Ulquiorra sent Orihime a text every day, but on Thursday, he sent her two texts messages.
-Good morning. I keep thinking about you.
-I'm taking Kazui home with me for his first kendo lesson. I can bring him home or you can pick him up. Please inform me of your wishes.
When he saw Kazui, the hollow-turned-human leaned down to tell the boy this news. "Your first kendo lesson is today," he said in a volume only Kazui could hear.
The boy's face took on a look of jubilation. "Really!? For real?! My mom said it wouldn't be until Saturday!"
It was going to be Saturday, but Ulquiorra wanted to see the boy's mother before then. "You'll have another lesson on that day. We will be going over absolute basics and what I expect of you," Ulquiorra replied.
"Yes sir!" Kazui barked, bowing respectfully before turning around to tell his best friend the news.
Orihime got his messages when she took a short break, and smiled until she read the second one. This was a surprise. She was discovering all kinds of things that she should have spoken with Ulquiorra about before they happened. For example, she had gotten her period the day after their sleepover, and it was only then that it occurred to her that they had really just thrown caution to the wind. That was stupid. She was relieved that the conversation they were going to have to have would be about condoms and not about picking out baby furniture.
The other thing she hadn't discussed with him was payment for these kendo lessons. She was sure it would be fine; similar to what she paid for the aikido lessons, but a bit more expensive because it was only Kazui, and, according to Ulquiorra, Eriko. But she had only been anticipating once a week lessons. With a groan, she typed back a response.
- I've been thinking about you, too. I can come to your place, if you'd like. I'll take my delivery van. What time? I'm working until seven but Thursdays aren't typically busy so I can leave the place to Riruka if you'd like me earlier. Can I bring anything?
She decided to send this as two messages.
- Also, we never talked about the terms of the kendo lessons. Let me know your rate so I can come prepared, LOL.
He couldn't answer her until he had a free moment. Ulquiorra read the message while he sat in the teacher's room. He could hear several conversations going on around him but he tuned them out, biting his lip as he texted her back.
- Any time that you see fit is fine and no, I'll feed Kazui if you'd like.
-Rate? The lessons are a gift to Kazui, Orihime. I would not charge you anything for them anyway. Kazui's friendship with Eriko is payment enough also.
Orihime read his messages as soon as they came in, this time, and whimpered and swooned at his response.
"What is your deal, Hime?" her business partner quipped in the critical voice she always used.
"Huh? Me? Oh, um, it's nothing really, Riruka. I just got some good news," she replied, then bit her lip and tapped out several replies.
- 3
- You are the best. Thank you.
- I hope you have a lot of food because Kazui eats like a horse.
- I miss you.
"Nothing, huh?" Riruka said quietly, face next to Orihime's ear.
Orihime shrieked, grasping at her chest. "Oh my god, Riruka! Don't sneak up on me like that, I could have a heart attack!"
The pink-haired woman rolled her eyes. "So, who is the best? Who do you miss?"
Orihime grimaced. "Um… Well, I'm kind of seeing someone," she said, choosing her words carefully.
"Since when?! Does Ichigo know?"
Orihime looked at her like there was something broken in her head. "I should hope not; he's dead, Riruka, or have you forgotten?"
The other woman snorted and put her hands on her hips, leaning forward in an admonishing posture. "Whatever. If I had been married to the hero of the universe, I would have tried to keep it going after he died. You know he's in Soul Society."
Orihime rolled her eyes. "Riruka, it's really none of your business, but if you must know, he had a Konso performed. He wouldn't remember me anyway."
Riruka blew a raspberry. "Whatever, Hime. What, do you just move on just like that? He's only been dead what, three months?"
Once again, Orihime looked at the woman like she was insane. "It's been almost two years, Riruka."
"Oh."
Orihime could see the antagonism melt away from her business partner, and she took a deep breath. "Really, Riruka. It's not like I meant for this to happen. It just did. And I really like him, so please try to understand."
"Well, we'll see how it goes," was the other woman's only response before she turned to go take an order.
Eriko was a bit nervous. She had never had a friend over before. Either her dad didn't want anyone over or no one liked her enough to be friends with the girl. Had she cleaned things enough? She sighed heavily as she walked with the two males from the train station to the house that sat on the hill.
"When we arrive, you two will need to change into uniforms I have for you. Eriko will be taking you through exercises to warm up, Kazui," Ulquiorra said, sporadically explaining things to the boy.
