Title: Miniature Murcielago
Pairing: Ulquiorra x Orihime
Read: NOW!
Sound asleep was Grimmjow on Ichigo's bed, curled up like a little kitten. Funny, even if he were back to his normal size he would still sleep like this. He really was just a big cat.
As for Ichigo, he was getting dressed. The matter of dressing and undressing in front of Grimmjow first came up that that day Urahara dropped off the pantera. He was planning on changing in the bathroom, and he did. I mean, this hollow turned cat, no matter how cute he may appear, was still Grimmjow. The same Grimmjow that plunged his arm through Rukia and Luppi, beat the crap out of Loly and Menoly, and had countless fights with Ichigo.
This wasn't a pet, even though it would be funny to consider it. But no, this was Grimmjow...except a mini powerless more cat-like version of him.
But it wasn't like Ichigo changed his boxers or anything in front of him. Just his shirt….maybe once in a while his pants.
It was morning and today Ichigo was going to find a kimono to wear to the upcoming ball at soul society. He was thinking on going with Inoue, he knew she was planning on going too, but he decided against that. After all she still had that little...pest, living with her. The scratch marks could still be seen on his face from their last confrontation.
"Dam pest." He muttered. He sure as hell did like Grimmjow a lot more better then Ulquiorra. In the beginning though he probably could say otherwise until he found out it was Ulquiorra that forced Inoue to Hueco Mundo.
He didn't understand why she cared so much for that bat. After all he did to her she still cared for him. Even when he turned to ash she had tears staining her eyes, after he beat the crap out of himself and Ishida, after everything...
Ichigo knew that Inoue cared for Ulquiorra. Before he set off to go fight Yammy, he saw the pained look in her eyes, and he couldn't help but feel guilty.
A look that Ulquiorra had when he saw the girl crying over Ichigo's body. But of course the shinigami didn't see it.
Anyways, Ichigo contemplated whether or not to take Grimmjow with him. The pantera wouldn't really need anything to wear, besides nothing would fit him in his current size.
"Maybe I can get him a barbie dress..." The orange head muttered under his breath. He chuckled after imagining a pissed off Grimmjow in a pink dress with his hair pulled into a pony tail. But then he decided to take him just because he felt like sparing Kon a session of kitty play; he already seemed torn up a bit. He'd have to remember to ask Uryu about fixing him.
For the most part, Ichigo found himself gaining a bit of a soft side for Grimmjow. It's probably because he looks like s freakin' pet, he kept telling himself. But other than that, the orange head could easily admit that he liked the pantera as a friend. He just kept wondering though, if Grimmjow would ever return to his original size.
One thing that Ichigo did notice though, was that Grimmjow seemed unfazed by it all. He's freaking 6 inches tall, seriously? And he seems indifferent to everything. It may just be that Grimmjow is always like that, or there's something he's not saying about this whole situation.
The night before, Orihime was taking an extremely long time to change out of her uniform. Ulquiorra waited and waited, but his patience was lost. He set off to find out what was taking so long. Spreading his wings, he flew into the living room and was stunned by what he saw.
It appears that the woman had fallen asleep while changing. Her knees and legs were bundled up close to her while her head lay upon her arms on the couch. Worst part is though; she wasn't fully dressed into her nightgown. The piece of fabric only merely covered her thighs and her chest was open for him to see.
He smacked himself, in an attempt to cover his face. "This woman….." he muttered angrily, his voice shaking. He couldn't even describe the way he was feeling, it landed between being extremely pissed and pure utter embarrassment. The beating of his heart skipped a beat. He found this innovative sensation odd, but not unpleasant.
Ulquiorra slid his fingers open to get a better look at the onna, trying his best to steer the view of her chest. He managed to find the window open; anyone across the street would be able to see her in this state. He also realized that her front door was unlocked.
Anyone could just barge right in and take advantage of her. What was wrong with her? How did she ever live alone when she was barely able to take care of herself? It completely baffled Ulquiorra.
At the moment though, his main concern he had was the open window. It angered him that other people would be able to see her like this, and he couldn't help but ask himself why. He shouldn't be seeing her like this, why was he so angered that anyone that wasn't himself was seeing it as well.
The thing is though, the woman wouldn't want him to see her like this either, and when that thought arose to his head as a fact, he managed to get back into reality. He immediately flew to the window, his tail knocking over a book on the coffee table on the way, but the woman didn't wake up.
