A/N: Well hello long time readers! It has been awhile but no I am not dead. I think I just lost my mojo for awhile. Im not happy with this chapter, it lacks some oomph but, I will probably rewrite it at some point. In the meantime I thought I would hook yall up with the rough draft since you have been so patient and kind. Hopefully Z is back baby!
Chapter 25: Reprecussions
I find a map and draw a straight line
Over rivers, farms, and state lines
The distance from here to where you'd be
It's only finger-lengths that I see
I touch the place
Where I'd find your face
My fingers in creases
Of distant dark places
I hang my coat up in the first bar
There is no peace that I've found so far
The laughter penetrates my silence
As drunken men find flaws in science
Their words, mostly noises
Ghosts with just voices
Your words in my memory
Are like music to me
I'm miles from where you are
I lay down on the cold ground
And I, I pray that something picks me up
And sets me down in your warm arms
After I have traveled so far
We'd set the fire to the third bar
We'd share each other like an island
Until exhausted, close our eyelids
And dreaming, pick up from
The last place we left off
Your soft skin is weeping
A joy you can't keep in
I'm miles from where you are
I lay down on the cold ground
And I, I pray that something picks me up
And sets me down in your warm arms
I'm miles from where you are
I lay down on the cold ground
And I, I pray that something picks me up
And sets me down in your warm arms
Snow Patrol- Set Fire to the Third Bar
He felt nothing but a cool breeze. A cool breeze? Confused, Grimmjow slowly opened his eyes, blinking in the harsh light of the nearby streetlamp. Then he had to blink a few more times at the sight before him. A blue dragon held the sword that had been about to end his life between its massive jaws.
How dare you interfere! The dark haired shinigami bit out.
Well now boys, how about we all just calm down came a slow drawl from Grimmjow's left. He recognized the voice of Urahara Kisuke. And the dragon appeared to belong to the child like Captain Hitsugaya.
I have a direct order from the Head Captain to dispatch the three Arrancar who have attacked Karakura town. Why are you standing in my way? Byakuya twisted his sword free from the ice dragon and squared off with Urahara and Hitsugaya.
Just listen Byakuya. It's not what you think. Captain Hitsuguya tried to reason with Byakuya but he never dropped his stance. Of all the captains the Soul Society could have sent, Byakuya would be the hardest to get through to.
What I think is that you are a traitor. Have you no pride? Why are you defending these vile creatures?
Kisuke slowly walked between the two captains. Though he exuded calm nonchalance, he had released his sword from the cane he usually disguised it as. He boldly planted himself in front of Byakuya, his sword casually leaning over one of his shoulders.
Now there's no need to fight. I take full responsibility for these two. You see, they are my test subjects. My quite inebriated test subjects as it were.
That matters not. I was sent here when Captain Hitsuguya failed to check in. I was ordered to dispatch the threat.
The threat? From those two? There's a story here Byakuya but I'm going to need you to trust me.
Trust you? Betrayer of the Soul society that you are, I think not.
Now wait a second….I think you'll find my standing has improved a bit since I did help you stop Aizen after all. Just listen. Ask the head captain if you must, but please put away your sword before poor Ulquiorra there bleeds to death.
Byakuya was for once unsure. All his life he had followed orders. Orders he sometimes thought were wrong. As of late he had begun to quietly question the head captain's brash judgments. After all, he had nearly lost his sister because of one of them. Why would a captain and former captain be willing to stand up for these Arrancars without good reason?
Very well. If you will step aside and allow me to take them into custody, I will do as you ask.
Sure, sure. Let's just take them over to my shop while you send a message to the Head Captain.
Byakuya's men surrounded the two Arrancars, hauling both to their feet as he dispatched a hell butterfly to the Soul Society.
Grimmjow was very confused, his beginning hangover not helping any. But he caught the shopkeeper's slight nod at him and so he complied. He really wasn't in any shape to fight anyways. A sharp groan brought his attention to Ulquiorra, who was being manhandled to his feet by the shinigami. Anger flared as they roughly began dragging him away. He quickly shoved the men aside and placed his arm around Ulquiorra allowing him to lean on him. They slowly shuffled towards Urahara's shop as the shinigami warily watched them.
It hurts. Ulquiorra wasn't tracking well. The drugs and alcohol had done their job well and now he was bleeding badly, his regeneration seemingly effected by the poisons in his body. How stupid he had been to allow himself to be in this condition. He should be at home. With the girl. But that was all over now. He had run from her. Debased himself. Betrayed her trust. And now he would surely die tonight. He deserved it. He leaned on Grimmjow, strangely glad he was by his side.
