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I awaken to the sound of a knock. I shoot into a sitting position, sleep quickly vanishing as I stumble out of bed searching for my sword. It isn't until the next knock that I remember I no longer have my trusty companion. "Miss Rukia? You are requested to make an appearance in the dining hall in 10 minutes. When you are ready, I will escort you there," the maid states. I narrow eyes in irritation at being summoned. I can only imagine what's in store for me when I enter the dining hall.

After I freshened up and mentally prepared myself for what's to come, I finally step out into the hall, memorizing every step I take, as I'm lead down the path towards the dining hall. Getting lost in here is the last thing I need to happen. As we go farther from my only safe haven in this place, a waft of sensational smells linger in the air. My stomach grumbles in response and my imagination of the assortment of meals that are waiting for me fill me with delight.

But as the maid halts her steps and her hand gestures me to go forward, all the desire and anticipation of eating is immediately replaced with a nauseous tumbling in my stomach as I come to face a set of a dozen glaring eyes. My body tremors in fear as I take in the sneers of disgust directed towards me. I want to flee as I stand awkwardly by the entrance, but a voice stops my inner planning of escape, "Rukia, I'm glad you have finally joined us." Aizen sits at the head of the table in a much more extravagant chair then the surrounding arrancars. " Please, have a seat," he smoothly commands.

I shift my eyes to the only empty sit at the very long table, which resides right next to Aizen. But what worries me the most as I take reluctant steps towards the chair are of the arrancars that sit near me. Gin, the right hand man to Aizen and former captain of the 3rd division in the Soul Society. He looks extremely pleased by my presence as his narrowed eyes and fox like smile focus on me. The sharp features of his face and his pin straight white hair that angles to frame around his face, makes him look incredibly sharp and dangerous. I shift my gaze away from him as Aizen gives the order for everyone to begin their meal.

I absentmindedly pick up my fork, but my eyes land upon Ulquiorra who sits diagonally from me. The unsmiling, arrancar sits quietly, his presence however was clearly one people sensed. He has short messy black hair that in contrast to his pale white skin and black lips and thick eyebrows, make him appear like a ghost. In terms of body, Ulquiorra wasn't as tall nor as brawny as some, but he clearly has strength that most will not be able to measure close to. He sits straight, shoulders back and doesn't remotely seem riled up by my sudden company like everyone else.

Nnoitra sits next to Ulquiorra. His tall lanky figure bends over menacingly. The hooded collar around his head makes him look even taller than he already is. Half of his face is hidden by a large white eye patch and his sleek black hair hangs around him like a curtain. He must feel my stare because he turns towards me, a huge smile overtaking his facial features. His stare rakes across my body and I glare at him in disgust, but he doesn't stop and it's I who looks away as if I did something inappropriate.

I reprimand myself at the relief that courses through me at having it be Grimmjow to be the arrancar to sit next to me. But compared to everyone here whose eyes haven't left me since I entered, his lack of interest in me brings me comfort. I look away from everyone then, focusing all my attention on the food on my plate. It all looks delicious and well, I'm not about to starve myself so I dig in, leaving nothing behind. I'm going to need all the strength I can muster and eating is the best way for me to stay energized.

I've just finished scraping the last remnants of eggs off my plate and gulped down my glass of water when Aizen says, " Rukia, since you are now one of us, I wish for you to train for combat." His looks at me assessing my response to his words before he finishes with, "Therefore, Grimmjow will assist you with your training." A few snickers are heard from the other arrancars. I turn towards Grimmjow who sits with his jaw clenched and his turquoise eyes shooting daggers at the source of the laughter.

Clearly he's been given this order beforehand. No wonder he's been ignoring me, Aizen basically gave him the command to be my babysitter. Aizen isn't stupid, he fully knows I'm not loyal to him and whatever plans he has the involve me, which is why he needs someone to watch me at all times so I don't have a chance to stray out of line. But what throws me is the fact that the watching will be through training for combat. Why make me stronger when I'm a prisoner? I'm tired of Aizen's mind games, but I don't protest. Instead I nod at him, showing him my agreement. I hold his fixated gaze and I feel a slight rush of satisfaction, as he's the one to break the stare down.

Aizen dismisses everyone a short time after the news. No one clears their plates, they just all rush off to do whatever arrancars do when their not causing destruction on the Soul Society. Aizen nears the exit with Gin but he stops to call over Grimmjow. Grimmjow scowls, but does as he's summoned. He huffs out of his chair, pushing off his knees and strides towards where Aizen waits. I'm the last one seated and I think I know how to get back to my room so I decide to leave.

I stand from my chair and as I turn to head to the exit only to bump into the stomach of a towering figure. I look up to see Nnoitra hunched figure blocking my path. He takes a step towards me, smiling wide, baring his teeth making him look like a hungry wolf. I bump into the table and I steady myself by placing a hand on the edge of it. "A new pet for me to play with," he purrs.

His hand reaches out taking hold of my hair, it falling through his fingers. He then touches my check, fingers trailer down to my neck. I don't even feel bad as I grab the glass behind me as I smash it into his face. Glass shards fly around us and while the impact happened I slipped under the table and out the other side putting a barrier between us. I stand to face him. His grin still on his face only this time his jaw is set tight and his eyes burn with desire to torture.

