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The breeze blew the rose colored petals across the grounds of the Kuchiki Manor, where the petite captain had decided to stroll for the day. The sun shining brightly, it was a good day to be out of her office for once and take the day off. She sat next to one of the many ponds and pulled out a little bit of bread, tossing it into the clear water to feed the mother duck and her little ducklings. A spiritual presence caused her to turn around, though it was familiar and most welcome.

"Captain," the teal colored man greeted her, his lips curling up into a devious smile. Her lieutenant, always on the ball.

A small frown flitted across her face. "It's Rukia when we aren't on duty, Grimmjow," she said. Her frown seemed to turn upside down, as though his happiness was contagious. "How did you get in?"

"Captain Kuchiki let me in," Grimmjow responded, taking a seat beside her, referring to her older adoptive brother, or more apt, her brother-in-law. He wasn't over protective, just a bit… selective as to who was allowed into their home. Giving a knowing look, she turned her attention back to the ducklings, who were swimming ever closer in the hopes of more food. No matter what, her mind always strayed back to Ichigo. Although she had hoped to find the boy, he was lurking out of sight, out of everyone's radar. She was praying he was around somewhere, in the World of the Living, reincarnated as a child into a happy family. But what if he were a Hollow?

A light muss of the hair and she turned to face the man, lips pursed. Why? He always seemed to know when to interrupt her deep thoughts.

"Hey! What was that for?" she pouted, giving him a playful nudge, smile gentle and carefree. Seeing the smile spread across her friend's face, Rukia knew that it was worth every bit of teasing.

"You're lookin' sad again. You do that too often. I like to see you smile." His words brought another smile to her face, though this was suddenly more shy, accompanied by a red tint on her cheeks. The man stood up abruptly, and Rukia looked up at him, still in that little bit of girlish shyness, confused as to what he wanted to do, or planned. Grimmjow held his hand out to her, helping the woman up. "Come on, let's get out of here. It's been a long time since you had a day off, I know." His knowing grin made her give in, shoulders sagging dramatically in defeat, as though she had wanted to sit around and mope.

But it had been so long she was out with friends. Renji was busy enough the way it was, with a new lieutenant under him. The third squad had lost Kira, just as her ninth squad had lost Hisagi to a Hollow. Rukia cleared her mind of such sad thoughts, her focus immediately on Grimmjow. "So I'm supposed to enjoy myself? Do I have to?" she teased, a light laugh accompanying her words.

"But of course! As your lieutenant, I'm here to look after you, too. And I say that you need a day spent out on the town." Grimmjow flashed her a grin, and for the first time since Ichigo, she felt her heart skip a beat.