Chapter 6: Meeting Madness
What seemed like minutes later, when in fact it had been several hours, Ulquiorra was woken up by the tilting of the mattress. He rolled over and was about to grab for Murcielago when he realized it was just the girl. He stiffened as she knelt next to him and narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?" he rasped, his voice slightly hoarse and dry.
Little Hime stared over at him and mumbled, "I had a nightmare."
Ulquiorra audibly sighed in exasperation. "If it was just a dream, then go back over on the couch, girl." He hissed, lying back down on his back.
"Peas? I'm afraid." She whispered, her voice noticeably shaking. She stared into his green eyes, pleadingly as her own begun to sting with tears.
Ulquiorra closed his eyes and ground his teeth. The affect her big watery eyes had on him just wasn't fair. He didn't want her to start crying or he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. And if he let her sleep next to him, he still wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. He took a deep breath and pushed it out, flaring his nostrils in frustration, but he could do nothing but give in.
He scoot over and flipped the covers back he had been laying on before he gestured for the girl to lie down. "Now go to sleep." He ordered, before laying back on the edge of the bed, staring up at the canopy of his four-poster. He felt the little girl crawl under the covers beside him and settle down. He looked away from the little being and closed his eyes, doing his best to ignore her gentle breathing as she fell asleep. However, as much as he tried to block it out, he soon found that his own breathing began to slow and it wasn't much longer till he too found himself drifting back off to a light slumber.
Ulquiorra awoke once more that morning, blinking his sleep ridden eyes to clear them. His mind was unusually foggy and he stiffened when he felt something pressed against him.
When he looked down, it was to find the child curled up in a ball against his side, still peacefully asleep.
He was momentarily annoyed as he glared down at her, until he remembered the night's events that led up to his current predicament.
She had had a nightmare and had begged him to let her sleep in his bed. When he had declined she had looked as if she might cry again so he had relented, less the flood gates open.
He sighed inwardly. Okay he was still annoyed, but more with himself for being so weak than the fact that the child was cuddled up against him, drooling on his pillow.
Propping himself up on an elbow, he stared at her, trying to decide upon the best method to wake her. After several moments of deliberation, he settled for poking her gently on the shoulder. Reaching out a long, slender, white hand, he poked her.
No reaction.
He frowned and poked harder still.
Again, no reaction.
"Girl!" One more poke.
This time she stirred, though instead of waking up, a small hand grasped the offending appendage and hugged it to her chest tightly as she buried her face deeper into the large pillow.
Ulquiorra glared at her. He tried to reclaim what was his but the girl held on tightly. Exasperated, he lifted his hand to the ceiling, dragging the child into an awkward standing position, effectively waking her.
Little Hime stared at him through bleary eyes. "Ulqui?" she asked, still unconsciously holding onto the Espada's finger.
"Let go of my hand." He ordered.
Whether by command, or the need to rub her sleepy eyes, he wasn't sure, she let go.
"Now, go get ready for your meal." He ordered as he removed himself from the bed to retrieve a clean set of clothing from his closet. Once the child had disappeared into the restroom he changed.
After she had finished her meal, Ulquiorra was in the process of escorting her back to his quarters when they were detained by a weak servant Arrancar.
"Ulquiorra-sama!"
Ulquiorra stopped abruptly when the small, thin, Arrancar dropped to its knees several yards ahead of him. He looked upon it with disdain as he waited patiently for the message to come. He ignored the child who was hiding behind him, peaking around his hip at the messenger.
"Lord Aizen-sama requests that all Espada join him for a debriefing in the meeting room at once!" The Arrancar spat out quickly, its head low, praying to his Lord that the Fourth Espada was in a good mood that day.
'Debriefing? For what?' Ulquiorra wondered as he inclined his head, dismissing the Arrancar. "You're dismissed."
"Thank you, Ulquiorra-sama!" It exclaimed backing away quickly before turning to sonido down the hallway and out of sight.
"Come." He ordered to his charge as he reversed directions and headed for the meeting.
Minutes later, Ulquiorra arrived at the meeting room and pushed the large double doors open, stepping inside.
