Chapter 10: Even in Darkness, Hope Still Shines

Standing in the great hall, with the audience of espada surrounding her once again. Orihime froze, keeping a watchful eye on them all. Their hungry stares making her feel like a fight was going to break out between them and she was going to be caught in the crossfire, their prize ruined by their own selfishness. But, they never moved, and it wasn't until Aizen's voice echoed through the hall that she realized he was there.

"Nice to see you again, Orihime." Aizen said. "I trust your stay here as been a pleasant one." "About as pleasant as a knife in my back." Orihime said flatly. "I'm sorry to hear that," Aizen said. "But I believe I can give you some news about your friend, Ichigo, was it? Yes, he's here in Hueco Mundo, and from what I've been told he's making his way to the palace as we speak."

Orihime's eyes widen with an expression of pure joy and newfound hope. 'I knew he would come for me.' she thought. 'I always knew.' As Orihime's soft gray eyes began to spill out tears of joy, Aizen's malicious smile spreads across his face. "Why don't we send someone to greet him?" Aizen's voice resonated in her ears, and she shot a look in his direction. "My, so serious, Orihime." Aizen said with a small chuckle.

"If you hurt Ichigo, I will hurt you." Orihime spat out, her voice cracking. "Oh really?" Aizen asks, amused. "Ulquiorra, you've ben taking care of our dear Orihime for some time now, do you think she's a threat?" Ulquiorra walked up to address Lord Aizen's question. "Lord Aizen, while I have seen this girl possess an incredible strength of will, I do not believe she has the capability to harm anyone here, even you, Lord Aizen."

"Interesting," Aizen said. "Perhaps a demonstration is in order." Ulquiorra bowed. "I will fight her if you wish." "No, that won't be necessary," Aizen waved off Ulquiorra's offer of battle. "Grimmjow, how would you like to be our participant for this test?"

Grimmjow stepped into the light, missing his left arm and a large scar across his chest."Orihime, would you please heal your commrade?" Aizen asked motioning for her to do so. She walked over to Grimmjow and inspected his wounds, Grimmjow stood there as she placed her fingers on her hairpins, using her Shun Shun Rikka she completely restores Grimmjow's arm. As everyone stares in amazement, Grimmjow examines his now fully restored arm, "Hey girl, come over here and heal something else." and he turns his back to her.

She walked over and restores the six tattooed on his back, and Grimmjow's confidence at the time. Before he could relish in his fully restored body, she pulled him down. "Remember one thing, I can heal, but I also destroy." Orihime whispered in his ear, Grimmjow smiled, "Is that a challenge?" Grimmjow whispered back.

"Thank you, Orihime." Aizen said, standing from his throne. "Now, let us go and greet our guests. Ulquiorra, would you please escort Orihime back to her quarters." "Yes, Lord Aizen." Ulquiorra bowed, and grabbed ahold of Orihime's arms. Orihime screamed out Ichigo's name as she was dragged out of the great hall down towards her quarters, no, her prison. 'Please, Ichigo, please, be careful.' she thought, as the door was slammed behind her.