(Returning to Chie's POV again)

Black.

The only colour visible to me as I lay motionless on the bed.

White.

The colour of the ceiling when I slowly opened my aquamarine eyes.

The moment that the warm pillow that I held close to me slipped out of my grasp, a cool breeze was able to rush over the little skin I had on show, but still causing me to shiver, although it didn't really bother me all that much.

The only thing I was able to hear was my breathing. Such quiet breaths that they weren't much different from the silence.

I wanted to stand up and walk away to find out if everybody was all right, but at the same time, I didn't want to move. Everything was so quiet and peaceful. I felt that if I stood up, that ideal would just shatter.

Regardless, I stood up anyway.

I head for the exit at a slow, relaxed pace, trading the safety of my room for the supposed dangers of the hall.

"Are you okay?" a familiar cold voice questioned.

"I'm fine... I think," I answered calmly. I gazed up at him, opening my mouth to ask the questions that had bothered me for a while now. "Is Momo dead? Did Kitsune survive?"

"Grimmjow's Fraccion survived and I presume the other trash is dead."

"Oh..." my head hung low sullenly. Hinamori-kun is dead... Although I never really did care for her, it's still quite sad. Fuyu-taichou's lost a good lieutenant, Izuru-san and Renji-kun have lost a good friend, but worst of all, my Captain has lost a childhood friend.

"You did surprisingly well, Fraccion." My head jolted up in shock.

"I-I did?" I stuttered. He nodded in confirmation.

"You did, but there is still an enormous amount of room for improvement."

"Hey!" Grimmjow shouted, storming through the hall towards Ulquiorra-sama. "I hope you haven't forgotten our little contest between our two Fraccion. We shall prove once and for all that MY training is SUPERIOR!"

"Of course I didn't forget, trash," he replied, showing absolutely no interest whatsoever.

"Next week, midnight, at the training grounds, DO NOT BE LATE!" Grimmjow said before stomping through the halls again.

"Understood, trash," he nodded. He turned to me and spoke, "To Szayel's lab." He walked down the hall with me unsteadily following behind.

"Why are we going to Szayel's lab?" I asked.

"To heal you quickly so we can train."

"I don't need healing I'm perfectly-"I attempted to argue, completely contradicting myself as I almost tripped over my own feet clumsily. "...Perfectly fine?"

He picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. No more than five seconds later, my feet were back on the ground; the ground of Szayel's lab.

When he noticed us enter, he immediately quit what he was doing and spun round to greet us. "Hello, my fellow Arrancar, how may I help you on this joyous day?"

His smile was a little... overly cheesy? He probably hoped to impress us in order to gain another test subject.

"My Fraccion is hurt and needs to be at full strength in twenty-four hours. DO NOT pull any tricks or I will inform Aizen-sama and relieve you of your title, Trash," Ulquiorra-sama said.

"But then, who will be the replacement Octava?" I inquired.

He hesitated to answer. "...That is for Aizen-sama to decide." With that, he left, leaving me in the 'caring' hands of a possible mad scientist. He glanced back at Szayel, giving him the evil eye before continuing on his way.

Szayel went back to finish his previous work, then pat the seat next to him, motioning for me to sit. I obeyed. When my butt hit the chair he turned around wearing one of Gin's rather creepy grins.

"...What are you gonna do to me?" I asked all too innocently.

"Inject you with this... and this... and you should be ready very... soon..." he said, gathering some syringes. Damnit, I hate injections.

"And what are they gonna do to me...?"

"Heal you a little whilst I eat. I can't inject you with my new drugs and face Ulquiorra's wrath without having dinner first," he nodded towards his Fraccion.

I paled. "...They're dinner...?"

"Of course. Excellent source of protein. Now just relax and give me your arm."

Reluctantly, I rolled up my sleeve and held out my arm and braced myself for the injections. I cringed slightly as the needles pierced my skin and the liquid oozed into my bloodstream.

"There. Now hurry along, I have to eat," he smiled, turning to his Fraccion.

