Thank you so much to

VampireSiren

Yuzen

Myra Cifer

rabiosarabiosa

khAel

The Fox Knight

for your lovely reviews. And extra special thank you's to those who review every (or nearly every) chapter. You guys are amazing.

Sorry it took a while - Game of Thrones and The Avengers (plus a healthy dose of Tom Hiddleston) have been taking over my life. I'm going to go see it again tomorrow, I'm obsessed...

P.S. Do you like the cover I made for this story?

Warnings: AU plot, slight OOC-ness

Please enjoy!

"Good morning, sir."

Aizen opened his eyes, closed from sipping steaming tea, and raised one elegant brow.

"Good morning, Miss Ueshima."

Smiling in what she hoped was a charming way, Noa approached his desk. "I apologize for being slightly late. Mr. Ichimaru was interrogating me in the elevator."

Aizen's eyes narrowed slightly. "I see. I'll have to speak to him later." Setting down his teacup, a dainty cream colored piece, he pulled out a folder and slid it across the desk to her.

"Don't bother sitting down," he told her, opening it from where he was sitting and pointing to a piece of paper. "I need you to take this down to the fourth floor, to the head of the department. He'll know what to do with it when you get there. He'll also have something I need you to bring back up to me."

Noa nodded, and took the folder. "Yes, sir."

Looking pleased, Aizen leaned back in his chair, and brought his teacup back up. "I'll have something else for you to work on by the time you get back, so no loitering."

"I wasn't planning on it, sir."

A smirk. "Good." Inclining his head as she bowed, he watched her go over the rim of his cup, surprised and a little pleased. 'Good to know she's realized her purpose here.' He had liked the feeling of having power over her, knowing that he intimidated her, but perhaps her changing attitude was better. 'She is more use to me this way.'

Her interaction with the other employees would have to be monitored, however. Ichimaru especially. Tapping a key on his keyboard, Aizen brought up a screen Tousen had prepared for him.

He already knew Noa had previous contact with three other Hueco Mundo employees, two of them brief; Tousen and Ulquiorra Cifer. The third, Tesla Lindocruz from the fifth department, was a special case. The information Tousen dug up said that they had been classmates in the University, and had contact outside of work as well, as recently as the night he first detailed his proposal to her. He was the most interesting case so far.

As for Ichimaru, Aizen wanted him to have as little contact with Noa as possible. The man had the potential to ruin everything he was trying to build with just a few carefully placed words and suggestions. Gin liked to play games like that. No doubt he found this whole thing a delightful mess.

"Loly," he said quietly, pressing a button on his phone. A red light appeared on the screen, and the young woman's voice answered.

"Yes, sir?"

"Please contact Gin and let him know I would like to speak to him."

"Right away. Any specific time, sir?"

Aizen glanced at the clock. Ten minutes had passed since Noa had left. He expected her to be back in at least the next fifteen minutes- unless, of course, she ran into more distractions.

"Immediately."

There was a click as Loly disconnected. Aizen tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair, staring off into the space in front of his desk absentmindedly. 'Now that I think about it, her sudden change in attitude is a little strange. I expected her to warm up to me eventually, but this is far sooner than I anticipated.' He wondered what could have happened between the time she left the office yesterday evening and the moment she walked into the office fifteen minutes ago. 'I should make sure she isn't in contact with anyone from her previous department, especially Hisagi. He can't do anything, but it would be a hassle to deal with him at the moment...'

"Ya wanted to see me, Cap'n?" Gin strode into the room, loosening the silver silk tie around his thin neck. "If this is about the mishap with the girl from seventh, I swear I had nothin' to do with tha'..."

Aizen shook his head. "No, Gin. I'm not interested in whatever that was."

Looking slightly relieved, Gin dropped into one of the chairs facing Aizen's desk. "Oh, good."

"What I am interested in," Aizen continued, leaning forward and placing his elbows on his desk, "Is your interaction with Ueshima Noa."

Grinning, Gin threw one leg over the other and relaxed into his chair. "Fidgety one, ain't she? She bites her lip when she's nervous, poor thing. It's actually a little endearing..."

Aizen stared at the man until he got the hint. "No mischief, Gin. The last thing I need is her running off."

