Take Over Control [Grimmjow]

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Mao sighed loudly, staring up at the teacher bored. She wasn't the only one feeling the effects of the long Monday morning, wanting nothing more than to escape the walls that closed them off from a beautiful autumn day. Eyes lazily rolling to the side they made eye contact with the carrot top sitting in the next desk beside her. Smirking at the obvious kill-me-now look she was giving him, Mao snickered lightly before rolling her eyes and turning back to the board. At least her friends were back in school. Their long absence made the days seem longer, though Keigo, Mizuiro, and Tatsuki had stuck around they agreed things weren't the same unless everyone was present. But unlike those three, Mao knew the real reason to their leave.

Arrancars. They had been causing a bit of trouble in the last few months in Karakura Town. Being a part of Aizen's army in Hueco Mundo it was no surprise. She had been spared so far from the battles, yet declared she could take care of herself if in a fight. Ichigo was skeptical. Even Soul Reapers were no match for them sometimes. Sensing pressure, ability to pinpoint Hollows, and the power to see them along with Soul Reapers was about as far as the girl's powers went. But that didn't mean she was not skilled at fighting. Her grandfather had owned a dojo and taught her himself in the art of self-defense, fighting hand-to-hand combat, and dodging. Though the only time her friends saw that side of her was unless someone, for example, thugs, threatened her or someone she cared for. But they were human, not powerful beings with supernatural strength and unique abilities.

The student shifted in her seat, feeling uneasy. Something unwelcoming was in the area. She waited to hear Ichigo's soul pager go off that was attached to his hip. Yet it seemed to not have picked up on it. Looking around slowly to not draw attention, no one else was as on edge like she was. Shrugging her shoulders, Mao brushed it off figuring it was a lower Hollow.

It was getting closer, figuring the pager to go off at any moment. Nothing. There was a flash of light outside the window, a spike in reiatsu. Everyone who could sense it tensed up from the sudden burst, wondering where it was coming from. It weighed down on their shoulders as it grew closer. Mao's head whipped up, watching as the bright blue light from before came barreling towards their classroom window. Following its aim, she realized it was heading straight for Ichigo. But it didn't matter if the target was only him. The size of the attack would create a blast so large it could destroy the whole classroom.

Without hesitating, the student stood, chair falling back to the floor from the force. It drew everyone's attention to the loud noise, watching as Mao turned towards the blast, standing in front of Ichigo, arms out stretched.

"Mao, no!" he yelled.

The teacher, Ms. Ochi, opened her mouth to yell at the students for interrupting the lecture and to return to their seats, but the windows creaked and groaned. The explosion completely ripped the window frames to shreds, catapulting those sitting near into the air. Screams erupted from the classroom, the building shaking from the force as everyone inside stopped what they were doing.

The smoke was suffocating, coughs racking their bodies as students crawled their way out of the demolished room. Orihime had managed to erect a barrier to protect Chad, Uryuu, and Tatsuki since they were closer, quickly pulling it away before anyone noticed. Keigo and Mizuiro were dazed, lying underneath the desks and chairs that had toppled over each other and trying to figure out what had happened. Ichigo shoved a desk off of his body, righting himself up before looking around wildly. "Mao? Mao!"

"I-I'm, alright," her voice came. The cloud began to clear, revealing the girl still standing in the same position. She was trying to figure out how her body hadn't been ripped apart by the attack, yet the clothing was charred and torn from the embers and flying items, while soot covered her body from head to toe, hair in disarray.

"How are you...?"

"I don't know," she answered truthfully, looking over her shoulder. "Are you alright?"

Finally, having gotten over the shock the real danger had set in. "You idiot! You could've been killed-! Mao, look out!"

She turned her head, only getting a glance at the oncoming fist before it slammed into her gut. The force made the human fly backward, spine crashing into the opposite wall before slumping to the ground in a heap. "Mao!" everyone screamed.

"Damn you! What the hell-!" The same hand reached out, grabbing the front of his shirt and dragging the teen to his feet.

