Chain of Fate

Chapter 3: At Odds


Sora, Yoruichi, and Urahara rode up to the main road's entrance to the town of Pacis. Sora had barely slowed Jezz, his horse, down before the dismounting. He looked around at the charred remains of what used to be the most serene town in the land. His mouth ran dry has no words could come to it. Jezz trotted up to his master and nuzzled him. Sora numbly took the reigns and turned to look at Urahara and Yoruichi.

"Knowing Tatsuki, she got everyone out safely," Yoruichi said.

Urahara went ahead of the two as they looked around the front of the town. He dismounted his own horse and walked over to the burnt remains of what looked to be a soldier. His armor was still smoldering somewhat. Frowning, Urahara caught sight of the insignia on the shoulder plate.

"Did you find anything, Kisuke?" Yoruichi yelled.

Urahara faced the other two. "Looks like it was those soldiers you described before. They made a U-turn. Typical of Aizen's troops," he said.

Sora sighed and mounted his horse again. "Where to now?"

"Concordia is on the way to Soul Society," Yoruichi said.

"Why Concordia?"

"Because Tatsuki wants to get rid of whatever disturbs the peace in Karakura. Rukia Kuchiki is definitely disturbing the peace." Urahara smiled. "Ryuuken should be able to handle anyone that's followed them. But, let's see if we can catch up."


Tatsuki's eyes shifted from side to side like a hawk's. She noticed movement in the trees. She glanced behind her at Ichigo. "We have company," she said quietly. She discreetly moved to arm her bow.

Ichigo was immediately alert. He looked around him as well. They were definitely being followed. He felt Rukia tense behind him. "Don't worry. We'll be fine."

Rukia hummed. "Four on the left. Three on the right," she said. "Two directly behind us."

Tatsuki smirked. "Not bad. Think you can take any down at this speed or do we need to slow the pace?" She glanced behind her.

Rukia had somehow turned around on the saddle behind Ichigo and now sat with her back to him. She was aiming for her first victim. After a few seconds, she let the arrow fly. Then she reloaded.

Well, I guess she's useful for something, Tatsuki thought as she armed her own bow. After a few minutes, the only hooves they heard were that of their own horses.

"Good job, Kuchiki. We should be in Concordia soon. We'll rest there for a few hours and then set out again," Tatsuki said.


Orihime's eyes popped open as something landed in front of her face. She sat up on the pallet she'd been made to lay on. There was a metal plate of some sort in front of the pallet. On it was some sort of white gruel and a piece of bread. A big metal spoon stuck out of the gruel, showing how incredibly thick it must have been.

She glanced up as her jailer walked by. "What's this?" she asked.

Ulquiorra looked down at her as if she had asked something stupid. "It's your breakfast. What does it look like? You require three meals a day. This is the first. I suggest you eat it because you won't get anything else until the allotted time for the second," he said stiffly. Then he continued on his way.

Orihime frowned at the back of his head before looking back at the metal plate. She could hear Ulquiorra rummaging around in the next room. She decided to try the bread first. It took her a while to break the crust, but when she did she discovered that it was not completely disgusting she nodded.

At least it's edible, she thought. Then she looked at the white gruel. She grabbed the spoon and nearly hit herself in the face as she took it out of the thick substance. How is anyone supposed to eat this? She scooped a bit of it up and tried it.

Ulquiorra heard the girl in the other room coughing and spitting. He returned to see her sputtering on the plate. She looked up at him fiercely. "Is something wrong?" he asked, not really caring for her answer.

"What is that?" Orihime pointed at the gruel.

"It's a mixture of vitamins and nutrients along with wheat and grain. It has everything a body needs. No more, no less. Is something wrong with it?" Ulquiorra asked.

"YES!" Orihime yelled. "It's disgusting! I can't even describe what it tastes like. It was that bad."

"I do not cook for taste, woman. I cook for health. You can eat that or nothing at all. It makes no difference to me." Ulquiorra left the room, leaving silence in his wake.

Orihime watched him disappear. Then she looked back at her "breakfast." She took a deep breath and started eating again. As long as I try not to taste it, I'll be fine, she thought as she chewed quickly.


