~Limerence~
~ "In all the world there is no heart for me like yours.
In all the world there is no love for you like mine."-Maya Angelou ~
"I'll be strong, I will be ok, I will not cry, I will not cry," I chanted, trembling against the sheets as I curled into a little ball , the sun began to rise and at any moment someone would come in here rushing me into the wedding dress, expecting me to marry away when in fact all I wanted to do was lay here until Sora came back to get me, if I were to marry today that would mean I would never go back home to my friends to my home, to Sora. My fingers curled tightly onto the sheets, I couldn't get this daunting feeling out of my chest that something was going to go terribly wrong today, still I pushed the notion away I figured the reason behind the premonition was nothing more but "wedding jitters,'' Literally.
Ulquiorra hadn't come to my room demanding answers last night nor did I know if he had considered my request and that alone troubled me, maybe he had already decided against my request as retribution. Nel had been certain he would have been furious and asking questions but he never showed...
The unexpected sharp knock on the door startled me interrupting me out of my musing.
"Orihime...we are coming in," Nel called gently opening the door. I pushed the sheets away, we?
The room was suddenly filled with young girls that I assumed were under Nels order rushing inside with hair tools, makeup trolleys, jewelry organizers and something that made me want to faint in horror a bridal lingerie. I groaned and shoved the blankets over my head, it was much too early for this purgatory to begin.
"Come on Orihime don't make this hard." Nel insisted tugging at the sheets.
"Noooo," I whined like a child wrapping myself deeper into the comforters. Nel glared upset with me from yesterday's ordeal.
"Sora is coming to the wedding," she announced smirking, stunned my heart jumped in delight, kicking the blankets off I lunged at a surprised Nel and hugged her, I couldn't believe Ulquiorra had agreed to my request despite my behavior, I was such a cry baby I could feel the tears emerging but I squeezed them away, I was tremendously happy I would get to see Sora again, Nel returned the squeeze and scowled at me.
"I'm glad Ulquiorra wasn't too hard on you last night, I was hoping you didn't ruin the chances of seeing your brother again, do you not realize what Ulquiorra is capable of!" She pestered and I grabbed her hand, the fear inflicting back into my heart and glanced at her,
"Ulquiorra didn't come into my room last night," I countered.
Nel frowned, "What do you mean he didn't go? I was there when he went inside your bedroom." she argued, confused I shook my head, I was sure he hadn't been there, I had remained in the shower until I was sure he wouldn't come and jumped straight into bed. I snapped my eyes over the bathroom door, or had he came inside and seen… No definitely not I scoffed at the notion and turned my attention back to Nel.
"Ulquiorra is a good person but just don't push him, remember what he is." She warned, her hazel eyes warm and I realized what it was about Nel that could make even Grimmjow weak against her, touching my hair gently she ushered me to the bathroom where the girls set out to work. Nel shoved me into the chair realizing the bathroom was spacious enough for all two girls including Nel and I to move around with ease and without hesitating they began to work their fingers fluttering on my complexion, fusing my thoughts and spiraling them towards Ulquiorra recalling the featherly way he touched my skin and the unwavering loneliness rolling off his melancholic eyes, the sudden urge to trace the teal markings away petrified me like his immense power but then I realized there was much more to Ulquiorra then I had originally assumed. Why else would he have granted my request if he didn't care, it had to be much more than a simple promise to behave. Maybe there was a possibility I could come to Lo-
"What are you thinking about?" Nel chimed in a knowing smirk plastered on her lips and I blushed.
"Sora…" I lied looking down at my feet, one of the girls clicked her tongue in disapproval when I moved as I prevented her from smoothly eye lining and blending away.
"Sorry," I muttered watching as Nel rummaged through the closet setting articles of clothes inside a duffel bag, the girls were relentless styling my hair and setting my makeup, The smell of their perfumed hands wafted to my nose every time they got close. Nel, however, had been working hard, packing, organizing all while trying to keep me as comfortable as possible even when I could hardly keep my nerves down but through it all, she remains calm and efficient and while all I could do is be grateful, to me she was truly amazing. Once Nel finished running around she came over to check how the girls were doing and beamed at me through the mirror.
