First off, I just want to start things out by expressing my thanks to Ie-maru, RG-Guest and TheBretonBookDragon for their continued feedback. I've particularly enjoyed hearing from 'Dragon' because they've taken the time to start reviewing this story from the start.
As for my current progress... I'm almost finished with the outline of the main story, so it's now mostly just a matter of writing the final handful of chapters. After that finished, what's going to serve as the epilogue is all gravy, as far as I'm concerned!
Warning: This Chapter contains explicit Sexual Content, plus high amounts of GgioxSoifon and UlquiHime Fluff!
TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW
Chapter LXXXV:
"Reflections, Part 2"
Huecco Mundo,
Unknown Location...
"I warned you," Ulquiorra spoke. "I have no intention of letting you off the hook any time soon."
"Good." She replied, smiling as she shifted into an upright seated posture. "Now, let's continue."
His long sharp claws smoothly dissipated, replaced as his normal hands as he slid them down to the small of her back- the gesture not lost on Orihime- as they shifted downward and settled on the curves of her hips. He drew her in close, planting a heated kiss on her soft lips.
He made a mental point of savoring everything about the moment. They'd been together long enough that he couldn't help wondering if she's always been so sweet...
Breaking the kiss, their forehead still touching, he spoke. "Orihime... you have no idea how utterly perfect you are." Ulquiorra stated in hushed tones, looking into her eyes. "Just looking at you, touching you, being close to you, hearing the beating of your heart..." He spoke, resting his head in the valley between her ample breasts, still maintain eye-contact. "It really drives me wild!"
For her part, Orihime wasn't at all surprised as she felt his hands grip her plump backside and raise her up, instead smiling as the Arrancar positioned her above him. She felt the tip of his cock as it pressed against the lips of her sex, giving merely a muffled gasp he began to gradually enter her. Unprompted, she slid down his length- this time with a proper cry- as he buried himself inside her.
It had all been so quick, so fluid and perfect, that she lacked any proper response to him now being all the way to the hilt within her. The busty redhead let out a slight yelp, followed in short succession by a mewling moan of pleasure, while he grit his teeth, even as a hiss escaped his lips.
They shared another heated kiss, before he drew back slightly, loosing himself in her brown eyes...
The the young woman regarded her lover, the image of how his near porcelain-white skin practically 'glowed' in the moonlight was almost enough to take her breath away...
"Incredible." Ulquiorra managed. "It's like, like your body- right now- it's as if it was meant for me!"
She grinned. "What you said earlier," halting as she moaned. "It's the same for me." Orihime whispered to the pale-skinned creature that had fully sheathed themselves inside of her.
"In these moments... when I look at you, when we're connected, and I'm able to truly feel you, deep in my core- to reach you- like no one else," she continued breathlessly. "I realize that you're the only one that I could ever envision being this close to, that we were meant to be."
Ulquiorra's expression changed, briefly unfamiliar to her. "Orihime, you've given me so much, more than I'll ever be able to repay." He spoke softly. "An amazing woman like you... you're far more than a monster like myself could ever possibly deserve, or ever hope for." The Espada paused, looking deep into her eyes. "Nevertheless, all I can offer in return, is myself- if you'll have me- I. am. yours."
She had to struggle to keep from tearing up, opting to move in to resume their kiss once again, which he interpreted as his cue to continue their coupling, and started to move slowly within her, bucking his hips and rocking her body with a series of slow and deliberate thrusts!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Soul Society...
Division Six, Officers Quarters...
"I don't understand what the problem is." Renji spoke, confused. "I mean, all that I'm asking is whether or not you have a Resurreccion, and if so, if I can see it."
"Why the hell do you even care?" Arachne asked, frowning. "What's so dammed important about my unsealed form, and why the hell do you want to see it so badly?"
The crimson-haired Soul Reaper took a breath. "Because... in the time that we've been together, I've gotten to know you- not just as a partner, but as a warrior- and I know that you're more than powerful enough that easily achieved a second form." Renji reasoned. "And yet, even during the invasion by the shadows, I could tell that you were holding yourself back... The only question is why?"
