Chapter Eight: Retaliation

Xandra had been woken up by someone other than Grimmjow, Gin had been sent to get her. Apparently Aizen is summoning all the Espada's and Captains for some sort of debreifing. The woman was thankful to have gotten a good nights rest before more drama came her way. On the walk there, Gin decided to fill her in on some key details.

"Ulquiorra and Yammy were picked for a small assignment to the World of the Living." The forever smiling man began as she walked beside him, glancing in his direction every how and then. "I believe their mission was in requires to a certain soul reaper and their worth, Lord Aizen seems very interested in them".

The female Arrancar felt slightly bad for the unfortunate soul that captured Aizen's attention like that. She was actually... glad is was someone else other than her for once, his radar off of her for the meanwhile. She wondered just who though, could be a more impressive being to Aizen than her... not that she felt jealous or anything. It was just a thought is all.

Gin could tell she was already more relax from the bit of good news, he didn't enjoy seeing the woman all suffering and stuff. He found her presence delightful and fresh compared to all the seriousness in Las Noches. The Captain missed having her around and he'll be more than welcome to openly admit that aloud.

"And who might be this poor soul that's in that bastard's viewfinder?" she asked with a devilish smirk.

The Captain tsked, "Xandra-chan name calling isn't very nice" teased Gin.

She rolled her eyes "Whatever, just answer my question".

"Ichigo Kurosaki is the soul reaper's name" The man finally revealed, to his surprise he noticed her breath hitch in some sort of realization but he decided not to pry.

Xandra hums in sarcastic tone, "Sounds like a very interesting kid"

He snickered devilishly, "Speaking of interesting". The woman instantly cringed with his words, knowing what he'll say isn't going to be pleasant for her. "I couldn't help but notice you and Ggio had a little... encounter yesterday"

A shiver rushes down her spin, "Mother fucking damn it Gin!" shouted the dark skinned woman with feverish cheeks "Seriously! You and your control room and suck my ten inches!" snarled an obviously pissed off Xandra.

The sliver haired Captain chuckled in a taunting tone, "But it's so entertaining to tease you when you're reactions are amusing like this" he admitted, earning a scowl from the woman.

"Fuck. All. The. Way. Off" she said in an annoyed voice, just allowing Gin to be all the more amused.

Gin stopped in front of the appropriate door but didn't have an attempt to go inside. Instead he nonchalantly leaned against the white wall opposite the door. Xandra's brow arched in question at him, "Um not that I'm in a rush but aren't we going inside?"

He let out a small chuckle, lips still curled "Oh we're waiting for Lord Aizen before we go in, you don't mind do you Xandra-Chan?" asked the forever teasing Captain.

The woman's eyes widened slightly enough for him to notice, she bit her lip. . A test yet again. Well? To stay or go inside alone? The thought of going into that room knowing the moment she stepped in every pair of eyes will be on her... Yeah going with the two sounded better. Not that she enjoyed the act of choosing to wait for Aizen. She groaned before crossing her arms below her chest, answering his question.

Xandra closes her eyes, concentrating on breathing normally. Reminding herself what she is, what she has to do. Xandra can't afford to appear vulnerable again before all her 'peers', she needs to remind them just how powerful this female is.

Gin took advantage of the situation to fully analyze the amount of growth Xandra had over the time she was gone. Man, she probably really has to beat them off her eh? Well her interaction with Ggio the other day was proof enough but at least she'll be able to breath a little when the attention is on someone else... for a little.

The sound of feet steps caused Xandra to reluctantly open her eyes, while Gin slightly remained in his current position with just turning his attention off the female and to the approaching male. In the distance, she could tell that Tosen had came along with Aizen, Xandra gave him a glare before dismissing her rage. As the two approached them, Aizen with that usual faint smirk of his, eyes rested on Xandra. Not surprised that she came, since it was him to sent for her. Amused at the fact she was waiting for him, it made the curl on his lips grow.

"Thank you Gin, for retrieving Xandra" He thanked in front of her, the woman shot daggers at him with yellow eyes. She hated how he always seemed to make her sound like... his property.

The sliver haired man nodded, "Oh it was no trouble at all" he said, removing himself from the wall to join the rest "Nice to finally have all the Captains together again hm?" indirectly taunting the dark skinned woman.

Xandra gave him a stare for a second. "Yes, it is" Aizen responded while having his eyes locked Xandra, yellow unable to pull away from his brown ones, causing her body to heat without her say.

Gin purposely cleared his throat aloud to gain his leaders' attention from the woman before him "Ah, Lord Aizen"

Although he achieved the goal, their exchange lingered. "Shall we go then" Aizen said, prompting them all to enter.

Inside the room was different levels made of dark rock where other Arrancars and Espada's awaited to watch and listen for whatever Yammy and Ulquirra had to report. What stood out in the massive space was this clean, white, tall pillar which Aizen's throne sat on the very top. That's where she'll most likely end up and it's not somewhere she feels like being. She tried to swallow the hard lump in the back of her throat, her nerves were getting the better of her. She always hated that about herself, being over-emotional and shit. None of that today. She's not weak. Not in the slightest.

Of course the moment they stepped in all eyes gave their undivided attention. Gin was actually amazed at how calm Xandra seemed to be, not showing a trance of her moments of panic from back in the hallway. She stood tall and walked with confidence. No wonder this woman caught a lot of unwanted attention.

