Inside, Szayel quietly set the bowl of soup upon the table and turned to check on the woman.
First he noticed the very green pillow and blanket, he arched an eye brow. iWell it's not like Ulquiorra-san ever sleeps anyway, he wouldn't need them. /iHe sat in the chair beside her bed and peered down at woman.
Her hair was still damp, and she had partially toss off her blanket in her sleep, revealing the woman curled up into a tight ball, a blue ribbon clutched to her chest. Szayel moved to cover her up when her body convulsed, and she started to tremble. Withdrawing his hand back he watched her, curious. He wondered if she was having one of the nightmares she had been referring to earlier. He watched as her breathing quickened and her body twitched every so often. She had unconsciously clutched her head and brought her knees up to her chest, tears streaming down her eyes. She began to whimper and murmured something incoherent that sounded eerily like "no…" and "please…" Deciding he had seen enough he leaned forward once again, "Orihime-san! You're having a bad dream!" he said firmly. Getting no response he gently took her shoulder and tried to shake her awake, "Orihime-san, wake up!" he pleaded. "Pet-sama!" he shook her a bit harder, now worried more than anything. This time she snapped awake, her grey eyes wide and hands gripping the wrist that was on her shoulder. "Orihime-san?" he questioned. Getting no reaction he waved his other hand in front of her face, no response. He peered down at her. Her pupils were dilated.
She was in Karakura Town, floating in the air on a flat blue sphere. The figure in front of her immediately captured her attention. She thought it was Ulquiorra, but he had huge black wings and his mask had formed completely over, he now had two horns, and his eyes were yellow. She realized she could feel his immense spiritual pressure and that the shield was the only thing between her and its power. He was standing high in the air, glaring down below him at a crumbled building, as if waiting for something, his Shikai at his side. Suddenly dark shadows whirled around him enclosing him in a black box, which was then pierced again and again and again with spears. It took only seconds and the box disappeared, leaving a torn and bloodied Ulquiorra, his eyes closed, crumpling to the ground below.
She snapped awake, her eyes dancing about her wildly, "Ulquiorra!" she choked out, tears sliding down her cheeks. Where is he? Is he dead?
"No. Not Ulquiorra." Szayel said calmly, slightly shocked, but relieved she had come out of her trance like state.
Her eyes locked onto his, "Szayel…where is Ulquiorra?" Her voice seemed almost desperate. She still hadn't noticed the grip she had on the Espada's wrist.
"I do not know where Ulquiorra-san is." He said simply, wondering what had caused her to become so distressed.
She made to get up. "I have to find him! I just saw…" she trailed off, unsure exactly what it was she saw. She then realized she was gripping Szayel's wrist, blushing she dropped it. "Sorry…"
"It's no matter. You need to stay here, Ulquiorra is fine. I can sense his reiatsu." he stated reassuringly as he placed a hand on her shoulder, keeping her seated.
She didn't appear convinced, "are you sure?"
He nodded.
Relief flooded through her. She rubbed her eyes, the vision or dream or whatever she saw replaying again and again in her mind.
"What did you see?" Szayel asked, curious as to what caused her such concern over the Fourth.
She glanced at him, thinking it over. "I'm really not sure…I think it was a dream. But it seemed so real. I was in my own, on a building somewhere I think. I was looking up and in the distance I could see Ulquiorra…he changed…he had wings."
Szayel arched a brow, wondering if she was indeed having a dream, as nobody knew what the Fouth's release state was besides Aizen.
"He was standing there, I could feel his spiritual pressure rippling around me, my shield my only protection. Then all of a sudden this…black box….closed around him, and stabbed him a bunch of times, then it was gone. And he…"
Szayel's eyes widened at this. Being the scientist that he was, he knew all about Kido, and that particular one was extremely difficult to cast and consequently amazingly destructive. He knew of no one who had the skill level to cast such a thing.
She closed her eyes, hoping to suppress the tears. She was so tired of crying. "…he was all torn, he didn't look alive. He fell…and then I woke up. I'm sorry you probably think I'm silly." She glared at the flood in front of her, "And why do I care about what happens to my kidnapper anyway?" she mumbled under her breath as she wiped her tears away.
