A lot of things need to be said before I can start off this chapter so here I go.
1. I have been unwell all these days and hence the delay in update. Damn the aches and pains.
2. For now, the story will move on to lighter things. Plot lines of the other characters and the budding romance of the two main characters. For that reason, the author has conveniently moved Aizen away for a while.
3. Grimmjow finally makes an appearance. Mainly because he is my second favorite Espada. Also because he is going to bring some unintentional LOLs and become the catalyst for a very interesting chain reaction.
4. Also making an appearance are Rangiku, Momo, Nel, Barragan and Arroniero. Zommari and Yammy are also mentioned.
5. This is going to be a long chapter, hence will be divided into two parts. This is part 1. I haven't written part 2 yet. Part 2 will be written and uploaded depending on my health.
I think I have said everything I wanted to say, so now without further ado, I let the chapter begin.
Chapter 9- The Sleepover 1
That evening, Ulquiorra stepped out of the bathroom, much more in control of his temper, to find to his utter bewilderment, not one but two of the Espadas sitting on the couch bed, with Orihime sitting on the bed staring at them in what he recognized to be a very defensive posture. Not that either of the Espada were currently doing anything remotely threatening. One of them was flipping through a magazine while the other was snoring, with his mouth open. While he understood the presence of Szayel, he was mystified as to why had the other, currently snoring Espada shown up. Sensing Ulquiorra's presence, Szayel stood up. Casting a look of pure disdain at the sleeping figure, Szayel walked up to Ulquiorra.
"She wouldn't let me check her till you were present." He said, not bothering to keep his voice down.
Looking at the woman on the bed he said, "It's OK, he's a doctor."
She blinked in surprise, "I thought he was one of the Espada?"
"Yes I am, but I am also a doctor." Szayel said with the patience of someone who had probably answered this question about hundred times before.
Szayel quickly checked her blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate and asked her a few questions regarding her symptoms and declared her fit. A bit tired, but fit.
"So Ms Inoue, eat a lot. You need to get your energy back. Although eat only when your body tells you to. You should be up and about by tomorrow afternoon." Szayel said in a sing song voice.
"Thanks." She whispered.
"Why are you whispering, your throat hurts?"
"No. Him..." she said pointing at the sleeping Espada. From her limited experience with the Espada, she knew that they were alert even in their sleep.
"Oh him!" Szayel let out a snort and even Ulquiorra's face had a small hint of amusement. "He won't wake up till something explodes right next to his ears. Don't mind him. Watch this." he added when she didn't look convinced.
He picked up a heavy book from the table and dropped it loudly on the table. The man on the couch snored on.
"But you were right in your caution with the Espada." Szayel said as he packed his stuff, "Anybody else would have woken up long ago. He is one of his kind."
After Szayel left, Ulquiorra looked at her and asked "When did this one come in?"
"Some time ago, before Szayel. He said he had to talk to you. But promptly went to sleep, as soon as he sat down."
He sighed and walked over to the couch-bed. Despite herself, Orihime was interested. Just how does one wake an Espada up? However, on seeing Ulquiorra's method, she was sure that was definitely not the way. He upturned a jug full of water on the blue head.
"Where's the flood?" Grimmjow woke up screaming.
Ulquiorra stood impassively, with the jug still in his hand.
"You bastard."
"Language Sexta. You are in company of a female and a minor at that."
Orihime bristled at the description.
"She goes to School Schiffer; I can bet she's heard much worse." He said, wiping the water off his face in a way that for some reason reminded Orihime of a cat.
"What brings you here?"
"Oh! I almost forgot. Aizen, Tosen, Starrk and Hallibel are going out. For about eight days, some political campaign. He told me to give the two of you some messages."
"We are listening."
"To you, Emo-king, he asked me to say 'Stick to your duties, the well-being of my ward and child lies in your hands.' And to you, chick, he says 'Stay well. I will continue our discussion once I am back.'"
"Hmmm, but there is something I don't understand." Ulquiorra said putting the jug back.
"What's that?"
"Why would he send you to deliver these messages? Surely a servant can say these words, without falling asleep on duty."
Orihime had a tough time trying not to snicker.
"Oi, I have been up for three consecutive nights, cut me some slack."
"Answer the real question."
"Well," Grimmjow said, not meeting Ulquiorra's eyes, "I sort of..eh..volunteered."
Ulquiorra sighed, "You are hiding from Zommari."
"Hey, don't say it like that!"
He only got a raised eyebrow in response.
"Yeah fine, I am hiding from that lunatic. He wants me to meditate. He says I have issues and that meditation will help."
"I agree with him on one thing at least." Ulquiorra said.
"And on top of it he says...wait, what did you say?"
"Never mind. How long do you plan to hide?"
Before Grimmjow could answer, Orihime's cell phone beeped signalling a text message. The two men looked at her as she read it, showed it to Ulquiorra, who nodded and turned back to Grimmjow.
"A couple of days maybe. Zommari is here for couple of days. If it's alright with you." He said looking at Orihime.
"I...I don't mind, but where will you sleep?"
"Oh, I'll bunk in my quarters for the night. It's for the days that I need a place to hide."
"Sure." She said smiling.
Till date, Orihime had seen Grimmjow from a distance and had always found him to be very intimidating, however now, watching him talk with Ulquiorra, she felt none of the intimidation. In fact he reminded her of Ichigo and Renji.