He was neither first, nor last to arrive. Inside were the Trecera, Primera, Quinta, Sexta and Noveno Espada. He also noted that Lord Aizen and Commander's Gin and Tosen had yet to arrive. Striding forward, he took his usual seat at the back left of the long rectangular table, directly across from the Sexta and to the right of the Primera.
Little Hime tread tentatively behind her Clown guardian as she took in her surroundings. The room was dimly lit and the table tall. She couldn't see anything past the two Espada before her. However, she recognized the other Espada and nearly squealed at the sight blue hair. "Kitty!" she exclaimed, her eyes brightening as she bounded up to him.
Grimmjow sighed inwardly as he glared halfheartedly at the human child clutching at the edge of the table next to him. He didn't have to look around to know that he and the child had captured the attention of everyone present. Feeling the need to reassert himself after yesterday's little display, he said, "That's Sexta Espada Grimmjow-sama to you, little Princess." He reprimanded as he leaned over the child menacingly.
Ulquiorra suddenly had the urge to roll his eyes tough he repressed it immediately. 'Good luck with that, Sexta.' He thought.
Little Hime stared up at Grimmjow, slightly overwhelmed as she attempted to silently mouth the first part of his name.
Grimmjow watched the Princess of Las Noches for several moments as she stared down at the floor blankly.
Meanwhile, the Segunda, Septima and Diez Espada walked in and Aizen and his two shinigami partners arrived, taking their seats.
He was about to tell the human to go away when she looked up at him with a confused look on her face.
"Sexspada?"
At this, the already silent room became that much quieter. All eyes were set upon the completely innocent girl in front of them.
Ulquiorra closed his eyes. Grimmjow's were wide and his mouth agape. The Quinta Espada, who had been glaring daggers at the child, couldn't hold back the ridiculous grin that spread across his face as he choked back a laugh.
Grimmjow glared across the table at him.
Tia rolled her eyes at the perverted man. "Mind in the gutter as usual."
"Tch, you know it Tia." Nnoitra leered at the Trecera, who crossed her arms across her chest, glaring at him. He smirked.
Aizen was sitting in his chair at the head of the table, and Gin at his right hand, both wearing rather unnerving grins.
Grimmjow returned his attention to the child, "How 'bout Grimmjow?" He asked hopefully, trying to detract from the girl's innocent blunder and awkward situation.
Tearing her eyes from the still chuckling Spoony, Little Hime stared up at the blue haired kitty. "Grimmy?"
Grimmjow sighed, running his fingers through his hair, "yeah, whatever." He said, giving up.
Little Hime held her arms out to him expectantly.
Grimmjow stared down at her as Ulquiorra repressed a smile. Finally someone else was on the receiving end of the girl's attentions.
The Sexta stared down at her in vague disbelief. 'Is she…really? Fuck….' He was silently weighing his options when the door opened once more to admit the last to arrive, the Octava Espada.
Lord Aizen stood from his seat to peer over the end of the table as the rest of the room remained oppressively silent.
Little Hime turned to see what they were all looking at when her eyes fell upon a child with shockingly pink hair.
"Pinky?" she asked.
His amber eyes locked onto her steel grey though a millisecond later, he was striding forward confidently before elegantly dropping to the flood on bended knee. "My sincerest apologies for my tardiness, Lord Aizen-sama. There were a few…problems, in the lab that I had to deal with," he said evenly, making sure to keep the tinge of embarrassment from tingeing his usually confident and disdainful voice which was now a few octaves higher.
Aizen arched an eyebrow. "Indeed. Care to elaborate?" From his perspective, it was quite obvious what said problems were, though Aizen wanted to hear it for himself, especially if it had anything to do with what happened to the human girl.
Still bowed over so that his pink head was barely visible from Aizen's end of the table, Szayel went on. "Last night –"
"Please, Szayel-san. Stand." He ordered, not liking the fact that he couldn't see his subordinate and felt as if he was listening to the door—floor.
Closing his eyes for a second, Szayel sighed inwardly before quickly straightening up and casually flipping his chin length pink hair out of his face. Locking eyes, he clasped his tiny gloved hands in front of him and peered over the edge of the table. He continued. "Last night it seems I have found the correct combination of substances that had turned our honored guest into a child. It is my pleasure to inform you that I am well on my way to discovering the cure." He finished.
