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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
- 24
- 25
- 26
Like I've said, I got a new 3DS and I've been overly distracted by my only game that came with it so I haven't been up to date with it. Also I've been out of funk since there has been a death in the family and I wasn't on my computer for a while....

I realized that it had been almost a year since I started the story and I didn't expect it to be going on for so long, especially with the length of each chapter I've written. But I think I will be finish by-- I dunno-- just past 30 chapters. But let's wait and see....

Warrior by Boogermeister

Chapter 25- Wolves Howling At The Gate

The only thing that kept hurting him, long after his injuries had been healed, was his pride. Grimmjow was just lying on his back on his bed, his tired eyes stared straight at the ceiling with one hand tucked underneath his hair. How long had it been-- a week and a half, since he had been defeated? He had stopped counting the days after the realization had set in on him. What good would it do to get out of bed? He was a loser to the Roman eyes, even though he didn't care much about them. But Ichigo was the only one who cared about him, sitting by his bedside whenever he had the time, even late at night after everybody was asleep.

But still, it was not good enough even when Ichigo constantly assured him that it wasn't his fault that he had fallen to Ginjou's lies. But it was, and he was foolish enough to fall for it. He had been either sulking or sleeping, and in between he hadn't been eating much, leaving so much as a bite or two in his meals. Aside from the teen's company, he didn't want to be bothered by anyone. It was like he was immune to interaction no matter what.

".... Good, you're awake." Grimmjow's eyes shifted to the doorway, seeing Ichigo coming in with a bowl full of porridge. Internally, he was happy about being around him, but he was sporting the same frown for the past several days as he sat up. He watched him placing the food on the table before walking up to him. ".... How're you feeling, Grimmjow?" he asked quietly, sitting next to him. Staring at his hopeful eyes, Grimmjow sighed as he scratched through his slowly growing hair.

".... Like I got nothing else to do," he mumbled. Ichigo frowned at that but said nothing of it as he nodded.

"You're in luck, I have chores for you to do today now that you're healed up," he suggested. "Nothing too difficult, but we'll waiting until you're ready to train back at Urahara's ludus." Grimmjow looked away from that suggestion, as he got out of bed and moved to the small table. "Grimmjow....?" Ichigo frowned, but Grimmjow was silent as he sat down and picked at his food. ".... Grimmjow, feeling sorry for yourself will not make it any better. You can't keep sulking like this, hiding in your room for days."

"You weren't so far off of doing so yourself, when you thought it was your fault that I lost," muttered Grimmjow.

"That's because I realized that it was Ginjou's doing that it happened," Ichigo pointed out. "Grimmjow.... It was him that you lost, it was never your fault--"

"But it's because of him that I don't have a title now, that it will give him any chance to have me suffer under his hands," he frowned. "And also.... I fear that because of my loss, Aizen or any other senator probably won't do anything about it, regardless of the fact that I am of noble blood. Think about it, since the Roman don't know about me, I'm nothing but a lowly savage slave."

"That's not true," frowned the teen.

"Then what is, Ichigo?" he questioned as he looked at him. "I got nothing in this empire. Nothing.... I don't have anything that can hold me here unless I could leave this place."

"And what does make me?"

"You know what I meant by that," he huffed. "I cannot show my face after what had happened.... and everybody knows that, including you.... There's no way I can deal with it considering my status here."

"But.... maybe if we can tell this to Aizen about the deal, then maybe--" Ichigo said, but Grimmjow just scoffed as he glared away.

"I am getting sick of relying on someone who can't fucking deal with his own blood....!" he frowned. "It's fucking irritating when Aizen didn't see this coming, despite the fact that he disowned Ginjou! As a matter of fact, didn't anybody else have notice anything about him these past few months? That he might have been planning something?"

"The Senate is not at fault, Grimmjow. They wouldn't have known that he was going to do this, nobody knew," reasoned Ichigo. "That's why I suggested we should talk to Aizen about it. He's the only one we can talk to, since he's the reason why you were able to become a champion in the first place."

"Tch, if you think so...." he grumbled with a frown. Ichigo just sighed before standing up and walked up to him, his slim arms plopped over the Gaul's shoulders. He could feel that Grimmjow relaxed a little but he was still upset as he eventually started to eat.

".... We'll go today, okay, Grimmjow?" he asked.

"Sure, whatever...." sighed Grimmjow. Ichigo just nodded as he stepped away and walked out of the room. By the day, it was neither getting better or worse for the both of them and it was getting hard for him to help Grimmjow get over it. He just couldn't believe it, seeing Grimmjow in such a wreck when he was so used to that cocky but brave personality of his. Only a dark-hearted man like Ginjou could do something like that to him. Going up to the ground floor, he walked past the garden when he suddenly noticed Orihime by the water fountain feeding some birds.

He frowned a little, he hadn't talked to her much since before the games and whenever he would see her the girl was practically mute saved for the occasional answers to either Nel or Isshin. His father had already came back almost a week after the loss, but Ichigo didn't bother to tell him about his secret relationship with Grimmjow, considering that the Gaul was still in his self-pity mode. Instead, the patriarch had simply advised him to help Grimmjow make up for it and Ichigo had since been doing it with no result.

But now, seeing Orihime by herself made him feel bad. It wasn't his fault that he didn't know her affection for him, but it hurt that he wasn't told about it by her or Nel. Letting out a deep sigh, he walked up to the fountain and leaned to pat her on the shoulder. "Ahh...!" the girl gasped out with a startle, the leftover bread in her hands dropped to the ground. She looked up and stiffened at the sight of Ichigo, who tentatively sat next to her.

".... Hey there...." he muttered quietly. Orihime stared at him for a moment, before looking away as she picked up the bread.

"Hey...." she mumbled.

".... How are you been doing so far, Orihime?" Ichigo asked quietly, waiting any action from her. Instead, she stared down at her lap and picked at the food. ".... It's okay, you don't have to talk to me," he sighed. "I just want to say that I'm sorry for not considering your feelings after all these times. I just didn't know, either I was totally ignorant or nobody else had told me. But I didn't really mean to hurt you like that back then.... when you saw me with Grimmjow.... I just thought that you've already assumed of me being like that but I guess that you wouldn't want to hear my excuses--"

"I was never mad at you, Ichigo...." muttered Orihime, and Ichigo blinked at her in surprise before the slave girl glanced back at him. "I was the fool.... I only thought that because I was a slave, I couldn't be with you. But it was completely different, because now I know you're specifically into men and had an interest with Grimmjow.... It was really my fault anyway, when I told him about my feelings for you. I asked that he should keep it a secret, but I guess that he didn't bother to tell me about your situation."

"So.... you blame Grimmjow for being with me?" Ichigo frowned but Orihime shook her head.

"At first I was going to.... but soon I thought about your feelings, and I didn't want to hurt you," she sighed. "And now, because of me, I'm the reason you guys are fighting over your relationship."

"No.... you have no fault into it," he shook his head. "It was me who was in the wrong, but whether or not we were working it out he would still had lost, and now he's in such deep depression. I don't know how to deal with it, Orihime."

".... You'll find a way, Ichigo," Orihime muttered. "You're a very smart person, you learn fast, so you will figure out very soon. I believe you on that...." Ichigo glanced at her before he smiled a little as he grasped at her hand. Orihime was taken by surprise for the gesture and blushed a little, but didn't pull away as the teen nodded.

"Thanks for cheering me up, Orihime," he sighed. "I'm sure I can figure something out soon, for Grimmjow's sake."

