Hullo!

I'm back again! This time after almost 3 months… At least it wasn't another half a year, hahaha… (Yes, I know, it wasn't funny… Sorry… m(_ _ )m) My excuse for this time: my fluffy plot bunnies suddenly ran away leaving me only with my emoting writer's block (´・ω・`) No, really.

Anyway, lots of thanks to everyone who has read the previous chapter! However even more thanks (with whipped cream and your favourite fruit on top – you can choose! ﾍ(ﾟ∀ﾟ*)ﾉ How cool is that?) to those who were kind enough to drop a review!

Sepsis, SoraXNamine, YokaiMoon, Medduch, megui-chan, kluxces, chacra, Cethron, Fire331, DnKy, loveyouso, RainingNothing, Adrianna, ceiyn, Prince cl0ud9, Kita of Nature, AlaeaMori, Kuran Juuri, VirgoStargirl, deathnoteno1fan-codegeasslover, yume girl 91, Midnight x Poker, Hiroen Nnir, bakasaru264, ASUKA, ameliechan:D, Kurosu, Mirra, KiKwang, byakuyalover06, Yunie, Rhirhirhi, greenisnotyourenemy2737, Anjiska, Entotre, OnlyIntuition, AnimeFanx3 (and thank you for your PM once again!), Kayuki Fujisaki, wickedsistah1024, verene, sadbird, liruA

Thank you all! ( ´艸｀) I honestly don't know how you can bear with me, but I'm grateful that you do. I think I'd marry you if it wasn't… uh… weird, I guess (just kiddin', hahaha… the marrying part, of course (￣_￣ i)).

So yeah, enough of my pointless rambling and onto the chapter! (And it's extra long… Almost 8,000 words! (σ・∀・)σ Waaah～)

Hope you'll like it!

朝霧 -Asagiri-

The Frozen Whisper

by Asagiri

Chapter 17

Like a Snowdrop

Limply moving from her kneeling position, Rukia sat on the floor feebly hugging her knees. She had never in her life felt so helpless, so… crushed. And empty – as if her insides had been ripped out of her body, squashed and littered somewhere for the vultures to feast on. Images of Ulquiorra were repeatedly flashing in her mind, magnifying that feeling of utter agony and making her sobs even more violent.

She cried for herself, for all her weaknesses and mistakes. She also cried for all those poor souls she and other Shinigamis had condemned to that miserable existence… And of course she cried for him.

Her tears were imbued with sadness, despair, regret, shame and many other emotions, all heavy and excruciating. Even though with every teardrop she shed they were flowing out of her system, they didn't seem to end as if their pool was bottomless. And they didn't cleanse her, didn't make her anguish any less overwhelming. They were just a wet evidence of how much she was hurting inside.

Even though it was bringing her pain, Rukia couldn't stop thinking about him. Although she did want to banish him from her mind… and from her heart. She wanted to hate him, but she couldn't. He was there; in every single breathing moment he persistently haunted her and she just couldn't get rid of him. She wanted, yes… yet she couldn't force herself to obliterate him from her mind. Because if she did, she feared her breathing, already faint, would cease completely and she would suffocate.

As much as she deserved it, she didn't want him to hate her. Quite the opposite, to be honest. Because the moment she saw that coldness in his eyes, she truly realised, that she wasn't completely indifferent towards him, that as much as incredulously it sounded, she cared for him. That realisation scared her somewhat, yet at the same time it put all her previous uncertainties and confusions at rest.

Because she finally was able to admit it to herself – she didn't hate Ulquiorra; actually, she cared for him.

And the irony was that she hadn't realised it but the moment he'd made it clear he despised her and her kin. If only she could return that feeling… Everything would be as it should have been from the start – them being mortal enemies wanting nothing more than the other to perish from the face of any world, be it Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, Human World or any other dimension.

Yet, she didn't want it to be like that. Rukia knew it was egoistic of her, but she wanted him to return her feelings, however knowing it was impossible, she'd be content with anything but that coldness.

That icy look he'd given her had been laced with contempt making her feel as if she'd been slapped, punched in the gut and stabbed in the chest, all three assaults at the same time. And then stomped over just for good measure. If he hadn't been holding her wrist that time, she knew she would have run away to hide in shame.

That coldness hurt like hell. When she'd noticed it in his eyes, she'd literally felt her heart convulse in her chest, shattering into pieces.

And she had nothing to repair it with…

All of a sudden the upcoming war became something of secondary importance to her. She really didn't care that he was her enemy, that he was an Arrancar, a being that was basically an antithesis of a Shinigami. She didn't even care that without a second thought he'd kill her, her friends and her family. She was being egoistic, she knew it, but she couldn't help feeling this way.

There were many things she didn't want or didn't care about, however she wasn't sure what she did want. After all, the things that she wanted the most, her earnest wishes that she kept hidden somewhere deep in her heart couldn't be granted, couldn't become a reality. They were too idealistic. She simply wanted too much. That was why she was afraid to even think about them. Therefore she didn't. It was easier this way, less painful and no disheartening disappointments involved.

