Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
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"Kuchiki Rukia – one that carries a big name with her, an elegant woman who the world would never think was capable of escaping from her abductors on her own. She's smart and I sure as hell know she can fight and hold a fight," Grimmjaw babbled on as Ulquiorra drove the car towards a certain place. He had changed his plan and instead decided to tag Grimmjaw along after receiving a package from Ichimaru Gin which arrived and received by Grimmjaw.
"Why are you detailing it?" he asked, his eyes ahead but he still kept on glancing at the rearview mirror, noticing a car always following them around. Grimmjaw noticed it too but only shrugged. They'll just have to lead them away if it comes to that and Ulquiorra is a daredevil when it comes to cars so he'll escape them if need be.
Grimmjaw yawned. "I am just musing about her. I always thought all socialites are just on about making themselves beautiful and all – you know, icky. What are you going to do with that one following us?"
"Let it follow us. I have noticed this same car following me since I returned. So far they have not done anything drastic yet." He pulled the car to a stop when they reached a bar. The guy they are looking for is inside the bar and enjoying a leave. He glanced at the rearview mirror once more and smirked. "We'll deal with whoever is following us when it is time. Right now, we need to talk to this guy."
they both stepped down and entered the bar. Grimmjaw whistled at the sight that greeted them. "Man, when was the last time I ever set foot in a place like this?" he mused.
Ulquiorra gave him a dry look. "Don't the underworld people ever come here?"
"Sure they come to places like this – I meant setting foot in this kind of place and actually enjoying not gathering intel." he looked around. "Who exactly are we looking for?" he asked again.
"An Internal Affairs employee – name is Maki Ichinose. Jiruga was working with him," he stated coolly and walked around, away from Grimmjaw. He was wearing an earpiece to communicate with his friend as he snooped around. However, he could not help but watch the entrance to see if someone suspicious will enter. Noticing no one, he once again glanced around and spotted one dancing on the floor with a pretty lady. "Grimmjaw, look at my twelve o'clock – there's our man. Can you do something to get him out without looking suspicious?"
Grimmjaw laughed and actually shook his head. "Are you kidding me? Leave this to an expert. You're not really the undercover type so allow me," he said and Ulquiorra was pretty certain the guy is actually smirking. He spotted one female enter the bar and she looked out of place. Good thing for him and Grimmjaw, they managed to change themselves to fit the environment while the one who entered was on her business suit. Even from afar, he could tell she's well-trained.
He sighed. Really, what is the deal with people dying their hair? This one is certainly no different from Grimmjaw and Neliel as well as Rukia's fiance. And couldn't they choose a better color instead? This unknown female has long olive-green hair. So a woman thinks she can handle him if the need arises huh? Whoever the enemy is sure thought he's one who can't hold his own during a fight.
"Hey babe, you look dashing," the voice snapped Ulquiorra back and he looked around to find Grimmjaw flirting with a beautiful woman indeed. He was on the dance floor with said woman and are quite enjoying the dirty dance.
Ulquiorra smirked. "Really, Grimmjaw? That's the best you can come up with? You certainly have a thing for busty women," he commented and decided to stand at the corner where he can see everything. "They're not Neliel you know."
He was pleased to hear Grimmjaw hiss at his words. "I will beat your crap after this you ass," Grimmjaw whispered so as not to have his companion suspect him. Then he spoke once more, this time to the lady dancing with him. "So, want to do something interesting?" he asked.
"What do you suggest?" the lady asked, thrilled at Grimmjaw's suggestion.
Grimmjaw leaned over her as the woman swayed her hips, practically rubbing herself on him. Ulquiorra have to prevent a snigger. "I bet Neliel never did that to you." he wanted to annoy his friend while he's at it.
His friend ignored him. "Why don't you suggest something interesting for a change?" he said smoothly, his hands on the woman's hips as well.
"Fifty thousand for the whole night. That is still small for my standard but whatever – I like your looks," the woman said brazenly. Grimmjaw raised his brow and pretended to think about it. Ulquiorra took one glass of wine from the waiter who passed by and started sipping on it.
Grimmjaw nodded. "Sure. But before you can have me, I'd like you to play with my friend over there," he jerked his thumb towards their target who looked drunk already. Said woman gave a glance and pouted.
