When Bad Days Go Good

The rain came pouring down from the blackened sky and pelted onto the windows of the blue sideways buildings. Zangetsu’s brown hair blew in the wind and pieces stuck to his glasses though he did not seem to care. This had become a normal routine and eventually anyone would get used to it after a while. It seemed as if the storm would subside before it grew again and only turned uglier when Ichigo found out that Renji was seeing someone behind his back.

“Damnit, knock it off before I pound your face in!” Zangetsu turned his head to see the hollow shouting at the sky as if that were the key to turning off the rain. It did nothing, but caused a crack of lightening to light up the sky as more rain fell onto the white figure. Shiro glared over at the Zanpakuto as if he knew the answer and then turn his head up to the sky once more before he began to pace around. His feet splashed into puddles of water as he walked though it did not matter since every part of his being was already soaked.

The hollow was sick of the constant rain. It seemed to grow as the days went on and then when Renji appeared it started to lighten up. “Che.” Shiro muttered as he turned and paced the other direction. If he ever saw the red head he would personally take control of his king’s body and decapitate the idiot himself. Though that wasn’t their only problem, Ichigo had stopped listening to them.

He was used to the orange haired vizard ignoring him and usually told him to shut up, but now he wasn’t even listening to Zangetsu. No matter how loud either of them spoke or screamed at him, they were ignored by a crack of thunder. He turned back towards his only companion in the demented sideways world and glared at him.

“I’m getting fed up with this shit! He is too much of a pansy to be king. If the rain doesn’t stop soon, I swear I will bring him in here and kick his ass!” Shirosaki declared to Zangetsu who only closed his eyes behind his glasses. The hollow narrowed his eyes, the old man rarely said anything about Ichigo anymore and if he did, it was mostly ‘Ichigo will come when we are needed most’.

“He is going through harsh times at the moment, the best thing we can do is let him figure it out on his own. If he does not seek our help, then that is his decision.” Zangetsu spoke to the annoyance of the hollow. That was not a solution and knowing Ichigo, who knew how long that could be before he sought help.

The hollow muttered about Zangetsu’s decision. If the Zanpakuto was going to do nothing, it was up to him to finally snap their king out of it. A small grin spread across his face, he knew just the thing.

!*!*!*!*

Ichigo wandered down the halls of Las Noches after leaving Zommari who requested he come with him for a meditation session. The seventh espada explained how it would help clear the vizard’s mind and help him relax, however it did not work for him. Instead he began having flashbacks of the things that had hurt him the most.

Flashback

“Ichigo Kurosaki!” Yamamoto yelled as Ichigo was brought forth before the head Captain who did not look pleased to see him what-so-ever. The other captains stood in line and none of them made eye contact with him, not even Kenpachi who would usually give him a grin indicating he would hunt Ichigo down after.
He said nothing as he waited for the old man to speak and knew instantly what was going to be said. He was too rash and shouldn’t have rushed into Hueco Mundo to save his friend which had caused a great disturbance in the war. In his opinion, it did nothing to either side. No one had lost anyone so it did not make a difference with the exception they were able to bring Orihime home.

“You were warned about entering Hueco Mundo and disobeyed our orders. This is not the time to be reckless and do as you please. Many lives are at stake and if Aizen gets the upper hand it could be disastrous for everyone.” Yamamoto stated though Ichigo did not seem to care. They were asking him to give up on his friend and even named her a traitor when she wasn’t one.

“And I would do it again. I’m not like the rest of you and don’t go by Soul Society’s orders. My loyalty lies with my friends and I will always pick them over your stupid rules.” Ichigo shot back although he knew there probably would be consequences for this action.

“This rash behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. From now until we deem you trustworthy again, we will be taking your badge that allows you to transform into one of us. If you are caught as a shinigami, you will be immediately arrested and placed in our prison until this war is over.” Yamamoto yelled and stamped his cane down to make it final.

Ichigo was at loss for words. He had risked his life to help them on many occasions and because of one thing they did not agree on they were deeming him unworthy of being one of them. He glared at the old man as he took out of badge and threw it on the ground, not caring anymore.

