The Frozen Whisper Chapter 15: A Brewing Storm, a bleach fanfic

Updated: 30th December 2023 (apart from cosmetic changes, I added more dialogues between Rukia and Ulquiorra, a short section with Orihime and Nel, and two new omakes!)

If any of you wondered, I'm still alive! And lurking somewhere in this world… (｀∀´)

Anyway, many, many thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter!

Kita of Nature, SteelShadowFang, darkredcrystal, Tsunayoshi, anon, yume girl 91, Nyrababe, ameliechan:D, L Lexuran, Byakuya Sama, sadbird, SweetestChick, SoraXNamine, missjewels, liruA, YokaiMoon, sunny-baby-angel, Yaruki, rukia-neesan, Verene, Rhyjle, megui-chan, CookieMonster666, AnuVere, Paper Bullet, LavenderSkies, scarlet white cross, VioletCherry, Sweet Scrifice, wickedsistah1024, XJDevil, ephemeral123, Kuran Juuri, ASUKA, Anjiska, l, MewMarionetta, JokingJester, AlaeaMori, Kurosu, MewMarionetta, Eitak-Katie

You're all as awesome as one can get and even more! Thank you for everything! (*゜▽゜ノノ゛

And in the meantime Tsunayoshi made another Ulquiorra x Rukia wallpaper! (Link on my profile, so go check it out!) Kudos for you, Tsunayoshi! It's lovely! (°∀°)b

As for the chapter, it's fun, but mostly a build-up for the next one!

Anyway, do enjoy! (^人^)

朝霧 -Asagiri-

The Frozen Whisper
by Asagiri

Chapter 15
A Brewing Storm

The wee hours of the morning found Ulqiuorra already awake, staring at Hueco Mundo's eternal black sky with no stars. It was empty but for the crescent moon – a cold, mocking grin. Decades under its glow were enough to get used to it that he no longer paid any attention to it. Tonight, however, its sneer was exceptionally disdainful or was he just overthinking?

He wondered if it was the same for Rukia, but with the fake sky. She had once said that she hated it, because it reminded her of her home. Did she feel mocked by it, too? By its familiarity when everything around was alien and treacherous?

Shit. With a frustrated sigh, Ulquiorra turned away from the sneering moon.

She was doing it again – plaguing his mind. No matter what direction his train of thought was going, it inevitably led him to Rukia. It was beginning to unsettle him just how much she occupied his mind. For a Hollow, Ulquiorra never thought himself to be particularly obsessive over anything, but with her, he wasn't so sure about this trait in himself anymore.

Rukia was the main reason why he couldn't sleep. He kept analysing the last two weeks, and especially that fateful evening. Sure, there were things he could have done differently, but what had happened – happened. He was unable to change the past, so he wasn't going to mull over it too much, but use it as a guide for the future. If there was a future the two of them could get along again…

The icy coldness spreading from her zanpakutō seemed to adamantly reject the possibility.

Rukia occupying his thoughts was one cause of concern, but there was something far more perturbing. That sudden lapse of senses… Any control he had over himself, his actions, his thoughts – had been momentarily gone. All left of him was just that primal hunger innate to Hollows he thought he had left behind when becoming an Arrancar. It had lasted mere seconds, but at that moment he had craved Rukia's soul, to relish in her sweetness and consume her whole.

And it wasn't the first time he had unwittingly hurt her. Four days ago he had caused her pain, squeezing her tightly, even though he had been conscious the whole time, yet completely unaware of his own actions. It had to be connected. But what was it?

Of one thing Ulquiorra was sure – he would have to observe himself carefully. His mind was his tool, the only thing he had come to rely on; the only thing he trusted completely. To lose it, to lose what he was… would be equal to death. He absolutely had to get to the bottom of it.

Knowing he wouldn't be able to get a wink of sleep, he decided to start his day early. Perhaps if he kept himself busy with duties and self-observation, his mind wouldn't stray too much towards Rukia. Yet, she seemed to be connected to his lapses of senses, she could even be the cause.

He went to the control room to check if there were any reports on Soul Society's movement, but nothing so far. If there was no reaction yet, then perhaps they had written Orihime Inoue off as a traitor. And all the more – Rukia as dead… Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends were a different case, undoubtedly still believing in the two women, but with Soul Society closely watching over them, there was little they could do. Ulquiorra was almost certain there would be no storming Las Noches again.

With a curt, "Keep me updated on their slightest movement," to the personnel, he left for the dining hall. He would have a light breakfast and organise meals for Rukia and the Human woman.

