Szayel wandered around his domain, desperate to distract himself from the unique specimen he had the pleasure of examining. He fluttered from experiment to experiment, and even started working on the data he retrieved from his brother—but it was useless. After an hour, with nothing accomplished, he went to his resting chambers. Some of the furniture was covered in a light sheen of dust from disuse. He lowered himself into one of the chairs and released a shaky sigh. Restlessness was a foreign feeling for the Octava Espada, one he did not particularly relish.

"Damn Ulquiorra! I despise being interrupted, especially when I've just gotten to the best part," Szayel muttered, his head resting on his hand. "I won't be able to focus on anything else until I finish what I've started."

Minutes passed as he sat, thinking of nothing in particular. Then an idea struck him. He jumped out of his seat and headed for the door. Lumina and Verona called after him, but Szayel ignored them as he walked out of his domain.

It could work. Szayel's smirk grew with each step he took. It would work.

From atop his throne Aizen listened to Ulquiorra relay the details of his mission. The words seemed to melt together, thanks to the monotonous tone it was being delivered. But that didn't matter. The mission itself wasn't of great importance. He simply wanted to be certain of the Espada's loyalty—not that he had any reason to doubt it.

"Is that so?" asked Aizen, a fatherly grin in place.

"Yes, Aizen-sama," Ulquiorra said, with a slight nod. "If you require nothing else, I will be returning to the other duties you've assigned."

"Of course. Thank you, Ulquiorra." A familiar presence flickered on the edge of Aizen's consciousness. He looked past Ulquiorra, to the back of the room. "Szayel?"

The Octava Espada strode in, stopping when he and Ulquiorra stood side by side. He could barely contain from laughing as he bowed. "Forgive me, Aizen-sama. I should've been more discreet."

Aizen waved dismissively. "What a pleasant surprise. You don't usually leave your domain unless there's a problem—or you want something. So, Szayel Aporro, what is it you require?"

Szayel cleared his throat. "Actually, Aizen-sama, I don't require anything."

"Oh?" Aizen raised an eyebrow. "Then why have you come?"

"I wish to make you an offer," Szayel said, earning a confused look from the Cuatro Espada—or, at least, what passed for a confused look. "It's come to my attention you will be sending Ulquiorra on missions more frequently."

Ulquiorra narrowed his eyes. "And?"

"And with you out on missions, this leaves our guest unattended," Szayel said, his gaze returning to Aizen. "Starrk, Harribel, and Barragan are already out more often than Ulquiorra; Nnoitra would do more harm than good; Grimmjow would have no patience with her; and Yammy, that fool, would probably pull her head off, and that would be the end of it."

"What about Zommari?" Aizen asked.

"Yes, well," said Szayel, trying to keep his voice level, "finding him is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Besides, Orihime is already accustomed to my presence from the last time I…looked after her."

Ulquiorra shot him a glare, no doubt because of the scientist's choice of words.

Seconds passed as Aizen considered Szayel's words. "So, you want to be assigned Ulquiorra's duty while he's out," he said finally. "This is quite unusual. When Orihime first arrived at Las Noches, you wanted nothing to do with her. What changed your mind?"

"She's…" Szayel paused. "Interesting."

"I see," said Aizen, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Very well. If this is what you want, I accept your offer. Just remember, no harm should come to her."

Szayel bowed again, this time more deeply. It took all his strength to contain his exponentially growing glee. "Of course, Aizen-sama."

With a wave of his hand Aizen shooed them away. The two Arrancar walked down the hall in silence. Szayel barely noticed Ulquiorra's presence, too wrapped up in his thoughts of what he could do to test his newest 'subject,' until the other Espada stepped in front of him.

"I know what you're trying to do."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Cuatro-san," Szayel said, shrugging. "I just want to be certain no harm comes to our precious prin—"

Before he could finish, Ulquiorra's arm was pressed against his throat, pinning the Octava Espada to the wall. "If she even mentions you've done something to her, I'll make sure you wish for death."

"Oh my. Like a good little lap dog when its mistress is in distress," Szayel laughed. "I never thought I'd see the day. Perhaps her powers aren't limited to event rejection."

Ulquiorra slowly removed his arm, giving Szayel one more glare for good measure. Once he was certain he had gotten his point across, Ulquiorra continued to Orihime's room. He heard footsteps behind him.

"You're not returning to your own domain?" Ulquiorra asked.

"I thought I should give Orihime the good news," Szayel said, glancing at Ulquiorra out the corner of his eye. "It'd be rude to leave her in the dark about her current situation."