The vizards had warned him against Soul Society’s laws and the reason why they disliked shinigami so much. He never thought in a million years they would show him the same treatment. Many of them, even the captains, were friendly towards him and showed him respect. Now, none of them spoke up for him and wouldn’t even look at him. Maybe, he thought, he had fallen into being too comfortable around them and they really didn’t care as long as their laws were upheld. No one had the guts to speak up for what was right or wrong and it disgusted him.
He was escorted by a lowly shinigami that was not even an officer out of the Soul Society and back into the real world. They watched as he went back into his body and warned him against turning back into a shinigami.

End of Flashback

He clenched his fists at his side in frustration at the thought of the shinigami. It was okay for them to use him, but when he needed help it was not necessary for them to lift a finger. It was part of the reason why he had accepted Aizen’s offer of staying for a short while. It would give him a chance to compare the two, although he had no plans on killing anyone.

“What’s wrong with you?” Ichigo heard from behind him and turned to find Grimmjow leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets.

“What do you want?” Ichigo asked, not trusting the espada, especially after all the battles the two had had. He knew the espada were ordered to not attack him, but he doubted that would stop some of them who would want his head.

“Pft, your too uptight. I just wanted to see if you wanted to spar a little. Unless you’re afraid I’m going to kick your ass again.” Grimmjow grinned when he saw Ichigo’s eyes narrow. It was too easy to goad him into battle.

“I’ll kick your ass right here.” Ichigo reached behind him for his Zanpakuto and held the hilt, yet not removing it. He would allow for the espada to make the first move.

“Fine, let’s take this in the training room, if you’re up to it.” Grimmjow replied as he turned and walked down the hallway, hearing Ichigo’s footsteps fall behind him. A smug grin was plastered on the espada’s lips.

Karakura Town

Tatsuki walked home with Orihime and glanced to the side to see the dazed expression on her face. Her friend had been odd since she had gotten back from her trip to see her relatives, or at least that was what she was told. However, the black haired girl knew something else was going on with her friend that she was not telling her. She seemed more quiet, sad, and lost. That was just not her friend at all. Even when Chizuru grabbed her at lunch, the girl just stood not caring that she was being groped.

What really surprised her was how she acted towards Ichigo. She had always been kind and shown him respect due to the secret crush she had on him, though Tatsuki could see clear as day it was there. Now, she refused to look at him and acted as if he wasn’t even there. At first she thought it was because Ichigo had done something to her, but then her thoughts shifted to when she saw Ichigo with the red haired guy that came and went from school. Perhaps Orihime was heartbroken and refused to acknowledge Ichigo because of that?

Tatsuki shook her head as in silence that went unnoticed to Orihime. It didn’t matter to the black haired girl who her friends dated as long as they were happy, but she guessed for Orihime it must have been a bit of a shock. The girl always acted so innocent and mostly lived in a fairy tale world of her own. If she cared anything for Ichigo she would be happy for him and accept it and move on.

All of Tatsuki’s thoughts of why Orihime had been ignoring Ichigo were all wrong. She did not care about Ichigo dating Renji. There was another reason that she refused to say since her friend would never understand. She did not know about the other worlds or her trip to Hueco Mundo. Tatsuki thought Orihime was mad or upset with Ichigo which was completely wrong.

She feared him.

It had mostly started during Ichigo’s battle with Grimmjow and seeing his hollow mask that brought out that fear. However, Nel had said he had gone through so much just to rescue her she tried to let it pass, though unsuccessfully. Every time he spoke to or even looked at her she could still see those golden eyes staring back at her. It had only increased after his fight with Ulquiorra. Seeing Ichigo turn into that…thing had terrified her. That was not the white knight she had always pictured in her head. That was a demon from hell coming to damn her. If it hadn’t been for Stark, who sonido into the battle and took Ulquiorra before Ichigo finished him, he would have been ripped apart.

