Wow! I haven't updated this fic after the 3rd of December 2011. I am adding a new chapter almost 3 months later! Thats such a long time. So much has happened IRL that it feels like it was another lifetime. I usually don't like to share personal information on Author's note, but just this once I will make an exception and explain the true reason for my hiatus. On 6th January 2012, I became the proud mother of a baby boy. Life became hectic after his arrival and it is only now that I am finding a rhythm in my day to day life. As a result, I started working on my fics.
To those who don't know, I have started publishing Angels & Demons (2 chapters done already). Will be publishing the 3rd chapter shortly. And now about this chapter. This takes off exactly where the last chapter ended. As for Ikkaku's curses, they are explained at the end of the chapter.
Special thanks to Cerice Belle, Lilarin and Rip Van Winkle without whose help the first scene would have been impossible for me to write. Do check out their work for they are all excellent story tellers and have done wonders to Ulquihime. Cerice Belle (Who's also my beta) and Lilarin have ffnet accounts while Rip Van Winkle has a DA account.
This chapter has not been beta'd.
Chapter 10
Ulquiorra found Grimmjow waiting by the dark, stone corridor that led to the prison cells of Las Noches. The corridor matched the reputation that the prison had – cold, dark, harsh and unforgiving. It was made of stone with a few torches lighting the way. When Ulquiorra reached the corridor, Grimmjow bowed low and offered him a greeting which was met with a small nod of the King's head. The two men then set down the corridor in unison. Shortly afterward, Ulquiorra heard his companion clear his throat slightly.
"Something on your mind, Lord Jagerjaquez?"
"Aah," The well-built man fingered the collar of his coat nervously and said "I had a query, Your Majesty, but I do not know how to phrase it so that it does not seem inappropriate or intrusive in any way."
Ulquiorra frowned. He had never known Grimmjow Jagerjaquez to be unsure of anything. "Speak what is on your mind Jagerjaquez and let me decide on the nature of the query."
"I…errr…wanted to inquire about the health of Her Highness. Has the effect of the poison diminished?"
Ulquiorra leveled the taller man with a firm stare under which he seemed to wilt slightly. He wondered why he was bringing this up now but he reasoned, the man had helped save her life therefore he deserved an answer. He did, however, feel an irrational surge of possessiveness that he dismissed quickly. "Yes. She is doing much better, thank you."
With the uncomfortable conversation over, Grimmjow seemed relieved. The two men fell into silence and traversed through the dark corridor finally reaching a large timber door with simple brass knockers. One of the guards lifted the heavy knocker and hit it thrice. A few moments later an answering knock sounded from the other side of the door. Two sets of locks were opened from each side and with a loud creak the gigantic doors were heaved open from the outside by four men. Ulquiorra and Grimmjow moved forward with an entourage of guards following them. Another door, identical to the wooden door was opened, followed by four more cage-like doors before the corridor ended on the top of a spiral stone stair-case. The unlit torches that each guard carried in their hands were now lit to provide enough light to navigate through the dark, cold, damp and moss-ridden staircase. A dank, mouldy smell crept up from the dungeon below. The small band of men slowly descended the stairs, careful not to fall and hurt themselves. The stairs were deliberately kept in this state of disrepair, as a means of preventing the prisoners' escape.
Slowly the party descended deep into the dimly lit dungeons that housed the worst offenders of Hueco Mundo. It got colder, damper and smellier as they moved lower, to the point that it was sickening to breathe the foul air. As they made their way towards the cell housing the rebel, Ulquiorra stopped in front of the same cell in front of which Szayel had paused earlier that day. The prisoner, clad in rags that barely came up to mid-thigh, continued to remain motionless, sitting cross-legged on the cold floor, with the hands bound over the head with heavy chains. Ulquiorra sighed and started to walk away when he heard a raspy voice call out,
"Congratulations on becoming the King, Ulquiorra."
He turned his expressionless face to the prisoner, who continued to look at the ground, "Was that sarcasm, Nelliel?"
"No. I don't use sarcasm with people I like."
Ulquiorra cringed inside. He genuinely liked Nelliel, having learnt quite a few battle tactics from her, and had been shocked to learn of her treachery. A part of him still did not believe that Nelliel, one of the best Generals to have led the army of Hueco Mundo, had betrayed them by supplying arms to The Rebellion. But the evidence against her had been overwhelming. It was only in deference to her long standing service that she had not been beheaded, but instead condemned to spend the rest of her life in the darkest pits of the dungeon. Ulquiorra felt a sharp pang of grief to see this, intelligent, skilled, wise beyond her years, and once beautiful warrior wasting away in this darkness, with mildew, roaches and mice for company.
