I have finally finished it! I am so happy.
I did something a little differently in this chapter. Let's see if you can figure it out!
-O-
Chapter 26:
Beneath the Riddle
The pair of us had arrived at the white abode just moments passed dawn. She fell fast asleep upon first landing her head on her pillow, only managing to barely pull the blanket around herself before losing consciousness. Her body now lay peacefully, albeit haphazardly, on the comforts of her familiar bed.
It was to be expected. That Tessai character had warned us that, in order to allow her muscles to develop and strengthen normally, the kido placed on her nerves to numb most of the pain from training will fade shortly after sunrise. I assume that the Soul Reaper's spells would have had unknown repercussions to a normal human's physical development should it have remained on her person for an extended period. That, of course, would be unacceptable.
"Don't forget that she is human," Urahara had told me before we departed.
The woman was absent from the room after taking a short leave to change to a less vile choice of clothing. Under no circumstances would she be allowed to prance around this house or the streets in that atrocious attire. She would most likely die of cold in this winter weather, a situation that was entirely probably given the backless state of her disgusting tunic and her weak constitution. Any perverse males who would have stared at her with unhidden ravenous appetites would have to die as well. Even in my gigai, it would be easy to kill them. They would be gladly eliminated.
"...As Soul Reapers, we had never had the chance to perform kido that last great lengths of time on an average, living individual. Given that, we do not want to risk harming her out of naivety."
The blond male's sharp voice slowly became audible to my unfocused ears. It appears my mind had gone on a tangent without my consent yet again. Whatever this chronic mental problem I had seemed to caught is, it has made itself known in the most inopportune times. I was more than a little piqued with my own self. The self-control and awareness that I had practiced since I had evolved was growing increasingly absent.
I turned to his assistant, who added his own thoughts to the topic at hand. "Allow her body to heal itself normally. She will be in pain, but I know she has the ability to bear it."
"Inoue's powers can sooth the pain without any detrimental effects on the human's physical development, can she not?" I spoke matter-of-factly.
Both men before me nodded.
"But," the former captain countered, "I do think you should wait at least until midnight if you do choose to have Inoue heal her. Sayuri wants to become stronger, and as part of that process, she should also know what it feels like to have intense pain and soreness from training. She needs to feel the signals of her body that tell her about her own limitations."
I stared blandly at him. His words were realistic and understandable, but part of me thought it to be the most absurd thing to ever to bombard my sensitive ears - aside from that useless blue cat, of course. I was basically instructed to stand by and allow that fragile and troublesome woman to bear the most painful episode her body had ever experienced in her young life.
Urahara smiled at me. "Call it an initiation ritual, if you will."
I had no doubt he knew about my unspoken disagreement to his suggestion.
As if to put the subject to a definite end, he turned to Tessai and ordered, "Call Orihime, and tell her to only heal Sayuri once the night strikes twelve."
If I had found the blond to be irritating before, now I saw him as, without a doubt, deceptively cruel and dark. Were he a hollow, he would have been most sadistic.
"Pft, you're just being an overbearing and teasing jerk. Leave the poor guy alone," the red-headed child stated from his position by the door.
The soft spoken girl shook her head in agreement. "I don't think it's nice to bully a guy about his girlfriend."
Girlfriend. I was slightly familiar with that odd term. It supposedly referred to a female who has intimate relations with a male, female, or otherwise. 'Lover' would be a close synonym. To refer to that woman as my 'girlfriend' was unexpected and incorrect. Hollows, especially one of my caliber, do not have 'girlfriends.' Yet, it would seem that these individuals before me had arrived at such a ridiculous conclusion and have not realized their mistake. There was no point in rectifying the false statement given; from their personalities, I deduced that they were beyond reason. It would be a waste of time to explain to fools.
Urahara gave his attention to the intruding youngsters, a pout almost gracing his lips. "What? Am I not allowed to have any fun?" he nearly whined. Regardless of his position as a former Soul Reaper captain, he still retained an overbear sense of childishness.
"You're just jealous that a hollow managed to find a girlfriend within weeks of arriving in the human world while you, with more than years in this place, have yet to catch the eye of one woman!" the boy retorted.
There was that word again.
