Gentle rays of light broke her somewhat peaceful slumber. Morning simply came too soon in the petite brunette's opinion. Sleep still beckon to her; so in an attempt to get rid of the nuisance, the bed's occupant moved to raise the sheets covering her to shield her closed lids to the light. Hopefully that'll be enough to lull herself back to dreamland. But to her dismay, the sheets won't budge. They were pinned by God only knows what. Grogily, she opened a lazy eye to check. For a few moments her vision was cloudy but quickly she could clearly see a massive leg on top of her own and was the cause of her sheet's immobility. Dread set in. Gathering whatever courage she had in her, she shifted from her position to face the mass sharing the bed that she didn't notice until now. The stunning profile of a man greeted her. He was peacefully sleeping still. A broad chest and ripped abs rose and fell with every breath from his slightly parted lips. His whole position was awkward with one leg on her and his torso and head almost on flat on the bed; but somehow he looked more relaxed than she had ever seen him. An arm was extended to her as a pillow.

/ So that's why my pillow was strangely stiff. / she thought to herself.

Looking back once more, she wasn't sure how to react to all this.

++++ FLASHBACK ++++

Two months ago her brother arrived in Japan safe and sound after military school and touring in Afghanistan. A month has passed since Rukia arrived in New York and settled into the family's apartment at the Ritz. Three weeks since her first tour of the university at the beginning of NYU's semester. Two weeks since her first basketball game where the Knicks actually won. One week since her first road trip with her new found friends to of course the Grand Canyon. And three seconds since her brother arrived at her front door. "

Aniue, why are you here? I'm not some kid. I don't need you to check up on me." She said as she lead her brother to the living room. "This IS just some drop by inspection. Right?" She turned to face said man. A deep huff escaped her lips before she said, "But guessing from that luggage your dragging around, I'm out of luck."

His loud laugh filled the otherwise empty apartment. "Relax Rukes," he reached out to ruffle her hair. "It's not like I need to bunk with you. This place is big enough for the both of us." Setting aside his luggage, Grimmjoww plops down on the couch with Rukia. "Dad is just looking out for both of us," he said with a smug smirk gracing his face.

That didn't alleviate Rukia's souring mood - not at all. In fact that merely deepened her frown. "I'm not gonna hound you like some nagging housewife. I'll have my own shit to do, my own school to go to. Masters isn't a walk in the park you know." Another ruffle of her hair and Grimmjoww got off the couch. "Now, which one of these will be my room."

++++BACK TO THE PAST++++

On the day following the official celebration of Grimmjoww's return, a maid knocked on Grimm's room to inform him that his father wanted to see him. Typical of Byakuya to be business as usual when all of their other relatives were still sleeping out their hangovers or stumbling to their cars to return home. To be fair, he did opt to work at home in his study instead of going to the office in the city. Grimm found his step father at his desk with paper work in front of him and his phone in one hand. He gestured him to sit while he finished the call. It didn't take a minute for Byakuya to end his call. He got up from his chair and beckoned Grimm to follow. He lead them to the adjacent room which was a spacious balcony where two servants were waiting beside a table for two of midmorning tea (1).

As they sat down and mixed their tea, Byakuya began the conversation. "So, what are your plans son? I know that you've only gotten back but in light of Rukia's impending departure I think it's only appropriate." He took a sip of his concoction. Truthfully, Grimm expected this conversation but not this early. He hasn't prepared any bullshit yet to feed his father figure. Although Grimm knew that the man could see through the bull but simply chose to let him have his way.

"I'll be honest, Otou-san. I haven't thought that far ahead. But rest assured I'm not going back to the military." He grabbed one of his favorites from the platter, an ice cream puff(2), and cut it into smaller bite sized pieces. Again, the man simply impressed Grimm with the little things he remembered about him. There were other pastries served as well that suited his tastes. After a huge bite of the puff, he continued. "Although, I'm thinking about making use of my Engineering degree. I find the field quite interesting."

With a nod of his head, Byakuya took a sip of tea. "Might I suggest further education? Since you've already finished the years for the degree, a Masters wouldn't take too long. Probably a year or two." He paused to gauge the younger man's reaction. "I understand that the Academy does not offer that many courses on the subject matter. Another year or two getting your Masters would give you the chance to find which specific field you're most inclined to."

Grimmjoww couldn't agree more with his father. He had to grin smugly as he said, "I see your point, Otou-san. And I bet you know a few good schools in America." He broke into a full laugh after saying this. To which Byakuya merely smiled and drank his tea.

