Chapter 6

A trade. Her release for someone else's freedom, and possibly life.

Urahara's words continued to ring in his mind. Ulquiorra knew that clearing Orihime's name will not be easy. But this was downright impossible. Several months ago, giving up his life held no meaning. Life had no meaning. It was a never-ending void filled with nothingness. But now it was a different matter. Ulquiorra wanted to live. Life had a purpose. He wanted to be with her. Yet, her life was still more precious than his. If he lost her, what was there left for him?

Ulquiorra heard a knock on the door. The visitor did not need to announce themselves. He could sense Orihime's riatsu from the opposite end of Las Noches.

"Enter."

Orihime quietly closed the door behind her and turned to him. Ulquiorra sat on a chair, legs apart, resting his elbows on his knees. He knew that she was there, yet he did not look up at her. Something was wrong.

"How did the meeting with Urahara go?" she asked.

"I was mistaken after all." his voice was barely audible.

Something was definitely wrong.

"Ulquiorra! What's wrong? What did Urahara tell you?"

He slowly raised his head to meet her eyes.

"We are running out of time. Soul Society is looking for you. If we don't make our move now, it will all be over."

Orihime was confused. He told her that she would be safe here for a while. Why the sudden change of plans?

"But I thought that we had more time…"

"I don't know how much time we have. It's not important anymore. If we don't act now, you will die."

"What should we do?"

"I'll make a deal with them."

A deal? "What kind of deal?" Orihime asked cautiously.

"If I turn myself in to Soul Society, they will let you go."

"What?! No! Absolutely not! We are supposed to stick together! What was the point of bringing back the rest of the Espada then?"

"I overestimated their abilities. I expected them to go through the same changes as I have. They did not. Soul Society will easily defeat them."

Orihime shook her head in denial. "This is wrong. This is all wrong!" she ran up kneeling in front of him. "There has to be another way!"

"Even if you go back there voluntarily, there is still a possibility they will go along with the execution. I will not take that chance." he responded.

"So you will just give your life away?! What kind of choice is that? Do you know what they will do to you?!"

Orihime felt a lump in the back of her throat. This could not be happening. How could he sacrifice himself on her account like that?

"I've made my decision. After this is over, you will go back to your world. You will forget about everything that has happened and have a normal life. Staying here was not a solution." Ulquiorra said, looking at her.

"This is not for you to decide!" Orihime grabbed his arms rising on her knees. "I decide where I want to live, what I want to do, and whom I want to be with! You can't just assume that I will forget everything and throw your life away for the first person you meet!"

"Woman, do you think so little of me to assume I don't value my life? If none of this mattered you wouldn't have been here. And I wouldn't have made that choice."

Their faces were dangerously close as they stared at each other. He gave her the same look as he did back then, when she confronted him about leaving her alone in the desert. There was that strange glow in his eyes again that made her hold her breath. Despite his regular demeanor, he almost looked liked he cared and Orihime felt her heart beat quickening.

When Ulquiorra told her that he will give himself to Soul Society, she felt something sink inside. How could he make a decision like that so easily? He didn't think about her feelings at all. Her feelings… Her feelings were always a mess, even back then when she used to love Ichigo. Nothing ever went the way she wanted, and nothing ever felt right. But right now it felt different, completely different. She felt like she belonged.

Orihime took his face into her hands and gently pressed her lips against his.

"What are you doing?" he whispered.

She smiled a little, "Kissing you."

"I see."

Ulquiorra kissed her back pulling her close. Orihime brought her arms around his neck clinging to his warmth. She will not let him go. She will not let him die. He protected her once and now it was time for her to protect him. She will not allow another sacrifice to be done for her sake. She will not lose another person that she loved.

Hot tears threatened to come out. Her chest was pounding, her heart was overflowing, and her mind was set. This was probably the last time she will ever see him, but there was no turning back.

Orihime did not notice him lifting her up and carrying her to the bed. Time has stopped for both of them. Ulquiorra laid her down and buried his face in her neck. Orihime had tears running down her face, but she couldn't let him know what was going on inside. This love was worth fighting for. He was worth fighting for. She put her arms around his shoulders and held him tightly.

