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Two Sides to Every Coin	By : Raceysama Category: Bleach > Yaoi - Male/Male > Grimmjow/Ichigo Views: 3000 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, nor do I make any profit from these works......

Chapter List
- 7
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- 9
CHAPTER 7: ABJECT COWARDICE

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach...

Onwards...

XOXOXOXO

4:15 PM

"Shinji, it's not that serious," Ichigo stated blandly. Shinji gave him an incredulous look before rolling his eyes and waving his hand dismissively.

"It certainly didn't seem that way when you got here."

Ichigo glared at Shinji murderously. He had unfortunately seen Ichigo being dropped off by Grimmjow and had automatically kicked everything the hell out of proportion.

Ichigo had been climbing the stairs lost in thought and lust, when he was ambushed by an over-curious Shinji bombarding him with questions and accusations. Ichigo had been far from prepared and his blush coupled with his flustered stammering had been a veritable field day for his blond friend.

Now, Shinji was prying and demanding answers because "not only is this your first romance, but it's with a guy!" Ichigo had a headache and all he really wanted to do was get showered, eat, and possibly catch a nap before Grimmjow's fight. Not that he was going to have any luck in the nap department with "Sir Nose" there.

"Shinji, it's not a damn romance! We only know each other in passing," Ichigo snapped.

"Yeah, but you like him. It was written all over your face so don't even try to deny it." Shinji's eyes were twinkling like stars and his hands were clasped together as he squealed like a groupie. "Uwwaahhhhh! Ichi-chan has a crush!"

Oh, good grief, kill him now. Ichigo wasn't in the mood for this shit! He'd wanted to be alone with his strange little musings of the blue-haired god that was Grimmjow. The man was absolutely intoxicating. His smell, his eyes, his hair, his smile, his voice...what was he talking about again? Oh yeah, Shinji.

Ichigo gave a dramatic sigh of his own and stalked into the bathroom to shower and give himself a few moments of peace. Shinji had been right about one thing though, he did like Grimmjow. True, he knew next to nothing about him, but that was how initial attraction worked, right? What he did know was that the man was sexy as ice water in a drought, had a sinful voice and a badass bike. What wasn't to like?

'Ya gonna talk to him again, King?'

Crap, Ichigo had almost forgotten about Shiro's omnipresence. He was in the middle of washing his hair when he finally decided to inwardly speak.

'Maybe.'

'What's the problem?' Shiro asked, genuine concern in his tone.

'Nothing.'

'Liar. King, ya can't really hide things from me. I only bother askin' for the sake of conversation.'

'What do I say? Shit, what the hell do I do? Everytime I see him I get all...stupid,' Ichigo thought angrily. Shiro cackled.

'Start with bein' yerself. Although, I gotta say, seein' ya fumblin' around like a girl is pretty entertainin'.'

'I hate you sometimes, you know that?'

'Well, that's not very nice,' Shiro commented through his chuckles.

Ichigo rolled his eyes and rinsed off before climbing out of the shower and wrapping a towel around his waist. Grabbing another towel for his hair he headed to his room to get dressed, unknowingly followed by Shinji.

"So, what happened? I want details," Shinji prodded from the doorway and Ichigo whirled around barely holding back a scream.

"Shinji! Get your ass outta my room so I can dress!" Ichigo snapped, his heart still galloping behind his ribs.

"Jeez, don't get your panties in a bunch, Ichi-chan."

Ichigo growled as he watched Shinji disappear from his room. Fucking Yoruichi! She just had to blab that stupid name around him and now he won't let it go. Ichigo shoved himself into clean boxers and black socks, black jeans and a simple black long-sleeved fitted thermal shirt, then switched his flesh-colored tongue ring for a black one decorated with a white skull, that he'd only just bought yesterday. He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. Yeah, right. His hair was pretty much untameable so he let it do its own thing.

He trudged into the living room and flopped onto the couch waiting for Shinji to begin the inquisition. He was perched on the arm of the couch watching Ichigo with a small smirk.

"You look nice, Ichi-chan," he commented.

"Shinji, do you want me to break you in half?"

"Not particularly. I'm just happy you finally found someone you like."

Ichigo hated when Shinji did that. He would get under Ichigo's skin and then turn all nice in the next instant. It was frustrating because he just wanted to tear into Shinji like a pitbull with a steak and then he would pull the sweet card on Ichigo.

"Tch, whatever. I'm assuming you're coming with me tonight," Ichigo dead-panned and stretched out on the couch.

"I wouldn't miss this even if you paid me to."