And that would be enough of Rukia on his mind until he had to face her later. He ought to focus on his other responsibilities, too.

Fate, or whatever cosmic force made things happen for no logical reason, was ironic, however. Having finished making a mental list of things to bring up with Rudbornn, Ulquiorra found himself right next to her room. Despite it being nowhere near the straight way he had meant to take to the dining hall.

With a scoff he was about to move along, when he noticed light seeping through a crack under the door. Was Rukia still awake?

Before he could think better of it, he gently knocked on the door and entered her room.

The first thought that struck Ulquiorra was that Rukia really was upset about the whole situation. And as much as she tried to cope, it was hard on her. Her unbent pride and stubbornness made her seem pretty strong. But now he was reminded that underneath that façade were weakness and vulnerability.

Rukia was sleeping at her desk, her arms her pillow. Crumpled sheets of paper were scattered around the floor. She must have been trying to find some solace in what usually gave her great enjoyment – drawing. It didn't seem to have helped her much.

Ulquiorra picked up one of the papers and unfolding it, he saw furious scratches made with a pencil, here and there blurred where her tears had fallen. It was incoherent, just an outlet for her distress. Looking from it to her and back, he didn't know what he should feel or if he should feel anything at all.

He soundlessly approached Rukia. Her face was obscured by screen of her hair. Her breaths were shallow. Even sleep couldn't bring her peace.

He considered leaving Rukia be lest he disturbed her fragile rest. Then again, what rest could she get sleeping like this? Making up his mind, he put away the angry drawing, and as gently as possible, he scooped her up and carried to her bed. Luckily, it didn't wake her up, though a quiet murmur like a complaint escaped her lips. Having laid her down, he sat down next to her. Only now he could see her face, which even in the dim light was clearly reddish and puffed from crying. As he suspected, her cheek was hot under his fingertips. Her shoulder, on the other hand, unnaturally chilly. Her eyebrows were furrowed and jaws clenched – distress had her in its grasp even in her sleep.

Ulquiorra's eyes wandered to her wounded lip, and he cursed silently. He wasn't the nicest person. He could be violent and cruel when he deemed it necessary. But something like this should have never happened.

He looked away and to the wall above the bed, adorned with Rukia's drawings. Finally he had the chance to check them out… What the—? He blinked a couple of times, trying to comprehend what he was seeing… Rabbits? He looked back and forth between them and Rukia, and couldn't help but be amused by her peculiar 'talent'.

Each rabbit was distinct, and most seemed somehow familiar to him, for some reason… That was when he realised that they pictured people close to her. Byakuya Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Renji Abarai, Orihime Inoue, Uryū Ishida, Yasutora Sado, some trash, Jūshirō Ukitake, Kaien Shiba, two other trashes and a lion-like teddy bear.

"So this is your heart, Rukia?" Ulquiorra asked quietly. It didn't surprise him that there wasn't one of him anywhere, yet what did surprise him was a jot of disappointment that stirred in him.

He looked again at the rabbits, making sure to remember them well. They were her weak spot, and she foolishly left it out in the open. If he wanted to really hurt her, all he needed to do was kill them. What more, he felt he actually would do it, if given the chance, but not with the intention of hurting her, but to get rid of anyone she had any bond with. Because… she was his now… she didn't belong to them anymore.

He still didn't understand bonds and hearts. To him it seemed they brought only pain, distress and restraints. Yet, as ridiculous as they were, those inconvenient ideals seemed to be like a world to Rukia, and she deeply cared for those she held close to her heart. Curiously, he found himself slightly envious of her friends.

Ulquiorra didn't know what it was, but he enjoyed the time he had spent with Rukia so far. Well… with the exception of a few turbulences along the way, yet he couldn't help but think a bit fondly of them as a process they had had to go through to learn some things about each other. They might be back to square one, but now they had the knowledge and experience that affinity was possible between them despite who they were innately. She had warmed up to him once, so with enough time she would do so again, correct?

Rukia's frown was softer now, and he'd like to think it was a sign that she agreed with him.

Noticing he was thinking nonsense, he decided it was time to go. Before that, he wanted to make her even more comfortable, so he took off her shoes. Reaching over her, he grabbed the quilt and covered her with it.

A sudden gasp and a jolt from Rukia startled him. She shrank away from him, her eyes wide open. There was fear in them.

Ulquiorra didn't like that she was afraid of him, but he couldn't blame her for such reaction. To ease her concerns and show her he wasn't doing anything deplorable, he slowly finished straightening the quilt. She kept staring at him like a trapped animal.

