Hey Guys! Guess whose back! It's me! Sorry I have been gone for so long, I kind of got out of a Bleach mood and started to just write random story for a mental break. Anyway since I am back later then I promised, I am giving you guys a treat. You will not only get one new chapter but TWO! WOO! I can't make any promises about posting as frequent as I use to because I've been a bit of a writer's block. Enough of me chatting and ENJOY!
The sun shone brightly as The young girl clung tightly to her mother's hand. Laughter and happy voices filled the cool November air as the crowds of tourists and locals pushed their way around blonde haired girl stared at the Japanese style surrounding before looking back to see where they had just come from. It was her first time at Epcot in Disney and she was blown away with the World Showcase. Her family had already seen half of the countries surrounding the large lake and had finally stopped in the faux Japan.
"Look hunny, we are in Japan!" The tall blonde woman, her mother declared loudly to the girl who was awe-struck.
The child's grin grew as her hazel gaze quickly flew over each of the larger buildings. She took in each of the wonderful sights around her and only draw to a stop when she say the bright red pillars in the water just by the edge of the lake. The pillars look like a giant rectangle that had the bottom side submerged into the water. It also have two small pillars in front of It was truly a sight to see. However the girl noticed everybody was just walking past it, not giving it a second glance except for one man who stood at the edge of the pavement and stared up at it.
The man seemed hard for the girl see clearly but something told the girl to go over to him. Looking quickly at her distracted mom, she slipped her small hand from her's and walking over to the man.
His back was facing her and he didn't seem to notice her approach him. Slowly she tugging on the edge of the man's long jacket with just enough effort to have the man look at her in surprise.
"Oh hello there." The man's face lit up as he knelt down in front of the girl. "Who might you be?"
"I-I'm Saman-pha" she stated mispronounce the last part in her name.
A quiet chuckle came from the man, as he gave her a humble grin.
"Well it's nice to meet you, Samantha. My name is _"
The young girl tilted her head, not understanding what the man said but quickly ignored it. Her curiosity got the better of her and looked to the lake once more.
"Umm Mister, what is that red thing in the lake you were staring at?"
The man's gaze turned to his left where he saw the pillars the girl was talking about. His curious gaze fell onto the girl who seemed nervous but excited to know about the structure.
"That is a gate."
"A gate? But it's not shiny or have a lock."
Another amused chuckle came from the man as he shook his head.
"It's called a shrine gate, they mark the entrance of sacred land."
The young girl gaze turned to the structure in awe, her little hazel eyes felt transfixed on it.
The man watched her with his head cocked, she was very strange little girl.
"Sam!"
He watched the young girl jump and whip around to face the blonde hair woman who was making her way toward them.
"What have I told you about running off! You could of been taken or gotten hurt." Clearly the mother of the young girl cried as she came over to the young girl.
"I'm sorry mommy. I just wanted to ask him what the red thing was." Samantha whined, her tiny hands clamped down on the edge of the man's jacket.
The mother's eyes fell onto the man, who gave her a goofy grin before turning to her daughter.
"Well say goodbye to him, we have to get back to your dad."
The little girl gave a sad pout before looking up at the man.
"Hey hey, it's ok." The man quickly knelt beside the girl and flashed a smile. "I have to get going anyway."
"But Mister I want to stay with you." Samantha's eyes brimmed with tears as she look up at the man.
A small frown graced his lips before an idea popped in his head. He quickly shuffled through his pockets and pull out a small round object wrapped in a white paper.
"Here. If you be a good girl for your mom, you can have this piece of candy." He held up the candy glancing at the mother who was seemed to have a small smile on her face.
The girl's eyes widen with excitement as she observed the small wrapped candy. Rubbing away her tears, she brandished a large smile.
"Ok I'll be good."
"Good." He handed the girl the candy and patted her head gently. "Now go back to your mom."
Samantha nodded her hands clasped tightly around the treat she got.
"Bye Mr.K! Phank you!" Offering one last smile, she darted back to her mother who took her free hand and walked her back to the rest of their family.
The man stood up watching the young girl walk off, the smile on his lips lingering. Turning back to the shrine, he adjusted his green and white hat before disappearing with a flash.
-N&R-
Waking with a start, my hand falling over my chest clutching my heart as I panted. What...what happened… my brain was fuzzy and I couldn't remember anything past the point of entering Aizen's chambers. The only thing I could remember was the overwhelming feeling of death and destruction. Did he do something to me...did he use his Zanpaktou on me…?
"You're awake."
I looked up quickly to see none other than Ulquiorra standing by the edge of my bed with his usual emotionless expression.
"...what happened?"
The Esapda's head tilted slightly to the side as his eyes raked over me.
"You have no memory of the last few hours." He addressed more as a statement rather than a question.
"...Can you tell me what happened?" I asked my hazel gaze connecting with his.
He said nothing but moved forward and sat on the edge of the bed creating a small distance between us.
"Tell me, woman. What is a heart?"
I blinked, I was taken back by that...wasn't this something he was suppose to ask Orihime?
"You want to know what a heart is?"
He didn't nodded or blink just stared me down with his green gaze. Taking that as my answer to tell him I let out a small chuckle.
"Is this amusing to you?"
I shook my head and reached out my hand toward him, "Give me your hand."
Ulquiorra looked down to my hand then backup to my face his expression not changing once more.
