Yes, I'm not dead just the muse has dried up quite a bit. Making it hard to write at the moment.
I own nothing.
Words- author tidbits
words=thoughts
words=inner hollow/Zanpakutō
words-sound effects
My chest hurts as my lungs continue to struggle to get enough air. I look back behind me and swerve right, darting down yet another corridor. My ragged breathe and the thumping of my heart absolutely deafening as tears blur my vision.
I mentally scream as I come to another area I have absolutely no idea even existed. Yet again slapping me in the face with the fact I'm horribly lost in this Palace of death. Though given everything is one shade of white in this godforsaken place every hallway looked identical to the other.
I skid/stumble into the oddest room ever and given this is Los Noches is saying something. An enormous room that seemed to house hundreds of giant, red, thick, towering, cylindrical columns and only that.
"I thought Aizen and his two vice commanders had some screws loose but this is ridiculous!"
ROOOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRR!
I quickly remember the reason for my running and quit contemplating the mindset of a sociopath with a god complex and his two lackeys to find cover. I duck behind one of the columns, my back pressed against it as I cautiously peek behind it at the entrance. And sure enough there it is, in all its horrifying glory.
Doesn't that thing get tired!?
It's neon eyes flash in the dimly lit room while it's grotesque anglerfish jaws continue opening and closing periodically. Brown acidic spit trailed behind it as it continued dripping down it's non-existent lips.
It's long claws clattered against the stone floors, three on each hand, one for each finger, each one sharper than the other. It's linebacker upper body swiftly slinking between each column as it's grotesque ricketed arms pulled the serpentine creature at frightening speeds, the thing seeming to never run out of energy!.
I see it disappear slowly in the opposite direction of my hiding spot, much to my relief as my poor legs finally give up and I collapse into an exhausted, sweaty heap. I grip my right arm close to my side, as it continues to throb in a constant pain.
That monster got me good…
I hesitantly look down and I almost gasped in horror, the Hollow's attack had butchered my arm! the limb now sporting 3 deep gorges! My attempts at staunching the deep claw marks proved very ineffective, very quickly as blood continued bubbling up under my hand. Every breath hurts and my clothes feel too tight, leaving me with only one thing to do. Pray it doesn't find me...well, that and lament my stupidity for falling into this easily avoidable situation.
How'd I get here? Oh...wait, I remember...
~~~~~~flashback~~~~~~
"Hey! Puppy! That's not a chew toy!" I yelled as I chase after Yammy's cute dog. the rambunctious pupper having stole Starrk's bracelet from me and playing quite the aggressive game of "keep away". The dog hunched over shaking his butt, waiting for me to resume our game. And although I hate to admit it's pretty fun. I quickly apologize as I almost ram into another random servant.
If you had told me I'd get so used to this Hellscape, that I'd casually be running through the halls carefree I'd have laughed but here we are now.
Sure, there's still Aizen and his two creepy lackies, Szayelaporro and his constant checkups/examinations, the lack of vegetation and soul eating monstrosities everywhere... but all things considering, the arrangement wasn't so bad.
I have Lilynette and Starrk to play/talk with most of the time and if they're off on a mission or busy I'm usually sent to Barragan-sama and his fracción. Which means I get to go outside (as long as I stay away from that tree) and get more history lessons from King Barragan.
Even the other Espada I've been "babysat" by weren't too awful. The goth/punk rock monk, who I now know is named Zommari, was okay. Though the man was a lot on the boring side. All the man Seemed to do is meditate and preach how much of a blessing Aizen was to him and Hueco Mundo, but he's not horrible. Just annoying really.
Aaroniero Arruruerie, the test tube helmet wearer, was maybe the most awkward seeing as everything in his domain was dark. The dude is apparently allergic to light or something so most of the time I'm left with nothing to do besides to either sleep or play Lilynette's Switch.
However, out of those three, my favorite sitter was Yammy as he seemed to actually make an effort like Starrk. The big man actually talking to me and telling tales of him and the "old" Ulquiorra, which generally are unfortunately more terrifying than amusing. The stories always containing the same elements: death, slaughtering, zero remorse and usually Ulquiorra doing the brunt of the work. But, my favorite part of visiting Yammy was really his dog, the thing so soft to the touch and reminds me a lot of my old dog, Bosco.
"Gotcha!" I scoop the wriggling creature up and have to basically rip the bracelet from it's jaws, the pupper determined to make it as difficult as possible. When I finally do get it loose I can't help but be a little mad, Starrk's bracelet was utterly destroyed. The once prettily woven jewelry now reduced to a slobbery, gnarled pieces of string.
"Bad dog!" I scold the dog as I hold it out in front of me, looking into it's crater-like eyes. though my chastisement falls on deaf ears as it just licks my face aggressively. It's black tongue lolling out it's mouth as it leaps out of my arms to spastically circle me.
I keep laughing till I realize how very silent our surroundings are, which is strange for such a big fortress. There was always some sort of noise considering the number of servants they have here and the patience level of some Espada.
I subconsciously clutch Yammy's dog closer to me as I look around for some sort of clue on where I am in this godforsaken place. As I'd seemed to have wandered into a dead zone, not a single servant to be seen.
Despite not knowing what I had a hunch I'd made a huge mistake.
And boy was that hunch correct. That dog was really quick to abandon me… But, that's not important... I need to get out of here…
"GRRRRRRRRRRRRR"
My eyes shoot open as I look my tormentor dead in it's pupil-less eyes, making me start hyperventilating again. The thing giving off the god-awful horrid smell of ash and decay.
I narrowly dodged a swipe at my head, the pillar not so lucky, breaking under the power of the hell spawn's attack. However, something tells me it purposely missed
It's playing with me.
My hunch is confirmed as it seems to wait as I hesitantly get to my feet and cautiously sidestep my predator, my muscles already protesting. The thing giving a putridly fake gesture of encouragement as he shoos me away! And so it begins again as take a left and run down the closest corridor, stumbling occasionally.
Someone please help!
Probably 30 minutes later I find myself pinned to the far wall of the seven millionth corridor I'd ran down today.
The creature finally done feeding my hope of survival and ending this game of cat and mouse.
I don't even attempt to struggle, not because I've given up, but because my body was literally out of energy. I actually feel myself slowly blacking out
Ironic how I'm going to be killed by trash?