"Uh, sure, you're welcome...." she smiled back. Ichigo nodded again before getting up and walking away, leaving Orihime temporarily stunned. She eventually calmed down, picking at the stale bread in her hands, as she took a deep sigh. She wanted for Ichigo to be happy, even she was still heartbroken about her own ordeal. But if she could still be his friend, then that was the least she could do for him.

(Blood and Sand)

Grimmjow could feel the sense of loathing and shame on him as he followed after Ichigo into the city. It wasn't hard to see him and his master, and it was hard not to hold back heckling the moment the disappointing eyes were on him. Grimmjow glanced at Ichigo, who put on a neutral face as they walked through the busy streets. But he was still feeling nervous but alert, feeling unusually anxious whenever he was jeered at. ".... This wasn't a good idea, Ichigo," he muttered. "We should have waited a little longer before going through with it."

"We can't wait any more, Grimmjow, we need to do this now," Ichigo assured, as he peeked a glance at him. "Besides, Aizen was going to sponsor your next game before.... that sudden situation, so we need to speak to him anyway. Just stay calm, okay....? We're almost there." Grimmjow frowned but didn't doubt Ichigo. That was true, Aizen often sponsered the fights he was in and the man already knew of Ichigo and his family for years. And also.... they needed to talk to him about the treachery Ginjou had done to both of them, to see if anything can be done about it.

But the seething look was still on him, and he felt distracted from it until he felt a large chunk of cabbage was hurled at his head. "Aghh....!" he hissed out in pain and stumbled forward, grasping at the side of his head. "Fuck....! Fuck!" he gritted, glaring around to see the culprit.

"Grimmjow-- no, it's not worth it....!" Ichigo called out, grabbing him by the wrist when the infuriated Gaul attempted to charge at the one who ran away. "Calm down, Grimmjow! It's really not worth it, we're here for a different reason, remember....?" Grimmjow growled, hearing more jeers being shouted at him, before relenting to his advice. What can he do about this anyway? Even a lowly classed Roman could have a better advantage over a slave with little or no rights to his name.

"Come on, we're almost there...." said Ichigo, tugging him to another street. Grimmjow just scoffed under his breath, pain throbbing a little in his head but he couldn't complain. What good would it do, now that he was seen as nothing as common loser....?

He saw a large pure white temple-like building, with a large hill of staircase in front as soon as they came into view. They climbed up for the entrance and Grimmjow noticed several old men in white and red togas walking around. As soon as they stepped inside, Ichigo saw Gin waiting nearby. The senator's main slave wasn't sporting his usual grin but smiled nonetheless as he walked up to them with an acknowledged nod. "Master's been waiting for you, Ichigo...." he nodded. "Please follow me...."

"Okay.... Come on, Grimmjow," nodded Ichigo, and Grimmjow simply grunted as they followed after him. For once, he wasn't being glared at, possibly because the politicians had better things to be concerned about. They walked across the large marble floored lobby before they went into a side room. Ichigo saw Aizen sitting when the senators noticed them and stood up.

"Ichigo, Grimmjow...." Aizen greeted, seriousness etched onto his face. "What seems to be the problem that you insisted on seeing me?" he questioned though he wasn't impatient of being called. "Does it have to do with.... your fighter losing in the primus?" That being said, Grimmjow's frown deepened and Ichigo sighed and nodded his head.

"Yes, Aizen, it does...." he muttered. "You see... I uncovered something behind the ordeal. I know it sounds like I'm sounding petty over it, but this is the truth I am telling you right now because it affected both him and me in a devastating matter. I mean, you see.... we were forced to take a terrible, regarding Grimmjow's loss...." Aizen's eyes narrowed a little before turning to Gin, who unusually frowned in concern.

"Shut the door," he ordered, and his slave immediately did so. He turned back to Ichigo with a pursed lips but nodded for him to continue. ".... Explain to me of what you are trying to say, Ichigo. Because of whatever it is, it sounds very troubling."

"And it is...." frowned Ichigo. "Grimmjow's loss.... it wasn't a fluke or anything of it. What I'm saying is that Grimmjow threw the game, he lost on purpose...." The brunet's expression was unreadable, though Gin seemed surprised by the news when his slanted eyes widened a little.

"On purpose, you say?" Aizen tried to confirm.

"What? You don't believe his words?" questioned Grimmjow but fell silent when his teen master frowned at him.

"No.... I am trying to see if Ichigo is mentioning any unethical methods within the gladiator games and believe me, there are plenty that I've came across as I've often sponsor them," replied Aizen. "Now tell me. Grimmjow lost on purpose, but on what grounds did he lose for? Clearly not you since you're his master and the loss could affect your reputation. Then for whom....?" Ichigo looked at him and took a deep breath.

".... It was Ginjou, Aizen," he finally answered. "Ginjou found a way to break Grimmjow down and forced him to lose." At first, the senator appeared indifferent about the sudden news, but his frown deepened in utter disappointment as he shook his head.

"After weeks of obscurity, he's still trying to be defiant," he muttered under his breath. "Tell me how did this happen in the first place. It must have been something that can cause such a thing."

"Yes it was. Remember that we're trying to reunite Grimmjow's friend with him, since he was still overseas?"

"Ah, I've heard of that through the magistrate, yes," he nodded.

"Well.... somehow, Ginjou found about about the information and used that to blackmail Grimmjow into losing," nodded Ichigo.

"I honestly thought that he was holding my friend hostage, he showed him to me himself," frowned Grimmjow. "He said that if I were to win or die, he will kill him. And the only way I could get him back was to lose the primus.... and I was the fool to believe such a thing."

"I told you that it wasn't your fault, Grimmjow," said Ichigo but the Gaul shook his head.

"I already lost, I can't just simply go back to the way I was," he scoffed.

"He's right, Ichigo, what's done is done," Aizen nodded. "He will have to take the less popular battles before he can get back on top."

"I know that but.... is there anything you can do about it, Aizen?" asked Ichigo. "Ginjou's your nephew so I'm sure--"

"I'm sorry but you're mistaken, Ichigo," he shook his head, and Ichigo blinked in surprise at that. "You've forgotten that I had banished him as my family and therefore no longer responsible for his actions. However, I can look into it as a politician but I'm sorry about this. There is truly nothing else I can do about my so-called nephew...."

"Oh...." Ichigo muttered with a disheartened frown, but Grimmjow nearly growled out in annoyance.

"There's nothing you can do against Ginjou....?" he scowled.

"He had done an unethical matter, and now it seems that it will involve the magistrate since it was how he was able to illegally obtain the information in order to deceive you," said Aizen, looking at the blue-haired Gaul. "This will be something in which I will handle, but for a different matter for the moment. And this time he might be in serious trouble."

"All right then.... Thank you for your time, Aizen," nodded Ichigo. "I think it's more than enough to deal with it."

"I wish I could do more but that's all I could do about it," Aizen replied.

"Okay.... Let's go, Grimmjow," Ichigo said as he glanced at the fighter. But Grimmjow was feeling less than satisfied about what was going to be done. Ginjou had utterly humiliated him and the only thing that could happen was nothing but another lecture, like some naughty child got into trouble as usual. His master could see that, as a sense of discontent was evident in his eyes.

"I will talk to you later, Ichigo, when I figure out a solution," Aizen said as they left the room and the teen nodded. As soon as they left the building, out of the earshots of the high ranking elders, Grimmjow let out a frustrating growl.

"I can't fucking believe this....!" he snarled. "He won't do anything about this, Ichigo, can you believe that?"

