Hollow

Rukia laid on her bed and tossed and turned as memories began to surface. {"Mommy! Mommy!"}. A little boy's voice rang out into the cold void. Rukia tossed left as a woman's voice came into the picture. {"Awww Ichi did Tatsuki hit you again?"}. Rukia's eyes widened upon hearing that. The room started getting colder and colder as ice began to form on the floor and walls.

Rukia's inner world

The world was frozen in a frozen hellscape. Hada de hielo stood on top of a pillar made of ice. They overlooked the frozen landscape and frowned. "She is losing focus….we need to be whole soon." They jumped down and suddenly four separate wings appeared on their back like a butterfly. They floated down softly and landed and dusted the small amount of snow from the bottom of their cloak.

They looked around and found Rukia naked and being encased in a pillar of ice. They slowly flew over to her the flapping of their wings, sounding the beating of drums. They landed in front of the casing and placed their hand on it. Hada pressed her head on Rukia's forehead. "We will get revenge…" was all they said. A light shone over the pillar reflecting back onto Hada and they admired their reflection.

Hada face and overall appearance was like that of Rukia merged with Sode no Shirayuki her hair had lengthened and was Snow White, with an ornate snowflake hairpiece in the center, her skin was as pale as the snow on the ground her scalia was pure Snow White and her irises were a snowy purple. Her cloak was fitted into a kimono with snowflakes adored all over it and she wore a pair of white geta and Snow White toe and fingernail polish.

Their overall appearance was female but they had actually had no assigned gender since being merged with Zangetsu. Hada removed their hands from the pillar and placed it on their heart. A bright light shone over the landscape and they looked up. "Hmm…it's time to wake up." Their tone was monotone, cold, and aloof.

real world: sametime

Yin and Yang had managed to combine their powers and melt the door to Rukia's room. They were painting and sweaty as it took a whole part of the day to melt the thick ice that formed. They entered the room and looked around. "Where is lady Rukia?" Yin asked as she tried her hardest to not slip. Yang slipped and failed her arms hopelessly in the air before slamming the adjacent wall. Yin just sweatdropped at her sister's action and found Rukia encased in a cocoon of Ice.

"Oi what's taking so long?!" The annoyed voice of Grimmjow rang out as he entered the room with his hands in his pockets. Yang managed to get up and got into a fighting stance as Yin hovered by Rukia. "Why are you here?" Yang challenged, Grimmjow shrugged "Boss sent me to get you." Yin growled and nodded to Yang who switched places as Yang used her flames to melt the cocoon. Grimmjow looked over the twins shoulders and noticed the cocoon and the area was frozen. He was about to ask when a bright light engulfed the room.

Everyone shields their eyes, "The hell?!" Grimmjow cried. The light died down and Rukia was there standing. She looked left and right and looked at her hand. "What happened to us?" She asked softly and flexed her hand. Then her cat-like eyes lit up and she nodded as if speaking with someone explaining the situation to her. "We understand, we have evolved." Grimmjow sweatdropped in confusion "….I'm lost…" Yin and Yang both were confused and agreed with the 6th Espada.

Ulquiorra appeared and noted to Rukia, "How are you feeling?" He asked in his usual aloof manner. Rukia looked at Ulquiorra and nodded back and responded in a similar aloof manner. "We are fine, we appreciate the concern, it's only logical to be concerned." Grimmjow, Yin and Yang all sweatdropped and their jaws fell to the floor upon hearing this statement. "What…." Grimmjow started "The hell…" Yin continued, "Is happening here!?" Yang finished dramatically. Rukia ignored them and overlooked Ulquiorra {"He is vital to our plan…we are the queen and he will be our king."} Gin then entered the room and looked perplexed before covering his mouth. {"I wish I had a camera…."} He then slipped out the room to grab said camera.

