Returning to Las Noches the three Arrancar made for Aizen's throne room. Once there they waited for the rest of the Espada to congregate before they made their report. Or more just Sora's report, as Wonderweiss couldn't speak and Yammy wasn't any better off with his brain the size of an acorn.
Once all were together Sora removed his hood and then reached up and removed his eye out of its socket before crushing it in his hand. Doing that created a fine dust filled with his reiatsu. Through the dust he was able to relate everything he saw and his feelings on those things. The skill was taught to him by Ulquiorra.
Breathing the dust in the others closed their eyes as they experienced all that Sora has seen and felt. Out of which the most prominent feeling was anger when Kisuke Urahara showed up on the scene.
Some of the Arrancar sniggered at what they saw from Yammy, irritating the muscular man. As if the beating at the hands of the woman wasn't bad enough already.
Once he saw it all Aizen slowly opened his eyes and looked at his three warriors with a pleased expression. "I'm very impressed that you were able to deflect Yoruichi's attack so easily, Sora, she is a feared hakuda master." He was very pleased with his subject and greatest weapon.
Sora gave a mere nod. Yammy on the other hand puffed out his chest awaiting his praise, but none came, making a few of the other Espada snigger again.
"Yes, those ryoka won't be any danger to us. Not with their current level of power." The ex-captain was satisfied. "But tell me, Sora, what do you think of the girl's powers?"
Sora felt uncomfortable considering his fracción weren't present for them to relay what he had to say. Shifting uncomfortably he looked around. Speak in front of others like this was the last thing he wished for.
Aizen made no move to ease his discomfort. If anything he might have been enjoying it, as did some others. They all knew of his dislike for speaking.
Then Tier Halibel stepped forward and went to Sora. Haliel was one of the few Espada that Sora tolerated, even liked, and even one of the fewer ones he was comfortable speaking to. Leaning closer he related his thoughts to her. "He says it was a peculiar power. It wasn't any form of conventional healing arts. It looked more like time reversal."
"I see, interesting thoughts." Smiled Aizen. "That will be all. Thank you for your report, and thank you all for coming." He dismissed them.
Walking to his palace, the palace that previously belonged to his master and friend, he stored his new cloak in a closet before looking for Ai and Zai, finding them in their room.
"Master, you're back!" Zai exclaimed, and both girls bowed to him.
Sighing he addressed them. "I already told you, you don't need to bow to me, nor call me master." Sora was very fond of his fracción, they were like family to him, and so it didn't feel right for them to address him as 'master.'
"Of course, master." Ai blatantly ignored him. "How was the mission?"
Shaking his head he decided to let it go. "There were no problems at all. But I'm kind of tired and will go lay down now. So if you could keep others from disturbing me, please."
"Of course, master!" The two girls bowed once again.
Shaking his again he walked to his bedroom. Closing the door behind him he started to strip down, leaving his clothes at the foot of the bed. Slipping under the covers he looked at the ceiling. What was happening to him? Already on their way back from Karakura Town, after meeting his old friends, he couldn't help but think about his old life. His thoughts flickered between his friends and sisters, but more than that it made him think about his past with Nelliel.
Shattered Shaft
They were standing above the canopy of Las Noches, Nelliel was taking him for their first training session. "Alright, Sora, I want you to attack me with everything you've got. Hold nothing back." She instructed him, unsheathing her sword. Dondochakka and Pesche were watching the two combatants from afar, both curious as to what their brother could do.
Sora stood there for a moment observing Nelliel. Her stance looked almost casual, but he could tell that behind that facade she was dead serious. She wouldn't go lightly on him and unless he too took it seriously he'd be in big trouble.
Taking the hilt of his sword he decided to test his opponent first. Pulling out his sword he flashed before Nel and delivered several strikes before falling back. She had parried each with ease. It was like she didn't even have to try.
