Disclaimer: I recently had a dream about champagne bottles and a certain berry and yeah…I'll leave the rest to your imaginations. Happy New Year! I am not Kubo-sensei! I own ZERO!

Warnings: AU, OOC-ness, loose-plot, Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation, citrus, view-point switching, slight non-graphic beastiality (because yeah Shiro is a shape-shifting reindeer after all so…yeah I kinda had to go there…)

A/N I'm too big of a Grimmjow fan to make him a total unfeeling asshole…so yeah.

otakuichigo, Orion'slover and Voluptuous thank you for dropping reviews and being honest in your enthusiasm to see future projects from me…GRINS.

~SLY~

Now then on to the conclusion….

()()

Shiro the White Reindeer and His Reluctant Santa Ichi

2/2

(ICHIGO)

The dreaded morning after is far worse than I could have imagined. My thighs are sticky, my ass so damn sore that the thought of moving from my current position seems like a really bad idea right now.

But that's not the worst of it-oh no the worst part about this morning is the fact that Grimmjow is refusing to speak to let alone even look at me.

I try not to gawk at the sight of his naked back as he pushes off the covers and moves to stand.

But I am gawking I'm sure of it because how could I not? His back is like the most beautiful piece of sculpted marble littered with thin red scratches-evidence of our coupling. A sure sign of the possessive hold I had on him. I feel my face grow warm and yet the urge to lick the scratches rises up in me. It's strong but I manage (barely) to resist.

The sound of a zipper being pulled up draws my attention to his lower half- Even in its now softened state there is no mistaking his magnum for a pistol.

I suck in a harsh breath hardly believing I tasted him. I want to taste him again. I want to feel him again.

He disappears for a second to retrieve something from the bathroom. I don't dare look over and see what he's up to.

And then in the next moment my best friend is back in the bedroom lacing up his PUMA's and heading for the door.

As a fool in love I want to call after him but I know its pointless and stupid and will only make things worse.

So instead I fall back on the bed and bury my nose in his scent. And since it's his bed, Grimmjow's scent is everywhere.

()

It takes a good half hour before I manage to drag myself out of his bed and into the shower. Under the hot spray I foolishly replay the previous night again, touching myself in all the places Grimmjow's fingers had been and all the places he refused to touch.

How I longed for his kiss, wanted to feel his winter-chapped lips moving against my own. I wanted to taste the nicotine and salt-water taffy on his tongue, the roof and corners of his mouth.

But I was denied because my best friend was a bastard-a bastard who loved to torture me and yet I couldn't stop loving him. I hissed and cursed as I accidentally bit into my own tongue just then-tasting blood I spat it down the drain and pressed my forehead into the wall.

Let the tears fall freely. I did not sob or wail I was silent in my broken-hearted misery.

I curled my fists quite sure that I would have used the wall as a target practice if a sharp rapping sound at the door hadn't pulled me from my pathetic state.

"Oi Ichigo! You're gonna turn into sum' kinda prune if you stay in there."

It was my friend Shinji although half the time I wondered why I hung around the guy especially since he got on my nerves quite easily.

"I'll be out in a few minutes Hirako, so get off my nads!"

()

If you slept with your best friend the night before you don't bring it up the next day-YOU JUST DON'T!

And you definitely do not EVER replay the moment when you and your best friend both climaxed and you had nowhere to fall but into his arms or on to his chest over and over and over and over. YOU JUST DON'T!

And yet despite knowing all of this I find myself doing exactly that, sighing wistfully like a lovesick idiot as I stuff my face with French Toast and Lucky Charms. It wouldn't be a problem if I was alone with my thoughts but I'm not.

I'm sitting at the breakfast table inside a rented cabin with my friends.

Grimmjow still hasn't returned and in all honesty I'm not sure he will. This makes me feel even worse about my situation but I suppose I got no one to blame but myself. Not like I wasn't warned. Still…

"So Ichigo, care to tell us what you and Grimm were up to late last night?" Nnoitra's tone is almost casual as he asks the question and stirs his blacker than black coffee with a spoon. I honestly don't know how he can stomach it but his family did originate from Columbia so maybe it's in his blood.

Playing clueless-lying is just about the worst thing I can do and yet I do it anyway.

"What are you talking about? Nothing happened."

Nnoitra rests one of his long spindly legs on top of the table and pins me with a stare. He's one of those rare people with two different colored eyes. His orchid colored orb is so bright it's almost like an ultra violet laser beam. Though I'm used to it I still can't help but flinch a bit. This only amuses him.

"Liar, Liar."

I curse and groan not knowing how Nnoitra figured it out but knowing that he did and now there's no way I can get out of this. Still doesn't stop me from trying. "I'm not lying what makes you think I'm lying."

Nnoitra leans across the table and points a finger at me, "Because ya're a shitty liar Ichigo. Always have been."

I look away from him only to be pinned by a different pair of eyes. Shinji has apparently abandoned his morning paper in order to focus on something far more interesting "me"-please note the sarcasm in my voice.

"Pretendin' might work on the idiots back at school but you dun' fool me or Nnoi for a second."

Silent words pass between the two of them and then twin piano style grins stretch across their faces and they chime in unison, "Hurry up and spill!"

()

(SHIRO)

I always go to sleep and wake up in my animal form so as not to draw any unwanted attention from humans.

Even so I'm not foolish 'nough to think I'm one hundred percent safe 'specially with the odd hunter or two roamin' the area but I figure I can do a significant amount of more damage with my antlers than my bare hands should a human be dumb enough to try and approach or sneak up on me.

And bein' a shifter my speed is ten times that of a normal reindeer so with this in mind I take my time bathin' in the charmed hot spring. Making sure every one of my hooves is squeaky clean. I have to look my absolute best 'cuz I'm 'bout to visit my Santa Ichi.

I still in my movements as the sound of hurried footsteps reach my ears. It sounds a lot like some one is runnin'-my golden eyes pierce through the hot steam and a moment later a figure comes into view.

It is a human male and he is still a good distance away so I can't make out any fine details. A hood is over his head so that doesn't really help matters either.

Still…it grabs my attention and so I abandon my bath and jump out of the spring and head for the human.

()

Highly amused when I discover that the guy is none other than the big blunet who sexed up my Santa just 8 short hours ago. I watch him for a few minutes admittin' that in the mornin' light he is pretty easy on the eyes.

Sleeve-less hoodie unzipped, beads of sweat drip from his hair, face and neck and on to his well-muscled chest.

I'd pro'bly be turned on if I didn't want to kick his ass!

He must think he's some real hot shit runnin' through the forest-MY forest half naked.

But actually he's just a freakin' idiot-bastard'll probably catch a cold and worry my Santa-Ichi half to death.

I know what I have to do and so I do it. I continue chargin' towards the arrogant blunet with the intent to scare-the intent to maim but not kill (if I really wanted to-if this fucker didn't mean somethin' to my Ichi he'd already be dead!) 'course bein' a measly human, the big lug doesn't know any of this.)

