Sooo... it's about 4:30 am in my country, right now. I'm WAY too sleepy for any sort of comment at the beginning of this chapter, so I'll just say enjoy. xD

P.S. Every Bleach character belongs to Kubo-san.

3. Life in Hueco Mundo

"...She already declined your advances, Grimmjow. Release her."

Ulquiorra's hand then moved to Murciélago. There were no more warnings to issue, from that point. Stark let out somewhat of a whistle before he moved to grab Mizuki, preparing to get out of there. Eyeing the Zanpakutō, Grimmjow gave a devious grin... he so loved to annoy Ulquiorra and lure him into fights. Knowing the danger from Stark's reaction, Mizuki frowned at the two males sitting across the table.

"Oi, calm down both of you. Grimmy, find another woman, this one belongs to Ulquiorra."

For a moment Shizuka felt exactly like an object, being spoken of in that way. Just before Grimmjow could answer, a hand reached from behind him smacking him upside the head, before Halibel's calm voice reached their ears.

"Calm down, will you? I'd hate for Ulquiorra to have to explain to Aizen why he killed you."

"I have Aizen-sama's blessing to kill, so long as it serves to protect the woman... what happens next, Grimmjow, is entirely your choice."

Ulquiorra studied him with cold, alert eyes, not even relaxing when Halibel whacked the blue haired Arrancar upside his most likely empty head. Growling, Grimmjow soon fell silent under Halibel's gaze, removing his arm from Shizuka.

"Fine, fine." he pouted. "Have it your way."

Losing a bit of her balance due to Grimmjow's sudden move Shizuka soon found herself on her back on Ulquiorra's lap, staring up at his pale face.

"Oi... calm down will you?" she said reaching underneath herself to grasp his wrist and move his hand away from the katana's hilt.

Somewhat amused Mizuki nudged Stark toward the door.

"We should go for now, eh Stark?"

Catching the tone in her voice, Halibel reached for Grimmjow's jacket, silently dragging him away, ignoring the man's angry protests. Stark was willing enough to simply nod to Mizuki and get out of the room with her, all of those departures leaving the two alone. Ulquiorra spoke now, as dryly as ever.

"I am calm."

What sort of evidence had he given to her that would make her believe that he'd been angry, anyway? Realizing she was alone with him again, Shizuka suddenly lost that bit of courage and sat up with an almost violent motion of her body.

"I see... so how did you die?"

Well, to think she'd actually been worried about him... if he was calm then she could just act like nothing had happened.

"Hollows do not remember their end as humans... we lose our humanity and the memories of that life, when we undergo the change."

Imagining himself as human made him feel... ill. Humans were weak in a world that encouraged weakness, clearly, since very few in their world held any real power. Hollows, however, believed only in might, and were powerful for the most part, being led by the likes of Aizen making them even stronger.

"That's too bad."

With that she finally started eating. Why in the world was she feeling so awkward with him? She could tell it wasn't just the fact that she was human and he wasn't anymore... but what was it then? Ulquiorra allowed her to eat her meal in peace, not watching Shizuka, but ultimately observing her via his Pesquisa ability. Back outside, Mizuki stretched her spine with a smile.

"So what do you think, Stark? Is she gonna get Ulquiorra or not?" she chuckled.

Stark rubbed his jaw, his smile turning into a frown as he spoke his own thoughts aloud.

"Ulquiorra... I can't really say for sure. I spent centuries looking for someone to love and care about. Ulquiorra... he doesn't believe in love. He probably doesn't understand caring, either."

"Well I think it would be good for him... and if she pushes the right buttons she might just get under that shell of his. I did it with you, didn't I?" she smiled moving her arm to rest around Stark's waist.

She would know... it had taken her what felt like forever to get under Stark's skin. Stark turned, and gently turned Mizuki as well. Smiling down to her, since she was shorter than him, he didn't give a verbal reply but softly embraced her, giving her a kiss that was anything but soft.

