It's late at night when I enter the Twelfth Division's Research Institute. It seems the other researchers have already called it a day: the place is empty with the exception of myself. I'm glad because I wanted to see the thing one last time before getting some shut eye. And by myself, without the others around to bother me.
Once the war was over, Kurotsuchi-taichou returned to soul society with a few interesting finds from Hueco Mundo. Among those interesting finds was a living Espada. I thought for sure that captain commander would've ordered the Arrancar killed, but he allowed Kurotsuchi-taichou to take it into custody. The fallen Espada was found half dead in the desert, or so I was told. I can imagine my Taicho's elation at getting his hands on a living, breathing Arrancar.
When the Gotei 13 returned to Soul Society, my captain's findings were immediately brought to the Twelfth Division. We're currently holding the former Esapda here in the research institute. We've put a collar around its throat to limit its reiatsu, and at the moment it's being confined to the laboratories. I haven't seen much of the thing in the past week since it's arrived (I've been busy with other research), but from what I have seen of it... it's a primal looking beast. Tall, nimble form, electric blue hair, scars covering the expanse of its toned torso. Not to mention the fragment of bone attached to its jaw, the remnant of its Hollow mask, and the ever present, feral grin. I've seen first hand that it has a pretty mean disposition, too.
It piques my interests, and that's why I'm here tonight. I've never seen an Arrancar up close, let alone one of the Espada. To a scientist such as myself, it's fascinating to see a hollow creature that developed to be so...human-like.
From what I understand it used to be the Sexta Espada. There's even a gothic six tattooed on its lower back. Grimmjow Jeagerjaquez. The name itself is something primal, and no matter how you say it, it ends like a growl on your tongue. Everything about the former Espada makes me think of a wild cat prowling the jungle. From its name, to its strong, agile movements, to the way it snarls and snaps its teeth.
As I enter the room where Grimmjow Jeagerjaquez is being held, I reach out to flick on the lights. Towards the back of the room a bright, white glow bursts into life. I see a shock of blue, the Arrancar suddenly alert, its head lifting. I feel the heat of predatory eyes on me, think that I may even hear a hoarse grunt. I remain silent as I close the door, and I leave the rest of the room's lighting dimmed low. The thing is being kept in a cell against the back of the room, behind a large pane of glass that stretches from floor to ceiling. There's a small cot in the corner where it can sleep, a toilet in the other corner, and nothing else. I imagine that when (and if) my captain is done studying the former Espada, it will be moved to a regular cell in a different division.
Walking closer to the cell, I reach up to retrieve the cigarette hanging between my lips. I hold it between long fingers as I exhale, a cloud of smoke billowing around my face. The Espada's eyes are watching my every movement, and I notice the slide of strong muscles as they draw tight. The thing is tense and alert, but at the same time I feel confidence wafting from it, scratching at the air. It doesn't look frightened at all. In fact, it looks excitable, like it's been waiting for something to come along this entire time.
The Arrancar stands up abruptly and stalks forward, its pale eyes never leaving me. It comes to halt in front of the glass, and its eyes turn to slits when I bring the cigarette back to my mouth. Large hands shoot up, fleshy palms going white as they splay over the glass. I notice the tips of its fingers curl slightly, and it looks as if it wants to paw at the barrier keeping us apart, like a kitten pawing at its scratch post.
"The fuck is that?" it barks, and coming from the Espada it's more of a demand than a query. My hairless brow arches ever so slightly, but in the low lighting of the lab it probably won't notice. Its gaze is too intent on my mouth, fiery eyes studying the stick nestled between my lips. I think it's strange that such blue, cold looking eyes can blaze so hotly.
"This?" I ask simply, pinching the cigarette between my fingers and holding it up. Cat-like eyes glint, scorching my hand with their heat. The Arrancar leans closer to the glass and tilts its head upwards, nostrils flaring slightly as if it's smelling something.
"Yea, that," it mutters. "What else would I be talking about?" Once more its gaze is back on my face, agitation burning in those icy depths. Like I said earlier, I haven't been around this Arrancar for very long. But I knew from day one that it was the type of creature that's easily frustrated, especially when things don't go exactly the way it wants them to; when it wants them too. Its brash temper is fun to observe, I decide, so I stare at it for a little while longer, not saying anything. Pale eyes narrow even further, further than I thought possible, and a low snarl slips between grit teeth.
"THE FUCK IS IT?" The former Espada bellows, slamming its fist against the glass. I'm finding its behavior more amusing by the minute, and I flick ash from my cigarette while forcing down a chuckle. A small smile tugs at the corner of my mouth, though my lips never part, and my eyes remain impassive. I watch the Arrancar as it begins stalking back and forth, its chest heaving slightly, eyes gone wide as it stares at me. The thing looks furious, like if it weren't behind that pane of glass it'd have those strong hands clasped around my throat. The idea intrigues me.
I remain silent as I bring the cancer stick to my mouth once more. I cradle it between my lips, licking around the edge just barely with the tip of my tongue before sucking it farther into my mouth. The Arrancar's pacing slows, angry gaze shifting from my eyes to my mouth. I see its nose twitch, a sinuous tongue darting out to swipe over a parched bottom lip. My eyelids droop at the action, and I take a long, deep drag - drawing the nicotine into my mouth, down my throat; into my lungs. I hold it there for a few seconds before allowing myself to exhale, smoke flowing from my nose as I sigh in contentment.
Once again the thing is pressed up against the glass. It watches the smoke float upwards, the look on its face a mixture of hunger, curiosity, and that ever present anger.
"What is it?" the former Espada mutters for a third time. Its gravelly voice sounds distant, but there's still a bite to its tone. Scarred hands claw at the glass, those defiant eyes glued to my mouth and the object of its current fascination. I watch that gaze with an interest of my own, pulling more nicotine into my system before I finally respond.
"A cigarette. I'm assuming you didn't have them in Hueco Mundo?"
Taking a step closer to the glass, I roll the cancer stick between calloused finger tips. The Arrancar studies my every move beneath furrowed brows, and it straightens up to its full height at my approach. I can see the scar on its torso rising and falling with every breath it takes.
I take a final drag of my cigarette, this time holding the smoke inside my mouth as I lean closer to the glass. I hold that heated gaze with my own and part my lips, blowing the smoke over the glass, clouds of gray blotting its face from view.
"If you play nice, maybe I'll let you have one, some day."
The Espada's reaction is instant, lips pulling into a dangerous grin over equally dangerous teeth. "Fuck you," it growls at me, voice raspy and low like rocks scrapping over pavement. The bone jaw adorning its face makes that grin look even larger and more menacing than it already does. It punches the glass hard enough to rattle the entire surface, and for a moment I think that it might actually break through. Then those deadly eyes begin roving over my body, an almost-leer on the Arrancar's face.
"You don't even have a zanpakutou. Ain'chya a shinigami? Don't think I can't get one'a those cigarettes on my own. When I get outta here I'll be on you with my fist through your chest so fuckin' fast that you won't even know what hit ya."
I watch the former Espada for a long moment, expressionless. The thing stares back at me, its eyes never leaving mine, that wild grin stretching its mouth from ear to ear. Its chest is heaving faintly and excitement is rolling off its muscled form in waves. When I'm satisfied with my observation, I let a small smile brush the corner of my mouth. It's more of a smirk than a smile.
"We'll see about that, Arrancar."
Without another word I turn away, bringing the cigarette back to my lips as I slowly make my exit. I hear the creature behind me give a barking laugh, the sound like a roar, its fists banging against the glass. I ignore the racket it makes, never mind the smile on my mouth as I switch off the laboratory lights and close the door behind me.