Chapter Ten- The Decision
"Let me cut that for you," Ulquiorra breathed, taking her knife and plate. Orihime wanted to protest, but her vocal cords were still paralyzed from the look he had been giving her. She was silent as he sliced her turkey into small bites, his emerald eyes piercing her to the core. Pricking a piece with his knife, he lifted the poultry to her mouth, his icy gaze sending contradictory waves of heat through her veins. Cautiously, she used her teeth to pry the turkey off of the tip of the knife.
Orihime's mouth exploded with flavor. The turkey had the perfect balance of sweet, sour and heartiness, and practically melted on to her tongue. Unable to stop herself, she closed her eyes and moaned slightly. Orihime loved her own cooking. The knife slid out from between her lips smoothly, and Orihime watched with hooded eyes as Ulquiorra speared a piece of meat and lifted it to his black lips, chewing it slowly while surveying her from darkly lit eyes that gave away nothing. Slowly, he lifted his glass to his lips and sipped it before standing and, with a frightening amount of deliberation, started towards her.
Fool me once, Orihime thought grimly as she stood and backed away from Ulquiorra and any surfaces he could pin her against. She recognized this look from that very first night. Just as the thought crossed her mind, Ulquiorra sonidoed forward and attempted to shove what she now realized was wine down her throat. She fought back vigorously as one of his hands held her wrists at about shoulder level, the other on her hip and pulling her closer.
Fire throbbed through her with every beat of her heart as the dark berry-colored substance dripped down her chin, throat, and collar bone. Immediately, Ulquiorra's mouth moved from hers to her chest, lapping up the burgundy liquid as she arched against him with wide eyes, his tongue trailing a steaming trail from her collarbone to her ear.
"Orihime," he whispered, his voice low with dark intentions and promises as he performed the simple, yet intimate, act of calling her by her name.
Her breath stopped and she pulled away from him, barely noticing the fact that he relinquished her wrist immediately. She stared at him with silver eyes filled with shock and realization. He stared back at her with questioning emerald eyes that were maybe-almost worried. A slight smile curved the right corner of her petal pink lips, her eyes suddenly amazed and practically screaming 'I get it'. She didn't quite know what she 'got', but whatever it was prompted her to start unbuttoning her crinkly white shortsleeved top. Ulquiorra blinked slowly and lazily, masking his shock, curiosity, and, admittedly, arousal.
Orihime shrugged out of the shirt, then her fingers fumbled with the tie of her turquoise skirt, another of the ones that were more rectangular pieces of cloth that tied at the hip than anything else. As it too dropped to the floor, leaving her in nothing but her white bikini, she stared breathlessly at Ulquiorra, leaving the next move to him.
The world went silent. She couldn't hear anything, not her breathing, not his, not his heartbeat, not hers. At human speed, Ulquiorra stepped forward and raised a hand. As if she were one of the fragrant flowers that bloomed all over the island, he cautiously raised a hand. If she could've heard anything, she might have heard her heart speed. As it was, the world was still mute as he pulled the silky, verdant tie from her hair, causing her thick orange hair to spill from its ponytail, strands landing in his white palm, falling across her back, her shoulder, curling around her sensitive skin. He rubbed the hair softly as his emerald eyes met hers, and Orihime knew without a doubt that not a single word would be spoken tonight. None were needed.
He stepped from his Gigai into his regular form, the Gigai vanishing suddenly. Neither paid any attention. Orihime's hands raised, similar to birds, as she slowly gripped the zipper of the top half of his Arrancar uniform and trailed it down slowly, her ashy eyes watching the progress of her hands, ignoring the feel of his emerald eyes burning holes into her skull. She continued watching her hands as she pressed her palms against his pale, taut abdomen. He dropped the lock of hair as her hands glided up his chest, her right hand skimming over his 'four' tattoo, up to his shoulders and slowly pushing the shirt to the floor. It crumpled in a white pile over the white floor.
