The sky was clear, he noted. Clearer than it had any right to be: didn't it know that there was a war going on? The terrible war, which threatened to destroy everything he held dear. Or rather, the one thing he held dear. One person.

One the other hand, he supposed it suited his Orihime perfectly. Orihime, who was always bright and clear regardless of the circumstances. Orihime who was at home, the first home that they had bought together, waiting patiently for his return.

"Don't go, Ulquiorra, please!" Orihime begged. His hand lifted to her face and wiped the tears away.

He recalled that part very clearly. He could almost still feel the salty liquid on his fingertips, even now.

"I have to go. I have to go to protect you. If I don't, who will, my love?" he chided softly. Orihime could hear a strength in his words.

He hadn't been strong, though. He had wanted nothing more than to break down and cry.

Orihime didn't have to know everything that happened behind his apathetic mask.

"Don't worry, it'll be over soon, and I'll be back before you know it."

He lied. He didn't have any idea how long the war would last.

And lying shot on the battlefield, Ulquiorra didn't expect that he'd be making it back home anytime soon, either.

A/N: Bet you thought it'd be longer, didn't you? Well, this was just a drabble-y kinda idea thing that popped into my head. I don't own Bleach. This is set in an alternative universe. AU. UlquiorraXOrihime. Warning: Character death.

This whole thing is only like 240 words, so I guess that gives you guys the right to mentally stab me 240 times because this is just that lame.