AN: Uh, I have to do some bits of flashback here. So, hope you're fine with it. It's just a little bit. I have to post this one before I go for a vacation. Hopefully, you'll like it. Many thanks to the following: satomika, whittney, Relya Schiffer, onlyluna, Someone I love and sharebearthedeathbear. Thanks guys.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

The boy who looked confused was huddled around the corner as he watched others like him go back and forth, doing what was ordered for them to do. It had only been yesterday since he came here and he knew nothing about what the kids are doing.

His mind was still filled with the screams of horror, of the blood shed on every corner of the mansion where his birthday was supposed to be held. The mutilated bodies…he blinked.

It was only now that he realized what happened. They were all gone, his family, and he already has no one. It pained him to know that.

"Oh? Are you new here as well?" a lively voice asked as he bent down in front of the boy. Said boy looked up to meet an older boy giving him a grin. First thought that came to his mind was his weird hair – as if he was wearing an orange afro.

"Uhm, yes," he said cautiously.

"What's your name?" he asked and decided to sit beside him, his back on the wall and his eyes on the other youths in front of them – all were busy with their own things.

"Rieve."

He chuckled. "That's a fine name you have. I'm Ashido." He extended his hand but Rieve only stared at it for a little while, reluctant if he should take it or not. Realizing the boy's hesitation, Ashido pulled his hand away and merely gave him a sincere smile. "It's a hard life here, Rieve. Why did you come with that man?" he asked seriously, foreboding something that Rieve would never would have thought to happen.

"Eh?" he blinked, confusion etching his face.

The older boy looked at him with a sorry look. "I'm asking why you came here."

"I don't know," Rieve answered. "I…" he thought for a moment before he almost broke into a cry once more. It was only his pride that kept him from doing that in front of Ashido. "I have nowhere else to go…" he whispered and wrapped his arms around his knees. His chin rest on them.

"How about your family?" Ashido asked, feeling sorry for the boy. From the moment Rieve entered the abbey with that man, Ashido knew that this one is different. Somehow, there is something about him that distinguished him from other boys who came the same time he did.

"They are…gone," he said in a choked voice. He tried to rid his mind of those horrible screams, cries and the laughs of the men who came and killed them all.

Ashido nodded. "I'm sorry."

Rieve only nodded. Before any of them could speak, one man came in front of them. "You," he pointed his fingers towards Rieve who suddenly looked scared at the menacing look from the stranger. "Get up."

Rieve, although scared, was never used to being ordered to. After all, being a son of a wealthy family, he was used to issuing orders even when he was young. He chose to sit defiantly, ignoring the fear inside him. It was Ashido who spoke this time.

"You should probably do as you are told, Rieve," he suggested and stood up, offering his hand once more, this time to help Rieve up. The latter reluctantly accepted it and stood up. Before he knew it, he was pulled by the man harshly and without even a word was led to an isolated room – mostly far from the others.

He was thrown inside the room. "This will be your room, brat," he said and left. "You will only step out of that room when told." That was his last remark.

Still unaware of the life led in the abbey, Rieve chose to disobey as is always the case with children who refused listening. He chose to wander around the room and that was where he saw some things he feared would happen to him as well.

He saw a kid, a girl in fact, being whipped at her back. Said girl opened her eyes and Rieve was surprised the girl was not even crying no matter how much she was in pain.

"That's not the right way to do it, bitch," the man punishing the girl said and whipped her again much to Rieve's horror when he finally saw all the red marks behind her back. Without any thought of what would happen next, Rieve rushed towards the two and stood in between.

"No! That's enough!" he said, shielding the girl with his body. The man was surprised for a while before lowering his arms and raised his brow at the boy.

"Oh? That's some courage you have there, brat," he said with an evil smirk.

"She's already bleeding sir," Rieve said politely, trying to stand firm despite his knees buckling in fear at the man's intense gaze. Despite that, he maintained his politeness, engrained to him by his family.

"Then would you rather bleed for her?" he challenged and Rieve could only look at him in confusion.

"W-What?" he stammered.

