A/N: Woo Hoo….here it is. The end of the Hueco Mundo Arc. But never fear, its not the end of the story. And I can finally get away from canon. The canon is hard on me because it leaves so much out and I really really really want you to see what I understood from it. We are all products of our experiences. And while I love fight scenes I hate writing them. Because they take forever. And aren't sexy. And need to be explained. Because I'm pretty sure fighting for your life changes you in lots of ways. I want to thank you for your patience. This chapter was killer and the fog of pain meds did not help. It still isn't sexy enough but dammit its soooo freaking long. Sexy thoughts in the next chapter but no real getting it on till the one after that I believe. Again I never really know but I don't want my fellow indecent writing fans to leave me just when the sex is about to come back! Sooner rather than later. And again I wish it was more anguishy but I think I would have had to divide it and to be honest, I'm sooooo over the Hueco Mundo Arc at the moment. Thanks again my lovely readers! Hopefully everything will be back on schedule from now on.
Chapter 14:The Humanity that Binds
There's one way out and one way in
Back to the beginning
There's one way back to home again
To where I feel forgiven
What is this I feel, why is it so real
What am I to say
It's only love, it's only pain
It's only fear, that run through my veins
It's all the things you can't explain
That make us human
I am just an image of something so much greater
I am just a picture frame, I am not the painter
Where do I begin, can I shed this skin
What is this I feel within
It's only love, it's only pain
It's only fear that runs through my veins
It's all the things you can't explain
That make us human
That make us human
That make us human
It's only love, it's only pain
It's only fear that runs through my veins
It's all the things you can't explain
That make us human
Civil Twilight-"Human"
She thought she might start laughing. Or maybe just fall to the floor screaming and tearing out her hair. She had seen more death and destruction in one day than most people saw in a lifetime. Was it even possible to see such highs and lows in such a short span of time and still walk away sane? And the hits kept coming. The white walls were everywhere. She was back where she had started. Orihime put her hands up to her head and started shaking it. Aizen descended to where the poor girl was obviously about to have a nervous breakdown. He enfolded her in his arms and in her despair she allowed herself to lean into him.
What's wrong my dearest Orihime. Such a heartbroken expression. You are back home, safe now from those invaders. He leaned back and stroked the side of her face, leaning it up to look her in the eyes. He was so close to her she wondered for a moment if he was about to kiss her. But he just whispered softly to her as he ran his thumb across her cheek in a soothing manner.
Smile, everyone is saddened when the sun darkens. All you have to do is smile and wait here for a short while. Just until we return from destroying Karakura Town. Then we will all be together again. He turned from her and began to walk back up the stairs to where Kaname and Gin waited for him.
Orihime could do nothing but just stare at the men as a garganta opened at the top of the dais. As usual, she was too weak to stop him. Too weak to even fight back. And as usual she would be the one to survive, and be left with all the pain from her lost loved ones. She heard Aizen give Kaname an order and she recognized the incantation as a form of kido, but she had no idea what it was for. Aizen began speaking and it took her a moment to realize he was being transmitted across the sands to all of the shinigami.
Can you hear me members of the intruding forces? Allow me to first convey my respects for having felled so many of the Espada. But more importantly it is time for us to commence our invasion of the human world. I am placing Inoue Orihime in tower five if you would like to come try and rescue her. She is no longer of any use to me. Her abilities are awe-inspiring. The highest levels of the soul-society understood the significance of her abilities and that is why her abduction served as a means of eliciting a sense of crisis so that they would strengthen their own defenses rather than those of the human world. She also served as bait to lure in the Ryoka, including Soul Society's newest military asset, "the substitute shinigami", to Hueco Mundo. Moreover, you have also allowed me to imprison the four captains who came to reinforce them. The wonderful thing about the Gotei 13 is that the thirteen captains hold the power that serves as the primary military strength of the Soul Society. But three of us had defected, and four of you are now trapped here. I have effectively halved the strength of your military. This will be all too easy. We will annihilate Karakura Town, create the royal key, conquer soul society and then when that is all over with, we will deal with you at our leisure.
He smiled at Orihime as the kido was broken. She didn't understand. He had said they would be reunited indicating he was coming back for her, but he had just told the shinigami that she had never really served any purpose other than being a pawn in his mind games. He glanced away from her and spoke to a fourth person on the landing that Orihime hadn't noticed before.
Until I return, I will entrust Las Noches to you, Ulquiorra.
With that last decree, Aizen stepped through the garganta with the other two traitorous captains and met with the three top Espada and their fraccion in the void between the worlds. The portal closed quickly behind them, but Orihime barely noticed their departure. The confusion presented by Aizen was forgotten as she laid eyes on Ulquiorra who had just stepped out from behind the throne. So many emotions flowed through Orihime as he looked up catching her eyes. She wanted to run to him, to hug him, to slap him, to tell him how glad she was that he was ok, to hurt him for hurting her friends, to tell him that she still loved him. But she stood there frozen as he walked slowly towards her, his footsteps echoing on the stairs in the empty throne room.
Even though he had once cherished seeing her smile and hearing her laugh, he couldn't deny how beautiful she was in her misery. Her large grey eyes were shining with unshed tears and her hands were clasped to her chest. He needed to shatter her further, to see even more pain in those eyes, till he was blinded by the exquisiteness of her breakdown. At this moment she was his goddess of despair and he longed to worship her and heap more wretchedness onto her altar. He stopped a few steps from her before he spoke.
Are you afraid? You are no longer of any use to Aizen-sama; there is no longer anything protecting you. As usual he was puzzled by what he saw in her eyes. She seemed to wear every emotion possible all at once. His eyes catalogued them all, but his rational mind could put no explanation to what the woman was feeling. He pushed further stepping closer to her.
This is the end. You will die here, all alone, with no one to hold on to in your final moments. So I'm asking you, are you frightened?
He hissed in surprise as she brought her hand up and gently caressed one of the tear marks on his face. She ran her finger down to his lips and across them, stopping in the middle as if to quiet anything else he could say.
No, I'm not. Everyone came here to save me. It doesn't matter if they succeed because with that action my heart is already with all of them.
He reached up and grasped her hand, removing it from his face, but he didn't let it go.
What nonsense. You have no fear because your friends are here? Are you serious when you say those words? We already know what awaits you and your friends. Their coming here does not change the fact that you will all die. There is no changing that. You humans try to ease your pain by sharing it with your loved ones. It's an instinct that prevents you from falling into a pit of fear and despair. But in reality, it's impossible for people to truly share their feelings. It's a human delusion.
She continued to gaze into his brilliant emerald eyes as she breathlessly whispered his name. She thought of the moments they had shared together. When they were close and lost in the moment, their relationship had been as easy as breathing. But when the moments had passed, his rational mind took over. And logic couldn't explain the feelings, so he tried to deny them. She desperately wanted him to understand, but she didn't know how to explain emotions to someone who didn't believe in things he could not see.
When I first heard that they had come to save me, I was a little bit happy. And really sad. I came here to protect everyone so I wasn't sure why they were all here. Why couldn't they understand? Of course they couldn't have known how I had come to feel about you. But none of that matters. Because when I felt them fighting and hurting, I would have done anything to make it better, to protect them. And I realized that must have been the way they felt too. If any one of them had disappeared like I did, I would surely have done the same thing and gone to save them. It may be true that people cannot feel exactly the same as someone else. But when you both care for each other, your hearts are able to draw a little closer together. And that's what it means when we say our hearts are one. There is no way I can die alone because I have entrusted a piece of my heart to each of my friends. And I've entrusted a piece to you Ulquiorra. So even if I physically die today, my heart will always be with you and with them so that none of us will ever be alone. You will never be alone again Ulquiorra. I am always with you.
He felt the gentle pressure of her hand in his. She gazed at him with such passion that he had felt himself being lulled by her words. He leaned closer, the desire to kiss her burning with fierce intensity. But the memory of their last morning together blazed across his consciousness. His chest felt tight as he was forced to relive the pain he had felt when he realized her heart didn't belong to him. He had been a fool. And here he was again letting her have power over him with the same lying drivel she spouted before. He quickly dropped her hand and looked away from her lush lips. She reached up as if to lay her hand on his chest, but he couldn't allow himself to feel her soft hands on his body or his resolve might falter. He quickly stepped back and faced her again, a sneer fixed on his face.