"Pathetic," the sadistically grinning man stated before throwing him in the same direction as the girl. "To hide behind a woman, Kurosaki? That's not very noble at all. In fact, it's cowardly!"

Ichigo coughed, trying to get back his breath. Noticing he fell beside his friend he quickly turned her over. "Mao? Mao!"

Eyes cracking open she seemed to be in a daze, unable to focus on anything. "Ow..." she groaned weakly.

"Stand and fight me, Kurosaki!"

"Grimmjow!" the teen roared, using the badge and lunging forward in his Soul Reaper form.

Once the two had left, Orihime scrambled forward, examining the wounds with Uryuu by her side. "She's not breathing," he spoke in haste, feeling the broken ribcage.

"Souten Kisshun, I reject!" The shield quickly formed over Mao's body, healing it.

"How was she even able to withstand the blast?" Chad asked, gathering up Ichigo's body.

"I have no idea," the Quincy answered.

"She's never done that before."

"No," Orihime answered. "Once. It's happened once." They both looked at her, wanting answers. "In the park when the two Arrancars attacked Chad and I." Mao was already there with Tatsuki, having protected the friend from serious harm. A cero had been sent straight at them, the girl wrapping her body around the trapped friend. When the smoke cleared neither were harmed. Only Orihime and the two men had been the only ones to observe this because she was running faster than Chad.

"What could be causing that?" Chad asked.

"She has spiritual pressure, but I doubt enough to be able to repel and absorb attacks," Uryuu pointed out.

Mao gasped for air when everything had been repaired, eyes whipping around to figure out what was going on. Orihime hushed her friend in a motherly way, helping her sit up. "How do you feel?"

"Fine, thank you."

The police, firefighters, and paramedics arrived quickly, aiding students out of the building and checking for any injuries. They hid Ichigo's body, sending the teacher on a wild chase around the school in order to search for the missing student. He came back, alone, with injuries of his own. "Are you sure you're alright?" Ichigo asked for the hundredth time after getting a lecture from the teacher about how worried she was and to stop moving about from place to place.

"Orihime helped, so stop asking. What happened with that man? Who was he?"

Sighing heavily, he glanced around to make sure no one was listening, but everyone was too concerned with speaking to each and trying to find out what happened. "That was an Arrancar, an Espada to be exact. Grimmjow Jeagerjaques."

"You've fought him before." It was a statement, not a question.

"When we were invaded."

"I remember you all being absent." He nodded. "I just can't believe that he attacked so openly."

"I'm as surprised as you are." The crews were departing, an announcement going out that school was canceled until further notice. "He kept asking about you, Mao," Ichigo relayed when they were a few blocks from the school. "Somehow he's seen that happen before, that stunt with you being unharmed by a cero blast." Mao looked at her friend, surprised. "When was the first?"

"In the park. The large one that attacked you was going to hurt Tatsuki, so I threw myself in the way." He nodded in understanding. "But why was he asking about me?"

"I don't like it. For some reason he's taken an... interest in you. You have to promise me you'll be careful around him."

"And if he finds me?"

That thought had crossed him mind as well. "Run, towards any one of us. Or find a Soul Reaper."

"I can fight, Ichigo."

"Not against him. He nearly killed you, Mao."

To say, 'I wasn't ready,' was not a good argument to go on. Especially to Ichigo. No, Mao decided it was best to keep her mouth shut and to heed his words to stay away.

With school closed, everyone found other activities to involve themselves in. They were even granted a visit from Toshiro, Rangiku, Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Renji. "We heard about the attack on the school," the Sixth Lieutenant stated to Ichigo. "So we came to investigate since it was such a direct motive."

"Do you think you could do something for me, Renji?" the teen asked.

"What is it?"

"Grimmjow. He's taken an interest in Mao." The Lieutenant's eyes narrowed, looking over at the student who was getting her hair braided by Rangiku.

"Because of the cero?" He nodded. "The Society is a bit surprised of this as well. A human that can withstand a cero blast has never been heard of. Even a Soul Reaper cannot walk away unharmed. If he's interested then it's only a matter of time before Aizen finds out."

"He might have already. Grimmjow had seen her do this before, in the park when the Arrancars first attacked."

