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How could he get into this shit!?
He fucking knew nothing good would come of Urahara's drinking nights, but that wouldn't stop him from participating.
Oh, and participating he did…
He had never been as plastered as this particular night. His first fat mistake…
Everything started the day before when he got a call from an unknown number. He was lying face-down on his opened notebook, looking with unseeing eyes at the other page and absentmindedly flinging up one of its corners.
He had an important test on Monday, and he still had at least sixty pages to go through if he wanted to pass it. And yet, someone decided to put him out of his misery…
But who?
"Hello?" He asked uncertainly, brows slightly furrowed.
"Ichigo! Get yourself a night off for tomorrow. It's Friday; if you have forgotten, and you have already missed three of our drinking nights in a row! One more, and you're out for good! I don't care how many worlds you have saved; I'll kick you out myself if you don't show up!" Yoruichi's scolding voice tore from the speaker with force comparable to a jet taking off.
"You know I can't! There is a test and-" He started, but she didn't give him a chance to finish.
"There is always a test. For once, have some fun instead of burying your head in those dusty books. For God's sake, Ichigo! Act your age!"
Maybe she was right? He hadn't had any fun since… He didn't even remember. Every time he wanted to go out with his friends, something just had to happen and thwart his plans.
And Yoruichi's proposition was tempting, to say the least.
'Just give up, King. It already feels like ages since we went anywhere. There is always a retake for the exam, but you can't get a retake for life.' Zangetsu pointed out inside his head.
A low sigh escaped his throat before he finally answered.
"Okay, count me in."
He could only hope he was not going to regret this decision…
"Sweet! As always 9 pm at the Shouten, don't be late! Oh, and one more thing, Grimmjow is coming, so at least try to behave. Bye." She immediately hung up, not waiting to hear what he was about to say at this.
"What!? Wait, I didn't-" He started, looking at the phone in a stupor when the connection broke.
Grimmjow was coming to their drinking night…
Shit, just fucking perfect!
He hadn't seen that blue-haired bastard in about… three months.
Wow, time clearly passed faster than he thought. One more proof he was too focused on his school if he hadn't had the time to fight with the ex-Espada.
But to drink with him?
The only way he could interact with the Arrancar was with his sword. And that asshole wasn't any better than him since he clearly thought a fist into a face was a far better greeting than simply giving your hand.
At least if it concerned Ichigo…
With everyone else, Grimmjow could interact almost decently. Or that's what he heard…
Right after defeating Yhwach, he tried to befriend the feline Espada, but it was more than clear he wasn't interested at all. The only thing he cared about was to fight him.
Maybe he shouldn't go after all? If his presence was going to agitate the Arrancar and simultaneously ruin everyone's evening, he could stay away.
'Oh, come on! A little bickering didn't ever kill anybody. Just don't provoke Kitty, and everything will be just fine.' Zangetsu rolled his bizarre eyes, feeling his skepticism.
'And what if he's the one who provokes me!?'
'Then be a grown-up and ignore him.' He shrugged.
'Easier said than done; you know how he is! He'll just keep railing me up until I crumble!' Ichigo huffed sharply.
It's not like he didn't try to ignore him. But whatever he did, the Espada always managed to crawl under his skin like no one else could.
'You know... When I think about it, maybe he's even more feline-like than we thought...' Zangetsu mused.
'What do you mean?'
'Maybe he just wants you to focus solemnly on him? That's what cats do, right? They will provoke you until you drop everything and give them your full attention.' His Zanpakuto spirit snickered.
'Don't be ridiculous. Grimmjow is a full-grown man, not a fluffy house cat.' Ichigo sent back, but nevertheless, the idea dug its way into his brain and apparently was going to stay there for good.
What if...
No! There was no way Grimmjow coveted his attention. He just wanted to change his life into hell, nothing more, nothing less.
It was best if he just forgot what his counterpart had just said.
And maybe if he actually read his notes instead of thinking about this crap, he wouldn't have to retake the exam. He just had to focus and remember as much as he could today's evening because if Urahara's previous drinking nights were anything to go by, he wouldn't learn anything the day after...
If anyone asked him how he felt when he strode towards the Shouten the following evening, he wouldn't say anything. Because he, sure as fuck, wouldn't admit how anxious he was...
Everything because of one particular Arrancar. Why couldn't he just forget about him!? His other friends were supposed to be there as well; it wasn't like he couldn't just spend this evening enjoying their company.
And yet, that blue-haired asshole would probably start a fight, and he wouldn't be able to stop himself from jumping into it with reckless abandon.
This night was promising to quickly change into sheer disaster...
He reached the shop way too soon for his current state of mind, waiting like an idiot before the door, with his hands buried deep inside his pockets. It was the middle of December, a little over a week until Christmas, actually, but there was still no snow anywhere in sight. That unmistakable vibe of snowy Christmas wasn't present as it should be because of it, but there was still a little time to change that. The temperature had been below zero for a long time, so it would only take a few hours of snowing to transform this gloomy concrete city into a magical winter wonderland.
'Move that damned door and get in for fuck's sake, or I'll take over and do it myself. And I can guarantee you do not want to see the outcome of that.' Zangetsu barked, throwing him out of his musings.
'Okay, okay... I am going.' He sighed and reluctantly reached out to move the door aside.
He quickly took off his shoes and jacket, passed the house's shop area, and stopped at the threshold of the living room, where a cacophony of voices rang gaily.
"Ah, Kurosaki-san! It's great to see you; it's been too long since you came by." Urahara cheerfully waved at him with his paper fan.