"But Cap'n, mischief is my thing."

"Along with general creepiness and questionable intentions, Ichimaru." Tousen's voice interrupted as he entered the room, a stack of papers under his arm. "Mustn't forget those, now."

Not wanting an argument to start, Aizen captured Gin's intentions once more. "If I'm going to gain control of the Ueshima family's shares and subsidiaries, I don't need her to become suspicious or nervous. It's a delicate game we're playing, gentlemen. I need your support."

"You have mine, sir," Tousen said stiffly, and Gin scoffed.

"Ya know, Cap'n, I'm not even sure why you want those measly shares anyways. I mean, sure, there's money in it, but compared to some of the bigger ones we could go after, the Ueshima are tadpoles in a pond of whales." Gin waved one wrist lazily. "You're wastin' your time, to be perfectly blunt."

There was a moment of silence before a smirk began to grow across Aizen's lips. He leaned back into his chair, and studied Gin.

"Tousen," he said, looking at the blind man, "Could you kindly explain to Gin why the Ueshima shares are so important?"

"Gladly." Setting down the papers on the desk, Tousen took the other chair and sat on the edge, back perfectly straight.

"It's true that, compared to many others, the Ueshima family is not as influential in the business world. They hold old shares of Seireitei Inc., and rather small ones at that. When put into perspective, they really aren't as important as, say, Kuchiki or Shihoin."

"However, we're not interested in just holding their shares of the company. You see, the Ueshima share is just the first of what will be many stepping stones, each bigger than the one before, until we reach the big prize."

Gin's brow furrowed as he contemplated what Tousen was saying. "Wait. So what you're saying is that-" He looked at Aizen as realization hit him.

"You're tryin' to own Seireitei Inc,? The entire corporation?"

Aizen nodded. "Yes, that is the big picture. I plan to start...acquiring all shares connected to Seireitei Inc., starting with the small ones like the Ueshima, and build upwards until I am effectively in control of every aspect of the corporation."

"You won't be in control of just the corporation," Gin sputtered, uncrossing his legs and leaning forward. "Everything in this country is connected to Seireitei Inc., in one way or the other. You're gonna run the entire country."

"That is what we're aiming for," Tousen cut in. "We'll have a hand, whether it be large or small, in everything. From health to government to education, we'll be in control."

There was silence as Gin looked from Tousen to Aizen. "Damn."

A smile, and Aizen picked up his teacup. "So, Gin, do you understand why I need Ueshima to be completely oblivious?"

Gin nodded. "Yessir, Cap'n, sir."

The elevator ride to the fourth floor was a quiet respite for Noa to gather herself. She was relieved she had managed to keep it cool in front of Aizen. 'Maybe this won't be as hard as I thought. At least I know I can do it now.'

The elevator slowed to a stop, but when Noa looked up she saw it was at the fifth floor. 'Someone must be getting on.' Stepping back out of the way, she waited for the doors to open.

'Ding.' They slid apart, and Noa nearly dropped the folder she was carrying.

"T-Tesla?"

The blond man gaped at her. "Noa? What are you doing here?"

Grabbing him by the front of his shirt, Noa pulled him inside and slammed the close door button.

"What is going on?" Tesla said, grabbing her by the shoulders. "I thought I told you to stay away from here!"

"I know," Noa pleaded, stepping back, "But, uh, well..." She dropped her head.

"I work here now. For Aizen. I'm kind of his...personal assistant..."

Tesla froze, mouth open, brows furrowed. "What?"

Noa put her hands up in defense. "It wasn't my idea! He made me do it!"

"Who made you do it? Aizen?" When Noa nodded, Tesla groaned, hand on his face. "I can't believe this..." He looked at her wearily. "How long have you been here?"

"This is my second day. Look, I'm sorry, Tesla. I was going tell you eventually. I was just...in shock, I guess." Noa looked at her feet. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm trying to get out of here."

With a shaky laugh, Tesla ran his fingers through his hair. "Good luck with that." Noa smiled softly, and placed a hand on his shoulder. Tesla looked at her softly, and opened his mouth as if to say something, but before he could the elevator stopped and the doors opened with another soft 'ding'.

Looking out on the fourth floor, Noa shrugged. "My stop, I guess. I'll call you after work, okay? We can talk then."

