See Right Through Me

Just another Bleach Story

Part Two

I do not own Bleach or any of its characters :D

Reunion

*Ulquiorra*

"Ulquiorra, is it really you?" He watched her take a step toward him, his name slowly rolling off of her lips.

"That is what I just said to you. Weren't you listening, woman?" Ulquiorra watched as she slowly made her way toward him. Her features were the same, but she looked different to him. Her usually creamy skin was pale, her hair was the same ginger color, but her gray eyes that were once so bright and full of life were dull and lifeless. The warm light that used to burn behind her big grey orbs was gone, snuffed out by something he didn't know. It irked him.

When she finally made it to him she leaned forward resting her forehead against his chest. He kept his hands stuffed in his uniform pockets and she knew it was him even if she hadn't before.

"I thought you were dead," she whispered against his chest.

"Does it look like I am dead, woman?" he said as he place his chin on the top of her head awkwardly, voice filled with some emotion he didn't know. "Does it feel like I am dead?"

"No. No, you aren't dead," she buried her face in his chest, wrapping her arms around him.

Ulquiorra slowly and hesitantly did the same, surprised by the warmth he felt by a simple hug. The noise Ichigo made sounded as if he was unhappy about the embrace. The tears Orihime began to cry were felt on his shirt before the little broken sobs were heard, and the urge to protect her from anything came flooding back to him. As long as he was there in Karakura Town he would protect her until his last breath.

"How are you still alive?" Ichigo spoke, killing the mood quickly. "We watched you vanish into dust."

"Kurosaki-kun, don't be so rude!" Orihime whirled around on him, her back firmly pressed into Ulquiorra's chest.

"I still cannot answer that question. It is one I have asked myself since I have come here." Ulquiorra answered him. "What concern is it of yours, trash?"

Ichigo looked at Orihime then back to Ulquiorra, "It isn't." He turned and walked away, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "The next time you call me trash I am going to kick your ass, you bastard."

"Ngh, Kurosaki-kun," Orihime shouted after him, "w-where are you going?"

"Home!" he shouted back at her as he continued to walk away.

"O-okay," she mumbled to herself, looking back at Ulquiorra. "Um, Ulquiorra, where are you staying?"

*Ichigo*

Ichigo walked down the sidewalk kicking at a rock in him path. That damn Ulquiorra, he grumbled to himself. Just when he thought he was gone and he could actually admit his feelings for Orihime to her he showed up again. He sighed heavily stopping at the curb, sitting a few flowers in front of the lamp post. The ghost of the little girl was no longer there, she had moved on. Maybe that's what he should do, move on. Now that Ulquiorra was there, there was no way he could tell Orihime how he felt she would fall into Ulquiorra's open arms willingly.

He sighed and kicked a rock. He had to, had to tell her about his feelings and why he was staying away from her. That was the only way he could keep her from Ulquiorra. It seemed impossible to him though, she was so close to him it wasn't even funny. He leaned against a wall of a building, sitting his bag down, hands stuffed in his pockets, and his head leaning back against the bricks. The day he had ran through his mind, watching Orihime cry as she hugged herself to Ulquiorra, her sticking up for Ulquiorra when he asked him how he was still alive, and thinking about it made him grind his teeth angrily.

Slowly his eyes closed as he rested his body back against the wall, trying to get the image of the two embracing each other out of his mind. Ulquiorra was most likely going to be staying with her even though Toshiro and Rangiku were staying there. Who knows maybe they could find out why he is alive and human. Maybe he could ask Kisuke that himself and ask about his Inner Hollow while he was there. But that wasn't for now not while he was this upset.

Reaching down Ichigo grabbed his bag and began to walk the rest of the way home kicking rocks as he did. Rukia was probably already there and he didn't feel like putting up with her today, but that couldn't be avoided. He opened the front do to his house, the sign above it reading Kurosaki Clinic, readying himself for a surprise attack from his dad.

