italics= thoughts

bold=flashback

Note: Ulquiorra's 13 so need a reference, look at Jinta pre-time skip and junk. And I've labeled the POVs so no one gets confused

Sorry for the slow update. with school, family and (a bit of everlasting depression) it was hard getting back into writing or simply editing chapters

Ulquiorra POV

Well, its official...I'm either in the bottom most level of inception or I'm really here. Seeing as I've woken up in a bed that isn't mine and now as I sit here in the meeting hall/ dining room surrounded by the "original" Ulquiorra's fellow generals.

If I hadn't seen first hand what things the monsters (or hollow I think Lilynette called them) had and can do It'd feel like it was any normal TV family scene.

Starrk laid slumped over, sleepily eating his scrambled eggs and some strange, white bacon in a plain white tee and light blue lounge pants. He tottered back and forth, seeming to wrestle with being up so early.

just like at dinner the servants had prepared just about everything one could think to have for breakfast, to the point it was a tad overwhelming. My stomach grumbled loudly as I saw my favorite, Count Chocula cereal! However, just as I reached for it it's ripped from my hands by the Mantis man hybrid.

Spoonman looked completely different in his wife beater/sweat pants combo and his hair up in a manbun. Well except for one thing was the same: his strange hatred for me. As he glared at me with a disgusted sneer, he held the cereal above my head making it impossible to reach no matter how hard I tried. This only seemed to deepen the scowl on his face, like my inabilities were offensive.

The tense moment was (luckily) broken by both Starrk face planting into his runny scrambled eggs and the door being spontaneously kicked open with a force so great it detached from its frame. The wooden slab flying and becoming imprinted in the far wall.

"DAMN! What's that delicious sme- oh, it's you." A groggy voice rang out before the source came into view: a shirtless Bluenette. The man emitting a low growl as he looked at me before sitting in a huff. The man muttering under his breath about bullshit off limit rules. His normally spiky hair was hair down, obviously not having done his morning routine, it obscuring his face in parts. Unfortunately, the troublesome blue locks doing nothing in lessening the ferocity of the glare he continued shooting me. "Food!" he demanded while slamming his fist on the table repeatedly, his intimidating demeanor strengthened by all his muscles being visible.

"Get your own damn food," a lovely voice said,"and don't you have anything better than to big league a 13 year old, Nnoitra?" The pretty lady from yesterday said as she entered from the hole in the wall. She smacked Nnoitra upside the head before taking the box from his grasp, not batting an eye at said man's angry growl. She kindly poured me a bowl before plucking Starrk's head out of his scrambled eggs, making sure the drowsy man didn't suffocate in his breakfast

"Hello, Ulquiorra-kun. Glad to see you're well, did you have a nice time yesterday?"

"Uh...oh! Yes! Yes, thank you for asking." I look down at my cereal, hoping she can't see me blush as I take a spoonful of cereal and milk.

She smiles at me or what I suppose is a smile, seeing as her nightie hid half of her face. This would've been a much needed calming moment if it wasn't for the Sonic-haired man blurting out, "I wouldn't eat too much, Ulqui. That pink haired psychodick's lab tends to be littered with organs and blood."

And there goes my appetite.

I quickly drop my spoon mid-bite and push my bowl of cereal away from me, knowing after that It would've been a fruitless effort to even attempt to eat it.

"What?" he scratched his crotch as pretty lady growled at him, " Why lie to the dumb bitch? He's a walking wet dream for the dissection junkie. Better be careful, although you won't be missed." The dude promptly stole Starrk's plate and my bowl as he blatantly ignored the woman's death glare.

The peaceful scene devolving into an arguing match between the nice lady and the man with (apparently) no filter. All while Nnoitra continued with his strange misplaced hatred of me, as he continued glaring at me like I'd killed his whole family.

I shake Starrk awake, wanting to just get out of here. The laughs, death glares, and pitying looks just become too much… I already just wanting to get this day over with.

For the first time ever I want to go home.

"DON'T TOUCH THAT!"

Starrk's hand quickly whipped back to his side as he scooted far away from whatever the hell the purple, gurgling ball floating in the blue, fluid-filled test tube on the table was. But could you blame him? He'd never been back in this area of Szayelaporro's lab, he didn't even know it even existed in Los Noches to be completely honest.

Plus, it's not like he could do much in this scenario, the narcoleptic gunman completely out of his element in the domain of the residential mad scientist of Hueco Mundo. The vicinity was so creepy the hairs on the back of his neck were still standing despite having been there for 20 minutes already. The scrutinous gazes of Szayelaporro and his blond brother making him feel even more naked, puny, and uncomfortable.

"Just go sit outside of something and leave us to our observations!" the pink haired man hissed at the Primera Espada, who'd taken to tapping on the stainless steel counter closest to him.

"And leave him here with you two?" Starrk raised an eyebrow, "Yeah...no. Not after I came in with a sore throat yet woke up in a tub full of ice, marker graffitiing my body, and a major bump on my skull."