"Rest. We can talk in the morning," he told her, in case his intentions weren't clear just by his actions. With nothing else to add, he turned off the light on her desk and left.

・

Rukia stared at the door to her room for a good couple of minutes after Ulquiorra left. Shock and fear slowly gave way to confusion.

Sitting up, her gaze fell down on the quilt, and she had a hard time processing what had just transpired. A headache from all the crying wasn't helping much, too. But… had he just… tucked her in?

Racking her brains, she well remembered sitting by her desk and drawing… well, trying to draw. She had been too upset to be able to focus even on the activity she loved. All she could have done was pour her emotions on paper in angry scribbles with no shape or form. Even reminiscing happy times with her friends hadn't helped. If anything, it had made her heart ache for them all the more.

Rukia also remembered being tired, and resting her head on her arms for a moment. However, she didn't remember going to bed or taking off her shoes… Yet, she had no shoes on, and was in bed… tucked in.

Adding one thing to another, there was only one possibility. Ulquiorra had done that.

But why? It made no sense.

She had expected to never see him again, or if he appeared before her again it would mean her death. He had had his hand around her throat yesterday but hesitated, hadn't he? He was a pragmatic man if anything. He didn't care about useless or pointless things, and that was what she had become to him, hadn't she?

"You've served your purpose well, Shinigami."

Rukia grimaced at the memory. Those words stung her badly. Thankfully, scales fell from her eyes and now she could clearly see that the last two weeks had been but one big lie. She would no longer delude herself that she and he were anything more than enemies. Oh, she had been such an idiot!

And that kiss… Remembering it made her blood run cold. Everything about it felt wrong – the act, the person. It was as if it wasn't Ulquiorra, but someone completely different. Then again, did she know him at all? Perhaps the Ulquiorra she had come to know was just a façade? The real one was a heartless and cruel bastard. Suddenly that fancy to be kissed by him turned into a bad joke. Be careful what you wish for.

Yet, he tucked her in bed…

Rukia felt her headache growing, so she laid back down. Grabbing a pillow and hugging it tightly for comfort, she closed her eyes, hoping to sleep the pain off.

※

It was a few hours later, when Rukia woke up again. She had no idea what time it was; not that she cared, not today. Her head was hazy from sleep and a vestige of headache. Yet a presence of someone nearby didn't escape her senses. It wasn't difficult to guess who it was.

"Why?" she asked, her voice – raw from the crying and sleep – cracked. "Why didn't you kill me?"

A rustle was her only answer, but Ulquiorra remained silent.

She pushed herself up to a sitting position to have a better look at him. Perhaps he preferred to say whatever he had to say to her face. She wasn't surprised to find him in his armchair, his chin propped on his hand. There was a book in his lap. He watched her with an unreadable expression.

"After all I've served my purpose, haven't I?" she pushed further, faking a sneer. "Aren't I a trash now?"

・

Ulquiorra inwardly winced. His words from yesterday were coming back to bite him in the arse. He knew he deserved it. He also knew her insolent attitude was just a mask to hide her raw emotions. Beneath her snide remark and frosty gaze were pain, sadness, fear and uncertainty, to name the obvious few.

"There's no reason to kill you," he replied, wanting to calm her down. "We're not as cruel as you might think." Why he used a plural pronoun when he clearly meant himself, he wasn't sure. Perhaps because there was no need telling her that now it was only him on whom depended her fate.

A scoff escaped her lips. "Could have fooled me. So what's my new purpose?"

"Rukia…" Ulquiorra began, but stopped, when he noticed she visibly stiffened. Not that he knew how to reply to her question. He took her as his woman to keep her safe, with no other purpose in his mind.

"Am I to be thrown to Nnoitra, after all?" she asked, again trying to sound audacious, but a subtle stammer and her trembling hands betrayed her worry.

"No."

Slowly nodding her head, Rukia absentmindedly touched her bottom lip. Then her eyes widened in realisation. "To… you?"

Her reaction and question put him in a mild fluster. He never liked to explain himself, but now he felt he had to in order to prevent any misunderstandings arising from his questionable actions. "I… have no excuse for my behaviour yesterday, and I apologise for hurting your lip. I don't know what came over me. But I promise you I'd never force myself on you."

・

Rukia shot him a sceptical look. She wanted to believe him, but she couldn't let her guard down just in case. His aloof demeanour cracked just slightly then, and it was the first time she heard him say he was sorry. Perhaps he was sincere. Or perhaps it was another lie.

"Is this how you see me now?" Ulquiorra asked. His frown seemed to deepen.

