Chapter Two: The Arena
A few Moments Ago Before The Previous Chapter
Darkness was followed by cold and pain. That's what she felt when waking up. She had been blindfolded, causing the darkness. she felt a stabbing pain in her wrists from rob burning into her skin. Figured she'd been tied to a wooden pole from the hardness felt against her back. Her clothing was torn, causing the shivering chills. She didn't dare make a sound. Not in front of him, she'll never show her weakness to him. Being bounded like this was humiliation enough, what more was waiting for her beyond this blindness? Her question was answered when her hearing tuned in. She heard chatting and laughing echo, quickly realizing where he brought her.
Fuck, the arena.
"Oh my, that doesn't look too good", commented the pink haired Octava as he saw the woman bounded to the pole.
The Quinto Espada beside him laughed. "Ha ha, are you kidding? This is gonna be great!", opposed Nnorita who was obviously enjoying the display.
Aaroniero stayed quiet, he didn't have anything to say about what was happening nor did he want to.
Baraggan let out a slight hum of interest, "Seems as though today won't be boring me to death", he mumbled.
Harribel crossed her arms below her chest, her eyes seemingly emotionless actually pitied the girl. "idiot", she whispered to herself.
"Indeed her foolishness will be her own demise", Zommari commented aloud, overhearing Harribel's.
Lilynette was taken aback, "Hey Starrk...". she spoke in a quiet and uncertain voice.
"hm?", he was at the moment trying to sleep as usual.
"Isn't that...", the drop in his partners' tone caused the Primera to open an eye to see what she was referring to.
He kept his eye on the woman for more than a few seconds before returning his sight back to darkness, "Don't worry about that dumbass, she'll be fine". but he didn't think that, she was in deep trouble and he didn't want to watch.
"..but" she looked at him with a worried expression, he didn't need eyes to see how she felt.
"Just be glad you're not with the other Fraccion too", he said as reinsurance to his female comrade. To his surprise, she didn't rebel but remained silent. It wasn't like Lilynette to be silent.
A row above Starkk, Yammy began howling with laughter at the sight, "It's about time this place gets some decent action! Hey Ulquiorra who's the chick with the bondage fetish?".
The Cuatro gave Yammy a blank look before returning his eyes onto the girl. "Her name is Xandra Yechita, she is ranked as an Espada but does not seem to possess a number".
"huh? no number? Oh that chick! i remember her now. Wasn't she died?", Yammy's idiotic comment was getting certain Sexta more pissed than he already was.
Ulquiorra caught sight of the Sexta's balled fists trembling with anger. "No. She ran away and escaped into the World of the living some time ago".
Grimmjow was trying to conceal his obvious anger. Although it was unlike him to not be yelling up a storm, his body language was a dead give away. His striking blue eyes darted at his leader who had sat a few levels higher than his dear Espada. What irritated the Sexta more than needed was the look of seer satisfaction across Aizen's face. Was he seriously enjoying this? That's fucked up.
"It everything ready Gin?", Aizen asked The forever smiling Captain.
"Why yes, just some... final touches with Xandra-chan and we're good to go", Gin said with slight uneasiness, but there was no way he could rebel.
"Good work, please proceed with the rest".
The Captain nodded, "Will do". with that, he flashed away towards the woman who was bounded in the center of the circled sandy stage. He wasn't surprised that she remained silent the whole time, the bite marks and feverish lips of hers gave her away.
The girl felt his spiritual pressure, she lifted her head up. "time?" was all she said.
He frowned, that just meant she was definitely upset with him. "Don't be mad at me Xandra-chan, that makes me sad", he coddled her while releasing the blindfold. She didn't struggle against him or flinch, just allowed him to do his job.
"Whatever, just let me get this over with", she said in a bitterly whisper. Carefully, Xandra opened her eyes so the light didn't sting her as much. Those yellow orbs darted right at the man before her, he paused, forgetting how stunning they were, how she was.
"My my Xandra-chan~ you're going to have fun beating them off of you", Gin commented about her appearance with a smirk, noting how grown she is than before running away.
Xandra gave him a smirk of her own, "seems like the case doesn't it?".
He began to undo her restrains as he hummed. She took a small glance over to the spectators area to see both new and old faces. A sickly feeling hit the pit of her stomach when she laid eyes on Grimmjow. For reasons, Xandra averted his then saw Tier and Lilynette, along with Nnorita and Szyel. Their eyes made her body heat rise from embarrassment. Not just in front of the Sexta, but everyone. This was the worst thing that Aizen could have done to her.
"Alrighty, you're all set", Gin said when he was done.
She felt all her aches hit altogether but she just breathed it out. No way she was about to show him weakness. Not again. Xandra gave Gin a nod to signal she was ready. To her surprise, he frowned at her "Stay alive, alright Xandra -chan?", the then turned and yelled, "Come on out everyone!".
The girl was confused for a second but then quickly realized just what kind of game this was. In a matter of seconds, Gin was gone and was replaced by a small army of arrancars completely surrounding her. She didn't show her panic, simply glanced around, counting. 1...5...9...15.. 15 against 1?
