Author's Note: Again, I'm sorry for the wait. Orihime's P.O.V. didn't come as naturally as I thought it would've. Though, I do hope everyone enjoys it.
Orihime inhaled the crisp night air, noting a familiar decrepit building coming into view. She glanced at Ulquiorra, who hadn't said much apart from a couple of yes or no's. Her arms tightened around the snoring toy. Is he still irritated because she bandaged him up? She didn't know. His flat voice and neutral expression didn't give her any clues to go off of—
A pale hand appeared in her view, pulling the healer from her thoughts. "Hmm... Oh." Orihime blinked, meeting Ulquiorra's indifferent stare. She peeled Peng from her chest with a quick tug, jarring him awake. "Here you go." She placed him in Ulquiorra's outstretched hand.
The toy flailed. "N-No! I don't wanna go with—"
The stoic boy's lifeless eyes targeted the toy, uttering only a single word, "Quiet." Peng's wriggling ceased, and his screaming receded to little more than quiet hiccups. How did Ulquiorra manage to make a single word sound like a death sentence? His voice didn't waver, change pitch or anything.
Orihime's body shuddered at the scene. So cold. She brushed aside the thoughts, glancing at Ichigo and Chad, who stood a few feet away. She smiled at them as they chatted with each other.
Orihime's timid gaze turned back to the stoic boy in front of her. "Ulquiorra," Orihime began, her voice quiet. His stare turned to her, and her blood ran cold. "Make sure to get plenty of rest so your injuries heal faster. Also, don't forget to change your bandages too, or they'll get infected."
His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he closed his eyes and spoke, "I don't require your unsolicited suggestions." With those final words, he headed for the bleak entrance to the building.
The healer stared down at her fidgeting hands, her face contorting in thought. What happened to make him like this? Receiving help from others isn't a bad thing. With a soft sigh, she turned around. Dwelling on this fact wasn't going to help her understand him any better. "Alright, let's—Huh?" her eyes scanned the area. Empty, apart from her and Ichigo. "Where'd Chad go? I could've sworn he was standing next to you a couple of minutes ago." She leaned passed Ichigo peering down the barren sidewalk with a raised brow.
"He headed home. Said something about feeding a stray cat," Ichigo replied, scratching the nape of his neck. "I never would've guessed he had a soft spot for animals if I hadn't known him for so long."
Orihime smiled. "Yeah, looks can be deceiving. Like a lot of girls think your face is scary—" she pointed at him— "but I know that you aren't actually scary!"
Ichigo deadpanned. "Thanks... I guess?"
"You're welcome." The healer nodded as she took several steps down the vacant road.
"Anyways," Ichigo scratched his head as he matched her slow pace. "I figured I'd walk you the rest of the way home. This part of town isn't exactly safe, especially at night."
Thump. Thump. Orihime placed her hands over her heart, afraid it'd break through her ribcage any second. "Oh, you, you don't have to. It's fine, haha," she stammered, heat flowing to her cheeks and down her neck as if her body was on fire. "I don't wanna cause you any trouble." She waved her hands in front of her, sweat beading along her hairline.
"It's not a big deal," Ichigo assured as they continued down the sidewalk.
Orihime turned away from him as her cheeks further darkened. "O-Okay," she whispered, twirling her strands around her fingers. The cracks on the road became her grounding focus to regain control over her emotions. Deep breath in... deep breath out. Repeat. How does she manage to get so worked up around him? Ichigo is one of her friends. This behavior is silly.
She side-glanced at him. His usual scowling features weren't as prominent. Instead, he seemed relaxed with fewer wrinkles between his eyes. Those eyes. So rich, beautiful, and warm, like a cup of fresh cocoa.
"You okay?"
Orihime jumped, stumbling forward a few feet as her eyes locked with a distant tree. "Huh? Yeah, I'm great!" She clasped her hands behind her as her posture stiffened and her shoulders straightened. He caught her staring. She bit her lip, quickening her strides until she was a foot or so ahead of him. Ignoring his bewildered expression.
"If you say so."
