Back in Orihime's cell, the Shun Shun Rikka were still hard at work healing their injured Mistress.

Ulquiorra had decided to remain there, to keep an eye on her progress. He was deep in thought, reflecting on the events that took place only hours before, when the door was roughly opened. Standing up quickly, he bowed respectfully in greeting to his agitated master.

He noted that the unoccupied Shun Shun Rikka had taken refuge behind him, out of sight and that Szayel had stood, anxious.

"What was the meaning of that unnecessary release of reiatsu earlier; and why is Nnoitra lying nearly dead in the hallway?" Aizen had eyes only for the green eyed Espada before him, as his reiatsu rolled off in waves. Not waiting for a reply, Aizen mentally focused his reiatsu into a sharp sword and violently pierced the Espadas mind, searching for the memories he needed.

He saw Nnoitra baiting Ulquiorra.

He saw Ulquiorra ignoring the insolent Espada, turning his back and continuing on with his unconscious charge

Furious, Nnoitra had attacked Ulquiorra with his back turned, thus inciting the deadly battle that had taken place outside.

He saw Ulquiorra's distraction when he noticed that the woman had regained consciousness, and the wound he sustained because of that.

He saw Nnoitra feint an attack and charge the woman. The woman had defended herself, using the same shield she had used on Aizen a day before.

The shield cracked, and Nnoitra swung at the woman, aiming for a killing blow.

But Ulquiorra had stopped him with his bare hands, only to be side stepped and watched in horror as Nnoitra lay a deadly kick to the woman's gut.

Aizen emerged, furious still, but not at Ulquiorra.

Szayel watched in horror as Ulquiorra convulsed in front of him, pain rippling across his face and his green eyes rolling into the back of his head. He turned his gaze to Aizen, who was red in the face, his eyes seemingly searching the air in front of him then he suddenly turned and stormed from the cell.

The spirits came out of hiding, gone were their looks of distrust. They were worried about their Mistress's guardian, what was causing his pain?

Ulquiorras head was reeling. He had never experienced this side of Aizen's power before. His skull felt like it would split open, and he almost blacked out as he leant against the wall for support, unaware of Aizen's departure, clear tears leaking out of his eye due to the overwhelming pain.

He had never felt as violated in all his time as an Arrancar as he was now. I guess that was…was…He struggled trying to think of the word for it. He felt as if he had a hundred sharp daggers piercing his mind, every stab causing his body to jerk and his vision to black out. What was that…? He closed his eyes and drew in a ragged breath as he slid down the wall into a seated position. He cradled his head in his hands, palms pressed against his eyes, willing the pain to subside; unaware of the looks the spirits were giving each other. The pounding quickly became more severe. Each throb more pronounced than the last, and sharper. White and black spots danced before his eyes, his breath becoming more and more erratic.

He was unaware of the being crouched beside him, shaking him and calling out his name, as unfamiliar images started flashing through his mind.

There was a young child with unruly black hair and green eyes. He was playing in a field of oats with a woman who had blond hair and green eyes. They were happily laughing together; chasing butterflies and grass hoppers. You could see a pleasant little cottage sitting atop a hill nearby, and a huge city of stone outlined in the distance. He felt entirely at peace with the woman; safe and happy.

Flash.

The child again, a bit older, he was bare-chested and outside practicing his swordsmanship with a piece of wood. His opponent was a strong, tall, man with a severe face. He had black hair and golden eyes. He was scolding the child for crying when he nicked his neck with the fake sword. "Emotions are useless and for the weak. They are nothing but a distraction. Focus on strength, power, and knowledge. These are the makings of a warrior."

Flash.

The child was in a dimly lit room, bent over a table, a quill in his hand. The woman was beside him, coaching him, as he learned how to write out the Roman alphabet. He smiled up at the woman and pointed at the books on the shelves nearby; he said he wanted to learn more. She beamed at him and went to retrieve the one he had requested.

Flash.

