship is at the edge. That's right, I've heard how sad Ichigo sounded when he tried to talk to you about something. How tragic. You resent him once again, yet he wanted you to have your gift right here."

"What're you talking about? Why would Ichigo agree to a twisted fucker like you?" demanded Grimmjow, his glare seemed to glow like a wild animal. "What did you do, did you threaten him into doing this?"

"What do you think, Gaul?"

"Don't fuck around with me, Ginjou!" he snarled.

"Heh.... I merely mentioned that I will kill this poor boy if he dared to reveal our deal to anyone," replied Ginjou. "It didn't matter anyway, he knew that if he didn't take the deal then you would have probably never forgive him for not taking what I asked for." At that, Grimmjow briefly felt his guard going down. Even when he was acting cold towards Ichigo these past couple of weeks, the teen was still willing to help him. But he couldn't believe that Ichigo went with this, considering that Ginjou was capable of stabbing one in the back for his own gain. Maybe his master felt trapped by the proposition and gave in, and he couldn't blame him.

In fact, he couldn't blame Ichigo at all. This was his fault that his surviving friend was caught up in this, when he should have taken that chance to flee from the Roman army back in Gaul. His stubborn pride was the cause of all of this suffering.... He glanced at the blonde slave, who was quivering in sheer fright next to Ginjou, and the need to succumb was itching at him. Ichigo was forced to agree to the not yet mentioned deal, and it almost felt like Grimmjow should as well. ".... What.... should I do to get him back....?" he mumbled quietly, catching Ginjou's attention.

"Hm? What did you say, Gaul?" the praetor questioned with a smug smirk and Grimmjow glowered at him with so much contempt.

"What.... should I do to get my friend back, Ginjou?" he enunciated through gritted teeth. Ginjou smirked again, and this time a dark glimmer was in his narrowed sepia eyes.

".... Lose," he answered. "I want you to fucking lose in the primus, Gaul. That is all I am asking...."

A sour feeling of bile unexpectantly caught up in Grimmjow's throat as he glared at him in disbelief. He was the champion, he was practically worshipped for the time his victory brought rain to end the drought. But now.... Ginjou was demanding the impossible out of him. He wanted him to purposely lose, but for what....? "What the fuck do you gain from this, Ginjou? How me losing benefits you?" questioned Grimmjow.

"Clearly, you don't understand the hierarchy of gladiators, Gaul," smirked Ginjou. "Once a champion lose or forfeit a match, they can never be considered a hero to the eyes of the Romans. They have to climb back from the shit hole they have fallen in. And that's where you come in, you will lose in order to save your friend. Unless of course.... you care more about your pride as a champion rather than the life of this worthless slave right here."

"There's no fucking way I would let you kill him!" growled Grimmjow.

"Then I suggest that you do not win this match," he pointed out. "I know, Ichigo was having difficulty of agreeing to my terms. But it's not so hard.... All you have to do is to put up the missio sign after taking the trashing. Only your master could save you then, or else you'll lose your only chance of saving your savage friend. So what's it going to be, Gaul....?" Grimmjow growled at him but he wasn't sure what to think of it. He didn't want to relent to him and yet not doing so would cost the life of his friend. "Well, what is your choice, 'Bestia'?" smirked Ginjou.

".... If I do this, you will give him to me, right?" Grimmjow questioned bitterly, but his tone only made Ginjou terribly gleeful.

"I may be a dispicable man, but I still have what's left of my honor as a Roman," smiled the man. "It's a deal. You lose but if you're still alive, you can get your friend back. But if you're dead or you fucking win, it's off and so is his head from his body."

"But.... you won't hurt him anymore, you must promise me that--"

"I already said that I'm leaving him alive, that's all it matters," Ginjou said, before hearing the distant muffled sound of horns blaring, signaling the start for the main event. "I believe we're done here. Take him back and make sure that he won't try anything funny," he ordered. "It's almost time for the primus.... I hope that he is ready for it."

"Yes, Praetor...." nodded the soldiers, before hauling the Gaul away. Grimmjow took one last look at his friend just as Ginjou pulling him to the shadows. A sick foreboding feeling was eating at his guts now, as if something wasn't right with the deal. But he couldn't risk the life of his only bethren for his own concerns. That was probably why Ichigo didn't want to risk it for his sake as well. Thinking about the teen made his heart ache terribly. How would Ichigo feel about him losing for the first time ever, it was hard to imagine.

Grimmjow grunted in slight pain when he was pushed back into the gladiators' barracks and stumbled to the ground. He growled under his breath but he could feel the watchful eyes of those soldiers on him, before he picked up his helmet and got to his feet. He had to stay calm for this fight, as he took a deep breath and noticed Renji nearby talking to his friend from the other ludus. The red-head seemed relieved despite of cuts and blood on his body and had probably won judging by the looks of it. He frowned and looked away. He didn't want his aura being picked up as he passed by some fighters after getting his shield and sword.

"Oh, there you are, Grimmjow...." Renji called out, and Grimmjow nearly stiffened in his steps. "Listen, I-- hey.... is there something wrong?" frowned Renji the moment he noticed his distressed and slightly bruised expression.

"No, Renji, I'm just fucking nervous...." he grumbled as he was trying not to meet his eyes.

"Nervous? I doubt that," Renji frowned dubiously. "What's the real reason that you seem irritated about? If it's still about Ichigo--"

"No, it's not, so you need to fucking drop it," Grimmjow scoffed at him, putting on his helmet. The red-haired man's frown deepened but he stared at him once again. Grimmjow was really appeared distracted and troubled and didn't want to be bothered over something that was going on in his head. But it would be pointless to keep probing it further, as the Gaul walked up to the gate to the arena.

