Dearest acknowledgement to Tite Kubo. And to my wonderful new beta, WordCubed.
Orihime kept a healthy distance as she followed Byakuya Kuchiki to a part of Seireitei she had never been. She sensed tremendous spiritual power as she walked—political power, too. Upon entering one of the chambers in the edifice, she saw Soul Society's captains gathered in two lines facing each other. Seated at the head of the rows, on the farthest end from her, was the Captain Commander.
As soon as she saw Yamamoto, Orihime's eyes darted to her feet. She followed Byakuya until he stopped a few meters away from the Commander.
"Stay there," was all Byakuya said before taking up a spot in one of the lines. She obeyed.
"Orihime Inoue," Yamamoto called out. He sounded tired. And displeased.
Orihime finally raised her eyes, more than a little conscious of the black-and-white garb she hadn't yet exchanged for normal clothes.
"Yes, sir?" The feeling in the pit of her stomach was too familiar—it mirrored the anxiety she'd felt every time she approached Aizen's throne. The heat in her belly rose to her cheeks.
The Captain Commander's narrowed eyes traveled from her feet to her face before he spoke again. "I see you've managed to stay alive these past ten months."
"Ten…months?" she whispered. There was no real way to tell time in Hueco Mundo. She had thought the number closer to five—six at most. She'd lost nearly a year of her life festering under Hueco Mundo's perpetual moon. Orihime had barely any time to reflect on this when Yamamoto continued.
"Approximately 10.5, in Earth days. I'm not surprised they never told you."
"No, sir. They never did."
"Is it your wish to return to the World of the Living?"
At that, she immediately looked him in the eye, her eyes burning. "More than anything!"
His tone shifted. "How do you expect me to allow that? Do you have any idea how many casualties you've cost me? After your friends went after you? And some of my own captains acted against my wishes?"
Orihime did not respond.
"Say something, girl."
At the word girl, Orihime flinched. But she did not cry. She merely stood like a stone. If she could win the trust of hollows in Hueco Mundo, she could win back the trust of Soul Society's finest. "I'm prepared to do anything to return, sir."
"And what use would I have for a human?"
"I have…healing gifts," she clarified. "Please allow me to repair any damage I have caused. I can help with the casualties. Please, sir."
The Captain Commander shifted in his seat. "What else?"
Orihime knew of nothing else to offer. As far as she knew, she had nothing else to give in this realm.
After several moments, the Captain Commander scoffed, and the look he gave her was so stern Orihime thought he was going to attack. But at last he said, "You will be on probation for as long as we deem appropriate. If you die before working off your debt to us, your soul will be escorted to Soul Society by one of our shinigami, and then you will continue to work it off in this realm."
An eternal sentence? Orihime realized, horrified. But what could she do? She gave him a slight nod in acknowledgment. "Whatever you see fit, sir."
"Since you still belong to the land of the living, our rules don't allow you to be imprisoned here, but that doesn't mean the living can't still violate our laws. It's extremely rare, but it happens. I can't allow you to go without punishment, so your rejection powers will be in our service for as long as we deem fit."
Orihime nodded once, wondering how much of her life she was promising. The sentence didn't seem too bad, but the sick feeling in her stomach grew worse after glancing at the odd-looking captain with the painted face. She'd met him before, and she did not like the look he was giving her.
"Bring the contract!" Yamamoto called out.
It was the Second Squad captain, Soi Fon, who produced a scroll and a pen. She placed them on a small table in front of the Captain Commander. She stayed where she was, scrutinizing Orihime with a blank face.
"Sign it, and you will be free to return to the world of the living."
Orihime walked over to the scroll and rolled it open, but it was written in a language she didn't recognize. She was growing sicker by the second. How is this any different from Las Noches?!
"I don't…know what this says."
"Either you sign and live, or you don't and face the consequences," the Captain Commander returned.
Orihime frowned at the paper, wondering what the possible consequences would be for someone who was not a soul. She glanced back at Yamamoto, then took the pen in her hand. She contemplated breaking the quill, but ultimately placed pen to paper and scribbled her name.
When she finished, the Captain Commander didn't even blink when he said, "Unohana-taicho. Inspect her before she gets to work."
Retsu Unohana bowed her head in a slight nod.
