Started Blue Exorcist yesterday and I really enjoy it! Also, One Piece is getting to the Punk Hazard arc soon in the anime and I'm so excited! Mainly bc the Fishman Island arc was kinda drawn out.. (Anyone else think the three eyed girl is Koala or is it just me?)Just thought I'd share that with you all lol.

Anyway, the story continues and I'm looking forward to completing the next couple chapters! But for now, enjoy this one

Distraction

The only time true friends get in your way is when you're on a downward spiral.

Friday, mid-day.

Ichigo gazed out the classroom window while he sat alone in his fourth period French class as his teacher went on about Napoleon Bonaparte and his accomplishments.

Sometimes, class could be such an inconvenience…especially when faced with problems of the relationship sort.

He glanced over to the dry erase board and took not of the date today. The first thing he thought about was how it had almost been an entire week since he had let Grimmjow go. It was a decision harder and more mentally agonizing than any he had ever made before.

It was hard to believe that a week had almost passed. The only good thing that happened in that time was Ginjo's departure.

Words could not express the reprieve that brought to the teen. Ginjo had visited late on Tuesday evening to say goodbye. Ichigo didn't let him into the clinic though. Who knows, he would probably try to use his sisters to try and blackmail him if the opportunity arose.

Since his departure, things seemed a little brighter. Actually, apart from being apart from Grimmjow, things were a lot brighter. In spite of that major detail, Ichigo promised he would appreciate what time he had away from Ginjo.

The teacher looked at him then noticed his vacant expression, so he asked him what his plans for the weekend were. After all, there was nothing else students thought about on a Friday. Pardon that, on Vendredi.

"En francais, s'il vous plait." He added after asking.

Ichigo sighed but answered the question as best he could, "Je…je vais faire mes devoirs. Alors, je vais sans doute passer du temps avec mes amis." (I'm going to do homework. Then I'll probably spend some time with my friends.)

"Très bien, Kurosaki-san! Très bien!"

Ichigo rolled his eyes. Being called out in class was really annoying, especially for daydreaming. It was Friday. Who wouldn't daydream? Or at least be ready to get out of school for the weekend.

More than anything though, he regretted today. Because today was the day that he would normally meet Grimmjow and spend a fair amount of time with him during the weekend.

He wondered what he was doing right now. And also, what would he do this weekend?

The more important question was, had he moved on from their break up already? Was he already going out and getting into other people's comfort zones?

He was really attractive. That was for sure. And he was bisexual. With those attributes, there was no doubt he was having sex by now. The thought of him with someone else hurt. It hurt like nothing he had ever felt before.

He loved Grimmjow and that was why. They had connected in ways he didn't expect possible after first meeting him. But it had happened. And it was wonderful. Magical even.

So the thought of Grimmjow having that with someone else really was upsetting.

But…what recently happened between them was all because of those connections…the exquisite love they shared was the reason they were no longer together.

And if life could turn out well for him thanks to this separation, then there was nothing to do but to let him go.

"I hope you find happiness someday, Grimm… Just don't let those emotions and that temper cloud your judgment." He thought while looking out the window again.

Although the weather was cold, the sun shined brightly outside. It was a sign. Maybe he would be happy without him.

Though, he had still seemed to want to talk. He had texted him multiple times the day after the breakup, but Ichigo hadn't responded to him.

He didn't have anyone to blame but himself for the hurt that accompanied that.

Flashback

"Apologizing won't be enough this time, Grimm. What you did to Ginjo was too much. You went too far… Now I see that things have spun too far out of control for me and I can't deal with you right now."

"Kurosaki-"

"And so, I think it'd be best if we-"

"Kurosaki!" Grimmjow shouted, jumping off the bed and gripping the shorter boy's arms with more force than necessary, "Don't you say it! Any problems we have we can solve them! I can change! I fucking apologized didn't I?! That's a start!"

Grimmjow paused and calmed himself down before continuing, "Kurosaki… I love you… So don't leave me. You can't leave. Not you. You're the only person in my life who I always expected to be here, so please…stay. Please."

Ichigo glanced quickly into the blue orbs he had grown so familiar with. They were full of passion as always, but now there were a few not so familiar feelings there as well. Fear and anxiety were just a two of the many raw emotions he could make out.

This side of Grimmjow was one he barely ever got a glimpse of. He was hurting. That was easy to see. And he was pleading. Pleading.

That wasn't the worst of it though. The thing that tore at his heart, the thing that was eating away at him was the promise that he had made to him when they first met, in the school garden, in the hot springs and so many other places. That promise being to never abandon the man desperately clinging on to him at this very moment begging him not to do just that.

