Chapter Twenty-Five: Prospect
Lilinette made it a part of her day to roam around the corridors of Las Noches before waking up Stark every chance she had. Usually, her time was spent exploring, going to places others may have never stumbled into incidentally. Though, at times she came across many other Arrancar, the one who occasionally crossed her path was Cyan de Imortell. She was a woman, the newest Arrancar who acted and seemed like she never existed at all. Mainly it was her ability to consume her reiatsu and saunter through the endless white hallways without even a squeak of noise. Her presence was usually one to disregard, seeing as her rebirth marked a different tale – one she predicted had no resolve.
To her in particular, Cyan was the woman Stark began to fancy, nothing more. That and the occasional rumor spread throughout the fortress of her being a recognizable toy of their Shinigami leader, Aizen. Neither was denied.
Cyan, who walked at a slow pace, never regarded anyone wherever she went, unless someone called out to her. Lilinette, at the time, was primarily concerned with the recalcitrant liaison between that pink-haired damsel-in-distress and her other half. Something about the pink-haired arrancar was sketchy, maybe there was a piece missing – something every other arrancar had, but she didn't. At times, she gave off that faint shinigami stench their leaders had. The rumors about her toying with Aizen were becoming known if she shared that similar aroma.
Lilinette crossed the remainder of the hall that sat between herself and Stark's room, stopping in front of it and hoping to punch him for no reason. She had a subtle reason. She needed to keep him in shape, while he was dawdling over some pretty little thing; someone had to be around to knock some sense into him. In short, she had absolutely no problem with it. She sighed, grabbing a hold of the doorknob about to enter when she heard a vehement door close loudly. Averting her gaze, her light-colored eyes met a corridor of darkness where further down sat the throne room. Eerily curious, Lilinette let go of the handle and began to walk into the dark, thinking of a grand excuse if caught.
The throne room should have been empty; though she expected it to be occupied by Aizen because of the mission he gave Szayel Aporro and Cyan. Voices were hushed along the area, seeping through the seemingly paper thin walls. She recognized one it was Szayel Aporro. Lilinette quickened her pace, entering the narrow hall before entering the throne room. She heard their voices clearly. The ambience itself was stuffy with a sense of danger.
"Forgive me, I've searched for Cyan de Imortell everywhere, but as you had said, you wanted a report." Szayel Aporro paused, speaking firmly. "When we first entered the human world, we ran into two lieutenants, both were defeated in battle, not killed. I managed to stop Cyan from releasing—"
Lilinette hid her reiatsu and recognized the looming presence of Ichimaru Gin within the room. "She sure is an impatient one," Gin commented, chuckling. "Having her release would be a dilemma, especially in the human world."
"Szayel Aporro, continue with your report," Aizen ordered.
"Surprisingly the entire area you had us cover was full of weak Shinigami. We both easily disposed of them, there were no actual problems…until I lost track of Cyan and—"
Lilinette arched an eyebrow at the revelation. The fact that she couldn't sense Cyan wasn't because she was hiding, but the fact that she was currently missing.
"How was her reaction to the human world when you entered?"
"Cyan showed great interest in the human world, but after a few hours, she began to show obvious hate for it."
Aizen chuckled. "Well, what are you waiting for? Look for her," he ordered.
Lilinette heard the shuffle of Szayel Aporro's feet and quickly made a dash out the hall. She stood outside nonchalantly, knowing her presence would be quickly disregarded. Szayel Aporro brushed past her without giving her the time of day and sonido'd back to his room. Lilinette went back into the room, wondering if Cyan would remain the center of their discussion.
"Ya don't seem ta mind her disappearance," Gin commented, aloud.
"Not that I don't mind it, it might be for our gain," Aizen replied.
"What'd we gain if she were to be found by Soul Society?"
Their voices were growing distance, but regardless, she heard them clearly.
"It'd instill fear in them; she looks very much like her, doesn't she?"
