I first met Sen when she was just a little girl and I was just a Hollow. I had been scouting the World of the Living looking for souls or humans with spiritual pressure to lessen my hunger. The closest person with a high amount of pressure came from a park and I rushed towards it, mouth watering. The park was empty, except for a little girl playing on the swing set. She then jumped off, sailing through the air, her dark red curly hair flapping in the wind behind her, before landing on two small feet. She giggled and clapped her hands before turning to look at me.
I growled and broke into a run, bearing down on her. The young girl's reaction startled me. She smiled brightly throwing open her arms. "Kitty!" she exclaimed. I dug my front paws into the ground, sliding to a halt before knocking the girl off her feet. Instead, the child wrapped both small arms around my neck in a hug.
I had no idea why I stopped. I could've easily killed her without any screaming. But I didn't. Maybe it was because she smiled at me? Maybe it was because I had been taken off guard? Maybe it was because she could see me and wasn't afraid?
The young girl pulled back from the hug so she could look right at my face. "Hi!" she exclaimed. "My name is Sen! What's yours?"
"Grimmjow... Jeagerjaques," I answered. It was quiet for a few minutes before I asked, "What are you doing in this deserted park?"
I don't know why I asked. It wasn't like I cared, I just didn't know what else to say to a human girl who thought I was a pet. Great...
"Oh, daddy's away on business again, and mommy's always working in the city," she answered, pulling back. "I don't like my babysitter so I left her and came to the park. No one really goes here though."
"Why?"
"Because people have disappeared from here before," she said with a smile.
"And you still came here?"
She nodded and said, "Yup! It's nice and quiet! And people always look at me funny if I go somewhere else."
"Why is that?"
Her nose wrinkled in frustration. I had to admit she looked cute doing that. "Because of people I can see, people like you."
"Me?"
"Yeah! Big things wearing white masks and people in black robes."
Soul Reapers...
"No one else can see them, and the others at school think I'm crazy. But I'm not!" Her smile came back. "It's okay though because I have plenty of friends even if others can't see them. Will you be my new friend?"
That took me back. She could see Hollows, but wanted to become friends with them. It was a wonder how she had not been killed before our meeting.
"Uh... sure..." I finally answered. Her smile grew bigger. I then asked, "So why do people call you crazy? There are plenty of others who can see Hollows."
"Hollows?"
"That's what I am."
"Oh, okay. But kids from school call me crazy because some girl overheard our teacher talking with my parents, saying I should be sent to a place called... an..." She thought about the word for a minute before saying, "In-sti-tute."
"For?"
"For crazy people. I don't want to go. I don't know what they're going to do." She looked uneasy now, almost scared.
"How old are you?"
"Six!" she exclaimed happily.
Six, and her parents thought she was insane. They wanted to send her to a place so she could no longer see Hollows. I looked at her reiatsu very carefully. It was strong, very strong. If they tried to stop her from seeing Hollows that power would disappear.
I could use that power...
My head snapped to the right and I snarled, getting in a defensive position. "What's wrong?" Sen asked.
My head turned towards her and I lunged, catching the back of her T-shirt between my teeth and jumped out of the way just as something crashed into the ground where we had been standing. I held Sen in my jaw like my kind would a cub, her feet barely touching the ground.
"Wow!" she exclaimed. "What was that?"
I snarled again before a figure walked out of the dust. It was a Soul Reaper. "Hand over the girl, Hollow," he said, pointing his zanpakuto at us. I snarled louder, glaring at the bastard. "I'm not going to ask again."
"Please don't hurt him!" Sen exclaimed. "He's my friend!"
That took the Soul Reaper by shock. "Friend?" the Reaper asked. "He's a Hollow, child! The only reason he is your friend is so he can devour your soul later!"
"No he won't! I know he won't!" I believe she was smiling.
I used the time that the Soul Reaper stood stunned to open up a gate that led back to Hueco Mundo. The man broke out of his trance and raced after us, but by the time he was even close to reaching it, the garganta closed behind us.
"Where are we going, Grimmjow?" Sen asked. She was now riding on my back through the desert.
"To find some Hollows," I answered.
"Your friends?"
"Not really, but I travel with them."
There was a shimmer in the distance and soon six figures came into view. "Hmm, what have you got there, Grimmjow?" Nnoitra asked. "Dinner?"
I snarled and glared over at the Adjuchas. "Back off, Nnoitra," I warned. "She's not for eating."
"Shame. She has a lot of spiritual pressure."
"Hi! My name is Sen! What's yours?"
The Hollows were taken aback by how nice she was.
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When Sen turned seven, I gave her flower shaped clips so she could pin back the hair that fell in her face. They were a light blue, contrasting against her dark red strands. "Thank you, Grimmjow!" she exclaimed and gave me a hug around the neck.
Sen never complained and never made a fuss when we traveled. She was always laughing and smiling, causing the others to smile as well. Even Ulquiorra, who never showed any emotion, but Sen could get something out of him.
It was weird. Even though she was not a Hollow everyone accepted her as a part of our dysfunctional 'family'.