"Why?"
"He's been having quite a few problems and I thought I should help him cheer up by finding a perfect woman for the night. Invite him over this place," he said and slipped a card on her dress. He leaned forward to kiss her and whispered. "Don't mention it to him though because he still thinks I betrayed him okay?"
For a moment, she raised her brow and was debating whether to accept it or not. Then she nodded. "Sure. Whatever you say babe."
grimmjaw smirked victoriously. "I'll meet you at the place – and I will pay you double since you're playing with two guys tonight," he suggested and kissed her deeply again before patting her butt and walking away. From his stand, Ulquiorra watched as the woman danced her way towards the intended guy.
"I bet you can't do that," Grimmjaw spoke from where he was. He danced his way from the center and managed a glass of wine from the waiter passing by. "Thanks."
"Right," Ulquiorra conceded. "I don't think I can go as far as you've gone. I still think you chose her purposely because her frame is just like Nel's."
"Screw you," Grimmjaw snarled. He had to wonder how his friend can have the ability to grate the hell out of him without trying so much. Him and Nnoitra sure had the tendency to do that.
Ulquiorra walked towards the exit. "Not interested, you do your screwing with that woman. Come on, let's wait at the car."
He spotted the woman who had been following them. She also stood up and casually walked away from the crowd. "Not to shabby for one sniffing around," he commented loudly.
"What?" Grimmjaw asked, confused.
"Not you, idiot. I am talking about the person tailing us."
"In here?"
"Yes and a she. Let's go. It seems your woman has a charm since our guy has nodded."
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The adrress was actually a random place and Grimmjaw was leaning on his car, as the woman and the drunk guy stepped down from theirs. Ulquiorra was still behind the wheels and leaning there casually. "Well, here he is," the woman said and grinned.
Grimmjaw grinned back. "Thanks babe." he looked at Ulquiorra. "Sign me up a check. I don't have any with me," he whispered and Ulquiorra sneered at him.
His friend shook his head, giving Grimmjaw the you're-impossible look. "It makes me wonder if you really even have that kind of amount," although he knew Grimmjaw is just as well-off considering the big pay he gets for his undercover jobs. "And you had the galls to pay her double."
"Would you rather have done it your way?" Grimmjaw challenged in frustration.
Ulquoirra waved him off. "Nah. That is your thing," he said and signed a check. He handed it to Grimmjaw and the latter walked towards the woman who was looking at the big house in awe. She even managed a whistle.
"Thanks for the help," Grimmjaw said politely when he approached said woman. Ulquiorra snorted while trying to put Grimmjaw and polite in one sentence. Not so fitting for his bad boy image.
The woman smiled. "Anything for money. He is not really your friend, is he?" she asked and glanced at the man she brought. She wondered if the blue-haired guy is a bad guy and she wondered if she brought a man to his doom.
"Yep. Keep your mouth sealed and never talk about this though. If anything happens, call me," he said and grinned once more. "You still have the card I slipped into you."
Said woman nodded. She took the check and glanced at it before her eyes widened in shock. She gaped at him and Grimmjaw had to wonder how much was written there. "T-This is too much."
"I know. You were a great help. Take his car with you."
"You...are not going to kill him are you?" she asked, hesitant to leave. The guy in front of her shook his head.
"Nah. Just a few questions. Besides, I am not stupid to kill an officer." with that, he grabbed the man by the collar and walked away while the paid woman watched before she shrugged and stepped inside the car.
Ulquiorra stepped down from his and opened the back of the car where Grimmjaw shoved him inside after knocking him unconcscious to avoid any hassles. Then both drove away, aware of the one car following them.
His mobile rang at that exact moment but he ignored the call. It was Grimmjaw who picked up his mobile though. "Oi, it's Kuchiki."
"Just activate the loudspeaker." he did and he pressed the answer button. "Rukia?"
"Great! I have been trying to call you for upteempth time," her voice sounded pissed.
"May I ask why?" he asked, his eyes still on the road.
"Ulquiorra I know this is sudden but please let me join the investigation."
