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empressofrizalia · 3 years

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Blue is the color of Destruction (Pt.½)

Kingdom!Hueco Mundo

Warnings: cursing, mild violence, Characters may seem a little OOC (I mean it is an AU where different events happen and they all experience things differently from the show, and I feel like they as characters have the potential to be so much more in depth than what was given in the anime - or at least from what I’ve been told is given), Reader is referred to as a Female (them honorifics for royalty can put you in a tight spot! Let me know if you would prefer the whole MaleOption/FemaleOption thing though).

Y'all I am trying to watch/rewatch Bleach? The first time I saw it was the end of the 3rd season, and I’ve seen bits and pieces of the Arrancar arc, and even less of the arcs after that. I found it interesting and I know - for the most part - what all goes On, but this show is such a commitment lol.

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“I don’t see why we can’t just take the damn bastard to the Arena and be done with him.” Nnoitra was fuming as he and Harribel made their way through town towards the castle with a small hoard of varying levels of hollows behind them. A rogue Adjucha that had been hanging around near their home made another hit on them when they were mere miles from the kingdom. Normally they would have no qualms with fighting him full on and dragging him back to the palace, but he only ever attacks when they have too much to lose in a fight - home is too close and they have too many innocent refugees with them who may get caught in the crossfire. “The little ones we have with us are much more important, you know Her Majesties orders. Supplies can be replaced, lives cannot.” Though Harribel had to admit, the situation irked her. This was becoming a regular thing - they would send scouts to gather up strays looking for a home, as well as scavenge for goods and supplies they would find in abandoned or devastated villages, then return with what they had. Each and everytime, without fail, they would be attacked - normally the rogue made off with a good chunk of their findings and a couple small or lower class hollows - no doubt for a snack or quick meal. This time their leader had sent out a couple Head Knight’s, in hopes that it would deter him from attacking the small party, but to a rogue Hollow who doesn’t have to abide by a higherarchy - rank means nothing to him. "Yeah, yeah,” the one-eyed soldier waved off his assigned female companion, “I just don’t see a reason to try and take this one in though, he’s causing us too much trouble.” Harribel couldn’t help but snicker at this, “So did you, but you’re still here aren’t you? And a high ranking knight no less.” Nnoitra opened his mouth to make a snarky comment but he was cut off when the cement doors to the large dome structure opened up, revealing the queen herself - you.

“M'lady,” Harribel sputtered out, she was surprised to see you - normally you waited for the scouts to arrive at the castle so you could personally show the new additions around. However, she hadn’t failed to see the worried look on your face. “I heard about what happened,” you rushed over to the two reaching for their hands and lifting their arms to make sure they had all their limbs like a worried mother. “Such a woman,” Nnoitra chuckled at this, his tone holding a bit of snark to it - though it was all bark and no bite “Worrying about nothing - we’re fine.” Harribel elbowed the taller male on his side, causing him to let out a pained huff at her silent correction. “Yes, your majesty,” the blond replied, “Though this time he was only able to make off with a few supplies - the hollows we found were spared.” The female Arrancar turned to look at the straggling group behind them - a mixture of Adjuchas and Vasto lorde with cracked or broken skulls - their weakened state forcing them to take the form of children or small animal-esque creatures. You smiled sadly at them before looking back up at the two in front of you. “Come, this isn’t the place to be having this discussion,” you turned around and motioned for the group to follow you through the doors, “We’ll get them settled in for the night, then we’ll discuss how to take care of our little pest problem.” Nnoitra’s eyes lit up as he and Harribel began to follow you, the Menos not to far behind. “Oh hell yeah! I’ve been itching to put that stupid cat 6 feet under!” He was quite enthusiastic, “Actually, make that 600 feet under!” This response earned another jab to the side from Harribel, “Watch your tongue, around the Queen.” You giggled in response, watching the village grow closer as you progressed in your journey back.

