"I believe that we two have matters to discuss."
"That is correct," was his cold, emotionless response.
Urahara gave Ulquiorra a meaningful glance from beneath his striped hat, then shunpoed away at full speed. With one last look into the eyes of the woman before him, Ulquiorra let go of Orihime's hair and followed him with Sonido. Three seconds later, the two stopped in front of an old rundown hut with a giant sign above the entrance proclaiming "Urahara Shoten."
The store owner slid open the door, and with a big grin on his face, offered a welcoming gesture to the impassive former Espada behind him.
"Please come in, Arrancar-san."
Without a moment's hesitation, Ulquiorra glided through the dark threshold, knowing that things were going to go precisely as he had expected they would. Urahara followed him at a polite distance, checking for pursuers in the twilight-stained streets. He remained there for a moment, unreadable eyes taking on a melancholic look before he turned around and disappeared into the darkness of the store.
In a blink of an eye, both Ulquiorra and Urahara had vanished, leaving a dazed Orihime stumbling for balance. Her mind was a muddle, she was feeling light-headed, her eyes were unfocused, and she felt like her legs were about to give out. Had Ulquiorra leaked some of his reiatsu? She hadn't felt it, but how else could she explain how she was feeling right now?
Yoruichi caught the stunned girl by the forearms, steadying her before she could slump to the ground. Orihime's friends came running, surrounding her in a panic that only served to disorient the poor girl even more. Although Urahara had asked Yoruichi to take care of things over on this end, the fact the orange-haired teenager hadn't yet started breathing again didn't even register in the ebony-skinned woman's mind.
He still hasn't given up on that ambition… Kisuke is undeniably the kind of man to take risks, but isn't his decision this time a little too ludicrous, even for him? Yoruichi had known Urahara for a very long time, and knew that once he set his mind on something, he was as stubborn as a mule. Somehow, Yoruichi had just known that he hadn't given up on this, his life's work, even after everything that has transpired.
I suppose once a mad scientist, always a mad scientist…And if he succeeds… Yoruichi didn't want to think about it. The repercussions would be enormous; and she figured that, even if Urahara's premise was correct, the chance that this plan would backfire was about 99 percent. Pinning all his crazy dreams on something like that of all things was much too dangerous. And if he thought Soul Society was angry at him over the Hyougoku…
"Inoue!! Hey Inoue, are you alright?" Orihime heard her name being called, and tried to focus on what was going on around her. She saw all her nakama crowding around her, obviously thinking that Ulquiorra had used one of his weird Hollow powers on her. A moment later, the red-faced girl was sitting down on a big rock, catching her breath. She realized that a lot of the Vizards and Captains, including Yamamoto, had already left, having better things to do than hang around wasting time. Orihime hoped that no one had gone to look for Ulquiorra yet.
Just then, the evening wind blew a lock of orange hair onto her face, and the gray-eyed young woman looked at it quizzically. What could be so interesting about a normal strand of hair? What about it could hold Ulquiorra's attention like that?
"Are you okay, Inoue? What did Ulquiorra do to you?" Rukia's calm voice made Orihime look up into her friend's concerned eyes. Orihime, now feeling back to normal, could only giggle at everyone's serious faces.
"Wha-" Uryuu tried to say, the confusion on everyone's faces reflected in the Quincy's tone.
"Sorry, sorry everyone!" Orihime put her arms up in front of her, giggling weakly as she tried to calm her friends down. "It's just that Ulquiorra's eyes are really intense! His whole presence is just… I can't explain it. But, he really shocked me, I guess. I'm feeling just fine now, though!" The grey-eyed girl remembered all the times her friends had needlessly worried over her, and she suddenly felt like life was back to normal. She was back in the world she belonged to, with the people she belonged with. Everything was going to be just as it used to be.
"I think that Inoue-san might be in shock," Ishida said matter-of-factly, pushing his glasses higher on the bridge of his nose. Addressing his comrades, the young Quincy continued: "We should get her somewhere safe to rest and then go find the Arrancar. If his target is Inoue-san, then he shouldn't have gone far."
"I can't sense his reiatsu anywhere. It'll be a helluva lot more trouble t'kill 'em if he's gone back to Hueco Mundo." Kenpachi strolled over, bored with the bitter and stale conversation between the remaining Captains and Vizards. Orihime tried to intervene, but was abruptly cut off.
