Chapter 6
Old Form; New Clothes
When Orihime left for school the next morning, Ulquiorra likewise left, he going instead back to Urahara's shop where he found the former captain hard at work but excited to see him. Urahara pressed him with questions about the gigai (which Ulquiorra answered succinctly) and about his evening with Orihime (which Ulquiorra ignored). Knowing that he would soon hear about it if the Espada had done anything that he oughtn't, Urahara simply laughed at the other's reticence and returned to his own work, inviting Ulquiorra to observe.
The temporary gigai had given Ulquiorra no difficulties of which he was aware, other than it being heavy and restrictive as would be expected of a faux body, so Urahara decided that a normal gigai should work just fine. He had already begun the creation of it and had simply not finished it, not knowing what changes might need to be made to the model. Even with no differences now, Kisuke assured the Arrancar that alterations could be made later, if they were found to be necessary. Ulquiorra simply nodded, saying nothing.
Regarding the look of it, they did have a brief disagreement. Urahara said that the gigai ought to look human, so that Ulquiorra could mingle with the other people here without significant difficulty, but Ulquiorra replied that he would use nothing that did not look like himself. To every change that Kisuke suggested, Ulquiorra's response was an adamant refusal: meaning that he looked at the Shinigami before him with a cold, dark expression and said, very firmly, "No."
Could Urahara make the skin tone a bit more . . . human? No. Could he leave off the markings on his face? No. Could he change the Espada's lip color? No. What about his fingernails? No. Could he at least give him a little more weight, so that he didn't appear to be starving? No.
In the end, there was only one change to which Urahara absolutely insisted: he would not add the remaining piece of Ulquiorra's Hollow mask. The partial helmet would not be a part of the gigai. Ulquiorra attempted to object, but Kisuke was equally adamant this time: he refused to negotiate. With a sigh, Ulquiorra asked whether it would at least be possible to adjust the weight of the head on the left side, so that he would feel no differently than if he had the helmet. This request surprised Kisuke, and he said that he didn't know. After a bit of experimenting, he grudgingly admitted that he couldn't do it without giving Ulquiorra what would appear to be an unhealthy tumor which would, in turn, likely look worse than the helmet would. Ulquiorra then suggested once more that the helmet remain, but, again, Urahara refused. He said that this should be a very small inconvenience and that Ulquiorra would surely get used to it. With a look of resignation, Ulquiorra at last agreed.
Urahara then worked steadily as Ulquiorra watched in silence. After a few failed attempts at conversation, Urahara likewise fell into silence. Ulquiorra then stood for a few more minutes before turning and leaving the room abruptly. Kisuke knew that to ask him where he was going would be pointless, so he didn't. For a time, therefore, he continued his merry work, humming to himself from time to time, until the door opened again.
"Boss," said Tessai, bowing low. "The Arrancar has left."
"Ah, has he?" asked Kisuke distractedly. "He'll be back. I've almost finished his gigai. Plus it's not like anyone can see him. He didn't put that temporary one back on before he left, did he?"
"No, but where he has gone, they don't wear gigais."
"Eh?"
"He opened a garganta to Hueco Mundo and left through it."
At that, Kisuke stopped his work and turned to look at his friend.
"Eh?"
Cowering in a dark cave as the sandstorm raged outside, a small Shinigami again bemoaned his cruel fate. How long had he been here? With no sunrise or sunset to interrupt the perpetual night, there really was no way to track the passing hours.
He still couldn't believe that Ulquiorra-sama had left him here. Of course, the Espada had given him the option of this or the Land of the Living, but Hanatarō really hadn't taken him seriously. Surely the threat had been in jest; surely his kind Hollow friend wouldn't actually throw him back into the nightmare from which the former had once rescued him. Surely!
Hanatarō shivered again, realizing that he should have known better than anyone that Ulquiorra-sama would not make an idle threat. After all of the time spent in his silent company, observing that cold, hard expression and those dark, emotionless eyes, he should have known. Somehow, though, he hadn't believed it.
