A/N: Wow, my wisdom teeth left me practically immobile for almost the entire month of May! I never want to do that again, ugh! But! I now have a few more chapters written and ready to go for July!
Disclaimer: I do not own any Final Fantasy or Bleach characters or terms. But Riku and Tenshi are my creations.
Chapter Eleven: Powerful, Young, and Beautiful
On the way to Szayel's lab, Ulquiorra allowed Riku to lead the way for once. Riku wanted to say he was testing her knowledge of Las Noches and would soon stop watching over her so closely. But in reality, Ulquiorra seemed to be following her in respect for greater power. His eyes never met hers and he followed with shrunken shoulders. In fact, everyone in the hallway was looking at Riku differently. Riku continued nervously, feeling everyone's eyes on her. Then, not only did Ulquiorra seem oddly respectful but overly protective. He eyed everyone around them suspiciously as if they were all enemies. Riku was extremely relieved when the hall to Szayel's lab came into view. The roaming Arrancar became more scarce as they got closer. A familiar face, an Espada, came out of one of Szayel's rooms. The female Espada approached Riku with a quick pace in her step. Riku stumbled backwards even more nervously. Harribel had never looked Riku's way, let alone approach her for conversation.
"You mask has grown well," Harribel began, her voice muffled by her shirt collar. "You have become a powerful young woman."
"Thank, I guess," Riku mumbled.
"How is Grimmjow doing?" she asked, putting her hands on her hips.
Riku spoke quietly; surprised everyone seemed to know so much. "I haven't seen him since yesterday actually."
Harribel nodded and began to walk away. "Watch your step around him."
"Don't worry," Riku said, putting on a smile. "I think I can handle him."
Harribel chuckled, "Just be careful. This week is gonna be hell."
Riku watched the Tres Espada disappear, a bit dumbfounded.
"What was that about?" Riku questioned.
Ulquiorra moved in a way that made him appear to sniff the air. He wordlessly corralled Riku into Szayel's lab and shut the door behind them.
"Good to see you again," Szayel said with a sly smile.
Riku hopped onto the table and crossed her arms. Szayel ignored her silence and grabbed some pieces of machinery. He attached some sticker pads and other devices to Riku's skin. He pulled out his small clipboard which was labeled Kioku Dokusha. Realizing Szayel was just taking up on her promise, she dismissed the uncomfortable wires.
"How is your pain today?" Szayel asked.
Riku thought back to the morning. "I took one pill this morning, that's it," she replied. "I'm just a little numb in the face now."
Szayel approached and poked at Riku's mask with his pen. She made no move to say she felt a thing. Szayel then put the end of his pen under the edge of the mask and gently tugged upward.
"Ouch!" Riku cried, pulling away.
Szayel silently wrote a few things down. He set down the clip board nearby and rolled his sleeves up a little.
"Lay down," he ordered.
Riku obediently got onto her back atop the small table. Szayel began to inspect Riku's mask with great precision and curiosity. He poked and prodded at the mask, though careful not to pull too hard again. Riku's nose crinkled. Szayel's hands smelled heavily of soap and hand sanitizers. Riku was relieved when his hands finally retreated.
"The pain should stop within a few days," Szayel said. "It is almost fully grown."
Riku stayed lying on the table while Szayel wandered off to where he had left his clipboard.
"Try not to touch it too much or it will take much longer," he continued, coming back to the table. "Masks on the face take much longer to fully stabilize than those on the head or neck."
Riku nodded, her pace throbbing from Szayel's 'inspection'.
"Lift your shirt a little," Szayel continued to order.
Riku slowly lifted her shirt, revealing the gaping hole forming in her abdomen.
"Wonderful," Szayel exclaimed, look closely at the hole. "Everything is progressing smoothly."
Riku pulled her top back down and sat up as Szayel took the monitors and wire off. Szayel then left and brought back a strange box with a handle protruding from the top.
"How does your strength feel?" he asked, placing the box next to Riku.
"Now that you mention it, great," Riku answered.
Szayel grinned and pointed at the box. "Grab the handle and squeeze it as hard as you can."
Riku did so without much thought. A small gauge on the box went up as she squeezed. It climbed to the top steadily until there was almost no more room to rise. Szayel's grin widened as he scribbled down some numbers.
"Here," he said, taking the box.
