Thank you everyone for the reviews, they really helped! :) I did try and make this chapter longer, but I failed...I will continue to try and write longer chapters though! Again, I do not own Bleach.
Chapter 2:
Orihime
Orihime was crying again, but she knew why this time. The endless hours and constant dark of Hueco Mundo had finally seeped into her soul and broken her, bit by bit. Warm, happy memories were fading. She was fading. Upon arrival at Hueco Mundo, Orihime no longer had the need to hold up the mask of cheeriness and positivity she wore before her friends and at school. It was too late when she realized she relied on that mask. The energy it took to hold up this mask of emotions distracted her from her real depression, doubt, and worry. She needed it again, but did not have the will to try anymore.
In the beginning of her arrival here, she had foolishly thought that if only she could befriend one being here, she could survive and might even find some happiness. However, the more Arrancars she had come across, the more she realized that they do not want to be friends. Most often, they would rather kill her. "Duh" commented her voice of reason again. Her shoulders visibly drooped, and her head fell into her hands.
The only one she had was Ulquiorra, and that was not even close to friendship. He was more of her unwilling protector. But, he was still her splash of color in her gray and dimming world. She held on to the small hope that Ulquiorra would see that she did not belong here, and save her from his world. She felt rather stupid, that instead of hoping for her orange haired knight in shining armor, she was hoping for the cold hands of death to free her.
Hearing a whizzing noise, she looked up. Surpisingly, her Shun Shun Rikka had decided to come out and talk to her. They rarely did this anymore, and she was shocked out of her recent crying fit.
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?" Tsubaki yelled, pulling at a chunk of Orihime's long hair. "Your depression is making us weaker! How are we supposed to protect you if we are so weak we wouldn't be able to even deflect a small rock!" He screamed in frusteration.
"He is right…" A much quieter voice stated. Orihime looked up to see Shun'o staring intently at the ground. Gaining some strength into his voice, Shun'o continued, "We want you back to how you used to be!"
Orihime looked around and immediately felt guilty. Her depression had gone on too long, she had chosen this path and needed to stick to it. No more feeling sorry for herself, she thought, fist hitting her hand in emphasis. Her fairies looked at her warily. Forcing herself to brighten up, she apologized then laughed to her fairies, "I better stop now, or else I will become as depressing as Ulquiorra!" They laughed with her, and surrounded her in a hug.
For the first time since her arrival, Orihime slept peacefully. Her dreams, however, were suspiciously tinted with green…
Ulquiorra
Emerald eyes narrowed as he stood outside Orihime's door. He had long since abandoned trying to knock, and instead had opted to listen through the door to the woman's odd conversation with her Shun Shun Rikka. Apparently he needed to re-evaluate her mental strength. If none of the mental traps and attacks he had been using were working, he would need to talk to Aizen-sama again. It would be no good if the woman did not crumble beneath Aizen's power, they needed her to see how hopeless everything was so she would be completely obedient.
He briskly walked back to Aizen's main room, but was not permitted entry for a couple minutes. Upon entering, he was greeted with the strange sight of Grimmjow kneeling before Aizen's throne. As usual, Aizen's smirk was still in place. Grimmjow stood up and gave an irritated clicking noise before walking towards the door, glaring at Ulquiorra the whole way. "Trash," Ulquiorra muttered as Grimmjow passed. A lightning fast punch tried to hit Ulquiorra's head, but missed as Ulquiorra slightly leaned to dodge. Another punch was on its way, but a look from Aizen stopped it dead in its tracks. Grimmjow quickly thought better of the situation, and decided that hitting Aizen's favorite pet was not quite worth the punishment he would receive.
Once the blue haired Espada had left, Ulquiorra repeated the conversation he had overheard to Aizen. He was a little confused when Aizen chuckled at the comment about Ulquiorra being depressing, but decided to ignore it. After Aizen fully understood the situation, he pondered for a couple of minutes on how to solve it. Ulquiorra could almost swear Aizen's eyes lit up with laughter as he thought of his particularly cruel solution. "I have her obedience, but I need more," he began. " I need control of her most powerful emotion of all. Ulquiorra, you are the only one I can fully trust with this task. " Ulquiorra listened patiently, hands in his pockets.
" You must make Orihime Inoue fall in love with you."