I always thought you would be the one to stay on your side, but it was I all along. It seems nothing can inflict my heart enough for me to turn from my allies. It seems you just couldn't change fate…

Chapter 9: Broken Lines

Ulquiorra's hands dripped cold remorse. He stood, gently allowing her to rest on the floor. His eyes became fixed on the giant silhouette before him. Yammy.

"I didn't think she was trash," Yammy began, his words hinting at it as though it was a joke, "Especially since she had you on the ground and all."

"I deal with my own battles, Yammy," he stated firmly, evenly. He wanted to turn to see if she was still alive, but he knew for now he had to pretend as though she wasn't his concern. His level of concern could only be on the level of being annoyed with interference, not anything regarding her personally.

"Sorry," he grinned, "I thought it looked like you were having some difficulties with this one."

He was cruel to denote such things as difficulties. He was cruel to come in here attacking her, knowing that he might find grief in Ulquiorra's posture. Ulquiorra held firm, wondering who his enemy truly was here. He could easily punish Yammy for interfering, or at least use that for an excuse. He could easily walk to Yammy and join him, leaving her alone, possibly dead. He could still feel her pressure behind him, though he refrained from shifting to get better perception. He hadn't looked at her wound when he stood; he hadn't even bothered to see if she had maintained consciousness. She was strong enough to withstand that blow, but he assumed she wasn't in good condition.

"Interfering with my fight doesn't prove anything to me," he curled his fingers in his pockets, walking slowly across the field. His steps were light and inaudible as the golden fields brushed against his legs. He stopped, still a good distance between them, and waited for a better explanation, or some signal that would allow him to let it slip. Rustling behind him caught his attention.

"Thought you could destroy me so easily?" Yoruichi muttered behind Ulquiorra. He turned his head to glance over his shoulder. Her body appeared beaten, yet she was standing again, holding ground with a smirk on her face. Stubborn woman, what are you thinking?

"Don't look at me like that, Ulquiorra. He's my attacker, let me handle him."

"Don't be foolish," he replied, melancholy taking over again as he took on his role, his image he had for others of his kind. Yammy followed him most times, and would notice changes in his behavior more easily than he liked. He had to put on this cold act, and as the act wore on him it became a reality in his mind. He switched into a mode of cold desolation, recalling his duties as an Arrancar, and easily remembering he was supposed to be working with Yammy.

"I know when I've reached limits," she said, slight arrogance toning her words, "He's slow, and another hit like that will never reach me."

"You don't know his power," he mumbled, his face still peering beyond his shoulder, still trying to understand why she was able to get up and challenge an unharmed enemy without fear. He thought anyone with human characteristics had to be weak, but she stood there without hesitation. She had no fear in her. If she did, her determination and power had forced it beyond his reach.

"I can read him perfectly well," she grinned, "He's not taking me down anytime soon."

"Your injuries will if you keep moving," he finally noted, though he hoped Yammy wasn't sensing the hidden turmoil he was facing. He didn't want to see her die; the blood soaking through her clothes was hitting some nerve of protection he hadn't known was there before.

"Stop worrying," she smiled, and in a step, she was by Yammy's side. Her power surged through her as her clothes ripped away from her body, revealing her injured shoulder blades that were bare with the outfit beneath. The blood shimmered a foreshadowing fate in the moonlight.

"It's not him you need to worry about," Ulquiorra spoke, following closely behind her. Her eyes met his for a brief moment before his hand sliced through her. I cannot risk it, I cannot risk looking weak. I cannot claim this battle as my own then allow you to cause damage. Fate has an odd way of returning to old patterns.

Her body fell to the ground, easily. She had been weak, but Ulquiorra hadn't doubted she would have done fine if it weren't for his blow. His hand fell limp to his side as he watched her body grow silent. She was still breathing; he could see the tightening and expanding of her shoulders. The spot Yammy had hit was still dealing a great toll to her, his attack would certainly kill her without treatment. Was she being so foolish as to turn her back on him? I have certainly led your deception a little far.

"I'm taking her back to Hueco Mundo," he explained to Yammy. Yammy had watched without interfering just as he was asked, though his curved lips and gloating air certainly hadn't been expecting this turn of events.

"You're taking her? What's so special about her?" He asked, dumbfounded.

"She's strong… and she's got friends that wouldn't turn on her. She'll be good for battle," he explained, trying to find a valid reason to let Yammy know the battle was done.

"Alright, if you say so," he shrugged, walking off, expecting Ulquiorra would be following behind soon enough.

Ulquiorra's eyes shifted from Yammy back to his betrayal. Back to what he thought he loved and back to what he had been so determined to change for. Maybe he never wanted to change; maybe he was still unsure of everything. Yet, he was still ready to rescue her, still ready to change his plans and take her back to Hueco Mundo as his choice for prisoner. No, this isn't my choice. I don't want her back in my life again.

