Ichigo and Grimmjow were best friends as far as they could remember; they did everything together. But once Ichigo met Orihime and his fondness for her grew, they spent less and less time together, most of his attention being directed toward the vivacious ginger-haired girl. At first Grimmjow didn't care, thought it was healthy for Ichigo to have other friends as long as he received the most attention still. When their seemingly platonic friendship bloomed into romance, Grimmjow realized that those unrelenting, scorching needles stabbing his heart came from envy. And the moment the spotlight finally shifted and shone its blinding light on Orihime—all of his love being replaced by hers—Grimmjow had already conjured up over a hundred methods of removing this creature that threatened their relationship from the picture.

Ichigo was aware of none of this—not the jealously, not the resentment, and not the malevolent plans in store for the both of them. He did not know why Grimmjow decided to leave one night without informing anyone, nor did he receive a forthright reply when he questioned him. He remembered that night as if it happened yesterday.

"Why are you doing this? What about your parents, your friends? … Me? Where are you going? What will you do?" he had asked in a desperate attempt to comprehend his friend's mentality.

"To open your eyes. To make you see," was all he had said, his face void of any discernible emotion.

And then he left, walking off into the thunderstorm until he disappeared into the pouring rain, never looking back. All that was abandoned during his absence of three long years were those cryptic words. 'To open your eyes. To make you see.' What the hell did that even mean? What did he need to see? Whatever it was it had to be connected to his reason for leaving. Of course, since Grimmjow's sudden and shocking appearance, all thought of trying to decipher the meaning behind those words was pushed aside.

They embraced each other with enthusiastic smacks on the back and went inside. Ichigo was about to pour a glass of cold fruit punch for him when he said, "Skip the juice. You got any beer?"

"Beer? Since when did you start drinking?" he asked incredulously. There were some bottles of lite beer in the fridge for his father's enjoyment and he tossed one to Grimmjow, who gulped it all down and belched his gratitude.

"Ever since I left this poor excuse of a town. That's when," he laughed. There was bitterness to it.

"Yeah, about that…"

"Don't," Grimmjow growled. His face suddenly became a mask of grave authority. Darkness gleamed in his clear azure eyes as he ran a calloused hand through equally azure hair that ended in spikes. Ichigo almost forgot how volatile his friend could be, and it intrigued him more than it did frighten him. Back in school, those who knew Grimmjow were wise enough to avoid him once he went into his mood swings, but not Ichigo. He knew him better than that, or so he thought.

"Sorry," he apologized as he exhaled a weary sigh. "I just don't wanna discuss that right now. I mean, I just returned, which is a cause for celebration. Don't you agree?"

Ichigo gave a compliant grunt in response. Grimmjow was correct; this was not a convenient moment to discuss the past. There would be time for that later. All of a sudden, Ichigo's amber eyes widened as he recalled telling Orihime to stay in the room. Snatching Grimmjow's hand, he pulled him toward the stairs, saying "Hurry up! There's someone you should see."

"Wait… W-What?" Grimmjow stuttered.

XOXOXO

Orihime waited patiently for Ichigo's return. She was just about to walk downstairs to check on him when the door flew open and there stood Ichigo with a surprised visitor.

"Hime, look who decided to show up!" he exclaimed, smiling puerilely.

Orihime sat there and stared for a few minutes, unable to fully accept this unexpected distraction. She was perturbed. Grimmjow had returned and she did not know whether to politely tell him to leave or feign joy for Ichigo's sake; she decided to choose the latter as she stood and embraced Grimmjow awkwardly. It was subtle, but she could feel his body tense. Ever since the first day they were introduced to each other, Orihime could sense that something was wrong about him. Grimmjow always seemed delighted and at peace when around Ichigo, but the moment he refocused his attention elsewhere she would accidentally catch the dark glares directed her way. Looks that betrayed malicious intent beneath the collected outer shell.

"It's great to see you alive and well, Grimmjow," she said gleefully, hoping he didn't hear the slight tremble in her voice. Grimmjow merely grunted and nodded once in response. A ringing vibration could be heard throughout the room as Ichigo answered his black cell with an orange lightning bolt striking the middle. He groaned as the caller ID flashed a Keigo Asano on the screen. Just what he needed, another distraction to screw with what is supposed to be his and Orihime's perfect night.

"What is it this time, Keigo?" he inquired, not bothering to restrain the irritation in his tone. With a couple of "Yeah" and "Uh huh" later, he said with a dismayed sigh, "Yeah, yeah I heard you. I'll be right there. Do me a favor and don't kill yourself; save me that pleasure." Flipping the phone shut, he looked at Orihime with apologetic eyes.

"Is something wrong with Keigo?" she asked.

"Nah, not really. Apparently, he's got some man issues he desperately needs to work out, and I'm the guy to help him. Not that I want to."

"Can't it wait until tomorrow?" Her voice sounded hopeful and he mentally kicked himself in the ass for what he was about to do.

"He says no, it's important. Look, if you want you're more than welcome to come with me. Mizuho has been yearning for someone to talk to other than that idiot."

"Alright, that is fine with me! I haven't been able to hang out with Tatsuki, so I'm sure it will be nice for a change."

Maybe this night wasn't going to be a total loss after all.

"No!"

This solid objection came from Grimmjow. They stared at him, confused and startled.

"Yo, what's wrong?" Ichigo asked.

"Nothing… It's just… Why don't I stay here with Orihime while you help Keigo?" he offered.

"That's… generous of you, Grimm. Really. But I prefer having Hime nearby."

"What is she, your daughter?" he retorted. "Come on, man, it's been a while since me and Inoue spent any time together."

Ichigo shifted his eyes uneasily between them, looking to Orihime for an answer, who just gazed at the carpeted floor as if there was something hidden there that only she could see. "Hey, I got a fantastic idea! Why don't you go deal with Keigo and we'll wait here until you get back? Deal?" he said, teasingly.

"Fuck off, Ichi. We both know I detest that bratty shit-worm you call your friend. Only an imbecile like Keigo fails to realize how much you'd rather tear his guts out than deal with his obnoxious bullshit almost every fuckin' day. Just let me watch Inoue for ya. I'm not gonna kill her if that's what you're concerned about."

Ichigo's phone buzzed again, that annoying Keigo calling to demand what's taking him fifty years to arrive at his place, most likely. Orihime could tell he was slightly unsettled and massaged her fingers through his deceivingly soft hair, smiling as his body relaxed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him zealously.

"Go on. We'll be alright," she reassured.

"It's not we I'm worried about," he whispered.

"I know."

"If anything happens, call me. I'll be here." Orihime nodded and watched from the Ichigo's bedroom window as he walked away towards Keigo's house in the silent night. She vaguely remembered feeling Grimmjow's intense gaze on her back on they kissed, and even now as she stared out the window, praying for Ichigo's swift return.

They were all alone…