Shattered Realms

by MJLCoyoteStarrk

Aizen's defeat has left a tense peace between Arrancars and Soul Reapers. The resulting isolation has lasted for 200 years, only to be broken by a covert expedition from the Soul Society that has vanished. A small group is sent out to find out what happened only to find themselves facing the affects of the past while old heroes struggle w/their own pasts. Prologue has been updated

6. Chapter 5: Metropolis

Author's Warning: This chapter contains strong sexuality

Shattered Realms

By Eduard Kassel and MJLCoyoteStarrk

Chapter 5: Metropolis

Octavian Director Dorian Narciss walked through the empty courtyard with measured grace. His smooth feminine face maintained the aura of calm and arrogance that was expected of an Alpha, regardless of the situation.

An Alpha had to be an Alpha at all times. That was a rule.

However, beneath that calm surface, he was annoyed. He could be using this time experimenting on the latest broods as they developed in their tanks or checking on the caged Epsilons and un-Arrancars in the Kennels before they were put out in the Auction for the barbarians who came here for business, or those that were earmarked for the special clients.

Instead, he had been summoned for a private meeting with Maestro Pytr Todesengel, the last of Creator's fraccion and the only one who was made in the Creator's image. And one could not simply ignore the Maestro's summons. Many of Dorian's predecessors learned that lesson the hard way and he was not willing to repeat their errors. The last thing he wanted was to be strapped to the Maestro's private lab table. It was a rather ironic and yet rather common end for Alphas that proved to be deficient.

And he did not intend to become deficient.

So he made his way through the deserted outer court with its various sculptures that combined harsh angles with smooth curves into a symphony attempting to illustrate the goal of Perfection. However, unlike many of the other sculptures in Hueco Mundo, these were not made of stone. These were made of metal.

Dorian stopped when he came across his favorite sculpture showing four figures of gold, silver, iron, and bronze engaged in some kind of dance with the gold figure seeming to be suspended in midair. The symbols for each of the four classes of the Octavians, the True Arrancars, were emblazoned on the harshly-angled face of each: Alpha on gold, Beta on silver, Gamma on iron, and Delta on bronze. The motto emblazoned on the pedestal read, "ALL PURPOSE IS GENETIC."

The sight of this blend of mathematical principals and artistic license put him at ease. This was what the Octavians were trying to achieve in their genetic manipulations of the broods growing inside the Flesh-Tanks. He had seen pictures of fashion models in the World of the Living and he was grateful not to have to endure the inferior beauty of the humans. Even the lowly Delta workers and the engineered Epsilons were more beautiful than those inferior and filthy creatures.

He closed his eyes and hummed in order to clear his mind, thus restoring order from the chaos of unregulated emotion. He had to be wary and quick with his responses in this meeting. His predecessors had made the mistake of going before the Maestro without a clear head and were thus deemed to be defective. Dorian vowed never to become a defective Director.

When his mind was more adequately prepared he made his way to the doors made of metal and glass that were not products brought in from the outside but were the fruit of the Delta class's labors. Out of all of the cities that had risen up in Hueco Mundo, only Octavia had structures made of metal and glass instead of just stone.

He touched the cold metal and smiled fondly at its feel.

Stone is for the inadequate species, but metal…. Metal is the choice-material of the Master Races.

He walked past the two Gammas stationed at the entrances as sentries. The militant Gammas stood at attention. When they saw him approaching, they put their right hands over the ornate 8 on the left breast of their leather black-and-green coats and then held them out in the Roman salute. Dorian admired how their iron gorgets gleamed coldly in the moonlight and how their handsome, angular faces remained expressionless. Dorian returned the salute by raising his right hand, palm out. When he passed, the two guards returned to their original postures of parade-rest with a mechanical motion.

He made his way to the glass-encased elevator situated against the far side of the foyer. His eyes briefly glanced at the metal door off to one side with the words "COMMUNITY, IDENTITY, STABILITY" on it. He brought his attention forward, ignoring the Betas rushing around to fetch equipment or paperwork for their Alphas.

He got into the elevator and took out the platinum key that he wore around his neck and inserted it into the keyhole and turned it. There was a grinding sound as the mechanisms that ran off the electricity that the generators far beneath the surface produced began to serve their function. He was in awe at the powerful and complex systems at work to enable this seemingly simple act on his behalf. The elevator began its ascent.

He turned to face outside and felt like a god surveying his domain. He looked down at the glowing lights of Octavia. It was not only the newest city in Hueco Mundo. It was also the most advanced.

And the most mathematically perfect, he thought smugly. Is there any shape more perfect than a circle? I think not.

He smiled as he watched the three rings that surrounded the center of Octavia come into view. Each one was separated by a wide circular trench with only gated bridges connecting them together. Smoke and tongues of fire rose up from the outer-most ring where the Deltas manned the forges and factories that were mostly located near the base of a group of rocky hills and mountains.

He looked at these things with pride. Many Alphas resented the crudeness of the Delta sector. But he did not. He possessed the vision and intellect to treasure all aspects of the Great Machine that was Civilization. He felt pride knowing that each class was in its proper place and segregated, not by race or creed, but by function as determined by genetic manipulation.

"All purpose is genetic," he whispered and smiled at his own ghostly reflection. "And genetic manipulation is the pathway to Perfection."

The elevator stopped and he turned to walk out into the lobby of the upper levels. He saw the slim Alpha assistant to the Maestro standing before him, the only other presence on this level unlike the bustle below. It was difficult to tell what their sex was since all Alphas were, by design, androgynous since the Maestro maintained that as the Creator had no real gender, then Perfection could only be achieved by those with no true gender of their own.

"Director Narciss," the assistant said in its silky voice. "The Maestro has instructed me to allow you in once you have arrived."

"Thank you. It is an honor to be summoned by the Maestro."

The assistant nodded and gestured for him to follow. Dorian followed and observed how the assistant's movements were almost like a dancer's. He like that kind of motion since it made him think of the ocean waves he had seen on a trip to the World of the Living to meet with some of the very important clients to discuss products and their price. There were so many nuanced wonders in that world. How disgraceful it would be if the knowledge that the Octavians had achieved was handed to Humans of all of the foolish and ugly apes of existence. The very thought made him sick.

But now was not the time to allow anger or any such deficient emotion to take hold. Now was the time to be flawless.

The assistant gently knocked at the door of gilded glass. Dorian used the mirrored surface to make any necessary adjustments to his hair or his white-and-gold jacket. He made sure that the Plexiglas false collar was on straight and that the gold clasp, shaped like a Gothic-style 8 that held it in place, was fastened properly.

"Most Illuminated Maestro, Director Narciss has arrived.

The assistant nodded at something and opened the door for him. Narciss guessed the Maestro was still implanting one-way communication devices in his secretaries' skulls.

"You may enter. May the Creator smile on your meeting."

Dorian nodded as he entered the room. The floors were, naturally, covered with sheets of polished metal. He didn't look up at the gold-etched mirror panels that were used for the ceiling. Aside from the wood-paneled wall with the door, the rest of the room was made of clear glass giving a god-like view of Octavia and the surrounding desert beyond the encircling wall of black steel. In the far distance, he could barely make out the tops of the five towers of Las Noches. He looked at the eight metal statues that were laid out in a circle around the room and at the cherry-wood desk in the center of the room. Then his focus turned towards the lean figure standing at the window, looking out at Las Noches.

"My Maestro," Dorian said and gave a bow.

"Have a seat, Director," the Maestro said with a gesture of a hand with the upper part of the fingers dyed a soft shade of purple while the nails were painted a soft pink. His voice was smooth like silk, but there was a hint of mockery in it.

Dorian made his way to one of the cushioned chairs just in front of the desk and sat down without reclining.

"How may I serve the most Illuminated Maestro?"

The Maestro turned to look at him. Dorian was always entranced at how handsome the Maestro was with his lips painted a lush red like ripe berries and the barest hint of makeup on his thin, pale face and around his brightly golden eyes behind the mask fragment that looked like a pair of oval-rimmed glasses. The Maestro's hair was neatly styled with the sides dyed a dark shade of pink while the rest was dyed a dark indigo.

He was wearing his usual black leather coat with gold, crimson, and white embroidery running along the collar and down the sides. The coat's collar was held up by a Plexiglas false collar that was held by a gold clasp studded with amethysts. The silver clasps fastening the coat down the front shone under the fluorescent lights.

"You may serve me by explaining yourself."

"I…do not understand."

The Maestro walked to the desk and put a file that he had been holding down in front of the Director before sitting down in the large chair on the other side of the desk. Dorian looked at the inventory list and looked at the Maestro's golden eyes neutrally. He knew that weakness meant death, and so did defiance. It was time for him to balance on the sword's edge.

"Please, explain why you have decreased the number of Inferiors and Epsilons sent to our most important client." The Maestro tapped the name at the top to emphasize to whom he was referring to. Dorian found the gesture to be unnecessary and slightly insulting since he knew whom the Maestro was referring.

"I merely thought that it would be in our best interest to use the Inferiors and Epsilons more to our own uses, since our most important client has not been paying us by their own volition. If I recall, inventories from previous Directors will show that to be the case and yet they sent the same number of stock to them as before."

The Maestro frowned slightly at that and his golden eyes flashed. Dorian maintained his calm. He was an Alpha after all.

"I see," the Maestro whispered. "So, they really have been withholding from us." He smiled slightly. "I trust that our other important clients have been paying their dues for their merchandise."

"That is what the inventory says. It's just the most important one who hasn't. The others have been paying us the agreed prices for their Epsilons and Inferiors to be used either for sport or as workers.

"Godking Benvolio of Luisenbarn has put in an order for another six Worker Epsilons as well as three more Sex Epsilons and two Un-Arrancars to be used as sport. He has paid us with subjects we can either use for experimentations or for the Auction as well as two new Flesh-Tanks, both already filled with spawn. We can use the spawn in any way we like and, as the saying goes, 'One can never have too many Tanks.' What's more is that the Tanks are Panteran, difficult to acquire by all accounts."

The Maestro frowned and began to tap his fingers on the wooden surface. Impatience colored his features.

"I do not care what Godking Benvolio has given us or where he got them from. I only care about the one client in particular. Why hasn't he paid the agreed price for the last two shipments we delivered?"

"He maintains that he is currently in the process of obtaining more of the agreed payment, but in the meantime he has given us other goods as a sign of faith. We have already learned much from some of the products he sent us," Dorian explained and indicated the addendum made to the inventories.

"He's making us look like fools. He's going back on his word to us."

Dorian looked at the Maestro.

"What does it matter? If he continues to cheat us then all we have to do is cheat him. Perhaps we can arrange something with that smuggler in Las Noches and…"

"NO! I will not have anyone from Las Noches become involved in our affairs," the Maestro broke in. Dorian looked at the Maestro and saw the briefest flicker of discomfort in his golden eyes.

"Well, she doesn't have to know that you're still alive. I'm sure we can work it out to where she continues to believe that you're dead. But then, maybe it won't matter."

"If the Fates were kind she would be dead. But I know that she isn't and that she's still holding on to her mindless vendetta. It just goes to show that the inferior races will always despise the superior races."

If you are superior then why do you fear her wrath so? What aren't you telling me, Maestro? How weak are you beneath it all?

"Either way, we can still perform business with the Smuggler. He has no love for Tu Odelschwank; only for his profits. We can use that to our advantage. I'm sure that none of those in authority would trouble themselves over a few missing Primerans. I understand that they have a number of strays running around," Dorian said in an attempt to steer the conversation back on course.

"That self-righteous strumpet would trouble herself. That's what happened just before the Final Exodus. She found out about our own operations and she over-reacted. She never understood that I only acted for the greater good of all True Arrancars, for Las Noches, for her 'beloved King.' We were Loyalists, Narciss. We stood by the Kingdom in its darkest hour and yet we were condemned as criminals. It only proves that envy poisons relationships between the Master Races and the Inferior Races. Only the Creator can bring about the Golden Age of the True Arrancars."

There he goes again, Dorian thought slightly annoyed.

"I understand. But surely there are other ways to bring about the Golden Age of the Masters without having to revive the Creator."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm merely thinking that perhaps we can achieve the Golden Age without needing the Creator's help. Isn't the Octavian main objective Perfection? How can we achieve Perfection if we must rely on the Creator?

Pytr Todesengel sat back in thought and then smiled. That smile made Dorian nervous and he realized that he had just set foot in a forming sinkhole that would bury him if it gave way. However, he maintained his air of calm.

"The Creator is the Light of Perfection. We need him to show us the way. We can walk the Path on our own. But without him we are little more than children stumbling in the dark. Do you see?"

I see that we must truly be a pack of fools. We pride ourselves in our great leaps forward in science and the art of Genetic Manipulation. So why do we allow ourselves to be ruled by a worthless relic from the past? And how could you put such faith in a worthless Arrancar that allowed himself to be defeated by a Soul Reaper? No matter how hard you try to deny it, that's all that the Creator is: a worthless, vanquished, Arrancar from the past. But I must sing my little song like a good little bird, Dorian thought bitterly.

"I understand. Thank you for bringing understanding to this unworthy one, Maestro."

Pytr smiled as he looked at the list.

A fool easily quelled by the words he wants to hear.

"It is good to bring Illumination to the ignorant and to remind those in the Light of Perfection of our True Goals. And it's also a good thing for you that I'm in a good mood. Otherwise, I would have used you for my private research."

"I am grateful for your mercy," Dorian said giving a slight bow of his head.

"The next time you see our most esteemed client, you will inform him that he must have the payment that was agreed in the original contract or we will cut our payment to him in the same proportion. If he wants to gain more of the Inferiors for his own amusement then he will have to get it from another source."

Dorian nodded his head. He was glad that, despite his fanatical devotion to Szayel Aporro Granz, the Maestro had not become a complete idiot since the time he used his own flesh shaping skills to escape Nelliel's Wrath.

He was curious about how the former Arrancar ambassador would react if she found out that the head she received as a gift so long ago from the surviving Octavians was not the actual head of Pytr Todesengel.

"Now that we have that matter settled, let's get on with the next bit of business I wish to discuss," the Maestro said, shifting back to his saner mood.

Dorian nodded. Everything else would be business as usual. He would want the latest reports on the various experiments going on as well as how many Flesh-Tanks were ready for their modified products to be released, what, if any, promising new subjects had been acquired and so on. These were things that Dorian knew how to maneuver around.

I am as nimble as a dancer, he thought as he began to give Maestro Todesengel the latest figures. I am as graceful as a wave on the ocean.

It simply wouldn't do for the Maestro to know that he wasn't the only one directing the course of Octavia's future.

Las Noches

Tatsuki frowned at the ruins as she easily hopped from one piece of rubble to another. The corridor was choked with debris from walls or the shattered dome above her.

They would leave Las Noches to pursue Starrk's lead, but they would first rest before returning to the moon-lit desert. The part of her that was still a high school student wanted to rush out to Octavia right away. But her second mother had made her better than that.

"Strike with blinding speed," Sui-Feng had told her during one of their practice sessions. "But only strike after knowing your enemy well-enough to know that strike is all that you'll need."

So, she had decided that they should stay a bit longer before heading out. This place seemed a relatively safe place to stay. And they might need all their power the second they stepped outside. With the greenhouse, it was also a good place to resupply before setting out after they rested for a bit.

But, as always, there was an ulterior motive. Tatsuki's Onmitsukido senses were tingling. Something had happened here. Some kind of event had taken this city that had once been a thriving civilization and turned it into inhabited ruins.

She knew that the term "ruins" was a harsh label, but it was the closest thing she could find to describe her feeling of Las Noches. She thought about Starrk's unfinished Tower. She thought about the Arrancars wandering about or just lounging as children ran amok and directionless in half-collapsed halls.

She looked at the area they were at now. It was a domed structure that was ringed by eight cubes. It had a different feeling about it. It felt as though it had long been abandoned and yet she sensed the slight traces of Reiatsu here.

She felt in her bones, and in the itching around her Hollow hole, that this place was best to avoid. She was sure that something happened here, maybe not the BIG something, but certainly a part of it.

Tatsuki stopped to examine some of the oddly cut stone fragments. She knelt on the sand-strewn floor to study the shards and then looked at the blasted wall.

"There was some kind of mural there," she whispered.

Yes, some of those stone fragments appear to be part of carvings depicting something, and… She picked up one of the fragments and looked at it. Hmm, it appears to have been recently destroyed too judging from the condition. She looked around at the ruined hallway and her mind clicked on something. These ruins aren't just bred from neglect. They were made by wrath.

She knew that the Soul Society had not sent a force to make this kind of trip. That left only the Hollows or the Arrancars. And since the destruction looked to have some kind of purpose behind it, that left only one option.

"Was there some kind of Arrancar rebellion here?"

Her thoughts were disturbed by scraping stone. Her investigator mode switched over to Assassin mode very quickly.

She was moving again, listening for other sounds. She was as swift as a falcon and as silent as a shadow. She crouched behind a large piece of rubble and saw what was making the sound. A piece of the floor, hidden under a thin layer of sand, was being lifted and moved. The sound came from how it was being hindered by a section of the collapsed dome that was partially obstructing it. She tensed as she watched the dark gap widening and bits of sand falling into the darkness.

Then the movement stopped. At first there was nothing and then a pair of pale hands came out of the darkness and grabbed the edge of the gap. Nemu's head emerged and looked around before it dipped out of sight. The Lieutenant rocketed out of the hole. Tatsuki watched in awe as she twisted in the air and came to a perfect landing on the floor. Tatsuki nearly expected her to strike an acrobat's pose at the rather impressive feat.

"Nemu, what were you doing?" Tatsuki demanded as she rose from her cover.

"I must remind you, Commander, to please refer to me as 'Judea' for the remainder of the Mission. As to my activity, I was merely seeking out subterranean matters of interest on patterns similar to Yamada's discovery."

