Hi guys, hope this is still keeping you interested! Just to let you know that this Saturday I'm leaving for University so my updates may be sporadic and there might be some large gaps between them. But don't lose hope! I shall update when I can I'm determined to get this finished as I hate it when stories are not finished.

Also – here's a task for you, can you think of a better name for my fic? If it's good I'll use it, I'm rubbish with naming stuff!

*****************

Ulquiorra Cifer had been to the human world several times before for reconnaissance purposes during his time as an Espada and so when Orihime Inoue had lead him through the garganta and out in front of the Urahara Shop only to be greeted by the owner himself he had felt his newly found heart drop to the pit of his stomach. Why hadn't he realized earlier?! Research and information gleaned by Aizen had proven that Kisuke Urahara was well informed in the ways of Hollows. It was also widely known that he made a point of assisting Ichigo Kurosaki in his various quests. So it should have been obvious, really that the woman would bring him to this place but it just didn't cross his mind. In his current state his rationality was down by a fairly high percentage.

Having a sword pointed at his chest really wasn't the way he'd wanted to start his stay in the human world.

It was going to be a long day he thought with an inward sigh.

********

Benehime glinted in the sun as it was drawn out of concealment to face the Cuatro Espada. When Urahara had asked for excitement he couldn't of even imagined that Orihime would pop out of a garganta with an Espada in tow. Though it almost seemed like he was following her, which was pretty much inconceivable to the man in the green hat.

Orihime's wide smile dropped off her face as she saw the sword drawn from its sheath. Oops she thought, maybe I should of gone through on my own first…

Feeling Ulquiorra tense behind her she realized she would have to act quickly to avoid the clashing of blades.

"Oh no! Urahara-san please don't! Put your sword away!" She cried out. Confused but still wary, Kisuke lowered Benehime refusing to put the blade away. Orihime looked sheepish, she clearly hadn't thought her plan through properly before putting it into action.

"Miss Inoue, what exactly is going on here? The pattern of your companion's reiatsu is known to me – he is an Espada is he not? But there's something not quite right about it… He's almost… No it couldn't be…" He trailed off. "I'm at a loss, I think you shall have to tell me what's been going on before I'll even begin to understand." Urahara couldn't believe his eyes. This Arrancar before him appeared to be human…

As was common with Orihime when asked to explain something she didn't really know how to she began to babble. Today was no different. Urahara looked on bewildered as she began to attempt to explain what happened in Hueco Mundo.

"Well… Um what happened is that Ulquiorra and Ichigo were fighting and then BOOM Ichigo turned into this crazy hollow thing and then Ulquiorra turned to dust but my Shun Shun Rikka brought him back and he stopped time…" She carried on in this way for the next few minutes until Urahara raised his hand to silence her when she came to the part about Aizen and Ulquiorra's showdown.

"Hmm so Aizen's turned his back on you too huh?" He directed at Ulquiorra.

Ulquiorra turned away. The shame he felt at being cast out by his former master burned through his chest as much as the slash of his sword.

"I can assure you, there is no love lost between me and that man." He spat out.

Revenge will be mine.

Orihime smiled a huge grin once more. "See Urahara-san, there's nothing to worry about! Ulquiorra's sort of on our side now! Well… not our side exactly, but he's not on Aizen's side either so mostly our side and so we've come to ask you a favor if that's alright?" She crossed her fingers behind her back. It wasn't like Urahara to turn away someone if they needed help but this was a former Espada standing sullenly outside his shop.

Ulquiorra hissed at her. "Woman did I not tell you I'm on no one's side?" He spat out.

Orihime looked back at him with fear in her eyes.

"Sssh Ulquiorra, we need his help just please don't say anything for now!"

Irritation flickered on the pale man's face.

"I didn't ask for anyone's help" He retorted.

Urahara watched this exchange with amusement. His day had turned out more interesting than he'd thought it would and he was intrigued by the strange situation before him. Deciding to hear the petite ginger woman's request he called out –

"Well well, I think you'd better come inside – I'll have Hacchi fix us some tea…"

Orihime smiled. "Thank you Urahara-san!" Everything was going exactly to plan…

*********

Later on, when the tea had been made and everyone was sitting comfortably, Orihime finally built up the confidence to ask Urahara what she'd wanted to ask the whole time. She was quite nervous, she could not really expect him to be willing to help Ulquiorra seeing as he was only recently one of their most dangerous adversaries but she sure could hope. So she started unsure but determined.

