Having nothing better to do all day, I decided to follow Orihime around. (At a distance.)

"I'm not a crazy human who stalks the woman he likes, I'm protecting her!" I smiled deviously to myself. Usually she spent most of her time with Sazael or the servants. Sazael sent her on errands mostly, and did a couple tests throughout the day on her blood. The servants took to her fast, making her clean or prepare dishes. (This is bold, if you think about it.)

I watched as she prepared Starks tea, adding way to much sugar. Usually he likes only one or two cubes. He complained he wouldn't sleep all day. She created a wicked meal for Halibel which she didn't seem to mind.

"Well, at least she still has her way with food…" I sighed and set my head on the table I was sitting in that was situated in the kitchen so I could see but, not easily be seen behind all the shelves of cooking stuff.

I had noticed little things that showed me she was still there, already. She would occasionally hold her arms to her chest when someone scolded her, something she did often as a human.

Once she even called on her Shun-shun Rikka to clean a spill, and a little black one with a mask tapped her on the head, yelling. I swore I saw a ghost of a smile.

I got up and walked out into the dining hall just as she was dismissed. A messenger came and informed me that Kurosaki and his friends reached the halfway point between Hueco Mundo and the entrance they came out of. (It was along way away.)

It should take them no more than a day and a half to reach here, 'cause they met a little arrancar with some worm thing for transportation.

The servant left and I looked across the dinning hall to Orihime. She was sitting next to Stark's Fracción, Lilinette. She seemed to be listening to whatever the girl was laughing about. Looking around, I noticed not much arrancar where here. The dinning hall was a huge room with four entrances on each side. Along the room where four long white benches. That was basically the only things in the room, furniture wise.

I scowled. Of course we don't have to eat food, but it helps to fill the empty space. (Although it never does.) Ulquiorra and Yammy ate silently at the end of my bench. I looked down at my plate of rice, or, at least it used to be.

"Hello Grimmjow." I scowled, I knew that dead voice anywhere. Looking up, I was correct. A movement caught my eye and I saw Lilinette just before she disappeared threw the door.

"Orihime." She sat across from me and stared the same un-blinking stare. I glanced over to Ulquiorra and Yammy, to busy idly chatting to notice us.

When I glanced back, I noticed she was still looking at me. I sighed. I seemed to do this a lot around her. (I also scowled, growled, laughed, talked, whispered and cared more than I usually do around her.)

"What are you looking at? It makes me feel fucking weird…" She looked away instantly, staring at the table.

"Sorry Grimmjow, I was just curious." I arched an eyebrow and she looked up.

"Continue…."

Staring lifelessly at the space just above my head, she spoke.

"Grimmjow told me he could remember what it was like being alive."

She stopped talking and I glared. "Aaaaaand?"

Her eyes looked at me again. "What was it like? What where you like alive?"

There was a brief pause as I closed my eyes, instantly memories I usually block came rushing to me.

A big house… A school… a child… my brother… I growled. Those are human things.

"When I became an arrancar, I knew very little about my human life… I had many black holes in my memory. The more powerful you are, the faster it comes back to you. Over time, it all did come back." I took a deep breath that was more like a snarl. My face hardened, "I died along time ago, well over 50 years. I one of the youngest here, I wandered as an adjuchas for about ten years." She probably knew I was avoiding the actual question, but she was patent.

"I died at the age eighteen. Shinigami age slowly, was age even slower, some don't age at all. In a little over fifty years, I've aged only two."

I wonder if she's bored… nothing showed. I sighed.

'Get to answering her question dick face…'

"Living… living is much like being an arrancar, but, you don't feel hollow, empty. You… well, for lack of a better word, you feel alive." I said grimly. "I was much like I am now, rude, violent, and loud."

She rested her elbows on the table, and her chin in her palms. "Did Grimmjow have blue hair?"

I smiled evilly. "Actually, I had black hair. I like it better this way."

She stared at me evenly for a couple seconds. I noticed out of the corner of my eye Yammy and Ulquiorra get up and leave. Making us the only people in the room.

"Grimmjow, forgive me for what I'm about to say, but I believe that to be a lie. I remember nothing of my human life."

The grin instantly left my face. "No." I snarled, instantly furious. "You should, as powerful as you are, remember everything. Aizen messed with you, that's why you don't know who you where, or… are."

