Reaching For You

Summary- Orihime and Ulquiorra spend a lot of time together in Hueco Mundo. They learn from each other. They grow closer. Too close. They know how their story will end, but can they change it?

**This is a new Ulquihime story obviously lol. I'm following the manga and anime very loosely obviously. But I definitely feel that Orihime and Ulquiorra had way more things going on during their time in the Hueco Mundo arc. So its stretched out, a little hint of feeling from day 1.

**This has been edited for errors, and to add a few minor tweaks.

DISCLAIMER- I do NOT own any rights to Bleach. They all belong to Kubo.

Prologue

I was doomed from the moment I laid my eyes on him. Everything about him called me to him. I was drawn to him like the sun was drawn to the shadows, always wanting to bring light and warmth to the cold darkness. I couldn't take my eyes off him. I couldn't help as I shivered whenever he spoke in his smooth, monotone voice. Like a soft caress to my very core. I didn't realize it then, but I was already lost to him.

I should have hated him. From the moment I laid my eyes on his perfect emerald eyes, I should have hated him. Simply because he was my enemy. I should have hated him for calling me trash. I should have hated him for wanting to hurt my friends. I definitely should have hated him when he told Yami to kill me. But I couldn't bring myself to hate him. Not even from the start.

I don't know why I didn't hate him. Even now, I couldn't tell you. Maybe it was that day in the park, when Yami had punched me, sending me flying backwards. For a moment, I could have sworn I saw shock and anger on his beautiful features right before he struck Yami. Maybe he was angry at him for rushing into a fight with Ichigo. Maybe it was wishful thinking on my part that he would feel anything towards me.

I should have been scared, and angry, and I should have hated him. The truth is, I wanted him from the very beginning. Everything I thought I knew, everything I had believed in. Nothing made sense. Not anymore.

We were polar opposites. We were enemies. We were friends. And I was lost to him from day one. This. My feelings for Ulquiorra, was my ultimate betrayal.

"I know what I feel is real. I can't believe it was all a dream, or an act. I just can't. It hurts too much." I speak quietly. " I feel it in my heart that all of this, everything we have been through, all of the pain and happiness. It was real. No one can tell me otherwise. I know in my heart…"

"Heart, you say? You humans are so quick to speak of such things. As though you carry your hearts in the very palms of your hands…"

Chapter 1- My Prison?

I followed Ulquiorra down the hallways of Las Noches. My head was still spinning from everything that had just happened in the past 24 hours. First, I was cornered by Ulquiorra and his demands that I come to Hueco Mundo with him. Willingly! He used my love for my friends against me, and I was powerless to deny him. I didn't even know if I wanted to go against his orders.

I had to say goodbye to the one boy I had ever loved. I had to leave my friends without so much as a word. Right when we were on the brink of a war. And now, I'm here, leaving a meeting with the man that has caused so much pain for so many people.

They wanted me for my powers. They asked me to heal their comrade, Grimmjow, mending his arm from nothing. Many were impressed, some were frightened. I couldn't blame them. Sometimes my powers frightened even me. The only one that didn't even flinch was Ulquiorra. I could never tell what he was thinking.

Even now, he was silent. Looking bored as he walked me to my room. I don't know why I even wanted to know what he thought. He was my captor, bringing me to my prison cell. The only thing I knew about him was that he was logical, probably to a fault.

He had no emotion as he opened the door to my room. He stood off to the side, allowing me room to walk through the door.

The room was as cold and desolate as Hueco Mundo itself. There was only a couch on one side of the room, a bed on the other and a window high towards the ceiling with bars on it. The room had no color, it was as white as the sands of this place. The only beautiful thing was the bright moon shining through the window. The howls of the hollows reminded me of wolves howling at the moon. For a brief moment, I wondered if maybe I was looking at the same moon as in the human world.

A silly thing to be thinking about at a time like this. But what else did I have? I had to hold onto what little I could grasp onto. Whether they were the silly hopes that I wouldn't be here a long time, or something as childish as thinking that my friends would be looking at the same moon as I was. Call me crazy, but maybe little silly things like this would get me through whatever I was going to have to go through. I was trying to prepare for the worst, but praying for the best.

"I will be back later with your food." He turned to leave.

Without thinking, I reached out and grabbed his arm. He was surprisingly warm to my touch. He looked down at my hand on his arm. I hesitantly brought my hand away from him. I didn't want to let him go, or lose the warmth of his arm. Bowing my head, hands grasped in front of my chest, I apologized. I don't know why I didn't want to let him go. I just knew I didn't want to be alone in this room. I was already their prisoner, did they have to keep me locked up like one? There was no way I was going to be able to escape.