Finishing her meal, Shizuka looked to Ulquiorra.

"So... now what?"

Ulquiorra let his vision drift over to her, when she spoke.

"...How is it that you have a Hollow hole... but have not become a Hollow?"

He doubted that humans had some system of arts, else he would have heard of them by now. Tilting her head, Shizuka lowered her gaze to the hole settled just above her cleavage.

"I don't know... I was out during my evening walk and I saw a Hollow chasing this boy down the street. I always could see Hollows and human souls... ever since I was little I think. So I followed them and distracted the Hollow enough for the boy to get away... I didn't, as you can see."

She kept a soft smile on her lips as she spoke... truly she didn't mind being dead, since it had been for the right cause.

"Aizen came along and killed the Hollow before it ate me, but my chain fell off faster than normal, according to Aizen's words. And still, I didn't turn into a Hollow... I don't know why. Aizen doesn't seem to know either."

"I see..."

Perhaps it was her unique reiatsu that had preserved her. It was the only answer that Ulquiorra could come to... yet he imagined that Aizen would find some sort of evidence in his work with the Hougyoku.

"So what animal were you as a Hollow?"

Apparently they'd managed to break the ice a bit and she enjoyed listening to his soft voice. Regardless of the latest events, Ulquiorra had a somewhat soothing effect on her. He didn't quite see how relevant that was to anything. Yet, Aizen's words, telling him to befriend her, prevented the lack of an answer.

"I was not born in the likes of an animal... but if you would compare me to one, it would be a bat."

For a moment, Ulquiorra contemplated what sort of Hollow she would have been. Yet, they'd never know now, it seemed. Summing him up the girl then nodded with a chuckle.

"Hmm yep... you look emo enough for a bat."

With that she moved to her feet and turned to leave.

"Well thanks for the meal, I'll see you later."

His brow rose at being called...

'...Emo?'

What was that term? It sounded incomplete, and he didn't know if he quite liked it, or if it was true. Then again, it most likely was not... for now, he would leave Shizuka alone. Why? Just to see if she actually could avoid Nnoitra on her own, or if she needed to be watched constantly. Ulquiorra's Pesquisa did remain on her, just in case.

Walking out into the yard of the fortress she smiled up at the clear sky before heading toward the first tower she saw, which happened to be Szayel's laboratory. Once there she somehow managed to get into the building despite the fact that usually Szayel kept himself tightly locked inside. Wandering the corridors it didn't take long for her to run into some of Szayel's mindless Arrancar, one of them rushing straight at her.

Coming down the hall, Szayel spotted the commotion and nearly had a heart attack, if that were possible. Aizen was going to have his head on a silver plate if anything happened to that girl on his domain.

"DOWN!" he shouted and the Arrancar stopped in its tracks.

Approaching her, he glanced around suspiciously.

"What are you doing here? Where's Ulquiorra?"

Swallowing her fear Shizuka shook her head.

"He's not my babysitter, I'm not a child."

Chuckling Szayel crossed his arms, a soft smile now painted upon his features.

"Kid, there are things here you wouldn't want to see even in your nightmares. It's not about being a child or not, it's about staying alive. You'd get Ulquiorra in serious trouble if anything happened to you."

Dismissing the Arrancar he then motioned her to follow and led her to the door.

"Nice meeting you, anyway. You can call me Szayel."

With that he closed the door behind her leaving her out in the sunny yard.

"...It would seem that I cannot leave you alone, after all."

By then, Ulquiorra was standing only feet behind her. Humans were... a creature best designed to simply lie down and accept death, rather than resist it. Without protection, Szayel or his experiments – if any of them would have been sentient – could have slain her had they been of a mind to do so. He knew Szayel well enough to know that the Eighth Espada would not have been so friendly in a normal situation... he would have either killed her or used her for his experiments, had she not been under Aizen's tutelage, and through Aizen under Ulquiorra's. Startled by his voice, Shizuka turned to him.