+++END++++

"When am I ever gonna get rid of you nosy men in my life?" Rukia yelled once his brother's recollection finished. "Just deal with it, Rukes."

OOOOO

Life entered a sense of normalcy after the initial shock of Grimmjoww's arrival. Ever since meeting, the two have had their fair share of disagreements - a healthy sum for any siblings. However, spending more than a decade in each other's company, the two were eventually able to get in sync. Plus they were grown ups now - with their own lives and paths to take. Or so they thought.

"Aniue I'm going out in a bit. Don't wait up." Rukia yelled from the doorway of her room.

Despite being a spacious apartment, sound traveled really well here. But to Grimmjoww, Rukia's natural loudmouthedness is to credit for the auditory benefits not the architecture of the place. "Where in the world are you going now?" Grimmjoww hated being the naggy older brother but he could be whenever he wanted to. While lying lazily on the couch, "Who are you going with anyway?" He called again without turning his attention away from the movie playing on his tablet.

"Oh just my friends. You remember Tia, right?" Grimm had to raise an eyebrow at that. Tia is one of Rukia's more 'liberal' friends. He'd met her a few times and she'd hit on him all those times. Oh, he was used to being hit on. Looking the way he did, getting the ladies' attention was a breeze. Attractive as she maybe, Tia was too tall, wore too little clothing and too blonde and quite frankly too much of a slut for his tastes. To this day, he hasn't deciphered what it was exactly that drew Rukia to befriend the girl. He likes them petite, brunette and classy. Just like the one that passed him by and is now looking at herself in the floor length mirror. "Like hell you're going with Tia looking like that." He sat up from his position on the couch and paused his movie.

Rukia stopped her twirling in front of the mirror to face him. She was wearing her hair up in a messy pony tail with the ends curled. Her rebelious bang was accompanied by a few more strands expertly placed making it look stylishly disorganized. If there was such a thing as bedroom eyes then this would be bedroom hair. She had a white sleeveless cropped top on with the American flag printed in front somewhat haphazardly. It was simply too short to be legally sold to anyone of their age group. This was paired with a tight black latex shorts with a thin red belt. Topping the look off with knee high wedge black boots and silver bangles, she was now good for whoring. You could literally see the black lacy bra she was wearing underneath given how cropped the top was. He'd be damned if he let her walk out the door wearing that.

"Come on rukes. They invented clothes like centuries ago. So wear some. For crying out loud." Rukia retorted with "you're being ridiculous. Its not as bad as you make it." Grimm finally got off the couch and approached her. Removing the shirt off his back, he held it out to her. "If you're so lacking in clothes, despite having half of this place as a closet, you can have mine."

If his brother wanted to simply shut her up well then mission accomplished. That body always stopped traffic whenever they'd go to the beach. It's cool to see peoples's gaping faces but the sluts were so hard to handle sometimes; especially when they'd get too touchy with him and he'd let them. It was even harder when he'd actually go home with one or two. Thankfully he never brought anyone to their place. She wouldn't know how to deal with the awkward morning after.

/ Okay, yeah. I am being paranoid and over protective. But it just so happened that I am hankering for a drink. Its not a crime to drink at the same place. /

Grimmjoww's thoughts were like a mantra he kept repeating hoping that it would be more believable to Rukia once she spots him in the same night club as her. But at 2am, when you're all alone in your shared apartment and can't sleep, there really is not much to do other than worry about said sister.

He'd been to his share of night clubs here in New York. No matter where it is on the globe, pretty unescorted girls like Rukia would always be hit on. / So it wouldn't hurt to have another set of eyes looking for her. Right, Grimm? / Truthfully, he wasn't as confident in that statement as he hoped he would be.

As he walked pass the bouncers of SoHo, there was no more turning back. Being a Friday night, the place was packed. For a moment he doubted that they would be here until he spotted a tall blonde grinding against two burly guys. He wasn't really surprised to see Tia in such a predicament but it was a good sign. It would mean that Rukia was still here and probably close by. He was careful not to be spotted by her but still kept an eye out for his petite lady. He went to the bar for a better vantage point and also to get a shot just to ease his edgy feeling. The bartender gave him scotch on the rocks which he quickly brought up to his lips. As he down the hot liquid, through the blurry view of the glass, he spotted a familiar red top- the one he forced Rukia to change into in place of her crop top. Putting the cup down, he wanted to believe that it was just the scotch acting up and giving him the image of Rukia on one of the bar stools. She was getting tongue tied with some orange haired punk. Add to that, said carrot top had his slimy hands all over her body - sliding down her sides and on her thighs dangerously approaching the hem of her skirt. 'Not to my girl' was his last thought before storming past the dancing drunk people. He shoved the guy as far away as possible from her seated form and socked him in the face. He was about to deliver some more blows when frail hands wrapped around his arm to stop him. "Stay away from her, punk." Turning around to face Rukia, Grimmjoww yanked her from her seat and pulled her along. "Let's go, Rukes." It wasn't a request.

