AN: This chapter might not be the best, just for the fact that while I was writing it, I had two grandparents in the hospital/nursing home, one over a half hour away. Plus, I had been volunteering a great amount of my time to the previously mentioned nursing home. Needless to say that by the time I got home I was tired. So I hope this is still pretty good. Let me know what you think! Please no flaming!

Orihime turned to see her once-friend. She had only thought of her once since she came to Hueco Mundo. She noticed the soul reaper garb that she was wearing and the same badge that Ichigo had was knotted on her sash that held her sword to her back. Nothing came to mind when she tried to say something…there was nothing she could say to her.

"Orihime…" Tatsuki said again, repeating herself, as if confirming who she was really seeing in front of her. "You…"

"Tatsuki!" Another voice called from behind Tatsuki. It seemed familiar to Orihime…

"Hisagi!" Tatsuki said. "I thought you were taking pictures for your newspaper…" She said, Shuhei obviously not realizing who was standing right there.

"Vice Captain Shuhei. I recognize you from when we saved Rukia." Orihime said simply, losing all the sense of confusion that she had felt moments before. "What are you doing here?"

Shuhei turned to look at her then and instantly stepped in front of Tatsuki in a defensive manner, drawing his sword.

"An espada," he said, "and Inoue Orihime nonetheless."

"Do what you wish," Orihime said. "I don't have time for garbage like you, vice captain." She turned her attention to Tatsuki. "Tatsuki, I wish things could be different. I wish I could be with you again and laugh and eat and have sleep overs. But the truth is that I'm not human anymore. I can't go back there." She looked Tatsuki in the eyes. "And it appears that you're a soul reaper now."

"Substitute. Like Ichigo," she said through her clenched teeth. She was about to yell her heart out at Orihime when suddenly Orihime was right in front of them, pushing Shuhei out of the way with ease. "Orihime…"

"I have my orders from Aizen-sama, Tatsuki. I suggest you leave now and never come back here, never even think of this place again." She leaned over and whispered in Tatsuki's ear. "I never forgot you. I never will. Leave now and live. Or stay and die." With her threat still hanging in the air, she disappeared, leaving the new soul reaper dazed and confused.

"Why did you leave, Ulquiorra?" Orihime said, walking into the room. "You've never left me alone here. Now why?" She looked at him with stern eyes.

"I had some reporting to do to Aizen-sama," he looked away from her. "Speaking of which, he wishes to see you and I right now." He looked her in the eyes and took her hand, clearly seeing the confusion on her face. "It's fine. You'll see when we get there." His face softened slightly.

"Okay…" she wouldn't let him see it, but she was still shook up about Tatsuki being there.

"Wait." He paused, sticking his hand in his pocket. Pulling his hand back out, he handed her a silver necklace that looked extremely similar to the crown she had in her released version. "It's for you…"

"It's beautiful," she said incredulously with her eyes wide open. "But no one will see it under this outfit."

"Don't worry about that." He closed her hands around it. He bent over and kissed her forehead. "Don't worry about her," he whispered, clearly referring to Tatsuki.

"I won't," she said, "she…was in my past. This is my new life…" but why does it feel so wrong?

"Now then, let's go."

"Hai.." She walked out, still thinking of Tatsuki. Shaking her head, she decided not to think of that anymore. It wouldn't do any good anyway. Silently they walked down the corridors that Orihime had begun to learn so well.

"Welcome," Aizen said as they walked into the dully lit room once again. This time, though, they were surrounded by all the espada and fracciones. Both Orihime and Ulquiorra bowed at the same time, as usual. "It seems you two have become quite attached to each other." Orihime grasped the necklace that was now clasped around her neck.

"Yes, sir," Orihime spoke.

"What would you say if I said you were not able to talk to Ulquiorra again, that you would be forbidden to see him." Orihime's eyes opened wide. There was no way. No way she could do that, and she felt Ulquiorra tense up as he considered it too. Neither of them spoke for a minute until finally Orihime found her voice.

"If…that is what you…wish…Aizen-sama, then we would follow your orders…of course." She grasped the necklace harder, trying to hold back the lump in her throat.

"Calm, Orihime," Ulquiorra whispered so silently she had to strain to hear him but she nodded.

"Very well, stand." They both stood at the same time. It was so weird, everything they did was very well timed with each other. It was as if they were a part of each other now. "I would not ask you to do that. Realize that when you work together, the power of two espada is even greater than one. Your bond is greater than I have seen in anyone, even in soul society. I don't know exactly why, but you two shall remain as one. Never separate during a fight…" he looked at Orihime, "or the unexpected."

"Y-yes, sir." She knew he knew about Tatsuki, but for some reason was doing nothing about it. It was very confusing, but she knew she couldn't question him. "I understand completely." She closed her eyes. "I will do whatever it is you wish of me."

"Excellent, Orihime, and I know you will," Aizen said, his face softening just a little bit. "This must be a tough time for you, Orihime," he said and even though his face was soft, his eyes were like concrete, like he was testing her.

"Not at all. She was in my past and she has no place in my future. My lord, you are all that matters….of course…other than Ulquiorra."

"Of course, my dear," Aizen said. "Ulquiorra, I believe you have something to ask Orihime." Orhime turned to Ulquiorra and looked at him confused.

"Orihime" He started off and paused for a moment. "I have been watching the world of the living and nothing seems good enough for you there, and still," he knelt down on one knee and held up a ring that matched her crown, "please accept this as a symbol of how much I…love…you. Please, Orihime, marry me." His eyes closed tight. He couldn't believe he could actually be in that situation.

"Ulquiorra…." Orihime said with her hands over her mouth. "Hai! Yes, Ulquiorra!"