Lilinette's interest was piqued and she slowly made her way towards the door.
"Can't deny," Gin replied, chuckling. "Too much alike, but the personality is way off."
"A quieter disposition and deep perception," Aizen commented.
"So, what kinda plans do ya have for Sayomi-chan's lookalike?"
"I'd like to use her as bait to bring apart Soul Society."
"An' the King's Key?" he inquired.
The silence was deafening, but for some reason at the point in time, Lilinette couldn't help but pity Cyan. The small girl gulped nervously and leaned forward against the door, biting her lip.
"I've got another person in mind for that," Aizen replied lightly. "Cyan is a means to control. She's not important."
Lilinette took a step back, but oddly enough, she felt happy that Cyan was gone. She didn't hate her. The idea that she had the ability to distract her other half merely bothered her. Stark was after all stronger and less interested, but with Cyan, things were different – everything changed with her around, the entire ambience mellowed out.
Lilinette turned away, knowing she had had enough eavesdropping and should find a way to report the news of Cyan's disappearance to Stark. Although he would instantly do something about it, she needed to make sure of something.
She darted towards his room, quickly. Entering the long hallway leading to it, she heard the sound of a door open and immediately close. She found it odd and continued running down the hall until she finally arrived in front of his room. She grabbed a hold of the knob and turned it, pushing. It didn't budge. She glared at the door.
"Stark!" she shouted knowingly.
She heard the light shuffling inside and proceeded to slamming the door open. She stormed inside, watching him make his way back to his bed. "What are you doing blocking the door?" she demanded.
He yawned. "I'm still tired," he replied, plopping on his bed, face first. "If it's that important come back in another hour."
She growled angrily, lunging herself at him, jumping over him and landing on his back harshly. "No!" she shouted in protest.
"Ugh—what?" he complained, jerking up and dropping the small girl on the ground.
Lilinette landed on the ground hard and stood up in protest. "Hey!" she shouted. "I'm not done talking."
Stark sat up, rubbing his back. "What is it?" he asked seriously. "I would have known if there was a meeting without you barging in here."
"It's not a meeting."
"What is it then?"
"Szayel Aporro came back," she began, smirking. "Here's the funny part, Cyan's gone missing."
Stark stood up involuntarily with a serious expression on his face. Lilinette looked up at him awkwardly, able to read his whirl of confusion. "Don't tell me…" She cut herself short.
He glanced down at her. "Hm?"
"You developed some attachment to her!" she accused knowingly. "I warned you about this Stark, but you never listen. If you get involved with her you'll ruin—"
"Lilinette, it doesn't matter if it's attachment or not," he recited. "I'm going out." He walked past her, heading towards the door.
"I'm going with you!" she stated, rushing after him. He sighed as he walked out the door, turning around to push her back inside. "What's the problem? You need me!"
"Need you to criticize my actions, I do not," he stated, trying to shut the door, but her hands shot up stopping him.
"I don't care what you think!" she protested angrily. "She's weird and I don't like her."
"Lilinette…" he said slowly.
"I don't! She's like a lifeless doll, creepy!"
"I don't care, I'm still going."
Those words didn't settle with Lilinette and she pulled the door widely with all her strength. She balled her small hands into fists and kicked him square between the legs. He groaned in pain as he fell to his knees. "Lilinette, what's wrong with you?"
"Go back to sleep then!" she said, grabbing a hold of his collar and trying to drag him back. At that point, she was trying anything she could to make sure he didn't leave.
Stark pushed her hands away from him. "Cyan is dangerous," he said, breathing heavily.
"She's Aizen's problem, not yours."
Lilinette frowned, unable to say anything. He stared at her seriously. "If you're coming, then come, but don't complain," he began. "I want to see her."
Cyan walked down the crowded aisles of the supermarket, looking downcast and clenching tightly to the purse hanging from her shoulder. Her eyes darted from left to right, watching the civilians eerily who were all staring at man walking besides her, holding onto her hand and looking completely out of place within the crowds. She tugged at her hand, feeling a bit awkward with such a display, but his grip around it tightened.
