DISCLAIMER:: I do not own bleach or any of the characters.
Chapter 2; The second visit
Orihime laid on her bed unable to sleep as a part of her wasn't able to let her rest. She couldn't let her mind slow down as thoughts raced through it as if chasing the previous thought she had. Her eyes were closed but it didn't help as she had already been laying there for an hour and got nowhere near sleep as all her thoughts seemed to chase it away.
She heard the door close making her open her eyes and look over and find the female espada had returned. She sat up slowly with a bit of a smile for having something to occupy her mind for a moment as she hoped that this little visit would clear her mind so she could sleep easier. The espada went over but didn't sit down as she watched Orihime with crossed arms for a moment before reaching over and letting her fingers run through her hair as she asked, "When was the last time you bathed?"
Orihime was taken aback at the question and answered, "I think it's been a few days."
"As long as these visits stay between us I can assist you in some things." The espada said. "I can't do much but I can bring you to a place where you can bathe at least."
"That would be nice." She said with a longing look as she felt like she needed a bath more then sleep.
"I'll have to escort you a little roughly." The espada said. "I need to keep appearances after all."
"If I can have a bath then I'm not complaining." Orihime said with a slight smile.
The espada offered her hand and Orihime took it and was pulled up. She went for the door while almost dragging Orihime by the wrist. There was brief hesitation at the door before they left the room without word between them and went down the hallway quickly. They turned down another hallway as a small smile formed on Orihime's face as she quietly said, "It feels a little weird walking around these halls."
"I'm sorry." The espada said simply.
"For what?" Orihime asked. "I'm happy that I can bathe."
The espada slowed to a brief stop only to say, "If I had more say you wouldn't be here now."
Orihime was taken aback once more as they continued down the hall again but soon came to another stop as the espada opened a door and ushered her through it quickly before closing and locking the door behind them. A warm smile formed on her face as she saw the large bath with steaming water filled to the top. Her smile almost faded as she felt a hand on her shoulder, "I'm sorry but we'll have to be quick."
"We?" Orihime asked nervously as she looked over at her.
"I can't leave you here." The espada said. "When you're done I'll bring you back to your room."
"Oh, for a second I thought you were going to join me in the bath." Orihime said with a nervous laugh.
"You're wasting time." The espada said as she leaned on the door.
Orihime hurried to the small table and began undressing while giving the espada a concerned look only to find she had her eyes closed. That put her at ease as she placed her clothes on the table and went to the shower and started it. The warmth of the water was bliss for her as she washed her hair overly anxious to get into the steaming water that awaited her in the large tub.
When she turned off the shower she glanced back at the espada and found she seemed deep in thought. It was a little concerning to her as this espada seemed almost nice, though it was only her actions and not much else. From what she saw not many of the espada really cared that she was here. A few nights ago she thought no one cared but then this espada had come to visit and spoke of protecting her if it were necessary and then even going to the lengths of tucking her in when it wasn't even necessary.
"Is everything alright?" Orihime asked.
The espada looked right at her with cold eyes and said, "Everything's fine, I'm just keeping track of all reiatsu around to make sure we're still fine."
"What will happen if we get caught?" Orihime asked nervously. "What would happen to you?"
"It depends on who catches us." She said. "If Ulquiorra figures us out then Aizen will find out immediately after."
Orihime gave her an upset look knowing that had been said because he was the one in charge of taking care of her and he seemed very loyal to Aizen. She was glad now that she never mentioned it to him since she feared what might happen after it was said and she didn't want anything to happen to her or this espada. She wanted it less now after this espada was allowing her a chance to bathe.
"Stop wasting time." The espada said.
"Thanks for doing this for me." Orihime said with a smile before going to the bath.
She sank into the water with a warm smile as it felt wonderful to her. She closed her eyes and basked in its warmth with an almost loving sigh. Ever since she came here she hadn't felt anything quite this wonderful. Even in the human world taking a bath was nowhere in comparison to this feeling. She hadn't bathed since she came here as she was never given the chance before as Ulquiorra didn't seem to care enough to give her this opportunity.
"It seems we have more time then I originally thought." The espada said from behind her and ended up startling her. "You can relax a little more if you wish."
"That would be nice." Orihime said warmly.
"Just keep your reiatsu completely hidden." The espada said. "Only keep it hidden when I take you out of the room or when I'm with you. If something happens then raise it and if I can go to you then I will."
"Why are you trying to look out for me so much?" Orihime asked.
"I don't know." The espada replied.
"How could you not know?" Orihime asked with a confused look.
The espada crouched down and looked at her for a moment before saying, "I just feel drawn to you."
Orihime watched her curiously for a second before getting up and turning to face her properly and pulled her collar down with her hand and found the espada's masked covered her whole lower face. The espada watched her curiously as she leaned closer and placed a kiss on the teeth of her mask. When Orihime pulled away the espada's eyes were wide.
"Did that help?" Orihime asked.
