"-and then I placed a fingertip on his chest. There was a flash of light, and then there was a large hole there. His heart had been blown out, along with any surrounding tissue or organs. His eyes went blank, clouded over in gray. He was released from the strangle hold around his neck, and he fell to the ground, his limp body landing with a sickening thud."

The child's eyes widened, but the usual glimmer of excitement was absent.

" What is wrong?"

Ulquiorra's daughter usually reveled in stories such as these, pumping her fist in the air, a wide smile breaking across her face, revealing the spaces where her baby teeth had fallen out.

" Daddy?"

" Yes?"

She crawled further into his lap, placing her hand on his smooth cheek. He took it in his own, stroking her palm with his thumb.

" I want to hear about Mommy."

" Ryka..." His tone thickened, his large green eyes staring into hers.

Their eyes were the only simularity they had. She had her mother's red lusterous hair, her mothers small, delicate lips. She even behaved like her mother, running around the house,clumsily banging into furniture, and asking for the strangest meals for dinner.

" Your mother," he began. " was a beautiful woman. I have a feeling that you will look just like her when you grow up."

She broke into a grin. " Really?"

" Yes. Really."

" How did you meet her?"

" Well, it all started when I was commanded by the evil lord Aizen to kidnap her. He saw potential in her powers, and he thought that he could manipulate her into helping the Arracnar army of Hueco Mundo." His voice deepened, taking on the tone he reserved for when he told her stories.

" But he couldn't control her so easily. You see..." He pulled back his collar, guiding his daughters hand to his chest. His skin vibrated under her fingers.

" ... she had a heart. And not many know it, but someone has a lot of power if they have a heart. They have the power to make their own decisions, to feel, to rebel against their captors."

His throat vibrated with a low chuckle. " Your mother slapped me once. She couldn't stand me suppressing her heart, her life. She finally released her anger in the form of her hand hitting my cheek. That-" he lowered his mouth to her ear, as though they were sharing a secret. "- was the first time I witnessed the power of the heart. And you-" He pressed his index finger to her chest.

"- have one too. That means that you are free to live life as you see fit. To make the most of it. To protect those you hold dear, and to treasure the people you already have." His voice cracked.

" Just like your mother."

He got up, placing her on her bed. He tucked the blankets around her neck. " Goodnight, " he said stiffly.

He switched off her light, stepping towards the door.

" Daddy?"

He turned around in the dark, taking his hand off the doorknob. " Yes?"

" Do you think that Mommy will come back?"

His eyes snapped open, and he stumbled. His eyes stung. " What makes you say that?" His voice shuddered.

" You told me that you died. And you came back, right?"

He lifted his hands until they covered his eyes. Her curiosity and intelligence were immense for her age.

He couldn't bear to say that the circumstances that he was brought back through were beyond ordinary.

" Yes-" He struggled to finish his sentence. "- yes, I suppose she could be. "

Ulquiorra could see her smile, even in the shadows. " I can't wait to see her. "

Moisture pooled at his lash line. " Goodnight, " he said hurriedly. He stepped into the hall, closing her door.

He sank to his knees on the floor. Tears dripped off his cheeks.

That was the first time he lied to her.

He hoped it was the last.

" I apologize, woman."

:'(