So… I'm back with a new chapter!
Thank you all for your continuous support despite my rare updates!
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You have no idea how much it means to me!
I wanted to reply to all the reviews first, but before I would muster my courage to do so (and believe me, I'm scared to not only reply to them after almost a 3-year break, but even more so to read them, especially the later ones, so squinting my eyes, I only copied your user names… I have issues :D), more time would pass, so I decided to upload the chapter first. And things happen in this one, important things, so I do hope you'll enjoy it! Part of it is still mushy, though… and steamy xD
Also, I'm continuing to update the old chapters and so apart from improving style and grammar I made some other changes, like:
chapter 5 and 6 – I made lots of cosmetic changes, and I also sorted out the POVs to make them more distinguishable (just like in chapters 1–4 and this chapter, and for the future chapters and updates I'll be using a dot like this "・")
chapter 7 – a couple new scenes added, with more interactions between our main heroes :)
chapter 8 – a new scene with Ulquiorra and Rukia!
chapter 9 – I tried to make the interactions between Ulquiorra and Rukia more significant and compelling, and also there's a new omake!
Do give them a go one day! Comments are welcome as well!
朝霧 -Asagiri-
The Frozen Whisper
by Asagiri
Chapter 25
Dreams
Ulquiorra woke up to an unusual sensation – a warm, soft body close to him. Cracking one eye open, he saw a small figure with her back to him, raven hair spilled across the pillow. Rukia.
She was still asleep, her breaths soft and even.
She was alive. Unharmed. He hadn't hurt her during the night.
Yet deep down, in the darkest corners of his soul, he felt an impulse telling him that this was meaningless, therefore should be destroyed. That Rukia's only purpose was to assuage the pain his innate emptiness cursed him with; temporarily, for there was no escape from it.
Ulquiorra firmly ignored that tug, and instead shifted to pull his woman even closer to himself. He wanted to feel her warm skin against his own, to smell the sweetness of her body.
While she was still alive…
His movements awoke Rukia, though her eyes were still closed, when she delightfully stretched and rolled around to snuggle up to him. Embracing him, she buried her face in his chest as if she wanted to hide away from the morning, and entwined her legs with his as if to keep them in bed for as long as possible.
Unbeknownst to him a small smile quirked his lips.
It was odd. All of it. A woman – a Shinigami woman nonetheless – naked in his arms, cuddling to him trustingly and affectionately; him embracing her in a similar fashion. A gratifying feeling similar to contentment, but surpassing greatly anything he had felt so far. Even the morning sun, something he rarely saw, added to the scene a touch of simple beauty.
Everything was odd. Too wonderful to be real, but Ulquiorra knew it wasn't a dream. All he ever saw were nightmares – he didn't have dreams, neither in his slumber nor for the future. He didn't think his mind would be able to produce a picture like this. It was too perfect, too untainted. This was reality. Yet it was dream-like fragile and ephemeral.
Despite what his emptiness was whispering, it wasn't meaningless. Actually, it was one of the most meaningful moments of his life. He could never destroy it.
That was why Ulquiorra didn't care that for the first time ever he would be late to attend his duties.
・
Rukia was on cloud nine and wished this moment would last forever. His warm scent and strong arms around her made her feel safe and cosy. She grinned happily against his chest, while her hand absent-mindedly wandered on the skin of his back and side, up and down in gentle caresses. Soon her hand found his, and their fingers entwined.
This was her definition of serenity and happiness.
With her eyes still closed, she trailed his skin around the Hollow hole with small kisses, and then up his neck and to his jawline. With satisfaction she felt his grip on her hand tighten, and she heard him let out a short groan. Eventually she reached his lips. Only then she opened her eyes and looked at him.
"Hey," Rukia whispered. Ulquiorra gazed at her, his green eyes uncharacteristically glinting with warmth. She still couldn't read in them what exactly he was thinking or feeling, but she was pretty sure that at the moment he was at least content. The corners of his lips too seemed to be a little bit more upwards.
"Hey," he whispered back and leaned in for another kiss. She happily obliged.
・
Ulquiorra was glad he had given in to her yesterday and stayed the night. He would have been the biggest fool, if he hadn't. Just the thought that he had voluntarily almost passed up a night of basking in her sweetness and warmth, in her kisses and caresses, made him question just how smart he really was.
Sneaking his arm under Rukia, he rolled over on his back, pulling her on top of himself. She made herself comfortable, resting her head on his chest, and after a moment she began tracing his '4' tattoo with her fingertips.
"It'd be nice to stay like this forever," she said softly.
Ulquiorra looked at her, surprised. It was an offhand comment, but a sincere one. It didn't mean much neither from a logical nor practical standpoint, but at the same time it contained a lot of emotions and hopes. The Heart, too.
"I suppose so," he replied after a pause. "But you know it's impossible."
Rukia shrugged, but lifted her head to look at him, and smiled. "I know. But I can dream."
"Dream…" Ulquiorra mused. The word sounded foreign in his mouth. Again he felt himself incapable of having dreams. He could calculate or predict what might happen with the facts he had. He could imagine things within the bounds of reason and plausibility. But there was no place for dreams in his mind. They would be swallowed by his emptiness or distorted into nightmares, anyway.
So he told her, "I don't have dreams. Or rather I'm not capable of having them."
She moved up a bit and kissed the tip of his nose. "That's fine, though I don't think your second statement is necessarily a fixed fact. So until you have your own dreams, I can dream your share."
Ulquiorra brushed her cheek and in her violet eyes he saw everything he needed and wanted. Dreams were nothing compared to her. "With you I don't need them."
・
Rukia beamed at him in return. She found his words corny but oddly adorable – and she would have never ever thought she would use those two adjectives to describe anything even remotely in association with him. She wanted to comment on it in jest, but his lips were on hers before she could even open her mouth. And once Ulquiorra moved on top of her, a shiver of excitement made her forget all about it.
Eventually he pulled away from the kiss. "I have to get going. I'm already late."
Pouting unhappily, Rukia released her hold on him, already missing his warmth.
"But I'll be back soon," he told her while getting out of the bed.
Hiding her silly grin behind the bed sheets, Rukia watched Ulquiorra dress, appreciating the view. She had found him attractive before, but now, that she knew him better, he was simply perfect. She liked—loved everything about him – his muscular yet lean body, handsome face, his green eyes, and his thick but soft hair; even the marks on his cheeks, because they were so uniquely him. Her hands itched to touch him, to feel him, to memorise every inch of his body. She wanted to kiss him and lick him and see what reactions she could get from him in return.
Her own thoughts flustered her slightly, but all in all they were honest and she didn't want them to be different. And she was pretty sure he wouldn't have minded.
