AUTHOR'S NOTE:

To the new readers: If you haven't read "If I could fly..." this one won't make much of a sense since this is a sort of sequel. I would recommend reading that story before you start reading this. Oh and please leave reviews :)

To my existing readers: I now started the promised one-shot series. This is the first one-shot of the lot. First, this one turned out longer than I planned. I had planned on an approx length of 3200 words, but I overshot by 1400 or so words, but in the end, I like what has come up. A brief outline of what's covered in this one shot. It starts right where the final chapter of "If I could fly..." left off and ends with the three main Espadas being released from the prison.

Apologies for the delayed update. My last update was more than a week ago, which is too long by my standards. But I have been out of action. I have an inflamed rib and it hurts. The only way I am comfortable is when I am standing and that's why, I have been slow in typing my chapters out. As for my other fic, "I see you", the next chapter is ready, I am waiting on Cerice belle, who's graciously accepted my request to become my beta reader. She has an exam and is therefore very busy. Once she's free, she'll start being my beta once again. She hasn't had the chance to beta read this one. I didn't want to burden her with such a long piece at this point of time.

This is perhaps the longest Author's note I have ever written, so I'll stop yapping now. As always, read and review.

Trials

To a stranger the girl who sat hunched on the bench, staring at the massive and ornate gates would seem like a normal teenager caught in the midst of a hormonal teenage angst. Dressed in her school uniform that consisted of a short grey pleated skirt, white button down blouse, red bow tie and grey full sleeve jacket, the girl seemed totally oblivious to the fact that the flurries had in fact turned heavier and was now threatening to become a heavier snowfall. She was a beautiful girl with her big bright starry grey eyes, heart shaped face, small but sharp nose and beautiful pink lips. Her most striking feature however was her waist length, ginger colored hair that she normally kept tucked behind her ears with a pair of blue star shaped hair clips, but on this occasion, her hair was held up in a messy bun. Despite the fact that she was only sixteen, physically she resembled a much older woman, especially owing to her curvaceous figure. Little did people know that mentally too she was much older than sixteen, and that was due to another little known fact- she had led a miserable life.

Her misery started when she was a young girl of six. She lost both her father and her brother in a car crash and her mother, to support herself and her daughter, had remarried her the then employer, Aizen Souske. Her step-father had turned out to be a wolf in sheep's clothing. He had abused Orihime in every way imaginable for ten long years. On the thirteenth year of Orihime's horrible life, shortly after Orihime's step-sister Haruki was born, her mother had stumbled upon them. Unable to bear the shock and shame, her mother had committed suicide, leaving her three week old baby daughter in Orihime's care. As Haruki grew older, Orihime became more and more determined to save her from the fate that had befallen her and so she stood as a shield between the child's innocence and the monster of a father these girls had.

In her sixteenth year, due to certain unforeseen circumstances, a man had entered her life. Ranking fourth in an elite group of ten highly trained mercenaries called Espada, Ulquiorra Schiffer was assigned the dual role of becoming her body-guard and spy. Lethal, dangerous, cold, calculating, aloof, serious and introverted, this man was everything she was not. And yet, somehow he had warmed up to her, made her smile, had given her a reason to trust in people, had made her feel safe and in the process, stolen her heart. He was the man who had finally put an end to her tribulations. He was the man who had finally set her free. He was the one who had given her the wings to fly.

And now, sitting on the bench, hunched, staring at the gates, surrounded by a blanket of white, sixteen year old Orihime Inoue was mourning his departure from her life. He and the rest of the Espadas had been taken into custody, along with Aizen and Tosen. Orihime sat on the bench, unable to process just how much her life had changed in the past few hours. Gone was the man who had tormented her for most of her life, making it a living hell. But then, so was the man who had liberated her. The man in whose arms she had slept most peacefully. They had slept in each other's arms for only four days, but she knew that never again was she going to get a proper sleep without his reassuring arms around her. Unbidden, a lone tear made it's way out of her eye, streaked her cheek before falling off on her skirt, leaving behind a white trail that froze instantly because of the cold.

She felt a hand on her shoulder. With a jolt she turned around to see a slim man of medium height, short dirty blond hair and an eye patch. Despite the eye patch, he had a very kind face. Orihime recalled seeing him in Las Noches a few times, but she had never spoken to him. Her confusion must have shown on her face because he replied,

"I am sorry to startle you Miss Inoue, but I think you should be getting inside. You'll catch a cold sitting here."

Belatedly, she noticed the black umbrella in his other hand that he held over her.

"Who?" was all she could manage, in a voice that even she didn't recognize as her own.

