[Tragedy Befalls You]
Fearless Rukia stood before him, a silver thin katana through her middle. Blood spilling from her mouth, she gripped the offending weapon with two hands, and stared the perpetrator in the eyes.
Ichigo scrambled to his knees, wrapped his arms around her waist, and buried his face against her spine. The sword was meant for him. None of it made any sense. People sacrificed everything for him. "Why'd you do it?" he whispered, tears beginning to form.
The world grew still. Then in a voice as quiet as his own, she replied, "Cause I love you…idiot."
[11 months previous]
A biting wave of sand accompanied a gust of wind. The night never ended; the sun had set long ago, never to rise again. Life was harsh and cruel and empty. Those were the facts, and Ichigo had accepted them.
Neliel posed beside him an arm's length away. Ichigo allowed a small smile. She too seemed deep in thought, perhaps pondering the meaning of their existence, their hollow, hollow existence. Her teal hair whipped about, sometimes hiding her face from view. By now her green outfit was much more worn than before, if that was possible, but she paid no mind. Hollows upon birth shed the concerns of their previous life. Virtues such as modesty bore no weight on their consciences.
Below the rock they were lying on, Grimmjow had his arms crossed, peering into the horizon. His relaxed stance and the absence of his signature enthusiasm testified to the lethargy which had overcome them all. With nothing for miles around, what was there to do?
Lastly, Ulquiorra sat on the ground with his back against the boulder, listless as usual. Ever since his separation from the human girl, the neutral line of his mouth curved slightly down in a perpetual state of dissatisfaction.
Overall, the four were the perfect picture of disinterestedness. Other hollows made sure to stay away, which didn't bother the quartet. (While Ulquiorra called the two males brutish, he could not suffer the presence of the least evolved, whom according to him, "brute was too generous a description.")
The passage of time had little effect. Months, years-it made no difference. How were they to distinguish between the days? And so they remained there, oblivious to their surroundings and content in each other's company.
The peace was soon disturbed, however, by the arrival of four humanoids, who in Ichigo's opinion dressed in attire reminiscent of totalitarian Germany. They expected to be hailed by the lounging arrancar, none of whom blinked. Their leader, a tall man with round glasses, stepped forward and declared in an authoritative voice, "Greetings espada. I am Quilge Opie. My leader is offering you a place within our army's ranks. Join us in the eradication of the soul society."
Ichigo glanced their way, but did no more than that. Likewise the rest refused to give the fascist imposters any consideration.
Flustered their leader spoke louder, "Do you hear us? We demand an answer!"
"Filthy hollows," one his female subordinates muttered. "They must lack the intelligence to respond."
At this Ulquiorra rose and looked their way nonchalant. "Yes we hear you. And your supposition prove you are the stupid ones."
Indignant she stuttered, "W-what'd you say?"
"Enough," Quilge ordered. He further entreated the arrancar, "Please accept our generous offer. Our instructions are to gain your assistance by any means, no matter how extreme."
"Is that so, pencil-head?" Grimmjow grinned. "Now you're speaking my language. Hey Ichigo! Can you believe it? Entertainment at last!"
Ichigo hopped down and threw an arm over Grimmjow's shoulder. A streak of plum, much like Neliel's own except choppier, stretched from below his left eye, across his nose, and down his neck, disappearing beneath the white bandages around his chest. "I suppose you're right. Who are these people anyway? They look kind of silly."
"We are the Jagdarmee, a task force of the Vandenreich assigned to recruiting arrancar. Like I said, whether willingly or not you will go with us to headquarters."
"We will also tolerate no more insults," the man directly to his left warned. His curly brown hair was barely contained beneath the issued tan cap.
Borrowing from Monty Python, Ichigo couldn't resist. "Oh yeah? I fart in your general direction!"
Neliel clapped her hands and giggled, amused by things of that nature. "Good one, Ichigo!"
Ulquiorra bowed his head, ashamed to be associated with the likes of Kurosaki. He recovered his pride, however, and addressed the Vandenreich. "We are not (he searched for the right word) ...unaccustomed to people trying to subjugate us. The only thing that slightly-and by slightly I mean barely at all-distresses me is why there are only four of you. You must have a plan."
