Ain't got nothing to say, so best to find out what happens in this chapter by reading ;)

I will thank you all for the follows, favorites and reviews. The view count has gone THROUGH the roof!

Without further ado, shall we delve into the lovely development of one Ulquiorra Cifer and Orihime Inoue?

Chapter Ten; Purpose

Ulquiorra… felt soft. Warm. As if he was being engulfed by a warm sun blanket. Since when did the windowsill get so comfortable?

He also noticed another thing, he could barely breathe. Like he was being constricted.

Once he noticed that, his eyes shot open and he quickly realized he wasn't on the windowsill. He was…

…Being hugged by Orihime…

He tried to get out of her arms quietly, but the pestering phone rang. Her eyes snapped open. She quickly realized too.

Immediately he was practically thrown off the bed as she jumped up, shrieking.

"Oh my god! Oh my gosh!" she wheezed as she put her hand on his chest. She peeked over the bed to poor Ulquiorra who was standing up.

"...Sorry…" she mumbled, trying not to giggle.

Ulquiorra glared at the blaring phone, and Orihime glanced over at the clock.

7:30am.

"Who could be calling at this time?" she asked aloud as she grabbed the phone.

Ulquiorra glanced out the window, seeing it was still clear skies like last night. The sun was slowly rising as the sky slowly turned into its familiar blue.

"Really?!" Ulquiorra looked over at Orihime, as she gained a large smile.

"Ok! I'll be over as fast as we can. Wow!" she beamed over the phone as she stood up and began to grab her clothes with the phone.

"Thank you so much. Byebye!"

Ulquiorra raised his eyebrow as he looked at her. She turned around and smiled.

He knew that smile, often it meant parties or annoying people. "What is it, woman…" he growled.

"Don't worry! You'll like this one!" she beamed as she grabbed out a short grey skirt and a dark green shirt from her drawer.

"According to Kisuke, after he observed you at the party, he sensed that your soul's gotten strong enough for your adult gigai!"

Now that was good news for Ulquiorra. He let out a mental sigh of relief and slid his hands in his pockets. "Very well," he said nonchalantly.

He was ready to finally get out of this terrible body and into one of proper maturity and height. Finally the damn woman wouldn't carry him around like a sack of potatoes anymore.

Right as he thought that, he was whipped up as Orihime ran out of the bathroom.

Damn you too, life.

Eventually Orihime put him down, and he and she were walking down the streets of Karakura towards Kisuke. Ulquiorra listened contently as she began to talk about one of her little fantasies.

"So after you managed to get out of the prison, you decided to become some… kind of…" she squinted at him, then smiled. "Mexican mafia boss!"

Ulquiorra looked at her confused, "Pardon?"

"That's all I could think of! But you'd end up recruiting the Espada all over again, even though this isn't even this universe! It's fate!"

He scoffed and looked forward. He didn't like the mentions of the other Espada. He didn't say that aloud to her though, as she continued her fantasy.

"You guys would end up being the most feared criminal gang in the world!" she said, spreading her arms out as if she was showing him a scenic view.

Such an unusual woman.

"Oh! We're here!" she beamed as she put her hands up to her chest. She walked over and opened the door, triggering a little bell ring.

Kisuke walked over with his fan in front of his face, but was clearly smiling. "Hello, Orihime!" he beamed as she smiled. Kisuke looked down at Ulquiorra, "You too, Ulquiorra."

Ulquiorra nodded in acknowledgement.

"Well, you must be ready to get out of that gigai, aren't you?"

"Indeed." he said as Kisuke tilted his hat up, "Well, we'd best getcha out of it then, ay?"

Ulquiorra closed his eyes in acknowledgement.

"I'll go get your Arrancar outfit from the back. Just meet me in the dining room." Kisuke said, as he turned around and walked to a different part of the shop.

Orihime turned to look down at him. "It's going to be weird having you back to your normal height!"

"It has not been that long, Orihime."

She looked at him with a frazzled look for a moment, and he looked at her. "What?"

She shook her head, "Oh, sorry! It's just… you don't… really call me by my name at all…"

Ulquiorra tightened his face slightly. She had a good point. "...Indeed…" he said quietly.

He felt… comfortable. He felt relaxed and, in a sense, active and fresh. It was a weird feeling, and he felt a beating in his chest going quicker every time he looked up at Orihime. Weird gigai.

Orihime and Ulquiorra walked into the nearby dining room, and she sat on a cushion, as Ulquiorra stood there with his hands in his pockets.

Kisuke emerged from the backroom, Arrancar outfit in hand, along with an adapting gigai.

"Well! Here it is. Ulquiorra, go change into these, then we'll put you into the gigai. We'll directly transport your soul from that gigai, into this new one." he explained as he tossed the clothes onto Ulquiorra.

