Chapter 2
After you fulfill your promise and order a servant to deliver paper and pencils to her room, Orihime's attitude gradually starts to change. She is still somewhat weary of you, but her indifference and moodiness slowly transform into reserved friendliness and even sociability. As she draws her pictures, she initiates conversations, sometimes even smiles at your curt answers, and the more time you spend in her company, watching her sketch and talking to her, you realize, that despite yourself, you rather enjoy being here. In the very least, it is certainly more refreshing than witnessing the violence and hostility among the Arrancar on a daily basis. And now, as you enter the familiar room to check up on her as usual, you see her curled up on the couch, feet snugly placed underneath her, completely immersed in drawing.
She only spares you a quick glace before returning to her activity, always leaving you wondering just how much better that nonsense that she left on the wall would look on paper, as you have yet to see any of her sketches. But, the passion that she puts into her art somehow amuses you, since her enthusiasm certainly does not match her skill.
"What do you think?" Orihime speaks, showing you one of her drawings.
How unexpected, she finally decides to reveal something to you. You study a triangular shaped object with two rounded corners unsure of what to make of it.
"What is this?" you ask.
She raises a brow but does not comment on your ignorance. "It's a heart." Orihime says simply.
"Impossible. This looks nothing like the muscle I have seen before."
"It's not that type of a heart." She pauses, thinking of the right words to describe it. "It's more like…what we feel, how we think, what makes us human. It's like an extension of the soul."
"You do realize that I am not human." You point out, "The notion is alien to me. And even if I could vaguely comprehend it, I could never treat it with such simplicity as you do. You speak of it like you can see it. Yet, where is it?"
Orihime scrutinizes you for a moment. "Just because you aren't human, it doesn't mean you can't feel."
But you beg to differ. It is not a matter of "can't feel" but won't, as you strive on the principle of logic and efficiency, not sentiment. And what Inoue Orihime's just revealed to you is incomprehensible and long forgotten. Even if there were feelings somewhere in your history, through years of experience you've learned how to suppress them to the point of complete emotional numbness.
"And there are some things that you can't see but know that are there." She adds.
"If I can't see them, how do I know they exist?"
She doesn't answer.
"You don't know?" you press on.
"I do know." She insists. "But how can I explain it if you wouldn't even admit to being able to feel?"
"The very assertion is ridiculous." You argue, "I don't need to experience emotions to comprehend the meaning of the heart."
She studies you with the same mysterious spark in her eyes that you've already seen before, as if having a private knowledge to something that you don't. And for some unexplained reason you want to understand it, to share the insight into this inexplicable element that she puts so much stock into. With every passing day that you spend with her, the gravity in your chest becomes heavier, pushing and pulling and making you wonder about things that you have never considered before. Is the heart really as important as she says? It seems foolish and inconsequential. It lacks every shred of logic that you have ever abided by, yet why…
Spending so much time with the woman made you think about the most ludicrous things. You break the eye contact and look at the table opposite from where she is sitting. There are some papers spread on it piquing your interest. And a second later you stand over them about to reach down and take one.
"No!" the woman is suddenly in front of you, stacking them up and holding them to her chest so you wouldn't see what's drawn there. "I don't want to show them to you yet."
Her sudden reaction draws suspicion. "I have no inclination to issues a request. You will show them to me regardless of what you want."
Orihime rises up her chin in defiance. "These are my drawings and I get to decide when to show them to you."
Rebellious as always. But you already let her get away with enough to have her so blatantly disobey you about something as trivial as this. If the woman wants to test your patience, she will be thoroughly disappointed because you have no desire to indulge her. Despite your rather casual relationship and your admiration for her courage, you still have no intention of being dismissed and treated as her playmate.
"You seem to forget where you are, woman." You remind her sternly, "Regardless of how lenient Aizen-sama is towards you, you are not just a guest." a meaningful pause to see her reaction. "You will do as you are told. My orders are not under your personal evaluation."
She responds just as you've anticipated, widening her eyes in bewilderment then moving her gaze downwards.
"I know." She says quietly, "I've always known that, but it was still nice to pretend there's something that belonged only to me, even if it's something as silly as this."
"Nothing here truly belongs to you. The only one who owns anything is your master. Do not forget it."