"Testing your opponent, good. Hurrying into a fight head over heels has never done any good." She nodded. "And you didn't pull your sword until the last second. I approve. It shows strength not to flaunt your weapon." She smiled, pleased with the boy.
Extending his left arm towards Nel he charged up a cero at the tip of his finger. After a couple second an azure cero rocketed towards Nel, who merely opened her mouth.
Sora expected her to do something, but not merely stand there. Waiting he watched what would happen. Instead of exploding upon impact his cero did nothing, except gradually grow smaller in size. He watched fascinated as his attack slowly disappeared and saw that Nel had swallowed it. Not knowing what to think about it he watched her rather dumbfounded. That is until she opened her mouth again and a large cero blast flew straight at him.
Tearing himself out of his stupor he quickly dodged the attack, which flew past him and far away into the distance beyond Las Noches and resulted in a vast explosion. Looking back at her he saw amusement in her eyes.
"You just discovered my special ability, Cero Doble. You see I can swallow an enemy's cero, mix it with my own one and send it back, the result of which you have just witnessed." She gave him a warm smile. "Each Espada has some sort of special ability we either already had or developed." She explained to him. "Now, if you would continue, please." She then charged him.
Although Sora was a potent swordsman it was quickly obvious how much outmatched he was by Nelliel. She was a true master, showing barely any effort while pressing him. And each time he was able to batter her attacks aside and execute one of his own she'd elegantly dance around it like a ballerina.
With a swift kick to the side he was sent flying, hitting the stone ground hard several times before coming to a stop. Slowly getting up to his feet he was breathing hard, while his opponent didn't seem fatigued at all.
"I see you like fighting with one hand only." She commented on the fact he used only a single-handed hold of his sword. "That's quite alright, what suits you best. However, since your other hand is free use it to strike your opponent, or fire a random minor cero, to surprise your opponent where you can. Also your strikes go way too wide and have too much unnecessary force behind them. Be mindful of that." She seemed to get the gist of his technique quickly. Or perhaps lack of technique would be a better word for that. His swordsmanship training was basic, as during his short period as acting soul reaper Rukia attempted to teach him, but since they were found out rather soon they didn't have any real time for him to even start developing a proper technique. And after that he was turned into a hollow and the few fights he had were hand-to-hand.
It was obvious to Nel that the boy had a long way before him as a sword user, but she could sense he had a vast potential, already she was coming up with drills for her new friend in her mind.
Sora took a deep breath, getting his erratic breathing under control. He then charged Nel once again, but before he could get close he poured his reiatsu into his sword and with a swing of it sent a quadruple attack of azure energy towards her.
Jumping high into the air she could see the four slashes extending far past where she stood just a moment before. Looking over at Sora she could see the attack had a single point of origin and from there it branched off into four, at about sixty degrees in total. Looking closer the attack looked like blue flames. Rather impressive.
Concentrating reishi under her foot Nel created a small platform to use and jump straight at Sora.
Deciding to be mindful of his fighting style like Nel told him he decided to try and alter it, although with some of his own ideas.
Her belief of the boy turned correct already as when she attacked him his stance changed completely and instead of his broad sweeps the boy used minimalist jabs and parries, attempting to use her own momentum against her. His technique was nowhere near good, but he made impressive attempts.
Just then a quick kick sent her staggering back as Sora decided to use his extensive knowledge of karate in his fighting. Not wanting to allow her a single moment of respite he charged forward, combining swords strikes and jabs with his martial arts, making kind of a hybrid fighting style on the spot, keeping Nel as much off balance as possible for him. When it looked like she'd regain her footing he charged a weak cero with his left hand a fired it at Nel's feet, forcing her to jump back and giving him a chance to start his assault anew.
After some time of fighting Nel jumped back and called for him to stop. Nel had to admit she was impressed with the boy's adaptability and his use of martial arts. If they continued to hone this skill of his he might be the greatest fighter of them all with his instinctual adaptability and rapid growth rate.