SLAM!

Rukia felt even the floor shook a bit given how hard Grimmjoww slammed their door. No doubt neighbor's complaints will greet them in the morning. In the distance, Grimm's deathly aura and nonstop ranting has her quivering like a child awaiting a spanking. But seriously, she didn't know why she felt like she needed to be on the defensive. / I'm a grown ass woman. And he's being unreasonable. It's not like that guy was a total stranger. He's from school. /

Taking a deep breath and walking to the parlor, she said: "You didn't have to hit him." That stopped Grimmjoww in his tracks. He turned around slowly with this unreadable expression on his face. It was a mix of anger, disbelief and even hurt which he was all trying to supress so as not to blow over.

"That punk!" Boomed his voice as he slammed his palm on the nearby wall. "Was literally eating your face. And you tell me I didn't have to. Why? Coz you wanna be just like your dear friend Tia."

"Hold on a second. Those are MY FRIENDS. You can't judge them like that when you're no better."

"Oh. Oh." He threw his hands in the air and it look like some dramatic epiphany. "So because I've fucked around a few times, you're licensed to do it too? You're a woman for goodness' sake, Rukia. Think! I have nothing to lose, you do."

"If you hadn't noticed," Rukia couldn't help but match him in his anger. "I grew up too while you were away. If I want to lose whatever it is your sexist backwards mind is thinking up, then I can damn well choose to do so. I'm a grown woman. I don't need you or anyone else deciding for me. I can make up my own mind."

The moment those words left her lips dread set in as she watched from her position by the entrance of their flat Grimm stop dead in his tracks. His face was marred with an expression of angry confusion. It was like he was deciding on whether to smack the life out of her or to bang his own head on the wall. Looking at him now, she wanted to take those words back but she couldn't. She was frozen by the determined look on her brother's face as he made his way towards her. His towering form stopped just a foot from her. It was just like they were young again. Rukia stopped growing sometime in Junior High. It annoyed her to the bone but also made her feel like one of those kids with an incredibly cool older brother. But now their physical difference made her shiver especially since his return. Her freakishly tall lean brash brother became a stunning example of a man. Looking at him simply brought out a mix of emotions - excitement, fear, respect and a few more things she didn't want to have to think about. Now, here he was again making their differences all the more prominent. Never had she felt more small.

"If..." His voice was hoarse as it broke the silence in the room. His hands bridged the distance between them as they settled gently but firmly on her shoulders. "...that's all you wanted, then why..."

Slowly he lowered his head to almost level with her and meet her eye to eye. Only now did Rukia see how much his expression turned from angry confusion to one of hurt and vulnerability. Those usually steely cold ice blue eyes showed a tenderness she hasn't seen since they were children. It was almost like he was begging for something; and in all the years Rukia has known the man in front of her, that man never once begged for anything.

"...then why..." Grimmjoww choked out. "...why couldn't you have chosen me?"

TBC

AN: Sooooooo? Whacha think? I have a ton of ideas but no clear way to bridge them all together; which can be insanely annoying hence the delay. I was actually energized to continue when I saw updates of followers and likers for this story. Thank youuuuuu! Maybe someday I'll rewrite this story to make it either move faster to simply have more action in the early part. It was pretty depressing to read the whole thing and realize... My goodness what have I been doing for the last 9 chapters. But you know what, today, I mean this very day, I just watched a movie which made me think that the ending I had in mind for this is totally crap. (TT_TT) Sincerely, I think this has the potential to go a long way but I don't want it to be some worn out plot that everyone already knows about and simply uses different characters.

PLEASE TELL ME WHACHA THINK. It's insanely important.

NOTES

(1) Midmorning tea - I'm not sure if there really is such a thing but think of it as brunch with lighter snacks prepared, some tea and enjoyed around 9-10am

(2) Ice cream puff - I first tasted this on a trip to Taiwan. It's a round pastry with the consistency/texture of croissant encasing a huge ball of ice cream. It's nothing like an ice cream sandwich. Those get messy pretty quickly. The ice cream is a dense ball either chocolate or vanilla that only begins to melt once you've cut into it. It's my fave but I haven't seen it anywhere else.