Author's Note: HI EVERYBODY! I'M BACK! Sorry for that uber long break ^_^; I know I left you guys on a major cliff hanger last time and I really apologize for it! Things have been really hectic for me lately with school and everything so I haven't been able to update recently. Even so, I decided that there was no better way than to start the year off then by updating this fic! As you guys read along, you'll realize that I did not completely stick to the original story line in the anime concerning certain events such as Ichigo fighting Ulquiorra for the first time and Ichigo's battle with Grimmjow. I wanted to put my own creative sequence of events for this fic so I could focus more on the relationship between Ulquiorra and Orihime. Wellllllllllll I hope you guys like it! Enjoy! ^^
"Orihime," whispered out a soft, familiar voice. "It's time to get up. It's nearly seven o'clock…"
For the first time in months, morning sunlight kissed the flaming haired princess's cheeks as she stirred lightly from her slumber. In Las Noches, it was difficult to tell whether or not it was morning since it was dark outside all year long.
But the warmth of the sunlight peering in through her window was not a mistake. It was real.
"Orihime," the voice called out again but in a more stern tone this time, "It is time to wake up. You're going to be late for school."
For school? The female slowly opened her silver eyes, only to be met with piercing jade orbs staring back into her own. "Did you forget today was Monday? You are by far the laziest onna I have ever seen," said the male that hovered over the girl's exhausted form.
"Ulquiorra? Is that you?" grumbled Orihime as she slowly rubbed her tired eyes.
With a small sigh, the male shook his head lightly, his raven colored hair swaying softly, "Who else would it be, Orihime? Now hurry up and get dressed. If you're late again, the teacher will surely scold you."
All of a sudden, everything came flowing back to the worn-out girl. It had been months since she had been freed from the treacheries of Las Noches. Ulquiorra had over-powered Aizen's law and had managed to defeat him in a horrendous battle. Details of the battle had escaped the short-minded girl but she clearly remembered Ulquiorra rescuing her from the horrid prison cell she had remained in. They had fled to the human world soon after where they had been living happily for the past few months.
"Good morning, Ulquiorra," Orihime whispered softly, a tender smile playing upon her lips. Even though it was time for school, the defiant girl snuggled under the warm covers of her soft, comforting bed, closing her eyes once more. "Can I have five more minutes?"
Ulquiorra simply sighed as he sat down on the edge of her bed, reaching out his slender fingers to touch her cheek tenderly, "You're going to be late, onna." He reprimanded, poking at her nose teasingly.
"Yeah, I know…" Orihime replied gently as she continued to smile. Somehow, she didn't care that she was going to be late to school. It didn't quite matter. All that mattered was that she was back in the human realm safe and sound with the love of her life. She'd endure a few scoldings from her teacher if it meant that she could rest for a few more minutes in the comfort of her bedroom. "Actually, Ulquiorra, would you mind if I skipped school today? I know school is important but I really just want to spend time with you today. Sometimes I feel like being back in the human world is a dream and I really don't want to wake up from it. So please…can I just have a day where I enjoy being with you? I promise I'll be a good girl and go tomorrow!" The grey-eyed female pleaded as she puckered out her lower lip softly in attempts to look cuter.
As if Ulquiorra could resist a face like that…
"As you wish, Orihime. I'll never leave your side," replied the pale-skinned male as he began to crawl in bed next to her. "Your dearest friend Tatsuki will probably yell at me for not forcing you to go to school today but I also would enjoy nothing more than to spend the day with you alone."
Ulquiorra's love for the girl glimmered in his green eyes as he snuggled under the blankets next to her, embracing her ample form gently to his chest. He pressed his cold lips to her forehead before resting his head against hers. "We will always be together, Orihime. I promise. I will never leave you," the Arrancar whispered out as he cuddled next to her.
Orihime closed her eyes gently once more, "I love you so much, Ulquiorra. I know you'll never leave me."
They laid like that together for a few more moments before Orihime opened her eyes once again. Much to her dismay, the scenery before her had completely changed. Instead of lying in her warm, comfortable bed, she was sprawled out on an all-too familiar lumpy couch. The warmth of the sunlight that had seeped into her room was replaced by soft, cold moonlight that hung from outside her window. And even more disheartening was the fact that her lover was nowhere in sight.