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When Sen turned eight Aizen appeared for the first time, still a part of the Soul Society. He promised us we could become stronger if he could partially remove our masks. We agreed to go through with the procedure. Our strength would determine how much of our mask could pull off, what kind of form we could take, and what rank we would receive.
I didn't want Sen to watch the process, but she stomped her foot and actually got angry with me because I wouldn't allow her to come. I think that was the first time she ever got truly angry at a Hollow. I still allowed her to come though, but didn't like it one bit. She stayed with Aizen away from me so she wouldn't get hurt. Aizen agreed that Sen would make a perfect addition to his plans.
While she was eight, Sen would constantly poke at my leg or arm, a place she could reach. It got on my nerves, and she knew it. Sen poked for two reasons: to amuse herself, and because she still couldn't get over my new, more human looking form.
I was walking with Ulquiorra towards a training room with Sen when her poking started. "Stop it," I grumbled after a few minutes.
But she continued. I growled, "I said stop."
She poked even more. "I said stop it, Sen!" I yelled in her face with annoyance. I waited for her to start yelling and crying, screaming in fright. She did exactly the opposite.
"I'm sorry, Grimmjow!" she yelled back in my face with a smile that closely resembled mine. Sen then ran off down the hall towards our destination. Ulquiorra and I blinked in confusion and watched as she disappeared.
I then chuckled, running a hand through my hair. "I love that kid," I sighed.
Ulquiorra nodded in agreement and we continued to walk down the hall after Sen.
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Something poked me, stirring me from my dreams, but I went back under when it halted. The poking returned and a growl arose from my throat as I buried my face into the pillow more. There was another poke.
If there was one thing that hasn't changed about Sen...
My hand shot out, grabbing the hand that was going back in for another jab.
... it was that she still poked me to get my attention at times.
"What?" I growled, turning my head so only one eye looked up at a grinning Sen.
"Knew that would get your attention," she said. "Aizen has called a meeting, and you have twenty minutes."
I grumbled before releasing the hand and turning back into the pillow. "Grimmjow, don't make me get a bucket of water like the last time."
I remembered, the girl had guts doing that, and rolled my eyes before sitting up, draping both legs over the side of the bed. "Good," Sen said with a smile. "I'll grab us breakfast to go and meet you on the way to the meeting."
Sen left me alone and I continued to stare at the closed door.
Many years had passed now since our first meeting. She was twenty-one-years-old now.
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"Grimmjow, why aren't you aging?" Sen asked me one day. She was ten at the time.
"Because we're two different races, Sen," I answered.
"But I don't wanna age," she huffed, arms crossing over her chest. "This is so unfair."
I looked down and couldn't help but chuckle at the pout on her face. I ruffled her hair. "Life ani't fair kid. Now cheer up, cuz if Gin catches you with a frown, he won't give you any treats."
Sen's expression perked up and she clapped her hands together. "Okay!"
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She never lost her smile or personality over the years, but physically she had changed a lot. The child had lost the baby fat on her face and it became more angular. The young woman shot up like a rocket when turning twelve, now standing at my shoulders as her figure slimed out with curves, and a good-sized chest. The dark red hair now reached her mid-back, the right-side bangs pinned back with the clips I had given her so many years ago. And her eyes. Sen's green eyes were as bright as ever and always smiling.
Finally breaking from my thoughts, I stood and changed into my uniform. Halfway to the meeting room I saw Sen moving down a hall to the right, Ulquiorra walking beside her. She must've said something funny because the Fourth Espada gave her a small smile.
Sen then looked up and our eyes met. "Grimmjow! Heads up!" she yelled, throwing an apple in my direction. I caught it with ease and bit into it. Sen then tossed another apple to Ulquiorra who caught it effortlessly. She then saved the last one for herself.
Years before I met Sen if someone said I would actually be able to put up with Ulquiorra or willingly walk beside him I would've answered, "Hell no." But ever since Sen came around Ulquiorra and I were around each other more often. Maybe that partly due to the fact that he wasn't so annoying with his sadistic remarks about my lack of 'observation' before heading into a fight. That all seemed to stop one day when Sen heard him insult me, and the child proceeded by kicking his shin in retaliation.
I think the reason he tolerates me is because of Sen. To him she wasn't trash, which was still a mystery in my book because he hates humans. I think the real reason he liked being around Sen was that she could help him forget about the people that annoyed him that day and was willing to spar. I think he was also intrigued at the fact that Sen was a human with a high amount of spiritual pressure and that she was smart when it came to strategies. Really smart. Sometimes it scared us how intelligent she was because the young woman thought of all the strengths and weaknesses in every plan, and came up with alternatives to counter them. That's why when I became the Sixth Espada I took her as a human Fracción before someone else could jump at the chance, not that Sen would work under anyone else but me, according to her word.
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"Did it hurt, Grimmjow? When you got the tattoo?" Sen was staring at the black tattoo on my back that read '6'.
"No," I answered.
"Maybe I should get one too!" she exclaimed. I looked over at the twelve-year-old. Her pants that resembled mine were too short for her now rising above the ankles. Even the cuffs on her shirt were sitting above the wrists. She was growing so fast it was hard to keep up with it and out grew her clothes faster than I could supply her with new ones.