"No, he didn't go back, I'm sure of it." Shinji declared in a bored tone. "Ya see, Urahara's reiatsu is gone too, so they must be together. Urahara's always cooking something up, and I don't trust 'em to keep that Arrancar away from Orihime-chan, so I say we just search 'em out an' kill the perverted sicko."
"I don't think that the Espada has gone back either," Toushiro offered, his arms crossed over his chest. "But even if he has, he'll be back. If what the Arrancar says is true, and he was using Aizen, then he is an expert manipulator. He must have some kind of plan to capture Orihime, so he might be waiting for us to drop our guard and leave her alone."
"Well he'll have to go through me first. He's only the Forth Espada, I'm sure I can take him." Ichigo's vow was followed by sounds of agreement from all of Orihime's friends, who could not bear the thought of having her in harm's way again. The orange-haired boy gave an assuring nod to Orihime, who was growing more and more horrified by the second.
More and more people were coming, talking about the best approach to take to kill Ulquiorra. Of all her nakama, the shinigami elites, and the Vizards who had joined the discussion, not one person considered leaving him be? Orihime raised her voice, but was again cut off.
"We should begin scouring the area for the Arrancar immediately." Uryuu was very protective of his only female friend, and was still feeling useless after he was unable to defeat even the Eighth Espada by himself. This time, I will definitely protect you, Inoue-san…
"Oh, Ishida-kun, you don't need-" The distressed Orihime hopped off the boulder, trying to shove her way into the conversation. The grey-eyed woman was tired of not being heard. She had just finished spending a week in Las Noches and was the catalyst that had set this war into motion well before winter, and yet no one would even listen to what she had to say? And, just a minute ago, everyone had listened so carefully to what Ulquiorra was saying! Why couldn't she command attention like he could? Orihime tried one more time, raising her voice, tugging on her friends' shirts, but as everyone was deep in their own thoughts, no one paid the girl heed.
"Maybe we should bring Orihime-chan to Soul Society," Rangiku suggested. "She will be better protected there. Just until the Arrancar is killed."
Orihime, totally frustrated, gave up on trying to get her friends' attention. The redhead walked away from the discussion, breathing deeply to get some air and clear her head. She knew that everyone was especially concerned about her because of her being abducted, but she wished that they would just listen to her for a minute. Even though people would always call her the sunshine of the group, when it came to important things, everyone always ignored her. Although she could never bring herself to admit it to herself, she knew that her friends saw her as someone who was too innocent and naïve to be part of these vital discussions. Although they valued her immensely as a friend, they did not think much of her as a warrior and strategist.
She sometimes felt like this condescending streak meant that they didn't really consider her part of the group. She knew that that was unfair though, because no one could be innocent or naïve after spending a week in Las Noches. There were things that happened there that she would never be able to forget…
But that didn't matter right now. She was safe, her nakama were safe, the world was safe. She would let her haunting memories come back for her later, but for now she had to know that Ulquiorra would be alright. If only she could get through to her friends! Her opinions mattered too, didn't they? The redhead wanted to be heard, because then everyone would know that Ulquiorra was not like the other Arrancar, that he could control himself. He wasn't just some mindless killing machine that thrived on conflict, he was a living, breathing, sentient being. He deserved better than this.
Orihime could even go so far as to say that Ulquiorra was nice (sometimes, at least). Looking down at the dress she was wearing at the moment, she remembered how he had said it suited her. Saying something so normal out of the blue like that had made her forget for a minute where she was. For a moment, she was the happy, bubbly Orihime that she thought had died the moment she had put on that bracelet. It had felt good, she had needed that.
How weird, after he said something so nice, he started saying really mean things… And he did the same thing today, when he said he wouldn't be my valentine… Maybe my reactions surprised him? From the way I was acting in Hueco Mundo, I guess anyone would think that I was one of those constantly-depressed people…And Ulquiorra doesn't seem like the kind of person to like being surprised…
Strolling away from the group, Orihime let the sounds of the wind blowing through the trees drown out the voices of her comrades. The foliage was now dyed a deep red, and had begun to fall, dancing with the night breeze. Gazing upon the beautiful scenery, shaded crimson leaves tainted by the setting sun, Orihime remembered that autumn used to be her favourite season when she was a little girl. She used to love to play in the leaves. The young girl would pile the leaves up all around her and pretend that she was a princess in a castle, someone that everyone loved and respected. Orihime was the fair and just ruler of her own little world. This was her escape from all the scarring memories of being teased and bullied.