"I don't know you," she replied after a moment. Bitterness she was unable to conceal laced her words. "I thought I was beginning to grasp who you are but I was wrong. All our interactions were built on a lie. Who are you really… Ulquiorra?"

"Despite some lies in the beginning, I was mainly honest with you."

"Were you?" Rukia asked in disbelief. "And yesterday… you…" She was beginning to think that his words and that kiss had been to either shut her up or put her in her place… or intimidate her… or all that together. This realisation upset her more than she cared to admit. She could no longer look him in the eye, when she quietly concluded, "I was but a tool to you."

"That's not true, Rukia. But I did say and do things I regret now."

Hearing Ulquiorra say her name so casually felt like a needle pricking her heart. It just sounded too natural and familiar, when in fact she never was a person in his eyes. Why not 'Shinigami' again, just like yesterday? It would be closer to his view of her, thus more adequate. Swallowing back her bitterness, she asked, "Why the farce in the first place?"

"To keep you calm, subdued. So you wouldn't do anything rash."

Rukia finally looked back at him, forcing a humourless smile on her face. "So I wouldn't inconvenience you, is that what you mean?"

Ulquiorra paused, but eventually admitted, "Yes."

"I see…" She got up from the bed and stood up proudly. Putting on a formal tone of a hostess bidding farewell to a guest, she said, "Then don't let me inconvenience you anymore. Now if you'll excuse me."

"Rukia…"

With a terse bow, Rukia put her hand up to let him know she was done here. Grabbing a fresh set of clothes, she took refuge in the bathroom. Letting out a shaky sigh, she leaned her back against the door. Tears started to well in her eyes again. Why did he affect her so much?

・

Ulquiorra stared after her. The conversation didn't go too well, but it didn't end up in a catastrophe either. At least it seemed she accepted his explanation and no longer feared he would do anything to her. He would count that as a progress.

With no impending danger, perhaps Rukia would be more inclined to realise that his deception hadn't been anything personal. It had been crafted before they exchanged any words, before they started learning anything about each other. The relation they had built across last two weeks wasn't a part of it at all. Nothing had to change between them.

He was also curious how far they could take it. Friends? Lovers? Her actions before clearly had shown him that she wasn't indifferent towards him. Her reaction to his deception, too, wouldn't have been this strong if she didn't care about him to some extent. She felt he had betrayed her, didn't she?

And perhaps he had. Perhaps he should have come clean earlier. Would she have been more understanding then? Would it have hurt her less?

Would she have then understood that she wasn't a tool to him?

He was unable to pinpoint the exact moment when she turned from an anonymous hostage to Rukia, a person. Was it when he had held her tightly when they struggled for her zanpakutō? Or when he had recognised that perhaps if he was more considerate, they wouldn't butt heads for trifles like her breakfast? Or maybe when he had noticed her embarrassed innocence when she had fallen for Ichimaru's joke? Or maybe when they had had their first casual chat?

Ulquiorra didn't know. All those and more, however, had made him realise that she was Rukia, someone interesting and worth his attention; someone he wanted to get close to and protect from all the lurking dangers. She was important to him. With her by his side he felt less empty. She affected him in some mysterious way.

Speaking of breakfast, he had to make sure she ate the one he brought her… She might be upset, but she had to take care of her body.

・

Rukia soaked in the bathtub, enveloped in warmth and floral scents. It would have been all nice and cosy… if only it wasn't going on for forty minutes already! She had to refill it with warm water three times so far and was all wrinkled. But she didn't want to leave the bathroom just to see Ulquiorra again. That bastard was still in her room. Couldn't he get the message that she wanted to be left alone?!

She let out an exasperated sigh. Her sorrow now changed into annoyance.

Not only at him, but also at herself.

He and his schemes shouldn't matter to her. As her enemy he was bound to pull something like using her to get her friend back to his master. She should just stop crying and get a grip. She needed to be strong and even more determined, because now she had to get not only herself but also Inoue out of Las Noches.

Rukia hid herself under the water in shame. For the last couple of days her desire to escape had wavered. Somehow Ulquiorra made her feel so at ease that she had lost the sight of her priorities. Not to mention – her pride as a Shinigami. Curse you, Ulquiorra!

She had to rectify her mistake.

But how could she reach Inoue?

Rukia sat up to take a breath. In her head wheels were turning. Just getting to Sode no Shirayuki had proved to be quite a challenge. And she had been in the same wing of the castle. Searching for Inoue's reiatsu, she could tell she was even three times that distance, somewhere to her right and way, way up. It wouldn't be easy reaching her – the bloody castle was a freaking maze with monsters at every corner!