-Flashback-
"I have decided to visit the Land of the Living," Ulquiorra-sama had stated calmly. "I do not know for how long."
The Arrancar had changed his appearance, taking on a form that looked almost like a Shinigami although dressed in white rather than black. Indeed, at first, Hanatarō had barely recognized him, so accustomed was he to seeing the other with wings, fur, and horrifying eyes. Now, dressed in clean, white robes, his wings gone, his face looking like that of a Shinigami in form (though perhaps not in color), Hanatarō found that he could look at the other with (almost) no fear.
"Ah," nodded Hanatarō, bowing once. "I will await your return, Ulquiorra-sama."
"It would be foolish for you to remain here alone," Ulquiorra had said, turning to look the other in the eye. "You have no means of opening the portals. Choose a place in the Land of the Living where you would be content."
"Ah!" exclaimed Hanatarō in horror. "I cannot go to the Land of the Living! I will be branded a traitor! Rukia-san was to be punished for staying too long in the Land of the Living and for giving her strength to Kurosaki-san, and she is of the Kuchiki family! It would be far worse for me! I have been gone for far longer and without permission, and I am nobody. Please, Ulquiorra-sama, I cannot go there."
"There are no gateways from here to Soul Society. I cannot send you there."
Hanatarō considered. "But . . . you will return here in time, won't you?" he asked. "I would be happy to wait here until then."
"I do not know when nor whether I will return," answered Ulquiorra. "If I do not, then you would be trapped here forever."
Again, Hanatarō was quiet, saying nothing. Ulquiorra simply waited. Finally, Hanatarō shook his head.
"I'm afraid of going to the Land of the Living like this," he said.
"I will not simply leave you here," stated Ulquiorra coldly. "You may come to the Land of the Living, or you may return to Hueco Mundo. The choice is yours."
"Please, Ulquiorra-sama, I cannot go to the Land of the Living. You do not understand..."
Ulquiorra had then turned from him and begun to walk away, so Hanatarō stopped. There was no point in arguing, he knew. Ulquiorra-sama would do as he pleased. It was true that Hanatarō did not wish to stay here alone, but, if he was here, at least he could still watch the Land of the Living. He could even see Ulquiorra-sama there! Hanatarō wondered what the other planned to do; was he going to live there, as Kurosaki-san had suggested? It might be a nice change for Ulquiorra-sama. Hanatarō hoped that he would enjoy it, if he tried.
Interrupting his thoughts, Ulquiorra had returned, carrying a particular cube. Hanatarō watched, trying to make out where this cube led, as Ulquiorra-sama opened the portal. Without another word, the Arrancar had taken hold of the small Shinigami and thrust him through the opening.
"Ah! Please! Wait! Ulquiorra-sama!" Hanatarō had cried in horror, but there was no answer.
As he fell face-first into the sands, Hanatarō felt only overwhelming fear and disbelief. The black, starless sky with the waning moon was above him; the howling winds moved across the sands, bringing with it the cries of the Hollows. Hanatarō looked around himself in sheer terror. How could Ulquiorra-sama do this? He was the one who had rescued Hanatarō from this nightmarish hole in the first place! Why would he send him back now?
-Present-
Hanatarō sighed quietly, hugging his knees to his chest. He knew why; Ulquiorra-sama had given him a choice. He hadn't exactly chosen one option, but he had clearly rejected the other, so Ulquiorra-sama had justly assumed that this was his decision. Hanatarō knew that he had no one to blame but himself. He would die here, alone, just as he had thought that he would do all those months ago.
Since he'd been here, he had managed to avoid any Hollows, hiding always in holes or caves, wherever he could do so. His own reiatsu was small enough that most of them wouldn't notice him. It was one of the only times in his life that he was glad that he was so weak himself. For once, his weakness was keeping him alive. That was almost a funny thought.