"You recreated the accident."
'Yes I recreated the accident you imbecile!' he thought irritably but instead he said, "Yes, Aizen-sama."
Aizen leaned back in his chair, appearing thoughtful, "thank you, Szayel-san. Please, take your seat and we will begin out meeting with a bit of tea."
Szayel bowed once more before quickly making his way around the table. Ignoring the stares and smirks of amusement at the scientist's misfortune, he pulled himself atop his seat and stood with his arms on the table in front of him, hands clasped. He glared down his nose at each of the Espada, daring them to voice their amusement. He knew they wanted nothing more than to laugh at him. Despite the experiments success, the accident and his obvious transformation completely overshadowed all satisfaction he'd derived from it.
After several terse moments of silence, Szayel relaxed his posture the tiniest fraction and sighed inwardly, relieved that he'd managed to get so far without his mask slipping and his body betraying him. He was congratulating himself on his performance when a small hand tugged at the edge of his Hakama.
Szayel immediately sent daggers at whatever pest had dared disturb him.
"Pinky-chan?" Little Hime asked, taking a step back when she sensed the angry red aura pulsating out of the pink haired child.
Szayel's eyes softened a fraction upon seeing who said pest was. "Inoue-chan." He inclined his head to her ever so slightly and turned back to the table as tea was served.
However, Little Hime would not be ignored. Taking a step forward, she put her hands on the chair and pushed herself up.
Szayel felt something bump against the side of his abdomen and nearly bit his tongue off in an attempt not to yelp as a shock of surprise coursed through him. However, he could not prevent his body's knee-jerk reaction of jumping away, nearly causing him to fall off the chair.
Little Hime straightened up and beamed at him before propping her own arms up on the table and clasping her hands. She was completely oblivious to the fact that she had punctured the child scientist's personal space bubble.
Sending daggers at the insufferable child, Szayel gracefully resumed his previous position as if nothing had happened.
"Hi, Onii-san!" Little Hime waved at her brother.
The tea having finished being served, Aizen picked up his cup, giving the go ahead for the others to do so as well. "Konichiwa, Imoto-chan." He greeted the child back, as if she were really his younger sister. Taking a sip of his tea he set it down.
"Now, the reason I called you all together this morning is because we have uninvited guests in Hueco Mundo." He signaled to Tosen who flipped a switch at the back of the room.
The middle of the table opened up revealing a holographic projector. A picture sprang to life depicting two humans and a shinigami running across the sands of Hueco Mundo.
While Aizen went on to explain who and what they were, Little Hime stared transfixed at the image. For some odd reason, she felt as if she knew those people. She frowned and reached forward, jabbing a finger at the orange haired figure. She gasped and pulled back when her finger went straight through him.
Ulquiorra watched this with well concealed interest, pretending to be captivated by the hologram, when in fact he was staring through it. He took note that the girl didn't seem to remember either of them. 'Had her memories been wiped permanently?'
Grimmjow suddenly stood up and headed towards the exit, tearing Ulquiorra from his thoughts. He stared at the Sexta with a mix of hidden exasperation and disdain and was about to call him trash, however Aizen spoke up before he could.
"Where do you think you're going Sexta Espada? I have not dismissed you yet."
Grimmjow stopped, only turning his head to look at the brunette shinigami out of the corner of his eye. "Tch, I'm going to take care of the pest problem for you, Aizen-sama." He ground the title out through clenched teeth. All he really wanted was to pay back that orange haired bitch for his scar and now his Master had to go and ruin it by saying something.
Aizen stared coldly back at the insubordinate Espada, not a single flicker of emotion betraying his features. He was about to reprimand him for his lack or respect when a small voice broke the silence.
"Onii-san?" Little Hime squeaked, her hand rose reluctantly to get her Brothers attention. She was afraid of the menacing aura that was suddenly whipping about her Brother, and hoped he wouldn't be mad at her, but she had to say something.
