One of the reviews from a guest suggested other situations that poor Ulquiorra and the kids could find themselves in. Rest assured there are many opportunities for fun at the expense of the other Espada!
One thing Ulquiorra can be grateful for as this story progresses is that there are no grocery stores in Hueco Mundo (even worse Wal-Mart) - imagine Grimmjow whining down the aisles as Orihime throws stuff in the cart when Ulquiorra isn't looking.
Thanks for all who reviewed - I am glad people are enjoying it. Please continue as I love to hear what the readers think!
I do not own Bleach or any of its characters - but I can't say the same for the bratty behavior found in these chapters - that inspiration comes from my life and my kids
Chapter Four ~ Don't you have anything better to do with yourself?
Ulquiorra sat at the table sipping from a hot cup of tea. The evening meal had been cleaned away, the girl had been bathed, and Grimmjow was now finishing up in the bathroom. Now in her nightclothes, Ulquiorra believed Orihime would finally settle down for the evening, but instead she had taken to leaping about the couch, gleefully rambling on about how it was so big and bouncy. He had decided to ignore her behavior for the moment. She was out of his hair, and he would take his moments of calm any way he could at this point.
"Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn around," she chanted as she jumped from cushion to cushion. "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the ground…"
He continued to sip his tea, not even hearing what she was singing. The rhythmic tune had simply become background noise that he could easily dismiss.
"…Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear show your shoe. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, that will do…"
The girl had been work before, but now, with Grimmjow added into the mix, Ulquiorra's life had become complete chaos, and he found himself longing for a simpler time, when all he had to do was fight hollows to survive. Somehow he would find a way to repay Granz for this situation he was now in. There was no doubt in his mind that the Eighth had set him up for his own twisted amusement.
"Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear go upstairs," Orihime continued to chant, "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, say your prayers…"
"You better say your prayers if you plan to continue that shit," Grimmjow's grating voice interrupted Ulquiorra's quiet. "Because I'm gonna knock you into the afterlife if you don't shut up."
The girl never missed a beat. Changing her tune she taunted the Sixth, "Dum dum dodo, catch me if you can. I can run faster than Grimmjow can."
She stuck out her tongue and began to run around the couch squealing with delight as the boy growled and leapt up. It didn't take long before he caught her and she cried out laughing gleefully.
"You're crazy," he said as he pinned her beneath him.
"I'm just having fun," she giggled. "You should try it."
"I am above mindless, human amusements," he sat back and crossed his arms.
"The couch is really bouncy," she cajoled. "And I bet I can jump higher than you."
"No fucking way…"
"Language," Ulquiorra reminded him.
Grimmjow shot him a look of annoyance and then looked back at Orihime.
"It would be no contest," he continued, "After all hollows are far superior to humans."
"Suit yourself," she stood back up and began to jump again, "I like coffee, I like tea, I like Grimmjow to jump with me…"
"Shut up already."
She laughed and changed the tune once more, "Ice cream soda, cherry on the top,
who's your boyfriend I forgot. A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I…oh that's right… Ichigo…"
"I'm gonna kill you," Grimmjow took off for her and she jumped down from the couch and began to run around the room screaming with delight.
So much for quiet and calm Ulquiorra thought, as he placed the cup of tea on the table and stood.
"You can't run from me," Grimmjow yelled, "I'm a fucking Espada."
She managed to evade him until in all the confusion the two children collided. Falling back she cried out and began to scream, but this time in pain. He went to her side and knelt down on the ground.
"Are you hurt?" he asked as he began to inspect her body.
She only screamed in response.
"I cannot help you unless you tell me where you are hurt."
She wailed a few minutes more before Grimmjow came and stood beside him.
"She cracked her head against mine," he said as he rubbed his forehead. A large bump already began to protrude and change color.
Ulquiorra looked to Orihime. Sure enough, as he pushed back her hair, a large bump had formed on her head as well.
"For a human, she sure has a hard skull," the sixth complained.
"You should not have been chasing her like that."
"She was asking for it," he replied angrily. "I am not in love with Kurosaki."
"And yet you continue to take her bait," he lifted the girl and brought her to the couch.
"I suppose a cold compress would be best," he said.