Everyone was already present and comfortably settled at the table. Ichigo was kinda surprised to see Rukia and Renji beside his living friends since they hadn't shown up in Karakura town in quite some time. The petite shinigami had plenty of responsibilities as a new captain of the 13th Division, so it was understandable she had no time for drinking with her friends in the world of the living.
Beside her sat Nel, who he hadn't seen even longer than the shinigami duo, and who was now waving at him with unrestrained enthusiasm.
And in the far end, just like he was warned, there was Grimmjow who sent him a grin full of too sharp canines for any normal human being, that forebode something vicious.
Yep, that was a horrible idea to come here...
"So you haven't died under a pile of books after all. What a fuckin' surprise." A snarky comment came towards him instead of a greeting.
"You wish." He couldn't help himself to snarl at the blue-haired bastard.
"Nah, the only way I want you to die is with my claws tightly wrapped around your heart." He replied, not missing even a single beat.
"First, you'd have to beat me at least once, and we both know it's not gonna happen." Why was he even answering at all!? He knew it would only kindle him like a damned pile of dry sticks. And yet, he did it with a malicious smirk.
"Ya so sure of yourself!? Let's find out who'll beat who!" Grimmjow growled, already halfway up from his seat.
"Chill out, boys. We're here to have fun, not to tear each other to shreds." Yoruichi scolded, bringing the Espada back down and sending Ichigo an admonishing look.
"Former doesn't exclude the latter," Grimmjow murmured, barely above a whisper.
Ichigo had no idea how, but the cat-woman was apparently the only one who could keep the Arrancar in check. Maybe it was related to her being a feline as well, or perhaps he was just reasonably scared of her, just as every sane being should be since she was a danger personified.
And Grimmjow's instincts were sharp, to say the least, so that might be the case...
'Even the greatest predators know when to avoid a fight they can't easily win. And she is just fuckin' scary...' If such a statement came from his inner hollow, he had no doubt he never wanted to end on Yoruichi's bad side.
And Grimmjow was a hothead, but he, sure as fuck, wasn't stupid.
Ichigo huffed through his nose but, nonetheless, he sat beside Chad and Tessai, who was currently nursing him with a glass of booze.
"That's right, let's have fun tonight," Urahara said with his goofy grin while Tessai refilled the rest of the glasses. The shopkeeper raised the one in front of him in cheers.
Ichigo raised his glass in answer and drank the fluid fire in one go.
That's right, he was here to have fun, and not even Grimmjow himself would be able to change that.
Three hours later...
"I'm telling ya, Zangetsu's a hollowfied zanpakuto spirit, not a normal inner hollow." He tried to explain to the others how his soul worked. Tried as the operative verb.
Because, honestly, he had no idea himself how it worked, to begin with. It just... did, and he wasn't going to question it. Especially not now, when his entire circulatory system was literally overflowing with reishi-enhanced alcohol.
"Then how's that ya can hollowfy? This bullshit makes no fuckin' sense." Grimmjow interrupted from the other side of the table, pupils slightly widened from the alcohol abuse and maybe a little lust for murder. With felines, you can never be entirely sure.
"I don't know as well! I just draw energy from him, and it happens on its own." He shrugged.
He had never analyzed what happened while he did that. Winging things always worked for him, and he wasn't going to question how.
"Then what with slaughterin' Ulquiorra? There wasn't even a trace of shinigami reiatsu comin' from ya. I was there, felt it on my fuckin' skin all the way below the dome. Ya can't fool me; it was hollow to the core." That cerulean gaze almost drilled its way through his soul, to the point when he had to avert his eyes.
"I... don't really remember what happened back then. The last thing I know is that I lost. Everything after that is just darkness and shadows. Nothing that happened was my conscious doing. I doubt even Zan knows what it was..." He admitted, staring blankly at the tabletop.
It was years after that, yet Ichigo still couldn't forgive himself for what happened. For what he did. That Arrancar, no matter how loyal to Aizen, didn't deserve to die.
"Che, he got what he deserved. A shame though, I didn't have the chance to fight ya like that..." He said, a feral grin splitting his face in two.
"Ano, Kurosaki-kun, how is your study going. I heard your exam is just around the corner, is it right?" Inoue quickly asked him to change the topic. It was probably as uncomfortable for her as it was for him to talk about that day.
After all, she and Ishida saw him like that. He had no idea how bad it was, everything he knew he heard from them, but it was enough to look at their pale faces to know they still got nightmares because of that.
Because of him .
So he gladly took the offered escape and replied to her question.
"Yeah, on Monday, actually. It's the last one before the Christmas break. But I'm already sick of studying; my brain would probably explode if I tried to remember anything more." He groaned and dropped his forehead on the tabletop with a dull thump.
Chad's wide hand patted him on his back reassuringly, making him cough because of the force he put into it.
"Don't exaggerate, Kurosaki. Besides, it was your decision to study English philology; you knew how it would be." Ishida pointed out, readjusting his glasses.
"I fuckin' miscalculated, okay!? It's way more demanding than I thought." He mumbled against the tabletop.
"Don't give up, Kurosaki-kun! You can do it! It's just one more year, right?" Inoue encouraged, throwing her fist into the air, almost knocking over her cup while doing so.
"I need to piss," Grimmjow stated with a flat voice and strode towards the bathroom with his hands buried in the pockets of his jacket.
What was his problem!?
"Yeah, thanks, Inoue." He said, raising his head, eyes involuntarily following the grumpy Arrancar.
"Oh! I have a great idea!" Nel exclaimed while slamming her hands atop the table. "We should make a Christmas party!"
Everyone looked at her with different levels of surprise.
"That's actually an excellent idea!" Urahara admitted, his eyes quickly taking on a mysterious shine.
