Author Note: I don't think I've ever uploaded so many chapters in one week. I'm proud of myself for that.

It's a shame I'm not getting any reviews though, at least I'm having fun writing this story.

Disclaimer: Bleach and its characters belong to Tite Kubo

Chapter 7: Acts of Comfort

Past:

Despite the changes in our relationship, there were still times I doubted whether he really cared about me or whether it was just wishful thinking. One time in particular was when Nnoitra confronted me.

I had just been in an argument with Grimmjow and Ulquiorra had already walked off without me several minutes ago so I was alone. That was when he suddenly appeared in front of me, blocking my path with his long, lanky form and bulky weapon.

"Well, well. Looks like the little puppy is alone." I scowled at his comparing me to a puppy, no doubt because of the human phrase "following like a lost puppy."

"What is it, Nnoitra?" I asked tensely, already sick of his presence. "I'm in a hurry." I said, trying to scoot around him but he slammed his hand against the other wall, completely halting my progress.

"Oh are you?" He sounded amused. "Eager to get back to being Ulquiorra's bitch?" I glared but didn't take the bait, though I wanted desperately to knock that stupid grin off his face.

"I must say I feel sorry for Ulquiorra…always having to put up with you tagging along behind him, never giving him a moment's peace." His smirk grew, as if he could see that I was at my limit.

"I don't know how he can stand it, especially someone as solitary as him. It must be so irritating to have to pretend to tolerate you when all he really wants to do is run as far from you as possible." That last sentence struck a chord in me and doubt filled my mind.

Nnoitra was right about Ulquiorra preferring to be by himself. My presence must be a constant annoyance to him but he was forced to treat me as if he didn't mind or that he even wanted me there because Aizen ordered him to. My belittling thoughts consumed me, so much so that I didn't respond to Nnoitra's next words.

"I should probably do him the favor of getting rid of you myself." He raised his weapon but I couldn't find the will to move or block.

"What is going on here?"

Nnoitra froze and I tensed as Ulquiorra was suddenly behind Nnoitra. He stood there calmly, taking in the situation with cold eyes that shone with slight anger.

"I was just about to relieve you of this pest." There was a hint of fear in Nnoitra's voice even as he justified himself.

"Did I ask you to do such a thing? Such actions are unnecessary." Ulquiorra's words slowly brought my spirit back and filled me with warmth as he subtly spoke up in my defense.

"You would do well to remember that she is of higher rank than you for a reason." He warned, despite the fact that I had not been about to fight back.

It was the closest thing to a compliment that I had ever heard from him and it completely blew me away. Nnoitra didn't move or say anything, though he did glare, so Ulquiorra deemed the matter settled.

"Come woman." Ulquiorra called to me, turning to continue the way he walked earlier. I eagerly followed with a smile and a carefree heart.

Present:

"Ichigo?" Orihime whispered to herself in disbelief, staring out the window as if she could actually see him from there.

"It seems your friends are here to rescue you." I said, feeling a little sad and overwhelmed by the reminder that I had very little time left.

"I'm sure your friends aren't too far behind them." She reassured me, thinking that was the reason for my upset. I chuckled humorlessly with a slight grimace.

"No one's coming to save me." I felt a bit depressed about that fact despite the fact I didn't need saving and it was impossible for anyone from my timeline to follow me here.

"The two people who might have tried to are gone." I confessed unintentionally.

Orihime opened her mouth as if to say something but eventually closed it when no words came out. I couldn't handle the sad look she was giving me so I turned my head away.

"You should go back with us." She suggested awkwardly, hoping to cheer me up somewhat. "The others won't mind at all." I turned my gaze back to her as I listened to her awkward and slightly forced reassurances.

I knew her well enough to tell that she was offering such a thing because she felt obligated at that point though she did care for my wellbeing to some degree; she always had such a big heart even when it came to those she barely knew. However, I could barely be called her friend at that point though that would no doubt change the longer we were together; my comforting her before certainly helped with that. We would never be as close as we were in my timeline though.

