Disclaimer - I don't own Bleach, it belongs to Tite Kubo! This is the only time I will say this, mmkai.

Chapter 1 - Heartless

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Moonlight pooled between the bars on the window, casting a few small blocks of silver light on the stone floor of the prison cell. In utter silence a young girl knelt, bathed in the luminescence. Though at first glance one would think her completely still, her slender, feminine frame trembled ever so slightly. Eyes as blue as sapphires gazed up at the curve of the moon shining down upon her, reflecting in the deep orbs. Her long ginger hair cascaded down past her shoulders, glossy and straight, interrupted only by the two tiny blue hair clips nestling above her ears. She clasped her hands together in her lap, knuckles bone white and strained.

"Please..." She whispered anxiously, her voice barely audible. "Please let them be okay..."

A single tear spilled from her eye, running down her cheek like a raindrop and splashing onto the unforgiving floor.

The heavy door behind her creaked open and settled with a dull thud against the wall. Inoue Orihime let out a small gasp as she staggered up, turning to face the gloom with wide eyes. Out of the darkness a figure materialised, each slow footstep tapping on stone as he approached. He came to a stop several feet away, his pale form half hidden in the shadows. Orihime swallowed, feeling the fear spread through her limbs, freezing her to the spot.

"You have disobeyed me." A voice said, quiet and dangerous. Cold, empty green eyes met her own.

Orihime couldn't speak and merely shook her head in response. Her heart pounded in her chest. His eyes narrowed.

It happened in the blink of an eye. One moment he was there, the next he wasn't. Orihime was slammed against the wall, strong fingers wrapped around her throat, lifting her off her feet. She cried out in pain and shock.

"I believe I told you what would happen if you disobeyed me." Ulquiorra said flatly.

His face was inches from her own, and she gazed in terror at those dead eyes bearing down upon her. "You brought this upon yourself, woman."

His fingers tightened, choking her. Orihime gasped for breath, struggling in vain against his vice like grip. Her feet kicked out, but she might as well be resisting stone. It was useless. The Arrancar was powerful enough to level this entire fortress, holding Orihime in place was beyond easy for him. Killing her would be even easier. Against him, she was helpless. Her head swam as she began to lose consciousness, her brain screaming for oxygen, her limbs became weak and limp.

And then his grip loosened.

The cold hard floor rose up to meet her as she crumpled, landing in a heap at his feet. Face down and unable to move Orihime simply lay there, her chest heaving as she gasped for breath. Stars danced in front of her eyes and her head throbbed painfully from where she had hit the ground. A steady tapping sound told her Ulquiorra was walking away. Even temporarily stunned and disorientated as she was, she didn't imagine for a second her tormentor was done with her yet. Sure enough a few minutes later the tapping got closer as he returned from the food cart.

"I will tell you one final time. Eat." He said tonelessly.

Orihime felt herself pulled upright into a sitting position. She leant against the wall, her eyes wandering vaguely as she tried to focus. The room spun. Fingers tipped her chin and she found herself gazing once more into those cold, empty eyes.

"If you do not I will force feed you. Understand, woman?" He shoved something into her lap and in one fluid motion rose, releasing her and stepping away.

Orihime glanced down at the rice bowl in her hands. With a shaky sigh she picked up the chopsticks and began to eat. Her tormentor stood nearby, calm and composed with his hands in his pockets and his face devoid of expression, watching his prisoner intently. When she was done she let the bowl clatter to the ground and drew her knees up to her chest, sobbing into her skirts.

Without another word Ulquiorra turned and left, the tails of his uniform flapping behind him as he headed for the door. He was done here. There was nothing more to be said. The woman had learnt her lesson.

Still, something made him pause. He glanced over his shoulder at her shaking, defeated form and felt his gut clench slightly. He frowned. Causing the woman pain and suffering did not give him pleasure. Ulquiorra was not capable of feeling pleasure. He didn't feel anything, in all honesty. Fear, sorrow, remorse, confusion, sympathy, happiness, love...none of it affected him. It was why he was such a formidable foe. He did not have emotions to hold him back, to weaken him.

And yet...why did the sight of her so distressed, and at his own hand, cause him to feel like there was a weight in his stomach? Physically the Arrancar could feel pain, but this was not pain. This was something else. Something mental rather than physical. Emotions? Could it be that this woman had made him feel something? Ulquiorra closed his eyes.

"Impossible." He muttered.

The heavy door creaked open once more and without glancing back at the girl, he left.

Rate and review please? This is my first fanfic so I'd appreciate the feedback! ^_^