Chapter 14 ::::Home::::
Fight. Feed. Absorb. Consume. Hours. Days... Emerald eyes peer warily out of the Menos forest and out across the vast desert wasteland…to the stark White pillared structure which lay beyond. The Fourth Espada knew the risks were too great to face what might lie within without being fully prepared. No…he had still not achieved the level of energy he was accustomed to. Ulquiorra wandered back into the forest where the Gillians were particularly plentiful and he slaughtered hundreds more within hours. Feeding off of them was easy, if not tedious. With his hunger sated, it was finally time to reclaim Los Noches, the lost kingdom.
Ulquiorra approached the dilapidated structure with caution. The evidence of the battle and carnage that had taken place was everywhere. Lesser hollow creatures were few and far between. However, those that were present bowed their heads in submission to their new king who passed them in silence without consequence. Even the lowliest of hollow servants bared witness to the senseless violence that had ensued while the Fourth had been away. These hollows only crimes were merely existing. The Soul Society had left them without a shred of dignity, masks cracked and clothing torn asunder.
The Fourth took note of the state of things but continued on, searching out one room in particular. Once found, he looked around the empty space with sadness. The plaster was cracked and several holes and burn marks now adorned the walls. ...Only two of the three bars on the sole window remained. He stared silently at the lonely moon behind them. For hours, he mournfully watched the light pour through the bars to the barren carpet on the floor. He could almost visualize her standing there watching and waiting…still,
"She's not here…"
Urahara's storefront had never been so unkempt. Cardboard boxes and candies were strewn about the floor. You couldn't take a step without treading on some form of gooey substance. The two children, Jinta and Ururu, desperately tried to clean things up as a menagerie of sweets flew through the air…all aimed at one person.
"At some point, you're going to run out of things to throw at me. Besides, I said I was sorry-," Kisuke Urahara replied, holding onto his green-striped hat, while narrowly missing strangulation via a string of lollipops.
"How could you? What if he never comes back?" Orihime cried while her hands grabbed for the nearest box of treats.
"Why are you acting this way, Miss Inoue?" Ururu asked Orihime timidly.
Orihime dropped the box of gumballs to the floor. She then latched onto the black pig-tailed girl, hugged her fiercely, and began sobbing.
"I'm so sorry, Ururu, I-I don't know what's come over me…"
Kisuke Urahara took advantage of the respite to survey the damages…he focused his gaze intently at a particular corner filled with crumpled cardboard boxes.
"Thanks for nothing, Hacchi." Kisuke said, condescendingly, to the mass of boxes stacked half-hazardly against a far wall. A muffled voice came from behind it,
"Well, you were handling things pretty well on your own…and, you know, I have a weakness for these crunchy peanut buttery things you keep back here. …You really should keep more in stock, I'm down to the last 3 bars!"
"You can't be serious? There were 3 full boxes of them. *sigh* Oh well…I suppose if all this has cost me is a month's supply of candy then I guess I got off easy…"
"This is the first time I've ever seen her this upset, Kisuke. It' so out of character for her…did we do the right thing by shielding her from him?"
"It's hard to say really, maybe not. But I tend to err on the side of caution these days. If we are to make an ally of the Fourth Espada, it will only be through her cooperation. I couldn't take the chance…he might've killed her."
"Hmm…perhaps. I can sense the power within her growing stronger yet. It won't be long before stronger urges than ransacking your store, begin to surface…," Hacchi said with a grimace.
"I know…and when they do, we'll be forced to send her to him. I only hope he's had time to satisfy his hunger by then. If not, the added reitsu within her body will attract every creature there. She'd be devoured by Hollows…someone will have to accompany her or I could just-"
"Nooo! M-Miss Inoue, STOP, you're killing her!"
As Both Kisuke and Hacchi rushed into the next room, Jinta was standing between Ururu and Orihime. He was using his broom like a sword to try and stop Orihime from approaching. There was an unfocused look in her eyes as her hands were spread out before her forming an inverted triangle. This triangle pulled reitsu unwillingly from both Jinta and Ururu, who were helpless to stop it.
