'ello. I got back into Bleach last week and decided to do some prompt challenges to get some exercise with writing for this pairing before working on a longer story I have in mind.

These are prompt challenges from the LJ community, 10_prompts. Table is custom since I wanted words that closely fit this pairing.

This has not been beta read. So, if you catch some mistakes as well as OOC-like things, please tell me so that I can get better. If you wish to beta read my stories for this pair, don't be afraid to contact me :D

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, Kubo does and a good thing too since I wouldn't do Bleach justice.

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Table 6:04. Fools
Foolishness

They were all fools. Every single one of them were fools to come here to Las Noches without being killed. Ulquiorra could sense the battles around the castle while they struggled to not fall down to a deep slumber of darkness. Death to be more precise.

However, the biggest fool of them all was the woman. Even after she felt her friends fall, she still said they weren't dead. She kept on annoying him that they weren't dead which led him to say that he would be angry at them if he were in her place.

Needless to say, that earned a slap on his cheek. It had completely caught him off guard since he didn't think the woman could do anything in her position to him - let alone anyone else. The force had him made his head turn, despite his iron like skin, while she huffed before he moved his eyes to look at her. There was no sign of fear in face, just complete anger.

Staring at her for a while in complete silence, noticing she still didn't back down, Ulquiorra had turned and left after threatening her that if she didn't eat, he would tie her down and force the food down her throat. After the door had shut behind him, he had heard her sobbing through the doorway and halted just for a bit before walking away.

Tears. They were a sign of weakness.

Meanwhile, Orihime continued to sob from the pain and the fact that her friends were needing help and couldn't do anything about it. This was why she wanted to train - to get stronger - and where she was now? She couldn't do a damn thing. It made her so upset.

Orihime cradled her hand while telling herself that she was stupid to even do that to him. A little voice had told her not to do it but she couldn't help it. He knew nothing of her friends.

She turned her head to look at the cart of food.

I will return in an hour. If you haven't eaten by then, I will tie you down and force it down your throat. Keep that in mind.

Those words echoed in her head in his deep voice. Her eyebrows furrowed while looking away to stare down at the floor. A part of her said to eat but another told her to not to. Orihime just continued staring down for a couple more minutes before heading toward the cart. Taking the plates of food, she would look at the window. It had three bars like a jail while the crescent moon beamed down in the room with a dull golden color. With a sigh, she took hold of a chopstick and began eating it while standing up. Unlike the food she ate, these were too bland. Looking at the other foods, she got a brilliant idea.

Orihime started to mix the foods presented before she had a meal she knew she would enjoy.

After more minutes passed, she was already done with the food and was now looking up at the window upon the moon. Orihime didn't even turn when the door opened since she knew who it would be.

Ulquiorra stepped into the room, half expecting for her not to eat but when he saw the empty plates, he told the servant from before to enter. The servant grabbed hold of the cart and backed out, leaving the both of them in the room.

Orihime could feel his presence weighing down on her but didn't move a muscle to turn to look at him. She waited and waited until he said something and when that finally came, she could feel it cut the air around them that she couldn't help but flinch in response. She started to get on herself about it. So much for looking strong.

"More food will be sent to you in six hours." With that, he turned on his heel but halted just right when he got close to the door. "The only reason you are still alive after slapping me is because of Lord Aizen. I suggest you do not do so again."

Orihime felt her blood run cold and had to stop a shiver.

"Do you understand?"

"Y-Yes. I understand." Orihime felt like hitting herself for stammering.

The door closing answered her, leaving her in this prison that she just knew would not be very pleasant the next days. Orihime really wished she could do something rather than just stare out the window.

It seemed like eternity while waiting until she heard the door opening behind her. The servant pushed the cart in and she was glad that Ulquiorra hadn't come this time. When the servant bowed and walked out, the door shutting behind them, she quickly set to work mixing up the food once again.

At least this would help pass the time.

When she was done eating, she stretched her arms and legs before patting her stomach. That really hit the spot. Orihime looked at one of the chopsticks, noticing how blunt they were. A foolish thought soon appeared in her head. It was simply stupid but when she felt her friends struggling outside this prison, there was only so much one could take.

With her mind set, she waited patiently and when it came nearer and nearer for the time for the servant to come in, she could feel herself get nervous with reason. It was a huge risk. After she got outside this room, what would she do? What if she ran into someone and that someone could kill her or do who knows what to her?

She was so deep in thought that the sound of the door opening made her jump. The servant walked in. Orihime could attack right now and escape. The servants would be too weak against her attacks but....