They all watched her with a mix of emotions. She smiled bitterly, seeing some familiar faces. "Hey guys, long time huh?", she said sarcastically.
The first she laid eyes on was a familiar blonde Fraccion, "It's nice to see you again Xandra", Tesra greeted her with a small voice. She gave him a slight smile back. they were once friends but now wasn't the place for them to expose that.
"Can we kill her now?", Di roy blurted. Of course he was the only one out of the Sexta's Fraccion that would dare say anything like that. Even Yylfordt played it smart and kept his mouth shout like the rest. None of them but Di Roy was dumb enough to get under their Master's nerves, he was very talented at it.
"How nice that you're alive, now I get to kill you" Said Choe Neng Poww as he cast his shadow over her.
"Whatever the case we get to be the ones to kick your ass!", Nirgge said.
Cyan Sung Sun kept avoiding to look at Xandra while hiding behind her sleeve as usual.
Mila Rose huffed in annoyance, "Enough, let's get this over with". Truthfully, she didn't feel up to this. Neither did Apacci or Cyan Sung Sun but it was an order and they for sure aren't humans. So why show mercy? That's not the way here. No hard feelings towards the new girl, it's just how it is.
Ggio gave her a wicked smirk, "Guess you aren't so powerful after all huh Xandra?". he taunted the girl as they all one by one began to unsheathe their Zanpakuto. The sounds of the blades all meshed together, breezes of air hit against her body from them all taking their positions.
Xandra giggled, "You know Ggio, that kind of thinking will only get you killed". She said with bitterness, they never got along well. One thing she hated other than Aizen was to be treated like a weak little thing when she wasn't. Especially now. hell no. When her fist opened she grabbed blue halt of her own Zanpakuto, drawing it out with one smooth motion. Her yellow eyes remained locked on that man. The man who has been the center of her suffering in this afterlife. He wants a show, he'll get a damn good one.
Before any of her enemies had a chance to attack, she seemed to had vanished. They all looked around in a mist of slight panic before realizing she was in the air. It was too late already, they underestimated her speed. A royal blue sphere that was her Cero had formed from the palm of her hand. As it blasted, she swiftly swung her blade moments behind the blueness with an insane amount of wind. The wind cause the cero to expand but she didn't pause there. One by one of the Fraccion got injured, she releases her Zanpakuto in front of her. While she makes it spin with the usage of her wind, Xandra shoots another Cero but this time it wasn't just the same royal blue. It was crimson mixed in as well, making the blasts target each and every enemy and to make sure they stayed occupied. She was in no way letting them get in her way. Before any of the Fraccion realized what her motives were, the girl had already flashed over to where the he was. Blade in hand, she aimed for Aizen.
Xandra hissed bitterly in complete disappointment when Tosen had blocked her. At the moment, all the others were in a complete trance at the situation. In a matter of seconds Xandra was able to immobilize 15 enemies and even tried to get a swing at their 'Leader'. This all happened pretty fast but she didn't care. She just wanted to knock that mocking smirk off his pretty face. She never took her eyes off him, which pissed off a certain Sexta.
"Retreat your blade Yechita", Tosen commanded sternly.
She snarled in anger, "How about you move the fuck out of my way", her blade only pushed harder against his. Gin, who was frowning behind Tosen shook his head but is not like he didn't see this coming.
The Captain didn't make any sign of backing down either, "I would watch your mouth"
Xandra huffed about to say something back like a smartass but paused when the thundering sound of a hand clapping caught her attention. She followed her ears to where the sound was coming from, only to land on an entertained Aizen.
"Well done, that was a good show Xandra", Was all he said and off course it pissed her off royally.
The girl's lips quivered with rage, "Cut the crap Aizen, that won't work on me" she said dryly with those stunning yellow eyes of hers, even Aizen found them somewhat alluring.
Her tone didn't seem to phase him at all, it did the opposite, it entertained him further. "You know Xandra, you're my favourite experiment. Even your sister was a disappointment". That was it.
Xandra swallowed hard, "you got to be fucking kidding me". She knew how Aizen was but she never expected him to bluntly state the one fact she was trying to hide. Oh wait, that was him. So she should have expected that coming, maybe she's getting soft. shit. This was going to hurt.
Tosen glanced at her hands to see them glowing with the same royal blue and crimson from eariler. A Cero. She was going to be the end of everyone! and he couldn't stop it. If he only released his hold she'd just slice him. Luckily, for him someone else 'helped'. And no it wasn't Gin.
Xandra's arms were harshly pulled to her back, causing her blade to swing away from her reach. As it did, the blue handle sword vanished. Leaving the girl captured by Ulquiorra who had a firm grip on her, even though he was a tad shorter that didn't give her any advantages against the Espada. She narrowed her eyes at him with such anger. "Let me go", she commanded in a slow and stern tone.
"Calm down before you get yourself killed", He harms as he watches her with that mocking emotionless expression. Obviously he still thought of her as a pest, same old green eyed arrancar. Xandra relaxed, she wouldn't be able to get out of this hold anyways, so she obeyed and it killed her instantly.