"Fine.... Good luck with your fight, Grimmjow," sighed Renji before stepping back. That only made Grimmjow internally worse but his face was soon set with determination, his worries temporarily drowned out by the roar of the cheering crowd as the gate finally opened. It felt oddly different to him from the other times, he usually grinned with such cockiness but now he was dreading of what was to come. He took a brief glance at the pulvinus as he walked to the center of the arena and he nearly cringed by the sight of Ichigo staring back at him.

But Ichigo seemed just as distressed, looking as if he was ill as he watched Grimmjow strolling around. His stomach churned and twisted in disbelief, hoping for the fact that the deal will go through once the Gaul wins, since he feared of Ginjou going back on his words. "Ichigo, hey, are you okay....?" frowned Rukia, grasping at his hand. "You look like you're about to keel over." Ichigo glanced at her, but out of the corner of his eyes, he could see Ginjou's lackey behind the second row like another guard. One wrong word, and Grimmjow's friend will die.

"M-maybe.... I just need to drink some water, Rukia," he mumbled quietly as he looked back at her. "I may be feeling a little ill like you said...."

"Going down in those creepy barracks could do that to you," sighed Rukia. "Considering that dreadful smell of the dead in there, who wouldn't be sick....?"

"I know...." he frowned. But his illness was coming from his worried mind, he worried that Grimmjow wasn't prepared enough for the primus due to his bitterness over the past few weeks. If anything, Grimmjow might charge ahead without his usual observance and strategy and that could be his downfall. But he looked at the older man again and he suddenly noticed something. Even from afar, he could tell that Grimmjow appeared agitated and impatient with the hasty way he was pacing in wait for his opponent.

This wasn't like him, usually the blunet would stroll around like a sleuthing predator but now.... Ichigo wasn't sure what to think. Except that he should hope for the best and wanted him to win. "Grimmjow...." he mumbled weakly, anxious sweat dampened his face as he watched.

"Fuck.... fuck...." gritted Grimmjow as an unusually high level of anxiety was eating at him. He had never felt this way before, this wasn't like him at all. He had never felt this scared, not even when he went into a battle against Germanic invaders for the first time of his life, barely past sixteen. He was only scared because of his friend's life hanging in the balance, that him trying to lose on purpose would be the hardest part to do. And not only that.... he was afraid of Ichigo's reaction of him losing. Would his master be devastated for the loss, or would he be disgusted by it? Either way, he didn't like it.

He glared up in time to see the other gate opening and his opponent finally stepped out. A hulking Thraex-type gladiator in gaudy brass armor, his face concealed by his helmet but Grimmjow could care less about that for now. He frowned in irritation, with his sharp eyes he could see almost every viable exposure on the other fighter. But he could tell that he was strong since this was the primus but to weaken himself against someone would be absolutely difficult.

Seconds later, the Thraex suddenly rushed at him with his short crooked blade raised. Out of reflex, Grimmjow ducked behind his shield to deflect and he pushed him back. The first move, and already it was difficult. He only reacted out of instinct, but it by the minute it was getting harder and harder. "Shit....!" he gritted in disgust. He cannot just lose so easily. Maybe if he were to gain the upper hand in the first, then he would let himself lose. It wouldn't be fair to do such a thing while the opponent was still strong.

"Hahh....!" he snarled and counterattacked, swinging his blade only to meet a parry. He expected that and charged forward for a second attack. The angle of his sword managed to nick the Thraex on his bare arm despite of the square-shaped shield blocking the full-on attack. "Tch...!" He backed off to give himself some distance, his sharp eyes flickered to the pulvinus briefly. For the moment, Ichigo appeared to be relieved with an encouraging smile. His master was glad that he didn't get hurt first, but inside Grimmjow was trying in his will not to overpower the other man.

"If you're dead or you fucking win, the deal's off and so is his head from his body...."

Grimmjow gritted his teeth as his fist around the sword hilt tightened. Ginjou really had him cornered this time, and after constant griefs the Gaul had given him, he was making sure that he should suffer in this fight. Grimmjow jumped away when the Thraex swung at him and he paced around him evenly. He wanted to slash at him but he was afraid of making the man too injured to pronounce his own victory. Pacing to the opponent's left, he then charged at him. Another cut-- a shallow one-- should do it as he raised his blade.

But the Thraex saw that and reacted with a block of his shield. Grimmjow grunted in surprise from his strength and he was pushed back. "Fuck....!" he growled under his breath when he stumbled but recovered in time to parry. The crowd cheered but nobody noticed the tension he was in. One way or another, he will lose something.

(Blood and Sand)

Behind the heavy iron gate, Renji watched with scrutiny and uncertainty at the fight, and he frowned. Something wasn't right. Grimmjow wasn't fighting in his usual strategy. Instead, it appeared that Grimmjow was hesitant to even land blows against the opponent. "Shit, this is getting ridiculous...." he grumbled. "Grimmjow, what the fuck's wrong with you? Fight back...."

"What's going on here, Renji?" asked Shuuhei, walking right up to him before looking through the gate. "Is there something wrong? It seems like Grimmjow has the advantage."

"No, it's not like that," Renji shook his head. "I know how Grimmjow fights, and right now he's not doing so well.... I'm not sure why, but his personal shit seems to be distracting him."

"That can't be good," frowned his friend. "So now what? Do you think he'll win, Renji?"

"I don't even know. But one thing's for sure, he better not die or I'll kick his ass," he scoffed. Shuuhei frowned again though mostly from the mention of death as they continued to watch. All Grimmjow had been doing was blocking and parrying but had yet to make a significant strike against the Thraex. Renji gritted his teeth, almost wanting to stomp his foot down in frustration like a child with a tantrum. Whatever happened between him and Ichigo had to be put aside in order for him to win. Nothing should be distracting for the gladiator games regardless of personal feelings. Especially himself, he would only think about his victory rather than his concerns for his master's appreciation.

