Chapter Eleven

Ulquiorra stood once more in front of the large picture window of his study. Beethoven's Ninth Symphony blared loudly behind him. He had woken long before the rest of the household and after showering the scent of his tryst with Rangiku from his body, had dressed and come downstairs, barricading himself in this room.

The guilt of what he had done plagued him. He knew who he was yet he had allowed Cain to gain control, and as a result had not only forsaken his wedding vows to satisfy his thirst for blood, but his thirst for carnal satisfaction as well. He could not help that he was a vampire, and the needs that arose in him, as unnatural as they seemed in his old life, were very real here in this world. Yet his actions last night went beyond blood lust and shamed him to such a degree that he didn't know if he would be able to face Orihime this evening. Yet at some point he would have to do just that. He had entered this would with a purpose, and that was to bring Orihime home. Hiding from her would do him no good.

A loud, but polite cough interrupted him again from his brooding. Jushiro was very predictable and he found he could plan his day by the man's own schedule. Without turning he said, "Do you wish to speak with me?"

"I just wondered if you would be joining us for the meal," Jushiro said pleasantly. "Or do you simply plan to spend your day lurking in your study, nursing this dark mood you have been cultivating so nicely for the past several days."

Ulquiorra finally turned around and looked at the man. Only Jushiro would be so bold as to speak to Cain so familiarly, but then he had been with the vampire the longest of any of the people that inhabited this house.

"How I choose to spend my time is my business, not yours," he said coldly, and then turned back around.

Jushiro remained unchanged by his temperament. His voice still even he asked, "So you feel comfortable leaving your guest to dine alone with the others."

The stiffening of his shoulders would have been imperceptible to anyone else, yet Jushiro saw everything, and his soft laugh was indication that he was pleased his words had hit their mark.

When Ulquiorra remained silent, Jushiro continued, "Of course they may consider her more tempting than the feast laid out before them…"

He turned quickly and spoke in a heated rush, "No one lays a hand on her or they will answer to me."

Jushiro's smile faded and his tone grew serious, "Why do you resist turning her? Having her remain as she is, is merely asking for trouble."

"Orihime must accept me as she is now," his voice was low. "Turning her would serve no purpose."

"I do not understand your reasoning," Jushiro stepped closer, his expression apprehensive. "She will never accept you as she is. She is mortal, the lover of one of your fiercest enemy…"

Ulquiorra could feel his blood begin to pulse in his veins. His body tensed and he could feel the subtle changes that came as he surrendered to his surging emotions.

"She will be mine again," he enunciated each word purposefully.

"She is in love with Grimmjow…"

In a flash Ulquiorra was on the other man. Cain's power coursed through him as he bared his fangs; his hands elongating into claws. Jushiro remained calm, but his body transformed as well, making him an equal match for Ulquiorra's fury.

Standing inches from Cain's most trusted friend, Ulquiorra spat with venom, "She is in love with me. She has pledged herself to me. Grimmjow is just a figment of her imagination, and I will see that he is banished back to the far reaches of her mind, so that he never sees the light of day again."

Jushiro only stared at him. Concern now added to the many emotions playing out across his features.

"Cain," he began, his voice gentle, and Ulquiorra realized that the man believed he was losing his mind in his rage. "This woman, you have only just met her, and yet you are becoming obsessed. It would be better to simply end her life now before she costs you yours."

"I may as well be dead if something happened to her," his voice but a whisper as he stepped back and took a calming breath, his claws and fangs retracting. "You do not know everything about me, Jushiro."

"I know enough," the man calmed as well. "I know you hate Grimmjow, and would do anything to make his life a living hell. You have taken everything from him, why now this woman? With Rangiku to warm your bed, and many others just as desirable and willing to take her place, why do you need this mortal?"

Ulquiorra walked back over to the window and looked out at the star-filled sky. "Because I love her," he responded without hesitation.

Jushiro gave a rueful laugh, "Cain," he spoke as he walked over and stood beside him, "Your heart is just as black as mine. Love is not something we can begin to understand anymore. We gave it up too long ago. You may lust for her…"

"No," Ulquiorra replied, his eyes still staring out the window, "What I feel is more than lust."