Orihime hadn't moved from the bed since Ulquiorra had left her. She just didn't know what to do anymore. She was so shocked she didn't even feel like crying. Surely he would come back soon and they would talk? She sat up quickly as she heard the front door open. She threw on her robe and ran into the living room calling out for Ulquiorra. But his name died on her lips as a very drunk Nel staggered into the apartment with none other than Ichigo behind her. Her lips pursed as she took in the two, standing there hand in hand.
Oh hey Orihime. I hope you don't mind, but Nel didn't know where you lived and plus I wanted to talk to you about earlier. Orihime noticed that Ichigo was slurring his words.
Ichigo Kurosaki! Are you drunk?
Uh yeah, I guess I am. I ran into Nel at this bar and well I owe you an apology. I've been thinking a lot about it and while I don't know that I'll ever be ok with the other two you brought home, it really means a lot to me that you brought Nel back.
Nel? That's all he could think about? He wasn't sorry that he had thrown away their years of friendship but simply because she'd brought Nel home with her this time? She really didn't think she had it in her to be nice about this. Her nerves were frayed and she was past her breaking point.
You seriously…. Her rant was cut short by a sudden pain in her heart. She glanced over at Nel who was also reacting, slowly shaking off her drunken stupor.
You felt it too?
Felt what? Ichigo asked. Orihime had forgotten he could no longer feel spiritual fluctuations.
Something's happened with Ulquiorra and Grimmjow. There are captains here too. I must go.
Wait Orihime. Nel will go with you. Nel looked imploringly at Ichigo.
Oh hell. I really don't want to get involved and I don't see what I can do, but I can't let you two go alone. Ichigo has straightened to his full height, a glimmer returning to his eyes. His drunken state was making him forget all the reasons he shouldn't be involved. Besides, he really wasn't ready to let go of Nel just yet. They had talked for hours and he found himself enjoying the female company he was missing with Rukia gone.
Orihime practically ran all the way to Urahara's shop, where she had tracked the two Espadas energy. The still drunk duo of Nel and Ichigo tried desperately to keep up with her. She burst through the door only to be stopped by Yorichi.
I don't think you should be here right now Orihime.
Whats going on Yorichi? I can feel them here. Let me see them.
The little bell on the door jingled with the arrival of Nel and Ichigo. Yorichi was surprised to see them.
And I really don't think they should be here either. What the hell? Is everyone wasted tonight?
What do you mean? Who else is wasted? What happened to Ulquiorra and Grimmjow?
Just then Kisuke walked into the front room.
Just let her come see for herself. I'm not sure if they will allow her to heal him, but it will be good for her to be here just in case. Ichigo?! I'm surprised to see you here….with an Arrancar. Hmmm. This could be good also.
Orihime gasped as she entered the underground training area and saw a ring of black surrounding a prone figure. She ran towards the group only to be held back by the sudden appearance of Rangiku.
Rangiku? Somebody tell me what's going on here?
Byakuya stepped forward at that moment.
Stop. Why are all these people here? Is that the other Arrancar? Take her into custody too.
Hey now, wait a second! Where the hell are you taking Nel? Ichigo reached behind his back, looking for a sword that wasn't there. He dumbly stared at his hand when realization crashed over him that he was helpless to do anything.
Ichigo Kurosaki. I was informed that you had lost your soul reaper powers. Why are you here and how can you see us?
Well that one's on me. This underground lair has some tricks, one of which is it makes spiritual beings visible to everyone that's in it. Neat huh? Kisuke looked quite proud of himself.
Why would you even invent such a thing? No mind. This is becoming a circus. I want everyone to back off from the Arrancar. I will not hesitate to cut down anyone that comes close. Until I have orders from the Head Captain, they are my prisoners.
The air crackled with the tense waves that rolled off of everyone present. Orihime stood nervously trying to catch a glimpse behind the shinigami. Why are they so quiet?
Finally a hell butterfly appeared beside Captain Kuchiki.
It appears in light of your assistance to the soul society, I have been authorized to hear your explanation Kisuke Urahara and then act as I see fit.
And so Urahara explained…and explained some more. In Orihime's mind it took ages for the whole story to come out as she anxiously awaited seeing Ulquiorra and Grimmjow.
I see. What is your opinion Captain Hitsuguya?
They have behaved themselves so far. They seem to have a strange tie to the girl Orihime. I believe as long as she and Kisuke are willing to watch them, we should for the moment step back and watch too.
And you Ichigo Kurosaki? You have more reason to hate the Arrancar, particularly these two. What say you?
Well I'm not totally on board with the harboring Espadas thing, but Nel at the very least isn't dangerous. And if Kisuke says he can handle the other two….well it doesn't matter much to me. I'm not a part of this world anymore anyways. It won't be me cleaning up the mess.
