Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. (I wish...)

Chapter Eleven

Ichigo watched her as she slept. Normally, he would be embarrassed to do such a thing, but if it was for her, he would do it. Her breaths were wispy and soft, a slight unsteadiness to it. It reminded him of the sound wind made when blowing through a tube.

Rukia only had a cold, but it gave her a raspy, cracking voice and a dripping noise. Her temper became much testier, and she often hid in her bed for the three days she had been sick. She had probably got it from that one rainy day.

He was grateful for the fact that Rukia had not said a word about their heart-to-heart. Ichigo was afraid that she would dangle that experience over his head, but she had been very kind about it. He was wrong to think that she was much harsher than she was. Another thing that surprised him was the fact that she hadn't asked to go outside in a while.

"I can't sleep with your eyes on me," Rukia said suddenly, making Ichigo jump a little.

"I thought you were sleeping," Ichigo mumbled.

Rukia weakly laughed, not leaving her cave of blankets. "I wasn't asleep when you first came in."

"B-But I called your name! You ignored me?" Ichigo said in a burst.

Rukia smiled from under the blankets, "Since when were you so motherly?"

Ichigo growled in his usual manner. "I just want to make sure you're okay. That's all. I didn't make you chicken noodle soup or anything. Though I'm sure Orihime would love to make you more soup."

"No!" Rukia said while shooting up. "Please, no more egg and clam stew!"

Ichigo got a good look at Rukia. Her face was slightly flushed from the sickness. Her face was twisted in some horrified face.

"You know, you don't have to eat it. Orihime used to make me lunches all the time. I finally told her that I didn't want them, so she stopped."

"I'd feel bad if I don't eat them. Ulquiorra used to be the only one who ate her lunches. I feel like she needs someone to cook for."

Orihime had told Rukia that it was comforting to have Ulquiorra around. He was normally cold but surprisingly kind.

"I guess… I don't understand how that guy has the stomach for that kind of food. He must have no taste buds," Ichigo pondered. "Orihime has him wrapped around her finger."

"So, you've picked that up. If you stay with him for awhile, it becomes obvious. Ulquiorra really is expressive when you focus on him."

"I'm not dumb," Ichigo said. "Plus, I've been around them much longer than you have."

Rukia let the blanket slide from her shoulders, showing the rip in her t-shirt. It was torn at the seams of the shoulder. Ichigo inspected the tear by grabbing part of the shirt. Rukia loosely followed as he pulled her closer to inspect the tear.

"I…" Rukia started. "I was going to have Uryu stitch it back up. I got it caught on one of the hooks by the bed."

"You need new clothes."

"I know, but what am I going to do?"

"When you get better, you should go shopping with Orihime. You would just need to be super careful," Ichigo said slowly.

Rukia gave a smile, the type that tried to hide but failed. Ichigo really was a character. She just couldn't read him sometimes. Rukia found that Ichigo would come around if she left him to his thoughts. In all honesty, Rukia felt that she didn't need to go outside. She had gotten that cold from the outdoors.

"Well, if you insist," Rukia said.

"I-" Ichigo stopped suddenly, the words caught in his throat. "I'm not insisting. It was more of an idea. A vague, vague idea," he defended.

"Relax, I can see the gears grinding in your head," Rukia teased. "I really don't mind stitching it up."

Ichigo was about to respond when Uryu slammed the door open. His pale face was slightly flushed as if he had been running a long distance. His glasses were even fogging. His body shook in ragged breaths.

"Sheriff, you'll never guess who I just saw walking in this direction," Uryu huffed. "Ulquiorra showed his face."

Rukia's smile dropped as she remembered her brutal interrogation of him. She would finally have the chance to properly apologize.

"You ran all the way here for that," Ichigo said, grumbling because of the interruption. "Well, I guess it can't be helped. I'll meet him. Oh, and please stitch Miss Kuchiki's shirt. It has a hole in it."