Heart? You fucking humans speak so easily of the heart. Almost as if it were in the palm of your hand. These eyes of mine reflect everything. There is nothing they cannot perceive. If it cannot appear in my eyes, then it does not exist. What is this heart?
She was surprised at his language. He didn't usually curse. Even though his tone was as monotone as usual, she realized she had upset him somehow. He reached a hand out, his fingertips lightly brushing her forehead.
If I shatter your skull, will I see it there? He lowered his hand, his fingers skimming softly down her face and neck before resting on her chest, in the same spot his hollow hole was. If I tore open your chest, will I see it inside? Her eyes might have widened slightly but she didn't seem to exhibit the fear he had been looking for. In fact, it was his hand that trembled almost imperceptibly. She had seemed sincere in her statement that she was unafraid of her impending death. But he was terrified of it. If he was ordered to deliver her death would his hand shake like it did from barely touching her? Would he be able to stand by and watch one of the trash around him destroy the only thing he had ever cared for. But if she didn't die, she would leave him. She would go with the shinigami and he would be forced to remember everyday that he wasn't good enough for her. His internal struggles were halted when he felt her slim hand encompass the one that still touched her. She smoothed his palm out across her chest her hand laid over his, pressing it into her.
Your eyes will not help you find the heart. Close them for me and I will show you.
You seem to think I am like that cursed shinigami of yours. I may resemble a man, but you forget that I am not. I am a hollow. I possess no heart to find. You think to save me by convincing me of its existence? You should be more worried about saving your friends from me. It is in my nature to kill. But she just continued to lightly stroke the back of his hand her eyes looking at him with understanding. Surprising himself, he did as she asked and his lids slid shut. He felt her other hand come up and gently stoke his cheek, cupping it in her hand and angling his face down. He felt her come closer till her breasts pushed against his chest, their hands trapped between their bodies. Her breathe lightly teased his lips as she spoke softly to him.
Do you feel it? His brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to discern what she meant. All he could feel was the rise and fall of her chest against his, and the warmth of her hands on him. She pressed in closer and he felt her fingers begin to lightly trace across his face. The motion relaxed him and he tuned into the beat of her heart. It was beating faster than usual and her breathing appeared heavier against his lips. It sped up even more as he felt her soft lips brush across his. She pressed soft butterfly kisses against his lips as he was entranced by the ever quickening pulse of her heart.
She didn't know where the courage to touch and kiss him had come from. She believed him when he said she was going to die. She even knew that the action would probably be his responsibility. He was dangerous. Even more so because she knew the feelings she brought about in him frightened him. But if she was to die today, she wanted it to be in his arms. She wanted him to know how she felt even if it pushed him over the edge. He didn't respond at first, but he didn't try to stop her. But then, she felt the small pressure of his lips as he gently returned her kiss. Her heart was beating so fast and loud in her chest. She knew he could hear it. She kissed him again, lingering a moment longer with her lips on his. When she retreated this time, he followed her, slanting his mouth down on hers to capture her lips again. He pressed harder against her chest as if wanting to feel the vibration from her beating heart better. He brought his other hand up to clasp the back of her neck pulling her in closer as his kisses became more heated. She parted her lips as he deepened the kiss, his tongue gaining entrance and meeting with hers.
It felt so good to have her against him once more. He couldn't ignore the rapid song of her heart. He had seen no fear in her eyes; it was beating erratically only for him. With every drugging kiss he took from her, he could feel himself believing in her heart again. He pulled slightly back from her and opened his eyes. Her eyes were still closed, her parted lips swollen from his attentions. He pulled his hand from between their bodies and held her face in both hands. She leaned her cheek into one of them softly laying a kiss on his palm. He leaned back in to press a kiss to her forehead, and then on the tip of her nose and across her cheeks. He gently kissed her closed eyes while she sighed in satisfaction. She lazily opened her eyes and blinked as she looked up at him.
Ulquiorra. She whispered softly. I still lo….. Her words were cut off by an explosion in the wall across the room. Ulquiorra dropped his hands from her and took a step towards the new hole in the wall. Ichigo stepped from the dusty haze, his eyes locking onto the pair.
He heard her whisper the shinigami's name in that breathless voice she had just used with him. Pain and shame rolled through him till he felt he might double over from the intensity. He didn't understand why he kept putting himself in this situation. He didn't understand emotions enough to be able to tell if the girl's were sincere or not. All he had to rely on were his eyes and his rationality. And they saw her body language towards the boy. She was different when the boy was around. She became weak and girlish as opposed to the strong defiant woman she was when it was only him she was with. Which one was the real Orihime? His self esteem in this area was severely lacking so his mind automatically assumed the person she was with him was the fake. Fury roared through his mind at his inability to be the person the girl wanted to be with. But his sword soothed the savage thoughts and instructed him on his path.
Get away from Inoue. The shinigami bit out at him.
Such was my intention. He glanced at her and she was shocked at the change in his eyes. They were no longer the swirling green depths she had just seen, but hardened into brilliant emeralds. He turned from her, facing the shinigami.
My duty is to protect Las Noches until Aizen-sama's return. I have received no order to kill the girl. She will be allowed to live until such an order is given. You, however….are a different story. Killing you is synonymous with protecting Los Noches. You will die by my sword. Orihime and Ichigo just stared as his hand came out of his pocket, went to his hilt and he drew out his sword. It was beautiful, its hilt a finely woven green, the guard twisted to resemble an eye, and the blade shown bright and deadly.
Now that's unexpected. I didn't think that you would draw your sword right away. I figured I would have to force you to draw it. Does this mean you've finally acknowledged me as an equal?
At the very least, I have decided you are an entity that must be destroyed.
Ichigo studied the Espada in front of him. Something was different about the Arrancar from the last time they had fought. It was as if he looked even more miserable than his normal melancholy dismissed the thought as he smiled at the Espada.
Fair enough. Without wasting anymore time, Ichigo launched himself at Ulquiorra, who met him half way their swords ringing and echoing in the throne room. Black energy met green and the spiritual pressure that was thrown off forced Orihime to throw up her shield. Ichigo was swinging hard but Ulquiorra easily fended off the strikes. He took advantage of every opening the shinigami gave him, and it was his sword that drew the first blood. As the fight paused for a moment and the two looked at each other, Ulquiorra insolently held his sword out to the side so that Ichigo's blood dripped to the tile floor. Ichigo narrowed his eyes, hate flooding them. This man that stared at him so disdainfully was the cause of all of Orihime's pain. When he walked in it had been obvious that the Espada had been tormenting the poor girl. Her face had been flushed, her breathing heavy, and her eyes cast downward. Whatever the Espada had done to her, Ichigo felt sure her tears had been about to fall. He wanted to hurt him for every tear she must have shed in Hueco Mundo.
He sped toward Ulquiorra only to have his attack blocked again and again. He barely avoided the sudden kick the Espada aimed at his head and tried to strike out. But Ulquiorra was fast; he effortlessly jumped into a flip over Ichigo's head and then drove back down. Ichigo tried to send off his Getsuga Tensho, but this time, Ulquiorra's sword cut right through it, and the Espada disappeared in mid air only to appear behind Ichigo, lashing out, barely being blocked in time.
The boy was off balance. He had barely expended any energy and yet he had already cut the shinigami. He had been mildly concerned when that blast of energy had come flying at him, but he was so much more powerful with his sword unsheathed. He could have kept defending easily and waited for the boy to tire out more. But his sword called out to him to be used, to show his skill in front of the girl. To show her what a poor choice she had made in picking the shinigami over him. He began to strike quickly, driving the boy back. The shinigami was barely able to deflect each thrust and with the last one, the boy was barely quick enough to avoid being stabbed in the throat, the sword catching only his robes instead. His eyes absorbed every movement the boy made and his analytical mind showed him the openings and attacks he should make. He coldly brought his left hand up to the hilt of his sword and fired off his green cero. He was genuinely surprised when the dust cleared and the shinigami was struggling to stay on his feet, but alive.
Oh, you survived my cero without having to pull out that mask? You've gotten stronger. Is it because you defeated Grimmjow? Or is it because of your comrades who continue to fight at the base of this tower?He looked away from the shinigami, unsure if he should voice his next thought. Or, perhaps, is it because of the girl? He didn't like how his voice seemed to break from its usual monotone when he asked that particular question so he hurried to cover it up. That woman is one of us now. That will never change, even if you do rescue her.
