Kick About, Destroy, Bind

by MJLCoyoteStarrk

Aizen is set to take over the Gensei Provinces and three former Espada can stop him, but can they get anyone to believe them in time or will they be forced to stand alone? Official theme music: "The Ecstasy of Gold" and "The Trio" by Ennio Morricone

11. Chapter 11: Goodbye, Halcyon Days

Kick About, Destroy, Bind

Chapter 11: Goodbye, Halcyon Days

The Borderlands, Thirteen Years Before

"YOU WORTHLESS BITCH!"

The boy watched from the closet as his father struck his mother across her face. His mother was already badly beaten. He watched in horror as a trickle of blood flowed from her ear and corner of her mouth.

"Mommy," he whispered.

"Well now…look who it is," his father said. "Come her boy and look at your mama. She's nothing but a whore and now you're gonna see what whore's get. Hell, she was lucky that I was so charitable to let you and her stay when I found ya."

"No, please…don't," she pleaded.

"SHUT UP!" he roared and struck her again. "Now look at me boy. You see this?" he asked and held up the poker from the fireplace. "This is what…lying…cheating…no good…filthy…filthy…whores…GET!" he roared as he swung the poker up and brought it down her.

The boy began to cry. His father stopped and grinned at him, his black hair was plastered with sweat to his forehead. However, something about the maniacal grin on his face caused the boy to snap. He yelled as he ran to where his father's gun laid on the table. He grabbed it and held it up with both hands and aimed it at his father.

"So…ya gonna shoot me, boy? Then shoot me. Go on…be a man…and shoot me. HA! I knew it, you ain't no man. You're just a bastard. That's what you are. You're a fucking whore's bastard boy. And bastards go to HELL!"

The gun roared as the boy squeezed the trigger. He watched in horror as blood began to blossom on his father's shirt. He looked at him in shock and collapsed to his knees. The boy felt the rage that had boiled up inside him come spilling out. He fired again and again and again. He didn't notice the clicking sounds that the revolver made each time the hammer fell on a used-up cartridge. Tears spilled from his eyes.

"E-E-Enough," his mother croaked.

"I…I…I shot daddy," he sobbed.

"Come to Mommy. Mommy will make it all better," she said as she crawled towards him.

Her face was badly bruised and blood flowed onto the floor. The boy ran to his mother and embraced her. His tears mingled with her tears and blood.

"Mommy," he sobbed.

"Hush now," she said. "It's alright," she said but then began to cough. The boy knew that she wouldn't be alright. His father did too much damage this time and now his father was dead. "Do you…do you know how to reload a gun?"

The boy nodded. His father taught him that. He didn't know how many faces a man could have, but he had seen the best and worst of his father. The best were those times when his father taught him how to hunt and shoot and reload a gun and ride a horse. However, the worst were those times when his rage got the best of him and he would take his rage on his wife or on his young son.

Unfortunately, the worse had begun to win out more and more to the point where he was suspicious of his wife sleeping with other men in order to make money and then his own son wasn't even his. That paranoia only increased the level of violence he dealt and now he was dead and soon the young boy's mother would be dead as well. And the boy knew it.

"Mommy," he sobbed.

"Hush, don't cry. I…I won't be…be around…much longer. You…you'll have to be strong. Understand?"

"Yes Mommy," he said.

"That's my brave boy. Go…get…get the shells and…and reload the revolver."

He did as asked. However, he didn't know if he could kill his own mother as well. Yet, she was dying and if he just left her like that then she would die in agony. He knew that no matter what he chose, he was damned. He already killed his father and either way his mother was going to die. He was only a boy of eight years and he already knew about death. The continuous Arrancar attacks and the Gotei assaults taught him that much. The Borderlands were in a constant state of turmoil with the ongoing Arrancar-Gotei Wars.

"Now…run…run as far as you can," she said.

"Mommy…"

"I'll be fine, but you must run. If anyone tries to hurt you…shoot them. Do you…u—?"

She burst into another fit of coughing and this time more blood flowed from her mouth. She looked at her son and smiled. She reached for the silver pin she always wore, a family heirloom that dated back to when her family lived in Europe. It was a silver bat with emerald eyes. She pinned it onto his loose shirt and looked at him. Her bright green eyes seemed to plead for him to finish her. He closed his eyes and aimed the gun. He began to cry as the gun roared again. When it was done, he turned and ran. He never stopped running.

Karakura Town, Thirteen Years Before

Their mother and father were arguing again. Their shouts filled the room and then there came the sound of breaking glass. He knew that it was bad and it would only be a matter of time before one of them came in to take it out on either him or her sister who was clinging around his neck. He looked at the clock and saw that it would only be a few more minutes until he became of age.

"Soon, Little Princess," he whispered. "I'll get you out of here soon."

He looked to where the single suitcase laid on the bed. He already packed some clothes and he saved up his money to buy the train tickets that would take them away from this place. He didn't know where they were to go, but he only knew that it had to be away from this place. He heard the shouts coming closer to their room. Any moment, their father, drunk as skunk, or their mother, would be standing at the doorway to take their argument out on them. He looked at the clock and saw that it was now midnight. He was now of age.

"Come on, Little Princess, let's get out of here," he said.

His little sister grabbed hold of his pants leg and he smiled down at her. He grabbed her favorite toy, a stuffed bear she named Enraku. He looked at it and smiled as he knelt beside her.

"Keep a hold on Enraku," he said and handed the bear over to her. "He'll help to keep you strong and brave."

His little sister nodded and clutched Enraku in her small arms. He smiled at her and bent down to pick her up. She knew this game. He held Enraku by one paw and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Sora cradled her just under the buttocks and lifted her. He bent down and grabbed the suitcase as the door crashed open and their father came storming in with fists clenched. He stopped as he looked at his son.

"Where do ya think you're going?" he asked.

"I'm leaving. I'm legally of age and I'm taking my sister with me."

"No ya won't," he said and grinned. The smell of alcohol was heavy on his breath.

"I will. If she stays here then she'll die and I will not allow that. She's only three years old, dad and yet you and mom beat her every time she cries. I will not allow her to stay here."

"And what're ya gonna do ta stop me, boy?"

"If I have to, I will kill you."

"Ya wouldn't dare," he said and took a couple of steps forward.

He dropped the suitcase and took out the revolver he kept hidden under his coat and aimed it at his father. His father looked at it and sweat began to drip down his forehead.

"I will. If you or that bitch we call a 'mother' try to stop me from leaving, I will kill both of you."

"You…you'd hang if ya did."

"Then I would gladly do it if it meant getting rid of two animals like you."

"How dare you?" their mother asked from a corner. "How dare you talk to us that way?"

"Stay where you are, Arrancar…no…not Arrancar. Calling you Arrancars would be too generous. At least some Arrancars know how to take care of their children and they do it better than either of you."

"You…DARE…" their mother hissed.

"You little fucking bastard," their father said. He began to laugh. "I betcha didn't know that the gal you call 'sister' isn't even from my cock. Oh…she's from your mother's cunt, but not from your father's cock."

"I know. But she is still my sister even if she was some 'John's' seed. That's why I was born first…to protect her."

"Right, and how are ya gonna do that?"

"I already made arrangements," he said. "We're leaving and if you dare try to follow us…I will kill you both. This I swear on my own name. We will not come back here until both of you are good and dead and I will rejoice on that day."

"You…you've got a devil in ya," their father said and backed away. "Only a devil could kill in cold blood."

"If I have a devil in me, it's because of you," he said and re-holstered the gun. He picked up the suitcase and made his way to the door. He only stopped long enough to put down the suitcase and open the door. Not once did he put his sister down.

When he stepped out into the hall he heard footsteps rushing and heard their mother shouting behind them.

"YOU'LL DIE OUT THERE! YOU'LL DIE AND WE'LL BE DANCING ON YOUR GRAVES! NO SON OF MINE WILL TREAT US THAT WAY! THE LORD CURSE YA! THE LORD CURSE YA BOTH!"

He made his way into the cool March air and looked at his sister.

"Come along Orihime. Let's start this new adventure…together."

The Hueco Mundo Wastes, Thirteen Years Before

The boy staggered. Sweat beaded his brow. He didn't know how long he had been running. All that he knew was that he just wanted to die. The harsh sun beat down on him and the gun was heavy in his hand.

Ever since that night he survived by stealing food or money. He was a child whose childhood was far behind him and now he was doing whatever it took to survive. However, he never expected for the lands west of the Borderlands to be even worse. These were the lands where only the truly strong survived.

He staggered a little and thought he saw a dark figure in the distance. He tried to call out, but his throat was too dry and he could only make out a rasping noise. He tried to raise his hand, but his arm felt heavy and his head began to swim.

I'm going to die, he thought. Mommy…I'm coming Mommy.

Then all became black.

He didn't know how long he had been out, but when he opened his eyes he was no longer under the sun. He was in a hut. He looked around and all he could see was a small fire burning in a stone hearth. There was a kettle hanging over it and steam was starting to whistle from it.

"Ah it's ready," someone said.

He watched as an old man made his way to the kettle and removed it from its hook. He walked to the table and poured some of the water into a teapot. He set the kettle on a stone surface and looked into the tea kettle before covering it. He wiped his hands and looked over to where the boy laid. He smiled.

"And you're awake," he said. "You know you're lucky to be alive."

"Where am I?"

"You're in my house," he said and picked up something from the table.

"THAT'S MINE!" he cried out when he saw the silver bat broach.

"Is it?"

"My mother gave that to me before she…before she…"

The old man sighed and walked towards him. He cowered, thinking of all the times his father would stand over him like that only to beat him. However, the old man put a hand to the boy's black hair and ruffled it.

"What's your name?"

"I…I don't…" he began.

"You can't remember. Or could it be that you were never named because your mother was a prostitute?" He flinched at that and the old man nodded. "I thought as much. Where do you come from?"

"Outside Kagamino," he said.

"You came all the way form the Borderlands? How did you survive for this long?"

"I stole."

The old man looked at him. He got up and poured some of the tea into a chipped cup. He held it out for the boy.

"Drink, it will help. But drink it slowly. When was the last time you ate anything?"

"I don't know," he said and took a sip of tea. His lips puckered at the bitterness, but it did seem to help with his throat.

"I see. Then I better fix something up for ya."

"Wait, what's your name?"

The old man looked at him and smiled.

"My name is Antonin Schiffer."

That night, Antonin watched as the boy slept. He watched as the boy clutched the silver broach and began to cry. As he watched the wet tears shine on his face he thought of a name for the boy. He heard a flapping noise and he looked up and saw a bat fly in through the window. He watched as it fluttered across the room and then land on top of the boy. Antonin stood up and was ready in case the bat made a move to attack, but instead the bat licked the boy's tears. He stood in awe and the boy only said a single word before drifting to sleep: "Mommy."

The morning sun came in through the window and the boy stirred. He could barely remember the part of his dream where his father said that he came to take him to Hell as blood poured form the bullet holes. However, he could remember the part where his mother came to him and how soft her touch was as she swept away his tears. He looked around expecting to see his mother sitting next to him, but instead he only saw Antonin rocking in a chair next to him.

