I want to thank Kain101 and Amacor16 for taking the time to review the last chapter. Aside from that, I want to apologize for taking so long to get this chapter posted on the site. My home/family life has kinda fallen apart, and I've been super busy trying to stay sane... Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.
Warning: Mild Sexual Content.
TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW
Chapter XIX:
"We, The Officers, Part 2"
Soul Society, Division Twelve HQ...
"As you predicted, large-scale fabrication of agricultural equipment for the civilian sector is proceeding with little trouble." Nemu explained. "Also, Officer Akon and his team have reported promising results for their work on developing hydroponic crops for the Arrancar..." She paused. "Further, they believe that the greenhouses could be useful as a form of water-reclamation."
"Excellent my dear Nemu." Szayel replied. "One must never underestimate the importance of the basic necessities of 'human' survival." He remarked. "Captain Unohana requested this Division's assistance in producing additional stocks their own supplies of broad-spectrum antibiotics and other medications for use in preventative inoculations... I believe Officer Ando is seeing to this?"
"Yes, Szayel-sama." Nemu answered. "Officer Ando has since taken over the staff formally tasked with the production of bio-chemical weapons." She reported. "In contrast to their previous work, producing basic medical supplies is not expected to pose a problem."
The Espada smiled, his golden eyes twinkling as he regarded the purple-haired woman seated across from him, at the other end of the bathtub they presently occupied. His long arms rested on the lip of the tub- to either side of him- while the water reached about midway up his chest. His shoulder-length pink hair was slicked back, out of his eyes, and clipped into a short ponytail high up in the back. Nemu sat across from him, the water coming up to just below her shoulders and obscuring her breasts, her waist-length violet hair was pulled up into into a bun to keep it out of the bathwater.
Without saying any more, Nemu slowly rose up, drawing some of the steam with her as water spilled down off of her curvy figure. Szayel was similarly silent, content to simply watch as she stepped out of the bath and took her seat on a nearby stool, in the middle of the tiled floor. The Arrancar then watched as the Shinigami retrieved a bottle of shampoo and filled her hands with it, then set about working the hair atop her head into a nice lather as she scrubbed her scalp with her fingers.
"Incredible..." Szayel muttered softly, as he stood up and exited the tub. Nemu appeared to be about to move her long purple tresses to the front, to begin cleaning them. However, she quickly paused as soon as she sensed him behind her. "Allow me to help you..." He offered, kneeling down behind her.
She gave a wordless nod, and he went about drawing the log strands of her hair into his hands, then set about working the shampoo into it. When he was satisfied with his efforts, he retrieved the shower head and turned it on- cleansing her hair in a spray of water, sending suds to the black-and-white tiled floor, to be washed down the drain in the center. That done, Szayel left Nemu to finish dealing with her long main as he went about shampooing and rinsing out his much shorter pink hair.
He appeared behind her again. "You know," he began with a smirk. "I admit, even I can't help but find it rather moving- your ease around me- that is." Szayel explained coolly. "Still, my dear Nemu, such an exquisite butterfly as yourself might wish to consider a greater degree of caution, especially given that you are very much as the mercy of a dangerous Hollow." The Espada cautioned playfully, leaning in as he spoke, the shell of her ear flushing red under the warmth of his breath.
Szayel ran his fingertips along the gentle curves of her shoulder blades. "And yet, still you lack wings appropriate for your emergence from the cocoon that has held you for so long... this must be rectified"
Nemu's perfect dark brows rose slightly at the remark. "Szayel-sama?" She asked, her soft tone tinged with curiosity. Further inquiry ceased, as he slipped his hands around her torso, capturing her breasts in his palms, while the tip of his tongue crested along the she shell of her ear. "...Szayel-sama." The same words uttered secant earlier passed her lips again, only now in exclamation. He next set about kneading the pale flesh in his hands, before moving to catch the peeks of her nipples between a finger and thumb, the pink buds turning stiff in arousal as he teased them.
To virtually everyone else, Nemu was a 'pretty doll'- made of painted porcelain, and seemingly just as inexpressive as the figurine that her colleagues took her for. Though, Szayel knew better than to simply write her off as such. He'd gained a great deal of insight into her when he'd used his Gabriel ability on her to survive. However, he'd seen through the 'automaton' act she put on fairly quickly, and confirmed his views regarding her true self shortly after he'd killed Mayuri. And yet, no one would ever know her the way he knew her- he was the only one who saw her like this, with her barriers down...
