Bleach Porno Story: Submerge Into Me

Chapter Nine

It had been over a month since the attack on the first district, and the whole of the Soul Society was still very much on edge. Patrols had been stepped up, reconnaissance missions around the Rukongai had been embarked upon but no additional facts were forthcoming, despite the efforts of the Gotei 13. Of course, there was a sinking suspicion that had been building in the hearts of those in the know that the answers lay in a different world to this one. This in turn was another source of anxiety – no one who had fought in the Battle of Hueco Mundo wished to return there. So few shinigami had emerged unscathed or without loss, and the place itself was a bitter reminder of the betrayal wrought by three (and then four) of their own. The scars left by the defections of Aizen, Ichimaru, Tousen and then Kurotsuchi were not easily healed, and their repercussions could be felt in every squad, though most of all in the ones they had originally led.

Soi Fon knew all this, but the ignorance they all shared over the attack was driving her mad. She knew that they were not at their strongest now, still reeling from harsh battle and treachery, but it angered her that next to nothing was being done. They needed information, damn it, and whether they were willing or not, Hueco Mundo was going to be where they got it. All the same, the slowness with which the Gotei 13 moved was infuriating.

It was a good thing she had a new outlet for her frustrations.

Her… interludes with Grimmjow had not originally been intended to be so frequent, however, now that she knew what she had been missing, she found that she couldn’t help herself, ending up with him almost every night. Somehow her lieutenant seemed to know just how to get a reaction from her, whether it was through his strong, long-finger hands, his rough, demanding mouth or just by being aggravating in general. It surprised her that Grimmjow was willing to put up with being her sex toy and punching bag, but then, the man did love to fight… among other things. And damn, he was good. Even she had to admit (grudgingly) that she’d never had a partner who complemented her the way Grimmjow did, who always seemed to know just what to do, how to do it and how long to do it for…

Soi Fon shook herself out of her little daydream, and attempted to concentrate on her paperwork, a slight frown on her face.

Of course, our compatibility is strictly sexual. He still infuriates me on a regular basis… Although, now that I think about it, I can’t recall any incidents lately. Perhaps I have been more tolerant toward him given how relaxed I’ve been since he started, uh, relaxing me.

Yes, that would explain it.

With a shrug of her shoulders, Soi Fon dismissed that particular train of thought.

xXx

Grimmjow knew he was screwed.

At least, though, he was screwed in two senses of the word, which made it a little easier to deal with.

O’ course, that where half the fucken problem lies.

Being a ‘lieutenant with benefits’ was not quite what he was aiming for, but that was as far as he had gotten despite his best efforts. Soi Fon had been true to her word about keeping things strictly casual, and Grimmjow was on the verge of tearing his vividly blue hair out. The few conversations they had typically had in the office had trailed off, Soi Fon being preoccupied with the arrancar attack, and the last thing he wanted to do was alarm her by introducing post coital conversation that consisted of anything more than suggesting another round. Bee was skittish when it came to the two of them; it was easy to see. He had to admit, with her emotional track record, he didn’t blame her.

There had been a couple of moments where he’d been tempted to ask her what was on her mind, moments when he’d wanted to know what she actually thought of him, but he knew better than to push. Every time he came close to doing or saying something to indicate that maybe, just maybe, he considered what they had to be more than just satisfying an urge, she would tense up, as though she’d somehow sensed that his mood had changed. He’d feel her draw away from him, give him a stare that was one part curious, nine parts about to panic, and she’d raise an eyebrow and ask what the hell he was doing playing with her hair or staring at her like that or (Kami forbid) initiating conversation that wasn’t about work or sex. So far he had been able to brush it off, but Grimmjow knew that eventually he’d have to come clean and point out that he wasn’t just there for the sex.

Not that there was anything wrong with the sex. Hell no, on the contrary, Bee put every other woman he’d been with (and there were a few) to shame. At first he’d figured that she was just gifted (lucky him), but as he studied her more and more, it had occurred to him that it wasn’t any technique that made it good, it was the fact that it was her.

Shaolin had a hold on him that he’d never let anyone have before and, while it meant that when she left every night he couldn’t seem to sleep properly, it also meant that when they were together, they just seemed to ignite. Somehow Grimmjow figured that that alone was worth a dodgy sleep pattern. He’d also noticed, though, that when he wore her out to the point where she fell asleep next to him, he actually got his full eight hours rest. Of course, she was still gone every morning, but at least she felt comfortable enough to relax around him, even if she was driven to that point by exhaustion…

Yeah. Like I said – screwed. I’m running around like an idiot after a woman who’ll fuck me, but won’t talk to me, and there’s no end to this cock-up of a situation in sight.