Neither Orihime nor Ichigo had missed the change in Ulquiorra's voice when he asked about her. Orihime was horrified at her inability to stop the fight between the two men but just as before, she still had no clue how to do it. She was certain that Ulquiorra was only using Aizen's directive as an excuse to openly attack Ichigo. She thought about approaching him, trying to reason with him but she was held back by her fear of Ichigo realizing her relationship with the Espada. No matter what she did, she felt like she would be betraying one of them. Ichigo had no idea why the Arrancar had seemed so intent on his question. All he could think of was what Grimmjow had told him about Orihime being harmed emotionally. There was so much he didn't know about what had happened to her. But he knew it was this Espada's fault and he had to make sure he never got his claws back in Orihime again.
Ulquiorra's perceptive gaze observed that both humans started at his question and he realized he might have erred in allowing them to know his interest in the answer. But perhaps he should tell the shinigami of his claim on the woman. But how to word it eluded him. What was she to him?
Saving her is meaningless…
That is NOT something for you to decide. The shinigami interrupted him, each word seething with hatred.
No….it is something for Aizen-sama to decide. He was glad when the shinigami began to attack him again. Usually he was quiet, but whenever the woman was involved he always seemed to talk more than was necessary or prudent. He had bottled up his frustration, and anger, and pain for so long now. And he hadn't been allowed to harm his fellow Arrancar so finally he had the freedom to let all that pent up rage out. It felt so good to utilize his strength and his speed with the single minded goal of killing his opponent. He began to move quicker, his jabs so fast it seemed like he had more than one blade. He was able to maintain his stony façade, but inside he felt like howling with glee.
Ichigo began to feel overwhelmed. He couldn't see an opening in the Espada's attack. But there was something off about the pale man. He had been so reserved before, almost detached. But this time it felt as if the Arrancar was putting feeling into his attacks. And even though that added power to his swings, in the end Ichigo had been more afraid of the cold emotionless being he had fought the last time and lost to. It's ok. I can see it. I can respond. Just because he drew his sword, doesn't mean his fighting style has changed. His reach has just gotten a little longer. Watch carefully. Focus. Ichigo began to see the pattern in the Espada's movements. He found himself dodging the attacks better until he was able to actually reach out and grab Ulquiorra's arm as his sword sliced by him.
Ulquiorra felt the vise like grip of the shinigami on his forearm. Time seemed to slow as he glanced toward his arm in shock and then back to the shinigami just as he swung his blade for Ulquiorra's chest. It felt so strange to feel the sting of the sword as it cut through the hierro on his chest. He skidded backward from the force, his body instinctually bent over to protect himself. It didn't really hurt, that small slice that was now oozing blood. But it had been so long since he had felt physical pain, since he had seen his own blood spilled. He looked up at the boy, stunned, his fingers held in front of him, his blood coating the tips of them.
I barely cut you. That hierro shit really is tough. But it seems that I am able to read your movements much better than before.
What? Ulquiorra hissed at him still not over the fact that the red on his fingers was his own blood.
When I fought you before, I couldn't read your movements at all. Attacks, defense, reactions, speed, direction….I couldn't read anything from anywhere. I felt like I was a statue fighting a machine. Maybe my gaining the ability to read them means that I've become more like a hollow, or maybe….that you've become more like a human.
Ulquiorra was furious. He brought his sword down with a loud crack against the tile floor causing a great fissure in it as chunks of it were forced out by the pressure from that one small movement. He knew the shinigami was right. That damn woman had finally broken him. He couldn't get her out of his mind long enough to kill this cursed boy. He was fighting for all the wrong reasons. All for emotional reasons. He didn't care about Aizen's mandate to him. He couldn't even be bothered to be curious as to how the mission in the world of the living was proceeding. It was pathetic that he had even allowed the boy to cut him. He should have been able to eliminate him even at this most basic level of his. To expend more effort was almost shameful, but he was beyond shame, his fury blinding him.
I've become more like you humans? I see. It seems that being able to keep up with this meager level feels rather good to you. He sneered at the boy and then disappeared, reappearing in front of Ichigo before the shinigami could even blink, his sword raised to strike. Ichigo barely moved out of the way in time, but Ulquiorra was quickly beside him again poised to strike. As Ichigo moved to defend himself, his thrust hit empty air as Ulquiorra again used sonido to appear behind the boy. He was putting a little more effort into his speed and now the boy's unguarded back lay before him. He swung his sword with deadly intent. But instead of soft flesh giving way before him, he hit an orange shield. Though the barrier shattered with ease, it was enough to stop his momentum and the impact rang back through his sword causing pain in his wrist. He jumped back and turned his head to gaze at the woman who stood with her arms outstretched before her. Again the woman chooses the shinigami over me! I'm stronger, faster, BETTER than him! Why can't she see that? Why won't she feel for me as she does for him?
Orihime had been around Ulquiorra long enough to know that Ichigo's comment would have struck a nerve with him. His curiosity and his hatred of human emotions had long been a source of discord within him. She knew he saw them as weakness, rather than seeing the strength a bond between two people could create. Her eyes were glued to him, her worry for his sanity foremost in her mind. And that's why she was able to see his movements better than Ichigo could. Her heart leapt as she watched, horrified, as Ulquiorra swung towards Ichigo's unprotected back. Her will alone gave her fairies the speed to create a protection barrier before the Espada could finish the shinigami off. When he turned to glare at her intrusion, she was proud that her hands didn't shake. She hated the look of betrayal on his face, but she was angry as well. She felt as if he was betraying her too. She knew, she KNEW, that he cared about her. And yet, he couldn't see past his idiotic allegiance to that fiend Aizen. He wouldn't stop trying to kill her friends for her. He wasn't giving up anything for her. The strong stoic Espada was too wrapped up in his fear of emotions to stop and see that he could have her, if he would just stop. She glared right back at him.
Her angry stare surprised him. Usually when her precious shinigami was present she wilted, becoming a simpering weakling. His battle was forgotten in his desire to understand her anger…her actions…..her.
What are you doing?
She didn't answer him. She really didn't have any answers for him. What she wanted was answers from him.
I'm asking you why you helped him.
Why? Because I… She struggled to find the next words as she stared into his eyes. As usual they had a hypnotic ability on her, reason fled in the face of that emerald gaze.
Because he's your nakama? In that case, why didn't you protect him from the first attack? Was there something that made you hesitate?
Orihime had expected him to ask why she interfered, but she hadn't expected him to question her timing. He was right. She could have interfered in the beginning. She could have tried to protect Ichigo. She could have even tried to reason with Ulquiorra. But the truth was, she no longer knew where her loyalties lay. They weren't with Aizen that was for sure. But she still felt deeply for her pale Arrancar. Even throughout his atrocities, she wanted him. But she loved Ichigo too. Maybe not in the same way she thought she had before coming to Hueco Mundo. But he was one of her best friends. He was noble and kind hearted. He didn't deserve to die, especially not here, not because of her. As she tried to stutter out an answer, Ulquiorra began to move closer to her.
He knew the answer. He knew she loved the boy; that she was choosing him as the man to give herself to. But he wanted to make her say it. He needed to hear her admit out loud that she had played him for a fool. He walked closer to her his eyes devouring her.
You're not sure? Don't you understand? Fine. I'll enlighten you. You're….
Shut the fuck up already. You just keep going on and on with your pointless chatter about her hesitating or her motives or whatever. But who gives a shit? Thanks for the assist Inoue, but it's about to get dangerous so please stay back from now on.
Both Orihime and Ulquiorra had forgotten about the shinigami standing behind them. Orihime looked up surprised as she heard Ichigo berate the Espada. She turned and ran from the men, heading towards the back wall. She hated that she kept hurting Ulquiorra but she couldn't stand to see Ichigo die again.
Ulquiorra was beyond furious that the man had gotten between him and his answers. He turned to glare at the boy as he continued to speak.
Ulquiorra, you're being surprisingly chatty. Here I thought that you were more of the quiet type. Again questions as to why the Espada was so interested in Orihime rose in his mind, but he was satisfied that he had refocused Ulquiorra on him. Ichigo drew the spiritual power of his sword out, as if he was going to release its signature blast.
