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The next morning she awoke to find that someone had covered her up in the middle of the night, as she distinctly remembered falling asleep atop her blankets. She yawned and stretched, actually feeling rather refreshed, when a thought occurred to her. That was the first night since she had come to Hueco Mundo that she hadn't had a nightmare. Maybe it was because Szayel was there? She wondered.

She rolled over on to her other side, facing the door. She was slightly surprised when she found her Guardian sitting in the chair beside her. Or maybe it was because he was here…she sighed inwardly at herself. She said nothing to him, as he stared at her, remembering their parting from the night before, it hadn't been on good terms. She closed her eyes and wished him away.

He watched her passively. He had come in the very early morning to find the Eighth Espada resting in his trancelike state at the woman's beside. He glared at him, but knowing the woman, she had probably asked him to stay. He woke the Espada up and told him to go and that he would take over, and he'd been here ever since. He was secretly relieved that she had slept well that night and that her fever had not returned.

"Woman."

"Hmm?" she didn't open her eyes and instead buried her face in his pillow. This he did not fail to notice. He narrowed his eyes.

"How is your illness today?" he asked emotionlessly, attempting to hide any concern from showing in his voice.

This time she did open her eyes. That was the second question he'd ever asked her. "I feel much better today, thank you for asking." She sat up slowly, deciding that she could tolerate his presence if he would stay in this mood.

"I have brought you food." He stated.

She rolled her eyes, "thanks." She said getting up, excepting to find more plain oatmeal on the table. Instead she found bread, red bean paste and a banana. Her eyes widened and she looked at the Espada questioningly. "It's not poisoned or anything is it?"

He glared at her. "Szayel insisted you have a more nutrient rich diet." He stated as way of explanation as he stared at her now banded silky smooth hair.

"Oh." Was all she could manage, bemused by the pink haired Espada's random acts of kindness as she made her way to the restroom for her morning ritual.

When she finished she returned to her room and sat down to begin her meal. "Ulquiorra?"

"What?"

"Do you remember anything of your past life?" she asked completely randomly between bites.

He turned his head and looked at her out of the corner of his eye, still plagued by the gap in his memory, the gap that she had brought to his attention, and now seemed to be taunting him with. "No." he said crisply, standing up and making his way to the door.

Her eyes widened as guilt panged within her chest. How could I be so rude and careless? She got up and approached him quickly, bowing. "I'm so so sorry I didn't mean to offend you! That was a horribly rude question to ask. I apologize." She trailed off to a whisper, her hair dangling over her shoulder as he stood there with his hand on the knob. "I should have known better than to ask something like that. Szayel told me last night that it's extremely rare for Arrancar to remember anything of their past lives. Why would you be any different? Please, forgive my insensitivity." She pleaded, still bowing to his back.

He looked over his shoulder at her once again, his green eyes unusually hard. "Szayel is indeed correct in his deduction, however that does not mean that we don't wish to know who we once were. Like Szayel, I crave knowledge, and to understand all things." He turned forward and twisted the handle, "To not know part of myself is just…" he closed his eyes, already having said too much.

Her eyes widened, now knowing exactly what it was that threw him off just a few days ago. He had asked her what she saw in him, and she had told him. Her words had struck a cord within him and had made him realize that he didn't know everything about himself. That was why he seemed unusually withdrawn the day after. She straightened up and stared at his back. "I'm sorry." Is all she said, her voice barely a above a whisper.

"I do not need nor do I want your pity, woman."

It was her turn to glare, "You need to learn the difference between pity and remorse, Ulquiorra. I do not pity you. I am merely feeling regret for my choice of words."

"Tch! Why would you care?" he asked without thinking. He closed his eyes, already knowing the answer. He shut the door quietly and turned back to her. He could see the pain in her stormy grey eyes. He looked directly at her, his eyes hard and voice firm. "You must not concern yourself with me, woman." He said as he advanced on her his reiatsu rolling out of him into the small room.

Orihime stood firm against the spiritual pressure he forced on her, though her eyes softened as he glared down at her. She can see the doubt overlapping the anger in his eyes. Steeling herself she took two steps forward and threw her arms around his middle, embracing him and attempting to reseal his reiatsu.

He stiffened as her arms tightened around him, fury coursing through him that the woman would dare touch him in such a manor, and confusion as to why…why would she care about him?

She squeezed her eyes shut and breathed in his scent, he smelt of the earth after a summer rain. She waited for the moment he would push her away, her heart pounding. That moment never came, she then became aware that he had reined in his reiatsu.

He looked down at the top of her head, his brow furrowed as his body relaxed against hers. He grasped her shoulders, "woman…" he said, gently pushing her away, an unfamiliar feeling growing deep within his gut.

She reluctantly released him and retreated a step. She resisted the urge to catch his hands as they released her and fell to his sides. She looked at him and watched as he closed his eyes, turning his head away slightly; something she finally came to realize was his version of a sigh.

