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Resolution	By : KaiBlueOtaku Category: Bleach > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 12664 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Bleach and all related characters are property of Tite Kubo. I recieve no payment for my writing.

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
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CHAPTER 5: “Contention”

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                While Ichigo had been fighting Nnoitora, Captain Kenpachi had come and taken over the battle. Once Nnoitora was defeated, Orihime was just about to heal their wounds when another Espada, Coyote Stark, appeared and abducted her. Orihime now stood trembling in the courtroom of Tower Five, in the palace of Las Noches. “Until then, I will leave Las Noches to you, Ulquiorra.” It was as if, when Aizen had spoken the words, he had somehow called the Cuatra forth from the Caja de Negacion where he had been imprisoned. He had shattered thin air, stepped through from nowhere at all, and now stood glaring coldly at Orihime.

                She said nothing to him, remembering again Ulquiorra’s parting words to her regarding Murcielago. She knew this was the other who stood before her, and not her beloved. They stared in silence at one another for some time before he spoke.

                “Are you afraid?”

                Orihime had felt sadness, but not specifically fear, up until he had just now suggested it. She was sad to know that Murcielago had locked Ulquiorra away, and also sad to know that perhaps soon, her friends would be engaging him in battle. But fear was an entirely different level of emotion, and once he suggested it, it began to permeate her mind.

                “Lord Aizen has considered you unnecessary.”

                It was true. She had heard it over the Tenteikura, the Bakudo number 77 that Kaname Tosen had cast for Lord Aizen to broadcast a message to the Shinigami over, just before the three traitors from Soul Society had left for Karakura town.

                “There is nothing to protect you anymore. It’s over. You will die here, all alone, with no contact with anyone. I’m asking if you are afraid?”

                Orihime thought for a moment. She felt fear, but she knew it was only what Murcielago had instilled in her through his suggestions, not her own fear. She brought Ulquiorra’s words to mind again, and answered with a soft, decisive reply.

                “I am not afraid. Because everyone came to rescue me… My heart is with theirs.”

                “Such nonsense. You say you are not afraid because your friends came for you? Do you really mean those words?”

                “Yes.” Orihime’s eyes narrowed at his response. She could sense him flailing, trying to come up with some kind of a comeback, but it was difficult for him, since he did not know his enemy.   “When I first heard that they came to rescue me, it made me a little glad. And awfully sad. I came here because I wanted to protect all of them. Why did they all come here? Why couldn’t I make them understand, I wondered? But when I sensed that Kuchiki had fallen, and when I saw Kurosaki fight in front of me, I felt like all of that didn’t matter. All that mattered was I didn’t want Kurosaki to get hurt. I wanted everyone to be safe. When I felt that way, I realized, that must’ve been how all of them felt. If someone in that group had disappeared like I did, I would surely do the same thing they did.”

                “This is absurd. Your fate and that of your friends is already set. Even if your friends come, it won’t overturn the fact that all of you will die,” Murcielago said remorselessly. “Sharing feelings with those who are about to die, that is how you humans comfort yourselves. It is one of your instincts to help you escape from fear and hopelessness. Sharing feelings doesn’t exist in the real world. It is nothing more than a meaningless illusion you humans have.”

                “You may be right. Perhaps it is impossible to feel exactly the same emotions,” Orihime replied. She knew that was a lie, because she had seen Ulquiorra’s Solita Vista, and knew that she felt the exact same emotions as he had for her. But it seemed that Murcielago had either forgotten this, or did not know of it. “But by cherishing each other, our hearts can be that much closer. That’s what it must mean to ‘be of one heart.’”

                “Heart you say?” Murcielago paced toward the woman. “You humans use that word so casually, as though it’s in the palm of your hands. My eyes see everything. There is nothing they do not see. If they do not see it, it does not exist. I have fought until now, convinced of that.” He stopped and reached his hand out, laying an icy finger on her sternum. She was startled at how cold his touch was, even through her uniform, a stark contrast to the warm embrace of Ulquiorra. “What is “heart?” If I rip open your chest, will I see it inside?” Murcielago raised his frozen finger and touched it to the bridge of her nose. “If I split your skull, will I see it inside?” Her eyes grew wide in terror at the sudden realization that this creature was indeed every bit as dangerous as Ulquiorra had suggested, and here she stood, within his grasp, and no protection to speak of.

                An intense spiritual pressure filled the room, and Murcielago’s eyes widened with surprise. He turned in time to see a hole blasted in the floor of the throne room. As the dust and debris cleared, Kurosaki was there, wearing the black long-coat with the ragged, flared bottom that was characteristic of his Bankai. He also wore a look of dire fury in his eyes as he glared at the Espada.

                “Kurosaki,” Orihime said, unable to hide the elation in her voice at seeing her friend again.

                “Step away from Inoue,” he instructed the Espada.

                “I was about to. My duty is to protect Las Noches until Lord Aizen returns. I’ve received no orders to take her life. Until those orders come, I will let her live. However,” Murcielago raised his verdant eyes toward the Substitute Soul Reaper. “You are a different matter. Killing you is synonymous with protecting Las Noches.” As Murcielago drew his sword, Orihime stepped back gasping. “I shall eliminate you with my sword.”

                “That was unexpected. I didn’t think you would draw your sword first. I came here thinking that I’d have to start by making you draw your sword. Can I take it,” Ichigo remarked, his eyes narrowing at the Cuatra, “you consider me an equal opponent?”

                “At the very least, I consider you worthy of destroying.”

                Kurosaki smiled. “That’s good enough for me.”

                They came at each other then, reitsu flying. Orihime blocked herself from the fallout with a Santenkesshun. “Kurosaki…” she whispered worriedly.

                After much slashing and blocking, Murcielago landed a hit on Kurosaki’s right shoulder. “Still plan on fighting?” Murcielago mocked.

                “What?”

                “Garganta… Is closed… You people who were injured in the battle against us Espadas no longer have anywhere to go. You will idly spend your time here and die by our hands… That’s all there is for you. In short time, Karakura Town will disappear, and the Soul Society will, too, be destroyed by Lord Aizen after he creates the Ouken. You people have no way to stop that.” Murcielago’s words were positively dripping with infused despair.