There was no longer a child, but a young man. He was in some sort of barracks, training, this time with real swords and shields. All trace of emotion had left the young mans face as he dodged, parried and countered his opponent. He observed his opponent, looking for a weakness. Then when an opening presented itself, he attacked; his opponent barely managing to parry at the last second.

Flash.

The young man was an adult. His hair was unruly as ever, but now with a seemingly permanent frown on his face. His green eyes were dull and his body scared and battle worn. He wore his shield on his left arm and held the hilt of his sword in his right. He was at a cemetery, looking at the graves of his parents who had passed away while he was at war. He wished to mourn them, but did not know how.

Flash.

The man was in a canyon, fighting for his life and to protect his comrades, running on nothing but pure instinct. Suddenly a volley of arrows blotted out the sun. He raised his shield up just in time. Unfortunately many of his battle worn comrades were too slow from exhaustion and were pierced through. He felt the hilt of a sword smash down on his skull and the world went black.

Flash.

The man was handcuffed to a metal bar inside a stale, worn down tent. His clothes were ragged and he was unnaturally thin. His face as blank as a stone wall, and his eyes lifeless. There were many gashes, cuts and scars about his body; the most recent wound on his chest between the clavicles, in the shape of a disc. He knew his enemies would kill him soon, he was doomed to die: alone.

Flash.

Ulquiorra woke up with a scream, clutching his chest tightly where the wound had been, where his hallow hole now was.

He was curled up in a ball on the floor, crying for the first time in over a thousand years. What is happening to me? Tears were flowing down his cheeks, tracing the green tracks. He clutched at his head which was still throbbing painfully from Aizen's cruel intrusion.

Szayel crouched beside him, unsure what to do. He couldn't help but pity the husk of an Espada before him. Aizen broke something within Ulquiorra and there was no telling what or how to fix it.

He glanced up at the spirits, they appeared worried too.

Ayame and Shun'ō were at a loss as to what to do. Their Mistress still wasn't completely healed, so they couldn't help the fallen Espada.

Tsubaki was shell shocked. And here I was, thinking he was some kind of emo badass Arrancar. He shook his head, sadly. He silently willed his companions to heal faster so that his Mistress could awaken. Maybe she could help him…He floated over to Orihime.

"Mistress, we need you to take up!" Ayame and Shun'ō gave him looks of incredulity. "Orihime, please, you're guardian needs your help!" Tsubaki pleaded. "How long before she's fully healed?" He asked urgently.

"Very very soon," is all Ayame said, focused on speeding up her task.

Unsatisfied, Tsubaki willed his power to help Orihime. However that ended fruitlessly. He was an attack power, how could he help? He went over to Pink Hair, "Isn't there anything you can do to help?" he demanded.

The Espada shook his had sadly. Tsubaki sighed, deflated, completely at a loss.

Ulquiorra was still in pain, though not from the splitting headache he had previously, but from something in his chest. His insides were throbbing, and with every throb he felt as if they were on fire. He felt like he was being incinerated from the inside out. What…is…wrong with me? What did you do to me…Aizen? He tried to suck in some air, to no avail. As he started to black out again, he felt something he hadn't felt ever. Fear. I don't want to die, not yet…not when… was his last thought before unconsciousness took him again.

Flash.

As death finally overtook him, he floated out of his physical body, confused and hurt, what is happening to me? For endless days, he meandered around the area he had died, seeking the closure that never came. At least not in the form he expected it.

Flash.

He was running through the canyon in his spirit form. Dodging boulders, jumping across small ravines. There was something chasing him. He didn't know what, but he could feel it. He just had to keep running or he knew he would finally, truly, die.

Flash.

After days of out running the ever stalking presence, his soul finally gave out on him, welcoming death. A huge being with a crude, white mask with four prongs on its head, appeared before him. Closing his eyes, the soul of the once man was picked up by the creature and everything went black.

Flash.

He woke up in a white desert next to a quartz-like tree in the shape of a geyser. He had a gaping black hole on his chest where his old scar was. He had a half mask, attached to the left side of his head that had one long sharp horn protruding from it. Suddenly overcome with the urge for power, he ran off into the desert, to feed on helpless souls and hallow.

