Two Souls, One Story

Chapter 30

Before Grimmjow's blatant disregard for orders, before an entire squad of Soul Reapers took custody of the protection of Karakura Town against future Espada and Arrancar invasions, there was a meeting. Deep in the palace of Hueco Mundo, a long table pale as moonlight hosted 11 bodies with 11 cups of the highest grade Sencha. Two more bodies lingered nearby, one on alert and the other sipping tea like a teenager would boba.

"Ulquiorra," Aizen started, his grin like that of a cat that caught the canary and discovered the nest. "Show us what you and Yammy witnessed."

"Yes..." Ulquiorra reached up, and like one would pluck an apple from a tree, removed his eye. The simple crush released the dust needed for all in the room to witness Ulquiorra's experience.

Aizen watched with dismissive amusement. Ichigo was getting stronger with each passing day. Of course, his focus ended up on the boy's friend, Orihime. Her power of rejection was... most interesting. Additional steps of his plans were being slotted in place like the perfect jigsaw piece hidden under the refrigerator. Of course, this feeling was ruined when Izuru landed on Yammy's sword and stopping the fight. The captain's haori and long hair caught the attention of one former captain.

"My my, Izuru's become captain!" Gin was glowing with pride. "I've never heard of a Lieutenant rankin' up that quickly!"

"Please tell me more. I'd love to hear the... details, on what makes me a weakling?"

Crack...

If anyone noticed Gin's teacup suddenly having a hairline fracture aligned with his pinky twitching, no one commented.

The feeling of Ulquiorra's confusion amidst these interactions was like melted caramel. Sticky and impossible to remove. There was... a hint of something human- terror. As Ulquiorra's vision caught glimpses of the arms wrapping around him oh so intimately, and as he watched his Cero be redirected with such ease.

Aizen shifted in his seat. To the Espada, he was making himself comfortable. In reality, he was anything but comfortable. Something was about to be said or done, and Aizen hadn't had a chance to mentally prepare himself. "Izuru's strong enough to even redirect Ulquiorra's Cero? A shame he's not amongst my ranks..."

"Such lovely eyes, you know? It's my favorite trait about your characterization. A shame you're not on my list of souls to save."

While Aizen clocked in on that wording immediately, there was another sound behind him.

CRACK!

Gin's hand dripped blood and tea. The white of his coat stained green and red into a disgusting mix of refusal, while a dusting of porcelain laid amongst his feet. His fox smile was gone and replaced by a thin line. Ice-blue eyes, wide open and promising a thousand days of suffering on the oblivious 4th Espada.

Aizen waved his hand. "I believe we have seen enough, Ulquiorra." The vision went away immediately. "To save ourselves the animosity, anything else worth reporting shall be done verbally."

Ulquiorra covered his hollowed eye, knowing his lord hates watching it regrow. "Yes... the Soul Reaper said he knew your little secret."

Aizen could feel his subordinates weighing this information. A feeling he would have to crush immediately. "Is that the exact wording?"

"... No, Aizen-sama. He specifically said 'dirty little secret'. He also said that we have a cat that a black-haired girl can knock to the ground." Ulquiorra immediately focused on Grimmjow. Of the Espada, Number 6 was the only one that had cat-like features.

"Don't fuckin' look at me, bastard," Grimmjow muttered.

Aizen hummed. "Nevermind the secret part. It's a tactic Izuru has used before. Well done, Ulquiorra. You provided vital information for our next steps... Now, let us finish our tea."