"I'm not a baby!" she frowned. "I don't need you to be my shadow."

With that she made her best attempt at stomping off, though the sands prevented her from doing it properly. When she was but a few steps away from him, a gust of wind surrounded them stirring the sands, before a chuckle reached their ears. The wind soon settled down revealing a tall, thin man now standing right in front of the girl.

"I'll say... give the girl some room, batty boy." he grinned.

Eyeing Ulquiorra a bit nervously, Tesla decided to just stay out of it, having heard of Aizen's order from his master.

"He... is one reason you need my protection at all times. For you, fighting an Arrancar, or even a lowly Hollow, would be futile."

Ulquiorra then shifted his green orbs from Shizuka, to the Quinta Espada.

"What do you want, Nnoitra?"

Looking up at him, Shizuka shuddered ever so slightly at the man's huge grin, instinctively taking a step back.

"I just came to meet the youngest resident of Las Noches, batty boy... no need to get yer pants on fire over it."

Reaching out he grasped a strand of her hair letting it slide in between his slender fingers.

"You smell nice, little lady..." he chuckled just before grasping her shoulder. "Mind if I kidnap you for a little while?"

"Ulquiorra..." she whispered even before she'd had time to think of anything to say.

Before she had even finished saying his name, Ulquiorra was between them, pointing his finger at Nnoitra's face whilst charging a Cero.

"...I need not worry about my Cero harming her. If I hit your head, it will tear it off and keep going... if your next act is not to move away from her and leave, I will fire this into the one eye you do have."

Releasing her, Nnoitra grinned as wide as possible.

"I'll take you up on that offer another day, batty boy. Come on, Tesla... I saw what I came to see."

And he knew what to do next as well... still somewhat shocked by the thought that she'd barely avoided being raped, Shizuka now stared at Ulquiorra's back absentmindedly, her body still shaking lightly. She'd never seen a more frightening man in her life and she had to admit he did make her have second thoughts about leaving Ulquiorra's side. Ulquiorra ceased his cero, lowering his hand. A frown set upon his face, he gazed over his shoulder, to the girl.

"Do you believe me, now?"

If not, then her ignorance would be of great trouble to him in the future. The sheer relief of being safe again, rendered the girl to her knees as she tried to recompose herself. She really needed to stay away from Nnoitra in the future...

"Y-yeah... I believe you..." she muttered.

Passing by, Grimmjow chuckled at the sight.

"Oh, just hug her already, you ignorant bat." he called out to his fellow Espada before continuing to his destination with a hearty laugh.

Ulquiorra observed Grimmjow in silence. Was that how to become the girl's friend? To hug her when she became emotional? He could do that, for Aizen. Kneeling down when the Sexta Espada was gone, he somewhat hesitantly moved his arms to the girl, pulling her against him. Mostly out of reflex Shizuka wrapped her arms around his waist pressing her face against his chest.

It took a few moments for her to realize what she was doing, which in turn triggered her blush. But she felt too good to pull away from him... too safe. Instead she grasped the back of his jacket, curling up against him, moving her face from his chest to his neck and burying it in his hair. Yes, she had that weird habit of clinging to the first person that showed some sign of kindness when she was scared.

That was a quiet moment, Ulquiorra not letting go of her. As long as she held on, he believed, it was a sign that she sought to be comforted. Not that he understood the concept of comfort... he hardly believed in emotions, aside from misery and anger when someone did finally whittle away at his patience enough to incur his wrath. Passing by with Stark, Mizuki stopped to stare at them for a moment.

"Wow... they moved faster than I thought."

Not wishing to disturb them, however, she grasped Stark's arm dragging him away from there. Finally Shizuka's breathing calmed down as she now rested against him. She could have even slept there in his arms, if not for the abnormally fast rush of blood in her body that kept her face warmer than usual. Was it wrong that her mind now provided her with images of Ulquiorra having sex with her? It had to be... he wasn't even human anymore. Not to mention they'd barely met a short while before.