I watch through blurry, half lidded eyes as the creature put one razor sharp claw to my neck. The thing making a shallow "practice" cut, my blood beading around/on it till it looks like I'm wearing a demented, occult pearl necklace. My head too foggy to even register the new voice in my head.
The hollow's dark chuckle echoing as it pushes on my body harder, dragging a wheezy cough from my lips. It lifts its arm high, ready to strike
"HEY!" A gruff voice called out, causing my murderer to stop the final blow.
I tiredly turn my head towards where the voice came from and see a hazy blob-like figure with a blue halo.
"So, dumb ass Yammy couldn't watch one ass-kisser turned weak? Not surprised," it said, "Well, I'm not getting demoted for lardass' mistake. Drop the little bitch, NOW!" The blob demanded.
The force the beast exerted on my chest seemed to triple as it's anger seemed to rise. It completely disregarding the blob's threat.
And then it's gone
So is the wall, as I feel my body painfully skid across the floor. Apparently I'd been flung away from my aggressor by the Blob Angel. I weakly lift my head to see the beast wailing, it's arm ripped off and it's blood spraying everywhere possible. The last thing I see are two blue pools of chaotic.
*****Flashback********
Oh God, I'm going to die. I have to move! Why won't my body move!? I don't want to die! I don't want to die!
My mind's racing as I'm stared down by my soon to be killer, snot and tears running down my face while it's hot, rancid breath jostled my hair to and fro.
The abomination towers over me as I stand frozen, my back up against the wooden alley fence.
Why is this happening? Today had been so good. I'm going to Dad's, as it's his rare week to watch me. We were going to go to the park. I don't want to die! I'M ONLY 11!
I fruitlessly push on the tentacle pinning me off the ground, hiccuping as I flail my feet though my body already feeling like lead. The lilac monster lording over me as its white, tiki mask-like face heavily panting in my face. The thing's breath smelling like sulfur and ash.
I watch in horror as the monster opens it's gaping mouth above me, spit falling on my forehead
as the thing's maw slowly closes on me, it prolonging the horrid process for some cruel reason. As I feel my body go completely numb and every thought gets foggy, I realize I'm done for.
No! No not now! Must fight it!
I mentally yell at myself as my "defense mechanism" kicks in and the world starts hazing out.
I'm going to die and I can't even say I went down swinging.
So consumed with pondering how long I'll litter the newspapers and cartons of milk till deemed dead that I nearly missed whatever was quickly approaching from our left.
Like a missile, something slammed into the monster pinning me, causing me to land butt first in a puddle with my back against the fence.
It was a jaguar, the prettiest one I've ever seen. It'd ditched the typical all black coat, the beast was a skeletal white with black lines and black highlights running all over it's sleek body. Powerful jaws containing two rows of razor sharp teeth opened as it released a roar of victory. The beast having killed my previous aggressor before it knew what was even going on.
Although, murky I watch the bleach white jaguar feast. Blood dripping down it's snout as it wrenches back, ripping giant chunks of flesh from the carcass. The Panther seemingly striving to cover the entire place in the kill's blood. The fence, the pavement, even my clothes weren't spared from the splatter.
I slowly begin to realize the blood coated, big cat is staring right at me. It's eyes the bluest pools I'd ever seen, I'd call them gorgeous if the pools weren't filled with nothing but a desire for destruction.
I sit numbly while the beast approaches me, its claws retracted and clacking upon the cement. The beast's hunger or bloodlust obviously not yet satisfied.
Oooh...it wasn't saving me, it just wanted to kill me itself.
I'd have laughed if it weren't for my entire being having already shut down, like a car out of gas. A literal sitting duck or a sack of potatoes as I can't move an inch despite the monster getting closer with every passing second.
The last thing I see as I'm passing out is the beast's claws raised high.
I wake up abruptly, gasping for breathe as my heart thuds against my chest, my eyes scouring my surroundings for an imaginary enemy. While doing that my hands roam my body, feeling for any missing chunks. Instead, I actually find my body bandaged up
Slowly the sleepy haze lifts and I quickly realize I have a more pressing matter than imaginary panthers; I have absolutely no idea where I am.
Which is frighteningly becoming the norm.
The room's walls were grey bricking with a light grey stone flooring with. Everything from the dresser and the two nightstands to the bed frame were made of mahogany or some very high end wood. Very few things were in the room, the room sparsely furnished, only the bare necessities. Though who ever decorated the room really liked the color blue as the comforter, pillows, and rug were various different shades of blue.
I'm instantly able to tell I'm in someone's bedroom. Given the assortment of personal knick knacks and several framed group photos, it's just whom they belonged to that's alluding me.
Okay, I'm in a stranger's bed with no idea how I got there…
I close my eyes and flump backwards, my body demanding I return to the bed's comfy and warm embrace. The comforter feeling amazing on my bare skin, especially my back and (likely) heavily bruised chest.
My eyes shoot open as I ripped the covers off myself frantically checking underneath, massively relieved to see I'm still wearing my underpants. The sick feeling in my stomach not decreasing whatsoever.
Someone stripped me while I was unconscious!
Millions of extremely unpleasant images, thoughts, and scenarios flashed through my mind that left me feeling like I'm going to throw up.
I need to get out of here now. God, knows what they'll do knowing I'm awake!
I roll out of bed and instantly regret it as my legs collapse underneath me. My whole body is still aching from the fight for my life which I barely made it out of.
But, at least now upright I can assess everything. Whomever had found me had taken the trouble of bandaging my wounds up. My neck and arm wrapped up tight with bandages and band aids galore.
Whomever did this is a professional.
Out of the corner of my eye I see on a nightstand with a pile of clothes, a glass of water, pills and a note.
"Here, fucker."
Is written in a bold jagged letters with an arrow pointing to two pills marked painkillers (the original words,"weak bitch food" crossed out) . Which I take promptly against my better judgement, the need to end the intense throbbing pain more important.
Not like today could get any worse.
I boredly stare at the TV as Di-Roy is killed by a mimic in "Dark Souls: Remastered", the braces needing idiot screaming the TV's glare messed him up and the buttons are sticky.
Which should've had me laughing, it always does...but, I've had the worst mood for days now. I'm not ignorant, I know I've been more trigger-happy than I've ever been. Doors broken, chairs thrown, walls demolished, floors caved in. Hell I'd killed at least 10 servants yesterday with one of my more explosive moments over the past weeks.