"He didn't say that he won't do anything but he can't personally or directly deal with our problem," Ichigo pointed out. "He will still help one way or another, and that will take some time--"

"To hell with time and fucking patience....! You Romans take too long to react over every little shit....!" he scoffed.

"And the solution to so-called every little shit is to kill anything that breathes, is that right to you?" Ichigo argued in slight annoyance. "Fucking gods, Grimmjow, I keep telling you that is how things are done in the empire, but you still keep being stubborn about it. Without the sense of civilization, everybody would act and run like wild animals!"

"And is that me, some wild senseless animal who would rather shed blood than talk politics?" scoffed Grimmjow.

"Do you really want to me answer that?"

"Don't fucking joke with me, Ichigo...." Grimmjow stopped walking and took a deep breath, his fingers reaching up to roughly run through his hair. "Just think and be in my shadows on this.... If someone you love, your family or one of your friends, was held by your enemy and they forced you into doing something regrettable, would you be able to hold enough anger to take them out....?" Ichigo stared at him for a moment and frowned at the thought of it.

"I think you've asked me such a thing.... during your first night as a slave," he muttered. "I cannot stand the thought of my father or my sisters being threatened, and not being there to protect them.... Back then, it looked like I was defending Ginjou but now he's extremely detestable even among the elite. And with me being either dead or ensared by that man, I would think as you do...."

"But...." Grimmjow nodded in assumption.

"I'm a Roman just the same, and as such I have to abide to the law," sighed Ichigo, shaking his head. "That's why we have to trust Aizen with his decisions, even though I don't really like it. I have to and so should you, Grimmjow." Grimmjow simply clicked his teeth but he had to agree. Since Ginjou stole the informations from Renji's master, it would be a matter of time until the magistrate catches wind of this. ".... Grimmjow, it will be done, just trust me on this."

"All right, Ichigo...." Grimmjow sighed, before he heard some more jeering in the distant. "They will still hate me, even when I go back to the arena, and that will take some time until they cheer my name again," he frowned, as they continued walking.

"Yeah.... I wish I could do more about it...." muttered Ichigo, as they make way for the city gate. But suddenly he paused, a surprising idea popped up in his head as his eyes slightly widened. "Oh, wait...."

"Ichigo, what's wrong....?" asked Grimmjow, catching the teen's attention.

".... I think I got something to do here, Grimmjow. But you should go on home instead," he said.

"What? I don't think I should leave you alone if you're going somewhere else," Grimmjow frowned at him. "If anything, I want to know where are you going so I might have to relay it to your father."

"Oh.... to a friend's house, nothing so important," nodded Ichigo with a small smile. "Go ahead, Grimmjow.... I'll be okay." Grimmjow stared at his face for a moment, but his master seemed to be honest about it as he nodded and stepped back.

"If you're going to that magistrate's place, tell Renji that I'm sorry for losing and all," he sighed.

"Okay, I'll do that," Ichigo said. "I'll talk to you later, Grimmjow...." Grimmjow nodded and left the city, leaving Ichigo to contemplate his decision as the teen's face fell into concern but determination. He must have been crazy enough to even consider it, but if he had Grimmjow around it would have been worse. Much worse. But for once, he needed to do something right for him. Grimmjow was truly right that they couldn't wait around for something to be done, as he turned aound to take a different direction.

He felt anxious but he had to confront it now, even though he felt absolutely afraid of doing all by himself, as he quickened his pace.

(Blood and Sand)

"Gahh! You stupid horse shit....!" scowled Ginjou, harshly shoving the German boy away from his exposed lap. "You can't even suck me off without your fucking teeth grazing me? You damn stupid slave!" he scoffed, smacking him across the face. The slave yelped and coughed out blood before being kicked down by the praetor. "Tch.... maybe I should have killed you soon after that deal, but I assumed you would be a better use to me..."

The slave groaned but didn't dare to mumble in his native language lest he wanted to have his teeth rip out like the last time. Ginjou simply scoffed as he fixed his uniform and stood up from his bed, maybe having the boy around wasn't as fun as he wanted it to be, even if it did brought him absolute glee for the past couple of weeks. Seeing Grimmjow crumpling in front of him had been glorious and had been celebrating in his own household with constant amount of wine consumed by him. This time, he was happy to be drunk after weeks of wallowing in his disgruntled state.

Speaking of which, he moved over to grab for some more on the table, grabbing for the half-empty pitcher left on the table. Not bother to find the cup, he simply chugged the content. Never had he ever thought he could take down the co-called immortal Gaul over the most simple desire. He should have thought of that in the first place, when Ichigo had first mentioned such a thing months ago.

And now.... the savage hadn't been seen in days, probably hiding in shame in some shithole. That made him eternally gleeful, as he took another swig just before he heard a soft knock on the door. "Hm? What is it....?" he called out just as the door opened and a subordinate peeked in.

"Sir, you have an unexpected visitor...." he muttered, and Ginjou frowned in slight confusion and annoyance.

"And who the fuck could it be, exactly? I already met every old shit over my job," he scoffed.

"Uh.... I don't think it's one of the senators, Praetor," replied the soldier and he nearly flinched when Ginjou's eyes narrowed and slammed down the pitcher.

"Then who?" he questioned.

".... That nobleman you know of, Ichigo...." The answer actually surprised the Praetor, who soon twitched into a light smirk. Ichigo had came here to see him, no doubt to confront him over the ordeal.

"Oh good-- wait a minute.... is the Gaul with him?" he asked.

"Ah, no he's not. He's all alone, sir," said the soldier. Hearing that made Ginjou almost estatic but kept his composure as he smirked again.

"Okay then.... send him to my office, I'll be there shortly," he said.

"Yes, Praetor...." As soon as the door closed, Ginjou couldn't help but let out a low dark chuckle, trying not to cackle like a mad man. Ichigo.... alone in his house with no slave to look after him? He found that extremely interesting but gratifying, now that he have the teen all to himself. He turned to the German slave, who was kneeling but hung his head to avoid eye contact. The savage already knew of the basic commands by now yet hadn't mastered to speak the Roman language even after all these months.

As he walked up to him, Ginjou could tell that he was shivering in fear, and who wouldn't be after being used constantly for the man's sick pleasure. He crouched down to his level and smirked and reached out to grab at his hair. "Seems like you're giving me luck once again...." he smirked. "Maybe I don't need to kill you after all." With that said and done, Ginjou stood up and left his room, taking his sweet time to walk through the short hallway. Within his peripheral view, he noticed one familiar slave scrubbing the floor but ignored him as he walked past him, not caring about the stiffened reaction.

It was surprising that Tsukishima had been placid after being cast aside just like that. He had partially hoped that the obsessive slave would attempt suicide to get his attention but Tsukishima had been depressingly calm, doing his chores without much of a fuss. It was almost like he wasn't here with that silent demeanor, only for him to remember his tall frame ambling around the house. He turned to walk towards the office door and his grin widened as he gripped the handle and opened the door.

Right on cue, Ichigo whirled around to see who came. It seemed like the teen was having a second thought of being here, with his widened anxious eyes on Ginjou, but he calmed down for a moment as he took a step back. But Ginjou smirked just the same and stepped inside. ".... What a surprise that you're here, Ichigo," he commented. "I didn't expect you to see, out of all people, the very man in which you hate." He shut the door, seeing how the teen shudder by the sound of it before he calmly walked around the room.

".... Would you like something to drink, some water or wine?" he gestured.