"Captain Unohana will escort you out for an examination. Do as she says for whatever rejection services she requests."
"Yes, sir."
"Dismissed."
Before taking back the contract, Soi Fon gave Orihime a look she could not read. Orihime watched as the captains filed out and saw Ukitake pausing to look back at her. She saw sympathy in his eyes.
She followed Unohana out into one of the infirmary rooms within the Fourth Squad dormitories and sat on the bed, her mind so fatigued that she could not bend it to anything particular. It was night outside, and she realized that she had yet to even see the sun, having been trapped indoors since her arrival in Seireitei. She glanced in the direction of the window on the opposite side of the door. It opened into a crescent moon—a vicious reminder of the shadowy underworld she'd escaped.
Everything since Ulquiorra's defeat had been a dizzying blur. She was finding it difficult to correctly judge what her behavior should be, aware that the mere act of grieving might make her appear traitorous. She only gleaned bits and pieces of what happened here and there. At one point, she'd overheard a grim conversation about the "First Espada" and his defeat, and in that moment she could not stop herself from weeping for Starrk. She couldn't picture any of the captains laying hands on one as small as Lilynette, but from the way she was being treated by some of the shinigami, she could not be so certain. Some people, lower ranks, she soon realized, were not bothered by her presence, but others threw her nasty glances as they eyed the garb traditionally donned by arrancar in Hueco Mundo—likely higher seats privy to more insider information.
Her thoughts presently returned to him, and she slouched at the foot of the bed, stifling a moan. Why did he have to die? Why did Kurosaki-kun…she stopped, rebuking her logic. Ulquiorra was nearly as ruthless in his maniacal drive to kill. But while her mind understood this, the haunting image of Hollow Ichigo's merciless foot at Ulquiorra's neck propelled her into an anguish from which she knew she would not easily recover.
Retsu walked over to her with brisk, quiet steps. "As you can imagine, we have suffered many other casualties in this war, and the more critical injuries took precedence, so the Gotei 13 could not immediately process your sentence. But we need the help."
Wiping her palm against her eye, Orihime nodded. She knew a number of shinigami and humans had defended her innocence before the Gotei 13. It was ultimately what had gotten her mercy and an audience with the Captain Commander. She supposed she should be thankful that she would be allowed to return to the world of the living, but she had regretted signing that contract the minute her pen hit the paper.
Unohana proceeded to check Orihime's vital signs, then checked for major and minor injuries, but Orihime had already healed her own wounds upon reuniting with her nakama. It had been awkward seeing them again for the first time in many months, and no one really knew what to say. Ishida had stared at her for a long moment before asking how often they fed her.
"Do I really look that skinny?" she had asked, managing a false chuckle.
"You look sick, Inoue-san."
Orihime had merely looked down at the floor in an attempt to mask her feelings.
It was also Ishida who ultimately brought up the difficult topic that no one wanted to discuss. He apologized for all of them for not being able to retrieve her sooner. They had apparently attempted many escape plans for her in the months she had been gone, but the upper ranks of Seireitei consistently foiled their plans. Someone had nullified the part of the Garganta that led out of Karakura Town. Aizen obviously managed to reopen it, Orihime thought to herself, but dared not say this aloud. Ishida went on to explain that hiding their rescue plans prolonged the process. If they had been discovered, it would have led to even greater difficulty rescuing her.
In truth, Orihime did not blame the Gotei 13 for its actions. She understood protocol. Her time in Hueco Mundo helped her comprehend much about the maintenance of a fortress in times of war. Rukia had reassured her that they had made many attempts to go after her, but it was only until very recently that they finally convinced Byakuya to allow the rescue, and thereby leave for Hueco Mundo undisturbed. Orihime figured she was probably used as an excuse to strike an offensive attack, and she did not quite know how to feel about being used as a pawn by both warring worlds. But Orihime forgave them for not coming sooner. After all, it was her decision to leave.
But it was difficult facing Ichigo. Her thoughts kept returning to the brutal battle where his soul was thoroughly lost to the darkness inside him. She had never experienced fear so tangible, and the result of what his heartless hands had done—
Orihime's thoughts were again interrupted by Retsu. "It seems everything is well externally." Retsu's gaze pierced Orihime's eyes, and she nearly shuddered. "But what about internally? Are you prepared to return to the human world?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Orihime asked in reflex.