Grimmjaw coughed and Ulquiorra pulled the car into a sudden stop and glared at the cell phone as if glaring at Rukia. "What a reckless thing to ask from me."
"I don't need you to approve. I just want you to know that's all."
"Why the sudden interest?" he asked though his eyes hardened.
"Where are you?" she asked, ignoring his question. "We need to talk." Her tone is furious and she is demanding his presence now. Ulquiorra sighed. Like hell he will allow her to enter this dangerous job.
"Listen, I have got some things to do at the moment. I will talk to you later," he said calmly.
The two heard her scream in rage and utter some profanities which are better left unsaid. Grimmjaw had to smirk and Ulquiorra remained impassive while listening to her rant. "Talk to you later," he said again.
"Don't you dare - "
ulquiorra's right hand reached for his mobile and ended the call. Grimmjaw gave him a curious look. "She sounded very, very angry. And she has a wide vocabulary for profanities."
"She does. But I won't acknowledge her request. She's being reckless."
"You think she can't protect herself?" he asked, his being protective of Rukia always a wonder to the blue-haired.
"It's not that. She has a perfect life – why ruin it by getting into a mess." he made a mental note to check on her later, wondering what made her want to join. It must be something deep. They drove in silence or rather not since Grimmjaw was humming, thoroughly enjoying himself with whatever he is thinking. He doesn't even want to know.
Finally, they reached their place and once again, Grimmjaw pulled the unconscious man and carried him inside like a sack of potatoes. A chair was ready for the guy and the blue-haired simply dropped him on the floor like he was nothing before he headed outside the room where his friend was busy talking with someone over the phone.
"Who was that?"
"Byakuya. It seems Rukia is throwing a tantrum. No one could calm her down and she started beating the crap out of all Byakuya's men."
Grimmjaw inwardly winced, trying to imagine the scene. "Apparently, her brother had to lock her up since she's demanding to get out from the house and wanting to see me."
"What do you reckon is it all about?" he asked and leaned on the window.
This time, Ulquiorra's green eyes met his and in a serious tone, he answered. "They got Neliel, Inoue Orihime and Kurosaki Ichigo."
the first name mentioned was enough to drain the color from Grimmjaw's face. Without a word, he went to grab a bucket of ice and dashed inside the room to throw it at the unconscious man who screamed bloody murder at the feel of cold on his entire being.
"Bloody hell who in the - "
"Maki Ichinose, it has been a while," Ulquiorra cut him off as he appeared from the doorway and was giving the man a look.
"What the – how did I get here?"
grimmjaw grabbed the man by the collar and threw him on the chair, his face having a livid expression. "We don't have much time to waste. You answer all our queries and then, we'll let you go."
"Who are you?" Maki asked and glanced at Ulquiorra. He was more unnerved by the presence of this man who was thought to have died two years ago. "What do you want from me?"
indeed, they wasted no time as Ulquiorra started talking. "Two years ago – an agent, Nnoitra Jiruga was working with you on a particular case about a group of corrupt police and military officers."
Maki blinked at the name and he stared at Ulquiorra before he gulped. "Yes."
"He was close to catching who they were."
"I don't - "
"He called me then, telling me of a secret dealing on the eve of March 23, 2009 – dealings that involved certain police officers and Internal Affair employees."
Maki managed to give them a confused look but Ulquiorra is already troubled about Rukia so he does not have time to play with this guy. Carefully he walked towards Maki and sat in front of him while the guy was now bound to his chair. "He called for back-up and we were late to arrive. But he was still alive then, when someone from the Internal Affairs officers who aided the police shot him dead. You were there. Was it you?" If not for the information Gin had sent him, Ulquiorra would have never recalled that little thing that the investigators missed. Then again, two years ago – he barely had the time to investigate when someone attempted to kill him, causing his car to explode. That prompted Zaraki's friends from Internal Affairs to declare him dead and told him to lie low. What was his name again? Coyote Stark? In reality only him and Zaraki knew he escaped from that explosion which nearly blew his head off. He made a mental note to check on Coyote. After all, the man promised to check on Nnoitra's death in the hands of Starrk's own employees. He shook his head and gave their guest his patented look. A frosted look that never failed to send shivers down his target's spine.