"You look beautiful." she complimented and I smiled feebly when suddenly someone knocked on the door and everyone stopped what they were doing, I clutched the edge of my seat anxiously. Nel grumbled and opened the door revealing a very annoyed Grimmjow.
"I hate it when you ignore me," he growled pulling her into a kiss.
Elated I eased up watching their heated encounter and looked away, the girls gushed and giggled as he grabbed her waist, Nel pushed against his chest playfully as he tried to kiss her and I blushed, they were both completely infatuated with each other.
"I'm busy right now, go get ready," she teased in between kisses rushing him out the door, Grimmjow growled and pulled her into another kiss before leaving and trying to button up his shirt.
"Let's go, ladies, we have a few hours before we get to the hall," she added breathlessly a knowing smile erupting from my lips as the girls squealed.
An hour and a half later I was all ready, my hair had been pulled up to an elegant half do, long tresses of curls traveled and tickled the back of my waist, white flowers had been placed and adorned throughout. Reluctantly I looked at my face and I was stunned to find what these young talented girls could do, they made me look sultry from a light sunset shade to a receding dark bronze. The color of my lips had been painted to match, my honey irises stood out with all of their intensity veiled by long and curled eyelashes and finished off with gleaming and flawless skin. I swallowed I could hardly recognize myself with this new look, the young girls waited expectedly for me to say something.
"I love it," I mumbled standing up from the chair.
"You look stunning!" Nel gushed pulling me into the closet and handing me a change of clothes, I looked at her confused.
"You will change into your gown in the bridal suite," she huffed ushering the girls out so I could change. Once the door had been closed, I grabbed the clothes and quickly changed as I attempted to distract myself from the mixed emotions thundering and storming inside, chanting to myself that I wouldn't cry that I would be strong that I would be ok.
Eventually, I stepped out to an impatient Nel, I wore white high waisted dressy slacks with a tan scoop blouse topped with a white single button blazer and finished off with nude pumps, light beige thin belt, and clutch, I had to admit the outfit was nice and elegant. Nel had changed as well she wore a black off-shoulder single breasted slit bodycon that showed off her amazing curves and torso, her makeup was more on the smokey and darker side looking, absolutely stunning.
"There you are, we have to go they are waiting for us," she declared tugging my arm and pulling me out of the room.
I panicked, "Is Ulquiorra there?" I asked suddenly worried.
"Of course not, he arrived at the wedding hall already," Nel added pushing the door open where the limos were now waiting, suddenly aware I was standing in front of Ulquiorra's mansion crowded with nicely dressed Espadas now eyeing me curiously, I averted my gaze suddenly self-conscious with their scrutiny, I had yet to meet half of Ulquiorra's ring and somehow I wasn't in a hurry to meet them, they all seemed dangerous and conniving.
"Well aren't you a beautiful bride." came a deep voice from right behind me I flinched away in sudden reflex and my eyelashes fluttered to a tall chiseled man with shoulder-length brown hair sporting an eye patch on his right eye.
"I didn't mean to scare you," he chuckled amused at my fidgety nature and I scoffed nervously.
" My name is Coyote Starrk," He announced holding out his hand.
"Inoue Orihime," I answered shortly, hesitantly taking his hand in which he brought to his lips and kissed his piercing eyes never leaving mine as he inhaled my skin sneakily I blushed, his little ploy not going unnoticed.
"Very nice to meet you," I mustered still flustered by his presence.
"My, what a lucky man Ulquiorra is to have such a beautiful woman." He continued his sharp eyes hard as steel and I swallowed hard, unsure of what to do next when he held out his arm, uncertain I took it and he plucked me away from the limo ushering me towards another group of Arrancar, I turned to see where Nel had gone, spotting her fixing Grimmjow's tie as he leered at her, obviously appreciating her appearance.
