READ THIS! Guess what? Since I lied and didn't get internet back like planned, I'm combining this chapter with chapter 8. So 'part 2' is just my way of saying 'this was going to be chapter eight' haha. In essence, this chapter is about 5,700 words.

Vindication

Part One: Realizations of the Self

Rukia's eyes widened, nearly bulging from their sockets. She didn't know why, though, because she had already prepared herself for news like this. She, during her days at Las Noches, had reluctantly walked herself through if-then situations. If one of her friends died, then she would keep it together. She would stay strong. But as her body started to shake, she knew that would be damn near impossible. "W-What?"

"You heard me." She wasn't deaf, just stupid. "Your friend is dead. Gone. Deceased. Livingly-challenged." It was quite simple, really.

Rukia felt a hard ball form in her throat, and it hurt to swallow. Tears formed in her eyes, threatening to fall over, and she let them. "Orihime…" she whispered in a hoarse voice. Her mind froze and sped up at the same time. Shallow though it may be, she hurt more from the fact she hadn't saved Orihime than the fact she was dead. It was weird, but… I should have tried harder. I should have saved her. "Who?" Her voice shook with sorrow and anger.

"Nnoitra."

That was all it took to send her flying over the edge of the already-rickety cliff.

Rukia let out an ear-piercing scream of pain, louder than she had ever yelled before. Anger and vengeance flashed through her eyes, and she stood up from her bed. "You!" She pointed her finger accusingly at Grimmjow. "You could have stopped him! You could have saved her!" she yelled in a low, dangerous voice. "I'll kill you!" She released her towel from her left hand, exposing her naked figure. "Hado 31, Shakkahou!" she bellowed, a kido blast erupting from her hand.

Grimmjow easily escaped the blast's path and appeared behind her. She whipped around. "Shakkahou!" she yelled once more. "Shakkahou! — Shakkahou!" She fired another three times. The walls appeared to be kido-resistant, if that were even possible, but she only hoped Grimmjow wasn't.

Every shot, he used Sonido to move from its way. It was fairly easy, really, but irritating nonetheless. He appeared behind her, and when she turned around, he grabbed her by the throat and pinned her against a charred wall. "Shinigami," he admonished darkly.

"You! It's your fault! YOU LET HER BE KILLED! You could have stopped him, you could have done more, you murderer!" She panted roughly, a wild, rage-filled look in her eyes. She never once looked away from the Espada, and never once winced from the pain of being pressed against a wall.

"Who the fuck you talking about? Me, or yourself?" He showed no emotion, no amusement in his question.

"What?" she seethed.

"Are you so sure that it was my fault? Wasn't it you who was supposed to escape and save the little twerp? Wasn't it you who let her be killed? Aren't you the goddamn murderer?"

"N…no…I'm no—" she cut herself off. She was. She had killed before. Kaien-dono, Orihime…

Grimmjow could see the realization set in her eyes. She still lusted for blood, but no longer for his. He released his hold on her neck, instead placing his hands on either side of her head and cornering her between him and the wall. "Your other friends are here. They are still fighting. There is a way to save their asses."

Rukia's eyes widened in shock and she stared at him in wonder. "How…?"

Grimmjow smirked. "Fight them."

"You're insane!" she barked.

"If you go onto the battlefield, you'll be expected to fight. But during the meantime, you can tell the cowards to high-tail their way out of Hueco Mundo. At least then they won't be fuckin' killed, eh?" He paused. "You'll live here, Shinigami, but at least you'll know your friends are safe." He grinned widely and let out a short laugh, a menacing look in his eyes. "What will you do, Shinigami? Will you sacrifice your freedom for your friends lives, or will you let them all die and be forced to remain here anyway?"

Rukia stared into space, like she had a while ago…that revelation she had hit…it seemed even more prominent than before. She understood it more, was enlightened more. Things will never again be the same between me and my loved ones. If I choose to fight them, I will be looked upon as a traitor. If I stay, more lives will be lost in exchange for a flicker of hope of saving me. I am destined to be lonely. I was never meant to have friends, family, or acquaintances. "Alone…forever," she muttered. She snapped from her reverie and stared at Grimmjow's feet. "I will fight."

The 6th Espada stood up straight, shoving a hand in his pocket. "Finally got some sense into ya." He snatched the sheet from her bed and tossed it carelessly at her. "Get dressed. I'll be back in fifteen minutes to take you where your friends and some of the Espada are fighting at."

