Ah, posting this brings back such great memories that I will cherish as I try to graduate this semester. I promised that I would finish this story, and I will keep that promise. I am sorry if you have to wait in between updates. My life is at a crossroad right now, and everything is just a mess.
Thank you for all the reviews, favorites, and your support! You guys are all awesome!
As for the reviews that I got, here are my responses to things that people commented about:
- Your predictions about what would happen were funny to read. Some are pretty darn accurate. Others are way off. But I will let you guys figure it all out on your own. Hehe.
- Please do not be sorry about your reviews and how I respond to them! As long as you are respectful and not intentionally hurting my feelings, I completely welcome your constructive criticism. If you hate my story, let me know kindly if you want and then leave. Just be mindful that I am human, so my story will not be perfect.
- Many of you have repeatedly mentioned about how it does not make sense that Hiro and Sayuri have dated for almost a year and were still not boyfriend and girlfriend. The reason I made it like this is because: 1.) Sayuri did not want to ruin their friendship and 2.) Hiro would likely not get with her in the first place because of Mai.
- Again, many of you complained about how sudden Mai and Hiro's transformation into the "bad guys" was. However, if you notice, I gave light hints here and there. One example is Chapter 10, titled, obviously enough, "Putrid Stranger." I do pay attention to the details of the major plot events. Sometimes I will make mistakes. I super duper apologize if I make the signs too vague or too hard to detect.
- Thank you Yumi Edogawa for finding my grammar mistakes. I have been getting lazier and lazier to fix them, unfortunately, so your suggestions are extremely helpful. I will make the changes when things in my life settle down, and once I finish this story. Also, to answer your question, I don't think I will be including Uryu and Hitsugaya all that much in this story. There is just no room in the plot I have set up. I'm sorry!
- I like to write things in detail. I want you all to see what I have in my head. This comes off as purple prose from time to time, so I apologize for that. I will also try to lessen my use of eye metaphors, but they are fun to use, so no promises. I will try though! Haha. I use many descriptions of eyes, because they are important in this story, so I try to vary the descriptions.
- Hyne, thanks for letting me know about a few of the details of the Bleach world. However, since this is a fanfiction, I will use the excuse of "this is my version of Bleach" to escape. Hehe.
- EgyptianAssassin... how evil of you to send Aizen for me. Do you have any idea how long it took to get rid of that guy!? Lol.
Now, drumroll please.
-O-
Chapter 30:
The Worth of a Sacrifice
Why was she there?
She should be behind the barrier, safe and protected.
Why?
Has she lost her mind?
Is she trying to get herself killed?
Why?
Question after question flooded his mind when he saw her dart out of the covers of the trees, hair flying in every direction. Her presence commanded his attention, but the situation they now found themselves in was earth shattering. He could see no way out.
Why?
Suddenly, everything seemed to go in slow motion. He saw her carmine lips move, calling out to him repeatedly, but his mind sat paralyzed amidst the roar of the incoming attack and her suicidal entry into its range.
Why?
Her expression was frantic. Her eyes were wide and framed by deeply furrowed brows. Even with her injury, he knew that she sprinted to him as fast as her body allowed. The bandages wrapped around her torso began to color red. His attention zeroed in on the single drop of blood that rolled out and dragged across the skin of her lower abdomen before flying into the air.
"Ulquiorra!"
Her voice, now raspy but clear, finally broke through. His eyes darted back to her face, her sapphire jewels heavy with emotion and flickering with the blinding red aimed at him.
He finally moved. Even in this unwinnable situation, he would fight. Even in the face of the inferno, he will protect her. Never will he see those ocean blue eyes become lifeless ever again. He will not allow it.
He sonidod to her, while simultaneously transforming into his second state as quickly as he could. There was not enough time to get her out of the range of the enormous attack. There was already too little time to get to her, but he will. No matter what.
Because he will keep her safe.
No matter what.
It was closing in on both of them. The deep snow that had blanketed the ground had already melted and evaporated. The small amount of plants that had been buried wilted, having the water within them boiled out of their system. His transformation became complete just a moment before he grabbed hold of her hand. His leathery wings stretched behind him. The flames were merely a few feet away. The drooping plants began to combust. He positioned himself so that his back would take the brunt of the attack. He embraced her in his arms, surrounding her with his wings and his body in a tightly sealed cocoon.
He will not allow those flames to get in.
He will not allow them to reach her.
Not if he had anything to say about it.
And he had plenty to say in the matter.
Even if he did not understand his own thoughts.
The fire impacted his back first before it surrounded him. He could feel his skin melt under the heat while his high speed regeneration attempted- and struggled- to keep up to prevent his entire body from completely combusting.
Amidst the pain that he contained within his well controlled persona, he could see her clearly. The light from the flames was bright enough to get through the thickness of his wings. He could feel her hands, which had planted themselves onto his chest, clench. He could feel her body tremble.
She looked up at him then, as the roar of the inferno persisted and finally abate into a whistle. He did not know what expression he had as he gazed back at her. Absentmindedly, he wondered what she saw in the inhuman eyes of his Segundo Etapa.
When he felt all of the flames finally disappear, he allowed himself to transform back. His body hunched over and toppled forward unto her, unable to keep himself upright. It had taken everything in his power to regenerate quickly enough to make sure the fire had not eaten through his body and wings.
She would have been immediately killed if he had allowed such a thing to occur.
She caught him in her arms, but his weight was too much. Slowly, she allowed her legs to lower to the ground, supporting his head on her shoulders. It reminded him of the time she had caught him, which had resulted in her hitting her head on the door. It had been at the very beginning when they had just met.
Gently, he closed his eyes, focusing on regenerating his back before she could see it. The ground was warm instead of hot, courtesy of the once present snow that had acted as a sort of buffer to the fireball attack. However, as she rearranged herself so that his head was pillowed on her lap, he heard her gasp. He could feel her gaze inspecting the damage done to his body as he laid in front of her with his back to the sky. He knew that his internal organs must have been visible to her as the skin and muscles on his back had yet to reform.
