AN: Part 2

Orihime turned her head to press her face into the pillow in an attempt to hide her eyes from the light. She had no idea how long she had slept but she was thankful to be back in the soft bed. Until she realized-

"Ah- Ulquiorra! I'm sorry I-" she had pulled herself into an upright position in her panic, only to find... She was alone in the bed. She climbed off the bed and looked around the room. Empty... A quick glance over the tables and other surfaces- no note either. How odd... However, a glimmer of silver caught her eye. She walked over to the little table in the next room and found what she knew from experience to be her next meal. But... Why wasn't he here with her...

She felt terribly lonely, and it didn't take long for fear and anxiety to grip her heart. Had she angered him? Was he upset she fell asleep? Would he go back to how he used to be? Just her stone faced guard in charge of feeding her and now impregnating her?... Why couldn't she shake this helpless feeling... Ulquiorra wouldn't just... Forget... Would he?... Would he hate her just for... Feeling unwell and sleeping... On the day just for them and when he took her to a special retreat? Oh no- what if she HAD ruined it?

Orihime couldn't stop the tears from streaming down her face as she shakily removed the lid from the plate. She felt as though her entire existence was crumbling. The room suddenly seemed darker, the air thicker making it harder to breathe- then out of nowhere...

What kind of ass would just leave her when she was ill? She stabbed her food angrily, tempted not to eat but knowing if he punished her he'd easily overpower her as though she were a simple twig. That motherfu-

Orihime dropped her fork, crying harder than before and burying her face in her hands. What the hell was she thinking... She finally admitted to herself she loved that man... Why was she being such a jerk...

But then again-

No, Orihime. You have to stop!

Her emotions were spiraling out of control. She needed to get a grip on herself. She forced herself to eat through her tears, although it pained her. The guilt started tearing her apart from within. She was more of a monster than Hollows could ever be...

Once she finished she put the domed lid back over the plate, only then noticing the small slip of paper taped to the top.

"Onna, I assume if you're reading this you awoke during my absence. I will return shortly. I am discussing your symptoms with Szayelaporro as we may be able to find out what is causing your illness.

Remember the space within the wall. Practice caution and safety, and be sure to eat your meal. You need it."

All new, fresh tears poured out of her eyes, Orihime letting out a strangled cry. She was such a monster... How could she think such horrible things... Ulquiorra was gone not because he was upset, he was trying to help!

She made her way back onto the bed and curled up in a ball, hugging a pillow to her chest and sobbing. She knew this was pathetic. She knew she was fussing over nothing. But...

Her heart felt constricted and like it was being squeezed. Something was wrong with her emotionally. She'd pass it off as hormones but... This was far stronger than anything she'd ever experienced. She couldn't stop crying- couldn't stop-

A hand landed on her arm, causing her to gasp loudly and look up at the intruder.

"Onna, what is the purpose behind your tears?"

She didn't react for a few seconds, simply staring in shock before her eyes squeezed shut as she sat up and threw her arms around Ulquiorra's neck and cried into his chest.

"Orihime?"

"I-I'm sorry... I can't stop... I got.. Scared you were mad at me..." She would leave out the rest of course.

"What reason would I have to be upset?"

He held her delicately, running a hand up and down her back.

"I...I fell asleep... And on the day you're supposed to just... Be with me.."

"Nonsense. Don't fret over something so small."

What was going on? He had left while his mate was asleep and came back to find her curled in a tight ball crying out loudly. It aroused immeasurable concern. Szayelaporro had said to watch out for a fluctuation of temperament- "mood swings" as he put it since he suspected the symptoms may be of...

No, it couldn't be. Not now. It was an odd coincidence. Pushing that thought away he held her as tightly as possible, guiding her to lay down with him. She clung to him and cried for a few minutes before suddenly pulling away.

"Ah... Sorry, I'm getting you all wet..."

Ulquiorra simply studied her face for a moment. She was worried over that? Were all humans prone to fussing over such minor things?

"Don't be ridiculous. Do you really think," he pulled her close again, "I would allow it if I minded? Don't think I'm so lowly as to place wet clothing as more important than your comfort."

She hesitated for a few seconds but shifted closer to him. "Thank you..."

"It is not something necessary to express gratitude for."

"Still..."