Many other “children” laughed and played in the streets, blissfully unaware of what they were, and the terrible fate that brought them here, their amnesia accompanied by damaged masks adourning their heads. Some of them ceased their games in favor of examining the new group that had just arrived and, remembering their first times here, offered the newbies to join them. However, the new arrivals had preferred to either stay behind you, Harribel, and Nnoitra or gawk at the open blue “sky” above them in awe as a few clouds passed over. As you approached the large steel bar gates of the castle, they opened - Ulquiorra and your two personal guards waiting for you on the other side. “Your Highness,” Ulquiorra began, giving a small bow as he spoke with Starrk and Mel standing on either side of him, “we would appreciate it if you didn’t try and sneak away every chance you get.” Some of the newbies gasped at the their appearance or perhaps it was the large castle behind the three royal guards. One of the Hollows who worked there approached you all as you headed inside the building - large mahogany doors creaking as they opened. “Do you think you can prepare a few rooms for our new guests,” you addressed the lower class hollow as they approached, “Let them divide the rooms amongst themselves since some of them will probably want to group together.” They nodded in responce, “Yes, your majesty,” and revealed a rather soft mousie voice for a creature of ‘her’ size, “Come along little ones!” She bowed before turning around and stretching out a hand to her side, encouraging the new arrivals to follow as she headed down the west hall of the large palace. You couldn’t help but smile at the sight of them following close behind the maid like little ducklings, the larger Menos of the group following close behind as well.

As they disappeared through the hall, your smile did as well. “Ulquiorra,” you turned to look back at your armor clad Arrancars, “Make sure that Adjuchas’ schedule is clear tomorrow, I want her to show them around town.” The green-eyed attendant nodded in acknowledgement, “Yes, M'lady.” You walked passed him, the five of them quickly following on your heels, “And summon the rest of the Head Knights,” you paused in your stride to turn on your heels and look at the pale-faced Arrancar, “Tell them to gather their platoon leaders and squad leaders; and meet me in Baraggan’s main quarters as soon as possible.” You turned around again, “We need to talk about our little feline friend hanging around outside our kingdoms walls,” taking another determined step down the castle entry room and continuing your stride. “Yes, M'lady,” Ulquiorra nodded as he and the other Arrancars watched you practically storm away in a huff.

Starrk was the first to break the silence after you went up the stairs and disappeared behind the large white and gold doors at the top, “What’s got her so riled up,” he yawned while scratching the back of his head - as if the amount if energy your presences exuberated was enough to make him tired in your place. “We were attacked again on our way back by that rogue.” Harribel’s voice was flat as she stared at the spot you had once been in, “I imagine she’s worried. Today we came back with more defenceless Menos, surely if she had sent scouts like she normally does they all would have been gonners.” Starrk grumbled in understanding before sighing and walking off, “Well I better go get Lilynette.” The four that were left remained silent for a moment, “We’ll help you round up the others,” till Nelliel stepped forward to stand beside Ulquiorra. “We?” Nnoitra mocked, “We sounds like too many,” till he was cut off by Harribels sharp reply, “You and your squadron leaders need to show up as well.” The lanky Knight clicked his tongue in annoyance before glaring at the blond Espada, “Fine.”

When the Head Knights arrived in Baraggan’s chambers with their platoon leaders and squad leaders, they entered to find you pacing back and fourth, deep in thought, and chewing on the tip of your thumb nail - the rooms host sitting a bit to the side of you on a bone-white throne against the back wall. “Princess, if you keep that up you’re going to make a rut in the tile,” Baraggan’s deep gruff voice echoed through the room accompanied by the clattering of heavy steps on marble floor. His voice, along with the sound of footsteps, was enough to snap you out of your daze - body stopping in sync with your mind. Your royal guard now all stood infront of you, Espada standing side by side at attention in a line with the platoon leaders standing behind them, and the squad leaders behind the platoon leaders. Your brows furrowed at them, wondering why they were acting so formal till you figured it was because their squadron leaders were standing behind them. You waved off the thought, “At ease,” you now stood facing them in the center of the room - Baraggan still sitting in his glorified chair a bit behind you, “there’s no need to be so tense. I just want to talk about the recent events that have transpired on our last excursions to find more refugees and supplies, as well as what we’re going to do to fix the problem.” The meeting didn’t take long at all with you and your Espada working together to devise a plan to take the rogue Adjucha into custody.

