Akiko woke up laughing. How can anyone wake up laughing? Even she didn't know, since when she realized she was laughing at nothing she just said, "Oh, I'm nuts." And got off the bed. She couldn't remember her dream and she certainly didn't think it'd make her laugh. 'Or maybe I saw Grim wearing a tutu?' She giggled at the thought.

The recent turn of events in her life lead Akiko to think strange things all of a sudden. She suddenly became worried about her future and she studied every now and then. Loly's words helped her more than she thought they would, and she was grateful. Akiko felt calmer but she wouldn't admit to anyone that she still missed Aizen. There were certain things which reminded her of him, and she was trying hard to resist thinking about it. She distracted herself with the help of her phone, Grimmjow and Nel were always ready to talk to her. But there was something that bothered Akiko more than anything and it was killing her, eating her from the inside.

She hadn't told Nel about Aizen.

Not a word.

And every time Nel asked her what she was thinking about, Akiko had to lie.

She was afraid. She was afraid that her only best friend, (other than Grimmjow) would leave her for lying to her. When Nel was perfectly honest with Akiko with her every opinion, Akiko wasn't.

Akiko wanted to tell Nel, but never knew how to start.

There were so many things she realized, and she was certain she wouldn't let the incident with Aizen bring her down. She still had a life, and she knew that everyone only lived once. She would tell Nel.

'I'll tell her today…but first-'Akiko picked up her phone and dialed a number. It was eight a.m., in the morning and she knew the person she was calling would still be asleep. "Grim? Good morning, did I wake you?" Akiko asked, knowing the answer. "Nah, I'm usually awake at this time of the day." "Really?" "Sarcasm squirt, get used to it." Akiko scoffed. "Can we all hang out or something, today?" Akiko asked. She could hear the phone shift quickly on the other side, telling her that Grimmjow sat up on his butt. "Sure. What time should I pick you?" Akiko chuckled. "Um, 10?" "Yeah." Akiko had to call Nel.

And Nel agreed.

Grimmjow came over at the right time, and the two left to Nel's to pick her up. "So, where're we going?" Grimmjow asked, and Akiko froze. "No idea?" Akiko smiled apologetically and Grimmjow groaned. "You suck at planning, don't you?" Akiko was quiet. "We'll think of something. Or, that crazy friend of yours can." Akiko smiled slightly.

Grimmjow was actually relieved Akiko was feeling better after what happened to her. He didn't let her know that he knew, but he knew she had a feeling that he did. He also knew that she didn't tell Nel, which shocked him since the two girls were best friends. They reached Nel's house and the girl seemed ecstatic. "What're we gonna do today?" Nel bounced. Akiko looked away and Grimmjow looked stoic. "You don't know do you?" Nel cocked her eyebrow and shook her head. "Come on, let's go to a movie then." Grimmjow stopped. "I'm inviting a friend. I can't be seen with two girls, alone. Not saying you two aren't great company-""We understand." Nel smiled. "Who's the friend? I didn't know you had any." Nel teased, and Grimmjow glared at her. "His name is Ichigo."

Akiko jumped. "As in, Kurosaki?" she inquired. "You know this guy?" Nel asked. "I worked in his father's clinic part time. I stopped going because of school, but I was planning on visiting soon." Akiko smiled. "He's a good guy." "Yeah, girls love him because he's so good and nice and cute or whatever. He's a sissy." Grimmjow snarled. "Ah, so Grim is jealous of this Ichigo?" Nel winked and Grimmjow jeered. "Jealous of him? Geez girl, you haven't even seen him!" Akiko smiled as the two of them argued.

Ichigo was a boy around Akiko's age, with bright orange hair and striking features. "Akiko? Long time!" He approached her cautiously and spoke, "Akiko Maeda right?" His memory was still poor. "It is me, Ichigo. Hey." Akiko smiled at her old friend. Ichigo grinned. "This'll be fun." Grimmjow muttered and walked.

After the movie, the four of them walked out with Nel and Ichigo imitating the characters from the film. Akiko was nervous and her blue haired buddy noticed. "So, you haven't told her yet?" He asked her when the two of them were alone. "Told her what?" Akiko panicked and Grimmjow cocked his eyebrow. "Sosuke Aizen. Don't pretend like you didn't know that I knew. I knew it from the beginning." Now he could read minds? "How-""Doesn't matter. She's your friend, even if she's stupid. Tell her." Grimmjow said. Akiko stared at his face. "If you didn't know about this, and I told you, would you hate me?" Grimmjow closed his eyes.

"I would hate him."

That was all she needed to hear.