They turned on a familiar road, their pace still slow and relaxed for the most part. The healer frowned as her home came into view. A little longer. There'd only been a handful of times she'd been alone with Ichigo, and they usually involved Soul Reapers, Hollows... or Rukia. Those two were almost inseparable during her time in the living world. So much so that rumors filled the school about them dating. Rukia denied it, but the chemistry they shared blazed like the sun and blinded them in the process.
A twinge of pain pierced Orihime's heart as images of her two friends together flooded her mind. Her hands tightened at her sides, making her fingertips grow cold. She shook her head. No more. These menacing thoughts won't change the way Ichigo views her. But what could she do—
"So that Ulquiorra guy, he doesn't seem like someone you'd hang around with. He's not very friendly."
Orihime's gaze snapped to the boy next to her as goosebumps littered her arms from the mere mention of his name. "No, he's not." Ulquiorra is the last person she wants to talk about right now. She mentally groaned. "I thought he might like you because you're both Soul Reapers."
"Oh, so you knew about that already?"
Orihime nodded and fiddled with her fingers. "Yeah. He kinda saved me from a Hollow attack while I helped him find his home." Ichigo nodded. "What I don't understand is that he said he isn't one. He has a zanpakuto, and Uryu said his spirit ribbon's red. And when I did manage to sense his spiritual pressure, it felt like a Soul Reaper's to me."
Ichigo remained silent for a moment as his face scrunched in thought. "From what I know of the Soul Society, they act based on the greater good. Soul Reapers might have done something that affected him on a personal level. Like what happened with Uryu." Ichigo rubbed his head.
"That's what I've been thinking. I was gonna ask Ulquiorra about it earlier, but I didn't want to pry."
"Even if you had asked, he wouldn't have told you anything. I mean, Uryu hounded him for information at the cafe, and he got nothing."
Orihime stopped in front of her stairs, gazing at the twinkling sky above. "You're right. He's very secretive when it comes to himself." A few feet away from her, Ichigo stopped, a thoughtful expression contorting his face. "When are you two gonna spar?"
He shrugged. "Not sure, really. Ulquiorra kinda clammed up after he agreed." His lips cocked upwards as he cracked his knuckles, a little too eager for her taste. "Sometime this week, maybe. I'll toss the idea at him and see what he thinks."
She rubbed the base of her neck as a bead of sweat rolled down her face. "Sounds great. Would it be alright if I came and watched?" She knew how intense Ichigo's fights could get, especially against a new opponent. Her nose crinkled as images of his beaten and bloodied body surfaced in her mind.
Ichigo's eyes widened a fraction. "Sure," he said, smirking. "If you're there, we can go all out."
She sighed with a smile. "Okay." She nodded, grasping the cold railing. "Let me know when and where, and I'll meet you guys."
"I will." Ichigo waved as she ascended the stairs.
"Oh!" She froze mid-step, looking over her shoulder at Ichigo. "Thanks, Ichigo, for walking me home. I appreciated it." A crimson hue surfaced on her face again as she waved to her friend. Good thing it's dark out.
"Anytime," he said before strolling further down the street.
Orihime frowned when his wild orange hair disappeared behind a tall fence down the road. She sighed, already missing his presence. Apart from her uncontrollable blushing and fumbling words, she enjoyed their brief walk. However, she'd rather have talked about more personal subjects like their favorite color, food, or T.V. show. Not Ulquiorra.
She pushed open her door and removed her shoes before stepping on the wooden floor. She leaned against the wall, her brain running a million miles a second. "Get a grip." She smacked her cheeks several times before glancing at her brother's shrine. "Sorry, Sora, I'm sure you don't like seeing me hit myself, huh?" she questioned, the picture staring back at her.
Silence.
A trembling smile appeared on her features as she neared the shrine. "Thought not. What do you think I should do? To make Ichigo smile at me... the same way he smiles at Rukia." She kneeled down as Sora's picture blurred. "She's so kind and sweet. She's strong enough to take care of herself. No wonder he's so focused on her. But me?" Her hands grasped the fabric of her pants as she exhaled. "I always get in the way of everyone. I-I can't even hold my own in a fight. That's why I begged Ulquiorra to help him. If I had gone, Ichigo would've worried about me getting hurt."
