Hello everyone!

I am just so happy about the kind things I got from your reviews.

Just to clear up a few questions and confusions I got:

Sayuri's name does mean "lily." I will try making Sayuri 'stronger' in later chapters because I too do not like the fact that she is being portrayed as such a damsel in distress thus far. However, I am still deciding as to whether or not I should give her powers. I want to maintain her 'humaness' you see.

Just a heads up, this chapter is a little short. I had separated it from Chapter 16 because the content was not consistent, so the chapter would have been faulty and confusing.

Hope to hear from you all!

-O-

Chapter 15:

Looming Threat

"I, uh, I wish you a safe journey," she managed to say, "Wherever your journey may take you."

With his usual stare in place, Ulquiorra replied, "Hn."

Sayuri willed herself to smile, so that his last memories of her would not be one of tears. Besides, she knew very well that this ashen man had an obvious dislike for weakness.

As she watched Ulquiorra begin to turn his back to her, the young female teen felt a tug within her chest. Sayuri, unable to contain herself, gave Ulquiorra the first embrace he could remember since he became aware of himself and his surroundings during the early stages of his evolution.

She could feel Ulquiorra stiffen at her touch, but she was euphoric that he at least did not attempt to push her away.

While trying to contain herself, Sayuri whispered with her head still buried in his chest, "Please take care of yourself, ok?"

The Cuatro Espada observed the girl as her hold on him tightened and relax.

"Woman, I am fully capable of surviving on my own," he replied. Then, almost hesitantly, the dark-haired man added, "But I am...indebted to you."

At those words, Sayuri could not help but look at his face. His expression still remained unreadable and empty, but his eyes communicated everything that he was unable to voice out.

Perhaps, he now considers her as a friend - someone to trust. At least, she prayed that this was the case because he has become unforgettable to her.

Now, just as he is leaving, the heart wrenching truth became obvious.

'Ulquiorra is my first love.'

She knew, through this goodbye, that her feelings for Hiro did not even compare to what she felt for this man. The pain in her chest proved it. It was unbearable to see him in this very moment and know that he will disappear very soon.

Letting him go and placing her arms back at her side, the lily girl shook her head, stating, "You are no longer indebted to me remember? You have saved me on innumerable accounts. If anything, I believe that I am indebted to you. Just know that you will always have a home here if you ever need it."

Ulquiorra nodded once. As he vanished before her eyes, the last thing he saw was a genuine smile on rosy lips, contradicting the single tear that fell from glistening azure orbs.

He knew that she would be crying that night -crying for him.

Ulquiorra woke from his light slumber at the break of dawn. He had never been one for dreaming, but lately, the same scene continued to invade his thoughts, both when he was conscious and unconscious.

He could not help but think that the woman had influenced him in some sort of way. Yet, it did not matter. It was not like he would reunite with her again.

For now, he was content to roam the lands and make use of his newfound freedom from the commands of Aizen.

As he roamed the human lands away from the prying eyes of the Soul Society, he could deduce that the Winter War was over because Soul Reapers now continue on their normal inspection of the cities rather than preparing their skills for the large battle. Karakura Town was also still standing- something he was able to see for himself yesterday- further supporting the idea that Aizen's plans were unfruitful.

Whatever the case, he did not really care. He had merely respected Aizen for his power, but now it has been proven that Aizen was not invincible.

-O-

Saaaaiiiii," Mai called out to her while waving her petite hands before her blank face.

Blinking her eyes, Sayuri was pulled back into reality. "W-What is it Mai?"

Placing both her hands on her hip, the brunette scolded, "You zoned out...again! What is wrong with you lately? You blank out in the middle of all of our conversations. Did something happen?"

"Huh? Oh, I just haven't been getting enough sleep you see," she lied. Sayuri had always despised lying, but she was able to be convincing when need to be. This was definitely one of those times when she cannot tell the truth.

Giving her friend a rather incredulous look, Mai merely responded with a disbelieving "Uh huh..."

