A/N: So…news, you say. I have news. I have a lot of news :D First news is, my hair is now pinker than Natsu Dragneel's. I feel very accomplished. It looks like a giant candy cane. Stripes and the like. It is awesome. Second news is, the day you are reading this is my first day of school. I am writing this in advance so it hasn't actually happened yet, but by the time I post this it will have happened. Hopefully I will still be alive (I'm switching schools and my new school is about 20 times bigger than my old one). Third news is, I'm reading Naruto for reasons that I am not disclosing and it's alright but I'm not very far into it yet so I'm hoping it gets better. Fourth news is, there is no fourth news, but I just had to get to 4 because that's Ulquiorra's number :D
(I SURVIVED!)
"I love you," he whispered into her ear.
"I love you too," she whispered back, and they were content. They fell asleep in each other's arms that night, and when the morning finally came he rose to make her breakfast in bed. He gazed at her sleeping form, her hair across her pillow, and then went downstairs to fry some bacon…
That had been a month ago, and now she was gone and he didn't know where. It killed him, every day. Every second. He paced around the house in his pajamas, sat down on the kitchen floor and put his back against the fridge and his head in his hands. She was never coming back, even though he loved her so much. He was sure that wherever she was now, she still loved him too. Was sure that she was watching over him –
Ulquiorra rolled his eyes and tossed the book aside. So the guy's lover was dead. He did not care. It didn't relate to his problem at all.
He picked up the next book, glancing briefly at the cover. Doomed to Remember, it read. He shrugged. The title did not affect him. It didn't influence the story at all.
He opened it and began reading.
To the very end, it was her boss that came between them, and that was something that Mai regretted every day of her life. From the moment he laid eyes on Hiro he was determined to tear the two apart, to split them from their core. Why, Mai did not know. Maybe her boss felt that if she had a boyfriend she wouldn't be able to concentrate on her job. It didn't matter. She was stuck in a contract, a strong contract, binding her to him for who knows how long. The penalty for breaking this contract was a price far higher than she was willing to pay, for it would result in the love of her life ceasing to live.
So now, she was stuck in the clutches of an evil boss that separated her from the one thing she desired. He would send her on business trip after business trip, so that she would have barely a few hours between each flight with which to spend her time, and this would be usually spent at his house, in his bed. They could not go out together, her boss had eyes everywhere. Although Hiro never put pressure on her to quit, to urge her to escape the man and flee the country together, she could tell it was what he wanted. It was what she wanted as well. But such was the extent of her love that she could never endanger Hiro that way. For to lose her Hiro was to lose herself.
They had been dating for only a week when she brought him to that fateful work social function. Only a week, but she was already more in love with him than she had ever been with any other man. It showed on her face; she quite literally glowed. Every now and then she would reach up and give Hiro a little kiss on the cheek. It was one of those times that the boss saw them, and then –
Ulquiorra's door burst open, and Grimmjow leaped into the room. Ulquiorra looked up from his book, a shadow of irritation crossing his face.
"Do you require something, trash. I am busy."
"Yeah, I damn well do need something," Grimmjow panted. "Princesa is not in her quarters, and I didn't authorize anyone to take her."
Ulquiorra's brows drew a smidgen together. "Orihime?"
Grimmjow gave an angry snort. "No, fucking Zommari. Of course Orihime."
Ulquiorra dropped the book on his desk and stood calmly. He closed his eyes and put his hands carefully in his pockets. "Not my problem. She is no longer my responsibility, Sexta."
He turned away from the stunned Grimmjow and picked up his blade, sliding it into his belt. "I would appreciate if you would remove yourself from my quarters. I have things to do."
"Things like what?" Grimmjow snarled, clamping one hand on Ulquiorra's thin shoulder. "Things like making sure your girlfriend isn't dead?"
Ulquiorra stopped short. He turned his head towards Grimmjow and, without opening his eyes, said coolly, "I have no girlfriend. The woman that you speak of is no longer in my care. If she is dead, then it is your fault, since she is now being looked after by you. And, if she is dead, you can be sure that you will be punished accordingly."
Grimmjow was silent for a moment as his brain processed the hidden threat behind Ulquiorra's words, and then a smile smeared across his face. "So you do care," he taunted.
"Remove your hand from my person."
"Don't change the subject, Ulquiorra," Grimmjow said, the smile gone as soon as it had come.
"I do not think you understand." Ulquiorra sonido'ed away from Grimmjow, finally feeling anger. "There is nothing I can do. If I go near her, if I try to make contact with her, she will die. Can you understand the position I am in, Grimmjow? No matter how much I may desire to help you, there is nothing I can do!"
"Well, for starters, you can remove the stick from your –"
Grimmjow was cut off as the door was again opened, and both men turned to see Halibel's Fracción Apache standing there. One hand was on her hip, and she had a pompous scowl on her face, but her eyes were fearful.
"Halibel-sama sent me to tell you two that Inoue-sama's reiatsu has disappeared," she announced.
Ulquiorra opened his eyes.