"Good morning," Antonin said.

"Where's Mommy? I dreamed she was here."

"She had to go back to Heaven. However, she wanted you to have a name and she showed me what it should be. Would you like to hear it?"

"Yeah, but…can I have your last name?"

"Why would you want that?"

"The man I called 'Father' wasn't very nice, but you are. And you took care of me."

Antonin smiled and nodded as he thought about how the name as a whole sounded. It sounded right for the boy.

"Alright, I don't mind."

"So…what's my name?"

Antonin leaned forward and put one old man's deeply tanned, leathery hand on his face and smiled.

"Your name is Ulquiorra Schiffer."

Fort Seireitei, Nine Years Before

Orihime Inoue ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She ran to the amphitheater were the crowds were getting ready to watch the graduates prepare to march. She got to her knees and began to crawl through the forest of legs of the spectators and made her way to the very front of the spectator's stands just as the band began to play the Gotei's anthem. Around her the crowd burst into song:

Hail to the Guardians

Who protect the green fields

With the red of their blood

Fortitude be their shield

Honor be their blade

Rise Up

Rise Up

Rise Up

We keep our daily vow

Then the crowds burst into applause as the band struck up a marching song. Orihime watched as the graduates from the Gotei Academy began to march out according to their class ranks. She looked for him and then cheered as her brother came marching out with his class. The applause filled the air as the graduating cadets marched around the field and then salute the stands where the Captains and General Yamamoto stood, saluting them as they passed.

Orihime felt tears in her eyes as she watched Sora march past. She knew that he must have seen her since she saw the corners of his mouth raise in the slightest hint of a smile.

When all of the graduating cadets were in their proper ranks, General Yamamoto approached the front of the stage.

"It is my great honor to welcome you to the Gotei. Yesterday, you were mere cadets. You came to us from many different backgrounds and Provinces and even as far west as the Borderlands. However, today, you are all members of the Gotei. During the month of your transition, you will be living in the Gotei barracks where you will have an opportunity to get to know the Squads. During this month, representatives from each Squad will come among them and you will have the opportunity of finding out more about each Squad they will have the opportunity of getting to know you. Then, the Captains will decide who they want to bring into their Squads and you can either accept or reject their offers.

"But know this. Even though you may be separated into different Squads, you are all members of the Gotei. We act as one and we serve as one. We are united in our cause to protect the Gensei Provinces and the Borderlands from those who would wish us ill. WE ARE ALL GOTEI!"

There was a round of applause and cheers and roars of approval when he said that. Yamamoto held ups his hand and the band began to play the Gensei National Anthem. People put their hands over their hearts and they began to sing:

Arise, oh children of the Gensei

Your time has come

Take hold

Take hold the banner green

Take hold the sharpened steel

And rise to face your foes

And rise to face your foes

For those who came before

And those how are yet to come

Make this land pure

ARISE, CITIZENS

FORM YOUR LINES

MARCH NOW

MARCH NOW

And let the foe's blood

Water our fields red

When everyone finished, cheers erupted. Then the families of the graduating cadets were allowed to join their relatives. Orihime rushed over to her brother and embraced him.

"YOU DID IT!" she screamed as she launched herself into his waiting arms.

"I did," Sora said and kissed Orihime on the forehead.

"Well, now look at what we have here. Is this your daughter, Sora?"

"Oh, Captain Kurosaki, no sir, she's my little sister, Orihime. Orihime, this is Captain Isshin Kurosaki of Squad 10."

Orihime ducked behind her brother and peered out from behind him. Isshin burst out laughing.

"Aw, she's just shy," Isshin said. "Maybe I should get Masaki. She has a way with children."

"I know," Sora said. "I've seen how she is."

"So, where did she stay while you were living in the barracks?"

"She stayed with Captain Unohana. Every time I saw her she kept telling me how great Captain Unohana is."

"Yeah, she's a great woman," Isshin said. "Although," he said in a whisper, "don't tell her that I said this, but Masaki is an even better woman."

"I don't think that Captain Unohana would mind you saying that your wife is a better woman than she is," Sora said and the two began to laugh.

"Oh, there you are," someone said. "I was wondering where you went off to."

"Hey Masaki, I'm trying to make conversation with this little lady here, but she's too shy. Could you help me out here?"

"Certainly," Masaki Kurosaki said as she got closer. She was pushing a dual carriage in front of her where two little girls were looking around in wide-eyed wonderment. At her side was a boy with orange hair. "Could you look after Yuzu and Karin, though?"

"Certainly," Isshin said and he brought out some clothes pin and put on his "funny beard" for them. The two girls giggled and clapped their hands.

"Hello, I'm Masaki. What's your name?"

"Orihime," Orihime said and she looked down in embarrassment and began to shuffle one foot.

"You know, you look to be about my son's age. Come here Ichigo," she said and held out a hand to the orange-haired boy.

"Don't wanna," the boy said and looked away.

"Aw…don't ya want to make a new friend?"

Ichigo gave a little pout and made his way to his mother.

"I'm Ichigo," he said and held out his hand, but didn't really look at her.

"I'm Orihime," she said and looked at his hand. She looked up at her brother who smiled at her and nodded. Her eyes seemed to brighten as she took Ichigo's hand. "It's nice to meet you," she said beaming.

Ichigo stared at her, his brown eyes wide and then he looked away. "Tch…whatever," he said.

"Ah, Sora, I see that you are already making connections with Captain Kurosaki and his family."

They turned and Sora's eyes brightened. He knelt beside his sister.

"Orihime, I want you to meet someone very important to me. He was the head of my dorm even though he graduated a few years before I did. He kinda taught me the ropes and also made recommendations for me so that way I could help support you. Sir, this is my sister, Orihime."

"Ah yes, Sora has told me so much about you. It's a pleasure to meet you," the brown-haired young man said as he knelt to Orihime's level and held out a hand. "I am Souske Aizen."

The Hueco Mundo Wastes, Nine Years Before

"Try again," Antonin said.

Ulquiorra got up and looked at the old man. The old man smiled and turned his back. Ulquiorra crept up and tried to attack, but the old man dodged and Ulquiorra went sprawling.

"You looked," Ulquiorra said.

"No, you made too much noise."

"I did not."

"Ulquiorra, every step makes a sound that a person can hear if they really listen for it. The point of a tracker is to make sure they're unseen by their enemies. That way they can either lead their allies past an enemy's ambush or even set up an ambush themselves. Now, I want you to close your eyes and I'll blindfold you."

"What good is this going to do?"

"It'll help your other senses to become better. When you take away one sense, the other senses must be able to compensate for it. People who are blind tend to have sharper hearing, smelling, and touch in order to compensate for the loss of sight. You must become like a bat, Ulquiorra. A bat uses its natural abilities to navigate and find prey. You must learn this and the only way I can see for that to happen is to take away your sight, but not permanently of course."

"This is stupid," Ulquiorra said as he closed his eyes and Antonin tied a black piece of cloth around his eyes.

"You said that you wanted to become a Tracker. Why is that?"

"I…I don't know," Ulquiorra said.

"Does it have something to do with your mother?"

Ulquiorra stiffened and then nodded.

"She said that my real dad was a Tracker. I want to find out who he is."

"And you think that for that to happen you have to become a Tracker?"

"YES!"

"Alright, but it doesn't make much sense. Now listen, in a few years' time you'll become old enough to go to the Gotei Academy. Now, when you go, you must not tell anyone that you're from the Hueco Mundo Wastes."

"Why not?"

"It's not safe. But in the meantime, I want you to be able to compete with the best of them. Then…then you can find your own path."

"What are you saying?"

"Maybe later, but right now let's get you started. I want you to take ten steps forward and then ten steps backward while blindfolded. I want you to repeat the process ten times. Can you do that?"

"Yeah," Ulquiorra said.

He took the steps, each time concentrating on how many steps he made. At the end of the tenth time doing it, he stopped.

"Why'd you stop?"

"You only said to do it ten times."

"That means that you were only focusing on the steps. Now, I want you to take as many steps forward as you can, but this time I want you focus on what you can feel, hear, and smell. I don't want you to pay any attention to the steps only to what your other senses are telling you. Now let's begin."

Fort Seireitei, Nine Years Before

Sora Inoue sat at his desk when there was a knock on the door to his room. He walked over to it and glanced over at Orihime who was drawing in the corner. He opened the door and saw Souske Aizen standing outside.

"Aizen what are you doing here?" he asked and looked at Orihime. "Now's not a good time," he whispered.

"I understand," Aizen whispered. "However, we need to talk about your part."

"I know what my part is," Sora whispered and looked over to where his sister was still drawing. "Look, I'm trying, but do you know how difficult it is to get into Kage no Tanken."

"I know. That's what I needed to talk to you about. It seems as though I misjudged one of the Privatized Squads. I thought that the only way to gain access to Kage no Tanken was by having someone join it. It turns that I was wrong."

"What are you talking about?"

"I need for someone to become at least a Regional Director for the Pinkerton Agency and right now the most logical pick is you."

"Why me?"

"It's because you got the marks in the courses that the Pinkerton Agency finds very promising. I want you to send in your application."

"What about Gin or Kaname? Wouldn't they be better suited?"

"I have something else in mind for them," Aizen said.

"I…I can't," Sora said. "Look, I've been thinking about it and…"

"Don't you want Orihime to live in a world free from the suffering she's known? I can bring that about."

"I know, but the more I think about this plan…Aizen, what if we fail?"

"We won't fail," Aizen said. He looked into the room at where Orihime was still drawing. She looked up and waved. Aizen gave a little raise of his hand in return.

"Orihime," Sora said. "I'm gonna talk to Souske outside. You keep on drawing."

"Okay," Orihime said and began to hum to herself.

Sora closed the door behind him. In the room, Orihime continued to draw the picture of a boy with orange hair and then she began to draw another boy with black hair and green eyes whom she only saw in her dreams.

The Hueco Mundo Wastes, Nine Years Before

He dreamed of her again. Each night he saw her standing in the dessert. Her orange hair flowed in the night wind and a pair of white wings emerged from her back. She turned and looked at him. Her brown eyes lit up in glee when she saw him. She raised a hand in greeting and he approached her. Somewhere in the distance he saw a wolf, a wolf cub, and a doe looking at them. The wolf raised its head and howled at the crescent moon that shone down on the bone-white sands.

"Ulquiorra," she said. "Come on, they're waiting for us."

"Who's waiting for us?"

"All of our friends."

"I don't understand. What friends?"

He suddenly felt a hand grip him. He turned around and nearly screamed. He was looking into his father's wild and crazed face. He was holding out a gun for him.

"You ain't got no friends," his father said as he began to bleed. "A bastard child like you don't need friends but this," he said and held out the gun. "Take it. Take it and kill…kill…KILL!"

Ulquiorra woke up screaming.

