Chapter Seventeen; Blossom
Orihime's eyes slowly fluttered open as she hazily looked around. Had she fallen asleep watching TV?
She tried to move a bit from her spot, before quickly becoming aware of the furred arm around her. She looked at it as her eyes narrowed, then quickly realized she was leaning against a very asleep Ulquiorra.
She threw her hand to her mouth as she had to stifle a scream, then slithered out from his arms. It'd been over a week since Grimmjow began to live with them, and the school days were pretty boring and basic other than Grimmjow causing chaos.
Ulquiorra said he'd get the gigai the next day, but turns out making a gigai to contain a wild beast form was harder than Kisuke anticipated.
Today was Saturday, and it turns out the local comedy channel wasn't enough to keep her and Ulquiorra awake, and they fell asleep on each other. What confused her the most was she remembered being on the opposite side of the couch from him.
She shrugged it off, as she stretched her back and let out a high pitched squeal as she stretched. She yawned then turned back around, just in time as Ulquiorra slumped over and laid on the couch, shuffling in his sleep.
She giggled to herself as she walked over to him and brushed some hair out of his face.
As she admired his peaceful sleeping state, she had to stifle another scream as the telephone suddenly began to blare, and this caused Ulquiorra to spring up, wings poofing open.
Orihime fell down as she threw her hand up to her face. "Oww!" Orihime whined, rubbing her face from the leathery slap she had just received.
"Turn that thing off…!" A high pitched grumpy voice rang from the stairs, as they turned their gazes over. There was a very sleepy Grimmjow slumping down the stairs with an extremely oversized shirt on.
"Uh, Grimmjow, I think that's my shirt…" Orihime said, giggling. Grimmjow shot her a death glare, "There were no other shirts! Shut it!" he snapped back, as she put her hand over her mouth to hide her giggling.
"Woman, the phone." Ulquiorra said as he stood up. Orihime scrambled up and ran over to the phone and snatched it.
"Hello?" She asked as she held the phone up to her ear.
"Hello, Orihime!" a staticy Kisuke beamed over the phone, as Orihime smiled.
"Hi, Kisuke! Is the gigai ready?!"
"Yes, in fact it is! But that's not the only reason I'm calling…"
"Eh?"
"Come over to my shop. I'd recommend being quick. Bring Grimmjow too."
"Oh, alright. I'll be over in a second. Might I ask why?"
"It'd be best if you saw."
With that, Kisuke hung the phone up.
.x.x.x.
"Agh! Ulquiorra, slow down!" Grimmjow squealed as he held onto Orihime's arms, as he tried to cling on for dear life. "The woman said fast, slowing down would not be going fast." Ulquiorra said as he dove down, causing Orihime to scream in delight, and Grimmjow to yell in horror.
They slowed down merely three feet from the ground, and Grimmjow fell off of Ulquiorra's back, and landed on the ground. "Holy shit! The beautiful ground!" he beamed as he sprawled out on the concrete.
He was picked up by Orihime like a baby as they walked into Kisuke's shop, opening the doors so the bells rang throughout the shop.
"Alright, shifty ass! Why the fuck did you need us over here so fast?! I about puked out my organs because of that pale bastard!" Grimmjow snapped at Kisuke, as the shopkeeper walked over to Orihime and put a hand on her shoulder. "You two come to the back with me. Ulquiorra," he started, then pointed over at the counter to the gigai.
"That should work as a gigai." he said, as Ulquiorra walked over and inspected the adaptable gigai. He grabbed it and exited to the next room without another word.
"Tch, someone's excited." Grimmjow grumbled as they walked to the back of the shop. "Alright, what the hell is the whole deal? The fuck is so important that-"
Grimmjow choked on his words as he dropped down from Orihime, to stare at a child Nnoitra, the same height as him. Nnoitra was in a small grey hoodie and white sweatpants, similar to what Grimmjow was now dressed in. Nnoitra's single eye narrowed at the sight of Grimmjow.
"W- WHAT?!" Grimmjow finally choked out, as Nnoitra began to bellow out in laughter. "Holy shit! He wasn't lying!" he cried as Grimmjow clenched his fists. "Why the fuck are you here?!" Grimmjow snapped out.
"I could ask you the same thing, pussy!" he said, gaining a huge toothy smile. "Y'know what? I don't care! You're fucking dead for stealing my kill, Nnoitra!" Grimmjow snapped out, fisting his hand, and cracking his neck.
"Is that fucking promise?" Nnoitra said back competitively, as he flexed his fingers. Suddenly a leg got in the way of the two, and Orihime shook her head. She already had a bad experience with Nnoitra, so she wasn't really too fond of him. "What are you doing here, Nnoitra?"
"Hah! I was fucking thrown in here after I died!" he hissed out, as he crossed his arms and Grimmjow stuck his tongue out at the ex-Quinto Espada.
"Along with that bastard!" he said as he pointed at the puff of pink hair behind a nearby table. That's when a small Szayel walked out, dragging a large jar out from behind the table. He turned to Grimmjow, and smirked. "So you're a victim as well to the Shinigami's immature gigais." he said as Grimmjow glared harshly at the pink haired scientist.