She glared at him. "Your kind, you Shinigami, whenever you unseal your Zanpakuto, the only thing that happens is that you become a stronger version of yourself." Arachne countered. "But for my kind, it isn't that simple, because our weapons aren't just extensions of ourselves, they're the embodiment of what we are deep down- the animal, the creature- the essence of what we are in our core."
"I don't to see the problem." The tattooed man replied. "I've witnessed the transformations of multiple Espada and Arrancar, and with each case, there wasn't anything wrong in their new form."
"That's easy to say when their essence is something elegant, like a panther or a shark, or- hell- even something like a centaur!" Arachne fired back angrily at her partner. "It's one thing when the creature within is something beautiful!" The dark-haired woman continued, tears in her eyes. "But it's different for others, when deep down, what we are at the core is something ugly!"
"Ugly?!" Renji countered, stepping forward to clasp his hands down on her shoulders, looking her directly in the eyes. "What are you talking about?" He asked. "The Cuatro Espada's essence is a bat, a devil-like being with wings and horns, and Orihime doesn't seem to mind that at all!"
"It's not the same for a male!" The fair-skinned woman replied. "A male turns into a monster, and it's considered attractive, but when a female transforms into one, they're seen as bloodsucker!"
"Arachne...?" Renji asked, confused. "Why, why are you saying this? And why now?"
"Because," she started gravely, looking him in the eyes. "I'm scared- no, I'm terrified- at the thought of you knowing the full extent of my true nature, of ever uncovering what I really am."
"What are you talking about?" Renji asked her frantically. "Arachne... You- you're beautiful, you're fierce and untamed, you're a creature that can't be caged or restrained, and as far as I'm concerned- you are the most beautiful woman in all of the realms!" The broad-shouldered man declared. "So then, tell me, how! How could there ever be anything that could possibly change how I looked at you?"
At hearing this, the woman seemed to at least take pause. "Renji, I..." She faltered. "Earlier, when I used the term 'bloodsucker', I wasn't just being metaphorical." Arachne continued. "Deep down, I'm a spider, and spiders aren't admired..." The Arrancar spoke. "They're feared."
"Spiders spin deadly webs in order to entrap the victims," she entreated. "Just stop and take a moment to think about the fact that one of the things female spiders are known for is killing their partners." The woman went on to say. "And yet, here you are, asking me to put aside the fact that what most people see when they look at me, is a Black Widow- nothing more than just an ugly spider!"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Division Two HQ...
Within the relative privacy offered by the walls of the Second, Soifon smiled and even allowed herself a brief moment to let off a small sigh and get comfortable.
And to be perfectly honest, relaxing wasn't all that hard, especially given the fact that she happened to be nestled in the neat little 'cradle' formed by the arms and body of non other than Ggio Vega. However, even when spooning with the Arrancar that was both her partner and father of their child, the problem of finding a position that helped to cope with the significant weight of her growing stomach.
The petite female spared a brief glance downwards, at the telltale bulge of her abdomen, concealed beneath the layers of fabric of her modified robes... And after a moment's hesitation, allowed herself to simply go slack in his arms, by now fully trusting the cat-like Hollow.
Truthfully, what the smallish woman found most irksome was the fact that her pregnancy excluded her from the fighting to come in the days ahead, and the knowledge that even she understood that there was nothing way to argue her point. Soifon disliked the idea of being sidelined while others were out in the thick of things, risking their lives. However, the Soul Reaper finally accepted that her pride was a small price when weighed against ensuring the continued well-being of their daughter!
"God," she began with an audible sigh. "I feel sooo heavy right now."
"It won't be much longer." Ggio offered her, his tone warm and affectionate as he cradled Soifon in his arms, holding her gently against his chest "What did they say at the Twelfth?"
"Any time now..." Soifon replied simply.
"And then we'll be parents!" The feline-like Arrancar mused with a dreamy smile. "I don't know about you, but right now- just thinking about it- I can't wait!"
