Author's note:
I've been getting asked if I wrote more chapters. The answer is kind of. The thing is, the story was not written in chapters. I have to break it off somewhere that I think makes sense to do so. I figure I can get 5 or 6 chapters from the story. I would let you know when I get to the last chapter. Also, I might not always update weekly as I would only update if I have time to type it and check for errors. Anyways, I hope you like Ch.2.
Ulquiorra systematically observed the tunnel he was currently walking in. He was reminded of a Garganta as they seemed to be similar concepts. This tunnel looked no different than any other he seen in the human world. In fact, the only difference was the exit. One thing he quickly noted was the length of the tunnel as it seemed much longer than his Garganta. While a Garganta is dangerous because of the lack of road, it still seemed superior to him.
Ulquiorra examined the family in front of him. They were all heading to the exit in silence. No one had uttered a word even as they reached the halfway point of the tunnel. Ulquiorra concluded that his mere presence kept them all silent and he decided to remain silent as well. Moka and Tsukune were the first to appear outside the tunnel followed by Akasha and lastly, Ulquiorra. The first thing he spotted was a huge mansion surrounded from all sides by the woods and a long road that led to straight to it. The mansion was in a secluded area which made him think it was to avoid unnecessary visitors.
"How do you like my home Ulquiorra?" Akasha asked as she curiously looked at him. Ulquiorra having heard her, direct his attention towards her and voiced his observation.
"This world doesn't look any different than the human world."
"Looks can be deceiving at first." She replied to him with a smile.
Tsukune, realizing how far the tunnel opened from his home, complained out loud.
"Awww… We landed much farther this time than I hoped." Before he could lament further, he suddenly feels his feet leave the ground. Quickly realizing what happened, he spoke out loud.
"Wait! I rather walk!"
"You're too slow." Moka commented as she looked down at the flustered boy, but before he could say anything else, she took off with him screaming.
"We should also get going" Akasha commented as she looked at them heading home. Akasha ran after them followed by Ulquiorra.
Moka and Tsukune were the first to arrive at the front door. Just as Moka puts him down in front of the door, Akasha and Ulquiorra appeared behind them. Not wanting to make a scene in front of Ulquiorra, Tsukune chose to ignore Moka's previous action. Moka reached for the front door and opened it. She went in first, followed by Tsukune, Akasha, and finally Ulquiorra. They were greeted at entrance by the family's only servant, Sakon.
Sakon was a tall handsome man with short spiky black hair and blue eyes. His only flaw was the single scar that ran horizontal between his eyes. He was dressed in regular black butler clothes. He had a muscular physique that an ordinary butler would not possess.
"Welcome back Moka-sama, Tsukune-sama, and Akasha-sama. Di…." Sakon stopped his greeting and quickly rushed to her side.
"Akasha-sama, what has happened that left you in such a state?" He voiced his concern to her as her beautiful dress was ruined. He could tell that she had went through a battle.
"It's a long story, but don't worry I'm fine." She replied to assure him that she was in fact okay.
Now fully composed, Sakon not forgetting about Ulquiorra greeted him as well, "Greetings honored guest. I can tell that whatever happened to Akasha-sama is related to what happened to you as well. I shall arrange a change of clothes for you."
"Sakon-san, this is Ulquiorra and he will be staying with us so please prepare the 4th guest room in the second floor."
"Right away Akasha-sama." He said with a bow and left upstairs.
"He's staying with us?" asked an astonished Moka.
"Yes. He's going to stay with us." She sternly replied.
"But why?"
"I'll explain later to the both of you." Akasha started walking towards the direction of her office.
"This way Ulquiorra." She waved at him as she beckoned him to follow.
He took a final glance at the children before following her. After they were out of sight in the hallway, Tsukune is the first to speak.
"What do you think about Ulquiorra?"
"He's a weirdo and I don't know why my mother wants him to stay." She bluntly stated her dislike for the man.
"Well I think he's scary especially when he stares at you with those eyes. It's like he's trying to analyze us." He shudders at the disturbing thought. Tsukune lets out a tired yawn as he feels exhausted.
"Well I'm going to take a nap since I'm still tired from my morning training, wake me up before dinner, okay?"