Orihime turned to Kisuke, who stood there hiding behind his fan. "Why did you call me here for them?" she asked finally, as Kisuke closed his fan. "Well you see.. You're the only one who can keep them alive. These Espada will get themselves killed or get out of hand if they're watched by anyone else… soo…"
Orihime and Nnoitra both had the same thought.
"I- I can't watch him!"
"I can't stay with her!"
The two looked at each other for a moment, before Kisuke let out a sigh. "Sorry to let you know, but right now I don't have a choice. It will only be for today, and tomorrow I'll get them proper gigai's. You won't need to drag these two to school, don't worry." he said as Grimmjow was yelling something at Szayel, and the pink haired scientist was smirking, pushing his glasses up.
At that moment, Ulquiorra walked in, in the new gigai. No hollow mask or tear marks, but still pale and eyes beautiful jade. He took in the scene before him for a moment, jade eyes looking at all the small ex-Espada. Orihime opened her mouth to say something, but he turned on his heel and left the room.
He wasn't ready to face that.
Orihime let out a sigh before walking over to the three small Espada. She bent down, "I'm sure it'll be…" she looked at Nnoitra, grimacing and the smile looking more forced. "...fun!"
Nnoitra looked over her shoulder then looked at her. "Was that Ulquiorra?!" he finally asked as she smiled and nodded. Nnoitra looked like he'd just been told he was getting sent to hell, then he let out a long groan. "Not him!" he bellowed out, as Orihime and Grimmjow shared glances. Szayel was too focused on dissecting a poor bug he had caught.
"Szayel, hands out of the bug. Let's just get back to my apartment." she said as she picked Grimmjow up, and he struggled out of her arms and dropped to the floor. "Don't fucking carry me!" he snipped at her, red from embarrassment.
The four walked out from the backroom of Kisuke's shop, and Orihime waved to him. Sure enough, Ulquiorra was leaning on the shop walls outside the backroom, eyes closed. He looked at the three small Espada behind her. Orihime let out a nervous chuckle as Grimmjow gave him a middle finger and was quickly elbowed by Szayel.
"Are we able to dispose of them?" Ulquiorra asked as Nnoitra glared at him, and Grimmjow rubbed his arm from the elbowing from Szayel. Orihime shook her head frantically, "Heavens no! They're…" she cleared her throat "...Coming home with us for today."
Ulquiorra's eyes narrowed slightly, and he mentally sighed. "Very well.." he muttered under his breath, as they began to walk out. "Ay, Ulquiorra, why you lookin' like that?" Nnoitra asked. Ulquiorra ignored him.
Suddenly a yell rang from behind them before they could leave, and they all turned around to see Kisuke walking out of the room, with Tessai carrying a gigai. "Hey! I forgot, here's Grimmjow's gigai." he said as he walked up to them.
Nnoitra's frown deepened and Grimmjow smirked wide. "Finally!" he said as Tessai dropped the gigai on the ground, and Grimmjow walked over to it. Kisuke gave him an adult sized jacket and some sweatpants, and he began to strip in front of all of them.
"A- Ah! Grimmjow do that in the bathroom or somewhere else!" Orihime squealed as she spun around. Grimmjow rolled his eyes and dragged the clothes around the corner. He came out in the oversized clothes, as he stood in front of the gigai. Kisuke hit him on the back as his soul flew into the gigai quickly, and he slowly opened his eyes.
He sat up and smirked at Nnoitra. "Oh you're in for it now, you little shit." he said as he stood up, and stumbled. He leaned against the wall as Nnoitra's toothy frown deepened even more.
.x.x.x.
"It appears none of us thought this one through, eh?" Grimmjow said as he scratched his head. Without Ulquiorra's Segunda Etapa, it was a walk back home. "Well, none of us have our hollow masks nor hollow holes, so we should look like basic human beings on the street." he said matter-of-factly, then everyone turned their gazes to Nnoitra.
Eyepatch.
"...Mostly."
The group began to make their way down the street quickly, trying not to attract any attention. Though, it ended up proving an issue. Quickly the smaller ones began to fall behind, as Orihime, Ulquiorra and Grimmjow got ahead. They looked back to see Nnoitra collapsed on the sidewalk far back, and Szayel kneeling over.
"Agh! Dammit!" he yelled frustratingly, then ran back. He grabbed Szayel and Nnoitra by the collars and picked them up, hosting them under his arms. He caught up to the other two, and they continued to walk down the street.
"G- G- Grimmjow!" Szayel wheezed as he tried to breathe under the grip, as Nnoitra hung limply. Unfortunately for them, Grimmjow didn't hear him.
.x.x.x.
Orihime reached the door and unlocked it and they walked in. Grimmjow plopped the two small Espada down, then quickly realized something wasn't right.
"Ay, are they supposed to not be moving? Is this normal for kids?" Grimmjow asked as he poked the limp Szayel with his foot.
"No! It's not! Oh my god!" Orihime squealed as she ran up to the two, and Grimmjow crossed his arms disappointingly at the two.
