Note: I don't own bleach cries

…I really really miss Ulquiorra in the manga…I mean words cannot describe how sad and desolate my life has become…and sorry this took so long. I've been having the opposite of writer's block, this chapter could have gone a bajillion different ways, but I settled on this one, enjoy :)


Deals

"Jesus Christ, that's a pretty face
The kind you'd find on someone that could save
If they don't put me away
Well, it'll be a miracle

Do you believe you're missing out
That everything good is happening somewhere else?"

Jesus Christ. Brand New

That riatsu feels so familiar but could it be…Ulquiorra's eyes opened as he stared around his colourless prison. How is it even possible to feel the riatsu of someone when trapped in another dimension? The power they would have to emit would be…immeasurable. Something must be very wrong. The negacion "walls" that surrounded Ulquiourra began to shake, and strain under the strange outside force. Ulquiorra saw his chance and released his own riatsu into the prison. The walls stood still for a mere second before cracking and then shattering. Outside, the powerful riatsu was even more overbearing. Ulquiorra had to will himself to stay on his feet before he could grow accustom to it. He was sure of one thing now, this power it was…

"Inoue Orihime." He whispered to himself. She was very near; he could see a giant barrier in the distance, one of her abilities. He could feel the riatsu of almost all the espada in the same area, and there was also someone else there…Aizen. There was a small, almost unnoticed, shiver that crawled down his spine. If he had thought long enough about it he would discover he was afraid, but there was no time for that. He didn't disturb a grain of sand as he made his way, as fast as he possibly could, toward the glowing barrier. He didn't even stop to dismember the injured espada who lay dying so near him, the one who he had promised to tear limb from limb. It was no longer as important as reaching the one making that barrier.


"Orihime what the hell do you think you're doing?" Ichigo yelled to her as she stepped through her own barrier. She didn't turn around, but instead continued her slow walk towards Aizen and his crowd of espada.

"Ichigo, that girl you came to rescue she…" Nell was at a loss for words, but she had a feeling that Ichigo's worries were unneeded.


"She is approaching us Aizen-sama, should we attack?" Halibel asked.

"Yes I believe a test is in order. Halibel, Noitora both of you go. Disregard my previous orders, you may kill her if need be." Aizen smiled, as did his two espada.

"It would be my pleasure" Noitora replied as he and Halibel charged their target.

"Orihime watch out they're attacking!" Ishida yelled from inside the barrier. She either didn't here him or disregarded the message completely. She continued her walk, looking directly at Aizen. As Halibel and Noitora drew closer to her she stretched her arms out at her sides. Her hands began to glow again, but instead of releasing a healing aura, the light took the form of two blades. She raised them to block the attacks of both enemies. The blades took a solid form as they repulsed the attack, they were jet black with a red ribbon wrapped that around the handles. The ribbons streamed behind the raised swords and danced in the wind gracefully as she fought off both espada.


"What took you so long to get here Ulquoirra?" Yammy asked the cuatro espada as he arrived. Ulquoirra didn't answer the question,

"What is going on here Yammy?"

"Well looks like that pathetic human girl isn't as pathetic as we all thought. Aizen-sama seems think she has become too powerful as well; he ordered Noitora and Hallibel to kill her." Ulquoirra turned to look at his creator. Aizen didn't look worried, no he looked amused. Ulquoirra turned back to the fighting scene in front of him; it didn't look like the woman would be the one to die. After another few minutes of fighting she had defeated both ranking espada. Everyone stared at her, awe drawn on all their faces, except Aizen who had enjoyed the entire fight. She never gave either opponent a deathblow, but left them where they had collapsed. Her heart will be her undoing Ulquoirra sighed as he came to this realization.

"Ulquoirra, so you have finally joined us?" Aizen finally greeted his fourth espada.

"I am sorry Aizen-sama," Ulquoirra bowed his head, "I failed to follow your orders and adequately protect the woman."

"Do not worry Ulquoirra, I know exactly what happened. I believe Grimmjow is being dispatched as we speak for his insubordination." Aizen's voice carried as he laughed at the thought of Grimmjow's impending doom. Orihime stopped her slow march and finally raised her head. They will dispatch their own kind? She shouldn't care but she did.