Retsu stood up. "It will take time before you fully readjust to your former life. I imagine that the healing process will take a while."
Orihime nodded and was about to thank the woman, but at that moment, she noticed a familiar flash of long, blonde hair in the hallway.
"Rangiku-san!" Orihime called, but the woman did not appear to hear her.
A tear-streaked Matsumoto followed an unknown shinigami somewhere outside Orihime's door. Her eyes looked dead.
Orihime made a move to follow her friend, but another figure entered the room just then. One she had met before.
Retsu addressed the figure. "Kurotsuchi-fukutaicho."
The woman answered, "I have been instructed to compile a report for the Gotei 13 on Orihime Inoue's whereabouts since her arrival in Hueco Mundo." Orihime recognized this woman as the vice-captain of the Twelfth Squad.
"Report?" Retsu asked with an icy smile. Orihime wondered if this was all part of the contract.
Nemu blinked several times, clearly not expecting a challenge to her duties. "Seireitei must take full precaution in ensuring she is not part of another conspiracy against the Gotei 13. My captain has enlisted me to carry out this order."
Orihime could have sworn she felt a sinister chill permeating from Captain Unohana, but Retsu merely nodded once. Slowly. "Well. I'll just take my leave, then, Inoue-san," she said melodiously. "I will allow Kurotsuchi-fukutaicho to finish her work. Send for my vice-captain, Isane Kotetsu, when you are through, and she will instruct you as to what we will need."
Orihime bowed her head in acknowledgement and released a breath as Retsu walked out the door, taking her frosty aura with her.
To Orihime's surprise, Nemu let out her own sigh of relief. The vice-captain then opened a box containing an odd-looking contraption. Attached to it were long, thin chords of metal with square pieces of fabric at the ends. She arranged them on various parts on Orihime's body—forehead, heart, wrist.
"What is this?"
"This will ensure you are answering the exit questions truthfully."
A lie detector?! Orihime could feel the skin on her neck start to burn. Why can't I just go home? Though, she realized that if she refused the test, she would be held under suspicion by Seireitei.
"Very well."
"The Gotei 13 extends its appreciation for your cooperation," Nemu replied dutifully. "The machine will record our conversation. I will also be taking notes." She flipped a switch on the machine, causing it to make whirring sounds. She positioned herself across from Orihime and readied a pen and paper.
"State your name."
"Orihime Inoue."
"State where you live."
"I reside in the Southern Quart—I mean, Karakura Town," Orihime quickly corrected herself. "I'm sorry. I…was held prisoner in the Southern Quarters of Las Noches for…10 and a half months." The number left an unpleasant taste in her mouth.
"In Earth days." Nemu added. "I will need you to recount everything you have witnessed, starting from the beginning."
"Everything?"
"Yes."
"How long is this going to take?"
"Hours, likely. As per the contract, you must cooperate."
So this is part of the contract, Orihime realized, disturbed that she was being used as yet another intel-gathering tool. She had never expected to associate Seireitei with Las Noches in such a way. Above all else, she was not in the frame of mind to be recounting every detail of her pain.
"We must have all details about Aizen as soon as possible, while it is still fresh in your mind. And we must ensure the security of Soul Society. Your compliance will lessen your sentence, if it is decided that you should have one."
"Sentence? But they said I could go home, and I signed that contract. I don't understand. How can I be sentenced if I am not a soul?"
"I am not authorized to answer that question. However, the faster you cooperate, the faster the process will be."
Orihime was not satisfied with the lack of an adequate answer, but now she was terrified that they would use Nemu's report against her. Still, if she did not cooperate, she was worried about what would happen if she died. What if she got run over by a car? Would her soul be imprisoned?
Orihime stared at a chair in front of her for several moments before nodding her consent.
"The Gotei 13 appreciates your cooperation. Please start from the beginning. What happened the day you left the living world?"
Orihime gathered her nerves as she recounted her encounter with Ulquiorra. "I was…approached by…Ulquiorra…" She stopped. It was the first time since his death she had said his name aloud.
Nemu stared at the girl for several moments before finally asking, "Who was he?"