"No, I'm not thirsty," came Ichigo's rushed answer but cleared his throat as he shook his head. "I mean.... I'm not here to make a friendly visit, Ginjou, and you know that. You should know what I'm here for, so don't lie to me." Ginjou stared at him and his smile fell for a moment, making Ichigo more alert. But the praetor smirked again, as he slowly walked up to him, and Ichigo tried hard not to jump away from the personal space between them.

"And what exactly do I know, Ichigo?" he questioned. "The last time we have talked, you had me cornered with a sword at my throat, and we all knew how did that turn out to be."

"Exactly, and you yourself decided to talk to me again on the first day of the gladiator game, involving a deal," frowned Ichigo. Ginjou chuckled and shook his head, but his narrowed eyes were saying something.

"Well.... the deal didn't happen, Ichigo," he said. " That Gaul didn't win the primus as promised and now his friend's in my custody--"

"That's a fucking lie and you know it, Ginjou," scoffed Ichigo, and Ginjou was slightly surprised by his sudden comment. But he smirked just the same as he looked at his now angered eyes.

".... Of course that damn savage would tell you, Ichigo," he muttered. "I know he would tell you that I gave him a different deal from the one I gave you.... that should he lose the primus, he could get his friend back."

"And it wasn't his friend from the fucking start....!" he scowled.

"No, but he was close to the description and that was good enough to bring down the champion," chuckled Ginjou. "Tell me, Ichigo, was the Gaul bawling in his room like a little child, devastated about losing the one thing that kept him alive all this time?"

"You are truly enjoying this.... taking someone out one way or another, just because they had somewhat offended you," Ichigo scoffed in utter disgust. "Why did you do this to him, Ginjou? What is there to get out of him losing, just so you can have a chance to kill him?"

"Heh.... at first, I truly wanted to, but this is far more fun," he chuckled again. "Bit by fucking bit, I will destroy him, until he's nothing but a shell of himself. He will be nothing but a loser, and he won't be a hero to you. Do you understand that, Ichigo?"

"No, I don't," Ichigo retorted. "Grimmjow was the best gladiator in the empire and for you to destroy the one and only thing that made him into what he is, that's the one insult I cannot stand." Instead of feeling miffed by his comments, Ginjou merely smirked as he leaned closer to his face, his acrid breath from wine consumption assaulted Ichigo's nose but still held his ground.

"And what, pray tell, are you going to do about it, Ichigo....?" he questioned, his sepia eyes flashed rather threateningly. "This is not my former uncle's villa. You are all alone in my home, guarded by my own men. I highly doubt that you would pull out a sword and try to fight me like before. You're defenseless here, and that's the biggest mistake you've done." Ichigo saw his eyes turning lecherous and his instinct instantly turned up into full level.

Within a second, he willed his feet to move for the door, hoping to flee from this man as soon as possible. It really was a bad idea to come here alone. But the moment he reached for the handle, he was roughly grabbed by the shoulders and was tossed across the room. "Agghh....!" he yelped out after fumbling to the floor, but his fight-or-flight instinct was high as he quickly got to his feet. But it wasn't fast enough, as Ginjou grabbed for him the moment he tried and pinned him over the desk.

"Arghh...! You fucker....!" Ichigo scowled in pain, but a sense of panic thumped in his heart as he winced from the biting grip on his arms behind his back. Ginjou let out a dark breathy chuckle, his body pressed against the teen's squirming one as he leaned close to his ear.

"You won't get away from me that easily...." he muttered. "We will pick up where we left off last year, and this time there's nobody to help you...." Ichigo struggled again, only to freeze when he suddenly felt a bulge at the back of his thigh. "Oh, will you be good for me today, Ichigo....?" he smirked, seeing the widened brown eyes full of panic and fear. "Scream for help all you want, I doubt that my subordinates or slaves will come to your aid. And who will help you afterwards....? With the Gaul being seen with contempt, you are nothing more than a weak little boy." Gripping his arms tighter, Ginjou heard Ichigo letting out a pained noise.

"S-stop it....! You know I will go to Aizen for this--" he warned, but felt a sharp yank at his hair and was forced to look at the glaring eyes.

"As if you would fucking dare to, without a tongue to spew at...." he threatened, but a cruel smirk twisted his face. "Come on, I'm not a bad guy.... if you would just give in to me, I can be a gentle lover to you...."

".... I will never be with you, Ginjou," gritted Ichigo. "I will never lay with the man who threatened my life countless times, who treats anyone as if they are less than nothing.... I won't lower myself towards a shit-eating fuck like you."

"Tch, do you hear yourself, Ichigo? So you only see anyone as equal, as always," smirked Ginjou, pinning him closer to the desk surface. "That Gaul lost the primus and yet you still saw him as friend anyway. You should lose your trust on him now while you still have a chance, and make yourself with a true Roman."

"You're not a true Roman, Ginjou.... and I will never lose trust on Grimmjow," he gritted.

"And why not? Why is that fucking Gaul so important to you that you're willing to defend a slave so many times?" he questioned.

".... Because I'm with him, I'm with Grimmjow as more than just a friend...." Ichigo finally admitted. The moment he said those words, the dark eagerness on the praetor's expression fell almost immediately from the implication. Did he hear that right....? Ichigo.... in a relationship with a low-class savage other than friendship....? It couldn't be right, this wasn't right....!"

"What.... did you fucking say?" he gasped, and Ichigo managed to make a smile.

"You heard me.... I won't ever be with you because I'm with Grimm--" But his words were instantly cut off when Ginjou suddenly tossed him against the wall. Intense pain exploded against the side of Ichigo's head before he was pinned again, a strong arm pressing hard against his chest as the other hand coiled around his throat. "A-ahh...!" Ichigo choked out, feeling the large fingers close enough to squeeze his windpipe.

"You.... let that Gaul stick his filthy cock into you countless times, Ichigo?" Ginjou questioned, his tone hovered with quiet fury as his narrowed eyes glared on the panicked teen. "When....? When did this happen?" Ichigo wouldn't tell him, or rather couldn't with the hand on his throat, and Ginjou's face was slowly turning red with anger. He had wanted him for so long, and to have Grimmjow to take away the one vital thing that he himself wanted to take. ".... When the fuck did you start to suck off that savage Gaul, you fucking whore!" he seethed.

"Ahh!" Ichigo yelped out the moment he felt a strong smack across the face, blood splurted out of his nose and bottom lip. He was then grabbed by his shoulders and slammed against the wall with more pain traveling up his spine and head.

"You fucking tell me now, Ichigo!" Ginjou snarled, slamming him again. "You fuck that Gaul and yet you won't lay with me, a true Roman! You dare to do so!" Ichigo winced when Ginjou pinned his body against him, even with the anger the older man was still getting aroused as he could feel it against his stomach. This man was still willing to assault him regardless and he couldn't escape from it. "Is it really worth it, to fuck the one who serves you, that you are in an actual relationship with some barbarian?" he seethed furiously. "Did he feel that good to you, to have you underneath him like some lover?"

"That's because I am his lover....!" Ichigo yelled back, nealy startling the praetor. "And he is mine....! There's no one else I love but him and only him, and nothing can change that, Ginjou....!" The grip on Ichigo's clothing shook as Ginjou huffed through his nostrils, his teeth gritting to the point of practically cracking. So that was it, it explained so much of why Ichigo had been defending the Gaul so many times, in more ways than one. It was because the teen loved him....

".... Then it would give me a real reason to kill you, right after I'm done with you...." he threatened so lowly.

