Holy wow! I didn't expect this story to take such popularity overnight! (Don't tell it will be more popular than my other story…) This chapter is dedicated to: ScrappyCocoa, briyalia, wutai flea, SilverRedBlossom331, hitokiri angel, my good friend Eicher; for reviewing; Doremon, Urukiora Schifa, 3R15UK0UM31; for favoriting; and Aleanyia; for alerting. Thanks to you all! Just to clear doubts I use '(…)' as a way of indicating a somewhat long pause in the character's thoughts.
Names
Ulquiorra headed straight to his room. His room was plain white; like the rest of Las Noches; and didn't have much furniture in it, just his bed, a bedside table, a full wooden bookcase, a chair by the wall and the door to his bathroom.
He was lying in his bed while staring at the ceiling. He wasn't tired but he wished he were. The confusion he felt while inside that mysterious dark space with the smiling woman hadn't gone away yet. He was not used to just accepting things that way; his analytical nature wouldn't allow him to. Yet, he had no choice but to do it for the first time.
She said we had met when I was human? But I was certain that had been long ago… Memories…I lack them. While I've learnt others remember being Gillian and Adjuchas, I don't recall that life either… Just what is that which awaits me after my demise as an Espada?
Shortly afterwards, a meeting of the Espada was called.
To Ulquiorra, it was like living a déjà vu. Everything they were discussing was known by him beforehand.
Unlike the vast majority, he always paid attention to Aizen during the meetings. He'd never thought of himself as someone who'd blatantly doze off like Stark or show dislike at being there like Grimmjow. But for once, he gave himself the luxury of not paying attention. His mind was still roaming about what was happening and part of him couldn't believe it just yet. He wondered if it was all a dream. He remembered having read that, sometimes, dreams can feel too realistic and are quite convincing. However, that could hardly be his case. For as long as he could remember, he had never had dreams.
The meeting came to an end. Some shameless ones sighed too loudly in conspicuous relief.
-Ulquiorra, - Aizen called for him. – I need you to walk Inoue Orihime to my quarters; there is something I wish to show her. I'll be waiting for her.
Ulquiorra nodded in understanding and headed to Orihime's room.
Aizen only raised an eyebrow for half a second. It was slightly unusual of Ulquiorra to just nod; he would always say 'Yes, Aizen - Sama' after receiving orders. Nonetheless, he didn't care much about that detail in the end.
Ulquiorra came inside her room after knocking twice and found her standing while facing the small barred window.
She turned towards him; her arm again in front of her chest.
He glanced at her wearing the uniform.
-It suits you. – He told her.
She didn't respond.
-Aizen wishes to see you, woman. He's waiting for you already. – He then turned around. – Follow me.
Just like that, he started walking. He didn't let her protest. Yet, she was following him coyly from behind and with her guard on.
His memory recalled it was a silent long walk; her feeling uncomfortable wasn't missed by his observing eyes.
This time, however, something was different.
He looked back and saw her purplish-gray eyes staring at him as if she wanted to tell him something; that he didn't recall happening before.
-Is something the matter, woman? – He asked her without stopping walking.
-Why do you keep calling me 'woman'? – She asked openly.
-Because that's what you are. – His expression was neutral.
-But that's not my name.
-It is not my duty to call you by your name.
-But don't you feel awkward when calling someone else as if she were an object?
-I do not feel awkwardness; I only do my duty.
-Only your duty? – She asked again.
He paused for a second. This conversation had certainly not happened before. He almost frowned.
Only my duty? – He repeated inwardly.
Before he could think of an answer, they had reached their destination: Aizen's room.
She had most likely thought he had opted for silence.
-Be respectful. – He told her as he opened the door for her to enter.
She gazed down as she went inside.
Ulquiorra waited outside. He knew Aizen would show her the Hogyoku; supposedly, as a token of his trust towards her. The first time he heard that explanation he doubted it and he now knew there had to be something more of it. Perhaps he was just using his twisted psychology for some purpose beyond what he'd ever tell him.
Why has she acted differently this time?
-Albeit their minds have 'reset', they are still doing this for the second time; just like you; it's just that they aren't aware of it. – A familiar voice explained.
Ulquiorra turned to his front and saw the same woman he had seen before. She wore the same smile with black pumps with white stripes, a tight white skirt that reached just below her knees and a white top with a V-cleavage, a black line drawn vertically in the middle and ample sleeves that reached her knees.
She was looking at him. Her eyes were understanding and kind but they had a playful air in them that revealed she knew how to tease and at the same time knew more than her smile would let you guess.