The healer wiped away several tears with the palm of her hand. "What I wouldn't give to be strong, just like Rukia..."
The air felt sticky on the healer's skin as she skipped towards the school entrance, but she didn't mind. Instead, she hummed the Ghost Hunters theme as her worn purse swung in the humid breeze. "Almost there," she sang, pressing her hands against the glass doors to the main lobby. "Eleven forty-five. I'm early?" More often than not, she makes it to class on time with only a few minutes to spare. "I wonder if they'll let me in the library until Tatsuki's done with practice."
She strolled towards the office, pushing the door open. Her limbs stiffened when her wide eyes locked on the dark-haired boy several feet away. Oh no.
"... that should be everything," Ms. Ochi said with a smile, handing Ulquiorra several books and a folder full of papers. "Oh, how I wished the rest of my students took their education as seriously as you."
"..."
Orihime's eyes darted around the room, her grip on the door tightened, and her fingers went cold. Leave, her gut told her. With a quiet exhale, she turned around.
Creek.
"Huh? Oh, Orihime, what a nice surprise," her teacher greeted with a cheery voice. Orihime froze again. Her heart flailed in her chest. She should have sat in front of the dojo and waited to avoid Ulquiorra instead. She blinked. How was she supposed to know he'd be here in the first place? His spiritual pressure is hard enough to find when he's a short distance away. Searching the city so she can avoid him seems like an impossible task in its own right. She shouldn't have to do that anyway.
Orihime peered over her shoulder, with a timid smile pasted on her lips. "Good afternoon, Ms. Ochi." She waved, trekking towards the desk as her fingers curled around her purse strap.
"So, what brings you by today? You know the semester doesn't start until Monday." She asked, placing a hand on her hip.
Orihime stopped a few feet from her teacher, remaining mindful of how close she got to Ulquiorra. "Well, I uh," she stammered, her eyes resting on several small knickknacks on a nearby shelf. "Tatsuki had karate practice today, and I was gonna wait around here until she's done." Her fingernails dug through the strap, one managing to pierce through into her hand.
The older woman nodded. "Then you have some free time right now. That's wonderful! I have something you can do in the meantime—" She held up one finger— "I'll be back in a minute." She turned around and strode into one of the small rooms connected to the office.
"Wait, wait!" Orihime called, leaning over the desk. Too late, she'd vanished. Her shoulders slumped, and a soft thud echoed through the room.
She sighed, peering at the boy behind her. His venomous eyes were hidden from sight, much to her appreciation. Her brow furrowed. Pale, unblemished skin frozen in a single expression, one of unnerving indifference. Her gaze drifted from his face to his chest, watching its rhythmic rise and fall. That was the only thing that convinced her he was alive and not a human-like doll.
The healer's heart lurched towards him as if trying to quell the emptiness his soul emanated. What happened—
"How long do you intend to stare at me, woman?"
Orihime jumped. "Heh?" she spun around, waving her hands in front of her. "S-staring? No no. I wasn't staring!"
The stoic boy blinked, his brow lowering as his empty green eyes analyzed her. Orihime leaned against the desk, her gaze pinballing around the room, avoiding Ulquiorra. "Then what was it you were doing?"
The healer swallowed, clasping her hands together as her mouth ran dry. "I-I... was wondering if your injuries were feeling better. You got pretty hurt yesterday—"
"I'm growing tired of repeating myself. My injuries are not yours to—"
"Oh." Ms. Ochi's voice floated through Orihime's ears. "The two of you know each other already?" The older woman raised a brow glancing between the pair, holding a sheet of paper in her hand.
Orihime smiled, rubbing the base of her skull as she turned to give her teacher her full attention. "Yeah, we met the other day." She forced a soft giggle to mask her growing apprehension and bent down to collect her purse. What a mess she's gotten herself into this time.
"That's great to hear," Ms. Ochi declared, smiling. "Ulquiorra might feel more comfortable if you showed him around then." She pushed the paper into Orihime's hands. "On this paper, I marked his class and a few other choice areas for you to show him too."