It was Ulquiorra, or this pitiful shell everyone's dubbed Ulquiorra-kun. The first week it was funny watching the little shit struggle and look so lost. Now, it was just frustrating seeing the absolute mockery this child is. Every time I see the little shit I actually...regret what I've done? I mean I hate Ulquiorra (the albino, Aizen dick sucking, subservient bitch) and his constant refusal to fight me. The way he walked around with a holier-than- thou attitude and his blank look was infuriating but...this...this is too much.
I want him dead, me having killed a great warrior, not humiliate him and his skills. Just remembering him pinned down by that weak ass hollow makes me sick, the "real" Ulquiorra would've crushed the thing. No, it wouldn't have even come near the skinny prick.
Holy shit...am I feeling remorse!?
Just as I come to the most horrific revelation of my hollow existence Sleeping Beauty decides to make his entrance. The boy standing all lost in the doorway to my bedroom. Damn, how did the fucker look even more pitiful? The clothes I set out dwarfing him more than I predicted. The shirt I got from some shitty human concert drooped down all the way to the middle of his thighs. the sweatpants were rolled up at least 5 times at the bottom and still looked to long for the child. Despite the ties pulled as tight as possible the pants still had to be hiked up occasionally.
"Oh! Didn't expect you to be up so soon." Yylfordt said looking up from the Vogue magazine shit he's always reading.
"Oh, Yylfordt-san! Did you help me?" Ulquiorra-kun's scratchy voice struggled to get out.
"Me? Dirty my hands with such barbaric activities? No, no that was Grimmjow-san." Yylfordt said in his usual snobby way, not even looking up from his "reading" material before pointing at me.
"Grimmjow-san?"
We lock eyes and the lack of recognition in the giant, green orbs enrages me, so much so it's a struggle to not snap the kid's neck. The old Ulquiorra at least knew who he was dealing with and just dismissed me. This mistake just stares at me like a confused Hollow deer in headlights! I grit my teeth, clenching my hands to avoid the oh so tempting idea of caving the boy's skull in.
"Yeah, I saved your ass so I wouldn't get bitched at by Aizen. What of it?"
"Oh," small feet patter across the floor cautiously as "this" Ulquiorra isn't sure whether any of us will attack or not.
Smart.
The way the boy hesitates in interacting with Di-roy, talking to him like an equal and he isn't below him rank wise is the last straw, making me retreat to the sideroom
I need a fuckin beer.
Am I overreacting with how angry Ulquiorra now makes me, despite having done anything to warrant it? FUCK NO! Everything about this kid and what he does just makes me so angry! His hesitancy, his meekness, his frail body and clumsiness! His...his...HIS NOT BEING ULQUIORRA!
I must have gotten lost in my thoughts as I feel someone nudge me and drag me back to present time.
"You going to drink that or act like a breathing(?) cup holder?"
Yylfordt, great.
"*sigh* Depends are you ever going to not look like a trap all grown up, you life-sized Barbie doll?" I take a sip as he just rolls his eyes. No comeback as he rifles through the fridge, muttering something like "asshole" under his breath.
"It's killing you, isn't it?" Yylfordt says offhandedly as we watch Ulquiorra hesitantly giggle at Di-Roy's antics, "the state he's been reduced to? He's just...so meek and fragile."
I continue glaring, not even willing to dignify that statement with a "No shit Sherlock."
"Did I ask for your input Quince, don't think I did?"
"Oooo, number calling? Well, if that's how you want to be I can't argue, Sexta." He purposely stresses the word, Sexta, staring at me out of the corner of his eye. "You know the kid isn't that bad, ev-"You're dismissed, Quince!"
I say the last part through gritted teeth and the blond asshole gets my point, and goes back to his seat and "girly-ass" magazine. Finally leaving me alone.
Yylfordt shoots a look at me that I can't give two shits about deciphering between each other, before going back to creepily observe "Ulqui-kun" while pretending to read.
I know the real you is in there...I saw it back in the hallway
-(flashback noise)-
That Aizendamn jackass of a former captain! Rearranging the fucking halls! Making me get lost in this fucking maze of a castle
I stomp my way through the hallway as my walk to calm me down actually winds me up more and more.
The hell makes movable walls, it's akin to making a walking fortress or city. It's fuckin retarded!
I stop as my nose catches a very distinct smells, ones I know very well.
Blood.
Sweat.
Fear.
And Ulquiorra.
I quickly Sonido to the source and as I round the corner I see, lo and behold Ulquiorra and all his weak ass glory. The fucker actually about to die to a low ass hollow? Disgusting.
HEY!" I yell out, causing the abomination to stop the final blow.
"So, dumbass Yammy couldn't watch one ass-kisser turned weak? Not surprised," it said, "Well, I'm not getting demoted for Lardass' mistake. Drop the little bitch, NOW!" I demand.
Only for this bitch, this bitch to have the motherfucking audacity to disobey me and strike.
I watch in horror, already knowing I sure as hell am fast but I ain't that fast to stop it. Actually praying to whatever higher power that Szyelapporo has a cloning machine or something.
Only for the beast's swipe to be blocked.
A tiny, alabaster arm shooting out and blocking the thing's claws, the hollow's struggle visible as It's arm muscles bulge with the power it's exuding. The claws strangely not tearing the skin like it did the other previously.
Then, within a blink of an eye, the beast arm was gone and the kid's launching himself off the wall towards me, ending in a back skid toward me.
Then everything got a whole lot fucking weirder.
The look on the kid's face, It was so dead. so void of everything. Freakier yet was the fact that the kid developed heterochromia all of a sudden! One eye was the usual human eye, except hazier like it was fighting to stay open. The other a deep emerald, with a VERY familiar cat slit pupil. We just stare at each other, it digging into my soul with it's familiar empty gaze.
Then with a blink the one speck of the "real" Ulquiorra was gone as the exhausted boy passes out, like he was never there to begin with.
-(flashback noise end)-
I take a big gulp as I think of a way to bring "him" out again, cause one thing is for certain
"The real you is in there, I know it is."
….
"Fuck it! I'm going to the gym!" I throw my hands up as I go to my bedroom to gather my gym shit, the consistent side-eyeing Ulquiorra kept doing for the last hour really pissing me off. I needed to blow off steam, and if not at the gym, then someone was going to die.
