Disclaimer: Bleach is the property of Kubo Tite. I would like to own a full size Tensa Zangetsu replica.

Chapter Ten

Grimmjow kicked open Orihime's door and unceremoniously dumped Ulquiorra in the middle of the room. "Fix him."

The girl rushed over, eyes wide with disbelief as she knelt beside the unconscious arrancar. He was cold, unmoving, seemingly relaxed, but at the same time sweating profusely. It was eerie. "What happened?!"

"That bastard Nnoitora shot him up full of something," the blue haired Espada explained. "You need to get it out of him fast. If that stuff came from Szayel… Let's just say that if all it does is kills, then Ulquiorra got lucky."

Orihime didn't need to be told twice. Activating her Souten Kishun, she enveloped Ulquiorra's entire body within its healing light. After a few moments, a frown marred her face as she sensed an unnatural presence. It almost felt like this presence was attempting to break down Ulquiorra's reiatsu and fuse itself into it somehow. Was it…some sort of mutation? Orihime didn't really want to find out.

She took a calming deep breath, her brows furrowing in concentration. "This may take a while."

(Ukita – Age five)

The sun had long since dropped below the horizon, yet, still he stood unmoving before his father's grave. He had been there all day and cried all he could cry. His tears were gone now, and he simply stood, empty.

Eventually, the sound of someone else's sobbing finally registered in his mind. Ukita turned his head to find Akari sitting on her heels beside him, rubbing the back of her sleeves over her eyes continuously as she hung her head. She had stayed by his side the entire time. Vaguely, the boy remembered that others had been there earlier in the day as well, including Hayashi-sama. Looking further away, he saw that the princess's guards were also present, waiting for her from a respectable distance.

Ukita got down on his knees so he could speak with the girl closer to eye level. "Hime-sama, please stop crying. Even I'm not crying anymore."

She simply shook her head. "Ukita…I'm sorry."

"Please don't apologize. It wasn't your—"

She threw her arms around his waist and buried her face in his clothes as she shook with fear, grief, and guilt. "I saw it! Before it happened. In my dream… And then…and then it happened…and he never came back… I don't know why! I was so scared!" Her breathing hitched as she continued to cry. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

Though he may not have understood it entirely, it was still shocking to hear. He wasn't sure what to think, but the princess was obviously in distress. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and the other one on her head. "It still wasn't your fault."

She tightened her grip around him. "Please don't tell," she pleaded in a whisper.

"I won't," he promised.

Akari pulled back to look at him. "Father said you'll be staying with us from now on. Is that true?"

Ukita nodded and turned his head to look at the gravestone. "I have nowhere else to go."

She wiped her tears and smiled brightly. "Then that means we can play together everyday! Right?"

He responded to her enthusiasm with a small smile. "Right."

(Ukita – Age six)

Ukita gathered the empty dishes onto his tray while the curious Akari watched the boy sitting on the futon whom he had just saved. "Where are you from?" she asked now that the boy had finished eating and was no longer starving.

Genji shifted somewhat uncomfortably. "…nowhere."

"Where are your parents?" she asked again with a tilt of her head.

Genji looked away but gave no reply.

"Did they die?" Ukita asked, straightforward.

Genji frowned. "No. But they might as well be dead. Haven't seen them in a while."

Akari looked to Ukita then back to Genji. "…why? Did something happen?"

The boy shrugged, trying to appear indifferent. "Guess there wasn't enough food to go around. I'm the youngest of three. They probably figured it'd take the longest to raise me, so they decided to get rid of me. My old man took me to some forest far enough away from home so I wouldn't know how to find my way back. And he just left me there."

Akari's hands flew to her lips. "That's terrible…" she whispered.

Genji turned his head away as he tried to shrug it off again. "I could care less. Not like I need them. Haven't died, yet."

"You…have nowhere else to go?" Ukita asked as he studied the boy.

"I don't even know where I am," Genji replied with a dry laugh.

"Can you work?"

Genji's face twisted with confusion. "Huh?"

"Yabuki-san, who is in charge of housekeeping in the castle, has been trying to find new help," Ukita explained. "If you work, maybe you can stay here."