Orihime's eyes widened, staring at the school map. It didn't come as a surprise Ms. Ochi is having her do this. On the rare occasion they get new students, she often gives the tour because she's easygoing. In this case, though, she's probably the last person he wants to be around right now. She closed her eyes, feeling her insides flop around like a fish.
"A tour is unnecessary—"
The older woman waved her hand, dismissing his objection. "Don't be modest. Orihime's a sweet girl, and she'll make sure you're prepared on Monday. Now—" she walked around the desk, ushering them towards the door— "There's some paperwork I have to file, and lesson plans I have to tweak. Thank you for doing this, Orihime. I'll see the two of you in class." She disappeared behind the door, leaving Orihime alone with Ulquiorra again.
Orihime blinked, listening to the clock tick. She sighed, slumping her shoulders, thinking of a subject to talk about. She raked her fingers through her hair, pulling through tiny knots as her mind drew a blank. Anything would be better than the agonizing silence she was drowning in right now. She turned towards Ulquiorra, her tentative gaze resting on his arms.
The healer tilted her head. She noticed several clusters of scabs peeking through small gaps in his bandages as he shoved a book into his bag. The tattered end of the white cloth snagged on the zipper, and his eyes narrowed in response as he tugged at it.
She pulled the torn cloth free without a second thought, her fingers brushing against his skin. Why didn't he let her heal him? She grasped his arm, pulling it closer to examine better. There isn't anything wrong with receiving help every now and again.
Goosebumps puckered along her skin as the atmosphere around her dropped several degrees. Though stiff as a board, the boy's arm remained in her hand. Orihime inhaled. As fragile as her composure was at the moment, she looked at him from under her lashes.
His brows pulled together as his eyes observed every micromovement her fingers made. "Can I... Can I fix them?"
A soft sigh parted past his lips, yanking his arm away as his hand dived into his pants pocket. "No," he said, making even strides towards the exit.
"Wha—Wait!" Orihime skidded to a stop in front of him, holding out her hands. "Ms. Ochi told me to make sure you know where you are going on Monday." Ulquiorra closed his eyes and sidestepped her continuing to the door. "Really? What if you get lost? Huh? Or, or can't find the bathroom." She jogged next to him, narrowing her eyes. Geez, he has long legs. "What about the cafeteria? You don't want to starve, do you?"
"Your persistence is annoying." He placed his hand on the glass door, the humid air from outside seeping in. "As I told the instructor, a tour is unnecessary—"
"It won't take that much of your time. Plus—" Orihime pointed at the nearby clock— "I have to meet my friend at the dojo in eight minutes." She breathed, watching him hesitate on the threshold. Why is he so difficult? It's only a tour. It wasn't like she was gonna kidnap him or something... then again, he'd easily escape if she did.
The door clicked shut. "My patience with you is considerably thin." He turned around. Her stomach lurched downwards. Of course, it is. "Eight minutes," he stated.
Orihime blinked several times before a content smile spread on her face. "That's great!" She clasped her hands together, guiding him towards a hallway. "We'll start down here. According to the map, you're in my class, so I'll get that out of the way first." She briefly pointed to the map as Ulquiorra fell in step with her...
"...this hallway is where most of the clubs gather. I'm in the handicrafts club. We do a lot of sewing, painting, weaving, and all kinds of other things. But Uryu is by far the best, and his sewing skills are on another level!" She pointed to her clubs door, glancing at Ulquiorra. He stared ahead; hands stuffed in his pockets. She rubbed her neck, grimacing. Not one change to his expression. It was like he was made of stone. Orihime looked out the passing windows. Actually, she could see a slab of stone smiling well before Ulquiorra ever would.
"Do you not believe in your friends?"
The healer froze midstride. "What?" Ulquiorra turned to her, his eyes focusing on her motionless body. She blinked several times, trying to wrap her mind around the odd question. "What are you talking about? Where did this question even come from?"
He took several steps towards her, stopping little more than arm's length. "Yesterday evening, when they pledged to you that they would become strong. Your body language didn't reflect your words, and you appeared doubtful of theirs."
