Betrayal.

That was the proper term for what she had done to her friends that risked their lives each day. She had betrayed them, their memory and all they stood for. She was a horrid person and this is where she belonged. She looked up that the pale light of the never ending full moon and allowed her tears to fall silently. It was all her doing; if she had even tried harder to stop him then she would not feel this way. She had betrayed them all by soiling her body with the enemy, the very people whom had separated them. There was no forgiving her sins. She was no longer human, she was a monster. Her body was numb and she now knew why they were called Hollows.

She tightened the grip on his tail-coat that he had given to her before he had left her alone. If she abandoned it, then her body would be bare and exposed to the world. For that reason she held it tightly around her, protecting what she had so willingly given away.

The door clicked open, causing her to jump slightly. She dare not turn to see him, to look in his green emerald eyes. To hear him call her what she was and not who she was…Realization shot through her. There was no call from him before he entered. It was not Ulquiorra whom entered the room with her. Spiritual pressure suddenly spiked, nearly crushing her in the process. She fell to the couch, her hair fanned out over it as she laid there with no will to get up. All her motivation, all her drive to stay alive was gone. She had no will to live and if this so called man wished to take her last breath then so be it.

~/-*-\~

Ulquiorra paced about his room. He had lost control of himself, he had laid claim to what was Aizen's, his lord and master, the very man he had sworn to obey and serve. What was he to do? What was he to say about his lack of self control? He froze. Gin had said she was free to claim. She was one of them after all, a comrade but now she was…he quickly moved to flip through the books looking for the right word to describe what they were to each other. Mates was close but that seemed to primal, more for animals. He flipped through another book and found the closest thing he could find.

"Lovers?" he thought back to the definition of love. It was the strongest feeling known to show affection. Affection was weakness, he didn't need weakness. He made a move to throw the book when it grazed his hand lightly, the soft tender touch…like hers when she had grabbed him in the field smiling brightly and giggling happily like a human child. 'Arigatou Gozaimasu.' He could hear the sincerity in her voice as she thanked him for being kind to her. It wasn't kindness it was orders. He had been ordered to make her less stressed and he did. Yet, there had been ways to do so within the walls of her cell. Why had he chosen to take her outside and to the human world?

The book fell from his hands as he sat on his empty bed. His face void of all emotion and succumbing to deep thought, all of her. He dare not say it out loud but he was suffering being apart from her for so long. Before…whatever it was they had done, he could go days without so much as a thought of her but now…now he couldn't stand the distance. She was doing something to him, changing him and he didn't like it. Not a single bit.

Yet, he wouldn't change what he had done for the world. She was his and he hers.

~/-*-\~

"This place reeks of him! Fucking guard dog!" she could hear his footsteps coming closer to her, his boots clicking on the marble floor.

Nnoitra allowed his eye to fall on her. She was laying on the couch, curled into a ball autumn colored hair fanned over her cream colored skin. He would be lying if he tried to claim that she was not the cause of the bulge with in his pants. Truth be told that was why he had sought her out. When her guard dog had left the room, he knew it would be a while before he returned. He would take that time to claim her, to make her his little bitch. "Oi, pet-sama what no response?" he chuckled. "Choking on that mutt's scent?" he in fact was. First thing he would do was change rooms, his perhaps would be best. Yet, she didn't answer, not even a sound of disapproval but here and now something didn't sit well with the Espada.

He sniffed the air, trying desperately to find her scent but it was no-existent. He gripped her hair tightly with his large hand, ignoring her yelping and the fact the jacket had fallen from her grasp, exposing her upper body to him. He wasn't interested in that. Moving her closer to his nose he took a deep inhale expecting sweetness but was given only the foul scent of death. The same smell Harribel gave off after Tosen…He threw her on the couch with a hard smack, her back arching form the new found pain there. Nnoitra hand found its way around her thin little neck. He had missed his chance! That bastard mutt had claimed her! He squeezed his hand around her neck, closing her throat enough where little air was let in.

