Emerald Sun

It seemed like eternity until the orange haired teen opened his eyes. He didn't wake him for school, he didn't move. He sat there for 3 hours, away. Ichigo would begin to flinch and automatically Grimmjow would begin to purr. It was like the animal inside of him woke up for Ichigo, it felt the need to be there and protect him. Ichigo needed the protection right now, but Grimmjow wasn't going to let the ex-shinigami just give up on his fighting spirit. What would happen to his ego if he were beat by a defenseless runt. It propelled him even more to the fact of helping him because he was part of the reason Ichigo lost his hope.

Ichigo clung to the espada for warmth during the night and even in the morning he rested his arms over the hollows chest. This made Grimmjow blush at the feeling but he didn't really mind it. ' What the hell am I doing? Why is my heart beating so damn fast? God he is so interesting in his sleep.' he thought to himself gazing down at the boy. His eyelashes finally fluttered open and Grimmjow closed his eyes slowly, and kept his breathing the same. Ichigo didn't move, he lay there thinking to himself. Grimmjow sat there as well,not moving to push him off.

Ichigo finally made the first bit of movement, but it wasn't getting up like you would have thought. Instead he lowered his hand to the espada's hole. He swallowed hard and began to bring his fingers over the edges. It was strange to actually feel the hole. He hoped it wasn't hurting the espada as he did it but was reassured " That feels strange."

Ichigo didn't jump " A good strange?" He asked curious.

"You could say that." Grimmjow spoke in a voice Ichigo had never heard a guy like him speak in.

Ichigo moved his fingers deeper down in the hole and traced a finger up the sides. It was smooth and soft, almost like marble. "Sorry." He pulled his hand out and set it back on his chest.

"Its ok, guess it would be weird if I were human."

"Thanks for...you know...keeping me war...I mean company...you know what I mean." Ichigo fumbled over his words.

Grimmjow closed his eyes " You can keep doing that." he leaned his head back relaxing.

Ichigo finally realized he was tracing circles on Grimmjow's chest. " O-oh...that...ok."

"So when are we gonna start training?" Grimmjow asked.

"You haven't forgotten?" He rolled his eyes.

"Why would I."

"Because. Its ridiculous."

"Maybe, but its worth it."

"..."

Grimmjow sat up " I can't just keep protecting you. Plus would you really want that?!"

"I want to see them." he said looking away.

Grimmjow looked down and swallowed, he couldn't imagine what it would be like if he couldn't see the people he cared about anymore...not because of death but because he just couldn't see them...as if they disappeared.

"I want to see them...so bad...I want to be lectured by Byakuya, spar with Ikkaku and Renji, drink with Izaru and hisagi," His voice broke " I want to see Matsumoto annoy Toshiro," He laughed " For god sakes I want to be lectured by Toshiro for saying his name...I want to see her..."He turned his head to the closet. " I knocked on my closet in front of Karin the other day...she thought I was insane." His eyes were filled with so much hurt and sadness that Grimmjow didn't mock him. Ichigo was getting it out like he should.

"I lied."

"What are you talking about?" Ichigo laughed.

"It wasn't Renji."

"It doesn't matter, either way its not like I can talk to any of them."

"It was Rukia." Ichigo stopped what it looked like breathing " She said suck it up."

"She would." He laughed.

"What is love?"

"A strong emotion two people feel towards another." Ichigo spoke looking away from the closet.

"Did you love her?"

"...I...don't know."

"Not a very good answer fruit." He laughed punching his arm.

"So you really gonna live with me?"

"I was thinking of it."

"Then we start today after- Shit SCHOOL! Why didn't you wake me up!?"

---

3 weeks later-

All of Orihime's friends knew of her pregnancy with Ulquiorra. The only thing they couldn't get over was marriage. Marriage was the only thing that bothered the group of closely knit friends. He finally ended up asking what it was to Ichigo.

"Dude you seriously got her pregnant and you don't know what that is!?"

"I don't either you idiot! We are f​uckin' hollows dumb ass." Grimmjow added.

"Its where you get a ring to show your love for someone." He paused. " OK there is more to it then that, lets see...when you truly love someone you get married to them. You ask them their hand in marriage,if the girl or guy says yes then you give them this spiffed up ring you got them...which nowadays is really expensive."He added "But that isn't supposed to matter. You two then plan a party to show your love and forever binding in marriage and THEN! You go on a honeymoon."

"A what?!" Grimmjow asked. He had been nodding his head the whole time until that point.

Ichigo laughed " A honeymoon."

"Wow...this sounds really stupid."

