Chapter Fifteen-

Previously-

"Yeah… Aw". He grinned to himself as he held her in his arms.

Aw indeed.

The hospital reception board boasted that it was a clean and sterilized environment, safe from infection and welcomed everyone. Shame the same couldn't be said about the young receptionist on Grimmjow's ward…

Her tangled unwashed ginger hair was scraped back into a loose bun, and her eyeliner was smudged as if she was trying to be Goth. Her lips were heavily made up with a glossy, vibrant lip gloss. There was a hickey on her neck, which the layer of foundation failed to cover. Her breasts were strained in the tight white shirt, which had a greasy stain on the front, and a blue pattered cravat was badly knotted around her neck. She was currently absorbed in a glossy gossip magazine and mouthing the words to a song that was blasting from her personal music player.

"Yeah real clean and sterile, eh?" murmured Ulquiorra.

Rukia bit her bottom lip to stop from giggling and approached the desk, her sneakers squeaking on the floor.

"Excuse me?"

Silence greeted her. Thinking to herself, Rukia slammed a hand on the desk top, startling the young girl.

"Yeah?" As the girl, removed her headphones, Rukia could read the words 'Rangiku Matsumoto' on her badge.

"I'm here to see Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. I was told he was on this ward."

"One minute." Rangiku Matsumoto put down her magazine, and began to tap away briefly on the shiny computer on the desk. "He's in room 3, just next to this station."

"Oh ok. Thanks."

Rukia and Ulquiorra turned to walk to the door when the nurse's voice came back.

"Are you family?"

Ulquiorra turned his head. "He's my cousin. This is his… girlfriend."

The private room was no more different than a bustling ward of patients, except for the obvious statement that it was private. Splashes of different shades of green brightened the white brilliance of the walls, and there was a view of a bustling market from the small curtained window. Near the window was single soft turqoise armchair. A small table on wheels, was at the foot of the bed, where it contained a plastic jug of water, a box of man sized tissues and a tatty copy of The Catcher in the Rye. There was an small adjacent bathroom opposite from the single bed and it was here he lay.

Grimmjow was swathed in green woollen blankets that covered his well wrapped bandages. On his torso he worre his hospital gown. An IV drip was connected to his left arm. His hair was tousled and unkempt. He had a pallid face and the only sign of life was in his eyes, that seemed to light up when Rukia entered the room.

He smiled a weak smile and looked her up and down. He was so happy to see her, if he could dance he would. She looked perfect as usual. She had tied back her hair with a purple ribbon and she had but a little bit of lilac eyeshadow on her eyes. She wore a dark pink Hello Kitty t-shirt, a pair of black tight culottes and a pair of black and white patchwork styles plimsolls. She carried her satchel with her. She raced to his bedside and kissed his lips with as much passion as she could muster.

Opening her bag, she brought out two large envelopes.

"From me and Byakuya. He hopes you're getting well".

After a while, they sat in companionable silence, fingers entwined, their heads resting together on the fat hospital pillows, glowing in their happiness. They were together, they were happy - ok so Grimmjow was injured but it didn't matter to him anymore. He had his girl with him.

"They know who did it yet?" asked a glowering Ulquiorra, as he poured himself a styrofoam cup of water.

Rukia paled slightly and Grimmjow's hand stiffened.

"Yeah," he croaked. God his throat felt horrid.

"If you know then, you have to tell the police! They'll catch the bastard and put 'im away! You'll be safer!" exclaimed Rukia.

"That's what Dad and Uncle Gin told me. They're coming with the police later-"

There was a clatter and a splash as the water jug clattered to the floor.

"Shit!"

"I'll take care of it," Rukia said, and lightly kissed Grimmjow a brief goodbye on the lips. She collected the water jug from the floor and swept from the room.

Ulquiorra moved quickly. He turned the lock on the door and headed to his cousin's bedside. Time to talk.