Fine. We will let them stay but under our watchful eye. One wrong move and they're dead.
And with that they were gone. Orihime gasped as she took in the broken body of Ulquiorra. She ran to him quickly throwing up her healing shield. Grimmjow limped over to her from where he'd been sitting.
How did this happen Grimmjow?
Well we got ambushed outside the club and we were kinda fucked up and they got the drop on us.
Kinda fuc…. Um messed up? What do you mean? And why isn't he regenerating on his own?
I'm going to go ahead and let Ulquiorra explain that to you.
Orihime started to argue with him but they were interrupted by a loud snore coming from Ulquiorra.
He's healed….so why is he sleeping?
Umm I think he's passed out princess.
Orihime looked at him bewildered. Kisuke offered to help get them all home, a slight smirk on his face at the thought of the hangover all these kids would have tomorrow. As they struggled to get Ulquiorra in the door of the apartment, Ichigo raised his eyebrows as Orihime directed them to put him in her bed. But he didn't say anything and quietly walked outside with Nel.
Thank you Itsygo for all your help tonight.
Nel, I didn't do it for them. I didn't even do it for Orihime. I did it for you. I don't really want to be involved with those two but I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since you showed up at my door. I'm really confused about what's happening, but Id like to spend more time with you.
Nel almost squealed in her excitement. She thought they had connected at the bar, but she felt like she had been struggling to get Ichigo to see her as a woman rather than as the little girl he had known. She leaned in and planted a shy kiss on his cheek.
Nel would like that a lot.
Ichigo was glad it was dark so she wouldn't see him blush. He quickly squeezed her hand and sauntered off towards home, smiling for the first time in a long time.
Orihime had watched Ichigo walk out with Nel feeling troubled but she had other things to worry about. Grimmjow had long since passed out in the spare room and Ulquiorra was still snoring loudly in her bed. When Nel came back in, she pointed her to the spare room with a tight smile and then went to Ulquiorra's side. She fell asleep beside him deciding her answers would have to wait till morning.
She woke up to a loud groan from beside her. Alarmed she sat up and looked Ulquiorra over.
Ulquiorra? Are you ok?
Shhh onna. My head feels like it's about to burst and my throat burns. What happened to me?
From what I understand you got drunk and then you nearly got killed by shinigami.
Oh shit. Understanding finally dawned on Ulquiorra as he remembered what he'd done the night before.
Uhhhh.
Care to explain Ulquiorra?
Ulquiorra just stared at her unsure of how to tell her what he'd done.
I….I… he uncharacteristically started stammering as she looked at him with concern in her big grey eyes. He sighed internally deciding it was best just to get this over with. She was going to hate him, but it's what he deserved after all.
I went to a club, I think Grimmjow called it. There was alcohol but also things called drugs. I was upset by what I had done to you and he said they would make me forget. And I just wanted to forget.
Ulquiorra, its ok that you couldn't, umm, be with me last night, but you didn't have to go get wasted over it.
It's more than that onna. I don't deserve you. I didn't want to spoil someone as perfect as you.
Orihime blushed at his words. She knew she should be angry about the drinking and drugs but he had been embarrassed by his failure in the bedroom. She could understand wanting to forget that. She snuggled up close to him and took his hand.
Ulquiorra, we will work it out. But you really need a shower first. Mmm, maybe Ill even join you…
She started kissing him softly along his jawbone as her other hand started moving down his stomach. When she reached the bulge in his pants he recoiled in disgust as he remembered the last place his cock had been.
Onna stop. There's more.
More? What do you mean?
I was out of mind with misery. I didn't mean to let those things happen.
What things? What are you talking about? Orihime felt her heart drop as her mind raced to fill in the blanks.
This club, it had women there.
What did you do Ulquiorra? Orihime heard her voice come out shrill as she sat up in horror.
Um, one of the women kissed me inappropriately.
And you let her! How could you kiss another woman?
I, uh, didn't kiss her. She unzipped my pants and began, uh, attending to me.
Oh. Ok. Orihime sat back stunned at his revelation.
Ok?
What do you want me to say Ulquiorra? That you're a creep? I need you to get out of my room. Now.
But onna…
NOW!
Ulquiorra tried to stammer out an apology but the woman began throwing pillows at him. He tried to grab her hands when a sharp smack rang out. She had slapped him. Again. And just like before, he had deserved it. He fled the room but paused outside the door. He could hear her beginning to sob. He really was a bastard wasn't he? He walked out the front door into the chilly winter morning. He headed to Urahara's shop, because well, he really didn't have anywhere else to go.