Chapter Three: Justification for Lovers

When she opened her eyes, the dark ceilings were the first to greet her.

She blinked her eyes and stayed still for a short moment, before she pulled off the blanket and brought her sluggish body to sit. Naturally, she rubbed her drowsy eyes and tried to sweep the lingering sleepiness she felt still hazing her mind. She looked at her surroundings and wondered where she was, then a minute later the memory of the previous night returned to her.

Orihime sighed.

It was real then, she mused silently. She clenched at the wine-colored blanket and stared around the dark, cold, and unfamiliar room that was evident to the things she experienced. A hand went to her back, barely reaching further than her shoulder. She remembered the red rose tattoo that was drawn on her back.

She looked at the window and the sky was painted mostly in the color of indigo but the sun had risen slightly in the far horizon, unexpectedly she was able to sleep for one or two hours. Although her body still felt tired and sluggish, she couldn't bring herself to sleep again.

What time is it? It must be around six… She thought, finding no clock in the room. Slowly, she removed the blanket and settled her body to sit at the edge of the bed. I have class at ten, and part-time jobs in the florist and café. Tatsuki… Kurosaki… everyone will be worried if I don't show up at school. Do they know I wasn't at home last night?

She stilled as she stared at her own feet. …If they do, what should I say when I meet them? I can't exactly tell them what I saw and heard here. How do I explain it? How do I even get myself out of here? There's no guarantee…

But then again, Ulquiorra promised he would take her home.

Orihime remembered it, how he looked guilty for getting her involved in such an unlikely situation, how angry he was when he found out it was Grimmjow who had been the cause of everything… Orihime could rest peacefully because he guaranteed her safety in this place. It must've been Ulquiorra who saved her from one of the monsters who wanted to kill her. He saved her again and again.

It was impossible that nothing would grow within her heart. Orihime felt she could trust him. Ever since she got involved in his affair she discovered sides of Ulquiorra she had never seen before, and she gradually knew him more and more. This was a fortunate thing, despite the misfortune that happened to her.

Next time, Orihime would definitely apologize to Ulquiorra for misjudging him… and thank him for helping her.

A knock on the door grabbed her attention.

When Orihime glanced at the door, it was opened slightly but no one was there. But she spotted a shadow on the floor from the crack of the door. "Hello? Who's there?"

The shadow flinched and made a faint sound incomprehensible to Orihime, but after a while the door slowly and cautiously opened further, Orihime tilted her head curiously. Her eyes widened when she saw a tiny figure clad in oversized white apron which the hem touched the floor, was revealed from behind the door, it was a small child with wavy shoulder-length emerald hair and big chocolate-colored eyes she had never seen before.

"Um…" The little girl muttered, stealing glances at the older girl.

Recovering from her surprise, Orihime smiled and friendlily greeted her. "Hello. Who are you? Are you lost?"

The little girl looked surprised and quickly hid behind the door leaf she gripped onto. She timidly peeked in, she looked a bit confused. "Umm… whele's Masthel Ulquiolla?" She hesitantly asked.

Orhime was a bit confused. "Ulquiorra? Can it be… this is his room?"

She nodded.

No wonder he said no one would disturb her. "Oh… then are you Ulquiorra's little sister?"

The little girl shook her head. "No… Nell ithn't Masthel Ulquiolla's sisthel, Nell ith Masthel Ulquiolla's sevvant. Who athe you miss? Why athe you in Masthel Ulquiolla's loom?" She asked. Orihime noticed a tattoo of a small red rose on the right side of her forehead, vaguely seen beneath emerald tresses.

"Your name is Nell? Ulquiorra is lending me this room."

Nell impulsively jumped out of her hiding, wide-eyed. "Ith miss Masthel's flwiend?"

"Well, yes." Orihime smiled at her.

Nell suddenly perked up. "Oh! Miss ith Masthel's guesth, then miss ith Nell's guesth thoo!" Then she scurried her way in and stopped in front of Orihime, looking up with her big chocolate eyes.

Orihime wondered what she was doing and was a bit astonished when Nell held up the either sides of her dress' hem and bowed her head respectively, "My name ith Nell Tou, Masthel Ulquiolla's numbel one sevvant, nice tho meeth you Ms. Masthel's guesth." She greeted while bowing.

