Angry at the World

Another rooftop lunch. Almost exactly the same as the day before, he thought while eating his sandwich, except that today Yuzu had prepared Grimmjow his lunch. The arrogant Espada sat next to him studying an apple before taking a hearty, too big bite. He watched him move around the too big piece in his mouth, trying to chew it without embarrassing himself. Ichigo raised an eyebrow.

“What, no apples in Hueco Mundo?” He asked sarcastically. Grimmjow waited to finish chewing to answer.

“Nope. We got food, but not this human shit,” he replied before taking another giant bite. He saw Ishida’s face sour at the sight of his poor manners and smirked. Then his gaze zeroed in on Ishida’s collar.

“Holy shit!” he said, simultaneously leaning forward and shoving Grimmjow’s head.

“Oy!”

“What is it, Kurosaki?” Ishida asked with a blustery sigh.

“Lipstick on your collar,” he said, studying it. A deep red imprint of lips on Ishida’s normally impeccable attire. His face slowly but surely turned crimson, and he covered the offending kiss mark. “From your sweetheeeart?” he asked.

“Shut up Kurosaki! Don’t be jealous that I’ve got more woman than you’ll ever get,” He adjusted his glasses and tried to be arrogant.

“Whoa ho ho, you gonna take that shit Ichigo?!” Renji catcalled. He had to remind himself that no one else would know that, for the most part, he didn’t want that much of a woman.

“Tch, let Ishida show off if he’s that insecure about his manliness,” he said, waving it off.

“I’d be insecure too if I was dating a smoking-hot babe,” Renji said.

“Smokin’ hot babe?” Grimmjow perked up. Ichigo thought that Ishida’s glare might freeze him on the spot. For once he got the hint, and put up his hands in surrender to the Quincy’s glare.

“Don’t act like you’re interested in smoking hot babes, Grimmjow,” Ichigo said darkly.

“Baby, I’m interested in anybody who’s smokin’ hot, I don’t discriminate, y’know?” He replied with a predatory grin. The strawberry rolled his eyes while Renji fumed behind him.

“…You’d better leave Inoue and Rukia alone,” he said flatly, ignoring Grimmjow’s real implication.

“…What?!” He scowled. He could care less about those two.

“I wonder if we should be insulted or flattered that we weren’t included in that list,” Ishida said dryly.

“As if I’d want you or dumb-shit over there,” Grimmjow said and spit over the roof edge. Ichigo snickered. “I don’t like too much talking, or too much stupid during my sex, thanks,” then he paused for a moment. “Actually Glasses, y’might actually be a pretty hot f—“

“We are more done talking about this than you even realize Grimmjow,” Ichigo said before the furiously blushing and angry looking Ishida could say anything.

“As if I would want to—“ Renji began to protest, but Ichigo interrupted him with a glare.

“Done. Talking about it.”

“Done talking about what?” Rukia asked, and leaned her elbows on his shoulders. Ichigo looked up at her.

“You really wouldn’t want to know,” he said wearily.

“Keeping secrets is no fun Ichigo!” She declared.

“I was talkin’ ‘bout who I’d be willin’ to bang,” Grimmjow said lecherously, and raised his eyebrows suggestively at Rukia. She blanched, and he began to laugh.

“Don’t look at Rukia that way,” Renji said with a scowl, stepping closer.

“Tch, calm down. She knows I ain’t lookin’ to sleep with her,” he replied in a disinterested tone.

“I told you that you wouldn’t want to know,” Ichigo muttered. Rukia paused, and her mouth curved to the side.

“Yes, well, next time I’ll take your word for it. How have you been doing?” She asked.

“…’m fine,” he mumbled.

“That sounds like you aren’t fine at all,” Rukia replied, and knelt down next to him. Grimmjow and Renji had begun to argue loudly behind them, the Arrancar baiting and the Shinigami taking it hook, line and sinker.

“It means I’m managing and I don’t need your help,” he said gruffly, and lay on his back to stare up at the sky.

“…I want you to ask for help before the breaking point this time, Ichigo,” she said quietly.

“… That’s not the kind of person I am.”

“I know. That’s why you piss me off so much,” she said with a sigh. “If it… reassures you any, I spoke with Grimmjow, when he took you to Urahara’s.”

“He mentioned it,” he said, more focused on the clouds forming above than Rukia.

“He…” Rukia hesitated. “Is as vicious as always. But, for you, Ichigo, he…”She trailed off, and the man in question began to mock Renji’s fighting skills. The fiery redhead took the bait, again, and began shouting even louder.

“He’s still vicious,” he said, and clenched his jaw. He just didn’t understand him.

“Whatever else he may be…I think that he would protect you to the death. Not that I’m endorsing his presence,” she added sharply. Ichigo sighed and stood up.

