JC: I have to apologize for updating this chapter a bit late. I wanted to post this up Friday night, but for some reason, I couldn't upload my fic into FF. That was weird. I've been in such a good mood lately. Chapter 12 is already done and I'm now working on Chapter 13. Next update would probably be on Tuesday after I proofread Chapter 12. And I can't help but express my happiness in seeing Orihime back in the manga. She's so cute! But I'm still patiently waiting for any UlquiHime hints. I have my fingers crossed.
Another Note: You're a pretty sharp guesser, MonkeyDLuffy7GR! :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, but maybe just in my dreams. XD
Love in the Mask
Chapter 11: Infiltration
Orihime had asked Uryuu for permission to visit Tatsuki Arisawa the next morning. She went on her own, wearing a white, long-sleeved blouse with a stylish brown belt and cream-colored scarf, a denim skirt, and a pair of knee-high brown boots, and her hair was tied in a half-ponytail. She had no plans on revealing herself to her best friend. She just wanted to see her, hoping it would cheer her up a bit. As she arrived at the doorstep to Tatsuki's apartment, she had only seconds to decide what to do. She was going to ring the doorbell and when Tatsuki opens the door, she would say 'Oh, I'm sorry! I thought this was my friend's apartment! Excuse me for the mix up!' and then she'll go away.
Wildly, she looked around, seeing that there was no one around. There was a moment of trepidation. Reaching for the doorbell, she heard the door click. Quickly she backed away from the door, almost tripping on her feet. She tried to come up with a decent excuse for Tatsuki. However, the door slowly opened and revealed no one on the other side.
Hesitating, she stepped inside and looked around the room. She checked the kitchen and the bathroom, but Tatsuki was nowhere to be seen. It wasn't in Tatsuki's nature just to leave her door unlocked and her bed wasn't even made as she noticed the blanket and pillow lying on the floor. Her school shoes were still by the door and her uniform was still intact inside the closet.
She was getting a little worried. Where was her best friend? As if on cue, someone answered her question.
"Your best friend is not here."
Orihime peered over her shoulder. A petite figure emerged from the window. It was Loly, her eyes even more sinister and filled with hatred as usual. "What did you do to Tatsuki-chan?" She turned on one heel to fully face the Arrancar. "What did you do to her?"
"You should have been here, protecting your best friend," Loly said.
Orihime shook her head, her own voice a little hoarse. "Did…Did you kill Tatsuki-chan? It was me you wanted, right? You didn't have to involve her!"
Letting out a sadistic laugh, Loly approached her and clutched her arm. "Calm down. That pathetic human is not dead…well, not yet anyway."
"Then tell me where she is?" Orihime demanded, and got slapped by Loly.
"You're in no position to make demands here, bitch!" Loly hissed, grabbing a handful of Orihime's hair. "Your friend is our prisoner. She's all locked up in a cozy little room back in Hueco Mundo." She tossed Orihime at the wall, knocking over a table.
Orihime's face crumpled in pain. Her fists were clenched not because of rage but helplessness. "I'll do anything you want…just please…spare Tatsuki-chan's life."
"So, you're saying you're willing to risk your own life to save a friend's?" Loly smirked as she folded her arms. "How very noble of you, princess. I'd like to see you get eaten alive by a bunch of hollows."
Orihime watched in misery as Loly turned and began to walk to the window. "Wait…Please! Do what you want with me! Just give me my friend back." Growing more frantic with each step, she caught the back of Loly's skirt, trying to tug her to a halt.
Loly wheeled on her, her purple eyes burning live coals in the savage mask of her face. Orihime recoiled before she could stop herself. "You'll do anything, right?" she asked, slapping Orihime's hand away. "Are you sure about that?"
Hot tears began to spill down her cheeks as she dropped on her knees. "Yes…"
A malicious grin for a smile, Loly snatched the girl by the collar. "Then come to Hueco Mundo."
But before Orihime could give her reply an arrow flew past them in blinding speed, boring a hole in wall. Adrenaline pumping, Loly released Orihime and turned to the window, where she saw a blue-haired young man pointing a spiritual arrow at her.