Ulquiorra sidestep and Rukia walked out and down the hall followed by him close behind. Ulquiorra observed the newly appointed Cero Espada {"Hmm…I feel a…connection with her….it's strange we're so similar."} he looked at his hand and frowned {"What is this…"} he felt something on his sleeve and saw Rukia holding his sleeve and looking at him with cat-like eyes. "We are concerned….are you alright?" She tilted her head slightly to get a better look at him. Ulquiorra nodded "Yes…and we're here…Aizen-sama has requested you." Rukia nodded and was prepared to enter the room. She paused and turned around and grabbed his sleeve "...We would like to show you our inner world…sometime." Ulquiorra paused and turned around slightly and then nodded "Yes…I would like to."

Rukia smiled and entered the door and found Aizen sitting in his throne room waiting for her. He held a tea cup in his hand, Rukia stopped a few meters before him and bowed on one knee. Aizen started sweating and shook his head and coughed into his hand as Rukia silently smirked. {"Soon we will have our revenge."} "What do you need, Aizen-sama?" Rukia said in her usual cold and aloof tone. Aizen smiled at his ultimate weapon, virtually unaware that this time. He didn't plan ahead. "I think it's time to fully test your skills…that exhibition fight was entertaining…but I can tell you were holding back." Rukia bowed her head lower "Forgive us Aizen-sama…but due to how high our Reiatsu is we didn't want to destroy the arena." Aizen nodded.

Aizen stood up from his throne and beckoned Rukia to follow him. Rukia did so and followed him out to the balcony. "It's good you were holding back…now I want you to let loose…we have received intel that a group of beings are hiding in the World of Living and they're called Bounts." Rukia closed her eyes and nodded her head in understanding. "You want us to destroy them? Is that correct Aizen-sama?" Aizen tried his best to hide how much he was shaking internally. "No…not yet. Monitor them for now, they have plans to attack the soul society, apparently the Bounts are a result of a soul society experiment gone wrong, and they want revenge on the soul society."

Rukia nodded "The right to destroy the soul society belongs to you and you alone Aizen-sama anyone who claims otherwise….We will destroy them." Rukia said as she bowed once more and Aizen smiled and raised his hand and Rukia rose. "Take your Fracción with you, Gin will monitor your progress." As soon as Aizen said those words Gin appeared and bowed. He then turned towards Rukia and gave her a fox-like smile. "It will be my pleasure seeing you in action." He said. Rukia narrowed her eyes and nodded her head. "Likewise it's only logical as you're curious about our abilities." Gin blinked dumbly and sweatdropped {"I hope she isn't a loyal fanatic like Ulquiorra, Aaroniero, and Zommari..she is probably still pissed I didn't rescue her from being executed…"}.

Rukia closed her eyes and gave a cold smile as ice-like protrusions appeared slowly on her back in a fashion similar to butterfly wings. They moved on their own will and flapped slowly. "Any and all enemies of Aizen will freeze to a chilling death below sub-zero." Aizen looked pleased while Gin gulped and silently wished somebody else would monitor her. "You leave tomorrow." Rukia then left the room and walked down the halls and found her two Fracción in their shared room. Rukia coughed into her hand and Yin and Yang jumped and whirled around. "Oh mistress!" Yin sputtered as Yang bowed on one knee and dragged Yin down with her.

Rukia ignored this "We leave for tomorrow we have a mission, Ichimaru-sama will be assigned with us." Yin and Yang lowered their heads. "What is the mission?" Yang asked as curiosity got the better of her. "We will observe a group of beings known as Bounts…afterwards we will eliminate them as they seek to destroy the Soul Society and that right belongs to Aizen-sama." Yin and Yang nodded and then Yang spoke up "We've been scouting for weak points mistress." Rukia turned her gaze onto Yang who started sweating and gulped. "By all means enlighten us on your discovery." Rukia said as her cold, aloof, and robotic tone rang throughout the room. Yang gulped and bowed her head apologetically. "We couldn't find any weak spots…Aizen has eliminated all dissenters to his rule."