Szayel arched a brow at her, not having missed a beat. "Orihime-san, you shouldn't be so self-deprecating." He said seriously, making her blush. "Now here, the reason I'm here in the first place," he pointed back to the table, "It's probably cold by now, but I brought—"
But just then the door opened, revealing Ulquiorra, who sent a barrage of questioning daggers at the pink haired Espada.
Orihime felt a rush of relief seep through her as she locked gazes with her Guardian, she almost couldn't restrain the 'you're alive!' she wanted to say.
He sent the same questioning look at her, though with a fraction less malice.
"Why is he here? He asked crisply.
"Oh, Szayel? He was just dropping off some soup for me, you know…my illness." She stared up at him, "Why do you think he was up to something? Paranoid much?" she clapped a hand over her mouth as the Fourth really did send daggers at her and the Eighth fought to hold back a grin. "I'm so sorry." She felt so bad, she was never one to let her mouth run away with her like that, and he'd been rather…hospitable towards her. She stared at the blankets and finally noticed the pillow at the end of the bed. Yep, definitely a case of open mouth insert foot! She felt like she would cry again.
Suddenly, Ulquiorra tensed, squeezing his eyes shut, gripping the door jam beside him, as he felt the all too familiar sensation of Aizen's mental probe enveloping his mind, though this time it felt sharper, more angry. He was requesting there presence. I really hate it when he does that. He thought as his head throbbed painfully.
Noticing Ulquiorra's discomfort, Orihime repressed the urge to go to him, having never seen the affects of Aizens mental intrusion before, she waited.
Szayel looked on knowingly.
"I have some news. Aizen-sama wishes to speak with us…all three of us." He pointedly looked at Szayel. "You wouldn't happen to know why?" he asked threateningly.
Szayel faked a cough, "I uh…did run into Nnoitra on the way here. There was an exchange…he questioned my being around Pet-sama's room and I might have mentioned her illness…" he closed his eyes, realizing how much of a mistake that had been.
"Fool. He is furious. Come!" He had turned to leave, but stopped when he felt an unfamiliar pressure on his arm. He looked down to find a delicate white hand gripping him. He looked over his shoulder, and what he saw made his insides boil.
Orihime was pale, the hand gripping his arm trembling. "Please don't leave me alone with that man again!" Don't leave me alone…not with him…you're my guardian, you can't leave me! She had never been so terrified of meeting with Aizen before. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes, and tried to repress the terror that welled up in her, but she remembered the feel of his hard lips against his, and nearly let out a choked sob. She let go of her Guardian's wrist, and let her hands drop to her sides, her fists clenched to prevent them from shaking.
Szayel watched this exchange with interest, surprised that Aizen had frightened his dear Pet-sama that badly. What did he do to her? "Come, Orihime-san, I'm sure everything will be just fine." Szayel said, a fake smile plastered on his face.
Ulquiorra turned from her and together they headed towards the Throne Room.
Ulquiorra pushed open the double entrance doors and quickly strode through the Throne Room, dropping on a knee before Aizen, Szayel immediately following in stride. Orihime stood behind them, her left arm thrown across her waist, gripping her right. Her eyes were glued to the green tiled floor before her, her body shaking.
Nnoitra Jiruga was standing off to the side, a huge grin spread across his face.
Aizen sat silent and motionless on his throne, looking down at the two Espada and the woman. He had been informed that the woman had gotten sick. From what and how did not concern him, what concerned him was that one of his most loyal Espada hadn't taken it upon himself to inform his Master. "Inoue-san, I've been told you've somehow managed to take ill, is this true?" he asked bluntly, his eyes boring into her.
Somehow, she managed to look him in the eyes, "No, Aizen-sama, I'm not ill at all." She said confidently. She inwardly pat herself on the back for not stuttering this time, despite the terror she felt in his presence.
Aizen smiled, "Then why is it that my upstanding and normally recluse like scientist Szayel, had been seen going to your room delivering soup, for the supposed illness, hmm?" he asked, a mild wave of reiatsu rippling out of him, knocking the woman to her knees.