Jinta fell to his knees just as Kisuke brandished his katana and sliced the formidably deadly shield in half. The trance-like state from Orihime's eyes vanished…she became confused and embarrassed, realizing something terrible had just happened.
"Oh my God, Jinta…and Ururu! W-What did I just do?" she said as she placed her hands over her mouth in horror.
The two figures stood at the portal entrance. One was dressed in his usual attire of green and white, while the other, was wearing a modest black dress with a plaid pink overcoat…concealing, yet distinctly feminine.
"Now remember to do what I told you when you arrive." Kisuke said to Orihime as he opened the Garganta.
"I understand." said Orihime determinedly as she stepped through the mysterious rift and into the beyond.
~Las Noches, Hueco Mundo~
…Orihime entered through the wall of the very room of her imprisonment so many months ago. It was the only place Kisuke Urahara could send her, the only place she knew by heart. Although the walls were cracked and crumbled, her memories were still vivid, as her hands had traveled along every ridge and corner here ...too often to count. Her abdomen responded to the increased reitsu, she felt a slight kick from within. She placed her hand tenderly against it,
"Shh, I know, we're home," she said as she walked over towards the barred window and looked out once more…
…..
Like every other Hollow in Hueco Mundo, the Fourth Espada sensed a great spiritual presence from within the confines of the palace. Within a mere moment he used sonido to arrive at the source of the spiritual interloper. And there she was, a statuesque silhouette basking in the moonlight…as he'd always envisioned her. And just as he was about to speak to announce his arrival-
"Hello Ulquiorra." she said as she continued to face away from him towards the moon.
"You're here," he said as he approached her closing the distance between them. He breathed in her scent as he slowly reached around her waist to hold her…and stopped abruptly as he felt the added changes to her body,
"Face me, " he demanded. She slowly turned around, blushed, and looked nervously away from him.
"What has happened to you?" he asked as he eyed her stomach suspiciously. She looked away from him and blushed as his eyes roamed over her additional curves.
"You mean you don't already know by looking at me?" she said meekly.
"Where is that soul reaper of yours and why has he sent you here alone?"
"You mean Ichigo? Why would you ask me-," she said as her body began shaking slightly…and then uncontrollably.
Orihime's eyes began to lose focus and glaze over as the reitsu absorbing triangle appeared, once more, and began drawing in the surrounding particles. Ulquiorra watched in awe as he felt her spiritual pressure spike in strength. He could see the distortion of space that formed around her, he could see the focal point inside her body. The unborn child within was ravenous and would soon crave more sustenance than the enriched-air surrounding them could provide. The power source was the inverted shield. Ulquiorra knew if the child didn't receive enough energy, it might inadvertently, turn the shield on its' mother and kill her from within.
He unsheathed his sword and in one swift blow, he shattered the triangle. As soon as the shield was destroyed, Orihime's eyes rolled back as she began to collapse from her current state of weakness. Ulquiorra quickly caught her falling body from the air before she reached the hard concrete floor.
It took him only a moment to move her limp body into the personal quarters, he'd rarely ever used. He gently laid her down onto his bed. He assigned several remaining servants to watch and protect her body while he procured a vial of concentrated reitsu from Aizen's private storerooms. (They were far below the palace, in the same area where the cemented cubicles for newly formed arrancar remained…the newly created were often fed initially from such means.)
Orihime awakened and was looking around the room with trepidation. She remembered being in her old cell when she'd first arrived, but then…nothing. She was scared and confused and…hungry?
…Ulquiorra sensed her distress and returned to her as fast as possible with the flask in hand. He approached her. However, the room was dark to her, all she could see was the outline of an imposing form quickly approaching her with a clear container of liquid in its' hand…her memories became distorted as Ulquiorra approached her. She screamed,
"No, no more experiments!" she said panicking as she crouched toward the back of the bed against the wall and cowered into a fetal position.
"You are disoriented from hunger. Drink this or you will not survive."