Hanatarō looked out at the sandstorm. It seemed to be lessening. That would have been nice, if it had meant that he would see sunlight or green grass or anything else remotely comforting when it passed. He knew, however, that he would only see more sand, endless night, and the shining claws of a thousand Hollows, howling for food. He shuddered.
Suddenly he screamed in terror and fell backward as a Hollow stood directly in front of him, appearing as if out of nowhere, the residual flash of his sonido barely registering with the horror-struck Shinigami.
"Help! Please, I──" He stopped, staring up at the pale individual in disbelief.
The figure stood still, hands in his pockets, staring calmly down at the little Shinigami through expressionless green eyes. Hanatarō couldn't at first bring himself to believe what he was seeing. Then, when he did...
"Ah! Forgive me, Ulquiorra-sama! Please, forgive me! Do not be angry with me. Please, do not kill me!"
Ulquiorra merely stood silently, waiting for the prostrate figure before him to calm himself. It took some little time.
"Have you tired of this place?" asked Ulquiorra at last.
Hanatarō lifted his head, still trembling. "Y-y-yes, Ulquiorra-sama," he nodded. "Please, if you will allow me to leave, I'll go wherever you like. You can send me anywhere, but please let me leave this place!"
"Come," replied Ulquiorra. "I will take you to the Land of the Living."
"Thank you, Ulquiorra-sama!" exclaimed the pitiful figure. "Thank you for returning for me!"
Ulquiorra didn't react. He merely took hold of the pathetic individual, turned, and opened the garganta without a word.
Just as Kisuke finished his work with a short cheer of triumph, Tessai again opened the door, clearing his throat uncomfortably.
"Boss," he said.
"Ah, has Ulquiorra-san returned?" grinned Kisuke. "Just in time. His gigai is ready."
"Boss, he has returned, but he is not alone."
"Eh?"
"He brought a young Shinigami with him."
Kisuke just stared. "Eh?"
Stepping around the big shop assistant came the Espada himself, half-dragging, half-carrying a cringing Shinigami. This latter person he threw onto the floor at Kisuke's feet.
"Ah!" exclaimed the cringing figure. "Forgive me! I'm sorry! Forgive me!"
"Hello," said Kisuke curiously, rising from his work. "What's your name?"
"I am Yamada Hanatarō, please, sir," gasped the other, bowing low with his face to the ground. "Fourth division, seventh seat, please."
"Fourth division, eh? What are you doing here?"
"I . . . uh . . . it's a long story, sir."
"Well, well, no need to be cringing on the floor like that," smiled Kisuke, motioning him to rise. "It's alright; the Espada won't hurt you here. You're perfectly safe now."
"Hehe, I-I-I'm not afraid of Ulquiorra-sama hurting me," replied Hanatarō nervously. "If he wanted to do that, he would have done it a long time ago."
"Eh?" Kisuke stared at him in surprise. "I hope you're not afraid of me hurting you."
Again Hanatarō chuckled nervously. "Y-y-you are Urahara Kisuke-san?"
"Yes, I am, and I'm beginning to guess that there's an absolutely fascinating story behind this." He glanced from Hanatarō to Ulquiorra and back. "Honestly, I can't wait to hear it, however, I happen to have a near-perfect gigai here that is just begging for a new soul to try it! Tessai, would you take our new visitor to the front and get him some tea to help him calm his nerves? We'll join you shortly. In the meantime, Ulquiorra-san, would you like to see my finished work?"
Tessai bowed and motioned the still-terrified-seeming young Shinigami to follow him from the room while Ulquiorra stepped forward to where Kisuke stood. At that time, however, the door slid open again.
"Excuse me," came a small voice.
"Ururu-chan, what is it, dear?" smiled Kisuke.
"Phone call."
With a smile and a pat on the head for the little black-haired girl, Urahara accepted the phone.