"Inoue what's wrong?" Ichigo called to her as he saw her stop. She didn't reply. Instead she drew her swords again and they began to glow the same white blue of her riatsu as she slashed the air in front of her. Then she was gone.

"Where did she go? Aizen what did you do?!" Ichigo felt helpless, but he was still behind the barrier, if it still existed then Orihime must be fine.

"I'm right here Ichigo." Ichigo froze when he heard Orihime's voice comming from behind him. When he did turn around what he saw was even more shocking. In her arms lay Grimmjow, or what was left of him.


"So that's how the others escaped from fighting me?" Szayel thought allowed.

"Ulquoirra did say that her powers involved some kind of space and time manipulation, but it seems she's finally able to harness some of that power." Aizen's smile grew even wider "Her swords didn't cut through thin air; they cut through the fabric of space and time. She was able to retrieve Grimmjow before the extermination squad could finish with him, not that it would have mattered for her if they had."

Ulquoirra barely heard any of this as he stared intently into the glowing barrier. Maybe he should have finished off Grimmjow when he had the chance.

"Orihime what are you doing with him?" Ishida asked as Orihime healed the injured espada.

"He saved my life. When he wakes up don't hurt him ok? He's already gunna be a cranky kitty." Orihime giggled. Some of the tension inside the barrier lifted. She finally sounded like the friend they all remembered.

"Inoue, I believe we can make a deal." Everyone looked up to see Aizen walking towards the barrier. Orihime rose and moved to stand just outside her barrier

"What kind of deal?"

"When's the last time you had anything to eat? Your riatsu is already beginning to weaken under all this stress, how much longer will you be able to hold out; will you be able to fight us all?" Aizen's voice was calm, yet it made Orihime stand straight as a chill ran through her. He was right of course; she hadn't slept or ate the entire time she'd been here. Her body was already weak, it was a miracle she'd been able to accomplish all of what she had. She could kill him now, she knew this quite well. However, it would take all of what she had left. Would they be able to fight off the rest of Aizen's espada? Aizen seemed to read her thoughts,

"They were already severely injured fighting my lower rank espada. Do you think they would be able to defeat the rest of them, without you to help? We can make a deal though; they will all be allowed to return to your world, as long as you stay here and swear loyalty to me alone." Orihime looked back into her barrier. Rukia and Chad were still asleep, recovering. This may be their only chance to escape. I will have to stay here forever, but they will all have a chance. My choice has been made for me.

"You have a deal Aizen-sama." Orihime spoke softly.

"Inoue what the hell are you thinking of course we could defeat them all." Ichigo cursed and hammered at the wall of the barrier.

"She's right you orange-haired idiot." Grimmjow, who had woken up,spoke but his breathing was still laboured, "none of you are strong enough yet, she's giving you all a chance to live."

"Well then Orihime I will send them back for you just let down the barrier." Orihime eyes Aizen suspiciously.

"I will bring them back myself, from inside the barrier."

"Oh, I understand. You don't trust me." Aizen chuckled, "Go ahead bring them back to your world, but you must bring one of mine with you, otherwise how would I guarantee your return? Ulquoirra see that Inoue returns, she has 15 minutes."

"Yes Aizen-sama." Ulquoirra was already at Orihime's side. She was not happy with this arrangement but if it meant she could bring her friends back herself, she would go along with it. She grabbed onto Ulquiorra's arm and pulled him through her barrier.

"You guys are going to have to pick up everyone who can't walk, there's no time for me to bring you all back individually."

"You don't have to worry about me, I'm not going." Grimmjow tried to bring himself to his feet.

"If you stay Grimmjow, I will kill you." Ulquiorra spoke very calmly.

"Heh, how was the negacion Ulquoirra?" Grimmjow smiled, baring his teeth.

"Enough." Orihime silenced them both, "You're going Grimmjow. If you stay Aizen kills you. You saved my life so I can't let that happen. It's ok Earth is a nice place, the food is a million times better." Orihime winked at him then slashed the air in front of her viciously, until there was a huge gaping hole. On the other side Urahaha's training floor was clearly visible.

"OK, let's go." Orihime called as she helped a non-enthused Grimmjow through the passage she created.