I quickly slip on some running shorts and a white tee and grabbed my duffel bag. Out of the corner of my eye I see the clothes Ulquiorra previously worn, before getting his bitch blood all over it due to the hollow.
Sigh... Yylfordt and Szayelaporro better fix this soon.
I quickly slip on my Nikes and turn off the light.
"Hey, Di-Roy. Let's go, I need someone to spot me." I say, kicking him to get his ass moving"
"Uh...what about Ulqui-kun" Di-roy points while frowning at the screen, his dude dying again to a bunch of skeletons.
Aizen! Why does everyone call him that!?
I visibly cringe at the new name of my rival, it actually leaving a bad taste in my mouth despite not having said it.
"I don't give a shit, lock the door and throw a video game at the baby." Just as I walk towards the door, just touching the doorknob when a meek voice interjects, "Can I come along, please? I-I really don't want to be left alone...there might be more monsters."
I can't keep myself from rolling my eyes.
Ugh …
it would be easier to watch him and protect him if he's with you, Grimmjow. Plus, his safety will determine whether you have an ass in the future.
"Fuck my life...FINE! But stay close, and so help me! Don't! Touch! Anything! Or leave my sight!
The kid jumps for joy, only to slip on his pants legs like an idiot and face planting hard on the rug. Tears actually starting to pool in his eyes as he sniffles a little.
Fuck my life.
Thank Aizen, we have arrancar of all shapes and sizes in the shitty place.
I throw my head back in exasperation as I wait for the little bastard to come out of the changing room. The kid nearly tripping 4 more times on the way here prompting the sudden wardrobe change.
After what seems like a millennium, Ulquiorra came out and despite being in clothes size appropriate the kid still looked to be swimming in the blue tee-shirt and black track shorts.
"Done? Good." I quickly grab the albino child by the hand, making sure I don't lose him walking through the crowd and make our way towards the gym's entrance. The rage build up at critical now.
All I want is to be left alone and enjoy a very intense workout but...of course that doesn't happen as within seconds of walking through the entrance all eyes are on us, everything and everybody coming to a halt.
"They're staring at me." I feel the grip on my hand tighten as Ulquiorra ducks behind me, trying to (and failing) to avoid everyone's stares.
"No shit, Sherlock." I whisper under my breath and just make our way through the gawking crowd. After having to elbow 7 people out of the way I get fed up," THAT'S IT! GET OUT! THIS IS MY ROOM NOW! ALL Y'ALL FUCKERS LEAVE!" I yell as my anger from earlier comes back with a vengeance. For added effect I raise my Reiatsu a bit to truly get my point across to the dumb asses.
Luckily, everyone's smart enough to know that what I say goes and they make a bolt for the door, everybody making a mad dash to avoid the slow death I'll give them. The assholes so terrified they don't even stop to check if they have all their things, as the floor is littered with water bottles, towels, music players and more.
"There. No more staring. You happy now, Princess," all I get in response is the kid's eyes honing in on the floor, "Good, now I'm going to go work out. Try not killing yourself"
I plug in my IPod and head for the reinforced sandbag, making a mental note to tell Aizen we're going to need a new one after today
I rear back and finally let loose all the anger that'd bubbled up.
I have to say, this castle place-thing confuses the hell out of me. The place will have hallways stripped of any sort of decoration and stone pillars but at the same time have a modern as hell Gym?
The walls were painted a cool gray with the occasional inspirational quote painted on it in a goldish floors were paved differently depending on the section with some parts being padded foam and others being grey wood paneling. Large Mirrors were spread throughout the room, as well as on the signs indicating where things like synchronized swimming, water aerobics, cycling class and hot yoga sessions were held decorated the walls. This gym like every frickin room in Los Noches stupidly big. Hell, along the far wall were vending machines, which considering the hallway don't even have lamps is ridiculous?!
The place was literally like any gym you'd see in the 'Human" realm with a few modifications. One being the machinery. Each machine had at least 3 or 5 duplicates in comical sizes, the scale ranging from that fit for an elephant to that of a little person. Each machine was also super reinforced to the point the rods looked like I beams!
I sit and watch as Grimmjow-san absolutely demolishes the sandbag, his punches as fast as bullets but as destructive as cannonballs. Having absolutely no idea what the hell most of the machines in this Gym do, I opt to just watch my savior.
The man seems to have something against me...or the "other" me and nothing I do works. I haven't even said anything to the man most of the time I've been with him and his fracción yet he's constantly pissed at me.
I need to get some sort of answer to the animosity, and maybe some other questions that have been plaguing my mind for a while now.
I get off the bench I'd been perched on and head to the only other person in the room, the man currently lifting weights near the wall mirrors
"Hey, Di-roy-san, excuse me?"
"Hmmm? Oh, Hey Ulqui-kun. What do you need?" he says putting down the barbell
"Um, I've been wondering if everyone has fracción...where are mine?"
"Oh! um...You don't have any actually. Well, never...um had any really," he scratches his chin like he's calculating a complex equation and not my simple question, "It wasn't really your style."
"My...style?"
"Yeah, you were ...Ulquiorra is or was...he...hmmm. Ulquiorra was -``''An anti-social albino freak." a gruff voice cuts in. I look over my shoulder to see a shirtless, sweaty Grimmjow, the man surprisingly having heard us despite how unlikely it should've been.
"Grimmjow-san!? That's not what I was going f-``''Oh don't lie! The kid's been babied enough and I ain't going to sugarcoat how weird his lil' ass was."
He quickly downs some water before continuing.
"You had no fracción, actually no relationships whatsoever in Hueco Mundo and personally it wasn't a surprise seeing as you always walked around with either a stick or Aizen's dick up your scrawny ass. No one liked you, most struggled to simply tolerate your creepy ass. Always staring at people, normal people blink, asshole," he jabs a finger in my face," You rarely talked and if/when you did it was to berate, undermine or belittle others. OH! That or answer YOUR god, Aizen. Always going "Yes, Aizen" "Of course, Aizen", "Please use my ass how you please, Aizen."
He mimed what must've been me with Aizen and some disgusting act that'd make a nun cry. Just then something in me just snapped as the room's atmosphere becomes heavy with a dark vibe. Not one of malice or blood thirst, it felt more akin to hopelessness.