She wanted to praise the boy and advice him on some of his moves when she heard a war cry from behind her. Turning around she saw Nnoitora, already in mid-jump, preparing his massive zanpakuto to strike her. Preparing to counter him she raised her blade. However, before the tall, willowy man could strike against her Sora was standing before her in a rush of sonído. Raising his hand he caught the Octava's blade with his hand.
The black-haired man looked at him dumbfounded, as did Nel. She knew Sora was strong, but she didn't expect him to be able to catch an Espada's sword this early on.
Nnoitora soon got over his initial shock and soon became his usual angry self, as he started shouting obscenities at the orange-haired Arrancar, while Sora merely stared him down.
Pushing his zanpakuto to the side Sora delivered a strong kick to the Octava's stomach sending him flying.
Nel looked at her new fracción in surprise. So he could already match Nnoitora. No wonder Lord Aizen was so interested in him.
"What's with this guy?" He looked in Nnoitora's direction disdainfully.
"Nnoitora loves to seek out fights. Especially with me." Nel answered the boy. "He hates a woman is stronger than him.
Sora's grip on his sword tightened. "I'll handle him, Lady Nel." She looked surprised at the sudden use of her title again, but nodded and joined Pesche and Dondochakka as audience.
The Octava then sprung to his feet and charged the teenage Arrancar "No one makes a fool out of me like this!" The willowy man shouted. "Not some lowly fracción and definitely not a woman! Nobody looks down on me!"
'How pitiful.' Sora shook his head in disgust. When the Espada was in striking distance of him he used a simple, minimalist dodge to get out of harm's way and repeating the process time and time again as the older man threw one haphazard attack at him after another. And with each miss Nnoitora was getting angrier and angrier.
Watching the so far one sided battle Nel noticed immediately Sora's strategy. Although not as elegant as her he was copying her own technique of dancing around his opponent's blade. At first she thought he was attempting to merely humiliate his opponent with her own technique to add to the insult, which was something she did not approve of, but she soon realized this to be false. The boy was testing himself against a different opponent, using Nnoitora's own anger against him.
The Espada roared in frustration and fury. "You bastard!" He the charged a yellow cero on the tip of his tongue.
Using sonído Sora dodged the attack and decided to go on the offensive. Using his hybrid form of close body jabs and parries and martial arts he easily forced the Octava on the defensive.
With his increasing frustration the dark-haired man's offence became increasingly sloppy, as did his defence. Using this to his advantage Sora decided to end the fight. Retracting slightly he suddenly move forward, slamming the hilt of his sword into Nnoitora's stomach sending the man flying.
The fight now over he sheathed his sword and walked over to his master. Nel had to admit she was impressed with the boy.
From farther away they could hear Nnoitora cursing his situation and cursing Sora himself as well. However, the man was unable to move a muscle.
"That was incredible, Sora!" Pesche exclaimed.
"Yes, you were, don'cha know?!" Dondochakka clapped.
Sora merely gave them a shrug, making Nel giggle. Turning around she saw Aizen watching them from the shadows. A small smile played on his lips and there was a strange glint in his eyes.
Shattered Shaft
Sora woke up with a start. He was breathing hard and covered in sweat. Strange how much a dream affected him. Looking at his hands he could see they were shaking.
'Why? What is this?' He wondered as he looked at his hands. 'What is happening to me?'
Then somebody was hammering at his bedroom door. "Mater? Master!"
Wrapping himself in his blanket he went to open the door.
Ai and Zai looked relieved to see him. "Master! Are you alright? We heard you and were worried!"
Sora looked at the perplexed. Did he scream or something? That was so unlike him. Why was he so affected by a mere dream? "I'm alright, it was just a bad dream."
The two looked unconvinced and slightly insulted at the pathetic lie. The two girls looked up to him and loved him dearly and to see him brush them off like this hurt them.
He sighed. "It was something from my past."
Their concerned looks intensified. It was never a good thing when master was bothered by memories from his different life. Sadly there was nothing the two of them could do about it. And master wouldn't let them anyway. His usual coping mechanism was to retreat into himself and don't let anybody close.
