Disclaimer: Yup… still don't own Bleach. Nor do I own the movie "Labyrinth" or even "Pan's Labyrinth"; nor—and I cringe as I say this—do I own David Bowie.

Brief Description: Ichigo makes his way (hopefully) toward Inoue. But is he really prepared for what he's about to face?

Chapter Two:

Labyrinth

I'd been heading the direction I'd just come from, but the labyrinth seemed different somehow. It was as if someone had been shifting walls, manipulating me like puppet master; choosing my destination for me. Could it be that bastard, Aizen? No; he wouldn't go through so much trouble just to toy with me and let me run amuck. I get the feeling that Aizen takes more of a "hands off" approach, leaving it to his subordinates to carry out his dirty work.

All I had to do was look for Ulquoirra's headquarters. If I could locate Ulquoirra, I was certain I would somehow find Inoue. Just look for the open door, I told myself. I could recall the exact shape and size, the layout of the hall it was held within… if I could just find that damn hall within this maze!

"Stop, Nell." I came to a sudden halt, catching my new companion off guard.

"What ith it?" inquired the curious child, exhausted from trying to keep up with me despite my attempts to keep pace.

Taking a closer look at my surroundings, I was sure of it. The hallway was different, but the door… every scratch and indentation was identical to the one from before. "This is it."

Cautiously, I crossed the threshold, awaiting any sudden appearances. An eerie silence followed me as I sauntered through the palace, daring myself to proceed to the stairs where I'd previously been confronted by Ulquoirra. Much to my surprise, there was no figure standing at the top of the stairway. There were no shadows looming in the doorway. There was nothing but eerie silence.

The stairs were longer than I'd first imagined them to be. With each menacing step forward, it seemed as though the distance to the door became further and further away. Slowly, warily, I made my way up the stairs; Rukia's corpse slung over my shoulder like a rag doll. Nell dragged not too far behind, keeping a safe distance in case a disturbance were to occur.

Was I really at the top of the staircase already? I couldn't even recall those last few stairs being climbed; perhaps too lost in thought; perhaps too focused on keeping Rukia's body from slipping. I could not afford to be clumsy.

There was a brighter glow illuminating from behind the doorway; almost blinding compared to the murkiness of the hallways I was used to patrolling. I'd quickly become aware that bright light in this place was foreboding; a sign of some obstacle or threat to come. Cringing as I neared the entryway, I took that critical step into enemy territory; awaiting the worst.

There was no voice. There were no shadowy figures. A calm hush echoed through yet another hallway. It couldn't possibly be this easy.

Keeping my right hand hovered above the hilt protruding from my hip, I refused to let an apparent absence of danger give me too much reprieve. This was not a time to make haste. Small doorways lined the walls surrounding me, each separated spaciously by what seemed like brilliantly lit lanterns. At a sharp fork at the end of the hallway, a dim light projected from beneath a doorway. Inoue's presence… I could feel it!

Walking steadily toward my target, Nell now back at my side, I was filled with, perhaps, too much hope, as it could prove distracting. Stay focused, I reminded myself. She's sure to be guarded.

At the forked end of the hall, the coast was clear. No signs of movement; I seemed to be undetected. The room was only two feet to my left. Maybe I should have planned out an elaborate arrival ahead of time, I thought. Taking in a deep breath and unsheathing my zanpakutu (pretty difficult to do one-handed; I have to give credit to Grimmjow for battling in such a condition), I motioned to the door.

"K…Kurosaki…kun?"

Inoue's bruised and swollen eyes widened in horror, her pupils contracting and frozen on my figure, as though she was seeing a ghost. Soon I realized it was not a ghost-like individual she couldn't take her eyes off of; it was the sight of Rukia's corpse dangling over my shoulder.

"Inoue!" I shouted, relieved to have reunited with my former comrade. Inspecting her more closely, it appeared that she'd been badly beaten herself. Her eyes revealed excruciating pain; black and blue, the kind of look I wasn't used to seeing from Shinigami or Hollow, but more closely resembling the hands-on approach of a high school bully. Her white gown was stained with stale blood, covering her from head to toe. Her… white… gown…

"Kurosaki-kun! Run!" Inoue urged desperately, knowing full well that I was not about to heed her advice.

A figure emerged from beside her, marching toward me while staring me down like a predator eyeing its prey. Ulquoirra.

Stay Tuned: Ichigo vs. Ulquoirra. Will Ichigo once again face defeat? Will he come out the victor? Coming… eventually : )