"I wasn't going to do anything! I would never do that to my friend…" Szayelaporro's voice trailed off as he saw Starrk holding up an empty, fluid-filled jar marked "Starrk's left kidney" with a very unamused look upon his face.

"UGH! Just take this magazine and sit in the frickin' corner." Szayel said as he threw a magazine at Starrk as he looked at his latest and greatest specimen ever. A very scared 13 year old, human Ulquiorra.

Serendipitous, is it not?

"LUMINA! VERONA! Gather my tools!" the Octava Espada shouted as a crazed look entered his eyes, "I must thank Grimmjow for this in the future. Now Ulquiorra, if you'd sit upon the gurney...oh and please strip."

Ulquiorra's POV

Couldn't even give me a one of those shitty scrubs, could they?

I continue the staring contest with the creamish colored floor swamped with all sorts of wires and stains I'd rather not know the origin of as the examination continues. Only occasionally glancing at the...round abominations that have been skittering back and forth collecting things. Turns out, not all fracción looked "normal" like Lilynette...or was Lilynette the oddity of the bunch? I can't help but shiver as goosebumps speckle my skin, as I shuffled back and forth on the crinkly paper not due to discomfort or the room's temperature; no, it was fear. Somewhere in the back of my mind I knew what goes down here, despite never having been here once.

Occasionally, getting a flash of gruesome experiments or demonstrations I caught sight of while standing behind "Him", like I was that brown haired monster's shadow. The smells and gruesome sounds returning too like a long repressed memory, repeating endlessly in my mind.

The desire to just make a run for it strengthening with each second I remain on the table, but can one blame me? I mean I'm in nothing but my boxers being poked and prodded by all sorts of unknown instruments and needles, while at the same time two effeminate strange men mock me. Yeah, I'm loving how this day is as it's been going swimmingly.

The next minute (or was it an hour?) is a flurry of poking, "follow my finger", "lift and hold", "when was the last time blank happened?" yadda yadda yadda and etc. the regular medical jargon. Just the routine checkup you get every few years to show the school you are in fact not carrying the latest disease described by the news to be as bad as the Black Death.

"Hmmm, vision is 20/20 on both sides as are all other senses, which is an anomaly as "Phoenix" is supposed to heighten the senses not diminished them at such extraordinary levels! However, this scientific blunder is proving out to fail in a lot of its supposed guarantees! Perhaps I should applaud Grimmjow's rash decisions and saving me such embarrassment."

"Perhaps a side effect of the deaging component of the Phoenix potion, perhaps Grimmjow's method of inclusion in with Ulquiorra's coffee destabilized some of its more finicky properties?"

"Mayhaps. Hmm...a little on the underweight side for what normal humans at his age are at…"

"Rather pitiful I'd say measurement-wise...but, that was always a continuous theme for the REAL Ulquiorra wasn't it, brother?"

The blond snarkily remarked as he looked over his shoulder at his brother before continuing to wrap a tape measure around my body, measuring every little thing.

They ignored my pointed glare, taking a flashlight to my retina and getting a swab from every orifice. Haven't they already gotten like 40 swabs already? I rub my throat before they grab my wrist. While Szayellaporro got a tourniquet ready.

I try to remain calm, never having liked blood let alone it being mine. Clenching my eyes so tight it hurt.

"Hmm, that's quite a fair amount of scar tissue running from the left elbow to the wrist, rather old...most likely around age eight?" Yylfordt said as I feel him rotated my arm and extended it. "How'd you do it?

I look at the Clark Kent look alike in medical scrubs through watery eyes, my tears still pouring down my face as I gingerly touch my new cast.

"I..I..monst-" "He was climbing a tree and he just had to miss that one branch! Hahaha! I told you didn't I Ulquiorra? But, no you had to prove something to your friends." Mom said, abruptly cutting me off but never forgetting to shoot me, like clockwork, the hateful glare that screamed, "why can't you be normal?"

"Hmmm, I was just like that as a kid...still quite um, athletic and full of energy. Um, the scratches are from…" "Cat! Our cat...Spr-Sprinkles! That reminds me of the funniest story!"

We don't have a cat. Dad's allergic, you know the man you're married to?

I glare at her with my head down, the blueberry lollipop swirling in my mouth.

I hate her…

Leaning over the counter, showing off her artificial bust and gaudy makeup. Having unbutton the top button of her blouse and removing your wedding ring once she'd caught sight of the doctor. More focus on the approval of others than her child's love and any possible relationship in the future. The constant lying so she can delude herself in believing she's the woman all aspire to be and what men fantasize about. Quirky but relatable, the IT girl, not realizing she did look like IT with her clownish attempts.

Writing this off as another fit or cry for her (unwanted) attention, that I was hurting myself on purpose because I'm some attention whore (just like her).

"Wow, I can't wait to tell dad about the nice doctor, Mother." the final word coming out more of a hiss than I'd meant it to be but getting the desired effect as Doctor whatshisname, does his job instead of the woman I've had the misfortune of labeling as my mother.