The espada rose without word and went back to the door in silence. Orihime watched her with worry as she feared the reaction that this espada might have towards her actions. She held no feelings or attachment to this espada but it seemed that she did. It wasn't long before just wondering wasn't enough and she had to know, "Was I wrong?"
No response was given as the espada watched her with a cool look so Orihime sank back down into the water. Nothing else was said as Orihime relaxed a little more before she found it was time to get out. She rose from the water and went to gather her clothes. It was a little surprising to find a towel there for her. She looked over at the espada once more with a smile, "Thanks."
The espada did nothing to acknowledge her gratitude as she watched the young girl dry her body at a quick pace before getting dressed. The longing she felt for the other girl differed from what the young girl expected as there was no want for intimacy between the two of them. It was as absurd now as it had been when the thought first occurred to her days ago and it was still beyond reproach. Yet for some reason it didn't seem as reproachful as it had before though that was due to the fact that it had been on the espada's mind lately.
Orihime was dressed and ready to go back to her room even though she would enjoy having some more time away from it she knew it would be a mistake to do so as it could get both her and this espada in trouble. That wasn't something she wanted as this espada showed her niceties that Ulquiorra did not seem to care much for.
She went back to the espada with a weak smile that faded as the espada grabbed her wrist a little roughly as she had to and brought them out of the room. Their pace was a little more leisure then before but it was still quick like the espada wanted to be rid of her as soon as possible. Orihime said nothing about the tight grip or anything else the espada did even as she was pulled into another room without warning or explanation.
The door was closed and locked and Orihime was pulled close to the espada from behind. A hand was placed firmly over her mouth so she couldn't speak. The espada's grip tightened as Orihime felt it too, another hollow was close to them. Both of their reiatsu were completely concealed and had been for some time now so it was unlikely that they had been found out so easily. As unlikely as it was however, they couldn't take even the slightest of chances.
Orihime's heart raced as the other presence came closer to them. She gripped the espada's arm that was around her waist and holding her tight as she felt the bone of her mask dig into her back a little painfully as she was held that close to her body. She was almost able to sense the espada's worry now but that sense faded with the presence of the other hollow. The espada's grip loosened and her hand fell away from Orihime's mouth but she wasn't let go as her hand dropped to her shoulder.
She was held almost intimately now as if the espada had really been frightened for her safety if they were caught. The espada lowered her head so it rested next to Orihime's. She glanced over at the woman and found the look of relief in her eyes that was surprising but it soon faded as their eyes met once more, "I thought we had more time for you to relax but it seemed I was wrong, I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize." Orihime said kindly but quietly as the espada had as well. "What you're doing now means a lot to me."
The espada released Orihime a little and allowed her to turn around so they could face each other properly but she didn't allow her to leave her reach as she continued to hold the girl by the waist. They looked into the others eyes and said nothing as it was almost unnecessary to do so. The espada held her concern in her ocean green eyes while Orihime held her own concern for the espada in her grey eyes. Both were concerned for the other and it drew them to each other.
They were drawn to the other by their concern as the espada placed a hand on the girl's face gently bringing a smile to her face. Her smile warmed as the cool left the espada's eyes but her confusion grew as she found a look of longing stirred in her eyes. The espada moved closer to the young girl making her heart race a little as she was lost in the depth of the espada's eyes.
Orihime reached up and pulled down the espada's collar once more and this time the mask opened revealing her lips. They each held questioning in their eyes as both questioned their own actions more then the actions of the other. No matter their uncertainty their lips met and Orihime was pulled closer. Orihime's heart raced wildly in her chest as her face heated up in a strong blush.
Their lips parted as the espada straightened up and looked off to the side with her eyes narrowed. Her mask slowly closed and her collar was placed up to her face once more. When they met eyes once more the woman's eyes were as cold as they were on her first visit to the young girl's room. "We should leave before someone else comes by here."
Orihime nodded faintly as she was released and the door was unlocked once more. She was taken by the wrist and brought out of the room but they stopped immediately as they found a female arrancar standing there watching them. Orihime's heart almost stopped at the sight of her but this presence didn't seem to concern the espada so much as she did nothing to try and protect her or defend her actions. The arrancar looked past the woman and to the young girl for a moment before returning to the woman, "This is what has intrigued you?"
The espada said nothing in response so the arrancar spoke again, "How long has this been going on exactly?"
"We'll speak of this later, Mila Rose." The espada said. "I'll inform you and the others at the same time."
"Halibel, this isn't going to end well if you keep doing this." Mila Rose said. "You know what could happen if you're found out."
Orihime watched the two with a growing unease as she didn't want to stand around in this hallway and increase the chances of getting them in trouble. She took hold of the hand that held her wrist making Halibel glance back at her, "I don't think we should be having this conversation here."
"Its fine, we're leaving." Halibel said before looking back at Mila Rose. "We'll speak of this later."
To Orihime's surprise the arrancar bowed her head and walked down the hallway without further word. Halibel glanced back at her for a moment before continuing down the hallway towards the room Orihime stayed in. Their walk was fast and silent as words were not welcome between them after the confrontation that had happened.