Orihime slowly got back up on her feet, relief washing over her. "Ishida-kun…"
Not taking his eyes off the female Arrancar, he asked, "Are you all right, Inoue-san?"
"Yes, I'm fine, thanks to you," Orihime replied.
Uryuu narrowed his gaze on Loly. "I think this girl may answer some of our questions," he said.
Regaining composure, Loly struck her hair elegantly and placed a hand on her waist. "Hey, princess, I can't guarantee your friend's life if you don't tell four-eyes there to let me go."
"And what does she mean by that, Inoue-san?"
Feeling guilty and distressed, Orihime lowered her gaze to her shoes. "She's got Tatsuki-chan."
Maintaining a calm façade despite the shocking revelation, Uryuu kept a steady hold on his bow and arrow. "What are your intentions on Inoue-san?" he questioned in a serious tone.
"I want to kill her, what else?" Loly replied nonchalantly. "But I'm going to torture her slowly." She tapped the air behind her and in an instant a portal opened up.
"Stay where you are, Arrancar!" Uryuu demanded.
"Kill me now and you'll never see Arisawa Tatsuki again."
Orihime ran to Uryuu and blocked his aim with her own body. "Ishida-kun, please…" she pleaded softly, her eyes puffy with tears.
With a heavy heart, the Quincy withdrew his weapon and immediately pulled Orihime behind him. He then looked over at Loly, his eyes carrying unbearable coldness. They already had Ulquiorra to worry about, and this one was another migraine. "What are your conditions?"
"Come to Hueco Mundo at sunset," Loly said, turning on her heel, facing the Garganta. "We'll be waiting for you there. Oh, and you can't tell those stupid Shinigami, got that?"
Her hands trembling in dismay, Orihime watched the Arrancar as she disappeared into the Garganta. Once the portal closed Orihime fell onto her knees, letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Ishida-kun, we have to save Tatsuki-chan," she said, wrapping her arms around herself. "We have to…"
Kneeling down to her level, Uryuu brought his hands to the round of her shoulders. "Don't worry…We'll rescue her, I swear on my Quincy pride."
It was shortly after lunch when Uryuu and Orihime went to Urahara's shop where they met Tessai Tsukabishi, an employee of the shop and a childhood friend of Kisuke Urahara. Many years ago he was the Captain of the Kidou Corps in Soul Society. He was a tall, muscular, lightly tan-skinned man. His hair was corn-rolled and he sported a moustache, which connected to his long sideburns. He wore a pair of glasses, a white shirt with regular pants and a blue apron. After an exchange of polite greetings, Tessai escorted Uryuu and Orihime to the underground training area, and then he excused himself.
Urahara pushed himself away from the giant rock he'd been slumped against, his eyes cool and serene above his unshaven jaw and laid-back smile. "Ishida-san, Inoue-san, what brings you here?" he asked.
"We need you to open a Garganta for us," Uryuu said, the look in his eye making the former captain taken a step backward.
"I beg your pardon?" Urahara asked, tipping the edge of his hat.
Exchanging a look with Orihime, Uryuu cleared his throat. "Arisawa Tatsuki, a classmate of mine, was kidnapped by the Arrancars. We need to sneak into Hueco Mundo at sunset before it's too late."
Urahara held up a restraining hand. "This is all too sudden. Soul Society will have my head." He peered over Uryuu's shoulder, his gaze settling on the orange-haired beauty behind. "But since Arisawa-san is Orihime-san's best friend, I'll make an exception."
"How?" Orihime could not hide her surprise. She had assumed that Urahara had also forgotten about her. "Urahara-san, you remember me?"
The man took off his hat, his gaze softening on the girl. "As the creator of the Hougyoku, I knew how to cancel out whatever effects it would give me, including memory manipulation. I have to admit that I did forget you for a little bit, but everything came back to me a week after the battle. And thanks to the records and data I've collected about you, I immediately noticed your disappearance." He bowed his head. "Orihime-san, please forgive me. I've put you through a lot."