"Welcome home, ICHIGO!" Isshin Kurosaki shouted as he launched himself at Ichigo, elbow ready to connect with Ichigo's jaw.

Ready for the attack Ichigo easily sidestepped out of his way sending Isshin flying out of the house.

"Again I repeat, is that a way you should greet your son?" Ichigo asked shouting as he did. He slammed the door before Isshin could say anything.

Tossing his bag in the corner of the room he walked upstairs to his own room tossing himself onto his bed. Rukia wasn't here, which was a big relief because he needed to be alone. He rolled over on his side laying his head on his arm with a sigh not wanting to sleep because he was afraid to dream about Orihime.

He sat up stripping his clothes off until he sat in his boxers, hands running through his orange hair, pulling even. He was so messed up; Hueco Mundo was the cause of that. All in the time of the winter war he found out his dad was a Shinigami, Orihime was practically in love with Ulquiorra, and Renji had a thing for Rukia. Not that he minded the last part as long as Rukia was out of his hair, which he gripped in his hands.

Giving up on refusing sleep, he lay back and closed his eyes. Within minutes he was asleep and dreaming.

Orihime turned from the stove as Ichigo sat down at the table early on a Tuesday morning before he went to work. Her cheeks were rosy with a blush, her skin held a soft glow, and her stomach bulged with an eight month old growing baby. An apron draped over her pink dress she wore that morning no longer being able to be tied due to her growing belly.

He smiled at her couldn't help himself the sight of her belly always made him. She walked over to him sitting his breakfast down in front of him, bacon and eggs with biscuits and gravy. Over the years they had been together she had actually learned to cook or who know what he would have been eating. His hand caught hers when she went to pull away after sitting his coffee down in front of him. She didn't look right this morning and it troubled him.

"What's wrong, Hime-chan?" he asked pulling her closer to him, her stomach pushed against his chest. "Is the baby making you sick?"

"N-no, it's not the baby." Orihime said quietly as she looked down at him.

"Then what is wrong?" he asked concerned.

"Somebody has been visiting me while you are at work," she whispered, bringing her tiny fist up to cover her mouth.

"Who, is it?" Ichigo asked, letting his grip on her loosen.

"Ulquiorra-san…" she looked away and Ichigo stood up from his seat, "b-but we haven't done anything, Ichigo-kun! I promise!"

"You told me, promised me, you would quit talking to him!" Ichigo shouted, fists balling. It had been ten years since that incident in the hallway at school when Ulquiorra showed up suddenly. "The baby's probably his then."

"N-no the baby is yours. Ulquiorra-san and I haven't-" Ichigo cut her off and tears filled her grey eyes.

"Save it, Inoue." With that Ichigo grabbed his briefcase and left for work without touching anything, not even kissing her goodbye. He only called her by her last name when he was upset with her he knew it was bad for the baby to have her upset, but he couldn't help the anger at the mentioning of that bastard, Ulquiorra's, name. He couldn't help but to be mad knowing that Ulquiorra was in his home.

Work cooled his temper down enough that he went home straight after work. It was dark outside the stars shining bright in the sky. It was late and he hoped Orihime was up so he could apologize, hoped she would accept his apologies and the flowers he had stopped to buy.

He slid the front door open, sitting his briefcase on the couch, making his way upstairs. As he walked up the stairs he loosened his tie and unbuckled his belt letting it flap undone. Their bedroom door was open and the lights were off except for the little candle Orihime always lit while she waited for Ichigo to get home from work so in case she fell asleep he could have some light.

She lay on her back, eyes closed though tears were still wet on her cheeks. She wore one of the silk nightgowns she bought her when the baby started showing. It was white with little pink lilies on it. Lilies had grown to be her favorite flowers so whenever he saw anything with them on it he bought it for her. As quietly as he could he got in his dresser drawer and got out some pajama pants and changed into them then he sat the lilies on the night table beside of her.

