Happy Birthday Ichigo!!
Title: Blue Thread of Fate
Pairing: Grimmjow/Ichigo
Rating: PG13
Genre: Romance, drama, supernatural, shonen-ai, angst
Disclaimer: Do not own BLEACH nor am I profiting from this fic in any way.
Synopsis: Semi-AU. Ichigo is a shinigami sent out for patrol. Bored of work, he seeks out interesting reiraku (spirit threads) and discovers a blue colored one. It leads him to an interesting human with blue hair. Ichigo learns more about him and soon finds himself forming feelings towards the man. Fate, however, decides to play a cruel trick on them.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
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‘Grimmjow... It’s him isn’t it? But it can’t be. He’s dead. I saw him. But now... his body...’ Ichigo’s mind was racing. He stared wide-eyed at the gaping hole through the stomach of the blue-haired man who just stood there watching him with a predatory grin. He took a step forward and Ichigo’s eyes snapped up to Grimmjow’s - they were different now. They were cold and cruel, and silently taunting Ichigo as their eyes met. ‘This... isn’t Grimmjow. He is... a Hollow.’
Grimmjow disappeared with a buzzing sound and Ichigo immediately unsheathed his sword to swing it behind him, where Grimmjow reappeared with another buzz. Ichigo thought the blade hit him, but instead, he saw that it was stopped by Grimmjow’s forearm. Taking advantage of Ichigo’s shock, he took the sharp side with his bare hand and threw Ichigo across to the other side.
‘What the hell was that?’ Ichigo thought, ‘Taking a swing from Zangetsu with only his bare arms?! Even Kenpachi can’t take it without bleeding!’
“Why so surprised, Shinigami?” Grimmjow said. “This is only our hierro. It just proves how weak your zanpakutou is to not even cut past my skin armour. Now why not you don’t waste my time and bring out your bankai!”
Ichigo glared at him with gritted teeth. In the background he could sense his friends fighting; some of them were already injured. He’d have to hurry up and finish the fight if he wanted to help them out. He got his attention back to Grimmjow who seemed to look both impatient and bored. Without further ado, Ichigo brought his sword before him and chanted, “Bankai!” Light engulfed him and Grimmjow merely looked mildly intrigued.
“Is that your Bankai? Quite flashy, isn’t it?” Grimmjow taunted at Ichigo’s changed look. Ichigo’s standard shihakushou had transformed into a sleeker version; he wore a long black coat with red inner lining and torn ends, and his sleeves were longer and followed the shape of his arms. His cleaver-like zanpakutou had transformed into a longer version of a katana that was completely black and had a broken chain at the end. Grimmjow didn’t move but just stood where he was with that arrogant grin while he waited for Ichigo to take his first step. Ichigo took his chances and did, flash-stepping towards him and slashing his sword at the man. Much to his surprise, Grimmjow could catch up to his speed, evading or blocking his attacks with his arms easily before he countered with a hard kick to his gut that sent Ichigo to the ground.
Their fight escalated into the skies, where they fought in a battle that Ichigo knew he was losing. Grimmjow caught up with all of his attacks and sent mere punches and kicks his way that could break through Ichigo’s defences. Ichigo was getting beaten down but he didn’t stop - couldn’t stop - fighting. Grimmjow being the way he was now was Ichigo’s responsibility and his fault. His soul wouldn’t have been eaten by Hollows and have descended into this state if he had been there that night...
“Tch, this thing’s a Bankai?!” Ichigo immediately looked at him. He noticed that his vision had gotten blurry, and finally felt blood running down his face. Grimmjow looked pissed and was glaring down at him. “You disappoint me, Shinigami! All your bankai did was to increase your speed?! Is that it!?” Ichigo just realized that he hadn’t put himself into the fight. How could he when the enemy had the image of someone he cared so much for? That night was all his fault. Ichigo killed him by not being there. He promised to protect him, but he didn’t. Grimmjow fought alone in vain, powerlessly against -
Ichigo felt numbness in his chest. He saw his own blood splatter from him before he could register the blue and the buzzing sound that accompanied it. Grimmjow stood before him, his arm stretched out and holding a zanpakutou. The hilt was light blue, and had the shape of a slanted, angular ‘S’. Ichigo’s eyes slowly looked to where the blade ended.
It was right through his chest.
‘A... zanpakutou? How did I not notice that earlier?!’ Ichigo thought weakly. He had been concentrating on Grimmjow’s hand-to-hand combat attacks that the zanpakutou tucked by his sash was left unnoticeable. Now that he saw it, did that mean that Grimmjow was the result of Aizen’s work with the Hougyoku? For a Hollow to have a Shinigami’s powers, which is in other words, the zanpakutou. ‘Grimmjow is an Arrancar, a Hollow ripped of its mask and have attained Shinigami abilities - no fucking shit, Ichigo.’
