AN: Ok so this got done way quicker than I had expected! And so, here you have it.. Not one, but two chapters. ;) I foresee busy times though so updates might be a bit more random. I have until Chapter 8 written out now, however we'll see how it goes in terms of speed of updates. As usual, please leave a hi if you liked what you read. Love hearing from you all! Again, some IchiHime and a lot of drama ahead. I have been building up this story in the past chapters, however things will move a lot faster and get more dramatic from this point on. So brace yourself. ;)

Disclaimer: Tite Kubo created these amazing characters. I just hope I can give them more romantic action and character development in an AU where they aren't so busy fighting each other. ;)

Chapter 6: Shifting sands

Soon after being hugged by Ichigo, Orihime had burst into almost hysterical sobs. In the end, he had had to take her to her apartment, and stayed with her as she bawled her eyes out. Ichigo had also cancelled the lunch plans with Rukia and Renji, making some excuse, as Orihime did not feel like going over her massive failure with them. Now, almost four hours later, she felt a lot lighter.

She looked up gratefully as Ichigo walked up to her; with tea in one hand and a ham sandwich he had put together in another.

"Here, about time you ate something. I even put bean paste in the sandwich." He said, barely able to control the slightly disgusted look at the smells that had assaulted him as he made the sandwich.

"Thank you Kurosaki kun. It means a lot." Orihime looked at him gratefully.

"Don't act so stiff with me Inoue. You know you can count on me if you find yourself troubled."

Orihime looked into his warm brown eyes and realized again why she had fallen in love with him in the first place. It was this kindness, this tendency he had to go above and beyond, even if it made him uncomfortable, for the people he cared about. Most women were attracted to Ichigo's devil may care attitude and wrongly assumed that he was a bad boy. But Orihime knew that despite his tendency to rush into things before thinking, and his general brashness, he was an extremely kind person on the inside.

"Feeling better Inoue?" Ichigo smiled at Orihime as she gobbled up her sandwich. Orihime nodded.

"Want to talk about what happened?"

Orihime wasn't feeling like it, but she filled Ichigo in on the happenings anyways. After all he had spent his entire afternoon cleaning her snot. He deserved an explanation. After she was done Ichigo looked thoughtful for while.

" I can see why that oyaji speaking at you both like that affected you so much. But by the sounds of it, batman took all the blame."

Ichigo instantly regretted his words. Orihime looked so small and guilty in that moment that he was overcome with a desire to take her in his arms.

"Errr I mean, listen I think it's his fault too. He knew what he was dealing with, yet he gave you the lead and never bothered enlightening you.."

"He told me up front Kurosaki kun. Also I was the one who didn't ask for his help. He said he was at my command.."

"Which he put you in knowing you would fail. I am not blaming him Inoue, the guy took all the blame and basically protected you from that old geezer. But he wasn't exactly innocent. And he mentioned it wasn't about the quality of work but different values right? I don't think you should blame yourself so much."

Orihime sighed. She wasn't worried about consequences for herself. Or the fact that Yamamoto had made her feel like the most foolish person in the world. She was worried that she might have harmed Ulquiorra and the company by her stubbornness and unwillingness to learn not to mix idealistic fantasies with business.

However as she thought back on Ichigo's words it dawned onto her that even though Ulquiorra had never been more than civil with her, in his own way he had defended her. Why would he do that? Chauvinism? Did he feel sorry for her? Or did he feel bad for switching places with her just to teach her a lesson? Either ways, since he had shouldered the blame she could only feel guiltier.

That night, after Ichigo left, Orihime firmed her resolve. She would not just sit in a corner and cry. If it were the last thing she did, she would ensure that Aizen Corp and Ulquiorra would not pay for her mistakes.

Ulquiorra looked at the clock. The woman should be in the office by now. He had been wracked with nervousness since he had seen her burst into sobs in the arms of the orange haired male. However, logically speaking, she was clearly with someone who was closer to her than him, and hence in better hands. Also, Ulquiorra had never been one to comfort people. He simply wasn't good at it and had a habit of laying things as they were, which usually caused people to become even more miserable. So it was probably for the better for the woman that she had chosen to cry out her worries in front of her other male friend.