His hood falls down, blue eyes widen and his face visibly pales. I grin (which in all honesty woulda been more effective if I was in my 2 footed form) and continue chargin'.

He grows completely still and the only indication that he's still alive is the rise and fall of his chest. It is then when I take note of the crescent shaped moons scattered across the rigid and ripplin' planes of his body.

I identify the red marks right away as nails-human nails-gotta be my Santa-Ichi's nails. A stamp. A claim. A symbol of his attachment towards this idiot.

The visual reminder of what I already know boils my blood like hot lava and so I quickly close the distance.

()

The human's back is now back up against the tree and I think how oh so fittin'-so perfect-so easy it would be to skewer him with my antlers. Leave this bastard a bloody, unrecognizable mess for some poor soul to find.

Cinnamon-coffee eyes flash before my vision and I realize that even if I want to gut this piece of shit I can't 'cuz it would hurt my Santa-Ichi.

For whatever reason I have yet to learn my Ichi has given a piece of his heart to this blunet and I have to respect this-'least to a certain point.

As I consider my options the minutes tick by and I notice that the fear in electric blue depths is no longer present and the human's heart is slowly returnin' to its normal steady thump, thump, thump.

He still hasn't said a single word 'course I wouldn't expect him to (or any other human for that matter) since tryin' to talk down a deer is just 'bout the stupidest thing he can do.

My terrorizin' act is drawn to a grinding halt as blue eyes harden and a grin stretches across his sharp chiseled face.

The stare down in the forest has begun.

But it's not as epic as I'm makin' it sound-only lastin' a total of six minutes.

And then there is slight movement (its directly in my blind spot (don't like to admit to havin' any weaknesses but I figure if I'm gonna tell my tale I might as well tell all of it-like all creatures big and small I have my flaws)

I don't know what to expect but I ready myself for whatever the blunet has up his-wait he's not wearin' sleeves-no but he is wearin' pants and now he's fishin' round in the pocket for somethin'.

A moment-no less than half a second later a haunting, hollow sounding voice echoes through the air.

Even if my voice dies out

I will sing everywhere

And my song will be echoed here

The troubled night is buzzing

In my ears

I will continue running after

My uncertain future

But my hands only close in again (1)

It's an interestin' enough soundin' song but I'm not sure what Big and Blue is tryin' to tell or show me by playin' it. Could it be some sort of trick? A distraction? A sleepin' track-his bright blue gaze has not left my gold one.

()

(ICHIGO)

Shinji snorted after I told him and Nnoitra about what happened between Grimmjow and I.

"Well I think you're both idiots fer letting something like that come between you."

While my blond-headed friend was technically right I felt like he was missing the bigger picture. My best friend was ignoring me and it was making me miserable. "Yeah but-

"Yeah but nothin' I swear ya are worse than a pet chihuahua Ichi-constantly yap yappin' about dumb ass shit!" Nnoitra knocked over the chair I was currently occupying with his boot and then sneered down at me.

His tone took on a mocking sort of lilt. "I feel this, I feel that. Look even if you got no actual hair on your chin and ya ass is smaller than a chicks you're still a guy and as a guy you need to let it go Ichigo."

But how? How could I let go? How could I move on? These were the kind of questions I wanted to ask Shinji and Nnoitra but I just didn't know how.

"Nnoi's nailed it! Fuck yer feelings Ichigo and just enjoy the sex the way a man is meant to enjoy it." Shinji dropped to the floor and got with in inches of my face, "Next time you need help scratchin' an inch, come knock on our door instead."

While it wasn't exactly the worse suggestion I'd ever heard I had a hunch that it would only create more problems for me.

"Thanks but no thanks."

A shrug "Well then Ichigo there's not much else we can tell ya outside of it'll blow over."

I looked from Nnoitra to Shinji and then back again and tried to keep the hopeful sound out of my voice, "You really think so?"

Twin grins stretched across their faces. "We don't think Ichi we know."

I hope they were right. I really hoped they were right.

"Nuff about that," Shinji stood back up and stretched "We came to this lodge to do some skiing and yet none of us have actually done any."

"Oh yeah and whose fault is that? I've been up since 8 in the mornin' and was all set to go out but you decided you'd rather laze 'round in bed for another damn hour and then you had to waste even more time plucking your brows and puttin' that smelly vegetable shit on your face."

"Hey! You know my morning ritual is necessary so I can stay young and virile looking. I mean unlike you guys I'm only 7 years away from 30."

"I don't give two flyin' fucks about yer age and ya know it! Sides in another couple years I'll probably have a receding hairline and will need to purchase that Rogaine shit they always advertise on the television."

"You'd still be a hot bitch with out hair!"

"The only bitch is you and ya can bet I'll still be fucking ya pretty blond ass even when I'm at death's door."

It was a lovers tiff-banter type thing. That's right I said lovers.

My friends were weird. I wasn't even sure how Nnoitra and Shinji's relationship started-sometimes it seemed like the two of them have been together forever but then again I've only known Nnoitra for like 4 years so-there was no real way of telling.

In fact most people outside of our small circle of friends wouldn't even know that they were a couple-probably because Shinji and Nnoi spent more time insulting each other than sucking face. Then again maybe it was their version of foreplay.

I didn't know and didn't ask. Just watched the two of them wrestle the other man to the ground and claw each other's clothes off.

()()

(SHIRO)

And just as the song bleeds into the next verse the blunet's mouth moves and he speaks.

"So this is it, huh?"

His voice is low and much smoother than his physical countenance led me to believe and I wonder why this is. After a momentary pause he continues but now I'm not really sure if he's talkin' to me or talkin' to himself. His blue eyes grow dim.

"I finally give into my best friends pleas/demands, fuck him senseless, conclude he's the single best ass I've ever had, realize I might just be as pathetically head over heels for him as he is for me-if not more so. Then instead of facing my feelings like a real man I treat him like shit not even 24 hours later and run off like a scared lil' bitch and now I'm about to get trampled by a motherfuckin' white reindeer of all things!"

The human looks down at his hand and clenches his fist tightly. I eye him warily thinkin' perhaps Big Blue Paws ('cuz yeah his hands are big enough to rival a panthers paw) might be missin' a few screws. (2)

After a beat he starts up again but now it just sounds a lot like ramblin'

"To think that blind gypsy actually got it right, bastard warned me-said if I didn't watch it judgment day would come upon me much sooner than I'd expect."

A humorless snort, "Guess this is what I get for breezin' through life with a giant chip on my shoulder-actin' like I ain't got a care in the world and hurting the only person whose ever meant anything to me-thinking its fine so long as I lay down some ground rules-thinking once the lust wears off he'll settle down and realize that there will never be an "US" because I'm fucked up and he could do better.