"Don't you worry you two." He told them in his usual empty voice. "Excuse me now, I need to get a shower."
Knowing better than to argue with him, although feeling hurt, the two left him alone.
Two days later Aizen called together another meeting. Once again Sora had trouble concentrating on the topic at hand. However, the last sentence of Aizen got his undivided attention.
"We have just captured a lovely young woman named Orihime." Aizen announced.
"Orihime?" Sora looked up in surprise, forgetting himself and surprising others by speaking.
"Correct." The man smiled. "I understand you used to know her when you were still a human?"
Sora gave a nod of confirmation. Although he got used to being a hollow, and later on an Arrancar, early on, even accepted what he was doing was for Aizen's sake, the fact that the ex-captain had kidnapped one of his old acquaintances had surprised him.
Everything about him now was different. Not only did he have no heart anymore, but his personality changed drastically when he became a hollow. He didn't mind killing either, nor attacking those he used to know. So why did this surprise him. Did it bother him somehow? And if it did, then why?
"Sora, I'd like you to look after her." Aizen's face was set to a kind expression.
Giving him a quizzical look the orange-haired Espada looked at Zai and whispered to her. "Is it necessary, Lord Aizen?" The girl asked.
"I believe seeing a familiar face will help our charge to settle here." The ex-captain answered calmly.
"Of course, Lord Aizen." She then answered after another input from her master.
"Thank you." Their looked looked at him gratefully. "I knew I could count on you." He smiled.
The Espada in question merely nodded.
"The meeting is over. Thank you everyone for coming." He then looked at Sora. "I will take you to her room now."
Standing up he nodded and sending Zai to his quarters he followed the lord of Las Noches.
After walking through corridor after corridor they finally arrived at a lonely door. "She is in this room." He explains. "I know you don't want anything to do with your old life or humans in general, but, please, speak with her. She'll be scared and it will help her seeing somebody she used to know. As well as making her more susceptible to doing what we ask of her." Opening the door he went inside, followed closely by his subject.
"Hello, Orihime." Aizen greeted her. The girl was sitting on the couch in the room.
"Aizen…." She trailed off as her eyes wandered to the other figure. "Ichigo….?" She breathed, not believing her eyes. The figure standing before her had his face covered and strange long hair, but she was certain it was her friend. Standing up she walked over to him, putting her hands on his shoulders to make sure he was real and a mere figment of her imagination.
Examining him closely she was certain. "It is you….isn't it?" Her eyes filled with tears and she covered her mouth with her hand. "I….I thought….that you were dead."
"I'll leave you two alone." Aizen exited the room, closing the door behind him.
"You're not dead." Tears now freely fell down her cheeks.
"No...I'm not." He didn't like the fact he had to speak with her one bit. He hated speaking, even more so with somebody from 'his' life. Releasing himself from her grasp he sat on the couch and bid her to do the same.
Sitting down and wiping her tears away she looked at him. "What are you doing here? Why were you with Aizen? Are you here to save me?" She looked hopeful.
"Not quite." He understood the need to keep the prisoner calm and happy to a degree, but it was so bothersome. Being with her irked him. "I'm here to make sure nobody does save you." He knew this would upset her, but she'd find out sooner or later anyway. And he didn't care for her one bit.
"But…." She frowned. "Why would you do that?" She looked fearful now.
He sighed. Yes, she was annoying. "Because I'm an Arrancar. I'm an Espada."
Her eyes widened at the truth. "No," she shook her head, "it can't be true. You're lying!" She buried her face in her hands. "It's not true!"
He sighed and slowly reached for the zipper of his jacket. Unzipping up his jacket he revealed his face to her. "It is true. Orihime."
The sound of the opening jacket attracted her attention. Looking up she saw his mask covering the lower half of his face. Upon seeing it her expression morphed into one of terror.
