Sorry for the wait. I really care about this story…. But stuff like life got me hard haha…. Don't worry I will finish this story to the end. But thank you for your patience. Any comments and opinions are welcomed! Thanks for all the support.

I just finished my other story Melon Candy so check it out!

Love you all!

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Chapter 5: Sweet Apples

It started with a slight tingle with were his appendages should have been. There was no pain, but more of a quiver going throughout his core. His body felt warmth like none other before. His gaze was fixated on his arm as veins and muscle returned connecting his limb once again. Soon his milk white skin covered over the flesh. His arm was back. Looking down his saw that his leg was starting the same process. Ulquiorra watched on as he saw his blood starting to disappear from the ground. The black pool they sat in before was no more then rocky grass.

He was not harmed nor did he turn into ash upon her healing. He was engulfed in her powers like any normal person. Ulquiorra didn't know how to process this. It was suppose to be impossible. She can do it…. She can heal us all…

After the last bit of his body was restored, Orihime bent over with her hands on the ground, the light vanished immediately. She was trying to catch her breath. Never in all her practice had she mended so much on a living creature. It seemed that living-moving organisms completely strain her. Her body felt empty as if her life force had been removed forcefully. She wanted to collapse.

Ulquiorra remained silent as she observed the woman. She had become pale and had said nothing. The only sound that was heard around them was Orihime's deep and frantic breaths.

"Are….uhh…you okay?" She managed to choke out between pants.

Ulquiorra continued his silence. He looked down at his newly restored arm and leg. He felt as light as air. However, he was still in disbelief. The light kills the dark and the dark kills the light. He could not fathom how this was possible. It was baffling. She continued to stare at him waiting for some sort of confirmation on his status. Feeling her eye on him Ulquiorra finally responded.

"I am okay, girl…." He said in a hushed voice. Orihime used her last bit of strength to smile. Within seconds, she had passed out. Ulquiorra sat there not knowing what to do. He couldn't touch her so moving her wasn't an option. He just watched as she quietly slept next to him. Her red hair blanketed the forest floor that only moments ago, was covered in blood. He watched as her body softly rose up and down as she took shallow breaths. He sat and watched with his head full of nonsense. Shaking his head he turned his emerald eyes into the black of the woods. He had to come up with a plan. The caves were impossible now. He couldn't risk her having another episode and destroying the mountain from within. The horse was also nowhere to be seen. However, the stallion wasn't near Orihime when it happened, so he suspected it had run away scared. He thought of finding it, but it didn't feel right to leave her alone.

What if she awakens when I am gone? Was how he reasoned with himself to keep sitting beside her. Ulquiorra closed his eyes trying to find any solution. No horse and no caves. A human doesn't possess incredible speed. He couldn't be in the sun. Ulquiorra sighed. The journey would be longer then expected. This was very inconvenient. It was then that he heard the girl stir next to him

"How long was I out for?" Orihime said almost as if she was embarrassed. She looked tired. Orihime could have sworn there was a look of astonishment upon his never changing face.

"Only a few minutes." He responded dryly. He broke eye contact instantly.

"I am sorry… I guess I used my powers too quickly. I…" She paused not knowing what to say. She was still in disbelief. She had destroyed everything around her without meaning to do so. What also stunned her was the fact she had healed him. Her eyes looked at his arm and leg. It was hard to imagine moments ago they were both torn flesh and blood. His cream white skin didn't even have a scratch. Her eye focused on how smooth it's appearance was. It was then that Orihime realized he didn't have his cloak on. She was almost taken back to how normal he had looked. No wing, scales, or tail. His body looked of a fit human man. He wore all black from his tunic, which was similar to the males in her village, to his pants and laced up boots. His clothes seemed to be more form fitting and it showed off his physique. He was thin but Orihime could tell his was very toned. Ulquiorra noticed her eyes tracing his body and decided to break the silence.

"Can you move?" He expected her eyes to meet his, but she continued to look at his body and gave a small nod to his question. Her lingering looks left a sharp pain in his chest. Becoming uncomfortable with the throbbing, he stood. Orihime finally broke her gaze and followed suit with a slight blush on her cheeks.

"What are we going to do?" she asked coming back to her senses. She looked around taking in her surrounding. It really looked like nothing happened. However, something was missing. Her eyes grew larger. Ulquiorra without hearing her say a word knew what she was about to panic over.

" Your horse ran away…" after seeing her relax, he continued. "We cannot travel by cave system anymore. We only have the option of traveling on foot close to the mountains. Gather your things. We have lost precious night." His voice came out more annoyed then intended. He just wanted the constant thumping in his body to stop. He turned on his heel and headed back to the cave he was in before. Although probably destroyed, he had no doubt that his cloak was restored along with everything else.

Orihime slowly got up. Her body still felt heavy. She didn't dare tell him she needed to rest more. Everything was her fault. She decided to just stay quiet. She was sure she had aggravated him. Orihime went to gather her bag and sword. She thanked her lucky stars that she had taken it off the horse earlier. Ulquiorra was waiting for her by the cave entrance with his cloak back on, leaving Orihime slightly disappointed.