Jushiro sighed, "I have known you since almost the beginning of time, and I have seen you obsess over various women, but love," he shook his head, "True human love is beyond us now."

"We feel loss and remorse, do we not?" he countered.

"Yes," Jushiro agreed, "But love requires selflessness that we now lack. You know that, deep down in your soul."

He gave no answer. Both men remained silent staring out into the night. Finally he spoke, "Orihime will eat in here with me tonight."

Jushiro nodded and replied, "I will make the arrangements."

Ulquiorra remained silent. His dismissal of his friend obvious and Jushiro set about his task. Soon Orihime would arrive, and he would have to face her, as well as what he had done.

Cain may not have a heart capable of love, but Ulquiorra did, and as long as he possessed his faculties, he would love Orihime with all he had.


Orihime was led to Cain's study. It would seem that today he desired to break the fast with her alone. She was relieved that she would not have to face the others, but the prospect of being alone with Cain was not all that exciting either. Yet she wondered who she dreaded more, the hungry vampires that desired to drink her blood, or their leader who seemed to want even more.

Jushiro opened the door to Cain's study and ushered her inside. Cain sat on the rather large sofa that faced the window, a glass of amber liquid in his hand, and classical music playing loudly from his sound system. Jushiro walked over and turned the volume down to a conversational level, and then announced her arrival. Cain gave no acknowledgement that he had heard the man, so Jushiro gave her a gentle nudge over to the couch.

"He is in a dark mood," he whispered. "It would be best not to push him or you may find yourself the main course."

She wondered if he was kidding, merely trying to unsettle her, but one look at Cain, and she understood that he was serious. Still she had her own issues this morning; her black mood almost as formidable as his. Not pushing him would be a true task of her self control, and she honestly did not feel like indulging him in the least.

She came to a stop in front of him and he finally looked up, his eyes taking in the dress that had been left out for her that evening. The bronze colored ensemble came to her knees and consisted of a satin interior slip, covered by a sheer linen outer garment that gathered low at her waist, and cinched with a bow. The dress was very fashionable, and she knew it cost a pretty penny, but something about it made her angry. Maybe it was the fact that she didn't like Cain dressing her to his tastes, or possibly it was the way his eyes took her in before he spoke softly, "That dress suits you much better than that trash the hunter had you in."

She stared at him, eyes blazing with fury, and Jushiro's words were forgotten. "I am not some doll for you to play with," she met his gaze. "And I happened to like Grimmjow's taste. I enjoy feeling sexy."

He stood and placed the glass on the table beside the sofa. His hands ran over the sheer fabric that gathered at her shoulders, "His idea of sexy is as crass as he is. You possess a more elegant beauty than that. The dress is perfect."

"Maybe I like crass," she said harshly.

He dropped his hand and met her eyes. "You insult yourself."

"Don't act like you know anything about me," she felt what little control she had slip away. "I am not a whore you can dress up like…"

She stopped herself and he pressed closer.

"Like who, Orihime?" he asked in a low, cool voice.

"I think you know," she look down, now embarrassed.

His fingers lifted her chin forcing her to meet his gaze again.

"Who are you referring to," he asked once more.

"That woman, Rangiku," she admitted. "I know she warms your bed," she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "She took great pleasure in telling me today just what you two did last night after everyone else had gone to bed."

His eyes widened momentarily and he dropped his hand from her face. Taking the glass from the table he drank the remainder of the contents and stared into the empty cup.

"I have needs, Orihime," he began. "Would you rather I take them from you."

His eyes turned back to her.

"You are a monster Cain," she refused to back down. "I would rather die than give myself to you."

Something in his gaze changed and she thought for a moment that she had actually hurt his feelings, but that was impossible. Cain was incapable of feeling anything aside from his selfish desires.

She pressed further, "I do not know why you even bother with me, except to hurt Grimmjow…"

He tensed and the glass in his hand shattered under the pressure of his angry wrath. Blood dripped from where the glass dug into his pale flesh, and then almost as fast it began to heal. Lifting his hand he stared at the dark liquid and mending wound.