"Where is Halibel right now?" he asked Apache.
"Heh, that caught your interest," Grimmjow sniggered under his breath, but Ulquiorra ignored it.
"Follow me," Apache said.
She lead them to Halibel's quarters, where they let themselves in. Halibel was sitting in a chair at her desk, looking at a big screen. One finger tapped it anxiously, her face lighting up different colors as the view changed. Mila Rose and Sun-Sun were hovering behind her.
All three women looked up as Ulquiorra, Grimmjow, and Apache entered the room. Halibel visibly slumped in relief when she saw Ulquiorra.
"What's going on here?" Grimmjow demanded.
"We are trying to track down Orihime's spiritual pressure with this commuter – compuner – com – thing," Halibel said quietly. "But so far we've gotten absolutely zero results."
Grimmjow frowned. "Is it possible that it's broken?"
"We got it from Szayelaporro," Mila Rose said. "So unless you're saying that he screwed up somehow, then it's probably fully functional."
"Can you try to find Anómino's spiritual pressure?" Ulquiorra asked calmly.
Halibel didn't bat an eyelash. "Of course," she murmured, turning back to the device. After a few moments of tapping, her eyes narrowed as though she was frowning, and she shook her head.
"So Anómino must be with Orihime, wherever they are," Ulquiorra murmured.
"You don't think they're d-!"
Attention all Espada. Aizen-sama is calling a meeting. Espada Primera through Ultima please assemble in the meeting hall.
Ulquiorra, Grimmjow, and Halibel all looked up at the sudden message echoing in their heads. Grimmjow cursed.
"Kuso! Could they have picked a worse time? !"
"What is it?" Sun-Sun asked, bringing her sleeve to her face.
"Director-General Tôsen just called an Espada meeting," Halibel said grimly. She slid out of her seat gracefully and stood, brushing her hair from her eyes. "We have to go, no matter how inconvenient it is. Girls, please continue the investigation while we are gone."
Ulquiorra followed Grimmjow and Halibel out the door while Mila Rose, Apache, and Sun-Sun squabbled about who got to sit in the seat. They walked quietly towards the meeting room, each deep in thought. Except Grimmjow, probably, Ulquiorra mused as they entered a dark hallway.
"Don't mention this in the meeting, everyone," Halibel reminded them quietly.
"Naturally." Ulquiorra glanced at Grimmjow, who scowled.
"Tch. Like I'd do something like that."
"Something like what?" Nnoitra's lecherous voice drifted to Ulquiorra's ears. He rolled his head slowly around and glanced at the lanky Espada, who was lounging on the wall. He detached himself and strolled up to them, dim light dancing off his features.
"None of your business, Quinta."
"Touchy," he leered.
"My, my, Nnoitra. Picking on poor Ulquiorra again? How dishonorable." Szayelaporro joined them, tossing his bubblegum locks.
"Speak for yourself," Nnoitra spat, "and stay out of other people's business, Octava."
"I know what my rank is, thank you very much," Szayelaporro said smoothly.
A loud yawn alerted them to Starrk's presence as he approached the group, running a hand through his hair, tousling it further. "Lilinette woke me up," he grumbled sleepily. "And then the Director-General woke me up again. This better be good."
"Be careful, Primera. Those words could border on treason," came Zommari's dark voice, like smooth chocolate. He was difficult to see in the darkness.
"Every other thing I say borders on treason in your book," Starrk yawned.
"What book?" Yammy's voice floated down from above. Ulquiorra groaned inwardly.
"Not a real book, fool." Szayelaporro's voice was scathing. "Your lack of intellect astounds me."
"You're all fools," Barragan's voice informed them.
"Is everyone…"
"…here?" the two voices of Aaroniero asked.
"Reckon so," Nnoitra said.
"So what's this about?" Starrk asked, yawning again behind his hand.
"I believe we have intruders," Grimmjow volunteered.
"Intruders?" asked Yammy with interest as they entered the meeting room and began filing to their high-backed seats.
"Underground passage number twenty two has self-destructed," Zommari intoned.
"Oh?" Barragan asked with mild surprise. "They picked an awfully far-away spot to break in."
"You can say that again," Szayelaporro remarked with bubbly disappointment. "It would've been fun if they'd broken right into the throne room."
Nnoitra pushed back his chair with an awful screech and flung himself into it, his weapon rattling. "Ha ha!" he laughed. "Excellent!"
Starrk pulled back his chair and slumped into it, laying his head on the table and yawning hugely. "Shut up," he ordered half-heartedly, "I'm trying to sleep over here. Stop screaming."
The doors at the opposite end of the meeting room cranked open, and light spilled into the room. Ulquiorra closed his eyes against the sudden onslaught on his pupils. He didn't need to see what was happening. He knew Aizen was about to enter, flanked by Gin and Tôsen, and he didn't want to see the self-satisfied smirk on his master's face just yet.
"Good morning, Espadas," Aizen greeted them. All the Espada turned toward their master. "We've been invaded," he added nonchalantly, "but first, some tea."
