To Catch A Firefly
Chapter 11
"I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity."
― Edgar Allan Poe
LI.
''What is this...feeling?''
LII.
They were sitting inside her spacious bathtub, Orihime between Ulquiorra's legs. Gently, she scrubbed his body with a washcloth.
Unbidden, the girl's fingers wandered to the hole inside his chest. Tracing it almost hesitantly, Orihime searched her soulmate's gaze for a sign of discomfort.
A hand reached out and grabbed her wrist firmly. It did not stop her ministrations.
LIII.
''Nee, Ulquiorra?'' Orihime said.
The man in question did not seem to hear. As she had never expected to actually receive an answer, the girl continued speaking before the silence stretched on for too long. ''The food here is really bland. Can't I cook something for myself?''
''No,'' was the only answer she was gifted with.
Narrowing her eyes in determination, the teen prodded Ulquiorra's arm. ''Nee, Ulquiorra?''
Orihime did not give up until she was presented with an affirmation.
LIV.
There were times when Orihime felt incredibly guilty.
LV.
''You do realize the situation you're in, don't you, Orihime-chan?''
Ichimaru Gin's voice was immensely amused as he stopped the girl on the way to the kitchen.
Hesitantly, the teen looked at him over her shoulder.
''Ulquiorra will never betray Aizen-taicho, which means that there will come a day when you will have to chose between him and your friends.'' The smile on his face widened into a shark-like grin. ''I wonder, which will it be?''