Soifon rolled her eyes on hearing his tone. "Well, at least you're enjoying this." The woman rebuked him with a smile. "I have to say, during this last month or so, that this whole process has been a major hassle for me." She continued. "This pregnancy's really done a number on my body!"
"You mean your stomach?" The Arrancar inquired, his tone curious yet cautious.
"Among other things." She countered tersely. "For one, I've lost track of how much my ankles have been aching, and while you might consider foisting me from place to place like a defenseless maiden as the perfect solution- I know for a fact that my female officers are talking about me!"
Ggio gave a confused look. "Is it really such a bad thing?"
"They might like the idea of being carted around like a storybook princess... Except you, of all people should know that that's not my dream." She countered bluntly. "I've worked my ass off as Commander of the Stealth Division and the head of the elite Black-Ops, so the last thing that I need is for my own people to be giggling at me, all the while as they smile and give me knowing looks."
"Wait," Ggio interjected. "Even the males are doing this?"
Soifon paused, not responding right away. "Er, well, no, the men know better- or at the least, they're wise enough at least not to do so in my presence." The dark-haired woman went on. "That's one thing I'll give to the men over the women, that they're smart enough to still be afraid of me."
The Fraccion smirked. "You made it sound like there were other issues."
The Captain sighed. "Oh yes, including one of them in particular that you seem to be enjoying!"
"You're talking about your breasts again, aren't you?" Ggio asked knowingly.
"Don't give me that coy tone!" Soifon fired back. "They're not just here for your benefit!" She declared irately, with a glare. "I mean, you're not the one who's had go out and find help getting fitted for a bra!"
"When was this?" He asked, confused.
"Never you mind!" She countered crossly, folding her arms. "And don't even bother asking me what the cup size is, because I'm in no mood to discuss it with you right now."
Ggio sighed, then collected himself. "Sorry, I guess as a male, I took for granted what you were going through, it's just... I've been so excited, it's hard for me to not be enthralled by all of this."
Soifon gave a sigh of her own. "Hey, despite what I just said, you don't need to apologize to me... I mean, the truth is, I'm just as much to 'blame' for how we wound up at this point." She offered him in a lighthearted tone. "It isn't like I'm not excited at the prospect of being a mother, because I am."
The cat-like Arrancar nodded. "I'm really excited." Ggio stated excitedly with a smile. "I just hope that when the time comes... that I'm up to the task of being a father."
At hearing the admission from him, Soifon gave a quizzical look, and with some effort as she supported her stomach, shifted herself- all while still in his arms- to look him in the eyes. "Why do you have doubts?"
"It's not that I'm worried about being able to be a father," he started. "It's more like... Well, for a while now, I've wondered what I have to offer our child as a parent. After all, I'm just-"
"Ggio." She cut him off. "You and I, what we have between us, this isn't an alliance, just as it isn't defined by what either of us have to offer. This isn't Huecco Mundo, and I'm not an Arrancar." Soifon reasoned, her hands resting on his chest. "Whatever you bring to us as a couple- as a partner and a father- what makes it worthwhile isn't determined by power- not yours, not mine, or anyone else."
Ggio was speechless, at a loss as to what to say. "Soifon, I-"
She placed a fingertip on his lips, smiling as she continued. "I'm also fortunate, I'm a Captain, which means that I'm not shackled to a bloodline." The slender woman continued. "Even the members of the smaller vassal houses like my own, the daughters are almost always married off for purely political reasons or in order to ensure the prestige and influence of their family."
"But not me, I'm not going to be part of someone else's story." She continued. "I don't have to worry about being sent off to spend my life with someone I might barely even know, because I'm in a position to say 'to hell with it', and to chose who I want to spend my life with."
Ggio smiled, shifting so she could wrap her arms around his neck. "There's one thing I don't have to be a powerful Arrancar or a member of a fancy to know for certain..."
"Oh really," Soifon began in a sultry tone. "And what might that be?"
"That because of her mother, our daughter won't just be powerful," he spoke slyly, gazing into her dark eyes with his golden ones. "She'll be brilliant and she'll also be very beautiful."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Ulquiorra was fully aware of his own nature, and how he superficially came across to others...