"Yeah, the following Friday, instead of a standard drinking night, we should change it into a Christmas party!" Yoruichi grinned, all pearly teeth on display.
"I can help with decorations!" Rukia exclaimed with enthusiasm.
"I can make some snacks!" Inoue said right after her, making everyone else shiver at the prospect of her life-threatening food.
He would have to ask Yuzu to make something not poisonous for them, or they all would be condemned to starvation.
"What about presents? There is no Christmas without them." Urahara asked, that glint in his eyes changing into something scheming.
"Maybe we should do a Secret Santa?" Rukia asked, gripping her chin between her forefinger and thumb.
Renji looked at her with a confused frown, probably utterly unfamiliar with the concept.
The raven-haired petite captain only rolled her eyes at her childhood friend and explained.
"You write down the names of all participants and put the papers into a vessel. Then they have to draw one for themselves, and whoever's name is there written, they have to make a gift for that person. This way, no one is omitted, and it's way more exciting since no one knows who your Secret Santa is." She explained while drawing everything she had just said in her sketchbook and showing it to the red-haired lieutenant, who looked even more confused than just a second ago.
"Oh, that sounds great! We should definitely do that!" Nel exclaimed.
To be honest, Ichigo was thinking the same. The last time he did that was probably in high school, and he kinda missed that. It was always great fun to participate.
Rukia quickly tore out a page from her precious sketchbook and then tore it further into many small rectangles.
"Urahara-san, we need some kind of vase or vessel to put the papers into it. Can you find one?" She asked him.
"Of course, Kuchiki-san, I'm on it." He cheerfully replied and headed towards the kitchen area with a jumpy step.
Not even a minute later, he was back, an empty teapot merrily dangling in his hand.
"Okay, everybody, write down your names, then fold the paper and throw it into the teapot." She instructed while giving each one a crayon.
He got orange. Fucking figures...
He was nearly done with his name when he heard Nel's question.
"Rukia, can I have another one? I'll write one for Grimmjow."
His orange crayon's tip broke from the force he put into the last line.
He fuckin' forgot about Grimmjow!
That changed everything! There wasn't even the slightest chance it wouldn't end up as a disaster! Grimmjow and Christmas didn't add up.
He looked at his friends, but no one seemed disturbed by the idea. And he couldn't just quit because of one asshole. It was too close to running away, and it wasn't his style to do so.
Besides, there were ten more participants; how big was the chance he would draw the Arrancar?
Even he wasn't that unlucky...
So he folded his paper and quickly dropped it into the pot, hoping he wasn't underestimating how much fate wanted to screw him over.
The others followed right after him, dropping their papers into the teapot with cheerful smiles.
Seriously!?
Not even one of his friends found the idea of drawing Grimmjow disturbing!?
Maybe he was the only one who couldn't deal with the Espada?
He was torn from his musings when the exact reason for his annoyance and anxiety unsteadily walked into the room. So even Arrancars could get drunk, it seemed...
"What?" Grimmjow snarled at them, getting visibly uncomfortable under their curious gazes.
"Hey, Grimmy, you should draw first. Come on, just take one paper out of the pot." Nel quickly stood up, only slightly off-balance, and stepped behind the feline Arrancar, simultaneously blocking his way out.
"What's this crap all about?" He hissed through his teeth, glaring daggers at her.
"We're organizing a Christmas party. And whoever's name you draw from the teapot, you're supposed to make a present for them. Don't worry, I already put your name in there." She announced happily, pushing the blue-haired Espada towards the table.
"Who the fuck said I want to be part of this shit!?" He growled over his shoulder.
That's right! If the Espada quit by himself, it would be all good! And he was undoubtedly not approving.
He was saved!
"I said, so shut up and just take that damned paper." She said more seriously, sending him a stern glare.
He glared back, some kind of wordless conversation going between them for a long stiff while.
Then Grimmjow huffed and rolled his cerulean eyes with not easily accepted defeat.
"Whatever, I'm way too drunk to deal with this shit." He groaned and reached into the teapot, at the same time breaking Ichigo's last shreds of hope.
"Remember to keep it a secret who have you drawn. You are a Secret Santa for that person, after all." Nel added with glee.
Grimmjow huffed with exasperation and took out one folded piece of paper, which he put inside his pocket, not even bothering to check who he drew.
Asshole.
Ichigo closely followed everyone's reaction when they got their pieces of paper, but no one seemed upset or even uncertain about their draw. So could it be Grimmjow's paper piece was still there?
His hands were literally dripping with sweat when the teapot was finally put before him.
There were only two pieces left.
He slowly reached inside, praying in his head for just one miracle.
Everyone but Grimmjow.
That's what he wished this Christmas.
He pulled out with a slightly shaking hand and slowly unfolded the paper.
And there, written with a sky-blue crayon, were exactly eight letters that mercilessly shattered his soul into dust.
It was clear fate just couldn't resist screwing him over even more than it already did.
What had he done to deserve this!?
"Okay, everybody. Cheers for our Secret Santa!" Urahara grinned while raising his newly refilled glass.
"Cheers!" They all followed gleefully.
Everyone beside Ichigo, who didn't say a word, only raised his own glass and swallowed its contents in one defeated go.
There was nothing left for him but to get even drunker.
Ichigo had no fucking idea how he ended up in his bedroom after that.
He woke up in his own bed, with all his clothes still on, head thumping with a monstrous headache.
A long groan escaped his throat while he hid his eyes in the crook of his elbow to block out the offending light.
'Zan? You there?' He asked.
'Yeah, always with you. You remember anything from the last night?' His spirit asked with a trace of amusement.
'Uh, I think so? I remember something about a... teapot.' Or was it just some fucked up dream...