Ulquiorra scrambled them off his head, then walked into the nearby bathroom.

Once Ulquiorra disappeared into the bathroom, Orihime turned to Kisuke, with a concerned look. "Will he be getting his own house now?"

Kisuke smiled, "I've got his housing sorted out, don't worry. I hope he wasn't too much of a handful."

Orihime gained a smile. "Actually, I quite enjoyed his company…" she mumbled.

Kisuke looked down at her and flipped open his fan. "Now, I didn't expect that. Is that so?"

Her smile saddened slightly, "Yeah… It's going to be weird living alone again."

Her smile faded into a face of worry as she looked up at Kisuke, "Will he be moving away? Do I need to say goodbye?"

"...again?" she mumbled extremely quietly, but Kisuke caught it.

Kisuke smiled, "Well, I'm sure you'll be glad to hear this news. I've enrolled him into Karakura highschool, and his house is in-between your area and the Kurosaki Clinic."

Orihime looked up at him with a hopeful face, "Really?"

He nodded as she gained a wide smile. "Oh my gosh! I can't believe it!" she beamed as she jumped up.

Ulquiorra looked in the mirror at his gigai's body. Finally, out of this terrible gigai. He removed his kimono's top half then quickly realized something.

Where was the indent that symbolized his hollow hole?

He slowly put his hand over the bare skin and pressed down. He noticed it shrinking, but now it was… just gone. No trace of it.

A side effect of the gigai he reasoned.

He snapped back to reality and continued to undress, then put his oversized old kimono on. Despite the other one being a replica, it could never perfect the fabric and feel of his original kimono.

Even if it was severely oversized at the moment.

He walked over to the door, but stopped when he heard the woman speaking.

"...weird living alone again." the woman spoke

"Will he be moving away? Do I have to say goodbye?" she continued frantically, as Ulquiorra leaned against the door because they began to speak quietly.

Suddenly, he heard her jump up. "Oh my gosh! I can't believe it!"

Ulquiorra opened the door after he heard that as he picked up his hakama so he wouldn't trip again.

Orihime smiled over at him as he walked over. "Can we get this done?"

Kisuke grinned behind his fan, "Someones impatient."

"I simply am tired of having a physically incorrect body."

"Fair enough," Kisuke said, as Ulquiorra stood next to the adaptable gigai.

"This is going to be quick, and it shouldn't hurt." he said as he positioned Ulquiorra at the end of the gigai.

He held up his cane, as Ulquiorra eyed him. "Just a quick out and in."

With that, he hit Ulquiorra with his cane, and his soul flew out and fell forward. Orihime caught a glimpse of Ulquiorra's collarbone.

No hollow hole.

Before she could realize though at the moment, the soul fell into the adaptable gigai.

Ulquiorra let out a groan and opened his eyes, as the light above him shined in his face. Everything was blurry and disoriented, and he felt like he had the biggest headache.

His vision cleared, and he was instantly met with Orihime bent down, inches from his face, with a wide smile.

If this weren't Ulquiorra, he would've screamed. His eyes widened.

Orihime backed up once she realized how close she was, and blushed. "Sorry!..."

He sat up and put his hand on his head. Kisuke handed him a hand mirror and he observed his new looks, and he almost gasped.

He looked fully human. He had the same mostly pale skin from the other gigai and no tear marks. What disturbed him though was the now exposed hair on one side of his head. No hollow mask.

He slowly reached his hand up and rubbed the area hesitantly, ruffling the hair.

After a moment, he tried to stand up, and instantly fell over and felt his head lean to the right from the lightness of his left side. He was caught by Orihime, who carefully sat him back down.

"Take a moment and adjust there, it'll take a second." Kisuke advised as he walked out of the room. Orihime sat on her knees next to him, as he ruffled his hair again.

"You'll get used to it." she said as he turned his eyes to her. She quickly realized that his eyes were still the same beautiful lush green she was oh so familiar with.

'Oh... No… He's hot…'

Her face immediately heated up as she realized how close he was. She let out a squeak and sprung up, as she covered her face embarrassingly.

"What is your problem, woman?"

'Damn it! No! His voice!' She became even more red.

"N- Nothing!" she managed to stutter out.

She peeked from her fingers as if she was all imagining it. Ulquiorra tried to stand up, and almost fell over again. Orihime was about to run over to help him, but he leaned against a nearby wall for support.

"I believe I am not going to enjoy this."

Orihime bit her lip nervously, and tried to think of something positive to say. "Well, at least we can be more like school friends now!"

Ulquiorra looked over at her confusingly.

"You know? Since you're going to school now?"

"What?"

She bit her lip.

"Did… Kisuke not tell you?"

Ulquiorra gritted his teeth slightly. "Tell me… what."