Sad, she really should realize those hateful glares of hers don't affect me anymore.

I'm brought back from memory lane by a sharp needle prick as the two brothers seem to fill vial after vial with my precious life-juice.

"So, is that typical? Yylfordt write down, patient possibly suffers from syncope?" Szayelaporro said while examining my ears.

"Um...no..Actually, that's something I wanted to talk to you about. I'm remembering things that didn't happen. Like I know they aren't fake, but they aren't me or I guess it is me... just the other me that you guys know? That made no sense...OKAY! I think I'm remembering and feeling what Ulquiorra experienced."

All movement stopped, two manic grins seeming to ingulf the brothers' faces as they got right in my face demanding to know every tiny detail. The sound of frantic scribbling got louder as the check up turned into a police investigation. Chalk on mentally drained to the list of things I was feeling and it wasn't even noon yet.

-2 Hours later-

The two of us silently trek back to the first tower to gather my things and change. I opt to staring at the floor, not in the mood to talk.

A sleepy eyed Lilynette, rocking serious bedhead, glanced up from the cereal she was eating on the couch as Starrk-san opens the door.

, "hey, Ulquiorra. Hey, Lazy ass. Fox face dropped that off for you." she said gesturing towards the package by the bathroom.

"Thanks." I nod to the two before getting ready for whatever my new caretakers will fling at me, not excited in the least.

Starrk's POV

Ulquiorra slowly followed behind me looking like he's in a death march, his hands wringing his satchels straps looking at his shoes as we made our way towards Baraggan's tower.

"You look good in that." I say in a weak attempt at small talk and I wasn't lying, Gin really knew how to make a person look good. In fact, if it wasn't for the absolutely dejected look upon Ulquiorra's face he'd have looked quite adorable. His outfit consisting of red capris, a white, sleeveless tank with (ironically) a black four on the chest, a jean jacket, and a yellow shawl scarf to top it all off.

"Well, we're here! Um...last night I went and made this," I hold up a very plain bracelet, " it's infused with a little of my Reiryoku in it...to act like repellent in a way to the more savage residences." My heart lifts as once I've finished tied it around his wrist, I get a tiny yet genuine smile.

"OH! I SHOULD WARN YOU ABO-""OH MY AIZEN! If you aren't just the cutest thing to ever grace my beautiful eyes!"

Which was the last thing I heard before feeling myself being batted to the right like a birdie by a racket. Two muscular arms coiled around Ulquiorra's frozen form before the boy was wrenched into the dark room.

AIZEN save his soul

Ulquiorra felt like he'd been on twelve roller coasters back to back as he was unceremoniously dumped on some really comfy pillows, his surrounds still a hazy mess as a litany of voices rattled around him.

"OH MY GOD! He's so cute! So scrumptious! I just want to keep him like this all the time!"

"Hmmm…"

"Charlotte do remember this Ulquiorra isn't like the other, he's not as durable."

"YEAH! YOU COULD HAVE MADE US AND MORE IMPORTANTLY HIS MAJESTY LOOK BAD! YOU CAUSE US TO FAIL AND I'LL SHAVE ALL YOUR HAIR OFF!"

"If Primera and his abomination of a fracción can take care of this husk of a warrior, than we as King Baraggan's loyal and ready servants can easily knock this out the park."

Ulquiorra's eyes slowly focused from the sudden whiplash he'd experience from whatever pulled him into the Segunda's chamber and within seconds he was struck with jaw dropping awe. The room he currently sat in was the antithesis of his first sitter's residence. While Starrk's room resembled a normal living room (maybe from the richer side of the neighborhood) this was what he'd expected a castle or a Victorian mansion to be like.

The size and grandeur of the room making it feel as if it was its own mansion. No, no a mansion within a mansion! The grandroom's archway french doors were topped with intricate carvings and wooden floor sported molding that looked like it was done by the great Renaissance artists. The furniture resembled the sort seen in any movie aristocrat's room, and had a rather on the nose color scheme. Barragan going with only three colors for the million different pillows littering the furniture: gold with gold piping, white with gold piping, silver with silver piping and other such combinations. The former king of Hueco Mundo even having those weird cylindrical tube pillows!

Also unlike Starrk's place the Segunda had remained out of the digital craze as there wasn't any sort of game system or digital device in sight, the only form of entertainment seemed to be a piano. Which Ulquiorra supposed was the TV's replacement, seeing as the furniture was framed in a way that one could watch the pianist while having afternoon tea. Ulquiorra would've questioned if the place even had electricity if it wasn't for the giant, three layer, electrical chandelier hanging above the sofa love seat, making the oak wood floorboards dazzle. Hell, the room even had a fricken organ taking up a good good ¼ th of the wall it was built in. the whole room screamed regality, making Ulquiorra feel smaller than he already did (which was really saying something)

The sense of grandeur quickly disappeared quickly at seeing the six "men" he assumed would be his caretakers. Ulquiorra wished he could say he wasn't surprised anymore to be surrounded by strangers with bone accessories and hole punched bodies after spending time with Lilynette and Starrk but even that couldn't prepare him for the motley crew in front of him.

