The Challenge – Chap. 2
by Sariniste
A/N: Thanks for all the requests to continue this story! I was inspired to write another dark chapter by your reviews.
Warnings: Threats of violence, compulsion, angst.
The two Arrancar scurried in through the doors at the far end of the throne room and prostrated themselves before him. Languidly, Aizen leaned his elbow on the armrest of his throne and gazed down at them, his eyes lidded in contemplation. It amused him to sense the nervous spikes of fear in their reiatsu, and he allowed their tension to build for a long moment.
Finally, he said in his rich, deep voice, "Loly. Menoly. You may rise."
As they stood at his command, terror and adoration warring in their faces, he said, "I have a task for you. You are to outfit the Lady Orihime in an Arrancar uniform in her size and make sure she has everything she needs for her comfort. Then you are to inform her that she is invited to have dinner with me in my quarters tonight at 1800 hours. Finally, you are to advise the kitchens to have a special meal prepared for us; you are then to escort Orihime to my rooms this evening, where you will serve the meal to us on my private balcony."
He watched, engrossed by the progression of expressions across Loly's face. Outrage, jealousy, abject fear, and fury chased themselves in turn across her mobile face as her black pigtails quivered. "But, Lord Aizen—" she bit out, her visible eye filled with anger and pain.
Aizen raised his reiatsu level slightly, just enough to cause both girls' legs to buckle so that they fell to their knees again. He said calmly, "Haven't I taught you that I don't like having my orders questioned? Is there anything I said that was unclear?"
The girls quailed under his gaze. "No, sir," the two chorused.
"Then go and carry out my orders." His voice remained quiet.
The terrified girls bowed once more and retreated to the exit. Just as they reached the door, Aizen said softly, "Oh, and Loly. One more thing." She turned back, her chest heaving and shaking. She angrily wiped at the eye not covered with the hollow mask with the back of her right hand and looked up at her master.
In a moment, he had shunpoed to her side with blinding speed. She gasped at his sudden nearness. He smiled at her and very gently raised a long-fingered hand to her right cheek, trailing his fingertips through the tears on her face. She stared at him, wide-eyed and trembling, as he tenderly stroked the side of her face and ran his fingers delicately over her throat. Her breath hitched at his touch.
"You know I have surveillance cameras throughout Las Noches," he said in a kindly, conversational tone, the tone he used to employ as a taichou comforting a subordinate back in Soul Society. "If I should see the least hint of antagonism toward the Lady Orihime, anything other than the utmost kindness toward our guest?" He paused, and although he did not raise his voice, it turned icy as an arctic winter. "I will have you tortured to death, slowly. Do you understand?"
With a gasp, she bowed her head and fell to one knee. "Y-yes, Lord Aizen," she whispered, shaking.
"Good." He turned away, back toward his throne, indifferent once again. "I'm glad you understand."