I'm sosososososososo sorry for disappearing without any trace for long time! I was and am so busy since the start of my college I couldn't help it! I hope this chapter won't disappoint you!

Warning: yeah the usual, grammar error and OOC-ness

Torn Apart

Chapter 3

The End is the Beginning

The next morning Grimmjow had prepared to recieve his punishment since he helped Ichigo escaped from Hueco Mundo. At least no one would touch his prey. Aizen didn't say anything. That only pissed Grimmjow more.

Tousen, being as righteous as ever, asked Aizen if he was allowed to uphold justice by punishing Grimmjow using all of the espadas. The Sexta smirked, he knew it will turned out like that. He didn't care though, he will take them all out. Yeah like that would happen.

"BRING IT ON FUCKERS!"

It lasted really long. Grimmjow didn't know how long for sure. It was all rage.

The next moment he realized, he was already in the World of Living. His body was so weak and covered with bleeding wounds, surprisingly he didn't lose any limb. He walked aimlessly with one certain boy in his mind.

Ichigo...

Then finally he realized that rain washed his body, before he fell on his face.

Last night when he came back, Ichigo was surprised that his room had back to normal. He then found Rukia with Zangetsu on the floor beside her.

"You're back." She said with calm yet worried tone. Ichigo could see her violet-blue eyes glowing in the dark of his room that only illuminated by the moonlight. Those eyes studied his face. He hoped she didn't notice some bruises on his body (that mostly covered with shihakushou), but her frown proofed that he was wrong. She stood up and approached him, "What happened?"

Ichigo knew he couldn't hide anything from her. But he knew she could understand him. Instead of answer her, he looked away. Rukia sighed then told him his house was immediately fixed thanks to Soul Society. She only told them that they had a battle with an Espada, which is thankfully didn't bring up any other questions.

Another sigh, "I had this feeling that you're gonna be okay, but not so sure. So I visited Urahara. But you were back right after I did that. And you look… fine."

Ichigo stared back at Rukia. He was glad she helped him and didn't demand any explanation. After the silent staring, finally Rukia just noded and yawned.

"Arigatou, Rukia."

"Oyasumi, Ichigo."

She jumped in to her –his closet and went to sleep. He smiled then took Zangetsu and get back to his lifeless body. That night he couldn't sleep at all thinking about Grimmjow.

When morning came he felt something was wrong.

What's with this feeling?

It was raining hard, making his scowl deepen. He got off his bed, but suddenly felt something familiar.

Was that an opened garganta?

Ichigo took his shinigami badge and transformed, then fully concentrated his power to track whose reiatsu that came out from it. He gasped when he found one reiryoku that only belonged to him, "Grimmjow?"

Grimmjow!

He heard someone calling his name. The rained muffled the voice, but somehow he recognized that voice.

"Grimmjow! Grimmjow!"

Grimmjow slowly opened his eyes and saw the familiar orange haired shinigami, "Ichi...go..." He gave Ichigo a weak stare, and suddenly coughing blood.

"Grimmjow don't talk." Ichigo laid Grimmjow's body on his arm so he could breath better. He was glad when Grimmjow's eyes opened and said his name, but the espada's condition was really horrible. "I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't left you..."

Grimmjow stared blankly, he was panting slowly. "It wasn't your fault... I shouldn't have brought you..." He groaned painfully.

"Just shut up now, we need to fix your body." Ichigo hugged him closer. He can't bring him to Inoue, the girl would scared and Ichigo didn't want her to think he's still an enemy. Then he thought the only one he could trust. He took off his kosode, carefully not letting go of Grimmjow, to cover him from the rain.

The young shinigami's warmth brought Grimmjow to stare at him again. "At least I can see you again..." Slowly he reached Ichigo's cheek and stroke it gently. Ichigo touched the bloodied large hand on his cheek. "Don't die... Ichi..." He gave him a weak smirk before fell unconscious.