The man ignored him and motioned for some men nearby to come closer. Before he knew it, Rieve was taken by both men and led in a dark room. He could hear a few chuckles. And that was where he saw the man who took him. He was casually sipping his tea.

"Ah, Rieve, for you to come here, I guess you still did not understand," he said with charm but Rieve doubted his words already. It was only now that he realized the man is dangerous and Ashido's voice earlier rang inside his head.

The boy did not speak and merely stood where he was. "Show him so he could understand something."

Not understanding what he meant, Rieve squeaked at the sudden pain at his back and the man whipping the girl earlier was giving him a laugh as he raised his hand the second time.

"One, this is your hell, boy," Aizen said, his charming smile already wiped from his face.

Another whip. "Two, never interfere with the other's business."

Rieve cried out at the pain. "Three. Within this abbey, you will learn to hide all your emotions."

Again, another whip and the pain is too much for the boy to handle and he cried even more. Aizen smiled. "Four. Not a single word or noise when being punished. That's punishment in itself." He raised his hand to stop the man from whipping him further. "I apologize if the man I assigned was unable to explain those things to you yesterday." He stood up and walked towards the boy who was now on the floor, crying at the pain from his back. "Rieve, you will become my ultimate weapon. So you better learn all those." He turned to his men. "Bring him back to his room." He glanced at the boy once more. "Tomorrow, you shall begin your own training."

With that, Rieve was dragged back to his room. Thrown inside, he could only cry helplessly while anger started to boil inside him. He will escape this place was the thought that crossed his mind. He laid on the floor, ignoring the pain.

An hour later, a knock was heard and Rieve did not bother answering. He was surprised when the person stepped in. immediately standing up, Rieve winced at the pain and stared at Ashido. He thought he is beginning to understand what this older boy meant now.

"I heard about it," he said softly with a hesitant smile. "I have to find Starrk-san to find your room. It's a good thing, he was informed about it."

Rieve only stared at him for a couple of minutes before he looked away once more. Ashido saw the red marks at the boy's back, his shirt already ruined from the beating he got. His eyes moved to the girl standing at the doorway. "Come in."

Rieve had to return his gaze back at the door when he heard that and saw the girl who was getting whipped earlier. Said girl gave him an apologetic look. He wondered how she was able to handle that punishment without even crying.

"I'm sorry you have to be hurt because of me. My name is Karin ," she said firmly, her face was stern and only her eyes revealed her real emotions. "I snuck some medicine and some things to help you."

He did not fail to notice the word she used. Snuck. "What is this place?" he finally spoke and watched as the girl closed the door.

"This is Las Noches abbey where mostly street kids were taken and trained to kill," Ashido answered honestly, seeing no point lying about it. After all, the kid had already tasted what's it's like here. "Everyone here is a disposable student for that man – Aizen."

Rieve allowed the girl to take care of his wounds. He stared at Ashido. "I'm going to escape this place," he declared.

Ashido smiled. "Everyone tried but failed. Don't bother, Rieve. By the time you're out of the abbey, you're already a dead meat."

Rieve cringed at that. "You should brace yourself for whatever Aizen plans for you," Ashido advised. He stepped out while silently vowing to himself to at least protect the boy with everything he could. Those bright green eyes – soon, he knew, it would be just as dull as the others.

Inside the room, Rieve looked over his shoulder. "That should be enough," he spoke.

"I'm really sorry," she whispered.

"Hmm." He turned to face her. "Tell me, why were you getting punished?" he asked, curious about it.

"I can't hold the gun properly," she answered. "I swear, I will escape this place no matter how impossible it would seem."

Rieve only nodded, not bothering to remark something about it.

That was how he had come to meet Karin and Ashido on his second day at the abbey. The three became good friends even when, a blue-haired boy, Kakei was brought in and was assigned the same room as Rieve. Whatever helped Karin and Ashido did to Rieve, they also did to Kakei. There was a bond that was starting to be created among them.