Memory of running into Nnoitra made her shudder. Who knew how many other Arrancars like him lied in wait to get their hands on a Shinigami… to kill her, to devour her… or worse. Ulquiorra had warned her…

"Shut up! Go away!" Rukia hissed in anger, resenting any thoughts of him. She punched the wall for a good measure. "Ouch!" she whined. The tail cracked, but so did the skin on her knuckles. They were already bruised from the punch she had thrown at Ulquiorra's face yesterday. Remembering that put a grim smile on her face. He had felt pain and she had felt good.

Speaking of whom, he still was in her room, and it didn't look like he was going to leave any time soon. He clearly was waiting for her. Stubborn bastard. Hadn't she made it clear she wanted to be left alone? There was nothing else left to say, was there? Just curse you!

Irritated, Rukia finally got out of the bathtub. Drying herself and dressing, she finished her morning toilette. In one of the cabinets she found some gauze, so she bandaged her injured knuckles with it. Ready, she stood in front of the big mirror and scrutinised herself. She looked all right, maybe a bit tired, and she couldn't get that sour expression off her face. At least her eyes went back to normal and nothing indicated she had been crying.

Bracing herself for another confrontation, she opened the door and returned to her room. She immediately caught his green eyes looking at her.

"Leave, I want to be alone," she said coldly, folding her arms in front of her chest.

・

Ulquiorra was mentally prepared for some tribulations. Rukia's face and posture told him she wasn't going to make it easy for him. He would have to be more patient than usual. After counting silently to three, he said, "Breakfast."

Rukia narrowed her eyes. "I'm not hungry."

"You should eat."

"I'm not hungry, for Soul Society's sake! Can't you understand?!" she bristled, her hands shot in the air in incredulity. "Are we seriously going back to this?"

"Rukia…" he warned her.

Her eyes widened for a second, and then her scowl turned into a frown. She looked away from him. "Just… Please…"

This reaction surprised Ulquiorra. Perhaps she really needed some more time alone? Were there still things she needed to process? He really didn't want to aggravate her more than what couldn't be avoided. He softly sighed, and after a moment agreed to her request, "Fine."

Rukia's eyes were on him again, shining in violet astonishment. She seemed to think she misheard him.

"Be it your way, Rukia," he said to assure her that she heard him right.

Her jaws clenched, and she again averted her gaze. She nodded her head in what he assumed was a lukewarm gratitude.

Ulquiorra couldn't help but notice her odd reactions, and they all had one thing in common – him saying her name. Why? What was suddenly wrong there? It was her who wanted him to call her by her name in the first place.

"Rukia Kuchiki… That's my name."

"I know."

"Then use it properly, you Arrancar!"

He had started using her given name instead of her family name just to spite her, but soon it was rolling off his tongue naturally and she, from some bratty Shinigami woman, had become Rukia. Perhaps this had been the turning point in the way he perceived her, after all? By acknowledging her name, at the same time he had acknowledged her existence, her being a person, not just some Shinigami.

Actually, he rarely thought of her as a Shinigami… She was Rukia. His Rukia.

"I'll come back later," he said and left. But before he closed the door after himself, their eyes met for a brief moment. He was struck by just how forlorn she looked. It almost made him go to her, but he stopped himself, knowing she would immediately shut up like a clam. Maybe with some time she would open up to him again.

・

Rukia wanted to be left alone. But watching his back as he was leaving, she suddenly felt lonely and disappointed. She wanted to pounce on him, grab him by the collar and scream at him how she felt; how he made her feel. She wouldn't stop until he apologised and made some amends. Like he would ever do that…

Ulquiorra was her enemy, she shouldn't have any expectations of him. He was the 4th Espada in Aizen's army. And she was a Shinigami in Gotei-13. She mustn't forget that! She and he had opposing loyalties, they could never find a common ground, not truly and not permanently. Mutual respect was all they could share, at best. And despite everything, she still respected him. Begrudgingly. To some extent she understood his motives, and objectively could praise his craftiness and grasp of her and her friends' Heart and how to use it for Aizen. She was also somewhat grateful for his care, even if it was insincere. He had played her well, hadn't he?

Rukia again scowled at the door as if it was Ulqiuorra. Her fist itched to connect with his face once more.

Her gaze travelled to her breakfast. Somehow he let it go… for now. A confrontation was brewing in the air, she could feel it in her bones. But she really wasn't hungry, even though she should be by now. There was a churning sensation in her stomach, and she just knew that if she ate anything, she would feel sick and throw up.

She didn't think Ulquiorra would understand, rather focusing on the untouched plates than her needs. It seemed the order to keep her alive was still in effect, and knowing him, he would strive to execute it flawlessly.