Fort Seireitei, Nine Years Before

Sora looked to where Orihime sat reading her textbook. He was glad that she was starting school. He took off his uniform jacket and looked at the kanji for 10 on it. He decided, no more of that Aizen decided, that he should join the tenth Squad. Now Aizen had at least three people in all of the Squads, but Sora was not feeling comfortable about Aizen's scheming. He knew that he should tell someone, but he gave his word not to tell anyone. Plus, Aizen made sure to bring his sister into it.

Orihime, what have I done? What have I gotten us into?

He began to wish that he never met Souske Aizen in the first place. He sighed as he sat down and then heard a knock at the door.

"Aizen, I thought I told you…" he began but stopped when he saw that Aizen wasn't at the door.

He looked at Lieutenant Carson Abarai who looked at him and cocked his head to the side.

"Oh…I'm sorry, Lieutenant Abarai," Sora said. "I thought you were someone else."

"Quite understandable," Lieutenant Abarai said. "I'm…afraid I have some bad news. Your mother and father are dead."

"What?"

"They were killed in a raid by the Arrancar calling himself, 'Grand Fisher', but he's also known as the 'Great Fish'," he said and handed Sora the telegram. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you, Lieutenant Abarai," Sora said. A conflict of emotions swirled through him as he looked at the telegram.

"I'll…leave you and your sister in private."

After Lieutenant Abarai closed the door, Sora looked at the telegram.

"Good," he hissed. "Good. Good. Good. Good. Good," he said over and over. His breath became heavy and he began to sob. "Good….Good….Good…Good….G-G-G." He collapsed to his knees and began to cry.

"Big Brother…" Orihime whispered and she rushed to him and hugged him. "Big Brother what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," he said and looked at her and smiled. "It's just that we can go home again. I want you to pack your things. I'll request a transfer. We can go home and you can see Ichigo again. I'm sure he'd like to see you again."

"Alright," Orihime said and smiled. "I'll tell Enraku," she said and rushed to the stuffed bear she kept for so many years.

Sora looked at the telegram and crumpled it in his hand and smiled. He knew that this news gave him a way out of Aizen's schemes. He was not only free of those monsters that he called "mother and father", but now he was rid of Aizen and his schemes. And that meant that Orihime would be safe.

"Good."

The Hueco Mundo Wastes, Nine Years Before

"Ulquiorra, get up," Antonin said and shook him awake.

"What is it?"

"Someone's coming. It's probably one of those new gangs trying to find recruits. You mustn't let them find you."

"Why?"

"Now's not the time for questions. Just hide."

"HELLO! IS ANYONE HOME?" someone shouted.

"Come on, let's break down the fucking door," another voice said.

"Shut up," another voice said and then they banged on the door. "This is the Gotei, open up."

"What is Gotei doing in the Hueco Mundo Wastes?" Antonin asked.

"We're searching for anyone with any connections with the Exequias Army. We've received orders to come into the Wastes."

"Just a minute," Antonin said and opened the door. "Well, this is a surprise," he said and three men dressed in the uniforms of the Gotei with the kanji for 11 on their collars. "You really are Gotei."

"Of course we are," one of them said and laughed. "We're here under orders from Captain Kenpachi Kiganjo."

"I heard he's a ruthless and brutal man," Antonin said. "Would you like some tea?"

"We don't want any of your fucking tea, Arrancar. We're looking for men from the Exequias. We'd prefer one of their officers like Alejo or Skullak or even the kingpin himself, Rudobon."

"I'm sorry, but I don't know any of those gentlemen."

"Why you…" one of them snarled and struck Antonin across the face. "TOSS THE PLACE! If anyone else is hiding here then make sure he pays the price for lying to men of the Gotei."

"NO!" Ulquiorra shouted and rushed out from under the bed.

"Well now," one of the soldiers said and grabbed Ulquiorra. "Look what we have here. It's another piece of shit Arrancar wasting up space."

"He's still a fucking kid. How old are you, boy?"

"Let me go," Ulquiorra said.

"He's got a mouth on him," one of the soldiers said and struck Ulquiorra across the mouth. "Tell me old man, what have you been doing with this kid? I bet ya ain't had a woman in years."

"I'm his father," Antonin said. "His mother died in childbirth."

"LIAR!" Ulquiorra yelled out as one of the Gotei struck Antonin across the mouth. "I bet his mother was a good-for-nothing whore. Yeah…all Arrancars have whores for mothers and they fuck their li'l sisters to prepare them for the family job."

"Is that…what they teach you in the Gotei?" Antonin asked.

"Fuck you old man," he said and then looked at his two fellow soldiers, one was still holding Ulquiorra. A wicked gleam entered his eye. "I got an idea. I know of a way to get the Arrancar out of this li'l brat here. Richards, drag his old ass outside. Finley, bring the boy."

"Yes Lieutenant Sade," Richards said and he grabbed Antonin by the collar. "Come on Pops. Let's go outside and play."

The three men laughed as they left the hut. Ulquiorra struggled, but Finley kept a tight grip on him. Richards kicked Antonin into the dirt.

"So, what are we gonna do?" Finley asked.

"That's easy," Lieutenant Sade said and held up Ulquiorra's revolver. "The kid dropped this. It's evidence that he must be at least part of an Arrancar gang."

"Tch…or maybe he's an Espada in the making," Richards said.

"Yeah," Lieutenant Sade said and grinned. "I bet the old man here is his mentor. So tell me, kid, what's he been teaching you?"

"Don't tell him," Antonin said.

"SHUT UP!" Richards screamed and kicked him in the head. "That proves it. He's training this kid to become an Espada."

Sade frowned and aimed his own gun at Antonin.

"Answer me, kid. What's he been teaching you?"

"He's been teaching me how to be a Tracker," Ulquiorra blurted out.

They were silent. Richards's mouth dropped open and he looked at Finley.

"What's your name, old man?" Sade asked.

"I'm Antonin Schiffer," he said and closed his eyes.

"Holy shit," Richards said and he brought out his own revolver. "TRAITOR! COWARD! BRIGAND! FUCKER!"

"That's enough," Sade said. "Are you the same Antonin Schiffer who led his entire party into an ambush?"

"I am. I would gladly do it again," Antonin said as he got to his knees and glared at them. "They raped my wife in front of me and they left her to die somewhere." He closed his eyes as though debating something, but then he nodded. "She was pregnant when they did it."

"You're a lot older than I thought," Lieutenant Sade said.

"The Wastes can age a man as well as an uneasy mind. I gave her a gift for our wedding," he said and looked at Ulquiorra. "La Noche trae la Deseperación," he said and Ulquiorra's eyes widened. It was the inscription on the silver bat broach which Ulquiorra always kept with him. Even now it was tucked in his boot.

At first he thought it was a lie, but that was when he noticed the various physical attributes that he and Antonin shared. They both had the same thin face and the same scrawny build. He was sure that when he was younger he was just as pale and had the same raven black hair.

"Dad," he whispered.

"I never knew what happened to her until I found him. He looks so much like her, especially his eyes. They're the same green eyes she had."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know," he whispered.

"Well, ain't this a nice big happy family reunion," Sade said and grinned. "All that we're missing is the whore. Oh well. I know exactly what we need to do."

Sade opened the revolver's cylinder and took out the cartridges except for one. He closed the cylinder and then palmed it. The cylinder spun around and around. Sade looked at them and grinned. When the cylinder stopped, he closed his eyes and began to flick his wrist back-and-forth so that way the muzzle pointed at Ulquiorra and then Antonin. The muzzle stopped at Ulquiorra and he opened his eyes.

"Looks like you're up. Aim it at him and fire. If you try anything…well, there are three fully loaded guns and this one only has one bullet. Whoever shoots the other, wins and we take them with us. Does that sound like a fun game?"

"Ulquiorra," Antonin said and nodded. "How did she die?"

Ulquiorra closed his eyes and remembered that night. He shook his head and opened his eyes, tears began to flow. He aimed the revolver at Antonin's head, but he allowed his fingers to move the cylinder two chambers left where he knew the bullet was. He understood that nod and the look on Antonin's face. His training had sharpened his senses enough to be able to keep track the sound that the bullet made as it spun around.

"I shot her," Ulquiorra said. "Dad, are you sure?"

He was tempted to move it another cylinder over, but Antonin nodded his head. Ulquiorra closed his eyes and fired. The sound filled the night air and somewhere a bat heard it and began to weep.

Karakura Town, Eight Years Before

Orihime rushed down the street. The yells of the girls behind her were coming closer. They chased her because they hated her hair. They were always going on about how she shouldn't show it off the way she did. She ran, but then her feet tripped over each other and she went sprawling.

"THERE SHE IS!" one of the girls shouted and she saw them blocking the alley.

"Well now, look at this," one of them said and laughed. "An Inoue in an alley, that's just like her mother."

"Yeah, my Mom told me all about the Inoue family."

"Tch…she even has whore's hair. Are you going to become a whore?"

"Yeah, I bet when she grows up she wants to be like her mom and let all the boys kiss her."

"MY MOMMY'S DEAD!" Orihime shouted.

"Tch…good riddance," another said. "Your mommy was a whore. I know, let's make sure that her hair doesn't tempt her."

"Yeah…girls with long hair always become whores," another said and they converged on her.

Orihime screamed and cried as the girls cut her hair. When they were done they laughed as they left. Orihime sat in the alley crying.

"Hey, are you alright?"

She looked up and saw Ichigo looking at her.

"I'm…I'm alright," Orihime said and gave another sniffle.

"You don't look alright," Ichigo said.

"I said I'm fine," Orihime said and rushed off.

"Hey…"

Orihime didn't listen. She ran. Her eyes were clenched shut to try to stop the tears. She didn't know where she was going. She only knew that her brother would be so disappointed in her. She turned a corner and slowed down. She caught her breath and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Orihime?"

Her eyes flew wide when she recognized her brother's voice. She didn't turn around. She didn't want him to see her cry.

"What's wrong? What happened to your hair?"

"Oh…" she said and was able to put a smile on her face as she turned around. "I just felt like a change. That's all."

"Oh," Sora said. He knew that she was hiding something, but knew that it wouldn't do any good to ask her what it was. "I know. Let's get some ice cream. Would you like that?"

"Okay," Orihime said and her smile became genuine.

"Well, let's go," Sora said and held out his hand. She took it and they walked down the street.

Fort Seireitei, Five Years Before

Ulquiorra Schiffer sat at the table and sipped at his tea. His training went very well and the Onmitsukido instructor was praising him and asking him to demonstrate his talents. He only obliged because he viewed it as getting extra practice in. He brought out the silver bat broach and looked at it. He pressed the button to the side that he discovered his first year at Fort Seireitei and it revealed a younger Antonin smiling as he embraced the woman whom Ulquiorra knew was his mother.

So, he really was a Tracker, he thought. He sighed as he closed the latch and put the broach back into his pocket.

"So, you're Ulquiorra Schiffer."

Ulquiorra immediately stood up and saluted.

"I am, Captain Shihoin," he said in his monotonous voice.