Szayel kept his eyes glued to the floor in front of him. How could I have been so careless? I knew better than to tell such information to Nnoitra but no I had to go open my mouth!
"I see. No comment?" he stood and strode slowly towards the two Espada. "Ulquiorra, you are my most trusted, my most loyal Espada, therefore I assigned you, and only you, to protect Inoue-san. What purpose would it serve to invite one over who would sooner dissect our guest than protect her?"
Ulquiorra closed his eyes at this, as if the answer were obvious, again. "Szayel-san is the most knowledgeable when it comes to the Human Culture. Logically he proved useful to the extra assignment you'd given me in regards to the woman. Szayel-san has been most helpful in this respect." He said impassively.
Szayel couldn't believe it. Ulquiorra had just told a white lie to Aizen-sama. Sure I've been helpful in regards to medical treatment, but what else? What was the other assignment? Not only that but he possibly just saved my ass! I hate being indebted. He sighed inwardly.
Aizen was getting annoyed now. "Back to my last question, then why was Szayel seen bringing the woman soup, for her illness, that she does not have?" he let loose a blast of reiatsu this time, causing Nnoitra to fall to his knees and Orihime's body to seize up, hardly able to breathe.
Szayel winced, guilt panging within him.
Orihime grimaced at the pressure of his reiatsu but refused to bow down at his feet. Bracing herself, she slowly forced herself up off the floor, first bringing her leg up and using it as a brace. Her forehead broke out in a sweat as she brought the other one forward and slowly pushed herself to her feet, her legs trembling. "Aizen-sama," she began. "Human females do not consider that particular time of the month an illness!" she choked out looking down at her feet, he breathing shallow and her face terribly red.
Szayel nearly blanched at the woman's audacity, he couldn't believe it!
Aizen arched a brow, suddenly it all made sense now. "I see." He approached the woman, marveling at her ability to still stand against his spiritual pressure when the Fifth Espada could not. He came within a foot of her, passed her and stood behind her, taking in the site. She was trembling and fearful, yet she stood firm against his power. Her hair was still damp, making it appear frizzy and out of sorts, he resisted the urge to reach out and run his fingers through it. "If that is all, you may go. Except you, Nnoitra, I would have a word with you." He slowly walked back to his marble throne, "Oh and Ulquiorra, get the 'woman' a brush. Hair that beautiful shouldn't be left alone like that." He ordered, reining in his reiatsu.
Szayel let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and slowly rose to his feet. He turned to the woman and sent her an apologetic look.
Ulquiorra wished he could cero Jiruga, however upon passing the Fifth Espada, and seeing that ever present smile wiped off his face, Ulquiorra settled for what was his equivalent to a smirk. He looked over his shoulder at the Fifth Espada, his black lips twitching the slightest bit and his eyes morbidly bright. Jiruga sent daggers at him. Satisfied, Ulquiorra stopped at the double door and turned, waiting for his charge.
Orihime followed the pink haired scientist, weary and exhausted. Her body began trembling and her knees nearly gave out on her as her adrenaline rush started to wear off.
"Orihime-san, are you alright?" Szayel asked, concern darkening his face.
"I'm…fine. Just get me back to my room." She said stiffly.
Safely back inside her gilded cage, Orihime collapsed spread eagle upon her bed, completely ignoring the presence of the two Espada.
"Are you ok, Orihime-san?" Szayel asked again, unconsciously taking the chair beside her bed. Ulquiorra glared at him but said nothing, deciding the wall suited him just fine. All he got in response was a "mhm," at least he thought that's what it was.
"You know, I'm quite impressed with your quick thinking under pressure," Pink hair said, a newfound respect in his voice. "And I know…you're not on…on that!" he said confidently.
This got her attention, she rolled over and propped herself up on her elbows, her eyes widening. "What? How could you know? If you knew then he could know!"
"Ah but that is not the case. We Arrancar have an acute sense of smell, well, most of us do. We'd have smelled the blood." He said bluntly, making her blush.