He had not wanted her to see the results of battle. The hands that she possessed were not meant to fight but to care and heal- to cure and to change. She had done just that for as long as he had known her, no matter how short that may be.
The hand resting on her lap right in front of his face was shaking.
"Why didn't you run?" he heard her whisper, her voice growing louder. "Were you planning on just dying!?"
He closed his eyes.
"What were you thinking doing something as foolish as running towards an attack?" he retorted.
"Wha-What was I thinking? You're calling me foolish?" she fired back. "I was trying to make sure you didn't die! That's what I was thinking!"
"Congratulations, woman. Your task has been accomplished. I am still alive," he muttered, near sarcasm seeping through his tone.
He could feel the caresses of emotion flickering in the edges of his mind. That experience he had while being nearly helpless in saving her from the Head Captain's attack had actually made him feel fear. He was annoyed at her for doing something as ridiculous as trying to save his already rotted soul. He was angry, but the relief he felt overshadowed all other emotions. It was bizarre.
There was no answer for a few seconds. He had thought that the matter had closed until drops of liquid fell on the side of his cheeks. Immediately, his eyes snapped open and rolled to the side to look up at the source. Her upper body was hunched over him, hair messily dangling above him. When he sensed the skin on his posterior fully regenerate, he turned so that he laid on his back. The position afforded him a clear view of her. Her eyes were closed and her lips were pressed together tightly in a frown. Her brows were drawn to form a single deep furrow on her forehead. Tears continued to cascade down her face only to land on his face. Sniffles broke the air at irregular intervals.
"Why do you cry, woman?" he found himself asking.
A sob escaped her throat at the question.
While furiously rubbing away the tears from her cheeks, she answered, "Because you're an idiot."
His green orbs widened minutely at the unexpected response. "I was merely ensuring you and that idiotic panther's survival."
He felt her tense. She removed her hands from her face and pounded the ground.
"That's exactly why you're an idiot!" she scolded him. Her glare, though subdued by the salty liquid that continued to stream out at a slower rate, was furious.
He sat up and faced her, wearing his own glare. "Your reasoning makes no sense."
She pressed her lips together again before she retorted with a groan of frustration and anger. She nearly yelled, "Do you think I want to live when I knew that the payment was your life? Do you think Grimmjow would like that, too? Damn it all Ulquiorra! For someone who has such a high degree of intellect, this had been a near thoughtless act!"
"Oh? And you believe you could have come up with a better plan? You nearly got yourself killed, again, trying to prevent me from getting myself killed," he stated. His voice remained monotonic, but she saw the annoyance in his eyes.
The woman scrunched her face in disbelief and irritation. "There wasn't enough time! I just came back from the dead, and the first thing I see is you standing there waiting to be burned to death! Of course there would be no rational response to that!"
"So the best you could come up with is to run in to get burned as well," he rhetorically responded.
She let out a slight groan of exasperation. "I never asked you to keep saving me, especially by committing suicide!"
"I could say the same to you, woman."
He looked on as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Promise me you will not do something as reckless as that ever again, Ulquiorra," she said, her turbulent windows set seriously towards him.
"Again, the same could be said to you, woman."
"So you won't promise?"
When he did not respond, her face smoothed over to a neutral facade. She stood up abruptly and began to walk away. Unfortunately, she was unable to get far as the pain in her abdomen augmented. The analgesic effect of adrenaline had worn off. Instinctively, he sonidod towards her, but she pushed his hands away before they came into contact with her skin.
"Woman, what do you th-" he began but was cut off when she moved to stand up once more. She limped forward while putting pressure on the now soaked bandages.
Ulquiorra began to move towards her again when she nearly stumbled on her own feet, but stopped when Unohana approached the woman.
"Let me heal you," the captain spoke.
The rest of the Soul Reapers had chosen to simply observe the rather odd situation between the human and hollow. To think that a mere woman could argue with an Espada and live was amusing, surprising, and... weird.
"No," the woman answered.
"Do not be ridiculous. You are in no condition to argue," Ulquiorra intervened.
However, the dark-haired human continued to speak only to the female Soul Reaper. "I will only allow Orihime to heal me. I do not accept help from monsters."
Then, swiveling her face to look at the assembly of captains above them, said, "It's disgusting to know that you are all considered to be human souls. When did humanity fall so low as to blackmail other people into suicide?"
The old geezer that had interrogated her before was the first to respond. "People and hollows are completely different beings, young lady. That creature behind you is not human."
"Really?" she venomously spoke, "What makes humans human is that they can think and act to protect those they care for. Savages, on the other hand, can only think to kill. Tell me then: who was more human in this case?"
She did not wait for them to answer and continued to make her way towards the still unconscious siren. He stared at her wide eyed. Her words struck him as honest and whole-hearted. She meant what she said. It takes courage for a regular human to stand up to creatures such as himself and Grimmjow. It takes more courage to stand up to the beings sent to kill those creatures.
He could only stand still as he watched her uncoordinated steps towards the edge of the clearing. The area by his hollow hole oddly felt heavy. When she lost her balance, he once again found himself nearly rushing to her. Heavy hands, however, steadied her.
"I'll take it from here," a familiar voice spoke.
Urahara smiled confidently at her.
"Yoruichi," he called to someone behind him, "Can you take Sai and those three back home?"
"Sure."
I tan woman came up to her and guided her to the forest.
"Please, don't let them kill him," she whispered to the blonde when she passed him.
Ulquiorra heard her regardless. Just as the duo was about to reach Inoue's figure, he saw the woman's body slacken. The older female caught the unconscious body with ease. With the injury she had sustained from the arrancar and the resulting physical and emotional trauma she had to endure in the past few hours, it was expected that her body would collapse.
He kept his foot planted to the ground as the shunpo master carried her to the forest. There was still the matter of his agreement with the Soul Reapers that needed to be taken care of first.