Akari perked up. "That's a great idea! Then we can play together!"

Genji, however, was unconvinced. "Are you kidding? I'm like…six! Who's gonna want to keep a brat like me around?!"

"I'm here," Ukita supplied. He was a bit of a special case, but that was beside the point. "I'll ask him for you if you would like to stay."

"Say yes! Say yes!" Akari pleaded with excitement.

Genji was momentarily stunned speechless at their willingness to help. Ever since he had been wandering the streets, everyone he'd come across had generally ignored him. The only times he received any sort of attention were either when he was getting yelled at for picking through somebody's garbage or when he was being chased after stealing food. It had been a long time since he had felt anything akin to happiness, but he tried his best to seem as though he didn't really care. "Well, if you really want me to…guess I can't just say no."

Shortly afterwards, Genji found himself on his hands and knees, bowing before the old man by the name of Yabuki with Ukita kneeling beside him, pleading his case. "…and he can work as hard as any grown man. Since he is only a child, he will only need to eat half as much."

Genji's head shot up with shock at that. "Say what?!" However, Ukita quickly put his hand on Genji's head and forced it back down till his forehead hit the wood floor. "Ow!"

For good measure, Ukita kept his hand on the other boy's head to prevent him from getting up again. "If necessary, he can share my bed. Please let him stay."

The old man looked from one boy to the other as he tried to make his decision. Then his eyes trailed to the young princess peeking in from behind the open doorway with an anxious look on her face. Yabuki shook his head with a knowing smile. "Very well. As long as you make yourself useful, you may stay."

At that, Akari burst into the room, cheering joyously as she gave the old man a grateful hug. "Thank you, Yabuki jii-chan!!"

Genji looked up at Yabuki, shocked once again. "Really? You mean it, old man?"

Yabuki smiled with kindness. "Yes. And we have plenty of room, so you can have your own bed."

"Thanks so much!" Genji said as he got back to his feet. "Now, about the food…I'm not really just gonna get half, am I?"

Yabuki only burst out into a hearty laugh in response while Ukita watched quietly with a reserved smile.

(Ukita – Age eight)

The writing instructor had just left the room, and now the three children were sitting on their heels in front of their desks in silence, each with an ink brush in hand, practicing the words they had learned that day.

A frustrated Genji grumbled as he struggled with his brush. This writing stuff just wasn't working out for him.

Akari peeked over at his work and giggled. "Gen-chan's writing looks like worms."

"Shut up!" The poor boy was so caught up he even forgot to berate her about the nickname. By now, his hand was already covered with ink because he would keep putting it on the paper where the ink had yet to dry. So, when he decided to prop his chin up with his hand, some of the ink transferred to his face.

Seeing his ink smudged face, Akari could only laugh.

Genji glared at her, not sure what was so funny. "Why do I have to learn this stuff anyway? I'm just cleaning floors and washing dishes. This is useless!"

It was Akari's turn to scowl. "Father doesn't want you to be an idiot for life. You should be more grateful."

"I'll be grateful when he lets me off the hook," Genji griped with a sigh. He turned his head to his other side to see how Ukita was doing then did a double take when he saw that the other boy had already finished. "Oi, Ukita, do mine!"

Ukita noticed the ink on Genji's face but kept a straight face and kept quiet about it. "You won't learn if I do it."

"Come on! I'll give you my dessert tonight," he offered. Then he paused. "No, wait… I'll give you half of it."

Ukita sighed. Not everyone was motivated by food. "I think you are confusing me with yourself."

At this point, Hayashi entered the room. "How are the lessons going, children?"

All three of them got to their feet. While the boys bowed respectfully, Akari went to give her father a hug. Then she promptly went back to her desk to retrieve her sheet of paper, holding it up for her father to see. "The lessons are going well, Father. Look!" she beamed happily.

Hayashi nodded approvingly then looked over to the boys. Upon seeing Genji's disheveled appearance and the mess on his face, he had to struggle to stifle his laugh. "Genji, it looks like you could use a break. Why don't you and Akari step out for a while? I would like to speak with Ukita."

