Author's Notes:

It has been quite some time. Sorry for the delay. Hope you enjoy the chapter and a huge thanks to lilarin for commissioning the wonderful art for the cover of this story.

I do not own Bleach or any of its characters.

Chapter Six ~ I'll treat you like an adult when you start acting like one.

Once more they stood before Aizen, this time in his private throne room where he stored the Hogyoku. Orihime fidgeted nervously at Ulquiorra's side, her hand grasping tightly to the leg of his hakama. Grimmjow, as usual stood defiant. The boy glared at Granz, fists clenched tightly at his side as Aizen questioned the Eighth.

"So Szayel," the former Shinigami Captain began, "Have you found a solution to this predicament yet?"

Szayel smiled with amusement, "As you know Aizen-sama things of this nature take time. Just recreating the original poison took me most of yesterday."

"Bullshit!" Grimmjow coughed.

"What was that?" Granz looked at Grimmjow. "Are you implying that I am not being completely forthright?"

"You're damn right I am," Grimmjow stepped closer to Granz, "I don't think you did anything yesterday. In fact I bet you already have an antidote and are just enjoying fucking with me."

Granz's eyes opened wide and when he spoke his voice had a slight pout, "You hurt me Grimmjow. To believe that I would do something so underhanded, just so I could have some fun while we are waiting for Soul Society to make a move," he glanced to Aizen, "I would never compromise the strength of your army Aizen-sama. I mean poor Grimmjow here may have to sit out of the action if anything were to happen…and with Luppi gone…"

Grimmjow leapt at the Eighth, "You fucking piece of shit! You better have me back to normal before then…"

"Oh my Ulquiorra," Granz grew irritated, "Can't you control your charge any better. The boy definitely lacks manners. One would question your parenting methods."

Grimmjow managed to land a punch and Granz stumbled back, his anger now very real.

"You are quite a little brat aren't you," Granz remarked.

Ulquiorra remained where he was, unmoving. The Eighth's comments annoyed him and he felt no urgency to step in and stop Grimmjow from releasing some of his pent up hostility. The Sixth let out a string of curses as he continued to pummel the pink-haired Espada. Orihime giggled from her spot at Ulquiorra's side, and a glance at Gin revealed that the former Shinigami Captain was enjoying the display as well.

It was Tosen, who had decided to join them this morning that finally took action. Grabbing the boy's wrist he held it painfully tight and lifted the tiny Espada several inches off the floor. Grimmjow dangled in midair, now turning his attention to the blind Shinigami.

"Why are you interfering," the child whined. "If anyone has been treated unfairly it would be me not that pink haired piece of shit…"

"I find your behavior before this change rather reprehensible, but now, as a child, it is something I cannot tolerate."

"Like I give a flying fuck what you think," Grimmjow growled and then grunted in pain as the Shinigami tightened his grip.

"You are without honor," Tosen began but was interrupted by Orihime, who had left Ulquiorra's side and made her way over to where he stood.

Tugging at Tosen's coat she said softly, "You're hurting Grimmjow."

Tosen looked down with his unseeing eyes and said evenly, "The boy lacks discipline."

"He's just upset," she continued, "He's afraid Aizen-sama will take his rank away again…"

"Shut up you stupid bitch!" Grimmjow kicked wildly as he tried in vain to free himself.

"The truth is he is quite worthless to Aizen-sama like this," Granz came closer to Orihime.

She backed away from him, but her voice grew angry, "Grimmjow is not worthless. He is still strong…and even if no one would fight him because he is just a kid, I know that if they did fight him, he could still win if he tried really hard…"

"What a sweet girl, "Granz purred, "But honestly you are deluded if you believe he is a threat in this form…"

"I'll take you right now you queer freak," Grimmjow was trying to pry Tosen's hand from his wrist.

"Enough," Aizen stood. "Kaname, release Grimmjow."

The Shinigami immediately obliged and the Sixth fell in a heap to the floor.

Aizen looked to Grimmjow who was now getting back to his feet, "For the time being your rank will remain as it is, but if Soul Society responds and decides to invade Hueco Mundo, I will need my forces in prime condition."

