Ugly Duckling

Bleach and its character do not belong to me in any way.

Neither do the two quotes from Whuthering Heights.

"Come on Orihime, please?"

She looked uncertain.

"I don't know Ulquiorra…"

I looked at her pleadingly.

"You have to."

She sighed.

"I'll think about it. Okay?"

I figured that was the best answer I was gonna get.

I nodded.

"Okay. I'm going to the library right after school. I'll be there until 7."

She nodded and I grinned at her.

I hoped she'd show.

The bell rang and class started.

I was begging Orihime to meet me at the library so we could finish our project.

It was due tomorrow.

She wanted to give me her share so I could put it together, but I insisted we get together to finish it.

She had gone back to sitting at the desk next to mine, and we sort of talked, though it wasn't like normal.

If she was comfortable around me again, I didn't see why she didn't wanna meet.

I had been extremely nice to her since Friday, hoping we could get back to normal.

I really wanted to talk to her, but she hadn't brought it up, and I couldn't.

I was going to ask her one more time; I passed her a note.

Please come tonight? I really want you there.

I watched her read it and her face became blank.

She sighed and scribbled a reply.

We'll see.

I read it and crumpled the paper in frustration.

She gave me a pleading look and I smiled at her.

I couldn't stay mad at her.

Ulquiorra was masking this really hard.

I was supposed to be getting over him, not liking him even more.

I thought he'd be avoiding me, not trying to fix things between us.

The fact that he was trying so hard made me feel special.

But what was the point if it was always awkward between us?

I really wanted to go to the library with him, but I knew I shouldn't.

I'd just be getting my hopes up, again.

I'm sure that if I tried we could be friends.

Friends go the library together right?

As soon as he had asked I had wanted to blurt out yes, but I didn't want him to think I would come at his beck and call.

I told him I'd think about it, but I had every intention of going.

I sighed.

"Rukia, what should I do?"

She was poking at the food on her tray with disinterest.

"Hmm?"

I don't think she was paying attention.

"What should I do about Ulquiorra?"

She stabbed at something on her tray.

"Why don't you give the guy a chance and freakin listen to him Orihime!"

I was taken aback.

She had snapped at me.

She had never done that.

"Ruk…ia?"

She gasped and her gaze softened.

"I'm sorry Orihime. I didn't mean it. Ichigo's irritating me and I took it out on you."

I patted her shoulder.

"It's okay. You wanna talk about it?"

She slumped over onto the table.

"I don't know what else I'm supposed to do. We've gone out together a lot, and we've even kissed a few times, but he still hasn't asked me out."

I thought it over.

"Maybe he's just shy. Why don't you ask him out?"

Her eyes bugged.

"But what if he doesn't wanna go out with me? What if I'm just a little fling for the time being?"

I giggled.

"Ichigo's not like that. Stop worrying. Things will work out."

She smiled.

"You think so?"

I shook my head.

She frowned.

"I know so. You guys are great together."

I looked up.

"Here he comes now. He looks worried about you. Have you been acting like this for a while?"

She nodded.

"Yea…"

I poked her in the side.

"Well go back to normal. Hey Ichigo."

He nodded and sat down.

"Hey Orihime, Rukia."

Rukia sat up straight and smiled at Ichigo.

"Hey there."

He looked shocked but then relieved.

They started talking.

I watched them with a smile, but I felt sad inside.

I noticed the way Ichigo looked at her; his expression was gentle compared to his usual scowl.

I noticed how Rukia laughed more than necessary at the jokes he made, and how she watched him with shining eyes.

I noticed the casual touches they exchanged.

I sighed.

It was everything I wanted with Ulquiorra, but something I couldn't have.

I looked over at him with a curious expression.

What does he want to tell me so badly?

He noticed me staring and froze.

I thought about looking away but I didn't.

I smiled at him instead, a genuine smile.

He looked shocked, but then he winked at me and smiled.

I giggled and went back to eating my lunch.

Maybe things can go back to normal.

"Any progress?"

I shook my head.

Sora sighed.

"I'm starting to think it's impossible. Are you gonne give up?"

I shook my head.

"Never. I'll wait as long as necessary."

He nodded.

"I knew you'd say that."

His girlfriend grabbed his attention.

I felt someone staring at me and I looked up into storm gray eyes.

I was used to her ignoring me or glaring that me.

I was surprised that she just looked thoughtful.

When she smiled at me I was shocked.

It was her usual smile.

I was glad.

I smiled back and winked at her, like I usually did.

She giggled.

She was too far for me to hear it, but I was happy all the same.

I kept looking at her even after she looked away.

I knew Ulquiorra said he was going to library right after school, but I didn't.

I went home first so I could change and let Sora know where I would be.

"You're going to the library?"

I nodded.

"With Ulquiorra?"

I nodded again.

"Yea, why?"

He crossed his arms.

"You have him wrapped around your finger don't you?"

I was confused.

"What are you talking about?"

He sighed.

"You still haven't let him explain have you?"

I blushed.

"That's none of your business."

He shook his head.

"It kind of is Orihime. He's my best friend and you're my sister."

I stared at him unsure of what to say.

He nodded towards the door.

"He's waiting for you. You better hurry."

I left without saying anything.

I didn't realize how much this was affecting the people around me.

I sighed.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do…"

You could always listen to him…

I'm scared to hear what he has to say…

So are you just gonna run away then...