"Fine." She replies to him as she sees his tired eyes.
"Thanks." He said and with that he heads upstairs leaving her alone.
What could possibly drive mother to let someone like him enter our home? Why is my mother so interested in him? With those thoughts, she too left upstairs to think in her room.
Akasha stood outside her office, but she made no attempt to enter. Ulquiorra could tell that she was hesitating to enter the room. She had reached for the doorknob but froze at the last moment. She immediately brought back her hand to her side. He only gazed at her back which was covered by her long silky hair. He patiently waited for her to enter as he was simply following her as she demanded.
"Will you give me a moment to change?" She asked him politely as she finally opened the door.
"Certainly Akasha-sama."
Akasha nods to him and gestures to the half-opened door.
"Please go in and take a seat. I'll be here shortly."
Ulquiorra nods which makes Akasha vanish from his sight. Ulquiorra opens the door and walks in. The room was surprisingly empty with only a desk with 3 chairs and a large painting of Akasha, Moka, and Tsukune. The painting depicts Akasha sitting down on a throne with Tsukune and Moka on her lap when they were much younger.
This room is rather bare, just like Las Noches. Ulquiorra decides to take a seat in front of the desk to face Akasha's desk. Now seated he begins to reflect on the choice he made.
Do I really possess such a thing as a heart? Why do I even care about such nonsense? Focusing his thoughts deeper he shuts his eyes.
Aizen-sama gave me a purpose, and now he is gone. He was my sole reason for my existence. Yet, I still remember that woman's words. It is the only thing I can't stop thinking about.
His thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the door opening.
"Did I take long?" Akasha asked as she came into the room.
She was now wearing a new red dress that complimented her perfect figure.
"No, I expected you to take longer." He answered her in his usual tone as she walked towards the desk.
"So, tell me Ulquiorra, where are you from?" Akasha gracefully sits down facing him with an interest gleam in her eyes waiting for his response.
"I think it will be better if I show you instead." He stated as he reached for his left eye.
"What do you mean by…" Akasha's eyes widen as he plucks out his eye with his right hand.
"Are you stupid? Why would you do that?" She shouted in genuine concern after witnessing his barbaric act. His only response to her outburst was crushing his eyes to dust. Akasha is abruptly flooded by a mental vision of masked monsters eating each other in a white never-ending desert at night.
"What is this? What's going on?" Akasha asks as she grabs her head from all the gruesome scenes she is seeing.
"This is one of my powers, Solista Vista. It allows me to share my memories with you." Akasha begins to calm down but certain scenes, obviously bothered her as she visibly squirmed.
"As you can see these creatures are hollows. I will now explain things to you without such scenes." Akasha is shown that hollows are born of human souls filled with regret or those who don't make it to a place called soul society. She is also shown the hollow classes and arrancars. Ulquiorra shows her everything about Hueco Mundo, but he omits to show her his past and the arrancar's resurrecion. Akasha closes her eyes and begins to contemplate on this whole situation.
Now that I know what he is and what he can do, I don't think it was such a good idea to bring him here.
"Ulquiorra."
"Yes Akasha-sama?" He inquires as he stares back at her intense stare.
"From what I can tell from these memories is that you're an arrancar and that you're not from our world."
"Precisely." He slightly nods to her as he answers her.
"What I really want to know is, if you require souls to live like those hollows, because if you do…I don't think this is going to work out."
"There's nothing to fear, as an arrancar, I don't require souls to sustain myself." He stated and watched as Akasha let out a relief sigh.
"That's good news then!" Akasha instantly returns to her cheerful self with a smile.
This woman makes me recall her.
"If you don't need souls than what do you need then?" Akasha asks with wonderment.
"All that I require is small amounts of food. For example, if I eat an apple it is enough to keep me alive for weeks, but it is not enough to keep my energy sustained."
"So, you can get by for weeks with so little, but if it's too little you start to weaken?"
"That is correct, Akasha-sama."
Akasha suddenly leans in closer to Ulquiorra and asks him, "Are you at full strength right now?"
"I am not." He replies honestly with no emotion.
He wasn't fighting me with his full strength…He's powerful.
