DISCLAIMER - I do not own Bleach or any of its characters, all I own are the plot of this fic and any characters I made up for it.
Well, for my devoted readers who read all my stuff thank you and welcome to another shiny new fanfic by me, Manga-bird ;-) I have put all other works on hold for this, and it will be long, but i hope you stick with it and enjoy reading it as much as i enjoyed writing it. After this part there will be two more parts as well as a Christmas Special, but please don't keep reviewing to ask when it will be, because i really don't want to ruin it by rushing. I hope you all enjoy ;-)
Ulquiorra stood in the top branches of a tree watching the rain pour, his hands in his white pockets as usual as he leaned on the trunk contemplating his actions. In the battle Soul Society had been victorious. The Espada were gone, Aizen was gone, and Ulquiorra was now alone. He knew that in Hueco Mundo there were still some of the fallen Espada, but they were nowhere near his level of skill. He was the last true Espada, something that was not going to help him survive. He had come to the human world to see the damage, but it seemed that nothing had happened. The Shinigami had been thorough in their clean up. How long has it been since I watched the rain? The Espada mused as he watched the droplets fall,
"Ulquiorra-san isn't it?" A man's voice asked. The Espada looked down emotionlessly to see a fairly young human, his light blonde hair sticking out from beneath a green and white striped hat as he looked up with a warm inviting smile. Is this human a fool? Ulquiorra wondered as he looked down, but in this man's light hazel eyes Ulquiorra saw intelligence, and he sensed a strong power hidden in his reiatsu,
"You are Urahara Kisuke." Ulquiorra observed as he looked down, not shifting from his comfortable position against the tree. The man below him was soaked, his dark green clothes dripping, though this certainly didn't dampen the man's spirit as he jumped up into the tree and sat on the branch at Ulquiorra's feet.
"I'm honoured to be remembered by you." The blonde replied as he looked up at the seemingly young boy. The only way of telling that he wasn't a human being was the hole in his chest just below his delicately sloping collarbone, about the size of a fist and the hollow mask that seemed more like a broken helmet with a single horn on the left side of his head, though of course his skin was also an unnatural white.
Ulquiorra looked down at the man suspiciously. Something about the way he spoke grated on his nerves and set off warning bells. Something wasn't right, and Ulquiorra was even more certain of this as Urahara held up the Hougyoku, the small black sphere safely encased in a glass looking spirit barrier, "You know what this is I take it." Urahara said as he looked into Ulquiorra's dark green eyes. The Espada nodded.
"It is the Hougyoku from which I was born, what of it?" He asked warily, feeling two more strong reiatsu closing in fast. Urahara shifted so that he faced Ulquiorra on his knees, his expression graved as he bowed down, something Ulquiorra had not expected, his curiosity keeping him from running,
"Ulquiorra-san, I think I am correct in assuming that you mean us no harm now that Aizen is gone. Is that correct?" The ex-Shinigami asked as he looked up at the white clad Espada, who nodded in reply, "Then allow me to be blunt. I require your assistance, or rather your cooperation." He continued, Ulquiorra not liking where this was going as the two approaching reiatsu stopped, hiding not too far off.
"I see. This is why your companions lie in wait." Ulquiorra observed, his eyes shifting left and right, the man before him getting to his feet, cane in hand. On his feet Urahara was actually a head taller than Ulquiorra, who had been one of the shortest Espada. Luckily it wasn't physical size that mattered in battle, and Ulquiorra was more than satisfied with his ability.
"I am afraid so, you see, you are the only one who can do this particular…job. You are also the most dangerous potential enemy we have now." Urahara explained, the boy before him not displaying his emotions outwardly. Espada had no emotions, Ulquiorra most of all. It was hard to tell what the boy was thinking as he looked off with his green eyes, his skin white as snow except for the two green tear tracks that matched his eyes and his top lip, which was black. Why the tear tracks were there Urahara couldn't guess, though he had a feeling it was linked to the boy's previous life.
