Eek sorry it's taken like a million years for the next update, uni is so hectic I've had like no time for writing!

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From the entrance to the training ground Kisuke Urahara looked on at the scene with a sly smile. He found it somewhat amusing that the former Espada had made it out of shattered shaft unscathed and at full power once more and as he looked on he wondered if perhaps Ulquiorra would actually be the one to defeat Aizen. Though of course, only time would tell. Smiling still, he turned and exited the training ground, leaving the two figures by the shattered shaft to their reunion.

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The wind swept through Ulquiorra's black mane as he soared in to the sky in full release mode. Jubilation swept through him so strong he didn't even have time to register that he was feeling yet another new emotion. He also didn't register that he had somehow gained wings yet not gained the full body fur or the horns from his previous form of his full release. The power flowing through his veins once more was enough to preoccupy his mind for now. Feeling the power flow fit to burst Ulquiorra prepared to launch a celebratory cero into the sky but then… he saw her.

Tears flowing from her eyes Orihime stared back up at him but not in despair… in joy. Sealing back up the power that was coursing through him he slowly floated down to the ground before her and eventually came to a standstill. Ulquiorra looked on puzzled as the tears continued to flow down the pearly skin of Orihime's face. He didn't understand. Tears were supposed to connote sadness but she looked so happy. Which was a whole other world of confusion for him also. Why would she ever be happy to see him revived? He, who kept her captive, who also nearly killed the man she loved? As he thought the last thought he felt the stirrings of anger course through his veins. Kurosaki… that trash. His eyes darkened.

Slowly, without realizing, Ulquiorra sank slowly back to the ground in front of Orihime, her eyes following the entire time. As his feet touched the floor, the unsuspecting former Espada was jumped upon by a sobbing Orihime. Taken completely by surprise he froze, unsure of what the woman was doing. Ulquiorra had never experienced a hug before, not in this lifetime anyway and didn't really understand what was taking place.

"Woman… what are you doing?" He enquired in his usual monotone. Orihime's sobs paused as she lifted her head and looked up at him. Slowly it dawned on her what she'd just been doing… she'd hugged him! Abashed she released Ulquiorra from her almost iron grip.

"I… I.. Um… I was just so scared…" She trailed off, unsure how to continue. She had indeed been afraid for the life of the being before her, although now she had time to think she began to ask herself why again.

Ulquiorra was utterly baffled. Firstly he was confused as to why this woman harbored any sort of concern for him, and secondly he was confused as to why somewhere deep down inside him, the fact she was worried pleased him. Could it be that he too felt some sort of emotion for this woman? Ridiculous he thought, but could not shake that feeling despite his efforts. He looked down upon her, pondering these strange thoughts and as he did so, resumed his normal wingless shape. This woman had done so much for him and asked for nothing in return. He simply did not understand. But although he was trying to get his head around this he also knew he had another goal to achieve – revenge.

Yes, Aizen Sosuke was out there somewhere and if Ulquiorra had anything to do with it then his end was nigh…

As he pondered this, a large rip was heard tearing through the fabric of the atmosphere and a large garganta came in to view. Ulquiorra was on edge, what hollow would dare enter the world of the living now? And who gave the orders?

However, as the hole opened up, from out of it stepped a group of people he was less than eager to see.

"Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime cried out as a mass of orange hair was revealed from within the garganta. His sudden reappearance made her nervous, especially as Ulquiorra was right there with her.

"Inoue, are you okay?" Ichigo enquired, surprised but also concerned at her presence at the Urahara shop with the Cuatro Espada. Or former Espada anyway.

Orihime was unsure what to say, he didn't seem angry at her but she was still reluctant to speak just incase.

"Kurosaki-kun" she began, much to Ulquiorra's displeasure. "How… how did you get back here? I thought you were stuck in Hueco Mundo…"

Ichigo looked on at the auburn haired girl in amusement. "Come on Inoue, did you really think we'd be stuck there forever? Captain Kurotsuchi was down there remember? He'd been analyzing the garganta for some time and managed to open one, so Captain Unohana, Uryu and myself have come back here to help sort everything out!"