Rukia hugged the white sheet lifelessly to her body, waiting for him to leave. When he did, she walked over to the—no, her—dresser and pulled a Shinigami uniform from it. She slipped into it and tied her sash securely. Should she even wear this now? Her eyes held no emotion as she stood in the middle of her room, waiting patiently for Grimmjow's return. Her eyes were fixated on the door, and she shed tears no more. Such a possibility had never been thought of before, but she appeared even more inert than the 4th Espada. She was without life.


Grimmjow strode through the halls with a hint of anger on his face. He was thoroughly annoyed at…everything.

"You are to inform her of Orihime Inoue's death. You are also to inform her of her two available options…"

Why him? Why'd Aizen pick him of all people to fuck with the Shinigami's mind? It just wasn't his style to use words instead of actions. He didn't give a shit what the Shinigami did, but he was still pissed at the fact he couldn't fight Kurosaki. Little Miss Compassionate gets to fight him instead; what bull shit! Though, one good thing—maybe two—came from this whole ordeal. "Shinigami snapped quicker than a twig," he muttered through a grin. That look in her eyes, the desire to kill him, was priceless. It sent shocks of excitement surging through his veins. Underneath that calm and collected exterior, she was just as untamed and feral as he was.

He could only wonder how she would react at the sight of her friends. Would she snap again? Probably not. He saw the look on her face right before he left. Her spirit had been broken, or at least beat up until it was on the verge of shattering. Stopping in front of a set of doors, he walked through one without knocking. Sauntering over to a small rack, he stared at the zanpakuto hanging from it. Without so much as a note of recognition, he snatched it and headed back the way he came from.

It wasn't long before he reached her door again, and once he did, he knocked. "Decent, Shinigami?" Hell, shouldn't even matter anymore. He had had full view a little while ago.

"Yes." He rolled his eyes at the sound of her voice. Sounds like that bitch Ulquiorra. He walked in and thrust her zanpakuto to her. "Let's go."

Rukia stared down at Sode no Shirayuki. It hadn't brought the satisfaction she thought it would. She had thought it would bring that piece of her that was missing. It hadn't. It only brought her slight warmth, which did nothing for her frozen heart. She put it under her sash on the side and followed Grimmjow through the halls of Las Noches.


She's having no difficulty keeping up. Proves my point of how 'friends' and 'family' only get in the way of your true potential. She might not be half-bad in battle, now. He darted from sand dune to sand dune, until he reached yet another flat plane of sand. The only difference here was that there were two male Shinigami present.

Renji Abarai and Ichigo Kurosaki.

"Rukia!" they yelled in unison, and in slight relief.

She could tell by the tone of their voice that they didn't know about Orihime… She stared at Ichigo with no sentiment. She only walked forward until she was but a few meters away. Withdrawing her sword, she held it in a battle stance.

"What're you doing, Rukia?" the carrot-top asked her with a slight scowl.

Renji stared at her. "Eh? Ruki—" he stopped short and dodged Grimmjow's attack.

"Aizen said nothing about not fighting you. So you better be fuckin' good, Shinigami."

Rukia and Ichigo ignored the other two completely, only staring at each other with complete understanding. "I'm not going to fight you, Rukia. You're coming back with us."

"If you will not fight me, then you must leave. Your reason for being here should not exist."

"Like Hell I will! Geeze, you sound just like you did when you were getting ready to be executed. So I'll repeat what I told you before." His gaze hardened. "I'm here to save you. You don't get to complain about it, you just get to go along with it."

"Either draw your zanpakuto or leave!" she barked. When he made no sign of preparing to do anything, she narrowed her eyes. Rukia took one step forward before flashing out of sight, enclosing the space between them, and slashing her blade at the substitute Soul Reaper.


Part Two: The Protector

Ichigo, at the last second, withdrew Zangetsu to protect himself from her hit. He would not use it against her, like she so hoped. No. Not against Rukia. "Rukia, what has gotten into you?!"

Rukia pushed her blade against his, a battle of strength apparent. She knew he wasn't using his all, though. Typical Ichigo. "No good will come of you being here. So leave with the others while you still have time." Her voice had become monotonous.

"I told you, I'm not leaving without you, and nothing is gonna change that," he ground out.

The two jumped back from each other simultaneously. "Nothing?"