They say opposites attract one another and that also applied to teammates apparently too. In fact the only thing that really tied any of them together is the customary white uniforms and bone fragments.

The smallest of the six upon first glance actually looked like a girl considering his slim build, long hair and pretty face, something Ulquiorra felt the man had to deal with on a regular if not daily basis. His uniform seemed pretty standard but a bit more personalized than most he'd seen since "coming" to Hueco mundo. He seemed like a calm individual but had an underlying vibe that said, "I'm better than you, and you know I'm right." Ulquiorra had to admit though,the saber tooth tiger skull upon his head is awesome. He seemed to ooze endless disdain, not for him but more for his teammates (specifically the shirtless one).

Speaking of the shirtless one, that was a being that emitted a vibe that screeched, "all eyes on me! look at me!" 24/7. Everything about the man had an intensity level of 100, he looked like the type of dude that was always hyped and ready to start a bar fight at the drop of a hat. Standing out as the only one in the group of six to be without a top he had made a lasting first impression on the disoriented boy. The man was lucky he lived in a dessert because he was able to reveal his array of weird markings painted or tattooed on his body and not freeze to death. He was possibly what people would sketch when asked to draw toxic masculinity mixed with a pinch of native american cultural appropriation.

The tallest (and most imposing) of the group was wearing a uniform with a Chinese flair to it.

Like his muscular teammate he also had markings except his were green triangles that were located on each cheek. With a mask that had two horns that jutted outward on either side of his chin.

Standing next to him was the iconic goon with his broad boulder-like body and one tooth protruding like some human bulldog hybrid. The most remarkable feature of Manbrick was the three lines jutting down from each eye, reminding Ulquiorra of a certain green jumpsuit wearing ninja character's eyes from an anime he watched once. His pupils appeared to be red, but it was difficult to be sure with most of the face being obscured by his protruding bone cap (which only further emphasized the stupid henchman trope). His bone accessory was a sort of hat with two short, curved elephant tusks that ran along the side of his face. His outfit seeming pretty run of the mill except for his sleeves. Seems he sprung for customized sleeves.

Ulquiorra took back the remark of the first man looking like a girl because thenext person his eyes landed on was certainly the most feminine of them all. With long blonde silky hair that reached down his back and the smallest hollow mask remains since coming to this unique Hell hole. The mask's remains actually looking like a rectangular monocle. The slim man going with outrageously puffy shoulder pads and knee high boots as his personal touch to their monotone uniforms.

Although none of their rate of oddity could compare (even if they were mashed together) to the last man, though Ulquiorra feared he was using the wrong pronoun/ misgendering.

The most eye-catching of the six was the man(?) currently in Ulquiorra personal bubble, way too close for comfort. The large muscular man(?) was wearing a skin-tight crop top with an upturn flare collar that was cut off right by his pectorals. The horrid fashion choice done to flaunt his entire eight pack in all its gory and (unfortunately) 97% of his happy trail. His long black mane was topped by a skeletal piece that resembled a punk-rock tiara. The man's large glossy lips, ice blue eyes and curly eyelashes should've been comical, but truthfully made him 100 times more terrifying. The twinkle in his eye as he circled Ulquiorra via ballerina twirls only further terrified the already jumpy boy.

"Uh...He-"HELLO! MY NAME IS ABIRAMA REDDER, YOU CARETAKER FOR TODAY! YOU SHALL BE WELL TAKEN CARE OF AS WE WON'T FAIL OUR MAJESTY, KING BARAGGAN!"

Ulquiorra sunk down into his chair as the bird-skull wearing man screamed in his face aggressively, cutting him off mid sentence. His hands quickly shooting to his ringing ears as the others in the room facepalmed at their idiot companion's horrid social skills.

"YOU SHALL BEHAVE WHE-URK!" Abirama cut off mid-scream as a loud smack rebounded around the room Ulquiorra flinching reflexively as two burly arms wrapped around him, his body squished against a broad muscular chest.

"YOU ARE SCARING HIM!" a hand began petting his hair like a puppy, "My name is Charlotte Chuhlhourne, but you can call me Princess Charlotte. Don't you worry about Abirama-kun, he's an idiot and doesn't understand it's not all rough and tumble!" Charlotte pinched Ulquiorra's cheek lightly before turning him to the others and begun pointing out who's who.

"That little love kitten is Ggio Vega, Ggio-kun believes he's his majesty's favorite but none can compare to me" the strange man whispering the last part to Ulquiorra although purposely making loud enough for Ggio to hear.

"Goldilocks there is Findorr Calius, one of the biggest meanies as he won't let me style his ,almost as luscious as mine, hair. Mr. broad shoulders is Nirgge Parduoc not much more to be said about big silent giant over there is Choe Neng Poww and don't worry he's the rational one of all of us, also the most boring. Oh, and the epitome of steroids in poultry and a blatant example of cultural appropriation over there is Abirama Redder." Charlotte said the last name with a flippant wave of his hand and a blank face, as if the man elicited zero interest.

