Ever since she was brought to Las Noches, Orihime wondered why the doorknob to her room disappeared. But she never bothered asking Ulquiorra or Szayel. She already knew the answer—to keep the 'pet' in its cage.

Not that knowing this made her current situation any less frustrating. Orihime could feel her friends' reiatsu decrease at an alarming rate. For a brief instant she thought the worst, that Sado and Rukia had been taken out by the Espada. She pounded on the doors, hoping that someone, anyone, would hear her. No one came, but thankfully her assumption was proven wrong. It was faint, but she could feel a hint of their reiatsu pierce through.

But what about her other friends? Orihime could sense Ichigo, no worse for the wear, but judging from their reiatsu, Ishida and Renji—he'd come to save her, too?—didn't seem to be faring as well.

Orihime glared at the door, the obstacle keeping her from her goal: to help her friends. Pounding on it didn't help, and neither would crying about it. She touched her clips, ready to call forth Tsubaki. She wasn't one to use extreme force, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

Before she could finish Tsubaki's name the doorknob appeared. Orihime stared at it, wide-eyed. The presence behind the door was so familiar—she'd felt it many times before—and yet it never had quite this effect on her. She watched the knob turned and the door open.

Her hand dropped to her side as she stepped forward. She had so much she wanted to ask, but only one word managed to make it past her lips. "Why?"

A small smirk stretched across Szayel's face. "I've decided to make my own fate."

Szayel considered Orihime carefully. Would she run to him and throw her arms around his neck, softly thanking him for making the right decision? Would she walk over and squeeze his hand? Or would she slap him again, for being a fool and taking too long to make his decision?

When Orihime finally acknowledged him, Szayel found himself surprised at the restrained nature of her reaction. It was nothing more than a slight nod of her head and a smile. And yet, in that single gesture, she had spoken volumes.

"I see," said Orihime, and looked up at him. "Where are you going to go? What are you going to do?"

"I haven't quite figured all that out yet," Szayel admitted. "I prefer being several steps ahead, but since I met you—well, let's just say I'm not as prepared as I'd prefer. I think the most important thing right now is to get out of here. It won't be long until Aizen-sama—" He stopped. There was no need for the respectful title, now that he had renounced what little loyalty he had for the Shinigami ex-captain. "It won't take long for Aizen to realize that one of his Espada has gone rogue."

"All right. But there's something I have to do before we leave Hueco Mundo."

"If your faith in your friends is anything to go by, they'll be fine."

"I know."

"What is it, then?"

"When I was first brought to Las Noches, Aizen showed me the hougyoku, in a pillar next to his throne," Orihime said, trying to recall the location of the room Ulquiorra had brought her. "After that day I promised myself I would destroy it. I'm not leaving until I do so."

Szayel chuckled, earning him a glare. "I'm afraid you're going to have to break that promise—or at the very least bend it. Though I must say, I'm flattered my creation was able to fool you."

"What do you mean?" Orihime asked, eyebrows furrowed. "Your creation?"

"It was a fake, made of the same crystalline material as the pink stones in your necklace," said Szayel. "Aizen has the real hougyoku with him at all times."

"I don't understand. What was the purpose of creating a fake one? And why show it to me?"

"It won't make a difference whether I tell you here or while we run, will it?"

Orihime shook her head. "It shouldn't."

"Good," he said, and led her out of the room.

Once they were in the hallway Szayel reached over to her, placing his arm around her back for support, and slid his other arm beneath her legs, easily picking her up. A strangled gasp escaped Orihime's lips, her face pink as Szayel started to sonido.

"I thought you would've gotten over your reservations regarding our proximity. Considering the other things we've done."

Orihime's face turned red at his implication. She cleared her throat. "About the fake hougyoku…?"