"N-no! Stop it....!" he cried out, earning another smack across his face. Another splatter of blood spewed out before he was dragged back to the desk. "Stop! Stop it, Ginjou!" he cried as he struggled against him, feeling the thin fabric rip apart. His heart was jumping wildly, it was happening like the last time. But now there was no one to protect him, Grimmjow wasn't here to save him like before. As Ginjou attempted to pin his arms behind his back, Ichigo struggled once more until one of his arms got loose, and almost in an instant.... his hand landed on the sheathed dagger holstered by Ginjou's waist.

Whether it was instinct or the state of panic that took over, it didn't matter as he quickly gripped the handle and took it out before Ginjou even realized what was happening. "Yahh....!" he yelled out, suddenly slashing at his thigh.

"Aaahhh! Ahh, fuck....!" Ginjou screamed out from the deep slash, blood gushed out as he stumbled back from the shock and the pain. But by doing so, Ichigo jumped away from him, rushing for the closed door. "You fucker! I'll fucking kill you....!" roared Ginjou, staggering to reach for him. But Ichigo's adrenaline was still high, as he saw the older man rushing for him like a madman.

"Get away from me!" Ichigo yelled in a panic, this time slashing at his shoulder.

"Fuck!" Ginjou screamed out in pain and stumbled away, gripping at his injured arm. The distraction was more than enough for Ichigo escape as he swung the door open and ran out. He saw some of the praetor's subordinates, possibly heard the commotion, coming at him. "Get him, get him now....!" commanded Ginjou as he hobbled out of the office.

But Ichigo was quicker than the armored soldiers, ducking from the grabs as he slipped from them. With the confusion and the reluctance of following orders, he was able to escape as he was fled around the corner. Some of the slaves who heard of the commotion scattered and shrieked when they saw the teen armed with a weapon running around. Even Tsukishima, who was practically unnoticed, was shocked at the sight of Ichigo running past him. Something had happened, as the guards was chasing after him.

Finally reaching for the front doors, Ichigo dropped the dagger as he opened them, hearing the guards closing on him. If he were to get caught then he was done for. Running into the city was the safest option. He felt the fingers closing in on him, but darted out of the way and ran outside, nearly stumbling over the steps before going into full sprint into the streets. The soldiers rushed out but paused, even with the unusually bright hair color it was hard to point the teen out of the moving crowd.

".... What the fuck happened!" snarled Ginjou from behind, startling the subordinates as he staggered forward, leaving a dripping bloody trail on the floor. "How can you let him go just like that, you useless fuckers!" he demanded.

"W-we're so sorry, Praetor....!" stammered the soldiers. "We could apprehend him at his home if you want--"

"You idiot! Are you trying to bring attention towards me if you were to do that?" he scowled furiously. "It's fucking too late now, it won't matter anyway! Those old fuckers at the Senate will find out about it sooner or later, and it won't be long until they'll get rid of me....!" He winced at the searing pain at his thigh and stumbled back a few steps before one of the soldiers attempted to support him. "Don't fucking touch me, you shit-eater! Just get me the fucking medicus!" he growled, shoving him away before he hobbled back to his office.

Nothing but pure fury wracked his mind, the thought of Ichigo being in a relationship with a Gaul-- a slave who wasn't even worth the damn air to breathe in-- had made him utterly angry. No, not angry.... that emotion wasn't strong enough for what he was feeling right now. Even through all of that scheme he had done to bring down Grimmjow, from the start that shit-eathing Gaul had already won by taking Ichigo's innocence months before. They were laughing behind his back, he believed. Everybody had always been, because they always looked down on him and criticized him over every little thing all of his life.

Ichigo.... Ichigo will truly pay, and so will Grimmjow. As soon as he reached to his office, he noticed Tsukishima out of the corners of his eyes, standing nearby with a worried look on his face but was obviously afraid to speak his mind as he wrung his hands. ".... Get the fuck outta my sight if you know what's good for you, you leech," he threatened as he stepped into the office. Tsukishima gasped softly but that was expected anyway, as he eventually went to his former task. He has to clean up the floor all over again now it was stained with blood.

(Blood and Sand)

Huffing softly, Epona was getting tired of standing as she plopped herself down on the straw-covered ground, much to Grimmjow's slight annoyance. He was trying to take his losing in the primus off his mind with feeding and brushing the mare but she was aware of his absence and was just as annoyed. She grunted at him, probably trying to give him tough love for not caring for her and Grimmjow knew that. ".... I'm sorry, girl, I didn't mean to feel sorry for myself for so long," he muttered, tossing the brush aside.

Epona grunted to accept the apology, but her eyes glanced up to see his brooding expression. Something must have happened for the Gaul to be acting this way. Grimmjow knelt beside her and leaned against the very warm but tough body, listening to the calm spring breeze outside. As much as he wanted to stop mulling, he still couldn't help thinking about the effect of his loss, of how he was ridiculed and jeered at by the people who had considered a foreign savage like him as a hero. He wondered how the others at Urahara's ludus would feel about it, notably Renji.

That red-haired gladiator was no doubt disappointed about him losing, but also of how he lost. There was a good chance of being confronted over it and it would be a hard time to talk about it. He then wondered about Urahara, the often eccentric lanista. He had heard that the man often cheered up the ones who lost, encouraging to try and win the next fight instead of worrying about his own honors as a Roman.

That much was true. Maybe Urahara would try to cheer him up as well, so it wouldn't feel as bad as he would expect it to be. He stiffened when Epona twitched her ears forward to a sudden noise outside. He heard it too, it sounded like rustling footsteps coming to the stall as he stood to see who was coming. But he didn't have a chance to take a step when he saw Nel walked in with a small basket of horse treats. Both of them froze at the sight of one another for a moment, before Grimmjow's frown deepened in annoyance.

".... I assume you are feeling better, right?" Nel asked quietly. "Ichigo was worried sick about you for days, to think that you would mope around over just one loss--"

"Breathe one more word, woman.... I dare you," Grimmjow muttered lowly. Yet Nel was unaffected by his half-hearted threat as she cautiously walked up to Epona. The horse saw the treats but didn't really want them for the moment and resumed resting on her belly. "What're you doing here...?"

"Isn't it obvious? Ichigo and the twins had been taking care of the horse in your absence, and I've been helping as well," she replied as she placed the food into the feeding basket. "As a matter of fact, Ichigo's the one who had been working to the bones trying to care for her, his mind occupied over the fact that you were still in bed and not doing anything. If his father weren't so lenient about you, you would've been in deeper trouble over your ridiculous behavior."

"I knew that--"

"If you did, you would have gotten over it within a couple of days and went back to work," Nel debated, looking sternly at him. "Clearly, one loss must have hurt you that much."

"You weren't told?" questioned Grimmjow.

"About what?"

"I was forced to lose, by Ginjou, when he tricked me and Ichigo into thinking that he was holding my friend hostage," he pointed out.

"And you seriously believed his words....?" Nel asked dubiously.

"Tch, if you had heard it from Ichigo, you wouldn't doubt such a thing....!" scoffed Grimmjow, seeing Nel bristling from his comment.

"And does that supposed to mean?"

"I'm nothing but a fucking joke to you now, woman....!" he huffed in annoyance. "Is this how you wanted me to me, a loser just so I could back away from Ichigo--"

"Lower your voice about that....!" Nel whispered harshly as she glared at him. "I don't want anybody else hearing about this! That is not the reason why I would think of it!"

"Then what? Are you still upset about us being together?" he questioned.