※
With Ulquiorra gone, Rukia took a quick shower and put on fresh clothes. Her thoughts never strayed away from him, though, nor from the memories of the last night. She was incredibly giddy with excitement, and desire for more. He aroused feelings in her no man had ever aroused. It scared her a bit, but at the same time she couldn't shy away.
She genuinely wanted their relationship to grow and last as long as possible.
If only they had time… If only they weren't enemies and they weren't at war…
Rukia fervently shook her head to discard sad and grim thoughts. She would not think them. Instead she would focus on making the best out of what they had. This morning and afternoon belonged to them. Hopefully the night would too.
Ulquiorra had never bustled about his morning routine and then his duties as quickly as he did this morning. Then again, he never really had anyone waiting for him that he himself was impatient to see.
He skilfully avoided all unnecessary interactions with anyone he met on his way, though he couldn't miss Ichimaru's grin when the Fox looked up at him from his chat with Loly and Menoly of all people. Somehow it was slyer than usual, though it could mean anything or nothing. It was Ichimaru, after all.
Before long Ulquiorra finally returned to Rukia's room, bringing her breakfast. She was happily drawing by the desk, though the moment she saw him, she quickly hid her new 'art piece' with an embarrassed smile.
As usual he put Murciélago against his armchair before sitting in it. Then he quietly watched her eat, waiting for her smiles she would occasionally send his way. In many ways this morning was like any other they had for the past couple weeks. Yet it was vastly different – more personal and significant.
After finishing her meal, Rukia walked over to him and perched on the armrest, but before she got the chance to sit comfortably, he swept her into his lap. He hadn't been joking, when he had said he liked the red in her cheeks.
Still blushing, she put her hands on his chest and suggested with a grin, "Let's go for a walk."
"A walk?" Ulquiorra frowned, and she nodded eagerly. "There's really nothing interesting to see in Las Noches."
She shrugged. "I don't want to see anything, I just want to take a stroll. With you. What do you say?"
He couldn't say no to her, not when she was looking at him with such eyes… Consequently he heard himself agree. Almost immediately he was rewarded with a bright smile and a smooch on his cheek. Yes, he just couldn't say no to her.
・
Rukia excitedly jumped to her feet and soon they were leisurely walking down the corridors of Las Noches.
She wanted to hold hands with him, but since he didn't make a move to take her hand into his, she didn't insist. Besides, she reasoned it would be safer to avoid displaying any affection in the open. There was no telling who might be watching them, and how they could use their relationship against them. Most probably it was Ulquiorra's thinking as well.
Or he simply was unaware of the possibility of holding hands. He might be highly intelligent, but there were plenty of things he didn't know or understand.
That thought made Rukia smile at him sweetly.
He caught her gaze. "Yes?"
"Nothing," she said, her smile growing wider. Ulquiorra looked at her quizzically, but she only shook her head and chuckled. She was pretty sure it confused him even more.
The stroll was nice, though mainly because of his company. Everything else was boring. Las Noches was huge, mostly white and bland, and that was about it. All it had remarkable was its overwhelming size.
She would love to show him her brother's garden, all those flowers, trees, little streams and ponds full of koi carps… They could lie on the grass, surrounded by wonderful scents and colours of nature, with wind on their skin. They could hide behind the old willow's curtain of branches and lose themselves in their kisses and embraces… At least until Byakuya-nii-sama found them and minced them with Senbonzakura…
Nii-sama… Rukia suddenly remembered there was something she had been meaning to ask Ulquiorra since forever. Grimmjow even once had told her that he would answer her truthfully, despite all the previous lies.
"Actually there's one thing I wanted to ask you about…" she broke the pleasant silence.
"What is it?"
"Will you tell me about the day when I was captured? What happened after I was out?" Rukia asked earnestly, hoping for an honest answer.
・
Ulquiorra looked at her curiously. "Why do you want to know that? And after all that time…"
"I'm just curious what happened." But just when she said that, her eyes almost immediately narrowed at him. There was no anger in them, however. Her glare was more teasing than anything else. "You lied to me then, didn't you?"
"Yes," he admitted after a pause. "Yet you never believed me."
"And you hid things from me." Another rightful accusation.
"That's true too." There really was no point in lying to her, but more importantly, he simply didn't want to lie to her.
"Then tell me now. Everything," Rukia asked, her violet eyes intently gazing into his.
And so Ulquiorra told her. How he had returned from Caja Negación only to stumble upon her. How he had deemed her useful to lure Orihime Inoue back to Las Noches. How he had hid her from Soul Society captains and had had her healed. How he had tricked Byakuya Kuchiki into believing in her death, but also what hints he left implying that perhaps that might have not been the case. How her friends and Soul Society had retreated without her. He told her everything, truthfully.
"You woke up soon later, so you know the rest," he concluded.
All that time Rukia kept silent, closely listening to his story. "It was you who found me?"
"You didn't know?" He found her question odd, of all things she could have asked. On the other hand, him saving her at that time might have made the least sense to her, even though it had started the chain of events.
She shook her head. "No. No-one ever told me."
Ulquiorra didn't believe in fate or any higher powers, but even he thought it had been a curious coincidence that he had appeared right there, where Rukia had been lying on the verge of death. And he had been just in time to save her, too. He was glad it had happened, though.
・
Rukia processed the information. It explained a few things and filled in a few gaps. But what was most important to her was that this time he didn't lie to her nor hid anything from her.
Almost shyly she caught the sleeve of his jacket. They slowed down, only to come to a halt after a few more steps. She turned fully towards him, so he would know she meant her every word, "Thank you, Ulquiorra. Thank you for telling me. And thank you for not letting me die."
He gazed at her with his deep yet guarded eyes. At length he looked away and said quietly, "You really have nothing to thank me for."
He took a step forward, so they resumed their walk.
Rukia frowned and purposefully bumped into him to make him look back at her. "I do," she said ardently.
He only shook his head, and taking his hand out of his pocket, he ran his fingers down her spine. It tickled, but at the same time sent a pleasurable shiver throughout her whole body. She leaned against him and he rested his hand on her waist, keeping her close to himself. It was even better than holding hands.
Eventually they reached an enormous gate that led them out on the sands under the dome. The sky was perfectly blue with just a few clouds lazily drifting on a light breeze. The fake sun shined brightly, giving the impression of warmth. Even though all that was fake, it nicely added charm to their already pleasant morning.
An idea popped into Rukia's head and with an impish smirk she stood on her tiptoes, grabbed his collar and kissed him passionately.
"Tag, you're it," she murmured against his lips and ran off.
・
Ulquiorra looked after her, confused. But once he saw her flash from one place to another, he realised that she was being playful. He found it both ridiculous and cute. Wondering what the reward for catching her would be, he went after her.
Rukia was fast, he had to give her that, but he was faster. However seeing how much fun she was having, he let the game of tag continue for a while.