"Grimmjow!" Carefully Ichigo picked up Grimmjow and shunpoed to Urahara Shouten. He could only trust Urahara Kisuke. Don't you dare you die on me!

3 days later...

Ichigo just came back from school and went straight to Urahara's for taking care of Grimmjow. Looks like no one knows about him but Rukia and the shouten crew, that was relieving. He really hates to deal with 'enemy problem'. Plus the vizards were really trained him hard that drained his energy, he almost fell asleep in the middle of the classes. It's been three days, how long you're planning to sleep? He brushed the strands of blue hair on Grimmjow's face. Ichigo felt really tired, he decided to sleep close beside him.

Grimmjow woke up with a groan, he felt something warm radiating his body then finally opened his eyes. Where am I...? I'm not dead yet? W-what happened! He looked at his surrounding, it wasn't Las Noches or even his room and he was laying on a futon. His azure orbs finally found orange beside him. Ichigo...? Grimmjow narrowed his eyes and reached Ichigo's orange hair, stroking it gently. He must have saved me. Idiot brat, why didn't he just let me die anyway? I'm... I'm his fucking enemy!

Ichigo, still in his peaceful sleep was snoring softly and snuggled closer to Grimmjow's warm body. Grimmjow blinked seeing the berry's innocent movement and couldn't help to smile. He tried to get up, but only ended with a jolt of pain on his body. He gasped and growled, cursing his weak state. Hearing the deep in pain voice, Ichigo woke up with a cute innocent sleepy face that almost made Grimmjow forgot his pain.

"Hmm? Grimmjow? You're awake!" Ichigo sat up and helped Grimmjow to lay back down, "You shouldn't push yourself. Just rest."

Grimmjow scowled and tried to calm down. He sighed, "Idiot shinigami, why did you save me?"

Ichigo scowled even more rivaling the espada. Ex-espada. "You saved me first, how can I leave you dying, covered with blood and laying in random street waiting to be finished once and for all?" He glared irritatedly, "Why did you come here anyway, if you don't want me to save you?"

Grimmjow seemed lost in that fiery caramel eyes for a second and then looked away. "I just... want to see you for the last time, Ichigo."

To see me? Ichigo's heart skipped in excitement. "Th-then why don't you see me now?" He looked away, blushing but still glancing at Grimmjow, "I'm here now and I'll make sure it's not gonna be your last time."

"SHUT UP!" Grimmjow barked and glared at the younger man. "I just thought that I will see you for the last time before I die! But instead of it, I'm here and still fucking alive! And it's all your god damned fault, Shinigami!"

"Who told you to come and see me when you're dying! You know I won't let you die!" Ichigo glared back angrily. What the hell actually does he want?

Grimmjow didn't say anything, just staring at the angry Ichigo. He hated that look in his eyes, the caring look. Despite that fire in his eyes. The stubborn young shinigami always makes his chest feels weird... and hot. He showed his smirk again, which made Ichigo blushed a bit. "Since when you're so care about me like this, Ichigo? Like I've said before, I'm your fucking enemy who tried to kill you before, and already hurt you a lot even took your virginity. And you still care about me? DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH!"

And that did it, Ichigo snapped in rage. "BUT YOU STILL SAVED MY FUCKING LIFE! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW I HATE YOU A LOT AFTER WHAT YOU DID TO ME! BUT THEN YOU SHOWED ME THAT YOU CARE ABOUT ME! IT'S FUCKING CONFUSING ME, IT HURTS A LOT!" His body trembled. Finally he said what he had been hide deep in his heart which also shocked himself. His face flushed so red in mix of anger and embarrassment.

Wide shocked azure orbs stared at the orange head's flushed face in disbelieve. Ichigo cared about him, his enemy. Grimmjow chuckled, "Was that wrong that I saved you, Ichigo? I just don't want those bastards kill you" He then looked at Ichigo's body carefully, his brows furrowed in confusement. "But you said you're hurt. Where? I didn't see any blood, scar, or bruise on you."