"So you wish to kill me." Ulquiorra guessed as he looked at Urahara, who wore an incredulous expression, and quickly shook his head with a somewhat goofy expression that Ulquiorra found distasteful and overly human in nature,
"No-no! Nothing like that…In order to hide the Hougyoku it must be buried within someone's soul, and that soul must be encased in a Gigai…" Urahara trailed off, Ulquiorra turning his green eyes on the man before him, his body poised to jump away at any moment,
"So you do mean to kill me." He said, Urahara giving him a slightly puzzled look. "To you it may seem that you are displaying kindness, however to be trapped in a humanoid body, to be forced to live in this world with these people, it is a fate worse than death to an Espada…As a Human who chose to become a Hollow, who chose to become an Arrancar and was then chosen to become an Espada, there would be no fate worse than having my powers stripped away…to become nothing but a lowly Human…" Ulquiorra trailed off. His face showed no change, however his voice was laced with disgust, and his words had peaked Urahara's interest, and sent shivers down his spine.
"Humans do not choose to become Hollow." Urahara said firmly. Never in his life had he heard of anything so monstrous. Hollow stole human souls full of pain and regret and turned them into Hollow. No one consciously chose that fate as far as he knew, however the look in Ulquiorra's eyes said otherwise, and it disturbed Urahara to no end.
"Not many, that I grant, but the most powerful Hollow are usually the ones who chose their fate, and you would try to lower me to the level of Human trash?" Ulquiorra demanded, his voice mostly emotionless but for a slight snapping tone that told Urahara he was treading on dangerous ground.
"It's not all bad!" The shopkeeper defended quickly, "Because you have such a high power level the Gigai will not be able to hold off your power, it will just dampen it down so that you're not such a threat! And it's not as if we're doing this to punish you!" He continued to argue, the white skinned boy staring at him unblinking, "The Hougyoku must be protected, and the strongest person around is you, whether Soul Society likes it or not…Ulquiorra-san, I am begging you to help us…this should never have been created, but there is no way to destroy it…all I can do is hide it away with the strongest protector." Urahara said with a begging tone to his voice. Ulquiorra closed his eyes momentarily before opening them, the sharp green orbs piercing Urahara's gentle brown eyes.
"It is all very well for you to ask for my help, however it seems you are not giving me the option of refusal in this matter." Ulquiorra said matter-of-factly as he looked off to the right, his green eyes piercing into Yoruichi's, who was staring back steadily with her bright catlike eyes, her long purple hair flowing in the breeze. As his eyes looked left he saw the other woman, Soi Fon, the second captain of the Shinigami, her dark brown eyes boring into him.
"No, you are right about that." Urahara admitted sheepishly, the Espada looking at him emotionlessly before jumping down from the tree and landing gracefully on the ground, his hands still in his pockets as he walked away. Urahara followed him. "Where are you going?" He asked innocently as he caught up to the boy and walked at his side,
"I do not feel like fighting today, so I was hoping you would allow me to walk away." Ulquiorra replied, Urahara hiding his eyes beneath the brim of his hat guiltily as he held the Hougyoku in his hand and stopped walking, the Espada walking a few steps ahead before looking back over his shoulder with an almost disinterested expression.
"I'm afraid not Ulquiorra-san." The older looking man said apologetically as he swung his arm, aiming to put his fist into Ulquiorra's hollow chest and release the Hougyoku, which would weaken him enough to get him back to the shop and into the Gigai, but the boy had already disappeared from his side using Sonido. This was the Hollow version of Shunpo, a fast running technique, and it seemed that only the Arrancar had mastered it. Urahara turned to the tree that he knew Yoruichi was in and nodded solemnly.