Flash.

Slowly, Orihime emerged from unconsciousness, vaguely aware of the golden shield surrounding her. She tried piecing her thoughts together. I remember Ulquiorra being wounded. The tall Espada going to attack him, then going after me…my shield materialized without my commanding it, but it broke. The tall Espada made to slash his axe at me, and Ulquiorra stopped it…after that…She opened her eyes, remembering the feeling of the strong foot slamming her into the wall. By all rights I should be dead…

By now the shield was gone, and her soul spirits were hovering about her worried, however Tsubaki looked extremely anxious. "Mistress!" he pleaded, she sat up, black spots dancing before her eyes as a wave of dizziness overtook her.

"Orihime-san! You're awake." It was Szayel, however his voice was still heavily laced with concern.

Orihime opened her eyes, her vision blurry. "What happened? Is Ulquiorra ok? I saw him take a cero…" she said, her voice trailing off.

"No, he's not. And this wasn't caused by a cero."

Rubbing her eyes she swung her legs over the bed and peered down at the sight before her.

Ulquiorra was on the floor, curled up in a ball, clutching his chest, crying silently even through his unconscious state. Immediately worried about her guardian she pushed past Szayel and kneeled by his side. Oh my…what happened to him? Why is he crying? Did that other Espada hurt him? At this she looked to Ayame, who only shook her head, indicating that he was not physically wounded. "What happened Szayel?" she asked, tears prickling her eyes.

"Aizen." The Eighth said coldly, still in disbelief that they're leader would do something this cruel.

Images of the dark box flashed through her mind, causing more tears to stream down her eyes. She shook him trying to wake him up, to no avail. As Ulquiorra's distress increased, the more frantic she got. What am I to do? She stared down at him helpless. She was so tired of not being able to help the people she cared about, tired of being a burden.

He didn't appear to be calming down, in fact he seemed to be getting worse, his entire body shuddering, his breathing strained and shallow. Finally making up her mind, and ignoring the other Espada in the room, she gathered the Espada up into her arms and cradled him gently, his back pressed up against her chest, her arm wrapped around his waist, she began to sing softly:

Fiery sunset say good night

Faeries await you in twilight

Sleep dear Espada do not cry

For I am with you your my tie

Ebony twilight lay your head

Whenever you lie in your bed

Sleep dear Espada no more tears

I'll watch over you no more fear

Szayel watched completely dumbfounded as the woman held Ulquiorra against her body and sang to him. What alarmed him even more was the affect the simple sound had on the traumatized Fourth Espada.

By the time she had finished, she had tears streaming down her eyes as well. Though to her relief, Ulquiorra seemed to be breathing easier, and he wasn't crying out as often. She closed her eyes and buried her face in the back of his neck, selfishly taking a moment to familiarize herself with his scent. Is it so wrong of me to feel…contentment, while he's in my arms? She did feel a little guilty, if she hadn't been poking her nose around the corner, he probably wouldn't be like this…

She continued to sing the lullaby, every so often softly soothing him with a gentle stroke applied to his arms or head. Pretty soon the room was silent, aside from the buzzing of the Shun Shun Rikka, and Orihime's breathing; she had completely forgotten the presence of the other Espada.

She was becoming more and more concerned with Ulquiorra's sudden silence when all of a sudden he awoke, gasping and choking, clasping her hands in his against where the hollow hole in his chest was. Orihime was startled; she could hardly breathe, afraid of moving and drawing his attention towards her.

Ulquiorra was surprised he was alive. He thought he had died, again, this time from asphyxiation. Gratefully he realized that most of the pain was gone, except for a dull throb in his head. Slowly opening his eyes, he became aware that he was not alone. The Shun Shun Rikka were floating above him, looking very anxious, he glared at them. How long have I been unconscious? What happened? Vaguely he remembered flashes of what happened.