She sighs audibly. "Yes. But I was still kind of hoping that you weren't just following orders. That we might've become….friends."
Friends. The gravity is pulling you in again, but you are adamant to resist it. There is no room for you and her to be friends. You know her fate and you know yours. And it is impossible to be anything more as you are aware that this is bound to end badly for at least one of you.
"I am doing my duty. There is nothing else." You lie.
And you do realize that you are lying. There is no point in denying that your interest in her goes beyond the orders from above. Her courage, her strength, her ridiculous faith in her friends and the heart drew you in and you let it happen. And there is no one else to blame but yourself, yet you have no intention of exposing this revelation and creating more complications in front of Aizen. This is a problem you will deal with alone.
"Do you really mean it?"
"Yes." You've gotten very good at lying lately.
Orihime nods and continues staring at the floor but you notice her lips trembling. Silently you turn around, but before there is a chance to take another step, you feel her hand on your elbow.
"This is not fair." she says through muffled sobs.
You turn your head to look at her. "You were naïve to think you could make friends here."
"I know that, but still..." She pauses for a moment looking at you intently. "Why did you really bring me here?" she asks suddenly.
"To serve Aizen-sama. You know this already."
She shakes her head violently. "No! I don't believe it. I've been here for days, maybe even weeks, and I've done nothing! Everyday is the same. I just sit here and draw and then you come to check on me. Why am I really here?"
"Control yourself." Now you are facing her, "He will use you whenever he decides to do so. Do not question him any further."
"But I want to!" she is yelling at you now, "I sacrificed my freedom. I came here because I thought I was saving my friends. And all of this was for nothing?"
She stares at you with tears streaming down her cheeks, breathing heavily, waiting for your answer. But you don't know what to say as Aizen's real intention are unknown to you. You followed his orders and brought her here, everything else is left completely at his mercy. And he hasn't given you a single hint of his future plans, especially in regards to Inoue Orihime.
"You've been told of everything you need to know." You say evenly, turning around and walking towards the exit. "If there is any change, you will be informed of it. Otherwise, there is no reason of going back to this topic ever again."
A few seconds tick until she speaks again.
"Ulquiorra..."
You stop by the door and tilt your head sideways.
"What if…" a reluctant pause, "What if my friends come for me… You are going to fight them, aren't you?"
"You already know the answer to that quest." Your voice is unnaturally calm, "There is no reason to repeat it."
A moment later you are in the hallway hearing the door closing behind you.
Your days continue as usual and you keep watch over Orihime, but one fact is obvious now. Aizen didn't give you any assignments since you brought her to Hueco Mundo. In fact, you lead each day doing nothing, save for your responsibility towards the woman. Other than that, you are free to do as you please and he doesn't even ask for a report. Strange. He usually keeps you busy, but after her arrival it seems like it was his intention to have you spend as much time as possible in her company.
But, today he finally summoned you. And now you stand in his throne room ready to receive orders.
"How is our little captive?" Aizen asks. "Have you been nice to her?
"Inoue Orihime exhibits no signs of distress. She spends a large amount of her time drawing." You report curtly.
Aizen eyes you with his usual expression of self-importance. "Excellent. And since everything is in order, I have a task for you today, Ulquiorra."
You don't question him. You don't ask for any details. You just stand and watch and listen. But your mind is busy thinking and analyzing what would happen to her while you're gone.
"And while you're gone," he adds as if reading your thoughts, "One of the Espada will look after Orihime."
You never question him openly and you don't so now. But you know that she will be in danger. You need to finish this quickly and efficiently and come back before anything happens to her.
"Yes, Aizen-sama." You respond tonelessly and turn around to leave.
But before you go on this mission, you need to inform her of the change and give the proper instructions on how to behave so she would not attract unwanted attention. In the midst of all this, her well-being is suddenly a personal concern of yours. How foolish.
"And Ulquiorra," he calls after you, "You leave immediately."
Somehow he is aware of your plans. You can feel that he is and it disturbs you that he intentionally wants to keep you away from Orihime, while knowing how important she is. Yet you remain silent, nod curtly and exit the throne room. But as soon as you step outside, you come face-to-face with Nnoitra.
