Sorry this is so late. Sorry it's mainly speech!

Chapter Thirty-two

Ichigo's POV

"Grimmjow's acting weird."

I sighed. This was the third fucking time someone had said those words. This time, it was Ulquiorra of all people. If that wasn't enough to make me worry about it, Ulquiorra actually looked worried about it. I couldn't say I hadn't noticed the strangeness either but jeeze I was tired of people telling me he wasn't acting normal. It was so damned tempting to simply say that I am Grimmjow's boyfriend and therefore am somewhat sensitive to what he was doing around me. Hell, what he didn't do around me was also very noticable too.

"Thanks Ulquiorra," I murmured as I threw him a soft smile. "I've been made aware of that." I tried to not smile too much when his green eyes flicked awaay from my face and his fingers twitched a little like he was wishing he could run from me. It always felt good when I could make him twitch. It made him more human. I watched him nod and leave, his movements slightly jerky, before sighing again.

It didn't take me long to find Grimmjow. I wasn't even aware of my leaving the building and going to our horses' pen. I was still surprised when I saw him petting Pantera through the gate, his blue eyes blank and not registering much of anything. I stepped up to him silently and waited as he began to focus in on Pantera's ears. He scratched and cooed to her gently and she seemed to lean into the attention like an overgrown dog. I didn't bother laughing. He was so cute like this but I was a bit worried that his eyes were still slightly blank about it.

Shiro and Zangetsu stomped around the pen bored. Zangetsu was quite compared to Shiro who pawed the ground and continued to snort and swish his tail. I slipped my helmet on and then slunk through the gate. I ignored the damned pleased nickers coming from Pantera as Grimmjow continued to pamper her. I stepped up to Shiro and shushed him. He glared at me darkly but I ignored it. My hands strayed over his neck, smoothing and ruffling his fur as I rubbed him down. Zangetsu bumped his head against me gently and I hugged his nose to my body. Typical. They knew I felt uneasy about what was happening around me with Grimmjow.

"Hey buds," I murmured.

"Ichi?" Grimmjow asked surprised.

"Snapped out of it did he?" I asked Zangetsu. The big drafter snorted and nodded his head. I swear Shiro rolled his eyes. I listened as the gate opened and closed, the clasp falling into place loudly. Pantera pranced over to me and nudged my back before prancing off with Shiro. I swear if he gets her pregnant, I'll shoot him. Zangetsu huffed at the two horses and then returned his attention to me. He was being the supportive elder.

"Hey Ichi," Grimmjow said as he wrapped his arms around me gently but firmly. It was like he was trying to hold onto me like I'd disappear if he didn't hold me down. "When'd you get here?"

I nearly ignored him. He hadn't spoken to me for days. His damned fault I didn't responding now. Zangetsu nudged me before I could. Damn it.

"A few minutes. You were busy petting Pantera."

"Sorry. Planning on riding?"

"Maybe. Why do you sound so worried?"

"I'm not worried."

Answering too fast says you are. "Alright then. How about you? Are you going to ride anytime soon?"

"I'm resting up Ichigo! I just won a huge competition! With your help yes but I won didn't I?"

"Yes you did." I was beginning to feel horridly sappy. I was already forgetting what we were supposed to be doing; figuring out what the hell was wrong with Grimmjow lately. But god i felt good to have his arms around me like this. Thank you Zangetsu for nudging us so hard we fell backward.

"Thanks Zan," Grimmjow muttered somewhat darkly.

"You have no idea," I whispered. "Hey Grimm?"

"Yes Ichigo?"

"What's bothering you?" Oh god don't get silent on me! "Grimmjow?"

"Nothing's bothering me."

"Everyone's saying you're acting weird."

"I'm not acting weird!"

"Yes you are!" He glared at me. I glared back. "You've stopped riding, you've stopped acting like the people around you exist, and you were staring into space a few minutes ago!"

"That's not weird! Maybe I'm...trying to digest the fact I won, beat your time, and you're still around me!"

"What the-?"

"I didn't mean it that way."

"Yes you did!"

"No-!"

"You're freaking out that you won over my old time? Do you think I'm going to leave you because you kicked my ass in a competition?" I can't believe he wasn't saying anything. "Grimmjow! For fuck's sake! I wanted that competition to get out of my life! I'm glad you beat me! Hell! That was all I wanted other than you to fuck me into a matress every so often!" I punched his shoulder gently and Zangetsu bumped Grimmjow's head.

"So...You're not pissed at me for winning?"

"Fuck no! I'm proud! You can shove it in Luppi's face!"

"You're alright with the call?"

"I watched you win fairly."

"Jeeze."

"Done with overreacting?"

"I think so."

"Good. Kiss me then."

I grabbed his collar and melded our lips together only to moan when his sliped his tongue into my mouth. I heard Zangetsu snort before he nudged between the two of us with his thick legs. I huffed and glared at him. He shook his head as if getting flies off himself. Grimmjow was chuckling heavily.

"Sorry Zan but you're not stopping me now are you?"

"Grimm?" I asked warily. Grimmjow pulled me up swiftly, a smirk on his face.

"Starrk still has multiple bedrooms with locks in that house Ichi," he said, his eyes flashing.

Shit.