"Urahara-san, as you can see Ulquiorra is now human. And well he wants to stop Aizen as much as us now so really I was wondering if you knew a way we could get his powers back because you helped Ichigo that one time and well I… I just kinda thought you might know?"

Ulquiorra's head snapped up. He had been wondering for a while now what Orihime was going to ask the shopkeeper but he had never thought she'd ask something as ridiculous as what she just had. Why would Kisuke Urahara ever agree to help a former Espada? He simply wouldn't, thought Ulquiorra. He may be a banished Shinigami Captain but he was once a Captain after all, the sworn enemy of all Hollows including Arrancar so helping him just wasn't going to happen.

What a waste of time.

While Ulquiorra sat thinking this, Kisuke Urahara sat contemplating what the auburn haired girl had just asked him. It was true he probably could help the ex-Espada regain his powers but what sort of repercussions would it have. Although Ulquiorra seemed genuine about his hate for his former master, who could say what he would do if he regained his powers. Would he return to Aizen? No concluded Urahara I don't think he would. But would the regaining of his powers be of any help to the Soul Society and Karakura? Of that he was unsure. However, he'd never come across a Hollow who had been turned back into a human and his Research and Development side took over. Oh he did love a good experiment. If only Mayuri were here he thought.

At any rate, it was obvious that Ulquiorra had a good amount of innate power. He just needed to unlock it. And fortunately for him, Kisuke Urahara knew just how.

Having decided what he would do he looked at the now silent Orihime who looked back at him with doe eyes.

"Well Miss Inoue I've made up my mind. And although I'm wary that your friend here may not be as on our side as you hope I've decided that I'll help him regain his powers as any enemy of Aizen is worth aiding." Orihime's eyes lit up. "But I should add, it won't be easy and there's no guarantee that you'll survive. And if you were to fail then I doubt any amount of power would be able to bring you back again." He looked knowingly at Orihime. "Are you prepared to take that risk former Cuatro Espada?"

Ulquiorra was shocked. Although it obviously didn't show on his stoic features.

"What could you possibly gain by helping me?" He asked the man in the hat and clogs. He was completely dumbfounded. No one had ever willingly helped him before, with the exception of the woman of course.

Urahara chucked. "Well Mr. Espada I shall explain if you deem it necessary. Aizen is the sworn enemy of the Soul Society. But as well as that he's now trying to destroy the life right here in Karakura, which would of course be most inconvenient for business around here. So you see, if you were to return to full power your resolve and your thirst for revenge may just tip the scales in our favor – understand?"

So everybody wins. Ulquiorra thought to himself. A fair trade. But what if it's a trap? If the shopkeeper didn't trust Orihime's judgment, in his current state it would not be hard to end Ulquiorra's short stay on earth and save Kurosaki the trouble. But then without power he felt useless, so it was a risk he would have to take if he wanted to reach his goals.

"Shinigami, I accept. I am inclined to feel… gratitude?" All these human emotions were so confusing, but he thought that gratitude was the correct one to be expressed at times like these.

"Now, now. No need for that, you might not be thanking me when we're done!" Urahara grinned.

Orihime was extatic. "Oh thank you Urahara-san! See Ulquiorra I told you to trust me!"

Ulquiorra turned towards her. "Cease your idle banter woman, it's annoying." Though he wasn't really annoyed, he was just confused. Why did this woman hold such a strong interest in his recovery?

Truth be told, she wasn't quite sure herself. Being of a helpful and caring nature came easily to her, but it didn't occur to her that she'd never gone to such lengths to help someone before. She didn't mind though, her head was too full of happiness that her new found friend (for that's what she considered them, despite his indifference) was going to be alright.

"Well," Urahara started, jumping up "now that we've agreed to go ahead I suggest we get started right away – follow me please!"

The stoic man turned cold. What would the shopkeeper have in store for him? He'd already been told he might not survive but who knows what kind of obstacles he would face on the way to regaining his powers. Standing, he prepared to follow Urahara down the corridor.

"Don't I even get a thank you?" A voice called out playfully from behind him.

"I am not here to pamper you woman." Came his reply, more out of habit than actual irritation. A small smile played on his lips though the petite woman could not see it.

Orihime was hurt, but recovered quickly. Although he was human now he didn't understand his emotions and so she was sure he would thank her later.

"Oh well I know you're thankful anyway" She giggled skipping to catch up with her former captor.

