I do not own Bleach or any of its characters.
Beta: lilarin
Chapter Fourteen
Reiko had fallen asleep with little complaint. Ulquiorra realized that she must be tired after all the running around she did at the party, and was relieved that she had not fallen asleep on the ride home, otherwise she would have been up all night.
He would have thought Orihime would have been just as exhausted after chasing the girl for most of the afternoon, but when he went downstairs to watch the news, he found her sitting on the couch, her feet curled beneath her as she read from one of Reiko's leveled books. She looked up as he sat down on the opposite end of the couch and gave him an easy smile.
"The party was fun, wasn't it?" she asked as she placed the book in her lap.
"Fun for the children," he replied.
"But you could have gone in the tunnels and played too," she remarked innocently.
"I don't particularly find that kind of thing amusing anymore."
"Well if you had you probably could have avoided having to talk to that man Gin," her expression serious now.
"Usually he does not attend these things," Ulquiorra began his voice growing cold. "He leaves it to his wife, and since she enjoys gossiping, it works out well."
"You don't like Rangiku?" she asked sounding surprised.
"The woman is very inappropriate. She talks about things that most people have the decency to avoid," He disliked Rangiku almost as much as her husband.
She seemed to think about that for a moment and then she drew her eyebrows together and he could tell she wanted to ask a question, but for some reason seemed hesitant.
He prodded her along, "Did she say something that offended you?"
"No," she shook her head but still looked unsure, "But she did say something that confused me. Well maybe not as much confused me as worried me."
"Worried you?"
"Yes, I mean I felt like maybe I didn't understand her and that I might have said something wrong."
He could only imagine how whatever innocent thoughts Orihime had, might have been misconstrued by Gin's wife. His stomach tightened as he wondered just what damage this day may have caused him.
"What did you say exactly?" he asked feeling uneasy.
"Well…I didn't know she was married to Gin…and then she pointed him out…and she said that he was wild in bed…"
His eyes widened. This was worse than he could have imagined.
"Is that bad?" she asked.
"Just continue," he replied, "I'll let you know."
"Okay," she smiled, but he could see that she was growing anxious about this. "She mentioned that it was hard to have sex wherever she wanted with a child in the home, and that I must know what she means because of Reiko."
He could feel the color drain from his face as he grew lightheaded, dreading what he knew was coming.
"I wasn't sure what she meant so she asked me if we had slept together…"
It was definitely bad - worse than bad, if there was such a thing.
"And you told her that we had," his voice was void of all emotion.
She seemed to shrink at his tone and replied, "Yes, because we have, at least two times…" she bit her lip as she tried to gauge his reaction and then continued, "It was the wrong thing to say wasn't it?"
He stared at her for a moment. In all honesty he couldn't be mad at her. She was an innocent creature. She did not understand the ways of man, but Rangiku, well the woman wrote romance novels for a living, rather racy ones at that, so her mind was always in the gutter.
"You were only speaking the truth," he began, trying to keep his voice level, "But that woman…she meant something else entirely."
"Oh no," Orihime whispered. "I'm so sorry."
"You couldn't have known," his voice softened at her obvious distress. "She was using a euphemism."
"A euphemism?"
"It's using one word or phrase in place of another one, usually one that can be taken offensively."
She lowered her gaze and began to fiddle with the pages of the book in her lap.
"What exactly did she mean then?" her voice was tiny, and fearful.
He stiffened slightly and felt his heart begin to race in his chest. This was not a conversation he envisioned having with her – ever. Now he was stuck with a topic that he was not comfortable in the least discussing, and all because of that annoying wife of Gin's.
He decided blunt honesty would be best. If he spoke the facts, without all the fluff, then maybe she would relate it to whatever act fairy creatures did to reproduce and the conversation would end before he grew too embarrassed.
"She was speaking of sexual intercourse," he then said coolly.
"What is sexual intercourse?"
Good God! Was she serious?
"Well it is the act that human beings do to procreate."