Said man's face flushed with anger, something Ulquiorra guessed happened often based off the other's response of walking to do other things, and got right in Charlotte's face. Ulquiorra let a yelp out as he was smushed between the two men's muscular chests, the two childishly getting into a screaming match. Ulquiorra dug his fingers into his ear as they began to ring, `the two arrancars screamed right next to his ears.

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME YOU LACEY ASSHOLE!?"

"Must you always scream rooster head, my beautiful hearing always suffers?!"

"I'LL SHOW YOU ROOSTER HEAD, YAH TRANNY!" Redder raising his fist at Charlotte, his muscles bulging because of how tight he was clenching them. But just before a fistfight (and potential hospital trip for Ulquiorra) could break out the giant front doors burst open. All other activity seemed to stop on a dime, an eerie silence takes over the room as the shoe of a man appeared. Ulquiorra landing like with a thump on his bum, as Charlotte seemed to disappear from under him, in the blink of an eye all six got down on one knee in a horizontal line.

In walked the elderly man from the meeting room, his cold gaze honed in on Ulquiorra instantly which oozed with indignation, like Ulquiorra's mere presence in the room was an offense of the highest order. sadly, it was one that was familiar to Ulquiorra. The man coming to stand right over Ulquiorra, making the boy have to look up into the Segunda's cold eyes. The two simply stared at each other, Ulquiorra looking down occasionally when the man's stare became too uncomfortable and intense to sustain.

"U-" before Ulquiorra could finish getting a word out, the elderly Espada was wrenching him to his feet by his arm and was basically thrown at the man's bowing Fracción along with a long piece of paper. "Aizen said we, Espada, have to watch this mistake. I didn't care for that Ulquiorra then, when he actually possessed some sort of strength! So, why would I give a damn now that he's useless in battle and servitude? In my day, I'd just chain the little bastard up to my throne or let the natural law of Hueco Mundo take over!" he huffed while stomping over to his bedchamber.

"Findorr! Poww! Nirgge! You're doing this list of peasant chores list given to me by Aizen," the man growled out the dictator's name with ultimate disgust like it left a bad taste in his mouth. "Charlotte, Ggio, and Abirama! Watch the former FORMER Fourth Espada," the Segunda viciously jabbed a finger at Ulquiorra,"I'm too important to deal with the byproduct of THAT BLUE HAIRED RUFFIAN'S PETTY VENDETTA!" Baraggan finished before disappearing into his room slamming the door.

"YES YOUR MAJESTY!"

Ulquiorra had the feeling Starrk was the only exception when it came to tolerating his existence.

Charlotte's POV

"AMAZING! WHAT SKILL!" Abirama exclaimed as he looked at what Ulquiorra had been drawing.

The three babysitters had been trying to do something they've never done before since becoming Hollows: cheer up a sad child.

Ever since their majestic, all powerful king, Baraggan had come in in a totally justified huff and unleashed his beautiful anger upon them, little Ulqui has been sketching with his head down, hunched over, hiding behind his hair. An occasional sniffle escaping as he'd periodically take a second to rub his jacket sleeve across his eyes or nose.

Ggio had given up already up, sitting across the table from me just resting his head on his hand. The pretty jerk lazily rolling a pencil back and forth on the table.

That's it! No more!

I leaped up and clapped my hands, "This negativity is toooo much, its stifling in this room!" I quickly work pulling the three from their self induced trances. I kick the seat from under Ggio and hid my smile at the loud crash and string of curses before heading over to our adorable charge. "Which is not good for one's pores." I gently pulled Ulquiorra's seat away from the table, taking the confused cutie's hand, "Come on Ulqui-kun, you haven't been out during your whole time you've been here in Hueco Mundo, have you?."

"He's only been here one day! And King Baraggan, his almighty and ever fair king, didn't instruct us to let him outside for a "breather"!" Ggio harshly whispered, eyeing lord Baraggan's chamber doors, waiting to be reprimanded.

"He said to watch Ulqui-kun, not how to watch him." I stuck my tongue out as I briskly walked with Ulqui-kun' to my most favorite place in Hueco Mundo.

"Ummm..i-if it'll get you in trouble I can stay inside. Really! It's not a hassle or anything! I don't want to be a burden or anything." the child Fourth said while refusing to meet my eyes.

The way the kid says it instantly queues me in that he actually believes himself to be a burden, which is probably sadder than when I ripped my favorite and cutest crop top.

No wonder he was such a pushover to Aizen…

"NONSENSE! In fact, it'd be the greatest disappointment if I didn't get to show off my baby, my pride and joy!" I exclaim to the timid boy with a wink, as we arrive at the third most right staircase in the Segunda tower. Abirama and Ggio-kun sonidoing over to catch up with us, begrudgingly might I add.