"Grimmjow wasn't there."

"Exactly. One of them, probably the Arrancar that was watching, must've told the army."

"What do you need me to do about it?"

"Could you stand watch near Mao's place at night? Or at least one of you?"

"You're worried about her family?"

"Mao has none. Both her parents abandoned her as a child and was brought up by the tenants at the complex. After entering high school, they gave her an apartment, but other than them she has no one. They barely even say anything to each other anymore."

"I'll take the first watch."

"Thank you."

Mao knew she was being watched at night by the Soul Reapers, most likely thanks to Ichigo in some way. School had reopened, the classroom off limits. Everyone was moved to another room until the repairs were done. Working as an instructor at her grandfather's dojo, she went about the evening teaching students, moving mats and equipment, and answering the phone. Between the classes she did her homework before closing up and heading home for the evening.

Something was following her, but she did not recognize the spiritual pressure. It was so low and faint, but there none-the-less.

It kept happening, the following. She did not feel threatened, but found it odd. Asking Ichigo and Renji, they looked into the matter, but always came up empty handed. "Probably a human," the man pointed out. "If you felt threatened by them and they approach you I'm sure you could take care of them in just one punch." Mao rolled her eyes while he laughed. When the two had first met, thanks to Ichigo, the redhead made a comment about how weak she looked. One quick punch and it was all over. It earned the Lieutenant a broken nose.

Lying in bed one night, Mao felt the presence closer than ever before. Renji's pressure moved about, most likely in search of the stalker. It created a sense of ease as she fell asleep.

The next morning there was nothing. Stretching and slowly crawling out of bed, Mao brushed her hair and teeth before heading down. Reaching the last step, the teen fell to the ground. The spiritual pressure was so great it weighed down on her shoulders, causing a cold sweat to break out across her forehead. "I thought you would never come down."

Inhaling sharply in shock, Mao turned, looking up at the intruder coming out from behind the futon in the living room beside the stairs. The only way to move was by backing up using both arms, dragging across the floor towards the kitchen.

"Grimmjow..." she barely whispered, yet he caught it.

"So Kurosaki was kind enough to introduce me already? That makes things easy then."

He was practically on top of her and in a quick movement she kicked out his legs, causing him to fall head on at her. But the student was fast, legs shooting up and making contact with his chest and forcing him backwards. Startled, the pressure lessened, and Mao scrambled to her feet, scooping up her shoes before bolting out the door.

Heading in the direction of Urahara's shop, along the way she would have to pass Ichigo's house, which hopefully he would come to the rescue quickly. The man was gaining ground at frightening speed. Whirling around a corner she happened to see a set of pipes from a construction site lying up against the building. Still staying in reach of them, Mao lay in wait. His shocking blue hair came around the corner. She shoved the object into the man's side, making the air rush from his lungs. Whirling around he was again hit in the gut, bruising the skin greatly and breaking a rib. The pipe then cracked against the Espada's skull, leaving him dazed. Grimmjow slumped against the building, trying to see straight, blood rushing from the head wound. Dropping the object, she continued to run.

"Damn you," Grimmjow growled, vision seeing double as he watched the girl run away for a second time.

"Mao!" Looking up the girl watched as Ichigo came running down the street towards her, Urahara's shop between them.

"Ichigo! It's Grimmjow!"

His eyes widened, quickly separating from his body. "Watch out!"

The Espada's spiritual pressure was right behind the teen now, the back of the tank top being gripped harshly before her body was jerked back into a hard form. Two possessive arms wrapped tightly around the girl's waist, refusing to let go.

"I underestimated you," Grimmjow growled in her ear. "Those were some cheap shots."

Mao squirmed in his grip, trying to get away, but it was useless. "Grimmjow! Put her down! Now!"

"You gonna make me, Kurosaki?" the Espada growled, looking at the Soul Reaper.

"Put her down and I'll fight you for her!"

"I'm not a prize!" Mao pointed out with a glare.

"The minute I let her go what's to say you swoop in and grab her. No, Kurosaki, she's mine, and I'm taking her with me."

