Obligatory disclaimer: Tite Kubo is not me. Therefore I am not the owner of Bleach. Which is probably a good thing, as God knows what I'd come up with if it were all mine. Seriously, this fic is but the tip of a very twisted potential iceberg.

Listening to: Willy Mason – 'Oxygen'.

I think I've solved the italics thing (thanks to LavenderSkies), so we're back to that. Fingers crossed.

R/R!

Chapter 5

As dusk fell, Ulquiorra looked up from the paperwork he had just completed to see his captain enter the office. She'd been in and out the whole day, coming to sign off on her share of the forms in between training sessions for the officers and new recruits and, to Ulquiorra's sharp eyes, she looked like she needed to rest. She offered him a small smile before slumping into her chair, only to sit bolt upright staring at her desk.

"Ulquiorra?"

"Yes?"

"I can see my desk."

"That really should go without saying."

"Funny. I meant in the sense that I can actually see a desk, not a giant pile of paperwork."

"That was the idea. It really was not that difficult. The guidebook is most helpful. We are still not up to date, but at least now the division is only two weeks behind instead of three months."

She was staring at him. He had done the right thing, hadn't he? "Is there a problem, Neliel?"

She broke out into a wide grin. "Hell no. I'm just considering whether it would be inappropriate to run up and hug the Captain-Commander for assigning you here. On the other hand, given that he's been telling me to get my paperwork in for the last couple of months, I think he'd understand. Only two weeks behind?"

"That is correct." She seemed far too delighted for something as simple as the paperwork backlog being reduced. It wasn't normal.

But I like it. It makes absolutely no sense, but I like seeing her smile. This is insane. Can you overdose on paperwork? Maybe I just need some fresh air and then I can stop being so absurdly fixated on her. Or sleep. I cannot have had enough sleep, what with having to stay with Grimmjow. That will be the cause, I'm sure. I need to get out of here soon though. This office is far too small.

Nel stretched in her seat, trying to work out the aches from multiple training sessions and revelling in the fact that she could lean back in her chair without dislodging a tower of forms, before turning to Ulquiorra.

"Well, we're done for today. I'm sorry I left you in here most of the time, especially on your first day. There's just so much they need to work on."

"I don't mind." It had been hard enough to concentrate when she was only in sporadically. He hated to think how little he would have done if she'd been there the whole time. "Besides, we did decide that I should work on the administrative side of things and today was a good introduction."

She gave him another tired smile, and stood up. "You remember the way to your quarters?"

He did and yet something possessed him to shake his head as he stood up with her.

"Well, come on then. It's not too far."

Night was beginning to fall by the time they stepped out of the division, and walked along one of the many maze-like streets in companionable silence. Ulquiorra's mind, however, was somewhat less tranquil.

What possessed me? I know damn well where my new home is, so why in Hueco Mundo did I… I'm going mad, I must be. This makes no sense.

I need to calm down. I am in a new environment. I need sleep. That is all this is. I will wake up tomorrow more accustomed to my new situation, and that will be the end of this madness.

He seemed preoccupied, Nel decided. He hid his thoughts well, but it was clear that they were where his attention lay. She racked her brains, trying to think up something to say, but came up blank. And yet, at the same time, she didn't want to break the comfortable silence. It felt right somehow. She was almost disappointed when they arrived at his door, but still mustered a smile.

"Well, this is you. I'll see you at the division tomorrow morning and we can get the troops together for the captains' showdown."

It was strange, the way he almost wanted to ask her to stay. And something that needed to be quashed instantly. "Thank you for assisting me. Goodnight Neliel." He nodded respectfully, before letting himself in to his new home.

Nel gazed briefly at his closed door, before using sonido to return to her own quarters.

Ran was right. I do like him. I barely know him, but something's there… Oh, who am I kidding? We're completely different. If he's even capable of being interested in someone, it's hardly going to be me.

