A/N: For Unlucky-amulet, sorry I'm late, and happy birthday!
For You, It's Free.
Orihime had endured for as long as she could.
But—you know. She was a human girl, and as such, she had needs. Very pressing needs. And if these needs were not dealt with than she could not be held accountable for whatever disasters might occur.
She told herself this several times, firmly, before creeping to the door of her room—cell, and knocking nervously. No one answered. She knocked again, slightly more insistent, her knees fidgeting together as the ache in her center grew.
There was the faintest sound of footsteps, and then the door opened. Orihime blinked at the scared male chest before her, and then turned upwards, her large eyes tremulous.
"What?" Grimmjaw asked blankly. He looked almost clinically bored, and kept glancing over his shoulder into the spiraling darkness of the hall, itching for a fight. Orihime's pulse stuttered.
"I—um." She broke off with a squeak, flattening her hands over her stomach self-consciously and studying the ceiling. Grimmjaw, in turn, studied her. His patience was visibly whittling away.
"I'm—" and here her need was, screaming through her and growling lowly somewhere dark and low within. She mustered her courage with her next deep breath, and did her best to meet his gaze.
"I'm—I'm hungry."
Grimmjaw's jaw went a little slack, "What?!"
"I'm hungry!" Orihime repeated, suddenly a little impatient herself, "I-I'm sorry, but I've got to eat something."
Grimmjaw's face twisted irritably, "Suck it up."
"I can't!" Orihime wailed, and frustrated tears began to gather at the corners of her eyes, "I'm not like—I haven't eaten in days! I can only go so long until I die, you know!"
Grimmjaw scowled, "No dying on my shift," he ordered. Orihime sniffled, large grey eyes watery.
Grimmjaw pulled an exasperated face at the wall and quietly cursed humans and their sniveling. As if to prove her point, Orihime gave a truly theatrical sniff.
"Stop that," Grimmjaw hissed, and rubbed wearily at his temples. He couldn't actually remember if the castle even had a kitchen. Orihime's stomach gurgled weakly, and she seemed to sway on the spot, gaze unfocused. Grimmjaw pinched her. This only served to make her expression more wounded.
"Fine," he hissed, and glanced back over his shoulder, "But no running away. It's just a—a time out. Okay?"
"Okay," Orihime nodded furiously, gaze anxious. She stuck out her pinkie. "No running. I promise."
He stared at her little finger for a moment, quite unsure as to what he was supposed to do with it. Hastily, he threw her over his shoulder, and sprinted down the hall.
"Orihime?!" Ichigo sputtered as she and Grimmjaw popped out of thin air and into his bedroom. The teenager leapt up to his feet, mouth open, and looking thoroughly confused.
"She was hungry," Grimmjaw snarled aggressively. Orihime sent Ichigo an embarrassed little wave. Ichigo looked like he really might be on the verge of just keeling over and dying.
"This is so off the script," he mumbled, and massaged his temples. Orihime gave a little cough. Grimmjaw proceeded to threaten Ichigo with bodily harm should he not produce food instantly.
"Okay," Ichigo hissed, and beat Grimmjaw off him, "Fine. But I'm not paying. Well—maybe for Inoue. But not you."
Grimmjaw sneered.
Ichigo snarled back, speed dialing, then broke off as whoever was on the other line answered.
"Yeah. Yeah, medium—large. Yeah, okay, large pizza with pepperoni—"
"Vegetarian," Grimmjaw corrected. Ichigo threw him a highly sarcastic look.
"Make that 'Meat Lovers'—yeah. Extra bacon? Oh, well, if it's free then sure." Ichigo looked smug, Orihime elated, and Grimmjaw was again pointing sharp things at Ichigo's throat.
"I want some breadsticks," Orihime piped up. Grimmjaw shushed her.