After some running in the Garganta, we quickly arrived in Hueco Mundo. We were greeted by the constant night, and the grey sand. I hated being back already.

"Aizen would be in Los Noches," Kisuke stated the obvious.

"Then let's go," Ichigo nodded, trying to hide his irritation for being back here.

Up ahead, I could already see the familiar walls of Los Noches. It was a lot farther than it looked, it was just that Aizen had built it to be so big.

Orihime grabbed my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, as if she could sense my dread. I had left this place, without any plans of ever returning. But Aizen had quickly ruined that. I felt like I didn't even have time to enjoy myself in the World of the Living.

We started making our way towards Los Noches. To my surprise, I began to feel guilty, as this was the place that I had killed Ichigo, and where I had brought Orihime to when I kidnapped her. At the same time, I was feeling... happy... because this was also the place Orihime had brought me back to life, and we had admitted our feelings towards each other. Where I first began to have feelings. Where I first held my Princess's heart.

As we walked, Orihime started getting closer and closer to me. I squeezed her hand, then moved my arm to wrap around her shoulders, to give her a one armed hug.

"It'll be alright," I whispered gently into her ear, feeling her tremble slightly under my grip. I could sense her fear of Aizen. My Princess did not want to confront him again. "I will protect you. Aizen will not get you again, Princess."

Orihime nodded into my arm and leaned into me. I kept a firm grip around her shoulders, afraid that if I let her go, she would blow away, like the sand.

My mind began to wander off, wondering why Aizen would choose to go to Hueco Mundo, to Los Noches after finally getting free. Halibel and Grimmjow wouldn't work for him again, not after the way Aizen stabbed Halibel as she was fighting Captain Hitsugaya.

My left hand went towards my zanpakuto. The Soul Society never confiscated it, much to my surprise and lack of understanding. I do not understand why they chose to trust me so easily. Did they somehow know Aizen would free himself and wanted to use my power against him?

Did they plan on using me from the beginning?

I shook the thought out of my head. If anything, I deserved it, I deserved any punishment. I had worked for Aizen, kidnapped Orihime, and killed Ichigo. Yet the Soul Society showed kindness, by allowing me to stay in the World of the Living. And for that, I was grateful. I'll do anything they ask of me.

"Whatcha thinking about, Ulquiorra?" Orihime broke me out of my thoughts.

"Nothing important," I replied, not wanting to explain my train of thought. I do not think it is necessary to make Orihime worry about me, along with Aizen.

***

"Itsaaaaaagoooooooo!"

"Nel?"

Suddenly, Ichigo flew backwards as the force of a small child crashed into him.

"Ichigo! You came to save us!" Neliel Tier-in child form-cried tears of relief as she gave the substitute soul reaper a death hug.

Despite Nel needing comfort, Kisuke spoke above her sobs.

"Nel, why are you in child form?" Kisuke asked. "If you need to be saved, shouldn't you at least be an adult?"

Nel held up her wrist, but there wasn't anything there. "Aizen stole the bracelet you gave Nel!" she sniffled. "Now Nel can't choose what form to be in!"

Ichigo patted Nel's head. "Don't worry, we'll stop Aizen."

"Is he still here?" Uryu asked.

Nel shook her head. "He fought Halibel, then left! Nel doesn't know where he is now..."

"Is Halibel alright?" Orihime shifted nervously.

"You have to help her! Come on!"

Nel jumped off of Ichigo and grabbed Orihime's hand before running, forcing Orihime to run after her.

Fortunately, we didn't need to run far, as the battle took place right in front of Los Noches.

Halibel was lying on the sand, barely staying conscious. Orihime didn't waste anytime summoning her Shun Shun Rikka.

It took a while, but Halibel was eventually healed.

"It was Aizen, right?" Kisuke asked, as soon as Halibel was standing.

She nodded. "As soon as I rejected his proposal to join him again, he attacked."

"What happened to your three beast friends?" Ichigo asked.

Halibel glared at him for the name he chose to call them, but didn't bother correcting him. "I don't know. I have no idea where Aizen went after he finished our fight."

"I'm surprised he didn't kill you," I pointed out.

"Ulquiorra!" Orihime protested at my wording, which I only shrugged at.

Halibel nodded, agreeing with me. "It is a surprise. He must have a bigger plan in store that requires us alive. Beware when you find him."