He steps forward, flipping the long table out of the way making all the glasses, plates and leftover food go crashing to the ground with sharp shatters and tumbles. I look for anything to use as a weapon as he storms forward with long purposeful strides, but he too quick. As he reaches me, hand raise to slap, a voice commands, "Enough, Nnoitra." Aizen has taken in the whole scene and I stand breathing heavily from the thought of what would have happened to me if Aizen weren't there. Nnoitra smile falters then, knowing he cannot continue his pursuit.

I raise one eyebrow and shoot a smirk in his direction, which was probably a bad idea, but seeing that even someone like Nnoitra listen so obediently to Aizen makes me feel somewhat more comforted. Stupid, I know. But clearly, for now at least, no one can touch me. Nnoitra lifts his chin regaining his composure bringing back his wide grin. He looks me over once before he slides out of the room.

I shudder out a breath taking in the mess that was created. Glass is everywhere and food is splayed across the floor staining the white floor with grease. I look up to see Aizen and Gin gone, but Grimmjow remains. He looks like he's extremely pissed off. His hands are in fists and veins bulge in his neck. I twitch with knowledge at the fact that it must have to do with the fact that he's stuck with me.

I don't want to have to deal with his wrath so I tip toe towards the entrance that I came through, but Grimmjow uses flash step to appear right in front of me. His hard stare stops me from trying to escape. His rough voice echoes through the empty room as he spits, "If Aizen wouldn't kill me for killing you, I would have run you through the minute I saw you." I shake my head while I say exasperatedly, " I'm quite aware of that."

My face is upturned towards his and I feel some guilt fleet through me as I see he distinct hatred towards being told what to do. I say, " I don't want anything to with you just as much as you don't what to with me." He doesn't look at me; he just stands there with his hands shoved into his pocket and his jaw clenching to keep from spewing all the hateful words he must be thinking. I stand in front of where his gaze falls so he's forced to look at me, "I won't make this job hard for you. We don't even have to talk. We don't have a choice so might as well be as civilized as possible." I search his face for an agreement, but don't see any. I turn my head away shaking it in defeat. He obviously just wants to continue to pout like a baby so I take this as my cue to leave.

As I walk past him, he reaches out grabbing my hand. I'm halted to a stop, but I don't turn to face him and he doesn't forcibly make me. "We start training tomorrow at 6:00am." I grimace in response to the time. Why does it have to be at the crack of dawn? I'm still frowning as I mumble, "fine." He drops my hand and I give him one last look before I head towards my room.

The Next Day:

I crumble onto the cold concrete of the floor, head bouncing painfully from the impact and the sword I was given flies out of my grasp and lands out of reach. I spit out blood some of it dripping onto my chin. I blow out a huff, irritated that I once again have been disarmed by Grimmjow who stands looking extremely bored. I lurch up stumbling towards my sword, gripping it tightly as I swing it in defense at him. Grimmjow simply swipes at the impacts with precise strikes of his sword keeping my hits at bay. "Come on, bitch. That's the fucking best you can do?" he let's out one loud laugh shaking his head at me.

I grit my teeth together, overcoming the pain and injuries that have accumulated over the last two hours of fighting. The only hit I've gotten to land on him left merely a scratch across his hard stomach. It looks like I gave him a paper cut. I've never been a notable swordsman, but as I fight Grimmjow, stumbling while he makes concise decisions and I grunt with sweat and blood dripping down my face, only to see him standing tall not an ounce of a struggle prominent. I feel utter humiliation at my lack of ability to fight.

I run at him hand outstretched while I shout, "Hado 33! Soukatsui!" A flash of white blurts out with fast succession and engulfs the area with light. It expands then explodes. As the dust settles and the wind from the impact subsides, I stare only at empty space. I turn to survey my surroundings only to be backhanded. My head whips around and I fall on to my knees. I catch myself from face planting with my hand and I stay bent over like that, breathing. The sting of my cheek doesn't hurt as much as my pride does.

A shadow fall over me and from my peripheral vision I see Grimmjow squat next to me his forearms resting on his thighs. I hear him grumble a laugh before he says, " Such a sad excuse for a shinigami." He grips my hair, pulling painfully, wrenching my neck back and my face up so I'm staring at him. "I wish it was that orange haired bastard here instead of you." He throws my head away with disgust. I begin to stand, trying to overcome the pain from my stiff muscles and bruised skin.

"So weak," Grimmjow states. "If all shinigami are as weak as you, then winning this war is gonna be so easy, it won't even be fun." He throws his hands in the air in aggravation as he continues, "I mean for fuck sakes! Look at you." He walks over to me, where I'm still trying to stand. He takes hold of me lurching me up, sticking his face inches from mine his heavy breathing blowing his hot breath onto my face as he repeats in a whisper, "So fucking weak." He pushes me to the ground then turns away mumbling to himself.

I sit there a while longer before I go over to where my sword fell. I pick it up and twist my neck cracking it before I begin to practice what Grimmjow first showed me before he started attacking me. I'm sore and in pain, but I ignore it. If I can't even land a blow on him during practice, how the hell will I be able to escape a place where around every corner an arrancar waits to attack?

The only thing I can do now is practice because I obviously need all the help I can get. I don't need Grimmjow. I don't need anyone. My main objective is escape and the only person I can trust to achieve that is myself. The bruises and blood and stiff muscles will not keep me from my freedom.