Tesla nodded, and watched her leave. Noa waved to him as the doors shut and he was whisked away. Sighing, she turned and walked down the strangely quiet hall.

'This entire building is quiet, but this is taking it to a whole new level.' She knew the fourth floor was where the courier and managing department was, and even knew who the office head was, having met him briefly. She had sort of expected it to be more lively than it was, but everything seemed to be streamlined and efficient, office doors closed with diligent workers hidden behind them. It was a little unnerving.

It was easy to find the head's office, seeing as it was at the end of this hallway, where it then branched off into two different hallways heading who knew where. Noa knocked politely on the door, entering when a muffled voice bid her do so. She stepped inside, folder clutched to her chest.

"Ah, Miss Ueshima. This is a change of role, now isn't it?" Ulquiorra Cifer commented dryly from his desk. "Last time it was I delivering something to your department. Now it is the other way around."

Clearing her throat, Noa decided to ignore his dry attempt at sarcasm and stepped forward. "Yes, sir. I have the papers from Aizen."

"Mmm." Taking them from her, Ulquiorra pointed to a similar folder laying on his desk. "Here is what I need taken back to him. If you would be so kind..."

Nodding, Noa picked them up. "Is there anything else, sir?" She was a little eager to get out of there. She had only met him briefly before, but he had seemed pleasant enough. However, in amongst his own element he seemed a bit more threatening.

Looking up at her with apathetic eyes, Ulquiorra studied her. "Be careful, Miss Ueshima."

Noa flinched. "Sir?"

Ulquiorra didn't break his gaze. "You never know who is listening. Chose your words and your actions carefully, and watch every step you take, especially around those you know you cannot trust. Be careful."

Confused, Noa nodded. 'What is he trying to tell me? Did he hear my conversation with Tesla...? No, he couldn't have...'

Deciding now would be a good time to leave, Noa bowed and left. She hurried to the elevator, tapping her foot as it took a while to reappear.

'What was that all about? There's no way he could have heard my conversation with Tesla...could he?' Although she doubted it, there was a sensation in the back of her mind that Ulquiorra had an inkling of her situation and what she was trying to do. When the elevator arrived, she peered at the ceiling, searching for a camera or microphone. She didn't find one, but the feeling didn't go away.

When she finally made it back to Aizen's office, she discovered he wasn't alone. Gin and Tousen both turned their heads when she entered. She paused, lingering by the door. "Should I...?"

"No," Aizen said. "Gin and Tousen were just leaving. Another time, gentlemen."

Both men stood and made their way to the door. Gin looked at her strangely and shook his head as if in confusion before leaving, while Tousen merely mumbled a good morning and followed him out.

Going to his desk, Noa laid the folder Ulquiorra had given her in front of her boss. "Here, sir."

Nodding appreciatively, Aizen swept it to the side and motioned for her to sit down. "Do you remember what I said about you having special duties as my personal assistant, Miss Ueshima?"

Sitting, Noa nodded. "Yes, sir."

Aizen continued, hands clasped in front of him. "This upcoming Friday there is a charity dinner I must attend. In accordance with your employment here, you will be accompanying me to this function. I trust you own an evening dress?"

Noa froze. When she had pictured special duties, she figured she'd be attending meetings and such. Going on a date with him was the last thing on her mind.

"Uh, yes..." She ventured slowly. "Will I be doing anything other than, uh, accompanying you, sir?"

Aizen smirked. "Oh, you'll be taking notes, keeping track of business partners, and generally doing all the important things while I socialize with the people giving us money for charities they think are actually helping something."

Inside, Noa felt slightly sick. 'Is this what being at the top means? Tricking people into giving you things you could probably get on your own with a little hard work?' She didn't want to, but she couldn't see any other choice.

"Yes, sir."

"Good," Aizen said. "Bring everything you need to work with you on Friday. I will give you time to change out of your work attire and then we will leave together." He pulled the previously discarded folder to him and opened it. "Oh, and Ueshima?"

"Sir?"

Aizen looked at her, his eyes gazing at her in a way that made her self-conscious. "Wear your hair like you did at the gala. It looks...nice that way."

Ohoho. XD Thanks for reading!