DISCLAIMER - see chapter one
Alright, another chapter, and for those of you who didn't know, I am now updating two of my other works. Investigation of Cross Academy (Vampire Knight/Ghost Hunt) and Moving On (Ouran/Ghost Hunt), so updates may be fairly scattered. Enjoy this chapter ;-)
"Are you going to talk to him?" Tatsuki asked as they walked up the street. Ulquiorra had left with the strange blue haired girl before lunch, and hadn't returned for the rest of the day. Orihime had been quiet all day; typical! Just as she's about to talk to him another girl turns up out of the blue! What's the story this time? Tatsuki wondered, though she was pretty sure Ulquiorra had been as shocked as everyone else to see the blue haired girl.
"I don't know…" Orihime replied evasively, her grey eyes shifting to watch her feet, avoiding Tatsuki's prying gaze. The night before Orihime had stayed at Tatsuki's, after shedding a lot of tears and sharing a lot of words. Even after all this time she still didn't know what ran through Ulquiorra's head; what kind of man goes out with a girl without actually going out with her? It was only after half an hour that Orihime managed to convince Tatsuki that it wasn't really Ulquiorra's fault. How can you realise you're in a relationship without knowing what a formal relationship is?
"You looked like you were ready to at least talk things over with him earlier…" Tatsuki pried as she looked at her friend's forlorn face. Though at first she'd been reluctant to admit, Tatsuki had gotten used to the idea of Orihime being with Ulquiorra, and to see them separated like this bothered her. They just fitted together so well. Ulquiorra had never made a move on Orihime; their relationship was so innocent that it may as well have been a friendship, but there was a lot more than just friendly feelings there.
"I was but then…If he's made a move on Miaka, even if he says it was a mistake, what about this other girl? He certainly seemed to know her; and didn't you see the way they were looking at each other? How can I compete with that? We don't even come close!" The redhead replied emotionally, chewing her lip as she gripped her book bag tightly, her knuckles white with the effort. Tatsuki knew Orihime well enough to know that she was moments away from bursting into tears,
"Hey! Don't start that! Sure, there may have been something between them, but have you seen the way he stares at you when you're not looking? Ulquiorra is crazy about you! And he respects you enough to tell the truth. A lot of guys wouldn't have told you if they kissed another girl; most guys would have done more than kissing too!" The sporty teen replied confidently, brushing over the fact that it was Miaka who stopped things going forward. Orihime nodded and fell silent, suddenly feeling that she was being unreasonable, which wasn't the case. Sighing, Tatsuki laid a hand on Orihime's shoulder, "Look…You need to talk to him." She stated, Orihime hesitating before nodding her agreement, however reluctant.
"She certainly seems to like your playing." Urahara said quietly as he looked down at the sleeping girl, who had a peaceful smile on her face as she lay curled up on the cushions by the round table in the shop. Ulquiorra continued to play, the tune slow and peaceful. It felt like it had been a long time since he'd picked up his violin, though in reality it had only been a few days, Orihime was the last person I played for…
"I knew she would." Ulquiorra replied with quiet certainty, though where that certainty came from he had no idea. For some reason he felt he had played for her before, or perhaps 'for' her was the wrong phrase to use, though he knew this was her favourite tune, and he knew she loved his playing. It's so strange, I feel such a deep…connection with her…something I've never had with anyone else; not even Loly, who is the closest thing to a blood relation that I have…
"That is certainly strange…perhaps I should run some tests on you too…we still have no idea where she came from, or what she is…" Urahara said as he toyed with his paper fan, his light hazel eyes almost troubled by the way things had turned out. The girl herself wasn't dangerous, and Ulquiorra didn't seem dangerous, however the connected between them was disturbing, and gave the girl sway over Ulquiorra, who most definitely could be dangerous.
"Perhaps, though I doubt you will find anything." Ulquiorra replied as he lowered the delicate violin, the girl now sound asleep. Unfortunately she would need to be woken soon to return to the hospital, Ryuken still wanted to keep an eye on her.
"So you don't think the connected is physical?" Urahara questioned, hoping for something he could work with to figure out their bond, not to mention the strange aura the mysterious blue haired girl had.
"No, not really…I believe it is more complex." Ulquiorra replied thoughtfully, unable to put a name to the feeling that welled up inside each time he looked at her, the completeness he felt each time he touched her and the quiet contentment he felt when he was close to her. These new feelings led him to question everything, even his feelings for Orihime, whom he knew he loved, but was it truly love?
"This is interesting…Perhaps you should spend some more time with her; who knows? She might even begin to speak eventually." Urahara suggested, the ex-Espada nodding his agreement. He certainly felt that he wanted to spend more time with this girl.
"Um…Can I come in?" A somewhat timid voice asked, both Ulquiorra and Urahara looking up to the door of the shop to see Orihime hovering on the edge of the living room. By the redness of her eyes Urahara could tell she had been crying, and her grey eyes still lacked the light they usually had. Getting to his feet Urahara excused himself, it certainly wasn't him she had come to see.