A breathy moan passed her lips, and a confident smile graced his features as he gently bit down on her earlobe. Nemu's back went rigid against his chest, and she let out a cry. However, the Arrancar was far from satisfied with the reactions he'd elicited thus far. "Nemu..." He whispered softly, abruptly halting his ministrations. There was an uncharacteristically 'needy' sound of protest from the usually composed woman, which further fueled his confidence. "I desire to fully claim you as my mate... Tell me, Nemu, do you also desire such a bond between the two of us?"
"Szayel-sama..." She managed, her voice strained. The female Soul Reaper's entire body was flushed a light pink, and she felt a familiar heat between her thighs. "I... want to be with you, I want to feel you... only you, Szayel-sama..." Nemu rasped. "Please, Szayel-sama... I need..."
"Shhh," he interjected. "That's all I needed to hear." Szayel commented soothingly, planting a kiss on the nape of her neck as he moved his hand down her body, stopping between her thighs.
The purple-haired woman let out a cry as soon as she felt him trace a finger across the glistening outer lips of her sex, the muscles of her inner thighs quivering spastically. She would have unceremoniously lurched forward, had it not been for him holding her smaller form to him with his free arm. He stroked her a few more times, before finally inserting the digit inside her. He curled his finger, brushing against a certain spot that tore a particularly throaty cry from her. The Arrancar inserted another one of his long fingers into her, beginning a slow thrusting motion into her tight passage.
Szayel felt as her insides reflexively clamped down around his fingers, alerting him to her imminent climax, and he redoubled his efforts... Until Nemu let out another cry of pleasure as she came, totally soaking his hand with her juices, as she went slack against him.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Division Four, In-Patient Treatment...
Renji undid the sash around his waist, and cast it down on the nearby examination cot, then shrugged off his black outer kimono along with it. The redheaded Shinigami untucked his white under robe and was in the process of removing it, when the door slid open. He turned around, at Isane appeared in the open doorway, the silver-haired woman giving him a nod as she closed the door behind her.
"Abarai-san," the woman began, giving her fellow Lieutenant a polite smile. "I was told that you asked for me specifically..." Isane continued. "Might I ask why?"
Renji hesitated for an instant, then gave a nod. "I wanted to get some injuries taken care of... And, and you're the only one I- I feel comfortable coming to." He explained to her, somewhat reluctantly, while he finished removing the white under-robe still covering his upper body. "Kotetsu-san, I... I need you to take care of these." The tattooed Shinigami finished.
Isane arched a silver brow.
...
The tall, silver-haired woman looked at the crimson-haired man before her, the tattooed Shinigami was only a few inches taller than his fellow Lieutenant.
Isane was taken aback, furrowing her brow as she looked him over. His body was marked by a number of superficial wounds: slight discoloration from minor bruising, thin crimson lines of shallow scratches, a cut on his lower lip that looked to quite recent, and the tell-tale red crescent-shaped marks of... Isane blushed, her eyes widening slightly. "W-wait, those look like..."
"Bight marks?!" She thought silently, as Renji's own blush darkened. "Good grief, L-Lieutenant, what in Soul Realm's name happened to you?" Isane asked, aghast. "I wasn't aware that you'd been involved in any confrontations recently..." The Lieutenant trailed off in a moment of realization, dreading what dark paths this line of inquiry had lead her into.
Renji looked as if he wanted to turn invisible. "Well, I- that is to say, I didn't get these in a fight..." The redhead replied, clearly embarrassed, unable to meet the woman's gaze.
"But why come here?" Isane asked, if only to move the discussion along. "Surely, you could have treated yourself... I mean, none of these are all that serious." She pointed out.
He gave her a sheepish look. "If I had to choose, I'd rather embarrass myself here, than show up to the Division assembly looking like this..." Renji explained bashfully. "Really... I'd prefer that the rest of the Sixth not be too privy about what I do in my... private life." His face was almost as red as his hair.
"But what do these injuries have to do with your private li-" Isane faltered, her face turning beet red as realization suddenly dawned on her. "Oh... OH!"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The Living Realm...
Tatsuki regarded the two small birds in the cage, a mix of curiosity and amusement on her face, as she fully processed the sight of the Zebra Finches. "Well, they're certainly cute." The sporty young woman offered as she turned to Orihime with a smile. "I never knew you liked birds."