"Nothing." He smiled slightly.

She made no vacillation in telling him. "Orihime has been killed." Her eyes rested on him, gauging his reaction.

"Say what?"

She closed her eyes in annoyance. "Orihime is dead, you fool!" Her lids snapped open and she glared daggers at the teenager.

After what seemed like a millennium of nothing said, he started stuttering his thoughts. "Wh…H….No…I…How…?" She couldn't possibly know that. Orihime was fine, she was with Rangiku Matsumoto and Hitsugaya Toushiro!

"The 5th Espada has taken her life."

"No, there's no way you can know that." He refused to believe…

"Tell me, how many people can you sense near by?"

"What?"

Rukia became agitated. "Besides the Arrancar, how many people can you feel!" she yelled, trying to get him to realize.

"I…" For once, he was speechless. No, this was…not right.

"I'll tell you then. Besides you, Renji, and myself, there are four Captain-level Shinigami, two Lieutenant-level Shinigami, and a few seated officers. Most likely the Task Force. There is a Quincy and one other extremely faint reiatsu. Now tell me, how many should there be?"

His world began to spin with comprehension, and he felt sick. He didn't know how to react. Denial had come and went within a split second, and he was starting to become drunk with rage. Just like she had. Everything happened so fast. Orihime was dead… Initially, within said split second, he knew it was impossible. But then he realized just how possible it really was. Orihime was so fragile… DAMN IT!!! he exclaimed to himself, his voice stuck inside of his trembling throat. Shirosaki's voice resonated through his thoughts, and he slowly gave into releasing his grip on himself. No mask appeared, no Hollow came out, but he was blind. His vision swirled, and before him he saw a shadowy figure. That's him! It must be him! I WILL AVENGE ORIHIME! Ichigo charged forward at the shadow, everything else but the dark figure a dull red. He saw nothing but a killer.

Rukia watched as Ichigo charged at her, and she prepared herself. He was faster than she thought possible, and his blade came at her with immeasurable speed. Her body was thrown back, her feet sliding across the sand effortlessly. It looked as though a sand storm had appeared, and when the dust settled, she saw Ichigo staring at her a with murderous intent. They had both lost themselves in such a short amount of time.

"Ban…kai!"

Rukia's eyes slightly widened as she saw him come at her again. As her body twisted into the air, spiraling upward, she wondered. I didn't think he would actually fight me. He's trying to kill me. He's serious. Then again…I am the reason Orihime is no longer living. Her body came crashing downward. Still, I must fight to get through to him. He and the others must not die, too. But before she could even hit the ground, she felt a kick to her back, and she was flying upward again. Another kick, to the side this time. Another, to the leg. Head, back, neck, side. "Getsuga Tensho!" she heard yelled. By the time she reached the ground, her body hurt so badly that she couldn't even feel the pain. Still, she stood to face her former friend. Rukia picked up her sword and held it in front of her. She had no time to attack, only to defend. As Ichigo raced toward her again, she wondered if this would be the final blow. The life-ending one. The one that took her breath away—eternally.

And as he swung his blade at her, she waited.

She took in a quiet gasp of air when someone appeared in front of her, blocking the blow.

Grimmjow shielded his upper torso with his right arm, Zangetus's blade pressing into his flexed muscle. The blue-haired Espada stared darkly into Ichigo's eyes, a face of petrifying indifference worn. His eyelids narrowed. Ichigo's eyes, so full of blood lust, widened at the sight of Grimmjow. "If you're gonna aim to kill, it better be toward me, Shinigami."

Ichigo froze at his words. Everything started becoming so clear. He could see the tiny specs of sand floating through the wind, could hear the female pants from behind the Arrancar, could feel the blood rushing through his body…time slowed, and he watched as the person behind Grimmjow collapsed to the ground like a piece of paper. "Rukia!"

Grimmjow held his hand out in front of him, charging a Cero. He fired it in attempt to get the orange-headed boy to back off. When it worked, he looked over his shoulder at the limp girl. "Get up, Shinigami. I'll handle Kurosaki. You can deal with the redhead."

Rukia pushed her figure up with quivering arms, struggling to her feet. She scanned the empty plane and saw red in the near distance. Immediately, her legs started staggering forward before she could consent. Making her way over to the semi-conscious Lieutenant, she dropped to her knees beside him.