"Ah, pardon me madam, I am Tersa Lindocruz. I work under Nnoitra Jiruga, the Quinta Espada."

"Oh!" She said, then something clicked, "Haruki was with you, right?"

"Yes mam. She's sleeping at the moment. I must repeat mam, we should get inside, before you catch a cold."

"Cold?" She sounded as if it was the first time she had heard the word, "Ah! Yes, cold. Yes, perhaps I should get inside."

She got up from the bench as Tersa walked around the bench, somehow still holding the umbrella on her head and started walking next to her. When she stumbled a couple of times, Tersa managed to steady her as they made their way into the building.

That night had been one of the longest nights Orihime had ever known in her life. It had started with Haruki throwing a massive tantrum. She was very upset about her father leaving without telling her and she was insisting on meeting him, then and there. No amount of coaxing or cajoling from Orihime pacified the child, she just had to meet her father, period. Haruki had done everything she could think of, screamed, cried, thrown things, held her breath, stomped her foot, but nothing worked. Her father was not coming back and that was something the child just wouldn't believe. Ultimately exhausted from all the screaming, shouting and crying, Haruki fell into a fitful sleep.

Orihime however spent the night awake, her mind in a complete turmoil. A part of her was happy that she was finally free of the cage that was binding her. But that part was too small and insignificant. Ulquiorra's absence was like a knife through her heart. She missed his arms around her, missed his voice, his scent, his comforting presence, she missed everything about him. But she didn't cry because his words kept echoing in her ears "Do you want me to go with the image of your teary face?" She had wiped her tears then and couldn't let them out now. Slowly she got out of her bed and went over to the suitcases that were still there next to her closet. Someone had cleaned her room in her absence so that no traces of the fight from the evening were left. These suitcases contained Ulquiorra's clothes and right now, they were the only thing of his that she had with her. She pulled out a shirt from the suitcase and brought it to her bosom. His musky scent still lingered on the shirt and she inhaled deeply. Finally, the dam broke and the tears spilled.

Orihime had requested Tersa to drop her to school on a car because she didn't think she had the strength to walk to school. Consequently, she was the first to reach her classroom. She sat on her bench and hunched herself into a small ball and placed her head on the desk. Just the day before Ulquiorra had been sitting next to her and now she was all alone, once again.

Before long she heard Chizuru scream a greeting, "Hime!"

She inhaled deeply. 'Hime', only two people ever called her by that name. The two people she loved the most. She couldn't bear it when Chizuru used that name. As the girl came closer to hold her in a tight hug, she scooted away and brushed the red head's hand away.

"Chizuru," she said icily, "Only two people have ever had the right to call me by that name. One of them is no longer in this world and the other is Ulquiorra. Don't ever call me by that name, I haven't given that right to you."

Chizuru stood there stunned at the sudden change in the normally soft spoken girl. Slowly people started filling in and Chizuru kept looking at Orihime, her eyes as big as saucers. The ginger-haired girl completely ignored her, staring straight ahead. For most part of the first half she continued to ignore her friends as they continued to try and get some response from her. At lunch however, Rukia and Tatsuki surrounded her.

"Orihime," Rukia said looking worried, "I heard that your uncle got arrested? Are you alright?"

Orihime blinked a couple of times in confusion before realizing that Rukia's brother was in the Police and therefore she knew about Aizen's arrest.

"Yes, I am fine." She replied with a small smile that was obviously fake.

"No you are not." Tatsuki said with a frown, "You are clearly disturbed. Where is Ulquiorra when you need him?"

Orihime was wondering when this question would have popped up.

"He's gone." She replied dully.

"Gone?" Rukia said with a frown, "What do you mean gone?"

"Exactly that, gone." It was clear that either Rukia wasn't aware of the Espada's arrest or she hadn't put two and two together to realize why Ulquiorra was absent.

"Gone where, and for how long?" Tatsuki asked.

"Indefinitely." Orihime said, answering only one of the two questions.

"I don't like this." Ichigo added, obviously having overheard the conversation "He should be here. You are disturbed and he leaves you like this?"

Orihime opened her mouth, but Renji cut her off before she could say anything.

"Looks like your doubts about him were right, Ichigo. He can't be trusted."

"Guys!" Orihime said vehemently "He didn't leave me, he just HAD to go."

"Oh of course!" Ishida said with acid in his voice, "The first scent of trouble, and he HAD to leave."

"I knew it!" Ichigo said, "Didn't I tell you Rukia, the guy wanted something else. But as soon as he realizes that Inoue needs help, he..."

