JC: I figured I should update this earlier than expected. I've been getting some strange and kind of nice ideas in my head that needed to be put in writing. I've been kind EMO lately because of problems at home, but I feel enlightened whenever I write something. There won't be any romantic moments here. However, the rating will be changed to M later on for certain reasons.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. Kubo-sensei has the rights. I only own the plot of this little fanfic of mine.
Love in the Mask
Chapter 06: Personal Enemy
The human girl closed her eyes in reaction as she uttered Ulquiorra's name one more time. She waited for the pain. However, nothing came. Opening her eyes, she saw the enemy's hand just a finger away from her chest, and it was being held by another pale hand. She was saved, and her savior was none other than Ulquiorra.
"Ulquiorra Cifer," the female muttered the name in extreme disgust as she pulled her hand away. "So you've come to save your princess. Why I am not surprised? This only proves that she's very important to you."
"State your identity," Ulquiorra demanded.
"My, my, I'm hurt, Ulquiorra," she said, staying completely calm. "Have you really forgotten who I am? How disappointing…to think you have impressive photographic memory."
Ulquiorra narrowed his eyes. "I am currently the Primera Espada, the one who outranks all hollows, and anyone who goes against my orders are to be eliminated." He pointed his finger toward the female, preparing to fire a Cero.
"You do not outrank me, Ulquiorra."
"Such nonsense." Ulquiorra closed his eyes for a brief moment. "I have no equal." Opening his eyes, he launched his green cero at the enemy.
The female Arrancar showed no fear as she blocked the attack with her right hand. "You underestimate me, Ulquiorra. This kind of attack is not even enough to scratch me." With an ease movement of her hand, she redirected the attack back at Ulquiorra.
"Santen Kesshun!" Orihime called out. Three fairies flew out and formed a triangular shield in front of Ulquiorra. The cero got completely blocked.
"Impressive. I must say you are quite rare, princess," the female Arrancar said, as the background behind her literally tore up, revealing a black portal.
"A Garganta," Orihime muttered.
"It's best to be careful from now on, princess. A burden such as yourself may cause an unnecessary downfall."
"I will not let you escape," Ulquiorra threatened.
"Let us cross swords another day, Ulquiorra," the cloaked woman said, "Goodbye for now…"
Ulquiorra pointed at her again, gathering massive amount of energy at his finger tip. "Gran Rey Cero," he muttered as he released a more powerful Cero.
"It's futile," she responded, as a transparent barrier rose before her.
The Cero clashed against the barrier. The impact it unleashed was massive. But Orihime defended herself and Ulquiorra with Santen Kesshun, so they were safe. When the area cleared of smoke, the cloaked Arrancar was gone.
Orihime clasped her hands together against her chest. "Ulquiorra, who was she?"
He looked at her sharply, and then said in an expressionless voice, "She is undoubtedly a threat that needs to be eliminated. I'll make sure to kill her once she shows her face to me again. She seemed to have installed a barrier around the area. This will make it impossible for the Soul Reapers to sense the spiritual pressure I released. It will probably wear off in a couple of minutes." He moved his right hand and touched her, gently titling her face to meet her eyes. "I don't want to hear questions. Even if you insist, I will not answer you. Forget about that Arrancar. She is my problem to deal with."
Orihime jerked her head and pushed him. "I almost got killed by her. She's also my problem now."
"She is far stronger than you can ever hope to be," Ulquiorra said, inserting his hands into his pockets. "You will not win. You will only end up getting killed by her."
Lowering her head, she bit her lower lip. She knew he was right. I thought I've gotten stronger. I thought I could take care of myself. But I almost got killed by that girl. I wasn't able to do anything. Truth be known, her heart called out for him when she thought was going to die. She inwardly called out to him for help, and she felt useless again. Am I becoming dependent again? No…That can't be. I don't want the same thing to happen again…like with Kurosaki-kun.
"It's best to be careful from now on, princess. A burden such as yourself may cause an unnecessary downfall."