Ulquiorra's frown deepened as the man continued to ridicule him. Other's insults had never bothered him. He had always known he was better than everyone around him. Until Orihime had picked that boy over him. It was true that he didn't know what he was doing with her. He had no experience in these matters, and the boy pointing out his new flaws was killing his self esteem. He may be at a loss when it came to emotions and relationships, but he was still an Espada. He could make the boy pay for insulting him. He forced himself to relax his defensive posture and bring up his usual frosty demeanor.
Getsuga again? Haven't you realized that wont work against me? But Ichigo never released the blast of spiritual energy. Instead he ran at Ulquiorra, swinging his sword down, keeping the powerful energy attached to his sword. The pressure his hit exerted on Ulquiorra's sword was intense, but he managed to push him away. As Ichigo geared up to strike again, Ulquiorra realized what he was doing. Hmm, he's keeping the attack's spiritual power wrapped around his sword without releasing it. He's creating a sword strike with the same power as the wave attack. How naïve. As Ichigo swung the powerful sword at him, he was easily able to counter it. Ichigo looked at him surprised.
Please. I know that you are proud of yourself for using what little brains you possess, but have you forgotten? You couldn't defeat me with your Getsuga Tensho even when you had your mask on. Without your mask, this attack is useless against me no matter how you use it.
Orihime continued to watch the two fight. She watched as Ichigo's attacks were rendered useless and Ulquiorra went on the offensive. She was so intent on the battle that she didn't notice the danger behind her. Suddenly she was yanked backwards, her scream muffled by the hand now covering her mouth. She looked up to see the single purple eye of Loly.
Gotcha! Do you remember me? Probably not. There's no reason for a monster like you to remember a normal girl like me, right? But the time where you can just sit around at the top like this is over. You're "no longer of any use". Isn't that how Aizen-sama worded it? Do you get it? This means that now, now matter what I do to you, he won't care. Loly and her sister began to push Orihime between the two of them, tearing at her clothes. As Orihime struggled, both men took notice from across the room. Ichigo glanced at Ulquiorra.
Who the hell are they? But he didn't wait for an answer as he began to move to help Orihime, his sword already lighting up with his Getsuga Tensho. Loly caught sight of the shinigami heading their way so she grabbed Orihime in front of her and brought her fingers up around the human's eye.
Stay back! Come any closer and I'll gouge her eye out! But Ichigo was blinded by his rage at seeing Orihime captive again and kept coming for them.
Ulquiorra realized the boy wasn't paying attention to where his attack would land should he unleash it at the Arrancar girls. Orihime would be caught in the destructive wake of the Getsuga Tensho. Her frail human body would be reduced to ash if that happened. As he processed this information, his body acted as if it had a will of its own. As soon as he thought about her dying, his body was in motion, moving faster than he thought he could. He appeared in front of the boy deflecting the attack just moments before the deadly blow was unleashed.
Ulquiorra? Loly had been panicked as she watched the shinigami bear down on her and her sister. She couldn't understand why the boy didn't back off when she threatened this girl. Hadn't he come here just to save her? She watched in awe as Ulquiorra intervened. She felt the happiest she had ever felt. Everyone was forsaking the girl in her arms, the girl she thought had everything. But her smile faltered at the words Ulquiorra said to her next.
Don't get the wrong idea. My intention wasn't to save the two of you. He bit out from clenched teeth. The shinigami continued to attack him, mere feet away from the girl. He kept pushing him back, but the boy was fighting hard. Loly began her assault on Orihime again and he could hear her cries from behind him. Orihime's pitiful whimpers drove the boy to fight even harder to get past Ulquiorra. Ichigo fired a Getsuga Tensho at him, but Ulquiorra was able to begin to deflect it away from the woman behind him. The boy used the opportunity to sprint past him his expression crazed. As Ulquiorra continued to control the blast's attack with his sword, he pointed his other hand at the shinigami as he ran by, sending a cero at him to block his way.
Get out of the fucking way! The shinigami screamed at him as he recovered quickly and began fighting to get to Orihime. Her cries and the evil laughter of the Arrancar girl were driving him into a frenzy. The sounds echoed over and over in his mind until he lost all rationality.
Make me, boy. He felt strangely empowered in that moment. He was protecting the woman from the shinigami. He was the one who cared for…who loved?…her the most.
If you'd like to fight another enemy other than myself, do so after you have killed me.
Shut up and move! The boy roared, his focus single-minded.
Ulquiorra was worried for the girl too, but he had to prevent Ichigo from getting near her in this state. The shinigami's attacks were ineffective but he was still too close to the woman. He couldn't push the shinigami back when he was swinging wildly like this. Any offensive movement might accidentally give the boy access to the girls behind him, inadvertently getting Orihime killed. He didn't know what to do, which action would be the best choice. Logically, he knew he should be concentrating on killing the enemy, but Orihime's cries bothered him. His emotions for the girl battled against his cold unfeeling logic. Just as he thought he might have to abandon his fight to go get the girl, leaving himself open to attack, the whole tower room began to shake. Everyone in the room froze, looking wildly around for the source of this potentially new danger.
The wall behind the girls was suddenly blown to pieces and a giant man entered through the hole he had created.
Hey Ulquiorra! I came to give you a hand! The behemoth grinned widely at Ulquiorra.
And when did I tell you to interfere, Yami?
C'mon, that shinigami kid looks pretty strong. Let me have a whack at him.
Ichigo's gaze flitted from one Arrancar to the next as the two men talked casually. There were now four enemies in between him and Orihime.
I see you have recovered. But your job is not here. Go back to sleep or clean up the members of the captain's class down below.
What the hell Ulquiorra? Don't be so stingy. The large Arrancar whined.
Your selfishness increases when you get like that. That's your flaw Yami. Everyone looked on confused as the two male Arrancars continued to have a friendly chat in the middle of a battle.
Yami suddenly noticed the group of girls standing in front of him, gaping up at him. He really hated when people stared so he reached out and backhanded Menoly across the room her head exploding on contact with the wall. Yami began laughing.
Yo Ulquiorra! What are these bitches doing in here?
Ulquiorra sighed as he turned back towards Ichigo. Ask them.
Hmm, makes sense. He squatted down to peer at Loly. Hey, you guys are just small little worms. What the hell are you doing here? The girl just stared at him. You're just a couple of pest, so die! He reached out his massive hand and grabbed the female, crushing her in his hand before flinging her to the side. Orihime sprinted to the side of the prone girl, beginning to heal her. Loly sought to comprehend the human girl's actions and the kind understanding look on her face. The lumbering Arrancar tried to grab Loly again but a familiar shield blocked his path.
Hearing her cry out Ichigo tried again to get to Orihime, but Ulquiorra blocked him.
How irritating. I thought I said, "after you kill me". He was keeping an eye on the situation behind him, but he believed in the girl's abilities more than the shinigami did. Besides, his desire to slaughter the boy in front of him was still raging inside him. He would only interfere with the girl under the direst circumstances. She had proven to be resilient so he would wait until she truly needed him before he assisted her. Somewhere inside of him, he wondered at this conflict of interest. What was his true intention? Save the girl? Kill her for betraying him? Lose her anyway by killing her friend? Ulquiorra convinced himself he was rationally making decisions, but a little voice nagged at him that he was deceiving himself. His logic was always flawed when the girl was involved.
Irritated, Yami looked down and spotted the auburn haired girl who had used this on him before. He refocused his malicious intent on her. As he brought his hand down he paused when he felt a brief flash of pain across his palm. He looked down confused at his hand to see blood running from a shallow cut, and then back to Loly to see her standing over Orihime holding a small knife. She glanced back at Orihime.
I owed you one. You are so pissing me off. She squared off against the massive Espada.
Haha. What the fuck? Where the hell were you hiding a weapon in that outfit? You're a nasty girl! Loly screamed in rage at his insult and released her true form which transformed her arms into centipede like extensions.
Loly's extensions were poisonous, but she just couldn't match Yami's strength. He smashed her small body into the ground with one giant fist before grabbing her and beginning to crush her. Orihime heard the bones snapping in Loly's body and screamed at him. Loly turned to her, her expression full of pain and blood leaking from her mouth.
God I fucking hate you. How could I not? She spoke haltingly to the girl before flashing her a small smile.