Elsewhere, a woman in a white halter tunic dress, large pink belt, silver boots, and pink cape dismounted off her black horse. Men clamored around her and she handed them the different objects of weaponry on her person. They hastily carried them away as a shorter individual walked up.

"Matsumoto, you bring me no news from the border?"

The busty strawberry-blonde shook her head. "None, General Hitsugaya. There has been no sign of Rukia Kuchiki at the border or anywhere else. I do have news on Karakura, though."

The short Toshiro Hitsugaya, youngest general in the Soul Society army, threw a hand in the air as if to tell her to keep speaking. Rangiku Matsumoto, the lieutenant general and best equestrian in the land, ran up to catch him.

"Well, I heard that the group who caught Rukia is taking their search for her quite serious," she said.

Hitsugaya shook his head. "Pfft! Or using it as a means to start war with them." He turned and faced Rangiku only to come face to face with her bosom. Sighing, he stepped around her. "That is all, Matsumoto?"

"Yes, General," she said.

Hitsugaya rolled his eyes. "Captain or something, please? That's so formal. Don't call me that."

Rangiku smiled. "Why not? I think it suits you amazi..."

She was cut off as two of her subordinates rode up. They dismounted and saluted, completely out of breath. "Excuse us, Lieutenant General Matsumoto. Our scouts sent word of three people heading towards Concordia. One is identified already as Rukia Kuchiki."

Rangiku looked at Hitsugaya. He nodded. Rangiku stepped forward as all the men who took her weapons away began bringing them back again. "I will return shortly... captain. Arrest the two people with Rukia?" she asked.

"Yes. Bring Kuchiki to me. I have a few questions for her," Hitsugaya said. Rangiku nodded and mounted her horse. Then she was gone.


"Yo, Ulquiorra! Have you..."

Orihime looked up as she returned from the bathroom. She paused mid-step. She was dripping wet from her bath and in nothing but a white towel. As she looked at the other man, she could tell he was all but undressing her with his vibrant blue eyes. Orihime instinctively squeezed the thick towel around her in an effort to cover more of herself. He seemed to notice her discomfort under his gaze and snorted.

"Relax. I ain't that kinda guy." He took a few steps inside, which only made Orihime take a few steps back. He sighed in annoyance and removed the white hat on his head. "If it calms you down some, I'm Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, commander of the Sixth Espada Battalion," he said.

Orihime nodded numbly, staring up at him. She was too entranced by his hair to answer him properly. It was the most curious shade of blue she'd ever seen. She blinked when a loud snap brought her back. "Huh?"

"What's your name?" Grimmjow asked.

"Orihime Inoue. I don't know where Ulquiorra is and I most certainly do not care," she said, sticking her nose in the air.

Grimmjow laughed. "He hasn't been being a good host, huh?"

Orihime gestured to the collar and chain. "What do you think? Do you know how hard it is to bathe with this thing on? And his cooking is horrible." She looked at Grimmjow, deciding he was of no danger to her. She went behind the screen Ulquiorra had "generously" provided for her to get dressed. "Do you always just barge in the homes of other people without announcing yourself, Commander Jaegerjaquez?"

"Only when it's pompous assholes like Ulquiorra." Grimmjow looked around the place and saw Orihime's "room" which was not more than a pallet and some pillows. He shook his head. "He doesn't think much of you, does he?"

Orihime came around the screen dressed in a white dress similar to the one Nel had given her. "No. He's mean and cold and..." She sighed. "I suppose it wasn't in his job description to be 'nice' to me. I normally don't have such thoughts about people. You won't tell him I've said such horrible things about him?" she asked, looking up at Grimmjow with big, gray eyes.

Grimmjow was taken aback. She was giving Ulquiorra a reason to treat her badly. Who does that? Why is she so kind? He shrugged.

"Call me Grimmjow and I won't squeal on you. Just, uh, tell him I came by." Grimmjow started for the door. "And beware of his two little scamps." With that, Grimmjow was gone.

Orihime pondered what he meant by his final sentence. Two little scamps? What's that mean?