After they got back from Hueco Mundo, she began ignoring him. In one instance when he had approached her to ask what was wrong, she grew so terrified that she slapped him and ran away. Tatsuki did not know of that, and she it would only bring up questions of why she was so afraid of him that she could not answer. She knew she was being childish, but she didn’t care. Any innocence that was left in her was destroyed the moment she saw the man she had a crush on turn into a monster.

Above the Kurosaki Residence

Harribel and her fraccion, Mia Rose, Sun-Sun, and Apache exited the garganta with the empty body of Ichigo Kurosaki. They stood in the air for moments before they located his house. It was a simple job really and didn’t understand why they had to deliver the body back instead of some lowly Arrancar. However, Harribel knew that Aizen-sama had wanted Ichigo to join them and this would assure the boy that nothing would happen to his body if taken back by a powerful Espada.

“This place is small.” Apache commented as she opened the window for Harribel to enter. She waited until Mia-Rose got closer and shut the window on her. She did not hold back a laugh as the other fraccion began pounding on the window demanding to be let in. Sun-Sun stood off the side shaking her head and commenting how childish the two were.

Unbeknownst to the Arrancar, who finally were all in the room after Apache finally opened the window again to let the other two in, a small figure, was hiding underneath the bed listening to them and watching as their feet moved across the room. He had already figured that it was not anyone he knew, but the beautiful sound of their voices called to him and he slowly made his way closer until he got a view of the beautiful goddesses in front of him.

Kon’s eyes sparkled as he caught sight of Harribel, Apache, Mia Rose, and Sun-Sun, though his eyes were mostly on the women’s chests. He felt as if he had died and gone to heaven just by looking at the four. Suddenly, he couldn’t take it anymore and leapt from underneath the bed and was heading for Harribel.

“YOU BEAUTIFUL GODDESSES HAVE COME TO TAKE ME HOME!” Kon shouted and was about to land on Harribel’s magnificent chest when he felt someone slam him down into the carpet, face first.

“What the hell are you and how dare you go near Harribel-sama!” Mia Rose shouted as she squished Kon’s face further into the carpet with her foot.

“Ew, what is that?” Apache asked as she got closer to try and see what had almost attacked Harribel. She studied the stuff animal that looked up pleading towards her. “Maybe we should kill it.” She suggested with a disgusted expression on her face. It was one of the ugliest stuffed animals she had ever seen!

“It is a mod soul.” Harribel replied as she looked over at Ichigo’s body that was now lying on the bed. Slowly, she walked over to the stuffed animal and placed two fingers inside’s it’s mouth and pulled out the small pill.

“Should we dispose of this? It kind of smells.” Apache asked Harribel as she picked up the now lifeless stuffed animal.

“Just leave it.” Harribel replied as she opened Ichigo’s mouth and popped the pill in. Almost instantly he opened his eyes and peered at the beautiful woman in front of him and the other three behind her.

“Please take me with you!” Kon shouted as he wrapped his arms around Harribel and squeezed his face into her chest. A small feeling of satisfaction washed over him until he felt Apache and Mila Rose grab him and yank him down onto the bed.

“What did we tell you, stay away from Harribel-sama!” Mila Rose snarled at Kon who was too busy looking at her chest to hear the words coming from her mouth.

“Maybe we should go before it follows us.” Sun-Sun suggested to Harribel who nodded. She stood up from the bed and walked over to the closet before ripping open a garganta. Mila Rose and Apache waited until Harribel was through the rip before they got off of Kon and walked through the rip.

“No!” Kon cried as he jumped after them, but the garganta closed before he could reach the beautiful and clearly gifted women.

Kuchiki Mansion

Renji sat across from Byakuya in the Kuchiki dining room. Everything was of the best in the room as well as the food that was served to them from the servants. He had dined with Byakuya before when he had first become his lieutenant and several times after. It made him feel important instead of some street rat off of the poor Rukongai district.

“How is your dinner?” Byakuya asked, interrupting the silence. It was rare for the captain to make conversation and so he immediately answered.