Eventually he caught her, sneaking his arms around her waist from behind.
"Got you," Ulquiorra purred in her ear, and she laughed heartily. However with great satisfaction he noted how her laughter changed into a gasp, once he nibbled at the lobe of her ear.
She agilely slipped out of his teasing embrace, a coy smile and bright blush adorning her face. With this innocent look, she jumped behind him and put her arm around his neck. Her feet gently but effectively pushed the back of his knees, making him lose his balance. He didn't resist when with a tug she tipped them over onto the sand.
Rukia moved under him, and soon was sitting cross-legged with his head in her lap. Her lopsided grin declared triumph.
Feeling comfortable, Ulquiorra contemplated her face, the way her eyes sparkled or how much she was smiling – at him. Her soft fingers were caressing his face and hair in patterns known only to her. He liked it, and even more he liked that she seemed to enjoy it. Though there seemed to be more to it…
"Are you… happy?" he asked, somehow unsure.
Her smile grew wider. "Right now? Absolutely."
Ulquiorra stared at her, surprised. Rukia was happy. Here, now, with him. He had never believed that there was such a thing as happiness, until he had met her and she inconspicuously started to influence him and broaden his understanding. If he still had any doubts about its existence, though, they all dispersed now, as happiness twinkled in her eyes and smile, right above him.
"Are you?" Rukia asked back, her caresses never ceasing. They were nice and very, very relaxing.
He closed his eyes. "I don't know, but I think I am."
Being a Hollow, a creature of emptiness and darkness, pain and corruption, he found it odd to feel this way. Happy. But with her by his side, suddenly nothing seemed impossible.
・
Rukia was surprised to see Ulquiorra doze off in her lap like this, and with a soft smile on his lips, too. Or at least it looked this way from her upside down perspective. With warm feelings bursting in her chest, she continued to play with his hair. Now that he was asleep, she allowed herself to braid a few strands, though after taking a mental picture and silently chuckling to herself, she gently unbraided his hair with her fingers.
She briefly wondered what would have happened if the remains of his Hollow mask got damaged. Would he have changed into a child like Nel had had? Undoubtedly he would have been the cutest kid ever with his big, green eyes… A giggle escaped her lips at the idea.
Then a startling thought entered her mind, wondering how their kid would have looked like. She shoved it away at once, mortified. She shouldn't be having thoughts like this. They belonged to the future they most likely didn't have. And it wasn't like she—
No.
Staring with wide eyes at Ulquiorra's sleeping form, Rukia just fully realised a very important thing.
She loved him.
Indescribable sensation swept through her, making her feel light-headed and at peace. At the same time she had never felt so much joy and excitement. But the moment her thoughts shifted to their future, dread crept over. It was as if something was squeezing her chest, suffocating her.
Rukia blinked away the forming tears and looked at his serene face. She brushed her fingers across his cheeks and lips, and nose, waiting for him to wake up.
・
Ulquiorra's eyes fluttered open and he saw Rukia in the same position he had seen her before dozing off. Something was different, though. She was different. Gone was that cheerful, happy Rukia. This Rukia was intense, her gaze burning.
He extended his hand to brush her cheek. She took it in her own hand and kissed his palm. When he tenderly ran his fingers across her lips, she closed her eyes, savouring his touch. She caught his thumb between her teeth and her tongue brushed against his fingertip.
His breath quickened as did hers.
Ulquiorra sat up. Without a word she sat astride his lap and started kissing him fervently. Her hands tightly gripped his shoulders, though one soon moved into his hair, holding him closer, as she deepened the kiss. Her lips were intense, almost forceful. There was need in them and in her body moving against his – to give or take, he wasn't sure.
He broke off the kiss, so they could catch breath. "Is everything all right, Rukia?"
Her bottom lip quivered and her brow furrowed. "I… I'm scared."
"Of what?" Ulquiorra asked, resting his forehead against hers. Seeing her hesitate, he cupped her face and kissed her gently, encouragingly. "Tell me."
Rukia sighed and hugged him tightly, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Eventually she spoke, "Of my feelings for you. Of your feelings for me. Of… of our future… But I don't want to run away from what we have."
"Rukia…" He realised she just stripped herself off of all her walls and façades and lay herself bare in front of him.
She straightened herself to look at him, her gaze solemn. "And I don't want to lose it."
Ulquiorra opened his mouth to either warn or reassure her, he didn't know. It didn't matter, though, because her insistent lips silenced him effectively. He instantly forgot whether he had anything to say in the first place. Any caution and restraint he had got thrown out of the window the moment she made it clear she craved him, and all he could think was what the quickest way back to her room was.
Grimmjow found himself actually knocking on the door, though not knowing nor caring more about the simplest of courtesy, he almost immediately entered Nelliel's chambers. He wasn't hiding his reiatsu, so she should be aware that he was visiting, anyway.
His cheeky grin changed into a scowl, however, when an annoying ant-like figure appeared, closely followed by a giant head, equally annoying. And they even had the guts to sputter some words at him.
"Grimmjow-sama, you cannot barge like this into Nelliel-sama's rooms!"
"We will have to ask you to leave, Grimmjow-sama!"
"Whatever," he rolled his eyes and continued on his way. They spread their arms, trying to block him.
"Get out of my way," he growled warningly at the obstacles. When they didn't budge, he pushed them aside and easily went past them. Weren't they Nelliel's fraccións, he would have killed them the moment they dared to annoy him with their presence.
"Grimmjow-sama!" the Ant shouted and clung to his leg, again trying to stop him. The Head somehow managed to reappear in front of him.
"You're really trying my patience here," he seethed, and swinging his leg, he hurled the Ant at the Head. "Outta my way!"
"Good grief, what's with the ruckus?"
Grimmjow perked his head up and saw Nelliel standing in the doorway. She had her arms crossed in front of her chest, and a look of disapproval on her face. In one hand she held a book, a finger between the pages marking the page she had left off.
He barred his teeth in a wide grin. "Yo, Nel! Can you tell them to back off?"
She stared at him scrutinisingly for a moment, trying to read his intentions. He had no idea how she did it, but she could make him feel unsure about himself with just a look. His grin faltered a bit.
Eventually she turned to her subordinates, "Peshe, Dondochakka, you can leave us."
Grimmjow's self-confidence returned, and he smirked challengingly at the Ant and the Head.
"But Nelliel-sama!" they protested fervently.
She sent her subordinates a soft smile. "It's all right."
Grudgingly they obeyed, though their untrusting stares boring into Grimmjow told him, that they didn't think it was 'all right'. The 6th Espada didn't care what they thought, and once they disappeared from his sight, he immediately forgot about their existence.
Nel made a gesture telling him to sit down, and so he made himself comfortable in her sofa. She sat in one of the two armchairs in the room.