"How much of your strength remains?"
"Less than half." Akasha's eyes widen in disbelief at this new revelation.
He's incredibly strong. Her reaction does not go unnoticed by him.
Did she notice just now…notice that I could easily kill her. Akasha stands up and walks around the desk to reach Ulquiorra.
"Ulquiorra come with me. You must be starving." Akasha grabs Ulquiorra's arm and starts to drag him out the room. Ulquiorra eyes widen a little at her sudden contact.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm taking you to dinner, obviously" She replied with a smirk.
"That's not necessary, I already consumed an apple today." He argued with her as she had a strong hold on him.
"Like I said, you're starving." She firmly stated as she quickly dragged him out the room.
"Tsukune! Get up already!" Moka shouted at a still sleeping Tsukune.
"Dinner is ready! So, get up and let's head down!" Tsukune groggily wakes up and rubs his eyes. "I'm up." He sits upright and comes face to face with an angry Moka.
"What?"
"I've been trying to wake you up for 5 minutes."
"Hey, it's not my fault. I was really tired because of Sakon's training this morn..." Tsukune trails off as he looks upon a serious Moka.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." She quickly turns around and starts walking to the door.
"Let's go. Sakon is waiting."
"Okay." Tsukune wisely remained silent as he followed Moka out the room.
"Did you have a nice nap, Tsukune-sama?" Sakon asked as he notices Moka and Tsukune approaching the dinner table.
"Yeah it was, and I really needed it too." Tsukune stretches his arms into the air with a smile.
"Glad to hear it. Have a seat." Sakon pulls out the chairs for them.
Moka and Tsukune sit down next to each other facing the left side of the table. Sakon brings and places Moka a blood transfusion pack. Tsukune receives the okonomiyaki he had requested to him.
"Thanks, Sakon-san." They both say in thanks, and he smiles in response.
Tsukune takes a bite of his meal, while Moka sinks her fangs into the pack.
"Wow! It's amazing Sakon-san!" Tsukune happily exclaims and starts to eat faster.
"I'm glad you like it but don't eat so fast." He remarks to the fast eating boy.
"Let me know if you would like seconds." Tsukune could only nod with anime tears streaking down his face.
This okonomiyaki is too good to be true.
Sometimes he's such a child. Moka only watches with a sweat drop as she continued drinking.
"Sakon-san." They all heard Akasha's voice coming down the hallway.
All three turn around to see Akasha still dragging Ulquiorra towards them. They were all shocked to see such a display.
"Sakon would you please give Ulquiorra here something to eat." She stated with authority as she stood next to a chair on the right side of the table directly facing her children.
"Right away Akasha-sama." Sakon replied diligently and heads for the kitchen.
"I told you, woman, I don't need to eat." Ulquiorra stated as he breaks free of her grip with maybe a tinge of annoyance.
"Come now, don't be like that. I just want you to eat something because you must be starving." Akasha replies with a sad tone that was noticed by Tsukune and Moka.
"I assure you, I'm not close to that point yet." He calmly answers her worries. Moka and Tsukune quickly turned to each other with shocked faces.
"I still insist that you eat something, or I won't tell you nothing." As those words left her lips all present in the room began to feel the pressure that Ulquiorra's reiatsu was letting off.
What the hell is this? Moka thought as she felt weighed down to the chair unable to move or speak. She struggled to keep her head up at the intense pressure she was feeling.
Tsukune was worse off as he was completely faced down on the table feeling crushed by an invisible force.
I can't breathe. Tsukune thought as he started to turn blue.
Akasha felt more pressure than before but was strong enough to shake it off. Akasha quickly glanced at her children and noticed their predicament and decided to stop him.
"Ulquiorra would you please stop releasing your power, it's hurting my children!" Akasha angrily retorted as she rushed to Tsukune's side. Moka could only stare wide eyed at Ulquiorra.
"You're in no position to make demands. In fact, I will kill you and everyone in here."
Ulquiorra draws out his Zanpakuto and points its tip at Akasha.
"I did warn you woman." His eyes seemed threatening as he now deemed their lives were worthless to him.
Moka and Tsukune were overcome with fear on the way he casually said all this, like it was no big deal. Akasha knowing that she had the upper hand spoke out.
