The next morning found the ex-captain, Aizen, sitting in front of his newly restored balcony, staring contentedly at the small sphere in his hand. He was still completely taken aback as to the affect the woman was having on him. Normally I am the one doing the manipulating…the scheming. But whenever I am in that woman's presence I seem to forget myself, and my surroundings; it's as if I am being possessed. He was beside himself. How could I, the Master of Manipulation, have fallen so far? Not only am I completely enamored with her, but I had been rejected! Completely and utterly rejected...not to mention literally. He chuckled to himself at that. So far whenever he was in her presence, his heart would stop and his stomach would drop, he'd overlook her disrespect and insubordination and immediately begin worshiping her like the Goddess she was. After all, she does have the powers of a God, what is the harm in treating her as such?

He closed his eyes, and focused on his loyal and seemingly ever present Fourth Espada. He aimed his reiatsu and poked at the Arrancars mind, immediately garnering his attention.

"Ulquiorra. I wish for you to speak with the woman, find out if there is anything she might…want. Anything at all." He finished, withdrawing from the Espada's mind for the third time that day.

Orihime awoke with a start, the most recent image of her Father fading from her mind. She closed her eyes, Why…of all times…should my past bother me so badly? I thought I was past all this! She heard the click of her cell door. She scrambled to cover herself, even though she was still in her Arrancar uniform. I guess it's too much to ask that he knocks. I hate people barging into my room…

The cell door shut behind him, Ulquiorra quietly stepped into the room. Aware that he had awaken his charge, despite his stealthy attempt at entering her room. She must not have slept well, to have been alerted this easily, he noted. "I have brought you food." He stated, placing the tray on the table nearby and then went to lean up against the wall, his hands in their usual pockets. He had been rather annoyed earlier when Aizen had intruded into his mind once again that day only to request that he find out what the woman…wants. Logically it is pointless, however he could see what Aizen was planning. He had overstepped his bounds yesterday and was trying to make up for it.

Something about him seems…off. Orihime looked into his green eyes. The intensity his gaze normally holds…its just not there. He seems…subdued, and somehow on guard. Curious, she asked, "Are you ok?"

Wondering at the sincerity of her concern, he declined to answer. Do I look not ok? Picking up on that train of thought he bluntly asked, "Do you have a power that lets you influence those around you?"

Well I am blessed with large assets, but somehow I don't think he's referring to that kind of power. She couldn't hide the slight grin that spread across her face. "No. My Shun Shun Rikka, as you've probably deduced yourself, are physical manifestations of my spirit. I am not the type of person that finds pleasure in the manipulation of others, therefore that part of my personality, in my spirit, did not manifest." She climbed out of bed and went into the restroom, I wonder if he's referring to Aizen's fascination with me when he asked that? I didn't ask for him to come on to me!

I see, Ulquiorra thought, relieved. Could Aizen be attracted to her then? He was a human once; it would make sense for him to still be plagued by human emotions and impulses. That would explain why she was so upset yesterday.

Orihime returned from the restroom.

"Woman." Ulquiorra began, he closed his eyes. "Aizen has…requested, that I see if there is anything you might…want."

Orihime stood there confused, "What do you mean, want?"

"What would you like from the Human World?" he asked straight to the point.

Orihime's eyes lit up, but then narrowed, quickly seeing past Aizen's game. She folded her arms across her chest. He's trying to make up for his mistake yesterday, trying to regain my trust. She thought out her words carefully, "You can tell Aizen that he cannot buy my trust or allegiance!"

"I will tell him no such thing. You may tell him yourself, if you so wish." He replied, staring coldly into her grey eyes. "Now, what is it you want, woman?"

Orihime brought her finger to her chin, thinking. What could he possibly get? Maybe I could test him? She ran through a list of items in her mind that she'd like to have and she found it, her eyes brightening. "You can get me anything I want, right?" she asked, hoping against hope.

"Yes."

"Ok. I want one thing. A blue hair ribbon. Not just any blue hair ribbon, the ribbon beneath the picture of my Brother Sora in my flat. That's all I want." She finished, her mind racing in excitement as she stood on her tip toes.

"It will be done." He stated, causing her to beam up at him.