"Don't worry Mai. I am perfectly fi-" Sayuri paused. Her eyes darted quickly to the spot in the cloudy sky where she was sure a dark blur had passed.

'Ulquiorra?'

"Heeeeeello?" the shorter female once more interrupted her reverie. "Sai you cannot start daydreaming mid sentence. It seems to me that your focus on conversations has been decreasing quite drastically. It's kind of annoying."

Sayuri gave her a short embarrassed laugh. "I am sorry Mai. It's just difficult to maintain focus when I have not slept well. If it would appease you, I will run home right now, and get some rest ok?"

With a sigh, Mai agreed. "But what do you want me to tell Hiro when he gets here? You guys have been dating for a while now, so I don't know why you don't just say yes to him!"

"I told him 'no.' As to why I can't come today, just tell him I went home to rest," the blue-eyed beauty stated, avoiding her friend's open mouthed facade.

"When d-did you tell him 'no'?" the loud human practically screamed in shock.

Quietly, Sayuri said, "Yesterday after school."

Mai looked at her friend with an odd expression. "Well, still we agreed to all go out together today since we haven't been able to spend much time together in weeks! It feels like the three of us are falling apart," she nearly shrieked.

Sayuri had to stare at the ground. She truly despised lying, but Mai is someone she did not want to involve with something as dangerous as hollows.

She retorted quietly, "I thought you said it was alright if I went home to rest. Is that so bad?"

"No!" the schoolgirl with short hair exclaimed loudly, "But I think it would be a waste if Hiro and I cancel this date because you couldn't do it."

"I'm not trying to stop you from going out Mai," Sayuri reasoned, easily noting her best friend's augmenting irritation and anger towards her. "In fact, you guys should enjoy yourselves today, regardless of whether or not I'm there with you. I am not his girlfriend remember? I don't want to prevent you guys from having a good day."

The furrowed brows on Mai's small face smoothed over at Sayuri's statement. "You sure you don't mind? You guys have been interested in each other for a long time."

Sayuri giggled in amusement. "I already told him 'no' remember? Mai, don't worry about it. Have enough fun for me today."

The best friend eagerly shook her head up and down. "I will!"

Sayuri smiled at her friend. Mai has been her best friend for years, and there was no way she would attempt sabotaging Mai's happiness.

"Well, see you Monday!" Sayuri called out as she sped towards her home.

Once Mai was no longer in sight, Sayuri altered her course to where she had seen the blur disappear in to.

'Perhaps...I can see him again.'

However, by the time she had finished her conversation with Mai, she had realized that it was too late. The blur was gone.

-O-

"I do believe that she saw you," a female voice stated as she easily ran her sword into the black flesh of the hollow.

"I was able to see that Rangiku," came the irritated reply, his own blade sharpening itself on another set of black flesh.

"Are you sure that's her?" the same feminine voice inquired.

"Isn't it obvious by these hollows who were tracking her down. It was by mere luck that we're here to intercept them or else she would have walked into a mob of hungry monsters," the male spoke. "Besides, I was sent over by Captain Yamamoto to personally investigate the dark spiritual pressure that appeared weeks ago. Even though the spiritual pressure practically disappeared as soon as it had came, I felt traces of it within that girl's own spiritual pressure."

Rangiku looked at her companion in mild disbelief. "Aside from the fact that her spiritual power is high enough for her to detect spirits, she looks pretty human to me Renji."

"When you get near her, I assure you that you will feel the faint tainted spiritual pressure around her. It's probably that dark power that causes her to become a hollow magnet."

"But is it really necessary to involve her in this?"

Rangiku, though loyal to her team and the Soul Society, felt uneasy about involving a human- a delicate and fragile female at that- with the business of hollows.

"You heard what Captain Yamamoto ordered. It is our duty to eliminate any being that may be a threat to the human world and the Soul Society," the red head replied.

-O-

Sorry for such a short chapter, but I really could not figure out what else I could put with this that would not seem so out of place.

If you have any ideas about what the next event in the story should be, please let me know!

Thank you!