"I know that you will not do it. I know because I can tell how important it is to you to find out about the heart." Ulquiorra only focused his eyes at her as he knew she was right.
"You wouldn't let some food ruin your only chance on discovering your heart."
His heart. Tsukune and Moka wondered what she meant.
Ulquiorra lowered his Zanpakuto and tightened his grip on it.
"I also remember that you swore to obey and you're refusing to eat a simple meal, isn't that ridiculous to you." He remained silent as he sheathed his Zanpakuto. With that, all the pressure from the room vanished instantly.
"Eh hem. I'm not interrupting anything am I?" Sakon asks as he held the food tray containing the two dishes.
"No Sakon, Ulquiorra here is ready to dine." Akasha said as she walks toward Ulquiorra.
She gently pushes him to his seat which he reluctantly sits on. Sakon proceeds to put the dish in front of Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra still refusing to say a word only stares at the okonomiyaki placed in front of him.
"Don't be like that. I'll join you too" Akasha said as she sits down next to him. Sakon places a dish with a transfusion pack in front of her.
"Now let's eat!" Akasha happily exclaims to all on the table. Ulquiorra reluctantly took a bite.
This taste…it gives me a sensation I haven't felt since that day…is this happiness?
Ulquiorra starts to eat the okonomiyaki in bigger bites. Of course, eating nothing but fruits made his meal taste that much sweeter.
"My, my, I'm happy to see my cooking is to your liking." Sakon says with a grin.
"Of course, Sakon-san, your cooking is the best!" Tsukune exclaimed as he has forgotten his fear after seeing Ulquiorra enjoying his favorite meal.
"You flatter me, Tsukune-sama."
Ulquiorra focused on his meal failed to hear their conversation and continued to eat. Akasha having finished her meal watches in amazement as Ulquiorra quickly reached the last morsel.
"You have an extraordinary talent Sakon." Ulquiorra agreed with the boy as he finished his meal. Moka glared at the pale man as she did not like having dinner with this stranger near them.
"I appreciate your kind words. Would you like seconds?" Ulquiorra only nods and Sakon obliges. "I'll shall bring you some more."
Sakon picks up the dish to get him some more.
"And to think you wouldn't eat unless I force you, hmm?" Akasha playfully taunts him.
Ulquiorra only gazed back at her but remained silent.
"Mother would you explain to me why he is still staying with us after he just threatened to kill us!" Moka angrily yelled as she glared daggers at the arrancar who silently observed her. Tsukune wisely decided to continue to eat his okonomiyaki.
"Very well, you and Tsukune deserve to know what's going on. Ulquiorra is here to know about the heart as I did give him my word to teach him."
"Teach him about the heart?" Moka asked confused as to why someone needed to learn such a thing.
"Yes, it was the only way to stop Ulquiorra and convince him to obey the Monster laws."
"Why didn't you just beat it to him? You're the strongest in the world so you could have beaten him without bringing him here." Moka boasts with patronizing pride.
"Moka, you shouldn't talk like that and you know violence is not something I enjoy." Akasha said with a bit of disappointment.
"Besides, there's no way I could have won against him." Moka couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"What are you saying mother?"
"Ulquiorra is strong…stronger than anyone I faced before. He's so strong that I don't think I can beat him." Moka had heard enough and abruptly interrupted her mother.
"You're lying…I can't believe you would come out with such an obvious lie!" She shouted in disbelief.
"Moka, I'm telling the truth. I wouldn't lie to you." Akasha slightly frown at the accusation.
Moka bangs her fist upon the table in anger.
"This is your fault! Why can't you just leave, you bastard!" She shouts out louder than ever before.
Ulquiorra not caring the slightest just looked at her with mild interest. Tsukune was shocked to say the least and afraid of Moka's intense rage she gave off for the man. In fact, he scooted away from Moka as he knew how scary she could be. Akasha was not pleased with Moka's outburst as she did not raise her to be so disrespectful.
"Moka! Apologize to Ulquiorra, now!" She said it with a tone that left no room for argument.
"I won't! Not to someone like him!" Moka angrily storms off to her room.
