Nervous And Innocence

Rating: T

Pairing: UlquiHime (Many more, if I think of them sometime)

Disclaimer & Author's Notes: A UlquiHime, that I guess could go with the storyline (as well as anyone could write, assuming you don't know the manga's outcome). It starts at about a time after chapter 240, where Luppi gets fried. Some parts fit in, and some are just sick concoctions from my own little mind. Enjoy (And, do remember to Read and REPLY!! Comments are nice )...

Bleach and any of its wonderful characters do not belong to me. Nor does the song "Nervous And Innocence", by Eve Of Destiny.

I

Chill Factor

"the nights are so long for you, far far far into the dark tonight,

be haunted by a nightmare"

It all happened so fast.

Almost too fast, to be precise.

There she was- Inoue Orihime- with the world spinning before her dazed slate eyes. Everyone stood in awe, watching the human reject their 'former' Espada's arm. Then, a simple cero incinerated one of their own. No one seemed to have a care in the world: Wonderwyss, Ulquiorra, Yami, and Aizen included. Everything and everyone just melted into the fray of ash, cero, and Grimmjow's maniacal laughter. All bled into a puddle of chaos.

And, there she was, frozen with doe eyes in fear. She stood within the eye of a brewing storm.

Soon enough, Orihime found herself in a white-wash cell, not too big, and not too small. Though it had a high ceiling for space, and was furnished with essentials, the tangerine haired female had no feeling of comfort. No feeling of being at 'home'. All there was to do was rot, sleep, or stare out the tiny window provided to her, complete with bars for that prisoner-esque touch.

With her legs tucked gently below her tense form, Orihime stared longingly out her window. With no food and no company, she was left to reminisce, while the milky moon of Las Noches loomed above head and carried her thoughts into oblivion. Then, the walls would carefully close in..

"Wh-What?!"

Bolting up from her plush ivory couch, Orihime laid a soft palm to her forehead. Sweat dripped from her pale and shaken face with a heavy fill, and all the girl could do was throw her sheets aside to hug her knees close. The prisoner swallowed the lump slowly forming in her throat.

"...Another nightmare...Just another nightmare," Orihime murmured, wiping her cheeks with the material of her uniform. Calmly repeating some sort of repressing mantra, she then sighed lightly. "Just a nightmare, Hime...Just a nightmare...Just some memory. One...you're currently living in."

Orihime then laid once again on her back, and looked to the high ceiling. Her body would not stop trembling, though. The anxiety she had been through for the last past months had been non-stop. Grimmjow's routine fits of rage, Nnoitra's random moments of voyeurism and 'fun', and the constant reminder of her namaka's dangerous mission from her captor all were eating away at her stability; it all got to her.

"It'll be over soon...I know it..."

Despite the feeling of weakness and emptiness, though, she tried her best to stay strong-willed. Making the best of a complicated situation was her specialty, after all. Orihime had decided that nothing would tear her down, or allow her to cave in. If there was one thing the human girl had realized about Las Noches, it was 'dog-eat-dog' or 'every-man-for-himself'. Getting worked up, or reminiscing that she was stuck in a cell wouldn't help her here. Not at all. With that, she pulled her sheets back over her trembling form, and nuzzled the rather large pillow supporting her rusted locks. There was a single nit that picked at her though, night after night-

" I know there is no sun here, but why does it have to be so cold, all the time...? I wish I had more sheets..."

...

"So, Cuatro"

To his dismay, Ulquiorra peered over his shoulder at hill caller. The slightest of frowns tugged at his bi-colored lips, as they parted for an inevitable sigh.

"...Nnoitra Jiruga."

The taller arrancar flashed his infamous Cheshire grin, strutting to the side of his 'brother'. Arms folded, he looked down at Ulquiorra, whose emerald eyes were impassively on the opaque floor below. Behind the two was a lower servant arrancar, who pushed along a cart with the girl's breakfast.

"Going to greet Pat-sama, are we?"

"Yes, but that is none of your concern. Find business elsewhere."

The other sensed a little annoyance in his higher ranked 'companion', and chuckled, "My, my...Touchy, aren't we?"

"These meetings vex me, if you wish to know. I see no reason for your rambling, so...I will ask: what do you want?"

"Well, Lil' ol' me just wanted to tag along, and see what Pet-sama was up to. Now, is that a problem?"

Suddenly, the latter motioned for his follower to halt, and he stood to look single-eyed espada in what could have been frustration. A hand came to rest upon the hilt of his zanpaktou- Ulquiorra's ebony nails tapped the lime green grip. His gazed hardened, as he calmly spoke.

"Do you wish to keep your genitalia?"

"Say what?" The fifth furrowed his brow and shown his cocky posture, hands firmly placed at his hips.

"Do not ask such idiotic questions."

"Don't make threats, Ulqui."

"It is not a threat...It is a promise."