Renji forced himself to sit up, clinging on to that thin string of awareness. He glanced over to Rukia. "Ru…kia, what's going on?" He started to completely recover from his temporary paralysis. "I saw you and Ichigo…what…what's wrong?"

"Orihime…she's dead." She tried as hard as possible to sound nonchalant.

His eyes widened. "What? How? We just saw her a few hours ago!" Unlike Ichigo, his denial would last for much longer…much, much longer.

"Renji, you need to take Ichigo and get him out of here. Now. Before things get worse, and more people get killed."

"No, we came here to—"

"I said leave! Stop worrying about me, I can handle myself. This is my choice, so who are you to force me to come back!" Her eyes brimmed with tears, but she only blinked harshly to push them back.

Renji sat in shock at her words. "Rukia… You're not…you're not serious." He put his hands on her bruised shoulders and shook her. Listen to what you're saying! You're making it seem like you're betraying the Soul Society!"

Her gaze averted to the side, and her head hung so that her hair shaded her purple irises. "I am not coming back, Renji. Please, take Ichigo and the others and tell them to go back. I don't care if other people come here, but you must protect Ichigo, Uryuu, Chad, Nii-sama, and Captain Ukitake. Do not let any of them come here. I don't want to fight them."

"I know this isn't you talking, Rukia. You're trying to protect us. We're going to save you, damn it." He kept his grip tight on her shoulders, as if the next time he let go, he'd be letting go forever.

"I am not a little girl, Renji! Stop acting like my mother! If you really love me, you will STAY AWAY!" She stood to her feet, shrugging from his grip, and pointed Sode no Shirayuki at him. "I don't want to fight you Renji, but I will if I must. Please, leave. For me. And for Ichigo." They both looked to the side as Grimmjow and Ichigo fought.

"I don't care what you say, Rukia, you're coming back!"

"Fool, do you think you can get past ten Espada? They will crush you!"

"Rukia—"

"IT'S YOUR FAULT ORIHIME'S DEAD!" she yelled through a breath. The small girl panted wildly, sweat treading down her temple.

Renji could see the hurt in her eyes. He looked over to Ichigo in the distance, watching as he thrust Grimmjow to the ground. When La Sexta didn't get up, he smirked. "You're coming back with us, one way or another."

Ichigo appeared beside her instantaneously, and she looked up at him. He only stared forward, not sparing her a glance. "Go with Renji, Rukia." When he saw her defiance from the corner of his eye, he snapped his head in her direction. "Now." He had something he had to do, and he hoped she wouldn't get in his way by not complying. He didn't know how he had gotten past denial so fast, or how he was controlling himself from breaking down, but he was. For Rukia.

Rukia flinched slightly at the tone of his voice. Did he hate her? He had every right to, after all… "Ichigo…"

"And stop blaming yourself. The only one who's to blame is me." Tears shook against his eyes, and he was using all of his strength to not let them fall. He still had not fully recovered from the shock of her death, even if he did have control of his emotions. It was hard for him to comprehend what was going on. Because the more he thought about it, the more he started regressing into denial again. She couldn't be dead… Ori…he couldn't even think her name. How pathetic. I knew…I knew you shouldn't have come. I should have protected you. I should have! Because maybe…maybe I lo

"It was never your fault. Ichigo, never say it was your fault!" Rukia yelled. She then quickly glanced away, ashamed. "I'm not coming back. Please…just leave." She felt her body lifted up and tossed onto a shoulder. She stared down Ichigo's back in surprise.

"It would've been easier for you to just do what I told you, to go with Renji." Because now I'll have to postpone killing the 5thand finding her body. "R—" Blood spewed from his mouth, and he felt a sharp pain cut through his back and all the way to the other side. He dropped Rukia as he fell to the ground. Never would he have imagined going down from one blow like that. Granted, he did just get done with a fight and had just recently discovered that Orihime's life had been taken, making him utterly and profoundly vulnerable, but still. He gave up his grip on consciousness with no hesitation, which he would kill himself for doing later. But Orihime…she was gone, and it was so easy to let go. I didn't save her…I didn't save either of them.

Rukia watched in horror as Ichigo gave up so easily. She looked at Renji. "Please…the only way he'll live is if you leave now."

Renji, not in any condition to fight, switched his gaze from the attacker, Ulquiorra, to Rukia, then to Grimmjow, who steadily made his way over, and back to Rukia. "I will come back. We will come back for you, Rukia."