The plan was simple - send out some soldiers of varying rank dressed in tattered hooded cloaks to conceal their identities, make it look like they were townsfolk who simply decided to leave - afterall it wouldn’t be the first time Menos have left to live elsewhere of their own volition; give them a few hours to surround the area (out of sight) where the attacks normally happen and then send out Starrk and Nel on a normal supply run. They would then come back some time later with some supplies and “refugees” in hopes of looking like an easy target, and when they engaged the target the soldiers stationed in the surrounding areas would close in to help Starrk and Nelliel. The soldiers already with them were under orders not to intervene till back up got their, then they would set off a flare to signal the rest of the Head Knights to come help, then they could reveal themselves. If they couldn’t overwhelm him with power then they would do it with numbers.

Some odd hours had already passed since then, and unfortunately, you were forced to stay at the castle till it was safe to confront the rogue Hollow. So here you were, sitting at a small table in the library infront of a balcony, playing chess with Ulquiorra as you waited somewhat impatiently - the clatter of plastic hitting wood echoing throughout the large room. “You seem distracted, Your Majesty,” the sound of his voice snapped you out of your thoughts. “Oh, sorry,” you picked up a pawn and moved it forward - putting it in the perfect position to confiscate one of Ulquiorra’s black Knights, however, you didn’t take the piece off the board and instead returned to gazing out the large open glass doors, “I’m just thinking about what we’re going to do with the rogue once we bring him in.” Your attendant picked up his own nearby Pawn, “I thought that had already been decided,” he moved it forward one space before taking your opposing white Pawn, “We would take him in, just as we did with the others, keep a close eye on him, and if he tries anything suspicious he would be dealt with accordingly. Just like the others.” You frown slightly, your attention being brought back to the board when your piece was taken, “Yeah, but is seems like such a waste,” you moved one of your Bishops and took one of his Pawns, “Going through all this to bring him into custody, just to put him down like some kind of rabid animal.” In return, the Espada used a Bishop of his own to take the piece you had just moved - successfully avenging the little black piece that now sat on your side of the table, while simultaneously cornering your Knight, “You can’t save every Menos and Arrancar you come across, I thought you would have learned that by now.” You quickly moved one of your Rooks, claiming his Bishop and effectively protecting your Knight, “Yes, but in case you’ve forgotten, I made it my personal goal to at least try.” The pale Arrancar moved the black Queen a couple spaces over to the side - effectively walling it off behind his remaining Knight and Bishop. You picked up your Rook piece again, moving it into a spot that put his King into check before a confused expression appeared on your face, “Ulquiorra, I know I’m not as good at chess as you are, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave your King unprotected like that,” moving his Queen off to the side had left his King out in the open. “No,” Ulquiorra remained staring at you with his usual straight face, “But my goal has only ever been to protect my Queen.”

There was a moment of silence, surprised written on your face till you relaxed into a soft smile. Ulquiorra could be so unintentionally sweet some times, and he didn’t even know it-

Bang.

You jumped slightly, the loud, booming sound knocking you out of your thoughts. Ulquiorra stood from his seat at the table and stared at the large white doors to the library as they opened to reveal one if the lower ranking Knights. Seeing the Hollow, you slowly stood from your seat as well. “Your Highness!” The night quickly gave you a nervous bow before turning to give The attendant standing next to you a rather stiff salute, “They’ve made contact with the rogue Hollow!” You spared a glance in Ulquiorra’s direction to gauge his reaction, but as per usual - there wasn’t one. With a tight smile, you looked back at the Hollow and nodded in acknowledgement, “Thank you.” It hadn’t even been ten seconds after the lower ranking hollows departure that your pale faced attendant let out a sigh and began moving toward the library’s entrance to escort you to the kingdom’s gates, and ultimately the rogue Adjucha. You gave a real smile this time, pleased that your companion knew you so well.