"What do you think....? I only backed off Ichigo over telling his father about it because he was worried for you, but there's no point of delaying it," she frowned. "As soon as you're back into the arena, I will tell Ichigo again not for his sake for yours as well."

"Me? Yeah, right.... as if you care about me," snorted Grimmjow before stepping out of the stall.

"Well, if you care about Ichigo enough then you would understand--"

"That what? If Ichigo tell his father about us, there's a good chance I might get in trouble for it," he scoffed at her.

"But if the two of you get caught without telling the both of you will get in trouble," she pointed out.

"Then I guess it's better that way, instead of me being the only one," he said spitefully.

"Grimmjow....! You don't understand--" Nel said as she followed after him. But Grimmjow suddenly stopped walking and she paused as well, noticing a shocked look on his face. "What is it--" she asked, only to be cut off when the Gaul suddenly took off, dashing down the hill. That was when she finally saw what was happening and she gasped in horror.

It was Ichigo, out of breath and staggering up the slope before Grimmjow ran up to him. But it was more than that.... The teen's face was bruised up and bloodied, his clothes were ripped in some parts, and his amber-brown eyes were wide with fear and panic. "Ichigo....! Fuck! Ichigo, what happened!" Grimmjow questioned with his own sense of fear, rushing up to him before grabbing him by the shoulders. Ichigo shook in his hands as he looked up at him, and the Gaul instantly knew by his eyes. "Did you.... did you go over there?" he gasped.

"I-I-I'm so sorry.... I-I just thought that...." Ichigo stammered shakily, almost going into shock now that he realized where he was.

"Shit! Calm down, kid, and breathe....!" exclaimed Grimmjow, but Ichigo was hyperventilating and he slumped in his arms once his knees buckled. "Ichigo....!" he gasped. Without hesitating, he hoisted the teen up before turning to the villa, ignoring Nel's shocked stupor.

"Ichigo! Grimmjow, what's going on with Ichigo....!" Nel demanded as she jogged after him. Grimmjow didn't answer at first, he was focused of getting Ichigo inside as fast as possible.

"Hey....! We need help, something's wrong with him!" he yelled out, barging right in as he clutched Ichigo closer. He glanced down at him, the teen was slowly calming down, but he was still pale from fright with his hand clutching at the man's woolly tunic.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry...." he muttered almost incoherently. Grimmjow gritted his teeth before rushing upstairs. As much as he was afraid of everything being revealed, he needed to receive help from the master of the house.

(Blood and Sand)

".... What happened here?" Aizen calmly questioned the moment he stepped into Ginjou's office. Despite being irritant of being attacked by Ichigo for the second time, Ginjou was mildly surprised of seeing the one man who had shunned him just months ago, as Aizen eyed at the injury on his leg being stitched up. "I was hoping that I could speak to you about something rather important.... but it seems that I came at a wrong time. Care to tell me what caused your injuries?" Ginjou growled under his breath but looked away from his critical gaze.

"..... Just a slave who needed to be taught a lesson afterwards, that's all," he grumbled befoe wincing at the pricking pain of the needle piercing through the bloody skin. "What is it that you want? Is there something that needed to be acquired at the moment?" Aizen just sighed, his expression slightly softened as he turned to Gin with a subtle gesture. A second later, the slave moved a spare chair in front of Ginjou before Aizen sat down, his toga folded heavily over his lap.

"Kuugo.... where did we go wrong?" he questioned quietly, and Ginjou glanced at him in slight confusion.

"What are you talking about?"

".... I wondered if I was the one who failed you...." he sighed deeply. "You were very young when you lost your parents, and I was trying my best to make you feel better to live past that transition. But in doing so, you became rather spoiled and arrogant, thinking you can get away with anything regardless of who you hurt. Including me."

".... Well I guess you don't have to worry about that so much now that you've disowned me," Ginjou scoffed quietly. "You could've done yourself a favor and sent me away but you were the fool of raising me. I could never be like you, giving speeches and arguments to old men in togas, I was born to rule and control those who are beneath me. That's why I am the way I am.... I could care less about you, or anyone else for that matter." Aizen just stared at him, no doubt that he was disappointed by his words.

"I see.... I am nothing but a stranger to you, then," he sighed deeply.

"It made no different to me before, why should it now?" scoffed Ginjou. By now, his leg had finished being stitched before it was being bandaged, but the medicus still had work to be done on the shoulder. "Are you done talking to me, is there another trivial matter you want to bother me with?" Aizen frowned but decided not to mention about the accusation from Ichigo as he stood up, with his slave by his side.

"Sooner or later, you will have a downfall, Kuugo. And it won't be coming from anybody else but yourself...." he warned, before turning to leave. Ginjou frowned at his words in slight confusion, wondering about the undertone but he scoffed it off. It was just another lecture coming from the senator.

"Shit! Be careful with that fucking needle....!" he winced when his shoulder was being tended to.

(Blood and Sand)

With a deep grim frown etched on his face, Isshin stared down on Ichigo who was finally resting in his bed. The teen's injuries were fortunately minimal and most of it should heal by the next morning, but the sight of it was rather too much of it to ignore, as he turned to the Gaul who was standing nearby. Grimmjow was just as grim, but right now he was dreadful of being next to this man. He was so used to seeing Isshin being happy-go-lucky that looking at his somber expression was actually scary. ".... What happened to him, Grimmjow?" he questioned quietly, but a sense of anger was evident in his voice. "You told me that he was going to visit a friend, correct?"

"Yes--" Grimmjow answered.

"Then why didn't you bother to accompany him?" he interrogated, narrowing his eyes at him. "Ichigo knows better than to not have a servant to escort him to a destination. So why would he go somewhere alone?"

"I.... I do not know, sir," Grimmjow frowned. "I was confused at first when he suggested it but I assumed he would be safe to go alone."

"Do you know where he was going, Grimmjow?"

"I assumed he would go to the magistrate's house to talk with his sister," he said. "I didn't know that this would happen to him, I really didn't...."

"Well.... if you had been there for him, then none of this would have happened," frowned Isshin. ".... Do you believe that this is a doing of the praetor?" he questioned, catching Grimmjow almost off-guard.

"N-no, I don't believe so--"

"I'm only asking because of what had happened the last time Ichigo was alone, and like before it was from under your care," Isshin said with a deep frown. "I just need to know, Grimmjow, if it's the praetor who had done this to him." Grimmjow stared at him but he himself really knew the truth. The moment he saw Ichigo with the bruises on his face, he had a feeling that the teen had done something he wasn't supposed to. It wasn't like he was naive from the lie earlier, but he thought he saw the truth about him visiting a friend.

".... No, sir, I really don't believe so," muttered Grimmjow. "Considering the backlash I brought to your family after I lost the primus, I assume that it could be anybody who was angry at us. I mean earlier, someone threw garbage at us...." Isshin frowned at him, and Grimmjow hoped that he could believe that. But the father seemed to have taken the answer as he sighed and nodded, scratching at his chin.

"People this days would overreact over such trifling things, and it shouldn't be about that...." he grumbled.

"I'm really sorry for not being there for him," Grimmjow said. "I had a feeling that something wasn't right but--"

"Still, you failed on your part for not looking after him. He would have been safe if you had been there for him," he pointed out with a stern gaze on Grimmjow, who frowned in regret. "You have a lot to think about, Grimmjow, and let's hope that Ichigo would get over this incident as easily as possible."