"Procreate?"
"Yes, procreate," he felt his face heat up. "How we create a new life."
"You can create a new life?" she sounded awed.
"Well," he scratched the back of his head as he felt his cheeks burn even hotter, "Humans require a male and a female to create a new life…but I assume it is the same for your kind…"
"Oh sprites and fairies cannot create new life," she perked up.
"Then how do you reproduce?" he became rather curious himself, and his earlier embarrassment was momentarily forgotten.
She giggled lightly and said, "You know silly. That story, Peter Pan, the one you read to Reiko explained it."
"So there is truth in the saying that a fairy is born when a human baby laughs for the first time?" he asked skeptically.
She nodded excitedly, "A baby's first laugh is filled with all its untarnished hopes and dreams. It is completely innocent and carefree, unmarred by the corporal world and its evils. It contains the pure essence of the child's soul, and that essence travels the world until it comes to rest in the bosom of the Fairy Queen. There she nurtures it until the spring, when she releases it at the Vernal Equinox."
He stared at her silently as he thought about what she said, and once more he was reminded of just how much she did not belong in his world. She was a pure creature, unblemished by the ways of man. It was understandable that she would not understand so many of the things that she was being exposed to during her time with him.
"Ulquiorra?" her voice was concerned as she leaned towards him. "Are you okay? You look upset."
"I just feel guilty," he replied honestly.
"Guilty?"
"Yes, guilty," he exhaled a deep breath. "You are here because of me, but you really don't belong. And I do not want you to lose your innocence because I was too stubborn to believe in you from the beginning…"
She scooted across the couch and reached for his hands. Taking them in hers she smiled, "I want to be here with you."
"But my world is in direct conflict with yours."
"The Fool would never have left me here is he feared for my safety," she said softly.
He tensed at the mention of Amandán Mar. She responded by giving his hands a tight squeeze.
Ignoring his darkening mood she said with enthusiasm, "I still cannot believe that human beings possess a magic as powerful as the ability to create life. It is so amazing!"
He felt his heart begin to quicken again, as he had hoped she would forget the earlier direction of their conversation. But that was obviously not the case.
"So," she pressed on, "How exactly do humans create a new life?"
He pulled his hands back from hers and stood abruptly.
"It's complicated," he said.
"So then you have to practice a lot to get it right?"
He gasped as his face burned once more.
"No, I did not mean the act is complicated," he tried as his embarrassment made it hard to continue, "It's just that explaining it is hard."
"Why is that?" she furrowed her brows.
"Because it's not something humans usually talk about…well not like this."
"Is it a secret?"
"Sort of," he began as he started to pace anxiously. "It's just something that we are taught. We don't know about it when we are young, because we don't need to, but as we get older…well…"
"So Reiko does not know?"
His eyes flew open wide again as he stopped and faced her.
"She does not know the mechanics of the act, but she does know that a man and a woman can create a baby. Of course with Nelliel pregnant she has been asking more questions about it."
"That's true. I forgot about Nelliel," she tapped her finger against her lips. "So she and Grimmjow created the baby, but how did they get it inside of her, and why does it need to be there in the first place?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes as he prayed for the strength to get through this. Then he remembered the book that Hisae had bought when she had discovered she was pregnant. It explained everything from conception to birth, with a week-by-week growth chart and explanation for the entire duration of a pregnancy.
He opened his eyes and looked towards the bookcase beside the television. There it was, on the top shelf, where Reiko would never be able to find it. Walking over he reached up and grabbed it and went back to the couch. Sitting down beside Orihime he took a deep breath and opened the book. A picture of an egg and a sperm greeted him and Orihime looked on with fascination.
"This is an ovum or egg," he pointed to the picture. "It is inside the woman's body, in a special place called her ovaries." She sucked in a breath and he relaxed slightly. As long as he kept this technical it would be okay. "The ovum contains all her genetic material…"
"What's that?"
