Chapter Eight

Previously-

"She ran when she saw you stick your fucking tongue down her fucking throat! The party is over! Get the fuck out of this house! All of you! Now!"

She ran as fast as she could, her little legs pumping fast. Her tears still fell, crashing around her, as well as her whole world.

The one person she had let get close to her had ripped her in half, stamped on her and completely shattered her, leaving her in a tattered mess of pain and tears.

She caught her foot on an overlarge pebble and went soaring along the pavement. Her dress became dirty and her knees were scuffed. She sunk to the ground and carried on crying.

A passing car beeped at her and she looked up. Wiping her tears with a fist, she pulled herself to her feet and tried to take in her surroundings.

A well lit street was scattered with life here and there. A few restaurants were competing for service and the neon lights of other businesses twinkled here and there. Noticing a bench opposite some tall iron gates, she dragged her feet and her heart to slump onto the seat.

She had just sat down when a loud piece of music burst out of her dress pocket, startling her.

She flicked the lid of her cell phone up and saw the name 'ICHIGO X' flashing. She slammed it down and refused to answer to that heartless, callous, bastard! Twice more he tried calling, but she still wouldn't answer.

Two text messages popped up. Sighing, she clicked the first:

"Answer plz. We need 2 tlk. Ichi x

The next surprised her outright:

"Rukia! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean 4 this 2 happen. I hope u r ok. Call me if u want. Orihime. Xxx"

She laughed ironically and made to turn her cell off. An incoming call startled her as made to hit the button which would turn it off. Her eyes flickered up and down the street, and hesitantly clicked the green call button.

"Hello," she said, her voice a little muffled.

"Rukia! Where are you? Are you alright?"

"Grimmjow..."

She relapsed into throbbing tears.

"Rukia, please talk to me. I'm worried about you!"

Worried about her? Why would Grimmjow be worried about her?

"I'm..." She glanced up and down the street, until she noticed a hanging signpost. "I'm at the Shiba Park".

"That isn't far from here. Look, the party's all over. Everyone's gone. Do you want to come back here? Talk or something? Or I can get Starrk to pick you up and take you home or-"

"Grimmjow, can we just talk or something?"

"I'll get the car to-"

"No. Erm..." Her eyes caught the sign again. "Meet me at the park? Go for a walk. I just need some air, I need to think, I need..." She sighed. "I need a friend".

"I'll be there in five".

When he reached the park, the air was cold. The clouds were heavy and it looked increasingly like rain out there.

She was still sat upon the bench, shivering in the night air. As he approached her, he couldn't help but notice how torn up she was. He would give anything to cheer her up. Gently, he touched her arm as he sank onto the bench beside her.

"Hi," he said softly.

She looked up through her wet eyelashes and he found himself being squeezed tightly by her small arms.

"Rukia, let go. I'm dying," he joked and he pulled her away.

He watched as the small sparkle that was alight in her eyes faded away and he realised that all he wanted to do right then was hold her close and as tightly as she had held him. He wanted to tell her that there was plenty more fish in the sea. He wanted to reassure her that everything was going to be alright. He wanted to make everything better.

He kissed her.

Author's Note: Short chapter, I know, and I'm sorry for that, but this was an update before I headed off to work.

This chapter is dedicated to Firisu :) Thanks for all the reviews and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Much love, ZeeZee the Dreamer xx