I updated this in May, six months ago. Bad! really bad. and this is it! Final chapter of Shifting Perceptions and I am actually glad to see the back of it which saddens me a little. It's not the ending that was originally planned but not going back to change things now. I'd probably delete the whole story before wrestling it back to the original plan.

I have written this chapter eleven times. Seriously. Some got a bit ridiculous, some made no sense (or less sense than this one), some were a bit pointless and a few were just shit. This one was chosen as it finishes it in a way i am happy with even thought it's not at the point i would have originally chosen. Yes i am aware this story lacked any sex presence but hey, things happen. I am also aware i have not covered all the loose ends but apart from giving up entirely this is your lot!

I hope people still enjoy it and are happy to read the conclusion. Send me a wee note folks, but don't be too harsh if you're disappointed.

Thanks
Phoebe
xxxxxx

Chapter 15 (version eight)

Grimmjow blinked at his boss, wondering what the joke was. "Sir?"

"Fourteen ruling families, six upper: Kuchiki, Jaeggerjaques, Shinhoin, Shiba, Zaraki and Aizen. Shiba's loyalties are well known and as such they have lost much of the power they once had. Shinhoin and Kuchiki have remained politically neutral but clearly my family will support the shifters if called as will Yoruichi. She's the only female head of family but no one would dare suggest she wasn't capable. Jeaggerjaques was the only one that has been an issue for the last few years."

"Well I can't help you there; I guess I'm just Grimmjow now. Huh, sounds weird." Grimmjow frowned again, realising his life was officially over. He had a chance to start a new one, one with Ichigo.

"And your career? You cannot become the youngest judge ever if you're just 'Grimmjow'."

"Yeah, I figured that one out. Guess that part of my life is over too, university gone as well so my degree is wasted, I can't afford to stay if my father kicks me out. God I'll have to find a place in the city, and a job. Shit." Grimmjow whispered the last part, holding his head in his hands.

Byakuya felt pity for the younger man, stretching his hand out and laying it on Grimmjow's back. "It's not as far gone as you think. You deserve to finish your degree, and you deserve to become a judge. You are a good man. For now I can help you with your name but I have a longer term plan for you, if you are agreeable. For the short term however, consider yourself Grimmjow Kuchiki. I have the power and the sway to adopt you into my family as we pursue your father's abuse. We would be brothers, but again, only if that is what you want. It puts you back in danger and back in the centre of attention. There are no guarantees."

"Do you just take in strays? I'm not complaining my Lord but, are you sure?"

"Not my Lord any more, Byakuya please."

"I've always been an only child."

Byakuya just laughed.

iiiiiiiii

It took three weeks for Byakuya to get a court date for the investigation against Grimmjow's father. The news that Byakuya had 'saved' the younger man had spread, the elder Jeaggerjaques not able to come back with a public reason for disowning his son without the admission of violence against him. Grimmjow had faced some embarrassing moments getting his physical evidence with his body under scrutiny. After being poked and prodded for an afternoon, his scars being measured, his testimony was taken afterwards and he detailed the more recent attack. He left out his whereabouts before the attack, just that he'd been out with a friend for the weekend. He let his suspicions about the Largo family being involved out, saying he recognised one of the men but that was a lie, they only knew Largo was involved because of Ichigo.

Even the stuffy older judges were shocked at the state of Grimmjow's back. He had to bite his tongue before telling them they should see his boyfriend's back.

Byakuya introduced Grimmjow to 'their' little sister Rukia. Rukia raised an eyebrow at the blue hair before telling him she didn't do big brother hugs. Rukia had a personal shift that wasn't as good as Ichigo's but it came in handy for her escaping the other noble ladies.

Grimmjow still attended his classes, avoiding the other noble males by adopting his 'Kuchiki face' as Szayel was now calling it. He wasn't referred to as a Lord any more but it didn't bother him. He was the younger brother of the youngest Judge and had the respect due to him for just continuing in light of his family difficulties. His teachers treated him the same and had no problem with him staying in class at breaks and lunch period so that he could study and avoid the other boys on campus. He had a month until his final exams and Byakuya had a place for him, no matter what name he used.

The trial required little from Grimmjow except his testimony so he got to sit behind Byakuya, listening as his junior associate. He wasn't allowed to speak at the trial but he got to listen, hearing his father's defence. The man didn't say much, his lawyer speaking for him, painting Grimmjow as the disruptive and ill-mannered son.