His hand reached out to her, his empty chest wrenching in a pain that didn't belong. He picked her up in his arms, the warm blood pulsing guilt through his clothes. Betrayal dripped through his hands. He could take her back to her home, heal her up, and leave. Alternatively, he could leave her out here with the small chance that someone would get to her in time; the much larger chance there was her death. He had returned to kill her and failed before, and even now, he knew he couldn't drop her and let her die. He couldn't return without wondering if the only one who had shown him what it felt like to have a soul had slipped away. The moonlight gracefully held them in a remorseful memory, his decisions pressing strongly in both directions. Just this one last time, I will spare you. Next time we meet, I will have forgotten about you. I will kill you next chance, because I will not allow myself to continue this meaningless war of emotions.

His steps started out slow as he weighed his options one last time, but it was too heavily in the direction of her benefits. He couldn't drop her and let her die now. Tonight she wouldn't die while he was around to prevent it. He quickened his pace; moving into what he knew was an empty town until he felt the last shadows of his allies disappear. When he reached the small shop, he didn't worry about the weaker ones residing inside. If they tried to bother him, he would threaten her life, it wouldn't take much to make anyone back down with the condition she was enduring.

He laid her down inside, making it in without confrontation, choosing a room off to the side. He didn't know which was her space, but anywhere would do. It was dark inside, the moonlight stretched through the window, but it's longing wasn't enough to touch either of them in the desolate corner he chose. He looked at her for a brief moment, and then turned away. I will walk away from you now. I will put this behind me, and we will not stand on the same ground again.

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The lines we've crossed were never meant to have broken gates, yet we broke them down. They were never meant to fall apart, yet we made them crumble. They are easily put back together, yet something is keeping them from ever holding you out.

Golden eyes met the daylight dispersing throughout the room in distasteful glory. It took her a moment to realize the pain, but the slash across her collarbone throbbed with betrayal. She slouched off the ground, her hand immediately moving to her shoulder and tracing along the bandage. Did he do this? How did I get here? Her eyes glanced around the bare room, and her hand rested on the edge of the bandage, feeling the frayed edges. Her eyes closed as she tried to recall what had happened. The beautiful night that seemed to belong to them, the attack that so suddenly broke them apart, then… he attacked me. To protect his ally… would I have done the same? Of course… and I so bluntly admitted it in front of him. Was that his way of returning the message to me? How could I think he wouldn't take action against me if I attacked his own? Maybe because I believed he was beyond believing in the cold hearts of his allies.

Her back wretched in pain when she thought of the blow she had taken there. She had been too preoccupied with the injury he had given to her to think of the one Yammy had. It hadn't even occurred to her she had been attack front and back in nearly the same area. This will take too long for recovery. I'm so stupid to have thought I could trust him like that. Yet, I saw it… I saw the relationship in his eyes, and I believed it was true. I still do…

"Yoruichi, glad to see you're awake," Kisuke's voice rung in the room. She allowed her hand to drag off the bandage so it wouldn't seem apparent that she was thinking about it. She opened her eyes and faced him, disrespect for herself clearly visible on her face.

"You took quite a beating, but I managed to get it fixed up," he stopped walking, standing across the room from her as if to give her space, "You're lucky someone dropped you off here, it was rather convenient."

She nodded. So he did bring me here… "How did the other battles go?" She wanted his eyes off her, she didn't want him to see the longing and sorrow in her eyes. She didn't want him to see that this betrayal was hurting her, because there should have never been a reason to be hurt emotionally by an Arrancar in the first place.

"They went well. Injuries, but none like yours. I'm a little surprised by your outcome."

"There were two," she said with little enthusiasm, or belief that the two of them should have had such an impact on her.

"I know. They went a long way to get to you."

"It won't happen again," she promised more to herself than anything; a hopeful, reclusive thought. She felt regret for leaving Kisuke for someone she knew would never change on her behalf. She wanted to believe she knew that, but she still doubted his betrayal. Her betrayal to Kisuke, however, was in plain sight.

"Don't worry about it," he said, knowing what was prying at her mind. He walked across the room, and knelt beside her. She kept her eyes away from him, unknowing to where her heart really belonged. She didn't want to look at him unless she was certain her thoughts wouldn't be false. He gently placed a hand under her chin and tilted her eyes towards his. "You don't think I could seriously be upset with you, do you?"

She stopped being stubborn and relaxed into him, allowing her eyes to meet his, "Sometimes I think you should be," she smiled wryly.

He laughed lightly and gently brushed his lips against hers, "This will all be over soon enough," he said, referring to the Arrancar, more specifically Ulquiorra. She smiled with hopeful consideration, but her mind was telling her otherwise. I don't want him to be over.