I let that sink in. I kept waiting for something I say to strike a cord, for her to show me some emotion. She was always bad at hiding her emotion, or at least around me she was.

'I got it!' The perfect idea! Her nakama! She always cared for them, if I took her to see them, surly they will trigger something in her!

Then… then she would be with him… I growled and she bowed her head.

"Sorry Grimmjow, I shouldn't have questioned you. My apologies, I didn't mean to make you mad."

"I'm not mad at you."

'Damn, she would take that blame if I told her it was her fault the sky way blue!'

As she lifted her head, a though flitted threw my mind.

'Say his name… Talk about her friends…'

"Ichigo… he's strong, huh?" I didn't expect anything to happen, but her eyes instantly went wide and she recoiled like I hit her.

I felt a pang of jealously. She responded to his name. Scowling, I racked my brain for her other friends names. From the report, I could only remember two… Rukia and Sado.

"So is Rukia, but Sado looks stronger than her."

"Chad." I scowled.

"What?"

"We call him Chad…" Her eyes where still huge, and I could see fear in them. I noticed her hands where shaking.

"Do you remember? You remember him don't you?"

She began shaking her head. "No. No. No…" She closed her eyes tightly.

Obviously she was fighting whatever Aizen did. I took her face in my hands.

"Look. At. Me." One single tear escaped from her eye and trailed down her cheek.

Orihime tried to pull away. "Look at me Orihime!!"

Her eyes snapped open. I could see the fight going on inside her. More silent tears flowed down her cheeks.

Without thinking, I smashed my lips against hers. I could taste her tears. My tongue explored her mouth, making the kiss deeper, more intimate. She hesitated, and then responded, forming her lips against mine.

We broke for air and I took a quick look around, Yep, still alone.

Her eyes where still closed, and she was breathing deeply. 'At least the tears stopped.'

Slowly, her eyes opened. Nothing. Still the glassy grey-blue they where before, but not totally emotionless. I could see, deep down, she was scared.

"Grimmjow…" Did her voice sound different? Yes… It did. It wasn't as flat. "I… I just can't think… There are so many holes… It's all mixed together."

Slowly, my hands slid from her face, resting on the table. I sighed.

"You will. You will…" My face hardened. 'Well fuck, this is going to take awhile.'

For some reason I felt frustrated, and… sad? I stood.

"You better go. We shouldn't be seen together too much, it could cause… problems…"

I growled threw clenched teeth. Turning on my heel, I stalked away stuffing my hands in my pockets.

'Oh, yeah… This won't be hard at all…'


Deciding not to follow Orihime around anymore, I walked around blindly thinking of something that would be time worthy.

I growled, and knew what I was going to do. I was going to take a bath.

'I already took a shower this morning… but my showers have been rushed lately…'

That just shows how bored I am at the moment. I like my showers short, and I hardly ever take baths.

'I hate water…'

I entered my room for the first time in two days. Spotless. A servant must have cleaned my mess.

I grunted at the light from the window. Grabbing my pillow and nosily dragging a chair over, I stood under the window. I stuffed the pillow in the window, it was a perfect fit.

Jumping down, I kicked the chair away, not caring where it landed and walked to the bathroom.

Filling the tub with steamy water, I undressed. Looking in the mirror, my body was lean and strong. The way I stood summed up my cocky, mean attitude, and so did my face.

Everything about me screamed "Deadly predator". Every movement I made was rough and harsh. This was who I am.

Around her… Around her I became a completely different person, or at least I felt like a different person. I sighed.

The room was now filled with steam, making it very hard to see. Shutting off the water, I climbed in. I continued thinking.

Around her, I didn't react like I should. The little things that piss me off with other people are okay with her. (Most of the time.)

Everything about me changed, if that was a good thing, I don't know. Is it a bad thing? 'HELL YES!'

I actually think I like myself better around her, but if people found out… it could be trouble. Not just for me, but for her too.

I scowled silently at the water. There was so much steam I could barely see my own hand. I like my showers like this, almost burning hot.

My tub was about 5ft long and 3ft wide. Really, it seemed too big to me, but it was nice enough.

Grunting, I sank lower into the water, so it was to my chest. I smiled involuntary as the water swished though my hollow hole. The inch or so of skin surrounding the hole was more sensitive, not to mention the darkened skin inside.