Ichigo's walk to the front was slow and leisurely. He would never understand why everyone went crazy for Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra was bland and cold, while Ichigo was their boss and gave them generous work hours. No one would run to give the news that Ichigo was back with such haste.

Everyone was working hard today. Even Keigo sat at his desk for once and was filling out files. Ichigo was lucky to have such hardworking officers at his station. He would never trade them in for any other crew.

Orihime was typing away on her computer. Uryu must not have told her that Ulquiorra was returning. She would probably be pacing if that was the case.

"You look stiff, Ichigo," Orihime said while lifting her head. "Did you sleep strangely?"

Ichigo never failed to be impressed by Orihime perceptiveness. She always knew when something was up.

"I was afraid you perhaps got attacked by a bear," she continued to Ichigo's embarrassment. "Well, actually… Bears don't live near here."

"I'm just sore… That's all…" he groaned in pure disbelief. Her mind was so wild sometimes. It was always like that.

The door opened slowly. Orihime shuddered, her breath catching in her throat. Ulquiorra stood in the door frame, allowing the chilled air of fall into the building. He paused, obviously unsure of what to do even though he looked nonchalant. Ulquiorra looked so much like a weeping willow tree with those long limbs and his graceful posture. His black jacket was zipped all the way to the middle of his chest.

No one spoke for a moment. Ichigo was unsure of what to say or even if he should speak. The intensity between Orihime and Ulquiorra was suffocating. Orihime's hands hovered over her keyboard.

She stood up suddenly and turned to leave. Her back turned away from the lanky man. With a hard breath, Orihime started to walk. "Wait," Ulquiorra spoke, his voice cutting through the tension.

Orihime turned with a twisted face of pain. "What brings you here? I thought you were gone." Ichigo flinched at the uncharacteristic daggers in her voice.

"I have important information to relay to Sheriff Kurosaki."

Ichigo straightened to the sound of his name. "What is the important information you need to tell me?"

Ulquiorra was looking at the hurt eyes of Orihime. He grew guilty. She often looked at him like he was the only thing in the world, but now all he got was accusing eyes.

"I…" Ulquiorra started with a loss for words, keeping his eyes on Orihime. "I'd wish to speak with Miss Inoue… privately."

Ichigo got the hint and retreated. It not like he wanted to stay to watch the scene anyway. These were personal problems that had no business in the workplace.

Orihime and Ulquiorra stood in silence for a few minutes, just reading the expressions on each other's faces. Ulquiorra strangely clicked his tongue to break the silence.

"Stay something," Orihime pleaded, hating every second of the quiet lobby.

"Follow me," he said coldly. "I want to show you something."

Orihime was stunned by his request. Well, actually the tone of his voice was much more startling than what he said. He grabbed her coat and followed him out the door, leaving a note to say she was gone.

She followed him down the sidewalk, three paces behind. She couldn't get herself to walk next to him, and he wasn't going to make an effort to walk with her. He led her through some alleyways to a darker, less lively spot.

They couldn't have been that far from the police station, but this was another world to Orihime. Light only reached the top of Orihime's head. Orihime wanted to reach for him, but he was too far ahead. This was her hometown, yet she felt that she had just teleported.

Ulquiorra suddenly stopped, causing Orihime to stop too. "Where are we?" she asked breathlessly.

"Home."

The dead end was covered in miscellaneous objects. The biggest object was an orange tent with a broken zipper. Random items of clothing and ripped papers scattered around the area. Scrap metal was draped on top of the tent, probably to keep the rain out. Ragged scratches on the red bricks formed the names of people who once lived there.

"Is this…?" Orihime trailed.

"This is where you've been hiding? Well, other than Urahara Shop," Orihime said curtly. "I got a few calls from Urahara."

"I told him not to tell you," Ulquiorra growled. "Does that man ever give his word?"

"So, you didn't want me to find you, huh?"

"I needed time to think," he responded flatly.

Orihime's worried eyes flashed to rage. "Did you finally figure out whatever you wanted to figure out?"

