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 made his way through the halls towards the third Espada's section of Los Noches. He was not amused but knew he would be walking a fine line. Word had reached him that Nnorita and his Fraccion Tesra Lindocruz had cornered Kagome. Which never meant anything good since Nnorita was a woman-hater. But Kagome was given to him to take care of, and he had left her in the care of Starrk and Lilynette.

But that Tier Harribel and her Fraccion had stumbled across the scene and rescued Kagome. That was a different problem, and re-acquiring her back from the woman would be difficult if she chose. He didn't pay her any mind but knew that Tier was not fond of males in general. Her Fraccion followed in those steps, so it was a hot mess all around. And he didn't particularly like to deal with Tier's Fraccion. They were loud, obnoxious, and rather invasive due to their base natures.

Turning the corner, Ulquiorra narrowed his eyes at Tesra, who stepped back from him. The fact that he was still there meant Nnorita left him to report. And it was confirmed when he passed the blond and heard Tesra walk fairly fast down the way he'd just come from. Once more, Ulquiorra wondered why he kept Kagome? She tended to cause problems, even if she didn't mean to. Then again, to refuse Lord Aizen was not an option.

"You poor thing..."

"How the hell can Cifer leave you alone? You were a gift from Lord Aizen!"

"You two should calm down. The poor thing seems to be in shock, and yelling and blaming the Fourth Espada is not going to help."

Ulquiorra didn't have to be in the room to hear them; they were speaking rather loud. And oddly, he was a bit amused by what she said, especially from Sung Sung. Slowing his pace, he let his Reiatsu flex a little to let Tier and the others know he was coming. His senses brushing up against the dead space that was Kagome was telling more so because it was much larger due to her current state of being.

After coming to a stop in the doorway, Ulquiorra felt shocked at the loud, wet sound emanating from Mila Rose's chest, where Kagome seemed to hang limply. He watched as the dark-haired, horned Fraccion's eyes went wide, and her face turned an interesting dusky red. Then Kagome was dropped from where she had been face planted, only to scamper to the side, well away from the three Fraccion and curling into a small ball. It displeased him; she didn't come to him immediately and wanted to make her come over.

"Cifer."

His gaze shifted from his Fraccion to look at Tier Harribel. The way her clear blue eyes seemed to measure him had Uliquorra feeling defensive. But starting a fight in Los Noches and with another numbered Espada was taboo. Lord Aizen would deal out retribution and that he didn't want.

"Tier. Thank you for rescuing my Fraccion," He stated blandly. "May I enter your room to retrieve her?"

There was a long pause as he waited for Tier to answer. Knowing she would allow it even if her Fraccion were whispering a bit too loudly about how deplorable he was at taking care of Kagome. And that had his lips twitching into a small smile as Apacci commented that he didn't deserve Kagome and should keep her. The next second, a black and white streak was over by the three Fraccion, and Apacci was yelling in shock and surprise as Kagome kicked her in the shin.

His body was tense when Apacci instinctively made to retaliate as he lashed out with his Reiatsu. This had three Fraccion hitting their knees while Kagome and Tier kept standing and looking at him. Though Kagomes' eyes had gone wide and her body was shaking in fear. Something she had never done before.

"That is enough Ciefer, you can come in and claim your Fraccion," Tier said softly. "But you should be aware that some hurts do not show on the surface, and it might take time for it to manifest. We have checked her for bruising or wounds; none are present. Apacci apologized to Cifer for your comment. And to Kagome, who you insulted since she is protective of her Espada."

Ulquiorra didn't understand what Tier was saying, though he got the gist of it. He tilted his head as Apacci apologize begrudgingly to him, then to Kagome before offering her a safe place to come if she got tired of staying with him. It annoyed him as he walked across the room and stopped by Kagome, who had yet to look up at him, her body still trembling. Females were difficult, and now he had to deal with one that only communicated via writing.

"Kagome, come."

He said as he watched her bob her head once before he turned and walked out without another word.


