Upon returning he found the woman had thrown her covers off once again and lay shivering in a ball on the bed, the damn cloth resting beside her head. Ignoring the look Szayel gave him, he took the blanket once again and carefully draped it over her, though this time the shivering didn't stop.

Pink hair set the small black case on the table and stared quizzically as the woman shivering in the bed. "She is very ill." He stated, going into scientist mode. He took out a thermometer. "She needs to be awake for this." He said, glancing at Ulquiorra.

Going over to his charge he called out to her, "Wake up, woman!" he said firmly. He got no response. "Woman, wake up!" he insisted, in his do-not-disobey-me voice.

Orihime heard him calling out to her, but she heard it was if through several thick walls of concrete and insulation, for when the sound reached her, it was barely audible. She tried opening her eyes again, her brow furrowing in concentration, but she couldn't. Ulquiorra, I can't…her heart began to beat frantically as confusion and doubt consumed her, a tear leaked down her cheek. She wondered if she would ever awake, or if her strength and will had completely deserted her. Her breathing quickened as she fought the weakness inside her, willing her eyes to open.

Ulquiorra watched her, intrigued by the reaction his voice had evoked within her subconscious mind. He saw the tickle of tears begin leaking down her cheeks and his eyes softened a fraction. "Foolishness," he whispered, reaching forward and gently wiping her tears away. He was amazed at the softness of her skin, and the liquid that was now clinging to his thumb. She leaned into his touch shocking him enough that he jerked his hand back, his eyes widening.

Her eyes snapped open and a gasp escaped her lips as she felt the contact disappear. Her body ached with fever. She took a deep breath, and let it out, shuddering. Slowly she opened her eyes and tried to focus her vision, slightly turning her head she gazed up at her ever present Guardian. Then her look turned to confusion, and worry, upon seeing the unfamiliar pink haired Arrancar next to him.

Szayel watched this transaction without comment, knowing to do so would only aggravate the normally stoic and composed Forth Espada. He could tell that Ulquiorra hadn't meant to reach out to her like that, upon seeing the way he stared at his now tear coated thumb with a look of annoyance and confusion. He returned his gaze to the woman, noticing she had finally woke up.

"Hello, Pet-sama, I'm Szayel Aporro Granz. Ulquiorra-san fetched me when he became aware of your condition. I'm here to help you." He stated slowly and clearly, keeping his voice as soft and unthreatening as possible.

"You…" she choked, her voice was coarse and throat sore from disuse, her eyes watering. She leaned up on her elbow, her other hand going up to massage her throat. She stared down at the white hands, and black nails in front of her, that were no longer lodged in their pockets. She wondered if Ulquiorra had been watching over her all along. She could still feel the warmth of his hand on her cheek. She gazed up into his expressionless emerald eyes, surprised to see that there was a veil of concern behind them. "Ulquiorra…" she whispered.

"Don't speak, woman." He said, going to the restroom, he returned with a glass of water. "Drink." He ordered, handing it to her. The Espada's mind was a whirlwind of disconnected thoughts. He just couldn't figure her out. One moment she was in a fever induced sleep and the next she had awaken with the gentle touch of his hand.

She took it gratefully. She managed to drink half the glass before she had to stop, a wave of nausea hitting her. "I can't." she whispered, handing it back to him and lying back on the bed, her eyes closed.

Szayel grabbed the nearby chair, "If you don't mind, Ulquiorra-san, I need to be near her to run my diagnostics."

Nodding, Ulquiorra moved over and took the usual place against the wall, his hands once again in his pockets, his eyes never leaving the woman.

Szayel rummaged through the bag and pulled out a thermometer. "Pet-sama, I need to take your temperature, open up please." He leaned over the woman, waiting for her to comply.

"Pet-sama?" she asked, opening her eyes.

The pink haired Espada grinned, "Forgive me, we, that is, I and the other Arrancar, do not know your name. Nnoitra started calling you Pet-sama, as Aizen-sama has taken a personal interested in you, and I'm afraid it has caught on."