"At ease," Yoruichi said. "I've been hearing wonderful things about you from the Onmitsukido instructor. Would you please care to demonstrate?"

"If Captain Shihoin requests it, then I shall be more than happy to oblige."

"Excellent, then you can practice against me," Yoruichi said.

Ulquiorra cocked his head slightly. It was a habit he had whenever he was confused about something.

"I am afraid I do not understand."

"I want to know how well you can do against me," Yoruichi said and smiled. "I'm sure that Captain Urahara will be more than happy to spot for us."

"Is this still a request or is it an order?"

"Well, I guess you could consider it an order," Yoruichi said and smiled.

"Very well then," Ulquiorra said. "Then I shall obey."

"Very good," Yoruichi said and smiled.

They made their way to the Onmitsukido Training Ground. Ulquiorra knew the grounds by heart and he immediately calculated that there were a total of 340 potential hiding spots as well as over 1,000 ways that he could alert her to her presence.

"To make this a bit more exciting, I'm going to blindfold both of you," Kisuke said as he came forward with two sets of black cloths.

"That sounds agreeable," Ulquiorra said and he closed his eyes.

"This is going to be interesting," Yoruichi said. "Kisuke, I would like for you to keep an eye on the clock. Ulquiorra, your job will be to find me and capture me within a thirty-minute time limit."

"As you wish," Ulquiorra said. "I suppose that you wish to see how well I do in a nighttime environment?"

"That's right," Kisuke said as he leaned against a tree. "Alright, Yoruichi, you may go and hide. Ulquiorra when I tell you to, you may go and hunt her down."

Yoruichi rushed off into the forest. Ulquiorra concentrated on hearing and smelling. He could now get a reading of her foot patterns and her scent.

"Alright, Ulquiorra, you may go."

Ulquiorra made his way forward. He could barely hear his footsteps on the grassy surface and knew that he was too loud. He allowed his footsteps to become lighter, a trick that Antonin taught him. He listened to how the air flowed and knew that he was approaching trees. He stopped and stopped to the ground and felt the grass. He could feel a footprint that pointed slightly to the left. He went that way. Every fifty steps, he stopped to feel the ground. If he didn't feel a footprint then he would go back twenty five steps and then simply either go forward and backward by half the number until he found where the footsteps diverged.

He made his way through the trees and would stop whenever he felt a branch under his foot before he fully stepped on it. He was amazed at how sharp and sensitive his other senses became from years of practicing this sort of activity. He would practice whenever he could. At night, he would set up obstacles on the floor in his room and blindfold himself before shutting off the lights. Then he would make his way around the room to retrieve various specific objects that he would toss onto various surfaces at random. This made sure that his acute senses would stay in focus. To keep his eyesight keen, he would practice target shooting from great distances would even do it at night in order to maintain a strong night vision.

He stopped every now and again to listen and took every inhalation as a means of getting her scent. Then, he caught it. He made his way swiftly and carefully through the forest. He heard something snap from above him and he nodded to himself. She was moving. She was stealthy, but trying to move through the branches was risky. Each leaf could become a potential signal of your location. And despite her small size, Yoruichi was setting them off. To a normal ear, it would be extremely faint, but Ulquiorra's ears were so sensitive that when he fully focused on hearing he could hear a cockroach making its way across a surface 100 yards away.

He crouched and then leapt into the air. He felt the wind resisting something coming towards him and he reached out by instinct and grabbed her foot. They came crashing back to the ground and Ulquiorra put Yoruichi in a hand lock.

"Do you surrender?" he asked.

"Well…that was quite impressive," Yoruichi said.

"Well done," Urahara said and clapped as he made his way towards them. "That took you about 27 minutes to accomplish. You missed the record by about two minutes."

"I thank you for this opportunity," Ulquiorra said. "It gave me an actual workout that all of my practice would not have been able to give me."

"The pleasure was all mine," Yoruichi said. "It's not every day that a true Night Bringer comes around."

"'Night Bringer,'" Ulquiorra muttered, tasting the words. "I am unfamiliar with the term."

"It's given to describe someone who is so stealthy that it's as though they're a part of the night itself and can even be that way in the day," Urahara said. "Not many people use it any more. Yoruichi and I had an instructor who put that title on us."

"That's right," Yoruichi said. "In all of my years as a Captain only you and one other can be described as 'Night Bringer', but that other guy dropped out to attend training for the Pinkerton Agency. It's a shame. He would have made an excellent Tracker."

"While that was a great exercise, I am afraid that I must be going. I have to get prepared for my next course."

"Now wait just a minute," Urahara said. "The reason why we invited you out here for the demonstration is because we're sending an expedition out into the Hueco Mundo Wastes. They're in need of a Tracker and you're it."

Ulquiorra turned to look at them.

"That's right," Yoruichi said. "We're sending you to Karakura Town to meet up with the other forces. It's going to be headed by Captain Abarai of Squad 10 and Captain Kiganjo of Squad 11."

"Last year, Captain Kurosaki was head of Squad 10. Did he retire?"

"He's now acting as Sheriff for Karakura Town," Urahara said. "At any rate, you're the Tracker for the expedition. Do you accept?"

"I do," Ulquiorra said and bowed.

"Alright, you'll be leaving this afternoon with a group of the transfers to Karakura Town," Yoruichi said.

"Thank you for this opportunity," Ulquiorra said and saluted.

"No, thank you," Urahara said and saluted.

As Ulquiorra marched away, Urahara let out a sigh. He looked at Yoruichi.

"Do you think we did the right thing in sending him? I mean, you do know what his last name would remind people of."

"Yeah, Antonin Schiffer," Yoruichi said. "Hell, he even looks like him. But he's the best we have right now since he left. Besides, maybe he can redeem the Schiffer name."

"That's a tall order. Antonin Schiffer's betrayal nearly cost the Gotei everything. If General Yamamoto didn't have those reserves, then the Arrancar army would have completely crushed over a half of the Gotei forces and maybe even overrun the Gensei Provinces up to the Senkaimon River. But you're right. He's the only one who's capable of being the Tracker for this assignment since Tsukishima left."

Senkaimon Express, Five Years Before

"Is someone sitting here?"

"At the present moment, no," Ulquiorra said.

"Would you mind?"

"Please, the seat is available and you have a right to sit anywhere."

"Thanks," the brown-haired man said as he sat down. "I'm Souske Aizen."

"I am Ulquiorra Schiffer. I understand that you are the one I heard about."

"Oh…and who told you about me?"

"I hear people talking," Ulquiorra said. "I heard them mention that you are in need of a Tracker. The logical choice is that you would seek me out."

"And I found you."

"No, I allowed you to find me," Ulquiorra said as he closed his book and looked around. "I was offered the position from Captains Urahara and Yoruichi and I accepted because of this plan I have been hearing about."

Aizen's mouth tightened at that.

"Do not worry. Very few who hear such talk take it very seriously. There have been many plots to bring down the Gensei Provinces and all have failed."

"Where did you hear this?"

"I heard it from you at one of your 'secret meetings'. You know, you really need to do a better job in making sure no one is eavesdropping."

"Impressive," Aizen said in awe. "The rumors were true. Tell me, did they tell you anything concrete? Did they give you information?"

"The only information that they gave was that Squads 10 and 11 are heading it. I am sure that a member from one of those Squads can get you what you want."

"I see," Aizen said and he smiled. "I know of someone who can get me that information. However, I do have one question for you."

"Then ask," Ulquiorra said.

"Why are you helping me?"

"That is a fair enough question and one that requires an answer. I am doing this because I know that there is no real point to it. There is no meaning behind their slogans and marches and uniforms. It is all nothing more than a pile of ashes that is waiting for a wind to blow it all away. They showed me that if you become involved with such trivialities as love and family and honor and friends, then you will only be crushed beneath the burden of grief when it is taken away from you."

"Do you wish for vengeance then?"

"No. I wish for nothing. I am only helping you because they must face the inevitable. All nations rise and fall. Whether they can survive your plan or not is none of my concern. In the end, we all become dust."

Karakura Town, Five Years Before

Orihime sat at her desk. She was drawing the boy from her dream again. She tried to get the right shade of green for his eyes, but she just couldn't quite manage it. The door opened and Sora walked in. He smiled as he walked to see what she was drawing.

"Hey, what are you drawing?" he asked.

"Oh this, it's a dream I had."

"May I take a look?"

"Sure," she said and handed the piece of paper over to him.

He looked at it. The picture was of a black-haired with emerald green eyes. However, Orihime had him have a pair of black bat's wings behind him and a long tail. A pair of horns stuck out his head and there was a hole in his chest. Behind him was a large crescent moon.

"Wow, he sure is scary-looking. Is he some kind of monster?"

"He's not a monster," Orihime said and looked at it. "He's just very sad and lonely and lost. He doesn't know who he is."

Sora looked at her as she brightened and looked at him.

"He just needs some friends," she said.

"Speaking of which," he said and handed over an envelope. "Your friend from school, Tatsuki, wanted me to give you this. She was on her way over and I told her that I would deliver it to you for her. I think it's an invitation for her birthday party."

"That's exactly what it is," Orihime said and grinned. "She's having it over at the Kurosaki house since her parents are having work done on their house."

"So, are you going?"

"Of course I am. Oh…but what should I get her?"

"She kinda gave me a hint about that. So, I went and got you her gift," he said and showed her the pair of boxing gloves that were draped around his neck.

"That Tatsuki," Orihime said and giggled.

"I'll go wrap them for you."

"Big Brother," Orihime said.

"What is it?"

"Guess who came by earlier today."

"I don't know. Was it Ichigo or Uryu or that big boy Chad?"

"No it was your old Dorm buddy from when you were in the Gotei Academy. Oh…what was his name? Was it Einstein? No, maybe it was Olson. No, that's not it either."

Sora looked at her. His face went pale and his eyes became wide.

"Was it Aizen?"

"That's it!" Orihime shouted.

"Did he…did he leave a message?"

"He said to meet him in Karakura Park and talk about old times."

"I see."

"Big Brother, is something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong. Although, I think that Enraku needs another patching up. How about you see Miss Shinmura about getting him patched-up for you? I think she was baking some cookies."

"Okay," Orihime said and ran off.

Karakura Park, Five Years Before

Sora made his way to where he saw Aizen sitting. Aizen looked up and grinned at him.

"What do you want?"

"What makes you think I want anything?"

"It's obvious that you want something. So what is it?"

"Can't I see an old friend of mine?"

"That's bullshit. I know you want something."

"Very well," Aizen said and sighed. "I need for you to get some information that you have. I understand that Captains Urahara and Shihoin were in charge of the actual dynamics of this little operation."

"How do you know that?"

"That doesn't matter. What matters is that I need to know what their route is."

"Why?"

"I need for an ambush to occur."

"WHAT?"

"Don't be so loud, Sora."

"No, I won't do it."

"I see. Are you sure that you want to refuse me? I can make sure that…"

"Don't you dare. Don't you dare bring Orihime into this."