"This cannot continue," he said softly. "If you wish for me to remain here, instead of one of the other Arrancar, as your Guardian, you will stop this." He forced himself to say, secretly wishing nothing more than to take her in his arms. Suddenly, he came to realize, the odd feeling inside him, sitting in the pit of his stomach, was that of longing. Why did he want to be with this woman? Was it her concern for him? Or was it her ability to see past his outer shell and accept him for who he was? He turned away from her and went to the door, quickly opening it and locking it behind him. His soul feeling more empty than ever.

He didn't return to her again that day.

Ulquiorra continued to neglect his duties towards the woman. He would silently arrive in the morning, drop off the meal Szayel prescribed to her without saying a word, and depart.

Szayel would then visit in the evenings with her second meal. He would ask how she was doing and if there was anything she wanted, but he always refrained from mentioning Ulquiorra. He knew something had happened between them, as she had appeared more subdued, as if the light had gone out inside her. He'd sit with her in silence for most of the evening, and would stay well into the night after she went to sleep. Sometimes she'd have a nightmare, which would develop into that odd trance, which would leave her shaking and sobbing for hours after.

This pattern continued for several days. Until one night she awoke from a particularly vivid trance.

She sat bolt upright in bed, hugging her middle and rocking back and forth. "I know who did it Szayel! I know who cast the black box!" she choked out. She began sobbing, terrified. "I know who did it—"she trailed off, closing her eyes.

"Who?" He asked, leaning forward and unconsciously taking her hands in his, wishing only to comfort her.

She focused for a moment on his gloved hands holding hers, like a lifeline. She tried to calm her breathing, the soothing motions of Szayel's thumb on her palms relaxing her. "It was Aizen." She whispered.

He stopped his motions upon hearing this, his eyes widening slightly. "Are you sure?" he asked. He knew Aizen was extremely powerful, but that powerful? And why would he be using such a power on Ulquiorra, and in the Human World for that matter? He prayed the vision was false.

Her head snapped up as she remembered, "I need to tell Ulquiorra! He asked me to tell him if I kept having these visions!" she made to get up but Szayel's hands on her shoulders stopped her. She glared at him.

"I'm not sure that would be a wise idea Orihime-san." He began, staring into her eyes. "For all we know this is just a recurring dream. But if its not, and it really is a vision, you might just end up playing directly into it by alerting Ulquiorra, leading him to his doom."

Any remaining color drained out of her face at this.

"Just wait and see what happens," he said firmly.

Dazed, she only nodded, seeing the logic in his argument. "Thanks, Szayel." She said softly. "What would I do without you?" she asked out of the blue. "You're the only thing keeping me sane in this place." She mumbled, smiling weakly as tears streamed down her cheeks.

A warm feeling spread within him at hearing her words. "It's my pleasure, Orihime-san." He squeezed her shoulders before returning his gloved hands to his lap. "Try to go back to sleep."

She shook her head, "I don't think I'll be able to, not after that." Her voice wavered.

He nodded, frowning. But he understood.

They sat there in a comfortable silence until they saw the sky of Hueco Mundo lighten through the barred window.

It was nearly 7AM in the morning in Uruhara's shop. He was sitting in his usual spot in the dinning room, sipping his coffee, Yoruichi silently sitting across from him. Jinta and Ururu were still asleep, and Tessai was busy preparing their morning meal.

He sighed and set his cup down gently. "I can feel him coming. I suppose the two weeks are up, no?" He asked nonchalantly to his partner.

She nodded, standing just as they heard the pounding on the front door.

"Oi! URUHARA! OPEN UP!"

The shop keeper smirked, still having not unlocked the front of the shop. "I guess I'll get up and let him in." He stood and stretched.

Yoruichi folded her arms across her chest, "Well then you better hurry before he knocks the door down."

He said nothing but instead put his hat on and grabbed his cane before proceeding to the front. He could hear Rukia outside, scolding the Vizard for his rudeness.

"Now was it really necessary to wake up the entire neighborhood you rude jerk?" she berated, kicking him in the face as Uruhara poked his head out.

"Good morning everyone!" he said merrily, greeting the Vizard, Rukia, Ishida, Sado and Renji. He held the door open from them, "Come on in so we can get started."

Once they were all inside and situated around the table with their cups of tea, Uruhara asked, "I suppose there is no point asking you to wait longer, is there Ichigo?"

The man in question glared up at him, "Hell no we need to get Inoue back! Who knows what they're using her for? And it's not like you haven't had plenty of time already to prepare for Aizen's invasion, no point prolonging the inevitable."

Uruhara nodded conceding the point.

"Though one can never be too ready," the Quincy stated.

Ichigo glared at him and stood up. "Well I'm tired of waiting, let's go get Inoue back!" with that he turned and headed for the basement, the others stood and followed after him, leaving Uruhara and Yoruichi alone.