How dare that trash mock our power...
I quickly snapped out of my brooding, as my chest started to really hurt. My hand going to clutch it like I'm having a heart attack. My forehead now sweaty as my head feels like it's trying to explode.
When I finally get the pain under control and I'm no longer curling in on myself, I realize the rooms completely silent. Looking up I see my two caretakers looking at me with varying expressions. Di-roy's one of apprehension and fear which must be matching mine. While Grimmjow has a crazed look of amusement and excitement in his eyes, like I'd just given him the present of a lifetime.
"Di-Roy. Go tell Yylfordt about this," the man already bolting for the exit before Grimmjow had finished hissing out the "S" syllable.
Don't leave me alone with him!
And with that I'm left alone with Grimmjow-san, the man that apparently loathes my existence. I turn after a while to look at him, the silence getting to me. He simply stares at me for a few seconds before making a gesture telling me to follow him, and despite the harsh tirade directed towards me earlier, I do.
Better to just do whatever he says and not piss him off.
As we walk down a long corridor, the gym apparently built like the rest of the castle meaning its got a million doors and subsections. After what feels like hours but may have been a few minutes I break the silence.
"So...everyone looked down on me?" I reference back to the tirade, it still weighing on my mind.
"Did you not listen to a fucking thing I said?" Grimmjow said, his back still towards me, "No-one liked you...but they did respect and or fear you. You were cold. calculating. A tank despite everything your blank, asexual, subservient ass presented."
Grimmjow stopped at a set of doors before opening it to reveal a ridiculously large room with wooden floors and wood panelled walls. several large cabinets positioned along the wall along with a few punching bags and what looked to be steel dual dummies. On the wall across from the entrance seemed to be a scoreboard. Along the rightmost wall were several racks holding kendo sticks, different types of fencing swords, and wooden swords.
Grimmjow yanked me along, irritated I stopped walking, and pulled us further into the room till we came to a section with rings of various sizes.
"What the he-""Shut the fuck up, and get in the ring. I'm going to teach you how to fuckin' defend yourself. If not that then something to give yah a fucking chance." Grimmjow said as he released my poor wrist and jabbed his thumb over his shoulder at the largest ring the room
"Wait...why? Don't you hate me. Why help me?" I say genuinely confused at his bipolaresque behavior and a bit skeptical of his motives.
"Because one: only I gets to kill Ulquiorra. And two: that little display back there shows you aren't a complete disgusting sack of flesh and shit. You have potential" he made air quotes with his fingers as he stared into my eyes.
"Oh...thanks...I think." I look at his nose, trying to figure out if he contemplated me, insulted me or did both simultaneously.
"Okay, stop doing that shit!" I'm jerked up by my collar, so I'm looking Grimmjow eye-to-eye, "That weak shit of avoiding eye contact ends now! YOU NEED A SPINE TO SURVIVE IN THIS FUCKING WASTELAND. If you're going to be a weak, sniffling little shit I'll do what that Hollow failed to do," he pulls me even closer so we're basically bumping foreheads, "Kill you and get that pink-haired dick guzzler Szayel to make a clone of you except this one will have some balls!"
He drops me and gets in the ring before continuing, "You're some VERSION of Ulquiorra so fuckin ACT like it."
It takes a while but I get the underlying message of his threat. It was a motivational speech...I think?
"I'm Ulquiorra, so act like it" I mutter under my breath as I stand up and dust myself off. Saying a quick prayer in my head, I get in the ring with my "trainer" or more likely abuser.
"Is this just an excuse to wail on me?" I can't help but ask as I climb into the expansive ring
"You going to bitch or put your hands up?" Grimmjow says, purposely ignoring my question of concern, a mischievous look in his eye and a wide grin.
"Good, get into a stance. Now...Dear Aizen! Have you ever thrown a punch?!" Grimmjow gawks at me like I've grown a second head, before pinching his brow and shaking his head disappointingly.
"Guess we'll have to start from the very fuckin beginning…*sigh* get into this sorta stance"
..Two hours later..
And I think I've gotten down the basics, or at least block, jab,kick, dodge and some take down methods that work no matter the size.
It strangely feeling like riding a bike, almost like I've done this and it's ingrained in my brain and muscles. This actually kinda fun!
"Pitiful, how deluded you must be to consider training with the Sexta as entertainment. A bothersome distraction at best."
I stop as I hear that monotonous voice ring out of nowhere again. The voice's periodic input becoming more and more frequent (scary enough). Worse yet, deep in my mind, I feel like I know the voice or should know whom it is.
"Did you hear that?" My eyes scanning the room, hoping to find the culprit (although already knowing its a fruitless effort)
"Hear what?" Grimmjow raises an eyebrow as he squirts some water into his mouth.
By the look on his face I know he isn't fucking with me, maybe I'm starting to crack. "Oh, it's nothing...thought I heard something...or someone." I mutter as I also take a long chug of water. Maybe, I'm so dehydrated I'm hallucinating?
"Okay, now onto the fun part…" he gleefully walked to the wall and tossed something at my feet.
A wooden sword
I look at Grimmjow confused for a second till I see that bloodthirsty crazed look in his eyes, like a lion staring at an obese gazelle.
Before I can even grasp the situation,The next thing I know Grimmjow's pouncing on me with sword in hand.
I take it back. This isn't fun. THIS ISN'T FUN!
3 hours later…
"Aizen! How many times do I have to tell you to remain standing!?"
I look at the gasping heap on the floor. The boys chest rising frantically for breath as he remained on his back like a beached turtle. Several bruises starting to darken from all my strikes with the wooden Zanpakutō
"I...I..*gasp* can't go..o-o-on…body hurts too much."
"Sigh, this isn't working. No matter how hard I push him, hurt him or belittle him he isn't doing the THING!"
"Get up. We're doing this again and again till you get at least one hit on me." I kick him a water bottle, and wait.
"All in all, the boy has been doing amazing considering his previous injury and the physical condition of his body."
"But he isn't doing the thing, Panthera. And that's all I care about not his fuckin gains."
I mentally argue with Panthera, my Zanpakutō spirit, as we wait for Ulquiorra to get up. After a while he does although, still panting and wobbly mess.
He stands there a second, abandoning his two handed style of holding the sword for one. His right slipping to the waistband of his shorts, like it was a pocket.