Ichigo rolled his eyes and put his arms behind his head. He was taking a nap, Shinji be damned.

"I'm going to sleep so shut up and wake me at eleven please," Ichigo mumbled, his eyes drifting shut.

"Che, the nerve of this guy."

XOXOXOXO

9:45 PM

His body wouldn't keep still no matter how much he willed it to. He was antsy, restless, anxious, excited. Grimmjow was always like this before a fight but for some reason, tonight he was even more-so. He wouldn't be taking Desgarron out because he could never anticipate his condition after a fight, so instead he would hitch a ride with Nnoitra. Speaking of Jiruga...

"Damn."

Grimmjow glanced at Nnoitra seated on the couch, with a questioning expression. Nnoitra shook his head slightly as he held his cell phone pressed to his ear.

"Who the fuck woulda done somethin' like that?" He growled into the device. "Shit. Fine."

Nnoitra snapped the phone shut, his brows drawn together in a deep scowl, and his jaw tense. Grimmjow raised a brow but kept silent knowing Nnoitra would speak when he was ready.

"Ya 'member that guy that worked on Aizen's office floor? The secretary? I forget his name. Used ta follow me around and shit whenever I went up there?"

"Tesla?"

"Yeah! Well, he's dead. Somebody offed him," Nnoitra grumbled as Grimmjow frowned. What the hell?

"Why would someone kill him? He was kinda quiet, didn't do much other than his job. Oh, and kiss your ass of course," Grimmjow grinned. Everyone knew Tesla was crazy about Nnoitra, even the man himself.

"Shut up! I feel bad enough already, don't need ya rubbin' the shit in. Anyways, the bitch says he was found in a warehouse in the industrial area with a note stuck to his chest."

"You're not one for suspense, why start now?" Grimmjow snapped. The way Nnoitra was looking at him was making an ominous feeling slither across his skin. Nnoitra grinned.

"Sounds like ya got yerself a fan, Grimm."

"Spit it the fuck out, Jiruga!"

"Shit, don't have a fuckin' cow," Nnoitra sobered and gave him a pointed stare. "The note said 'the Sexta is next'."

A sick foreboding sensation formed in the pit of his stomach as he was reminded of Nel's visit earlier that day. Was that why she was so worried? Made sense, now that he thought about it.

Well, fuck that and all that shit! Grimmjow wasn't about to be intimidated by some pussy with a grudge. That wasn't his style. This guy was barking up the right tree if he was looking for blood.

"Well, shit, I better not disappoint him," Grimmjow commented, simultaneously giving a sinister smirk.

"Damn, kinda wish it was me fightin' tonight, now," Nnoitra muttered.

Grimmjow was lost in thought. So, someone wanted to kill him, huh? Did they think it was gonna be easy? Ha! Whoever it was would see what happened to pricks that threatened him.

XOXOXOXO

10:32 PM

"Should we cancel the appointment?" Ulquiorra asked. Aizen shook his head as he steepled his fingers.

"No, just be sure to have Szayel on standby. I don't like when my fighters are threatened, and having a loyal employee of mine destroyed in that manner is completely unacceptable, but I will not cower from such base intimidation tactics. I assume Grimmjow would not appreciate the cancellation either."

"No, he would not, Aizen, sir," Ulquiorra agreed.

"That will be all then, Ulquiorra."

"Yes, sir."

Ulquiorra exited the office and Aizen reached into his desk drawer for the bottle of aspirin he kept for emergencies such as this. Gin instantly handed him a glass of water from the mini-bar located in the corner of the room.

"Thank you, Gin," he stated before swallowing the pills and chasing them with the water. "How disappointing."

"I wonder why they killed Tesla, of all people, though," Gin mused aloud as he rubbed his chin.

"That is inconsequential. The fact remains that Tesla was loyal and mine, therefore steps will be taken to discourage further foolish acts," Aizen stated, his voice only mildly irritated.

"Of course, Aizen, sir."

XOXOXOXO

11:30 PM

Ichigo was early since the fight was scheduled for midnight, but he was anxious. Not only did he want to see Grimmjow again, but he also wanted to see how the man fought, to see if he was as dangerous as his aura made him appear.

Ichigo had been given a key-that looked more like a metal credit card-and a formal picture ID to access Hueco Mundo. He felt like James Bond or, better yet, Batman going to the bat cave and he had to admit, it gave him a thrill. Not to mention, the look on Shinji's face was well worth the aggravation he'd endured earlier.