"Alright guys, I gotta run home, Karin and Yuzu are alone at home, and my dad's gone out. So, see ya around. Akiko, if you're coming, stay for dinner." Ichigo winked and walked off. "Now." Grimmjow whispered to her and Akiko retaliated. "What if she hates me?" "What if who hates who?" Nel asked, popping in. "Akiko has something she needs to tell you." Grimmjow said, as he pushed the petite brunette closer to Nel. Nel chuckled and wondered what was going on.

"What's up, tigress?" Nel laughed and saw Grimmjow take his phone out. "Nel I…I have something to tell you." "Thanks for stating the obvious, Sherlock, Grim let that slip already. Now, shoot." Akiko gulped. "I'm not sure on how you're going to take this. But here goes. I was in a relationship with Professor Aizen." She spoke so fast, she didn't realize she had her eyes closed.

She didn't hear a reply.

Akiko was afraid to open her eyes.

She didn't want to see her friend walk away.

"And?" Nel's voice was stoic.

Akiko explained everything.

By the end of it all, she was in tears.

They were at Grimmjow's room, which he shared with some emo dude who was almost never around.

Akiko slowly opened her eyes and saw Nel's face.

Her heart broke.

Nel was crying.

"You idiot." Akiko sobbed.

"Nel…I'm sorry…I just…I really loved…" "Shut up." Nel pulled the girl to a tight embrace and cried alongside her. "Next time you hide something like this from me, write a death note along with it, you got that?" Akiko sniffed hard. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you Nel, I was so…confused. It was so much in such a short time…I just…" "It's okay. You know I can't stay mad at you for long." Nel smiled and wiped the tears off the girl's face and stood up. "I'm meeting Nnoitra for my art project in an hour, so, I'll call you later alright? And I swear Maeda, pick up or I'll hunt you down like the predator I am. Rawrr." Akiko chuckled.

"Nel?"

Nel turned around to face Akiko, "Yeah?"

"Thank you."

Nel left the room, with a smile on her face.

Grimmjow came inside and sighed in relief. "I actually thought you two would just stay there for the night, and I'd have to force Ulquiorra to sleep outside." Grimmjow said. "Ulquiorra?" Akiko questioned. "Yes?" A voice from behind Grimmjow spoke.

Grimmjow stiffened. "Knock. It's something called manners." "The door was open, and you two weren't being intimate." Akiko blushed. Grimmjow sighed and spoke, "This is Ulquiorra Schiffer, my roommate. Ulquiorra, this is Akiko." Akiko smiled. The green eyed boy nodded.

"He's a weird one." Akiko noted. "Ah, he means well. He just freaks people out." Akiko chuckled.

"Come on, I'll walk you home." Akiko nodded.

The two walked, talking and laughing, and Akiko never realized time flying by. They met in the morning, and it was evening already. But she didn't care. She had so much to live for, Grimmjow and Nelliel. 'What will I do without them?' She smiled.

They walked into a familiar street and Akiko bit her lip.

It was the street where Sosuke Aizen lived in.

"You wanna take another route?" Akiko shook her head, "Its fine." Grimmjow walked. Akiko's heart thumped as they neared Aizen's house and she stopped for a minute. Grimmjow didn't say anything, and continued walking. Akiko was half determined to go in there, but she didn't. She walked forward fast, and caught up to Grimmjow.

From inside the building, Aizen watched the girl pass his house by and he noticed her stop for a fraction of seconds in front of it. His heart yearned to hold her again, he wanted to tell her he loved her and that he was going crazy without her around. He wanted to run to her and hug her tight and never let go. But he couldn't.

He had lost the only hope he had that could get him out of the darkness.

His phone rang and he ignored it. But it kept ringing and ringing, and finally Aizen walked away from the window and saw the caller ID. He frowned hard, and gulped. "Hello?"

"Sosuke. How nice you finally picked up." He could recognize that voice anywhere.

"Listen old man, I've had it with your deals. It's off, you hear?"

The voice on the other side laughed. "It's your last chance Aizen, or we'll have to take some…drastic measures." Aizen could laugh.

"Take them, I don't really have anything to worry about."

He didn't even realize what he had said.

The voice laughed again, "Alright, so I'll just tell my men to take her then. Say goodbye to that student friend of yours, Sosuke."

Aizen stood there, as the phone went dead.

A/N: A/N: Cliffhangers! I'm sorry I haven't been updating frequently, school is a pain, and tests are a bigger pain in the butt. And also, I'm kinda on writers block, so I was hoping if some of you would suggest ideas? Review your views, and if I like them, I shall post them and you'll get a virtual cookie~ ^^

And I will post your name in the updated chapter as well.

And if I didn't pick your idea, well, you still get a virtual cookie and my appreciation for reading my piece of literature! :D

Keep reading my beloved readers! Thanks! :)