Zangetsu sighed quietly in his mindscape.
'Reach into your back pocket.'
He frowned into his elbow pit but, nevertheless, he turned on his side and reached back into the pocket of his jeans.
Weird. There was something... Like a folded piece of paper.
And that was the exact moment when he remembered.
No...
Nononono!
It was just a nightmare, right!?
There was no way Grimmjow would participate in such a silly game...
He probably didn't even know what Christmas was!
Ichigo slowly took out the paper, and, with his breath held, he moved it in front of his face, hoping it was just some old folded receipt.
'Grimmjow'
The paper said with obnoxious blue letters, sealing his fate for good.
'Oh, come on, King! Don't overdramatize! You just have to make a present for him, not marry him!' Zangetsu snapped, making him choke with the last part.
'Fuck you! I have no fucking idea what kind of present a blood-thirsty Arrancar would like to get! Besides my own head on a silver platter, that is.' He snarled while sitting up, instantly regretting doing so when his whole world started to spin nauseatingly.
'You'll figure it out. There is still a whole week ahead of you.'
'Don't you get it!? There is nothing I can give to a hollow! Especially if the said hollow is Grimmjow! The only one thing he cares about is fighting!' He grumbled, pressing the heels of his palms against his closed eyes to deal with the headache, and purely out of vexation.
'Then give him a fight of his fuckin' lifetime!' Zangetsu's excited voice rang inside his head.
That... wasn't actually a bad idea.
Yeah, that could definitely work!
But there was still one issue...
'Still, I should make it somewhat special... And I've no idea how. I'm always giving my best in these fights. What else could I possibly do to make them even better?' He asked his hollow part.
'Why would I know?'
'You two are basically the same, always too willing for bloodshed. So if you would like it, there is a decent chance he'd appreciate it as well.' He explained with a crooked smile.
Honestly, he was somewhat disturbed with the thought that a decent part of his own soul was so similar to that feral Arrancar. But he was long past the point when he disowned Zangetsu's hollow side. He couldn't function without him and his snarky comments.
'Well, I wouldn't be mad if you were more ruthless while we fight. And it would be fun if you fought more without the swords. It makes the fight even more exciting when you're not keeping your opponent at the sword's length.' Zangetsu stated offhandedly.
'You think Grimmjow'd like it like that?' He asked, even though he was almost sure he definitely would.
'Oh, come on, King! Last night he even admitted he wanted to fight you in place of Ulquiorra when we got all feral and jack shit crazy. He'll fuckin' love it! You'll see!' His spirit rolled his bizarre eyes in his mindscape.
That one comment made Ichigo frown while he rested his head on his intertwined hands. He recalled that moment. Grimmjow looked so eager and dissatisfied at the same time he wouldn't be able to forget, no matter how drunk he was. It was clear as a fuckin' crystal he would sell his own soul to fight him like that.
But could he...
'Zan?' He asked reluctantly, unsure if he even should engage the idea that began to appear in his head.
'Yes~, King?' Zangetsu asked with delight, already sensing where his thoughts were wandering.
'How much can we hollowfy?' He asked with a slight cringe.
His spirit burst out with a fit of cackles, making him cringe even more.
'I really thought you'd never ask me this question.' He revealed not being able to remove the cackles from his voice. If Ichigo knew how happy his spirit would be because of this single question, he would ask it months ago, just to hear him like this. 'As for the answer... Much. Very much, to be precise.'
'I mean how much to stay relatively myself and be able to revert back.' He clarified, already afraid of what he could become if he only wanted to.
'The statement still stands. We can do that Vasto Lorde form without an issue and get back to normal with no other consequences besides a massive reiryoku deprivation.' Zangetsu confirmed, grinning like a madman inside his head.
'But... would it be safe? For Grimmjow and for me?' He had to be sure he wouldn't kill the Arrancar by accident.
Or on purpose...
'Well, I can't be sure. That form is very instinctual. If we saw Kitty as a threat to us, we could actually try to kill him. Either way, we have to practice it a little, or there is a chance we would go feral and attack everything that moves in our sight.' Zangetsu admitted.
'Great... Maybe we shouldn't do it after all?' He still had a whole week to find another solution.
'I thought you were not afraid of your hollow side anymore.' His spirit said, poking at his mind from the inside.
'I'm not. It's just... I don't want to hurt anybody because of that.' He responded, swallowing thickly.
'That's why I said to practice, dumbass. It'll be fine. We won't lose our mind as we did with Ulquiorra.' Zangetsu reassured.
'I hope, or this Christmas party is going to change into a sheer disaster...' He sent back while making his way to the bathroom to take a long, warm shower that would hopefully ease his nerves.
But before he even thought about it, he had to make sure to actually pass Monday's exam...
Two days later, when the sun was already on its way towards the horizon, Ichigo slowly made his way to Urahara's Shouten.
By some fucking miracle, he managed to write the test quite decently, and he highly doubted he would have to retake it.
But at the same time, it allowed him to focus on his Secret Santa crisis, and it made him unbearably anxious. With every day passing, he was even less convinced about it.
So many things could go wrong...
And yet, he had no other options. He couldn't just buy a pair of socks for a hollow, could he?
That's why he went, dragging his feet with every step, hoping it wouldn't be as bad as he felt it would.
So, once again, he stood outside the shop, with his hand hanging motionlessly between him and the door.
Procrastinating like a damned coward.
'Good, you're at least aware.' Zangetsu snorted.
He took a deep breath and knocked, determined to get it done while he still had the resolve.
The door slid open, revealing the figure of the shady shopkeeper with his inherent hat and paper fan.
