"She has been…found? Alive?" carefully asked the tall, handsome man of aristocratic mien behind the desk of Sixth Division. The messenger had born the news to Ukitake-Taichou of Thirteenth and couldn't help but compare the reactions of the frail Taichou to the frozen mask of the younger before him.

"Yes."

Byakuya Kuchiki sighed and rested his chin in his hands in a contemplative gesture. Imminent retrieval was called for yet he hesitated on sending for Abarai Fukutaichou. In a swift movement he had stood, imperiously staring down at the Ritei-Tai agent. "I will go myself. That will be all." He dismissed curtly.

The agent bowed but spoke again, "with all due respect, sir, Ukitake-Taichou thought you might choose such a course and has requested to be allowed to accompany you."

"Fine. We leave within the hour."

~Karakura town~

Sora Inoue.

She slowed her running so that they stayed in pace, going up the darkened streets. Without glancing once to his face, she could sense his worry.

Died. Leaving his younger sister whom he had raised, alone. If that didn't create a lost soul…Rukia glimpsed the moon peeking out between the buildings, the bone whiteness of it made her think of another moon high over colorless sand. Ulquiorra…how had he died? Alone? Scared? Her brow furrowed, she didn't what to think of that now.

"What's wrong?"

"Huh?"

Keeping his stride even, Ichigo shot her a look; "you've been scowling something fierce for a while already. Just tell me what's going on." he ended on a slightly, higher more demanding note and she had to crack a slight smile.

"It's nothing…just…" she couldn't think of a way to explain Ulquiorra. They weren't lovers. He wasn't exactly someone from her past…

"There was someone who—who I was very close to," the words hovered in the air, falling hesitantly from her lips. Rukia frowned; Ichigo listened. "We…he saved me numerous times and I…I…was happy being with him." Her voice ended on a near whisper.

"And?" he caught her pained look, "what happened?" he finished more gently. Rukia sighed sadly, "It's complicated. He…he left me!"

"What do you mean? He dumped you?"

Ichigo didn't understand at all.

"Nothing." She turned away, "it was only platonic anyway."

He didn't hear her, "up ahead! That's where she lives!"

~Las Noches Palace~

"How're you holding up?"

Ulquiorra kept silent. Unperturbed nor realizing his presence wasn't welcome in the Cuatro's midnight sojourn, followed relatively closely was Stark. Hands in pockets, he mimicked the other's easy stroll and soon couldn't resist another verbal jibe, "the fourth, eh? Still an enviable position, not too far from myself but not yet quite enough to have everything you want—"

"Must you insist upon making comparisons between yourself and me?" he asked coldly.

"That's all there is to do around here anyway." Stark shrugged, "so why not?" his gray eyes narrowing in mirth flickered to Ulquiorra's impassive face, "say, you think that Shinigami girl is in love with that—"

Seconds later, a Balas had created a large crater where Stark's head had been. Ulquiorra withdrew his fist from the wall, turning to favor La Primera with a long look full of meaning. "Never speak of her in my presence again." He strode off.

Stark watched him go; smiling faintly at his comrade's rigid back.

The fool. Try as he might…it was only too clear the truth of what he so denied lurking just beneath the surface…unrequited love...how sweet.

~*~

In love with that boy?

He knew that was what Stark had intimated.

Trash. Beneath her…oh so very beneath her.

Ulquiorra reached his room and entered the dull monotone of white and black. In his mind's eye, she waited for him, perhaps with a smile or a playful scowl and halfway angry words for being left behind. Oh yes…he could see her. Closing his eyes to the empty room devoid of another, he sank onto the bed. In the stillness he could pretend they were side by side, lying on a rock floor, standing under the moonlight. Something ached deep inside. He wondered at it but once more forgot it entirely, lost in his fantasy.

~To be continued~

Note: I posted this in hopes of jump-starting my creativity--otherwise I've had it for a while. More will come soon-I think. Ah well, excuse the shortness. :P

Thanks for reading--no flames or idiotic spammers! Reviews are always appreciated.

Another thing, on my profile under the deviantart stuff there's a new pic from this story. :) 'Rukia's drawing' I believe the downloaded version is the best.