Ok, ok, ok. So, this just shows what a super huge push-over I am, but I'm adding 11 now. I hate keeping people waiting, cause it always bothers me so much waiting for chapters, haha. I guess I have no patience...Or maybe posting just makes me happy? SO because of the reviews and because I'm a door mat, oh, and the happiness, don't want to forget that, I post chapter 11! The long-awaited reunion! HUZZAH! ok, sorry :P This is my section, hope you like! MissCyraf
Chapter Eleven- Reunited
The scabbard wrappings whipping behind him, Ichigo threw himself forward at the Espada, charging him full throttle. Ulquiorra remained motionless, placid teal eyes never leaving Ichigo's incoming form as he charged.
"Ichigo!" The Shinigami representative didn't have time to see the source of the voice, something slammed into him from the side, wrapping firmly about his waist and rolling with him away from his target. His anger spiking only further, he shoved at the interfering object, attempting to rip himself away to get back to Ulquiorra. Snapping his head up with a fierce growl, his eyes met a familiar pair, tattooed eyebrows furrowed angrily above them.
"Renji!" Shock seemed to pierce him from every angle, he hadn't seen or heard anything from the Vice Captain since the summer, it had been over two months. Then realization suck in, Renji had just kept him from fighting Ulquiorra! "What the fu—" Renji's fist crashed down into his jaw.
"Shut up! What the hell do you think you're doing, Ichigo, attacking an Espada without backup! You idiot!" Furious and confused, Ichigo's mouth opened and closed, he couldn't find words to express his anger or utter bewilderment. I thought—I thought Soul Society had abandoned me!
Ever since they had rescued Inoue, Soul Society had refused any contact with him. Renji and Rukia had gone with him to Heuco Mundo, rebelling against Seireitei, and when they had returned, Ichigo was certain that he wouldn't see them again. Not for a really long time…They must have been in a shit load of trouble because of me! But—we had to save Inoue! And I couldn't have done it without them! He blinked at Renji, his anger draining away. Renji's here, could he be going against Soul Society's wishes again by helping me again? Or…were they not in trouble? ...Rukia, she's not here…Just as crushing disappointment began to envelop him, another voice split through his thoughts.
"Ichigo! You moron!" He whirled around to see Rukia, standing ready before Ulquiorra, her snow-white zanpakuto's ribbon fluttering around her in the gentle breeze. His eyes widened, all thought dissolving.
"Rukia!" Her eyes met his for an instant, her expression hard.
"Renji. Don't let him charge again, he'll only get himself killed." She swung back around, facing Ulquiorra, quiet determination on her face. She's—she's gonna fight him! What--!
"Rukia, no! You can't fight him! You're not strong enou—" He took another smack to the head, wrenching around to glare at Renji.
"Shut up. Let the Vice Captain handle this. Don't underestimate her," Ichigo balked.
"Vi—Vice-Captain? What?!"
"Rukia!" She didn't turn to look at him this time, keeping her eyes on her target.
"I know of your strength, Ichigo. But you haven't fought recently, you're out of practice, and there is no time for you to warm up again. Be silent. …First dance, Tsukishiro." Ichigo could only watch as a white circle appeared under the Fourth Espada's feet. The white man glanced down at it, seemingly bored, as ice began to crawl up his legs. Not even bothering to stop it, he lifted his eyes to meet the 13th Vice-Captain's again.
"This is your zanpakuto's power?" As if it weren't there at all, he lifted his leg free, the ice shattering around it. Launching himself suddenly, he appeared in the air above the ice circle, looking down on his opponent. Rukia's lips pulled into a faint smile.
"Not quite." The ice suddenly leapt up as well, engulfing the mildly surprised Espada. His form was completely covered within the column of ice, all that was visible of him was a mere dark spot within it. Rukia relaxed somewhat, but didn't drop her eyes. …Did…did it kill him? Ichigo had fought with Ulquiorra before, the Espada was frighteningly powerful. Or just plain frightening…Rukia must have become crazy strong if one attack could defeat him— His thoughts were broken just as the ice was, blasting away in splinters from its former captive's body. The white man hung in the air, teal eyes burning.
"Impressive, Shinigami. You actually surprised me. But…" He began to descend, hovering only inches away from Rukia. She stood strong, but her eyes were wide. "It is not enough." With that, his hand shot out, she was shoved away from him, hurled backwards into Ichigo and Renji. Ichigo grunted with the impact of her body, but hurriedly recovered, afraid for her. Grabbing her face, he dragged it forward to stare into her eyes, looking for signs of trauma.
"Rukia!" Though she winced, she had enough strength to elbow him away.