Aizen coming into the room, invading his mind. His head feeling like it would explode, collapsing to the floor with his head in his hands. Blacking out and having…odd dreams. Reawakening, feeling like he was going to die, and blacking out again…and even more dreams.

He realized he was holding something in his hands, he looked down to find white hands against pink. Still in a daze, he unconsciously stroked the hands with his thumb, eliciting a gasp from behind him. Startled, he turned around to find that he was in the arms of a flustered Orihime.

Orihime looked down into his eyes, noticing that they lost there usual intensity once again, and were red from crying. Ulquiorra looked contemplative, seemingly unaware of the tears still leaking from his eyes. Removing one of her hands from his grasp, she tentatively reached out and wiped the fresh tears away.

Ulquiorra gasped as he closed his eyes, unsure of what he was feeling.

Trying to steady his breathing, he opened his eyes and gently removed her hands from his, and then removed himself from her embrace. Deciding he wanted to try and get up, he braced himself and as he slowly brought his legs under him, he lay back against the wall. He closed his eyes as a wave of dizziness overtook him, causing white spots to dance before his eyes.

I never thought an Arrancar could look so exhausted and emotionally rundown…what happened to you, Ulquiorra? Orihime thought as she sat Indian style next to the Espada, her back against the bed. Silently nodding to her spirit companions, she conveyed her thanks and let them go rest. Getting comfortable, she set back and waited patiently for anything that the Espada might be willing to tell her.

Ulquiorra was in a deeply reflective state of mind, unsure exactly what happened to him, but knowing what it was that he saw. Flashes of my past life…and time period right after I became a hollow. He visibly shuddered, remembering his flight from the hollow in the canyon. Opening his eyes, he realized he was still crying. Glaring down at his weakness, he wiped them away, his eyes resting on Orihime. Yes…Orihime. She's not dead. He wanted to be angry with her for seeing him in such a vulnerable state, but the best he could do was glare at her, he simply did not have the energy.

"So what happened out there?" Szayel asked, startling the woman so badly she jumped, and Ulquiorra snapped his gaze onto him.

Glad to have something else to focus on, Ulquiorra sent daggers at the pink haired Espada. "How long have you been here?" he asked crisply.

"Long enough." Szayel said a weak smile playing at his lips. "So what happened with you and Nnoitra?" he asked again.

Ulquiorra closed his eyes at the Eighth's obvious amusement. After a moment organizing his thoughts, relayed the events of the past few hours. "The woman and I were in the Hōgyoku room, with Aizen-sama." He paused, deliberating whether he should inform her about Aizen's use of hypnosis. Quickly deciding she had the right to know, he continued. "Aizen-sama asked her to heal the Hōgyoku for him. He was…very persuasive. She did it against her will. Afterwards she fell unconscious."

"I seem to do that a lot around you," Orihime commented, brushing off the fact that Aizen had made her heal the Hōgyoku, not now realizing the significance.

Not the least bit amused, he ignored her. "After words, he had me bring her to her cell. On the way Nnoitra Jiruga, the Fifth Espada, attempted to stop me. He questioned…our interactions, and insulted me. I ignored him and attempted to continue on my way when the coward tried to slash me in the back with his axe." Looking across at the woman, he thought she looked paler than usual.

"You're right, he's a coward. It's very dishonorable for someone to act while their opponents back is turned!" She said indignantly.

Ignoring her, the Espada continued. "Needless to say, I was furious, and that's putting it lightly. I do not take kindly to cowardice. We soon exchanged blows and the fight for survival was on, our instincts taking over. Eventually you awoke, and were drawn to the sounds of battle." He paused for a moment, an unfamiliar feeling of deja vu settling over him; like he had fought that battle once before. "I saw you come out from around the corner and that proved to be a nearly fatal mistake, as Nnoitra took that opportunity to fire a cero at me." He paused, noticing her distress, she looked like she was about to cry.

"It's my entire fault! If it wasn't for me you…."

