-Espada Babysitting Service Gone Wrong-
Chapter 4- Day 3: A Surprise From Grimmjow
A/N. And I'm back! To those who have noticed, I've changed my username from Kitsune-Dark-Knight to Amayano. I did this because I felt like my name was too long and a little "uncreative" so I changed it. I hope you're not too confused...somehow. By the way, I think I'll do Orihime's POV for all chapters unless I change it to normal POV. Anyway enjoy this chapter! :)
Disclaimer – I do not own Bleach
Orihime's POV
I groaned and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. I yawned and opened my eyes, looking around. I remembered that all of the Espada including Soul Society's three traitors slept with me, but not a single one of them were in sight. I then started to panic.
What if they got kidnapped?! What if Kurosaki-kun came and took them to Soul Society?! Or worse – killed them?! Where are they?! They're just little kids they can't survive! And their powers are basically useless! Oh no oh no where are they?! I thought, biting my bottom lip nervously as other bad ideas and thoughts filled my head. I then took a deep breath. Okay Orihime. Calm down. Maybe they're playing Hide and Seek and decided to play without me because I was still asleep. Or they could've simply wandered off together. I calmed my thoughts.
"Excuse me? Your breakfast is here," An Arrancar appeared at the door, pushing a food cart. I blinked and thanked her as she left. It was simply sunny side up eggs and toast. Where they got the eggs, I don't know. Maybe a chicken hollow? I didn't bother to think about anything else, deciding to just eat and worry about anything else afterwards.
After I was done, I took a long bath, thinking about the Espada and the other three. I hope Aizen doesn't do anything too bad. He's a troublemaker for sure. Then again Grimmjow, Gin and maybe Nnoitra are too. I hope they're safe. It would be a bad time for Kurosaki-kun to come here right now, especially when they're in this kid state. I sighed and sank further into the bath, the water reaching below my nose. I blew some bubbles into the water and sat up straight again.
I rose from the tub and drained all of the water. I dried myself off with a towel and put on the extra clothes an Arrancar prepared for me. I walked out of the bathing quarters feeling refreshed. Now to find them. Knowing them, they could be running around in the Throne Room or making a mess in the kitchen. I guess I'll check the kitchen first. I nodded with determination and tried to spot an Arrancar in the hallway to help me get to the kitchen.
An Arrancar then appeared at the end of the hallway. I sighed with relief. "Hello! Do you know how to get to the kitchen?" I called over to him. He glanced at me for a moment before walking towards me.
"My deepest apologies, but you cannot enter the kitchen yet. I'm afraid I cannot explain why for it is top secret, but you will understand later. For now, please stay in your room," He told me. I frowned a little but obeyed and went back into my room. I sat on the couch and sighed.
"I wonder why I can't be in the kitchen. Top secret, huh? Might as well just take a nap to pass the time," I laid on the couch fully, my eyes fluttering shut.
-Afternoon-
I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes once again and yawned. I felt like I had slept for a really long time, surprisingly.
"What a long nap!" I muttered to myself and stretched. I felt great though. "So this is what Starkk feels like when he takes his naps," I muttered to myself again and rolled my neck/head around, trying to get the stiffness out. "What should I do? There's basically nothing to do." I jumped on the large couch, but that got boring after a few minutes. I rolled around on the floor, finding that also boring. I even tried to do gymnastics and cartwheels but I ended up bumping my head against the wall.
"Itai...that hurts," I rubbed my sore spot on my head. Another Arrancar came into my room, with another food cart. I stood up and walked over to the food cart, eyeing the rice and curry. I then took notice of how the door closed when she walked in, instead of usually being left open until they left.
"Lunch is here, ma'am." The Arrancar told me even though it was quite obvious. I nodded and sat down in the chair, slowly eating the rice and curry.
"So...why did the door close this time? Aren't they supposed to usually be left open?" I asked curiously. She immediately stiffened.
"There a-are some things h-happening outside that are n-not permitted to y-your eyes," She informed me. I raised an eyebrow.
"Like?" I asked. She didn't get to answer as a familiar child's voice yelled throughout the hall outside. I immediately sprung up out of my chair.
"G-Grimmjow?!" I exclaimed, rushing towards the door. The Arrancar appeared in front of me in a flash, arms spread out from blocking me.