The trial was to take four days and after the third, Grimmjow was ready to give up on his old name, just to get a decent night's sleep. He'd been sitting up to go over things with Byakuya; the man didn't seem to need sleep. Grimmjow was looking forward to Ichigo joining him at the Kuchiki house that night after time away with his own meetings.

Grimmjow was in Byakuya's study waiting for his big brother and clearing up the office for the next day when the door opened sharply, Grimmjow spinning round but he was grabbed and gagged quickly, his hands wrapped tightly behind his back. He was dragged out but he didn't go quietly, screaming even through the gag and fighting with all his strength to get away. One of the two men grabbed his jaw, pulling his head round and stilling his actions for a moment.

"Quit your struggles boy, we're not going to hurt you. Someone wants a word but doesn't think you'd come if asked. We've been assured you'll be unharmed and released tonight, told to go directly to Kuchiki if it didn't happen. So any chance you can stop kicking me?"

Grimmjow's interest was piqued but he didn't want to show it too easily. He was escorted to a different office in the same area, his wrists freed once they were through the door. Grimmjow hadn't known who was asking for him but he didn't expect his father to be sitting in the chair behind the empty desk, still dressed impeccably with his forearms exposed. His back was very straight as he gazed at his son.

"Son,"

"Fuck off. Just get to fuck alright. I have no interest in what you have to say so I may as well leave right now." Grimmjow turned for the door his shoulders rigid.

"Grimmjow I know you and Kuchiki are hoping to depose me to use our family name. And I know you've engaged in relations with that shifter boy. Do you have any idea how dangerous that is? Have you not engaged your brain since you left home?"

Grimmjow turned back, anger making his decisions for him. "Do you think I care what you think about where I give my body or my heart?"

His father's posture flickered, the man getting angry as well. He stood up, knuckles pressed onto the surface of the table. "Boy you take your life too lightly. Do you not remember what you were taught? I told you to avoid all contact with shifters; don't you know what they can do? What they could find out?"

Grimmjow snorted, standing tall and proud. "I know them better than you Father. And what are they going to find out from me, that my dad is a judgemental prick? I think they might have noticed."

His father walked round the table, leaning against it almost casually. He reached out a hand to take Grimmjow's but the younger man pulled out of reach. His father didn't like that, snarling as he stepped closer, trapping Grimmjow in a corner before he reached out a hand, holding Grimmjow's neck.

Grimmjow closed his eyes, expecting a blow and peeked one open with the warm hand landed on him. His father had his eyes closed, a frown deep between his eyes and for a moment he felt sorry for the man, felt the years of familiarity come back to the forefront of his mind. "Father,"

Whatever the older man was about to say was cut off by a new presence in the room, the coat making the wearer instantly recognisable.

Ichigo dropped his hood, sneering down at the older man. He glanced up at his lover, giving him a quick look before turning his anger at the man on the floor. "Did I ever mention that it was difficult to read you Grimm? I thought you were just hard headed but it appears to be a much simpler explanation."

Grimmjow frowned at his lover before looking down at his father. "Father? What do you mean Ichigo?"

"You ever wondered why people listen to your father, or how he always seems to know things he shouldn't? It's a shame you didn't inherit his shift, you fit in better with us."

"You're a fucking shifter?" Grimmjow turned to his father, the man's hands reaching out to grab a hold of him.

"And you've got a mouth like one. I won't be put in the same category as them."

Ichigo grabbed Grimmjow out of the way before his father could get him, the man standing quickly. "You should know I won't let you lay a hand on him. You're honey tongue has convinced too many people of your lies."

The man scoffed. "Everybody lies, I should know. How is my way of thinking that much more different than yours? You hate us just as much."

Ichigo looked over at his lover, giving a small smile. "Past tense. I hated norms, your son taught me not to be so narrow minded. Ironic no?" Ichigo's smile spread, a small chuckled leaving his lips. "Imagine, a man who spent his son's whole life trying to teach the boy to fear and hate the one thing he now loves and protects with his being. Your son saved my life the other day, he fought hard to try and protect me the night you caught me. He has done things I will never understand, even in the face of my hatred, just to protect and shelter people that you want him to shun. You should be so proud of raising a strong, caring person. Too bad it was the one thing you didn't want." Ichigo gripped Grimmjow's hand tightly before shifting the pair out of the room, staggering slightly into the larger man.