"Ah, well, that's just great isn't it?" she said falling back and throwing her arms over her face, vaguely wondering when she had gotten so comfortable in the scientists presence. She had completely forgotten her Guardian was there. "Now I'll be absolutely embarrassed when I am on it." She mumbled. "How come Aizen couldn't figure it out?"
Pink hair smiled, "That's the thing. Aizen is just a shinigami, albeit a very very powerful one. He does not have our sense of smell I'm afraid, and before you ask, neither does Nnoitra-san. I'm afraid he focused all this energy building up his combative skills, unlike Ulquiorra-san and I."
Ulquiorra ignored this, however this brought back Orihime's attention to her Guardian. "By the way Ulquiorra…did you really…lie, to Aizen back there?" she asked tentatively.
Ulquiorra closed his eyes, "I did no such thing. Szayel has been very helpful." He said simply.
Szayel was slightly humbled by this, Ulquiorra was not one to give out praise…ever. "And for that I am in your debt, Ulquoirra-sama. You saved my ass, literally. And I can't help but feel responsible for the whole situation. If I hadn't said anything to Nnoitra…"
Ulquiorra stopped him, "You owe me nothing. Consider it repayment for helping the woman."
The scientist inclined his head in respect, "Still, I thank you." He said sincerely. After a moment he turned back to the woman. "So, how did you do it? How did you stand up to Aizen's spiritual pressure when Nnoitra-san could not?" he asked, genuinely intrigued.
She shrugged, "I don't know. I just refused to bow down to him, he's not my master. I just forced myself to stand up."
"You must have an amazingly strong will to do such a thing." Szayel said, causing her to blush.
She leaned up on her elbows once again and looked at the scientist, "Aizen mentioned something about a hair brush?" she asked hopefully, blushing even redder at the vain question.
"Ah yes, about that, I'm sure I have some in the laboratory some where." He stood, "Allow me to get it quickly before your lovely hair turns into a rats nest!" he teased, earning himself a glare. "Now is there anything else you might want?" he asked, honestly wanting to help the woman.
She thought about it for a moment, unconsciously running her fingers across the ribbon still entwined within her fingers after all this time. Suddenly a question sprung to mind, "You wouldn't happen to have any books, or notes about the type of abilities I have, do you?" she asked tentatively.
Szayel ran through the catalog of reports, books and notes in his mind and came up blank. "No I'm afraid not," he said regretfully. "It would be wonderful to study though!" he said excitedly, an unfamiliar gleam shining in his eyes. At her startled and weary reaction he said, "I'm just joking with you!" he teased, his mind suddenly questioning if he was really Szayel or not to have acting this way with a human woman. He didn't see the extra potent glare Ulquiorra sent his way. "Well if that's all, I will return shortly." He said leaving the woman and the Fourth alone.
Orihime sighed, eyeing the green pillow, she grabbed it and propped it up behind her, laying back and closing her eyes. "He's a lively one isn't he? It's almost tiring….or maybe that's the virus talking." She mumbled to her Guardian, not expecting a response.
She didn't get one.
Her mind wondered back to their meeting with Aizen, and the comment he had made about Szayel: "What purpose would it serve to invite one over who would sooner dissect our guest than protect her?"
"Ulquiorra?" she asked, not even bother to look at her ever present companion.
"What is it now, woman?" he asked flatly.
"He wouldn't really dissect me, would he?" she asked sleepily.
"No." he said, slightly amused she would ask such a thing. He wouldn't dare try it, at least. "Go to sleep, woman." He ordered.
This time she did look at him, she glared half heartedly. "I don't want to, I need that brush! You have no idea how difficult it is to get mats out of hair this long!" she huffed swinging her legs over the bed. She was exhausted, but she refused to go to sleep just yet.
He could tell she was lying to him, but decided not to comment on it. He knew the real reason she didn't want to sleep was because of those nightmares, and looking at her he knew she was running on her last reserves. The meeting with Aizen had taken a lot out of her. He would never admit it out loud, but he secretly admired her perseverance, especially when in Aizen's presence. No matter how terrified of him she was, she never let herself show it, at least not in front of him. She seemed however, to have no problem flinging her emotions around in Ulquiorra's presence. What was it about me? Did something in me scream confidant?