It had all been a dream. A wonderful, desirable dream. And nothing more…
Orihime sighed as she pulled the blanket up to her chin, trying to grasp onto any warmth she could find. Weeks had passed since she and her beloved Ulquiorra had made love. Unfortunately, she had not seen him since. The only thing left of Ulquiorra was the memory of the night they had made love and the pleasant dreams of him that filled her head each night.
But they just weren't enough…
Simply dreaming of a day where she and Ulquiorra could live a happy, normal life just didn't quite cut it. Even so, they were the only things that were keeping her sane. She had received no news of the well-being of her friends and she grew less hopeful of their safety with each day that passed.
She could only assume that Ulquiorra had been summoned to deal with them. That would have been the only explanation of his absence…
In the meantime, Ulquiorra's job as her caretaker had been replaced by lesser-ranked Arrancar. The servant Arrancar would simply bring her a cart full of nasty gruel and escort her to the showers or restroom several times a day. Neither of them would exchange conversation. It was too unsettling…
Orihime had asked the servant Arrancar about Ulquiorra once before the beast refused to reply. He was probably ordered to not say anything to her, the girl figured.
As time passed, Orihime grew more and more depressed. She had longed for the days when Ulquiorra used to visit her. She missed hearing his demanding voice every time he ordered her to eat. The servant Arrancar had never even bothered to stick around to see if she had cleaned her plate or not. Her stomach yearned for the delicious dango Ulquiorra used to provide her with while her heart yearned for the close bond the two had once shared.
Everyday Orihime would stare at the door to her prison cell for hours, praying that one day Ulquiorra would appear at her doorstep instead of the insignificant Arrancar. All hopes of being rescued by her friends had dispersed. She truly didn't care anymore…
The only thing that mattered to her was to see her lover's face once again. Deep in her heart, she believed that he would eventually show up and stare at her with his deep, enchanting eyes. And then he would take her into his arms and sweep her off her feet like the Dark Prince he was…
But that day just never came.
"Ah, Ulquiorra. So nice to see you. I assume everything is still going according to plan?" slithered out the silky voice of Aizen Sousuke as he watched his loyal minion enter into his courts.
Weeks had passed since Ulquiorra had lain with the woman. He could only assume that things were going perfectly as he planned. After all, all of Aizen's plans were flawless. Nothing could ever go wrong.
The fourth Espada bowed in respect once he entered into his master's throne room. "Yes, my Lord. According to the servant, the girl is in good health. Her child should be in development within her womb by now. I have estimated that it will take roughly seven more weeks until the child is born."
"Excellent work, Ulquiorra. I knew I could count on you," the brown haired male grinned as he ran his fingers through his slicked back hair. "Sometimes I feel that you are the only one I can truly trust in. Especially since both Grimmjow and Nnoitra were soundly defeated by that intrusive shinigami."
Ulquiorra nodded in respect as he bowed once again, "You can always count on me, my Lord. I will never fail you like the others have."
Aizen grinned once more as he waved the Espada off, "Now, go back to your duties. I will summon you again if I am in need of you."
"Yes, my Lord," Ulquiorra replied as he left the room in one, swift motion. He shoved his hands in his pockets in his usual posture as he sauntered down the hallway.
Duties? What duties did he have to attend to? The girl was no longer in his care and he had previously been ordered to do nothing about the intruders until further notice. Several of the Espada had been defeated by the intruders and Aizen had seemed surprisingly okay with it all. He had a sinister plan that must've not involved the other Espada…
Only one thing remained for sure: Aizen had no idea that his most trusted minion was betraying him each and every day.
What had happened on that one, special night that he and the woman had made love still remained a secret to everyone but he and Orihime. The girl was indeed not pregnant in any form. After Ulquiorra had slept with Orihime, Aizen thought it would be best for Ulquiorra to distance himself from the woman. The man never said as to why that would be beneficial to the cause but Ulquiorra had to obey him nonetheless. Aizen had placed a servant Arrancar to be her new caretaker for the time being. Occasionally, he would send a servant who specialized in medicine to perform blood work upon the girl for testing. With Szayel Apporo Granz defeated by the intruders, all of the girl's lab work had been specifically sent to Ulquiorra for analyzing.