"I can only hope that doesn't happen. Now please, before he loses more blood." She had quickly regained her composure just as quickly as she lost it. Her jaw set, and she locked eyes with the 6th Division's Lieutenant.

Renji slung Ichigo's arm over the back of his shoulders and darted away after another moment of staring at his best friend. He could only wonder why the two Espada weren't coming after him.

Rukia turned to Ulquiorra. "You're letting them escape." It sounded like a reprimand, but both her and Grimmjow heard the hopefulness in it.

"Aizen-sama wishes for all Espada and yourself to return to Las Noches immediately." With that, he shifted his eyes emotionlessly to Grimmjow. Without saying a word, he flashed away.

"You know your way back, Shinigami." Grimmjow disappeared, knowing she wouldn't try to run away. She didn't need an escort everywhere. And if she passed out from her wounds, then it was her own damn fault for being so weak. Because what would it look like if he stayed like a gentleman and walked her back? Fuckin' pitiful, that's what. "Stupid Shinigami."


There was no longer a plan to escape. No, the only plan she had was to protect the ones she loved. And to do that, she had to fight on the evil side. She couldn't leave this place, and her friends undoubtedly would keep trying to save her. They would never win, and if they did, it would be at the expense of lives and happiness. She wouldn't stand idly by while her frien—err, former friends got hurt for her sake. She would spend whatever chance she got trying to get them to back off. And if she had to pretend to be a traitor…then that's what she would do. Hell, maybe Soul Society already thought of her as one now.

Rukia sat rigid in her seat between Gin and Nnoitra. It wasn't so much Gin that made her insides twist as it was the 5th Espada. Orihime's murderer. She had to keep her grip on the bottom of her chair in order not to lash out. She waited impatiently for the meeting to start, and prayed to God she could keep herself together sitting beside him.

"Did they tell you what happened?"

Rukia turned reluctantly to her side, locking eyes with the Espada. "Yes," she said through clenched teeth.

"Shoulda seen the look on her face!"

Rukia turned back to sitting at attention, trying to focus on anything but the man next to her. Her eyes traveled down the table and rested on Stark, who seemed to be drifting off into his hand. La Primera, right? He looks so…lazy. How can he be the strongest? She tried to force thoughts into her head to push the bad ones out.

"Ha! 'I'm going to save Rukia!' she cried. Stupid bitch."

Rukia shook in her chair, her face flushing to a light shade of red.

Grimmjow glanced over to her and studied the noblewoman. Was she so easily provoked? Was her temper that short? He would say that it was the trait of a weakling, but he figured he had no room to talk. Grimmjow Jeagerjaques did indeed have a short fuse.

"Alright, so tell me, what happened?" Aizen inquired smoothly.

"I fought against a Captain. Byakuya Kuchiki."

Rukia's eyes widened and she stared at Stark. How was her brother? Was he okay?

"And?"

"We fought pretty evenly. I was called back before any serious injuries could be dealt to either side," he replied lazily.

"I fought against some woman." Yammy looked up.

Aizen rubbed his temple briefly. "Anything more specific?"

"Gold-ish, orange-ish hair. Huge knockers."

"Rangiku Matsumoto, 10th Division Lieutenant," Gin chimed in with a smile. "Tell me, how did she do?"

"Err… She kicked my ass at first, but then I turned the tables. Think I got her arm good."

Ulquiorra saw Aizen's eyes move to him expectantly, but patiently. "Toushiro Hitsugaya. No injuries. Ichigo Kurosaki . He received a stab-wound through the stomach."

They continued going in random order. Apparently Shunsui and Nanao had come, as well as Soi Fon and a few of her Special Forces members.

Nnoitra grinned when he saw that it was his turn. He looked at Rukia, and then scanned the table. "I fought against the two humans and the Quincy. I had thought the two men died, but apparently they were just on the brink of death. When they discovered their friend's body, they went wild. Still weak, however. The Inoue girl, though…she pulled out many tricks, the little witch. Quite the entertainer."

"Yes, I still am quite curious as to why you didn't proceed as planned. You disobeyed a direct order and killed Orihime Inoue, who I wanted you to kidnap." Aizen appeared to be most definitely annoyed.

"Ah, yes. Forgive me, but I got carried away." He smiled sadistically.

"Your actions will not go unpunished. But that will be dealt with after this meeting. Grimmjow?"