Ulquiorra tried and tried but was unsuccessful in pulling the window down. He cursed his uselessness once more and instead headed for what was keeping the room lighted, the lamp. He was easily able to turn it off and the best part was that he wouldn't feel disgusted with himself for looking at the woman so inappropriately.
The next matter at hand was to get Orihime decent. If she woke up tomorrow morning seeing her in the state she was, she'll know without a doubt that Ulquiorra would have seen her like this. He had doubt the woman would be able to live with that humiliation.
The only source of light he had now was the moonlight leaking through the open window. It landed perfectly on the woman, so still the murcielago was able to see her body perfectly even in the dark room.
Slowly Ulquiorra made his way closer to her, and he was shocked to what he saw.
The woman's face was teary, wet, and red. Even if her eyes were closed, he was able to see the remnants of tears, and the area around her eyes was all red.
The only thing he could conclude was that she was still sick. Well at least that's what he thought. Swallowing down his own urges and replacing it with a new will, Ulquiorra flew up to her, grasped the nightgown, and slowly levitated upwards.
First he passed her stomach, watching it move with every shaky breath she took. Then he reached her chest and that was when he felt his monumental will dissolve for only a moment until he turned his head away. Finally he reached her shoulders with the nightgown still in hand.
Ulquiorra managed in getting the woman's arms through the sleeves without waking her and wrapping her up with a blanket. It was the middle of the night and the moon's light drifted to another part of the room as the hours passed. The murcielago wasn't exactly sleepy, but he was tired. He was tired of everything. Walking around like this, having these unknown feelings for the woman while she merely thought of him as a pet. He was tired of trying to win this game for his own goal in returning back to normal in the end.
In the beginning he only cared for himself, but after meeting Orihime, his whole view on the world changed. He was able to feel again, he felt alive once more and it was so serene to him. Now though, he was thinking about what she wanted, and there was no doubt in his mind, that Orihime didn't want him the way he wanted her.
Ulquiorra laid on the couch which Orihime head and arms rested on. Thought after thought wrestling through his mind, as he tried to pull away from what he wanted most in this world, because he didn't want to force someone he cared so deeply for to care for him just so he could return to normal. It didn't matter either way, whether he was this size or anything else, he was giving up.
Hesitantly, he looked at his hand that he was using as a pillow. Pushing the fur aside he was barely able to make out the numbers in the night. Upon further speculation though, he was able to distinguish the markings on his wrist.
6540 minutes left.
It was morning now and today was the day Orihime was going to go shopping for a kimono for the upcoming festival in soul society. The young teenager awoke in the exact place she fell asleep last night, finding Ulquiorra sleeping on the couch beside her. Her nose wasn't as clogged and she had a bit more energy.
After taking a shower, she felt so refreshed and almost as good as new. "I guess it was one of those 24 hour things…." Orihime wondered out loud, she didn't even feel sick except for the slight congestion that was disappearing away ever so slowly every passing second.
Orihime dressed in jeans that reached her knees and a plain green shirt with a light gray overcoat. She walked out of her room and saw Ulquiorra still asleep on the couch. She smiled to herself at the sight of him.
She recalled feeling terrible the night before. After the story the murcielago told her about the meaning of her uniform and how he basically had no desire for her, Orihime now understood that Ulquiorra didn't like her the way she hoped he did. Deep down, feelings were there and every passing day they were together, they would grow. Although with this knowledge, the young girl was still grateful that she had Ulquiorra here and to stay, and that was reason enough to smile.
After thinking this to herself, Orihime crossed the room towards Ulquiorra and sat beside him. He was still asleep and laid on his sides, using his furry arms as a pillow. She touched his head lightly with her fingers, petting him and feeling the smooth inky hair beneath her fingertips. She could feel him shiver by her touch.
Orihime imagined Ulquiorra in his normal size, in a completely different version. No mask no horns, no wings, and no tail. A more human version with the only thing remaining from his past was two single teal green tear marks. She closed her eyes and imagined this Ulquiorra lying on the couch with his head in her lap, and asleep. His soft black hair fell between her fingertips as she played with it, and she was able to feel his warm breath on her legs.
Orihime, with her eyes closed, began to hum quietly while thinking of this heartwarming thought.
"What are you doing woman?"
