"What do you think of little Rukia-chan?" Gin posed the question innocuously. Perhaps there was something in his tone, or Ulquiorra was more perceptive than Gin realized. Surely it couldn't have been his facial expression showing displeasure, not when his smile flashed the black-haired Espada's way.

"There is nothing to think of Kuchiki Rukia." Ulquiorra said. More guarded than usual, Gin thought. "Come, come now. Can't you be slightly more specific than your usual brusqueness with me?!" Gin whined, "it makes me feel sometimes as if you don't like me."

Ulquiorra said nothing more for a time, his green-eyed gaze focused straight ahead, neither wandering nor looking to the man keeping pace. Perfect, like a statue, only moving. No wonder he was one of Aizen's favorites. In time the Espada briefly closed his eyes, pausing with exactness outside of the double doors that lead to Aizen's rooms.

Gin had hardly noticed just how far they had come until they had stopped,; so intent was he on the Espada's facial expressions. Unfortunately Ulquiorra was as blank as the doors they stood before. "It is not my place to remark or take notice on something that is deemed to be another's."

"Ah." Gin wasn't convinced. He was positive the stoic Arrancar was hiding something but gleefully pretended not to let it bother him. He would step back and observe them, maybe even give Ulquiorra a little encouragement only to assert his claim over Rukia once and for all! His grin widened at these thoughts and not even Aizen's slight warning not to spoil their guest so much could not take away Gin's smile.

What a fun little game it would be...

Watching the stoic, emotionless Espada learn to care for something and then see it be taken away and not be able to do a thing about it!

"That smile..Gin. Are you planning something?" Aizen's tone was faintly humored, like a father indulging a child's playtime. Gin half-turned to smile over his shoulder to his superior, "why no, Lord Aizen. I was just thinking of fun things to do with my little Rukia-chan." Gin's eyes opened a little wider, the red gleam shone through, "but don't worry, I'll make sure she's not permanently damaged."

~*~

The door opened quietly.

Rukia spun from corner to corner of the medium-sized white walled room searching for a way out. No windows. No grates. Her mind ran in frenzied circles desperate for escape.

"Woman."

A scream nearly tore from her mouth. Her heart drummed in her ears even as distantly she registered that the voice was not of the man she feared. "You.." the black-haired Arrancar whom had come before, now stood in the doorway, simply watching her with inscrutable eyes.

"W-where am I?" Rukia hated sounding so unsure and so..so frightened. Her voice was merely a quiet squeak unlike her usual sure tones. "In Las Noches." The Arrancar answered shortly then considered his sentence incomplete, "in Hueco Mundo."

Rukia let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. Hueco Mundo...the world of the Hollows. Ichigo's face flashed through her mind. A choking feeling of relief and pain rippled through her.

It must've shown on her face for the Arrancar made a motion as if to step closer then decided against it. "I-I'm alright." she said, as if to answer the unspoken question. He didn't seem hostile, she noticed, if not slightly aloof. She thought it best to try and pump him for info on her surroundings while they were alone.

"How long..have I been here?" That was a safe one.

"Two days." he replied without a change in expression.

Rukia nodded though she was rather disturbed by the fact that she had no clear recollection on what had happened during that time. "Who are you?"

"Ulquiorra Schiffer."

Strange name, she thought, but laid her hand to her chest, "Rukia Kuchiki."

"I know." The slightest flicker of something, emotion perhaps? Passed over his face, "we all know it."

"Who's we?" Rukia baited.

"The others and I. We were told of your coming by Lord Aizen." The barest hint of reverence was in his tone when he spoke of the man. Rukia noted it and thought of the man she had vaguely known to be Captain Sosuke Aizen of Fifth Division. Had he faked his death then? She recalled being in the Senzaikyu and hearing of his murder from the guards outside. But it had seemed as though the event of the Ryoka-Ichigo and a few others, breaking into Soul Society to save her had taken more precedence in the minds of the Soulreapers.

Rukia guessed there was a connection. But--

"Woman," Ulquiorra spoke to remind her of his presence.

She looked at him straight in the eye, "not 'woman', please. Rukia."

The Arrancar's expression was unreadable for a time then the slenderest of dips of his raven head made his concession known, "Rukia, then. I will escort you to where Gin Ichimaru awaits."

Her blood ran cold but she still managed a tiny smile as she passed him to go out into the hallway. Thank you.

~To be continued~
AN: little hint of UxR. :) to answer Rukiharem's question there could be more moments like that upcoming. :) thanks for reading.

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Reviews appreciated :)