His eyes widened with surprise but didn't really show the shock.
-It's you…! – He pointed out baffled to see her around and with that outfit.
-It has only been hours since you saw me and you had already missed me, Ulquiorra? – She greeted.
-Perhaps I am dreaming. – He thought out loud.
-No you're not! – She told him with her hands on her waist. – Don't tell me you're still skeptical? It has happened and it has already started, Ulquiorra.
-Why was that woman acting differently?
-Like I already told you, this is the second time events occur for them as well; they just don't know it yet. And nobody can do things the same way twice. – She explained grinning.
-This situation itself is illogical.
-Shall I quote Kierkegaard for you again? It's not in your best interest to waste time thinking it's illogical. Is it really so hard to accept a miracle?
-A miracle? – He asked back.
-I am aware you don't believe in them but you're living one now and there's nothing you can do about it. I'm afraid I cannot undo the time reversal. You'll have to wait until you reach the point in which it was rewinded. Meanwhile, put some focus on your goal. I'll be supervising everything here, so I can offer help when needed. – She offered. – Convenient, right?
-You'll be here? – He wasn't sure if he had understood right; her being here would be dangerous.
-Of course. I must make sure that most events still follow as they did the first time. So I'll supervise that aspect. Things will vary, but everything that happened must happen again. Ichigo Kurosaki and the shinigami captains from Soul Society will come again and a fight will explode in this castle once more. I believe you have a fair idea of how much time you have before it's too late. – Her smile grew.
He still felt so much needed to be explained. Her appearing again brought some answers but also more questions.
-Woman…
-Uh uh! – She interrupted as she shook her head and her right index finger. – If you think it's OK to call Orihime – San that, then you definitely have a problem. But I won't let you call me 'woman'. As a matter of fact, I believe that's exactly what the girl you escorted here was trying to tell you. Seriously Ulquiorra, should I call you 'Arrancar', then?
-There is no difference. – He stated monotonically.
-Yes there is. – She assumed a more serious tone. – A name is important; if it weren't, then no one would bother naming their children and pets. Being called by our names by the people we care about makes us feel good inside. – Her subtle grin appeared. – Do you like her name, Ulquiorra?
-Do I like her name? – He mused out loud and quietly.
-Who are you talking to? – A male voice interrupted him.
Ulquiorra looked to find Nnoitra Jiruga standing at his left. He was looking at him with narrowed eyes and a mocking grin.
He then turned to his front and realized the mysterious woman was no longer standing in front of him. Had she disappeared?
-Well, are you going crazy, Ulquiorra? – Nnoitra chortled. – Perhaps following Aizen's plan has gotten your head mixed up and now you're seeing things.
-Aizen's plan?
-About that human woman he brought.
-That wasn't Aizen's plan. He's far too busy with more important things. I am the one that has supervised everything about that woman.
Nnoitra stared at him suspiciously.
-Since when do you call him 'Aizen'? – He asked suspicious. – What happened to your ass-kissing 'Aizen - Sama'?
Is that trait of myself so notorious? – He pondered. – Even that woman has noticed it…
Right then, the door was opened and Orihime emerged from it.
She looked pensive and then took note of Nnoitra standing next to her. She felt quite uneasy at his side.
-Well, Ulquiorra, seems like you have some special pet for your own fun! – Nnoitra commented. – You lucky bastard!
-I have no idea what you are talking about, Nnoitra. – Ulquiorra told him without showing reactions to his comment.
-Of course you don't! Play innocent as much as you like! – He mocked before he walked away laughing maniacally.
Orihime's face showed what he couldn't believe: Fear.
-Do you fear him? – He asked her.
She turned to him surprised and then looked away, gazing down.
She feared him. It made no sense to him. He had a higher rank than Nnoitra and far more power; which would make him rank as Primera were it not because Aizen himself doesn't know about it.
The rest of the way they both remained silent but pensive.
I don't understand this Arrancar called Ulquiorra… - Orihime mused. – I just can't help feeling that there's something different about him. I might not know much about him; I should despise him; but I still feel curious as to why he suddenly changed somehow. I can tell the change isn't that great, but I have this premonition that tells me it's important. Ulquiorra Schiffer… I wished I could just call him that. It's too rude of me not to call anyone by their name, but how can I when he calls me 'woman'? It's too strange and he doesn't see it. Does being a hollow make you forget important things like that? (…) I fear that lanky Arrancar? I just cannot help feeling chills when I see his face; he looks as if he were about to kill me… Then what makes this other Arrancar different? It's like I don't fear him… But I have a grudge against him. He can say he's just following orders, but I cannot help but feel he wants something from me. I could never trust a man like him. More importantly, I must not let him be in the way of the new purpose I've found. I must destroy the Hogyoku.