Recalling the previous night, a small smile crept across his face.

Well, there are fringe benefits, at least. I jus’ gotta be patient. Eventually it’ll occur to her that I’m not gonna fuck her around an’ hurt her and that she can trust me, and then…

Hell, aim high. An’ then maybe we can talk about something that ain’t fucking or office shit without any bones getting’ broke.

Che, dare to dream.

xXx

The meeting was called bright and early on a Tuesday morning, attracting everyone’s attention. There hadn’t been a captain’s meeting for several weeks, a delay that had several people already wondering, and, in addition to this, the assembly required both captains and their lieutenants, a departure from most such gatherings.

Soi Fon strode down the street, trying to channel her nervous energy into a sense of purposefulness, Grimmjow at her heels with one hand on the hilt of Pantera and the other attempting to rub the sleep from his eyes. Bright and early Tuesday morning was distinctly not his thing, especially when he’d been up late the night before… Though, to be fair, that was his own fault. And Bee’s, of course. Somehow, no matter how spent they were or how little sleep they got, she always looked fine by the time she arrived at the office.

On second thoughts, make that damn fine. Wonder if she knows why I always walk that little bit behind her –

“Damn you Grimmjow. Catch up and stop staring at my ass.”

Hehe, smart woman.

“Can’t help it, Bee”, he replied. “It just seems to draw the eye.”

With a scowl in his direction, she continued on. “Well, keep it in check in front of the Captain Commander. Somehow I don’t think you’ll be able to convince him that a roving eye is an optical dysfunction.”

Chuckling, he shook his head. “Fair enough. Any other requests for this shindig?”

Soi Fon could think of a list, but figured it was better to keep it simple. “Keep your mouth shut unless you’re specifically asked something. Don’t pick fights with Captains Zaraki or Kurosaki. No antagonising Lieutenant Schiffer. No hitting anyone. No hitting on anyone -“

“Even -“

“Including me. No crude gestures. No swearing. Speak properly and make an attempt to sound vaguely educated, I know you’re capable of it. And no sneaking off. If I have to sit through the inevitable waffle before we get to the point, then so do you. Any questions?”

“I think that list put me off asking anything for life.” His lips quirked and he shrugged. “Don’ worry, Bee, I won’t put you to shame.” He stopped outside the hall, looking up the stairs before turning his gaze back to her. “Shall we?”

As they joined the other captains and lieutenants taking their places, another thing occurred to Soi Fon. Nudging Grimmjow, she quickly added, “And don’t call me Bee.”

“Really woman, anyone’d think you didn’t believe that I was capable of acting professional.”

She raised an eyebrow, looking up at him. “Are you?”

He grinned back. “Dunno, never tried. Let’s find out.”

Groaning to herself, Soi Fon avoided the concerned gaze of Captain Unohana next to her, and instead looked across the room, only to realise that Captain Kurosaki of the Third Division was apparently in a staring contest with someone close to her. She didn’t even have to turn around to find the culprit, instead just muttering, “I thought I told you not to start a fight.”

His eyes not flickering from his target, Grimmjow replied, “Only a staring contest. “It’s jus’ fun, it ain’t gonna lead to fightin’.”

“Grimmjow, you and Captain Kurosaki greeting each other as you pass can lead to fighting.” She brought her hand up and snapped her fingers directly in front of his face. He blinked sharply, his reflexes coming to the fore, before glaring at her. “No fun.”

She fought the urge to roll her eyes, instead pointing out, “We’re not here to have fun.”

As if on cue, the Captain Commander stepped forward, rapping his staff on the ground as silence descended upon the room and attention fixed on him. His rough, gravely voice rang out clearly as he announced, “I have no doubt that many of you will have already guessed why we are here today. For those of you who haven’t, the attack on the First District last month was a clear statement of intent from an unknown enemy. However, despite that time that has elapsed and our own investigations, we have found no clues as to who is now leading the Espada, nor have there been any further attacks. We have searched through two worlds, and now we must turn our search to a third.”

A sigh seemed to pass through the company as they accepted the inevitable.

“Hueco Mundo, then”, Captain Kuchiki said, his dark eyes fixed on the floor in front of him.

In a voice scarcely louder than a whisper, Captain Unohana added, “I had hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but I suppose that is the most logical place to search for answers.”

The Captain Commander inclined his head. “Quite. We think that this attack may also be linked to the surge in hollow activity that we sent the Seventh Division to the living world to investigate, thus indicating that this is something much larger than we anticipated.”