Inside their head, they were all planning secretly. They were planning to escape the place. Rieve had often wondered how no one from outside the abbey could see what's happening inside. Perhaps the outside world never cared about homeless kids like him. Nevertheless, he persevered with his friends. He learned everything Aizen taught him – from martial arts to handling any kinds of weapon, to bomb disposal and anything that could enhance his skills more.

As expected, Aizen was pleased with the development as months turned to years. And Rieve realized that there's something wrong. He was starting to forget…and he did not know if that was a good thing or bad thing but he knew he was starting to forget something…

Rieve became a witness too at the blossoming love between Kakei and Karin. He was quick to notice that the two shared the same temper yet despite that, it did not prevent each other from getting attracted to one another. Inside him, he vowed to protect the two.

Ashido had become the big brother for the three of them and he would always be the one to help them. He would bring them foods secretly when Aizen ordered no food for them. He would bring in medicine courtesy of Starrk when they were beaten to a pulp for their simple mistake.

And then came the day Karin decided to escape much to Kakei's surprise. Rieve remained quiet about it. He had always known since Karin had once vowed that to him. It had been two years since their first meeting. Kakei was vehement, not because he does not want Karin to go but because he knew what lies ahead for people trying to escape.

Yet in the end, despite his wavering permission, he agreed to help her escape. In fact, they decided that they would all escape together, minus Ashido who was then out for something Aizen ordered him to do.

It was midnight when they helped her near the fence and the alarm went off. Rieve knew that they could not escape altogether. And that they are in deep trouble if they were all caught together.

"Go back," he ordered Kakei.

"What?" Kakei asked, stunned.

"Go back to the abbey. Avoid getting caught," he ordered. The two glared at each other. In the end, Kakei wavered at the intense look from the green-eyed.

"But – "

"I will help Karin escape. I promise that. There is no use if all of us are caught here," he said. Kakei understood what the other was trying to do and growled. He always suspected that this one had always been protecting them, taking the blame for the mistakes not committed by him which would explain why he always ended up hurt without them knowing about it.

He nodded in the end after giving the back of Karin a glance. She was already almost over the unprotected fence. Within two years, they were able to discover a place to escape. He only wished she can get away safely.

He left to hide as ordered and had he been a tad minute late, he would have been caught with Rieve. He watched from behind the tree as Rieve watched Karin run as far as she could and by the time he turned on his heel, there were already five guns pointed at him. One of them was Starrk's.

"Starrk-san, what should we do about the one who escaped?" one man asked the man named Starrk who was giving Rieve a studied look. The boy stared back in defiance, his eyes full of challenge and a small smile grazed his lips. It was as if the boy was telling him that if they choose to go after Karin, they will have to pass through him first.

Of course the men with him were not entirely aware of this boy's prowess. But Starrk knew since he always observed the boy's development, having been curious about why Aizen chose him. And he's beginning to see what Aizen saw in him.

Unlimited potential of going further.

He finally spoke. "Don't bother. She'll be taken care of," were his words. He chose not to go after her and sincerely wished that the girl could escape before getting caught by Aizen's men outside the abbey. That's as far as he could go to try giving in to this boy's silent request.

The men nodded and left, deciding to leave everything to Starrk already. Said man spoke when he was alone with Rieve. "You know what comes after this," he said matter-of-factly.

"I'm prepared for any sorts of punishment," he said bravely and Starrk could only give him a rueful smile. Ah, the boy is still naïve about the workings of Aizen's mind. He hopefully wished the boy would remain as he is after what he already fears would happen.

And he was right in his assumption.

The following day, Rieve was dragged from his room when Grimmjaw was out to train as per schedule. He was brought on the same room where he first tasted the whips of punishment. Aizen was already standing in the middle, his hands on both swords, swinging it leisurely and Rieve could only prepare himself, knowing this would be his end.

Aizen gave him a careful look. "Up until now, you still chose to cling to that defiance of yours," he spoke. His eyes were steel-hard. "But that ends now. You only learned to receive punishments physically with every defiant act you have been doing the last two years and I tolerated that seeing as you really have a potential to become as strong as Starrk and Barragan."

