Another Chappy. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews and favs, and story and author alerts. Really you guys are what keep this engine running. Chung Chung.
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Ulquiorra
" I thought we had an agreement!" Joel exclaimed pointing his sword Ulquiorra's direction. Ulquiorra sensed hostility in the boy for what reason he did not yet know. He'd done nothing to the girl, it was of her own will that she was breaking her bonds.
" I have not come to fight you boy," Ulquiorra said coldly.
" Then why are you here?" Joel said.
" You've broken my eye," Ulquiorra said. " I have come to investigate the girl's claims."
" She knows your name, she shouldn't," Joel said. " She shouldn't remember anything, but she claims she sees you in her dreams, her folks are trying to put her away. Do you understand that, they think she's crazy."
Quite naturally, humans could not began to comprehend the powers that stood before them everyday, what Molly thought was natural they saw as unnatural. Ulquiorra made no reply to that claim, instead he made his way past the boy seeing him more as an annoyance than a threat.
Joel stepped in front of him once more blocking his way. Ulquiorra turned his gaze to the boy threatening him with a look.
" Move," he said.
" If you go up there, if you touch her I have no idea what might happen."
Ulquiorra continued past the boy, blending though the walls to appear in the girl's room, where she lay curled into a ball, gripping the sheets, sweat poured down her face. She whimpered and trembled.
Just as weak as when I left you girl, he thought pressing two fingers against her forehead. A moment later her whimpering ceased, followed by her trembling.
This hollow, dissipating sack of flesh was Molly. He let his eyes room over her body, the body he once considered taking. Now skinny and lacking nutrients. Circles rounded her sunk in eyes, scratching were racked up and down her arms. She was a mess. And he was the cause of it.
More despair entered his already full bowl and he turned away no longer wishing to watch her death in person. Stopping only a moment to pull his left eye again from its socket and lay it against the girl's desk.
" What did you do?" Joel demanded.
" Silencing," Ulquiorra said leaving it at that. " She will die," he said. " Can you live with that fact boy?"
Joel made no reply for that and Ulquiorra did not wait. Opening a portal he walked through arriving back in Hueco Mundo finding it a better place to express his despair.
Molly
" Yes I'm fine. Yes I've been eating. Yes I went."
Mom and Dad were doing it again, asking me question after question, worried about me. While Joel stood in the background arms folded across his chest looking just as worried. He really had a way of pissing me off. I hung up the phone and threw it at his chest. He caught it midair like he always did.
Jumping into his truck I made a point of turning the music up loud enough to shatter ear drums and turned towards the window.
He turned it down of course.
" Their just worried about you," he said. " And quite frankly so am I. You lied to them, you haven't been eating."
" So," I said.
" So," Joel said. " That will kill you."
" I had a Mcflurry yesterday," I said.
" That's not food Molly."
I didn't want to talk about that anymore, I quickly changed the subject. " Last night…that dream I had…the monster…"
Joel slammed on brakes at the stop light throwing my small frame forward, I shot him a look that could have melted ice. His grip tightened around the steering wheel. " Not that again."
" Yes that again," I said. " Cause its real, I know it is. He's real. Why do you get so angry anyway when I mention it. Huh? Shouldn't you be helping me find out who it is?"
" No," Joel snapped slamming on the gas so we accelerated forward, this time my small frame slammed the seat. " No I shouldn't, that's just encouraging you to go against your parents, to kill yourself."
I considered for a moment that he was right, that maybe I was crazy. But I was also stubborn, and wouldn't be sidetracked that easily. So Joel could huff and puff and slam on brakes all he wanted too, I wasn't giving up.
" But…"
He pulled over on the side of the road. Took a deep breath then looked at me. For a minute I was conscious of my unkempt hair my withering form and the fact that I looked almost like death itself, before I remembered that this was Joel I was talking too.
" What if I told you that this guy was real, that the reason your parents are like this, why you are like this is because of him. That if you are better off without him, what would you say?"
" I would say that I want to know, because I hate being kept in the dark."