Ichigo blushed, That's right he doesn't understand. "W-well it's not hurt like that... It hurts here..." He touched his where his heart is. "It was not wrong to safe me, so was it wrong for me to safe you too?"

"It was wrong, since I had ready to die. But you saved me, it can't be helped now." Grimmjow stared at where Ichigo touched with his hand, then slowly held it firmly. "How can it be hurt here?"

In return, Ichigo held back Grimmjow's hand with his other free hand. He smiled secretly, " I told you you just need to learn, about feelings."

Grimmjow felt the slightly smaller hand on his. It felt warm. " Tch... Is it really necessary for a hollow like me? Do I really need to learn these weird human feeling? Ichigo, I'm a hollow and will always be!" He said that even though he knew well betraying Aizen and the others, he didn't know where else he should be. Where is actually his place?

"You're definitely struggling with the feeling, do you want to let it drive you crazy? Besides you choose to come to human world, so suit yourself."

"I never want to come and live here, Shinigami! I just thought that I will be dead here, after I see you for the last time. Tch damn it! What the hell should I do now?"

Ichigo gripped Grimmjow's hand tighter, "Stay here with me."

Grimmjow couldn't believe what Ichigo had said. Was he offering himself? What was this shinigami thinking? He smirked widely, "Are you sure about that? You do know what that means, right? I-chi-go?" He asked teasingly and earned the more red face of Ichigo. How adorable, a ripe strawberry to pick eh?

The orange haired youth nervously let go off Grimmjow's hand. "I-I mean, you can stay here as much as you want! W-we can spar together, be-become stronger... and... and..." He covered his embarrassed face and turned around so Grimmjow was facing his back. "Dammit! You really are a bastard!"

"GAHAHAHA! Damn it Ichigo, you shouldn't be so adorable with that cute face of yours! It makes me want to hurt you more and more! Well now I'm glad that I'm still alive, so I still can touch you and make you mine, my Strawberry." Grimmjow's hungry eyes began to roam over Ichigo's slim yet muscled body. He pulled Ichigo to his embrace, earning a sweet gasp from the berry.

"Wh-what are you doing?"

The azure haired man just pressing Ichigo's back to his chest. He nuzzled his neck and face, smirked when he heard small noises came from Ichigo's lips. "G-Grimmjow, let go...!"

Ichigo, he really wants me to stay alive. If I die, he will be hurt. So... I have to stay alive, to protect him. He will be mine only! And I won't let anyone hurt or even touch him! Only I who can do that!

"Grimmjow!" Ichigo struggled and pushed him away. He stood up and glared angrily at him, "I'll tell Urahara-san you're already awake." He stomped out of the room leaving the chuckling Grimmjow alone.

Urahara told them he will help Grimmjow, let him stay and give him a gigai. But of course not for free, he wanted to know more about the espada, plus Grimmjow could help running the shouten. After all the explanation, Urahara left with his hidden giggle behind his fan which made Ichigo scowled.

"Uh so... you will stay here, I'll come see you after school. When you're completely healed, we can spar or do other stuffs..."

"I really have to stay here, huh?"

"So... uhm..." Ichigo didn't know what to do since Grimmjow is okay now. Somehow he didn't feel to leave him with that Geta Boshi. Who knows what will he do to the ex-espada.

Suddenly Grimmjow's deep voice snapped him out, "Ichigo, listen. Those Espadas and other arrancars will still try to kill you. Maybe they thought that I've already dead, but here I am still alive. And I will protect you and won't let them even touch you. Because you're mine!"

Shocked from Grimmjow's sudden confession, Ichigo blushed but then grinned determinedly. "You don't have to push yourself, I'll get stronger just like you said. But I don't mind your help."

"You bet, Kurosaki Ichigo!" Grimmjow smirked but suddenly he remembered something and frowned, "But the hell am I supposed to live here? This is so much different with at Las Noches, since there are bunch of pathetic humans and shinigamis around!"