She remembered the Arrancar's words so clearly that it made her heart throb in pain. A burden… As a stray tear streamed down, she closed her eyes. I don't want to become a burden again… She looked up at Ulquiorra, whose back was facing her, and she felt more saddened. No, especially not to him…
"Have you completely lost your wits?"
A more delicate soul might have quailed at having such a question directed at them, but Orihime refused to take offense. After all, it wasn't as if she wasn't used to Grimmjow's tone of voice. It was steadfast firmness that allowed her to calmly blink up at him from where she was seated and gracing him with a smile as he scowled like an ogre.
"You may be in danger of losing your mind, Orihime," Nelliel said, looking at her friend with concerned eyes. "Look, we know what happened to you in the Human World, but there's really no need for you to do this."
"I know I am putting myself in a peril for such a favor," Orihime replied. With her Shun Shun Rikka ready to be used, she wasn't going to change her mind. "But… if I were to become stronger, I have to experience it firsthand. Please, Grimmjow, fight me."
Nelliel rose from the sofa to slip her hand in Orihime's hand. "It's far too risky. This idiot here," she pointed at Grimmjow, "doesn't have any self-control at all. Don't you remember what happened the last time you trained with him? It was a good thing I didn't tell Ulquiorra about it or else he'll be dead by now."
Grimmjow popped a vein, and with clenched fists, he bellowed, "What's Ulquiorra got to do with this?" He then narrowed his eyes in irritation. "And did I just hear you call me an idiot?"
Ignoring the blue-haired Espada, Nelliel simply set her lips in a firm line. "Orihime, you've gotten way stronger in our battle with Aizen. There's no need for you to push yourself. You have to think of the danger to yourself."
Grimmjow got more upset. "Did you just ignore me, bitch?"
Nelliel straightened and gently seized Orihime's shoulders, the pleading note in her voice more unsettling. "You don't need to fight him just to get stronger. How about we train together like we always do?"
"You do put up a good fight, and because of you I've improved my combat abilities a lot," Orihime said, her silver eyes full of courage and determination. "But I'd like to broaden my experience. If I would have to face Aizen again, I have to hone myself for any kind of opponent. This is why I'd like to battle with Grimmjow." And I have to prepare myself for that girl…
Grimmjow shrugged. "Stubborn fool. I don't hold back on anyone, you got that?" He turned his back to her to hide an estranged expression on his face.
Nelliel sighed as she patted Orihime's shoulders. "All right, just promise me one thing," she said, "you'll let me stop Grimmjow if things get worse."
Orihime nodded with a smile. "Oh, and please don't tell this to Ulquiorra. He'll surely disagree with this." She let out an awkward laugh.
Grimmjow scowled as he looked back at her. "Why are you bringing up that freak? You think you need his permission to do whatever you want? Hey, listen up, girl, Ulquiorra's not your caretaker anymore!" Every time she talks about Ulquiorra, he can't help being so explosive. "And if you're so dead set on fighting me, then you have to do a test first!"
The girl let out a nervous laugh. "You mean I have to pass a test?" she asked innocently. "Then I should get studying right away. What topics are going to come out? Please do tell me."
Nelliel sweat-dropped.
"ARE YOU STUPID OR SOMETHING? IT'S NOT SOME DAMN SCHOOL WRITTEN EXAM!" Grimmjow yelled out.
"Oh, I see… Then it must be something like in PE class?" Orihime said.
He was seriously going to murder her if she keeps up her idiocy. "JUST COME WITH ME!" He grabbed the girl by the wrist and dragged her away.
The Tres Espada looked back at Grimmjow, understanding full well how he felt at the moment. Grimmjow, you may not be aware of it, but you share something very common with Ulquiorra.
The forest was full of verve today, all the Gillian Class Menos were scurrying around. Somehow, though, even with the constant moaning and roars of the hollows there, Orihime doesn't find the forest that much creepier than the first time she came. Still being alone in the forest made her nervous. The sense of unease grew stronger the deeper she got into the trees. Breathing started to get harder. Grimmjow had left her alone in the forest for the test. She was required to defeat a number of Gillian Class Menos. She was willing to do so in order to get stronger.
Just then, an abruptness disoriented her senses as she got into a clearing. It was absolutely rounded as if someone had purposely created a perfect circle. The place would have been stunning if there was sunlight.