Uryuu Ishida ran outside as Tatsuki and Ichigo rode up. He looked at the tired duo before looking at the sleeping Soul Society spy behind Ichigo. Then he walked over to Tatsuki and helped her down.

"Thanks, Uryuu. I'm exhausted. You got anything to eat around here?" Tatsuki asked.

Uryuu frowned. "Inside. I'm sure my father also wants a few words with you as well," he said as he eyed the shinigami spy. "I can't believe all this ruckus was started over her."

Tatsuki nodded as they headed inside. "Yep. But, I think there's more to this than at first sight. Something stinks to high hell and I don't like it. I want to talk to your father," she said. Uryuu nodded and led her through the gates into the Ishida complex.

Meanwhile, Ichigo was trying to wake Rukia. He was unsuccessful the first few times he shook her from his position on the ground. I wonder how me getting off didn't wake her up. Was she really that tired? He shook her again, this time much harder.

"Rukia! Rukia!"

Rukia's eyes snapped open and she rolled off the horse. Ichigo immediately had to make to catch lest she hit the dusty ground. She stared up at him in shock for a moment, as if taking in who he was. Then she relaxed and rubbed her head.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"Concordia. You were sleeping pretty hard. Can you walk?" Ichigo asked. Rukia nodded and Ichigo stood her up carefully. He watched her favor her right leg and shook his head. He scooped her back up and she fought to get out of his grasp. "Quiet. You'll only hurt yourself more if you continue to walk on that leg. Come on. Ryuuken is waiting for us."

Rukia sighed and stopped moving. At least he's warm, she thought.

Inside the Ishida complex, Ryuuken was with a patient. He held up a hand when he heard Uryuu and the others enter. After dismissing his patient, he stood up and left the room in silence. Uryuu sighed, knowing they had to follow.

"Ichigo, why are you carrying the Soul Society girl around?" Ryuuken asked.

Ichigo blinked and looked down at Rukia. "Well, because she's injured," he answered.

Ryuuken faced them. "Right. The border is twenty miles up the road. A few of the men spotted scouts. I'm sure they know of your whereabouts right now. What do you think is going to happen when you reach Soul Society?" he asked.

The group of youngsters looked among themselves. Then they all looked at Rukia. Rukia blinked a few times, realizing the attention was on her again. "Well, I..."

"They're going to retrieve you and then arrest whoever goes with you. Chances are that they already know you've stopped here in Concordia. I wonder who they'll send..." Ryuuken said.

Tatsuki frowned. "So you're saying that someone's already on their way here to get her?" she asked. Ryuuken nodded. "Is that a good thing?"

"Or a bad thing?" Ichigo asked.

"Depends," Uryuu said. Everyone next turned to look at him for some answers. He pushed his glasses up and cleared his throat. "Well, it depends on who comes. If some random soldier comes to retrieve the Shinigami then we don't have to worry about twenty questions and going into further detail. But if an officer of high rank comes, it could get quite complicated."

Ryuuken looked at Rukia. "Which do you think is coming?" he asked sternly.

Rukia swallowed under the man's harsh glare. "Well... I can't say. Considering where we are, if an officer were to come it would be Lieutenant General Matsumoto." She watched Tatsuki frown and Ichigo sigh. "But... they could just send some soldiers..."

"Right. What's this Matsumoto like?" Tatsuki asked.

"Larger than life itself," Rukia mumbled.


Orihime picked at the piece of fruit that Ulquiorra hag given her in addition to her lunch. Her lunch had consisted of more gruel and some sort of pudding. After managing to swallow it without the gag reflex, Orihime took to examining the strange fruit he gave her before leaving.

This is probably the best tasting thing he's given me so far and it grows on a tree somewhere, she thought. She looked up when she heard the front door creaking open.

"Loly, you're supposed to knock first!" someone said.

"Shut up, Menoly. Lord Aizen told us to check on the girl. Why should we knock?" someone else said.

Orihime swallowed as two girls walked in. Like everyone else, they were dressed in some form of white uniform. But they each had an eye patch over the opposite eye of one another. One had black pigtails while the other's hair was dusty blonde and reminiscent of Grimmjow's hairstyle. The one with pigtails spotted Orihime first.