"Come on, Grimmjow, quit fucking it up....!" he scowled under his breath.

Meanwhile, Ichigo watched with concern as he squeezed his hands together. He didn't get it. Grimmjow would have already killed or at the very least defeated his opponent by now, so why does it look like the older man was buying some time to do something? "Grimmjow...." he muttered quietly. "What's going on with you....?"

"You think something's wrong with Grimmjow, Ichigo?" frowned Rukia as she glanced at him. "You say that you went to talk to him earlier, right? You think that discussion had influenced him somehow?"

".... I don't know," he replied grimly, but he thought otherwise. Now he wondered if his discussion with Grimmjow had truly messed him up, as he glanced back at the arena, still aware of the steady gaze from Ginjou's subordinate behind him. Even after he agreed to accept the praetor's term, Ichigo still didn't trust his words. They were always nothing but whispers filled with arrogance and deceit, so why believe it now?

His focus went back to the arena, where Grimmjow charged at the Thraex. But this time, the Gaul finally managed to make a cut, with blood dripping heavily down the flesh. Grimmjow panted heavily, it literally took all of his might not to slash him too easily but it was better than nothing. The audience in the crowd didn't seem to notice his unusual approach of fighting but they cheered on regardless now that they saw blood being drawn. But it was very tiring to concentrate of holding back his strength, he just needed to hurt him a little bit more then he would let himself lose.

"Hahh....!" he yelled out as he charged again with a swing. The Thraex stepped back to dodge before moving to counterattack, hacking at Grimmjow's slightly bigger shield. "Come on, fight me....!" he scowled. He jumped to the side and moved to make another strike, this time to the leg. But the Thraex suddenly turned on his heels and struck Grimmjow across the face with the hilt of his sword. "Guh....!" He stumbled back, almost falling to the ground, as the metallic taste of blood filled up his mouth quickly. If this was in a different situation, he would be giddy at the turn of event. That was what he was thinking about as he spat out the bloody phlegm.

"That's it....!" he snarled. He wanted to fight back with all of his might but it was eating at him to not to. He mentally assumed that Ginjou was still hiding in the dark corridors, laughing and jeering with Diroy submissively kneeling by his feet. His stomach churned in disgust at the thought of what that sick praetor had done to his friend. But his own distraction was quickly cut off when the Thraex soon rushed at him and attempted to make a slash at his chest.

He bit back a sharp hiss when he felt the tip of the blade nicked at his stomach. His instinct luckily made him jump back from being disemboweled at the last second. He could feel the burning yet wet sensation at his lower abdomen as he panted heavily. He hated it, Ginjou was messing with his head even from afar. He could feel his master's eyes on him but was afraid to look up at him. Was Ichigo really that apprehensive of seeing him lose on purpose?

"Shit, shit....!" he gritted. He wouldn't go down so easily, as he retaliated with a wide swing. Back at the pulvinus, Ichigo saw Grimmjow fighting as if he was treading carefully not to hurt the opponent too much. Sometimes Grimmjow would playfully prolong the fight before going for the kill. But right now, it seemed like the older man was conflicted of what to do.

"Come on, Grimmjow...." Ichigo mumbled. He wished he could figure out what was going on with him. His knuckles turned white with anxiety from squeezing his fists too hard. Maybe it felt like it was truly his fault that Grimmjow's performance was the result of his reluctant reaction to their relationship. That thought made his heart ache, as one of his hands moved to grasp at his chest. What was going on....?

"Ah....! Fucking shit....!" hissed Grimmjow, when the blade aimed for his bare shoulder. He jumped back in time to avoid a complete decapitation, gritting his teeth in pain the moment he felt the top layers of his flesh ripped apart. He could hear the crowd cheered and clamored in surprise and awe. He wondered if the Romans finally noticed his inability to strike, but that was the least of his problems. Shaking off his thoughts, Grimmjow snarled and charged at the opponent. The Thraex parried back before pushing him once more. The other man didn't hesitate as he then knocked the Gaul's face with his shield.

Blood instantly gushed out of Grimmjow's nostrils and mouth, with intense amount of pain exploded in his face. He stumbled back, barely had a chance to dodge another blow before he quickly recovered to block it. This wasn't good, even though he meant to lose he didn't expect for his opponent to retaliate so impulsively. He counterattacked, slashing shallowly at his chest. For a moment he thought he hit him too hard when he saw him fumbled to the ground. But the Thraex got up almost instantly, much to the cheering crowd's encouragement. But underneath Grimmjow's helmet, his expression went pale with realization.

So this was what Ginjou had meant. His popularity will sink like a stone once he loses, judging by the positively zealous focus on the Thraex right now. "Shit...!" he growled. There was no turning back now, even when he was loathing to do this. It was the only sacrifice he could make for his friend's sake. "Hahh....!" he yelled out, his sword swinging low in an attempt to hit at his legs.

But the Thracian-style fighter jumped back instinctively, missing the blade just inches away. Grimmjow snarled in frustration, all he was seeing was red. His movements, his attacks, it was becoming more unusual and erratic almost to the point of a beserk mode. He wanted to kill this man, and wanted to kill Ginjou as well with his bare hands. The praetor was the reason why he was put into this, wanting him to suffer just because he didn't want to submit to the Roman laws.

"Gahh....!" Again, distractions took over Grimmjow's mind, as he was hit across the face once again. A couple of his back teeth were close of being broken, as he fumbled across the sandy ground.