Ulquiorra watched her quizzically, intrigued by the warm aura radiating off her. She smiled up at him unknowingly; she was so caught up in herself. He was fascinated. Here she was, surrounded by enemies that could and would kill her given the opportunity, and she's smiling like a fool. Her smiled burned itself into his memory. The warmth and happiness she was radiating seemed to trickle across the room and seep into his very soul. He closed his eyes basking in the unfamiliar feeling that swept through him, his mind racing. What is this woman? He opened his eyes to find her staring at him with the same quizzical expression he wore moments before.

"Are you alright, Ulquiorra?" she asked the second time that morning.

This time he nodded his head, "Eat woman, the food is getting cold."

She stared down at the table, "Oh I'm sorry I completely forgot!" she said, sitting down and taking a small bite of the now lukewarm oatmeal. She grimaced at the bland taste.

He leaned against the wall with his hands in his pockets and closed his eyes, intending to analyze the warm feeling he had within him seconds before, however he was interrupted.

"Ulquiorra, can I ask you something?" she said after quickly finishing her breakfast.

"You just did." He responded dryly.

She nearly choked. Did he just make a comeback? She smiled at the thought as she turned around to face him. "So the green tear tracks, is it a tattoo, makeup or are they really apart of you?"

He closed his eyes at the inane question. Of all the questions to ask, she's just as bad as Grimmjow! "Come touch them and find out." He said without thinking, his eyes snapping open. He almost pushed himself off the wall and left right there as he saw her eyes widen in shock. This damned woman!

Orihime slowly rose from her seat and walked over to the normally stoic Espada. She looked into his eyes, reading the anger, confusion and disgust in them. I don't think he meant to say that. She paused before him, "You know, I don't really need to, I'm sorry I asked,"

When she turned away he closed his eyes in relief. She had unnerved him, shaken his core and caused his body to act of its own accord. He was intensely confused by the woman, how could she evoke such a reaction out of him? "What are you?" he whispered, barely audible enough for her to hear as he left the room, the door clicking behind him.

Securing the room, his mind a whirl of thoughts and emotions, Ulquiorra quickly went to inform Aizen of the woman's request. Aizen had been surprised that all the woman had asked for was so simple and had immediately given the Espada permission to make a stealth trip into the Human World to retrieve it. However, if he was detected, he was to avoid conflict if at all possible.

Ulquiorra could not get the woman's bright smile and questioning eyes out of his head as he made his way outside of the building. The feeling she had evoked within him with that mere expression confused him. Not only had she elicited some unknown feeling to burn within him at that moment, but it had befuddled his mind too. When she asked about his tears, he had completely opened up and said to come touch them without even thinking about it. It infuriated him. He had always been in control of himself, for as long as he could remember. His life as a hollow had been one of emptiness and cool discipline. Nothing had mattered, his existence had been meaningless. Kill or be killed, eat or be eaten. There was no emotion.

He paused, closing his eyes he focused on where he wanted to appear in Karakura. Drawing his line horizontally in front of him, he opened a gap in reality, a Garganta: a swirling portal of shadows and darkness. Forming a pathway in his mind, he confidently stepped through, and made for the pinprick of light on the other side.

Even after he had been made into an Arrancar, an Espada, he didn't let himself feel anything, except for the basic annoyance and contempt he felt for his 'comrades'. He scoffed at the notion. Comrades, friends, partners, there all meaningless. Only a fool would place their trust in someone other than themselves. Aizen realizes this, and for that he trusts no one. He knew that Aizen played them all like pawns in a game of chess, easily expendable to further his cause and get him one step closer towards his goal. Ulquiorra knew it, and would continue to play along until it came down to a matter of who held the power. He was very powerful, more so than Aizen thought him capable of being. If Aizen ever fell, or attempted to dispose of the Fourth, Ulquiorra would be ready.

Ulquiorra reached the end of the tunnel and closed his eyes. He focused on his core, pulsing within him, his reiatsu. He smothered it, forming it into a dense molten ball and hid it within himself, masking his appearance and location. He stepped out into the warm spring air, closing the Garganta behind him.

Down spread out below him were several apartment complexes. Dropping quietly to the ground, he went from apartment to apartment, pausing every so often to close his eyes and attempt to focus on faint trace particles of the woman's reiatsu. After several minutes of searching he was able to find the door he was looking for.