"No, of course, I believe in them!" Her hands clenched, feeling her blood run cold. "I know that they'll get strong enough to defeat Aizen." Her eyes narrowed as she chewed on her cheek. She knows they will; they have to.
"Your words hold no weight. In truth, it sounds more like you are trying to convince yourself."
"It is the truth! It's-It's not my friends I don't have faith in." Her lips trembled, tears gathered in her eyes, turning the boy in front of her into a blurry mass. She wiped them away and took a deep breath. "They shouldn't have to swear to protect me. I should be strong enough to do it myself... but I'm not," she choked, leaning against the window behind her. "I'm nothing more than a burden to them." Her arms fell limp at her sides.
Several tears trailed down her cheeks and onto her shirt. She rubbed her arms, hoping to bring comfort as her breathing elevated. How could she cry in front of someone she hardly knows? She clenched her teeth. Is it because Ulquiorra didn't tiptoe around the truth to spare her feelings like her friends often did? Hitting her where it hurt the most.
She sighed. What did it matter anyway? "I was nothing more than a burden back in the Soul Society. I mostly got in the way and always had to rely on someone else to protect me." She rubbed away the tears in her eyes. "Sure, I managed to heal a handful of people, but that doesn't compare to what Ichigo and the others did." Her voice cracked as she buried her face in her hands, muffling her soft sobs.
"Do you expect me to comfort you?" His harsh voice cut through her cries as she stared at him from behind her fingers. His eyes were cold like ice, sending a lingering chill through her body. "If so, you're wasting your time."
Orihime sniffled, wiping her eyes again as she shook her head. "No. That's not it." She took a deep breath, managing to control her weeping. "Being comforted won't change anything." She shook her head again. "What I need is strength. That way, I can fight at my friends' side, instead of in their shadows." She swallowed the lump in her throat, grasping onto her new composure.
Ulquiorra closed his eyes. "As you are now, it'd be impossible to gain strength."
"Huh?" Her eyes widened, locking onto the boy in front of her. "What makes you think I can't?" She sighed. Then again, what reason does he have to believe that she can in the first place? The incident at the park surfaced in her mind, and her lips trembled. Had Ulquiorra not stepped in when he did, the Hollow may have killed her.
"You believe that you're weak, thus condemning yourself as such," Ulquiorra explained. Orihime clasped her hands over her chest, trying to control the searing pain his truth brought her. "You say you want strength. However, when a situation arises, instead of depending on yourself, you expect help from someone else."
Orihime's hands tugged on a lock of hair. "I know. I just... I don't know how to break that habit." She sighed. "Ulquiorra," she whispered, meeting his eyes again. "Have you ever struggled with something like this? You know the solution to your problem, but you can't figure out how to put it into action."
Ulquiorra's brow furrowed, turning away from her. "Everyone has obstacles they must overcome."
Orihime stared at him. Her spirits lifted a bit, so even Ulquiorra's dealt with problems like this. She stepped to his side, gaining his attention again. "What about you? Have you always been strong, or did you have trouble getting to where you are now too?"
The boy's eyes widened before turning away, his emotionless gaze resting on the nearby wall. She blinked as she twirled her fingers around one another. Could this be a touchy subject for him? If so, she should probably drop it for now.
Orihime raised a brow, watching as his pale fingers pressed against his sternum. She'd seen him do this several other times before. More often than not, Ulquiorra was lost in thought. She rubbed the base of her neck, deciding against asking about his strange habit, at least for the time being.
"I've never particularly sought-after strength," he replied with a distant voice. Seconds later, his hand retreated back into his pocket before walking several paces forwards. Orihime's brows scrunched together. He's far more complicated than she first believed. "Will you be finishing this tour?"
Orihime's face flushed, pulling herself out of her overactive mind. "Huh? Yes, sorry." She scratched her head, letting a small smile form on her face as she fell in step with him...
Long ago, Orihime ran out of rooms and places to show him and fell silent—probably to Ulquiorra's appreciation. As a matter of fact, he seemed to take charge of where they turned and what stairs they used. Maybe he was memorizing the school's layout. Yet, every direction they went seemed deliberate. Almost like he was looking for something.