"Well, well, well…" he sneers are you, "Looks like your little pet will be without her caretaker for while. But don't you worry; we'll take real good care of her."
"Nnoitra…"
"I'm kind of envious though. That's a really nice job you got there. Just how far have you disciplined her?"
Filthy scum. You have no time for this. Ignoring the insinuations, you walk past him, but Nnoitra suddenly gets in front of you slamming his fist against the wall.
"Don't be so stingy." He snickers down at you, "I just want to know what's going on so we can continue with whatever the hell you were doing with her."
You look him straight in the eye as he towers over you. Useless fool. His strength is no match to yours and he knows it. But his lack of intelligence might pose a problem and you have neither the time nor the desire to indulge his blood-thirst.
"Inoue Orihime is essential to Aizen's plans." You respond, "She is not to be harmed."
"Bullshit. A weakling like her can't be that impor—"
"Nnoitra," you interrupt, "Aizen gave specific orders to keep her intact. And I expect to find her in the same condition as I left her."
"Or what?"
"Or you will be eliminated."
Nnoitra gives a shout of laughter. "You seriously think Aizen would care more about some human than an Espada?"
"There are plenty of Arrancar to replace you, but according to Aizen Inoue Orihime is irreplaceable. Make no mistake, she is important to him and you will not lay a finger on her. You have been warned."
"Damn. That sounds like a threat."
"No. It is a fact. If you harm her in any way, I will kill you."
Nnoitra glares at you but you don't give him a chance to respond, walking around and past him. You've made your point and he's made his. And if he still dares to go against you, he will pay the consequences.
The assignment is not what you have anticipated. You are in the mortal realm now, observing Kurosaki Ichigo and his plans in regards to Inoue Orihime. What a pointless mission. It shouldn't matter what the boy wants to do. Regardless of his power, he still doesn't stand a chance against the Espada and you are certain that you can defeat him. And surely, Aizen does not perceive him as a threat either. The boy is nothing and you can easily destroy him along with the rest of his friends. But it is neither the time nor the place, you realize, carefully masking your reiatsu as you approach him.
You watch him talk to his team mates, to the rest of the Shinigami while one of the captains informs him of the Menos and the power of the Vasto Lords. The corner of your mouth curves as you see the surprise and horror on his face. It is good that he fears your power, perhaps now he would think twice before venturing into Hueco Mundo and try to rescue Inoue Orihime. That would be foolish of him. Kurosaki is just a boy who lacks experience and maturity. No matter how much he trains and how much more powerful he would get, he will still be crushed if he decides to cross you. You will make sure of it.
There is nothing to see here, you decide, and frankly, because of the insignificance of this mission, you are starting to second guess Aizen. He showed Hougyoku to Orihime, yet he knows she has the power to reject it from existence. He made you thoughtlessly indulge her whims, although you suspect he would use her for something and dispose of her later. Why? Why did he put you through so much trouble of catering to her, watching her, making sure that she is comfortable? And now, he sent you on a mission that lacks every bit of common sense that you're used to. And for what? To see what Kurosaki plans to do? You are sure Aizen is prepared if the Shinigami decides to go to Hueco Mundo, and he certainly does not fear the boy. Then, why did he send one of his Vasto Lords on such a meaningless errand?
You are done with this nonsense, moving to a safe distance and opening a Garganta. But as soon as you step into Las Noches, Aizen's voice startles you.
"Ah, Ulquiorra, it is nice to have you back. I trust you brought good news?"
This is the first time he ever waits for you to return from a mission. Usually, you are the one to seek him out to give a report. What changed now? This unsettles you.
"Kurosaki Ichigo learned about the power levels of the Menos and the Vasto Lords." You answer carefully, "Other than that, he is not a threat to us of any kind."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. The boy is frightened and disorganized. Even if he still decides to come here, he will be defeated."
"Good, just as I thought. You've done well, Ulquiorra."
"Thank you, Aizen-sama."
"And now that you are back, you can return to your duties and look after our captive."
Wordlessly you bow and walk past him.
"Oh, Ulquiorra!" he suddenly calls after you. "I almost forgot to ask you."
You turn your head and look at him expectantly.
Aizen smiles, the same arrogant smile that you are much too familiar with.
"How does your chest feel?" he asks you silkily.