AN:/ Well, here's another chapter that you guys have been waiting for. I tried to teach myself Italian, but my scehdule wouldn't give me the time to do so, which is the reason why I didn't update, but I do hope that you enjoy it. I did use google translate so sorry if it's wrong for those who speak italian.

Chapter 27: Back to Work

Their little break was over and it was time to go back work. Ulquiorra was in the last stage of his cold when they had to go back to work. Eric and the team were eating in the hotel restaurant discussing the second part of the competition. Ulquiorra was just finishing off his soothing ginger tea before he took his medicine. He gave it to Eric and listened to the ideas going around the table.

"We still have to follow the same plans that we had for the paper building challenge. I think, we should have to computerized examples of the building. One, that is what the outside and inside is going to look like under construction and second, how it's going to look all complete," Mark explained.

"I see what you are talking about and I agree but what do you mean about the 'under construction' part. Do you want it to be like the blueprints?" Josh asked.

"That's exactly what I'm saying. We need to make it look like a half completed version of the construction process on the blueprints; who's good in computers?"

"Adam's a genius with computers, but he was called back home until Thursday afternoon," Eric replied, shoving food in his mouth.

"Why was he called?"

"His building collapsed during construction because a kid decided to do some graffiti on the beams and one of the beams that fell wasn't stable and fell,"Eric explained, grimacing at the food.

"The kid is okay, right?"

"What? oh, yeah the kid is fine but Adam has to start all over again which sucks because we need him for this part of the competition."

With Adam gone until Thursday, the Sckulars team was on a standstill because of the guidelines of the competition, they need 10 people and right now they had to think of a solution. Ulquiorra pushed away his plate and continued to drink his tea, thinking about how to solve this predicament that they were in. The first person that came to mind was Urahara Kisuke, the ex-shinigami, but he crossed him out. He might be a scientist but he's an enemy and Aizen-sama might kill him before finishing his mission. Then he thought of his 'brother' Szayel since he was great at computers also, but Ulquiorra didn't know if he was fighting at the moment. He could feel the spiritual pressures from his siblings and from the shinigami's. Ulquiorra could already tell that there was a shield around Karakura Town and Tokyo while he was going through the competition, but he was wondering about Orihime. He didn't know if she was protected from the fight.

"What did you say, Ulquiorra?" Mark asked him, leaning in a bit closer than usual.

"I was thinking about if we could ask for outside help. I could ask one of my brother's if they could help us with this part of the competition," Ulquiorra answered, but scooted his seat back from Mark's close proximity.

" The rules state that 'if one of the contestants is gone for whatever reason, the teams does have a right to use an outside source that is not from any of yours or other construction companies to attend, but if the one of the contestants that have left can also help through communication with his/ her teammates,'" Tom read out loud, "so we can bring in outside help and have Adam communicate with us on how to do the computerization."

"Call your brother, Ulquiorra. I don't think Adam will have enough time to give us directions on this assignment," Mick said. Everyone agreed with Mick because when it comes to rebuilding that collapsed is mind exhausting and disrupts mental/emotional health.

"What about the loophole? What does that say?" Ulquiorra asked, with crossed arms. Mark and Eric gazed at him with a little-concerned look.

"What do you mean by that Ulquiorra?"

"In every made contract there is something that is called a loophole. A loophole is an ambiguity or inadequacy in the law or a set of rules, in short it's a clause that gives conditions to not do it. That's why I ask about the loophole. If I do call my brother then that loophole might say that would make us want to change our minds," Ulquiorra instructed.

"Oh," Mark and Eric said. "what does the loophole say?"

"Hold on, lemme find it right quick. Here it is, 'when there is someone from the outside help out, you need to pay them out of your own pockets.'

….!

"So, we'll have to pay his brother to help us with this assignment?" Nick asked.

"Yup."

"Out of our own pocket?" John asked, with a raised eyebrow.

"Yup."

There was silence from all the men. It was something that no one has done before and wasn't going to risk, but it might get them disqualified if they don't do it. Ulquiorra gazed around at each face of his teammates and wondered how long does it take to make a decision. He closed his eyes and waited for them to make an easy decision. After fifteen minutes, they finally decided to take the risk even if it means money out of their pocket. Ulquiorra grabbed his phone and dialed his 'brother's' number.

"Hello, this Szayel and what do you want that is soo important to interrupt me from an important experiment?"