"Don't worry I'll return you," He reassured turning his sharp blue eyes at me and I looked away from his smirk as I attempted to walk on the pumps that I have never worn before today. Arriving where the rest of the Arrancar now stood I could feel their substantial energy circling all around me, and suddenly I had the strong urge to double over and throw up as their energy was too heavy to take but I persisted.
"Ms. Inoue, Tier Harribel." Starrk began, introducing me to a short blond-haired woman who regarded me quietly before bowing her head in acknowledgment.
"Nice to meet you." I offered.
" This is Cirucci Thunderwitch," he continued indicating a glowering black haired woman with her arms crossed, she rolled her eyes at starrk and held her hand out to me. "Nice to meet you," she droned irritably and I shook her hand.
"Touchy." He chuckled as she glared at him and scoffed, choosing to ignore him.
"And this is Kaien Shiba." he finished, I glanced over to the black-haired man Starrk was implying and my breath caught in my throat, instantly I could hear the sound of glass shattering in the back of my head. This man resembled Ichigo so much that I staggered back if it weren't for Starrk's steady arm holding me firmly I would have made a fool out of myself.
"Bonjour belle," He growled deeply and I paled, there was no way that was Ichigo because this man had a very sinister and menacing energy about him, with a sleazy smirk he kissed my palm as I followed his sadistic gaze regarding me like a treat being dangled in front of him ready to be feasted on and nipped my fingers teasingly. Unnerved I plucked my hand back in shock, Starrk who had been watching the strange encounter, cleared his throat.
Unable to compose myself, I continued to look at this man wide-eyed before being pulled away and escorted back to my limo completely immersed in my thoughts I looked back at Kaien who in return winked back at me.
"It seemed like you've seen a ghost back there," Starrk spoke snapping my attention as he delved deeper into my previous reaction.
Gulping I quickly mustered a lie, "I'm not feeling so well," I bluffed as he looked at me through his peripheral vision ready to ask the next question when Nel rushed towards us.
" Orihime there you are we have to go!" Nel prompted tugging my arm, Starrk reached over and simply opened the door as Nel prattled on about being late and I slipped inside and when he closed the door I didn't miss the Narrowed eyes he sent my way as the limo swept by.
The wedding hall had been an endless drive from the mansion and when we finally arrived, my fingers shook and my nerves began to upset my stomach. The air around me was suddenly too thick for my lungs to breath as I watched business and mobster men walking into the grant hall with their rich young wives hanging off of them flirtatiously, their riches luxurious and glistering flauntingly in the air intentionally, my teeth began to chatter as the panic rose acidly in my chest, my pulse slamming blaringly against my ears. Nel's fingers found mine before I got lost further inside my head.
"You are alright, remember I'm here with you," Nel reassured pulling me into a hug as the limo drove to the back of the hall where the bridal suite would be waiting. Nodding, I sent her a meek smile before climbing out of the car waiting for Nel to lead the way, when she slipped out of the limo the clacking noise of her heels amused me to no end, the chauffeur who drove us here, now lugged with him the countless handbags and totes loaded with random apparel and cosmetics Nel thought we would need. The young ladies from earlier now came following us, carrying the wedding gown, where had they gone? I mused as we finally arrived at the bridal suite. Nel opened the door and everyone slipped inside, me being the last one looked around the elegant suit, fine drapery hung on soft lilac walls, decorated with tufted white loveseats and end tables, a sparkling chandelier hung in the middle of the room, reflecting onto the black wooden floors with finished off with a looming white trimmed Mirror leaned against the wall. Yet, slowly my thoughts drifted to Ulquiorra, what would he be doing right now? Or thinking about? Would he be getting ready on his own? Somehow that thought tugged at my heart. In a couple of hours, I would be his wife officially, walking down the aisle to marry him forever.