If I recall correctly, that disgusting Hiro character had referred to the woman's other former friend as 'his girlfriend.' With that scenario in my head, the human jargon did not seem to connote anything remotely good. However, the people in this room seem to regard that word in a rather defensive, yet positive, light. It was fascinating that such a simple and meaningless word could evoke such contradictory and extreme reactions. My rationale, against by better judgment, began to turn. Despite my mind attempting to further analyze that term, the rest of the inhabitants continued on with the conversation undeterred.
"I think you're jealous, too, Jinta. You haven't found a girlfriend either," the girl commented without a hint of teasing. She merely spoke of the truth.
Unexpectedly, the temperamental boy blushed almost instantly.
The female child tapped her chin with her forefinger in thought. "You should make a tunic like the one Sayuri had, except make it for yourselves. Maybe that will catch a girl's eye."
"Ururu, what decent girl would become the girlfriend of a guy wearing th-that thing?" the boy deadpanned.
"At least it will catch a girl's attention," she explained softly, "It's much better than getting no attention at all."
"Mm, she has a point. I'll look more into this," the scientist commented, his eyes glinting with interest at his new project.
"Hell no! You are not making me wear that thing. Forget it!" the male child nearly shouted, eyes bulging and voice going several pitches higher than the norm.
"So you want to be alone and single forever?" the shy girl asked with a hint of fear for her friend's lonely prospect.
As that odd term continued to be spoken, I had yet to complete my analysis of its meaning. My mind rationalized from the argument persisting before me that it was not simply about the intimate relation between two beings. It apparently was a term that evoked a sense of protection - even longing - in humans. There is no such thing as a 'girlfriend' in Hueco Mundo - only power and hunger. Thus, I fail to see the necessity of their reactions to the odd term at hand. Human vocabulary is far too vague.
Tessai cleared his throat, and turned to me, ignoring that ongoing nonsensical battle taking place next to him.
He said with all the seriousness his face could muster, "We do mean it when we say that her body be given the chance to heal without aid - until midnight at least. It will test and better her toleration for pain, something that she may or may not have to endure during actual combat should a hollow or some other enemy find her. Her body needs to persevere so that it is better prepared for future trials."
I allowed the pros to outweigh the cons. I am a rational being after all. I will have to endure watching her discomfort until Inoue can be summoned. The day was already looking detestable.
I remained by her bed, unmoving. I did not need any sleep. The mild training the woman had undergone did nothing to exhaust me. She, on the other hand, will be unconscious for some time.
It was quiet. For the first time, this unnerved me.
"...Why..." something whispered as though providing me solace from the silence.
My head snapped towards her at the sound. I watched as her head tossed restlessly. A whimper sounded. Then, tears came and cascaded plentifully down her cheeks. Her nightmare must be terrifying her.
I towered next to her bed, fascinated and confused.
"...Mai... Hiro..." her voice sobbed softly.
It appears I was wrong. The nightmare was not terrifying or gruesome. There were no monsters that snuck into her imagination and terrorized her. No, this nightmare was of a different sort - a psychological and emotional pain. During my spare time in Hueco Mundo, I had read of such cases in the human books that Aizen possessed. The fatigue her body felt should have been enough to send her into a deep slumber. Yet, the trauma those traitors had caused on her psyche was strong enough to break through.
My eyes widened when I saw my own fingers came into view as they nearly caressed the tears away. I had not even noticed them move. I halted any further movement before they made contact with her skin, my fingers lingering over the wet cheeks.
"...Ulquiorra..." she spoke next, her voice breaking this time and her tears coming faster.
I felt my body and mind freeze. All I saw where those clear drops endlessly falling, one trailing after another. My own reflection reflected back to me in those small beads of sorrow. I swallowed an uncomfortable lump at the base of my throat. A moment later, I found myself sitting at the edge of the bed, her head on my lap with her loose hair fanned around me. My fingers unconsciously caught each salty liquid that slipped passed her eyes.
I could not understand the situation. I could not stop it either.
Her cries slowly subsided into near silent whimpers as my fingers continued their foreign movements. I found myself remaining in that position for some time. The sunlight began to penetrate the curtains, staining the room with unwanted light. Not until her tears dried did my rebellious appendage finally stop its actions. Her cheeks were rosy and her tear streaks shined in the morning like some sort of crystalline road.
