//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: A New a Beginning 
// Story: Heart 
// by Akatsuki God 
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"Why have you treated my wounds?" Ulquiorra asked before looking up to face the two ponies that stood on either side of his bed "Who are you?" He the asked to them.

The white pony gave off a surprised gasp as the darker one continued to stare in intrigue, as if trying to make out what exactly he was. "Oh, excuse me, I was unaware of your ability to speak." Replied the white pony  before giving off an embraced smile as an awkward laugh sounded from her lips but after a second or two, she noticed that the expression on his face had failed to change so she assumed that he didn't care for such a mistake. "I'm sorry, where are my manors?" She then asked rhetorically after composing herself. "I'm nurse Red Heart." She said, causing him to slightly alter his facial expression out of surprise. This went unnoticed by the ponies as the nurse continued as she brought a foreleg up and pointed it to the other pony. "And this his Princess Luna, she's the one who found you and brought you here." She explained.

"We are elated to meet thou, and to see that thou is in now in good health." The dark alicorn said in a straight foreword and regal tone as a smile from her had quickly taken shape.

Ulquiorra only stared at them. "Heart..." He muttered to where they could hear his voice, they both were surprised at his somewhat odd response as Red Heart came closer, thinking he wanted to tell her or ask her something. "Tell me." He said to them followed by a short pause. "What exactly is...a heart?" He then asked.

Red Heart gave him a quizzical look, turning to Luna shortly after had told her the she was clueless as to if actually didn't know what a heart was or what he meant by it. Luna only shrugged! Telling her that she was just as confused as her. The only thing relating to a heart with him as far as they knew was the hole in his chest that he was found with. "Uh, well...the heart..." She began to answer as she turned back to him and notice his lifeless stale, sending a chill down her spine as she swallowed the lump that began to form in her throat. "...is the organ in your chest that...pumps your blood throughout your body in order t-"

"That's not what I meant." He rudely interrupted in annoyance as he gave the same stare that caused her and the Princess to be so nervous. He closed his eyes, probably still weak from his encounter with Ichigo and by the time he had grabbed at his chest, his eyes shot open as he finally noticed that the hole in his chest had closed off completely. He paused in confusion and for the first time in a while he was so surprised that his face had visibly changed to match his state of shock and at the same time, he began to tremble lightly. "What...!?" He then felt on his head only to feel hair and without the figure that resembled a broken off helmet. "And here too..." He then said to himself as he began to calm himself.

Red Heart and Luna only stared at him in confusion, both wearing concerned expressions on their faces. Red Heart then took a step toward him, leaving a foreleg in the air upon stopping and causing Luna to momentarily shift her focus to her. "What's wrong? Red Heart asked. "Is everything okay?"

Ulquiorra then took his right arm and moved it to the side of his bed. And even my zanpakuto has gone. he then thought. He then looked up to Luna. "You." He demanded. "Where is it." He then asked. He looked to the side that his helmet like figure once resided. The remainder of my hollow mask is no longer on my head... he then shifted his gaze to his chest as he placed his hand over where the hole used to be. ...and the hole in my chest has vanishedhe then looked back to the ponies, who were now in shock because of the accusation. Because of this, its no wonder I've felt this weak upon regaining my consciousness, because it caused me to loose almost all of my spiritual pressure." Although there is no doubt that they were probably the ones who took my sword...they couldn't have had anything to do with either the hole or the mask. he then rested his arms. 

Nurse Red Heart jumped back. "What do you mean, what is it you want?"

"You mean that sword don't you?" Luna then questioned sternly, causing Ulquiorra's eyes to narrow slightly. "I took the liberty of confiscating it for such items are forbidden for anyone outside of the guard. Besides, here, you will have no use fo-"

"Hand it over." He then interrupted. "It is mine and mine alone, taking it from me without my consent would only mean that you see me as a threat." He inquired as Luna's expression began to show a hint of annoyance to almost match that of the tone of Ulquiorra's voice.

Silence enveloped the room as the two only stared at each other almost in a challenging manner, as would be taken by any other ponies that happened to either be in the room at the time or passing by. "I see that you have finally awoken." Came the very pleasant and gentle feminine voice of yet another being in the room which caused both Luna and Red Heart to turn in surprise which was pleasant, unlike the other surprises for them so far. Ulquiorra was sure that the voice came from another pony and as soon the she stepped out it became obvious that his assumption was accurate as the form of a large white pony, similar to Luna because of a her wings and long pointed horn. "Good morning, I am Princess Celestia, and I am very pleased to meet you and to see that you are okay." she introduced before giving off a warm and regal smile. "And welcome to Equestria."