Yami laughed at Loly's pitiful attempts to fight back before slamming her through the nearest wall. As he held her out over the long drop to the desert below, he realized that she had stopped struggling.
What the hell? She died? How boring. He dropped her lifeless body into the void and turned to see Orihime standing there. Hey Ulquiorra. It's ok to kill this girl right?
Ulquiorra turned at the same time as the shinigami yelled out as they watched Yami advance on Orihime. His eyes widened and he tensed to sonido to her side. But he paused, as did the shinigami, when a man appeared in the hole behind Yami. The newcomer proceeded to shoot an arrow at the giant. The arrow pierced Yami's back bringing him to the ground. Ichigo called out a greeting to Uryuu before the Quincy lured Yami to the floor below to battle him. Ulquiorra watched their exchange, his eyes still wide. If the stakes weren't so high, this battle would be almost comical with all the constant interruptions. But Ulquiorra didn't feel amused. He was annoyed that things kept preventing him from disposing of the shinigami he hated so much. He was a patient man usually but he was glad when the boy turned back to him readying himself to restart the fight. But the boy was too weak and Ulquiorra sent him to the ground with a quick kick to the midsection.
Is it her fault? Everything is her fault. Is her presence preventing you from putting on your mask? In that case… He glanced at Orihime, intending to bring out the truth of what the girl had been doing with him, a hollow. But Ichigo misread the look as a threat and stepped in front of Ulquiorra.
Fine. Then bring out your mask.
An explosion below them interrupted the fight yet again and the Quincy reappeared beside Orihime. A detonation of a reiatsu mine had sent the tenth Espada falling through the floors below them. Ulquiorra sighed as the two boys began to argue before Ichigo asked Uryou to protect Orihime from his spiritual pressure. Ulquiorra's patience was badly frayed and seeing the dark haired boy walk over and embrace the girl nearly caused him to lose it. Murcielago screamed at the Espada to release him and destroy everything but Ichigo's voice cut through distracting him.
Sorry to keep you waiting Ulquiorra. Here we go. This is the hollowification you wanted to see. Ichigo brought his hand up to his face and allowed his hollow side to show itself.
Ulquiorra had thought he was prepared for the mask to come into play. But his eyes still widened a bit in surprise at the hollowed shinigami in front of him. That hesitation nearly cost him as the boy attacked him with a speed and ferocity he hadn't had moments ago. The attack was actually strong enough to begin to crack his sword. Another swipe of the boy's sword blasted out one of the tower walls. He needed to get the boy away from Orihime before he accidentally hurt her. He jumped out of the hole the shinigami had created in the wall. As he fell towards the desert below, he sent his cero blasting toward the boy who had followed him outside. His eyes widened and then narrowed as the boy appeared unscathed from the attack. He was too distracted, too on edge. He needed to get this fight over with and there was one sure way to do it. He changed his trajectory and shot upwards, speeding by the surprised shinigami. Higher and higher he rose and as he reached the sunny sky of Los Noches, he sliced through the blue expanse clearing his way to the darkened eternal night of Hueco Mundo. He settled on a tall pillar to wait for the boy to follow him, basking in the comforting moonlight, the only sound the whistling of the wind.
Ichigo followed the Espada through the hole in the sky and looked around in confusion.
Is this…is this the top of Los Noches' roof?
That's right. He looked toward the voice of Ulquiorra coming from high atop the pillar in front of him.
There are two things we are prohibited from doing within Los Noches. The first is the cero reserved for the Espada, the Gran Rey Cero. And the other is for Espada ranked cuatro and above to release, because both are so powerful they could destroy Las Noches itself. He really was talking too much. Before the girl came he rarely spoke to anyone; now for some reason he found himself explaining things to these humans as if actually cared for them to understand. Sighing, he brought his sword out in front of him as he watched the shinigami's eyes grow wide.
Enclose, Murcielago. The spiritual pressure he let off as he released his sword was immense. It fell like green rain that smothered everything in the vicinity. The feeling of pleasure that rippled through his body was surpassed only by the pleasure the woman had given to him. He felt the delicious sting in his shoulder blades as his wings pierced their way through the skin of his back, unfurling and stretching out to the sides. His head suddenly felt light and balanced as his half helmet was changed into a shorter helmet that covered the top of his entire head. He felt the wind create by his reiatsu release flow through his longer hair. It felt nice to feel something on the left side of his head besides the half bone helmet he had worn for so long. He flexed his fingers and cracked his neck as he fully came back to himself. The release of one's sword was always a heady feeling. The sheer power rolling through his body was like a drug, burning his senses into a hyperaware state. And as he allowed Murcielago access to his body, he felt the mind numbing emptiness take an ever deeper hold and the woman was nearly forgotten. He recoiled his reiatsu and revealed himself to the shinigami staring up at him in awe. And awed he should be.
Do not lose your composure. He warned the boy. Do not drop your guard. Stay fully alert. Do not get distracted for a single moment.
Ichigo stared at Ulquiorra in his released state. His general appearance hadn't changed much other than the addition of a large pair of bat like wings, the rest was cosmetic. His helmet was shorter and covered both sides of his head and his tear marks had grown thicker and turned black. But something about him chilled Ichigo to the bone. He watched as Ulquiorra flexed his hand, a lance of green energy manifesting itself. He was still watching the spear form, when Ulquiorra appeared in front of him slashing downward across his face. His brain was slow to process what had just happened. He could have sworn the weapon wasn't even fully formed before Ulquiorra had materialized hundreds of feet below his initial position. That kind of speed wasn't even possible for Ichigo to comprehend. Then came the pain. Confused as to why his face burned as if on fire he brought his hand up over the painful spot. His mask was missing from over his right eye and when he took his hand away from his face he watched as blood, appearing black in the night's darkness, covered his fingers and dripped loudly on the ground below. As he sank to his knees he realized he had brought his sword up in front of him in a defensive posture. He didn't remember ever moving his hand. I don't understand. What just happened? I didn't even see him move.
You released your Getsuga on instinct. A wise decision. If you hadn't done that your head would rolling by my feet right now. This power of this hollowification or whatever it is has grown considerably. And the amount of time that you can wear that mask has also increased. But to think that it breaks this easily, it's such a pity. He brought his arm back and threw his lance at him.
Concentrate. Don't get discouraged. Look carefully. There, I can see it! Ichigo watched as the weapon came for him. Although the lance sped through the air faster than he had ever seen a weapon be thrown, he was able to move his head slightly to the right and the weapon sailed past him harmlessly. But as he turned back to look at Ulquiorra, he felt the pain in his right shoulder as another lance pierced him. He hadn't even seen realized the Arrancar had thrown another one. The power behind the weapon threw him backward. In an effort to slow his momentum he thrust his sword into the ground. The steel make a screeching noise as it carved through the concrete. He reformed his mask as he watched Ulquiorra come after him, gliding through the air on his wings.
Ulquiorra pursued the boy, bringing his lance down and continuing to push the boy back. He peered into the eyes of the shinigami, they had become black with yellow irises during his hollowification. They were….interesting.
Kurosaki Ichigo. Hit me with your Getsuga. Your ultimate form has allowed you to fight on par with the Espada. And Getsuga is your ultimate technique. So hit me with it now, and I will show you the difference in our power.
Ichigo didn't understand what the hell was wrong with the Espada, well with the Arrancar in general. The green eyes staring at him creeped him out. They were so cold, the slitted pupils seeming to dissect him. And then the taunting words. All of the Espada were so egotistical and it really pissed him off. He pushed the Espada away.
Hit you with my Getsuga? Are you fucking kidding? I don't need you to tell me to use my attacks. I was going to hit you with it anyways. He brought the energy out in his sword, before firing it at the Espada. He didn't think it would kill him, but he was dismayed when Ulquiorra immerged from the energy strike completely unscathed.
It's just as I thought. I guess, in the end, this is the level of a human. Your black Getsuga closely resembles our cero.
A cero? Don't fucking lump it in with that shit.