The day will come when he walks away from me and I got no one to blame but myself. I'll grin and say "I'm happy for you Ichigo" when all I'll really wanna do is kill the stand in that he's chosen to replace me-time will tick, tick, tick on by and then one night I'll just lose it, break into their love nest, sneak up the staircase and kill em' both. Then when I'm on death row and my world is filled with nothing but iron bars and orange jump suits I'll think of my best friend-his bright orange hair and his iron will."

He chuckled bitterly and shook his head just then, "Ah who the fuck am I trying to kid? I'm not even deserving of a proper death-they'll be no bright white light at the end of the shitty tunnel. No divine maker to greet me at the pearly gates."

The blunet blew a rebellious bang out of his eyes and curled his lip into a half snarl/sneer (but it lacked edge, intensity-fire!)

"The only thing that awaits me is a sparkling white reindeer with freaky eyes!"

My pierced brow twitched. What the fuck was this? How the hell was I supposed to respond to this confession or whatever the hell it was?!

Big and Blue slid down to the forest ground and closed his eyes (apparently welcoming death) and I felt pissed all over again.

But this time for an entirely different reason. I mean did this bastard have some unseen on and off switch or somethin'?

Was this really the same arrogant guy who had looked me dead in the eye and grinned like a demonic feline in Wonderland just bare minutes ago?

Is this really the same guy who had just issued an unspoken challenge? Had I just dreamt up the whole thing?

The rush of excitement that I felt flowin' through my veins-had that just been my overactive imagination gettin' the better or me?

Had I actually considered acknowledgin' this big lug as a rival worthy of my Santa-Ichi's love?

Yeah, I had. Fact I'd been all set to shift into my human form and declare "Game on"

But no the damn fool had to go and ruin everythin' when he decided to have some kind of big emotional break down and convinced himself that I was the mighty Reindeer of Death or whatever.

Heh, that's actually kinda catchy. Might be a title to consider usin' when Hollow's Eve rolls 'round next year.

()

I gave the blunet a chance to redeem himself-get outta his lil' funk. But to my extreme irritation the sound of snorin' reached my ears. I blinked in confusion and then narrowed my eyes at the slumped form before finally turnin' away in disgust.

()

Decidin' to refocus my attention on what really mattered I shifted into my human form and made my way towards Santa-Ichi's cabin.

()

I knocked on the cabin's main door thinkin' it would best to show some manners rather than just bargin' on in.

I listened for the sound of voices or the turn of the knob but neither came so I figured fuck it! And kicked the door open.

No one screamed in horror or tried to put a bullet between my eyes so I figured my Santa and his crew were either sleepin' in or out on the slopes.

A faux bearskin rug was draped over 2 loveseats and the small couch. Three coffee mugs sat untouched on the coffee table inside the little lounge area. The fireplace was on and soft holiday music came through the small speaker above the mantle but the room was empty.

Seems I just missed my Santa-Ichi and his friends. Now I had to decide if I should wait 'round for his return or go lookin' for him on the slopes.

Decisions. Decisions. Nah not really I'd done enough waitin'. It was time to make good on my promise and woo my Santa.

()

Ichi was easy to spot because no one else was wearin' a black hip hugging full body suit with a strawberry-orange colored hat, scarf, matching gloves and leg warmers.

I could clearly make out every fine muscle on Ichi's body which I cannot stress 'nough is simply perfect. Even from a far away distance (thanks to my supernatural powers) I can tell by the way the lines in his face are curlin' that my Santa is enjoyin' himself-havin' a good ass time with the tall and widely grinnin' duo.

Neither male is attractive in the traditional sense. The dark haired male's look is just on the edge of alien meets insect. And the light-haired male's bone structure reminds me of an elf dancin' round on the moon. But there's somethin' unmistakably attractive 'bout both of em'

For the blond it's his eyes-there is a sly, suggestive and down right naughtiness in his hazel gaze and as for the other one with soot-black colored hair its in his stance-the way he carries himself, its more than sheer confidence, undeniable power and control and-wait!

I know what ya are all thinkin'-what ya gonna say so don't even bother 'cuz ya see as a member of the supes its natural get a bit sidetracked at the sight of such pure dominance.

Gotta give humans credit where credit is do.

()

(ICHIGO)

"So anyway after all that happened with Grimmjow I forgot to tell you guys about what happened to me in the forest last night."

Nnoitra and Shinji turned to me, raising their brows in question.

The three of us had decided to take a short break from skiing so we could warm up and rest our bodies before taking on the highest hill at the top of Gotei-13,000 feet in the air was no easy task.

"I met this guy in the forest."

"You met a guy out in the forest-ooooh naughty, naughty our lil' Ichi was two-timing-no wonder Grimm bristled and hissed like an angry alley cat."

"Heh, that certainly explains everything."

I glared at the pair of them. "What? NO! No it wasn't like that at all."

"Sure, sure Ichi whatever you say." Shinji grinned into his hot cocoa and took a few sips and Nnoitra leaned over and licked whip cream off his face.

Then they started inhaling each other's faces. I looked away deciding I'd seen more than enough frisking, fondling and spit swapping for one day.

I sighed and stared off into space while I nursed my own hot cocoa.

I couldn't help it I was still missing my best friend. I was beginning to hate myself.

'If only I had just left well enough alone he'd be here and we could be out snowboardin' right now.'

()

(SHIRO)

I found my Santa-Ichi inside a small pub with his head resting on the table. It was sort of a pitiful sight.

His companions were too wrapped up in their own world that they didn't even try to comfort or console him. I concluded Ichi kinda had a shitty bunch of friends.

All of em' so completely selfish.

Ah well on the bright side ('cuz everythin' has a bright side) it meant I would have my Santa-Ichi all to myself…stealing him away would be easier than snappin' my fingers.

Grinnin' widely I zipped on over to Ichi greetin' him much in the same fashion I had on our first encounter.

"Hi-yo!"

And just like the first time Ichi was startled and blushing all prettily.

"Gah!" He nearly fell out of his chair. "Shiro?! What are you doing here?"

It was a reasonable question. After all I told Ichi I'd be comin' for him on the 25th but it was not the 25th.

"Never mind that, follow me Ichi, I need to show ya somethin'."

()()

(ICHIGO)

He needed to show me something? What did the albino shape shifting reindeer wish to show me? I eyed Shiro warily.

"What do you want to show me?"

He shook his head and then leaned in and brushed our noses together (it was kind of weird but kind of cute too in away) and then he winked at me and lifted me into his arms.

"He-hey what the put me down!

I did my best to protest and still maintain some of my masculinity but it was hard to be manly when I was waving my arms widely and shouting and all-

" I said put me down you idiot! Everyone is watching us!"

Not exactly true. Everyone inside the pub was more interested in the food or their companions. Still…it was humiliating being lifted up like some princess in a fairy tale or something.