"Get off. I'm…" She whirled to stare at Ulquiorra, baffled. "…fine. I'm fine." Her eyes flicking back from the Espada and Ichigo, she bit her lip, confusion clear in her eyes. "Why…why didn't he kill me?" Hearing her speak those words caused a violent reaction within the substitute Shinigami, gripping her shoulders, he dragged her around behind him, pushing her into Renji's arms. Standing, he pulled Zangetsu free from his back, holding the blade forward. He could have killed her. He didn't, but the fact that he could have, that he's a threat to her… That was unacceptable.
"Ichigo! What are you doing! Get back here!" Rukia demanded from behind him, struggling at Renji's hold to go get him. He ignored her, advancing on Ulquiorra.
"No more protecting me, Rukia." Resolve blazed in his eyes, he now had a reason to fight. To win. But as he approached the Espada, the white man held up his hand.
"Enough of this, Shinigami. If possible, I do not wish to kill you," Insulted, Ichigo growled, starting to run. His voice ripping through the air, he leapt, blade aloft, ready to bear down on its victim. Instead of dodging, blocking, or countering, the Espada reached out, his hand wrapping around the blade, stopping Ichigo's attack. Holding it, he wouldn't allow Ichigo to pull away for another attack.
"Wha—!" Glancing up, Ichigo's eyes met the ice gaze of the Espada. But he didn't see what he saw the last time he fought him, he saw…feeling behind the ice.
"I told you, if I do not have to, I do not wish to kill you. That is why I have spared your friends." Still attempting to wrench Zangetsu out of his grasp, Ichigo grit his teeth, not trusting.
"Why! What do you want, unless to kill us for Aizen!" The Espada paused, his cool expression hiding none of the emotion in his eyes.
"…I only want the woman. I have no reason to kill you for Aizen." As if his words didn't stun him enough, Ulquiorra abruptly released Zangetsu, dropping his hand. He was wide open, though hardly defenseless. But he is leaving himself open…what's going on…Does he mean Inoue? He's come to take her again! Ulquiorra's words made no sense, Aizen wanted him dead, out of the way. He—he didn't call him 'Aizen-sama'!
"What do you want with Inoue!" He doubted that the Espada would answer, standing stoic, still. But, after a long pause, he turned, facing the girl Ichigo hadn't realized had even appeared. He spoke.
o o o o o
Orihime felt the commotion occurring outside, the incredible spikes in the reiatsu around her, and how familiar most of it was…Especially that one…It's—it's Ulquiorra. Fear clawed at her insides, she didn't want to go outside, to face him. He had taken good care of her, there was no denying that, but something about him terrified her. Those eyes, those dead eyes…Her mind blinked back to one moment, back when she was imprisoned.
He had brought her a meal, setting it down on the table beside her.
"Woman—" He had started, she was sure he was warning her to eat again. He greatly disliked it when she didn't eat.
"I will eat it," She had said dully, not bothering to turn to face him. She was staring out through the tiny barred window, staring out at the sky. She didn't understand how the sky looked so much like the one in the real world. Lazy clouds drifted by far above, the cheerful bright blue mocking her.
"It is not real," His quiet voice had sounded beside her, she jumped, she hadn't realized he was still here, assuming he had, silently as always, left.
"What?" She had asked, turning. Her eyes remained on him as he strode towards her, hands in his pockets, pausing beside her. He didn't look at her, staring out at the window.
"…Aizen-sama created it. He made it to look like the real sky."
"Why?" She had waited for an answer, but it didn't come. One thing she had learned about her captor was that he rarely spoke, and even then, it was only when he chose to. He didn't say unnecessary things. That he would speak to her of the sky confused her. She watched him out the corner of her eye, he continued to look out oat the sky. Something…there's something different about his eyes…It was the first time she had ever seen anything behind them, always before, he was uncaring, unfeeling. Suddenly turning away, he made for the door. Then, pausing again but not looking at her, he spoke again.
"I remember the sky." With that, he left, leaving her in solitude once again. It was a strange visit, but after it occurred, he visited her more often.
Now, seated on her bed, she stood, shoulders back. No, his eyes…they weren't dead. And…they still aren't. Pulling open her door, she began to run to the source of the reiatsu. Coming to the front lobby, she shoved open the doors, coming to a short stop on the stairs. Ichigo stood several yards away, gripping Zangetsu tightly, half crouched in readiness, eyes suspicious. He hadn't seen her yet, focused entirely on the white man in front of her. Ulquiorra…He stood closer to her, only a few feet away, his back to her.
"What do you want with Inoue!" Ichigo shouted at him, brandishing his blade. Ulquiorra stared at him for a few seconds, then, slowly, turned to face Orihime. He was the same as ever, expressionless, blank. All but those eyes…
"…I want…to help her."