Yet, there was that yearning relentlessly tugging at her heart, trying to make her acknowledge it. She felt it, but she ignored it; ignored the fact that her life was missing something.

After all she didn't need it. She could live without it, whatever it was.

Kuchiki Rukia was pretty good at deceiving herself.

Her sobs finally subsided. Tears were still streaming down her reddened cheeks, though they weren't as intense. She felt weak, both mentally and physically, though it wasn't anything surprising – all this crying, swirling emotions and skipped meals had had to take a toll on her.

She somehow dragged herself to the bathroom to wash her face, hoping it would help her calm down more. Standing in front of the sink she didn't even bother to glance in the mirror, knowing she looked absolutely pathetic. So she just turned the cold water on, took a handful and splashed it in her face. She repeated it few times, however she found it not enough.

So, she went to the bathtub, took the shower head, turned the tap on and stuck her head under the flowing cold water. After few moments, she raised her head so the stream directly hit her face (wetting her clothes and floor in the process, but she seemed not to notice that). She felt it washing away her tears and cooling her inflamed face. Her headache seemed to subside gradually as well. Overall the cold water numbed her for what she was grateful.

She didn't know where it came from, but an idea of a soothing bubble bath popped in her mind. Going with it, she turned on the hot water and added snowdrop bath enhancer. When the water level in the bathtub was adequate, she stripped and got in, trying not to think about anything at all, especially about the green-eyed Espada.

Ulquiorra was on his way to his room, and although nothing in his demeanour showed it, inside he was full of indignation.

Would he ever have a full control over himself, over his senses, over his mind??

When he'd assumed that he finally had that control, some Shinigami woman had appeared and not only had she brought about confusion in general, but also proved him wrong – that in fact he still was in the power of his Hollow's desires. And what worse – he really had thought that he was just at a loss when he'd suddenly started feeling, what he'd presumed at first, something new, something he'd never felt before.

But no.

It was simply because of what they were. Those supposedly new feelings were merely a hunger for her sweet soul, nothing more nothing less. It was simply different from what he had felt as a Menos, him being now an Arrancar. He guessed the reason for it probably lay in the fact that he didn't need to devour souls anymore. He could if he really wanted to, but generally it wasn't necessary.

Yet he'd thought that he'd developed some… feelings, that she actually meant something to him as Rukia. Not as a Shinigami, a soul to be devoured.

Ridiculous, Ulquiorra thought testily while entering his room. 'He' and 'feelings' just didn't belong together in one sentence, something he should have known from the start. But if he'd failed to notice something this obvious, what else had he overlooked or misunderstood?

He put Murciélago on the desk next to her zampakutō and lay on his bed, arms crossed under his head.

His room was cold, nothing new here since the day he kept her sword, although it wasn't as cold as he supposed it would be. He actually was surprised it wasn't snowing, considering the state he'd left her in. The last look he'd seen her giving him was full of torment and pain, although now he didn't think about it with such satisfaction as he had in the beginning.

The green-eyed Espada exhaled deeply. So what should he do with her? Should he kill her? Devour her even? And get over and done with it…? Taking care of her took quite a lot of his time (actually, he spent more time with her than necessary), therefore if she were to die, consequently he'd have more time for himself – to train, for example. And she was quite… an overbearing woman, more than once irritating him with her stubbornness… Were she to die, he'd finally have some peace… Wouldn't he?

No…

When he cast his mind back to the day he'd brought back Inoue Orihime to Aizen-sama, he'd wondered what would happen with Rukia, as she'd fulfilled her purpose. He rather vividly remembered that he hadn't wanted her to die. And thinking about it now, he still wasn't keen on the idea of her death…

Ulquiorra frowned. That thought was completely un-Hollow-like, he realised. After all Hollows relished in destruction and death and none, absolutely none would pass up a chance to devour a delicious soul of a Shinigami.

But he didn't want her soul, at least not as nourishment, no matter how sweet and satiating it would be. Besides he felt that had he devoured her, that emptiness in his own soul would only grow.

However he was aware of few Hollow-like qualities in himself when she was concerned.

First and foremost was possessiveness. She belonged to him; she was his and no one else's. If he could help it, he would never share her with anybody. He'd already decided that he would eliminate anyone who'd claim any deeper relationship with her. He would severe those bonds, reducing them only to one – the one between him and her. Her place was beside him, not with that trash she called friends.

Of course she would be upset at first, but it was inevitable. However once she would end mourning them and calm down, she'd realise that she had him and solely him. He wanted to be like a world to her. And he wanted her whole only to himself.

And that Heart of hers, whatever that was.

And obviously her sweet warmth... He'd seen and felt it few times, tasted once. And he craved for more, even though he'd lost himself twice to it. Since the Hollow part of him had taken over him that time (therefore he hadn't been completely himself), he didn't remember much about it, except that it felt good. Her warmth soothed his broken soul, making him forget about the emptiness for those few seconds.