I started pounding at Shiro's pale chest (guess the cold weather didn't effect him) but he only giggled and brushed our noses together a second time before whisking me out the door of the pub.

No one called after me. I doubt Shinji and Nnoitra even looked up once. The bastards!

()

(SHIRO)

Sometimes things just don't go the way ya plan and so ya just gotta wing it! Such as the case with my Santa-Ichi and me. After he tiered himself out from yellin' at me to put him down I brought him to one of my favorite parts on the mountainside.

I thought it would be the ideal opportunity to show Ichi what I looked like in my other form and maybe if he was good I'd let him climb up for a ride. I didn't much fancy the idea of carrying stuff on my back but Ichi was special so it was somethin' to consider.

First I had to wipe the scowl off his face though.

"Cheer up Ichi, you're with me now so forget all 'bout ya worries and-

"I'm not in the mood to be your source of entertainment or whatever. So just get on with what ever it is you wanted to show me so I can get back to drowning my sorrows in cocoa."

Ichi was pouting and while I found it cute it also bothered me 'specially since I knew the reason for his attitude-still I didn't appreciate bein' talked to in such a cold way-as though I were nothin' more than a nuisance or an eyesore.

"Heh ya are bein' very unfair to me right now, Ichi."

Ichi snorted and practically spat out a bitter, "Life is unfair, get over it!"

I narrowed my golden eyes at my Santa to be and put my super-speed to good use and sealed my mouth over his. It was warmer than I expected-sweeter too and I wanted more-would have more but not until I got Ichi to brighten up.

It was a nice day outside and yet Ichi's depressive state made it seem like the heavens were cryin'-that term 'black clouds hoverin' over head' applied to my Santa. I needed to do somethin' to pull him out of his funk.

Unfortunately all thoughts that sprung to my mind were of the skin slappin' against skin variety-and while that wasn't a bad idea (quite the opposite) since I might be able to get my Santa to temporarily forget his pain while he was high on bliss in the end when it wore off he'd still feel empty and numb inside and that would not sit well with me at all.

So all thoughts of seducin' my Ichi were put on pause. My Santa didn't need a reindeer to sex him up right now. He needed a friend. I'd be Ichi's friend.

"I just thought ya could use a change of scenery," I looked off into the distance and just start talkin' to him 'bout everything and nothing. "I like to come up here to think about things-ya know sometimes its just good to appreciate the simple things in life."

Ichi looked up at me from beneath his orange lashes, his voice a bit hoarse (was his own damn fault from yellin' so much) "Have you ever thought about jumping?"

Jumping? I had a feeling my Santa wasn't talking about bungee jumping but somethin' much darker-a rather depressin' topic for the holiday season.

I ached for Ichi, really I did but I also kind of wanted to slap the shit out of him just then. Was he really hintin' at wanting to end his life? All this just cuz' of his dick best friend?

"I wouldn't actually go through with it though, it would be an insult to everything my mother has taught me."

My Santa let out a sigh and sat down-completely unfazed by the ice and the snow. "Sometimes I wish I couldn't feel at all." Then Ichi craned his neck in my direction, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his peach-frosted lips. "I don't suppose you can make it so I can't feel anymore, can you Shiro?"

I shook my head and moved to stand behind Ichi and said. "I'm not a genie Ichi."

"Yeah I know but I just thought oh never mind-," he released another sigh and fell silent. I frowned and cursed the stupid blunet that was the cause for my Santa's pain.

'I shoulda just skewered his ass after all!'

Ichi fell back into the snow just then. I didn't know if he was planning to take a nap or what-either way I didn't want him to use a stupid mountain as his pillow when I'd be much more comfortable and convenient for him to rest on.

So I dropped down to my knees and cradled Ichi's head in my lap. "Just 'cuz I can't make your emotions disappear don't mean I can't help ya."

"No one can help me. It's hopeless."

I didn't like Ichi's self-depreciating attitude one damn bit.

I pushed aside his fuzzy hat and wound my black painted fingernails through his spiky orange locks and pulled.

Ichi didn't even wince in pain-even though it probably shouldn't it kinda made me proud.

"Idiot! It's not hopeless. Just 'cuz ya got fucked over by your best-friend that don't mean real love is outta reach. Told ya before didn't I Ichi that us meetin' each other is destiny."

"I don't believe in things like destiny and wait a minute how do you know-?" Ichigo furrowed his orange brows "Can shape shifters read minds or something?"

"Yeah something like that."

What? Don't give me that look its not like I was trying to outright lie to my Santa-Ichi I just didn't feel like tellin' that I saw him last night.

"Anyway ya don't have to believe in things like destiny. Ya don't have to believe in anythin' cept me o' course!" I grinned widely at my Santa.

Ichi smiled up at me and breathed out,

"I'm starting to think you're just some figment of my overly active imagination. I'm so pathetically lonely that I conjured up a powdered version of myself. Only you've got glossier hair and better nipples."

Better nipples? Well that was-a compliment I guess but kind of an out of the box one still… I'd take what I could 'specially since the words had come straight from my Santa-Ichi.

"Um okay."

"Seriously its like no matter how I look at em' your nipples are just well-their the way a guy's nipples should be. They don't wave hello when you wear skin-tight tees-they don't harden like little rubies from a cold blast of wind."

What a strange thing to say. Did my Santa have nipple fetish?

"And your hair," he continued with a dreamy sort of sigh, "I bet you can do all kinds of things with your long flowing mane right?"

"First my nipples and now my hair? Ichi what exactly are you tryin' to tell me. I mean if ya like it that much reach out and touch me."

What? I was just givin' him a friendly invitation nothin' more.

Ichi looked adorably confused at my words but reached out a hand and touched me.

I was tryin' to be understandin'-tryin' to be his friend but it was kinda hard not to react since I mean I can't help feelin' the way I feel.

'Sides its not like I forced Ichi to touch me-fact I let him do his explorin' while he babbled about 'bout that blue-headed bastard.

"He's got a nice chest too. It's wide and more muscular than yours and mine-a pretty color too. Lucky bastard could probably sit out in the sun and roast for hours without actually burning or tanning-well he does have some what of a tan but its natural."

Decidin' I really didn't wish to hear Ichi go on and on 'bout the love of his life I redirected his attention so that he was solely focused on me and only me.

"I've thought 'bout getting' my nipples pieced but I'm not sure that would look right when I'm in my reindeer form."

Ichi looked at me with pure bafflement for a few minutes and when it finally sunk in he burst out into laughter.

"Yeah I suppose a reindeer with pierced nipples would be kind of strange. Wait! Do reindeer even have nipples?"

It was a strange question. A strange conversation. Not romantic in the least.

"On second thought…let's talk about something else."

"How 'bout we just save the talkin' for later and get to know each other better?"

Don't give me that look! Of course I was layin' on the charm. Told ya before didn't I? I don't have the world's greatest patience. I wasn't gonna waste precious time.