"You would make a defective father figure, Sexta." Ulquiorra retorted emotionlessly, as Grimmjow's eyes narrowed and he clenched his fist up at Ulquiorra. "Like you'd be any better!"
"You held them too hard, they're unconscious!" Orihime said horrified as she turned Szayel onto his back.
"So? They're breathing, that's all that matters." Grimmjow muttered, as Orihime picked Szayel up carefully. Grimmjow smirked.
"Favoritism? I'm all for it. I hate that bastard but Nnoitra can die." he said as he smirked down at the limp Nnoitra. "Bring him over here, Grimmjow." she said as she walked over to the couch with the pink haired former Espada.
Grimmjow groaned and hoisted Nnoitra over his shoulder and put him down on the couch as well. "Can't we just let them die, and tell Kisuke that they killed each other?" Grimmjow muttered as Orihime called her fairies out.
"No! They're going to get a second chance at life just as you did!..."
She paused, remembering who she's talking about. "...Under supervision."
Nnoitra groaned and sat up, rubbing his head with a toothy frown. He looked over at the smirking Grimmjow. "Fuck you."
"Fuck you too, brat."
Nnoitra jumped off the couch and wandered off into the kitchen where Ulquiorra was. "Saz hasn't woken up yet. Will he be O.K?" Orihime asked as she worryingly continued to heal him. Grimmjow grunted.
"Beats the fuck out of me. Saz? Seriously? A nickname?"
Orihime smiled. "Yeah! I can call you Grimmy. Ulquiorra, Ulqui. And Nnoitra, Nope!"
Nnoitra poked his head into the living room. "The fucks that supposed to mean?"
"Ulquiorra, woman. Do not address me as anything else." Ulquiorra said from the kitchen.
.x.x.x.
"This shit tastes like cow ass."
Szayel whipped Nnoitra with the back of his hand, "Be more polite. Don't you have manners?" He grilled at Nnoitra, as he glared back at the pink haired scientist.
"I'm sorry I can't choke down whatever the fuck this is!"
"It's a ham and cheese sandwich, Gilga." Szayel said as he calmly ate it. "Oh, so pig ass, heh." Nnoitra smirked, as Szayel whapped him again. Orihime smiled and looked over at Ulquiorra, "At least he has manners." she whispered to him.
Ulquiorra frowned. "Do not be fooled, woman. He will dissect you the second he gets a chance." Orihime's mouth formed into an 'O' and she adjusted herself in her seat.
She cleared her throat, "Thanks for making lunch Ulquiorra." she said as Ulquiorra finished the sandwich. "Do not thank me, woman. I was simply making sure we do not starve or get poisoned."
"Uh, that's one way to put it- Hey! My cookings not that badddd!" she whined.
"Yes it is!" Grimmjow yelled from the living room, as he watched TV. Orihime gained a pouty lip.
"Ugh, I can't take this." Nnoitra grumbled as he hopped down from the seat and shuffled into the living room, then started some inaudible argument with Grimmjow.
Szayel disappeared off somewhere, and nobody really wanted to know where.
Ulquiorra stood up suddenly and gathered up the dishes and put them in the sink, before turning towards the foyer. "Where are you going, Ulquiorra?" Orihime asked as she shuffled after him, and he slid on a jacket.
"I'm going to go relieve these gigai's smell senses, as they are mildly irritating right now.
"Sooo… you're going to get fresh air."
"Correct."
Orihime grabbed her jacket as well, and walked after Ulquiorra. He turned and looked at her as she rubbed her hands together, blowing into them. "It is too cold for you. Return inside." he ordered as she pursed her lips.
"No… it's fine."
"Woman."
"I can take a little cold!" she beamed as they stepped towards a nearby tree in her front yard. Ulquiorra abruptly turned around, and she almost bumped into him. She turned a deep shade of red as she looked at him, and he settled into her eyes with his deep jade ones.
Orihime backed up a little, but hit the tree behind her as he took a step closer to her. "Eh- U- Ulquiorra I think we're a l- little close…-" she was cut off as he held up one finger to her lips, and her eyes widened.
Ulquiorra honestly had no clue what the fuck he was doing, all he knew is that it felt right. "Be quiet, woman."
Orihime's pupils were as wide as saucers and she was too shocked to notice his leaning in, and eventually he pulled his finger down. His lips barely brushed hers as she went full crimson red, and he pulled away. He turned away and adjusted his jacket casually, as she leaned against the tree flustered.
"We shall return inside now." Orihime was completely dumbfounded now.
"Y- You- I- Wh-"
"If you have something to say, then say it."
"Y- You can't just d- do that and walk away! Why did you-"
He turned to her, and stepped closer again. "Isn't it obvious?"
Her eyes widened again, and then she slowly nodded. With that, Ulquiorra turned and returned inside.
Author's Note: I'm sorry no intense make out session :( BUT FIRST KISS! AGHHH FINALLY!
More Ulquihime coming don't worry hehe
As always, positive and negative reviews are thoroughly appreciated! Please I need motivation!