"Ichi-chan, this is-"

"Shinji, I will murder you and promptly dispose of the body if you call me that again," Ichigo growled dangerously. Shinji's eyes widened before he grinned saucily.

"Sorry, Ichi, it's sorta become a habit."

"You better get out of it 'cause if you call me that in here, I'll make sure you're never able to enjoy sex again," Ichigo said, thoroughly enjoying the way Shinji's face paled as he gulped.

"Ok, ok."

They arrived at a set of large, steel double doors guarded by a pair of equally large men. Ichigo could feel Shinji clinging to him like a barnacle as he approached the men with his ID.

"So yer the new Septima, eh? Yer kinda cute," the ape on the left said, grinning lecherously at Ichigo and making him shudder. Yeeeaaahh, no thanks.

"Can we go in now?" Ichigo asked impatiently.

"Sure."

The men pressed identical buttons on either side of the doors, making them swing open. Ichigo's anxiety spiked sharply at the sight of a crowd of people gathered at the bottom of a cement staircase. The cheers and screams were at ear-splitting levels as the men and women watched two men fighting in the center of a circular area blocked off by a thick metal railing.

Ichigo could feel tension and excitement rippling through the arena and it raised his heart rate enormously. He was so focused on the sight before him, that he didn't notice Shinji pinching his side until he gave up and harshly pulled Ichigo's ear.

"Oww! The fuck, Shinji!"

"Earth to Ichigo, there are seats over there so you don't have to stand on the stairs...baka," Shinji chided.

Ichigo glanced in the direction Shinji indicated and blushed furiously upon seeing the amused faces watching him.

"That's certainly deja vu," Nnoitra said with his characteristic grin displayed.

"I was thinking the same thing," Nel giggled. Deja vu?

"What do you mean?" Ichigo questioned as he took a seat next to Nel.

"That's what Shiro did too when he first walked in. You both stood at the top of the stairs and tuned everything else out," she explained.

Ichigo "mm'ed" and continued taking note of who was present. Nnoitra, Nel, Stark, Yammy, Ulquiorra, Szayel...where was Grimmjow? Ichigo didn't see him but he did notice Nnoitra watching him and wearing that infernal grin.

"What?" Ichigo snapped.

"Looking for someone?"

"No!" But his fiery face may have given him away. A little.

Nnoitra gave his usual cackle and Ichigo slouched in his seat. Shit, was he that obvious? He glanced around again and his eyes met Szayel's narrowed ones. Ichigo grinned wickedly. Messing with Szayel had become sort of a twisted hobby for him since that night a week ago, but before he could open his mouth to antagonize the pink-haired man, the double doors swung open.

Grimmjow stepped through them wearing nothing but a pair of black, loose-fitting drawstring pants. That was it. No shirt. No shoes. Not even any socks. Just the pants. Ichigo touched his chin to check for saliva because he was certain he was drooling.

Ichigo's heart beat so hard and fast it hurt as his eyes greedily devoured Grimmjow's naked torso. Oh my god. His broad shoulders, arms roped with muscle, chiseled pectorals and well-defined abdomen glistened with a fine sheen of perspiration as if he'd warmed up already. He carried a half-empty bottle of water and leaned against the railing surrounding the small platform they were seated on.

Grimmjow was quietly speaking with Nnoitra and Ichigo openly gaped. How the hell did someone manage to look that good? Ichigo shifted in his seat as Grimmjow's gaze finally met his stare. Shit. He was smiling at him and Ichigo's heart felt like it had finally given up on life and plummeted to the depths of his stomach.

'King, calm down. Yer gonna give yerself a heart attack,' Shiro commented as he quietly chuckled. Ichigo took a deep breath.

'Yeah,' Ichigo inwardly agreed.

"So, ya came to watch me fight, huh, Berry?" Grimmjow was now seated next to Ichigo and in the process of taping his hands. When had he moved?

"Figured I'd come see if you're actually worthy of your title," Ichigo said nonchalantly, despite his heart beating in his mouth.

Grimmjow paused in taping his hands and raised an eyebrow at him, then tipped his head back and gave a short bark of laughter.

"Oh, yeah?" He murmured. Ichigo smirked and shrugged. "You better not blink then, you might miss it."

"Oh, don't worry, I won't," Ichigo said and then cringed when he realized how that may have sounded. He peeked at Grimmjow from the corner of his eye and found the man grinning as he taped his foot.

Ichigo glanced around and caught the amused gaze of not only Shinji, but also Nnoitra. Shit.