She looked so cute Orihime couldn't help but to play along. "My name is Orihime Inoue, nice to meet you too, Nell. Just call me Orihime." She giggled softly.

Nell looked up to her and grinned widely, her cheeks flushed pink. "Ms. Olihime!"

Orihime giggled at her childish remark. "Well Nell, what are you looking Ulquiorra for?" She asked.

"Nell wanth tho thell Masthel thath the blweakfasth ith leady, this ith Nell's job as Masthel's sevvant!" Nell cheerfully explained.

"Breakfast? So early?" Orihime tilted her head confusedly.

"Yesh! Masthel likes tho eath Nell's blweakfast eally." Her happy expression suddenly changed into a gloomy one. "But… Nell can'th find Masthel in his loom, then whele can Masthel be? If Nell can'th find him, Masthel will miss blweakfast and then Masthel will be sick if he doesn'th eath Nell's blweakfast!"

"Oh that's too bad." Orihime felt sorry for the little girl, if only she hadn't used Ulquiorra's room, he wouldn't have left and Nell could easily find him. Feeling guilty, she suggested to her. "Then, how about we look for him together?"

Nell stared up to her, wide-eyed. "Leally? Ms. Olihime will look fol Masthel with Nell?"

"Yes, really." Orihime replied with a smile and a nod.

"Yaay! Thanks Ms. Olihime!" Nell happily exclaimed.

"Now… where could he be? Do you have any idea, Nell?" She asked.

Nell held up an index finger to her chin and thought for a while. "Umm… Masthel likes tho lead a loth of books when he's home, so Nell thinks maybe he's in the liblwaly!"

"Library? Where is it?"

Nell pointed a finger towards the door. "Go outh and go down the stails and then tuln lefth and walk stlwaighth and then…"

"Uh, can you lead the way?" Orihime remembered she had been lost in this big house before, she wasn't sure if she could memorize Nell's instruction either.

"Yesh!" She replied.

"That won't be necessary."

Orihime raised her gaze and saw the man in question was already standing by the door, she realized that his appearance had drastically changed from his previous state last night. The horns and wings and even the black marks beneath his eyes had somehow disappeared. She could tell that Ulquiorra had returned to normal like the usual Ulquiorra Orihime met at campus.

"Masthel!" Nell exclaimed. She swiftly scurried towards Ulquiorra and stopped before she bumped onto his legs. She tilted her head backwards so she could see Ulquiorra's face, struggling to keep her balance. "Good molning, Masthel! Nell ith looking fol you, sil, she wants tho thell Masthel that the blweakfasth ith leady!"

Ulquiorra quietly looked at the little girl who struggled not to fall backwards because of the weight of her head. Sighing, he lowered his body to Nell's eye level so the girl tilted her head back to its normal position.

"Good morning, Nell. Thank you for your good work." He gently patted Nell's head. Nell smiled proudly at her master's compliment.

Ulquiorra slowly got up, he threw his gaze towards Orihime. "Have you been sleeping well?" He inquired.

"I've slept for a couple of hours, but I'm still a bit tired…" Orihime stole nervous glances at him.

"I see." Ulquiorra fished out a small triangular phial from his pocket, then he approached Orihime and handed it to her. "It's a nutrient extract. It'll give you enough energy for half a day, drink it if you still feel weak."

"Thank you…" Orihime held up the phial, she could see the transparent liquid sparkled in sunlight.

"Now then…" Ulquiorra turned to Nell. "Nell, can you help her take a bath? Ask Mila Rose or Helibel and see if they can lend her some clothes."

"Yesh sil! Light away, Masthel!" Nell swiftly ran towards Orihime and deliberately pulled her arm.

Orihime was astonished by the amount of power Nell's small body actually had, she could force Orihime's bigger body without any problem. "Eh? Eh? N-no, you don't have to do this. I'm fine with the—"

"No can do, miss. You athe Masthel's guesth, so Nell will thake Ms. Olihime tho bath and make Ms. Olihime ten thimes plwettiel and cleanel!" Nell stated as she pushed Orihime towards the bathroom door.

While the two were busy with each other, Ulquiorra quietly strolled towards the door. He looked over his shoulder and said to Orihime. "I'll wait for you downstairs. Until then, enjoy yourselves." Then he left.

