Arrancar outcasts, paranoid people

Setting:

Somewhere during the Vaizard-arc, written before the Arrancars show up again (so it might be AU if you read it later, I make up stuff I need for the story, but don't expect any major weirdness)

Ulquiorra and Grimmjow - centered, crossover with Lost. (first two chapters Bleach only)

Disclaimer: I guess you all know I don't own Lost nor Bleach, or this crossover would've already been animated XD

Chapter one: defying

The castle's halls were completely silent, anticipating what would come next…

When Ulquiorra calmly strode past the door to Aizen's 'throne room', a tremor of outraged swearing and a bit panicky shouts shook the walls. Soon after, more cussing echoed through the hollow castle. Ulquiorra stifled a sigh when he heard Aizen dismiss Grimmjow, and he resisted looking away when his 'rival' came staggering out of the large black door.

Grimmjow's mouth was twisted into a pissed off thin line, and he was leaning over a bit, clutching his injured left shoulder. Ulquiorra could hear him cursing Tousen through clenched teeth, and when he coldly inquired "Are you ok?", Grimm sharply turned to face him.

"Like hell I'm okay! Jeez, piss off, go annoy someone else. Or how about you go kiss Aizen's butt, eh? I bet you're having a great time right now, but I won't let anyone make fun of me, understood?" Grimmjow burst out.

Ulquiorra let the yelling wash over him, and gave the other Arrancar the time to huff until he was ready to listen. Grimmjow noticed the lack of a snide remark, and paid attention now.

"What DO you want?" he gruffly asked.

"Make sure that arm grows back. You'll need it, and… it looks ridiculous like that."

Grimmjow nearly exploded in fury. "Like I need you to tell me that! Of course I'll regrow it, if only that dick Tousen hadn't frikkin' burned it I could've already reattached it!"

Right now, Grimmjow was frustrated, embarrassed and damned! His shoulder hurt. At least the shallow cut he had gotten from Ichigo was already healing quickly, and if it didn't reopen it might not even leave a scar.

But now this loser-Arrancar was insulting him, too. He had never hated Ulquiorra, but he had a severe dislike for the guy. Ulquiorra never fought, he made up the most ridiculous and irrelevant excuses for not doing so, and he could actually get away with it. Grimmjow didn't have any respect for cowards, especially if they dissed him. Ulquiorra, on the other hand, simply felt that Grimmjow wasn't worth his time and energy, even if that meant taking his sneers and criticism.

He wasn't worth his interest, until today, that is…
When Ulquiorra had first awoken as an Arrancar, he only hazily remembered why he had agreed to become one. He did recall that it involved being hunted eternally, having to kill his enemies to feed and stay alive. He had become a half-Shinigami to be free from that eternal hunger, and to gain power. With the strength he had now, he could easily defend himself against the strongest Soul Slayers, and simply ignore the nuisances of the weaker ones. He used his power to force his way into the world and to ensure his right to exist.

The fact that it also meant being under Aizen's command was only a minor letdown. At least, it hadn't been a problem until Ulquiorra had learned that Aizen, as his creator, had a high degree of control over his creations.

The Arrancars could disobey him, but if Aizen really wanted them to follow his orders, he could easily force their astral bodies to do so. They all had a free will, but Aizen could bind their actions anytime. And that was becoming troublesome for Ulquiorra.

The Arrancar knew that Ichigo was a potential threat for his own life, which he valued most, but unlike Grimmjow he also saw that his half-hollow strength might be used against their other enemies, the Shinigamis.

Ulquiorra didn't feel like dieing for Aizen's cause, only because his master liked to experiment around a bit…if he'd really value the life of his subordinates, he could have easily prevented them from leaving Hueco Mundo with Grimmjow. Instead, he had been mildly amused at what happened. The five that died had only been cannon fodder, and Ulquiorra hated the thought of being the same.

He wanted to live, and the fact that Aizen controlled him could endanger his life. This, Grimmjow had now experienced first-hand, and he was both confused and angry.

If the blue-haired Arrancar had been completely free, he'd have killed Tousen Kaname on the spot, but even that pure murderous instinct had been mercilessly suppressed by his 'master'. For the first time, he was aware of the level of control Aizen had over him, and he needed some time to sort things through…this sure was a change in authority…

…Grimmjow noticed Ulquiorra mint green eyes shift in the dim light of the hallway, and when the pale Arrancar focused on him again with a meaningful expression, realisation dawned.

"You knew! You knew about it, didn't you? ", he asked loudly "you knew he could…"

"Yes, I knew." Ulquiorra answered calmly, his eyes, the only colourful thing on him, keeping a steady but piercing gaze. "What do you feel now that you know?"

Grimm's eyes widened. "What I feel? What the…I…" he started stammering, not following Ulquiorra's 'logic' at all.

"…What the hell do you care anyway!" His expression became grim again, and he abruptly turned his back to Ulquiorra, cursing himself for having fallen for it. Ulquiorra watched him as he left , rounding the corner swaying a bit because of his now unbalanced body.

Good thing they healed so fast…in a day or two, if he wasn't distracted to much, he'd have his arm back. He'd make sure to stay out of Aizen's way, and he hoped that Tousen wouldn't come to insult him again, or he'd really kill the blind man this time. And he'd rather not do that, now that he knew what Aizen could do to him…if Aizen wanted to punish him, it was simply a matter of forcing him to drop his defences.

While the thoughts jumbled through his mind, the white shadow of his rival stayed behind. The slender man shook his head and sighed. For once, he felt that allying with Grimmjow might be the best course of action, if only to protect the one who also knew of Aizen's secret control.

Soon, Grimm would discover that he couldn't tell anyone but Ulquiorra about it. But right now, he needed some sleep. Grimm slouched down on his bed, fiddled with his clothes as he tried to undress by only using one arm, then resolutely threw his zanpakutou into a corner.

Naming a sword…ridiculous. he thought when he heard the handle clang against the ground. He proceeded to wash the blood off his face and torso over the sink, and he suddenly chilled when some of the water streamed through the hole in his stomach. It felt like sitting in a rollercoaster that suddenly sped downwards.

When he was done freshening up, he lay down on his bed. He wiggled around a few more minutes as he tried to find a comfortable position, so that he wouldn't lie on his shoulder nor on his extern jaw, and when he had settled he allowed his body to rest.

Meanwhile, Ulquiorra was still pondering in front of the great door. Five minutes later, when Aizen was done talking to fox-face, he had retreated into the shadows of Hueco Mundo…

To be continued, I've got at least one chappie almost typed. A long one

Read & review please, I like encouragements XD No really, constructive criticism appreciated dearly.