"Just have her use her powers to heal it," Grimmjow plopped down on the far end of the couch.
Ulquiorra looked at the girl. Using her powers would make sense. Besides he was curious to see if she had been affected by this change.
"Do you believe you can reject this injury?" he asked her.
She stopped wailing and looked up at him, her face red and her eyes puffy from crying. Still she managed a small smile and nodded as she said, "Ayame, Shuno…are you there?"
Suddenly two small fairy-like creatures materialized.
"Orihime," A male with blonde hair tied in a topknot asked as he peered at the girl.
"Oh Shuno," she cried and the tears fell again, "I'm so glad to see you."
"What happened," he took in her appearance and then the two Espada and then the room.
Suddenly four other creatures appeared. They hovered about her, equally concerned.
"Fascinating," Ulquiorra whispered.
"Figures she'd have some fucked up girly power," Grimmjow complained from his position on the couch. Still Ulquiorra could tell he was interested.
One of the fairies flew into the Sixth's face. The aggressive male took the Espada to task.
"Who you calling girly…pretty boy?" the creature yelled.
"Pretty boy," Grimmjow reached out to grab the fairy but was too slow. "I'll crush you, you little shit."
Ulquiorra grabbed Grimmjow's hand, "You will do no such thing," he spoke firmly. "Aizen still has use for her powers."
The angry fairy flew back to the girl and began to drill her, "Care to explain what is going on. Why do you look like this and why are you here with these two?"
"Well there was a box left on the table and Grimmjow opened it, even though I told him not too," All the fairies turned and stared at Grimmjow, "And this stinky gas game out, and then when we woke up the next morning we were kids."
"Idiot," the angry fairy said with disgust as he turned from Grimmjow back to Orihime.
"Well then Aizen-sama said that Ulquiorra had to take care of us until an antidote could be made. But Grimmjow isn't very fun, and he picks on me…"
"Because you are an annoying brat," the Sixth yelled.
"See what I mean," she looked at the fairies who all nodded their agreement.
"Just heal her freakin injury already," Grimmjow yelled.
"Oh, Orihime," a timid fairy in an over-sized dress, flew up to her forehead and cried, "Shuno, she's hurt."
The other fairy joined her and together they created the familiar golden glow that had encompassed Grimmjow's arm barely a week earlier. The bruise faded, and the swelling went down. When she was healed, the shield disappeared and the fairies flew about Orihime.
"Looks like she's still got it," Grimmjow remarked.
"No thanks to you," the aggressive male fairy flew within inches of Grimmjow's face again.
"It's okay Tsubaki," Orihime said. "Grimmjow can't help that he's so grouchy." She lowered her voice and said to the fairies gathered round her, "He's worried Aizen-sama will take his rank away."
"I am not," Grimmjow yelled. "Aizen knows that I am still strong."
The girl crawled over to where the Sixth sat on the couch. Smiling at him she reached out and rubbed his leg affectionately.
"It's okay Grimmjow," She whispered, "I believe in you too." The Sixth narrowed his eyes and she called out, "Ayame. Shuno. Soten Kisshun."
The golden glow surrounded Grimmjow's forehead and he stared at her, a question in his gaze.
"It was sort of my fault too. I know you don't want to be Ichigo's boyfriend."
Grimmjow remained silent as his injury was healed. When she was done, Orihime bid her fairies goodnight and sat back yawning loudly.
"Boy am I tired," she stretched.
"You both should get some sleep," Ulquiorra stepped forward and grabbed a blanket. "Aizen-sama will wish to see you after breakfast."
"Okay Oniichan," Orihime smiled as she lay down. "I'm glad you got to meet my Shun Shun Rikka."
Rolling over she closed her eyes. In moments her breathing had deepened. Grimmjow moved to the other end of the couch, still uncharacteristically silent. When he finally spoke he said, "She's still a pain in the ass."
With that he gave Ulquiorra his back. The Fourth stood a moment longer and then returned to the table. His tea was now cold. Still he drank from the cup. Cold tea and hot tempers – he should get used to such things for a while. Yet it would seem that the girl had found a way to calm Grimmjow, if even for a few minutes. Who knew, maybe tomorrow wouldn't be so bad.