Without anything being said, they both started on their journey.

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The sun was just above the horizon. The people on watch had started to come down from the towers to rest for the day. Soon no one would be watching for any unusual movement. For a brief moment in time the Light village was completely unguarded. This was his moment. He had packed his bags and was fully ready for his aimless guest. He knew she was out there. He knew she was alive. The village leaders weren't going to give their support but that didn't mean he couldn't look on his own. He had to find her.

" Where are you going?"

Uryu turned around and saw his childhood friends staring at him; Ichigo, Rukia, Renji, and Izuru.

" I was…." His voice trailed off. He had been friends with all of them since they were young. He couldn't lie his way out of this one. "I need to find Orihime….I know she is out there and not with them."

There was an exchange of looks between his friends. They all loved Orihime, too. But the village leader had said some pretty serious accusations towards her. They were told she had sided with the Darkness and will help them destroy the village. It was hard to swallow. After seeing her powers on the battlefield that day they didn't even know what to think.

"Uryu…" Izuru spoke cautiously. "We know how much you care for her…." He paused again to try and find the correct words. Uryu continued to stare at his blonde friend. "It is just hard to wrap our heads around what the village leaders had said...and…and what so many of us saw that night"

Uryu narrowed his eyes. "Do you honestly believe them? Do you think Orihime is the type of person who would help her enemy? I will admit seeing her powers were shocking but this is Orihime…And If you recall she was healing Sora…healing him. Do you understand how important that can be?"

Unable to match his friend's look, Izuru looked away. Uryu let out a long and hard sigh. "I am going and all of you cannot stop me from doing so."

"Wait!" A short black haired petite woman grabbed Uryu's arm. "I am coming with you!"

"Rukia what are you doing?" Ichigo intersected. He was feeling very conflicted on the whole matter himself. He believed in Orihime but he didn't want to risk his future wife's life or his own to find answers.

"Listen…I know you guys have your doubts…. but Uryu is right. Do we really think Orihime would do such a thing? I for one would rather confront her then be a little coward in a corner being ignorant on the subject. So I am going with. How about you? Get answers or stay behind?"

Ichigo stared back at Rukia. In all the years they had been together she was always right. She was strong willed and courageous; part of the reason they were to marry. However, it was hard to shake the feeling in his gut. He had a bad feeling about it all.

"Rukia it may be very dangerous…." Ichigo hated how cowardly he sounded. He just couldn't bare the thought of anything happening to her.

"I am not asking any of you to come. I am going to find the women I love." Uryu was getting annoyed at his friends for delaying his journey. It was going to be risky but somehow that didn't matter to him. Orihime was what mattered.

"5 days….Let's look for 5 days. If she is still alive we can track her. Renji, Uryu, and I are hunters. It should be easy with us three. And after 5 days we will return back home. Is this agreeable with you Rukia?" Ichigo tried to compromise. Setting a time limit seemed best. Unlike Uryu, who would probably search for weeks. He looked down at Rukia as she mulled things over.

"Okay. Let's go…" I can keep these men in line...Other then Ichigo, Renji is the next best hunter. Uryu is great at tracking. And Izuru….Izuru is…. a good cook. "Renji you in?" Rukia looked at her tall bright red haired friend.

"Yea. Why not"

"Izuru?" Rukia had her doubts. The blonde haired fidgeted around a little before he gave a nod in agreement.

"Fine. Whatever. You all have 10 minutes to go gather your things before I leave. I have already wasted time."

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"I think I am finally used to this routine." Orihime smiled as she met Ulquiorra by the cave opening. The sun had just gone down and it was time for them to be on their way. They had been traveling for a week already. They stayed close to the mountains and traveled from dusk till dawn. During the day, Ulquiorra would go into the caves and Orihime would take care of her needs and sleep. Today was the first day she didn't feel exhausted. Orihime found herself looking forward to when the sunset more and more as the week went on. Ulquiorra was a man of few words but he was a good listener. Orihime must have spent three days alone just telling him about her brother Sora. She didn't realize how much she needed that. It felt good to talk about him. It made her emotions feel more stable. Their conversations were usually random or just small talk. Or they walked in silence. It wasn't awkward but comforting just knowing he was walking near her.

Tonight Orihime was feeling curious. She had held off asking anything serious or direct questions about him or the purpose of their meeting. She walked behind him holding an apple she had gathered before sunset.

"So you don't eat right?" Orihime questioned him as they walked. She hadn't seem him eat or drink anything since they had met.

"I do not acquire food to live." Ulquiorra said in his usual short manner.

"Ehhh…That is kind of sad. There is so many delicious food out there…but you can eat food though?" Orihime went through all of her favorites in her mind. It started to depress her. Although she found food in the forest there was hardly a diverse menu.