Rukia nodded agreeing with this "Correct we have also found no weak spots." Rukia sat on the couch Buddha style. "We will find a way, Shinigami shouldn't rule hollows, it's against the natural order of things. Only a hollow should rule hollows." "Like Barrigan?" Yin asked only to be silenced by a sharp glare from Rukia. "Barrigan was a puppet therefore he is weak and a pathetic waste of space." Yin agreed "Right? He gave up so easily after four-eyes defeated his whole army."

There was a knock at the door and the three jumped up and looked at each other. Rukia sent a signal to the twins who hid behind the couch waiting to ambush whoever it was. Rukia went to the door and opened it. She blinked as Ulquiorra stood at the door with a tea kettle in his hand. "Ah Ulquiorra-san we're touched you came by…." She looked at the tea kettle and raised a brow. Ulquiorra caught this and for a rare moment for the Cuarto Espada he sighed. "Ichimaru-sama ordered me to bring you tea." Rukia nodded in understanding and moved to the side and motioned for him to enter.

She briefly looked around for a moment and blinked when she swore she saw Gin with a camera hiding behind a corner. She then entered her room and closed the door behind her. She found Ulquiorra sitting on one couch and Yin and Yang awkwardly sitting on the opposing side couch. Yin jumped up first and her hands shook as she poured the tea. Rukia walked over and steadied her hand. "It's fine my kitten there." She purred. Yin blushed heavily at that and started sputtering.

"You baka your embarrassing Lady Kuchiki!" Yang hissed, Yin scowled but said nothing back, Ulquiorra observed the scene with slight internal amusement. {"Hmm she acts like a mother to her Fracción….similar to Harribel."} he sipped his tea and noted it tasted excellent. Rukia sat down after excusing the twins Ulquiorra noted she whispered something to them but he only caught a glimpse. He watched them leave hurriedly as they gave him quick glances. Rukia then sat down opposite to him with a cup of tea in her hand.

Nobody spoke for a few awkward moments. Ulquiorra sat his tea cup down. "So…what were you saying to your Fracción?" Rukia paused in her drinking and narrowed her cat-like eyes. "I couldn't help but overhear." He explained as he sat back on the couch. Rukia nodded in understanding "We ordered them to the world of the living to scout as we have our first mission tomorrow." Ulquiorra piped his head "I'm listening." "Aizen-sama has ordered us to monitor a group of spiritually aware beings….and then eliminate them before they can get revenge on the Soul Society."

Ulquiorra's eyes narrowed "That right belongs to Aizen-sama and Aizen-sama alone…" Rukia nodded "We agree, anyone else seeking that right are fools who will die." Rukia said in agreement as she put down her tea cup and reached for something at the same time as Ulquiorra which resulted in both of their hands touching. Rukia's purple eyes met Ulquiorra's green eyes. They stared at each other for a few minutes that felt like hours. Their thoughts were becoming intertwined as a strange feeling overcame them. {"What is this feeling….this woman….why does she make me feel like this?"}

{"He…why does he make us feel like this…"} images flash of Ichigo. {"I want to know more…."} was their shared thought. They found their faces close and lips touching. Both of them opened their eyes and realized they had kissed unintentionally. Instead of parting they kissed deeper {"I must know more"} they finally pulled away both panting and then Rukia placed her hand on Ulquiorra's and looked him deeply in the eyes as her whole face turned red. "We want to show you our inner world….." Ulquiorra kissed her forehead "Yes I would like that….I also want to know more about you."

Rukia nodded "And I want you to be my King as am the Queen". Ulquiorra looked confused and Rukia explained further. "In the world of the living there is a game humans play called "Chess" here….this will help." Rukia wiped her hand in the air as the room turned Snow White as snow suddenly fell Ulquiorra looked up and held out his hand. He stared at the snow flakes then something caught his eyes. He found himself staring at a massive chest board made of ice. Rukia was standing there alongside Hada de hielo the Zanpakutō/Resurrección spirit of Rukia. They looked Ulquiorra up and down and then to the side before loudly stating.