Ulquiorra's hands rose, landing on her waist, cool digits tracing patterns on to her waist and ribs. She quivered slightly, goosebumps erupting across her skin, heat smoking and smoldering inside of her. She moved forward, hands tightening on his shoulders, leaning her head against his collarbone, where his hollow hole was. She leaned further, pressing her lips against his hollow. His reaction wasn't as violent this time. His chest expanded beneath her lips as he inhaled, fingers digging into her hips, his lips landing on her head. One of his hands moved to her chin, moving her lips from his hollow to his own lips. She responded deeply, matching his dream-like intensity with a passion that felt as though it came either from underwater or a drugged mind.
The couple pulled away for air and met one another's eyes. Ulquiorra lifted her and she wrapped her long, bare legs around his slim waist and kissed softly along his jaw as he weaved towards his bedroom.
They made a beautiful picture. Moonlight streaming in dappled silver speckles through the roofs of an islandic canopy of leaves, landing amongst the shadows through a glass wall, shimmering on a large bed. The bed was the lightest shade of grey in the moonlight, the rumpled sheets falling around a pair of tangled lovers. Deep, melancholy emerald eyes gazed from a pale, delicate face framed with shadowy hair with a frightful intensity. Eyes the precise shade of the moonlight stared back with such tenderness and caring and love that it would have made the sun extinguish from shame. Orange hair drifted across pillows damp from sweat, and a pale hand rested on a porcelain cheek. There wasn't a single sound as the two showed each other what neither would say.
Orihime was aware of the sunlight on her face before anything else. Next came awareness of the cool arm wrapped around her naked waist, and last was the sound of Ulquiorra's soft snoring. She smirked slightly. He was so cute. Sighing softly, she kissed his soft black hair before stumbling out of bed clumsily, making a loud thumping noise. Eyes wide, she turned to Ulquiorra, whose eyelids flickered a little, as if his eyes were moving in his sleep, then went still.
A smile lifted one corner of her mouth as she silently opened empty drawers, looking for a piece of paper and a pencil. Eventually, she came across a spiral bound green notebook and a black pen. She opened the notebook to the first page, which was still blank, and carefully penned:
Ulquiorra-
Good morning, sleepyhead! You looked a little tired, so I didn't want to wake you up. I'm not going far, just for a walk around the island, because, wow, it's nearly noon, and I'm starving. We never did finish dinner... I'll probably go to that diner you showed me. You won't mind me grabbing a twenty from your wallet, will you? Anyway, I'll see you later!
Orihime = )
Grinning at her work, she gently placed it on her pillow. She turned to see the Gigai that had vanished last night hidden unobtrusively in a corner. She frowned a little, slightly disturbed, before digging through the artificial body's pants, beaming triumphantly as she found the wallet. Pulling out a twenty, she replaced the wallet before attempting to hop quietly into a bright yellow sundress. When she was finished, she glanced breathlessly at Ulquiorra, who was still motionless. Smiling again, mood spectacular, she left the room. Ten minutes later, she was at the diner, digging into a grilled cheese with anchovies, peppermint, peanut butter, and pineapple along with the cheese and rye bread. A subdued voice interrupted her eating.
"Hime."
Orihime glanced up to see a human Yoruichi, with a black and blue face. She winced slightly, then smiled welcomingly and indicating the chair across from her.
Yoruichi sat, and, smirking, inquired, "So, where's your boy?"
"Ulquiorra's still sleeping," Orihime answered, blushing slightly as she dabbed at her mouth with a napkin.
Yoruichi nodded, smirk growing.
"You guys do something that tuckered him out 'till noon?"
Orihime flushed vibrantly, and Yoruichi roared with laughter, throwing her head back, plum ponytail glinting.
"That's pretty damn funny! I would have never thought you had it in you."
Still colored, Orihime stuttered, "W-Well, you know, we were just..."
Yoruichi snickered again as Orihime failed to describe what exactly they had been doing.
"Ah, young love," she sighed. "Has he told you he loves you, or vice versa?"
Orihime shook her head, a pensive look appearing.
"Nope. I doubt either of us ever will."
Yoruichi, who had been bending down to scratch her leg, paused and looked at Orihime through narrowed golden eyes.
