Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. But secretly everyone wants to be rich a famous like Kubo.

"Talking"

Thinking

Thinking/Talking Soul Spirits

Talking voice Rukia hears.

Dark Nights

Chapter 12: Know Your Friends and Foe's

"HMMMPH!" I moaned into the strangers hand as he tried to shut me up, making his grip tighter around my mouth shushing me.

"Shut up!" he managed to say in a loud whisper. "It's me Mr. Kitty Kat!" His grip loosened around my mouth and given the chance, I looked up to make sure the man was speaking the truth.

"G-Grimmjow?" I blinked in bewilderment my voice calling his name out bit too loud.

Grimmjow's icy blue eyes went wide, the hairs on the back of his neck shooting up, and his throat choking up making a rough. "SHHT" sound which was probably in between the words of "Shh!" and "Shit!"

I covered my mouth in apology. "W-What are you doing here?" I questioned, realizing that this was the second time a man was able to sneak himself into my tent. Ichigo really has to in prove his security.

"Shh!" He warned again fixing himself so he was sitting Indian style in front of me. "I-I just wanted to see you again..." He muttered blush racing across his face as he refused to look at me directly or make any other kind of contact.

"Liar." I said boldly, obvious that he was lying to me.

He made a sound like he was about to protest but when his eyes met mine he stopped and returned to starring at the floor. "Ok you got me, but still, I wanted to talk to you, but I... I don't want to make an appearance around your friends."

"Oh... but Orihime said you guys hit it off big time." I pointed out, rather confused.

"Yeah... uh... Not really." he with a sheepish smile and rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm a lady pleasanter, I just go along with any crap they like." he said and I could tell he wasn't lying.

"Oh yeah, so how do I know you're not saying what I want to hear right now?" I challenged. "How do you know I won't kick your ass for leading my friend on like that?" I said making sure Grimmjow regretted what he had just said.

"Come on Rukia, I didn't want to just ignore that blabber-mouth straight up," he admitted, and I know Orihime could be somewhat annoying from time to time. "I mean how you can not ignore a girl who only talked about that Ulquiorra and your orange haired bud."

"That Ulquiorra? What, you're not at good means anymore?" I asked.

"No, we're not." Grimmjow said his eyes changing completely. I could tell he felt betrayed, his eyes seemed like they sank into the deepest part of the deepest ocean. "But I don't want to talk about any of that here, lets head out to Central." His eyes came back to life, waving the subject away almost as if he gathered all his remaining hope and showed it off.

"Uh... Don't tell me you can sprout wings!" I said as he grabbed my arm. "I might have to change your nickname!"

"No, not at all," he laughed at my curiosity as if it was something a child would say. "I'm just quickly running around, you know, like your friends Flash Step," He said and like a switch of a light I felt wind slap my face. Before I knew it, we were in front of a fountain, in the middle of Town Central.

"Well, I might not have wings but I say this is just as good." Grimmjow enthusiast, a grin crowding on his face.

"Even so..." I said looking up at him, furrowing my eyebrows. "Why did you decide to take me here? What did you need to talk with me about?" I asked keeping my distance. I remembered what Ulquiorra had said that he was a former AURA member, and now that Grimmjow had suddenly refused to acknowledge Ulquiorra as a friend, something had to be up.

"Come on Rukia; don't be suspicious of me like that." Grimmjow said, his expression changing into a 'Worried-Please Believe Me' look. "Urgh... Rukia... So you already know huh?" he said putting a hand to his forehead. "Rukia I would never do anything to hurt you."

"I'm sorry Grimmjow, you might be my friend, but I can't trust you until you tell me what you're up to." I said feeling a bit guilty.

"Nah, nah, I get it, why trust a worker from AURA, right? Especially when my little victim is a human." he said reaching out towards my face.

I glared at him, stopping his hand with my eyes. "Grimmjow, I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared, but seriously," I took a step closer towards Grimmjow. "Tell me what's going on." I said straight to the point.

"Rukia, you do realize that you're not only holding one wanted criminal, but two." Grimmjow said putting up a 'number two' sign with his figures. "The higher ups are already about to file Toshiro as a missing person report! And if your caught with Ulquiorra they'll file you as an acquaintance to a traitor!" He said. "You're in the wrong crowed Kuchiki."

"Honestly, you don't think I knew what kind of trouble I would get into when I first decide to become friends with Toshiro? Even in the beginning I always knew there would somehow be a risk, and with Ulquiorra it's no different! At least he is trying to fight for what he believes in unlike others who aren't willing to accept the fact what theirs doing is wrong!"

