Fox: Hello guys. Yes, I know it's been at least a month or more since I've updated but I have been without a computer for a long time and just recently got it back. I had to get a new hard drive put in along with Windows to be re installed so I've been busy putting everything back and downloading all the stuff I need.(Still dont have everything _) But I promised my friend an update so here it is finally!

Here's a shout out to the new peoples!

Moonstar66, CoffeeGirl129, YaoiLover141, Rakuen91, tkmcgilbra, Kibalover1998, Skye Paige, Ayame Shinu, TheDarkAngelCreed, SilverNeira, .104, FitsofRage, tigergirl93, anonomon! Thank you so much for reading/faving/alerting/reviewing! I heart you all new and old!

Chapter 3: Race Against the Sands of Time

Night had cast its dark spell upon Hueco Mundo as the moon waxed greatly upon the sands, painting them a light blue glow. The wind shifted through caves and ruins of the forgotten releam that was home to those existence matter not in the living nor next world. It was a peaceful evening.

The Shinigami who entered this world had settled for the night. The small group huddled around a weak fire, taking turns sleeping. Kurosaki Ichigo had taken the first watch. His brown eyes bore into the cracking embers. The Subsitute Shinigami kept his thoughs focused on the friends he had to rescue. Orihime, the not so bright but friendly girl who always was there. Then Kiki, he and her were like two peas in a pod. Both being damned to carry monsters in their souls.

Ichigo sighed, tilting his head back to gaze at the stars. It had been three days since they came here and not only was there no trace of either of them but they had no clue where to begin. All there was to this disolate place was just sand and more sand.

'If Kon was here I'm sure he'd be complaining about the landscape.' Ichigo chuckled to himself.

The tiny moment of his inside joke died when a wolf howled sadly in the distance.

Was it Kiki calling out for them?

Ichigo felt out to the reaistu. It was merely a normal wolf.

His spirits dampered once more, but Ichigo's determination grew stronger.

"I will find you, my friends. Don't give up."

Far away from the little campfire was the hideout, hid that which was to be found. Orihime sat on her window sil and stared into the desert. Her big round eyes half closed with weariness. How long had she been here? Were the others looking for her after they found out she was gone without so much as a goodbye?

A yellow glow shimmered in the orange haired girl's eyes. It was a single firefly. It floated in front her window all by its lonesome. Even the light it gave off was faint. Orihime straightened up and placed her hand gently on the glass pane.

"Are you alone too?" She whispered.

As if it understood, the ball of light bounced up and down slowly.

She gave it a gentle smile. "Well, you've got me now, right?" Out of the corner of Orihime's eye another glow appeared. It joined the other at its side. They glow they gave off was now bright. It made Orihime's heart clench. "I guess it's bye bye, huh?" The two orbs bounced gleefully and danced away. Orihime gave a hesitent wave to the two tiny bugs. Soon as their light disappeared, her gesture paused. Slowly her hand decended to her heart. Orihime sniffled and held back a cry. Why was she left all alone?

"Are you hurting woman?" That low voice asked as it's figure emerged from the shadows.

Orihime hiccupped and looked up at the pale man. His emerald eyes never left her face, taking note of the liquid building up her glisting eyes.

"N-No, I am fine. Just a little heart broken I guess." Her honey orbs turned away. Stepping forward, he reached out with a pointed finger and placed it where her hand covered. "Is it because of this?" He put his head to the side. "The thing called a heart?"

Orihime smiled sadly. "Yes, Ulquiorra. I'm lonely. I miss my friends, feeling the sun on my face. So in turn, my heart hurts."

The Cuato Espada looked on in curiosity. The organ these humans had caused them pain? But it helped keep them alive. instead this woman just informed him of it causing her harm. How contridicting of it.

"May I help in some way?" He asked, surprised the words even left his mouth. Orihime's head jerked up in shock. Could she believe what she just heard? Was he offering her companionship maybe?

