Disclaimer: Good grief people I'm sorry. I'm running around like a chicken with his head cutoff getting this place ready for a newborn. I hope you guys are still around. I don't know how many times I've had opened and closed this file..or just stared at it. It was a lot of days, yes, I struggled with this chapter for some odd reason. So shut up and read.

Track 11: Trouble Starter

Rukia took her drink and two chilidogs from the street vender. "He still hasn't called back yet." She glanced around, as she appeared to have misplaced her drink. Rukia then noticed her bodyguard Ashido Kano had swiped it from under her arm. Uryuu had to do damage control after the stint on Vizards Unmasked, and also he obliged to hiring bodyguards for each one, and even a band for the band. Shuuhei mentioned that Rukia can't do lead and rhythm guitar live, and a recording just wouldn't do. So now there's backup.

Rangiku followed Rukia to a bench and sat beside her. "Do you think he's angry?"

"If he was angry he would've called. I think he's livid, or had a heart attack." She took a bite of her hot dog.

"Are you going to head back there soon?" Rangiku was now eyeing Ashido.

Rukia nodded. "After this I'm going there."

"I think you should take him along." Rukia gave her friend a look. "What? I'm being serious, just as a precaution. By the way he's hot. Rukia how you the one being surrounded by all these men?"

"You're one to talk, your job is to escort them."

Rangiku laughed. "That's so true."

Ashido had given Rukia her drink and found a bench on the opposite side of them. "Does he talk?" Rangiku asked with doubt in her voice.

"Oh yeah he talks, he's just doing his job right now. Give him a break." Rukia started on her second hot dog.

Rangiku looked at her friend in concern. "Honey, you shouldn't eat so fast, you'll give yourself a heartburn."

Rukia sighed. "I know. I'm just nervous is all. I just want to get in and get out. Are you sure you can't come with me?"

"Trust me, I think you'll do better off with the stud tagging along. Besides I have a couple of clients to meet today. I wish I could though."

"Alright." Rukia stood up and threw her trash away. "I'll call you later."

"Rukia, please call me if anything happens. You know I'll ditch a guy for you."

They waved each other off, and went their separate ways for the day. Rukia took her phone out once more and dialed Byakuya's number. This time it went straight to voicemail and Rukia's stomach dropped. She quickly spun around to face her bodyguard. "Usually, since this is the weekend I would dismiss you, but I need you for one more thing is that okay?"

Ashido shrugged. "I don't have a problem. It's my job remember."

"Yeah, you're right, but I don't think assisting in a break in is part of your description." Rukia smiled and took a deep breath.

Ashido eyed his protectee. "Are we breaking in somewhere?"

"Technically no, but yes. It's where I live, but my stepbrother…"

"Well, let's get going then." Ashido said while leading the way back to Rukia's car.

The drive to the large house took them about thirty-five minutes to get there, and once Rukia turned into the neighborhood her heart rate sped up. Usually she would park her car on the double driveway that rounded its way up to the front door and back out. This time she opted to go to the back entrance where the servants parked their cars. "Strange." She mumbled.

"What's strange?" Ashido asked from the passenger seat.

"No one is working today…" She put her car in park, and Ashido was making his way out when she pulled him back in. "What are you doing?!"

Ashido was confused. "Getting ready to go in?"

Rukia sighed. "Here's the plan. We're going to sneak into my room, we have to climb up this thing where the vines are. Don't worry, I used to use it all the time just so I wouldn't disturb Byakuya for a late night walk." She quickly explained. "What I want you to do is to stay in my room, and refresh my duffel bag with different clothes. Do not come out, no matter what you hear. Understand?"

"I understand that I'm supposed to protect you, even against your so called stepbrother."

"He won't hurt me. Let's go." Rukia led them to her side of the house making sure to stay hidden from any windows by ducking behind the large bushes and hedges. Ashido pulled on the siding to make sure it would hold then helped Rukia start her climb up. After pulling herself over the marble balcony she rook her keys out and unlocked the double doors quietly. Walking into her room Rukia got the overwhelming sense of territory, and missed being in her own bedroom.

"The closet is over here." She led Ashido to her walk-in closet. "Just stay here, I'll be back."