"You won't ever tell him how you feel? And you don't think he will either?"
Orihime shook her head slowly, focusing on something Yoruichi couldn't see.
"No. It's just... not something that needs to be said." Yoruichi shot up indignantly.
"Orihime! Communication is the basis of a relationship!"
Orihime giggled.
"We talk, Yoruichi. If I don't like something, I'll tell him, and if he thinks I am acting like an idiot, or weak, he'll tell me. I don't know. I can't explain it, now that I think about it. Have you ever told Kisuke you're in love with him?"
Yoruichi rolled her eyes, snorting.
"I followed that man in to exile. If that doesn't scream 'I love you', I don't know what does, even if it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I mean, I-"
"Betrayed all of your friends and everything you've ever believed in, despite knowing that everyone you love will hate you, if they even ever see you again," Orihime murmured softly.
Yoruichi softened.
"I still love you. And I guess you and I have more in common than big boobs and feminine power."
Orihime smiled at her, placing her soft hand on Yoruichi's smooth, dark one.
Standing, she placed the twenty on the table and asked, "Yoruichi, will you do something for me?"
Confused, Yoruichi replied, "Of course, Hime, anything. What?"
Walking towards the door, Orihime tossed over her shoulder, "Tell Kisuke to call off my friends. Take them home, and tell Tatsuki- tell Tatsuki I'm sorry. The girl they came for doesn't exist anymore."
The glass door closed behind her with a soft 'click', the bell above the door tinkling while Yoruichi stared, frozen, after the woman who had just left with just one melancholy glance behind her. Suddenly, she scrambled after her, screaming, "Orihime!"
Orihime stopped and turned, silver eyes quizzical.
"Does this mean we're enemies?" Yoruichi demanded, breathing harsh. Orihime's face crumpled as she dashed forward to embrace the hurt woman.
"No, Yoruichi, never! I won't ever aid Aizen, even if he isn't that evil, at least on his good days... But should any of you attack Ulquiorra, or anyone Ulquiorra cares for, I will defend them to the best of my abilities. But I won't use force. I can't hurt anyone I love, whether it be you or Ulquiorra."
Hugging her back, Yoruichi whispered, "I see. I guess I better get back to Karakura, then. Kisuke will have to move quickly."
She exhaled strongly, sadness pooling in her heart.
"I'm glad I got to witness you maturing, Orihime. I wish you luck in your relationship with your boy, the Espada, and maybe I'll see you around?"
Tears in her eyes, Orihime nodded. Yoruichi kissed the sunset orange crown of Orihime's head, and, with a sad look behind her, opened a Senkai Gate that led straight to Kisuke's underground training room. Orihime watched, sad, but with no regrets, as her idol left to tell her friends that they needed to leave her alone in an enemy castle. Sighing, she turned and headed for Lovers' Bluff.
The Eleventh Intermission- The Disappointment
Gin watched with the slightest twinge of sadness as the were-cat left. It would be- depressing, not to have a partner-in-crime anymore, especially since they used to get in trouble together before she was exiled, too.
He had to admit, he hadn't seen Orihime's betrayal coming. He'd figured she would just be all torn about it, but her desicion to harm neither side, but to protect both seemed pretty damn smart to him.
Sighing, he followed Orihime to the bluff, mildly disappointed that he had decided to give she and Ulqui their privacy last night, except for the points in which he dragged Ulqui's Gigai away and brought it back. Well, honestly, who wanted to go have sex while your artificial body laid in a corner, watching your every move?
A.N. Well, guys, we're nearing the end of my prewritten chapters! I think there's two more, and then the updates will be coming a LOT slower. About those waiting for a really descriptive lemony scene... I'm sorry! This just didn't seem the right time for it! However, I promise, you will get at least ONE full lemon before this story ends. Now, for a question~! Should this story have...
a) a happy ending
b) a sad ending or
c) a bittersweet ending?
Note, I might not agree, but hey, you're input counts! After all, you're the ones reading this! Anyway, see you next week!