Author's notes: This story is partially AU. If you have any questions about the plot line, send me a pm and I'll try to help you out as much as I can. Of course, I wouldn't spoil anything though.

Warnings: mild language and violence (I blame Grimmy (for the most of it at least) :P)

Disclaimer: Bleach and all its characters belong to Tite Kubo.

Hounoku no Ai (Love of the Magnolia/ A Magnolia's Love)

Chapter 10

And the tenth petal falls

It was agreed upon by many of the lower arrancar that the vast corridors of Las Noches seemed to threaten to engulf everyone that passed through it. Ulquiorra, however, couldn't care less how the hallways looked as long as they got him to where he was going. The large doors that extended to the ceiling opened as Ulquiorra approached. Upon entering the room, he knelt down at the base of the pedestal that supported Aizen's tiny throne.

"You called for me, Aizen-sama?" he said in his normal and calm tone.

"Yes, I did. Ulquiorra, do you know why I called you here today?" Aizen asked in the same doting tone he used with all of his arrancar.

"No."

"I want you to go back to the real world and evaluate that girl's strange powers a second time," Aizen said. Ulquiorra said nothing, there was no need for words. "You will leave immediately and will report as soon as you get back. That will be all, take care."

"Hai." Ulquiorra promptly opened a garganta and stepped in.

Ulquiorra didn't exactly plan when or where he was going to land, but he certainly didn't expect to meet up with the substitute shinigami just moments after he had finished collecting his data. Immediately, the substitute shinigami began attacking the Cuarto Espada which of course the Espada brushed away with annoyance. But what bothered him the most was not the substitute shinigami, but the energy he felt from another source. Immediately, his instinct was to flee. But a certain cockroach seemed intent on making him stay.

-xXxXx-

The walk back was generally calm. We decided to take a scenic route, enjoying the moonlight as Yoruichi and Urahara argued over small matters of Urahara's inventions and whether they were ethical or practical. I naturally zoned them out. Since when were Urahara's inventions normal?

Suddenly, I stopped dead in my tracks and stared into the distance.

It was faint, but I could feel that he was here. He was hiding his reiatsu with amazing perfection, but I didn't need reiatsu to recognize or find him. I could sense his presence.

For a moment, the emotions began swirling in me again, and I let my spirit pressure loose. In response, I felt a disturbance from his carefully covered reiatsu. He knew and I knew that we were both here. It didn't matter though, I would get there before he could escape again.

Yoruichi and Urahara looked at me surprised. They didn't expect me to react in that way. They had not yet sensed it.

"What's wrong, Tsujiame-san?" Yoruichi asked staring strangely at my stiff face, but then she felt it too.

I shifted my weight and prepared to run, but Yoruichi caught my wrist quickly, pulling me back around to face them.

"Don't do it! Where do you think you're rushing off too like that?" she demanded in her commander's tone.

Normally I would have been slightly shaken by her sudden change in attitude, but this time, I shot back. "You don't understand, let me go!" I snapped trying to pry her fingers off my wrist.

"I know we don't understand, that's why we need you to help us understand!" Urahara shouted at me.

I glared at the both of them. If I wasted anymore time, my opportunity would be gone. They suddenly became mere obstacles in my mind as I became increasingly consumed with a single desire.

I ducked below as Yoruichi tried to knock me out and pushed them both away before disappearing into the shadows of the forest.

No one would stop me now.

So yeah, because I'm stretching it out. This new Chapter 10 was originally a part of Chapter 9. I'm sorry it's sort though. I hope you guys forgive me!

-Aisumi