Yet, Ulquiorra had been irritated the whole time and had barely slept a wink. He chalked it down to his anxiety about what Yamamoto might do and worse, what Aizen might do. However, Aizen had not contacted Ulquiorra about the matter (despite the fact that Yamamoto had sent Aizen a scathing e mail, cc-ing Ulquiorra). Urahara too, had been strangely quiet, but had told Ulquiorra to expect hell for this slip. He had almost looked sad, as if he didn't think Ulquiorra and Orihime deserved hell for loosing one of the oldest clients of Aizen Corp. But then again, Urahara had never agreed with Yamamoto and so bad was their relationship that the smoother, more slippery Aizen was left to do dealings with USJF all by himself.

Ulquiorra sighed. He hated all these weird sensations in his stomach and chest when that woman was around. Of course crazy people would ultimately rub in on you. And the woman was definitely crazy.

He got up to get himself the fifteenth glass of water, passing by the woman's cubicle and stopped. The woman was there now, and whats more, was staring at her desk longingly, as if she would never see it again.

"Ahem.."

"Ah! Cifer san! You surprised me! Ehehehe.."

"I see you are as energetic as ever, Inoue san." Ulquiorra said, nonplussed.

"Umm… yeah.."

Was the woman sad again? Ulquiorra wondered if he had some hidden ability to suck life out of people. His eyes fell on an empty box next to the woman's desk.

"What is the box for?"

"Ah! Oh, well…" the woman looked absolutely heart broken now. Ulquiorra wished he hadn't asked the question and was about to tell her to not bother answering when she sighed heavily and looked up to him with eyes full of resolve. Ulquiorra was amazed at the change.

"I have decided to quit Aizen Corp." What?!

"What happened yesterday… the fact that we lost that contract, is solely my fault. I plan to take full responsibility. I e-mailed Urahara san today and umm, asked him to forward my message to Aizen san and Yamamoto san. Hopefully this way your career won't be jeopardized."

Ulquiorra willed himself to say something. To move, twitch his nose. Something! However he stood frozen. A rage such has he had never known consumed him. He simply could not understand the way this woman thought. Did she think that she was being a martyr by quitting, thinking that it would somehow exempt him from his responsibility in the fiasco?!

After he felt like he could talk calmly, Ulquiorra narrowed his eyes and looked squarely at the woman.

"Hmm… I must say I am a bit surprised Inoue san. I hadn't pegged you down as a quitter." Orihime's eyes widened. But before she could say anything Ulquiorra continued.

"Then again, I can understand. Most women usually take work as a back up plan, something they do in the interim while they find themselves a man who can look after them. With someone to look after you, of course there is no need for you to deal with what was probably one of the more difficult things about this job."

To say that she was shocked would be an understatement. Ulquiorra himself was surprised. Why had he mentioned the orange haired man? That had nothing to do with it.

SLAP!

Ulquiorra felt a brief numbness, followed by stinging on his left cheek. When his sight came back to focus, he realized that his entire face was turned sideways. Slowly he looked in front, his eyes falling on the woman. He had never seen her like this. She looked broken yet angry, as if she were standing against the floodgates of her own emotions. She was too angry to speak but Ulquiorra could see her thoughts clearly in her eyes.

How dare he?! How could he make such horrible assumptions about her.

He agreed that he had crossed the line. This has nothing to do with the woman's love life or even life goals. But no matter how crazy or trippy or naïve, he did not know Inoue Orihime to be a quitter. In fact she was stupidly stubborn.

Ulquiorra felt at a loss as to what to say and turned around.

"Oh my, oh my… it seems I came a bit late. However as much as I disagree with Cifer sans .. ummm… allegations, lets say; I have to agree Orihime chan. You can't just turn tail and run after making such a mess. After all, you aren't the type to run away from difficulty anyways right?" Urahara stood at the entrance of Orihime's office, giving her a knowing look.

"But I wasn't running away! I am willing to accept the full consequences of my actions! I presumed I would be fired or asked to leave and I am.."