But how would it feel if he was fully in control over himself? What would he feel then? He would have to check into it, granted he would maintain his control, of course.

Ulquiorra then noticed something – thinking about her made all the indignation built up in him disperse into nothingness before he even knew it. He was calm now, his mind clear of any emotions. That woman surely affected him greatly, awakening something like feelings in him (though usually it was an irritation or confusion, but still).

Hell, she'd even made him, of all living beings, talk about himself, when he wasn't really the one to do such ridiculous thing.

What was more surprising – he didn't really mind.

And it didn't matter to him that she was a Shinigami. True, he disliked them; they were lower, weaker beings than Arrancars. Yet, he couldn't think about Rukia as a Shinigami. Well, she was one, it couldn't be denied, but first and foremost she was Rukia and that was it.

He didn't harbour any grudge against her in particular. Besides, he'd seen in her eyes that she was full of regret and guilt. Apparently she hadn't been aware of everything, but that was just how she'd been raised and trained. Now, knowing how it actually was, she was ashamed of the doings of her kin, and that already spoke something about her.

She was quite unpredictable, now that he thought about it. For example, today.

He understood (well, to some degree, at least) that she might be upset that that Human woman had been brought back to Las Noches. It wasn't anything unexpected that she'd like to know more about the circumstances or ask about her friend's wellbeing (the other woman was doing it constantly). However Rukia's questions or rather the way she'd formed them… it had had an odd if not peculiar sound to it.

Because she'd been asking mainly about him, only indirectly inquiring about Inoue Orihime. Why would she do that?

Moreover she hadn't demanded to know what Aizen-sama wanted to do with her friend, but why he, Ulquiorra, had brought her back to the castle. And then she'd started asking all those questions about him… And him only.

What for? Why would she want to learn all those things about him? It certainly wasn't something you inquired your enemy, too personal if anything. And what more – she'd looked determined to know…

Exhaling deeply, he closed his eyes for a moment. Everything concerning her was so confusing to him. He felt an urge to go to her and ask her those questions directly, but he considered it wasn't the best idea, at least not now. It was too early after their heated confrontation. He'd already calmed down, though there was a lot of things he had to analyse more thoroughly.

Besides, he was pretty sure she was still in anguish, most probably crying, so he doubted if her mind was clear enough to give him any coherent answers. She needed time. Furthermore, he didn't want to see her crying and he was pretty sure she didn't want him to see her in such state. However he presumed she would calm down until tomorrow.

So, he decided that he wouldn't go to her today at all. He'd later ask some servant to deliver Rukia her supper. Although he wasn't sure if that stubborn idiot would eat… If she didn't eat today, he'd make sure she would eat tomorrow, even if it meant he'd have to force-feed her. And that was a promise.

He got up to have her meal organised and then he'd go to train some.

Zipping up her jacket, Rukia let out a raspy sigh. She didn't know how long she'd spent soaking in the bathtub, as most of that time she had sat there was rather blurry in her mind. However it was long enough for her body to become unpleasantly wrinkled from the water. But at least it helped her to calm down and numb all the agonising emotions, so she finally was able to think more rationally.

And she realised that there was absolutely nothing she could do about Ulquiorra. There was no way to make him think warmer of her, it would always be coldness or – in the best case – indifference. Why had she even thought it could be different was beyond her. Because honestly… he liking her?

Impossible, she chuckled bitterly with her sad reflection in the mirror.

Maybe it was for the better that they had had this confrontation. At least it was now clear he despised her… Good. Fantastic even. They were enemies, weren't they? They were supposed to hate each other, it was only natural. And it'd be easier when the final battle would take place, no sentiments, no nothing…

Yet it hurt her so much…

"Ulquiorra," she whispered his name in heavy-hearted resignation, feeling it was the last time she would ever utter it. She shook her head to clear her mind of thoughts concerning him. She had to stop thinking about him or at least stop thinking in such fashion (as if he was dear to her). The sooner she got over him the better. She would diminish any feelings for him, praying that this way she'd forget about him in no time.

With that resolve, she put on her gloves and emerged from the bathroom.

The clock showed it was past three in the evening. Around an hour ago he should have come with her dinner… And sure there was a food cart with some covered plates, however no sign of him. He hadn't come and that thought stung her more painfully than she would have expected. She searched for his reiatsu to see where he was at the mo—

Noticing what she was doing, she immediately stopped and berated herself (Kuchiki Rukia, you're officially an idiot!).

Changing the track of her thought to something safer, she approached the food plates. She was a little bit abashed to admit it, but she was hungry. Moreover, her body felt weak, her muscles weary, her mind a little hazy and from time to time she could see small black spots dancing before her eyes. Conclusion: she needed some nutrition. It was over 24 hours since she had anything in her mouth, so she was starting to feel the effects of her irrational behaviour.

