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Chapter 9
=DA=
Part 5
=DA=
Hueco Mundo
With all the immediate concerns dealt with, I finally made my way deep into the desert, where I could both meditate in peace and most importantly, let loose to test how much my control has improved in practice. Besides, my brief absence should embolden various dissenters like Barrragan and hopefully they would act sooner rather than later, giving me an excuse to clean up house. Really, it would have been simply if my bullshit didn't work as well as it did, because unless I wanted it all to be for nothing, I did have to back up my words with actions.
Either way, getting my control back was priority. I settled myself on top of a tall sand dune after making sure that there was nothing and no one of consequence around and closed my eyes, concentrating all my attention upon my Spiritual Power. Unless suppressed, it was rippling and chaotic, something to be expected when a person was under tremendous stress, in combat or gravely wounded. Extreme mental stress could account for it as well, stress like remembering a previous life and your Zanpakuto ensuring that the personality that would emerge would be your reincarnated self, not the one she had to suffer for the past few centuries.
That was less than ideal really. Back in the day, such a level of stress was normal and one way to feed the Dark Side and generally help keep it off my case, or so I kept telling myself. Here and now? It was counter-productive. The good news was that I no longer had the Dark Side trying to mess with my mind all day long every day, so that was one source of stress out. On the other hand, I had an army of generally untrustworthy Arrancar to manage, perhaps bringing in some Mandalorian or Sith teachings to give them a binding cause and make my life easier in the long run might be in order as far as they were concerned. Then there was Soul Society in general and Gotei 13 in particular, the bloody Noble Clans and higher authority who I did have to worry about for the time being… and everything I didn't know about that might bite me in the backside. So no pressure, right?
Right, keep the stress down and don't think what Retsu might decide will do for an exciting foreplay, perhaps find a way to sick her on Ukitake, because she might find him very interesting as well now that Orihime healed him.
A frustrated sigh escaped my lips as my concentration wavered before I mustered it back up and went to test the various Shinigami and Sith meditation techniques I was familiar with, trying to figure out which ones would work best for my new self. Getting my control back was going to be easier said than done and that wasn't a good thing…
=DA=
Kasumiōji Clan compound
Soul Society
Representatives from many Noble Clans quietly gathered within a secluded room lined up with Kido seals that would ensure no one would overhear their conversations. Notably, there were members from the Great Noble Clans, respectively representing the secretive Tsunayashiro along with the disgraced Kuchiki and Shihoin. Beside them on a long table sat representatives of the majority of the Noble Houses within Soul Society, more notably the Ukitake, Kyoraku, Ise, Kira, Omaeda and Fon Clans.
These were the Houses the Nobility chose the serving members of Central 46 from to control and direct their society. In the same way they would choose some of their best and most difficult to control members to join the Gotei 13 to gain a foothold within that organization so that, should confrontation with the military ever come, some of the Gotei's forces would be loyal to them instead of the Captain Commander.
It was a well concealed secret that the Noble Houses feared and in some cases, outright loathed Gotei 13. It's very existence was a constant proof that the likes of Yamamoto forced the existing status quo upon them at Zanpakuto point. Thus, from the very beginning, the Noble Houses have been plotting to diminish the military's authority and power. In some regards it was easy – for all his faults, Yamamoto usually was a reasonable man and wouldn't push the Clans in outright opposition if he had a choice. After all, it was long known that such a conflict would be disastrous for everyone involved, no matter who emerged victorious.
That uneasy existence lasted centuries and might have persisted for much longer if it wasn't for recent events.
"Central 46 was annihilated… and we only learned of it weeks later." The Tsunayashiro stated coldly the moment everyone was seated. He didn't bother with the usual long winded introductions and ego-stroking that those entailed. "My master is displeased. If this was an act aimed directly at us, we wouldn't have noticed before we had a blade stuck between our ribs! I need two questions answered before we go any further. First, did Aizen work for Central 46 is capacity similar to that of our hosts? And second, does anyone has credible information about that man's goals?"
Over two dozen men and women looked warily at each other before confirming that to the best of their knowledge, Sosuke Aizen didn't have a closer relationship with Central 46 than the average Gotei 13 Captain. There were as many theories about Aizen's goals and agenda as there were people present – everything from the man being an idealist to a ruthless bastard who might fit right in among themselves, who used any opportunity to better his station. Not unexpectedly, there was no consensus about his goals, much less hard evidence what he was up to. What little they did know, combined with the man's claims on the other hand…
"He's no friend of ours. The murder of so many of our compatriots is proof enough." Lin Omaeda stated. She was a thin, willowy woman who had very little in common with her nephew who served as the Lieutenant of Second Division. "Further, Aizen," she spat the name as expected, after all, one of her sons died during the massacre, "has the gall to use us as a distraction. He has built himself an army of Hollows, one he's blaming on Central 46 and by extension, all of us and our Clans!"
