Disclaimer: BLEACH does not belong to me. I wish it did but it's still not. This story is mine though.

Author's Notes: I have an idea where I want to take this story but all opinions are welcome just please be kind when you give them to me. I'm not sure yet how long it will be. As you will discover, yes, this is a Rukia x Grimmjoww story. I just think he's more fit for the role I had in mind. Thanks. I hope you like it.

Chapter 1

Summer days always start out like this, felt like this, sounded like this and even tasted like this. Summer was every child's haven. No school to keep you locked in doors just when the weather would be perfect for playing outside. No homework to keep you busy at night when the clear skies would give you a perfect view of the stars. Bright sunshine beamed down from the heavens. The only comfort from the prickling heat would be the shade from tree, occasional tall houses, lamp posts or the thick puffy cloud which would seldom cover the sun for a bit before moving on. It was hot no doubt about it but it also made your whole body tingle with life. Crickets, birds and all the little bugs would be making the buzzing noises you pass by but never see the origins of. And with a chocolate ice cream cone in one hand, summer truly has come to seven-year-old Rukia.

Her attire fit for a day in the playground with her father – a slightly long sleeveless top decorated with printed flowers and some butterflies along with a pair of red shorts almost to her knees. Every day she would go to the neighborhood playground to be amongst the children her age. With no school to go to, children like her needed places like these to expend their energies. But today, a summer day like any other, was extra special. It was a very rare occurrence that Rukia got to enjoy her trip to the playground with her father. Byakuya was such a busy man. Ever since the death of her mother, he has devoted his life to his work and to his daughter – more to the former unfortunately. So, Rukia truly cherished these moments. By no means was Byakuya a negligent father. He would tuck in Rukia every night and tell her stories some times. Come morning they would have breakfast together. Weekends would include dinners together mostly at restaurants all over the city. But perhaps the negligence came in the emotional distance. Rukia simply reminded Byakuya too much of his diseased wife that Byakuya often had to step back, pull his emotions in check and quell the longing of his heart. Through no fault of her own, a trench has been created between Rukia and her father. To a young mind, such things were simply accepted – not even noticed most of the time by the consciousness.

So, Rukia hand in hand with her father walked, almost skipping, excitedly to the playground. Their vehicle had been parked at the nearest parking lot. The playground itself is part of Karakura's central park. There were different gardens, sports areas, and other function areas scattered in the park. Today, Rukia's usual companion in her nanny Momo was left at home to tend to household chores. She would have been expected to come along with a picnic basket for the father and daughter to enjoy but perhaps Byakuya had other plans. Rukia's walk turned into a mixture of skipping and hopping as the see-saw, the slides, and other rides came into view. At this, Byakuya allowed her tiny fingers to slip from his hand giving her permission to run ahead and begin playing. The little girl went running to the nearest swing set she could find. Immediately occupying a seat and beckoning her father to push her. Such an innocent soul, her daughter has, that Byakuya didn't hold back the smile that spread across his face.

His wife, Hisana, had died during child birth. Although he had never put any blame upon Rukia, the longing for your better half just never goes away. There are times when he thinks that such longing doesn't even dull with seven years. However, today is a day unlike any other. It would be the start of a change in their lives. Something he and Rukia have truly looked forward to.

Byakuya had settled himself in one of the picnic tables near the playground where he had a perfect view of Rukia in the slides with other children. After Rukia successfully landed on the ground at the foot of the slide, he walked up to her, calling her name. Of course, she responded with glee, bouncing at every step towards him. She held onto his leg first before grasping one of his hands. He led her towards the picnic table he was previously occupying to see a woman already sitting there. From Rukia's point of view she seemed to be talking to a ball of blue fur to her side blocked by her own body for Rukia to clearly see.

They finally stopped a few paces from the woman with long strawberry blonde hair. Even to Rukia's young mind, she was a true beauty. She was so different from the matronly figures of their home's chief maid or her tutors. A warm smile graced her face as she looked down at Rukia. She stood up and reached for her small hand and giving it a shake. Even her hands felt beautiful – warm and smooth.

"Rukia, little love," finally, her father said, "this is Ms Matsumoto. Why don't you greet her."

Rukia lifted her huge violet eyes to her father first before looking at the woman now slightly crouched in front of her and said, "Hello, I'm Rukia. Nice to meet you."

She wasn't some prodigy who had perfected etiquette at age seven but she had been taught enough and had sufficient skill to manage a decent greeting such as that.

"Hello, little Rukia. I'm Matsumoto and it's so nice to meet you too."

The woman said so softly using her velvety voice. It had a touch of mirth in it which made it even more alluring to hear. She stood up properly pulling to her side the blue fur a while ago which is now revealed to be a boy with strangely blue hair. He wasn't that much taller than her but it was obvious he was older. Matsumoto put a hand on the shoulder of the boy beside her.

"and Rukia, this is Grimmjoww. Say hi to Rukia, Grimmy."

The boy puffed his cheeks looked away before releasing a simple hi. It had been charming, although lacking all the proper etiquette which Rukia displayed. Still, it was cute on a little boy who could not be more than a year or two older than her.

Rukia let out a little giggle before extending her hand to the boy for a shake. Grimmjoww looked at the hand and looked like he thought about what to do for a few seconds before reaching for it and shaking it a bit. Upon letting go, he was back to his first pose – looking away with puffed cheeks and pursed lips.

"Rukia," his father began to say still holding her hand, "Matsumoto here will actually be your new mother. And Grimmjoww will be your older brother."