She sighed, fed up with the attention. "I don't understand why you tagged along," she commented, looking away from him.
"I heard a rumor and concerned myself."
"Stark…" Cyan looked at him, trailing off. She tugged at her hand once more, but to no avail.
"I heard I was visiting you often and apparently, Aizen's angry."
"Are you purposely trying to make him angry?"
He looked at her, arching an eyebrow, bemused.
She disregarded her own inquiry and sighed lightly.
She began picking out boxed lunches, anything easy to prepare and feed her gigai – which oddly enough, needed to be fed regularly. After a full week of spending her time trying to get a hobby, she ended up sleeping day in and out, only walking out to take some air. During those times, she would run into Orihime, or Tōshirō – who would question her and ignore her the rest of the while. For some reason, she was told to maintain some surveillance over the people staying with Orihime ever since the Grimmjow incident. Aizen sent Ulquiorra to deliver the message around three days ago, while Stark was visiting. Caught in an awkward situation, Ulquiorra merely passed on the message and informed Stark that he was expected by Aizen.
"Why are you buying so much?" Stark asked, looking over her shoulder.
Cyan regained her senses and she realized she had been piling up the boxed lunches. "I heard it's healthy to eat plenty," Cyan remarked, embarrassed.
Stark looked at her cautiously as she walked down the aisle, catching more incredulous looks because the large stack of lunches she was carrying in her hands. She unconsciously began dragging him along. "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing in particular," she answered.
"Cyan—"
She stopped, balancing the items on her hand, turning her attention to him. "Suddenly, I've stopped feeling responsive to my original body," she began slowly.
Stark stared at her silently. "We should talk about this when we return to your adobe."
Cyan shook her head. "I'm sorry, we shouldn't speak of me." She turned away and began walking towards the cash register.
Stark let go of her, watching her as she stood in line behind another woman.
Her mind had been unsettled since the day she met the white-haired boy. He asked her questions, she was unsure of, but answered with reluctance to continue with the façade. Orihime often said certain things that she found strange, little tidbits she had difficulty responding to, but managed. The undying whirlpool that was her mind was full of self-doubt and unawareness because the job that she was given was one that wouldn't end happily. A deep buried emotion sat within her that nudged her in a way for her to enjoy the days there.
She smiled lightly at the cashier, sensing Stark's presence besides her waiting for her to pay. The woman in front of her was slightly distracted by the sight of the well-dressed man behind Cyan. It bothered her. She wondered if that was a certain emotion called…jealousy. She glared at the mere thought of being jealous over a human woman and over Stark of all people.
She paid her dues and grabbed a hold of the bags that awaited her at the end of the table, only to have them taken away by Stark. She looked at him, bothered. He didn't pay attention, merely took her bags, and began walking ahead of her. She didn't intend to protest and slowly made her way after him. She caught up with him.
"Would you like to speak?"
"No." Cyan looked down, staring at her sandaled feet.
Stark yawned.
"Are you leaving back to Las Noches?"
He nodded. "Meeting," he answered. "Lilinette expects me to be there." He looked at her, waiting for her expression to change, but it didn't.
Cyan wasn't sure what to feel.
"Are you going?"
"No. I'm not supposed to attend."
"It's an Espada meeting."
"I'm not supposed to be present," she repeated, keeping her eyes fixed on the pavement.
The supermarket wasn't far from her home. If he decided, he could leave her there and she wouldn't have trouble getting home. She left her apartment early, expecting him not to visit, but he surprised her. She figured the more it occurred, the suspicions would grow within the shinigami and she knew the boy was perceptive.
"You should consider leaving now," Cyan suggested.
"I'll wait," he replied firmly.
Cyan shook her head in disapproval. "I want…"
He looked her way and she quickly looked away, her cheeks reddening. He smiled crookedly.