Stark willingly allowed Mizuki to pull him along, though his expression didn't brighten at the sight. Why should it? He knew Ulquiorra well enough to believe that he was only ever acting in Aizen's best interests. Ulquiorra now ended the period of absolute, dead quiet, by speaking to the girl.

"We will return to my tower, for now..."

Nodding Shizuka merely moved her arms from around his waist up to his neck. Clearly she wasn't thinking about letting him go.

A week passed and before long Shizuka had all but forgotten about her encounter with Nnoitra. Her relationship with Ulquiorra went on pretty much the same as before aside from the Espada's rather clumsy attempts at becoming her friend. But that didn't bother her... in fact she couldn't even remember the last time a handsome guy had gone out of his way to befriend her, since while alive she'd been quite an odd presence amidst those her age.

She'd met the rest of the Espada up to that point, Stark, Grimmjow and Szayel seemingly having taken quite a liking to her. Mizuki had proven to be a great friend as well, teaching her everything she knew about Hollows and Shinigami, as well as about reiatsu and other powers that only the Arrancar possessed. Thanks to Mizuki's words she'd started seeing Ulquiorra in a slightly different light.

That day, however, she was busy reading a book in his tower when a low ranking Arrancar came to tell Ulquiorra that Aizen wanted to see her in private. Ulquiorra frowned somewhat to that. He questioned Aizen's judgment in a moment of hesitation, before going to Shizuka.

"...Aizen-sama has ordered you to go alone, to him. Depart now."

He wanted to go with her, but an order from Aizen was final. Setting the book aside she moved off his bed, pulling the shoes on her feet.

"What's with that look? What could possibly happen?" she chuckled.

Without waiting for an answer she left the tower making her way to the main building since she'd already learned her way around the fortress. Yes, she knew what could happen since she was alone, but telling herself if wouldn't, made her feet slightly better. Once her meeting with Aizen was over she left the building, now making her way back to Ulquiorra's tower.

"All alone today, little lady?"

Nnoitra's voice made her stop in her tracks and within the blink of an eye she found herself on all fours, the man's body now resting over hers as he almost pressed her chin into the sands.

"Did Aizen order batty boy to stop watching you all day long?" he grinned in her ear.

It took a moment but finally her adrenaline kicked in making her roll around to face him as she slipped back.

"Don't touch me!"

Grinning Nnoitra reached to grab her by the shirt before she got too far away, so he wouldn't have to move from that spot. She was on his domain after all...

"Don't worry, it'll feel good... for me..." he laughed. "After a good round of sex I'm so relaxed that I give up on all restrains of my reiatsu. So you won't have to worry about getting pregnant... you'll be dead after I'm done with you."

Even as he spoke he reached to her shirt with his free hand as well, tearing the fabric as though it was paper. In turn that gave Shizuka the chance to crawl away but she was soon pinned against the sands by his body. She shuddered in disgust as she felt his groin rubbing against her, tears filling her face.

"What're you cryin' for?" he scowled tugging on her hair to pull her head back so she'd look up at him. "You want a reason to cry? I'll give ya a good, long, thick one."

The girl's gaze grew hazy when new tears overflowed... by now she was too scared to even scream.

"Ulquiorra..." she whispered shakily.

"Quit callin' his name, he ain't comin' for ya!" the Espada growled.

There was a brief silence in just that moment, before Ulquiorra stepped from the shadows produced by the tower and the artificial lights. He'd known that would happen, and thus he had made use of his Pesquisa to track her.

"...That is correct. I have come... for you, Nnoitra."

His tone took on an unusual, threatening quality. He couldn't use his Resurrección there, but it wasn't needed for Nnoitra. Looking up, Nnoitra grinned.

"Well, well, batty boy... guess you do like the girl."

Leaning down he trailed the tip of his tongue up her cheek, before chuckling in her ear.

"What say I do you in front of Ulquiorra? He should've banged ya when he had the chance."