"How is stopping traitors and helping the people of this realm doing wrong?" he shouted back. "Just because it's you precious friend doesn't make him any more special than me or some random citizen!" He said.

"I know! But there has to be another way! I bet you didn't even check to see if there was any other way to bring out the red moon!" I said back feeling heat start to burn in my heart. "Grimmjow, I don't want to fight with you, not like this!" I said.

Grimmjow lowered his head, his eyes fixed on his feet. "Like I said before, I will never hurt you, but that doesn't mean the others won't! Please give up!"

"You're asking the impossible."

"You're probably right."

I looked up at him, his face giving up in a sad, worried smile. "I knew you would say something like that, but still, it was worth the shot." he said painfully adding words to his half smile. "You know, Histugaya is a lucky guy," he said shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Really? And what makes him any more lucky than you? Last time I checked you were my friend too, Mr. Kitty Kat." I said, my eyes meeting Grimmjow's blue ones as I gave him a soft, grateful smile. After all, he was really only trying to help me.

It took Grimmjow a while before a smirk cracked on his face. "I guess you right." he said. "I am lucky, having such a beautiful girl to be my friend, that a miracle just by its self." he said exaggerating the reality.

But still he managed to make me blush with such a crappy line. "You're a real ladies man you know!" I said lightly punching his shoulder. "But still, I can't say I'm fine with you and Ulquiorra feuding over such a stupid manner whether which choice is better suited, so please, at least try to make up. I'm sure under Ulquiorra's cold mask he really wants his boyfriend back."

"Boyfriend? Stupid! Don't make such annoying remarks!"

"Ya, ya whatever." I waved him off. "But you were best friends, and I believe you still are." I muttered, loud enough so he could just barely hear.

Grimmjow furrowed his eyebrows, his icy blue eyes turning into the saddest blue in the sea. "Best friends, huh?"

"RUKIA!"

Grimmjow grabbed my arm violently, with straining my arm with on hand and covering my mouth with the other. I had no choice but to stare at the person who shouted my name. It was all too fast. 'Ulquiorra!' I wanted to shout as watch the figure away from us shook with anger.

"Get away from her Grimmjow! If you need someone to pick a fight with, fight me." Ulquiorra shouted his pupils turning into slits and his forest green eyes growing darker as he lowered them towards Grimmjow with hate.

Grimmjow laugh roughly. "And what then? Watch her walk away with some other guy. I'm sorry Ulquiorra but I'm gonna have to steal you precious little girlfriend and sweep her off her feet." He said mocking Ulquiorra.

'Grimmjow... what is he doing?' I thought. 'is he purposely trying to piss Ulquiorra off?' I wondered fighting under Grimmjow's arms which weren't really trying to hurt me than restrain me in place.

Ulquiorra clenched his fist. "Grimmjow let her go." Ulquiorra shouted from the distance.

"Not until you agree to come back with us."

Ulquiorra flinched.

Grimmjow glanced down, looking at me with his sad, icy blue eyes. "Rukia, don't do anything stupid." He said as he released me from his arms, daring not to look me in the eyes. He put and arm on my shoulder and walked past me, ready to finally settle his differences with his ex best friend.

I turned around as quickly as possible once I recovered for the shock of Grimmjow's words. "D-Don't!" I shouted panic sweeping my mind.

The sound of blades clashing was the first sign that Ulquiorra and Grimmjow were already fighting all-out with each other. A black, slim blade in the hands of Ulquiorra, and a sliver blade in the hands of Grimmjow. I felt my body go weak at the sight of Grimmjow making the first slash at Ulquiorra's arm, blood staining my eyes.

"Stop..." My words were unheard, my vision going blurry; I could only see two figures dance with swords, violently crashing into the other without mercy.

"Being so comfortable has made you weak!" Grimmjow said with his cocky voice and triumphant laugh that made Ulquiorra tense.

"Being so arrogant has made you an ass." Ulquiorra growled back with his mature bold voice. Taking advantage of the opportunity he took his revenge, using his free hand to punch Grimmjow in gut, causing him to cough up blood.

"Rukia," A voice chirped quite darkly. "You know one of them is going to die here." I felt my body run cold, my legs refusing to stop shaking, and my heart refusing to stop racing. It was that voice again, it had been so long - too long - yet it had decided to make an appearance now.

'N-No...' I refused to accept it.