"And it's my duty to keep you here, protected, so that Lord Aizen can utilize your powers as he wishes." He explained in a cold tone. "Do not worry, though, he won't hurt you."
"He already has." She objected. "He's taken you from me."
"You're quite wrong about that." She looked at him confused. "It was Urahara who did this."
"No, it can't be!" She protested. "Not Mr. Urahara! He wouldn't!" She shook her head.
"Then you don't know the man." He told her mercilessly. "When I was defeated and lost my powers he took me in under the guise of getting my powers back and train me." He began explaining. "However, this turned out to be a lie as he later on turned me into a hollow and proceeded to hunt me afterwards. I learned later that it wasn't the first time he turned somebody into a hollow."
She looked at him shocked. "Mr. Urahara…."
"I escaped here and was found by Lord Aizen and turned into an Arrancar." He zipped his jacket closed, hiding his face once more. "If it wasn't for that man I'd still be with you. If it wasn't for him I'd still be a weak human, like you."
"No, this isn't you." She whispered. "This isn't you, Ichigo. I know you're not him."
"Yes and no." He answered her. "I used to be him. However, I discarded my old name and with it that cursed existence and took up on a new one." She shivered under his stare. "My name is Sorarin now." Pushing his undershirt slightly open and pulling his sash down he revealed the number three tattooed slightly above his right hip. "And I'm the Tres Espada."
Orihime closed her eyes. "You're not him." Her voice barely audible.
"You'll have to get over that because it is me, you'll soon realise that." He stood up. "And we will be seeing a lot of each other now. Lucky me." His voice reeking of sarcasm. "I'll have some food brought to you. Surely you're hungry." He then left her with her thoughts.
"How do you like babysitting the babe?" Grimmjow was resting against the wall outside Orihime's cell.
Ignoring the man Sora walked past him.
"No answer? I'm hurt." The panther pouted. "You seemed to get along well with her." Still no answer. "I wish Aizen put me in charge of looking after her. We could have done many fun things together, if you catch my meaning." He grinned.
Sora was actually getting really irritated. Grimmjow had his way with annoying people. He knew how to get under somebody's skin.
Refusing to answer he left the now laughing man. Grimmjow knew he was getting on his nerves and took a great deal of pleasure in it.
After getting away he leaned against a wall, cupping his forehead in his hands. This was getting too much. Not only had he to speak, but also he'd have to put up with annoying people like Grimmjow here.
"Sorarin." Looking up he saw Ulquiorra watching him from twenty feet away. Even without that he'd recognise the man any time. Ulquiorra was the only one calling him by his full name. "What are you doing here?"
"I just finished speaking to Inoue." He sighed.
"The human?" The green-eyed man came closer.
"I'm supposed to look after her." Ulquiorra was one of the very few Sora felt comfortable actually speaking with. The two of them were quite alike. "But it won't be easy." The black-haired Espada knew just how much he disliked speaking.
Ulquiorra nodded his understanding. "She truly was a friend of yours?"
"Yes, when I was a human." He sighed, then scoffed. "Somehow I'm sure that if I still were one I'd be attempting to save her now."
"And will you attempt that?" Ulquiorra inclined his head to the side.
"Of course not." Sora looked at him. "You know I'm loyal to Lord Aizen. I'll make sure she stays no matter what."
"That's good to know." The Cuatro then started walking away. "You should eat something, you look pale."
Sora shook his head. Ulquiorra said that at the end of every conversation they had. Was it to pester him, or did he really look so pale to him? Actually, who was he to talk?
He then walked to his palace. Opening the door his two fracción stood there with a plate of food. Seems Ulquiorra ordered it for him. He wasn't hungry, but there was no point in arguing with any of them. Eating what he could he then went for a walk, a lot on his mind. It was troubling, he'd have to see Inoue almost every day now. Would she attempt to make him remember who he used to be to 'bring him back?' What would that do to him? It couldn't be good. What was Aizen thinking?