Orihime sat on the edge of her bed, her head hung low and arms braced on her knees. Images of that evenings dream, or vision, trickled through her mind. She remember Ulquiorra, glaring down, tall and proud, his black wings unfurled behind him, and shortly after, him falling to the ground in a crumpled heap. She took a deep breath and tried to block the disturbing image out. "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.
He couldn't help the shock from appearing on his face this time, he had only ever gone into his release state once, when Aizen tested his powers, and never since. "How have you come to know such a thing?" he asked fiercely, fury now written upon his face as he advanced upon her.
She held her hands out in front of her defensively, her eyes wide. "Please let me explain!" her heart was pounding. If he had asked her now, she would say yes, she was most certainly afraid of him, she thought. "Earlier today before you came in, I had another nightmare. Szayel was there, he woke me up, or he tried. He said I woke up, but I was in some sort of trance. I saw you…." She trailed off, trying to remember exactly what it was. "I was in Karakura Town I think and you were up above me, in what I think is your released form. You had huge black wings and your mask was formed over your head…"
He sat down in the unoccupied chair, still shocked. "You are correct. That is my release state." He whispered.
Orihime's eyes widened at this admission. "There's…more…to whatever that was…" she said quietly. "You should know."
He waited.
"I saw you standing above me, you were glaring down at the rubble of a building. Then all over a sudden you were encased in some large purple box. When it disappeared, you fell…I thought…I thought you were dead…" she whispered, her chest tightening painfully at the thought of losing her Guardian. "It all seemed so real…when I woke up…I had to find you. I tried but then Szayel told me he could feel your reiatsu..." She sat there, not sure what else to say.
Ulquiorra closed his eyes, trying to organize his thoughts. Logically, what the woman saw was a vision. It had to be, there is no other way she could have learned of his release state. As to that purple box, he knew of no being capable of performing such high level Kido.
He opened his eyes and stared across at the woman. The blatancy with which she expressed her concern for his well being was unsettling. He was her enemy, her kidnapper, she should not concern herself with him. And I am her kidnapper, I am her enemy, I should not concern myself with her, not more than I am obligated to. "Foolishness, as you can see, I am alive. You will tell me if you have this vision again, and you will tell no one of my release state." He said threateningly as he stood up and went to the door, ignoring the angry and hurt expression the woman now wore. He closed his eyes, it is for the best. "Go to sleep, woman." He repeated, before disappearing.
Orihime watched him leave, tears now streaming down her eyes.
Szayel had just pocketed the brush he had dug out from his storeroom, and stood thinking. He wished there was a way he could alleviate the woman's nightmares, possibly a dreamless concoction of some sort, so that she could sleep in peace. He ran through the all too short list of supplies and materials in his mind, and sighed. Even if he could create such a thing there was no way he could even try. She would just have to deal with it, for now at least.
His thoughts turned to the trance she experienced earlier that afternoon, as he was most certain that is what it was. She mentioned Ulquiorra and that he had changed, that he had grown wings. Could it have possibly have been his released state? He had never seen it. Nobody has, except Aizen.
Speaking of Aizen, he was surprised to still be alive after that meeting. He was furious at himself and at Nnoitra for attempting to interfere. If it hadn't been for Orihime-san and her quick thinking, they'd probably all be stuck in a Caja Negación somewhere, enduring unimaginable amounts of pain. He decided to ask Nnoitra how that worked out for him later.
The woman had certainly surprised him with her courage and ingenuity. For a mere human to stand against the Mastermind and his spiritual pressure was one thing, but to stand against him, defiant and still be able to think clearly enough to effectively lie to him…the scientist admired her, to the say the least.
And now he was indebted to Ulquiorra, regardless what the Fourth Espada said. The green eyed Arrancar had saved him. He now felt obligated to repay him, as much as he hated to admit it. It was true Szayel had no business whatsoever interacting with the woman, and Aizen's accusations were not unfounded. When he first heard of a human coming to Las Noches, he was very interested. He would have liked "to do nothing more than dissect her," as Aizen put it. Although now that he had gotten to know the woman…he had grown more interested in the relationship she seemed to be developing with a certain Espada more than anything else. He smiled, the phrases Stockholme and Lima's Syndrome coming to mind.