-O-
"What in the world-" the blue panther muttered, an irritated edge to his voice, as he massaged the lightly sore spot where he had been hit. "That damn Ulquiorra."
"Wait a second, what happened to him!?" Ichigo demanded. As he was about to barge out of the store, a nearby sliding door opened and out came a familiar sly face.
"Calm down you two."
"Where are they? I don't even see Sai or Inoue here." the Sexta questioned, his light blue orbs flickering with murderous intent.
"All of them are a couple doors down. Orihime is healing Sayuri again after she opened up her wound trying to save Ulquiorra from old man Yamamoto's attack."
The duo had already barged out of the room before Kisuke had even finished his statements. They opened the door where they felt Orihime's spiritual pressure and were met with the healing orange glow. Underneath the shield was a still sleeping Sayuri.
"I told you she was fine," the blonde said when he caught up to them.
"Would you three refrain from talking excessively," a velvet spoke from the corner of the room closest to the opened door. Molten green spheres, as if glowing in the shadows, regarded them with a hidden annoyance.
Grimmjow smirked. "What do you know? You came out in one peace."
The bat did not reply and simply turned his attention to the sound of the newly awakening female.
A frail and skinny body rose from the futon at the center of the room, a dirty bandage smeared with dried blood still wound around her abdomen. As if realizing where she was, azure eyes rapidly scanned the crowded room before her. When they landed on Urahara's face, he nodded his head to the corner nearest her head. A slow exhaled left her lips when she found what she was looking for.
"You're alive." Then, gazing at her other friends, "You're all still alive."
A smile graced her lips. It was full of relief and euphoria.
"Yes we are. How we are- that's a question that needs to be answered already. I hate being left out of the loop," Grimmjow grumbled.
"Mr. Urahara, can you please tell us what happened?" the orange-haired woman requested.
"Of course. I was waiting for everyone to wake up first anyway."
"You guys have clearly made a mess," the blonde man declared with a soft grin, "Nearly killing a human in your quest to kill the hollows that prey on those very humans."
"Make your point Kisuke Urahara. Why have you intervened?" the captain of the 2nd Division spat. Her hard glare scrutinizing the scene below.
The slight smile on Urahara's face slowly metamorphosed into a smirk, an arrogant defiance barely etched on his expression. "How about a deal?"
"I am afraid we have already established a compromise with the Espada," the docile white-haired captain stated.
"I think you should all reconsider." Urahara paused to look at each of the captains above him. "The answer to solving the de-hollowfication is before you, and yet you are all blinded by contempt to take note of it."
Widened eyes gazed upon him and then to Ulquiorra.
The head of the 12th Division recovered first. "Lies! All the research leads for solving the hollowfication riddle had led to a dead end- every single one of them. There are no other leads to be had. The solution to such a puzzling phenomena is, at the earliest of estimations, decades from the present,"
"No, the answer is right here." The former captain flourished his hands towards Ulquiorra. "Take a look at his hollow hole."
"What of it?" the fox captain inquired.
"When Yoruichi and I first came into contact with Ulquiorra at the park, his hollow hole had been located at the base of his throat."
Captain Hitsugaya spoke next. "His hollow hole has moved almost to the center of his chest..."
"Where a heart is supposed to be," Urahara finished.
The Cuatro stared at the blonde inquisitively. Yes, he had noticed his own hollow hole move, but he had thought such a conclusion was too impossible to even consider.
Captain Yamamoto slowly opened his eyes. "What are you implying Kisuke Urahara?"
"Isn't it obvious?" he retorted, "There appears to be a natural mechanism for the de-hollowfication process to succeed. All this time, we have forced the process. To think that a simple solution, which even I had deemed impossible, would be the solution."
"Are you saying that..." the leader of the Soul Reaper Research Institute began.
"He's regaining what he has lost through his interactions here in the human world."
The attention of all the captains present zeroed in on Ulquiorra's moved hollow hole. The Cuatro, on the other hand, ignored the intent stares and simply stored away Urahara's statement in his mind. All this time, there was a reason for the changes he had noticed within himself- a reason that he had never bothered to make note of because of its improbability. When he had first taken note of the movement, he had attributed the change due to evolution, a process that every hollow undergoes regardless of rank. He had assumed that he was entering a new morphological state, as was common in his kind.
The blonde cleared his throat. "If you look at Grimmjow's hollow hole, you'd see that it, too, had migrated upwards from its original position in his abdomen."
"This is preposterous," Kurotsuchi growled, "It is impossible for a hollow, especially one who has descended into the level of an Espada, to revert through just-"
"It is improbable, yes. But definitely not impossible. I know that now," Kisuke interrupted, pausing as he made the few short steps towards the Fourth. "The proof is right here," he stated as he placed his hand on the bat's shoulders.
"You are suggesting that we allow them to continue living here in this world," the old man concluded.
"Yes. The de-hollowfication dilemma has been plaguing the Soul Society for a long time, taking incalculable lives along the way. Many devolved souls can be saved without bloodshed should my assumption be correct. Solving it would even prevent individuals with the same twisted plans as Aizen from gaining momentum in the first place. Don't you think it's worth it to solve this problem?"
"How sure are you about your assumption?" the Kuchiki heir challenged.
"From what I have seen the pass couple months, pretty damn sure," the former reaper grinned.
"I would like all of your data and observations during this entire process documented and sent to me," the captain of the First Division began.
Kurotsuchi immediately snapped his head at his statement. "Head captain-"
A wrinkled but strong hand was lifted in the air to silence the opposition. "Should he be right, many lives may be saved."
To Ulquiorra, he continued, "I expect no trouble in this city since there will be now two Espadas present to deter any other hollow activity."
The emerald eyed hollow nodded his head once. "You have my word."
"Hn."
With that, the Head Captain made his way to the opening Japanese doors, his subordinates at his heels.
"Dammit! Missed all the good stuff. Why didn't you guys wake us up sooner!" Grimmjow grumbled after Urahara recounted the events to them.
