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A Shadow of What Was	By : katami Category: Bleach > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 49594 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Author's Notes: We are entering another of those periods where lots of things happen in all at the same time, so we will be will following certain people and then going back to follow others. I will try and keep that clear, but just wanted to warn everyone ahead of time.

Once again, zincpiccalilli has gifted me with pretty art. Please show her love for all her hard work. She is an amazing artist.

And for those who wondered, the God status was just a joke - a little Urahara humor. Anyway, hope this latest offering pleases. Remember, nothing says love like a review. And many thanks to all those who have shown their support for this story - you are all wonderful!

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"I have a great deal of work to see to, but I wondered if it might please you to dine with me again this evening?" Byakuya murmured softly to the Arrancar. He had enjoyed the brief meal he and Ulquiorra had shared together, although most of the meal had been silent and their dessert had fallen to talk of battles. Strictly speaking it had hardly been proper, but Byakuya found he had enjoyed it immensely. Ulquiorra was a keen strategist and Byakuya hadn't minded debating points of minutia with the Arrancar.

"I would find it most enjoyable. Kurotshuchi-taichou had expressed his desire to begin his examinations of Grimmjow and myself but that appears to be unlikely," answered the Arrancar quietly, a hint of a smirk quirking his lips and Byakuya found himself mirroring the Arrancar's amusement.

"Kurotshuchi will likely find himself detained for the foreseeable future," he murmured. The Fourth may not have looked it, but they could be quite formidable. In the interest of keeping peace they would likely keep the injured captain sedated and confined to their territory until tempers were a little cooler. There would also likely be a very polite but stern discussion about the relocation of patients without proper authorization from a healer.

They took one last look at the corridor before beginning the journey back to the portion of the base where their rooms were located, the wing usually occupied by the Tenth. Ulquiorra seemed to settle comfortably at his side and Byakuya was almost sad to see his quarters come into view. The other man was peaceful and serene, his reiatsu nothing but the barest hint against Byakuya's skin, carrying with it the faintest hints of moonlight.

"I am sorry for the confinement to quarters during the duration of the search. I trust it was not too unpleasant and that you were well seen to?" he asked, suddenly concerned that in his focus on the search he had in some way overlooked something to do with the Arrancar.

"It was not unbearable. The worst part of the experience was sharing quarters with Grimmjow. I was considering requesting a ball of yarn to see if that would placate him," murmured Ulquiorra with a smirk.

A soft sound of inquiry from Byakuya drew the Arracar's gaze. "Grimmjow is descended from a panther-type Hollow," he explained and Byakiya gave a soft snort of laughter.

"Ah, the kitten references?"

Ulquiorra nodded and Byakuya couldn't help but smile. "If you would like to explore the town or the base I could arrange someone to escort you?" he offered, wanting to be able to do so himself, wishing he could ignore his duties. He wouldn't have been a Kuchiki if he did though.

Ulquiorra seemed to consider his offer for a moment before softly saying, "No, thank you. If you would not find it intrusive I would much prefer to accompany you." Byakuya felt his eyes go wide, wondering what possible reason the Arrancar would have for wishing to shadow him. His afternoon was going to be filled with nothing more interesting than paperwork and possibly observing the training of the new recruits for the Sixth.

"Las Noches is not structured like Soul Society or your Gotei 13. We must understand how they operate and what would be expected of us if Grimmjow and I are to assimilate into them," explained the Arrancar reasonably, startling Byakuya with how much thought he had clearly given his desertion.

"You realize no decision has been reached about your status within Soul Society? You might not even be allowed to join the Gotei 13," he warned Ulquiorra carefully, highly doubting that the two Arrancar would not be given the asylum they sought. And once they were given sanctuary in would be foolish not to employ them and the store of information they brought with them.

Ulquiorra was smirking faintly at him, a tiny upward tilt of the corner of his mouth that was charmingly superior. "Grimmjow and I, while no longer Espada members, are two of the oldest Arrancar in Hueco Mundo. We are also experienced fighters who have survived twenty years of combat. We bring far more than just information with us and it would be foolish of Soul Society to overlook that simply because of what we are," murmured the Arrancar and Byakuya could sense the almost desperate hunger in the smaller man - the need to serve and be useful.

Byakuya let his normally stiff posture soften slightly and smiled a tiny, reassuring smile at the smaller man, silently telling him that he understood. He saw the tension slip from Ulquiorra, the Arrancar swaying fractionally closer to him, and saw gratitude in those normally shielded green eyes. "I would not mind your company in the least, Ulquiorra," he told the Arrancar gently, a warm feeling suffusing him when the other man nodded his thanks.

