Authors note: Eeh. Here's a new update. Life sucks in the way that I don't have time to do anything. EVER. It's really quite frustrating I am SO sorry it's taken me so long.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, if I did Ichigo would have dyed his hair bright blue in the fourth episode.
Observation is key;
Chapter three: Pressure.
Now, I pride myself on my independence, but I don't really know what had possessed me to ask Nnoitra, of all people, for help. It's not as if anything would come of it. Nnoitra would probably just follow me around until my search was over, pretending to help – if, of course, he decided to help at all. However, it's not as if I am in need of his assistance – I'm just fine on my own. At present I stood, hands clasped behind my back as I looked up at Nnoitra as he loomed over me, in a poor attempt at intimidation, I expect.
My eyes flickered to the side, silently showing Nnoitra my disinterest in the matter. He hadn't answered me since I posed my question, but his grin had widened. At least I knew he could comprehend words. "So you finally need help, huh?" he asked, his tone condescending.
"No" I stated flatly.
"Then why'd ya' ask?" he growled, irritated.
Oh, sometimes I do wish he didn't ask questions. "You were right here, so I asked." I stated, smirking slightly at Nnoitra, his face fell slightly, and his eye narrowed a little, "how long has it been since we had a conversation, Nnoitra?" I asked, good-naturedly, although, I assume by Nnoitra's raised eyebrow I came across more suggestive then anything else.
"What is there ta' talk about?" he asked, rather innocently, and with the unfailing curiosity which I had deemed long ago to be a fault of his. Of course, it didn't come out in large amounts – just tiny seemingly innocent inquiries that, in the end, usually were just that. Innocent. It's hard to believe anything at all about the Quinta Espada was innocent, but...here we have a slightly more mature curiosity than that of a child. I say slightly, because I don't want to over-estimate my...colleague.
Although, at this point I have to admit, he wasn't very good at concealing his intentions, especially when they were all but innocent. It's almost a shame, he would be so much stronger if he didn't only focus on his strength on the battlefield. That is why Ulquiorra is one to be handled with care. He guards his thoughts and opinions beautifully, whereas Nnoitra has the irritating tendency to voice them and lose any potential advantage he could have had.
I crossed an arm over my chest, using it as an armrest for my other, as I place my hand under my chin, somewhat thoughtfully. "You are always free to come to my Tower, Nnoitra" he opened his mouth to speak, but I cut across him quickly "-sometimes I need a semi-competent pair of hands" I laughed a little at my own inside joke. He narrowed his eyes again slightly, making to speak, stopping me abruptly "Where is Grimmjow?" I asked quickly.
He looked irritated, to say the least. I would be too, most likely, if I were interrupted more then once "Fuck knows" he bites out, moving past me, slowly. Frowning, I push up my glasses. I knew he wouldn't co-operate.
"But what about my extra pair of hands?" I asked – well, almost whined. Nnoitra ignored me, walking until he was stood, back to me, next to his Fraccion. Tesla stood with his arms by his side, glancing up at Nnoitra. With something akin to curiosity in his eye. I waited, it was clear that Nnoitra was debating something with himself. His gaze was fixed to follow the corridor, neither meeting Tesla's gaze or my own.
Before Nnoitra could speak, Tesla's eyes locked with my own "Nnoitra-sama" he said, his tone certain and respectful "You have a meeting in an hour" my eyes narrowed at the Fraccion. That was a warning meant for me, a bubble of frustration working its way into my throat; I had forgotten...how...?
As I continued to watch the pair, my mind raced. How was it that I had forgotten something so important as a meeting with Aizen-sama. When did I allow my attention to detail slip so low? What...was wrong with me?! I bit back a frustrated growl, all too concious of my company. "The fuck're ya' tellin' me for? That's ages away. I have plenty o' time." Nnoitra growled out, turning to glare down at his subordinate.
"Forgive me Nnoitra-sama!" he apologised quickly, turning slightly to bow "I just sought to remind you, as I do not think it wise to-"
My breathing picked up slightly, and I raised my hand to clasp the elbow of my other arm, across my chest. I was...Think. I can't think...
This has never happened to me before.
I closed my eyes, deciding to concentrate on nothing but the sound of the two in front of me, arguing like a couple of extremely old, and withered men. Oh Kami-sama...it would be awful it I ever lived long enough to look like that...in...in fact...I shall have to start my research on...the aging process.