If she were a real princess, she thought, she would be strong enough to protect everyone. No one would be hated because they were different. No one would be teased because of their hair colour, or height, or race. And Princess Orihime would even be able to protect her enemies, because even though they teased her, and bullied her, made her cry, made her bleed, she knew that they were suffering just as much as she was.
Immersed in this memory of her childhood, Orihime remembered that she hadn't once played in the leaves since she met Tatsuki-chan. She had made Tatsuki her protector; since then she had relied only on her. Her best friend protected her when she was helpless and healed her when she was broken. Tatsuki-chan was her safe zone, her castle incarnate.
The redhead turned around on her heels, heading back to where her nakama were. By now, tears had clouded Orihime's eyes, but her heart was determinedly steady. Now, Orihime realized, things were different. She had strength now, even if it was just a little bit. Inoue Orihime didn't need to be protected, she didn't need to be shielded from the world anymore. Tatsuki had made her strong, and her compassion had made her resolute. She had the power to protect someone, and she was going to use it.
Orihime may not be a real princess, but, she realized now, she could be somebody's castle. She could protect the helpless and she could heal the wounded, just like Tatsuki-chan could. That big heart could even protect her enemies, like Ulquiorra, who had tormented her time and time again. She had found the strength to show compassion to her aggressors in Las Noches, so why not here? Surely the strength that she had found in Hueco Mundo had not vanished like the fading dusk sky above her.
The fact was that Orihime had discovered something about herself in that desolate world, and even though the last seven days were by far the loneliest, most painful and most terrifying of her entire life, the experience had taught her to be strong in the face of adversity. She was not going to forget anything, the pain, the sadness, or the strength she found, even as she returned to her normal life on Earth. Orihime knew that she was going to have to face the horror of those memories soon, but now was the time to find her strength again and to speak out for something she believed in. She had to be strong, because there was no one else out there that could protect Ulquiorra. Orihime's pace quickened. She would be his castle. She would protect him.
"Alright everybody, listen up!" It was Yoruichi's voice, shouting over the coalition of fighters, who had begun to assemble themselves into search-and-destroy parties. She stood atop the large rock that Orihime had been sitting upon earlier, her stance strong and confident. The commanding tone of the lithe woman caught everybody's attention, including Orihime's. "This is how it's going to be. The Arrancar Ulquiorra wants to stay in the human world. Urahara Kisuke and I have concluded from what we have seen today that Ulquiorra is not a threat to the safety of Orihime or anyone else. Because of this, we will be allowing him to stay in the material world under our watchful eyes." Yoruichi's expression softened as her gaze fell upon Orihime, who was looking up at her with troubled eyes. "I believe that this is what Orihime wants as well."
Yoruichi finished with a broad smile, still looking directly at Orihime. Yoruichi's audience didn't spare the white-robed girl a passing glance, as they adamantly rejected Yoruichi's decision. They enumerated, in a wide spectrum of enraged tones, every reason under the sun for Ulquiorra to be found and killed immediately. But the suspicious fighters had to wonder what Yoruichi and Urahara wanted with the Arrancar. Whatever it was, the Captains and Vizards knew, it couldn't be good. None, however, were dumb enough to voice their concerns on that matter.
Yoruichi just stood there confidently, undaunted by her opposition. She shot down everyone's complaints, saying that she and Urahara would be taking care of everything. It was difficult for her to convince them that it was safe to return home, but, thanks to her sheer confidence and force of character, she eventually did. The sky now reflected just the faintest trace of the sun, and a beautiful crescent moon now hung high in the sky.
The moment the last Captain had stepped through the gate, and the original invaders of Hueco Mundo were finally able to accord their full attention to Orihime. The white-clad woman's head was down, and much of her face couldn't be seen through her bright orange bangs.
"Come on, Inoue," Ichigo said in a gentle tone, looking down at her kindly. "I'll bring you home."