I didn't give Ichi a chance to accept or refuse 'stead I just leaned in and captured his lips again-not carin' if my neck grew a bit stiff in the odd position because my Santa-Ichi was kissin' me back-shiftin' his body upwards and trying to get better access to my mouth-twirling his fingers in my long white mane.

()

I ripped Ichi's skii suit off of his body with my supernatural strength. Ha! Betcha though I was gonna say claw huh?

Well ya thought wrong I'm a deer not a wolf and anyway Ichi was too caught up in the heat of the moment to protest. I'd never get 'nough of Ichi-seein' his hot little body was even better in the afternoon sunlight than it had been in the moonlight. It was so smooth and pretty and not even the sight of teeth mark indentations tainted the perfect vision that was my Santa.

I completely disagreed with Ichi on the nipple thing though. His peach-caramel nubs were plenty masculine or at least boyish-they didn't slap me in the face like a chicks tits would so honestly I don't know what Ichi had been talkin' about.

I brushed the pad of my thumb against one of his nipples and delighted in the soft moan that slipped past his lips. Ichi's eyes were shut and he was gnawing on his bottom lip but some things just couldn't be silenced.

His cheeks were flushed and it was quickly spreading to his ears, neck and chest. 'Course I had to brush my finger against the nub again and again. Just as I had to press my lips to each nipple-lick and suck and nibble on em'-a delicious snack my Santa was.

I had to leave my own stamp-biting him hard enough to bruise and yes sometimes even break the skin. A lil' bit of pain can be a good thing ya know?

Ichi had no objections to this either-rather he seemed to enjoy it and responded in kind by gnawing at my collarbone and clawing up my back with his blunt fingernails.

Miraculously (wonders never cease-heh I surprise my self at times) my hands hadn't once ventured lower than Ichi's waistline.

Don't get me wrong I was still gunnin' for it-just not yet.

()

(ICHIGO)

Was it lust or was it my desire to forget that prompted, inspired and encouraged me to take things further with Shiro?

Mirroring the shifter's earlier actions I ripped off his pants and drank in his creamy soft and powder white skin.

Marveled at his unearthly beauty and ran my fingers along his strong and powerful thighs. I bet Shiro was a hell of a runner.

A moment after the thought occurred I wanted to slap myself. Of course he's a hell of a runner-he's a damn reindeer you idiot!

My skin itched and my body flushed in the most delightful of ways. The bulge in Shiro's boxer briefs bobbed at me in greeting (perhaps that was a supernatural talent? Or maybe it was just a Shiro thing? Either way I felt the familiar feeling (practically a dead ringer to the previous night) come over me.

I couldn't wait to wrap my mouth around each and every delicious inch. Shiro was surprisingly very quiet but maybe that's because he felt words weren't really necessary at this point. His eyes never strayed away from mine once though and his fingers never stopped their light drumming along my spine.

A couple of times it seemed like Shiro wished to venture lower-especially with the wicked grin pulling at the corners of his painted mouth. I really loved Shiro's mouth-not just because it tasted like licorice or because of the amazing things he did with his tongue-it was just everything about his mouth.

I know I know I'm probably not making a whole lot of sense right now but you can hardly blame me. This is what drunk on lust does to my brain. Deciding that there wasn't any point to drag things out any longer and that I should just take what I wanted I dove in.

Mirroring Shiro's grin I pulled at the waistband and then…promptly screamed in well…

I wouldn't say horror per se but I jumped a good distance away from the shape shifter and pointed an accusing finger at him-at it!

"Wh-What the hell is-why the hell is the tip of your dick glowing?!"

I wracked my brain recalling the previous night when Shiro approached me. I'd done my best not to let my eyes drift but I am but a human-a guy-a teenager and I'm pretty damn sure my eyes did drift below his waistline at one point so I would have remembered-that!

Don't get me wrong there was nothing from with Shiro's penis because it was a lot like mine-maybe a half inch longer and powder white in color but perfectly normal. Except not quite because like I said it was glowing-glowing like a freaking light bulb.

You can hardly blame me for being a bit weirded out. I mean only alien's should have glowing phallic parts right?

Shiro's pierced brow twitched and I felt a little guilty because my reaction hadn't exactly been welcoming but again I say it's glowing-GLOWING bright freaking red like a siren on a fire truck or Rudolph's red-oh no don't tell me! Don't tell me! Really? Really?! Was this really my life?

To be hopelessly in love with my best friend and seriously about to consider getting all hot and heavy with a shape shifting reindeer with a glowing penis?

I managed to calm myself and ask Shiro, "Is it um…alive?"

Shiro looked at me like I was the single biggest dumb ass he'd ever met and then pulled his boxer-briefs down the rest of the way and tugged his length affectionately.

"Everythin' bout' me is alive Ichi and yeah my hose glows but this is a good thing."

I quirked a brow, "A good thing?"

"Think of it like the ultimate sex toy and the condom of the future rolled up in one."

"Meaning?" I was curious and equally horrified at what Shiro might tell me next. He grinned widely and stalked towards me.

"Meanin' multiple orgasms, intense pleasure and one hundred percent protection from all those nasty things human's gotta deal with. In short I'm the best thing ya could ever ask for Ichi!"

Not to be rude but- "I didn't ask for you."

Shiro's brow twitched again and for a second I thought he might hit me. But he only closed the last inch of space between us, grabbed hold of my hand and placed it on his glowing cock. It felt normal enough not that I was an expert or anything but-

"That's it Ichi, pet it just like you would pet a kitten."

Kind of a weird thing to say but oddly it worked. Ignoring the fact that Shiro's hot rod was still glowing red between my palm I stroked the shape shifter the way I thought he might like. When all else failed I let my instincts guide me.

Shiro rested his head on my shoulder while I pumped him and not to be out done he grabbed me through my bright orange briefs and tugged my manhood-it was gentletugging though.I sensed this was Shiro's way to be affectionate. Again maybe that is just the lust talking.

()()

(GRIMMJOW)

After I spent the morning and a good chunk of the afternoon feeling sorry for myself I decided to get on with my life and dragged myself to the pub where I was sure I'd find my best friend.

Unfortunately for me I had no such luck-the only ones waiting inside the pub of the lodge were my buddies Shinji and Nnoitra.

Well I use the "buddy" term really lightly since most of the time the two of them irritated the living shit out of me.

"Heh, look what the cat dragged in, bout' time you decided to show yer face. Where you been hidin' all morning?"

I ignored Shinji's inquiries and demanded, "Never mind that. Where's Ichigo?

When Shinji said nothing, I turned to Nnoitra demanding an answer from him.

Nnoitra shrugged, "He's round here somewhere. Come sit. Have some cheese nips."

I didn't want any cheese nips. I just wanted to talk to Ichigo. Needed to talk to Ichigo. Apologize for acting like a total douche wad and then sit him down and try to figure out how to turn our rocky friendship into something more.