XOXOXOXO

12:05 AM

It was time. Grimmjow stood in the pit across from a shorter, dark-haired man with dark eyes, who was wearing an all black karate gi with a red dragon emblazoned on the back. The man was currently shooting him a death glare that made Grimmjow grin widely. He cracked his knuckles, then stretched his arms across his chest in the form of a cross. This punk didn't look tough at all.

Grimmjow smirked as he looked up at the Espada platform and focused on a head of bright orange hair. The berry had come to see him and he didn't want to disappoint. Scratch that, he wouldn't. The way the berry had been looking at him on the platform had made Grimmjow want to drag him off somewhere and make him scream bloody murder. In a good way, of course. He didn't know if the berry was aware of the looks he'd been sending him though, which was the only reason Grimmjow hadn't attacked him right then and there.

Menoly approached the center of the pit clutching a cordless microphone and beckoned the fighters towards her. Grimmjow grinned wickedly at the hateful glare coming from his opponent and blew him a kiss. The man curled his lip and snarled only making Grimmjow laugh heartily.

"Tonight's main event is Nagasaki's Tanaka Sasaki AKA Sharp versus Karakura's Sexta Espada, Grimmjow Jaegerjaaaaaaaaaaques!" The screams became deafening as Menoly paused to let the announcement stew. "Rules are: no weapons or foreign substances, other than that, anything goes! Ok, gentlemen, bow." Grimmjow bowed stiffly, his eyes never leaving his opponent's face. "Ok, let's fighto!"

The man, Sharp, backed away a few paces, but that wasn't Grimmjow's style. Instead, he stalked steadily towards Sharp in a calm demeanor as though he were just out for a stroll. As expected, Sharp scowled in confusion and backed up even more until Grimmjow had him pressed against the metal railing. With a wide grin, displaying his sharp canines, he stomped at Sharp.

"Boo!" The man flinched disgracefully and Grimmjow cackled, his eyes bright. "Baaaaka."

Sharp, probably out of embarrassment, swung sloppily at Grimmjow, but Grimmjow countered with a hard left jab followed by an even harder right hook, sending the man skidding across the ground. Grimmjow laughed gleefully and danced on the balls of his feet, rotating his shoulders and cracking his neck. He lived for this kind of thing!

Sharp was slowly climbing to his feet when Grimmjow approached him, stalking him like a panther. Getting a running start, Grimmjow drew back his leg and let his shin connect full-force with Sharp's stomach, propelling the man back to the ground.

Grimmjow allowed Sharp to wobble to his feet and took note of the blood creeping from the man's nose and lip. Grimmjow raised a brow at Sharp's harsh breathing and the way he clutched his stomach. Was he really a fighter?

Suddenly, the man lunged at Grimmjow pretty swiftly for someone who had just looked to be in the throes of exhaustion and tackled him to the ground. What the fuck is this shit? Grimmjow had never seen anyone use a tackle in Hueco Mundo considering the concrete ground of the pit. He hit his right shoulder upon impact with the ground and winced, but simultaneously tried to get a grip on the strangely fast and slippery Sharp as they scuffled.

Suddenly, Grimmjow felt a sharp prick followed by a burning sensation on the left side of his neck. He hissed and grabbed at the spot at the same time that Sharp rolled away and to his feet. What the hell? Grimmjow pulled his hand back and stared at the tiny finger-pricking needle and then at Sharp, who was smirking evily.

"What the fuck did you do?" Grimmjow demanded as he climbed to his feet. He felt his head beginning to get light and swayed dangerously on the spot.

"I don't see you laughing now, Sexta," Sharp taunted, his voice cold and glittering dark eyes filled with hatred. "Consider that a going-away present from Luppi." Grimmjow's eyes widened as he swayed again, reaching his arms out to steady himself.

"What the-" he started, but was cut off by a foot to the face, sending him sprawling to the ground.

What the fuck was on that needle? Grimmjow grasped the small needle in his fist. If he was going to lose he would keep it as evidence that that pussy Sharp cheated.

Suddenly, it felt like everything he'd eaten that day was forcing its way up his throat. Getting to his hands and knees, Grimmjow emptied the contents of his stomach until he was gasping for breath and his eyes watering. It felt like his lungs had decided to deflate and stay that way, burning like they had been ignited after being drenched with lighter fluid.

Grimmjow rolled to his back, lying spread-eagled and still gasping, his limbs going numb. He noticed Szayel in his peripheral vision wearing a dark scowl as he hurried down the stairs leading from the platform, followed by Stark and Nnoitra chasing...Ichigo? Grimmjow's eyes fluttered closed. He had to be seeing things.

