You guys...I feel so loved! Nine faves and fifteen follows after just two chapters? *tear* well, here's number three! So, I have most of this planned out in my head, which is rare. I'm not good at slow burns, so this isn't gonna be drawn out. Though I don't know how long this whole thing'll be, I think I'll get to the sexy parts next chapter. Since I've gotten that outta the way, on to the stuff that isn't related to this! One: I meant to say this last chapter, but didn't have the time(cause I was supposed to be asleep when I posted it, had to get up real early for work), but there's a burrito in my house! And by burrito, I mean my sister and her girlfriend had a baby. Isn't that amazing?! He's almost a month old, and his name is Liam. Also, as of the twenty third (cause I don't know when I'll be done with this) I got my ear pierced. I don't know what the one I got is called, but it's cartilage, in the middle. Not the flicky flicky thing, the shell.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. There's some alpha beta stuff in here.

Toshiro was now sitting across from Ulquiorra, finding that the change in demeanor was...pleasant and surprising. He did suspect that the espada could show emotions, hell, any hollow for that matter. Now he was learning that the further along in evolution a hollow was, the more emotions they felt. It was fascinating. So fascinating in fact, that he wouldn't be surprised if Kisuke was listening in on their conversation, sporting a boner from all of the new information. That image sent a shiver down Toshiro's spine. Kisuke was that creepy.

Learning more about hollows in general was amazing, but the white haired captain wanted to learn more about the raven sitting across from him. In some cliche way, he felt some type of connection to Ulquiorra. He would admit to himself that he was attracted to the man, maybe even liked him. But, it would never work out for them, not without serious consequences.

He looked in emerald eyes, drowning in their doe like appearance. "Ulquiorra, how many emotions do you have exactly? It's hard to tell. You don't really seem to have any, and you don't show them on your face."

Ulquiorra raised a nonexistent brow. He knew he never showed emotions. Where he lived, those would get you killed, and the people you care about. "I have every emotion you can fathom, I just elect not to express them around certain people. And I don't show them on my face, because that is even more dangerous than having them in the first place. I tend to live by the human term 'resting bitch face'." He smirked at the small laugh that spilled from between plump pale pink lips. "But, I do have a sense of humor. It's not always bright, though, but it is there. My friends enjoy it."

That had Toshiro's eyebrows trying to touch his hairline. "Friends?" He didn't mean for it to sound so surprised and incredulous, he just didn't expect it. He thought hollows didn't trust each other enough to form a bond of any kind, let alone friendship.

Ulquiorra nodded. He knew it sounded strange to the ears, possibly tasted funny on the tongue, but it was true. "Not every hollow is like myself, but there are some who are close enough to form friendships. I have several friends, one in particular who thinks he is my, as the humans say, 'bestie'. He's more like my child, really."

Toshiro took the time to try and figure out who the other hollow was. He'd only seen the raven with two espada so far. "Is it the huge espada who looks like he eats buildings?"

The fourth espada had to suppress a snort. He was not on any type of friendly terms with yammy, let alone best friends. "God no, he's no smarter than the liquid that comes from garbage. Plus, he practically lives off of rage."

The captain quirked an eyebrow. If not him, then who? It couldn't be grimmjow, the man didn't seem like the type to tolerate anyone that wasn't himself. "Well, it couldn't be grimmjow, he's too self centered."

"That's what he wants people to think. He is an asshole, but he's not just about himself. You have to take into consideration where we live Toshiro, caring for someone is considered weak." Not to mention who they 'work' for. The man is a narcissistic egomaniac bent on world domination.

He didn't understand, all the times he'd seen them near each other they fought. The blue haired espada even tried to kill ichigo multiple times! "I really don't get it."

Ulquiorra gave Toshiro a sad smile. "Sometimes when trying to survive, you have to play the part of something you aren't. Especially with who we're trying to survive. That man thrives off of our pain."

Letting that sink in, Ulquiorra stood and opened a garganta. "My time is up, I shall see you once again, my little captain." With that said, the raven walked into the black void, letting it swallow him in darkness. Though he truly hoped to see the man again, but he knew it would be some time before then.

It had been several weeks since Toshiro had seen or heard from Ulquiorra. It was starting to get to him somewhat. During the beginning of his leave, he had made sure to take kisuke up on his offer of housing, seeing as though he was now friends with a hollow, he needed the privacy. They had taken to seeing each other once or twice a week, their plan had worked out for six months.

Now he sat in a beautiful cabin in the woods outside of karakura, thinking of the raven. Over months of spending time with the espada, he had plenty of time to evaluate his blossoming feelings. He saw Ulquiorra as a friend, but he was starting to see him as more, as time went on.

