A/N: Hey everyone! First off thank you so much for all your reviews, favorites, and follows! It really means a lot to me as this is my very first fanfic ever. I have a lot of ideas in store for you all and I'll try my very best to keep the characters as in character as possible! Once again, thank you! :D

Secondly, I must do something I didn't do the first time. I do not own any of the character from Bleach!

Feel free to leave reviews! It'll definitely help along the way I'm sure. Constructive criticism is welcome!

Chapter 2: Waking Up From This Dream

Orihime had had a lot of outlandish dreams in her past, but this one definitely topped all the rest. In fact, this one seemed more of a nightmare. Coming in and out of her comatose state, the redhead could tell she was floating. Darkness was the only thing visible and the atmosphere was smothering, making it difficult to breath. There were daunting noises coming from all sides of her. Some were far off and then some seemed to prowl up right beside her. If she had to guess, something was hungry. There was no wind in this place yet she was drifting forward as if being pulled by a tether. It had almost a possessive feel and if the tether had a color it'd most definitely be green. In her sluggish jumbled thoughts, Orihime could have sworn she'd been here before. Her head was so heavy from a steady pain and she couldn't remember what had brought her here. However, Orihime lost her train of thought as she slipped into oblivion once again.

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The next time the girl came around she found herself lying against rough sand. She was sprawled out on her stomach, her red hair in tangles. The pain she felt before had receded only leaving a small throb in her head. Peeking through fluttering eyelids she saw the distorted shape of a tower in front of her. Orihime could tell it was heavily damaged. Massive holes were blown into the sides and she could vaguely see rubble littered around the base. That's right…this isn't a dream, the redhead thought, I was in my room and I heard him. That must have been the Garganta. So…this must be Hueco Mundo? Slowly she shook off the last of her drowsiness and came to a standing position. It was cold here and she was wearing nothing but a pair of thin black shorts and a plain white tee-shirt. Any hope of warmth was quickly diminished. So with bare feet and her arms wrapped tightly around her body, she began to make her way toward the tower.

The further she walked the more unsettled she became. Something about herself felt disconnected. Almost as if one side of her body had been split off and left back in her room. If a hollow spotted and attacked her she knew she wouldn't be at full strength. But what was even more unsettling was the blatant lack of the Espada who summoned her here. Orihime knew she had felt his spiritual pressure and she was sure that the voice was his, so why wasn't he here? But then again, she thought, how could someone who was supposed to be dead call me here in the first place?

Turning around in circles Orihime could see nothing for miles. It was just her and the shattered tower that was now only another few hundred yards away. There was a sense of familiarity when standing in the middle of the ruin. Gazing up to the top of the tower, where the moon was sitting massive in the night, she was it. It was just a flash of a memory, but Orihime could see the image of a slim figure with large black wings and a long twisted tail that wrapped around another figure's throat. The image of Ulquiorra taunting her before blowing a hole through Ichigo's chest. Realization struck her hard as she finally understood where she was and why she must have been summoned to this exact spot. Ulquiorra brought her here for a purpose; something only she was capable of doing.

Frantic in her movements, Orihime stumbled over her feet looking for the precise place it happened. Searching for the last place she got to look into those intense eyes and hoping to see them watching her once again. Tears welled up in her eyes as she found it, her heart plunging into disbelief. Knees shaking, the redhead gradually made her way over. As soon as she arrived she crumbled in on herself not able to hold it in anymore. In an uncontrollable sob she cried for the man who wasn't there. Not caring what hollow heard she let out an agonized scream, calling for him.

"Ulquiorra! …Ulquiorra!"

Digging her fingers into the sand she rocked back and forth with her face to the sky. "Please…" she cried through an already hoarse voice. "Please Ulquiorra… Where are you?!"

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It had been nearly an hour since the Espada first sensed that sweet spiritual pressure, and the wind storm that was Ulquiorra kept raging on. Reaching the gates of Los Noches he was doing everything he could to keep himself together while moving at a quick pace. Staying calm came naturally to him, and it was easy enough now if he kept his mind focused on the task at hand. However, thoughts of the girl clouded his concentration. Frustration burned in the pit of his essence. There was no possible way that Orihime could have just appeared. He wasn't going to believe it until he saw her with his own eyes! But even if she was here, someone must have brought her. The girl simply didn't possess the power or knowledge to open a passage between the human and spirit world.

