Grimmjow was on his feet. He strode over to the door and laid a hand on the knob. Then, remembering his predicament, he slammed his forehead against the door. I winced.
The door suddenly swung open. Grimmjow backed away in surprise.
Ulquiorra was standing there, looking as bored as ever. His green eyes flickered over me and then rested on Grimmjow.
"Are you coming or not?" Ulquiorra tossed two keys into the room and walked away.
Grimmjow sneered at his retreating back and turned to me.
"Stay here. I'll take you to Aizen later."
He walked away, closing the door. I blinked at the door. Where did he think I would go?
~*~
Grimmjow returned a while later. I had been pacing the floor, bored again, when he entered. He stormed in, slamming the door behind him. I could feel his spiritual pressure rising. His anger was not very well contained.
As soon as I felt his Reitsu, I found that I couldn't move. My throat was closing in on itself. I couldn't breathe. I stared at Grimmjow with a pained look on my face, hoping to get his attention.
"What?" He snapped, his anger flaring out towards me. I was frightened at his ferociousness.
My knees buckled. I hit the ground hard with my head, dazed. I was shaking. My vision was blurring from the impact. His pressure was too much. I couldn't see. All I could hear was my frantic heartbeat and Grimmjow curse.
I do not know when he started getting his Reitsu under control, but my throat loosened and I could breathe again. I still couldn't see, since I had hit my head pretty hard.
Suddenly, I felt myself being lifted into the air. The arms around me were so gentle. So warm. I clutched them with my hands, curling up into them.
"I'm sorry," I heard Grimmjow say. I whimpered in response, my vision beginning to clear.
He was holding me in the armchair. I forgot all about how I promised myself that he would never touch me again, let alone hold me. I figured that perhaps I could forgive him for killing me. I couldn't hold a grudge forever, could I?
"I'm sorry," he whispered again. "I forgot you can't handle high Reitsu levels yet. I'm sorry, Kryse."
I felt his hand caress my hair and cheek. Then I remembered what he had said earlier. Almost. Almost a warm touch. Almost a heartbeat from a heartless monster.
"Grimmjow," I whispered. "I'm frightened."
His hand ran softly along my bony frills. Slowly, I began to relax. I was comfortable with him holding me this time. I felt like a child in a parent's arms.
But he wasn't my parent. And I wasn't his child. Do it should not feel that way. He was a man who I had known for a couple of weeks. I was an innocent girl transformed into a monster. And everyone knows innocent girls are supposed to be the ones easily corrupted.
Finally, I had completely stopped shaking and I brushed the heavy thoughts from my mind. I was beginning to fall asleep in his arms.
"Why were you so angry?" I murmured. He shifted a little.
"Kurosaki, the Shinigami boy I told you about, has invaded Hueco Mundo with a couple of his friends. Aizen had the Espada come to a meeting to inform us of this invasion. I wanted to go stop Kurosaki immediately. But Aizen stopped me with his Reitsu."
"Why do you want to fight him so badly?"
"He..." Grimmjow paused. "When I was fighting him on Earth, he showed a power of his to me the greatly interests me."
"What is this power?" I looked up at him. He had a very concentrated look upon his face. He always looked like that. Scowling. It was kind of sad.
"He had a Hollow mask on. But he's a Shinigami. He should not possess the powers of a Hollow. I was going to kill him as soon as he became too exhausted to keep up his powers, but Ulquiorra stopped me. Bastard."
I clutched his shirt again and sighed. He looked down at me. I burrowed closer. Now, perhaps, he was smiling.
"Kryse," he was stroking my hair. "Could you describe love to me?"
Odd. But then again, it must've been a long time since anybody loved him. I gave it my best shot.
"Is that all?"
"It's all I know. I'm only seventeen. I've never been deeply in love before."
Grimmjow tightened his grip around me. I was suddenly very awake and very aware of my situation.
"Grimmjow," I couldn't breathe. Too close. "Please let go."
Slowly, he let go of me. I pulled away, but stayed in his lap. I wouldn't be able to breathe again if he got angry once more. And I figured he wouldn't get as angry if I stayed put.
"Kryse," His eyes were wide. He didn't seem to recognize his own voice. "What are your feelings about me?"
I swallowed nervously. What were my feelings? He looked at me expectantly, and I could not bring myself to speak.
