Hey guys! Thanks to everyone who reviewed, liked, and followed my story! I am so Thankful!

I want to make clear that I am going by 3 years in Middle school and 3 years in High school.

ALSO after planning out this story it will be more then 10 chapters long! Hehe yay!

Hope you enjoy!

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Chapter 4

4 years ago…..

Orihime had packed a special lunch today. She could barely contain her excitement as she kept glancing at the clock. 5 minutes to lunch. She couldn't wait to see him.

Please be there

Every second became a year in her eyes. She wanted to meet him now. She couldn't wait. 30 seconds to go.

The bell ringing was music to her ears as she jumped out of her seat and out the door. She had 45 minutes and she didn't want to waste any of it. She made her way through the hallways and finally to the back door leading to behind the school.

Karakura School was big. It had a middle and high school all in the same building. During breaks and lunch the outside fields and courtyard were swarming with people, but not that back of the school. The back of the school was a bunch of trees and bushes with random wild flowers covering the grass. This was Orihime's favorite place to be. It was peaceful and quiet. Something that was hard to find in such a crowded school.

Orihime finally was outside. As she expected, no one was there. She made her way over to one of the giant willow trees. She loved this tree. The leaves softly would sway in the wind given Orihime a healing effect. She needed some comfort lately.

Finally it was time.

She put her bag down and got out her lunch box. Inside was a normal enough meal but added was an assortment of sausages and tuna. She took out the meat and fish and placed them on her handkerchief. Her eyes were darting around looking for something.

"Kohaku! Are you there? Come get some tunaaaaa~! KO-HA-KU~~ Koko~ It is lunch time!"

Over by the bushes a little head popped out. It was a little kitten. The kitten ran up to were Orihime was and smelled the meal that it was presented. It hungrily started to dig in. This brought a smile to Orihime's face. She had found the kitten a few days ago and had been bringing it lunch everyday.

"Did you miss me koko? Because I missed you!"

Orihime laughed when the cat let out a little meow. She stated eating her own lunch. She was thankful that the weather was still lovely in the early fall. She didn't want to think what would happen to Koko when the weather started to turn cold.

"I wish I could take you with me. My brother is too sick for there to be an animal in the house…..I don't want to do anything that would make him worse…"

Orihime's smiled faded as she thought of her brother. She loved him more then anything and really believed he was the greatest person alive.

I guess even the best people get sick..

At this time Kohaku had finished his lunch and now took his place on Orihime's lap. This brought her great comfort. She loved to pet him. Kohaku, Koko for short, was the perfect name for him. In the sun his amber fur glistened and reminded Orihime of a sparkly stone. His was soft to the touch and his heart shaped white patch of fur was just too adorable. Most of all she loved his green eyes. So sweet and beautiful.

She talked to the cat as it slept in her lap for the remainder of lunch. Even though she knew it couldn't speak it was nice to just vent. The lunchtime bell rang. Sadly she needed to part with her little companion.

"Okay buddy I will bring you another feast tomorrow!"

She hated leaving the cat alone. Out of habit, throughout the day, Orihime would go to the hallway windows and look down at the back of the school to see if Kohaku was visible. Sometimes she saw him playing with willow branches. His bright amber coat made him easy to spot.

Before she was about to start her last class of the day, Orihime went out to the hallway to check on the cat. Immediately something was different. Kohaku was there but he was not alone. A man with shaggy black hair was sitting on the ground petting the cat. Orihime noticed his uniform was that of a high school student. Both middle and high school had gray pants or skirts but the difference was the sweaters. Middle school had tan sweaters, like Orihime's, and high school had navy blue.

She couldn't see his face at all but could tell he had glasses on. She smiled down at the pair. She was happy someone else seemed to love cats and was showing Kohaku some affection. Maybe this person could give him a nice home.

XXX

The Next day Orihime had packed a special lunch again. Her heart stopped when she got to school. There was an animal control truck outside. This had happened before. The headmaster of the school hated animals on the campus, especially if they messed with the flowerbeds. Orihime always thought Kohaku would be safe because he only stayed in the back of the school. She really hoped the cat would hide and wait for her. Today had to be the day she took him to a shelter or something, god only knows what animal control would do.

It felt like a million years till lunch. She couldn't focus on any of her studies. When the bell chimes she ran to the back of the school.

"Kohaku! Koko! C'mon Koko where are you?!"

Nothing. The cat was nowhere to be seen. She searched every bush and tree. There was no trace of him. Orihime's heart sank.

Am I too late?

She was miserable the rest of the day. She found herself going to the window more then usual just in case he would appear. No luck. The day was over and the school had mostly cleared out. She had stayed behind to try and look some more. After about an hour she gave up. Kohaku was gone. She stood at her shoe cubby feeling depressed.

Maybe I will buy a huge tub of melon ice cream for brother and I today. I will just eat my feelings.

MEOW

Her eyes popped open. Was that a meow? She heard a soft meow again followed by a soft "shhhh"

A person?

Orihime began to walk in the direction she heard the meow. It was a few shoe cubby rows down. She turned the corner and saw a high school student with black hair. His back was to her but he seemed to feel her presence. He turned his head slightly to look at her. Judging from his hair and glasses, it was the same guy that was with the cat yesterday, His eyes were wide. Orihime gazed was fixated on eyes. Such a beautiful green…. Her thought was interrupted when Kohaku popped his head over the boys shoulder. Seeing them side-by-side they almost had the same eyes.