Orihime frowned. "I don't like it. My name is Orihime Inoue. Please to meet you, Granz-sama." She said softly.

Szayel smiled at her use of formalities, even though she was exhausted and ill. "Please, just Szayel. Now, I'm going to try and make you better. Open up." He said, showing her the small thermometer.

She complied. He gently placed it beneath her tongue and waited a minute. "How long has she been in this state?" he asked Ulquiorra.

"Around three hours."

Pink Hair nodded, taking the thermometer and checking it. "38.6 degrees Celsius, you have a fever."

Ulquiorra would have rolled his eyes at that, but resisted the urge.

Pink Hair continued, "Now there are no bacteria in Hueco Mundo, they simply cannot survive in this environment. So logically, what is causing your illness is a virus. I cannot do much to combat that." He dug through his nearby bag, emerging with a small syringe filled with a milky colored liquid. "I only have this. I don't have many supplies left at the moment. I need to restock, so it will have to do. It's a generic anti-virus, it might help. If you'll allow me, I can administer it."

Orihime's eyes widened. She hated needles. When she was a child her Father had taken it upon himself to play Doctor, needless to say she is now terrified of them. "Please no, not a shot!" she backed herself into the corner of her bed, drawing the covers up around her.

Szayel quirked an eyebrow, "It won't hurt, I promise you. I'm rather gifted with these, you might say."

She shook her head, tears streaming down her face.

Ulquiorra pushed himself off the wall. "Woman, I would never allow anyone in here that would hurt you, and I'll be right here to rip off his arm if he does." He glanced at pink hair, who openly rolled his eyes at the Espada, earning a glare.

Orihime weighed her options. She was exhausted, and felt horrible. She wanted to get better, but if she had a virus, that could take days. If she had the generic anti-virus she might be better by tomorrow, or the day after. She closed her eyes, shuddering as visions of her Father with a syringe in his hand taunting her. iNo! It's just a memory! I'm better than this! They only want to help! /iShe took a deep breath, and tried to gather her courage. "Just do it, quickly." She said quietly.

Szayel nodded. "Please turn towards me, I need your shoulder, Inoue-san."

She shifted closer to him so that her left shoulder was within range. She gazed ahead of her, her eyes locking onto the green ones at the end of her bed. Ulquiorra nodded at her reassuringly. "Call me Orihime." She said to nobody in particular and waited for the pain to come.

"And…done!" Szayel said, pulling out the needle and pressing down on the pinprick with a cotton swab, then sticking a piece of tape to it to hold it there.

Her eyes widened, surprised. "Wait, that was it? You did it already?"

Pink hair nodded.

Tears leaked from her eyes and she smiled weakly at the Eighth. "Thank you…Szayel." She couldn't believe it was over already, and she didn't feel anything. The scientist was truly gifted.

As Szayel packed away his things he said, "My best advice would be to drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated and plenty of rest; you'll just have to wait it out now."

All color drained out of Orihime's skin, "I can't sleep! I just…I can't." Ulquiorra saw an unfamiliar fear in her eyes, her skin had lost its glow; she began trembling.

Szayel studied her peculiar reaction. His eyes softened as he came to the only logical conclusion. "You have nightmares." He said softly.

She cast her eyes down, ashamed. She nodded.

"What about?" Szayel inquired, genuinely curious.

"I don't want to talk about it." She mumbled. Just how pathetic can I get? She wondered. She had never talked to anyone about her unfortunate past, nobody, not even Tatsuki. The only person that knew was her Brother, and he was gone.

Ulquiorra could tell she was haunted; something had traumatized her, something so horrible that she had carried it like a burden on her shoulders for her entire life. Beneath that lively, happy, caring facade her soul had been tainted dark, like his. "Szayel, leave us. I will watch over her now."