"It was to tempt you," Szayel said effortlessly. "Much like the Christian god, placing the tree of the knowledge of good and evil within Eden to test his creations. Aizen had me create the fake hougyoku to test your loyalty. If you were truly loyal, you would not tamper with it. But if you weren't—"

"Then I would try to get rid of it," Orihime finished for him. "But I still don't understand. Aizen's not stupid. I'm sure he knows I didn't come because I had freely switched sides."

"Of course he knew. That was the beauty of it. It was a win-win situation for him. If you were loyal, then he would indirectly gain those god-like powers of yours. And if you weren't loyal, just like Adam and Eve of Christian lore, you would be punished."

Orihime tried to suppress a shudder. She didn't really want to know, but curiosity got the best of her. "Punished how?"

"If you tried to reject the fake hougyoku, your powers would be taken away and sealed into the orb. And since your powers stem from your soul, you most likely would have…"

The unspoken word hung in the air.

Szayel continued taking turn after turn, down hallways they had never visited. Eventually Orihime stopped watching where they were headed. She closed her eyes and focused again on her friends' reiatsu. Rukia's and Sado's were still too faint for Orihime's liking, but they were holding steady. The others seemed to be doing well, too, except for—

"Kurosaki-kun," Orihime said softly.

"It seems Ulquiorra is fighting one of your friends a little ways from here," said Szayel. "Whoever it is, they are much stronger than the ones I engaged."

Orihime opened her eyes and looked up at him. "The ones you—who were they? Are they okay?"

"A Quincy and a red-haired Shinigami. They're fine, though probably feeling a bit like rats running through a maze," Szayel said. "In a way, they should be thankful. It's highly unlikely they will run into another Espada in the labyrinth of my domain."

"I see," Orihime said, not sure how to take the news. She was glad her friends would be out of harm's way, but she wasn't sure she approved of the method. "Szayel, where is Ulquiorra? Can you find him?"

"I can. But we don't really have the time—"

"Please, you have to take me there. I have to make sure he's okay."

"And which 'he' would this be? Your friend or Ulquiorra?"

Orihime opened her mouth to answer then stopped. The obvious response would be her friend. She knew without a doubt it was Ichigo. She needed to know he was okay—and more importantly, alive. But the more Orihime thought about it, the more she realized she didn't want to see Ulquiorra hurt either. He was someone important to her, too.

"Both."

Szayel sighed and, turning on his heel, headed in the opposite direction. "I hope this is worth it."

As he and Orihime approached, it was obvious to Szayel the fight was coming to a close. Her friend—Kurosaki, was it?—could barely lift himself off the ground. Ichigo looked as if he'd received a direct hit from a cero, the left part of his uniform burned away. How he was still alive was anyone's guess.

Ulquiorra hadn't escaped without any damage either. His usually pristine uniform was frayed at the edges and had been ripped open, exposing the black tattoo that marked him as the Cuatro Espada. His arm was poised, ready to punch a hole into the nearly defeated Shinigami. But before the deed could be done he stopped.

"Szayel," said Ulquiorra. His face was as emotionless as ever, but Szayel could hear the confusion in his voice. "What are you doing here—and with Inoue?"

"Inoue?" Ichigo asked, and looked back at her with wide eyes. His gaze flicked between her and Szayel. "What are you doing with that Arrancar?"

Orihime knew the situation looked suspicious, with her quite literally in the arms of the enemy. She placed a hand on Szayel's shoulder. Understanding her silent request, he set her down. Orihime nodded in thanks, then turned to Ulquiorra and Ichigo.

"Kurosaki-kun," she started, but after that Orihime had no idea what else to say. That it wasn't as bad as it looked? That it was hard to explain, but that he'd have to trust her? That she had fallen in love with one of their enemies, but it was okay because he wasn't as bad as he seemed?

Even she wouldn't accept any of those excuses.

"I see you haven't changed, Ulquiorra," Szayel said. "I'm sure you're disappointed I stopped you from marking your prey."

"I don't know what you're talking about," said Ulquiorra, his eyes narrowed.