"Ah, Kurosaki-san! I didn't expect to see you this soon! What brings you here?" Urahara asked with his cheerful demeanor.
"Hat n, clogs... I need a favor."
The days passed by with lightning speed, leaving Ichigo in a total stupor when it was already Friday evening once again. He spent every free time in Urahara's basement, trying to overcome his fears and control his new form.
But he wasn't nearly done yet, and here he was, walking towards the shop, with a bag of gingerbread hanging from his hand, and hoping with his whole heart he wouldn't kill anybody this night.
He should have bought that damned socks!
Grimmjow would most definitely toss them straight at his face the very second he got them, but everyone would be safe and joyful.
'Don't exaggerate; you were doing fine the past few days. And Kitty is far from helpless. He will be okay.' Zangetsu cheered, excitation nearly boiling inside his spirit.
He, on the other hand, was restless. His hands were dripping with sweat at the prospect of failure and the consequences that would follow.
'Don't overthink. It's almost Christmas, so enjoy it!'
Yeah, his spirit was right. Overthinking wouldn't do him any good.
So he stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and looked up at the fluffy snowflakes that fell slowly from the dark sky and sprinkled the ground.
It seemed this year they would have snowy Christmas...
He huffed out a little cloud of white mist and followed its way with his eyes until it dissolved entirely into the sky above his head.
Then he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and resumed his walk towards the Shouten.
He was nearly there, still thinking what to do to not change this lovely evening into bloodshed, when he was stopped dead in his tracks by the sight that would easily be engraved into his brain for the rest of his life.
You know that one guy who just has to decorate his whole house and front yard with Christmas lights and other shining decorations, to the point you could spot it from the freakin' moon!?
Urahara was apparently that guy...
His eyes instantly started to water from the entire light that came off the candy shop and mercilessly offended his eyeballs, as if someone had just sprayed his whole face with pepper spray.
Entirely out of memory, he made his way to the front door, keeping his eyes shut for his dear life. And he would most definitely slam his face against it if the freakin' shopkeeper didn't open it for him.
"Ah, Kurosaki-san! Good to see you again. What do you think about the lights? It took me the whole morning to set them up." Urahara asked with barely contained pride.
"Karakura's entire power supply will be cut off because of this shit." He stated while making his way inside, walking past the blonde shinigami.
"Do not worry; it's powered by my own reishi generator," Urahara informed with a goofy smile, following him into the house area.
Ichigo only sighed, too nervous with this whole Secret Santa crap to bicker with the crazy shopkeeper about a damned electricity supply.
"You have a spare plate? Yuzu made us gingerbread." He said instead, lifting a little the bag his sister gave him, which was filled to the brim with her delicious baking.
"For your sister's cake? Always!" He exclaimed, taking the bag and nearly running towards the kitchen. And Ichigo honestly couldn't blame him; his sister's bakes were legendary .
While the shopkeeper was rampaging through his kitchen shelves, searching for a big enough plate, Ichigo made his way to the sitting room where all his living friends were already situated.
There was a vast green Christmas tree in the far corner, decorated with another set of shining chains and lights. And underneath it, a small pile of presents, packed with colorful and patterned papers, were only waiting to be taken and unwrapped by their owners.
Well, Grimmjow's present wasn't going there because he, sure as fuck, wasn't packing himself to lie there like an idiot.
'I've got a weird feeling he would appreciate the view far more than you think...' Zangetsu murmured with amusement.
'Shut it.' He sent bach with a growl.
He was on his way to sit at the table with his friends when someone leaped on his back, wrapping their hands around his neck, simultaneously cutting off his air supply.
"Ichigo, where do you have my Christmas present? Don't tell me you forgot!" Yoruichi's cheerful voice rang a mere inch away from his ear.
"Who said I'm your Secret Santa!?" He croaked through his abused throat.
"You don't have to be one to give me a gift, you know?" She chirped, still hanging on his back.
"I brought Yuzu's gingerbread." He said, hoping it would be enough to settle the cat-woman.
"Mmm, I've been waiting this whole year to taste it again." She nearly purred.
He fought with her vice-like grip to get a lungful of air when loud screams arose just outside the shop.
Aha, next victims of Urahara's Christmas decorations.
The door opened with a loud bang, hitting the frame with way too much force than necessary, and not even three seconds later, two Arrancars were standing at the threshold.
"Who set that fuckin' trap?" Grimmjow growled, looking at them with his watering reddened eye, the second one covered by his hand.
"It's called Christmas lights, though I have to admit Kisuke overdid it a little this year," Yoruichi informed, finally releasing his neck and allowing him to take a breath.
"No kidding..." Grimmjow snarled, wiping the remnants of tears that still lingered on his cheeks.
"Yep, it's really hard to miss," Nel said with a chuckle, not even trying to wipe hers.
To think of it, that had to be even more painful for hollows whose world was engulfed in an eternal night.
That's when Urahara entered the room, with a plate full of gingerbread in his hands, probably not aware that some of his guests planned to gut him out for the pain he brought upon them.
On the other hand, he was inviolable as long as he had the cake in his hands. No one would risk damaging it, even Grimmjow.
That's when the door opened for a second time, revealing the two missing guests; Rukia and Renji.
"Urahara-san! The lights are so beautiful!" The petite captain exclaimed with shining eyes.
Ichigo looked at her as if she had grown another head, then he looked at Renji, who sent him a pained glare, clearly not agreeing with that statement. Then he caught the flabbergasted frown Grimmjow directed at him as if searching anybody who would confirm he wasn't crazy thinking otherwise.
And in this short moment, they finally understood.
Rukia was fucking blind!