Most people, if pressed, would describe him as cold, emotionally distant, and unfailingly logical, to the point that there had been a time when he foolishly set out to disprove both the existence and importance of "the heart", merely because it wasn't something tangible that he couldn't hold in his hand.
This factor, along with each and every one of the detriments that came with the limitations of the mind and disposition of one such as himself, meant that to just about anyone else that, he would come across to any potential partner as a pretty poor lover. And yet, somehow, in spite of all that, the Cuatro Espada now found himself in a deep and passionate relationship, and with a human woman no less!
Her large breasts bounced, brushing against his chest, even as her sunset fiery-red hair moved in time with each successive motion of their bodies. At the same time, the unsealed Espada could feel as both his wings and tail shifted into overdrive, convulsing with the growing pleasure...
And it was thanks in no small part to the depths of his relationship with Orihime that the Fourth had gained a better understanding of human courtship and the merits that came with it.
The only conclusion he could reach was that there was nothing he wouldn't do for her- he would fight any threat that stood in their way, undertake any task asked of him, and would do anything to ensure her happiness- if for nothing more than the knowledge that it meant he could see her smile!
After all, he'd come to fully understood and would be the first to admit that a female Arrancar wouldn't naturally be willing to indulge in the 'frivolities' that seemed to be second nature to the woman- such as leaving herself completely vulnerable and entrusting her safety to him as she slept, and of course think to cook for him, nor the value she ascribed to the simple act of spending time with him.
And then, of course, there was the fact that the woman believed that he was somehow more demonstrative while in his Segunda Etapa, that he was more open with her when it came to his own feeling and desires. As to whether or not this was true wasn't important, as he guessed it was more a quirk of Orihime. After all, the fact that she found his demonic Murcielago form so appealing said a great deal more about her!
His entire body was effectively on fire at he moment, burning with desire, driving the unsealed Espada to push himself ever onward, to the culmination of their pleasure, with the objective of driving both of them to the brink of ecstasy as he moved against her soft warm flesh, losing himself in her body...
All of this was running through his mind, even as both he and the gorgeous woman now bestride him moved closer and closer to the edge with every ensuing thrust that he delivered. Each time, Ulquiorra could feel as he was driven to a fever pitch, while Orihime's insides responded to his efforts by entrapping him in a familiar warmth and tightness that took every ounce of self control that he could muster not to finish ahead of her!
Ulquiorra knew from past experience that he was nearing his limit, his lower body tensing up, just in time as he was alerted by the reactions of the woman's wondrously responsive body that she too was nearing her own breaking point. And yet, he was struck by a sudden urge- a compulsion he'd never felt before this moment, his body almost on auto-pilot as he let out a gasp, his mouth agape...
His eyes turned to the supple flesh of the nape of her neck, and all he could think about in the moment was that Orihime felt so good, so fucking good! The only thing he could focus on in that instant was the feeling of her tight flesh around him, almost painfully gripping his erection, a preamble to him climaxing...
The next thing he knew, without thinking, Ulquiorra lost all rational thought as his instincts took over and he leaned in to bite down into the soft skin, sinking his teeth into the pale milky flesh that was the crux of her neck!
The moment he bit down into her with his sharp fangs- the only thing he could hear was the strained orgasmic shriek of pleasure loosed from his gorgeous voluptuous mate. Tellingly, this act seemed to be the final straw for her as she finally climaxed around him- at the same time as he buried himself deep within her heated core, before cumming inside of her with a frankly pained groan.
Orihime's eyes went wide, and her cry in that moment was the most erotic sound that he'd ever heard, as her body held him in place as his cum spilled into her passage- his fangs still embedded in his lover!
Fireworks went off in time with their orgasm, overriding his vision as he saw bursts of stars, much the same as how he'd heard the experience described for a human...
