16: The Battle Wages On

(above photo is Akumu no Oji!)

Graces POV

When I woke up, Grimmjow wasn't in the room on top of me anymore. The emo was sitting at the desk in the chair though, and he was asleep. Asleep he looked younger. Maybe 18 or 17. It seemed unusual. The Espada, at least the  two I know seemed to be at peace more when they were asleep. With all their facial muscles relaxed and no rude or cruel words exiting their mouth, you would almost be able to mistake them for human children. Grimmjow's behavioral pattern was that of a cat's as well. 

I stared at the sleeping emo dude, mentally debating on waking him up. I decided not to and sat up completely, bringing my knees up and resting my chin on them. Though this alone was hard as my boobs were in the way. I wanted to cry, but I couldn't quite understand why this was. An image of Toshiro flashed in my mind quickly and i felt the wet warmth of a tear escape my eyes. 

Will I ever be able to go home? Will I see him again, or will I end up dying here? And even if I wasn't to die, would I see him dead instead? 

The idea of a cold lifeless Toshiro was enough to make me cry continuously. I sniffed and wiped the escaping tears away as they fell. No, I can't think about him like this. I'm not aloud to like him at all. I rejected him already anyways. His feelings must be gone already...

Wowwww Gracieeeee. You're so negative!!!!! A voice said. It must be Akumu no Oji. 

He's right. I'm negative. 

Look. Don't take everything I say to heart! I was only kiddinggggg! He whined at me. 

No, You're right. I am negative. I reply to him quietly. I bury my face into my knees. I hear movement and don't look up. 

"So you've awakened?"the emo says. I say nothing. "Why did you not attack me or Grimmjow in either of our sleeps?"

"There would've been no ulterior motive,"I reply muffledly. I know he can still hear me. 

"Meaning what exactly?"he asks me. 

"Meaning that as you and Grimmjow are only following orders and have not attempted to kill nor harm me in any way, I would have no clear reason for attacking you. Besides I prefer a head on attack instead of doing it while the enemy's back is turned. Otherwise it is just shameful,"I reply. I feel the bed dip down beside me. 

"You humans are quite confusing. I do not understand your way of doing things. Nor do I understand why you are crying at this moment,"the emo tells me. I lift my head up slightly to see him staring at me from beside me. 

"It just occured to me that I don't know your name really. I've been calling you "the emo" this entire time, sorry if that offends you,"I tell him quietly. He closes his eyes and turns his head forward. 

"It's Ulquiorra. And that does not really offend me. Grimmjow calls me that every day, I have gotten used to hearing it,"Ulquiorra replies. I put my head back down and the tears continue streaming down my face and onto my jeans. "You did not tell me your name either. Nor did you explain your reasoning or why you are still crying." I laugh once and sit my head up, wiping the tears away. 

"I was imagining the worst possible scenarios in my head as I am regretfully a pessimistic person,"I smile. He glances at me with an emotionless stare. 

"What would those scenarios be?"

"Well. I thought "What if I never got out of this place alive?" and "What if I died before I got to see Him again?" I don't usually care to express my feelings. So the one I love, you see, he's been waiting for me to show him. And after I thought those things... I thought of him dying in the big battle that is to come soon,"I tell Ulquiorra. He says nothing and seems to be thinking about something. 

"Who's the one you say you love?"Ulquiorra asks me suddenly. I smile. 

"His name is Toshiro Hitsugaya. And he's one of the Soul Reapers facing off against Aizen soon,"I say quietly. 

"Then he will surely die before you get a chance to express...these feelings of yours,"Ulquiorra interrupts my thoughts. I frown. 

"What?"I ask confused. He stands and walks to the window with his hands in his pockets.

"I don't understand why you humans have the gull to make up scenarios, or claim you....love something. The word love has no meaning for me. I have no understanding of...feelings or emotions,"Ulquiorra says robotic like. He stares out the window. 

"W...what do you mean?"

"I mean exactly what I said. I have no understanding for human emotions. Nor do I have an understanding for why you do not realize that this...Toshiro Hitsugaya will die soon and quickly without you ever expressing any feelings or emotions towards him in the way you so desire,"Ulquiorra replies. He turns and looks at me. 

"This would be the  human emotion called hope. With strong hope I know that he wont die. With strong hope I know I wont die here, and I know I will be able to see Toshiro again, because although he is my squad Captain, he is someone I consider very dear to me,"I say smiling. Ulquiorra frowns and walks to the door as it opens revealing Grimmjow standing there.

