Tainted

Chapter 3

By: Midnight Lost

Disclaimer: In writing this story, I do not claim any ownership over Bleach, its characters or its storyline. All property belongs to Tite Kubo.

Sweat matted her bangs to her forehead and she looked across the large training area at the Fourth Espada. She brought up her right arm and wiped away the small trickle of blood that came from her lip. He had, had on her defensive training for the last six hours and it was beginning to show. Her muscles ached, screaming at her to stop but she ignored the soreness. She had to become stronger, no matter what. Never again would she rely on another to protect her. The benefits of this training was that her reitsu had increased greatly over the first week of training. Her shield could now absorb many cero blasts before finally shattering. Of course the first three days of training were with Hailbel alone. Aizen had sent Ulquiorra on a mission of some sort during that time. Under the training of the Third Espada, Orihime had learned evasion, speed, and a few of Hailbels own techniques which she had yet to use. She smirked at this, though her reitsu paled in comparison of the Fourths, she had the element of surprise. Bracing herself as she saw Ulquiorra charge up another Cero blast. Her fairies flew into position to form the shield when needed. Over the course of her first grueling training, she had learned to control her own powers without needing to say the words for the spells. They were an extension of her, able to react on her thoughts alone. The blast came. The green beam clashing with her gold shield, then dissipating. The winter war was still a ways off, Aizen had purposely postponed it to throw off the Soul Society, allow them to become complacent. By then she would be ready to do her part. Ichigo would pay for betraying her. The second blast came without warning, but she was ready; however her fairies were not in place. Her eyes went wide.

"SANTEN KESSHUN!" she called out. But her fairies didn't respond. She mentally cursed herself as she dove out of the way, but she didn't move fast enough. She didn't scream, there was no pain, only coldness. When she looked down he left arm was gone from the elbow down.

Ulquiorra watched on, there was little they would be able to do for her. Her arm had been disintegrated in the blast. Something had happened. Her powers did not respond as they should have and her reitsu was still sufficient enough to form a shield to protect her. "Were her powers betraying her?"

Almost instantly her fairies snapped into action, forming a healing shell over her severed arm, reforming it to its original form. She only glared at them as they worked to restore her arm.

"We are done for today." Ulquiorra finally said.

"No, I am fine" she insisted, she was determined to become stronger.

"I said we are done for today, woman."

"My name is Orihime, not woman." she spat at him. Clenching her fist.

"You are not a prisoner anymore, but you have still yet to earn my respect. When you accomplish that, then I will call you by your name." he spoke as he turned to leave, placing his hands in his pockets.

Orihime growled at this, shooting out her fist. A red ball formed at the end of her knuckles, and charged rapidly before she fired it off at the Fourth. Ulquiorra spun around and caught the blast with one hand, crushing it. Though when he looked back to where she was, she was gone. A movement caught his eye below him, peering down he saw her.

"Sonido" he whispered as she struck the his lower jaw with her palm, using her speed from the Sonido and the reitsu to reinforce her body. She had managed to knock him off his feet. Not wasting any time, she used the skill again, appearing directly in front of him. Striking him again, sending him crashing into the training rooms wall. Cracks formed and the wall threatened to give way from the impact. Such an accomplishment it was to catch the Fourth by surprise.

"That is enough Orihime." Aizen said as he strode into the room. He had observed the whole thing. "I must say, I am rather pleased with your progress. However, you need to get your own powers in order. If something like that were to happen in a real battle, it could very well cost you your life." he warned.

"I..understand Aizen-sama." she hung her head. Aizen moved over towards her, using his finger he lifted her chin up so she could look at him.

"You have grown stronger, Ulquiorra can attest to that, but I need you at your full capacity. Now, go clean up. There is something I want to show you." Orihime nodded and left the room to do as she was told. Ulquiorra by then had pried himself off the wall. Watching her depart.

"Forgive me Aizen-sama, I did not intend to injure her."

"The fault was not yours… or hers for that matter." he explained. "Unlike the others, her powers are self aware. They may already know why she is pushing to be stronger, and they made a moral decision."

"I see."

"In the mean time, I suggest you call her by her name now." he grinned. The Fourth said nothing, only looking at his hand where he had captured her Cero blast. In the short time, she had managed to charge it enough so it was powerful enough to burn his palm. Not only that but she had also caught him completely by surprise. No doubt in his mind, in those last moments she had earned his respect.

"It would appear so."