Inoue was slightly confused. Where were the others? Why hadn't they come back? She voiced these questions and Ichigo told her what had come to pass after she had ran off after Ulquiorra…

"And then he got realllllly big and the One fell off his Ten and now Byakuya and Kenpachi are totally tag teaming him while Mayuri waits so he can examine the corpse. Kinda sick really… Anyway, Vice Captain Isane is back in Hueco Mundo tending to everyone's wounds so we're pretty certain everything is covered down there. The real battle is back in Karakura now!"

Suddenly, something clicked in Ichigo's mind. Alert, his eyes narrowed as he asked the orange haired woman before him –

"Hey, Inoue… just what exactly is HE doing down here?" hand on the hilt of his sword he began to take up his battle stance.

Ulquiorra, noticing the change in atmosphere followed suit, not really wanting to fight the copper haired teen but prepared none the less.

Captain Unohana stepped forward, for the first time entering the somewhat heated conversation.

"Perhaps we aught to let Miss Inoue explain before any swords clash, no?" Her serene atmosphere instantly neutralized the situation. Both parties relaxed their grips on their swords, still weary but willing to listen.

Turning to Orihime for an explanation they waited silently as she gathered herself.

"I.. I… Ulquiorra.. he… he's on our side now!" She choked out nervously, earning a displeased noise from Ulquiorra for the "on our side" comment. "Okay, well he's not on our side but hes not NOT on our side. Aizen betrayed Ulquiorra just like he betrayed us, and Ulquiorra nearly died again to get his powers back so he can fight him!"

Ichigo and Uryu, who had remained unnaturally silent throughout stared on in disbelief while Unohana smiled gently.

Stepping forward the Captain addressed Ulquiorra directly. "And what say you, former Cuatro? Is this tale correct?"

Considering the woman before him, and trying very hard not to call her shinigami trash, he looked her in the eyes and replied simply – "it is."

"NO WAY. On our side, you gotta be kidding me!" Ichigo replied, irked. "I just don't believe him!"

Unohana sighed. "So quick to discredit your friends words, you're blinded by your rage Ichigo Kurosaki…" She turned back to Ulquiorra. "From information we have gleaned from various sources we have been informed that you do infact have a way of proving your tale is correct do you not?"

"I do."

"Well if you would care to do so now to put all minds at ease we would be highly greatful." She continued, serene as ever.

Ulquiorra groaned inwardly. Although the removal of his eye would make everything a lot easier, it was still uncomfortable to do so and he tried to use the technique as little as possible.

Still, if it meant avoiding a battle that would hinder him on his way to Aizen then it was a worth sacrifice.

Silently the Shinigami and the Quincy looked on as the tale of what had taken place was revealed before their eyes. Ulquiorra was secretly pleased that his instant replay techinique did not reveal his feelings concerning the situation as they had been slightly erratic as of late. Which is, of course, something that had never happened to him before.

As his tale came to a close, Unohana smiled her trademark calm smile.

"Now that we have that sorted, I believe there is no need for any unnecessary fighting, correct?"

Uryu merely nodded his consent, eyes still wary. Ichigo looked at Ulquiorra, distrusting but willing to gain a new ally in this seemingly never ending battle. The former Espada's eyes narrowed slowly. He hadn't asked for an ally. Nor did he want one. However, as he considered the situation he saw that familiar orange haired woman looking up at him with watery eyes. It was clear that she wanted him to join Kurosaki's band of followers, which he would never do in this life time or the next. But strangely enough the thought of hurting her displeased him. He tried to cast the thought aside as being just because she'd helped him so much he felt like he couldn't but he just couldn't get the thought out of his head that he actually wanted to make her happy. Not out of the need to repay a favor but actually because he cared.

So, with this in mind he agreed to cease fighting with Orihime's nakama which earned him a huge grin from the woman herself.

"Then I believe it's time for us to depart Mr Urahara's shop is it not?" Unohana gently stated.

Ulquiorra looked towards the long staircase back to the world above. He didn't trust these Shinigami, but what choice did he have?

"Very well, let us be going. But understand this, Kurosaki… Stand in my way and I will crush you. Aizen is mine."

Ichigo gave the Arrancar a steely glare. "Let's go."

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Sorry it's a bit short and stuff, I'll try and update more regularly I promise __