A/N I feel pretty shitty at the moment as school returns tomorrow (although it's last term for me as I'm in Year 12) and as such you get a fairly shitty chapter. It's still a good read so keep goin please...

Episode 42: Despair IV

I try to drag myself away with my one remaining limb but the fiery-haired Vasto Lorde's edges closer with each stride. I feel like a fly that has lost it's wings trying to flee from a swatting hand. I can try with all my strength but it's useless.

"GRAAAOOOWWWW!" He roars intensely. The earth shatters with his howls. Blood drains from my ears as my eardrums shatter. All I hear now is a constant ringing. He lifts me by the throat and stares with his beady yellow eyes into the depths of my own. Saliva drips from the edge of his mouth as he slowly opens his jaws, drooling at the prospect of an after dinner snack. His breath reeks of rotted hollow meat. Perhaps if he at least ate my nose I wouldn't have to smell this toxic odour. As his teeth grind against the bridge of my nose he throws me to the side and blocks a giant scythe-like weapon. Could it be?

Nnoitra charges at the Vasto Lorde whilst Nel swoops down and carries me to safety. Her words are inaudible but I can be rest assured I'm in good company now. As I fade in and out of consciousness I feel a wet sensation around my missing limbs. It feels good, almost pleasurable...

I dream about Nel gently caressing by leg and kissing my soft flesh before moving up my leg and along my body until she reaches my rough lips. Her scent is of lavender and when he fuse lips I taste sweet honey and caramel. Finally her hand travels down my lower regions for some medical attention of another kind. I can no longer contain the euphoria welling inside my veins. But before I can explode in magnificent pleasure I wake up with my dignity in tatters.

I raise my head to find Nel kissing – well rather drooling all over my leg. Her eyes are closed and she moans exhibiting some sort of strange pleasure until she opens her eyes and stares oddly at me.

"Nel?"

"Uh...Please don't move too much." She leads erratically. I kinda like her soft, sensitive side. However I should have heeded her warning as blood gushes from my right arm. Wait a minute! My arm is reattached! I would jump for joy if not for the searing pain that's coursing through my extremities. Nel spots the bleeding arm and begins kissing it better – literally!

"So your saliva must have some healing qualities?" I ponder in amazement.

She nods and lays my head back down to rest. "Normally I use it for minor wounds however in your case it will take some time to work so please just rest for now."

"Where's Nnoitra?"

She smiles and looks down past the trees. "He scared away that Vasto Lorde...He should be keeping guard below."

"Did he...save me?"

She nods and then giggles at the thought. "He may be a complex character but he does care about us...I suppose he is also gratified that we saved him from that hollow."

"Although I'm still somewhat cynical I suppose I am indebted to him for saving me." I reflect my thoughts to Nel who peers down the treetops.

"You should sleep for now...we will return to Las Noches tomorrow.

THE NEXT DAY IN MY CHAMBERS:

I was amazed at how fast my wounds healed. Even Nel was amazed as her saliva only had limited abilities. I packed my small array of things under my bed and took a well deserved nap.

"Good evening Veinte..." My slumber is distributed by someone at the doorway. He leans on the doorframe appearing nonchalant with his hands in his pockets.

"Don't you mean Banzai Benendes?" I respond.

"No I was correct...You are the Veinte Arrancar correct?" I notice his monotonous voice sounds familiar.

"And who might you be?" I feel somewhat insulted as he addresses me by my number.

When his face enters the light it strikes me as most unusual. His face is covered in white make-up with two teal triangles drooping from the bottom of his eyes. His mask forms half a helmet over his spiky black hair with one horn protruding from the mask. He finally introduces himself. "I am the Cuarto Espada...Ulquiorra Schiffer and you will now serve me as my Fraccion."

And with the death of Shrieker and the recruitment of new Arrancar I now serve a new Espada. But will he prove to be a better mentor than the deceitful demon Shrieker? And can I still fully trust that evil grin of Nnoitra's? Don't miss the next exciting chapter!