Ulquiorra weaved through the halls of the fortress, effortlessly navigating towards his destination. Fortunately the destruction proved favorable as the Espada slipped through smashed walls that created shortcuts. With every inch gained it was becoming easier and easier to sense and verify the reality that the redhead was here. Though her pressure had a stretched feel to it. Almost as if she were only half here. It wasn't right. The fragrance of such a pure pressure should never be tampered with. It was unacceptable. Breaking through the labyrinth of Los Noches, Ulquiorra found himself in the dome room. Up was the only obstacle that separated him from the girl. He paused, willing his essence to take flight, but wasted effort befell him as he realized there simply wasn't enough power left.

Damn this form and its inability to perform the smallest of tasks, he thought again. A once elite Espada and now I'm trash; unworthy of existence. If only that soul reaper would have stayed down. Never giving up...ridiculous... Ulquiorra gave an internal sigh. Yet, then again, that same ridiculous notion is what produced such power from a dead man. The doubt coursing through Ulquiorra's mind was uncharacteristic for him. Something beneath all that he stood for, but when it came to that girl he strayed from reason. She brought out a foreign side to the cruel individual. Almost as if she were humanizing him. I can't give up. Just as she wouldn't. The thought alone made him recoil, but deep within his essence he felt a jolt. A little flicker that tasted of what he used to be. Orihime…

The thought of her name ignited a new fire within Ulquiorra. Greater than that he felt earlier. His once formless structure took shape of a man. A man with wings. It was the most power he had felt in this form. Without a second thought he took flight, soaring for the one who had awoken such a might within him.

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At long last Ulquiorra broke the surface. Instantly he saw her. She was facing away from him folded in on herself. The red hair he had been thinking about for the past six months was showered around her like a curtain. Small hands were covering her face and he could see her slender shoulders trembling. The girl was alone and the whispers of her tears reached him. The sight was all wrong.

"Ulquiorra… Ulquiorra, please…" she cried in a strained voice.

Me? Why would a soul like her cry for that which abused her?

The Espada recalled the last moment he had looked at her face. The way she reached out for him with tears in her eyes. As if she couldn't bear to lose him. It had never made sense to him, and now he was faced with another impossible situation. What was worse, all he could do was watch.

Drifting forward he circled around the girl attempting to peek at her face. It was like the rustle of wind as he felt himself brush the crying redhead by mistake.

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Orihime could feel her throat closing from the weariness of her sobs. She had lost track of time as she remained in the sand. It was apparent now that this was indeed a very bad nightmare that she could not escape. Why else would this be happening? Ulquiorra had not come for her. He had not brought her here and now all she wished for was the comfort of home.

It happened in an instant. A slight brush, like a small breeze touching the edge of her shoulder. Orihime abruptly shot to a standing position and searched for the disturbance. However, she found nothing. In fear the girl released her Shun Shun Rikka

"Santen Kesshun, I reject!" At the sound of her voice, her spirits responded within the blink of an eye, streaming from the crystal blue clips she wore in her hair. A gold shield appeared between Orihime and the source of the discomfort. I can't believe I let my guard down in a place like this! I know I felt something, I just know it! Taking a breath Orihime calmed herself and focused, scanning the area for any spiritual pressure.

There was nothing.

Just before releasing her Santen Kesshun she felt it again, but this one was more direct. Someone or something had nudged her in the back. Letting out a yelp she whirled, shifting her shield. Again Orihime searched for a pressure, exerting more effort. Disbelief! Complete disbelief as she sensed the weakest of pressures. It was like trying to sense a single drop of water in the ocean. Yet there was urging force within it. Something almost familiar.

"Ul…Ulquiorra…?"

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His accidental brush resulted in the most opportune of events. She had felt him, and he watched as she responded with her famous Shun Shun Rikka. Finally after so long he was making some ground in this cursed form. However, getting her to feel his spiritual pressure was a new challenge.

Seeing the light gradually leave her eyes Ulquiorra knew she had not sensed him. Shifting around the girl he tried again. This time brushing against her back.

Deep satisfaction erupted as he heard the girl's surprised cry. The light in her eyes returned and he could see the redhead's effort as she searched for him again. With everything he had, Ulquiorra flared his spiritual pressure. It took his whole existence to exert the amount of force needed for the girl to find him. It was painful, like all the particles that made him up were separating. He had felt this before when he originally turned to ash. This time was different for he had no ounce of power left to keep himself together.