"Of course! Take your time." He said graciously on his way into the shop, intending to find some boxes to shift. Nodding gratefully the redhead stepped out of her shoes and into the room, pausing as she noticed the sleeping figure on the cushions beside Ulquiorra, the violin resting on the table where he had finished playing.
"Um…I thought we should…talk." She said uncertainly, clutching her hands as she looked down at her feet, surprised as she felt herself pulled into a warm embrace, Ulquiorra's scent filling her senses as she allowed herself to lean into his shoulder. It seemed like an age since she had been held like this. Feeling herself welling up she pushed him back a little,
"Sorry…What did you wish to talk about?" Ulquiorra asked as he sat at the table, Orihime following to sit beside him, her legs bent gracefully beneath her as she sank down beside him. A silence hung between them for a while, an uncomfortable silence that seemed to fill the air,
"Well…Us I suppose…If there is an 'us.'" She added almost questioningly, Ulquiorra's green eyes looking across at her uncertainly,
"I would like there to be." He replied, Orihime nodding her response, though Ulquiorra was unsure whether it was an agreement or an acknowledgement. This situation was harder to read than any battle he had taken part in, and there had been so very many. While fighting Ichigo he had known exactly where and when he would strike, while training with the other Espada he had always anticipated any alliances that had been formed; even Miaka was easier to read.
"Are you sure? What about Miaka…and her?" Orihime asked, still unreadable.
"Miaka was a mistake; she is no more than a friend, and this girl…I am uncertain of our connection, and my feelings for her, but they are not the same as my feelings for you." He added with certainty, which left things unclear for Orihime. For all she knew they could continue their relationship for a few weeks and Ulquiorra could discover this girl was a long lost wife or lover.
"That's not enough…I need to know how you feel about me." Orihime said firmly, the Arrancar's green eyes dropping to the table. After a few moments his hand crept across to lay on top of hers, where they were resting clutched on the tabletop. The familiar warmth of his hand sent a light flush to her cheeks as she looked cross at him, surprised to find his green eyes looking at her intently.
"I love you…I know that with absolute certainty." He replied, leaning forward to rest his forehead against hers, her soft fiery locks brushing his cheeks as she leaned her head forward, both of them savouring the simple contact. Pulling back slightly Ulquiorra leaned in to kiss her, his hand travelling up her arm to cup her cheek as their lips met. It wasn't wild or passionate, but the intimacy meant a lot to Orihime as she returned the gentle brush of lips. The moment didn't last. In the next instant Ulquiorra pulled back sharply, his eyes moving to the hand gripping his shirt, "You're awake." He stated, Orihime's eyes shifting to the blue haired girl, who was now sitting at Ulquiorra's side.
Surprisingly the blue haired girl didn't seem hostile, or jealous, or even surprised. She reminded Orihime of Ulquiorra with the blank expression on her face, though her blue eyes were unnervingly fixed on Orihime. Tilting her head slightly the strange girl continued to stare at the redhead,
"This is Orihime…She is my girlfriend. My mate." Ulquiorra clarified, the blue haired girl looking up at him with a blank expression. He was unsure that the girl comprehended anything he said at all; he didn't even know if she cared. The only emotion she had shown was upon their meeting, and when he was playing the violin for her.
"Does she have a name?" Orihime asked curiously, the girl shifting her gaze once more to rest upon Orihime. Ulquiorra shrugged as he returned his attention to Orihime, the girl still gripping his shirt.
"She hasn't spoken yet, so I do not know." He replied, sounding slightly troubled.
"Ryuken has been calling her Aoi." Urahara supplied from the doorway, sensing it was safe to re-enter. He didn't want to miss anything that the girl did; it could be a clue as to why she had suddenly appeared. He didn't believe in mermaids, but it wasn't entirely impossible. Though Mermaids were usually water-based Hollow who had a connection to the sea…
"Aoi…It suits her." Orihime agreed as she smiled at the blue haired girl, who suddenly seemed shy as she shifted closer to Ulquiorra, the boy smiling assuringly as he looked at her over his shoulder.
"Orihime means a lot to me, would you say hello to her?" He encouraged gently, Aoi peering over his shoulder uncertainly before nodding her head slightly, the redhead choosing to take that as a greeting. "Would you like me to play some more?" Ulquiorra asked, Aoi nodding shyly in response, "Very well…This is Orihime's song." He added, the redhead blushing as he began to play that sad but happy tune that always seemed to cheer her up. It didn't take long for the soothing tune to send Aoi back to sleep, her head resting on Ulquiorra's folded knee as he lowered the violin.
"She must be tired." Orihime said as she looked down at the sleeping girl, Ulquiorra's fingers idly stroking her hair out of her face as he nodded his agreement.
"This may be normal for her…" He added quietly as he shifted his green eyes to Orihime, who nodded in agreement before leaning her head on his shoulder. Ulquiorra shifted his arm to wrap around her waist, the warmth of her skin seeping through his shirt to warm his flesh. "I missed your presence last night." Ulquiorra said quietly, conscious of the hazel eyes watching them from across the table.