"That girl…what got into her?" Akasha blurts out in concern.
"I'll go talk to her Akasha-san." Tsukune says as he gets up from his seat.
"Thank you, Tsukune." She told him with a smile and with a nod he leaves after her.
"I'm sorry about Moka's behavior she is normally respectful to our guests."
"It's of no concern to me." He stated not caring one bit.
"Seconds coming up!" Sakon exclaimed as he reentered the dining hall holding a plate of okonomiyaki. Ulquiorra's next thought was about the exquisite meal he had in front of him.
Moka angrily bursts open her room and locks the door.
I can't believe what she told me. Moka lays down on her bed.
Vampires are the strongest monsters in the world. It's always been that way. My mother is the most powerful dark lord. So why did she say that? Several knocks are heard by Moka but she refuses to get up.
"Moka, it's me. May I come in?" Moka hears Tsukune ask. Moka reluctantly gets up and opens the door.
"Moka are you…" Tsukune is pulled inside before he could finish speaking.
"What's wrong Moka? Why did you yell at Ulquiorra?" Moka only glares with a scowl at Tsukune.
"Nothing is wrong."
"I can clearly tell something is bothering you. Talking to me about it will surely make you feel better about it." Tsukune asks with a reassuring smile.
"I don't know." Tsukune, hearing those words, let's her have it, as she is attacked by his puppy eyes trick.
Moka could only give in to Tsukune's adorable display and began to explain.
"It's just that my mother is the strongest monster in the world. She is the strongest dark lord and is their leader too." Moka starts to frown once again.
"But now it turns out that might not be true anymore and it's all thanks to him. I took pride in knowing that my mother is the strongest." Moka said as she looked down and clenched her fists.
Tsukune now understanding, suddenly hugs her as he knew how much Moka looks up to her mother.
"Akasha-san may not be the strongest, but she is still the strongest vampire and the strongest dark lord." He reassures her as he hugs her harder. Moka feeling like an idiot realizes the truth of his words as she rests her chin on top of Tsukune's head.
Taking it as his cue, he continues his speech.
"Your mother is the one who saved the world from Alucard and she united the monsters to protect each other from starting a war. You can take pride in knowing that she saved the world and that she saved me." Moka hugs Tsukune as she heard the truth in his words.
"You're right Tsukune, she did, and I have you to thank for reminding me." Tsukune looks up to see her smiling at him.
"What do you say if we return back down to dinner?" Tsukune asks her, returning the smile.
"I think you should return as I have my meal right here." She says with a playful tone and a devious smirk.
"You're not talking about me, right? Right?" Tsukune asks nervously. Moka's giggle was not what he wanted to hear.
"I really do miss your tasty blood compared to that bland pack."
Sighing, he yields to her.
"Fine. It's not like I can escape you know." Moka bites into Tsukune's neck which causes him to squirm in her grasp.
I'm glad Moka is okay, but I hope she doesn't drink too much as it tickles. As if she read his mind, she finishes drinking his blood and she closes his wound with a lick.
"That was tasty, but I'm a bit full."
"Then why did you drink my blood?" He asks in protest.
"I just missed the delicious taste." Moka replies with a smirk. Moka releases Tsukune from her embrace.
"Is my blood really that good?" Tsukune wonders out loud as he touches the spot she bit. Suddenly Tsukune is lifted by the armpits and comes face to face with Moka.
"Very." She whispered into his ear. She kisses Tsukune on his right cheek which causes him to blush. As soon as Tsukune's feet touched the ground he immediately rushed to the door.
"Thanks again Tsukune." Tsukune turns around to see a smiling Moka.
"Yeah, don't mention it." Tsukune rapidly answers and leaves her room not wanting her to see his reddened face.
I can't believe she kissed me…maybe losing some blood isn't such a bad thing. Tsukune blushes again but shakes it off and with that he leaves the hallway heading back downstairs.
Ulquiorra on his last okonomiyaki, regrettably takes the final bite.
"Wow! I applaud you Sakon-san. Ulquiorra is hooked on your cooking."
"I am humbled that he is fond of my cooking."
"Yes, in all my years I have never tasted such delicacy. It made me experience a sensation I cannot describe." Sakon and Akasha could only look at each other in confusion.