This is finally it, it seems. At least I got to see her one last time. Silly girl…

The last thing he saw before the darkness was the girl's arms raising up and the quick movements of her full lips.

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It was a cool night as the owner of a little candy shop walked the streets of Karakura Town, the soft clicks of his clogs filling the still air. It was a peaceful night, yet he still felt a slight disturbance. The town was known to be a hot spot for supernatural occurrences, however the man was indeed surprised when he felt the swell of an immense spiritual pressure snatch half of the girl, Orihime Inoue, into a Garganta. It had nearly been an hour since the event and the fact that her friends, Ichigo in particular, hadn't risen the alarm meant this abduction was intended to be a stealth operation. However nothing got passed the store owner. Sighing, the man reached up and adjusted his green and white striped hat before continuing on towards Orihime's place.

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Ulquiorra found himself slumped against something soft. It was shaking, and something was wrapped around him, constricting his body.

Wait… Body?

The Espada felt a million miles away. There was a sound like bells. He couldn't quite tell the song they were playing but it was beautiful. He needed to find what was making such a sound, so slowly he opened his heavy eyes.

It was like waking up from a long dream; as if he'd been gone from the world for a lifetime. His head was draped over a shoulder and saw a sea of red hair, his own raven hair mixing with the sweet color. Ulquiorra deciphered the constricting feeling to be arms that were tightly wrapped around his torso. Small fingers were digging into his back as if trying to hold him in place. He wanted to tell the little bell that he wasn't going anywhere but couldn't find his voice. Next the Espada noticed his kneeling position. His legs were pressed up against another's, feeling the warmth they gave off. So tiny… this little bell. She's still singing.

Coming out of his delirious state, Ulquiorra tested the movement of his body. Slowly he raised his arms and wrapped them tenderly around the girl. He could feel the slight twitch of something protruding from his back. Black wings fluttered lazily to life as he became more aware, as did his lengthy tail. I'm in my Segunda Etapa, Ulquiorra thought. Understandable. The girl's power brought me back as I was last. Truly remarkable.

"Don't cry, Orihime" Ulquiorra commanded, the name soft on his lips. His voice was barely audible and wondered if she could hear such things. But the redhead who had been uncontrollably weeping responded by squeezing even tighter, her cries becoming louder as she realized there was life to him.

"Ul-Ulqui-Ulquiorra!" The girl gasped through breathes.

For a small time Ulquiorra allowed the girl to cry onto him, her tears beginning to run down his arm. He wanted to calm the girl but had no indication as to how. It was an uncomfortable situation for he had never been in this position. Instead of trying his hand at consoling the girl he decided to remove himself. "It's time to let go" he said detaching his arms. The girl slipped her arms from around him and leaned back, doing her best to flashing him a bright smile. Through the red puffiness of her cheeks and eyes, Ulquiorra took in the sight of Orihime. Her brilliant smile alone was enough to shoot through his heart, causing it to take off. This feeling he had come to correspond with the girl spread like fire through his body. Her eyes were soft, like a blue sea with calm gray waves washing through them. A warmth took place of distress and they were the only things that could ever sparkle in this dull world. Whether it was from the overwhelming feeling coursing through his body or his weakened state, Ulquiorra wobbled on his knees and fell backward. How utterly feeble, he thought to himself scolding his new body. An Espada should show better form no matter the condition.

"Ulquiorra", she exclaimed, "are you alright? Are you hurt?" The redhead's voice was laced with concern as she moved to help him, but Ulquiorra stopped her.

"How is this possible?" he asked, ignoring her questions.

Sniffling from her tears the girl replied in a slightly upbeat voice he was not accustomed to, "I don't know! I mean, I felt your spiritual pressure but it was so weak!" Orihime paused taking a ragged breath and used her arm to wipe her eyes. "I...I barely had time to think before I used my Soten Kisshun… I didn't know where you were! I just guessed!"

Closing his eyes he huffed at her explanation. Once again she continued to surprise him. So the girl merely shot off her abilities without thinking? It's a wonder she even found her mark. She really is something. But Ulquiorra decided to change the topic of conversation. He needed more important questions answered.