"N-Nnoitra-sama!" she called out. "G-Gomen…"

His whole body shook with rage. It was because of her…because of her existence he was driven to feel like this. He was never meant to care about anyone, especially a lousy human female. "You let him claim you! What did you do, open your legs for him on his command?!" his free hand moved to her plump breast and gave it a bruising squeeze. She moaned but did not scream. Ulquiorra had broken her! He had broken his beloved toy and he would never be forgiven!

A smile made its way to his face. He was going to break the laws Aizen had set into place. He was going to claim her now and allow his scent to fill her. This way when Ulquiorra tried to dispute it, Nnoitra would have far more evidence then for her scent alone would prove him victor. He released her neck, allowing her to breath while she could. He was a large Espada, nearly three times the size of Ulquiorra when standing side by side.

He shed his jacket quickly and gazed down at her. Almost immediately her eyes widened with fear and realization at what he was planning. Orihime knew then that she could only hope he killed her in the process. That he would rip her apart and end her suffering. Yet, something inside of her told her to fight him. It told her not to give in and allow death to claim her but to defend herself from the large Espada. So without clearly thinking she slapped him, hard across his face. He was frozen for a moment as the mark turned a deep red. She was breathing heavily, waiting for him to react.

"Foul little bitch!" he hissed as he gripped her wrist and twisted it until he heard it pop. She screamed in pain and moved to hold her dislocated joint. He took that opportunity to press his lips to hers, effectively silencing her as he ripped the hakama from her. Her cries were muffled and soon they turned to painful moans as he sucked the very breath from her. The large Espada removed his self from her bruised lips and made quick work of shedding his own hakama. He could tell by the look in her eyes that he was bigger than the mutt and it pleased him greatly. He could at least claim such from now on. "Spread your legs!" he barked at her. When she in fact did the opposite, he let out a loud growl and gripped her thighs with bruising force.

"ULQUORRA!" the name ripped from her like Kurosaki's once had. She was a shamed but she knew he was never coming. She had but one person to rely on now. Her head was smacked to the side sending her into a daze as he breasts fell victim to his harsh treatment. He squeezed them roughly, making sure to leave bruises so all could see just what he had done, as if the lovely black and blue necklace he left her wasn't enough. He pulled her legs up quickly and wrapped them around his waist, or what he could. They were too short but what was he to expect of a human? He shrugged it off and lined himself up at her entrance. The sheer size of him would tear her in several ways to fit him but damn it he was going to fit!

"Let go of her now!" a harsh bitten growl ordered of him. Sword pressing close to his neck and allowing the blood to flow from it freely. He had felt her need for him far before her cry ever reached his ear. He had been told of the special bond those claimed share so when his body began to ache he knew what it meant. She was in danger and he didn't think twice about running to save her.

Nnoitra scuffed. "As if I would!" he pushed into her slightly, earning a cry of pain in response as he began to stretch her past the limit. "She was meant to be mine!"

The fourth Espada kicked the other, sending him flying into the wall before he could do anymore damage. Nnoitra stood quickly, his body bare of everything as he began to laugh like a mad man. "Take her! What difference does it make?! I will have her sooner or later!" He shouted as he watched Ulquiorra pick her up and tear open a dark rift.

Ulquiorra quickly stepped through to the other side, holding his claim tightly in his arms to try and stop her shaking. She had dug her nails into him; refusing to let him go for fear another would come for her. Her one hand was held closely to her chest. He sat on the bed, with her still in his arms and moved to cover her lower half. Small amounts of red stained his shirt but that was the least of his worries. When he tried to remove her from him she let out a gasp and held him all the tighter, chanting something lowly. "Onna…" as if something snapped with in her she looked up into his eyes. To him, hers seemed broken and barren of the happiness she had ever had.