Nel’s eyes widened as she suddenly blurted out, “The vasto lorde! He called me a traitor. Admittedly, with the mask and the shinigami uniform, it doesn’t take much to put together, but vasto lorde typically keep to the menos forest and don’t exactly encounter a lot of shinigami. It’s only the ones who served Aizen who’d be aware of what I am and what happened.”

Captain Yamamoto’s brow furrowed further as he regarded her. “That seems to confirm it, but I must ask. I understood that you were once an adjuchas. How is it that you know about the habits of vasto lorde?”

“Because I was one.” Ulquiorra’s voice rang out quietly but clearly from Nel’s side. “I was one of the few Espada who had evolved to that point before being exposed to the Hougyoku. I suspect that is why I have two releases.”

Beside them, Captain Hisagi’s shock was clear. “You have two release forms?”

“I must admit, I am similarly surprised”, the Captain Commander added gravely. “Why was I not informed?”

Nel looked confused. “I’m sure I put it in the paperwork when I initially tested his abilities.”

Understanding crossed the General’s face. “Ah. So you were responsible for that particular form?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I – ” She broke of at the expressions on the faces of everyone else. Captain Neliel Tu Oderschvank’s indecipherable paperwork was the stuff of legend in the Seireitei. Downcast, she added as she turned to Ulquiorra, “I really suck at paperwork, don’t I?”

With the look of a man backed into a corner, the pale arrancar replied, “Not at all. You just have a rather… unique way of completing it.”

Grimmjow snorted, and received an elbow in the ribs from Soi Fon and a furious glare from Ulquiorra as his response. Electing to ignore this, the General continued, “Is there anything else I should know about the former Espada present?”

Nudging his lieutenant awake, Captain Kuchiki and the former Primera Espada shared a glance, before the latter cleared his throat. “Well, I got some bad news for you”, Stark began, “I no longer have a release form.”

Silence greeted this pronouncement from all comers. Soi Fon looked inquiringly at Grimmjow, who shook his head and whispered, “Had no idea. Hell, I didn’t even know about Ulqui.”

Captain Yamamoto’s shock was apparent. “Would you care to explain this, then? I’m curious to know why you felt that this did not warrant my attention.”

It was Captain Kuchiki who spoke up. “My lieutenant’s fraccion, Lilinette, was more than she appeared. They were essentially two parts of the same entity, both of which were required in order to become the Primera Espada’s release form. When Aizen killed her, my lieutenant lost that particular ability. He imparted this fact to me, but I didn’t feel the need to pass it on and have it spread about the Seireitei. It would cause unnecessary pain and to what end? Despite this, Stark remains one of the strongest of us, there is no need for us to miss what we never had.”

The Captain Commander sighed, before turning to Stark. “Have you anything to add?”

With a casual shrug of his shoulders, the arrancar shook his head. Grimmjow watched him intently, noting the lines on his face that had not been there back in Hueco Mundo. Soi Fon let this information sink in, nudging Grimmjow and pointing out, “You don’t exactly seem informed about your comrades.”

Grimmjow frowned. “Being an Espada meant constantly battling for your position. You kept any flaws or strengths to yourself – it was sometimes the only way you could potentially survive a battle. An environment like that don’t exactly inspire a lotta sharing.”

Conceding the point, Soi Fon turned her attention back to the conversation just as the General turned his attention on her. “Are there any surprises your lieutenant wants to bring to the table, Captain Soi Fon?”

She shook her head. “No sir. What you see is very much what you get with Lieutenant Jeagerjacques.” Satisfied, the Captain Commander moved on. Grimmjow poked her side.

“Was that a compliment or an insult?”

She smirked slightly. “Guess.”

He laughed softly, before lending his ear to Captain Yamamoto’s next announcement.

“In light of these recent occurrences, we need to consider who could possibly be behind them. It does indeed appear that someone has taken control of the remnants of Aizen’s army, and we need to ascertain just how much of a potential threat this could be to us.”

Grimmjow spoke up before he could stop himself. “But I was under the impression that you’d wiped the lot out. At least, that’s what Ulquiorra an’ I got told while we were under house arrest.” He paused, looking around him. “Huh. Ok, so a few got away. You at least got all the Espada, right?”

Further silence greeted this as Grimmjow’s eyes widened. “Fuck, you couldn’t even do that? Don’t suppose it occurred to any o’ ya that any left over Espada might be a little cranky, and with us especially?”