Orihime Inoue. – Ulquiorra pondered at the same time. – Do I like that name? What could that woman mean? Why would I 'like' a name? A name simply denominates beings and that's all there is to it. What is that importance she says it holds? (…) Do I like her name? Orihime Inoue. There's nothing strange or unique about it. I neither like nor dislike it. I cannot comprehend anything that woman says. Why? (…) Why doesn't this woman fear me but fears Nnoitra? Her body language clearly expressed she was guarding herself against Nnoitra and was more stiff at his side than when I'm next to her. What's the difference between me and Nnoitra? I don't understand humans.
That's when they reached her room.
She slowly entered and placed herself just like she was when he came in to escort her; right under the barred window with the view of the moon.
The moonlight fell upon her and made her hair shine with a golden outline. Her back was facing him, so he couldn't know what her expression looked like.
-My friends will come. – She told him without facing him.
Before, he would've told her that was a ridiculous and futile hope but he knew better this time. He knew she had been correct all along.
This woman has good intuition. She has no bases for stating that and yet she does so with confidence. Intuition is irrational because it doesn't have any support for its foundations. I avoid saying anything based on such a foolish hunch but she clearly doesn't. Is that part of the reason I don't understand this woman?
-I cannot deny they will most likely come. – He stated.
Orihime turned her head to look at his perfectly serious face. Had she misheard him?
-However; in the end; they will not leave without a scratch. They are fools for underestimating Aizen like they do. If they come, they will suffer losses and that will be inevitable.
She gazed down and didn't reply.
Ulquiorra noted she was no longer placing her arm against her chest despite his presence.
-They will win. – She looked up with firmness. – Kurosaki – Kun and the others will win.
-Do you have any bases to support what you're saying, woman?
She scowled. She didn't have any other than the knowledge she had of everyone's determination.
-Because they're foolish enough to attack this place, you will feel the consequences of their actions. One by one, you'll feel as their reiatsu starts disappearing; you'll know when they're injured and know it will all be because they're trying to save you. You won't be with them and you'll have to deal with the urge to heal them. It will be your bane and you'll regret them coming here.
-Stop… - She mumbled with her insides trembling.
She didn't want him to continue. Her rage and fear were accumulating and she was experiencing them like she never had before. Her fists were closed and shaking. Her eyes were shut with force; creating a painful frown in her forehead.
-You are no longer with them. The moment you put on that uniform, you accepted that you shall do as Aizen commands and you shall not go against him. You're now Aizen's and no longer possess your own soul.
-Stop it… - She whispered with her hands covering her ears; fighting the muteness that was taking over her.
-You don't want to keep listening because you know I'm saying the truth.
-That's a lie! – She exclaimed; her teary eyes looking straight at his form.
-Is it? – He said as his tone assumed a grave air to it.
He then used sonido to appear just in front of her. He was so close she could smell him.
She wasn't over the shock yet when he rather brusquely extended his arms at each side of her head and placed his hands on the wall; trapping her in that space where she stood.
-Learn your place, woman. You're not here as my equal; you're here as a prisoner. What do you expect me to do? To just let you think and say as you like and comfort you? I'm not here to treat you like a princess. My duty is to keep you alive and well. That's all. This is the situation you're in and you can't do anything to escape it. You want the pain to stop? Then stop having foolish hopes. Those who oppose Aizen can only perish. Soul Society's fate was decided long ago. Your friends are fools. Your friends will die…!
He knew beforehand she'd react this way. He knew her hand would slap him again if he said those words to her. And again, he permitted her to do it.
This was the second time she managed to slap him. How was it that she could do it? His reflexes weren't that slow but he simply forgot to move. The first time he couldn't understand how he had simply frozen and become unable to dodge it. This time he had found his answer. It was her eyes that bound him.
His face was again turned sideways. He slowly turned to look at her frontally. Her posture showed her muscles had stiffened but her eyes were unyielding. She definitely felt no fear for him.
She was aware he was far more powerful and strong than her and he wasn't allowed to kill her but he could do other things to get back at her and she still was unfaltering.
Ulquiorra slowly lowered his arms and turned around to exit.
He headed straight to his room and laid back on his bed to stare at the ceiling again.
Orihime Inoue. Is it because of her intuition and strong will that I do not understand that particular woman?