It was a rather ordinary apartment, its hedges and grass overgrowing, weeds poking up through the cracks in the concrete. The mailbox was nearly overflowing with unchecked mail. Ulquiorra stepped forward and quickly checked the knob. As he had expected, it was locked.

Closing his eyes, he focused on his body and reiatsu. Still keeping himself masked, he allowed his core to dissolve slowly and spread out through his entire body, giving him a light airy feeling. He opened his eyes and stepped forward, placing one of his white hands on, and through the door. He felt nothing as he passed through the solid door into the apartment's entryway. Ignoring the human trash around him he strode purposefully through the flat in search of the blue ribbon. Walking into the living room, he spied it immediately on a shelf beneath a picture frame.

He grabbed the ribbon and stashed it in his pocket and was about to turn to leave when the picture caught his eye. It was the woman, though she was young, and the fiery hair was barely shoulder length. There was also a young man, who had his arms draped about her shoulders, who had purple grey eyes and straight chin length brown hair. They both seemed to be beaming at him. He glared down at them as he was reminded of the very smile that he was presented with earlier.

Suddenly he felt a familiar presence nearby, above the apartment. It was the orange haired shinigami. Quickly focusing his reiatsu he drew out the line of darkness in front of him. Releasing his core, he forced more reiatsu out into the line, making it crack and open the Garganta faster. Aizen had told him to avoid unnecessary conflict, and that he would. He felt the shinigami descend upon the flat just as he stepped into and began closing the gap in the world. It was about a foot from closing entirely when the shinigami burst into the apartment. The Espada's gaze met with the Vizards, both sent each other daggers, just as the rip sealed shut.

Orihime had lay down not long after her Guardian had left. She had puzzled and hurt by the emotions she had seen behind his eyes. She could tell he was just as confused as her by his sudden outburst, and in turn was angry with himself. But disgust? Was the disgust for her, as a human, who he had asked to touch him? Or did the disgust go alongside with the anger, that he was disgusted with himself for losing control? She felt guilt well up inside her, what had made her ask such a childish question anyways? It was completely tactless, rude, and put them both in a very awkward position. She sighed, closing her eyes and curling up into a ball beneath her bed spread. Her last thought before falling asleep was, I hope I didn't offend him.

After a while she began to toss and turn restlessly, her dreams disturbing her. Images of her Father plagued her mind, tainting her spirit as she thrashed against her covers, seeking a way out of her nightmare. Her eyes squeezed tight as tears leaked out and her breath became labored. Incoherent words struggled past her lips as she fought with her covers, trying to throw them and her invisible attacker off. "No…get off!" she screamed before sobbing into the sheets, her body convulsing and suddenly going limp. Sweat soaked her clothing and the sheets, and plastered her hair to her forehead. Chills began to wrack her body. She curled up into a ball and cried, wishing the memories away. She didn't hear her cell door open as she fell into an exhausted sleep.

Ulquiorra had just finished reporting his trip to the Human World a success and was on the way back to the woman's cell when he heard her scream. Fearing that Nnoitra or some other Arrancar had broken into her cell, he put on a quick burst of sonido to cover the rest of the way to her room. Upon arrival he saw the door, tightly shut and locked just as he had left it, relieved, his anger lessoned. He unlocked the door and stepped inside to find the woman curled up in a tight ball on her bed, shivering, the bed cover strewn on the floor. He quietly walked over and picked it up, gently laying it across her. Her shivering stopped, though she still had a sheen of sweat covering her face and forehead.

Ulquiorra frowned even deeper than he ordinarily would, unsure what to do. Is she ill? He wondered. He considered taking her temperature, but quickly pushed the idea aside. How would I know what is an abnormal temperature for this woman when I haven't even felt her normal temperature? He closed his eyes, sighing inwardly. Aizen would be furious if she was ill enough as to be useless to him.

Orihime's brow furrowed and she started shivering again. Her body ached and her mind felt fuzzy. She wanted to wake up but she couldn't. She felt as if she were floating in some unnamed darkness. Though she was silently thankful it wasn't another nightmare. She felt sweat trickle into her eye, stinging it. She wanted to swipe it away but she lacked the energy. Her head began to pound. What's going on with me? Why can't I wake up? Tears slid down her cheeks are her breathing became labored.