"The only reason that man is still alive is because of you," his voice was deadly as he focused back on her. "If you continue to provoke me, I may change my mind."

She held his gaze a moment more before she turned away, looking out the window instead.

Wrapping her arms around herself she said softly, "You have Rangiku, why then do you pursue me? And if you desire me as much as you say you do, why sleep with her."

She was shocked by the pain in her voice. Why was she reacting this way? When the other woman had come to her gloating this morning, she had felt the faints stirrings of jealousy. Yet Cain was her enemy. Why should his actions with the ginger-haired vampire bother her at all?

She could hear him bridge the distance between them, and then his fingers played with the long strands of her hair that had fallen from the loose bun at the nape of her neck.

"Rangiku fills a need that I do not wish to inflict upon you," he said softly and she could swear she heard regret in his voice. "It is true, as Cain I am nothing more than a monster, but there is more to me Orihime. If you could just understand that…"

"You are a murderer," she said as she stared at her reflection. His eyes met hers in the windowpane.

"I am a man," he said tenderly, "A man that would do anything for the woman he loves. You have to see that Orihime. I would go to any length to get you back."

He released her hair from the bun and buried his face within her auburn locks. She could feel his breath warm her skin and an odd stirring sprang forth from the pit of her stomach.

"All I ask is that you give me a chance to show you who I really am," his arms wrapped around her shoulders and suddenly her skin felt damp and she realized that he was crying.

Still unable to see his face she remained frozen. How could this be? Was it all part of a ploy to confuse her and make her forsake Grimmjow? Yet when he spoke his words were so sincere, his voice choked with regret.

"I should have cast her from my bed as soon as I woke to find her there," his breath fanned across her neck. "I knew it was wrong, but this lust for blood, it is overwhelming, and as much as I hate to give into it, I must or I will die."

His arms tightened and he lowered his head to rest against her shoulder.

"In this world Grimmjow is your hero and can do no wrong," he spoke softly, pain in his voice. "Yet I am the vilest of villains, sustaining my own life by taking it from others. The task before me seems almost insurmountable, and yet I need to you to see me as I am, or I will lose you."

"I don't understand," she whispered

He lifted his head and placing his hands on her shoulders, turned her to face him. His green eyes held hers.

"I know you don't," he said as his hands gently stroked her arms. "I would tell you everything if I believed it would convince you, but you are not ready to hear the truth, and until you are I am resigned to this fate."

"You are making even less sense now," Orihime looked down.

"Just know that I love you," he said as he placed a kiss on the top of her head. "That is enough for now."

He held her close for several moments, and when he finally stepped back he turned towards the table that had been set with their meal earlier.

"We should eat," he spoke again.

She blinked her eyes several times; astonished that he could just leave it at that. How could he love her? He had only just met her. Besides, vampires knew nothing of love. Their hearts no longer had room for such an emotion. Yet in her brief time here in his company, she had seen many aspects of their lives that she hadn't believed possible before, so why would an emotion such as love be so odd?


They ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Ulquiorra was still racked with guilt over his infidelity, and Orihime confused over his declaration of love. He was as clueless now as he had been the moment he arrived and discovered he was Cain, yet he felt that he was making progress, slow progress, but progress still.

So when the meal was complete he stood and held out his hand for hers. She reluctantly placed her hand in his and he walked towards the door. "I have something to show you," he said as he opened the door and stepped into the hallway.

He led her to the back of the house, but instead of heading for the gardens in the back, he veered off in another direction and then came to a stop before two large double doors.

Yesterday he had given Jushiro a task, and now he planned to share what the man had gathered with Orihime. He hoped to spark her memories with familiar things. It was the one advantage he had over Grimmjow. As her husband he knew her better because he knew who she truly was before all this madness consumed her. So he would nudge her gently and hope that some part of her remembered just enough to place a crack in this wall she had built around her heart.

Releasing her, he placed his hands on the knobs and looked back at her. Speaking softly he said, "This is for you."

She giggled and he stared at her with a question in his eyes.

"It's not a library is it?" she teased. He grew confused and she continued, "Like in Beauty and the Beast. The Beast gives Belle a library because she loves to read."