The blonde smiled knowingly. "It was less messy dealing with the Soul Society without you guys butting in."
"So," Sayuri began, disbelief evident on her face, "They're safe?"
Urahara grinned, once more. "Yes."
Orihime sighed in relief. "Thank goodness."
"Wait, how exactly are Grimmjow and Ulquiorra already going through the de-hollowfication process? They haven't really changed all that much except for their hollow holes moving," the strawberry male asked.
"Oh, you all just have to wait and see," the genius responded, which received him several displeased snorts. "But all three hollows present must behave at all times. I don't want to have to deal with the Soul Society about this matter anytime soon. I've had enough unexpected visitors, haven't you?"
"Three?" Orihime spoke.
Kisuke pointed his thumb towards the hallway. "That hollow child that was at the park earlier. She is now under my jurisdiction. Tessai and Yoruichi are currently checking to see if she is malevolent."
"She's not." A new voice entered the conversation.
When the figure revealed themselves from the darkness of the hall, Sayuri jumped to her feet, taking the time to regain her balance before holding him at arm's length.
"Shin! How did you get here? You're not hurt badly are you?" she fussed, inspecting his body.
"I'm fine Sai. I ran into these guys on my way to Ichigo's place. What minor cuts and bruises I had, that braided guy already healed," he shrugged. "Guess that saves me the trouble of trying to explain things to Mama and Papa."
At the mention of their parents, the black haired teen paled. "I completely forgot! We need to get home before they find out we're gone!"
"It's almost 7:30. I suggest you hurry up before they find your empty rooms," the blonde inputted.
Grimmjow stepped forth. "I can carry you guys back. It should just take at most ten minutes at full speed in my hollow form."
"I'll take Orihime back home then," Ichigo said. Then deadpanning to the Sixth, continued, "But wouldn't it be uncomfortable for Sai and Shin to be carried with one hand each like a plastic bag?"
"Shut up. It's the fastest way, dumbass," the Sixth Espada retorted. "Besides, one can ride on my back, and I'll carry the other with both hands."
"...I think that would still look a little weird."
Just as they were about go into another bout of arguing, the ashen man rose to stand.
"I will take one of them," he declared. "That should solve this useless dilemma."
The Kamiya woman was about to head towards the panther, when Grimmjow made his own announcement.
"Fine. I get kid though. It's only fair that you get the heavier load, especially since you had so kindly knocked us out earlier." Sarcasm dripped from his words.
"B-" Sayuri felt the argument rising in her throat but swallowed it. She had no doubt that Grimmjow would not change his mind. He probably thought that he was doing her a favor, but he was not conscious during her argument with Ulquiorra at the park. She only wished that he had the power to read minds. The next few seconds of eye contact proved that he had no such ability.
Shrugging in defeat, she made her way out of the room and towards the entrance to the store, waving goodbye to everyone as she went. When she passed another door to one of the many identical rooms of the makeshift home, she watched in mild interest and curiosity when her brother caught up with her and slid a door open. Inside was that hollow child. Before her was Tessai and Yoruichi posed leaning on the back wall.
"Bye Lilan. Bye Tessai and Yoruichi. See you soon!" Shin waved enthusiastically.
A chorus of goodbyes followed, and Sayuri detected a sweet, pixie-like voice amidst it. For the moment, she ignored it. She had plenty of time to form her own conclusions once she was in her own room. Besides, she was exhausted. The physical trauma her body had gone through was becoming evident in her sluggish posture.
She bowed her head in thanks and bid them farewell, as well. As she opened the main entrance, a small gust of wind greeted her. Her hair flittered about her head momentarily before settling down in a messy heap. She knew that she must have looked awful. Her clothes were torn and bloody, but at least all her injuries had been healed. At least everything had turned out as best as it could. Now, she only had to make it back home with him carrying her.
She breathed in deeply and exhaled through her mouth as slowly as she could manage to calm the anger that was still within her. It was not enough. She grimaced. It was not even fury that she was mostly feeling. It was something more difficult to rid of, something more dreadful: fear.
She stepped out into the cold morning air, ignoring the icy wind prickling her skin. She just needed to last ten more minutes- maybe even less considering how much faster Ulquiorra is in comparison to Grimmjow. She breathed in again, but as she exhaled, it caught in her throat when a jacket shrouded her head.
The feeling of deja vu sickened her. It was just like yesterday- when the blizzard hit.
When he had guided her to a warm inn.
When she felt like he did give a damn about her.
"Put it on."
She did not move. When she did not heed the order after a few more seconds, he spoke again. "Suit yourself, woman."
His words were the only warning she received before she was swept into his arms. His body and arms kept the coat in place around her. In less than a blink of an eye, they were already on their way. Shamefully, Sayuri heard a squeak of surprise leave her lips. She turned her head away from his body, refusing the close contact of her cheeks to his chest. However, this left her face to take the full brunt of the wind as they sonidod through the city. In an attempt to escape the cold, she buried her face into the coat, leaving only half her face exposed to the unforgiving morning.
She felt his arms shift and tighten. She ignored it- ignored how the act made her feel somewhat warmer both on the inside and outside. She did not want to be in his arms right now. She did not want this. She closed her eyes, ignoring the familiar and calming strength she felt radiating from his very being. Above all, she hated how her heart raced because of it. She begged the time to go faster.
She did not want this, because it was starting to hurt too much again.
Pain was the last thing she remembered before sleep claimed her.
-O-
Sayuri Kimura woke up feeling comfortable and warm. Her blanket was secure around her. When she sat up on her bed, she checked her body and was relieved to find that she was still in the tattered clothes she had worn earlier that morning. The bright sunlight cascading into her room told her she had slept a few good hours. Her body felt sore but better.
"Have you finally rested enough, woman?"
"Mm." She nodded her head curtly in the direction of the voice, but never made eye contact.