Ichigo’s initial shock faded and pain came to him like a bullet train crashing into his body. Ichigo’s vision threatened to black out, and he could hardly breathe.
“You’re weak,” he heard Grimmjow say. His voice was low, growling, and was laced with contempt. Ichigo managed to look up, meeting the arrancar’s eyes. They were blue, cold, and empty. All Ichigo could see was cruelty and hate. Did he die feeling that way? Ichigo wondered. He wanted to apologize so badly. “Only the weak, die, Shinigami. And that’s what you are.”
Ichigo supposed he is. He couldn’t even protect Grimmjow from Hollows. It was ironic to have his life ended by the same man, who apparently didn’t remember him. Ichigo guessed this was an eye for an eye for breaking his promise. The Shinigami moved his hand to reach out, but he could hardly feel his own body movements, and his sight was blurring. But at least he felt Grimmjow’s hand under his fingertips, and that made Ichigo smile.
Grimmjow was still warm, even though he was supposed to be dead and a Hollow. That warmth comforted Ichigo, and with the last glimpse of blue, he faded into unconsciousness - but not before he felt a new presence and heard a familiar voice.
“Grimmjow, that is enough. Aizen-sama demands your return...”
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Grimmjow followed Tousen silently in the Garganta they had entered. The blind Shinigami had carried the order from Aizen-sama to bring him back. Grimmjow wondered if he was in trouble. He had gone without permission, and Aizen didn’t like having his chess pieces do things without his acknowledgment. Especially since he had 5 arrancar killed, and he had also gone out of his way to kill a Shinigami - and that may have interfered with his godly plans. Grimmjow resisted rolling his eyes.
But it wasn’t his fault. He had first gone to the human world out of a certain calling that he couldn’t explain. He didn’t know why, but just something was urging him to cross over to the Human World.
After stepping into said dimension, he felt the same sensation again. Something, somewhere was calling out to him. Sensing the presence of Shinigami with pesquisa, Grimmjow set out his fraccion to dispose of them. He didn’t think that they were strong enough to actually cut down all of them, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was getting that annoying silent voice that was beckoning him to where ever it was in the human world. And he was on his way to said place when he saw that Shinigami looking around.
Bright orange hair against black clothing and a white overcoat. Where had he seen that bright orange hair from? Whatever, Shinigami was Shinigami. And the young man was reeking of reiatsu. Grimmjow was excited to test him. He’d been itching for a fight, looking for something to destroy ever since he was born out of that orb that bastard Aizen had in his hand, but it was further fuelled by something inborn that was yelling at him to rip that certain Shinigami apart.
Very well then, he had thought with a predatory grin.
The Shinigami was so shocked by his appearance. It had him grinning with ego, but something was off about that shock. Grimmjow could tell what it was in those eyes - guilt, hesitation and confusion. He had no idea for what, and why he was looking at him with those eyes, but occasionally they burned with fire and determination. He’d seen them before, but he didn’t bother about that. All he felt the moment he saw that was to crush it. Anger had built up in him when the Shinigami lost the fire at one point, and was hesitating. He was clearly out of it, not even focusing on the fight and had that annoying pained expression.
Whatever, Grimmjow thought. Hesitance was for the weak. The young man didn’t even catch his sonido - only realizing it when he had pierced him in the chest with his zanpakutou. Weak, Grimmjow thought with distaste. He had expected so much more from the Shinigami, but it seemed like he had overestimated him.
But then the orange haired man looked back at him, reached out, touched his hand for some reason... and smiled.
For the first time in his dead Hollow life, Grimmjow felt confused. However, something struck him at that moment. He recognized the Shinigami’s bright orange hair and hazel brown eyes.
As he continued walking through the darkness of the Garganta behind Tousen, Grimmjow almost stopped in his tracks when a name accompanied the image of the man he had just fought and killed.
Kurosaki Ichigo.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ichigo saw Grimmjow again. He was well aware that he was dreaming, for it was a memory during that first time Grimmjow let him into his apartment, and where the blue-haired man was sitting on his couch reading a book. That was probably one of the most memorable moments he had with Grimmjow, because that was the day when Ichigo confessed.
‘I like you,’ Ichigo had said when their eyes met and Ichigo had copied Grimmjow’s action of making physical contact. Grimmjow had touched the cloth of his sleeve, saying he wanted to know if he could touch spirits. Ichigo touched him on his arm; he too had not had physical contact with a human as well. Feeling the warmth in his hand made Ichigo say it, despite knowing that it may lead to cutting this strange friendship they had. He left his hand on the man’s arm, and felt his muscles stiffen even as he moved slightly. Grimmjow looked back at him, dead in the eye. Ichigo couldn’t remember what he was feeling then, but he knew his heart stopped while he waited for Grimmjow’s answer.