Sighing again he thought about the air-headed girl. Even during his time as a human he barely knew her at all, and yet she somehow saw him as a friend. So strange.
He wasn't paying attention where he was going, but then a voice brought him out of his thoughts. "Something seems to be troubling you." Looking around he saw Starrk leaning up against a wall. "What's wrong?"
Sora let out a long breath, the walked over. "It's the human." He rubbed his eyes. "I used to know her."
"I got at least that much from the meeting." Starrk looked at Sora. "Is that what's troubling you? What are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing much I can do about it but look after her." He sighed again.
"You know, you could ask Aizen to have someone else to watch over her, if it's too much, you know? I'm sure he would understand."
"I can't possibly do that." The orange-haired Arrancar said. "It would only make me look weak. I can do this."
"Alright." The Primera shrugged. "Just be careful." He then walked away.
Shaking his head Sora went back to his quarters. "Master, are you alright?" His fracción asked when he entered.
"I will be." He answered them. "I'd like you to bring something to eat to the prisoner."
"Yes, master!" The two of them ran off.
After a moment he walked over to a mirror that hang on the wall. He looked at himself for a moment, trying to remember what he used to be like when he was still a human. However, it turned out to be difficult. Nothing really came to him. In a way that fact pleased him. He wished to bury his past forever.
Putting his hand over the spot where his hollow hole was he sighed, fingering the tender spot he closed his eyes.
"Is something wrong, master?" His fracción returned and found him staring at himself in the mirror. "Are….are you thinking about your past, master?" They asked carefully, knowing what a touchy subject that was with him. It was a source of pain, hatred and depression for their master.
"It's….strange sometimes….and a bit depressing." He confessed.
Walking up to him the two girls hugged him. They both were highly attached to him. The two were deeply thankful for all he had done for them. He was more than a master to them, he was their family. And they didn't like seeing him like this. It made them both sad. "Would you like to talk about it, master?"
Shaking his head he patted their heads before detaching himself from them. "No, it's alright." He started walking away. "I should check up on Orihime." He left them behind, worried and sad expressions on their faces.
Walking out and making for the girl's cell he met Nnoitora. The man seemed like he wanted to say something, going by his wide grin, but Sora silenced him with a murderous glare. Whenever he was in the vicinity of him he couldn't help but let his hatred for him leak out.
After finally making it to her cell he sighed before opening the door. He found the tray of food untouched next to her. "Why haven't you eaten anything?" He asked, his voice bland.
"Not hungry." She mumbled.
"You have to eat, Orihime." She didn't answer him, merely looked away. "Please." He tried.
"Why?" She demanded. "Why does it matter, you're going to kill me anyway!"
"No, we are not. Aizen is interested in you and your power, and since that is the case he will want you healthy and well." He leaned against the wall. "I promise."
"So what does he want from me?" She asked. "And what does he know about my powers?"
"I have no idea what he wants from you." It was true, he didn't know what he wanted with her. "As for your powers….he knows from me."
Orihime looked at him shocked. "From you? How?" How did he know? And did he really sell her out like that?
Inclining his head to the side he looked at her. "From our little visit in the park?" He revealed to her.
She looked at him for a moment before things clicked for her. "It was you!" She exclaimed. "You were the cloaked one. You attacked us!"
'Is she slow.' He thought to himself. "Correct, that was me." He confirmed, his voice cold.
She couldn't believe her own ears. "Why?!" She demanded. "Why would you do that, Ichigo?"
Now he scowled at her. "That's not my name!" She shrank under his angry stare. "I told you already, my name is Sorarin. I rejected my name a long time ago." Letting out a breath he calmed himself. He couldn't let himself be worked up like this. "As for why, well, I was ordered to."
"I'm sorry." She looked down at her hands.
So, she was a prisoner of theirs, he just admitted attacking them, and yet she still felt the need to apologise to him for calling him the wrong name? What a strange human.
