Okay, so here is Chapter 3!! (applause) :P Special thanks to all my readers, in particular Sakina28 for favoriting my story and adding me to author alert! Thnxs so much! :)

Remembrance

Chapter 3: Promises

.~.~.~.

The moon outside shown brightly, illuminating the way for those night wanderers, the air grew cold and still, and a few lights remained on in other houses. Ulquiorra slowly walked towards their bedroom as he carried little Joshua who was fast asleep.

Once he opened the wooden door he saw Emily fast asleep. She was curled up in a small ball in one corner. As he placed Joshua beside his mother, he knelt down and looked at his dormant wife. She had slept the day away, and Ulquiorra hadn't bothered in waking her up.

He knew and felt the pain she felt, how he wished to lift up her sorrow and endure it himself, rather than having her suffer. It hurt him to see her crumble the way she did, it hurt him to see that he wasn't there to protect her.

Slowly, not wanting to wake her up, he softly ran his fingers on her thin hand, and stopped when he reached her fingers, and noticed the ring he had given her, the promise he had made her.

[flashback]

They sat side by side looking up at the star-filled sky. "Do you have to leave?" she asked in a worried tone. And slowly she tilted her head to see him. It had just been married, they had just started their lives together, yet they were being separated. Her brown eyes glistening at him, waiting for him to answer. Deep within she knew the answer, but she hoped to hear something else.

His emerald eyes shifted to her, not sure what to say. He felt a lump in his throat, he knew he had to go, but he just couldn't find the words to tell her, he didn't want to see those beautiful eyes of her in tears. His silence hurt her even more and her eyes began to drip with sorrow.

Ulquiorra, unsure of how to console her stayed flabbergasted. "You don't have to-" she begged him, tears streaming down her face as she hugged him. She felt desperate and unsure of what to do so he wouldn't go. She feared of what would happen to him, she feared of losing the man she loved. Ulquiorra hugged her tightly, he too had fears, but not about himself, he feared of what would happen to Emily.

Because of the war, many men were pulled away to fight against the enemy, leaving their families defenseless. The nobility had a bad reputation of taking advantage of times like these. They would come to smaller towns and abuse their wives, who had been left vulnerable.

"Emily, I promise that nothing will happen while I'm gone" he promised as he looked at Emily's face who was filled with tears. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. She held him tightly and held onto his promise.

"And do you promise to come back?" she asked, now composed. She looked up at his emerald eyes awaiting his answer. Ulquiorra looked down at her and smiled, "I promise"

[End flashback]

He hadn't noticed but he had tensed up at the memory, he had failed to protect her, and she had put all her trust in him. He felt guilt overcome him and he reclined his head on the edge of the bed next to her hand. "I'm so sorry, Emily" he whispered sorrowfully.

He desperately wanted to know who had done this to her, but he knew that touching the subject would hurt her even more, so he hid his anger and let it stay dormant, but in days like these he couldn't suppress it.

Emily slowly stirred from her sleep and awoke to find Ulquiorra reclined next to her. Tenderly, she placed her hand on Ulquiorra's head and stroked his dark hair. Ulquiorra slowly moved his head to see her with a tender loving smile. "Ulquiorra?" she asked sweetly.

"I'm sorry," he replied softly. Emily looked at him in surprise, and then her face looked sorrowful, she continued to caress him and finally spoke up, "For what?"

Ulquiorra was a bit confused at her obvious question but decided to answer anyway. "For failing to keep my promise" he replied ashamed. Emily gave a soft warm-hearted smile and slowly moved her fingers on his pale skin.

"Silly, you came back" she answered truthfully. She had never once felt angry at Ulquiorra for what had happened, nor did she blame him for what befell her. He had come back, that was all that mattered.

"but-" he continued before being hushed down by Emily's finger. She slowly sat up on her bed and looked straight at him.

"There was times I felt so lonely, and the mere thought of you no coming back terrorized me, but when you came through that door, all my sadness and grief, everything was washed away" she answered as she knelt down beside him now.

"Emily" he whispered amazed by her feelings. She was such a brave woman, and he was so fortunate to have her. He pulled her into a hug and held her tightly.

"I love you" he whispered in her ear. Emily smiled and hugged him back, she knew that everything was going to be alright now.

"I love you too" she repeated. "I'm really glad to have you back". He looked at her auburn eyes and gave a small smile, how he loved her.

They stayed there for a few moments embracing each other before Emily broke the silence. "Does your mom know you're here?" she asked, concern in her voice. His mom, how could he have forgotten? He gave a shy smile before shaking his head.

"I just want to spend some more time with you and the kids" he answered as he gave Emily a small peck on her lips. She smiled back at him, but she knew that sooner or later his mom would find out, and only God knew what things were in stored for the two.

Hmm… Well what did you think??? Please leave reviews! Or a smiley face would do! J Anyways I would like to thank all my readers (if you had left a review I would know who you are…) but anyways because I went to Story Traffic and this story had the most hits! EEK! Me soo happy! My goal/dream has always been to receive a hundred reviews, so do you guys want to help me out??