Orihime shook her head, a familiar smile curving her lips. "I don't blame you for anything, Urahara-san."
Uryuu pushed up his glasses, sending some sort of deadly aura at the shop owner. "But you can blame him for collecting data on you like you're some kind of lab subject," he said. "Better yet, I'd say you're stalker."
Urahara raised his head. "Now don't be like that, Ishida-san!" he said in a chirpy manner. "Data is necessary for research, you know!"
"Whatever..." Uryuu rolled his eyes. "So, are you gonna help us or not?"
"Only the two of you are going?" Urahara questioned.
"We can't tell Kurosaki-kun and the others or else they might kill Tatsuki-chan," Orihime explained.
"And it would be a great risk to take Nelliel-san and Grimmjow with us since they can't release their swords yet," Uryuu added.
Tapping a finger on his chin, Urahara thought in silence for a while. "All right... I'll make preparations right away," he finally said.
Pleased, Orihime smiled at the man and bowed her head. "Thank you so much, Urahara-san."
Preparations were complete. Urahara now stood on top of a wooden platform, gleaming down at the two teenagers. Uryuu was in his Quincy uniform, an outfit that was majorly white with a mantle and a belt holding five Seele Schneider at the back, while Orihime was back in her Arrancar ensemble. Both of them were more than ready to embark on their journey.
Urahara knelt down, placing one hand on the wooden platform. "My right hand is the stone that bridges worlds," he began, a serious expression carving his face. "My left hand is the blade that binds reality. The black-haired shepherd is hung from a chair. Stratus clouds come, and I strike down the ibis." As the incantation was complete, the sky literally tore up, opening the dimensional fabric separating the worlds, revealing a tunnel of whirling, torrential energy.
Just then, mass amount of spiritual pressures were sensed. It was coming from outside. As if on the cue, Tessai appeared before the teenagers and informed them of the present predicament. "A large group of low-level Hollows have appeared around the town. Ichigo-dono and the others are already on the move."
Uryuu pushed up his glasses, deducing the situation in his mind. "So, the enemy is making sure we won't take any Shinigami with us," he said, a smile curving his lips. "Well, fine by me. I don't need help from Shinigami anyway."
"Confident as usual, huh, Ishida-san?" Urahara said with a smirk.
"Will Kurosaki-kun and the others be all right?" Orihime asked worriedly.
"Don't worry. Tessai-san did say only low-leveled Hollows appeared. Our comrades can handle it. Right now we have to focus on rescuing your friend," Ishida said with the look of assurance. He held out his hand toward her, like a prince asking the hand of a princess. "Let's go, Inoue-san."
Ishida's gaze was soft and gentle, and Orihime felt so much charisma flowing within him. She can't help but admire such look, such aura. Just by standing right before him, Orihime felt as if she was facing a true knight like the ones she sees in fairytales. Ishida was the very definition of chivalry, and she knew she could always trust him to have her back. Putting all doubts and hesitation aside, she lifted a hand and held his. A smile gracing her lips, she squeezed his hand tighter but lightly.
Together they jumped into the Garganta. Their destination was Hueco Mundo.
Hirenkyaku was a difficult technique to master, especially at a young age. However, Uryuu was exceptionally skilled with the technique. A variation of the technique, by creating a platform of Reishi or spirit particles under his feet, allowed travel through the air as if riding on a surfboard. Using this technique, he sped through the Garganta so easily, carrying Orihime with him.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, Uryuu and Orihime came out of the Garganta and landed in front of the white fortress known as Las Noches. Without a moment to lose, they infiltrated the fortress and found their way to a corridor. Orihime was mostly familiar with the place and structure, so she led the way, and Uryuu kept a sharp lookout for any enemy that may come by.
Orihime could sense Tatsuki's spiritual energy, but it was weak like a candle flame that can easily be blown away. It was so faint and far away, and she couldn't pinpoint where exactly she was being held. The fortress was ridiculously huge, so Tatsuki could be anywhere.
The duo eventually reached a very narrow corridor. Orihime was not at all sure where it would lead them, due to the fact she hasn't walked through that particular corridor before, but she could feel Tatsuki's presence getting stronger.