"Neliel, I… Is there something you need?"
She raised her head slowly and said, "Some water would be nice."
Ulquiorra turned to a guard and ordered, "Give her some water. And take those chains off. She should at least be able to move around in her cell."
With a small nod in his former teacher's direction, Ulquiorra started to walk away.
"Thank you Your Majesty." Neliel croaked.
Closing his eyes he whispered without looking at her, "I am still Ulquiorra for you, Neliel."
Sometime later, the group was in front of the cell that housed the captured rebel. Ulquiorra and Grimmjow exchanged a look. The taller man then indicated for the door to be opened. Inside, on a wooden table, bound in chains, lay a tall, lean and bald man.
The man turned his head to look at Ulquiorra and Grimmjow intensely, "Which one of you is the King?" he asked haughtily.
"You are not in a position to ask questions, rebel. We ask the questions, you answer." Grimmjow bit out, "What is your name?"
"Madarame Ikkaku." The man replied with a feisty grin.
Not liking the flippant attitude of the man, Grimmjow moved next to him and asked, "Where are the rebels housed?"
"Up your arse."
Grimmjow's punch was swift and strong hitting the rebel square on his face. Ikkaku spat some blood.
Massaging his fist, while rotating his shoulders back and forth, Grimmjow said, "Let's try again, shall we? Where are the rebels housed?"
"Like I will tell you anything, you mewling half-faced giglot."
"You insist on doing this the hard way, don't you?" Grimmjow said, gritting his teeth, "So be it then."
Saying so, he stepped back, grabbed a baton from the waist of one of the guards and swung it with all his might on the soles of Ikkaku's feet causing the bald man to muffle a scream and twist painfully in the chains.
"There's more where that came from. Now will you speak or should I continue?"
"Pox and pestilence to you!" Ikkaku ground out but the smile was back on his face soon.
Nonchalantly, Grimmjow brought the baton down on the same spot yet again.
"This is but a taste of the horrors that await you, rebel. Speak now and spare yourself some unnecessary agony." Grimmjow persisted.
To everyone's surprise, Ikkaku laughed, showing his bloody teeth, "Agony? You nobles think a little bit of physical discomfort is agony? Clearly you have no idea what agony means. Live in the slums of Hueco Mundo for a day and you will know what agony is."
"What do you mean?" Ulquiorra asked coming closer to the table.
Ikkaku shifted his gaze to Ulquiorra and gave him a once over, "Are you the new King? You certainly match the description I heard."
"Answer His Majesty's question." Grimmjow said, tapping the baton against his other hand.
"I am not going to answer any question that any of you here will ask." The bald rebel replied firmly, "Especially not the King's." He looked Ulquiorra straight in the eye, hatred pouring through every fibre of his being.
"Why not?" Ulquiorra asked, studying the rebel through narrowed eyes.
"I do not answer to the King who does not deserve my loyalty. What kind of King levies King's tax on his subjects?"
Taken aback, Ulquiorra stared at the man for a while before asking, "What tax?" He was perplexed.
Ikkaku laughed derisively, "What kind of a King are you? You don't even know what taxes are levied on your subjects. You are worthless."
In response Grimmjow lifted the baton yet again but Ulquiorra raised a hand to stop him, "There is no such tax called the King's tax."
"Yeah, and I am the ruler of Hueco Mundo." Ikkaku replied sarcastically.
"Treat your King with respect, rebel." Grimmjow said waving the baton threateningly.
"You don't scare me, you pumpion. You, who cannot even talk to a chained, injured man, without a weapon in your hand and a posse backing up your sorry ass, you will threaten me? Not in this life."
Bending down, Grimmjow got his face close to Ikkaku's and grabbed his cheeks firmly, "Before your days are over, I'll make sure you pay for this, you arrogant alley rat."
"Get away from me, your breath stinks of wine. And if you want to 'make me pay for this', why don't you unchain me? Give me a sword and take me out in the open, if you dare. We'll settle this the old way, man to man." Ikkaku pulled at his chains.
Irritated, Grimmjow brought the baton down on the man's sole yet again, resulting in another muffled scream.
"That's enough." Ulquiorra said quietly, "We are done, for now."