At that nod Yoruichi disappeared from her tree, Soi Fon following her lead, both of them chasing down the young Espada, whom they knew was unable to leave their world as long as he was in the park area, courtesy of Soul Society. They had blocked the area, making it impossible to shift between dimensions, and since they saw the boy running they assumed it was working as they caught up to him,
"Yo!" Yoruichi greeted as she reached Ulquiorra's side, his eyes widening an imperceptible amount in surprise as Soi Fon reached his other side, "You didn't think you'd outrun the Goddess of Flash did you?" Yoruichi added with a grin, the boy jumping away. Yoruichi watched as he flipped up and over, landing in the air on his feet as if he were standing on a surface. "Soi Fon!" Yoruichi shouted, the dark haired girl nodding in response as she jumped, her bound hair whipping out behind her in two white tails as she flew up to Ulquiorra, who blocked her attack with ease sending her hurtling back to the ground roughly. Yoruichi was already in the air behind him, but to her surprise her kick wasn't blocked, it was caught and thrown aside with disinterest. Yoruichi managed to catch her balance as she hit the ground, standing up beside Urahara with a troubled expression,
"It appears we'll need help." Urahara observed as he snapped his fan shut and turned to his three companions, who nodded their compliance. Tessai went first, trying one of his strongest binding spells, much to Ulquiorra's annoyance. In the few seconds that he was frozen in place, held fast by black chains of spiritual energy, he was struck hard in the face by an oversized iron rod, courtesy of the red headed boy, Jinta. However by the time Ururu came to attack Ulquiorra had broken the binding spell, catching the small girl by the neck as she attempted to attack him using martial arts as opposed to her heavy cannon.
"Ururu!" Jinta cried, watching in horror as the small girl choked in the grasp of the Espada, his eyes cold and disinterested as he examined her, her small hands prying at his larger one, her grey eyes watering as she tried to breathe,
"Stronger than the average human…interesting." Ulquiorra observed, looking down to see Yoruichi coming at him again. His solution was simply to throw the small girl in his grasp at her, both females falling to the ground as Yoruichi caught the small girl and landed lightly. Yoruichi jumped at him again, managing to get a hold on his white coat, glaring at him dangerously,
"You bastard!" She hissed, Ulquiorra giving her an emotionless stare as he pulled her hand away effortlessly,
"How illogical. You attack me without provocation but are angered when your companions get hurt…what a human reaction." Ulquiorra observed, throwing the young woman off, the small girl from before, Ururu he believed her name was, flying at him with unnatural speed. His hand easily stopped her small fist. Closing his palm over her smaller hand tightly he could feel the bones shift and break. "I suggest you stay back." The boy said before throwing her at Urahara, who caught her effortlessly and handed her to Tessai,
"My apologies Ururu, I shouldn't have gotten you involved with such a strong opponent." He apologised regretfully at he looked up at the young boy, who was now fending off Soi Fon admirably as she tried to poison him with her Suzumebachi, "Soi Fon! No poison, we need him alive!" Urahara reminded, the young woman reverting the claw-like weapon on her hand back to the form of a katana. As he watched Ulquiorra he saw what he was looking for. The boy was slowly, very slowly, wearing down. "Yoruichi! Keep at it!" Urahara shouted, the cat-like woman nodding that she had noticed it too.
"I tire of this." Ulquiorra sighed as he raised his hand, a ball of green Cero appearing, his eyes disinterested as he looked at Soi Fon, whose eyes widened as he released the attack, the woman screaming in agony as she fell to the ground. Tessai hurried to the woman's side and checked her, nodding to Urahara. She was unconscious but alive.
"I suppose it's time that I too…" Urahara said under his breath as he jumped into the air, his cane transforming into a delicate katana. He swung the sword, sending a strong bolt of red lightening into Ulquiorra's chest, the young boy blocking it, but being pushed further across the sky, where he received a kick to the back of his head from Yoruichi.
Blood was already running down the side of his face from Jinta's earlier attack, his left eye closed to stop the blood flowing into it, a weakness! Urahara observed, feinting to the right and disappearing to the left. The boy turned his head too late as Urahara knocked him hard in the face, sending him flying into Yoruichi, who kicked the half helmet looking part of his head that was all that remained of his hollow mask. Ulquiorra fell to the ground and stood up quickly, jumping aside as Jinta's metal bat-like pole came swinging down, crushing the ground he had been lying on moments before.
"Tessai!" The boy shouted, the large muscular man nodding as he performed his strongest binding spell. Ulquiorra found himself trapped with what felt like a hundred swords through his body. The pain distracted him long enough for Jinta to give him another sound whack to the head, the hollow mask chipping at the impact. Jinta landed before Ulquiorra and looked up into his dark green eyes, frozen in place by the lack of emotion. He had expected to see anger, perhaps even fear, but the hollowness of the boy's eyes sent shivers running up and down his spine.