She could feel his gaze on her and she felt warmth.
They lapsed into silence as they walked down the paved road at a slow pace. She averted her gaze, looking up at the clearing sky – strange for a winter morning. Yet, something ominous lingered in the air and she saw it. A rip in the sky, tearing open slowly, revealing Sinlen in full form, and her eyes were quickly averted to meet with Cyan.
"She's going to ruin everything." Stark let out an exasperated sigh and rubbed the back of his head finding the situation unnecessary.
"Leave," Cyan said slowly.
"What?"
"If she's here, it's because of me."
"What are you going to do?" he asked.
"Run," she replied coolly.
She wasn't sure what she was able to do in a human shell. In fact, she couldn't come to terms with her own gigai. Everything was responding against her. It was strange.
"You can't expect me to—"
Cyan interrupted him and grabbed the bags he was carrying. "Please, leave." Her voice was soft.
"I'll take care of her."
"No. I'm sure she's been sensed by the shinigami. Leave before—"
Sinlen landed hard on the pavement in front of them, chuckling malevolently. "Such a pity," she said with a tsk. "Aizen-sama will be angry."
"It's not your business to present yourself before me," Cyan responded, disregarding her words.
Stark showed reluctance to leave and he took a step forward. "Everyone around you is troublesome," he said, regarding Cyan before opening a Garganta himself. He walked towards Sinlen, knowing the time between them being caught was running short.
Sinlen drew her zanpakutō and pointed it at Stark. He stopped, watching her carefully.
"You should return to Las Noches, you've been called by Aizen," Sinlen warned.
Stark didn't answer.
Cyan's eye twitched as she sensed the reiatsu of a shinigami heading their way. "Stark, leave."
Stark sighed and headed into the Garganta, watching the confrontation before Cyan turned to running.
Sinlen laughed and went after her, proving the gap between their speed while Cyan was in that body. "Don't you regret it, Cyan de Imortell?" she asked, stifling a laugh. "Don't you regret not killing me that day?"
Cyan dropped her bags and continued down the paved street; people gave her odd looks as she sped past them unable to use sonido or her original strength. Sinlen swung her blade down, hoping to slice her down the back, but she managed to avoid it scarcely. Even her reflexes were off. She stumbled, almost falling on the ground, but managed to regain her composure. She continued running, breathing heavily – exhaustion weighing her down. Regardless of her fatigue, she persevered on propelling herself onward until the shinigami intercepted.
Sinlen slashed at her once more, this time slicing through her back. Cyan cringed as the pain burst within her body and she internally hoped she wouldn't be pushed out of her gigai. She fell on the ground harshly, looking around, unaware of her surroundings. Everything was empty, no sign of humans.
She tried pulling herself up, but the blade stabbed right through her shoulder. The pain seeped through, and blood dripped over Sinlen's blade from the open wound.
"Aren't you willing to attack me?" Sinlen queried mockingly.
Cyan opened her mouth to speak, tasting the bitterness of blood in her mouth. The crimson liquid dripped from her lips, falling in small drops on the grass. She coughed viciously. Sinlen twisted her sword inside of her and Cyan yelped. Shutting her eyes tightly from the pain spreading through her entire body, ever nerve ignited.
"I wouldn't be as pathetic as attacking you unharmed," Cyan spat, blood falling from her lips. She breathed laboriously.
Sinlen barked a laugh, pushing Cyan's body against the ground with her foot. At that point, she regretted sending Stark away. If her identity were proven, she'd be in trouble. A strong reiatsu surfaced and the pain that had steadied through her body vanished, the blood continued seeping through the white fabric of her shirt. She turned around, hearing a struggled muffle out of Sinlen, watching as the white-haired shinigami fought against her.
"Kitamura-san." Cyan looked back, struggling to sit up, staring at the worried eyes of Orihime. "Stay still."
"I'm fine…" Cyan said.