"Why are you cowering in the corner like that? We're not gonna hurt you," she said as she approached Orihime. She kneeled down in front of her.

Orihime relaxed a bit and nodded. "Uh, hi. I'm Orihime Inoue," she said.

"We didn't ask for your name," the pigtailed one said dryly. She grabbed Orihime by her hair and pulled her forward to get a good look at her face. "I'm First Lieutenant Loly. Usually I serve directly under Lord Aizen, but whenever that's not the case I work for Commander Cifer. This is Second Lieutenant Menoly. She's my partner."

"O-O-Okay," Orihime said. "Could you let go of my hair? You're really hurting me," she whispered.

Loly's eyes widened. "What did you say?" she growled.

Menoly sighed. "Loly, we shouldn't stay in here for too long. You know Commander Cifer..."

Loly snapped her head towards Menoly. "Shut up, Menoly. We'll go when I say so." She threw Orihime back. Orihime's chain slid across the floor, knocking against Loly's leg. Menoly stepped over it as Loly picked it up. She traced it's origin to Orihime's neck and grinned. "Cifer's got you under lock and key, literally. Have you been a bad girl?" She yanked the chain, pulling Orihime down on the floor.

"No. He's just a really vicious person," Orihime said as she sat back up. The words were barely out of her mouth before Loly slapped her.

"You will not speak about a high-ranking officer in such a way," Menoly said.

"I don't see what Lord Aizen's interest is in her. Why did he send us on this little assignment? This is work for the scum at the bottom of the barrel," Loly said. "Look at her? She's so pitiful. I could..." Loly stopped as Orihime grabbed her wrist before she could pull her hair again. "What do you..."

Orihime looked up at her, her eyes blank. "Please don't do that anymore. It really hurts," she said, her voice just above a whisper.

Loly tried to shake Orihime off, but her grip was iron tight. "Let me go, you little bitch! I'll..." Loly started to reach for her sword.

"What are you two doing in here?"

Loly and Menoly turned to see Ulquiorra standing in the doorway. Loly moved her hand away from her weapon. She tried shaking Orihime off again to no avail.

"I'll ask once more. Why are you in my residence?" Ulquiorra asked.

Orihime blinked as she recognized Ulquiorra's voice. She released Loly slowly. She noticed the red mark she left around the other girl's wrist. Then she looked up at Ulquiorra's approaching form. He looked the way he always did, but he still somehow managed to emit anger at the two trespassers.

"Lord Aizen sent us to check on the prisoner, Commander Cifer. We were merely following orders," Menoly said quickly.

Ulquiorra nodded. "I see. Does that include you attacking the Inoue girl, First Lieutenant?" he asked.

Menoly looked at Loly. Loly frowned and stood up. "I didn't attack her, Commander Cifer. The little bi... The prisoner put her hands on me," she said.

"I find that truly hard to believe, knowing the girl's inclinations and personality. She would not so much as harm a snake if it bit her ankle. Did you force her to defend herself, First Lieutenant?" Ulquiorra inquired.

Loly bit her lip. "What is this? Twenty questions?" She grabbed Menoly's hand and pulled her to the exit. "I'm going to make my report to Lord Aizen. Good day, Commander Cifer." With that, the two were gone.

Ulquiorra looked down at Orihime. She was trying to fix her hair on her head all while trying to avoid eye contact with him. Shaking his head, he started to leave the room when her voice stopped him.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

Ulquiorra turned his head to the side. "You are thanking me? For what?" He faced her.

"You saved me from those girls. So, thank you," Orihime said, smiling at him.

"I did not save you. They were doing their jobs from what I ascertained. But, I also do not like liars, and First Lieutenant Loly lied about attacking you." Ulquiorra continued to walk out.

Was it so hard just to accept my gratitude? Orihime watched his back, wishing he'd trip and fall or something. Instead, she remembered something else.

"Grimmjow came by," she said. She nearly laughed at his reaction. He began searching around his home, lifting things and looking inside some. "Ulquiorra, what are you doing?"