"Oh…and why were you 'seeking out subterranean matters of interest' here?" Tatsuki cocked an eyebrow at Nemu.

"A clearly unused site would be ideal place to perform activities that one wishes to conceal. Do you find my actions displeasing?"

Tatsuki suppressed a frown. It made sense. But she felt something seeing the other woman here. Now that she thought about it, she had been feeling that oppressive sensation since she entered this structure. But it was seeing Nemu that helped her to remind her of what this place felt like. It felt too much like the Squad 12 Barracks.

And with Nemu here…are you really going to say that it's only coincidence?

Stop that. You're being paranoid. Is it really appropriate for the Expedition Commander to be questioning a team member?

"Did you find anything?" Tatsuki asked.

"I must admit that I found nothing of interest. It would seem that this place is of as little relevance as it first appears," Nemu answered in her usual toneless voice.

I don't think that's entirely true. But is it you or this place that I am suspicious of?

Tatsuki wondered about that as Nemu walked past her.

Pilgrim's Road: The Shrine to Sanction

Isra was relieved when the signal for a halt was given. Her feet were beginning to ache from the journey they had travelled from the Shrine. But to make things worse, her bladder ached. She had to take a piss soon, but didn't want to bring it up since that would be too embarrassing. She blushed slightly under her veil at the mere thought of making such a request.

"Are you alright?" Persephone, who was sitting on a nearby boulder, asked. She was taking her sandals off in order to rub her feet.

"Uh…yeah…yeah…I…I…" Isra stammered. She needed to empty her bladder soon and had to suppress the urge to move from foot to foot as she struggled to find the right words.

"Oh, I get it," Persephone said and gave her knowing smile. Isra's blush crept up to around her eyes from embarrassment. "There's a group of boulders over there that you can use. Just don't go any farther. I would hate for something to happen to you."

"What could happen to me, Persephone? The Sons aren't anywhere near here, right? At least that's what the leader of the guards said," Isra said. Her curiosity had won over her bladder, at least for that moment.

"There are other dangers than the Sons, Isra. Just be careful, alright? Now, you better get going before you have an accident." Persephone gave a small chuckle.

Isra tried to maintain some level of dignity, but ended up running, or at least trying to run, to some place more private. The boulders that Persephone had pointed to were too close to the others in the group for her liking. She decided to go a little farther. The small Arrancar rushed over the crust of the ridge and saw a larger pile of boulders a little ways down the other side. She rushed towards them as fast as she could and got behind one of them.

She hiked up her skirt and squatted. She sighed as her bladder emptied into the sands. She felt much better when her business was done. She cleaned herself using a slight burst of Reiatsu on her hand.

Isra stood up and raised the silk straps that held her veil in place over her lower face and allowed it to drop to hang over her modest chest. She rubbed the area where her ears met the sides of her head and smiled. The straps were only made of silk but still…

"That feels good," she whispered as she rubbed the area gently.

When she was done she reached into the pouch that hung at her side and took out a small mirror that had been a gift to her from Persephone. She used it to make sure that her hair was still neat and that the black streak was prominent. She stopped when she saw her mask fragment reflected. It had been some time since she had looked at the beak that covered her nose.

She hated the way her mask fragment looked compared to the other women. Theirs were elegant and beautiful while hers was harsh and blunt. She remembered how Persephone had told her that the Great Mother's mask fragment that covered her lower face was one of the fiercest that Hueco Mundo had ever seen and that she should be honored to have such a fragment.

But it's still not beautiful, she thought sadly as she stroked the beak.

She brought the mirror back up to admire her violet eyes. She smiled at the memory of how during the banquet at the Shrine, one of the men had come up to her and said that she had the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. The young man had been nice enough and had asked her name. But when she told him that her name was Isra Van Harr, he began to apologize for disturbing her and asked that she not tell on him.

"Perhaps I should have just told him it was Isra and left the Van Harr off," she muttered as she put the mirror back into the pouch.

Isra wasn't fond of attention, but she didn't want to be avoided. The memory of how for the rest of the Banquet no one had come up to talk to her still hurt. She remembered Persephone seeing her despondency and leaning in to whisper, "You'll get used to it enough to tolerate it." She wondered how long it would take for her to get used to the isolation that the name Van Harr brought with it.

She sighed as she put the straps back behind her ears. She adjusted the veil to where it would cover her lower face again. She was about to go back to where Persephone waited with the other pilgrims when her ears picked up a strange, rhythmic noise.

Boom-boom-ba-ba-boom…boom-boom-ba-ba-boom

She stopped and looked around. She hopped on top of one of the boulders and crouched on it to get a better look. The sound seemed to be coming from a sinkhole only about three yards away from the boulder. She had not notice it before.

Do they make a sound like that when they're formed?

She tried to recall what Persephone had taught her about sinkholes. But the rhythmic sound distracted her and she found that she wasn't able to think clearly.

Boom-boom…boom-ba-ba-boom…boom

She suddenly recognized the sound. It was the sound of ritual drums. She frowned slightly. Her Hollow hole tingled in a manner that she didn't she liked. She dropped down from the boulder and tenderly walked up to the sinkhole. She had never heard of any of the Tribes holding any kind of ceremony underground before.

Maybe it's something that they don't know about, she thought. Her apprehension was replaced with excitement. If that's the case, then maybe I'll become famous and then everyone will want to be my friend.

As she got closer to the sinkhole, she began to see the faintest flickering glow of light. The rhythmic sound continued, but now it was more somber and slower than before. The beats became longer and so did the pauses between them.

Booooom…Booooom….Booooom…Booooom

She crept forward and peered over the edge, lowering herself to her stomach on the sands. Isra could only make out the flickering light from a large fire reflecting on the rocky walls as though the fire was on some kind of ledge hidden by the crags of bedrock that jetted out like blades below her. She froze when she saw the shadows of figures marching on the wall in a kind of slow procession or ceremonial dance.

She could make out the faint sounds of chanting coming from below, but she couldn't make out what they were saying. But the feeling she got was that the figures below were chanting some kind of prayer. Trembling, she leaned forward to try to hear them better when she felt a hand seize her ankle and drag her backwards.

She squealed in terror and surprise, but the sound barely escaped before a light brown hand covered her mouth.

She was wrenched to her feet and another arm wrapped over her chest and lifted her off her feet. She was carried that way for several long steps from the sinkhole before she was allowed to feel the ground under her feet again. Hands clasped her shoulders and spun her around.

"What were you doing?" Persephone asked in a harsh whisper.

Once again the size difference was clear with the older woman leaning over her. Isra could tell that she was suppressing her Reiatsu. But she could also tell it wanted to flare up with the palpable emotion.

"I…well I…" Isra stuttered as she felt her caretaker's anger.

Persephone shook her head and looked at the sinkhole. Her eyes narrowed over her veil.

"We have to get away before they realize that someone was here." Isra was about to say something when Persephone gave her a look that said, "Not now".

Isra remained quiet until she had been marched back to the side of the ridge where the pilgrims were starting to prepare camp. All that way, Persephone kept a tight hold on her shoulder. She winced at the tight grip that threatened to penetrate her Hierro.

"What were you thinking?" Persephone asked harshly.

She was in front of Isra again. Isra could feel Persephone's Reiatsu being allowed some freedom to flare up. There was fear in it, but Isra saw more of the anger.

"I…I heard that sound and…and I…I was curious," she whispered looking anywhere but at her.

"Don't you remember those stories I told you about creatures living underground or about The Others?" Persephone demanded grabbing her shoulders again.

"But…but those were only stories…right?"

"Those stories are told for a reason," Persephone hissed. Her Reiatsu flared up even more. There was a slight cracking sound as the Hierro gave slightly under her thumbs. Persephone's hands shot away from Isra as though they had been burned.

Her Reiatsu died down as the pale Arrancar and grabbed at the gash in her protective skin. A small trickle of blood flowed from the wound. Isra looked ready to burst into tears at any moment. Persephone closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

By the Great Mother, she's still just a child, she thought. And besides, I did things like that when I was her age.

"Just…just trust me on this, Isra. There's a reason why areas around sinkholes and cave entrances are to be avoided. Those areas lead underground and the Underground is the domain of The Others," she said calmly. She tilted Isra's chin up to let her see her that her eyes were free of anger.

"But who are 'The Others'? Are they the Sons?" Isra asked, curiosity replacing her pain and fear.

Persephone cleaned the area around the wound with some of her Reiatsu and examined the gash. She was relieved that it wasn't too deep and was starting to heal on its own.

"No…they're…" Persephone looked into Isra's eyes to ensure she had her attention, "they're worse than the Sons."

Isra gasped at those words. Her hands flew to her Hollow Hole which had started to prickle with her fear. She had never thought that it was possible for there to be anything worse than the Sons in Hueco Mundo. It was like being deader than dead. It was something that just…that just shouldn't be. Persephone put a hand on her cheek to wipe away a stray tear.

Isra leaned into the touch as her fragment was stroked through the veil. She could now feel the stronger Reiatsu caressing her with protective concern.

"Promise me, Isra. Promise me that you will never go near a sinkhole or a cave ever again."

Isra could hear the hint pleading note in it. She felt her stomach almost go into a knot when she realized that Persephone was actually afraid.

"I…I promise."

"Good." Persephone gently slapped Isra's veiled cheek and stood up. "Now come on before they start the meal without us. Oh, and straighten your veil. Remember, we're not home yet."

Isra nodded and straightened her veil, which had become disheveled when Persephone grabbed her. But she knew that it wasn't just the veil that she meant. Before following her, Isra looked back at the ridge and listened. The only sounds that she could hear now were the sounds of the other pilgrims and the wind.

But later, as she slept, her dreams were filled with slow, rhythmic beatings of the drums and the slow dancing shadows cast by the flickering light of the Underworld. She trembled and curled in her bed wrappings amidst the company of pilgrims.

Las Noches

"That…is a big fancy door," Tatsuki remarked.

They found the way to the Gate of Twilight easily enough, after getting some directions from an Arrancar they encountered in the Hall of Bounty. She could still remember Ikkaku giving Hanataro a hard time about what he would do if Adrianna showed up.

And when they were still a far way's off, they could easily see it. It was as easily as big as one of the four gates leading into the Seireitei, but this one had two doors and was made of stone. The stone was painted to show a wolf standing, as if on guard, on each door. Now that they were there, Tatsuki thought she saw glimpses of gold where the paint had begun to peel away.

She looked to the upraised patio that was beside the gate. She frowned a little when she saw the four guards, sitting around a table and dressed in Arrancar uniforms of white.

The Captain would flay any member of her Squad behaving like that while they're on duty. But we can use their negligence to our advantage, Tatsuki thought.

The guards didn't notice them until they reached the patio and Tatsuki was stepping up on the well-swept stone surface. She saw that they were playing poker and had to suppress the Officer impulse of laying into them.

"What is your business here…Nightwalker?" one of the guards with a thick, black handlebar mustache demanded as he stood up from the table.

Tatsuki noted a rope of gold-dyed silk attached to the shoulder flaps on his jacket that draped across his chest. Since none of the other Arrancars wore that, she guessed that he was some kind of officer.

She could tell that he was uncertain of what he should refer to her as and took that last part of him trying to ascertain if she was a native of Las Noches or someone from outside. She looked at the other guards and could only roll her eyes in disgust as the officer looked around to make sure that the gate had not somehow swung open without him noticing.

So far I would say that the Arrancars pose very little threat, Tatsuki thought, inwardly moaning. And something tells me that this gate isn't exactly secure. They should really think about getting a crossbar or some kind of lock installed.

"We want to leave the city. Why else would we be coming to the gate?" Tatsuki declared.

She knew that her tone was more condescending than she intended, but she didn't care. She watched the officer bristle when his men snickered. She wanted to join them as well. This Arrancar was, without question, one of the most pathetic Officers she had ever seen.

"You…are nothing but an insolent whelp," the Officer said as he made for the sword that hung at his belt.

Ikkaku stepped forward and grinned at him. The Officer staggered backwards and fell on his ass. She thought for sure that the other guards would laugh at that, but they weren't laughing. They were glaring at Ikkaku. She saw that their hands were drifting to the swords.

And they're still sitting at the table, Tatsuki thought slightly annoyed.

"There…there is a toll for Outsiders to enter Las Noches," the Gate Officer huffed as he got to his feet and regained his composure.

"Well it's a good thing we're not entering Las Noches. We're leaving Las Noches," Tatsuki pointed out. "Is there a toll for that?"

He scowled at her and then looked at Ikkaku who only looked bored now.

"Open the gate. Let's get these pieces of The Night out of the King's City," he barked.

His men got to their feet and hopped off the patio to vanish as they went into Sonído. Tatsuki was still able to follow them as blurs and watched as they vanished into a segment of the wall. She wondered if it led into some kind of control room.

She felt someone tugging at her sleeve. She turned and saw Nemu's too pale face too close for comfort.

"What is it now?"

Nemu pointed to the ground just under their feet.

"I am detecting faint Reiatsu underground. I believe it is those Arrancar children from before."

Tatsuki scowled and stepped away from the group. She looked down at the ground.

"ALRIGHT, YOU RUNTS, GET OUT HERE BEFORE I CERO THE SANDS!" she shouted.

The Officer was about to protest, but immediately fell silent when he saw that she was beginning to gather a Cero. It was a lot easier than the last time to get them to obey. She wasn't sure if it was because of where they were or because she was extremely pissed-off. Either way, her demand had the desired effect. The Fangs popped out of the ground like gophers and she allowed the gathering energy to disperse.

"Officer, I believe that this pack of fools was trying to sneak out with us. Dare I hope that it's against the rules?"

The officer frowned and tugged at his mustache. There was a great clicking noise followed by an extremely loud screeching noise as the left door began to lethargically swing outward.

"Gyah, when was the last time they oiled that thing?" Ikkaku griped.

Hanataro covered his ears.

Tatsuki only ignored it. Instead, she walked among the Fangs and noticed the packs they wore. Disapproval mounted when she saw Lysander glaring at her in childish defiance. She sighed as she continued to walk among the Fangs until she found the one she was looking for with her ears shoulder deep in sand, again.

"You're Gracia, right? Do you like burying yourself?" Tatsuki deadpanned.

The blue-haired Arrancar girl cringed under the attention and nodded her head.

"I…I'm a…a good digger," she offered lamely.

There was a loud booming sound and they both looked to see that the gate was open. Tatsuki looked back at Gracia who looked up at her.

"I peg you as a smart one. So be smart. Don't let these idiots get you killed."

Tatsuki went into Sonído and whisked out of sight. The rest of her party followed. They were now heading back out into the endless night beyond.

Gracia

Gracia watched the strong adults vanish and swallowed hard. It felt as though she had swallowed sand. She wanted to obey what the woman had told her. All of her lessons and instincts told her that this was a bad idea. But if she brought that up the others would always call her "Mayuri" and she didn't want to be labeled a "Mayuri."

"Well kids," the Officer said. "If you want to go out, you need to pay up. You know the rules. Outsiders pay to come in and Insiders pay to go out." He tugged at his mustache. "So, what do you have to give me?"

Lysander smiled as he opened his bag and started taking out items they had taken from one of Davos's storehouses.

She watched as the officer examined the items, weighing the value of the bribe. She hoped that they hadn't brought enough for all of them to leave. If that was the case, then she could volunteer to stay.

They couldn't call her a "Mayuri" for that. Could they?

The Road to Octavia

Tatsuki looked at the map that Starrk drew for her again and looked behind her scowling. She was surprised that she could still see the top of the great dome of Las Noches in the distance. Of course she had heard from the guys and Rukia about how they never seemed to get closer to the damn thing. But hearing about it and actually seeing it were two completely different things.

The hardest thing was to make sure that they were heading in the right direction. Starrk hadn't even thought of giving them a compass and there were no stars in the sky that they could use. Las Noches might as well be the equivalent to the North Star or the Southern Cross in this world. It was another bizarre twist for them in Hueco Mundo and most likely it would be far from the last.

"So…are we still going in the right direction?" Ikkaku asked.

"Do I look like a walking compass to you?" Tatsuki asked, clearly irritated. "Nemu, what do you think?"

"We are still heading in a north-easterly direction. According to the map that Coyote Starrk gave us, Octavia is that way." Nemu pointed slightly to their right.

How does she do that?

Tatsuki looked in the direction that Nemu was pointing. But she could only see more sand with a series of jagged peaks rising in the distance. She looked at the map again and sighed.

Question: Why couldn't he have drawn geographical features as well? Answer: BECAUSE HE'S SO CHAPPY-DAMNED LAZY!

"Let's go," Tatsuki sighed.

The journey passed as it had for…well, however long it had been since they left Las Noches. Tatsuki found the constant moon annoying since she was not able to tell how many times they went into Sonído or how long they walked. All that they had to go by to tell time were their stomachs and their feet. When their stomachs began to rumble or their feet got sore, they would stop to rest until they were properly refreshed. Then, they would continue their boring journey with nothing but sand and the night sky around them.

There was a reason why the Arrancars in Las Noches called it "The Night", singular. It was a night that seemed to stretch on forever, without ending or interval. It struck Tatsuki in some way that she wasn't sure of.

But now they had mountains in front of them. It was a welcome sight to have something else to look at, but once the novelty had worn off, the mountains were just as boring as the sands. Well…not quite as boring. It was at least visible proof they were actually getting somewhere. After another three or four rests, they saw the faint glow coming from the base of the mountains.

"Hey, there's light," Ikkaku said.

"I can see that," Tatsuki replied.

Under normal circumstances she would have been annoyed with Ikkaku for pointing out the obvious. But the light was a welcome sight for her. It reminded her of…

"Sweet Chappy," she whispered. "I know that kind of glow. It's light pollution. That means…no…no…that's…how can that be possible?"