What am I going to do with you? He thought, visualizing the cold hard mask and green eyes of Ulquiorra. She would be good for you. He grinned, the thought of turning from scientist to meddler amusing him, if only he could pull it off without Ulquiorra trying to kill him.
He smiled as he made his way back out of his laboratory and up the stairs to ground level. He couldn't remember the last time he ever felt so elated to be coming out of his domain. He was usually a recluse, always hunkered down in his laboratory, performing experiments, testing theories, making discoveries. He gained immense self-satisfaction from it. Though this elation he felt, it was different.
He waved his hand in front of him using his reiatsu to reorder the hallway so that he could make his way to Orihime's room.
Was this feeling caused by the fact that he was going to meet with Orihime? Or was it caused by the revelation that she was making the Fourth Espada slowly but surely succumb to his emotions? Possibly a little bit of both?
He decided that he couldn't confine it to one or the other as he stopped before the metal door, fiddling with the brush in his pocket. He lightly rapped on the door twice before unlocking it and stepping inside. Orihime was curled up on her right side, her back to the door, she looked like she had been that way for a while. He approached cautiously, not wanting to startle her. "Orihime-san?" he questioned quietly.
Her eyes snapped open at the sound of the Pink Haired Espada's voice, slightly relieved that it wasn't her Guardian. She had quite enough of him for the night. "Hi, Szayel." She said softly, turning over to greet him. "What's up?"
He could tell she had been crying again, as he could see the dried tracks on her face. He ignored her question, "Are you ok? Have you been dreaming again?" he asked, taking the seat beside the bed, his brow furrowed.
She shook her head, sitting up. "No, I haven't been able to sleep." She admitted.
"I see, then what's wrong?" his voice was laced with genuine concern.
Orihime frowned. "I told Ulquiorra about that…vision. He was none too happy about it, or more precisely the…concern I had for him." She whispered, looking at her hands.
"I see." He was tempted to ask about his release form, but pushed the thought aside. "No, he wouldn't be happy about that at all. He does not appreciate those who wear their emotions on their sleeves, and even less when said emotions involve him."
She nodded, "I realize that now." She said quietly.
"And what do you think of Ulquiorra-san?" he asked, curious.
She shrugged, "I think he's been keeping himself so tightly under control for so very long, and so…sheltered, he doesn't know how to react…to people…to someone like me."
Szayel nodded, "And what do you think you do to him, psychologically that is."
She looked at him, slightly taken aback by all the questions. Well is he a scientist or not? She thought for a moment, recalling the times she had seen emotions visible behind green eyes. "I confuse him and I always do things to catch him off guard…though I don't do it intentionally. Sometimes I think he hates me…but then…like earlier today. I wouldn't wake up, and he wiped my tears away, you saw him do it…"
"That he did, I was shocked to say the least."
"He's so distant and cold and then he does something like that. It confuses me, but also makes me want to keep reaching out to him." She admitted.
He smiled. "You care about him." Her eyes snapped up to his, he could read the shock and confusion in them.
It shocked her to hear it put so bluntly. She felt her insides tighten painfully, just as she had earlier when Ulquiorra walked out on her. Then her breath hitched as guilt panged through her chest, images of Ichigo flashing through her mind followed by Ishida, Sado, Rukia and everyone else who she knew would be frantically trying to find a way to save her. What kind of friend was she, to develop feelings for her kidnapper, feelings so blatantly obvious that an Espada can even tell! She was supposed to love Ichigo! She took a deep breath, attempting to calm herself. She wouldn't cry over this.
"I'm sorry, Orihime-san." He said, sincerely feeling for her.
She wiped her eyes, putting on a fake smile for the Espada. "Szayel—it's not your fault, really, you've got nothing to apologize for. You were just trying to understand the situation, that's all." She said taking a shaky breath. "Why are you here, anyway?" she asked changing the subject.