"I would rather not, but if you're going to refuse me…"

"Damn it, Aizen. I thought I was done with you."

"You're not. Oh…sure I no longer need you to gain access to the Pinkerton Agency. I already found the perfect replacement. However, you have one more role to play. You get me the information I need and you and Orihime will be free to live your lives without me hanging over it."

"Do I have your word?"

"You have my word. I promise that you and your sister can be together."

"Why did I ever agree to your scheme in the first place? I should have just stayed out."

"You sided with me in order to protect your sister. That's what big brothers do, right? At any rate if you do this little thing for me, then you'll be free to go."

"How do I know that you won't just stab me in the back like you did to so many of the others?"

"You don't."

"What are you trying to accomplish with this?"

"I just need to get some people out of the way. I'm having my agent in the Pinkerton Agency take care of that even as we speak. When the investigation is launched, fingers will point where I want them and at the very least they'll be ousted from the Gotei."

"Who are you targeting this time?"

"The only two Captains who showed any sign of suspicion against me," Aizen said and smiled. "I already told you their names."

"How do you know that I won't talk?"

"Oh…I know what you love the most in this world," Aizen said. "That's the thing about promising to protect someone. The moment you make that promise, you've already failed."

Sora's eyes went wide in horror. Aizen only got up and began to walk away. He stopped and he turned to face him.

"If you get me that information and keep your mouth shut, then I'll call it off. You have 48 hours to get it for me. If I don't have what I want by then…" Aizen slid a finger across his neck and Sora nodded to show that he understood. "I'm glad you understand."

Sora watched as Aizen walked away. He clenched his hands into fists and shut his eyes.

"Damn you, Aizen," he whispered. But in the depths of his mind he blaming the only person he truly had to blame. Damn you, Sora.

Inoue Residence, Five Years Before

Sora felt tired. Even though he knew what was coming, he still volunteered to go on the mission. He knew that it was the only way he had to throw a wrench into Aizen's plans. He couldn't tell anyone since he knew that Aizen's allies were watching him to make sure he didn't talk or try to communicate with any of the Captains. When he heard that he would be in the forefront party with Captain Abarai while Lieutenant Sade of Squad 11 would bring up the reserves, he just wanted to sigh in relief. If he succeeded, then he could save a lot of lives and prevent Aizen's plans from coming to fruition.

He opened the door and saw Orihime lying on the sofa. She was holding Enraku and she was crying. He stopped and looked at her in surprise.

"Orihime, is something wrong?"

"Go away," she said.

"Did something happen at Tatsuki's party?"

"GO AWAY!"

"Orihime, I don't know what's going on."

"Is it true? Are you going away?"

How did she find out?

"What makes you say that?"

"Renji's dad is going away and he mentioned that you volunteered to go."

Damn, I forgot that Ichigo and Renji are friends and they're dads were probably talking about it.

"It's true. Look, I got you something to make up for it. Do you remember those hairpins you were talking about? Well, I got them," he said and held out the long thin box.

Orihime took it and opened it. Lying on the soft cushion were two hairpins decorated with two flowers with six petals that seemed to shine like blue sapphires. She looked at them and bit her lip and then threw them across the room where they landed on the carpet.

"I DON'T WANT THEM!" she yelled. "I want you to stay. You promised that you would not leave me."

"Orihime, I…"

"YOU'RE GOING TO LEAVE ME LIKE MOMMY AND DADDY! YOU'RE GOING TO LEAVE ME ALL ALONE!"

"Why would you say that?"

"Just…go," she said.

"Orihime…did someone say something to you? Did someone…?" Then he remembered the incident a few years before. He knew that something was wrong and now he knew that he made a mistake in not trying to get it out of her sooner. "Did someone tell you about our parents?"

He could see Orihime trembling now. He knew that she was clutching Enraku even closer to her. He sighed and he walked towards her.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I should have told you the truth about them, but I…I didn't want you think about sad stuff," he said and stroked her hair. "I thought I was protecting you, but I only ended up hurting you even more."

"JUST GO!" she yelled. "I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!"

Sora felt tears coming to his eyes and he stood up. He walked towards the door and looked back.

"I don't hate you," Sora said and sighed. "Orihime, you'll always be my Little Princess," he said and walked out.

Precipice Mountains, Five Years Before

Ulquiorra rode on ahead. The line of 45 men stretched out behind him. He knew that Rudobon and the Exequias Army were somewhere up ahead. He looked around and he saw movement. They were getting closer to the site. Ulquiorra stroked his horse's mane in the signal that Aizen gave him to show the Exequias that he was not to be killed.

"Steady, Murciélago," he said.

It didn't really matter to him whether he lived or died today. He only cared about one thing. He wanted to kill Lieutenant Sade. He lied to Aizen about not wishing anything. There was only one bit of passion left in him and that was to make sure that Lieutenant Sade ended the day feeding the vultures. After that, nothing would really matter.

"Tracker, do you see anything?" Captain Abarai asked.

"No sir," Ulquiorra said. "However, we are coming to a very rocky part of the canyon. It is possible that the Exequias Army is using that part as a base. I will ride on ahead."

"Alright, you go on ahead with two men while I stay here with the others."

"It would be best if I went on alone," Ulquiorra said. "Your men are not Trackers."

Captain Abarai nodded in agreement. Ulquiorra nodded and he had Murciélago to move forward. Above them, the Exequias were getting ready to launch their attack. Ulquiorra continued to ride down to the canyon until he reached the area where Rudobon told him to meet him.

"Ah, so you must be the Tracker that I was informed about," Rudobon said.

"I am. Shadow Lurker sends his regard."

"Shadow Lurker," Rudobon said and spat to the side. "If I ever meet him, I'll cut off his head for this. I prefer honorable battles; not ambushes."

"Yet you are here," Ulquiorra said. "I have information that says that the Quincy Squad will be moving south to Dagger Creek."

"I see. Alejo, make sure that Skullak gets this information and a battle plan is drawn up."

"Yes, El General," Alejo said and moved off.

"This will more than make up for this…this ambush. I have always wished to battle the Quincy Squad and now I shall have my chance."

Suddenly, the canyon was filled with the sounds of gunfire and shouts. Horses screamed in pain or ran off to escape the rain of bullets. Rudobon grimaced at the sound and closed his eyes. He began to murmur under his breath.

"Are you praying for success?" Ulquiorra asked.

"No, I'm praying that their souls forgive us for taking their lives in such a manner. I would rather have them die in an honorable battle. It's funny, but there was a time when this sort of thing would not have bothered me."

"I must be leaving. There is something that I must take care of," Ulquiorra said as he rode back.

Ulquiorra did not let the bullets around him stop him. Instead he kept on riding. He knew that Lieutenant Sade would be coming up sometime soon. He rode until he was out of the canyon and saw Lieutenant Sade riding up. His men were behind him.

"Is everything alright?" Lieutenant Sade asked and then he froze when he saw Ulquiorra. "You…you're that fucking traitor's brat."

"That is correct," Ulquiorra said and drew the revolver that he used to shoot his mother and father with so long ago. "And you are the one who made me kill the father I never knew," he said and pulled the trigger. Lieutenant Sade fell to the ground, a smoking bullet hole in his forehead. Ulquiorra turned and faced them. "I AM ULQUIORRA 'NIGHT BRINGER' SCHIFFER," he yelled. "If you do not wish to die then go back and tell Fort Seireitei that I am responsible for the deaths of the advance team and this creature. However, if you wish to shoot me down…then you will die here and now."

The others looked at him in terror. Ulquiorra knew that he was taking a chance, but he had to make sure that they found out about the betrayal after the Quincy Squad was slaughtered at Dagger Creek. If that meant taking the burden of 46 lives on his shoulders, then so be it. Aizen made it very clear that the information about the joint attack on the Hueco Mundo Wastes being leaked was only to be noticed after the Quincy Squad was left out.

He watched as the Gotei soldiers turned their horses around and scatter. They were without a commanding officer and he told them that he just killed 45 men by himself. He shook his head at how naïve they could be. He heard hooves behind him. He turned and fired a single shot into the figure that was coming out of the canyon. The figure fell to the ground and began to moan. Ulquiorra dismounted and walked towards the soldier.

"O-O-Orihime," he moaned.

"I am Ulquiorra 'Night Bringer' Schiffer. What is your name?"

"S-S-Sora," he moaned and then their eyes met.

Sora Inoue recognized him as the boy in Orihime's drawings. He reached up and touched Ulquiorra's face.

"So…so sad…so…lonely…so lost," he whispered.

Ulquiorra backed away. He had heard the girl in his dreams mutter those same words. He began to wonder if it was possible for this man to know about her. However, none of that really mattered anymore. Nothing mattered anymore except to bring Aizen success. Aizen was the only one who understood what true pain was.

"Please…watch after…my…Little Princess," Sora whispered and took out a small silver case with the Gotei crest of two crossed guns in a diamond engraved on it. He fumbled at the latch and held the Heart Box to Ulquiorra when he got it opened.

Ulquiorra backed away slightly when he saw the picture of the orange-haired girl he had dreamed about for so long staring out and smiling.

"Tell her…I'm sorry…for failing," he whispered.

"Why should I care for her?" Ulquiorra said. "All capacity for such meaningless emotions is gone from me."

Sora shook his head. Ulquiorra couldn't stand it anymore. He took out the knife from its sheath and plunged it into Sora's chest.

"ORIHIME!" Sora shouted and then died.

Ulquiorra looked at the Heart Box and grabbed it. He wanted to fling it away from him like a curse, but seeing those brown eyes stare at him and that smile. Ulquiorra looked around. No one was around. It was as though he was in the midst of the void that he always sought and yet that smile and those eyes were searching for him.

"I will not," he moaned. "I will not care. It does not matter. Nothing matters. Nothing matters. Nothing matters. NOTHING MATTERS!" he shouted and flung the Heart Box away from him.

He didn't care where it landed. Nothing mattered anymore. However, a part of him refused to believe that. He got up and went to where the Heart Box landed. He picked it up and tucked it into his coat's pocket. He then sat on the ground and watched as the sun began to set.

He didn't know how long he sat there when he heard the horses coming towards him. He looked up and was not surprised to see Aizen with Gin and Tosen with him. They had come to him in his time. The night was thick around them and the three carried lanterns to light their path, but Ulquiorra did not need any light to see. He was a creature of the night.

"Well done, Ulquiorra," Aizen said.

Ulquiorra looked up and stood. His eyes were now completely cold. He bowed to Aizen.

"I was expecting you. What are your orders?" he asked in his perfectly monotone voice.

"I want you to gather the Espada to me. I am sure that after today, you will also be an Espada. I want to welcome you to my ranks."

"Thank you, Lord Aizen. I shall do as you wish."

Inoue Residence, Five Years Before

Orihime sat on the sofa. She looked at the two hairpins that her brother got her. She wondered when he would be back. That way she could apologize to him. She was deep in thought about how she was mad at her brother and actually told him that she hated him when there was a knock at the door. Orihime put the hairpins in her hair in case her brother had lost the key.