"Yes sir!" was the enthusiastic response, before the boy addressed the girl, "So, you get to be the boss of me? Ha ha!"
She scoffed. "No, I'm going to show you what to do, then I'm gonna beat you at everything, like I usually do."
"Ha ha! Yeah, right. You've never seen me with a sword. I've been a shi- I've been holding one since I could walk!" he bragged, awkwardly covering up his slip.
Eriko rolled her eyes. The boy was always bragging about stuff like that. "Well, my dad taught me since I could walk. We'll see who is the better-"
"Eriko!"
"I apologize."
The girl knew not to brag about her skills. It showed weakness and the need to compensate. She just wanted to beat Kazui at something without him whining about how she cheated.
Kazui noticed how her demeanor changed at her father's correction, and snapped into line. He remembered his own father using that voice. After a few more steps, he leaned over a bit to Eri and whispered, "Sorry. Your dad is almost as much of a hardass as mine was."
"It's okay," she whispered back. "Having my dad teach you will probably be worse than your dad. He's a great teacher… but you have to be very disciplined."
Kazui smiled at her, narrowing his eyes. Sharing secrets like this made him feel naughty. "I don't know, at least your dad is a good teacher. My dad never explained anything. He would just yell until… No, he would just yell and then fight me until my mom broke it up." He snickered quietly. "My dad was super strong and fast, though."
"My dad won't go easy on you," Eriko said as they walked. She frowned, hoping her dad wouldn't hurt Kazui.
The boy ground a fist into the palm of his other hand and smiled. "Good." Then he heard a buzzing sound. "Is that your phone, Eri?
The girl shook her head. "I don't have it on me. Dad, your phone is ringing."
The man had been so lost in thought about Orihime that he hadn't noticed the device buzzing in his bag. He fished it out and answered the call. "Hello, Orihime. How can I help you?"
"That's a loaded question," she purred. "I'm calling to let you know that I talked to Riruka, and I'll be leaving here in about half an hour. I have to run an errand and then I can come over. Can you send me the address?"
Mental images of that night came back to play through his mind. He shook his head slightly as he realized he was in the company of children. "We will discuss that later, and yes I can. Do you or Kazui have any dietary restrictions?"
"Nope. We're easy," she said with a wide grin. She was going to tell him they were easy but they were both bottomless pits, but she figured it was just as well for him to learn that on his own.
"Good. I shall see you very soon then?"
"Yes," she responded, breathy and eager.
Ulquiorra hung up and then eyed the two children. One was staring at him. He tilted his head and looked at his daughter. She merely smiled at him.
It didn't take very long to reach the house. The building was surrounded by trees with plenty of space for Eriko to run around and play. The only bad thing about it was the fact that it sat on a hill. Eriko sighed and motioned for Kazui to follow her while her dad played on his phone. "I wished we lived closer to Karakura Town sometimes," she said to Kazui.
The boy followed her and looked at her father for a moment before looking at Eri again. "How come? This place looks nice."
"Because taking the train is a bother," Eriko replied when they got to the top of the hill she huffed. "It's nice because Grandmother bought it after old Reo died. I don't remember my grandfather much."
"I only had one grandparent. My mom was an orphan, and my dad's mom died when he was younger than us," Kazui supplied casually.
She had seen the huge picture of his grandmother hanging on the wall of the elder Kurosaki's home. The old man referred to the thing several times while Eriko had visited. She looked at Kazui. "We're a lot alike concerning some things."
Kazui grinned at her. "Oh yeah? How so?" He was so dense sometimes. He looked at Eriko like she had a juicy secret to tell him.
"You live under a rock," she told him. "We both only have one parent. We both only have—well, in my case, I only remember one, one grandparent. We're both different looking."
The boy straightened his spine. "Oh. Yeah, I forget. Now that I'm friends with you, Eri, it feels like all those other kids don't matter. It's just you and me and we don't need them, right?" He said with a serious, scowling pout, reaching a hand out to shake hers.
This boy… Sometimes he made her have butterflies in her stomach and other times she wanted to pound him into the ground. Right now he was giving her butterflies. Kazui was right. They didn't need anyone else. Instead of grabbing his hand, she grabbed his arm.
Ulquiorra was watching the two as they went inside the house. He frowned and then sent a text message to Kazui's mother.
-Your son is charming my daughter. :|
Orihime was at a pharmacy in Naruki City when she got Ulquiorra's text.
- How so? Is it totally cute?