Without waiting for any response, he turned on his heels and walked away. Stupefied, Grimmjow looked at his King's retreating figure and then at the rebel. He quickly handed the baton to the guard and ran after Ulquiorra, catching up soon enough.
After walking a few paces in silence, Ulquiorra said, "Don't let that man's taunts get under your skin, Lord Jagerjaquez. You were the one wielding the weapon, yet he was the one dictating the session. That is unacceptable," he was looking straight ahead.
"My apologies, Your Majesty," Grimmjow replied, sounding reasonably chastised.
Ulquiorra accepted his apology with a nod, still looking straight ahead, "He did, however, give a very unsettling bit of information. What is this King's tax that he was talking about?"
"I am not aware of it Sir."
Ulquiorra nodded, "I thought as much. Find out what is this King's tax. Is it a real tax or is the rebel trying to mess with us? If it is a real tax, find out for how long has this been levied and why is there no official record for it?"
"As you wish Your Majesty."
"My fate, along with the fate of the less privileged citizens of Hueco Mundo and my imprisoned comrade is now in your hands. If you choose to hand me over to the guards, I would understand it and will not begrudge you for it." Renji had chosen to be completely honest with Tatsuki.
Tatsuki sat on her bed with her head in her hands, "Do you realize what you are asking me to do?"
Renji looked at her remorsefully.
"You are appealing to my humanity, bidding me to do my duty as a human being. But if I do this, I bite the hand that has fed me. I am an orphan, Renji. King Inoue has clothed and provided me with a roof. Orihime…I mean Her Majesty has been more than a friend to me. If I am alive today, it's because of them. If I aid you, I will be disloyal to the royal family of Hueco Mundo and therefore, by extension, to Orihime. This is an impossible choice."
Renji crossed his arms over his chest and said, "Life isn't meant to be a bed of roses."
"But this is too big. I cannot handle this. I…" Tatsuki stopped speaking and blinked away the tears that were threatening to spill over. After a pause she whispered, "I am not strong enough for this."
"You saved my life; I would not discount your strength so easily." He said gently. His heart went out to the small woman on whose shoulders he was placing a massive burden.
"I need time to think. The Sun has just set. I need to go to attend to my mistress' dinner. We will talk when I return."
He raised an eyebrow, "Are you not scared that I will run away?"
"With that leg, if you can run away, then you deserve to escape." She said dryly.
On her way out, Tatsuki paused, "Will you answer one question honestly?"
Renji nodded.
"What does the rebellion have to do with the poisoning of the Queen?"
He frowned, "Nothing. Although sadly we will get the blame for the unfortunate incident, but we do not harm the innocent and the Queen is innocent."
"And yet you will attack the Bridal entourage of such an innocent?"
In response, Renji hung his head. Tatsuki tsked and walked out.
The battlements of Las Noches were an impressive fifty feet from the ground, towering over Hueco Mundo. Made of large stones, the battlements were meant to instil fear in the hearts of any foe who dared to try and lay siege to Las Noches. Highly trained archers, with deadly precise aims, dotted the battlements. Enormous cannons were kept close at hand to be used when needed. In battle, Las Noches' defences were impeccable. Currently there was no siege underway, so one couldn't see the archers or the cannons. However, if one looked closely, they would see the silhouette of one man against the setting Sun. This man was walking on parapet of the battlements, hopping to the next one when he reached the end of one. The people who didn't know would be forgiven if they assumed the man was contemplating suicide. But the current General of Hueco Mundo, Lord Nnoitra Jiruga, wasn't planning on dying. He was in fact, thinking. This was a quirk of his, this constant need for thrill. Near death experiences gave him a rush that was second only to bloodbath. He was addicted to the heady feeling that came from testing his mortality; tempting his fate. He would constantly find new ways and means to push the line a little further.
This day, he was risking a fall so great that would crush even his bones, but he still could not concentrate on the problem at hand. His mind kept going back to his predecessor, constantly asking himself, what she would have done if she were here. If it had been anyone else, he would have gone to the dungeons and asked their opinion, but it was Nelliel. He would much rather die than admit to her that he was stumped. He had just been informed that a guard's dead body had been found hidden in the bushes, stripped naked. This meant that the intruder was roaming around in Las Noches, dressed as one of the guards. It had been five hours since he had dispatched the search party and so far, they had turned up naught. With each passing hour, the hopes of finding the pest were reducing. He partly wished that the intruder wasn't found by the end of the twelve-hours that he had given his men, just so that he could start his bloodbath. But he knew that if the intruder wasn't found by then, chances of finding him were slim to none. Las Noches was a city unto itself. The longer a newcomer spent in it, the more acclimatized he would become and then become one of them. He debated on whether he should let the King know about the intruder or not. He didn't like the whit of a lad who was now his King. Although he had seen him grow from a boy to a man, he had no filial feelings for him. As a boy he had always found him a little too full of himself and now as a man his arrogance was insufferable. It did not help that he was now in a position of power. While he was an adept politician and a reasonably good fighter, Nnoitra still didn't care for his haughtiness.