"ENOUGH!" She screamed, surprising everyone, "You all have no idea what you are talking about. You don't even know where he's gone and why. You all just jumped to the conclusion that since he's not here, he's abandoned me. Well, guess what, he's with me, all the time. You guys have no idea what he's done for me. Hell, if I am standing here in front of you today, it's because of him. I am alive because of him. If he could help it, he would have been right here, right now. But he cannot, and I know why and surprise surprise, I don't hold it against him. Nor do I deem it necessary to explain anything to any of you."

Angrily she brushed past Ishida and was about to storm out of the classroom when she abruptly turned and walked over to them, her eyes blazing.

"Oh and by the way, I cannot be happier that my 'uncle' is arrested. If I weren't so upset about losing a few people whom I hold very dear, I would have been out there, celebrating in a cheer leader's dress with bright pink pom-poms in my hand."

With that she walked out, leaving her friends gaping after her.

"What's with her? I have never seen her so aggressive!" Rukia muttered

"No idea." Ichigo and Tatsuki chorused.

"What did she mean by 'losing a few people I hold very dear'?" Ishida asked.

"I caught that part too, and it makes no sense." Renji said with a frown.

No one noticed Sado quietly slip out and follow Orihime to an empty classroom.

"Inoue." Sado said to the hunched form of hers.

"What?" She snapped at him, "What allegation do you have to throw at Ulquiorra?"

"None." He said slowly, "I just came to tell you, should you need a shoulder to cry on, I am there."

She looked up at him, as if seeing him for the first time. She ran up to him, clutched him and cried her heart out.

It was the final day of the much publicized trial. By now all of Karakura knew about Aizen Souske, Kaname Tosen and the Espadas. For Orihime, it had been like the opening of a can of worms. The world knew now that Orihime Inoue was in fact Aizen's step daughter and not his niece. They also knew that Kasumi and Sora Inoue were killed by him and that Aiko had committed suicide. However, Orihime's darkest secret was kept a secret. Aizen had enough crimes listed against him to lock him up for life, so when Orihime pleaded with Gin to keep her history hidden, he had agreed.

Her friends had been shocked to know her true identity. They couldn't believe that Orihime had never told them anything about it. Tatsuki had been hurt that she hadn't trusted her enough to tell her the truth. Orihime on her part, didn't offer any explanation as to why she had kept everything a secret, except that her step father had put a condition in front of her mother that the world knew she was a distant cousin of the Souske family. She didn't go into details as to why her mother had committed suicide, after all they were still unaware of a lot of things.

After the initial shock had worn off, everyone of Orihime's friends stood by her in what they thought were the toughest time in her life. Ulquiorra hadn't failed to notice that. He noticed how they would all turn up in the courtroom with her and that pleased him immensely. He was glad that she wasn't alone and putting up a facade. He didn't care what happened to him, so long as she had shoulders she could lean onto when she needed one. Across the courtroom, his eyes met with hers and silently they told each other volumes. It had been her seventeenth birthday a few days ago and she had come to meet him at the jail.

Flashback

They were about to meet for first time in a couple of months. Because of the severity of the case and the publicity it had garnered, Orihime wasn't allowed to meet any of them till now. Her request would have been denied once more, but she had persuaded Rukia to convince Byakuya and he had been able to procure a time slot. However, it was only for twenty minutes and that too in complete stealth. The press had been hounding Orihime for the missing pieces of the puzzle, making her life a series of photos, reluctant interviews and escaping the press. Why had Aizen hidden his step-daughter from the world? Why had her mother committed suicide? What was Aizen's motive behind the murders? How much was her involvement? Why had the Espada risen in mutiny? For once Ulquiorra was glad of the protectiveness of her friends, she had needed every bit of it to escape the relentless pursuit. Byakuya had arranged for a car to pick her and Haruki up from Las Noches at midnight and have her brought over to his house, away from prying eyes. Early in the morning, he escorted her to the prison himself, leaving Haruki in Rukia's care and led her to the small room in which she was to meet him alone.

She stepped in as quietly as she could and waited for Byakuya to close the door behind him. By the light that filtered in from the tiny window, she could see the room was smaller than her bathroom and was almost completely bare, save for a few empty cardboard boxes lying at one corner. She briefly wondered what could possibly be the use of such a room, but dismissed the thought, she had more important things to think about, namely the person standing across the room with his arms folded, his eyes on her. Hesitatingly she took a step towards him. He uncrossed his arms and opened them for her. That was all she needed, she ran to him and hugged him tightly.

"Happy birthday, Hime." He said with his face buried deep in her hair.

"Thank you, Ulquiorra." She said, smiling. She had vowed to herself that she wouldn't cry in front of him.

"Let me take a look at you." He said and held her by her shoulders. "Have you not been eating well? You look thinner."