                But Ichigo would have none of it. “Shut up! We’re not done yet… Don’t underestimate my strength!” he screamed. Murcielago was taken aback at this, not expecting the Substitute Soul Reaper to fight so hard against his words. He was shaken by his rebuttal, and began to lose ground on the battle. “The Thirteen Court Guard Squads will stop Aizen without fail! If that’s not enough, I will go and stop him… I’ll defeat you and stop him! Ulquiorra!” Murcielago’s mouth opened in shock as Kurosaki slashed, sending the Cuatra hurtling backward. Murcielago rebounded off a pillar to meet Kurosaki in mid-air. “I will Defeat you, Ulquiorra! And then, I’m taking Inoue back with me!”

                “Kurosaki…” Orihime whispered again.

                Murcielago fired Cero point blank at Kurosaki. When the smoke and debris cleared, it was evident that Kurosaki had blocked it.

                “Huh…? You withstood my Cero without taking out that mask. You’ve gotten stronger. Is it because you defeated Grimmjow? Or is it… Because of your friends who continue to fight under this tower?” Murcielago queried. Kurosaki wiped his mouth on his sleeve.    “Or is it… because of that woman?” Ichigo narrowed his eyes at this. “That woman is already one of us. Even if you rescue her from here, it doesn’t change that fact.”

                “What?” Kurosaki remembered Grimmjow’s words. Were you relieved that she appeared to be unharmed? You’re so dim-witted. You don’t even know how she is on the inside.

                “Rescuing her… Is meaningless.” Murcielago assured him.

                “That’s not for you to decide!” Ichigo roared, furious.

                “You’re right.” Murcielago glared at him. “It’s for Lord Aizen to decide.” More slashing and blocking of swords.

                “Not done yet,” Murcielago told Ichigo. He began stabbing rapidly, and Kurosaki struggled to dodge the blade.

                I can do this. I can see his moves and react, the Shinigami affirmed to himself. He hasn’t become a different style of fighter just because he drew his sword. It just means his attack range has extended. Watch closely… Watch closely! Watch! Kurosaki’s hand shot out, and closed on Murcielago’s wrist. The Espada was dumbfounded. Seeing the momentary opening caused by his shock, Kurosaki took the opportunistic attack and slashed across Murcielago’s chest. Murcielago slid back, and his jacket fell open, revealing his number ‘four’ Espada tattoo. After a moment, a slash visibly appeared across his chest and blood welled up, dripping down on the floor. “I hardly cut you. Must be that Hierro of yours. It sure is tough,” Ichigo asserted. Murcielago touched his chest tentatively, pulled a bloody finger away and examined it. “But I get the feeling I’m able to read your movements better than I could before.”

                Murcielago looked up sharply, focused again on his opponent. “What?”

                “The last time we fought, I couldn’t read your movements at all. Not your attacks, defenses, reactions, speed, or which way they were coming from. I couldn’t read where or what was coming at all. I felt like I was fighting a machine, or a stone statue. Is the reason why I’ve become able to read your movements because I’ve become more hollow-like? Or… Maybe it’s because you’ve become more human, like me?” Ichigo taunted.

                Murcielago stabbed his sword into the ground, sending massive chunks of stone flying. “Did you say… I’ve become more human?” Kurosaki took his sword in both hands, at the ready, sensing his opponent was about to step things up. Orihime looked on. “I see… You must feel really good being able to keep up just at this level.” Pieces of stone floated slowly upward, as though he had reversed gravity, and they were somehow falling up.

                The Reitsu intensified, and Murcielago was upon him in an instant, Kurosaki barely dodging. He realized Murcielago was behind him, then. No you don’t, Kurosaki thought, wheeling on him, but the Espada was too quick for him and Murcielago found an opening. As the Cuatra slashed, his sword struck a golden shield of light. He gave Orihime a sidelong glare.

                “What are you doing?” Murcielago demanded of her as the Santenkesshun shattered.

                “Huh?” Orihime asked.

                “Tell me why you saved him.” Murcielago’s voice was icy and callous. It hurt Orihime’s heart to hear him say these things, because it sounded so much like Ulquiorra when he spoke, but she tried to push the thought from her mind.

                “Why? B-because…”

                “He’s one of you? Then why didn’t you protect him from the very first attack? Why did you hesitate?” Cold green eyes bored into her.

                “I… Uh…” Orihime stumbled over her words, trying to come up with a response.

                “You don’t know?” Murcielago taunted. “Then I’ll tell you why.” He began to pace toward her. “You’re…”

                “Shut up,” Kurosaki cut in, drawing an angry glare from Murcielago. “Hesitated this, hesitated that, going on and on about stupid things. Who cares about that? Thanks for saving me, Inoue,” he added, directing the last bit toward the woman. “But it’s dangerous, so stand back.”

                “Kurosaki,” she whispered, her voice laden with concern as she turned and moved at a further distance. Her worry for him was a double portion. Her fear for the safety of her schoolmate, and her latent anxiety over the ultimate wellbeing of Ulquiorra; both of these rested solely on the shoulders of the orange-haired Shinigami. Every time she called his name aloud, her breaking heart simultaneously gave a silent cry of, “Ulquiorra.”

                “Ulquiorra… you’re quite talkative, aren’t you?” Ichigo taunted. He was beginning to get the feeling that there was something strange going on here, and he sensed the Reitsu emanating from the Espada standing before him was somehow different than it had been before. Stronger, yes, but it was more than that. It was almost as though this were an entirely different person who stood before him today in battle. “I thought of you more as the silent type.” Black and red reitsu poured heavily out of Ichigo’s sword.

                “A Getsuga?” Murcielago scoffed. “You still don’t get it, do you? That won’t work on me.”