Well, he reasoned, it's not like the pompous ass could really do anything about it. He would ask me to deploy search parties and keep him informed. If the rascal is caught by the end of the time frame, I will take him to the King, if not I will inform him. Either ways, I have to do naught as of now.
His mind made, he nodded resolutely, executing a two legged hop to the next battlement. His right foot almost slipped, chipping off a little bit of the mortar. He whirled his arms like a windmill and balanced himself with a wide, toothy grin on his face.
Orihime lay on her bed, her fiery mane fanned around her. Her left hand played with a strand of her hair as she thought about the man who was now her husband. She didn't know what to think of the small moment that had taken place in his chamber. Why had his eyes, the very eyes that had rendered her speechless with fear just a couple of days ago, held her captive now? The more she was coming to know him, the more she was convinced that despite the brusque and rough exterior, the man wasn't so bad. She guessed his gruffness was a defence mechanism. He had spent so long by himself that he just didn't know to how to warm up to others. She suspected that warmth didn't come to him naturally. Sighing, she stretched on her bed letting out a soft catlike purr. She was just wondering where Tatsuki was, when a knock sounded on the door and the smaller woman walked in.
"There you are!" Orihime said happily, "I was wondering where you had gone."
"I was … uh… looking after the… preparation of your dinner."
Orihime did not notice Tatsuki's halting speech as she curled languidly in the bed and said, "You know one good thing about Las Noches? The beds. I was sitting on Ulquiorra's bed earlier this evening, and now I am lying here and gosh, I cannot explain how wonderful they are. Come, sit. See how beautifully fluffy they are?"
Mutely Tatsuki obeyed. Orihime curled her toes and said, "I could spend an eternity on this bed, this is so wonderful. Father never let us sleep on beds such as these. He said that these beds spoiled the sleeper and I agree. I am already feeling spoiled."
She giggled as Tatsuki gave her a pained smile. Orihime noticed the less than enthusiastic response from her maid and sat up.
"Tatsuki, what happened? Why do you look worried?"
"I…N-nothing. Let me send for your dinner." Saying so she started to get up, but Orihime grabbed her hand.
"Now wait a minute. You are not going anywhere till you have told me, what is it that is worrying you?"
"Nothing Orihime. I am perfectly fine." The black haired girl insisted.
"Tatsuki, if you don't tell me what is bothering you, I may have to do what I don't like to do." Orihime said warningly.
Smiling softly, Tatsuki asked, "And what might that be?"
"I will be forced to use my authority and command you to tell me."
The smile vanished from Tatsuki's face and she said, "Please don't do that. I cannot follow that order because there is nothing to say. I am merely worried about the attack that happened yesterday."
"You weren't so worried in the morning. Or even in the afternoon. What changed in the span of a few hours?"
The maid bit her lips and looked at her mistress, worry etched on each line of her face,
"Orihime, I…"
Before she could complete the sentence however, the usher announced the arrival of the King. Startled, Orihime dropped her hand from Tatsuki's wrist, who disappeared from sight, quick as a lightning.
As Ulquiorra walked in, Orihime stood up to greet him. He looked exhausted. He gave her a quick bow and said,
"Your Highness, would you do me the honor of joining me for dinner?"
Flustered, Orihime forgot her manners for a few moments. When the silence had stretched long enough to be awkward, Ulquiorra raised an eyebrow. Instantly Orihime recalled her conduct, quickly curtsied and accepted his offer. The King and Queen had a mostly silent dinner, with an occasional formal query about insignificant matters interspersed through it. Each of them had other worries on their minds.
A/N: Explanation of Ikkaku's curses:
Mewling Half-faced Giglot: Giglot means a giddy girl. So calling him a Giglot is essentially insulting him by calling him a girl.
Pumpion: A pumpkin
Lame curses, I know, but I tried to stay authentic to period curses and the f-bomb wasn't so common back then.
As usual, read & review.