Genji scratched the back of his neck. "Actually, Hayashi-sama. About the lessons…I was thinking—"

Akari clamped her hands over the boy's mouth with a nervous laugh. "Gen-chan! I know you really want to keep practicing, but since Father said we could take a break, let's go out and play for a while!" Flashing another smile back at her father, she pushed the boy out of the room, off the veranda, and into the garden before he could say anything stupid.

Though slightly bewildered by that short display, Hayashi decided it was nothing he needed to dwell on. Seating himself on a cushion along the edge of the room facing out to the garden, he watched the young princess play. He beckoned Ukita to come sit by his side, and the boy complied. "Ukita, how long has it been since you came to live here?"

"Almost three years, my lord."

"It's already been that long, has it?" Hayashi asked, a distant look in his eyes. "Tell me…what do you remember of your father?"

Ukita blinked up at the man. It was unusual for his lord to bring up his father. Then he looked away thoughtfully. He had no memories of his mother, because she had passed away before he had even learned how to walk. His father had always been the most important person to him, but his memories of the time they'd spent together was already beginning to fade. "I remember his face," he finally said. "But…I have forgotten the sound of his voice."

Hayashi knew that, being so young, it was inevitable that the child would forget. "If there is one thing you must remember about your father, it would be that he was a man of greatness. Respected by many, not just for his skills and valor as a warrior, but also for his fairness and kindness as a man. He was…a good friend." He turned to look at the boy. "As his son, his only legacy, you should aspire to be like him and follow in his footsteps."

"Yes, my lord," Ukita replied. Though he said as much, he wasn't really sure what exactly was expected of him. However, he didn't have to wonder for long.

"Ukita, I believe it is time you begin to learn the way of the sword," Hayashi said. "I have arranged for you to take lessons at the dojo with Takeda sensei every morning after breakfast time beginning tomorrow."

There was a slight problem. "…I have duties in the kitchen at that time of day."

"You needn't worry about that," Hayashi assured. "I will have someone take your place. Your work schedule will be reduced as necessary to allow you more time for training."

Ukita was unsure. Was it fine for him to not work as much? He felt like he wouldn't be earning his keep. "But…"

Hayashi read the confusion in the boy's voice. "I never intended for you to remain a servant for life," he explained. "It is merely a part of your discipline. You are destined for greater things, child. I will see to it. I swore on your father's grave after all." He smiled down at the boy as he placed a hand on his head. "I have high hopes for you."

Without a doubt, Ukita was grateful for everything his lord had done and was trying to do for him. He felt fortunate and privileged that Hayashi-sama would even bother thinking about him. Yet, at the same time, he couldn't help but feel a sudden weight on his shoulders as he realized the expectations he had to live up to. "Thank you, my lord. I will try not to disappoint you," he replied dutifully.

Looking out into the garden, Ukita saw Genji in the distance trying to wash his hands in the koi pond while one of the guards was yelling at him. Nearby, Akari was picking flowers. Catching his eye, the young princess waved vigorously with a bright smile. Ukita waved back mechanically.

"Akari seems quite fond of you," Hayashi commented as he noted their exchange.

"Hime-sama has been very kind," the boy said truthfully.

Hayashi stroked his beard in thought. "If you should become skilled enough as a warrior, perhaps one day you could become her guard and take on the duty of protecting her. I think she would like that."

"Protecting Hime-sama…" Ukita said quietly to himself.

"That is…if you could surpass all of my other warriors," Hayashi added with an almost teasing smile. "After all, it is only fitting for the strongest warrior to be my precious daughter's protector."

The boy made no reply.

"Remember, Ukita. Incompetence is sin. For one who is neither elderly nor ailing to be incompetent, it only means he is not putting forth enough effort. Those who do not try are worthless, wasting away the potential talents the gods have bestowed upon them. It is an inexcusable sin. You must always strive to be stronger than the strongest, greater than the greatest, better than the best. In so doing, you will surely reach your potentials."

"Incompetence is…sin," Ukita repeated thoughtfully as he looked back out to Akari. "I…I will try my best," he said, this time with more determination in his voice.

(Ukita – Age fourteen)

"Hime-sama, please come down," Ukita said for the umpteenth time from under the tree.