Trying her best to not throw up her last meal, Shizuka remained silent, her entire body shaking.

"I'll take that as a yes." he grinned looking to Ulquiorra with a rather defiant gaze.

He knew the Espada couldn't lift a finger while Shizuka was so close to them, for fear of hurting her. Ulquiorra's gaze remained just as devoid of feelings as it had been since his birth as a Hollow.

"I cannot use my Cero, but..."

He then lifted his hand, extending his fingers downward and closing them in a fist before a red glow surrounded his hand, taking flight in the form of an almost lightning-speed Bala, sent right toward the other Espada's shoulder. A Bala was indeed fairly harmless and fast enough that the lecher couldn't put Shizuka in harm's way, but it could knock him away from the girl.

Without enough time to react due to the short distance between them, Nnoitra flew off Shizuka and into one of the nearby buildings almost bringing down the entire wall. Freed from the weight the girl merely curled up on the sand crying.

"...Trash."

He could not chase after the Espada, after all, for fear that Nnoitra had ordered Tesla to come to take her during the battle. He was contemplating asking Aizen for permission to make use of his Resurrección in Las Noches. Approaching Shizuka, he picked her up and disappeared in a Sonido, for now, to get her back to his tower.

Wrapping her arms around his neck tightly she hid her face in his hair, her tears now sliding along his skin under his jacket. She couldn't stop shaking no matter how she tried, but she did clench her fists around the material that covered his back. If Nnoitra had tried to get her to fear sex, he'd just succeeded.

Back in the yard Nnoitra himself groaned as he moved to his feet amidst the rubble. His shoulder hurt like hell even though his Hierro hadn't been pierced. So Ulquiorra had preferred to leave him alive just to get the girl back. Well, he wasn't going to be that merciful.

Ulquiorra had arrived in his tower then, closing the door and sitting down with Shizuka on his lap, holding her. She was... so frail. Maybe killing something so weak served a purpose for some Hollows, but he didn't see it. It seemed that Nnoitra just wanted to torture her. Yet, aside from orders... why did that bother him?

Meanwhile, a hand patted Nnoitra on the shoulder somewhat harmlessly, Stark grinning with a gleam in his eye behind the Quinta Espada. He then uttered a single word.

"...Oi."

The intent was far from innocent. He was quite tired of seeing Nnoitra sending women running and crying or killing them just because he wanted to transfer his hatred, or perhaps his love, of Nel onto every other female. Blinking, Nnoitra turned around before his expression settled in its usual defiant traces.

"What do ya want, Stark?"

Why did he have to be interrupted while planning his revenge on Ulquiorra for that cheap shot?

Back in the tower, Shizuka remained curled in Ulquiorra's arms, trying her best to stop crying. Her body reacted on its own, however, when she accidentally felt his member through the hakama. Even though it wasn't at all aroused, it brought back the sensation of Nnoitra's disgusting groin rubbing against her. She suddenly pulled back almost falling to the floor. At that moment, she would have been alright to never have sex in her life.

"I am here... for you. I will not hurt you, Shizuka..."

The words had really come before Ulquiorra knew their meaning. Why did he now want to protect her? Why did that normally dull ache now have an edge? Stark scowled at the question, since he didn't really like the answer, himself.

"Well... y'know that Mizuki and I care about Shizu-chan. So... I'm gonna make it simple, Nnoitra. I came to beat your ass all over Las Noches."

Somewhat widening his only visible eye, Nnoitra then frowned reaching for his weapon.

"Bring it, wolfy... I ain't afraid of ya."

His powers had grown lately, thus he felt more confident than ever. Somewhat calming down at Ulquiorra's voice, the girl moved back to him settling at his side.

"Sorry... I just felt..."

She briefly eyed his groin before closing her eyes and pressing her face into the side of his chest.

"Nothing... forget it..."

Narrowing his eyes ever so slightly, Stark gave a rather ominous smirk.

"Eh... I'm gonna warn you, though. I might not look it, but... I'm actually pretty pissed. So don't expect me to be lazy with you. This won't be fun for you."