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Ulquiorra was unsure of his decision. He returned to his bleak room once again. It hasn't even been a full day she's been gone, and I already nearly made her lose her life. I wasn't meant to feel whatever it is humans feel. Maybe what I've been feeling has been my interpretation of it. He didn't hesitate walking the full length of the room this time, and he settled in his usual spot this time. It hadn't become his usual spot until she had arrived, however. She had made it his usual spot. She had made him so many things he didn't want to be anymore. Why couldn't he just drop her and remember life before she interrupted it?

"Hey Ulquiorra," Grimmjow's voice stuttered his thoughts. He got up, and thrust the door open smoothly.

"You look like hell," he said, walking inside without invitation. "You miss that girl already? I see she snuck out."

"What do you need, Grimmjow?" his voice sounded deserted, as usual, but his appearance held something of loss.

"Aizen wanted to speak with you," he grumbled, "You're never around when these messages get passed."

"I was busy with the invasion, just as you should have been."

"Pah. We got nothin' done before we were called back in. All we did was caused disruption, it was pointless."

"Not completely," he said. The disruption was enough of a distraction to let him get to Yoruichi without worrying about interruption. Had Aizen sent Yammy? Did he know about Yoruichi's staying there? He left the room, not bothering to show Grimmjow out. There was no retaliation from him, either. He was curious as to what Aizen wanted to speak with him about; he wanted to know if he hadn't been as secretive as he had hoped to be. In that event, would Aizen see him as the soft one Grimmjow always teased him about?

He knelt when he walked in the door, bowing his respect and waiting for a confirming greet.

"Welcome, Ulquiorra," Aizen's voice was calm and difficult to read. It always seemed to be that way. He wasn't angry with him though, if anything he sensed a hint of achievement over toning his voice.

He stepped inside, and waited for further explanation.

"I noticed you got close to Yoruichi Shihouin," he began, not skipping around the subject, "So close that she stayed with us for a little while I understand."

"Yes, she did," he replied automatically. He couldn't hide anything now, lying was pointless.

"I'm impressed with your choice," he mused, his head resting on his hand, "Yoruichi is indeed a wise choice for a captive. Though, I'm curious as to why you returned her tonight."

Ulquiorra tried to think quickly. What other possible reason would there be to return her? "I didn't realize you would approve."

He chuckled, evil redemption ringing through the open chamber of his fortress. "If you wanted to capture someone, I wouldn't agree with you more on that particular choice. Her getting away, is a bit of a problem now though, Ulquiorra. She's already been too close to us, how much did you tell her?"

"Nothing of importance."

"I never would think you'd be the one to slip," he returned to a relaxed smile, "But since you're already so close to her, I think it's time she returns. This time, we'll formally accept her."

His eyes didn't show even slight surprise, but he was shocked. He didn't want her back all this time, yet now he was being ordered to bring her back? Is this truly happening?

"I figured you'd bring her back tonight," Aizen continued, "That's why I called everyone off; I figured they had been there long enough for you to accomplish your goals. I thought wrong, however. I don't feel her here at all this time."

She hadn't been hiding her spiritual pressure well enough. Even I was having a hard time reading it unless I was in the room with her, how did he know?

"Of course, I'll bring her back if that's what you want."

"I think you'd like it too," his sly smile made Ulquiorra realize even his change of emotions couldn't slip past Aizen. He tried to shake off the realization in Aizen's tone by nodding, and walking off.

"I want her back soon, Ulquiorra. It should be easy to catch her while she's still wounded." The words caused him to pause for a moment, before he stepped the rest of the way out. Yammy. Had Yammy told him what I had said? In any event, he returned to his room to recollect everything that was occurring. He needed to have everything thought out before he got to his orders. Nothing was making sense yet.

Grimmjow was waiting for him when he returned. He was repulsed by the idea of having to deal with whatever idiotic remarks he had to make, walking past him with little acknowledgment. He didn't bother with sitting down, knowing full well he needed to get onto his mission before long. He jumped to orders when they were given, but this was one he didn't want to accept. Everything he did involving her went against his better nature to obey and gain power.

"I'm coming with you," Grimmjow stated boldly, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed across his chest, his eyes studying Ulquiorra as he waved him off. He didn't bother with replying, knowing Grimmjow would tag along no matter his reaction. It was probably better that way anyway; he assumed Kisuke would remain close to Yoruichi until things were settled again. Two rounds of negative effects on her probably put him on high alerts. His mind was dragged away from thinking things over, due to Grimmjow's appearance. He decided now would be the right time to leave. Yoruichi would soon be with him again. This time she would be permanently locked on his side of the line.

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I know, long wait ;; For a short, weird chapter. This is kind of an off chapter to set up for next chapter… I hope it was alright to read anyway =/ Sorry for lack of anything in here, I have totally been on writer's block, so I did my best ^^

Comments & Critique appreciated as usual. Thanks for reading.