Here we go again, another exciting chapter. I'll spare you the recap but I will reiterate again that this is rated M for a reason: Blood/gore, sexual innuendo, drug references, strong language, and possible lemons later on. These will get more and more frequent as the story goes on.

Also, I do not own Bleach, nor do I own anything else mentioned in this story (except maybe clothing, but not that clothing). And if I made money off this, I would love to know about it, I could use it ^_^

Chapter 3

Friends and Enemies

Mirella

WHAT IN THE HOLY FUCK WAS GOING ON???? I screamed to myself. How the hell did I get here? Why am I here? How does this fucking world actually exist?!

I continued berating myself, thinking over every possible situation and there wasn't a damn thing I could come up with. I wracked my brain as I faked confidence while I walked toward Las Noches, the bleak citadel of the fortress looming in front of me like a nightmare, beckoning me in and promising no release.

I looked around at the group of people following me. Aizen was directly behind me, next to him Ichimaru Gin held on to that strange smile he is always pictured with. Off to the side I could see Szayel's glasses glint in the moonlight. A couple arrancar followed him, I guess his poor fraccion. The last remaining Espada was Grimmjow. I couldn't make out the look on his face but I would bet it was a scowl. Talk about a surprise to wake up to! I thought back to when I had awoken to a highly disturbed looking Espada, his sapphire eyes wide in shock. He looked… afraid. That's so not his thing though, and what was that about total obliteration?

I protected you! The voice rang in my ears like a gong. I fell to my knees, holding my head in my hands. The voice was so clear and its echoing tone seemed to me like gravel and an orchestra mixed together; so powerful and gruff it caused pain and yet so beautiful it nearly brought tears to my eyes.

As I tried to regroup myself, I noticed the group behind had formed a semicircle around me, with none stepping closer than the other. What did you do to protect me? I questioned silently.

I did what was necessary. The voice struck again and I couldn't help but yell out loud for the pressure inside my head.

"Can you turn down the mother fucking volume for god's sake?!" I yelled toward the sky, earning some strange and somewhat apprehensive looks from the crowd. What are they so afraid of? They are some of the most powerful beings in the world… well… this world. "I'm sorry," I said softly, still kneeling on the ground.

"Grimmjow, get her up," Aizen commanded.

"Why me?"asked the teal haired man belligerently.

"'Cuz Aizen-sama said so!" stated Gin coyly, "Plus, you are the only one who has been able t' touch her since she arrived, an' judgin' by them scorch marks on the wall before she blew it up, there were quite a few who tried…" Gin let his voice trail off upon seeing my face as I stared at him.

"Please tell me I didn't hear you right," I said as I felt the blood drain out of my face. "I blew something up? What scorch marks? I just woke up." I could feel tears coming to my eyes. What is happening to me?

I saw Grimmjow slowly stepping toward me, his face plainly showing the apprehension he was feeling. I held up my hand he stopped, eyes wide. "Don't bother. I know you don't want to touch me, and I don't want to hurt you. If I was blowing things up in my sleep, god knows what I can do when I'm awake," I stated bleakly. I pulled myself to my feet and began walking again.

I looked to my side to see Grimmjow begin to walk next to me( still at least 6 feet away from me, but even with me none the less).

"Of all the people who could cause you harm, it would be us… so why do you not want to hurt us while you can?" he questioned, bluntly stating something I had been wondering. Though in my musings, I was wondering why they hadn't just offed me. Apparently, I'm harmful. That would be the logical thing to do if I were them. Then again with Aizen as the one deciding my fate, he may think I am of value.

"I don't want to kill anyone, including you," I replied softly, "Even if it means I am in danger." This earned me a startled look from the sapphire eyed Sexta. Before he could question me more, I changed the subject. "How much further to Las Noches?" I asked.

"Dunno," he replied gruffly, "I've never walked it before. We have a technique that makes us move really fast. You may have seen Halibel, the woman who gave you the coat, use it."