"Then tell Granz to do his job," Grimmjow shouted back. His fists were clenched so tightly that the knuckles had gone white.

"He is working on a solution," Aizen spoke slowly, his manner condescending.

"Bullshit!"

Tosen reached out again, but Ulquiorra reacted even faster. Standing between the boy and the Shinigami he chastised, "You cannot speak like that to Aizen-sama."

Grimmjow stood still, his mouth hung open but no sound came out. Finally he turned and began to stalk away.

Ulquiorra turned to follow when Aizen spoke softly, "You understand the enormity of the task facing you, don't you, Ulquiorra?"

Without turning back he simply nodded, and picking up the girl, left the room to find the Sixth before the boy's big mouth got him killed.

Grimmjow walked rather fast down the hallways of Las Noches. His footsteps were heavy and it was obvious that he was pissed off beyond reason. He was just itching for a fight, and it would not take much to goad him into action. So when the Fifth suddenly appeared the boy's reiatsu spiked incredibly high in mere seconds.

"It would seem Ulquiorra is not as adept at watching you as he was the woman," Nnoitra smirked from his place leaning against the wall, "Can't have little brats such as you wandering about unattended. After all, children can get into trouble so easily."

"I don't need a keeper, and I am not a prisoner," Grimmjow stopped and stared up at the now towering form in front of him. "I am still the Sixth, and I am free to do as I please."

"Funny," Nnoitra´s voice was oily as he bent low and peered at Grimmjow. "That's not the way I understood it. In fact I heard that Aizen himself put Ulquiorra in charge of you. I guess even he doesn't trust your ability to stay out of trouble."

"If you want trouble, I'll give you trouble," Grimmjow stood tall, his hands once more clenched into tight fists at his sides.

"And how do you plan to do that," the Fifth laughed, "You're so tiny you can't even carry your zanpakuto without it dragging on the ground." The man nodded towards Grimmjow's back where Ulquiorra had fixed his katana by adjusting the sheath so that the Sixth could manage it without falling over. "Of course you were never much of a threat before, so why now, in this ridiculous form, would you be any different."

"Fuck you asshole," Grimmjow yelled as he reached back to grabbed the hilt of Pantera.

"Such hostility," Nnoitra knelt down on one knee so that he was now eye level with the Sixth. "Though it must be frustrating, being so small and insignificant, knowing it's only a matter of time before Aizen strips you of your rank again."

"I am just as strong as before," he lowered his hand and made a fist instead.

Nnoitra laughed even louder, and reaching out, shoved the child causing Grimmjow to fall back on his ass. "I suppose you are just the same, still weak and pathetic. Really, Aizen should get rid of you once and for all. You have always been an annoying prick – more so now."

Grimmjow jumped up and swung at the tall man. Nnoitra stood and backed up and the boy tripped over his feet as his momentum caused him to fall once more. Nnoitra laughed hard as a crowd of lesser arrancars began to form, curious to see what was going on.

It was at that moment that Ulquiorra found them and having had enough, walked back over to the boy and grabbed his hand, lifting him to his feet and dragging him from the area.

"Let me go Ulquiorra," Grimmjow yelled, kicking the whole way as he struggled to free himself.

"The Fifth is not worth your time," he said coldly, "Besides you are only creating a scene, which only serves to give the others more ammunition to ridicule you, and I for one have had enough of being mocked for one day."

"I can take him," Grimmjow grew even angrier. He tried to pry Ulquiorra's hands from his wrist, but it was no use.

"As you are right now, and in the state you are in, you would be no match for anyone present."

Grimmjow screamed in frustration as he dug his feet in and fought with all his might to free himself.

"Better listen to your mommy, Grimmjow," Nnoitra taunted from several feet away. The arrancars in the crowd laughed as well. "Just run along and get your blankie and maybe some warm milk, and then you can settle down for a nap…"

"Shut the fuck up you…"

Grimmjow continued on cursing, but Ulquiorra was no longer listening. He had lifted the girl so that she rested on his hip, and picked up speed. Grimmjow finally gave up his fight and his foul language, as he struggled just to keep up.