Maki was met with a merciless look and he knew that he'll never get out of here without coming out clean. After all, he needed to tell this to someone before he loses his mind.
"I have so much respect for Nnoitra-senpai."
"Then why did you kill him?" Grimmjaw growled.
"It wasn't me. I tried to finish the task but I can't pull the trigger." he bowed his head. "There was someone issuing orders – someone we don't know and I was threatened. They threatened to kill me if I don't do what they wanted and that is to kill him. They gave me a gun – an old one to use to avoid having it traced to someone or to anyone from us for that matter."
"It never occurred to you to talk it out with him?" his calmness is really more terrifying than the temper of the blue-haired.
"No."
"Why?"
He clamped his mouth shut but was forced to open them in pain when he screamed due to a knife now rammed into his thigh – it came from the green-eyed who casually just rammed it there like it was nothing at all. "I don't have time to waste – you tell me what you know. If they threatened to kill you two years ago, I think I am capable of that as well. Though our difference would be on the action – I will kill you indeed and not just threaten you. I can always deviate from my principles and kill mercilessly like you guys do."
"Damn it! I was willing to talk and this is how you'll repay me?" Maki hissed in anger. Another knife was pulled out and was aimed on his other left thigh. "Alright! I was a member of their group and we're like the foot soldiers spread nationwide. We report to an unknown guy. I was tasked to befriend Nnoitra and I really look up to him as a friend so when I was tasked to kill him after discovering our secret, I cannot do it."
"You guys purposely led him into that dealing so you could kill him. What you did not count was the fact that back-up was on the way," Ulquiorra said smoothly. "How do you do your operation."
"There's a woman who delivers the order to our boss. That's all I know."
"You know her?"
He shook his head. "No. only our boss knows her."
"And your boss?"
"We haven't seen him since last week. He's a small-time businessman named Ggio Vega." Ulquiorra nodded and turned to Grimmjaw. "Extract any information possible to lead us to their chain of commands. Use extreme measures if possible." he glanced at Maki and gave him a rueful smile. "You're lucky I went easy on you but you should be careful with your words when talking to him – because this guy is Nnoitra's partner." the latter part made the man's eyes widened in fear and suprise. Ulquiorra turned to Grimmjaw again. "Call me if something new comes up. Find the identity of the woman delivering the orders."
He could hear Grimmjaw slamming his hand on the table. "Alright, you're lucky you got off easy. That guy does not wish to resort to violence if need be but he deemed you important enough to let die...yet. I need names."
Ulquiorra shook his head and brought out his mobile as he stepped out from the house where he spotted the same car following him – parked a distance away from them to avoid getting suspicion. He dialed Kenpachi's number.
"Isn't this a surprise? You actually decided to call," came the greeting. "What's up?"
"Do you have Starrk's contact?" he went to the point immediately.
There was silence from the end of the line at the question and Ulquiorra wondered if Kenpachi hanged up on him because he only called just to ask that. Then in a grave tone, Zaraki finally answered. "Starrk died a month after your supposed to be death. He, ah, was found by his adoptive daughter."
ulquiorra paused at the information. They eliminated anyone who tried to look into that case. "He was killed." It was not a question.
"Yes. Poisoned. We checked for forensic trail but they were really professional. They left nothing, no fingerprints, footprints, shoeprints, hair or anything at all. It was like a phantom kill."
"I see. Thanks."
"Hey, you might as well watch over your back. Our data base here had been hacked and they were trying to gather any information about you. How's Grimmjaw?"
"He's busy torturing someone right now," he answered. So the enemies are now actually making a move. "Do you mind me asking something?"
"Go ahead."
"Have you ever heard of Operation Espada?" he asked, trying to estimate the number of people familiar with that classified operation.
"Operation what?" Kenpachi asked, curious and suddenly interested. From his end, he actually smirked. It took a few days and Ulquiorra already managed to have a lead on this case which most agents handling it, to their deaths.
"Operation Espada. A classified operation authorized by PSIA's former director-general, Urahara Kisuke. I think it started with that. Anyway, I will call you in case something comes up which needed your help."
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He wasn't exactly sure on how to react at the sight of a the men inside Byakuya's mansion. Some were limping, some were wincing in pain while a few maids were nursing them up. Really? Rukia did all these?