Ichigo slowly lowered himself onto the bed next to her and wiped the tears, still warm, from her cheeks. Her hand by her face twitched slightly, her golden wedding band glistening in the candlelight. He felt awful for accusing her for sleeping with Ulquiorra even though she said she didn't. Trailing his left hand over her cheek he shook her awake with the other. Her eyes fluttered open slowly locking with his, instantly she sat up in the bed scooting away from him.

The hurt was clear on his face as he sat up as well scooting closer to her, "I am so sorry, Orihime."

"It's not your fault," she said quietly, "like you said I promised not to talk to him anymore."

"Oh Hime-chan, I can't tell you that I know you loved him. You still do, don't you?" he asked pulling her to him. He smiled at the feel of her belly against his, swearing he felt the baby kick.

"Yes," she whispered burying her face in his bare chest.

"You heard her, right Ichigo?" his inner hollow rasped in his head. "She loves another man even though she married and conceived a child with you. That pisses you off, doesn't it?"

Ichigo ground his teeth, just hearing the Hollow's voice sent shivers down his spine.

"But I am with you and I love you so much. I wouldn't leave you for anything." Orihime said with a smile, kissing his chest shyly.

"She is lying. Just look at her playing you like a fool," it rasped with a growl.

Why does he always interrupt the tender moments between Orihime and him? Why was he always in the back of his mind waiting to seep through his barriers? He just wanted to control his Hollow so he could get on with his life with Orihime and their child growing in her womb. That was going to be impossible unless his Hollow was completely gone, out of him for good.

Orihime looked up at him worry in her grey eyes, "I-Ichigo-kun?" She had seen him like this before and each time it scared her beyond imagining. It was his Inner-Hollow and she knew it. He had told her about it.

"Go downstairs, Hime-chan." Ichigo said his voice strained as he fought for control with his Hollow.

"We can get through this together, Ichigo-kun," she said caressing his cheek, voice barely audible. "I am here for you. I will always be."

"Orihime!" he gripped her hand, which was caressing his cheek, tightly in his. He was going to lose control but she wasn't going to leave his side. She truly loved him no matter what he thought. "Go Orihime, I am losing control and I don't you or the baby hurt."

She nodded as stood up, wobbling some from her large stomach. She backed out of the room slowly her eyes remaining on his as she did. He forced a smile at her as he gripped his head and grinded he teeth together. All that mattered was that she was safe, even if it meant for them to be apart.

"You aren't going to get rid of me that easily, Ichigo," it rasped once again. "I am going to get out and when I do your precious family will pay the price."

Ichigo sat up in his bed rubbing his forehead, ridding his skin of the thin layer of sweat. He didn't know why he was having dreams like he was; he didn't know why the Hollow wanted to kill her. Maybe it was because she was the one who had brought Ichigo back in control of his body after the last fight with Ulquiorra. That could be the answer. He had to get the beast under control if not he was going to be tore apart. He and Orihime both would be.

*Orihime*

"Well this is home," Orihime smiled as she opened the door to her apartment. It was a mess, something that was a result of leaving Rangiku alone in her house. She laughed nervously when she saw a pair of her panties on the floor by the couch. A blush flamed her cheeks when she noticed one of her bras was close to it.

"Wait until Matsumoto-san gets back here," she grumbled collecting all of her undergarments off of the floor. "Sorry you had to see my underwear, Ulquiorra-san."

"It is fine, woman." Ulquiorra said, disregarding the sight of her most intimate pieces of clothing. "Is this Matsumoto-san a Shinigami?"

"Yes, she and her captain are staying with me while they are on vacation."

"I see," he said emotionlessly. He looked around Orihime's home keeping his face blank. He couldn't believe the woman could live in something so small and awful looking. She deserved better than that. She had only a small couch, a small table to eat at; pictures were randomly placed around the room. He couldn't help but to think about what her bedroom looked like.

He shook his head ridding himself of the perverted thought. Why would he care what her bedroom looked like?