Wait a minute... that's-
I'm not able to finish that thought as the kid is SONIDOING at me!?
The kid's spontaneous sonido catching me so off guard that I'm forced to be on the defensive.
Leaving me barely enough time to dodge the barrage of attacks as the kid's amped up his game majorly.
I continue to block, parry and semi-counter Ulquiorra's attacks, actually working up a sweat much to my delight.
I knew the little shit was in there!
I counter by taking a slash at his ankles, but he seems to be one step ahead of me as sonidos to the side and sweep kicks me affecting my balance.
I'm able to right myself just fast enough to block a strong kick to the temple and push him away. However, the kid's quick to counter, taking the momentum of the push to twirl and make a quick jab at my sternum.
Wrong move, Fucko!
I quickly grab his skinny wrists and roughly yank him down, a demented smile on my face most likely. And I proceed to knee him directly in the head, devastatingly hard, effectively stopping any and all retaliation. A millisecond later, Ulquiorra lets out a pained gasp, his eyes rolling into the back of his skull, and slumps in my grasp
…...
"OH SHIT!" I release the kid's wrist and he goes down like a sack of bricks, the kid not even twitching.
"I took it too far...shit! Wake up, I didn't really mean it" I nudge Ulquiorra repeatedly, jostling the unconscious Fourth trying to get a response. Anything would be great: a groan, whimper, flinch, anything!
"That was too hard Grimmjow-sama."
"I know that you whiskered bitch! What the hell do I do now!? I might've fucking concussed the skinny fucker, and that's if I'm lucky. Shit! Fuck! Shitshitshit!"
"Grimmjow-sama.."
"Aizen dammit! I always have to take it a bit too far! I can't hold back to save my fuckin life which is very fitting right now! Aizen's going to strip me of my rank and likely my dick!"
"Grimmjow-sama…."
"Maybe Pinky can make a clone? Just replace the body with a new one ...that'll work right!? This is the Espada picnic all over again-"
"Grimmjow-sama…."
"I just had to punt Nnoitra in the teeth! I couldn't just let him have the ball, no! I had to- ``''Grimmjow-sama! Quit the incessant babbling and frantic pacing for one damn sec and LISTEN TO ME!"
"What!? What could YOU possibly have to say right now? Want to add another smart ass comment?"
"If you'd get your head out of your ass and turn around, you'd see he's getting up…"
I turn my head to see, sure enough, the kid is getting up. Ulquiorra climbing to his feet in a sort of broken mannequin-like movement, like his brain and limbs were disconnected and at the will of some invisible entity. The dark air from earlier had returned, only way stronger and much darker.
Then, I see "his" eyes, that kiss ass' iconic, icy gaze causing me to flinch and look away for a brief second.
Bad move
I feel my shirt cut straight down the middle by some invisible slice. The out of nowhere attack actually drawing blood, it trickled down and between my pecs.
I look at the kid to see... Murciélago!? The green hilted katana appearing out of butt-fuck nowhere and replacing the wooden sword I'd given to him!
I promptly chuck the wooden substitute and whip out Panthera only barely blocking the kid's slash at my neck.
I push him away from me and the previous klutz lands like some sort of fuckin ninja. The skinny child not wasting a second before he's back on the attack, like a shark that's caught a whiff of blood.
"SHIT!"
All previous amusement is gone as I'm now completely on the defense, not risking the chance of Ulquiorra needing to use a prosthetic in the future. The movements similar to "Ulquiorra" but restricted in a way.
"The kid's human body is not able to do what an Espada Ulquiorra could do, thankfully. Hey, Panthera! Don't just ghost me! HELP ME!"
"What do you want me to do? You kinda brought this upon us," The Zanpakutō remarked in a passive-aggressive tone of voice. Going back to making small comments like "ooh" and "that's gotta hurt,huh?" as she watched her wielder struggle with the current predicament.
"Oh my Aizen. You're going to do this? You're going to do this right now!? Of all times!?"
"Yes, I'm doing "this". You got a problem?"
I grit my teeth at the sudden bolt of pain as my cheek is cut, the multitasking making it difficult to concentrate on either of the current predicaments. I promptly with 10% power, kick Ulquiorra in the chest, sending the kid flying back quite a bit. Trying to stop him, while not killing the boy.
"*SIGH* I'm sorry, okay!? I'm just a little stressed cause, you know, I'm trying to not die from Aizen's side piece! Can we maybe do this pouting later!?"
" I don't know, can we? Oh, I'd duck if I were you."
I duck as a few strands of my blue hair is clipped by Murciélago.
"I'm truly sorry! I'll...I'll...I'll polish you and not that quick, shitty polishing! I'll like, take my time and shit. Just help me fix this cause if I die you die to!"
*sigh* sometimes I swear you're 100 years old and not 25,000 something years old. But, fine...only cause it's cute when you beg."
"YOU FUCKIN BIT-" Grimmjow stopped himself before he could say something to piss of Panthera, her help more important than his pride at the moment, "What do you suggest I do?"
"Well a good splash of water to the face usually wakes up your drunk ass. Might work for a knocked out Ulquiorra...probably," she shrugged before going back to watching.
Out of the corner of my eye I see a full water bottle, which I feel should have a chorus of Jibakureis around it. I narrowly dodge another swipe, I swear the kid getting faster, as I lung for it. Slicing off the top clean off and twisting to face him.
Like clockwork the prick is on me, standing above me, poised to thrust his hand down into my sternum. Before, the hand can bury its way through my body (not chancing it) I throw the bottle's contents directly in his face, drenching Ulquiorra
Much to my relief, his eyes revert from a menacing sociopath to that of a horribly confused child. The kid blinking several times as he drips on me.
"Grimmjow-san? What's goi-URK!" he doesn't get to finish the question as I forcefully shove him away from me. Which is light compared to what I want to do to the horrible little shit after the attempted murder.
I struggle not to break his goddamn arm as I stand over him, a bit of satisfaction stemming from the fearful look in his eyes. My eyes go from my murder victim (oh, how I wish) to the sword laying beside him.
With a sigh of exasperation and frustration, I pick the little fucker up by his wrists. Tossing the dripping child over my shoulder forcefully and carefully grabbing the hilt of Murciélago in one of the clean towels in the rooms. I head back to my tower already dreading the fucking boring ass meeting and slew of questions I'ma have to answer because of this bullshit.
