Let's explain some things here. I was referring to what a human does when faced with such a tragedy: They cling to the closest thing they can and they don't want to let go. They're faced with either holding on to dear life to this person because their mind is so fragile, or snapping into bits.

Even though Orihime knows that Ulquiorra killed Ichigo, she cannot help the way she feels because she needs something to keep her sane, but are her feelings of 'love' actually real?

You shall find out, reader, you shall find out. Annd I think I make Orihime a little bipolar. XD

Read, review, love?

C Jun



What would you do if the only person that ever brought you solace was gone, taken away so quickly it left you breathless and confused? What would you do if you had forgotten all about the loss of that person and were left with nothing but the creature that took them away from you? What would you do?

Orihime was lying in bed, wide awake though it was the middle of the night. She hated Ulquiorra for so many reasons, hated him so strongly it almost made her physically sick. But, at the same time, she needed him. It was a disgusting balancing act: She hated him and yet she needed him. When she felt as if she would fall off the balancing beam, she would run back towards the middle where it was safe, yet insane. She could only stay there for a short amount of time before it became too much and she would have to run back to the side that made sense.

She hated him. Hated, hated, hated... but, her heart also felt something else. Was it pity, remorse for the morose Arrancar? This was the first time she couldn't understand her own feelings, one of the many times when she questioned herself. Turning over on her back, she folded her hands across her stomach and stared up at the ceiling with a thoughtful expression. Was it love she felt? Her heart still ached for Ichigo, but why did it seem to call Ulquiorra's name as well?

"Woman." Ulquiorra was at the edge of the bed before Orihime was aware of his arrival, too lost in her own little world - as she was most of the time anymore - to even hear the door open. What a strange time to arrive when she was thinking about him, but that's what he did - pop up at random times.

"Mmm?" She hummed her reply, dragging it a bit at the end to show it was a question. Ulquiorra's frown deepened for a moment as he watched her turn towards him and curl into a ball.

"Why are you still awake? Shouldn't you be sleeping?" Orihime shrugged once, staring up at him with an accusing bite to her gray eyes. She wanted to hurt him like he had hurt her so many times, take away something that was precious to him, but that was just it: He had nothing he held dear. Hence the life of an Arrancar. "Regardless, Aizen had requested to see you in the morning, so you better be prepared to meet him." Ulquiorra whirled away, his jacket flaring up like a cobra ready to strike. The door closed and she hadn't said anything to him at all.

So easily she let him walk off when she wanted to reach out and take hold of his jacket, plead with him to help her understand, not to leave her alone in the terrible silence of her room. Her hands, clenched into tight fists beneath her cheek, ached with the effort of restraining them as she extended her arms out and flexed her fingers. Fatigue did settle on her when she had turned back the covers to the bed, removing her jacket as she prepared to sleep. Hopefully her dreams were peaceful tonight.

Orihime was surrounded by darkness, then a sudden light flared and temporarily blinded her. Dropping the hand she had used as a shield, she gasped at what she saw. Ulquiorra was there before her, wounded yet still standing, a single bloody hand reaching out to her as if to say 'please.' Her instincts told her to go to him, to assist him, but her body wouldn't move and all she did was laugh when she felt like screaming.

The dream suddenly shifted to a battle field covered in the gore of broken bodies and bit of flesh. Random flashes of what she recognized as her own memories filled the dream scape with the only thing she hoped not to see: Ichigo and Ulquiorra fighting, Ichigo falling and not getting up again.

"You can't escape this fate you've been given. You can't get away. Never, never, never..."

It then went back to Ulquiorra who was standing over her with a grisly smile on his face, his body drenched in her own blood.

Orihime sat up screaming, biting the blanket to keep from drawing attention to her room. The sun was up now, almost time for Ulquiorra to accompany her to Aizen's presence. She would have to get herself together, hold together a building that was quickly eroding in the bitter wind of sorrow. Throwing herself from the bed, she donned her jacket and went to the bathroom. She stared into the mirror with a puzzled expression, tilting her head to the left. The last time she had looked at herself in a mirror, she was still at the Soul Society, brushing her hair before she started the day. She was smiling then and now she wasn't. She tried and it looked like she was in pain more than anything else so she dropped it and bent down to wash her face.

What if she didn't exist?

Her friends wouldn't have died. Ichigo wouldn't have died. She wouldn't have met Ulquiorra, would have never been trapped here. But she also would have never been able to meet Ichigo and fall in love. She wouldn't have had anything if she wasn't born.

With that in mind, she opened the bathroom door and waited for Ulquiorra to arrive.


Ulquiorra was outside the door when he heard a faint knock come from the other side.