The sound of a zipper threw me off followed by the door being closed shut as the chauffeur exited the suit and I paced over to the bathroom where Nel laid out the bride lingerie and I somberly began to undress as they set up things around the room, my thoughts vaguely focused on the lacey white material of the lingerie as I slipped it on, afraid that if I focused on anything else I would find myself on the edge of tears. I closed my eyes tightly allowing myself five minutes of emotional turmoil before emerging. Nel chirped happily around me as they gently put the wedding gown on me smoothing away any wrinkles, retouching my makeup and adorning me with jewelry like a lifeless doll. At last placing the veil on the crown of my head and I turned to the mirror where I could see a beautiful bride ready to be married in the most extravagant wedding dress, adorned by the finest Jewelry, showered with endless riches but there was something wrong with her eyes, my eyes, a look you could spot from miles away without a doubt.
A heavy sob erupted from my lips reverberating from my chest, I couldn't hold the agony rippling throughout my being, or the fear and uncertainty that flashed through my eyes, stunned the ladies backed away as they witnessed my torment and cast worried glances at each other before being shoved away by Nel, I had promised not to cry but the terror gripped at my chest as it came accompanied by my reflection.
"Orihime look, listen to me everything is fine, Sora will be here any minute." She coaxed reaching for my hand.
"I'm fine," I declared firmly leaning against the wall for support as I attempted to pull myself together, I was finally coming to terms with the fact that this was going to be my life from now on and that I should do everything in my power to stay alive like Sora had advised me to do, because maybe just maybe I would truly find my happiness here.
Unsure of what to do Nel asked one of the girls to bring me a glass of water while she patted my back trying to calm me.
"I'm sorry," I whispered grasping her fingers, Nel shook her head but remained quiet when suddenly someone knocked on the door and she stood up. I looked at the worried girl sitting by the vanity and I called her over, the girl happy to oblige quickly retouched the hard work I had ruined and smiled at me filling me with compliments and reassuring words that I thank her because through her I found my strength.
A few minutes later Grimmjow came barging into the suit with Sora trailing behind and I lunged on him catching him off guard wishing to never let him go. Sora chuckled at my reaction and pulled away to get a good look at me.
"Orihime, you are absolutely stunning!" He gushed twirling me around I snorted at his antics and pulled him into another hug. Sora sighed relieved and leaned his head onto mine certain that this whole time he had been worried sick, I leaned away and glared at his obvious weight loss.
"Have you been eating properly," I asked narrowing my eyes at him, the last thing I wanted was Sora starving to death, he was the only family member in the world that I had and I didn't want to lose him.
Sora scratched the back of his head.
"Enough with the mushy stuff, you're making me sick, hurry up the wedding is about to start!" Grimmjow rumbled, Nel frowned at him and smacked him the arm, "leave them alone." Nel defended smiling at Sora before leading us towards the entrance of the hall wherein a few minutes from now the music would start and Sora would walk me down the aisle to my merciless husband. My fingers tingle and I faced Sora handing him the pins he gifted me and he smiled at me nervously placing them in my hair.
"Promise me you will never let go," I whispered anxiously as we waited for the music to start, the wedding guests had already been seated and waiting for us to emerge, looking at the location where we now stood.
"I Promise," he whispered back holding out his arm for me and I took it looking highly distressed, Sora patted my hand gently and suddenly I was reminded of Who I am, and what I was capable of, and swallowed away any lingering fear as I held my head high, abruptly the music began and I gripped his arm tightly before the lights flashed blaringly onto me.
Littlebirdo21: I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I hadn't realized that this chapter would be very long so I had to break it down into 2 parts, so that means I Have the second part ready but like before I just need to go back and edit the second part before posting. I had thought about waiting and posting them together but I just couldn't resist and anyway I'll have the second part posted either by tomorrow or Friday. Thank you again for your comments and to those wonderful people following the story.
Ps: I did want to add that although it's Aaroniero Arruruerie who is an Arrancar and not Kaien Shiba, I decided to make Kaien Shiba the Arrancar only because it bothers me that Aaroniero is a weird looking thing and I just didn't like it. Thank you.