I ran my finger around the hole. I can't really explain the feeling to myself… it gave a fucking weird tingle, but was… pleasurable…

I gritted my teeth to keep from moaning.

With a grunt I draped my arms against the sides of the sides of the tub. I closed my eyes.

I was completely aware of the desire that pulsed through me, as I imagined certain things involving Orihime.

I chuckled. I couldn't deny it, I am Grimmjow Jeagerjaques. I wanted her, not just emotionally, but physically. It was getting to the point where I needed. I growled, stretching my toes to the end of the tub.

I sighed, but it came out as a "Ahhh... I need to destroy something…"

I tensed my muscles, and un-tensed repeatedly. It felt good.

My muscles tensed on their own when I heard a loud 'thak!' and a muffled squeal followed by a softer 'thud'.

Groaning, I sat up, pulling the plug with my toes. Quickly I flew the stone door open and walked out into my room, scowling.

She had tripped over the chair I had kicked while covering my window and was bent over the chair, her ass promptly up in the air. Her hair was sprawled about her in a halo.

"HAHAHAHA! Having trouble walking eh?!"

Instantly I loosened up as Orihime snapped her head up. She stumbled up, and (unsuccessfully) tried to get to her feet. Her leg hit the foot of the upturned chair and she half fell back over.

Who knew stumbling could look oddly cute and hysterically funny at the same time?

My mind went to the thoughts earlier in the tub, and I chuckled darkly as she bent low, bowing.

"I'm sorry Grimmjow! It was dark and I didn't know you had placed a chair here!"

I smiled, showing teeth. She was amusing, and even though it was way to low, her voice sounded more like it used to.

Orihime was still bowed, and her fiery hair fell around her, obscuring her face from me. I knew a faint blush was there.

Insanely aware of my naked, dripping body, I walked forward smiling. Grabbing her chin softly, I lifted her face. Orihime stood as I did so, looking at me with startled eyes. I smiled wider. (If that was possible)

An intense wave of pure, hot desire ran down my body, and gathered in my loins.

I wanted to play. My hand slid down to the shoulder, and I walked forward slowly, as she walked back.

Her eyes got wider as her back met the wall. Pressing my wet body against hers, I buried my head in the crook of her neck, my hands on her hips. I smiled and bit her neck, hearing her gasp. Taking that as encouragement, I moved one hand to her ass, and the other trailed up Orihime's side as I licked a trail to her jaw line.

"G- Grimmjow…" I couldn't believe it, she sounded …like her! (Too much pleasure and a little breathless, but still.)

Biting her bottom lip, I kissed her, my tongue entering her partly open mouth. Hesitantly, Orihime twisted one hand in my hair, the other resting on my shoulder as she molded her lips to mine.

She tasted so good, she was so innocent, so… I smiled against her lips. So unlike me.

Orihime was the exact opposite of me.

Turning my head, I let her gather her breath, and proceeded to reach for the zipper under her "V" neck shirt.

"Grimmjow…" She moaned as I ground against her. "P-please… stop…" She moaned breathlessly, and for some odd reason, I did, my hands stilled.

Orihime was breathing franticly. Looking up into her face, I smiled a little ruefully.

"Oh, sorry… I take it you want to stay a virgin?"

Looking at me right in the eyes, she blew past the things she was feeling, and spoke.

"Y-yes…"

I smiled, and moved my hands to her back, clutching her to me. "Heh… Are ya' sure? We could have a very fun night…" I laughed as she pulled away, her blush getting redder.

Her eyes looked around my room, not touching me.

She looked exactly like herself, except her eyes. Even in the dim light I could tell they still reflected nothing. Huh. Weird.

Chuckling, I kissed her fiercely. "Another time then…"

Walking slowly, I went and grabbed pants from the bathroom. I was aware of her walking slowly around the room.

Not bothering to mess with my hair, I went out shirtless. Leaning against the door frame of the bathroom, I watched her look around, glancing at me once in a while with a light blush.

I scowled slightly. "What?"

She sat down on the edge of the bed. "No, nothing!" I raised an eyebrow.

"It's just that… uh…" Orihime covered her face with her hands and blurted out what she was thinking. "You're the first man I've ever seem naked!"