‘...I don’t hate you’ the blue haired man had said. It was an indirect reply that left Ichigo speechless, surprised and euphoric. Grimmjow looked away, apparently embarrassed by his own words, but it didn’t take long for him to turn back to him and leaned closer. They shared a brief kiss that Ichigo wished could have been longer. He remembered how soft his lips were, the hesitance that slowly turned into need and want. Ichigo knew because he felt the same way. Ichigo had said to Grimmjow then in between those kisses, ‘I’ll protect you.’
It was their only physically intimate moment they shared, and that was one month before his death.
Ichigo slowly opened his eyes. Light flooded his vision and had Ichigo frowning as he moved his hands to cover his eyes from the blinding light. He blinked a few more times before his vision sorted itself out and Ichigo sat up. He noticed Urahara sitting by his futon with Tessai by his side.
“Urahara-san...?”
“Good morning, Kurosaki-san,” Urahara greeted. “You’ve been asleep for three days now. How do you feel?”
“Like crap,” Ichigo groaned. He looked around. “You guys saved me.”
“Abarai-san and the others found you,” Urahara informed him with what seemed like a sincerely worried expression. “You were almost dead, with a lethal chest wound. If they hadn’t gotten you here sooner, you would have died.” Ichigo did not react to what the man just said, but instead, he just blankly stared into space.
“I see...” Ichigo said quietly. Then he looked around. “Where are the others?”
“They’re still recovering but they’re up and about,” the man in the bucket hat answered. “I’ll tell you how they fared in the arrancar fight three days ago while you were pretty much out of it: Kuchiki-san was not badly injured, so she aided Abarai-san who suffered some injuries that are deep but not fatal. Ikkaku-san recovered through personal means with Ayasegawa-san by his side. Captain Hitsugaya suffered massive lacerations and other injuries but is almost fully recovered now with his vice captain assisting him.” Ichigo nodded at the summarized information.
“Thank you... for helping us,” Ichigo said. His voice was hoarse and he realized how dry his throat was. Tessai handed him a glass of plain water which he gratefully gulped down.
“Well I did agree to the alliance,” Urahara replied with a smile as he watched the younger man empty the glass. “Now, Kurosaki-san, may I know what led to your mental breakdown?” Ichigo blinked at him, wondering what the man meant. “I know you are a better fighter. I felt your reiatsu, and I noticed that it was fluctuating unstably while you were fighting. Reiatsu reacts to emotions, and what I felt that night told me a lot about how you were feeling, and I am guessing it has something to do with the arrancar you fought.”
“That-!” Ichigo was about to say but clammed up. “It’s nothing. I just lost. I... failed as a captain, and didn’t manage to protect my friends.”
“Did anyone tell you that you’re bad at lying?” Urahara said bluntly. Ichigo rolled his eyes.
“Fine,” Ichigo relented and sighed. He took a moment before admitting it. “That arrancar I fought... he used to be... a friend.”
“A human soul?” Urahara inquired.
Ichigo nodded. “He was attacked by Hollows. I guess that’s what happened to him after that.”
“Wait just a moment, Kurosaki-san,” Urahara stopped him. “This friend of yours is a human? And I assume he can see you?”
“Yes,” Ichigo told him. He hesitated what he was about to say but added, “He had a coloured reiraku. It was blue.”
“A coloured reiraku?” Urahara looked genuinely surprised. “Do you know how extremely rare such humans are?”
“Yeah, I read it up, and the books said that they had spiritual power strong enough to see Shinigami and Hollows.”
“And did you know that he would be a target of spiritual beings that lust for power?”
“Yes, but - “
“And do you know how potent his spiritual power really is?” Urahara looked really serious now. Ichigo shut up, both surprised and a little intimidated by this new side of the usually carefree shopkeeper.
“No.” Urahara’s expression softened.
“How long ago was his death?” Urahara asked.
“He died fifty years ago,” Ichigo answered, his fists clenching into the cloth of his clothes.
“That’s strange... I never sensed his reiatsu...”
“Neither did I until I summoned up a reiraku search. That was when I saw it,” Ichigo recounted. Urahara nodded.
“Tell me more about him,” Urahara said.
“And will you tell me how potent his power really is, and what it has to do with all this?” Ichigo bargained and the shopkeeper replied with a smile and a nod. Taking a deep breath, Ichigo began. He never expected to relive those moments again but after seeing Grimmjow again, Ichigo guessed that it was inevitable. “He had blue reiraku, blue eyes and blue hair. He was anti-social, distrustful and always fought for his life. Ever since young he’d been fighting and escaping Hollows. It seems like he can touch spirits, especially since he can injure Hollows too. He said he could see spirits since he was born, but only began seeing Shinigami and Hollows when he was about six years old. And... that’s all I know.” Ichigo held back any unnecessary information. Those were personal.