She trailed her finger down the zipper of his uniform, willing herself to completely stop crying. It wasn't fair to Ulquiorra for her to be so distraught and inconsolable on the day that was just for them. Which reminded her...

"How long was I asleep?"

"Three hours, roughly." His fingers ran through her hair as he spoke.

"How...how much time does that give us left?" She pulled back enough to look into his emerald eyes. There was a look behind them she still couldn't place after all this time. A softness she had never seen in anyone else's eyes... His eyebrows were curved up but at an angle so slight she wasn't sure if she really saw it or if it was the lighting tricking her.

"We still have half the day." Immediately after he spoke something sparked in those deep green eyes, and the Espada swiftly sat up and pulled the drawer open on the stand beside the bed, digging through it. He seemed almost... Anxious, kinda panicky. For him at least, for he still had a calm and composed demeanor, but she could read him and his movements like the back of her hand.

"Ulquiorra?"

"There is something I would like to give you." He finally leaned back beside her, propping himself up on his elbow and moving his hand so she could see the small black box in his grip. "It would greatly please me if you would wear this." Opening the box, the light reflected off the metallic surface of what was contained. Orihime stared at the object for a couple seconds, it taking a short period of time for it to click in her brain what he was offering her. Gasping, she sat up and folded her knees under her, speaking as Ulquiorra did the same.

"U-Ulqui! I can't accept that-"

"And why is that?" Confusion clouded beautiful jade orbs.

"Because! It's just... Too pretty and nice for someone like me and must've been expensive..." The longer she stared at the necklace, the more she could see how much value it held. The "chain" was what appeared to be a sterling silver, shaped like two vines entwining around each other. In the middle, a dark emerald sat squarely in the middle of a golden frame. The gem was the shape of a teardrop, two tiny sapphires on either side of it going up the leaves.

"Don't be ridiculous, onna. Being 'too pretty' for someone is an impossibility, as physical appearances is not something that can be limited to every individual, and the notion is especially true when it comes to you." Orihime's face heated up at least twenty degrees at the compliment. It was his way of saying nothing was too good for her.

"Ulqui..."

"It is also enhanced with riatsu to protect you from," he paused for the slightest of beats, but Orihime was still able to catch it. "Misfortunes."

"Misfortunes?" Again, more things he seemed to know and wouldn't tell her. Seeming able to read her mind, he grabbed one of her hands and pulled it towards his mouth, faintly pressing his lips to her fingers.

"I promised I would tell you in detail tomorrow. Unfortunately there are obstacles I cannot protect you from. Octava assisted me in creating this for you when we were first informed of what is upcoming and inevitable."

All new panic spread through Orihime's veins, her chest constricting and her blood turning to ice. Just what was he alluding to? What was going to happen? Was someone going to kill her? Was someone going to die?... Was she.. Going to lose Ulquiorra? Was he being sent away?

Sensing her grief and apprehension, Ulquiorra released her hand and took the necklace out of its box carefully. Unclasping the hook, he reached his hands out and wrapped it around her neck. Once it was rehooked he smoothed his hands forward over the soft perfect skin of her neck and brought his thumbs to rest on her cheeks.

"Inoue Orihime, do not worry yourself to such a great extent. Grief and panic does not become you. Consider this accessory as my promise to protect you from danger until I give my dying breath." He pressed his lips to her forehead, feeling her relax under his fingertips. A wave of relief hit him like a tsunami as her small hands found their way to his back, clutching the fabric of his top. As strange as all of this was to him - having never cared about or even understood how others reacted to events - he could feel something deep inside of his very being darken and wilt whenever her eyes shimmered fretfully or her lips weren't curved upward and instead downward. That very same intangible object seemed to rejuvenate and glow whenever she smiled or laughed or looked at him with gentle, love filled eyes that shone brighter than the moon. He had to protect that smile, that pleasant aura. It was her and her alone that could give off positive radiation that drew him in.

"Thank you, Ulqui-kun... For everything... And the beautiful necklace. I'll never take it off..."

Her words felt so inadequate, not even close to properly portraying how strongly she felt. She was so thankful for his words. She knew very well it wasn't like him to care about anyone or anything, and if he even took a faint interest, it was a rare occurrence for him to comment, and the interest was quickly fleeting. He wasn't a talker. He preferred to observe and log information away in his memory. Yet... Here he was, comforting her, trying to assure her, giving her a beautiful pendant to protect her. She must've been truly special to him for him to even look her direction twice. What started out as simply fulfilling an assignment from Aizen had evolved into something much richer. The two of them were now permanently bonded. This wasn't just a mission anymore.