"I'm coming," she said and rushed to the door. "Oh Big Brother I'm so…" she said as she opened the door. However, her face fell when she saw Isshin Kurosaki standing at the door. "Mr. Kurosaki…what's…?"

"Orihime…I'm so sorry," Isshin said.

"No…what…no…is it Sora…is it my brother?"

"I…I'm so sorry."

"No…No…That can't be. He…he promised…he promised to…to…no…no…no…no…no…no…NO!" she cried out as Isshin embraced her.

Las Noches 5 Months Before

"As you know, Ichigo Kurosaki will become a major factor in my plans," Aizen said as he addressed his Espada.

"What do you want us to do about him?" Aaroniero asked in his raspy voice.

"I say that we kill him," Grimmjow muttered.

"YEAH! I say that we don't waste any more time sitting around and debating," Nnoitora said. "I say that we just strike now."

"That would not work," Harribel said. "Ichigo Kurosaki has too strong a hold in Karakura Town. If we attacked now then he would be prepared."

"What if we took advantage of that?" Zommari asked. "His strength is in his friends as Aizen told us. Perhaps if we were to abduct one of them…"

"It would force Ichigo to come to us," Szayel Aporro said and nodded his head. "I see. That would weaken the authority in Karakura Town quite a bit. After all, the Chief Justices of Central 46 are nothing more than a bunch of fools who don't realize that one of their own is on our side."

"I don't like it," Starrk muttered.

"I don't like it either," Harribel agreed. "If we abducted one of his friends, then we run the risk of our own numbers being reduced. I say that we wait until the Exequias Army has regrouped and we have the Mercenaries with us before we strike."

"No," Baraggan said. "I say that we strike now. We don't need the Exequias Army or the Mercenaries to crush them."

"What do you think, Ulquiorra?" Aizen asked.

"It is the most logical conclusion that we abduct one of his friends," Ulquiorra said and looked at the others. "This way, he will certainly come to us. He will be in the weaker position."

They looked at Aizen who smiled at them. It was his decision to make.

"I agree that we should abduct one of his friends. However, the question remains…which of his friends?"

"You have someone in mind," Ulquiorra said, and they could tell he did not mean it as a question.

"I do. Orihime Inoue is the best target. She only has some slight training in the Gotei Squads, and even then most of it is in healing. She would be the easiest to capture. Also, Ichigo has some brotherly affection to her," he said and looked at Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra did not react. "Ulquiorra, I would like for you, Grimmjow, Yammy, and…Luppi to go."

"Why Luppi?" Grimmjow asked. "He ain't an Espada."

"Are you questioning my authority?" Aizen asked and glared at Grimmjow.

"No sir," Grimmjow said and muttered as he sat down.

"The reason why I want you to take Luppi is so that way he can see first-hand the effects of the drug that he and Aisslinger have been dispensing."

Starrk and Harribel looked at each other and shuddered. Most of the others only looked intrigued. They were also wondering about what the drug that Zommari created could do to help their efforts.

"In that case, I should go as well," Zommari said.

"That will not be necessary," Aizen said. "I need you here to see if you can perfect a version of the drug that can cause people to be made…open to suggestion."

"As you wish, my Lord," Zommari said and bowed.

"Now then, that concludes this meeting. I want Ulquiorra, Grimmjow, Yammy, and Luppi ready to move out by sunset."

Karakura Town, Five Months Before

"I got a message from Tatsuki," Ichigo said as he and Orihime walked down the road. "She says that she put in an application for the Karakura branch of the Pinkerton Agency."

"Does that mean she'll come home?"

"It looks like it. Oh, and Keigo and Mizuiro also put in their applications as well."

"Do they know who's going to be heading it?"

"Well, so far they got it narrowed down to two candidates. There's Edward Paulson from the Seireitei branch and then there's Shukuro Tsukishima from the main branch. They'll have their decision made about that fairly soon."

"That's good," she said and then bit her lower lip. She looked at Ichigo. "Ichigo, there's something I've been meaning to tell you," Orihime said.

"What is it?"

"Well, it's just that I…"

At that moment there was gunfire. They stood in horror as they saw three Arrancars ride up. Ichigo recognized two of them at once, but the third, a feminine looking Arrancar with three pink diamond tattoos over one eye was unfamiliar to him.

"ESPADA!" Ichigo shouted. "Orihime, get inside the Sheriff's Office and don't open the door for anyone."

"But…Ichigo," Orihime said.

"JUST DO IT!" Ichigo shouted as he began to shoot.

"HEY GRIMMJOW, THERE SHE IS!" Yammy shouted.

"SHUT UP!" Grimmjow shouted. "HEY KUROSAKI, REMEMBER ME?" he shouted and gestured to the scar running down his chest. "TOO BAD YOU DON'T HAVE ANY GETSUGA TENSHO EXPLOSIVES WITH YA!"

Ichigo took a shot at Grimmjow who only grinned wider.

"ALRIGHT, LET'S DANCE!" Grimmjow shouted.

Inside the Sheriff's Office, Orihime watched in terror as Ichigo was forced to battle Grimmjow. She saw Captain Hitsugaya and Lieutenant Matsumoto, who were stationed at Karakura Town, rush out to help, but were being held down by Luppi and Yammy. She began to wonder if there were any more Arrancars when someone spoke from behind her.

"What is this? I do not see any guards around. It never occurred to them that the attack is only a diversion? It seems as though the Gensei Law Enforcement and the Gotei are more incompetent than I remembered. However, that is fortunate. I do not like to be rushed when I am trying to talk to someone."

Orihime turned and her eyes went wide when she saw the short, pale man behind her. He was dressed completely in black except for a silver bat broach.

"Who…who are you?" she asked.

"I am Ulquiorra Schiffer. Now, come with me, Little Girl," he whispered. Orihime was about to ask him why she should when he continued. "Do not ask me any questions. Do not give me any excuses. 'Yes' is all that I want to hear. If you say anything else, then I will kill. However, I will not kill you. I will kill your friends out there," he said and shifted his eyes to the window. "It would be very easy for me. I have become more than adequate at killing those who Shadow Lurker deems a threat.

"You have no room for discussion or pleas. You have no rights. What you do have is the rope that holds the guillotine's blade above their necks. The only way that you can save them is for you to comply immediately. Understand this, Little Girl, this is not a negotiation. It is an order.

"I will say it only one more time and what happens afterwards is up to you. Come with me…Little Girl."

Outside, Ichigo tried his best to fend off Grimmjow, but Grimmjow seemed to be a lot faster since he last saw him in Inuzuri. He noticed that Toshiro and Rangiku were having troubles with Yammy and Luppi. He saw that Kisuke and Yoruichi were coming onto the scene with Chad and Uryu close behind when he heard a horse behind him. He turned and saw a pure black horse rush from the side of the Sheriff's Office.

"Yammy, Grimmjow, Luppi," the rider, a pale man said. "Let us go. I have what we came for."

Ichigo didn't understand what he was talking about until he saw Orihime tied to the saddle.

"ORIHIME!" Ichigo shouted.

He heard the whiz of a bullet pass him and then embed itself into the wooden column next to him.

"I guess that's it for now," Grimmjow said. "If you want her back then come to Las Noches. I'LL BE WAITING!"

The four Arrancars rode away. Ichigo could only stare after them.

"Ichigo, what happened?" Uryu asked as he and Chad ran up to him.

"Get Rukia and Renji," he said. "They took Orihime and we're going after them."

Las Noches, Five Months Before

Orihime could not bring herself to look at Ulquiorra. A part of Ulquiorra felt a twinge of pain at that, but he maintained his composure.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked.

"I am doing this because I was ordered to bring you here. Shadow Lurker has placed you under my care. I trust that I will not be forced to tie you down and force your meals down your throat."

"You won't," Orihime said and she turned to look at him. "I won't try to kill myself if that's what you're thinking."

"Why would ending your life not enter your mind, Little Girl?"

"My name's Orihime," she said. "And it's because…I have faith in my friends. I know they'll come for me."

Ulquiorra looked at her and then at something she clutched in her hand. He held out his own hand.

"What do you have in your hand, Little Girl? Give it to me."

Orihime handed the photo over and Ulquiorra looked at it. A part of him wanted to tear the photo into pieces. It showed her and Sora at his graduation ceremony. Both were smiling.

"Please…watch after…my Princess"

He suppressed the memory. He was not going to think about that. He looked at Orihime and handed the photo back to her.

"Why do you keep that with you?"

"So that way I know that my Big Brother is watching out for me."

"A meaningless gesture," Ulquiorra said as he led her into one of the cells. "I will return with your meal soon. If I were you, I would hope that they do not come. They might end up dead."

"They won't," Orihime said.

"Then you are a fool," Ulquiorra said and walked away.

"Well, that was nicely done," Aizen said from the shadows.

"Have you come to see the girl, my Lord?"

"No," Aizen said. "I only came to make sure that she got to her cell safely. Some of the Arrancars are a little bit…jealous."

"Why should they be jealous of her? There is no reason for it."

"I wouldn't be too sure. Make sure that Loly and Menoly don't pay a visit to her. They seemed especially hostile when she arrived," Aizen said and smiled as he walked away.

Back in her cell, Orihime overheard them talking. She knew that she just heard Shadow Lurker, but there was something oddly familiar about his voice. However, she just couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Outside Las Noches, Four Months Before

They crept along the dessert until they had a good look of the cliffs. It had been over a week since Orihime had been abducted and now they were where she most likely was. Ichigo hoped that Grimmjow told them the truth about her being in Las Noches, but Uryu's tracking skills showed that the Arrancars did come this way.

"Do you see anything?" Ichigo asked as Rukia looked through the spyglass.

"There are guards up there, but I don't see a way in," she said and sighed. "Ichigo, we may not be able to get in."

"There has to be a way in," Ichigo said.

"Wait," Rukia said as she looked through the spyglass again. "I see something. It looks like…an old abandoned mineshaft."

"Where?" Ichigo asked and Rukia pointed in the direction. Ichigo took the spyglass from her and looked in the direction she pointed. "Well what do you know? We have a way in…I hope."

They crept their way forward.

Las Noches, Four Months Before

"I have brought your meal," Ulquiorra said. He set the tray down and slid it under the bars. Orihime sat on the bunk and looked at it. "Are you not going to eat willingly?"

"It's strange," she said and looked at him. "There's something about you that seems so familiar."

"That is impossible," Ulquiorra said. "We never met until I came to fetch you."

"No, it's as though we have met before," Orihime said. "Why do you look so sad?"

"Why should I be sad? I have nothing to lose and therefore I am content."

"No, you're not. Would you please…eat with me?" Orihime asked. "I could use the company."

"I thought you said that your brother was watching out for you."

"I know he is, but…it's just not the same as actual companionship and I don't know when my friends will get here."

"I suppose that it will not hurt if I sat with you and made sure that you eat. However, I would give up hope on your friends. Friends are never as trustworthy as they seem."

"Why would you say that?"