Suddenly a wall emerged from the floor, separating the two.
"Ishida-kun!" Orihime called out, lunging toward the wall. "Ishida-kun!" She banged her fist on the wall.
On the other side of the wall, Uryuu pulled out his spiritual bow. "Inoue-san, I'll try to destroy this, so please—" He couldn't finish his sentence because a big hole suddenly appeared on the floor below his feet.
Heart pounded in trepidation as Orihime heard his yell. She banged on the wall harder. "Ishida-kun! Ishida-kun! Are you all right? Ishida-kun, please answer me!" Unexpectedly, hands reached out and grabbed her body. With a quick jerk, the hands yanked her off her feet. Orihime closed her eyes and screamed.
Ultimately, after what seemed like an eternity of falling, Uryuu regained his balance in the air and landed gracefully on the cold, hard floor. He was in a circular hall with closed doors all around him. He tried one of the doors, but it was locked. He tried the next—and the next –but they were all locked. What was the use of many doors if you couldn't go through any of them?
He took a step back and glanced around the hall. That's when he noticed a door on the floor. He walked to the door, gave it a push, and it opened. He could smell a trap, but knowing it was the only way out he'd take the risk. Using Hirenkyaku, he jumped down the door.
The place Uryuu stepped into was strange and unexpected. Stone statues littered the walkway, many of them broken. There was a fountain but no water flowing.
"What's this? I wanted to meet the babe and not some four-eyed human." A voice spoke behind him. Uryuu whirled around and saw no one.
"Who's there? Show yourself."
A thunderous spiritual pressure flowed through the area, shaking the floor beneath him. And then someone appeared before him, attempting to impale him with a sword. Uryuu was quick to react and immediately jumped away. As he landed on the floor, his eyes settled on the enemy.
"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Kingsleigh Loengrim, Cielo-sama's most loyal fraccion," he said with a smooth, suave voice that complimented his good looks. He was slender but muscular in physique. He had scruffy blond hair with bangs split on the left that framed his face. He had eyes that seemed to glow in radiant blue. His Arrancar uniform was composed of a tattered black cloak with a white hakama and shirt and black-colored, white-outlined boots. He also wore black gloves and crossing black belts which carried his katana. His mask resembled a skull of a hell dog and was worn on top of his head as a helmet.
"So, you're not an Espada... I must say that I'm relieved," Uryuu said.
"It's best not to underestimate me, Quincy," Kingsleigh warned, drawing out his blade.
The fight was inevitable. Though he intended to avoid any unnecessary fights, he knew it would take more than just simple tricks to outsmart Kingsleigh. Uryuu could feel immense Spiritual Pressure coming from him alone. It would be a damn bloody battle, but he was prepared. And he had to finish up quickly if he were to find Orihime.
Orihime's eyes snapped open. Fear leaped inside her chest as she fought to remember where she was. She was in Las Noches, inside a bedroom to be exact. Her jaw clenched. She made an effort to relax and almost succeeded, until it registered that the room was almost dark, except for a small beam of moonlight filtering through the small window with bars. She remembered being pulled away by somebody and then everything went black.
A quiver flowed across her skin as her eyes shot to the door that led to the hallway. It was closed. Under the covers, her nails dug into her palms as her hands clenched. How in the world did she end up in a bedroom?
The door slowly opened. Orihime quickly lay down, slitting her eyes and trying to look as though she was still unconscious. She saw no one, heard no one, yet she sensed she was no longer alone in the room. The air around her seemed to have thickened so much that it was getting harder to breath. And she was sure somebody was watching her.
Could it be Loly? Ishida-kun? Or perhaps it was that mysterious Arrancar girl?
The stranger had crept into the bedroom, spreading across the floor like a white, undulating river of vapor. Something was going to happen; she could feel it in her bones. If the stranger was an enemy, then she was prepared to fight.
