Somehow, I feel that the story is going too fast, so I've slowed down the momentum. Tell me if it gets too boring this way, then I'll pick-up the pace.

I've uploaded my first one-shot. It felt like writing 'Worlds apart' all over again (too much angst). Please read it and don't forget to review both stories.

Ichigo was driving at break-neck speed. He had to get to that bastard and he had to beat him to a pulp. How dare he do something like this to Rukia? Once he got the info from him about Rukia's whereabouts, he was going to kill that bastard. There were so many emotions coursing through his veins, so much pain, sadness, rage.

Ichigo reached an office building and made his way inside. He asked for a certain person's office. No-one stopped him, as everyone who worked there knew him as the Kurosaki heir. He decided to ditch the elevator and climb the stair to lessen the adrenaline flowing in his body, so that he wouldn't kill that man right away. He still had questions that need to be answered, about his Rukia.

He reached a door, as it swung open, he saw the guy he wanted to kill at all cost. Grimmjow. Grimmjow was the one who send him those pictures of Rukia. He was the one who tortured Rukia. In addition, he was the only one who knew about where she was right now.

Ichigo went to Grimmjow and yanked him by the collar, punched him for good measure. There should be shock and pain on Grimmjow's face; instead, there was a vicious grin, which infuriated Ichigo even more. Before Ichigo could say anything, Grimmjow spoke.

"I was expecting you. Welcome."

Something in Ichigo snapped and he started punching the living daylights out of Grimmjow. He heard a chuckle, and stopped mid-punch.

"You must be thinking why I'm not fighting back, right? I'm kinda enjoying this. The look of pain and loss on your face is making me dizzy with happiness. Aww! I'm getting softhearted." Another punch.

"Shut the fuck up. I did not come here to listen to your nonsense. Tell me where Rukia is. Now." Snarled Ichigo.

"Huh? How can I tell you where she is? I dropped her on your doorstep. I don't keep tabs on whores."

Grimmjow could've received a sharp blow for the 'whore' comment, if only Ichigo wasn't frozen by his response.

Rukia was not with Grimmjow? Then where did she go? It would mean that she left him of her own free will.

The next morning Rukia woke-up to a feeling of someone poking her cheek. When she opened her eyes, she came face to face with a chubby girl. The girl in question gasped and ran off calling for Ukitake-san. Within moments, about seven kids, ranging in age from five to thirteen surrounded her.

Ukitake-san made his way into the room, a soft expression on his face. The man looked same as always, maybe just a bit older and thinner.

"How are you feeling now? I hope you are not in too much pain." Rukia could see that he wanted to ask whether she remembered him, but kept that question to himself. She decided to put her plan into action.

"Who are you? Where am I and what happened to me?" She hated herself for the look of hurt that passed on the kind man's face however; she didn't have any other choice.

"So you really don't remember me?" Rukia shook her head. "Can you tell me your name?" she repeated her previous actions.

"If you want, I'll tell you everything I know about you, but only when you are ready to hear it."

"I want to know." Rukia said in a small voice.

Ukitake-san then told her everything from the day he brought her to this house to the day she left. His concern for her was obvious in his voice. She felt guilty for tricking the man and wanted to tell the truth, as soon as she opened her mouth to speak, she was interrupted by another person entering the room. It was Retsu-san— as beautiful and graceful as ever.

Despite all that had happened to her, Rukia couldn't help but smile at the loving couple.

Ichigo was driving around the town, looking for Rukia. Not only him, but also his friends and his dad were looking for her. He assured them that once they found her, he'll tell everything that had happened between him and Rukia. He just wanted to talk to her first.

It was impossible to search for her in a city as big as Karakura. Ichigo however was never the one to give-up on something, so he continued driving, while keeping an eye for her.

He kept searching for her for days, without an ounce of food or rest. His dad and sisters were worried about him. Moreover, he understood their concern, because he knew damn too well how it felt to be worried over someone; someone who you love and who left you without a word. His eyesight became blurry with unshed tears, so he decided to go home and start fresh the next morning.

He went straight to his bed and laid there. The atmosphere in his house was dull and gloomy. When Rukia was here, she would wait for him, no matter how late he was. They always ate dinner together. While Rukia was with him, this house felt like home. He closed his eyes as a trail of tears flowed down the corner of his eyes, disappearing in his orange hair.

falconrukichi :- You misunderstood. Grimmjow was being sarcastic at that time.

AlfHarty :- It's not a total tear-jerker, but I love to see/read/write Ichigo cry.

ichiruki77 :- Thanks for the support.

kejora :- Aiya! Byakuya will not be the other man.

ashezo :- Thumbs-up to you. You guessed the next circumstances correctly. Are you reading my mind?

youtubesam :- I'm glad you agree that I'm wicked. About the 'Once a whore, always a whore.' I don't remember (sometimes I think I have the memory of a flea). How did you like Ichigo crying?

darklover :- I'm happy that you like my story.

pokeyspot :- Thanks for the offer. Next time I'll be sure to send you a copy. Also, Thanks for the compliments, I'm blushing here.