"I'm sure you don't," Szayel said with a laugh. "But enough with that. There are more pressing issues to deal with."

"Step away from Inoue!" Ichigo yelled at him, struggling to get to his feet.

Szayel couldn't understand how this wisp of a boy had any strength left. Had it been any other time, he would've been amused by his persistence. But, at that moment, it only served to irritate him.

"I'm sorry, but I really don't have the time to let you play 'hero' right now," said Szayel, bored. "Ulquiorra? If you wouldn't mind taking him out—not permanently would be preferable. I would do it myself, but I'm afraid our battling styles are rather incompatible."

"I'm not one of your Fraccion," Ulquiorra said. "You can't order me around."

Before Szayel could respond, Ulquiorra sonido-ed over to Ichigo, catching him off-guard, and hit him on the back of the head. The force threw Ichigo across the room, where he landed face down. A small trickle of blood trailed down his neck.

"Kurosaki-kun!" exclaimed Orihime. She was about to run over to him when Szayel held his arm out.

"Except for a splitting headache, he should be fine when he regains consciousness." Szayel lowered his hand, his attention back to Ulquiorra. "What happened to 'I'm not one of your Fraccion'?"

"I want answers," Ulquiorra said, "and having a conversation between four people slows down that goal considerably."

Szayel smirked. "I shouldn't have expected anything less of you. The answer you desire is quite simple: I've decided I don't want to be a pawn anymore."

"You're no longer loyal to Aizen-sama."

"I suppose I was never as loyal to him as you were, but yes, you're correct. Why, are you going to stop me?"

"What you do is your own affair. However," Ulquiorra said, his gaze shifting to Orihime, "I cannot allow Inoue to leave."

"She doesn't belong here, Ulquiorra. Certainly you know that," said Szayel. "Probably knew it the instant you brought her. But your loyalty to Aizen runs deep—well, more accurately, ran deep. I'm afraid he's been usurped recently, hasn't he?"

Ulquiorra looked away. "If you don't want to be at the receiving end of Aizen-sama's wrath, you'd better leave quickly."

"Why don't you come with us, Ulquiorra?" Orihime asked, and stepped over to him. She looked at him sadly. "Please? I don't want you to suffer the same fate as the other Arrancar."

Ulquiorra glared at Szayel. "I've always despised your underhanded tactics."

"Unfortunately, I cannot take responsibility for this one," Szayel said. "Now, what we have to do is—"

"What the hell did you do to my prey?!"

Szayel brought his fingers to his temples. The phrase 'Murphy's Law' popped into his head, though he couldn't figure out why. "Grimmjow, you have such impeccable timing, as always."

"Dammit, Szayel!" shouted Grimmjow, marching over to the Octava Espada. "How dare you try to steal someone else's prey!"

"Me? Why do you think I had anything to do with it? Ulquiorra was the one who knocked him out."

Ulquiorra scoffed. "You were the one who told me to take him out."

Orihime had to admit, it was amusing to see three Espada bickering like a group of children, whose toy had been used without permission. The fact that said 'toy' was Ichigo was slightly less humorous.

"Szayel," Orihime said, walking over to him. She placed a hand on his arm. "If what you said about Aizen is true, maybe we should be leaving now."

"You're right," Szayel said. "Ulquiorra, open up a Garganta. We need to leave."

Grimmjow looked between the three of them. "Where are you going?"

"The world of the living, naturally. We've decided to become something more than pawns in Aizen's little game with Soul Society. I could be a bishop, Ulquiorra a knight, and you, I believe, would do rather well as a rook. That is, if you wanted to," Szayel said, looking at Grimmjow out the corner of his eye. "I know your loyalty is about as strong as mine was—which is to say, not much."

"Why?" Grimmjow asked. "What's in it for you, me going rogue?"

"I can't be worried about a fellow Espada out of the goodness of my own heart?" asked Szayel.

"Hell no! None of us are like that, least of all you."