"Eh? W-wait—kyaaaah! I-it's cold…"

"Oops, solly Ms. Olihime, Nell folgot tho tuln the hot wathel faucet."

"Aah! It's hot!"

"Oops."

After Orihime took a bath and changed clothes, Nell led the way as they went down the stairs. She was wearing a cream-colored long-sleeved turtleneck sweater and a cerise skirt Nell brought her, while her clothes were put into a bag she brought along with her. Now that the sun had been high enough and the curtains had been folded, she could see the insides of the house had in contrast with what she saw last night.

She was quite surprised that she was taken into a mansion that had many corridors with rows of rooms and a pair of staircases at either side which was joined at the bottom. On the first level, there was a quite decent vestibule with a tall two-leaf door. She also noticed the building was filled with antique furniture that Orihime only saw in medieval movies and antique shops.

Ulquiorra was waiting by the end of the stairs, she saw Grimmjow had returned to his human form, sitting on a chair nonchalantly with his legs sprawled. Orihime flinched slightly when their eyes met, but Grimmjow averted his eyes, unfazed. She felt awkward, after all the things Grimmjow did and said to her.

"Are you ready?" Ulquiorra stepped in, unintentionally created a barrier between Orihime and Grimmjow, or at least Orihime thoughts so. She appreciated Ulquiorra's consideration.

"Yes." She replied.

"To get to the campus, we'll take the train for about an hour, then walk for five minutes. We lack the time, so you won't be able to have breakfast here. We'll stop by the campus café and I'll treat you whatever you want." Ulquiorra briefly explained.

"Is it that far?" Orihime asked, wide-eyed.

"It is. That's why we have to go early, also to avoid crowded train. Oh and… this is yours." He handed her a raspberry-colored bag.

"This is my bag!" Orihime exclaimed in surprise, she lowered the zipper and found her books were inside. "Why is it here?" She looked at Ulquiorra questioningly.

Ulquiorra glanced over his shoulder. "Grimmjow went to your house and fetched it."

"Ah…" Orihime stared at Grimmjow, who tried to act indifferent. She hugged her bag close and smiled at him. "Thank you, Grimmjow."

Grimmjow took a glimpse at her, but said nothing.

Ulquiorra shook his head lightly, then he turned to Orihime. "Let's go."

"Wait, wait!"

Orihime turned and saw a tall, thin dark-haired man wearing a rather messy semi-formal suit with half-buttoned inner shirt was walking towards them. Her eyes went wide when she recognized his lazy, casual style.

"Sorry, I overslept. Don't leave me please." He said, scratching the back of his head.

"Professor Stark!?" She exclaimed, surprised to meet the Math Professor in such an unexpected place.

"Huh?" The man in question looked up, his mind went stupefied when he saw her. "What? You are… my student? Wait a sec, if I'm not mistaken, your name is—Orihime isn't it? Why are you here?" He said just as surprised.

The two were staring each other, both unable to express their bewilderment. Ulquiorra had to break the odd silence between them. "So you know each other. It isn't surprising since both of you go to the same university." He calmly stated.

Stark swiftly turned to Ulquiorra, as if just realizing he was there. "Wait a minute, Master! What is going on around here? Why is this girl here?"

Orihime did the same. "Ulquiorra, why is Professor Stark here? Why does he call you Master?"

Ulquiorra didn't answer a question.

Grimmjow snorted behind them.

"…In any case, let's go before the train left. I'll explain anything you want to know on the way."

The underground station was already quite crowded by the time they stepped out of the passenger train, the hanging clock showed the time was eight thirty. A tight throng of passengers immediately entered the train as soon as the door slid open, squeezing and pushing their way in, seemingly in hurry.

Orihime gingerly moved aside so they wouldn't bump onto each other. She almost tripped on her feet when a man in suit banged onto her shoulder, Stark lent her a hand before she fell down. The three men walked on her sides, Ulquiorra was on her right while Stark on her left, Grimmjow was behind them. They formed some sort of a triangular barrier around Orihime.

"…so, Grimmjow kidnapped her last night and inserted your blood into her body so the curse, although only a small part of it, was transmitted into her?" Stark said as they rode the escalator.

"That's right." Ulquiorra said.