Ulquiorra stormed over to her and knelt down in front of her. "You said Commander Jaegerjaquez was here."

Orihime blinked a few times. "Commander Jaeger... Oh! You mean Grimmjow? He told me to call him that. But anyway, yes he was here. He didn't steal anything, if that's what you're wondering." Orihime fiddled with the chain. "He's actually the first somewhat nice guy I've met while I've been here."

Ulquiorra had the sudden urge to vomit. Nice? She thinks Grimmjow is nice? Has the woman gone mad? Maybe she's sick. Lord Aizen will not approve if she is sick, he thought. He leaned forward.

Orihime was immediately aware of their proximity. She watched as Ulquiorra removed his right glove and placed a cool hand on her forehead. "Ulquiorra, what are you doing?" she asked timidly.

"You are speaking nonsense; Grimmjow being nice and kind. What rubbish. I was merely wondering if you were ill." He drew back away from her. "Your temperature seems right. Perhaps it is just your mental state."

"Hey! Are you trying to say I'm crazy?" Orihime asked, a little pout on her face. Ulquiorra simply stared blankly back at her. Then he stood up. "Ulquiorra, answer the..."

"Commander Jaegerjaquez was probably here about our relocation to the mountains," Ulquiorra placed his hands back in his pockets.

"Relocation? Mountains? But I just got here. Now you're telling me that you're leaving?" Orihime asked, standing along with him.

Ulquiorra narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at her. "I never said you weren't coming with me." He grabbed the chain from her hands. "Until otherwise noted, this chain binds you to me. The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth squadrons are to head to the mountains tomorrow. You will be with me."

Orihime made an "O" with her mouth. "What's in the mountains?" she asked as Ulquiorra walked away.

"Unconquered territory."


Uryuu was peering out the window. Some of his guards were talking with a few visitors. From what Uryuu could see, they had the emblem of Soul Society on their armor. Squeezing the curtains, he relaxed when he felt Tatsuki's hand on his shoulder.

"Any news?" she asked.

"Looks like those scouts have arrived. I don't see an offi..." Uryuu's words were hushed when he caught sight of the strawberry blonde hair and pink cape of Rangiku Matsumoto. She smiled down from her horse at Uryuu's servants, who immediately went to help her down.

"Typical," Tatsuki said as she peered through the drapes. "I thought they would've sent someone I could take more seriously. She looks like any random barmaid," she said.

Uryuu snorted. "That's a bit harsh, Tatsuki. She looks like a soldier to me. Here they come. I'll get the door. You go get the others."

The door opened before Uryuu put a hand on the knob. He stepped back as Rangiku Matsumoto basically let herself in. Two of the Ishida servants ran around her, mumbling their apologies to their young master. Uryuu waved them off as Rangiku and her two soldiers stood in the doorway. Her face was stern to the point of almost angry. Then, it broke into a smile and she put up two fingers as a sign of peace.

"Hi! I'm Lieutenant General Rangiku Matsumoto, the tribunus laticlavius for the Tenth Squadron of Soul Society. I'm here to pick up someone. Maybe you know where I..."

"Lieutenant General Matsumoto!" Rukia said loudly as she came forward in Ichigo's arms. Rangiku looked away from Uryuu and at Ichigo and Rukia. She raised an eyebrow. Rukia immediately shook her head. "He's only carrying me because my leg is hurt. That's all, lieutenant general."

"I see, Kuchiki. Anyway, General Hitsugaya sent me for you AND the two you came here with," Rangiku said.

A hefty silence followed. Ryuuken was the first to break it. "Why do you need the two who brought her here? Shouldn't you just take the Kuchiki girl and leave?" he asked.

Rangiku shrugged and smiled. "I wish it was so simple. However," her tone grew serious, "my orders are to take one Rukia Kuchiki back to Soul Society for questioning as well as arrest the two people she came to Concordia. These are orders I must obey right down to the punctuation," she said.

Rukia looked up at Ichigo and then at Tatsuki. She glanced back over at Rangiku. "But lieutenant general, they haven't done anything wrong. They've done nothing but..."