Grimmjow literally drops Ulquiorra in the bathroom tub, the scowl still present on his face much to Ulquiorra's fear. The boy having been told to "shut his bitch mouth." after asking Grimmjow what happened during training. As the boy had no recollection of what went down after the knee to the head.
Grimmjow was infuriated that he finally got to duel Ulquiorra (sorta) and couldn't hack the albino piece of shit into pieces. That and the wound to his pride that the HUMAN boy had even got one attack in.
"Wash up," he promptly dumping the Gin's gifted pajamas, a towel, and some bandages on Ulquiorra's head, "get dressed. Eat. then go the fuck to bed." Grimmjow said through gritted teeth, promptly leaving a very confused Fourth.
Though just as Grimmjow closes the door, he mumbled, "You weren't complete shit. We'll maybe continue this next time." the Sixth Espada rolled his eyes at the small smile and dust of pink on the kid's cheeks.
As Grimmjow leaves Ulquiorra sets about taking a shower, taking off all the bandage on him. Preparing himself for the horror his arm will look like. Only to be surprise.
The three deep gashes from earlier today were healed.
New skin having filled it, till a faint scar of the claw marks was all that was left. Ulquiorra instantly started checking all the other injuries inflicted by the hollow and they were all healed!
But what really shocked
With speed that'd make Sonic jealous, Ulquiorra was climbing on the bathroom counter,
Till he was sitting directly into the mirror. With shaky hands he carefully takes off the bandage on his face, the same thing happening, only to a greater effect! It looked like he'd never been injured in the first place. The skin feeling smooth as hell.
As Ulquiorra examined his face, something else caught his eye. It was a faint black circle smack dab in the middle of his sternum!
The boy's loud gasp in shock causes an already apprehensive Di-Roy to hesitantly knock on the door.
"You doing alright in there, Ulquiorra-kun?"
"Um! Yeah! Just stubbed my toe," Ulquiorra lied, "I'ma shower now, kay?"
Ulquiorra listened and let out a sigh of relief as the arrancar's footsteps faded away.
Maybe I'm over exaggerating...it's probably nothing...maybe bruising from one of Grimmjow's punches
The boy thought as he turned the shower on.
The atmosphere in the Meeting room was absolutely suffocating as the Espada fidgeted under the harsh gaze of their leader.
In the center of the table on display, was none other than Murciélago, the green-hilted katana a deathly centerpiece that only added to the tension in the room.
"Say that one more time, my dear...dear Octava Espada" the menacing tone in Aizen's suave voice not hidden whatsoever.
"Ugh...well, it seems that I was wrong in my original assumption as Ulquiorra isn't "human" or not completely per-say." Szayelapporo says nervously as he knew his ass was severely on the line at the moment.
Several visuals popped up: one of a very uncomfortable Ulquiorra in only boxers, DNA strands and segments, as well as blood cells, all various boxes of dialogue pointing at it and many other visuals completely lost to his audience.
"Szayelaporro into child porn, check." Nnoitra chuckled only to receive an icy glare from everyone in the room.
"Before I was interrupted...I was saying that his blood cells actually contains many hollow blood cells mixed within it or...did originally." Szayelapporo's golden eyes looked everywhere but his Lord's scathing brown eyes.
"Wha was that, originally? That ain't good, nope! Righ, Aizen-sama?" Gin's Cheshire cat-like smile seemed to widen as the poor scientist started to sweat more and more.
"I believe you're right, Gin. That almost seems like I'm at risk of losing my beloved Cuatra Espada completely. I don't like to lose what is mine, Octava." Aizen then took a sip of his tea, yet one eye constantly remained on his terrified eighth Espada.
"Well, I've run several tests and experiment…and seems the blood count is decreasing as more white blood cells, vital for humans, are coming in and well, are attacking the foreign bodies. And with that depletion of the hollow DNA...he's becoming more human. And seeing as the mind hasn't sent an abort to stop the white blood cells they'll continue till the hollow DNA, HDNA as its called, is wiped out completely. Until he's completely human, through and through. Reborn...like a phoenix." Szayelapporo said meekly, having taken a step back with every word.
The room goes absolutely silent.
Starrk scooted his chair away from their dictator. Barragan eye looked anywhere but Aizen.
Harribel rubs her arms as the temperature in the room seemed to suddenly drop drastically.
Nnoitra ran his fingers through his hair and Grimmjow sunk down in his chair. Zommari whispered prayers under his breath while Aaroniero's two heads bubbled in his tube. And Yammy picked his ear, still completely confused having not understood a word of what Szyallapporro said.
The silence seemed to last forever...
Aizen continued sipping his tea...still having said nothing as everyone waited for his reaction to losing his favorite servant/general in his ranks.
"Gin…*sip* remind me to fill the soon to be void positions of Octava and Sexta Espada. Relatively soon at that."
"WHAT!?" Grimmjow interjected, slamming his fist on the table at the bullshit memo, "I'm the one that figured out that shitbag Ulquiorra, the real one not that flesh bag is in him still."
"Wait, why don't you just make him again?" Yammy said, looking at the chicken wing he pulled out of his ear (don't ask...just don't)
"What?" Starrk opting to be the one to attempt to get an explanation to Yammy's words.
"If he, Ulquiorra, did revert back to a human couldn't we just make him again?" Yammy said like it was as simple as 1+1.
" YES! *ahem*...that's what I was going to say before the interruption of Sexta," the pink-haired scientist said as he attempted to compose himself after the threat on his rank (and ass), "I was suggesting inducing hollowfication under a controlled setting? And given the fact Ulquiorra has remembered past events and his Zanpakutō is here,"he gesture to said weapon, " means as Grimmjow so crudely said it,the original Ulquiorra is in there. How that is, I still have yet to figure out, but I won't question a miracle."