"Ah, good afternoon, Inoue-san!" exclaimed Kisuke in a tone of excitement. "Yes, Ulquiorra-san is here, and you may want to come here to get him. I think that he'll be ready to buy some human clothes now, seeing that the gigai is finished! . . . Haha, yes. . . . Yes, I did say that it could take a few days, but I suppose I forgot to take into account my own genius. . . . Of course! . . . Yes, that would be a good idea. . . . Alright, I'll see you all shortly. Goodbye, Orihime-chan!"
Turning back to Ulquiorra, he smiled, "Orihime-chan and the others will be here shortly. I've given your gigai the usual school uniform (I've had a lot of experience designing those!), but you'll likely want other clothes to wear day-to-day. And no! Before you ask, I can not make an Espada uniform!"
"I think that you underestimate your own 'genius,'" muttered Ulquiorra in a tone as close to sarcasm as Urahara had ever heard from him. "You could do it, if you wished."
"Very well, then I will not make an Espada uniform."
Ulquiorra simply nodded once in response. Looking Urahara in the eye then, he spoke calmly.
"The Shinigami I brought here fears you; he believes that you will do unpleasant things to him. Knowing who you are, I know that, for a Hollow, that fear would be justified. Tell me, is it so with one of your own kind?"
Urahara smiled seriously, almost sadly. "The present head of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute would not hesitate to experiment on anyone: human, Hollow, or Shinigami. It is a shame that he has so altered the establishment that I worked so hard to build." Looking Ulquiorra in the eye, he continued, "I am not like him. I will not hurt the young Shinigami that you've brought here, if that is what you are asking."
When Ulquiorra didn't respond, choosing instead to turn his attention back to the gigai, Urahara's smile took on a more mischievous tint.
"How is it that a Shinigami came to be in Hueco Mundo and not afraid of you?" he asked.
"Have you made a soul removal device that can be used by a person on their own faux body?" asked Ulquiorra, ignoring the question.
"You're not going to tell me?" grinned Kisuke.
"You may ask him yourself."
"Very well, if that's what you prefer," shrugged Kisuke. "No, I haven't completed the device, but I do have it planned, and it shouldn't take long to complete. If I'm successful, it'll be a small device affixed to a belt that you can wear regularly. You'll press the center, and it'll activate, similar to Kurosaki-san's Substitute Shinigami Pass. Give me another day, and I think that I'll have it completed."
Ulquiorra again merely nodded silently in acknowledgement.
Entering the shop, Orihime, Ichigo, and Uryū met with Kisuke and Ulquiorra just coming out of the back. Urahara exclaimed in welcoming tones as Ulquiorra simply looked at them silently.
"So, where's his new gigai?" asked Ichigo, motioning to the Espada. He then started, eyes widening in shock. "Wait! I can see him!"
"He's wearing a gigai, Kurosaki," sighed Ishida.
Orihime giggled and stepped forward. "So, you did leave off the helmet," she grinned, reaching up to touch the exposed hair on the left side of his head.
In the blink of an eye, Ulquiorra's hand encased her wrist, arresting her movement and making her jump. Uryū's bow was formed and an arrow notched in an instant, and Ichigo leapt forward, though he stopped, knowing that he couldn't do anything.
"Let her go," came Ishida's calm voice.
Ulquiorra released his grip without a word.
"Now, now!" exclaimed Kisuke, waving his fan at them as if to tell them to calm down. "I'm sure that Ulquiorra-san meant no harm. Actually, he and I had a bit of a disagreement about his Hollow mask fragment, and I think that he may still be a bit sensitive about it. He didn't hurt you, did he, Orihime-chan?"
Orihime shook her head, blushing slightly. "No, not at all," she said quickly. Turning back to Ulquiorra, she continued, "I'm sorry; I wasn't thinking."
"Inoue-san!" exclaimed Uryū as his bow and arrow dissolved back into reishi particles. "Why are you apologizing?"
