Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach

Here it is as promised. I figure I should let you know that I'm going out of town this time... so I am! I won't be posting for awhile since the place I'm going to doesn't have internet, but I'll try to get some writing done so I can post as soon as I get back.

'Zanpakuto talking'

"talking"

'thinking'

Chapter 11

Two figures stand side by side on a sandy dune in the midst of a forest of bone white trees. Their shoulders brush together as one of the figures turns to face the other, her lips parting at her quiet query.

"Do you remember your past?" A spark of curiosity lights up her eyes as she awaits her companion's reply.

"No, not really. All that I can recall is vague impressions from the day my human existence came to an end." The man turns to face the woman before continuing, prodded on by the curiosity filling her sapphire eyes.

"Thick smoke, searing heat, piercing hunger, a loud bang, terrible pain in my chest… like I said, just vague impressions. The first clear memory I have is of waking up in a valley somewhere in Hueco Mundo." The woman shifts her gaze to the ground as she responds.

"It is fortunate to not remember, Ulquiorra."

"You remember." It is a statement, not an inquiry that comes from the man's parted lips, yet the woman feels compelled to respond all the same.

"Yes, I remember everything." Ulquiorra's eyes bore into hers, urging her to elaborate.

"I never lived a human life. No, I was born already dead. As all nobles of the Soul Society are."

"The Soul Society? You were a soul reaper?"

"Yes. My twin brother and I were the 28th heirs of the noble Kuchiki clan of the soul society. It was our duty to become powerful soul reapers... it was our lot to destroy hollows. We were expected to be the best of the best… We quickly became lieutenants and would have been Captains had there been an open position. One day we were sent on a mission to investigate a strange disturbance in one of the districts surrounding the Seireitei. I let my guard down and was consumed by a hollow." Ulquiorra's eyes fill with curiosity as he listens to the woman's soft voice.

"Do you know what emotions are then? Do you remember how they feel?" Nashiya regards her companion with a faint tinge of surprise before turning her gaze to the ground.

"You wonder about emotions? I'm sorry but there is little I can tell you about such things. Most soul reapers regard them as a weakness, and my family found them to be pointless."

"So you can not explain them to me. If I tell you what I believe happiness to be will you tell me if my notion is correct?" The woman returns her gaze to her companion, suddenly noticing how close their faces had become. Her heart begins to flutter anxiously in her chest and her voice is slightly breathy when she replies.

"Yes" Their faces drift closer as they both find themselves lost in the others gaze.

"I believe that true happiness exists when you have nothing to gain and nothing to lose. When you just exist." The man's eyes flicker towards Nashiya's lips as he speaks.

"That is a good definition…" Nashiya glances down towards her companion's mouth as their faces drift even closer. Tilting his head to the side Ulquiorra leans forwards, closing the small gap between their lips. The woman seems to welcome the action as her lips move hungrily against his in reply. The man reaches one of his pale hands up and entangles it in the woman's hair, marveling at its silky smoothness. Nashiya's hands reach out to grip his clothes, effectively pulling her companion closer. A soft moan leaves her lips as Ulquiorra gently bites her lower one, demanding entrance. A request to which she happily submits.

The two figures pull each other closer, deepening their kiss as they begin to tear off the others clothing, lost in the waves of passion that consume their minds.

I slowly stir from my deep sleep only to snuggle back into the warmth of my pillow in an attempt to return to my peaceful slumber. A flicker of annoyance passes through me as my pillow shifts in response to my movements. 'How am I to fall back asleep if my pillow keeps moving?' My mind still clouded with the haziness of sleep I mumble.

"Unh. Ulquiorra, make it stop." My words cause my pillow to stir again, and I open my eyes in annoyance. I find myself starring at a pale, toned chest and attempt to sit up in surprise only to find that something is keeping me pinned to the chest. Something warm… I look down and find a muscled arm wrapped firmly around my waist.

Slightly panicked I glance up and find myself gazing at the peaceful face of my slumbering companion. I relax instantly, a faint blush coloring my cheeks as I recall the… uh… activities… of the night before. Feeling slightly self-conscious I bury my head in my companions warm chest, smiling faintly at the warm feeling that rises within me as I do.

My actions cause Ulquiorra to stir once more, and I raise my head to find him blinking sleepily at me. His emerald eyes widen as he sees the close proximity of my face and notices the way our bodies are entwined. I lower my gaze sadly at his reaction, expecting him to reject me and my presence, perhaps even insisting that we go separate ways so that he might forget the events of last night. I will of course acquiesce his request, but to be parted with him now that I have just come to realize how much I need him…

My train of thought is broken as my companion pulls me closer to him, resting his forehead on mine, and gazing into my eyes.