“How does he fight those Hollows? With a weapon or...?”
“He uses his bare hands, but occasionally he uses his work tools as a weapon,” Ichigo said. Urahara put on a thoughtful expression. “Will you tell me what you’re thinking? Your expression is making me nervous.”
“Well Kurosaki-san, from what you told me it appears that your human friend didn’t know how much spiritual power he has in him. Humans with coloured reiraku are as strong as Shinigami, whose reiraku are also coloured. But because their colours are not standard like the Shinigami, it suggests that their powers are stronger and follows the owner’s personality as well.”
“How strong is ‘stronger’?”
“From what I know, they are stronger than the average, non-seated Shinigami. Quite possibly, they have reiatsu level to or higher than a captain. I suppose it’s a good thing that he doesn’t know how to reach that power inside of him. He’s quite capable of destruction as much as a captain can.”
“Okay, so what does that have to do with the current situation now,” Ichigo asked, now a little confused by the topic that had side-tracked.
“Humans with coloured reiraku are extremely rare and are often sought out by other spiritual beings so that they can use that massive amount of reiatsu in them. Even when they pass on, the power sticks. If they are Shinigami, they would automatically be captain level. If they are Hollows, they would definitely be Vasto Lorde level. And since you mentioned that Kaname Tousen was there bringing him back to Hueco Mundo, I think I know what Aizen is doing now.”
“Which is?”
“I think he’s gathering those Hollows borne out of these people with coloured reiraku. These people are hard to find, even as Hollows, but if what you said about that human friend of yours being attacked by Hollows, I think Aizen’s had it all planned from the beginning,” Urahara said.
“...I knew that,” Ichigo replied him slowly. “I knew it ever since he betrayed Soul Society, and he looked at me as he mentioned about humans. When I got to the human world... Grimmjow was dead.”
“Kurosaki-san, please listen to me. From what Captain Hitsugaya got from the arrancar he was fighting, he said that Aizen had gathered ten strongest arrancar to lead his army. They are called the Espada. One of the six arrancar that came to the human world was one of them, and he was the sixth. That one was your human friend,” Urahara told him. “Those ten Espada would probably be Hollows with souls similar to your friend’s, and they are probably stronger than the captains.”
“I do have faith in the other captains of the Gotei 13, but right now I...” Ichigo stopped. “I don’t have faith in myself. I was defeated. I’m not strong enough. I couldn’t even land a decent hit on Grimmjow.”
“That’s where I’d like to help, Kurosaki-san,” Urahara said. The man smiled a smile that added suspicious intent to his already shady features. “I’m offering you something that is forbidden and would mean exile from Soul Society, but it would bring you enough strength. I am offering it to you because you seem to be the perfect candidate. You have a lot of untapped power in you, from what I see in your Zangetsu, and what I’m offering you might help you in bringing it out.”
“...Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” Ichigo stared at him dead in the eye.
“Yes,” Urahara replied steadily.
“...I... need a few days to consider it,” Ichigo said slowly.
“Alright, I”ll leave you to think and to recover. Please don’t stress yourself over it, I don’t want your recovery to be stalled by your psyche,” Urahara reminded him and left the room.
Ichigo sat in his futon silently, mulling over his thoughts. Was Urahara crazy, offering him such a thing? But there was only a few months left before the Hougyoku was fully prepared and the war with Aizen would start. That battle with the arrancar was probably just an introduction. From what Ichigo heard, Grimmjow was only the sixth, yet he was already that strong. No matter what Ichigo forced himself to think, that Hollow was Grimmjow. His features, his voice, his choice of words and actions screamed Grimmjow. It appeared that his strong personality had remained intact and it made Ichigo smirk for some reason. The other captains could fight the other Espada, but he too had to help in those battles. And what about Aizen? Ichigo had sworn he’d kill that bastard.
But right now he was too weak. A couple of months’ training wouldn’t bring much result. Ichigo pondered over the matter over the days he took to recover.
On the day he was fully recovered, Ichigo approached Urahara.
“Kurosaki-san, you’re well enough to go back to Soul Society,” the shopkeeper said with a cheery smile.
“I’m taking up your offer,” Ichigo told him straightforwardly. Urahara gave him a look.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Ichigo said.
“Very well then,” Urahara stood up and led Ichigo into one of the rooms inside the shop that he hadn’t seen before. There was a ladder that led down to the basement. “Please proceed downstairs. We’ll perform the hollowfication process there.”