She sent the message and then looked at the display in front of her, tapping her bottom lip with the phone. She had bought the items that hung in rows in front of her before, but they were always what Ichigo had picked out for himself, and after a while they stopped using them altogether. Now she wasn't sure if she remembered what kind was the best… and because she always just went for a specific one, she never had to look at any others. There were a lot of options. It was kind of overwhelming. What kind of condom does a former Espada with an impressive dick wear?
-He's obtuse as hell but he's feeding her flowery lines.
Orihime chuckled as she just picked out a couple random boxes in the magnum size and went as quickly as possible to a self-checkout station. After the items were in a bag, she paid and tapped out a response.
- You know he doesn't mean anything by it, right?
Ulquiorra sighed as he spotted Eriko and Kazui's shoes left haphazardly in the genkan. He toed off his shoes before walking down the hallway. They were arguing about something silly.
- I know. She watches too many dramas though. She has these ideas about love and all that. Where are you, by the way? Are you on your way here?
Poor Eriko, Orihime thought. Her hopes were going to be dashed when she found out her dad and Kazui's mom were a couple.
Heh heh heh. Maybe that was premature. Still, it was a strong possibility.
- I just finished my errand, I'm at the drugstore near Naruki Central High School. I should be there in ten minutes?
- Can't wait.
Ulquiorra dropped his bag onto the bench under the stairs and then walked over to the kitchen island, setting his phone down. "Are you two done fighting? Eriko, go upstairs. In the hall closet there are hakama, get a pair that are in your size. After you change into your uniform, come back down. Oh, get Kazui a t-shirt also."
The girl nodded and ran upstairs. Ulquiorra could hear doors opening and closing. He turned to the boy and gave him a hard stare. "Do not hurt Eriko, do you understand?"
The boy's eyes looked into Ulquiorra's with a bit of fear. "I would never!" he insisted. "Honest! I'll go easy on her!"
Of course the boy didn't understand, but Ulquiorra nodded. It would be just his luck that his daughter would get attached to Ulquiorra's biggest enemy's child. Another minute passed before Eriko came downstairs in a pair of blue hakama and a pink t-shirt. She had another pair in her hands but the t-shirt was white. She gave them to Kazui. "Kazui go change and then you two will go outside to stretch."
Kazui bowed and turned around with the clothing from Eriko. "Um, where do I go?" The girl gestured toward a door and he entered it, coming out two minutes later dressed nearly identically to her.
Orihime almost drove past the house, it was set back from the road a bit and surrounded by a dark stone wall at the side of the road with tall trees inside the perimeter. The only indication that there was a home back there was the small plate on the gatepost with the name Cifer written in katakana and the roman alphabet. She turned into the driveway and parked behind Ulquiorra's car. She put her shopping bag in her purse and zipped it up before walking up to the front door and knocking.
This house was impressive. Ulquiorra must have had very good spending habits to afford a place like this. While teachers made a decent salary, this house looked like it was out of the reach of a single dad.
The green-eyed man had sent the children out into the yard to stretch. He was shuffling through papers he needed to look at later. He sighed and scrunched his face up, hearing someone knock on the front door. It was more than likely Orihime. No one else ever came out here. He moved through the hallway and opened the door slightly to see red hair, before he opened it the rest of the way. "Woman," Ulquiorra murmured, pulling her into the house and against his body.
She sighed into his embrace, grateful that the closeness they had achieved the weekend before had not faded away during their few days of separation. She hugged him with her unburdened arm and sniffed his scent. He smelled so good to her. "It's good to see you too," she murmured back.
He was glad the kids were outside. It left him free to do as he pleased with her. Ulquiorra cupped her face and kissed her, backing Orihime against the wall beside the door. "Are you sick? Is that why you were at the drugstore?"
Orihime blushed. "Er, no, I just didn't want to be unprepared like last time. We were pretty irresponsible."
"Pardon?"
"Um, well, I'm not on any kind of birth control…" she said, then bit her lip as she looked up at him. "We were safe, I've had, uh, confirmation of that, but, looking forward, I thought it would be more practical…"
"Oh! Offspring. No worries," Ulquiorra said, taking a step back from the woman. "Urahara took care of that for me. This Gigai doesn't have the things that can produce children."
Orihime's eyes widened in disbelief and traveled down to his crotch and back up to his face. "I beg to differ…"
His brow furrowed and Ulquiorra had to stare at her for a moment. "I had him remove anything that could possibly make me impregnate another woman back in March when I got a new Gigai."