Once Orihime had returned to her room, she made her way to her private bath. A luxury Aizen had given her upon her 'freedom'. In the recent week, she always had a warm bath ready for her when she finished her daily training. Stepping out of her tattered cloths, she sunk into the warm water, allowing it to relax her muscles. Leaning back in the large bath, she closed her eyes, taking in the warm water. She thought back at what happened moments ago. Almost as if summoned, her fairies came out. Tsubaki took his spot on Orihimes right shoulder while the remaining stood along the edge of the bath. He knew exactly why she wasn't pleased with them. She peered down at them for a moment, clearly not pleased with their latest actions.

"We're sorry Orihime." the smallest of them finally spoke up, after an awkward silence.

"Sorry for what?, trying to get me killed?" she retorted. Clearly it was her darker self talking now.

"But, you intend to use us against your friends. They…"

"They what? My so called friends are the reason I am still here. My 'friends' as you put it, abandoned us here." Orihime spat, venom dripping when she used the word 'friend'. "Or have you all forgotten what happened not to long ago?"

The small fairies remained silent. They all knew full well she was referring to when she was attacked by Nnoitra. It wasn't a very pleasant memory to relive for them.

"We have all forgotten that we serve Orihime in what ever she desires." Tsubaki stated from her pearch looking down at the others. "Our lives are connected to hers, if she dies. We die. If it is her will to follow Aizen, then so be it."

Silence hung over the small group. Orihime had returned to relaxing his sore muscles in the warm water, but she knew she couldn't take long. Aizen had told her he wanted her to see something. She pondered what it could be. She didn't muse long. Not giving the small fairies a second look she got out of the bath and wrapped herself in a towel. As she entered her bedroom, she saw that a fresh uniform was laying on her bed, her tattered one gone. She quickly dried off and dressed into the new uniform. She remembered when she was first forced to put it on, she didn't like it. It wasn't colorful enough. Now she had grown to like it. By this time her fairies had returned to the hair pins, though she did not put them back in her hair. This time she simply tied her long hair back into a pony tail.

"You will stay here while I am with Aizen-sama and decide weather you are going to stay with me or not. At this point I trust Aizen-sama more then you." she spoke to the hair pins, it seemed silly; but she knew they could still hear her.

She didn't have to wait long to Aizen to come get here. Surprised that he had come himself, rather then sending one of the Espada to come get her.

"Ah, I see that you are ready to go." he greeted her. "Shall we?"

Orihime only nodded as she followed him out the room. It felt weird to her, this was the first time she was actually alone with him. It was almost as if it were a date. She blushed at the thought. Look up at him from behind, she noticed he was a good eight inches taller then her. They continued to walk, taking various turns down unknown corridors to her. While she was free to roam about the large palace, there were still a few areas she was forbidden to enter. This was one of them, it made her both nervous and excited. She halted as Aizen stopped at a door in front of them.

"Over the years, I have built up a collection of blades. Either from gifts or other means." he flashed him fox like grin to her as he opened the door to a large weapon room. She could see many swords displayed along large slabs. Each had its own unique appearance. "I believe you are ready to receive your own Zanpaktu. Find one that is to your liking." he said as he gestured for her to enter the room.

She hesitated for a moment, slowly stepping into the room. She eyed each sword. Some seemed too small while others looked like they would topple her over if she tried to lift one. As she browsed, she stopped for a moment. She could of sworn she heard something whisper her name. Looking around, she saw Aizen was still at the door way.

"This way"

There it was again. She knew it wasn't Aizen. The voice was that over a woman. Blindly, she followed the voice as it called out to her. Making her way deeper into the room, to the fair back wall. There she saw a small cubby hole, roughly one square foot. Aizen smiled as he watched her, she was being drawn to that blade. Cautiously she reached in and grasped what appeared to be the pommel of the sword. Pulling it out, she marveled at its beauty. The scabbard was pure white, while the handle itself had an rather detailed design of angels. As she looked closer she saw a crystal thread wrap about the handle. The guard was gold, with what looked liked angels with their wings connected on four sides. Drawing the blade out slowly, her eyes went wide. The blade seemed to be made of solid crystal, almost as if it were glass. It looked fragile and would break if she dropped it. However something told her that the blade was far more durable then even the strongest steel.

"Have you made a selection my dear?" Aizen suddenly spoke nearly causing Orihime to jump out of her skin. She was so enchanted by the sword she didn't even notice him come up behind her.

"Y-yes Aizen-sama." she replied meekly, trying to cover up her scare. Placing the blade back in its scabbard.