"Ah, thank you Kuchiki-san! You are the first one to appreciate my hard work!" The shopkeeper stated with delight.
"Okay, everybody! It's time to start the party!" Yoruichi exclaimed, rushing at Kisuke to steal a piece of gingerbread for herself.
Ichigo took a deep breath, feeling his anxiousness skyrocket in an instant.
He wasn't fuckin' ready!
It took them less than thirty minutes to devour almost every snack on the table, including Inoue's pumpkin rolls, and drink down nearly three bottles of reishi enhanced alcohol.
Ichigo himself wasn't drinking beside the one cup he drank at the beginning to ease his nerves. He couldn't afford to lose his self-control. And surprisingly, Grimmjow didn't drink all that much either.
Good, he would need to be in his best shape to withstand what was about to happen.
"I think it's time to unwrap the presents; what do you think?" Urahara asked while finishing his third slice of gingerbread.
Loud cheers only confirmed what the rest wanted, Yoruichi already making her way towards the Christmas tree.
"Oh my God! I'm so excited! Who was my Secret Santa?" She asked with a broad smile, picking up a purple box sealed with a yellow ribbon, which had a little note with her name.
"I hope it will suit your tastes, Yoruichi-dono," Tessai said from the table, his rectangular glasses shining with something akin to joy.
She quickly got rid of the lid and picked out a green bottle, definitely filled with some kind of booze.
"Tessai, you are a wizard! I thought they were no longer producing them! Thank you so much!" She cried, wrapping her arms around his neck, the bottle still firmly gripped in her hand.
When she finally calmed down and sat at her place at the table, Rukia stood up to find her own gift.
She found it in no time, a white box with silver snowflakes all over it, a blue ribbon sealing the lid.
Ichigo had a suspicion who actually made this gift but wasn't going to spoil Rukia her fun saying it out loud. Besides, everyone with a working brain knew whose colors these were.
She opened the box and took out the ugliest plushie rabbit he had ever seen in his entire life.
"It's Chappy..." She whispered in awe, as if not sure if this wasn't some kind of dream.
More like a nightmare if you asked him.
"I made it myself, as well as the sets of clothes you can put on it," Ishida explained while adjusting his glasses.
"Thank you, Ishida, it's great!" She sobbed, hugging the plushie to her chest with all her might.
"Okay, now is my turn!" Nel lept from her seat, nearly landing face-first into the tree.
She picked up a small bundle wrapped with teal paper, tied with a red ribbon, and quickly tore it to shreds.
And then Ichigo's face went completely blank when she showed them...
A pair of striped, fluffy socks.
It had to be some fuckin' joke!
"They're so soft! And warm!" She exclaimed, already putting them on. "I'll never take them off!"
"I'm glad you like them. I heard Hueco Muno's night happens to get chilly." Yoruichi said with a kind smile.
"Thank you, Yoru!" She engulfed the cat-woman in a rib-breaking hug.
The next one was Chad, who wordlessly found his own present, A blue box with golden Christmas trees all over it. He took off the lid to present them a navy blue sweater with a white kitten in the center, all wrapped up in Christmas lights that were actually shining because of the battery connected to it.
He smiled at it and, without hesitation, put it on.
"Do you like it?" Nel asked with worry.
"It's great. Thank you, Nel." He said, still smiling.
And Ichigo had to admit, that color suited him quite nicely.
"Ano, is it okay if I..." Inoue asked sheepishly.
"Of course, Inoue-san! Feel free to find your present." Urahara chirped from behind his fan.
She quickly made her way to the tree and picked up a small box covered in green paper.
When she got rid of the envelope, she stared into the box with glimmering eyes that immediately started to water.
"I know how much you like to bake, so you should find them handy," Rukia said, sending a wide smile at the auburn-haired girl.
"Thank you so much, Rukia. You'll be the first to taste them!" Inoue cried, taking out a set of cookie cutters in Christmas patterns.
"I can't wait, Orihime." She replied happily.
That midget was truly fearless...
The next one was Ishida, whose gift was hidden inside a flat, blue box, sealed by a white ribbon.
Inside it was a sewing kit with probably every possible color of thread and needles in sizes and shapes Ichigo had never seen before.
Though he was no expert in this particular field.
"I managed to strengthen the threads with reishi particles, making them even harder to sever. And the needles should stay sharp far longer than the standard ones." Urahara informed, eyes shining above the ridge of his fan.
"It's... perfect. Thank you, Urahara-san." The Quincy said, stroking the kit affectionally.
"Okay, now is my turn," Renji said, standing up from the table.
His present was covered with a red paper sealed by a green ribbon.
The lieutenant of the 6th Division quickly tore the paper and took out a thick, black, woolen scarf with a red Christmas pattern.
He stared for a moment at the piece of cloth in his hand, and then he looked up at the rest of his friends, trying to locate his Secret Santa. It didn't take him all that long since Chad sent him his thumbs up in a set with a warm smile.
"Thanks, man. It's great!" He said with a sniff as if fighting with his own tears. He wrapped the scarf around his neck, surprising Ichigo how well the pattern looked with his tattoos.
The next one to find his present was Tessai, who emerged from under the tree with a yellow box decorated with a green ribbon. He delicately took off the lid and pulled out a red piece of cloth that quickly revealed itself as an apron that closely resembled Santa Clause's costume.
"I saw it behind a shop window a few days ago and immediately thought about you, Tessai-san. Do you like it?" Orihime asked uncertainly.
"It's really charming, Inoue-san. Thank you." He said and took off his old, blue apron to change it with the brand new one.
He sat beside Urahara in a seiza position, glasses shining with reflected Christmas lights and something that could only be described as happiness.
