Ebony & Ivory
Orihime sighed as she took another bite of her bland meal. 'If only I had some wasabi and bean paste…' She thought to herself. The red head hated her meal times. The food was always tasteless, and he had no one to talk to while she ate. The worse part was that Orihime wasn't even alone, and she still felt terribly lonely.
She looked up from her dish at Ulquiorra. After he'd been forced to giver the Heimlich Maneuver a few days before, the Fourth Espada'd start watching over her as she ate her meals.
"For her safety" he'd told her.
The tear-streaked man was now sitting on her couch. With his elbow leaning on the arm, Ulquiorra had his head propped up with the back of his hand. Pale lids shrouded his emerald eyes, making him look even more doll-like. If it weren't for the small movements of the arrancar's right hand, Orihime would have assumed he was asleep.
She watched his fingers strum rhythmically on his thy.
Index-Pinky-Ring-Pinky and Index-Middle finger-Index-Middle and Thumb-Index…
Index-
Index-
Index-
Index-
The corners of his lips curved downwards as his hand stopped. If Orihime hadn't been watching him so intently, the subtle shift in his face wouldn't have been noticed. Ulquiorra's eyes still closed, he sighed softly and the pattern repeated.
Now finished with her food, Orihime tried to get the attention of her jailer. "Ulquiorra?" She asked softly. His eyes didn't open. "Ulqui..orra…?" Nothing.
It took her a few moments to realize that he actually was asleep. But then… That must mean that he was moving his hand unconsciously.
For some reason, Orihime didn't want to wake him. Rarely did she ever get to look at Ulquiorra this long without being caught staring. Plus, it gave her room a peaceful feel to it. How Ulquiorra of all people was emanating a comforting feeling was beyond the girl, but either way, she was in no hurry to interrupt it.
Her eyes slowly fell back to his hand.
Index-Pinky-Ring-Pinky and Index-Middle finger-Index-Middle and Thumb-Index…
Index-
Index…
"Am I that interesting?" Orihime jumped at the man's question. She hadn't noticed that he had woken. "Oh.. umm… I'm done with my food!" She quickly changed the subject. Ulquiorra silently stood and took the dishes off of her table. "I will return with your next meal later." He stated flatly as he began to leave.
It was only then that Orihime realized why the movements of his fingers looked so familiar.
"Ulquiorra?"
"Yes, Onna?"
"Do you play the piano?"
Ulquiorra slowly turned so that he was fully facing her. "No I do not. What would make you think otherwise?" Orihime blushed, knowing that she would have to admit to watching him sleep. "Eh.. well.. I was watching the way you were moving your fingers in your sleep, and I got to thinking that it looked similar to how someone would place their fingers on a piano." Which would explain his unhappy look when he messed up the rhythm. He said nothing for a few minutes, just looking at her, before replying, "I cannot recall ever playing a piano in this life."
Without another word, he left the human girl to herself.
"…In this life…" Orihime repeated aloud.
'Then maybe you did in another, Ulquiorra...' She thought, 'Maybe… just maybe… your fingers remember your human life, even if you don't…'
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
I needed to take a break from "Onna", so I decided to write a short fic to get tha Ulquihime vibes flowing before I started on it again. Anyways,
R&R Plz :)