Her friend returned the smile as she entered the living room. "I didn't, really," Orihime began, only to pause mid-way in the statement. "Well, that is, it's not like I had anything against them..." The redhead amended, trying to better explain things. "I'd just never considered it before now... not until Jun-san, one of my neighbors, offered them to me... And, well, they're perfect for an apartment."
Tatsuki nodded at this. "Well, I guess that makes sense... And you accepted, just like that?"
Orihime gave a light shrug of her shoulders. "Not exactly, Tatsuki, the choice to keep them wasn't quite that spontaneous." She remarked. "You see, I want get to know me better... I want to have interests and hobbies, things that define me." She elaborated. "And I figure this is just as good a place to start as any other would be." The red-haired woman explained as she walked over to check on the cage, pausing to refill their water and top of their birdseed. "Don't you think?"
"But you're in the handicrafts club." Tatsuki offered as her friend turned to face.
"A girl being in the school handicrafts club is nowhere near as interesting as say... a girl with a black belt in judo and who plays soccer." Orihime countered with a smile. "I know how I sometimes come across to my friends and the people around me... even to you." She paused. "I want to be known as more than just someone's friend, or younger sister... And especially as more than the silly girl who everyone had go chasing after and risk their lives to rescue." She finished with a smile.
The dark-haired teen gave a thoughtful look. "I guess that makes sense... No one with any self-respect would ever want to be written off as just a damsel in distress." Tatsuki replied. "No more than anyone would want herself to be written off as just the tomboy." She lamented with a rueful smile, as her hand came to rest against her chest, tapping her finger lightly.
Orihime smiled deviously. "Oh but Tatsuki-chan," she began in a teasing tone, instantly drawing the other girl's eyes to her grinning face. "A little bird- one of Ulqui-kun and Hime-chan's friends from the outside- told me something really interesting recently..."
Tatsuki's cheeks began to flush pink. "Well, the birdies are all saying that there's at least one person, a boy in fact, who likes you just the way you are, isn't that right?" Orihime pushed on.
"I- I have no idea what you're talking about." She blanched, her blush darkening. "A- and I certainly don't need a damn guy in my life to feel better about myself!"
Orihime advanced on her, like a big red-headed cat, with Tatsuki as the helpless dark-haired gazelle sporting a look of panic at being cornered. "You and Ishida-kun, that's so cute!" She exclaimed as she moved in for the kill- "tackling" her onto the carpet.
Orihime landed atop her friend, still smiling. "Tell me all about it!"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Central Chamber, Gotei Council Assembly...
The thirteen Captains stood behind chairs- their Divisions' respective numerical character carved into wood of the high backs- gathered around a large circular table- with their hands resting atop them. The exception was a single, unattended chair. A large white haori was draped over it, prominently featuring the character for "1" or "First", stitched into the material.
The table was fourteen feet in diameter, with an eight-foot wide circular gap set in the center, giving it the overall shape of a torus (or a "doughnut" as some likened it). The assembled Captains- comprised of eight Shinigami, two Espada-level Arrancars, and three Vizards- stood across from each other. Then, each of them removed their Zanpakutos and hung them off the back of their chairs and they sat down. Though, like this, Kenpachi's battered Odachi rose up behind him like a flagpole without a standard.
Byakuya cleared his throat. "First, I would like to thank all of you, my fellow Captains, for attending this meeting of the Gotei Council." He began evenly. "Before I continue, I would point out that this is Captain Obberschank's first meeting of the Council since becoming a Captain." The dark-haired noble announced with a slight nod of his head to the green-haired woman.
She smiled bashfully at the acknowledgment, but managed to give a respectful nod before the Kuchiki resumed his address. "Getting onto business... Have the members of the Council reached a decision in regard to establishing this Council as a permanent governing body?" Byakuya asked.
Everyone nodded silently. After a moment, Komamura stood up. "Myself and the Seventh Division will support the motion." The wolf-like Captain announced, receiving a nod from Byakuya.
"The Fifth Division supports the motion." Shinji announced from his seat in a neutral tone. Rose was the next to speak up, giving his vote of support on behalf of the Third Division, with Kensei eventually giving a reluctant nod of agreement on behalf of the Ninth Division.
Presently, the impromptu council consisted of thirteen members. This meant that, counting Byakuya, five of the thirteen Captains openly supported the proposal. When it had been decided that the matter would be put to a vote, it was also agreed that the final decision would be done by majority. And this meant that out of the seven undeclared by this point, only two more votes of support were needed...