"I think you should start wearing knee high pants and tank tops until your growth stops," I said instead, ignoring what she had just said.
"Aw, it wouldn't matter anyway," she sighed. "I'd grow out of them as well." The young girl then stopped herself and said, "You're avoiding what I just said." I didn't answer and continued to pull out the clothes that didn't fit her anymore from the closet. "So, what do you think?"
"Think about what?"
"About me getting a tattoo of course! One just like yours, but smaller, and in a different spot on my body."
"You're only twelve, Sen, you're not getting a tattoo. And if you do get one get one that you want, not because I have it."
"Aw, you're no fun Grimmjow..." Sen said, and I looked over my shoulder to see her sticking her tongue out at me.
I couldn't help but snicker.
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Sen never brought up the tattoo topic again and I wondered if she dropped it or decided on going through with it. If Sen had gotten a tattoo, she hid it very well. With that in mind I looked over as she was talking with Aizen about their options of attack and information she had gathered along with Szayel for Ulquiorra and Yammi's next mission. Everyone listened intently, commenting here and there, and Sen would correct herself if needed.
When the meeting was dismissed Sen came up beside me and smiled. "Do you want to spar, Grimmjow?"
I looked down at her from the corner of my eyes and smirked.
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For Sen's fourteenth birthday I got her dueling swords, hand crafted and designed by Szayel. The dueling blades were just barely curved at the center, the hilts golden with a bright blue ribbon on the end. "Thank you, Grimmjow!" she exclaimed, and jumped on me. Her arms wrapped around my neck in a tight hug.
Soon after that I began to train the teen. Even the other Espada got involved, even the Reapers. She was very skilled and learned fast. She impressed me. She impressed everyone because she was only a human and surpassing a normal Fracción in power, strength, and agility.
Sen was perfect.
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It was late and I was walking around Hueco Mundo, trying to find Sen. After our spar she had gone off somewhere. I finally found her in the library, passed out in a big, comfy chair, the book still in hand. No one else was in the library, the only light coming from the desk lamp she was using. My eyes then traveled over to a bookcase I remembered all too well.
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When Sen was fifteen, she had grown to love reading, and I always found her in the library. One day in particular made a memory I would never forget.
Sen had not shown up to spar practice with the other Fraccións. She had also been missing at lunchtime. I looked everywhere for her and finally found the teenage girl in the library... climbing on a bookcase.
"What are you doing up there?" I yelled.
Sen jumped, gripping the shelving tighter so she didn't fall before looking down at me. "You missed practice and lunch!"
"Sorry, Grimmjow!" she called back waving. "There's just this one book I want and I'm trying to get to it."
I looked up at her destination. Of course, it had to be on the top shelf, which was thirty feet from the ground. This kid never made things easy. "Well hurry up! And be careful!"
"Alright!" Sen continued her climb, and I watched from the doorway.
The book she had her eyes set on was a book on the Soul Society's history. I don't know why Aizen brought it with him, but he had made sure to put it at the top so it was hard to reach. But naturally Sen wanted it, and didn't care what she had to do to get it.
Sen was always interested in history, whether it was the human, Hollow, or Soul Reaper history. She wanted to read it all. I think by the time she turned seventeen she had read almost half of the library.
Sen finally pulled herself up to the last shelf and pulled the book. However, it was stuck. "Oh, come on," she grumbled, pulling it harder and harder. It still wouldn't budge.
I laughed. "So you can fight Espada and Fraccións, but can't get a measly book off the shelf?"
Sen stuck her tongue out at me and I chuckled.
When the book finally did come loose, Sen exclaimed, "I got it!" and then began to fall backwards from the force she had put into pulling it out. "Ack!" The girl fell backwards, unable to catch her footing or get a grip on the shelves.
"Sen!" I yelled, rushing forward.
She continued to scream as she flipped through the air towards the ground. Seeing that I was not going to make it in time to catch her the proper way I lunged forward, sliding across the ground until my body was under her...
... and her butt slammed into my back making and, 'oof!' come out of my mouth.
"Ow..." Sen groaned, rubbing her hip.
"I should be the one saying that," I managed with the air knocked out of my lungs. I glanced back and glared at her. "You idiot, what were you thinking?"
Sen just smiled and waved the book in her hand. "I got it though, didn't I?"
I just rolled my eyes and grumbled as Sen laughed.
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I took the book from Sen's hands, set it on the side table, and picked her up. Before leaving I turned out the light. Sen stirred in my arms once as I walked down the halls with her. Coming to her room, which was across the hall from mine, and laid the young woman on the bed. Before leaving, I pulled the covers over her sleeping form, kissed her on the forehead, and went to my room.
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"Grimmjow! Grimmjow!" Sen yelled as she ran into the library. I was sitting in one of the chairs, reading a book. I was bored out of my mind so I decided to pick up a book Sen had finished reading last week. It was all right.
I glanced up from the pages as Sen leaned over the back of the chair, wrapping her arms around my neck. I looked at Sen from the corners of my eyes. She
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