Rieve swallowed hard, not liking where this is leading. "But to finally make you submit to me, this will be the last one," he said and motioned for his men. To Rieve's horror, they brought a bloodied Ashido in front of him.

"A-Ashido…"

The guy raised his head and gave him a small smile, understanding the fate that lies ahead of him.

Aizen walked towards Ashido being held by two men. Starrk stood nearby beside Barragan and a woman. Rieve does not know her yet.

"Remember this boy, with every mistake, with every cry, with every act of defiance, something like this would happen to anyone close to you," Aizen said and without a word, his sword went right through Ashido's chest and Rieve stared in horror.

"No!"

Aizen gave him a hard look. "Another mistake, another show of emotion…you know who will come next," he said and nodded his head. "Dispose of him."

Rieve stood there, numb in shock. This never happened before in his two years in the abbey. Inside him, he understood what the man's last words were. Grimmjaw is next. Clenching his fist, he bowed his head, trying to prevent his tears from falling down.

When he raised his head once more, his eyes met that of Starrk and the latter looked away. The guy knew what would happen next. He knew.

Aizen watched with amusement as the anger was changed to confusion then to total blankness. Rieve straightened his back. "I will do everything you tell me from this point on, Aizen-sama," he said in a cold voice.

Aizen chuckled. "Very well." He turned to the woman. "Her name is Tia Harribel. She's known as Espada Tres and she'll be the one in charge to train you." He walked towards the three Espadas and whispered close to Harribel. "Make him forget who he was before he came here. Hypnotize him if possible. I want that boy to forget who he was but not to forget what happened here as a reminder that I have a hold over him."

"Hai."

He turned back to the boy once more and grinned. "From now on, just as you decided to throw away that worthless emotion such as friendship and everything, you will not be known as Rieve Earhardt. This will be the last day you retain that name in your head. Tomorrow and onwards, you shall be known as Ulquiorra Schiffer."

With that he left the three to deal with him on his trainings.

Kakei would never know what made his friend change but he knew it had something to do with Karin's escape. And despite knowing that, he had come to resent the big change in Rieve. The latter had become so emotionless that he often wondered what made him change so much. And of course he never knew Ashido was the card played to make him submit willingly. To the knowledge of everyone there, Ashido was sent to another country under someone else's tutelage.

Kakei had forgotten when it happened to him as well – when part of his memories was suddenly erased from him and he became Grimmjaw Jaggerjaques. His memory of Rieve being an Earhardt was gone. He only knew him as Ulquiorra already all thanks to Harribel's hypnosis which. Whatever drugs was given to both men, it was effective.

Years passed, when they were given their first mission at age seventeen, that was when they met Karin. Of course the two does not recognize her because her face changed. But she recognized them. And by then, she was no longer Karin but was named Soi Fon by the noble who had helped her when she was dying.

She pleaded for them to escape now that they are allowed to go out from Las Noches but something was holding them both back. They knew Aizen had a wide connection and can easily find them. So they just decided to stay while they plot. They plotted more as they did dirty jobs for him, as they stained their hands with the blood of men they were ordered to eliminate.

And the only help Soi Fon could give was to receive orders from Ulquiorra to send coded message to investigator, Kurosaki Ichigo. Secretly, it was an appeal for the investigator to end everything.

And for both Soi Fon and Grimmjaw, they knew Ulquiorra saw in Ichigo a worthy opponent, worthy enough to finish Ulquiorra should the time come. Because for both men who grew up in the abbey, they knew their only escape was death. And he almost died that one night but she came and helped him.

But Ulquiorra did not choose death as an escape when he met her.

Rukia. Kuchiki Rukia.

The green-eyes opened instantly at the name. He only had a weird dream. Was that a dream anyway? He saw the life he led the moment he entered the abbey. And this time, he remembered it all.

The Earhardt massacre. It came again like a flashback…the screams, the cries, the horror, the blood and the mutilated bodies…it came to him once again and Ulquiorra held his head in pain.