"So what brings you here?" she asked.
"Right!" Grimmjow barked in laughter, remembering the reason he came to visit her. "You ain't gonna believe what I just saw!"
"Oh?" her lips finally curved into a smile. A dubious one, but a smile nonetheless.
He eagerly began his story, absolutely sure it would surprise her. He himself still had problems believing what he had seen, and he had seen it with his very own eyes. "You see, I was minding my own business, strolling aimlessly, when suddenly my eyes caught the most bizarre sight in my life. And believe me, I've seen many crazy things. This tops it all."
Grimmjow paused for a dramatic effect. It seemed to work, for Nel curiously tilted her head to the side and raised her eyebrows, waiting for him to continue.
"Ulquiorra. Frolicking. In the sand. With his girl. Can you believe it? Ulquiorra! Fucking Ulquiorra!"
She stared at him for a moment, processing what he just told her. Then, to his delight, she burst into a fit of chuckles. She had this cute habit of covering her mouth with her hand when she laughed. Catching her breath, she asked in amazement, "Really?"
"Really," Grimmjow confirmed with a grin, pleased that she liked his story.
"That's just sweet."
He frowned. "Sweet? It's fucking gross! Or bizarre, at least."
Nel shook her head, smiling at him like he knew nothing. "Oh, cut him some slack, Grimmjow. Let him be happy for a moment."
Her smile changed into a melancholic one. Dammit! He wasn't sure if she was aware of it, but her hand went up to twirl a strand of her hair. Even he knew it was a sign of uneasiness or nervousness.
"So, what are you reading?" he asked suddenly to break the awkward silence. (And before she told him to leave.)
She looked at him oddly. "A book."
"I can see that. What's it about?"
"Adventure, some politics, a bit of romance." He saw her eyes light up a bit. She sure liked her books. "It's basically two stories, intertwining, and eventually they come together…" Nel hesitated. "It's quite good, though I don't think you'd like it."
"Try me," Grimmjow said, surprising them both.
While Rukia gently caressed his neck, Ulquiorra listened to her strong, even heartbeats. It was his favourite sound, closely followed by her laughter, and then her saying his name.
Yes, he silently agreed with her morning statement. It would be nice to stay like this forever. He would have never thought that a fallen soul like himself could find solace in this cursed world. Even if they couldn't stay like this forever, he wished he could at least always return to her.
Sadly, he should be getting up now, as soon there was the meeting with Aizen-sama.
Ulquiorra sat up, making sure to pull off any cover from Rukia, and looked at her, appreciating the view.
She blinked at him, and it took her a moment to realise what he was doing. Her face flushed. "Why you!" she squealed, but there were no bed sheets she could cover herself with. So she grabbed a pillow, hit him with it, and hid behind it.
Smirking, he moved over to her and kissed her. Red blazed up her cheeks even more, spreading to her ears. "Don't hide yourself before me," he told her, but she only stuck out her tongue at him.
He got off the bed to search for his clothes, and started dressing.
"Are you going already?" Rukia asked, disappointment clear in her voice.
Ulquiorra nodded. He would have rather stayed, but it wasn't his decision to make. Being the 4th Espada in Aizen-sama's army, he had obligations to his master. Despite his relationship with her, essentially his enemy, he was still loyal to Aizen-sama.
・
Rukia unhappily watched him dress. The spell was breaking. Those blissful hours they had spent together in the night and today were reaching their end. She feared they might not come back, and it was almost physically painful.
"I don't want you to go," she confessed, knowing very well it was no use.
"I have to," he replied, tying the sash around his hips to keep the hakama in place.
"I know, but still… I don't want you to go. Just so you know."
He put on his jacket, looking at her closely. "Is something the matter?"
She smiled at him, but it was a forced smile. "No. I just… I just miss you already." That wasn't a lie, but wasn't the entire truth either. She left out a very big chunk of it, actually. After all, she couldn't tell him, that once he was gone and at the meeting, it would give her the chance to rescue Inoue.
Despite being torn between her love for Ulquiorra and her love for Inoue, Rukia knew very well what the right thing to do was. Or at least the more right one.
He sat on the bed next to her. "I can come later, if you want me to."
Looking into his green eyes, she couldn't deny she was his, for better or worse. She would break his trust, and then she would yield herself to his judgement. In this scenario only she paid the consequences, while in the other – her conscience and Inoue. And involving Inoue in her own selfish affairs would be unforgivable.
"I'd like that very much." Scattering the pillow, Rukia moved to sit in his lap, and put her arms around his neck. With his warm hands on her body, she couldn't help but smile, this time sincerely. "Will you?"
"I will."
・
Ulquiorra noticed that something was off, but he was unable to put his finger on what it was. And naked Rukia right in front of him wasn't helping, his mind captivated by her beauty. Suddenly all he could think of was how she had moved and arched under him not so long ago. She was really distracting, and in a way he felt intimidated by just how easily he lost focus because of her.
"Promise me that you'll come," she asked, looking intently at him.
He brought her closer to himself. He didn't think there was anything that could prevent him from returning to her after the meeting, but it seemed important to her, so he replied, "I promise."
"Thank you." Rukia kissed the tip of his nose. "I'll be waiting for you."
Ulquiorra in return captured her lips with his. The kiss was slow and tender at first, but soon became more hectic, more… desperate. It felt different than any other before. Also, odd in the context known to him.
Rukia dug her nails into his shoulders and whimpered against his lips, when his fingers touched one of the more sensitive spots on her body. Her hands moved to take off his jacket, but regretfully he had to stop her. He would make it up to her in the evening.
Reluctantly Ulquiorra broke off the kiss. Gently cupping her face in his hands, he told her, "I'll see you later."
She nodded with a soft smile, but her eyes shined with emotions he didn't understand.
・
Rukia released him from her hold and watched him leave, as real a smile on her face as she could muster. She knew what she was about to do was the right thing, but she couldn't help but feel guilty.
However, with a click of the closing door, resolution hardened her face and heart, and she began preparations.
She picked up her scattered clothes, took a fresh set and went to the bathroom to quickly clean herself and change. Her reflection in the mirror seemed to pity her, while at the same time her cold eyes admonished her not to stray from her initial objective. Inoue needed to be out of Hueco Mundo. The girl was too fragile for a place like this.
Back in the room she grabbed Sode no Shirayuki, her cold hilt calming her emotions. She sat on the floor to meditate and gather her wits for this action. The meeting would start in half an hour at the latest. She would move in forty minutes.
«Foolish girl! What are you thinking? Fraternising with our enemy? So improper! What Byakuya-sama would—»
"Don't you judge me for things you have no idea about!" Rukia hissed out loud. "I don't need this right now!"