Orihime tilted her head up kissing her partner softly. As their mouths moved against each other, a wicked idea crept into her brain. The juncture between her legs involuntarily warmed as she pressed a hand to the back of his head to pull him into the kiss harder, pushing him onto his back on the bed. Breaking their lips apart for air she moved her mouth to his neck. She kissed the skin there as Ulquiorra's hands moved to her back.

"Onna, you are still sore, and there are other activities we can engage in to enjoy our time together." He was tense, and Orihime knew he was hesitant likely because he felt he'd waste their "alone time".

"I don't care... What's a few minutes going to hurt?" Newly found confidence had her unzipping his coat, her mouth immediately finding its target. She slid her tongue around the hole in his chest, pleased when he seemed to stop resisting and let out a deep exhale, fingers gripping her hair.

"Orihime, I fear any intercourse may hurt you. It is unwise to-" despite his words, his body had noticeably eased as though he was melting under her. He wanted this, but he didn't want to hurt her. How sweet! It made her heart swell and stop for just a moment.

"Shhh... Let me worry about that. And I never said this was leading to sex, you silly 'spada."

He was silent for a moment. "Just what are you implying?"

"You will see." She kissed down his chiseled stomach - God was she a lucky girl - and stopped when her lips met the fabric of his hakama.

Ulquiorra knew exactly what she was planning. The way her eyes darkened as she looked up at him with a smirk on her face made it excessively clear and caused a tight twist in his groin. He was almost disgusted with himself but remembered he had used his own mouth on her as well, and this was something she clearly wanted. Why, he would never understand. He knew his own reasoning but she was still a mystery to him. Afterall she just finished shedding tears for no apparent reason... And now she was "horny" - he believed to be the word he overheard tossed around among the vulgar members of the Espada, though he failed to comprehend what horns had to do with sexual desire - and wanting to orally please him.

He didn't have much time to think. Before he could wrap his head around it, she had pulled his hakama and underwear halfway down his thighs, her small hand carefully touching him. The sudden faint touch had him sucking air in through his teeth. His organ hardened completely at her touch. It nearly came as a surprise just how easily she could get his body to react despite his self control. Perhaps the levels of his discipline were going down... All because of her.

Having never actually... Touched him before, it came as a shock to Orihime just how hot and hard his flesh was. She realized now she had no idea what to do... How could she have not thought this through? She knew what handjobs and blowjobs were but... Actually doing it was entirely different and she found just the sight of him very intimidating. But she couldn't spend too much time thinking. She got Ulquiorra excited, it wouldn't be right to back out now.

Experimentally, she wrapped her fingers tighter around him, slowly raising her hand up his shaft. A low grunt and slight hip movement into her hand was nonvocal encouragement. She unsteadily stroked him a few more times, intrigued by the very small amount of fluid leaking from his tip and how sticky his skin was becoming, before telling herself to stop stalling. She needed to get to the point before nerves got the better of her and she wound up not using her mouth at all. Orihime adjusted her pumping to just the bottom half of him, mentally prepping herself as she leaned forward.

Ulquiorra's eyes that had been closed - as watching her threatened to cause him to spill much too quickly - opened as wet heat touched and closed around him. He exhaled the breath he hadn't realized he was holding and gazed down at her. She slowly took his length into her mouth inch by inch. She stopped about half way down, clearly at her limit, but she would be pleased to know he didn't mind. Just the feeling of the tip of him being encased in her warm wet mouth was more than enough.

After what felt like an eternity to Orihime, she managed to settle into a rhythm. Ulquiorra sat up - only slightly disturbing her movements - and clutched her hair. Every so often the redhead ran her tongue over the head or the underneath of his shaft, rewarded with a breathy partial moan. Despite what they had been through together already, his sounds and clear lowering of his guard only for her sent heat straight to her gut, kindling a scorching flame that threatened to overtake her control. She wanted him. As she wrapped her tongue around him to the best of her ability she longed to pull her mouth away and position herself in his lap. She didn't care if she was sore. It would easily be eradicated by pleasure and desire. She wanted to dominate him for once. She wanted to set the pace and roughness.