She sensed the stranger coming toward her. It was a man. She didn't hear his footsteps, but she detected his male scent. The scent was potent, alluring, and rather familiar. She knew he had come to stop beside the bed, knew he was bending over her. In the depths of the darkness, she couldn't see him, but she knew very well he was there. She should open her eyes fully and face him, yet she stayed very still because of the scent. It was more irresistible than before.
The air around her stirred and she felt his warm sweet breathe against her face. Then she felt a gentle pressure against her lips. It was cold yet light, a kiss with a wonderful caress that teased and enticed her senses.
"Ulquiorra..."
He made no reply. Instead he absorbed her lips, deliberately intensifying the kiss, increasing the breathless feeling in her chest as his lips moved over hers with passion.
It was really Ulquiorra. Even without using her eyes, she could tell it was him. She wanted to lift her arms to pull him close, but her body was heavy as sandbags. She only lay there with her eyes closed, drowning in infatuation until she was returning the kiss.
For a long time their lips were the only point of contact. As he sensed her acceptance, his mouth opened and became more possessive. He was skilled who knew what he was doing. The kiss deepened, then became ephemerally shallow. His tongue played with the sensitive tissue at the insides of her lips, then probed into the corners. When he caught her lower lip between his teeth and gently nipped at her, she released a small moan.
Her response seemed to please him. He touched her then, his fingers stroking her cheeks, her jawline, her neck, moving downward, sending shiver of sensation over her skin. He slid his hands under the covers, his fingers brushing her milky skin of her shoulders, which brought another small moan from her.
She found her voice, enough voice for one word. "Ulquiorra...?"
He didn't answer. But she knew it was him.
"Ulquiorra...?" she asked again, her voice high and breathy.
Once again there was only silence, but he never stopped his kisses and touches. His skin was unusually warm and sensual.
She was completely taken in by his spell. She wanted more from him. And, as if he knew her desires, his hands slipped lower, playing with the edge of her skirt, and he traced butterfly kisses from her cheeks down to her neck. She could imagine her face, the dazed, drugged look. She no longer felt the bed beneath her body. Instead she seemed to float on a cloud.
"Ulquiorra..." she muttered his name one more time.
And finally she received a reply. "Return to the Human World, woman."
As if she had been released from a spell, she opened her eyes. It was still dark in the room and she couldn't see the man who hovered over her. But her hands moved swiftly and surely as they came up to embrace him. Her arms moved and wrapped the chilled, empty air. He was gone.
In an elaborate throne room, which was furnished in much, an ornate throne stood at the far end. A female Arrancar clad in a white cloak plopped down on the throne. "Any updates on our guests, Loly?"
Loly knelt down and spoke with excellent refinement. "Kingsleigh has begun battle with the Quincy, Ishida Uryuu. The trap door worked like a charm. However, I was not able to trap Inoue Orihime. It seems like someone hauled her away before I had the chance. I believe it was Ulquiorra Cifer. As of this moment, I cannot locate the girl or Ulquiorra. Cielo-sama, I await your next order."
"Ulquiorra, you've really grown soft, haven't you?" Cielo muttered under her breath as she crossed her legs. "Flushing him out would be easy. His sole weakness is Inoue Orihime."
"But we don't know where that girl is," Loly said.
"What do you mean 'we'? My dear Loly, I already know where she's hiding."
Loly grinned maliciously. "Cielo-sama, I wish to kill her."
"You can do whatever you wish, Loly. Her death will bring about hatred and rage within Ulquiorra, and that would be his downfall."
Loly bowed her head in respect. "Thank you very much, Cielo-sama. You will not be disappointed."
To be continued…
JC: The mysterious enemy's name has finally been revealed. For those of you who don't know, Cielo is Spanish for heaven, which is pretty ironic because she's a baddie. Kingsleigh Loengrim's name was totally a random thing after I browsed through the net for European names. I think it has a nice ring to it. Putting that aside, Ulquiorra's purpose of leaving her in the human world was to protect her so that he could face the enemy alone. But Cielo had Tatsuki kidnapped in order to lure Orihime back to Hueco Mundo. Okay, that's all for now. Please drop your feedbacks by clicking on the review button. No flames!