"I'm….sorry. I shouldn't have gotten angry." He looked away, feeling uncomfortable. He was so out of his element here. "Just….please….call me Sora."
"Does it really matter if I call you anything? I'm still a prisoner." She looked at him sadly.
"We….still can be friends." He lied.
"Can we?" She smiled sadly. "I know you probably think I'm stupid, but I know you'd kill me without a thought if you had to, or were ordered to." Her eyes filled with tears again. "You're not you anymore."
"That's so mean to say." He tried to look and sound sad.
Orihime didn't know what to do. He looked so much like her Ichigo, yet deep down she knew he wasn't. He was a hollow now. But for some reason she couldn't help but hope. "Alright, Sora."
He walked over and sat down next to her. "Thank you."
Shattered shaft
A couple days later all the Espada and even Orihime were gathered in Aizen's throne room. It was time for her to show off her power to them and the target for that was Grimmjow, who after disobeying Aizen's orders was relieved of his left arm.
"Orihime," Aizen got the girl's attention, "if you'd please heal Grimmjow's arm as a demonstration of your powers?" Although it was structured as a request they all knew it was an order.
Walking over to the blue-haired man she released her power where his left arm should have been.
"It's impossible to heal what's not there!" Luppi, Grimmjow's replacement as Sexta Espada, laughed.
However, as they all watched Orihime they saw Grimmjow's arm slowly reassemble. Once it was finished the orange shield vanished, leaving the panther as if nothing ever happened to him.
Flexing his arm the man grinned wide. It felt great.
"As I thought." Aizen brought their attention back to him. "It's not time reversal." He shook his head. "No, you are literally rejecting phenomena by denying or undoing events in various forms." He explained.
"Oi, girl!" Grimmjow got her attention again. "Can you heal this as well?" He asked showing her a wound on his lower back where his rank number used to be.
"Of course." She went and undid that as well.
"Wait! What is the meaning of this!" Luppi demanded.
Instead of answering Grimmjow opted for ramming his hand through Luppi's stomach, the latter looking up at him in hatred.
The panther merely laughed like a maniac before charging up a cero in his hand and firing a point blank shot, disintegrating the other man's upper half.
Orihime looked away in disgust, rather opting to look at Sora, but to her shock the boy she used to know looked unfazed by the event. If anything he merely looked bored the way he stood there with his arms crossed over his chest.
"The Sexta Espada is back!" The man yelled. "Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez!" He laughed.
Aizen merely smiled at his subject's antics. He then had Orihime be led back to her cell by Loly and Menoly, Arrancar servants to him personally, and continued with the meeting.
"There are other news I'd like to share with you all." Aizen then took a sip of his tea. "You see, we have some very interesting intruders here in Hueco Mundo." He smiled. "I'm sure they are here for our dear Orihime."
Nnoitora and Grimmjow looked ecstatic at the prospect of a fight.
"But I'm sure they won't be any trouble. So, I must ask you all not to do anything rash." He looked particularly at the Octava and the newly re-established Sexta. "They will come to us and then the Privaron shall take care of them." He then dismissed them.
Sora thought about this. Intruders meant more people he knew were coming to fight them. One of them was most likely Rukia. Could he kill her? He knew he could kill others, but her?
As he was walking out of the throne-room he noticed Ulquiorra next to him. "Do you know the humans that are coming?" The short man asked.
"I think I know one of them." He confirmed.
"You know you'll have to kill them should they make it this far." Ulquiorra didn't look at him as he kept walking.
"I know that." His expression was impassive. "And I will, don't worry."
"Good." Ulquiorra looked as if he would almost smile. Almost. "I knew you'd do the right thing."
As he parted ways with the short Espada he decided to visit Orihime and inform her of the news of the intruders. He visited her at least once a day. Something about her amused him. Her emotions, her spirit, her belief that deep inside he was still good.
Stepping inside he saw her breaking into a smile as she saw him. "Sora!" She actually got used to calling him that.