"Ah, there you are," Byakuya said when he stepped down and found him just standing there with a bemused expression. "She really went all out huh?"
"Where is she?"
"I locked her in the gym instead because she'll only ruin everything if she's in her room. She had been meaning to escape but fortunately, I learned about what happened to the three since she was talking out loud. I have to lock her up, thinking she'll be just as reckless like two years ago."
Ulquiorra frowned. "Two years ago?"
Byakuya sighed. "You'll never know and she'll never tell you but she tried doing undercover, to probably learn what killed you. So Kenpachi had to do the explaining and telling her that you died in a car explosion, three days after Nnoitra was killed."
undercover? Rukia? Seriously? His mind processed the information and he could only manage to come up with a sigh. How reckless indeed. "I will go see her." He looked at Byakuya once more, earning a quizzical look from the golden boy.
"Something you want to say?"
Ulquoirra grunted. "I thought she also managed to finally defeat you in hand-to-hand," he commented, knowing the two were trained at a young age to protect themselves from possible harm. But their training was secret to most. Because of that, those who attempted to kidnap them when younger were all caught off-guard when the siblings turned the table against them instead.
"The day she does that means the day I have gone rusty but I haven't stopped training, young man. No matter how I looked, I still train."
Ulquiorra only snorted in response before heading to the gym located in the mansion. He could only hope that Neliel can do something to reach them. From outside, he could hear Rukia screaming at something and wondered if he could talk to her in her frenzied state. She's probably angry that even her friends were suddenly thrown into this mess.
Carefully he opened the door and entered to find her panting hard and he felt sorry for the punching bag for being so overly used. Noticing him, she immediately attacked head-on. "You bastard! How dare you hang up on me!" she hissed, her right fist aimed at him but he only sidestepped and she would have fallen on the floor if not for his arms encircling her waist and pulling her up.
"You still haven't cooled down?" he asked and she used her forearm this time but he only blocked her attacks. It continued for a few more minutes until Ulquiorra got fed up and he pinned her on the mat, his body covering her, his one hand locking both wrists above her head. He gave Rukia an inquisitive look.
"They fucking got them! I want to be part of this!" she breathed, knowing she can't actually escape from this guy's grasp. He's too calmed down.
"No," he declined calmly and coldly.
She's too close to him, he thought. "Why not?"
"This is a dangerous life, Rukia. Once you get into this, there's no way things will return to normal. Just let me finish this," he whispered.
"You don't understand - "
"It is you who do not understand, Rukia," he cut her off. "Don't ask the impossible from me. I will never allow you to take part in this. We will work on finding your fiance, your bestfriend and my friend. We are doing the best we can and there is no need for you to join this. You're a doctor and not an agent."
"Damn it, I can fight and protect myself. You know that."
He nodded, still not letting her go. "I know. But it's not just about fighting. There comes a time when you have to kill even if you don't want to." he stated and saw how her eyes widened, having remembered her escape from her abductors. "You know the feeling of not wanting to pull the trigger and yet being forced to do so. You experienced it firsthand so you think I will allow that to happen again?" his voice was getting frostier every minute and Rukia knew he is getting angry.
"I - " she stopped, realizing the proximities of their bodies and for some reasons, she blushed and looked away just as he released her. He stood up and extended his hand to help her up. "Thanks," she muttered and sat on the mat, feeling suddenly exhausted.
He sat beside her. "Want to tell me everything?"
"They called me."
"..."
"They asked me details about you. I have no choice but to give them information which I think will not jeopardize your mission," she admitted guiltily knowing it was still a form of betrayal. Ulquiorra only sat beside her quietly, not bothering to interrupt her. "They asked me if you know anything about the 'Hawk'." if she thinks she cannot get a reaction from him, she's certainly wrong since the last word actually made his head snap into her direction and he glanced at her with wide eyes. "Uh Ulquiorra?" she asked tentatively, not sure if he's fine or not at all. He stood up and walked towards the door. "Hey!"
he opened it in time to reveal Byakuya who was about to knock. He was baffled with Ulquiorra's expression. "I'll never forgive myself for doing this," he said in a voice that only Byakuya could hear. "If something were to happen to her, I will never be able to forgive myself but whether we like it or not, it seems they want Rukia involved in this one."