Szyalapporo snapped his finger and a white board rolled in with a marker. The Madman began frantically writing out equations, graphs, and figures (mathematical bullshit) all over it till ending with an "equals" sign and the word "Cuarto Espada"
"the likelihood of him being returned as he is is 99.99%! I've actually succeeded in recreating the potion in which Uquiorra ingested and have several successful results." Szyallapporo clicked a button and several videos popped up in the center of the table
Each involving some unfortunate soul, ranging from the Eight's many fracción to a Privaron, getting injected with a syringe labeled "Phoenix". Within seconds, The subjects were vomiting violently and seizing up. Some scratching violently at their hollow fragments and flesh like they were burning them (which for all the Espada knew it very much could be) trying to rip it off. the Privaron seemed to be trying and failing to knock itself out to escape the pain. The horrific borderline snuff videos continuing for several seconds till the subject's masks crumbled, their holes filling in and any other non-human characteristic wiped clean. Leaving behind very confused and scared human individuals of varying ages.
"Fascinating, no?" a cruel smile and sadistic twinkle in Szayelapporo's eyes.
"Okay, you've got the first part can you turn them back?" Barragan said disinterested.
"No…"
The sound of Tousen's sword being unsheathed.
"BUT! BUT! I'M CLOSE!" Szayelapporo said waving his hands, ready to get on his knees to be spared.
Aizen waves his hand dismissing Tousen and the potential public execution.
"Well, I believe this meeting is adjourned. Szayelaporro excellent presentation but, I do hope for your health the 99.99% was a slip. You certainly meant 100%, correct?"
Szayelaporro nodded frantically, "OH COURSE! Silly slip of the tongue kind and forgiving Lord Aizen. How inspiring your trust in me, the ONLY scientist arrancar and-" "You're all free to go…" Aizen said, cutting off Szayelaporro's poorly hidden message and brown-nosing.
The nine generals were already running to the door, leaving before their "father" (or is he the mom?) changed his mind.
"...Gin I have a job for you."
"Hey, Sad Sack." Grimmjow said interrupt Starrk and Harribel's conversation.
The couple still loitering around in the hallway not far from the meeting room even though the meeting had concluded 30 minutes ago.
"Sexta...how very expected of you. Interpreting conversations and inserting yourself into potentially fatal situations." Harribel coldly said, glancing at one of the more annoying generals (in her opinion).
"Harribel, as much as I'd love to talk to the second most stoic Espada, I'm talking to Starrk."
The two had a mini stare down before Harribel rolled her eyes.
"But seriously, why the sad instead of sleepy look? Deciding to claim the position of depressing void in the Espada?" Grimmjow jabbed his superior in the chest only to get a forlorn look.
"Just...upset about what's to happen...I mean I knew this wasn't permanent..but, I thought I'd have longer. He looks...his smiles..." Starrk said as he leaned against a column.
Grimmjow, confused as hell, look at the man's significant other for clarification.
"He's upset about Ulquiorra, frankly I'm not looking forward to watching a hollowfication of Szayelapporo's design...but what Aizen says, Aizen gets."
"What...oh! Ooh! Oh…. you're kinda attached to the little bastard, ain't cha? And now Aizen's taking your little dress up toy away." Grimmjow smiled
"Oh come on, Grimmjow. You can't tell me you don't like Ulquiorra-like this."Starrk as he rested his head back against the cold granite.
"Okay! Fine, I enjoy how normal he is now. Showing emotions and shit. Not just a blank husk…" Grimmjow admitted after several seconds. "But, dude Aizen needs his cock sleeve, s-OW. BITCH." Grimmjow muttered as he rubbed his arm.
"What I think Grimmjow meant was, Hueco Mundo is not a place for children... especially not human children." She rubbed his back, "It's better if he's reverted back to...Ulquiorra. It's for the best." Harribel finished grasping Starrk's hand making sure he was looking at her.
"But is it" Starrk pushed off the column unable to stand the thought the child he'd been watching would become what the 4th Espada originally was again.
the others really didn't know how to answer
"It's like she said dude...what Aizen wants...Aizen gets." with the last tidbit, Grimmjow turned and headed back to his tower.
Hands in his pockets and his usual aura of rage replaced with one of sadness.
"AIZEN DAMNIT! This doesn't make any sense! How the...the FUCK am I supposed to make hollowfication!? That's impossible you brown hair narcissistic asshole!" Szayelapporo pulled at his hair, frustrated at the failure of yet another formula. He was running out of time, Aizen only so patient when it comes to having his best general incapacitated.
It wasn't his fault yet he was getting the worst punishment of all them
I'm starting to hate my damn laboratory.
Szayelaporro slammed his head down on his desk, another migraine developing (something that's been a routine occurrence as of late) too exhausted to be angry, too exhausted to be anything really.
"Brother…"
"What!?", The residential pink haired madman snapped at his brother, not bothering to even lift his head.
"If you're done with your petulant tantrum more fitting of that buffoon, Yammy, then my brother. You got a gift."
An extremely thick vanilla file was placed across from Szayelapporo's head
"What...what is this," Szayelaporro pointed at it, the man STILL not having raised his head,"cause it's not mine. Only primitive minds write things down on paper."
"I'd look at the handwritin' first before judgin it, Pinkie." A sly voice said from the exhausted scientist's right
"Ichimaru-sama", the Octavia Espada exclaimed, he quickly dusted himself off and finger-combed his hair, "What *ahem* may I help you with?"
"Aizen's gettin' impatient and well, decided to be all nice and give ya' a hint. Ain't he jus' the greatest?" Gin said, his trademark unsettling grin in place.
Szayelaporro figured the quicker he humored the man the faster he'd leave. So, he opened one of the portfolios to see several pictures of...well, he had no idea what he was looking at.
"What...what is this?" Szayelapporo said both enthralled and (surprisingly) disgusted.
Gin walked around the table, smacked a sticky note down on the thick folder, before turning to leave.
"An oxymoron…I suppose," Gin smiled, "either way, somethin' to speed the antidote 'long. Aizen's not all that into waitin' anymo"
*SLAM*
The two arrancar brothers looked toward the door, then at the note their creepy "boss" had left them.
All there was was one word:
"Visored"
I just keep imagining if Hichigo is like an asshole to Ichigo and he's like the inner spirit of the sword. And it got me thinking, he can't be the only one to deal with that. I imagine Panthera looks like mdragonheartlove's depiction on Deviantart looks like.
But yeah, sorry for the long wait. But I'll try and update more since I hate it when writers take forever to update, I shouldn't make others go through that. And writing apparently helps with depression and stuff (don't know if true)
I've laid out the remainder of the story for the most part, and have several ideas for my other stories/other weird crossovers. Bare with me, folks. This semester has not been kind to me mentally.