The images fluttering through her mind of him gasping and clinging to her and bucking up into her as she had her way with him spurred her on, heightening her enthusiasm. Had someone told her when she first came to Hueco Mundo that she would have such raunchy thoughts of her captor and caretaker, she would've thought they belonged in a mental asylum.

But now Orihime found herself willingly using her mouth on the dangerous Hollow, able to feel her lower regions throb in want. Already she could feel her panties becoming soaked. Only to make it worse, Ulquiorra gently thrust his hips up into her mouth, the tip of him hitting the back of her throat - thankfully she lacked much of a gag reflex due to her habit of concocting her own interesting meals. All of her self restraint diminished in that instant.

The Espada found himself regretting his lack of control of his hips as Orihime pulled away from him, his member slipping out of her mouth with a wet pop. He closed his eyes and tried to regain his breath as he attempted to figure out what would be most appropriate to say. His sudden thrust must've been an annoyance. But as it turned out, he didn't have to say anything.

"Did you enjoy that, Ulquiorra-kun?" He half-opened his eyes gazing down at her. Her fingers were still curled around him, her mouth lingering close to him and drawing nearer, and he had his suspicions she would-

A harsh jolt of electricity tingled through his body as she placed the most delicate of kisses on him. He could do little more than nod as her moist strong tongue slid over his hard flesh.

"Good. You're going to love this then."

Not giving him a chance to protest, she slid out of her pants and panties and immediately situated herself on top of him, being sure to press directly onto his "little friend" (was he like all the boys in her school and gave his dick some weird name? Eh who cares) so it slipped between her slick folds. A muted sigh escaped him.

"Onna... You will hurt yourself."

"Ulquiorra I'm fine, I promise. Just... Let me..." Her hips raised and her hand moved to position him at her ready entrance. Unsurely at first she pressed down, slowly slipping the head of him inside. Both of them released a deep sigh and Orihime slid down the rest of the way with ease. There was a mild burning but it was easily overlooked with the pleasure their connection would bring. Already little sparks of heat tingled through her body and up her spine. As she rode him she could feel him easing more and more, clearly giving up on concerning himself with if she's in pain. Afterall she would've stopped if it hurt, and he knew that. His fingers gripped onto her hips, threatening to break her skin as he buried his face in the side of her neck, a low guttural growl escaping his lips. With each slow thrust of her hips she took him in to the hilt, able to feel his tip press against her very most inner wall. The sensations of him sliding inside her, rubbing her sweet spots, stretching her to a pleasant extent had her moaning and sighing his name. His nails bit into her flesh, the sting only serving to intensify the pleasure.

"Ulqui...orra.."

He hummed against her neck, opening his mouth to nip her skin. A hiss escaped her throat, accompanied by a shudder, but she didn't stop or slow in any way. Instead she bounced on him with increased fervor. He sucked at her tender skin, tasting the saltiness of her sweat as he did so and ran his tongue over it. He didn't want to engage in intercourse today. He wanted to spend their time innocently without such acts being on his mind. He didn't just see her as a sex object he could use for gratification, and he wanted to prove that to her... But she clearly had other plans, and now that he'd allowed it, he thoroughly enjoyed it. He would make this last interaction of theirs worth remembering.

Her tight walls were slick and soft, like warm velvet slipping around him. The woman had clearly figured how to control the muscles in her lower regions to an advantage, tightening herself with each lifting motion of her hips before loosening them as she took him back in as deep as they could fit together- which was as far as either of them could possibly go. He could feel her limit against him and there was nothing left of him to give. Indeed they were like two puzzle pieces, their bodies perfectly fitting with each other.

Gradually her hips rose and fell at a swifter speed, emitting a wet slapping as their skin met. He couldn't keep the moan that had been trapped in his throat from leaking from his mouth. He cracked his eyes open enough to observe the darkening mark he had created on her skin, and it filled him with unexpected satisfaction and pride. This woman was his and his alone. He had no shame making the evidence physical even while he was absent. Even after tomorrow when all of this ended, the Espada would see this mark on her skin for a good few days. She would still be known as his mate to all of the Espada and Arrancar.