"I'm sorry, but you're not permitted to see. Until I am given permission to do so, I cannot let you come out of this room," She sternly told me. I frowned.
"Are...are they okay, at least?" I asked her. If I couldn't see them, I could at least know if they were okay. She nodded.
"They are fine. Perhaps a scratch or two, but nothing to worry about," Her reply put relief in me. I sighed with relief and sat back down on the couch.
"Ahh yokatta (A/N. "What a relief" in Japanese)" I closed my eyes.
"In a few hours time, I will bring you to the hot springs. You wanted to go, right?" She told me. I nodded. I heard the door open, the rolling of the food cart, and the door closing.
"At least they're safe. I wonder what they're doing that's so top secret," I muttered and started tracing circles on the floor in boredom. I'm so bored. Come to think of it, Ulquiorra was usually the one who sort of entertained me. I thought.
"ARGHH HOW LONG IS A FEW HOURS TIME?!" I yelled out of frustration and boredom. I rolled around, trying to do something. I already bathed, but the hot springs seemed promising. I sighed again. I seemed to be sighing a lot – no surprise there. Sighing out of boredom, relief, and worry.
The door slowly then crept forward. I looked over to it instantly. It crept forward slowly again. Finally as it was opened wide enough, I didn't see anybody there – until I looked down. I saw Ulquiorra blushing with one hand on the door.
"Ulquiorra...?" I called him. He ran over to me, the door closing automatically.
"Onna. I'm here to keep you company until you are to go to the hot springs!" He told me. I smiled and lifted him onto my lap.
"Where are the others?" I asked him, softly stroking and untangling the knots in his hair.
"I can't tell! Secret!" He put a small finger to his lips as if to symbol he couldn't say. I nodded and ruffled his hair a little.
"So what do you think should we do?" I gently put him down. He turned around to face me and tilted his head.
"Don't know!" He settled for that answer and sat down on the floor, crossing his arms. I giggled.
"So how long do I have to wait?" I asked him. He tilted his head again and put a finger to his mouth as if to say he's thinking.
"Um...around evening! Plenty of time to play!" He answered.
"Um...how about Shiritori?" I suggested. He nodded. (A/N. Shiritori is a Japanese word game where players are required to say a word which begins with the final kana of the previous word. However, I'm going to do it the English version where you just use a word beginning with the last letter. Words also cannot be repeated. )
"Cake," He started.
"Estate."
"Elephant."
"Television,"
"Night."
"Tennis,"
"State."
"Eggplants,"
"Scissors,"
"Story,"
"Yaks,"
"Seller,"
"River,"
"Raft,"
"Um...I give up!" Ulquiorra pouted. I laughed and ruffled his hair.
"So soon?" I teased and pinched his cheeks.
"I can't think of another word!" He crossed his arms.
"Then what do you want to do now?" I asked as he crawled into my lap. He shrugged.
"Don't know. Don't ask me, onna!" I laughed.
"But you're here to keep me company." I pointed out. He shrugged. "So we're not allowed to go out yet?" He shook his head. I wrapped my arms around him.
He puffed out his right cheek before suddenly jumping up and out of my lap. "Onna, stay here! I'll be right back!" He said and pointed a finger to me. I blinked, confused. He opened the door and went out of my room, the door closing automatically.
"Huh...what's he doing?" I mumbled. I laid down on the floor, staring up at the ceiling. After about ten minutes of endless staring, the door opened again. I sat up and saw Ulquiorra once again. He was panting but he soon caught his breath.
"Onna! You're allowed to go to the hot spring now!" He announced. My eyes lit up.
"Great!" I exclaimed and stood up.
"Arrancar will show you there. I have to be somewhere else." He told me. I nodded in understanding. Then, he left and closed the door. About 3 minutes later, the same female Arrancar came to my room.
"I will show you to the hot springs," She said. I nodded and followed her out of the room. We walked down the hallway to where the hot springs were. She opened the door and allowed me in. "Clothes and towels are already supplied. Enjoy," She bowed, walked out, and closed the door.
I walked over to the hot springs. I stripped of my clothes, gently folding them next to the yukata that were neatly folded. I grabbed one of the towels that was also folded and wrapped it tightly around my body. I also took off my hairpins and set them down on my clothes – I didn't want them to get wet, after all. I then dipped my foot lightly in the water, testing it. Deciding it was warm enough, I went in.