"I see." he smiled again. "It would appear your days are going to be longer, I will have Stark begin to train you tomorrow with sword fighting."

Orihime jumped, the sword was beautiful but it had completely slipped her mind that she would actually have to use it in battle. Once again she was nervous with her upcoming training.

"I will give you one piece of advice, open yourself up to your Zanpaktu and you will achieve both its, and your own full potential. Now let us return."

Orihime nodded and followed him out of the room. Clutching her new weapon in hand, the very one that had called out to her. The walk back to her chamber seemed a lot longer then normal. Many things were racing through her mind. Her new training topped the list at the moment. She never talked much with Stark, he was usually sleeping most of the time. But from what Hailbel had told her, he was the strongest of them all. As the arrived at her door, he opened the door for her like a gentlemen would.

"Thank you Aizen-sama." she said as she bowed to him, though he did kind things for her; she never assumed she was better then the others. She knew her place.

"I would like you to accompany me for dinner," he paused for a second as he studied her face. Yes there it was, anticipation. She knew what he was going to ask her. He smiled at this. "in a more private place for just the two of us."

Her heart skipped a beat as she heavily blushed. She had to clutch the sword tighter to keep from dropping it in shock. She gathered herself has she tried to steady her composure.

"Of course Aizen-sama, if its your desire." she bowed again in servitude, but was brought back up as he lifted her head to meet his gaze.

"It is a request my dear, not an order." he grinned. He was testing her. Though he was telling the truth, he wanted it to be completely of her own free will. Unlike Momo, she had something different. Something that intrigued him. Besides, it is only fitting that a goddess stand beside a god. Orihime nodded in acceptance.

"Very well, be ready within an hour. Though I promise not to keep you out too late. After all tomorrow is another big day for you."

Orihime blinked for a second, this was a side of him she had only seen once…when he was carrying her out of her cell after the attack. Could it be that he actually…. She watched on as he walked away. She found it ironic. As long as she could remember she had always fancied herself with a certain orange haired boy. But now she found herself attracted to the man that was once her enemy. Taking a deep breath she closed the door behind her as she entered her room. Standing on her bed were her fairies. She had almost forgotten about them.

"So have you come to a decision? " she asked, not even looking at them as she took more time to marvel at the blade.

"We are…yours to use as you see fit."

"Good" was all she said. "But be warned, pull something like that again. And no amount of healing will bring you back from where I will send you." she threatened. "If you'll excuse me, I have to get ready for dinner." she smiled as she proceeded to the bathroom. Like a giddy school girl she fused over how her hair would look and such. Thankfully her cloths were limited to her Arccanar robe, otherwise she would have been worried about that as well. Setting to work on how she should wear her hair. Should she go with the pony tail or allow her fairies to come along. But then again he did say just between the two of them.

"My my, looking forward to this 'date' are we?" the voice giggled, causing her to drop her brush .

"Who are you?" She asked, looking at the sword, there was no where else it could have been coming from.

"Don't worry young one, we will have plenty of time tomorrow to get acquainted very well." Orihime could feel the voice smiling. "Oh, and go with the pony tail dear."

"Great, I am getting pre dating tips from a sword." she mused, but took the suggestion. She could see the disappointment in her fairies. "Well, he did say just between the two of us." she smiled as she finished tying her hair into a pony tail. There was much else she could do after that except wait.

To her, the hour long wait seemed like a lifetime as she anticipated him to knock on her door each time a minute passed. She was nervous. It was her first date with anyone…this was a date right? She shook the thought from her head and tried to calm herself down before he arrived. The sword lay on her bed, as her fairies examined it. Again they didn't like the idea of her wielding it, but there was little they could do. Finally the time arrived. There was a soft knock at the door, however it might as well been someone beating on the door with a sledge hammer. Orihime quickly jumped up and opened the door, to reveal Aizen standing there.

"Anxious are we my dear?" he teased her along with a fox like grin.

"A bit Aizen-sama" she hung her head in embarrassment.

"Well then, let us be on our way." he said, holding out his hand to her.

Authors Notes: Damn those cliff hangers! Anyways, sorry for the delay for this chapter. I'll be honest I got distracted with some of my other habits. *shuffles World of Warcraft books under the bed* Yeah I know it's a cliff hanger, and more the likely the next chapter will do a small time skip and only do a flashback of their 'date' but I did want to throw it out there and get the romance started between Aizen and Orihime. I do hope everyone is enjoying this thus far, and if you have any suggestions I will be more then glad to read them. ^^