Szayel sighed and resolutely resisted the urge to quote a certain Espada. Foolish woman! He pulled his hand out of his pocket and handed her an elegant pink brush. "I had an extra in storage." He joked as she took it from him.
"Oh…thank you!" she said, laughing, "It's the same color of your hair!" she teased, immediately setting to work on her tangled hair, her hands slightly shaking. After several minutes she had gotten most of the tangles out, her hair taking its usual silky sheen. She took the blue ribbon from her only pocket and pulled her hair up into a tail and tied it up on her head tightly; glad to finally be able to use it.
She felt better, her hands had stopped shaking and she didn't feel as if she'd cry. She thought about the truth of Szayel's words. She was concerned for her Guardian, yes. She had been concerned when Aizen had threatened him. She had been concerned when she experienced that vision, she had saw him fall, the mere thought of him dying was enough to bring tears to her eyes.
But did she really care for Ulquiorra? She knew she should not. He was her kidnapper. But he was also her protector and her companion. She looked forward to seeing him, despite his cold demeanor and attitude. But how had these feelings grown in such a short period of time? Was it the fact that somewhere deep down she thought she could reach him? Was it the knowledge that she could make him feel? Was it the fact that she could sometimes glimpse tightly veiled emotions behind his eyes, that deep down somewhere he still had a tiny bit of humanity inside him? At this, an interesting thought occurred to her.
"Szayel?" she asked, coming out of her pensive state.
He had been so wrapped up in his thoughts, the words she said to him about Ulquiorra, that he was rather startled when he had heard his name, and had come to, seeing her grey eyes staring at him. "Sorry?"
"I was just wondering if Arrancar could remember anything of there human lives?"
He smiled at the rather interesting question. "Sometimes yes, though very rarely. Typically when a being transitions from soul to hollow they retain very little of the memories of their past life. Mostly they keep the negative emotions, regret, hatred, anger, sadness. And when they transition from Hollow to Gillian to Adjuchas and then to Arrancar…you see where I'm going with this? It's highly unlikely."
She frowned, slightly disappointed.
"It's getting late Orihime-san, you should get some rest."
She shook her head sadly, "No, I don't want to sleep."
He glared at her, though it wasn't as potent as a certain Espadas, "You have to sleep sometime! You must not let those nightmares of yours rule you. I know…would you like to talk about it? It might help."
She smiled weakly at the pink haired Espada, grateful for his concern. "No that's ok. Ulquiorra asked me about them earlier."
"Did he really?" he asked surprised.
She laughed tiredly, curling up on her bed, her head on her green pillow. "I know right? He never asks anything! But yea there's no point talking about it. He's right. He said it's not something anyone can help with, I have to beat it on my own."
He nodded. "You know, earlier I was trying to figure out how to make a dreamless sleep potion or something but I just don't have the supplies to figure it out!"
She looked at him, her eyes bright. "Really? Could you do that?"
"I'm not sure, but possibly, It probably would be best not to though, you'd just grow to rely on them. Is there any other way I could help though?" he asked sincerely, leaning forward in the chair.
She thought about it for a moment as she stared up at the Espada, "Um…would you mind staying here? Just till I go to sleep…" she resisted the urge to burry her face in the pillow out of embarrassment.
"Alright." He said, leaning back and stretching out his legs so that he'd be more comfortable.
She closed her eyes, grateful. "Szayel?"
"Hmm?"
"Why are you so nice to me?" she asked softly.
"I…" he paused, his brow furrowing. He really didn't know.
I see, another one who is confused around me. She thought before sleep overtook her.
"Sweet dreams, Orihime." Szayel whispered.
Chapter 6 Teaser: Szayel had just finished putting appropriate space between the two when the door creaked open.
Ulquiorra slid into the room, his cold mask of indifference in place, which turned to a mask of barely controlled rage when he saw Szayel and the distress the woman was in. "What did you do?" he immediately accused.
AN: Haha I hope you like that teaser! I couldn't resist!
Anyways I hope you liked this chapter ^_^ Many thanks to all those that R&R and add me to alerts/favs! *huggles*