When they finally came to an empty room, several stories in height, Ulquiorra released the boy, flinging his wrist and sending Grimmjow several feet through the air before he hit the floor. The Sixth's small body slid the rest of the way until he slammed up against the far wall.

Rising to his feet, a murderous gleam in his eyes, Grimmjow powered up and fired a cero in Ulquiorra's direction. The Fourth turned his body so as to shield the girl still in his arms, and held up his free hand to deflect the cero.

"Damn it!" Grimmjow screamed as he began to charge at Ulquiorra. The Fourth lowered Orihime to the floor and instructed her to run. She took off for the doorway and Ulquiorra gave his full attention back to the angry boy.

"Why the fuck did you do that?" Grimmjow yelled as he quickly closed the distance between them, "That bastard deserved his ass handed to him…"

"And you are in no condition to do so," was Ulquiorra's blunt reply.

Grimmjow leapt into the air, his hands curled into fists as he came down, punching at Ulquiorra. The Fourth pushed his open palm into the boy's chest and sent Grimmjow flying back. Not deterred in the least, he rose to his feet again; his fists raised and ready to fight.

"Haven't you had enough?" Grimmjow could hear the irritation in the other Espada's voice, which only served to fuel his rage even more.

"I haven't even started," Grimmjow replied.

He came at Ulquiorra again and again, and each time the Fourth pushed him aside with little effort. Now bloody and sweaty, Grimmjow looked up at Ulquiorra. His breathing was heavy, but his eyes still head determination.

"I am not weak," he growled.

"You will never be stronger than me," Ulquiorra replied honestly, "Even as an adult. And picking a fight with Nnoitra was foolish as well."

"I will not let Aizen take my rank from me," he stood tall, but the frustration was evident in his gaze.

"He has said no such thing," Ulquiorra reminded him. "He said he would wait for the time being for the antidote. As long as the girl's friends do not come to Hueco Mundo, your ranking is not significant."

"It is to me," he lowered himself to the ground and rested his forehead in his hands. It was impossible to keep the disappointment from his voice, "I've worked hard to get where I am. I don't need this shit to mess things up."

Ulquiorra walked over to where the boy sat.

"Then stop drawing attention to yourself."

"But Nnoitra was being an ass."

"He is always an ass," Ulquiorra stated. "You should have just ignored him."

"But you're stronger than him," Grimmjow looked up. "Why do you always let him talk to you like that?"

"Because the man is an idiot," Ulquiorra spoke evenly, "Responding to him would only give him power over me."

"Yeah but knocking his head in would show your power even better."

"I do not need to resort to such tactics and neither should you," Ulquiorra sat down beside him. "Nnoitra may not be as strong as me, but he is still a threat because he does not play fair. He will do whatever he has to do to ensure his rank. You would be wise to remember that."

Grimmjow stared off at the far wall as he thought about what Ulquiorra said, so he missed the tiny form of Orihime as she walked back over and sat down beside him. It wasn't until she reached out and rubbed his back that he turned his angry glare her way.

"What are you doing?" his voice rose again.

"I just wanted to make you feel better," she smiled hesitantly. "When I was bullied at school, my friend Tatsuki defended me and made me feel better." She glanced to Ulquiorra and her smile grew, "You are lucky to have Ulquiorra-sama as your friend."

Grimmjow laughed at the ridiculousness of her statement. "This stoic, know-it-all is not my friend you idiot. If I could, I would kill him and be done with all this aggravation."

Her voice lowered, "You don't mean that. Ulquiorra-sama is kind…when he wants to be…"

"Which would be never," Grimmjow stood abruptly and looked down at the Fourth. "Tell her she's full of shit."

Ulquiorra only stood as well, and placing his hands in his pockets, began to walk towards the exit.

"Come on Ulquiorra," Grimmjow shouted. "Tell her you would kill me in a heartbeat…if you had a heart…which you don't you cold bastard…"

Ulquiorra never slowed his pace, nor did he acknowledge that he had even heard the Sixth's ranting. Orihime stood too and rushed to catch up with the Fourth. Tugging at his arm to get his attention she said something low, so that Grimmjow couldn't hear. Yet whatever it was, the Espada paused, just a fraction before continuing once more. Grimmjow stared stunned and then regaining his bearings, ran to catch up to the two.

