Two Souls, One Story

Chapter 32

Izuru made a sound of regret stepping through the portal. "Ugh... everything here is white. Why is Ulquiorra the most colorful thing here?"

Ulquiorra blinked slowly, like he was not registering if that was an insult or a compliment. Based on previous interactions, it was safe to view it as the latter.

"Don't forget about Grimmjow!!" Rukia's body was practically buzzing with giggling energy. "He's all bluuuuuuue. Oh, this is so exciting!"

"Don't you get drunk on me from the Hollow energy. That's my stupid job," Izuru grumbled, he reached up and tapped the metal strip on his neck. Rukia could hear a very faint "50%" coming from the implant in his skull.

She made a mental note of the spot.

"These two aren't right..." Luppi muttered, mouth hanging open. He flung his arms out as if attempting to embrace the pair, though no one seemed to want the opportunity. "We just captured you! Why aren't you begging for your lives or something?! How are you so calm?!"

"If your boss wanted us dead, he wouldn't have sent you," Izuru pointed at Luppi, "an actual threat," he pointed at Tier, "and someone I actively want to kiss." Then finally pointed at Ulquiorra, who was holding Wabisuke. Izuru blinked and looked at his now swordless waist. At the same time, he adjusted his suppressor to 60%.

Rukia noticed quickly that Tier was holding Yuki and even her Asauchi. "Hey!" Rukia yelped. "That one is just an old sword!" She moved closer to the much taller hollow. "It can't do any damage to you guys! Can't I keep it?"

Tier blinked down at the girl.

"Orders from Aizen-sama. Your Zanpakuto are to be confiscated," Ulquiorra explained. He was now even further away but still close enough to still pose a threat.

"Yes, but that's not a Zanpakuto," Izuru said calmly. "Rukia just prefers carrying a decorative katana because it makes enemies nervous. Comes with the whole hime-status."

Rukia nodded and looked up at Tier pleadingly. "Can I please have it back?" She held her hands out. "You can... um... take it away if you think it could actually hurt any of you!"

Tier sighed. Briefly, her eyes appeared soft. Like a mother about to cave to a child's whims. "I suppose Aizen-sama wouldn't care... It is just a nameless weapon. What harm can it do to us?" She looked at Ulquiorra before handing the plain Asauchi to the smaller girl.

Izuru bent down to Rukia's height. "Keep your hand off it unless alone."

Rukia elbowed him, only to for pain to shoot through her as she hit his stomach weight. "Right..." That came out as a small, pained whimper. She completely forgot that the "hittable" section of her friend were all unusual spots. It was like he was wearing armor.

"Now, follow us," Ulquiorra ordered, stuffing his hands into his pockets and leading the group to a vast -and empty, much to Izuru's annoyance- room. A high three-quarter wall on the opposite end, and clusters of Espada around the room. Also...

"Izuru! How good ta see ya!" Gin's jovial voice clashed with the atmosphere of the entire chamber. A rainbow in a monochromatic world. He came into view from the shadows like a snake slithering from its burrow. "Congrats on makin' captain!"

"Hello, Captain Ichimaru," Izuru responded automatically. He turned bright red when his brain registered what he said. He whipped his head towards Rukia. "You heard nothing."

Rukia grinned and made a zip-motion across her mouth. Just for extra measure, she balanced on her heels and batted her eyelashes.

"You two seem livelier than ever, Izuru... Rukia... Welcome to Hueco Mundo," Aizen's voice rang out across the room. It was like a god manifesting in a cathedral. Aizen, sitting on a throne of carved white stone, his chin resting against his fist. He was open. Any mortal facing their enemies would never put themselves in that position. Aizen, however, clearly saw no threat. "I trust my Espada have treated you both kindly?"