"Akasha-san, I talked to Moka and she is fine now," Tsukune states as he appears before them.
"Is there a particular reason she acted that way Tsukune?" Akasha inquired him.
"Well she got upset about what you said earlier, about admitting you couldn't defeat Ulquiorra."
"I can't believe she would act out for such a reason."
"Well she looks up to you a lot, and she took pride in knowing that you are the strongest." Sakon could only agree with Tsukune and nod, but he was still surprised on the topic that they were discussing.
"Thank you Tsukune. I will go talk to her then."
"Akasha-sama, what shall I do while I await your return?" Ulquiorra spoke as he could tell she was about to leave to Moka's side.
"You're free to do what you like as long as you don't cause any trouble."
"I wouldn't consider it." He replied and instantly vanished before their eyes.
"Is it wise to let him go by himself? Trouble might find him in the woods." Sakon commented to Akasha.
Akasha ominously remarks, "I just hope the woods remain intact afterwards."
"Indeed." Sakon had to agree with her as he had felt Ulquiorra's strange but overwhelming yoki.
Akasha exited the dining room as she headed to Moka's room.
Tsukune returning to his seat voices his concern.
"Sakon-san, do you think it's safe to be around Ulquiorra-san?"
"Well someone who likes my cooking that much can't be that bad, can he?"
Tsukune replied with a chuckle, "I guess you're right."
Seeing Tsukune more relaxed made Sakon smile.
Ulquiorra, now standing on the mansion's rooftop is evaluating his current strength. He could feel that his strength was returning to him, but it was strange. He expected to be at full power by nightfall. Yet, it would not be so.
I can tell that I'm currently stronger than I was before. I recovered some of my reiatsu, but it will take until morning until I reach my full strength.
His reaitsu was considerably higher than when he was with the espada. The fight with Ichigo pushed him to his limit, so a small increase was expected. However, it was significantly more. Perhaps, this strange world devoid of reishi forced him to adapt to this new level. Not willing to ponder the matter further, he activates his pesquisa and focus his sight on the woods around him.
I can sense many creatures around here. Akasha-sama said their appearance might be the same, but they are not identical. I want to see the difference between this world and the human one. He sonidos to the woods as he goes to explore.
Moka hears a knock on the door.
"It's open." Moka answers the knock. The door is opened and Akasha walks in.
"Mother…" Moka was unable to apologize.
"Can we talk?" Akasha asked her urgently.
"Sure." Moka says as she looks down. Akasha closes the door and walks in.
"Tsukune told me the reason you acted that way."
"I'm sorry, I just didn't like hearing that and I got so angry."
"I understand now Moka, I didn't know you felt so strongly about it, I'm sorry." Akasha apologized as she sat on her bed.
"We can't be both sorry, that's silly." Moka chuckled as she told her.
"And why not dear?" Akasha asks smiling.
"Mmm…I guess you're right, but it's still silly." Moka replied, returning the smile. Akasha hugs her daughter and Moka welcomes the embrace.
"You'll always be the strongest to me." Moka told her as she hugged her tighter. Akasha smiles at that.
"Technically I still am the strongest monster as Ulquiorra isn't really one."
Moka caught off guard asks her mother for clarification.
"He's not one?"
Ulquiorra reaches a clearing in which he spots a pack of monstrous boars which the only difference he could tell was their tremendous size at least 9ft tall. They were grazing and seemed to not notice him. He decided to get a closer look and he started to slowly approach them. However, Ulquiorra sensing a piercing gaze behind him, stops and turns around. He comes face to face with a 15ft tall boar, easily dwarfing the others in size. It had scars all over its muscled body and a broken tusk, most likely from a recent battle. It was the king of the woods as this boar easily dominated the other animals. Misguided challengers were put down by this behemoth. This pale figure was just another challenger.
Certainly, the creatures in the monster world are extraordinary as they can perceive my presence.
Ulquiorra begins to approach the giant boar to see if there any more differences. The boar not liking this one bit starts to snort and stomp the ground with its front hoofs.
"What's the matter? Are you afraid of me?" The boar seemingly understanding charges Ulquiorra.