Ulquiorra interrupted, "Let me finish woman! As I was saying, he got a good hit at me; then he noticed you. He came after you and your spirit companions materialized and blocked his attack. However, your shield couldn't withstand the impact and shattered, leaving you at his mercy once again. By then my wound had healed and I used sonido to get to you right before he struck again…" He paused, still berating himself for what happened next. "Then he side stepped me, and kicked you in the stomach, hurling you into the wall, knocking you unconscious…I had failed to protect you. I thought you were dead."

Looking up into his eyes, the Orihime thought the Espada looked even more withdrawn than usual.

Deciding to leave out the details of how he destroyed Nnoitra, he went on, "I was…enraged. I went off on Nnoitra and he fell. Then fearing the worst I checked you for a pulse. It was weak. I used sonido to bring you here and used my skills to discern your injuries. You had severe internal hemorrhaging and I could think of only two ways you might be healed." He paused, vaguely remembering slashing his wrist. "I…slit my wrist, and had you ingest my blood in hopes that its regenerative properties might take affect."

Szayel inwardly grimaced at this.

He watched her reaction at this, expecting a look of disgust or incredulity. Instead, she appeared touched that he would risk himself for her; his eyes widening a hairs width in his surprise.

"That did not work. My only option left was to try and call upon your Shun Shun Rikka. I tried to command them…and they did not come. I pleaded with them…and still they did not come…" He closed his eyes again, preparing to admit to himself, and the woman beside him, something he had not felt in a long time. "By this time…I was…concerned …I thought I would fail my duty as your guardian, fail more than I already had. It wasn't until I called for them using your given name, that they came…..Orihime."

She stared up at him, a warm feeling spreading throughout her. Surprising him, and herself, she tentatively took his hand in hers. His hands are so warm…she smiled up at him and gave his hand a small squeeze, reassuring him that she was there. I'm just glad he's ok. She felt as if she might cry again.

Unsure what to make of her actions, but oddly comforted, he continued. "Soon after the Shun Shun Rikka had begun healing you, Aizen arrived. He was very angry, asking why I had released so much damaging spiritual pressure during my fight with Nnoitra. He did not wait for an answer…" He gasped, the throbbing in his head nearly returning in full force. Wrenching his hand from Orihime's grasp he placed both palms against his eye sockets, hoping to soothe away the pain. "What did he do to me?" The Espada choked out.

Orihime was very worried. She placed a hand on his back as he had slouched forward, his head on his knees. She began making repetitive soothing circles on his back, hoping to calm him down.

Gasping for breath, Ulquiorra tried to explain, "He…he used…argh!" It seemed the closer he got to an answer, the more intense the pain became. He quieted down, focusing only on his breathing, and the soothing touches on his back. "Why can't I say the name for it?" He whispered. "Is this some kind of sick side affect of…of…." He gathered the remaining strength he had to get out the last two words, "mind rape," before collapsing against Orihime, unconscious again.

Tears streaming down her eyes, Orihime gently took the Espada in her arms, cradling him. Mind rape? She could very well imagine what exactly the term meant. To be violated in such a way…she closed her eyes, remembering her traumatic childhood. She looked down at the unconscious Espada in her arms. I'm so sorry Ulquiorra. Nobody should have to endure that. Not wishing to move, but knowing he would be more comfortable on the bed, she asked, "Can you put him on the bed, please?" her voice trembled.

Szayel nodded, his eyes clouding over with some unknown emotion Orihime could not identify. He picked the Espada up easily and gently set him down on the bed before moving back to his position against the wall.

Settling down in a chair next to the bed, Orihime waited, wishing there was something more she could do.

By now it had gotten dark, a light glow shining in through the barred window, caressing the Espada's face. He's still crying…Reaching out, she gently wiped his tears away for the second time, enjoying the feel of his smooth warm skin, she let her hand cup his cheek for a moment, gasping in surprise as he leaned into her touch, a small sigh escaping his lips. She quickly pulled away, causing the Espada's brows to furrow.