"Okay, I think now is my turn," Urahara stated jovially, already trotting towards the Christmas tree.
Without hesitation, he picked up a box entirely covered with white and green stripes.
Of course, the present meant for the crazy shopkeeper would look like that...
He impatiently took off the lid and pulled out...
A green bucket hat with a pair of brown, felt reindeer horns sticking out on each side of it.
There was a short moment of silence, and then everybody burst out laughing.
"Oh my God! You have to put it on!" Yoruichi cackled while rolling on the floor, gripping her ribs as if they were going to break from the strain.
"But of course I will! I wouldn't dare to break the Christmas spirit!" Urahara stated, sticking out his chest proudly and changing his old, stripped hat to the new, horny one.
To say he looked ridiculous would be an understatement of a year. But he seemed happy with it, and that's what really mattered, right?
"Who am I supposed to thank for this wonder?" The shopkeeper asked, looking at his guests with mischievous eyes.
"There is no need to thank me; seeing you wear it is prise in itself." Renji snickered from his spot.
"Thank you either way, Renji-san. It's quite a lovely hat, I have to admit." He responded, stroking one of the horns.
Then he frowned slightly and looked back at the Christmas tree.
"Hmm, that's weird. I can't see any other presents there..." He said and immediately looked at Ichigo with a raised brow.
Shit! He had so much fun he almost forgot what was about to happen now!
And since Urahara was already aware of his plan, the shopkeeper just couldn't stop himself from throwing him under the bus...
"Ichigo? For whom you have prepared a gift?" The traitor asked innocently.
He clenched his jaws, straining his self-control to the maximum to stop himself from choking Urahara with his bare hands.
Instead, he reached into his back pocket and took out his shinigami badge, which he quickly slammed against his chest before he had the time to change his mind.
His living body fell back like a sack of potatoes while he stood up from the table, and, taking a deep breath, he locked his eyes with the blue-haired Espada.
"Grimmjow." He finally squeezed out of his throat, which felt as if it was blocked with his own racing heart.
The Arrancar looked at him with surprise, clearly taken aback by his admission.
"No way! You are my Secret Santa!?" He exclaimed indignantly.
Well, if he only paid attention, he could easily conclude there was legitimately no one else left beside the ginger head.
"Yeah. Come on, we need to get into the basement first." He stated, hands already starting to sweat again.
"What, it's that fuckin' big you couldn't fit it under that tree?" Grimmjow snickered.
'You have no fucking idea...'
He reached the trap door that led to the training grounds under the shop and opened it, waiting for the Arrancar to appear at his side.
"Get down." He ordered, nodding his head at the hatch, already feeling anxiousness creep its way up his spine.
Surprise of all surprises, the Arrancar didn't even try to complain about it. Instead, he only sent Ichigo a long, knowing gaze, as if already feeling a fight was quickly approaching.
And in the next second, he was gone, dropping down into the hole in the floor.
The rest of his friends peeked into the corridor with interest while Urahara already walked towards him.
"Keep the rest away. And if something goes wrong..." He didn't know what to say more.
It was such a stupid idea!
"Don't worry, Kurosaki-san. Everything will be just fine." Kisuke assured and patted his shoulder supportingly.
"I hope so..." He mumbled, taking one deep breath and dropping down into the basement.
The Espada was waiting for him patiently just four steps from the ladder when he landed on the wastelands under the shop.
"Fuckin' finally!" Grimmjow snarled, but there was no spite in it. More like excitement.
Ichigo straightened and looked up at the now-closed hatch.
No coming back, it seemed...
"Oi! Don't tell me you got cold feet! Where is it!?" The Espada demanded, taking a step towards him.
Ichigo quickly took a step back to keep the distance between them. He had to stay as far as possible to give Grimmjow time to react. He wouldn't have enough mind to think about such things in a while.
"Stay where you are and release Pantera." He ordered again, heart beating probably three times as fast as it should.
"You're quite bossy tonight; that gift better be worth it." The Arrancar said with a grin, drawing his sword and scraping his nails along the blade, wordlessly releasing his power.
When his power settled, revealing his more feline form, all covered in white armor, Ichigo decided to take a few more steps back, just to be sure.
"Come on, Kurosaki! I'm waiting!" Grimmjow urged, tail swinging back and forth with irritation.
'Relax, King. It'll be all right.' Zanetsu assured.
Yeah, definitely...
He took the shorter one of his swords and started to spin it in his hand restlessly.
He was so much going to regret it...
Taking the last deep breath, he caught the handle with both hands.
And then, buried the blade to the hilt in his sternum.
"Holy shit! Kurosaki!" Grimmjow shouted with eyes perfectly round, filled with complete dismay. He even took a step towards him, but then he stopped in his tracks when Ichigo's reiatsu spiked wildly.
At first, it was pure pain. Bearable but unpleasant as fuck. Then, when his hollow hole started to appear around the blade, the sensation changed into something akin to pressure. He slowly breathed out the air he was holding in his lungs, feeling the mask form itself over his face, gaining weight with every passing second.
His thoughts gradually slowed down, as well as his heartbeat, leaving only here and now.
He pulled out the blade, the hollow hole already fully developed, and sheathed it at his side. He didn't need it anymore. He had claws. And horns. And teeth. That was more than enough to have some fun; that is, if the Arrancar before him was even willing to play.
"No way..." The feline whispered, clearly shocked beyond measure. "Kurosaki?"
He tilted his head with interest.
That blue-haired man was strange, he thought, making a rumbling sound in his throat.
But thinking was... tiring. His instincts and impulses too loud in his head to leave enough space for overthinking.
Ichigo leaned forward, gauging the Arrancar's reaction to his movement, and wasn't disappointed when he lowered himself in preparation.