"Orihime chan.. why would you assume that I or Aizen would fire you?" Ulquiorra was surprised to see a hint of annoyance in Urahara's voice. Orihime picked it up too, as he could see her shrink back, looking genuinely confused.

Urahara sighed. "The blame rests as much on Cifer san's shoulder as it does on yours, Orihime chan." Then he turned to give Ulquiorra a disappointed look.

"Cifer san, did it ever occur to you why Aizen and I would ask you to work with another person on something you were easily capable of doing yourself? Or why Aizen would send his right hand man, someone he has been mentoring as a future CEO of Aizen Corp, all the way to Tokyo to do work that could easily have been done in New York? After all, Yamamoto has Kyoraku san in New York, who is the second in command. Surely you could have presented the proposal to him and his word would be as good as Yamamoto's."

When Ulquiorra looked as confused as Orihime, Urahara sighed and continued.

"Although you are clearly one of the best people we have ever had work for us Cifer san, Aizen and I felt that you lacked but one significant quality to become the leader we both expect you to become. You lack the ability to work well with other people. It's not unnatural. You are significantly more efficient and have a much more disciplined work ethic. In the past projects where you did work with a team, you mostly gave orders and divided work in ways that would suit and play to peoples' strength and weakness. However a leader doesn't just use his employees. He works with them and for them. You were sent here to work with Orihime chan to learn that important lesson."

"I am sorry, I don't quite follow. How was Inoue san supposed to teach me this important lesson in leadership when she herself is incapable of delegating basic responsibilities to those under her command?" Ulquiorra asked as flatly as ever. Orihime shot him an annoyed look. Urahara sighed again.

"Well, it was more that we thought you might be able to learn from each other. You see, unlike you, Inoue san thinks solely of other people and how to best work for them. However just as your obsession with rationality hinders you from working with people, so does her obsession with feelings."

Urahara glanced from Ulquiorra to Orihime, both of whom had expressions that showed that they thought this was a rather lame excuse. "Oh my.. it seems you both do have something in common. Now, Orihime chan, I cannot stop you from quitting. However, I am sorry to say, that will not change Cifer sans fate. Although Aizen is rather partial to him so…"

"I am not quitting." Orihime interrupted the blond haired man. Both men looked at her with slight surprise in their eyes.

"Errr… Orihime chan… I don't quite.."

"We will get the client back! Thank you Urahara san for thinking so much about my and Cifer san's well being. And sorry that we disappointed you. In order to prove that we are both terribly sorry, and make up for going against your wishes and not working together, I promise that we will convince USJF to consider… no… give Aizen Corp this contract!"

Was that a fist pump?! Ulquiorra sweat dropped. However he was stunned in equal measure. He had thought that Urahara's vapid story would get Orihime to not quit, however getting back the client? Not that it was impossible. Yamamoto would never budge, but his assistant director, Kyoraku Shunsui was a far more forgiving man. That, and he had a fairly good hold over Yamamoto.

"I second Inoue san. We'll get the client back." Ulquiorra said and immediately felt his chest constrict as Orihime shot him the most brilliant smile he had ever seen.

"Hmmm, this is unexpected. I'll have to check with Sousuke. Mind you… he might not agree." Urahara tried to sound grim, but his voice betrayed the obvious glee he displayed while plotting something. Orihime felt a shiver run down her spine.

"Thank you Urahara san!" she gushed anyways.

"No no Orihime chan. The pleasure is all mine. I'll let you both know if Sousuke agrees to this." With that the blond man left the room.

"Thank you, Cifer san." Orihime flashed Ulquiorra another brilliant smile. The man gave her a curt nod and stiffly turned around to walk away. He is surprisingly a softie, huh? A small smile played on Orihime's lips.

"So, what do you want to do for dinner Inoue" Ichigo asked, as he walked along with Orihime in Takeshita dori in Harajuku. Ichigo has picked up Orihime after work again, asking her if she wanted to have dinner. She had briefly wondered about this sudden attention and if maybe it was because Ichigo himself might have been facing some problems. But after her outburst the previous day it made sense that Ichigo would keep a close watch on her lest she kill herself.