"No!" Akari said firmly from the branches above. "Not until you say it!"

"But…Hime-sa—"

"A…KA…RI!"

"…"

She frowned and pouted. "I'll jump! I mean it!"

"Please don't!" he voiced hastily as the muscles in his body flexed, readying himself to spring into action if necessary.

Akari kicked her legs back and forth with a rebellious grin. "Then say it."

All the while, Genji was standing on the sidelines watching with folded arms and an I'm-having-the-time-of-my-life grin on his face.

Ukita looked away with helpless exasperation. "We'll compromise. I will call you Hime."

Akari heaved an exasperated sigh of her own. She had been up in the tree forever, and this was the best she could get out of him. But truth be told, she was getting tired of sitting on the branch. "Oh, all right. Why do you have to be so difficult?"

"That would be my question," Ukita responded from below.

"I'm coming down!" With that statement as her only warning, she jumped.

In a moment of wide-eyed panic, Ukita rushed in and caught her neatly with one arm around her shoulders and the other one supporting her legs. "I thought the idea was for you not to jump," he said, his heart still racing from the adrenaline.

"Huh?" She gave him the innocent look. "Oh. Well, I figured you'd catch me anyway," she said, flashing him her brightest smile as she kicked her legs back and forth again.

Ukita sighed. "That wasn't fair, Hime-sa—"

Akari clamped a hand over his lips with a small frown. "Say it again, and I'll get back up into the tree," she warned before removing her hand.

He gave a small smile of resignation. "Very well, Hime." Then he set her down on the ground.

The princess smiled triumphantly as she skipped her way over to give Genji a quick hug before running off in laughter.

"Well, guess show's over," Genji commented as he turned to leave. Then he felt a rock hit the back of his head. "Ow!" Whirling back around, he found Ukita looking at him with an icier than usual glare.

"You."

"The hell did I do?!"

"You gave her that idea." It was a statement, not a question.

Genji grinned. "So? Just tryin' to help her out. You're such a stick in the mud, Ukita. Why do you have to keep calling her Hime-sama? It's not like Hayashi-sama's gonna kill you or anything. You've known each other practically since birth, for cryin' out loud."

Ukita turned away and reflected on that for a moment. "It's because that's who she is… I need to remember that."

Genji studied him briefly then placed his hands behind his head, looking away with a sigh. "You're so depressing sometimes."

(Ukita – Age fifteen)

Walking down the hall with a tray of food in his hands, Ukita stopped outside Akari's room. "Hime?"

There was no answer.

"I'm coming in." He slid open the shoji screen door. As he had expected, she was a crying heap on the floor. He entered the room and placed the tray on the table before going to her side. Getting down on one knee, he lightly placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hime?"

Almost immediately, Akari threw her arms around his waist as she continued to sob quietly into his chest.

He held her in return. "Who is it?" he asked gently.

"…Saitou-san," she replied in a whisper, feeling drained. "He won't be coming back… He's really nice. He used to teach me how to fold paper cranes. He's really good at it, because he always folds them for his daughter." She paused as another wave of tears consumed her. "I don't want him to die!"

Ukita held her and let her cry for a while before finally speaking. "They told me you wouldn't eat anything today."

"I'm not hungry," she replied, almost stubbornly.

"You can't do this every time you have a vision. You must eat, Hime," he pleaded quietly. "Please."

Akari shook her head, tightening her grip around him. "Later."

Ukita sighed inwardly as he ran a hand down the length of her hair. "Later, then."

(Ukita – Age fifteen)

He placed another rice ball in his mouth. Though his tongue was able to register that there was something inside his mouth, his taste buds couldn't quite figure out what that something was. Quite frankly, he wasn't sure he wanted them to.

This was probably the worst meal Ukita had ever had in his entire life. He would very much like to stop eating. However, one look at the innocent smiling face of the girl sitting beside him was enough to make him put another piece of red bean paste and seaweed stuffed chicken that had been slow cooked in a tub of hot sauce and lemon juice into his suffering mouth. It was so intensely sweet, sour, spicy, and salty all at once that it brought forth a sense of numbness within his mouth…which may not be such a bad thing at this point.