Pink hair inwardly grinned, sensing the Espada's over protectiveness kicking in. He inclined his head respectfully, "I will come check on her this evening and tomorrow morning." He gathered up his bag and turn back to the woman, "Get well, Orihime." He said, smiling at her and departing with a burst of sonido.

Orihime kept her eyes focused on the bed spread before her, unable to meet her Guardians eyes. He had said he would watch over her, he had been watching over her. If she didn't know better she would say he was concerned. But she did know better. Ulquiorra was a being of logic and duty. He is obligated to keep her in a state of well being, and if that meant baby sitting her while she was ill, he would do it. She frowned, wishing it weren't as simple as that. She swore she saw concern in his tightly veiled eyes earlier, and he's not duty bound to feel that. Or was she simply mistaken? She was delirious, she probably read him wrong. Then again, she remembered his touch, she had only been half conscious at the time, but it was burned within her. He had gently wiped away her tears and she had leaned into that comfort, only to have him pull his hand away as if he had been burned, shocking her into awareness. She buried her face into her arms, exhausted and confused, and not wanting to sleep for fear of the nightmare overtaking her.

"Woman," said the cold, emotionless voice, demanding her attention. Her head snapped up, he was once again seated at her bedside, directly across from her. "There is something bothering you." He stated.

"Obviously," she mumbled, surprising herself. She sighed inwardly. She knew he wanted to know what was bothering her, why, she had no idea. But she wouldn't tell him freely. He never asked her anything. It's always woman this or woman that, eat your food woman, go to sleep woman. He'll have to work for it; he'll have to ask me. She decided. She propped her chin up on her arms and lifted her tired eyes to meet his relentless ones, she questioningly quirked an eye brow at him. She knew she was being rude, after all he didn't have to stay there and watch over her, duty bound or not, he didn't have to be there 24/7.

Ulquiorra stared back into her grey eyes, surprised to find them currently as emotionless as his own. She arched her brow at him. Is the woman mocking me? He glared at her. He knew he should leave right now and just let her suffer, but he did not. He could feel the darkness within her soul, she tried to hide it, but he now knew it was there, it was eerily similar to his own, and it was suppressing her. It would continue to haunt and torment her until she gave in or let it out. He sighed inwardly, annoyed at the thought of being protector and now psychologist. Normally he wasn't one to bother with such things, but he was genuinely interested by what could have possibly happened to darken the soul of such a bright and innocent human. "Woman…" he began. He really didn't want to ask her, didn't want to ask anything, it would mean he had willingly given in and reached out to her this time, rather than his body and mind doing it on its own, without his permission. "…tell me what is bothering you." He ordered. Ok I didn't ask, I ordered. There is a difference.

"I don't want to talk about it," she repeated impassively, agitating him. He didn't ask her, he ordered her, she would not be ordered to reveal this, not even to Aizen, not even if it meant death. If only he was just come out and ask…I would…no matter what.

He balled his hands into fists within the pockets, irritated that she had defied him, and unable to do anything about it. Suddenly he remembered the ribbon, entwining the smooth material between his hard fingers. He stared into her eyes, noticing a slight change in them. It almost looked as if she were pleading with him silently, as if she wanted to tell him but would not until he reached out for her. He leaned forward and pulled his hand out of his pocket. The blue ribbon was wound between his fingers.

Her eyes widened upon seeing it, surprised that he really went and got it for her. The ribbon that had gone with the hair pins her Brother had got for her the day he died. Tears silently slipped down her cheeks.

His eyes softened a minute fraction as he held the ribbon out for her to take, "Will you tell me what is bothering you?"

Orihime closed her eyes. She hadn't thought he would really do it. Never would have dreamed, and now she'd have to tell him, or at least begin to tell him, give him a vague idea about her tainted past. She looked up into his eyes, eyes that were a slightly darker hue than normal, an unnamed emotion tightly veiled behind them. She reached forward and covered his hand with both of hers. "Ulquiorra…thank you for bringing me this." She whispered through closed eyes, taking the ribbon from him, not wanting to see the expression she had evoked from this simple action. She didn't see Ulquiorra close his own eyes, nor did she see him purse his lips as he forced his hand not to tremble at her touch. After she pulled away she didn't see him clutch it and stare at it as if it didn't belong to him.