"Anyway, I will make you up a bed or you could sleep on the couch. Rangiku-san usually goes out at night, and I am not sure what Hitsugaya does." Orihime said looking back at Ulquiorra. She was still in shock that she was actually looking at him even though he looked like a human. He was still Ulquiorra. He was the Ulquiorra she remembered the silent, observing, emotionless, Ulquiorra she was used to.

"Is that why your clothes are like this? Scattered everywhere?" he asked her, ignoring the fact that there were shinigami staying with her.

"Y-yeah, Rangiku-san likes to wear my clothes when she is here."

Ulquiorra shoved his hands into the pockets of the uniform he was wearing staring blankly at the girl. He walked over to a skirt that was discarded looking down at it he bent over to pick it up with a pale hand. Orihime found herself smiling as she watched him pick up her discarded clothes awkwardly. She giggled to herself then started to do what he was quickly. Another blush crept upon her cheeks as she noticed a pair of underwear that was only strings, which was definitely not hers, lying by the couch.

She hid them behind her back just as Ulquiorra looked over toward her. The nervous giggles escaped her lips as she rushed to her room to throw them into her closet. Thank goodness Ulquiorra did not see them. Orihime was going to have a talk with Rangiku got back to the apartment.

She sighed turning to look at her room. It was small looking just as bad as the apartment outside the sliding door of her room. While she was in her room she decided to change out of her school uniform to something more comfortable.

Once she was in something more comfortable her favorite pajama pants and an oversized shirt she went back out to join Ulquiorra. When she entered the room where he sat awkwardly on the couch, her jaw almost dropped. He had cleaned the entire room spotless of any clothes that were previously there in the matter of minutes. A small smile crossed her face. It was the first time she had really smiled in months.

"You can watch television, Ulquiorra," she said with a slight smile. "I am pretty sure there is anime on somewhere."

"What are you talking about, woman?" he asked looking over at her with his emerald green eyes. "What is this anime?"

She giggled, couldn't help it, "They are cartoons based off of manga." He sighed and Orihime could tell he was getting frustrated by not knowing what these things were. "Um, how about I just show you?" She walked over sitting down beside of him turning on the television. "Oh, I love this one!" As she stared at the television some of the light that she once held in her eyes returned to them momentarily. "It's When They Cry!"

*Ulquiorra*

Ulquiorra sat and watched episode after episode of the weird and confusing anime Orihime had him watch. The children were truly unique characters. They would kill each other or other people and the little bluish-purple haired girl, the priestess, could apparently set time back. It was incredibly fascinating to watch. Orihime snored beside of him. She had gotten a little of her life back in her eyes when he had help her clean up her messy place. He couldn't help but to be relieved when he saw her smile for the first time.

He didn't know what the tightness in his chest was when he saw her smile. Hell, he didn't know anything about what he felt for her. His world had changed the day he died before her eyes when he finally realized that the feeling he felt for her was love. He was still trying to understand the emotion love. What was really to love? Was it the tightening in your chest? Was it the lump in your throat when you desperately wanted to talk? He didn't know but he would come to find out some way or another.

Ulquiorra sighed removing his hands from his pockets, standing up he bent over, lifting her gently into his arms. She was warm, her curves were soft, and she fit perfectly into his arms. The tightening in his chest gripped tighter as he slid her bedroom door open so he could place her in her bed. He placed her as gently as he could onto the little bed she had. The sight of her sleeping form made his cheeks warm. The feeling of the blush bothered him. The feeling also fascinated him. He knew then that she was going to be his even if he had to fight that orange haired Shinigami, Ichigo Kurosaki.

End of Part Two

Well that was the end of that one. I had the first two chapters done at the same tome but I decided that I should change some things about and so…this is the end result!

I hope you liked it and thanks to all those people who had wonderfully nice reviews.

I have decided that I will make the Ichigo dream thing happen in every chapter I personally think it helps with the fic.

I also added one of my favorite animes in this chapter When They Cry. Absolutely love it.

And again I hoped you enjoyed.