Byakuya turned, leading them out of the Tenth wing and towards the central gate. Each wing of the base had a gate that could be opened should that base ever come under attack, but the main gate was located centrally so that commanders and general staff did not have to travel as far when visiting. If he was going to show Ulquiorra the duties of a Shingami he might as well return to Soul Society and do so properly from within the Sixth.

"I will need to escort you through the gate since you cannot summon a hell butterfly, " Byakuya murmured as they approached the portal. "I hope you understand," he said, taking the Arrancar's hand. Ulquiorra stared at their linked hands and regarded him for a moment before a tiny smile twisted his lips. "I don't mind, Byakuya." The Arrancar followed him through the gate and Byakuya told himself that if he held the other man's hand just a moment longer than necessary when they emerged that it was of no consequence.

They earned a few stares as they stalked from the First, and the location of the gate, toward his office. Ulquiorra was always a mere step behind him and silently taking in all he saw. Byakuya was almost certain the Arrancar would have been able to find his way back to the gate alone, something that pleased him immensely. Very few people could navigate the Seireitei their first trip through.

"The Sixth," murmured Byakuya as they walked into the Sixth's compound. "My office is this way." In the distance the sound of training could be heard and Byakuya wondered if he dared take a look and see how badly it was going, before deciding the massive stacks of paperwork waiting for him should take priority. He slid open the door to his office, leading Ulquiorra past his startled lieutenant and into his office. "Please fetch some tea for myself and my guest," he ordered, closing the door, the gaping look of shock on her face annoying him.

He turned to find Ulquiorra examining the office, his hands clasped politely behind his back as he leaned over to glance at a few of the many papers awaiting Byakuya's attention. "I had not realized captains did so much paperwork. I assumed a greater level of formality, of course, but nothing to this extent," murmured the smaller man.

"Under normal circumstances captains wouldn't; however events have left many short staffed - myself being one of them. I have not yet been able to replace Abarai to my satisfaction and have been forced to take on many of the duties of a fukutaichou as well as my own," explained Byakuya, offering Ulquiorra a chair before settling in his own with a barely perceptible sigh. Ulquiorra nodded in understanding and moved his chair close so that he could watch. As the Arrancar settled in next to him Byakuya realized that with almost anyone else being so near he would have felt crowded and annoyed, but Ulquiorra was unobtrusive and his nearness was rather pleasant.

He worked in silence, handling each form and signing it before handing it to Ulquiorra who studied it carefully and then set it aside. They paused only when the Arrancar had a question over one of the forms and they Byakuya would explain, Ulquiorra questioning him carefully. His vice captain came and went, Ulquiorra's presence keeping her quiet, and the tea sat untouched and forgotten . Within an hour of beginning, Ulquiorra was helpfully slipping him the next page he needed and soon after that papers began coming to him needing nothing more than his signature. Within four hours his desk was clear save for the neatly completed reports that would go out in the morning and Byakuya was staring at the dark, polished surface of his desk for the first time in what felt like years.

A feeling of wonder stole over him and he turned slightly to offer Ulquiorra a true smile only to find the other man staring at the desk and all the papers with near wonder himself. A soft chuckle slipped from his lips and Ulquiorra's eyes shot to him, locking with his.

He really was quite pretty realized Byakuya, staring at the former Espada. He was exotic, pale and delicate with the twin green tracks down his cheek and the broken mask on the left side of his face. "I...thank you," he managed softly, swearing he could feel a faint blush rise on his cheeks.

The smile Ulquiorra gave him was small but he swore it was warmer and more personal than the other smiles he had received from the Espada.

"I realize it is later than we had planned, but my offer for dinner still stands," murmured Byakuya quietly, reaching out to straighten a slightly crooked stack.

"I would be delighted to join..." began Ulquiorra, reaching for the same stack and falling silent as their hands touched. Green eyes met gray and locked. Byakuya felt himself moving, but from far away, unable to stop himself and barely able to comprehend what was happening until his fingers brushed a pale, cool cheek. An instant later his lips touched Ulquiorra's in gentle, chaste kiss.

When he pulled back he noticed the surprise in Ulquiorra's green eyes, the shocked amazement. A moment later a faint pink rose on the former Espada's cheeks and he ducked his head slightly, making Byakuya chuckle. Who would have thought that wonderfully composed Ulquiorra Schiffer could blush?

"Forgive me, that was...presumptuous of me," he apologized softly.

Ulquiorra's hand caught his, the former Espada's fingers soft and cool against his own skin. "There is nothing to forgive, Byakuya. Although I believe discussion might be in order," whispered Ulquiorra, raising his eyes, once more and leaning forward to lay a quick kiss on his lips.

Byakuya felt his smile widen and a gave a silent nod of concurrence, "Over dinner then."
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A Shadow of What Was