Despite what had just happened, Ichigo couldn’t really give much of a reaction to what Grimmjow said to him. If he did, he knew that it’d probably just make Grimmjow react strongly once more, and resort back towards violence. It was a situation he’d rather avoid, even if he’d been the one to force Grimmjow’s hand only a few moments ago. Ichigo exhales slowly, and glances away from the former Espada, shaking his head. Though he’d been the one to force a reaction, he knew it would be a bad idea to irritate him further.

               A sigh, and then he rolls his eyes. He’d never expected friendship or genuine cooperation from Grimmjow, so he doesn’t offer any vocal response towards him on the topic of expecting more than ‘teamwork’, if it could even be called that. Ichigo simply looks ahead, avoiding his gaze completely, if only to maintain whatever self control he had over any emotional response to the topic that was still very much sore and diffcult for him. He’d already gotten this deep, so he couldn’t just hesitate now. Grimmjow had already expected some sort of response.

               “–My mother was killed by a Hollow of some kind – back when I was younger.”

               It’s all he gives to Grimmjow, because now that he’s said it and it’s out there in the open for Grimmjow’s own knowledge, and it’s now technically down to the former Espada’s reaction, whether it was something rude or, probably more likely, just nothing. He wasn’t expecting a reaction, of course, but if he recieved one he’d bet on it being more to mock him rather than make him feel that bad. Even so, he was preparing himself for it. Leaning back against the hard stone, he inhales through his nose and shrugs.

      The side of Kurosaki that Grimmjow has seen thus far is rash. Hasty and quick to mouth off. So he’s certain during the silence that the kid is struggling to speak. THIS is who Grimmjow lost to? It’s pathetic in a way that makes Grimmjow itch with the urge to lash out and STRIKE him.

      When the words finally touch his ears, Grimmjow can’t help the snort of derision. 

                  “That’s it? Your mother died?” He doesn’t quite scoff, though it might be close. Instead, there’s a thoughtful pause as he files the topic away along with Kurosaki’s other weaknesses. He speaks, though it lacks the usual scorn, laced instead with passive INDIFFERENCE. “So what? Lot’s of people’s mothers are dead. Join the club.”

                 “Anyways, what’s it to you if some bitch jumps her ass into a river? You should feel like shit. You butted in and that mother of yours paid for it. Still a dumbass even then, weren’t you? Heroes don’t exist.”

                       Try as he might, 

                                even until death, 

                                   he will never give up

                  trying to reach for the moon in the water 

                                    and he will still hang on to his branch.

                “There’s a good way to find out, isn’t there?” 

      Grimmjow can’t say he came for something like this, the opposite-- he’s supposed to be laying low, delivering the package, but who is he to turn down what’s likely to be a decent fight. Especially, when it’s being offered so LOOSELY. Those ridiculous denials not withstanding, Grimmjow can tell when someone wants to take off his HEAD. 

So instead, to celebrate his birthday, can we all please just take a moment and appreciate that 

some of the best strategic advice in the entire series

has been provided by Grimmjow (and his fraccion, who echo his sentiments and way of thinking),

who gets shut down or ignored for his efforts on a regular basis. 

(I’d also like to point out that the scenario proposed by Grimmjow above is exactly what happened to the large group Urahara, Shinji and Kyoraku were leading – something like 13 shinigami total – right around the same time and the reason why Hisagi, among others, was such an easy target and got cut down).

It was funny how fear had quickly melded into annoyance. 

She hadn’t bothered to even sit up from the position he had obviously dumped her in, only angling her head to look at him. It was a strange sight, this notorious arrancar sitting on Ichigo’s bed like he was simply waiting for a friend to come home from school to study or something. Her body was stinging with pain, and her own pride wouldn’t allow her to try and move and give away just how much she was hurting. He didn’t need the ego boost.

      That at least, turns his attention toward her, blue eyes simmering with disinterest as lips pull into a SNEER. 

      What did she take him for, an amateur? He’s hardly that. Grimmjow wouldn’t send her from the room if he wasn’t dead certain she’d haul her ass right back. She just hadn’t caught on to her own predicament. One he was only too glad to bring to her attention. 

The true heart can touch the poison of hatred without being harmed

     Las Noches was big enough that they could avoid each other if they bothered. So it’s clear this slinking presence is INTENDED. Though their ranking system causes a natural distrust between Espada-- there’s always someone looking to crawl their way up the ladder-- Szayel isn’t enough of a threat to pester him in any real sense. At the moment.