"I guess I need to go down there and open up a Garganta for them eh?" he smirked from behind his fan. "Ichigo sometimes forgets who has the power around here."

Yoruichi smirked at this. "I'll return to Seireitei to inform the Gotei 13 that they have left."

Uruhara tipped his hat to her, "See ya around, Yoruichi."

She raised a hand in goodbye before departing the shop.

Orihime hadn't been able to go back to sleep that morning. She sat there on her bed, across from Szayel, her consciousness shifting in and out of focus in her dazed state. He sat before her, his own eyes slightly glassy as he rested.

Quite suddenly she felt a presence, or more like a massive pressure, causing her head to snap up. She ran to the window and peered out, Szayel joining her a moment later.

She couldn't make out anything, but she knew the pressure was out in Hueco Mundo somewhere. But all she could see was a small dust devil, a quartz crystal tree and a few hollow lizards. "What was that, Szayel?"

"A Garganta." He stated. A unauthorized Garganta. He narrowed his eyes as he focused his reiatsu, zoning in on the source.

Her eyes widened, remembering the odd rip in reality she had seen once in the park of Karakura Town, and more recently the one she had stepped into from the Senkaimon.

Szayel's eyes widened a bit at who he found. It was those shinigami friends of Orihime's, he remembered the tall one and the orange haired one from Ulquiorra's report. "It would seem Orihime-san that your friends have finally arrived in Hueco Mundo." He said quietly, looking down at her to gauge her reaction. He expected her to be worried, and possibly tears, what he didn't expect was this. Her face was unusually blank and devoid of all emotion, as if she were in shock or denial. He frowned at her, not understanding. "What's wrong, Orihime-san?"

She didn't want them to come. They weren't supposed to come. She was supposed to keep them from getting into trouble, from causing them more pain! Now it was inevitable. She closed her eyes, wishing them away. "They aren't supposed to be here, they weren't supposed to come for me." She whispered.

His eyes widened, "You don't want to be rescued?" he asked, perplexed.

"No, I don't need rescuing!" she glared up at him, an odd fire in her eyes. "The whole point of me coming here willingly with Ulquiorra was to prevent them from suffering! I'm tired of being in the way, I'm tired of causing them grief and pain. I've only ever been a burden to them!" Angry tears leaked from her eyes. "They weren't supposed to come rescue me and now they're going to die for it!" She sobbed, collapsing against Szayel.

He looked down at the woman leaking all over his uniform, unsure of what to think about her situation. "You know, I can understand you not wishing to be saved, but all this nonsense about how you being a burden needs to stop! They're your comrades, even if they hated you I'm sure they'd still come rescue you." Now what am I going to do? Aizen is going to want them stopped, obviously, but I don't want to make her hate me by killing them. He sighed down at the woman and gently removed her from his uniform. She had grown on him, and as much as he cared about her and wanted to wrap his arms around her, he would not take advantage of her in this state of mind. Besides, Ulquiorra would murder him.

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.

Szayel held his hands out in front of him in much the same way Orihime did several days before. "I didn't do anything!" he said innocently.

Orihime straightened up and calmed herself down, not wanting to appear so emotional before Ulquiorra. "He didn't do anything. I just felt my friends reiatsu appear, that's all."

Ulquiorra stared hard at Szayel, "Speaking of which, Aizen-sama has ordered an Espada meeting, there after he wishes to speak with the woman."

At this announcement she really did slide down the wall as her legs gave out beneath her in terror. So much for not wanting to appear so emotional in front of him she thought as all color drained from her face. "I can't do that again," she whispered, "I can't face him again. Not after—" she stopped herself, not wanting to say anything about the vision.

Szayel looked at her knowingly, he wished for nothing more than to go over and comfort her.

"Not after what?" Ulquiorra questioned, stepping forward.

"Not after…the day in his chamber." She lied.

Ulquiorra could tell when he was being lied to, call it a sixth sense, but he didn't say anything. He knew he'd find out soon enough. "We must go, Aizen-sama does not take kindly to late arrivals." With that he turned and left the room.

Szayel went over to Orihime and helped her to her feet. "It'll be fine, just do what you did the other day when you lied to him, ok? Not the lying part! The part where you stood against him!" he laughed.

She smiled weakly and followed her Guardian outside and down the corridor, Szayel following behind her.

Chapter 7 Teaser: Just then the door creaked open to reveal an apprehensive Pink Haired Espada. "I saw Nnoitra in the hallway, what happened?" he asked, closing the door behind him. He secretly already knew what happened, but he wanted to know how it started.

He spied the woman half naked on the bed and grimaced, "Is she ok?" he wanted to cover her up but he felt that the shield wouldn't allow it.

AN: Sorry this chapter is so short, the next one is a doozy, I promise! Also I hope that wasn't too fluffy, with the whole Orihime hugging Ulqui thing lol I'm trying my best to keep everyone in character!