(A/N): This is the new version of chapter 1. It was re-edited by my fabulous beta :D.

I'm so happy that I have received many story alerts and faving! I'll work on this story the best I can!

Disclaimers: I don't own Bleach.

The House Just In Between the Highest of Hills

Chapter 1:

Ulquiorra tapped the end of his pencil against the glossy desk where many uncompleted sketches were strewn on top of it. Normally, the pale teen was never this fidgety before but right now he was not paying attention to anything. Like the fact that class had been dismissed five minutes ago.

"Ulquiorra, class has been already dismissed… you may go" spoke a monotone voice that shook the pale teen out of his thoughts.

Eager to leave, Ulquiorra shoved all of his belongings into his messenger bag, zipped it up, and shouldered the strap.

"Yes, thank you for reminding me. Farewell, Mr. Kuchiki-sama." Ulquiorra shot his art teacher one last glance before closing the door shut. It happened again.

Lately the high school student had been starting to zone out in class more and more often as the days slowly past by. Why was that? Was it the lack of inspiration or motivation to create art with the hands that his creator gave him? Ulquiorra sighed as he mentally asked that question repeatedly in his head. There had been a project assigned to everyone in the specific art class that he was in that would be due in three months.

Three months was plenty of time… but Ulquiorra, being Ulquiorra wanted to finish it as soon as possible when he had the time. And he was rarely busy, so in that case why not start today? Or right now, as a matter of fact. The problem was that he needed an idea; a creative well thought out idea that would attract the interest of others with ooohs and awws.

Yes, this was Ulquiorra's passion, his dream. And he wanted to reach out the furthest he could until he excelled and made that dream a reality. He wanted to become a successful artist. What was the point of his creator giving him hands if he was not going to put them to good use? That was what Ulquiorra had always believed in. He just needed inspiration, motivation… something. What was he going feed inspiration off of that would surely make jaws drop? The young artist pondered and pondered this question as he walked past the sight of vehicles facing him from the corner of his eye. The light was going to turn green soon so he figured he had to pick up his pace, ignoring the many curious stares he was receiving.

As he walked past the trail of cars he caught sight of his apartment complex. A sigh of relief escaped his black and white lips and a smile almost tugged at his lips… almost. He pointed out his index finger and pounded the six digit code into the small box near the gated complex's door. The large double doors slowly opened moments later, a glint of light gleaming across the gold and brown designed doors, nearly blinding Ulquiorra's emerald eyes.

Ulquiorra sighed. Why did his parents have to buy him such a gaudy apartment? But then again, he could not really complain. I mean, it was pretty damn nice.

Once he was in the elevator he pressed the #4 button with his thumb and waited patiently. When the elevator reached its destination, it opened slowly, revealing the palm trees and the glowing sea that gleamed a bright yellow from the bright low sun that was just setting.

The view across the 4th floor's window was captivating Ulquiorra's interest. A fresh breeze fell across his skin, his hair flowing along with it. The young artist lightly shut his eyes.

How long has been since he had felt this way before?

Said person parted his lips slowly, taking in the fresh air that he needed for so long. Opening his emerald eyes, he slid out a ring of keys from his right pocket and scanned through the one that had the number four imprinted on the cover. He pushed the key into the lock as he turned around to face his door, and with a twist it soon opened, releasing a pleasant aroma that reached his nostrils.

Ulquiorra hung his messenger bag on the coat hanger along with his grey sweater that was right beside him. The pale teen kicked off his vans and slumped deep into his love seat. Placing his feet on the small coffee table, he reached out for the remote and flicked through the channels on his plasma television in a bored manner. He stopped on the channel 11 Fox News.

The sight on the screen nearly made his stomach churn in disgust, a small frown appearing on his pale face. On the screen was a pile of bodies that seemed to appear as a family of five. They were hung by their necks with severe wounds and injuries, splattered blood staining the white freeway bridge that they hung off of, sending shivers up and down Ulquiorra's spine. But what caught his attention most was the sunset behind the wide freeway bridge. Hey that was… did this occur just now? Ulquiorra ran to his large window doors that lead to his spacious patio. His eyes widened. There were many news broadcast cars surrounding the area and one helicopter flying about. Many reporters were facing cameras with stoic faces put on.

The bodies… were hanging off the freeway's bridge by their necks, just like on the television screen. Despite the horrific scene Ulquiorra paid no attention to it, but paid attention to the sun setting just in between the highest of hills in the whole city.

The seagulls flew by as the sky was turning into a pinkish yellow. The sea was still gleaming as he had seen it before. There… that was where he needed to go. The sunset was truly breathtaking to him. He just had to visit there. Maybe there he could find the inspiration he needed. By a bird, tree, plant, anything. A glint of happiness spread across his doll-like face.

Ulquiorra closed the curtains and windows shut. Maybe he could stay there for a couple of days? But what excuse could he use to skip school? Maybe he could say that he was too ill to attend school at the moment? The green eyed teen shrugged. It was an acceptable excuse, and that's the only thing he could come up with right now. So he left it at that.

Ulquiorra slumped back into his love seat once again. He curled himself into a ball and tugged at a small green blanket that was underneath him and pulled it over him self. His large green eyes started to close shut. He pondered with excitement of what was to come of tomorrow when he was going to visit the mountains. Oh, but little did he know what was in store for him.

(A/N:) When Ulquiorra was staring out the fourth floor's window, it wasn't the same window that had the view in his living room. Since he was on a different floor, that would make sense.