"Like I care what you have to say, Tesla." I blinked, coming back to myself abruptly. I glanced up in time to see Nnoitra place his hand on the back of Tesla's head and thrust him backwards – or, forwards, when you look at it from my prospective, towards me. The smaller man stumbled forwards, coming to stand a few paces in front of me. I looked to Nnoitra, confused – but I made sure to show the Quinta that I was...oh so very surprised.
Tesla, however, made no effort, or at least failed, to hide his confusion "Nnoitra-sama...?"Glancing over his shoulder, to meet my gaze, Nnoitra sighed "if yer that desperate. Take him. Do whatever ya' want." he said to me, finally, Walking off alone, leaving Tesla in his wake. We did nothing but stare at each other, both of us bewildered.
Naturally, Tesla was the one to break our gaze. "Now you get to know what it feels like to be my Fraccion for a day." To say the least, Tesla did not look pleased, but, at least he made an attempt to hide that with a courteous nod and a somewhat tight smile. If he hadn't, well. I wouldn't be at all happy myself. I said nothing more, turning and walking down the hall, gesturing for him to follow.
We walked in silence, for a few minutes, Tesla just a paces behind me to my right. I resisted the urge run my fingers through my hair. I had been warned, much to my own chagrin, that I would not have time to seek out Grimmjow in my own time. So, indeed it was time for a change of plan.
"Tesla-kun?" I asked, pleasantly. He was at my side in two short strides, Watching me intently "you know the location of my laboratory, do you not?" I continued, somewhat rhetorically.
"Hai" he replied, nodding. His tone was sure, but, glancing it him, he didn't look quite as confident. I suppose that was fair. The subject of my laboratory was...delicate. To most Arrancar. To them nothing good ever came of it. I should know.
"Would you be so kind as to do me a tiny, tiny little favour?" I turned my head to face him, looking and sounding, almost too sickeningly sweet. He peered at me suspiciously – I wanted to laugh. Nevertheless, he nodded mutely, prompting me to continue "I want you" I paused, my tone switching from sweet to severe once again, I grinned a little, seeing him tense at my words "to go to my laboratory, find Lumina" I stressed his name, fixing Tesla with a purposeful look "Ask him to take you to morgue number twelve" I paused again.
"...yes?" Tesla prompted, showing me that he had indeed been paying as much attention as it appeared. I nodded to myself in assurance, as we continued down the hallway, towards the main meeting Chamber. The Espadas' chamber.
This time, I did run my fingers through my hair, tugging a little at a knot I found "When you have done that, ask to see specimen three hundred and four – and for the love of all that is scientific, Tesla-kun. Ask after Lumina has shown you to the morgue. He doesn't multi-task at all well." Momentarily stunned, Tesla nodded dumbly and I continued. "When you have the specimen in your sights, ask for Lumina to take it to co-ordinates four, thirty-five, E-six"
"Lumina, Morgue twelve, specimen three hundred and four, four, thirty-five, E-six, no multi-taking?" I reiterated, I nodded in confirmation. I am so glad that Tesla is not as incompetent as his Espada. I makes my life so much easier."
"When you are done with that get Verona," the more competent of my outrageously dim-witted Fraccion "to bring me the files on subject A-13. All of it. If neither comply, tell them Szayel-Aporro-sama will be furious." truly, I will be. Those are quite a few important takes that need fulfilling.
"Hai, Szayel Aporro-sama" Tesla stated, activating his sonido and disappearing quickly, leaving me in peace. I hoped he wouldn't screw up. If I didn't get those files, I would be viciously unprepared for...the first time...ever. Aizen-sama would be bound to to question my lack of preparation. He would ask why...and I wouldn't – don't know what to tell him.
My hands clenched into tight fists at my sides as I walked, I could feel my nails digging sharply into my skin, even through my gloves. I hate this. Not knowing. Not paying attention. Not remembering. It's been happening far too much recently for my liking.
I closed my eyes for a moment as I rounded the corner coming up to the main corridor. I mentally prepared myself for ultimate disappointment, and, more importantly, ultimate disgrace. I had redeemed myself once already in the past – Aizen-sama forgave me, but he is not likely to forget. And I am certain he is even less likely to do the same thing twice.
It was when I reached for the door that I could feel my position as an Espada slipping uncontrollably from my grasp. I squared my shoulder minutely, shoving the thought aside as violently as Yammy's temper would flare. With that all said and done, I opened the door, stepping through the threshold calmly and collectively, with all the grace I could muster, despite the fact that no one else had arrived yet. After all. I was forty-five minutes early.