Damn all those drugs to make him forget…

He sat up and realized he was in the room where it started for him – the hellish torture. "I thought you'll continue dozing off," he heard a voice spoke and he glanced over his shoulder to find Byakuya sitting behind him, obviously watching over him. The room is still dark and only illuminated by the small light coming from the candles. Aizen had always chosen to light candles inside this room.

"How did we end up here?" he asked and held his head in pain once more. Damn headache.

"After the lights were out, I think Aizen chose to escape. We were left with something to lose consciousness though it took you the longer to recover. We have to carry you as we find him. Unfortunately, we ended up here. Starrk and Gin were looking for the source of electricity to restore the lights. It's hard moving in the dark."

Ulquiorra rubbed his neck. "I see."

"You don't look good," Byakuya commented.

"You wouldn't be if you're in the room where it started for you – the trauma and the torture," he said dryly and stood up. "From this hellhole, this is the place I hated most."

Byakuya need not further inquire, understanding that the man does not want to talk about it anymore.

"So he got away?"

"I'm sure he could not. After all, we could hear the gunshots earlier. It seems a shootout is happening below. Aizen would probably come back here to finish things anyway. That's the kind of man he is."

Ulquiorra nodded once more. The more he remembered it now, the more intense was his desire to end things today. "Let's go," he said after a moment. "I grew up here so I think I can still move in the dark. I know every corner."

"Impressive," Byakuya commented.

.

.

.

Gin and Starrk successfully found the source of energy and were able to bring back the light.

"So…"

"Let's go find the bastard and be done with it," Gin said. He knew Aizen would just be lurking behind. Wonderweiss or Barragan had acted on the right time.

"You must have loved her so much if you are willing to kill for what was robbed from her," Starrk commented, seeing the man look from side to side, alert from any sign of danger.

Gin only nodded. He knew he led a shady life the moment he became friends with Aizen at a young age but that doesn't mean he wanted Rangiku to lead the same kind of life and he wanted her to live normally. Apparently, the chance for a normal life was robbed from her by Aizen and his father.

"I've seen her a couple of times but I never knew she was acquainted with you," Starrk continued to talk. The silence is actually awkward so he chose to keep talking. After all, this might be his last.

"Hmm…"

Both men ducked at the sound they heard and a series of gunshots followed. Both fired back and a few minutes later, Starrk stood up, realizing who was leading the men. "I'll stay behind to deal with him. As much as I wanted to be the one killing him, I think we are all scattered now to deal with the others."

Gin stood up as well and checked his gun. He only had a few bullets left. He'd be lucky if he could finish Aizen before he ran out of it. "Sure. Good luck, Starrk. The old man – "

"…is cunning and just as strong but I think I can handle Barragan. After all, I'm the Primera."

.

.

.

"It's a good thing, they made the lights return," Byakuya said as they walked along the hallway. They spotted Gin a few minutes later. For a moment, there was a tension that hung in the air as Ulquiorra and Gin face each other.

Byakuya chose to cover for them as Aizen's men fired at them aimlessly.

"I still have a score to settle with you," Ulquiorra spoke.

Gin nodded. "Rukia eh?" he said with a soft chuckle. "I know."

Just like that, both men passed each other, each with their own goal. Aizen. But each chose to find him alone, wanting the opportunity to finish things with their hands with no one to interfere.

Byakuya hid from one post as Ulquiorra did on another and a young man appeared.

"Well, well, Ulquiorra, just come out already," the young man spoke coolly. "I still have something to settle with you."

Byakuya watched Ulquiorra's expression and went near him. "I'll deal with him. Go follow Gin instead and help him."

Ulquiorra grunted. "No. I have a score to settle with this man too," he said icily, remembering how Wonderweiss had hurt Rukia in front of him. His eyes flashed in anger.

Byakuya knew the man is torn – between his desire to kill Aizen and these men and his the promised he made to himself that he would allow the authorities to deal with him. So he spoke. "Go. You don't have to kill anymore, Ulquiorra."

Ulquiorra turned to him. Byakuya continued. "Aizen will pay for his crimes but not by any of you killing him. I made a promise to myself that I won't allow anyone or anything to make my sister cry and that includes you having to go against what you promised to yourself. Allow us to do our duties too."

