Awakening: Chapter 7:

Author's Note:

Hiya everybodey~ ;D

It is now 4.35a.m in Sleepy Singapore.

But whatever, so let's get on with the story!

I do not own bleach or any of it's characters~

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Enjoy! ;3


Normal POV:

He stood and waited stationary, leaning against the wall and would have probably been able to completely blend in if it weren't for his pale skin contrasting against the crimson shaded wallpaper. His companion had been too busy searching through the racks to even give a glance to him and thus he was left alone.. until now. His emerald cat-like eyes watched as the small raven-haired dashed towards him, a gleam in her wide open amethyst orbs, and that was then he realized something was up.

With a stack of clothes in her arms, she quickly dragged him to the back room where no one could see the clothes floating around an invisible person. She shoved the stash to him and stood there looking expectantly at him, as if he would understand what he was supposed to do just by waiting there for him and staring intensely at him. Ulquiorra looked down at the clothes he had in his hands, he realized that mostly were of darker shades with black, different shades of grey and white, then looked back at Rukia.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Try them!" she urged, her eyes now glistening as brightly as stars.

"No"

Her lips immediately curved downward as the one word of rejection slipped from his lips, obviously very disappointed with his lack of enthusiasm. "Why not? I picked them out for you, it'll look nice I swear!" her persistency increasing with each word and the determined look was instantly brought forth.

He wondered why there was even a need for him to come with her in the first place when he could be doing something else that was much more useful 'like training or ..' he stopped when he realized that there wasn't actually much that he could do in the desert they called home. "No" he repeated with the same monotonous voice and expression.

She frowned at his stubborn attitude, glaring angrily into his deep green eyes as he stared back down at her with a bored expression. Of all the things in the world, there was one thing that Rukia had exceedingly excelled at, and that was fighting for what she wanted. She didn't understand why he couldn't just do as she asked 'it's not as if I'm asking him to go and kill himself' she thought and inwardly groaned. Narrowing her eyes at him "Wear it, or I'll strip you down and force it on you" she growled dangerously at him.

A delicate black brow raised slightly at her threat. "Yes I did and I will if I have to" she warned, having predicted his thoughts just by looking at his expressions (though they almost always maintained in the same stoic ways). He looked down at the bundle in his arms and breathed out deeply, mimicking a sigh but not so much. Seeing that she wasn't about to give up anytime soon, he decided it was best if he just played along 'I'm just doing this because I don't want to waste any more time than necessary' he assured himself.

"Hold this" as he passed the stack back to Rukia and she was about to whine until he unzipped his jacket. Revealing the toned and absolutely well defined muscles and smooth abs underneath the plain white uniform. Since she was surrounded by tons of well sought-after man that woman usually fantasized about, it wasn't the first time she had been exposed to the sight of fit and to-drool at bodies but.. this was different. She couldn't avert her attention, the little voice in her head pleaded her to turn away, to look at anywhere else other than the pale smooth and god-like body infront of her. She might have drooled, the possibility of having a nose-bleed was extremely high and there were little signals blinking red in her mind, warning her of the serious embarrassment she would suffer from if she stared longer.

Ulquiorra on the other hand was just standing idly, waiting for her to pass him a shirt or something when he found her stunned shock by something. Not knowing that he was the cause of her current stunned-silent behavior, he walked nearer to her, effectively snapping her out of her trance. It confused him utterly when she took a step back just as he approached her. "Rukia.." her name rolled smoothly off the tip of he tongue, she gasped when she heard his deep velvety voice calling her.

"Y-yes?" she mentally slapped herself for stuttering and bit her lips , trying to avoid eye contact with him. He then realized, and smirked the slightest bit when he understood that he was the cause of her stammer. He didn't understand why exactly, but he found out that it was strangely enjoyable to see her all flustered up and decided to prode further. He took another step towards her, which she responded with her own few steps back. She would have continued backing up all the way if she had to but luck was not on her side when she soon found her back meeting the cool surface of the hard wall, and gulped.

His left hand on the wall beside head, his body bent slightly so he was at the same eye level as her. A lovely shade of red grew on her cheeks at the close proximity of their bodies, her heart nearly jumped out when he leaned closer towards her, the feel of his body heat radiating on her skin. Her eyes flickered, glancing all about the room, only everything..anything other than on him. He of course noticed her desperate attempts to avoid any sense of eye contacts and found it absolutely amusing. He lifted his free hand and cupped her chin with his thumb and fore-finger "Rukia" he called her name again "look at me".