"You'll love it! I swear on my luscious flowing hair!"

{Ulquiorra POV}

"OH MY GOSH!" I'm unable to contain my scream as I see what's at the top of the stupidly long stairway. I'm already out of Charlotte's grasp before we even touch the floor landing, "Is it real!? Please tell me it's real!" I say in a pleading/frantic manner.

"As real as my beautiful bulging muscles! Well! Go ahead, I brought you up here for a reason!" Charlotte flashed me a big smile and a thumbs up

I hesitatingly touch what had to be the biggest paradox to ever exist, but he's right! Its real! REAL GRASS!

I look around me in awe at the spectacular botanist's wonderland around me, as I try to take in everything and fail. miles upon miles of lush green meadows stretched farther than my eyes can see. There were a billion exotic flowers and other flora filling every possible patch of land. I could feel the tears well in my eyes as I saw the plants were…"plants" and not some monstrous take on said thing. In fact even the fauna looked harmless, the occasional lizards or bee darting by or a hollow bird diving for a meal.

"Can I...can I go um play in it?" I can barely contain my excitement. Yes, it hasn't been that long since coming here, but the fact that for the first time I'm not surrounded by WHITE everything, is almost too much! I have never made me more excited to see something ever. Guess its true that you don't know you'll miss something till it's gone.

I kick of my shoes and socks, tossing my jacket carelessly aside as I leap into the grass, enjoying the feeling of dirt and the brushes of grass against my feet and between my toes. Probably acting like a hyperactive puppy but, I couldn't care less, I was absolutely ecstatic.

I walk aimlessly through the very Alice in Wonderland-like garden, all the tension slowly seeping out as I drag a stick behind me, making sure not to get lost in this mini Amazon Rain forest. I finally have the solitude and time to contemplate my situation for the first time since coming here.

Okay...so, I'm in some dead zone...literally. Surrounded by killers and things that've plagued me my whole life. On one hand, turns out I'm right and I'm not delusional or just crying out for , mom my mind hasn't convinced my eyes into believing shit that isn't really there. and no, , you shitty 5th grade teacher, I don't need to find a creative outlet. On the other hand, I'm surrounded by killers with swords that're obviously in a cult ruled by an attractive sociopath.

I can't help but stare intensely into a wide puddle, getting down on my hands and knees to get a closer look at my reflection. Turning my head to and fro, glaring at it.

How the hell did I windup up running with this circus of penitentiary patients...let alone being the Fourth...that's what Cuatro means right? Why didn't I move on, what could've made me...future me? I mean… I can already feel a headache forming as temple starts to throb.

Gerrrrro. Gerrrro

I'm pulled from my thoughts and the incoming headache by a sudden, loud croak. Looking up O find two tiny pink pupils swimming in big, black, pool-like sclera locked on me. It was a frog...or some mutated version of some kind of amphibian. It's skeletal head way too disproportionate to its body so it resembled a type of obese lilac iguana, while its rat-like tail wagging back and forth furiously.

"Wha the…OW!" I flinch as the creature's long black tongue hits me square in the forehead, leaving a gross glob of slime behind from its surprise attack.

Gerrrro. Gero.

"Oooh a tuff guy, huh?" I reach for the lil' bugger only for it to zip away. "HEY! Get back here!" I scramble to my feet, taking off after the weird creature with much gusto.

I continue to follow it, each time the thing slipping out my fingers at the last second. Renewing the game of cat and mouse as well as leading me deeper and deeper into the strange garden.

"We really should go get Cuatro, now. Pretty sure those walking bags of flesh are supposed to eat at least three times a day." Ggio looked at his two teammates, both of which not taking the task as seriously as him. Abirama actually asleep, his body leaning against the wall as Charolette made his seventh flower crown.

"Ahhh, let the kid run free. Aizen knows when he'll be allowed back outside. Especially given the others he'll be left in the hands of. Just imagine the horror of having Nnoitra or Grimmjow responsible for your well being? Besides, all work and no play makes Ggio-kun a dull boy." Charlotte replied nonchalantly as he continued focusing on making his flower crown, "Y'all should be thanking me! Who else but a princess as fabulous as me would've thought of this?"

"You know how i utterly dispi-"

Ggio stopped as he felt a spike in reiatsu, from deep within the garden's center. Which was the direction he'd last seen Ulquiorra heading in. The sudden pulse strong enough to drag Abirama from his slumber

The three didn't even look at each other, all on the same wavelength as they sonidoed towards their charge.

Playtime's over.

Ulquiorra barely managed to grab the hollow lizard's left hind legs as the overweight reptile attempted to skitter underneath a tree. Its bulbous body struggling to slink in between several white roots as a last ditch effort at escaping the unrelenting child.

"Gotchas!" Ulquiorra smiled as he wrenched the lizard back as it fought for its life with a hearty pull. The pair stumbling as their momentum shifted backward till an exceptionally large root sent the combo to the ground. Ulquiorra yipping as he landed with a harsh thud, the root-riddled ground anything but soft..