She smiled and said "No one to stand over me and make sure I finish my meals."

He shook his head with a small smirk on his lips, "How's Haruki?"

"I think she's a little confused with everything that's happening. I explained to her that her father has done something wrong and is receiving time out just like she does when she's been naughty, only difference is, he is a grown up and thus his time out is longer. She is still upset and searches for him."

"Poor child." He said, "How's her sister coping?"

"She understands." She said moving closer to him, resting her head on his chest. "But she misses a certain green eyed man."

His grip tightened as he replied, "He misses her too."

"How are you? How bad is the prison?" She asked, her voice laced with worry.

"I have faced worse." He said nonchalantly."Only thing is, the food here is almost as bad as your cooking. But at least I have practice."

She laughed and punched him lightly. They stood in each other's arms for a couple of minutes, each drinking in the proximity of the other.

"I have something for you." He said after a while.

She was surprised, she really hadn't expected anything from him, given where he was. He dipped his hand into his pocket and fished out a silver chain.

"It isn't much, but.."

She squeezed her eyes tight shut to push back the tears that had almost come out.

"It's beautiful. But how did you..?"

"Oh, Gin. He owed me a favor. I got him to get this for me."

She smiled, turned around and held up her hair for him to put the chain around her neck. He clasped it and placed a small fleeting kiss on her neck. She shuddered lightly and turned around to look at him,

"Thank you so much. I can't tell you how much this means. It's the best gift I have ever received."

"How could I not give you something today?" He dipped his hand into his pocket and got out a folded piece of paper. "This is a letter from Grimmjow. He asked me to give it to you."

She pocketed the letter to read it later.

A small knock on the door signaled their time was up. Orihime closed her eyes and hugged him tightly once again. They shared a quick chaste kiss as the knock was repeated again.

"Bye Ulquiorra."

"Bye Hime."

They looked at each other for one last time before she left the room. Outside, she wiped the couple of tears that had finally come out.

End flashback

He saw her now, fiddling with the chain he had given her. Something told him she wore it all the time. A nudge from Nnoitra who was sitting next to him alerted him that the judge was now about to give out the sentences. In a loud and impressive voice, Judge Rose De Salvo announced the sentences.

"Yammy Llargo and Aaroniero Aauruerire" she said stumbling over Aaronireo's last name, causing the Espadas to snigger and the said man to scowl at his comrades, "given your records, you are both awarded a sentence of a year each."

In the seat, Orihime smiled. That wasn't so bad.

"Zommari Rureaux and Szayel Aporro Granz, your transgressions are comparatively severe and therefore you are both awarded a sentence of eighteen months each."

Orihime grasped Tatsuki's hand tightly, she was happy that Gin had so far kept his promise. The Espadas were indeed getting off lighter than she expected.

"Grimmjow Jagerjaquez and Nnoitra Jiruga, you both have had a particularly violent history and I was inclined to award you both higher penalties, however, you both turned material witnesses and therefore I am forced to compromise. Ulquiorra Schiffer, although you are not nearly as violent as those two," The judge glared at the fifth and sixth Espadas, "but you are in no way any less. Infact, coupled with your intellect and calmness, I would say you are far more dangerous than those two, but since you turned in some important evidences against Aizen Souske, I am yet again forced to overlook all of that. The three of you are awarded a sentence of two years each."

Orihime was ecstatic. She couldn't believe her ears. Two years? That was much more than she had hoped for. She could feel the reassuring squeezes from her friends. The judge then proceeded to award Hallibel and Barragan their three years sentences and Starrk's sentence of five years. While she was a little sad about Starrk's sentence, overall she was immensely pleased. In a matter of five years, her real family would be with her. That was more than she had hoped for. She had no feeling for Tosen's sentence, having hardly ever interacted with the man. All she was now waiting for was Aizen's sentence. How long would he be held? As the judge was reading a list of Aizen's offences, her eyes fell on him. He looked distant. When the judge awarded him a sentence of sixty five years plus a double life imprisonment, she saw Aizen deflate visibly. It was as though something inside him broke. She could see it in his eyes that now he was a man who knew he lost the battle of his life. It was then that Orihime knew that perhaps there was a God somewhere. She was finally at peace.

Two years later:

For Orihime Inoue, both years passed very differently from each other. The first year seemed insurmountable. In that year she had finally finished her school, had started learning some aspects of the business from her lawyers and trustees and managed to take care of Haruki. Once Yammy and Aaroniero were released, the next year was a whirlwind. Between taking care of the business and handling Haruki, who was going through a phase of extreme moodiness, Orihime had her hands more than full. Finally the day arrived. The day she would meet him, not in his prison overalls but out in the open sun as a free man. She was more nervous than a fifteen year old going for her first date. Across the room, seated on the couch bed, Szayel and Ishida looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Those two men knew fashion more than anybody else that Orihime knew and therefore they were made to sit there as she frantically ran through her closet, looking for something she could wear.