And almost as if on que, Ulquiorra took another beating from Grimmjow.

"So if you had to choose, who would you want to survive this battle?" The voice asked. "Or better than that, who is the one you care for most?" it wasn't asking now, it was mocking me. When I heard her voice, I couldn't help but feel the Darkness cloud my mind again, my body had no control, my mind was only focused on the battle of the two boys.

"You know, even I had a lover once," she said. "He was murdered because he felt the need to do something against the wills of the Council," she said. "He was murdered because he loved me, and that seems to be no different from the choice that two of your friends have made." She said referring more towards Toshiro and Ulquiorra. "So who would it be?"

"No..."

This time Grimmjow took the beating.

"Your still not convinced? Well let me tell you, my lovers life was taken because he believed the Councils lies that I had died, so he went to kill them, all of them." She said. "After he found his so called revenge, he killed himself, mourning after my death." she said hateful of the way she portrayed the Council and their lie. "That's when I found out, after my trip to see my family, I heard of his death, and searched for him." she said.

"His body at least."

I flinched

"When I was able to touch my lover's dead boy I cursed them." she said. "The purebloods." she hissed. "I was only motivated by hatred and revenge, I was empty, I was angry and I was most defiantly lost. I needed to do more than kill."

"Stop..."

The image of a crying girl mourning over the death of her lover slipped into my head. Blood stained the face of the girl, and tears leaked out of her eyes, one after the other as she screamed her heart out in hatred and loss of her beloved. She truly felt pain.

Blood splat across my pale cheeks, crimson liquid slowly making its way down my skin, just as tears would of a crying girl. I couldn't tell who's blood was spilt, and I didn't wish to know. I suddenly filled up with fear and stress, my eyes growing big and my body trembling under the light from the moon.

"STOP!" I shouted, running forward, unable to see through my blurry vision. I couldn't tell if the boys had stopped there brawl, or if I had just been sliced in two. I didn't even want to open my eyes to face the two.

Grimmjow sheathed his sword, making it magically disintegrate into thin air just as Ichigo's would . "Were not done settling this Ulquiorra, but I can't see my friend suffer because of me," he said smudging the blood off his lower lip with the back of his hand, and turning his back towards Ulquiorra. "Maybe I am wrong in the long shot, but as I continue to do what I believe is right, it shouldn't be a crime." he said referring to what I said about Ulquiorra doing what he believed is right. "

I looked up at Ulquiorra, my body frozen stiff as I analyzed his blood cover face.

"I became the curse of the purebloods,"

I felt my heart skip a beat at the touch of Ulquiorra's skin as he held me tight in his chest.

"I became the so called Red Moon."

My heart ached.

"I am the reason why your friend will die, just like my lover did."

Darkness held me hostage, taking me deeper into someone else's soul.

"He will die in sacrifice."

I felt my world pulse to the beat of my heart, swaying from side to side as Darkness took over my body once again. My feelings of hate and sorrow had reached its limit and I was no longer able to hold myself together, I was no longer able to suppress my Darkness.

This time I wasn't cocooned in myself, I was reaching into Ulquiorra's soul, finding myself tearing a spot just so I can explore his inner world.

And before I knew it, I heard him scream in pain, just as I found myself in his world, which was nothing but the tainted color of the purest black. It was I said sight to see, everything that showed the faintest ounce of life had dies, withered, and disappeared right before my eyes. His world had no sky, no light that could separate the difference between land and sky.

'How sad...' I thought, looking all around; too see if anything would change.

But it was only wishful thinking.

So I walked. I walked the endless dirt path that seemed to never change. Everything was dead, plain, and rotten. It was only until I recalled the memory's of the time we first met, he was cocky, possessive, and I was rude and stubborn. 'Doesn't he have any good memories?' I wondered feeling a bit of disappointment. 'Not even the time he spent with me...?'

I looked up, tearing away the stupid thought. "I need to find a way out." my voice echoed.

"But we haven't made a deal yet." That was Ulquiorra's voice.

"A deal?" I questioned. "What sort of deal?" I asked shocked that I was even paying mind the unknown voice that had no person to have a name. "Your Ulquiorra, right?" I figured really no other possibility in consideration.

"That is correct." he said. "Now for the deal, if you can find me, you'll be able to leave and stop yourself from killing me, but if not, you stay here and watch as your friend's die." he said.