-------------------- Part 4 end ---------------------
This should be my last post before I leave for internship at the Philippines for 3 months. Hopefully I will have Internet connection there so I can post up Killer Instinct and also continue this fic. Hope you guys still like the story for this though. Thanks so much for reading ^^
Pairing: Grimmjow/Ichigo
Rating: PG13
Genre: Romance, drama, supernatural, shonen-ai, angst
Disclaimer: Do not own BLEACH nor am I profiting from this fic in any way.
Synopsis: Semi-AU. Ichigo is a shinigami sent out for patrol. Bored of work, he seeks out interesting reiraku (spirit threads) and discovers a blue colored one. It leads him to an interesting human with blue hair. Ichigo learns more about him and soon finds himself forming feelings towards the man. Fate, however, decides to play a cruel trick on them.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
-----------------------------
‘Grimmjow... It’s him isn’t it? But it can’t be. He’s dead. I saw him. But now... his body...’ Ichigo’s mind was racing. He stared wide-eyed at the gaping hole through the stomach of the blue-haired man who just stood there watching him with a predatory grin. He took a step forward and Ichigo’s eyes snapped up to Grimmjow’s - they were different now. They were cold and cruel, and silently taunting Ichigo as their eyes met. ‘This... isn’t Grimmjow. He is... a Hollow.’
Grimmjow disappeared with a buzzing sound and Ichigo immediately unsheathed his sword to swing it behind him, where Grimmjow reappeared with another buzz. Ichigo thought the blade hit him, but instead, he saw that it was stopped by Grimmjow’s forearm. Taking advantage of Ichigo’s shock, he took the sharp side with his bare hand and threw Ichigo across to the other side.
‘What the hell was that?’ Ichigo thought, ‘Taking a swing from Zangetsu with only his bare arms?! Even Kenpachi can’t take it without bleeding!’
“Why so surprised, Shinigami?” Grimmjow said. “This is only our hierro. It just proves how weak your zanpakutou is to not even cut past my skin armour. Now why not you don’t waste my time and bring out your bankai!”
Ichigo glared at him with gritted teeth. In the background he could sense his friends fighting; some of them were already injured. He’d have to hurry up and finish the fight if he wanted to help them out. He got his attention back to Grimmjow who seemed to look both impatient and bored. Without further ado, Ichigo brought his sword before him and chanted, “Bankai!” Light engulfed him and Grimmjow merely looked mildly intrigued.
“Is that your Bankai? Quite flashy, isn’t it?” Grimmjow taunted at Ichigo’s changed look. Ichigo’s standard shihakushou had transformed into a sleeker version; he wore a long black coat with red inner lining and torn ends, and his sleeves were longer and followed the shape of his arms. His cleaver-like zanpakutou had transformed into a longer version of a katana that was completely black and had a broken chain at the end. Grimmjow didn’t move but just stood where he was with that arrogant grin while he waited for Ichigo to take his first step. Ichigo took his chances and did, flash-stepping towards him and slashing his sword at the man. Much to his surprise, Grimmjow could catch up to his speed, evading or blocking his attacks with his arms easily before he countered with a hard kick to his gut that sent Ichigo to the ground.
Their fight escalated into the skies, where they fought in a battle that Ichigo knew he was losing. Grimmjow caught up with all of his attacks and sent mere punches and kicks his way that could break through Ichigo’s defences. Ichigo was getting beaten down but he didn’t stop - couldn’t stop - fighting. Grimmjow being the way he was now was Ichigo’s responsibility and his fault. His soul wouldn’t have been eaten by Hollows and have descended into this state if he had been there that night...
“Tch, this thing’s a Bankai?!” Ichigo immediately looked at him. He noticed that his vision had gotten blurry, and finally felt blood running down his face. Grimmjow looked pissed and was glaring down at him. “You disappoint me, Shinigami! All your bankai did was to increase your speed?! Is that it!?” Ichigo just realized that he hadn’t put himself into the fight. How could he when the enemy had the image of someone he cared so much for? That night was all his fault. Ichigo killed him by not being there. He promised to protect him, but he didn’t. Grimmjow fought alone in vain, powerlessly against -
Ichigo felt numbness in his chest. He saw his own blood splatter from him before he could register the blue and the buzzing sound that accompanied it. Grimmjow stood before him, his arm stretched out and holding a zanpakutou. The hilt was light blue, and had the shape of a slanted, angular ‘S’. Ichigo’s eyes slowly looked to where the blade ended.
It was right through his chest.
‘A... zanpakutou? How did I not notice that earlier?!’ Ichigo thought weakly. He had been concentrating on Grimmjow’s hand-to-hand combat attacks that the zanpakutou tucked by his sash was left unnoticeable. Now that he saw it, did that mean that Grimmjow was the result of Aizen’s work with the Hougyoku? For a Hollow to have a Shinigami’s powers, which is in other words, the zanpakutou. ‘Grimmjow is an Arrancar, a Hollow ripped of its mask and have attained Shinigami abilities - no fucking shit, Ichigo.’