"Grimmjow....!" Ichigo gasped out sharply, his eyes widened in shock and surprise at the event before him. This doesn't look right, even when Grimmjow would appear to be beaten down he would still get back to his feet in no time even against a giant. But not this time, as Grimmjow struggled just to get to his knees. It was almost as if he was giving up the fight, something he didn't get. Didn't Grimmjow want to win, to keep his title as a champion....? Glancing up, he could hear the collective jeers and boos from the audience, obviously not enjoying the outcome of 'Bestia'. They were hoping that he would win as the champion that he was but maybe now they saw him as another novelty gladiator that will cease from their minds.

Behind the gate, Renji watched with intense shock, his marked eyebrows tensed at what was unfolding.

"He will die, Renji...." frowned Shuuhei, glancing at his friend. "Look at him. I think it's more than a personal thing as you mentioned. It seems like he's holding back from something. Just look...." Renji frowned and glanced at Grimmjow again. Shuuhei was right. Grimmjow wasn't showing off his full strength, it was as if he was really holding back.

"Fucking shit.... is Grimmjow trying to lose on purpose....?" he scoffed in disbelief.

"On purpose? That doesn't make any sense," said Shuuhei. "You know by losing, your popularity will dwindle quickly."

"That's why it doesn't make any fucking sense!" scoffed Renji. "The fuck are you doing, Grimmjow? Fight back, you shit....!" But his voice fell beneath the roar of the crowd, now cheering for the Gaul's defeat. Grimmjow gritted his teeth and staggered to stand up. So this is what it's like, he thought, being disliked by those who once saw him a god for bringing the rain to the city. Blood was drying across his face, his eyes hazy from exhaustion, his hand still held onto his sword although he was losing grip on his shield.

He only needed to lose. He didn't want to die like this. "Fuck....!" he growled, pushing himself to charge. "Hahh....!" he yelled as he swung his sword at the Thraex. But the other fighter parried, the crooked blade scraped across the straight one, before he pushed him away. Grimmjow stumbled back, losing his grip on his shield before being hit in the face again. "Guhh....!" he grunted and fell to the ground one more time. Multiple hits to the head was making him woozy and his ears rang within the helmet.

Panting and wheezing, he glanced up to the pulvinus. Ichigo was on the verge of a breakdown. The teen couldn't believe what had happened to him just now. Even if it was such a deal, Ichigo couldn't seem to swallow that he lost with his widened fearful eyes staring down at the arena. He couldn't take that look on him anymore, as Grimmjow bowed his head. It wasn't long until he felt his helmet ripped off of his head and his hair was yanked up to reveal his throat. The crowd booed, mainly because of Grimmjow's poor performance, and soon a collective chant of 'kill' and 'death' rose.

Grimmjow froze now that he felt the angular sword against his neck. So this was it, this was how his other opponents felt when he took their lives. Despite of the blood still in his mouth, he made a dry swallow before glancing back at his master. Ichigo seemed devastated at the loss, his precious brown eyes were glossed with unshed tears as he stood over the railings. Grimmjow knew, he was not strong enough to stomach it but it was for the best. Reluctantly, he let go of his sword and slowly raised up his hand, putting up two fingers in surrender. That action caused even more booing but he didn't care at the moment.

This was what Ginjou wanted after all. He swallowed his pride in order to save his friend, even if it meant taking away his title as a champion. He stared at Ichigo almost pleadingly to spare him. He was his master, he had the power to choose his fate ever since the Gaul was taken in, but considering the reaction of the crowd it appeared that Ichigo was uncertain of what to do as a white-haired senator went up to the teen.

"Ichigo...." Ukitake spoke quietly, catching Ichigo's attention. "I am sorry that your fighter was defeated.... But considering that he is specifically your slave and not that of the lanista, only you have the power to decide whether or not you let him live. Do you understand that, Ichigo....?"

"Ichigo...." Rukia frowned in total concern, but Ichigo was more perturbed about it. Grimmjow didn't do his best, even when he was very eager to train himself for the moment like today. But the last several days had made his skills diminish to the point of that of an amateur. And because of that, Ichigo lost his deal with Ginjou. He won't get the slave from him, now that Grimmjow had lost. That was his own fault for having hope when he should have believed in Grimmjow in the first place. But maybe if Grimmjow could win the next battle, he could ask Ginjou for a second chance. That was the only way....

".... I want him to live," he muttered under the loud groaning of boos before looking back at the arena. ".... Live! I want him to live!" he called out, almost shouting, as he raised his hand. "Grimmjow! You have to live, I want you to live! For the next fight....!"

Grimmjow stared at him in slight surprise, seeing his hand raised with a thumbs-up. What does that mean? Was that a good thing....? The Romans seemed to jeer harder but it probably meant that Ichigo wanted something against the wishes of the audience. Meaning that Ichigo will spare him as expected.....

"Grimmjow, live....! You have to live....!" shouted Ichigo almost desperately. "I don't care whether you lose or win, you just have to live for me....!" A stray tear trickled down his cheek but he didn't care as he looked on, staring at Grimmjow's surprised and bloodied face. Grimmjow stared back before he felt the blade suddenly removed from his throat. He didn't realize that he was holding his breath until he took a deep breath of relief. He was still alive. He lost but he was still alive at the end. Admist the booing, he could hear and feel his heart pounding.

"Fuck, kid.... I'm so grateful for this...." he wheezed. Suddenly, he was hauled to his feet by the army guard before being pulled away, his eyes wandered back to his master. But Ichigo had already turned around and ran from the railings, possibly rushing to meet him back to the barracks. He smiled a bit.... Through everything they have been, he was glad that Ichigo still cared about him. As soon as he was led inside the barracks, his tired cyan eyes met with confused but agitated garnet ones of Renji who frowned deeply in disbelief.