Aizen stared a few seconds longer at Grimmjow, his reiatsu lashing out at him in warning, letting the Espada know they were not done, before turning his gaze to the little girl. "Yes, Imoto-chan?" He asked, his voice deceptively sweet.
"I need to go potty." She said quietly, not quite meeting his eyes.
Ulquiorra closed his eyes and readied himself for the menial task of escorting the child to the restroom, but before he could say anything, Tia Halibel had stood up to address their Master.
"If I may, Aizen-sama, I will take care of the human child. My quarters are the closest, as you well know." She offered respectfully.
Aizen readily agreed and dismissed her with a wave of his hand, his face as condescending as usual, his eyes locking back onto Grimmjow.
"If you'll come with me then, Inoue-chan."
Little Hime smiled up at the dark skinned Lady thinking she was the most beautiful Lady she's ever seen. "Okay Lady!" With that she bade her good byes. "Bye Onii-san!" She waved at her Brother before turning to Pinky.
To Szayel's complete mortification, the human child closed the already tiny gap between them and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Bye Pinky-chan!" she exclaimed as she jumped down from the chair, leaving the flustered Espada in her wake.
Ulquiorra glared over at Szayel as the child bounced away, his muscles tightening as he watched the child scientist attempt to diffuse the blush that resolutely began to color his cheeks. He new the naïve child's action had been completely innocent, and the Octava knew this was well, though neither Espada could help the feelings that began to simmer within them.
Jealousy and confusion began to preoccupy Ulquiorra thoughts whereas the Octava was attempting to cover up the compounding humiliation he felt.
Szayel glared daggers at the table, his mind racing as he clasped his gloved hands together unnecessarily hard. He began running through different theories and calculations regarding his current experiment in an effort to prevent the heat that threatened to creep up into his cheeks. He felt he had succeeded until a light chuckle startled him from his thoughts. He glared at the one who dared laugh at him and visibly cringed.
"It seems as if you have an admirer, dear Szayel-chan." Aizen teased the scientist, observing how the child Espada tensed at this statement and color flooded his already tinged cheeks, his anger over Grimmjow's insubordination temporarily forgotten.
The other Espada took this admission as a good ahead to join in the laughter. Grimmjow took this opportunity to slink back into his seat, unnoticed, though he couldn't help the grin that cracked across his face. Ulquiorra remained as impassive as ever, brooding on his own reactions.
"Pinky-chan? Admirer?" Nnoitra jeered, nearly falling out of his chair as he doubled over in laughter. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, had seen, it was too good to be true. The scientist has screwed up, big time, and he would milk this for all it was worth.
Szayel grit his teeth as his face burned with embarrassment. However he was already going over in his mind just how long he had before he found a cure and how much of each material he would need in order to duplicate the physically recessing substance several times over. He bit the inside of his of his cheek to prevent the smile that threatened to escape that promised revenge for his comrades and superiors. However, that did not prevent the vindictive gleam that lingered in the back of his amber eyes.
Chapter 7 Teaser: "If I may have a moment of your time Ulquiorra-sama." Szayel called, causing Ulquiorra to stop.
"Yes?"
"I was wondering if you would take a few minutes to spar with me."
A/N: Very sorry for the late update. Even though this chapters been written for a month I haven't put it out because I've been working on seven. And you know how I like to do teasers ^^ I had to get a good chunk of seven done before I was able to publish this.
Anyways…
I'm having…trouble writing. I know the plot and everything I want to do. But I'm falling out of the Ulquiorra loving crowd into the Szayel loving crowd and that's given me a bit of writers block. Sometimes I sit down to write and it starts leaning towards SzayXHime and I have to stop. I refuse to allow this fic to go in that direction, which is why chapters are taking so long to get out. Nevertheless, please bear with me. In the coming chapters, Szayel plays a rather large role, and despite any interactions that happen between him and Hime…they will be completely innocent, nothing more. This fic will remain UlquiXHime. I repeat...this fill will remain UlquiXHime. lol
But you're all like…'why can't Hime and Ulqui interact like that?' well….Ulqui's not in a five year old body. That'd be borderline child molestation. I'm not going there. Lol
Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter ^^