“It is great, thanks.” Renji smiled at Byakuya, though he was not sure if the other man had his eyes fully closed or if they were half lidded. He did this at times and it made Renji feel uneasy.

“I was wondering if you would like to go for a walk after dessert.” Byakuya asked as he sipped his soup.

“Yes, of course I would love to, Captain.” Renji nodded immediately. The two had been seeing each other right after Aizen had betrayed Soul Society and it was during Byakuya’s recovery that the two had gotten closer. It all started on the night that Byakuya had returned home from the fourth division. He was still weak and Renji had escorted him home. The mansion had been deserted for the night due to the servants having the night off due to their master being gone for such a long time. Rukia had been in the thirteenth division trying to regain her powers, so it was only the two of them. After a while one thing lead to another and Renji found himself in Byakuya’s bed the next morning wearing nothing except the strands of long black hair that covered part of his chest from where the older man held him.

“I told you before, you have permission to use my first name while we are alone.” Byakuya stated to his lieutenant who apologized. It was a difficult relationship at times. It was looked down upon by the Gotei 13 for a captain to date his lieutenant so they kept the relationship quiet. Almost nobody knew about the two of them.

“Nii-sama, I was wondering if-“ Rukia asked as she opened the door and upon spotting Renji sitting across from her brother her eyes narrowed at her friend and backed away. “I will come back later, I did not know you had company.” She looked down and closed the door behind her. Renji stared uneasily at the door. He could almost feel the daggers shooting from his friend’s eyes as she looked at him.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to use the bathroom.” Renji told Byakuya, who nodded. He got up from his seat and pushed it in before heading to the door Rukia had been at moments ago. He walked down the hallway, passing the bathroom.

As soon as he was about to enter another room he felt a fist connect with the side of his face and staggered backwards. He rubbed his cheek and looked at his attacker to find the black haired girl with her arms folded across her chest and glaring angrily at him.

“What was that for?” Renji snarled, still rubbing the side of his face that stung and would probably leave a bruise.

“I never thought I would ever see you become so selfish and cold heart, Renji.” Rukia shot at him, her voice taking a darker tone than normal. He knew by that tone she was not joking around and meant every word she said. “How could you do that to Ichigo?” She demanded as she lowered her hands to her side.

Renji hesitated before he answered. He knew he was supposed to meet the orange haired teen today, but he couldn’t say no to Byakuya. “It was an accident, I’ll make it up to him.” He said only to receive another slap to the other cheek.

“No, you will go to him and tell him you have been playing with him!” Rukia yelled at the red haired shinigami. “I know you have been seeing my brother longer than Ichigo, so why did you all of the sudden start playing with his feelings? I thought he was your friend! Or do you no longer see him as that and just someone to use and throw away!” She continued to yell at him causing him to flinch.

“It was an accident. I didn’t mean for us to get involved. He was just so depressed after we got back from Hueco Mundo and I don’t know what I was thinking.” Renji replied and backed away when Rukia took a step forward.

“So he doesn’t mean anything to you, I wonder if this is how you feel about my brother also. To use whenever you feel like it and call it an accident!” Rukia snapped at him, causing Renji to gulp. He had almost forgotten how scary Rukia could be when she was ticked off, and at the moment she was beyond that.

“I’ll go tomorrow and explain it to him.” Renji promised to her, but saw her shake her head. She looked as if she was holding back tears.

“Ichigo told me that you promised to meet him today. I told him I would go with him, but he said that you would support him better.” Rukia clenched her hands into fists and felt like slamming Renji into the wall. “Do you have any idea why today is so important to him? Do you?” She yelled again. Renji stayed quiet. He remembered Ichigo saying something about a grave, but that was it.

“Today is the anniversary of his mother’s death! He goes every year and hoped that you could go with him. It is too late for you to show up now and he probably thinks you don’t care, which is correct, because you don’t give a damn about anyone but yourself!” Rukia yelled at Renji who looked down at the ground. A sense of guilt washed over his face, but Rukia did not seem satisfied. She did not like that he was playing with two people who were very dear to her.

