Okay, I thought of this fan fiction while doing my Euro homework and I decided to post it up today, since a new school week starts soon! Let me know what you think once you're done reading (not sure whether to continue or not)… Anyways continue! No! Wait! Sorry, forgot to mention, this story takes place around the 15th century, yeah that's a good time period, new inventions made, yet still somewhat medieval! Ok, now you can read on! :)

Remembrance

Chapter 1: Homecoming

.~.~.~.

Sometimes time deceives us and deprives us of things we treasure the most. Sometimes it gets away with it and we never remember those precious things, but there are times when we do. We might only remain with fragments, but in time you piece it all together, and your precious memories return once more. One would be happy, but sometimes recalling those things brings up pain, and reopens those wounds we thought were healed.

.~.~.~.

It had been two years that war had separated this young soldier from his life. It had stolen him the privilege to be with his family, to see his beautiful wife, to see his baby. He had been gone for years, things had changed and time hadn't been too good with him. His eyes were dark underneath, tired of everything, he felt drained of any energy, he had definitely changed. But, now, now after years of expectation, after years of dreaming he would come back, he finally was here.

He walked towards the door that belonged to his house, a house that he hadn't seen for a long time. He was eager to see his family, to see and hold his wife once more, to see her beautiful eyes, ever burning with love for him, and he longed to see the child he had left in his mother's womb. Now, staring at the wooden door that had elaborate designs carved on the sides, he felt afraid of what expected him.

Would his wife still remember him? Would she still love his as much as she did before he left? He pondered on what had changed and what would happen, but he couldn't stand there any longer and before thinking another thought he knocked on the door.

A young beautiful woman from inside turned towards the door. It was late and she was about to go to sleep. Who could it be? She wondered, and suddenly a fear consumed her, just as it had every night for the past years. She was afraid to receive bad news, but she was always hopeful to find her husband standing there, finally coming home.

"Coming" a soft voice announced from behind the wooden door. And in seconds the knob turned and the door slowly opened and the light from inside illuminated the tall figure who had remained unseen for years.

The man looked tenderly at his wife, not sure how to react, in return he received a similar expression from the young girl only a bit more sorrowful. "Ulquiorra?-" she asked softly, unsure of what she saw in front of her.

"Shh…" Ulquiorra whispered as he walked closer and embraced the person who he had missed for so long. He buried his face in her dark locks. She was just like before, she hadn't changed one bit. Her beautiful, thin body remained and her hair was just a bit longer than he remembered, reaching up to her lower back.

"I can't believe its really you-" she mumbled in between tears as she held him close. She felt his cold body near her, his heart slowly palpitating. How she longed to hold him close once more, to see his beautiful emerald eyes that always consoled her.

"I missed you, so much," Ulquiorra said as he pulled her away to see her face, her brown eyes flowing with incessant tears. He felt so bad for causing this much pain, and sometimes he regretted ever marrying her, she could have had a better life, perhaps with a husband that wouldn't have left her for so long. He slowly brushed away a tear that came rolling down her face and leaned in to kiss her.

Her lips so warm, the way he remembered, and slowly she reached up her hand to his neck and kissed him back. Her tears had stopped, and she felt so happy to be with her husband, her love.

"Emily, I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting for so long" he finally said as he pulled away from her face. She gave him a small smile and wiped her tears away with the back of her hand.

"Its all over now" she replied softly, as he pulled him indoors, to the warmth of their house. He followed close behind and he found their house just as he had left it, well almost. Next to Emily's rocking chair a small crib lay there. A small lump formed in Emily's throat and she wasn't sure what to say or do next.

"I'm so sorry" she sobbed and fell to her knees. She felt so guilty and terrible, she was afraid of what he would think or do, but mostly she was afraid that he'd lose all the love he had towards her. She continued to cry and all of a sudden she felt his arm on her shoulder, begging her to continue.

She held her dress tightly and just kept looking down as tears dropped on the red material. "I--I know I could have done more, but I just couldn't-" she half-explained, not really making sense, but Ulquiorra feared for what came next.

"After you left- a couple of months after I had our child, he-" she broke, she couldn't continue, she didn't know how to continue. Ulquiorra tensed up at her words and felt anger slowly rise. What was she saying? And although he asked himself these questions, he knew the answer, he couldn't fool himself.

"They raped me--" she finally said it, and began coughing. She felt disgusted at herself, she felt unworthy to even be in the same room as her fateful husband. Ulquiorra remained there stunned replaying the last words she said.