He could still feel the warmth of her hand on his cheek as he opened his eyes and looked up at her tear stained face. Why is this woman always concerned about me? He thought as his head then gave another sharp throb, causing him to forget her presence. He put his palms to his eyes attempting to press away the pain.

"Let me try something, I'll be right back!" she said. Quickly grabbing the dried handkerchief Aizen had given her, and the bowl from her uneaten breakfast this morning, she went into the restroom and ran some hot water, quickly cleaning out the bowl and filling it. Then she folded the handkerchief into thirds, so that it formed a rectangle, she soaked it in the water, lightly wringing it out. Satisfied, she hurried back to Ulquiorra with the cloth and the bowl.

"Ulquiorra," she said quietly, but firmly, not wanting to aggravate what seemed to be a massive migraine. "Please remove your hands; I have something that might help."

It seemed he couldn't hear her, so she tried to pry his hands away, while repeating the instructions. Finally getting him to comply, his hands lying flat, she took the cloth and laid it against his eyes. "There, press on that, its warm, it should help." He did as he was told and let out a visible sigh of relief.

Szayel watched only slightly interested in the proceedings. He was relieved Orihime was ok, and that Ulquiorra had awaken. But he could not help the feeling that boiled within him at the site of them together. He had come to care about the woman, and he knew that although she might not like him in turn, she at least enjoyed his presence, more so than he could say for the other Espada. Though for some reason she was attracted to the other, and not him. His eyes darkened as he silently cursed himself for getting this involved with them and cursed Aizen for not making him her Guardian.

Blissfully unaware of the increasingly broody pink haired Espada, she repeatedly replaced the cloth on Ulquiorra's forehead for about forty-five minutes, until he was finally relaxed enough that he refused. I supposed he's pretty disgusted with himself for being this vulnerable in front of us… She looked into his eyes, which were now slightly pink from the heat of the rag repeatedly being applied to them.

Why does she help me? I kidnapped her, I almost let her get killed…I psychologically tortured her…what does she see in me? He thought, repeating the question in his mind he had asked her the previous week. Fed up with continuing to be in such a vulnerable position around her, he sat quickly sat up, only to be rewarded with several sharp pangs in his head and his vision swimming out of focus.

Alarmed, Orihime scolded him. "You need to take it easy and relax! We don't know exactly what…that…that monster did to you, ok? So just rest! You need to rebuild your strength up after that fight today anyways!" She finished, blushing slightly, remembering who it was that she was talking to.

He glared his most potent of death glares at the woman before him. Feeling the need to reassert himself after such a show of vulnerability, he stood up and quickly pushed her against the wall, ignoring the pain in his head. "You need not be so concerned with my welfare, woman." He hissed. With that he stormed from the room, not even locking the cell door behind him.

Unsurprised, and her eyes full of tears, Orihime slid down the wall into a heap on the floor. I knew he'd be angry, he's such a strong prideful person, there was no way I could see him in such a vulnerable state without repercussions. Still, she couldn't help the tears that slid down her cheeks.

Szayel glared a glare that rivaled Ulquiorra's as he left the room, he wished nothing more than to follow the Espada and beat the crap out of him, however his more reasonable mind won out. Instead he went to the woman and sat beside her, saying nothing.

Chapter 9 Teaser: Orihime, her hair wet, face still red and tear streaked, was wearing Ulquiorra's smallest uniform. She was hugging the tattered front of the uniform shut, not having been able to close it completely with the black sash. It was still a bit long, going all the way down to her feet, and the worn sleeves went all the way down to her wrist

An: Another WTF? Teaser ^^

I hope that little lullaby I wrote wasn't too corny xD anyways….poor Ulquiorra. I always figured Aizen was powerful, being the manipulative bastard he is, it would make sense for him to have some sort of mind piecing ability to go along side it which I think is something pretty unique to my bleach story :D

I also hope the flash backs weren't too bad? I ran through so many different cultures and time periods in my mind while writing this and that was the only one I could think of that suited his empty, emotionless personality perfectly.

Cookie to whoever figures out the time period/culture!

Next chapter is a another bombshell o.o