Leaving her bodyguard behind she decided to investigate the rest of the house. There were no servants in sight, the curtains were all drawn closed downstairs, no new meals were in the refrigerator. The most shocking realization was that Rukia found her precious Kyo in the garage. Rukia felt herself growing angry. How dare he do this to her dog, especially after all the times Byakuya actually played with the husky. Rukia rushed Kyo back up into her room, and told Ashido the dog will be going back with them. Ashido stood there looking at the dog wondering how they were going to get him down from the second floor from the balcony.

Rukia left her room once more, and headed to the opposite side to Byakuya's part of the house. She assumed he wasn't at home since she hadn't spotted his car in the garage. Without hesitation she walked into Byakuya's room and turned the light on. Walking further in she noticed that his bed was unmade, and there were a few articles of clothing strewn about the room. Who knew that the uptight Byakuya didn't tend to pick up after himself all the time. Seeing in no reason to venture any farther into his room she backed up and turned around to leave, but ran into a brood chest. Looming over her, Byakuya closed his bedroom door behind him.

"Where have you been?"

Rukia took a few steps back. "You know where I've been."

"Who have you been with?" Byakuya inquired and took equal steps following her deeper into his room.

"I don't think that's any of your concern." Rukia replied with a strong voice. "What is your problem? I've been trying to reach you for the past couple of days."

"What ever I do is none of your concern." He bit back with Rukia's own retort.

Rukia scoffed and made moves to leave. "Go figure."

Byakuya blocked her path from his bedroom door. "Who says this conversation is over?"

"Well, I still have a busy weekend ahead of me. You should have picked up the phone when I was calling." Rukia was getting an overwhelming sense of dangerous territory. She was used to having a slightly uncomfortable feeling around him, but that turned into a comfortable uncomfortable, if an outsider could make sense of that. Now though, was a feeling of deadly dread. She felt like a child getting chastised for disobeying what a parent said. But she's an adult! "Byakuya, I'm not sure what has got you so upset…" Words failed Rukia. She had never seen him like this before. She had heard stories, but it was always centered around when Byakuya was in his teens. "…Sorry to have intruded."

"Who is this Grimmjow?" Byakuya continued as if Rukia had not ever spoken.

"He's just a friend."

"Your boyfriend?"

Rukia pursed her lips together. "Hm. Well he's a boy that's a friend. Now if you'll excuse me I still have things to do."

"You breakdown at Ginrei's over some male, and then you tell me that this isn't any of my business?" Byakuya's voice clipped and laced with suppressed anger that was seeping through into his speech.

Rukia's own voice rose. "That wasn't any of your business either."

"It became my business when you confided in me." Byakuya searched his late wife sister's face for an acknowledgement, an understanding that he was trying to protect her, and that he was there for support. If she keeps running into these classless men how in the world was he supposed to protect her if he doesn't have an iota of anything going on in her life. But he didn't get that from her. "Running around in Italy apparently wasn't good enough for you because some lowlife ruined it, and now you have found yourself with another?"

Rukia was taken aback, and it was evident on her face. "You don't know a thing about what happened in Italy, and if you did then you'd know that high class men, like yourself, are just major assholes like the rest!" With that said she shoved passed Byakuya and slammed his door on the way out.

As Rukia angrily walked down the hallway she saw Ashido poke his head out her room. "Let's go!" She shouted across at him.

"Right..now?" Ashido was highly confused.

"Yup. Right now. The dog too."

Ashido had two duffel bags slung over his shoulders as he hurriedly followed Rukia down the stairs with Kyo closed on his heels. "Is everything okay?"

Rukia shook her head and led them through the kitchen to the back door. Once everything and everyone was settled she threw the car into gear, and sped out the neighborhood. Ashido sat in the passengers side quietly and unsure of what had caused Rukia to react so rashly. "Who does he think he is?"

The bodyguard slowly looked over at Rukia, and wondered who. He didn't get a chance to talk.

"Thinks he can just keep me locked up in his house? Thinks he can just keep me in that stoned confinement like my dead sister? Have us all contained in his protective square with those elites that think they're all high and mighty?! Who does he think he is?!"

"Rukia—."

"—What?"

"Slow down. Unless you want me to drive."

Rukia took a deep breath and shifted to a lower gear. Silence engulfed the car for a few minutes before she decided to start speaking again. "It's my brother-in-law or stepbrother, however you want to label it. He's being so…he's always been controlling, but he's acted differently with guys, and maybe it is my fault for not…I don't know, introducing them to each other, but in reality I couldn't."

