A/N: Hello again, thank you to all those still following this story and for all the kind reviews. I am trying really hard to continue writing this story (time wise) like I have so many books to try and read before university in September. Yet I will still be continuing this story even when I move so don't worry. It just might take a while to get there. Anyways on with the show.

The Past

~ The land was covered in flowers, each one bright and vibrant, new and blooming in perfect health. It was a time of prosperity and happiness amongst all his subjects. They were all cheerful and enjoying the festival he allowed them to have. Bunting hung between houses in the village and music floated through the streets. On all the faces a smile was present. Their eyes aglow in delight.

He had been persuaded to join them today and therefore found himself walking through the streets. He had told the guards he did not need protection. He would rather remain an anonymous peasant. Be treated like one. Being the King meant he missed out on all normal experiences and he wanted to try that today. He wanted to see what it would be like if he hasn't been born Ulquiorra Cifer, King of the demons, ruler over Heuco Mundo.

His disguise was a simple one, he wore one of those caps many young men wore for work and simple rags he borrowed of a servant that was more his height. Barragan, one of his best servants had explained the rules of the town and how to purchase and interact with the other villagers. It had taken him a while to get used to their informality and tendency to be overfriendly. For the rudeness some people have to be overcome by him.

Today was all about learning his kingdom better. He refused to be like his father and ignorant of everything going on. He wanted to know everything, to learn and be a better ruler. An emotionless King meant the kingdom would wilt and die. His father had nearly ruined the land in his reign. Now it was up to Ulquiorra to try and repair all the damage done.

As he walks down a narrow street his senses are assaulted with the smell of fresh bread and other various pastries. Stopping outside a small cottage he notices the door open and a sign reading 'Bakery'. Walking in, he inhales the smell once again revelling in the fineness of it all. To him this was all new and different. Something he could never have imagines witnessing. Looking at the items displayed on the counter he subconsciously licks his lips. His mouth watering slightly.

"Hello there good sir, what can I help you with today?" asks a man, he looks rather young but his eyes suggest he has wisdom beyond the years he has been alive. His hair is faded but whether it is from age or something else Ulquiorra is unsure.

"I am still deciding." Ulquiorra replies looking over the selection. He was encouraged to buy things and the smell and look of the food only helped make up his mind to do so.

"Please take your time." The man says with a smile. There seems to be no annoyance in his tone and he realises the man is being genuine. No rush to force him into buying or hurrying up with his order. As he decides a young woman enters the shop.

"One loaf of bread please." She asks. Her voice was like a soft melody, each note like a caress to his ears. His heart picked up the pace and he inhaled deeply. The scent of her filled his nostrils and overwhelmed him. He felt Murcielago clawing inside him to be let out. He turned to look at the young woman and he knew then. Mate. Whoever, this woman was she was his, the one destiny had paired to be with him. His mate and the future Queen.

She was smaller than him, yet a rather curvy woman. Whereas other women may feel self-conscious and need to tighten their corsets so they look as if they may break at any minute. She used her to only add to her curves more. Her hair was of a bright auburn, shining in the sunlight, and let loose spiralling down her back. Her lips were plump and held a small smile he found himself entranced by.

He found himself staring at her as she paid for her bread and payed the money. She then turned to him and smiled. Her whole face lit up as she passed him.

"Good morning." She tells him before thanking the Baker and leaving the shop. Turning back to the counter Ulquiorra orders a pastry before deciding to ask the Baker something.

"Who was she?" he asks as calmly and subtly as he can.

"Ah, caught your eye has she?" the Baker says with a knowing smile. "That's Miss Hime. She is the beauty of the town. A kind soul, always helping others."

"Is she courting anyone?" he asks.

"She has many admirers but none have caught her eye. She is a tricky case to crack. Anyways here you go, enjoy the festival sir." Ulquiorra pays the Baker and thanks him for the food. As he walks down the streets he keeps his eyes peeled for his mate. Intent on finding a way to get to know her better.