When the sun hit my eyes, I recovered from my reverie and became aware of the situation. I shifted out from under her head, removing her hands that had fisted into the material of my pants. She whimpered mildly but soon became silent once her head returned to her pillow.
I began to walk towards the foot of the bed, ignoring the recent event that I simply could not explain. Prior to meeting this woman, it had been unfathomable to lack self control over my actions. Something has changed. I could not name it.
As I began to take my seat, I noticed a box wrapped in festive green and white wrapper. What caught my attention most was the message on the tag attached to the ribbon that topped the present.
To: Ulquiorra
I wish you a very Merry Christmas. I hope this makes you smile - even a little.
Always: The Troublesome Woman
It was for me.
I neatly unwrapped the carefully presented gift. Upon lifting the lid, I dug through the striped tissue paper and pulled out a soft cloth. It appeared to be a sash made of silk. Its deep ebony color metamorphosed into an emerald green at the tips.
I stared at it. She had gotten it for... me.
I removed my old sash and replaced it with this new one. It felt lighter, more comfortable. The corners of my mouth twitched upwards, but I suppressed it.
I do not know what exactly is happening to me. This uncertainty, more than anything else, broke my wall of indifference. I feel my own awareness gradually abate, as though I was undergoing a reverse evolution and becoming mindless once more.
After returning the unwrapped box back under the bed, I exited the window and sat on a tree branch that provided a clear view of the room.
Something was wrong. Something was wrong with me.
Hours passed. The sun radiated a light that had been dimmed by the over cast skies. I entertained this puzzle, analyzing it from all angles. Nothing, no reasoning or explanation, made itself known to me.
Come late afternoon, the woman returned from her slumber. Sluggishly, her eyes opened. She laid still for a while, dazed. Once I saw her winch, I knew she was trying to rise from her position. I could see the unhidden pain etched on her face as she tried to move. Were I present, you would have done everything in her power to hide her misery from me. It had become like this. I knew well that she would essentially be paralyzed until Inoue arrives to heal her. As I watched her struggle so fruitlessly against her own temporary disability, I heard a knock. Soon after, her younger brother entered the room.
"Sai? You awake?" he spoke, his footsteps lightly hitting the floor.
She stopped her struggling. "Yeah."
"You slept all morning."
Her light laughter made its way to my ears. "Sorry. I, uh, don't feel all that well today."
The child gave a sympathetic expression. He had grown up watching her continuously get ill after all."Got sick again huh?"
"Yes," she sighed, "Do you mind getting me some food and water? I'm just going to sleep for a little bit more."
"Sure. Be right back."
When he returned with what was asked and left the room to allow his sibling to rest, my attention automatically returned to her. It always seemed to come all back to her.
Her still dull eyes glued to the food and water on her bedside table. Her arms moved slightly under her blankets, pain once again overwhelming her features.
She cannot move without inflicting pain on herself. I knew that. However, she could not seem to accept it. I felt my body nearly jump back into the room when I saw her fling herself out of the bed using pure will and momentum. She tumbled to the ground, the blanket tangling around her legs and her pillow following suit.
She did not move afterwards, save for the light twitch of her fingers and the grunts of effort and pain that escaped her mouth. This enough told me she was still trying.
For a human who had never undergone training for battle, she was conclusively and irrefutably sore and exhausted. No amount of struggling on her part will change that. The muscles of her fragile body had been suddenly overused repeatedly during our stay in Hueco Mundo. Were she to continue her training, the muscles would mature and strengthen, and calluses would cover her once virgin skin. Her face would lose its naivety, and her innocence would transform into a warrior. Were she to continue, she would forever deny any protection bestowed to her. This, I knew, was what she longed for. For what reason, I have yet to identify.
She was meant to be shielded. She was not meant to be fighting. Ironically, this is the very thing is she doing. She is even fighting against her own body telling her to stop.
'Troublesome.'
As soon as that thought escaped my lips, an especially loud and ragged gasp resounded in the room. Reflexively, I went in.
She had managed to sit, her arms shaking at the effort of keeping herself upright. As I strolled towards her, she made no movement to show that she was aware of my presence. Her tortured body likely kept her mind occupied. Her breaths were rapid, forcefully expelling air from her mouth.