So he was willing to play, he thought with glee while a wide grin split his face behind his horned mask.
'Let's test what he's worth.'
He jumped into the air, readying his clawed hand to attack. Not his full speed just yet; he was simply testing the waters. If the Arrancar couldn't counter or dodge that, there would be no fun at all.
But there was nothing to worry about; he dodged to the side and immediately swung his own clawed hand, aiming for his chest. When it missed its target, the feline changed his tactic and started to run away, probably to find out his opponent's speed.
And he was too willing to follow.
He chased the Arrancar for a moment but quickly got bored and, with a buzz of sonido, reappeared right in front of him.
"Fuckin' shit!" The blue-haired man shouted, digging his clawed feline feet into the ground to slow down, and then aimed a high kick at the side of his head.
What the feline hadn't predicted was that Ichigo would wrap his hand around his ankle with a vice-like grip and throw him with a great force into the rock formation in the distance.
What was his surprise when the Arrancar managed to turn in the air and land on it on all fours, lashing his tail crossly.
That agility... He wanted to see it again!
Within a second, he charged a cero through the horns, aiming straight at the mortified face of the Arrancar.
"Fuck!" He shouted, lunging to the side, by a hair missing the red energy beam. He landed on the ground and looked back at Kurosaki with an unreadable expression.
Then he started to laugh.
"You're fuckin' nuts!" He shouted before another fit of laugher took him over.
Ichigo had no idea what amused him so much, but honestly, he didn't care all that much. He was fun to play with, and that was all he wanted right now.
The feline rushed straight at him, in a few seconds exchanging quick blows, scratching and punching at the openings in the other's defense.
And with every blow, given or received, Ichigo was more and more sure he fought that Arrancar before. He knew those movements, that sharp tongue.
Yes, they have already fought with each other.
Probably many times.
The reiatsu that collided with his own was so familiar, almost yarning.
Why couldn't he remember?
He shook his head, frowning, making an irritated rumble in his throat.
"Oi! What's wrong with ya, Kurosaki!?" The Arrancar shouted, slowing down his assault.
That word again.
'Kurosaki'
He heard him say it so many times before.
His name. No one said it like that.
Only the Arrancar could make it sound that way.... the way that caused shivers to run down his spine.
Grimmjow!
That's what the man was called!
But who he was to him?
Not a friend or a pack...
Definitely not an enemy either.
But at the same time, that one name was nearly burned in his head, as if he mattered a whole lot to him.
His thoughts made no sense.
He didn't even realize when Grimmjow reduced the space between them, in the next second, his whole armored body collided with his own, throwing him out of balance.
They rolled on the sandy ground, head over heels, until they finally stopped, Grimmjow on top, straddling him and keeping his hands pinned on both sides of his head.
Not for the first time in his life, he found himself hypnotized by the cerulean orbs, underlined by those wild, teal markings that made them stand out even more.
Mesmerizing.
He wanted to touch them...
"You there, Kurosaki?" Grimmjow asked, looking into the dark holes of his mask to find his eyes.
Ichigo blinked a few times under this intensive stare, trying to unravel the mystery that was currently perching over him.
Who was this man, and why was Ichigo not concerned in the slightest when he was literally pinning him to the ground?
More than anything, it was exciting!
Then the mask broke aslant, sliding off to the ground on both sides of his face, leaving him in a stupor, round eyes looking with surprise at Grimmjow.
"Here you are." Grimmjow snickered; pearly canines on display.
"Grimm-" He had to swallow when his throat instantly went dry. "How... How did you like your present?" He asked, looking to the side to avoid that drilling cerulean stare.
"It was perfect." He replied, eyes shining with something hard to describe. "Now my turn."
Ichigo had no time to react when soft lips covered his own in a chaste kiss.
His breath caught in his lungs, too shocked to do anything besides staring at the feline Arrancar.
And when his brain finally rebooted, it was already over.
He blinked up, not able to break his eyes away from those cerulean pools that stared back with pure amusement at his stupor.
"Y-you are my Secret Santa?" Ichigo asked, not knowing what else to say.
"Yeah, how did you like your present, Kurosaki?" The Arrancar asked with a cheeky grin.
"I... I thought you didn't like me." He blurted.
"You're such a dumbass. Just because I don't want to be your fuckin' friend doesn't mean I don't like you." Grimmjow stated and, just to make his point, he leaned down again, sealing their lips together.
This time Ichigo wasn't caught off guard, his brain processing the action and coming up with only one thing he could do in this situation.
He relaxed his jaw and deepened the kiss.
He had never thought in his entire life he would kiss a man, not even mentioning enjoying himself while doing so, but with Grimmjow...
It felt almost natural.
He felt that rough cat-like tongue move against his own, drawing a quiet moan from his throat, and couldn't think about anything else besides this one sensation. His brain was slowly melting, like butter in a freaking microwave, and he had absolutely no intention to prevent it from happening.
A clawed hand found its way into his hair, gripping it lightly just to make sure he wasn't going anywhere. As if he wanted to be anywhere else at this moment!
In one fluid motion, he wrapped his newly released hand behind Grimmjow's neck, making it obvious how big was the chance he would simply run away.
And a loud purr that followed right after that action left no doubt he received the message.
Ichigo couldn't contain a smile that split his face, simultaneously breaking the kiss, leaving them with their foreheads pressed against each other.
So Grimmjow was indeed just an overgrown house-cat...
Who would guess?
"Merry Christmas, Grimmjow." He whispered, slightly winded after the kiss.
The Arrancar snickered, rubbing his forehead a little against his.
"Merry Christmas, Kurosaki."