His expression remained neutral as he tried to ignore the fact that in her little comparison he was still a beast rather than a man.

"There is something you enjoy more than reading," he said softly and then pushed open the doors.

She gasped as she took in the room. It was surrounded on three sides with glass windows. The roof was ornate; the style from Victorian times, much in keeping with the rest of the house, and reached high into the night sky.

"Why," she asked as she stepped inside and took in the full breadth of the room, "Would you have such a room attached to your house? Don't you fear getting trapped inside when the sun rises?"

He felt a smile tug at his mouth, "Do you take us for fools?" She only stared silently and he continued, "The glass filters the ultraviolet rays. We have no need to fear the sun or its effects."

"Oh," she replied as she glanced around the conservatory. Then her eyes fell upon the reason he had brought her here. "Oh my," she said in a rush as she walked over to the easel and paints set in the center of the room. "Look at this. It's amazing. So you paint?"

She looked to him and he answered, "No, but you do."

Her eyes narrowed, "How would you know that?"

"I know many things about you," Ulquiorra walked closer, stopping beside her, "Things that you may not even know…yet."

"You are being cryptic again," Orihime said, but her mood was light, her joy evident as she lovingly fingered the brushes and tubes of oils all ready for her expert touch.

"Go ahead," he encouraged her, "I know you want to paint something."

"But won't the owner be mad?"

He took her hands in hers and kissed then tenderly, "You, Orihime, are the owner of all of this. I bought it for you, and placed it here so that no one would disturb you as you painted."

She stared at him and slowly a smile crept onto her face. "It's incredible. I've always wanted…"

And then she grew silent. She was resisting her memories again.

"It's yours," he said, knowing full well how she had longed for such quality materials, yet even with the money they had saved, they still had other bills to pay, and over time she had found herself immersed in her novels with her inks, rather than her first love.

She eyed him again, but her excitement prevented her from questioning him further. Turning to the easel she placed a medium canvas and stared out into the night as she envisioned what she would paint.

"I will give you some privacy," he said as he turned to leave, but she surprised him as she reached out and grabbed his arm.

"I don't understand you Cain," she said, "But thank you."

Ulquiorra nodded and left. Time alone with her craft would help her reconnect on some level to her past, and maybe that would be enough to begin the process of breaking through and bringing her back to him once more.


Cain returned a few hours later with some drinks and a light snack. Orihime was chatting with a guest who had appeared shortly after the other vampire had left, and she grinned inwardly when she heard his exasperated sigh as he placed his tray down on a table beside two chairs.

"Yachiru," he spoke firmly, "You know better than to be here."

The child laughed as she jumped up and went over to see what he had brought with him. "No one said the room was off limits," she laughed. "Besides you shouldn't leave your guests alone. It's rude."

"It's rude to bother people when they wish to be alone," he replied sternly.

"Don't worry about it Cain," Orihime spoke up as she cleaned off a brush and eyed the lemonade and sandwiches. "I enjoy her company."

"And how long have you been here?" he eyed Yachiru.

"How long have you been gone?" she countered sweetly.

"Three hours," his reply was short.

"Then I suppose," She placed her hand against her lips and thought a moment, "About two hours and fifty-nine minutes."

Orihime laughed as Cain's expression darkened. "Really, Cain," she said as she walked over to grabbed a sandwich, "I don't mind her company."

"Only yours," Yachiru stuck out her tongue and laughed as she grabbed a sandwich.

Cain's dark mood deepened. Orihime was once more surprised to feel sympathy for the vampire stir within her. She quickly dismissed it and sat down on one of the chairs beside the table. Cain took the opposite chair and Yachiru danced about filling in the quiet gaps in the conversation with her animated chatter.

"So Cain," Yachiru said when he had finished his meal, "Orihime started a portrait of me," she skipped over to the canvas on the easel. "It's not done yet, but when it is, I'm gonna give it to Kenny."

He stood and followed the child. Staring at the portrait a moment he said, "It's lovely."

Yachiru beamed and then picked up a smaller canvas and held it up for him to see.