"Subtle, subtle." Szayel reiterated, as she picked up another dress that clashed miserably with her bright hair.

"Seriously Orihime," Ishida said, "It's like you have never met him before. Come on, he has seen you."

"Oh you don't understand!" Rukia said as she helped her friend select the best outfit.

"Apparently." Ishida muttered.

"Is everything ready for the party?" She asked, anxiously.

"For what's like the hundred and fiftieth time, yes." Szayel said shaking his head.

"How do you all put up with this?" Ishida asked him seriously.

"Oh I am a doctor. Patience comes with the profession."

"How's this one?" Orihime asked, picking up another outfit.

"No good." The two men chorused.

"God! Inoue, move. I'll see." Ishida said finally, having had enough of his friend's antics.

He walked over to the closet and stood there for a minute, staring at her collection.

"You need a serious make over girl." He said frowning. "Singularly, I like nothing. We'll have to mix match."

Szayel walked over to the closet as well, effectively pushing both the girls out of their way. The two men muttered for a while, pushing through her clothes before they seemed to have finally made up their minds.

"This." both of them said together.

Rukia and Orihime had to agree. It was a beige pleated skirt that reached just below her knees. The men had coupled it with a braided brown belt and a green full sleeve turtle neck top that showed off her figure beautifully. Complete with brown peep toed pumps, simple pearl earrings and her hair done in a braid that was brought over her left shoulder, Orihime looked elegant and beautiful. As Aaroniero was going to drive her to the prison gates, Rukia and Ishida took their leave, each of them hugging her and wishing her all the best.

Nnoitra was the first one to step out, his absurd height becoming quiet an inconvenience for him to come out of the door. Stepping out, he stretched and then his eyes fell on Orihime and he grinned.

"Good to see you." He said and then said "Fuck I need a good long bath."

She laughed and said, "It's all ready for you guys back at home."

"Home." He said smiling his usual toothy smile.

Ulquiorra was the next to step out. Orihime couldn't speak. She stood staring at him. Beside her, Nnoitra bent and closer to her ears said,

"Go on. He needs that hug from you. I won't look, promise."

She looked at the tall Espada and grinned. He gave her a mock salute and walked over to Aaroniero, greeting him noisily. Orihime looked back at her lover, who hadn't moved an inch. He had been admiring her from a distance. She walked over to him and hugged him lightly. His arms went around her, pulling her closer.

"Welcome back." She whispered.

"You look beautiful." He said slowly.

Grimmjow stepped out last, looking over his shoulders at someone. He showed them the finger and yelled,

"That's for all the crap you guys fed us in the name of food."

Apparently he got a satisfying reply, because he was laughing his head off as he stepped out.

"Chick!" He said still grinning.

Standing next to Ulquiorra, with his hand across her shoulder, she smiled at him widely and said "Hi Grimmjow."

"What? I don't get a welcome hug?" He said with fake disappointment.

Laughing she walked over to him and hugged him, "Welcome back."

"Thanks chick. Some good food is all I want. Oh and sleep. I want to sleep for eighteen hours straight."

"Food, check. Sleep, we'll see." She said grinning mischievously as she walked towards the car, between the two Espada, her hand locked with Ulquiorra's. Ulquiorra looked at her questioningly. Grimmjow was more vocal,

"What's that supposed to mean? I am tired, I'll fall asleep as soon as I hit the bed."

"Like I said, we'll see." She said, her grin getting wider.

The three recently released Espada's confusion grew even more when they saw the normally stoic Aaroniero grin at Orihime's comment.

"Something is cooking here." Nnoitra said, looking from one to the other.

"You are a genius." Aaroniero said sarcastically.

"What's going on? Why can't I sleep?" Grimmjow asked yet again.

"I never said you can't sleep. I am just not sure that you would want to sleep." Orihime said, with a gleam in her eyes.

"Why?" He said, unable to control his curiosity.

"That's for us to know and you all to find out." Orihime said evenly.

All through the journey to Las Noches, Grimmjow and Nnoitra fruitlessly pestered Orihime and Aaroniero for information. Ulquiorra reclined in his seat, his hand still locked with hers, as he listened to the four bicker endlessly. He smiled slightly, he was home.

A/N: What was in Grimmjow's letter? Why can't Grimmjow sleep that night? What has she planned for them? All questions answered in the next one shot.