Orihime shook her head determinedly. Ulquiorra sat down on the bed next to her and scooped up her shivering form. Her eyes remained unfocused and fearful. She began to behave rather feral…as a cornered animal would, searching for an escape.
Ulquiorra held the vial to his lips as he took the contents into his mouth. He leaned into Orihime and kissed her while releasing liquid slowly into her mouth. As she attempted to pull away, he held onto her until she swallowed. Within seconds of ingesting, Orihime began to regain her composure. Her body visibly relaxed as she settled into his arms. Although her eyes remained closed, she began to explain…
"I can't control this power. I feel like I've lost control of myself. This just started happening. Urahara thinks the baby's doing it…to get nourishment. That's why he sent me here…so that I don't hurt anymore of the people around me."
"Why would Kurosaki leave you here alone?"
Orihime looked at Ulquiorra uncertainly, "Why do you keep asking me that? What's this got to do with him? …He's been nothing but kind to me…to both of us. He helped save you."
"You say Kurosaki has nothing to do with this. Then, tell me, who is the Father?" he said as he looked poignantly at her stomach.
"You know, for someone who sees everything, you can be so blinded sometimes. Haven't you realized why I'm like this?" Orihime said tenderly as she placed his hand on her abdomen.
Ulquiorra's eyes widened in surprise. He remained speechless while his hand slid gently over the soft curve of her stomach. The Fourth Espada placed the side of his head against her abdomen and listened intently. A small but distinct thrumming could be heard from within. It was a rhythmic, soothing sound. Ulquiorra noted how organic the vibration seemed.
"A heartbeat…"
"Yes, a 'happy' heartbeat, I think," she said smiling. Ulquiorra stared at her in disbelief…it was the first time he ever saw her smile. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever witnessed. Her flood of warmth and emotion filled up the entire room.
"Whatever that tasteless stuff was you gave me, the little one liked it. …And I think, he or she, likes you too." she said as she snuggled closer to him.
Ulquiorra was still in shock and a bit unresponsive to her conversation, deep in his own thoughts and revelations.
"What's the matter?"
"…I have returned from the brink of Death, you are here with me, and we are going to have a child? It all seems too perfect, doesn't it… Am I in, yet another, of Aizen's virtual constructs?"
"You think things are perfect? The Soul Society will be launching an attack to wipe out every Hollow here within a month's time...and that includes you, me, and the baby. I no longer have a home to go back to because of the new ordinance. And I have been in a waking nightmare since the day you…left me," Orihime said trailing off into a whisper.
There was a haunted look about her eyes as she thought back on her recent bout of loneliness and despair.
"Can you ever forgive my actions?" he said in a humbling tone.
To answer his question, she put her arm around his neck and pulled him toward her mouth. Her kiss was soft and sweet. As she began to pull away, he stopped her as his lips lingered on hers. Within moments his tongue began massaging hers as his body demanded more. He pushed her body slowly down to the soft mattress beneath them, his lips never leaving hers.
Orihime watched Ulquiorra in the moonlight. His eyes were simply breathtaking, she had imagined how they looked for months only to realize that her memories never did them justice. Still, although beautiful, she could see the apprehension held within them as he towered over her.
"I'm concerned for your safety, " he stated and then his eyes fixed their gaze upon her rounded belly, "…and for the baby's. If you feel any discomfort-"
"Shh, I'll tell you, I promise," she whispered into his ear before taking a lobe into her mouth. He gently held onto her, softly moaning, as she kissed his neck and began stroking him through the material of his hakama, driving him mad with need for her.
He carefully moved his hands to push up the material of her dress. He minisculey moved aside her panties while sliding his fingers into her warm crease. She gasped loudly with shock, she had never felt more sensitive there in her entire life. He stopped, wide-eyed, and waited for her approval.
"…Please, don't stop," she said with a look of wild lust in her eyes, …and so, he continued.
He placed one of his hands on her breasts, massaging her through the soft black fabric, before removing it altogether. He then pulled her close to him and put his arms around her. He began to fumble with the clasp to her bra. He released her sore breasts from their elastic prison that held them away from him. He let the bra fall to the floor as he took his thumb and forefinger and rubbed her nipples between them. He bent down and took one of the nipples into his mouth and began to suck on it, then he slowly added pressure from his teeth, just enough to make her moan.
