Title: Las Noches High – chapter thirty-seven
Author/Artist: Cheza-chan
Pairing/Characters: Grimmjow/Ichigo
Rating: R / NC-17
Genre: AU; high school
Disclaimer: I own the mangas that I purchased, but Kubo owns the characters.
Summary/Notes: Forced to transfer from school to school because of something he has no control over, Kurosaki Ichigo resigns himself to expulsion, only to find out he has one last choice: attend Las Noches High.

When the sun grew too bright to ignore, Ichigo reached out blindly. He didn't have far to go, and swatted at Grimmjow's arm. Get up. Ichigo received a light elbow to his side for his troubles, and retaliated with a kick.

After hearing the dull thud from upstairs, Yuzu stood from the couch and headed into the kitchen to begin preparing breakfast.

In an attempt to save time and water, the boys decided to share a bath. Complaints of the tub being too small were quickly forgotten after Grimmjow yanked Ichigo to his feet and pinned him against the wall.

Ichigo fumbled around with his left hand, reaching for the bottles lined along the edge of the tub. A snapping to his right drew his attention and he laughed after seeing the bottle of strawberry-flavored lube Grimmjow held up. "We should get another bottle—one that won't leave us smelling like candy."

"You already smell sweet," Grimmjow growled, thrusting his hips forward. His erection slid between Ichigo's moist cheeks. "Maybe I want you to taste that way, too."

Ichigo pushed back against him, gasping when Grimmjow's mouth latched onto his shoulder. He knew he had a rebuttal, but the only thing he could hear himself panting was "please".

x

"Did you clean up after yourselves?" Karin asked after hearing the teens descend the stairs.

Grimmjow smirked, pulling away from Ichigo to head towards the couch. He met Karin's eye after circling around, returning her grin as he dropped onto the cushion beside her. "Yes, ma'am."

Karin grinned, nudging his thigh with her knee. "Yuzu had breakfast ready almost twenty minutes ago."

"I'll find a way to apologize to her. You'll have me for another two weeks, so I'm sure you can think of something."

Realizing Grimmjow wasn't coming with him, Ichigo walked into the kitchen to find something to eat. Yuzu smiled brightly and pointed at the table where two covered plates sat. Ichigo opened his mouth to call the other teen, but his sister shook her head.

"I'll take it to him," Yuzu said, searching the cupboards for a tray.

"I'll stay here." Ichigo pulled out the chair and carefully lowered himself into it. Yuzu poured him a cup of orange juice before heading out to the living room.

When Yuzu appeared at his side, Grimmjow couldn't help the surprise that flitted across his face. "You're our guest," the teen giggled.

"Yeah, but… I was just telling your sister I'm gonna hafta make up for letting your breakfast get cold. Now you do this…"

Yuzu leaned down so she could gently lay the tray atop Grimmjow's lap. "Keep onii-chan happy and I'll be the one repaying you." Grimmjow glanced over his shoulder—over the back of the couch—and looked into the kitchen. Ichigo had his head bowed over his plate of food, so he didn't see the look.

Karin followed his gaze, turning back around after seeing all she needed to. "He's thinking about you," she murmured.

"About school," Grimmjow sighed, picking up the fork beside the plate.

"You're a package deal in his mind. He's going to drive himself insane until he can figure this out." Karin tucked herself into the arm of the couch.

Conversations came to a halt and the only audible sounds were the light scrapes of utensils on dinnerware. Grimmjow offered Yuzu a half smile after she returned to collect the tray. "Stop spoiling me. I might not leave." Yuzu avoided his gaze, her eyes focused beyond him. Grimmjow assumed the sisters were having a nonverbal conversation. His eyes narrowed, an eyebrow arching sharply. "Unless that's your plan…?"

Yuzu giggled and disappeared into the kitchen.

Karin tucked herself against Grimmjow's side now that the tray was no longer in the way. "I liked Renji, but I think I like you a bit more."

"Not more than me, I hope."

Grimmjow tilted his head back and was rewarded with a quick peck on the lips from a smiling Ichigo. He smirked. "I don't think anyone can like me more than you, but somehow I've become your sisters' lapdog—literally." Karin sighed contently, stretching herself out across Grimmjow's lap. The older teen mouthed an apology, but didn't look the slightest bit apologetic.

Ichigo shook his head, unable to curb his grin. He reached over the back of the couch to flick Karin's ear and hurried upstairs before she could retaliate. Once inside his room, Ichigo leaned against the closed door. His smile slowly faded as his gaze swept over his work desk. Files for Las Noches University and Keio University covered its entire surface. With a resigned sigh, Ichigo headed over and took a seat at the desk. He was no closer to finalizing his choice by the time Grimmjow joined him in his bedroom.