She saw that Hanataro looked a little nervous at the prospect of what they would encounter at whatever laid at the base of those mountains. Ikkaku looked slightly interested and she hoped that he wasn't thinking of ways to make trouble for them. Nemu…was just being Nemu.

What are you thinking about? What's going on behind that calm veneer you always wear?

Tatsuki knew that it was horrible to have such thoughts. But she was a member of Squad 2. Squad 2's duties included being bastards so that others didn't have to.

"Commander, the light is from the direction we want to take. I can deduce that it is most likely from Octavia. Furthermore it would be safe to assume Octavia is a city," Nemu reported.

"Thanks, Nemu, but I kind of deduced that myself," Tatsuki said, rolling her eyes. "Well, let's see what we can find."

They travelled by Sonído for the rest of the way. Tatsuki could not help but notice how tiring using Sonído was. She understood that it was akin to the Soul Reaper flash-step, but even after a time flash-step got tiring. And like flash-step, a single Sonído only went a limited distance.

They had to take another two rests before they reached their destination. Despite the awe that Tatsuki felt when she first saw the dying glory of Las Noches, she was not prepared for the forbidding sight that greeted them. In Las Noches, there had been sorrow and the mixture of power and decay that one might find in an ancient warrior's house. But power hung about this place like thick smog. She had to fight the urge to hold her breath.

Before them was a deep ditch, encased in concrete with a wall made of panels of a metal that looked like black iron rising on the other side. Looking up, they could see the lights hanging over the wall. But these weren't like the strips of phosphorescent mineral in Las Noches. These were electrical.

"They have electricity," Tatsuki whispered. "How could they have electricity?"

That's just great. Kisuke must have been busier than I originally thought. I may just have to rip his balls off for this. Then I'll have to take him to the Fourth to get them put back on. Otherwise, Yoruichi would kill me.

Tatsuki sighed and looked at the wall. She shook her head in disgust.

Well, at least it's not white.

"Come on. Let's see if we can find a way in," she commanded.

They hadn't been following the wall too long before they saw the group of Arrancars approaching the walled city. Even though she couldn't comprehend what she was seeing, Tatsuki kept a wary eye on them. Ikkaku's hand reached to the hilt of the Zanpakuto that hung by his side. Hanataro looked nervous. Nemu…was still being Nemu.

She counted roughly ten Arrancars on foot, six of whom were carrying three sedan chairs. Another two sat on a cart that was being driven by a pair of horse-sized Hollows. What surprised Tatsuki was the way that they were dressed. She had expected that some of them would be dressed in the Arrancar uniforms that Aizen provided. But these were dressed in tailored Hollow hides that had been dyed dark blue and they wore something golden around their necks that looked like gorgets.

One of the Arrancars noticed them and watched them intently as they approached the city.

"Don't try anything, Madarame," Tatsuki whispered. "If they come here, remember to address me as 'Eurydice' and Nemu as 'Judea.' Got it?"

"Yeah, I got it," Ikkaku replied.

The Arrancar dressed in dark blue must have decided that they were not a threat. He turned to return to the rest of his group who were making their way closer to the city. Despite the lack of communication she felt as though she had been insulted.

"Well, what now?" Hanataro asked.

"We follow them," Tatsuki said as she watched the band of Arrancars. "They seem to know where the entrance is. And we don't."

"That is the most logical course of action," Nemu said.

"Alright then," Tatsuki sighed. "Let's play Follow-the-Leader."

They followed the party close enough to see them, but not too close to where they may be viewed as a threat. She used the modified Pesquisa that the Gigai was able to incorporate in order to feel-out the Arrancars in the group. From what she sensed, one of the Arrancars in the chairs could be classified as Espada-level.

She knew that she would have had an easier time trailing them if she didn't have Ikkaku or Hanataro to worry about.

Damn it. I knew I should have grilled those kids on how to do that gopher trick.

But she figured that it was probably better this way in case the walls had eyes that she could not see.

"Remember," Sui-Feng had told her. "When your instincts are telling you that you're being watched, then you're being watched."

She looked at the wall and thought she saw a slight hint of movement from near the top.

Surveillance cameras, she thought and frowned. So we are being watched. But where did they get cameras? Are they dealing with someone other than Kisuke? I know he's irresponsible, but even he would draw the line somewhere.

She felt a chill run up her spine. The mere thought that perhaps the Arrancars had other benefactors than Kisuke was troubling. Then she remembered Hanataro's account. Was it possible that this "Capo" was the one providing these Arrancars with things like surveillance cameras?

"Commander, we're almost there," Nemu whispered.

Tatsuki looked ahead and saw the cable-stayed bridge loom up ahead. The design reminded her of a picture she had seen of the Sundial Bridge in the former United States. The tower was made of a more silver-like metal, but it cast and eerie aquamarine glow. When they got closer to the front of it, she saw that the bridge's surface cast the same glow from that strange metal, but it had the transparency of frosted glass.

Tatsuki was nervous when she set foot on it, despite the ditch below only being 20 feet deep.

"This is rather intriguing," Nemu said in her monotone voice. "This bridge alone is an achievement in not only artistic style but also in scientific and mathematical principals."

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," Tatsuki nearly snarled.

Nemu glanced at her, but otherwise made no reply.

Tatsuki was glad for the brass rails with the panels of glass. That way she could have something to hold onto in case the bridge gave way. She was relieved when her feet touched something that didn't look as though it would shatter at a moment's notice.

"Next," a stern voice said.

Tatsuki looked up and saw what she could only describe as the most handsome man she had ever encountered. She felt slightly weak in the knees seeing this muscular god before her. She looked at how his black-and-green coat hung tightly to his chest and shoulders, as though to high-light his perfectly chiseled torso.

His abs and chest must be as hard as that iron gorget, she thought. She was shocked at the realization of what she had been thinking. Damn it, girl. Pull yourself together. You're on a mission. Don't turn into some idiotic school girl looking at the boys as they do weight-training exercises. Wait a minute. I WASN'T EVEN LIKE THAT WHEN I WAS A SCHOOL GIRL!

She looked at the Arrancar again and suddenly found herself wondering what he looked like bare-chested. She shook her head more forcefully. This was not the time to be thinking about such nonsense. Then she saw that Ikkaku was looking at a female dressed in the same uniform in the same way she must have been looking at this male. She saw that Hanataro was looking at her with sideways glances while also trying to make himself as small as possible to avoid her stern gaze.

This isn't good. Damn it, why are they so…so…perfect?

"What is your business in Octavia?" the man asked.

"I…I…well, we're here to…to…to visit?" Tatsuki stammered.

NO! DAMN IT, GIRL! YOU'RE SOUNDING LIKE SOME STUTTERING IDIOT!

"Where did you come from?"

"Uh…well, we came from…from…Las Noches?"

"I see," the man said under his breath as he wrote something in a ledger. "How many are in your party?"

"F-f-four."

"Do you have family outside of Octavia?"

"Y-y-yes."

That's a strange question to ask.

"Are you here to buy or sell?"

"T-t-to look around."

Wait a minute. I thought you already asked something similar.

As the questions continued, Tatsuki began to become less-and-less infatuated with the man's beauty and more on the questions. Focusing on their irritated voices, she was able to detach from that lust-fueled haze. Tatsuki remembered Starrk's warning about these people. It was true that they weren't very friendly. In fact, they reminded her of the videos she had seen of the Enforcers who worked for the big businesses that controlled the politicians in the Pax Americana Party that used to run Constitutional America. But what was it about them that they had to be wary of?

"You have received clearance to enter," the guard said. "Please limit your access to areas open to the general Outsider public."

"Uh…thanks," Tatsuki murmured as she noticed the symbol engraved on the iron gorget.

Hmm, I wonder what that means. Is it some kind of symbol of rank?

She decided that it didn't really matter and gestured for the others to follow. Nemu seemed to not have been affected by the Arrancar's god-like image, which was no big surprise. Hanataro was eager to get away from the harshly beautiful Arrancar woman. Ikkaku, however, had to be dragged away.

Tatsuki looked at the area that was just beyond the main archway. She saw another bridge, like the one they had crossed, ahead of them. This one an arc made bronze on their side, its bronze gates were open. She looked at the triangle in the center of the arc. She wondered what it signified, and had a nagging sense that she had seen it before.

The buildings in this area were composed of harsh angles. Metal and glass rose on either side of the roadway. The sounds of hammering could be heard ringing through the air.

Smoke and tongues of fire rose into the air from the tall stacks that came from buildings that must be used for manufacturing or melting ore into metal beams or sheets. Every building here had signs of being used for some kind of industry.

Is this a…a manufacturing district? Better watch out Hawks, the Arrancars have actually pulled ahead of the Soul Society in something.

She looked around and saw the inhabitants and gasped.

On second thought, make that two somethings.

She could not help but ogle at the man dressed in a rather form-flattering jumpsuit and a bronze collar with a triangle etched into it. If she thought that the guard was handsome, this one was absolutely gorgeous.

DAMN! HE'S SO FRICKIN' HOT! I'M TALKING SUPERMODEL HOT HERE!

She had a difficult time looking away from him, but when she was able to look away she saw the other inhabitants who were going about their daily business. However, she noticed that they were all beautiful and muscularly proportionate. She watched as they wheeled carts filled with metal ore and then at the smiths who looked more suited for magazine covers than the Hollow hide aprons they wore and the hammers they used.

"What is this?" Ikkaku asked as he watched them. "Why do they all have those collars?"

Tatsuki didn't know how to respond to that. It was strange seeing how many of the people here were so gorgeous. It was as though GQ Magazine decided to do a photo-shoot of models dressed like construction workers and blacksmiths. Yet, she could tell that unlike those human models, these models actually knew what they were doing and were also really familiar with the operations behind each task. Everything that Tatsuki could see and hear spoke of these Arrancars actually being more efficient than Squad 2 in approaching a task.

The thing that troubled her was, despite the different hair colors and eyes and mask fragments, they all had the same awe-filled expression of contentment on their faces. It was as though they would rather be nowhere else but here.

She watched as two of these men meet and the way they greeted each other bothered her.

"Heil, Delta 75-3-8."

"Heil, Delta 74-6-3."

What…the…Hell? Numbers? Don't they have names?

As they went on, she saw more such meetings take place. The only thing that could come close to being a name was the term "Delta" that they used. It was all of the "Deltas" being thrown around that caused her to realize what the triangle was. It was the Greek letter, Delta.

She looked at the gateway on the other side of bridge. That arc was made of iron, like the guards' gorgets, and it had a Γ on it, just like the gorgets. She had a feeling that it was the Greek letter Gamma.

Next will be Beta and then Alpha, she thought as she remembered a book she was forced to read in high school for English Literature. So…does that make us Epsilons or Savages?

She refrained from glancing back to the main gate to make sure it was still open.

The buildings in the next ring looked more like traditional military barracks. It was an oddly reassuring sight for Tatsuki and she could tell that Ikkaku was feeling the same way. Hanataro only looked nervous at this area as though all of Squad 11 would come waltzing through those barracks and chase him down as soon as they saw him.

The barracks were low-lying and uniform in their construction and lay-out. She looked at the Arrancars and saw that they could all be stunt-doubles for any of the idealistic military heroes throughout the ages. There were men with square jaws and out-thrust chins and bulging biceps. There were women with smooth, heart-shaped faces and well-toned muscles and strong curves. Those in the practice yards were bare-chested, even the women were bare-chested. Tatsuki felt her face go red and saw Hanataro's and Ikkaku's faces were red as well. Seeing them reminded her of seeing Nemu practice in her new Gigai for the first time.

They're all so…so perfect, she thought. She looked down at herself and felt her relatively normal-sized breasts and looked at the larger breasts on many of the female Arrancars. DAMN IT! THEY'RE MAKING ME SO FUCKING SELF-CONSCIOUS!

Leaving the Gamma area, they came to the Betas. The arc leading to this area was silver.

Huh…that's interesting, Tatsuki thought as she looked at the arches they had already passed under. They have bronze for Delta, iron for Gamma and silver for Beta. I see. Each district is divided not just by their corresponding letter, but also a metal. That means that the Alphas will have gold. There's no question about that. Alphas always get gold.

She looked around and saw that the buildings here looked more like the type of buildings her father and mother worked in: office buildings. As in the other sections, the Octavians here were extremely beautiful, but their beauty was more refined, even restrained. They seemed to prefer business suits that were tailored for elegance. They exuded an air of professionalism and perfectionism that was off-putting as the others hadn't been. She looked at the ornate silver Β on the left breast of their suit jackets.

Then she noticed that some of the Betas were dressed differently. Some of them were dressed more like lab assistants. Their lab coats also had a silver Β on them. These Betas, unlike the Suit Betas, seemed to have a far more elegant look to them.

But whether they were Suit Betas or Assistant Betas, they all seemed to glide as they moved. The Suit Betas made their way to their stalls and shops while the Assistant Betas made their way across the last bridge and through the golden archway.

Vendors lined the streets selling goods made of metal or clothing or various foods. Tatsuki was surprised that instead of using coins or any kind of currency, they were using a bartering system. She watched in curiosity as one traveler sold a pair of Hollow skin gloves for a cutting knife. She saw another trade a young male Arrancar for a coat made of Hollow hide and some kind of fur.

"So…how are we supposed to buy anything?" Ikkaku asked as he frowned. "And where are the prices?"

"I think that the inhabitants of this city look down on something like copper coins or plastic cards," Tatsuki said in a low whisper. "I think they would rather sell something of use in exchange for something of use, and the same goes for luxury items."

She watched as one of the Arrancars in the band they had seen exchange a bottle of whiskey for a bottle of perfume. The Arrancar turned slightly and she recognized him as the one who had noticed them.

"So," he said as he approached them. "I was right. You were nothing more than mere travelers come to gawk."

She looked at the gold gorget he wore and saw that it was engraved with a skull wearing a crown of vines. Twin rubies shone from the sockets. There were no Greek symbols though.

As he got closer, Ikkaku reached for his sword and the Arrancar stopped and frowned at him.

"It would appear as though one of your fellow travelers is not so well-behaved. Don't worry, little Panteran, I wouldn't waste my time on such as you."

"What do you mean by 'Panteran'?" Ikkaku demanded.

Clearly he thought that he had been insulted. When Tatsuki saw the smug look on the Arrancar's face, she understood that Ikkaku was right. He had been insulted. But just what "Panteran" meant, she could not say.

Are they another group of Arrancars?

But that didn't matter right now. What mattered now was that she had to stop Ikkaku before he did something rash. She had a feeling that causing a scene here would have serious consequences.

"Madarame," she said, "that's enough. There's no need to cause any trouble here."

Ikkaku muttered something under his breath, but he took his hands off his sword.

"He's actually named 'Madarame'?" the man asked and then burst out laughing. "Surely you jest! Why would anyone want to name their spawn after that fool who was defeated by King Poww, First of Name and First True Godking of the Great City of Luisenbarn?"

Tatsuki was confused with what this Arrancar was saying, but she began to analyze it anyways. She could tell that some important information had been shared. For one, she now knew that there were other cities. Two, Poww had founded one that was now named 'Luisenbarn', obviously in honor of his former master.

Ikkaku, however, only cared about being called "that fool."

"What did you say about my name?" he growled.

She was relieved that he still remembered that he wasn't supposed to be that Ikkaku Madarame.

The Arrancar in dark blue smiled a bully's smile.

"Well, I suppose your pet Panteran is either deaf or too stupid, like the rest of his Tribe. What about you? You don't seem to be a blood-thirsty fool. Are you a Triple then?"

Am I a…what? What does he mean by "Triple"? Tch…he's probably asking if I'm a triple-D cup or something pervy like that.

"No es exacto, you're not a Triple, judging by that blank look on your face. And you lack a veil. But I suppose that could be explained by exile. Wait. I know. You're from Las Noches. Exacta! That must be it. All of your kind has the same look. They spend all of their time being dazed by The Day that they forget the grandeur of The Night."

"Uh…yeah…yeah…I'm form Las Noches," Tatsuki said, thinking that he wouldn't press any farther. Sure enough he nodded his head, clearly congratulating himself.

"And your two other companions? I'm guessing that the solemn one is a Voider while that scared little rabbit over there…definitely Las Noches," he sneered as he looked at Hanataro as though he was nothing more than a disgusting insect.

Tatsuki's head whirled with the information that she had received.

"I…do not know where my other companion was from. But you're right about me and my young companion. We are from Las Noches."

"Exacta. I can always tell these things. Well then, we are well-met young Primeran. I am Machiavelli Carias, Generale Della Guardia Reale for Godking Benvolio, First of his Name and Tenth True Godking of the Great City of Luisenbarn."

Did he say his last name is Carias? Does that mean he's related to Findor Carias, one of the signatories of the Gobi Treaty? And did he refer to this Benvolio as the "Tenth True Godking"? I guess that means that Poww's dead.

"More like Chief Prick," Ikkaku muttered under his breath.

If Machiavelli heard, he gave no sign. Instead he gave Tatsuki a bow.

"And would you honor me with your name?"

"I'm Eurydice del la Rosa," she answered.

I'm sure Chad wouldn't mind, she thought.

"A fair name for such a fair maid," Machiavelli said. "So, why did you come here? Perhaps I can be of assistance."

"I'm searching for some friends of mine who wandered into The Night," Tatsuki replied easily enough. She was glad that she kept what Hanataro overheard in mind. "They heard The Night's Song and went wandering. A friend of mine is worried about one of them and would have gone with us but he's a Privaron."

"Exacta. Say no more. Those from The Day become tired of it, only to see that the rest of Hueco Mundo is not as…kind."

"Perhaps you can help us then. One of them has black hair with a white streak and she's my friend's beloved. He asked me to find her in order to bring her home."

