Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or its characters, that right belongs to Tite Kubo. Nor do I own InuYasha or its characters, that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.
Ulquiorra was annoyed. He had been given a short mission and had to take Yammy with him. Of course, his impromptu partner was not in his quarters. No, the man had to be simple-minded and wander off somewhere else. And that meant he had to trek through the whole of Los Noches to find Yammy. While silent, behind him, was Kagome. In the last week, he had learned she was good at listening, adapting, and being very obedient. When he had gotten a few blankets and pillows for her, he'd watched her as she eyed them before taking them.
And like the feral animal that she acted like at times, ran behind the chair, he had initially been found sleeping behind her. In a matter of seconds, she had made a small nest to sleep in. The corner kept her out of sight, hidden from others. On top of being secure and defendable. Which was a good thing, not that one of the other Espada or Arrancar would dare to enter his room? It would mean death by his hand for those weaker than him and a tough fight for those stronger than him.
Now, as he took a sharp turn down a hallway, Ulquiorra wondered if Aizen would be mad if he made Yammy vanish. The sound of his loud voice bouncing off the darkened walls of the hall. He didn't like dealing with this particular Espada. The male was slightly obnoxious and arrogant, as he often states Death incarnate. A fact that had him even more loyal to Aizen for taming and getting to work under him. Baraggan was the former King of Hueco Mundo, giving some credence to his claim.
Slowly as the door to the only open room came into view, Ulquiorra knew that Kagome would stay next to him. The corners of his mouth turned down as he heard Yammy inside being belligerent. He was hoping that Baraggan wouldn't take action and fight. It would hinder the mission if Yammy were hurt since he would continuously whine about it. Which was ironic for his size and strength, he was rather child-like—stepping into the room after a particular comment, flaring his spiritual energy, drawing everyone's attention—stopping any potential fight from breaking out.
"What are you here for fourth Espada, Ulquiorra Cifer?" one of Barragan's Fraccion demanded.
If he recalled this particular one was called Ggio Vega. He was flicking his eyes toward the Fraccion, causing them to clamp their mouth shut. Just to see as not only Ggio's eyes but others shifted to look behind him. Meaning Kagome had now become the center of attention. He was well aware of the fact that almost everyone in Los Noches was aware he now had a Fraccion, a small female one. But because he kept to himself, he didn't have to worry.
Lifting his hand just a bit, he motioned for Kagome to come to stand by his side. Glad that she obeyed instantly without hesitation. His eyes swept across everyone until they stopped on Yammy and Baraggan. Who were both looking at Kagome and not him? It had him narrowing his eyes as he flexed his spiritual pressure yet again.
"I am here for Yammy. Aizen has given us a mission, Baraggan," he addressed the Espada sitting on the throne instead of the Fraccion that spoke up.
"What? When did he give us a mission?" Yammy rambled as he stepped towards them, as a soft bark came from his side.
Internally Ulquiorra tempered the urge to fire a cero at Yammy's pet dog Kukkapuro. Because Kagome had a soft spot for all things canine, he had found out two days ago when she had been returned from spending time with Starrk and Lilynette. Covered head to toe in slobber and varying shades of wolf hair, smiling. At a look from him, she went to the bathroom and bathed immediately. Before changing into a shorter version of his overcoat and a pair of shorts that covered more of her hips and butt than Lilynettes did. Something he was glad to find out was that she was modest though shoes were a no go.
When the dog barked again, running around Yammy, Ulquiorra snapped his hand out, grasping Kagome's shoulder as she started to move forward towards the dog. Who just wagged its tail as it sat, head tilting to the side. His hand never left Kagome even after she moved back to his side. This was a den of powerful Fraccion and two very strong Espada. He didn't want to be on the bad side of Aizen because she got hurt.
"Well, well... that is a rather intriguing little Fraccion you have there, Cifer," Baraggan said in a soft voice that was almost awestruck.
Shifting his attention from Yammy to Baraggan, Ulquiorra studied him carefully. Noting that while he looked like an older man, there was no mistaking recognition in those dark eyes as he looked at Kagome.