She removed the dark blue sheets and slid her legs over to the ground. She paused, her feet dangling. There was something in the way. It was a long rectangular box that was a shade of midnight blue only seen hours before dawn. Sapphire jewels shifted towards the ashen man.
"What is this?"
"Open it, and you will see."
She returned her attention to the long box before her. Planting her feet to the floor and kneeling next to it, she lifted the lid. It was heavy. Inside gleamed the black blades of a pair of new sais tucked away within the built in velvet casing. The handles were a dark navy blue leather with spiraling teal bands. Her mouth hung open.
It was a gift.
...From him.
She looked at him with wide, surprised, and questioning eyes.
"Why?"
"It is common courtesy to repay any debt that one owes. Given that you brought it upon yourself to find me this sash, it was only just that I have Urahara make you weapons that are suitable for you."
Slowly, almost hesitantly, her fingers advanced towards the present. The unused and glossy appearance of the ebony blade called to her. Gently, she ran her fingers down towards the handle, securing it in her hands. She found it incredibly light, easily lifting it without any effort.
The pang in her chest began again. He had the sais customized so that it would be easier for her to use.
"T-Thank you," she murmured.
"Hn."
He watched as she returned the sais to the casing. From her profile, he noted her still drawn features. Humans felt emotions too deeply. Her still foul mood was evidence of this, but it was not to the extent that it had been before.
"We should go back to the inn and properly pay that hospitable couple," she said.
As smooth as black velvet but as secretive as an untamed forest, he answered, "I already did."
"Oh."
She parted her lips to say more, but before any words could come out, the window burst open. Like a feline, Grimmjow crouched on the windowsill. He was in this hollow form, considering that they were no longer trying to hide from the Soul Society.
"Yo," he greeted.
Ulquiorra, who was also not in his gigai, stood up from his position by the end of the bed and situated himself between the panther and the woman.
"What is it that you require this time, cat?" he muttered with obvious disgust.
The lily woman somewhat wished that they were in their gigais. Their power would have been reduced and any fights that broke out would not be as devastating.
"I need Sayuri. Who else?" the blue-haired male grinned mischievously.
At the calling of her name, the Kamiya woman made her way around the ashen man to stand before her friend. "Why?"
Grimmjow adjusted himself so that he sat with one leg planted on the floor of the room, and the other leg was bent at the knee and resting on the windowsill. He allowed one arm to lazily lie over the upraised knee.
"It's just past noon. We need to get ready for the festival," he explained.
The young maiden raised one of her eyebrows. "Pardon? We?"
"You're going to be my date for the festival tonight, aren't you?" he said, ignoring the burning green just beyond Sayuri's figure.
"Wha-" she began but was cut off when Grimmjow tugged her towards the window.
Just as he was about to sonido out of the room, a baritone voice stopped them, a tinge of displeasure coloring the words. "What are you planning, Grimmjow?"
"Going to Urahara's with Sai," he replied.
"I didn't even agree to be your date you know," Sayuri inserted, while trying to pull her wrist away from his abnormally strong grip.
The Sixth Espada gave her an easy grin. "Why? Were you planning to go with someone else?"
"I-" she began, face coloring at her predicament. "I was going to go alone."
"Then in that case, just go with me. Aren't you humans supposed to be social creatures?" he stated.
She clenched her teeth, brows drawn in cogitation. It really did not matter if she went with him as his date. They were all going as a group anyway- her, Grimmjow, Orihime, Ichigo, the inhabitants of Urahara's shop, and maybe even Ulquiorra. Besides, what the Seis' idea to be a date was merely a ruse to thoroughly piss of the Cuatro. The word date in this case really had no meaning but a friend hanging out with another friend.
"Grim-" Ulquiorra started but was cut short by Sayuri's answer.
"...Fine," she agreed while looking at the ground. Then, looking up at the panther, continued, "Let's go get ready then."
Grimmjow chuckled. "That's more like it."
She walked around Ulquiorra's unmoving figure, face to the ground. She opened her closet and combed through the hangers. She reached out to pull the kimono out, but hesitated when she took note of the numerous large bags that laid at the end of the closet. They were the new clothes she had left behind at the inn. It proved that he had indeed gone back. She shook her head to lock those thoughts away. She carefully folded the delicate kimono into a black bag. Again, she circumvented the dark-haired Espada, refusing to look at him. She did not bother to change or shower. She could do all those things at Urahara's home. She just wanted to put some space between him and herself. She needed a bit of time to cool down.
Grimmjow allowed her to climb onto his back, and smirking towards the silent bat, said, "See you later, Ulquiorra."
Sayuri did not give the ashen man a single glance. She did not want to see what was written on his face. Would it have been annoyance? Anger? Blankness? Nothing?
Her actions did not make sense. Why bother caring about the reaction of a male who was not hers to begin with. Even more so, why should it matter to him that she had just agreed to go on a "date" with another male?
It was frightful, because their relationship was equally senseless. There were times, more like moments, actually- when it felt like they were something more. It was in those fleeting experiences when he revealed a side of him that appeared to care for her. Yet, partnered with those happy memories are times when he acted like she was just a stranger causing him constant annoyance. She did not know what she was to him.
Was he not interested in Orihime? Why would he not be? She was beautiful and intelligent. The siren even had powers that she could only stare in awe at.
She was afraid to look at his face, because what she might see there may be the uncaring void that would reaffirm her nothingness to him. Because of this, she missed the expression on Ulquiorra's face that made Grimmjow chuckle.
"You know," the panther spoke steadily even as he passed through the city at a blinding speed, "You're still an idiot."
"...Shut up."
"You should try confessing to him."
Sayuri would have snorted were it not for the rare show of seriousness in his tone. "Why do you say that?"
"Because both of you are idiots. Something has to start somewhere," he elaborated.
"Nothing will start."
Bright marbles of aquamarine glanced back at her. "Yep, definitely an idiot."
She rolled her eyes and grinned at him. "I think being an idiot is normal."
"Whatever... idiot."
