Soul Butterfly Daycare: Bad Hair Day
Bad Hair Day: Ulquiorra returns to the daycare after having his tonsils removed, still disoriented and thinking that he is a hollow… only to find that it’s time to get a hair cut.
Ulquiorra spared his classroom a quick glance before returning his attention to his father and teacher who were both engrossed in deep conversation.
“...the medication has some peculiar side effects.” His father was explaining.
“He keeps calling me 'Lord Aizen' and insisting that he has wings.” Ulquiorra drowned out the rest of the conversation and slowly ventured into the classroom.
Inside he found a myriad of colors, sounds and smells that he was unaccustomed to. Was this truly life on the other side? Had he been reincarnated after his last battle with Ichigo Kurosaki or was he just in Hell? The disturbing thing was that no one else aside from Ulquiorra had any recollection of any of the events in Hueco Mundo. It was as if the Winter War had never happened.
According to his father - who was not his master - if Ulquiorra continued to indulge in such fantasies then he would be locked away in an institution for the troubled mind. Silence was thus his resolution. He would not say anything. Even if this 'Soul Butterfly Daycare' was modeled after the grand meeting room in Los Noches, with a large table pristine white table centered in the middle. And if the the uniforms were eerily similar to the garments word by the Shinigami, well it didn't really matter.
Ulquiorra recognized two of his classmates as Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kutchiki engaged in some sort of wrestling match on a rug with an artificial rabbit looking on. He tried to force down the feelings of insult that he had been defeated by the pathetic looking, primitive human rolling around on the floor.
His eyes scanned over to the Quincy, whose name escaped him. The boy was holding a a toy arrow and sticking into into a doll's arm, like it was a syringe. Ulquiorra had been told that he had been subjected to the same technique by the Quincy when he had collapsed, but had no memory of such event.
He recognized Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck as she licked the surface of a giant poster on the wall with the image of various vegetation and fruits. Ulquiorra briefly considered speaking to her to see if she too had any previous knowledge of how they had come from Hueco Mundo to this new realm; but one glance at her tongue swiping over the paper image of an orange had him reconsidering. She was clearly just as clueless and juvenile as the rest of his classmates.
Ulquiorra felt a wave a disgust roll through him. He didn't know what was more repuslive - being a child or just a human in general.
“Yo, Batman!” An annoying yet familiar voice called. Ulquiorra tensed, thinking that someone was insulting his Resurreccion, Segunda Etapa. A moment later he felt a hand slap his back with such force that he fell over.
“Grimmjow,” He acknowledged with a disapproving frown, all the while mentally cursing his weak, miniature form.
“Dude, you were a total freak in the hospital.” Grimmjow snorted, spraying saliva onto Ulquiorra's face. The latter wiped it off quickly.
Ulquiorra was aware of his social status with Grimmjow. The idea that they were 'friends' left a bad taste in his mouth, but it was something that had to be endured for the sake of appearance. He had mentally prepared himself for the situation ever since Lord Aizen - who was his father - had told him back in the hospital.
“Before you continue your insults, you should recall that after my tonsils were removed, the pain medication that I was given influenced my behavior.” Ulquiorra recited the explanation from memory. Grimmjow smirked.
“Are you still taking the medication?” He asked haughtily. Before Ulquiorra could retort, he felt someone yank on his arm demandingly.
“There you are.” An impatient voice interrupted. Ulquiorra vaguely recognized her as one of the humans that he and Yammy had attacked in the park - in an alternate universe that he would not speak of.
“Tatsuki Arisawa,” He greeted in monotone. The tomboy rolled her eyes.
“Come on, I need your help. It's Orihime.” Ulquiorra felt his heart quicken as he allowed the short haired girl to lead him to the woman. Finally, a human that he actually wanted to see.
Ulquiorra was led to a corner of the room where he was surprised to find the woman sitting alone with her arms wrapped around her knees and white hoodie over her head.
“While you were gone, some of the other girls from Ms. Sui Feng's class ganged up on Orihime... they cut her hair.” Tatsuki explained. Her voice was angry but her eyes were sad. Ulquiorra felt a similar sentiment.
“She won't talk to me. She comes in and goes and sits by the window and won't move unless she has to go potty. She gets up when it's time to go, but she won't play anymore. Old man Yamamoto told us to let Orihime be, but it's been three days.”
“...and you think she will speak to me?” Ulquiorra questioned. Tatsuki shot him an annoyed look.
“Well you are her best boyfriend.” Ulquiorra had no idea what the human terminology meant; but he had a heart now and the Woman needed him. She had helped him in the past - and it didn't matter what universe it was - now it was his chance to return the favor.
“Go find me some scissors,” He ordered the tomboy and was thankful when she obeyed without question. It gave him some time alone so he could be with his human. She was crying.
“Tears do not suit you Woman,” He told her and watched as she tightened the hood over her head.
“Please go away 'Quiorra.” She begged. Ulquiorra reached for her but she pulled away.
“I thought you were not afraid,” He scolded and knelt down to where she sat. Orihime sniffed.
“I'm not afraid of you, just what you'll think.” Her words were a hushed whispered of fear; nevertheless she allowed Ulquiorra to gently pull the hood away when he reached for it a second time.
Where her hair once flowed to her waist, it was now cropped cropped harshly around her chin. Orihime held her breath and bit her lip as she waited for Ulquiorra's reaction. His fingers ran gently through the soft locks and caressed the edges almost curiously. His eyes never left hers, though.
“You will start a trend.” He stated. Tatsuki took that moment to reappear and hand over the scissors. Without breaking eye contact, Ulquiorra took the scissors and cut his own hair.
It was worth the woman's smile.
Previous Index Next