                Ichigo came at the Cuatra, Reitsu licking the air like black flames as it gushed forth, channeled from his blade. Murcielago’s eyes widened as he brought his own blade up to block the unexpected melee attack. Ichigo roared, forcing the smaller man backward across the room with the weight of his Spiritual Pressure. Murcielago was clearly straining under the weight of it, and he finally flung Ichigo to the side. Instead of releasing the Getsuga, he kept it on the blade, to create a slashing attack with the power of a Getsuga, the Arrancar observed. He feigned when Ichigo attacked again, and used his Sonido to move around behind the Shinigami in an instant, taking the opening to attack. “Not good enough,” he assured Ichigo as he brought his sword down.

                Ichigo sensed his opponent behind him, and easily turned to block, thick black and red Reitsu still flowing off his blade.

                “I suppose you were trying to be clever,” Murcielago told him, arm quivering as their swords were locked against each other, evenly matched for the time being. “But have you forgotten? You were unable to defeat me even using Getsuga with your mask. Regardless of how it’s used, a Getsuga without the mask is meaningless.” He pushed Ichigo away, seeming to gain the upper hand temporarily as Orihime looked on.

                “Kurosaki,” she whispered again, unaware of the hands reaching out from the shadows between the pillars behind her. In her shock, she was quickly restrained, a hand brought over her mouth as she was drawn back into the darkness. Glancing to her left in terror, she saw an evil grin pasted across the familiar face of Loly. “I got you….” the female Arrancar gloated in a gleeful squeal. “Remember me? Maybe you don’t. Of course not. There’s no need for a monster like you to remember someone normal like me!” Loly’s voice took on a lower, more threatening timbre. “But your time of sitting high up on the stairs is over now.” With her mouth covered, Orihime could not even speak to defend herself against the unfounded accusations posed by the Numero. She understood all too clearly now what their concerns were, and she wished desperately to tell them that Aizen had truthfully never laid a hand on her, and that she was no threat whatsoever to their ranking as his favorites in his harem.

                Ichigo became aware then of the distress in her Spiritual Pressure, and turned to see her held captive by the two young female Arrancar. “Inoue!” he cried out. “Who are they?!” he demanded loudly of no one in particular, since he knew his opponent would likely not assist him by divulging helpful information. He turned and moved to come at Orihime’s assailants.

                But Loly saw him. “Stay away!” she ordered, grabbing Orihime roughly away from Menoly. “If you come closer, I’ll gouge her eyes out!” Her palm was over the woman’s mouth, but her thumb was perched precariously close to the inner corner of Inoue’s left eye.

                Ichigo was banking on his strength and ferocity to call her bluff, and rushed the girl, leading with a cry of, “Getsuga…” But he was cut off before he reached her, by Murcielago, who slipped between them with Sonido, bringing his blade up to halt the Shinigami, thrusting him back.

                “Ulquiorra?” Loly asked in disbelief. She had dropped Orihime in her shock.

                “Don’t get the wrong idea,” Murcielago told her, scowling. “I didn’t save you.” His eyes did not waver from her as he brought his sword up to easily block the slash from Ichigo.

                “Move!” Ichigo seethed.

                Murcielago gave a glare to Ichigo then, and snarled scornfully, “Make me…” He slashed at Ichigo, and engaged him again in battle, drawing him away from the women.

                “Kurosaki!” Orihime cried, but was silenced by a rough grab from Loly, who yanked Orihime’s arm out at an awkward angle, locking her elbow and pushing her down, wrenching Orihime’s shoulder agonizingly in its socket.

                “Your friend isn’t all that much, is he?” Loly mocked. “Menoly! Rip this woman’s body apart!” she commanded the taller, blonde haired Arrancar.

                Menoly stared at the woman, forced to kneel before Loly. As Orihime’s face turned up to meet the wary stare of the Numero, something seemed to pass unspoken between the two of them. She doesn’t want to hurt us, Menoly read in the wide, terror stricken eyes. She has never lifted a hand against us, through all of our cruelty…   I would have deserved as much it if she had left me for dead after Grimmjow had blasted me with that returned Cero… Menoly stood frozen, regarding the human with a different opinion in mind than the one she had come here with.

                The grin melted off Loly’s face as she saw the change that came over her cohort. “Menoly?” she questioned.

                Menoly turned away, unable to look Orihime in the eye any longer. “I don’t want to do it…” she confessed.

                Loly’s grin was replaced quickly with incredulous rage. “What are you saying?!”

                Menoly bowed her head, glowering at the darker-haired Numero from the corner of her eye. “That girl has the ability to heal any wound, right? No matter what we do, it’d be useless. It’ll just make us feel more empty.” Menoly was trying to explain the situation in a way that her counterpart would understand, and be willing to accept. She knew how Loly was, and once the Numero latched on to something, she refused to let it go very easily.

                Loly’s hand shot out and yanked Menoly by the collar, bringing their faces close together. The look of insanity was growing in Loly’s eye moment by moment. “You… can’t get yourself to kill this woman because your own life was saved, is that it?”

                “It’s not that,” Menoly lied, doing her best to appease Loly, but the other Arrancar could see right through her.

                “Coward,” Loly spat in scorn, thrusting the blonde female unceremoniously aside. “Forget it,” she snarled, a darkness coming over her face. “I’ll do it alone.” She turned her hatred toward Orihime, who trembled on the ground.

                “Loly!” Menoly cried, trying to speak some reason back into her friend, who had seemingly become so blinded with rage that she could no longer even think clearly.

                “Shut up!” Loly screamed. Her fingers clutched at the long, autumn locks of her victim, and she yanked the woman roughly to her feet. “Lord Aizen said it. You’re no longer of use… You understand?” She released Orihime’s hair, and slid her hand tenderly down the side of her face, caressing her cheek and stopping under her jaw, pulling her closer, stroking her lips sensually. Orihime was perplexed and disoriented by the sharp contrast of the physical input the Arrancar was giving her. She figured this must have been the sort of thing that Aizen enjoyed, a mixture of pain and pleasure, because it had become evident to Orihime that Loly was doing this for him. Or at least, Orihime thought, that in Loly’s deluded mind, she seemed to have convinced herself of that. She seemed to be trying to protect Aizen from this woman, which was absurd by all accounts. Orihime had never harmed a fly, and Aizen was much too powerful to need to worry about being harmed by her. It was clear at this point however that Loly had departed from all semblance of reason or logic, and was now fueled by pure, seething, mindless rage. “It means that Lord Aizen won’t scold me regardless of what I do to you. You’re done for,” she hissed in an icy voice. “I will tear out everything you stole from me.” It was that moment when Orihime fully realized it would be utterly futile to try to explain to Loly that she didn’t want her position, or that it had never been at risk in the first place. What had been ‘stolen’ from her, Orihime realized, was nothing less than her peace of mind.