I kneeled beside her, one arm securely wrapping around her back to steady her.
"Relax woman," I told her when her eyes, which appeared like a world made completely of blue ice, snapped to my face in surprise.
I turned my attention away from her and used my free hand to reach for the cup of water. I presented it before her still parted lips, touching the glass to her skin.
Her darkened cerulean eyes scanned my face. I tilted the glass and she drank slowly, her vision still glued to me. I returned her stare. Once the water was empty, she dropped her gaze to her hands. I did not feel any of her weight on my still rebellious appendage that persistently held her from the back. Her arms were still trembling from having to hold herself upright under her own power.
I could tell that a sigh almost made its way out of me.
'Stubborn.'
Without my consent, my body lifted her from the floor as gently as it could. She took deep breaths - her likely muscles protesting any sort of movement - as I did so until she limply laid on my arms. Her eyes did not meet mine this time.
I settled her to her bed and returned the pillow and blanket to where they had been originally. Still, she was silent.
I detested this.
I lifted the banana that her brother had conveniently brought, peeled it, and presented it to her. She still did not look at me.
"Eat woman," I stated, taking a seat by her head, "This fruit should help with the pain."
A few seconds passed before her mouth opened. She took a bite and swallowed while I maintained my hold on the fruit. The process started anew with the other assortment of food on the plate. Aizen would be amuse to see how far I have fallen - to think that one of his Espadas has been reduced to a mere servant to a fragile human. However, I am no longer loyal or subservient to him. Thus, I no longer found it necessary to wonder over his thoughts and gain his further approval. Once everything had been consumed, I was finally able to lift myself from her bed. I was about to take my leave back to the tree when she called to me.
"Ulquiorra... T-Thank you."
I gazed back at her. Her attention was still shifted to the wall. "Hn. Show your gratitude by remaining still for the time being."
Finally, those oceanic eyes landed on me, wide and alert. "Y-You saw?"
I nodded. I noticed her attention trail to the new piece of clothing adorning me. Her eyes widened.
"Where did you g-get that!?" she squeaked. Her cheeks stained like blood faster than usual.
"It was meant for me was it not," I commented.
"I-I..." she stammered, "Um... I..."
When she tried to sit up, I pushed her back down.
"I told you not to move, woman," I eyed her sternly.
Her tinted face grew brighter. She was constantly changing the color of her face, especially in times like these.
"Y-You d-don't have to w-wear it you know. I'm not forcing you to," she stuttered, embarrassed and flustered. Her gaze shifted uncomfortably sideways.
As the close proximity of our heads dawned on me, the same unnerving and warm sensation crawled up from under my skin. It went hot as it started to shoot towards my face. I rose back to my full height. The ludicrous sensation ended.
"I was not forced to do anything."
She looked back up to my face, the familiar expression of surprise, awe, and contentment. Her tan skin was almost luminescent in the low light of the intruding sun. However, it was her eyes that managed to catch and imprison me. Rather than the deep blue, they had metamorphosed into an incandescent teal. The color on the rim was still the same cerulean as before, but the area closest to her pupils were an emerald green paler than my own.
I managed to recover when she blinked at me in confusion.
"Now rest-"
I was cut off by the irritating trio, who were noisy as expected, barging into the room.
"Yo," the feline saluted, a smirk on his face.
"Good afternoon," Inoue bowed.
"Hey," came the shinigami.
The woman and I stared at them.
Shin entered the room with a muddled and sheepish face. "Uh, they said they were your friends."
The woman turned her attention to her brother saying, "Um, yeah they are." Then looking at the intruders muttered, "I wasn't expecting you all to come here."
"Tessai called us," Kurosaki explained.
"He called Inuoe, " I corrected.
Before he could retort, the orange-haired woman interrupted, "We were all worried, so we came early to check up on her."
A grateful smile grew on the woman's lips. "That's very kind of you."
"What are we going to do here until midnight anyway?" the cat entered the conversation.
"The woman is immobile. Exclude her from whatever activities you desire you do," I told him.
The fool dared to laugh. "What are you? Her boyfriend?" he sneered.