"I don't see anything particularly special about her. She is unable to speak, is often as wild as an animal," Ulquiorra stated blandly.
"What is her name?" Yammy asked as he crouched down, so he was closer to both their heights.
Knowing he couldn't get out of this. And it would only give the rest of residents of Los Noches information he resigned himself to this.
"Kagome," he said, nothing more or less.
"She has no spiritual energy, and it's like she isn't here," Yammy stated as he reached out a hand, fingers curling as he poked her in the stomach.
Glad he was holding her as her body jerked back. Glad that Yammy was not rough as usual. Ulquiorra glanced down to see Kagome blink before she lifted a hand of her own, curling it into a fist and then bumping it against Yammy's finger. A wide smile on her face as she looked up with nothing but innocence shining in her blue eyes.
"She is strange," Yammy stated as he reached beside him, picking up his dog by the scruff and thrusting it at Kagome.
Who didn't take the dog until she saw him give a small nod of his head? When her arms wrapped around the dog, he let go of her. Ulquiorra knew that there was more to the dog than what seemed. It survived Yammy daily.
"We have a mission. The sooner we leave, we can return," Ulquiorra stated.
With that, he started to turn to leave only to hear a cough come from Baraggan. Pausing, he looked back to the Second Espada. Who smiled widely down at him from his seat on his raised throne.
"Is this mission dangerous? If it is, you cannot think of taking your tiny little Fraccion with you. She'd be a hindrance you'd have to protect," Baraggan said smugly to him.
Narrowing his eyes at the truth of the words, Ulquiorra just blinked once as he replied, "I was going to leave her in my room. Starrk is gone at the moment, so she cannot spend time with Lilynette."
The way Barragan's smile widened to show his teeth under his bushy gray mustache had Ulquiorra on edge. Somehow he knew that he wouldn't like what was going to come from the man's mouth. Baraggan was manipulative when he wanted something.
"Oh, you think that the other Espada would respect you enough to stay out of your quarters when that little thing is all that they are talking about? Especially the lower five?" Baraggan asked, shifting so he could rest his head on his fist as his elbow settled on the arm of his throne.
This gave Ulquiorra a bit of a pause. He knew that the others were curious. That they'd try to get into the room. Thus with her alone, she was exposed.
"Speak your piece and be done, Baraggan," he said, not belying anything that was going on in his head. He felt little to nothing but annoyance at that moment.
"Leave the girl with me. I promise I will do nothing and allow nothing to happen to your little Kagome," Baraggan said, his smile now predatory.
There was no falsehood in the words that he could detect. And he knew that Baraggan did keep his word even if everyone but Aizen was considered beneath him. Glancing down at Kagome, he saw her looking at him questioningly. He knew she was interested in staying there with Baraggan. It practically radiated from her person.
"Fine. Let none of the others near my Fraccion. If they come to see that it is fine if she is okay with it," he stated. "Ah, she doesn't speak, but she can read and write very well."
With a small push between her shoulder blades, Ulquiorra sent Kagome towards Baraggan. He was watching as she stumbled at first before her tiny feet took her straight, the man. Her head tilting up to look at him, Ulquiorra noted a look of recognition on her face as he turned to leave with Yammy in tow.
Just as he stepped out of the room, he caught the soft-spoken words from Barragan, "It has been a long time, hasn't it little human. You haven't changed at all since then. Come, let us catch up, since you defied death multiple times, Kagome."
It had him wondering if Baraggan had lost a bit of sanity before recalling Kagome looked at him with recognition. Shooting a glance back over his shoulder, he saw that Kagome was sitting in Barragan's lap, comfortable and at ease as she furiously wrote on her little notepad. The smile on her face was one of delight that made her blue eyes shine brilliantly.
Not like what he saw, Ulquiorra turned and continued. There was a mission to complete. And he wanted it done now. Kagome was his Fraccion and belonged in his presence and care, not that of others.
TBC!