Ulquiorra watched her, his brows furrowing in concern. He'd only been there five minutes and he could tell her condition was rapidly deteriorating. She must have a fever. He thought, quickly going to the restroom. There he found the black and white cloth Aizen had given her. He took it and ran it under the cold water, slightly wringing it out and folding it into thirds. He went back to her and gently placed it on her forehead, causing her to unconsciously sigh in relief. He hoped he did the right thing, or Aizen would have his hide.

Orihime felt something cool on her forehead and sighed. She knew someone must be in her room with her, and was comforted by the fact that it must be her Guardian. She tried once again to open her eyes, but her strength had deserted her. She frowned inwardly, frustrated. She didn't want to go back to sleep, she didn't want to face her nightmares again. She had been plagued with memories of her Father for most of her life, and had finally gotten over them shortly before she got into high school. She thought she had been free. Then she was forced to come here, though she went willingly. And the nightmares started again. Maybe it was the stress that brought them back, she didn't know. All she knew was she wanted them to stop, she couldn't take it any longer.

Eventually exhaustion overtook her once more and she fell into a fever induced sleep, her mind traveling through a swirling darkness where nightmares didn't reach her.

Ulquiorra had been keeping watch over his charge for over two hours. Her condition didn't seem to improve, nor did it worsen since he began putting the cool cloth on her forehead. Tremors still wracked her body, and she didn't seem to be able to wake up.

He stood, I'll have to speak with Szayel, he is fairly knowledgeable when it comes to medical treatments. He quickly left and locked the door behind him. Using sonido he quickly reached the Eighth Espada's underground complex and banged on his door.

After a moment it opened, revealing two identical, short and squat looking Arrancar. "I need to speak with Szayel." Ulquiorra said.

"Master Szayel is in the middle of an experiment—" the left one said.

"—I'm afraid you'll have to come back later." Finished the one on the right.

Ulquiorra glared daggers at them and pushed his way into the complex. "Szayel!" he called, heading straight for the backroom, having sensed the others reiatsu.

The large metal door opened, "My, my Ulquiorra-san." A tall, thin Arrancar appeared, holding a clipboard. He had shocking chin length pink hair that partially covered his face. And he wore what appeared to be glasses at a first glance, but upon closer inspection were actually made out of the same bone like material as a Hollow mask. "To what do I owe this…pleasure?" Szayel asked as he casually eyed the Forth Espada up and down.

"The woman has taken ill, she needs medical attention." Ulquiorra said emotionlessly.

"Hmm. I see." He said stepping past the Espada, flipping through his clipboard. "And what would be in it for me?"

"You would live." He said, as if it were obvious.

"Ah. I see. There is that. I'm rather attached to life. I suppose I could help dear Pet-sama, just this once." He picked up a small bag from a nearby metal table. "Please allow me a few moments to gather anything that may prove useful."

Ulquiorra said nothing and instead made his way past the squat Fracción to the door.

Szayel gathered what supplies he could find, silently fuming that he'd been bothered for such a menial task. How could a human catch an illness in Hueco Mundo anyway? Bacteria does not survive here, the human would have to have a virus. With that thought he opened up a large metal door into the cooled storeroom where he kept all blood samples, pathogens and any other substance that needed chilling. Scanning the half empty shelves he quickly found what he needed. I really need to restock this place. He made a mental note to make a trip to the Human World soon.

He returned to the silent Espada, bag in hand. "I will return shortly." He said to his Fracción before leaving his domain.

Ulquiorra motioned to follow, stepping into sonido, he quickly made his way out of the underground complex back to the woman's cell.

Chapter 4 Teaser: "Oi, Pinky, how's it goin?" he asked.

"Hello Nnoitra, I'm as well as I'll ever be. What are you doing here?" Szayel asked, knowing that nobody was allowed in this hallway besides Ulquiorra.

"I might ask the same of you, Pinky."

Pinky rolled his eyes. "Ulquiorra-sama mentioned that Pet-sama had gone ill. He requested that I give her treatment, this is just part of it." He held up the bowl for the Fifth to see.

AN: I hope you liked chapter 3! I hope Ulquiorra wasn't too OOC with his small outburst ^^ and sorry this one is slightly shorter than the others, it's just the next section is a big chunk that's not very interruptable heh lol