“I know. Don’t worry about me, Rukia-”

“You couldn’t fight your way out of a paper bag, carrot top!”

“Watch who’s hair color you’re insulting you pastel moron!”

“It’s not fuckin’ pastel you waste of space! It’s just bright!” Grimmjow and Renji continued to bicker, and Rukia’s eyebrows began to twitch. Ichigo grinned, and she walked over to Chad.

“Chad, could you please lift me?” She asked politely. He nodded and picked her up by the waist.

“You don’t even have a fighting style; it’s just hack and slash!”

“At least my sword ain’t some freaky baboon shit!” Rukia, lifted by Chad, calmly grabbed both of their heads by their hair, and smashed them together. They both stumbled and fell, and Chad set Rukia down.

“Thank you,” she said demurely, and walked away. Ichigo smirked and followed.

“…Shinigami bitch,” Grimmjow groaned. Renji put his hands over the growing lump on his forehead.

“…Yeah she is.”

~

Grimmjow leaned back in his seat, arms crossed and brows drawn together as he watched the new student write his name on the board.

There was something wrong about him. The straight cut hair, or the bizarre smile maybe. He definitely had extra reiatsu, and anyone who appeared suddenly with reiatsu like that was on his shit-list. Grimmjow’s natural sneer deepened with distaste as Hirako Shinji set his things down on the desk next to Ichigo.

Maybe he was still just pissed off about the headache Kuchiki-chan had given him.

“Hello! You’re Kurosaki-kun right?! Let’s be friends!” The fucker said with a smile. Ichigo blinked, taken aback.

“Uh… Yeah, sure,” he said. He was acting way too friendly. He thought for a moment that maybe he was just being possessive; stupidly jealous about the redhead.

“Oh, good!” He said. That grin was way too fucking weird. No, this wasn’t strange. He’d watch out for this bastard, especially if he tried to get too close to his Strawberry.

His eyes flicked over to Glasses. Strangely enough, the Quincy’s gaze was already aimed at him. It was level and suspicious, and he slowly turned to look at Hirako. He let himself have a moment of smugness before going on alert. Ishida’s suspicion meant he wasn’t being irrational, and that he really would have to watch out for this smiling bastard. …He wondered if Ichigo even noticed.

Probably not, he reflected. His level of trust in people was instinctive, base. For all that he was strong, Ichigo had a dangerous idealism about everyone he met. He believed, though not openly, that all of his opponents had something redeeming inside them. He should know better, Grimmjow thought.

He would have to prepare him.

~

Ichigo felt a thrill spiral up his spine. The adrenaline rush before a battle; his blood sang in anticipation, flowing and ready.

He was in the basement of the Urahara shop, about to spar Grimmjow. It had been his idea; he had offered to help him become stronger. He was suspicious of the offer, but Renji was there as well. He was just as untrusting and refused to let them fight unwatched.

He wasn’t sure what to expect, really. A fight like this was risky; he didn’t know if Grimmjow would take it easy on him, try to kill him or guide him in the fight. He didn’t even know if he’d improve. But if he could take this chance to beat the Espada into the ground… He would.

Gigai shed, Grimmjow stood in front of him, his visage vicious once more with the simple addition of his mask. It took away a lot of the humanity he’d seen in him over the past few days, but… Not all of it. Hard muscles were barely covered by the white jacket he wore, and the tendons of his forearms corded as he drew his sword. Grimmjow’s body was steel made flesh, he thought.

“I’ll try to make y’better. But that means I’ll be kickin’ your ass, got it Ichigo?” He said, head tilted back and sword slung over his shoulder. “I’ll cut ya with no hesitation,” he continued, starting to sneer. But he knew behind that sign of distaste that Grimmjow felt just the same as he did. Eager to fight and swing the blade that was such a part of him as to be an extension of his body. Lines of hate in his face were respect for the fight to come. Ichigo desired it just as much. Blood, battle, power.

“Spare me the speech. Stop acting like it’ll be so easy to cut me,” he said coldly, and gripped Zangetsu. He gathered his reiatsu around him, preparing for Bankai. He felt Grimmjow’s reiatsu bloom around him in response, singing in a jarring harmony with the tone of his own power. He grinned slowly.

“Let’s make this good, Shinigami,” he said, the light of battle entering his eyes.

“BANKAI!” He said forcefully, and his reiatsu flared and enveloped him. Before the dust settled, he clashed blades with Grimmjow, bodies close. He jumped back before surging to slash again; such close quarters were too dangerous around the Arrancar. His blows were enough to grind Ichigo back inch by inch and he strained to keep his weight off of his heels.

He began hacking down like a madman, and after blocking twice, Ichigo used the chance to spin away and slam his sword against Grimmjow’s back. Flesh rent under the edge, and the cut was deep in the muscles of his back. He grunted in pain and swung his sword at Ichigo’s side; he turned and braced his left hand against his sword to block the strike.