Orihime sat at the table, her head resting on its smooth surface. She was bored—bored, bored, bored with a side of blah. She wished she had something to do. Anything. She could only watch the moon or count the number of threads in the rug so many times. She had gotten up to 888,903 when she lost count—or had grown bored. She didn't know, or care, which.

"I'm coming in."

Ulquiorra must have finished reporting the details of his mission to Aizen. Orihime lifted her head and turned to watch the door open. He entered the room wordlessly, as usual, but he wasn't alone.

"Szayel-san?" she asked, her eyes wide.

A few hours had passed since she had gone with him to his domain. Orihime didn't know how to feel about the Octava Espada. He was nice enough, she supposed, and he definitely offered more in terms of conversation than Ulquiorra. But the way he acted at the end, after he had shown her his latest creation. The way he casually called her by her name, his hands on her face…

"Orihime-san," Szayel said, with a slight bow. "Please forgive the manner of our departure. I was not…quite myself. It's a pleasure to see you again, and so soon after our last meeting."

Orihime relaxed a bit. "Likewise."

"Woman," Ulquiorra stated, glancing between her and the pink-haired scientist, "Szayel will be watching you from now on."

"What do you mean?" Orihime asked. A small frown tugged at her lips. "You won't be my guard anymore, Ulquiorra?"

Szayel shook his head. "Not at all, Orihime-san. Ulquiorra will continue being your guard. However, Aizen-sama requires his skills more frequently these days. And we can't leave you alone, with no one to care for you."

"As much as I appreciate…the concern," Orihime said, unable to bring herself to speak the ex-Captain's name, "I can take care of myself. I've been doing it for a while."

"I have no doubt of that. But this isn't like your world. It's much too dangerous to let you wander the halls of Las Noches. There are those here who wouldn't—how to put it?" Szayel hesitated. "Who wouldn't treat you as kindly as they should."

"Oh," said Orihime, her face pale at his implication. "Well, in that case," she continued, pushing herself out of her seat and bowing, "thank you very much, Szayel-san. I'm sorry to be a burden."

He held his hands up, surprised by the gesture. "Please, Orihime-san! You really don't need to apologize. I assure you, the pleasure is all mine."

Beside him Szayel felt Ulquiorra's reiatsu flair. The scientist could barely contain a smirk. So, his assumptions were correct. It was amazing the power she held over his fellow Espada—and she didn't even realize it.

"Enough," Ulquiorra said. He placed a hand on Orihime's shoulder. "It's time for her meal."

Orhime looked down at the floor.

"I see," said Szayel as he stepped back. The change in her demeanor was obvious, at least to him, but he didn't comment. "If it's all the same to you, Cuatro-san, I'll stand over here and watch. Just so I know what I have to look forward to."

Ulquiorra turned to the door. "Enter."

A low-leveled Arrancar stepped into the room. He eyed the Espada while he pushed the cart, nervous energy pouring out from his entire being. Once the cart was next to the table, he offered the two a curt bow and left as fast as he could without running.

Ulquiorra grabbed a plate and a pair of chopsticks, and placed them on the table in front of Orihime. With a quick gesture he removed the lid. There was a hearty helping of white rice, ready for consumption.

"Eat."

"I'm not hungry."

"Woman, do not play these games. You need to eat," said Ulquiorra, irritation seeping into his voice. "If you do not eat—"

"Then you'll be forced to give me an IV or force it down my throat," she said, without a hint of emotion. Her words caught Ulquiorra off guard, if his slightly widened eyes were any indication. "I know. I'm just not hungry."

"I hate to interrupt, but are you sure you're not hungry, Orihime-san?" Szayel asked from his spot. "Or is the food not to your liking?"

"Well…" Orihime played with the skirt on her uniform, unable to look at either Arrancar. "It's not that the food isn't to my liking. Rice is good! But as a meal, all by itself, it's sort of bland."

Szayel nodded. "I suspected as much. I think we can have that remedied. Don't you agree, Ulquiorra?"

"Hm."

"Wonderful," Szayel replied, clapping his hands together. "So, what do you think would make the meal better?"

Orihime thought for a moment. "Peanuts," she said resolutely. "And maybe some honey and pickles. Oh, and wasabi!"

The fellow Espada glanced at each, unsure what to say. Neither knew what passed for 'normal' human food. They hadn't eaten since before they became Hollows, and now that they were Arrancar, they didn't have any need to. But something told them Orihime's suggestions were anything but normal.