She felt spiritual pressure approaching her location. Her hands immediately moved to her hairpins. At precisely that moment, a figure stepped out from trees to the north, some forty steps away from her where she stood. Surprise and trepidation shot through her in a second. As her silver eyes focused on the figure, seeing her flawless fair skin, a rush of disarrayed emotions made her step back. Her eyes continued to the face beneath the raven hair tied up in pigtails.
"L-Loly…" Orihime muttered under her breath.
Loly Aivirrne was a female Arrancar with the appearance of a teenager. The remnants of her mask covered her left eye, which connected to the ties in her hair. She wore a different outfit now, consisting of a white colored, black-outlined midriff top, a pleated white short skirt, fingerless wrist-length black gloves, and a pair of black-colored, white-outlined ankle boots. Loly had been one of Aizen's most loyal subjects, one would even consider her as a fangirl, and because of her blind admiration for Aizen, Orihime had been a victim of her abuses. She hadn't been involved in the last battle. She was held back in Hueco Mundo. Orihime had thought she was dead at first. She did witness how Yammy lashed out at her. By the time they returned to Hueco Mundo, Orihime saw Loly again in Las Noches.
The jealous Arrancar had attempted to kill Orihime again only to be stopped by Nelliel. Grimmjow threatened to kill her, but Orihime pleaded with him to let Loly go. He then decided to banish Loly from Las Noches, and that was the last time Orihime had seen her until now…
Alone in the forest with Loly, Orihime knew that she would not have no qualms in making mince meat out of her.
"Long time, no see, princess," Loly said, a distasteful note present in her tone.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Orihime replied.
She smiled a devilish smile. "I was exiled, all thanks to you, and so I'm free to roam around Hueco Mundo as much as I like." She walked toward Orihime. "Hueco Mundo is a major shithole. Nothing to do much and it gets so boring. You, on the other hand, probably gets pampered in Las Noches every single day. Must be so nice to get all the Espada's attention."
"It's not like what you think," Orihime said.
She stopped about ten steps away, crossing her arms over her chest. "You're just a spoiled little human shit."
Orihime took an involuntary step back, and Loly's malicious purple eye followed the movement. Then realization struck her. There was no way she could outrun an Arrancar, and Loly has the ability to blast a Cero right through her. If she were to grow stronger without depending on others, she had to stand firm and be more assertive.
Loly took a casual step to the side, gazing around clearing. "You think you're all that just because you're friends with the Espada."
Her foot was about to step back, but Orihime willfully stayed in position. She was not going to give in.
She glared into the trees, away from Orihime. "And what does that Grimmjow and Ulquiorra see in you anyway?" She looked back and smiled sadistically. "No matter…They're not here today. That means I can have the pleasure of killing you." She spoke in a seductive purr.
Alarmed by Loly's appearance, Grimmjow and Nelliel wanted to swoop down and stop the demented Arrancar. They were perched on a tree branch, watching the two girls below. All this time, Orihime, who knew that she was left there to fend for herself, had no idea that Grimmjow and Nelliel were keeping a watchful eye on her.
"That slut—she means business," Grimmjow said.
"We have to help, Orihime," Nelliel suggested.
"You will do no such thing," a cold, melancholic voice spoke.
Whipping their heads to the sound of the voice, both saw Ulquiorra appear. He did well hiding his enormous spiritual pressure as he was able to sneak up on them.
"Ulquiorra," Grimmjow mumbled his name.
"Ulquiorra, don't you care what happens to Orihime?" Nelliel questioned.
The emotionless Espada closed his eye for a moment before he answered. "That woman wishes to become stronger, am I not mistaken?" He briefly glanced at Nelliel and saw her nod in silence. "As respect to her desire, you must not interfere in the battle that is about to partake. Look into her eyes and tell me what you see?"
Nelliel and Grimmjow gazed down at Orihime.
"She displays no hesitation, no fear whatsoever," Ulquiorra added. "She is willing to fight and win with her own strength, her own powers, to not rely on anyone else."
"Orihime…" Nelliel muttered softly.