"Ouch," Ulquiorra rubbed his hindquarters gingerly before pillowing the beast into his chest forming a makeshift cage. Ulquiorra unable to fight the smile at being the victor of the seemingly endless battle. "Hah! I win, yah lil' jerk! Thought you could get away from me, huh? Nope! You actually thought you could escape under this tr-"

I continue to walk...or am I standing still?

I don't know, I feel nothing. Not the wind across my body nor the sand beneath me.

Nothing.

Nobody.

Nowhere.

Just walking...walking...walking. Walking...walking...walking...walking...that was my past, present and future or so I thought.

I'd found it...the truest form of the void in this nothingness in this supposedly endless desert.

It lacked all color, each spindly limb the color of untainted snow. Even lacking a nose I could tell the thing hadn't any scent at all. Neither did It interact with anything, the occasional wind couldn't jostle the thing's protruding features.

For the first time my eyes were captured as it was the closest thing to 'void' that I had ever laid my eyes upon.

I can't help but want to become one with it. Meld into perfection's grasp and stay there

Perhaps then I'll find peace. Maybe even happin-ULQI-KUN!

Ulquiorra's wrenched back from the tree by two burly arms wrapped around his waist. Stopping the self-harm he'd been inflicting on himself by trying to mesh into the trees' branches. His saviors Ggio, Abirama, and Charlotte barely fast enough to stop him from impaling his right eye on a protruding white branch. The three had arrived to see their charge walking into the giant conglomerate of a tree. The boy in some sort of powerful trance as he walked into the living hazard, not flinching once despite it cut his clothing and flesh in quick successions

Charlotte cradled the dazed tween in the crux of his elbow, combing his fingers through his hair frantically if not to help Ulquiorra then to alleviate his worries. Brushing and picking twigs from the Fourth's clothes and hair gingerly.

"Come on, Ulqui! Come back to us, please! Oh for the love of Aizen be okay!" Charlotte cupped Ulquiorra's face, twisting it too and fro, accounting for damages to their charge.

"Wha? I... I'm fine!" Ulquiorra pried the flamboyant man's hands from his face, acting as if he knew what just went down seconds ago, when he (and they) both knew he didn't.

"I WASN'T WORRIED! I WOULDN'T FAIL HIS MAJESTY!" the condor arrancar puffed out his chest after wiping the nervous sweat from his brow, the opposite of his sabertooth compatriot.

Ggio had yet to say anything since witnessing what'd just went down. Opting to remain silent as he grabbed Ulquiorra's arm, hauling him from Charlotte motherly cradle to his side. "We're going in. Now!" His expression screamed there was no room for objection.

Ulquiorra cast one last at the snow white cornucopia of branches and how morbidly beautiful his blood looked speckling it.

{Barragan's POV}

I don't know whether to be interested or terrified of the boy sitting in front of me, quietly eating what the lowly servants called a PB&J sandwich.

I'll have to remember to punish my three Fracción for the boy's now Band-Aided appearance. How dare they think of returning him to me with the addition of a torn shirt, pants, and colorful stickers littering his scrawny body was acceptable!

He just sits there, unphased to be surrounded by soul-eating monstrosity and not batting an eye.

"*Ahem...ugh, Mister Segunda sir?" my former comrade's eyes directed to the table, and I use the term "comrade" loosely

Pitiful. The boy can't even look me in my eyes! Where's the Fourth or even a smidge of his former glory as a warrior! Bah!

"Speak with force behind that voice of yours or don't dare waste my time by addressing me!" I pinch my forehead, trying to remember my royal patience and not smush the child with my Reiatsu.

"Ok! Ugh *ahem* you said I'm not like...the other "me" or the me of the p-past? Or is it the future…," the child squirms under my sub-zero icy glare ,"I mean! Um...what was I like in the past?"

"A warrior. One that would've been in a high position under my regime, my reign as the true King of Hueco Mundo as it should and always be. Emotionless! Unrelenting! The epitome of what one looks for in a soldier. I've seen you slaughter opponents in droves during the beginning of Los Noches, a mockery of my former kingdom mind you. You'd do it without even tarnishing your uniform. What I'm staring at now is the poor excuse that's only similarity to the former being in name. Sadly, you placed your unwavering loyalty to that Seireitei traitor, Lord Aizen, Bah! Following the orders of said man like a subservient dog. Doing everything that MAN, not a king like I, said without any hesitation or complaint"

Just saying that moniker in the same sentence as that fool leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The man is as much a lord as I am a peasant.

"Oh..." The imposter Fourth says quietly as he takes another bite of his peasant food.

After several excruciating 30 minutes with the only sound being scared chewing and my irritated yet completely justified grumbles we finally return to my tower.

This day cannot end fast enough.

To say dinner was tense is an understatement.

Gin seemed to be smiling more maliciously than normal. as Starrk seemed to be extra aggressive when cutting or stabbing his steak. His lazy smile still in place like always but a dark aura radiating off him as he glared daggers at Baraggan. Whom just returned the sentiment if not even more pointedly back to the narcoleptic Primavera.