"It's like all the information about her," he replied as he looked at the picture. "An ovum is microscopic, so tiny you can't see it with the naked eye."
"Amazing," she said. "And what about that thing. It looks sort of like a tadpole."
"It's a sperm," he replied calmly.
Just keep it cool, he thought. Relax and it will be okay. Just ignore her comments and stick to the facts. "It's the male counterpart to the egg and contains the man's genetic material."
"Cool," she stared even closer.
"To create a baby the sperm has to penetrate the egg. When that happens the egg begins to change and grow rather quickly." He showed her some more pictures of a zygote and then a blastocyst. This was better, he thought. If he could distract her with fetal development maybe she would be satisfied and leave it at that.
"It doesn't look like a human," she remarked.
"It will, given time," he answered.
Flipping through the pages he showed her the changes in the embryo as it grew into fetus. She was utterly captivated and looking up briefly asked, "So all of this is happening inside of Nelliel?"
He turned to a page of a fetus at twenty-five weeks. "This is about how far along Nelliel is. Pretty soon it will become very obvious that she is pregnant."
They continued on turning the pages and looking at the pictures until they reached forty weeks gestation. Suddenly the focus of the book changed and the pictures showed a woman in the process of childbirth. He tried to close the book but Orihime wouldn't let him. She stared in utter fascination as the baby began to crown and then emerge completely from the birth canal.
"Oh my, that must hurt," she whispered.
"Childbirth is a painful process," he thought back to Reiko's birth. Hisae's boyfriend had long since abandoned her and the baby, and she had pleaded with him to be there beside her, along with Nelliel, for support. Nothing had prepared him for the experience, and because she had decided to do it naturally, she had had to rely on him and Nelliel to get her through the painful contractions. "But once the baby is born the pain goes away significantly."
"What an incredible thing," Orihime stated. "Humans are very lucky to have such an ability. Still," she looked up at him and said evenly, "I don't understand how the sperm gets from the man to the woman. Is that what this sexual intercourse is about?"
Damn it!
He had hoped she would leave it alone at this, but here she was asking that embarrassing question again. Once more he reminded himself to relax.
"Yes," he replied. "That is exactly what it is about."
Hmm," she thought, "I still don't see how you get something so small from one person to another."
He braced himself again and flipped to the very front of the book. There he found the pages with the anatomically correct drawing of the male and female body. Her eyes opened wide as she took in the images.
Pointing to male, or more so to the genitalia, she asked, "What is that?"
He swallowed hard. In the back of his mind he could see Grimmjow rolling with laughter. His friend would never let him live this down if he ever found out.
He explained the male and female anatomy to her, using the correct terminology, just as he had for Reiko as she grew old enough to give names to her body parts. Orihime never said a word as she listened intently. And once he began he found that it became easier to continue. He thought back to his biology lessons in high school, which helped him to detach himself from what he was saying. Once he had finished relating the entire sex act to her he sat back and breathed deeply. His hands were shaking, so he placed them in his lap.
She remained silent a moment longer, just staring at the images. Then she looked away from the book and shot a glance in his direction, or more so at his lap. Once more he felt himself grow warm, but this time the feeling was odd, almost exciting, and he clenched his teeth against the sensation. He was such a pervert. Well normally he wasn't, but around her he found it increasing harder to contain himself.
"So," she cleared her throat, her eyes were still focused on his crotch. "I never realized you looked different… down there I mean…because…well…isn't it uncomfortable?"
It was becoming uncomfortable the more she continued to stare, but he kept his voice detached as he answered, "It is part of my anatomy. And it does not always look like that."
Her eyes went back to the image of the aroused male member in the book.
"Oh, okay, well that makes sense. I mean…well… no I really don't get it. You mean it doesn't look like that until you are ready to engage in sexual intercourse?"
He coughed loudly and kept his eyes focused on the image so that he wouldn't have to look at her.
"Yes that would be correct."
"So then does it just change when you are ready to create a life?"