Who was he?
The question struck her like an unpleasant epiphany. How would she answer without giving everything away? Surely the Gotei 13 already knew about him—his rank, his power, some of his abilities. But they would never know of his inquisitiveness, his loyalty, his dutifulness, his astuteness, and above all, the fact that his nature seemed to have evolved over time and with his dying breath. Who did he become? was the question that interested Orihime far more. She almost sobbed when she realized she would never discover the answer to Nemu's question.
The vice-captain peered down at her notebook and scribbled.
After a bit more difficulty, Orihime continued, "An Espada approached me… Ulquiorra Schiffer. I later discovered his rank was 4. He was very powerful. He watched over me the whole time I was in Hueco Mundo. He saved my life once, when I was bitten by something and almost died. His job was to make sure I stayed unharmed."
Nemu was furiously writing in her notebook at this, and Orihime bit her bottom lip. Was that too obvious?
"So you were never harmed by anyone in Hueco Mundo?"
Orihime did not answer.
"You must answer the question."
"Yes. But only a few days ago, when Ulquiorra was away."
"A few days ago? Was this during the battle with the shinigami?"
Orihime paused for a long while before she finally answered, "Yes. When he was fighting Kurosaki-kun."
Nemu scribbled some more and then asked, "Why did you leave the human world?"
Orihime gave the floor a long, hard look. "When Ulquiorra first approached me, he told me that if I did not come with him, Aizen-sa…Aizen would kill all of my friends. I did not want to put anyone in danger. I did not see a way out, so I cooperated."
Nemu raised her brows again at the steady needle on the machine, her pen flying.
.oOo.
"The reports indicate that, initially, she was indeed a prisoner," Nemu explained to her father after he had inquired after the results of the report. By the end of the interrogation, Orihime and Nemu had recorded almost six hours of conversation and well over fifty pages of notes.
"Initially? Let me see that," Mayuri crooned as he snatched the notes from Nemu. His eyes sped through the pages of text-like handwriting.
He grunted here and there as he read, finally stopping to ask about Orihime's arrangement to be trained.
"This information is damning for the girl. It says here she agreed to work for Aizen."
"Yes. She had some trouble admitting to this. It was difficult to get information as she cried throughout the interrogation."
"Guilt," Mayuri surmised. He continued reading. "What's this difficulty she keeps having each time she talks about this…Espada-caretaker?"
"I don't know, sir. Each time the subject came up, it was progressively more difficult getting her to talk about her role in Las Noches."
"Did she develop some sort of attachment to this hollow? Hnh! How foolish."
"She never mentioned anything like that, sir."
He turned back to the report, and after more pages of reading, he spotted something far more intriguing. The exact sort of thing he was looking for when he ordered Nemu to go against Seireitei's standard protocol and interrogate Orihime. His tactics had the tendency to extract more information than the usual methods.
"The details about the battle between the substitute shinigami and the Fourth Espada are vague—but what is this?" Mayuri drew the paper closer to his face. "A second release? Espada are capable of such things?"
"It would appear so. It was the most difficult getting her to talk about the final battle, which explains the vague details. I had to ask her three times about it. The caretaker-hollow was utterly destroyed."
"Perhaps," Mayuri replied, his voice low and his eyes still glued to the page.
"Sir?"
"She may have been used as bait for the war, but she has great regenerative capability. She doesn't heal. She reverses time. The contract she signed—she is beholden to us for at least one significant favor. I must know how a hollow could achieve a second release. It might be what we need to complete the Garganta seal. And with her relationship to this hollow…" his voice trailed off.
"What are you suggesting, sir?"
But Mayuri did not answer her. He merely turned on his heels and headed to his laboratory, the wheels in his head turning.
Author's Note: Over 100 reviews and favorites! Thanks, everyone! I should probably mention that I have not been really keeping up with Bleach since after the Karakura Town arc. I started writing this story five years ago, before that arc ended in the anime. I had the plot mostly planned out during a time when the fandom was still speculating about Ulquiorra's return. So you'll forgive me if the plot diverges from hardcore canon after this point (i.e., not going to incorporate Fullbring.). I hope you'll continue reading for the sake of UlquiHime. I'm pretty excited about what's going to happen! Happy reading.
