4-3 Ichigo Vs. Ulquiorra: Battle Rejoined

Are you afraid?

You are useless to Lord Aizen now. There is no one here to protect you. You are alone. It's over.

You will die here. You will die all by yourself, with no one to witness it.

............

So I want to know. How frightened are you?

............

I am not, at all.

You see, now I know that my friends came to rescue me. So right now, my heart...

...my heart is with them.

What nonsense.

You're not scared because your friends have come for you? You can't be serious. You really think they can save you?

Absolutely.

When I was told they were coming here to get me, at first I was happy.

But it also made me sad.

After all, the reason I came here was so I could protect them. I thought, "Why did they have to come? Didn't they realize what I was trying to do?"

But then, when I felt Rukia's pain, and when I saw Ichigo fighting with all his might, I finally realized none of that mattered.

But still, I couldn't bear to see Ichigo get hurt. I desperately wanted everyone to be safe.

And that's when it hit me. They must've felt the same way that I do.

I mean, if one of them suddenly went missing like I did...

...there's no question. I would do the exact same thing for them.

It might be impossible to feel exactly what someone else is feeling.

But when people truly care about each other, their hearts grow so close you can't tell the difference between them.

That's what it must mean when they say two people are of one heart.

Your heart, you say?

Nothing exists that I can't see. So if I can't see it, it's not real. That is what I believe.

Tell me, what is a heart?

If I tore a hole in your chest, would I see it?

If I split open your skull, would it be there?

............

Ichigo.

Step away from her.

I was just about to.

My responsibilities are clear. My duty is to protect Las Noches until Lord Aizen returns.

I haven't received orders to take the life of this woman. Until those orders come, I will allow her to live.

However, you are a different matter.

Killing you would be absolutely within my duties of protecting Las Noches.

You shall die by my sword.

I barely nicked you. That Hierro of yours, it sure is tough.

And yet, it looks as though I'm reading your movements better than I ever could before.

Really?

The last time that we battled together, I couldn't read any of your moves at all.

I had to make guesses about your attacks, defense, and speed. I couldn't read what was coming at me, or from where.

I felt like I was fighting against an emotionless statue or a machine.

So why am I able to read your moves this time? Is it because I've become more Hollow-like?

Actually, I think it's because you've become more human.

Did you say that...I've become more human?

I see.

You must feel very proud, just being able to keep up at this level.

Let's see how long that will last you.

............

Ichigo.

Well, well, well. What've we here?

Hey there, sweetheart. Remember me? Huh, I guess not.

I mean, I can't say I'm surprised, really. I'm so ordinary. Why would the little freak of nature trouble her precious mind with the likes of me?

That's about to change though. Say goodbye to your ivory tower, hon. Your little reign is over.

Orihime!

Who the hell are they?!

Stay back! Don't you even think about it, you hear me?! Any closer and I'll gouge her eyes out!

Arf, arf!

Arf!

Shut your yap, mutt!

Arn...

*Yawn*

This is such a pain in the ass.

Let's go.