Before Orihime could respond, Kisuke came walking back in. "You're going to be living in a house nearby, and going to Karakura Highschool!" he flipped his fan open to hide his wide smirk.

"What?" he snipped, but still trying to keep his monotone voice through his anger.

"Well, even though you're not in a child's body anymore, Orihime still is responsible for watching you. She volunteered." He gave a wink towards Orihime, who blushed at realization.

"I couldn't torture poor Inoue by keeping you in the house, so I got a nearby house. You'll be going to the same classes as Orihime, and I may or may have not arranged a seat next to her…"

"How did you manage to do that?" Orihime asked as Kisuke smirked again.

"I have my ways."

Ulquiorra slid his hands in his pockets. "Is this… required? An order?"

Kisuke nodded, "I guess if you want to put it that way, then yes."

Ulquiorra closed his eyes. "Very well."

Meanwhile, Orihime was over here having a midlife crisis. Why had Ulquiorra made her think that? What clicked with her? Oh, she knew what, what was she even saying. He's not in a child's body anymore, how could've she not thought of that? She flicked her head in real time, as Ulquiorra and Kisuke went back and forth. Back on topic, was it really like that? No, of course not. She loved Kurosaki-kun, and she wanted to live her life with him.

Did she?

She knocked her forehead with her fist as she tried to dump out all the doubting thoughts of Kurosaki-kun, but suddenly, the monster came through her mind. The hollow he had transformed into and brutally tore Ulquiorra apart… who had almost killed him. Who had almost killed Uryu… who could've almost killed her. She felt a shiver run up her spine, and she bit her lip.

Did she really like Kurosaki-kun?

More importantly, did she… like.. Ulquiorra?

She cringed at the thought, remembering everything that happened in Las Noches.

Everything that he said… what he did.

Then again, he was under orders from Aizen, but Ichigo wasn't. That still didn't excuse the fact that he did them, and she was pretty sure bringing despair to her was also on his part in a way. She cringed in real time.

Maybe she didn't like either, and she needed to just take a break.

Suddenly, she was snapped back to reality by Ulquiorra walking over, and instantly all her thoughts melted as the ex-Espada looked at her with those cold eyes. "Woman, we need to depart now."

"Oh–! What? Where? When? Wh-" she was cut off by Kisuke. "We're going to need to get Ulquiorra settled down in his new home."

"Current residence." Ulquiorra corrected him, as Kisuke waved his hand. "Same thing.. Same thing…"

"Oh, right." she mumbled and tried to plaster a smile on her face.

Ulquiorra was about to ask what the issue was with her, but Kisuke waved for them to depart, so he walked over to the shopkeeper, and they began to walk.

He zipped up his kimono and adjusted the collar a bit as Kisuke looked back at him. "You know, you're going to need to wear a school outfit. Won't be able to wear your usual outfit forever."

Ulquiorra gave him a look of 'Haven't I lost enough of my quickly depleting dignity?' Kisuke let out an evil laugh as Orihime shuffled behind.

"Goodluck you two. I left a few outfits and the basics in the house, just walk him over there." he waved as he walked back to the shop, and then the two stood there awkwardly.

Piercing. Awkward. Silence.

What else could be better?

Orihime could think of many things.

She shuffled uncomfortably next to him, and tried not to look at him. What was wrong with her? She couldn't even look at him anymore, yet not long ago she was carrying him and sleeping around him.

She flicked her forehead again. 'It's because he's not a child anymore! Er- not in a child's body anymore. I need to remember that! It's going to be awkward at first but eventually I'll get used to it, and maybe we can become friends.'

She quickly realized the ex-Espada was no longer next to her. She let out a squeak and turned around, to see him turning the corner out of the alleyway. She bolted after him and once she caught up, he was quickly making his way down the street.

Oh how the tables have turned.

"Ulquiorra! Slow down!" she wheezed, as he continued down the streets. He stopped and turned back to her, "What's the issue, woman?"

She bit her lip, "I can't walk that fast!" she said as she finally caught up to him. He looked down slightly at her as she looked at him, getting up from resting on her knees.

After what felt like an eternity for Orihime, he finally responded. "Very well." and with that, he began to walk at a speed that she should keep up with.

"You know, now that you're back to your regular height, I feel like it's less awkward to talk to you now!" she looked over at him, and all she got in response was a simple 'hm'. She knew she was lying about it being less awkward, but she was dying to start up a conversation. "I don't mean that in a way like your personality changed, more so I don't have to look down at you now!"

Ulquiorra frowned.

"I will miss being able to carry you around like a sack of beans!"

"I believe it's 'sack of potatoes', woman." She grinned

"Oh I know, but it gets boring after a while of using it so much, y'know? Like I like adding some… hmm what's the word…" she put her hand up to her chin in thought for a moment, before smiling. "Pizzah to it!"