Then, there was an unfamiliar feeling in the air. Yes... Stark was actually embracing and employing his reiatsu, which coursed through and electrified the sand, sending it blowing into the air when it blazed out.

Ulquiorra simply hung an arm around her. He could understand what it was like, to not be able to find the words for something.

"Tell me, when you are ready."

A rather awkward feeling fell on the girl at his words. How could she tell him? Maybe a direct approach?

"I felt your... that... through the hakama." she muttered pointing to his groin, grateful that she was hiding her face in his clothes so he wouldn't see the burning blush in her cheeks.

"Tch..."

It was all Nnoitra said, before raising his weapon in a defensive stance. Crap... why did Stark care about that girl anyway? There was nothing special about her... she was human for crap's sake. Ulquiorra only knew that term, through Grimmjow's filthy mouth. Frowning somewhat to that, he watched her face.

"I do have that body part... but I have no desire to use it. Sex is an act of reproduction, to me. And Hollows do not reproduce. Therefore, I've no need of that."

Should he remove it, if it would keep her comfortable? He still didn't fully understand friendship...

Stark eyed Santa Teresa. He'd start by demoralizing Nnoitra, and then when the other Arrancar acknowledged the futility of fighting him in that moment, he would beat him to death. The Primera Espada charged in a Sonido, his gaze sharpening somewhat with his anger as he sent his fist forth with the objective of shattering Nnoitra's Zanpakutō.

Blinking Shizuka finally looked up at Ulquiorra, completely forgetting about her blush.

"Eh? You've never had a woman before?"

Sure, Hollows were devoid of feelings but surely their bodies were not. She'd seen Grimmjow with several of the lower ranking Arrancar females, heading to his tower, during that week after all.

As though sensing the danger, Nnoitra looked for an escape, but Stark was too fast. Thus he merely channeled his entire reiatsu into the weapon, barely avoiding its utter destruction that way. What's more, the sheer force of Stark's punch threw him back a few feet, thus giving him room to move.

"No, and I have no physical desires..." Ulquiorra answered in his usual calm, but emotionless tone.

While he figured she might not believe there was a person who just didn't want intercourse, Ulquiorra knew that she wouldn't see anything in their short past that would be indicative to the contrary. Did he ever give her any sort of lustful gaze? No. Did she, or anyone for that matter, ever arouse him? No.

There was no safe haven for Nnoitra, what with Stark making use of his Sonido again, sending a flurry of palm strikes at Santa Teresa with a speed that could only be expected of him. Finally managing to leap away Nnoitra landed on the roof of a nearby building.

"Alright... you asked for it. Pray... Santa Teresa!"

With a huge blast he released his Zanpakutō, making Shizuka startle in Ulquiorra's arms when she sensed his reiatsu. Out of reflex she grasped the Espada's shirt but kept her focus on their discussion.

"Any man has sexual desires... a woman just has to know how to awaken them."

Stark took in a breath; he knew Nnoitra's powers, and they didn't intimidate him in the least. Yet, it was a mild inconvenience that he couldn't use his own Zanpakutō there...

"Eh... you stupid, insecure little boy. Just gotta torture women, right? Well... don't blame Neliel when I leave you dying on the ground."

Ulquiorra arched a brow to Shizuka's words. Maybe... maybe not. What, though, was he supposed to say about that? The fact that Stark's reiatsu was somewhere near Nnoitra's, somewhat calmed Shizuka down to the point where she smiled at Ulquiorra's expression.

"Ah, finally some feeling in those eyes of yours."

Yes, it was barely visible but there was an ember of curiosity in his gaze... and that was better than no feeling at all.

Wow, kind of an intense chapter, eh? O.O I wonder if Ulquiorra really was a serious about removing his treasures... - Kidding... of course he won't remove them. He'll need them soon enough, anyway. ;)

R&R please and, as always, look forward to the next chapter. :D