As they got to her room Orihime expected to just be left there without word but Halibel entered as well and closed the door behind her. They met eyes as Orihime asked, "Are you in trouble now?"
"No, there won't be any trouble for either of us." Halibel said calmly. "Mila Rose is one of my fraccion. All she needs is an explanation and no more. She won't speak of this to anyone other then my other fraccion and they will remain quiet."
"Are you sure?" Orihime asked nervously. "If I'm too much trouble for you then you don't have to do anything for me anymore."
"It's no trouble, Inoue." Halibel said as she guided her to the bed. "I'm doing this because I want to not because I was told to or because I feel obligated."
"And the kiss?" Orihime asked a little hesitantly.
"I felt drawn to you, more so then normal." Halibel replied. "It won't happen again."
"Why are you drawn to me?" Orihime asked. "What makes you do these things for me?"
"I can understand the pain of sacrifice more then any other espada here." Halibel said. "I had sacrificed myself for another before and I know how easily you can be targeted by others."
"What do you mean?" Orihime asked nervously.
"Females are targeted by males here though it is unlikely to happen to you there is still a chance something may happen." Halibel said. "I don't want you to get hurt if there is something I can do to prevent it."
"But what if helping me gets you into trouble?" Orihime asked with concern.
"It wont," Halibel said. "As long as we remain quiet about all of this then everything will be okay and we won't be found out."
"It's almost as if we really are sneaking around as lovers." Orihime said with a slight laugh.
"I don't have that sort of interest in you." Halibel said. "If that's what you believe then you're wrong."
"I never thought that." Orihime said with a smile. "I was just saying with all the sneaking around and secrets it could be compared as being lovers."
"I suppose it could be but that is not what this is." Halibel said sternly.
"Then is this friendship or pity?" Orihime asked.
"It's not pity." Halibel replied.
Orihime waited for her to comment on any form of friendship but it didn't seem to be that either. She let out a quiet sigh and looked across the room as Halibel sat next to her on the bed, "I had never once considered this a friendship. It had always just been something I wanted to do but I suppose that could be called friendship."
Orihime looked over at her and met her eyes as she spoke once more, "Is that what you want, Inoue?"
"It would be nice to have a friend here but with what's to comeā¦" She trailed of not wanting to think about it. "I don't know if I'd be able to see my friends fighting each other."
Halibel gave her a concerned look as she took the girl's hand and placed her free hand on the girl's cheek. Orihime smiled faintly as she said, "I think I'm becoming drawn to you as well."
They looked into the others eyes once more but no more then that as they didn't wish to speak. After awhile Orihime reached up to Halibel's collar once more and asked, "Can I?"
Halibel was hesitant but nodded and allowed her mask to open as her collar was pulled down. They leaned closer slowly and hesitated when their lips were a hairsbreadth apart before they closed their eyes and allowed their lips to meet once more. They lingered in the kiss before pausing briefly to look into the others eyes once more then continuing at a faster pace.
Orihime was brought down to the bed as their pace continued to quicken. Halibel allowed her hand to slide away from the girl's cheek and down to her waist where she let it linger. There was no denial for the actions as Orihime welcomed them as they were all restrained. Orihime allowed her hands to wrap around Halibel's neck and pulled her closer as her heart raced within her chest from the actions and the lust hidden within them.
Halibel sensed the lust as well and brought her hand higher until it rested just below the girl's chest before stopping herself and pulling away, "It's getting late, Inoue."
She got an odd look before anything was said on the matter, "I guess it is."
"You need to rest and I can't stay any longer then I already have." Halibel said. "There are explanations I need to give."
"I understand." Orihime said.
They remained unmoving for a moment before Halibel spoke once more, "I should really go."
"Yeah," Orihime said sadly. "Will you come back?"
"I will." Halibel said as she leaned down and claimed her lips before allowing her tongue to meet the young girl's for the first time. She was immediately welcomed with the action as Orihime pulled her closer. There was no pause as they continued vigorously and Halibel positioned herself above the young girl. Halibel gently stroked the girl's side with one hand as they continued on in an almost heated panic.
Neither knew if they would have the opportunity to see the other in secret again as they both had to be careful and not slip up while there was no telling how much longer Orihime would be here before her friends came for her. When that happened Halibel would have to let her go without even a struggle to seem unattached to the human even if an attachment was slowly growing inside her. She didn't want to lose the human even if she didn't want to remain here and wanted to return home.
Orihime allowed one hand to fall from Halibel's neck and search around blindly for the woman's free hand. When she found it she held it in her own and felt a little warmth from the woman above her from the action alone but it was nowhere in comparison to the heat of their kisses. The blush on Orihime's face burned deep enough for the woman to feel with ease but that only made them continue faster as their lust burned ever deeper. No amount of self restraint would be able to separate the two in their passion and nothing did come between them as they lost themselves in their lust.