The servant pushed ahead, and Ulquiorra regained his poise, shoving off as well. Nnoitra crossed his arms over his chest once more, and leaned against the wall, scoffing. "Damn kill-joy. Ain't ever going to let up, is he? Whatever."

He continued to watch Ulquiorra and his underling travel down the hall, until he paused at a door, then entered.

...

"Woman, breakfa..st..."

Ulquiorra's stone-like facade dropped, as he saw before him the prisoner sleeping tranquilly on her couch. She was tucked into a ball, hugging her sheets close. He shook his head and went to her side, then leaned a bit over her unconcious form. Raising his reiatsu, Ulquiorra cleared his throat. Orihime stirred, then her thick lashes fluttered, as her eyes tiredly opened. She let out a squeak of surprise, shot up, and pressed herself back into the back of her couch.

"G-Good morning, Ulquiorra-sama," she murmured timidly, while her fingers still clenched her thin sheets. Ulquiorra's mechanical gaze went from Orihime, to the cart, then back. She blinked in confusion, then smelt the aroma of steamed rice and vegitables. Biting her lower lip, Orihime tilted her head. "Breakfast?"

"Indeed. Now, sit up, and remove those sheets from your body-" The Cuarto Espada swiftly turned, as his coat tails whirled to meet with his fleeting being. He exchanged words with the servant, and grasped the tray of food. The echo of the trolley's wheels resonated of into the long halls, signaling that they were left alone. Ulquiorra then went back, handing her the food.

"-you act as if I am about to strike you."

"You...startled me, was all," she replied, and slowly receiving her meal. Orihime sat at the edge of the spot and placed her food on her lap. Her fingers picked up the piece of pewterware and idly poked her rations. "I'm still not used to your early visits."

"How so? I enter your room, every morning, at about the same time. Are you not used to the redundant occurrence of my visits, over these two months?"

"Not really, I mean...Not everyone thinks they'll just wake up with someone looming over them."

Silence weighed down at that moment, and Orihime found herself eating those words. Under her veil of sun-kissed bangs, she could see Ulquiorra's fists go into his hamaka's pockets. His visage kept its almost dignified, but still expression. His eyes closed briefly, then opened again.

"If you had awakened previously to my entrance, you would not experience such. But, if you insist on sleeping in, would you like for me to speak with Aizen-sama about another espada to bring your morning meals? Perhaps, Nnoitra, or Szayel-Aporro?"

Though his response was ever-so placid and quiet, it still sent a chill up Orihime's spine. Her fork paused, and she choked on her breath- if even only for a second. Nnoitra, or Szayel-Aporro? Nnoitra wouldn't just hover over her, oh no. He would have his way with her- sleeping or not. As for Szayel, from what she knew of the Octava Espada, she would not rather greet the morning with him. For all Orihime could imagine, the rosy haired arrancar would have a scalpel and needle in hand, ready to see what made her tick.

"G-Gomen," she finally murmured back to Ulquiorra. "It's just that...Ano..."

"What, woman?" Said espada scanned over his charge, noticing that she had indeed looked fatigued, and her face wasn't filled with its usual peachy color. She seemed somewhat empty, and sick. "Are you ill?"

"Oh, no, no, no, Ulquiorra-sama! It's just that...I can't sleep very well at night."

Ulquiorra blinked, "And, I can solve this problem?"

"More sheets would be nice...I mean, it gets chilly, especially at night time, and it keeps me up."

The other just stood, before opening his mouth once more. He then transfixed his unnerving stare on his captive. "So, you suggest that it is the breeze through your window that keeps you up?"

"Mhm!" Orihime agreed. "It's just so cold! I was wondering if maybe, possibly, I could get more sheets, or a thick blanket!"

Silence rested on them again, just before the fourth stiffly nodded.

"I will bring the matter to Aizen-sama, then see what can be done. As for now, I have errands, and meetings. I will return by lunch time."

The espada took his leave, but not before reminding Orihime again that she must clear her plate, just like every other morning. Her door gently closed, and laying back on her couch, she tipped her head over the armrest to observe the mellow beams of the moon. Sure, Orihime was a tad more satisfied with the new sheets coming later, but she'd still lose sleep. There was no cure Ulquiorra could bring her for the chilling nightmares she had.

-Boring, nice, or anything else on your mind? Tell me! ... As for the title of this story, it came to me from a song I've been listening to on repeat. It's by Eve Of Destiny, and Kozi (The guitarist, I believe), is formerly of Malice Mizer (Another gothquie-esque band I find much inspiration in). It can describe Orihime's situation with Ulquiorra and Aizen quite well (even just her experience in Las Noches). I will put them on my profile for view. I'm sorry, if it was a little bland, or anyone was OOC, but I promise for longer, more structured chapters, next time! Remember to review! And, constructive criticism is welcome, as well.