"What's stopping you from doing it now?"

Rukia shrugged. "Because the relationship is still brand new, and I don't know where it's going."

Ashido thought about for a few minutes. "Sounds like your brother-in-law is jealous." He saw Rukia make a face. "Hear me out. I'm not saying he's jealous in a sexual way, but it sounds like he could be jealous because he's not your protector. He may see himself as that, and he feels like he's not doing a very good job anymore."

"No one told him it was his job."

"Sorry to burst your bubble but you live under his roof. Why wouldn't he protect you?"

Rukia quickly looked over at Ashido who smiled at her. He was right. Rukia nodded her head and focused back on the road.


Rukia watched as Ichigo played with Kyo. They were relaxing at the back of their new building that house their new apartment home. Gotei XIII wasn't kidding around when they said they were going to get a new place, an upgrade. A four spacious unit with two rooms upstairs and two downstairs, living and dining room, and a kitchen. There were three more buildings identical to theirs and a park that ran in between them.

"Don't get too attached he's only staying for a couple of days."

Ichigo ran back to where Rukia was sitting. "He's so cute though."

"He doesn't like it when there's a lot of people around. You guys are part animals after all."

"Did I hear party animals?"

Rukia looked up and saw Shuuhei and Renji walking towards them. "Speaking of parties, we have to make an appearance at one tonight."

"Is it for a benefit or something?" Ichigo asked.

"No, nothing like that." Shuuhei shook his head. "Uryuu got wind that Creux are having a celebration for their upcoming single. Like one of those sit and listen parties, but I doubt that so we're going to crash it."

Rukia frowned. "Is that a good idea?"

"Did you even know about it?" Renji asked while he ruffled Kyo's head. "Did Grimmjow tell you?"

"Well, no. Why would he? Especially if it's supposed to be a private party."

Renji shrugged. "I don't know, but aren't you curious to see what goes on at these type of parties?"

No, not really. Rukia was absolutely positive she didn't want to know the details to these parties, or if anything did go down at these parties. Really though it sounded like it was being over hyped for no reason.

"It sounds like a waste of time." Ichigo said. "What if it's really all for nothing?"

"It won't be. If nothing is there, that's fine. What we're showing is that we know everything, and that we're not to be misjudged as a fast act. We're here to stay." Shuuhei started walking back towards the building. "Don't overdress, it's not a red carpet event."

Rukia got up and brushed her pants off. "Hasn't he heard that curiosity kills the cat?"

Applying the finishing touches of her makeup, Rukia did a once over and proceeded to meet the guys downstairs. Making her way down the hallway Renji came out of his room "You ready for tonight?"

"I'm so confused." Rukia went down the stairs. "There's no reason for us to be doing this."

"We're just getting inside their heads is all." Renji then grabbed her arm quickly. "You haven't texted Grimmjow have you?"

"No I haven't."

"Good, don't. Let him be surprised to see you at an event he didn't invite you to." Renji walked past her down the stairs. "You look good by the way."

"Thanks." Rukia mumbled. Ever since their mini argument over Grimmjow that one time things felt weird between them. Renji appeared more aggressive or blunt in his speeches towards her. He didn't really talk to her either except for a passing compliment or acknowledgement. He was presenting himself in a different way, and Rukia didn't warm up to it at all. If he keeps pressing on to her that way she will be tempted to punch him repeatedly in the face. She shrugged the feeling off and followed the boys out their new apartment.

The sun was had almost disappeared from the sky setting off an array of brilliant cool colors across the sky with a few stars plotting the darker side. Shuuhei parked the SUV on the side of the road behind a line of cars and they walked the rest of the way to the mansion. Rukia took her phone out of her back pocket to check for any messages from Grimmjow, and nothing. She slid her phone back in dejectedly. He hasn't texted her all day, and she was completely turned off from the idea of seeing him at all if he was going to treat her this way. Yeah they were brand new, but where is the affection and the attention, despite being busy, where was the attachment at? At this point they weren't building a relationship they were just tolerating it.