I sighed in content as the warm water surrounding my body, relaxing my muscles. This definitely feels good! I haven't gone to one in a while. I should do this more often. I thought. I then heard the door slide open and close, and soft footsteps. My eyes snapped open, wide and alert.
As the steam softly moved, I saw Tier with a towel around her body like mine. She slowly stepped into the hot spring and moved towards me.
"This is nice, yes?" She asked. I nodded.
"It's so relaxing!" I sighed and leaned my head back against the rocks, closing my eyes. I opened one eye to look at her. "Do you know what the Espada and Aizen are doing?" I asked her. She nodded.
"However, you should know it's a secret. It's not anything bad, though," Tier assured me. I sighed in relief. I lifted my head from the rocks, sitting up against it.
"That's great. What are you doing here, then?" I asked her curiously.
"To keep company. It gets quite boring when you're in hot springs alone. The rest of the Espada are all boys, so I went in their stead. Besides, I want to relax, too," She explained, lifting a small smile. I giggled lightly.
"Yeah, I guess," I smiled at the thought of them. Then a curious question made its way to my mind. "Um...what will happen to me after you're uh...changed back?" I asked her. She shrugged.
"Szayelaporro himself does not know the effects quite well. All he knows is that it changes you into a child, and that it lasts for a week." Tier said. I bit my bottom lip nervously. Would Aizen be angry with me when he turns back? Will he even remember what happened? I thought.
My thoughts were interrupted by childish yells outside. I snapped out of my thoughts, looking immediately over to the door. "The other Espada are indeed troublesome. Do not worry, my Fraccion are making sure they are safe," Tier smiled slightly. I nodded.
"Yeah, I guess. But they would be weird otherwise." I giggled at the thought of Grimmjow, who I thought was most troublesome, to be actually not get into trouble. Tier nodded in agreement.
"YOU BASTARD! I WON'T LET YOU GET AWAY!" I heard Grimmjow yelled. I immediately stood up to go after him when Tier interrupted me.
"Don't. It'll spoil all the hard work we've kept a secret. Besides, as I said, my Fraccion will make sure they're safe," Tier reminded me. I frowned a bit but eventually sank back into the steamy water once again.
"Are you sure?" I bit my lip. She nodded.
"Nnoitra and Grimmjow may be fighting, but nothing serious." She reassured me. I stood up and went over to small stools to wash my hair. I took off my towel, afraid I'd get some soap on it. I sat down on the small stool, and inserted some soap into my hand. I scrubbed the soap into my hair and scalp as I heard Tier walk over and sit down in the stool next to me.
I filled the bucket with warm water and gently poured it over my head. I did this for a while, making sure I got all of the soap out. After I was finished, I dried myself off with a towel and put on the yukata. It was plain, like any other Arrancar clothing, but I didn't really mind. I put my hairpins on and put my hair up like the time I invaded Soul Society and blended in as a shinigami with Ishida-kun.
"Ah~! I feel so refreshed," I said as I stretched.
"Yes, I suppose it was. " Tier appeared next to me, dried and fully clothed. "Excuse me, but I have to go with them again. Please stay here. I will come retrieve you when I'm done," She told me and left. I nodded.
I slipped on my slippers and waited patiently for Tier to come again. Luckily, I didn't have to wait too long. Tier came back in about five minutes. She motioned her hand for me to come with me. I followed her out of the hot springs room and back to the entrance of my room.
"Are you ready to find out what they kept a secret for so long?" She asked. I nodded. She opened the door slowly. As soon as she fully opened the door, however, something impacted my face and knocked me to the ground. I groaned in slight pain and felt the something – or rather two of them - shift so that they sat on my abdomen. I opened my eyes and saw Grimmjow and Aizen grinning on my abdomen.
"Come come! Look!" I stood up as they led me into the room. I gasped. There were all sorts of decorations everywhere, ranging from colors from pink to black to turquoise. There were banners hung messily, and strange decorations which I couldn't make out to be anything. But what caught my eye was the large layered cake on a table in the middle of the room, full of decorations done in frosting and a little figure of me on top.
"SURPRISE!" Aizen and Grimmjow giggled. I squat down and ruffled both of their hair.
"More cake?" I teased. They nodded. The rest of the Espada then pulled on my skirt, trying to pull me towards the cake. I laughed and walked over. "Alright. For what occasion is this for?" I smiled.
