Author's Note: I apologize for the LOOOONG wait. For about two weeks I had no power cord for my laptop. And, this chapter was really difficult for me for some reason. Anyway! I thank all of you who reviewed! It really means so much to me! I'm glad I can share my Ulquihime obsession with such awesome fans! XD Now read on, and I hope you enjoy it! I did rush, so I apologize if it is not as well written.


Chapter 2

" Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it." – George Bernard Shaw


Silence engulfed Ulquiorra as he exited Orihime's chambers. His raven hair hid emerald eyes as he quietly pondered his new fate. The words of his fallen leader echoed in the back of his mind.

" Until then, I leave Los Noches in your hands… Ulquiorra."

Word had reached him earlier that night that Aizen Souske had fallen in a fierce battle with General Yamomoto, signifying the end of the Winter War. This, as Aizen intended, immediately placed Ulquiorra in charge as leader. The very thought sickened him deeply. Los Noches would be nothing without Aizen, so why would anybody follow orders of someone like him?

The fourth Espada began to pace the hallway, thinking hard of what his next action should be. His eyes darted back to the door where his former prisoner slept. He stopped his pacing and turned fully to face her room, watching it with a thoughtful expression on his pale and tired face.


Flashback

A soft glow surrounded him as his eyes finally pried open. The world was fuzzy, and he had no idea where he was-- laying on his back no less. As he peered through the shield that was no doubt Orihime's, he was surprised to find he was not alone in the dusty room of the fifth tower. He found Inoue standing by the large hole in the wall that had burst open during battle. She was peering outside with deep intensity.

At that moment, the vision she produced was breathtaking. The light from outside filtered in through the destroyed wall, engulfing her in a soft glow. The breeze played with her long locks of hair, making them twist and dance behind her. With fascination seeping over him, he watched her raise a slender hand in farewell, and a tear streamed down her sullen face.

Little did he know that she was watching her nakama depart from Hueco Mundo in the distance. And as her friends turned to look one last time at Los Noches, they saw Orihime, a shining beacon in the fifth tower for all to see. Inoue watched Chad, Rukia, and Renji bow their heads and turn to leave. Only Uryuu and Ichigo remained, the gusty wind making the fabric of their garments flap violently. She watched Uryuu take a step forward, in hopes to bring her back, but Kurusaki grabbed his shoulder roughly. Ishida turned his head quickly to berate the Substitute Shinigami. Ichigo shook his head and spoke something to his comrade. He then raised a hand to match that of Orihime's. Another tear trickled down her face as the two boys she had grown to care deeply for stepped into the portal, leaving her to her own demise.

Ulquiorra watched silently, an eyebrow raised. She sniffled softly and turned back to her former captor. When her dampened silver eyes reached his own inquisitive ones, a large smile broke across her face. The fourth Espada felt strange at the sight of it. He didn't know what he had done to deserve a smile from her, let alone her healing abilities.

" I'm so glad to see you're awake… Ulquiorra."

End Flashback


The fourth Espada sighed heavily. He was not used to kindness, nor was he used to forgiveness, both of which she provided in full. As he stood in the shadows of the long empty hallway, he let the words she had spoken that night rush over him. They had comforted him for the past few nights and sometimes made him mad with confusion.

" Why have you stayed in Los Noches, Woman?" He had asked.

" My heart will always be with my friends… But it does not belong with them. It belongs here, with you and all the others."

Those words would never leave him. And now he knew that it was because of her that Los Noches had a leader. It was because of her that it would thrive. He knew without her, he would no longer have his life. In his logical mind he deduced that she was important to the survival of Los Noches, and he decided right then and there to make sure Orihime would always be protected.


Steaming hot water ran from the shiny tap, filling the large, white bathtub. The pink bubbles that were added multiplyed until they nearly spilled over the edge. When Inoue was content with the amount of water, she quickly turned the nozzle off. With anticipation coursing through her, she dipped her left big toe into the water. A large smile formed on her lips as she felt the water was perfect. It didn't take her long to completely submerge herself in the bubbly pink liquid.