"You shouldn't have done that." Grimmjow pulled Ichigo's head into his chest, holding the man as he caught his breath.

"I didn't really want to argue with him, or hit him." Ichigo started walking, pulling Grimmjow along with him. "Well maybe I wanted to hit him a little bit."

Grimmjow chuckled as he wrapped his arm around the smaller man. They turned onto the corridor with Byakuya's office and saw Grimmjow adopted brother heave a sigh of relief before heading over to them.

"I told you to wait in my office, I was worried you'd been taken or hurt again. Either of you."

Grimmjow looked a bit apologetic; he didn't want to worry his new family. "I'm sorry, my father wanted to talk to me and didn't give me much option to say no."

"He kidnapped you?" Byakuya's face was like thunder.

"Well, kinda. Two guys extended an invitation that I couldn't refuse, mainly because of the bag over my head. Ichigo came and got me out." Grimmjow squeezed the other's shoulder which drew a small smile from the other.

Byakyua ushered them into this office, glancing down the corridor before closing the door. "Well that will all but put the nail into his coffin. The elders are really not impressed. Your grandfather is due in court tomorrow Grimmjow, he wishes to see you beforehand if you are agreeable. If you don't want to then you don't have to. I'll not see you put through any more."

"No, I'll see him. I don't really know him though. He's always been too busy for us. Father said I wasn't important enough to bother."

Byakuya was standing close enough to grip Grimmjow's shoulder tenderly. "From the way the request came through it seems like he thinks you're important. Come on, I'll see you back to Kaien's. See you there Ichigo." Byakuya just looked up at the shifter, Ichigo raising an eyebrow but he knew he couldn't be seen getting a lift from a noble. He pressed a quick peck on Grimmjow lips before leaving through the door, his hood over his face again.

iiiiiiii

Grimmjow was dressed in Kuchiki blue the next day, a colour he suited but it still felt uncomfortable. His grandfather sat in a tall backed seat, a smooth wooden cane out in front of him and held between his legs, both knarled hands clasping the top of it. Grimmjow was keeping his gaze trained primarily to the floor to avoid eye contact and was fighting a tremor in his muscles from the tension in his shoulders.

"Grimmjow Jaeggerjaques."

Grimmjow winced at the gravelly voice stating a lie. "I am sorry my lord, I can no longer claim that name."

"You are my grandson are you not?"

Grimmjow glanced up, seeing his father's face just with more lines ingrained on it and the blue hair turned silver. He dropped his gaze once more. "I am my lord but my father, your son has disowned me so I can no longer claim family with you."

A light chuckle with the same gravel under tones escaped the man in front making Grimmjow glance up again. A rueful smile was on his grandfather's face. "Well boy I find myself in a difficult situation. My heir will barely look at me and tells me he is no longer my family."

"I am sorry my lord. I know I have been a disappointment." Grimmjow shoulders crunched down as if weighted. He knew he did the right thing, helping Ichigo and being disowned but he also regretted losing his family and being alone in the world.

"You have been consorting with shifters."

Grimmjow snorted quietly.

"You have accused my son of abuse and neglect."

Grimmjow's head hung lower, the tremor increasing slightly.

"You clearly feel guilty of these things to debase yourself in front of me like this. My question to you is why?"

"I am sorry my lord. I was afraid the next time he hit me he would go too far."

Grimmjow was still looking down so when two hands gripped his arms he jumped and cried out in fright. He met the other's blue eyes for the first time, seeing the similarity to himself. "I didn't ask why you did it; I was asking why you feel guilty. No child should fear their father's hand. It is right to fear their disapproval but not to be in danger of injury." The old man drew the younger one into an embrace, holding the back of the bright blue head to his shoulder. Grimmjow sank into the hold, gripping the tunic with two hands. "You are my grandson. No question and you remain my heir regardless of what others may say. Keep my name; you are Lord Jaeggerjaques and keep you head high. You have nothing to feel ashamed about. My son, however will learn what it means to fear one's father." The old man pushed himself up with the help of his young grandson, Grimmjow rising as well. "Give your old grandfather an arm and we shall go and meet with your new big brother and sort out the legalities."

Grimmjow offered his arm as he has asked and walked at the old man's pace towards Byakyua's office. He was completely shell shocked but just feeling the warm arm over his own reminded him that at least one member of his family was on his side.