When Orihime didn't react, Ichigo could only assume that she was worried that Ulquiorra was going to come back for her. The substitute shinigami could understand that she'd be scarred by that experience; he could imagine how difficult it must be for the fragile girl to be under the heel of that heartless man. Ulquiorra was a cold, malicious bastard, who could inflict pain without hesitation. Ichigo, being the open-minded, tolerant person he was, would never categorize the Arrancar as monsters, esspecially since he caught a glimpse of the loneliness buried within Grimmjow. With Ulquiorra, however, he had to make exception. Ulquiorra was a monster, and Ichigo couldn't even imagine the pain he put Orihime through. He would never forgive that Arrancar.
"Don't worry." Ichigo infused his voice with confidence, his brown eyes boring into her down-turned head. He would make sure that Orihime found her way out of this nightmare. "I will definitely protect you, and defeat Ulquiorra."
And then they all heard it; that distinct sound reached the ears of all of the woman's nakama. A sob. Rukia and Ichigo shared a worried glance, then Rukia stepped forward, between Ichigo and Orihime. The black-haired shinigami put her hand on her friend's shoulder, and, ever so slowly, Orihime raised her head. That beautiful face, usually vibrant and bright, seemed hollow in the pale moonlight. Tears ran down her face like rivers in the moonlight, flowing silently yet continuously. They left bitter trails, not just straight down her face, like Ulquiorra's tear marks, but all over her cheeks and jaw and nose. No one had noticed before, because she was careful not to be heard, but the tears accumulating in Orihime's eyes had spilled over long ago. Of course, all of her friends reached over to comfort her, but that only brought more tears.
Brushing past her nakama, Orihime ghosted towards Yoruichi, who was now at ground level, reclined against the boulder as her face carried a serious expression. Bowing deeply, the white-clad young woman uttered only a single phrase with her trembling voice:
"Thank you, Yoruichi-san."
The next moment, without waiting for a reply, Orihime ran away through the quiet deserted park, towards her apartment. Rukia, heavily concerned, tried to follow her, but was stopped by Yoruichi.
"There is nothing you can do," Yoruichi's tone was serious, but didn't hold the edge it had when she was talking to the captains. "There are some demons she must face on her own."
Orihime's friends, although concerned, understood. They each solemnly made their way home, immersed in their own thoughts.
Orihime ran as fast as she could down the dark streets. The streetlamps, although illuminating her path, did nothing to scare away the memories that were playing before her eyes. She knew that this was going to happen, that this was inevitable. She had been dead, and now she was supposed to be alive again. Even though she was free, the redhead felt like she was sinking down to the dark bottom of the ocean.
She didn't want to be like this, not when she was finally free, but so many thoughts were plaguing her, demons that took shape only when she closed her eyes. Orihime was weak. Orihime was useless. She had been having a lot of trouble suppressing those thoughts ever since she came back from Soul Society. When the Arrancar saga began, it only became worse. And even though she fought against her powerlessness, training in Soul Society as if her life depended on it, in the end she couldn't protect herself, let alone her comrades. She was so useless.
That's why, even though she was already sick of herself, feeling ashamed and guilty for being a burden, she found some odd pleasure in being needed by Aizen. And this terrified her. She shouldn't be happy, that the enemy thought that she was useful; the whole point of being useful was to be able to help her nakama. But that little boost in her self-esteem inspired in her the confidence to use that power Aizen so desired against him. Orihime vowed to reject the Hyougoku's existence.
Of course, that plan had fallen through, and no one even knew where the Hyougoku was now, but the grey-eyed girl truly thought that she would be able to change once she returned to the material world. She had been so strong in Las Noches. Not once had she shed a tear in front of the enemy, nor did her knees buckle under their awesome reiatsu. The orange-haired captive didn't let her face reveal her traitorous thoughts to Ulquiorra. When it came to the honour of her friends, she stood up to her cold-eyed captor, even though she knew he could kill her in a second. She didn't let Loly and Menoly have the satisfaction of seeing her in pain; her eyes remained steady as she offered no resistance. The teenager didn't even shake when confronted with Hueco Mundo's number one loose-canon psychopath. She didn't let Grimmjow see any fear in her eyes, even as she felt it pounding in her ears.
Orihime had counted herself as dead the moment Ulquiorra had shown up on her way back to Earth. Despite her complete rejection of the term, she had become a martyr, because only people who didn't have the strength to fight back became martyrs. In Las Noches, Orihime had come to terms with the inevitability of her death, so there was no need to feel concerned over her own life. Without her sense of self-preservation to get in the way, she could be the strong, confident person she always wanted to be. But this was on the good days, when she managed to emulate the world around her and turn her soul to ice.