I see. So you haven't seen it yet? Let me show it to you before you die. I will show you that which the Espada unleash in their released state…..the black cero. He flicked one black fingernail towards the boy, releasing his cero oscuras. He watched coldly as the boys mask was broken apart and his body beaten. When the boy began to fall towards the ground he caught up to him to see the extent of the damage. The boy was surprisingly still conscious; his eyes still yellow and black. This fact irritated Ulquiorra. He brought one wing forward and casually flicked it at Ichigo sending the boy flying into the nearby pillars. He watched the boy struggle to rise from the debris and the scene reminded him of the first time he had killed the boy. He had been so pleased with his plan then. So sure he could have the girl for himself. He was no longer so naively hopeful. He was the harbinger of death. He would give the girl and her friends his greatest gift. They would be made to understand.
Now do you understand? No matter how similar your appearance and techniques are to an Arrancar's, our powers are as far apart as heaven and earth. It is reasonable for a shinigami or human to imitate a hollow to gain power. However, because they are merely imitations, humans will never be equal to hollows. He walked over to where the shinigami was struggling to his feet. He could have reached out and ended the boy's struggles right then, but he was curious as to what the human was attempting to do. He watched the boy's eyes return to their human coloration just before the boy attempted to release another Getsuga. Fury clouded his rational thoughts as the boy thought to fight back. Had he not taken the time to show the human the logical conclusion to this event?
I told you its futile! He yelled at the boy before slashing his weapon across the boy's chest. But the boy refused to let go of his sword. Seeing the human's hand still clasped tightly to his weapon made Ulquiorra determined to force him to drop it. He hit the boy again and again, finally grabbing the remains of his coat and dragging him through pillar after the pillar. His initial rage finally abated, Ulquiorra paused to ascertain the boy's condition. He lifted him high off the ground pleased at the way the boy's head slumped forward his eyes dull. He sighed however when he realized the boy still gripped his sword tightly.
Why won't you drop your sword? You have witnessed the vast difference in our powers. Yet you still think you have any of hope of defeating me.
Guttural noises came from the boy's throat as he struggled to speak. But he finally found his voice, although he spoke haltingly, his words shocked Ulquiorra with their strength.
Difference….in power….? So what? Do you think that I will give up if you are stronger than me? Ulquiorra's eyes widened as the boy gave a small smile down at him. I knew that you were strong, right from the start. At this point, no matter how much I see your strength, it won't change anything. I'm going to beat you Ulquiorra.
The initial novelty of the boy's words wore off quickly and Ulquiorra tossed him to the ground even more determined to undermine the boy's courage. Those who are not strong enough must submit. There are things you cannot fight against. He had thus far failed to break the girl. He would not fail with the boy.
What nonsense. Kurosaki Ichigo, your words are those of a man ignorant of true despair. Allow me to educate you. This is the form of true despair. He released even more of his spiritual power, feeling his features shift. He felt the wind blow across his bare chest. Giving Murcielago further control of his body eroded his soul further and increased the emptiness he felt inside. His hollow hole mirrored that and grew larger, beginning to ooze with dark concentrated reiatsu. It burned a trail down his stomach evaporating into the air before reaching his waist. Although the night air was cold against his bared torso, his legs and arms were warm, covered in thick black fur. He felt his fingernails elongate and sharpen into claws, his toes becoming talons. His long slender tail flicked wildly behind him in his excitement. His acute senses were now heightened even further by his bat like ears. He concentrated on the frantic beating coming from the boy's heart. The heart…remember…
Behold Kurosaki Ichigo; this is the form of true despair…Resurrecion Sequnda Etapa. Among the Espada, only I have been able to achieve this second level of release. I have not even shown this form to Aizen-sama. After witnessing this form, do you still have the will to fight? He watched as the boy struggled to his feet, bringing his sword in front of him. He saw the barely perceptible shake of the sword cause by Ichigo's fear. He is not confused. He still feels the fear. But his eyes show that he isn't resigned to death yet either. Does he still believe he can win?
Very well. In that case I will make you understand even if I have to grind your body to dust.
The eyes that looked at him could have been the devil's own. The demonic form Ulquiorra had taken on looked like something from a horror movie. Ichigo fought to control his fear. He just had to remember that he had known Ulquiorra would be unlike anything he had faced. Nothing about that had changed. He only had a moment more to study the creature before him before he felt claws ripping into his skull, gripping down tight on his head to drag him forward off the edge of the pillar. Then he was being thrown into the wall of the next pillar. He rose again, managing to swing his sword as Ulquiorra made another flying pass at him. But his eyes were so focused on where Ulquiorra was that he missed the tail whipping towards him. With a crack, Ulquiorra flicked the boy off the pillar. As he fell he struggled to bring his mask back.
You are a fool Kurosaki Ichigo. Ulquiorra called out to the boy before appearing beside him and driving his fist into the boy's chest. You hope to fight and defeat an opponent whose strength is so great it terrifies you. That is beyond my comprehension. As he neared Ichigo again, the boy brought his sword up in defense, but Ulquiorra just smashed it backwards into his face shattering the mask once again. But not understanding what was driving the boy bothered Ulquiorra. It reminded him so much of the woman. He had hurt her. Taken her from her loved ones. Manipulated her. Tried to kill her. And yet, during their last moments, he had been sure she was about to again tell him that she loved him. His mind kept telling him that it must be a manipulation devised to outwit him in some way. But he failed to see where it had benefited her in anyway. The heart only seemed to encourage pain. The girl had claimed that Ulquiorra had felt love for her. He could not say for sure, but he did know that he felt something for that girl. And those feelings had ended up nearly ruining him. The same here with the boy. If he would just give up, think things through logically, his pain could end. He would no longer have to uselessly worry for his nakama fighting for their lives below. He could find peace. And yet he continued to invite Ulquiorra's wrath. He allowed the boy to rest momentarily in order to question him. If he could understand the boy, then perhaps he might be able to understand what was happening between him and the girl.
If it is due to what you humans call the heart, then it is because of that heart you suffer. And it is because of that heart that you will die. But Ichigo's response just confused him further.
I'm not fighting you because I think I can win….I'm fighting because I have to win.
Nonsense. He flew again at the boy, swerving up above him and Ichigo struck out with his sword. As the boy watched him soar above, he failed again to notice Ulquiorra's tail. Ulquiorra flicked his tail out wrapping it tightly around Ichigo's neck before flying even higher, letting him dangle in the air as he choked. He set them down on the only pillar that hadn't been destroyed. His thin tail was so strong he could use it to hold Ichigo up in the air leaving his hands free to make the killing strike. He looked closely at the boy, still trying to comprehend him. He has to win? For what purpose…the trash below….the girl...pride. Dammit. I do not understand! .
Suddenly he felt a wave of reiatsu caress against his mind. It seemed to lull him, calming the frenzied pace of this thoughts. He sniffed once and caught the scent of sun warmed wildflowers. It seemed as though no matter how far he sank into the empty void to try and lose himself, she could find him, tempt him. He would never be free of the spell she had cast on him. The feelings weren't the only thing she had taught him; he also had never lost before. And he was quickly learning that he was a very sore loser. He looked down over the edge before speaking softly to her.
So you came, onna.
She had run to the hole in the wall after the men had gone through it. She got there in time to see Ulquiorra rush past her on his way to the roof of the dome with Ichigo following quickly behind. She wasn't afraid of Ichigo putting on his mask anymore, she was afraid that even though he seemed to be able to push Ulquiorra back with it on, that it wouldn't be enough. Ulquiorra hadn't even entered his released state. She stared up at the sky not even noticing as Uryuu came to stand next to her.
Uryuu studied Orihime as she kept her eyes on the heavens. He had spent a lot of time doing that in class. Almost as much time as Orihime had spent secretly studying Ichigo. She was one of his best friends. But he had dreamed of so much more with her. Something was different about her. She was a little too calm. She usually cried in situations like these but her eyes held no tears, just a coldness that had never been there before.
Uryuu tried to comfort her. But she could only offer him a small sad smile. He probably thought she was worried about Ichigo. And she was. But no matter who won today, she would be losing someone she cared about. She wished she could confide in Uryuu, but she didn't think she was strong enough to confess her betrayal and see another person she cared about turn away from her. She lifted her eyes back to the sky, trying to understand the battle through the spiritual pressures given off. A sudden spike in pressure knocked her off balance causing her to nearly fall out of the tower. She grabbed for edge and held on till the overwhelming pressure let up. Her eyes hard she turned to face Uryuu and ask him to take her to the top of the tower where the fighting was taking place. He really didn't want to, but he had never been able to say no to her. Using a platform made from spiritual particles he began to take her towards the hole in the sky.
