Ulquiorra Cifer is not one to worry about anything or anyone.

To give a damn about anything was meaningless, petty, and irritating. Never in his past life had he cared, not even during his time roaming the desert of Hueco Mundo. It was a simpler time then, despite being alone and lamenting his existence. His memories of the land of hollows had faded into a blur, mostly forgotten. Yet only a few burrowed themselves away deep in the recesses of his mind, to hopefully never be mentioned.

A soundless sigh left his lungs, his feet lightly padded down the corridor, lost in his thoughts.

It has been three weeks since Ulquiorra last saw his lower-ranked Espada rival, Grimmjow. He has thought about the sexta Espada frequently during this time, wondering if the bloody idiot is alive or dead. Usually, they would sense these things. Only if there were within these walls. In the living world, though, Ulquiorra wasn't sure.

He doesn't understand why he is concerned for him, let alone thinking about him.

Maybe it had something to do with Grimmjow's gaze when the two crossed paths. Ulquiorra has seen Grimmjow determined before, but this was different. He had seemed … adamant, resolved even.

Or perhaps, it was the conversation. It was enlightening enough to raise concern than indifference for his comrade. Not that Ulquiorra really considered Grimmjow as such, but he was something to the cuatro.

If Grimmjow wasn't a comrade, what was he then? An enemy?

Ulquiorra wished he knew.

He slowed his footing, stopping in the silent hallway, and recalled the moment Ulquiorra realized something was wrong with his … whatever Grimmjow is to him.

~ flashback ~

The silence is always welcoming, maybe too much on the norm. As quiet as it is now, Ulquiorra wondered if anything could break the calm. He's used to it anyway. Although, for some bizarre reason, it's bothering him greatly. Nothing bothers him. At least, he doesn't show it, let alone express it. Ulquiorra has this unsettling feeling that something is going to go wrong.

His thoughts may have been wondering, but Ulquiorra noticed the sexta Espada walking his way and rather briskly. The laid-back yet sarcastic maniac has an unrecognizable frown and fists balled at his side. Ulquiorra can tell from Grimmjow's step that the idiot is on a mission and intends to leave with a fight in mind. It annoyed him to a degree, but Ulquiorra knew if Grimmjow wanted to go on another solo mission, he would fight him without breaking a sweat.

"Where do you intend to go?"

"Like you care," Grimmjow snaps, bypassing Ulquiorra without a glance.

The sexta's action only sparked Ulquiorra's curiosity, maybe even confused him. Usually, the two would butt heads, but Grimmjow is avoiding a confrontation. Why, though? Why the sudden change in attitude?

Ulquiorra noticed something off about his lesser rival, which intrigued him more.

"If you intend to leave the premises for another one of your escapades, Grimmjow, I will take immediate action," he goads cooly and gently.

"Go ahead. I don't give a damn anymore."

Ulquiorra's brows twitched.

"When did you ever?"

When Grimmjow didn't snap back, Ulquiorra regarded the sexta Espada coldly. This sudden behavior change caused Ulquiorra to become irritated. When his eyes landed on Grimmjow, his inner irritation turned into confusion.

Grimmjow stood in the middle of the hallway, both hands in his hakama, and stared ahead with this odd aura surrounding him.

What is going on with you? Ulquiorra thought to himself.

"I'm done with this place," Grimmjow announced.

Ulquiorra stared as his confusion grew. He is unsure if he should take Grimmjow seriously for once, make some nasty remark or brush the encounter off entirely. Although, the gaze in Grimmjow's eyes made Ulquiorra's curiosity get the better of him. Something is wrong. He can tell.

"Pardon?"

"I've had it with this place," Grimmjow threw his arms out, emphasizing his point. "I'm fed up taking orders from that megalomaniac, prissy pants Aizen. I had enough of dealing with you and always losing, too. I'm over this dumbass war between the shinigami. Hell, I'm done being the sexta Espada. I don't get the respect I deserve with the rank, anyway. I quit. If you have a problem with it, then, by all means, have at me."