Stark glanced at Grimmjow, who was silently staring at the ground, he sighed. "No wonder he's so docile today. He must've pissed you off." He commented blatantly.

"Breaking the rules over and over again, you never learn, Grimmjow. Kidnapping a young woman like her is considered crime, much worse forcing a normal person into our affair. What were you thinking?" He brought up two fingers and messaged his suddenly aching temples.

"Shut the fuck up." Grimmjow muttered.

Stark gave out a deep sigh, he turned to Orihime. "Sorry for his rashness, Orihime. Although he seems that way, he actually doesn't mean harm."

"No… It's alright." Orihime said with a thin smile.

"You're a good kid, Orihime." He smiled back at her, he glanced over his shoulder. "You'd better apologize later, Grimmjow."

Grimmjow didn't answer.

"Um… anyway, I really didn't think I'd meet a Professor in Ulquiorra's house!" Orihime tried to change the subject.

"Well, I certainly didn't expect to meet a student of mine there, especially you Orihime." Stark uttered. "Never imagined you got into this mess either, I guess life is unpredictable."

Orihime glanced at Grimmjow. "Um, I don't mean to sound rude, but… why is Grimmjow going with us? I don't think I've seen him in the campus before."

"Well, I think you two just missed each other." Stark paused while he pushed the glass door and held it until the other three got out. They resumed walking along the peaceful boulevard, Orihime saw some students were heading towards the campus too. "Grimmjow and I come here to do our job as Ulquiorra's bodyguards."

Orihime almost stopped on her track when she heard this. "Body… guard?" She asked.

Stark nodded. "Since Ulquiorra insisted on attending college, we have no choice but to follow him. I became a teacher and Grimmjow enrolled as a student, while the mansion is guarded by Helibel and her girls, there are other servants who take care of the household as well. Although we really don't need to attend collage nor get a job, we have years of knowledge that suppressed that of any university could afford us. And money isn't really necessary."

"Then…" Orihime glanced at Ulquiorra, hesitant to ask him. But her curiosity won over her. "Then why… why does Ulquiorra want to attend collage?"

"That's…" Stark suddenly stopped talking. Orihime saw him threw a hesitant glance towards Ulquiorra, who was silent the whole time, seemingly unfazed. Orihime wanted to ask again, but she didn't have the courage to. She felt that she had touched a subject she shouldn't have. Her question had made the air felt heavier.

"We've arrived." Ulquiorra said as he stopped.

Orihime came to realize they had arrived in front of the campus' café, where students usually hung out. The café had a garden where they assembled tables and chairs with wide, dark-green umbrellas acted as shield at the top of the tables, there were some students who were having breakfast or simply used it to wait for their classes.

"You're going in? We're splitting ways then. I promised to meet someone and I'm already late." Stark checked his wristwatch.

"You're not coming with us?" Orihime said.

"Sorry, maybe next time." Stark smiled at her. "Oh, and one more thing. You told me that Grimmjow broke into you house before, didn't you?"

Orihime nodded.

"Then… I think you should come up with something when someone asks you why you show up with them." The older man suggested.

"Eh?" Orihime glanced at him confusedly.

"You'll know what I mean." Stark turned around and walked away, waving a hand at them.

After he left, the three entered the café area. Orihime wondered what Stark meant by his statement. Come up with something if someone asks me why I show up with them…? Does he mean with Ulquiorra and Grimmjow? She mused silently, glancing at the two men walking in front of her. Although he thought it over, she still didn't get it.

They looked for an empty table and chose the one nearby the veranda. Ulquiorra let Orihime took an empty seat on his right, Grimmjow sat across Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra called a waiter and asked for the menu, Orihime was looking at the contents of the menu, before someone called her name in a loud voice.

"Orihime!!"

Orihime instantaneously looked over her shoulder, towards the owner of that familiar voice, she saw Tatsuki and Renji were standing at the entrance of the café. They looked surprised, but Orihime especially took in the sight of her best friend, who looked like she was about to cry, but seemed relieved and happy at the same time.

"Tatsuki!" She cried out as well, getting off of her seat.

Tatsuki quickly approached her, Orihime was surprised when Tatsuki jumped and hugged her tightly. "Orihime… Orihime, you're safe! Thank goodness!" She said in a relieved tone, she squeezed Orihime so tight, it was a bit hard for her to breath.