"Jinta! Look out!" A new voice cried, the red haired boy turning to find himself in Renji's strong grasp, safely tucked against his firm chest as a ball of Cero scorched the ground that he had been standing on moments before. The young Shinigami put the boy down and turned with a glare to Ulquiorra, his Zanpakuto pointed at him, "You'd kill a child?" Renji demanded, his dark eyes glaring at the Espada before him,
"Only if they see fit to attack me first." The Arrancar replied tonelessly, the lack of emotion making Renji grit his teeth angrily as he gripped his sword, "Howl Zabimaru!" The Shinigami cried, his katana transforming into a large sword with spikes down one side, the sections coming apart and stretching like a grotesque whip as he swung at Ulquiorra. The arrancar caught the blade bare handed and tossed it aside with disinterest, holding up his other arm to block the kick Yoruichi sent his way.
"Ururu no!" Urahara shouted as the small girl ran forward, using her other fist to try to punch Ulquiorra as if she was possessed. The Espada caught the small fist easily and held her up to eye level,
"I warned you earlier, human. I will not be so merciful again." He said emotionlessly as he gripped her small fist in his hand, the small girl crying out as he slowly crushed her hand. Her grey tearful eyes looked up at him painfully, the fear registering as she looked into his hollow eyes,
"You bastard!" Renji shouted as he swung his sword again, the Arrancar holding the small girl before him as a deterrent, "Shit!" Renji cursed as he pulled back, the sword veering off and coming back to him.
"Curious. Your friends seem reluctant to sacrifice you." Ulquiorra said to the small terrified girl, his eyes not cruel in the least, and his words lacking the malice she would usually expect from a Hollow. To her it seemed that Hollow, in his case, was meant in the literal sense. His heart was hollow and empty. Ururu reached out her other small broken hand to touch the tear tracks on his face. They alone seemed to speak of some long forgotten pain. "Do not touch me woman." Ulquiorra said firmly as he tossed the girl aside, watching as she tumbled across the hard ground roughly.
"Bankai!" Renji shouted, his sword changing into a huge snake that could break into segments, held together by his glowing red reiatsu, a thick red main that matched the colour of Renji's hair surrounding the snake head. Ulquiorra raised an eyebrow as he looked at the young Shinigami, baboon skin armour appearing across Renji's shoulder and down his arm to the handle of his soul slayer. "You'll pay for that!" He swore,
"We shall see." Ulquiorra replied tonelessly as Renji whipped the snake in his direction, the jaws open wide to display rows of sharp teeth. Ulquiorra sighed as he returned his hands to his pockets and stepped to the side, watching the snake fly by with disinterest. "Your attacks are slow…" He observed as the snake head turned to come back at him, a simple jump carrying him out of harm's way. He looked down with disinterest, taking the opportunity to wipe the blood from his left eye as the snake looked up at him, a red ball of reiatsu forming in its mouth ready to be fired.
"Where are you looking?" Yoruichi demanded as she grabbed his shoulder from behind, her legs swiftly wrapping around his neck, choking him as she tightened her grip, "Okay! Renji!" She shouted, the red head nodding in reply as she threw Ulquiorra down towards the snake. The Espada was unable to do anything to stop himself from falling into the released reiatsu blast, bracing himself against the energy burning his skin. Opening his green eyes within the red stream he put his foot out and jumped away, using the snake's jaw for leverage. If I hadn't opened my eyes then…Ulquiorra thought, not relishing the idea that the Shinigami's soul slayer had almost had the opportunity to bite him, which would have wounded him, perhaps enough for them to carry out their plan. I have to get away from here.