"Lady Omaeda is right. Something like this can't go unpunished." Tsunayashiro was among the first to agree aloud. "While we will use our influence to push Gotei 13 to deal with their rogue Captains, we can't necessary trust them to get the job done. In fact, from what we've seen, Aizen is trying to use them against us instead."
"Well, he is right about one thing." Their host spoke for the first time since greeting them on arrival. "We do have various contingencies to deal with Gotei 13 if we have to. In that regard, do I have permission to ensure that my Clan won't stray from the fold?" The elderly Gyōkaku Kumoi asked. "Some of you are aware that our current Clan Heir has views unbecoming someone of her station and a member of a Noble Clan. If left unchecked, well…" He trailed off with a nonchalant shrug.
"We'll take it under advisement." The Tsunayashiro representative allowed. "I recommend that the Kasumiōji Clan increases their contribution to our continued survival along with everyone else covering one or more of our contingencies. Naturally, Clan Tsunayashiro will do the same..."
=DA=
Part 6
=DA=
Aizen's quarters
Las Noches
Hueco Mundo
As a Vasto Lorde turned Arrancar, an Espada at that, and thus one of the most powerful beings in any dimensions, Ulquiorra Cifer suffered by the blessed assumption that there was no one and nothing left that would ever again make him feel like prey. The Shinigami sitting on the other side of a low, glass table smiling gently at him, shattered that particular preconception without even trying.
"I must congratulate you, Ulquiorra. You're the first and only Arrancar to unlock the full potential of your kind and thus reach a level playing field with the Shinigami Captains. A Second Resurrections against Bankai, a fascinating development." The monster smiled kindly at him.
Ulquiorra had the nagging suspicion that this smile was actually a genuine one, however that didn't fill him with confidence, not at all. In fact, it made him feel like a young hollow having the misfortune of stumbling upon something much older, more powerful and most importantly, hungry…
He still didn't know how Aizen knew about his trump card and that didn't help his peace of mind. And to think that until recently, Cifer believed himself to be beyond such uncouth things like regular emotions…
"I merely wanted to reach my full potential…" Ulquiorra eventually answered, choosing his words very carefully.
"That's the spirit!" Aizen nodded in approval. "In that regard, I do have a few ideas. First, as an Espada and thus one of my most valued commanders," the Monster's lips twitched at that, probably implying that some Espada were anything but trusted and valued right now, "your next task will be to help your fellow Arrancar unlock their Second Resurrections. Second, I do have a request to ask of you…" Aizen trailed off and stared intently at Ulquiorra.
Cifer had to fight his own body not to squirm under the intense scrutiny. Even Murcelano felt something from that unnatural stare.
"I'll do as you command, my Lord."
"That's the spirit! As I said, I do have a side project for you – one of our new guests has an invaluable ability and I'll be most unhappy if anything happens to Ms Orihime Inoue. It will be your job to act as her guide and protector while she remains our guest. Anyone tries to mess with her, you have my permission to annihilate them."
"I'll see to her well-being then." Ulqiorra was sure that besides anything else, this was a test, both of capability and character. Obviously, failure would not be an option. On the bright side, having permission to deal with certain vexing elements for being their irritating selves was a good thing no matter how you looked at it.
"Good. Now to the next point. Right now, we're little more than a bunch of monsters bound together primary out of fear from the biggest, nastiest monster in Hueco Mundo, yours truly." Aizen continued.
Cifer said nothing, that was an obvious truth, even though at least a few Espada and other assorted Arrancar did follow the Shinigami at least in part because of the power he gave them. However, Ulquiorra had no illusions – this man's power was the primary reason why he was wildly acknowledged as the current King of Hueco Mundo. Besides, no matter the details, they were all Hollows, monsters who respected strength and usually cared for precious little else.
"If we are to have future, if we're to not only survive against Soul Society in the long run but transcendent our natures and shatter our limits, we need to be more than mere monsters." Aizen said. "We need something to unite us beyond our mutual enmity with Seireitei. We need a cause to gather behind, because merely a mutual hatred against a common enemy – that's a fragile thing indeed."
With those words, Aizen did get Ulquiorra's undivided attention. Not only this wasn't like the man he had been familiar with, but the very idea and issue he just raised were interesting to say at least.
"I haven't looked at it from this angle." Cifer admitted.
"It's not something that comes natural to Hollows, no matter the stripe." Aizen offered. "We need a culture of our own."
Ulquiorra couldn't really help himself and stared at Aizen. There was a Hollow culture, kind of. It was very bare-bones and not conductive to what the monster aimed at.
"Battle, conflict, it's in our nature. For survival, for power, for fun." Aizen continued and Ulquiorra didn't miss the our in that statement. "For us to thrive in the future, we need to use this fact as a foundation, yet we need more."