As you quietly followed the Head Knight, a small hop to your step due to that fact that this fiasco would finally be over with, you wondered what you would do with such a strong hollow - make them a knight? Well they would have to prove themselves first just like everyone else, and that’s even if they want to be a knight…or if they even want to stay in the kingdom at all… You can’t just go back to your game of cat and mouse though - him attacking your convoys after every recon mission. Details, details. You would cross that bridge when you got there.

It didn’t take long to get to the gate at all. What would have taken several hours walking on foot was cut down to a fraction of the time with Ulquiorra’s Sonído. The time it took for the news to reach you of the run-in with the rogue, combined with the time it took to reach the gates and then finally arrive at the rendezvous point, had given your small legion a few hours to weaken the feline Adjucha.

You were treated with a rather sad, but necessary sight as the royal guards cleared a path for you. The panther-like hollow was battered, and bruised with dark Navy blue fluid seeping from some of his wounds. He snarled at you as you approached him - struggling against the spears that had been lodged into the sand on either side of his head to form an X over his neck and causing the welders of the spears to both tighten there grip and increase the pressure they put on him to make him stay down. You examined his condition form where you stood, taking in all the wounds that would need healing - particularly a deep gash that was nestled just cranial of his pelvis and caudal to his hollows hole. The gash was strewn across his spine, providing an explanation as to why it didn’t require more knights to hold him down, and why he had yet to lunge for you - he couldn’t, as his limp rear legs indicated.

The guteral roar the Adjucha shot in your direction snapped you out of your thoughts and brought your attention back to the Hollow before you, his deep blue eyes almost the same color as the bodily fluids flowing from his wounds. You took another step forward, eliciting another growl and struggle from the panther as you reached out for him.

“Perhaps,” Ulquiorra reached and grabbed you by your outstretched hand, “We shouldn’t do this here.” Your focus was once again broken as you glanced into Ulquiorra’s deep emerald eyes and you swallowed thickly before nodding your head and bringing your hand back to your side. “Your right,” you let out a deep breath before steeling yourself and turning to look at Nelliel, “We’re taking him to the castle.” The green-haired Arrancar nodded before approaching the pinned Adjucha and hitting him hard on the side of his head with the sheath of her katana - a loud crack lost to the wide open 'night’ skies of Hueco Mundo. You flinched slightly at the sound, knowing that every act of violence could verywell make it that much harder to recruit this hollow.

It hadn’t taken long at all to reach the Arena, two to two and a half hours tops with the everyone using Sonído to get there. Once you all arrived Ulquiorra lessened his grip around your waist and released you from his hold. “Come,” you walked past Starrk, who was still carrying a very unconscious hollow in his arms, “We’ll take him to the dungeons beneath the surface till we know it’s okay to let him out into the general populous.” The brunette guard followed you silently along with Nel, Ulquiorra, and the rest of your head nights - Harribel following soon after she dismissed the squadron leaders and ordered them to go to the castles Infirmary. Once down in the dungeon, your two personal guards shackled the sleeping Adjucha to the stone ground - a loud click assuring that he was restrained before you slowly approached the chains and placed your hands on them. You muttered an incantation in an ancient dialect the Arrancars couldn’t understand and the chains began to glow a faint pale yellow.

Starrk, Nel, Ulquiorra, and Harribel watched with blank expressions as you stepped closer to the unconscious panther till you were mere inches from the hollow and then knelt down next to him. “Princess,” Yammy reached out for you with a glare adorning his features, what if he woke up? Nnoitra meanwhile, placed a hand on the larger Knights shoulder - his firm grip warning the Espada not to interfere. Yammy swiftly turned to look at whoever dared to stop him only to meet the sharp threatening eyes of the Mantis Arrancar. Normally the larger lug would have fought back, but the aura that began to fill the dank room sent a shudder through him and he looked back towards you. The spiritual Pressure you exuberated was immense and breath taking, and had it been raised in his direction out of malice - he would surely have been brought to his knees with just a glance. This was the first time Yammy ever experienced your spiritual pressure, but for Nnoitra and the others it had an all too familiar feel to it.