Grimmjow chuckled at their puzzled expressions. "Ichigo, we really need to pick a new spokesperson. Ulquiorra is painfully honest."
"I know. Remember when he gave that vasto lorde half a second to retreat and told him it was plenty of time?"
"Haha! That was great." Grimmjow wiped a tear from his eye from laughing so hard. "Those were good times. Now why don't we get started? I pick the farthest chap in the back."
Ichigo looked confused. "But he has the weakest spiritual pressure."
"Exactly. When I finish with him, I'll butt into your fight. Ya know, since you'll probably be needin' the help anyway."
"Whatever you say. I'll get the guy in the funny hat. What was your name again? Quiggy?"
The quincy set his jaw. "Have it your way, but know this. Because of your lack of cooperation you will be punished when we get back."
Nel, unimpressed since the very beginning with their oppressive aura, unsheathed her sword and led the attack.
[Break]
Grimmjow howled and sent a right hook across his opponents face. Grinning sadistically he proceeded to pound the snot of him. One, two, three, four punches occurred in the blink of an eye. Clenching two fists he brought them down with terrific force into the gut. Blood spewed from the quincy's mouth and adorned (as he often put it) Grimmjow's outfit. "This is what I'm talking about!" He heaved the man up by the front of his uniform. "Come on, is this all you got?" Losing his patience, Grimmjow shook him around like a rag doll. "You pathetic piece of crap! Fight back."
No response. Grimmjow tossed the spent quincy to the ground and spit on the beaten body. "Disappointing." He was about to walk away when he thought better of it and turned around to finish the kill. "That was such a weak performance you don't deserve to live."
Ichigo raised his sword to grate against Quilge's own. A decent swordsman the quincy commanded a suitable offense, but Ichigo's speed soon overwhelmed his defensive capabilities. In order to be a good sport, Ichigo warned, "You need to step it up, because I'm about to end it."
Though offended Quilge listened to his advice. "Holy Arrow." Growing two extensions around the guard, the reishi sword became equipped to launch the typical blue arrows of the quincy.
Ichigo managed to dodge the first few arrows, but fell victim to several at point-blank range when the quincy changed tactics and appeared at Ichigo's back. The arrows stung, but caused no real damage thanks to his exceptional hierro. "You're going to have to do better than that." Ichigo aimed one finger, whispering, "Cero." The red beam resembled lightning as it skimmed the edges of Quilge's trousers. "My hollow byakurai needs work."
"Why are you so determined? Do you want to die that badly?" Neliel lowered her sword in order to get the quincy to see reason. "I abhor violence, but should you press on like this, I will show you a new meaning of the word." It was one of her rare moments of aggression.
"Shut up, wench," he gritted. "The likes of you hollow garbage won't defeat me." He stumbled up and raised his reishi sword above his head. "Dagger of Death," he cried, but midway through the transformation, a sharp pain pierced his chest. Neliel had treated her sword like a javelin and impaled his heart from her position one hundred meters away. "Impossible," he muttered, toppling over.
She walked closer and studied his face for any sign of regret. There was none; only the twisted effect of hatred lingered in his features. "Why is there never a lack of people like this in the world?"
Ulquiorra observed the female soldier as she gathered the nerve to attack. He had decided to not waste his energy on the pitiful creature unless she forced his hand. Of course that implied any false move on her part, and she was cooked.
She held up her guard and tried to get her quivering legs under control. That stare! It penetrated her soul and evoked a heightened sense of dread, so much so that she couldn't take it anymore. "Well, aren't you going to attack?"
He blinked. "I am waiting for you to attack, but I do not recommend it."
"What?" she frowned.
"Yes, a very stupid one indeed," he said to himself.
She saw red and promptly moved to attack, but before she could even raise her sword Ulquiorra had closed the distance between them. With a hand in his pocket he stated, "Gran Rey Cero." The resulting blast incinerated her entire body. Scooping up some of the black remains, he mused, "The world is a better place."