As much as she understood Sode no Shirayuki's point of view and the indignation she felt, she wouldn't stand being condemned for her love for Ulquiorra, just as she wouldn't stand anyone disparaging her relationship with him.
«…You're trembling.»
Rukia took a few breaths to calm herself. Please spare me your lectures, they won't change my feelings anyway. And at the moment there are far more important things. We have to focus on getting Inoue out from here. Then you can vent out on me as much as you like.
Knowing there was no time for quarrels, she got on her knees and bowed to her zanpakutō.
I need your strength, Sode no Shirayuki. Your ice to cool down my emotions, otherwise I might hesitate. Please…
Sode no Shirayuki huffed. «I shall dance for you this time, but do not think I'll let this… this shame ruin you, girl!»
The Espada meeting was to take place in the second Throne Room – a vast room in one of the Las Noches' towers, with a huge terrace. Ulquiorra was the last Espada to arrive. He noticed that apart from his ranks, Rudbornn Chelute of Exequias and Wonderweiss Margela were summoned, though the latter could have simply wandered into the room and no-one had bothered to tell him to leave. He was, after all, somewhat of a Tōsen-sama's pet.
Taking his seat by the table, he noticed Grimmjow give him an odd look. The 6th Espada leaned over to Nelliel and whispered something in her ear. She glanced at Ulquiorra and chuckled, nodding her head. Then she whispered something back to Grimmjow, who snickered in response.
Ulquiorra flatly ignored them. The 6th Espada, however, had other plans.
"Oi, Ulquiorra. Me and Nel here were wondering…"
"Stop, Grimmjow, don't ask him that!" she protested, swatting him on the arm. A smile on her face, however, clearly showed that she was having fun.
Thankfully they were silenced by Aizen-sama's arrival.
With Kyokkō hiding her presence, Rukia moved stealthily through Las Noches' corridors, and as fast as possible, occasionally making long jumps with Shunpo. She more or less remembered the way, and Inoue's gentle but unusually disturbed reiatsu guided her, like a beacon.
The castle was quiet. She didn't encounter anyone for roughly half of the way. Then she had to hide behind a corner and wait for an Arrancar to pass, and shortly after she had to run before a group of her enemies noticed her.
I'm almost there, just hang in there, Inoue… she asked her friend silently, when suddenly two sources of reiatsu appeared next to Inoue's.
Rukia sped up.
Orihime sat on the bed, her arms around her knees, hugging them tightly to her chest. She felt the invisible cage around her shrink, making her unable to move; the bars squeezed her heart, leaving painful marks. Her mind couldn't focus on anything, numb from distress.
She hadn't slept well that night. She wasn't sure if she had slept at all, plagued with visions of her friends being hurt by Aizen-san. Or she kept seeing Karakura Town disappearing right in front of her eyes, alongside with its citizens; she saw confused Tatsuki-chan and their classmates, when suddenly their faces changed into that of horror, when in the last second they realised they were done for; only to evaporate right away.
Orihime also saw disappointment and disgust in her friends' faces when they looked at her. They cursed her for giving their enemy an enormous power – power that could destroy Soul Society and Human World. She would never blame them for that, but it still hurt.
Her Shun Shun Rikka fairies tried to console her, but so far hadn't been successful. Ayame and Lily lay on Orihime's head, gently stroking her hair. Shun'ō sat on one of her knees, watching her with sad eyes. Occasionally he would say something to cheer her up – a story from their adventures, or something made-up. Baigon and Hinagiku, who were on each of her shoulders, backed him up, trying to make his stories even funnier and more light-hearted.
Even Tsubaki refrained from harsh remarks. After grunting, "You couldn't have done better in that situation. If you don't stop moping around, I'm gonna kick your arse," he simply settled down next to her, with his back leaning against her hip. Nothing indicated that he would follow through on his half-hearted threats.
Orihime smiled kindly at their efforts, but they all knew it was surface-level. She did it for them, but deep inside her emotions weren't lightening up.
"Everything will be good. Kurosaki-kun will make everything all right again," she repeated to herself from time to time, but there was something empty to these words – she was having a trouble believing in them.
Thinking of Kurosaki-kun, she again forced herself to smile, but when her gaze fell on the window, the black night sky and the thick iron bars separating the room from the outside made her smile falter. She clenched her teeth, while fresh tears welled up in her eyes. Sighing heavily, she lowered her head in dismay.
So when the door opened with a quiet hiss, and Loly and Menoly entered her cell with clearly unkind intentions, all she did was stare at them in silence. They threw cruel insults at her, but she only looked away from them, focusing on the bars in the small, lone window.
She didn't fight much when Menoly grabbed her hair and dragged her off the bed. She held back a whimper when Loly slapped her, and she only blocked the kick to her stomach on instinct. The second kick, however, landed, just as did the third one. Orihime wanted to curl up to cover herself, but Loly's arm sneaked around her neck from behind, and with a pull on her hair they made her stand up straight.
Another kick sunk into her stomach, and this time she cried out in pain, but her scream was quickly silenced with a punch to the face. She didn't see another punch, but she most definitely felt it. Her vision blurred, and she could hear ringing in her ears.
Shun Shun Rikka fairies were shouting, begging her to command them, but their voices were barely reaching her, as if they were far away, like whispers from a dream.
With her hand ready to draw her zanpakutō, Rukia opened the door to Inoue's room. The sight she was met with filled her with fury and hatred for the two Arrancars before her, and with fear for Inoue's life.
Loly and Menoly – as Rukia guessed were the pair's names – stood over her friend, their faces contorted with gleeful yet hateful smiles. The black-haired girl held a dagger. The blonde was barehanded, but her foot was prodding Inoue's back. Inoue lay on the floor, unmoving. There was blood. Lots of blood.
The Arrancars barely noticed her arrival, so using this opportunity, she extended her hand in their direction. She aimed a little bit higher than she normally would, to make sure she didn't hit Inoue by accident.
"SŌKATSUI!" she bellowed, outraged. The blast hit the targets, destroyed the wall and sent Loly and Menoly flying outside.
Rukia quickly jumped over to her friend, her heart sinking to the pit of her stomach at the state the Human girl was in. The fairies too quickly flew over, all crying and worrying.
There were bruises all over Inoue's face, with blood flowing out from her nose and mouth, and various cuts. Her torn clothes exposed more bruises and cuts. But the worst was her chest – there were at least three stab wounds, all bleeding profusely. Thankfully the Human girl was still alive, but if not stopped at once, the bleeding would be fatal.
"Inoue, you must wake up," Rukia begged her friend, while trying to stop the bleeding with a healing Spell. "Please… I can only do this much now, I need you to heal yourself. Please, wake up… I'm here to get you out from here, but I can't do this without your help. Please… Inoue…"
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Ulquiorra-sama's whore."