So she did the only thing wise and reasonable – she ate. The food was still warm, so with every bite she took, a pleasant wave of heat spread through her body. She ate most of her dinner and when she finished, she felt much better, not only physically, but mentally as well.

She'd been so immersed in thoughts about Ulquiorra, that she forgot what her priorities were. Finally noticing how monumentally stupid and awful of her it had been, she groaned feeling her cheeks flush in shame and embarrassment. She suddenly felt a strong urge to kick herself.

Because how could have she forgotten about Inoue?? What kind of friend was she?? Especially when it was entirely her fault that Inoue had ended up in Las Noches again… Now she positively wanted to murder herself… She had to get the both of them out of this blasted castle or at least her friend if she herself didn't manage. She would never be able to forgive herself if she didn't succeed (or died trying).

Feeling determined, Rukia sat by her desk trying to come up with a plan.

She could sense Inoue's reiatsu and it felt the same as always, meaning she was treated well and wasn't held under any tight supervision. Her cell was few levels below, but that was it, she didn't know anything else and couldn't even presume anything, seeing that Las Noches was completely unfamiliar to her. But as annoyingly as it was a maze, she believed that with luck she could get to her.

The problem was, however, the residents of the castle. She couldn't risk running into any of them. The mere thought of another encounter with Nnoitra filled her with terror and nausea. That guy was dangerous. She knew there were stronger Arrancars (not to mention Aizen, Ichimaru and Tōsen) than him, but he was the most abhorrent and atrocious of them all (even more than that bloody fox, and that said something). The others would simply kill her. He, on the other hand, would take his time and she did not want to imagine what he would do to her.

Repressing the shudder, she banished the sickening thoughts of that appalling Espada.

So yes, she would get to Inoue, but then what? Even if she somehow managed to get them out of the castle – which would be a miracle in itself – she had no power, no artefact, no nothing to open a gate to either Soul Society or Human World. And even if they weren't pursued (which was unlikely), they wouldn't be able to survive in the desert for long.

Rukia ruffled her hair in exasperation. It didn't look very promising. Actually it looked like a plan that was bound to fail.

How optimistic, she mused, laying her head on the cool surface of the desk and closing her eyes for a moment. But was there any chance in the beginning? No.

However she couldn't just sit and wait doing nothing but worrying and having gloomy thoughts in general. She needed to do something even if it ended with her being killed. She didn't fear death. Idleness was much worse! (No wonder she had gotten absorbed with Ulquiorra… She must have been really bored!) She only prayed it wouldn't be Nnoitra who would end her life. Anyone but him. Even Ichimaru would be better.

Rukia stood up with resolve written across her face. So it was final. She was going to get her and Inoue out of this bloody castle or die trying. Simple. No complicated strategies. Without even a plan B.

She was prepared as any other time, so why not start carrying out the plan now?

Okay, here goes nothing, she thought and using kidō, she put around herself a barrier that would hide her reiatsu thus minimising the risk of getting found or detected. Then she opened the door and quickly left her room without even a smallest glance back at it.

Around half an hour later she somehow managed to climb down three levels, but it seemed that Inoue's cell was another two levels down. For now it was going pretty well. Only once she'd had to quickly look for a cover as some servant was passing, but apart from that one, she hadn't seen anyone.

She was already tired, the barrier took a lot of energy to maintain, however she couldn't risk removing it. Ignoring the fatigue, she stealthily moved forward, looking for some staircase that would get her to the lower levels, at the same time cursing the one who had designed and built the fucking castle. But she wouldn't give up! Just thinking about Inoue was giving her a boost of energy and courage, and she was determined even more.

There was a turn at the end of the corridor, so she approached it carefully, in case someone came from there. She didn't feel any reiatsu that would indicate someone indeed was there, but just in case she slowly took a peek. In such situations, there was no such thing as being too care—

Fuck.

Ulquiorra was training. Not that he needed to, but it was something that served him as a distraction from thinking about her. Though, truth be told, it wasn't a very helpful distraction.

He still wasn't sure what kind of connection was there between them, but he wouldn't know that until he didn't meet with her and asked her few questions. Maybe her answers would clear things up for him… He wondered how everything looked from her point of few or what exactly she was thinking about him... But that had to wait until tomorrow.

He then noticed a silhouette in the distance coming in his direction. It was most probably a servant to give him a report on Rukia, as he had ordered. From the previous one he had learned that in the end she hadn't eaten the breakfast and had been sitting in the bathroom, apparently taking a bath. He presumed it was her way of cooling down.

"Ulquiorra-sama!" the servant, a young female Arrancar, breathed urgently, when she was close enough for him to hear her. "She's gone!"

"What?" he asked alarmed.

"Kuchiki Rukia isn't anywhere in her room! I checked it thoroughly!"

He immediately searched for her spiritual pressure, but couldn't sense it anywhere in Las Noches. But she had to be in the castle, there was no way she would be able to leave it. She'd had to hide her reiatsu, there was no other explanation.