I took my place at the oval table wordlessly, elbows resting on the table with my chin resting atop my entwined fingers. I had forty five minutes to come up with a plan. What I would do if I didn't have that file. What I would do if that specimen wasn't delivered...well. That I would have to deal with later. For now, Aizen-sama and the consequences of displeasing him awaited me. I refuse to allow myself to be demoted. I will not allow myself to fall so far from grace as to become a Privaron again. Although. If that were to happen. I would have more freedom with my work. I would not be under scrutiny from Aizen-sama or his faithful lackeys.
I cannot – refuse, more like, to admit to Aizen-sama that I simply forgot about this meeting. It is not in my nature to do such a thing. He would think me incapable if he discovered that I forgot about today's meeting and was grossly unprepared for it when I remembered. In retrospect, I was glad I had left my tower this morning, lest I would've missed the meeting entirely.
But I wondered...would it have been better to have been at my tower, using the excuse that I was so involved in my work that it simply slipped my mind? Or would it have been better to arrive, but to have forgotten my materials? Perhaps then, I could have said that I hadn't realized that this meeting would be used to check upon my progress.
Sadly, I knew that excuse would never fly. I had already sent for my materials. But...what would I, what could I do if said materials arrived late? What if-
"My dear Szayel-kun" I tensed, my eyes widening out of surprise as I turned to face the entranceway.
"A-Aizen-sama..." I muttered dumbly, too shocked that my time for planning had come to an abrupt halt to hid it. He smiled his small, beautiful smile at me. The one that he, I was certain, if he had any, would use to smile at his own children. His eyes appeared to be kind, and his aura, one of patience and fearlessness. His Reiatsu, although just a shimmering wave of what it truly is, was thick in the air. I wondered briefly, how I had missed it.
I was beginning to feel like I was betraying my own set of beliefs.
Making a move to stand to greet him, Aizen-sama raised his hand to stop me, his smile widening a fraction, and his eyes scrunched smoothly, as he eyed me, if possible, with even more fatherly affection. I sat back down in my seat, waiting as Aizen-sama closed the distance between us "I was hoping to arrive here first," he explained, in his neutral, unidentifiable tone.
I shifted, rotating my torso towards him, placing my hands on the arms of my chair, as I looked up at him with a deep and unadulterated adoration. At least. I made it look that way. I smiled too, a small, confident, yet somehow modest smile. "I was eager..." I said, my tone one of truth and longing, and my fingers tightened around the armrest. In truth, I was indeed eager – eager to have my files in my hands, eager to have gone through the duration of the meeting without being utterly humiliated. However. Thanks this early arrival, that was not to happen.
As I had hoped, Aizen-sama slowly lifted his hand, brushing his thumb over my cheek as he cupped my chin in his hand, softly and delicately. I let out a quiet, shuddering breath for effect, certain that, if he didn't hear it, he would feel it. "For what?" He was playing into my little game of seduction. Or at least, was allowing me to think he was. This should, hopefully, soften him up just a tad.
"You..." I breathed, he stared at me for a long moment before I continued "I have...a confession to make" I said, biting my lip. Aizen-sama hated sinners. So, this should work "I...I wish you to absolve me..."
I had to resist the urge to reach out and grab Aizen-sama's hand as he slowly released my chin, raising on fine chestnut eyebrow "Have you sinned against me again, Szayel-kun?" he was still using that cool, flat, collected tone. I was certain that was not a good thing.
"I don't know..." mentally, a screamed out in frustration – I said it! He made me say it! He made me admit to ignorance! It wasn't fair...I hadn't planned to say it- it's just slipped out... "Forgive me, Aizen-sama, I-" no. No, no, no, no! "I f-forgot to bring the files on your shield." I was shaking. Not in fear, but of the sheer magnitude of what I had said. Out loud no less. I bite my lip again, closing my eyes and turning my face towards the floor, looking ashamed.
There was a tense moment, in which I'm sure Aizen-sama was considering the implications of what I had just told him "Do not fret, Szayel-kun. I do not consider this a sin."
I gaze shot up to his, he didn't understand! "I don't- I mean, I haven't-"
There was a sudden, loud bang, and my gaze snapped up towards the door, just in time to see it rebounding off the wall and shut again with a sharp click. My Fraccion – pleased that it was indeed Verona – was bounding gaily towards us, chanting "Szayel Aporro-sama! Szayel Ap-"
"Shut up..!" I cried out, mortified. Aizen-sama was right there. And I'd just embarrassed myself by making a confession that now seemed meaningless! Of all the times Verona decided she knew the way around Las Noches. Of all the times for Gin not to have rearranged the corridors. She held the file in front of her, firm clasped in both hands. In spite of my perfection...I wanted to die.