                In an instant, Orihime knew both terror and fathomless pity toward this Arrancar. She lived a life in a glass house, at the whim and fancy of the Espada and Lord Aizen. It was only natural that someone in such a precarious situation as hers, should be so angry at the threat of losing the solitary shred of security that she possessed; her position. And Orihime had come into her life as a stone, hurled toward her crystalline palace, by none other than Aizen himself. Orihime wondered if perhaps this had all been part of Aizen’s plot in the first place; to play things out in such a way that Loly and Menoly would become naturally suspicious and jealous, and ultimately kill Orihime, effectively doing Aizen’s dirty work and tying up the loose end for him.

                Loly tore at the sleeves of Orihime’s dress in a frenzy, ripping off one of the puffy shoulders.

                “Inoue!” Ichigo roared, trying still to force his way past the Espada who still blocked his path.   “Getsuga… Tensho!” He released a massive slash of the black and red reitsu from his sword at Murcielago. The blast was, again, easily deflected to the sides.

                Ichigo tried to slip past, hoping the deflected Reitsu would block the line of sight from his foe. But Murcielago was already aimed, charging a green Cero blast as Ichigo’s Getsuga cleared, and he released it, blowing Ichigo back into a row of thick pillars. “Damn it,” Ichigo cursed, getting back up and coming at Murcielago again. “I said move!”

                “If you want to fight an opponent other than me, kill me first.”

                “Shut up!” Ichigo snarled. “Move!”

                Loly continued to tear at Orihime’s dress, effectively removing the shoulder from the other side. She pushed Inoue roughly to all fours, and stalked toward her, giggling maniacally.

                “Stop it!” Ichigo was becoming frantic. He looked on helplessly as Loly pulled her arm back, prepared to strike.

                Just then, then tower began to shake. BOOM. Loly took a step to maintain her footing, and looked around, her concentration broken. “What?”

                The others felt it as well. BOOM. BOOM. “What was that?” Ichigo asked, glancing about the room. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. The floor exploded from below. Out of the hole crawled a grinning Yammy Llargo, Espada number ten. “Ulquiorra!” he thundered. “I came to help!”

                “When did I ever ask for your help, Yammy?” Murcielago asked coldly.

                Ichigo’s eyes widened. He’s… that guy, from back then, he realized, remembering his first encounter with the oversized Espada.

                “Don’t’ be so unfriendly!” Yammy leered. “That Soul Reaper kid looks like he’s gotten a lot stronger. Let me join you.”

                “I see.” Murcielago’s piercing green eyes took in the larger Espada. “Looks like you’ve completely recovered. But there’s nothing for you to do here. Go back and get some bed-rest, or go and take care of the captain-level Soul Reapers below us.” Murcielago closed his eyes, seemingly exasperated with Yammy’s persistence in trying to ‘assist’ him with defeating the Substitute. It had become personal now with him, and Murcielago preferred to finish of his marked prey on his own.

                “What’s with that?   Stop being so stingy, Ulquiorra!”

                Murcielago glanced back at larger Espada. “Your shortcoming is that when you get in that state, you become very stubborn, Yammy.”

                “Come on, don’t be like that,” Yammy chided.

                “Y-yammy…” He turned to see who had spoken, and spotted Menoly trembling nearby. “You have no business with us, right? We’ll leave right away, so… Let’s go, Loly!”

                “Are you kidding me?!” Loly snapped. “Not after we came this far!”

                “Loly! That’s enough of that!” Menoly cried out as Yammy back-handed her across the room and into the wall.

                “Menoly!” her friend shrieked in dismay.

                “Ulquiorra! What are these bitches doing here?!” Yammy called.

                “Ask them.” Murcielago didn’t even bother turning around.

                “Yeah, you’re right!” Yammy knelt before Loly, still not coming down to her level, so much larger was he. “Hey, you! What’re you small fries doing here? You’re in the way! How’s this? One more time!” He grabbed her up like a rag doll, and threw her to the ground a distance away, causing her body to bounce off the stone of the floor. “Oh, come on. Are you finished already? You’re not even good for a little warm-up exercise. Hey, Ulquiorra! These two are no fun, after all, so I’m going to join you!” Orihime watched all this in abject dread.

                “Yammy, that bastard,” Loly whispered, struggling to pick herself up off the floor. She looked over to see Orihime, eyes fastened on the Arrancar. “You… You must be enjoying this. Watching us, who tried to kill you, getting treated like this… Go ahead and laugh if you want.” Loly’s eye widened when she saw the golden shield cover her. “J-just a minute… Stop it! What’s the big idea?” Something like despair began to come over her face. “Are you crazy or something? I almost killed you, remember? And yet… And yet, you’re helping me?” The determination on Orihime’s face was resolute as Loly’s injuries faded. “What are you?” Loly muttered.

                Yammy’s gigantic fist slammed toward Orihime then, and she threw a Santenkesshun between them, which blocked her but shattered instantly on impact.

                “Inoue!” Ichigo called, still trying to come to her aid, still blocked by Murcielago.

                “This is getting really old,” the Cuatra told the orange-haired Substitute. “I told you to do that after you killed me.”

                “Huh? What’s with you?” Yammy loomed over the Numero and the woman. “What are you wasting time playing house for, instead of just dropping dead?” He turned his attention to Orihime. “Actually, this woman here seems a lot more interesting…”

                “Wait!” Ichigo called, panicked. Yammy’s hand stretched out and descended toward Orihime, who sat frozen in fear. A blade sliced through his palm, stopping his advance as he inspected the blood dripping from the wound.