"Ohh..." She moaned, placing a hand on his head, urging him to continue as her other hand stroked his back.
Her eyes stayed closed and her head tilted back slightly. She hadn't realized how much she'd needed this. He kept working her breast with one hand, and the other breast with his mouth. his free hand began to move in circles over her pregnant belly, moving slowly and lightly. Her hands began to move to open the top portion of his uniform. She wanted to feel his skin under her hands. He unzipped his uniform, then switched his position and to make sure to give her other breast the same treatment.
Then he moved up to her face and kissed her on the lips, one hand still on her belly, the other kneading her breast. She returned the kiss passionately and deeply, with a hunger inspired by his attention to her breasts. She wanted more. She needed more. He began to drop to his knees.
When he was next to her, he kissed her once more. She kissed with a hungry passion still behind her lips as she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. He broke the kiss and began to help her lie on the bed. He shifted the remaining material of his robes and hakama.
Ulquiorra eyes moved down to Orihime's thin lacy panties. He placed a hand on either side of her hips, and looped a finger under each side, then began to move the panties down her legs, running his other fingers on her legs as he did.
She gave a small, happy sound of pleasure as she lay there naked before him on the bed. She parted her legs just slightly for him, as if in invitation. He ran a hand down the insides of her legs, her breathing increased as she moved her legs to give his hands more access. His hands moved up and down her legs, taking time to slow down and brush lightly over her heated skin. He then took one hand and ran it up and down the folds of skin surrounding her core, barely moving it. She breathed heavier, arching her hips toward his hand. He began moving his fingers in and out of her, while his other hand returned to her breasts.
He moved her leg and lay toward the bottom half of the bed, with his nose, inches from her moist mound. His finger kept moving in and out, at a quick pace, then his tongue lightly touched her clit and moved around, barely making contact.
She gasped with the touch of his tongue. The light touch was unbelievable! It felt more amazing than she had thought possible.
"Uuhhnn, that...feels so good..."
He shifted his weight to as his body became increasingly aroused once more, his fingers moving in and out at a frantic rate, his tongue trying to keep up, pressing down harder. With his free hand, he grabbed her wrist and placed her hand on the back of his head. He pulled his mouth away, but kept moving his fingers in and out of her body.
"Guide me."
He put his mouth back over her mound and kept licking and sucking on her soaked body. He added a third finger, and began to suck on the clit, as hard as he could...while she lightly ran her fingers through his hair. And this continued until her body had reached its' limit...
"Oh god!" She screamed as her body beginning to tremble uncontrollably and a powerful orgasm took over her body. ...Minutes after, she still continued to shake under his attentions.
Her lower body was soaked, covering his face, yet he didn't stop. He relentlessly continued sucking, teeth scraping, and licking her clit as his fingers began to dance over her most tender areas.
Her eyes widened at the new and exciting sensations. She screamed loudly, She was starting to feel very overstimulated. Her body began to spasm under his ministrations. Ulquiorra's eyes never left her, he wanted her to enjoy every last second of this experience.
She screamed as a second orgasm shook her body and she pushed his head away.
"No more... it's so good, but no more... I want you in me. Now," her voice was a low growl.
"No, I want more from you…" he said as the hand still in her moved over her most senstive area, and the thumb rubbed her clit. He moved his head back between her thighs, and just before his tongue touched her, he spoke softly,
"Once more, then I'll give you what you require."
She gave a faint moan of protest, pouting slightly as she looked at him with her big, grey eyes, batting her eyelashes in the hopes of getting her way... not that she really minded a whole lot if she didn't, but, she did need a bit of a break first.
"Kiss me first?"
He crawled up slowly, keeping his hand in her as best as he could. He stopped inches from her face and lowered his head. Then with one last twitch, he pulled his fingers from her wet slit and moved them up her side. She watched him move, tiredly smiling at him, her eyes exploring his pale muscular body that she was so desperate to feel every inch of. He bent down and kissed her, gently at first, letting her take over.