A grave mistake indeed. Little did Aizen know that his faithful Espada had tampered with the lab work analysis, making it believable that the innocent girl was in fact fertile and was carrying an infant in her womb. Everything needed to be examined carefully. One mistake with the tampered analysis and Aizen would find out the truth…
The fourth Espada wasn't about to let the woman's life be destroyed. There was no way he could've impregnated her that night. If he had, her fate would have been sealed. Instead, he had needed to come up with a plan. A plan that needed to succeed no matter what the cost—for Orihime's sake and his own.
Part of that plan included that Aizen must never find out that the girl was in fact not pregnant. At least until "Part Two" of the plan had been carried out. And Part Two was still in the works…
Until then, Ulquiorra just needed to be patient. Even so, being away from the girl was beginning to wear on his inner being. Never before had he experienced the dreadful feeling of missing some one. He had once heard the famous quote that said, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder". Unfortunately, for those without a heart, absence makes the chest twist and turn with the most painful of aches.
He longed for the girl's radiant presence. Oh, how he missed the gleam in her eyes every time she gazed at him lovingly. He missed the feel of her fiery hair tickling against his fingers every time he ran his hands through her hair. He missed the feeling of her warm embraces each time she hugged him tightly. Most importantly of all, he missed her tender lips each time they shared a kiss.
He found himself despising Aizen more and more each day he had to endure without her. It felt like Aizen was toying with him…Perhaps the man knew just how strongly the Espada felt for Orihime and found it best to keep them separated for the time being. Even so, as long as Aizen didn't find out that Orihime was not pregnant, all would be well.
On the night they had made love, Ulquiorra knew without a doubt he would not be able to live without the woman. If Orihime had bore a child, death would have eventually taken over. By not releasing his seed into her, he could buy himself a little more time.
Loyalty to Aizen Sousuke no longer mattered to the fourth Espada. Only one thing mattered to him now and that happened to be a particular perky human girl with a heart as deep as the ocean and a smile that could light up even the darkest of nights. And he would protect that ray of sunshine no matter what the cost. Even if it was his own life…
And he was prepared for that. All he needed was a little time...
"DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT!" shouted out a very irritated shinigami with hair as bright as an orange. "They just keep comin'!"
Ichigo Kurosaki's days in Hueco Mundo seemed never ending. It had been exactly two months since he and a few others decided to raid Las Noches in hopes of rescuing Orihime Inoue. In the beginning he had simply assumed that he would just barge on in, fight a few Arrancar, rescue the captive princess, and then flee without a trace.
But of course, life just wasn't that simple.
"Stand your ground! Don't give up!" cried out a fairly short shinigami with black, flippy hair. "These guys are nothing compared to the Espada!" Rukia Kuchiki charged at a few Gillian that began to swarm around her. It seemed that no matter how deep they ventured into Las Noches, they were always ambushed by Aizen's bloodthirsty minions.
With a scowl, Ichigo reached for his sword again, preparing to slash at any Arrancar that dared to challenge him.
Things were definitely not going according to plan. From the moment he had stepped into the dangerous lands of Hueco Mundo, nothing but trouble befell him. Luckily, he was not alone in his endeavors. His dearest friends, Rukia Kuchiki, Chad Yasutora, Uryuu Ishida, and Renji Abarai had joined him on his quest to rescue their beloved friend, Orihime Inoue. Even so, each one of them had encountered near-death experiences. Many of the Espada had stood in their way, providing deadly distractions.
Even so, they had managed to overcome each and every obstacle that had come into their way. Ichigo had even been challenged by Grimmjow Jeagerjaquez, the sixth deadly Espada member. After a long and bloody battle, Ichigo had managed to defeat the beastly Espada only to be challenged by the even stronger Nnoitra Jiruga. Thankfully, his new friend Nel, a former Espada, aided him in many of his battles.
But even so, he had not seen one trace of Orihime. Oh, he knew she was there. Her gentle presence wafted through the air with every step he took. But why was she so difficult to find? Why did the Espada have to make all of this so damn complicated? What did they want with Orihime anyways?