"Hello, Orihime. How are you doing?" He asked her.
"Better now. What just happened there was….awful." She looked away. Was she really that bothered by Luppi's death? She then suddenly broke into a wide grin as she ran up to him and hugged him. He and the people who brought her her food were the only ones she had any contact with in this place. And as he watched her he could see that each time she saw him something in her eyes came alive.
However, the physical contact just now made him highly uncomfortable. Usually he disliked all kinds of physical contact. It's been the first time she did this. Awkwardly he attempted to reciprocate just to keep her happy.
"That was a pathetic hug, Sora." She smiled as she let go of him.
"I'm not used to any kind of physical contact." He looked away as he sat down. He then felt Orihime sit next to him. "People invaded Hueco Mundo." He revealed to her.
"Invaded Hueco Mundo?" She was surprised. "Are they humans?"
"Most likely." He nodded. "And they seem to be here to rescue you."
"Really?" She breathed as she closed her eyes, tears soon falling down her cheeks. "That'd be wonderful. I can't believe anybody came."
Sora looked at her confused. Why was she so happy and relieved? Didn't she understand that they would never let her leave? They wouldn't even let the people who came for her to see her.
When nothing but silenced continued she looked at him. "What's wrong?"
"Why are you so happy?" He asked her, genuinely curious. "I don't understand. Do you really believe we will let them even see your face?"
Orihime looked at him for a moment before looking away. "Can I ask something of you?"
"What?" He angled his head.
"Please, take me home." She pleaded with him. "You want to go home too, right? See your sisters and dad. Please, Sora!"
"Home." His eyes vacant.
"Yes, home." She looked hopefully at him.
His eyes regained their focus a moment later. "I have no home." He answered coldly. "Or do you really believe I can return anywhere the way I am? I'd be killed immediately."
"Not by your family!" She insisted.
"I have no interest in them. Especially in that lying bastard!" He hated the man who was supposed to be his father. "No, I have nowhere to go. This is my home and destiny." He stood up to leave.
Orihime caught his sleeve and held him back. "Who?" She demanded. "Who came?"
Turning to her he looked her in the eye. "My guess is Rukia."
"Rukia?" She looked up at him in sadness and pity. "So you don't know?"
"Know what?" He asked her.
"She's dead." She choked out. "Rukia was executed in Soul Society for giving you her powers."
He froze, his expression empty. "Dead." He repeated.
"Yes." Whispered Orihime.
"Why…." He trailed off for a moment. "Why didn't you protect her? You have powers, don't you?" He demanded. "And so does Ishida. He's a Quincy after all. Why didn't you save her?"
The young student looked away. "We tried. Chad, Uryu, Yoruichi and I all went, but….we weren't strong enough. I'm sorry." She tightened her hand into fists. "We tried, but we barely got out of there alive ourselves. You weren't there….we had no chance of winning."
The last sentence was what made him truly angry. "Did you really count on me to do everything for you?!" He took her by the neck, lifting her up and slamming her against the wall. "Are you really that pathetic?!" He demanded in cold anger.
"N-no I…." She choked.
"And now you beg me to help you again?!" She infuriated him. "Not only that, you count on those that came, knowing they will be killed, rather than trying to stand up for yourself. You useless human!"
"I-I'm s-sorry!" She cried. "I t-tied."
He let her go in disgust and watched her cough. "You disgust me!" She looked up at him fearfully. "Because of you Rukia is dead!"
"Why do you care so much?" She couldn't help but wonder.
"What was that?" It was a silent and cold demand.
"Y-you c-care so m-much about Rukia dying. Y-you care about the others dying as well." She looked at him. He looked so frightening. Nothing like she remembered.
Sora let out a snort. "Wasteful. My friend's death was wasteful, as will be of those that came for you." He walked out of the room.
Orihime fell to the floor, bringing her knees up to her chin she hugged her legs close. Closing her eyes she let the tears fall. "Don't come." She whispered to nobody. "Please, don't come."