XOXOXOXO

Incredible. That was all Ichigo could think as he watched Grimmjow stalking towards his opponent. That is, after nearly being brought to tears by the previous display. Ichigo shook his head in amusement. Grimmjow was an idiot. An incredibly intimidating, graceful and strong idiot.

"He's insane," Shinji breathed. Ichigo nodded his agreement.

"Ain't seen nothin' yet," Nnoitra drawled.

Then everything went horribly wrong. Grimmjow's opponent had abruptly tackled him, taking them both to the ground before jumping back to his feet, leaving Grimmjow on his knees, grabbing his neck.

"Tch, he's cheating," Stark said disgustedly, his laser-like eyes focused on the two in the pit.

Ichigo turned back to the fight in time to see Grimmjow swaying on his feet. What the hell? Next, his opponent had sent Grimmjow to the ground with a kick to his face. When Grimmjow started hurling and gasping for breath, Ichigo was on his feet, anger pulsing off of him in waves.

'King, I'm losin' ya. If ya don't want me ta come out, ya gotta calm down,' Shiro warned.

'I got this,' Ichigo inwardly seethed.

He was beyond furious. Ichigo didn't understand why seeing Grimmjow that way disturbed him so, considering he barely knew him, but one thing he did know was that he fucking despised cheating. It was the lowest of the low in his opinion. Ichigo's teeth were bared in a livid snarl and his hands were fisted at his sides.

"I-Ichigo?" Nel questioned hesitantly, drawing everyone's attention to the irate red-head. Shinji held his hand to Ichigo's shoulder, but Ichigo shrugged it off after seeing Grimmjow sprawl onto his back and Szayel rushing towards the pit.

"Fuck that," he spat and followed quickly behind Szayel.

Ichigo could feel Shiro buzzing in his head with excitement at the prospect of a fight as he stormed down the cement stairs. Once in the pit, Szayel stooped beside an unmoving Grimmjow as Ichigo stalked right up to Sharp and without hesitation punched him in the nose as hard as he could. Even as the man was falling, Ichigo had grabbed his collar and drove his fist repeatedly into his face, relishing the sounds it made with each connection, Shiro howling with mirth the entire time.

All too soon, a pair of arms had snaked underneath Ichigo's armpits and pulled him off of the bloodied disaster underneath him.

"That's enough, kid," Nnoitra growled as he tried to hold Ichigo still.

In the commotion, Sharp had disappeared but that wasn't the biggest problem. All the present Espada were gathered around Grimmjow while Szayel held a penlight to each eye, then checked his breathing. Nel was at his side, crying softly and hugging her arms to her chest. Everyone else just looked pissed, including Ulquiorra who was currently on the phone.

"Stark, get my car. We need to get him out of here immediately, he's not breathing," Szayel hurriedly stated as he handed off a set of keys and began administering CPR.

Stark nodded and rushed up the stairs, taking them three at a time. After a few repetitions, Grimmjow gasped weakly, but his eyes never opened. Szayel snatched a small vial from a black bag and dropped a tiny needle into it before pulling out a mini-intubation kit.

"Nel, can you hold his mouth open?" Szayel asked as he unraveled a plastic tube connected to a small oxygen machine. Nel nodded and did as told, sniffling the whole while. Once Grimmjow was properly intubated, Szayel sat back on his heels. "We need to go."

Surprisingly, Yammy pushed through them, stooped down and scooped Grimmjow into his arms, carefully holding his neck and back straight. Szayel slung the bag containing the oxygen over Yammy's broad shoulder and they hurried up the stairs followed by the remaining Espada.

Ichigo had been rooted to the spot, watching in disbelief, a sick feeling roiling in the pit of his gut, with Shinji at his side equally dumbfounded. What the fuck had just happened?

XOXOXOXO

"You were fucking lucky, you baka! I still can't believe we got out of there alive!" Keiji screeched as he paced the room.

Sharp wasn't thinking about any of that though as he tuned his brother out. He had finally gotten his revenge for Luppi on the Sexta Espada. There was no way he could survive that cyanide. He grinned wickedly before the smile fell as his thoughts landed on the orange-haired demon that had attacked him ruthlessly afterwards.

Sharp held an ice pack to his battered and bruised face as he remembered the insane look on the guy's face. It gave him the creeps. Why were all the fucking Espada such scary bastards?

No matter, he'd achieved his goal and now he could proceed to step two. Things were rolling along rather smoothly.
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Two Sides to Every Coin