Rukia tensed and looked in the direction of the hole in the wall. Right outside it Loly and Menoly were standing in the air.
"I'll never understand how he can keep something this ugly, right, Menoly?" the black-haired Arrancar commented.
The other girl snickered and nodded. "True."
So the blonde is Menoly and the other one is Loly, Rukia thought, glaring at them both. Whatever their names were, though, she would make them pay for what they did to Inoue…
"Ku-Kuchiki…-san?"
Rukia looked down. Inoue's one eye was too swollen to be usable, but the other one was slightly open, looking at her.
"Inoue!" the Shinigami cried in relief, but her joy was interrupted by annoyed voices.
"Shit, the Human bitch is still alive," Loly cursed. "I thought I got her good."
"Apparently not."
Seeing the Arrancars approach, Rukia whispered urgently, "Shun'ō and the rest, grab onto me. Quickly!"
They couldn't stay in the room, and they needed to get to the desert. She wouldn't be able to carry them all with Shunpo fast enough to outrun Loly and Menoly. However she had an idea how to get down the slope of the dome without arising any suspicions, but she needed Inoue healthy and on her feet.
"Sorry, but we need to move," she said apologetically, knowing any movement might cause her friend pain. Carefully scooping Inoue up onto her back, she quickly flashed past the Arrancars that were almost inside the room. She landed on top of the Las Noches' dome, and gently laid down her friend.
"Heal yourself, Inoue, while I take care of these two," Rukia said, frigid anger blazing in her chest anew. When the Human girl called upon Sōten Kisshun, she let her go and stood up. Glaring at her foes, she jumped with Shunpo into the air, away from Inoue, and unsheathed her zanpakutō.
"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki."
The meeting with Aizen-sama and Espadas was going fairly well, as per usual. Or at least that was what Ulquiorra gathered from the little attention he paid to the meeting. He knew the topics, he knew the plan, he knew his comrades' ideas and complaints. Nothing new emerged so far, as far as he could tell, and he himself didn't have any new inputs, so he kept silent and let his mind wander around far more pleasant topic – Rukia.
He barely registered an explosion nearby, rather a sudden pause and a wave of murmur in the room alerted him that something unusual had just occurred. However, since Aizen-sama didn't react, everyone stayed in their seats and Rudbornn eventually resumed his report on things that didn't concern nor interested Ulquiorra in the least.
Then, a few minutes later, a cold blast of reiatsu swept through Las Noches.
It was Rukia. And she was furious.
"Hm?" Ichimaru perked his head up. "Ain't that Rukia-chan's reiatsu? Has she just released her zanpakutō?"
"Indeed," Aizen-sama confirmed. "And she's fighting Menoly and Loly."
"I'mma take a peek," the Fox said with a wide grin, got up and casually ambled out on the terrace to check the situation.
Despite his indifferent façade, Ulquiorra wanted nothing but to follow him, and see exactly what was going on there for himself. He was pretty sure Rukia could easily take on those two bimbos, but he worried that there could be consequences for her actions. What the hell are you doing, Rukia? Ignoring Grimmjow's raised eyebrows, he focused on coming up with ways of protecting her in various scenarios.
Before long Ichimaru returned. "Aye, it's just as you've said, Capt'n Aizen. Tho' there's Orihime-chan, too. It seems she's been hurt."
"Probably Loly's work," Grimmjow suggested with a shrug. "That woman's savage. My guess is she wanted to finish what she's started the last time, and attacked that Human girl again."
Ulquiorra frowned, not understanding what 'last time' Grimmjow was referring to. Then he remembered he had once found those two women in Orihime Inoue's room. When questioned, they had only mentioned the 6th Espada… It seemed they had omitted a crucial part of their own involvement in the scene.
But at least he didn't have to wonder anymore what set Rukia off.
"Shall I interfere, Aizen-sama?" he finally asked, expecting his master to agree.
Ichimaru spoke first, though, a sly smile on his face. "Let's watch fer a bit. Been ages since I've seen Rukia-chan's dances, an' lately there's been nothin' interestin' goin' on in the castle. What'd'ya say, Capt'n Aizen?"
"I don't mind a break," Aizen-sama smiled gently, indulging his second-in-command. Standing up, he turned to all present. "Let's use this opportunity to whet our appetites for more in the upcoming confrontation. Granted, Rukia Kuchiki is more or less on… what, lieutenant level?"
"Aye, I'd say so," Ichimaru confirmed.
Aizen-sama continued, "This fight might give you an insight into who you will be up against soon. Though you must remember that the Soul Society captains are on a whole different level."
The master of Las Noches walked out on the terrace, with everyone following him.
Ulquiorra had to fight the urge to pass by Aizen-sama and be the first one to see how the fight was unfolding. So far he could rely only on his senses, and luckily nothing indicated that Rukia had any problems with the two women.
Reaching the edge of the terrace, he saw Rukia parrying Menoly's attack. Loly was off to the side, gathering her reiatsu to fire Cero. Orihime Inoue sat a little bit down the dome, surrounded by her healing Spell.
With a quick Shunpo to her left, Rukia managed to evade Loly's Cero. She almost got caught in a cross-fire, when Menoly started firing Bala at her, but with some Shinigami Spell she deflected the first couple shots. Then, one hit her left arm, pushing her back. She quickly recovered, though her skin where she was hit looked scorched. Jumping to the side, she ran at the blonde opponent, ready to cross blades.
"I thought you had Rukia-chan's zanpakutō?" Ulquiorra heard Ichimaru's almost inaudible question. He was right next to him.
"I did," Ulquiorra replied as quietly, but didn't elaborate. He had no idea what the man was getting at, but if he could help it, he didn't want to get involved in anything he was scheming. From the corner of his eye he could see Ichimaru's smile get wider. Luckily, the Fox didn't press the matter.
Looking back at the fight, Rukia just fired Byakurai at Loly, but missed. This Spell he knew and even had experienced first-hand.
"My bet's on Rukia-chan," Ichimaru said, this time aloud.
"Mine's on Loly and Menoly," Grimmjow chipped in. He stood on Ulquiorra's other side. "It's two versus one, they clearly have an advantage. And the Shinigami has to look out for the Human girl. Loly and Menoly are targeting her too."
Ulquiorra kept silent. He didn't want to bet, even though he knew Rukia would win.
Rukia jumped between Inoue and Loly, blocking the incoming attack with her zanpakutō. Unfortunately her friend wasn't out of harm's way for long, as from the corner of her eye she noticed Menoly rapidly approaching her. She shoved Loly to the side, and acting on instinct, she pointed her finger at Inoue.
"Hadō #1, Shō." The Spell hit Inoue with a little bit more force than Rukia intended, knocking her over, and pushing her down the dome's slope. Sorry, Inoue… she thought, when she heard her surprised scream. At least her friend escaped the attack and got closer to the desert.
