Be My Sacrifice
Chapter 10: "Strings"
A/N: Hello again ^^ Thank you for all the nice reviews, they really make my day 10 times better ^^ There's gonna happen something major for the plot in this chapter, so be aware of that x)
Hope you enjoy reading.
"the pawns have positioned themselves"
Ulquiorra stared down into the seemingly endless basin of water - his green eyes analyzing the surface with his full attention.
On the other side of the basin stood Aizen-sama in all his pride – hand outstretched towards the surface of the water.
Slowly, small images were reflected in the water's surface.
Aizen-sama smiled while showing an image of a small division of low ranking Arrancar's that stood outside of Las Noches -Ready to meet the unknowing Shinigami's when they arrived.
"It would be rude of me not to greet them properly"
Ulquiorra slowly lifted his eyes to meet Aizen-sama's.
Even though Ulquiorra knew it wasn't his business, he couldn't help but feel sorry for the pathetic low ranking Arrancar's. It wasn't like he would mourn for them or anything, no, the weak had to die… But, none the less, he knew that the red head and his friends would be able to defeat such a small amount of soldiers without any problems. It pretty much meant a suicide mission for the Arrancar's…
So, because of that, he couldn't really see the point… That Aizen-sama wanted to kill off soldiers without gaining anything back?
No… He couldn't doubt Aizen-sama's judgment. He always had a hidden agenda somewhere.
"You're very quiet today"
Ulquiorra snapped out of his thoughts when hearing his master's voice.
However, he kept quiet. After all, it was more like a theoretical statement rather than a question... He knew that much after getting familiar with the otherwise unpredictable man's voice. The tone he used…
"I can't help but feel… worried… when one of my highest ranked Espada's grow quiet"
"My deepest apologies, I just don't think it's appropriate of me to put question marks at your decision"
He watched as Aizen-sama smiled once again, the usual sly smile that only rarely left his lips for very long.
Suddenly the images in the basin began to change – the low ranking Arrancar's and the desert disappeared, just to be replaced by the image of a young girl… a certain young girl that still slept heavily in Ulquiorra's bed.
"Aizen-sama?"
Ulquiorra looked with rather empty eyes at the image of the girl. Orihime…
"I assume you're taking good care of our queen?"
He couldn't help but look a little confused at first. He couldn't quiet grasp his masters talk about chess pieces…. and certainly not when he used it instead of names.
"Of course – She has progressed in self defense, but her human limits make it difficult to ascend further"
Ulquiorra couldn't help but feel worried when gazing down at the image of Orihime. She was fragile… Open… defenseless… as if someone with killing intentions could just enter the room and end her life in an instant. Just the fact that he currently was in a far away room made him worried for her safety… Much more than his emotional mask showed.
"Good, keep being her knight, protect our queen until she can stand on her own"
The images slowly began to fade again.
"You can leave"
Ulquiorra bowed his head slightly to show Aizen-sama his respect. After all, he felt, strangely enough, pleased that he had been entrusted with Orihime's caretaking once again… most of all so he didn't had to watch over her from a faraway place when no one was aware of it.
"And… Ulquiorra"
He quickly turned around – only to be met by a pair of brown eyes and a slick smile.
"When the black chess pieces arrive… I expect that you're the one to defeat their king"
Aizen-sama had no needs of saying anymore… Ulquiorra knew what the hidden meaning of his words meant.
The 'king'…
"Yes, Aizen-sama"
He left – his heavy steps resounding in the empty white hallways when he was alone.
He felt strangely pleased …
Pleased that the red haired Shinigami should fall by his blade.
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She looked into the deep green cores that seemed to overflow with an emotion she hadn't seen before – his hands gently placed on top of hers.
They were both sitting at Ulquiorra's bed – The 4th Espada seemingly very concentrated at the task at hand.
"Ulquiorra-san, tell me again why we're doing this?"
She tilted her head just slightly – not really understanding how something so simple as holding hands could help her special abilities to develop.
It just seemed illogical…
He sighed softly before speaking up – his green eyes closing as he, once again, tried to explain at a basic level what he was trying to do;
"I'm linking with your spiritual energy – but because we're of different species it's a lot harder than if you were an Arrancar"
She studied his face in silence – listening patiently to his words.
"If I can link with your spiritual energy, I should be able to awake your abilities hidden potential."
"So… I'll be stronger?"
She was kind of afraid to grow stronger… afraid that it would change her personality and make her even more important in Aizen's plans.
It had been her intention from the start to behave and keep herself alive until Ichigo and the others would come for her… but… what if they… failed?
What if her abilities became too important and she would never be able to leave the white world again?
She was torn out of her thoughts when she lost her breath for a moment – an enormous spiritual energy running through her body and forcing all the air out of her lungs. Even though it had just been for a moment she could immediately feel who it was… Who had just infiltrated the deepest core of her soul.
"Relax – Don't fight against it"
Somehow the 4th Espada's words only made her even tenser – her hands automatically squeezing his' in an attempt to relieve some of the feelings she held deep down.
Feelings of frustration… love… and need.
She gazed at him with fascination – his eyes closed so the white color that adorned his face only stood out that more. It was the first time she actually admired the white color… felt drawn to the white color she otherwise would have loathed.
He was beautiful… flawless… Not a human like her who possessed countless mistakes.
Maybe that was why she began to desire him… admire him… understand him maybe just a bit.
She swallowed hard when another wave of spiritual energy took her breath away – however, she managed to keep her eyes open this time.
They were so close… she could practically feel his breath tingling at her cheeks and the soft skin of his hand brushing against hers.
It felt like torture… torture to have the subject of her desire sitting so close to her. Not touching her in any other way than with his hands… It only enforced the feeling in her chest… the indescribable feeling of loss.
Something was missing…
Searching for this missing feeling, she gently released the grip around his hands – slowly trailing her fingers up the white sleeves of his white Espada uniform.
At first he didn't reacted – his green eyes just simply analyzing every movement her fingers made until they reached the uniforms collar. He didn't interrupted her, however, but didn't encouraged her actions either… as if he, was like her, torn between obligations and desires.
No words were spoken.
She rested her hands at the exposed spot at his neck – running her fingers curiously through his black hair when gathering enough courage to do so.
His hands had grown limp – resting at the sheets they were sitting on as if he was hesitant to reply her intimate touching.
She moved closer – her eyelids fluttering slightly when she met his green eyes for a moment.
Their noses brushed against each other for what seemed like a fleeting second. She gulped in secret when he still kept completely limp… she couldn't even feel his breathing as she had done before.
Almost afraid to accidently cross the line between their faces, she gently spoke – The words holding much more hidden messages than any outsider could ever understand.
They both accepted the situation in that moment.
Choosing desires instead of obligations…
"I'm ready… for you"
A/N: Cliffhanger xD There's most likely gonna be some mature themes in the next chapter so love it or hate it ^^ Reviews are appreciated and I hope you enjoyed reading.