Ulquiorra was about to speak when he heard a loud bang in the background.

"LUMINA YOU IDIOT! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU NOT TO DANCE IN THE LAB!" Szayel yelled. "I swear, I'm going to dissect and kill you if you don't stay still. Now, what do you want?"

"Szayel, yes it's me Ulquiorra. We need your help with something over here. Do you have time to come?"

"Yes, of course, I do brother, but what do I get from helping you?"

"What do you want?"

"I want some samples from your colleagues and chocolate bonbons from Italy," Szayel bargained.

"..I'll ask them the first part." Ulquiorra moved the phone from his ear and asked, "Is it okay if he take some samples from you?" He knew that he had to call Orihime, is she wasn't too busy, to send him some bonbons.

"WHAT!"

~...~

"Lift your head a bit, signorina. Yes, just like that, now hold it for three shots."

Clicks from the camera were going off every few seconds. Orihime was wearing a lite blue flowy see-through bathing suit covering over a ruby red bikini. They were doing the shoot on the Chiavari beach. It was a beautiful beach. The water was a clear blue and so tranquil. The sunlight was glistening on the water and it reflected on the sand. The light made the sand look like glass that just came out of the oven to cool. The wind started blowing to finish polishing the sand and giving the final touches to Orihime's photoshoot by gently combing her hair and lifting the hem of the covering up so it could make her look more like a goddess walking on the beach to get away from the other Gods.

Murcielago was sitting on Anthony lap watching attentively to Orihime shifting from one outfit to another and another that was part of some story which he presumed was for a book cover, but he was shocked that Orihime was doing amazing at modeling like she is with being a Doctor. He was proud of his 'mother' and he hoped his master would be as proud of her as much he was.

"She has one more designer to go and then you two can tour the city than later in the night she has to model for the five designers," Anthony said with a smile on his face.

Murcielago could tell that Orihime's manager was a little tired from sitting for a long time. He could understand that much, but Orihime should be the very tired one since she's been standing and constantly moving around from 6:23 this morning. Murcielago decided to nod with an excited smile and turned back to give Orihime all of his attention and support. A very tired Orihime was glad that she had only one more designer to go because she really had to go to the bathroom. She's been holding it since the twenty-something snapshot.

'Oh please please, hurry up so I can go to the bathroom,' she thought.

"We're good. Great job everybody."

"Thank you, everyone," Orihime bowed and rushed straight to the bathroom.

Murcielago followed her with her normal clothes in hand. Anthony was talking to the Art Director and Orihime came out from the bathroom with her normal clothes in and walked towards her rented car with Murcielago in hand. She was ready to start gazing and shopping around town before going back to work later in the night, but she had one more designer to go to and then it's time to shop. Her phone started ringing right after she turned right on Via Aurelia street. Murcielago went into her purse to grab the phone and handed it to her. Orihime put it on speaker and answered;

"Hi, Anthony. Is there something you need?"

"Yes, you kind of left me behind," Anthony replied with a laugh.

"...oh my god, I'm sorry. I'll turn around right now and get you," Orihime panicked.

"Don't turn around, just stop the car so I can get in."

"Okay, but why shouldn't I turn back?" She stopped the car still wondering why she had to stop.

"Because I'm right outside the vehicle."

The back car door opened and a sweaty Anthony came in. Orihime glanced at him with a worried look. Anthony waved her off and started to enjoy the air conditioning. Orihime started driving again and the car was silent. Anthony felt a little bit better and started doing some work on his phone pad. He checked the schedule for the day and made sure that they were on the right path to the next job. Orihime was listening to the GPS and watching the road trying to remember what Anthony told her on the plane here.

"Turn left here," said the GPS voice.

Orihime turned and continued driving, still gazing around to see if the cops were around. Seeing that there was none, she breathed out in relief from the fear of getting a ticket or going to jail. The drive was almost over and Anthony started getting ready to get out of the car. They made it to the next job. They got out of the car and Orihime was lead by an assistant of the designer to a tent so they could get her ready. Anthony went to find the photographer to discuss the theme of the shoot. Murcielago followed Orihime into the tent and sat hoe her lap and watched as she got prepped for the shoot. The makeup artist started fixing her face with light concealer and eyeshadow. The hairstylist started curling Orihime's hair with the big curling iron that would give the wavy look. Murcielago got a little bored and started playing games on her phone again. A little bit over five minutes later, Orihime's hair and makeup were finished and she had to get dressed. She placed Murcielago on the floor and went to get dress.