Then he searched for Nnoitra's one, but his reiatsu too was untraceable. That didn't bode anything good. What if he…

Feeling there was no time for guessing what might have happened, he promptly moved with sonido to search for Rukia. He doubted that Nnoitra would have entered her room, so it meant that it was her who had left it first. And there was only one destination she would like to get to that came to his mind. Inoue Orihime's room.

Still, it didn't mean that the 5th Espada wasn't involved.

If he as much as touched her, he would kill him.

Bloody fucking HELL!

There, just right behind the corner, casually leaning against the wall stood the embodiment of her doom – Nnoitra. And the worst of it was that it seemed he had been waiting for her. At least she got that feeling when peeking behind the corner she saw him looking directly into her eyes and sneering nastily.

Rukia without delay turned back and started running away as if her life depended on it. Well, it did actually. Unfortunately she was already tired and even if she were in her top form, he was faster than her anyway.

"Well, well, well… We meet again, little girl," he jeered at her, while blocking her way. "It's like a fuckin' destiny, don't you agree?"

Nnoitra, needless to say, was delighted. The moment Ulquiorra brought that other woman with those huge, mouth-watering knockers back to Las Noches, he'd known that his soon-to-be toy would one day sneak out of her room to reach her friend. Ulquiorra wouldn't let them meet, no, he was too possessive of the girl, even though the cold-hearted bastard would never admit it. Not that he blamed him. If he had such a fine toy, he too wouldn't like to share her with anyone.

So, all he had to do was wait. And today, sweet Lady Fortune smiled upon him, giving him the well-deserved reward for his patience. Fuck yeah, he thought lustfully eyeing her up and down, his imagination running wild with all the ways she could be used to entertain him.

"So, what are you doin' here all alone?" he asked, his mouth twisting into a lecherous smirk. Lazily he started approaching her. "Ain't that son of a bitch satisfyin' you enough?"

Rukia could only stare at him in horror, cold sweat standing out from every pore of her body. From the previous encounter, she knew there was no room to discuss anything with him, so talking herself out of this predicament was impossible. She could only try and take some action, praying she would get out of this alive and untouched.

"Hadō no sanjūsan, Sōkatsui!" she cast the destructive spell at him and without waiting to see if it had any effect on him, she broke into a run again. She could hear him laughing behind her and before she could even notice his movement, he appeared right before her catching her by her throat and roughly pushing her against the wall. She let out a small yelp of pain, before suddenly realising she was suffocating.

"I fuckin' love how feisty you are, you know that?" he growled in her ear, suddenly becoming aroused from how close he had her to him. He sharply inhaled her delicate fragrance. He could smell fear in it and that combination was driving him crazy. "I fuckin' knew you'd be a great fun."

Rukia was struggling for breath, at the same time trying to kick him, however her feeble movements didn't seem to make any impression on him. He only kept sneering at her, as if he found her efforts highly amusing. Then he lifted her slightly away from the wall, just to smash her back against it. She felt sharp pain in the back of her head and suddenly everything went black.

The lanky Espada with satisfaction noticed how her body became limp in his hands. Fuckin' splendid! Changing his hold on her, so she wouldn't suffocate (after all there was so many things he wanted to do with her, and all of them required her to be alive, otherwise they wouldn't be as much fun) he once more looked her up and down. He simply couldn't wait to bring his fantasies into reality.

He was about to hoist her up his shoulder and be off to somewhere private where they could spend some quality time together, when a voice stopped him. "Nnoitra."

Turning around he cursed spitefully under his breath. "Ulquiorra," he scowled, glaring at the dickhead that dared to interrupt him. What did that motherfucker wanted from him now? Couldn't he see he was fuckin' busy?

"Hand her back," the green-eyed Espada said calmly, however inwardly he was seething. Seeing Rukia so lifeless and in the hands that could and would hurt her was too much for him. Luckily he found them before the deviant could seriously harm her or worse. The moment he had felt her reiatsu suddenly reappear, he immediately rushed to the source.

"Fuck you," Nnoitra snarled at him. "Besides I don't think she'd fuckin' like it. It looks as if your shitty company doesn't seem to satisfy her."

"I think she'd prefer mine to yours," Ulquiorra retorted.

"Oh?" the lanky Arrancar inquired, mockery evident in his voice. "Then why the fuck did she run away from you? And into my arms?" To emphasise his own statement he moved her limp body in front of himself and just to taunt his rival, he brought his lips to her neck licking her skin. All the time he was looking him directly in the eyes, enjoying the glare sent his way for it promised a lot of suffering.

It was the first time he saw his always aloof associate this angry. He would cherish this image for the rest of his life.

It took a lot of self-control from the usually stoic Espada not to tear apart that motherfucker who was molesting his Rukia. But he would make sure he would pay him for that later. No one, and absolutely no one were to touch her (except for him).

"Hand her back and don't make me repeat myself again," he voiced menacingly.