"They?" he whispered mostly to himself. Emily just nodded and was unable to say more. Moments passed before neither one of them said something. Finally, Emily spoke up.

"I don't expect you to forgive me, but please just don't-" she managed to say before being interrupted. Ulquiorra pulled his wife closer and embraced her softly. His wife, apologizing for something that had happened by force, he didn't want to see her apologize, after all where had he been to prevent this from happening to the person he loved most? She sobbed softly against his chest and both of them remained there for a while.

Time passed, and all of a sudden the quiet was interrupted by a small cry. It was coming from the crib. Emily slowly stood up and walked towards the crib. Carefully, she took out a small bundle and began rocking it slowly, tenderly. He had never seen her look so maternal, she was a beautiful girl, and he knew she was a great caring woman.

Slowly, he stood up as well and walked towards his wife. He stood behind her and looked down at the small bundle. It was a beautiful small baby who resembled its mother. Its smile and its eyes were just the same as its mothers'. Slowly, the baby began to close its eyes and fell asleep once more.

Curiously, Ulquiorra reached carefully to caress the tiny thing's cheek. Emily lovingly looked at Ulquiorra, that was nothing she had expected from him. The baby slowly opened its eyes once more before closing them.

"Its been a month" Emily whispered tiredly. She had born Jasmine a month ago and ever since she had been so busy. No one had helped her, especially during the birth, the pains had come all of a sudden and she endured them by herself.

"What's her name?" Ulquiorra asked curiously. As he continued to caress the young child. Emily looked at her daughter and answered Ulquiorra, "Jasmine."

Slowly and carefully Ulquiorra took the bundle from her and held it close to him. He wanted to treat her as his own, he didn't care if the baby really wasn't his, after all it belonged to the woman he loved most. "Jasmine" he repeated and rocked the bundle slowly.

"Mommy?" a small voice from behind asked. Ulquiorra placed the child back in the crib before turning. Emily walked towards her 2 year old and carried him towards Ulquiorra. The child was still half-asleep and he slowly rubbed his emerald eyes, he had received from his dad.

"Honey, this is Ulquiorra, your daddy" she informed the small child who stared back at Ulquiorra blankly. Ulquiorra walked closer to see his son, his child who he had left in his mother's womb two years ago.

"Daddy?" the little kid repeated. Emily softly smiled and so did Ulquiorra, unable to suppress his happiness. He looked so much like himself, well except he had his mother's smile, the smile that never failed to enchant him.

"Hello" Ulquiorra greeted kindly, not to sure how to approach his son, after all they had never really met. The little kid smiled and opened his arms to hug his father. He was so friendly and Ulquiorra was taken back at the child's reaction. Happily, Ulquiorra carried his child and analyzed him, how he had longed to see him.

"He really loves you" Emily said happily as she reclined her head on her husband's shoulder. Ulquiorra embraced her with his free hand as both of them stared at their child. The little kid laid his head on his father's chest and closed his eyes sleepily.

"His name's Joshua" Emily informed, it was the name Ulquiorra and Emily had agreed on naming the baby if it were a boy. Ulquiorra turned back his attention to his son and repeated his name with a smile, "Joshua."

"Its late, and you must be tired, come" Emily replied as she separated herself and walked towards the crib to get Jasmine and then followed Ulquiorra to their room.

When Ulquiorra had gone inside he found the room so welcoming and familiar, he cautiously lay his son on the bed, not wanting to awake him. Emily lay Jasmine on a small crib beside the bed and walked towards Ulquiorra, who stood in front of the window watching what lay outside.

"Ulquiorra, I'm so glad you're back" she whispered as she hugged him from behind, her soft fingers barely reaching his chest. He turned back to see her and held her close to himself. He couldn't believe he was finally home, after so many days of endless torture, he was finally here.

"I missed you so much" she repeated into his chest. She felt overjoyed that he was finally home, and that he had forgiven her, she knew that their lives could finally continue from where they left off, it was all over now, right?

Ulquiorra embraced her even tighter his body warming her up, he never wanted to let go, he never wanted to see her cry, and he certainly didn't want any tragedy to befall her once more. It was all over now, the turmoil was over, now they had to look ahead, but they need not worry, for they had each other now.

Well that's the first chapter! Yes, I know it wasn't so perfect as everybody thought it would be, but there is some future tragedies that will befall Ulquiorra and Emily, but don't worry the ending is definitely a happy one! (I already have an idea of how its going to end! ^.^) Reviews are greatly welcomed or any type of comment!