Nnoitra lay on the ground, his body screaming from the excruciating pain. The Eighth Espada coughed causing his shattered ribs to crunch together and blood sputtered from his mouth. That wasn't the worst of it: once again, this same opponent had defeated him. She stood silent, staring at him through her tan orbs, no anger dancing in the soft pools. Nell's gaze seemed more like amusement to Nnoitra's irritation.
His blood boiled and his single dark, slanted eye glared at the woman who was giving him a look of pity. Nelliel thought she was better than him, but she was dead wrong. He would be the strongest; he would conquer all. How dare she, a woman, think she was any match for him? She rejected him as a battle foe like a gladiator to a stable boy.
"You bitch!" the long-haired male yelled as he tried to rush her again, his dark hair flowing as he moved.
Nnoitra swung his zanpaktou Santa Teresa towards the woman's throat, the large crescent-shaped weapon moving at an alarming speed. His wide smile appeared when he realized he might land a blow, but Nell placed a hand up and stopped his weapon's motion.
"You're too battered to fight, Nnoitra," his opponent whispered, her beige-colored eyes gazed at his tall frame. "Your movements are becoming sluggish and your attacks have lost all their strength."
Nnoitra's vision went red at those words; she was lecturing him as if he were a child. How dare she add insult to injury by pretending she cared about him? That bitch was always mocking him with how calm and generous she acted. If Nell cursed at him, Nnoitra would claim victory, but nothing like that happened no matter what Nnoitra tried.
The irate male's unfocused swings allowed Nell to dodge him with ease, turquoise mane swinging around her back. "You know nothing!" he screamed.
She appeared behind him; Nnoitra turned and attacked again. He nicked the side of her arm, cutting through her white jacket. Nell backed away and continued to regard him, the action only grating on his already shot nerves.
"Don't look at me like that," he snarled. "One of these days I will kill you."
Nell didn't respond which made him more furious. No matter what he called her or what he did, she kept her cool. It bugged him that not only couldn't he defeat the only female Espada, but he couldn't get under her skin with words either. It didn't matter though because one of these days he would destroy her and take her position as the third Espada.
He took a step forward and swayed, losing all sensation in his limbs.
Damn it, he thought as his world faded to black. I'll get you next time Nell.
Nnoitra crumpled to the ground unconscious. Nell walked over to him, her gaze washing over the Espada who laid in the cool sand of Hueco Mundo's desert. Without a second thought, the Third Espada hauled the battered male onto her shoulder and carried him back to the Los Noches Castle. Nell never would understand why he hated her so much. She was aware it had to do with her level of power surpassing his, but it had to be deeper than that. His mind zeroed in on defeating her, the only thing capable of sating his rage. The female Espada knew with his burning resentment festering, someday Nnoitra's wish for her death may come true. His determination to eliminate her was what strengthened him.
Nelliel hated that this was the extent of their relationship. That almost daily she fought for her life. Nell wasn't worried because right now, the level his spiritual pressure posed no threat. Nnoitra stayed beneath the level required to break even against her, but it grew tiresome dealing with the constant battles. As soon as he healed after she kicked his ass, Nnoitra chased after her like a rabid dog.
Once while Nelliel relaxed in the bath, he barged in demanding a battle. He spouted his usual "You bitch" this and "I'll kill you" that. Although her usual defense did not include returning his attacks, this time she beat him worse than ever before for walking in on her.
Nnoitra yearned for her death yet Nelliel cared for him. The logical feelings towards someone with severe homicidal tendencies towards you included hate and disdain. Still, it didn't matter that Nnoitra attacked her without rest and called her every name in the book. Sometimes his harsh words stung, but the proud woman refused to show him evidence of it. He would not hound her like some weak hollow. Nnoitra believed women were powerless beings for him to toss around; Nelliel didn't come close to that definition. Nell wasn't like the little Fracción girls he dragged and beat whenever the urge hit him. Nell's pride wouldn't allow that big toothed bastard couldn't do anything to change it.
It didn't soothe her secret longing. Behind closed doors after the fighting and the bickering, Nelliel just wanted to sit and talk. They only had a few moments where he wasn't swinging Santa Teresa at her and Nell savored it. When Lord Aizen sent them on a mission to find the Vasto Lordes Nell experienced it. Nnoitra had been killing hollows just to end lives, and she asked him why. He scoffed and said if he could kill them, they weren't Vasto Lordes, his real target.