She kissed him deeply, all of her desperate need for him conveyed through her lips, tongue, and the hands pressing him close to her.
"I need you," she whispered breathlessly, moving her lips to kiss him along his neck as her hand reached down to wrap around his hard length.
"I want you inside me. Please."
He moved so his hardness was inches away from her entrance. He let her trembling hands guide him closer, until the tip was resting on the edge of her warm center.
"Are…are you absolutely sure you will be safe?"
"Don't you want me?" she asked.
To answer, he pushed forward, letting his tip enter her. A soft moan escaped her lips as he stopped for a second, then he slowly pushed in, letting himself slide deeper into her.
He moved his hips forward and then back, slowly at first. Then he reached under her legs and lifted them up slightly. He then began to move faster, driving himself as deep into her as he could go. She rested her upper body on her elbows, trying to use them as leverage to push her hips in toward him, adding more force to each thrust as she moaned, still sensitive from her previous orgasms.
He pushed her legs up more, forcing her to lay back down as he picked up his speed. He began thrusting in, harder and faster…all but forgetting her preexisting condition. Her moans grew even louder and more emphatic. She was so very, very close.
"Come for me…" he encouraged.
Hearing his sultry voice was all she needed. With a loud scream, another orgasm shook her body. The muscles within her began to spasm. She held onto him tight as her passionate screams grew ragged. She threw her head back, spent, but enjoying every last tremble. He slowed down the thrusts and let her legs fall to the side.
"Do you still require more?" he asked.
Tired, she nodded weakly. He entered her again, and let himself stay there, before pulling out slightly. His hips began thrusting in at a medium pace, pushing himself in as far as it could go, then pulling out and repeating the process. She closed her eyes and basked in the pleasure, enjoying the feel of him moving in and out of her.
"Uhhhnn."
"Mmmnn."
He grunted as he broke the pace for a second to thrust hard into her. Each deep thrust elicited a moan of delight from Orihime. She began pushing hard against him to get him even deeper. Her moaning grew louder again as she stopped pushing so that she could feel him deeper, hitting her sensitive areas from within, and it produced such powerful sensations that they threatened to overwhelm her again.
"Oh god... oh god... don't stop..." She begged.
He responded by picking up the pace of his motions, slamming into her as hard as he dared, while his hand kept working her clit roughly.
"So close," he moaned as he kept hammering away at her tender folds of flesh.
Orihime screamed as another powerful orgasm exploded within her. Her body shook, more powerfully this time, and the muscles along her huge belly seemed to ripple slightly as it took control of her whole body.
Ulquiorra slammed into her, grunting with each thrust. With one final thrust, he shoved in as far as he could go, as his body emptied into her. His body twitched slightly for a few seconds as he lay backwards, still moving his hips slightly.
He raised his head and looked at her with a soft expression. He slipped out from between her legs and moved until he was laying next to her on the firm bed. His hands began to move about her body, one hand moving in slow gentle circles over her stomach. She gave a small purr of pleasure as she moved a hand over his damp chest, drawing invisible lazy circles over and over again.
"Do you still love me, Ulquiorra?"
"As if you had to ask…" he said taking one of her hands and kissing it tenderly.
"…There is so much to do. I have so much to tell you. …And I promised Urahara that I'd try to persuade you to meet with him to try and stop this war."
"Where will you go when this is over? Where do your loyalties lie?"
"I made my choice…the night after we first…I'm here, Ulquiorra. I'm not going anywhere unless you don't want me, …or us." She said placing a palm on her stomach.
"It seems I have much to protect. My forces here are not optimal for a single battle, much less War," he said eyeing her curiously, "So my Orihime has turned Ambassador?"
"Hueco Mundo needs you…and you will need Urahara's help."
"Very well. …I will meet with Kisuke Urahara. We will meet within this palace. He will soon learn that Hollows are honorable, I will see that no harm befalls him. However, these are the only concessions I will sanction…for now."
continue to Chapter 15 -