A pale yellow light shone from the palms of your hands as you stroked the sleeping beast before you, touching your hand to his temple and then ghosting it over his head, neck, over the hunch of his shoulder blades, down his spine, and finally halted at the gash across his lower back. The wound began to disappear, navy blood receding back into the gash as it shrunk in size - vanishing with the rest of his injuries and his breathing went from laborious to relaxed. You smiled softly to yourself before clapping your hands together, given the lower class form he was in, it had been relatively easy to heal his injuries. With the bright yellow light still shining from your palms you separated your hands and focused in on the Adjuchas spiritual energy before the light turned into a bright electric blue and spiraled in between your two palms before condensing into the shape of a ball.

“Would you all please give me a moment?” Zommari and Aaniero left the dungeon without question, Yammy following behind them after only a moment’s hesitation. The others - mostly those who had been with you since the beginning with the exception if Nnoitra stayed behind. “I’ll be fine,” you tried to reassure them. Harribel flinched, lowering her arms from their normally crossed position before taking a half step away from the group only to return her foot to its previous spot, though after a silent stare off with you, she caved with a sigh - orders were orders, and she probably shouldn’t even be down here given the fact that she wasn’t even a Head Knight. Nnoitra followed, and after another moment Starrk, Lilynette, and Nel silently left as well, the green haired guard sparing another glance at you before leaving the room. All who remained was Ulquiorra, who normally wasn’t one to disobey orders, “If he attacks?” A question that had popped into everyone’s mind, but hadn’t been voiced till now. His expression remained stoic, and his voice was even as he gave you his usual blank gaze.

You sighed, “You don’t have to go far, just out of sight.” For a moment you thought you would have to voice another argument before the pale Arrancar broke his gaze with a blink and turned to leave the dungeon, “As you wish your Majesty.” As the large metal door shut with a bang, you sighed with relief before continuing back to your previous ministrations, reaching over to the feline Adjuchas muzzle, lifting his head so it’s at a 90 degree angle with the ground, and then pryed his mouth open with one hand, and placed the ball of light at the back of his throat with the other. You quickly shut his mouth before his gagg reflex could kick in and massaged the underside of his throat to stimulate swallowing. Once you were sure it had gone down, you gently placed his head back down on the ground to allow him to wake up on his own.

The higher class Menos awoke with a start, the feeling of someone or something touching him making him assume the worst. You quickly pulled away from the Adjucha, jumping to your feet and taking several steps back as you watched the Hollow gain his bearings - chains rattling as he looked around frantically. “Where the hell am I,” he snarled out at his head whipped from side to side - seeing only stone walls. Then he turned his attention to you and glared as he tested his range of motion in the chains, “And why the hell am I here?!” You raised your hands slowly, showing you weren’t armed before doing a slow turn, “I don’t want to hurt you, I just want to help-”

He roared, cutting you off midsentance, “I don’t think your friends from before got the memo,” he attempted to stalk closer to you but the chains stopped him, “And just why the hell am I chained?!”

“I may be kind, but I’m not stupid,” you slowly lowered your hands. The panther growled lowly, “Kind?” He let out a huff, a dark chuckle reverberating from his throat, “Is that what you call having your lapdogs tear me apart? Bullshit.” You raised a brow and watched him as if examining his body as you had done when you looked at his injuries, “Looked in a mirror lately?”

The Hollow perked up, raising his head from it’s guarded position and turning to look at himself - barely realizing that he was up on his feet and able to walk whereas he hadn’t been able to before. The gash across his lower back, and the cuts and scrapes were all gone, “How long have I been out?” He sounded slightly wary, examining the range of his movements as if to check if his body was functioning properly. You took the opportunity to walk closer to him, your steps silent on the cobblestone floor as you approached - reaching out to place your hand on the side of his face, “Only a few hours.”

