Title: "A Disease of self, Runs Through My Blood" -DC Talk

So here be chapter 30. Not sure how I feel about this one. But I'll let you guys decided if it's a win.

-I want to edit a statement I made earlier. While Arturo's voice actor JB Blanc, may be French. He was indeed trying to do a Spanish accent for Arturo. My bad. So from now on I'll prolly refer to Arturo's accent as Spanish. I hope that lifts any confusion.

-The Night of the Festival, Rukia and Arturo POV-

They danced for what could have been hours. And even though darkness had descended on the festival, the two of them were so caught up in the movement and proximity that they had lost all track of time. Just lights, music, and rhythm. And somewhere in all the dancing they had made their way back onto the main streets, where the lights and music were the loudest.

Arturo, was a skilled dancer. Which Rukia found strange but buried the question away. Even with her obvious lack in dance, the arrancar was able to lead her through the movements with ease. Sure there were mishaps in her foot work, but his strong and graceful hands served as a guide, and also support when she felt her footing would fail. With each change of music, Arturo would adjust their dance to match. They had already swept through, salsa, swing, fox trot, and more.

The dancing was strange, as if there was a conversation between them, but instead of words transpired, it was emotion and heat. She could feel her body strain to keep up with him, she didn't dare let him down. In return Arturo's movements served to coax her into him, against him. It seemed the closer she was to him and the faster they moved, the more his eyes burned with an emotion akin to desire. Of course she would stay rebel till the end, and she did not let her own eyes betray her. Instead she met his with fierce defiance, as if she could use her eyes as a weapon. Little did she know, that demeanor was what the arrancar lusted for.

The loud crash and crackle of bright fireworks, was the catalyst that brought their heated dancing to an end. The sound of the firework show starting reminded Rukia that she had been on a mission to the park, and that she had meant to locate Orihime. Her startled hesitation, caused her to step away from Arturo, and put an end to their sinful encounter.

"The fireworks." She tried to explain, "I was going to find Orihime in the park where the fire works show is taking place." she watched the arrancar become cold, upon hearing her excuse.

Arturo's expression was now guarded and distant. His liveliness dissolved faster than cotton candy in a child's mouth. "Go to your friend, lest she become suspicious." The arrancar turned away from her, not even sparing her a second glance and vanished into the crowd. Leaving Rukia alone in a street filled with people.

0000

Orihime never showed up for fireworks. And as a concerned friend Rukia spent the evening searching for her friend. She checked all the location Orihime and mentioned she was interested in, and even some she had not. Still no sign of the orange-haired girl.

So finally Rukia decided to retire at the hotel room, and hope her friend had somehow wandered home instead. Rukia knew that Orihime was a bubble-brain, and slightly lacking of sanity. There was a good chance that she may have just forgotten about the fireworks.

Much to the Kuchiki's relief, she found her friend curled up in bed back at the hotel. Orihime was sleeping peacefully, as if there were not a rather loud festival happening in the streets outside. Silent as a feline, Rukia crept to her bed. She didn't want to wake Orihime and figured they could talk tomorrow. After all Rukia had a lot on her mind to think about, and she wondered if maybe she should tell Orihime about her little affair.

0000

The day after the festival, Rukia found herself slipping away from their hotel room, and sneaking off into the town. Orihime was still asleep, exhausted from the festivities of the prior day. So she failed to notice Rukia's strange behavior and subsequent disappearance.

The young Kuchiki was unsure what exactly she was doing. It was wrong, and she knew it, but against her better judgement, she found herself in the alleys again, searching for his presence. She walked for a little over an hour, weaving through one side street and into another one, trying to sense him. But the only presence at this hour of the morning, were sleeping drunks, and homeless cats. Nothing out of the ordinary. She spent another half of an hour, searching the alleys, and straining her senses for that energy. The only thing that felt inspired to follow here turned out to be a small skinny dog. But she had no food to give it.

She finally caved and sat down on a bench near one of the markets. On the weekends the market street was filled with people selling fresh vegetables and meats, according to Orihime's brochures. But today, the market was closed. The festival before hand had filled the street, and now there were service workers cleaning garbage and streamers away.

"This is stupid." Rukia kicked a can, and watched it bounce along the ground before rolling under a dumpster. "I'm a fool."