"I hope so, too...." Isshin merely nodded and walked out of the bedroom, leaving Grimmjow to watch Ichigo for a few moments. Even with the injuries, Ichigo seemed calm underneath the bedsheets but it wasn't good enough for him. Why? Why did he go to confront Ginjou, without him to protect him? Was he doing it out of bravery, after what had happened in the arena? It was downright foolish, yet Grimmjow couldn't blame him. He would have done it himself but that was too obvious. A young Roman like Ichigo was least likely to even harm Ginjou.

".... I can't believe this," sighed Grimmjow as he finally stepped out of the room. But barely two steps out, he saw Nel standing nearby, her expression fixed with concern and worry, but as well as anger as she looked at him. This was really not the time for this right now, as he hastily walked past her.

"Grimmjow--" she called out.

"Don't, not when his father's still around...." he grumbled, rushing downstairs to ground level and then to the underground floor but the woman quickly followed after him with her small nimble feet.

"It doesn't matter anymore....! You knew who or what could be behind Ichigo's injuries, don't you?" she questioned in a low tone. Grimmjow merely growled in response, there was no way he will talk to her out of all people. "Grimmjow....!"

"Why can't you leave it be for a day or two?" he growled in distress. "Ichigo'll be better and you can talk to him then."

"Because I know that you know about it, that you're the reason why he is like that!" she scoffed. Grimmjow gritted his teeth as he stepped into his room but Nel wouldn't go away, her face tinted with anger as he turned to her.

"I cannot be at fault over this, woman....!" he whispered harshly. "I didn't fucking know that Ichigo will go over there to go against Ginjou, so how is this my fault?"

"So you blame him for his own error?" she questioned.

"It's nobody's fault but Ginjou's! He had done far worse than me, and yet I'm the one being blamed for it because of Ichigo!" he snarled in annoyance. "May I remind you that it only takes two people to have such an affair, and it was the kid who wanted to be with me in the first place. Or did you forget that, acting like a good little slave that you are....?"

"What're you saying--" Grimmjow stood in front of her, his narrowed eyes glared down at her as he exhaled through his nostrils.

"Am I that much of monster to you, to everybody here in this villa?" he growled lowly. "Did I take advantage of Ichigo, have I cause terror to his family this entire time? The answer is no to both, and yet you still put me in the same position as the one had destroyed my life."

"And you're destroying Ichigo's life over your relationship, and look at him....!" scoffed Nel. "You're killing him because of his feelings for you! And because of that, you're not dealing with it!"

"Oh, I'm not....?" scowled Grimmjow as he backed away from her. But he turned to his bed and reached underneath the mattress. Nel bristled at the sight of him taking out his hunting knife, but the Gaul suddenly held the blade close to his throat. "Would this make you fucking happy? Me being dead....?" he gritted, and Nel was stunned silence. "Would this prove that I'm nothing to you, so you can keep Ichigo as a little child?" he questioned as he stepped up to her.

"Wh-what're you doing, Grimmjow....?" she gasped as she attempted to step away. But Grimmjow was quick to grab her hand and placed the knife in her hand.

"You hate me so much, right? Then do it....! Stab me right in the fucking heart if that's what you want!" he snarled, the tip of the weapon pointing dangerously close at his chest. "You only wanted me gone from the start, so this is your chance....! Kill me now! Ichigo would truly like it if you do this to me!"

"N-no....! You're talking crazy, Grimmjow!" Nel gasped in horror. She was angry over the relationship, yes, but not to this point. She didn't really want to hurt him as she struggled from his hold. "Let go of me! Stop it!"

"Shut up! I want you to kill me now, woman! Do it, do it now....!" The edge of the blade barely scraped over the woolly fabric before Grimmjow was suddenly pulled away from the woman. He glared to see that it was Chad who was holding him back, but he didn't bother to struggle from his strength. Nel took a deep breath in relief and dropped the knife, but she still couldn't believe it. Why would Grimmjow corner her like that?

"You're insane, Grimmjow....!" she gasped in utter disbelief.

".... Who wouldn't be with you around?" he gritted angrily. "I thought I would always loathe Ginjou for what he had done to me. But now.... you're just as worse as him. You fucking keep putting me down all because of Ichigo, when the kid is trying to do things for himself. He's a fucking man, not a little child you can keep protecting forever, you selfish woman." Finally shrugging off Chad's hold, he glared at Nel and Nel nearly shuddered by his eyes full of contempt. What felt like forever, Grimmjow finally moved to his bed and sat down onto the mattress, bold cyan eyes still on Nel.

"Leave.... I want you to fucking leave me alone now," he growled lowly, cracking his fingers together. "You think I'm that much of a savage? Well, I won't know what else I will do.... if you keep pushing me." Nel just stared at him in disbelief. He was seriously threatening her, after putting up with her consistent dissatisfaction over him for so long. This man was dangerous, yet only in the arena. In the villa, he was more tolerate with mostly everyone, including the twins. But seeing him like this, like a wild animal close to being provoked, was very disturbing and Nel really didn't wish to be here anymore.

"Do you realize what you are talking about--" Chad questioned.

"No, Chad.... we should leave him alone," muttered Nel. "He.... he's clearly feeling bad about over the situation with Ichigo. Maybe he needs to take a breather...." She couldn't seem to shake off the fierce eye contact until she reluctantly left the room, her heart thumping hard as she made her way upstairs. Never had she felt this scared of that man, and she can see why. Grimmjow really was feeling guilty for not being there for Ichigo, but he didn't need to be bothered further about it. True, it was Ichigo's idea to try to do such a foolish thing, but....

Pausing by the garden, she frowned sadly. She wanted to blame Grimmjow for what Ichigo had been doing lately, and yet because of him Ichigo was able to expose that immoral praetor. Then why does she have the need to look at Grimmjow in contempt? Was it because that both of them were in a forbidden relationship....? It was wrong, both of them were wrong, but still.... she had never seen Ichigo so happy in her life ever since the death of his mother. Grimmjow was the reason Ichigo was able to smile more.

"You okay, Nel....?" Chad asked her, patting her on the shoulder. Nel shook her head and sighed, crossing her arms in an effort to comfort herself.

"Everything's falling apart.... I don't think I can handle the way it is coming to," she mumbled. "I know that Ichigo's growing up but I don't know what to do about it. I knew his entire life and for him to being secretive behind my back.... I suppose that's why I'm blaming Grimmjow since he's always around him," she partially admitted. Nobody else shouldn't have to know the real reason behind Ichigo's behavior. ".... Ichigo will be all right tomorrow, I'll make sure of it. He still needs me."

"I know...." sighed Chad.

(Blood and Sand)

Even after a few weeks, the tension still lingered around the ludus, and it was making Renji feel annoyed to say the least. He didn't tell his master or Rukia about his suspicion over Grimmjow's sudden lost, as he assumed that he would see the Gaul after a few days of healing up. But he hadn't returned, and the red-head didn't want to act like he was being impatient about it. Instead, he concentrated on his own training. The next game was in less than a week, and he couldn't afford have his strength dwindle.

Grimmjow should have been here days ago, but this was getting ridiculous. One single loss should not deter the man, no matter how much their ego had gotten bruised. Something was definitely up, he thought, before he heard a murmur of commotion behind him. He turned to see what was going on, but the other fighters immediately went silent as he suddenly saw a familiar sight among them. He quietly walked closer to get a better look, only to frown in disbelief.

Finally, Grimmjow came back, but he looked far less than enthusiastic. As a matter of fact, he seemed very irritated of being here at all, with his jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed at the ground. Something wasn't right, but Renji didn't have a chance to say a word as Urahara appeared onto the training ground, a serious frown fixed on the lanista's face. ".... I know that all of you wish to speak to Grimmjow, but right now you should go back on your training," he said. "Grimmjow here will train by himself and no one is to disturb him. Are we clear on that?"