"No. The answer to my question is not easily answered. I fear that I may never have an answer."

"Then why… Why did you take me here?" Orihime said lowly.

"I just wanted you to know where I am. I was safe, so you don't need to worry about me anymore."

"What do you mean 'anymore'?"

Ulquiorra finally faced her. His eyebrows twitched. Orihime's heart raced faster as he stepped closer to her, feeling the heat of his breath. He reached for her wrist and lifted it up. With his other hand, he placed a folded piece of paper into her hand. Ulquiorra slowly dragged his fingers away from her skin.

"I cause you so much trouble, so I've decided to try to be by myself again. I don't want you to be worried about the likes of me. I free you."

"That just can't happen!" Orihime bursted. She paused when she noticed how loud she had just been. "You can free me if you like, but I'll find you. I can't just stop my f-... my… You don't even know how much you matter to me."

"I don't matter to anyone," Ulquiorra whispered.

"That just isn't true!" she explained in a choked voice, grabbing his shoulders. "You matter to me!" Orihime gasped when she had said it aloud. "You are the only one, other than my brother, who eats and likes my food. You are the only one who willingly will go to my brother's grave with me and let me cry without turning your back. You are the only one who comes and visits me because you really want to talk to me. I just don't know what I'd do without you!"

Ulquiorra watched her with a startled face. She buried her head into his shoulder as she cried soft tears. His lip trembled as the words set in. He softly pushed Orihime away. Her eyes were slightly red and brimming with tears.

"I'm sorry… It just upset me to hear you say that. You are so much more than you think you are," Orihime continued.

"I won't say it again…"

"You better not! I just want to see you be happy!"

"I feel slightly light and warm when I'm with you. Is that happiness? I don't really have anything to be happy about except maybe you. So am I feeling happy?"

Orihime smiled which caused Ulquiorra to crack a little inside. It was hard to breathe as if the weight of the ocean had just landed on him. His brain was short-circuiting. Orihime was priceless to him, there was no doubt.

"I think you have a lot to be happy about. I'm not the only one that cares about you. Everyone at the station, even Ichigo, cares about you. I really think you have some happiness inside."

Orihime remembered the piece of paper in her hand. She unfolded the paper and paused. It was an ink drawing. In the drawing, Orihime and Ulquiorra were sitting on a bench together. Orihime's face was one of laughter. Her hand was softly pressed on Ulquiorra's. Ulquiorra, to her surprise, had drawn a smile on himself. She had never seen him smile before. Ulquiorra was never good with words, so this was his way of expressing his feelings.

"It's beautiful, Ulquiorra. I love it," she whispered, looking up at him. She had forgotten how close they were.

"I'm… glad," he whispered back.

Orihime placed her hand on the back of his neck, feeling his silky hair. His hands were awkwardly at his sides, unsure of what to do with them.

"Don't move," Orihime breathlessly said, making the decision in her head. She knew he would be startled by this.

Orihime went on her tippy-toes and pressed her lips softly to his. It only lasted a mere second, yet Orihime nearly passed out from embarrassment. It was nothing. It was a brush of the lips, completely innocent.

"Uh," Orihime started, stepping away. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. Oh, and I should get back to work. Keigo told me that he needs help with something… um, a research project about Dracula."

She turned on her heel and ran away, leaving Ulquiorra by the brick wall. He really was short-circuited. He didn't know what to think or to feel. There were so many thoughts in his head and all of them were about Orihime. His throat became tight with worry. What had he done?

Ichigo typed loudly on his computer. He felt so uneasy ever since Ulquiorra had mentioned something that was important. It also didn't help that Rukia was curled up in a blanket in one of his chairs and watched him. Her head rested on the opaque glass in a peaceful slumber, well, she wasn't exactly sleeping. She was only resting her eyes. Rukia claimed that it was too cold in the cell room, so Ichigo let her stay in his office after Ulquiorra left.