"Siamo pronti per lei ora," said the photographer. Orihime came out from behind the tent flap all dressed in a silver gown. She removed an imaginary dust particle nervously from all the attention she was getting. The photographer motioned her to hurry and come with him to the site and get started. She followed and started working. The site was in the Milan's Bosco Verticale that has a built in forest inside. Orihime was placed in the middle of two trees.

"Agire come una ninfa che esce dal bosco," explained the man.

There wasn't an interpreter on site to translate so Orihime was at a lost. Her eyes shined with confusion and stared at Anthony for help. He bought out his phone, searching for his translator app. When it was found, he gave it to the photographer to have him use. The photographer repeated what he had said before and it was translated to Japanese. After hearing the translation, Orihime did what was instructed. She came from out of the woods; gazing around with an innocent curiosity.

"Bravo, dammi un po 'più di emozione per farmi credere che eri una ninfa."

Orihime did what she was told and got some praise. An hour went by and Orihime was still modeling in the same clothes before the photographer got bored and told her to change. While she was away getting changed, her phone started to ring. Murcielago was quite upset about being interrupted from his gaming, but when he saw it was his master; he got excited. He was jumping up and down on Anthony's lap with pure excitement that he forgot to answer the phone. "Hello, 'daddy'," Murcielago answered with a cheer.

"Hello Murcielago, is Orihime around by chance? I have a favor to ask of her," Ulquiorra said, ignoring the 'daddy' part.

"She's getting dressed at the moment, but maybe I can help."

"...Is Mr. Anthony with you?"

"Yup, he's right here. Do you want to talk to him?"

"Yes, give him the phone for a moment."

"Okay." He turned around to see Anthony watching him with a smile. Murcielago raised the phone at him and said, "Daddy wants to talk to you."

Anthony raised an eyebrow of contemplating. He took the phone from Murcielago and placed it on his ear. "Hello Mr. Schiffer, how can I help you?"

"I have a favor to ask of you. Since, Orihime is busy at the moment you're the only person that is available right now."

"Gee thanks. It's good to know that I'm second to your wife," Anthony said sarcastically.

"..Why would you be first?" Anthony laughed nervously from Ulquiorra not understanding his sarcasm.

"What's so amusing?" Ulquiorra asked.

"Nothing. How can I serve you today?"

"I need some chocolate bonbons from where you are. If they have different varieties get them as much as you can carry," Ulquiorra replied, "You can use the GOLD card that is in Orihime's purse." Murcielago went inside Orihime's purse and grabbed the GOLD card from her wallet and put it in his pocket. Anthony's mouth dropped open from shock from seeing Murcielago going into Orihime's purse and wallet to get the card and placed it in his pocket.

"Um, okay. Will do and is there anything else you want me to do?" There was a pause on the other line. The only thing that Anthony heard was murmurs and someone sighed with agitation.

"The chocolates need to be filled with cherries and caramel."

"Okay."

"Thank you. I'll call you later about where to leave the chocolates, Have a nice day."

Anthony heard him disconnect and he stared at the little devil of a child who went inside his mother's purse. Murcielago stared at him with an innocent smile. Before he could reprimand Murcielago, Orihime just came out of the dressing room wearing a dress made with periwinkle yellow flower petals with a green leaf hoodie. She looked stunning and Anthony couldn't help himself and took a secret photo of her so he could send it to Ulquiorra later. He waved her over to him.

"I have to go somewhere right quick and I'll be back before this is over," he told her. "Is it okay if I take Murcielago with me?"

"Sure, be careful and don't worry I won't let you down while you're away," Orihime said with determination. Anthony smiled at his clients willpower and was glad that she was so refreshing and so optimistic.

"Murcielago, stay with Anthony and don't go off on your own, okay," Orihime ordered. "If I hear that you did, I will be very upset with you; understand."

Murcielago nodded and gave her hug before she went back to work. Anthony carried Murcielago to the car and placed him in his car seat. He got in the driver's seat and started driving. He tried to remember the place that he and his wife went to on their honeymoon, but it was a lost to him. He decided to call his wife but he sadly realized that he still had Orihime's phone and not his. Instead of calling his wife with Orihime's phone, he decided to use the GPS to help him. It gave him different shops but it didn't have a ding in his head until it came to Gay Odin. He picked that one, gave Murcielago Orihime's phone so he could finish playing his game, and followed the directions that the GPS gave him. It took him some time to get there because he was looking for the speed limit sign since he was on the open road, but he finally made it after an hour or so.