"You would not understand unless you have seen what my eyes have seen," he said as he walked into the cell and picked up the tray and brought it to her. "My eyes have seen people betray other people. My hands have shed blood on any number of times. I have known pain that you would not understand."

"I think I would. Just before my brother left on his…his final mission, I told him that I hated him. I didn't mean it. I was just so angry that he didn't tell me about our parents and I…I…I just lost control. Every day, I just want to see him again and tell him that I'm sorry; that I don't hate him."

"Such a desire is pointless. What use could it do for him when he is dead?"

"No one truly dies," Orihime said. "They live on in the hearts of those they loved. That's why…that 's why I know he's watching out for me," she said and placed a hand over her heart.

"Foolish," Ulquiorra said and stood up. "You people prattle on about the heart and soul as though they are special and concrete things. The heart is nothing more than a muscle that pumps blood to the rest of the body, but what is the soul? If I were to rip open your chest, would I see it there? If I were to crack open your skull, would I see it there? My eyes have never seen a soul. What my eyes cannot see cannot exist."

"You're wrong," Orihime said. "Your eyes cannot see the wind, but you can feel it. Your eyes cannot see gravity, but you can feel your feet touch the ground. In the same way, your eyes cannot see the soul, but a part of you feels it. The soul always yearns to touch others," she said and grabbed his hand.

Ulquiorra looked at her and he jerked his hand away from her.

"I feel none of that. Such things mean nothing."

Orihime watched him. She didn't know why she was becoming attached to him, but something about him cried out to her the way that none of the others did. She knew that he was wearing a mask, and she wanted to remove it from him. However, she knew that for her to do that, she had to remove her own mask.

The Old Mine, Four Months Before

They made their way in the dark. Ichigo kept his revolver ready. From somewhere ahead they could hear voices. He gestured for the others to stop and they got their revolvers ready. They saw a group of men coming down the hall. The one in the lead was dressed in fine clothes and wore a silver mask. There was only one Arrancar that they knew about who wore a silver mask and that was Aaroniero Arruruerie.

"What does he want with this?" one of the men asked.

"He wants it to be taken up to Zommari," Aaroniero rasped. "If it works, then it should be ready in another four months or so and then he'll administer it to the target."

"Who's the target, sir?"

"I don't know, but I only hope that it'll give me the chance to repay my debt for this," Aaroniero said and removed his mask.

Ichigo and the others as well as the men near Aaroniero flinched when they saw what was under the mask. Aaroniero's face, which had once been handsome, was now extremely grotesque and ruined as though he had been near a rather large explosion. Ichigo noticed that the torchlight glittered on some of the gold teeth that would have otherwise been hidden by skin. He put the mask back on and gestured for the men to continue.

When the Arrancars were gone, Ichigo and the others sighed.

"Holy shit, did you see that?" Renji asked.

"I did, "Ichigo said. "I was wondering why Aaroniero wore that mask and now we know."

"Never mind that," Rukia said. "We need to find Orihime and get her out."

Orihime's Cell, Four Months Before

She heard footsteps approaching. She looked up expecting to see Ulquiorra coming to check up on her. However, she looked at two women. One had her black hair tied into pigtails while the other had shortly-cropped light brown hair.

"Uh…who are you?" Orihime asked.

"Well, look at this Menoly," the woman with the pigtails said and sneered. "It looks like the Princess wants to know who we are."

"Yeah," Menoly said. "I bet she even wants us to kneel before her and call her 'your majesty.'"

"You said it."

"I'm sorry," Orihime said. "I…I didn't intend it to sound so rude."

"Oh shut up, you tramp," he told us all about you. "He told us that your father was in the Gotei and that your mother was a whore. I bet that he wanted you here so that way you could make him…happy. Menoly, did he give you the key?"

"He sure did, Loly," Menoly said and twirled the prison keys from one finger.

"Did…did Ulquiorra…?"

"No, not Ulquiorra, you fucking idiot," Loly said. "He's too faithful a dog to do that, but the Master however…" she smiled. "He wants us to get information from you. That's why we're here. He wants to know what you know about certain Gotei members."

"Why?"

"That's none of your fucking business," Menoly said as she unlocked the door. "The only thing you have to do is answer our questions and we'll be real nice to ya."

"That's right, but…if you don't…"

Orihime backed away, but there was no where she could run. She tried to yell for help, but fear restrained her voice and she could only let out a shallow gasp as Loly and Menoly grabbed her.

The Tunnels, Four Months Before

"Damn it," Rukia said as she bumped into another rock. "This is more difficult than it should be."

They had agreed to split up in order to cover more ground. However, she was wondering how the others were holding up. She stopped to catch her breath. Then someone grabbed her from behind. She gasped as a raspy voice spoke into her ear.

"I thought that I saw that we had visitors," Aaroniero said. "It's such a pity that the others are as good as dead."

"Get your fucking hands off me," Rukia said.

"As you wish," Aaroniero rasped and threw her. Rukia struck the wall. She turned and raised her revolver, but she felt a blade dig into her stomach. "However, I can't let you get out alive. Shadow Lurker will honor me for killing one of Ichigo's friends. If he loses any of you, then he'll completely crumble to dust. Then, who can stand against the shadows?"

"Bastard," Rukia said and kicked him in the knee.

Aaroniero went down, howling in pain.

"YOU BITCH!" he roared and slashed out with his dagger. "YOU FUCKING BI—!" he roared, before a gunshot filled the tunnel. Aaroniero spun as the bullet struck his shoulder. He hissed and raced away.

"Damn it," Rukia muttered as she lowered her revolver. She put a hand to her stomach and it came away drenched with blood. "Hold on…Orihime…I'm coming," she whispered. Her vision was becoming blurred and she heard running footsteps coming her way.

"It came from over here."

"Do you think…?"

"I hope not."

I know those voices, she thought. Before her vision faded she smiled as she saw Uryu and Renji race towards her.

Orihime's Cell, Four Months Before

"There, not so high-and-might now are you?" Loly asked.

"I would think not," Menoly said and laughed as they stood over Orihime's shivering form. Blood poured out open wounds. Bruises were beginning to form on her face and the exposed skin. Her clothes were badly ripped from the whips and chains they used on her. Menoly turned to Loly. "What do you think? Does he want more questions answered?"

"No, those were all of the questions he wanted answered," Loly said. "However, he said that we could do whatever we wanted with her after we were done," she said and smiled as she went over to the equipment they brought with them. She allowed her fingers to trace over the knives and pliers and whips. "Ah…I know. Let's play a little game," she said in a sing-song voice as she picked up a whip with bits of broken glass tied in the cords and a jar filled with soothing balm. "I'll ask you a question and if you answer it to my satisfaction then I'll put some soothing balm on those wounds. However, if you don't…" she brought the whip crashing down on Orihime's back and she screamed in pain as the glass dug into her body and then were ripped out.

"Loly, maybe we shouldn't play that game," Menoly said.

"Shut up, Menoly," Loly growled. "Or I'll use this on you. Would you like that?"

"Well…no, but… what if Ulquiorra comes?"

"We'll tell him that we're on his orders," Loly said.

"And yet, I do not believe that he would approve of this method," Ulquiorra said.

"U-Ulquiorra…we…we were just finishing," Menoly said.

"Shut up, Menoly," Loly said. "Stop being such a pussy." She turned her attention to Ulquiorra. "He said that we could do whatever we wanted with her and I want to play my little game. He said that it didn't matter if the bitch lived or died."

"Is that so?" Ulquiorra said. "In that case I will have to take charge in this situation. He may not care if she lives or dies, but he put her under my care. As such, I am afraid that I cannot let you kill her. If you would prefer, I would play your game. However, I will be the one asking the questions and you will be the one cowering in the corner."

"Why you…" Loly snarled and yelled as she swung the whip at him.

"How reckless," Ulquiorra said and he swatted the cords away with the side of his hand while the other hand flashed out and grabbed Loly by the throat. "You would dare strike out against an Espada. If you were not mere pieces of trash, then I would deal with you here and now. However, since you are nothing but trash…" he said and flung Loly down the hall where she landed. "You are not worth my time."

"LOLY!" Menoly shouted and raced to her.

"I would advise that you two leave here immediately. Ichigo and his allies are in Las Noches and Shadow Lurker has given us specific orders about them."

"Ichigo…" Orihime whispered and looked up at Ulquiorra. He only looked at her from the corner of his eyes.

"Yes, he has arrived, but two of his friends are badly hurt. Rukia Kuchiki was stabbed in the torso by Aaroniero and Yasutora Sado was shot by Nnoitora. The others have dragged them away from danger, but Ichigo is still on his way. I must go and make sure he finds you."

"Why?"

"That is none of your concern," Ulquiorra said as he walked away. "You are to stay there until he arrives. I salvaged these from your original cell," he said and handed her the two hairpins her brother gave her. "I thought you might want them back."

"Why did you help me? Why did you get these?" she asked and held up the two hairpins.

Ulquiorra turned to look at her. Aizen had told him about Loly and Menoly and that he wasn't to interfere. For Aizen, it didn't matter if Orihime lived or died. What mattered was the end result. However, he couldn't let her die in such a horrific manner.

"I do not know," Ulquiorra said.

The Tunnels, Four Months Before

Ichigo ran through the tunnels. His path was marked with torches. He was surprised that he did not see more Arrancars. He began to suspect that it was a trap. He stopped when he came to another fork in the path.

"Which way?" he muttered to himself. He looked down each hall and then on the one to the right he saw a pale man dressed in black looking at him. Brown eyes met green and Ichigo felt a fury rise in him as he recognized him as the one who abducted Orihime. "You," he snarled and raced after him.

Ulquiorra sped down the path and Ichigo followed. He chased Ulquiorra. He knew that there was a chance that he could be lured into a trap, but Ichigo didn't care. He only cared of getting him and beating the shit out of him. He was filled with rage. He saw Ulquiorra run through a wooden door and he followed. He entered the room just as the door on the other side swung shut. He began to run for it when he heard a soft voice.

"Ichigo…"

Ichigo stopped and turned. His eyes went wide when he saw Orihime. Her face was badly bruised and caked with blood. Her clothes were badly torn. She was clutching something in her hands and Ichigo saw that it was the hairpins she always wore.

"Orihime," he whispered as he stepped towards her. He was shocked to see her in such a state. His eyes began to water and his body began to tremble. He took off his coat and wrapped it around her. "What happened to you? What did those monsters do to you?"

"It doesn't matter," she whispered. "What matters is that you're here."

"Did you see which way he went?"

"Who?"

"Ulquiorra, the Espada who took you. Where is he?"

"He…he led you to me," she asked.

"What?"

"He said he would," she said. "But why would he do that?"

"I don't know and I don't care. Look at what they did to you. I need to get you out of here," he said and carried her bridal style.

"Ichigo…there was something I wanted to tell you," Orihime said.

"That doesn't matter."

"It does. Ichigo…I love you."

Ichigo stopped and looked at her. He looked away.

"I…don't know if I can say the same," he whispered.

"Is it Rukia?"