I pulled out a chair and sat down figuring maybe Ichigo was in the bathroom or something.

()

When a half hour ticked by I realized I'd only been fooling myself. Wherever my best friend was it wasn't the pub. I glared at Shinji and Nnoitra. "Alright cut the bullshit where the hell is Ichigo? We got things to discuss."

"Hmm? Things to discuss," Shinji rubbed his chin thoughtfully and leaned across the table, a shit eating grin making its way on to his elfish face, "Do tell."

I pushed my hand against his face not appreciating how close he'd gotten and snarled, "None of your fuckin' business, just tell me where Ichigo is."

"Where is Ichigo? That is a good question, any ideas where our berry boy toy is hiding out Nnoitra?"

"Nope. Not a clue." Another careless shrug, "But there was a hot lil' albino wanderin the pub earlier, maybe he knows where Ichi is."

Hot albino? What hot albino? Why the fuck would my best friend be getting mixed up with some powdered freak?

I grabbed Nnoitra by the collar of his shirt and hissed, "What the fuck you talking 'bout Gilga and don't you dare lie to me!"

Nnoitra calmly (too fucking calmly) pried my hand away from his collar and sneered, "Don't know the facts or anything but seems to me Ichi has found someone else to warm his bed…someone who quite obviously ain't you puss."

Fucker! I'd smash a bottle over his head if I had the time but I didn't have the time. I had to find out where Ichigo was and fast! So instead I just grabbed the bottle and smashed it on the table and roared in Nnoitra's face.

"YOU FUCKING SON OF BITCH! ENOUGH WITH THE BULLSHIT! WHERE THE HELL IS ICHIGO?!"

Not that he cared-fucker didn't even bat a lash-rather he seemed bored.

It took a minute Okay it took 3 but in the end Shinji took pity on me.

"It's like Nnoitra was tryin' to tell you Grimm, Ichi ran off with a hot lil' bino awhile ago. We never caught the guys' name 'cuz we were a bit preoccupied but Ichi is prob'ly with im."

I gnawed on the inside of my cheek, swiped a half drained cup of coffee off one of the other tables downed it and then sat back down and demanded to know more.

"What did he look like?"

I wasn't ignorant enough to think all albinos looked a like.

"What did he look like? That's a good question-hon'stly me and Shin didn't get that good of a look. He was hot though so really I can't blame Ichi for running off with him."

Fucking Nnoitra! Just had to rub it in! Again I would totally fuck his face up if I had the time and wasn't determined to track down my best friend. I turned to Shinji hoping he'd have something else to add.

He yawned and snapped his fingers in order to get the waiter's attention before continuing, "It was kinda weird actually more that I think about it-he coulda easily been Ichigo's long lost brother or something."

Long lost brother? Ichigo didn't have any brothers. He had 2 sisters and several cousins. Well whatever…it didn't matter.

"Is that all?"

Another yawn "What else you' need to know?"

I sighed not really knowing the answer myself. This was pathetic I suddenly felt very tiered even though I'd slept in the forest for a good hour or so.

The forest! That reminds me!

()()

(SHIRO)

Once my Santa-Ichi got over the initial awesome shock that I glowed below the belt he really went to town-leaving no inch of my cock left untouched.

Eager to please-determined to make me lose any sense of control I might have had on our current situation.

Heh, situation was a real light way to put it. Supernatural bein' or not I couldn't stay standin' in the same position forever-or rather it would be more accurate to say I didn't want ta stay in the same position.

Okay truth? Yeah my Santa was that good with his hands and mouth. Good enough to make my knees collapse out from underneath me-course bein' the naughty and oh so competitive bino shifter I am I upped my own tempo and quickly brought Ichi down to a similar state. He was too damn delicious as he came undone-ropes of both our sticky cum mixing together.

If this couldn't be considered somethin' grand I don't know what could.

And then all of a sudden out of freakin' no where to my great horror and confusion my Santa-Ichi started to cry and cling to me. Well the clingin' was somethin' I was thoroughly enjoyin' but the tears streamin' down his face-? Yeah that not so much. The sight made my heart clench.

What else could I do at this point but hold him and kiss away his tears?

"I'm sorry I-I don't normally (sniff sniff) get all emotional like this, it's just I feel-I-I don't want to say I feel confused since I enjoyed all of that just now but I-

"Shhh! I already know Ichi, ya got it bad for your bff and while it don't make me too happy I'm confident I can make ya forget 'bout him."

Ichi shook his head and continued to sob, "I don't-I don't want you to think you're j-just some rebound guy. I actually really like you even though I barely know you."

I pressed my finger over Ichi's mouth and shook my head. "No explanations are needed Ichi. I know ya think I'm a sexy bitch so ya just calm ya lil' berry head down and I'll take ya to paradise."

"Why would you-I don't-

"Shh! Ichi it don't make no damn difference ta me if ya are in love with ya bestie. Ya are still the only Santa for me and in time ya will see I'm the only reindeer for you."

Ichi looked adorably confused as he said. "But you are the only reindeer Shiro."

"Wrong Ichi! I'm not just a reindeer I'm 'bout to become ya reindeer." And with these words I scooped up the small white puddle we'd made and pushed my Santa back in the snow and spread the sticky white substance over his body like I was decoratin' a cake. It was a good look.

A real good look and I wanted to see more. So wastin' no time I grabbed hold of Ichi's spent cock and reawakened it.

Didn't take long-sobbin' emotional mess and all Ichi was always ready for me. His broken cries and high-pitched moans sounded far more heavenly than an angelic choir.

()()

(GRIMMJOW)

"I'm telling you guys there was a fucking white reindeer out in the forest with glittering silver white antlers and these freaky gold-black eyes. I thought I'd be trampled to death but he ran off."

"Grimm even if there was a deer out in the forest today there's no way it was white."

"Yeah dumb ass we're in the mountains of Gotei."

"Look I don't give a shit what you guys think it was a sign."

"A sign? What kind of sign Grimm?"

I shook my head. "Never mind look I've wasted enough time with you bastards I need to get up and find Ichigo."

"Yeah…yeah that would pro'bly be a good idea."

"Yeah let us know how that goes."

Sending Nnoitra and Shinji the worldwide "fuck you" sign I left the pub and set off to find Ichigo.

The sun would set soon so even if he was up in the mountains getting cozy with some slutty albino-I decided not to finish my thought and quickened my pace.

()

(SHIRO)

"Are ya ready for me Ichi?"

At this stage I was only askin' cuz I was trying to be romantic but honestly both me and my glowing hose were growin' rather impatient. I finished paintin' my Santa's body with cum and Ichi loved every second of it.

I could tell he did. I loved it too. It was just another sure sign that Ichi and I were meant ta be.

