Awakening: Chapter 2:

Author's Note:

Hey hey everyone!

I'm really excited and loving this story!

however, it's not recieving as good results as I hoped :(

ahh well, I shouldn't complain though, it is a crack pairing afterall

I do have my reasons though :

So on we go!

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I do not own Bleach or any of it's characters!

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Enjoy! :D

Normal POV:

Rukia nearly shivered at the sight of him. He was always one who gave off a sense of frightening aura around, like a snake coiling up and strangling the breath out of her. He was as usual, eyes in slits that hardly ever opened and a wide grin on his face that never left. It sent chills down her spine. This time, she swore to herself, she will not let him have the pleasure of watching her back down. How he teased her, how he loved torturing people with a sense of hope and shutting thing them down with even greater despair. A sickening bastard who took pride in manipulating and intimidating.

Rukia willed herself to be strong and took a deep breath to calm her nerves, letting oxygen rush into her brain. It was always wise to think through thoroughly before acting, she reminded and prepared herself to take on whatever may come. "Gin Ichimaru" she acknowledge his existence with poise and elegance that could have made her brother proud.

"Ahhh Rukia, you're here, splendid! We've been waiting for you" this time the ex-captain of the 5th division spoke. Rukia merely shifted her orbs to the man who spoke, and gave a nod as her full reply. "Come come, sit with me my dear Rukia, I'm sure Gin would like you here as well" he pointed towards the seat in between his and the silver haired snake. She debated in her mind whether or not to defy him just to piss him off, after all he was her capturer not her master, she could damn well do anything she liked.

"Why would I want to sit beside you Aizen" she said monotonously and crossed her arms on her chest. She knew she was in deep shit, she knew that she could die the very next second but she did not care the very least. She had already prepared herself for the worst kind of treatment and she did not fear death for she wasn't even alive in the first place. Rukia could feel the shocked expressions that the Arrancars tried to hide, someone who dared defied their Lord.

"Now now let's not be hasty Rukia, I just wish to ask of your well-being" a kind smile appeared on his face 'devious smirking bastard' she thought to herself as she fully understood the demon that lay behind that mask, terrifying.

"I'm fine, thank you" she remarked sarcastically.

"That's very good, I'm glad to hear that Ulquiorra here is taking good care of you. Anyways, why don't you come here Rukia, I'm sure you have questions that you want to ask, hmm?" he replied with an all knowing look.

She hesitated for a moment before walking over slowly yet elegantly towards the appointed seat, each step seemingly making the grin on Gin's face wider. Ulquiorra watched as Rukia did as she asked and he too, went to his usual seating. He had no doubt been watching her expressions and reactions closely and was definitely not disappointed. He had been taken aback when she boldly talked back to Aizen-sama, something that no one had dared to do. He saw the conflicts within when she was unsure of the choices she should make and the resolve in her eyes when she had made the decision.

"I'm pleased that ya have decided to join us at the table Rukia-chan" Gin coaxed at her, the sound of his voice made her stomach clench. Rukia did her best to ignore him and whatever he was saying to her.

The food was served shortly after, plates after plates continued coming until the tables was filled with all sorts of delicacies. She wondered if this was a daily occurrence but decided against it when the faces of a few Espadas lit up immediately. Thought it was clearly visible that some had wanted to waste no time in digging in to the scrumptious looking food, no one dared move an inch and Rukia knew why. Aizen took the first move, scooping some on his plate and tasted it before giving a nod 'go' ,it meant. The once solidified statues starting moving in quick ecstasy, though definitely with frantic yet unsure movements. They feared, she realized, the man that was sitting beside her whom sat so calmly.

She wasn't hungry even a bit, how could anyone be when stuck in something like this, surely the sane wouldn't have a nice dinner with the person who threatened the existence of all she cared for. She wanted to leave but her desire for answers stopped her. "So why am I here?" she asked, not wanting to waste anymore time.

"Ahh, but you have not eaten anything Rukia, I'll answer when you eat" she held back the urge to stab the fork into his forehead and obliged by popping a sushi in her mouth. Keeping to the deal he replied immediately "you are here simply because you are a key to my plans. The Hogyoku has recently been unstable and it is reacting very strangely"

"And what does this have to do with me?" he pointed towards the plates and she raised an eyebrow, 'why does it matter to him whether I eat or not?' but decided not to ask and took a spoon full of pasta.