Grimmjow promptly leaves a bewildered Ulquiorra in his spot, not caring if the Emo Bat has an expression on his face or not. Somehow, he avoided a confrontation, and it didn't bother him. If Ulquiorra is serious about attacking him, he gave the Cuatro Espada the perfect opportunity, but it never came.

Ulquiorra only watched in astonishment as Grimmjow disappeared from his sight. Yet, he felt alarmed, disturbed even, that his rival was quitting, of all things. He is unsure what provoked Grimmjow to act like he is, and frankly, Ulquiorra is deeply concerned. He shouldn't be.

Let the idiot trash leave. I don't give a damn.

Except…

Why does he feel a boulder has landed on his shoulders and bloomed in his chest that it is uncomfortable to breathe?

Ulquiorra eyed the empty spot where Grimmjow once stood, contemplating. He felt an unpleasant feeling overwhelm him and his conflicting mind. He should go after him. It is what Lord Aizen would instruct him to do if given a direct order or without it. Except…

Something must have caused the idiot to leave … right?

Despite his growing concern, the unwelcome tightness in his chest, and the urge to follow Grimmjow, Ulquiorra must solve this puzzle first.

~ end flashback ~

Unfortunately, this puzzle brought on more questions, and possibilities than Ulquiorra expected.

The biggest question is, what caused Grimmjow to leave unexpectedly?

Could it have been something Lord Aizen had said, or maybe even done? He says things indirectly that cause others to doubt their judgment. His spiritual pressure typically adds emphasis and prevents his subordinates from attacking one another if their ideas don't match.

That is a possibility for Grimmjow and General Tōsen since neither get along.

So, that begged the question whether General Tōsen got under Grimmjow's skin again. He incinerated Grimmjow's arm, so Grimmjow undoubtedly has a bigger grudge against him.

Except, would that really cause the Sexta to leave?

It couldn't be, but Ulquiorra won't rule that one out yet.

Perhaps the woman said something? She speaks her mind, albeit weird.

The girl displayed her ability of time reversal. She restored Grimmjow's incinerated arm and his rank number. Maybe he paid Orihime a visit and thanked her for the deed. He would have owed her a debt to be repaid. Except, what would that repayment be?

He heard about the two female arrancars harassing his charge and was dealt with.

Maybe she said something after the fact. Except, what would she have said to promote the dismissal?

Another possibility could be him. Had Ulquiorra done or said anything that would have made Grimmjow leave?

Now that is possible. Ulquiorra refers to the idiot as "Trash," or any other name that would tear him down. Grimmjow is the one claiming he is stronger than him and deserves to be in the top four. Ulquiorra always points otherwise and knocks him down a peg, even throwing the idiot into the wall … sometimes.

Would his past mistreatments of the former Espada cause him to leave? Is he truly the one to blame? Ulquiorra certainly doesn't want to think he is responsible, especially when Grimmjow is likely to be dead. He wants to believe Grimmjow is alive and receiving treatment for his injuries somewhere safe. Why he even thought this was possible is beyond him.

He doesn't care.

Ulquiorra sighs heavily, breaking the silence around him, and massages the nape of his neck. It is some sort of tick he developed over the weeks. No one is ever around to see this or how his thick brows cringed or his shoulders sagging. Ulquiorra's naturally straight back is relaxed and twisted to relieve tension in his muscles, mostly in his shoulder blades.

Even the cold and calm lose their composure, if only briefly.

Lazy footsteps reach Ulquiorra's ears, letting him know the Primera is returning from assignment. He recomposed himself and watched as the lazy and bored associate meandered.

Three weeks ago, while General Tōsen was recovering from his injuries, he explained what transpired between him and Grimmjow to Lord Aizen. Ulquiorra heard Lord Aizen assign Coyote Starrk to investigate the former Espada member's remains in the living world. When he heard this bit, Ulquiorra immediately thought Grimmjow was dead. He remembered blinking once from the news and listening further to the private conversation. At that moment, Ulquiorra felt nothing, just confirmation of his suspicions. Although, the aspect of the idiot getting killed seemed … unfortunate and disappointing. It would be quieter around here and daresay dull. At least the crass yet laid-back Grimmjow had some sense of liveliness that somehow made each blurring day entertaining. Except, the General made it clear he wasn't entirely sure if Grimmjow was dead or not. He mentioned someone had interfered, a woman to be specific. Ulquiorra wondered how the blind man would know such a detail. Apparently, Grimmjow's rescuer spoke and determined them to be female. So, there is some shred of hope Grimmjow survived Tōsen's attack. Even though the chance is slim.