Joel sighed. " What if I told you I love you too much to tell."
" I would say I'm tired of all these what ifs." I said back. " You can take me to school now."
" Its for your good," Joel said pulling back onto the road.
" So he is real?" I said.
" I didn't say that," Joel said.
" Yeah you did, that last statement just confirmed it. Ulquiorra is real, and your hiding something from me, so are Mom and Dad." I pointed a accusing finger at him, making sure he understood that I was serious.
" Molly," he said.
" No Molly nothing…" I said. " Your lying to me."
" So you want the truth even through you know it may make you terrible?"
" Yes," I said without hesitation. Joel sighed. The truck stopped, it took me half a second to realize that we were at the college campus. Joel jumped out slamming the door after him, then appeared at my door. Opening it he pulled me out with one hand, made easier because I wasn't wearing a seat belt in the first place.
" Go to class," he barked handing me my things.
" No. Not until you tell me what's going on." I said throwing my things back into his car, then slamming the door. I glared up at Joel's huge form, making sure he saw that I was serious that I wouldn't take no for an answer. He glared back down at me, as equally angry and annoyed.
Under normal circumstances I would be frightened of Joel and the way he was looking at me. But these weren't normal circumstances, and I wasn't about to back down from him.
" If you really loved me you wouldn't lie to me," I said challenging his last statement.
" You would tell me the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."
His fist shot out, but I knew he wasn't going to hit me, he would never hit me. The sound of metal bending rang in my left ear. He'd put a fist sized dent in the door of his truck.
" Molly don't push me. You have no idea what I've done because I love you."
What had he done? I opened my mouth to ask him when his right hand came out and cradled my chin. " I won't lose you again," he whispered running his thumb over my top and bottom lip.
It went like his regularly with Joel and I, bouts of anger then confession, usually on his part. Honestly I did love Joel, but I couldn't bring myself to say it. I felt as if their was someone else, and to confess my love for Joel fully would be betraying them. Whether that other person was this Ulquiorra guy I wanted to find out. Until I did, Joel would not get an answer.
I pushed against his chest, the flesh felt weird under my palm. Hot and slightly malleable. " Did you truly ever have me?" I asked peering up at him. He pulled his hands away from me then, fist now balled he turned away.
I hurt him again, I always hurt him. I reached out to touch his shoulder to try and explain myself but before I could even touch him he pulled away.
" Do what the fuck you want," he barked walking away. I watched him go before I crawled back in the car and curled myself into a ball against his seat. I fell asleep in his truck, and missed my class for the day. Joel returned to take me to my session with India but he didn't speak or look my way.
Instead of telling my Councilor about just Ulquiorra, I talked about my confusion over my feelings for Joel and how I felt with my whole soul there was someone else I was in love with. Even if he was imaginary.
Joel dropped me off at the apartment and went to work, still giving me the silent treatment. I didn't protest, if he wanted to be stubborn he could. As payback, for dinner I helped myself to his last Monster, Twinkie and bag of Doritos. Not nearly a deceit enough dinner but it would have to do. I doubted I could stomach nothing else.
I spent two hours on the computer trying to search for anyone by the name Ulquiorra on people search websites, coming up with nothing local and instead getting a couple Japanese websites and a few half naked girls. Frustrated and feeling the Monster wear off I curled in my bed and struggled to fall asleep.
Sleep didn't come easy, and I had medicines to help. But I never used them, more content to force myself. After about another hour of turning and staring at the ceiling I finally fell asleep, happy to get to the end of the day.
The dreams hit me the moment I closed my eyes. He was back, we were both standing in the same place, surrounded by nothingness. He stood terrible yet beautiful.
The sequence like nights before threatened to happen the same. Yet when he moved to bind my hands with his tail I moved them away. When he positioned his wings to entrap me I stepped back.
His facial expression never wavered, neither did mine.
" Ulquiorra," I called. " What do you want from me?"
" What I want?"
" I know your real, I can sense it, feel it but I can't find you." I said holding my hands to my heart.