"As you know, you were the previous containment for the Hogyoku, and it seemed that it has already accepted you as it's true master and the only one who can command it..is you" he mused at the strange but undeniably true factor.

"So you're going to kill me and claim it?" she questioned impatiently

He shook his head "I'm returning it to you but you'll be working with me"

'This guy must have hit his head hard enough to think that I'll ever help him' she thought, and nearly fell over in laughter at his last statement. "You're crazy I would never betray-" he interrupted "your friends? what if I told you that I have something to make you change your mind? someone.." he let his words hang in mid air, the meaning twirling itself in her head.

She grit her teeth in fury, this sickening man had someone important to her and was using it as an advantage and weakness. Snarled "what. did. you. do?!"

He merely snapped his fingers and the door swung open, the shadows of a few could barely see stood out. Her blood froze as she realized who they were. "No..No..Let them go!" she yelled and grabbed at his collar, yanking him fiercely from his seat, Ulquiorra was instantly at their side, his hand gripped tightly on her's, stopping the blood flowing through her veins. He chuckled at her fury like it added to his amusement, the sadistic bastard was enjoying watching her blow a fuse. "I'll make you a deal Rukia, but you must follow it closely. You will do as I say and I will make sure that Quincy and Miss Orihime is not harmed in any ways. If you refuse..you'll lose them forever"

Silence filled the room as a the room temperature dropped to zero degrees celsius, even without Sode no Shirayuki, she had capabilities to a certain extent. Ice cold reiatsu immersed from within her small body, suffocating the 10th Espada. A tear slid down her cheek and dripped darkening a spot of the carpet beneath her feet and that was all she let out.

"I'll do it, just don't hurt them" she got up promptly and left without another word.

She had no idea where she was going but it didn't matter and she didn't care. She had found a stairwell and decided to make rest there. She let her body weigh down lazily to the ground as she sat on the steps. She sunk her nails into her wrists and bit her own lip, letting the pain rush through her body as it shook uncontrollably. 'Do not cry Rukia, as it is weakness' she reminded herself. Overwhelmed by guilt, she knew her friends were in this situation because of her. Curse her bad luck, curse her life. She wondered if she should just die, but slapped herself immediately for thinking about something so absurd. She had to be strong, she had no rights to mourn or pity the state she was in. It was because of her weakness that she got captured in the first place and she knew it.

It was then and there she decided, she made a resolve to get stronger to protect the ones she loved, and never to allow anyone to manipulate her feelings ever again. What else could she do? She didn't have a choice and she knew Aizen was going to use under-hand resorts to get what he wants. 'Inoue, Ishida, I'll come for you I promise'

Light footsteps approached from behind her and she couldn't be bothered to check who it was. "Why are you sitting here?" the familiar ever monotonous voice echoed down the empty hallway. "I don't see any reasons not to be here, why are YOU here?" she fought back, the tone sharp and cold like the edge of a blade.

"Aizen-sama had asked for me to be in charge of -"

She interrupted "don't worry Arrancar, I'm not going anywhere and I'm not going to turn suicidal either." she mocked. He had noted the hostile note that was present in the tone that she used and was slightly taken aback of how quickly her emotions had changed. She pushed herself of the steps and stood up boldly facing him now.

"Lead me to my room" it was not a command but a request to which he followed wordlessly. He started walking towards the direction of the room and she following quietly a few steps behind.

The journey was a short one in which was of total silence.

"You can go, I'm not going to escape" she stated clearly before shoving him out of the room and slamming the door in his face. He lifted a brow, slightly amused by her abrupt change in behavior and was curious as to what went through in her mind but shook it off when he decided that it was none of his concern. Rukia stood stunned behind the door, shocked by her rash actions. She was astounded by her own rude gestures and wondered if she should apologize. After all, he was only following orders. Rukia frowned as she did a recap of her actions but smiled slightly when she realized it actually felt good. 'No, he deserves it, I'm not going to apologize to that emo sod' sighing, she made a self check to treat him slightly nicer the next time he came.