"I was wrong." My companion's words puzzle me, so I give him a questioning stare, prompting him to explain.

"Happiness cannot be the absence of anything to lose or gain. I am unfamiliar with the things called emotions, but even I can understand that there are things in this world that give me this… warmth inside. Rather there is one thing."

"One thing?"

"Happiness must be being here in your arms, Nashiya. Happiness must be you." I allow the first true smile since my death to light up my face as I gaze into his eyes.

"I find that I must agree."


I begin to make my way towards the third battle that fills the sky only to find that the spiky haired Captain Zaraki has already joined the fight. Effectively turning the tables against the brown haired espada the soul reapers are facing. Figuring that any assistance on my part would only be a waste of valuable time I turn my attention towards Aizen. Just in time to watch him stepping away from the battered body of the head Captain. Having already conquered their enemies, the small squad two Captain, her strange Lieutenant, my brother, and the substitute soul reaper turn their attention towards Aizen, racing forwards to engage him in battle. 'Kurosaki, Ichigo. I have found you…'

A wave of rage flashes through my body as I take in his appearance. 'Just how you described him, Ulquiorra.' I quickly suppress my furry as I swiftly sonido towards the orange haired man. I stop a short distance away and watch as the four of them reach Lord Aizen. Aizen-sama simply smiles in greeting before shifting his gaze to meet mine.

"Aizen!" The substitue soul reapers voice is laced with anger as he utters the Lords name. Aize-sama continues to stare at me as he replies.

"I suppose you believe that you've come here to kill me Ichigo Kurosaki. "

"I will kill you! You will never hurt my friends again!" The boy narrows his eyes at Aizen before turning his head in an attempt to locate what he's staring at so intently. I resist the urge to roll my eyes as I sonido away, straight to Lord Aizen's side. 'Looking around like that could easily get him killed. Honestly how did such a foolish creature survive for so long?' The three soul reapers' eyes widen in surprise as I seemingly appear out of thin air beside my Lord's side.

"W-w-whoa! Where did you come from?" The strange lieutenant's jaw is hanging open as he stares at me in shock. I ignore the man as I turn towards Lord Aizen.

"Aizen-sama, please allow me. Your hands should not be required to touch such filth." Aizen offers me an entirely fake, yet genuine looking smile.

"Ah. That's not your real reason though, is it Nashiya? What you really want…" He raises one of his slender hands to gesture at the surprised substitute soul reaper before continuing, "Is him." Ichigo's eyes narrow slightly at his words.

"Who the hell are you? And what is he talking about?"

"Such vulgar language Kurosaki, Ichigo."

"Why?" I freeze as my brother's cold voice cuts through the air. "Why do you fight by the traitors side?" I keep my gaze fixed on the substitute soul reaper as I force myself to reply in an utterly emotionless voice.

"I know not of what you speak, soul reaper." My brother's eyes fill with pain and sorrow as they bore into me, silently begging me to stop, to change my mind and fight alongside him rather than against him.

"Yeah, why'd you help us if you're going to fight us?" The lieutenant's questioning words draw my brother's penetrating gaze from me, for which I am most grateful. 'Perhaps the man does have some uses after all…'

"Help you?" My brother's eyes narrow slightly as they flicker back towards me. "You helped him?" Finally turning my gaze away from the orange haired boy I fix my eyes on Byakuya's steely ones.

"No. That is an incorrect notion. I helped only myself. The espada which I so called helped them kill was a dangerous man, the former king of Hueco Mundo. He would have killed my master if he were given half the chance. So, I made sure that he was eliminated in this war." From the look in my brother's eyes I know that my lie has not fooled him. In truth I did not expect it to fool him, only the others.

Ripping my gaze from my brothers I return my attention to the substitute soul reaper, feeling anger once again fill me as I gaze at his slightly bewildered face.

"Look. I don't know what's going on and I don't really care. Woman, I have no quarrel with you, so move out of the way. "

"No quarrel with me? Well, unfortunately for you I have every reason to kill you. " As the last of my words falls from my lips I launch myself forwards, catching the boy by his throat and dragging him a short ways away from my brother.