To avoid his nagging, Rukia could see only one solution. And she hated it.

Gathering some of the food, she flushed it down the toilet.

Not all, of course. It would look suspicious if she 'ate' everything when she so vehemently claimed she wasn't hungry. She grimaced at what she just did. Being (self-)raised in the poverty of Inuzuri, she knew hunger and thus the value of food.

Unhappy, she sat on her bed, slowly sipping green tea. She hoped it would settle her stomach.

Looking around the room, Rukia counted crumpled sheets of paper lying around the room. Fourteen. What a mess she made. Fifteen. Had she known Ulquiorra would still be around, she would have been more prudent expressing her emotions. Sixteen. Seventeen, if she counted the one unfolded on her desk. Must have been—

Then, a realisation dawned on her, making her almost spill her tea all over the bed and herself. Oh shit!

"No. No, no, no…" Rukia hurriedly got up, put the cup away and started searching through the papers. They have to be here somewhere! No, not this one… She was frantically unfolding one paper after another. Just… Ulquiorra didn't see them, did he? If he did… That thought made her freeze for a second. She would die of embarrassment if he had!

Ah, here's one! And soon enough she found the second drawing as well. Exhaling deeply in relief, she took them to her desk to straighten them out. Despite the wrinkles they still looked great, as one would expect from her works of art.

Rukia silently gazed at Ulquiorra's bunny and bear portraits. For a moment she hesitated whether to crumple them again, or better yet – Shakkahō them into ashes, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She had thought that taking out her anger on his paper versions would make her feel better. She had been wrong. If anything, it had made her feel worse.

She gently ran her finger down bunny's cheek— Noticing what she was doing, she proceeded to smooth out the drawing even more, hoping she would deceive even herself. What the hell am I doing?

Sighing, she put them away in their previous hiding place and shut the drawer with a loud bang. Damn you, Ulquiorra!

With no strength left for anything and a new headache forming, Rukia quickly finished tidying up her room. Lying down on bed, she closed her eyes and tried to empty her mind of any thought and emotion.

Orihime sat on her bed in low spirits. She turned off the lights, so it was dark but for the moonlight seeping through the small window. It felt eerie, when it was supposed to be almost noon. She already missed the sun. Slight breeze coming from Hueco Mundo desert made her feel uneasy.

Her senses weren't as sharp as her Shinigami friends' or Ishida-kun's, but if she focused, she could sense Kuchiki-san's reiatsu. Orihime always liked it, it was crisp and delicate like first frost. It seemed normal. Maybe a bit rougher than usual. Nothing indicated she was physically hurt, however, for which she was thankful.

Ulquiorra-san was with her. His reiatsu was calm.

She had tried to ask him about Kuchiki-san this morning. It wasn't her intention to annoy him, but she really needed to know. After a while, when his blank face almost turned into a scowl, he finally replied:

"If I tell you Rukia is safe and sound, will you finally cease your questions?"

Orihime had only smiled her thanks back, and he had left in a huff.

Perhaps it wasn't a direct answer, but it was something. She would take it for now, and keep observing the situation, while searching for ways to reach her friend and get them out of here. She tried opening the door to her room, but to no avail. They were locked for her. Aizen-san intended to keep her in a cage, it seemed.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door and they opened to a commotion of a little girl tumbling into her room, closely followed by an insect-like Arrancar. "Ah, we made it, Pesche. I thought we would never get here! Those Las Noches' Arrancars are scary!"

"Very scary!"

Orihime blinked in surprise, and because upper lights got turned on, blinding her. But it didn't stop a smile blooming on her face. "Nel-chan! What are you doing here?"

She giggled. "Nel Tu asked Ulquiorra-sama if she could see you today. He graciously agreed."

"Oh?"

Nel-chan climbed on her bed, sat as if for meditation, and closed her eyes. Soon, in a poof of smoke, she wasn't a little girl anymore, but a young woman.

Pesche's attitude changed from that of an older brother to a loyal subordinate. He handed her some additional clothes to fit her adult form. "Neliel-sama."

Nel-chan thanked him with a smile, and dressing properly, she turned to Orihime, "I wanted to see you, because I have a request, Orihime." She patted the skull on her head. "Can you try fixing my mask?"

"Sure, I can try," Orihime agreed, and with no questions asked, started working on it. She could tell it was an old crack, and great force had been used to cause it. However, after a few moments she had no doubts that she would be able to make it as good as new. With this out of the way, she had more pressing matters to address. "Nel-chan… -san?"