Orihime pushed her down lightly, placing her hands over her. "Sōten Kisshun, I reject."
One of her hairpins glowed and two petals vanished. Cyan closed her eyes in pain as an oval shield formed around her. When she opened them she fretted, being inside the shield and attempted to get out, but she was unable. The pain in her shoulder and back was vanishing slowly.
Within the week, she had forgotten the abilities Orihime had and managed to maintain a surprised expression on her face.
"She got away."
Orihime glanced up. "At least we got here in time to help, Kitamura-san," she said lightly as Tōshirō walked up beside them. "But, why were you attacked…?"
"It's only natural she was attacked," Tōshirō replied knowingly.
Orihime glanced up and surprisingly, Cyan did as well with the same confusion etched into her features. Was there any reason as to why she would be sought out by the arrancar as Kitamura Sayomi?
"Would Aizen…"
"It's hard to explain the reasons, but we should keep an eye on her."
Cyan felt bothered, how Tōshirō spoke about her as if she wasn't present. She sat up within the healing sphere, the wound patched up, and a thankful smile on her face.
"How long have the arrancar been after you?" Orihime asked, finishing her technique.
"The what?" she queried.
Tōshirō rolled his eyes, knowing an explanation would be in order.
Cyan seemed confused.
As soon as he arrived, he tossed aside his gigai and tracked down the reiatsu of a certain ex-Espada. Ignoring everyone's presence, he walked through the halls, irritated. The idea clicked in his mind on sight, watching Sinlen make her way out of the Garganta – Nnoitra obviously sent her. He intended to getting rid of Nnoitra, that man had finally managed to get on his last nerve, but to avoid any serious punishment he'd merely ask for an exchange of words.
Stark watched him walking passively in front of him, his blond-haired fracción following in silence, and the anger within him boiled. He made his presence known.
Nnoitra stopped with a large smirk on his face. Stark stopped in front of him with a cautious glare directed at the taller man towering over him.
"What brings ya here, Primera?" he asked playfully.
Stark's gaze, narrowed in vigilance, didn't falter and neither had his voice when he spoke for the first and last. "You've drawn my last warning, harm her in any sense and I will return the favor to you," he stated sternly, pushing past the taller Espada.
Nnoitra's eyebrows knitted in frustration and he gripped his zanpakutō, pulling it over his head and throwing it at Stark with full intent of murder on his mind. Tesla moved away, knowing a battle might commence.
Stark merely sidestepped, the blade avoiding him completely and reached out to grab its handle. He turned around. He grabbed a good hold of it, ripping the chain that linked it to Nnoitra with a single tug, and launched it back at the lanky man.
Nnoitra laughed at Stark's attempt to use his own sword against him. He moved over to avoid it and his expression changed drastically.
Stark pulled down on the chain, causing the direction of the sword to shift last minute, slashing Nnoitra's torso.
Nnoitra looked up at Stark, who discarded the chain and turned away, carrying on with his time. "I don't care if you are the Primera, I'll repay you tenfold!" Nnoitra threatened, prepared to lunge himself at him.
Stark vanished.
He merely shrugged off the warning and made his way back to his room, hoping to see Cyan sometime after the meeting they were scheduled to attend later that afternoon. Seeing her well would ease his irritation, but for the time being, he would talk to Lilinette. She would be waiting for his arrival inside his room. He sonido'd making it a faster appearance and walked inside his room. Lilinette was sitting at the window looking up, lost in thought.
Stark shut the door behind him and crossed the room, plopping onto his bed face first.
"Lilinette," Stark called, his face buried in the pillow.
Lilinette turned to face him. "What is it Stark?"
"Can you feel it?" he queried curiously.
Lilinette looked at the ground and sighed. "You love her, don't you?"
"Think so."
* The first half of this chapter was a re-written version of Chapter 11's events, told in Lilinette's perspective. If it's still confusing, which would be understandable…the reason why she was the starter of this chapter would all meet ends in the following chapters.