"Ichigo will look after you and make sure you get back safely." She rambled on.

"He would protect a mere stranger?" I asked, gently cutting her off though I knew the answer.

"Of course he would. That's just how Ichigo is." She responded enthusiastically with a slight blush and an adoring look.

"He sounds like a really good person."

"He's an amazing person." She emphasized passionately. I couldn't help my next words.

"You love him." She went as red as a tomato and attempted to hide her face with her hands.

"W-what makes you say that?" She sputtered, making me chuckle quietly.

"There's no need to be embarrassed with me." I told her with a smile. "I won't tease you for it." She relaxed.

"Have you ever been in love?"

She flinched as soon as the words left her mouth and she covered her mouth in horror and shame, clearly thinking back to what I had mentioned about the two people that had cared about me. I didn't blame her for her mistake but I still grimaced at the painful, unintentional reminder of Ulquiorra's death.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean…I'm so sorry." She apologized profusely, nearly in tears.

"It's okay…I know you didn't mean to bring up any bad memories." To prove that I didn't hold a grudge, I answered her question. "I did love someone but he never returned my feelings…at least I don't think he did. He died before I could really know for sure."

My answer just made her feel even guiltier so I decided to shift the topic to something I knew would cheer her up.

"Tell me more about this Ichigo."

It worked. She proceeded to happily talk about Ichigo for a long while and I listened to every word, relishing in her happiness and energy. She was interrupted when Ulquiorra arrived with a servant arrancar that carried the tray with our dinner.

He watched us eat then sent the arrancar away with the plates but didn't leave himself. The serious look in his eyes told me he was going to talk about the sudden arrival of Ichigo and the others. He turned his piercing stare on Orihime, taking in her suddenly nervous expression.

"I see you are already aware of Ichigo Kurosaki entering Hueco Mundo." Orihime looked down, unable to look him in the eyes as his voice took a cold turn. "Don't delude yourself. He will not succeed. He will fall before he can even reach you."

Orihime seemed to fall into herself at his words; the hope in her eyes dimmed, her shoulders slumped and her sudden energy evaporated. I hated to see that so, without thinking, I stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She glanced my way and I flashed her a smile.

"Don't worry, Orihime. If Ichigo is as amazing as you say he is, he'll find a way to succeed."

My words reassured her a bit but she seemed hesitant to believe me with Ulquiorra right there. Ulquiorra obviously didn't approve of my words if the glare he gave me was any indication. I was unfazed though.

I glared right back for his treatment of Orihime and he was the one to back off, no doubt from surprise rather than fear; he must not have expected a nearly powerless "human" to have the courage to glare back at him like that, especially since I have been nothing but respectable towards him until that point.

I wasn't going to forgive anyone hurting Orihime though, whether physically or emotionally, and he was no exception. I would have spoken up even if he were my Ulquiorra; I would never turn a blind eye to his wrongdoings. He dismissed my glare and continued to harass Orihime.

"Even if he were to succeed in reaching you. It would hold little meaning, for you are one of us now." Orihime met his eyes, startled by his words. "The fact you wear those clothes proves that." His gaze bored into hers as he said his next words.

"You belong to Lord Aizen, in both body and mind."

His intense gaze was daring her to say otherwise but it was clear that Orihime had already caved in at that point for she remained silent. He eventually glanced my way to see if his words were having the same effect but was once again caught off guard when he saw that they had just angered me further.

As ridiculous as it sounds, I took a threatening step forward and asked him to leave, as if I could really intimidate him with my current level of spiritual pressure. Surprisingly, he did just that but not before looking me over with calculating eyes; it seemed I had piqued his interest.

I ignored that though for the time being as I focused on comforting Orihime but not even the mention of Ichigo could get her to so much as lift her head.

Author Note: I had a hard time coming up with a chapter title. I eventually came up with "Acts of Comfort," which refers to Akira comforting Orihime but also to Ulquiorra comforting Akira in his own way in the past section.

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