"Grimmjow.... what the fuck happened out there?" he scoffed, and Grimmjow put up a grim frown before looking down. There was no way that he could tell Renji about this, now he had lost his title. "Grimmjow--" Renji pressed.

"Stay back, he's in need for the medicus...." ordeered one if the guard, and the red-head blinked in surprise. Usually the publicly owned slaves would assist the injured, not the guards themselves. But as a slave himself, he could never question they are doing it as he frowned again.

"Grimmjow, once you're healed up, we will have words...." grumbled Renji.

"Yeah, whatever...." mumbled Grimmjow, before he was escorted away. He knew that these two soldiers were Ginjou's subordinates, and they were taking him to the man himself. They moved through the dimly lit corridors then they passed through a gate. Another brief moment passed until he was led through another hallway, when he suddenly heard muffled noises nearby.

".... Grimmjow....! Why can't I see him, I thought we had a deal about this....!"

It was Ichigo's voice, he realized, as he attempted to look over his shoulder. But the lackeys hastily pulled him to the next gate before he could call out and pushed him into the dark. He scowled but held his tongue as he was forced onto his knees and he glare at the only lit torch on the wall. He could see the silhouette of the praetor nearby, before he saw him stepping forward with a neutral frown on his face. He scoffed under his breath but waited for him to speak.

".... You did what I requested for, Gaul," he muttered. "Took a while to do so, something that you're having a hard time though.... But you put up your end of the deal, anyway."

"Yes, I have...." gritted Grimmjow. "I lost the primus as well as my title as a champion, as you wanted. I've done what you asked me to, just so you can give me my friend back. That was the deal, Ginjou...."

".... Is that right, huh?" Ginjou muttered with a slight smirk, and Grimmjow instantly growled.

"I did what you want, Ginjou! Don't fuck around with me right now....!" he scowled.

"Heh, I'm afraid that I could take back the bargain if you can't be patient enough," he taunted. "Just say please and I will give you your precious friend." Even after swallowing his pride to accept defeat, Grimmjow was still defiant against him with sharp cyan eyes. But after losing his title, what else could he do to jeopardize this chance....? Inhaling deeply, he bowed his head, strands of hair sticking on his forehead due to sweat and blood.

".... P-please.... I wish to have my friend back...." he begged quietly.

"Please, what, exactly....?" grinned Ginjou, enjoying the sight of the Gaul being at his mercy.

"Please.... Praetor...." he pleaded. He felt utterly digusted with himself, wanting to throw up rather than kneeling before Ginjou. But the praetor chuckled loudly before looking behind him.

"You heard him.... Bring the fucking boy," he sneered. Grimmjow heard shuffling of shackles and he looked up to see him, his only surviving friend. The boy didn't look up as he was forced to his knees in a fair distance from him, and Grimmjow was trying to peer closer at him in the darkened room. He could only see the shadowy shape of his form and the blonde color of his hair seemed oddly darker.

"I can't see him, I wish to see his face.... please...." he requested. Ginjou's grin widened and he chuckled as he moved to take the torch from the wall.

"Sure.... take a look at your so-called friend," grinned the praetor, putting the light in between them. Grimmjow looked at him again.... only to feel his heart drop instantly as color drained from his face. This boy.... his hair color was much too dark, too yellow, and when he looked at his eyes, it was all wrong. They were a sharp green color when Diroy's eyes were of dark grey. And his face.... even though his friend was young, this frightened boy appeared much more youthful despite of the gag around his face. This was wrong, all of this was wrong...! This wasn't Diroy....!

"Well.... this is a touching reunion, wouldn't you say?" smirked Ginjou. The first few seconds felt slow, before those taunting words hit Grimmjow's ears, before the Gaul felt a deep rumble within his chest.

"AAAARRRRGGGHHHH....!" he screamed in absolute horror and realization, slamming his fists against the solid stone floor. Almost instantly, the army guards grabbed him by the arms to restrain him. But it didn't matter, as he roared in fury as he struggled against them, his eyes ablaze once he glared at the sneering praetor. "I will fucking kill you, Ginjou!" he snarled with such wrathfulness. "I will get my hands on you and rip you apart! How dare you fucking trick me! How fucking dare you....!"

"You, a slave, dare to blame me for your own actions?" chuckled Ginjou. "You are at fault for believing at the fact that I really had your friend."

"Fuck you! You knew that you're the one who put me and my friend into this!" raged Grimmjow. "If you really did have him, I wouldn't risk his life over mine, and you fucking knew that! I will kill everybody here, especially you!" But his rant fell on deaf ears as Ginjou stared at him before leaning close until their faces were barely an inch apart.

"Don't you remember our little promise just a moment ago, Gaul....?" he questioned quietly. "You've lost. You do not have a title anymore. You're nothing but a common gladiator now.... and because of that, I could think of many ways of punishing you."

"You'll regret that...!" snarled Grimmjow. "I'm still of noble birth-- if you kill me, you will have to answer to the higher-ups! You got that, you piece of shit!"

"Like I give a fuck about them anymore, not after what you and your pathetic master had done to me," he muttered, his smirk fell off his face. "I would love to break you down, piece by piece, until you are a shell of yourself. You won't be the heir of your savage tribe. Rather, you will be a weak and miserable mongrel who won't be able to protect Ichigo from my hands."

"Don't you fucking dare touch Ichigo....!" he growled.

"But without you by his side, he'll blame you.... screaming and cursing your name as he's writhing under me, wondering why you choose to lose instead to win," Ginjou smirked again, relishing at the shocked look on Grimmjow's face.

