Angina/Symphony

Chapter 39

Samael

You showed me dreams,

I wish they'd turn into real.

You broke the promise

…

The smile when you tore me apart.

-Angels, Within Temptation

It nearly killed Grimmjow to bend down on one knee to the pair of them.

There was a second throne in Las Noches as well, literally as well as figuratively. And she calmly regarded her subordinates from it, Aizen's smile in her face and eyes.

The marble throne was identical to Aizen's, placed right next to it. Grimmjow didn't miss the symbolism. Aizen wanted to broadcast the message that Amane was his equal.

If Amane had wanted to throw down that red-headed human woman, she'd certainly succeeded. She'd risen to the top, higher even than Ichimaru Gin, to sit upon the firmament with the devil.

The devil in question glanced at the woman next to him, and Grimmjow subconsciously tightened his fists at the look on Aizen's face. Funny, how the Shinigami gloating had never bothered him before.

He wanted to wipe that smirk off Aizen's face. No, he wanted to rip Aizen's face off Aizen's twisted fuck of a head.

Aizen leaned in towards Amane, whispering something in her ear. Amane smiled, looking sideways at him.

Fuck, she was even dressed like Aizen now. The hoop-skirted dress she'd once worn was gone, replaced with a long white affair that adhered more closely to the shape of her body. Doubtless Aizen had given that to her as well. Amane rested a gloved hand on the arm of her throne, and Grimmjow wanted even more to kill the Shinigami next to her.

He didn't understand it, and thus hated it. Aizen had screwed her around, and Amane had admitted that she knew that. Aizen had made Amane cry. For that alone Grimmjow wanted to hit him.

Aizen had brought her up high, and chances were he would knock her down again. It was the kind of thing he'd be likely to laugh at. If anyone thought Amane really had the same authority as Aizen, they were kidding themselves.

'Is Inoue-san here?' Amane was the one who spoke, her voice still soft and high and childish.

She's just a kid.

Obviously Aizen didn't think that was the case. Grimmjow stopped himself from going any further, because if he even considered the idea of Amane sharing Aizen's bed he was likely to Cero the Shinigami on the spot.

'I have brought the woman.' Ulquiorra stepped forward, face expressionless as usual. That was something Grimmjow could take comfort from, at least. Ulquiorra didn't like the idea of Amane Rei as Aizen's queen any more than Grimmjow did, albeit for different reasons. As far as Grimmjow could tell, Ulquiorra tolerated Amane only because she was Aizen's favourite. He wasn't sure what the Cuatra Espada's reasons were, but he knew Ulquiorra definitely didn't like Amane being up there next to his precious Aizen-sama.

Inoue Orihime stood behind Ulquiorra, hands clasped in front of her. She was looking down, away from Aizen.

Good for you, Grimmjow thought darkly. Better watch he doesn't try and get his claws into you as well.

'I have news for you, Orihime.' Aizen was speaking, looking down at the girl. 'I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear it.' He leaned forward in his seat. 'Unfortunately, I was a little less pleased. Some friends of yours have arrived here in Hueco Mundo.'

Orihime said nothing, not even raising her head to meet Aizen's glance.

'You don't seem surprised,' Aizen commented.

'Forgive me, Aizen-sama,' Ulquiorra addressed his superior. 'I already told her. I suspect she would have sensed their reiatsu soon if I had not.'

Aizen inclined his head. 'Please don't feel the need to apologise, Ulquiorra. I trust you to do what you think is best where Orihime-chan is concerned.'

Grimmjow caught the subtle reproof in Aizen's voice. Once upon a time he would have been gloating himself, seeing Ulquiorra getting told off by the Shinigami.

Now he just wondered at the Cuatra's motives. Had Ulquiorra started to care about Orihime? Would Aizen decide to kill two birds with one stone and tear Ulquiorra and Amane apart at the same time? Would Aizen take Orihime away from Ulquiorra to be his new pet?

No, Grimmjow was being stupid. Ulquiorra didn't have any feelings. That much was clear.

'Don't worry yourself, Orihime. I won't harm your friends.' Aizen's voice was soothing.

The girl looked up at him then, eyes wide with hope. Sucked in, Grimmjow thought bitterly.

'The ones who have entered Hueco Mundo are Kuchiki Rukia, Yasutora Sado, Abarai Renji, and Ishida Uryuu,' Aizen continued. He rested his chin on his hand, looking thoughtful. 'Oh, that's right. I've forgotten someone.'

Orihime flinched, and Grimmjow knew the name, even as Aizen parted his lips to speak it.

'Kurosaki Ichigo,' he said casually, as if the orange-haired Shinigami were hardly worth a footnote. 'As your friends are, they are not disturbing me, or my realm, or any of my subjects. As long as this doesn't change, I am content to leave them to their own devices.'

That sounded true enough, but Grimmjow knew what was coming.

'I am sorry to have to tell you this, Orihime.' Aizen paused delicately. 'If the situation changes - that is, if your friends do anything which indicates that they seek to do harm to me or to my subjects in Hueco Mundo - then I will be considerably less merciful. As such, I am keeping your friends under close surveillance.' He turned to his side. 'And I have entrusted this task to you, my dear Lady Amane.'

Amane smiled at that. Grimmjow saw the satisfaction in her face, looking down at a subdued Orihime. It was the look of someone who had nothing to fear, someone whose star was in the ascendant.

Orihime had been unlucky, making an enemy of her.

'Of course, Aizen-sama,' Amane replied. 'I am also in charge of apprehending the intruders if necessary, is that correct?'

Aizen nodded. 'They are strong,' he said. 'Orihime can testify to that, can't you, Orihime-chan?' He looked at her again. 'After all, they've been the ones who've stood to protect you so many times in the past. Especially Kurosaki Ichigo.'

Orihime's cheeks flamed at the veiled insult. It didn't take much for Grimmjow to figure out that Aizen had delivered that one for Amane's benefit.

The bastard knows she can't stand that woman, he thought. He's just buttering her up.

'Yes, Lord Aizen.' Amane turned her head towards him. 'If necessary, I am to use extreme force. I understand.'

She looked in Orihime's direction too. Grimmjow saw her wait until the other human met her gaze before smirking.

Amane was gloating just as much as Aizen was, he realized. She was enjoying her rival's downfall, just as Aizen was.

As if Aizen could hear Grimmjow's thoughts, his head turned in Grimmjow's direction, and he smiled.

Grimmjow could read that smile as clearly as if it were an open book.

I found out what you wanted before you even realised you wanted it, and now she belongs to me. You cannot hope to compete with me, Grimmjow Jaggerjack.

Grimmjow fought to keep himself at bay.

He wasn't going to give the bastard an excuse to kill him. This fight wasn't over yet. Grimmjow was still alive and well, and so was Amane.

He made up his mind, not giving a shit whether or not it was possible.

He was going to take Amane from Aizen, if it was the last thing he did.