Instantly, he could feel it as she soaked his shaft with her climax, before his whole body turned limp, even amidst multiple lesser spasm as she came down from her own release. At the exact same time as akk this, Ulquiorra registered what exactly he'd done and was quick to support her sweat-slicked body, holding her to him as he swiftly began laving at the 'wound' he's inflicted upon her. "Orihime, I-"
"Ulquiorra... Thiz 's no prob." She slurred, causing him to look to her. "Iz alright... Juz now, I can still feel it... it doshn't hurt, nodda bit..." Orihime continued, her voice slurred as if she were drunk, as a goofy smile on her face. "In fact, I, I..."
In short order, she trailed off and collapsed against him. But Ulquiorra was so worked up that it took him a moment to properly register that she had in fact fainted!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Soifon had initially been shocked by the compliment by the Arrancar, then managed to rally herself in the face of having been caught so off-guard by the combination of the words, plus his tone, and not to mention that dammed smile of his that always seemed to penetrate her guard!
A moment passed, and she managed to wrangle her emotions in. "You! You're such a tease!" Soifon exclaimed, while somehow simultaneously smiling and glaring at him. "It's not fair, you know, the way that you're able to infuriate me, while also somehow making my heart race!"
Ggio raised a brow. "Wait, is that good or bad?"
"Yes!" She fired back, before moving in close to kiss him. "I have to say," Soifon resumed as she broke off their kiss in order to look at the surprised yet smiling male. "You keep talking about my looks, but- and maybe I'm biased when it comes to what I'm about to say- but you're pretty easy on the eyes yourself." The woman continued playfully with a smile. "I mean, is it just you, are do all of you Arrancar men have such amazingly smooth skin?"
He blushed, giving a nervous smile. "How should I know?" He started. "That is, to say, I guess I never thought about my skin." Ggio went on to say. "But wait, are you saying you like my looks?"
"Well, I wouldn't spend so much time with you, let alone have continued having sex with you, if you weren't also half-decent in the looks department!" Soifon retorted with a big grin. "I'd think you know me well enough after all this time, certainly enough to know that I don't have the best track record with men."
"I always knew I was risking my life with you." Ggio responded. "But then, at the same time, I always understood that there was gonna be some danger when it came to chasing after something so special."
"There you go, again, always the charmer." Soifon countered. "Though, to be honest, I suppose that's just another facet of your appeal." The black-ops woman admitted playfully. "And just so you understand, you're going to owe me for causing me to have to sit out one of the most important battles ever."
"Sure, sure." Ggio responded knowingly, with a chuckle and a role his eyes. "But, regardless, I'd think you'd be more excited at the prospect of being a parent?" The tiger-like Fraccion asked her with the woman with a smile. "I know I can't wait to see how you'll be as a mother."
"Based on everything that I've seen of you, as a partner and a lover." Soifon responded. "My instincts... well, they tell me that you'll be an excellent father." She finished with a smile.
"And, in response to your thoughts on our daughter." She continued softly, while she looked into his golden eyes. "I'm confident in saying that with you as her father," Soifon elaborated. "I have no doubt when I say that our daughter is bound to be extremely loving and compassionate."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"...Just an ugly spider?" Renji repeated in disbelief, dumbstruck, before taking her hand in his and looking her eyes. "H- how can you say that?"
The tone of the question left the raven-haired woman almost irate at first. "Renji... If only, all the other people were like you." She responded. "But what I am... that doesn't change the fact that I can't depend on you alone, regardless of how I feel, it's not fair to expect you to risk yourself for a monster!"
"Monster?!" The Shinigami fired back. "Dammit, Arachne! What else can I say? What can I possibly tell you to prove that I'm serious about us?!" He asked. "Maybe I'm stupid, or just clueless... But I can't do anything other than want to be with you." The Shinigami offered, taking her hand in his and holding it to his chest. "You're gorgeous, sexy, and you turn me on like no one else!"
He leaned in to capture her lips, trapping her in a kiss.
After a moment, he drew back and smiled. "Renji," she started, exhaling. "You really do have a knack for persuasion, do you know that?" Arachne relented. "Okay, I'll be completely open with you."