"Its not supposed to be when your in love. Truthfully its a really big deal to the girl."

"So its a big deal to you then?" Grimmjow laughed closing his eyes. Ichigo swiftly punched him and Grimmjow just beamed with happiness at the attack.

"Anyway! A honey moon is a vacation of sorts where you two go off and have sex and get pregnant. Get the cue?!" He looked at Ulquiorra.

"Heuco mundo was our honeymoon."Ulquiorra closed his eyes.

"Some honeymoon." Ichigo scoffed rolling his eyes.

"No you idiot! You have to take her someplace nice and fruity. Examples of fruity places Ichigo?"

Ulquiorra opened his eyes " You should know plenty of places then Grimmjow."

Grimmjow cocked an eyebrow and gritted his teeth. " You little bitch." He swore through his teeth.

"I don't places like...a fancy upscale spa or inn where they have bath houses or something. Or Okinawa, they have tons of islands that I have heard are beautiful."

The two stopped arguing to look at Ichigo babbling about honeymoon destinations, they looked at one another. Grimmjow cocked an eyebrow again and questioned"Ichigo you seem really into this?"

"Naw, what makes you say that?"

Grimmjow rolled his eyes "Nothing."

Ulquiorra finally spoke up "I want to ask her to marry me. Where do I buy rings?"

"How about we go to the mall or something this weekend."

"Sounds good. You are going to help me with this planning of this party." He directed.

"ME?!"

"You are knowledgeable of the topic it seems."Ulquiorra added. "You will help us." He spoke coldly.

Grimmjow looked at the two bickering and for the first time in weeks Ichigo stuck up for himself, even though it was little " No way."Ichigo shrugged.

"You don't have a choice in the matter."

"Sorry to say Mr.4th, I do. I am not doing that." The two glared daggers " Besides that is something you plan together with maybe the help of another you two hire." He noted.

"..."

"The mall then this weekend." Ichigo added.

"Fine, I will go to this mall." Ulquiorra nodded.

So it was decided, Ulquiorra , Grimmjow and Ichigo would go to the mall that weekend and go ring shopping. Ichigo was on his way home with Grimmjow after the convo and Grimmjow spoke.

"Training is helping I see."

"What are you going on about now?" Ichigo asked continuing to walk.

"You stuck up for yourself."Grimmjow beamed.

"Oh please,it was nothing."

"Are you fucking kidding me?! You have been taking everyone's shit the past couple weeks."

Now that Grimmjow had mentioned it, Ichigo had been taking everyone's shit. From little remarks to full out fights. Grimmjow had bailed the teen from fights a couple times. He had hoped that was done, it was hard for him to control his strength.

"OK...maybe you are right a little." Ichigo noted

The two arrived ​at the house to find they were in an empty house. Ichigo set his stuff down on his bed and stretched his arms out. "Man I have so much homework tod-"

He was interrupted by thick arms whirling him around to face glass shielded cerulean eyes. Ichigo didn't stammer over any words he just sat there wordless and breathless. He watched as the espada held him. Ichigo blinked two times and finally breathed. Ichigo felt his heart throbbing, he felt the need to touch Grimmjow. To move his hands to his face and hold him. He wanted to...to...to kiss him.Ichigo's eyes widened as the espada leaned forward and closed his eyes. Ichigo welcomed the kiss and felt his breath hitch as Grimmjow brushed his lips over Ichigo's. He did it in a manner that Ichigo had never felt...not even with Rukia. Ichigo closed his eyes and returned the kiss.

Grimmjow opened his eyes to see Ichigo was blushing, he could feel his cheeks were red as well from his actions. He pulled away slowly and was inches away from the ex shinigami's face. "You were saying?" Grimmjow spoke with a chocolaty silk voice.

"I-I don't know."Ichigo stuttered.

"That was good."He smiled.

"Yeah."Ichigo admitted. "I still...don't know why I did it though."

Grimmjow shrugged stepping back and turning away" Does it matter?"

"..."

"I know I am a guy...ew..."

"I don't say that at night when you hold me."

"..."

"And neither do you all those morning you stay awake holding me and massaging my back or stroking my hair."

Grimmjow felt his cheeks turn red. " You knew."

"I knew from the first day you did it."

"and you didn't stop me."

"Does it matter?"Ichigo retorted.

"No...I guess it doesn't." He laughed
---
Author note: So this was a fun chapter to write, had me chuckling here and there. Hope you enjoyed. Next chapter ring shopping for Ulquiorra and a strange new discovery with the pregnancy. ​​​