Crash!
The echoing sand can be heard for miles. The boar, now realizing his grave mistake as he could feel his muscles straining but his prey stood firm like an unmovable boulder.
"Foolish creature." Ulquiorra states as he kicks the boar straight into the air. The boar is sent at least 30ft high before crashing down into the ground.
BOOM!
Its tremendous weight created a shockwave that knocked the surrounding boars onto the ground and uprooted the nearby trees. The smaller boars now on their feet, took off deeper into the forest. Ulquiorra chose to closely examine the giant boar as he could tell that it wouldn't be able to move for a while.
It is identical to the smaller human variant. Disappointing. His new interest waned so, he decided to take a different path than the boars and walks deeper into the woods.
This place is very different compared to Hueco Mundo. There is abundance of life everywhere I happen to look.
Ulquiorra glanced around at the many small insects and the few giant monster insects that were dog sized. As he saw them prey on each other he was reminded of Hueco Mundo. He continued onwards as they hid from as he let his reiatsu leak out to avoid any more confrontations. Ulquiorra kept his pace until he saw it. A beautiful blood red lake was in front of him. Ulquiorra could see the full moon's reflection upon it. He reaches the shore of the lake and looks down on his reflection. He moves his hands into position to hold the moon's reflection.
That woman, Orihime, a heart which cannot be seen, cannot be held, yet she insisted it exists. Even in a hollow like me. Ridiculous.
"What do you mean?" Moka asks her mother finding it strange that he could be something else.
"Ulquiorra is not from our world and thus, he is not a monster." Akasha replies to Moka who was now clearly confused.
"What are you talking about, mother? He is clearly a monster as I can sense his yoki and his appearance is not human. And coming from another world besides ours, that's impossible."
"Moka, nothing is impossible. Once I explain it to you, you will understand." Moka just nods her head still stuck in disbelief.
"Ulquiorra is a powerful spirit from another dimension. In this dimension there were separate worlds and he came from a savage world in which spirits would kill and consume each other to become more powerful. Moka feeling disgusted nonetheless continued to listen.
"In this kill or be killed world, he survived and evolved from a simple hollow into an arrancar, a being who crossed the line between soul reapers and hollows."
"I thought he was a spirit?"
"Oh right, let me explain what I mean." Akasha went on to explain to her what hollows, soul reapers, and arrancars are. She answered Moka's questions well into the night.
Later at Midnight…
Ulquiorra finally returns to the mansion and lets himself in.
"Ulquiorra-san." Ulquiorra focuses his gaze on Sakon who is at the bottom of the stairs.
"Do not call me that." Ulquiorra states as he looked towards Sakon. Confused he asked for clarification.
"I'm sorry. What are you referr…"
Ulquiorra only cuts him off before he could finish.
"Do not refer to me as a human. Drop the honorifics." Sakon confused but not wanting to trifle with him, obeys.
"As you wish Ulquiorra. Akasha-sama has asked me to inform you that she will see you tomorrow in the morning as you will accompany her to meet the other dark lords. Now I shall guide you to your room. Please follow me."
Ulquiorra silently followed Sakon up the stairs into the second floor. Sakon took Ulquiorra all the way into the end of the hallway to the final room.
"This is your room Ulquiorra, I hope you like it." Sakon told him as he opened the door.
"It should suffice." Ulquiorra simply answered him.
"Goodnight Ulquiorra."
Sakon said as he headed back towards the stairs. Ulquiorra enters and shuts the door behind him. He quickly surveyed the area. His room was large and white with a balcony he could look out from. The room contained a king-sized bed decorated with an elegant white and green sheet, several wooden dressers, a large closet, and an enormous bathroom. He noticed some new clothes on the bed. It was identical to what he was wearing but it was all green. He saw a note on top of it and read it.
I hope you like it. I tried my best to copy what you are wearing.
Sakon
Ulquiorra carefully inspected the details of his new clothes. He could hardly tell a difference between them. He gently moved the green attire onto the dresser and decided to sleep.
I wonder why she wants me to accompany her. Is it to discuss my existence to the other dark lords? Not wanting to dwell on these thoughts he succumbed to sleep.