It was an extremely hard thing to do, to go through the memories that had been locked away never to be seen again. But she had to do it, it was becoming too hard to just bottle up her feelings. If it continued any longer Ichigo would explode. She pulled the box down quickly, knowing that if she stalled anymore she would never do it. Ichigo hadn't opened it in over a year, it was a scary thought. With a sigh she pulled the lid off, coughing as it sent dust flying everywhere. The first thing she saw was a photo of the three of them, she was sitting between the two both men smiling. Ichigo could still remember the day it was taken, she had to bribe the both of them just to get a smile out of them. Next were a pair of white framed glasses. They had been Szayel's, flecks of blood stained part of the frame, she couldn't bring herself to clean them. It was all she had left of him. She was about to grab a small box when a knock at the door startled her, so far only her parents knew her new address. Not even Shiro knew where she was living for the time being. Eyes went wide as the door was opened revealing Grimmjow, looking miserable. A raised brow was all it took for him to spill his guts.

"'M sorry, I was such a fucking ass to ya the other day, I should have controlled my anger better. It was wrong of me to speak like that to ya," he cried dropping to his knees and bowing. Ichigo stood there shocked, never in her wildest dreams did she expect a proud man like him to bow down and beg forgiveness, specially from a woman. Helping him to his feet, she beckoned him in before her neighbours became curious about the noise.

"It's fine Grimmjow," she murmured, just glad he had the balls to admit he was wrong. With most men it's their way or the highway. Grabbing the box of photo's form the floor, she shoved it onto the already cluttered coffee table.

"I was more upset over you calling me a liar, I should have just ignored you. If I had I wouldn't be trying to deal with all these forgotten emotions but it upsets me someone belittles another's grief." Placing the box on her lap she pulled out a photo different from the first one.

"Rain and i, we never used to be so dependent on each other," she muttered, showing him the photo. It was her old friendship group. She was up on Chad's shoulders, Shiro wrestling with Ishida and Orihime was falling backwards, having been knocked over.

"As kids we were inseparable and then as teens we discovered boys, fighting and a poison that almost destroyed us." Unconsciously she grabbed her shoulder, remembering the burn of the ink as it was injected into her skin. And soul.

"She met Gin and he became her whole world. I had these two idiots," she paused pulling out another photo.

"Why are you telling me this?" He asked confused, Silence kept everything to herself. The girl could be dying and wouldn't tell you a single thing.

"Because I need to tell someone, even if it's only half the story." He closed his mouth, swallowing his reply and took the offered photo. This one was just two guys sitting stiffly on a couch.

"Szayel is the one with pink hair and Ulquiorra is the other, he is, was my fiancé."

That little piece of information hit him like a tonne of bricks. He hadn't thought her capable of committing to someone but the way she looked at his picture, finger tips running over the face, he changed his mind. Her gaze was filled with love and devotion for the man.

"Why didn't you marry him, it's obvious you still love him?" He asked hoping he wouldn't offend her it seemed that rough surface hid how fragile she actually was. Silence replaced the photo, hands shaking as she pulled a ring box out, clutching it to her chest as if it was a life line.

"He died," her voice cracked as she spoke, Ichigo paused taking a few seconds to compose herself. Talking about Ulquiorra these day's made her cry. Only two men had ever seen her cry and she was planning on keeping it that way.

"He died protecting me." Grimmjow's jaw dropped, he sat there shocked. A million questions were running through his mind but he couldn't form a single word. Before he had a chance to speak, Silence had already stood walking away from him. Whatever moment there were having was gone.

"Here," she murmured, sitting back down next to him handing over a coffee mug. Silence leaned up against him, placing her mug down on the floor by her feet.

"Sorry I'm just tired." It didn't take long for Silence to fall asleep. Grimm didn't dare move her just glad that she wasn't mad at him anymore.

Ichigo woke with a start. She glanced round the room realising that she was in her room. Groaning she fell back against the pillows. Grimmjow must have moved her from the couch or she was sleeping walking.

"I need to call Shiro," she moaned remembering yesterday's events. If Ichigo had been found, then there was a strong possibility Shiro was being tailed as well. Shoving an arm under her pillow in search for her phone, Ichigo grabbed at nothing remembering she'd fallen asleep on the couch. With a sigh she grabbed the landline, dialling the only number she knew by heart. The world fell silent as the phone rang, a voice cutting through the noise.

"Ichigo."

"We need to talk, now." Aside from rattling off her address those were the only words spoken between the two.

Shiro rocked up, her leg in a cast and Gin by her side. Ichigo sighed at the sight of him but didn't say anything, she was more interesting in learning how her twin had broken her leg. Something like that would have been easy for her to avoid.

"Did ya 'ear about the fire near 'ere? Body among the wreckage. People are sayin' crap bout it being a gang 'it," Gin muttered, wondering over to the kitchen, looking at everything. It seemed his pickpocketing habits were still a problem.

"What happened?" Ichigo asked ignoring the man, she knew what he wanted and that was information or maybe answers.

"Some body pushed me down the stairs." Ichigo froze, Gin continued whatever he was doing in the kitchen not aware of the gravity of the situation.

"Do you think it was him?" She asked, voice above a whisper, she didn't trust Gin and she never would. He would never just let his right hand man leave without putting up a fight. Something about his story seemed off.

"No. He wanted us alive, why would he send someone to off me when he fought so hard to keep us from leaving," she reasoned, knowing this was eating at Ichigo. Going back scared them both but the fear of being stuck by his side once more terrified her sister and she didn't know what to say anymore to help her.

"'M sorry love but it probably was 'im, 'e never wanted ya alive since the day 'e metcha. Ichigo was 'is reason for lettin' ya join. If 'e killed ya then and there she would 'ave never agreed to join, it was why 'e kept ya alive for so long. The fiery red 'ead 'e wanted so much would never be with 'im if 'e killed ya. Noticed anyone following ya berry 'ead?" He asked, returning tray of mugs in hand. Ichigo said nothing, it was none of his business.

"Do me a favour Gin, and deliver this to Menoly. She's working at a bar called melons," Ichigo ordered, holding out the letter she had written earlier. Gin took it, a frown marring his face. He knew she didn't trust him, he didn't blame her for it but it upset him a little. They watched as he left, Shiro raising a brow the second the door closed.

"The dead man, he was following me. Menoly told him."