Understanding washed over her and her facial features and posture relaxed. "Oh!" she giggled at herself. "Oh, well, that makes it easier. I don't even like these things," she said, tugging at the corner of the bag. Then it occurred to her that she should ask, just to be sure, "But, um, I have to ask… Since you got the new Gigai, have you, um, slept with anyone besides me?"
Thick black brows rose in surprise. Ulquiorra shook his head. His face turned pink. "Um, you are the second sexual encounter I had since becoming human. I slept with Yuko one time."
Unbelievable. How was it that he had the skill to satisfy her the way he had with such limited experience? "Wow, you are… talented. Anyway…" she said, embarrassed that she had said that out loud.
"What things are you referring to?" Ulquiorra asked. "And I am not talented. I have patience."
She pulled the bag out of her purse and gave it to him. "These things. Maybe you can give them to your male friends? I'd be uncomfortable giving them to Ishida-kun."
Ulquiorra took the bag and looked inside. Condoms. He had heard about these things when he was in college. Everyone said how much of a hassle they were to use. At the mention of Ishida, Ulquiorra's head snapped up. "If you were to give these to Ishida, he'd probably take that as an invitation, and I have already-"
He stopped before he could put his foot in his mouth.
"You've already what?" she asked, more curious to hear what he was going to say than eager to refute his statement.
"Claimed you. You are mine."
"Oh," she said, raising her brows. She was not sure if she was ready to have that discussion, but… No, she couldn't let it go. "Ulquiorra, you don't need to worry about me, uh, looking for anybody else to, uh, distract me. Also, that would be my fear as well about Ishida-kun, which is why I don't want to give these to him. But, "claimed" me? That seems kind of… extreme. Is that how you feel? Do you feel like you own me?"
He turned his head away from Orihime as he felt his face become hotter. He should have never said anything. Yuko had pushed him away many times for behavior like this. "No, I do not own you. But I feel like I have claimed you in regards to possibly mating with you in the future."
Orihime pursed her lips together and gave this some thought. He was an Espada. He clearly no longer acted like one; he was a fully functioning member of society, with a happy, healthy child. The more she thought about it, the more familiar his speech patterns sounded to her. She began to space out again, then shook her head. Nope, focus, Orihime. What he meant was that he wanted to be in an exclusive sexual relationship with her. She did not object to this idea. "I think I understand what you're trying to say. I don't want you to sleep with anyone else, either."
"Then we are in agreement," Ulquiorra stated. "In fact since the children are occupied we could-"
"DAD! Kaz and I are doneeeeee!"
"Fuck," Ulquiorra said as his child finished screaming.
Orihime smirked and crossed her arms over her chest. "Someone very handsome said to me recently that good things come to those who wait, or something along those lines."
Ulquiorra grumbled and kissed the redhead before he walked back into the other room.
Orihime was impressed. Ulquiorra had these kids following his directions like they were an extension of himself. Her son, the very same one who would run off on his own to go hang out with Hiyori and would never listen to a word she said a year ago, was perfectly obedient and seemingly loving it.
Then there was the man himself. Hearing him give smooth commands; observing is keen kinesthetic sense, and his ability to translate that sense into instructions the children could follow, made her appreciation for him grow significantly.
He stood in the grass between the children and barked orders really. Eriko had been through this all before. Kazui seemed to have some knowledge of what to do. Maybe he wouldn't need to waste so much time on the basics like he usually did. "Back straight, Kurosaki! Focus Eriko."
The first thing he taught any of his kendo students was how to stay perfectly still while holding a wooden stick. They would bitch and complain, but if they carried the activity through their schooling, most of them won matches.
Ulquiorra narrowed his eyes as his daughter huffed. "Too much for you? Are you going to quit?"
"No, sir."
It sounded like she was going to cry. Eriko was getting close to that age where puberty would pick her up and shake her around several times before setting her down to be disoriented. Ulquiorra would have to speak to her later.
Orihime caught the girl's eye for a moment and smiled at her with an encouraging nod. She didn't let her gaze linger too long; she remembered being that age and feeling unsure of herself and easily judged. She didn't want to put more pressure on her. Her eyes flickered to her son. She was so proud of him. He was growing to be so much like his father; so much like herself. The best parts of them, not the parts that had been damaged by deadbeat parents or feeling alone in his ability to see spirits. Orihime was proud of herself as a parent at that moment.
