Please enjoy~ Things will soon come together hehe.

Although not about the story…. I am actually getting married on Ulquiorra's birthday! December 1st. I didn't plan it that way(had no idea for a while)… but when I realized I picked the same day as my favorite green eyed pale man bday…It gave me the inspiration to write!

I am excited to share with you this story! I write a few chapters ahead before posting and I will just say….Chapter 8 is LONG but oh so important…so please look forward to that!

Once again, thanks to everyone who reads and reviews! It gives me strength!

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Chapter 6

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Orihime opened the little door to her shoe cubby. There they were. Two little candies. This had been happening for almost 6 months. Every week she would open the door and see two candies waiting for her. Always the same; melon flavored. She was confused in the beginning. Why did someone do this, better yet who? At first she thought it was her boyfriend trying to be cute. When she asked him, he just gave a blank stare. He went on about how it was probably some stalker and she should just toss them in the trash. Orihime didn't see it that way. The candies made her happy. They came at a time she needed them most. They were a special type that you couldn't find in stores. Luxury candy she guessed. All she cared about was that her brother loved them. It was perfect, one for him and one for her. They ate them together when she got home from school. He often asked her if she had gotten anymore. Throughout all of his treatments, Sora never lost his taste for melon flavors; even if he rarely ate anything else. With all her heart she appreciated whoever had been putting candies in her locker, no matter the reason.

Orihime felt two arms wrap around her waist and a soft bite at her ear.

"Candy again? This stalker really doesn't know when to quit."

"It is not a stalker, Ichigo. Plus if it was a stalker wouldn't they follow me around and stuff? You know watching me at all time? We have been over this…. I don't think it is like that"

Ichigo gave a grunt at her statement. He continued to hold her tighter pressing their bodies closer together. She had been dating Ichigo for 5 months at this point. He was very popular at school and rather handsome with his athletic build and orange hair. Orihime was extremely confused when he had started talking to her. She had been kind of a loner at that point with no friends. After she met Ichigo, she had become friends with his crowd. She was very thankful for this. Even though she didn't talk to them about her problems she enjoyed their company. They gave her some optimism. To think 6 months ago she sat alone at lunch with a cat and now she sat with a group of people laughing about nothing. Ichigo began to kiss her cheek.

"Seriously you two get a room!"

"What are you jealous, Rukia?"

"No I am not, Renji!"

Rukia and Renji were a year older then them, 1st years in high school, but they were really close to Ichigo. Orihime could tell Rukia had a thing for Ichigo and often felt bad when Ichigo would be affectionate in front of her. Yet the fact she liked Ichigo didn't bother her as much as it should have. She could also tell Renji had a thing for Rukia and felt bad again because she knew that would never happen. The drama…

"Hey Chad, Uryu! Come over here! Little Rukia is getting feisty!"

Rukia began to kick Renji; this was a daily routine for them. It often made Orihime laugh seeing how short Rukia was compared to Renji. Uryu and Chad had joined the group

"Seriously you two stop all this nonsense,"

"Let them have their fun Uryu! SO glad my girl doesn't kick. Orihime is a lover not a fighter,"

Ichigo pulled Orihime into a side hug as if presenting a prize. There were angry yells from Rukia and laugher amongst the group. Orihime looked at all of her friends and smiled.

She was so lucky to have them all

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Orihime opened her eyes. She had dreamt of the past again. It was such an unwelcomed start to her morning.

Luck my ass….I hate them all

She angrily ate her breakfast. She attacked her pancakes with her fork and knife. She went to bed with sweet thoughts of Ulquiorra…. how did it turn into a nightmare? Maybe it was a sign about the caution about friends and lovers; a friendly reminder that she doesn't need any of that anymore.

She didn't have either now. She liked Nel, but still distanced herself from her a little emotionally. She did feel bad about that. Nel was an open book on everything. Orihime didn't talk about herself at all. It made her feel like crap that she was like this. Nel didn't deserve that. She was a loner too and had trusted Orihime enough to talk about her head injury. Deep down she knew Nel was good and wouldn't be like them, but it was so hard to let go of that fear.

Ulquiorra was another story. She at times found herself very comfortable and too aware of him. He was different then Nel. With Nel, even in just a week, knew her whole life story even down to her shoes size. Ulquiorra was still mysterious. All she knew was his age, that they used to go to school together, He is going to college to be a history teacher, they were both going to paint a room, love of cats, and they shared the same taste in clothes. How can she let some hot guy break down her defenses so fast without actually knowing him! The thought made her even more annoyed.

Orihime knew she was starting to fall for him. She couldn't deny such obvious signs; racing heart, long drawn out looks, flush cheeks, a certain feeling between the legs….. it was like she was some sick puppy in love. Maybe it was just about his looks. She found herself lost in his eyes each time she looked at him. Thoughts of touching him all over had crossed her mind more then a few times. Especially his lips…

THIS IS INSANE! You have only really known the guy a WEEK. A WEEK HIME! And you only had 2 actual interactions with him! Fall for him already? It took you the first 3 months of dating Ichigo to actually like him! He is your teacher you dummy!

Orihime felt defeated. She knew both Nel and Ulquiorra weren't the people from her past. She knew they weren't bad people. But why was it so hard? Why was she so damaged? Having it affect her so much was making the people from her past win at bringing her down. Orihime banged her head on the table. It was a rough start to the morning.