"Umm… how about ramen, Kurosaki kun?"

"That sounds awesome. I have just the place in mind!"

Ichigo quickly led them to a small ramen shop. It was quite cozy but they managed to find seats in the back. The ramen shop was surprisingly well designed, with wooden walls and furniture and soft yellow lighting. It was not as loud as typical ramen shops, but had enough noise to mask conversations from nearby people.

After Ichigo and Orihime ordered, Ichigo cleared his throat.

"So, Inoue, how are you doing now?"

So he WAS concerned. How sweet!

"Uh, I am much much muuuuucccch better Kurosaki kun!"

Instantly Ichigo's mood lightened. This sounded like the typical Orihime he knew.

"That's great! So what happened?"

"Well, turns out Aizen wanted me and batman..I mean Cifer san to work well together, but we botched it up. So we both decided to work together and get the client back!"

"Hmm, so batman is now Cifer san huh?" Although the statement was obviously made in jest, Orihime felt a bit uncomfortable.

"Umm, he isn't so bad after all, batman that is."

Ichigo cocked a brow.

"I mean… he is always expressionless and doesn't talk to anyone. And he is extremely good, like genius level good. So I think he operates on a different plane from us mortal people. And although he was mean to me in the beginning, he actually supported me in his own, weird way. So I think he isn't such a bad guy. But he probably intimidates people with that look." Orihime made a typically emotionless Ulquiorra face, with totally straight eyebrows. Ichigo burst out laughing at this.

"Ahahahaha, sounds like a character. Maybe he is in the closet or something." He said conspirationally.

"Oh I don't think so. I mean he is small, but he is extremely manly…" Orihime stopped when she noticed that Ichigo's gaze had become alert. Oh no. He is going to get protective again! But I don't like Ulquiorra like that! I think…

To Orihime's surprise, Ichigo changed the subject.

"So I hung out with Rukia today and she told me you are seeing Byakuya?"

Orihime spluttered in her glass of water.

"Err… Yes, my aunt arranged an omiai. And turns out it was Kuchiki san! I mean what are the odds.."

"Are you OK with this Orihime? I know your aunt paid for your high school studies, but asking you to marry outside your will is a bit.."

"No, its OK. I mean, frankly I don't know if it is, but I mean, I didn't just meet Kuchiki san because I felt obligated to my aunt."

"Don't tell me you held a candle for that statue too! Almost EVERY female friend Rukia has had since middle school had a crush on him… I thought you seemed quite uninterested.."

"No no! I didn't have a crush on him or anything. I just… I didn't even know it was him. It's just that, I mean I am almost 25 years old. Its about time for me to settle down, so… anyways enough about me! Uh… How is Senna chan? I haven't seen her in a bit…"

"I haven't met her for a while. Don't change the topic Inoue. Why are you seeing Byakuya and considering marrying him when you don't even love him?! Clearly you are not so old that you have to marry a stuffy widower who is ten years your senior?!"

"Kurosaki kun! Please don't talk about Kuchiki san in this manner! And anyways, why are you suddenly asking me these things? You have never shown any interest in my romantic life before."

Orihime felt a bit agitated that Ichigo was making assumptions about her and Byakuya's relationship. Sure, she didn't love him yet. But she could clearly feel the kiss and she had genuinely enjoyed her time with him. What's more, he had actually treated her like a woman, something Ichigo had never done. Maybe her fate was not to find love and then marry but marry and then find love? Either way, somehow Ichigo talking about Byakuya in such a callous way affected Orihime more than she had expected.

"Why?! Inoue, I don't want you to marry and live your life in the shadow of some boring man and his stuffy family?! And shouldn't the reason be obvious?"

"No, Kurosaki kun, it isn't obvious. Why are you suddenly trying to interfere in my love life?!"

"Why are marrying someone you don't even love?!"

"Why do you plan to leave for the US to do medicine?"

"That has nothing to do with this Inoue. Going to the US to study medicine has been my dream for a long time."

"Well, technically, who I marry is none of your business either Kurosaki kun." Orihime looked at Ichigo sternly.