I glared at him, ignoring the reddening female beside me. Since landing in the human world, this fool has become increasingly mutinous and incorrigible. We are no longer members of Aizen's army, but it does not change the undeniable truth that I can kill him should I chose to.
"You are more of a fool than I believe if you think I would consort with a human," I stated.
"Now, now," the woman let out an uneasy laugh. "There has to be a compromise to all this."
"Did you not agree to remain in your bed unt-" I paused when I got a clear view of her face.
Her smile... It was more strained than usual. I had been able to determine that she would force herself to smile for my sake, but I could also see that she always meant them. All her smiles directed to me were real - pained but genuine. Only when something or other occurred did the pain in her smile intensify. This was one of those smiles.
"How about we just watch a movie?" I heard Kurosaki say.
However, my attention remained towards the woman. She was looking at the commotion before us and avoiding my gaze once more.
"That sounds good!" Inoue agreed enthusiastically, "She could just stay still on the couch with us. No movement required."
That blasphemous panther gave another roar of amusement. "How is she supposed to get down, Princess?"
"Can't somebody just carry her down there?" Inoue informed.
"Alright," Grimmjow began, "I volunteer."
That got my attention.
Before I could even react, he had came upon the bed and lifted her in his arms. She let out a strangled gasp of pain and surprise.
"Sorry, I didn't know you were that sore," he apologized.
I watched, unmoving, as she settled into his arms.
Shaking her head, she said, "No, it's alright. A movie sounds great."
As they were about to exit the room, Ichigo began to protest. "What the heck are you doing?"
"Are you blind?" Grimmjow looked at him with a smug expression. "I'm carrying her obviously."
"J-Just be careful with her," the Soul Reaper stated, as everyone made room for them to pass.
I glared at the scene. "Grimmjow," I called.
He turned his head to me, his arrogance heightening. I could not see the woman's face. His shoulder blocked her from view.
"What? You aren't the boyfriend, remember?" he coolly mentioned, "It shouldn't be a problem that another man is touching her."
We glared at each other. I did not care what everyone else was doing at that moment. All I knew was that this pathetic creature needed a torturous death. In his stare, I was able to discover the extent of his haughtiness and pleasure. The insolent creature found the scene amusing. What felt like centuries, was actually mere moments. He was the first to break contact, his still smug expression in place. Another moment later, they were already gone.
"Is that my sister's boyfriend?" Shin's question traveled to my ears.
A near silent rumbled rose from my throat.
-O-
They had chosen a "horror movie" to entertain us until midnight came. I arrived last in the living room since I took some time to meditate after the intruders had invited themselves into the house. By some ridiculous chance, I sat at one end of the couch with the woman beside me. Grimmjow was next to her. Orihime, flanked by Kurosaki and Shin, sat on the other couch.
The meditation took an hour or so, and as such, the movie was already in the middle of its plot. Some human was wearing a monstrous costume - he was emulating an apparition I presume - while going about terrorizing a group of youngsters. It was a rather poor imitation and a foolish method of entertainment. The rest, however, felt otherwise. The idiotic panther laughed in delight whenever one of the females screamed in fright. Kurosaki and Shin had they gazes completely fixed to the screen. Inoue would shriek in fright, but was thoroughly entertained like the others.
No one noticed anything else aside from their tunnel vision. The woman sat tense beside me. One side of her was pressed against me due to the small space, and as such, it was easy to deduce her emotions from her rigidity. She clearly did not enjoy it. She kept her eyes downcast on her lap as the movie progressed. When a dying scream or monstrous roar occurred, her fists would tighten and her lips would press into a thin line. She occasionally closed her eyes should a sudden loud noise take place. She was afraid. Yet, everyone was too engrossed and too dense to take notice.
I noticed, but I did not care. She had encountered and survived real supernatural creatures. It was her wish to become stronger, but she admits defeat when faced with a human dressed in a ridiculous costume. Her indecision was appalling.
The sound of the front door opening caused everyone to become alert.
"We're home!" a female voice called out.
There were heavy footsteps through the hallway as a couple walked in and halted upon sighting us.
"Hi Mama," the woman greeted, "Hi Papa."
Her parents eyed each of us. The father's stare lingered on Grimmjow and I, likely a cause of paternal protective instinct because we surrounded his daughter. The mother gave a knowing and mysterious grin. "Are these your friends?" she questioned.