"I painted this one," she grinned wide, "It's Orihime."

"What an incredible likeness," he replied, his tone neutral.

"I think so," Yachiru stared at the image. "You can hang it in your study if you want," she handed it to him, "Since you want Orihime to be your girlfriend and all."

He took the painting, ignoring her comment. Orihime placed her plate on the table and stood as well. Walking over to the canvas on her easel, she picked up the brush again and said, "How about you sit a little longer Yachiru and let me paint a little more."

The child eagerly climbed on the stool that she had occupied before Cain had arrived. He in turned sprawled in a lounger that was several feet away. His expression was unreadable, but he seemed more relaxed than he had during the meal. She worked as long as she could before the child began to squirm about. Realizing that Yachiru was at her limit, Orihime dismissed her. The young vampire quickly took off running about the conservatory. Cain sat up, now giving her his attention again.

"You really do have a talent with oils," he spoke softly.

She felt her cheeks heat up at the compliment. "It just feels so natural. Thank you for getting them for me."

He simply nodded and she went about cleaning up her materials.

"I suppose I'll just have to finish up tomorrow," she glanced at Yachiru who was poking a stick into the pond at the room's center.

"She is a bundle of energy," Cain remarked as he followed her gaze.

"Maybe if Jushiro lay off the candy," Orihime smiled, "And Zaraki disciplined her occasionally…"

"A child is a rare thing in our world," his voice lowered. "And her innocence stands in such stark contradiction to what she is, that I think Jushiro and Zaraki indulge her, just to ensure she remains young at heart," he looked back at her. The green of his eyes were outlined by the familiar gold, yet his mood was anything but hostile.

"I suppose it does," she replied. "Still it's hard to believe that she is anything but a child."

"The hunters would fail to agree with you," his voice became bitter, the gold growing more pronounced. "They would kill her just as easily as they would kill me."

She had no kind reply to his statement, so she remained quiet. Yachiru chose that moment to skip their way, and crawling onto Cain's lap smiled, "What ya guys being so serious for?"

She noticed Cain's eyes change again as the green became the dominate color once more. His hand absently went to the child's head as he began to straighten the loose strands of hair that fell around her face.

"It's part of being an adult," he said. "You have to be serious from time to time."

"Well then I'm glad I'll never grow up," she laughed as she burrowed against his chest and let out a yawn. "I hate serious stuff."

"I think it's time you went to bed," Cain said and the child began to protest.

"Please," she pleaded, "Let me stay up with you two a while longer. Orihime could paint some more. Or maybe draw a picture."

"It's late," he replied firmly.

"Oh come on, please," she looked to Orihime, "How about you draw a picture of Cain and me. I'll be real still."

Orihime caught his eye and he nodded, "Okay then Yachiru," she smiled, "But when I finish it'll be bedtime."

The girl stuck up her thumb and grinned. Orihime took out her sketch pad and began to draw. It wasn't long before the child fell asleep, her head resting against Cain's chest, and soon after, the vampire too closed his eyes and she could hear his steady breathing as he completely relaxed.

She paused, her pencil above the paper. How trusting he was, she thought. At this moment, if she so desired, she could kill him and he would be almost defenseless. She still possessed the silver knife that Grimmjow had given her. Cain had no idea she had it strapped to her leg that night. If she pulled it out now she could plunge it into his heart before he even realized what was happening. Yet she was shocked to find that she didn't desire such a thing. Not at the moment. Not with him holding Yachiru like he was. It just felt wrong to do something so violent when he was being so gentle.

She stared at him a moment more and his image began to blur. She rubbed her eyes, and when they cleared she looked again and gasped. His appearance had suddenly changed. His skin was no longer the deathly pale that she had grown accustomed too over the past few days, and the marks on his cheeks had vanished. In his arm was a toddler instead of Yachiru. The child, a boy with curly black locks, grasped a blue stuffed kitty in one hand, and sucked on the thumb of the other.

The materials in her hands dropped to the floor as a deep pain tugged at her heart and she whispered, "Jess."