"What do you suggest?"
"She's coming with me," he stated. There is a theory he had formulated just watching the video of Rukia's abduction prior to her wedding. But he kept that theory to himself, wanting to make sure he did not guess wrong.
Byakuya sighed at the inevitable thing happening right now. His one hand held Ulquiorra's shoulder. "I know you can protect her but – you've got so much on your shoulder right now and I don't want you to add another trouble."
"They are going to use her against me and I have to do what I can to prevent them from getting her."
"Alright then."
they were both silent for a minute. "I am going to help from the sidelines. Me and Gin will just send you information gathered." he tossed Ulquiorra a note. "That's the decryption key and you can use it to access our own satellite. If it speeds up this investigation, I wouldn't mind."
"Thanks," he muttered and turned to Rukia who had her arms crossed together. "Pack your things. You are coming with me."
her face lit up. "You changed your mind?" she asked and walked towards them.
"No."
she had a glaring contest with him for a few seconds before she complied with the simple order and walked passed them, towards her room. She furiously packed a few things and from her drawer, she brought out something that had always been there. Her personal gun, licensed by her own grandfather. She'll never forgive those people for forcing her to betray Ulquiorra by telling them information she doesn't want to tell.
They were demanding something from her when her brother interrupted and ended the call, shutting it off and giving her a glance. Don't play to their tune, he warned her. She sighed and and folded a few clothes she needed. There was a soft knock and she spotted her brother on the doorway.
"May I come in?"
"Uh sure."
He stepped inside then walked towards the chair to study his sister. "I know you're worried about them because they got caught up in this."
"They did not have to involve them," she spat bitterly.
"I agree with that but that's how they work. They did the same thing to you back then – abducting you. But it wasn't kidnap for ransom. They purposely kidnapped you to lure him out. I guess some believed he never died."
her hands stopped moving and she looked up at her brother in surpise. "L-Lure him?" she was bait to lure her friend out?
"He did not tell you that since there is no need for you to know. Initially that's what we all believe anyway – that you stay out of this. Unfortunately, the enemies deemed you important enough to use against Ulquiorra." he sighed. Rukia zipped her bag and went to kiss her brother goodbye. "He's among the few men I trust to protect you. In return, do not do anything that will cause him pain."
She did not fail to notice the warning tone her brother used and she looked at him in confusion, wondering what he meant. Reading her silent thought, Byakuya stood up and voluntary carried her bag. "It means do not get yourself in trouble. You're his top priority above anything else so be sure to return that level of care by staying out of trouble."
"Hai."
They descended the stairs and found Ulquiorra checking on one of the men's bruises. Inwardly, Rukia winced and was shocked to realize she did all those. These men surely went easy on her. Having already calmed down she ran towards them and bowed much to their amusement.
"I am so sorry. I don't know what possessed me to go berserk," she said and bit her lip. The head guard of her brother, Abarai Renji actually chuckled.
"No worries. You really pack a punch," he answered and the others silently agreed. Getting her to calm down a while ago was like taming a wild tigress out for a kill. "Take care of yourself, Miss Kuchiki."
She nodded in gratitude then turned to Ulquiorra who was now silently standing at the entrance, waiting for her to finish her talk with them. She waved at her brother.
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"I'm sorry for lashing out without thinking," she apologized the moment he started driving away.
He glanced at her. "The group is known as Vizards. It's a big organization with a lot of networks nationwide. They have eyes and ears everywhere so me and Grimmjaw are being careful. That's why I don't want you to get into this. Apparently though, the enemies thought otherwise so I have no choice but to protect you."
rukia huffed. "I'm grown-up," she pointed out.
"Of course you are. But you are reckless and hardheaded. Whatever possessed you to go undercover two years ago?" he asked and gave her an incredulous look. Rukia's eyes widened a fraction.
"How did you know that?" she demanded and slapped her forehead. "Right. I should have guessed Byakuya will tell you anyway." She sighed and looked outside, refusing to meet his eyes if he ever glanced at her again. "When I first received news that you died, I barely can accept it. In my mind, you can not die that easily."