The General stiffened. “We had no knowledge that this situation could arise – “

“You were dealin’ with Aizen for fuck’s sake. Long-term convoluted strategy is what that fucker gets off on. You didn’t even think t’ tell us, did ya? Nel’s already been targeted an – “

He was cut off as Soi Fon clapped a hand over his mouth, before turning to the Captain Commander. “You’ll have to excuse my Lieutenant’s language, but the sentiment still holds true. Keeping our officers uninformed had been a recipe for disaster in the past, and it was not the best idea in this case either.” Her tone was as sharp as her eyes, and the General sighed.

“It may not have been the best decision to make, but keep in mind that, at the time, we were still unsure of their loyalties.”

“All the same”, Captain Kyoraku broke in lazily, “it may be an idea inform them now.”

“Indeed”, Ulquiorra ground out harshly as Nel placed a restraining hand on his arm. Looking up to Captain Yamamoto, she pointed out, “We all know that the Ninth, Eighth, Seventh and Fifth Espada were killed in the first push to rescue Orihime Inoue. They were not replaced. As the Sixth, Fourth and First are here now, all we need to know are the fates of the traitors and the remaining Espada – the Tenth, Third and Second.”

Captain Zaraki snorted. “Like the Tenth is gonna be a trouble to us.”

Lifting an eyelid, Stark drawled, “You do realise that the Espada were numbered 0 to 9 and not 1 to 10, don’t you?”

Silence reigned once more as Grimmjow shook his head, muttering to Soi Fon, “How’d you win the war again?”

She sighed. “Suddenly, I’m not so sure we did.”

Stark continued, his audience hanging on his every word. “Yammy’s release form is that of the Zero Espada. You may wish to rethink the potential trouble he could cause. Also, I assume that since you were unaware of this, you did not manage to kill him?”

The expressions on everyone’s faces made the answer clear. Stark nodded.

“Well, there’s your answer, then.”

Grimmjow shook his head. “Yammy was a fucken moron. No way he could be behind this without help. Who else is there?”

Ichigo Kurosaki looked pensive. “Well, Halibel’s dead, that I can guarantee. Me an’ Rukia and Renji took care of her and her fraccion.”

“And Captain Zaraki and I took care of the Second Espada and his followers with the assistance of our lieutenants”, Soi Fon added.

Grimmjow raised an eyebrow. “Nice. Never liked Barragan.”

A glare silenced him, as a soft clear voice spoke up. “Captain Ukitake, are you sure that you destroyed Mayuri-sama’s head when you fought him?”

All eyes turned toward Nemu Kurotsuchi as she stood, eyes downcast, by Captain Kisuke Urahara’s side. Opposite her, Jyuushiro Ukitake nodded. “I am sure, Kurotsuchi-san. He did not revert to liquid form and instead dissolved.”

Almost so slightly that it was invisible, her shoulders relaxed and she let out a sigh, looking up to meet his eyes. “Thank you, then.”

Captain Ukitake’s eyes widened as he stuttered out, “You – you’re welcome. Though I am sorry for your loss.”

Her eyes left his face and returned to the floor as she replied, “I am not.”

Grimmjow turned to Soi Fon for an explanation. His captain smiled sadly as she explained, “Captain Kurotsuchi, before he betrayed us, was in charge of the Twelfth Division. He somehow made Nemu in his lab. She was his creation, his lieutenant and his daughter. Why she didn’t follow him to Hueco Mundo, I don’t know, but I’m grateful. I suspect that she’s stronger than people gave her credit for, especially now that she’s out of that bastard’s shadow.”

Letting out a long breath, Grimmjow scowled. “Some nasty shit goes down in this place, don’t it?”

Soi Fon laughed hollowly. “Despite the name, we’re not gods. We’re not even angels, but at least we try. I think that’s all we can do.”

The General spoke up once more. “All the traitors are accounted for, Aizen by my own hand, Ichimaru though Captain Hitsugaya and Captain Tousen by Captains Komamura and Hisagi, and Lieutanent Iba. The only other powerful players that leaves are the vasto lorde.”

Ulquiorra shook his head. “I doubt it. Aizen had about a dozen under his command, and I don’t doubt that more have joined, but they do tend to keep to themselves. Someone else would have to be leading them, someone familiar with Aizen’s aims. I would suggest another Espada, but none are left.”

Grimmjow’s eyes widened as something occurred to him. “Not an Espada, but maybe someone with that level of reiatsu.”

Ulquiorra whipped around to stare at him, his brow furrowed. “You don’t think – “

“It’s possible”, Grimmjow countered. “He’s a fucken nut job, sure, but he ain’t stupid an’ he was always trailing after Tousen, who was always trailing after Aizen. He’s powerful enough.”