Walking into the house there was an energy of a foreboding vibe. A group of about four girls in scantly tops ran by in a flurry of giggles. Rukia waved a dense puff of smoke away from her face that came from a guy leaning against the doorway adjacent from the entrance. "Hey." He said leering Rukia up and down.

She eyed him suspiciously. "Hey yourself."

"Let's split up." Shuuhei said. Before anyone could reject the idea the singer was off going forward towards areas that looked like living rooms.

Renji shrugged his shoulders. "Fine with me I guess." He rubbed his hands together and to the right where the girls had run off.

"You going to be okay?"

Rukia put her hands in her back pockets. "Yeah, I'm just going to find a quiet place. This is ridiculous. Go have fun."

"You sure?" Ichigo asked. He looked torn into exploring and staying by Rukia's side so she made the decision for him.

"Yes I'm sure. What's the worst that can happen?" She smiled and pushed him away.

He headed toward stairs that went down further into the house. "Any trouble just call."

"Sure." Rukia knew that would be impossible for the music was loud and the voices were too loud. She sighed and looked to her left, where the shady guy was still puffing away on his cigarette. She resigned herself to her fate. "Where's the kitchen?"

Shady guy pointed down the hall behind him. "Straight down there cutie. Let me know if you ever need anything."

As she walked away she could feel shady guy's eyes on backside. Creep. She soon found her way to the kitchen and after a few torturous minutes of bustling she secured in making her own drink mixture. In a corner she noticed stairs that went up and decided that finding a mellow area was in need. She didn't think that going up the stairs would be the stairs of groping and leering. She fought countless guys hands off taking a good grab of her tush. Finally making her way to the hallway she was not relieved to realize how dim the lighting was. The way this area looked she doubt that The Cruex were having a powwow up here, but to settle the mind Rukia decided to explore anyways. Walking further down the hall stepping over a pair of legs she went to a door and opened it.

Walking into a room filled with sex was not on the list of the unexpected in Rukia's book. There were at least six supposedly couples doing an act or another around the room. There was a guy getting sucked off in one corner. A woman getting a tag teamed on the bed next to another woman who was riding a guy. There were other acts going on, but Rukia just wanted to go out as fast as she could. She backed up and slammed the door shut. What the hell is going on around here? What kind of party of this? The foreboding sense of dread weighed more heavily on her shoulders, and to think that her boyfriend's band was hosting this craziness. That really set her nerves on high end. Not only were her nerves becoming frayed, but also now she felt filthy. Sex was one thing, but with more than two people in a room was another. To each their own she supposed, but not her. She was already thrown off from the impromptu gathering, and now an orgy was thrown in her face? Need to go home now, this was not her scene.

Picking her way over more drunk bodies strewn on the floor she made her way to the balcony and was able to oversee the foyer and the entrance. She noticed that the Hey Guy was stuck in his position greeting random people. Was he on something? She saw a familiar person timidly making her way towards the kitchen area, but that's impossible right? If she was here then Rukia knew she had to be out of her comfort zone by a million miles. Quickly backtracking her way Rukia was back, and spotted the taller woman by the kitchen island.

"Orihime, what are you doing here?"

Orihime jumped, but when she noticed Rukia she was greatly relieved. "Rukia! H-how are you?"

"Well I'm fine, but what are you doing here?" Rukia asked again.

"Oh, I don't even know." Orihime sniffed and took a deep breath. "Uryuu invited me so I came along. Everything seemed fine, but Szayel and Uryuu went off, and Szayel told me to make myself at home so..." She took a deep breath and continued on. "…I went to look around, and I've seen some pretty awful things here Rukia. I'm not comfortable here."

Rukia could only gander at what Orihime saw, who knows what else is going on in this place. "I want to get out of here too."

"Really?" Orihime's relief was on cloud nine now.

"This is far from my cup of tea. Let's find the guys and get out of here, and if we can't find them in a few minutes we'll just get a cab out of here. Deal?"

Orihime was all in agreeance and followed Rukia out of the kitchen.

"Hey."

Rukia took a deep breath and spun around. "Hey. Since you're always here maybe you could help us find some people."

"What's in it for me?"

Rukia shoved her drink in dude's hand. "This drink and nothing else."

"Okay, okay." Hey Guy took the drink without any complaints and dropped a pill in it. "What guys are you looking for?"

"Grimmjow or Ulquiorra."

"Are you ladies looking for a fun time?"