"For you!" Grimmjow answered. They all nodded in agreement.
"We made it ourselves! With their help, too," Gin pointed to Tier's three Fraccion.
"And you made the decorations, too?" I asked. They all nodded again. "You could've asked me to help, you know," I told them.
"That'd ruin the surprise though," Grimmjow frowned. I laughed and ruffled his hair.
"A surprise well done, then," I smiled at him. "Alright! Time for cake!" I giggled as they all cheered. I cut the cake into many slices, setting them on the stack of plates next to it. I handed out their slices of cakes as I served myself some, too. I sat down on the floor, happily watching them throw bits of cake towards each other and using their fingers to eat the cake. Tier then sat down next to me, eating her cake with the fork.
"Who planned this?" I asked, taking a bite of the sweet vanilla cake.
"Grimmjow. He wanted to do something for you, but he didn't want you to know yet," Tier explained. I couldn't help but smile at the thought.
"Top secret, huh? Why'd it take all day?" I asked, as a cake could be easily done in about one or two hours, and the decorations in about another hair.
"We messed up on the cake a lot," Tier admitted, blushing a little in embarrassment. "Grimmjow insisted we bake the cake ourselves, and since we never baked one before, we often burnt it or mixed up ingredients." I giggled at the thought of Grimmjow trying to bake.
"Then why the hot springs? I didn't ask for it." I asked, taking another bite of cake.
"Grimmjow wanted you to relax first. Besides, how else would we set this up in your room if you're in it?" Tier smiled. I nodded in understanding. Grimmjow really planned this out I thought. Grimmjow then came towards me, covered in cake. Speak of the devil.
"D-Do you like it?" He asked, turning his head to the side to try and cover the blush from his face. I nodded.
"This is much more than I could ever ask for from you," I told him. His eyes lit up for a second before he blushed madly again. "Come on, let's clean you up. At least the cake in your hair and face, and a change of clothes," I grabbed a napkin and wiped off the bits from his face.
"I-I can do it myself, woman!" He complained.
I giggled. "Hai, hai." I said and continued to wipe the bits off. "There we go." I ruffled his soft hair again. Unexpectedly, the rest of the Espada jumped on top of him, forming a mini pile.
"GYAH!" He cried out. My jaw dropped. I quickly set down my plate as I carefully brought him out from under the pile.
"You okay, Grimmjow?" I asked, checking his body for any injuries. He nodded.
Pretty soon, we ate all of the cake. Even Tier's Fraccion ate some cake. Although with all of the cake being flown, we left quite a mess like last time. Mostly everyone was asleep, except for a few like me who were helping clean up. I didn't take down the decorations though, because I didn't have the heart to take down their hard work.
As I was cleaning up the last mess, I felt a tug on my skirt. I looked down and saw Grimmjow tugging at it with one hand, and the other behind his back. "Yes, Grimmjow?" I asked. He blushed lightly.
"I-I made you this, woman!" He pushed something soft into my arms. I held it up so I could get a better view of what it was. I gasped. It was a simple gray dress with some flower designs on it, and a white sash with a bow around the abdomen part. I knew that it was a bit plain, but seeing as Grimmjow went through the trouble to get this for me, I was filled with happiness.
"Thank you Grimmjow!" I gently set it down and hugged him tightly. "It's truly beautiful," I told him. His eyes lit up.
"R-Really? I thought it was plain since we don't have pretty clothing," He muttered and blushed. I smiled.
"It's beautiful. Thank you Grimmjow," I told him again. "I'll wear it tomorrow if you want," I said.
He nodded. "Now come on, let's get some sleep. You must be pretty tired for a child like you to be doing all of this work." I teased him a little as I carried him to my bed. I settled in the covers and pulled Grimmjow tightly to my chest. I wrapped my arms around him as I let him nuzzle his head into my neck. I smiled softly and drifted to sleep.
ASDFGHJKL; GRIMMJOW! Why are you so cute when I imagine you as a kid?! This chapter was a bit longer than usual ;) And it kind of took me a long time to write (because well what can Orihime do, bored in her basically empty room?) It was worth it though. I'm thinking of doing a little more Ulquiorra in the next chapter! But there's only 4 more "days" left! ;_;
~Amayano