Quilge grew enraged at the simultaneous fall of his three teammates. "You arrogant animals! You will see the difference between our powers. Justice of God!" Immediately a tower of energy encompassed him, and a moment later, he emerged from the column clad in reishi garments. His right hand took the form of a saber, and wings sprouted from his back. "This is our complete form, Vollständig. Marvel at the Quincy's full power!"
Quilge took to the sky, basking in his eerie glory, yet to his frustration, the arrancar failed to treat his transformation like a threat.
"Hey Ulquiorra!" Ichigo called out. "Does he remind you of someone?"
Ulquiorra didn't find Ichigo's allusion amusing. "No." He glared, daring the orange-haired arrancar to take it further.
"Why don't you show him?"
"I am beginning to regret revealing my segunda etapa to you. But perhaps you're right. When I finish with him, we'll have time to spar. Is that satisfactory?"
Suddenly pale, Ichigo put his hand up. "No, it's okay. Do whatever you want."
"That's what I thought."
Neliel pointed to the sky. "Guys, remember him?"
[Break]
"They never came back for me," Ichigo whispered. He slumped in Neliel's lap, relinquishing his last thread of hope. "I thought they were my friends."
With arms wrapped around his waist, she hoisted him up from the ground and positioned him between her knees. "They are your friends, Ichigo."
"I risked everything for them, but how am I rewarded? With death and separation." He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against her shoulder. "He beat me just like he said he would."
Neliel played with a tousle of his hair, and sighed inwardly. She imagined this is what heartbreak would feel like if their emotions were not dulled by the void in their soul. Looking out across her home, she reminded him in a small voice, "We're here for you."
Grimmjow pounced in an attempt to tackle the quincy out of the sky but he was easily batted away. Standing up from the crater, the Sixth nicked a finger and yelled, "Gran Rey Cero!" To everyone's astonishment the quincy's wings shielded his body and absorbed the red beam, which in turn increased their size. "What the heck?"
Quilge smirked. "Quinces are capable of absorbing anything composed of reishi such as your cero. Now will you not admit we are superior?"
Ichigo flashed into the air and lunged for the chest. With much greater speed than before, Quilge parried and stabbed a shocked Ichigo in the waist. He followed up with a round house kick which sent the teenager spiraling to the ground. "You are so slow compared to me it's pathetic. Your one advantage is gone."
Neliel scurried over to Ichigo and inspected the damage. "Are you alright? I could heal it for you."
"I'm fine," Ichigo insisted, with a hand compressed on the gash. "It'll stop bleeding soon." Propped up on his elbow, he titled his head toward their opponent. "He's too powerful for us like we are now. I don't know if any of us can take him without releasing."
"I am instructed to capture you alive, so please try to survive this next attack." Quilge pointed his saber towards the heavens. "Rain of Judgment!" A white column of energy poured forth and once reaching a certain height dispersed into thousands of white projectiles. Ichigo and company shielded their faces from the onslaught.
Once the torrent abated, the four arrancars sported dozens of small injuries ranging from their toes to their shoulders. Though bloody, their wounds were only superficial. "That is impressive," Neliel breathed, feeling the graze along her cheek.
Ulquiorra's cuts automatically closed thanks to his instant regeneration. "I think this has gone on long enough."
"I couldn't agree more." Dressed similarly to Opie, a young man with long hair entered the arena. "Quilge, you have stepped out-of-bounds by revealing the Vollständig to arrancars. And you managed to get your entire team killed." He gestured to the bodies. "They were a scouting party. How do you explain antagonizing these espada?"
"They refused to submit to the will of his majesty! It is clear only excessive force will compel them to follow us."
"Perhaps, but the right thing to do would have been to seek reinforcements and even the approval of his majesty himself. From what it looks like, they are capable of holding their own against at least three or four teams of soldiers."
Ulquiorra addressed the new arrival. "Who are you?"
"I am Haschwalth at your service. Please forgive my companion. You see, he is uncontrollably hostile towards people who challenge his authority."
Ulquiorra nodded. "Haschwalth, do not interfere or you are next."