After awhile, she got up again and headed for the park. Like the rest of the town the park was a mess due to the night before. Eventually the service workers would work their way here. But Rukia didn't mind. She headed over to the kids playground, and climbed to the top of the slide. There she sat down and looked out into the pretty trees, admiring the birds and cheerful insects that rejoiced on this day.

As she enjoyed the early morning sunshine, her mind ventured back to the night before when Arturo had led her in dance. She hummed some of the music, and imagined herself dancing again. Even with her synthetic leg, Arturo had been able to lead her, she had actually danced. Something she didn't think she'd be able to do. Rukia didn't lie to herself, she knew full well that she had lost a lot of coordination after losing her leg. She could walk fine without a cane, but sometimes while running she'd trip or stumble. And that was no good in battle.

Part of her shame was her honorable discharge from the 13 court guard squads. It wasn't permanent, its was temporary, or so they said. The captains, especially Byakuya, had voted for her to be given leave, to "recover." But she knew full well it was just an excuse for Byakuya to keep her away from any action. She was supposed to be here in the world of the living to practice use of her new leg, and regain coordination. But really she'd felt no reason to practice. Byakuya would be sure to come between her and any chance to return to her position in the squads.

To clear her mind, Rukia slid from the top of the slide to the ground, and began practicing the dance steps she had learned from the night before. Arturo had told her the key to salsa was good hip movement, and swaying. So that was her goal, side to side she swung her hips, getting into the motions and even getting her slender stomach to play a part in the movement. She could have been an erotic dancer in a dance hall, for she had completely forgotten her park surroundings.

"Your form is amazing... If you were trying for exotic belly dancing." Interjected an accented voice.

Rukia's eyes shot open and she spun herself around to see the arrancar she'd spent the better part of the morning searching for. He was in the same attire as the night before, but his hair was unkempt, and he looked rather worn out.

"What's wrong with you?" Rukia asked, she was a little concerned given his appearance.

"Nothing." Arturo reached a hand up to try and straighten his hair, and that's when Rukia was able to see blood, and half-healed wounds on his hand and knuckles.

The petite soul reaper was by his side in an instant, looking over the arrancar's wounded hands. Her lavender eyes were laced with concern, and sympathy. She used a healing kido on his hands, and they became enveloped in pale blue light.

Arturo didn't even try to make up an explanation for his hands, He was so tired and out of it. So very hungry. And he didn't want Rukia to know what he had done since they had parted ways the night before. Lest she think a weakness resided in him.

"Spent the night partying, hmm?" She didn't even glance up to see his face, just ran her small fingers across his healing knuckles. "Must've been some trouble you got yourself in. Your gigai looks a little worse for wear."

"Must I have?" dodged Arturo. Not bothering to grant an explanation to her musings. "So what were you doing, dancing like that~" He leaned over her, and regarded her small body with a starved appreciation.

"Practicing." was her single word reply. She took a step away from him, and pretended to regard him with apathetic indifference.

"You know it helps when practicing with a partner," a sly grin formed on his features at the insinuation. He straightened his posture out and folded his arms, waiting to see how Rukia would respond.

"I propose a game," came Rukia's response, just as sly, and dripping with mischief.

"And what are the parameters of this game?" He inquired, taking her obvious bait.

"A game of chase and catch. But in gigai."

"Oh señorita You know it would be a one-sided endeavor." He leaned down near her ear and his breath tickled her neck. "What do I get if I catch you~?"

Rukia shuddered at the tone in his voice, and the implications behind it. But she decided to feign innocence. "Why Arrancar, You'll have the pleasure of winning the game. Isn't that reward enough?"

A low chuckle sounded from his throat, and she felt him pull away. "I'll take my own reward then." He said in a low voice, but he knew she heard him.

"There's a catch." Explained Rukia, before they could start. "We have to play blind-folded." She handed his a large handkerchief from her pocket.

Arturo took it from her and eyed it suspiciously. "How do I know you won't cheat?" He asked, while he tied the cloth over his eyes.

"You are just gonna have to trust me." She replied, tying another handkerchief around her own head, to blind her vision.

0000

Orihime awoke around midday, and almost fell out of bed in surprise. The sight that graced her eyes upon waking startled her so much she gave a loud, "EEEP!" And if it weren't for Ulquiorra's strong grip on her thrashing form, she would have tumbled off the bed and onto the floor.