"I'm afraid I can't allow you to leave just yet." Urahara said with a smile as he landed in front of Ulquiorra, examining him quickly, good, he's taken some damage, that will certainly make this easier…He thought as he noticed the way Ulquiorra winced slightly as he moved his shoulder, usually unwilling to show any expression on his face. Urahara swung his sword, aiming for Ulquiorra's injured shoulder, quite impressed by the boy's reflexes and resolve as he grabbed the blade with his injured arm, blood running down his shoulder from the cut. "Sorry about this." Urahara added, punching forward with the Hougyoku in his fist, Ulquiorra's eyes widening as he did the only thing he could. He allowed himself to fall backwards, hoping Urahara missed, which he did, his fist grazing across Ulquiorra's chest sending shivers down his spine. Before Urahara could recover Ulquiorra was on his feet two meters away panting and holding his shoulder, his eyes still wide, "It seems that you were fortunate this time, but next time you will not be so lucky." Urahara warned, Ulquiorra getting to his feet and running in the opposite direction as fast as he could, his eyes wide as Yoruichi appeared at his side, her expression strangely serious,
"You're slowing down Espada." She said, Ulquiorra realising that she was right, his energy levels were too low to keep this up. The edge of the barrier is close…I should be able to open a portal soon…He thought in determination as he looked ahead, his mind going to Hueco Mundo, the endless desert and cold moon that awaited him upon his return, but something holding him back. Ridiculous, I will not be distracted! He thought firmly, pushing himself on. Yoruichi had not been oblivious to his distraction either, and took this opportunity to force him from his path with a firm punch to his injured shoulder. The boy tumbled across the ground and landed in a crouch a few feet away clutching his bleeding shoulder with a visible grimace that made him seem much more human.
"Hey!" Renji's voice shouted as Ulquiorra got to his feet again, sprinting for the edge of the barrier. Ulquiorra glanced over his shoulder, Zabimaru flying at him with its snake jaws wide,
"Yoruichi! Stop him!" Urahara shouted urgently as Ulquiorra reached the edge, feeling something change as he crossed the Shinigami barrier. Snapping his fingers he opened a portal to Hueco Mundo, the dry heated breeze of the world beyond filling his senses.
"Oh no you don't!" Yoruichi cried in determination as she dived at him, grabbing his waist and pulling him with her away from the portal. No! he cried inwardly as he hit the ground roughly, Yoruichi straddling his hips and holding down his struggling arms as best she could,
"Release me!" Ulquiorra ordered as he looked up at her, his eyes still empty as he struggled against her hold, the dark skinned woman holding on for all she was worth, gritting her teeth against his impossible strength. Despite trying her best she could slowly feel him writhing free of her grip,
"Renji! Tessai! Help me hold him!" Yoruichi shouted desperately, the two men hurrying over to restrain the boy. Tessai grabbed his legs roughly, pinning him down as hard as he could while Renji took one of his arms and Yoruichi the other. Ulquiorra struggled desperately against his captors, turning his head to Renji,
"Kill me!" He said almost imploringly, Renji's eyes widening in surprise at the boys words, "Kill me damnit!" He shouted, his haunting green eyes shifting to Urahara, who was calmly walking over, Ulquiorra's struggles getting more desperate at the man's approach,
"No Renji-kun, we can't kill him." Urahara said tonelessly as the young Shinigami opened his mouth to ask the question. Ulquiorra took on a frantic look, one almost tinged with fear as Urahara knelt down beside him. "We need Ulquiorra to do this, he is the only one who can." The ex-Shinigami added as he looked down at Ulquiorra, whose face held as much emotion as Urahara had ever seen, his green eyes wide with fear as he tried to break free. Urahara lowered his head to hide his eyes guiltily, one of his hands shooting out, but rather than hitting the boy's face his hand stopped just above Ulquiorra's eyes, the boy stopping his struggles as his vision was obscured.
"Are you sure about this?" Renji asked quietly as Ulquiorra stopped struggling beneath him, the arm he was holding shaking in fear as the boy began taking loud deep breaths, his fingers clawing the ground. Urahara merely nodded as he held back his fist with the Hougyoku in it, looking at the quivering beside him.