He sighed, laying down on the comfortable bed. He wondered what the pale espada had meant that time, about who the espada were trying to survive. At first he assumed head captain Yamamoto, seeing as though he was leading the charge on destroying the hollows. But, that didn't seem right, now that he understood hollows more. 'He must mean Aizen, the man is cruel and self serving. I wonder if any of the other espada dislike him.'

He let the thought simmer as he drifted off to sleep.

Back in Hueco Mundo, Grimmjow was once again in Ulquiorra's bed, attempting to sleep. He was almost there when the door burst open, banging against the wall. He only opened one eye to take in the temperamental espada. Ulquiorra had been that way for a few days, but Grimmjow hadn't seen him until then. The blue haired male glared and sat up on one elbow. "What the hell is up your ass? Well, further up it."

Ulquiorra calmly closed his door then growled deep in his throat, shocking the cocky bluenette on his bed.

Grimmjow narrowed his eyes, then inhaled deep in his nose. He tasted the air on his tongue and his eyes widened. He thought about the happenings in their world and face palmed. "So, you're going into heat?" That earned him another growl. "Don't get fucking alpha bitch with me cause yer horny!"

Pale cheeks flushed and Ulquiorra blinked, he didn't know he had gone that far into his instincts. "I apologize Grimmjow, I didn't mean to growl at you. It is just…" He trailed off, not wanting to finish for fear of further embarrassment.

Grimmjow snorted. "Frustrating? Yea, I bet it is. Why don't you just, you know, satisfy the urge?"

Taking a seat on the other side of his bed, Ulquiorra let out a sigh. "We both know I'm not the type. I, like you, can only be satisfied by a mate."

"OK, go find one. Aizen'll just think ya need to fuck something and give you some time, problem solved."

A frown pulled at the space where raven black brows would be. "While that would work, it would bring two problems." At the lift of a sky blue eyebrow he went on. "One would be my potential mate. He is without a doubt strong enough, but mating with him would cause more problems for the both of us. And two, would be the result of our mating. Aizen would want to use it to his gain no matter what, and I would kill the man where he stands."

Grimmjow knew this to be true.

"Well, I think if ya really want him to be your alpha, you'd think about it. There's risk, true, but the endgame is worth it." Grimmjow laid a gentle hand on his friend's shoulder, a grin splitting his cheeks. "And we always have your back." He laid back down on the bed, getting into a better position and slowly drifted off to sleep, giving Ulquiorra the time to think. He had two weeks to figure out if he wanted this, to figure out if he wanted to be with the turquoise eyed soul reaper for life.

'I think I am getting a headache.'

Almost another week had passed and Toshiro was beginning to want to storm into Las noches, and drag the pale espada out by his sleeve. He would admit it, he had feelings for Ulquiorra. Now he just needed the espada to visit him so he could tell him. Toshiro knew the risks if they got caught, but he'd make sure they didn't, especially with kisuke on his side.

He was pacing the cabin when he felt the beginnings of spiritual pressure getting near. His heart jumped, thinking it was the aforementioned hollow, but the raven would be discreet like usual. The short captain concentrated, then rolled his eyes. It was Ichigo, of course. The ginger was the only person he knew that let their spiritual pressure run rampant.

Not even a second later the nineteen year old walked through the door, panting like he ran the whole way there. "Ichigo, did you run here?"

Ichigo was bent over, hands on his knees, breathing heavily. He raised a hand, signaling for toshiro to wait a moment. Once he collected himself, he spoke. "Ah, hah. Yea, came as soon as Urahara told me you were still here." The ginger whacked the captain upside his head. "Why didn't you tell me? I totally thought we were cool Toshiro?!"

Letting go the casual way Ichigo addressed him, Toshiro took a deep breath. He would not murder Ichigo, he would not murder Ichigo. "Hit me again, and you will breath your last breath. And I was...occupied." The blush he sported took away any intimidation his threat posed.

A grin spread across slightly tan cheeks. "Oh, and who had you so occupied? Are you and Rangiku together?"

Toshiro scowled. "Do you really want to die? What even made you think I would be with Rangiku like that?"

Ichigo scratched the back of his head. "Well, you two seem close. Not to mention you've known her since you were younger, so I just assumed."

Toshiro sighed. "Well you assumed wrong. I merely tolerate her at this point." He drawled out.

The ginger hummed. "Then Momo? She's your friend and I think she likes you."

'What is with Ichigo and these questions?' Toshiro thought exasperated. He didn't appreciate the probing of his love life. Or lack thereof. "No, not Momo. She was more into Aizen than me, and look where that got her. I never had romantic feelings for her, nor Rangiku, given the fact that I'm gay."