He looked over at her, "I do not think that's the right term…"

"Well! It matches my description well! It's a word with excitement!"

Ulquiorra rolled his eyes, but Orihime caught the slightest bit of amusement in them.

rihime continued with her banter and little fantasies the entire walk back to his new house, and he didn't mind. He'd gotten used to her senseless babbling that it began to grow on him. He didn't mind listening to it, even if it didn't have any point to it.

"...I will miss having you around the house though." she mumbled quietly, but Ulquiorra caught it clearly.

"What?"

She went beat red and looked up at him, waving her hands frantically. "I- I'm not suggesting a- anything! But.. it was nice having someone else around the house…"

Ulquiorra recalled her talking to her brother through the shrine, and couldn't help but grimace ever so slightly. "Indeed."

Unfortunately for Ulquiorra's blank way of talking and understanding the woman, he just assumed she knew what he meant. He was agreeing to the fact she'd be missing him around the house, but Orihime went beat red and thought he meant he was agreeing to missing her around the house.

The rest of the walk was completely silent and awkward.

They stopped at a small two floor house with a sloppy front yard, and overgrown bushes. "Well, Kisuke chose the homeliest home!"

Ulquiorra realized she wasn't being sarcastic, and pulled out the key Kisuke had given him earlier. He walked up to the door and opened it. It looked better on the inside than the outside.

"Well, uh, I'll be heading back to my place then. Here's my phone number."

Ulquiorra grabbed the phone on the table next to the door and punched her phone number in, then exchanged his.

After she left, he turned and looked around. The house was nice, a homely feel to it for him, but at the same time it felt… melancholy.

Bad memories.

No, it wasn't because of the woman's absence. It was because of the resemblance the dragged white walls held. The bland furniture.

'All it needs is a window with a crescent moon.' he thought sarcastically, dragging his fingers on the back of the couch.

"Damn you Kisuke." he growled, looking at the furniture. He couldn't help but loosen up at the sound of his usual monotone voice, rather than that squeaky tone.

He let out a sigh, then turned to the kitchen. Unlike Orihime's house, there was no wall separating the kitchen from the living room. It was a small simple kitchen, most of it looking black and white, along with everything else. The sun seeped through the windows, making it no need to turn on the lights.

On the contrary, at least Kisuke didn't throw him into a broken down house, or a colorful over decorated one.

He could adjust.

He flipped on the lights in the kitchen, which were simple modern strip lights in the roof, covered by a transparent blurry plastic.

He opened the fridge, noting what Kisuke provided him food wise was simple. He shut the fridge, and walked upstairs.

He opened the door to the first door in the hallway, then closed it quickly, realizing it was just a closet filled with towels and blankets.

He turned to the next door across, and opened it. A bedroom.

He walked in, and looked around. It was simple; white walls, black carpet, bland dark grey bed with black pillows. Simple window with black curtains slightly closed, a desk, a nightstand and a closet.

Nothing over the top.

He noticed there was already some clothing in the open closet. He walked over and observed the selection of mostly grey, black, and white t-shirts and long sleeve shirts. On the shelf below the hung up selection of shirts were folded up jeans and sweatpants.

Was this what he had to wear out in the society of the humans?

Truly undignifying.

He noticed a selection of folded up clothes on the bed, and he walked over. He unfolded the first one, a white pocketed short-sleeve shirt with a dark blue tie next to it. At least it was white. Along with that there was a jacket to go over it. He saw a pair of light grey jeans, as well as some leather shoes and white socks. Was this his school outfit?

He frowned. He remembered seeing many kids around that highschool in this outfit. Indeed, it was his school outfit.

He let out a frustrated sigh and put the outfit on his nightstand. He glanced over at the black alarm clock;

2:34pm.

This was his last day before he was forced to go to that terrible highschool. Under the watch of the woman.

He eventually gave in and collapsed onto the bed, putting his hand on his forehead. He finally got into a somewhat physical body, then instantly had more problems sprung onto him. Could he just get a simple break?

Oh who was he kidding, that was too much to ask for.

He clenched his teeth, then opened his eyes to look at the roof. Auburn hair came flashing through his mind as he let out a sigh.

At least he'd be able to see her.

She helped keep his quickly depleting sanity in line, yet also damaged his indifferent image. She made him feel things that he had never felt before, nor had he wanted too.

But he did know he preferred to have his pride damaged rather than lose his mind to the likes of Kurosaki and his pestering group.

Perhaps he could consider being able to live through this school.

...Maybe.

Author's Note: DEVELOPMENT! Oh my gosh I'm so excited! He's going to school! How will the others react to Orihime spending so much time around him, even if it's required; specifically, Ichigo and Tatsuki!

You'll have to wait for the next chapter to find out ;)

As always, reviews are appreciated; negative and positive!