The door opened and closed, the taller teen making a beeline for the bed. "Your sisters went out to fly kites. Karin said she only went because Yuzu begged her, but she's probably gonna have fun."

Ichigo hummed, his eyes never leaving the lists of pros and cons he was currently creating.

"Maybe we should go out?" Grimmjow tried, hoping to get the other's full attention.

"We are," Ichigo mumbled, lifting a particular sheet to study it closer.

Grimmjow snatched the paper away, slamming it down on the desk. Ichigo's glare was short-lived, his retort forgotten, when his phone began to trill. A tired crease appeared across his forehead as he accepted the call.

"Kurosaki-kun! It's a pleasure to have the first talk of the New Year with you. Is Grimmjow nearby? Can you please put me on speaker?"

Ichigo removed the phone from his ear and tapped the speaker button. "There," he grumbled.

"You can both hear me? Good! I do apologize for not giving you your gifts on Christmas day, but if you're claiming 'firsts', we can call this your first apology of the New Year—"

"So annoying," Ichigo scoffed.

"And your first gifts of the New Year," Urahara continued, unfazed. "I heard from my wonderful niece that the Kuchikis are hosting a party and you're invited. I have some new duds for you. You can swing by and pick them up?"

"See you in a bit," Ichigo said, abruptly ending the call before Urahara continued talking. He grunted softly as he pushed his chair back from the desk and stood up.

Grimmjow felt like he'd been brushed off, but he wasn't going to raise a fuss. They changed into weather-appropriate clothes and then headed out.

x

Urahara threw open the door after just one knock. "Kurosaki-kun! Jaegerjaquez-kun! Such a pleasure to see you both again!"

"We were here a week ago," Ichigo scoffed, shouldering by the man. He froze after noticing the shop's other occupant.

"Yo." Yoruichi grinned, her hand raised in mock salute.

Ichigo glanced between the two adults, suddenly suspicious of the invitation. Urahara laughed sheepishly, maneuvering himself between the teens and the door—their only means of escape.

x

Yoruichi smacked Grimmjow on the arm as she laughed, "You look like you're walking to your own execution!"

"I'm dressed like I'm about to me executed…" the blue-haired teen grumbled, not even flinching from her hit.

"You look amazing," Yoruichi corrected. Keeping her hand on his shoulder, she took a step back to admire Grimmjow.

Urahara's gift to them were kimonos—"The Kuchiki family is very tradition… and Ririn insisted."—to wear to the upcoming party. The door to the room slid open and in stepped Urahara. He grinned, extending his arm back towards the hall.

"Hurry up, Ichigo," Yoruichi whined, circling Grimmjow so her arm was now wrapped around his shoulder. "Your danna is waiting for you."

"What danna?!" Ichigo snapped, stepping into the room. Ichigo's eyes widened after his gaze fell on Grimmjow. Yoruichi, in charge of dressing the older teen, nudged him forward.

The hakama Grimmjow wore was a charcoal gray color with a prowling panther design at the bottom of the right leg. The nagajuban, just visible above the edge of the dark blue kimono, was white. The haori was also a similar blue, and the prowling panther returned on Grimmjow's left shoulder. The haori-himo matched Grimmjow's eyes, which Ichigo finally realized were burning holes into him.

With a terrifying quickness, the teens were pushed together and several pictures were taken before Ichigo's protests began.

"He's wearing a wedding kimono!" Ichigo snapped, stomping a socked foot.

Grimmjow lifted his left arm, staring down at himself. He hummed in approval. "So I'm not going to an execution…"

"No!" Ichigo sputtered.

Urahara waved his fan in a placating manner. "It was Yoruichi's idea," he explained in a soft voice. "She just returned from overseas—"

"My honeymoon phase is over!" the dark-skinned woman sighed dramatically.

Urahara's eyes smiled from beneath his hat. "And… well… this is what happened." Yoruichi's wide grin spoke volumes; she felt no remorse for what she did.

"So I'm…" Ichigo trailed off, closed his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose. While his kimono was indeed a male's, there were subtle changes that dictated him as the 'wife' in the shopkeeper's ploy. The most obvious one was the kimono being designed with a sprig of sakura blossoms going down the right side; his hakama was the color of the pond the falling petals would obviously be settling in.

Grimmjow, who had been uncharacteristically quiet the entire time, finally stepped forward to slip an arm around Ichigo's waist. Urahara tensed, whereas Yoruichi lifted the camera she held higher. Grimmjow tugged him around until they were face to face, tilting his chin upwards. "Do you want this to be an official ceremony?"