She had to stop them. She knew that, over all, this was all Aizen's fault. But Ulquiorra would not have been so intent on killing Ichigo if it wasn't for his imagined rivalry with the boy for her affections. An imagined rivalry that was her fault. Orihime had no wiles. She had no deceit inside of her. If you asked her what was on her mind, she would tell you. She wasn't tactless; in fact she didn't even need to rely on tact because her thoughts were never mean spirited. Therefore whatever was on her mind turned out to usually be either a silly daydream or something so surprisingly insightful most people chose to ignore it. She was too naïve to have realized how Ulquiorra might have felt seeing her care for another man. A man he had watched her confess her silly teenage feelings to. She couldn't lie to Ulquiorra and tell him Ichigo meant nothing to her. And yet he was so insecure in his newfound feelings that that was exactly what he seemed to need to hear. She had caused lovesick angst in a being filled with murderous capabilities. How stupid could she be? He didn't have a heart to break, so she could only imagine what had cracked instead. Most likely his sanity. But she was angry with him too. She didn't know how to deal with these feelings much more than he did. But when he hurt her and tried to make her jealous, she didn't go on a killing rampage. Yes, she knew he was an Arrancar, but it still hurt that he couldn't put that aside for her.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she was again beaten down by strong pressure in the air. But this was different. The sunny sky around her disappeared into inky blackness. She couldn't even see Uryuu beside her. But the darkness had weight. She felt as if she couldn't breathe, the blackness fouling her lungs every time she breathed in. As the pressure didn't abate, but only intensified, she felt as if she would never be happy again. Whatever caused this, and she knew it had to be Ulquiorra, was sucking out every bit of life there was. There was nothing but an empty void. Feeling as if it would never end, she felt herself on the precipice of despair. Just before she fell into it, she felt a warm hand embrace hers. She snapped out of her hopelessness when Uryuu grabbed her hand and held on to until the pressure began to fade. But the air was still hard to breathe and had a poisonous after taste. Something awful was happening up there. The feeling of panic grew stronger the closer the got to the hole in the sky. As they came through it Orihime didn't even wait for Uryuu but began running towards the source of dark reiatsu. She reached a wall and looked around frantically before looking up to the top of a tall pillar.
The scene was straight from a nightmare. Ulquiorra had become a demonish fiend. He was holding Ichigo at his mercy, as the reverse crescent moon loomed brightly over the scene. Somehow she heard Ulquiorra begin to speak to her even though his tone was soft and he stood high above her.
She was so beautiful, her fiery hair whipping in the wind as she looked at him with wide grey eyes. He wanted to believe she had come for him, but he knew that couldn't be true, and her next word confirmed it.
Kurosaki-kun? He turned his head away from her so that she couldn't see the pained expression on his face as she again picked the shinigami. His voice sounded bitter even to him as he spoke to her.
Perfect timing. Pay close attention. The man to who you entrusted all your hope is about to die. He brought a single black claw up to the boy's chest lightly pressing it into the skin before releasing his black cero at point blank range. Her scream of anguish pierced through his cold soul and he felt himself crack even further open. The dead body of the boy still hung from his tail a huge hole allowing him to see through it to the other side. The fatal wound didn't bleed, the insides cauterized by the heat from his Gran Rey Cero. He tossed the dead body down to the woman.
Orihime's brain had shut down, her emotions fried. She acted completely on instinct catching Ichigo's body with her shield as she ran towards him to try and heal him. But she ran into Ulquiorra first. She recoiled from him, barely even seeing him as she fought to get by him. He grabbed her by her arms, having to concentrate on not slicing her with his claws as she struggled to get free.
It's no use. You won't be able to able to save him from his fate. He had killed his adversary and the girl was once again back in his arms. But he didn't know what to do with her. She beat against his chest as he struggled to figure out what to say to her. Her eyes didn't even see him. Her only acknowledgement of his presence was her scream for him to get away from her. No matter what he had done to her before, she had never reacted like this. She had always noticed him, been unable to resist listening to the words he spoke. He was beginning to feel uncomfortable. He hadn't really thought much this time beyond killing the boy. His anger ebbed and he began to feel the familiar ache of guilt in his chest. He wasn't sorry he killed the boy. He couldn't have cared less. But he began to regret his actions for the sheer fact the woman was seemed to be breaking apart in front of his eyes. He had often told himself that he would break her, but now that he was watching it happen he found the sight sickening. Should he…..could he even….kill the girl too to put her out of her misery?
Perhaps I wasn't clear. It's usel….. He paused midsentence to unfurl one of his wings to block an arrow that had been shot at him. His momentary distraction allowed the woman to twist free from his grasp and run past him. He turned to catch her when even more arrows began to rain down on him. It was easy to stop them, but they successfully prevented him from chasing after Orihime. He was actually relieved to have something to do besides watch her fall to pieces. That had been….uncomfortable for him.
She ran throwing her healing shield around the battered body of Ichigo. His body was torn to pieces. There were so many injuries. But she concentrated on the fatal one, the giant hole in his chest. But nothing happened. She didn't even feel the resistance from Ulquiorra's lingering reiatsu like the last time. There was simply nothing. A lone tear slid down her cheek as she gazed at boy. What do I do? She whispered to him. He had always taken charge of situations like these. While she had feared for his safety she had never actually considered what would happen if he died. She had been pained the last time, but for whatever reason, this time she had no hope. No hope for anything. Not a reunion upon death with her friends. No hope that she would somehow to be able to save anyone. There were so many regrets that flooded her mind. No one had ever expected her to do anything. And therefore now when she should, she had no clue where to start.
Suddenly Uryuu's body flew past her. As she looked up at him, she realized his left arm had been torn off. He tried to reassure her as he rushed back into the fight with Ulquiorra. He expected her to be able to heal Ichigo, and then Ichigo would rally and save the day. Like he always did. Like he would never do again. Her shield disappeared as she cried loudly, laying her head down on the mangled remains of his chest. She watched as the only man she had ever loved tore apart yet another one of her friends. All because of her. She sat up and screamed at the injustice of it. She screamed for Ichigo to help her. Then she dissolved into tears. Suddenly she sensed movement behind her. Turning, tensed to defend Ichigo's body, she witnessed him standing there. Or something that resembled him. His skin was as pale as Ulquiorra's and his mask covered his face. But it was altered and two horns jutted out from it. His orange hair had grown long, almost as long as hers. She just gaped at the man? in front of her.
Ulquiorra had paused in his destruction of the Quincy to check in on the girl. His eyes widened as he saw a Vasto Lorde standing over her who looked vaguely familiar. Even though it resembled Ichigo, the reiatsu that rolled off the being was fully hollow.
Impossible. You cannot be alive. What is that form? The being just stared at Orihime ignoring the Espada. Who are you? Suddenly the being seemed to notice him. He reached his hand out, the dropped sword of the shinigami being called to his hand. He swung the sword in an arc, the pressure destroying the ground around him. Orihime was sent flying, Uryuu springing to catch her.
Can you not hear me? I want to know who you are. The creature roared at Ulquiorra in fury.
It would seem that words are lost on you. He raised his hand to fire his black cero. But the being charged his own cero between the horns on his mask. The two energies collided resulting in a massive swirling firestorm. Impossible. That was a real cero. One strong enough to block mine. How can that be? No matter how much he resembles a hollow, a mere human cannot shoot a real cero. The Ichigo hollow suddenly appeared behind him, shooting off another cero at him.
Do not underestimate me! He released his own cero to counter, the explosion again setting the air on fire. As Ulquiorra looked around in bewilderment trying to find the being in all the smoke and flames, he didn't notice the being again coming up behind him until it was too late. As he raised he arm to defend himself, the being simply grabbed it in one hand and brought down his sword, severing Ulquiorra's arm from his body before he could pull it away. The pain was overwhelming. He spiraled to the ground barely able to catch himself with a flap of his wings before he hit the ground. As he stood, panting heavily, he tried to figure out what to do. The arm would regenerate, but he could not have imagined the agony he would have to endure before it did. He had never lost a limb in battle. The blood dripped freely. Ignoring the pain, he focused his reiatsu on his arm, quickly growing a new one.