She then flashed a couple of yards behind Menoly, so she had both Arrancars in line. She levitated Sode no Shirayuki in front of herself, and then spun it like a fan.
"Hadō #58, Tenran!" A tornado-like blast hit her targets, sending them flying a considerable distance. Rukia knew they would be back soon, though.
She quickly ran to Inoue and gently grabbing her by her shoulders, she eyed her up and down. Seeing she was completely healed, she embraced her tightly, and said, "This will be our chance to escape. Do you have your hairpin?"
Inoue nodded, but there was something crestfallen in that motion and in her voice. "Yes, I keep it attached to my belt."
Rukia peered into her face. Something had happened, but sadly there was no time to talk. They had to focus on the matter at hand.
All she could do at the moment was to squeeze her friend's shoulders in encouragement. She spoke quickly, "Good. Listen to me, Inoue. No matter what, I have your back. Always. You better not forget that."
The Human girl nodded again, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Rukia continued, "This is our chance to get back home. Running to the desert will be suspicious, so we need them to push us over to it. We'll be on the defensive most of the time, but eventually we'll make it. The moment your feet touch the sands of Hueco Mundo, you use your hairpin. I'll follow right behind you. Do you understand?"
・
"Yes," Orihime replied, wiping her eyes before any tears could fall. Kuchiki-san was such an amazing person! Thanks to her she remembered her purpose. She had come to Hueco Mundo to get Kuchiki-san out. And that was what she was going to do. It was her chance to do one thing right!
"They're coming. Are you ready to take them on and leave this godforsaken place?" the Shinigami asked vigorously.
"Yes!" This time Orihime mustered all her determination into the shout. There were many things and deeds she couldn't undo, but she most definitely could accomplish the task Kurosaki-kun and the rest of their friends entrusted her with.
Kuchiki-san smiled widely. "Splendid. Let's commence Tactic Number Three…"
Orihime couldn't help but perk up even more. "Sunflower Canary," she finished the name of the tactic. She remembered how much fun they had had coming up with the names while they had trained together in Soul Society.
"Then we'll move to Tactic Number Five."
She clasped her hands, a silly smile on her face. "Lily Bunny!"
Kuchiki-san nodded her head, and took a couple of steps in front of her, while Orihime straightened up, and stretched her arms, ready to cast Santen Kesshun.
"Interestin'," Ichimaru singsonged. "It's two versus two now."
"Hahaha, now that's a cat fight!" Grimmjow cackled, once Menoly's Cero and Rukia's Spell of crimson red energy met and exploded in the middle, sending both women backwards. The Shinigami would have fallen farther down the dome, if Orihime Inoue hadn't caught her with her shield. "I'm changing my bet. It's on Kurosaki's girlfriends."
Ulquiorra ignored the obvious taunt.
He was surprised to learn that Orihime Inoue could be quite a decent support. It was clear that she and Rukia had trained together before, for their moves and reactions were in great harmony with each other. He supposed it was because of Rukia's effort and time she had dedicated to her friend, because he could not see the Human woman work this well with anyone else. The rest of their friends would most probably keep her in the back, never giving her a chance to do more than treat their injuries. Rukia could bring out the best in almost anyone.
The Shinigami then appeared under Loly, her zanpakutō glowing. She slashed the air, drawing a circle. Following that motion, a giant pillar of ice formed, freezing the black-haired Arrancar inside. The moment Rukia jumped aside, it shattered into millions of tiny crystals, which slowly fell down like snow.
Loly didn't shatter with it, but was badly hurt. She fell down and hit the dome's surface.
"Some no mai, Tsukishiro," Ichimaru explained. "I think it's me favourite dance. By the by, did'ya know that Sode no Shirayuki's said to be one of the most beautiful blades in Soul Society?"
Ulquiorra didn't know that, but watching her – and Rukia – he wasn't surprised. At the same time, he decided that he rather liked snow.
The Fox chuckled. "I mus'say, I envy them Kuchikis. They're all so very graceful an' have the prettiest blades."
"She's adopted, Ichimaru," Tōsen-sama, who stood nearby, retorted matter-of-factly.
Ichimaru shrugged, chuckling, "So?"
Ulquiorra ignored the banter between his superiors. He just wanted to admire Rukia. There was something akin to pride in him, when he watched her give her all out, her every move so graceful. She truly danced. He just wished he could get closer and observe the smallest details. The fight had moved quite a bit down the dome.
Rukia disappeared for a moment, only to appear behind Menoly's back.
"Nice, Rukia-chan!" Ichimaru cheered. "Did'ya see that, Tōsen-san? 'T'was Capt'n Kuchiki-san's Senka, tho' she managed only one stab. Rukia-chan's sure got stronger."
Then a piercing shriek sounded in the air. It seemed Loly wasn't about to die quietly and she released her zanpakutō. Resurrección healed her wounds, and she wanted payback.
Rukia heard the shriek, and knew it was the sound of trouble. She had to move before the blonde Arrancar released her zanpakutō as well.
Approaching Menoly, she chanted under her breath, "Carriage of thunder, bridge of a spinning wheel. With light, divide this into six…"
Her opponent took a stance to perform Resurrección.
However Rukia was faster.
"Bakudō #61, Rikujōkōrō." Six beams of light sunk into Menoly's midsection, immobilising her.
"What did you do? Release me at once! I'm going to kill you!" the blonde's words were full of hate, but there were also notes of panic in her voice.
Rukia wanted to kill her, but she couldn't do it. Delivering a final blow to someone who couldn't fight back anymore didn't sit well with her, no matter how much she hated her opponent. She wasn't an executioner. Instead she went up to Menoly with different intention.
"You Shinigami scum! You're going to pay for this!"
Unaffected by Menoly's screams, she put her to sleep with Hakufuku. Initially she had wanted to strengthen the bonds with Sajō Sabaku, too, but she needed her reiatsu for enraged Loly. Besides, those two Spells should keep this Arrancar out of the fight long enough for Inoue to reach the desert. They were close to the edge of Las Noches' dome, after all.
"Kuchiki-san!"
Inoue's urgent shout alerted her just in time to dodge a direct hit from Loly. It was a close one.
Rukia jumped back to gain a safer distance and took in her opponent's new form. There was something centipede-like about it. She felt a creepy-crawly shiver run down her spine. She hated bugs.
Distracted by repulsion, she had a problem evading another whip-like swing. One of Loly's arms almost reached her. The second arm, however, managed to graze her leg. To her horror, one of her jacket's long pieces of fabric and part of her hakama began rapidly eroding away with a bubbling hiss. She tore them off. Unfortunately some of the acid poison got onto her leg, etching into her skin. She yelped in pain.