"Tell me what she said," he demanded when he came to Ulquiorra's side.

The Fourth remained silent.

"Come on," Grimmjow began to whine, "She's making fun of me isn't she?'

Ulquiorra stopped and looked down at the boy.

"This may surprise you Grimmjow," his voice was cool, "But it is not always about you. This world, our existence, does not hinge upon your happiness or desires."

"What the fuck does that mean?"

"That you're selfish," Orihime peeked from Around Ulquiorra's other side.

"Selfish."

"Yes, Grimmjow," her eyes narrowed and her smile disappeared. "You are selfish-and a nosy busy-body."

"What the hell does that even mean," he drew within inches of her face as he tried to intimidate her.

"The present on the table was for me," she explained as if that would suddenly shed light on the topic.

"So what."

"So," she rolled her eyes at him, "you came in my room. You opened the box -a box that was put there for me. Most likely you were not supposed to be poisoned. You just butted in and got caught."

"You are saying this is all my fault," he growled. "Szayel is not to blame in the least for making my life hell and turning this into a joke…"

"If Szayel is teasing anybody it would be Ulquiorra," she stated matter-of-factly.

Grimmjow only cocked his head and stared at her as if she were speaking another language.

"In Aizen's throne room, duh!" she opened her eyes wide, and shook her head. He remained confused. "And you think I am a stupid human."

"You are," he leaned back and crossed his arms.

"No, you are the idiot," she closed the distance he created and tapped his chest with her finger. "You were so busy being angry, and Ulquiorra-sama was looking at Aizen, but I was watching Szayel, and he was clearly watching Ulquiorra."

"He was not," Grimmjow yelled.

"He was secret about it," Orihime shouted as well. "Not everybody has to be as loud as you, and Szayel was secretly staring at Ulquiorra."

"Maybe he's hot for him," he blew her off.

Her cheeks turned red and she stammered, "He is not…he was not looking at him like that…and…and…you are such a stupid head."

"A stupid head?"

"Yes a selfish, stupid head, but a stupid head all the same."

"At least I'm not a whiny crybaby," he shot back.

"I am not a crybaby."

"Crybaby. Crybaby. Crybaby."

Her face turned red and a smile formed on his lips as he waited for the tears to start and prove his point, but she didn't cry. Instead she kicked him hard in the shin.

"Damn it you stupid bitch. That hurt."

Grimmjow reared back and was about to punch her when Ulquiorra stood between them, one hand planted on each child's head.

"Enough," he shot each of them a look meant to intimidate them. It brought about the desired result in the girl, but Grimmjow refused to back down. Ulquiorra stared at him harder and said, "You are not to lay a hand on her."

"Oh, but she can kick me all she wants?" he shot back.

"You are an Espada. She is but a lowly human…"

"That's not nice," Orihime whined.

Ulquiorra turned his icy stare her way and she backed up a bit.

"It is the truth girl," he stated.

She lowered her gaze, but her arms crossed angrily in front of her chest, indicated that she was only containing her temper.

"Now," Ulquiorra dismissed her and gave his attention back to Grimmjow, "Act like an adult and I will treat you as such. But if you insist on behaving as you are, I will have no choice but to treat you as a child."

"I am not acting like a child," he stomped his foot.

Ulquiorra only raised an eyebrow and turned back to Orihime. Taking her hand back in his he said, "Your lunch should be ready."

He headed out of the room ignoring Grimmjow who was now sulking. He may be stuck in this body for the time being but he was not a child. Once more he stomped his foot.

"You can be such an asshole Ulquiorra," he yelled at the Fourth's retreating form. "And if that girl kicks me again, I sure as hell am going to kick her back."

Ulquiorra ignored him, but Orihime turned around again, her tongue sticking out. He let out a furious yell, but it only fell on deaf ears. The Espada and his charge disappeared around the corner. Without an audience he stopped. Mumbling to himself, he slowly made his way down the hall. He hated relying on Ulquiorra for help, but he hated more the fact that at the present moment the Espada was the only one on his side - if he could really even call it that.