"Tell me. If I answer you, what do you have to trade with?"

"What?"

"I may be the Generale Della Guardia Reale, but I have spent enough time in Octavia to know better than give anything for free. If you asked any of the Betas here, they would only ask you what you have to sell and when you gave them something useful, they would only reply that they know nothing about your friend. If you asked a Gamma, they would ignore you and the same holds true for the Deltas."

"But you're not an Octavian," Tatsuki growled at him.

"That's true. I am a noble of Luisenbarn. I am far above these merchants and tinkers. But it doesn't mean that I have to answer without receiving some kind of payment," he answered smugly.

Tatsuki wondered if he really was a soldier or just a useless politician.

"How about we do it this way? You answer me and I won't mess up your pretty little face."

Machiavelli's smile faded. He was about to say something when he saw the look in Tatsuki's eyes. Instead he cleared his throat.

"Well…there may be some fire yet in the Primerans," he whispered and then sighed. "Fine, I'll tell you what I know and that is nothing. However, in all likelihood, the Director or one of the Alpha supervisors may know something. If your friend came this way, they would have been caught on the cameras."

So those walls did have eyes, Tatsuki thought. I knew it.

"But I should warn you. Getting to see any Alpha is nearly impossible without paying a very high price. And they name the price. You don't get any say in the matter and they always set a steep price that only becomes steeper the deeper you go."

"Thank you. And as your reward…I won't mess up your face."

Machiavelli's smile returned and he gave a slight bow.

"I'm afraid that I'm not at liberty to continue our palaver, as enjoyable a dance partner as you are Lady Rosa. Godking Benvolio has most likely finished his business with the Director by now. And he has planned to attend the auction as well."

"What auction?"

"I'm not surprised by your ignorance. Those dazed by The Day are almost always ignorant of the activities of The Night. You're fortunate that the auction is open to anybody. It's the only time that the Golden Gate is opened to any Outsider without requiring an appointment with the Maestro or the Director. If you want, you may accompany me."

Machiavelli put his right hand under Tatsuki's chin and tilted it even more.

"What are you doing?"

Alright buddy, you're only a few seconds away before I decide to mess up your pretty face anyways.

"I'm merely examining you. Hmm, you may make a good mate, but…no es exacto. You're not my type. I prefer someone who is willing to obey and you…you have too much fire. You are one to command; not be commanded," he sighed as he pulled his hand back.

Tatsuki felt rather annoyed at that. One moment he was hitting on her and the next he was dismissing her. But she was flattered that he said that she had "too much fire."

Oh, you have no idea just how much fire this Dragon can unleash, Blondie. Too bad you failed to notice the quills of the Porcupine as well.

Machiavelli gave a slight smirk and he turned to walk across the bridge. Tatsuki shook her head.

"He seemed nice," Ikkaku said smugly. Tatsuki did not fail to notice the smirk on his face.

"He was being an asshole. Wipe that smirk off your face, Madarame, before I decide to wipe it off for you."

"I'd like to see you try to burn it off with all that commanding fire you have, 'Lady Rosa.'"

"How about I stick a few of my quills into you instead? Then you won't feel like smirking."

Ikkaku only gave a soft chuckle and shook his head.

"Commander, should we attend this auction?" Hanataro asked.

"Why should we? We're here to look for Rukia and the others, or at least someone who has seen them."

"Then perhaps we should attend this auction," Nemu said. "There is a possibility that a high-ranking Alpha will be in attendance as the event seems quite important."

"You have something planned, don't you?" Tatsuki asked, half-joking and half-serious.

Nemu didn't answer.

The Alpha District

The first thing that Tatsuki noticed when she passed through the Golden Gate was the oppressive sensation. This was the smallest ring, the inner circle of the spider's web.

A chill ran up her spine when saw the various metal sculptures that lined the walkway leading to the central tower. The combination of harsh angles and smooth curves reminded her too much of the perfect bodies that the Octavians possessed. Yet the Octavians were as cold and lifeless as the metal sculptures.

She had thought that the Alphas would only be about the same as the other Octavian classes, but she was wrong. For her, they were much worse.

The Alphas were the pinnacle of physical allure. They were the perfect blend of masculine and feminine and she could tell that their levels of intelligence would be off the charts in the World of the Living. And yet, Tatsuki noticed that they tended to take their desire for physical beauty into the realm of the gaudy. Some of them had powdered faces and others dyed their hair in shades of just about every color she could think of. Others painted designs of pink and violet around their eyes.

It was as though they decided to make a parody of their own beauty. Or perhaps they had become so accustomed to near perfection that they could take no real pleasure in it and thus turned to the bizarre.

Their clothing was made of various synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon in dark colors with embroidery of geometric shapes in gold and white.

"I don't know whether to be intrigued or repulsed with them," Ikkaku muttered.

"Don't stare," Tatsuki whispered. "I don't think they like it, and make sure to follow the flow of the other Earthlings."

Ikkaku gave her a confused look. She only shrugged. She had thought that the Octavians were angels and that somehow made her think of a story she had read long ago by an American author named Ray Bradbury. She couldn't help but think of that story now.

"Mars is heaven," she whispered and shuddered.

It didn't take long before they were ushered into a court-like area.

There was a platform that seemed to be made of marble on the far end and box seats and balconies protruded from the sides. There was a smaller marble platform off to the side with a small door just behind it. She could make out two small gates on the left and right sides of the large platform.

Hanataro looked at the Alphas and couldn't help but notice the look of constant disgust on their faces. It reminded him too much of how many of the other Squads looked whenever anyone from Squad 4 was around. He was slightly relieved that at least the other team members were also being looked at in disgust.

"Tch…what a bunch of stuck-up assholes," Ikkaku muttered.

Now you know how I feel, Hanataro thought with a certain amount of satisfaction. A feeling of guilt came over him just from that thought. I shouldn't enjoy seeing Ikkaku have to suffer those same looks I have to endure. If I did, then I would be no better than those who always make fun of me and push me around. I should be a better man than that. It may be a thankless job being the better man, but as Captain Unohana tells us, it's the better way.

Hanataro saw other Arrancars come filing in. Some of them looked anxious about something and some of the groups were already collecting items with some purpose in mind that he couldn't understand. He saw their frightened expressions and wondered what was being sold at this auction.

Tatsuki, however, was watching Nemu out of the corner of her eye. Ever since they had arrived at Octavia, Nemu had been her normal self. But Tatsuki felt that something was going on underneath that calm veneer. She didn't know what it was, and she didn't like not knowing.

"Remember, unknown variables can ruin even the most carefully thought-out plans," Sui-Feng had told her before sending her out on her first command. She didn't know what made her think of it, but when she looked at Nemu, Ikkaku, and Hanataro, she realized that they were all potential unknown variables.

And that includes me.

She shook that thought out of her mind. This was not the time to worry about something going wrong. This was the time to see if any of them had information on Rukia's team.

"What should we do, Eurydice?" Hanataro asked.

Well, it's good to know that you can at least keep focused on the task at hand, Tatsuki thought.

"I want you to listen in on some of the conversations. If anyone has heard anything about a group of Arrancars passing through, listen to them and try your best to get more information and try your best to get more information. We must…"

She was interrupted by the sounding of a gong. Then, an all-too familiar voice cried out.

"ALL HAIL THE ARRIVAL OF GODKING BENVOLIO, FIRST OF HIS NAME AND TENTH TRUE GODKING OF THE GREAT CITY OF LUISENBARN," Machiavelli Carias shouted. "ALL HAIL THE ANNOINTED HEIR OF GOD-EMPEROR BARAGGAN LUISENBARN'S LANDS AND TITLES. HE SHALL REIGN WITHOUT END!"

Tatsuki looked to where Machiavelli stood in a balcony above them. An ornate chair was set a little back from the edge. The Alphas didn't seem to care, but they bowed slightly in respect to the Godking Benvolio. Tatsuki looked at the Godking and knew that this man was not someone to be trifled with.

He was relatively tall. His broad shoulders and chest made him look imposing. She noticed the purple cloak with white trim that was draped on those shoulders and was fastened by a gold chain. The white uniform and the iron gorget with gold gilding fastened around his neck gave him the look of being a militant monarch. His left hand rested on the pommel of the sword that hung at his side from a belt that appeared to be made of many pieces of bone cut into diamonds from two chains made of links of gold and iron.

Then her attention was drawn to his clean-shaven face. She had expected for kings dressed in this fashion to be scowling or giving a cold smile, but he only looked bored. It was as though he didn't care about the pomp that was being given him by his Generale Della Guardia Reale who was now rambling about Benvolio's accomplishments and the number of enemies he defeated and his "Divine leadership." She looked at the laurel made of hammered sheets of gold and steel with emeralds embedded in places that sat over his closely-cropped dirty blonde hair.

He looks like a real king, Tatsuki thought in awe.

When Machiavelli had finished his speech about how great Benvolio was, the Godking simply nodded and sat down in the chair while Machiavelli stood by his side. This seemed to dismiss everyone from having to pay attention to the Espada-class Godking. Murmured discussions resumed.

There was another sound of the gong and Tatsuki saw a tall, angelic Beta dressed in a black nylon coat with strips of purple polyester running down the sleeves stride onto the stage.

"Welcome, welcome," he said the voice of a naturally-bred auctioneer. "Welcome to the Auction. On behalf of Octavia's Beta Mercantile Guild, I would like to express gratitude to the heads of the Alpha Leadership for permitting us to hold this special auction here at the base of the Creator's Tower.

"Now, let us begin. BRING OUT THE FIRST BATCH!"

Tatsuki gasped when she saw a group of Gammas leading a line of Arrancars wearing nothing but collars and chains being brought forward. The expressions on their faces were those of terror or hopelessness. They were trying to cover themselves, but the shackles made it nearly impossible.

Oh gods, this is a slave auction, Tatsuki realized in horror.

"EDWARD! EDWARD!" one of the female Arrancars shouted frantically. She was rather pretty with silvery hair and green eyes. Her mask fragment was like an ornate comb stuck in the left side of her hair.

One of the males, who Tatsuki saw was rather plain-looking, with jet-black hair and gray eyes, looked at her.

"LYANNA!" he shouted. "LYANNA! YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE COME!"

"Now, now, the Product does not speak or else it'll get sent to the Kennels," the Auctioneer said. "If it speaks again, it'll be the Kennels and the Alphas."

Edward seemed frightened at that.

"PLEASE, LET HIM COME HOME!"

"Only if you buy him," the Auctioneer said, smiling at the woman. "Tell me, what would you like to bid for him?"

Bastards, they're all bastards, Tatsuki thought as she saw the looks of amusement on the faces of the Alphas and the Beta Auctioneer. There were many in the crowd who looked at her with haughtiness of those who know they have an advantage over others. Even those who looked at Lyanna with some kind of sympathy did nothing to act on it. Lyanna tried to speak, but her lips were trembling and she could only look down.

"Aw, too bad," the Auctioneer said, his smile becoming even wider.

"For those who would like to purchase any in this stock, please step forward and examine them."

There was little movement. Only a few Arrancars stepped forward and up the steps leading to the stage to examine the line of Arrancars. They felt their bodies, squeezing buttocks, stroking at the torsos and arms. One even squeezed the genitals of one male Arrancar. They looked at the teeth and eyes and mask fragments. Some only shook their heads and returned to their places. Three remained to talk to the Auctioneer as though placing an order.

The Auctioneer nodded and grinned as he waved over a couple of the Gammas. He gestured to some of the Arrancars, including the one named Edward.

"Those ones are to be bid on. Take the other products to the Kennels until the Alphas are ready for them."

The Gammas gave their salute by pounding their right hands over their chests and then giving the Roman salute. They marched over to the Arrancars who were pointed out and unhooked their collars from the chain. Another Gamma came over and led the other Arrancars, who were screaming and crying and pleading for mercy, away.

"Now, we shall start the bidding with this young lady here."

A Gamma dragged a young Arrancar female forward. She tried to cover herself despite the shackles, but the Gamma held her arms back.

"It is such a fine specimen is it not? Notice the firmness of the breasts and the toned muscles in the legs and arm. The hands are not soft, which means that she has experience doing work. The starting price for this dainty dish is two Hollow hides."

"FIVE HOLLOW HIDES!" an Arrancar with bushy black sideburns shouted.

"SIX POUNDS OF IRON ORE!" another shouted.

"FOUR HOLLOW HIDES AND TWO KNIVES!"

As the bidding progressed, Tatsuki felt even more ill. She wondered what these Arrancars did to deserve being brought here to be sold or used for some other purpose. She watched as the Arrancar named Edward was brought forward. The bidding was fierce with the female, who was either a family-member or a lover to him, tried to outbid the other Arrancars for him. Many of the bidding Arrancars laughed at her plight and shouted mock-encouragements for her to increase her price. Some even made suggestions of what to bid.

However, the bidding ended when Edward was sold to a honey-skinned female with fiery red hair dressed in semi-transparent sky blue silk and was being attended to by a group of male Arrancars wearing silver collars around their necks.

"Thank you, Lady Aphrodite Van Harr," the Auctioneer said and bowed.

"EDWARD!" Lyanna cried out as the auction for Edward closed. Tatsuki doubted she had really been in the running since it started.

"Enough, Lyanna, just…just go home. Forget me," he pleaded.

One of the Gammas hit him behind his knees, causing him to kneel.

"No talking," the Gamma stated monotonously.

"That's my property you're damaging. What happened to the Auction's standards?" Lady Aphrodite whined as she fanned herself.

"My apologies," the Auctioneer said with a salesman's hollow sympathy. "Is there any way that we can make it up to a favored customer?"

"Yes," Aphrodite said and looked at the sobbing Arrancar. She smiled a cruel smile and closed her fan and pointed it at her. "I'll take that one as well. It would amuse me to see what games I can play with these two."

"As you wish," the Auctioneer replied and smiled at the female Arrancar. "Gammas take that one and give her as a gift to Lady Aphrodite.

Edward cried out in horror and Tatsuki's eyes widened as the woman Sonídod.

No. She wasn't even for sale. How could they do that?

She came out with her sword drawn, knocking back people in the crowd. But Gammas appeared around her in a swarm, like hornets. Any chance that she had at going into Resurrección was lost as they pulled her sword away. One drove a syringe into her neck, shooting a black liquid into her.

Tatsuki knew that this was wrong and she wanted to interfere. Before she could make a move, Nemu put a hand on her trembling shoulder.

"I would suggest that you do not interfere," Nemu whispered. "It will do no good and this Lady Van Harr might decide to take you as well."

Tatsuki wanted to sink as the female tried to struggle against the Gammas, but her strength and Reiatsu seemed to lessen with each movement. She watched as the female was practically carried to where Lady Aphrodite Van Harr waited. The Gammas turned her over to the collared men attending Lady Aphrodite who stripped her down as they tenderly carried her to the palanquin until she was as naked as the Arrancars on auction.

One of the guards pulled out a steel collar and snapped it around her neck and attached a length of chain to the collar ring. The guard attached the other end to the palanquin. Down on her knees, Lyanna tugged at the collar weakly.

Edward was similarly strapped to the other side of the chair. Aphrodite smiled and reached down to pet Lyanna like a dog at her feet.

No…that's exactly what she's treating her like, Tatsuki thought with revulsion.

It must have been clear to Lyanna as well. As Lady Aphrodite stroked her head, she buried her face in her hands. She could only sob as her new master smiled down at her.

Tatsuki wondered what kind of games this bitch was thinking of. But based on how cold her smile was, Tatsuki thought that she didn't want to know.

This must be a common thing here, Tatsuki thought when she noticed how little attention the Arrancars paid to the spectacle.

"Stay close," Ikkaku told Hanataro who nodded numbly.

Tatsuki looked at Lyanna who was still sobbing. One moment she had been free and the next…she was in chains.

But how could something like that happen? Don't they know that someone might…?

Do you have any family outside of Octavia?

The voice of the guard at the gate filled her mind. She had thought that there was something odd about that question. Horror filled her mind as the realization struck her.

That's why he asked that question. They wanted to know if I had family out there. That way…they would know if anyone would notice if I never returned. And this…this poor girl must have answered "No."

Tatsuki felt the Dragon uncurling in her chest.

She watched as more batches of the future slaves were brought in and the Arrancar who supplied them being thanked for their contributions. She paid attention to the faces in case any of them matched the ones who were on Rukia's team. If there was, then she would try to bid, but she didn't know what they had of value except for the items they brought from the Seireitei and Las Noches.

She didn't know how much time had passed until the Auctioneer began to shout, glee filled his voice.

"AND NOW WE GET TO OUR MOST POPULAR…oh…" The Auctioneer fell silent. Tatsuki looked to see what was wrong, hoping that something serious had happened.

That was when she saw the Arrancar stepping forward. His closely-cropped gold hair was dyed pink at the temples. His silvery-blue eyes sparkled. The Auctioneer bowed and so did the Alphas. The Gammas saluted. She knew that this was someone very important.

I guess Nemu was right to suggest that we come here. Now, how are we going to get access to him?

"This is an honor, Director Narciss," the Auctioneer said in an awed voice from his deep bow.

"I'm merely here to see how the Epsilons turned out. Please, proceed."

Tatsuki watched as the Arrancar made his way towards her. She was not prepared for that. When he got closer, she felt herself go weak again just from his beauty. Then she felt that sense of being oppressed come on her again.

Don't trust the Octavians. They are not friends.

Tatsuki understood that she was looking at someone extremely dangerous and had to resist the urge to run.

"You must be the leader of this small group. You're from Las Noches, if I'm not mistaken."

Just how did you…? Of course, you were paying attention to us. But…why?

"That's right."

Director Dorian Narciss nodded.

"And how are things under Starrk's reign?"

"Very relaxing," Tatsuki huffed.

"And I'm sure very boring as well." He smiled at his own wit.