"I missed you too." Orihime replied, her cheeks flushing under Ulquiorra's deep green gaze, his expression softening at the familiar shyness. Feeling movement on his other side Ulquiorra looked down with a chuckle as Aoi's blue eyes stared up at him sleepily, one hand reaching up to rub her eyes.
"It's time for Aoi to return to the hospital." Urahara decided, the blue haired girl looking up anxiously as she sensed the change in the room. Ulquiorra felt unreasonably protective of Aoi, though he knew Ryuken would take good care of her, and Urahara wouldn't allow her to stay anywhere unsafe or unguarded. "Would you like Ulquiorra and Orihime to take you?" The shopkeeper asked as he looked down at Aoi, who pushed herself up a little with a small nod.
"Would you mind?" Ulquiorra asked as he looked over his shoulder at Orihime, who lifted her head from his shoulder long enough to shake it before leaning down again. Ulquiorra smiled as he rested his head against Orihime's, enjoying the contact that he knew would have to end. "Aoi, are you ready to go?" Ulquiorra asked, the blue haired girl nodding as she got to her feet.
"Oh yes! Orihime, I'm sorry, but I borrowed some of your clothes for Aoi; I hope you don't mind." The older man added apologetically as he indicated Aoi, who was still wearing Orihime's long skirt and top, and slipped her feet into a spare set of shoes.
"Not at all." The redhead replied as she hurriedly slipped into her shoes, steadying Aoi as she did the same, the girl almost standing at Orihime's height with the platform sandals on.
"Thank you Tsukasa." Toshiro said politely as the dark haired waiter poured him some more coffee. During his time in the Human world he had built up a taste for coffee, and nowhere sold coffee like the little café he was sitting in with Rangiku, Renji, Yumichika and Ikkaku. Hinamori and Hisagi were due to return within the next few days, but this meeting had to happen now. Waiting until the waiter was out of ear shot the white haired boy leaned further into the table, "Where did you get this information?" He asked as he looked across at his Vice Captain,
"It was just an anonymous tip…" Rangiku replied unconvincingly, though if any of the others suspected as Toshiro did they kept mercifully quiet about it. Right now it doesn't matter where the information came from…this is deeply disturbing…He thought as he looked at the picture, the girl seeming vaguely familiar, though he had no idea why. It's to be expected…after living around here for so long, and visiting the school so often, it's no wonder that the victims are becoming more and more familiar…we've been extremely lucky in that regard…
"So they're wearing…people." Renji said, his voice silently pleading for someone to tell him he had heard wrong, but they all knew that wouldn't happen. This was taking things to a whole new level of depravity.
"They are…Does anyone recognise this girl? If we can find her quickly we may be able to halt their plans before they unfold." Toshiro added as he held up the photograph for Yumichika and Ikkaku to get a good look, but both shook their heads. At least I can show it to Ichigo and Rukia later; they may have a better idea, or they can at least find out. "I want you to keep an eye out; for the moment this girl is the only suspect we have, and if we really can't feel their reiatsu then she's our only hope of finding out how many others there are." The young Captain added, his subordinates nodding their agreement.
"I can't believe they're dressing themselves in Humans! It's disgusting!" Yumichika said with a shudder, looking quite ill at the prospect, though no one around the table looked much better. What could have driven them to even try something like that? Whoever took over from Aizen must be one sick Hollow! Renji thought as he looked at the photograph again, imagining meeting someone like her on the street and seeing the flesh rip apart as a Hollow broke free of the flesh.
"If we can't find her, what do we do? We can't rely just on that!" Rangiku piped up, Toshiro nodding his agreement, though he could see no other solution. Hollow could hide within a Human body without any hint of them being Hollow, so how can we hunt them down?
"We need to find her; even if it's just so that we can send her to Seireitei and have Twelfth Squad examine her…We're stuck until we find a way to track them." Toshiro said firmly, deciding it best to focus on one problem at a time. There was no point in running around being disorganised chasing shadows; they had one lead, and that's what they needed to stick to. Pausing, Toshiro's turquoise eyes slipped to the side to see Tsukasa, the young waiter, hovering just within earshot.
"Can I bring you anything else Hitsugaya-san?" He asked politely, apparently oblivious to the scrutinising gaze he was under. The boy was tall and elegant, he also supposed that he would be considered good looking. And how easily he could be extinguished…
"No…Thank you Tsukasa." The young looking Captain replied, watching as the youth turned and headed back to the counter, where he said a few words to the older woman behind the counter before going out back. This was the time Tsukasa finished every day, and on cue he exited the kitchens wearing his leather jacket, with his helmet underneath his arm.
"Was he listening to us?" Renji asked cautiously as he watched the teen head outside to the parked motorbike, oblivious to the group watching him. Toshiro watched him for a few moments before shrugging it off,
"No…Let us continue." He said decisively, returning his attention to the attentive group around him to set up a plan of action. There was no point in running around cluelessly trying to find one person, they had to be smart and close off unlikely places.