"How did you get here girl?" He said in a dry voice.

"What...what do you mean? You brought me here didn't you?!" Orihime's eyes bugged out at him in confusion.

"I've been living like disgraceful scum crawling the barren lands of Hueco Mundo. I've been living off the scraps other hollows leave behind, barely able to partake in a fulfilling soul. My spiritual pressure was that of a water drop as I know you felt. So in what mind do you think that I would have had the level of power needed to bring half of you here?" Ulquiorra spared no contempt in his voice. He knew he should not be so cruel to the redhead, but the disbelief that the girl could be so naïve brought out old habits. Though there was a slight twinge pulling in his stomach.

The girl was obviously oblivious to the scorn in his voice and instead tilted her head to the side, opening her mouth as if to say something. She was deep in thought. The Espada was about to continue when the girl blurted out, "what do you mean half?!"

Again, naïve. "Can you not feel the separation in your spiritual pressure?" The question shot a knowing look across the redhead's face. He guessed she had indeed recognized something off about herself, but she closed her eyes and concentrated anyways. After just a small moment she snapped into attention as realization washed over her.

"But how can this be? I remember being in my room and then I felt your spiritual pressure and I even heard your voice! It was so clear! Then there was this icky looking ooze that swallowed me up and I even felt your presence with me in the Garganta. After that I was suddenly here! I couldn't possibly be split in half! Oh! I know" she shouted enthusiastically before Ulquiorra could get a word in. "I felt a really sharp pain and it felt like someone was cutting me in half so maybe half of my body is laying back in my room while the other half is here. But then why do I have a full body here? Oh! I know" she rushed on again, but this time he didn't let her get another word out. Orihime's words were becoming jammed together as her imagination became wilder by the second. Has she always been like this, the raven thought? How bothersome it is to listen to her mindless blabbing as if she were a child. Again the Espada felt a twinge in his stomach.

"Enough," Ulquiorra interrupted. "Listen carefully for I do not wish to repeat myself. It is clear, through simple examination of your spiritual pressure, that only your consciousness has traveled here from the world of the living. Your body has been left from where you came, thus resulting in the divide of your pressure. How you managed to come remains a mystery for I was not the one who brought you here." The raven paused, considering this unsettling fact, but continued. "You say you felt my pressure and heard my voice, yet I had no possibility of reaching you in my previous form. It's only by careful deduction that someone else had a hand at bringing you here, someone quite skilled, but for the reason I do not know. Nor in fact do I know how you will manage to return since I still do not hold the strength to open the Garganta, let alone stand." Ulquiorra watched the girl carefully, seeing her take all the information in. She sat puzzled and thankfully quiet, a troubled expression painted on her face. He had seen this before. This was the Orihime he knew, not the loud and childish girl from a few seconds ago. For the first time he noticed her choice of clothing. Black and white. The colors of her captivity. He wondered if this were mere coincidence or if it derived from the trauma of what those colors meant. Enslavement to Aizen's army. Betrayal to her friends. Submission to her captor…

The raven stared into the girl's glazed eyes until he pulled her out of thought. Slowly raising his heavy arm he held it out to her and repeated the words from so long ago. "Are you frightened?"

Orihime sucked in a breath of air at the shock of his words. Ulquiorra already knew the answer to this question, yet he wanted to hear her reply again. "I am not afraid" the redhead replied as she moved to reach out to him. Their fingers barely brushed before the air exploded around them.

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Orihime whirled around in surprise as she witnessed a massive Garganta take over the sky above them. It all happened in an instant. There was a force like a suction, threatening to pull her into the unknown yet again. Invisible tethers had wrapped themselves around her body once more and began lifting her from the sands of Hueco Mundo. Without a thought she turned to face Ulquiorra again and saw his expressionless face, his hand still outstretched to her. She noticed a sadness in his eyes as he watched history repeat itself. Yet this time it was Orihime that was being taken from the Espada.

"Ulquiorra!" She screamed as she vanished within the Garganta.

A/N:

GenesisVentura- Thank you so much for your support and kind words! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! :D

Guest- Thank you for your support as well! I hope I was able to answer some of your questions in this chapter, but I'm afraid you'll have to wait to find out just who it was who took Orihime to Hueco Mundo! ;) Hope you enjoyed this one!

Signing out! - DivineOblivion