"I'm sorry, Ulquiorra. Do I have to stay in this room? Can I explore a little bit?"

"No. You would just get lost or get into some sort of trouble." He replied coldly.

I kept my head lowered as I turned away from him. I looked through the window into the starry night sky of Hueco Mundo, as I heard the door click shut. It truly was a beautiful sight. I stood there, staring at the sky, thinking of everything that had happened. Maybe this wouldn't have happened if I were stronger, better. I had trained with Rukia in Soul Society for a month, but we both knew it wasn't even close to enough. Even though, she did try to make me feel better about my inferior abilities. But I couldn't shake the feeling of being a burden to my friends.

As my anger at myself grew, my eyes filled with tears of frustration. I sat down on the couch, wringing my hands on my lap. Why did I have to be so weak? Why couldn't I have just said that I wouldn't come with him? Because you would have forfeited your friends lives. My friends can handle the Espada's, they don't need me to protect them. You wanted to go with him. You wanted to be near him, learn more about him. That's not true… Is it?

I shake my head, hoping to shake the thoughts, memories of him from my very head. I couldn't think about him. Or should I say, I shouldn't. I want to know more. I want… I don't know what exactly I want. I want so many things. I want my friends to be safe. I want Karakura Town to be safe. I didn't want there to be a war. I want Ulquiorra to be safe. He didn't seem like he was truly a bad guy. At least, I didn't think he was. Or rather, it didn't feel like he was truly a bad guy. I could only hope I was right.

"Hey Princess! Just thought I would come in and say thanks for my arm back."

"You're Grimmjow, right?" I asked, looking up at the blue haired man that had just come crashing in through the door of my prison cell.

"Yeah, that's me."

"Will I be okay here? What's going to happen to me after I restore the Hogyoku?"

"You'll be fine, probably. After, that's up to Aizen. I wouldn't worry about it. Can't change it anyway."

"Yeah, can't change it. But is this going to be my life from now on until Aizen decides he doesn't need me anymore? Sitting in a dark room, all alone?" I took a deep breath.

I tried not to think about it. I didn't want to think I would die here, with no one that cared around me. I'm sure the Espada's would much rather I just keel over right now. They didn't need the weak human to hinder their mission. Even if they did need me at some point.

Even though Grimmjow never put it into words, I knew what my fate was. The minute I was no longer of any use to Aizen, my life was forfeit. And I couldn't see any way to stop it from happening. If I destroyed the hogyoku, I would be killed. But at least Karakura Town would be safe. But what about my friends? Would they be safe? Aizen would probably kill them all and make me watch just to spite me. I couldn't risk it.

"You have us now. You're one of us whether we, or you, like it. If anything, you have me to keep you company." He really was trying to make me feel better.

And then, a thought occurred to me. I could do just about anything. Within reason, of course. They couldn't kill me. They might be able to hurt me, but maybe I could get away with small things. Like walking around Las Noches, or even going for a walk outside of the walls. With an escort obviously.

So, like a toddler learning the world. The right from wrong, safe from dangerous, I decided to test my limits. Standing up, I looked at Grimmjow.

"I want to explore. If I'm going to be stuck here, I might as well know a little bit more about this place than this room."

"You're gonna risk pissing off Ulquiorra, huh?"

"He doesn't seem to care about me anyway. So as long as I'm alive and not trying to escape, he doesn't have to bother."

I reached out my hand to his. At least I had one friend here. Or at least, as close to a friend that I could have right now. I had to look on the brighter side of things, and not dwell on the negative. Otherwise, I would never make it through this.

He took my hand in his and led me to the door. Walking out the door and turning into the hallway, I smacked right into Ulquiorra. Oh crap. He wasn't going to be happy about this one bit. So much for spreading my wings a little.

He stood in front of us, looking down to my hand in Grimmjows, his cold stare looked back at me. I kept my head down. I didn't like the look that crossed his beautiful face. I had to bite back the urge to move his hair from his eyes. I bit my lower lip, waiting for him to finally speak, move, do something. ANYTHING.

"Where do you think you're taking her?"

"She just wants to go for a walk, explore a little. Lighten up man."

"Lord Aizen put me in charge of her, not you. What makes you think you can do with her as you please?"

"Can't you see how scared she is? She's barely keeping it together and you aren't exactly Mr. Emotions or very compassionate!"