It was the first time Akari cooked, and he did not want to see her disappointed. He was simply amazed by the fact that she didn't seem to be affected by any of it at all. On the contrary, Akari was actually enjoying the food.

As for Genji…one look across the table was enough to let Ukita know that they were in the same boat. The poor guy looked so miserable, forcing the food down his throat. He was practically in tears.

"Oh!" Akari suddenly perked up. "I almost forgot!" She got to her feet and dashed out of the room. Soon, she returned with three bowls on a tray and set them on the table. "Try the soup! It's orange miso!"

Ukita and Genji shared a glance before looking apprehensively into their respective bowls.

Ukita took a sip and…closed his eyes, his brows twitching ever so slightly. Swallow…swallow…swallow… Eventually, his throat complied.

"How is it?" Akari asked with excited anticipation.

"It's…different," the stoic warrior replied, noncommittal.

Genji took a sip next and…immediately sprayed it out over everything on the table. He had reached his breaking point. "What the heck are you tryin' to feed me?!"

In the next instant, Genji realized that his outburst had been a grave mistake for it triggered the nauseous feeling that he had been trying to suppress for a while now. His eyes widened as he put his hand over his mouth. Climbing to his feet, he scrambled out of the room with haste.

Akari watched him leave with a slight frown of worry and confusion on her face. "Eh?"

At this point, Ukita calmly stood up. "Don't worry. I will go check on him," he assured with a slight bow. "Thank you for the meal, Hime." He left to follow after Genji. As he got further away, he began to pick up his pace until he, too, was in a dead run.

Two minutes later:

The two boys were standing on either sides of the tree in the farthest back corner of the castle's gardens, bent over with one hand bracing themselves against the tree trunk and the other one holding onto their stomachs as they regurgitated every last piece of food they'd just ingested.

When Ukita had finally emptied his stomach, he stepped away weakly and lay down on the grass, staring up at the twilight sky. When he had caught his breath, he spoke. "I need a new coin sack."

Genji, though still in the process of heaving, looked up with a confused frown at that random statement. "Huh?"

Ukita held up his coin sack for Genji to see, holding it by the string so that the sack itself was dangling. The sack was so full that it wouldn't close properly, and the contents looked as though they were about to spill out. Even in the darkening sky, Genji was able to see that what was in the sack was definitely not coins. It was food.

"I slipped half the food I was supposed to eat in here," Ukita explained apathetically. "It's ruined now."

Genji could only grumble with frustration. Whether he was frustrated with Ukita or himself…he wasn't entirely sure. "You…I…hate you…" he spat as venomously as possible between laborious gasps of air. He would have said some more colorful things, but another wave of nausea prevented him from speaking further.

While Genji resumed his previous activity, Ukita tried, but failed, to hide his amusement.

(Ukita – Age sixteen)

"Genji! Behind!" Ukita yelled across the battlefield.

Genji whirled around just in time to parry the sword that was about to come down on him. With another swing of his blade, Genji took down his attacker with ease. However, in trying to deal with the surprise attack from behind, he had forgotten that he had yet to incapacitate his original opponent.

Said opponent was about to take advantage of the situation and deal Genji a final blow when Ukita pushed Genji out of the way and took him down instead.

At this point, what was left of their enemies had decided to retreat. The battle was won, and Ukita ordered their men to return to the castle.

Seeing that Genji was still sitting on the ground, Ukita held out a hand to help him up. However, instead of taking the proffered hand, Genji exploded with rage. "What the hell did you do that for?! That was my fight!"

"He would have killed you," Ukita replied, unperturbed.

"That's not the point! Stop saving me all the time! It's pissing me off!"

"If you don't want my help, then start working on your defenses. I get tired of telling you."

Genji got back to his feet, disgruntled. "I can take care of myself, damn it! Just stay the hell away from me!" With that, he marched off, mounted his horse, and took off.

"Genji!" Though he called after him, Ukita knew he was only wasting his breath.

Later that evening, when Ukita returned to the castle, he went to seek out Akari and found her in her room doing embroidery. "Hime. I…" he began as he stood in her doorway, unsure how to continue. Turning his head to the side, he heaved an uncharacteristically exasperated sigh.