"Eh? What do you mean?" Orihime asked after she let go of her.

"Last night, your landlady called and told us a thief broke into your house, and you were kidnapped!" Tatsuki said.

"We were searching for you all over the place the whole night, but we couldn't find you. We thought you were really abducted! We almost gave up and intend to call the police instead, but now here you are!" Renji grinned widely.

Tatsuki grabbed her shoulders, checking if there was an injury, but she didn't find anything. "Where have you been? You made us worry!" She asked.

"Eh… w-well…" Orihime stuttered. It was true she had been kidnapped by Grimmjow, but how could she explain a panther-version of him was the one who broke into her house and kidnapped her. But she since the situation had gotten into a different direction, she couldn't tell even Tatsuki.

"Orihime? What's wrong?" Tatsuki shook her. Then she noticed Ulquiorra's presence behind Orihime, and she saw Orihime's bag was on an empty seat of the same table as his.

"You… why are you—" Tatsuki muttered, then a look of realization hit her. She let go off Orihime's shoulder, and walked over the table. Orihime was wondering, when Tatsuki suddenly pulled Ulquiorra by his collar, forcing him to face her.

"Was it you who kidnapped Orihime last night!? What did you do to her!? Tell me!" She shouted thunderously, drawing unwanted attention from other students.

"T-Tatsuki?" Orihime was shocked by her friend's sudden action.

"O-oi, Tatsuki! You can't just accuse someone like that!" Renji took an immediate action, he held back Tatsuki from getting her hands on Ulquiorra.

"Let go, Renji! Let me teach a lesson to this bastard!" Tatsuki struggled to get off of Renji's strain.

"Tatsuki, stop!" Orihime tried to persuade her.

Renji tried his best to hold her. "Stop it, Tatsuki! You can't blame him baselessly!"

"Baseless? I'll give you bases!!" Tatsuki slapped Renji's hand and turned sharply towards Ulquiorra. She directed an accusing finger at him. "This freak has been targeting Orihime for a long time, we all know that!! And yesterday, we couldn't find her anywhere that we thought she was kidnapped and now she shows up with him? Don't you think that's strange!?" She pointed at Orihime's bag on the seat next to Ulquiorra, though he said nothing to disagree with her accusation.

Orihime was horrified by Tatsuki's misunderstanding. "No! You're wrong! It's not like that!" What should I do? She's completely misunderstood, if this goes on…

Tatsuki glared resentfully at Ulquiorra, then turned to Orihime. "Tell me, then! Why are you suddenly showing up with the guy you hate!?"

Orihime's eyes went wide.

Her eyes spontaneously moved towards the chartreuse-eyed man behind Tatsuki, who looked at her back with his eyes slightly wide. He heard it. She mused, a sudden chill shot up her spines. The only thing Orihime didn't want Ulquiorra to know, now he knew.

Ulquiorra was looking at her.

She shook her head. No… it's not like that. I don't hate you. I did, but now… "I…" Orihime stuttered under his gaze. Why couldn't she say anything?

"Tell me, Orihime!" Tatsuki urged her.

"Then… I think you should come up with something when someone asks you why you show up with them." The older man suggested.

Yes… Stark said that.

"You'll know what I mean."

He saved her.

Every time Orihime was in trouble, the one who saved her was Ulquiorra. He saved her from Grimmjow, from that giant who tried to kill her, from the fear and anxiety she felt. It was always Ulquiorra.

"Because I…" Orihime felt as if air was taken from her, something clenched her insides. She could hear her heart went wild and thumped in her ears. She grasped her chest in attempt to calm it down.

This time, she wanted to help him.

She clenched her jaw. "Because Ulquiorra and I…"

Orihime shut her eyes and let the words escaped her mouth. "Because Ulquiorra and I… we… are dating!" She shouted aloud.

Orihime panted after she had produced such a loud tone, when she opened her eyes, she took the sight of her friends, wide-eyed and mouth gaped. Ulquiorra's eyes were widened and Grimmjow had a look of total astonishment drawn all over his face. The other students who were spectators to the commotion also had similar look on their faces.

All of them were looking at her.

All of them were quiet.