"It IS my business!" Ichigo thundered. Some people cast a nervous glance in their direction.

"If that is the case, will you stay back in Japan and stop me from becoming an obedient housewife to a widowed nobleman?!"

A look of deep turmoil crossed Ichigo's features.

"You know I wouldn't give up my dream Inoue. Not for you, not for anyone."

Orihime felt her heart clench painfully. Of course he wouldn't.

"Well, then please don't start something you cannot finish." She whispered. A shocked look came over Ichigo's features, reflected perfectly on Orihime's own face. What the hell just happened?! Why did I say that?!

"I understand."

Without another word, Ichigo dropped a few yen on the table, got up and walked out. As she sat there, tears streamed down Orihime's eyes, her heart broken once again.

"Aizen will give you both another chance. But he insists that you both go to New York and work from there. This will allow you both to do some on site search and also familiarize yourself with Kyoraku san." Urahara said. He had called Orihime and Ulquiorra in his office the first thing in the morning. Apparently Aizen had made up his mind about what to do with the two.

"Oh.." was all Orihime could say. Going to New York? She had never left Japan before.

"Ano… how long will we be in New York?" she asked.

"Well, Cifer san is based in New York. But you will be seconded to the New York office for 5 weeks at a minimum. Aizen has managed to secure another meeting, this time with both Kyoraku san and Yamamoto san at the end of the five weeks. Your paperwork has also been submitted for expedited visa. I would say you guys should plan to leave by tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?! But that's too sudden Urahara san.." but Urahara stopped Orihime.

"That is not all. Although Aizen was willing to overlook what happened last time, securing another meeting with Yamamoto is a considerable risk. Therefore, if you fail, you will be demoted Orihime chan. And since Cifer san is the lead for this project, failure to win the contract will result in instant termination of employment. I am sorry Cifer san. Since Orihime chan works under me, I have some control over her fate. But since you report directly to Aizen, I will be helpless to do anything if you both were to fail."

Orihime blanched.

"Of course, when you want to go to New York is upto you Orihime chan. However if I were you, I would get down to work as soon as possible. Now if we are done here, I would like to get back to my work." Urahara said with finality.

As they left the room, Orihime looked at Ulquiorra apologetically.

"I am really sorry Cifer san. It seems because of me you keep encountering trouble.."

"Aizen sama's penalty seems fair. If we loose the contract again it will result in terrible loss of face for his company. If you have time to stand here and apologize, I suggest that you start preparing. Your documents will be ready with HR by today evening. I would like to leave tomorrow. Once I have the flights booked, I'll send you the itinerary, but prepare to leave tomorrow morning. It's a long flight." With that Ulquiorra walked away.

"Right. Of course…boss." Orihime shook her head and walked to her cubicle. Strangely this chance to get away could not have arrived at a better time. She hadn't had a chance to meet with Byakuya (was practically avoiding it actually) after that kiss. And now things were bound to be super awkward between her and Ichigo. Yeah, maybe going away so soon wouldn't be so bad after all.

She didn't want to see either Ichigo or Byakuya now that her feelings were so unclear to her. Why had she minded when Ichigo had pointed the obvious? Was she hoping that him confronting her about Byakuya somehow meant that he had feelings for her? But what about Byakuya? Why had he kissed her? And more importantly did she really mind? One thing was for sure, Orihime wanted to be away from all of it. From the heartbreak of unrequited love and fears over marriage and future.

So, with her heart still sore from the conversation with Ichigo and her mind jumbled from the kiss with Byakuya, Orihime Inoue left for New York early next morning. The only person she informed was Kuchiki Rukia.

AN: I promise I dont dislike Ichigo. He comes across as daft here because his ignorance of Orihime's crush plus how he asks his friends to stay back while he fights indicates that Ichigo can be incredibly dense. But he is also incredibly determined. Orihime, Ichigo, Ulquiorra and Byakuya are my four most favourite characters from Bleach the the pairings above my favourite ships. So, while they will all make stupid choices (don't we all), I don't plan to make anyone the bad guy. But... lets just say... things will heat up from now on.