"But first," she continued. "I think we're going to need privacy, and a lot more space."
Renji glanced around, then nodded. "You're right," he agreed. "And I think I might just have an idea."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Division Fourteen HQ...
Just outside of the grounds of the completed Division, the wind whipped across the surface of the white sands of Huecco Mundo, upending the powder in the process...
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Katsuro Onigiri looked up from his work in time to register a faint knock upon the door of his quarters. "Alright," he managed after a moment. "Come on in."
There was an instant, before the door slid open, in the process revealing the bespectacled dark-haired figure of the woman in the doorway. "Lieutenant Onigiri," she asked. "Are you busy?"
He shook his head. "No, nothing that can't wait." The Arrancar replied with a smile. "After all, I've always got time for you... But what brings you here, Lieutenant Yadomaru?"
The Vizard nodded, stepping inside. "I've been thinking recently," the woman began, wordlessly sitting down on the cushion situated across the desk from him. "And the truth of the matter is... that I've found myself reflecting on everything that's happened." Lisa offered.
"I see." Onigiri responded evenly. "So then, is there any particular issue you wanted to discuss?"
Easing into her seat, the woman relaxed. "Any number of matters." Lisa answered. "But for now, it's enough that I'm content to say that I've been reflecting on the recent attacks."
The blue-eyed, crimson-haired Arrancar nodded calmly. "Yes... The truth is, that we've scarcely had time enough to breath, what considering the regularity of our enemy's attack."
She regarded the man across from her, who so resembled a stereotypical "oni", what with his wild red main and the pair of horns protruding from it. At the same time, she looked about the room, spotting the numerous and varied katanas that hung about the room. "Katsuro, do you have any plans?"
The bespectacled woman paused. "What I mean, is do you have any plans beyond the present?"
"Lisa, you're talking about the future..." the spiky-haired Arrancar countered, before taking a breath as he looked into her eyes. "To be perfectly honest," Onigiri began. "The truth is... that I've been thinking about a lot of things." The crimson-haired swordsman continued. "I keep on asking the same question: is there's anything beyond all this fighting... And, if so, then what exactly?"
Lisa appeared to take a moment to consider this point. "You're right," she responded, taking a moment to adjust her glasses. "And the truth is... I can't help feeling that this is all pointless."
"Pointless?" Onigiri countered, an incredulous look. "Lisa... what do you mean by that?"
"It's just..." Lisa hesitated as she looked into his eyes. "I can't shake this feeling that everything we're doing is ultimately pointless," the Vizard continued. "As if it were all... well, futile."
"Tell me something, Katsuro," the woman went on, adjusting her glassed. "Have you ever given any thought to the future... I mean, seriously, about what comes next?"
The crimson-haired Arrancar merely smiled. "Truth be told," he began. "With everything else going on at the moment, I haven't really given that much thought to my plans for the future."
"After all," the swordsman continued. "It's all just speculation in the end." He reasoned. "Beyond that, I don't see the point in drawing premature conclusions, considering all the variables."
Lisa nodded thoughtfully at this. "Well, if we both somehow manage to survive the coming battle," the bespectacled hybrid went on to remark. "Then we can worry about all that."
"Yes," he smirked. "I'd like that."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"Where are we?" Arachne asked, after stepping out of the Senkaimon.
"Outside of the Seireitei," Renji responded. "I've been here before, in the past, during a mission, so I know from experience that it's far enough away that we can have some privacy."
Right as he'd said that, the gateway closed behind them. "Well then, I suppose there's no more putting this whole deal off, is there?" The exotic raven-haired Arrancar asked. "Okay then... If you want to see my Resurreccion so bad, then so be it." She added, reaching for the handle of her Zanpakuto.
"Dokuga," she started, withdrawing the curved blade of the weapon. "Entrampar!"
At the same time as this, Renji had to squint in reaction to the sudden outpouring of Hollow Energy, before inevitably having to close his eyes as the woman before him transformed in a swirl of demonic power- creating a gust of wind of a flash of light in the process!