Ichigo’s initial shock faded and pain came to him like a bullet train crashing into his body. Ichigo’s vision threatened to black out, and he could hardly breathe.
“You’re weak,” he heard Grimmjow say. His voice was low, growling, and was laced with contempt. Ichigo managed to look up, meeting the arrancar’s eyes. They were blue, cold, and empty. All Ichigo could see was cruelty and hate. Did he die feeling that way? Ichigo wondered. He wanted to apologize so badly. “Only the weak, die, Shinigami. And that’s what you are.”
Ichigo supposed he is. He couldn’t even protect Grimmjow from Hollows. It was ironic to have his life ended by the same man, who apparently didn’t remember him. Ichigo guessed this was an eye for an eye for breaking his promise. The Shinigami moved his hand to reach out, but he could hardly feel his own body movements, and his sight was blurring. But at least he felt Grimmjow’s hand under his fingertips, and that made Ichigo smile.
Grimmjow was still warm, even though he was supposed to be dead and a Hollow. That warmth comforted Ichigo, and with the last glimpse of blue, he faded into unconsciousness - but not before he felt a new presence and heard a familiar voice.
“Grimmjow, that is enough. Aizen-sama demands your return...”
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Grimmjow followed Tousen silently in the Garganta they had entered. The blind Shinigami had carried the order from Aizen-sama to bring him back. Grimmjow wondered if he was in trouble. He had gone without permission, and Aizen didn’t like having his chess pieces do things without his acknowledgment. Especially since he had 5 arrancar killed, and he had also gone out of his way to kill a Shinigami - and that may have interfered with his godly plans. Grimmjow resisted rolling his eyes.
But it wasn’t his fault. He had first gone to the human world out of a certain calling that he couldn’t explain. He didn’t know why, but just something was urging him to cross over to the Human World.
After stepping into said dimension, he felt the same sensation again. Something, somewhere was calling out to him. Sensing the presence of Shinigami with pesquisa, Grimmjow set out his fraccion to dispose of them. He didn’t think that they were strong enough to actually cut down all of them, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was getting that annoying silent voice that was beckoning him to where ever it was in the human world. And he was on his way to said place when he saw that Shinigami looking around.
Bright orange hair against black clothing and a white overcoat. Where had he seen that bright orange hair from? Whatever, Shinigami was Shinigami. And the young man was reeking of reiatsu. Grimmjow was excited to test him. He’d been itching for a fight, looking for something to destroy ever since he was born out of that orb that bastard Aizen had in his hand, but it was further fuelled by something inborn that was yelling at him to rip that certain Shinigami apart.
Very well then, he had thought with a predatory grin.
The Shinigami was so shocked by his appearance. It had him grinning with ego, but something was off about that shock. Grimmjow could tell what it was in those eyes - guilt, hesitation and confusion. He had no idea for what, and why he was looking at him with those eyes, but occasionally they burned with fire and determination. He’d seen them before, but he didn’t bother about that. All he felt the moment he saw that was to crush it. Anger had built up in him when the Shinigami lost the fire at one point, and was hesitating. He was clearly out of it, not even focusing on the fight and had that annoying pained expression.
Whatever, Grimmjow thought. Hesitance was for the weak. The young man didn’t even catch his sonido - only realizing it when he had pierced him in the chest with his zanpakutou. Weak, Grimmjow thought with distaste. He had expected so much more from the Shinigami, but it seemed like he had overestimated him.
But then the orange haired man looked back at him, reached out, touched his hand for some reason... and smiled.
For the first time in his dead Hollow life, Grimmjow felt confused. However, something struck him at that moment. He recognized the Shinigami’s bright orange hair and hazel brown eyes.
As he continued walking through the darkness of the Garganta behind Tousen, Grimmjow almost stopped in his tracks when a name accompanied the image of the man he had just fought and killed.
Kurosaki Ichigo.
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Ichigo saw Grimmjow again. He was well aware that he was dreaming, for it was a memory during that first time Grimmjow let him into his apartment, and where the blue-haired man was sitting on his couch reading a book. That was probably one of the most memorable moments he had with Grimmjow, because that was the day when Ichigo confessed.
‘I like you,’ Ichigo had said when their eyes met and Ichigo had copied Grimmjow’s action of making physical contact. Grimmjow had touched the cloth of his sleeve, saying he wanted to know if he could touch spirits. Ichigo touched him on his arm; he too had not had physical contact with a human as well. Feeling the warmth in his hand made Ichigo say it, despite knowing that it may lead to cutting this strange friendship they had. He left his hand on the man’s arm, and felt his muscles stiffen even as he moved slightly. Grimmjow looked back at him, dead in the eye. Ichigo couldn’t remember what he was feeling then, but he knew his heart stopped while he waited for Grimmjow’s answer.
