Chapter 3: A Night at the Festival

Orihime breathed a sigh of relief when they reached her little room again. Aizen-taichou still frightened her. What if he was to guess her ultimate goal in serving him? She wasn't so much afraid for her own safety as she was for that of her friends if she should fail.

Her friends.

As she sat down on her large couch, she thought again of all of her friends, training in the Land of the Living. She wished with all of her might that she could see them and know that they were well.

"I wish I had a magic picture-frame," she murmured with a soft sigh.

"What is that?"

Orihime looked up in surprise. Ulquiorra still stood in the room, watching her. She had forgotten that he was there.

"What is a 'magic picture-frame'?" repeated Ulquiorra, seeing that she didn't answer.

"Oh!" exclaimed Orihime. "It's a special, little frame that lets its owner see any person that she wants. I read about it once in a book when I was little: there was a little girl who lived all alone on a great mountain. She would get lonely, but then a little bird brought her a picture frame with nothing in it. He told her that she could put any picture that she wanted into it, and so she would imagine other people, and they would appear in the frame. When I was little, I used to think about how much fun it would be to have one of those. If I had it now, I could see all of my old friends and know how they were doing. They couldn't see me watching them, but at least I could know that they were well."

"It would please you to see them, even if you could not interact with them?"

Orihime nodded. "I would like to be able to talk to them," she admitted. "But I know that I can't. So I wish that I could at least see them. I wish . . . I wish I knew what they were doing right now."

"You can, if that is your only wish," replied Ulquiorra.

Orihime again looked at him in surprise as the Espada stepped forward and drew something from his pocket. Extending his hand, he offered her a familiar metal ring. Orihime's eyes widened.

"I would have to accompany you this time," continued Ulquiorra. "You could not leave my side. But you could see your friends, although you could not interact with them."

Taking the little metal bracelet in her hands and staring at it in disbelief, Orihime said nothing. Was it possible? Could she truly go herself again and see her friends? Finally, she lifted her own wide, brown eyes to meet the rich green of his.

"D-d-do you mean it?" she breathed.

In response, Ulquiorra merely extended a hand to her invitingly and said, "Put on the bracelet and come."

Exiting the Garganta, Orihime gasped and clapped her hands with joy. All around her, she could see, hear, and smell all of the familiarities of home. It was evening, and the people scurried through the streets quickly.

"The festival!" she exclaimed. "It's the night of the festival! I forgot about it!"

Turning to look at her sober companion, she couldn't keep her own excitement in check. "May we go there? Please? I'm sure my friends will be there!"

Ulquiorra nodded calmly, not even bothering to respond verbally. Orihime smiled and called for him "Come on!" as she darted forward down the street in the direction of the general flow of people. She loved the festivals! She stopped twice to call back to Ulquiorra to hurry, but the pale Espada clearly did not share her excitement. Somehow, Orihime never considered trying to escape his vision; rather she wanted him to experience the festival also. Maybe she could even get him to smile!

In mere moments, they were surrounded by the lights and crowds of celebrating people. Orihime rushed from one sight to another, drinking in all of it. The lights, the vendors, the games, and the noise; it was all so wonderful. Thoughts of the drab room from which she had just come were driven immediately from her mind as her senses were overwhelmed by everything around her. She tried to get Ulquiorra to enjoy it as well, but he maintained his stubborn silence and stony gaze. Even this, however, couldn't dampen Orihime's spirit tonight. She turned this way and that, wanting to experience it all.

"Tatsuki-chan!" she cried, suddenly noticing her friend ahead of her. "Tatsuki-chan!" She waved and started to jump forward but then felt a firm grip catch hold of her arm.

"She cannot see you," the cold voice reminded her.

Orihime stopped, and her smile faded. She stood still for a moment, looking at her friend sadly. That's right; she couldn't see her.

As if to contradict this, however, Tatsuki suddenly turned herself and looked straight at Orihime. Orihime blinked in surprise. Her friend continued to look at her for a moment in mild confusion, then turned and walked away.

"Tatsuki-chan?" she squeaked uncertainly. "Can . . . can you see me?"

"She cannot see you," repeated Ulquiorra. "No one can."

Orihime bit her lip. She lowered her eyes sadly, but then spun around on an instant.

"If she can't see me, then I can stay near to her tonight and still be with her, can't I?" she asked all in a breath. "I know I'm not to interact with my friends, but I can stay by her side, can't I? She can't see me, right?"

Ulquiorra returned her earnest gaze with an indifferent expression before answering.

"Yes," he said calmly. "You may."

A wide smile spread over Orihime's face once more as she turned and dashed after her friend, calling, "Tatsuki-chan! Wait for me!"

While the many sounds and activities may have been exhilarating to Orihime, they were merely noise and annoyances to Ulquiorra. He followed the human woman through the crowds, taking no notice of the surroundings, keeping his eyes fixed firmly on her and her alone. It's true that he too had been mildly surprised when her friend had looked at her directly, but the other human girl had then moved away, not acknowledging them.

