Grimmjow shifted the sleeping form on his chest with as little movement as possible, leaving her curled on the mattress as he slipped from the room without a sound. Back in the main part of the shop, he leaned over the candy counter and pulled out the nicked and notched blade that was propped there with a few others. Weighing it in his hands for a few moments, he swung though the air and gave a few practice jabs. It was no replacement for Pantera, but it would do for now. He tightened his borrowed belt before sheathing the weapon at his side and heading for the front door.

"Grimmjow said he wouldn't leave Nel."

His shoulders tensed at the heartbroken voice behind him and he turned with great reluctance to see that already tear-streaked face.

"Nel, you know I have to go."

"B-but Nel doesn't want you too!" Her sorrowful voice broke into that familiar wail and he hurried to kneel before her and stop the noise before it woke the whole shop.

"Hey." he soothed as best he could with his naturally harsh and gruff voice. "Come on, kid, give me a break." She only quieted the slightest bit when he put a hand atop her head. "It's not like I want to go back there."

"Then why does Grimmjow go?"

"For the same reason Ichigo does, and Halibel, and the others; to fight the bad guys."

"The scary Vandenreich?"

"Yes."

But instead of understanding, this only made her lip tremble more beneath those pointed teeth and her words stutter out in even more desperate sobs. "But they nearly killed Grimmjow! Nel doesn't want him to fight them again in case they kill him!"

"Nel I..." He looked around to make sure no one was listening in on them and raised both hands to hold the sides of her small, round face. "I have a secret and I need you to keep it for me, okay?"

Her trembling ceased at once and her eyes shone bright even in the darkness of the shop. "Nel will!"

"Okay good. The only reason I'm still fighting, is because of that promise I made to you, Nel. I said I'd take care of you, forever. Well, I can't do that while those bastards are still breathing. You won't be safe, none of us will. So that's why I have to go tonight, and the next time and the next time. You understand?"

"Grimmjow is fighting for Nel?"

"Yeah, he is."

He knew his mistake even before the wail came. She hurled herself against him, sobbing in incoherent joy.

"Damn." he whispered out, standing with the girl attached to his neck. "Shoulda seen that coming." He moved back to his room and pulled back the sheets before dislodging the child and forcing her to take a few deep, calming breaths. She eventually quieted and fell back against his pillow.

"So Grimmjow promises to come back?" She whispered up even as her eyes began to close in sleep.

"Yes, Nel, so try to be good for Orihime, okay?"

"Nel will try."

"Good." She was under by the time he pulled the sheets over her minute form. Moments ago his body had been revved for the fighting that awaited on the other side, his skin aflame with that ancient blood lust that still existed inside of him. But now all he felt were the cold shadows of night and a heavy weight on his chest as he watched her steady breathing and forced himself to leave the room.

But this was war. And war wouldn't wait for sentimentality.

COMING SOON: "The Dawn Breakers" part, II of the "Day Break Trilogy."

Well there you have it, I have officially decided to go ahead with this story and give the Vandenreich story line my own conclusion. I have almost completed part II and I wish I could tell you exactly when it is coming out, it will be soon, I just have alot going on right now so I wanted to at least let everyone know what I decided to do with this story since I kind of left it unclear at the last chapter of Day Break. So I hope you have enjoyed this little tidbit, sort of a preview/interlude to the next part of the story.

Thanks!

Riza.