"Wh-what did you say....?" he gasped.

"Oh, did I forget to mention that last part?" he smirked. "You see, Gaul.... Ichigo didn't bargain you to you lose. Instead, I told him that I will give you your 'friend' if you should win..." The fight within Grimmjow temporarily faltered as he realized it. Ichigo was actually saddened by his loss, when he had thought that the teen was taking the thought of it hard. So Ichigo wanted him to win, when he was the one who disappointed him just when he was thinking about re-establishing their relationship. "Does it hurt, Gaul? That you had let him down....? I bet that made your heart ache knowing about it now."

".... Why? Why are you trying to ruin me? You were the one who gave me grief from the start, slaughtering my friends and throwing me into slavery....!" gritted Grimmjow, glaring at him. "What the fuck have I ever done to you in the first place, Ginjou? What reason you have to keep putting me down?"

"Because you're the reason that Ichigo began to turn against me, you barbarian," Ginjou calmly argued. "Your savage way of thinking makes him just as savage. It makes him less than a Roman, and I don't fucking like it one bit.... And when he decided to save you and swing that sword at me, that was the last straw. But don't worry about that. Now that you're a loser, he will see you as a weak slave and he will regret leaving you alive after the shame you have put on his family name...."

"You bastard.... you fucking bastard....!" he growled, regaining what was left of his strength as he struggled again. "I will get my hands on you, Ginjou! I will make you fucking suffer for this!"

"Not when I'm already making you suffer...." he chuckled before stepping back. "Take him out, I don't want him babbling this to the higher nobles."

"You fucker!" he snarled, finally managing to get one arm free before moving to attempt a grab at the praetor. "You will pay for this! Ginjou--"

THWACK!

A solid blow to the back of the head nearly knocked Grimmjow out, leaving him slumped on his legs. His vision darkened as his eyes rolled to the back of his head, but not before seeing the smirking man one more time. He finally blacked out, his form collasped onto the ground after the guards let go of him. Ginjou stared down at the Gaul, his eyes glinted with dark glee under the dimmed torch. He had done it.... as much he wanted to kill him, he preferred to wait and watch his disgraced descent in the coming days.

"Until the next time, Gaul...." he chuckled quietly, grabbing his own slave by the hair to drag him, walking into the darkness.

(Blood and Sand)

Warm breeze wafted across the valley, with the blooming grass and plants rippling like small green waves. In the center of it all, Grimming was seemingly dozing on his back.... until he opened his eyes. He felt tired at first but his body jolted into realization and he sat up, his widened eyes darted around to see where he was. ".... The fuck?" he gasped, slowly getting to his feet when he noticed that he was wearing a simple wool tunic.

He didn't get it. Just moments ago, he was wearing his gladiator ensemble and was at the arena. So where was he....? Was he in the afterlife, if Ginjou had done something to him? No.... that man only meant him to suffer, after he tricked him into losing the primus. Then what is this....?

He felt a ruffle of a breeze behind him, and he subconsciously rubbed the back of his neck. It was beginning to feel that he was being watched, as Grimmjow glared behind him. But he blinked in surprise, turning around to get a better look. ".... Ichigo, is that you?" he gasped, taking in the sight before him. It was indeed Ichigo, wearing his casual linen tunic, but his expression was unreadable. It was as if he was staring at Grimmjow as a complete stranger. "Ichigo.... hey, are you all right?" he asked as he took a step forward.

"...." Ichigo's deep brown eyes were void of emotions, before he suddenly turned around and ran off, leaving Grimmjow surprised. "H-hey....! Wait, Ichigo! Where are you going?" he called out as he ran after him. He ran strongly across the meadow, but the teen was smaller and was a bit more faster in his sprint, and Grimmjow gritted his teeth. "Ichigo, stop! Where are you going...?" he yelled after him.

But before he knew it, a wall of trees suddenly appeared in front of them. How a forest popped out of nowehere, Grimmjow couldn't think much of it as he saw Ichigo disappearing into the maze of branches and trunks. "Ichigo! Wait! Please stop, I want you to explain this to me!" Remembering his knowledge in the wildernness, he clawed and leaped over the gnarled limbs. He didn't get it. It looked like a forest, but the deeper he was getting the more alarming and ghastly it appeared to be. Fortunately, he found a small clearing and Ichigo slowed into a stop. But the teen didn't turn when Grimmjow ceased his running, panting deeply as he walked towards him.

"Ichigo.... whatever this is, we can talk. Is that okay....?" he asked quietly. "I don't know what is going on here, but you can tell me if you know, okay?" He was answered with a complete silence, and he frowned in confusion. What was going on with him? "Ichigo--" he pressed as he took a few more steps.

"Don't come any closer!" Grimmjow froze in his steps and stared at Ichigo, who finally decided to turn around. But his eyes widened when his master was branishing a bow and arrow somehow. He looked back at him again, seeing his eyes glowing almost gold in vexation.

"Ichigo, what's going on--"

"I said, don't!" scowled Ichigo, quickly holding up the single arrow alongside the raised bow. Grimmjow narrowed his eyes but he knew that the threat was serious as he stepped back.

"Please, Ichigo.... tell me what's wrong with you. Maybe I can help you," he reasoned.

"Help me with what? That you had failed me, Grimmjow, that you lost your title as a champion because you fell for Ginjou's lies?" gritted Ichigo.

"It wasn't my fault, Ichigo," Grimmjow said. "I wasn't sure what to believe then, but I truly thought he had my friend in his hands. I couldn't risk it--"

"But you believed it nonetheless," Ichigo scoffed angrily. "And now because of that travesty, you are worth shit to me....! You have brought shame to me and to my family!"