Night had fallen and the sky had clouded over before Orihime could get home. The dark storm clouds had come out of nowhere; it looked like there would be a hurricane. The black night was broken only by the young girl's pants, and the occasional sob as she continued to run. It began to rain.
Here she was, a soul she tried to make as icy as Ulquiorra's, just because she thought it was the only way to stop the tears. In Hueco Mundo, tears meant weakness, and weakness meant death. And in those seven days in that horrid place, deep beneath the strength she projected in her actions, Orihime's heart was much more turbulent. The tortured girl phased between trying to rid herself of all those tears, and embracing them as the only thing she had left. And, all the while, Ulquiorra was there, his existence a microcosm of this fortress in which she was a prisoner. His pale green tear marks were at a time mocking her weakness and reaching out to her in sympathy. She wasn't sure if she loved him like she would the love of her life, or hated him like she hated her own pitiful self. Orihime was convinced she was losing her mind.
Her shaking hands, still bearing that cursed white fabric that clung to her skin like a leech, reached for the doorknob, only to find that the door was locked. Of course. Of course the door would be locked, her apartment was empty. She was alone here. And her keys were taken away by Ulquiorra along with her old cloths. She leaned forward, her forehead resting against the door in front of her.
Now that she was 'rescued,' what was she, this Inoue Orihime? She should have died, she knows, but she still walks among the living. The living, breathing people who have hopes and dreams and feelings, all of which she tried so desperately to throw away. Strong on the outside, yet so weak on the inside. An empty contradiction in this world of wholes. Why in the world would she belong here?
Bending down on trembling knees, Orihime pulled out the extra set of keys from underneath the doormat. In the light of the first lightning bolt, the orange-haired girl shoved the key roughly into the keyhole, and swung the door open.
Without bothering to change out of her soaked and dirtied cloths, the grey-eyed girl collapsed onto her bed, feeling more miserable than she ever remembered feeling. As the tears continued to flow, Orihime realized that she had to get herself out of this. She couldn't be feeling so weak and frail and useless for forever, or she would never be able to move on.
That night, Orihime cried her eyes out. She replayed her whole life in her mind over and over again, trying to find some purpose to it all. Her body aching from the cold, her head pounding from her headache, the redhead remembered what Ulquiorra had told her just a few hours prior, and she was almost certain she had imagined it. The last person who had said anything even remotely similar to that had been her brother, who had showered her in the love she now so desperately needed.
Ulquiorra had looked at her, really looked. She couldn't fathom why, but he seemed interested in her, as if her existence held some kind of vital importance for him. She had never seen him this way, unless she did, and she had just been too preoccupied by her own tumultuous emotions to take notice. Either way, she couldn't understand what he thought he saw in her, what worth she could possibly possess. But the possibility that someone, anyone, even Ulquiorra Schiffer, the Quatro Espada, could actually see something in her beyond the cheerful attitude and the big breasts was the only thing that gave Orihime the courage to face her shadows that night.
In the dead of night, Urahara Shoten was surrounded by the crackling of lightning and the rumbling of thunder. Hard rain pelted the thin roof as two men sat in silence.
"So, you were the one who kidnapped Orihime-san?" One of the men inquired quietly, while sipping his lukewarm tea. He received a dispassionate 'yes' in response.
"Because you were intrigued by her, correct?" Another 'yes.' "And so you say you are willing to do anything in order to be allowed to say in the human world with Orihime-san?" A pregnant pause came down on the two.
"Urahara Kisuke," Ulquiorra began carefully. "You desire this as much as I do. I am aware of the true extent of your plans." Ulquiorra sounded the words detachedly, anticipating the look of shock that broke onto Urahara's face. Ulquiorra, despite being monotone most of the time, conveyed an air of no-nonsense that was enough to convince Urahara that he was serious.
"Did… Aizen know of those plans?" Urahara had to try very hard to keep his cool. Urahara understood exactly what plans Ulquiorra was referring to, and they were of the utmost confidentiality. Although he had been pursuing this ambition for the last century, he had never put into writing any of his ideas. Only he and Yoruichi were supposed to know… so how could Aizen, let alone one of his pawns, possibly know?
