A/N: I went to the beta-reader section on fanfiction and was so lost and scared with all the random links. _ I don't know how that part of the site works but I do know that it scares me!

I'm also sorry this update wasn't as fast or long as some of my previous ones... I was busy honing my digital art skills. Y.Y I have a long way to go.

Chapter 9: Rolling

Another week went by and Orihime fell back into the habit of ignoring most of her friends. She just couldn't handle seeing Rukia with Ichigo. Even though it had been a while, she still wasn't over it. And then Uryu was ignoring her all together.

She wondered why Uryu kept running from her. Did he noticed something repulsive about her at the mall? She was curious and since Uryu wasn't deeply involved in the group, she thought she should be able to confront him with out rousing everyone's interest.

So she set off to do so.

Orihime knew Uryu exited the building through the band room, so she rushed to her locker after school one day and told Tatsuki she had to be somewhere to be before she ran off in a frenzy. She ducked down on the other side of some bare bushes that where next to the band room exit, stared through the branches and waited.

Almost five minutes went by and Orihime was scared she had come too late or perhaps Uryu didn't come to school that day.

The door squeaked loudly as it was opened.

Orihime held her breath and waited to see who it was. Ishida let the door close before he took off his glasses and started wiping them with his scarf.

"Ishida-san!" Orihime yelled and practically jumped at him.

Uryu looked at her with wide eyes, "O-Orihime... what are you doing here?" he seemed to shift restlessly.

Orihime smiled, "I waited for you! I haven't been able to catch you anywhere else."

Uryu blushed and looked like he felt a little guilty, "Well, I've been busy."

Orihime nodded, "Oh I bet! With all that training and stuff," she paused and looked serious, "But I just wanted to ask: Are you avoiding me?"

Uryu flinched, "...of course not..."

Orihime smiled and nodded, "Good! Then it was just a misunderstanding," another nod, "Well that was all I was wondering. See you later, Ishida-san."

Uryu stared at her as she started to walk away and almost cussed. Why in the world did she have to be so trusting? "Wait Orihime."

"What?" Orihime turned around and stared at him with curious eyes.

Uryu slid his glasses back onto his face before scratching his cheek, "I might have been..."

"Been what, Ishida-san?" Orihime tilted her head.

"I was avoiding you," he sighed and looked down.

"I knew it!" Orihime gestured victoriously but then regained her curious eyes, "Why?"

Uyru looked down, "I can't explain why," he looked at Orihime's shadow.

"Why not?" Orihime looked genuinely concerned.

There wasn't a response as Uryu seemed to zone out.

"Ishida-san?" Orihime questioned but there was still no response, "Ishida!"

His head snapped back up, "Pardon me. I have to be somewhere."

Orihime didn't get a chance to say much as Uryu ran off. She watched his retreat and then sighed and turned to walk to the bus stop—

And ran into a rigid figure.

Orihime backed up instantly with her head bowed and laughed nervously, "S-Sorry! I turned so quickly and I wasn't paying attention!" Orihime looked up slowly.

Ulquiorra stood there, leaning back and tense, face locked in a discussed grimace.

"Are you okay?" Orihime pouted, "I said I was sorry..."

Ulquiorra regained his composure and gave a halfhearted glare.

Orihime giggled again, "So...umm... where are you going, Ulquiorra? This isn't toward your house..."

"My intentions are none of your concern," he began to walk around her.

Orihime, being the curious as she is, began walking after him.

They walked silently for a few blocks. Well not really walked. Ulquiorra went in strides that looked funny to be accomplishing in winter attire. Orihime tip toed behind him as she pretended she was stealthy.

"How long do you plan on following me, girl?" Ulquiorra said without any faltering in his movements.

Orihime kicking her feet out and rocking into her steps, "Until you tell me where you're going or I find out myself!" Orihime paused, "girl..." she mumbled, "Hey Ulquiorra, I don't think I've ever heard you use my name. I just never noticed until you called me 'girl'. My name's not 'girl'."

"Obviously," Ulquiorra said as he strode on.

Orihime pouted, "Aren't you gonna tell me where you're going?"

There was no response. Orihime sighed and they continued on silently.

Ulquiorra almost thought she must of turned around and left. But then he heard a shriek.

He turned around and couldn't explain what he saw.

Orihime was facing a bicyclist who's bicycle was propped up on it's front wheel but not in anyway that it could have balanced itself. The rider seemed to be struggling to keep himself up on the seat by pushing on the handlebars, but failed when he toppled to the ground in front of Orihime. For longer than it should have, the bike just stood still, then it fell onto it's side.

Orihime kneeled down, "Are you okay?"

The bicyclist look up at Orihime, terrified, "W-What the hell was that?"

"W-What was what?" Orihime asked and stretched out her hand.

"I-I... It was like time stopped for a bit there," the guy laughed, and grabbed Orihime's hand, "Have you ever had a moment like that? Where everything seems to be too slow when it's too late?"

Orihime pulled him up and giggled, "A-All the t-time! Like I once fell into a puddle and I felt like I was staring at the puddle forever before I actually fell into it!"

Ulquiorra realized he was holding his breath and inhaled quickly before he turned to fully face Orihime. Orihime lifted the bike up and rolled it so it was easier for the biker to grab onto.

"I almost ran into you there. Sorry," the man took the bike and laughed.

Orihime smiled, "This is odd weather to be biking in."

"Well I was in a hurry to—" the man cut off, "Oh! I have to go!" he hopped on his bike and pedaled away.

Orihime waved, "see ya around."

Ulquiorra stared at Orihime straight on.

When she saw him she lit up, "Oh! You waited! I didn't think you would notice if I fell behind because it looked like you were ignoring me."

He wanted to ask, but he never seen anyone so thrilled about anything he did—intentional or not—well except maybe for his mom. But as he stared at Orihime's blissfully happy face, he couldn't help himself.

"I'm going to the book store," Ulquiorra said quietly.

Orihime took on a look of interest, "Oh. 'Around the Worlds' is in this direction isn't it?"

Ulquiorra nodded briefly, "You can... accompany me."

Orihime stared at him in disbelief. But before Ulquiorra could get to worried about the possible rejection—

Orihime broke out in a huge smile.