She couldn't bear the pitying looks they gave her, the soft whispers that ceased as she entered the corridors. Only the Captain knew the truth, or thought he did; that she hadn't saved herself.
Someone less ashamed of their own weakness might have stayed, enduring the stain of their cowardice with a brave face. A borrowed smile for every day, that's what she could've done. Lived as the survivor with a smile to all those she met and cast a blind eye to their talk.
See that girl, well she murdered her Lieutenant! Imagine what kind of cold-blooded heart she must have…to smile when she did that!
It was just too much.
Escaping to Hueco Mundo had seemed like the only way, sooner or later, she figured, she'd end up in a Hollow's belly. However…she flinched at the screams emitted by the group of soulless creatures as Ulquiorra methodically went through them.
Blood sprayed the sand and ripped off limbs disintegrated along with it. Dazed, Rukia recalled the scene only moments before when, upon approaching a seemingly deserted patch of ground around a dark pond, this very hoard had descended, eager for a quick meal to satisfy their hunger. She had drawn Sode no Shirayuki, figuring she'd have to go it alone; he had disappeared from the cave.
So her surprise was great when her first blow had gone-predictably awry-a slender beam of green light had erupted the face of the one bearing down on her. She didn't need their dismayed hisses of: Vasto Lordes! To know exactly who had landed behind her.
Ulquiorra.
Rukia avoided looking at him as he walked past her. Fury was evident in the tense ridge of his sharp shoulder blades, his voice was even, though the veiled anger was there, "stay back," he hissed softly. She needed no second warning. He ripped them apart with frightening speed, crushing skulls and tearing throats out. Bile rose, but she managed not to gag.
He might just turn on her at the last second if she uttered a sound.
"Why did you come here?" he had finished the systematic slaughter of the Hollows. She swallowed hard, allowances aside; she'd just been saved. Again. "I stink! I'm filthy…I needed a bath." She eyed him narrowly, "got a problem with that?"
He shifted slightly, glancing at her, not speaking. Leaving her to regret her impertinence for a second. Then, he made a gesture like that of a human shrug.
"Do what you wish."
She gaped at his back, striding away to the fake shade of a crystal tree. He sat down beneath it, crossing his arms over his chest. Did he mean for her to bathe in front of him?! Rukia sheathed her Zanpaku-to and took a few tentative steps closer to the tree. Peering closely, she saw that his eyes beneath the mask; were closed. Was he asleep?
Just to make sure, she passed her hand over his face, receiving no response. Rocking back on her heels, Rukia turned back and contemplated the pool of emerald water. The sand around it was mottled a sickly crimson from the blood of the interlopers. Disgusting. But it was better than nothing.
She skinned from her clothes, taking care to step in at the edge before removing the last layer and exposing herself for all of the Hollow world to see. Immediately, Rukia plunged in, sending ripples and light splashes to lap the white ground. The water only came chest high as she found in the center. Vigorously she began scrubbing at the brown patches of her arms and legs. Grime had set in and it would take more than this for her to ever feel clean again.
She ducked her head, resurfacing for air a moment later. Her eyes were shut and droplets trickled down her cheeks from the wet strands of hair clinging to them. Her gasp or perhaps it was his sharp senses awoke at the change in sound waves. For as she broke the surface of the pool, his eyes opened and pinpointed on her thin figure bobbing in the water.
Never had he seen such a flat, unfeminine Shinigami before. Though that in itself was demeaning for she had another quality, unusual even to the loveliest Shinigami female, simply placed: she had captured his interest. And for Ulquiorra Schiffer, that was enough to warrant his watching her for several minutes longer while she rubbed the fading reddish mark of the wound he'd given her and repeatedly covered her chilled bee-sting breasts with open palms.
~~~*~~~
Twice she swore she felt something watching. A fast look around assured her as to the emptiness of the spot-besides Ulquiorra. And he was asleep. Shrugging away the nervous feeling, she continued on until the worst of the ground in dirt had fallen off and she no longer carried any particular odor unless one counted the scent of rather stale water soaking her skin. However that could not be helped. Fresh water it seemed was a rarity in the desolate lands of Hueco Mundo.
Cupping a handful of the greenish liquid, Rukia held it up to her face, then, satisfied by the vague reflection she saw, let it trickle slowly through her fingers. That was enough for bathing. A chill wind she'd seen gusting the sand dunes farther away and once in a while a light, cool breeze would rustle her damp torso. Goose pimples dotted her arms and she began to tremble violently.
Catching a cold was something she would rather not experience, especially with a Hollow for a nursemaid. The last part of such thoughts gave her quite a turn so that as she exited the pool, a tiny unwilling smile turned her lips up. The cleanest part of her old clothing was the outer black kimono, so for a while she sat with it on, tied by the white sash from the hakama. A brief dipping in the decidedly scummy brown water restored the white-under to relative cleanliness, tear in the side or not.
A uniform in the state hers was in; would've been tossed out and a new one issued. But, Rukia thought with a twinge of remorse, she wasn't in Soul society anymore. Her hands smoothed out the creases in the fabric, stretching it out over a nearby boulder to dry in the moonlight. A world of a coldly shining moon overhead was her home now, not one of where the four seasons passed in a place of safety…and memories.
She sighed; it did no good to lament it, not when she had come here in penance. No doubt, the Hollow who slept so soundly behind her, planned on turning on her when she least expected it. Distrustful, she shot a quick glance to him, finding him in still the same unmovable position as before. Did Hollows really sleep? Or did they just close their eyes and pretend to rest as the humans did?
She stiffened; he twitched in his sleep. His head nodded lower, the curved horns sinking down. Maybe he wasn't faking it. Curiosity overpowered reason and she got close to him again. A few feet of sand remained after she had halted her steps; dropping to her knees, she inched slowly nearer. Leaning forward onto her palm, she twisted her head to peer into his face. Up close, his soft breathing brushed her cheeks and tickled the long bangs on her forehead.
Pale lids were shut over piercing orbs; his chest moved gently and fell with rhythmic breathing. Enough to satisfy her that he was thoroughly and deeply asleep. She released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, caressing his skin and waking him. Rukia had turned her face away, leaning a little back; a hard hand wrapped around her wrist jerking her forward suddenly.
"What are you doing, Shinigami?" Ulquiorra breathed dangerously.
"N-n-nothing." She didn't like how her voice shook. Her eyes dropped down to his other hand hooked tightly around her waist; when had he put it there? "Release me. I didn't do anything to you," she ordered calmly. His fingers lost a little of their intense pressure, but he didn't let her go. His gaze on her was unnerving, the closeness between them was uncomfortable merely because Rukia was used to only fearing the creatures at such range. His jaw unclenched and though, she didn't wish to, she found herself staring back into his eyes, being unable to peculiarly look away.
It seemed as though something passed between them at that moment. Neither caring nor a tender emotion similar, but understanding. Blissful understanding rare for two creatures such as them:
He wouldn't eat her and she wouldn't try to run away.
It was something based solely on need. A need for a guardian was hers, what his was…she hesitated to guess. It certainly couldn't be companionship, for Hollows didn't feel loneliness. Whatever it was…she thought to herself, she didn't need to know. Maybe someday he'd tell her.
~~~*~~~
And so, the Shinigami who had run away to find solace in atonement and the Vasto Lordes whom had first spared her life, got up and left quietly together, almost side-by-side.
Not knowing what the future held.
~~~To be continued I guess~~~
AN: yeah finally did this chappie. :P took me long enough…ahem. What I have planned for it should be good…I think you guys will be surprised and do I smell a love triangle in the future? *Giggles* reviews are always appreciated!