"Yes. This is Grimmjow, Ichigo, Orihime, and Ulquiorra." She turned her gaze to us respectively.
"Hello. Interesting names you kids have," the older woman said.
Her father looked at the screen. "What movie are you watching?"
"Horror, sir," Inoue answered.
The mother looked slightly surprised. To Sayuri, she commented, "I thought you don't like horror?"
She gave an embarrassed laugh for an answer.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Grimmjow began. Dare I say it, concern actually portrayed on his face. It was bothersome. He, after all, was one of the more ruthless Espadas in our army. His face had only known two major expressions: outright arrogance or sadistic amusement. To see him bothered can be equated to a hollow having a heart. It was near blasphemy.
The woman's expression turned into one of mortification. "No, it's alright! Really! I don't mind. I'm just happy to have a chance to see you all."
"If you're sure..." Kurosaki began.
"I am," she countered.
Her parents went upstairs soon after.
I remained in my seat for another half hour, irritated that I was watching such trash. The climax was obviously coming as the suspenseful music progressively grew louder. I looked at her through my peripheral. She was in the same position as before. This time, her fear had become more prominent and tangible. The tiniest whimper ran up her throat, but I caught it. It was then that I shifted my face towards her. She was biting her lip in an attempt to prevent them from trembling. I knew then that if she could walk, she would have formed an excuse to leave by then. She was terrified.
'Troublesome human.'
I stood up from my position causing all to focus on me.
I stated, "It is almost midnight. I will return the woman to her bedroom to rest before you heal her."
I carefully lifted her from the sofa. She did not protest as I made my way upstairs.
"I'll come heal her now," Inoue offered.
I paused and looked down at them. "No, you were ordered to heal her only when the clock strikes twelve. Come at that time."
I did not bother to wait for her answer.
The woman was silent as I crossed the threshold into her room. I set her down, irked that she had avoided eye contact with me the entire way. Her silence and defiance have grown to disturbed me.
"Does my face appall you?" I wondered out loud.
She still refused to meet my gaze. "No," she answered momentarily, "It doesn't."
It was the first time I felt frustration brewing within me. I turned her face, but her gaze did not shift. "Then look at me."
She hesitantly allowed her oceanic orbs to land on me.
"Are you happy now?" she asked me.
I did not answer. I do not feel happiness, especially towards a human. Happiness would only lead to vulnerability and weakness. It was useless to feel such an emotion. However, my hands refused to be removed from its hold on her face.
"What do you want?" she questioned me. Her eyes looked like they were trembling, as though it was a sea lost in a heavy storm.
I countered, "What is it that you want?"
She glared at me. She was enraged. I had never seen her anger directed towards me prior to this moment. It was surreal. Then, it diluted, her appearance weakening and softening.
"Nothing," she whispered, "I want nothing."
"Oh? From my perspective, it is obvious that there is something - or rather someone - that you desire," I challenged.
Her expression became frantic. "W-What?"
"It is clear that you fancy that foolish panther," I spat. I was surprised at the emotion that threatened to spill over into my words. I thought I had rid of such a burden during my nihilistic journey to the present. I had erased all traces of attachment over the course of the long years I have existed. Now, everything has surfaced to bother me once more.
She looked away. "Ah... It's that obvious, huh?" she answered. There were hints of sadness that dotted her voice.
"Do not reduce yourself to that level of filth," I told her.
She nodded weakly. Satisfied, my hand retracted, and I stood back to my full height.
"If I am filth, why are you wearing my present? You can just throw it away..." she commented.
She has misunderstood my words.
"Why did you get me a gift in the first place?" I deflected.
Her mouth opened and closed. She took a quick pause before replying, "It's the holidays. You're supposed give those close to you presents. It's to make them happier."
"Why?"
"To, um, show that you care...and think about them."
"It's weakness."
"It's having a heart," she declared.
I had no retort. I am still searching for my own heart.
Inoue, luckily, chose that time to enter the room. She looked at us uneasily.
"Uh, it's midnight..." she trailed off, rubbing her arm in her nervousness.
I nodded. I took my leave and sat on a spot on the tree, allowing the women their privacy.