                “What? Where in those clothes were you hiding a sword?” he asked Loly, who stood protectively between him and Orihime, wielding a long dagger. “You’re a naughty woman.”

                Orihime’s awestruck gaze was returned with Loly’s scorn. “What? I was sick of the idea of having to owe you any favors.”

                Yammy’s ire rose. “Bitch… What are you getting in my way for?!”

                “You keep your hands off my catch!” Loly growled at him, extending her dagger and rotating it. “Poison, Escolopendra!” She was enveloped in a dark pink colored Reitsu, and two long spiked tentacles extended from her arms as she transformed into her Resurreccion. “I… I… I didn’t come here to be defeated by the likes of you! Yammy!” she roared. She lashed at him with one of the long tentacles, missing and instead taking out a pillar. The top of the pillar began to bubble and smoke though, boiling over with inky colored liquid. “With my poison, I’ll kill you, Ulquiorra, and everyone and anyone, dissolving everything into pulp!” She lashed at him again, but he deflected with his forearm. She shot the other tentacle out and wrapped it around him like a boa constrictor. She gave a smug grin when dark fumes began to emanate from between the coils.

                “Hn,” Yammy grunted, unimpressed. He brought his huge fist down on her head, crushing her and breaking some of her bone armor. Blood streamed from her mouth as Yammy picked her up.

                “Wait!” Orihime begged, rushing toward them.

                “Stay away!” Loly commanded her, stopping Orihime in her tracks. The Numero cast a cold glare over her shoulder. “You really piss me off,” Loly whispered. “I can’t tell you how much you piss me off.” Orihime felt hurt at the Arrancar’s cruel words, and Loly smiled hatefully to see the pain register on the other woman’s face. Pain overtook her own face after a moment’s gloating however, as Yammy’s massive palm crushed Loly’s slender body in his fist.

                “Small fries shouldn’t act so big,” Yammy scolded over Loly’s cries of anguish.

                “Damn you,” Loly cursed. “You… You… Scumbag.”

                “Huh?” Yammy was incredulous. “What’d you just call me?”

                A sly grin mingled with the pain on Loly’s face. “You… Scumbag,” she repeated.

                Yammy roared with laughter as he slammed the much smaller woman through the wall of the tower. “I couldn’t hear you,” he shouted, holding her through the hole, to the outside of the tower. Loly’s head fell back limply.    “Huh? What the…? She’s dead. I figured this wouldn’t be any fun.” He cast the lifeless Arrancar’s body to the sand below.

                “Wait!” Orihime cried, but it was too late.

                Yammy turned back to her. “Did you say something?” he demanded. He gave a chuckle. “Yo, Ulquiorra. Is it okay to kill this woman already?” Orihime stiffened in fear.

                “Don’t’ do it!” Ichigo pleaded, still locked in battle with the other Espada. Yammy’s hand reached for her, and crushed the Santenkesshun she put up in front of herself. “Inoue!”

                Yammy stalked toward Orihime, leering and chucking lecherously. His attention was drawn by the outline of a form, hovering in the sunlight shining through the hole he had punched in the wall. Turning, he was greeted by a glowing blue arrow bolt in the shoulder. He went down on all fours in shock as Ishida Uryu landed gracefully inside the courtroom.

                “Ishida!” Ichigo called.

                “Don’t let yourself be distracted,” the Quincy replied. “Focus on your own opponent, Kurosaki. I can handle this guy by myself. Leave him to me.”

                “Ishida,” Orihime called, unable to contain her delight.

                “Inoue.” The Quincy regarded her kindly.

                “But how did you…” Ichigo began, but Ishida cut him off.

                “What? Asking questions during a battle? You sure are easy-going… What do you want to know? Mayuri Kurotsuchi treated me. He treated Abarai first, so I took longer. Abarai, Sado, and Kuchiki are still in a battle right now. But I…”

                “Ishida!” Orihime called out in warning, as Yammy was getting to his feet.

                “Who the hell are you? Where did you crawl out of?!” Yammy great meaty hand balled into a fist and slammed the ground, trying to pummel the newcomer.

                But Ishida was too light on his feet for the hulking Espada, and effortlessly avoided his reach, landing agilely out of range. “I shot you with all that power, but it didn’t go through,” Ishida observed. “You’re sturdier than I thought.”

                “Why you…” Yammy was indignant that a puny ant like this would speak to him in such a fashion.

                “Follow me,” Ishida called, moving to the edge of the hole in the floor. “There are too many things in the way here, don’t you agree?”

                “Ishida, are you sure about this?” the Soul Reaper called out.

                “I already told you. Leave him to me.” With that, Ishida dropped down to the next level below.

                “Interesting…” Yammy pondered. “Ulquiorra, I’m taking this one.”

                “Suit yourself,” Murcielago replied in a tone that sounded a lot more like, “About damn time.” He watched Yammy follow Ishida down through the hole, and saw Ichigo staring after them intently. “Are you concerned for that man?” Murcielago prodded.

                “Of course not!” Ichigo snapped, turning back to face his opponent. “Here I come!”

                Murcielago easily blocked the attack, and kicked Ichigo back. The Soul Reaper lay on his back as the Espada stalked toward him. “Is this woman the reason?” he taunted. “Is the reason why you won’t pull out that mask because this woman is here? If that’s the case…” Murcielago turned his attention to Orihime.

                “You’re wrong!” Ichigo said, blocking him. “That’s not it.”

                “Then pull out your mask,” the Arrancar ordered.

                “Like hell!...” Ichigo rushed him again.

                A few minutes later, an explosion rocked the tower, and Ishida emerged from the hole. He briefly explained the Arrancar detecting bombs that Mayuri Kurotsuchi has sent with him, which he had placed in advance and easily lured Yammy within range of. “Any other doubts?” he asked Ichigo.