Twirling my tongue around his navel and then tugging lightly at tight skin of his sexy tummy with my teeth I hoisted one of Ichi's well-muscled legs over my shoulder and teased his tight hole with the tip of my glowing cock-nudging and sliding but not actually enterin' my Santa.

Not yet anyway.

Ichi snarled and pulled at my long white-blond locks demandin' that I either hurry the hell up and get on with it or kiss him again.

I grinned. I didn't intend to make Ichi wait forever but I wasn't gonna listen to his demands either. I did things at my own pace. He'd soon learn this.

"Ya got me confused with Big Blue Ichi. Ya see no matter how ya beg for it I'm not gonna move 'til I feel like it."

Ichi glared (clearly not liking what I was tellin' him) and tugged on my hair so fiercely it was a damn miracle he hadn't pulled out a chunk or two.

Turned on even more I sunk my teeth right into Ichi's shoulder and drew blood. Ichi responded my ripping into my back with his nails.

()

Grindin' and kissin' ensued and in between our tongue war I asked him, "So watcha think Ichi should we-?

Not even lettin' me finish my question Ichi answered, "Yes! Now damn you! Now!" between short and harsh breaths and lips stained a pretty crimson color. Eyes heavily glazed with lust and cum spurtin' out of his hot bod like a lawn sprinkler it was obvious my Santa was about to lose it.

I tried…believe me I tried but I could no longer deny him. Lappin' at some of the droplets I lifted Ichi's leg even higher and entered him in one sharp thrust.

Forgive the clichés but it really truly did feel like coming home. I sprayed Ichi's hot anal walls with my cum and began to piston in and out of him with bruisin' force and to my grander delight Ichi was lovin' it. Wanted more. Needed more!

Bits of drool were formin' at the corner of his split peach mouth and on any one else it woulda been a major turn off but with Ichi-hell he could probably sneeze and I'd still want to split him in two with my glowing rod.

I lapped at his face with my tongue-resembling the true animal I was, adjusted the angle just a fraction burying myself even deeper inside his tight heat and coatin' his walls a second time.

Ichi was every bit as vocal as I thought he'd be. Just as he'd been the previous night with the Big Blue Lug (only more-much much more!) and still I wanted more! So in my own lust-crazed state I reached for Ichi's cock and pumped it just as fiercely as I pounded his sweet hole.

And yes bein' the awesome reindeer-shifter I am I still had energy to talk.

"So Ichi wanna see somethin' cool?"

()

(GRIMMJOW)

It's always best to brace your self for the worst. I did my best to brace myself for whatever was up at the mountain top.

Unfortunately for me I quickly concluded that seeing one of my biggest fears become reality was far worse than anything my imagination had ever conjured up.

Honestly I don't know what pained me more-the fact that someone else-some albino fucker was fucking my best friend into the snow covered mountains or the fact that my said best friend was meeting each and every thrust with strangled wanton moans-the kind of moans that could make a porn star blush.

Had Ichigo made these kinds of noises when I was with him? If he had then I'd either been so far gone in the land of bliss that I hadn't noticed or I had tuned him out because I'd been afraid of growing attached. Had my best friend reacted this way last night? I had a feeling he probably had.

If I wasn't so hell bent on keeping my pride I would have dropped to my knees crawled over to my best friend and begged him to forgive me-asked him to give me another chance or at the very least let me join in on the hot action he and the freaky albino were having.

Yeah I was actually considering making some kind of threesome proposal. How pathetic is that!

In the end though I stayed rooted in my spot no doubt looking like a fucking fool with my mouth hanging open like a blow fish and my dick straining against my pants completely ignoring the cold blasts of wind hitting my face and whipping at my back.

I watched (as if some sort of fucking trance) as my best-friend shuddered and screamed and climaxed again and again and again. It seemed like Ichi and his freaky albino had an endless amount of cum-hell they could probably fill an entire king size tub there was so much of it.

I rubbed myself through my jeans, gripping it hard enough that it hurt and then halted in my movements when suddenly-!

WTF?

Antlers! Yes bright sparkling silver-white antlers sprung up over the back of the albino's skull.

"What the fuck?" This time I voiced it out loud.

I blinked at the scene. Once. Twice. Three times. I thought maybe the sun was playing tricks on me or something. Or maybe I had caught a head cold and was becoming delusional or maybe-

"You've got to be shitting me."

But no it wasn't. I fell back on my ass in the snow. It wasn't my imagination. The freaky albino was transforming into a fucking reindeer! What were the odds that I would come across two white reindeer in the same day?

Not very high.

A reindeer a white reindeer with sparkling antlers and glowing eyes was fucking my best friend into the ground. I should find the sight horrific.

I should be scrambling to get to my feet. I should be racing over to help Ichigo and yet I just watched in stunned disbelief-I couldn't tear my eyes away from the scene. Couldn't tune my ears out to the shouts of…

"More…MORE!"

()

(ICHIGO)

I've always prided myself on trying anything at least once but being fucked by a shape shifting albino reindeer in his animal form? Yeah well…nothing could have properly prepared me for this.

Oddly enough Shiro's transformation hadn't slowed down the burning lust I felt for him even the slightest bit. Maybe it was because I watched the transformation as it was happening? Maybe it was because he gave me fair warning? Or maybe I was one kinky ass little bastard who has secretly been waiting for something like this-some one like Shiro to come along?

Whatever the reason it didn't matter.

Shiro was beautiful in his animal form as well. Especially his eyes-not to sound like a frou-frou poet but I could gaze into those eyes for the rest of my days and never get tiered of them. Well…once I actually made an effort to lift my lust-glazed drooping lids that is.

There was one thing that bothered me a bit though (but just a little bit)

What the fuck did any of this have to do with me being his Santa Claus?

()

(SHIRO)

I sensed Big Blue long before his knees hit the ground.

And at first I thought all hell was gonna break loose-figured the bastard was gonna claw me away from my Santa-Ichi and start an all out brawl. Or if not a physical brawl than definitely a screamin' fest.

I'd half been expecting him to scream in my face, then in Ichi's and then in my face again before storming off in an angry huff.

I felt sparks of his poorly controlled rage and jealousy coupled with horny-lust-could hear his inner battle with himself as he weighed the pros and cons as to whether or not it would be a good idea to try to join in on the fun.

I almost felt sorry for the fucker 'til I remembered what he'd done to Ichigo. I didn't give a shit if he realized the error of his ways-came out of his denial-it was too late Ichi was mine.

He didn't deserve Ichi.

Still…he was hot in his own way.

Again I thought about givin' Big Blue a chance to prove himself-considered callin' him over-giving him what he and Ichi both wanted but that would only complicate things and let me tell ya somethin'… Shiro the Albino Reindeer don't do complicated.

()()

(ICHIGO)

I should have felt guilty or ashamed when Shiro dropped me off at the cabin later that night but I really wasn't.

I smelled and looked like I'd been thoroughly fucked inside-out. My skin was littered with nail and bite marks and I was too lazy to put my clothes back on.

