Once the two left, Harribel turned to look at her three female Fraccion. "Are you okay, girls?" she asked.
The three girls nodded. "Yes, Harribel-sama," Sun-Sun replied. "He had just started attacking us when Ben arrived."
Harribel nodded. "Go and get yourselves cleaned up girls."
The three girls nodded to Harribel and started to walked off. But not before each of them looked at Ben. There was respect, gratefulness, and possibly admiration in their eyes.
"Thanks, Ben," Apache muttered, looking at the ground
"We are in your debt," Mila-Rose said, her head held high and without shame.
"You have our gratitude." Sun-Sun said with a curt nod.
All three girls suddenly bowed their heads to Ben, then Harribel before walking off.
Harribel then turned to look at Ben.
"Ben Tennyson, I would like to thank you for protecting them. Did you do it because they were your teammates?"
Ben nodded.
Harribel looked at Ben. He was so willing to help. This was the second time Ben had stood up to an Espada to protect another person. He is a good person. She thought. He does not belong here of all places.
"Ben Tennyson," she said. "I will be honest with you. Several people here would have simply let Nnoitra do whatever he wanted to them."
Ben's eyes widened in shock. "What?" he yelled outraged. "But surely Aizen wouldn't have..."
"Some of us here tend to forget the rules that Aizen-sama has made for us. Nnoitra is just one example."
Ben looked at the ground, angered that some people could be so cruel. Harribel noticed this.
"Which makes me grateful that it was you of all people who arrived at the right time. For defending Apache, Mila-Rose, and Sun-Sun, you have gained my trust in you. I am proud to have you as a member of my Fraccion."
Ben felt like he was being honored. He smiled. "Thank you, Harribel."
Harribel allowed herself a small smile behind her mask and jacket. It was nice to have someone like Ben here. Harribel had forgotten what it was like to be human. She could only remember her life as a Hollow. A Hollow eat Hollow world. Then Aizen came along and gave Hollows a purpose. But still, Harribel found no one besides her Fraccion who she could feel connected to. Then the human known as Ben Tennyson arrived.
Ben was powerful, resourceful. Yet he did not try to take power for himself. He was willing to put his life on the line for others. And it seemed no matter what, Ben would never allow himself to give up. Harribel could see why her girls admired him.
It was never quite revealed how, but news that Ben fought Nnoitra soon spread throughout Las Noches. Ben, however, suspected that Apache, Mila-Rose, and Sun-Sun had something to do with it. Especially since the rumors made sure to mention the fact that Nnoitra wasn't able to do much damage to Ben when he was NRG. And how Ben was able to hurt Nnoitra.
"This is becoming more and more wonderful," Szayel screamed with joy to his Fraccion. "If Ben keeps teasing me like this I won't be able to control myself. I just want to experiment on him until I can't do anything else. If only Aizen-sama would allow me to!"
"Is it true?" Lilynette yelled right in Starrk's ear, causing the Primera Espada to groan in pain. "Is it true that Ben fought with Nnoitra?"
"How should I know?" Starrk said groggily. "I wasn't there, so I don't know what happened."
Lilynette began stomping on Starrk's side in frustration despite his protests.
Baraggan was furious.
"That brat thinks he own the place," he fumed to his Espada. "Going around and trying to pick fights with the Espada of all people. Aizen needs to teach that boy his place."
While most of Baraggan's Fraccion immediately started agreeing with him, Charlotte kept his mouth shut. Baraggan was still mad at him and Avirama since they had technically lost to Ben.
The rumors had mixed results with everyone in Las Noches. Some treated Ben with respect and a tiny bit of fear. Others saw Ben as someone who needed to be taken down. Aizen himself did not saying anything to Ben about it, but he hadn't done anything to end the rumors either. Whether or not he believed, Ben had no idea.
Speaking of Aizen; he, Gin, and Tosen were talking amongst each other in Aizen's throne room. Their topic of course was Ben.
"I haven't seen this much excitement since that Ryoka had burst into Soul Society," Gin said. "Imagine what would happen if those two were to meet each other."
"Ben is nothing like Ichigo Kurosaki," Tosen snapped at Gin. "Benjamin is truly one of justice."
Gin's smile showed his teeth. "Oh, looks like you've got yourself a new buddy, eh Tosen?"
"Pure beings like Ben and I must stay together," Tosen said to him.
"I am certain that no one can deny that they are impressed with Ben," Aizen said after being in lost in thought.
"Do you intend to pit Ben against Soul Society?" Gin asked pleasantly. "Is he your little trump card?"
Aizen just smiled at Gin. "Tell me, how do you think Ben is adjusting?"
"Ben has not complained," Tosen spoke. "He does want to go home, but he was angry when I told him about Soul Society."
"Aw," Gin said in a mock whine. "You told him your little story didn't you?"
"Soul Society wronged me," Tosen said. "Benjamin has the right to know about the evil he is up against should he fight them."
"Having Ben on our side is a good thing," Aizen agreed. "But he still needs more experience before he goes up against Soul Society. Also, I still need a few preparations to make before we put our plan into motion. Are Ulquiorra and Yammy ready to go?"
"Well Yammy's been complaining about how he's die of boredom until they go," Gin answered. "He's been itching for you to allow him to fight Ben again."
Aizen gave a light chuckle. "I expected as much," he said. "It won't be long now."
Meanwhile, Nnoitra was furious. He had been made a fool out of by a lonely human. Even weaklings like Grimmjow were mocking him for being wounded by Ben.
"Nnoitra-sama," Tesla, Nnoitra's only Fraccion said. "Why are you so…?"
"Just shut up, Tesla!" Nnoitra yelled at him. "Do you not understand? That human humiliated me! And he did something that no one should've been able to do!"
He turned around so that Tesla could see the nasty burn marks on his back, causing Tesla to wince.
"He hurt me!" Nnoitra roared. "That human was able to hurt me!"
Tesla could understand another reason for Nnoitra's anger. The fact that someone was able to Nnoitra brought back memories. Memories that Nnoitra hated more than anything. Memories about the one person who he could never defeat. Her.
Nnoitra clutched his fists tightly as the hatred surged through his body.
"I will make you suffer for this, Ben Tennyson! I will make you suffer!"