"Either is fine."

"Nel-chan…" Orihime decided, as it just sounded right. "I'm worried about Kuchiki-san. Maybe you can tell me if everything is all right with her?"

The Arrancar woman frowned. "Why do you worry?"

"I don't know if I can trust Ulquiorra-san," she admitted. "He says she's all right, but then he… um…" She still had no idea what to think about it. Just remembering the words that he could do anything he wanted with Kuchiki-san from now on sent a cold shiver down her spine. Swallowing her trepidation, she continued, "He asked Aizen-san to give Kuchiki-san to him, and I don't know what he meant by that. It just doesn't sound good. She isn't a property!"

Nel-chan raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Ulquiorra did that? That's… interesting. But I wouldn't worry too much. I mean, I can't say I know him, but I don't think he has any indecent motives. He and Rukia seem to get along pretty well. Grimmjow said she's really upset with him, though. I'll ask him if he knows anything else."

Orihime smiled gratefully. Her words eased her worries a tad bit. But she wouldn't rest until she met and asked Kuchiki-san in person. She wanted to save her friend from this dreadful place!

Ulquiorra entered Rukia's room for the third time today, this time with her dinner. No papers were scattered around anymore, and it looked like she had eaten her breakfast. Not much, she left a good portion of it, but it was something. His intervention wasn't necessary yet. But if it continued…

Rukia was on her bed lying on her back with her left arm covering her eyes. He could tell she wasn't asleep. Soon he was proved right, when she lifted up her arm a little, gave him an impassive glance and returned to her previous position.

Just when Ulquiorra thought she was going to ignore him, she spoke.

"How's… Inoue?" Her tone of voice was tentative, as if she was afraid what his answer would be or if he would answer her at all.

"She hasn't been and won't be harmed," he assured her.

Rukia slowly nodded her head, clearly unconvinced. "Can I see her?"

He hesitated. He didn't necessarily need Aizen-sama's permission to let them meet. It was just that a part of him didn't want to do it. So she would stop thinking about her. On the other hand, if she saw her friend was safe and sound, perhaps it would calm her doubts and she would gradually start trusting him again. So, for now, he opted for a vague, "I'll see what I can do about that."

"Will you tell her 'hi' from me?"

"… I will." Ulquiorra, again, didn't want to, but he would do that for her. It seemed she was slowly accepting the current state of affairs, and without too much a defiance.

With a shaky sigh Rukia rolled to her side, away from him. "You don't need to bother yourself with me anymore. You can leave."

Why did he have a feeling she actually meant that he was bothering her? A fleeting thought that letting her live was going to be too troublesome, after all, passed through his mind. He flexed his fingers, but the urge to kill her soon faded. He might not understand well what she was going through, but eventually she would work it out. He had to be patient.

"Your dinner," he reminded her.

"I just ate breakfast. Leave the food, I'll eat it later," Rukia said without even turning to look at him. After a pause, she added, "It should be enough for the rest of the day, so don't bring me any supper."

She was trying to get rid of him… He would cut her some slack today.

"Very well," he said and left.

・

Rukia slowly sat up, surprised that Ulquiorra let her be… again. Though she was more surprised he bothered with her in the first place. Why not just send a servant? It seemed it was still his duty to look after her, and he was going to see to it personally. He really didn't have to…

She got up and approached the food trolley. Feeling a bit peckish, she tried a piece of meat. It tasted like ash. She drank a bit of miso soup. It was better, but still she felt like nausea would hit her if she had more. Resigned, she gathered some of the food and flushed it down the toilet. As much as she hated doing it, a bitter satisfaction filled her that she acted to spite Ulquiorra. It was childish of her, she knew it, but she just couldn't help it.

※

In the evening, Rukia sat in the window, watching the fake sunset. After all that storm of emotions, she finally felt numb. Her feelings weren't important right now. Action was. Inoue came for her, she was sure, she couldn't let her friend down. She had to reach her and—

"I thought you didn't like it."

Ulquiorra's voice suddenly coming from next to her startled her slightly and she tensed. She didn't expect to see him this evening.

"It's still objectively pretty to look at," she eventually replied, realising he was talking about the illusory sky.

Why did he come? To check upon her if she wasn't doing anything 'foolish'? Oh, she was, but he didn't need to know that. First, not eating properly, and then planning on leaving her room to reach Inoue. He definitely didn't need to know that…

Still, Rukia found his comment odd. Either he had paid attention to her words or had a good memory. She supposed it was the latter. She barely remembered their exchange from days ago when she had mentioned she hated this fake sky, since it was so insignificant a comment.