Her eyes turned back to Ulquiorra. He was a good influence. He and his daughter had done more for them in the short time that they had known each other than anyone else since Ichigo's death, except maybe Ishida. Orihime sighed. Ishida had done a lot to help their transition into being a fatherless household, especially in an administrative capacity. It eased Orihime's burden. Just because he hadn't been able to free her or her son from their oppressive grief didn't mean his contributions were less worthy.
Still, it didn't compare. The Kazui holding a bokken, still as a stone, looking forward with a determined expression, wouldn't exist today if not for the other two people they shared this space with. Orihime sighed, and her heart thumped in gratitude and fondness. If she were more cynical, it might terrify her how quickly she was letting them in.
When neither child moved for five minutes, Ulquiorra said they could take a break. He walked over to where Orihime sat. "Well?" he asked her quietly.
"Wow," she said, eyebrows flashing at him. "Impressive. You have quite the command of your pupils."
Ulquiorra gave her a tiny smile and turned his head towards Eriko and Kazui. Both of them were drinking juice boxes. "One knows what to expect. The other will come to learn the excellence I strive for," he said. "What made you leave the cafe early today?"
One side of her mouth raised in a half-smile as she leaned forward slightly, eyes on Ulquiorra's. "I'm looking at my motivation right now," she said quietly before sitting back. "Also I wanted to see the first lesson."
His brow rose and his lips gave a visible twitch. If he was understanding her correctly... "You want to spend time with me outside of… bedroom activities?"
She gave him a puzzled smile for a moment before replying, "Of course I do, how else are we to get to know each other? Besides, my son looks up to you. I need to make sure you are worthy." She chuckled after that. It was true, though. She was still Mama Bear.
"Wouldn't you find that out before we had sex?"
Her face fell, and she looked at him blankly for a moment before drawing her brows up and looking off into the distance. "Maybe, if you weren't so efficient at seduction," she complained. She let him sweat for a second before her eyes slid back in his direction, lips pursed. "We talked about this on Friday, remember? Neither of us planned that. And just because I approve of you and me doesn't mean I approve of you and him and martial arts. I take his education seriously." Her face had returned to its usual pleasantness at this point, unable to continue the charade of offense. "I had a good hunch that you'd be a proficient swordsman, based on your previous, um, profession, but I didn't know if your skills would translate into good instruction, fairness, and kindness to my son, especially in light of who his father was. I'm pleased that my concerns seem to be without merit."
"His father killed me," Ulquiorra stated in a calm voice. "That's behind us now. I am a teacher and I have to show fairness to my students."
"Wha—" Orihime's world went dark. She could hear Ishida behind her, begging her to stop. She could hear herself, screaming. She saw flashes of red and green. Her ears rang and then she heard nothing. She saw a white hand reach out to her. She saw Tsukishima's face. No, Tsukishima has dark eyes, not green. His hair was brownish black, not ink-black. She was back in her room in Las Noches. She was back in the dome. No, she had never been on the dome. Las Noches had a dome? Yes, she had seen it as she, Ichigo, Ishida and Tsukishima escaped Hueco Mundo… But she had never stood on it with them. Conflicting memories assaulted her for minutes more.
Outwardly, Orihime made no indication that anything was amiss, except that tears silently streamed down her cheeks and her eyes looked around at phantoms of things that were not on the Cifer property. That and her mouth hung open somewhat, her shallow breaths making her lips go dry.
"Orihime?" Ulquiorra asked as he crouched down beside her. "Orihime? Are you okay? Woman? Orihime?!"
Her ears heard his voice and her head turned toward the sound, her eyes following blindly. Her hand reached out toward his chest just like it had on that dome. "I'm not afraid," she whimpered, her face crumpling. "I'm not afraid!" this time more insistent, followed up with a sob as she snapped back to reality. She lurched forward as her son dropped his kendo stick and rushed to her side.
"Mom? Mom!" Kazui's voice was scared, but it was clear that he had experienced something like this before. "Can you hear me, Mom?"
Orihime nodded, and one of her hands left Ulquiorra's shoulder and reached out to her boy. "I'm okay, Monkey. Mama just had another episode. I'm sorry I scared you."
Kazui took her hand and held it in both of his. "Do you need something? Water? A hug?"
Orihime looked at him and smiled shakily. "Hug first, then water," she said in a tight voice, pulling him to her and putting an arm around his waist. Kazui held her head to his chest and pressed his cheek to the top of her head. "It's okay Mom, it's okay."