"That's a fascinating idea, my Lord. However, I believe it would be a hard thing to do." Cifer wasn't sure what to thing about this. The idea itself, of a culture, identity, of becoming something more, it was both enticing and revolting, struggling with his essence of despair.
"Then we will have to drag the rest of our people into a new era kicking and screaming." Aizen appeared unconcerned by the prospect of the monumental task he put before them. Then again, if anyone could get all Hollows to either follow him or ensure they died, he was the one for the job. "Conflict is in our nature, we change, evolve, better ourselves through it. Yet, left unrestrained, if we indulge that desire at every opportunity, we will destroy ourselves as a people and become little more than the beast who roamed these deserts of ours alone, as individuals of no real consequence no matter our individual power."
Cifer bristled internally at the jab at where Aizen found not only him but every single one of his fellow Espada with the obvious exception of the former King of Hueco Mundo, who had been content of ruling upon a Las Noches which was little more than an empty husk – nothing like the palace they sat within. It didn't escape Ulquiorra's attention that the point was well made despite the fact that Aizen hasn't been one of those prowling through the desert without a direction.
"Obviously, we can't just put aside our ambitions and desire for conflict. We not only can't stop, we should not, because to do so would mean to stagnate, fossilize and die when challenged. What we need is a structure, a creed and a culture to channel our desire for conflict, to put it to good use for not only our own good but for a higher purpose."
"This sound good in theory, however I have trouble seeing how it might work out in practice, my Lord." Still, it was good that Aizen didn't have delusions of radically changing the nature of Hollows, otherwise, Cifer was afraid of what the man might wrought over them. He did have the raw power to destroy anyone opposing him after all.
"I have no illusions about my vision of the future being something easy to achieve. The challenge is going to be magnificent and a success worth it in the end, I believe. First, we need something more than merely being a Hollow, a Shinigami or a hybrid between the two to define us. I do have in mind six tenets I wish to discuss, which when refined will become the foundations for a new society and the future we will build."
At that, Ulquiorra leaned forward, intrigued.
"First, we need something to distinguish us as a people from the regular Hollows roaming Hueco Mundo and the Shinigami loyal to Seireitei. A uniform, perhaps an armour for the weaker Hollow and Shinigami, along with those whose Hierro isn't all that good."
Ulquiorra glanced down at his own uniform and nodded in agreement. That much made sense and it was an obvious first step, an easy one too, which wasn't likely to face any meaningful opposition. After all, almost everyone already wore a uniform to distinguish their allegiance to Aizen.
"I'm glad you agree. Second, we need our own language…" Aizen trailed off and chuckled at Cifer's shock.
The Espada stared wide-eyed at the Shinigami, any pretense of composure shattered. The reason why everyone in Las Noches went out of their way to speak Japanese was obvious, it was the man smiling at him who took over the place and exclusively used his own native language. Small wonder that everyone emulated him.
"If you're wondering, I do not intent to enforce Japanese as our language, so no worries there, Ulquiorra. Cero, Hierro, Sonido… our own form of Spanish would do I believe and when we have the time, it might be worth investigating our roots and how those terms came to be. It might be the obvious, or perhaps like the ruins we built today's Las Noches upon, it's a sign that there is more to Hueco Mundo than it meets the eye."
"Some of our members will like the idea, while others not so much." Ulquiorra eventually said. "Our origin is hardly contained to either Japan or Spain in the human world."
"Unless I try to invent my own language and force it down the throats of everyone, it can't be helped." Aizen shrugged. "Carrying on, we will be building from the Fractions the Espada have and the Shinigami who decided to follow me against Soul Society and turning them into our own Clans, the founding blocks of our future society. We will be channeling our desire for conflict primary in defending and bettering said Clans and through them, advancing and protecting our society."
Again, it was a logical evolution and Ulquiorra wondered if Aizen had been planting the seeds for this since day one and until now merely giving time for the basic ideas to take root and become something natural… He frowned.
"My Lord Aizen, will I need to get a Fraction, a Clan as well?"
"Obviously. You can use your new charge as a trial run. Keep her safe, Ulquiorra."
"I will not fail, my Lord."
"See to it that you do not. The next tenet would be another logical evolution – seeing to the well being of your Clan and its betterment. That shouldn't be too hard or onerous. Number five, and certainly not negotiable, will be rallying to the call of the leader of our society, me." Aizen's kind smile didn't waver, however Ulquiorra felt chill spreading up and down his spine.
Yes, following Aizen's orders wasn't optional and it was only a matter of time before the monster made a proper example form either Barragan or one of his like minded acquaintances.
"Sensible." That was all Cifer said, because really, what else was there to be said on either of those two points?
"And finally, raising the members of your Clan and any children if you can have them in our ways. Simple, sensible rules, aren't they? Do you think we can convince our people to follow them?"
Was that a trick question, Ulquiorra wondered, while nodding rapidly?
=DA=
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