He couldn't keep eye contact, so he looked away before carrying on with his painful decision, "No. I can't…"

"Kurosaki-"

"Grimm, I-I think it'd be best for both of us if we…if we break up."

Grimmjow's eyes went wide. For a brief moment, the world became muted and he stared blankly at Ichigo. He was hoping to hear anything but that. Even no sex was better than no Ichigo at all.

Ichigo's eyebrows shot downward and he closed his eyes.

The bluenette released his grip on him and took a step back.

The room fell silent. Uncomfortably and awkwardly silent.

It took a few minutes before either spoke again, mainly because Ichigo was avoiding looking at the man standing and staring seriously at him without wavering conviction.

"Kurosaki."

Ichigo didn't respond.

"Kurosaki! Look at me!"

"Grimm, please…"

"I get it. I get what's going on here. You're tired of dealing with me so you figure now is the best time to get me out of your life, huh? The perfect opportunity arises and you take it?"

"No!" Ichigo shouted, looking directly at Grimmjow now, he continued, "That's not it! So shut up!"

"Then what the hell is it?"

"I can't deal with your temper, that's true. But it's not like I want you out of my life forever… I'm not trying to get rid of you for convenience. I still want to be friends…"

One of the worst possible ideas ever conceived, trying to be friends with an ex. But there was no way Ichigo would let Grimmjow completely vanish from his life.

He was going to keep an eye on him, to at least ensure he kept out of trouble and stayed safe.

It would be hard to be "friends," but he would bear with it. For Grimmjow's sake.

"I'm going home."

"Bye, Grimmjow. And please, don't hate me."

"Che. Adios Kurosaki." Said man said as he hurried out of the bedroom and quickly exited the house.

At least the twins weren't in the living room right now although they were just a little earlier. For some reason he didn't want them to know about this fight. He was determined, from the moment he absorbed the severing words Ichigo spoke, to get him back.

It was not a matter of choice, getting him back. There was no one else like him in this world. He was definitely one of a kind.

And they had been through far too much to just let everything fall apart now. Moreover, he loved Ichigo. He hadn't known what love was until he met him. No one had ever intrigued him like Kurosaki. No one ever showed him what it meant to protect and be protected. It was all foreign to him.

That's why this was so hard on him. But he wouldn't let things go that easily.

"I'm not losing you!" Grimmjow shouted up to the boy's window before he jumped into his car and burnt rubber against pavement.

This declaration was one he wouldn't live down.

Upon hearing Grimmjow's proclamation, Ichigo fell to his knees and punched the floor as hard as he could.

"Damnit, Ginjo!" he exclaimed.

End Flashback

After a few unopened text messages, they stopped coming altogether. Grimmjow must have given up on that approach.

Despite leaving them unread, Ichigo had not deleted them. At some point, when he was ready, he would read them. And he would reply.

Until then, they'd remain archived messages.

Just as his teacher was getting into the next lesson, the bell rang, signaling the end of class.

Ichigo put his books into his bag and closed it before standing and exiting the classroom. He would eat lunch with everyone, but today, he didn't feel like going to math, so he would leave immediately after.

And so, lunch went by like any other. The only real difference was around this time of year, they had to eat lunch in the cafeteria because it was pretty cold outside. Octobers were the start of the unpleasant weather.

Despite that, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Renji whispered things in Shuhei's ear that made him turn a deeper red than a beet. Keigo and Mizuiro played their handhelds, ignoring their actual lunches. Tatsuki threatened Honsho for getting too close to Inoue. And things like that.

It was expected. Expected, but welcome as always.

However, someone was quieter than usual.

Senna had sat down the whole lunch period without saying much at all. When he glanced over to her, he found her eyes fixed on him. She clearly had something to say, but refused to articulate it.

He decided he would let her strange behavior go for the time being. When she was ready, she was sure to express whatever it was she wanted to say.

Lunch ended and everyone went their separate ways, each having a class to attend.

Not Ichigo though. He was definitely skipping math today. He could just read the chapter and catch up to the class.

Just as he was leaving campus for the day, he was stopped by Rukia. She smiled warmly and told him to come over to her place later today after doing his homework for a small party.

He sincerely returned her smile and agreed to be over at his earliest convenience.

As he watched her leave, he couldn't help but wonder if he should talk to her about Grimmjow and Ginjo. She was definitely one of the most level headed people in their group.

Then he remembered that he was going to do his best to keep everyone out of this mess. The last thing he needed was another situation like the one he faced with Aizen.