"Sonido. I know about it," I told him, "and I know who Halibel is, she's the third Espada. She is also the only female Espada if I am correct, unless you count Szayel over there," I said with a smirk. I was pleased to not that I got a sideways grin from the man next to me, however it soon disappeared with his next question.

"How do you know all this?" He looked seriously at me and I realized that he believed this answer would prove me as friend or foe.

I could help but give a sarcastic laugh as I told him, "I have no fucking clue."

I looked around again noticing the others had begun to walk closer to me, their confidence growing as I carried on my conversation with Grimmjow. I guess they realized I am not gonna blow them up… at least, I won't do it on purpose.

"I am tired of walking," Aizen stated in a bored voice, "I will meet you in the throne room. Be sure she comes in one piece." This was directed to Szayel, who rolled his eyes, though he quickly caught his error and acquiesced with a bow. Aizen disappeared, followed immediately by Gin, his creepy smile never wavering.

Man, Szayel is a kiss ass, I thought to myself. Judging by the look of disdain on Grimmjow's face, he agreed.

We plodded along for another few minutes when Szayel approached closer. I began to feel a warm tingle run up my back. His sickeningly sweet voice, full of condescension, came to my ear as he asked. "I wonder if we can transport you using sonido. It's a technique that we Espada employ in which…"

"She knows," Grimmjow cut him off sharply, "You can quite talking now."

I stifled a giggle at the sharp rebuff, silently thanking the man next to me.

"Well, still, I say I should try to carry her so we don't have to walk through this morbid landscape anymore." He took another step closer and then his eyes widened.

I couldn't help but wonder what he saw, so I looked down and noticed that my hand nearest him had a faint orange aura around it. I took a step closer to him and saw the aura grow stronger. He jumped back quickly, breathing a sigh of relief as it faded a bit. I took another step toward him, giggling when he rapidly stepped back from me again.

"Aww, come on Szayel," I chortled, "I'm performing an expirement!"

At this, Grimmjow finally let his frosty exterior down for a minute and let out a laugh. I smiled at the pleasant sound. I didn't think that someone as tough as him would have such a musical laugh.

"I am the one who experiments here, not you, woman," he retorted angrily.

I let out another laugh and looked at Grimmjow. "Would you be willing to step closer and try?" I asked him. "I am very tired and skipping this walk sounds nice."

He looked at me, debating the idea. "I'll try," he finally stated, "but if you start glowing again you can walk your ass all the way there."

"Understandable," I said, standing still so that he could approach at his leisure.

He started toward me slowly, bridging the gap until he was a few feet away and stopped. I could see him inhale a steadying breath and take another step toward me. I looked at my hands. No glowing. It's a start. He took another step towards me, pausing again to see if there was any reaction. When there was none, he stepped right up next to me, so close I could smell him. Unlike the stench of death that hung over Hueco Mundo, he smelled earthy, like good spices and far reaching plains. I didn't expect that.

"So far so good," I told him, trying to encourage him. I craned my neck back to look at him to find him looking down at me, a slightly puzzled expression on his rugged yet delicate features. I watched him close his eyes and lock his teeth together, as if preparing for the worst. He reached out and touched my shoulder…

Nothing happened. He seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. I smiled at his expression and said, "Does that mean I don't have to walk my ass there on my own?"

He gave a small grin and nodded. Before I had a chance to react, he scooped me up in his arms like I weighed nothing and threw me a small smirk. "Are you ready?" he quipped.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and didn't fail to notice the mix of fear and…. was that pleasure? I pressed myself slightly closer. Yup, it's pleasure.

Then everything became a blur as we took off.

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Well, our girl has met her new roommates, haha. I want to thank everyone who has read my book especially arcticwolfes and foxg2rl7 for the subscription. Fox, you are my first fan and that means I officially love you ^_^

To all other readers, I hope you enjoy and please R & R, the more reviews I get the more encouraged I am to write!!

~Echo