Note:

Disclaimer: Standard applied

UNBETA'D

Chapter 17 —Ulquiorra—

"Betrayal"

Present

Past/Thought

.

.

Everybody must have ever betrayed someone at least once in their life. That was just how things went. You betrayed and got betrayed. You hurt and got hurt.

But when you loved, didn't mean you'd be loved back.

It was almost like a jungle's rule, eat or be eaten. The strong ones ate the weaklings. That was how I saw the world. Humans were just no different than the animals. Maybe even worst because animals didn't know what was called 'betrayal'. 'To betray' is a word made by human and done by human only.

"I need to crush him, Ichigo Kurosaki, and you will help me."

I had never known who Kurosaki was before. I didn't know what he had done to piss someone like Aizen off but I didn't care. What he had done was none of my business. I just had to do what I'd been told.

"That girl, bring her here... I want you to bring Orihime Inoue to me."

I also had never known who she was. Orihime Inoue, one of the most popular girl in the town. I'd heard about her, definitely, what I'd meant was. I didn't know what kind of girl she was. It seemed that she had been really important for Kurosaki, that meant she was also really important for this plan.

"She is not stupid, you should get her trust first. Take your time, make her believe you. It will disturb Kurosaki indeed, but that's exactly why it'll be interesting."

To make her believed me then betray her. That sounded too cruel but that was what I should do. I just had to betray her, that shouldn't be hard for me. That shouldn't be complicated.

That had been so wrong.

It has been hard.

And hurtful.

First time I saw her, I mean really saw her, she had pissed me off. This girl smiled too much. She was so bubbly that it seemed like she had no problem at all. It was easy to spot her even in the crowded. I saw how a certain scowling orange head couldn't took his eyes away from her. I could understand that though. I wouldn't admit it but since the beginning it had been so hard even for me to take my eyes off her.

"How was is? She seemed accepted you quite well."

I was looking right into his eyes, he wouldn't believe me if I dared to look away when I was talking with him. Not that I intended to lie to him. It would be useless, this man could read me.

"It goes well. As planned, she trusted me."

I bit my tongue, tried to hold myself from saying anything unnecessary.

"How about him?"

I knew who he meant with 'him'.

"He doesn't like me, of course." I remembered the way Kurosaki looked at me every time I was with that woman, "He warned me once not to get too close to that woman." I didn't think what made me say it but I couldn't stop myself, "I think Kurosaki suspect me."

He chuckled, "Non sense. He is just jealous..."

I didn't deny it. I knew it was true.

"So, how is she? The goddess..." he smiled, he rested his face on his palm, "Is she really as beautiful as in the photo?" He didn't wait for me to answer that question. Slowly his smile turned into a smirk, "I can't wait until you bring her to me... I want to know whether her skin is as smooth as it looks like or not."

Something stirred in my stomach when he said those words, but at that time I didn't have any idea what kind of feeling was that.

She had been too trusting.

She didn't ask me too many things about myself. She did ask but she wouldn't pursue it when I didn't answer it. It was just like she didn't care about who I was or what I did. She called me 'her friend'. She worried about me and she actually cared about me.

I never thought that betraying someone would be this hurt and hard for me. It had never happened before. Something deep inside me told me to stop it. Something told me that this was so wrong. To hurt something so pure and so kind was not right. I shouldn't betray her.

But I didn't listen to that voice inside of me.

I couldn't betray Aizen. I knew it for sure. He was the one who saved me from the street and gave me the live I lived in now. I has been in debt with him. He had saved my life and I had to pay for it. Between two choices I chose to betray her.

"Why do you hurt her? You said you wouldn't hurt her!"

"Oh, did I? Ulquiorra Schiffer, you are too naive..."

Then I realized that Aizen had betrayed me too. He broke his promise not to hurt her and when I saw her blood on the floor I just couldn't stop myself. I knew I wouldn't be able to turn back time to stop myself but I wouldn't let myself to repeat the same mistake.

I could still remember how my hands were trembling when I hold the gun. I wasn't scared. Not at all. I was just too angry that I couldn't even stand straight.

I wished I had killed him that night.

Instead of shooting his feet I should have shot his head or his heart. It shouldn't be hard with six bullets inside the gun I wouldn't miss it. But I knew she wouldn't like that. Even in that state I still thought about her. I betrayed her once and I didn't want to betray her again.

That night I thought everything right there and then. After that night, I thought she would be finally saved. So, I disappeared from her life. I wanted to give her the peaceful life she had before. She didn't need someone like me in her life.

