Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, real life combined with difficulty writing. Still, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Hopefully future updates will be quicker.
Ulquiorra stood silently in the doorway for nearly a minute. "May I come in? It's rather cold out."
Orihime blushed with embarrassment, getting out of his way as she waved him in. "Of course, come on in. I was just making dinner, fish with carrot paste and tomato sauce. Would you like some? I usually have extra."
Ulquiorra raised an eyebrow at the ingredient list, before deciding it must be normal for humans. "That seems agreeable." He paused for a minute. What was it they had taught him during his captivity? Ah yes. "Thank you."
Taking a moment to glance around the apartment, it seemed to be sizeable enough. While certainly more vibrant than the décor he was used to, the place seemed only half lived in. This, combined with the shrine he saw, lead him to conclude that it was meant for two people, with the young man in the picture being a previous resident. "Who was he?"
Orihime leaned from behind the doorway, a pot of… something… in her arms, and Ulquiorra gestured to the photo. She gave a troubled smile, good and bad memories coming to her. "He was my brother. He… passed away a few years ago." She walked over to a nearby table and set down the pot before approaching the shrine. "I thought about looking for him in the Soul Society a few times, but… I think he would want me to let go."
The two stood there in silence for a moment before Ulquiorra spoke up. "I am afraid I cannot relate. I have never felt loss. I have never had anything to lose, not as long as I can remember." That was… partially true.
"Ah, Ulquiorra, I was not expecting you here." Aizen grinned at the Espada. He might not be the most powerful, but Aizen appreciated his loyalty. It made him easier to manipulate.
Ulqiourra didn't even bother with a reply, taking flight towards his former master.
"Ulquiorra? Are you alright?"
Ulquiorra had zoned out, staring into space, but he pulled himself back upon hearing Orihime. "I am fine. Just… thinking."
She could tell something was eating at him, but chose not to push it. "Here, take a seat. Can't have you thinking on an empty stomach. Whenever I try, I just end up thinking about food. Or cows, but mostly food."
Ulquiorra sat silently, accepting the food he was offered. It was certainly… colorful. Taking an exploratory bite, he found it… pleasant. For the most part, the two ate in silence, until finally they finished the meal. "With regards to my earlier question… I should inform you that I have some preparations if you turn me down. I know of a nice bridge, and made sure to pack a tarp in case it gets wet." To him, this seemed like a reassurance.
To Orihime, it was the last push she needed. "You can stay with me as long as you need. The apartment has enough room for two people."
The Arrancar nodded. "Good. I shall work on becoming more self-sufficient." Again, another long pause while he tried to think what was the proper phrase. "Thank you for your hospitality."
Orihime couldn't help but smile at his attempts at manners. "You're welcome." She glanced over at the duffle bag set down next to him. "Uh, out of curiosity, what's in the bag?"
"In addition to the tarp I mentioned," Ulquiorra began in almost pure monotone, "There are seven white button-up shirts, seven black slacks, seven pairs of men's boxer briefs, one tank top, one pair of boxers, one bar of soap, one toothbrush, one tube of toothpaste, and one towel." Somehow, he managed to say that all in one breath.
The orange haired girl simply stared at him for a moment, mildly stunned by his… robotic delivery. After a moment, she shook her head, a new pep flowing through her veins. "That won't do at all! Seven identical shirts?"
Ulquiorra shrugged. "It was what I required."
Orihime jumped up, slamming her hands on the table. "Tomorrow morning, first thing, we are going out shopping for better clothes!"
Ulquiorra was familiar with emptiness, and he had briefly known despair in his life.
But at the mention of shopping, for reasons he could not fully grasp,
Ulquiorra felt true terror for the first time in his life.
Orihime was woken by a slight poking in the ribs. Turning over, she saw Ulquiorra crouched beside her. "You said you wished to go shopping first thing in the morning. The sun has risen." She responded with some inhuman noise that sounded vaguely like 'noon' before flopping back over and falling sound asleep. Ulqiorra simply shrugged, walking back to his bed and staring at the clock.
Orihime dragged the mildly confused Arrancar through the streets, excitedly pointing at the various shop windows while he maintained his usual stony face, passively examining the world around him. It was certainly a lively experience, surrounded by new people and sights. The journey came to a halt, however, when they encountered a familiar face. "Quincy."
"Espada." Uryu's hand subconsciously went to his arm, rubbing at the limb Ulquiorra had once mangled. The two locked eyes, neither so much as blinking.
"Has your arm recovered well?"
Uryu nodded. "And your lungs?"
"They have recovered nicely."
"So, what brings you to Karakura Town?" Uryu glanced over at Orihime. "I'd ask if you intended to kidnap my friend again, but it seems you're the one being dragged along."
To his credit, Ulquiorra showed no outward signs of discomfort, even as the staring match resumed. "I have been paroled by the Soul Society, on the condition I stay here where I can be monitored. Orihime has agreed to provide lodging while I attempt to 'get on my feet'."
Uryu, while far from obvious, couldn't match the composure of his adversary, his hands clenching into tight fists. "I wasn't aware the Soul Society was in the habit of paroling mass murderers. I'm far more used to their approach of 'genocide everything that isn't a Soul Reaper'. I must admit, I am starting to see the appeal."
Though nobody had seen the process, the two had moved noticeably closer, now mere inches from each other. "I should remind you, Quincy, that unlike my more zealous accomplices, deaths caused by me number only in the single digits. Unless, of course, we count hollows, but I doubt that would fall in your favor." For one who so often claimed to lack emotions, Ulquioraa was now quite determined to win this pissing contest.
Things probably would have escalated, but Orihime quickly stepped between them. "So! Who wants to go find nice jackets? I know it's warm now, but you'll probably want one anyway! Ooh, and lighter clothes for when it gets warmer!" She looked at the two with puppy dog eyes that made any argument die in its tracks.
Ulquiorra sighed. "Of course, woman." He turned back to Uryu, but instead of saying anything, simply began to unbutton his shirt.
Orihime blushed at the sight of his chest, and Uryu raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure how you resolve things in Hueco Mundo, but I'm not interested."
"Look at my chest," Ulquiorra said sternly. Orihime couldn't help but stare a little, while Uryu just turned to leave. "Look at my chest, Quincy."
Uryu sighed, staring at the Arrancar's chest. "Fine, what am I looking for?"
"I want you to find my hole."
Now even Uryu was starting to blush. "That's quite alright I'll just be going-"
"My hollow hole, Quincy. Where is it?"
Uryu looked again, and sure enough, there was no hole in Ulquiorra's chest. "So you no longer have a hole."
Ulquiorra nodded, buttoning up his shirt. "I am, for all intents and purposes, simply a spiritually aware human. You could kill me easily if I attempted anything. I trust, however, that you will control yourself and not take advantage of this fact. I am simply going to go about my day, and all I ask is that you do the same."
Uryu raised an eyebrow. "How… human of you. Alright. I can live with that." Ulquiorra began strolling away, returning to his errands. "But stay on your best behavior," he called back, "or I will be forced to do something."
The Arrancar watched him leave before turning back to Orihime. "So, a jacket?"