It's not possible that a human can see her, Ulquiorra told himself. The Spiritual Membrane created is impenetrable; not even a Shinigami could see through it. It is not possible that a mere human could break through it.

The woman now stayed at her friend's side and seemed to enjoy it immensely. She actually seemed to think that she was participating in their activities, those of this other human and the small group around her. Every so often, Ulquiorra would notice a look of sadness or disappointment cross his ward's features as something reminded her that the others could not see her, but these always left quickly, replaced by more expressions of joy and excitement.

Though the evening was annoying in its celebration of futility, yet it was almost relaxing to the Cuatro Espada. At least with the woman occupied with her friends, he had no need to bother with trying to be 'kind' to her. Indeed, she scarcely looked at him, and that was perfectly acceptable to him. His senses remained high for any local Shinigami or wandering Hollow, but none broke the spiritual tranquility of the night. The humans surrounding them were all that were there, and none here could be cause for concern for the smallest Gillian, let alone an Espada. In truth, no Shinigami would frighten Ulquiorra either, but a fight here would be inconvenient nonetheless, especially in his duty as guard.

The festivities wore away the night time, until the people began wandering away from the main area. The human woman and her friends remained in a tight-knit group, walking away from the densest parts of the crowds, and moving up a large, grassy hill. Ulquiorra saw many others climbing the hill and filling the surrounding open areas likewise. He had no time to wonder before the sky erupted with lights and explosions. Far from being afraid, however, the people all exclaimed and clapped with joy. Ulquiorra wondered whether this was some display of force, meant to show the people that they were safe from threats. It seemed odd, seeing that the explosions, while certainly loud and (in human terms) powerful, would do little or nothing against a high-level Hollow. Perhaps they were meant to deter human threats. After all, Ulquiorra knew that some humans would fight against their own kind in the same way that Hollows did. Apparently so did the Shinigami, he realized, thinking of Aizen-sama and his assistants.

As the lights continued to explode in the air, he noticed a look of something near serenity in the eyes of his prisoner as she watched it. This confused him. She was so averse to violence, and she seemed to dislike seeing even her enemies in pain. Nevertheless, here she was, watching a clear show of force and violence, and yet deriving pleasure from it. Ulquiorra did not understand.

Soon enough, the light show ended, and the people began to say goodbye to one another and to move away in different directions. The human woman bid a fond farewell to her friends, though she seemed a little saddened when none of them replied. Even so, the residual excitement was still evident in her expression when she practically danced over to where Ulquiorra stood waiting.

"Thank you so much!" she beamed. "What a wonderful evening! Did you enjoy it?"

Ulquiorra merely looked at her, wondering whether she actually wanted an answer to that question. She didn't seem the type to be sarcastic, but neither would he have thought her so stupid as to suppose that he might "enjoy" himself in the midst of humans. Deciding that it was better not to answer, he merely turned away.

"Come," he said aloud. "We should return now."

The woman bounced along at his side, babbling about all that she and her friends had done and discussed. To hear her talk, one would think that she had actually been participating in all that occurred and not merely observing. Soon enough, they were well away from the other humans, and Ulquiorra lifted a hand to open the Garganta.

"Hey!" a voice called. "Wait up!"

"Tatsuki-chan!" cried Orihime.

Ulquiorra turned to see the woman's friend from earlier running toward them. He tensed slightly. It's not possible that she can see her friend, he assured himself. It's not possible!

Tatsuki ran up to them and stopped, gasping for breath.

"Who are you?" she asked, as soon as she could speak.

Ulquiorra blinked in mild surprise. The female was looking directly at him. She couldn't see her friend, but she could see him. That was an eventuality which he had not anticipated.

"Who are you?" repeated the girl when Ulquiorra didn't answer.

"I am of no concern to you," answered Ulquiorra calmly.

"Why were you following me and my friends tonight?" she demanded.

Ulquiorra started to turn away. He had no intention of explaining himself to a human. Tatsuki, however, wasn't about to be deterred so easily. She jumped forward and caught hold of his arm. Ulquiorra froze.

"Tatsuki-chan!" gasped Orihime, almost in a panic.

"Why do you feel like Orihime?" asked Tatsuki abruptly.

That produced a reaction. Both Orihime and Ulquiorra looked at her in surprise.

"What did you say?" asked the Espada.

"I can sense my friend Orihime," replied Tatsuki. "Whenever she's near, and even when she isn't, I can sense her. For the last few days, I haven't been able to sense her at all. But then, tonight, I could feel her presence. I kept looking for her, but I couldn't see her. All night, I've felt like she was there, just out of my reach. But every time I looked for her, I didn't see her. But I always saw you, standing there and watching us. Now, I can still feel her. And no one else is here but you, so somehow you're emanating her spirit, and I want to know why! What do you have to do with Orihime? Or rather, what have you done with her?"