Here we go again. Ichigo sighed, "We can think about that later, right now focus on your recovery." Well knowing Grimmjow, he could never stay calm in peace. He only found peace in fights.

"Yeah, damn right.", Grimmjow sighed. He stared at Ichigo deeply. "..hey Ichi, somehow.. That feeling of mine come out again. What is it again? When I kissed you?", he asked with straight face.

The orange head berry's went so red. Why does he always have to be straightforward? He averted his eyes from the man in front of him, "It... it's called love. It's not hard to remember it!"

Then man was so amused seeing the berry's adorable reaction. "It's love, eh? Come here, Ichi."

Ichigo hesitated at first, but went to the man anyway. Grimmjow held his chin and kissed his lips deeply.

Surprised, Ichigo struggled but the hold was firm. Why is he still this strong even when he's injured?

Grimmjow tasted the sweetness of Ichigo's strawberry lips and tongue, at least that's how he felt. He smirked when noticed the berry was kissing him back, he started to lick and traveled his tongue inside Ichigo's mouth.

Ichigo gasped when he felt Grimmjow's tongue broke in to his mouth, he forced it to get out with his tongue. But unconsciously enjoying the other tongue's taste.

"You like it.", Grimmjow smirked against Ichigo's lips. His hot breath ghosting over it. The blushing berry buried his face on Grimmjow's chest. He never kissed anyone like that.

Grimmjow strokes Ichigo's hair gently. The boy leaned to his touch, causing warm feeling ran through his... heart?

"How can you make me feel like this?" Ichigo buried his face deeper. "You… you scared and hurt me a lot but you can be so gentle..."

The blue haired espada's hand ran down to Ichigo's shoulder then his back, lead them to a hug. "Maybe I really... love you."

Ichigo's eyes widened, he stared at Grimmjow's azure eyes, "Really?"

A slight blush colored the man's cheeks seeing the young shinigami's cute confused face. He smirked, "Yes, Ichi. My strawberry, how about you? Do you have this same feeling?"

"Don't call me that.", said the blushing Berry. He thought about that. The man hurt him a lot, but he feels safe with him. Ichigo cares about him too. I think I do… Hiding his face on Grimmjow's shoulder, he nodded once as a "yes".

Grimmjow sighed knowing Ichigo's answer. "Tch. This isn't like me but… you gave me reason to stay alive. I will live for you, Ichigo." His arms tightened around Ichigo's smaller body. This warm feeling… so comfortable and nice. Is thishuman feeling?

That quite surprised Ichigo. "How? I didn't ask anything from you."

"You said that I can live here, right? And you let me protect you, also love you. You saved me so I can still stay alive here. If you're gone or die… I…" the ex-Sexta couldn't continue his words. He frowned and clenched his fist. Suddenly a smaller hand rubbing it. Grimmjow can feel the warmth from Ichigo's soft yet firm hand.

"I won't. I'll get stronger, we will get stronger together so we can protect each other." A small smile formed on the young man's face. "Thanks, Grimmjow."

Grimmjow almost lost his breath seeing the beautiful form before him showing his beautiful side to him. It's a rare moment, he could swear his heart was stopped for a second.

"Now you need rest, so you can recover faster. I need to go home too, it's night already." Ichigo stared at his boyfriend -Isthatwhatheisnow,right?- for a second before he kissed the man's cheek shyly "Night. I'll see you tomorrow."

Chuckling because of the shinigami's action, Grimmjow smirked "Heh alright. I'll make sure to recover fast, so I can protect your ass, Kurosaki Ichigo!"

"I'm counting on you, Grimmjow Jaegerjaques." Ichigo took his bag and stood up. Turned leaving Grimmjow in the Shouten, for now. I hope they won't realize you are still alive and hunt you down.

-end-

Cheesy chapter is cheesy. I'm not quite satisfied T_T

R & R! Thanks for reading!