"Well, it was my fault. I shouldn't have tried to touch him without asking. I'm sorry, Ulquiorra. I won't do it again."
"Hm," was Ulquiorra's only response.
The tension in the room gradually subsided, and Orihime's smile quickly returned.
"So, we need to find you some human clothes, right?" she beamed.
"Wait, he's going to look like that?!" demanded Ichigo. "Why did you leave his face like that? He looks like a freak!"
"Kurosaki-kun, that's not polite," scolded Orihime. "Remember that that's Ulquiorra's real face too."
"Yes, and he's not really human, so it looks freaky on a human."
"Something like your hair?" put in Ishida with a smirk.
"Hey! I was born like this!" snapped Ichigo. "It is natural!"
"And your point?"
"Huh?"
Uryū sighed. Turning again to Ulquiorra, he continued, "I believe I did warn you about Kurosaki's intellect or lack thereof, didn't I?"
"You did," affirmed the Espada expressionlessly.
"Hey!" exclaimed Ichigo. "You two are not going to gang up on me!"
"There would be no need," shrugged Uryū, his smirk widening. "I'm sorry, Kurosaki, but you're just such an easy target when it comes to brains."
"I'll beat your brains right out of your head!"
Somehow or other, Orihime managed to calm the two teenage boys and to usher them along with Ulquiorra out of the shop. Urahara just grinned after them, waving and calling for them to "have fun."
As they walked along the streets, Ulquiorra didn't say a word, walking with his hands in the pockets of his new school uniform as Uryū and Ichigo continued to bicker with each other. Orihime tried to play referee whenever it threatened to get violent, and her innocent smile was always enough to avert catastrophe. After one such instance, she turned and quietly apologized to Ulquiorra on their behalf, telling him that they weren't always like this, but the Espada merely remarked that he was quite accustomed to being around such behavior.
"Oh?" Orihime asked curiously.
Ulquiorra nodded once before adding, "These two remind me of Nnoitra and Szayel."
"WHAT?!" exclaimed two voices at once, as the two males turned on him in fury. "I'm nothing like that freak!" Again, both spoke at once.
Orihime laughed at their matching reactions and turned back to Ulquiorra.
"Which Espada am I like?" she grinned.
"Inoue!" exclaimed Ichigo. "Being compared to an Espada is an insult! Why would you even ask that?"
"Well, if you two are like two of them, and Ulquiorra is already one of them, then why should I be the only one not?" asked Orihime with a little pout. "I don't want to be left out. Besides, it's just a game, right?"
"How is insulting people a game?"
"Oh, it can be," murmured Ishida, hiding a smile. "After all, it does sometimes take skill to do it well."
"You're a freak too!" snapped Ichigo.
"If you're normal, then I should hope so."
"I know!" exclaimed Orihime suddenly. "I'm like Yammy!"
Her three companions all blinked and looked at her in surprise.
"What?"
"You know! Because I'm friends with Ulquiorra now just like he was, and Yammy and I both smile a lot, even though we get confused sometimes, and we both like puppies!" Orihime beamed at them.
Uryū swallowed uncomfortably. Ichigo just gaped at her. Ulquiorra gave a little sigh.
"Clearly you didn't know Yammy well," said Ulquiorra calmly. "You are very different from him."
Orihime's face fell in disappointment. "Well, then you pick one," she instructed. "You knew all of them."
"Inoue, um, I think──" began Ichigo.
"Oh! This is the perfect shop!" exclaimed Orihime excitedly, seeming to forget her request at the sight before them. "They have great clothes here. It's Rangiku's favorite. Come on!"
The other three seemed more than happy to leave that particular topic of conversation, and so they turned their attention immediately to the shopping.