The woman's heart shaped face glowed with a happy aoura. Did he possibly say something correct? How strange these creatures were.

"I will not ask again, woman." Ulquiorra spoke once more, a little venom laced his tone.

Orihime nodded and stood up to face the Espada. "What can we do?"

"I cannot release you, take you to visit friends, or anything of that nature. Otherwise, the world is at your feet." He confirmed.

Orihime's expression changed to a serious look. "I wanna go outside."

Ulquiorra blinked once. "That is all?"

She opened her mouth again but only slammed it shut when a loud gurggling sounded in the room. Her face flushed and she laughed awkwardly. "S-Sorry about that!"

"What on earth was that unrully noise?"

Orihime poked her two pointer fingers together. "My stomach. I'm really hungry."

"Ah, first we must fetch you some nurishment then I suppose. 'Least I hear that horribe rumble again." He turned on his heel and walked out only to stop in his stride to await her.

"Come along." The fourth Espada commanded.

"Oh," Her amber eyes lit up. "Yes sir!" She mock saluted and skipped after him.

After Orihime had her fill, Ulqiuorra led her outside. The sand whirled around her shoes as if welcoming her back. She grinned and stretched for what felt like an eternity. Uliquorra watched on in silence. He would not conversate with her anymore unless proven nessacary.

Once her bones ceased to pop, the orange haired girl took off. She ran until she was about twenty feet and began to twirl. She hummed as she danced. Spinning on her left foot she jumped to her right and wove her arms around her like banners.

Uliquorra gazed on in slight facination. Her movements were graceful unlike her usual stature. It was quite nice to see. It was odd he felt this. Since the day Uliquorra removed his Hollow mask, he felt nothing. He was just a shell. But this human woman made something in him move, like it was gravity of some sort. Compelled to watch and follow, like the sun and the moon.

The spell was broken once Orihime tripped over her skirts and fell on her bottom. Ulquiorra put his hands in his pockets and walked over. There was no reason to advance quickly. There obiviously no serious damage. He stopped a few inches before her.

"Are you unharmed woman?" His voice still hollow.

Orihime looked up at him through a curtain of firey hair. "Yeah, I'm ok. Thanks for checking." Her cheeks flared pink.

There that rosy color goes again. What in the hell was that? The Espada was suddenly intriguied. "Woman, why does your complexion turn pink or red sometimes when we speak? Does my presence sicken you?"

"Oh no! I enjoy your company! It's just...it's another heart thing." She twirled an orange stran around her little finger.

"Such a weak, little thing yet, so much power over the body. How interesting..." He mused.

Orihime grinned up at him from the sand. "I think so too."

Uliquorra had the fun, as she calls it, this evening. The woman may be dumb but she is certainly interesting.

Grimmjow looked out at the two in the sand. His glacier eyes ice over with boredum and thought. He and Ulquiorra were growing far too attached to these human girls.

The Sexta glanced down at the newbie resting on his lap. Kiki's sandy hair had grown out more than when he first meet her. It was cut below her ears before but now it was just above her shoulders. Grimmjow wondered what if felt like if he ran his fingers through it...

No! He growled. He can't get close to this girl! Much less a human girl! He was Grimmjow the Sexta! True king of Hueco Mundo!

He weaved his fingers together and placed his arms behind his head. Fuck that. He didn't have time to fall for someone. He had Aizen to kill and take his rightful place as king.

But he couldn't kill Aizen in time...

Grimmjow stole one last look at Kiki.

What's the point when time is running out? 'Cause eventually they will die.

The sands of time race against them like it does with everyone else in this God forsaken desert.

Fox:Forgive the shortness. Don't worry, the Grim/Kiki will stop soon. I promise. It's still all about Ken-chan! But right now that's how it is. The Uli/Ori pairing will stay and be delevoped on as well so there will be times when it's a little more focused on them (So kawaii *w*) Kenpachi shall make a longer appearence next chapter. Hope to see ya next time!

3 Fox