"You don't – "

"You have to go back to her in whole," he said and patted him before finally firing back at Wonderweiss who was laughing manically at how Ulquiorra had become a coward, not even wanting to come out and face him. Seeing his reluctance, Byakuya continued. "You agreed to help and by doing so, the authority lies in me and I am telling you to go help Ichimaru Gin get Aizen. Don't lose yourself in this fight. You ceased to be that assassin when you chose to work with us. You ceased to be the Quatro. So do not ever lose yourself in this fight, young man."

Ulquiorra huffed at the authoritative tone and left. Byakuya sighed. "I'll follow later."

.

.

.

Ulquiorra treaded the path that led him to where he thinks Aizen is and he was not disappointed to find him there thirty minutes later. Aizen was sitting at his usual place in this training ground. He was smiling pleasantly as he motioned for him to enter.

Somehow, Ulquiorra knew something was off. First, Gin should have been here already. And as he looked around, he was surprised to find Gin bloodied on the far end of the room, his body on the pool of his own blood.

Seeing that, Aizen spoke with a soft chuckle. "I was always stronger than Gin but I knew he also had that hidden strength. Unfortunately, I have to play my cards right to defeat him. I was not expecting it would work but it did anyway."

Ulquiorra gripped his gun tightly, feeling that tightening of his chest. Something is wrong. He would not believe that silver-haired guy would easily get defeated. To his surprise, Aizen threw him a sword.

"Pick it up boy. I want to see how far you have gone without my tutelage," he said. "Byakuya claimed you can kill me. I wanted to see." It was Aizen's pride that made him want to see this man's strength. It would be easy killing him with just one shot of his gun but Aizen had always been a sadist inside so he wanted to see this man suffer first. He glanced at Gin. "Tch. You should not have learned the truth, Gin. They say truth hurts. Look where it got you."

He watched Ulquiorra bend down and pick his sword. He stared at it for a moment. Aizen spoke once more. "I taught you everything. From hand combats to different types of weapons. You were always good with guns as well as swords so show me boy. Show me the strength Byakuya had put his faith into."

He motioned his hand and the curtain from the left side revealed someone to Ulquiorra's horror.

"You came in a rush that you forgot she was left unprotected so I have to send Kariya Jin to take her," Aizen relished at the horrified look that crossed Ulquiorra's eyes. Then the green-eyed glanced at Gin. He wondered if Gin was defeated because of her?

Rukia's eyes were wide in fear as she was held by the man who took her. She saw Gin on the floor, Ulquiorra with the sword and Aizen with another.

Anger pulsated against Ulquiorra's veins as he finally unsheathed the sword. His eyes were burning with intense anger. The anger inside him is so intense that he knew he would not be able to keep his promise to himself…and he might be doing it in front of Rukia.

He glanced at her and Rukia's eyes widened even more and she could only cry helplessly. He's going to kill Aizen. She could see that in his eyes. And his eyes were asking her to forgive him. What more can she do than silently convey her thoughts?

Aizen chuckled. "That desire to kill me…it's so intense," he said amused. "I remember you almost had the same look when I killed Ashido in front of you. But then, you're so powerless you can't do anything against me."

Finally, Ulquiorra spoke for the first time since the moment he came inside this training ground. His voice was devoid of any emotions at all. His eyes were blank. Aizen smiled ruefully. He could have made use of this man some more if only that woman did not appear in his life. It was just like with Gin.

"You know, there's something I learned," Ulquiorra said. "Learn all there is to learn and beat them at their own game," he said and gripped the hilt tightly after he threw his gun away. "And I'll make sure there would be no repeat of the past. This time, I'm strong enough to kill you."

Aizen fixed his stance. "Come. Quatro."

Ulquiorra shook his head. "No. I will kill you not with the name of Quatro. As the last time, I'll kill you as Ulquiorra Schiffer. After this, I'll claim the name you robbed from me. Rieve Earhardt."

The next thing Rukia saw was the clash of swords.