Part 6: Hueco Mundo Vol.2, 4-3

Ah... Um...

It's really you... Master Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, Espada Number Six.

Tsk!

I figured things would be like this.

Ichigo...

You know what I brought you here to do. Now, heal.

Ah...

Ichigo! Ichigo was only trying to protect Nel!

Nel was just a burden on Ichigo! Nel only got in the way! If Nel wasn't around, Ichigo would be alright! It's only because Nel's here!

These bad things only happened to him because he tried to save Nel! It's all Nel's doing that Ichigo has gone away! You've got to save him! Please!

Quiet!

Wah...

If you keep on crying like that, you'll be picking your teeth up off the ground. That clear to you, kid?

You can stop all of your damn noise. He's going to be healed anyway.

(There's an incredible amount of spirit energy swirling around Ichigo's wounds.)

(I can't...reject it.)

(I don't understand! Who would do such a thing?)

It was Ulquiorra.

It's very particular to him, like a signature, but I doubt he's aware of it. When he finds prey who catch his eye, he stabs them in the same spot where his own hole is.

I'm going to teach him...

...something about the nature of punishment for taking someone else's prey.

It's Nel...

...and Orihime.

Ichigo!

I-Ichigo!

Shut your mouth, girl! If you have time to make a fuss, then just heal him already!

What the... Grimmjow! Why are you with Orihime?

Shut up, Ichigo. She's healing you, alright? And when you're completely healed, you and I are going one-on-one, Soul Reaper.

It can't be true! Is that the only reason you want him to heal?

Quit all of your complaining! If it wasn't for me letting you save his life, he'd be dead! Now get to work!

Hurry! Ulquiorra will catch on to what's happening sooner or later and come back. And before he does...

Ulquiorra...

What's going on here? What are you doing?

Hmph...

You refuse to answer? Fine, have it your way.

Regardless, the bottom line is, Lord Aizen has entrusted that girl to my care. Hand her over.

I don't think I will.

What did you say?

You heard me. But just so you're clear about my position here, let me demonstrate!

Don't think I don't know what's going on with you, Ulquiorra. You're scared of fighting me!

You're afraid you'll lose, and be crushed!

Damn it.

Tsk. Guess he got one shot on me.

What...did you just do up there?

Aizen gave each one of the Espada something called a "Caja de Negacion," which we can use to punish subordinates. I used mine just now.

It's a powerful tool that can permanently seal away the victim into another dimension.

But its power is limited. It's not made to be used against Espada. Considering the strength of his Spiritual Pressure, we've got two or three hours before he breaks free.

There's no time to waste. C'mon! Hurry up and heal your friend.

I won't.

Perhaps you didn't hear what I said, but it wasn't a request! Get to work!

If I heal Ichigo, you'll just turn around and hurt him some more!

You damn tramp!

Orihime.

Please, heal me.

Huh?

And...I want you to heal him, as well.

Listen kid. You'll find that's a big mistake. I don't need your pity.

Oh, it's not pity. I assume you want us both to fight at our full strength, right?

Or am I mistaken? Do you plan to use your injuries as an excuse when you finally lose?

Alright then, bring it on!

Let's have a fight to the death!