A month had finally passed since the strange noises and chaos had filled Baraggan's ruined palace. The endless howls and odd sounds from Aizen's mating season were over. Aizen, still tied up and chained, lay mostly silent — probably sulking after his failed attempts to court Grimmjow.
I glanced at the puppet I'd made to stand in for Grimmjow during the madness. It was riddled with holes and chewed-up patches — clearly Aizen's "love" had turned into savage gnawing.
"GRUAAH…"
[Baraggan translated with a dry tone: "Your 'Grimmjow' puppet looks like a shredded rag."]
I poked my finger through one of the bigger holes in the skull face. Stuffing spilled out like rotten guts.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps shook the ground. Grimmjow returned.
The white panther Adjuchas stepped into the courtyard, sleek fur shining faintly in the moonlight. His sharp blue eyes landed on the battered puppet leaning against the cracked wall.
Grimmjow gave a slow, mocking chuckle.
"What's this? Some idiot left their trash here?"
I froze.
"GRUUAAH!"
[Baraggan whispered: "He doesn't recognize it as himself. He just thinks it's garbage."]
Grimmjow circled the puppet, sniffing it with disdain, then swatted it over with a powerful paw. The dummy toppled, showing dozens of ragged holes and missing bits.
I quickly looked away, pretending to be fascinated by a pile of rubble.
Baraggan muttered beside me,
"He could kill you if he knew you made that."
I swallowed hard and stayed silent. Grimmjow was scary enough without giving him a reason to attack.
Grimmjow stretched and yawned, flashing his sharp teeth.
"So… what was all that noise about while I was gone?"
I gave a small roar.
"GRUHH."
[Baraggan translated: "Just nonsense. Nothing important."]
Grimmjow smirked.
"Good. I was tired of all that racket. Some of us have better things to do."
I glanced again at the shredded puppet, its stuffing spilling out and smelling awful.
"GRUAAH…"
[Baraggan sighed: "Maybe it's time to throw it away."]
I nodded silently.
The palace was finally quiet. Grimmjow, the real Grimmjow, was back—unaware of Aizen's strange mating season and the fake puppet that had tried to stand in for him, thankfully thinking it was just trash.
And me? I was just relieved not to get beaten up for it.