Captain Urahara raised an eyebrow. “I do believe I recall who you’re talking about. You’re right, he would certainly fit.”

Captain Yamamoto sighed. “Any time you wish to inform the rest of us, feel free to do so.”

Grimmjow cleared his throat. “His name is Wonderweiss Margera. He was never ranked, but he easily could have been. He was a little… odd, but just coz he didn’t talk don’t mean that he didn’t get what was happenin’ around him. He was a fuckload sharper than anyone gave him credit for, an’ he hung around wit’ people in the know. Put his brains with Yammy’s brawn, and I reckon you’ve got your culprit.”

Ulquiorra nodded. “As much as it pains me to admit it, Grimmjow has a point. It would not be at all surprising if this were the case.”

“Which probably brings us to the next thing”, Captain Abarai muttered. “Who’s going into Hueco Mundo to find out?”

Suddenly, Soi Fon knew what was coming. Looking up to meet the Captain Commander’s eyes, she muttered, “Grimmjow, I suspect we’re going to need to pack.”

He grumbled in response, “Some fucken vacation this’ll be.”

“After much deliberation”, the General began, “I have decided to send two captains and two lieutenants to Hueco Mundo, first to the menos forest and, if no answers can be found there, to Las Noches itself. It will be strictly a fact-gathering mission, though the risk of combat is fairly high. I hope the Second and Seventh Divisions are amenable to this.”

Soi Fon nodded as Nel replied, “Of course, sir. We’ll prepare to leave right away.”

He nodded. “Excellent. For the present, then, you are dismissed.”

xXx

Two days later, Soi Fon and Grimmjow strode toward the location they had chosen to open the garganta, full of tense anticipation. After weeks of inaction, finally something was going to be done, and no one appreciated it more than Soi Fon. Still, she couldn’t help but feel apprehensive. There was no doubt that battle was approaching, only questions that remained were who they were facing and on what scale and, while she wanted those answered, the answers would only plunge the Seireitei into war and disorder. They had only just recovered, only just finished licking their wounds…

Which is typically how Aizen works. That bastard – his death was all too quick.

She couldn’t help but notice that Grimmjow kept glancing at her, before finally rolling his eyes and coming to a stop.

“Alright Bee, what’s up?”

She frowned, glaring at him. “Nothing. I’m fine, I assure you.”

He rolled his eyes. “Whatever, Bee. If you wanted to get away with that shit, you should never’ve taught me all the ‘being observant’ crap.” With a small smile, he reached out and tugged gently on a braid. “C’mon, what’s botherin’ ya?”

She closed her eyes. “I just can’t help but think of the potential implications of this mission.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I know. Still, all we can do is deal with that shit when it happens, and we need to work out what the fuck’s going on first.” His lips quirked. “Want me to distract you?”

Her eyes shot open. “Grimmjow, we’re in the middle of the -“

He’d already pulled her to him, his mouth on hers, and she suddenly didn’t feel like arguing. Somehow he still had the same effect on her as he had from the start, and every time their lips met she got caught up in sheer need. As quickly as he’d pulled her close, he let go, grinning madly. She growled and tried to pull him back, but he shook his head.

“Middle of the street, remember Bee?”

She scowled, smacking his arm. “Bastard.”

“Yep. Anyway, wouldn’t want to be late now, would we?”

“As if that’s ever bothered you”, she muttered, a small smile on her face as she walked swiftly to catch up with him. Regarding him as they continued on, she asked, “Aren’t you at all nervous? You’re not likely to meet anyone who likes that you’re still alive there. It’ll be dangerous.”

Grimmjow merely smirked. “Bee, I eat danger for a mid-morning snack.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Not breakfast?”

He snorted. “The most important meal o’ the day? Fuck no, danger’s just empty fucken calories.”

That startled a laugh out of her as she shook her head. “Suit yourself then. We’re here.”

Greeting them with a cheery wave and a grim, Nel called out a hello as Ulquiorra nodded, adding, “Are you ready to leave? The sooner the better.”

Soi Fon nodded. “Who’s opening the garganta?”

“Ulquiorra.” Nel smiled. “He’s the most accurate of us. Shall we?”

The pale arrancar reached out, appearing to tear open the horizon with his long fingers. He motioned with his other hand to Soi Fon. “You should go first. You’re senior here, and we’ll defer to you.”

“Of course.” She turned to Grimmjow. “Ready?”

With a grin, he replied, “When you are.”

Soi Fon took a deep breath, and stepped forward into another world.