Rukia frowned at him as her heart raced. "What are you implying?"

Hey Guy leaned forward. "Between us, I'm only supposed to bring in the hot and the willing. You two are smoking, but…"

Catching on Rukia gave him her best smile. "We're looking for a great time."

The dirty blonde guy smirked and motioned for the two to follow him out to the back of the house. They walked along a winding stone path lit by lights hanging from various tree limbs. The group soon came upon the swimming pool and the pool house. There were a few people splashing around in the pool, some topless some bottomless. Orihime let out a gasp and adverted her eyes.

"Oh come now." Their guide opened a door to the house. "You have had to have seen worse in the main house."

Rukia made a face and stepped in behind the man into the house who led them further in. "Look, this is taking longer than what was intended I think we're just going to—."

A side door next to them slammed open and Nnoitra stumbled out sniffing his nose and giggling. He quickly slammed the door behind him, but not quick enough for Rukia to not notice the illegal activity that was going on behind it.

"Well, what do we have here?" Nnoitra asked and wiped at his nose. "So Luxus is around here somewhere, and I remember you briefly." He eyed Orihime up and down. "Too bad that pale bastard claimed you as his."

"Nobody has claimed anyone."

"Says Grimmjow's whore."

"Who are you calling a whore?"

Nnoitra sneered at Rukia. "I have a surprise for you." He grabbed her wrist and yanked her down the hall. "Tesra, you can go now."

"I don't want a surprise."

Nnoitra warped Rukia up in his left arm, and continued to lead them forward. "If you don't then I'm sure Grimmjow will."


Grimmjow was trying to enjoy himself, really he was. It was just another one of their release parties so nothing new and unexplained should happen. Entertaining Ulquiorra's bimbos wasn't ever the plan at any one of these parties. He successfully passed a couple off to Starrk, but they had to be approved by Lilynette first, and it was just a headache for the rock star. Ulquiorra finally came back smoking a cigarette. He had a subtle smile on his face that looked like amusement.

"What's so funny?" Grimmjow asked.

"I'm debating on telling you or not."

Grimmjow rolled his eyes. "Why do I even bother to ask?" He pried a woman's hand from his leg, and turned back to Ulquiorra. "You know, you're one annoying little fucker. Playing these childish games, grow up."

Unperturbed by his band mate's words Ulquiorra coolly blew smoke towards the ceiling. "I think I saw a few of the Luxus members here."

Grimmjow felt his heart speed up. "Members from Luxus?"

Ulquiorra nodded. "Confident that I saw their manager as well."

"What about Rukia?"

The pale man stubbed his cigarette in the ashtray. "Rukia?" One of Harribel's tag-a-longs promptly clomped into the room and flung herself down onto the floor, and wasted no time in setting up a line to snort. "Cyan, do you remember seeing a Rukia?"

Cyan held up a hand while she attended to her business. She came back up sniffing and holding her nose. "Arukia?" She giggled lightly. "What's Arukia?"

Ulquiorra smiled, as much of a smile he usually does. "Its just Rukia. Have you seen her?"

"I never met her. Have I?" With shaky hands Cyan took out a cigarette and lit it.

Grimmjow rubbed his neck. "You know damn well Cyan never met Rukia. Tired of this shit." He roughly gave back another intruder's arm.

"Aww, Grimmy what's the matter?" Cyan teased.

"He doesn't want his girlfriend to see his twisted side." Ulquiorra offered.

Grimmjow was about to retort when a commotion came into the room. "I don't need to see anybody. We were just leaving."

Nnoitra's back was coming from the hallway, and it appeared that he was having a hard time with someone. "Bring it on you whore!"

"And I thought I told you to stop calling me that!" Nnoitra's head swiped to side swiftly after being delivered a slap.

"That's it." Nnoitra lunged back into the hall, and came out yanking Rukia into the room with a closely following Orihime.

"Rukia." Grimmjow called out loudly. This was a bad scene, and this was something he's kept from her on the tours but being back on home turf he knew he should've tried harder to keep this side away from her. He didn't want her exposed to this. At least to say he didn't want the responsibility of this to fall on him. Rukia was an upcoming rock star, eventually she would've run into the drugs, maybe. Szayel's place was a cesspool though. This was too much even for him to take it all in, and they've been managed by the crazy man for years now. Grimmjow will admit to having his bad moments in life, he wasn't near a saint, but this wasn't painting a holy picture in Rukia's eyes. He knew he still had a lot of work to do with her and now this? Fantastic.