"Humans are not like animals," he was mortified. "We don't go into heat and then mate."
She looked at him and apologized. "I have no experience with such things."
He sighed and replied, "I'm sorry. This is just awkward."
She actually blushed for the first time since this conversation had begun.
"I hadn't realized," she laid her hand against his knee. "You are doing quite well." Her hand placement only made things worse, and he closed his eyes as he tried to clear his thoughts. But she wouldn't stop talking, and once more he opened his eyes in shock as she continued, "So how do you know when you are ready to engage in sexual intercourse? Does it only happen at night, in your bed?"
Oh God, please just make her stop.
Staring straight ahead he tried to keep his voice steady, "Humans can engage in the act of sexual intercourse at any time. It just depends on how they feel."
"How they feel," she repeated softly. Then louder, "And do you do this only with someone that you are bonded to?"
"Well it helps," he answered honestly. "Marriage is a commitment, but it is never a guarantee. My sister was not married to Reiko's father, and when he found out she was pregnant he left. I don't know if marriage would have been the best thing for them if he was that irresponsible."
"Then why did she do such a thing with him if he was not the type of man to care for her and the child?"
He turned back to her and replied softly, "Sexual intercourse is essential to creating life, but creating life is not the only reasons humans do it."
"Then why would they?"
He felt lightheaded once more, but knew he had no choice but to see this through to the end.
"Because it feels good."
"Oh," she whispered.
"Men and woman become attracted to each other. And that attraction makes them desire physical contact. And that physical contact feels nice; different than other touches. And that leads them to desire to be bonded closely."
"So they have sex," she replied innocently.
He swallowed hard.
"Yes."
"So humans like to be touched," she looked down at her hand still on his knee. "So should I not be touching you?"
"It is different," he lied. "It is not as if we are together in that way."
"But now Rangiku thinks that we have had sexual intercourse."
"Most of the people there would assume so because you are living in my house," he stated. "It is unavoidable."
She looked down, "I am sorry. I didn't realize that people would think such things."
"It doesn't matter," he stood and took the book from her grasp. Walking back to the bookcase he put it away. "Besides it will give me a break from all those obnoxious women who keep trying to set me up with their friends."
"Why would they so that?"
"Because I am single, and have a good paying job…"
She stood up and walked over to him. Placing her hand on his chest by his heart she said, "But there is so much more to you than that." His gaze grew skeptical. "You are a good man Ulquiorra. Any woman would be lucky to bond herself to you."
Once more he felt himself flush.
"It's getting late," he had to get away from her. "We should go to bed."
She smiled, "You are trying to avoid hearing what I have to say."
"True," he answered and she smiled wider. Leaning up she placed her lips close to his face and stopped, "Is it okay if I give you a kiss on the cheek? You will not think I am trying to engage in sexual intercourse?"
"Orihime I have already told you that your touch is not the same…"
"Because we are not bonded."
For a moment he thought she sounded disappointed, but that was impossible. He was an idiot, and she was still the innocent creature she had been since he had first met her.
Kissing him she moved away and said, "Thank you Ulquiorra. The talk was very informative."
He nodded and said, "Just don't mention any of this to Reiko. When the time is right I will explain it all to her."
This time she nodded and turning rushed from the room and up the stairs. He let out a sigh and walking over to the couch sank back down.
When had he become such a liar? And more so how was he going to survive her stay now that he understood his feelings were growing into something deeper than that of the protective brother. No a brother definitely would not be feeling these feelings.
"Shit," he ran his fingers through his hair. Spring could not come soon enough.
Author's Notes:
This chapter was fun to write. Hope you enjoyed it as well. I am still on track for Halloween and hope to get more written, but once more my weekend will be spent running around like a crazy person. Not much time to write. Still I will try to see what I can do.
Thanks to all who reviewed, and a special thanks to my beta lilarin who really made my day when she first read this chapter. So please let me know what you thought. Next chapter is a little fluff before the Halloween chapters (3 altogether).