Chapter 2: Something More?

'The day it rained for the first time this fall.'

Ulquiorra leaned into the younger boy's hand, relishing his warmth. "I'm sorry to cause you trouble," he said as he turned to look out the window. 'This isn't like me…..why am I acting so humble towards him? He's just trash…' With that thought somewhere deep inside, Ulquiorra hurt. 'Why does it hurt to say such things 'bout him? Do I like him?...'

Ichigo watch Ulquiorra's face slowly show confusion. He hoped this would help, "Ummm, if this will help, you kept saying 'he's the reason I came here, the only reason' while you sleep. You still do it," Ichigo said, looking down at his hands, embarrassed that he heard Ulquiorra say such things. 'I really say that?' Ulquiorra thought as he stared at Ichigo, internally surprised that he actually talked his sleep.

"Oh." The arrancar said. 'I must do…..' Ulquiorra looked back at Ichigo, who was still looking at his hands, faintly blushing.

"Maybe I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry," Ichigo said, thinking he did something wrong. Ulquiorra leaned over and put his forehead to Ichigo's.

"It's ok," he said under his breath. "You didn't do anything wrong." A smile wanting to come out, but he suppressed it. Ulquiorra didn't want to show emotion, in fear that he would be beaten again. He had learned his lesson.

"Umm….Can I ask you something? You don't have to answer it if you don't want to!" Ichigo said, backing up, like he all ready said something wrong. Ulquiorra slightly nodded. "Ummm…..Why are you here in the human world? Did Aizen send you here for something?" At the mention of Aizen's name, Ulquiorra had flashbacks of pain, grinning, laughter, and blood, lots of blood. Ulquiorra shivered and put his hands over the wounds that have not yet healed. "Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bring-?" Ichigo stopped, and looked at Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra was mumbling something. "Ulqui-" Ichigo said as he reached out to try and comfort him.

"I…..ran….away…" he heard Ulquiorra say.

"Umm, why?" Ichigo asked trying to figure out his story but careful not to go too deep that will cause Ulquiorra to go silent again.

"I….couldn't take it anymore…he….he wouldn't even let me…..heal…." Ulquiorra whispered. "I didn't think I ever would….i hope he doesn't….come…."

"Who?" Ichigo asked, genuinely concerned.

"Ai….zen…"

"A-aizen?" Ichigo whispered, shocked that an arrancar leader would even do that; beat his subordinates. Ulquiorra doesn't look like he would ever get on anyone's bad side, So why? Ulquiorra fell still and silent. Ichigo looked at Ulquiorra's face trying to figure what he was thinking and to find a way to ease his pain. 'No….I can't…..I didn't do it!... I'm telling the truth!...I swear!...No more!...' Ulquiorra turned to the window, trying to escape his memories. Ichigo looked on, helpless.

They sat in silence. Suddenly a short, raven haired girl entered the room. "I heard you found an arrancar, Ichigo. Where is he?" she said, looking at the sullen occupants. "Is this him?" she asked, looking at the pale arrancar, who was still looking out the window. "Ichigo? Hey, you alright?"

"Huh! Rukia?" Ichigo was snapped out of his thoughts. "Wha-? How-?"

"Nevermind that. Is this the arrancar you found down the street?" pointing at Ulquiorra.

"Uh, yeah?"

"Ok." The girl turned back to Ulquiorra. "What's your name? Why are you here? Did Aizen send you on some sort of mission? Hey!" Ichigo was pulling her outside. "What's the big idea! I was integrating him!"

"Shush! You're too loud! God…."Ichigo groaned. "Ok, I found out he ran away and that he was beaten right before you came in asking 20 questions! Have some manners every once in a while. Not like you would have any in the first place…"

"I do have manners! Does 'he' even have a name?" she said, crossing her arms.

"Yeah, Ulquiorra Schiffer…poor guy…" Ichigo said, distractly.

Rukia waved her hands in front of his face, "Hey what's up with you? You're acting weird." Ichigo looked at her.