Rukia wrestled out of Nnoitra's grasp. "We were just leaving."

"Who says you can leave?" Nnoitra asked.

Grimmjow walked over and grabbed Rukia's hand. "They're leaving."

Now that Rukia finally had her boyfriend in front of her and not texting her, she had one and a million questions. "What is this place? Why haven't I heard from you all day?"

"Not now." Grimmjow managed to get out through his gritted teeth. He couldn't honestly decide why he was so upset. It was either the fact that his girlfriend was here in this fucked up place, or that he was angry at himself for not giving her the four-one-one on the behind scenes of his life with the band. "I'll explain this later."

Hell no. Rukia took hold of her own body. "When will that be? In a week? Two weeks from now? Or never? You leave me in a state of darkness, and I thought that I was okay with it. This place is so screwed up."

"It's another world I know. Let's not do this now." Grimmjow gave a hasty glance at Orihime that has been silent, but closely clinging to their circular space. "How the hell did you two get here?" He didn't take them back into the mansion, instead he opted to go through the backyard.

"Uryuu's grand master plan." Rukia mumbled as she stepped through the wooden gate.

Grimmjow reached into his pocket. "Here, take my car." He placed his keys in Rukia's hand.

Rukia gave him a cold look. "Guess you're spending the night here." She couldn't help it, bad thoughts were skittering across her mind, and she was ready to lash out on him.

"Don't play that passive aggressive shit."

"Then how are you getting home?"

"I'm coming home. Take your friend, drop her off and go to my place. You have my keys, don't go anywhere."

Rukia gave Grimmjow a hard stare then walked off to find his car with Orihime right behind. There was a rustle in the bushes behind Grimmjow and Ulquiorra stepped out. "We have a slight problem." Ulquiorra gave him the details, and watched his band mate run off. He couldn't help but smile, to him everything was a game and he was playing only for himself. He turned towards the entrance as he heard a car screech off, and disappoint fell on his shoulders. He couldn't get to Orihime this time, but another time will arise.

Rukia didn't want to say she was panicking, but having knowledge that her boyfriend was in a cracked up place had set her on edge. She thought the drive would calm her nerves, but it only placed them under a calm setting for a temporary time. The time was after she dropped Orihime off at Uryuu's place, and getting to Grimmjow's place where she had ample of time to repeat every single detail that she saw going on in that place. The sex, the drugs, the shadiness of it all. Was this Grimmjow? Was this how he lived his life? And if so how long has he been doing this? Even recalling his reassuring words weeks ago saying he was over all of the groupies and wannabes, and done messing around with loose women. Fine confession and all, but the fact was the picture was not pretty, not at all. She sat on his couch with her legs crossed and just stared off into the city. She phoned Renji, Ichigo and Shuuhei, not one of those boneheads didn't pick up their phones. And none of them had even checked in on her! What the hell?! Rukia was glad she got Orihime's number before she drove off, so she phoned the poor woman to see if she got any word from Uryuu, and the same result. Bastards. Well fuck them too. See if she was ever going to go to another function with them again.

The clock was pushing past three thirty in the morning, and Rukia knew worrying like this wasn't healthy. She went to Grimmjow's room and made herself comfortable under the covers. Maybe he'll be home soon, hopefully nothing happened on the way home, maybe an emergency with one of his band member's happened… A lot of thinking put Rukia into a sleepless sleep.

She swore she just closed her eyes a second ago, and she could hear her phone ringing in the living room. 'Something has happened.' Rukia bolted from bed and grabbed her phone off the living room table. "Hello?" She answered breathlessly.

"Rukia we need to talk."

The air left her as she recognized the voice. "Byakuya." She couldn't hide her disappointment, and that disappointment grew when she noticed that the sun was high in the sky. He never came home.

A/N: I like the first half of this chapter better than the second half. Trying to make Byakuya real is hard. It's one of my least favorite chapters so far, but I needed something out there. So it's a sucky filling. Next chapter questions will be answered, and we will know about Grimmjow's previous lifestyle. …He never came home… Hopefully that'll leave you guys guessing.