He would never admit it, but he was shocked. It takes a lot to shock the Forth Espada, and this woman somehow kept doing it. He had expected her to take the ribbon and then answer the question. He didn't expect her to embrace him. He didn't expect her gratitude. And he most certainly didn't except to tremble at her touch; he could still feel her warmth enveloping his hand.

Taking a deep breath she tried to calm herself, the warm hardness of his hand embed into her mind.

Sighing she started, "So you wanted to know what is bothering me." She looked up at him, his stoic mask back in place. He said nothing. "My nightmares…I didn't have them until I came back here. I used to have them all the time when I was younger, but eventually they stopped, and now there back. They're about my Father…when I was young. He would abuse my big Brother and I." she tightened her arms around her legs. "He especially abused me…he did…despicable things. He took advantage of me when I was only a little girl…he.." she squeeze her eyes shut, her body trembling.

Ulquiorra glared down at the woman before him, but the glare wasn't for her. He knew of the type of things she was speaking of. He never did it himself but some of the lower Arrancar enjoyed taking their victims before they ate them and he knew that humans did this same thing. He thought it was below the Arrancar to take part in such disgusting and animalistic acts. It was degrading to the attacker and now he realized how traumatizing it could be for the victims.

He watched as she fell apart before him, the once fiery creature dispirited and withdrawn, tears sliding down her face as her body shook. He had set aside his pride in order to find out what had been disturbing his charge, and now that he had, he could do nothing for her. These were demons he could not fight. She was alone. Alone in a world that he had taken her to, away from those people who might have once helped her, who she was now a traitor to.

"That's enough, woman." He said in a softer voice than usual.

She swiped at her eyes and cheeks. She was so tired of crying, so tired. When she finally felt she could cry no more, she cried more still. It was frustrating. iMaybe Szayel can remove my tear ducts/i…she thought, a small smile gracing her lips. She raised her tired eyes to his. He had finally reached out to her, and she was glad. "You probably think I'm just a foolish woman, wearing my emotions on my sleeves." She said quietly.

"No." he said softly. "This is different then just flinging around your emotions for all to see and take advantage of. You were the victim of a terrible childhood, and there was nothing you could do about it. These nightmares are the way your subconscious is trying to cope, causing you to react the way you are. It is not foolish; it is just out of your control." I just wish there was something I can do to fix it. It is my duty to protect you but I cannot protect you from your own consciousness!

She stared wide eyed at her captor's lengthy reply. She hadn't expected a reply at all. But this…just makes me feel even more hopeless! Just as he had said it, it really was out of her control. Tears stung her eyes once more, she wiped them away furiously, tired of crying. She knew he was right though, she'd just have to deal with this, had to have faith that she'd get through it again, eventually.

She scooted over to the edge of the bed, and made to stand up, only for her legs to buckle out from under her and cause her to sit right back down. She glared at the floor. Her body ached, she wanted a hot bath; she knew she would feel better afterwards. She tried standing again, this time a bit more slowly. She carefully made her way towards the restroom, about halfway there her legs gave out again and she barely managed to avoid the fall by bracing herself against the table.

Ulquiorra was at her side at once, though he made no move to help her once he was able to ascertain that she could stand on her own.

"I'm alright," she said quietly. She took a deep breath and headed into the restroom shutting the door behind her.

Ulquiorra went back to his chair, his mind straying to the feel of her hands against his.

After what felt like hours, Orihime finally managed to drag herself out of the restroom, clean and refreshed, though still slightly feverish and weak. She stared at the back of her Captor's head, noting that he was once again in that chair. She carefully made her way across the room, this time more sure of herself. He didn't say anything when she rejoined him, pulling back the bed spread before settling herself and covering up. Still she shivered. Though not one to complain, she said nothing.

