She stared at the locked door.

I derived no pleasure from our previous encounter.

Why did he say that? What was there to gain by telling her such a thing? Slowly she sunk down, her back pressed against the wall, her legs curled beneath her. Remembering his threat, her forehead puckered, her lips thinning as she scowled darkly.

Bastard. How dare he threaten her! Just for that--just for that, what, Rukia? she had to ask herself. His image floated before her mind's eye. The jagged tips of his black hair, his detached gaze, the passionless look in his eyes as he...she refused to go any farther. That much was must've been true then. He hadn't looked at all like he had enjoyed violating her, another perhaps might've showed some emotion like amusement or sick delight watching her squirm and struggle.

Someone like Gin for instance...

~*~

Ulquiorra couldn't erase the woman's face from his mind. He knew it was simply a recollection of Ichimaru and his Lord's orders and the disgust he himself had for touching the woman. He couldn't see the reason for his superiors enjoyment of the act. The need for Carnal pleasure wasn't rooted in the subconscious of a Hollow, the desire to procreate was one as well.

A very human thing, he mused, hand lying against the panel of the white cell door.

Inside, a very different captive was kept.

Orihime Inoue looked up, her eyes red and swollen, but her voice steady, "how is Rukia?"

~Outside Las Noches~

Failure.

They had gone against the empty world and were being forced to return with more than just the losses accrued beforehand. Soul Society had sent their Captains not to aid but to bring back the dissidents, imprisonment awaited them within the walled city until they had either been taught this was for the greater good or...until the day the war began.

Rukia wasn't with them.

Held by the binding spell of her stoic-faced brother, Ichigo couldn't believe Byakuya to be so cold-hearted. This was the man whom had risked his life to protect her against the traitor Ichimaru's Shinso; the very one whom had given her the choice after taking her back to the Soul Society, to defy orders and charge into Hueco Mundo for her friend.

And yet...

"Rukia Kuchiki is dead."

Ichigo's eyes darkened. That pale-faced bastard! Giving him the choice to either turn back or continue on, Orihime waited...

In the end he had chosen neither. Orihime was the one to be rescued, not Rukia. Trust them. Trust everyone to return safe and sound and now...

The imitation Garganta appeared ahead of them, the threads of the dimensional wall rippling once then opening fully. He saw the others move forward. Felt the invisible tendrils of power tugging on his legs, urging him to follow. He turned his head once and glared straight into the Kuchiki Noble's steely slate eyes.

"Rukia isn't dead."

Then suppressing all his will, all his desire to run back and prove them wrong, rescue the friends he was being forced to leave behind, Ichigo took one step forward.

He would return, he vowed. And next time wouldn't be beaten.

~To be continued~

AN: I noticed that as of late, there hasn't been anything updated/new on the UlquiRuki archive page! ): That makes me very unhappy! Where did everyone go?!

Anyhow...thanks for reading :)

No flames-stupid comment-idiotic spammers!

Reviews appreciated! :)