When they landed in front of Urahara's shop several minutes later, Sayuri inquired, "Why are we getting ready here anyway?"
Not even a second after her question left her mouth was she whisked away by a pair of skinny but strong arms.
"Ururu!?" she yelled when she looked up at her captor.
"Miss Yoruichi and Orihime are waiting for you inside. I'm bring you to them," she explained, voice as soft as ever.
"Make sure she looks good!" the human female heard Grimmjow call out, uncontained amusement in his tone.
"Damn him," she cursed to herself.
Though the walls of the house came in blurs, she saw the new arrancar's figure along with another female hollow- a much younger one- that she had not yet seen. She had already felt the additional presence upon arrival at the store.
A second later, the child deposited her in a large room with a massive vanity and a three way floor length mirror situated at the furthest corner. Two voluptuous women sat on the cushions that were place along the left wall.
"Thanks Ururu," Orihime spoke.
The soft-spoken child nodded her head before closing the door on her way out, leaving Sayuri standing awkwardly at the entrance.
"Um..."
"Well," the purple-haired master began, sauntering towards the chair in front of the vanity, "We better get started." She patted the chair as though inviting Sayuri over. "My name is Yoruichi."
"Um, my name is Sayuri. Pleasure to meet you ma'am," she greeted, bowing low at the back.
"Respectful. I like you already."
The ginger siren stood up as well, a gentle smile on her lips. "Come on, Sayuri. Let's make you look beautiful for him."
The Kamiya woman could only stare dumbly at the slightly shorter female. "Him? But... aren't you in love with him?"
She watched as Inoue's smile faltered a little before regaining their initial strength. "I've accepted the fact that I am not the one for him nor am I the one that he needs."
Sayuri's mouth was slightly agape.
"What?"
This was confusing her. Had she not seen them embrace after the camping excursion. Was she not interested in him? But wasn't he interested in her? Were they not interested in each other? The day had started out bleak, and the oddity of the day continued to persist. What was going on? She was sure that she had not misunderstood Orihime's feelings for Ulquiorra. There had been more than enough signs for her to conclude that the beautiful woman was in love with the same man as herself.
"I don't understand..." she admitted.
"You will understand at your own time," Inoue smiled. "Everything will make sense soon enough, I'm sure of it."
"Ok, enough talk girls. We have work to do if we will out show the men tonight," Yoruichi smirked.
After taking a bath and returning to the room where the two other women were busy preparing their kimonos and hair, the lily child was guided towards the impressive vanity set. Many hair ornaments, jewelry, and make up sets, which belonged to Yoruichi, were arranged on the table.
"Don't worry," the shape-shifter spoke, "We will make sure that every guy that passes you tonight will know how beautiful you truly are."
Sayuri blushed.
The duo proceeded to fix her hair. Orihime brushed half her ebony locks into smooth ripples while Yoruichi began to braid a small portion.
"By the way Sayuri, be a little easy on Ulquiorra. He's barely figuring out what it means to have emotions, so don't take it personally when he does something that makes you angry, ok?" the siren stated.
Sayuri twisted her fingers in her lap. She supposed it had been too obvious earlier that she was not under amicable relations with the Cuatro for the time being.
She bit her lip. "...I understand. But the one thing I cannot easily forgive is him sacrificing his life to save me or anyone for that matter. It's a little selfish to say that, but I... wouldn't be able to cope with that."
There was stretch of silence. Yoruichi, from her reflection in the mirror, was either too engrossed with her braiding or did not mind the conversation in the least bit.
Finally, the orange-haired woman said, "I had to watch him die once before."
The blue-eyed female took a sharp intake of breath at her statement. That is correct. Orihime had been the one to revive Ulquiorra before, so it should have been expected that she was present during his first death. The Kamiya woman could only imagine the pain she had felt.
"I watched as his body turned to ash, so I know how... painful it must be to think that you were about to lose him. He had died protecting my friend and me from Ichigo's hollow side. I think he did what he did, because he thought he found part of a heart in me. For you, he was willing to just face execution rather than die fighting to the death. His willingness to die for you and the rest of our friends was stronger than pride or even a warrior's desire for a death by a stronger opponent. The part of him he found in you is probably stronger than what he found in me."
"I don't think I have given him as much as you think," the lily woman murmured weakly.
Sayuri clenched her fists. She stared at them and could still vividly remember seeing her hands desperately trying to reach him amidst that near blazing clearing. "I am grateful for everything he was willing to sacrifice for all of us. But he doesn't even seem to consider how we would react to his sacrifice. He doesn't understand that knowing he had died so that mine can be spared is as, if not more, painful than actually dying myself... That's how I feel anyway. I can't speak for everyone else..."
"No, I understand. I wouldn't want any of my friends to die in order to save me either," she whispered.
"So instead of taking that way out and trying to shoulder all the burden himself, I wish he would learn to rely on us. He is a hollow, and I know that he must have lost all sense of friendship in the years he has been that way. So I am amazed that he has come so far as to worry about all of us."
Orihime giggled, "He's probably confused as to why he did what he did in the first place, so for now, be easy on him, Sai. He's figuring it out."
Sayuri smiled. "I'll get over it by the time the festival starts. I was just... scared... very scared when I saw him just standing there ready to die. And when he didn't agree to never doing such a thing ever again, I got even more scared... that I would eventually lose him because he sacrificed himself for me or someone. He needs to know that his life is worth more than just as a sacrifice."
"You know, hollows usually live a solitary existence in which other hollows are seen as enemies or a means to reach more power," Yoruichi joined in, "Seeing a hollow of Ulquiorra's caliber, who had likely spent decades fighting and killing, doing what he did was... striking... maybe even miraculous."
She set the finished braid down and smiled at the two younger females. "He doesn't know how to think about other people's feelings yet, let alone comprehend them. I recommend that you two teach him."
Then as an afterthought, she added, "Be patient though. Men are slow learners."
The three of the them laughed.