She spied the blue ribbon on the cover and pulled her hand out to grab it, before it got lost. She really liked the ribbon, and wondered if it might possess powers just as her pins had, as they came in a set. She just never wore it, preferring her hair down. iI think once my hair dries, I'll use it. /iShe smiled, winding it between her fingers in much the same way Ulquiorra had unconsciously did earlier.

A small gust of wind blew through the window, causing her to shiver and goose bumps to break out across her skin. She quickly drew her arms back underneath the cover, holding them against her body.

"You're cold." Her Guardian observed.

"It's nothing. It's just the fever and the fact that my hair is wet, that's all." She said quietly.

He got up, "Your illness could get worse. I will return shortly." He said before heading to the door.

"Wait..um..Ulquiorra?" He stopped, looking back over his shoulder at her questioningly.

"Would you mind…are there any pillows here?" she asked tentatively, blushing as she stared down at her hands.

He said nothing except, "I will return shortly."

Ichigio and Uruhara stood outside Inoue's apartment. Just hours before Ichigo had detected a powerful reiatsu that appeared over Karakura and then it had immediately disappeared. He was able to track down the trace spirit particles to directly above her flat, and had only been there a few moments when a massive reiatsu enveloped him from below. Alarmed, and angry, as he recognized the reiatsu, he had dropped down through the solid roof, in much the same way that Ulquiorra had went through the door, only to find said Espada vanishing behind a Garganta.

"I don't get it." The Vizard said, "Why would he want to come back to Inoue's flat?"

Uruhara leaned heavily on his cane, "We're about to find out," he pointed towards the black cat who had nimbly jumped down from the roof.

The feline sat directly in front of them, "It appears that all that was taken was ribbon. That was all I could gather due to the imprints that were left laying it the dust."

"Which really doesn't make any sense," Ichigo said, his brow furrowing. "Why would they want a ribbon, unless Inoue had them get it? And if Inoue is ordering HIM around then is she really on there side?"

"That's a lot of 'ifs' Ichigo. Try to have some faith in your friend." The elder shinigami berated.

"It's been nearly a week already. I'm growing impatient." He said before disappearing to inform Rukia and the others of there findings.

"He's too impatient." Yoruichi stated. "I'm sure Inoue-san is fine, how I know, I'm not sure, but I know they wont hurt her."

Uruhara nodded.

Ulquiorra had just returned to the woman's cell from his errand. He had gone to his own domain and had taken his own blanket and pillow from his bed and now had them held underneath his arms. He entered her room quietly only to find her asleep once more, this time peacefully. After closing the door behind him, he gathered up the blanket and draped it over her. Satisfied, he set the pillow at the end of her bed, not wanting to wake her.

He was just about to leave to his domain when he heard her mumble something incoherent. He turned back to her, slightly annoyed however much less so than previously. He hoped she wasn't about to drop off into another bout of nightmares, or he'd be forced to sit with her again. He didn't like being in her company, even asleep. He had come to realize she represented everything he was not, aside from her slightly tainted spirit. She was his exact opposite, his antithesis. Yet even so she never did what he expected of her, she would constantly throw him off and surprise him.

She turned over, a small sigh escaping her lips as she clutched the second blanket to her chest, he could see the blue ribbon entwined in her fingers. He remembered the feel of the ribbon within his own, and the feeling she had educed from within as she had taken it. He closed his eyes, pushing it out of his mind. There was no point in dwelling on it, it would only serve to confuse and aggravate him further.

Checking once more that she was asleep soundly, he left the cell, locking the door behind him.

Szayel set his clipboard down and sighed, exasperated. "Lumina, Verona, leave me." He ordered the two of his Fracción. Having had finally met the infamous "Pet-sama" he couldn't get the charming young human woman out of his mind. She had been very ill, yet she had been exceedingly polite towards him, even grateful, which had been completely unexpected. He was the enemy, after all. He had expected anger, contempt, possibly even fear, but gratitude? An image of the stoic Fourth Espada flitted through his mind.