Nelliel remembered him sitting on a large rock as they talked. She stood on a cliff gazing over the eternal blackness of their home. Nnoitra's soul reflected the darkness of Hueco Mundo. She doubted his capability for change, not while he remained so immature and violent. He would hunt her until one of them perished, a tiring concept Nell didn't want to deal with. Her toxic attraction to him confused her so she acted cold towards him. She returned the insults and misogynist behavior with femininity and mercy. The disrespectful response tortured him more than if she killed him; Nnoitra's twisted mind believed such nonsense.
Nell dropped him off at his chambers; his Fracción, Tesla, sat on the marble floor of the room mending his master's clothes. His long blonde hair flipped over his shoulder with his abrupt movement. In cold anger, his gray eyes stared at Nell and if she had been weaker, it might have intimidated her. Nell studied the Fracción before her. In appearance, Tesla looked like an Espada. The elegant bone that garnished his forehead like a crown gave him a royal appearance. Nell always thought it was pretty, and she loved his spiky blonde hair. Too bad they'd never be friends.
"One day, Nnoitra will destroy you," he promised as the Third Espada laid the unconscious Arrancar on his bed.
"Maybe," she responded, turning to leave.
She didn't blame Tesla for despising her. Tesla worshiped the ground Nnoitra walked on and witnessing his defeat many times at her hand frustrated him too. Despite Nnoitra treating him like trash, the Fracción idolized him. Nell pitied him for such blind, Stockholm Syndrome level devotion, but could she judge him when she fell in the same boat? Nell sighed and headed back outside, her feet taking her to the steps of Lost Noches. She sat in the cool sand, gazing up at the moon that never rose or set. Hueco Mundo's frigid atmosphere and deep loneliness echoed without a sound around her. She wondered why the light of the moon it never moved yet its glow covered every inch of Hueco Mundo. There were many things she contemplated during the few quiet moments to herself thanks to an unconscious Nnoitra. Sometimes she reminisced back to her first moments as an Espada and wondered did she have a place in this dark world.
The Espada gathered around, awaiting the birth of the next Arrancar. However, not all of them presented themselves. Nnoitra didn't show; later he would suffer punishment for his rebellious actions at Lord Aizen's hands. The other nine knew better than to test their luck and watched with interest, most of them wondering if their new member would be a powerful one. It was often a gamble. A strong Espada or a weaker servant Fracción, it was up to fate.
Lord Aizen stood with Gin Ichimaru and Tousen on either side of him. The Houygoku rested in his powerful hands. "Come," Aizen's smooth voice resonated.
A bright light flashed, causing some to cover their eyes. When it dissipated, Nelliel stood before them naked and wet, just like an actual birth. After a few moments, she blinked and looked around the large room, observing every detail. Beige eyes gazed at her the other Espada and her brethren stared back at her with blank expressions. Lord Aizen motioned to a Fracción who gave him a towel and clothing. He stepped forward and dried her damp form with the utmost gentleness.
"Welcome my beloved Arrancar. Tell me your name."
"Nelliel Tu Oderschvank," she responded as he finished and helped her into her clothes.
His dominating spiritual pressure allowed her to identify him as her master. His reiatsu weighed down like a heavy gravitational pull just from standing next to her. Yet his reiatsu's alluring embrace drew Nell's attention to him. Aizen stepped forward and placed a hand on her cheek. The female Arrancar leaned against the warm palm and closed her tawny orbs, sighing with contentment when the shinigami placed his other hand behind her head. Aizen brought Nell to him so her face buried in his strong chest. He remained silent for a moment before giving a small genuine smile and pulling back.
"Welcome, Espada Number Three."
Aizen walked behind her and laid his hand on her back. A searing pain radiated across it, but Nell didn't cry out. It started as a dull ache, increasing until it felt like she was on fire. She would soon discover the numeral three tattooed in the middle of her back. Gin escorted her to the Espada quarters, stopping at a room with the number three on the door. Nelliel studied everything from the large room's pale walls to the ex-shinigami that glided in front of her. He looked like a fox with his eyes shut and unsettling smile. The new Espada wondered how he saw anything with his eyelids almost closed. His unique lilac tresses caught her attention as did her own seafoam green locks when she passed a large mirror. However, their odd hair colors complemented their skin complexion.