The substitute shinigami let out an annoyed grunt as he slashed away as the remaining Gillian that tried to stand in their way. "Damn it! I don't have time for all of you!" He spat at the creatures who fell victim to his deadly Zanpakuto.
He was right. He and his friends really didn't have time to waste on these useless creatures. Poor Orihime…She had been captured by those bastard Espadas for months now. Ichigo wondered if the girl had completely given up hope on ever being rescued. But who could blame her? He and his nakama were taking so long to come to her rescue! Aizen's warriors were just too damn strong for them to get the deed done quickly…
Even so, he wasn't about to give up. He could only pray that Orihime could hold on for a little longer. The only problem was that even worse Espada lurked behind the gray walls of Las Noches. He had yet to encounter the Espada known as Ulquiorra. He figured that he was the strongest Espada out of all of them. If he could defeat that pale-faced monster then Orihime would be safe and sound.
Unfortunately, Las Noches was much too big for him to find Orihime and even Ulquiorra alone. It would take days just to cross from one side of the fortress to another and that didn't even include the amount of time that would be lost due to multiple battles against various Arrancar!
Even though it caused them to be more vulnerable, Ichigo and the others decided it would be best if they all split up. Ichigo, Rukia, and Nel decided to venture one way while the others went their own separate ways.
"Itsugo! I think we might be getting close!" piped out a childlike Arrancar with hair the color of a green apple. "I sense somethin'…" Nel crinkled up her nose as she clutched on tightly to Ichigo's shoulder as they raced through a long hallway.
Ichigo let out a silent sigh as he continued on their path, "I'm coming, Inoue. I promise."
"Say Whaaaaaat? Lord Aizen is leaving?" Orihime gasped as her jaw fell open. She couldn't believe her ears! Aizen was actually leaving his headquarters? He was actually leaving Las Noches?
The servant Arrancar was a bit taken back by the girl's response. Her voice held a bit of disbelief but with a tiny hint of excitement at the same time. What was the girl so happy about? Aizen's absence would not be beneficial to her by any means.
"Yes. Lord Aizen told me himself to tell you that he would be leaving for the human realm for a short period of time. He wishes to speak to you directly before his departure tonight," the servant Arrancar replied as he straightened his feeble body in attempts to look more professional.
For the human world? That couldn't be good, Orihime thought to herself. He was probably planning something sinister. The only thing Aizen Sosuke wanted was to kill and destroy. If he was going to the human realm, then that could only mean one thing…
No. That would be impossible. There would be absolutely no way that Soul Society would ever allow that to happen. All of the shinigami captains would use up all their strength to make sure that nothing that horrendous would befall the human realm. She just needed to believe in them…
And in the meantime, she could use Aizen's absence to her benefit. With Lord Aizen leaving, she could only assume that he would take some of his closest companions with him. With that being the case, there wouldn't be tight surveillance, she assumed.
Perhaps she could come up with a plan of escape during that time! Maybe she could even find Ulquiorra! And they could even escape and flee together!
Happiness began to well inside of her like a flickering candle. Orihime looked the servant Arrancar and bowed politely, "Thank you for informing me. I will get dressed at once and be ready to meet with Aizen as soon as he requests my presence."
With that being said, the servant Arrancar left the girl to be alone with her thoughts and her schemes. She just needed to hold on for a little longer…
Author's Note: I hope you liked the chapter ^^ I really hope you guys don't mind me changing a few things that happened in the manga. In the anime, when Ichigo fought Grimmjow, Orihime was there. Well, I decided to change that. I also changed the fact that Ulquiorra has yet to fight Ichigo at all. And since the manga is never clear as to exactly how long everyone was in Las Noches, I just kind of went with my own ideas. I figured that we already knew what all happened in the anime and if I stuck completely to the storyline, it would be totally boring! ^^; Sooo I hope you guys liked it! Let me know what you think! As always, reviews are very much appreciated! They let me know what I need to work on to make this fanfic better for your viewing pleasure ;D I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and happy New Year! I have no idea when I'll be able to update next but I promise I will NEVER give up on this fic! I will see it to the end!