I smiled deviously. "I hope you liked it." She blushed furiously behind her hands.

I walked over and lay down next to her, my feet hanging off the edge. For some reason I took a strand of her hair and twirled it around my finger repeatedly. She didn't seem to mind.

"Grimmjow?"

"Hmmm?"

"Why is it so dark in here?"

I threw my head back into the mattress and laughed. Orihime looked over at me, causing the strand to slip from my fingers.

"Did I say something funny?"

I smiled grimly. "No, I just have a funny sense of humor."

Orihime pursed her lips, but said nothing more as she looked around.

"Ah. You covered your window!"

Without asking, she bounded off the bed with a little skip and grabbed the chair by the door. Dragging it just below the window, Orihime un stuffed it. Pale moonlight flooded the room. I bared me teeth in a snarl, the light bothered me, but I wasn't going to say anything.

Without looking, she threw the pillow over her shoulder. I caught it right before it hit me face. Jumping down lightly, she walked over to the white desk in the far upper left corner.

Loosening her sash, she took off the flowing clear cape like material folded at the top, and threw it over the desk. Balancing on one foot she took off one boot at a time.

I have to admit I was a little disappointed this was all she took off as Orihime walked back over.

Sitting cross legged, she moved to the edge of the bed and smiled slightly.

"So, um… can I or, we take a nap? I know it's only about noon, but I'm really tired." To exaggerate her statement, Orihime yawned.

"Sure, we can get up before dinner." I said, rubbing my mask.

Reminding me of a puppy, she cuddled up under the covers and looked at me. It was strange, such emotionless eyes on her happy face.

"Are you going to sleep too Grimmjow…?" She was already falling under, and let her head hit the pillow.

"I'm not that tired." It was true; I was actually full of energy.

Smiling slightly, her eyes drooped lower. "Ah… Grimmjow, you…" She muttered, before falling to sleep.

I watched as her breathing got slower, as she fell deeper into sleep. I moved from my sitting position on the side and pulled my legs up under me, crossing them.

My movement caused her eyes to flutter.

"Thank you for watching me… Grimmjow…" She turned slightly and went back to sleep. Actually, I don't think she was awake when she said that, just dazed.

My old self and new self were conflicting.

Personally, I didn't feel that much different. I still felt cold hearted, and ruthless, just toned down. Orihime made me feel… emotions other than what I was used to, but she couldn't erase me, I'm still me.

With a jolt I realized something. She tamed me. A part of me didn't like that, but a greater part thought it was actually… enjoyable.

I smiled to myself, and laughed quietly.

It seemed the kitten has tamed the panther.

"Mmm… No… no…"

'Aw fuck…' I forgot about that nightmare she has last time she fell asleep.

"Ahh…" She groaned and a thin sheen of sweat broke out over her body, like she was struggling.

I didn't think. I reacted. I scooted over, and lifted her head softly, moving so she could use my thigh as a pillow. Absently I took another strand of her hair and twirled it around my index finger repeatedly while I watched her face.

Pain and confusion swept across her face, before slowly, she went back to that peaceful look Orihime wears as she sleeps.

She stopped mumbling. I grinned. 'Oh yeah, I am the man.'


I sat there for about an hour or so, when she shuttered. I didn't think anything of it. Then she did it again, like she was cold. I frowned.

"Hey, are ya' waking up?"

Nothing. I leaned down, examining her face.

With a cry that sounded like a sob, her eyes snapped open and she sat up, banging her head into mine.

I growled and threw my head back. Leaning away from her, I held my nose.

"You have a fucking hard head!"

I was aware that she sat up, and glanced at her. Orihime was staring at the door.

"What? You have a bad dream?"

For a long moment she said nothing, sat perfectly still, never taking her eyes off the door. She didn't even blink.

"He's… he entered… he's here." Silent as ever, a single tear rolled from her eye.

Immediately I understood, and searched for his spiritual pressure to confirm my suspicions.

My head cocked to the side as I found him. Taking a deep breath, I spoke, as if reciting a report to Aizen.

"Yes. Kurosaki Ichigo and his friends have broken the walls to Hueco Mundo in the west halls."

She said nothing as I stared at the door hatefully, as if it would burn under my gaze.