After Gin excused himself, Nell remained near the large bay window opposite of the door surveying at her surroundings. For miles, sand and blackness was the only view. Her new home soaked in silence and gloom didn't sit well with her. She sensed someone nearby, one not present during her arrival. The reiatsu of the being barreling to her location reeked of brutality. Her door blew off its hinges and smashed against an adjacent wall, clattering to the floor in a mangled heap. When the smoke cleared, an Arrancar grinned back at her. She drew her eyes upward at his towering form, drinking in his every detail. Thin as a rail, silky black locks, and violet beady eyes that illustrated his intentions. Her guest leaned against the doorframe.
"So, it's true. The new bitch is Number Three."
Nell blinked in confusion. "I'm sorry?"
"You heard what I said," he continued as he took a step towards her, a large half-moon shaped weapon slung over his left shoulder. "Don't tell me you're a stupid bitch, too."
Nell's eye widened in surprise at his vulgarity. She frowned, not one to tolerate such rudeness. This bastard had another thing coming. Nell stood and closed the distance between them, her eyes never leaving his. His smile had not vanished and up close, she realized that he had some redeeming features... but some less desirable ones too. Her rude new friend's eyes had a unique slant and long locks framed his angular face. A heart-shaped cut in his white uniform revealed a glimpse of his chest. However, his attitude and those square teeth disturbed her.
"Who might you be?"
"Nnoitra Jiruga, eighth Espada," Malice dripped from his voice. "Listen, just because you're ranked higher than me does not mean I won't fuck you up."
Nell scoffed at him. "You overestimate your importance. I am more than confident I can wipe the floor with you."
"Then do it!" Nnoitra shouted as he lunged into the first of many defeats.
Nell sighed again; she overpowered him in every battle and each time he returned with more anger. Perhaps they could tolerate one another if he dropped his obsession with killing her. Nell stood and sprinted into the darkness of Hueco Mundo. She needed to clear her head and get away from the stress taking a toll on her.
Nnoitra groaned as he opened his eyes, sharp pain piercing his head when he sat up. He took a quick survey of his surroundings through blurred vision. Pastel walls with dents and holes decorating them greeted him. The sore Espada turned to the round window to his left. He smiled at the blood smeared across it with a telling spider crack in the middle. That stupid bitch he fucked the night before leaked a large volume of blood when he slung her by her hair into it. He didn't think she would be so damn fragile. She claimed for a Fracción, her powers were unmatched. Such a load of shit. Tesla's power surpassed hers several times over. His Fracción never let his guard down.
When Nnoitra realized he was in his bed, his anger mounted again. That damn woman never finished him. She always brought him back to heal and wallow in defeat. Nell must not see him as worthy of a warrior's death. He clenched his abused fists, glaring at the weak appendages. He would defeat her one day, it couldn't come fast enough. Nnoitra sat up and threw the purple comforter back. He despised her with such passion a word strong enough to describe his hatred didn't exist. A woman had no business being placed higher than him, his wrath stronger because their battles justified her strength surpassed his own. No matter how many times the Eighth Espada opposed her or what situation, she defeated him. Nell may sit on her high horse now, but he would sure as hell knock her off it one day.
"I'll fucking kill her," he said for the millionth time through gritted teeth. "One of these days she will mess up and I will end her."
Tesla entered his room. He gathered his master's clothes from the floor. "Master Nnoitra, are you feeling better?"
"I was fine in the first place," he snapped.
"Yes, of course," Tesla acknowledged.
Nnoitra tried to stand; his legs wobbled, threatening to collapse. "How long have I been here?"
"Three days," Tesla answered as he stood with the pile of clothes in hand, turning to go wash them.
"What?!" Nnoitra bellowed, whipping his head around to face Tesla. He struck his Fracción hard across the face, sending him crashing into a nightstand by the door, the pile of clothes returning to their place on the floor. "Why didn't you wake me up, you stupid fuck?!"