Orihime jumped slightly and was brought back to reality by the sound of Ulquiorra's voice, followed by having him stand up away from her hand and stretch the sleep away.
"Oh nothing." She answered under her breath, a small smile slowly painting it's way across her face as she watched him stretch. Ulquiorra had his back to her while Orihime spoke.
"I'm gonna go shopping today."
He turned to face her, "You're still sick." He replied blatantly.
Despite all that he was thinking of only a few hours before, he felt his heart melt whenever he looked at her. He could smell the scent of lavender radiating off of her.
"I think it was just one of those twenty-four hour things. I'm feeling a lot better now." Orihime said. Deep down she felt butterflies in her stomach knowing he was worried about her. Back in Hueco Mundo she thought it wast just because of Aizen's doing that had Ulquiorra concerned for her. Bur now, it was his own concern being shown.
Ulquiorra found that Orihime being better hard to believe, he saw her teary and red on the floor yesterday. She still had to be sick, but the girl he was looking at now said otherwise. If only he knew the actual reason he found her like that last night….because of him.
After the lack of response from the murcielago, Orihime continued, "I need a kimono for the upcoming festival in soul society, I don't have one so that's what I was gonna go buy. Do you want to come with me?"
Ulquiorra frowned upon hearing this. He already knew the human girl was tight with finances and buying a kimono would only jeopardize her more. He quickly thought about other alternatives. If he would, he'd sew one for her. But for starters he didn't know how to sew, and wouldn't be able to in his current size.
Well there was Uryu…..but at that thought, he scowled slightly more. It was obvious he cared a lot for Orihime, and a feeling of jealousy formed when he realized that the quincy would be able to help the woman in this situation while he couldn't.
But then, he thought about Urahara. The night before, Ulquiorra was thinking deeply about his current situation. After he thought the best course of actions would be giving up, he thought of any possible way for him to get back to his current size without disappearing.
Aizen created him using the hougyokou. He knew everything there was to know about arrancar, along with the advantages and disadvantages as well. The only other person who knew as much and possibly even more…was no other then Urahara Kisuke.
"Ulquiorra? Did you hear me?" Orihime called out to him again.
"I don't think I'll accompany you." He quickly replied.
"Oh…." Orihime started, a drop in her voice. She tried her best to put on a smile, "T-That's fine. I can go by myself, no big deal."
She got up and headed for the door. "There's some breakfast on the table." She barely managed to choke out, while trying to put on her shoes, "I'll try not to be gone long." And she left.
Ulquiorra could tell she was very upset that he didn't want to go with her. But the truth was he did. He loved being around her, but if he still wanted to in the future to come, he had to find another possible solution to fixing this problem.
And maybe, he'll be able to get a kimono from Urahara's place as well.
Outside the door, Orihime stared off into space for a moment. She felt her eyes wet and teary, similar to last night, and yet again for the same reason. Although she already came to terms with the fact that Ulquiorra didn't like her that way, having him reject her like that in yet another fashion, caused a tinge of pain in her heart.
She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and began to walk down the sidewalk.
'It's okay.' She comforted herself in her mind. 'As long as Ulquiorra is here to stay, I'll be happy,'
And at that, she walked towards the shopping center in her area.
Ulquiorra found some fruit in the kitchen, just as Orihime said. After having a few strawberries he made his way towards the window in the living room, the same one that was still opened from the night before. He sighed upon further inspection. How could she just leave her window open when she left her home? Any average person can fit through it easily, and who knows what they'll do once they were inside. It's not like he would be able to stop them from whatever they were planning.
The murcielago was now outside the window, using his wings to keep him levitated. He tried one final time to close the contraption, and using all his might he managed in doing so. (probably because he had a night's rest and something to eat)
Despite Ulquiorra not having any of the abilities he had in his Segunda etapa, he was still able to make our riatsu. He could sense where Orihime was, which left him a bit content with that. But then he tried to make out Urahara's Kisuke's riatsu.
He was able to successfully locate him, and at that, he made his way towards the man using his delicate bat wings in hope of some type of cure for this curse.
AN:
Okay…..so it's been over 6 months since I last updated this ._.
I'M REALLY SORRY DX
My computer's keyboard was all broken and I was really busy with school. Today though my keyboard all of a sudden started working, so I took the advantage to finish writing this chapter o3o
Thanks for all your comments and reviews. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and look forward to the next.
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