"Surely, you did not think of me as invincible? People die Rukia. Strong or not, anything can kill you whether a disease, an accident or in our line of duty – a single bullet."
She harshly turned to him with a fierce glare. "I know that!" she snapped. "But it was too impossible to accept so I decided to do undercover, starting from what I heard from rumors. Byakuya was livid at my reckless actions but he allowed me nonetheless. Perhaps so I can have closure. But a week without getting nowhere, Zaraki finally came and explained it to me once more. That you 'died' when your car exploded. He even presented me with forensic reports." Try as she might, she can't help but have her voice crack. She never talked about what she felt two years ago. She never talked about it with anyone else except Ichigo. "It pained me then to know that we can never have our little talks like before, to know that there's no one else always to come to my aid when I needed it." Yep. Her voice totally cracked and she cried out, pouring the pent-up emotions she had held for two years.
Quietly, Ulquoirra handed her his handkerchief and Rukia took it with a mumbled 'thank you'.
"So when I heard your voice over the phone, you have no idea how elated I felt inside that I already decided to ignore the 'whys' and 'hows' of you being alive when you were reported dead. You're very important to me," she confessed in between sobbing.
He did not speak and simply listened. When sure that she's not going to speak further, he stopped the car for a moment and shifted so he could face her. His arms reached for her shoulders to make her face him. In his rare show of emotions, Rukia had a glimpse of his emotional side. Though you still can't tell it judging by his blank facial expression. But Rukia knew him too well. To read Ulquiorra is to look into his eyes where you could truly see the emotions reflected there. And right now, he's showing regret and guilt.
"I am sorry you have to go through that two years ago," he started. "Look at me," he quietly urged her and she once again looked into his eyes. "You're very important to me too and there's no way I can atone for the pain I have caused you two years ago." his lips moved forming a very taut smile, a bitter one. "But there are things I really can't tell you. Things better left unknown. Things about why I allowed them to declare me dead."
He used his thumb to wipe her tears before he released her. He deliberately changed the topic, feeling uncomfortable talking about two years ago and the feelings that lingered then. "I'll allow you to help us from the sidelines though. You'll be taking Neliel's place and you'll work with Lisa."
She opened her mouth to protest when she remembered her brother's words and she carefully nodded. "Yes."
This time, his hand reached for the top of her head and patted her there once, ruffling her hair for a second before starting the engine once more. It was his sign of affection. It was his own way of telling her 'thank you for understanding'. It was one form of their silent communication.
Rukia wiped the few tears with the back of her hand and beamed at Ulquiorra. "Have I ever told you before that I love you?" she asked to change the subject into a lighter one.
He quirked his brow, both of their love are different though. But he will never tell her that. He's content with just having her around even just for a while. "Nope. But you always say I'm a real sweetheart though," he bantered and Rukia chuckled before a gentle look crossed her eyes.
"I am more of a sweetheart than you though," she countered, relieved that the gloomy mood lingering a while ago vanished. She missed this kind of times when she can banter with him. "Between the two of us, I was the one always bringing you your lunch when you tend to forget it."
"I was the one who always rescued you from trivial matters," he retorted and actually smirked at her.
Rukia nodded. "True. But who was it that was responsible for driving away your fan girls when we were younger? You ought to thank me for that."
He grunted. "Didn't I give my thank you by driving your stalkers away?" he mused.
This time, Rukia hooted a laugh and Ulquiorra actually missed hearing her lively laugh. A shadow of a smile crept his lips as he continued driving towards the place that will become Rukia's temporary abode. Then Rukia's laugh died down as she stared at him seriously. "You said you changed so much because of what happened two years ago. Still, I'd like to have this rare moments with you where you can actually banter and all."
He spared her a glance. "Yep. You're more of a sweetheart indeed," he conceded and she beamed victoriously while laughing, knowing she could only enjoy much.
"I know. That's why I love you, you concede in the end in matters like this."
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I probably didn't have anything to do so I managed to focus on my bleach fics. Too bad I can't do the same with Nurarihyon. Anyone, yuzy, satomikia, Echo Uchiha, Sepsis and buchielle. Thanks for the reviews.