He figured having any company besides that particular Espada would make anyone grateful. Then he remembered Ulquiorra's odd behavior. He had called her foolish and gently wiped away the tears she had cried in her sleep, his eyes widening as she leaned into his touch. Szayel had been able to read right through Ulquiorra as he attempted to slam his mask back into place. It had cracked revealing the soul within, his eyes full of surprise and confusion.

Szayel paced his laboratory, trying to decide what it is he could do. He had an inkling that the Fourth could feel an array of emotions, just as the rest of the Arrancar could, though he was the best at concealing it. Ulquiorra had always been the most stoic and emotionless of them all, only ever showing disdain for his subordinates and indifference to his superiors. And now he was obligated to spend much of his time with the woman, Orihime, and she was affecting him, his tightly controlled character ever so slightly crumbling. But for the better, or for the worse? He thought.

He decided that the best way to figure it out what was getting under the Fourths skin would be to get the know the woman herself. Leaving his laboratory, he made his way out of his domain, stopping only to grab the small bag he had earlier. Calling to Lumina and Verona he told them he would return later.

He paused at the top of the staircase from his underground complex. Focusing his reiatsu he waved his hand before him, the stark black and white hallway distorting and cracking to reform into an identical hallway. Using sonido he quickly made it to the opposite end and entered into the kitchen.

Unsurprised that it was empty, he made his way across the room past the island to the pantry. There he found what he was looking for: Campbells Chicken Noodle Soup. Using one of the can openers on the counter, he opened it and dumped it into a pot, setting it on the stove to heat. He silently thanked Aizen-sama and Gin for bringing these human inventions to Las Noches. He himself had no need to use them, though they were very interesting to study. He started going through cupboards until he found a small bowl, he took it. Grabbing a spoon he poured the now hot soup into it and carefully made his way out of the kitchen with it in his hands.

He rearranged the hallway once again, however this time he found that the hallway to Orihime's cell was occupied. He smiled nonchalantly as his almost-comrade, Nnoitra Jiruga, the Fifth Espada. He was leaning against the far wall, his legs cross and huge Axe-like Zanpakuto standing up on the floor next to him. Nnoitra was the tallest amongst the Espada, reaching nearly eight feet tall. His height even more exaggerated by how thin he was, and the odd spoon shaped hat her wore. His black hair was shoulder length, and covered the left side of his face and eye patch. By far the most startling characteristic about this Espada was his wide, creepy grin that always made him seem to know something that everyone else didn't.

"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.

"I see…Pet-sama is ill? I wonder how that could have happened? Ulquiorra-san not taking care of his charge properly hmm?" Nnoitra theorized, his smile widening.

Szayel realized his mistake. He shouldn't have mentioned Orhime's illness at all. "No not at all, she caught a virus somehow, it's completely under control." He said coolly, walking past the Espada.

"You haven't seen Ulquiorra-san, acting…odd lately, have you?" Nnoitra asked seemingly out of the blue.

Szayel paused several meters from the woman's door, "No, I haven't noticed anything at all. Now if you'll excuse me, I must give dear Pet-sama this before it gets cold." He quickly walked the last few meters to the door, unlocked it, and slipped inside.

Nnoitra's smile fading completely, he pushed himself off the wall and headed for the Throne Room.

Chapter 5 Teaser: "Ulquiorra, what is your release form?" she asked seemingly randomly, looking up into his emerald eyes.

He arched a brow at this, a very rare occurrence. He definitely had not expected that question. He said nothing, waiting for her to go on as there appeared to be something weighing on her mind.

"It's just…earlier…well…do you grow huge black wings?" she asked bluntly.

AN: lol chicken soup!

Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter! It had plenty of character development I think ^^ sorry it wasn't all that exciting though.