                A smirk plastered itself across Ichigo’s face. “I never doubted you from the start. You just went rambling on and on. You’re an annoying guy.” His sarcasm belied his relief in seeing that his friend was alright. “Look after Inoue,” he instructed the Quincy. “If Inoue can’t completely block my spiritual pressure with her Rikka, I want you to protect her with your life.”

                Ishida bowed his head slightly. “I was going to do that even without you telling me.”

                “Sorry to keep you waiting, Ulquiorra,” he apologized. “Here I come. Here’s what you wanted to see…” Ichigo raised his hand to his face. “My Hollowfication.” He dragged his fingers down his face, causing the mask to materialize from thin air. He roared, coming full force at Murcielago. His sword flamed with thick black and red Reitsu, and he pressed heavily into the blade of the Espada. Murcielago was shocked to see his own blade cracking slightly under the pressure. He flew back, knocked through the hole the Getsuga tore in the wall of the tower. As Murcielago fell backward, he charged a green Cero, aiming it where he knew the Soul Reaper would be exiting momentarily.

                He blasted Ichigo fully when he appeared, but when the Reitsu cleared, Murcielago could see that he stood completely unscathed. His eyes narrowed, and he pushed off, flying quickly upward past Ichigo.

                Not expecting to have to chase him, Ichigo called, “Come back here!” He pushed off in pursuit. “Damn it! How far does he intend to go?!” Murcielago slashed his blade, tearing a black opening in the blue sky, which he passed through. Ichigo followed.

                Orihime and Ishida ran to the opening in the wall, searching for their friend.

                “Ichigo,” Orihime called again, sadness heavy in her eyes.

                “A hole… Opened up in the sky,” Ishida observed in wonder. “So that sky really was fake.” He watched Orihime for a few moments. She stared with intensity at the hole far above them, walking to the very edge of the tower. He thought she must have been worrying about Ichigo, and blamed herself somehow for the danger he was it. He didn’t know the other half of it, and she betrayed nothing for him to guess at it.

                “Inoue,” he called softly. She looked toward him. “It’ll be alright,” he assured her. “Kurosaki… will win.” He mistook the bittersweet look on her face as concern, for any injuries Ichigo might incur during the battle.

                Truthfully, she realized now that there could be no winning outcome of this for her. Either her friend, or her lover, or both would perish in this fight. She knew she had to do as Ulquiorra had instructed, though. She had to steel her heart against Murcielago, who would surely try at the next opportunity to cause her again to despair. Already, seeds of fear were planted in her mind by him.

                An overwhelming Reitsu flooded the area, so strong that it nearly knocked Orihime off her feet. “Inoue!” Ishida called in concern. She clutched at the wall and looked to him, steadying herself under the onslaught. “What was that? What happened up there?” he asked, looking up.

                Orihime was petrified. What if Murcielago has taken over completely? What if Ulquiorra never comes back, and Ichigo kills Murcielago, and I never get the chance to say goodbye? I never got to say goodbye… What’s going on up there? I have to know what’s going on…

                “Ishida,” she said, “Is it possible to lift me above that ceiling using your powers?” She sensed his hesitation, so she added, “Please…” The desperation was evident in her voice, and though he did not understand the true reason why, he could not say no to her.

                “This is incredible,” she told him as they flew upward on a blue disc of light.

                “I learned this when I went through the Garganta. I realized along the way here that I could use it in Hueco Mundo as well. If I had realized it just a bit sooner, I could have applied it in battle, too.”

                “Ishida…” Orihime began to speak, but both of them staggered under a crushing weight.

                “Wh-what is that?” he asked. “It came from above the ceiling…” Black and green reitsu poured out of the opening in the sky, and encompassed the two of them. “What is this?!   Is it Spiritual Pressure?! It’s too different… It’s unlike any Spiritual Pressure I’ve ever experienced before. It’s not just powerful or huge… It’s a different sort. Thick and heavy, enough to make me aware that it’s something different than Spiritual Pressure. It feels as though there’s an ocean spread above the sky.”

                “I’ve never…” Orihime stopped herself. I’ve never felt this before, she has started to think, but then she realized it was Murcielago, amplified to a massive degree.

                “This isn’t good… Let’s hurry!” Ishida gasped.

                They passed through the opening, and Orihime tucked into a roll as she hit the ground. She leapt back up to her feet as Ishida tried to pick himself up out of the sand. She never stopped moving. She was exhausted, breathless, but she ran with every shred of energy she could muster. She was terrified. This cannot be, she thought to herself. Please Ulquiorra, don’t let this be...

                What she saw made her freeze in her tracks.

                A looming figure stood perched atop a pillar, silhouetted against the moon. He gave her a sidelong glance.

                “So, you’ve come, Woman,” he whispered.

                Orihime’s eyes brimmed with tears as she saw a second figure suspended in mid-air, held tightly in the long, whip-like tail of a creature who was clearly Ulquiorra, but not like him at all.

                “Kuro…saki?” she asked brokenly as she was able to make out the second figure.

                “You’re just in time. Watch closely,” Murceilago spat, “The moment the life of the man to whom you’ve entrusted your hopes comes to an end.” He pointed a finger at Ichigo’s chest, and fired a green and black Cero point-blank.

                Orihime was frozen stiff in terror. She opened her mouth wide, but no sound came out for a few moments.   At last she gathered her wits, and shrieked, “STOP!”

                The blast cut like a laser through him, and Orihime could only stand terrified as she saw the gaping, hollow-like hole that this creature had blasted though Ichigo’s chest. Murcielago released his tail from Ichigo’s neck and cast him aside disdainfully, like a rag doll. The still body plummeted from the tower.

                “NOOO!!” Orihime screamed, running to the side of her friend. It has happened then, she thought. The other side has won, for this is surely not the Ulquiorra whom I know and love. He has split, and indeed, the life of the man who I loved, has ended at the hands of this creature. My Ulquiorra could not have committed such an act as to harm my friends, even under orders from Lord Aizen.

                Orihime shot a triangular shield out to catch the falling Ichigo, and dampen his fall. She staggered toward him, but the creature landed in her path.

                “It is useless,” Murceilago told her. “Even if you could get to him, you powers are not enough to keep him alive.”