The brown eyes widened and Ichigo's mouth fell open.

"If this is what it takes to prove I'm not letting go, then so be it."

Ichigo averted his eyes, his hands fisted against Grimmjow's shoulders to push him away. 'Of course. My worrying has been causing him problems…' "Should I adopt you into my family or should we go overseas like Yoruichi-san?"

Grimmjow gave himself five seconds to overcome his shock before tilting his head back and laughing. He pulled himself together and gave the shorter teen a predatory grin. "I don't think your dad would mind adopting me into the family."

With nervous laughter, Urahara separated them before things became too heated. Yoruichi pouted from behind her camera as he did so. Ichigo was led out of the room to be redressed while Grimmjow was instructed to just remove the haori-himo and haori. When Ichigo returned, he was dressed in a blue hakama—lighter in color than Grimmjow's navy top—with a pale blue top.

"Great! Now that we're ready, let's go. We've kept the chauffeur waiting long enough." Urahara laughed loudly as he ushered the boys to the front of the shop. True to his word, a silver sedan waited in the street.

Yoruichi handed Ichigo an umbrella before shoving both teens out onto the walk. "They say it might snow later. Have fun!"

Using the hand holding the umbrella, he lifted it over his head in a wave. The door was opened after they arrived at the car and he climbed in first, shuffling carefully to the other side. Grimmjow followed suit, the door closing behind him, and they were soon on their way.

x

A nostalgic smile curled Ichigo's lips as he stepped out of the car now parked in front of the Kuchiki mansion. "Looks like we get to fly kites, too," Grimmjow mused, lifting a hand to point above the house. There was indeed a white and red kit bobbing in the wind. "The temperature's dropping, though, so that won't last long."

"Lighten up," Ichigo sighed, moving forward. It took one long stride for the older teen to catch up with him. Ichigo knew better than to kiss him on Byakuya's walk—the man was probably watching them from somewhere—and settled for taking his hand and tugging him along. The door opened as the reached it and the footman granted them entrance.

"There are a few guests out back," the suited man explained as he led the way. "But the majority of them are in the main room."

"Where's the shrimp?" Grimmjow asked.

The footman hesitated in thought. "Hinamori-san or Kuchiki—"

"Momo," Ichigo said, helping Grimmjow out.

The footman raised his head, revealing the slightest of smiles. "Hinamori-san is in the main room, sir."

Grimmjow smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. "I thought she'd be outside flying a kite."

"We've got it from here," Ichigo told the man, waving him off. "Tell Byakuya I'll try not to walk in on him doing something scandalous." With a grin, he tugged Grimmjow deeper into the house. They arrived at the main room and found a sign on the door: Karuta game in progress. Ichigo didn't find it surprising that the Kuchikis kept up with tradition.

Grimmjow pushed open the door as quietly as it allowed, both teens stepped inside. A few heads turned in their direction, Hinamori being amongst them. Her face lit up and she hurriedly made her way to the couple, the hem of her kimono raised to prevent her from tripping spectacularly. "You made it," she exclaimed in a hushed voice.

"You promised me a present," Grimmjow reminded her, a long finger tapping the bridge of her nose. Hinamori shook off the touch, blushing a pretty pink. The brunette fisted her hands in front of her, mustering enough courage to glower. "Buying your present was… traumatizing. Beat me at karuta and I'll give you your gift."

Grimmjow's eyes shone brightly, his grin wide and a bit frightening. "You're on."

x

News traveled quickly of the upcoming match, and Rukia managed to enlist Byakuya's help in reading the poems. Ichigo was soon recording a very intense karuta game.

"Amatsu kaze, kumono—"

After just starting the second line to the poem "The Sky is the Home Road", Byakuya stopped reciting when a card flew to the left, courtesy of Hinamori. The young girl stood with a whispered apology and hurried to retrieve the card. Picking it up, she pressed it against her smiling lips and returned to her previous spot. It was an interesting sight—someone of Grimmjow's stature pitted against one as petite as Hinamori.

Kira motioned to Ichigo and the orange-haired teen muted the video, but kept recording. The blond joined him, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I've never seen her look this happy," Kira whispered.

Ichigo nodded in agreement, focusing on Hinamori's determined face as she waited for the next poem to be recited. He panned his phone over to Grimmjow, chuckling softly. The older teen wore a look Ichigo had only ever seen during a karate match, which meant Grimmjow saw Hinamori as a worthy opponent.

x

Grimmjow lost by one card. Hinamori leaned across the small space separating them and threw her arms around his neck. He patted her back in return.