Goodbye, Ulquiorra…

Orihime opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. She was in his room, in his bed, but he was already gone. It was probably for the best. She wanted to avoid Ulquiorra as much as possible so he wouldn't suspect anything. The events of last night still burned in her mind. Any knowledge that she had about this could not even compare to what he made her feel. His love consumed and made her whole again. His love took her to oblivion and brought her back to heaven. She was completely lost in him. And now only the memory remained, and she had to leave him right after she found him. Every touch, every kiss made her heart shatter to a million pieces all over again. And now Orihime felt exhausted and broken inside. But most importantly, she hated herself for lying to him. Ulquiorra said he had more matters to discuss with Urahara, and expected her to be here when he returned. She had to hurry. If he found out what she was planning to do, there was no chance for her to escape.

Orihime quickly got dressed and left the room, she had to be careful not to attract too much attention. Having someone like Grimmjow, or worse, Noitra going after her was the last thing she needed. As soon as she rounded the corner, Orihime started running. Szayel's laboratory was close. As far as she knew, Ulquiorra was the only one who could freely open the Garganta, but she heard Szayel could do wonders. The only thing she was afraid of was that he would be difficult to deal with.

She finally reached the laboratory, opened the door and peaked inside. Szayel was leaning over something she could not identify. She took another quick look behind her, entered the lab and locked the door.

"What a surprising turn of events. You were the last person I expected to come here." Szayel said without turning around.

"I need your help."

"Oh? How so?"

"Can you open a Garganta to Karakura town?"

Szayel finally turned around smiling, "Perhaps, what is in it for me?"

Orihime sighed. She knew this would happen. "What would you like in return?"

"Hm, interesting. You have that intriguing power of yours. I want to study it."

"Please, I really need to leave quickly."

"Oh ho ho! The plot thickens! What is your hurry?"

"It's really not important. Can you please do it?"

"So, you want me to perform this complicated task without even telling me why? Or giving me anything in return? Do try harder." he said in a silky smooth voice.

Orihime closed her eyes. She really had no time for his games. But then again, if she didn't give him something he would be happy with, he wouldn't lift a finger. "Is there a way for you to study me before Ulquiorra gets back?"

"How delightful! You are planning to escape and Cuatro does not even know it. "

"I am not escaping because I am not a prisoner here."

"No matter, this sudden turn of events has inspired me and I want to see what happens next. Give me a sample of your blood and we have a deal."

Even though his proposal made her nervous, this seemed to be the quickest way out.

"Alright." Orihime said wearily and extended her arm to him.

The smirk never left Szayel's face as he shoved a needle into Orihime's arm and drew a not-so-modest sample. Orihime bit her lip in pain as he yanked the needle out. Szayel really did not care about his "test subjects". Dizziness overcame him and she grabbed a table for support. She really had to get out of here soon.

"Szayel, how long will it take?"

"Approximately forty minutes."

"That long?!"

"Patience, patience, this is a complex matter. If you want it to be done faster, I suggest you do not pester me."

Orihime sunk into a chair watching Szayel work. At this point, there was nothing else she could do except wait. If Ulquiorra came back before Szayel was done, she was afraid to think of what would happen. More than anything she did not want Ulquiorra to believe that she betrayed him. Her friends might've lost faith in her, Soul Society might've thought of her as a traitor, but as long as he trusted her, she had something to cling to.

Half an hour later Orihime was presented with a strange device in front of her.

"It is finished." Szayel said.

"Is it safe? Will it take me to Karakura Town?" Orihime asked anxiously.

"Oh, it will take you to Karakura Town, but I cannot guarantee it will be safe. You might run into a few…complications."

"What kind of complications?"

"Oh, you know, a few hungry hollows while you are crossing dimensions."

It was just like she expected.

"Are you ready?" Szayel asked again.

"Yes."

That's ok, my power has gotten stronger. Surely, now I can handle a few hollows by myself!

"You have fifteen minutes to get to the other side. Follow the particle trail. And, by the way, wear this." He got something out of his pocket. It looked like the bracelet that Ulquiorra gave her before.

"What is this?" she looked at the object in his hand.

"I modified this, it will conceal your riatsu not only from Soul Society, but from Hueco Mundo as well."

Orihime looked up at him questioningly.