Orihime then rested her head against the back of the tub and closed her eyes with a heavy sigh. A tune escaped her lips in a soft hum, but she didn't hum anything in particular. She gathered in the back of her mind that the water had washed away more than the dirt—but the stress and exhaustion she had experienced for many nights. After a long time of procrastination, she grabbed a scratchy pink sponge and began to clean herself, starting with her long peach-colored legs. Just as she worked her way up to the second knee, she heard knocking come from her room. She strained only slightly to hear the familiar voice of Ulquiorra calling out to her.

" I'm coming in."

She then heard the door to her cell open and the footsteps that immediately followed. They slowed to a stop.

" I'm in the bath, Ulquiorra. I'll be out in just a second!" she called with a cheerful tone. Her humming continued and she worked the sponge quicker than before. She was so focused on her own ministrations that she did not notice someone entering the small bathing quarters.

" Make it quick, Woman. There is ---"

" WAAAAH!!!"

A large wave of soapy water spilled onto the white tiled floor, soaking everything in its path, including all of Orihime's garments. Ulquiorra's expression did not change. He was used to her unecessary over reactions by now.

Orihime, now trying to cover herself with even more bubbles, which was entirely unnecessary given the amount in the tub, was glowing a bright red. " You startled me, Ulquiorra! You should really announce yourself before entering a room where someone is…naked."

Ulquiorra's eyebrow quirked at the pain it seemed to cause Orihime by saying the last word. She was quite a confusing woman.

" I don't know what you're so worried about. It's not like I haven't seen nudity of the female sex before."

Was it just him, or did she turn a darker shade of red?

" W-well… still… it's not polite… is all," she managed to stutter, still pulling bubbles toward her to hide private regions.

Ulquiorra watched her squirm a few moments longer; secretly enjoying the immense embarrassment he was causing her. When she seemed to be getting angry, he turned his back to her and smirked. " As I was saying before you interrupted me—" he continued, knowing full well he had interrupted her. " Was that you needed to hurry. I have somewhere I wish to take you."

Orihime's mouth formed a rather large "O" and she nodded. " Okay, I'll be out in just a second… Would you mind waiting in the other room?"

Ulquiorra considered for a moment whether or not he would antagonize her any further, but decided against it. He seated himself on the large white couch of the adjacent room and waited for her to exit. After a few disturbing splashes and a couple of grunts, he watched Orihime enter with a towel wrapped around her dripping body, wet hair clinging to her shoulders and face.

" My clothes got wet."

The Espada's eyes closed in mild irritation. " That's fine," he said after a brief moment. " Where I'm taking you will be able to accommodate you in that area."

The confused expression on her face did not go unnoticed, but he ignored it just the same. He stood to his feet and walked to the door. It opened automatically. Orihime remained by the door near her bathroom; hand clutching her towel like her life depended on it. It was apparent she did not want to go prancing around Los Nochces with no clothes on.

" It's not far," he reassured her, patience growing thin.

Inoue nodded, a small blush forming on her cheeks. Reluctantly, she followed Ulquiorra out of her cell and down the long, eerie hallway. After a few right turns, they halted by two large wooden doors. Ulquiorra extended a hand to a large brass knob and opened the left door. A sudden bright light spilled into the hallway, almost blinding Orihime. Once her silver eyes could focus, she knew the room he had lead her to was one of the fancier living quarters.

Ulquiorra turned to his side, signifying that he was waiting for her to enter. She complied and almost cautiously proceeded into the large, well-lit room. Bookshelves covered the high walls. Impossibly large windows out-looked the artificially sunlit courtyard, and a soft white bed complete with canopy was in the far corner. She could see that the room extended into other areas, undoubtedly as breathtaking as the one she was in.

" Where is this…?" she whispered.

The Espada came to stand beside her and replied, " This is your new room. You have proven your loyalty and you will no longer be required to stay in a cell."