Ichigo promised to send Kira a copy of the video—"You're my backup."—before the duo joined their partners. "How do you know how to play karuta but not even know what a wedding kimono looks like?" Ichigo scoffed, playfully punching Grimmjow in the shoulder.

Grimmjow carded his fingers through his hair, sighing deeply. "Because I've never had to wear this stuff before."

"Oh." Hinamori gave him a onceover. She smiled brightly. "It is. You really went all out, didn't you?" She wore a flower print kimono. Izuru was dressed in a black yukata with a white obi.

"Not by choice," Grimmjow muttered, dropping his arm back to his side.

"It was a present from Urahara," Ichigo sighed, fingering the sleeve of his own kimono.

"Speaking of presents…" Grimmjow grinned as color immediately rose into the brunette's cheeks.

Kira produced the smallest of boxes, handing it over to Hinamori. From Hinamori, the wrapped object made its way to Grimmjow. "I did promise you," she whispered. "And it would be a shame, given all that I went through for those…"

Ichigo was torn between slapping a hand against his face and pinching the bridge of his nose. Instead, he settled for shaking his head in disbelief.

"Please have safe sex," Hinamori whimpered meekly, burying her face in the sleeves of her kimono.

Grimmjow was kind enough to leave the room before roaring with laughter. Ichigo made to go after him, but Rukia's appearance prevented that from happening. She slipped an arm around Hinamori's obi-wrapped waist, pressing their cheeks together. "I offered to go with her, but nii-sama…" Rukia trailed off with a nervous chuckle.

"You got the patented 'look of disapproval'," Ichigo said, meeting Byakuya's eye as the man walked by their small cluster.

The Kuchiki head rolled his eyes before continuing out of the room; his poem reading time had come to an end. Ichigo's partner was not outside in the hall, and Byakuya could only hope he stepped out of the house and was not wandering around.

Grimmjow was indeed outside of the house, and with a companion of his own. Renji was not the only one attending the Kuchiki New Years' party in plain clothes, but the majority was dressed in kimonos and yukatas. The redhead smirked. "Did you get married before you came here?"

Grimmjow scoffed, but a lazy grin tugged at his lips. "I would start to feel self-conscious if I actually cared because everyone keeps pointing out that this is a wedding kimono."

Renji held up his hands defensively. "I didn't mean anything by it—"

"No one else did either."

"I'd like to be invited if you did get married."

"Isn't 'adoption' what it's actually called?" Grimmjow crossed his arms over his chest in thought. A hand landed heavily atop his shoulder and he shifted his attention to the redhead.

Renji smiled in defeat. "Don't let him go like I did."

Grimmjow grinned widely. "I have no intention of making that mistake. I've sent people to the hospital for him."

"Point taken," Renji laughed, giving Grimmjow's shoulder a squeeze before removing his hand. "Let's go in. I'm actually a bit hungry."

The duo made it back to the main hall just in time to catch the end of an interesting conversation.

"—after a few minutes, he started shopping for himself and Hisagi-san," Hinamori was saying. The small group was unaware of their approach.

Grimmjow glanced at Renji, holding up the wrapped box. The redhead nodded 'yes' to the unspoken question.

Ichigo took Rukia's place at Hinamori's side. The Kuchiki noticed the newcomers after being displaced. She grinned cheekily, knowing her revenge on Ichigo was swiftly approaching.

"What did he buy?" Ichigo questioned, ducking low so he was closer to Hinamori.

"Something you shouldn't be worrying about." The statement was accompanied by a clout to the back of his head.

Ichigo straightened up, turning to glare at his assailant. His expression slackened after finding Renji and Grimmjow standing side by side. The redhead had a few inches on Grimmjow, but Ichigo wanted to believe it was due to how he wore his ponytail; the long red tresses were fanned everywhere, while still managing to fall down his back. Ichigo also noticed how calm Grimmjow seemed now, despite being right next to his ex. 'They must've had a heart-to-heart.'

"You look like a pervert." Rukia elbowed him in the side.

Ichigo's laugh was breathless as he clutched his side. "Probably. I was just admiring my types."

"You broke your color-coded type," Rukia quipped, finding this moment to be perfect. The sparkle in her eyes said she had every intention of stirring up trouble.

Grimmjow fixed Ichigo with a questioning stare.

Before the orange-haired teen could reply, Hinamori—the innocent soul that she was—fanned the flames. "Oh. You mean Nova-kun?"

Grimmjow's eyes widened and Ichigo finally buried his face in his hands.