Ulquiorra lifted his hand as well taking his eyes from me to examine it. " The heart…" he said. " Where should I find it?" He reached out to me with the same hand. Compelled I reached out as well ready to feel his skin against mine for once.
Instead of flesh, like before my fingers grazed the feather light tendrils of dust. He was fading again, but this time I didn't scream, instead I watched him fade away, knowing that tomorrow I would have this dream again, and I would be one step closer to knowing just what he wanted and how to free him.
Ulquiorra
Ulquiorra awoke with a start. He'd dreamt again, he rarely dreamed. He rarely slept. What had compelled him to lay down and sleep he could not say. He was an Arrancar, and he did not need sleep.
Perhaps it is something brought on by the girl, he thought standing. He'd dreamt of her after all. Her standing before him, her mouth moving words escaping but he could not remember what was said, nor what his own reply was. Only that he stood before her in his final form, and she was neither frightened or disgusted.
He didn't know whether to be angry that she'd invaded his mind or disgusted that he'd dreamt of her in the first place. So as always he remained impassive.
He turned his gaze on the real Molly the one who lay sleeping in her bed surrounded by wrappers from food. There was no screaming on this night, instead she lay perfectly still as if content with her sleep.
The door to his quarters opened, he knew who it was before they even stepped in.
" What do you want Grimmjow?" Ulquiorra said.
" I'm in the mood to fuck some shit up. Matter of fact I'm in the mood to fuck some people up too."
" Do as you will Grimmjow," Ulquiorra said. " I am under obligation to advise against it, but I am not under obligation to stop you."
" As if you could," Grimmjow said throwing himself against Ulquiorra's couch. Then kicking up his feet he leaned back. " You sit in his shit hole all day doing what ever the fuck it is you do. It's fucking depressing. "
Depressing…
" What is it you propose I do then Grimmjow?" Ulquiorra inquired suddenly interested for once in the arrogant former espada. He would give him his ear his one time.
" Don't know, something besides sit in this shit hole all day." He stood and stretched his long limbs, appearing more feline than hollow. " I'm going to find something to kill," he said heading for the door stopping only when he was halfway out of its frame. " Something like stop being a pussy and go down there and claim what's fucking yours, before I claim it for myself."
Then he was gone just like that. Ulquiorra couldn't help the small sense of satisfaction he got from hearing Grimmjow's words. If it was one thing he was always envious and a annoyed of when it came to the blue haired Arrancar, he had no problem expressing his immediate thoughts, no matter who he was around.
Molly
" Good morning Joel," I said stiffly walking into the kitchen where he was cooking bacon. He waved but said nothing more.
A bit agitated I wrapped my arms around his middle and put my head on his back since he was too tall for me to place it on his shoulder. A gesture that went as far back as when we were kids, he was always mad at me, even when I'd already gotten over it.
He pulled my arms away. " No Molly," he scolded.
" I'm sorry," I said. " For hurting your feelings…really I am." I said. He still wouldn't face me instead he reached over me to grab a plate from the cabinet. I took the movement to grab his shirt. He looked down then, more annoyed than forgiving.
" Please." I said.
" Molly…" he said. " I can't not that easily. You have to learn that even I can be hurt." Then he shoved a plate of bacon at me and headed to the truck.
We didn't talk in the car, and I was slightly happy for that. I didn't want to hear the hurt in Joel's voice. He went in one direction I went in the other. Class hadn't started yet, giving me time to find a seat in the middle and get my stuff ready.
" Seat taken? Of course not."
I didn't look up as I replied, " No, not unless you mind the slight scent of bac-" I glanced up. " Con…"
A guy about the same height and build as Joel stood beside my seat, his hair was turquoise blue, so were his eyes. He wore a black shirt, the sleeves pulled up to his elbows, the buttons loose so a white undershirt shone underneath. His pants were black and loose.
I knew him. I knew him but I could not remember his name or where I've seen him. I pressed my fingers to my heart. I was slightly afraid, but not as afraid as my body was telling me I should be.
