Amarte es mi Pecado CH.12: Rivalidad (Rivalry)

It was difficult to know what went on behind Ulquiorra's emotionless mask. He had always been calmly calculating and efficient when given orders. So it came as no surprise that he was a natural-or as well as could be termed within the definition of the word: a prodigy. He absorbed all that was taught to him by the Shinigami, first of all by their former guard now-teacher.

Rukia Kuchiki.

The petite Shinigami's name shouldn't have affected him thusly. It was perhaps the warmth of the day that his body used to the cold climate of Hueco Mundo with its false sun, became immediately..tingly? His face marked forever by the green tracks felt unusually warm after leaving the Shinigami's presence. Ulquiorra knew he owed her implicit trust and the fact that because of her, the other Shinigami-like Sixth's Lieutenant, were less hostile.

Even friendly. Ulquiorra had no desire for the intimacy these contacts brought. He was a soldier and was only made for such. Observing the former Sexta's clumsy interactions with the petite Shinigami had only convinced the ex Cuatro that his old subordinate was...becoming docile.

Grimmjow hadn't broken any rules. Curbed his temper, moderated his speech and...

Now this couldn't be. Ulquiorra's dark brows met in a straight line. He wasn't...jealous of the attention Rukia paid to the Sexta, now was he? Of course not. The very idea was ridiculous! Preposterous! He had been aware from the start of Grimmjow's baiting and the way the wild teal eyes instead of darting for a way out had focused on the Shinigami's face.

Grimmjow had hid his disappointment well when another had taken her place to guard them, then was elevated to his usual spirits when it was announced that she would take on the task of teaching them Shinigami fighting skills. Interesting.

Through it all Ulquiorra remained a detached observer. Or at least he assured himself he had. What went on between his former comrade and the Shinigami was of no concern to him, he was merely repaying some of his debt-

"Schiffer." The calm baritone voice broke into his line of thought.

"Captain Kuchiki," Ulquiorra lifted his gaze to the tall imposing figure of Rukia's brother. The man's slate eyes were unreadable passing over him. "Accompany me to my office, there is a matter I must speak to you about."

Unperturbed by the suddenness of the request for he knew he had done nothing wrong to cause censure, Ulquiorra murmured his assent and followed Byakuya's shunpo at a more sedate Sonido. Once they reached the Sixth Division office where the Lieutenant's desk was still empty, the Noble frowned disapprovingly at this then with a dismissive sigh seated himself behind the large desk, gesturing to the single chair at an angle to it.

"Please be seated."

Ulquiorra sunk into the chair, feeling the steady hum of Byakuya's reiatsu pulsing within the small confines of the room. A short silence fell before the Noble cleared his throat, affixing his gaze upon Ulquiorra's face. "Kurosaki came to me night before last and laid some charges I would like to furthermore disprove. Will you answer me truthfully or to the best of your ability?"

Wondering where all this was going, he replied as succinctly as possible. "Yes."

"Good." Byakuya observed him narrowly, "you seem to be highly intelligent." A thin furrow in his smooth brow lead Ulquiorra to believe he was referencing Grimmjow. "Unlike that other."

There was a difference of more than a number between Cuatro and Sexta; but Ulquiorra didn't think that Byakuya would appreciate the reminder of the past ranking, so he kept silent.

"However I did not call you here to discuss your superior intellect-moreover ..." the Noble seemed to hesitate, his aristocratic nostrils flaring sharply with a deep inhalation. His gray eyes slanted off, away from Ulquiorra's face in some embarrassment. "Does Grimmjow have feelings for my sister?"

"I do not know..." Ulquiorra trailed off, his mind turning to his previously interrupted thoughts. "for sure. I cannot disavowal their existence yet I myself cannot fathom their extent."

Byakuya nodded briefly to himself, "as I thought." Then more to himself, "perhaps I should've tasked Kurosaki to bring me more evidence other than Abarai's account."

Renji? What had he seen that... "Pardon me, sir, if I may question the contents of your Lieutenant's story?"

"You mean you didn't know?" A slight note of surprise colored the steady tone. "Abarai said that he had come across them in a compromising position a few nights ago."

(*~*)

So large... Rukia's mental commentary ceased, all brain waves stuttered and died.

"Ru...kia, wait."

She had seen it. Little/big Grimm-kun semi-hard lying in-her mind snapped down on the image. Her face burned and her heart sounded like an ocean roaring in her ears. .Gods. She had just seen-!

And he had caught her! Waves of shame washed over her, her knees felt weak. Rukia longed to bolt but didn't think her legs could carry her far enough. Oh why-oh why hadn't she waited outside? Ulquiorra had said he was probably done...and would be decent, added a tiny voice in the back of her mind.

"Don't go." his voice broke through the haze of mortification.

She instantly froze. Thank goodness her back was to him, otherwise he'd have seen her tell-tale tomato red face. "D-D-decent!" she was aware of the high-pitched squeak being nothing at all like her usual bossy tones. "G-g-get d-decent!" she balled her fists at her sides to keep from trembling.

A squelching sound came from behind her. "Could you.." more movement. Awkward shuffling. Rukia turned her head slightly, from the corner of her eye she watched him jab a finger in her general direction. "Get me a towel?"

Rukia flushed even deeper at the implications of their situation. The towel rack was against the wall beside her. To take him one... swallowing her embarrassment, Rukia turned and took a hold of one of the fluffy white towels from the wide shelf. Careful to slant her eyes away from other areas, she went the remaining steps to the shower stall.

"Thanks." Their hands brushed as he took it from her.

Her skin tingled from the contact.

An uncomfortable silence fell, broken only by the occasional swipe of the towel against skin.

"So..." Rukia felt like she had to say something, anything to break the discomfiture between them. "Ulquiorra told me you had tried to go the Kuchiki mansion..but was turned away."

"Yeah.." he muttered shortly.

Rukia clasped her arms about her torso, hugging herself. "I'm sorry. I'll make sure to let them know you're to be given entrance."

"Just..me?" There was a hint of delight that she wondered about. To test her suspicions further, Rukia offhandedly added, "oh, Ulquiorra too."

Heavy silence.

"After all he did carry me..." as she said it, her cheeks grew warm again. Ulquiorra had carried her ever so gently and carefully... it was difficult to countenance such gentleness with the ex Cuatro Espada. Rukia wouldn't have believed it within his nature to be so caring; he had called her trash-sama once! But... she lightly touched her lips with folded fingers. It had felt nice...

"Stupid Ulquiorra.." Grimmjow muttered under his breath; yet she still caught it. "Always trying to show me up." The rustle of robes falling into place reached her ears.

What did he mean by- she began to turn, her brow furrowed. "What do-"

Suddenly the sound of footsteps came up behind her.

"Oh, I'm sorry-did I interrupt something?"

"Kurosaki.." Grimmjow growled, teal eyes narrowing in despise at the Shinigami sub standing in the doorway.

~To be continued~

AN: sorry if not much happened. :P

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