Chapter 6: El Escorpión Delancey

The two Arrancars walked side by side down the hall, making their way further into Grimmjow's wing of the palace. Xandra was actually really excited to see her 'baby' again after being away for so long. The woman looked over at the Espada to see a hint of annoyance written on his face. She couldn't help but let a giggle slip, catching his attention.

Those electric blue eyes darted to rest on her, '' and what the hell are you laughing about?" he grumbled, hands in pockets.

she shrugged nonchalantly, "oh nothing".

Grimmjow snickered, "my ass. its never just 'nothing' with you". he commented back.

Xandra looked at him, slightly surprised. getting smart are we? She hummed playfully, "Well i just don't understand why you seem so, oh i don't know annoyed about seeing Delancey?". The woman taunted him daringly.

The Sexta groaned with a strange frustration "You don't understand dammit!". Grimmjow's expression seemed more sour than needed and boy was it ever entertaining to see!

It was very challenging for Xandra not to burst out laughing and roll all over the floor at his reaction. Why on earth is the Sexta Espada unable to handle a little Arrancar? Delancey is half his size! He could pick her up and she'd feel as light as a feather for him! So maybe now you could see why it's so amusing to Xandra.

Grimmjow however, was not thrilled at all. Let's be honest, the woman beside him was not containing her laughter too well. He could feel his tolerance crumpling fast. Espada or not, if you were smart, you knew not to mess around with Delancey. Why? Xandra. If that woman only came back to that baby of hers harmed in any way. Well... let's just say there wouldn't be a palace anymore.

So could you see the struggle? of how hard it was to not blast the little annoying thing into next week because he had no idea when that woman of his was coming back? And that was the least of it! you see, Delancey doesn't listen to just anyone. Plus... the thing had picked up a few... habits which do not sit right with Grimmjow.

Xandra could have sworn she caught a glimpse of the Sexta shiver at the thoughts of Delancey. The woman swallowed down a snicker, she raised Delancey well. Her thoughts were interrupted upon hearing the sound of voice she recognized.

To Grimmjow's surprise, the dark skinned woman paused before entering the room. He looked at her, wrinkling his forehead. "Well? what are you waiting for?", he asked in an unusually soft tone.

He watched as Xandra's playful expression vanished and was replaced with something else. With fear. He didn't like that.

She parted her lips, "what... what if she resents me for leaving her behind Grimmjow?" Xandra pondered aloud to the Sexta about her worries. Only thinking about it now, that Delancey could take her running away as abandonment. And how wouldn't she?

a groan rumbled from his chest, "Stop being paranoid and just go see the thing" he urged the woman.

Xandra sighed, pushing down the thoughts of rejection before they entered the room together. Inside, they happened to have walked into the middle of a mini training session. Xandra's eyes widened as something flashed right past her, wind made fabric dance. Her vision focused on who seemed to be Di Roy being chased by someone. That someone, was more slender than him. That long, straight jet black hair was familiar to Xandra. In a matter of seconds, the person had Di Roy pinned to the ground and begging for them to get off.

Grimmjow saw that Xandra wasn't listening to anyone, her eyes firmly planted on the girl. She watched as the smaller female ever so graciously removed the knee digging into the other Arrancar's back. Noticing that there was company, the girl turned and met with yellow eyes. Xandra's breath paused in her throat.

Those deep red orbs and black hair that resembled Xalia so much. The white uniform covered her neck and chest, sleeveless and long white fingerless gloves that stopped at the elbow. Spider leg like bone fragments on her shoulders appeared to look like three slender fingers clawing into her coloured skin. The female seemed to have grown as Xandra noticed the slight curves helped fill out the uniformed dress in a way that complimented the body. Though, she wasn't as curvaceous as Xandra, the female Arrancar grew much from that little child she found so many years ago. It was definitely Delancey.

Xandra parted her lips to speak but before she could get the chance was silenced by an embrace. Black hair blinded her for an instant as she felt arms coil around her torso in a tight hold.

"I knew you'd come back", was all the little voice said in a gentle whisper.

The woman froze for a moment, Delancey's voice it sounded just like her sisters'. Xandra's body relaxed as she hugged the young girl back, mentally thankful for the welcome.

"Now why wouldn't I?". The older female replied back with a voice just as soft.

Grimmjow held his breath, he knew exactly what was about to come his way. Delancey looked over in to Xandra's side, resisting the urge to smirk and smiled instead. "See Fluffy Daddy? I told you she'd come back for me!". Delancey said in a cute voice.

For that second, everyone watched Xandra's confused expression before she looked at Grimmjow and burst out laughing.

"Shut it woman it's not funny", he warned but it turned out to be fruitless as Xandra couldn't stop laughing. Too bad the nice moment was short lived, especially with the other Arrancars in the room.

"Xandra, it's good to have you back", greeted Shawlong first. The woman rose a brow as she released Delancey from their embrace. The young girl watched Xandra's expression turn serious.

Xandra found his tone a bit too condescending, it'll slide this time. "I hope my Delancey didn't cause you too much trouble". Xandra said in an unusually mannered voice that made Grimmjow give her a look. Her hand not once leaving the girls' shoulder.