"Or what? You'll fuckin' attack me?" Nnoitra snorted in contempt. "Don't forget that I'm holdin' your precious woman. My hand might accidentally slip… And she looks so damn breakable…"

Sneering, he demonstratively moved his hand to her neck, using this opportunity to brush her body all the way from her hip, touching her waist and breasts. Even though she wasn't as developed as her friend in certain areas, he had to admit she felt really nice. And what added to his satisfaction – he noticed how Ulquiorra's hand dangerously twitched, ready to kill him.

"Keep your hands off her," the 4th Espada uttered, his green eyes flashing threateningly. He decided – he would take his time killing that bastard; he didn't deserve a swift, practically painless death.

"Jealous?"

He was about to retort, however a female voice beat him to it.

"Let go off Rukia, Nnoitra."

"Neliel," the perverted Arrancar spat her name, narrowing his eye dangerously in a vehement glare. "Fuck off. It's none of your fuckin' business, bitch."

She gazed at him calmly undaunted by his insults. After her supper she'd searched for Nnoitra's reiatsu to make sure where he was and if he wasn't scheming anything, but to her surprise, she couldn't have found him at first. But when she'd finally felt his spiritual pressure, there was also Ulquiorra's one next to his, full of menace. Therefore she'd quickly made her way to see what was wrong. Somehow she wasn't surprised to see it was all over Rukia.

"Fine," the 5th Espada growled eventually, seeing he wouldn't win against those two. But he wouldn't leave quietly, no, it wasn't his damn style. "If you want her so much… catch her yourself, motherfuckers." And without any warning, he took a sharp swing and threw the petite Shinigami like a rag doll in the air, disappearing in a flash, before any of his associates could chase after him.

Fuck, was the only thought that came to Ulquiorra's mind when he hurriedly moved to catch Rukia before she hit the wall. At this speed, it could be fatal for her. Fortunately he caught her just in time, he himself stopping at the wall, his back merely brushing it.

He quickly checked if she wasn't hurt. Her breath was shallow but even and there was a bump on the back of her head, which he assumed was from the time Nnoitra had knocked her out, but it wasn't anything life-threatening.

"Is she all right?" Neliel asked, her eyebrows furrowed in a concern.

He nodded his head and got up from his half-kneeling position, holding the unconscious Shinigami close to him. "Yeah, it'd seem so. Just knocked out."

"Sorry. I was supposed to watch him," she apologised. She felt bad for what had happened. Maybe if she'd kept her eye on him more closely, she could have prevented it.

"It's all right," he replied softly. Feeling Rukia's weight in his arms made all the anger evaporate from him. He couldn't care less about Nnoitra at the moment. Of course he would make him pay for hurting her, but as for now his priority was to see that she was safe and well. He would deal with that son of a bitch later.

"What was she doing here, anyway?" Neliel asked, wondering at their current location. She looked at him and noticed something different in him. It wasn't apparent, no. Actually, for almost anyone it would appear he was just holding an unconscious girl. But she could see how his hands held her more tightly than necessary, or how he was looking at her with slightly softer look. It wasn't a big change, far from that, but it was there.

"Judging from the direction, she was looking for the Inoue Orihime's room," Ulquiorra answered and began walking to take Rukia to her room.

"You haven't let them meet?" the 7th Espada asked slightly surprised catching up with him.

He glanced at her blankly. "No."

"Why? You're in charge of both of them, aren't you?" Neliel looked at him waiting for his answer, but she did have a guess why he wouldn't that.

"There is no need for them to see each other," he replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Well, at least he didn't see the need.

She inwardly smiled, his answer confirming her guess. Even though it was a little bit possessive, she found it incredibly adorable that he cared for the girl. Who would have thought that that Ulquiorra, the supposedly most emotionless Arrancar could care for someone; and for a Shinigami at that!

"Well, it's up to you, but you won't lose anything," she told him with a shrug of her arms. Then she added as if in afterthought, "Actually, you might gain something in return."

"What?" he looked at her quizzically, wondering what she had in mind.

She only smiled mysteriously, her melancholic eyes twinkling slightly. Using the opportunity that they reached a fork in the road, she bid him goodbye. "I've got to go. Hope she'll regain consciousness soon."

He nodded at her and continued on his way to Rukia's room, Neliel's words still echoing in his head. What might he gain? He wondered looking at the pale face of the young woman in his arms. Should he let them meet? Well, one thing was for sure – he would be then with her, therefore she wouldn't sneak out of her room foolishly endangering herself. Was that what the green-haired Espada had meant?

Soon, Ulquiorra reached the room. Entering, he carefully laid Rukia on her bed.

He observed her for while. Then he extended his hand and gently brushed her hair behind her ear. Even though he was this close to her, he was himself, his mind was clear; no inner Hollow was taking over his senses. All he felt at the moment was that he was glad she hadn't suffered any serious injury, but he was also annoyed with her for leaving the room, despite his warnings and already bad experience. She could be an idiot sometimes.