Aizen glided to his seat at the head of the table, next to Ulquiorra, and lowered himself into it. One of the Números came forward and poured eleven cups of tea, which were deposited before each Espada. It was totally silent in the room.
"Does everyone have a cup?" Aizen asked after everyone had been served, which was a question that was both redundant and rhetorical. "All right, then…please listen to me while you enjoy your tea."
Ulquiorra picked up his teacup and held it in both hands, letting the warmth seep through him. He raised it carefully to his lips and sipped at it, but then held it before his face and let it warm his skin.
"Kaname," Aizen intoned. Ulquiorra noticed Gin and Tôsen standing behind their master. "The picture, please."
"Yes, my lord."
Tôsen pulled down a lever in the wall. On the table in front of Ulquiorra, a big hole appeared. From it projected an image of three figures running across the sand. Ulquiorra could see Grimmjow's disinterested face, distorted through the image, across from him.
"There are three intruders," Aizen said calmly. "Uryû Ishida, Yasutora Sado, and Ichigo Kurosaki."
At the mention of Ichigo's name, Grimmjow's eyes widened dramatically. Ulquiorra frowned a little bit. He already knew Kurosaki was here, why is he so surprised? The fool.
"That's the enemy?" Aaroniero asked, his voice completely surprised.
"Pssh…you said it was an enemy raid!" Barragan said. "Those are just kids."
"They look so…boring," Szayelaporro said delightedly.
Yammy scowled. Ulquiorra sipped his tea.
"Don't underestimate them," Aizen warned. "They were among the ryoka that invaded Soul Society and defied the thirteen court guard companies."
"There were four then. They're one short this time," Zommari observed. "Who's missing?"
Ulquiorra blurted her name before he could stop himself. "Orihime Inoue," he said, then felt Aizen glance at him with amused interest.
No one else seemed to notice. "So they've come to rescue their friend." Nnoitra was clearly thrilled. "I like it! But they look weak…"
"Are you deaf?" Halibel asked contemptuously. "You were just warned not to underestimate them."
"I didn't mean like that," Nnoitra said, and his hate for her was apparent in his voice. "Don't get your panties in a bunch. Are you afraid of them or something?"
Sexist trash.
Before anyone else could say anything, Grimmjow stood abruptly. Ulquiorra looked at him in surprise; his eyes were full of hate. He began to walk away without a word.
"Where are you going, Grimmjow?" Tôsen asked dangerously.
"I'm gonna kill 'em," Grimmjow vowed. "They're vermin. The sooner they're exterminated, the better."
"Lord Aizen hasn't given you your orders yet. Sit down."
"I'm going to kill them for Lord Aizen," Grimmjow reminded him.
"Grimmjow."
Aizen's voice allowed no argument. Grimmjow turned sullenly.
"…Yes?"
"Your enthusiasm is appreciated, but I haven't finished talking yet. Please sit down."
Grimmjow hesitated.
"What's that?" Aizen asked pleasantly. He turned in his seat and looked Grimmjow dead in the eye. "I didn't hear you…Grimmjow Jeagerjaques."
Suddenly Aizen raised his spiritual pressure around Grimmjow, intensifying the pressure around the blue-haired man. His eyes widened, and with a strangled croak, he fell to his knees, sweat pouring down his face.
"Good," Aizen said, straightening himself in his chair, "Now we understand each other."
Grimmjow, panting on the floor, was silent.
"Now then," Aizen continued, "as you can see, three enemies have arrived. I wouldn't underestimate them, but there's no need for excessive alarm either. I want all of you to return to your palaces and go about your business as usual. Don't be overconfident, and don't be reckless. Just wait for the enemy. And don't be afraid." He extended his hand towards them. "No matter what happens…as long as you're with me, no one can defeat you."
He stood, smiling pleasantly. Ulquiorra set down his tea, which had been reduced to cold dregs.
"You are dismissed," Aizen said, and everyone stood. Halibel joined Ulquiorra and sighed.
"That accomplished nothing," she murmured to him.
Ulquiorra closed his eyes in acceptance and turned to Grimmjow, still lying on the floor.
"Fool," he said, "you knew Kurosaki was here."
"Seeing him…I guess I must have overreacted," Grimmjow panted on the floor. He scowled. "I want to kill that bastard, seriously –"
He stopped in surprise when Ulquiorra extended his hand towards him. Shocked, Grimmjow looked at Ulquiorra's face. He was turned away, his eyes closed.
"Get up," he said. "We are getting nothing done with you lying there like a weakling."
Uncertainly, Grimmjow took Ulquiorra's hand. The smaller, pale man hauled him to his feet and dropped his hand like a hot potato.
"You are sweaty," Ulquiorra remarked, turning on his heel. "Let's go."
Ok...I want to make this comment, today in math class there was this kid, and when he got called for roll he was all like, "I prefer to go by The Esteemed Condor."
...
Yeah it was really funny hahahaha :D now go over to Moony's and don't forget to RnR! And check out my GrimmNel too (maybe) (please) (:D)