As soon as the dust began to clear and the wind settled, he was instantly struck by the figure of his lover, transformed into their Released Form: "Arachne..." He started to say.
To start, her Mask Fragment had expanded to cover her forehead- the bone-white surface sporting six glowing red slit-like eyes, set in two rows of three. Her 'regular' eyes had turned a solid shade of red, in keeping with the new additions. As for the rest of her transformed body...
A hardened armor-like substance, similar to that of an exoskeleton, covered parts of her remaining humanoid upper body- including her hands and forearms, while spider-like extensions curved across her torso, though not the point of covering her breasts!
As for the rest of her new body, well, this gave him pause...
To start off with, her upper body disappeared neatly into a coat of dark fur that encompassed both the newly acquired inhuman thorax and abdomen. Her 'human' legs were gone, replaced by six segmented arachnid limbs, each of them roughly eight feet in length and ending in a sharp point. The only breaks in the soft fine fur was of a hard armor-like material- similar to her mask fragment- that featured at key points across her body- such as her new limbs, encased in the same material as her lower arms.
It was immediately obvious that his silence was troubling for her, as the 'mandible' parts of her mask- now more pronounced- appeared to twitch as she gave an uncertain look.
This snapped him back to reality, as he swiftly ran forward and through his arms around her in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. After a moment of this, he drew back, his hands coming to rest on her waist, and smiled warmly, looking into her eyes. "Arachne, you, you're... incredible."
With that, he leaned in to kiss her, with the Arrancar at last relaxing as she wrapped her arms around him and enthusiastically returned both the embrace and the kiss en-kind!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Back in the Sixth Division...
Captain Byakuya Kuchiki was making his way down the corridor, having just stopped by the quarters of his second-in-command, only to end up failing to locate his Lieutenant...
The immaculately dressed Shinigami stopped, silently registering the presence of Rukia, the slender woman standing near the door to his office- her arms folded across her chest and a restless expression on her face- while idly tapping her sandal-clad foot softly upon the smooth wood floor.
"Rukia." Byakuya acknowledge his 'sister' concisely with a polite nod, before then beckoning her to follow him into his office with a subtle gesture of his hand.
Placing Senbonzakura in its holder, Byakuya hung his captain's haori on the wall behind him as he assumed his post behind his desk, with Rukia taking her place across from him.
"Before we continue this any further," the nobleman began. "I would first like to know if there is any particular reason for this visit," he continued. "Or, is this merely a social call?"
The woman raised a brow at this. "I'm not sure... Nii-sama," Rukia replied. "I think, at least partly, that I just wanted see you." She went on to state. "Also, it's been a while since we've spoken."
"Too long, in fact." She added, rubbing the back of her neck.
At hearing her use the honorific, he couldn't help but give a small smile. "Even now, after everything that has happened," he started, his casual tone surprising her. "I find it heartening, Rukia, that you still speak so respectfully when addressing me." Byakuya spoke. "It gives me hope."
"What do you mean?" The female Shinigami responded. "No matter what, we're still family."
Her elder brother nodded, more his usual self now. "Tell me, is all well in the Thirteenth?" Byakuya calmly went on ask her. "How would you rate its battle-readiness?"
"As well as can be expected." Rukia answered after a moment. "Everyone's been pretty busy dealing with all the prep work for the fighting to come." She went on to say. "Though, I don't expect that's what you really wanted to talk with me about right now." The slender woman spoke.
After a moment, he nodded. "There is one other matter, if you would be willing to indulge me." The immaculately dressed man went on preface, before continuing. "Candidly speaking, Rukia," the dark-haired nobleman began in a serious tone. "Are you content with your present circumstances, of what I've arranged for you, on your behalf?" Byakuya asked the woman. "Are you happy?"
A moment passed between them. "You're right," his younger sister replied. "As I've reflected on recent events, thing's have been difficult for me." Rukia went on to explain. "In the end, I've had to accept the fact that I need to move on with my life."