Ulquiorra sat on his chair, waiting for Kagome to come back out of the bathroom. Having told her to clean the filth off her upon entering his room. Kagome had scampered off without a look, pausing only to grab a new top and bottoms. The last sound he heard was the click of the lock on the door, something that hadn't happened before. Slowly he picked apart what Tier had told him about some hurts not showing on the surface.

Lifting his eyes from the floor beneath his feet when the sound of water turned off, finally. Kagome never took a shower that long before; it had him wondering why she would? Or if it was tied to what Tier had said? In the five months, he had Kagome under his care; she had never expressed any emotions but happiness or being tired. His knowledge of humans was small; they were insignificant to him. Yet Kagome wasn't truly an Arrancar. The proof was that the hollow hole she had that only appeared when there was more than just him around.

His eyes never left the door as his patience began to wear thin when the door didn't open after another ten minutes. Ulquiorra was about to get up and forcefully open the door when the handle turned, and it was pushed swung inwards. The fact that no steam rolled out with Kagome as she stepped out was telling.

Ulquiorra watched as Kagome slowly shuffled towards him, careful not to drag her bare feet across the floor. When she stopped just within his arms reach, her head still hung as if she was waiting for something. He could see the small trembling of her body as he caught the faint scent of salt. Ulquiorra knew that smell; it was from tears.

"Kagome, look at me."

It took a few seconds before she responded and did as he commanded. When she did, Ulquiorra saw something in the depths of her eyes he didn't like. There was a murkiness there that had never been, and it had him frowning. The fact that Kagome stiffened up at his frown and fighting from stepping away had Ulquiorra closing his eyes to calm himself.

"Kagome, are you afraid of me?"

When he opened his eyes, Kagomes were wide in shock as her mouth worked. The silent No, she repeated over and over, was sincere. Ulquiorra was mentally glad that she was not capable of being deceitful.

"Then why do you tremble and back away from me?"

He kept her pinned where she stood as he waited for her to answer. Her eyes darted to the small table where extra notepads and writing utensils were kept for her. Giving a slight nod, Ulquiorra watched as Kagome bent and picked up a new pad, flipped it open with ease, and then began to write with a new pencil. Then turned it to face him so he could read.

"Because I failed you. I put myself in harm's way, unintentionally, and could have been killed. Miss Tier and her (weird, loud, and rude) Fraccion saved me when I returned from Mr. Starrks. If harm happened to me, that man you call Lord Aizen would hurt you."

He was in shock at what he was reading. Letting out a small sigh, something he had taken to doing where his Fraccion was concerned, Ulquiorra leaned back in the chair and looked at her.

"You fear for me being punished because you got hurt. Do you have so little faith in me and my capabilities to survive?"

In seconds Kagome was scribbling furiously on the notepad.

"No! I know you are strong. Much stronger than anyone. You'd survive. But you'd be hurt cause I was stupid and that shames me. Also, I didn't want you to touch me. As you stated, I was covered in filth due to that man... and what he did to me."

Ulquiorra had to re-read what was written a few times due to it being messy. But he narrowed his eyes as it finally clicked in his head what Tier had said. Nnorita hadn't tried to beat Kagome, which explained why she had no bruises or wounds. No, the bastard had done something far crueler. As he looked into the now murky depths of his Fraccion's eyes, Ulquiorra knew what it was, a taint that wouldn't be easily washed away.

"Kagome, I am giving you the right to protect yourself to the best of your ability. If he, or anyone, messes with you again, you fight back no matter what. I will deal with the consequences. Lord Aizen gave you to me, and I failed in not protecting you."

Ulquiorra watched as Kagome seemed to go numb from his words, the notepad and pencil dropping to the floor with a quiet clatter. Her eyes wide as her cheeks became red. Then she dipped her head and ran behind the chair. Unsure of why she would react that way, Ulquiorra figured as he heard her shuffling around in her bedding that it was time for him to bathe and sleep.

All while planning a coincidental meeting with Nnorita soon. No one touched what was his to protect.

TBC!