"I said I'm sorry, Ichigo....!" frowned Grimmjow as he attempted to step forward.

"Don't you dare take another step!" he threatened, pulling the string back and the older man froze. But Grimmjow frowned again as he did so anyway.

"You wouldn't know how to use that, kid," he growled. "You barely knew how to use the sword when I began teaching you. What makes you think you can go against me with that?" Ichigo said nothing of it, instead he narrowed his golden eyes as he took his stance. "If you wish to hit me then fucking do it, Ichigo. Let's see if you have the guts for it." He took another step and Ichigo stretched the string to the extent, the arrowhead aiming straight at the Gaul.

"This is all your fault, Grimmjow," Ichigo said bitterly. "Because of you, you left me to fend for myself. You made this decision to lose with Ginjou, and in doing you put me in danger...."

"What? What do you mean by that?" Grimmjow questioned in utter befuddlement. That was when the angry gold color of Ichigo's eyes dwindled into his normal but saddened brown ones.

"You left me vulnerable, and Ginjou.... he took me. That's why I hate you, Grimmjow. You left the world while I was still alive. And it wasn't long until Ginjou took me away from my home.... he imprisioned me and violated and brutalized me."

".... What?" Grimmjow gasped in disbelief and anger. Fury swelled up in his chest, wanting to rip the praetor's head as he clenched his fists tightly. But wait.... if they were not in the real world, then.... ".... What happened afterwards, Ichigo?" he gritted. "Why are you and I are here?"

"Don't you get it, Grimmjow....?" Ichigo frowned sadly. "Ginjou finished you off after the Romans lost favors to you. There was nothing left of you after you lost, and he ended your life when the Senate decided not to protect you any longer."

"What?"

"And it didn't stop there.... after weeks of being at his mercy, my physical body couldn't endure it any longer.... that's why we're here, Grimmjow," he muttered in grief, his fingers holding the arrow shook. "We are here not only because of Ginjou, but because of you as well. You gave up, and this was what happened to us....!" Grimmjow just stared at him, his chest throbbed in disbelief. Were they already dead, and if so, why were they the only one in the afterlife? Why was Ichigo appearing to him now as an angry specter of himself, after holding a gudge for so long?

"I am so sorry, Ichigo.... I'm sorry for leaving you," he muttered sadly.

"I'm sorry, too, Grimmjow," Ichigo said, his voice a sad whisper the instant he released the string. Grimmjow flinched, feeling a sharp thud at his chest before letting out a shaky gasp. He looked down and his eyes widened at the sight of the wooden shaft sticking out of the left side of his chest. But he wasn't bleeding but it didn't stop the pain he soon felt as he gasped.

"Ichi--" he gasped, but Ichigo was instantly in front of him, warm tears trickling down his youthful face. He grasped at the tunic, pushing the arrow deeper into the Gaul's chest. Grimmjow sucked in a painful gasp. The sharp head should had pierced his heart, instead he felt exiting out of his back. "Ichigo! Ichigo, why....?" he gritted.

"That's how I felt, Grimmjow. The pain in my heart didn't go away, even after death," muttered Ichigo. "You ruined us.... I thought you loved me, you said so yourself. But now.... this is what we are, fucking shells of ourselves...."

"But--" Grimmjow's body suddenly went weak as he fell to his knees. Ichigo stepped away when he tried to grab for him, tear-filled eyes stared when Grimmjow collasped to the ground. He tried to gasp for air as the arrow was causing more pain throughout his body. "I-Ichigo.... please...." he choked, clawing at the dirt. "I'm sorry, I didn't know this could happen...."

".... I wish I knew that a long time ago," whimpered Ichigo before turning to leave.

"W-wait, Ichigo....!" Grimmjow gasped. But the pain was making his vision blurred as he watched Ichigo walking away. "Ichigo! Ichigo....!" he yelled out, just before he blacked out.

".... Grimmjow? Grimmjow? Grimmjow, you're all right!"

"...." Grimmjow blinked twice before his vision cleared, his weary eyes staring up at the stone ceiling. He ached, everything in his body ached as he groaned. What was that about....? Was that a dream? If felt so real, since he was in pain. Taking in a deep breath, he attempted to sit up but was pushed back down on what he guessed was a bed. He glanced up and gasped in surprise.

Ichigo was hovering above him, his face full of concern but relief as he put up a small smile. ".... As always, you managed to survive, Grimmjow," he muttered quietly. Grimmjow frowned before looking around, realizing that he was in his room but it was night time. The only light illuminating was a small oil lamp on the table, with Ichigo's face dimly glowing from the source. "How are you feeling, Grimmjow?" he asked as he sat down in the chair.

".... How long I was out?" mumbled Grimmjow, his eyebrows tensed up.

"For the past few hours, after you.... lost in the primus," Ichigo answered, with a sad frown. "I didn't think that could happen to you.... but I just thought that your loss was because of us. No, because of me...."

"Ichigo...." Grimmjow muttered, but the teen shook his head.

"This was all my fault, Grimmjow," he sighed. "Maybe if I had been more open about our relationship on that day, none of this would have happened."

"What are you talking about?" he frowned.

"Don't you get it? Those distractions on you caused by my indecisiveness.... I blamed myself," he frowned, glancing down at his lap in shame. "Even when.... I was trying to make it up to you, it was still not enough for you to win."

".... That wasn't it, Ichigo, it wasn't your fault," grunted Grimmjow, and Ichigo blinked in surprise before the Gaul decided to sit up. The bandages around his arms and stomach were taut but he didn't care as he turned to him. "No, it was never your fault, I was the one who chose to act like a jackass. I was mad, yes, but mostly at the situation we were in. But not at you. I was never angry at you...."