"What the hell, Emo? The hell you in my room for. And why were you talking to the girl?"Grimmjow asks narrowing his eyes at Ulquiorra. He glances at me as if to make sure I'm unharmed. Ulquiorra glances back at me. 

"Would you like me to ask Lord Aizen to have mercy on this Toshiro Hitsugaya you spoke of?"Ulquiorra asks. I scoff. 

"Mercy will not be needed as I know that he will not lose,"I growl. Ulquiorra turns and leaves, shutting the door. 

"What was that about?"Grimmjow asks me. 

"It is nothing of your concern. I wouldn't pry, please,"I reply to him. I glance out the window. Toshiro....I miss you....

Toshiro's POV

I picked up Grace's phone from my desk. She normally never went anywhere without it. I sat in my chair and held the phone in my hand. The air had a certain sadness in it and I wanted to cry. This was one of the first times since Momo had been harmed that I felt sadness. But I almost sort of understood it, since it was for Grace. Her phone screen suddenly lit up with a notification and I stared at it. It was a message from Gabriel, the angel boy Grace rejected. 

I unlocked the phone screen and read the message. 

To whoever the hell that white haired kid was

Look. I know Grace is gone. If you don't get her back from the Realm of Tortured Souls (Hueco Mundo to you Soul Freaks) then I will come there and personally kick your ass for losing my best friend and the girl i've loved since I was a kid. You know how much she meant to me, and having her reject me was the most painful thing I've ever felt. But since I have a partner now and someone I am meant to dedicate my life as an angel to, then I am trusting you to find her and get her back for me. If you can't personally go, then you'd better send that orange haired kid after her or something, do you understand me Soul Reaper boy!?

Gabe

PS: I suggest you delete this message or Grace will be mad at both of us. 

I stare at the screen. And feel a tear suddenly fall from my eyes. I brush it off and look at it on my hand. 

I'm....crying? Do...do I really love that girl so much that I cry like this? If I do...then why the hell can't I go save her? Why the hell do I have to follow orders like a good little captain boy? Why do I have to send Ichigo after her? Why....? Why? 

"Why..."I find myself whispering out loud. Grace...

{THIS WILL BE THE NARRATOR'S PORTION}

Ichigo Kurosaki and the others have successfully infiltrated Hueco Mundo. After several battles against different Arrancar, Ichigo is about to face off against Ulquiorra. Aizen has decided to go to the world of the living, and opened up a Garganta to the World of the Living, revealing that capturing the angel Grace and Orihime was all part of his plans. Aizen also revealed that while Orihime was only being used, he intends to make Grace his angel weapon, therefore he has locked her in Grimmjow's room. 

{THIS IS THE END OF THE NARRATOR'S PORTION}

Grace's POV

I kick at the door over and over again. The door is too strong to come down, and Aizen himself barriered me in here. So I know there's no way I might be able to get out of here at all. My thoughts raced to Toshiro and I fell to my knees in front of the door. Aizen didn't tell anyone where I was... So even if we do win, the chances of me being found are slim to none... which means my chances of ever seeing Toshiro again were just narrowed down even more than they already were.... I slammed my fist against the door in anger. 

"LET ME OUT!" I screamed. I banged again and again. "LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT LET ME OUT LET ME OUT DAMMIT!" I sobbed and fell to the floor again resting my hands. 

Dummy, just use one of us! I heard both my Zanpakuto chorus. I swallowed. 

"And just how the hell do I summon you here?! Do I look like a fucking magician!?"I screamed at them. I heard Akumu laugh at me. 

Do you hear this? Sheesh you'd think we hadn't told her anything at all! Didn't Tengoku-chan tell you to just call our names and we'd appear? Maybe you should listen more! Akumu laughed at me. 

We're here for you Grace. We never leave your side, we'll always be here to help. You need only ask and we will lend you our power, Tengokuhime chimes in. I swallow. My throat was raw from screaming. 

"Do I say just your names?" I ask hoarsly. I hear a small hm. 

That will be enough to call us both. Akumu no Oji answers me. 