The servant stumbled from their own feet. Orihime turned her head, "Are you all right?" She watched how the servant reacted in surprise before getting up. "I'm all right, miss," they said. Even though they had a skull as a head, the voice that came from behind was female sounding.

Her chance of attacking and walking out when the servant had fallen was now gone.

---

Ulquiorra was quite impressed. The woman didn't even attack or take the chance of the servant when he wasn't there. He had gone to that orange haired human, provoked him to fight him thinking he could, and had defeated him in the end with his hand shooting into the human's chest.

The servant had reported what happened. Even told him what Orihime asked of their well being when they fell. That didn't really surprise him since she did heal two of the Shinigami he had attacked before he ordered her to come with him.

When he dismissed the servant, he started to head to her room. It was no surprise to see her starting out the window. Ulquiorra stepped inside the room until he was at the normal stopping area behind her. He stared at her form which didn't help Orihime since she could practically feel those eyes boring into her skin. It made her skin feel crawly and she didn't like it since it reminded her of spiders.

"I came to report news to you about one of your friends."

That certainly got Orihime's attention. She turned to him, giving him all ears while a surge of hope shot through her.

"Ichigo Kurosaki is dead."

Ulquiorra watched how her face fell before asking, "What?"

"I won't repeat myself, woman."

"He can't be. He's not dead!"

Orihime couldn't believe it. She hadn't felt his reiatsu dissipate at all unless she was too engrossed daydreaming but that couldn't happen since she had felt Rukia's.

"He's not dead," she repeated, just like she did when she felt Chad's reiatsu.

"You're being obstinate."

"He's not dead." Orihime knew she was being a broken record but it was the only thing to drown out his voice. The very voice that cut deep into her more than a knife.

"Would you still think that if I said that I was the one that killed him?"

Orihime's eyes widened and the gears in her mind clicked. It was why he hadn't come earlier on, he was...he was...

No, it couldn't be true. She wouldn't believe it until she saw it for herself.

"No," she said simply.

"Are you saying that to make yourself ignorant to the fact that he is dead?"

"He's not dead!"

Ulquiorra stared at her before he started walking toward her. Orihime's eyes widened while she became nervous. "Shall I take you to his body to see for yourself that I have killed him?"

Flashes of what she thought of what he would like all bloody and battered - maybe nothing at all - went through her mind. Ulquiorra watched her face showed all of her emotions. Fear. Sadness. Horror. Humans were indeed foolish creatures.

"Yes," she whispered finally.

When Ulquiorra just stared down at her, she repeated, "Take me to his body."

---

Ulquiorra hadn't lied. He was dead. Blood was upon the ground like a fountain while Ichigo faced down like a ragged doll.

Orihime's body rocked with her sorrow while Ulquiorra was at the entrance, facing outward. He hadn't really asked permission to do this but he really didn't see the harm in it. She couldn't heal him anyway.

"Come with me, woman," he said.

Those very words were what caused her friend's death. It caused everyone trouble because she wasn't strong. Orihime wasn't going to do it again.

"I don't like to repeat myself, woman."

Orihime made no move. How could she? The very one she loved and her friend was dead. He was gone forever and the one behind her wanted to her go back already?

She heard something flap and before she knew it, hands snatched her roughly. Before Orihime could do anything, she found herself disappearing. Everything was a blur now and when she opened her eyes, she found herself standing in her room. Alone.

Orihime felt more tears prick her eyes and sobbed once more.

---

Ulquiorra couldn't believe that he had to force her to come back to Las Noches. Humans and their emotions were pathetic.

He noticed a servant was walking toward him before bowing. "Lord Aizen wishes to see you." Ah, he knew why and he already had an explanation thought up. One that would Aizen would accept.

When Ulquiorra walked into the throne room, those inside became hushed while staring in interest. "Ah, Ulquiorra," started Aizen with his smooth voice. "So glad of you to join me."

Ulquiorra stopped a few feet by the base. "What is it that you ask of me, Lord Aizen?"

"I noticed you took Orihime outside the castle walls. Mind telling me why?"

Ulquiorra didn't miss a beat to explain. "To make her believe that her human friend was dead, Lord Aizen." He noticed Aizen's right eyebrow lifted up in question. "Ichigo Kurosaki," he explained more.

"Ah, yes. I must congratulate you, Ulquiorra. However, it wasn't necessary to take her to see her friend's body. We want her to be happy, not sad."

"She would find out one way or the other, Lord Aizen."

"Hmm."

There was a long silence now, everyone in the throne room was waiting for Aizen to continue. Would Aizen punish Ulquiorra? Kill him? Assign a new caretaker?