"Sorry, just a lot on my mind with the whole finding an arrancar and finding out he ran away."

"I guess it is a lot to wrap your head around," Rukia said, rubbing her chin. "Do you know why Ulquiorra ran away?" looking up at the orange haired boy.

"Maybe because he was beaten? When we found him, he had already lost too much blood. To the point that if he was left out there for a few more minutes he would have been dead."

"Hmmm. This doesn't make sense. Why would Aizen beat his subordinates to the point of death? What would he gain?" Rukia asked, still rubbing her chin.

"I don' know, but he must have did some horrible stuff. Ulquiorra fell silent after he told me it was Aizen; he wouldn't even look at me after that," Ichigo said looking at the door.

"Why did he tell you? He wouldn't say anything when everyone else was there. What did you do?" Rukia asked, staring at Ichigo's face.

"N-nothing!" he said. He didn't want to say anything about the kiss. Rukia stared at him a little longer, then turned away. Ichigo let out a silent sigh. They went back into the room.

'Who was that girl? She came in like she owned this house. Is she related to Ichigo? No, She has no similar features as him. I would guess she's older than him. She has spiritual pressure, a decent amount. I can say she's a soul reaper. Not a captain or lieutenant for sure. Did she come with the other soul reapers? Or was she all ready stationed here? If she was, I would have known. Hmmm, She then came with the other soul reapers. Who is she and why wasn't-!' Ulquiorra looked up as the girl and Ichigo came back into the room. "Sorry about barging in here. My name's Rukia Kuchiki," She introduced herself.

"You're a soul reaper," Ulquiorra stated.

"Haha, yeah. Did you meet the others?" She said.

"Yes. What are their ranks?"

"I am a substitute soul reaper. She is a regular soul reaper," pointing at Rukia, "Renji's-!" Ichigo started.

"Renji's lieutenant of the 6th division under my brother," Rukia interrupted. "Ikkaku is the third seat and Yumichicka is the fifth seat of the 11th division, Rangiku is the lieutenant of the 10th division under Toshiro."

"Toshiro's the captain of the 10th division?" asked Ulquiorra.

"Yeah."

"Orihime is?"

"My friend who can heal people," Ichigo answered. Ulquiorra nodded. The room fell silent.

"What's your name?" Rukia asked, trying to break the silence.

"Ulquiorra Schiffer," he answered. It was silent again. Suddenly Ulquiorra looked out the window, like he was looking for someone. "Damn…" Ulquiorra tried to get up.

"Wha-!" Ichigo stopped as realized why Ulquiorra was trying to run. Three very powerful spiritual pressures appeared. One arrancar, the others soul reaper. Rukia looked at Ulquiorra.

"What are they here for! Do they want you?" Rukia franticly asked as they stood in the middle of town.

"Aizen….Nnoitra…..Tosen…"Ulquiorra mumbled. He pushed Ichigo and made his way to the door. Rukia and Ichigo grabbed him and dragged him back to the bed.

"Where do you think you're going!" Rukia asked as she helped push him on the bed.

"They're getting closer…."Ulquiorra said. He was right. They were half way to Ichigo's house and approaching fast. 'Not now…..'

"We have to hide you!" Ichigo said.

"Idiot! They'll still find his spiritual pressure. He might not have much but they can still find him from the middle of town. Look! They are almost here!" Rukia said.

"Let me go." The two looked at him. "I said let me go. They won't bother you if I leave. They only came for me," Ulquiorra repeated.

"No." Ulquiorra looked at Ichigo. "I won't let them have you," he said as he grabbed Kon and changed into a soul reaper.

"Me either," Rukia changed. "You can help us defeat Aizen. You're our trump card against Aizen's army." The two soul reapers stood with zanpakutos drawn, waiting for the attackers.

Soon they were there. Ulquiorra looked up and out the window. There stood Nnoitra, Aizen and Tosen, with Aizen in the middle.

"Now. Now. Did you really think you can leave Hueco Mundo without me knowing?" Aizen said, smiling.