Grimmjow realized what a strange creature she was when he first felt his hand slowly being pieced together. There was no one else like her in Las Noches. The residents were colorful characters, certainly, but no one else had that mane of sunset-colored hair cascading like a waterfall down their back, and no one else had those steely eyes that carried a kind of quiet dignity. The blue-haired Espada was fairly amazed by her healing abilities, and he was slightly disappointed when Aizen decreed that she was not to use her offensive maneuver. He knew Yammi said it was weak, but what did he know? And besides, Ulquiorra had apprehended her on her way home from training in the Seireitei. Who knew what she had learned there? Grimmjow would have given the arm she had returned so easily just to face her in battle.

The 6th Espada trailed quietly behind Ulquiorra and the young woman. He wanted to see if he could convince the petite woman to break her promise and at lease show him her offensive power. He waited for about ten minutes, and then his dark comrade emerged from the room. Shit, Grimmjow cursed inwardly as he saw Ulquiorra carefully lock the door behind him. As the 4th Espada strode silently off, Grimmjow walked up to the door. Well, even if he couldn't see her, he could at least talk to her.

He raised his hand to knock when he heard a tiny sob. Grimmjow's hand froze in the air. Okay, he could deal with women but definitely not crying women. Deciding this was a good a time as any to bow out, he started to turn around.

"I-is anyone there?" he heard a watery voice burble. Apparently, the strong front she had held for Aizen and the others had tumbled down.

Grimmjow sighed and leaned against the door, slowly sliding so he was sitting on the floor. "Yeah," he muttered to the floor. He leaned his elbows on his knees as he hunched.

"Is it okay to be talking to you?" Orihime looked at the tearstains on her short school skirt. Her comfy sweater seemed like a small hug, reminding her of Ichigo's polite "Good morning" Uryu's cold nod, Chad's stoic wave, Tatsuki's cheery greeting, everything she was probably missing this morning at school.

"Probably not," she heard a rough voice chuckle ironically from the other side. "But I don't mind." Orihime turned and faced the door, shock clearly etched across her face. Was this… kindness she was being shown? In this pale hell?!

"I'm, um, Orihime Inoue," she stuttered, pressing the palms of her hands to the door.

"Um-Orihime?" Grimmjow snorted. "What kind of name is that?"

"Just Orihime…" she gave a watery laugh.

"Hm," Grimmjow didn't repeat the name. It wasn't that it was a bad name certainly, but it was a mysteriously feminine thing that didn't belong rolling off his tongue. "I'm Grimmjow Jeagerjacques."

"Were you—"

"Yeah," Grimmjow cut her off with some embarrassment. Greatfulness wasn't really his bag, but, in this girl's case, he'd make an exception. "Thanks for healing my arm."

"Um, you're welcome," Orihime hugged her knees close to her ample chest and curled her toes, as she tended to do when she felt troubled.

Grimmjow paused. What was he supposed to say now? It wasn't like they could talk about hobbies or anything like that.

"…Are you hungry?" he muttered. Okay, playing butler wasn't something he normally did either, but, again, he'd make an exception if this was the only way to see her abilities. Grimmjow quite suddenly heard some measured footsteps coming around the corner. "Shit," he launched to his feet, storming away. He definitely didn't feel like facing the quatra Espada today, not over this woman. "I'll be back later."

"No!" she cried out sharply. "Please stay…"

"Nn," he grunted. "I'll come back later."

"Okay…" her voice still sounded sad and vulnerable.

"I promise."