Little did he know, the seeds, although of a different kind, had already been planted in the minds of two of his friends.

Dusk.

Rukia greeted each guest that she had invited to her party as they arrived. So far, Renji, Senna, Ishida and Chad had shown up.

The last two she was expecting were Ichigo and Inoue. Neither had turned her down when she asked, so she was still expecting them to show.

Currently, Renji, Chad and Ishida were locked in a game of Left 4 Dead. Senna sat on the couch texting rapidly and gave a look to what was going on when she heard a witch crying out and attacking.

For some reason, she always attacked Renji. That was because he was the one to throw mazel tov cocktail bombs at her.

Byakuya arrived home from a late meeting and greeted everyone before heading upstairs for the night. Rukia was responsible and he trusted her. Even with her seemingly immature friends around he was certain she would handle things properly.

Rukia sat down on the couch and started watching the game herself. Ichigo and Inoue would arrive soon enough.

Ichigo walked down Rukia's street slowly. Her house was pretty far down the way. Luckily he didn't have to pass Grimmjow's house to get there.

But still, he couldn't help himself from thinking of Grimmjow and the silly things they had done on this street.

Once, he had convinced him to feed one of the neighbor's mean dogs laxatives. Not the nicest thing to do, but apparently that dog was notorious for late night barking. Grimmjow said he deserved it.

Exhaling deeply, Ichigo shook his head and stopped.

"I'll never get over him like this…" he said to himself.

"Get over who?" Inoue asked.

"GYAAAAH! Inoue! What the heck!?"

"Hi!" the girl chimed.

"Where did you come from!?"

"I just saw you a few minutes ago and when I caught up to you, you seemed upset. So I just followed you."

"Don't do things like that…"

"Sorry heehee. I won't scare you next time." Inoue paused before continuing, "Who were you talking about getting over? Is it Abarai-kun? Aren't you happy with Jaegerjaques-kun?"

"Uh, I was talking about a singer who decided to change his style to dubstep… It'll be hard to get over a style change…"

"Is that all? You know, change isn't always such a bad thing. In his own way, maybe he'll make a unique type of…dubstep? I'm sure he'll stay true to himself while changing. So maybe you won't need to 'get over him'."

Ichigo stood and stared at Inoue. He had completely given a false reason in explanation of his words, but she had possibly told him exactly what he needed to hear right now.

It was strange how deep she could be when given the right opportunity. She otherwise seemed overly carefree.

"Kurosaki-kun?"

"Uh, let's get to Rukia's. It's a little cold out tonight." He said, brushing a few stray strands of hair from the girl's face.

"Right!"

Inoue walked beside Ichigo, smiling happily as they made their way down the street. Ichigo realized that being with his friends was always the perfect distraction from the hardships of life.

He hoped he would never lose any one of them because he needed their never ending, everlasting support.

Rukia had welcomed Ichigo and Inoue into her mansion when they arrived. And with them, her guest list had been completed. Thus, the party began.

And the night went by nicely. Everyone had gotten their fill of video games, music, and movies.

Ichigo was enjoying the company of each person who was in his presence tonight. They made him forget his troubles, live in the moment and enjoy that moment.

As Renji placed a movie into the dvd player, Ichigo felt his stomach acting strangely. He got up and quietly left the room to head upstairs to Rukia's bathroom.

The moment he reached it though, his stomach seemed to have disappeared all together. It wasn't giving him anymore trouble.

Feeling a little strange now just being in Rukia's room, Ichigo walked out onto the balcony to stare out at the sky again. It truly was his favorite thing to observe.

A few moments of stargazing, he turned his attention to his actual surroundings. Things had changed since the last time he had come out here. The last time he was in this spot, he and Grimmjow had had a magical moment under these same stars. It was here that Grimmjow had told him what he really thought about him. They really bonded but now that bond was under an intense strain. Nonetheless, that moment was one he would never forget.

"Ichigo?"

Said boy turned around when he heard Rukia calling his name.

"Hm?"

"What are you doing out here in this cold weather?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing. I just needed a breather."

"Oh? Anything you wanna talk about?"

"Nah, I'm okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Y-yeah, Rukia."

"Hm, okay. C'mon. Let's get back to everyone. We were wondering where you went."

Ichigo smiled and followed Rukia back into the house and out of the cold embrace of this October night.

For now, there was no need to kill the mood with memories and regrets. Luckily everyone was here for him, giving him the support he needed without even knowing it. Again they had saved him from himself and showed him that he was not alone.

Friends really are a treasure to cherish.

The next few chapters get pretty interesting so stick around!