When she realized what she had said, Orihime felt a wave of intense heat rushed up to her face and whole body. In an instant, her face turned deep crimson. She felt so embarrassed that she covered her face to hide her embarrassment. Her heart beat accelerated wildly within her chest.

"Wh-what? Wait, you're joking right, Orihime? There's no way you and that guy…" Tatsuki said once she recovered from her shock. Orihime didn't answer, still covering her red-hot face.

"Orihime…?" Tatsuki shook her slightly.

"Excuse me." Ulquiorra suddenly showed up next to Orihime, circling his arm around Orihime's shoulder. Tatsuki was stunned by his sudden appearance as she didn't feel his movement at all. She unconsciously flinched back under his piercing emerald gaze.

Ulquiorra looked at Orihime, "…Are you alright?" He asked. Orihime didn't reply, she silently turned and buried her face to Ulquiorra's chest, clenching at the front of his shirt tightly. Even her earlobes had turned deep red. Ulquiorra gently patted her head.

Then he looked at Tatsuki. "I'm sorry, but she hasn't been feeling well since this morning. If you excuse me, I'm going to take her to the nurse office. Let's go, Grimmjow." He glanced over his shoulder and signaled him to follow him.

"Aye." Grimmjow grinned amusedly, bumping his shoulder onto Tatsuki's on his way.

Tatsuki and Renji were dumbfounded.

"This morning…?"

"I'm sorry!" Orihime cried out, flushing feverishly. Ulquiorra had taken her to an empty area in the back of the main building, where people rarely came. Although she had become a bit calmer, she still felt very embarrassed.

"Calm down, it wasn't your fault. Your friend is only worried about you." Ulquiorra stated calmly.

Grimmjow yawned, leaning his back against a tree.

"B-but I… I didn't know why I suddenly said that… It was the first to come in mind, and you were in trouble so I—I'm so sorry!" Orihime bowed her head and kept apologizing.

Ulquiorra was quiet.

Grimmjow peeked at the two like he was watching an amusing show, he straightened his back and approached them. "What are you apologizing for, chick? Isn't it perfect this way?" He said.

Ulquiorra looked at him. "…What do you mean?"

Orihime raised her gaze to him curiously.

"Aren't you trying to find a cure for her?" He spoke out. "If that's the case, you'll have to be close to her as much as possible. Since her friends will be a pain to deal with, you have to find a way to do that. And this is the perfect chance, got it?"

Ulquiorra thought of it. "…it's plausible." He said. "Now that everyone seems to think that we're in that kind of relationship, it won't be strange if I approach her on daily basis. Hopefully by doing so, I can find a way to cure the curse faster… Is that okay with you?" He turned to Orihime.

Orihime stared at him, her mind registering and digesting Ulquiorra's words. "Eh? That means… we're…" Her face swiftly turned red again, she lowered her head and stared to the grounds. "B-but I… I have never…"

"Don't worry, we're just pretending." He interrupted.

Orihime looked up to him. "Pretending?"

"Yes. We'll pretend to be lovers until we find a cure. After that, it's up to you." Ulquiorra assured. "Are you okay with that?"

"Well…" Orihime looked thoughtful. "If it helps you, then… it's fine."

"Then it settled." Ulquiorra turned around. "Now, shall we go grab something to eat? You haven't eaten anything since morning after all." He suggested. Orihime nodded in response.

She followed Ulquiorra from behind. She didn't see a rock in front of her and she tripped, resulting her fall. Ulquiorra helped her to stand up. "Are you alright?" He asked.

"I-I'm okay. Sorry." Orihime forced a smile.

Ulquiorra noticed her knees were scratched and covered with dirt, the wounds bled slightly. He looked at his hand that helped her stood, without further ado, he thrust it towards Orihime. "Should we hold hands? That way you won't fall again."

Orihime blushed at his offer, but she accepted it with a smile and thanked him.

Grimmjow tailed them, staring at their twining hands.

He smirked.

"…pretend lovers, huh?"

To be continued…

Author's Note: Sorry for the late update, I had things to do. I wrote this chapter longer than usual, but I don't have time to proof read this chapter. The next update might be a bit late, since I have some things to do. But I'll definitely update as soon as I can. Feedbacks and constructive criticisms are welcomed.

Thank you.