Szayel cleared his throat. "I think that could be arranged. How about a deal, Orihime-san? Eat this meal of plain rice and from now on you can have as much peanut-honey-pickle-wasabi as you desire."

"That sounds fair." She gently took the chopsticks, bringing a pinch of rice to her lips. "It won't be too much trouble, will it?"

"Not at all."

Fifteen minutes later, free of IVs and force-feedings, Orihime finished her meal. The Arrancar from before returned to wheel the cart, and the empty plate, away. Szayel felt quite pleased with himself. He had accomplished something not even the great Cuatro Espada could.

Granted, it was a small victory—but a victory nonetheless.

"If there is nothing else you need," Ulquiorra said, and headed for the door.

Szayel was about to follow when he noticed Orihime's mouth open, then promptly shut. "What is it? Did you need something else?"

Orihime blushed. "If it's not too much trouble—I mean, is it possible to get a book or maybe something else for me to do? Watching the moon and counting the number of threads in the rug gets boring after a while."

Ulquiorra turned around. "We'll see."

"Oh. Okay. Thank you," she said, forcing a smile as he exited the room.

Szayel watched her walk over to the couch and plop down. She must've forgotten he was there, because she allowed her façade to drop. She released a heavy sigh.

"Orihime-san?"

Orihime's head snapped over to him, her cheeks flushed. "S-Szayel-san! You're still here."

"Don't look so disheartened. I think, with a little luck, I can gather some things to keep you occupied," said Szayel, winking as he shut the door. "Until next time."

Orihime could only nod.

He had his work cut out for him, figuring out what he could smuggle into Las Noches—and how. But Szayel loved a challenge. He was about to return to his domain when he literally bumped into Ulquiorra.

"Why are you acting like that?"

Although Szayel tried to be quiet, Ulquiorra must have heard his and Orihime's little exchange. "Acting like what?" He tried walking away, but Ulquiorra stepped in front of him for the second time that day.

"You know what I mean," said Ulquiorra. "You're acting…nice around her. Sickeningly so. Everyone knows you're anything but nice."

"And why do you act around her the way you do? Oh right, I forgot. You act like a cold-hearted bastard to everyone you meet."

"You're dodging the question. Perhaps she's the one changing you."

"Don't be ridiculous." Szayel scoffed. "You simply don't understand."

Ulquiorra put his hands in his pockets. "Understand what?"

A malicious glint reflected in Szayel's eyes. "Don't you know? You catch more flies with honey than vinegar."

Back in his laboratory, Szayel furiously wrote on his clipboard, making certain not to forget a single detail about his newest specimen.

Subject: Inoue Orihime
Species: Human
Age:
Sex: Female
Height: 157 cm
Weight:
Physical Characteristics: Soft orange hair held back with two blue clips, brown eyes, smooth skin
Other characteristics: Blushes easily, intelligent, observant, inquisitive, amusing sense of humor, frequently apologizes (submissive?), very warm, uncomfortable with familiarity, radiating light/life from her entire being

Laughter filled the room as he continued, biding his time until Ulquiorra was sent on another mission. A few days had passed since his last encounter with Orihime. The day after the 'experiment'—as he called it—started, he arranged for her food to be changed to what she had requested.

More challenging was acquiring some things to occupy her time. But Szayel had accomplished it, as he knew he would. How would Orihime react to the changes he had implemented? He tapped his pen against the clipboard, circling the areas requiring more investigation.

"Szayel Aporro-sama! Szayel Aporro-sama!" exclaimed Lumina and Verona as they entered the room.

He winced at the sound of their voices. "What? You know I'm not to be disturbed when I'm in here!"

Upon seeing them he realized he had forgotten to punish them. Szayel shook his head. It was too late now. The idiots wouldn't remember what they were being punished for.

"I'll tell him!"

"No, I'll tell him!"

Szayel rubbed his temples, his irritation building at an alarming rate. "I don't care who, but one of you had better tell me, and I mean now. This had better be good."

The two Fraccion glanced at each other and replied, "Ulquiorra-san has been assigned another mission. That means the woman needs to be cared for!"

"So soon?" said Szayel, letting the news sink in. He grinned. "I guess I should be going off to my newly acquired duties then. Leave."

Lumina and Verona bounded out of the room. With the clipboard in hand, Szayel exited his domain and made his way to the Orihime's room. The look on his face resembled a child who knew Christmas had come early.

"Oh, Orihime, I'm going to have so much fun experimenting on you."