"Fought the redhead and Kurosaki. Knocked out the Lieutenant and then went after Kurosaki, who was attacking the Shinigami woman."

All eyes snapped to Rukia in disbelief before Grimmjow could continue. She had fought against Ichigo Kurosaki, the one who was trying to save her? "Uhm, yes. We fought briefly."

"How interesting. How did you fare?" Sosuke Aizen was amused. No…beyond that. He was thrilled.

"Didn't even leave a scratch on him." But by how she looked alone, everybody knew it wasn't vice versa. She had bandaged arms, band aids, scratches, cuts, and other wounds. But why?

Aizen knew. He knew everything, and how ironic it all was, considering a piece of information he had that only he and one other person did. But that wouldn't be revealed just yet. "The Shinigami have retreated instead of following you all back here. Apparently the received news of the girl's death, as well as Ichigo Kurosaki's injuries, changed things. They will come back, and when they do, we will resume where we left off. Sorry to have disappointed you all and called you here, but given certain circumstances," the Espada glared at Nnoitra, "there was a slight change of plan. We'll hold another meeting in a few days. You all are dismissed."

Rukia slid from her seat and rushed over to the door, exiting it without a slow in pace.

"Hey, girl."

She froze.

Nnoitra walked in front of her and grinned devilishly. "I didn't get to tell you how she died. Would you like to know?" He saw her shudder. "I know you do. You may hate my insides, stupid woman, but you want to know if it was painless." He bent down slightly to whisper his next to words. "It wasn't."

"Bastard," the young woman hissed. No, she wouldn't give in. She wouldn't throw that punch she so desperately wanted to throw. She simply walked past him and continued toward her room. She no longer needed the yarn, and had not fallen victim to Grimmjow's trick of cutting her trail. When she could feel that Nnoitra decided not to follow her, she breathed a sigh of relief. Entering her room, she shut the door behind her and walked over to her bed.

She would be here for the rest of her life.

"It doesn't feel that way, does it?" she asked herself. "It still feels like I'm going to be saved. It feels like Orihime is still alive, and everyone is going to be okay." She scoffed at herself. "Get a grip and stop hoping!" she snapped at herself. She would stay here, fight here, and die here. Las Noches was her home. The Espada were her only acquaintances. At least they decided to let her keep her zanpakuto, now that she had shown she would fight on their side. Speaking of which…

She looked down at her side and took Sode no Shirayuki—sheathed—off her waist, looking at it for a moment. This was her only friend, her only strength. Sighing boredly, she placed it on the nightstand next to her and stared up at the ceiling. She glanced sleepily to the door as she heard a loud rap on it. "Who is it?"

"The fuckin' maid… Who the fuck you think it is?"

She rolled her eyes and watched as he came in. Her gaze averted to the ceiling again. "Don't you have better things to do?"

Grimmjow grinned as he walked over to the bed. He stared down at the nightstand, eying her sword. "Come now, Shinigami, you know you'd get bored if I never came."

She smirked at that. "True." She thought about how odd it felt to not feel odd smiling…if that made any sense. She had so easily pushed Orihime's death out of her head. She had dealt with death several times, and was good at getting over it—or at least pretending to.

Grimmjow lifted her zanpakuto from the table and examined it. "After your wounds are healed up, Shinigami, we're going to battle. There's a lotta stuff I gotta teach you. Yer so fuckin' pitiful on the battlefield, it amazes me they let in people like you to the Shinigami business."

"You mean you're gonna train me? You, do something nice? Don't make me laugh," she jeered with a prideful tone.

"Don't get full o' yerself, Shinigami. But if you're gonna fight on our side, your strength as of now won't cut it."

Rukia glanced to the side. "Right. Who knows, maybe one day I'll be strong enough to kill Nnoitra." She smiled warmly at that thought, and looked forward to this one on one training with the 6th Espada. "You know, you try to seem big and bad, but you're like a kitten on the inside."

Grimmjow's temple throbbed, and he had half a mind to punch her face in for the little witticism. It wasn't cute. "Shinigami…shut the fuck up."


Author's Note: By the way, since I've had time (with no internet and all) I have already written the next six chapters. Woot!

Get ready for a /smudge/ of hotness between Grimmjow and Rukia next chapter. Hehe. I think you all will like it.

Thanks for the encouraging reviews! You guys rock :D