Szayel took hold of the handle and gripped it tightly. The needle rose a little more than halfway and stopped. It hovered with small quivers as Szayel tried to get it to rise higher. Szayel excitedly began to write things down. Riku flexed her hand, taking notice of her new found strength. As she stumbled around curiously, Szayel began to clear of his material.
"Before I leave," Riku said. She stopped messing around to face the Octavo. "Do notice anyone looking at me a little differently?"
Riku peered at the few Arrancar in the lab. They had been staring since she arrived, but quickly turned around as Riku spoke. Szayel just giggled.
"You've become quite the catch here in Las Noches," Szayel replied. "Powerful, beautiful, young…"
Riku blushed. Everyone had been staring because they thought she was 'pretty'? Riku couldn't' decide if she was flattered or offended.
"Just be careful," Szayel said. "Stay in your quarters as much as you can for now. It'll blow over by the end of the month."
Riku nodded, though still a bit confused. It was the second time someone had told her to watch her steps for the next few days. Ulquiorra came closer and gestured Riku out of the room. She began to walk with obvious purpose, but not toward her own room.
"Your room is in the other direction," Ulquiorra said, stopping and pointing a finger down the hall.
"I know," Riku said, not slowing her pace. "I just wanted to see how Grimmjow was doing. You know that guy can't take care of himself."
Ulquiorra's eyes twitched with the slightest hint of emotion. He hurried to catch up, still glaring at the other roaming Arrancar suspiciously.
"I would not," he said. "We should go back to your room. I can get you something to eat."
"I don't know what you're so worried about. But I can take care of myself," Riku said, rather annoyed.
Ulquiorra ceased following Riku, quite convinced he wasn't going to stop her. He scurried toward Aizen's throne room for an update.
XXX
Riku arrived in the Espada's hall and stopped before Grimmjow's door. She knocked loudly, expecting Grimmjow to ignore her.
"It's Riku!" she hollered inside. "Can I come in?"
After a few second of silence, Riku was surprised to hear an answer.
"Go away!" Grimmjow hollered. He could hear her huff in disappointment through the door.
Grimmjow hobbled across his room, wet from a shower. He had only a towel around his waist and in his hands, drying his hair. He stumbled, hitting a table. He cursed loudly and his face twisted in pain as if he had a horrible headache.
"What was that?" Riku asked, becoming concerned. She jiggled the door handle, close to barging in.
Grimmjow curse again more quietly, trying to regain his footing. He had just taken an ice-cold shower, but his body only seemed to be getting hotter. At the second curse, Riku burst into the room with permission. Grimmjow was hunched over a little, sweat rolling down his skin with the remaining moisture from his shower. Riku rushed over and lifted Grimmjow back to his feet. She helped him to his bed where he could sit down. Concerned, Riku looked over Grimmjow's wounds. Blood was beginning to seep through the bandages, but it hardly seemed crucial. She placed the back of her hand on Grimmjow's forehead and brought it back sharply.
"You're burning up!" She hollered. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Grimmjow became uncomfortably quiet and his eyes began to glaze. Riku sighed.
"Jeez. I can't leave you alone for one minute," Riku groaned.
She went to the washroom and came back with a damp rag. She began to place it on Grimmjow's forehead when he abruptly grabbed her wrist. His grip was almost painful. Riku pulled against it, hearing the bones in Grimmjow's hand and wrist creak under the pressure of her now immense strength. He was sure holding on tight. Grimmjow's expression became blank and hazy, almost inhuman.
"Riku-sama! You must leave!" Kioku suddenly shouted.
Riku stepped back and pulled again with as much force as she dared. Hearing the crack of the bones again, she stopped.
"I can't!" Riku cried. "I'll break his arm!"
"You must!" Kioku continued.
Riku struggled with the conviction of listening to her zanpakuto or refraining from harming the Espada any further.
"What the hell has gotten into you!" Riku yelled, deciding to give Grimmjow a chance to release her. "Let go of me!"
Grimmjow did not respond and pulled Riku down onto the bed. Her head hit hard, making her see stars. Riku stared into Grimmjow's eyes, realizing they were not hazed with fever as she had thought, but with an overwhelming lust. Riku was paralyzed beneath the Sexta; dazed, confused, and worried.
End of Chapter Eleven: Ah, finally the lemons begin! Took me long enough, but I wanted to get it right. Obviously the conclusion will be in the next chapter. :P
Next Chapter: Surprise! :)