I lifted my head slightly, looking between the two arguing Espada. If it was at all possible, it looked like Ulquiorra was more annoyed than ever. They stared each other down for what seemed like ages. I had to do something. Instinctively, I reached my hand to Ulquiorra. Putting my hand on his. He looked down at my small hand on his.

Ulquiorra grabbed my hand, pulling me further into the hall, away from Grimmjow.

"Don't ever touch her again." He said coldly, pulling me further down the hall.

I looked back at Grimmjow, who stood there watching us disappear down the hall, shaking his head slightly.

"You didn't have to be so rude. And its not Grimmjows fault. It was mine. I asked him to take me exploring. I'm sorry, I didn't think it would be such a big deal."

He looked at me from the corner of his eye. As if looking at me fully was going to kill him. The silence was deafening. The only sounds were of our feet hitting the floor as we walked down the long hallways. I had no idea where we were going. Without thinking, I called on Tsubaki, and aimed him at the hand that held my hand in his.

It barely fazed Ulquiorra, but it did make him drop my hand. I stopped walking to glare at him. He really needed to learn to be a more decent being. Some manners would be nice. Tsubaki settled himself on my shoulder, probably waiting for another order to attack. Ulquiorra took a step toward me, I stood my ground, not backing down from him or his frighteningly blank stare.

"You were going to take me somewhere?" I glared straight into his eyes, catching my breath as I realized the mistake I had made.

"Get away from her you!" Tsubaki yelled, now standing on my shoulder, pointing frantically at him.

Ulquiorra didn't even bat an eyelash as he kept his eyes locked with mine. Obviously ignoring Tsubaki. I couldn't help but to giggle a little. It was a little amusing that a little guy the size of a fairy would threaten an Espada that easily overpowered him.

"Its okay, Tsubaki. Ulquiorra won't hurt me, now will you?" I said, looking at Ulquiorra out of the corner of my eye.

Tsubaki took a second to judge the situation, finding that I was safe for now, before taking his place back on my hair pin. I turned back into the hallway, waiting for Ulquiorra to lead me wherever he was taking me. I could feel his eyes on my back, shivers went through my body. I didn't have time to think as I felt Ulquiorra's hand on my back, making me turn down another hallway. My heart quickened at the contact. I prayed he couldn't hear my heart pounding through my chest. We stopped at a door, Ulquiorra taking a key from his pocket and placing it in the lock. When the door opened, I was surprised at how similar to my room it was. Only there was more furniture and it was slightly bigger.

A bed with a black comforter and white sheets sat under a window, end tables on either side of the bed. A desk on one wall, a door next to a closet across from the bed. The bed looked comfortable, I decided to give it a try. Running past Ulquiorra, I flung myself onto the bed, burying my face in the soft pillows. The bed was soft, yet firm. It felt so comfy, after such a long day that I'd had, I could fall asleep.

"Get out of my bed. I brought you here to shower, not to dirty my bed."

"Sorry, you know I haven't even tried the couch or bed in my prison cell. I mean room."

Ulquiorra opened the closet, as I sat up on the side of the bed. He pulled out a towel, and tossed it at me, it landed next to me on the bed. I stuck my tongue out at him for throwing it at me, which he ignored as usual.

"I figured you would be more comfortable taking a shower in private rather than the public showers we have in the training room. I will go grab you some clean clothes. Leave your uniform out here so it can be disposed of." He said, swiftly leaving the room.

I sighed to myself, pulling my school sweater over my head. I folded it neatly, placing it on his bed. Unbuttoning my shirt, I kept thinking of everything that had happened recently. I thought of the one person I said my goodbyes to. Ichigo, the boy that had my heart since the night my brother died. How he never noticed. I wasn't exactly very subtle, but he was... Indifferent, oblivious at best. I thought about what I had said to his sleeping form, the words he would never know I had spoken.

I grabbed the towel, wrapping it around my naked body, walking toward the bathroom. The bathroom was definitely bigger than I had imagined. It could easily fit 3 or more people in just the bathtub. Everything was white, with a black see through shower curtain. On the counter by the sink I saw shampoo, conditioner, body soap, even a razor and ladies shaving cream. He certainly plans for everything. I lifted the body wash bottle to my nose, opening it to take a whiff of the strawberry scented soap. Just like at home. How thoughtful. He made sure you had things you liked while you're here. Yeah, he's probably just a creepy stalker. Maybe a little, but at least he's more observant than a certain someone. I shook the thoughts from my head. I definitely did not need to be thinking things like that.