Ulquiorra turned to look at her. Her attitude since returning to the human world had changed so vastly. Back in Hueco Mundo she had been quiet and reserved but here in the world of the living she shone as bright as a star. She was on a high, it seemed and it looked as though it would be hard to bring her down. The contrast was shocking.

"Woman, a mere thank you would not be enough to cover what you have done for me so it becomes irrelevant."

This time it was Orihime's turn to be shocked. She'd asked for a thank you in jest, she'd never expected to get one. Well, okay it wasn't a thank you as such, but it was good enough, coming from him. She had stopped in her tracks, her silver-grey eyes open wide in shock.

The former Cuatro Espada looked down at her in amusement. "I believe that man said to follow him. It would be unwise to keep him waiting."

Orihime found herself again. "Oh! You're right, let's go!"

***************

Underneath Urahara's shop lies his secret training grounds where he had once helped Ichigo discover his own Shinigami powers after he'd had Rukia's borrowed ones drained from him. And it was to here that he now lead the former Cuatro Espada to help bring his powers back, though Urahara was uncertain what kind of power he would gain from his training.

As Ulquiorra walked along side Orihime down the long staircase to the training ground he couldn't help but wonder what was in store for him. He certainly didn't trust his tutor but he had no choice other than to at least try and regain his powers or he would never have his revenge.

The training ground was a huge place so it took them a while to reach Urahara who had gone on ahead of them to prepare. As soon as they had entered the training grounds Orihime had been reminded of the Vizard training ground where she had gone to find Ichigo when he had disappeared for his own training with them.

I wonder why all the houses don't fall down in to these places, it can't be very stable… She thought absentmindedly to herself.

"Right Miss Inoue I shall have to ask you to step behind me before the training begins." Urahara called to Orihime as they finally reached him. She did so. "Thank you. Now let's begin shall we?" He said as he smacked Ulquiorra square in the head with the cane that concealed Benehime. Flying out of his body, Ulquiorra now in soul form hit the ground with a thump. Seeing a chain now protruding from just below where his hollow hole use to be he realized he was once again no longer human. He was dead, technically. From behind Urahara he could see the woman's eyes glow with worry. Suddenly while looking at her his stomach clenched up – it felt like their were butterflies dancing inside of him as he thought about why she cared for him. What an absurd sensation he thought, looking away.

Urahara looked at the pale skinned man and decided to give him one last chance to back out of training.

"I must warn you, like I said before if you fail it won't bode well for you. There's a rather large chance you'll be reduced to a thoughtless low level hollow and we'll be forced to eliminate you, plus there's a chance although I'm not sure how high that you'll once again be reduced into dust as you were in Hueco Mundo. This is just a theory of course but is it a risk you're still willing to take when you've been given life again?"

The viridian eyed man looked back at Kisuke Urahara with a steely glare. "Yes." He replied, conviction clear in his voice.

"Very well then, let us begin!" Urahara almost shouted the last word as he unsheathed Benehime and severed Ulquiorra's chain of fate. From his place concealed behind a rock Tessai revealed himself while instantaneously using the same Bakudo (99 – Kin: Restraint) he had used to bind Ichigo with. Fully restrained the earth beneath Ulquiorra faded away and he descended into the pit below.

As he had with Ichigo, Urahara now explained to Ulquiorra that he had 72 hours before his chain of fate fully disintegrated and he lost all semblance of self.

Ulquiorra was in a state of shock. How was he supposed to find his powers while trussed up like a prize ham? For the first time he could remember he felt totally helpless and almost ready to give up until he heard Orihime shouting at Urahara from above. He couldn't give up, if not for his sake then for hers. She'd sacrificed so much to help him, by now her friends probably thought she really was a traitor. He'd not been there to see but he had to assume that she'd used some sort of force to depart from her precious Kurosaki to go find him. So it'd be unfair to not even try and regain his powers.

Suddenly he felt a sizzle as one of the links in his chain disintegrated. Damn!

"Best get working Ulquiorra, I'm not trying to kill you but you will die if you don't even try!" Urahara's voice rang out from above.

As Ulquiorra looked up he could see Urahara sitting on the edge of the shattered shaft fanning himself while looking down at him.

If I make it out of here I am never coming to this man for help again Ulquiorra angrily promised himself as his ordeal began…

**********

Orihime Inoue was frantic. She wished there was something she could do to help Ulquiorra but Urahara had told her it was something he had to go through by himself. And so every time she heard a shout or a roar come from deep within the shaft she couldn't help but run over and see how Ulquiorra was doing, only to see that there had been no change. She hated knowing she couldn't help.