And everyone in the room knew this... Byakuya wasn't prone to impulsiveness, he'd almost certainly deduced his odds of success long before suggesting the idea. And right now, what must have always been obvious to him was clear to everyone else- this was less luck and more statistical math.
Still, the silence was only momentary, as Soifon was the next to arise and speak. "As Captain of the Second Division and the Black-Ops... I support the motion."
Unsurprisingly, no one flinched, even as subtle glances were exchanged. But this was too was hardly surprising, given the number of notorious "poker faces" that were present. Among the many Captainly virtues less remarked upon, but no less important, was unflappable composure. And by this point, most of the expected wild cards in the room had already spoken...
Szayel smirked and brushed a hand through his pink hair. "As the Captain of the Twelfth Division, I support the motion." He calmly announced.
Byakuya nodded quietly. "Counting myself, that's seven votes in favor..." He remarked. "Before we go any further, are there any statements anyone wishes to make?"
Hitsugaya nodded to himself. He hadn't been crazy about the whole idea when he'd first heard it, but given the spectacular failure of the Central 46, combined with how effortlessly Aizen had removed and replaced them, he was willing to support this experiment.
"Myself and my Division will support the majority decision." The young Captain announced.
"As will I..." Nelliel chimed in. "For what is worth, the Fourteenth supports the proposal."
Captain Unohana took a breath, then nodded. "If it is indeed the will of this Council, then I will support this decision of my fellow Captains." She declared calmly.
Shunsui and Ukitake both gave similar remarks, and Kenpachi only shrugged.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Sixth Division, Officers Quarters...
As remarked upon, the 'injuries' he'd sustained were superficial in nature, and hadn't taken any time at all to heal. Renji rubbed his shoulder as he walked down the adjoining corridor of the Officers' wing. If not for the slight itch in a few places, they would have been out of his thoughts all together.
The Lieutenant paused, stopping as he passed the 4th Seat of the Sixth. Something was 'off' about him, though he wasn't sure what. "Kimura-san." He began, turning around to face the other man. There was no harshness in his tone, since he didn't have to 'bark' at the older Seated Officers, in the way that he had to when addressing the younger ones (ie. Rikichi) or the new cadets...
The Officer, who's full name was Shigeru Kimura, halted promptly and turned to face him. He gave a respectful bow of his head, acknowledging his superior. He was about 5'10" tall, with a fairly average slender build, so hardly physically imposing. Beyond that, he had a slender face- with a straight nose and tapered jaw- and was clean-shaven. The only aspects about him that caused him to stand out at all were the rectangular-framed glasses resting on the bridge of his nose, and his long muddy-brown hair (tied in a 'Musashi' style ponytail in the back) that reached his waist, with bangs falling down in the front on either side of his face to frame his features.
"Lieutenant Abarai." He responded, his tone formal and polite.
It was then that Renji registered what is was about Kimura that had grabbed his attention- starting with his palms, and up his forearms (before vanishing under his kimono sleeves), were bandages. Given that he hadn't heard about any injuries among the Seated Officers, he was a bit curious.
"I wasn't aware that you'd been hurt, Kimura-san." Renji remarked.
Understanding seemed to dawn on the young man. "Oh, you mean these?" Kimura asked with a smile as he glanced down at his hands. "It's nothing really to worry about, sir. It's just that I got a little banged up while practicing, that's all." He explained with a smile.
Renji was silent for a moment, but decided there was no need to press the matter. "Very well then," he replied simply. "I'll leave you to get on with your duties."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Tatsuki looked up at her friend, honey-brown eyes twinkling as she smiled down at her, tresses of red-gold hair spilling around them spectacularly. As embarrassed as the dark-haired girl felt at that moment, the physical contact they were sharing came as a long overdue relief. No matter how tough the sporty young woman might be, she could never refuse the buxom girl now hovering over her.
After a bit of shuffling, the two were sitting on the carpeted floor of the living room. Orihime watched her with an expectant look, and Tatsuki sighed in resignation. "Fine... I'll tell you about it. But first off, I feel I should tell you right now that there's nothing 'storybook' about the two of us."
Orihime gave a confused look. "What are you talking about, Tatsuki?"
She took a deep breath at this. "That there was no fateful first meeting, no dramatic conflict, or stories of love set amidst an epic conflict..." Tatsuki replied snarkily. "And I'm not really the kind of girl that a guy would pick as his first choice." The girl reasoned. "...Because most guys suck."