"No. He believed that the Hyougoku was the extent of your capabilities, or else he would have waited for you to finish your research before setting his plan into motion. Only I know of your intentions." Piercing emerald eyes gazed into the solemn eyes of the man in front of him. He knew that what he was doing was reckless, that revealing to this man just how much he knew was tantamount to death. But this was the only card Ulquiorra had left to play.
"You have never been able to experiment on an arrancar. My body will very likely be able to provide you with data vital to your research. I will reveal to no one the nature of your plans, nor will I oppose your will in any way. You may do to me as you wish to further your ambitions. What I ask in return is to be able to stay in the human world with Inoue Orihime." No matter how much pain Ulquiorra would be made to endure, it would be worth it if he could be by her side. To him, the choice was obvious.
Urahara looked back at the man in front of him from under his sun hat. What determination… He's saying he's giving himself to me to do with as I please. He doesn't care about the pain, so long as he can stay with Orihime-san… I believe I have made the right decision…
The store owner leaned over the small table between himself and his guest and plucked a hair right off the Arrancar's head. Ignoring Ulquiorra's confused look, Urahara got up and strode over to the back room of the store, the single hair held daintily between his index finger and thumb. A moment later, as Ulquiorra was wondering just what in the world that was for, a voice called out to him from the back of the shop.
"Aren't you coming, Ulquiorra-san?" Urahara's chipper voice made the emerald-eyed arrancar cringe internally, but he nonetheless got up and followed the eccentric shop keeper into the back.
When he entered the back room, the sight that met his eyes was indeed astonishing. Looking down at the carbon copy of himself that was seated in a chair at the back of his room, Ulquiorra's initial astonishment soon morphed into suspicion. Is this a gigai? No… that isn't possible. Gigai are made only for shinigami… How could Urahara Kisuke possibly have made one that can suit an Arrancar…
"I was really hoping I could get an Arrancar to help me out around the shop, so I busied myself in the last few years with crafting this costume-made gigai made especially for Arrancar!" Urahara's voice beamed with satisfaction as he picked up the gigai by the arm and pinched the cheeks, sending a rare chill up Ulquiorra's spine. "But because I have Jinta and Ururu now, I don't really need another helper. So I'm giving you this gigai free of charge!
"Of course, there is no Hollow hole, nor is there your half-helmet," Urahara gestured grandly to each part of the fake body as he explained. "Your tattoo isn't here either, because it isn't part of your Absolute Soul. This prototype kept your tear marks, so if you want to fit in better in the human world, you can cover them up with makeup. You will need to eat human food, because the kilojoules you consume will be magnified and converted to spirit energy to keep you from dying of hunger or going on a killing spree…"
Ulquiorra's eyes hadn't left the naked copy of himself for an instant. He knew what a gigai was and how to use it, but it was odd seeing himself without a half-helmet on his head and a hole at the base of his throat.
"Well, go ahead," Ulquiorra could feel the genuine excitement resonating in Urahara's every word. "Try it out!"
Ulquiorra resolutely stepped into the gigai, bracing himself. The moment he was in, his reiatsu was sealed, and he felt drained of energy. Refusing to sit, even as his head spun, Ulquiorra caught the cloths that Urahara threw his way. They were simple black joggers, boxers, and a black shirt. Despite having worn only white for so many years, Ulquiorra adapted quickly to the symbolic change. His identity never really meant much to him, anyway.
"Yoruichi has taken care of everything, so you don't have to worry about Soul Society for now. She is now making other arrangements for you," Urahara was speaking as if he was a principal going through an orientation seminar. His tone abruptly became mischievous as he watched Ulquiorra dressing. "Oh, yes, and allow me to compliment you on being well endowed. I'm sure that you and Orihime-san will be very happy."
The pallid arrancar's gaze, while empty, conveyed exactly how retarded Ulquiorra thought Urahara was. Was this one going to be saying the same kind of nonsense that Nnoitora would always spew? Ulquiorra hoped not, because even though he didn't understand it half the time (only because he made a conscious effort not to understand it), it still made his insides burn with an unfamiliar feeling. He had enough of those irrational impulses while in the woman's presence, so he wasn't going to be putting up with that when he was away from her wretched existence.
