Author's Note: I've decided to add Monday to my update days! :) So expect updates from me every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday! Remember to review! Anyways, here is chapter 10! Enjoy!
Chapter 10: Jealousy
Everyone was surprised to see Ulquiorra hugging Orihime.
"Ulquiorra… what are you doing?" Orihime asked, starting to hug him back.
"Be quiet, onna. Your friend gestured me to do it, so I did," he replied, letting go of her and looking at everyone else.
"Whoa, Ulquiorra giving a hug. How unexpected." Uryu said.
"I agree," Ichigo replied.
Ulquiorra glared at them and replied, "Trash."
Tatsuki stepped in and said, "Orihime! Schiffer! Come swimming with me!"
"Okay!" Orihime said, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the water. "Part two of your swimming lessons!"
When the three were far enough so the others couldn't hear them, Orihime asked, "Tatsuki, why did you tell Ulquiorra to hug me?"
"Because," Tatsuki started, "I know seeing Kuchiki and that idiot, Ichigo, kiss really upset you. I also know you love hugs."
"Oh. Thanks, you guys! I'm fine though."
"Onna. Swimming lessons." Ulquiorra said.
"Oh, okay, Ulquiorra!"
She grabbed his waist and held onto him while he made short strides with his arms. He enjoyed the swimming lessons. Not only was he learning to do something, but Orihime holding him gave him the feeling that would arrive in his hollow hole. He decided he liked this feeling, even though it confused him.
Tatsuki returned to the group, who was watching Orihime and Ulquiorra.
"How do you not think they are cute!?" Rukia asked.
"Once you've almost been killed by Schiffer, nothing he does is cute." Uryu replied while Ichigo nodded in agreement.
"I don't know," Tatsuki said, "I guess they sort of go well together. He seems to always want her attention. It's sort of cute."
"Hmph. Good thing Inoue doesn't like him." Ichigo replied, crossing his arms.
"You never know, they could both develop feelings and get together. Just like you two." Mizuiro said, looking at Ichigo and Rukia.
Back in the water, Ulquiorra had mastered swimming.
"Wow, Ulquiorra! You are already a great swimmer! Not as great as me, though." Orihime said, giving him a mischievous smile.
"Onna, are you challenging me?" he asked, looking at her beautiful hair draping over her shoulders.
"I'll race you back to shore!" she cried out, swimming back without letting Ulquiorra get ready.
Orihime got back to shore, only to find Ulquiorra looking at her, for he had beaten her.
"You used your powers, didn't you!?" she asked. "You cheater!"
"Onna, you are the one who cheated first, and you never said I wasn't allowed to use my powers," he replied.
"Hmph!"
Orihime stuck out her bottom lip, making herself look extremely adorable and Ulquiorra to look away, not able to hide his emotions around her. Orihime then sneezed.
"Onna, you are sick. I shall take you back to your room."
"Aww, okay."
Ulquiorra started Orihime a hot bath. Orihime got in the bathroom, closed the door to get undressed, and got in the tub. Ulquiorra sat in front of door.
"Ulquiorra?" she asked.
"Yes, onna?" he replied.
"Have you ever been in love?"
"No."
"Have you ever liked a girl?"
"I have no emotions."
"You're no fun!"
"Onna, you- for some odd reason- are in love with the shinigami boy and were just in pain over it. What you humans call "love" seems to cause pain."
"…I guess you're right… but it also causes happiness."
Ulquiorra thought for a moment before asking, "Onna, why do you hold such positive feelings toward the shinigami boy? You are obviously out of his league."
Orihime, though Ulquiorra couldn't see, blushed before saying, "I don't think I am out of anyone's league. I love Kurosaki-kun for many reasons. He saved me from my brother and helped him pass on. He also gave me my powers and helped me get close to everybody else. I have my best memories around him. He gave me a purpose and made me feel… not so lonely anymore."
Ulquiorra, though he didn't understand it, felt pained at what she said about Ichigo. Although he didn't realize it yet, he wished she said wonderful things about him instead.
Author's Note: This was a really short chapter, but I figured that since the last one was pretty long, it should be okay if this one is short. :) 10 chapters done? Wow! Please review! :D