Grimmjow couldn't be more pissed off that she was once again defeated and in front of everyone. Not just that. He was starting to feel this strange guilt and he hated that. It wasn't his fault, he just brought her back under orders. She ran. not him. So why did he feel...so... responsible for what was happening?
His blue orbs never drifted from her figure, they remained locked on her but she didn't return the favour. Once but nothing after that. Why? What did she have to hide? His fists trembled slightly, trying to brutally contain his anger. He knew things would only get worst for Xandra if he intervened.
Unfortunately, Aizen could see right through the Sexta and the woman. He decided to use their misfortune as his entertainment even further. "However" Aizen's calm voice cut through the silence, "You disobeyed my word, a believe a proper punishment is in order. Kaname".
Xandra did her best to conceal with slight surprise of Aizen's approving of partially public humiliating her as Tosen raised his blade. She didn't get a second before he started cutting through her like butter. Well, not really like butter since her skin in tougher but that doesn't mean she can't feel. Trying her best to swallow down the sharp pains but soft hisses and groans betrayed her. By the time he was done with Xandra, it was a miracle she wasn't naked. Perhaps he felt pity for her and decided not to shame her further. The whole thing didn't only hurt her but a few others who either pitied or sympathized with the girl. Wasn't a big number though.
She turned into a display for Aizen's use as not only a warning, an example of what the results of betrayal would be. When Tosen retreated his blade, Xandra released a breath. Ulquiorra felt her body go limp, her head dropped to allow black hair to shield her face.
"let me go" she pleaded with a soft voice. That surprised him a bit, enough to feel enough pity for the girl to gently release his hold. Letting her arms fall back to her side.
She wanted to run, she wanted to cry and scream. Throw a fit and kill Aizen. Xandra knew she couldn't, not in the miserable state she was in. The utter shame and humiliation was enough to drown her screams inside herself. Once again this man made her feel like the day her humanity was taken for her and Xalia. Like shit.
Xandra fought the urge to fall, her trembling legs used all their strength to keep her standing a little longer. She looked up at Aizen with strong eyes, trying to forget that all the other arrancars had been watching the show the whole time.
"Done?"
He kept his amused expression, "For now".
She snickered, "Good, so i'll take my leave then". Xandra said with utter distaste in her words as she turned to walk out of the arena. She hoped that really was all he had in store for her right now and didn't call back to her. He did just that, pleased with the show, he allowed her to walk out while the girl still had energy. All the others watched in pity and amusement as her silhouette vanished.
Now completely broken, there was nothing left that could be done to her.
The Octava Espada Wing
"Alright, that should do it", the pink haired Espada said to the girl as he backed away from her.
The girl gingerly moved her pain just to see if all the pain had really been healed. To her delight, The eighth Espada worked wonders on her wounds. She felt like a new woman.
A smile danced on her lips.
"Thanks lot, i'll pay you back somehow", Xandra said as she began to put on her white coat.
He smirked, "Oh there are a few ways i can think of", his voice hinting at some mischievous idea.
The girl simply giggled, "Does that mean you missed me?", Xandra knew that he loved the little specimens she would pick up for him while she hunted.
"Of course i did, you brought me such wonderful specimens", he commented. The pink haired arrancar knew the girl had quite the memory and didn't expect anything less from her.
She looked around his lab, it was all new to the girl since the last time she talked to Szyal he was just another number. "I guess your not the only thing that changed while i was gone huh?". She said, remembering that there were faces and masks she didn't recognize.
"Oh yes, Nnorita is an Espada too", the pink haired male stated. He smirked when Xandra shivered where she sat.
"Seriously?", she shouted in surprise. her arms hugged her body, "aw man that's definitely not gonna be fun". Nnorita was one of the few Xandra made sure to stay clear of. It was reasons other than the fact he hated female warriors, but the fact she was always on his radar. Not to mention the fact Szyal told her what he and Nnorita did to Nel and how Tier replaced the former third before the thought of running away was an idea back then.
Szyal chuckled at her reaction. "You're welcome for the warning, I'd hate for him to damage a fine specimen". he said with seduction in his voice as he lend closer to her. She had to admit, his voice was alluring.
She gave him a smirk of her own, "Of course you wouldn't". She jumped off the sliver table, slipping one her coat in a swift motion at the same time. "I'll be going to my room now". Xandra said as she took her leave.
"Hold on Xandra", Szyal called out, making the girl stop in her tracks.
She bit her lip, knowing escaping couldn't be that easy. Not with this Espada. "What is it?", she asked hesitantly.
"Have you thought about what i said before?", the pink haired researcher asked, pure mischievous intentions leaked from his voice.
Xandra's hands balled into fists, she kept her back to him. There was no way he was going to get the better of her. Not this time.
"Sorry but I don't feel like being your experiment Granz, plus", she turned her head to him, giving a wicked smirk. "I'm not dead yet".
He snickered, "yet".