She entered her rooms, closed the door and sighed.

Better to just forget about the whole thing. It's a childish crush, it's not like it means anything.

I hope.

xXx

Ulquiorra stepped into his room and considered laying his sword down on the bed, but decided he'd prefer to have it with him for this encounter.

"I know you are here Grimmjow. You are as incapable of stealth as the Kurosaki brat."

With a cocky grin, Grimmjow emerged from the shadows. "Who says I was hiding? So, got ya captain to walk you home, huh? Didn't try for a kiss goodnight? Invite her up to look at your etchings?"

"Grimmjow, you are disturbing and perverse. She was merely discharging her duty as captain and helping me find my way."

"You never had trouble with 'finding your way' in Las Noches, and that hole was a fucking labyrinth. You suffered some sort of directional crisis after the war?"

"Grimmjow?"

"What?"

"Kindly get the fuck out of my quarters."

"Ooh, someone's pissy. Have I hit a sore point?"

"No, I am just speaking a language that you will understand. Perhaps I need to be clearer. Get. Out. Now."

"Awww, that hurts. I came just to visit you and everything." Grimmjow paused. "I saw Stark today."

Ulquiorra sighed softly. It was clear that the other arrancar wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. "Really?"

"Mmm. He's… different."

"That's to be expected. What happened to Lillinette… he could not have come out of that unscathed."

"Hell if I know why. She seemed like an annoying little shit to me."

"Be that as it may, the reality is that Stark cared for her very much. Her death would have hurt him deeply."

Grimmjow gave him an odd look. "Shit, never thought I'd see you get sentimental."

"I am not getting anything. I am just stating a fact and the logical conclusions we can take from it. Anyway, just how has he changed? Has he gotten lazier?"

"Yeah and no. He seems to be working more, but he's just… I dunno, listless, I guess you'd call it. He just seems to be drifting."

"Does this conversation have a point?"

"Shit yer a cold fucker. Might want to change that, you'll never hook a girl with that kinda attitude."

"I have not the least desire to 'hook' anyone."

"Oh yeah, not even - "

"No one, Grimmjow."

"Least you got a captain worth looking at. Mine's all bitch, no fun. Bloody well beat the crap out of me 'training' after the Ichigo and Kenpachi thing."

"I can see where she would have been less than impressed. She defeated you, you say?"

"Yeah, well, it was hand to hand crap, nothing to do with any actual power."

"Keep telling yourself that Grimmjow. I hope it helps you sleep at night. Now, why are you here?"

"I saw Orihime today. She's having fun at the Fourth and they love her weird shit powers there. Can't get enough of her. Anyway, she and the rest of the human lot are heading back to their world soon. She wants to see you before she goes, say goodbye and thank you an' all."

"She doesn't need to thank me. I did it for myself, as much as for her."

"I told her that myself. She doesn't care though."

Orihime. Now there is a possibility. She might be able to decipher what has been going on in my head. No one does feelings quite as much as she does. She is bound to be able to help me with this situation. And I do want to see her off. I've come to… tolerate her. Much like I have Grimmjow, really. If anyone else had shown up here and been half as annoying I would have ceroed their head clean off.

Unless it were Neliel.

That does it. If a decent amount of sleep does not help this cease, I will discuss it with Orihime. At this point, any insight is welcome.

Except Grimmjow's. I am not that desperate.

"Very well, I will go see her. Are you done now?"

"Sure. I'll leave you alone with all ya friends. Have fun dreaming about ya captain!"

He disappeared, and Ulquiorra couldn't help but wish he'd stayed for a few more seconds. It would have given him the opportunity to throw something solid at the blue-haired idiot.

xXx

The 'kindly get the fuck out of my (insert location here)' is burrowed from LittleKuriboh. Consider it my homage to the YuGiOh Abridged Series.

Anyway, it's the Kenpachi/Unohana showdown next. Place your bets!

Night y'all.