The healer's shoulders slumped. He's so strange, she thought, side-glancing at him with pursed lips. His face was about as revealing as a broken lamp in a dark room.
Orihime closed her eyes, sighing as her mind replayed their conversation. For the sake of her friends and herself. She couldn't afford to be weak anymore, but how was she supposed to change it? She placed her hands over her heart as a smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. Maybe... she glanced at the stoic boy next to her as the cogs in her mind began spinning.
Ulquiorra stepped in front of her, pushing open a door leading to a small, covered bridge. "Ulquiorra," she started, passing through the door before it smacked her in the face. His only acknowledgment was the peeved stare he gave her from the corner of his eye. "Would you... umm... would you—"
"Would I what?"
With a deep breath, she mustered up the courage to ask. "Would you maybe... well... could you possibly train... me?" she stammered, clenching her eye shut. The worst thing he can say is no, right?
"Train you?" Orihime peeked at him through one squinted eye, regarding his brooding expression. However, a little flicker twitched in his eyes like a dying flame. She tilted her head. What did she see just now? "Why should I train you?"
Whatever she saw in him a second ago vanished entirely, leaving behind his familiar venomous eyes. Orihime peered away, inhaling the humid breeze. "I would ask Ichigo, Chad, or Uryu, but I know they'll go easy on me if I train with them. I know we don't know each other well, but I feel that you wouldn't hold back and would tell me what I'm doing wrong."
Orihime turned right on the bridge, only a step behind Ulquiorra. "It isn't my responsibility to correct your faults."
"I don't mean you have to do it all the time or anything. Maybe a session or two or a few pointers. That's all I really want." She's pushing it now, feeling the irritation leaking from every pore on his body. "I'm just not sure where to start." She rubbed her arm as tiny beads of sweat dripped down her cheeks.
"No."
The healer forced a smile, shuffling several steps away from him. "O-Okay then—" she raised her hand— "I won't bother you about it anymore. Sorry—"
"Orihime!"
Her attention shifted to the short-haired girl jogging down the bridge. "Tatsuki!" She exclaimed and bounded towards her friend. The swirl of negative emotions melted away when they embraced. "I missed you." Orihime took a step back, meeting Tatsuki's eyes.
"Yeah, I missed you too." She smiled, placing one hand on her hip. "Where've you been? I tried calling you."
The healer blinked. "You have?" she reached down for her purse, realizing that she'd dropped it in excitement. She looked behind her, seeing it lay open by Ulquiorra's feet with its contents spilling out.
Tatsuki raised one brow and nodded. "It's twelve-fifteenth. I started to worry about you—why do you have two umbrellas?" She pointed down at her belongings.
"I'm sorry, I-I Ummm..." Orihime trailed off, snagging her purse from the ground and neatly putting everything back inside. "Oh. I carry two because one time, my umbrella broke during a super intense rainstorm, and by the time I got home, I was soaked to the bone." She smiled, spinning the umbrella by its strap before shoving it in her bag. "I must have left my phone at home again." She sifted through her purse. "Yeah, it's probably on my nightstand," she said with a nervous smile, as she closed her bag empty-handed.
Tatsuki sighed, shaking her head. "You can remember two umbrellas but not your phone. You know your Aunt's gonna be mad if she finds out you never have it on you." She took a few steps closer, crossing her arms.
"Another friend of yours," Ulquiorra stated. His analytical gaze rested on Tatsuki.
The healer froze. She'd almost forgotten Ulquiorra was still there. A bead of sweat ran down her face as she glanced between him and Tatsuki. "Huh—Oh yes!" Orihime skipped to her friend's side as she put an arm around her, laying her head on her shoulder. "This is Tatsuki, my best friend," she proclaimed, glancing between them.
"Best Friend," Ulquiorra repeated. "Does this title indicate that she ranks above the others?"
Orihime raised a brow as she straightened her posture and fiddled with several locks of hair. "Uh, that's not exactly how—"
"Yeah—" Tatsuki crossed her arms— "she's closer to me than anyone." Her eyes narrowed, sizing up the expressionless boy. "And if anyone dares make her cry, they have to deal with me." She pointed to herself, jabbing her thumb into her chest.