Taking it further, he leaned over her, putting his hand near her head to support himself; his face was merely inches away from hers and he could feel her faint breath caressing his skin. Still, not much (except for the fact that he didn't exactly mind being this close to her). Okay, he had to admit that maybe he did feel kind of a tugging towards her, but overall he was undeniably being him.

Slowly, following that tugging, he leaned even closer and gently brushed his lips over hers in a hesitant kiss. Well, it felt… quite nice. And sweet. Might be even enjoyable if she weren't unconscious.

Ulquiorra slowly pulled away from her. He didn't feel any changes in himself; he still had a perfect control over all his actions. Well, maybe his lips were slightly itching for more, but that was it.

So did it mean that the feeling that he somehow cared about her wasn't just a delusion? As much as he was surprised, it would seem so. However it didn't change the fact that his inner Hollow had taken over him a couple of times, so he had to be careful. But at the moment, simply by being this close to her, he felt less empty.

Feeling a strong urge to repeat his actions, he straightened himself. Just when he was about to go to his armchair to wait for her to wake up, he noticed her face twisting in a grimace of pain and she let out a small groan. It seemed she was finally regaining her consciousness.

※

Rukia slowly started to become aware of her surroundings. Confusion hazed over her mind and for some reason her head was throbbing with pain. She moved her hand to examine her occipital where the pain concentrated. Touching a big tender bump she hissed as it hurt quite considerably. She was a little bit puzzled as to why in the first place there was a throbbing bump on the back of her head. And why was she lying in what seemed a bed?

Then she remembered. That wide lecherous grin, the lustful gleam in one visible eye, a hand closing on her throat…

Nnoitra.

A feeling of dread overcame her. Her eyes flew open and she quickly got up ready to fight. Unfortunately she moved too abruptly and her head started spinning and black spots appeared before her eyes. She lost her balance and was about to fell off the bed when a pair of arms caught her in time.

Shit, he got me, was the only thought that crossed her mind. She started struggling in panic to get away from the deviant, but his hold on her was too strong for her to break from.

"Calm down, Rukia," she heard a familiar voice behind her that she was sure didn't belong to Nnoitra. It couldn't be, could it…?

"Ulqui—" she turned to see if it really was him, but again the world started whirling around her, here and there obscured by black spots. She closed her eyes waiting for it to pass. But it was Ulquiorra! She probably had never been so happy to know he was there. She felt she could kiss him. But… why was he with her, anyway? She thought he would never want to be in the same room as her ever again.

"You shouldn't move so abruptly," he told her, his deep voice calming her. "You may have a small concussion."

Not trying to risk anything she only grunted in response. She felt safe with him, in his arms. She guessed that he must have saved her from Nnoitra, but she didn't wonder why, opting for just being grateful. And happy. She fought a small smile that tried creeping its way across her lips.

"Lie down," he instructed her and slowly let go of her (to her disappointment).

After few moments passed, Rukia slowly opened her eyes. The world seemed to stop spinning and she hesitantly glanced at him. He looked exactly the same as always. He was gazing back at her, but there was no emotions on his face; no coldness in his eyes. Like most of the time, he kept his hands in his pockets… Nothing in his demeanour indicated that the events from this morning had had happened at all.

"You're an idiot," Ulquiorra told her, however she couldn't hear any disdain in his voice. He told it evenly as if stating a fact.

Unsure of how to respond, she only looked away, nodding. And he might be right. Well, she didn't personally think about herself as an idiot. However she had to admit that sometimes she did the stupidest of things, no use denying it… She exhaled deeply, gathering up the courage to voice the next words. She knew they wouldn't change a thing, but she felt that she had to say them, otherwise she would regret it for the rest of her life.

"I'm… sorry," Rukia apologised sincerely, suddenly noticing how loudly and rapidly her heart was beating in her chest with anxiety. Then she licked her dried lips and quietly, though audibly enough for him to hear, she added, "For everything."

He wasn't responding, making her even more nervous and uncertain. But at the same time she was afraid to look at him, to see if he let some emotions to surface on his face or shine in his eyes. She hadn't apologised seeking forgiveness, though. She had no right. But she wanted him to know that she was sorry, simple as that.

Still, the silence was killing her. So she tried another approach, this time risking a hesitant glance at him. "And… thank you."

Ulquiorra observed her closely. He knew she meant what she had said, however he had no idea how he should reply, so he kept quiet. But when she continued looking at him with eyes slightly widened in anxiety, he realised she was waiting for some kind of answer from him. So, he nodded his head a little, letting her know he had heard and acknowledged her words. She visibly relaxed at this.

Seeing there was nothing else to be said and it was getting pretty late, he told her to rest and made his way for the door.

"Ulquiorra," she called after him hesitantly before she could think better of it. Seeing him halt in his tracks and look at her expectantly, she mentally kicked herself for not biting her tongue in time. A sudden panic took a hold of her and she wanted for a second to say that it was nothing. In the end, however, she inquired stammering a little, "Do you, uh, hate… us?" Me?