It was at that precise moment, that Verona recognised the figure of authority present in the room, stiffened, and went utterly silent, wishing she were a wall. However, it would be pointless to tell her that her teeth chattering threw away any wall-like qualities she possessed at this present moment in time. I glared for a just a moment, before turning my attention back to my superior.
"Aizen-sama, I-"
"I hope you have an explanation for lying to me, Szayel-kun." Aizen-sama stated, eye narrowing, not with fatherly affection, but with the promise of punishment.
"Yes-" I hesitated, gulping. Unsure what to say.
"...Well?" he prompted, his voice still effortlessly toneless.
"I did forget." I reassured him, forcing back another mental tantrum. I had no time for such antics now "But I remembered, little over an hour ago, Tesla; Nnoitra's Fraccion, was kind enough to fetch Verona to retrieve the file for me – I wanted to be here before anyone else arrived to explain to you, in case the file didn't arrive..." I defended myself quickly "Forgive me. It was not my intention to lie" I continued, rising from my chair to squeeze myself in the space between the chair and Aizen-sama himself. I knelt in front of him, head bowed, willing my fury and humiliation away.
I saw Aizen-sama take a few steps back, so that he may examine me with care. "Very well," he said "you are forgiven, Szayel-kun." I glanced up, making sure to have a relieved, grateful smile plastered to my features "However," Aizen-sama continued, eying me with what I could have almost sworn was amused curiosity. My shoulders tensed "Would it not have been much simpler to get the files yourself?"
I stood slowly, straightening out my clothes a little as I went. "There were multiple tasks that needed doing. None of which needed my immediate attention – I instructed Tesla to give my orders to my Fraccion." there was a pause as I pushed my glasses, and ran my fingers through the lock of hair that fell perfectly between my eyes. "I could not afford to lose even a moment of my time. I anticipated a misundersta-"
Just then there was a thud and a piercing screech, I scowled immediately, turning to reprimend Verona for making such noise when all I saw were pieces of paper flitting to the floor freely, and the other nine Espada standing in the doorway looking bemused. Or irate. I don't care which. Somewhere in all of the chaos, Aizen-sama had disappeared from my side, and now sat at the head of the room, in his large, kingly, official chair.
Verona scrambled mindlessly, picking up pieces of paper, without care for their state. Some were already cumpled in her hands as she tried to pick up as many as she could. I stared in horror, and quickly bought a hand to my chest – I can't breathe..! Finally, perhaps this time I will die. "I'll fix this, Szayel Aporro-sama!" Verona's shrill voice sounded, breaking me from my distraught reverie.
"No!" I shouted as the Espada began filing in, skillfully tip-toeing around the large pool of paper litter "Don't. Touch. Anything!" I growled out bending over quickly, to pick up the folder in which all of the paper should have been securely fixed, and without a second thought, whacked Verona over the head with it, causing her to drop the paper she had collected and grasp her head, cowering before me.
"Verona is- Vero-"
"Shut up!" I spat, my tone vemonous "this data is precious – never treat any of my research with such disrepect and- and callousness. Ever." I resisted the urge to beat her over the head again, hitting something so cowardly would be pathetic of me "Now," I said, forcing a dangerously calm note to slip into my tone "Get out...I'll deal with this myself." Inept creature.
With all that said and done, Verona scurried with frantic haste towards the door. Flinging it shut behind her. One of the first things I ever reprimended her for – not closing the doors. I'm glad to see she thinks I meant all doors.
But, I was curious "Which one of you was it who opened the door?" I questioned, serenely, a sudden calm breaking through me despite myself. I was furious. Today had been a disaster. As soon as I could, I was going to sleep. I don't care for the outcome of this meeting any longer. It couldn't get any worse. I was vaguely aware, when I went about picking up and smoothing out various pieces of paper, that Nnoitra had spoken up.
"It was me. So what. This was pretty fuckin' funny." He said. I didn't have to look up to know that he had a big, smug grin on his face.
"Hn" I muttered "Thank you by the way. Tesla-kun is more capable then I gave him credit for" and I always gave credit where due. I glanced up, my eyes widening; where was-
"You sick son of a bitch!" was all I heard before I was knocked off my feet.
(A/N: So...how was that? I hope it was okay. Thank you to Anonymouse #270, KappaForest, Tofu-Master and SendMoreParamedics for your wonderful reviews! Thank you all to those who placed me of Favourites and Alerts! Thank youse!)