Each human had a different suggestion for what would be best for Ulquiorra to wear now. Orihime began immediately by pulling brightly colored floral prints for him to try. Ulquiorra, however, refused even to touch them, much to her dismay. Ichigo suggested blacks and dark greys, saying that they'd fit the Espada's personality, but Ulquiorra stated unequivocally that he would not dress "in the colors of the Shinigami." Ishida alone found outfits of which Ulquiorra approved: simple, light-colored, and unpretentious.
As Ulquiorra tried a few different outfits, Ichigo decided to make a couple of snide remarks, comparing Arrancar tastes to Quincy styles, hoping to turn Ulquiorra and Ishida against each other just temporarily. He was curious about how the two "smart guys" would handle each other's insults. Unfortunately for him, it back-fired. Ishida and Ulquiorra both took the opportunity to belittle the Shinigami taste in dress, actually agreeing with one another in this. Ichigo then argued vehemently that a Quincy and an Espada should never be on the same side. Uryū merely called Ichigo an "easy target," while Ulquiorra muttered something about "the enemy of my enemy." After that, Ichigo kept comparatively quiet, apparently deciding to give up on the war of words (though he wouldn't admit that aloud.) Orihime did try to cheer him up, but, by the time they left the shop, he was still in a bad mood. He said that he needed to get home for supper and that he would see them all in the morning at school.
"Is he always so easy to manipulate with words?" asked Ulquiorra, looking after him curiously once Ichigo had left.
"Kurosaki only knows how to use his physical strength," replied Uryū. "I hate to admit it, but in that area ─ before he lost his Shinigami powers, of course ─ he truly was the best. Even now, I doubt that there's any normal human who could defeat him. That being said, when it comes to brains, Kurosaki is sadly lacking."
"Hm."
"Well, I should get home myself. I've much to do this evening. Will you be in school tomorrow?"
"I am told that I must," replied Ulquiorra, "and I have no objection. Urahara Kisuke says that preparations have already been made."
"Well, then, I'll see you there. Goodnight, Inoue-san."
"Goodnight, Ishida-kun!" Orihime waved as her friend left. Turning to Ulquiorra, she asked, "Are you ready to go too?"
For a moment, Ulquiorra didn't move. "I do not know where I am to go now," he said simply.
"Um, you're staying at my place for now, aren't you?"
"I had understood that I would stay with you until this faux body was complete. It is now complete. Am I to continue to stay with you?"
"Oh! I didn't think of that. Um . . . ." Inoue considered. It would look strange for her to have a young man her own age staying with her if any of her friends found out about it. She couldn't say that he was her uncle! Of course, he wasn't really her age, but, in his new gigai, he looked like he might be, especially because they were going to bring him to school with them. How old was he really? Was he too old to be her uncle? Then again, could anyone be too old to be someone's uncle? I mean, it's not like an uncle was a father; and if it was a step-uncle, then he might not even be a real sibling of the mother or father, so he could be a lot older and he would still be an uncle. But there had to be a line somewhere. Orihime wondered where it was.
Shaking her head, realizing that her thoughts were wandering again, Orihime came quickly back to the present. Ulquiorra wasn't her uncle, and that was fine; he could still stay with her, and they would just make it work somehow. After all, he needed to stay somewhere. As long as they were careful, then no one would even have to know that he was living there, except for Kurosaki-kun, Ishida-kun, and Sado-kun. After all, Rukia-chan had stayed with Kurosaki-kun for quite a long time, hadn't she? And no one outside of their group had known about her. Yes, it would be just fine.
"It'll be alright," she smiled sweetly, looking up at Ulquiorra again. "We'll just have to work out a way for you to come and go without being seen when we go to school and back, and you might have to hide when Tatsuki comes to visit. Will that be okay?"
"That should not be difficult," replied Ulquiorra simply, and Orihime smiled, taking that as a yes.
A/N: Thank you to TheLadyIntegra for inspiring the scene with Hanatarō. I knew what needed to happen, but I couldn't make it sound right, and her reviews were incredibly helpful as far as inspiration! Thanks!