"Then...come. Akumu no Oji....and Tengokuhime,"I whisper. Two Katana appear beside me and I stare at them. One is in the familiar purple sheath. This one is Tengokuhime. The other is in a white sheath. I pick it up and I can feel the blade humming through the sheath at me. I unsheath the blade and stare at it. It is pure black with the thinest line of silver on the edge. The grip is black leather and has white string tied on it with two little birdshaped pendants hanging off of the end of each side of the string. 

My call is a long one, are you sure you're up for it? Akumu asks me as he rests in my hand. I swallow and nod once. Ok then. It's "Scare them half to death" and then my name! You may understand why that's what it is soon or you may not. I suggest before you call me out like that, you tuck Tengoku-chan in your belt loop, though, that way you have both hands free to wield me!

"Scare them half to death? Geez wonder what kind of power you have,"I scoff to myself. He laughs. I tuck Tengokuhime into my back belt loop. "Ok. Scare them half to death, Akumu no Oji!" The blade glows with a black aura and shifts into two separate daggers. I look down at them. When I turn my left wrist to the side, the one in my left hand spreads out into a black fan made of blades. I blink. 

So my power is dangerous! Well in shikai it's not too bad. Bankai is gonna be terrifying. But both blade fans have separate powers. The left one there, that one can be touched to anything and the thing touched explodes! And the right one has a deadly toxin with hallucinogenic properties that only show the thing you fear the most! Pretty cool right? Akuma says in my head.  I blink. I stand and point the left one at the door. Oh, just a small tap or the entire wall might explode! The tip of the blade closed should do ok Gracie? I tap the door lightly and the door explodes into a black cloud. HOLD YOUR BREATH I'M SORRY I FORGOT TO TELL YOU! Anything that explodes from me turns into the toxin. I hold my breath as the toxin slowly separates into thin are. I stick my head out into the hallway releasing my breath and look right then left. I step out and pick to go right. 

After a while I came upon a destroyed throne room. I blink and see an open Garganta. I look around to make sure no one is here and jmp through it, coming out into the middle of Karakura town. Well.....it seemed to be destroyed quite a bit. I glanced around to see the captains off on their fights and I saw Captain Yamamoto standing there in the middle of the battle ground doing nothing. A huge wall of fire was surrounding Aizen, Gin and Tousen. I swallow and walked to the Head Captain stopping in front of him to see his eyes widen. 

"You made it here by yourself? Is that a new Zanpakuto?" he asked. I stared up at the old man and nodded. "How interesting. What of the status of the captains I sent to Hueco Mundo?"

"Captain Kuchiki, Captain Zaraki, and Captain Kurotsuchi have all defeated their opponents easily. Ichigo has engaged in battle with Ulquiorra Cifer, the fourth espada, already and I don't know his current situation," I answer him quickly. He nods and stays quiet for a minute. He reaches out suddenly and places his hand on the top of my head. 

"I am glad you are safe,"He tells me. I blink in surprise and smile slightly. I glance around at the battlefield and see Toshiro facing off against a blonde Espada I hadn't met. I want to go help him....but it's his battle. He's very capable of fighting his battles on his own. 

"What do you want me to do?"I ask him. 

"You will be on the team who takes Aizen down. I have faith that you can be very useful there. Until that time, I will need you to stay here by my side and do not leave. Sit back and rest,"Head Captain orders me. I nod once and sit beside him. 

*IN THE WALL OF FIRE*

Gin looked towards the area where Head Captain is. 

"Lord Aizen, it would seem our little angel has escaped,"Gin tells him. He wishes she had just stayed put. She would be in great danger here. 

"Is that so? It appears we must've left a garganta open by accident,"Kaname says quietly. 

"No. I intended for her to come here. In order for her to get here she would need to unlock her full potential of both Zanpakuto she possesses. I left the Garganta open in the throne room because I knew she would do it, in order for her to be used by me she needed to get stronger. I had complete faith in her abilities,"Aizen replies smirking. Gin inwardly sighs. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Me: Hello hello hello! I know shorter chapter than normal, but that was needed to be able to make my next chapter super long! And I guess you all saw a side of Grace you never expected as well!

Toshiro: GRACE DON'T CRY! *tackle hugs her before he realizes it* 

Grace: AH! HEY GET OFF I'M NOT CRYING GEEZ! *blushes*

Toshiro: AH- I'M SORRY! *jumps off turning red*

Jushiro: *inwardly squealing because Toshiro is like a little kid* 

Me:....um ok? Till the next chapter then! 

Toshiro: I AM NOT A LITTLE KID!