"Why?"
I let out a small sigh, "Just give me your hand and you'll see."
Taking in my response, he slowly pulled his hand out and put it into my open one. My bandaged fingers slowly drifted over his hand as I looked over it. Surprisingly his hands were warm actually warmer than mine were.
"A heart is physical and metaphorical at the same time." I turned his hand over and slowly brought it to my chest, "As humans we all have our hearts in our chest, it pumps blood and give us life."
My eyes drifted up to meet his which just seem to absorb everything I was saying. I know he could feel my heart racing under his hand, and my cheeks slowly grew hot.
"But it also holds our feelings, from happiness to sadness to even...love." A sad smile graced as lowered my gaze and moved his hand away from my chest.
I fell silent and just stared at his oddly pale hand in mine. A bit of time passed before his hand took my hand and lifted toward himself. The sound of a zipper rang out as his free hand was undoing his high collar revealing his hollow hole.
"Arrancars don't possesses what you call a heart. To us they make us weak and is what is removed when we become hollows." He explained, my gaze following our hands that stopped just above his hollow hole.
My eyebrows knitted in confusion as I looked up at Ulquiorra who just met my gaze and laided the tips of my fingers along the edge of the gaping space. Just as my fingers brushed the hole, a small shock of electric shot through my hand. Instinctively, I tried to pull my hand back but the Espada's hand tighten around mine.
A frown came over my face as I tilted my head at the odd reaction which he didn't seem to find as out of place. Our gaze stayed connected as his gripped lossed up a bit and my fingers slowly drifted on the edge of the hole. I slowly trailed my fingers along the edge of the hole, my gaze drifting down to follow my movements.
It was a strange sensation, the area around the hole was warm to the touch but the second my fingers crossed the edge I was meet with cold. It was a kind of bone chilling cold, something that brought goosebumps to my skin. My hazel gaze darted up to Ulquiorra's who was just watching me with narrowed eyes. I opened my hand and placed the palm of my bandaged hand over the hole covering it.
"A heart is not a weakness in fact a heart can make your stronger and give you hope. It can push you to keep trying even if there looks like there's no point. But even people with a heart can be heartless or down right evil…" A small weak chuckle came from me as I slowly drew my hand back. "A heart does not define the person, it's what you do with it."
Ulquiorra met my gaze as I looked up and flashed him a small smile. The same expression graced his features as he drew to his feet and strolled over to the door.
"Stay here, I shall return with your food, woman." With that he left the room and left me in silence and some rather interesting thoughts.
The morning went by slowly even after I had showered and enjoyed a breakfast alone. Ulquiorra had kept his distance and was just standing guard by the door. After three quiet hours passed I got up the courage to ask my guard a simple question.
"Ulquiorra." My hazel gaze fall onto the Espada, who was standing by the door and had his eyes closed, looking like he was sleeping.
At his name, his green eyes slid open and landed on me.
"What is it woman?"
I glanced toward the barred window where the large crescent moon hung high in the dark sky.
"When you were in the World of the Living last time, was it daylight?"
He was silent, not answering my question which I honestly knew the answer to. After a long quiet minute, his monotone voice cut in.
"No but the time before we had to retrieve you it was."
I frowned and glanced at him, my gaze meeting with his before I turned back to the window.
"What...what did it feel like?"
More silence ensued before I heard what was a sigh.
"It was...warm. Unlike Hueco Mundo which is cloaked in darkness, the daylight was…".
At the pause I turned fully to face him and saw he was still planted to the door by his eyes seemed to linger on the window.
"A strange sort of warmth, that creatures of the dark rarely experience." He continued, his words swimming around my head as I took them in.
I watched as he draw to a pause again, his green eyes snapping to mine in an instant. Slowly he was pushed himself away from the wall and toward me.
"You humans crave the light and fear the dark...Do you miss the light, woman?"
He drew to a halt in front of me leaving about an arm's length of space between us. We quietly stared each other down for a few lingering moments until a knock came from the door, breaking the tension. My gaze darted to the opening door and saw it was none other than Tosen who was the visitor.
My breath quickly got stuck in my throat as I watched the blind shinigami enter the room. It was never a good sign when one of Aizen's men came into the room. It normally was a sign that Aizen was either seeking to see me or have myself taken to him.
"Lord Aizen, requests an audience with you." He stated his hidden eyes directed at the two of us.
I swallowed nervously and gave a quick nod turning toward the man only to be halt.
"Not you, woman." Tosen's harden expression fell on me briefly, making me jump slightly at his tone before he looked to Ulquiorra. "He wishes to see you, Ulquiorra."
The Espada in question gave a silent nod before I felt his eyes fall on me. My hazel gaze darted to the ground, feeling the Espada's eyes watch me intently.
"Remain here, woman."
I mustered out a tiny 'yes' before watching the two leave with a click of the door. I stared at the closed door for another second or two, wondering exactly Aizen wanted from Ulquiorra and if it regard me. Taking a shaky sigh, I turned on my heel and made my way to the bed when a hand clamped down over my mouth and grabbed my wrists from behind in the other.
I let out a shocked cry as the hand gripped my face tightly.
"Looks like the little human girl is finally all alone and look at that pretty face of your has finally healed."
My head was yanked back and I was met with violet eyes full of envy and a psychotic smile on a familiar face.
"How about we fix that?"