"I'm sorry my Lord!" Tesla cowered, knowing the danger he faced. "I wanted you at full strength when you faced Nelliel again!"
Nnoitra grabbed Santa Teresa and set out to find Nell's spiritual pressure. He knew her habits and found her within a few minutes. She sat outside the castle admiring the moon. Everything about her made him want to rip her heart out. She smiled and punching her in the face popped into his head. Her laughter and happiness motivated him to destroy everything Nell loved. He longed for her kneeling before him, bleeding and begging him for mercy he wouldn't provide; it almost gave him a hard-on imagining it.
He hated how everyone enjoyed or tolerated her, too. Lord Aizen had a fondness for her, sometimes asking her opinion on certain matters. A few of the Espada got on his case about him harassing her. He told each of them to mind their damn business. He didn't care who knew he wanted to destroy Nell. Whether they stood in his way didn't matter. He would cut anyone down along with her that opposed him. They never liked him; their lives and opinions mattered less than a grain of Hueco Mundo's white sand. Nnoitra didn't require comrades. The Eighth held his tongue to no one other than Lord Aizen, flew off the handle at the slightest inconvenience, and beat the hell out of whoever irked him when given the chance.
"Bitch!" he yelled as he rushed around the corner.
Nell stood and gave him a dismal stare, an expression Nnoitra never witnessed cross her face before. Confidence or pity was all he got. He didn't care what made the bitch depressed; Nnoitra refused to hold back. That pitiful glance looked like someone stole her cat or some shit. If she had one, he would decapitate it and leave the headless body tacked on her wall.
"What's your problem?" he taunted. "Grimmjow won't fuck you today?"
Nell's eyes narrowed. Nnoitra once saw her kiss the Sixth Espada on the cheek and tormented her about it ever since. After a hard day of dealing with Nnoitra, she and Grimmjow battled to help blow off steam. Afterward, the blue-haired Espada wanted to wrestle. Things got out of hand as usual. They played like immature kids and when they were returning to the castle, Nell kissed him on the cheek and thanked him for helping her clear her mind. She meant nothing by it; just a friendship gesture, but Nnoitra blew it out of proportion as expected.
"Are you jealous?" she retorted
"Fuck you. I won't kiss a frog whore like you!" he spat.
"No thanks. I wouldn't kiss a stick with a spoon tied around it," she pointed out as she raised her chin at him.
Terrible insults on both ends, but it was enough to send the short-tempered Espada rumbling toward her. Nnoitra lunged and smashed his fist across her jaw. Her head snapped to the side. Nnoitra stood towering over her. Nell faced him, blood trickling from her lip. Before he could gloat about it, she jumped and reverse roundhouse kicked him in the face. He staggered back and dropped Santa Teresa.
"You want hand-to-hand combat today?" Nell questioned, lowering her stance.
"Nothing makes me feel better than beating your ass," he shot back.
"I suppose you aren't feeling better since you've never accomplished that."
He brought his long leg up to dropkick her dead in the chest. The stronger Espada caught Nnoitra's foot and hauled him off the ground. He sonidoed a right before she slammed him into the ground and appeared behind her. Nnoitra clasped his fists and brought them down hard on Nell's back, knocking her into the sand. The Octava Espada tried to punch her in the head, but Nell flipped over onto her back and used her legs to trip him. Nnoitra tumbled down, landing hard on his ass and the female Espada straddled his waist. The angry male tried to headbutt her, but Nelliel dodged to the side, putting Nnoitra against her shoulder. Nell forced him on his back and clasped his wrists with her small hands. He thrashed trying to buck her off, but she remained steady.
"Get off me, bitch!" he shouted.
Nell shook her head. That was his name for her. No matter what the situation, he still referred to her as "bitch". She learned to let it go as time passed. Nnoitra's name-calling affected her in the way a small child calling an adult a name would. Nell punished him as if he were a kid, but this time she paused. Nell lay on top of him and placed her head on his bony shoulder. He continued to struggle before getting frustrated and sinking his teeth into her soft flesh in exasperation. She gritted her teeth but did not move. After a few moments, Nnoitra stopped struggling, his teeth still buried in her shoulder. Nnoitra did something she would never have expected in a million years: he ran his long tongue over the wound, lapping at the blood that escaped.