Orihime blanched. " W-What?!"

Ulquiorra glanced sideways at her. " Did you not hear me?"

" I-I heard you, but this place is… is beautiful!!" she exclaimed, tears rising to her eyes.

The Espada suddenly lost his stiff composure and turned to completely face her. His ashen hand rose to catch a tear that spilled over the brim of her eyelid. The look in his own eyes was a mix between hurt and confusion. " I brought you here in gratitude. I thought you would like it here. Why do you cry, Inoue?"

His sudden affection shocked her and she giggled nervously. " No, no—I'm not crying because I'm sad… Sometimes people are so happy that they can't help but cry…"

" And this is the case for you?" he asked, returning his hand to a pocket.

Orihime smiled and nodded enthusiastically. " Yes, thank you, Ulquiorra!"

He nodded shortly in response and turned to face the room again. He pointed to a door on the far end. " The closet is there, filled with other garments that should fit you." He pointed to a door directly across from that. " In there is a kitchen and dining area." He then turned to the other side of the room and nodded to the door closest to them. " There are your bathing quarters. It will probably suit you better than your last one."

The smile on Orihime's face was beaming, and Ulquiorra couldn't seem to keep from glancing at it.

" Thank you so much, Ulquiorra! I—I don't know what to say!"

There was a pause, as though he were calculating the best way to reply. " You should not have to say anything, Inoue, which is something I wanted to talk to you about. I will return in an hour. By then I'm sure you will be clothed and ready to discuss--- Oomph!"

A gasp escaped his lips and his eyes grew comically large. Orihime had thrown herself on him. Her arms gripped him in a bear hug and her face nuzzled in his chest. " Don't worry, Ulquiorra! I'll be ready in an hour! And thank you, thank you, thank you for this room!"

Ulquiorra did not move a muscle, only panicked slightly inside at what she was doing. After a few moments of the suffocating embrace, he tried to pull away. " Um!! Hold on a sec!" she squeaked. Before he could question her, he felt the towel she had been wearing slip completely off of her and onto the ground below. " C-could you close your eyes for a second?"

" Because you're naked again?" he asked in his usual impatient tone.

" Y-yes, please."

The Espada sighed and did as she asked, knowing full well that if she had not saved his life he would not be going through so much trouble. After he was certain she was decent, he opened his eyes. " I'll return in an hour," he repeated. Orihime nodded and watched him exit her new, improved living quarters.


An hour passed, and Orihime could be found resting on the sofa beneath one of her many towering bookcases. Her hair was combed and almost dried, and the uniform she wore was almost identical to the one she had owned before, only a size too small. She figured she could let the hem out later-- after her company left. The prospect of company made her clap her hands excitedly and she bounced a little in her seat before she settled back down. Not a moment later, she heard a knock at the door.

" I'm coming in."

Ulquiorra entered, pausing to take in the sight of her. He would never admit it, but it pleased him to see her look so comfortable. She sat, hands folded on her lap and the same beaming smile still on her strong, expressive face. He then continued to the couch and took a seat beside her.

" I do not want to waste any time, Inoue. There is something very important we need to discuss." When he was sure he had her full attention, he continued. " Aizen-Sama has fallen. I am now the new leader of Los Noches. Like Aizen-Sama, I will need the use of your powers." He stopped to take in her expression. She seemed to be very concerned. " Without you, Los Noches will be nothing but corpses. You are vital to the success and survival of this empire."

He stopped again in hope that she would reply. Orihime smiled softly and bowed her head. " Yes… I know. Aizen-Sama has already informed me of this many weeks ago. This is why I have stayed… to complete the task given to me. My duty... is to restore Los Noches."


Well, this chapter was much lighter than the last and actually had some fluff! Yay! But don't get too excited. My story will jump back and forth… as does the pattern of life. XD Anyway, if you enjoyed it, please let this tired author know.

BETA READER would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to do the job for me, leave a review, and I'll get back to ya! :D