"AND NOW WE GET TO OUR MOST POPULAR ITEMS!" the Auctioneer shouted in glee. "I BRING YOU, MADE HERE IN OCTAVIA AND DESIGNED FOR BEYOND MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY, THE WORKER EPSILONS!"

Did he say, "Made here in Octavia"?

Tatsuki looked at the doors to the far-left of the platform as a small group of large, broad-shouldered, strong-looking Arrancars came out. However, they were not chained. And they did not look afraid or sad. They looked eager to be sold and do whatever was expected of them. They were less attractive than the Deltas and looked more like body builders with their extremely expanded muscles. Tatsuki noticed that they were carrying large metallic boulders under either arm.

There's no way those boulders are real, Tatsuki thought.

The large Arrancars allowed the boulders to drop. Tatsuki could swear that she could feel the ground quake when the boulders hit the ground at the base of the platform. Some of the Arrancars let out tiny cries. Tatsuki noticed that Dorian did not move, except to nod his head in approval.

"Please," the Auctioneer said, "would any of you care to try to move the boulders?"

The Alphas present only shook their heads as some of the stronger Arrancars walked forward to try. Only a couple of the Arrancars were able to even slightly move the boulders. Only one, an Arrancar with a face painted with blue patterns and wearing a stone medallion, could replicate the feat. This earned him cheers from his fellow blue-faced, medallion-wearing Arrancars. The Auctioneer only gave him a passing look of irritation as the Arrancar dropped the boulder back onto the ground.

Tatsuki watched in surprise as the giant Epsilons jumped from the platform and picked up their burdens with ease and jump back onto the platform as if it was the easiest thing in the world.

What are they? I could easily see Espada pulling this kind of crap, but they are nowhere near that level. They aren't even releasing.

"Well, it would seem that Formula Epsilon 5-86-Phi works," Dorian muttered under his breath as he took out a notebook and wrote something down.

Tatsuki took a quick peak at the notebook, but couldn't understand anything that was written in it since it was mostly numbers and Greek symbols. Dorian noticed that she was looking at the notebook and flicked it shut. She was impressed by his observation since she had been subtle about her glance. His face remained calm, but there was a slight flicker of amusement in his eyes.

"You should learn to be more courteous, Lady Primeran. It is impolite to try to read someone else's personal notes without asking permission."

"Sorry," Tatsuki muttered.

The bidding for these Epsilons took place shortly after the demonstration. Tatsuki was surprised that the starting price for one of these beasts was two live Hollows. The bidding came in hot and furious until all of these "Worker Epsilons" were sold. Tatsuki saw that Dorian did not betray any emotion as he jotted notes in his little book.

"NOW!" the Auctioneer shouted as he rubbed his hands together. "We come to it at last: one of our most popular products and one that is heavily on demand across The Night. As you know we here in Octavia strive for Perfection in all that we do and all that we produce."

Tatsuki saw hungry looks on the faces of many of the Arrancars. The Alphas among the group only looked at each other and nodded. That was when she noticed that they all had small notebooks.

"Let's see how much we can get from these," Dorian whispered.

"I am pleased to present to you: THE SEX EPSILONS!"

There were cheers and applauses at that. Tatsuki looked around and saw that both genders of Arrancars looked excited, except for Benvolio who only looked bored. She began to wonder if anything really got him excited.

As the applause died down, she could hear the slight tinkling sound of bells. Then they came out in a smooth and graceful procession. Tatsuki felt her face turn an extremely bright shade of red at what she saw. She felt something wet on her upper lip and suspected that her nose was bleeding.

She knew what men and women looked like naked, but even her experience in the public baths in the Seireitei had not prepared her for this display.

The creatures moved in an extremely slow and an extremely erotic dance that would have caused the most celibate monk to lose all control over their sexual desires. The bells that they wore around their hips and their wrists and ankles gave off a continuous rhythmic sound as they performed. She could catch some kind of sweet scent coming from them. Their perfect bodies were completely bare except for the transparent silk scarves of brightly colored yellowed and reds that they used as flirting tools.

Tatsuki looked over at Ikkaku and Hanataro. Hanataro had his eyes shut and his face was extremely red. Ikkaku looked as if he had been turned to stone and was hypnotized by the females' swaying hips. Tatsuki saw that Nemu…was just being Nemu.

How does she not have a sex drive?

Tatsuki looked back and her face became even redder as they began to demonstrate acrobatic feats that she had never thought possible before and poses so erotic that she could focus on nothing else but her own sexual arousal. The scarves were now being used to demonstrate the wildest and most arousing means of showing off their goods.

It was as though she had stumbled into a carnal fantasy.

She watched as the women thrust their perfectly firm breasts and buttocks at the crowd. Some began to finger their sex as though inviting anyone to dip into their honey pots. The males were sporting the types of erections that men could only boast about but never truly achieve, proud serpents looking for a hole to slither into. But they all looked as though they were eager to please anyone by any means possible.

She looked at the faces of the Arrancars and saw that they were entranced by this display. Some of them were even masturbating publicly. She turned away and looked at Benvolio who only looked slightly amused while, in contrast, Machiavelli looked as though he would like nothing more than to throw himself at them.

She knew what he was probably feeling. She looked at the hands of the females and the proud cocks of the males. She could imagine what they must feel like as they slid into her. She could feel her hormones raging and the wetness growing between her legs.

No…I mustn't…I mustn't…I…I…oh gods…I want them. I want them all so bad. I want them inside me. I want to feel their flesh under my fingers. I want to feel their caresses and their tongues and their mouths sucking at my nipples…I want…I want…I want…I…

"Ah, even Godking Benvolio is paying attention to them," Dorian observed. He leaned to Tatsuki. "So, which do you prefer?"

Tatsuki was brought out of her visions of being at the center of some majestic orgy with these beautiful creatures.

"Huh?" she asked, disoriented.

"Which do you prefer: the males or the females? Or would you prefer both?"

"I…I don't see…I don't see how that's any of your fucking business," Tatsuki snarled, trying to hide her embarrassment. She was starting to think more clearly again.

"I'll take that to mean 'Both,'" he remarked without a hint of mockery as he wrote it down in his notebook. It was as though he was thinking of it as nothing more than a mere survey on which brand of candy a person preferred.

Tatsuki blushed even deeper. She looked at the stage and one of them caught her eye. The female had burn orange hair, like Orihime. And like Orihime, her breasts were large, but they didn't have the slight sag to them.

Damn it, Tatsuki. Get a hold of yourself.

Then she saw that the Sex Epsilons were now going out among the potential buyers. The Alphas observed as if they were watching some kind of experiment.

Tatsuki saw the female with the burnt orange hair approach her and swallowed. She barely felt the hands caressing her and the soft, honey voice whispering in her ear.

"What do you want me to do, Mistress? I can do anything you like," the Epsilon whispered leaning into her.

"Can you be my friend?" Tatsuki asked in a low whisper, unaware that she had even asked it.

"I can be anything you want me to be. I am an Epsilon. We excel in being what you want us to be."

She felt soft fingers touching her and caressing her. Her body seemed to quiver with pleasure. For a brief moment, Tatsuki wanted those fingers to keep stroking her and thought of areas where those fingers could go.

The question and the answer kept her from sinking as she tilted the face up to see up close.

She was horrified that such thoughts had actually entered her mind and yet that primordial beast wanted to be satisfied. She wanted to whisper to the girl to do things to her so that she would be satisfied beyond any of her wildest, wettest dreams had allowed. Then she looked into those eyes, and saw only the desire to please and nothing else.

She didn't want those eyes that looked in on a hollow soul. She wanted eyes that were filled with everything from hate and sorrow to love and joy. She wanted the eyes of someone truly alive and not something acting a role.

Just like all of the other machines going around dressed in flesh, she thought with sorrow. Octavia is just as dead as Las Noches. It's just too insane to realize how sick it is. And unlike Starrk's sad kingdom, this place is contagious.

The idea filled her with horror.

"Would you please stop that?" she whispered sadly.

She wasn't sorry to have it stop. What had moments before been a goddess of dark dreams was now nothing more than an empty-headed child to her eyes, unable to choose anything for itself. Pity and disgust, she could practically taste them in her mouth, as she looked at those still enthralled by the illusion. She thought of another Ray Bradbury story she had read, one that she liked, about a carnival of pleasure and nightmares. Octavia was reminding her more-and-more of that carnival.

"As Mistress commands," the Sex Epsilon whispered and moved on to another.

She saw that Dorian was looking at her as though rather intrigued. Then he returned to his notebook. Tatsuki didn't watch as the Sex Epsilons finished their demonstrations of their skills. She did not watch as the bidding war took place. She didn't watch how it sky-rocketed into nearly becoming a riot until the Gammas had to intervene. But it was the shouts from the Arrancars that made her realize that something wasn't right. She looked up and saw that even though all of the other Arrancars were going insane, none of the Octavians seemed to be affected by the aura of lust that the Sex Epsilons seemed to radiate.

It was almost as though they couldn't really feel something as primal and instinctual as lust. They were no more stirred than Nemu, who had been unresponsive during the demonstration save for smacking aside a male and then a female that had touched her.

When the bidding was done, Dorian looked at his notebook and nodded in satisfaction.

"This test group did better than the last. That means that we're still on track." He looked at Tatsuki, his face as cool as ever. "We're testing out a new formula that would allow the Product to secret an enzyme that allows for maximum sexual arousal to those around them regardless of their sexual orientation."

So, the Alphas were merely conducting their latest experiment right here in broad moonlight. This place it's…it's a giant laboratory. The realization made her shudder and then a sense of sorrow overwhelmed her when she thought about the Deltas and the Gammas. They're not truly alive. They're all merely engineered.

"In other words, 'Sex sells.'"

"A basic fact that even the most inferior beast in the World of the Living could tell you," Dorian said with a dismissive wave.

"NOW WE COME TO THE LAST PRODUCT OF THIS SESSION!" the Auctioneer cried out. There were murmurs of excitement in the crowd. "Ah, I see that you're all excited. Yes, considering that for the past two sessions we did not have any to auction off, this item will have a starting bid of three Arrancars."

Tatsuki's eyes widened at the thought.

What could be of such value as to be more popular than one of those Sex Epsilons? She shuddered as she wondered what obscenity would be thrown at her next by this city.

"Yes, and I have good news. We don't just have one for tonight. We have three."

The Arrancars murmured in a louder pitch.

"That's right. We have three of the most ferocious beasts to ever walk the surface of Hueco Mundo. These creatures are so fierce that we must keep them bound in chains and locked in cages for your safety. These creatures were able to kill seventeen Gammas sent into the mountains to capture them and also two of the Panterans who so graciously lent us their aid in exchange for a fair price." He gestured to the small group of Arrancars with their faces painted with ornate blue designs. They wore Hollow hides and a stone medallion hung on a leather cord around their necks. She recognized one as the boulder lifter from earlier.

Oh gods, what kind of creatures are they bringing in next?

"I present to you…THE UN-ARRANCARS!"

As he gestured with a flourish to the stage, there was a grinding noise. Tatsuki realized that the platform was not as solid as she thought. Part of the stage was actually another door of sorts that was now being drawn aside. She recognized the sounds of an industrial lift coming from below and saw the three cages emerge from the depths below the stage. Inside each one, bound by chains strapped to the metal lift floor and the sides of the cages were three creatures that looked to be like nightmares come to life.

There were screams of terror and excitement. War cries rose from the group of Panterans as well as another group.

"EATERS! THE CHILDREN OF AARONIERO!" someone shouted.

Most of the Arrancars backed away, except for the group of Panterans who only walked forward, baring their teeth and roaring war cries, as though defying these creatures. Another group, as though not wanting to be out-done, strode forward with chests thrust out, beating them with their hands.

"GLORY TO THE MANTIS!" one of them cried out and sneered at the Panterans.

Tatsuki turned her attention back to the creatures and shuddered.

The creatures were smaller than a normal Arrancar and they were extremely thin. Their skin had an extremely sickly pallor even when compared to the others, and seemed to be slightly luminescent. Their heads were too narrow and slightly elongated. Their eyes were large and seemed to bulge from their sockets and had developed the clouded-over look that came with living in complete darkness. Their arms and legs were extremely long and looked as though it wouldn't take much for them to break. The hands and feet each had four digits and seemed to be shaped to handle climbing up cliffs and over rocky surfaces. Instead of nails, each digit was equipped with a thick, sharp claw at the end. She looked at the feet and saw that they were more like the feet of a bird with three long, clawed toes fanned out in the front and the fourth protruding from the heel. Their mouths had no lips and she saw the large, crooked teeth, most of which were fangs.

Despite the look, they had Hollow holes and mask fragments as any Arrancar. But they were completely feral. There was nothing but wild, uncontrollable savagery on their faces and their bodies were covered in scars from fights without something so civilized as swords. Thick strands of saliva drooled from their mouths and she noticed that most of their teeth were caked with dried blood.

She watched as the creatures strained at their chains and howled and shrieked. They sounded like animals struggling to break free of a trap, not to escape, but to kill. Despite their frail appearances, she sensed that these creatures were extremely strong. They were the pinnacle of the evolution that occurs in the dark places of the world. They were killing machines and cannibals. These were Arrancars that had returned to their Hollow roots.

She saw that Hanataro was absolutely frightened of these creatures and she couldn't blame him. Ikkaku's hand was on the hilt of his Zanpakuto and he watched the creatures warily. Nemu only looked at them as though wondering what kind of things an autopsy would discover about them. She noticed that the Octavian Director looked at these creatures with unveiled disgust.

"They should have drugged them more," he muttered.

The Gammas brought out the electric cattle prods from the sheath at their sides. They kept watch on the creatures. When one seemed to get too lively and come too close to the bars of the cages, the Gamma would quickly jab at it with the cattle prod and shock it. The creature would shriek either in pain or rage or mere annoyance or some combination of the three.

"Yes, that one's very fierce," she heard one Arrancar whisper. "It would be good sport in the arena."

"I agree. That one, though, looks slightly more intelligent."

"That's not saying much when it comes to Eaters. They're too dumb to think."

Tatsuki looked at the creatures. She thought that they had a good point. They were living weapons, but their aggression left no room for reason or planning; only the instinct to kill.

"Now, let's start the bidding," the Auctioneer said.

If Tatsuki had thought that the bid for the Sex Epsilons almost caused a riot, this one seemed to almost start a couple of wars. The Gammas had to intervene in a fist fight between two Arrancars, one from the Panterans, and another who was screaming obscenities and swearing by "The Great Mantis" that he would rip off the Panteran's cock.

"YEAH AND YOU'LL PROBABLY USE IT IN PLACE OF YOUR OWN COCK SINCE IT'S SO TINY YOU CAN ONLY MOUNT CRIPPLES!" the Panteran shouted.

"FUCK YOU, PANTERAN FILTH! I'LL CUT OFF YOUR COCK AND FEED IT TO YOUR SPAWN AND MAKE YOU MY NEL! THEN I'LL SHOW YOU HOW 'TINY' I AM!"

"I'D LIKE TO SEE YA TRY, THRALL-BAIT!"

"Panterans and Sons," Dorian whispered. Tatsuki looked at him, slightly confused. "Don't mind them. They're merely insignificant Savages."

Tatsuki watched as the Gammas dragged the two Arrancars away from each other. They were still shouting obscenities at each other and telling each other what they would do after they cut the other's manhood off.

Is that all men can think of when bashing each other? Men are so simple-minded, she thought with a sigh.

Tatsuki could not help but think of Squad 11 whenever she saw them get involved in one of the fights that broke out as the bidding went on. She looked at Ikkaku and saw that he was starting to enjoy himself.

"So, when do you think we'll be visiting them?" the Third Seat whispered.

"I think I would rather not," Tatsuki whispered back.

But we may end up having to. I'm sure that they probably picked up some of the Squad 11 members.

When the last of the Eaters had been sold, the Auctioneer raised his hands.

"THANK YOU FOR COMING TO THIS SESSION! I AM PLEASED THAT IT HAS BEEN SO PROFITABLE FOR ALL. PLEASE, ENJOY YOUR GOODS AND MAKE SURE TO VISIT THE MARKETS IN THE BETA DISTRICT! FOR THOSE WHO BOUGHT, PLEASE SEND SOMEONE TO THE CLAIMS COURT JUST OUTSDIE FOR PAYMENTS TO BE MADE IN FULL BEFORE RECEIVING THE BILLS OF SALE."

The Arrancars began to leave. Those who had made purchases sent representatives outside. Tatsuki watched Godking Benvolio stand up and gestured for Machiavelli to follow him. She had noticed that he had not engaged in any of the bidding wars.

Then why did he even bother coming if he wasn't going to bid on anything? Did he just want everyone to admire him?

"Well, now that's over," Dorian said and turned his attention to Tatsuki. "I would very much like for you and your companions to come with me as my personal guests."

"Uh…why?"

"Cautious…that's good. But there's no need to worry. I merely want to find out more about Las Noches since I'm hoping to develop some contacts there," he assured her with a smile that was anything but.

"So…I gather that this is strictly Business?"

"It's strictly Business."

"Well then, I suppose it will be alright. But keep in mind that there are those who will miss us, Director Narcissus," she reminded him.

Dorian nodded, his eyes almost twinkling with amusement.

"It's good to see that you have a fine head on your shoulders. But even then, that bit of data does not mean anything Daywalker. The Night is dark and full of terrors, and travelers have been known to vanish while on the road to and from Octavia. Those of The Day usually don't understand that. And we of The Night are not forgiving of ignorance. Now, shall we?"

"Where are we going?" she demanded refusing to back down.

He gestured to the tall tower of glass and metal that stood at the very center of Octavia. It rose high, coming to a point as if to pierce the moon.

Great, she inwardly groaned, just what I need: more suggestive imagery.