"Hime, I'm never gonna have your kind of curves..." she began, the other girl blushing. "And I'm not little and cute either, so I'm working with a handicap." Tatsuki reasoned. "For most men, being able to put you into a judo hold and throw you across the room isn't viewed as 'charming'."
"Tatsuki..." Orihime began. "Most men isn't all men."
"I know." she replied with a small smile and a chuckle. "And I'm sure you know that finding the 'right' person for you is never simple." Tatsuki added. "And yet... For some reason, Uryuu is willing to put up with all the bullshit that comes with me." She finished, blushing slightly.
Orihime smiled and nodded. "I'm really happy for the two of you."
"Thanks." Tatsuki replied after a moment, looking to her friend. "What about you, Orihime? ...How are things going between you and Ulquiorra?"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Renji had just finished getting kitted out for his next mission. He was taking part in the next expedition into Huecco Mundo. And given how desolate much of it was, he mad a point to include extra water and supplies, along with a pair of binoculars and other survival gear, into his pack.
The tattooed Shinigami paused in front of a small mirror on the wall, as he pulled back the locks of his crimson hair into its distinctive topknot- such that it resembled a fox's tail. He then folded up and tied a burgundy handkerchief across his forehead like a bandana. It was a recent gift from Arachne, replacing the simple white headband he previously wore. With that done, Renji slung the travel over his shoulder, then retrieved the heavy layered cloak- worn by Soul Reapers when they traversed areas experiencing inclement weather conditions- and wrapped himself in it.
It didn't take him long to locate the other members of the expedition, given that they all appeared to be casually milling about and engaging in small talk. The primary objective of their mission was to secure a vein of the ore that Szayel had singled out for its unusual properties, large enough to yield enough of the raw ore for the Espada to properly test it. However, while it was the tech's job to locate it, the job of protecting the site once they secured it was the purview of the combat-oriented members.
This meant that there was a number of a members from the Twelfth Division- including the rather pale man, who's name he believed was Kenta Andou. Aside from him, there were two other members of the Sixth taking part, one of whom he recognized as their 8th Seat, Yosuke Hayate. The clean-shaven man's blonde hair was buzzed on the sides, with the top grown long and pulled into a ponytail.
"Yo, Abarai!"
He turned to Ikaku Madurame, the Third Seat Officer of the Eleventh. The bald man was effectively the Division's Acting Lieutenant- given that the recognized Lieutenant was in-name only, because a certain tiny pink-haired hellion happened to be the adopted daughter of the Captain!
Not far from him, was the current Fifth Seat of the Eleventh- Yoko Watase.
Given the fanatical devotion of the Division members toward raw physical ability, it might have come as a surprise to some that a woman held such a high post within it...
But Renji knew better than that. And her presence there perfectly embodied the views of the man who lead the Division. For all of Kenpachi's faults, the man couldn't care less about the gender of the people serving under him. As long as they could hold their own in a fight and could give back just as good as they'd taken, that was all that mattered to the Captain.
"Hey, Abarai, good to see you!" Ikaku barked, flashing him a broad smile. "Hey, Watase," he continued as he turned to address the woman. "Come over here and take a look as this guy- former member of the Eleventh, who went on and made good for himself."
She looked over her shoulder at them for a moment, before approaching. Right away, he noticed that she was dressed in the black long-sleeved kimono and hakama trousers of a male Shinigami, complete with a warrior-style heko sash twice-wrapped around the waist and knotted in the front. A rather flashy looking katana (which he assumed was her Zanpakuto) was tucked into it. The twelve-inch handle had a rounded black pummel on the end, with dark red lace (over a layer of black ray-skin) wrapped tightly around it. The round tsuba, made of the same black metal, was designed to resemble a pinwheel. The black sheath featured the same dark red sageo lace as the handle
Her pitch-black hair was pulled and into a thick ponytail directly at the back (held in place by a simple length of black fabric) and hung down in a way not unlike how his own hair did. In the front, forelocks framed her face, with her long bangs in the front falling to either side. She had dark eyebrows, set over her angular stormy blue eyes. Renji noted, as she brought her hands to rest on her hips, that her palms and forearms sported cloth wraps. And, just enough peeked out from the tip of the "V" formed below her neck by the front of her kimono, that her chest was bound in place by a sarashi.