The noise, as the book hit the tile at her feet, startled the sleeping vampire and Cain jumped slightly, his eyes flying open. As he met her gaze she was struck by the fact that even his green eyes had changed as well, the pupils round, and she thought he looked more human than monster.

"Orihime," she could hear concern in his voice as he carefully rose to his feet, trying not to wake the sleeping child in his arms.

She blinked as her eyes filled with tears, and when she opened them again the vision had vanished. He stood before her as he always had, and in his arms was the sleeping Yachiru, not the baby of only a moment before. He reached out and ran the back of one finger across her cheek.

"What happened," he spoke gently.

"Nothing," she wrapped her arms around her body. "I just thought I saw something."

"Is there someone here?" he looked around the room for a possible intruder.

"No," she shook her head. "It was you. You just looked different. And Yachiru…"

Her words caught in her throat and she stopped. He placed his hand at the back of her head and pulled her to his chest, her head resting beside the sleeping child. He stroked her hair to soothe her and said, "It's okay. Don't fight the things that you see. Your heart," he stopped a moment and took a deep breath; "Your heart is just trying to see beyond the illusion of this world, and see us as we truly are."

"I know who we are," she replied stubbornly.

He gave no reply, only continued to hold her and stroke her hair. They remained like that, in silence, until at last he spoke, "We should get Yachiru to bed."

Orihime stepped back and rubbed her eyes. Picking up her sketch book and pencil, she placed them on the table by the easel. Neither spoke as they made their way to the child's room. He laid Yachiru in her bed and covered her up.

Next they made their way to Orihime's room. Standing outside her door he drew close and whispered, "Trust your heart, Orihime. It will guide you to the truth."

He placed a light kiss on her forehead and backed up. She stared a moment, her feelings for this man in conflict. He was not what she had expected, yet he was the enemy, and Grimmjow had warned her about his ability to charm his way into any woman's heart.

"Goodnight Cain," she said softly and then entered her room.

She heard the lock turn and once more she was reminded that no matter how nice he seemed at times, he was still her jailer, still the man who had stolen her away from her life with Grimmjow. What had happened in the conservatory was most likely a hallucination brought on by the stress of being held captive.

Walking over to the window she looked out into the early morning sky. Grimmjow was out there, and she knew that he would not stop until he had retrieved her from Cain's mansion. She only needed to be strong and resist the vampire's charms until that time.


Ulquiorra stared at the door to Orihime's bedroom. He hated to lock her in like this, but he had no choice. Locking her in was for her own protection. The house was a dangerous place for her. That was why only he and Jushiro held a key to this room. Yet he would be lying if he said that was the only reason.

He knew that Orihime was looking for a means to escape. He understood that the moment he brought her here three nights ago. Yet he couldn't allow her to leave. While he was forced to lock her body away, he still had the daunting task of unlocking her heart.

He turned and made his way back to the conservatory. All his energy was focused on helping her regain her memories, and tonight he had glimpsed a small glimmer of hope. When he had woken and saw her stricken expression he knew she had remembered something. Her words only confirmed it. He had looked different. It would seem that her heart had revealed who he was really was, at least physically, to her. Still she was stubbornly resisting.

And Yachiru, Orihime had said something about the child but refused to elaborate, yet he was curious to find out. So now, on a hunch, he had come back to the conservatory and now grasping her sketch book in his hand, turned to the drawing she had been working on before she had grown so distraught.

He gasped, delight and pain coexisting for a moment in his heart. The sketch was of him, but the child in his arms was Jess. She had drawn her son, even if she was unaware of doing such a thing. Her heart had not forgotten the child, and subsequently him as well. Slowly she was remembering. Yet at the same time she was resisting those memories.

Her inability to face her past was only holding them both captive in this world, more so than any lock he could place on her door. He had to break through her resistance, and tonight had proven that it could be done.

She may be a prisoner in this house, but he was a prisoner held captive in her heart, and he refused to remain silent. His fate was in her hands, and he would fight to the end to make her see that he was the man that she loved, and that their life in the real world was the one she truly belonged to.

Ulquiorra tore the page from the book and took it with him. It was like a talisman to him now; an object that would give him reason to believe in a world so ensconced in implausible things.