"You're quite right, Ulquiorra." The others weren't amused at all since they expected something good. "Just don't do it again. Everyone will be sad if she is sad." Ironic really since Ulquiorra's face looked sad all the time.

"Yes, Lord Aizen," said Ulquiorra with a bow.

"You may leave."

Ulquiorra bowed again and with a turn on his heel, he walked out, leaving those in the room behind.

---

Orihime was on the silky couch in her room. She had fallen asleep moments ago after crying so much after learning the news that Ichigo was dead.

She still couldn't believe it.

The sound of the door opening didn't wake her up. Instead of a servant with a cart, it was Ulquiorra. At first, he wondered how she got out before seeing her on the couch to the left.

Seemed like she tired herself out after all that crying.

"How foolish," he said while heading out.

---

The next days for Orihime were mostly a blur. It was like hope was ripped away from her fully and now became a shell of what was once Orihime. At least, that's what one would think but it wasn't true. She still cared for her other friends of course and still had hope - it was just smaller than before.

When breakfast, lunch, and dinner came, she ate without a fuss. She remembered when she didn't eat it just a few days ago. It wasn't really pleasant.

"I see you haven't eaten," said Ulquiorra while he walked in and noticed the cart's tray was left untouched.

"I don't want it."

"Do you recall what I said before?" When Orihime didn't answer, he walked toward her with his threatening presence. Orihime felt her body wanting to move but couldn't. "I asked if you recalled what I said."

"Yes, I do but I don't want it."

"Then you leave me no choice."

Ulquiorra had tied her up with the rope he had brought with him before coming to the room. It turned out messy since she had made the food fall down upon the floor and gotten some on herself. Ulquiorra just kept on forcing the food down her throat while holding her securely.

His cold hands made her shiver while Ulquiorra kept forcing her to eat until it was all done. "Come in," he said to the servant outside the door so that they could clean up the mess upon the floor before heading out with the cart.

"Will this happen again, woman?"

When she didn't answer, his voice cut through her coldly. "Will you eat next time?"

"Yes..."

Orihime shivered at remembering the cold hands holding her while the rope kept her upon the chair. She didn't want to relive that situation ever again.

---

"Ulquiorra, how is Orihime fairing?"

"She had refused to eat but after forcing her to do so, she has been eating regularly."

"I trust you didn't handle her roughly?"

"Of course."

"Is she still crying for that boy?"

"No."

"Good, good." Aizen stood up from his throne. "Bring her here, Ulquiorra. I wish to talk with her."

"Yes, Lord Aizen," said Ulquiorra while bowing and started to walk out. When the door shut behind him, a smile appeared on Aizen's face.

---

"Come with me, woman."

"Eh?" Orihime was surprised at his sudden entrance and hadn't paid attention once more to reality while looking out the window.

"Lord Aizen wishes to see you." When Orihime turned and started walking, he waited for her to walk out before leading her the way. The hallway light seemed to blind her from being in the darkness of the room for so long.

The sounds of their feet walking upon the marble floor echoed in the hall while she looked around like a child. She wondered how they made this when there was no builders in sight.

Then again, the realm she was in wasn't exactly like the one she was normally from.

"Orihime!"

The voice halted them both, making Orihime whip her head toward them. "Rukia?" Wait, that wasn't all. The others were behind her. Chad, Uyruu - even the Division Captains!

"Oh?" The voice cut through the reunion like a knife upon butter. "So the other Espadas were no match for you all." Orihime looked back at Ulquiorra. "Looks like I have to kill every one of you now."

Orihime's eyes widened before shouting, "No! I won't let you kill all my friends!" She summoned up a huge shield in front of her that reached from the ceiling to the wall. Turning to her friends, she spoke to them, "Go!"

Rukia was the first to react, "What?!"

"He'll kill you all and I won't let him like he did with Ichigo!"

"So he killed him!"

"Heh, let me go against him," said Kenpachi while he shoved the others away. The others, including Orihime, sweatdropped.

Ulquiorra brought out his left hand from the pocket and merely flicked the shield to make it shatter easily into pieces.

Before Kenpachi and the others could do anything, Ulquiorra had used sonido and put his hand on her shoulder before diappearing.

"That bastard," hissed Uyruu.

---

"Ah, so good to see you, Orihime."

"What?" Her eyes blinked into focus, seeing that she was inside the throne room with Ulquiorra a few feet to her left while Aizen was nearby. "No," she whispered. "Why?!"