Akari blinked at him then chuckled perceptively. There was only one person in this world who could frustrate Ukita like this. "You made Genji mad again, didn't you?"

"If he refuses to properly defend himself, then I have to compensate for him. I fail to see why he faults me for it."

The princess put down her sewing and walked over to Ukita, laying a hand on his arm with a soft smile. "I'll go talk to him." Then she walked past him and out of the room.

He closed his eyes and simply breathed. When he had recomposed himself, he went to look for them. It wasn't really much of a search. Genji was rather predictable. Whenever they'd have a dispute of this sort, he tended to brood inside the dojo. This time was no exception. Seeing Genji and Akari sitting inside the unlit dojo, still talking, Ukita decided that he would not barge in. Leaning his back against the wall, he settled in to wait for them to come out instead.

"…but you're the one who's always being reckless," Akari chided softly. "Don't I keep telling you that?"

Genji, who was sitting with his legs crossed and arms folded, glared at the princess. "Did ya come here to make me feel better or worse?!"

"All right, don't get mad at me, too!" She sighed softly. "I'm just saying…" Her voice grew quieter. "…he gets nervous about losing you in battle, because you're basically his brother…and the only family he has."

Genji hissed. "I get that, Akari! So, why doesn't he get that it's the same for me?! If he gets himself killed one of these days because he was too busy worrying about me, I'm gonna be severely pissed! I don't want to be his damn burden! I can fight my own battles!"

"Stop being stupid, Gen-chan. You're not a burden," Akari said with a sympathetic frown. "You are, however, the biggest sweetie I know!" she finished with a giggle.

Somewhat annoyed, he glanced sideways at her before looking the other way. "Don't give me that crap."

To that, she only laughed as she lay on her side, resting her head on his lap.

"Oi! Get off!" Genji said irritably.

That only made her laugh more, but she didn't move. "You're both just acting like big idiots. But…I guess that's what brothers do. Makes me kind of jealous."

Genji frowned but said nothing. After a while, he couldn't feel his leg anymore, because her head was cutting off the circulation. He shook his leg a little. "Oi, Akari!"

She didn't respond.

When he leaned over to find her asleep, he couldn't help but roll his eyes. "What kinda princess are ya? Falling asleep on floors, using some guy's leg as a pillow." Resigned, he gently lifted her up into his arms to carry her back to her room.

As Genji was coming out of the dojo, he nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw Ukita casually leaning against the wall right beside him. The moment he regained his wits, he scowled with everything he had. "Were you eavesdropping, you bastard?!"

"You were talking so loud, I'm sure the entire castle heard you," Ukita retorted calmly without moving from his spot or making eye contact.

Genji glared some more then turned and began to walk away. "Whatever. I'm going to bed."

Ukita closed his eyes with yet another sigh. "Sushi. Sake. I'm paying." By the time he opened his eyes, Genji was already standing in front of him again.

"Let's go," Genji said flatly.

"I thought you said you were going to bed."

"It ain't in my policy to pass up on free food," Genji explained, matter of fact. "Here." He dropped the sleeping Akari into Ukita's arms. "You take her."

Ukita arched his brows slightly in bewilderment. "Why should I—"

"She came on your behalf, didn't she?" Genji asked knowingly. "So, you take her back."

Heaving an inward sigh, Ukita decided not to argue and began to walk off. "Meet me at the gates."

Genji grinned, his foul mood forgotten. "Hurry it up, damn it! I'm hungry!"

Though Ukita did not respond, his lips curled up into a small smirk of his own.

(Ukita – Age eighteen)

He and Genji had been on the road for a couple of days now, on a journey to deliver a scroll to a priestess who lived in a temple at a rather remote location. Their travels had been going rather smoothly so far. Good weather, no run-ins with bandits, and it seemed they would be arriving much sooner than they had anticipated. However, despite how well things were going, Ukita simply could not shake off the uneasy feeling.

It was Akari's words that were bothering him. The way she had asked him to promise to return to her. At the time, he had only thought that it was her being her silly self as usual. However, the more he thought about it, the more concerned he became. Ukita pulled on the reins, and his horse came to a stop. "We have to go back."