He looked at her curiously, for once again she was asking questions about him. Weighing his answer for some time, he eventually said, "No."

The petit woman gaped at him in surprise, not expecting such answer. She even sat up to have a better look at him. "Why?" she questioned furrowing her brows.

"I just don't," he responded matter-of-factly, almost shrugging his arms. He did strongly dislike Shinigamis, but hate? It was a little bit too strong of a word, now that he reflected on it. Besides he knew he didn't hate her.

Rukia was confused. "But you do detest us," she stated, thinking her world would turn upside-down if he contradicted it.

"You could say so," he agreed after a pause. He detested most of them, expect Aizen-sama and, well… her.

Ulquiorra looked at her, waiting for her next question, but it didn't come. It seemed she'd asked all and now wanted to mull over his answers, still having problems accepting that he mightn't hate Shinigamis. Now that she finished her questioning, nothing stood in the way of his own, right?

"Today morning," he began, noticing her tense a little. "You asked me few questions…" He trailed off observing her closely. He could tell she was feeling uncomfortable under his scrutinising look.

"Yes, I did," she replied, taking on a little bit formal way of speaking. Of course, he didn't miss it; as well as that look of puzzlement mixed with slight uneasiness. "And I'm grateful that you answered me."

"Why?" he inquired, but seeing she wasn't sure what exactly he wanted to know, he elaborated, "Why did you ask me all those questions about me?"

To say Rukia was feeling uncomfortable would be an enormous understatement. Why? How would she know that? It had just happened! Not that she didn't want to learn one or two things about him, but… WHAT was she supposed to answer him? And she had to give him some answer – his green orbs were looking at her expectantly!

"I guess…" she started, but her panic-stricken mind had troubles forming a coherent sentence. "I thought that…" she continued and the moment those words left her throat she wanted to kick herself. Could she sound any more nervous? She took a deep breath. Ah, to hell with it. "I'd like to know… more about you."

Ulquiorra raised his eyebrows at that, slightly surprised. However what amazed him the most were her shy-sounding voice and slightly flustered cheeks. "Why?"

"I don't know…" Hearing herself giving him the lamest answer possible, she quickly added, "Is it wrong of me?"

He pondered it for a couple of seconds and decided that it wasn't wrong, just… unusual. Leaving it aside, he voiced his observation that was bothering him the most, "But you didn't ask me anything about Inoue Orihime. She keeps asking me about you every time she sees me."

Rukia had to admit it hurt a little to be told this. Actually it was like a slap in the cheek. "I… presumed that you wouldn't give me any answers."

He eventually nodded accepting her reply, although he had a feeling there was more to it. After a moment he peered at her thoughtfully, remembering Neliel's words. He still had no idea what he could gain and if he really could gain anything at all, but one was sure – there was nothing for him to lose. And he would have a control over her and their meeting.

"If…" the green-eyed Espada started, carefully choosing his words. "You promise me to cease your idiotic antics and never repeat them again… I'll let you see your friend."

She abruptly looked at him not believing what she had just heard. There was from time to time a ringing in her ears – she did have a concussion after all… But, she didn't think it was as loud as to impair her sense of hearing… Therefore she'd heard him right, hadn't she? She would be able to see Inoue, wouldn't she?

"But only see," Ulquiorra quickly added, stating his conditions fully. Whatever they were, he knew she would agree, anyway. She was easy to predict, when it concerned her friends. "You're not allowed to go close to her nor speak with her."

Rukia still had those big eyes on him. Despite rather unfavourable for her conditions, they were shining with hope.

"I promise."

This is it as for now, ladies and gentlemen! (Are they even any guys reading it? No, seriously, I'm curious, haha… （＾▽＾）)

"33. Sōkatsui (蒼火墜, Blue Fire, Crash Down) – Fires a burst of blue spiritual energy at a target in a similar manner to #31, but over a wider area and with more power." (from BleachWiki)

And yes! He did it! Ulquiorra kissed the girl! But again – he has yet to do it properly, the sly bastard (≧ω≦)

Last time, I wrote that there were two ideas plaguing my mind… This is actually the third one… (I got it like a week ago (＾ε＾)) When I finally sat down to write this chapter, I reread whatever I wrote before… And scratched everything Σ＼(￣ｰ￣;) Because, to be honest, Rukia was emoting way too much in the other versions, haha. Personally I don't think they were bad, but as a few of you pointed out – she cried enough already. Well, she does cry in this one as well, but she's coping with the situation much better and is more resolute (good for her, yay～).

And the other versions didn't involve our favourite Nnoitra❤ (Hey, I like the guy! And I personally like the way he knocked Rukia out… So… brutal! haha)

BTW, anyone care to guess my favourite sentence in this chapter? (HINT: I laughed hard when writing it… Actually, I still do…)

Take care and see you (hopefully) soon! (･∀･)/~

朝霧 -Asagiri-