Yylfordt then walked next to Shawlong, entering the conversation, "Sister was no trouble at all". His words were obviously full of sarcasm that a certain arrancar didn't pick up.

"Are you kidding me? How was that brat not trouble?", Di Roy shouted as he rubbed his hurting back. "Take it back!", he demanded while pointing at Delancey.

Grimmjow snickered to himself, this time he wasn't about to disagree with Di Roy. Especially since he wanted her pet gone too.

Delancey's bratty expression appeared, she turned her head away from Di Roy, "Not my problem you're so weak".

The blonde smirked at the smaller boy next to him, "she has been defeating you during practices lately". he said, putting out the cold hard truth.

Di Roy growled under his breath but one glare from his Espada made him back off. Delancey giggled at how the lesser boy instantly backed off. Just as she though, her 'parents' are the strongest. It was all in her head though.

Xandra snickered at how Delancey's personality mirrored her own in some ways. "Let's get going", the woman said.

Grimmjow didn't try to question, state, speak or even open his big mouth. He wanted that thing gone and now! He's had enough of her nonsense. The Espada only turned away from the two females and walked off. Thinking that by acting in this way he'll go unnoticed.

Ha! yeah right.

Delancey smirked, "bye-bye fluffly daddy~!". she purred in sarcasm, purposely doing it to annoy her protector.

Xandra giggled, swearing that she saw the Sexta shiver at the little girls' words.

Without another thought, the two existed Grimmjows' area and towards Xandras' part of the palace.

As they walked, the woman began to see just how much Delancey had grown. The little girl that could only reach her waist was now shoulder length compared to Xandra. Her childish body into an adult figure. A smile crept on Xandra's lips, another bright side to being back. Although, in the back of her mind she wished to show Delancey more than blood and sand.

Sand. that's where she was found, in sand.

Some Years Ago

"Don't tell me you're tired already woman?", commented an energetic Grimmjow.

Xandra crossed her arms, eyes rolled at his words. "I'm bored you smart ass".

He gave her a dumbfounded expression, "What the hell you bored for?". Xandra had absolutely no sense! How could she be more bored than being kept in that palace all the time? Just when he finally got the chance to get away from Aizen's watch and be alone with her... she's bored? What bullshit.

As usual, Xandra gave him that bratty expression she loved to play off. She groaned but didn't say anything. With that, he knew what was going on.

That weird bitterness resided in him again, it made sense. Her and Aizen were together before they left, explained her being late too.

The Sexta hands dug into his pockets, no way in hell this was going to get to him.

Without thinking, he flashed over to her with a tight fist that aimed for her stomach. A tornado of sand danced around him from the impact. That sadistic smirk of his appeared, seeing the woman had caught his punch with one hand. It impressed him, to have his attack stopped by her. It was another weird thing between them.

Xandra glared at him, "I'm not in the mood for this crap Grimmjow". Her fingers tensed against his, only sending a surge of excitement into the Sexta.

"Then get in the mood", he growled back, that smirk still curling his lips.

For some reason, unknown to Xandra, it made her... happy? The woman's frown flipped, he got her.

Grimmjow chuckled, "now that's more like it!". With that, he was able to get Xandra to hunt. Don't get him wrong, he's still pissed off. This hunting business wasn't any job of his until Xandra started working with that pink haired freak.

As the two kept wandering in the sand, inched before Xandra a crap-like hand struck out from underneath in a defensive attack. It surprised the woman to make her fall backwards, Grimmjow in alarm raced over to finish off whatever it was before Xandra was attacked again.

The attacker raised out of the sand to reveal a baby scorpion, she looked to see Red. red eyes caught her off guard. A red that brought back the painful memories Xandra had been trying so hard and long to forget. The reason she had given herself to Aizen and remain in Los Noches.

Xalia

Impulsively, the woman quick round-house kicked the Espada. Luckily for her well-being, Grimmjow caught her leg before it could land a hit. His cold blue eyes stared at Xandra, "You itching to be killed today or what?"

Xandra remained calm but stern. A determination in her expression caused the Sexta to release her leg and hold back his insanity just for a moment.

"Kill anything else but this one, she's mine", Stated the woman boldly.

Grimmjow, once again couldn't understand the woman and her motives. It's just a weak little thing, kill it!

The small scorpion child crept behind Xandra, trembling and holding on the woman as if it were her own mother. It was then did Grimmjow released, the child had red eyes. It was the same red as the one on Xandra's tear drop shaped gem that hung around her neck, along with a blue coloured one.

He groaned, her sister. That's what it reminded him of, the story about Xalia. "You're a damn pain in the ass", he snapped while throwing the scorpion child over his shoulders. Xandra blinked in shock as he headed back in the direction of the palace.

Xandra's thoughts were interrupted by those crimson eyes, "So what are we going to do?", ask the girl with excitement.

The older woman smiled, "whatever you want. i'm game"

Delanceys' features lit only to fade with an expression of shock, "Oh damn i forgot I promised to meet with Lilynette!", the girl shouted in dismay, a hand tapped her forehead in forgetfulness.

Xandra giggled, "Then lets go there, it's not good to keep Lilynette waiting".

Red eyes sparkled, she nodded.