"You're not going anywhere, Grimmjow. I won't let you use Mao for Aizen's plans."

"Aizen," the man spat, eyes narrowing. "No, I don't plan on sharing this rare woman with him anytime soon. In fact, I think I'll keep her for myself as my mate."

Their eyes widened at the statement. "What?" Mao exclaimed, trying to get away even more. "No! I'm only sixteen! Let! Me! Go!"

Grimmjow roared with laughter. "Not happening."

"Ichigo! Please kick this guy's ass for me!"

"Not a problem," the Soul Reaper smirked, Mao returning it.

"Hey, Grimmjow." He looked down at the teen. "Up yours." Her elbow came under his jaw causing the neck to snap backwards. His hold loosened, Mao dropping to the ground before darting forward.

"My, my, Mao, to what do I owe your business here?" Kisuke asked, coming out of his shop into the street. "And you brought a guest."

"More like an annoyance! Help! He's trying to take me somewhere!"

"Woman!" Grimmjow roared, rubbing his jaw. Ichigo shot forward, their zanpakutos clashing. "You're gonna pay for that!"

"What happened to him?" the man questioned, seeing the wounds.

"He underestimated me."

He snickered. "Obviously."

Grimmjow seemed to be fighting harder than before, Ichigo noticed. Even Kisuke was interested. "Get out of my way, Kurosaki!" He forced the teen backwards and into a building before grinning, his fingers touching the top of his blade. "Grind! Pantera!"

Kisuke's eyes widened, pulling forth his zanpakuto. "Mao, stay behind me!"

The Espada roared, transforming before their eyes. His clothing disappeared, turning into a white armor, large blades fixed on the back of the forearms. He stood on the front part of his feet, hands turning black and forming into claws, and a tail growing out the back of his tailbone. The ears had turned animalistic, long, pointed, and furry, blue hair growing long past his waist. The Hollow mask had moved to the top of his forehead. Grimmjow looked more dangerous. Grinning just proved it, revealing the canine teeth that had grown a few inches.

He crouched low, stalking them, eyes flickering towards his real target to predict her movement. "Ichigo?" Mao called over to her friend, yet refusing to look away from the Espada. "We could really use your help now!" He didn't answer. "Ichigo?"

Grimmjow chuckled. "He's not waking up anytime soon. It's just you and me now."

Kisuke stepped in his way, making the man growl and glare. "No, it's you and me," the ex-Captain stated. "You're not taking Mao anywhere, Grimmjow."

"Feh, I'd like to see you try to stop me."

They were evenly matched, the teen backing up slowly to Ichigo's position before turning him over. Cuts covered his body, the uniform ripped apart from the harsh battle. But he was still breathing.

The ground shook, Mao's attention turning back to the fight. Grimmjow had thrown Kisuke into a lamppost, his wrist bending at an odd angle. "Hah! For an ex-Captain, you're weak!" The shopkeeper narrowed his eyes.

They were completely destroying the street. Grabbing the unconscious teen, Mao half-dragged him into the shop, Tessai rushing to help. Sadistic laughs pierced through the walls, the student peeking out the window. "Miss. Imada, I highly suggest you don't go near there," the man pointed out, healing Ichigo's injuries. "I've set up a barrier around the shop that will hide all of our pressure, and repel Arrancars."

"But he's a Espada..."

"It'll give us time."

"You're dead, Soul Reaper!" Grimmjow declared, grinning dangerously. She didn't waste any time, rushing from the room and throwing open the front door.

"Miss. Imada! Come back!"

The Espada pulled back his hand, claws coming to a deadly point before thrusting it forward towards the caught off guard Kisuke. "Stop!" Mao yelled, lunging towards them. She was between the two, arms outstretched in order to protect the man fighting for her.

"No-!"

"You must stop!" Grimmjow's eyes widened, halting the attack inches from the girl's chest. Her brows were narrowed in determination, staring him right in the eyes. He wasn't going to leave, the girl knew she could never change his mind, and she didn't have the physical strength to do it either. Hating to admit it, there was only one choice. "If I go with you... will you leave Karakura Town and stop

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