The place wasn't that packed because it was three hours away from closing so they had to hurry up and buy the chocolates before they were kicked out. Anthony walked in with Murcielago in hand. The first thing that hit them was the smell of chocolate wafting in the air from the kitchen. Their mouths were watering and their stomachs wanted a little snack and it was chocolate it wanted. Murcielago never had chocolate before and he was very curious about how it was made. He wanted to explore the shop but he promised Orihime that he would be good and that was what he was going to do.

"Ciao, come posso aiutarla due oggi?" asked the clerk. Since Orihime hd his phone, Anthony couldn't understand what the clerk was saying so he went on translation website on Orihime's phone.

"I'm sorry, but I don't speak Italian but can you text it and the website will translate it to me so I can understand what you're telling me?" Anthony asked. The clerk understood and repeated what he said and the wensite translated it for Anothny and Murcielaogo.

"Yes, we're looking for some filled bon bon chocolates," Anthony said with a smile.

"Purtroppo , non vendiamo bon bons , ma noi abbiamo un cioccolato che è vicino ad esso se volete posso mostrarvi quelli."

"Okay, sure."

The clerk came from behind the counter and lead them over to their featured casing of chocolates of different kinds. He showed them the chocolates that he was told them about. They were similar to bonbons but the color texture wasn't. It was darker but also lighter. Anthony watched closely at the chocolates with amazement. They were a lot different than the chocolates from Japan and America.

"Questi sono i cioccolatini che sono simili al bon bons . Scricchiolio è ciò che essi sono chiamati . Hanno diversa consistenza e il sapore è più fusione per il ripieno all'interno del guscio di cioccolato," explained the clerk. He took out the cases with care like they were glass. Anthony did agree with the clerk that the chocolates were different and seem more delicate than they should be.

"How do they taste? Are they heavier or lighter than others?" Anthony asked.

"Più ariosa e luminosa più cioccolato è per questo che li trattiamo con le mani delicate," respond the clerk.

"Do you have some that are filled with caramel and cherries?"

"Sì, noi abbiamo otturazioni in diverse varietà e diversi tipi di conchiglie di cioccolato . Quali vuoi acquistare?"

"Yes, but not in white chocolate, six variety boxes filled with the cherry and caramel filled and two boxes of your variety with all of them in it," Anthony ordered,

"The two boxes are a separate order and will be shipped to Japan."

"Si signore, lo farà. Se si prega di venire in questo modo e si ottiene il vostro cammino."

They went back to the counter and the clerk setup them up with their purchasing. Anthony told him the address to send the two boxes at and paid for that one with his credit card and Murcielago paid the six boxes with Orihime's card. After the purchases were set, the clerk handed them three small gift bags that were filled with samplers of chocolates.

"Grazie per la compera al Gay Odin. Qui è un regalo da noi e avere una bella serata," he said with a smile.

"Thank you and have nice day. What do you say to this nice gentlemen, Murcielago?"

"Thank you sir," Murcielago said chipperly. The clerk smiled at him and they left the shop before the owner locked the door. When they got back in the car, Orihime's phone started to ring. Murcielago already knew who it was and gave the phone to Anthony.

"Hello."

"Are you in the car?" Ulquiorra asked.

"Yes, I am. Why does that have to do wi..aah," Anthony screamed in shocked from seeing an unknown ball shaped person staring at him with a creepy smile on its face.

"By your screams, you just met Verona. Don't be alarmed, he's only there to get the chocolates. He will hand you a freezing container that is at the temperature for the chocolates to be in. Give it back to him when your done and he'll leave before you take a second look," Ulquiorra ordered.

Verona was panting like he ran 100-meter marathon and his tongue was out of his mouth. He handed Anthony the container and Murcielago handed Anthony the chocolates. He opened the container and the cold air hit him like a blizzard. The cooler was below 70 degrees which the chocolates need to stay in their shape and to have the blending process stable. Anthony put the six boxes in the cooler, closed it and gave it back to Verona. Verona smiled in thanks and left before Anthony could blink.

"Thank you for your help." Ulquiorra said and hanged up.

