Chapter Four: So much for being a Hero

When we had entered Hueco Mundo, Chad and Uryu fought the first two arrancars, and we had escaped with just a few scratches. We met up with a small arrancar named Nel along with Rukia and Renji as well before we busted into Los Noches. I had defeated a Privaron Espada Dordoni much slower than I would have liked, but then again that was my own fault. After I continued to run and run. Nel, had come running after me and I couldn't help but let her come. It was not long after I had felt Rukia's Spirit pressure become a little more than nothing. Had I not been concentrating then I would have thought she was dead or wouldn't have even noticed it. But right now I wasn't going to be worried about that. I had to Save Orihime and bring everyone back safely!

But King how are you going to do that when there's no one left to save you? I may be here but I can't come out unless you let me or when I know there's no chance in your ass will be able survive. And I'm sure the first option will only be when pigs fly. My inner hollow said through our connection and I just groaned. I wish he wouldn't point those things out! It only makes me even more depressed. I was pulled out of thought when I felt Nel start shivering in my arms as if she was scared about something. I looked up to see the Espada that had stopped both Grimmjow and that other dude. I believe it was Yammy.

He started walking down the stairs and I broke out in a cold sweat. When he was mid way down I was able to find my voice and said, "You're... Ulquiorra..." It was only a whisper but I couldn't get my voice any louder than that.

"You know my name? But I don't recall having told it to you before." He said as he continued down the steps and stood about 18 feet away from me as he had reached the bottom. I had took a deep breath and calmed myself before glaring back at him before he started talking again. "At any rate. Rukia Kuchiki his dead."

My eyes widened in shock. No, Rukia couldn't have died. We swore an oath that we would all come back alive. "What... Did you say..?" I asked not wanting to believe what he had said.

"Well to be more accurate, she and Espada number 9 killed each other." He said nonchalantly, as if he didn't care about it. "She was covered in wounds and her body was run through by a spear. She couldn't possibly be alive." He added.

"Don't jump to conclusions! Rukia's Spirit energy just decreased a second ago. You weren't even there at the fight so you wouldn't even know whether or not-" He cut me off saying they had synchronized recognition.

"That was one of Espada number 9's abilities, as well as his responsibilities. He constantly relays information on any enemy he fights to all of us." He said and I just groaned. I was not going to go through this again. Now I have to save Rukia as well. After I had gotten about three fourths of the way to the door he asked where I was going.

"I'm going to go save Rukia." I said before he replied saying "I thought I told you she was dead." I hated that he kept saying that. "I don't believe she is."

"You're being obstinate." He said and I could feel his eyes on the back on my head, though I could tell he hadn't moved. "Are you sure you don't want to kill me though?" He asked as if tempting me to try and kill him.

"I have no reason to fight you. So I won't." I said and looked down at the floor. I could tell that if I didn't keep calm I'd end up doing something stupid. He asked my why and my answer was "You may be the enemy but you haven't harmed any of my friends yet."

"I see... Would that still apply if I told you I was the one who forced Orihime Inoue to come to Hueco Mundo?" He said and I lost it. I could feel the urge to kill and slaughter him. To turn him into nothing but ashes fill my veins. I had dropped Nel as I flashed over to Ulquiorra. with my Zangetsu aimed at his throat. He blocked it with his wrist and the urge just got stronger and stronger, though I know I had to make this quick or Rukia would probably bleed out where ever she was. After he had enough of my spiritual pressure being spiked around him, he pushed me off asking if that was enough reason to fight him now.

I grinned and stated it was more than enough before jumping back and glaring at him. "Nel... Get out of here. I don't want you to get hurt." I say not even bothering to look at her. "It looks like he's not going to let me out of here so I'm going to have to fight my way out." I said and let a small smirk play over my face. "But that's going to be unfortunate for him though since I'm in a hurry. I going at him with all I've got." I say but I guess I was more so speaking to my hollow rather than the small childlike arrancar behind me. I could hear my hollow laugh with glee as he heard me.

I went straight into bankai knowing that I would be useless in Shikai. I jumped up into the air with my Tensa Zangetsu and hollowfied while in the air. I gathered as much energy as I could and fired a rather strong Getsuga Tensho at him. I knew it wouldn't do much so I follow behind it and when he pushed it away I fired another one that sent him flying through four pillars before turning around and kicking off the fifth making that one shatter in the process. He looked shocked and me not wanting to waste time, fired another strong getsuga Tensho. He had landed before it hit him and he tried to stop it with one hand, that had eventually turned to two as it became stronger. A few seconds after though my mask broke and I was panting in exhaustion.

When the smoke had clear I saw he only had minimal injuries that could really only be called bruises. There was no blood or anything. He didn't even seem so much as affected by it, while I was over here with just about no power left. "My, my. Even with both my hands I couldn't stop it. I'm a little surprised." He said but didn't seem like it. "Was that really everything you had?"

I couldn't help but stutter as I was in extreme shock. How? How could he have blocked my Getsuga Tensho while I was hollowfied? It makes no sense! All I did was tater his clothing at best.

He scoffed at me and then started walking towards me again. "I see. So it seems that was it." He said as he brushed the dirt off his clothing before pointing his finger at me. "What a pity." He said before firing a cero. I had to hollowfy just to protect Nel from the blast. I had lost a good portion of my shitagi and kosode and it seemed Nel had fallen unconscious. I didn't want her to get hurt so I continued to run, but I could tell he was gaining on us. I needed a place where she could rest and not have to be involved with this fight. Just as I was telling Nel this Ulquiorra appeared in front of me and kicked me into the air. Unable to stop myself I went flying. I landed into this red pillar where I had somehow let go of Nel.

Covered in debris I crawled my way out coughing up blood in the process. When I looked up I saw Ulquiorra standing in front of me. "You brought out that mask again for a moment in order to block my cero, correct?" He asked as I glared at him. "You have impressive reflexes. But this time, it shattered in less than a second. You won't be able to use it again. Give up." He said as he walked over to me and then looked down at me.

I knew if I gave up I would live, but if I gave up then Orihime would die. I couldn't let that happen! I picked up my Tensa Zangetsu and then thrust it into Ulquiorra's shoulder before asking, "Do you think I'm gonna give up? You're the top espada aren't you? ...If I defeat you then this entire war is as good as over." I say and start panting again. My body was hurting and I knew that I wouldn't be able to defeat him. But I had to stall. I could sense Grimmjow near Orihime. Don't ask me how or why I know this I just do. I need to stall for as long as I could until they were close enough to heal me.

"I see. Sorry to disappoint you, but..." He said as he gripped Tensa Zangetsu's blade and the tore a piece of his shirt off showing the number 4. I was shocked. With the power his possess he only number 4. "I am Espada number 4 Ulquiorra Schiffer. I'm am the fourth most powerful member of Espada." He said before thrusting his hand through my chest. My eyes widened at this. The pain... it hurt but... it didn't. "Ichigo Kurosaki, you cannot defeat me. Even supposing you could, there are three espada ranked higher than I. No matter how many times you stand up to fight ..." He said as he allowed his spiritual pressure to keep it from closing. Did he know that Grimmjow was by Orihime? I couldn't tell you that. As he pulled his hand out the pain doubled and it was hard to even hear what he was saying but I did. "Your side will never achieve victory." He finished as I fell to the floor. The pain I was feeling was too much. It surprised me how I was even still able to hear him, but it didn't matter. Soon after I lost my vision and my hearing as well. The last thing I thought before I passed out was 'So much for being a hero.'