"Gomenasai." Was all Urahara said before plunging his fist into the Espada's firm chest, Ulquiorra crying out in agony and writhing in his captors' grasp. Urahara released the Hougyoku and withdrew his hand, "Alright get back!" He ordered, watching his three friends release the boy and jump back, looking on in a mixture of horror and pity as Ulquiorra screamed and clutched at his chest desperately. The hole where Urahara's fist went in was already closed up as he clawed as his chest, his body jerking spasmodically.
Urahara grabbed the boy and pulled him into his embrace, holding him tightly and stroking his black hair, whispering assurances as Ulquiorra reached up and gripped his open khaki green haori jacket. Ulquiorra's green eyes streamed tears, real tears, until suddenly he went limp, his green eyes losing their light and going dull, blood still dripping from his wounds and mouth from his earlier fight.
"Is he dead?" Renji asked in shock as he looked down at the Arrancar, but Urahara shook his head as he got to his feet, bringing Ulquiorra's unconscious form with him.
"The Hougyoku won't kill him. That pain he experienced was the Hougyoku binding to his soul. It wouldn't have hurt had he been put into the Gigai with the Hougyoku already inside as Kuchiki-san was…Tessai, please carry Ulquiorra back to the shop. I shall place him in the Gigai upon my return." Urahara said, handing the lifeless form of Ulquiorra to his large muscular companion, who quickly walked away, Jinta and Ururu following. "Renji-kun, Yoruichi-san, I thank you for your help in this matter, and please thank Soi Fon when she awakens. Arigatou." He thanked as he turned to his two Shinigami friends with a bow.
"What? You expected us to let you handle this on your own?" Yoruichi teased, Urahara giving her a tired smile in return. It had been a long night, and he feared that this was only the beginning of their troubles.
"Well, I'd better be getting back. Kuchiki-taicho will be wondering where I am." Renji said after a few moments of silence, "Don't worry, I'll take Soi Fon-taicho to the Fourth Squad medical bay." He added as he leaned down and hefted the petite woman over his shoulder gently, trying to be as respectful with her unconscious form as possible.
"Thanks Renji." Yoruichi called as the redhead opened a door to Soul Society, waving over his shoulder as he stepped through, a black hell butterfly fluttering around him almost curiously. The pair left behind watched the redhead disappear into the light of the doorway, the traditional sliding doors shutting behind him before fading away.
"Do you think we did the right thing?" Yoruichi asked as she and Urahara slowly made their way back to the shop, deciding to walk in the gentle breeze. It was very mild for a winter's night. Urahara looked up at one of the many leafless trees with a deep sigh,
"I believe so. It was the only way that he would be allowed to continue living peacefully, though I was surprised Soul Society agreed so easily. I suppose I have you and Soi Fon to thank for that, arigato." He thanked as they continued walking, Yoruichi wiping a trickle of blood from her mouth with the back of her hand and looking at it in disinterest,
"It wasn't easy believe me, but Yamamoto Sou-taicho realised it was the best option without stirring up another potential war." The cat-like woman replied, her long time companion nodding his head in agreement as he walked beside her somewhat solemnly. "Don't worry, he'll come round eventually, he's a bright kid." Yoruichi assured, knowing Urahara was preoccupied with thoughts of Ulquiorra.
"I fear I crossed a boundary today, forcing a fate upon him like that…I truly am a terrible person." The shop keeper said, pulling his hat down over his eyes, Yoruichi sighing as she looked at him out of the corner of her eye. If there was one thing she hated it was a moping Kisuke.
"Hey, Kisuke…" She said quietly, the older man pulling himself out of his thoughts to look at the beautiful woman walking at his side, her purple bangs shielding her amber eyes from view. "Cheer up!" She ordered, throwing a punch at his arm, which he blocked with a smile, catching her hand in his with surprising gentleness.
"You never change Yoruichi." He said warmly, glad that she was at his side again. During his early exile, when she had still been in Soul Society, he had missed her cheerful carefree presence, though of course he wasn't lonely. There was Tessai, and then Jinta and Ururu had fallen into his life, but they could never replace Yoruichi. No one could.
"Let's get drunk." She retorted with a grin,
"Hm, now you sound like Matsumoto-san." Urahara mused as he led the way towards the shop, Yoruichi grinning as she walked just behind him.