Orihime had watched as the Ichigo hollow tried to destroy Ulquiorra. She didn't know what she was supposed to be feeling. She cringed as she watched him cut off one of Ulquiorra's arms. Wondering if she should go try and heal him, she watched as a new arm grew out of the stump. She remembered what he had told her that day he had gotten sunburned.
The greatest of my powers is not an offensive capability, but regeneration. Among the Arrancar, most of whom traded their ability to regenerate for greater power, only I can rapidly regenerate anything other than my brain or internal organs.
Her memory was cut short by Ulquiorra taunting the Ichigo hollow.
I don't know why you have taken that form. But no matter how much your combat ability may increase, it is not possible to defeat me by merely plucking off an arm and then standing there and staring at me. He brought his hands together and then stretched them out, forming a long lance made of his reiatsu. The being took a step towards him.
Don't come any closer. Stay right there. If possible I'd like to avoid firing this thing from up close and having it set off anywhere near me.
Orihime was shocked from her terror by the amused tone Ulquiorra had adopted. He is joking around? At a time like this? She watched as Ulquiorra threw the large lance at the Ichigo hollow who easily avoided it.
Hmm. I missed. It is difficult to control indeed. He casually reformed another lance in his hand. But before it was completely formed, the being appeared behind him. What the fuck! He completely slipped through my pesquisa. That wasn't shunpo, that was sonido he just used. He turned to attack when something came flying at him. He realized that the hollow being had just thrown his own severed arm at him. Feeling insulted he batted it away with his lance.
Did you think you could unsettle me with that? I believe I told you not to underestimate me. He launched himself at the hollow, lunging forward with his lance, intending to drive it through the beings chest. His eyes widened in shock when his forward movement was halted by the hollow simply grabbing the end of the lance. Impossible….with his bare hands? He was barely able to track the hollow's movements as it ripped his weapon from him with one hand while slashing him across the torso with its sword hand. All he felt was the burning pain from his right hip all the way up to left shoulder. One of his ears had been cut off as well. He fell to his knees, as realization set in. Unable to stay upright he fell backwards into the dirt cursing the Ichigo hollow.
Damn you. To think that I would be defeated by a human who had transformed into a hollow. The very idea is ludicrous. He groaned as the hollow brought his clawed foot down on his head, crushing his face into the rock below. As he looked up unable to move, he watched as the red cero formed between the beings horns.
I see. No mercy? How very hollow like of you. Go ahead. I have no reason to live. You have taken everything from me. DO IT! The red energy enveloped him but unfortunately it didn't kill him even though it burned off both his legs and his entire left side. He was still quite aware as the hollow picked him up by the one wing that remained and tossed his torso around several times. He heard the woman crying somewhere behind him. He wondered if any of those tears might possibly be for him. He felt the cool steel of the hollow's blade at his throat and hoped that the pain would soon end. He closed his eyes in anticipation but the cut never came. He heard the Quincy arguing with the hollow Ichigo, trying to convince him to snap out of it. He opened his eyes in time to see him stab his friend in the stomach.
The pain she had felt when Ichigo had died had now doubled inside Orihime as she watched the hollow Ichigo slash Ulquiorra. She heard him ask Ichigo for death, claiming that he had taken everything from him. She knew he was talking about her and she longed to tell him it wasn't true. But she couldn't save him. Not at the cost of Ichigo's life. Yes she loved him, but as he had even told her, he wouldn't be able to stop killing. It was his nature. So just like with Grimmjow, she knew she had to let him go. She sobbed loudly as her heart split in two. The largest part about to die alongside the Espada. Her horror increased as the hollow Ichigo began to desecrate the remains of Ulquiorra's body. She saw Uryuu rush to stop him, but the hollow only stopped to plunge his sword into Uryuu. She screamed at the being when he suddenly spoke to her, his words halting and broken.
Help…..help her. Help her. I will help you.
Oh no! This is all my fault. Because I asked him to help me, Kurosaki forced himself to live to save me. Why do I always rely on him? I could have tried to stop this so many times. I could have explained to both men what was really going on. But I was so afraid of rejection. I let everyone down. This is all because of me. She watched in horror as the hollow turned from her towards Uryuu, a cero charging between his horns. She begged him to stop.
And he did. But only because Ulquiorra appeared beside him and cut off one of his horns. The cero exploded around the hollow Ichigo, shattering the mask on his face. Ichigo fell lifeless to the ground returning to his dead human form.
Ulquiorra watched her run to the fallen shinigami. She didn't even glance my way. He turned from the sight his breathing ragged from the physical as well as overwhelming emotional pain he felt. My arm, leg, and body are regenerating…but its superficial. The organs he destroyed will not grow back. He knew he had only been given a brief reprisal from death. He wondered if he could get away from the woman before that happened. He didn't want to know that he died alone with her mere feet from him. Better to actually be alone. But before he could attempt to leave he felt a disturbance in the air behind him. He turned to see Ichigo fully regenerate and regain consciousness. He mulled over how unfair it was that the boy got everything, including the ability to regenerate internal organs as he watched the shinigami's expression become horrified as he caught sight of his friend and realized he had been the one to run him through.
You are a stubborn one. All eyes turned to him, and in an effort to look stronger than he was, he used more energy than he should to sonido to the Quincy's side. He reached down and drew the sword from the boy's body and tossed it to the shinigami.
Take it and let's finish this.
Was I….was I the one who stabbed Ishida? The boy asked him.
Like I care. What does it matter?
Was I the one who cut off your arm and leg Ulquiorra? Ulquiorra just raised his eyebrow at the boy. He was surprised though when the boy insisted that in order to fight fair, Ulquiorra should cut off one of the shinigami's arms and legs. Shrugging, he agreed and stepped forward. But a sudden pain in his remaining wing stopped him. He looked out to his side to see his wing beginning to turn to ash.
Tch. I'm already that far gone? Kill me. Quickly. I no longer have the strength to walk. If you do not cut me down now, this fight will remain forever unsettled. He didn't want to beg the boy, but he really didn't want to die this way. He wanted to die in battle not because his body gave out on him. Unfortunately the boy wouldn't do it. He kind of missed the hollow Ichigo in that moment. He hung his head in shame as his wing was further reduced to ash. He knew it wouldn't be long before the rest of him was gone too.
Tch. Frustrating to the very last. And here I was finally started to take an interest in all of you humans.
Orihime had been shocked to see Ulquiorra alive and regenerating. Knowing that he was going to be ok, she turned her attention to Ichigo. Her heart leapt with hope as Ichigo healed and regained consciousness. Maybe she could correct her mistakes after all. But before she could, Ichigo began to breakdown with guilt over what had happened while he was a hollow. She tried to break in but he just talked over her. Incredulous she heard him ask to have his arm and leg cut off and Ulquiorra agree. She prepared herself to run between the two throwing up shields and trapping them both if that's what it took to make them listen when she heard Ulquiorra's resigned sigh. She looked over at him to see his wing beginning to disintegrate. She barely heard Ichigo refuse to kill him. She had been so concerned about Ichigo dying that she hadn't realized how bad a shape Ulquiorra was in. The right side of his body seem fine, but on his left side only a skeleton of a leg had managed to grow back, his wing and arm still missing. Why isn't he regenerating them? Oh no! He took a cut through his chest. His internal organs must have been damaged. I couldn't tell because the skin around the cut had already regenerated.
He noticed the woman looking his way. He tried to turn his body so she could only see his uninjured half. Which was turning to ash. He sighed feeling embarrassed over his weakened state. Even though he didn't want to see her turn away from him, he had to look at her one last time. He was surprised to see her eyes shining with emotion. For me? He reached his hand out to her.
Do I frighten you onna? He asked without thinking and then hung his head waiting for rejection.
No. No you don't. She looked at him with such love and tenderness that he felt the rift inside of him healing even as his body disintegrated. He managed a small smile at her.
I see. He continued to hold his hand out to her, and was happy when she reached out her own to grab his. But just as he was about to feel her flesh against his own, his hand began to turn ash, her fingers closing around empty air. She began to cry as she continued to try and hold on to him, but his body was dissolving faster and faster. Just before his entire form was gone, he realized just how wrong he had been all along.
I see it now. It was always here. Her heart…it was in my hands.
A/N: Yes, he is dead. Really really dead. There is no body left. Then how will the story ever continue… you'll see…