Chapter 6 ::::Anger, the Second Stage::::

Ulquiorra knocked cautiously on the door, his anger barely in check. He must remain calm, he wouldn't get anywhere simply throttling the 8th Espada…though the satisfaction he'd get would almost be worth it.

Szayel opened the door wide and his smile slipped for a fraction of a second as he caught sight of the 4th Espada. But then, much like the Cheshire cat, his faced displayed a knowing smile as he silently waited for Ulquiorra to show his hand.

"You obviously know why I'm here," Ulquiorra said with an eerie calm.

"Of course, but let's pretend for a moment I haven't a clue…"

"What have you done to her?"

"What have I done to HER? Oh wait…yes, yes, I see now. She was the instrument…hmm, disappointing that I didn't think of it first. Our Aizen, ever the tactician...and to think, I was merely going to suggest ambushing you in a hallway. *Tsk, Tsk* Crude, but it would have been effective, no? Still, his way must have been so much more pleasurable for you. So tell me, how do you feel…now?"

"Me? You wish to know how 'I' feel?"

Ulquiorra hesitated as comprehension dawned on him.

"So, I was the intended target of this filth…" He stated as he withdrew the fluid-saturated cotton ball and threw it to the Eighth Espada, who grasped it out of the air just before it reached his glasses.

"How clever of you! However did you obtain this? Or do I even want to know? …On second thought, tell me, mating rituals just fascinate me!" The 8th asked, his voice dripping with envy.

"Tell me what this toxin does, and spare no detail as I am not feeling particularly magnanimous right now." Ulquiorra stated taking a step closer to Szayel.

"No need for threats or posturing, I'll tell you everything I know about it. After all, Aizen never said NOT to tell you. Of course, I'm not one to share my research with just anyone…and this conversation will most likely be noted too, as I will need to update the 'subject reaction' section of this particular study. And to think I was certain tonight was going to be boring, especially given that the elixir was refined, finished, and administered-"

"-You are pushing your luck 'Eight,' or should I say 'former eight?'" said Ulquiorra with his eyes looking down at his hands which were building a rather large Cero.

"Uh…Well-Well, given all that's happened to you, I should have anticipated this response. *sigh* Very well, Ulquiorra, since it seems you're in such a hurry to receive bad news… You're fucked."

"I gathered as much. Now give me an explanation before you find yourself no longer able to provide one."

"…As you wish, though it will do you little good now. First, your primary concern…the girl will be fine. She's just filled to the brim with the serum…and various other medicines, either of which will have no permanent effect on her. So, you needn't worry about her…No, were I you, I'd be much more concerned about myself. It seems as though you've fallen out of favor with Lord Aizen,"

"I feel that his alliance with all Espada will be ending shortly anyway. We are disposable to him. He plays one of us against the other and his cruelty knows no bounds. I knew my fate was sealed the moment he discovered my involvement with the girl…though perhaps it was even before then."

"Have you considered open betrayal? Perhaps more than a few would join you? Not me, of course, but Yammy and some miscellaneous fraccion here and there might throw themselves into the fray. Either way, I'd pay loads to see it!" The Eighth said as he giggled to himself.

"I find you so tiresome, Szayel. We, Espada, still have much in common with Aizen. Despite his methods, I will stand by him in the coming battle. If we were to divide at this point, our mission would fail utterly. I remain loyal to our mutual cause. But I'll do no more than that which is required."

"You don't sound as if you even care what he's done to you, not that you could do much about it anyway. In fact, any action you can take would simply speed up the virus that's now inside of you. You know, Gin and I specifically designed this pathogen to destroy your cells on a molecular level. However, it will only activate as a direct result of a substantially extreme increase in your riatsu. Whatever extra abilities you possess must remain dormant to avoid the outcome."

"So, Aizen is threatened by my abilities."

"Yes, you should feel flattered!"

"And this demise will happen at cellular level?"

"It will, you won't even leave behind a corpse. In truth, it came out stronger than I'd originally anticipated…it is probably already working on some level. I never bothered to disclose that detail…oh well, more's the pity to 'our cause.' Hmm, I wonder where I'll tatoo my 7?. I think my left shoulder is rather fetching…then again, my neck is one of my best features." Szayel said in a tone that was not unlike commenting on the weather.

"If what you say is true, I have little time."

"To do what, exactly?, " the eighth said as he pushed his glasses forward.

Ulquiorra moved so fast the Eighth never saw it coming, one moment Szayel was contemplating, and the next he was face down on the floor with his glasses askew. His neck was three-quarters of the way severed from his body and his left arm had been blown off at the shoulder. It was currently occupying space on the other side of the lab. Although the eighth espada couldn't see Ulquiorra, Szayel heard the 4th's voice echo loudly throughout the room.

"Make no mistake, this conversation is far from over. However, at the moment, settling matters with you is not high on my list of priorities. Were I you, I would cherish whatever time you have left with what remains of your body."

And with that, Ulquiorra left the 8th Espada in a pool of blood and sinew. It was now time to face Orihime, once more. He hoped she was fairing better than the last time he saw her.

As he made his way toward her room, he felt a slight dip in spiritual pressure coming from just outside the palace. He knew one of her weaker friends had fallen. The first of many. He also knew, if she was awake, she would already know of this...and she would hate him for it.

continue to Chapter 7 -