"This is quite a surprise," said Aizen smoothly before looking at Ulquiorra. "Did she see her friends, Ulquiorra?"

"Yes. I managed to get her away without them interfering."

Aizen smiled, "Very good." Turning his attention to Orihime, he walked toward her and took hold of her right cheek with his left. Orihime looked at him with shock. "Let's see you smile, Orihime. If you're sad, then we're all sad."

Before he could continue, the throne room's door opened and showed everyone that came to help to rescue Orihime. However, Aizen had already used his zankpakutou.

When some of them cursed out saying that she wasn't here and turned to leave, Orihime started to walk out of Aizen's grasp towards them. "No! Wait! I'm here!"

"They can't hear you, Orihime."

"What?"

Aizen chuckled, "That's right, you don't know. My zankpakutou can make illusions."

Orihime didn't like this one bit.

"Ulquiorra, since Orihime is still here, and you are as well, I want you to look after Las Noches."

"Yes, Lord Aizen," Ulquiorra said while bowing.

Orihime was wondering what was going on but Aizen soon answered her by saying he was going to destroy the very town that she called home.

"Oh, Ulquiorra."

"Yes, Lord Aizen?"

"I have no need of her anymore."

Orihime blinked and felt her gut tighten.

"Do what you must to get rid of her since my plan is already set in motion," Aizen said while walking up the steps that were now being eaten away by darkness.

"Yes, Lord Aizen." Ulquiorra didn't bother to bow. Aizen let his zankpakutou shatter, causing it to appear in his hand before sheathing it, before he gave Tousen orders so he could have his little speech on how he was going to succeed and such.

Boring matters really.

After Aizen disappeared, Ulquiorra's voice cut through the air once again. "Are you scared?" She turned her head back to him. When she didn't answer, he continued, "You won't have anyone to hold on to - to protect you - when you disappear. So, I shall ask you again: Are you scared?"

After a long silence, she said "No...I'm not scared."

It was Ulquiorra's turn for his eyes to widen but slightly. "Even though Ichigo is dead, I won't be afraid to die because I know my friend's hearts and my own heart are together."

Ulquiorra just stared, his eyes boring into hers. For once, he didn't know what someone meant. "Hearts?" He started to walk toward her with his hands in his pockets. "My eyes see all that exist. I have learned this in my fights, yet what is this "hearts" you speak of?" His right hand slipped out from his pocket to rest above her chest but not touching. "Would I see it if I tore open your chest?" Ulquiorra guided his hand up to put his fingers above both of her cheeks and nose. "Or would I see it if I opened up your skull?"

"...it's where your hollow hole is," she said, ignoring the cold coming from his hands.

This woman...was very interesting to Ulquiorra. Taking his hand away, he put it back into the pocket it was in before.

"You're not...going to kill me?"

Ulquiorra just stared at her, which made her explain. "I thought you were since you asked me if I was afraid-"

"Not anymore."

"-and...huh?"

"You're an interesting human, woman. Killing you would be entirely foolish."

Orihime just blinked while she racked her brain to figure out what he was saying. So, by saying she was interesting, he didn't wish to kill her? "How...am I interesting?"

"Your power to reject, your intelligence of not taking advantage of something that is handed to you, having the gull to slap me when knowing I could slip control, and...what you said earlier."

"That's what makes me interesting?"

"I have an extended version."

Orihime brought up hands and shook them, "Oh, no! You don't need to!" This was really weird too.

"Since Aizen wishes to get rid of you, I shall give you to your friends."

"Huh?" Did he...did he just say that? Honestly?

"Might I suggest you pay attention more to what I say, woman."

"It's not that, it's just...well, I didn't expect you to say that."

More staring. Really, did he do anything else? "I see." Ulquiorra walked up to her and right when he put his hand on her shoulder, he used sonido to take her to her friends. Needless to say, they too was also shocked when he and Orihime appeared in front of them before finding Orihime run toward them.

"...what just happened," asked Rukia.

"A rare phenomenon," said Uryuu while adjusting his glasses.

Ulquiorra started to walk away but stopped when Orihime said, "Thank you, Ulquiorra!" Despite one of her friends dying, despite what she went through, she still said thank you. Without saying anything, he started walking away.

He had to get away from humans and their foolishness since it was rubbing on him. Mostly from the woman. It was then that he soon realized he was slowly falling for her. "How foolish," he whispered to no one in particular.

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There you have it! I've rewritten a lot of this and I hope I did Ulquiorra justice. He's quite hard to write.

Be sure to tell me what you guys think, okay? I like to hear from everyone's thoughts.

Next prompt will be in continuation :D