A/N - thanks for the review(s?) (maybe before I post this chapter? Please? XD) I really appreciated the feedback! I'm going to do my best to make the chapters slightly longer so that I can cover more, as it's basically been going nowhere at the moment. I'm pretty sure that I'm mainly going to be focusing on InouexUlquoirra, and RukiaxRenji. As some may have noticed. I've now placed this fiction under the InouexUlquoirra pairing on the search.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach! However, the random arrancar without a name, is.
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"You wished to see me, Aizen-sama?" Inoue asked hesitantly, feeling the weight of his presence boring down on her. Ulquoirra had exited the room after she had entered, so he must be waiting at the door to escort her back after. If she would get back... The man stared down at her passively, sitting down in his usual chair above where she stood. She noticed that a shinigami was standing to her right, leaning up against the wall. She vaguely recalled him, trying to place a name. Ichimaru Gin.
"Yes, I did. Thank you for coming with such haste," he praised lightly, humor lacing his smooth voice. "I need you to evacuate the room that you're staying in at the moment."
Her eyes widened in surprise. What was with the sudden change? "Uh... M-may I ask why?" she spoke softly.
"As Ulquiorra must have mentioned already, Kurosaki-kun and his friends have invaded Heuco Mundo to rescue you." Her breath caught in her throat. So it was true. It wasn't simply a lie made up by him... She wasn't sure whether to smile or cry, but Aizen-sama gave her no time to think about it, "it's too risky to have you so far away of where I can keep you. I wouldn't want them coming across you by mistake, now would I?"
She glanced down at her feet, twisting her fingers nervously. She should have known something like this would happen. Even if Kurosaki-kun and everyone managed to get this far, Aizen-sama would never allow them to reach her. "O-of course not, Aizen-sama."
He nodded in approval at her obidient behavior. She heard the man to her right chuckle softly, folding his arms lazily. "Right then. As of now, you will be residing in one of the espada's quarters. I need you where I can keep a close eye on you." Inoue bit her lip nervously, scared at the fact she'd be sleeping near one of the most deadly men in Heuco Mundo.
"Hai, Aizen-sama."
He brushed a strand of light brown hair from his eyes, glancing at Gin for a moment, then back to Inoue. "You'll be staying in Ulquoirra's room for the time being." Her eyes widened in surprise. Not only did she have to stay in one of the espada's rooms, but it had to be the most heartless and quiet men. "Well, it's him or Grimmjow."
Her eyes shot up to meet his, but she quickly lowered her gaze, blushing slightly. "N-no, it would be an honor to be allowed in Ulquoirra-sama's presence."
A smirk crossed his face momentarily. "Very good. Gin, if you would please show her to her new room?" He stood from the wall, giving a small wave to the man.
"Course Aizen-sama!" he grinned happily. Inoue waited a moment before following, glancing back at the door she had entered in, searching for Ulquoirra. Seeing that he wasn't there, she followed the white haired man, silently praying to herself.
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"Haha, you think you can fight me!?" the large voice boomed from above as Renji and Rukia stepped into their battle stances, glancing up at the arrancar above. He was tall with a large build, a hollow mask covered the bottom portion of his face, coming up in fang-like shapes over his mouth. Greasy black hair fell over his head to his shoulders, giving him the look as if he hadn't showered in ages. "You're just puny humans!"
Rukia stepped back, preparing for a kidou attack, "Hadou 4: White Lightning!" she shouted on the top of her lungs, as a large blast of lightning shot from the tip of her fingers. Renji drew Zabimaru from it's sheath, quickly releasing it's form.
"Howl, Zabimaru!"
The Arrancar jumped down, dodging Rukia's kidou and landing on his feet as if he were a cat. A huge grin covered what you could see of his mouth, and his eyes were wide with excitement. "This should be fun!"
Renji clenched his teeth in frusturation as he lept forward, his sword lengthening towards their opponent. The man swiftly pulled his sword up, blocking Renji's attack with his zanpakutoh still half in it's sheath.
"Hadou 31: Shakkahou!" Rukia shouted, a strong blast of power leaving her hands, shooting towards the man. It hit his sword from the side, knocking it out of his hand. Renji took the advantage to attack once again with Zabimaru, cutting a deep slash in his left arm.
"Damn you," the arrancar cursed quickly, leaping back to one of the walls, gripping his arm harshly. "Think you're so tough? Huh!?"
"Actually, yeah!" Renji countered, seriously irritated at the man's obnoxious behavior. Rukia ran up behind him, gripping the handle of her sword with her right hand, grasping the sheath with her left. She pulled it out, muttering the release under her breath, "Sode no Shirayuki." The snow white zanpakutoh shone brightly before both Renji and the arrancar.
The red haired shinigami stared at the beautiful weapon admirably. Such grace really suited it's owner. He shook his head quickly, returning his glance to the half-hollow man.
"What the hell? It's not even a real blade!" Rukia frowned at the man, leaping forward, slashing at the arrancar.
"First Dance: Tsukishiro," she whispered softly, and the man's eyes opened widely in alarm. Before either Renji or the arrancar knew it, he was covered in a thick sheet of ice, frozen in time. Rukia knelt down, returning her sword to it's original form before returning it to her sheath, all without a word.
"T-that was amazing, Rukia!" he grinned, returning his own zanpakutoh at the same time. "It really was beautiful." She glanced at him over her shoulder, a small smile flashing on her face.
"Now comes the dirty work," she muttered, redying her hand for another Kidou attack, "Hadou 31: Shakkahou!" After she finished the incantation, a burst of energy shot from her hand, shattering the ice and the man along with it into a million shards. Blood mixed upon the pieces of ice, and Renji frowned, turning away from the mess. "We should go on..."
"Hai. It won't be long until backup arrives," Renji agreed, turning towards one of the pathways. "Lets go." Rukia nodded, following her red-haired friend into another dark passageway.
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Inoue sat on a blanket on the floor of a simliar white room the one she had previously occupied. It was basically the exact same as her room, except now a small blanket had been rolled out for Inoue to sleep on. She hugged her legs in front of her, resting her head on her knees. Her long orange hair fell around her arms, and she stared at it blankly. Tatsuki-chan... Her hair always reminded her of her dear friend. It symbolised their friendship, and her trust in Tatsuki.
She recalled the day that she had told that to Tatsuki. They had both been an inch away from death, a Hollow breathing down both of their necks. That had been the day that she had realised her powers of the Shun Shun Rika as well. Tsubaki, Hinagiku, Baigon, Lily, Shonou, and Ayame.
The day that she was told about everything she was in now. The Hollows, the Shinigami. She remembered sitting in Urahara-san's shop, listening to the seemingly impossible explanation.
Her head snapped up as she heard the door open. The familiar espada walked in, hands stuffed in his pockets as he stared ahead of himself. She was confused as to whether she should gain his attention or just stay quiet. He was her superior after all.
Before she decided, he glanced over at her accusingly. "What're you doing in here?"
"Uh... Aizen-sama ordered me to stay here. H-he needs to keep a closer eye on me now that my fr--," she paused for a moment, "now that there are intruders in Heuco Mundo." He exhaled slightly, and Inoue was shocked to find a slight hint of relief covering his face. So he was capable of emotions?
"Fine. Stay there. Don't talk." he ordered instantly. She frowned, but nodded her head. Turning around, he went to his bed, crawling under the sheets without removing a piece of his clothing. Just as well, she sighed to herself in relief. She did the same, laying under he sheets while facing the white wall.
Before she knew it, sleep had taken her.