My head from thinking so much.

I stood in front of the library doors for a few minutes before walking in.

I was sitting at a table in the library, waiting for Orihime.

I knew I should be working, but I also knew I wouldn't be able to concentrate.

She'll come. I know she will.

After being there for an hour showed up.

"Hey Ulquiorra."

She greeted me with a smile and sat down.

I smiled back at her.

"I wasn't sure if you were going to show."

She laughed.

"What? And stand up you up?"

She flinched.

I didn't know why.

"That made it sound like it was a date. Sorry. I know that it's not."

I shook my head.

"Don't worry about it Orihime."

She smiled at me gratefully.

"Thanks. So what all do we have left to do?"

She reached into her bag and pulled out a folder.

"What's that?"

She opened it and took out some paper.

"My summaries and notes for my half."

I was surprised.

"You were able to focus? I thought the book confused you?"

I was teasing her.

She laughed.

"You were right. Once I understood what they were saying it was an amazing story. Tragic though."

It was nice being able to talk to her normally.

I nodded.

"Most love stories from that time are. So I guess we just have to put our stuff together and write the report."

She nodded.

"We also have to pick a quote and explain its significance to the story."

I groaned.

"I forgot about that part. Do you have any ideas?"

She nodded.

"There are two that really stood out to me."

She looked through her notes.

"Why don't you read them and we'll decide which one."

She hodded.

"Okay. The first ones this:

'It is not in him to be loved like me: how can she love in him what he has not?'

And this is the other one.

'If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it.'

What do you think?"

I thought them over.

"I think the second one would be easier to explain. There's more to work with. Is that okay with you?"

She nodded.

"Yea I like that one too, let me grab a pen and I'll write down some ideas."

We both reached for a pen at the same time.

Our hands touched.

I was going to let mine linger but she jerked her hand away and hung her head.

She was trembling.

"Orihime? Is everything okay?"

I reached out for her but she flinched.

"No! I'm not okay Ulquiorra…"

It sounded like she was crying.

"Why are you being so nice to me? Why do you want to explain? I know you don't have any feelings for me. I don't need to hear you say it!"

What?

I was shocked into silence.

People in the library were staring at us.

"If you would just leave me alone I could probably get over you and we could go back to being friends! But you keep popping up in my life trying to fix this. You won't leave me alone. It makes me like you more! I can't stop thinking about you. It hurts Ulquiorra! It hurts so much!"

Her voice got louder the more she talked.

She stood up suddenly and ran out of the library.

What the hell just happened!

I let out a growl of frustration.

This girl sure likes to run a lot!

I got up and started chasing after her.

"Hey! Now yelling or running in the library!"

I didn't acknowledge the person.

I didn't wanna lose sight of Orihime.

It surprised me how fast she could run.

"Orihime wait!"

She looked over her shoulder… and started running faster.

"No! Leave me alone!"

I caught up to her and grabbed her arm.

"I can't do tha... Fuck!"

She kicked me between my legs.

I grunted and doubled over in pain.

She wrenched her arm free and started running again.

I glared after her and forced myself to get up and run in spite of the pain.

She had slowed down; she probably figured I wouldn't chase after her after that.

I easily caught up and grabbed her around the waist.

"Ah! What the hell?"

She struggled and tried to break free.

I wouldn't let her.

"Let me go Ulquiorra!"

I held her tighter.

"I'm not letting you go Orihime! I just need you to listen to me!"

She started hitting at my arms.

"I already know what you're gonna say!"

I had had enough of this.

"You're wrong Orihime!"

She froze.

"What do you mean?"

She was trembling again.

I felt tears fall onto my arms.

I turned her around and hugged her.

She turned to stone in my embrace.

"What ever gave you the idea that I didn't like you?"

I buried my head into her shoulder.

"I don't just go around kissing people for the hell of it."

I pulled back to look at her.

She eyes were wide in shock.

I ran my thumb under her eyes, drying the tears.

She leaned into my touch and started crying some more.

I chuckled.

"You're supposed to be smiling, not crying."

She pushed against me.

"Shut up…"

I obeyed pulled her into a hug again. This time she returned it.

"You okay?"

She shook her head.

"You're an idiot."

I nodded.

"I know."

She gave a weak chuckle.

"I don't like idiots."

I rolled my eyes.

"I'm an exception to that right?"

I waited for an answer.

"Maybe…"

I kissed her on the forehead.

"What now?"

She shrugged.

"I think this is where you ask me out."

I chuckled.

"Will you go out with me?"

The silence killed me.

"I'll have to think about it."

I froze and pulled away.

I had to look at her to see if she was serious.

She had a teasing look in her eyes.

I grinned at her.

"How much time do you think you'll need?"

She pondered.

"As long as it takes for you to kiss me."

She smiled up at me.

I chuckled and bent down to press my lips against hers.

I pulled her closer and she wrapped her arms around my neck.

It was better than I remembered it.

I could've stayed like that forever, but people whispering made me break the kiss and look around.

All the people on the street were staring at us and pointing.

Orihime was blushing.

I grabbed her hand and started running back to the library.

"Come on! We'll finish our project at your house."

She laughed as we ran no longer self conscious.

Aww so cute! Finally right?

Whuthering Heights is my favorite book of all time.

I really enjoyed writing this, and I hope you guys enjoy it too.

Now time to brain storm for the next chapter.

Reviews please. :O)