The Adjucha jumped and snarled, turning to look at you and unwittingly touching his head into your hand. He froze, finding himself unable to move as the light shining from the chains seemed to shine brighter. He swallowed thickly as your Spiritual Pressure surrounded him and it was clear he was struggling to stand with the weight you were pushing on him. You brought your other hand to the other side if his head and moved your hands to his temples. You gazed into his eyes and peared into his mind, “Hmmm…” The large feline flashed his teeth, he wanted to fight back, but with the shackles around his legs he couldn’t make a move; everything just felt so… warm.

Your head tilted to the side slightly, “So that’s why you kept coming back, Grimmjow, you had mouths to feed, and they look to you for guidance.” The feline before you glared, “What are you talking about?” You rubbed your thumbs against his temples in an attempt to get him to calm down, “The Adjuchas you’re keeping held up at wherever it is you call home… What are their names? Shawlong, Edrad, Nakeem, Yylfordt, and Di Roy?”

Grimmjow roared, wanting to go for you, or at the very least, bite your hands off but the more he even thought about lunging for you the brighter his chains shone, and the more evident your spiritual Pressure became against him. “You bitch!” His frame became tense and his legs shook as they stuggled to keep him upright.

“Relax,” the palms of your hands were beginning to shine a pale yellow again - your attempt at putting his mind at ease, “Like I said before, I don’t want to hurt you, and that includes your friends,” there was a moment of silence before four loud clanks filled the empty dungeon room, “I just want you to give me, my home, and my Arrancars a chance.” Grimmjow looked down at his feet as you removed your hands from him and took a few steps back. He looked at you, expression a mixture of anger and confusion, but he figured that if he said no, things would end badly for both him and his… allies, “Fine.”

A soft but victorious smile graced your face and, as if on cue, Ulquiorra entered the dungeon causing you to turn and look at him while eliciting a defensive growl from Grimmjow, “Your Majesty,” your attendant addressed you with a bow of respect - having been standing outside the door the entire time he knew the conversation was over and it was time to show the possible new addition around. “Well, Grimmjow,” you placed a hand on the hunch of his shoulders, trying to placate him, “I believe then, it is time for your tour.”

The Panther huffed, tail whipping about in annoyance, “I’m not one of your lapdogs,” he walked ahead of you, and towards the door only for Ulquiorra to stand in his way - hand already poised on his sword, “Such blatant disrespect towards the only reason you’re still breathing.” You raised a hand, calling the attention of Ulquiorra to you, “Its fine Ulquiorra. He’s just a little on edge, and rightfully so.” You walked forward to stand next to the Adjucha, “I mean we did jump him, drag him into an underground dungeon while he was unconscious - he has the right to be upset and at the very least, a little snarky.” Grimmjow snorted, the sound more of agreeance than humor as he watched the exchange. “Yes, M'Lady,” the personal guard nodded in acknowledgement, before shooting a stoic yet threatening stare at the feline. “Tch,” Grimmjow clicked his tongue, “Whatever,” before he continued on to the door alongside you.

As you, Grimmjow, and Ulquiorra ventured into town via an underground tunnel, you were joined by two other guards, Starrk and Nel, who chose to suppress their Spiritual Pressure and hang back in case anything went awry. You showed the Adjucha all around town, explaining to him the gist of how this place worked - every few days you would send out scouts to go look for refugees and materials to build homes or other types of buildings, and then bring everything back to allow the Hollows to build a home for themselves. The small housing units were built for Hollows who wished to live alone, while the bigger ones were made for groups of Hollows who chose to stay together. The sight that greeted Grimmjow when he stepped out of the castle was one that surprised him - knee high Grass with patches of flowers sprinkled throughout and the odd tree here and there, straight ahead was a large, black, steel bar gate with tall off-white painted walls on either side of it. If you peered between the bars you could see the village just outside the castle borders, small shacks, houses and market stalls sat along a stretch of dirt road, but that wasn’t even what amazed him the most - what really took him by surprise was the expanse of bright blue above him with carrying sizes of white fluff floating overhead.

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