Ikaku clapped a hand on his back. "This man here, that you're looking at," he went on. "He started out in the Eleventh, and now he's the Lieutenant of the Sixth, under Byakuya Kuchiki."
She looked him over for a moment. "Nice ink-work, Lieutenant." Yoko replied, folding her arms across her chest. "So, do those designs cover your entire body, sir?"
"Er, yes, Officer Watase." Renji replied, trying not to blush.
She smirked at this. "Nice," Yoko went on. "I'm inked up too." She continued. "I can show 'em to you when we have time, if you like, and you can give me some feedback."
Renji finally flushed a bright shade of crimson, while Ikaku just burst out laughing...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Orihime blushed at the other girl's question. "Good," she began nervously. "I mean... is that things are good between us." The redhead went on. "It's kinda like what you said. Ulquiorra accepts me for who I am, he... appreciates me, even the things that most people would find annoying." She paused.
She let out a slight chuckle. "Though, I'm sure there's things about me that must be pretty frustrating for someone like him..." Orihime remarked. "Even so, it means a lot to me, since I figure it takes a lot to remain so calm like he does, even when I'm rambling on about something..."
Orihime smiled warmly, her cheeks flushed pink. "He has a really gentle touch. Like when he runs his hand through my hair or along the edge of my jaw." The sunset-haired girl explained dreamily, failing to notice the look of relief that washed over Tatsuki's face. "And those eyes of his... The way he looks at me sometimes, ooh." She gushed. "I hope Ishida-kun will look at you like that someday."
The sporty girl practically felt her face burn as she blushed darkly. "Er, yeah, I guess it would be okay... to uh, you know, maybe have that kind of smoldering intensity focused on you... or, whatever."
"Don't take this the wrong way," Tatsuki began, managing to compose herself. "But I've been curious about something... and I think the others are too, but they don't have the nerve or the guts to just come out speak up about it..." She continued wearily. "I'm seriously trying not to make this sound rude... but what exactly first attracted you to him, back when you were being held prisoner?"
"It's okay, that a fair question, I suppose." Orihime countered. "Well... When I think about it, I think I was always drawn to him on some level." The teen continued. "It was like... he was different, he wasn't like the others Espada and Arrancar. He didn't take any joy or pleasure in the things he did, not like some of the others, he just did what he was told... without any personal bias."
"From what you're saying, it all sounds like he was just your jailer." Tatsuki observed. "And by the way you describe him, he sounds so cold and distant."
"That's how it was... at first." Orihime replied. "He kept talking about how foolish I was to go on about my faith in my friends... He just kept jabbing at me, telling me how pointless everything was, and then he started going on about how nothing existed except what he could see and touch, that everything else was just my own human delusions... And that's when I got... angry."
"I must have been crazy at the time, b- but I slapped him! I was just so angry, in a way that I've never felt toward another person before. And then- in that moment- it was all I could do. I- I slapped him... And he took it, he just took it without a word, or even a glare." Orihime continued, her tone picking up. "He had such a low view of humans, so maybe the fact that I stopped talking and 'stood up' to him, maybe that made him want to... understand me, if only so that he could tell himself that there was something logical that could possibly explain me." The teen revealed.
"That's... hardly the best start to a relationship." Tatsuki admitted. "And if he was hoping to find a way to explain what makes you you, than he was in for a disappointment."
Orihime laughed at the friendly jab. "I know." She conceded. "But anyway. Over time, he just became a part my life in Las Noches... And at some point, I just got used to him." She paused. "He always tried to be so emotionless, but I somehow knew deep down that I could make him mad! And that if even for a fraction of a secant, his mask would slip... And that was when things got interesting."
Tatsuki arched a brow. "Interesting how?"
"Well, Ulquiorra had this habit back then... He either didn't understand or didn't care about getting in other people's space." Orihime explained. "And Ulquiorra was really good at getting in my space, so close that my heart would beat fast... and I felt like his eyes could see through me."
"Yeah, you mentioned those eyes of his." Tatsuki noted.
Orihime continued. "And I think my reactions only made him even more curious about me..."
"Okay," Tatsuki interrupted. "This, seriously, now I have to hear more."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Huecco Mundo...
The team was setting up their base camp, when Ikaku approached Renji. "Hey, Abarai, is it true, what I've been hearing, about you being with an Arrancar?"
Renji sighed in annoyance. "Why do you care?" He began. "Unless, you're here to bitch at me for being in a relationship with a Hollow. Because, if you are, than I'm ending this conversation." He announced calmly, as he finished organizing his equipment.