                Orihime trembled in terror. This monster was trying to cause her to despair. She fixed her eyes on the limp body of her friend, knowing he was her only hope now. She could not defeat this beast alone. Ulquiorra was gone, and this creature would not be swayed by her. “Kurosaki… Kurosaki…” she called desperately.

                “I’ll say it again,” Murcielago repeated. “It’s useless…”

                Just then, a blue blast of spirit particles flew at the monster. Ishida shot arrows from his Quincy bow at the thing, but they were easily deflected by its wings.

                The distraction of battle was just enough for Orihime to slip past, rushing to Ichigo’s side, calling his name again. A healing shield flew ahead of her, enveloping his body in golden light, and she fell on her knees in the sand at his side. The look of shock he wore when the Cero had cut through him, remained plastered on his face. Tears began to stream down her cheeks from her wide, terror-stricken eyes. She became oblivious to the battle behind her.

                What should I do? She asked herself. What should I do? Somewhere in my mind, I thought Kurosaki would be alright… That he would win… By believing that, I was able to turn my eyes away… But… Orihime raised her hands to her head, feeling some sort of insanity begin to take hold. What should I do? What should I do? She kept repeating the phrase to herself, like a mantra.

                Ishida skidded nearby to a stop in the sand, and Orihime was drawn out of her reflections. “Ishida…” she called, noticing his drawing arm was badly wounded.

                “There’s nothing to worry about. I’ve anesthetized it, and stopped the bleeding,” he assured her. “Inoue… I’ll leave Kurosaki in your hands.” He stood and went again at the monster standing a short distance away, Seele Schneider in his hand.

                “Ishida!” she screamed after him, and watched the creature effortlessly lay him low.

                What should I do? she repeated in her mind. What should I do, Kurosaki? I don’t know what I should do. I don’t know… I don’t know anything. She watched the creature easily smash the shield she threw in front of Ishida. I don’t know… Kurosaki… Kurosaki… Kurosaki… Kurosaki… Kurosaki…

                Paralyzed with terror, she found her voice at last, and let out a wail, “Help me! Kurosaki!”

                Black and red Reitsu began to spill out of the body lying at her knees. It began to change, and rose to its feet, but it was not Kurosaki who stood there, any more than the creature who had slain him was Ulquiorra. The golden hair had grown long, whipping in the wind, and a terrifying horned Hollow Mask covered any trace of the face of her school friend, Ichigo Kurosaki. What has Murcielago done to Kurosaki? Orihime wondered in horror.

                The two monsters battled then, explosions of flame, Cero against Cero, billowing clouds of smoke and debris. Orihime and Ishida could not see in detail, until at last, one monster stepped forth from the flames.

                “No,” Orihime whispered. “It can’t be… Is that really… Kurosaki?”

                They continued to fight intensely. Their speed was such that neither Orihime nor Ishida were able to properly track the combatants. At last, Kurosaki slashed through the other beast’s midsection, and it fell. The victor pressed the victim’s head into the ground with a clawed foot, and charged a red Cero blast between his horns. “Damn it,” muttered Murcielago. “I never thought that I… would be defeated by a Hollowfied human… It’s ludicrous…” Better on the battlefield by an opponent who bested me though, than by trickery from that weakling Ulquiorra and the woman, he sneered to himself. Murcielago glared up at Kurosaki, taunting, “Do it,” as the blast discharged in his face.

                Orihime threw up a shield when the blast ignited, protecting her and Ishida. When the smoke cleared, Kurosaki stood in the center of a huge crater, holding a limp Murcielago by his one remaining wing. He cast the Espada aside to the ground. The scene was eerily reminiscent of the one from earlier, when the tables had been turned, and it had been Murcielago who had cast the lifeless Ichigo aside.

                Kurosaki loomed over the motionless Espada, pressing his sword tip toward his throat, but Ishida grabbed his wrist. “That’s enough, Kurosaki,” he reprimanded. “That battle’s been decided. He’s an enemy, but there’s no need to chop up his corpse.”

                Ichigo maintained, trying to force his arm downward.

                “That’s enough, Kurosaki!” Ishida insisted. “Didn’t you hear me, Kurosaki? I said stop it! If you do that…” his voice quavered. “…then you’ll truly not be human anymore.”

                Ichigo still tried to press the tip of his blade down into Ulquiorra’s throat, and Ishida fought to restrain him. “Stop it, Kurosaki!” he ordered.

                Unexpectedly, Ishida found himself impaled on Ichigo’s blade, rather than the Espada he had been trying to protect. He sailed backward through the air with the force of the blow, the blade still buried in his gut.

                “Ishida!” cried Orihime. Her voice echoed through the darkness.

                “Help… her…” Ichigo stammered in a strange voice. “Help… her… Help her. I will… Help her… I will help her…”

                Orihime was utterly distraught. It’s my fault, she realized. It’s because of what I said, that Kurosaki tried to help me. Why? I trained because I didn’t want to be a burden to Kurosaki. I came here because I wanted to protect Kurosaki. So why…? Why did I rely on Kurosaki at the very last moment?

                Orihime shrieked his name, even as Kurosaki charged a Cero blast to fire at Ishida. No one saw Murcielago as he flew up behind Kurosaki, until his sword sliced through the air and took off Kurosaki’s left horn.

                No longer focused or contained, the power from the blast released in a ball of red and black flame. Ichigo’s hollow mask shattered and he fell flat on his face. Orihime ran to his side, calling his name.

                Murcielago landed nearby, and stood, watching in shock. My arm, leg and torso are regenerating, but it’s all just a sham, he realized. My organs that he blew away will never come back. If it hadn’t ended with that blow just now, that would be me lying there dead.

                There was a blast of pale blue energy, and a cyclone formed over the motionless body of Ichigo Kurosaki. A thunderclap sounded, and the cyclone shot into his body. The hole was gone.