Anthony stared at the phone for a bit and wondered what kind family Orihime is married into. He gazed at the time and saw that it was almost time for Orihime to be finished so started driving towards the way they came. When they got back, Orihime was just coming out of the dressing room in her regular clothing. Anthony turned to see if Murcielago was still awake, but he wasn't. He was sound a sleep. Anthony smiled and went to the Creative Director to have the pictures so he could them to Ulquiorra. Orihime was already in the car when Anthony came back.

"Here you go. You can eat them later or now but their very good," Anthony said giving her the bag of chocolate samples. Orihime took the bag from him and ate one. She was in heaven. The chocolate had a very airy taste but it was so good that she melted in her seat.

"This is so gooood," she moaned.

"I'm glad that you like it. Now, let's take you back to the hotel so you can rest."

~...~

"When is your brother coming," Mark asked Ulquiorra. They were at the airport waiting for Szayel to get there, but he was taking his sweet time getting there.

"I never know when it comes to him. He is a mystery to me," Ulquiorra answered. His team just stared at him with confusion looks.

"How can you not know your own brother?"

"My father has a lot of children and we don't get along very well so what do you expect from 'siblings?'" Ulquiorra asked honestly.

No one said anything to that. They became silent once more and waited for Szayel. Ulquiorra was the first one to notice the pink hair of his brother and he could sense that Verona was coming with the precious package that meant the world to Szayel. Ulquiorra raised his spiritual pressure to direct Szayel to his location. He heard frightened gasps from his teammates. He turned to see Verona standing right next to him with his creepy tongue out the smile and holding the prize in his arms.

"Ulquiorra, brother, it's nice to see you," Szayel purred with falseness.

"Szayel, you have what we need?" Ulquiorra asked.

"Just like you, getting down to business. Yes, I do have your prints and evidence that I've been working on it and since we're getting down to business. Do you have my 'payment'?"

Ulquiorra eyed Verona, gave him a nod and placed nine small bags of hair samples from his team on top of the cooler lid. Verona walked towards his master and handed him the package. The smile on Szayel's face could make a child cry and run to their mothers. The backs on the guys back felt cold and stiff. Ulquiorra waited for his brother and was unaffected by his brother's smile. All that mattered was that they win and he could go back home to have a real meal from Orihime. Lumina gave Ulquiorra the blueprints and a video of Szayel working on the project.

"Well, it was a pleasure gentlemen and thank you. Now, I must go and help the family with the rat issue," Szayel said with a grateful nod and left before they could take a breathe. The guys mouth was opened in shock while Ulquiorra waited for them to get over the fact of his brother disappearing that fast.

"Are you ready to go yet?"

AN:/ Please review and Happy New Years.

"Ciao, come posso aiutarla due oggi?"- Hello, how can I help you two today?

"siamo pronti per lei ora" -we are ready for her now!

"agire come una ninfa che esce dal bosco" -act as a nymph ( coming) out of the woods

"bravo, dammi un po 'più di emozione per farmi credere che eri una ninfa" -bravo, give me a little more emotion to make me believe you were a nymph.

"Purtroppo , non vendiamo bon bons , ma noi abbiamo un cioccolato che è vicino ad esso se volete posso mostrarvi quelli" -Sadly, we don't sell bon bons but we do have a chocolate that is close to it if you want I can show you those.

"Questi sono i cioccolatini che sono simili al bon bons . Scricchiolio è ciò che essi sono chiamati . Hanno diversa consistenza e il sapore è più fusione per il ripieno all'interno del guscio di cioccolato" - These are the chocolates that are similar to the bon bons. Creaking is what they are named. They do have different texture and the taste is more blending to the filling inside the chocolate shell.

"Più ariosa e luminosa più cioccolato è per questo che li trattiamo con le mani delicate" -More airy and light them most chocolates which is why we treat them with delicate hands.

"Sì , noi abbiamo otturazioni in diverse varietà e diversi tipi di conchiglie di cioccolato . Quali vuoi acquistare?" -Yes, we do have fillings in different varieties and different sorts of chocolate shells. Which ones do you want to purchase?

"signore, lo farà . Se si prega di venire in questo modo e si ottiene il vostro cammino" -Yes sir, will do. If you please come this way and get you on your way.

"Grazie per la compera al Gay Odin. Qui è un regalo da noi e avere una bella serata" -Thank you for shopping at Gay Odin. Here is a gift from us and have a nice evening.

*Bosco Verticale is still being planned in Milan at the moment, but since this is fiction it's finished in this story.