"Yes, Master...." the fighters said in more or less of an unison.

"Okay then.... are you all right with that, Grimmjow?" Urahara asked with a light smile as he glanced at Grimmjow.

".... If it's possible, I would like to train with Renji for a while," muttered Grimmjow, and Renji heard that and he blinked in slight confusion.

"Very well.... Renji, spar with him, why don't you?"

"Y-yeah, I could do that," nodded Renji. With that said, Grimmjow slowly made his way to the red-haired man, but passed him to go to the farthest corner on the training ground. Taking the signal, Renji grabbed for a spare practice sword and followed after him, watching for anything from the Gaul. ".... You're feeling all right, Grimmjow?" he muttered.

".... Just been thinking about what has happened," sighed Grimmjow.

"Come on, I know that it was your very first loss but you shouldn't be in such a terrible mood about it," Renji frowned. "Here, let's practice before Kenpachi makes a fuss," he said as he handed him the sword. Grimmjow took it with a grim frown, but it looked like he had already lost his spirit to fight. Looking at him at a pitiful state was making Renji frowned in utter annoyance and agitation. "Grimmjow.... Grimmjow, look at me."

".... What is it, Renji?" he grumbled when he looked at him. He didn't have a chance to dodge a sudden hook across his face, and he stumbled onto the sandy ground with a painful groan.

"Listen right here.... don't waste my fucking time if you keep feeling sorry for yourself, Grimmjow," he scoffed. "I know it was the primus, but it was just one match....! You think you were the only one who lost such a title? Only a few of us had the chance to become champion, and that was good enough....!"

"No.... no, it's not good enough for me," Grimmjow muttered, slowly getting to his feet. But Renji scoffed at that, shaking his head in disbelief.

"If that was true, then you would've gotten back on your feet soon after your defeat," he said with a deep frown. "I don't fucking understand this, Grimmjow. Why did you lose, when there were so many ways in which you could have defeated your opponent...? Is there something you're not telling me?" Wiping the blood from his lips, Grimmjow stared at him before looking away. He wasn't exactly sure of how to explain it to him but he could try.

".... What's the status of my friend, Renji?" he asked, and Renji was nearly surprised by his question.

"Must you really ask about it now--" he questioned.

"Please, Renji...." Grimmjow pressed, his disheartened eyes stared back at him. "Is he all right? I just need to know, Renji...." Renji glanced back at him and sighed.

"The traders had left Damascus already, but they're halfway to here," he muttered. "They'll be here within a month or two, that's what my master said."

"But he's going to be here, right? My real friend, is he coming back?"

"Uh, yes, Grimmjow.... what was that about?" Renji frowned in confusion.

"Huh? I assume you were already told...." Grimmjow muttered, but realization dawned on him as his eyes slightly widened. "You weren't told, fuck...."

"Wait a minute, Grimmjow.... I wasn't told what exactly?" Renji questioned, grasping him by the shoulders. "Does it have to do with your loss--"

"Hey! Stop fucking around and get to work....!" Kenpachi caught them and glared him with his good eye from nearby. Renji sighed but stepped away from Grimmjow as he gripped his fake sword. Grimmjow took the message and braced himself, looking at the other man with a half-hearted stare. They both knew that he didn't really feel like sparring, but he didn't have any choice in the matter.

"Tell me one thing, Grimmjow...." Renji muttered to him. "Why were you that concerned about your friend....?"

".... Ask you master that. See if any of his documents had been missing, courtesy of Ginjou," he replied just before he rushed at him. Renji immediately parried his strike, keeping a fair distant between the both of them. What did Grimmjow mean by that? His master's documents, some of them were missing...? Thinking about it, Byakuya's work had been hectic in the last few months but the nobleman wasn't the type to be so disorganized. It wasn't his way to ask out of place but it sounded like it was more complex than Grimmjow's loss.

(Blood and Sand)

".... Are you certain about this, Renji? How can this be related to Grimmjow's loss, and regarding his friend?" Byakuya asked as he shifted through his papers in his office. Renji just shook his head, skimming through the pages at a faster pace. "And with the praetor being behind all of this.... how could this be?"

"Trust me on this, I had a feeling that Grimmjow's match was odd from the start," he scoffed. "If it was just any ordinary match, then Grimmjow wouldn't be in such a mess. But.... maybe he was being wrong about it, Master. He had abhorrence against the praetor, I know that, but...."

"Renji, Renji.... I understand that," Byakuya nodded. "Let's think back. How can the praetor know of Grimmjow's lost friend, when he had thought that he had killed his followers off? And if he knows, then how can he got ahold of that information if not from Ichigo....?"

"And that is why we're doing this, Master," he said as he glanced at him. "Grimmjow mentioned that Ginjou got the information by stealing your papers, and because of that he threatened Grimmjow into losing his title. Come on, that cannot be a lie. Knowing the praetor, he would stoop that low to get what he wants."

"But to steal my work? By doing so, he's risking his own job and livelihood...."

"Who knows? But I trust Grimmjow on this," Renji assured. "Now let's think.... the last time the praetor was here.... you talked to him about those Germanic villager his soldier placed into slavery."

".... That was well over a month ago, close to two months," Byakuya realized, before moving to another pile of documents on a nearby table. "Let's see, let's see...." he frowned, flipping through the parchments one by one. "Oh...."

"What is it? You found it?" questioned Renji and went up to him.

".... Quite the opposite, it's not here at all," Byakuya frowned in disbelief as he looked through them for the second time. "This is unbelieveable, I could have sworn that I had it on the day he was here...."

"So it is true...." Renji scoffed quietly. "Ginjou really used the information to threaten Grimmjow on that day, maybe to make him think that he had him hostage just so his chances of winning was shattered completely."

"This is a key evidence that Ginjou commited a crime," frowned Byakuya. "He stole from the magistrate and he fixed the primus.... We must discuss this to Senator Aizen, no doubt that he found out about it."

"I have a feeling that he does," he nodded. "Ichigo probably went to him first, since it is his uncle. Or former uncle at that...." The magistrate nodded in agreement, gripping at the parchments in his hands. "So.... what now? Will the public know about this, Master?"

"There had been history of fixed games, courtesy of the past emperors and other nobles, Renji. I'm sorry, but the commoners didn't know about it then but they cannot know about this one as well," he shook his head. "It would make them question about one of the few entertainments they can afford. We couldn't really risk that, Renji."

"So Grimmjow really has to win back his popularity," frowned Renji.

"Don't worry about it so much.... Knowing him, he will get back to his usual self very soon," he assured him but Renji frowned just the same. Grimmjow wasn't even half of his true form during today's sparring, as he didn't bother to block or dodge much of the obvious attacks. It made the red-head miserable to see him in that state, he himself was never like that when he lost for the first time. Now he wondered how he will fare in the upcoming game.

"....Let's just hope that Grimmjow's head is in a right set for the coming day...." he sighed deeply.

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Ughhh, I took way too long.... I can't believe that the recent chapters in Bleach is getting crazy. Kenpachi's getting a name for his sword, Ichigo's finally realizing he's part Quincy, the fact that Masaki was this close of being married to Uryu's dad (Eww), I gotta say Kubo-sensei has a way of trolling people with the lame chapters before something wowzer happens!

So, what do ya'll think of this chapter? I'm only asking because the next few ones would be uber-lunatic!

Read and review.

I'll update ASAP!
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