She stole a glance at him from the corner of her eye.

Ulquiorra stood next to her, around three feet away, leaning against the castle's wall. His hands were in his pockets, as usual. His gaze, scrutinising, stared at the setting sun.

Silence was oddly comfortable, bearing resemblance to what had been between them two days ago. His company – as undesirable as welcome. Rukia was torn. Part of her wanted to understand him, his thoughts, his motivations, his hopes. The other part wanted to forget him altogether, to lock him away from her mind… and heart.

Sun finally sank below the horizon. She hesitated if she should say anything to Ulquiorra, but when she looked at him again, he was gone. Suddenly feeling cold, she returned back inside.

※

Before Rukia turned in for the day, she decided to do a small reconnaissance. Putting up a Kyokkō barrier to hide her presence, she went to find the staircase she had used before and see how far up it would take her. She didn't know what it was, but there was something off about corridors, even though they looked the same as she remembered them. Or was she misremembering something?

She halted, just in case, when an Arrancar servant passed by her. If Ulquiorra found out she left her room without him…

After a while, she finally reached the staircase… but it wasn't there. Just a wall. She was sure she remembered it right. It should have been here… What was going on? She would now have to find a new way to Sode no Shirayuki.

This shift in her surroundings made her feel uneasy, so she ran back to her room. She needed to gather her thoughts.

※

Next morning, Rukia purposely slept in to make Ulquiorra leave her alone with her breakfast again. Fortune was on her side and he agreed without much fussing. He asked no questions, too. Since when was he so accommodating?

She watched him leave with a frown on her face, too perplexed. She even held his gaze when he looked back at her when closing the door, just to see if anything about him would give away his thoughts. No such luck.

With a half-hearted "Humph!" Rukia broke the eye-contact before it became too awkward. However, after the door clicked shut, her cold gaze softened into a sad, wistful one. Shaking her head to drive away thoughts of Ulquiorra, she decided to do some exercises. She tired easily, having barely eaten since yesterday. Her stomach still felt somewhat upset, and no matter how deliciously the food looked, it had no taste in her mouth. So she again had to pretend she ate her meal.

When she emerged from the bathroom holding a half-empty bowl of rice, she stopped dead as shock and horror washed over her. Ulquiorra stood in the doorway, giving her a hard look.

"And what do you think you're doing, Rukia?"

OMAKE I

Ulquiorra picked up one of the papers and unfolding it, he saw… What the—? He blinked a couple of times, trying to comprehend what he was seeing… A rabbit? It had green eyes, and linear marks on his cheeks… just like he… This rabbit was him.

He looked back and forth between it and Rukia, not knowing what to feel. He was quite flattered that she had decided to draw him. On the other hand, she had crumpled the drawing, clearly upset with him.

He straightened the paper as best as he could, careful not to smudge the drawing.

Then, as gently as he could, he carried Rukia to her bed. There he saw her other drawings. Now knowing what to expect, he easily recognised her brother and friends. This was Rukia's heart. With envy, he noted that he wasn't amongst them, his picture crumpled and discarded. But he wasn't going to give up. He knew she wasn't indifferent towards him.

Ulquiorra returned to her desk and after a quick search, he found an adhesive tape. He took his drawing and adhered it to the wall – under the row of her friends, closer to her.

Satisfied, he quietly left.

・

Later, Rukia looked through the crumpled papers to find Ulqiuorra's portraits. She went through them a couple of times, but could find only the bear one. She was beginning to panic. Had he found the bunny one and took it? It couldn't be! Just to be sure, she searched the room thoroughly once more. Perhaps she missed it, after all.

Then, she found it on the wall above her bed, amongst her other drawings. She paled. So he had seen it…

Her first instinct was to tear it off— She stopped herself at the last moment. Ulquiorra had already seen it, no use hiding it from him. Moreover, it looked like he wanted to be amongst her friends. And, if she was perfectly honest with herself, she wanted him there, too.

OMAKE II

Grimmjow frowned, noticing something different about Nel. "Your mask…?"

She smiled. "I asked Orihime to fix it for me. I won't be changing into a child anymore."

"That's good. You're one annoying little brat, you know." A smug smirk made its way to his face. "Though you can keep calling me Grimmjow-sama."

Nel smacked him on the head. "In your dreams!"

A/N:

Mufufufu, I think it's a pretty good scene to end the chapter with, don't you? – Just when something was about to happen… (´0ﾉ｀*) More in the next chapter! It might be quite hectic, we'll see ( ´艸｀)

So, until then! Cheers! (^-^)/

朝霧 -Asagiri-