"Who fucked up your face then plastered it with those bitch stickers?" Grimmjow asked with all the tact he usually had.

"Uh...Oh! These? I fell and got a knic here and there and Princess Charlotte wouldn't let me leave till she had me almost wrapped like some sort of mummy. Nothing major." Ulquiorra shoveled the food in his mouth trying to finish the meal and get the hell out of the Dining/Meeting room as fast as possible.

"And the clothing?" Szayelaporro said, throwing kindling on the fire as he shot a calculating look at Starrk, having never seen the usually laid back man so angry.

"Charlotte couldn't help but feel the outfit was lacking fashion-wise so she pizzazed it up a little." Ulquiorra murmured as he looked anywhere else but at anyone at the table.

From the front of the table the sound of glass breaking could be heard, Ulquiorra slowly turned to see Gin shaking his hand back and forth with a broken glass set in front of him.

The rest of the dinner was just as tense with Nnoitra's non stop glaring at Ulquiorra, Gin now aggressively cutting up his steak, mumbling about being the fashionsetter of this godforsaken land.

Szayelaporro continuing to take rapid notes and murmuring about the possible social ramifications of Phoenix.

While Starrk and Baraggan had a never-ending stare down with the occasional flair of Reiatsu that'd cause Ulquiorra to have random coughing fits.

All while a twinkle of vindictive delight shone in Aizen's chocolate eyes.

{Baraggan POV}

I pinch the bridge of my nose, today too stressful and lively for a place filled with the souls of the dead. Add that with my inability to focus was driving me to get angrier and angrier. All I could seem to focus on is the fourth and his current condition. I put the heavy tomb back on the shelf of my extensive library, the tales of my many victories in the early wars for Hueco Mundo not pleasing me like it usually did.

Creeeeeeak

I didn't even have to turn around to know who it is. "You should be in bed, Me knows I don't need that embarrassment of a Primera, who dares to comment upon my skills to watch you, throwing another hissy fit." a disgusting taste enters my mouth remembering the pion's hateful glare he'd had the gall to direct at me all throughout dinner.

"Um...could you tell me about your rule? I mean, Starrk and Lilynette told me sorta about how things were before Aizen but... I-I'd like to know the past from the man himself. O-ONLY IF YOU WANT!" The timid boy blurted out acting like he'd overstep some imaginary boundary.

I stop reading, actually gracing the knockoff Fourth with my gaze, and if I had a sense of humor I'd have laughed. The once fearsome, emotionless, assassin was basically swimming in the clown-like outfit that Gin, the physical embodiment of annoyance, had selected for him. Donned in an emerald green nightgown that was 10 times too big for him. Paired with a cap that engulfed his head like some sort of anaconda or alien parasite. The fox-like man must be really striving to eliminate all former credibility this man had with the addition of two felt, black bat wings that jutted out like the arranchild was constantly stretching his wings, ready to take flight.

"And why would you want that, better yet why should I waste my time in educating such a weak being as yourself? Barely able to finish a sentence without stuttering in my presence, let alone look me in the eyes!"

The boy seems to pause for a second...before a familiar look seemed to flash across his face, one that resembled the calculating former warrior he had been not 2 days ago.

"Because knowing the former me followed that "man" Aizen blindly is terrifying. So, maybe after all of this, I'll retain the memories of whats happened before going back to being "Ulquiorra"...and I'll know...better? Like maybe not be such a pawn like you said...I don't like that man."

"Oh," I make sure to hide my surprise at "Ulquiorra's" explanation. Never thinking Ulquiorra, no matter what variation, would see the true nature of that usurper.

Hmmmm…That's a first… even I must admit the man is a master at manipulation, able to coerce the most cautious of minds into believing the dribble he touts. Yet, hes failed with this child?

I open my mouth to speak, but stop.

Consider the possible outcomes of educating the boy. 1. I'll have a possible chance of swaying him to having a sense of loyalty to me once he's useful again. Plus, how fitting a revenge would it be to take away Aizen's oh so reliable, undying loyal lapdog? 2. I finally get to tell the true tale of this damned place of existence. The savage lands I, the true and only king, tamed and molded for these ingrates!

"Yeah, he gives me this...uneasy feeling. Like a snake or wolf, that's trying to lure me somewhere to end me... I-I... I don't like it. He scares me." Ulquiorra shifted nervously on his feet while wringing his hands.

Tis the job of the King to appease their underling's and follower's fears and if that leads to the formation of loyalties...Welllll.

"Good, remember that sentiment in the future. Those that know fear of an opponent are less likely to fall into their ploys. I'll give you a word to the wise, boy." I get up feeling the boy's rapt attention upon my back, "In this realm, power isn't determined by size, shape or form, the smallest could be superior to the biggest. Interpret that as you may or wish to. Now, come, I have much to tell you before you must go to bed."

To be continued….