Ulquiorra had fully recovered himself, and he looked at her calmly now. So, she could still sense her friend, albeit slightly. That wasn't supposed to happen, but it wasn't terrible. It meant that the bracelet would need to be adjusted in future, but that was all. There was no danger. He then noticed that the human was still gripping his arm.

"Remove your hand," he said calmly.

Hesitantly, Tatsuki let go.

"Well?" she asked.

"I have no intention of answering you. Go back to your own life, and forget your friend. You will not see her again."

Both human girls started and looked at him in horror.

"Ulquiorra-san," whimpered Orihime, looking as though she would burst into tears.

"What have you done with her?" growled her friend. "Where is she?"

Ulquiorra did not reply. He realized that his choice of words was probably not the best for using in front of his ward. After all, he was supposed to be making her happy. If she was made unhappy by this visit, then the whole evening was for nothing.

"What did you do to Orihime?!" demanded Tatsuki, clenching her hands into fists. "Tell me!"

The impassible expression on Ulquiorra's face did not change. In anger, Tatsuki lunged forward with a cry, swinging her fist at him with all her might.

Most would not have caught the instantaneous movement of Ulquiorra's right hand as he calmly deflected the blow. Thought he expended only the slightest part of his energy, the light blow against her arm was sufficient to spin Tatsuki around completely. She stumbled, caught herself, and turned back to stare at him in shock. Ulquiorra didn't move.

"Who are you?" she asked again.

"Tatsuki-chan," whimpered Orihime again. "Please, please, please, just go!"

When Ulquiorra still refused to move or speak, Tatsuki lunged at him a second time. Orihime screamed for her friend to stop, but Tatsuki couldn't hear her. This time, Ulquiorra stepped forward and delivered what was to him a very light blow to her stomach. Tatsuki was again thrown back, this time striking the ground with great force. She doubled over, clutching her stomach and coughing as Ulquiorra stepped forward toward her.

"No!" shrieked Orihime. Quickly she jumped between her guard and her friend, spreading her hands to either side. "Please, don't hurt her!" she cried. "Please! I'll do anything you want! Just please don't hurt her!"

Ulquiorra looked at her calmly as Tatsuki struggled to get back to her feet. She stumbled, still coughing. Orihime turned, wanting to help her, but knowing that she couldn't. Still impassive as ever, Ulquiorra reached past Orihime and offered a hand to Tatsuki. The latter stared at him in shock. For a long moment, she remained as she was, just watching him. Ulquiorra didn't move. Orihime looked from one to the other, apparently not sure what to make of it either. At last, Tatsuki took the Espada's hand and rose to her feet.

"Your friend is safe," said Ulquiorra.

Tatsuki and Orihime now both looked at him in surprise.

"What?" asked Tatsuki.

"She is beyond your reach, it is true," continued Ulquiorra, replacing his hand in his pocket. "You cannot see or touch her, but know that she is safe. She is well. She still thinks of you, but she would not want you to seek her. Do not concern yourself for her well-being."

Orihime again looked like she might cry, but this time it was a different sort of look. "Ulquiorra-san," she breathed.

"What do you mean?" asked Tatsuki. "Where is she?"

"She is safe," repeated Ulquiorra. "That is all you need know."

Tatsuki clenched and unclenched her fists. "I . . . I . . . ."

Ulquiorra waited a moment then turned to leave.

"Wait!" exclaimed Tatsuki.

Ulquiorra glanced back at her, but Tatsuki still didn't seem to know what to say. She opened and closed her mouth. Seeing that, Ulquiorra again started to turn away.

"Are you going to her?" asked Tatsuki suddenly. "Can you speak to her?"

Again, Ulquiorra paused and looked at her.

"If you can, then tell her that she'd better take care of herself. Tell her that I'll never forget her, and that we will see each other again. Nothing can keep the two of us apart. And tell her that if she's in danger, we will find her." Tatsuki paused. "And if somehow you are putting her in danger," she continued, looking at Ulquiorra darkly, "then just know that nothing can keep you safe!"

Ulquiorra noticed that his human prisoner was crying again, but she was smiling at the same time.

"Tatsuki-chan," she whispered. "Thank you."

Ulquiorra sighed softly. Without responding to either of them, he turned again to walk away. Hesitating only a moment, Orihime followed. Tatsuki looked after them, seeing only one, and finally turned herself and walked back toward the town.

Once they were alone again, Ulquiorra felt a gentle touch on his arm.

"Thank you," the woman whispered again. "Thank you for tonight. Thank you for everything."

A/N: I know that the story has been a bit slow. I'm not good at writing violence. That being said, the next chapter will have a little action and a little more "UlquiHime" in it. Stay tuned.

By the way, I do appreciate reviews. Even if you don't like the story, please let me know. Thanks to all!