She never thought that the time would come where she would betray all of her comrades, including Ichigo. The night that Ulquiorra had taken her away to Hueco Mundo seemed like the end of her life, to her anyway. She didn't know what they were going to do, especially that Aizen that she had seen once while she was in the soul society rescuing Rukia. When she arrived, Aizen had her heal Grimmjow's arm and back, proving her abilities to him. Her friends had come and try to save her, but now what was becoming clear to her was that she wasn't sure if she wanted saved or not…
"Hey, I'm talking to you," Tousen said. "What is your problem? You should not be spacing out in Lord Aizen's presence."
"Y-yes, forgive me, Aizen-sama." She bowed with a hand over her chest.
"Yes, Orihime," Aizen said, "I can see your loyalty to me is growing." He leered down at her with a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Or is there another reason that you do not have the same resolve your friends do?"
"A..Aizen-sama? I'm sorry but…what do you mean?" She looked up at him.
"You do not wish to go home. You have made yourself at home with the arrancar. Most notably, the cuarto espada. Ulquiorra." Ulquiorra stepped forward from the shadows of the room, sparing Orihime a glance before he bowed to Aizen.
"Aizen-sama," Ulquiorra started, "this woman has been placed under my protection. It is only natural that-"
"Ulquiorra." Aizen silenced him. "You think I would call you here for a mere connection between a prisoner and arrancar?" He looked at him questionably.
"No, Aizen-sama. My sincerest apologies." Ulquiorra bowed at almost a 90 degree angle. He looked over at Orihime while he was bowed over. He didn't know what the emotion was that he was feeling for her. Emotions didn't come easily to him, not at all. He stood up again, looking at Aizen as he was sitting comfortably on his throne. "I do not understand, though. If that is not why you have called the two of us here, then why did you?"
"Normally, Ulquiorra, I would be upset with your questioning of my logic. However, I have a question for the both of you." Orihime looked at Ulquiorra as he looked back at her before they both looked up at Aizen again. "What do you think, Ulquiorra, of Orihime officially joining the ranks?"
Both Orihime and Ulquiorra's eyes widened at the prospect. Orihime was only meant to be a prisoner, and she had no real power except for her shun shun rika, which was barely a match for a regular hollow. How could she possibly become an espada? Aizen saw the looks on their faces.
"Do not doubt my abilities. I will leave the decision up to you. However, if you choose not to become an espada, Orihime, you will be considered an enemy, and therefore be eliminated."
She bowed. "Yes, Aizen-sama."
"I will give you an hour to think about it. Do not disappoint me. You could be a beautiful espada warrior, Inoue Orihime."
"Yes, sir." Both of them bowed and were dismissed to her holding cell. They sat there for at least fifteen minutes without saying a word, just looking out at the moon that was ever-present in Las Noches. "I'm going to do it." Orihime said at last.
"Be sure you know what you are doing, woman. If that is really what you wish, then I will take you to Aizen-sama now with your answer."
"Yes, this is what I want."
"Very well." Was his answer as they stood to meet with Aizen.