What's Changed?

Bleach Fanfic: GrimmHime

A Coming Together: Chapter 3

Mild language
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The days pass quickly and before Grimmjow knew it, he had been living at Orihime's place for 2 months. He learned to tell just by looking which of Orihime's cooking were edible, and which were not. He had been in a lot of battles with hollows, even if they weren't any kind of a challenge. After all, high ranking hollows didn't just walk into the world of the living every day.  At least they kept him mostly occupied. He had absolutely no desire to go to the place called a school after what Orihime told him about it. Sitting around all day listening to some person who thinks they know more just because they are a teacher? No thanks.

So at first he just walked around town doing nothing since there was nothing else to do. He didn't have any desire to sit and watch some strange box showing some moving pictures that are supposed to tell a story, how lame. And those things that had tons of papers that are also supposed to be telling a story, even worse. Totally not interested.

So he just wandered down the sidewalks totally bored when one day some guy started running in his direction. He was curious for a moment, but then some woman started yelling out, "Thief, thief, he stole my purse. Someone stop him." While he wasn't too sure what a purse was, he knew what a thief was. And although he was a hollow, he hated thieves. So he just acted natural till the guy came close, then stretched out his arm and let the guy run into it, forcing him to fall idiotically to the ground dazed and groaning. Tch.

The woman offered profound thanks and picked up a bag made of heavy material, he assumed that was what was called a purse. After a little more thanking on her part, some guys in some kind of uniform showed up and took the guy away after a little questioning on their part. He bristled at their questions at first, and then figured from the regard that others showed them that they were the people punishers or something like that. Whatever, he didn't need the acknowledgements from those type of people, so he just went on his way.

After thinking about the situation, he discovered that he kinda enjoyed the thanks he had received. Not that he would admit that to anyone, he was a heartless, sarcastic, sadistic hollow after all, wasn't he? Ack, the human world and this gigai was messing with him. He angrily kicked over a metal can that had garbage in it. Well, he decided he better at the least get used to it, even if he didn't like it.

So from then on he became what he learned was called a jack of all trades.  He would just walk around town and do random jobs for people. He even earned some money himself doing it too. Hmph, that wasn't so bad he thought. He could buy his own food and clothes and not have to wait for Orihime to take him somewhere.  The vest he chose out the first time still was one of his favorites and wore it with almost all of his clothing now.

It was during a day where he hadn't found any jobs for the day and walking around scowling a bit that he and Ichigo finally made their first encounter since Grimmjow first got here. Ichigo looked stunned for a moment; apparently no one had told him that Grimmjow was here. They stared at each other for a moment, and then Grimmjow sighed exasperatedly then tried to just walk past him.

"Hey! What the hell are you doing here?" Ichigo grabbed onto Grimmjow's arm before he could go.

Grimmjow sighed tiredly, "Your precious Soul Society banished me to this miserable place." He yanked his arm out of Ichigo's grip and walked on, knowing he wasn't supposed to pick fights, though he really wanted to right now. Who did that punk think he was, grabbing his arm like that?

"What kind of an answer is that? And how can I see you, I don't have any reiatsu anymore."

"The answer I gave you should suffice you dumbass. And how you can see me is I'm in a stupid weak body you guys call a gigai."

"Eeh?"

"Ah geez, did you lose your memories as well as your stupid powers?"

"No you idiot, I just didn't expect such sophisticated words coming from your mouth."

Ok, now Ichigo was really getting on his nerves. Who did that punk think he was talking to him like that? Especially since that all Grimmjow had to do was take that silly little soul pill and Ichigo would be at his mercy, as if he had any.

He turned his face towards Ichigo, "Keep insulting me like that and I'll just forget all the stupid rules they placed on me and go to my death by killing you." He was totally serious too; he kinda hoped that Ichigo would start something so he could just leave this worthless place. And his wish was granted.

Ichigo threw a punch at him and then he grinned sadistically. Maybe he could kill the bastard before Soul Society stopped him. They fought each other without either having the upper hand for a while; both gaining new bruises, and attracted quite a crowd. Grimmjow was actually enjoying himself. He needed this, it had been boring today.

All of a sudden they heard a voice that made them stop in their tracks, both with their arms raised to hit each other. "Kurosaki-kun!!!!" Ah damn, that woman had to come in now? A blur of her ginger hair ran past him and she hugged the idiot. "Oh I'm so glad you're alright."

Ichigo blushed a little, he seemed to be surprised. "Uh, thanks Inoue."

Grimmjow had had enough already, he stalked off. Angry that his fun had been interrupted.
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"Inoue, what is that jerk doing here?" Ichigo asked her.

"Oh, you mean Grimmjow-san? The Soul Society found him and healed him then brought him to my place. He's been killing hollows and helping out since the Soul Society is still trying to put things together on their side."

"You mean he's staying with you?"

"Yeah"

"Are you crazy? What if he hurts you, or worse, kills you?"

"Oh he wouldn't do that. He's been a good roommate so far, and he's actually been helping around town. He even stopped a thief once."

"He did? I wonder why he did that. He's a hollow."

"He told me he hates thieves."

"Hmph, well you just be very careful. Alright? I would hate to see all the effort I went through in Hueco Mundo go to waste."

"Sure thing Kurosaki-kun. You don't worry about me. How are you doing?"

"Eeh, I'm fine. I'll be going back to school soon. I don't want to fall even more behind than I already have. So I'll see you there I guess."

"Yes, everyone will be glad to see you, Tasuki-chan and Sado-kun especially."

"Do you think Tatsuki is going to hit me?"

"I don't know, she might. But I think if she does it wouldn't be too hard. I think she understands."

"Alright, thanks Inoue. I'll see you around." He stuck his hands in his pockets and walked off."

"Goodbye Kurosaki-kun, I'll see you in school." She raised her arm and waved goodbye cheerfully, then gave a sort of sad smile and walked in the opposite direction towards her home.

Something was wrong. She couldn't quite place it. She was so very happy to see Ichigo; she hadn't seen him on his feet in a very long time. But, she wasn't quite as happy as she thought she would. She had imagined that moment many times. She would run up to him and then kiss him gently and confess her feelings for him. But she didn't. It wasn't because she was scared to, but that she didn't really want to anymore. Could it be that her feelings for him have disappeared?

She concentrated on her favorite memories of him. Yes, the happy tingly feeling in her stomach that she had always gotten when thinking of him and the memories wasn't there anymore. Come to think of it, she hadn't really thought of him in a while. Why did she not like him as much as before? He was kind, considerate, loyal, and caring; even if he had a rough manner that hid all those things.

She arrived home and unlocked the door. She sat at the table then looked around and realized how much her place had changed. Not so much because the neatly folded futon bed that sat in the corner, and the other things that Grimmjow had accumulated. But there seemed to be a feeling in the room that was different than before she had been taken to Hueco Mundo. It felt warm and inviting in a way that her home was lacking before.

Then Grimmjow opened the door and walked in in the manner he always did; kinda hunched shoulders with his hands in his pockets and then laid down on the floor with his hands behind his head. Was it because of him?