The surprised look that came over Ichigo's face was quite funny in Toshiro's opinion. "Totally didn't see that coming." The ginger mumbled. "So, who's the guy that has you so occupied? And when can I threaten him?" He asked, taking a seat on one of the couches in the living room.

Toshiro followed, readying himself for the judgement he might receive from his friend.

It was earlier in that same day that Ulquiorra made his way towards his 'lord's' chambers. He was dreading having to go near the man, let alone talk to him. Taking a deep breath, he set his face in the most neutral expression he could get and knocked. It didn't take long for a haughty 'come in' to sound, making it hard for the raven to not roll his eyes.

He walked in with his head held high and back straight. Aizen looked up from the war plans on his desk, raising an eyebrow at his soldier. He wasn't expecting this visit at all. "What can I do for you Ulquiorra? Is there a problem?"

Ulquiorra blinked. He would rather walk straight to Sokyoku hill than do this, but he needed to. "It depends on what you specify as a problem."

Well, that was vague. "I find a number of things problematic, but please, say what you have to say."

Ulquiorra mentally took a deep breath and spoke. "It is the start of mating season, as you know, and I am going into heat."

Aizen did have a vague understanding of hollow mating, though he didn't care, but he was surprised to find out that Ulquiorra was going into heat. "Oh? And what is it you want to ask?"

"I wanted to ask you if I could go out and mate. If I stay here, unmated, I will become increasingly violent. And I would rather not kill any and everything that comes too near." Some of that was true, but who was he to tell Aizen that?

Aizen waved a hand in dismissal. "Then go and satisfy your libido with one of the lower arrancar. I don't particularly care if it survives or not."

Ulquiorra subtly frowned. This man. "That would be unwise, my lord. It is more than lust. Simply having sex with someone weaker would do nothing, and also anger me on an instinctual level."

This was getting annoying. "Fine," Aizen says cooly, masking his annoyance. "Go wherever and mate. But, you must be back by midnight tomorrow." He added on cruelly.

"But my lord! If I don't find someone-"

"As I said," Aizen cuts him off. "You have until midnight tomorrow. If you don't find a mate and become violent, I will dispose of you, simple as that. So, good luck my espada."

With that said, Ulquiorra walks out, quietly fuming. Oh, he would definitely kill the man.

Once in his room, he shakes Grimmjow awake and tells him of his departure. The bluenette grins and walks him to Szayel's lab. The scientist had his lab protected from prying eyes by a device he had created, and he had also given ones to his friends, but the ones in his lab were stronger. Hence why the duo traveled there. When they walked into the lab, the pink haired man just waved, eyes still on what he was doing. He had known of Ulquiorra's frequent visits to the world of the living.

"Have fun, and don't get caught. This place would be less fun."

Ulquiorra smiled and nodded, opening a garganta and stepping through. He had something important to do.

Toshiro had finally finished telling Ichigo everything, and he meant everything. He told the ginger of his and Ulquiorra's first meeting, to the raven's surprise visit. He told him of how they spent time together in secret in the cabin, hell, he told Ichigo of his feelings.

After saying all of that Toshiro felt better, though the silence wasn't a good sign.

"So, you're basically in love with the hollow that we assumed tried to kill you, who I just so happen to have fought?"

"Yes."

Ichigo nodded. "And now you wanna be with him, even though you could get executed for treason if soul society found out?" Another nod from the white haired captain. "Alright, I approve and I'll help you keep it from soul society."

Toshiro sat, dumbstruck. He never thought Ichigo would take it so well. "I am...very confused."

The ginger laughed. "Yea, I know. I can't really judge you for loving Ulquiorra, I kinda like a hollow too. And I approve because I'm friends with him. If I knew it was Ulquiorra you fought that day, I wouldn't have been so worried."

Toshiro was about to give Ichigo his thanks, and tell him how much he appreciated him when they felt a ripple in the air. Ichigo was somewhat confused, but Toshiro was deeply surprised, he didn't think the raven would show up. It was then that a garganta opened in the living room, a black and white booted foot slowly stepping out. Standing there with a small smile was Ulquiorra, big doe eyes lighting up at the sight of Ichigo and Toshiro. "Two of my friends in one place, what a surprise."

Ah, two weeks from the top note, it took me to finish this. I'm surprised it's been flowing so good. And I can't believe that I've been getting faves and follows since. You guys make me feel amazing, especially since I'm getting sick. I woke up yesterday with a sore throat, had to go to work anyway, and I have to go tomorrow. I'm prone to sore throats and streptococcus, which sucks by the way. *sigh* I wanna let you guys know that I have two more pairings for this, one is obviously ichigo and grimmjow, but only one will progress to mpreg. (Other than the obvious main couple.) Anyway, I really hope you enjoyed this, and Liam is a little over a month now.