"Good morning to you as well, woman." He eyed her with his usual bored expression until she calmed down. Then he raised an eyebrow in question.

"I didn't dream it!" She said rather happily. "You actually are here, you're alive!"

"So it would seem." His response was enthusiastic.

Without so much as a warning she threw herself at him. Arms flung wide, and then wrapping around his shoulders. Her breasts pressing rather awkwardly into his chest. And then she kissed him. It was sudden, and rushed, and overly eager.

Ulquiorra just froze up under the tackle and subsequent kiss. He stared at her a little shocked, and had his hands placed awkwardly on her sides. After a second or two, he relaxed a bit, and leaned into her to deepen the kiss. But she pulled away rather abruptly and smacked him.

Once again the demon found himself frozen up and rather confused. First she threw herself at him and kissed him, the she proceeded to hit him. There definitely had to be some screws loose in her head to explain this sporadic behavior.

"I'm still mad at you for yesterday." She stated. her hands were pressing against his chest, keeping them apart. "Those were horrible things you said. Mean things. Worse than Grimmjow mean."

Ulquiorra remianed impassive as she lectured him. "Sorry." he said in a low thrum when she finished. He didn't look sorry, or sound sorry.

Everything fell quiet after that and neither parties felt like making eye contact. Then Orihime heard a sniffing sound, she looked over to see Ulquiorra staring intently at her. He leaned in close, and his nostrils flared as he inhaled.

"What are you doing?" She felt his breath against her neck, and shoulder.

"I don't know." He answered huskily. "My senses are very... sensitive, since I've taken this form as a habit." He seemed entranced by what he was smelling. "Sometimes the beast takes dominance..." When Ulquiorra looked up at her again, his pupils were dilated like an excited cat.

Orihime had a little inner confliction. She was still kinda upset about the way he acted yesterday. But She was also very happy to have him back and alive. She thought back on her time in Las Noches, and realized that there was no time but now. She knew not what the future would hold, or what day would be the last. And it wasn't worth wasting. She loved him, whether it was sick, an obsession, or some ill-formed mind disease, she didn't care. And even if he didn't return the feeling, at least he was here with her.

So she pulled him into a kiss, the most needy, and aggressive kiss she could. One hand reached up into his hair. She meant to grab a handful of his black locks, but when her fingers found the remains of one of his horns, she grabbed that instead. Her other hand went to his shoulder and pushed at the cloths he was wearing.

Ulquiorra responded in turn. He was already rather worked up from her smell, and his demon side was hungry for her. Of course if Orihime was aggressive, Ulqiorra was predatory. He got on all fours and pinned Orihime to the bed, kissing and biting. His tail swished out and began lashing about and his wings spread wide, almost making a canopy above them.

"Woman, I can't promise I won't hurt you." He managed to force words out in between their kissing. But the woman below him didn't reply with words. Her hands may be pinned but her mouth was not. She twisted away from his face, and went straight for his neck and shoulder area. It caught Ulquiorra quite off guard when she sank her teeth into his skin. Of course she wasn't strong enough to break his skin, but it was still startling to feel her try. "You can try to hurt me all you wish, but your attempts will not come to fruition."

He pulled Orihime off his neck, and pushed her back onto the bed again, claiming her lips once more. It had been a long time since either of them had been any kind of intimate. Their behavior proved to be impatient and needy, and Ulquiorra ended up shredding Orihime's clothes with his talons. His own clothes fell the same fate shortly after, until both of them were naked. A demon of hell above a maiden of fire.

The Murcielago ran his fingers done her sides with appreciation, until he reached her upper thigh. He paused then and looked perplexed. He even tapped his claw-tipped fingers against her skin in thought.

"What's wrong?" She asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

"I can't touch you, in this form. Or my talons would rend your more sensitive flesh." he sounded dejected.

She reached up and pressed her lips to the dark tear-line on the right side of his face. "Then just take me," she told him. Then she moved back to kiss him again, her lips pressed against his and she coaxed him to use his tongue. His breath tasted like death. It was far from the fantasy she imagined. No he had the breath of a demon, dead and cold, but she fought off the natural repulsion and kissed him anyway, tongue and all.

In response to her command, and her kissing, murcielago bucked his hips against her. And she could feel how turned on he was. He was hard, and she wanted him, whether she was prepared or not. She brought one of her legs up and hooked it around his hip, granting him access.