The silver sheen of Grimmjow’s blade flashed, the black of Zangetsu only barely blocking in time. Small slashes began to decorate Ichigo’s shoulders and arms. He knew the bastard could have done far worse by now, and it pissed him off.

“Don’t go easy on me, dammit!” He growled and pressed his sword against his again, hilt to hilt. He would show Grimmjow what it cost to underestimate him. Before the smirking bastard could respond, he whipped his sword back. “Getsuga Tenshou!” Black and red energy thrashed Grimmjow and slammed him into a rocky outcropping. He slowly emerged from the crumbling stones with blood trailing in a line down his cheek, skin scraped away from his chest, and a wild grin.

Ichigo barely had time to feel satisfied before Grimmjow was in front of him and sweeping his sword diagonally across his chest, spraying the ground with his blood. Ichigo cursed and thrust his sword forward; Grimmjow knocked it away and punched his cheek. With a cry he went flying and slammed into the ground. He tumbled before finding his footing and jumping hurriedly into the air. He scanned the ground for Grimmjow, but he already knew with a sinking feeling where he was.

He whirled around just in time to block the downswing of Grimmjow’s sword. He clenched his jaw in effort as he was being driven to the ground, and braced for impact before he slammed into the rough earth.

Ground and rocks gave way as they met his back, ripping cloth and flesh. He struggled to his feet, blood dripping from cuts and abrasions, and Grimmjow laughed. The fight was all that was coursing through his mind now, he knew. It was dangerous once he was like this, but he knew his demeanor before they started. He would follow through or die trying, dammit.

They met again, but this time Grimmjow used his sword only as a distraction. Once their blades were engaged, one, two heavy blows to his stomach; he was stunned. He slammed his fist under Ichigo’s jaw and forced him up into the air as he let out a strangled shout of pain. Again Grimmjow was there before he could prepare himself. A vicious kick landed across his shoulders and sent him into another group of rocks. He crossed his arms in front of his head to protect himself, but the impact and flying shards still did their damage. The redhead grimaced as he stood and wiped blood from the side of his mouth. His participation in this fight was starting to get too low.

“C’mon Ichigo, show me a good time already!” He called arrogantly with his arms extended. Typical. Ichigo flashed stepped in front of him, and then to his back as Grimmjow’s sword swung down. He had time to slice into the back of his ribs and grin at his success before the Espada turned and struck. His sword bit deeply into Ichigo’s side. He cried out in pain and stumbled back, clutching the wound. He fought for breath as blood leaked through his fingertips, as he stared at Grimmjow, bloodied but undeterred. If those wounds won’t stop him, how much more will it take? How much more can I take?

He was a blue and white blur of movement; he was next to Ichigo doing a roundhouse kick. Ichigo steadied his stance and threw his weight into blocking the kick with his forearm. He yelled in pain as his arm cracked and he went skidding, but he didn’t fall. He panted as pain lanced up and down his sword arm. Fuck, why hadn’t he used his sword? I can’t afford to make any more mistakes like that. He shifted to hold most of his sword’s weight in his left hand, and flash stepped to attack. His swing was weak, and Grimmjow’s block was enough to send him back on his heels.

Grimmjow shouted victoriously; Ichigo’s stance was open, and he couldn’t stop the edge that was about to cut into his jugular. Fear and icy acceptance squeezed his heart. Suddenly Grimmjow yelled and the blade swerved away, leaving instead a line of blood along Ichigo’s collarbone. He should have been relieved, and called for a truce. Counted his lucky stars that the Espada still had any control. But like a reflex he stabbed forward without any thought. With a meaty thunk, Zangetsu sunk into Grimmjow’s chest and out his back. Blood splashed and ran along the channel of the black blade, and began to drip onto the ground. Ichigo’s eyes widened as Grimmjow’s body jerked on his blade.

“…Shit, shit!” What had he done? He braced his hand on Grimmjow’s shoulder to remove his sword, but the Arrancar’s hand shot out to grip his hakama.

“No…Make sure someone’s around t’heal it before y’take it out,” he said gruffly. His voice was strained. Had he pierced his lung?

“…Renji!” He yelled. He heard a tone of panic in his voice, and hoped Renji wouldn’t notice. He was more upset, far more upset, than he should have been about the wound he’d just inflicted. He had thought about it a great deal in the past week; in truth it would be easier for everyone if Grimmjow died. But he didn’t feel that way now. He felt regret.

“I’ll be right back!” He yelled in reply and disappeared. Ichigo grimaced and helped Grimmjow sit, keeping the sword steady. He struggled with his words, thinking about what to say or whether he should say anything at all.