Rangiku put a hand up, silencing her. "Save it for General Hitsugaya, Rukia." She looked around at the others. "Will this have to be done the hard way? I'd rather not have to use force. Concordia is such a pleasant place."

Tatsuki bit her lip and lowered her head. "We will go quietly, if anything just to get this over with and get on with our lives."


Orihime shifted nervously from foot to foot. People from the 4th Espada Battalion were loading up to go and all she was doing was being a nervous wreck. She had only been around Ulquiorra for a few days, but the word "safe" seemed to match up well with him. Whenever he was not around, she felt like something would jump out and...

"Gotcha!"

Orihime inhaled so sharply that she could not bring herself to scream when she felt the large hands squeeze her sides. She craned her neck around to see who was holding her. Her eyes narrowed minutely when she realized that it was just Grimmjow and his evil smile staring down at her. She shrugged out of his hold and walked a few feet away from him, dragging the large metal ball that her chain was now hooked to.

"That wasn't funny, Grimmjow," she murmured.

"You should've seen your face, though. It was one of terror. Well, you'll never be able to properly convey pure, unadulterated terror until you've experienced it in some form or fashion." Grimmjow stopped talking and noticed that Orihime was still a little shaken up. "What's wrong? I didn't scare ya that bad, did I? Nelliel says I..."

"Well, well. It's the little snowflake from Pacis."

Orihime watched as Nnoitra approached her and Grimmjow. He looked just as menacing as he did the last time she saw him. Grimmjow just watched him with mild disinterest.

"What do you want, Nnoitra? Leave the Pacis girl alone. Don't you have someone else to harass?" Grimmjow asked.

Nnoitra shot Grimmjow a narrowed eye before leaning down to Orihime's level. He took some of her hair between his fingers. "She doesn't mind me at all. Do you, snowflake?" he asked.

"I... I... I..." Orihime stammered.

Nnoitra winced when he felt a hand close around his wrist. He looked up and saw Grimmjow holding him. He wrenched his arm out of his grasp and stood up to his full height. "Just what do you think you're doing, Grimmjow?"

Grimmjow eased his way between Nnoitra and Orihime. "You're making your precious snowflake nervous. Can't you tell? She obviously doesn't like you. So take a hike before Ulquiorra gets back."

"You forget who you're talking to, Grimmjow. I outrank you."

"Is that so? Why don't we settle this without ranks for once?"

"You're on, pretty boy. Just name your place."

"How about right here, right now?" Grimmjow drew his sword just as Nnoitra took the giant scythe off his back. "Bring it on."

"Put your weapons away."

Orihime had barely realized that she'd been holding her breath. She turned her head to see Ulquiorra coming down the dusty hill to meet them. Loly and Menoly were at his sides, carrying bags of some sort. When they reached the bottom of the hill, Ulquiorra disregarded his fellow officers and looked at Orihime.

She looks terrified and relieved all at the same time. Ulquiorra looked over to Nnoitra, who was arguing with Grimmjow behind Orihime. What did those two...

"Don't be mad," Orihime began. She noticed Ulquiorra look down at her. "Don't be mad with Grimmjow. He was just trying to divert Commander Jiruga's attention away from me," she whispered.

"Divert Commander Jiruga's attention?" Ulquiorra sighed and looked at Grimmjow and Nnoitra, who appeared to be ready to start exchanging blows with their fists. "Loly, Menoly, take the woman to the cart. Loly, give her the bags. You're going to have to carry the ball. She's too weak."

Loly opened her mouth to retort, but one cold glance from Ulquiorra stopped the revolt in her throat. She pushed her bags in Orihime's hands and then grabbed the large metal ball. "Come on!" she yelled as she hefted it up.

Ulquiorra sauntered between Grimmjow and Nnoitra. "Enough, I said. Commander Jiruga," he looked at Nnoitra, "please mind your distance from the Inoue girl. She does not appear comfortable near you."

"Oh. So our jobs are now to make prisoners comfy?" Nnoitra argued.

"Commander Jiruga," Ulquiorra turned to walk away, "I've said my piece. Just don't let it happen again."