‘...I don’t hate you’ the blue haired man had said. It was an indirect reply that left Ichigo speechless, surprised and euphoric. Grimmjow looked away, apparently embarrassed by his own words, but it didn’t take long for him to turn back to him and leaned closer. They shared a brief kiss that Ichigo wished could have been longer. He remembered how soft his lips were, the hesitance that slowly turned into need and want. Ichigo knew because he felt the same way. Ichigo had said to Grimmjow then in between those kisses, ‘I’ll protect you.’
It was their only physically intimate moment they shared, and that was one month before his death.
Ichigo slowly opened his eyes. Light flooded his vision and had Ichigo frowning as he moved his hands to cover his eyes from the blinding light. He blinked a few more times before his vision sorted itself out and Ichigo sat up. He noticed Urahara sitting by his futon with Tessai by his side.
“Urahara-san...?”
“Good morning, Kurosaki-san,” Urahara greeted. “You’ve been asleep for three days now. How do you feel?”
“Like crap,” Ichigo groaned. He looked around. “You guys saved me.”
“Abarai-san and the others found you,” Urahara informed him with what seemed like a sincerely worried expression. “You were almost dead, with a lethal chest wound. If they hadn’t gotten you here sooner, you would have died.” Ichigo did not react to what the man just said, but instead, he just blankly stared into space.
“I see...” Ichigo said quietly. Then he looked around. “Where are the others?”
“They’re still recovering but they’re up and about,” the man in the bucket hat answered. “I’ll tell you how they fared in the arrancar fight three days ago while you were pretty much out of it: Kuchiki-san was not badly injured, so she aided Abarai-san who suffered some injuries that are deep but not fatal. Ikkaku-san recovered through personal means with Ayasegawa-san by his side. Captain Hitsugaya suffered massive lacerations and other injuries but is almost fully recovered now with his vice captain assisting him.” Ichigo nodded at the summarized information.
“Thank you... for helping us,” Ichigo said. His voice was hoarse and he realized how dry his throat was. Tessai handed him a glass of plain water which he gratefully gulped down.
“Well I did agree to the alliance,” Urahara replied with a smile as he watched the younger man empty the glass. “Now, Kurosaki-san, may I know what led to your mental breakdown?” Ichigo blinked at him, wondering what the man meant. “I know you are a better fighter. I felt your reiatsu, and I noticed that it was fluctuating unstably while you were fighting. Reiatsu reacts to emotions, and what I felt that night told me a lot about how you were feeling, and I am guessing it has something to do with the arrancar you fought.”
“That-!” Ichigo was about to say but clammed up. “It’s nothing. I just lost. I... failed as a captain, and didn’t manage to protect my friends.”
“Did anyone tell you that you’re bad at lying?” Urahara said bluntly. Ichigo rolled his eyes.
“Fine,” Ichigo relented and sighed. He took a moment before admitting it. “That arrancar I fought... he used to be... a friend.”
“A human soul?” Urahara inquired.
Ichigo nodded. “He was attacked by Hollows. I guess that’s what happened to him after that.”
“Wait just a moment, Kurosaki-san,” Urahara stopped him. “This friend of yours is a human? And I assume he can see you?”
“Yes,” Ichigo told him. He hesitated what he was about to say but added, “He had a coloured reiraku. It was blue.”
“A coloured reiraku?” Urahara looked genuinely surprised. “Do you know how extremely rare such humans are?”
“Yeah, I read it up, and the books said that they had spiritual power strong enough to see Shinigami and Hollows.”
“And did you know that he would be a target of spiritual beings that lust for power?”
“Yes, but - “
“And do you know how potent his spiritual power really is?” Urahara looked really serious now. Ichigo shut up, both surprised and a little intimidated by this new side of the usually carefree shopkeeper.
“No.” Urahara’s expression softened.
“How long ago was his death?” Urahara asked.
“He died fifty years ago,” Ichigo answered, his fists clenching into the cloth of his clothes.
“That’s strange... I never sensed his reiatsu...”
“Neither did I until I summoned up a reiraku search. That was when I saw it,” Ichigo recounted. Urahara nodded.
“Tell me more about him,” Urahara said.
“And will you tell me how potent his power really is, and what it has to do with all this?” Ichigo bargained and the shopkeeper replied with a smile and a nod. Taking a deep breath, Ichigo began. He never expected to relive those moments again but after seeing Grimmjow again, Ichigo guessed that it was inevitable. “He had blue reiraku, blue eyes and blue hair. He was anti-social, distrustful and always fought for his life. Ever since young he’d been fighting and escaping Hollows. It seems like he can touch spirits, especially since he can injure Hollows too. He said he could see spirits since he was born, but only began seeing Shinigami and Hollows when he was about six years old. And... that’s all I know.” Ichigo held back any unnecessary information. Those were personal.