"What the-" I drop the boy and sonido a few feet away. He scrambles to his feet while fixing me with a surprised stare. I stare at him with hate filled eyes as I place my hand on the hilt of my zanpakuto.

"Draw your sword, boy."

"Who are you? If you weren't a girl, and if he weren't standing right over there I'd say you were Byakuya." I ignore the boy's question as I run my thumb gently across the hilt of my Zanpakuto.

"I said draw your sword, boy." The substitute soul reaper frowns at me.

"I already told you I have no quarrel with you lady." I narrow my eyes at him as I step forwards.

"Look there, boy." I gesture towards the battle that now rages between Lord Aizen and the three soul reapers. "Your friends are fighting my master now." The substitute's eyes widen as he turns to join them, only to stop when he feels the blade of my zanpakuto at his throat. His eyes widen as I move in front of him, keeping my zanpakuto leveled at his throat. "I will not let you help them, boy. Not while there is still breath in my body." The boy's eyes narrow as he reaches behind him to grasp the hilt of his large zanpakuto.

"Very well then. If you insist on a fight then I will beat you, and then I will kill Aizen and save my friends!" I lower my own sword as I step back, giving him room to draw his zanpakuto.

"Save your friends? You will do no such thing." I lunge forwards at full speed aiming my zanpakuto towards my opponent's heart. His eyes widen in surprise as he moves to the side, narrowly escaping being impaled by my sword.

"So fast…" He dodges to the right as I leisurely swing my sword towards his head and blood trickles down his cheek from the deep cut I left on it. He backs up swiftly raising his sword as he yells, "Bankai! Tensa Zangetsu!" I quickly back away from him to escape the blast of raw power that he had released along with his bankai. The swirling vortex of air around him subsides revealing the transformation that both he and his zanpakuto have gone through. The boy's sword has become more slender and changed to a pure black color.

"I had wanted to finish this battle without using bankai so that I could conserve my power for fighting Aizen. I guess that's not really possible when I'm fighting an opponent of your power." I shift my grip on my zanpakuto as I once again zip towards him, annoyed by his arrogance.

Nalina arcs through the air towards his head, her silver blade glittering in the sun as she closes in for the kill. Clang! My eyes widen in slight surprise as they travel along the length of my sword, coming to rest as they take in the sight before me. 'The boy has managed to block my blow… at his former speed he would not have been able to do such a thing…'

"I see… your bankai increases your speed, boy."

"I can keep up with you now! I can see your every move."

"Oh? Is that so?" I quickly whip around and attack the boy with a swift onslaught of blows. He manages to block them all, but just barely. Growing annoyed I sonido behind the boy and slash at his back. His eyes widen as my sword slices through his flesh, leaving a deep gash in its wake.

"H-how can you be so fast that even with my bankai I can't keep up…" The boy staggers forwards before impaling his sword in the hardened air by his feet, and leaning heavily on it. I watch impassively as he slowly straightens, and raises his hand to his face.

"Oh? So you're going to show me your mask now. How pointless… you will die either way, boy." The substitute soul reaper slowly moves his hand down his face, creating a hollow mask in the process.

"You're fast. Even faster than Ulquiorra was, but it doesn't matter because I'm going to beat you and then I will kill Aizen!" I stiffen as my companion's name slips through the boy's filthy lips. A surge of rage washes through me filling my vision with spots of red.

"Don't say his name. Don't you dare say his name, trash!" My raised voice draws the attention of my brother, and he pauses to look at me a spark of understanding filling his eyes. My dark blue orbs meet his for a moment, and the red spots begin to fade away. 'Onii-chan' His eyes shift from mine as he returns his attention to his own fight, raising his hand to lend speed to the pink blades swirling around him.

"Trash… so you have something to do with Ulquiorra." My eyes flicker back to the trash standing near me, and my rage flares up again.

"I said to not say his name, trash." The boy stares at me.

"Who are you? You look so much like Byakuya, yet somehow Ulquiorra is important to you. Are you some sort of hollow?" I lower my gaze as my rage is slowly replaced with sorrow and memories of my past flicker through my head.

"Yes… I am a hollow." I raise my hand to touch the bone white circlet that rests on my head. "The sixth espada to be exact." I raise my eyes to look at the boy again as my hand falls limply to my side. "And you are the soul reaper that killed the only one I had… Ichigo Kurosaki." The boy's eyes widen behind his mask as I suddenly lunge forwards. The boy manages to block my blow and even has time to go on the offensive. My eyes narrow as I hastily fend off his attack. 'So his mask makes him even faster…' He lunges forwards again, seemingly assured of his victory. I raise my left hand and form a ball of blue energy in it, releasing it towards the boy. He dodges to the side and raises his sword, cloaking it in his own black energy.