・
Seeing Kuchiki-san hurt, Orihime instinctively ran towards her, ready to heal her. However her friend stopped her halfway with a wave of her hand.
"It's nothing, Inoue!" she declared with a smile that she tried to mask her pain with. "Let's go with Pine Turtle, but don't get hit by any of her arms!"
"Okay!" Orihime shouted back and took position a few yards away from the Shinigami.
Loly kept attacking them, and they both were either dodging or blocking her attacks – Kuchiki-san with her zanpakutō and Kidō, and she with Santen Kesshun. But the moment the assault relented, Orihime jumped to the side.
She was unable to do any lethal damage, but she was capable of inflicting a small injury, as much as she was reluctant to do even so. However her determination to take Kuchiki-san back home was stronger than any of her moral doubts at the moment.
"Koten Zanshun!" Powered by her resolve, Tsubaki flew and slashed through one of Loly's protruding epaulieres.
The Arrancar screamed in rage and charged at her. "I'll kill you for this, you monster!"
One after another Orihime blocked incoming hits. She was scared. Each next shield seemed to last shorter than the previous one, and each new one seemed to take longer to put up. She was getting tired. She wasn't about to give up, though. All she had to do was hold out for a couple more seconds…
A gust of cold air was her cue, but before she got the time to react, Loly's arm broke through her Santen Kesshun and hit her on the shoulder. She flew a few yards down the dome, screaming in pain as her clothes and body started to dissolve and disintegrate.
Orihime heard Kuchiki-san cry her name.
Making her friend worry was the last thing she wanted. She didn't want to weigh her down more than she already did, especially when it was Kuchiki-san doing most of the work here. So writhing in pain, she silently called up Ayame and Shun'ō to heal her. She would be fine soon. She just had to endure the pain for a short while.
"Tsugi no mai, Hakuren!" the Shinigami bellowed, and the air became frigid. The cold soothed her healing wounds.
"Inoue!" Kuchiki-san appeared next to her. "I'm so sorry! Hang in there!"
Holding back a whimper, Orihime smiled widely to cheer her friend up. "It's okay. Just a moment and I'll be all right."
A minute or so later she was ready to sit up. The pain was almost gone.
Then the ice figure near them shattered. They expected silence to follow, but a furious cry and a blast of reiatsu told them it wasn't over yet. Loly's intractable ferocity kept her going.
"Run!" Kuchiki-san grabbed her hand, and helping her get up, she pulled her into a skedaddle. Soon they clumsily reached the flat brim at the bottom of the Las Noches' dome. The sand in the distance glistened invitingly in the darkness of the eternal night. Just a dozen more yards forward, and hundreds of yards down was Hueco Mundo desert. And one Spell away – their home.
"You won't run away from me!" Loly screamed angrily behind their backs.
Orihime and Kuchiki-san finally made it to the edge of the castle and looked down.
"Go first, Inoue," the Shinigami insisted. "I need to settle things with her first."
"But…" she wanted to protest, but was stopped by her friend's hands on her shoulders.
"I'll be right behind you." Kuchiki-san smiled, but there was something odd in that smile.
Before Orihime got the chance to put her finger on what it could be, she was pushed off the edge. She screamed in surprise and fear, before she remembered to use Santen Kesshun to cushion her fall. A few seconds later she safely landed on the sands of Hueco Mundo desert. While feeling her belt for the Chappy the Bunny hairpin, she looked up, trying to make out what Kuchiki-san was doing. Unfortunately, she was too far away.
※
Rukia turned towards approaching Loly. Her opponent was hurt, but determined, making her very dangerous. She herself was low on reiatsu, too, so she had to settle this quickly. With Inoue gone, she could focus solely on the fight.
She crouched and put her palms down on the ground, waiting for Loly to swing her arms to hit her.
"Bakudō #21, Sekienton." Red smoke engulfed them and the surrounding area. Rukia swiftly jumped backwards and up into the air to avoid injury and the smoke.
Watching out for Loly to reappear, she chanted the incantation quietly, "Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus. In the abyss of conflagration, wait at the far heavens."
The red smoke slowly began to disperse. Rukia saw a movement. It was Loly. She was falling down the outer wall of Las Noches, most probably hoping to get to Inoue.
The Shinigami followed her with Shunpo, and the moment she had her opponent in the firing range, she didn't hesitate.
"Hadō #73, Sōren Sōkatsui!" A powerful blast of pale blue energy slammed into the Arrancar. It also made a huge dent in the castle's outer wall. There was no way Loly could survive this. The fight was over. Inoue and she had won.
Rukia, breathing heavily from exhaustion, lowered herself down until her feet touched the sands of Hueco Mundo. She was satisfied with the battle and its outcome. Inoue reached the desert. She was home now, safe. That was all that mattered.
As for herself, she had no idea what she could possibly do now. All she wanted was to find Ulquiorra and hide inside his embrace.
"You fought well, Rukia," she heard his voice even before she noticed him approaching her from the side.
"Ulquiorra…" she breathed out, looking at him. A happy smile tugged at her lips, but soon it gave way to worry, as she felt the guilt spread inside her gut.
Ulquiorra's face was, as always, unreadable. Up until now this was the moment she wished to know his thoughts the most. Was he disappointed with her? Or angry? Did he feel betrayed?
Rukia spread her hands apologetically. "Ulquiorra, I'm sorry. I know—"
"Kuchiki-san!" she was interrupted by Inoue's sudden cry and her arms being wrapped around her. Shock and fear washed over her. What was going on? Had the hairpin failed?
"Inoue…" she said, startled. She wanted to move to take a better look at her friend, but her body was frozen in place, familiar frostiness coating her limbs.
"Sode… no Shirayuki…?" she rasped, feeling frost in her throat.
Then a sudden realisation what was happening hit her. She quickly looked at Ulquiorra for the last time.
She opened her mouth – whether to cry his name or tell him good-bye or whisper that she loved him, she didn't know. But she knew she didn't want to leave him, not like this, not without at least one word of parting.
"Ulquiorra," she uttered finally, but he was already gone. He, Hueco Mundo and Las Noches were replaced by familiar walls of Urahara's Shop.
OMAKE (A quick Grimmjow's nonsense to cheer ye up!)
Grimmjow appeared next to Ulquiorra, who was blankly staring at the place where Rukia had been moments ago.
He awkwardly patted his rival on the shoulder. "Bitches, man."
Curtains.
A/N:
Sorry, it had to happen…
I hope to update the next chapter sooner than later, as I have already around half of it written… Keep your fingers crossed that I don't mess anything up!
I'll also make sure to reply to all of your reviews and PMs (which are even scarier than reviews, nonetheless I'm always excited to receive them)!
Take care and until then!
Love,
朝霧 -Asagiri-