The group was saved by anymore traumatizing revelations when the door opened and the footman announced that refreshments were now available. Grimmjow grabbed Ichigo's arm as everyone started filing out, pulling him to the side. "Should I dye my hair red?"

Ichigo bit his lip, releasing it to reveal a grin. "No. You're perfect just the way you are." He freed his arm, leaning up the short distance to place a kiss to Grimmjow's lips.

Groans and protests came from all sides, but Ichigo laughed them all off.

X X X

There was someone else in Seireitei making "firsts" for the New Year.

The slap resounded so loudly, it caused the young Hitsugaya to look away from the television and towards the front of the house. Though he couldn't see anything, he imagined his guardian turning down another suitor. With a roll of his eyes, he returned his attention to the television.

Ichimaru Gin was the only person Rangiku would ever let see her in such a vulnerable state. Nine times out of ten, he was the one making her feel vulnerable. Her unshed tears were out of anger, and her body trembling from the same emotion. She took a step forward, pounding a weak fist against one shoulder while dropping her head onto the other. "Bastard," Rangiku whispered harshly.

Gin smiled, accepting the blasphemy. He was a bastard, one way or the other. He waited a few moments before asking, "Am I allowed in or do we bot' freeze out here together?"

"We'll freeze together," Rangiku mumbled against his shoulder.

Gin's smile only widened. "I don' min'." He rubbed his hands up and down the exposed flesh of the woman's arms, already feeling it pimple due to the cold. Gin eventually pulled her away and lowered them both into a seated position on the stoop. He undid the buttons of his jacket and carefully draped it over the woman's shoulders, after having freed himself from the article of clothing. Gin leaned back, propping himself up with his spindly arms, and stared at the night sky. Its inky blackness could be seen through a few lingering clouds; it still hadn't snowed.

"Of course you're not cold," Rangiku scoffed, pulling the warm coat tighter around herself. Her visitor wore only a sweater after relinquishing his extra layer. She tilted her head to stare at the sky Ichimaru dutifully studied. The silver-haired man beside her remained quiet, his lips spread in a wide smile. The silence stretched on for several minutes before Rangiku finally broke it with a soft question: "Do you leave me?"

'More than anything else.' Gin tilted his head, presenting his smile to her.

The blond nodded with a soft chuckle. "I won't ask why you did it, but I demand you make it up to me."

"Nah finished," Ichimaru sighed, absently watching the vapor cloud of condensation swirl upwards.

"Hurry up," Rangiku murmured, hunching her covered shoulders up to her ears to ward off the sudden chill of loneliness.

Gin adjusted himself, sitting upright so he could wrap both arms around the woman. He had nothing to say; if he opened his mouth, Gin knew only excuses would tumble out. Rangiku understood this and would continue to wait patiently. On the day Gin walked out of her life, she vowed she would welcome him back whenever he decided to return. He would work for it, but he would always be guaranteed a place at her side.

"Shiro won't like you."

Ichimaru chuckled softly, gently rubbing her shoulders. "I'm sure he'll warm right up ta me."

Rangiku shook her head with a moment's hesitation. "Nope."

"One more enemy won't hurt." She leaned back into his chest, tilting her head to whisper against his chin. "Stop making enemies."

Again, Gin remained silent, showing her only a smile.

No sooner had she gotten comfortable, the door swung open and the white-haired pre-teen darkened its doorway. "If you catch a cold, I'm not taking care of you." Hitsugaya shot an indifferent glance at her suitor. Seeing nothing spectacular, he stepped inside and closed the door.

"I told you," Rangiku giggled, already rising to her feet. She removed the borrowed coat and Gin's vision went dark after it was dropped onto his head.

Gin freed himself from his own jacket, only to find Rangiku had already disappeared inside. He smiled, pulling the article of clothing on. He tugged it close, inhaling deeply the scent of the woman who'd just worn it. Her whispered words still lingered with him.

"Work hard."

Gin pulled on his coat with a flourish, the article setting against the backs of his thighs. He turned, ice blue eyes visible as he smiled in the direction of the house. "I will, Matsumoto."

A/N: O mai gerd. I wrote. I never thought this would happen… especially since I put the fic on "Indefinite Hiatus"—it still is, but… just maybe. I think it's because I fell out of the Tiger & Bunny fandom… Now the people waiting on those fics over there will have to do the waiting. As for another chapter… I can't say there are any guarantees *bow* Sorry.

As for the karuta game, I went a little "Chihayafuru" there. And the kids just didn't wanna stop talking. I had to rewrite the Kuchiki party scenes twice because it felt… stilted and cardboard-y (I have no idea what I'm talking about…)