"Ulquiorra…Ulquiorra!" she cried as she held him tightly, crying on his shoulder and finding it to be the most comfortable place in the world. She could feel him run his hands through her hair, desperately trying to calm her down. Her spiritual pressure was fluctuating rapidly and it was sure to end badly if not under control. After sometime with him cooing softly to her, she finely reached the point where her Spiritual Pressure evened out and she relaxed in his arms. "G-Gomenzai…" she whispered with shaking breath.

He moved her away from him slightly, just enough to see her face. The left side was bruised and swollen from where the bastard had struck her. The finger impression around her neck were now dark and painful looking matching those on her breast and thighs. He looked to the wrist that she held closely to her body and noted how it was starting to swell. He made a move to touch it and she backed away, fearful of him. It wasn't a surprise to him. After what had happened and the fact Nnoitra had gone further than before, he understood her fear. "No…" he said softly. "I should not have left you unguarded. You are my responsibility as well as my claim." While she was distracted he took the moment to pop the joint back into place earning a scream from her. Once he finished, he pulled the covers over her. "Rest." He said softly. She was trembling under the covers but there was only so much he could do for her at the moment. She was traumatized and needed time to relax and calm down.

He stood and made his way to the door but was stopped when she grabbed his sleeve. Looking down at her, he sighed and headed the silent command. She didn't need to be alone. She needed her claim beside her. Her eyes wouldn't stop crying and she found herself at ease now that he was there. His presence calmed her, and his voice killed any possibility of doubt in her mind. He was all she needed and that felt right. She had failed to save herself from Nnoitra but he had. He had protected her and soothed her fears. He was her everything.

The Espada felt the pressure before he even heard the door. Orihime tensed up for a moment and relaxed after recognizing the pressure. He stood from her at that moment, knowing he was forced to obey his commanding officers.

At the door stood the ever happy Gin. "I heard quite a commotion over here! First screams from a freighted princess and then the roars of a jealous Espada. Our little princess has gone missing…" he put his hand over his eyes searching Ulquiorra's room. The slits in his eyes nearly widened when they fell on the battered human. His smile was whipped away instantly. "This is quite uncalled for…"

"Then take your complaints up with Nnoitra." He growled before quickly bowing his head. "He was the one whom done this."

Gin shook his head and approached her. She couldn't back away quick enough from him and fell backward to the hard ground. The melancholy Espada was at her side in a flash and she clung to him, hiding behind him and looking into his eyes for any sign of disapproval. Gin smiled slightly, understanding the situation fully. "So, she is yours now? Quite surprising that it was you." He lowered his head to meet the human's gaze. "Did you fight Nnoitra?"

She held on tightly to her claim. His slight nod gave her the okay to speak. "H-Hai…" she spoke lowly, her throat sore from screaming. She didn't look at Gin, just up at her claim. She heard something shift and saw Gin's face inches from her own. She was about to shout again, tell him to get away but Ulquiorra soothed her fears by squeezing her hand, reassuring her that if Gin tried anything that he would protect her. He genteelly ran his hand along the extent of the bruise causing her slight discomfort.

"Such a shame to harm a pretty face like yours." He smiled again as he cupped her cheek, wanting her to look him in the eyes. "Rest assured he will be dealt with for harming you. Punishment for you was left for the council of three, not the likes of him." His voice was soft and kind but she could hear the amusement behind it. The same amusement her father had when he spoke to her. With that, he stood and waved to the Espada. "This cannot go unmentioned. Are you prepared for the consequences of your choice?"

Ulquiorra looked down at his frightened claim. She did not know of their laws, but truth be told neither did he when it came to claiming. He had never thought he would be intimate with a female, let alone a human. Yet, deep inside of him he knew it was right and that there was nothing in the world that could divide them now. She had shed her blood for him and it was his name she called for. She was his as he was hers. "Hai."

The childish man clapped his hands together and giggled. "Wonderful! I was hoping for a more amusing day! It has been so boring going to war meetings! I honestly can't understand why we need so many of them! Oh well, you better clean her up a bit Lord Aizen will be wanting to see her." He walked to the door continuing to ramble. "Oh dear, now I have to pull Tosen away from Harribel, he won't be a happy man at that point…" he threw his hands in the air gleefully. "Oh but the look on his face will be so priceless!"