"If you don't want Cuatro to sense you as soon as you cross over, you should wear it." he said opening the portal.

"Thank you for helping me."

"Dear me, I didn't do it to help you. Consider it an experiment."

Orihime nodded. Szayel was everything that the other Espada said about him, a mad scientist. But she was still thankful that he did this, regardless of his motives. This was a challenge she was prepared to face and she could not fail. She took a deep breath and stepped through the portal.

It was dark and cold inside. Orihime could not see a thing. Suddenly, a dim glow appeared on the ground turning into a trail. She started running into the direction of the particles. Everything was quiet, like in a vacuum. It was unnerving. Orihime gave herself a mental kick. She only had fifteen minutes, there was no time to wonder about other things. Hopefully, the hollows won't come. Hopefully, her powers will not let her down. He pace increased as she pushed herself to go faster. And then she heard howling.

Orihime turned her head seeing shapes materializing all around her. A few seconds later, they turned into hollows. Luck wasn't on her side after all. But she couldn't stop and fight. There were only ten minutes left. The hollows finally sensed a foreign presence and followed it.

"Koten Zanshun, I reject!" Orihime said without slowing down.

Tsubaki appeared out of nowhere and blasted through the monsters leaving nothing but dust. Ulquiorra's influence definitely paid off.

"That wasn't half as bad as before!" the little fairy laughed at her.

Orihime smirked in response.

Another five minutes passed. Orihime started to see brightness in the distances, her final destination. But her strength started to give out. Running full speed without stopping proved to be harder than she thought.

You are almost there! Do not stop!

Orihime ignored the hollows behind her. Saving the last of her strength was more important. The bright light was getting closer, the hollows were getting louder.

"Woman, if you don't get rid of them, they will follow you into the other realm!" Tsubaki yelled at her.

"Koten Zanshun!" Orihime stopped and turned around "I reject!" The hollows were dust once again, and then she jumped through the light.

It was bright daylight, people were everywhere. But they could not see her. Orihime recognized a distant feeling of déjà vu remembering something similar all those months ago. It wasn't the first time she was invisible to the world.

Her thoughts trailed to Ulquiorra as she started to wonder if he returned to Hueco Mundo by now. How would he feel once he found out that she wasn't there? Will he realize that she went back to Karakura Town? Before he took off to look for her, she had to cross over to Soul Society.

Orihime stopped finding herself in front of the familiar shop. Urahara was sitting alone outside, which meant that Ulquiorra was already gone. She took a few steps to stand in front of him and took off her bracelet. Urahara stared at her in surprise.

"Inoue-san, how did you manage to return by yourself?" He asked in disbelief.

"I had some help." Orihime answered reluctantly.

"Does Ulquiorra know?"

She shook her head.

"You do not agree with his plan, I take it?"

"No, I do not want him to die. This is my burden to bear."

Urahara looked at her for a moment before speaking again. "How are you planning to solve this?"

"I will return to Soul Society."

"Do you realize that they will arrest you again?"

"I am prepared to face the consequences."

"And you want me to open the portal for you."

"Urahara-san, please, I need to do this before Ulquiorra finds out."

"What about your friends?"

"My friends cannot help me. And I don't want to rely on anyone anymore. Whatever happens to me is my responsibility."

"Inoue-san, you do understand that Soul Society can execute you and nobody will be able to save you this time."

Orihime cast her gaze down. "I know that." she said quietly, "But I would rather it be me than…Ulquiorra."

Urahara raised his eyebrows in surprise but did not say anything.

"I cannot refuse your wishes since you are aware of the consequences, but be prepared for the worst."

"Thank you, Urahara-san. Will it take long to open the portal?"

"No, I already prepared everything for Schiffer. But, it seems like he won't need it anymore." Urahara said sadly. "Follow me."

Orihime trailed after him into the giant room below the shop. She's been here many times before training and traveling to Soul Society to save Rukia. And now she will not see any of her friends again. She didn't even have time to say good-bye.

"Are you ready?" she heard Urahara say.

"I am." Orihime responded stepping onto the platform before the gate.

A few seconds later, the portal was opened.

"Take care of yourself."

Orihime gave him a sad smile and disappeared.

Urahara stood there looking at the space where she was a moment ago.

What a brave girl.