"Oh and when do I get to meet your young man?"

iiiiiiiiiiiii

Judge Lord Grimmjow Jaeggerjaques stretched in his seat, a yawn forcing its way from his mouth even though he fought it. Byakuya rolled his eyes at the other, disguising his answering yawn by tidying his paperwork and standing. "Come along then Grimmjow, the count will go our way or not. Us staying up all night will not change that fact." Byakyua saw Grimmjow to the carriages, watching the younger man stumble into his before turning to the one bearing the Kuchiki crest, his foot man opening the door for him.

Byakuya had more years practise in hiding his tiredness after a long day but Grimmjow was still young having just finished his probation year as a judge of the court. Now a full member he had just a much say as any of them, slightly more due to his name. Jaeggerjaques had always been an influential family and now that Grimmjow had his father's position and his grandfather's blessing he was a force to be reckoned with. A young man's recklessness and drive tagged with a senior position meant he had the potential to be elected grand judge in a few years. Byakuya was aiming for that position but Grimmjow might beat him to it.

The election had crawled up, two years in the making but it would be another week before they'd get the final results. Equality, it was a powerful word but absolutely terrifying to everyone, including the ones they were trying to bring forward. Most of the shifters Byakuya knew had told him others were scared of the change, not knowing what it meant for them. Shifters had been treated like second class citizens for so long that the idea of them being able to hold proper jobs, go to school properly and be involved in politics was terrifying. The other side of the fence were scared as well. Most of them had been raised in the way Grimmjow had, been told to fear the oddities and now being told they were the same was hard to grasp.

Grimmjow had been the driving force, determined to abolish the rubbish taught to most, to bring to light the similarities. The first step had been to show just how many 'norms' weren't. At first people had been scared to come forward but one by one families had acknowledged the existence of shift in their blood lines. Most of the nobles had maintained neutrality only to ensure their power to change things remained.

The vote had been simple. Equality couldn't be ignored, not when so many families were breeding with shift. It wasn't the 'curse' it had been blamed to be. People could vote three ways, for, against or neutral – just like in the vote to segregate had been.

Grimmjow slumped into his home after leaving the court house. He had spent days laying plans for any outcome, obviously preferring the favourable one. He shed his outer jacket, handing it to his maid with a thank you before retiring to his bedroom, smiling at the lump under the sheets.

An orange head appeared a second later, brown eyes alert and fierce until they identified him and softened. "Hey, didn't think you were coming home tonight."

Grimmjow sat on the edge of the bed and ran his hand through the soft hair. "Byakuya kinda forced me. Still got shit loads to do."

"You can't do it if you're falling asleep. Come to bed and relax." Ichigo was cut off by Grimmjow pressing their lips together. "Okay come to bed and I'll help you relax."

Ichigo twisted the pair around, pressing Grimmjow onto the soft mattress. It took seconds to remove his clothing, Ichigo's own falling after it. They fell into each other, Ichigo mounting his lover and riding him harshly, crying out as he painted Grimmjow with his own release. Two years had given the young men time to learn each other's bodies and they both knew how to draw pleasure out of the other or how to quicken things when looking for a release to draw sleep. Ichigo felt the strength drain from his legs with his release but he kept his harsh movements to draw his lover out, Grimmjow holding his hips tightly and working his own underneath as the end came upon him.

Regardless of the outcome of this vote, they knew they would be there to support or oppose the result and change the world's perception of humanity.

Oh well, it's not the ending i had planned but i am (fairly) happy about it. There is lots that wasn't address and i'm pissed about it but you have no idea the mess i've got myself into over this and it's a damn STORY!

For anyone that is interested here is some notes about the stuff that wasn't covered:
*That stuff they stabbed Ichigo with when he was kidnapped actually made his shifts stronger, it was created to limit but they don't really understand it.

*Grimmjow was the first in his line that didn't have a shift as as such couldn't be trusted with the knowledge about the noble shifters incase he resented them so his father went too far and tried to make him fear all shifters in the hope he wouldn't notice his own dad was one (yeah this was one of the points that made the whole damn thing so complicated)

*Ichigo's dad, the adopted Zaraki was supposed to make another appearance in defense of his son and was going to be headlineing the challenge to the reining order. *Kaien would have been second in command of the new order

There was more but it gets a bit convoluted. Hence the happy ending here! Anyway I hope it resolves enough that people are satisfied.

Will be working on my other stories tomorrow and not starting Strangers to Life. (or i might - trying a proper romance)