Byakuya shifted in his seat. "I've realized that recent events haven't been easy for you, and that you've had to accept a great deal of hardship." He spoke as he regarded her. "The plain and simple truth is, that regardless of whatever else might happen... I'm prepared to accept your ire and resentment."
"The only thing is," he went on to comment. "I would simply add that everything that I have done has been done so with your best interests in mind." Byakuya continued. "And, it's my hope, that one day, you will able to accept that the things I've done were ultimately for your benefit"
The dark-haired woman nodded knowingly in response. "I've... had to come to terms with a lot things, everything that's happened to me." Rukia replied in a serious tone. "And the truth is, that it all seems so long ago now- and I can't help but think how foolish I was, back then."
"Foolish?" He replied, setting his pen down. "In what sense do you mean- how so?"
She chuckled at this. "It's nice of you to act like you don't know what I'm talking about... But I can't help but think back on it now, that it's you, of all people who understands what it's like to have your life upended, to suddenly lose everything that truly matters in the blink of an eye." Rukia countered.
"And," she went on to say, after a moment. "I think I'm beginning to understand you a bit better... now that I've had time to look back and reflect on what it means to lose something."
"Some might consider such thoughts futile." Byakuya replied. "And there was a time that I might have thought as much," the noble continued evenly. "But, rather than and sense of satisfaction, all I really feel is... a reminder of the emptiness of loss, and of the realization of all that that implies- that this emptiness I've carried with me, that it's somehow both an absence and a presence."
Byakuya paused, collecting his thoughts. "To lose someone, and to then go on feeling that loss, while the memory remains." The Captain mused. "It's an odd sort of equilibrium- both an absence and a presence." He continued. "Is this why even now I can still feel Hisana?"
"Nii-sama?" Rukia asked, a conflicted look, before relenting. "It's the same for me," she paused as she looked into his eyes. "Hisana onee-san, she's always going to be a part of us, deep down." The smallish woman recounted to the man across from her. "Sometimes, it might feel like a terrible dream, being trapped between the past and present..." She paused, gathering her thoughts. "But I'd like to think that it's the good memories that will stay with us, that those will win out in the end."
A moment passed between them, before she stood up. "Nii-sama... I won't fight you, because I finally see the truth, that you're just doing what you believe is best for me." Rukia declared. "But, rather than me, it's you I worry about... The thought of you, alone, dealing with the elders."
Byakuya merely nodded at this. "Dealing with the Kuchiki Elders," he started smoothly, even as he looked up at her. "The reality is, it's a fight that I've been preparing for all my life." The elegant man answered her. "Though, it's not as if I'm completely alone." The dark-haired Shinigami went on, not giving his sister an opening to speak up. "For now, your battle lies elsewhere- in the future."
Rukia paused. "Brother... I don't know if this is the fear talking," she hesitated. "But no matter what else happens, that beyond obligation, blood, or anything else..." The woman continued. "For whatever it's worth, I understand it now, that having you as and older brother... that's what's made who I am."
He paused, almost unsure as to how to proceed. "Rukia," Byakuya started. "For my part, the truth is, more than being your caretaker... Being your brother has been and will always be one of only luxuries of my life, and the only position that I could be completely selfish."
"But, to other matters," Byakuya revealed, before producing a tan folder and sliding it across the desk towards Rukia. "I have something that I would like for you to look over."
Her eyes went wide. "Wa- What's this?"
(- End of Chapter LXXXV... -)
Well, a lot happened in this chapter! It certainly was fun to write, for a number of reasons. When I was checking this over, I decided to give the scene with Rukia and Byakuya a bit of a sentimental tone. I've also become a fan of a new pairing, so I left a tiny clue in the scene for possible future content . And don't worry about what's up with the folder, because there's going to be a payoff for it in the future.
As for the scenes with Ulquiorra and Orihime... Well, I'm not totally sure why, but I've had the image of him biting her during sex... Not sure what exactly that says about me though, lol. Regarding the scenes it with Renji and Arachne, I wanted to finally acknowledge the whole spider gimmick and show that she's more than aware of the baggage that comes with it- and to show how much Renji has grown and what kind of person he is.