"What?!" Genji asked, incredulous and confused. "We've already made it to the foot of the mountain. The stupid temple's right there!" he yelled, pointing to the speck at the top of the mountain. "Why do you want to turn back now?"

"Something's not right," Ukita said, seemingly still half lost in thought. "We have to go back." Without waiting for a reply, he turned around and snapped the reins, commanding his horse to retrace its path in a gallop.

Genji ran an irritated hand through his hair as he mumbled to himself. "Right. You couldn't have thought of this three days ago. Had to wait till we got here first." Then he projected his voice. "Oi, Ukita! Wait up!" Snapping his reins, he tried to catch up.

It was night when they had finally made it home. Even from a distance, it was evident that something had gone horribly wrong. The night sky was aglow with an eerie orange-red as the castle and half the town was up in flames.

Upon seeing the sight, Genji's eyes widened in horror. "Wh…what…?" It could only mean one thing. They were under attack.

Coaxing their mounts to race ever faster, the two of them rushed forth. They fought their way back in through the now chaotic town. Somewhere along the way, they were forced to dismount when their horses had been fallen. Before long, the number of wounds their bodies sustained began to accumulate. Though outstanding warriors they were, they were simply outnumbered.

Eventually, they were able to make it to the castle walls. As they stood catching their breaths, Ukita noticed how badly Genji had been hurt. His hand clenched tightly around the hilt of his blood soaked sword as he turned his eyes up to the towering flames. "I'll find her."

"I'm coming with you," Genji insisted with a frown, sensing Ukita's intentions.

"No. You're wounded," Ukita reasoned as he eyed a particularly deep sword wound on Genji's shoulder. "Wait for me at the tree on the hill, Genji. If I'm not there by dawn, leave without me." With those final words, Ukita dashed off, leaving Genji behind. He could hear Genji's voice hollering after him, but aside from his name, the sound of battle had drowned out all other words.

The usually calm and collected warrior had become frantic at this point. She knew… She knew! That's why she sent us away!

He had no idea if she was still alive. And Genji…with those wounds, Ukita wasn't sure if he would be able to fight his way back out. Without Akari's healing, he may not survive. But…he can't afford to think about all of that right now. He had to concentrate on finding her. He had to find her!

His only thought as he rushed into the burning castle without hesitation: He will find her!

Ulquiorra bolted up into sitting position, startling Orihime, who had been hovering over him, into leaning back. Without looking, his hand shot out to the side, firmly taking hold of hers.

Orihime held her breath. Silence hung in the air until, finally, he spoke.

"I was searching for you…" He turned and looked at her then. "Hime."

A/N: Another round of thanks for favs, alerts, and especially reviews!!

Chapter ten, otherwise known as the Ulquiorra flashback chapter, or the highly italicized chapter, is one of my personal favorites. I had a lot of fun coming up with all the memories, so I hope you liked it! Despite it being longer than the other chapters, it actually didn't take as long as I thought it would to write. Hope it wasn't an overdose of flashbacks. Ulqui has to get it all in one go, because he's too rational to self-mutilate. That act of craziness is reserved exclusively for Grimm. Haha!

So, I said I'd touch on Genji's lack of a last name. Since his family abandoned him, he decided that he'd disown them as well by dropping the family name. But if someone really, really forced him to give a family name…he'd probably say Kimura. Heh…

Definitions, just in case: Jii-chan is grandpa/gramps. Sensei is teacher.

Hayashi doesn't show up very much, but he's pretty key in the shaping of Ukita's (therefore Ulquiorra's) personality. I hope that came across. He's not really a conventional kind of lord. That's probably evident in the personalities Akari and Genji were allowed to cultivate over the years, not to mention the relationship between Ukita, Akari, and Genji. Haha! But even though he may be lax about certain things, he's still a man of high standards especially where performance is concerned. He's a feudal lord after all. His people love him, though. He's respectable and just. I like him quite a bit myself, even if he did unknowingly put a ton of pressure on my poor Ukita. Heh...

Thanks for reading! Reviews appreciated!