Both Gin and Tosen departed to their respective positions, disappearing. Xandra about to do the same, her place was in the shadows by where Aizen sat. She didn't mind in too much since it felt less exposed. However, that partically meant walking with Aizen to this throne, dangerous territory. Just as she was about to pause and melt into her place, Aizen did something unthinkable to her.

"Xandra, come stand by my side" he all but commanded the woman. She tried her best to contain the hesitation and unwillingness the situation put her in.

A faint smile curled her lips "Of course" voice filled with grimace and dislike. Reluctantly, Xandra took her place on his left where he sat. Amusement plastered in his expression at how she used her confidence as a mask for her discomfort.

Instantly, yellow eyes wandered around the giant space. Noticing many faces, desired and unwanted alike. She spotted Starrk but no Lilynette, Xandra was relieved. It meant Delcancey was safe and out of sight. Stunning blue hair demanded her attention as she laid her eyes on Grimmjow and his group. She could feel his irritation about the situation, mirroring her own. Looking around some more only made Xandra regret spotting a being just as troublesome as Nnorita for her; Luppi. The woman groaned to herself as the little Arrancar gave her a smug expression, she absolutely hated him.

The sound of doors followed by foot steps and it was a sign that the two Espada's had returned with their report. Ulquirra seemed emotional-less as usual, while Yammy appeared to have lost an arm. Aizen and him began to exchange words. The shorter one then showed his findings from the mission by crushing his eye in order for the rest of us to physical see what he did. Xandra took in the memories, closing her eyes.

Upon seeing the images of Kisuke and Yurichi, breath paused in her throat. She felt a tug on her chest, it pained. Unknown to her, Aizen had noticed her brief slip up before continuing on with the rest of Ulquirra's report.

However, nothing ever goes smoothly. Xandra's thoughts were pushed aside when Grimmjow's voice thundered to question the forth Espada and his decisions. The woman snickered when he mentioned Yammy and him being short an arm only to have Aizen give her a look. She bit her lip, great. That means...

"Xandra, You'll be coming with me" He commanded before she had the chance to sprint off. Wide yellow eyes looked at him in disbelief, she parted her lips to detest "Can't this wait later?" she openly pleaded. That was something new to him, this woman never pleads to him. So why now? What changed? It sparked his interest of Xandra all over again in his head.

A wicked faint smirk appeared on him, it made her shiver "Are you worried about Grimmjow?" he revealed aloud. The momentary shock in her eyes gave the answer away. Aizen stretched a hand out towards Xandra, a finger gently slid under her chin. He took a step closer to her and left only centimeters of space between them.

"There is nothing to worry about, Xandra. Everything is fin-", He was cut off by her slapping away his touch. The woman's expression turned sour "That shit trick won't work on me Aizen, you should know better" she dared to snarl bitterly at the brunette. Only making it all the more thrilling for him, thankful she's not so easy to uptain.

"That is what makes you my favourite and most interesting" Aizen explains in a slightly seducing tone, his slapped fingers finding themselves slowly glided the sides of her cheeks. Forever tormenting the woman was his pass time. "How you are unable to be effect my Kyoka Suigetsu, it's truly... amazing".

It was true, for some reason or another Xandra couldn't be controlled under his Zanpakuto's influence. However, that just meant something more degrading to her. That she surrenders to not his powers but him. His words. His touch. His body. She would rather be controlled by a sword than himself, to do such lewd things.

Xandra looked away in defeat, "Let's just get this over with already". Her chest throbbed, this was the last thing she wanted to do right now. But, it was out of her control. It always was.

Aizen, the victory, backed off from the woman. "Wonderful". He said before beginning the trip to his domain, Xandra automatically followed suit. Anxiety course throughout her body, begging to scream out. This was completely different than having Gin escort her to the room. She was actually and willingly going with Aizen to do things she didn't want to engage with him.

As they entered the room and the door was closed. Xandra prayed to whatever higher power would listen to her words, that everything would be fine. It was silly, to have that kind of hope of someone coming to save her. No one will. Only she can save herself. She has to, it's useless to believe other wise.

'The funny part is', she thought as clothes slid off her body to the ground. A blurred vision of Aizen's exposed body appeared before her, she hadn't noticed the tears streaming down her eyes.

The man hovering over her felt sympathy, for a moment. "It's alright Xandra" he coddled the woman with his sweetened voice, hand whipping away the salted droplets. She'll regret it later, revealing this shamefully frail side of hers been seen by someone who wasn't Grimmjow.

Xandra looked at him with sorrowful despair. 'I really thought that he...' her thought continued as she felt a gentle coldness against her lips. A lewd pressure near her inner thighs warned the woman to blank out her emotions before it was too late. Yellow eyes were covered, allowing her to shut down.

'Grimmjow could save me'.

The Sexta looked back, irritation settled deeper in him. Xandra couldn't be found, not in her room or his or even that pet of hers. No where. Yet she was beside that bastard Aizen during the debriefing? That meant one thing. That woman, his woman was in bed with Aizen.

Grimmjow thought by how he acted back there she would have come storming behind him to try and talk him out of something like this.

False hope is a bitch because that didn't happen. His jaw tightened, whatever, he'll be back to claim what's his. Without a doubt. Fists stuffed in his pockets, he walked into the Garganta, following his Fraccion to do what Ulquirra couldn't.

Destroy the enemy.