Already the jolts of warmth and faint tingling in his groin told him he was nearing his finish. He hated he couldn't last very long, but seeing as her own body was shaking lightly, it was a relief she would reach her climax with him. He kissed down her neck, licking and nipping at the skin. Her panting and breathy moans so close to his ear killed his restraint and drove him mad. Through the haze beginning to cloud his mind and senses he could sense her slowing and shaking harshly, clearly becoming too overwhelmed - and possibly her legs too worked - to keep up her steady movements. Her thrusting was shallow, her panting rough, her nails clawing at his clothes desperately trying to hold on...

He placed a tender kiss on the dip of her collar bone before speaking. "Stop resisting, onna..." The effect was immediate, a heavy sigh leaving her in a hush and segueing into a deep loud moan as her body relaxed onto him and convulsed. Her walls clamped all around him, pulsing thickly, and he eased into his own release. His mind blanked as he relished in his orgasm. He was only aware of her moan and nails biting his hierro and his own thick throbbing deep inside of his woman, spilling his seed in thick jets.

Orihime released the quietest and gentlest of sighs as she came down from her high, aware of the fluid heat pooled inside of her. She always felt most complete in this moment when they were still intimately connected after sharing themselves with each other. Knowing it was Ulquiorra never ceased to intensify how amazed she was at how close they had become. She didn't ever think she could bond so well with anyone, much less the emotionless stone faced Espada in Aizen's army. She moved a hand to comb her fingers through his ebony hair as he lightly panted against her skin. Her chest felt light and warm, and she wished she could spend an eternity in his arms. Her heart felt as though it was glowing with her intense love and adoration for him. His hands gently moved up her sides and she smiled at the feeling.

"I...love you, Ulquiorra-kun..."

The Espada froze. This was the first time she had used the word "love" in reference to him other than in her sleep so long ago. He still didn't fully understand the concept, but he knew that "love" was high praise between humans, and if it was anything close to the warmth that spread from around his hollow hole when near her, he didn't think he could ever let her go from his hold. Knowing she returned his feelings - whatever they may be - astounded him but greatly pleased and relieved him.

"Your affections are reciprocated, Orihime." It was all he could say, although he felt it heavily inadequate. He was thankful she knew him so well and didn't require more than those few words to understand his meaning. A content "heh" fell from her lips as she pressed her forehead to his shoulder, no doubt a rosy coloration adorning her cheeks. She lifted just enough for him to slip out of her - although he may have preferred they stayed connected for a bit longer - and resituated herself in his lap.

Comfortable silence settled between them as they recovered in each other's arms. Eventually, Orihime placed a kiss on Ulquiorra's cheek before moving away to pull her clothes back over her legs. He watched as she did so, hesitantly taking a second to pull his own back up to his hips. He found it regrettable to have her creamy curvy hips obstructed from his view, but it was for the better. He needed to rid himself of his attachment to her. But when she laid down beside him, he lacked the will to do anything other than lay with her and pull her close to him. A gentle hum of happiness came from her throat as she settled closer. It didn't take her long to start her random babbling about things he knew nothing about (and lacked interest in), but he so loved her voice and seeing her pleased, impassioned expressions that he closed his eyes in contentment and listened for hours, only paying enough attention the her words to respond whenever she paused.

He would miss so much about this woman, but the thing he would miss most was seeing her happy (although he hardly understood the emotion even now) and sharing her pleasant mood with him. After tomorrow, she'd likely only look at him with hostility and cold distance, so he basked in these last few hours of her openness and compassion for as much as they were worth, never showing hints of his internal strife.

AN: Very weak watered down lemon since I wanted to focus more on emotions and Ulquiorra's thoughts in this chapter.

Kudos to anyone that caught the "this wasn't just a mission anymore" reference. Just like I referenced the title in the first writing of this (so glad I took it down when I did, my style was cancer), I wanted to reference it again and also point out this is hardly the same story, and anyone here that read the first version should expect drastic changes from here on out. Honestly, I would've chosen a much different title if I didn't want to make it recognizable to anyone that read the first.

Also this chapter was going to be much longer but you've waited long enough. I'll get the next one up ASAP!

I want to know what you think! Let me know in your reviews what you think is wrong with Orihime and why her hormones are crazy and she's so tired and faint. I know the reason (obviously) but I'm curious!

Also, for the heck of it given what the plot has been, give me your favorite UlquiHime baby names. I love hearing from you guys so don't be shy!

Btw, the Arrancar that summoned Ulquiorra will be named next chapter! She's not some random one I just threw in lol.

See ya next time!