"I'm ready. Take me now." He had pushed her back inside when she presented herself with a jacket buttoned improperly and her hair unbrushed. Aizen would not to be happy if it looked as if she had gone insane. What does he expect? Ulquiorra wondered as they walked in silence through the halls. Grimmjow was the only Arrancar around, the only one to watch as he escorted the human to the throne room. The Sexta had smirked darkly, his eyes never leaving the small woman as they walked past. Orihime no doubt sensed his gaze but her head hadn't lifted from its bowed position.

"Ah, Orihime, good to see you." Aizen greeted as the party fell to one knee in the typical fashion, Ulquiorra rising to his feet while Orihime stayed lowered.

"Yes," She replied softly. Aizen fixed his curious stare on Ulquiorra, those eyes asking what was going on. The Fourth lifted his right shoulder to indicate that he, too, had no idea.

"Are you well? Is everything to your liking? Perhaps you need more company other than our little friend here, hmm?" At that, Orihime's head shot up and hope glimmered in her eyes. Why was she so happy about that, the stupid woman? Ulquiorra thought with a surge of hatred. It was completely called for the way he felt. She said she needed him, after all.

"Yes, Lord Aizen, I would like that very much." She replied with more volume, jumping to her feet and giving him a half-hearted smile. What was with the girl? Ulquiorra found himself even more puzzled by her mood swings, lost because he had no idea what was going on. Not able to stand it any longer, he turned and left the room, glaring at Grimmjow when he emerged to find him waiting.

"So, Ulquiorra, what's up? Things not going well with the pet?" The Sexta purred, his eyes narrowing as he stared down at the Arrancar.

"I told you, Grimmjow, she's not a pet. She's a captive. Get it straight or I'll straighten that twisted head of yours." He snapped back, his monotone holding an angered tint. Grimmjow laughed once, a barking chuckle twisted with dark glee.

"Someone getting a little testy? I think you've been spending too much time around that human girl. It's contaminating you, Ulquiorra."

"What would you know, Sexta?" The Fourth shot back, his anger at a full boil now. Since when did Grimmjow think he had the authority to say something like that to him? He obviously was spending too much time with Orihime if this was happening before his inattentive gaze.

"Oh, I know. And if I know, Lord Aizen knows, too. I think you should take heed to what I said. You could be putting yourself in a world of trouble if you aren't careful... Not that I give a damn. I want to see you eliminated. I want a promotion." Ulquiorra's eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched. He was finding it very hard to control his rage now, and Grimmjow would be the first to feel it if he didn't shut his annoying trap.

"Ha. Ha. Ha. Like Lord Aizen would choose you, Grimmjow. And like you'll be able to even touch me with that 'force' you like to call strength. Be careful of what words you choose. I can still wipe you from the face of existence just as easily as I did that human boy." Grimmjow looked stunned but recovered immediately, his face falling back into the same cocky smirk.

"Oh, you mean Kurosaki? Did you know your little pet says his name in her sleep every night?"

"How would you know that?"

"I listen." Ulquiorra was at breaking point. Grimmjow. In Orihime's room. He clenched his hands into fists to keep from grabbing the Arrancar and snapping him in half. How dare he think he can parade around in his domain, in his territory! Orihime was his mission and no one else could tread there. He was supposed to watch her, to tend to her and that was his duty!

"You." Ulquiorra took a step forward making Grimmjow retreat one back. "If you ever set foot in that room again, I will destroy you. There won't be anything left of you when I'm finished." Behind them, the door to the throne room was opening and Orihime was stepping out looking aloof and happy. Ulquiorra knew she was there, knew that he shouldn't be acting the way he was in front of her.

"Ulquiorra, what's going on?" She asked in a mute voice, her eyes wide and afraid. The Fourth turned and grabbed the top of her arm and hauled her off, his eyes never leaving Grimmjow who waved as they left, smiling devilishly until they were out of sight.

"Ulquiorra, what is going on?" She repeated when he shoved her in the room. His only reply was a blank stare. Maybe Orihime knew Grimmjow was coming to see her. Maybe they had something between them.

"Grimmjow."

"Excuse me?"

"Have you been seeing him? Has he been coming in here?" Orihime was frightened, that much was obvious on her face. Ulquiorra advanced a step, then another until he was directly in front of her. She was standing with her back against the table so there was no escape.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Ulquiorra."

"You better not be lying, woman." I'll hurt you if you are. He added mentally, turning from the room to hunt down the dirty Sexta and ask him again.


Right, so, not my best chapter, but I'm moving forward in the plot and this was required. I hope it helps clear some confusion from the last update up.

Also, I'm looking for a beta. In dire need of one, actually. Please, please, please, if you want to be one, tell me! I need you!

Thanks, again, Stephenie! You're the peanut butter to my jelly!

C Jun