"Relationship?" Ikaku repeated as Renji stood up to meet his gaze. "Then it really is more than you just shacking up with her... Wow." He remarked. "But seriously, I could care less about who you spend your nights with... The truth is, I just needed to know if you were part of what been happening."
The red-haired Shinigami gave his colleague a weary look. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Thank about it." Ikaku began, putting his arm around his shoulder as he drew him off to the side to continue their conversation. "Before the war happened, how many couples can you honestly recall?" He asked. "I mean, that you can think back and give the names of?" He asked.
He shook his head, but relented. "None that I can think of, not at the moment anyway..." He replied after a moment. "But anyway, why the hell would I know about other people's romantic lives?" Renji asked, becoming annoyed. "Seriously, man, what the hell are you getting at with all this?"
"Fine, I'll cut to the chase." Ikaku retorted. "Yumichika and Isane-san have been spending quite a few nights together in each others quarters." He began. "Captain Soifon has been seen- going out on dates!-with that Arrancar with the cat skull mask." The bald man explained. "And that Third Seat kid from the Fourth is walking around like he's got a new lease on life, and he's always being seen hanging around with that Arrancar girl. Plus, besides all that, I've heard a rumor lately that Lieutenant Matsumoto has been seen visiting Captain Hitsugaya's quarters... at night."
Renji was at a loss as to how to respond. "Fine, I'll bite, go on." He conceded.
"Those are just the higher profile instances." Ikaku continued. "Aside from those, people just seem a lot more comfortable and free, enough that most Officers aren't even bothering to report all the people they catch 'fraternizing during work hours'... I figure mostly because they're still getting all their work done in spite of all the fooling around in broom closets or supply sheds."
"Now that you mention it," Renji started. "People generally does seem a lot happier... Though, I didn't realize just how much happier they were." He added after a moment. "If what you say is true... that's a lot of sex. ...Ugh, I seriously didn't need to have that thought in my head."
"Honestly, you should be more curious about the cause." Ikaku remarked. "I mean, is this simply the result of people spending so much time together, coupled with a chronic need to relieve stress? Or," he paused, giving a sly look. "Is this an indicator of something larger?"
Renji exhaled. "How should I know?" He countered peevishly. "Maybe... People are happier. I mean, Soul Society has survived Aizen's coup, and it's looking more and more likely that we're going to have peace with the Arrancar." He recalled. "Aren't those reasons enough for people to be in a good mood?"
"I guess so." Ikaku replied. "Still, the Captains better not be putting something in the water."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Orihime exhaled, then looked up. "Think about it, he's a Hollow, and he... doesn't think or view things in the same way that humans would." She reasoned. "In his mind, I was something totally different to anything he'd ever known or experienced..." The young woman continued.
"Obviously." Tatsuki quipped with a smile. "But go on... I'm starting to like where this is going."
The redhead blushed, but went on. "He was my captor and I was his prisoner, and that was all we were supposed to be to each other... But then, it all changed..." She trailed off.
"Orihime," Tatsuki began softly, moving in closer to her friend. "What happened?"
She looked into her friend's eyes, then nodded. "I- I had an anxiety attack one day, while I was taking shower, and... and suddenly, everything was spinning and I couldn't breath." Tatsuki had been caught unprepared by this bit of news, but was quick to take her friends hand in a comforting gesture.
"I thought I was going to die... but he was there, keeping me grounded and talking me through it all, until I was finally able to regain control." Orihime continued. "After that, he started regularly coming to spend time with me... He would sit across the table from me, drinking his tea, just quietly listening as I talked about whatever happened to be on my mind... But just that, just him simply being there, in the room with me, that made all the difference." She paused. "And I started to feel that as long as he was with me, then I could hold on somehow and not lose myself to that place..."
"Then, Ulquiorra was... the person that you needed?" Tatsuki offered her, getting a nod from the young woman seated beside her on the couch. "And perhaps," she looked over to window. "in some way, you were the person that he needed." She murmured softly, under her breath, more to herself.
"I guess, there was one moment in particular," Orihime resumed. "when I realized there was something between the two of us..." She began, as she went to relate the moment when Ulquiorra had approached her in her cell in Las Noches and made his 'declaration' to her.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Division Four HQ...