"By all means," the newcomer conceded.
Ulquiorra began charging a dark mass of energy on the tip of his finger. "Cero Oscuras."
Quilge disregarded the incoming missile. "I told you. Cero's will not work-"
Cut off by the blast he was engulfed by its green fury. He plummeted to the ground, a blackened heap of flesh.
Haschwalth gaped before rushing over to see to Quilge's extensive injuries. Examining the burns, he demanded, "How did you do that? He should have assimilated it."
"Once he explained how his ability worked, I formulated an easy solution. My cero oscuras is entirely unique. Composed of the opposite of reishi, it consumes everything in its path including light."
"I see," Haschwalth said stoically. "The other espada never demonstrated such a technique."
Troubled by his remark Neliel asked him, "Which espada are you referring to?"
Haschwalth lifted his eyebrows. "I believe her name is Halibel. Judabach defeated her personally. If you four are anything close to her level, then I suppose we do have a challenge on our hands."
In an instant Neliel was before the kneeling Haschwalth, the tip of Gamuza at his neck. "If she is dead, then so help you and your Vandenreich."
Haschwalth chuckled. "She is alive, I assure you. At the moment she is being reconditioned to serve his majesty. She is different from most hollows in that a show of strength is not enough to gain her allegiance. She requires more."
Neliel felt Ichigo's hand on her shoulder. "Please, we'll talk about this later. I know how you feel, but fighting will not get her back at this point."
Neliel lowered her sword, and smiled gratefully at Ichigo. "I taught you that silly."
Haschwalth stood up with Quilge's unrecognizable form in his hands. "I better get back. He is alive, but requires immediate medical attention. I expect we'll meet again, hopefully under favorable circumstances." He winked and took off into the desert.
Grimmjow scowled. "He doesn't know my definition of favorable circumstances: with my foot in his smooth-talking trap!"
Tempted to roll his eyes, Ulquiorra turned towards Neliel. "I expect you want to rescue her."
She nodded. "We became really good friends in the short time I knew her."
"In that case we will help you."
Grimmjow put a hand up. "Hold on. It sounded like they had an entire army. I don't think we can handle that many of those freaks. I'm not the type to back down from a fight, but four against hundreds? We'd need back-up."
Neliel squeaked. "Good idea, Grimmjow! We may be barred from the human world, but Soul Society is accessible. They can help us."
"Hmph." Grimmjow crossed his arms. "You expect them to help a couple of hollows? Out of what? The kindness of their hearts? Kurosaki here is a big example of how far that will get you."
Neliel sweetly smiled. "Grimmjow, would you mind if we have a talk in private?"
Grimmjow scrunched his eyebrows, a little disconcerted by her request, but nonetheless agreed. "Uh, sure."
Once they'd reached a good distance away Neliel sneaked behind Grimmjow and wrenched his elbow back at a painful angle. "Next time you say something like that, this arm is coming off," she whispered. "I worked too hard to get him this far, so I don't need you undoing everything, understand?" Her usual chipper self had been replaced by a homicidal maniac.
The strain increasing, Grimmjow nodded. She released him, casting one last warning with her eyes. "Good."
"You know, you can be really scary when you want to be."
Ichigo decided to ignore their little meeting; he was aware of how delicately Neliel treated him sometimes. On occasion the way she danced around certain subjects or refused to let him think too long led to pretty heated exchanges. Grimmjow always interfered when things got out of hand, but the resentful feelings would remain. Hollows had a harder time letting go.
He didn't have the patience for an argument right now though, so when they returned he picked up where he left off. "So I can't go back to Soul Society. Not after what they did. One of you will have to go."
"But they know you!" Grimmjow complained. "If they see us, they'll attack first and ask questions later."
"There's no other way," Neliel argued. "Ichigo and I will infiltrate the Vandenreich's base. You and Ulquiorra will warn Soul Society about the impending invasion, and hopefully convince them to strike first."
Ulquiorra approved of the plan. "If they do not listen, I will make them."
Imagining how that would end, Neliel palmed her forehead. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea, after all.
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