But despite Ulquiorra's unfriendly attitude, he was pleased that things had worked out much better than he had expected. For Urahara to not make use of Ulquiorra's presence in the human world was surprising, especially knowing how much he sought to achieve his goal. Ulquiorra had been certain that he would have to endure countless hours of organ inspection and such, but all it would seem that he would have to do is put up with the shop owner's foolish antics. Urahara followed the arrancar to the door, and waved in an exaggerated motion as he stepped outside.
Stepping out into the rain and cold of the autumn midnight, Ulquiorra silently took a second to find the woman's reiatsu. It wasn't far, but it would take him a while by foot to reach where she was. Ulquiorra walked into the stormy night, refusing the raincoat and umbrella Urahara offered him.
Once Ulquiorra was out of earshot, Yoruichi appeared on the porch of the store, beside Urahara. Both their eyes were heavy; it had been a long day. Without turning her head, the purple-eyed woman spoke to her long-time friend, sitting in his gloom upon the stairs of the veranda.
"Are you sure that this is a good idea, Kisuke?" Doubt was evident in her tone. She had just come back from checking on Orihime. She was already asleep, but tears still stained her cheeks and her pillow. Yoruichi knew that this would be hard for the young girl. And having her former captor here might make reintegration even harder for her…
"I'm sure. More than ever." Urahara's tone was definite, despite the weariness in his voice. His eyes once again turned sorrowful as he paused a long moment. "This is the least I can do for Orihime-san… after what I made her go through there. I think that he can make her happy."
Yoruichi just closed her tired eyes, hoping with all her heart that the man beside her was right.
When Ulquiorra arrived at Orihime's apartment, he found the door not just unlocked, but left ajar. Frustrated over the woman's carelessness, he shoved his way inside, fully intending to lecture her on how she was not to partake in destructive or detrimental behaviour, intentional or not, so long as she belonged to him.
Closing the front door and locking it behind him, Ulquiorra made his way over to Orihime's room. He found her still fully dressed, white robes stained with dirty water and mud splatters, her hair sprawled all around her in a chaotic mess. Her legs were hanging off the edge of her bed, as if it were all she could do just to make it to her bedroom. Unsure whether he should awaken her or wait for tomorrow to scold her, the black and white figure approached the bed of the sleeping woman. His quick green eyes, still as piercing as ever, noticed how she had somehow managed to soak her face, pillow, sheets and comforter in tears.
Ulquiorra let confusion reach his eyes as he kneeled down next to the low bed. She was so courageous just a couple of hours ago, how is it that she could collapse into such a wreck so quickly? Ulquiorra let one of his hands lightly graze the woman's damp cheek. It was soft, just like her hair. Everything about her was softness. He felt her hair once more, amazed at how good it felt. There was no denying it anymore, he knew it felt good. He liked this feeling. Almost ashamed, he realized he never wanted it to end.
Gently, more gently than he thought himself capable, Ulquiorra's long pale fingers unclenched Orihime's hands from the comforter she held in a death grip. Carefully, he lifted her petite frame from its uncomfortable position, his left hand under her knees and his right hand supporting her small back. He set her on her back in the center of her small bed, softly brushing away stray hairs from her angelic face. The girl promptly shivered under his touch. Figuring she must be cold, Ulquiorra wrapped the comforter around the young girl.
The redhead sighed in content, her tense brow relaxing somewhat. For some unfathomable reason, Ulquiorra felt a burst of pride. Sitting back down next to the girl's sleeping form, the former Espada once again had to marvel at how much of an effect the girl had on him, to make him feel such an alien emotion. When he had twirled her hair, her blush had so nearly turned him mad. Her face was so beautiful already, and somehow that pooling of blood was enough for Ulquiorra to confirm that Inoue Orihime was indeed the most beautiful person he had ever seen. Not that he usually cared about aesthetic countenances, no, they were usually the farthest thing from his mind.
But it was enchanting how the woman could blush so deeply because of him. Him and only him. Ulquiorra, who had always lived in the background, was not used to this. He felt like he had made progress today, because being able to make that woman blush had brought a deep surge of satisfaction into the usually impassive arrancar.
He wanted to see all of her. Every face, every emotion this human had to show, every word this woman had to offer. He wanted to see it all, to feel it all, as absurd as it sounded. And he didn't want her to blush for anyone but him.
This was the last thought that lingered in Ulquiorra's mind before he drifted into unconsciousness, leaning over the woman's bed.