It took a few hours for all of them to finally finish, mostly because Yoruichi had insisted on ensuring that their hair was as elaborate as she could make it. They helped each other with their kimonos and obi. Taking one final look at their reflections on the large mirror, they smiled to each other. They put on their zori and made their way to the entrance of the store. The tanned woman slid the door open in a manner that seemed almost too feminine for her usual tomboy persona.
It was cold, but the layers of clothing of their kimonos effectively shielded them from the elements.
The chatter taking place on the lot stopped, and the trio found themselves to be the center of attention.
Grimmjow let out a whistle. "Looking good ladies."
Sayuri inspected his own outfit. He wore an aquamarine top, black pants with a single white stripe at either side, and a white haori. The look suited him well.
"Wow, you can almost pass for human," she joked.
He shrugged, smirking at her. "Why? You like what you see? This is only my gigai, too; I look better in my hollow form."
The Kamiya child rolled her eyes. "But," he started, catching her attention again, "You do look beautiful."
The lily woman quirked one of her brows at him. "You spent most of today being evil to me, and now you're trying to make up for it with compliments?" she accused. Then, grinning up at him, she laughed, "But I'll take it. Thank you."
Looking at Orihime and Yoruichi, who were talking to Ichigo and Urahara respectively, she added, "Everyone looks fantastic, too."
Yoruichi wore a coral orange kimono with black bamboo tree designs on the right side and on the left sleeve, accentuating her lean stature. A pale yellow obi wrapped snuggly around her small waist. Her purple locks were styled in an elaborate knot, a hand carved pair of chopsticks holding them in place. Black eye liner and red lipstick colored her face.
Orihime, on the other hand, fashioned a deep crimson kimono, golden Japanese maple leaves of varying sizes swirled from her neckline and sleeves before gradually decreasing in number down the bottom of the fabric. A simple black obi tied her outfit together. Yoruichi had use a hairclip comprised of matching yellow maple leaves to keep the orange hair hanging around her right shoulder. Her bangs ran straight across her forehead. Shimmering black eye shadow and a light blush painted her facade.
Sayuri giggled to herself when she noted that the siren was practically matching with Ichigo, who donned a yellow shirt, navy pants, and a burgundy haori.
Unconsciously, her sapphire eyes began wandering around as if expecting to see something, or rather someone.
"He isn't here."
"What?"
The blue panther sighed. "Ulquiorra isn't here."
"Oh."
"Do try to hide your disappoint. You are my date today," he told her, playfulness in his tone.
She rolled her eyes at him again. He let out his usual howl of amusement. It was almost unbelievable how close they had gotten. She felt unusually comfortable in his presence, as if they had been best friends in another life. His teasing could get a bit much, his voice could get too loud, and his words could sound too brash, but he was genuine. She really admired that about him.
"We should head out and catch the train to Hitamura so that we get to the festival before the sun sets," Urahara announced. To Tessai and the kids, he said, "You guys should come by if you get bored. You don't have to watch the store today. There won't be many people in Karakura anyway. Lilan and Kirina, you're welcome to come along, too, you know."
The female arrancar offered him a shy smile. She was still in her hollow state since her gigai was not yet ready. The much younger hollow, who had peach colored hair and auburn eyes, hid behind her, hands clinging onto the taller hollow. "We can go next time. It's just our first day here in the human world, after all," Lilan declined.
Sayuri only had a short glimpse of the second female hollow when Ururu had dragged her towards the room where Orihime and Yoruichi had waited. Now, having the chance to closely inspect her features, she appeared no older than five in human years. Her purplish eyes shined with the confusion of a young child. Hollow she may be, but she acted like a lost human kid.
"Ok, then take care of them while we're gone," he told her.
"Yes, Mr. Urahara," she answered, face serious.
The blonde patted her shoulder before walking towards the street.
"Mr. Urahara, who was that second hollow child?" the dark-haired teen found herself asking.
"Kirina? Lilan sees her as a younger sister. Apparently, Kirina had been kidnapped and used as a tool by the higher level arrancars to keep control over Lilan. We had retrieved her from Hueco Mundo earlier today," he elucidated.
"That would explain why someone as kindhearted as Lilan would agree to attack Hitamura," Ichigo murmured.
"They're in good hands now," the shunpo master spoke.
They headed towards the train station several blocks away. It would be a waste of all of their effort to prepare for the festival if they had used shunpo or sonido to head to Hitumara. It would definitely be much faster, but then their appearance would surely suffer. The New Year's festival in Hitamura was famous for its grandeur and exuberant setting. All attendants dressed in their best winter kimonos, as was customary in the New Year's celebration of Hitamura, in preparation for the first shrine visit at midnight. A massive festival is held at the foot of the long cement staircases leading to the shrine. Lanterns of various colors hung like a ceiling of light above the entire area, while the nearby trees were dressed in bright silver and golden lights.
They all wanted to enjoy it looking their best.
The train station quickly came into view. It was crowded, likely from all of the people planning to head over to the festival. Many wore kimonos. It looked as though everyone had been transported back to feudal Japan, except the setting was too modern. The holiday spirit was still prevalent, but the numerous amounts of people abated it somewhat. Everyone was occupied with trying to board the train.
Sayuri tried to dodge the shoulders of those passing by, but it was nearly impossible with the amount of people present. Before long, she could no longer detect the familiar figures of her friends. Panic was the last thing on her mind. She would find them at some point, but she knew she had to escape first. She felt her shoulder roll back slightly when it collided with a stranger. Then, her other shoulder was forced back. Since she lived in Hitamura, she had always walked to the festival grounds and, therefore, never had to endure just hectic conditions.
"Stay close, woman."
Out of nowhere, her wrists were tugged gently by cool but firm hands. She followed and found herself looking at a broad shoulder covered with a deep green haori. Familiar nightly blessed locks swayed with each steady footstep. His body acted as a shield that protected her from the massive crowd. He led her into the newly arrived train and placed her against the wall, his body once more acting as an impenetrable aegis. His arms rested against the wall just above her shoulder, effectively preventing any stranger from bumping against her head when the train started to move.