Urahara was no comfort, he had offered her some food, for she surely must be hungry but she'd refused, wanting to stay and keep an eye on how her former captor was doing.

Urahara had shrugged and told her that being there would make no difference but she stayed anyway. He had left then, with a promise to be back in a few hours with some dinner and fresh clothes but Orihime had hardly heard, she'd been to busy listening for any sound that came from Ulquiorra's rocky prison.

And so the hours dragged by with no change, and the links continued to corrode and slowly Orihime slid to the ground in exhaustion and slipped in to a fitful slumber…

***********

Down in Shattered Shaft Ulquiorra was not faring any better than he had been when he'd first been lowered into the hole. Try as he might he couldn't summon forth the powers he knew were inside of him. Even the thought of being turned back into a mindless hollow after gaining huge amounts of power wasn't enough to spur him on to regaining his strength. Hope it seemed, was lost once again. Ulquiorra felt he'd been having rotten luck of late.

If Kurosaki hadn't basically risen from the dead then this never would of happened he thought angrily while straining on his bindings.

The hours ticked by… and all at once it seemed Ulquiorra came to his last 3 hours and his last 3 chain links.

I've got to do something!

***********

Orihime woke with a start. How long had she been sleeping?! Next to her was a plain white kimono, a jug of water and some sandwiches. Urahara had made good of his promise after all.

And then suddenly she remembered where she was – on the floor of training ground while Ulquiorra was fighting desperately to free his soul before his chain completely corroded.

In a flash she was beside the hole staring down at the man below. She could hardly see his chain now, there were 2 maybe 3 links at most left. She must have been asleep an awfully long time she mused, though only in passing.

Silently she prayed he'd find the strength to make it out the shattered shaft in once piece.

Silently he gave up hope.

************

Bitterly Ulquiorra wished he'd sought out another way to regain his powers. He knew he shouldn't of trusted the shopkeeper in the strange hat, this was obviously a way of getting rid of an unwanted enemy. A cheap trick.

He could feel his mask of sanity slipping as the second from last link eroded. He felt hungry again, oddly enough. Not a hunger for food, but the primordial hollow urge to consume anything with spirit particles nearby.

The minutes ticked by agonizingly as he finally ran out of ideas. Not that he'd really had any in the first place. He'd strained and struggled, screamed and raged but not a single thing he did saved him from his fast approaching fate.

The last link eroded. A howl pierced the sky as Ulquiorra Cifer threw back his head and prayed that some way somehow he'd miraculously escape before he became hollow once more.

************

Orihime sat absentmindedly near the side of the shaft, the kimono and the food untouched. She'd had a little water as she'd been parched after sleeping so long. She worried and fretted no end. She could see the chain corroding, there must only be a matter of hours, minutes even for Ulquiorra to save himself. It seemed that since his battle with Ichigo had ended he'd fallen from one misfortune to another without a seconds respite.

Suddenly a she heard bloodcurdling scream echo out from the bottom of tear in the earth. Alarmed Orihime leapt to this side of the pit just in time to see the last link in Ulquiorra's chain of fate erode away into nothing.

She reached out and did the only thing she could – she screamed.

"ULQUIORRA NOOO!"

He looked up at her. Their eyes met – Green against grey. The earth shook. Then without warning a viridian light shot out from the bottom of the shattered shaft into the sky and Orihime was thrown backwards by the sheer force of spiritual pressure exuding from the circular prison.

From the depths of the earth the sound of beating wings could be heard. The rocky dungeon crumbled as the bearer of the wings soared upwards into the sky and the artificial sun illuminated the figure's head in a halo of light.

Orihime looked on in wonder. She couldn't quite believe what was going on. She had seen Ulquiorra's release forms before and they had made her despair. But now he was different somehow, less terrifying. Although his black bat wings had returned and still retained their dark shade, Orihime could only feel joy at the sight of them carrying their owner through the azure sky because she looked on and she knew – she knew he had done it, he'd passed the test.

Ulquiorra Cifer was whole once more.

****************

AN – I'm getting alright at this longer chapter thing :3 Although I hope it didn't drag on too much.

But yeah, Ulqui's back baby! So what does this mean for Aizen and Co?! Well you shall find out if you decide to hang on for future chapters!

Please let me know what you think!