I speed-walked towards the door uneasily. I couldn't wait to get out of there. Cannibalism is so... disturbing.

Just as I was about to reach for the door handle, the door flew open and I narrowly dodged being hit by an unconscious Kitsune, all bloody and grotesque, thrown at Szayel.

I blanched at the sight of blue-haired man standing in the doorway. "Heal her. Fifteen minutes tops. No funny shit of yours. Drop her off at my door."

He glared at me and stepped out. Well, nice way to treat your saviour. Without me you'd be dead. I'll remember this next time I see you lying unconscious with your guts spilling out and various limbs and other body parts surrounding what's left of your body.

Szayel's disappointed sigh snapped me out of my thoughts. "I'm so hungry," he murmured as he caught Kitsune effortlessly and laid her on a metal table. He searched some other tables full of different tools and potions, grabbing some complicated items before returning to Kitsune's body.

I would heal her, but I think if I did it might defeat the purpose of healing me. After all, saving Grimmjow was how I got myself into this situation.

"You should leave now. Ulquiorra probably wants you back and I might have to operate on her."

I stared uneasily at him, every muscle in my body felt so rigid as I struggled to walk out. Soon, the effects of the injections kicked in and I felt rejuvenated. Taking advantage of this, I instantly sonido'd away and to the place I assumed Ulquiorra-sama would be training me in.

He looked as if he'd just finished setting everything up when he noticed me. "Good. You're here."

He cautiously checked me over to see if Szayel had caused any damage. No new injuries to show, I'm good.

"First speed, power comes later. No matter how strong your opponents are, if they can't hit you they are useless. Now start. Ten laps to that tree," he gestured to the tree in the distance, "and back."

"Is sonido allowed?" I questioned.

He pondered for a moment. "...Sonido is allowed after the first nine laps."

I shrugged lightly. "Okay." I stormed off in the direction of the tree. I felt so able and unrestricted as the wind rushed through my hair and grazed over my skin. That sense of freedom you get when you run is like no other. I love it.

Or at least I did love it...

...Until it whacked me in the face.

I glared at the tree as I got up, - I was nowhere near it, I swear! - murmuring curses under my breath before bursting out with, "The tree hit me!"

"Continue running."

I resumed the trip, but only for a second before falling flat on my face.

"The tree tripped me!"

He blinked. "...Continue."

I made the journey back safely and stopped when I was near enough. I jabbed my finger towards the tree. "I think the tree is broken."

When Ulquiorra-sama said: 'Run to that building twenty times and back.' I could've sworn the tree muttered, "...Bugger."

I began my new course for the building, slowing down and cautiously observing it as I got closer.

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up, we don't have all day."

"Is this one gonna hit me or trip me too?"

"Chikara!"

"Fine, fine..."

I sprinted towards the building. As I made a U-turn to go back I found my face in the sand again.

"You see? I told you!"

Ulquiorra-sama sonido'd behind the building. I got up and joined him, only to face a certain blue-haired Fraccion-torturer who was currently rolling on the ground in laughter.

"What do you think you are doing?" Ulquiorra-sama asked.

At the sight of him, his laughing ceased and was replaced by a cocky grin. "Some Fraccion," he shrugged as he got up. "I was bored and Kitsune ain't back yet." He paused to check his imaginary watch. "She should be back now, though." He sonido'd away, Ulquiorra-sama's glare following him the whole way.

"Cero the tree," he commanded.

REVENGE!

I smirked as the golden light danced in my palm until I fired it in a way similar to a laser beam at my target. It hit perfectly, ash surrounding what was once the menace that tripped me up and punched me in the face.

When the ash had cleared, another figure was standing beside the tree.

"Nice shot... for a woman."

(idk where the tree idea came from but I love it so much XD I had so much fun writing this chappy, especially cuz I was doing it with the awesomest bff eveeeerrr~ GrimmjowKunsKitten! :3

Oh ye and I finally know how to end UA. HURRAY! But I will rewrite it. Later. Much later.

NOW REVIEW OR ELSE!)