I could see the glow of Inoue's healing shield, casting the room into a fit of pale orange.
"Are you excited for the first shrine visit of the New Year? There's even that festival that we can all go to. It's going to be so fun getting a chance to wear kimonos." the talkative female initiated.
The other woman murmured, "I don't have a kimono. I don't want to burden my parents by asking for one."
"Well, you can have one of mine," Inoue offered.
"It's alright. I'm sure I can figure something out."
"Are you sure?"
"Mhm."
"If you change your mind, just let me know."
I relished the silence when Inoue stopped talking, but it was short lived.
"Um.." she began.
"What is it Orihime?"
I was not able to see them. However, I could imagine the orange-haired female moving uneasily, while the woman would look on kindly and expectantly.
"Do you l-like Grimmjow?" Inoue asked, her words rushing against one another.
My interest in the conversation irritatingly peaked.
"Huh?" came the ineloquent reply. "Why do you ask?"
The bed groaned, most likely because Orihime shifted her position at the unexpected choice of topic. I do not know what possessed her to bring forth such a topic in the first place. Whatever the cause, it was beneficial in that it was informative.
"You both seem so comfortable with each other. And the way he acts around you," she explained. "I just thought..."
"Mm," the woman began, "Perhaps I should."
I suddenly felt the urge to hunt down a certain panther.
"So you like him?"
The woman laughed. "He's a good friend."
"Ahh, ok."
They had apparently ran out of topics to talk of as nothing else was said until the healing was consummated.
The woman came into my view as she walked about the room, flexing her arms and hand. "Thank you!" she exclaimed in gratitude.
Inoue gave her a smile. "Anytime. I told you that we all have your back if you need it."
The two engaged in a brief hug before Inoue exited. It was already quite late. Those three should be heading off right about now.
I watched in mild amusement as the woman twirled about the room, no doubt euphoric that she was ambulatory. Her prancing about, however, was interrupted by that damn Number Six barging in without even the decency to knock. She immediately stopped her lighthearted movements, a red tinge coating her face.
"What in the world are you doing?" the feline snorted, a brow lifted in enjoyment.
"N-N-Nothing!"
He grinned at her, his fangs displayed. The intruding fool walked to her and placed a hand on her head. "You are interesting, Sayuri."
Considering that he has recently arrived in the human world and known her for an even shorter amount, his actions suggested the contrary. The feline acts as though they have been familiar for a longer period of time. His ways have proven yet again to be barbaric and ill-refined. I would not argue in being the sword to polish his manners. I would not mind if I killed him in the process either.
She twisted her hands in a her normal habit when she was anxious.
"Go out with me."
My vision darkened. That panther truly is a fool.
The woman gawked at him. "P-Pardon?"
"Go out with me on a date tomorrow," the cat explained. His face resembled sincerity and seriousness for once. My fingers itched to distort his sickening facade into pain and annihilate his arrogance and existence.
There was a gnawing in my chest. I clenched my hands on the fabric covering the space where a heart was supposed to exist. There were no prior events where I had felt such an unease in that area. It augmented my disdain towards the panther.
"I...don't know what to say..." she murmured. Her eyes were still wide from shock.
He laughed. "Just say yes, Sayuri."
"I shouldn't..."
He removed his hand from her head and bent so that he was eye level with her. His was mere inches from her. That trash did not know the concept of space and propriety.
He told her, "I promise it will be worth your time."
The woman did not respond. Then, she finally said, "I don't think I can."
A smile nearly took hold of me as the panther paused.
"Ok, just don't think of it as a date then," he compromised.
"B-But-" the woman began to argue, but was unable to finish.
"I'll come get you at around noon. Be ready."
With that, he left.
The life of that bloody Number Six needs to end.
-O-
I hope you enjoyed this little insight into the mind of our favorite Espada.
Please review and let me hear your thoughts! I really, REALLY want to reach 200 reviews with this chapter.
Lastly, there is a poll that I am doing. It says:
"Let the Night Rise and Fall" Poll: Who do you prefer as the guy who makes Ulquiorra jealous in regards to Sayuri?
It is on my profile page. Please answer so I can incorporate it into the plot ASAP! I will write the story according to the results.
Peace out!