"We're going to the Creator's Tower."

"I'm not so sure about…," Tatsuki began and saw that there were about a dozen Gammas watching them despite the dispersing crowd. "…about that," she finished.

Dorian smiled at her.

"It will be alright. I promise I won't bite. I may poke and prod a bit, but I never bite."

He gave a cold chuckle at that and Tatsuki felt a chill run up her spine. His smile and that cold chuckle reminded her too much of Mayuri. She knew that it would be a mistake to go with him, but it would also be a mistake not to. She figured that it was best to follow him of her own accord than be forced to by the Gammas.

"So, are you coming?"

"I guess I don't have much of a choice in the matter," Tatsuki said.

Dorian looked at her.

"Oh…there's always a choice."

But it's always mine, Dorian's silvery blue eyes seemed to say.

"In that case…it would be lovely to be your guests."

Dorian smiled at her and with a smooth, graceful turn, began his way to the Tower. Tatsuki gestured for the others to follow his lead.

Ikkaku looked at her as though asking if she was sure about this.

Tatsuki shook her head "no" in answer to the unspoken question.

They came out onto a broad avenue that cut a clear path to the Tower in a gentle incline with only a couple of smaller suspension bridges over deep gashes in the rock that formed the foundation of Octavia. Tatsuki was surprised and relieved at that. She had expected something like the labyrinth of Mayuri's domain.

"We could wait for the transport," Dorian said as he came to a stop. "But I don't see why we should."

He blurred into a Sonído. Tatsuki noted that most of the Gammas tailing them had peeled away.

And why wouldn't they? We are heading into the belly of the beast whether we like it or not.

Inside the Creator's Tower

Tatsuki Arisawa

When they first entered the Tower, the first thing that Tatsuki noticed was how much it reminded her of the main foyer to a large office building. There was even a large front desk where some of the Betas were filing paperwork. She looked at the glass panels of an elevator at the far end and then her eyes drifted to the metal door. She frowned slightly at it and was about to make her way over to it when the Director called out.

"This way, please. I would hate for something to happen to you and it's so easy to get lost in this place."

Tatsuki looked at him and saw that he was making his way to an ornate stairway. She took another look at the door, wondering what secrets laid beyond. Then she followed him.

The tower met her expectations of being a maze. But it was still unlike Squad 12's labyrinthine compound. Mayuri's domain was strictly utilitarian, with none of the bizarre vanity that he put into his own appearance. This tower, on the other hand, was like a nightmarish amalgamation of art deco and classical styles. The mirrors that hung on the walls, ceilings, and even the floors, added to the feeling of disorientation. Tatsuki diligently tried to keep her internal map charted. It would be vital if things went wrong.

It was something of a relief when they reached the very pretty and very disturbing man's office. But the relief didn't last very long when she saw what it looked like.

The floor was made of steel that was engraved with a pattern of concentric circles. His seat of power was behind the desk at the right side of the room. The far side of the office was transparent giving a good view of the city below. Directly opposite of the desk was a Neo-Classical portrait of himself with other portraits of the same subject in styles ranging from Cubism to Surrealism to Post Modernism hanging from the wood panels around the rest of the room. And, as though wanting to live up to his name, there were screens of full-length mirrors at each corner of the room.

He gestured for Tatsuki to take a seat at the only other chair in the room. She looked at the chair that sat innocently in the center-most circle of the floor design. She went over to it and sat down. Dorian sat behind his desk and laced his fingers together.

"Now, let's talk about this 'Capo' I've been hearing so much about. While running such an operation under the Primera's nose is no great feat, I understand that Lady Nelliel is still a…what's the phrase? Oh yes, a 'Holy Terror.'"

"Sir, with all due respect, I am here on official business. And smuggling is technically unofficial business."

Tatsuki decided that half-truths might be the way to handle the situation. Hopefully, if she could convince this man that she had nothing to offer he would throw them out and decide that they were inconsequential enough to forget.

"I see..." He looked at the rest of the members of her group stood, eying each one as though weighing and measuring them. "The rest of you wait outside." He unlaced his fingers and waved a hand at them.

Ikkaku looked at her and she nodded. He put a hand on his sword, but left with the others. She was now alone with Dorian Narciss.

He smiled at her as he put his hands together. He allowed his fingertips to tap against each other as he studied her.

Like a spider, she thought, terror growing. She looked at the patterned floor and saw that it now resembled a giant spider's web.

"I find most inferior beings to be utterly repulsive, little better than humans. But you…you have a certain…allure that I doubt a lab can replicate. You were sent on a fool's errand and yet you passionately pursue it with the intellect of a hunter. And yet…you're no fool. You see how absurd your venture is.

"What separates me from my peers is that contradictions and the unknown do not vex me. A true scientist revels in such things. They are merely obstacles that we are meant to meet and overcome. Without them, our existence is as pointless as a poem being recited with no one to hear," the director sighed, allowing ecstasy to cover his last words.

The Director's words were unlike everything else Tatsuki had come to know in this place. They were still twisted, but that tone of ecstasy was real.

"Director Narcissus, I may be flattered, but…"

"You're not flattered," Dorian broke in. He placed his hands on the table and leaned forward and he smiled his hideously angelic smile. "You're disgusted. And I know that I disgust you."

"Regardless," Tatsuki continued, not allowing that beauty to overwhelm her. "I am looking for someone. I'm looking for woman who is small of stature with violet eyes and black hair with a white streak and a beak-like fragment. She would also most likely be accompanied by a small number of researchers and a group of warriors lacking tact."

"Sounds like a rather dull troop. In my experience, I find that most warriors lack tact. It seems to make them more effective. Take our Gammas for instance. We sacrificed raw power in favor of discipline with them. It was a good trade, but the loss can be quite telling at times. But they're not even close to those horrid Epsilons."

"Speaking ill of your own products? They seem to be quite in high-demand."

"They are, but that's because our customers are nothing more than a pack of fools. One would think that they would realize that perfectly obedient servants are a fool's dream. Most of them die by working themselves to death because their handlers can't judge limits. Some will die by lack of sleep or dehydration or hunger. They burn themselves out in order to please their masters. The Epsilons are nothing more than biological tools.

"And yet those idiots should have realized that we would have replaced the Deltas with the Epsilons long ago if they were everything we claimed." He leaned back and rolled his eyes. "They're little better than humans."

"Why are you telling me that you are scamming the people who scare you?" Tatsuki asked. Her eyes narrowed.

Dorian looked at her and smirked.

"What makes you think that we fear the Savages? We are a superior breed to them."

"If that were true, then you would be taking what you want instead of relying on economics to make you indispensable. I think that this city is just like those Epsilons. Sure it's impressive, but it is also very flawed. Those flaws can make it easy to take this place apart if someone put in enough effort."

Dorian looked at her and smiled. He clapped his hands in a slow rhythm.

"Very good. Excellent. Oh, how wonderful. You are such a fine and perceptive little Savage. You're right. Unfortunately there are so few people who bother to look past the facts presented to see the gaps between the lines. We use that to our advantage."

There was a long period of silence. He was looking at her in that same thoughtful and weighing way he had done with the others. He leaned forward slightly.

"I'll tell you what. I'll answer your question and I'll do you one better. I forget nothing and I have no memory of this girl. That does not necessarily mean that she wasn't here. It only means that she never came to my attention.

"As for the one better…" He opened one of the drawers in his desk and took out a clear piece of plastic with a metallic strip. "I'm going to give you unlimited access to see if that bitch snout of yours can pick up any kind of scent. Don't ask why. I merely find you too fascinating to send away empty-handed."

As Tatsuki took the piece of plastic, he lashed out with his other hand and grabbed her wrist. She struggled, but the grip was too strong. She looked into his face, but it still had that angelic smile on it. But his eyes blazed with cruel amusement.

"I would advise that you don't tarry too long. Otherwise, I might decide to cut you up and see if I can't bottle that allure and use it in the next Epsilon model. Who knows, I might even model a batch of Sex Epsilons after you. Wouldn't that be nice?"

He released his grip and leaned back. His smile never wavered.

"Now, would you be so kind as to send in that dreary friend of yours? I do love to toy with Voiders. I find that Nihilists are the best to play with. For all of their bragging on being so emotionless and thinking that nothing really matters, there's always that one button that will make them explode. And the sound is all the sweeter for the looking."

Nemu Kurotsuchi

Nemu took her seat cataloging the Commander's warning to her as the door closed. There was a soft clicking sound as the mechanical lock fastened the door shut. The Octavian Director rose from his seat and walked over to her. He knelt at her side and lifted on hand from her lap and kissed the pale flesh.

His eyes locked with hers.

"Now that we're alone…"

Tatsuki Arisawa

Tatsuki didn't really like or dislike Nemu, but she was worried about leaving her alone with the Director. Based on her interaction with him, she could tell that he was the type of man that was best not to cross. She hoped that Nemu would remain on her guard and felt the urge to slap herself for such a silly thought.

Of course Nemu will be on her guard, she thought. It's Nemu we're talking about; not Kiyone.

After she had told Nemu that the Director wished to speak with her in private and had given her warning about him, she merely gestured for Ikkaku and Hanataro to follow her.

"Well?" Ikkaku asked when they had walked away from the office.

"We can look around. The Director will not interfere and he gave me this." Tatsuki held up the piece of plastic for them.

"Uh…okay, but…what is it?"

"Oh!" Hanataro cried out. "I know what it is. I've seen some of the mortals use something like it in the World of the Living. It's a key card."

Tatsuki smiled. She thought that was what it was. And she had a feeling that it could open up any door they wanted.

Too bad he only gave us one, she thought. But beggars can't be choosers.

"Alright, since this is our only one, we're going to have to stick together. I don't want any of us to wander too far from the others. Is that clear?"

"What about Ne—I mean, what about Judea?" Hanataro asked, slightly worried.

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Tatsuki said, deciding it best to tell a little lie

Too bad I won't be able to watch whatever's going on in the Director's office, she thought bitterly.

"Fine," Ikkaku sighed. "The sooner we start looking the sooner we can leave. Now, where should we start?"

Tatsuki thought about it and then remembered the metal door with the words "COMMUNITY, IDENTITY, STABILITY" on it when they first came in. She had a feeling that it led to someplace important.

"I think I have an idea. Follow me."

It took a little longer than she had anticipated for them to make their way back to the foyer. Her inner map of the halls had led them into five dead ends and travelling around in a circle, but they eventually got back. Ikkaku and Hanataro looked at the door in confusion.

"Okay…so…why do we start here?" Ikkaku asked.

"I guess you don't read much in your spare time, though I guess it was way after your time," Tatsuki said as she dug out the plastic key card. "When I was in High School, our teacher, Miss Ochi, had us read a lot of boring books. Anyways," she pointed at the words, "these were in one of them. It was the motto for some organization or something that liked to clone people and use drugs and have lots of sex. I had to write a report on it," she growled a little, "and Miss Ochi made me write it again."

"Uh…okay, so…where does it lead?" Hanataro asked.

"Well, it could lead to some place important," Tatsuki said as she examined the card reader to the side of the door. "Or it could just lead to a broom cupboard." She put the key at the top of the reader and slid down.

There was a small clicking sound as the door unlocked and the red light became green. Tatsuki pulled at the handle and the door swung easily enough. On the other side was a long hall, completely sterile white except for the metal strips running under the fluorescent lights on the walls.

Damn, I feel like I'm back at Squad 12, Tatsuki thought with a shudder.

"Remember," Tatsuki whispered, "keep close."

Hanataro and Ikkaku kept close to her. Their footsteps were the only sounds in this hall aside from the soft humming noise of the lights. At the far end was a pair of metal doors with a metal plaque above it that had 101 engraved on its polished surface. There was another card reader on the wall.

Tatsuki slid the card through this one and there was a soft grinding sound coming from the other side. When the soft grinding sound came to a stop there was a soft ding.

Well, there's a sound I never thought I would hear again.

The doors slide open to reveal a good-sized elevator. They stepped in and Tatsuki noticed that there were no buttons. The doors slid closed and the elevator began its descent. Tatsuki did her best to hide her nervousness, but she could feel cold sweat on her brow.

"So…what should we do if we find something?" Ikkaku asked.

"I…don't know. I don't even know what's waiting for us at the bottom of this damn thing."

"Well, we can always meet back at the elevator," Hanataro suggested.

"Yeah, that might be…" Tatsuki began, but before she could finish, the elevator stopped.

There was another soft ding and the doors slid open to reveal a waiting area. Tatsuki blinked a few times when she saw how white the room was. It was too bright and too white for her liking.

Even the Chappy-damned chairs are white, Tatsuki thought in disgust.

She saw the reception's desk at the other side and noticed a female Assistant Beta typing at an actual computer. The Beta looked up and stood.

"Welcome. How may I assist you?"

"Uh…well…" Tatsuki didn't know what to say. This wasn't what she had expected. "Well, the Director gave us permission to look around and…"

"How may I be of assistance?" the Beta asked again.

Tatsuki looked at Ikkaku and Hanataro who only looked confused.

"Could you…tell us what this area is?" Tatsuki asked.

"Certainly, I am glad to be of assistance in this regard. This is the break area for the Alphas and Betas who work in this department."

"Okay, and…and what exactly does this department do?"

The Beta blinked in surprise and frowned slightly.

"I'm sorry, but that information is classified. Visitors are allowed to wait here for a representative to…"

"We're here to look around," Tatsuki said.

"I'm sorry, but…"

"We have permission from the Director," Tatsuki cut-in and showed her the key card.

The Beta looked at it and then walked towards her. For a moment Tatsuki was afraid that the Beta would snatch the key card away from her. But she only leaned forward to get a closer look.

"Yes, this is a high Administrative-level key card and the Director is always careful with their distribution. Very well, since you have the Director's permission, you have free access to this area."

"Thank you," Tatsuki said and walked to the only pair of doors, other than the elevator, in the area.

Hanataro and Ikkaku followed close behind.

"That was close," Hanataro whispered. "For a moment, I thought she would do something."

"I did too," Tatsuki whispered.

She slid the card into the reader on the wall. Nothing happened. She tried it again and still nothing happened. For a brief moment she was afraid that an alarm would sound and a host of Gammas would come rushing out of somewhere to take them away. Then she remembered something. She slid the card again, this time doing it slowly. There was a clicking noise as the door unlocked.

"It's good to know that even they have problems with these damn things," Tatsuki muttered under her breath as she pulled the door open. The little imperfection brought a little smile on her face.

They walked through the doors and Tatsuki stopped in her tracks. They were outside again, but this time the sky was a morning blue. Before them was a large dome-like structure that looked slightly familiar and far below was the desert.

We're…we're in Las Noches, she thought. No, that's impossible. This must be some kind of projection or something.

She put a hand out to the side. For a moment, she thought that her hand would hang in mid-air, but then she felt the smooth, glassy surface of a screen. She pulled her hand away.

"It's…it's so strange," she whispered.

"Hey, aren't some of these structures in Las Noches?" Ikkaku asked.

Tatsuki could only nod her head. It was strange that despite their boasts and dreams of the future, the Octavians still clung to the past. But no matter how realistic it looked, the image around then was nothing more than another illusion.

When they reached the door on the other side of the hall, Tatsuki used the keycard again and they stepped into a rather large room. She looked around and saw beds with the frames made of bronze, iron, silver, or gold. Each one had an Arrancar child in it and they were asleep. She saw that each one was wearing an old fashioned pair of large headphones and were hooked up to an IV unit. She walked over to the nearest bed and looked at the IV drip bag with a label that read "SOMA MENTAL ENZYME: Β-79-Φ41-Ψ." She looked at the pair of headphones and leaned down to take a closer look. She lifted the headphones away and heard a soft, silky voice.

"I am glad to be a Beta. Being a Beta is a privilege. I am glad to be an Octavian and a True Arrancar. I am glad to serve the Creator. I am glad to be a Beta. Being a Beta is a privilege. I am glad to be an Octavian and a True Arrancar. I am glad…"

Tatsuki lowered the headphones back on the young Arrancar's head. She felt uncomfortable about doing it, but she knew that it wouldn't do any good not to since an Assistant Beta or even an Alpha would be making the rounds and only put the headphones back on. She looked at the beautiful faces around her and felt numb to them.

Please let that bastard be right. Let Rukia and the others not have come here. It's too much like the nightmares that someone like Heinlein put down on paper. No…worse because I can't just chuck it into the trash, Tatsuki thought as her eyes lingered on the future Octavians as they were being brain-washed.

She thought about the blank stares of the Deltas. She thought about the eyes of the Sex Epsilon who looked too much like Orihime. She thought about Nemu. She had always assumed that Nemu was engineered to be the way that she was, but now…

What if Mayuri did something like this to her? Shit. When we get back I am going to launch a real internal investigation of Squad 12, career be damned.

She looked at the Arrancars and for a moment she could actually imagine young Shinigami in beds like those as they were being drugged and molded to be loyal to the Gotei or Central 46 or to whoever was in charge. She closed her eyes.

No…that's for another time, she thought. Right now I need to focus on the Mission. But later…remember this.

She opened her eyes and looked at the others.

"Let's go," she whispered.

She led Ikkaku and Hanataro to the white door that was on the far side of the facility. She looked at key card and at the scanner. She wondered what other secrets were hidden behind the doors down here.

The only way to find out is to open them, she thought as she slid the key through the card reader. But do we really want to know what's on the other side?

The door slid open to reveal an enclosed area with a pair of glass doors on the other side. Tatsuki frowned slightly as she heard something. She took a step into the enclosed hall and put her ear against the wall. She thought she could hear the sound of machinery coming from the other side along with something that sounded like…

Is that…moaning? Maybe my imagination is just running away with me. But…what are they doing down here? I can't believe that it's merely just a mechanical area. Or else why would they hide it behind these walls and why would they use glass sliding doors on the other end? And why is the room behind us filled with sleeping kids?