She couldn't help it. She knew she should have ignored that simple command but her body acted against her will, eyes shifting to meet his smothering gaze, with sights fixed, she couldn't find the strength to look away. Rukia Kuchiki was not one to falter, she had been through so much; growing up alone, losing her only friend, having cruel accusations shoved at her, and throughout all this she had remained strong and brave. 'Then why am I so affected just because of this?' she frowned.

The small twitch at the corner of his lips was barely noticeable, but at such a close range and with this queer understanding of said stoic espada, she noticed then 'he is fooling with me?..'. Her eyes widened at her findings, slightly ashamed at herself for flushing like a school-girl over lean but firm-muscled male bodies, but on the hand, quite interested and shocked to find that Ulquiorra had a 'mischievous' (if that term could actually be used on him) side. Then, forcing herself to let the image of Ulquiorra's absolutely hot body be erased from her mind, she decided that she wasn't going to let him mess with her and inwardly darkly chuckled 'two can play this game'.

Ulquiorra noticed a change in her eyes, her tensed muscles immediately relaxed and her posture changed. Utterly confused at her sudden change in attitude and behaviour, he found himself lost in thought until he felt something graze against his exposed chest. With one hand placed on his chest and the other behind her, lifting her forward "Yes Ulquiorra?~ I'm looking at you now" his name was sensually pronounced and seemed to come out in italics cursive, a hint of her lips pulling up at the sides. She was in absolutely amazement of her bravery, she had initially planned to just get back at him by getting just slightly nearer to him but her body, like movements uncontrolled by herself, moved to touch him. She nearly panicked.

He stood stunned, not knowing what to do. He hadn't expect for herself to pick up so quickly and to push herself towards him in fact. He simply did not understand the thoughts of this female that stood before him but decided not to get distracted. Before he could open his mouth to speak, a Garganta opened up just a few steps away from them and an Arrancar female appeared before them. Bowing slightly, the Arrancar proceeded with her purpose of appearance and explained her abrupt interruption "Ulquiorra-sama, Aizen-sama has requested for your presence". The shock and embarrassment on her face immediately showed when she found herself looking at a topless Ulquiorra and Rukia in a inappropriate position.

Rukia froze while Ulquiorra seemed unaffected, the same plain expression on his face. Suddenly noticing the awkwardness of the situation, Rukia quickly picked up Ulquiorra's uniform and shoved it back to him "you shouldn't flash yourself in public, Schiffer-san" she nearly choked in laughter when he gave her a look that questioned her sanity.

After putting back on his jacket, he wordlessly walked towards the Garganta, stopping back to look Rukia who was day-dreaming and spacing out "Come" and waved his hand towards himself. Rukia rolled her eyes at him but followed nevertheless.


Back in Las Noches..

There was a knock on the door, followed by the deep voice of the Green-eyed Espada "Ulquiorra Schiffer, entering" as he walked in, bowing down before continuing "I came as soon as I could. You have asked to see me Aizen-sama?"

The chocolate brown kindly eyes narrowed slightly "Yes my dear Quatro, you're as punctual as ever" a smile made its way to his face "I assume Rukia's training has been going on smoothly?

"Yes Aizen-sama, her strength and potential has increased at remarkable speed. So far she has managed to surpassed the tests, and is able to easily subdue both the Sexta and Octava" Ulquiorra said impassively.

Aizen nodded in acceptance, pleased with the progress of his new interest "Good, there will be a slight change of plans after this, but for now continue with what you are doing."

Ulquiorra bowed again "As you wish Aizen-sama". With a wave of his hand, Aizen dismissed his loyal subject. After the door had been completely closed, a figure emerged from the back of the room.

"I'm sure you have noticed that our beloved espadas has warmed up to our guest?"

His ever-present smile widened "Yes yes, even Ulqui-san seemed to be affected. Aren't you worried that this might disrupt with your planning?" the silver-haired snake enquired. Taking his own sweet time to enjoy a sip from his tea, Aizen chuckled and shook his head "It's all going better than I expected" he hummed knowingly "now all I need is to wait for Syazel to be done with my little present for Rukia and all will be perfect.."