Ulquiorra positioned himself at her entrance, his dick throbbing in anticipation. He broke from their kissed and bit down rather hard on her neck. Hard enough to break flesh with his sharp teeth, and make her scream. Orihime threw her head back in pain. At the sound of that noise, he thrust himself inside of her, causing her scream to become more acute. As soon as he was buried inside her, he didn't move. Even though they had shared a bed before, it had been months since, and her body needed to stretch. And he was far from small in this form.

He pulled his mouth away from her neck and regarded the woman below him. Her head was off to the side, and she was mewling in pain, and crying. The demon in Ulquiorra reveled in her pain, enjoyed and savored it. But her tears brought back some of his humanity. He reached up gentle fingers and ran then through her hair. He leaned back down to her bleeding shoulder, and used his tongue to sooth the damaged flesh.

After a few minutes Orihime calmed down and stopped crying. She wiped some tears away and looked up at her waiting demon. "I'm okay. D-d-don't stop now."

"I never intended to." He said darkly. He pulled himself out, and didn't even hesitate pushing himself back into her. "The next time you cry, it had better be my name you scream."

Ulquiorra proceeded to fuck her, driving himself into her deep and hard. To keep from injuring her further her had to bury his teeth into the pillow next to her head. The sheets and pillow had already become red from her bleeding shoulder, and so they tasted like her.

Orihime was caught somewhere between pain and pleasure. Her shoulder was killing her, but the pain between her legs had evaporated after about the first five thrusts, and now she felt jolts of pleasure surging through her. Over and over he thrust, and she could feel heat, and pressure building in her abdomen. When the feeling started to become unbearable she cried out his name. In response, he took her faster.

The sound of her crying his name thrilled him. He pulled his face away from the pillows and appraised her with his gold eyes. "No hero will come and save you, not this time." He growled. "Your precious human boy won't be coming for you. This time.. This time you are all mine. It is me you have sought out, and I will make you mine, Orihime~" He whispered the last part next to her ear, and he was rewarded with a series of moans as she came. He felt her insides tighten and squeeze his hard member. With a few more hard thrusts, he felt himself reach the end. He let out a feral roar, inhuman and demonic. And released his seed inside of her, but he didn't stop there.

Before he finished he pulled himself out, and spilled the rest of it across her stomach. He thrust his dick against her skin until he finished. You are mine and you will smell like me. He sat back, crouching over her, and eyed her with a satisfied smugness. She was bleeding, and tired, and now she was covered in his cum. He had taken her, and now she bore the signs of his dominance.

But the high from sex was not to last. All too soon, his lust and satisfaction melted. His humanity wriggled itself back into his mind. And he realized one thing. I hurt her. Quickly he scooped her body into his arms, and took her into the bathroom. There he placed her in the bathtub and turned on the water. She glanced up at him in confusion, her eyes were far away. The blood loss had started taking its toll.

"What have I done?" Whispered Ulqiorra. He brought a wet wash cloth to her neck and pressed it to the bite, trying to stem the bleeding and clean the wound. He tried to use the water to wash away his vile deed. However, the light of the bathroom only revealed a series of bruises starting to form on her beautiful skin. A soft sad howl escaped Ulquiorra. He wasn't sure when he started caring about this woman so passionately. And he didn't understand the tearing, and agonizing feeling in his chest, like someone digging a knife in.

Murcielago spent the rest fo the afternoon cleaning Orihime, and bandaging her shoulder. He laid her down on Rukia's bed and covered her up. He felt better when she was asleep and resting.

His demon eyes stared down at her stoically and whispered to her sleeping form. "You are a cancer fatal to my soul."

Only a few more chapters left for this story. As such, this will spawn a sister fic with the focus pair being Arturo and Rukia. So if you wish to read what becomes of my little crack pairing, seek that one out.

On a different note, I want to start a new Ulquihime fanfic after this one is finished. It will be a much shorter fanfic. But The premise will be fun I think. I haven't worked out the details yet, but Ulquiorra will be a Gargoyle, (always in his Murcielago form basically, and turn to stone at day and shiz.) Not sure what role I want Orihime to play yet, but it will be an AU. Anyway, Ideas are welcome. Feel free to throw out ideas i should play with in this new fic.