But, can logic really apply to a madhouse like this? No. It's not off-the-walls crazy. This place is reason's inbred cousin. It makes sense if you subtract anything approaching any kind of traditional worldview, she told herself.

At that moment, a quote floated into her mind: "A defiance of natural laws implying a disregard for moral ones." She never realized just how well-read she was until this assignment.

Her investigator's senses roared to life. Her primal instincts told her to run, but her Onmitsukido instincts told her that she should investigate. If Rukia's team had not come here, then chances were that they had not come to this area and thus would have a gap in their data that could prove vital. It was that factor, if not the long-shot of actually finding any sign that Rukia's team had been here, that decided the matter.

"We might as well check it out," she whispered to the others.

"Are you sure?" Ikkaku asked. "Don't get me wrong. I'm willing to check this place out if we have to. But I just…I just don't like this place."

"I don't like it either. But we might find something that the First Expedition missed that could prove invaluable. We should find out as much information about a potential enemy as we can."

Ikkaku thought about it and sighed.

"I'll go," Hanataro said. They looked at him in surprise. "I mean…I don't like this place either, but…but I think Madarame is thinking of going and…and I'll go too."

Tatsuki raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"I guess this is a case of 'One for all and all for one,'" she said.

They made their way to the glass doors ahead of them. She used the key card and the door slid open. For a moment, Tatsuki was reminded of the greeting area of an office floor. The metallic desk to the side was not as large as the one in the break area that was on the farthest exterior of the complex, but it was pretty fair-sized.

The Beta sitting behind the desk looked up briefly before returning to the piles of files on the desk. Apparently the assumption was that they wouldn't have gotten this far unless they had the proper clearance.

Man, with the right key, a person could actually destroy this place unopposed, Tatsuki thought as she looked at the key card. Tch…for all of their talk of being superior, I think that the only kind of combat that these Octavians could really win would be the type involving paperwork. And I have a feeling that they may not even have that much competition since I'm willing to bet that most Arrancars are illiterate.

Tatsuki walked past the desk and was not surprised that she was unopposed. Hanataro and Ikkaku followed. Hanataro paused for a moment and spared the Beta a sad glance before continuing on.

The hall beyond was filled with doors and it was here that Tatsuki first feared for their safety. Unlike most of the other areas where the Betas were the dominant presence, it seemed as though they had finally arrived to the realm of the Alphas.

The Alphas rushed around wearing stiff, black over-coats over their usual brightly-colored clothes. The way their coats shone made Tatsuki think of body bags with golden Alpha symbols emblazoned on the left breast. They were followed by Assistant Betas who were carrying files or equipment or pushing gurneys with Arrancars strapped to them.

But so far, the Alphas were too focused on whatever they were doing to pay any attention to the Outsiders. Tatsuki hoped that things would continue that way, but it didn't.

The situation happened when they saw two Alphas walking towards them. They were talking to each other and Tatsuki realized that they had no place to hide from them.

"Yes, Flesh-Tank Delta 6 will have to be replaced soon, unfortunately. It's already on its 50th Production Cycle and most of the stock from the last Cycle had to be disposed of."

"It happens. Equipment becomes ineffective and must be completely replaced. But it did last longer than the previous model. So, we are making progress. We can ask the Director for one of the Flesh-Tanks that Godking Benvolio has supplied after it has finished its current Cycle."

"Yes, but what if…? Hey, what are you doing here?"

The Alpha pointed at them. The other Alpha looked up in surprise and then smiled at the trio.

"Hmm…it would seem as though the Director is supplying us with some new stock. Excellent," he remarked as he put the tips of his fingers together and began to tap them together.

"Don't be ridiculous. If that was the case then the Director would have sent us a memo informing us which cage to fetch. Though the female would probably make a good replacement Tank," his companion mused, looking Tatsuki over thoughtfully.

"I'm not going to be somebody's 'Tank'," Tatsuki snarled at them.

"She has the temperament of one of those barbarians," the first Alpha muttered in disgust.

"Yes, and that begs the question…" the other Alpha mused and looked at Tatsuki. "How did you get down here, Savage?"

"This," Tatsuki said and held up the key card. "The Director gave us full access." She made sure not to allow any of her anxiety to show.

If you act like you have authority then people tend to assume that you actually have it, she thought.

"Is that so?" the Alpha who mentioned making Tatsuki a "Tank" asked, still looking her over and smirking.

"Scytale, it appears to be a valid Administrative-level pass. If they are here by the Director's permission, then we must respect his guests," his companion said as he focused on the card.

"I know that, Hayt, but we have not received any message from the Director about this," Scytale pointed out, eagerness filling his voice.

"If you don't trust us," Tatsuki said trying to sound haughty, "then perhaps you can call up the Director and ask him for yourself. But I should warn you, he's currently with our fellow companion to talk business. And he doesn't strike me as the type who likes to be interrupted."

The two Alphas looked at each other. Tatsuki hoped that they would go for it, but Scytale only smiled at her.

"And what's to stop us from making you disappear? I'm sure that the Director won't mind. It's not like you would be going to waste if he did investigate," Scytale challenged, his smile becoming even wider.

"Can you really take that chance? Regardless of his concern, or lack thereof, for our well-being, wouldn't interfering with us while we are under his authorization be seen as undermining his authority?" Tatsuki asked. "Hmm, I wonder what would happen if Lady Nelliel found out that a close friend who she sent to Octavia for business had vanished."

She knew that it was a lie, but she hoped that Nel's name would cause them to back off. At the very least she was sure that the first part held water. This place was all about hierarchy and breaching it was a logical taboo for them to have. She was not disappointed.

"Did…did you say that you're from…from her?" Hayt asked. Despite the painted patterns of violet and green on his face, she knew that his face had paled.

"That's right. She and Starrk have agreed to consider opening up some kind of trade with Octavia and we're now in negotiations. But I wonder how those things would go if something was to happen to us. And I also wonder what would happen to those responsible. After all, the eyes and ears of the Director are everywhere. Am I right?"

Scytale's face was now completely paled at that. She knew that she nearly had them. She could only hope that they would come to the desired conclusion on their own. Hayt whispered something to Scytale who only nodded.

"Very well," Scytale said. "Nothing shall happen to you or your companions unless the Director tells us otherwise. I suggest that you tread cautiously, Specimen. There are so many ways that one can have an unfortunate…accident here."

Tatsuki smiled conscious to make her smile mimic her fragment.

"I always tread cautiously."

Scytale grimaced at her and the two Alphas walked past them.

Tatsuki sighed in relief when they were a proper distance away.

"That was way too close for my liking," she whispered.

"I'll say," Ikkaku said and smiled. "Damn, that was good quick-thinking."

"Thanks, but I just grabbed at what I could. I just hope that they don't decide to do any follow-up until after we're out of here."

"In that case, shouldn't we do a brief search?" Hanataro suggested.

Tatsuki nodded. She looked at the key card and could only smile. So far, it was like being handed the keys to the kingdom and now she knew how to deal with any Alphas who might try to stop them from investigating or try to take them hostage.

However, they were still in the Belly of the Beast. It would only take a single word from the Director for their protective talisman to turn to dust. And Tatsuki knew it.

Maybe that's why he gave this to us, she thought as she looked at the card. He wanted us to see what kind of power he wields here. I hate to say it, but I'm impressed…disgusted but impressed.

They continued walking down the hall when Ikkaku came to a stop in front of a metal door. The door was bigger than the others they had encountered. Tatsuki thought that it was clearly designed to allow a significant amount of traffic and some pretty good-sized machinery. He looked at the metal plaque on it and he looked at Tatsuki.

"Isn't that…?"

Tatsuki nodded when she read the plaque:

FLESH-TANK Δ6

Well…whatever it is, it's obviously a big deal. After all, they seem to rely on others to supply them. It's too bad Nemu isn't here with us. This is more her territory, Tatsuki thought as she slid the key card into the card reader.

When she pulled it out, there was a buzzing sound followed by three harsh clicks. Tatsuki pulled the door opened and they looked inside.

The room was well lit, but it took her a moment to register what she was seeing. Hanataro seemed to have grasped the sight first as he was making a strange sound. After what seemed like a long time, she finally registered what was resting on the other side of the pit. Several cables and tubes were hooked into it.

Her eyes widened in horror and her mouth slid open.

"No," she gasped. "No…that's…that's…"

She felt ill. Her stomach was clenching so hard that she wanted to bend over and her knees threatened to buckle. What she was seeing was something that could only come from the darkest nightmares of a science fiction writer or an artist like H. R. Giger combined with the twisted mind of the Nazi sadist known as "The Angel of Death." The Flesh-Tank's mass shifted enough to look in her direction and she could no longer handle it.

She ran from that dazed, milky stare.

Ikkaku and Hanataro called out to her, but she didn't hear them. She could only run. She could see the image of the Flesh-Tank, supported by the tubes thrust into its naked body with the top of the head completely cut away with the electrodes and IV drips piercing into the revealed brain. But the thing that horrified her was that grotesquely large stomach squirming with what she could only think of as being a large host of parasites.

She didn't know where she was going and she didn't care. Her mind was in a blind panic to where she couldn't even think of going into Sonído. She only wanted to get away from that image. But no matter how hard she ran, that image seemed to hang before her. And there was no escaping it.

She came to a halt and leaned against cold metal. She panted for breath.

"Oh…oh…gods," she moaned. "Please…please…don't…don't let Rukia have come to this fucking place. Oh please…"

The thought of seeing Rukia hooked up like that would have been way too much. Then she remembered the Sex Epsilon who looked so much like Orihime and she felt even more horrified. The thought of Orihime being in a place like this made the taste of vomit fill her mouth.

Then another horrific realization struck her and made her shake with terror. She felt like she was a little girl again trapped in a nightmare.

"Me…he…he wants to make me…oh…oh gods…oh Mother…I…I…I want my Mommy…I…I want my Mommy…" she whimpered as she stumbled.

She looked at the key card in her hand, threatening to cut through her Hierro. She knew that she was right to view it as a protective talisman. If she didn't have this piece of plastic, she would most likely be strapped down by now. Images filled her mind of her struggling against whatever restraints were used as Scytale or even the Director sawing her skull and then filling her with…with…

A high rasp hissed from her as she trembled in fear from the images of her being like that thing.

She looked at the metal hall across from her and saw her reflection. She saw that she had somehow become a little child ready to cry. She saw that she was prepared to dig a hole and hide in it. The image enraged her. The self-loathing and anger came back with fiery vengeance. She allowed it to come despite the shame it brought with it. That fierce fire burned back the fear until she could still herself. Her face hardened and her eyes blazed with fury.

"Bastards," she whispered. "They're all fucking bastards. I…I want to…I want to kill them all. I want to tear them all to pieces."

Her Inner Dragon roared in agreement. Hatred became her answer to terror. And it was good.

She gathered herself and looked at where she was rising to her feet.

She had no memory of how she got here and that fact brought a sense of panic to her.

Oh gods…no…I…how did I get here? Where am I? Where…WHERE ARE THE OTHERS?

She looked at the long corridor with the large numbers of metal doors on both sides. Each door had a card reader located to the side with a label located on the door. It reminded her of a hallway in any hospital, though she knew healing the last thing this place specialized in. She looked at the door she was leaning against and looked at the message typed on clear plastic that had been slid into the label holder:

PRIMERAN

CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL ONLY

A Primeran? Here? Why would a Primeran be here?

Then she remembered what Scytale said. She got a mental image of a Primeran leaving Las Noches and coming to Octavia, and being grabbed like that poor Lyanna girl. She knew that Rukia was at Las Noches. If there was a Primeran locked inside, then perhaps they could tell her something.

That made the decision easy for her. She had faced horrors before and she would gladly do so again for friendship and duty.

She used the key card to unlock the door. She opened the door and walked into the brightly lit room. She had to close her eyes at how bright the white room was. She turned her head to the side and saw that there was an area that was not white. The room reminded her of an autopsy room with the metal table and metal-lined drainage area on the floor. And then there was the blood.

Bloodstained…like this whole place; no one even bothered to clean it up yet, she thought grimly.

Then her eyes went to the figure strapped to the table and she nearly cried out when she saw the Arrancar. She knew that she should have expected something like this, but her shock and horror were not diminished at the sight of the butchered Arrancar on the table. To make it worse, the Arrancar was still alive, despite having the Hierro cut away from its torso and clamped to the sides to expose the internal organs. The top of the skull had been cut away to reveal the brain. Electrodes and IV drips were embedded into various organs and she saw that while some were completely withered, others were larger than normal.

She looked at some of the empty IV bags off to the side and saw that they were labeled with the words: "EXPERIMENTAL HORMONAL COMPOUND" followed by a variety of numbers and chemical formulae.

Tatsuki was about to leave in disgust when the Arrancar cried out.

"NO! NO! BOOM-BOOM-BA-BA-BOOM-BOOM! HYA! HYA!" The Arrancar became quiet again and then, "Candy…candy…pink hair…boom-boom-ba…AAAAAAAAAAH! GYAAAAAAAAAA! KILL 'EM ALL! KILL 'EM ALL! THE ELEVENTH!"

Tatsuki turned around at those last words. Freezing horror filled her. She rushed to the table, ignoring the horrid sight on the table and looked at the face. It was not an Arrancar after all.

Oh gods, she thought as her mental catalogue found the name to the face: Makizo Aramaki, known to the Pink Menace as "Maki-Maki."

"What happened to you?" she whispered.

"Reee…ayaaaaaahaaaaaaaaa…You're all crazy aren't you? Is it really necessary to go this far just for a friend? Boom-boom-ba-ba…hear 'em…hear 'em…hear 'em…AWOOOOOO!"

Tatsuki could not understand what he was saying. Had he gone mad? Was that at all really surprising?

"Team Member Aramaki, what happened to the others? Where's Rukia?" she barked desperately.

"Gimme crack-corn and I don't care, gimme crack-corn and I don't care…"

He's too far gone. I'm not going to get anything from him. At least his Gigai and cover held up, a part of her mind said.

"Shit," Tatsuki muttered.

For a moment she was tempted to unhook Maki-Maki from the machines that were keeping him physically alive. Then she thought about what would happen if one of the "Authorized Personnel" came in to check on him and found him dead. She couldn't risk the Mission's success in order to just put a fellow Soul Reaper out of their misery.

"The Mission always comes first. I am sorry comrade," she whispered as she turned to walk out of the room.

Her body felt completely numb. She had found one of the Fist Expedition's members and he was too far gone to be of any use. To make it worse, she was powerless to even help him. Tatsuki felt as though a large weight had been put on her shoulders. She made her way down a corner and saw Ikkaku and Hanataro running towards her.

"COMMANDER!" Hanataro shouted, obviously relieved.

"Hanataro…Ikkaku…" Tatsuki muttered.

"Damn it. What were you thinking? I know that…that thing was bad enough to see, but for you to run off like that. That's not like you," Ikkaku said sternly. "But…I can't say that I blame you. I was about ready to bolt too and you being a…" he continued in what passed for his sympathy.

"I found one," she whispered.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Ikkaku asked.

"I found…a member of Operation Izanagi."

"What? Who was it? Where are they?"

"Maki-Maki…room labeled 'Primeran'…need card key."

"How is he? What happened to him?" Madarame demanded as he stepped up to her.

"Alive and…and not…not whole," for the first time she could remember she couldn't meet his eyes.

Ikkaku stared at her and then he held out his hand.

"Give me the card key," he demanded as he held out his hand. "I need to see him."

Tatsuki looked at the piece of plastic in her hand and then at Ikkaku.

"GIVE ME THE CARD KEY!" Ikkaku shouted.

Tatsuki held it out to him and he snatched it. Her hand remained in place for her to blink at. He made his way down to the hall that Tatsuki had rushed out of. He stopped and looked at her.

"How bad?" he demanded.

"Really bad," she conceded as she straightened.

"And…and you left him alive? Why?" he snapped.

"The Mission must come first," she answered automatically.

"Fuck the mission," Ikkaku whispered, unable to keep the heat out of his voice.

Tatsuki watched as he turned down the hall. She looked at the hand she had held the card key in and bit her lip.

Shit, there's that unexpected variable, she thought. Now what do I do?

Ikkaku Madarame

He marched down the hall and looked at the labels by the doors. When he reached the one that Tatsuki had found by accident he used the card key and opened the door. He took one step in and looked at the remains of his fellow soldier in Squad 11.

He felt disgust rise in him, but he had long learned that fear and disgust achieved nothing. He had survived the Rukongai by giving himself over to other emotions. Ikkaku felt the hatred rise in him, pure and cold: hatred for the Octavians, hatred for this place, and most of all, hatred at Tatsuki for leaving a comrade like this.

He dug into his pocket and dug out the medallion that Maki-Maki always carried for luck. He bit his lower lip to fight back the tears as he approached. Maki-Maki was now going into a drinking song that he would sing whenever the fighters of Squad 11 went out for drinks.

Ikkaku looked at his friend with anger and pity. He looked at the flaps of skin and then at the gaping exposed area with its grisly occupants. He was surprised that the area around the Hollow Hole was solid bone. Ikkaku pulled out the pins that held the flaps of skin to the side and then covered the gaping hole as best he could. He knew enough about medicine to know it would hardly be enough, but it was the least he could do to give back some sense of dignity. He knelt beside Maki-Maki's head.

"Maki-Maki," he whispered.

Maki-Maki looked at him in surprise and grinned.

"Hey, lookey here boys, Cue-ball's finally arrived," he cackled as if they were in the Squad 11 Barracks.

"That's right," Ikkaku whispered as he looked at the electrodes and IV drips implanted into Maki-Maki's brain. He felt rage at those needles. They were part of this madness. He turned his attention back to Maki-Maki. "That's right. I'm here buddy," he reassured him as his hand reached for the exposed lobes.