Where Grimmjow is now still bothered the cuatro. The only person who would know is the Primera.

The strange thing about Starrk going was that he was set to go in two weeks. Why wait so long? Was Lord Aizen waiting to see if Grimmjow would reappear in hopes of the idiot realizing he made a mistake in leaving? Or maybe, he wanted confirmation of Grimmjow's betrayal and went to the shinigami for aid? That is a possibility Ulquiorra didn't put into consideration until now.

If Ulquiorra were honest, he preferred Lord Aizen appointing him with the task instead of keeping watch on the Orihime girl. He would be the better option to track down the stupid cat and give the idiot a piece of his mind with maybe a good wallop. Ulquiorra should have gone after him in the first place, but something prevented him from doing so.

He watched as Starrk approached, who had an unfamiliar frown and gave him an acknowledging nod. Ulquiorra returned the gesture.

Again, Ulquiorra watched the uninterested Starrk amble, a question on the tip of his tongue. He wanted to ask. However, inquiring would seem out of character for him. He considered forgetting about it and go about his business. However, brushing it aside would leave him questioning Grimmjow's living status and motives.

He glances at Starrk's back, noting the tension in his shoulder blades and his chin tilted pensively. Ulquiorra's brows twitched again, and his permanent frown deepened.

He's thinking about something, Ulquiorra speculated.

Starrk was several feet away from him when he decided to ask the question, filling the silent corridor with sound.

"What did you find out?"

Starrk stops in his tracks and glances over at Ulquiorra from the curve of his shoulder.

"Find out about what?"

Ulquiorra resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"You were tasked with locating Grimmjow, were you not?"

Starrk's smokey blues narrowed, and he frowned crookedly.

"I was," he laconically replies, studying Ulquiorra briefly.

"And what were your findings?"

Starrk observed Ulquiorra from a short distance, noticing the cuatro was staring ahead at the opposite wall. As usual, Ulquiorra's hands are tucked in his hakama, his back naturally straight with his iconic permanent frown. Nothing visually out of the ordinary. However, Starrk found it unusual for Ulquiorra to inquire about his task.

He's aware the others know of his assignment but didn't think any of them would ask before reporting to Aizen. No one was given the instruction not to ask either. Starrk wondered why anyone would but didn't object to answering, even if it meant being vague. The only other question he is curious about is why Ulquiorra would. He knows that Grimmjow and Ulquiorra don't get along, and both would care less if the other is in trouble or dead.

Starrk hums in consideration before deciding his move.

"Why do you want to know, Ulquiorra?"

Ulquiorra's gaze slid over to his, making eye contact.

"His absence is rather noticeable," he replies simply.

Starrk thought about that for a moment with blinking eyes. Grimmjow can be rather loud, especially when he and the cuatro have disputes. They can be annoying to cause him and a few others to roll their eyes. Without Grimmjow now, these halls are quieter.

"Yeah, you have a point," he agreed. "I'm still curious why you would ask. I would have thought Nnoitra would be the one to question me, not you."

"I'm simply curious."

Starrk's lips curl, and his brows crease.

"What exactly would you like to know?"

Starrk waited for an answer. He looked at the cuatro, hoping to see a reaction on Ulquiorra's face, but there was nothing. He realized quickly that the cuatro was considering his question before responding.

"Is he alive or dead?"

Starrk blinked. He huffed loudly and turned his gaze away, pondering his answer. The long moment made Starrk reflect on the past few hours, recalling the moment he made a decision that would ultimately change the course of their future.

Updated 05/09/2022 with alternate dialogue and scene rearrangements

Update 08/06/2024 Made a couple of grammar fixes