Orihime glanced between the two, sweat forming on her hairline. Ulquiorra's standoffish personality is bound to trigger Tatsuki's overprotective attitude regarding her.
Ulquiorra blinked. "I see." His stare rested on Tatsuki a few seconds longer before shifting back to Orihime. Her fingers curled around the hem of her shirt, biting her lip. "You are coddled, woman." Her cheeks darkened. It wasn't like she asked to be. Orihime's gaze locked on her shoes.
"The hell's your problem?" Tatsuki put her hands on her hips, stepping closer to Ulquiorra.
His motionless stare remained on Orihime, disregarding the martial artist entirely, which enraged her further. "Letting other people fight your battles is what keeps you weak." He turned around, casually ambling back the way they'd come.
Orihime stared at his back, her mood lurching downwards yet again. As painful as his words may be, they highlighted the truth she masked with lies she told herself. She bit her lips. To reach her goal and gain strength, she needed to accept that she relied heavily on her friends and try to break this habit—
"Why that... Ugh!" Tatsuki stomped towards him, hard enough for the floor to reverberate beneath Orihime's feet.
She gasped, reaching for her friend. "W-Wait, Tatsuki!"
"You don't know what—" she grabbed Ulquiorra's shoulder, stopping him— "She's been through." Orihime's eyes widened. She knew Tatsuki meant well, but she'd rather she didn't provoke him. Even if she was only defending her.
"It'd be in your best interest for you to let go of me," he warned, his stare sharpening on Tatsuki.
Orihime grit her teeth, glancing between the two as sweat dripped down her neck. The air around them grew thick and heavy. What should she do to diffuse the situation?
The healer held her breath and stepped between them, her back to Ulquiorra. She took Tatsuki's outstretched hand in hers, offering her an endearing smile. "Come on now, violence is never the answer," she suggested, her voice calm.
Her friend's eyes narrowed. "Orihime—"
Orihime glanced over her shoulder. "I hope the tour was informative, Ulquiorra. See you in class." She waved, making an abrupt dash towards the exit with her friend in tow. She breathed. Knowing Tatsuki's temper, it was best to get her far away from him before an all-out fight happened.
"Orihime! Slow down, would you?" Tatsuki stopped, her hand slipping from hers.
The healer stumbled a few steps forward, kicking up dust from under her feet. "Sorry." She turned toward her friend. "Sometimes, I can't contain my excitement when we're together." She scratched her head as a coy smile crawled on her face.
Tatsuki blinked, glancing back to the empty space they'd been in a few minutes ago. "Did that guy do something to you?"
"Huh?" She raised her brow. "No." Orihime shook her head.
Tatsuki gave a small smile, stepping forwards. "You can talk to me, you know."
Orihime nodded. "I know. You're my best friend." She peered off in the distance, her heart maimed with guilt. "Let's get lunch now. I'm so hungry It feels like my stomach is eating itself." She segued, turning away from Tatsuki's troubled stare.
With a sigh, the martial artist spoke, "Yeah… let's." The soft tremble in her voice gave away more than she realized. Orihime clenched her eyes shut and grabbed Tatsuki's hand. She can't tell her, not now. It's for her own protection, and hiding the truth is the only way to ensure it. She sighed, her grip on her friend's hand tightening. When this war is over, she'd tell her everything.
Author's Note: I'll probably come back and do a few minor edits later on, but I—for the most part—like how this turned out. I hope I wrote Tatsuki okay. I figured she'd have a bad feeling around Ulquiorra from the air he gives off, thus putting her into bodyguard mode.
When it comes to Orihime, I feel like she has a lot of internal struggles she needs to work through, especially regarding her powers and how she views herself. I know it seemed Ichihime in the beginning, but in canon, she's in love with him. You can't just throw feelings like that away, but I do have an idea of what I am going to do with it, hehe!
Thank you for reading. It makes me so happy knowing that people enjoy my writing, and truly brings joy to my life. As always, if you think something needs to be improved, let me know, and I'll do the best I can.
I hope you all have a wonderful day/night where ever you may be, and I'll see you next time!