" Who are you?" I managed to cough out.
He grinned. That grind should be enough Molly…
" You," he said still grinning. " You can just call me Grimm."
That answer seemed close enough to the truth. I moved over so he could sit, shaking the entire time. Professor Wikey started his lecture, I absorbed none of it, to busy looking at the man named Grimm grinning at me.
" Who are you," I whispered.
" You want answers," he said making no attempt to whisper.
I nodded. " You have them?"
" If I said yes," he said.
" I want to know," I said back.
" What are you going to give me?" He asked. I glared at him, I didn't like his arrogant tone. Or the way he was looking at me. I wanted to punch him somewhere it hurt, but something in me told me that probably wouldn't be a good idea.
" What do you want?"
" Depends…" he said.
" On what?" I asked. His grin widened, until I really truly was afraid. Standing he lifted me to my feet, pushed his hands under me and threw me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Professor Wikey paused, the class turned.
I hit his back with my fist as he started to walk out. " Put me down."
My cry went to deaf ears as she walked me out the classroom to the outside campus where people continued to stare to a unfamiliar corner. He put me down my back hit a wall, his hand shot out hitting the wall next to my head. I flinched.
" You want answers so do I," he growled, the amusement from earlier was gone replaced with raw anger. " What did you do to me?"
I was not going to show this manic the pleasure of seeing me afraid. Without hesitation I threw my fist out punching him as hard as I could in the face. To my surprise he backed up and held his mouth. Not wasting another minute I ducked under his arms and made a run for it.
I didn't get very far. He grabbed me up like I was doll and slammed me back against the wall. Blood ran down the side of his mouth as he enclosed me again, and he looked ten times anger than he did before. He repeated his last question, even angrier.
" I have no idea what you are talking about," I said.
" Don't give me that fucking excuse," he snapped his angry leaking something terrible. I considered the chances of escaping against he chances of him strangling me and leaving my body for someone to find. That would probably make things easier for everybody. " I see you when I lay down, see you when I wake up. Your damn face is all over the fucking place. Even now, I want to kill you."
He grabbed both my arms between his large hands and squeezed until they went numb.
" But I can't, I just fucking can't." His eyes were wide as he spoke. I felt tears stinging my eyes, I sucked in a breath.
" May…Maybe if you help me…I'll help you figure out what I might have done to you."
He seemed to just notice the blood curling down his mouth because he wiped it away and stepped back away from me. " Fucking forget it," he said. " Your as clueless as Ulquiorra said. Damn it."
" Ulquiorra! You know him? Where is he? Who is he?"
" Yeah I know him," he mumbled still wiping away blood. " Damn weak human body."
I let my eyes roam over his mouth which was staining his shirt red. He knew who Ulquiorra was. I suddenly forgot how afraid I was, or the subtle ache in my arms from where he gripped me. I grabbed his hand. Surprised he started to pull back but I wouldn't let go.
" Come on. To the bathroom." I said. He let me lead him back across the campus, his free hand in his pocket, while I held the other. Pulling him into the family bathroom I wet a couple napkins and pressed it against his bleeding lip. He flinched slightly but I could tell it wasn't from the pain.
Staring down at me angrily he growled, " I didn't ask for your fucking pity."
" Your not denying it either," I snapped back wetting another napkin and pressing it against his mouth again. He grabbed my wrist this time holding it tightly as he pulled me forward.
" I'll punch you again," I said. " And this time I won't clean it up. Let. Me. Go." I pulled my wrist back.
" You really have no fucking idea?" He said stepping closer to me. I put my hand on the door ready to run.
" I don't," I said. " I was hoping someone would tell me."
He leaned in again, I readied my fist to punch him. His mouth next my ear now he whispered, " Your whole life is a lie."
" What…?"
I felt my world spinning then. Grimm swam in my vision, his blue hair and angry eyes. Then darkness. Happy for it, I gladly let it take me. When I opened my eyes again I was looking at a member of the ER.
OH NO GRIMMY! Oh the horror...
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