Once he had left, the melancholy male stood and helped his claim to her feet. Though, she fell almost as soon as he let her go. He grabbed her quickly, saving her any more harm. He wrapped his arm around her waist and took her good hand in his own fully supporting her. "Onna…" he stopped as he looked down at the warm red liquid run down her legs in a thin strand. She was bleeding…she was hurt and it was Nnoitra's doing. Rage built inside of him but he wouldn't show it.

She reached her tiny hands up to him, cupping his face in her hands and giving a strained smile. "I'm fine. You came just in time…"

He dipped his head into the warmth of her hand and closed his eyes relishing in the soft touch. All his rage died in that moment, the moment they were together. "Orihime…" he spoke her name instead of calling her by what she was. His eyes opened and he fell to his knees before her. It felt odd, to bow before someone other than his Lord and Master but it also felt so right. "Inoue Orihime…by right and by claim you are mine as I am yours. I will take no other as I have taken you. By right and by claim I will die as yours."

The human girl looked away from him, unsure of the beautiful words he spoke. By right? By claim? She was his as he was hers. What more could any woman want? Yet, deep within her she felt the twinge of fear. He would die for her, just like her friends…He would take no other as he had taken her, he was hers as she was his. "Sheffer Ulquiorra…" the words flowed from her so easily as if she had waited her whole life to utter them. "By right and by claim I am yours and you are mine. I shall take no other as you have taken me. By right and by claim I will die as yours."

Something in Ulquiorra changed at that moment. He had something worth living for, something worth protecting. Someone he would keep safe. The Espada stood, staking her in his arms and cupping her cheek, his forehead pressed to hers. Emerald meet silver as raven black mixed with autumn orange. "By right and by claim, I am yours as you are mine." He closed his eyes and kissed her passionately, his tongue begging for entrance into her mouth and she all too eagerly allowed it. His long slender fingers laced and tangled in her soft hair trying to deepen the kiss. When he broke it, she was panting heavily with a beautiful blush across her cheeks. "By right and by claim you are mine as I am yours."

~/-*-\~

His hand had been the most interesting thing that existed as of the last few weeks. He was constantly staring at it when he found he had time to. It was that hand that she had held before she vanished. That hand that still held traces of her warmth. That hand he vowed would be the hand he used to drive his sword in the bastard's skull that took her. He would kill him and take her back home where she belonged, just as he did with Rukia.

"Damn it Ichigo! Get up and train!" An arrow shot at him, just missing his head and striking a tree. "Staring at your hand will not bring her back!"

He looked over at the dark haired Quincy and growled. "You nearly hit me!" he stood up and drew his blade, eyes narrowing darkly. "Uryu you fucking dick!"

"Now now children calm down!" Urahara said stepping between them and pointing to someone else. "Seems he's the only one actually trying."

All eyes turned to the silent giant as he smashed his way through stone after stone each the side and thickness of a car, shattered before his god like strength. Envious, the others returned to their training. The blonde hat wearer sighed as a black cat sat beside him. "This may never work…" it said.

"You may be right. Without the heart of the team, they turn on each other." He looked down at the cat. "Any news of how Rukia is fairing with the council?"

"Not well. They refuse to assist us. She left of her own will and betrayed the Soul Society. The only one going against them is Renji."

The blonde nodded. If she had left of her own accord, she would never have bothered to visit Ichigo. Something was wrong and he prayed that she was safe. Their princess meant more to them then they had cared to say and it was showing. Without her, they had all the reason they needed to rip out each other's throats. They needed her. "Without their shining star, they are lost in the darkness."

A/N

OMFG! I KNOW THIS IS LIKE UBER FUCKING LATE BUT WELL HERE IT IS! ALMOST 2 YEARS OVER DUE! I don't really know how to apologize for my absence in this story but I somehow found the drive to pick it up! I truly hope you all enjoy this long, long, long, long, long, long awaited update!