As he reaches the square he immediately spots her. She sits across the square feeding a small group of children with the bread she had bought only moments before. As she shares it he notices that it does not quite make it around all the children. Walking over he breaks up pieces of his pastry and hands it to the remaining children. They smile at him and thank him.

"That was really kind of you sir," he hears her say. Turning to face her he nods unsure as to what to say as of yet. "I am not sure I have seen you around here before."

"No, I live outside the village." He replies trying to calm his demon down. He was determined to take things slow, help her get to know him, not be afraid and care for him as he will for her.

"It must be strange visiting here then," she says, "I'm afraid there isn't much to do on an ordinary day. You're lucky you came on a festival day."

"I think even when there isn't a festival this town must be extraordinary." He replies looking at her. A slight blush adorns her cheeks and she smiles, her whole face glowing in delight.

The Present –Las Noches

That had been the first time he had seen her. The first time he realised he wanted something just for himself. She had been his and he had been hers. They had been inseparable after a while. Together forever, or so they had promised. Yet even some promises end up broken by the cruel thing that is fate.

Just as he was settling down and enjoying his life with his new Queen, his Hime, fate made that all come crashing down around him. After he lost her the land began to die. The flowers wilted and died and the grass dried out and decayed leaving sand and dust in its wake. The village was no longer a joyful place but a one filled with despair. A melancholy swept over the land, soon nothing was left.

As he gazed upon a portrait of himself and his Queen from years back he feels that lonely pang. When she had died he had closed off his emotions, he knew he would kill the land in his kingdom. Knew it could end badly, yet he didn't care. The most important people in his life had been stolen from him. Taken away and he had been left alone. Left to suffer. His demon had caused havoc in the castle itself.

Destroying everything in his path. The castle had been rebuilt many times because of him. Then when she was spotted again he became overjoyed. He had a second chance. He had initially thought he was going to get his Hime back, however, when he encountered her it became clear immediately that she had no memory of her past what so ever. She had no recollection.

In the past few days he realised she was not his Hime, the same woman he fell for. Yes she was his mate, he could feel that much, but she was different. He had a short amount of time left to win her to his side and ideas too. The Soul Society were going to be getting involved soon. He needed to find a way to keep her safe, help her trust him again. Yet that was becoming more and more impossible with each day.

Never before had he felt such confliction, such confusion on what to do. He had no idea what to do anymore, she was different to Hime, and she was after all Orihime. Someone who whilst shared the same soul was nothing alike. There were similar qualities and traits now and then but other than that they were so different.

Sighing he walks back to sit on his bed and debate his problem. He knew not how he should try to progress. His eyes reach the bedside cabinet and the vial sitting atop of it.

Earlier he had a visit from a petite dark haired soul reaper. He believed her to be from squad two but he could not be sure. He tended to avoid and hate those who worked with the Soul Society. He didn't care if any change had occurred. The damage had already been done. Calling for Nelliel he takes the vial in his hand and when she enters gives it to her.

"Put one drop in all food Miss Inoue has." He instructs her. "Only one though."

"Certainly." Nelliel says. She is wary of him, he can see that. He doesn't blame her, not after what he did to her mate.

"Tell Grimmjow I am sorry." He says before walking onto the balcony. The cool air hits his face. He hear her leave the room and he pinches the bridge of his nose between his fingers, a headache was forming. There was a lot going on at the minute and he didn't know how he was going to cope.

He looks around his kingdom and then he smirks. A new determination fills him as he turns and walks back into his room.

"Szayel." He calls out. Upon hearing himself being summoned, the demon appeared bowing.

"You called?" he asks.

"Indeed." Ulquiorra replies as he tells Szayel what he wants him to do. Outside in the breeze blows a single flower, growing from underneath the sand.

A/N: Hi guys, so this chapter was a bit short I will admit but there was a bit of past in there. More past will be revealed as time goes on. Please review as I like to know what you guys think of this and whether it's okay or not?