Once Grimmjow left for the day, Ulquiorra couldn't help but notice that Orihime was chirpier. She was talking a lot more and in a more animated way than usual. He sat on his couch bed, listening to her, with a tiny hint of a smile amidst in his eyes, vaguely aware she was talking about something funny that happened with Uryuu Ishida. What he was really seeing was how she sat on her bed, how her eyes sparkled, how she would occasionally run out of breath causing her cheeks to redden slightly and making her pause in mid-sentence and take a deep breath before continuing. He was completely mesmerised by her, as she laughed at her own story, wiping her tears of mirth. He was suddenly overcome by the impulse to hug her, listen to her laughter, and watch her fall asleep in his arms. He wanted to run his hands through her hair, smell her. To him she always smelled like the first rain. A smell he had loved since his childhood.
"Ulquiorra!" her voice jolted him to his senses. He looked at her, slightly startled.
"So, should we go?" She asked.
"Huh?"
"To Rukia's place! Remember? This is the only time probably that I can go to something like this. If my step-father is home, I can never go. Please, can we go?"
He did remember. Rukia Kuchiki had sent a message inviting them all to her brother's farm house for a sleepover. Being an introvert, parties and sleepovers were not really his cup of tea, but she really wanted it, and before he knew it, he found himself agreeing to it.
Next evening, Grimmjow drove the van which was taking them to the Kuchiki farmhouse outside of Karakura town. Orihime had insisted that Haruki would have to come with her, which meant Barragan would accompany them. Gin, who was in charge of Las Noches wouldn't allow the child to step out of the house without at least two Espadas accompanying her; hence Arroniero was an unwilling participant. Grimmjow would not stay under the same roof as Zommari with only Yammy, Szayel (who would be away at the hospital for the best part of the day) and Nnoitra to keep him safe, so he jumped in when Gin said that Orihime too needed two Espadas with her. Ulquiorra was going by default.
"Alright gentlemen, let's get this absolutely clear." Orihime said in a low voice to not wake up the sleeping Haruki, "My friends are obviously going to ask who you three are. So this is what I am saying, you both" she said pointing at Barragan and Arroniero sitting at the back seat "are Haruki's bodyguards."
"Babysitters, more like it." Arroniero muttered.
Orihime continued as though she didn't hear, leaning to talk to the two men in front seat, "Grimmjow, you are Ulquiorra's distant cousin."
"WHAT? Have you lost your mind? There is no way in hell I am related to this emo freak."
"Would you rather I said you are his boyfriend?"
"Wha...This is not right. Hey, Ulquiorra, say something. This chick is mad."
"You are the tag along, she's the one explaining, and why should I bother?" Ulquiorra said without looking at him.
"Choose fast Grimmjow, I don't have an eternity."
"Alright, fine. Cousins it is. This is blackmail I tell you, blackmail."
Barragan leaned forward and asked "Ms Inoue, are you absolutely certain there will be no threat to Ms Souske there?"
"Absolutely! Byakuya Kuchiki is a very cautious man. I told him that I am getting my cousin sister, and he knows that my uncle's getting into politics and that his family needs protection, so he's arranged for his own security."
"Byakuya Kuchiki?" Grimmjow said, frowning, "That guy works for the police, right?"
"Yes." Arroniero replied.
"We should be careful around him. He's a sharp one." Ulquiorra added.
"But he hardly talks." Orihime said.
"Those are the ones you should really watch out for chick." Grimmjow said seriously, "They are usually the most dangerous ones. They see more, much more than they let on. Usually those are the ones that see things that a chatty one will probably miss."
Orihime fell silent. She was thinking of another man who fit Grimmjow's description of Byakuya. She knew he had figured out a lot about herself, but exactly how much had he worked out? Did he really know more than he let on? She decided she would have to find out. Making up her mind, she turned around to see those green eyes focused on her with a strange intensity. He did not look away when she caught him staring. Green eyes bored into grey ones till she was forced to look away. She was conscious of him staring at her for a little longer before looking away.
The van stopped in front of the farm house where Ichigo was unloading some things from a truck with Sado, Renji and Ishida.
"Whoa Inoue, that's some crowd." Ichigo said, staring at the people who stepped out of the van.
"Haha, I-I- know right. Th-this here is Barragan and this is Arroniero, they-they are my cousin sister's bodyguards. M-my uncle's not in town you see and-and I couldn't leave her alone, could I?"
"Yeah, I get it. Hello." He said nodding to the two, who nodded back.
"Ok, them I get. The kid, I get. Who's this weird blue haired guy?" Renji asked.
"Says the red haired, weird eyebrows guy?" Grimmjow shot back.
Ichigo grinned, "I like him already, I am Ichigo Kurosaki."
"Grimmjow Jargerjaquez. Ulquiorra's cousin."
"You both are related? You sure don't look like it." Ishida said.
"Distant relation." Ulquiorra offered.
"Hello Sado," Orihime cut in with a high pitched voice causing Haruki to move uncomfortably in her sleep in an effort to make more room in Orihime's lap.
"Hello Inoue." Sado replied in a deep voice and continued with his work.
"Let's get inside shall we?"
"Yeah, there are a few more introductions due anyway." Ichigo replied.
"Rangiku!" Orihime yelled as she saw the other woman sitting on the sofa.
"Orihime!" she replied with genuine pleasure.
Handing Haruki to Barragan, she ran to meet Rangiku. While the two of them hugged, four more girls walked in.
"Momo! So good to see you again." Orihime smiled. "Hello again Tatsuki, Chizuru."
"Good to see you too Orihime." Momo replied.
"How are you feeling now, Orihime?" Tatsuki asked.
"Oh much better."
Since Tatsuki was standing right next to her, Chizuru didn't venture to hug Orihime and just said a hello.
"Oh Orihime, meet my new roommate, Nel." Rangiku said pointing at the lovely girl standing behind her.
"Hello Nel, I am Orihime Inoue."
Nel however didn't reply. Her eyes were fixed on something behind Orihime, her face devoid of all colours.