"I am not human. So what may be delicious to you may taste repulsive to me."

"Have you had an apple before?"

"No"

"… Do you want to try" Orihime asked in a very sweet voice. Her interest was in full swing. Asking him seemed crazy to her but she wanted to try.

Ulquiorra stopped walking and looked at the girl. He had noticed a slight change in her today. Her big gray eyes seemed to shine even more in the moonlight. He felt very confused for some reason.

"You want me to eat the apple?" Ulquiorra said dryly.

"Take a bite! Maybe you will like it…unless human food will make you sick…"

Ulquiorra closed his eyes. I want to appease this girl? Ridiculous. Despite his thoughts, he found himself moving closer to her. The closer he got the more her eyes shone and smile grew. He stopped about a foot away from her. His eyes were fixated on her. She slowly raised her hand that held the apple. She was surprised he was going to do it. It made her heart beat so loud she was sure he heard. He lowered his head not once breaking eye contact. He carefully, making sure not to make contact with her hand, he bit a small piece off. The juices ran down his throat and an indescribable taste filled his mouth. He chewed slowly. He prodded his tongue to figure out the flavor. It was pleasant. Probably the most pleasant taste he had ever encountered. Orihime watched him as he chewed painfully slow. She was excited to find out if he liked it or not. If she was not mistaken he seemed confused.

"So…" She questioned. "How is it?"

"I don't know this taste. I know you have words like bitter, salty or sour. However, I don't know which is which."

Orihime held in a giggle. He was so serious. Ulquiorra stared at her hard. He was waiting for her to tell him.

"It is sweet a sweet taste. The apple is sweet. Have your never before?"

"So this is the taste sweet…. It isn't completely nauseating."

"Would you like some more?" Orihime held the apple up again. Secretly, she waited to see his facial expressions change again. She found it so interesting.

"No. There is no point wasting your food. I am not human so I it is not essential to my livelihood. Have you forgotten?"

Orihime stopped as she listened to his statement. He had mentioned the fact he was far from human a few times now. She finally felt confidence enough to ask him more personal questions. "Then what exactly are you?"

"What did they teach you in that school of yours?" Ulquiorra quip back.

"Well…They said you were…demons. You ate us…strong and fast. Can kill us by a black smoke. The one weakness is light…. That is pretty much what we were taught." Orihime waiting for his response hoping he wouldn't be offended.

"We don't eat humans. That is preposterous accusation that your village had fabricated." Ulquiorra spat at the very mention of it. Those humans are ridiculous. Did she think the same things? Before he could ask her, Orihime let out a slight little laugh.

"You know… I didn't really buy into that. Never seen a bite mark or proof that people were getting eaten. To be honest I was always curious…"

Ulquiorra felt that pain in his chest again. Rubbing it to make it go away, he decided to reward her. "We cannot die by natural causes or grow old. Our bodies can regenerate themselves depending on the injury. We move faster then a mere human would and our strength is unmatched. Our appearances, despite my own, do not vary too much from a "human". But a human we are not. I came into this world such as I am about 300 years ago."

"So…." Orihime fell silent again. "You were born just like that?" She was slightly at awe about him reveling his age. He looked to be in his early 20's. So handsome…

"I wouldn't say born. I was created. All of us were by Lord Aizen"

"Is lord Aizen your leader?" Orihime questioned him curiously. Ulquiorra stared at the girl to make sure she wasn't trying to be silly. Nonetheless, she waited for his answer earnestly.

"You do not know who lord Aizen is? His name is not unknown or some secret…. do you know nothing of the history?"

"Isn't obvious that I don't? I don't even know what my powers mean or why the Darkness would want me…"

Ulquiorra had thought of the possibility she knew little. Yet, this was beyond his expectation. "Lord Aizen is our leader. The Light village sworn enemy. We are all under his command. I am extremely certain your village leaders know his name. They must have kept it from you specify or your generation…"

Orihime let this new information sink in. It was highly likely they kept it from her. They seemed to withhold a lot of information. Lord Aizen must be the person who wanted her. He is the one who sent Ulquiorra to get her.

"So…Lord Aizen…why does he need me?" Orihime held her breath. In her 18 years of life she would finally get a direct answer.

"Simply speaking… you are the healer. Your powers transcend the people in your village. Only a few have ever been born in the past couple hundred years." Ulquiorra said flatly. She knew her powers were more dominant then others. The label healer was new but it was due to her being able to restore objects. However, Orihime was still confused what that had to do with the Darkness at all.

"Why does Lord Aizen want me then? My powers, if anything, should be a huge threat to him… you call me a healer? What can I heal? You said you can self regenerate."

Ulquiorra faced Orihime and stared deep into her eyes again. He voice was crisp and deep.

"Only you have the power to remove the curse put upon us."

Shocked, Orihime eyes widened. "A curse?" she proclaimed louder then expected.

"We have been cursed to live in these lesser forms in unending darkness for 300 years. Now, we want to regain are original selves and step into the light."