I turned the water for the bathtub on. I felt like a bath would be better than a shower. At least in the bathtub, I could soak and drown out the world for a little while. And maybe that little voice in my head would disappear for a little while too. Good luck with that one. But of course, I wasn't so lucky.

I settled myself comfortably into the hot bath water, letting the warmth relax my muscles. I was more tense than I realized. It didn't surprise me. I didn't have much time to relax this past month. It was a wonder that I could even move. I grabbed for a washcloth, working the body wash into a lather. I washed myself, working at the knots and tense muscles. I dipped my head underwater, getting ready to wash my hair.

The door to the bathroom came crashing open and Ulquiorra walked through. I bolted upright in the tub, grabbing the curtain around me. He really needs to learn some manners. This is just ridiculous. I might be a prisoner here, but I deserved to be able to bathe in private. Where the hell was I going to go? There were no windows or anything to escape from.

"Your new clothes are on the bed." He said blandly, closing the door behind him as he left.

So he was probably making sure I wasn't going to try and drown myself. An appealing fate if I even remotely thought it would help. Looking back, I couldn't say exactly why I didn't just try to kill myself. All of my instincts told me to hold on. I just knew deep down, with every fiber of my being, I didn't want to miss a thing.

Now that my bath had been completely ruined, I quickly washed my hair. Climbed out of the tub, draining it. Was it weird that I was still surprised that Las Noches even had plumbing? There was still so much left to learn about this place. I wondered what other surprises were in store for me. You're having fun, aren't you? Seeing, learning and experiencing new things. Its not enough for me. Its not enough to learn and experience new things in chains. I want to be free to do these things when and how I want. Would he understand?

I walked out of the bathroom, towel wrapped firmly around me. Ulquiorra was sitting at his desk. I tried my best to get closer to him without him knowing. I was curious about what he was doing. As I got closer, I saw he was busy writing something.

"I want to explore. I won't run. I won't try anything. I don't want to be locked in a cage like some uncontrollable pet." I spoke just above a whisper.

"I know this, Onna." He replied without ever turning to look at me.

"Can you take me exploring?"

Ulquiorra stood up from his chair. He turned to me, his piercing green eyes on me.

"Get dressed, Onna."

I looked to the floor. Of course he wouldn't agree to my request. I walked over to his bed where my clothes were neatly laid out. It was a beautiful white and black dress with an overcoat. The bodice was strapless with a thin black stripe going along the hem. A black sash around the hips, that preceded a slightly flared skirt. Mostly black with white crossed strips boots were on the floor. I felt the fabric as I admired the dress. The material was soft and thin, but even now, I could tell they would keep the chill of Hueco Mundo at bay.

"I took the liberty of picking something out for you. This was one of the more modest pieces among the collection. Most of the females here prefer to show more skin."

"Thank you. Its beautiful."

"My patience is wearing thin. Get dressed."

I picked up the dress and rushed into the bathroom. Getting dressed quickly, not wanting to annoy him any further. He didn't seem like the talkative type, nor the patient type either. I looked myself over in the mirror, making sure the dress was just right. It seemed to hug my curves nicely. And it didn't seem like it would slip down. I hoped it wouldn't anyways.

When I left the bathroom, Ulquiorra was standing in the middle of the room by the bed. His usual stiff posture, hands in his pockets, a reminder of how uptight he could be. For being so lean, I could see the muscles of his arms through his jacket. He was definitely nice to look at. If he were human, and a little warmer, he would definitely be very popular.

"That outfit surprisingly suits you. You look beautiful."

I was more than surprised at his sudden compliment. I couldn't help the blush that came to my cheeks. I think this was the first time anyone had called me beautiful. And if I wasn't mistaken, he sounded a little breathless as he said it. I shook that thought from my head. I didn't need to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Or imagine things that couldn't, wouldn't, possibly ever happen.

"Come with me, Onna."

"You're not taking me back to that prison cell of a room, are you?" I whined slightly, tears stinging my eyes.

He reached his hand out towards me. I took his hand in mine like we had done so a million times. His hand was colder than mine, but it was comfortable. It felt normal, natural. And when as he led me out of his room, I didn't even once hesitate. My smile wide and bright as I walked hand in hand beside Ulquiorra. Excitement coursing through my veins. He didn't say where we were going, but I knew it wasn't that room.

** Here is the edited version of the first chapter. Please let me know what you think. Questions, comments, constructive criticism is always welcome. I hoped you enjoyed! Second chapter will be up REALLY soon.