I walked right past Nnoitra and Shinji with a simple head nod and made me way towards the bedroom I was sharing with Grimmjow.

I figured I'd find my best in the same position I'd found him the previous night. I was wrong.

()

Instead of finding my best friend-my first and last love (Don't give me that look! I like Shiro I do-I might even grow to love him one day but I wasn't gonna lie to myself-Grimmjow still held the biggest piece of my heart and he always would.) fast asleep in his bed I found him standing over by the window with a cigarette in his mouth and a coffee mug in hand.

"Hey."

"…Hey."

"So uh about last night and this morning I uh-

"Forget it. I mean uh let's just-

"Don't tell me to just pretend Ichigo! Don't you dare tell me to just fucking pretend that-damn it! You see this why I didn't-this is-argghhh damn you!"

"Stop okay. Just stop blaming yourself or me or the universe. It isn't going to change things."

"But-

"Look Grimmjow this isn't a movie. My next line won't be something overly dramatic and painfully cheesy like 'You know I love you and I'll always love you but you were right 'us' together is an impossible dream and last night was a mistake. I should have never come on to you. I should have never asked you to hold me and because of my selfishness I've ruined our friendship so this is good bye or some such shit like that."

Grimmjow smiled but it was weak and didn't quite reach the electric blue depths of his eyes.

"You might not say those exact words but you're about to tell me something similar aren't you, Kurosaki?"

"I- (there was no point in lying to my best friend. He saw right through me. "Yeah pretty much."

I was about to tell my best friend goodbye. Shiro convinced me it would be for the best. I had no big plans for my life. I could finish my college courses just about anywhere in the world so disappearing wasn't going to be all that difficult for me. Anyway before you start giving me the third degree or start threatening to point really pointy objects at me let me finish.

Grimmjow snorted humorlessly, "Tch. Figures shoulda known it'd be too good to be true. Thinkin' maybe just maybe you'd just gone and fooled around with that guy to blow off some steam but you're actually smitten or something with that pale shifter aren't you?"

Not exactly smitten but enchanted and charmed, yes I was. Still…how did my best friend-wait!

"Did you-are you saying you saw me-him-us together?"

"Watched that golden-eyed demon bring you to cloud 9 and back, yeah Kurosaki that's exactly what I'm saying."

I felt my face grow warm. I couldn't help it. For some reason finding out that my best friend had witnessed my ahem…not so little romp with Shiro was embarrassing as all hell.

A small bittersweet grin made its way onto Grimmjow's face. "Yeah you really enjoyed yourself eh Kurosaki? Heh, who knew my lil' berry would turn into such a minx."

I felt my face grow redder. "Sh-Shut up! I'm not a minx I just uh-

"Like to be fucked 'til you can't see straight, yeah I know and I damn sure wish I'd been the one to give that to you."

I scowled. Not liking it one damn bit that my best-friend was comparing our night together to my time with Shiro. It was…the comparison was stupid. Totally different situations and-

"I-Grimmjow can you please just do me a favor and not turn this into a soap opera."

Grimmjow narrowed his electric blue eyes and growled out, "Is that your not so subtle way of accusing me of acting like a drama queen Ichigo."

I shook my head fiercely. "No! Hell no. I'm just saying I've shed all the tears I intend to shed and I'm not going to exhaust myself by doing it again. And neither should you."

"The fuck?! Now you're accusing me of being a cry baby? What the hell Ichigo?"

"Shut up you idiot! Stop putting words in my mouth. Whatever it doesn't matter whether or not you shed tears or punched trees it all amounts to the same damn thing."

"Yeah, yeah okay enough! If you're gonna break my heart, then hurry up and do it!"

A dark shroud fell over my best friends face-he looked wounded-he looked like I really had just broken his heart.

Broke his heart? But how was it possible? And did his voice really crack just now? I shook my head deciding I'd think on it later-maybe ask Shiro his opinion. Now wasn't the time. I could not/would not get my hopes up!

I could not get sucked into his whatever…it was Grimmjow was suddenly feeling for me. I had to be strong. I had to be smart. I had to follow through with the plan. Saying goodbye and letting him go.

Mind made up I walked over to Grimmjow, grabbed his hand (the one that wasn't holding the coffee mug) and pressed it to my chest right over my heart and whispered,

"This is goodbye but perhaps one day, some day we'll get another chance and you'll come to feel for me what I feel for you and when that happens, IF it happens we'll get things right."

He said nothing. I didn't think he would. I caressed his perfect chiseled cheek with the back of my hand and then I pulled away from my best friend.

I stood and waited an additional 10 long torturous minutes feeling like an idiot and an asshole thinking maybe just maybe Grimmjow would say something back but he didn't.

So with a heavy sigh I turned and left.

()

(SHIRO)

Stories do not always have a happy endin'-at times stories end on a bittersweet sort of note. This was the case with my Santa-Ichi.

I met my Santa on the front steps of the main lodge, wiped the single tear from his flushed cheek and then carried him away into the dark night my glowing bob acting as our guiding light.

()()

END

()()

AUTHORESS END NOTE

Snorts…enough with the cheesy poetry…LOL…sighs anway I usually vow to have happy endings and most of the time I keep this vow but sometimes…uber happy just doesn't fit the mold…nevertheless I'm pleased with the out come…for the most part. No there will not be a sequel. Sorry.

Ahem…that being said

For those of you that came back to read the conclusion I can not thank you enough for once again showing your support…THANK YOU SO MUCH!

AND to all other viewers/lurkers/followers thank you for stepping into my world!

~SLY~

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

()

1) Everyone who is familiar with BLEACH (the original version…not the craptastic dub) should be familiar with the music in the anime…the lyrics from this particular song is a loosely translated version of Universe ~ Echoes…but I (because I am SLY) am much more in love with the cover version by Suwabe Junichi (AKA Grimmjow's seiyuu) Anyway it's a wonderful song that really pulls at the heart strings and just gah….LOVE it!

2)

The human looks down at his hand and clenches his fist tightly. I eye him warily thinkin' perhaps Big Blue Paws ('cuz yeah his hands are big enough to rival a panthers paw) might be missin' a few screws. (2)

Because I can't resist making panther and cat references like all the time when I write Grimmjow or make mentions of his character. It's a fangirl thing…you don't like it? Shrugs, whatever.

()()

()

NEXT TIME: MISTLETOE MADNESS

(A GINJOxICHIGO FIC)

'What the hell is going on? First my maid, then my boss and now the delivery guy is kissing me…well actually on second thought being kissed by him isn't so bad.'

()()

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

OH AND PS. I'm currently about 85 percent of the way done with writing a one-shot fic entitled (Lil' Mascot)…it should be posted in 4 or 5 days…you can find it in my Scattered Shots collection.

OKAY that's all…seriously shutting up now

LONG LIVE UKE!BERRIES!

~SLY~