I felt like reality had ran me over, he was right, if I was in here than that meant my Darkness had taken over, and she was probably already attacking Ulquiorra! "Fine! But how am I suppose to find you if I can't even see you?" I said quickly searching around the blackness with my eyes.

"That's simple," he laughed cockily, just like I had imagined Ulquiorra's mocking laughter would sound like. "Just acknowledge my most cherished memories."

"Acknowledge?"

"You better hurry looks like I'm running short on breath."

I grimaced and started running. 'Where would it be, what would it look like?' I asked myself. "A precious memory..." I saw a glow the distance, it seemed like a cylinder of light was chose just to shine in that area. 'That must be it.'

I ran towards it, the light almost never seeming to get closer, but I continued, only to give in at the end.

"Are you giving up?" Ulquiorra asked.

"NO!" I shouted catching my breath and trying to regain the strength in my legs. "But how am I supposed to save you if there is no possible way of getting near you!" I shouted.

"I never said anything about getting near me." he said calmly almost making it sound like he had a smirk plastered on his face.

My eyes widened. 'That's right... All I have to do is acknowledge his memory!' I figured out. 'but how am I supposed to acknowledge it if I have no idea what it is?' I stared at the cylinder on light holding my hand out in front of me like I could grab it. 'Ulquiorra... I'm sorry for taking so long!'

I grabbed the cylinder and closed my eyes, brightness blinding me, keeping me from staring.

Yet there Ulquiorra was, a child, gently being soothed by a woman with long raven black hair, her face beautiful yet still showed sorrow.

"She was a demon." that was Ulquiorra, his figure towering next to me. I didn't even notice him until he spoke. But even as he talked to me, he never took his eyes off the image that played in front of us, the image of his mother.

There was a click and then a scene change.

This time the memory was of him and Grimmjow, holding a diploma in their hands as Grimmjow cheered with excitement and Ulquiorra smiling happily and his best friend and his foolish actions. "That's when you graduated, right?" I asked Ulquiorra looking up at him, hoping this time he would look back at me.

His forest green eyes slide towards mine. "Well, it was our graduation into AURA," he said. "After my mother died, and my father was gone, I was dumped there." he said almost annoyed, but even so, it was one of his cherished memories.

Then there was another click and the scene change.

This time it was him and Grimmjow, walking into a restaurant. Then, to my surprise, there was Orihime and me, Ulquiorra and I starting our first bicker, and Grimmjow suddenly became my date. Then it went to the time we were stuck in the forest, and he was teasing me with words, holding me tight in his arms as I commented on how I only made out with guys who had eight packs.

I couldn't tell if the Ulquiorra next to me was looking at me, but I made a chance to look at him, his silence frustrating me. "You know," I said, Ulquiorra peeking out of the side of his face to look at me. "That's one of my favorite memories too." I said, smiling at him, blush tainting my cheeks.

Ulquiorra tensed, his body now turned completely towards me. "I'm glad." he said his eyes growing soft. "I hope you give me that chance of keeping safe more of those precious memories." he said taking my hand and gently putting his lips to it.

I was late to react, and before I knew it I was back in reality, my body regaining itself and my vision becoming restored. It wasn't until Ulquiorra's cold hand wrapped around my wrist that I realized that I had my hands around his throat.

I let go quickly, keeping my hands to myself and Ulquiorra cough and cough, his face still covered in crimson blood and his wounds still suffering from the freshly cut liquid oozing out.

I felt tears edge my eyes watching the blurry image of Ulquiorra struggling to regain his air. His body was already down on the floor, his arms giving in and blood splitting on the ground every time he struggled a cough.

I hurt him.

I almost killed him!

"U-Ulquiorra..." I muttered having difficulty speaking as I tried to go near to him.

He sat up whipping the blood from his face with a fist, smudging it across his cheek and he got up, threatening to fall back down as he stood above me, keeping his head lowered. His forest green eyes never left mine, glowing with determination and fear, yet he still offered me a hand without words.

"Ulquiorra..." I said again getting up as I let my hand slip into his.

He didn't say anything.

I had no choice but to walk in front of Ulquiorra, my legs weak and shaky and my heart racing to the beat of the sound of a horse's race track, as echo gallop hit the ground. I could feel my body sway as I was lost in my own thoughts, 'Ulquiorra I can't tell what you're thinking. Please, say something...'

I didn't realize that I had stopped. I didn't know my eyes were leaking. And I just wanted to scream. I felt my insides burn and rot and I couldn't bare the fact my heart ached so much, it was my entire fault, my fault for becoming vulnerable, my fault for letting the Darkness slip.