"We approve of this relationship…however." They turned to Ulquiorra "If you harm our beloved la reina we will give you an extreme icy death." Ulquiorra took a step back and nodded understandingly {"Hmm who is this individual? They appear close to Rukia and share the same spiritual pressure…"} Rukia interlocked her arms and ith Ulquiorra and rubbed her head on his arm like a cat would do when marking its territory. "We apologize for Hada….they are my Zanpakutō spirit." Rukia said as the spirit turned its back to them and it's wings appeared as it started flying off to who knows where.

Ulquiorra's eyes widened slightly as he took this information in. {"Her Zanpakutō spirit? That means like the shinigami it can manifest"} he pulled out his sword and inspected it. Rukia placed her hand on his and got on her tippy toes to kiss his cheek. She moved her fingers as the giant chess pieces started moving on their own. "Life is like chess….one side is trying to force the other into checkmate…." A giant king piece moved in front of the queen piece to protect it from the opposing side's rook. "The duty of a king is to rule…to reign over his subjects…but the most important duty he is assigned is to protect his queen."

Those words penetrated Ulquiorra deeply as his green eyes widened and pupils dilated {"But the most important duty he is assigned is to protect his queen."}

World of the living

It was a calm morning in Karakura Town, but it was mostly quiet in the Kurosaki clinic. Yuzu was cleaning but paused when she reached a certain room. She stopped vacuuming and clenched her fists. She felt like crying. Isshin meanwhile sat downstairs with a cigarette in one hand and a picture of his deceased son in the other. His mind went back to the funeral and that familiar shinigami. {"Who was he…he is so familiar….no it can be…he is dead.."} he then looked up at the clock and frowned. "Karin should be home by now….."

In another part of Karakura Town

Karin was walking down the street kicking a stone and ignoring the world around her. She scowled as the memories of her beloved older brother appeared in her mind. She barely noticed night coming and the area quieting down or a loud buzzing noise filling the area. It wasn't till she heard a blood curdling scream that she looked up to see giant mosquito-like creatures attack people. She paused and looked fearful "W…w…w…" her mind became overfilled and she screamed and cried as she curled up in a ball as the creatures noticed her and were about to attack.

Karin waited and waited for the attack to occur but it didn't. Instead she heard several loud thumps all around her. She slowly and carefully opened one eye and it widened in shock. "I…I…Ichi?" She said slowly as she stood up shaking and spotted her older brother in a shinigami uniform with a giant sword resting on his shoulders. He stood in front of her and narrowed his eyes. Karin was at first overjoyed but that joy transformed into fear. {"W…w…why does he feel…s…s..so hollow?!"}

Soul Society

One the shinigami assigned to monitor the spiritual pressure levels in the world of the Living. Paused and blinked once and then twice and then checked his equipment. "Huh…that's not right…according to the records….he is dead…" he said quietly to himself but his superior heard him. "What's not right?" The superior asked as he looked at the screen. "Eh?! That can't be right, that's registered to Ichigo Kurosaki?!" "I know sir!" "Then alert the Head Captain!" Shouted his superior as the shinigami ran out the room as fast as he could.

He finally arrived at the Gotei-13 meeting but was denied entry so he left a scroll detailing all the information gathered. The guard picked it up and walked into the room and handed the scroll to the Captain-commander whose eyes widened upon seeing what he was reading. "Captain Suìfēng!" He shouted and the 2nd division captain jumped. "Sir?" She tried her best to recompose herself. "Take a squad to the world of the living this instant!"

Rukia's inner world

Ulquiorra stared at the snowy never ending landscape. He looked down as he felt weight on his lap and he looked down to see Rukia laying her head on his lap as she fell asleep. Ulquiorra was captivated by her beauty and stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. A bright light caused him to cover his eyes. He spotted what appeared to be the sun. {"Hmm so this….is what the sun looks like…"} He frowned as memories flashed to the conversation he overheard between Rukia and her two Fracción. {"….hmm are they loyal to Aizen….."} he wondered as he looked at his hand and doubts about his own loyalties grew.

"We….are her King as such our loyalties only lie to her…."