“I am giving you a chance Renji to man up to your mistake, but if you don’t go, I will tell them myself.” Rukia warned him before she turned and walked away.

Las Noches – Training Room

He never realized how much more relaxing it was to spar until he locked swords with Grimmjow with neither of them showing weakness and yet not going overboard with the fight. It helped get rid of any frustration he had felt before about the Soul Society, his friends, and Renji.

“You’re still distracted.” Grimmjow muttered as he withdrew his sword and swung it down only to connect with Zangetsu again.

“I’m fine.” Ichigo growled as he lunged forward and began another series of attacks. He wouldn’t admit it to the arrancar’s face, but Grimmjow was right, he was distracted. Thoughts of Renji’s betrayal filled his mind clearer than anything else. He had finally allowed himself to care for someone and it was thrown back in his face.

“Don’t give me that shit, you can do better.” Grimmjow said as he kicked out at Ichigo, who backed away a little before the attack could hit. Seeing an opening finally develop, he went forward and slashed at the arrancar, only to have the tip of his sword get caught on his haori and rip off a piece of fabric.

He heard Grimmjow make a comment, but it was faded out by another voice. 'Not bad, huh, king?' The sound of Shirosaki startling him. He had not heard the hollow or Zangetu’s voice since he came back from Hueco Mundo.

‘What do you want?’ Ichigo muttered to his hollow as he tried to concentrate on fighting the arrancar.

'I am just enjoying the view. He has a nice body, doesn’t he king? And don’t try to deny it I know all your thoughts.' Shiro whispered to him causing Ichigo’s eyes to widen and a small blush to form on his cheeks.

‘Shut up and go away, you are distracting me.’ Ichigo yelled at his hollow as he barely missed being hit by Grimmjow’s blade.

'Don’t be such a prude. Just admit it, he has a nice body. Just think of that rubbing up next to you, grinding against your-' Shiro began to say, but was cut off before he could finish.

‘Shut the hell up before I come in there and kick your ass!’ Ichigo shouted into his head, not believing his hollow chose this time to be a pervert. He had interrupted him in the past, but never in this way. It was also making the battle against Grimmjow more difficult because now every time he charged at the espada, he couldn’t help, but look over Grimmjow’s chest.

'Good luck with that, King. Soon there won’t be anywhere else to go and I’ll die from drowning because you won’t stop the fricking rain!' Shiro growled at Ichigo.

‘I’ll deal with it later.’ Ichigo tried to persuade his hollow who was not buying it.

'Bullshit, you’ll forget about it and go back to brooding again. Get over it already, you’re ticked off about what the red haired shit did to you? There’s an easy fix if you want one and it is right in front of you!' Shiro suggested to Ichigo who was getting tired of his hollow. He wanted nothing more than to enter his inner world and beat the shit out of him for even mentioning him with Grimmjow. 'He likes you too, ya know, I can sense it.' Shiro added and Ichigo could practically see the evil grin on his hollow’s face.

‘How the hell would you-‘ Ichigo began to shoot back when he was tackled to the ground. Zangetsu went sliding against the floor away from him and he now had Grimmjow pinning him to the ground.

“Looks like I win.” Grimmjow grinned down at the vizard beneath him. Ichigo flinched and struggled to throw a punch at the arrancar, but it was caught and slammed down next to his head.

'Told you he likes you.' Shiro’s mocking laugh echoed through Ichigo’s head. The orange haired teen continued to struggle, even attempting kicks at the espada’s mid-section, only for them to be pinned down by Grimmjow’s weight.

Ichigo stiffened when he felt Grimmjow press his face against the teen’s neck and tried to back away. Never in all their battles has the espada tried a move like this and it freaked Ichigo out.

Slowly, Grimmjow made his way from Ichigo’s neck before he hovered over the orange haired vizard’s face and brought their lips together in a kiss. Only two thoughts ran through his mind: getting Grimmjow off of him and what the hell was happening!?