I felt like I was on the edge of insanity.

Long muscular arms rap around my body and acted as my savior. I felt Ulquiorra's body laid itself behind my own; my heart not bothering to slow down after it took a skip of a beat. "Your trembling," he said is a whisper, almost reluctant to state the fact that I was scared. "I don't want you to be scared, not because of me. I know you feel weak, and guilty, but I'll be here for you." he sounded uncertain about his choice of words. "If you don't like it, push me away." he said making it sound more like a command than a choice. "it's up to you." he added and if I wasn't leaking my eyes out, I would have teased him at his insecurity, but at the moment all I could do was feel grateful.

"Thank you," I said 'Ulquiorra, thank you, for not disappearing from my life.' I thought. 'You were able to forgive a total stranger and call her friend... I don't think a simple "thank you" is enough. '

The Next Day:

I wandered around aimlessly, almost sure that I was walking in a circle around the perimeter of our campgrounds, but I had nothing else to do. "DAMN IT!" I shouted messing up my hair frustrated that there was nothing to do.

"Hey, midget, don't you think it's time we start heading back home." Ichigo said with a hand on his hip and he looked at me like I was a weirdo.

I looked up at him dumbfounded. "Home?"''

"Well ya," he said "We did come here to save Toshiro, and plus, summers already going to end so why not?"

"I guess..." I never bothered to think about returning home, and summer was the last thing that crossed my mind. "Hey, Ichigo, what day is it anyways?" I asked.

"July 4th," he said checking his wrist watch. "why?"

"4th of July!" I shouted surprised that time here had gone so quickly. "Ichigo today is a celebration! We have to stay! There's going to be fireworks and games!" I shouted with glee. "It's going to be so fun! And I bet you a hundred bucks everyone's going to agree!"

"Rukia your not even American, your Japanese..." Ichigo muttered.

"So! I don't care!"

"Let's just see what the others have to say about it."

XXX

"EEEHHH!" Orihime squealed in excitement. "YESH! YESH! YESH!" She grabbed my hands. "Rukia we have to get so fireworks! We have too! This will be so fun!" She said already overdoing the excitement and making my somehow regret my decision. "AND we need to get Yukata's~"

I smiled. "That's a good idea." I agreed happily.

"Rukia... your stupid ya' know." That was Toshiro.

I felt a nerve throb somewhere on my head. "Look who's talking Snowflake, don't go making puffy remarks when you know you want to see me in a Yukata more than anything else." I teased. "Toshiro, when it comes to things like this, you're just like any other school boy." I said with a smirk.

Toshiro glared. "Like hell." He said. "I will never attend one of those stupid summer firework events."

"I decline."

"Decline what exactly?"

"I decline your decline."

Toshiro twitched about to protest once more. Ulquiorra, though, cut him off. "I think it's a good idea." he said leaning back, his weight in his hands as he relaxed his back on the log. "Only wusses are afraid to admit that a girl would look beautiful in a Yukata. Wusses and Assholes."He said looking directly at me as he slurred the word 'beautiful'.

Toshiro snorted.

Ulquiorra smiled at me, blush catching my cheeks. 'Why... Why am I blushing? I don't like him or anything.' "Ulquiorra keep your words to yourself." I said. "That's no way to tell something nice to a girl, especially when you pull off a crappy move like that." I said, hoping my face didn't give myself away.

He shrugged. "Sorry."

Toshiro glared. "Rukia," he said determination in his voice. "Let's go shopping." His words were cracked, his face so pink it was to a point where he resembled more of a pig than a wolf. Yet, even if his words showed courage, he still refused to look at my violet eyes.

I didn't know what kind of joke was going on, or what this world was coming too, but I couldn't say that I minded Toshiro's sudden jealous trait. So what else more could I do but tease him a little, after all it is my hobby.

"Chicken shit."

"WHAT!"

"Look at me when you ask me on a date!"

"Date!" he burned bright red. "What kind of shitty date starts off like this!" he shouted. "And this ISN'T a date!"

Author's Note:

There you go! Updated a little late but plans changed so I couldn't finish revising this chapter and adding some funny at the end. Honestly I think the beginning is kind of boring but it just leads to more drama to come. Trust me. ;)

And our Snowflake is hinting some jealousy, let see where that takes him. Especially since Ulquiorra is already making his moves on our heroine.

The next chapter will happen sooner. I promise! I'm working on it right now!

Love is in the air!

See ya later.