"Getsuga Tensho!" His command causes the energy to leave his sword in a crescent arc and race towards me. My eyes widen as I raise my sword to block the boy's attack only to find myself skidding backwards through the air. Just as the wave of energy is about to overwhelm my defense I dart quickly to the side, watching as it smashes through one of the buildings below.

"I see so your mask really does increase your power." I raise my zanpakuto and place one hand on the blade. "However you seem to forget that I too have a more powerful form to assume. Whisper, Peregurin." A wave of dark blue rushes through the air as I release my zanpakuto. I arch my back as a searing pain erupts in between my shoulder blades. The pain is only momentary and when it fades away I shift my newly gained wings, relishing in the sensation as I extend them to their full span. As I do so my vision shifts and gains clarity. I blink once and when my eyes reopen I am able to see far away and detect the faintest amount of motion in the air around me.

My gaze shifts to the substitute soul reaper and my eyes take in his startled expression. His eyes grow wide as he takes in my new appearance. They travel from my grey bird like wings to my face. My eyes, I know, have shifted from their normal appearance to a more bird like version although their color remains dark blue. My clothing has altered as well. Although still white in color my shirt now has a sloping back that reveals most of my back, offering a clear view of my hollow hole from behind and allowing my wings to move freely.

"The peregrine falcon is the animal that I take after in my released form; the fastest bird on earth." The boy's eyes narrow slightly as he raises his zanpakuto and lunges at me once again. A faint flicker of amusement passes through me as I watch him approach. 'His movements are so slow…' I step to the side and turn to face him as he rushes past.

"You have seen my released form yet you still try to defeat me? How foolish. You should just give up." The boy's eyes fill with determination as he attacks again.

"That's what Ulquiorra said too." His words cause me to freeze as my eyes slowly widen. 'Ulquiorra… Of course he said that, it sounds just like him.' The soul reaper's blade whistles towards my face as I stand stock still fighting down my grief and rage. 'This boy. He is the one that killed him!' My vision seems to take on a red haze as I move to the side a moment before the sword impales my head. I whip around and throw the boy down into a building.

"You will die, trash! You will pay for what you did. For the life that you stole." A faint growl emerges from my throat as the boy climbs out of the smashed building and rushes at me again. I reach out and grab his arm as he swings his sword towards me and flip him over my back. He lands on the hardened air with a dull thud and I lean over him pressing my hand to his throat.

My vision throbs with red as I cut off the boy's supply of air. He reaches up and grabs my arm forcing it off his throat with his superior strength. Quick as lightning I reach down with my other hand and grasp his throat once again. His body twitches as he struggles against me, repeatedly succeeding in shaking me free only to have me regain my hold on his neck. With a faint growl of frustration I shift so that I can place both of my hands around his neck. The boy thrashes beneath me as he struggles to breathe, but this time he cannot shake me loose. A strangled choke leaves his throat as his hands scrabble against mine attempting to pry them open.

My attention is drawn from the boy by a piercing cry.

"Onii-Sama!" I turn my head trying to find the source of the cry, as the boy's struggles grow weaker. My red hazed vision quickly comes to rest on the form of the raven haired Rukia. 'Is she hurt?' I blink once as my eyes focus on the girl. As they do so I realize that there is another figure standing in front of her. A figure wearing a captain's haori with a black 6 printed on the back. I focus my attention on the figure instantly recognizing the black hair and piercing grey eyes. A flicker of movement catches my attention and my gaze refocuses on it.

My eyes widen as I find myself gazing at the stream of blood that flows from a deep wound in my brother's side. 'Byakuya.' My eyes travel away from my injured brother to the dripping blade of Lord Aizen. Horror washes through me as Lord Aizen moves forwards raising his sword in preparation for a second strike, one that will undoubtedly end my brother's life. 'No! Not him too!'

I close my eyes as I turn my head back towards the writhing boy. Opening them again I find that he is within moments of death. Wrenching my head back up I watch as Lord Aizen slowly stalks towards Byakuya.

'Choose, my lady. Stay where you are and get your revenge or save the life of your twin… and prepare yourself for the consequences of either action.' My zanpakuto's voice whispers through my head, instantly clearing away my rage. 'Choose. I have a choice… revenge or the life of my brother.'