“If you apologize, I’ll be so pissed Kurosaki,” he said harshly. “I gave you the opening. Don’t be a pussy,” Ichigo grinned, barely, and let the expression slide away as he watched blood pool on the ground.

“You can’t even shut your fucking mouth with a sword in your chest. You’re hopeless,” he replied with a glare.

“I’ll grab your arm if you don’t shut your fucking mouth,” he said sourly. He knew that it was broken? Ichigo’s mouth twisted wryly. “Besides…If someone doesn’t almost die, what kinda fight did ya even have?” he barked out a laugh. It was an awful sentiment. But he agreed with it.

He tore strips from his sleeves, and pressed them to Grimmjow’s chest around the wound. The Espada’s hands reached up and pressed on top of his. Blood seeped past the cloth, and wet their fingers with sticky warmth. Grimmjow’s blood ran over the blood from his own wound, mingling, and Ichigo felt sick.

He felt sick because his cheeks began to burn.

“Why didn’t you finish the move?” He asked, looking away.

“Are you shitting me?” Grimmjow asked with irritation. “I would have ripped out your throat.”

“And that would have been so bad?” Grimmjow’s hands squeezed his painfully tight, and then pressed them harder against his chest.

“Don’t be stupid,” he said. Ichigo prayed the needles traveling up his torso weren’t signs of a deeper flush. He couldn’t think of anything else to say. Grimmjow’s long fingers felt his hands, probing their strength as if he’d never felt another hand before. Blood still slicked between them, beginning to run down their arms. Someone needed to save him from this. Quickly. This feeling was too unfamiliar; flames licked up his chest. Where the hell was Renji?! “Maybe on orders I’ll have to fight you for real sometime. But I won’t kill you. I will die before you,” he said forcefully. Stop Grimmjow, that’s enough.

“I’m not asking you to die for me!” He turned to face him so that he could glare.

“Yeah, and I ain’t takin’ requests,” he said, meeting his eyes.

“I don’t want you to die for me!” He tried to pull his hands away, but Grimmjow locked his hands tight around them.

“Then let’s try to avoid situations where you might be dyin’, so we don’t have to worry ‘bout it,” he replied calmly.

“I hate you,” Ichigo said quietly. Grimmjow didn’t say anything. Instead he slowly brought one of Ichigo’s hands to his lips. He felt his breathing slow, so slow it was almost painful. He almost told him to stop. What about the blood? But his lips pressed to his hand, blood and all. He licked the back of his hand, and then trailed his tongue up one of his fingers before taking it into his mouth. Ichigo’s body flashed cold and hot. What the hell did he think he was doing? He was crazy. It wouldn’t be hard to pull his hand away.

But he stood transfixed as another finger entered Grimmjow’s mouth, licked clean by his velvet tongue. He looked right at him. Terrible feelings stirred in his gut. So terrible for wanting it to keep going, but it was soft, kind… comforting…and much more. Ichigo’s gaze softened and he dared to take a shallow breath. He began to suck gently on a third finger just as Ichigo saw a flash of movement to the side of his vision. Tessai, Urahara and Renji had arrived. Shit. He ripped his hand away from his grasp, breath returning heavily and with a vengeance. His face contorted and he planted his foot against Grimmjow’s shoulder for leverage before unceremoniously yanking Zangetsu from his chest with a splattering of blood.

Grimmjow cried out involuntarily and fell back, surprised. Ichigo watched and gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. He ignored the pain that grew in his sword arm. He ignored the brief flash of guilt in his chest, and turned on his heel to walk away. Grimmjow choked and coughed wetly, hacking crimson onto his pure white jacket. The redhead couldn’t see the grin forming on the Espada’s face, but he heard his brash, horribly happy laughter.

“See? See?! That’s why I like you Kurosaki!” He coughed blood onto his sleeve again. “That’s why I like you so damn much!” he yelled, still laughing joyously.

…Son of a bitch.




~AN~

So things are starting to get heated... Ohoho. Anyway, here is where I'd like to ask for some reader input. I won't guarantee I'll use your ideas, and I may change them around, but I'd like to know where you all think the story is going, and perhaps where you would like it to go. I like to be original, but I want you to be happy too!

I am planning on the story follow the same general arc, but events can obviously be added or changed, so if you have ideas/want for something to happen before Hueco Mundo, or in Hueco Mundo, interactions with certain characters, etc. now is the time to let me know! (What I want to know especially is: Are you interested in more non-con, specifically with characters in Hueco Mundo? How interested should Renji be, should anything happen? Do you want more development for certain characters? Any drama you want to occur concerning Inoue? Et cetera! (PS, I dislike Inoue, but I will not be taking LOL MAKE HER DIE suggestions[Or MPreg suggestions].))

That's all! Happy reading! Review and give input and this author will be joyful!