                “Instant… regeneration…” Murcielago whispered incredulously. Some part in him leapt at this, and he felt Ulquiorra trying to resurface, the barriers growing weak. He is like us… If he could be made whole again, then so too might we… Murcielago scoffed at the notion, and stuffed the other half of himself deeply down again into his subconscious.

                “Kurosaki?” Orihime called tentatively.

                Kurosaki shot up abruptly to his hands and knees, a terrified look in his eyes. “Didn’t I…” he touched his hand to his unmarred skin, disbelieving. “…get a hole blown through my chest?!…”

                “Kurosaki,” Orihime repeated in a gentler tone.

                He looked up at her, snapping back to reality as though waking from a strange dream. “Inoue… Are you alright?” She smiled slightly, and nodded. Satisfied, Ichigo glanced around, and was horrified when he saw the body of Ishida, slouched against a pile of rubble, Zangetzu buried to the hilt in his gut.

                “Ishida…” Ichigo called, rising to his feet.

                Ishida looked up, a weary smile on his lips. “You’ve finally… snapped out of it…”

                Ichigo’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That wound… Did I do that?”

                “You’re a hard guy to kill,” Murcielago remarked.

                Ichigo glanced over his left shoulder at him, and gasped at the sight of his severely wounded, yet still standing, opponent. “Ulquiorra…”

                Murcielago’s face darkened momentarily at being mistaken even in this form for someone he regarded with such strong distain, but he did not bother to correct Ichigo. Instead, he flashed over to the impaled Ishida, and yanked Ichigo’s blade unceremoniously from Ishida’s gut, tossing it at Ichigo’s feet. “Pick it up,” he taunted. “Let’s finish this.”

                “Am I the one… who stabbed Ishida?” Ichigo persisted.

                Murcielago scoffed. “Like I care.” He activated a Lanza del Relampago in his remaining hand.

                “Was it also me… who cut off your left arm and leg?” Kurosaki demanded.

                Murcielago glared coldly at him without replying.

                “If that’s so, then cut off my left arm and leg,” Kurosaki commanded him. Orihime was distressed at this, and called out to him. Murcielago was shocked, and the Lanza in his hand dissipated. Kurosaki continued. “That entity that was fighting earlier was me in hollow form with no consciousness. That wasn’t me.” His voice intensified. “If we’re to settle this, I have to be in an identical condition as you, or we won’t be evenly matched!”

                “Hold on, Kurosaki!” Ishida protested. “Do you know what you’re saying?! Kurosaki!”

                Murcielago contemplated this for a moment, and then turned toward his opponent. “Fine. If that is your wish, then I will oblige.” He extended his wing to come at Ichigo, but a hole tore in the webbing, and began to dissolve the surrounding area, blowing particles of ash into the wind.

                Shock registered on everyone’s faces, even Murcielago’s for an instant. He glanced back then, irritated. “Tsk. So this is it?”

                Ichigo stood, bewildered, uncomprehending of what he saw before him.

                “Kill me,” Murcielago ordered, but in more of a tone of resignation than of threat. “Make it quick… I have no strength left to even walk.” More of him was dissolving now, blowing away. “If you don’t kill me now, this duel will remain unsettled forever.”

                Ichigo’s teeth clenched in rage. “I refuse,” he countered softly.

                “What?” Murcielago asked.

                “I said I don’t want to. This is no way to win!” Kurosaki declared in a frustrated yell.

                Murcielago’s eyes widened in disbelief. I will not die this way, he insisted. This is a coward’s death. I relinquish this broken body to you.

                Let me sleep, Ulquiorra begged as he felt his consciousness being dragged from the depths, becoming fully aware for the first time now of what was going on. Please, do not make me die in front of my woman.

                He knew full well though that the power level required to sustain Murcielago, could not be maintained at this point. His body was broken, and he was done for. Murcielago’s eyes faded, and returned to the usual jade-colored eyes of Ulquiorra.

                He closed them wearily. “To the very end, you just won’t do what I want,” he murmured, as much to Ichigo as to the parting Murcielago.

                Orihime stood then, looking pleadingly at Ulquiorra. He glanced at her, sadness welling up in him. Was it worth it? he asked himself. The fleeting joy, only just begun… So much time, stolen from us… “Just when I was finally… beginning to become a bit interested in you people,” he murmured, his verdant gaze pinning her. As all the barriers began to melt, his mind came upon a conversation she’d had with Murcielago, just before the battle.

                “Are you afraid?” he asked her. “You will die here, all alone, with no contact with anyone.” Her silence was deafening. “I’m asking if you are afraid,” he insisted.

                After a moment’s reflection, she replied, “I am not afraid.”

                The reply staggered his mind. His eyes widened.

                “Because everyone came to rescue me, my heart is with theirs.” She had smiled softly then.

                Murcielago had scoffed. “Such nonsense. Because your friends came for you, you are not afraid? Do you really mean those words?”

                Her eyes had narrowed, and she replied, “Yes.” It was the first moment she had felt anything but fear toward him. She had pitied him in that moment, he realized.

                “What is a heart?” he demanded. “If I rip open your chest, will I see it inside? If I split your skull, will I see it inside?” He was lashing out at her, sensing her pity, wanting to hurt her, keep her at a distance. I do not want your pity, Woman, Murcielago had thought to himself.

                Ulquiorra reached his hand out toward Orihime. She had never seen him in this form, and no doubt it had been terrifying to her. “Are you afraid of me, Woman?” he wanted to know.

                “I am not afraid,” she whispered, tears brimming in her silvery eyes. Fool, she thought. Our last moments together, and he asks something silly as this? How could I fear him, in any form, if it is truly him behind those eyes, as it is now? But losing him… “I’m not afraid,” she repeated, trying to steel herself with this lie, because the prospect of losing him did terrify her.

                Ulquiorra saw her between his outstretched fingers. “I see,” he whispered, retracting his hand. His strength was spent, he was fading fast now. His woman reached for his hand, but as her fingers neared his, they dissolved into ash and smoke, creeping up his arm.

                I see now, Murcielago called from the ashes. In this palm… is a heart.

                The ash scattered on the wind, and there was nothing left where he had been, but emptiness.
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Resolution