This is what I wanted, I reminded myself. I knew how to do it. Get her memories back. All of them. The fact that she realized the second they set foot in the walls of Hueco Mundo confirmed it.

Standing, I jumped from the bed, landing in front of the bathroom. "Get up. Now. Other arrancars will just be dying to challenge them. We have to get there before they do."

Finally she turned her head. "W-what?"

"Get. Up. We're going to see your nakama, so they… can take you home."

I turned and spoke without looking at her. "Get dressed." I closed the door behind me, leaving her to herself.

Immediately I went and took a jacket from the rack next to the marble sink, sliding it on. Silently I slid my boots on.

Looking in the mirror, I spoke out loud to myself. "Don't lose it; don't kill anyone of her friends, especially him."

With a sigh-like snarl, I grabbed the clear hair gel I always manage to steal when I get sent on missions to the human world.

I started to quickly style my hair. (To hell with letting them see me with my hair down!)

I finished, and left quickly, not wanting to look at myself anymore.


With my powerful stride, I went down the hallways, Orihime following swiftly behind. I needed to get there before someone encountered them, or they split up.

'Almost there… Almost there…' I don't know why I was in a hurry to lose the only thing in my life I ever loved.

Left turn. Right turn. Right again. Almost there… left turn.

I growled. Looking over my shoulder. Orihime was keeping up good. She had grown stronger in the transition from human, to hollow, to arrancar.

If we continued at this pace, we could get there in about five minutes. If we sonido we could get there in thirty seconds.

'The faster the better.' I could already feel the numbness creep down my chest.

"I take it you know how to sonido? Follow me." Without a backward glance, we both set off at high speed, the walls blurred past us.

I stopped just two halls away from them. So did Orihime. There where no turns into other halls, so they have to come this way.

"Let me go first."

"But… but Grimmjow!"

"Shh. Don't come out till I tell you, you might be a shock to them." I saw raw fear come across her face and understood.

"They will love you no matter what. They are your friends." I patted her head softly and stepped around the corner the exact moment his group did.

Immediately the group stopped, stunned. Only a second of stunned silence before they formed a line across the hallway, three swords came out, a bow, and armor over an arm.

Kurosaki was in the middle, a little girl I knew as Rukia to his left, standing by a redhead. To his right were Sado and a dork with glasses.

The arrancar girl they came here with was no where to be seen.

Kurosaki spoke first, all serious and angry "Grimmjow." I heard a little gasp as he spoke. Apparently no one else heard Orihime. "Wha-"

I interrupted him. "Shut it. I'll do the talking. You came here for Orihime, right?"

The geek with the bow answered. "Yes, we did. What do you want?"

I snarled at him, showing teeth. "I ask. You answer."

Kurosaki lunged at me, I knew it was coming, so I easily whipped my head back to him and grabbed his sword.

It cut my palm, but I didn't notice.

I pulled it, pulling his face in mine.

"I promised myself I wouldn't kill you for her, but I might snap so don't push it." I pushed him away from me.

Standing there, I could easily swivel my eye and see Orihime around the corner. Trying mot to be conspicuous I cocked my head to the side and rubbed my neck to see her.

She was crouched with her hands over her face, shaking. I sighed. This must be hard for her. I knew she was fighting whatever Aizen did to contaminate her mind.

"You." I said to no one in particular as I looked back at the group in front of me. "Are you Orihime's friend? Would you love her no matter what?"

They all shared wary glances. I suspected they had doubt in them about if she was a traitor or not.

"Yes." They all answered after only a second.

I eyed them. "No matter what she is?" No one spoke for a second.

"What did you do to Orihime?" Rukia spoke for the first time.

"Answer me! She's your friend right?!" I glared at them all.

"Yes"

"Of course."

"Yes."

"Mhhmmm."

"I would never turn my back on her."

"I suppose you think she betrayed you huh?" No ones face changed. "Well she didn't. Ulquiorra, remember him?" I smiled at Kurosaki. "He brought her here against her will."

If I wasn't looking for them, I wouldn't have seen the little changes.

The geek's hand flexed on his bow. Sado's arm flexed. The red head's tattoo eye brows loosened slightly, and Rukia's finger twitched.

Ichigo just glowered.

I sighed, a long sad one and didn't try to conceal it as I looked around the corner.