Unohana looked up from her desk as the door to her office slid open. Isane was away for the moment, so the Captain was alone (like she'd planned) as the Lillynette appeared in the doorway. She smiled and nodded, beckoning the young female to come inside. She watched, her smile never waning, as the slid the wood and paper door shut behind her.
"Unohana-san," Lillynette began. "You wanted to speak with me?"
She nodded. "Yes," Unohana began softly. "Now, please come have a seat and join me." The woman stated calmly with a small gesture of her hand. Without any further prompting, Lillynette moved in and sat down (legs crossed) on the cushion before her desk. "First off, I imagine you must be curious as to the reason for why I asked to come, right?"
The Arrancar nodded, and she continued. "Well, to answer that, I'll need to tell you a bit about myself, so I hope you will indulge me." Unohana began. "Seeing as we're both women, I'm going to let you in on a little secret, Lilly-san." She went on, the girl blushing faintly. "As of this year, I am seven hundred and forty-four years old, and I have been the Captain of the Fourth for nearly three centuries."
Lillynette's eyes became wide momentarily. "W-well, you don't show it at all, Unohana-san."
The older woman's cheeks flushed lightly and her smile deepened. "Thank you my dear, it's very nice of you say that." Unohana replied. "Though, there was once a time when I was very young, barely even an adult yet... in fact, I wasn't all that different from you back then." She explained. "So, I know what it's like to be in that time of life, caught between being a girl and becoming a woman..."
The dark-haired woman paused. "It's a very frustrating time- not to mention confusing- to be stuck in a body that's changing..." Unohana spoke, her voice low and soft. "When you no longer know if you can trust your own feelings, because your body's no longer acting in the ways that you've been accustomed to up until now." She elaborated. "Suddenly, now when you are around someone or some thing, you no longer see them in the same you once did... It's can be quite upsetting."
"Lillynette," Unohana began, leaning forward a bit. "How have you been feeling recently?"
The smaller half of the Primera Espada flushed faintly, and she briefly averted her gaze away from the other woman. But after a moment, it returned to her. "...Confused." Lillynette replied, her rose-colored eye meeting the Captain's dark ones. "I feel confused... and angry sometimes." She admitted.
Unohana nodded, urging her to continue. "And I don't know why, but for some reason, it's worse when I'm around Taro-kun..." The young Arrancar added. "Before I came here, there was never anyone that I could think of as a friend..." Lillynette continued. "But now, I've gotten to meet you and Shiro-san, and the all the other members of your packs." The girl added.
The Captain nodded silently. "Yes, both yourself and Stark-san have had quite an impact on a number of people... including Officer Yamada." Unohana smiled as she spoke the last part.
Lillynette blushed at hearing the observation. "Yeah, Taro-kun is my friend, b-but don't ever tell him I actually said that!" The smaller female half of the Primera implored. "I never know how I'm supposed to feel around him... Sometimes, I'm perfectly fine with him. And other times, I feel pissed, and I don't even know why." She added with a huff. "I've never felt so damned aware of someone!"
"Aware." Unohana repeated softly. "That's not unusual. You're a young woman, after all. So I can only imagine he's the first male of comparable age you've been around." She continued. "And, it's perfectly normal for someone in your stage of physical and emotional development, to be experiencing the sort of feelings that you're describing to me." The Captain reasoned.
"But, I- I'm a Hollow." She protested.
"Lillynette, you're undergoing a perfectly normal physiological change- right now, your body and your mind are telling you very different things- but that's normal, it's part of growing up, my dear." Unohana remarked in a sympathetic tone. "The very same thing happened to me when I was younger, just as it happens to everyone else when they reach a certain age."
"You have a lot to be proud of, my dear." Unohana remarked, as she leaned forward to take the girl's hand in her. "As both a warrior and as a woman."
The female Arrancar blushed. "I... never really thought of myself in that light, Unohana-san." Lillynette replied, giving the older woman a small smile. "But thank you."
Unohana returned the smile. "I wouldn't presume to tell you how to live your life... But, I will say that opening up to another person, someone who you can let your guard down with and trust, doesn't make you weak or necessarily leave you vulnerable." She continued. "Think on it for bit."
The dark-haired woman sat back in her chair. "Now, before you go." Unohana began. "I just want you to know, that if you begin to experience significant physical discomfort in the future- such as cramps or any other... internal distress." She paused. "Then, please feel free to come to me at any time, and I'll be happy to help you to discreetly deal with the matter."
(- End of Chapter XIX... -)
Christ, I can't believe this ended up being the longest chapter yet!