Ulquiorra sighed, the first Szayel had heard from him. "I can't create a Garganta. It seems the portal between Hueco Mundo and the world of the living has been closed off. No one can come in or out."

"I see," Szayel said. "But I wouldn't be too certain about that last part."

"What are you talking about?" Grimmjow asked. "Didn't you hear what Ulquiorra just—"

"Of course I heard. But there's always another way." Szayel smirked. "Sometimes you have to go sideways to go forward."

Orihime, Ulquiorra and Grimmjow stared at him, waiting for Szayel to continue with his explanation. He didn't.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!" demanded Grimmjow.

"Grimmjow, do you still have any caja negacion with you?" Before the other Espada could ask why, Szayel said, with hand outstretched, "If so, we're going to need it to get out of here."

Grimmjow eyed him suspiciously before stuffing his hand in his pocket. He pulled out a small cube and placed it in Szayel's palm. "How are you planning to do that? I thought you told us that it traps our Fraccion in another dimension for all eternity."

"I'm surprised you still remember," Szayel said, examining the cube. "You're right. However, it's not very good at containing Arrancar at the Espada level. With the three of us—if you decide to come, that is—it shouldn't take us more than a few minutes to escape.'

"That doesn't really explain how that will bring us back to the world of the living," Orihime added.

"Because, Orihime, it is a dimension that leads to nowhere and everywhere. The dimension itself exists nowhere, in-between worlds—worlds we may not even know about! But if you concentrate hard enough, it can lead you to anywhere you want."

"Even if you're correct," Ulquiorra said, "how will this work? It's meant to be placed in the hollow hole of one Arrancar."

"I'm aware of that," Szayel said, while holding the cube between his thumb and index finger. "I believe I've come up with a solution. We simply have to hold on to the one whose hollow hole the caja negacion will be placed in. For example, if it were me, Orihime could hold on to my torso, and you and Grimmjow would take hold of my arms."

Ulquiorra grimaced at the thought.

"No way in hell would I ever—"

"Trust me, Grimmjow, I detest the situation," Szayel said. "I was going to have Ulquiorra be the one to suffer the negacion, but I sensed you would dislike the idea of having to hold on to his arm even more."

Grimmjow remained silent.

"So, are you coming with us? Or are you going to continue to play loyal to the false king that sits on the throne of Las Noches, who will replace you the moment you cease to serve any purpose?"

"Let's just get one thing straight," Grimmjow said, towering over Szayel. "The moment we get out of that negacion, I'm on my own. I don't know what it is you're planning, but count me out of it! You got that?"

Szayel bowed slightly. "Naturally." He looked to Orihime and held the cube out to her. "If you don't mind, I would prefer if you did the honors."

"Why me?" Orihime asked, but she took the cube from his grasp anyway.

"Maybe that way it will hurt less."

It was a strange sight to say the least. After Szayel had pulled up the left side of his hakama, revealing the small hole in the middle of his thigh, he signaled to the other Espada that he was ready. Ulquiorra held on to Szayel's left arm, and Grimmjow, somewhat reluctantly, held on to his right.

Orihime took a couple of steps towards Szayel and wrapped her left arm around his waist, her right hand holding the cube above his hollow hole.

"After you drop the caja negacion, make sure to hold on. Once we're inside the dimension, focus your thoughts are on—Karakura Town, was it?"

"Yes."

"Most important of all: no matter what happens, do not let go. Understood?"

Orihime glanced at Szayel nervously. "I understand."

"Hurry up, woman!" Grimmjow said. "The less time I have to hold on to this freak, the better!"

With a shaky hand Orihime released the cube. Her surroundings became fragmented, like pieces of a broken mirror. Szayel's plan seemed to be working. Orihime could see the fragments surround not only her and Szayel, but also Grimmjow and Ulquiorra. The whiteness of Las Noches was slowly taken over with black as the pieces of this new dimension started taking shape. Soon, only a small sliver of brightness shone through.

Then the world went black.