"But.... was that the reason why you lost, Grimmjow?" Ichigo asked, frowning in slight confusion. "You were so mad about our situation that you were distracted in your fight?" Grimmjow looked at him, a grim expression wretched in his face as he leaned closer.

".... Tell me the truth, Ichigo," he muttered so quietly but the tone was fully serious as he stared into his eyes. ".... Was there.... a deal or something you made earlier today....?" he questioned. Ichigo froze in shock and Grimmjow noticed that and grasped at his hands before the teen could move away. "Like I said, I'm not mad at you.... I just want to know the truth...." Ichigo's frown deepened before staring down, his shoulder slumped in submission.

"I'm so sorry, Grimmjow," he mumbled. "I was only trying to help you but.... I didn't have a choice, I was only forced into it...."

".... It was Ginjou, wasn't it?" he asked. He felt Ichigo flinch from the oddly calm question but he held on. "Ichigo.... he forced me into choosing as well...." he said, but the calmness was slowly warping into hidden anger judging from the flexing of his jaw muscles. "What deal did he force you into, Ichigo....?" Ichigo glanced up at him with a grieving look on his face.

"He had your friend, Grimmjow.... I mean, I don't know how but.... he convinced me into a deal that if you win, you will get your friend back," he finally explained, feeling a sudden squeeze around his hands. "It was still my fault anyway.... I was putting too much hope on you and it wasn't good enough. I can't believe it that you lost your title in the primus...."

"It wasn't your fault, Ichigo," grunted Grimmjow with a gruff tone. "He tricked you, he tricked all of us.... It was nothing but a lie, Ginjou didn't have my friend hostage."

"What....? How do you know....?" Ichigo gasped, and the older man's eyes narrowed.

"He tricked me as well...." he growled lowly. "He said he had my friend, and he gave me a critical choice. In order to get him back, he forced me into agreeing one thing.... He wanted me to lose."

"What?" he gasped sharply with his eyes widened in disbelief. It all made sense now.... Grimmjow wasn't trying his best not because of their secretive relationship, but because of Ginjou's deceits. That praetor was nothing short of evil. He gripped his hands back, a dry bile burning in his throat in disgust. ".... How could he?" he whispered. "How could he do this to us....?"

".... All the more fucking reason to erase his existence from this world, Ichigo," Grimmjow growled, and his master glanced at him in surprise.

"Grimmjow--" he said, but Grimmjow abruptly stood up, a deep angry rumble reverated in his scarred chest. "Wait a minute, Grimmjow--" he panicked.

"I know that I was this close of forgetting my vengeance, but now.... I will get him for this!" he snarled as he paced around his room. "I will rip his head off with my fucking bare hands if it's the last thing I do....! He will regret it!"

"Grimmjow, please calm down....! I understand that you're angry--"

"I am beyond furious...! I won't let this one go!" he growled. "He took what was taken from me and I am fucking fed up with this!"

"Please, Grimmjow....!" pleaded Ichigo, as he got up and grabbed Grimmjow by the wrist. Grimmjow was close to shrugging away the gesture but he immediately held it off as he stiffened from the touch. "I'm sorry.... but there is nothing you can about it now," he frowned sadly. "You're not the champion anymore, you will lose favors not only from the Roman people but from most of the nobles. You can't go against Ginjou like this."

"....Then what the fuck am I supposed to do then? This has been going on for over a year now!" he gritted. "I will not take any longer, Ichigo....! I will not let him keep on torturing me, not while he is still alive!" Ichigo frowned, letting go of him as he moved closer to the Gaul. His deep brown eyes glistened in the cool dimmed light when he stared up at him, placing his hands against his chest.

"Champion or not.... you would've been executed for your actions, Grimmjow. Why can't you understand that?" he muttered. "For once, quit thinking about yourself.... stop thinking about things that would hurt not only you but me as well...." Grimmjow blinked at that before frowning in realization. He remembered parts of his dream, when Ichigo felt betrayed of his loss and it cost them their lives. But Ichigo was more affected by it, and he did not want it to happen in real life. Whether or not it was a premonition, he won't allow it to affect him, as his strong arms wrapped around the teen into a tight hug.

"Then what can I do about this, Ichigo?" he muttered, staring at his concern filled eyes. "What is there for me to keep going....?"

".... As long as I'm here, we can find a way, Grimmjow," muttered Ichigo. "You can fight your way to the top once again. You're very strong-willed and brave, you cannot let this ruin you. You cannot let Ginjou win because of what happened today--"

"But he did anyway.... and now because of that, I shame you and your family aside from me."

".... Better than being dead, Grimm," Ichigo smiled a little. "I could care less about being shamed if it means losing you. I.... I just want you to know that I will help you as much as I can. If that's what you want.... after everything that had happened." Grimmjow glanced at him before nodding and he hugged him tighter.

"Yeah, that's something that I need...." he muttered, nuzzling into the soft orange hair. "We're both sorry, Ichigo.... even if I didn't pressure you about our relationship, it probably would have happened anyway."

"I know...." sighed Ichigo. Grimmjow said nothing else, instead he placed his still cut lips against his master's forehead. But the hatred came back, the same kind of intense emotion he had when he was first enslaved. Ginjou will pay for it one way or another, but it will be by his own hands. Even if it meant sacrificing himself and Ichigo.

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Well..... that took longer than expected, and I meant the scenes itself. I don't know about you, but I might get overly distracted for the next two three weeks. Because I'm getting me a special edition Nintendo 3DS bundle pack with a new game Fire Emblem! Yays! Now to create more drama in the next chapter....!

Read and review.

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