Ulquiorra's wings were the first to go; little by little, they broke off and disintegrated into tiny particles that were carried away in the wind.

"Kill me," he told Ichigo. When the red-head hesitated, he added, "Hurry up. If you don't kill me, this will never be over."

"This isn't the way I wanted to win!" Ichigo yelled out finally.

"Hmmph. Even in the end, you'll never do what I want."

Now Ulquiorra's body was beginning to fade into the wind.

Then he turned around, his dark green eyes resting on Orihime.

"I'm finally starting to find you guys a little interesting," he said softly. After a moment of hesitation, he extended his hand to her.

"Are you scared of me? Girl."

Orihime's eyes widened and she swallowed, then answered, "I'm not scared."

The corners of his seemingly eternal frown turned up ever so slightly.

"I see."


Orihime felt she could never get him out of her mind…the emotionless Arrancar, ranked fourth in the Espada. He was gone now, but his memory still lasted.

That was what pained her the most.

What was he supposed to be to her? An enemy, was he not?

He had captured her and brought her to Aizen on orders…

Yet…

She didn't know how, or why; maybe it was the countless days of being in that room in the Las Noches and he being the only visitor. Daily visitor.

It was only an order…

He is gone now. Ichigo has killed his soul, and he is no more.

Orihime refused to listen to the inner voice, her inner voice, telling her what seemed like lies.

She was reaching for something that was never even there…but she couldn't, she wouldn't convince herself that he was dead.

She believed he was still out there…somewhere.

She believed he was still alive.

She believed he would always be watching over her, like he had in the Las Noches.

And she would pray.


"Oi, Orihime, are you coming?"

Tatsuki was standing by Orihime's house, calling inside.

"Coming, Tatsuki-chan!" Snapping out of her thoughts and pulling away from the soothing and beautiful sight of the sunset, she grabbed her things and raced downstairs to join Tatsuki. It was another day of another festival.

As Orihime shut the door and dashed after her friend, a hazy figure wearing that of an Arrancar's uniform, hands in pockets, appeared next to the lamppost. His dark green eyes watched her until she vanished from sight.

A faint smile graced his lips; the corners of his mouth turning upwards, ever so slightly.

And he was gone.

~FIN~


A/N: This is the first angsty or dramatic story I've ever written!!! I know, it sucks a lot, but I'll learn! Now, now, please don't request for any scenes where Ulquiorra comes and kisses her because I hate writing kissing scenes. It's...kinda gross. Yeah. I'm not the romantic type, people, so...yeah. XD I might rewrite this fic once I get enough inspiration... (I came up with this fic during class and most of it (which happened to be the best parts...) vanished into thin air...ugh...) I hated it when Ulquiorra died...I want Tite Kubo to revive him...but too much already happened...*cries* Anyways, everybody....review, if you can!!!!!!! I'd appreciate it very much, all you experienced writers out there, if you can help me improve my writing!! Thank you!!! *waves and grins*