"By going in now to save her, "Ulquiorra leaned back on the tree, "you'll only end up treading on her spirit."
Orihime felt the intense murderous aura from Loly. There was no way out for her. All she could do was to fight her.
Cocking her head a little to the side, Loly raised her right hand, palm facing the face. Her hand began to release red electrical current. "Die, bitch!" she yelled as she directed her hand towards Orihime, releasing red surge of energy. The attack hit Orihime on the spot, causing a thick cloud of smoke to envelope her. Loly laughed maniacally. "A Bala is a projectile of spiritual energy. It's not as strong as a Cero. Well, who cares anyway? It's twelve times faster and deadly on humans!" She charged up with both hands and launched a series of Bala. "After this, I bet no one would even recognize your ugly face!"
The clearing got covered in thick smoke as the attacks seized.
Loly smiled in satisfaction. "Hmph… Killing you was hardly any fun at all." She whipped her head abruptly to the left as she placed both hands on her waist. "Humans are so weak and pathetic. Since my work here is done, I should head back now before Ul—"
She was unexpectedly cut off by a voice from behind her. "Ulquiorra and Grimmjow finds out about this!" The voice was chirpy and high-pitched.
Peering over her shoulder, Loly grimaced at the sight of Orihime Inoue. She was surprised and angry that she was still alive. "You bitch!" She swung her arm at the orange-haired girl.
Orihime simply jumped back and smiled at Loly.
Loly was dumbfounded. "I attacked you with my Bala. No human could have ever survived that."
"You're asking me how I survived. Is that what you want to know?" Orihime asked, tilting her head slightly to the right, as she placed a finger on her cheek. "Well, there was no way I could have dodged your Bala at that time. It was too fast for me."
Glaring, Loly clenched her hands into fists. "You're making fun of me, aren't you? I'm not going to forgive you!" She fired another Bala again.
But, as soon as it was launched, a glowing triangular golden shield appeared in front of Loly. The attack was blocked and the impact stirred Loly back.
"What the hell?"
The shield transformed into three fairies and returned to Orihime. "I know that attack. I'm sorry to tell you this but that attack can't hit me anymore."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"I've seen that attack up close before I even came to Hueco Mundo," Orihime explained, as she recalled her second meeting with Ulquiorra. Her former captor mercilessly used Bala on her two Soul Reaper escorts, causing severe injuries. "You also threatened me with your Bala once, remember? And thanks to my training with Nel, I've learned how to avoid that attack. By matching the timing of your movements, I can even cancel that attack completely."
"Bullshit!" Loly prepared to fire another Bala when her hand got hit by a golden projectile. "What the?"
"Koten Zanshun," Orihime recited as a black male fairy spirit flew to her side. "It's my offensive technique. Tsubaki-kun here has the power to form a thin barrier to either side of himself. By flying at an enemy, the barrier can reject anything to either side of it. If I have any shred of killing intent, Tsubaki-kun can cut through anything."
The Arrancar felt more humiliated than ever. Orihime had the chance to kill her with Tsubaki but the girl chose not to. "You must enjoy trampling on my pride so much, don't you?" Her fists trembled in anger. "Maybe I should release my true form and eliminate you completely!"
Before she could even reveal her Zanpakutou, Loly felt a familiar spiritual pressure around the area.
"This spiritual pressure…" Orihime muttered.
"Dammit!" Loly uttered, her voice full of resentment and fear.
Orihime scanned the area, searching for the owner of the spiritual pressure. At first she saw nothing and her gaze flew back to Loly. She was retreating back.
Then he appeared in front of Orihime.
Her gaze softened. "Ulquiorra," she called out his name.
To be continued…
JC: And then it ends with Orihime saying Ulquiorra's name again. Uh-oh, I'm making this a habit without noticing. Kinda weird for Ulquiorra to interfere now, isn't it? He did tell Grimmjow and Nelliel not to interfere in the battle and then he goes in. There's a reason for it and you'll get an explanation in the next chapter. I couldn't resist including Loly into the mix. I don't like her but I don't particularly hate her either. Please review, review! No flaming!