The boy looked at his teacher after a moment. "It's okay," he said. "Dr. Ishida says it's just some kind of PTSD. Mom used to be a, um, soldier. She will be alright," he said as much to reassure himself as the other two present.
Ulquiorra nodded. "I know. Eriko! Please go get Orihime some water," he called out. He watched his daughter quickly do as he asked. He then turned to Orihime. "Would you like to go inside and lie down?"
"No, no, I'm fine. How long was I out this time?" she said, turning her eyes to his and squeezing the hand on his forearm that she had not yet released.
"Not long. Are you sure? You can lay on the couch. The children can study or do homework while I cook," Ulquiorra said. He was trying to calm himself down. He had caused this mental breakdown. "Kazui, can you go help Eriko for a moment? I'd like to talk to your Mom."
The boy looked at his teacher, his face a mix if worry and vulnerability. He trusted Cifer-sensei, but this was his mom and he wanted to make sure she was okay. Kazui stared into Ulquiorra's eyes for a moment and then nodded. "I'll see you in a minute, Mom."
"Thanks, baby boy. I love you."
"Me too," the boy said, before jogging toward the house.
As soon as the boy was out of sight, Ulquiorra turned back to Orihime, cupping her face. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking," he said before leaning in to kiss her. He stopped just centimeters from her face. No, he couldn't do this. The kids could be watching him. "Are you sure you don't want to lie down? You can use my room. I apologize, Orihime."
Her left hand rose to stroke his cheek. "It's alright. It's not your fault. It happens from time to time, and sometimes I don't even know why." She sighed and dropped her face so that her forehead touched his lips. "I guess the lesson is over. I've terrified the children. Poor Eriko… Maybe I should lie down for a bit. Could you tell her that she can come and talk to me if she's scared or has any questions? I won't tell her anything inappropriate but I don't want her to be scared." She looked up again then, into his eyes, and said, "You too. I don't want you to be scared. You can talk to me about anything."
"Orihime, I don't want to say the wrong thing and cause these… episodes. C'mon, let's go into the house. I'll show you to my room and you can compose yourself then come down when you're ready," Ulquiorra said, standing. He held his hand out to her. "Please, Woman."
She smiled at him and took his hand. She didn't have the mental energy at the moment to argue with him about his fear of causing another episode, but it could wait. "Thanks. I'm kinda excited to see your room," she said in an unsteady voice, her smile turning into a grin as she squeezed his hand.
A heavy sigh left him as he guided Orihime into the house through the sliding glass door. He saw Eriko getting things out of the refrigerator to make dinner while Kazu stood at the sink. The boy was mumbling. "I'm taking Orihime upstairs. Please remain down here until I come back."
Eriko nodded before turning to look at her friend.
"Here's your water, Mom," Kazui said in a gentle voice, passing it to Ulquiorra before scampering back to his friend.
Ulquiorra helped Orihime up the stairs and then guided her down the hallway to the left. He opened the last door there and then stood to the side. "Go lie down."
Orihime entered but stood in the doorway, unmoving. She reached up and cupped his cheek with one hand, looking into his eyes. "You are really wonderful to us. Thank you," she said, standing on tiptoe to kiss him briefly.
Letting out a long breath, Ulquiorra placed his hands on her waist. "Woman," he murmured. Backing Orihime up until she hit the bed, he kept his lips glued to hers, kissing her deeply. "I want to stay up here with you."
"How long do you think you can stay before the kids get suspicious?" she whispered.
"Not long. Eriko knows I'm usually in and out. I only come in here for clothes and to sleep," he replied. "I should let you rest and recuperate."
Orihime's breath shuddered. "I don't know how I'm going to rest after that kiss," she said, humming in appreciation. "One more?"
Ulquiorra complied with her request, his hands travelling down her sides. "I will come get you when it is time to eat. I will explain to Eriko what happened."
"Thank you," she said, giving him a hug before climbing onto the bed. "Which side is yours?"
What an odd question. Ulquiorra pointed to the side near the door. "Why?"
She blushed and bit her lip. "No reason," she said shyly, before lying down on the side away from the door.
"Oh. You may sleep on my side, but it might be cramped if we were to sleep together."
She chuckled. "I just… I'm just a silly girl, sometimes, Ulquiorra. I wanted to imagine what it would be like if I was here and we had…You know what, nevermind, get back down to the kids before they get suspicious," she said, covering her face with her hands and laughing at herself.
Orihime was dealing with trauma. That's what this was; that's why she was acting so odd. "Okay, if you need anything, just call for me."