Tears pooled down her cheeks, and she smiled at me. She nodded, still smiling and crying. Her memory came back.

"You can come out now."

Slowly she stood and turned the corner. They all seemed to gasp at the same time.

"You… you killed her… and turned her into a…" Sado spoke, trailing off.

"You BASTARD!" Ichigo yelled. I raised my hands before he could attack.

"HEY! I was completely against it!"

"Liar!" The red head spoke. I turned and snarled at him.

"He's not lying Renji." The voice was only a small whisper, but everyone heard it. "Grimmjow didn't want me to get hurt. Aizen did this. He helped me and protected me when I couldn't. He even took me to see you, Kurosaki-kun." She had stopped crying.

No one spoke for a long time. They kept looking from me to her. Slowly, one by one, they all sheathed their weapons.

"Orihime…" Sado spoke. "Is there anyway to reverse this?" From the look the red head (Orihime said his name… what was it?) and Rukia shared, they knew the answer.

She shook her head once and shrugged. "I don't know."

I spoke up. "Once a soul becomes a hollow, there is no turning back. She's an arrancar now." They all shared a glance. "Now you all have to go, before we get unwanted company. Will you take her?"

Ichigo nodded. "Yes. She's still Orihime, no matter what Aizen did to her."

I nodded. I still hated him.

"No! You have to come with us!" Orihime tuned and hugged my chest as he friends gaped at us.

"I don't belong there and you know it." My hands lifted slowly and hugged her back, my palm resting on her head.

She started crying into my chest. "They'll kill you for helping me!"

I glared at Kurosaki over her head, he glared back,

"Please…" Letting go Orihime turned to her friends. "We can trust him. And… and…" Shaking her head, Orihime blurted out the rest. "AndIlovehim!"

I couldn't help but smile at the reactions I got.

Kurosaki looked like he saw a ghost.

Rukia looked away, sorrow in her eyes.

The Geek looked angry.

Sado looked almost like he was in pain, as if what she said hurt him.

And redhead, man… what was his name… ah, whatever. Anyway, he looked like he just shit a brick.

"Orihime… You can't trust an arran-" He cut himself off, and I glared at him. Fucking retard.

She didn't look at me but I knew tears pooled up in her eyes. Angry tears.

"Arrancar? That's exactly what I thought! 'Arrancars are all heartless, and evil.' No. Now I understand. Being an arrancar gives you humanity back, feelings other than the senseless hunger. They choose to take it, so they can think clearly, but not the emotions. They don't want to feel. They ignore it to gain power. We," She gestured to me and her. "We are different. We didn't let the hollow side take over." She wiped the angry tears away. "He's not like that, not anymore, and I never was."

Without hesitating, Rukia walked up and embraced the girl. The rest just gaped at her.

"We know you aren't like that Orihime." Sado spoke. "It's just that… Grimmjow… he's still…"

"Crude. Dangerous. Mean and cruel." I glared at the geek. It was all true, but he was pissing me off.

"Trust me." Orihime spoke. Ichigo looked at them, they all stiffly nodded, all but Rukia. She said and did nothing.

Ichigo stared to speak. "If you so much as give me one reason to doubt you…"

"Shut up idiot. I'm not even sure I'm going with you fuckers anyway."

Orihime stood next to me; I didn't realize Rukia let her go.

Her eyes where puffy and cheeks red, but at least she stopped crying.

"Do you really want me to go with you? I don't belong there. You know it and I know it."

She smiled. "We belong there Grimmjow. Not here. We're not like the others. You belong with me."

I mused that. I wanted to go. I didn't want to lose her. Plus, I didn't want to die just yet, and if I stayed, I would surly be killed.

"Hurry up, lets go." I flicked my wrist and opened a gargantua. Orihime went first; I motioned her friends to go. They glared at me, hate evident on there faces.

I smiled. This is going to be fun...


AHH! SORRY! I give you my Apologies!

I know it's been along time since I updated! Sorry Sorry! I hope this kinda-long chapter makes up for it. If not, I also drew a very cheap and poor drawing of Orihime's outfit and hollow mask.

Her mask has bones going down her spine. She actually has seven vertebrae going down to her waist where it wraps around, but I only drew three long ones.:) Sorry. I draw bad.

.com/art/Orihime-Arrancar-127563561

Yay!