But I needed her.

From a far, I kept watching her. I saw her with her friends, with him, I saw her being happy. That was enough for me. I though it was about time for me to move on, to let her go for real when that day, I saw how he broke her heart. He and that Kuchiki woman had betrayed her.

That was unfair.

Why had everyone betrayed her?

Her boyfriend.

Her best friend.

Me.

Maybe I was no one for her but the fact that I betrayed her too wouldn't change.

To see her crying but pretended to be okay made me wanted to comfort her. I didn't know how but I wanted to do something. All that I could do was just to watch her from a far. If only I could, I'd hug her.

"I am actually surprised that you'd really agree to come with me."

The red head who was grinning at me must have known it. I had my own reason to agree. I heard something two weeks ago and this was the only chance for me to make up every mistake I'd done in the past. I'd save her this time.

"You miss her right?"

"None of your business."

I was relieved when I saw him standing there next to her. A part of me was relieved to see that look in his eyes. I saw it. he loved her. I didn't know his reason, why he did something that's hurt her so bad but right there when our eyes met, I swore I saw the same thing like few years ago. Kurosaki still loved that woman.

Deep inside me, I knew it. He had always loved her. I was relieved but that was not enough. Though he loved her, he'd been too stupid that he'd hurt her feeling. There was no way at this point for him to save her. I would do it by myself. I would save her.

I wouldn't betray her anymore.

I felt something hot and sting on my cheek as her palm connected to my skin. She slapped me for kissing her. I didn't care though. I had been wanting to kiss her since long ago. The feeling of her lips on mine worth thousand slaps.

"Why?"

Her voice was trembling.

"Because I love you."

She looked sad but she didn't look surprised. Maybe deep inside she already knew about my feeling for her. I knew what she would say but it didn't mean it hurt less when she really said it.

"I love Ichigo. You know it."

"I do."

"Then why?"

She looked into my eyes.

I didn't know what to say. I never expected her to love me back because I know she loved him and only him but it wouldn't change my feeling for her. I loved her. I had tried to deny this feeling for so long now but I wouldn't run away anymore.

"He's back."

He grey eyes widened as I mentioned 'him'. I didn't have to mention his name but I knew she knew who I meant. i could see her face became paler and her body started shaking.

"How do you know? He's... He's not coming back..."

I was soaked from the rain and I knew my body was cold when I pulled her into a tight hug. But I knew that was not the reason why she was shaking in my embrace. It was him. It scared her. I understood. It did scare me too, but I needed to save her. I would give my life away for her safety, for her happiness. I wanted to see her smile again and I would do anything for it.

"Come with me..."

"Where?"

"We'll go, far away. Somewhere save."

"I..."

"I want to save you."

She looked into my eyes. She bit her lip and shook her head.

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because I love Ichigo. I won't leave him..."

"But he'd betrayed you!"

She smiled weakly. She didn't say anything after that but I knew what she wanted to say. I bit my own lip unconsciously imitating her. Stupid girl, isn't she? Kurosaki had betrayed her but she still loved him that much.

Aizen had come back and he was back for Kurosaki. If she stayed by his side, it would only endanger her. But she had made her mind.

"Woman, what makes you sure that you love him?"

She smiled again, "My heart told me so."

"Then where is your heart?"

"It is..."

She looked troubled to find the right words to answer. I looked at her, waiting for her to answer my question but she didn't say anything.

"What is a heart actually?" I asked her again, "Can you see it?"

She sighed and shook her head, "I don't know what's the right definition... I can't see my heart, but I believe in it. I don't want to betray my heart..."

I closed my eyes. Her words echoed in my head. Naive. Her words were beautiful and naive, just like her and I wouldn't want it any other way.

"Ulquiorra-kun, where is your heart?"

I shook my head as I stood up, "I don't have it."

"Huh?" I could feel her eyes on me as I turn to walk to the slide paper door.

"I don't have a heart anymore. I've given it to you."

I want to turn around to see her expression at the moment but I knew if I saw her face right now, I might end up kiss her again and changed my mind. I walked toward the door and stopped right there before I slide it open.

"Woman, you maybe not want to betray your heart," I said it without looking at her, "But it doesn't mean that your heart wouldn't betray you."

.

.

TBC.

.

.

Author's Note:

I update?

Yeah...

But I have lost my interest in Bleach... :P

Pairing wars kill the mood.

But I will finish my fanfic... Next I will do Love story... I will send it to my Beta first though...

I hope this fic wouldn't be too confusing.

.

Recchinon