“How does he fight those Hollows? With a weapon or...?”
“He uses his bare hands, but occasionally he uses his work tools as a weapon,” Ichigo said. Urahara put on a thoughtful expression. “Will you tell me what you’re thinking? Your expression is making me nervous.”
“Well Kurosaki-san, from what you told me it appears that your human friend didn’t know how much spiritual power he has in him. Humans with coloured reiraku are as strong as Shinigami, whose reiraku are also coloured. But because their colours are not standard like the Shinigami, it suggests that their powers are stronger and follows the owner’s personality as well.”
“How strong is ‘stronger’?”
“From what I know, they are stronger than the average, non-seated Shinigami. Quite possibly, they have reiatsu level to or higher than a captain. I suppose it’s a good thing that he doesn’t know how to reach that power inside of him. He’s quite capable of destruction as much as a captain can.”
“Okay, so what does that have to do with the current situation now,” Ichigo asked, now a little confused by the topic that had side-tracked.
“Humans with coloured reiraku are extremely rare and are often sought out by other spiritual beings so that they can use that massive amount of reiatsu in them. Even when they pass on, the power sticks. If they are Shinigami, they would automatically be captain level. If they are Hollows, they would definitely be Vasto Lorde level. And since you mentioned that Kaname Tousen was there bringing him back to Hueco Mundo, I think I know what Aizen is doing now.”
“Which is?”
“I think he’s gathering those Hollows borne out of these people with coloured reiraku. These people are hard to find, even as Hollows, but if what you said about that human friend of yours being attacked by Hollows, I think Aizen’s had it all planned from the beginning,” Urahara said.
“...I knew that,” Ichigo replied him slowly. “I knew it ever since he betrayed Soul Society, and he looked at me as he mentioned about humans. When I got to the human world... Grimmjow was dead.”
“Kurosaki-san, please listen to me. From what Captain Hitsugaya got from the arrancar he was fighting, he said that Aizen had gathered ten strongest arrancar to lead his army. They are called the Espada. One of the six arrancar that came to the human world was one of them, and he was the sixth. That one was your human friend,” Urahara told him. “Those ten Espada would probably be Hollows with souls similar to your friend’s, and they are probably stronger than the captains.”
“I do have faith in the other captains of the Gotei 13, but right now I...” Ichigo stopped. “I don’t have faith in myself. I was defeated. I’m not strong enough. I couldn’t even land a decent hit on Grimmjow.”
“That’s where I’d like to help, Kurosaki-san,” Urahara said. The man smiled a smile that added suspicious intent to his already shady features. “I’m offering you something that is forbidden and would mean exile from Soul Society, but it would bring you enough strength. I am offering it to you because you seem to be the perfect candidate. You have a lot of untapped power in you, from what I see in your Zangetsu, and what I’m offering you might help you in bringing it out.”
“...Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” Ichigo stared at him dead in the eye.
“Yes,” Urahara replied steadily.
“...I... need a few days to consider it,” Ichigo said slowly.
“Alright, I”ll leave you to think and to recover. Please don’t stress yourself over it, I don’t want your recovery to be stalled by your psyche,” Urahara reminded him and left the room.
Ichigo sat in his futon silently, mulling over his thoughts. Was Urahara crazy, offering him such a thing? But there was only a few months left before the Hougyoku was fully prepared and the war with Aizen would start. That battle with the arrancar was probably just an introduction. From what Ichigo heard, Grimmjow was only the sixth, yet he was already that strong. No matter what Ichigo forced himself to think, that Hollow was Grimmjow. His features, his voice, his choice of words and actions screamed Grimmjow. It appeared that his strong personality had remained intact and it made Ichigo smirk for some reason. The other captains could fight the other Espada, but he too had to help in those battles. And what about Aizen? Ichigo had sworn he’d kill that bastard.
But right now he was too weak. A couple of months’ training wouldn’t bring much result. Ichigo pondered over the matter over the days he took to recover.
On the day he was fully recovered, Ichigo approached Urahara.
“Kurosaki-san, you’re well enough to go back to Soul Society,” the shopkeeper said with a cheery smile.
“I’m taking up your offer,” Ichigo told him straightforwardly. Urahara gave him a look.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Ichigo said.
“Very well then,” Urahara stood up and led Ichigo into one of the rooms inside the shop that he hadn’t seen before. There was a ladder that led down to the basement. “Please proceed downstairs. We’ll perform the hollowfication process there.”
-------------------- Part 4 end ---------------------
This should be my last post before I leave for internship at the Philippines for 3 months. Hopefully I will have Internet connection there so I can post up Killer Instinct and also continue this fic. Hope you guys still like the story for this though. Thanks so much for reading ^^