The scuff of shoes on tile could be heard from outside his office. Ichigo stopped working and inspected the growing shadow. The shadow stopped at the door. The handle slowly turned and opened. Ulquiorra walked in and frowned slowly.

"Rukia, I know you're awake," he said oddly.

On cue, Rukia uncurled herself from the blankets and scowled, forcing her eyes away from him in a pout. "How did you know?"

"I could hear," Ulquiorra started. "Sheriff, I need to tell you something. It has to do with Rukia's protection."

Ichigo suddenly became very interested. He scurried for a pen and paper. Ichigo popped the cap off with his teeth and readied the pen with a tremble. Rukia's eyes were wide with worry. What would he say? Ulquiorra's mouth hung as if the words were right on his tongue.

'I just want to see you happy!' Orihime's voice echoed in Ulquiorra's head. His words failed him. All he could see was her. His heart rate quickened in a panic. Ulquiorra did know what to do. For once, logic had failed him.

"Ulquiorra! Snap out of it! What were you going to say?!" Ichigo said with irritation.

Ulquiorra started again with a raspy voice. His tongue was dry and slow moving. "Aizen has sent two men that are looking for Rukia. I know one of them, and you wouldn't want Rukia to get caught by him. I convinced them that I saw Rukia in Kagamino City. I suggest that you go to catch them."

"That's a strong claim," Ichigo said, lifting his eyes from the paper.

"Do you not believe me?" Ulquiorra said with an unnatural cut to his voice.

'You matter to me!'

Rukia's frown deepened. "Ulquiorra, are you feeling okay? You look a little off," Rukia asked.

"I'm just fine."

"Can I have a description of the two men?" Ichigo asked to change the subject. "I believe you."

"One of their names is Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, tall, light blue hair, crazy smile. He likes to smoke. He is also quite the alcoholic. Oh, and he has a tattoo of the number six on his lower back. I don't know the other man, but he was slender with long blonde hair and narrow eyes."

Ichigo finished writing down the information and stood up. "I need some time to relay this information. I'll catch the scumbags."

Rukia smiled confidently. Ichigo stopped looking at Ulquiorra and glued his eyes to Rukia. "I know that you'll get them. They're going to regret the day they crossed paths with Ichigo Kurosaki."

Ichigo slacked his jaw slightly. Even in sickness, Rukia still had some sort of entrancing ability. Ichigo walked to Rukia and squatted down, face to face. Rukia was calm in this situation, but Ichigo felt his palms get sweaty. She smelled like cucumbers, something that was growing on him.

"They'll regret the day they thought they could hurt Rukia Kuchiki," Ichigo whispered to her.

Rukia shuddered and looked to Ulquiorra who was long gone. "Where'd he go?"

Ichigo popped up. He needed to thank Ulquiorra for the information, for the opportunity to stop acting like a sitting duck and act. He would finally be able to protect Rukia like he wanted to. This was his chance to do something right.

When he had found Ulquiorra, the slender man was embracing Orihime in a gentle yet firm manner. Orihime's fingers clutched the fabric of his back for dear life. Ulquiorra had his face buried in the crook of her neck. She had a smile on her face, the most genuine smile he had ever seen from Orihime. It caused Ichigo to smile a little himself.

"Isn't that sweet," a soft voice said to the right of him. It was Rukia.

"I'm happy for them," Ichigo said breathlessly. "Orihime and Ulquiorra deserve each other. I know that they make each other happy. That's rare these days."

He looked down at Rukia who was smiling up at him. "What's with the gloom?"

"I'm not gloomy," he growled.

"Aren't you happy? You make it sound like it's a far-reaching goal for you." Ichigo was silent. "I understand how you feel. I used to think that people like me couldn't be happy, but here I am, finding happiness in the smallest things."

Ichigo tenderly smiled, causing Rukia's chest to tighten. "Don't worry, I'm happy."

Hello

Ulquiorra finally returned to the station. Fire the confetti canons! It's been far too long, right?

Peace (o_0)