He didn't know what removing those metal needles from Maki-Maki's brain would do.

"Where's Peacock-boy? Heh…I don't think I've seen you without Peacock-boy. Boom-boom-ba-ba-boom. The night came alive with the beating of drums. And the bald moon rose over the roofs of…of…of…GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Ikkaku's fist tightened around the medallion and he began to pull the electrodes and IV needles out with the other hand. He hoped that it would either kill him or help him to think straight. Each time he pulled out one of the long needles, he watched Maki-Maki flinch or tremble. Sometimes he would cry out, but those cries were either of surprise or terror and not actual pain. When the last of the intruding needle was out of his brain, Ikkaku looked at him expectantly.

Maki-Maki moaned. His eyes turned slightly and looked at Ikkaku. Ikkaku noticed for the first time that the eyelids had been cut away. Maki-Maki was trying to blink and Ikkaku felt the rage return knowing that the bastards who did this to him had not even allowed him to keep the ability to open and close his eyes.

"I-I-Ikkaku? Is…is that…you?" he whispered, his voice harsh.

"Yeah, it's me. I came looking for ya. The Lieutenant sent me to try to find her favorite candy provider," Ikkaku answered relieved that his comrade's sanity seemed to return.

"She…she did? Well…that's…that's…I can't cry. Why can't I cry? I…I'm bad ain't I?"

"Yeah, you are buddy," Ikkaku admitted refusing to avert his eyes.

"Please…kill me. I…THE PAIN! THE PAIN!" he shrieked as he struggled weakly against his bonds.

Ikkaku felt tears come into his eyes and he drew his Zanpakuto. He stood up and looked at Maki-Maki's face. Whatever drugs had kept him from feeling the pain, they were wearing off.

He looked at the medallion and then at Maki-Maki who was fighting the pain. He grabbed Ikkaku's wrist with one bloodied hand.

"Tell…tell the Lieutenant…tell her I…I'm sorry…for…for not…not getting her some candy," he gasped through the torment.

"I will. I'm sure…I'm sure she'll be sad. Here, I…I got this for you." Ikkaku showed the medallion in his hand. Maki-Maki's eyes shifted slightly to look at the medallion and they shone with the light of recognition.

"Gave that…as payment for…for healing…was…was…warned about Octos…thought smuggling…get back report. You…you keep it. I…I'm sorry. I failed," he whispered.

"No, you didn't fail," Ikkaku answered calmly.

"I did. I…GYAAAAH! AAAAAAAGH!" he screamed.

"Is it the pain? It is. I know it is. Hanataro. Hanataro would know what to do," Ikkaku muttered.

"Can't…no good…I…I know…useless…I…kill…me…a…a blade," he begged.

Ikkaku looked at him in sorrow. He did not question it. It was what he came here to do anyways. He looked at the scalpel on a nearby tray. It would have to do. He picked it up and held it up for the man to see before pressing it into Maki-Maki's hand. Fingers closed over it and the mangled man managed a smile.

Ikkaku put the blade of his Zanpakuto to Maki-Maki's throat. The man looked at him, smiling, and managed to give the slightest nod of his head. He would be killed by the sword with a blade in his hand, as it should be for anyone in the Eleventh.

"Panthers. Look for Panthers," he whispered. "Beware the drums of the Underworld. The…The Others. Underground. Menos Forest…The Others. Look for Panthers. Understand?" he muttered. Ikkaku could tell that speaking was becoming extremely painful for him and his eyes were becoming clouded.

"Yeah, I will," Ikkaku choked receiving the report his comrade had gone through Hell trying to deliver.

"I could go for some…some candy," he whispered.

Ikkaku felt the tears roll down his cheeks as he thrust the blade into Maki-Maki's throat. He watched as the blood welled-up from the wound.

"You…you will…you will have all the candy you…you want," Ikkaku whispered as he fell to his knees and lost control of his grief.

Somewhere in the Eurasian Confederation

Yachiru clung to Kenpachi's shoulder as she had always done. Uryu had once compared it to a young gorilla clinging to its parent's back. Neither took any real offence at the comment despite the Quincy's fear at being overheard.

They were running in an open field, and were being out-run by the Eurasian Glider on its rail. She felt something and the pink furry chibi cat ears she wore now seemed to perk and then drooped.

"Hey, Kenny," she whispered pulling closer.

Kenpachi knew from her tone that something was bothering her. He slid to a halt.

"What is it now, Yachiru?"

"Something…something made Baldy sad again," she whispered closing her eyes.

Below Octavia

Tatsuki sat on the floor, her back against the wall. Hanataro sat next to her, unable to comprehend what she had said. They heard footsteps and saw Ikkaku walking towards them. He held Maki-Maki's medallion in one blood-stained hand. She saw that his Zanpakuto was still drawn in the other.

"I'm going to kill them all," he whispered bowing his head as he reached them. "Excuse me."

"Don't," Tatsuki whispered. "What good would that do now?"

"It'll make me feel better," he answered huskily.

Tatsuki stood up and faced him. He saw her earlier doubts were gone. He faced Sui-Feng's pupil now.

"It'll jeopardize the Mission," she told him.

"Is that all you care about now? I saw what they did to him. They…they butchered one of the few people who stood by my side after Yumichika died. AND YOU LEFT HIM IN THAT STATE!" he yelled at her.

Hanataro jumped a little and began to whimper slightly at Ikkaku's rage. Tatsuki did not respond. She had seen Ikkaku when he was angry, but she had never seen him this angry. But she knew that he was expecting some kind of excuse.

"I was thinking of the Mission. Do you want Rukia to…" she began flatly.

"To Hell with Rukia," Ikkaku snarled. "I don't give a shit anymore. And you…I thought you were better than this. You left him alive in that state. As far as I'm concerned you're about as bad as the fuckers that made him that way in the first place."

"If you want to hate me, Madarame, then hate me." Tatsuki unsheathed her Zanpakuto and pointed the blade at Ikkaku. "But I will not have you jeopardize the mission. If you're going to be a liability, then I am more than willing to put you down. And if they ask what happened, I will simply tell them that Central 46 was right about you all along. Your name will be tarnished even more and you will be labeled a 'Traitor' to the Gotei 13."

"You wouldn't," he spat after a moment's hesitation.

"I would. Now, which will it be? Will you go on a rampage and get us all killed unless I kill you first? Or will you put your sword away and have a chance at bringing as many of the other members of the Expedition back home?"

Ikkaku looked at her and re-sheathed his Zanpakuto scowling.

"You're right…this time. But regardless, he deserved better than to be left like that. He was a member of the Gotei and we do not leave any of our men to suffer like that. If we encounter any fellow Gotei members like that, we allow them to die with honor: by our blades. Anyone who says that killing someone in that kind of state is immoral is a fool. Leaving them alive to suffer like that and allow them to do anything but soil themselves, that is immoral because it takes away their dignity," Ikkaku declared stonily.

"You're right," Tatsuki whispered as the words hit her. "If I made every decision based on my moral compass, then I would have killed him. But an Officer can't always base their judgment on morals. We have to look at every possible factor in order to make a decision. I didn't kill him for a major practical reason and that is what would happen if his death triggered some kind of alarm and if they caught us. What would the Director do? I highly doubt he would simply let us go for killing a prized specimen. Most likely he would have us strapped to an operating table ourselves. But you probably didn't think of that because you were too focused on ethics and not enough on the reality of the situation."

Ikkaku thought about it and realized that she was right. He had not taken such a thing into consideration. But he couldn't bring himself to admit that Tatsuki was right.

"I guess neither of us has the right to claim the moral high road here," Ikkaku whispered. "I still think that you should have ended his suffering since you are the commanding Officer."

"And I will not argue with you on that," she admitted.

"Anyways, he…he did become mentally stable enough to give me information. That's why he was here. I think he thought that he could get out of Hueco Mundo here and report back."

And yet there was a smuggling operation in Las Noches, Tatsuki thought sadly. If he had stayed there, he would have been fine and we would have found something out a lot sooner.

"What?" Tatsuki looked at him in surprise. "What did he tell you?"

"I'll tell you when we get out of this damned place," he growled tying the medallion around his wrist.

Later

Tatsuki Arisawa was relieved to be back above the ground. Even the endless night was preferable to that stainless steel dungeon. But she wouldn't be fully relieved until they were far away from Octavia. She hated this place, but she knew that there was nothing they could do about it. But first, they had to get Nemu. Regardless of her feelings about the secretive Lieutenant, she was still part of their team, and she wouldn't abandon an enemy to this place if she could help it.

They made their way to the stairs that the Director had led them up before. Ikkaku looked confused as he looked at the glass-and-metal doors they had entered.

"Where are we going?" Ikkaku asked. "The door's over there."

"We need to find Nemu. Then we're getting out of here. And…"

She stopped when she saw Nemu coming down the stairs. Her eyes took in how disheveled she looked. She saw that her jacket was messed up and that one shoulder was bared. Her belt was also far off center and looked to have been hastily fastened.

"Nemu, what happened?" she gasped.

"Please, refer to me as 'Judea'," Nemu said in her monotone voice. "As for your question…I have made a deal with Director, and we are free to go."

What kind of deal did you make with him? Gods, what did that bastard make you do?

Tatsuki wanted to ask those questions, but thought better of it.

"Nemu, what happened?" Hanataro asked when he saw her. His eyes were wide with concern.

Nemu didn't say anything. Instead she only made her way to the door.

"Commander," Ikkaku whispered, "what happened to her?"

Tatsuki thought about what the Director had said about Nihilists and shuddered. She had a good idea of what that bastard made her do. He was a man after all. And sometimes men took what they wanted either by force or persuasion.

"Let's go," Tatsuki whispered.

As they left, she had the sensation that the Director was watching them. She turned to look up the Tower's Exterior and could only make out a figure standing at the window where she thought his office was. The figure turned and vanished. She looked at Nemu and walked up to pull her tunic up to cover her shoulder again.

"Thank you," Nemu clipped.

The Beta Market

Beta 74-3-2 scurried as he put replacement items on the shelves of his shop and stopped when he saw his brood mate, Beta 74-3-5, approaching. After their production was finished, all Octavians were given a serial number with the class at the forefront, followed by their Production Cycle number, then the Flesh-Tank number, and then their designated number given when the Alphas ensured that all Products met Octavian standards. Only the Alphas were permitted to have an actual name aside from their serial number. No one questioned it. It was how things were always done.

He bowed to the Assistant Beta who bowed in return.

"Good evening, Beta 74-3-5."

"Good evening, Beta 74-3-2. How is your business doing?"

"It has been most profitable thanks to the Auction."

"Yes, the Auction does fetch plenty of business. If you'll excuse me, I have some files to deliver."

"Then follow your purpose."

"And you as well," the Assistant said, giving a slight bow. The Assistant Beta walked away accelerating his pace just enough to compensate for the time spent chatting. Beta 74-3-2 continued to look through the items that had been traded to him to see what would be of value.

"Excuse me," a voice said, interrupting his calculations.

The Beta looked up from his duty and immediately stood at attention when he saw the group of four standing in front of his stall.

"I am pleased that you have come to my stall. It is my purpose to serve as best I can."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," the dark-haired girl with the reptilian under-jaw for a mask fragment said. She pointed behind him. "We would like that."

He turned and saw that map that he had hung on the stall. He smiled at her. That map had been there for quite a while and he thought of some items that could be hung there in its place.

"The lady has a good eye. The map is very detailed and I guarantee that it is up-to-date. I received it from an Arrancar Noble from Luisenbarn in exchange for some fine liquor. It is guaranteed to help you find any place in Hueco Mundo. It has all of the major cities like Luisenbarn and Pantera labeled on it and also some of the more obscure locations such as…"

"Yeah, yeah, that's what we want," the bald-headed male said as he scratched at the area just to the side of his small-horned mask fragment covering his forehead.

"Well, I am a merchant and we do not give. We bargain. What do you have to trade?"

He watched as they talked about it and then the smallest one in the group spoke up and approached. The Beta watched as he unstrapped a section of his jacket and fondled at something underneath. The Beta was intrigued. It was clear to him that this Arrancar had some kind of cache-belt under his jacket, which wasn't unheard of. If he was going to trade in the cache-belt then he could easily re -sell it for something else. Instead he brought out a small packet and put it on the counter.

"Will…will that be…alright? It's…it's ground Orihime's Touch."

If the Beta felt emotion, he would have been whooping for joy. Medicines from Las Noches were extremely rare and extremely valuable, both to trade and for all of the Alphas' important experiments. However, he did not have emotions. Instead, his calculating mind went to work. He opened the small pack and looked at the ground petals. The small amount inside was enough to buy not just a map, but also a pound of dried Hollow meat. Unlike human merchants, Betas were designed not to cheat their clients knowingly.

"It is enough. Plus, you shall receive a pound of dried meat. That is the total amount this will buy you."

"Fine, fine, we'll take it," the woman said again.

The Beta nodded to them and he took out a pair of scales and a one-pound weight. He turned and took the map down from the wall and looked at them.

"Rolled or folded?"

"Folded," the woman who was obviously their leader replied.

He nodded and folded the map and set it on the counter. He reached for a basket filled with dried meat. He measured out the meat and weighed it on the scales until the side with the one-pound weight and the side with the meat was exactly even. He dumped the meat into a rough hide bag and placed it on the counter next to the map.

"Is that it?" the leader asked.

"That's it," the Beta replied as he put a hand on the small bag of medicine and bowed his head.

"Thanks."

"It has been a privilege to serve you. Please, come and visit Octavia again. Your business is always appreciated."

"Don't count on it," the woman muttered under her breath. "Come on, we're getting out of here."

The other three followed her to the main entrance of Octavia. The Beta cocked his head slightly, confused about why an Outsider would not wish to return to the wondrous city of Octavia.

Pytr Todesengel's Office

Maestro Pytr Todesengel looked at the sales figures from the Auction and looked at Dorian Narciss sitting across from him.

"I see that the latest experiments for the Sex Epsilons went all," he said as he glanced at the file spread across his desk.

"That is correct, Maestro. Soon, we will achieve our objective in that department."

"Good. I want you to inform the Alpha Researchers to tackle the problem on how to get the Worker Epsilons to not last so long for the Savages. But make sure that the Worker Epsilons we use are more durable than they already are."

"That will require a certain amount of genetic preferential treatment, but I am sure they can manage," Narciss answered.

"Good. That is all then until I summon you again. The Light of Perfection shines on your endeavors, Director," he waved to indicate that the Director was dismissed.

"And the Light of Perfection shines on your leadership, Maestro," Dorian said with a bow.

Pytr watched Dorian walk out of his office and he smiled. The Auction had gone smoothly and it would only be a matter of time before the Savages would come back for more. He stood up and walked to the far wall. He slid one of the wood panels aside and placed his hand on the scanner in the small, hidden compartment. The Maestro waited as it read his palm and then came the clicking sound followed by the mechanical sound of one of the mirror panels used for the ceiling came down to reveal a narrow staircase that led to his secret sanctuary.

He walked up the steps into the dim room. Unlike the office below, this room did not have any of the glass windows to allow him to look out on Octavia. Instead, the walls were lined with Holo-screens displaying the false day of Las Noches. He looked at the vanished glory and cursed Nelliel's self-righteous vendetta.

"If it wasn't for you, you damn hag, I would be much closer to achieving my dreams," Pytr hissed.

His focus went to the single steel table and wondered how long it would be until Dorian found himself on its cold surface. So far Dorian was proving himself to be far more efficient than his predecessors had ever been and Pytr hated to waste anything useful.

He then turned to the tank on the central dais that marked the absolute center of Octavia. He smiled in awe and fell to his knees. He crawled his way to the tank and up the black iron steps of the dais. His awe only became greater as he basked in the Creator's glory. He wrapped his arms around the tank and allowed his tongue to roam on its smooth, cold surface.

"Oh…Master of masters," he moaned. "Soon, very soon, you shall be restored." His ecstasy mounted as he got to his feet. "Then…then you shall lead us into the Golden Age."

He allowed his hands to caress the tank's surface. He was proud to be the only one allowed access to this most sacred sanctuary. He was proud to be the only one permitted to bask in the Creator's presence. He was proud to prepare a Kingdom for his master's return.

He looked into those dark amber eyes he knew and loved. If Dorian saw him he would immediately think of a dog in the presence of its master, humping their leg.

Maestro Pytr Todesengel continued his embrace of the tank containing Szayel Aporro Granz, sleeping his dreamless sleep. But Pytr Todesengel would dream for him. And he would make sure that those dark dreams became reality.

End of Chapter 5

A.N.: The Octavian society was inspired by Aldous Huxley's novel Brave New World, the Tleilaxu society in the Dune novels, Nazi Germany, and the film Gattaca. There are also nods to Fritz Lang's Metropolis, which laid the groundwork for many Science Fiction films like Blade Runner and The Matrix, and novels such as 1984 and The Island of Dr. Moreau.

The Eaters' look was greatly inspired by the Morlocks in the novel The Time Machine and the cave creatures in the film The Descent.

The Character of Pytr Todesengel owes his first name to Piter De Vries, the Harkonnen Mentat in Dune, and his last name to Josef Mengele who was known as the "Angel of Death" (Todesengel in German) who was known for performing human experiments in Auschwitz. Dorian Narciss is a nod to The Picture of Dorian Gray and the story of Narcissus, who was so enamored by his reflection that he drowned when he tried to embrace it. The Alphas Scytale and Hayt are nods to the novel Dune Messiah in regards to them being named after two of the Tleilaxu products: a face-dancer (a being that can change its appearance, voice, and gender) and a ghola (a clone).

That's all for now, and we'll see you next chapter.

Thank you for reading, and please review.