Orihime beamed at this newly found cat savior. Before she could say anything, he raised his finger to his lips " shhhh" The man gave a slight smile as he continued to look at her. Orihime understood. Even without words she knew that Kohaku would be taken care of. Orihime was so thankful. She had the biggest smile on her face. Silently, as to not draw any attention, she bowed to him and mouthed the words 'Thank you' before she took off to home. She was only regretful that she didn't get his name.

XXXX

Present day.

The same human and cat that she had met 4 years ago were staring at Orihime. She was speechless. Ulquiorra seemed to feel the same. The only unaffected member was Kohaku, who was just licking his paws. Finally Orihime got the strength to speak.

"You are the same person as 4 years ago aren't you? We went to the same school…. That's Ko…Kohaku isn't it?"

Ulquiorra closed his eyes gathering his thoughts before answering.

"Yes"

Orihime had a lot of emotions currently.

One- Happiness. Kohaku did find a home and was taken care of.

Two- Embarrassment. For not remembering Ulquiorra

Three- Anger. Why didn't he say something sooner?

Four -Panic. How much did he know about her past?

Five- Astonishment. The cat had the same name

Ulquiorra seemed to notice her distress and understood

"I didn't say anything to you because I did not find it an appropriate topic to bring up in front of others. I am sorry if I have caused you any discomfort,"

Orihime looked up at him as he continued.

"I honestly didn't think you would remember me. I was correct on this,"

Orihime could almost see hurt on his face for a brief moment. It wasn't like she forgot exactly. Over the past 4 years she has been through hell and back. Her dark memories sometimes would override anything happy. Orihime thought now was the perfect time to ask time to get some answers. She was actually surprised he remembered her. Had they only met that one time? She needed to know how much he knew. Life didn't start to get really hard for her until her second year in high school so she doubted he new details but she couldn't break her anxiety.

"What did you mean on Monday when you said 'are your fine now'? I didn't understand what you meant."

"What I meant by those words was….." Ulquiorra paused. Almost not wanting to answer. "…About your brother….I knew he was sick and that it pained you….I..I am sorry,"

Silence.

It was true. Orihime's older brother Sora had been sick since her last year of middle school. It wasn't a secret at school so Orihime didn't question too much as to why Ulquiorra knew. But still, how did he know and why would he care though? They had only had one interaction that she knew of. It seemed peculiar but she let it go. Small details didn't matter. She was just relieved that it was about her brother and not something else. Orihime took a deep breath before she spoke.

"ah…so that is what you meant. He died actually…My second year of High school. So about a year ago…."

Her voice trailed off, not wanting to finished. The mood got heavy. Orihime desperately wanted to change the topic. She thought of the first questions that popped into her head and blurted them about before Ulquiorra had a chance to say anything.

" So we went to the same school huh? What year were you? How old are you? What are you doing here?"

She had somehow turned into Nel. Ulquiorra sensed her desperation to change topics and decided to go along with it.

"I believed we were 4 grades apart. I was a 3rd year in High school and you a 3rd year in Middle school. I am 21 so I am not that much older then you. And as to what I am doing here; I was looking for my cat, but I also live here. I should ask you the same question. What are you doing here?"

" You live here?! In this apartment?!"

Orihime pointed to the apartments to emphases her shock.

"Correct,"

"NO WAY! I live here too. I am on the second floor! Where are you?"

Ulquiorra's eye became big again. Even though he usually wore the same expression, Orihime could tell the little differences. She found it fascinating really.

"I live on the 4th floor," he finally managed to get out.

"Wow..Small world! I can't believe it. My old classmate turn teacher lives right above me haha,"

A faint smile crossed his lips. Orihime's heart raced. He looked 10 times more handsome when he smiled. It became silence again and they did what they were both good at; staring at each other. The way he looked at her had so much more meaning to it. Orihime wanted to know what it was. Both were snapped out of their staring contest, when Kohaku gave out a hungry meow.

" Looks like someone is hungry"

Orihime looked at the cat in his arms. He had grown so much. This moment almost reminded her of the times under the willow tree. Calm and peaceful. Without thinking, Orihime moved closer. She reached out her hand and softy stroked Kohaku's back. She was overjoyed; to think of the chances to meet them both again like this.

From a close proximity, Orihime could really see his features. He had a strong jawline and thick masculine eyebrows. His skin, which could look sickly to others, was stunning. It looked smooth yet firm. She wanted to touch it. Her fingertips slowly left the cats back and made contact with Ulquiorra's skin. She lingered there far longer then intended until she heard Ulquiorra's breath take a deep inhale. Realizing her move probably made him uncomfortable she shot back. Orihime started to nervous giggle.

"haha ….well I better leave you! Ummm have a good weekend! I will see you Monday!"

Orihime started to walk towards the stairs. She was mortified.

What the hell were you touching him for Orihime? Are you some sort of pervert?!

"Orihime"

His voice stopped her motions promptly. Was he going to yell at her? Or lecture about how inappropriate her actions were? She turned around not knowing what to expect. He just stood there looking at her.

"Your bags…"

Smooth Hime…. Real smooth

Now she left like an idiot as she speed walked past him and to her bags. She never knew she could be such a scatterbrain. Not knowing what to do she turned to her donuts for help.

"Silly me! How can I forget! As my thanks here are some donuts! Please enjoy!"

She shoved one bag of donuts into his hand before he could say a word. Then she hurried to the stairs. As she started to climb, she looked back at him hoping he wouldn't be mad. It was the opposite. He was eyeing the bag with a warm expression on his face. Right on cue her heart tightened.

This man is bad for my health