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Orihime stood in her bathroom covered in purple paint. She had decided to take her mind off the morning struggles. Painting helped her clear her mind. The more she painted the more she loved the color. The darker purple of the walls looked perfect with her shower curtain and towels. She was wondering if Ulquiorra took what she said seriously. Would he actually want to paint with her? Was that a good idea? Why would someone like him want to spend his days off with a student? Even though he was only 3 years older and a student at college, he was till her teacher. He probably had some short of moral code not to hang with students. He would also want to do college things in his spare time …. like go to parties…drink beer…and hook up with ladies NOT in high school.

He probably likes more mature women…. as if he would fall for you ,moron. He even told you to do your homework after he left yesterday. If that's not " I don't see you as a sexual being" I don't know what is…stop thinking just paint.

Orihime cleared her mind again and focused on the unpainted wall space.

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Nel had told her a play by play of her whole weekend at lunch. Her boyfriend, which she called Grimmie, picked her up in his car…they drove…they had coffee…they went to a lake…they had dinner at a Korean BBQ restaurant…. they went to his place…. At this point Orihime tuned out. Nel was a bit of an over sharer. Orihime smiled though. Nel seemed so happy. Orihime liked how animated she got when she told a story. It almost reminded her of her brother. It was at the moment Orihime decided to be brave. She can't let the people of the past hold her back anymore. She can't let them win. If it is Nel…. It could be possible. She took a deep breath and waited for the slight second when Nel would take a pause.

"So….do you maybe want to…grab a coffee or dessert after school this week?"

Nel's face was paused mid bite of her sandwich. Did she break? After a minute Nel let out a loud scream. Followed by a loud giggle fit. It caused everyone, including Orihime, to jump and stare questioningly at her. She wrapped her arms around Orihime. Her giggles had turned into a cry. Seriously…is she broken? They stayed that way for a minute before Nel pulled back to face Orihime. Her makeup was smudged and there was visible tear marks on her face.

"Ive been waiting for you to ask me that for so lonnnnngggg, uaahhh"

She began to cry again as she buried her face into her hands. Orihime felt some shame having pushed her aside before (even though it was ONLY A week). But seeing Nel's reaction to just an invite to coffee, made Orihime mind at ease that she had made the right decision.

" I will take that as a yes then?"

Nel began to shake yes with her whole body. Orihime thought it was cute how emotional she was. It was evident at this point that Nel didn't ask or pry too much not because she wasn't interested, but because she could sense Orihime had reservations on opening up. She was a sweet person. Although, at the moment it time, she wished everyone would stop staring. Orihime was wondering if she was going to have to get used to this.

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It was finally last period. She had been waiting for this. She decided she wasn't going to go out of her way to talk to him. She was going to tuck these blossoming feeling deep down…but that didn't mean she couldn't admire looking at him…He wasn't there when she walked in. Only Mr. Stark in typical sleeping pose. When the bell echoed, he walked in with his standard passive expression. He was carrying a stack of papers, which Orihime assumed was homework and hopefully not a pop quiz. He didn't look at her but started the lesson right away.

"Take out your books. We will be reading from chapter 6 today followed by discussion. So I advise that everyone follow along and pay attention to the material. As you read, I will give back your homework you handed to me on Friday. Everyone did performed above expectation. If you are orderly and participate in discussion to my liking….I will not give you homework today, for all you hard efforts."

The whole class erupted in a cheer. Orihime couldn't help but he excited too…he really did love to give a lot of homework. Ulquiorra looked up signaling everyone to stop. The room went pin drop silent in a second. Clearly, everyone was determined.

"Kyoshiro, Please begin,"

Kyoshiro Tanaka sat in the first row closest to the door. When Ulquiorra had the class read, he often made everyone read two paragraphs. When finished, the person behind them would start. It went up and down the rows until the chapter was finished. The history book's chapters were long and wordy, so often everyone had 3-4 turns reading. Kyoshiro began their marathon tag reading. Ulquiorra slowly went around the room with papers in hand. He would look at the name at the top of the paper and go put it on their desk. He had came close to Orihime a few times as he put papers on the desks of her classmate around her. She smelled his fragrance again. It was the same smell she discovered on Saturday. He still hadn't returned her paper yet by the time it was her turn to read. She made sure to speak loud and clear. When she was starting her last paragraph, Ulquiorra had come to her desk and put her paper face down.

Darn! Of course he would hand me back my paper while I am reading. Just my luck! I wanted a chance to look him in the face.!

When Orihime finished she looked up at Ulquiorra He had completed his task with the papers and was now looking at the book following along. Only slightly disappointed, Orihime turned her attention to her paper. She worked hard on it and was hoping for a good grade. As she flipped her paper over she quickly pressed the it facedown on her desk so no one could see. There was a note on a sticky pad. Orihime heart was doing backflips as she sneakily took the note off and put it in her lap so she can read it. She looked around one last time to see if anyone had noticed…. more specifically if Nel had noticed. She was in luck, her and everyone else was extra focused on their books…no homework was on the line…. focus was at an all time high. Eagerly, Orihime looked down in her lap and read.

Is the offer to paint together still available? I believe the weekend of the 27thth would be perfect, seeing how it is a 3-day weekend…. look up. Nod- yes or no.

Orihime head flew up faster then she had intended. She almost gave herself whiplash. Ulquiorra was already looking at her. He had one eyebrow raised, almost to say, "What's your answer?" It was unexpectedly playful of him. It really thrilled Orihime as she felt a shudder of excitement go throughout her body.

She decided it was only fair and she sent him back an equally as playful grin as she nodded yes.