Surrounded by a sea of strangers, his emerald jewels staring unwaveringly at her were a welcoming sight. At that moment, the green in his eyes were steady pools.
"Ulquiorra..."
He scrutinized her. "Managing to get yourself separated from a group of experienced fighters is quite an astonishing feat," he muttered, sarcasm almost detectable.
"You were watching me?" she asked.
"No, I sensed you and everyone else. It was easy to detect when you were lost when I felt your spiritual energy grow more distant from theirs," he stated matter-of-factly.
A sudden stop caused Sayuri to lose her balance. With the kimono fabric wrapped around her legs, it was difficult to regain her footing. She fell onto his chest, but he had been at such a close proximity in the first place that she practically remained upright. Her collision onto his body did not seem to faze him one bit. She doubted that she had even moved him. She repositioned herself, back against the wall and legs braced for the unexpected.
"Try to stay on your feet, woman," he told her as if she were a child.
More people got into the train. When she looked up at him to reply, his face had gotten even closer. The clever retort she had thought of immediately vanished from her memory. The new individuals that were arriving were talking up what little space had been left inside.
She clenched her teeth and turned her head to the side. Despite her best efforts, the small amount of room she had, the kimono, and the train stops caused her to fall onto him about five times more by the time they reached the Hitamura station. Each time the train had stopped at a station, many people boarded with only a few leaving. The result was Ulquiorra's body pressing against hers by the time they reached her hometown. Sayuri began to fidget even in the little room that she had.
"Stop your fussing, woman," he lightly scolded her. "Are the conditions so undesirable that you cannot resist fidgeting about?"
"...It's not the crowd per se... Uh... um... you're just a little too clo-close..." she whispered, stumbling repeatedly.
She gazed up at him through her lashes. His expression was as blank as ever, aside from the slight wrinkle between his eyebrows and at the left corner of his mouth.
"I can push all these humans away with ease. That should give you the room you desi-"
"No!" she blurted out a bit too loudly. She pressed her lips together upon noticing confused stares aimed towards her. "I-uh... what I'm trying to say is that that would be an unnecessarily mean thing to do to these people," she continued in a softer voice.
"Do you not wish for more space? Such a thing could easily be accomplished through my suggestion," he reasoned.
"Ah... um... I can deal with this until we get to Hitamura. I'll stop fidgeting. I promise."
Ulquiorra made eye contact with her for a few seconds, making her almost fidget out of an increase in nervousness.
"No, your fidgeting is fine. It does not harm me in any way."
As he said those words, Sayuri noted that his smooth pools of green seemed to almost ripple in the middle. It contrasted with the smooth cadence of his voice.
"That's very kind of you. Thank you, Ulquiorra."
Unsurprisingly, the Hitamura train station was even more crowded than Karakura. As soon as the door of the train opened, Ulquiorra took hold of her wrist and led her through the mass exodus. Even amidst all the shoving and mayhem, his movements were sure and did not falter. He was stability amidst the chaos.
Sayuri breathed a sigh of relief when they managed to exit the station. The streets were still relatively crowded, but the much larger open space compensated for it. Still, Ulquiorra held onto her wrists, walking in the direction of the main festival grounds by the large Hitamura shrine. He did not drag her. He kept a forgiving pace that allowed her to walk comfortably in her kimono and zori. When she slowed her pace, so did he. The day truly was turning out to be bizarre.
They both did not speak. They were introverts by nature, but their silence was due to something else entirely. Something was not right between them. Even as glowing lights began to decorate the trees and bright lanterns hung in a zig zag pattern above the path, they remained quiet. Families, couples, and groups of friends passed them, all of them laughing in merriment. When they were about to reach the booth area at the bottom of the shrine's massive steps, she felt his grip slacken until her hand swung back to her side. She looked up at him. He was looking straight ahead.
"Um, Ulquiorra I-" she initiated but silenced herself when a voice called in the distance.
"Hey, Ulquiorra!"
Deep azure orbs widened. That voice was too familiar. It was a sound that caused a deep ache in her chest. She tilted her head so that she could see beyond the ashen man's shoulders.
She felt the color and heat on her face drain. She felt the air practically knocked out of her. Memories of the frigid Christmas morning bombarded her mind to the point where she could feel the snow that she had kneeled on.
The figure came to a slow stop right before them. When black eyes caught sight of her, the air became more icy. Not even the bright rays of the sun that had managed to pierce the thick clouds could thaw it.
"What are you doing with my date?" she said.
Sayuri unconsciously took a mid-step back. "Your date? You must be joking." She sounded far more confident than what she actually felt and for that, she was impressed with herself.
That all too familiar face distorted into a smug smirk. She stepped forward and wrapped her hands around Ulquiorra's right arm. His face was still facing forward, so she could not see his reaction.
The Kamiya woman felt sick when he did not make any indication of trying to get away. He just stood there.
"See? He is my date," she declared, "So get lost, Sai."
To Ulquiorra, she said, "Let's go. I feel nauseous being around her."
Sayuri Kamiya could only stand rooted to the spot, mouth agape and eyes wide, as he allowed her to lead him away.
No way. This is impossible. Impossible.
Her thoughts were still in disbelief.
It was too impossible.
"Sai! There you are!" she heard Grimmjow call behind her. "Everyone's look-"
When he reached her, the expression on her face gave him pause. "Hey, are you sick? Sai?"
He turned his head to where he noticed her attention was held. Deep furrows marked the center of his forehead, crushing the carefree expression he had on.
"What the hell is that bastard doing!? Who the hell is that bitch?" he roared loudly enough to earn him fearful stares from the people around him.
He watched as her lips trembled as they tried to form a word.
"Mai."
-O-
Did the chapter seem too busy? Did it all make sense?
Please let me know what you think! I hope you enjoyed it.
There are at most 4 chapters left, I believe.