Ichigo only nodded his head.

"I see," Orihime said and looked away as he continued to move forward.

Tears were in her eyes and she knew that Ichigo would never be hers the way she wanted him to be. However, out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw Ulquiorra watching them from the shadows. She tried to look again, but there was nothing there.

Cliffs, Four Months Before

Ulquiorra watched as the horses sped off.

"They're gone," Aizen said. "And I see that they retrieved the girl."

"Yes," Ulquiorra said. "And now two more of Ichigo's comrades are unable to fight against you when we launch the attack."

"Then everything's going according to plan. Except for one part…" Aizen said.

"So, what Loly said about you not caring if the girl lived or died was true," Ulquiorra said and looked at him.

"My plan required that she died. If she died and Ichigo found her too late, then he would have removed himself from the board. However, this way will work as well. It may require a little bit of recalculation, but the end result will still be the same."

"So you would have killed her needlessly?"

"Not needlessly," Aizen said and smiled. "I promised an old friend that he could be reunited with his sister and the only way for that to be possible is if she died. Now, gather the others. We must prepare to attack."

Karakura Town, Four Months Before

The bullet struck Ulquiorra in the back and he went down. Darkness took him.

He sat up and found himself surrounded by the dessert and a night sky. The crescent moon shone down on him and he looked around. He was surrounded by shadowy figures that seemed to want to consume him. He tried to get away, but they pounced on him. He screamed in pain and agony as he felt himself being torn limb-from-limb. He saw the man he called "father" before he fled laughing at him. His alcoholic breath seemed to burn him and the blood coming from the bullet wounds seemed to lash out at him.

"HELL…HELL…HELL…BASTARDS GO TO HELL!"

"NO! MOMMY! MOMMY! MOMMY!" he cried out and then the figures were gone.

He looked around and saw the gun lying nearby. However, there was something else as well. He looked at the glint of silver and he reached for it. It was Sora's Heart Box. He opened it and saw the picture of Orihime staring back at him, smiling.

"Protect her."

He looked up and saw Sora looking down at him, smiling.

"I can't do it anymore. She's your Little Princess now."

"No…how can I? How can I when I killed you?"

"Take off the mask," Sora said and he was gone.

"WHAT MASK? THIS IS WHO I AM!" he shouted.

"Is it?"

He turned and saw that he was in Antonin's cabin. He was rocking in the corner and looked at him.

"Am I dead?"

"What is death?" Antonin asked. "Death is nothing more than a gateway to a brave new world. Have you found your path yet?"

"I have," Ulquiorra said and he held up the revolver. "This is my path."

"Are you sure? What about that?" he asked and pointed to the Heart Box. "I think that's you're true path. But, what do I know? You need to find it for yourself, but the only way for you to truly see your path is to take off that mask."

"What mask?"

"The one that your heart grew," someone said from behind him.

He turned and he felt tears come into his eyes.

"Mommy?"

"Come to Mommy," she said and held her arms out. "Mommy will make it all better."

Ulquiorra shuffled his way to her and he fell to his knees.

"Mommy…I don't understand. What mask are they talking about?"

She smiled at him and she led him to a puddle of water. He looked inside and he saw that his face was completely covered by a mask with turquoise markings coming from beneath his eyes. The only part of his face that he could see was his eyes.

"So sad," his mother said and hugged him. "So lonely. So lost. However, she's waiting for you."

"Who?"

"She's waiting for you in there," she said and pointed.

Ulquiorra looked and saw a forest made of trees that seemed to shimmer like crystal.

"I'm afraid," he said and wanted to run away from it.

"I know, but they're all waiting for you in there. All of your friends are waiting for you to come to them. Close your eyes and listen and you will hear them."

He did and from somewhere in that forest he heard a wolf howl. Then he heard voices that seemed to lure him. He felt himself move towards them. He wanted to open his eyes and see where he was going.

"Don't open your eyes," his mother said. "That will only make you afraid. Instead, take off the mask. Then the fear will go away."

"How do I do that?"

"Open your heart," she said.

"I don't understand. What is this heart you're talking about?"

"Open your heart," she said again and her voice was much fainter.

He didn't understand. However, he kept his eyes closed and he could hear them calling out his name.

"Ulquiorra…Ulquiorra…Ulquiorra…" it was faint, but it was growing louder. "Ulquiorra…Ulquiorra…Ulquiorra…" He kept moving forward until….until he was…

"ULQUIORRA!" Grimmjow yelled as Ulquiorra fell off his horse.

"Is he alright?" Lilynette asked as she came running.

"Where…where am I?" Ulquiorra asked.

"Holy shit man, don't you remember?" Grimmjow asked. "We're at that old cabin we agreed to meet at."

"What…what happened?"

"Aizen turned on us," Grimmjow said.

"Who else…who else is here?"

"Starrk's with Harribel right now," Grimmjow said. "Lilynette, go get someone to take a look at him."

"You got it," Lilynette said and ran off.

"Damn it man, you're losing a lot of blood," Grimmjow said.

Ulquiorra tried to sit up, but his body was too sore. He looked and saw someone running towards him. He saw two blue hairpins glimmering in the sun in her long orange hair and Ulquiorra felt as though he would break.

"HEY! OVER HERE!" Grimmjow shouted and waved at Orihime.

"Oh…Ulquiorra," she said and knelt next to him. "How did he get all the way here like this?"

"I don't know," Grimmjow said, but he was rather impressed that Ulquiorra did make it. "Damn man, you must have some pretty powerful guardian spirits watching over you."

Ulquiorra didn't say anything. Instead, he looked into Orihime's brown eyes and he raised one hand to touch her. He wanted to say so much to her, but he didn't know how to say it. Instead he only said the first thing that came to his mind.

"Little…Princess," he whispered.

Orihime looked at him in surprise and then she looked at Grimmjow.

"Can you get the stretcher that way we can get him to Unohana?"

"Sure thing," Grimmjow said as he got up. He looked at Ulquiorra and sighed. "Hang in there, man," he said and ran.

Ulquiorra reached out and touched Orihime's hair. Orihime looked at him and clasped his hand into her own.

"It's going to be alright," she said.

Ulquiorra only shook his head and before darkness took him he breathed out the words he wanted to say to her for so long.

"I'm…so sorry."

The Sabaku Dessert, After the Defeat at Karakura Town

Orihime watched as Starrk leaned over Harribel's sleeping form and kiss her on the forehead. There was a sweetness and gentleness about it that Orihime would have never expected before she truly got to know them over the past couple of days.

"How is he?" Starrk asked as he looked down at Ulquiorra.

"He'll be fine," Orihime said.

"That's good. When he wakes up, let me know. I need to talk with him."

"Oh…sure thing," Orihime said.

"Miss Unohana…"

"Oh, please call me Retsu."

"Alright, Retsu, I want to thank you and Orihime for…for coming and…and helping," Starrk said and he lowered his head. "I'm sorry for what we did."

"It's alright," Unohana said and put a hand on his shoulder. "You followed someone who is heading down on a path of destruction. What matters is that you are no longer heading down that path."

Starrk looked at her and smiled.

"Please, tell Captains Kyoraku and Ukitake everything that we've told you. I'm sure that they'll listen."

"I will. Orihime, I want to make sure the little girl is alright. Could you make sure that everything's fine in here?"

"Sure thing, Captain Unohana," Orihime said.

When Unohana and Starrk left, Orihime sighed and looked at Ulquiorra's sleeping form. She took the piece of cloth and dipped it into the cool water. She couldn't believe that a few weeks ago she had been scared of him. Seeing him like this reminded her of a picture she drew as a little girl. She remembered telling her brother that he wasn't a monster. He was just sad and lonely and lost.

The time she got to know him at Las Noches showed her someone who needed somebody to love him. She looked at Harribel and was envious that she had someone like Starrk to love her. It was the same envy that filled her knowing that Ichigo, the boy she thought she loved, was in love with Rukia. She looked at Ulquiorra and the realization struck her.

"Even then…" she whispered. She took his hand and it felt right to her. She leaned forward. Her lips were about to meet his when she pulled back. "I can't," she whispered as tears began to flow out of her eyes. "I just can't do it."

She looked down at Ulquiorra's sleeping form as tears landed on his pale face. She did her best to wipe away the tears, but it didn't stop their flow.

"What am I doing? You probably don't even understand what this…this feeling is. There were so many things I wanted to tell you and help you experience. I wanted to be there when you felt joy again or anger or sorrow or…or love. But, I can't. I can't because you're not letting me in, and that hurts. I thought that it hurt when Ichigo told me he was in love with Rukia after I told him I loved him, but that was nothing compared to this. It hurts even more because a part of me still loves Ichigo and also because I can't seem to say how I feel about you because you're holding something back.

"I don't know what you're holding back from me. I wish I did. Maybe…maybe that would help you to see that there is nothing to be afraid of with having friends or feeling love. I don't know what caused you to believe that happiness is having nothing since you have nothing to lose. But you know. You're wrong. Happiness is having something that you can lose. Sometimes…sometimes we don't see that until we've lost it.

"And you know what. You can never lose me now. I think I know what I knew as a child. Even though you were a dream a part of our souls wanted to be together and that's why I kept seeing you as a child. Our souls were yearning to touch and comfort each other. Now, we've found each other, but even now I just can't bring myself to do it because you are still lost.

"But I will find you, Ulquiorra," she said and put the damp cloth on his forehead. "I swear that I will find the real you and bring him up from whatever depths you are hiding him. That's what love does, and I…I love you, Ulquiorra."

End of Chapter 11

A.N.: Oh man, this is the longest chapter to date and I must say that it's personally my favorite thus far. I usually find Orihime to be rather annoying, however in those moments when she truly opens up and isn't her usual bubbly self, I feel myself growing fond of her. There are two moments in the anime/manga that really stand out for me. The first is when she bids farewell to her brother Sora who was turned into a Hollow and the other is when she says farewell to Ichigo before going to Hueco Mundo.

I really wanted to flush out Sora's part and I found myself surprised when I wrote that he was an original conspirator with Aizen. I didn't see it coming, but as I continued writing, it made more sense. And it also helped me to show just how low Aizen really is. That gives rise to an interesting question. Who is the more manipulative bastard: Aizen or Tsukishima?

There were bits where I had to pause from writing because it just got too emotional for me. One of those moments was when Sora said goodbye to her for the last time since I wanted to stay true to the manga on that part since it was a heart-breaking moment for me. Another was when Ulquiorra underwent his final transformation and truly put on the mask of "Nothing Matters". I wanted it to be shocking and also provide Ulquiorra a reason to not open his heart with Orihime and the logical conclusion came that he killed Sora.

This chapter really sets up things that will happen between Ulquiorra and Orihime later on. At any rate, the next chapter is really going to be a tough one to write because of what happens towards the end. It's also the event that really caused this story to take on a life of its own and I must say that I'm looking forward to it and dreading it. I must say that it may be just as long or even longer than this chapter so be sure to bring snacks.

That's all for now. Thank you for reading and please review.