Title: The Pain That Binds Us
Author: disnaly
Main Pairing: Inoue Orihime x Cifer Ulquiorra.
Minor Pairings: Mentions of Kuchiki Rukia x Kurosaki Ichigo, Matsumoto Rangiku x Ichimaru Gin, Urahara Kisuke x Shihoun Yoruichi, Aizen Sosuke x Hinamori Momo.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original Bleach characters or the Bleach franchise.
Warning: Mentions and mild descriptions of violence. Hints at mature themes.
A/N: Each chapter will contain ten snippets, all in varying lengths. These take place before and throughout Orihime's captivity. The events are written in chronological order and do not follow the events of the anime.
Summary: In a world where Soulmates can feel each other's pain, Orihime was born with a Numb heart.
As soon as One Half of the Soul experienced Loss, the Pain they felt was shared with their Other Half, regardless of their age. Due to this, there were instances when infants felt the Pain, because their Other Half was either older or had experienced Loss at a young age.
(LI)
Ulquiorra entered just as the two girls were finishing up. Orihime took the surprise in his eyes, before they narrowed dangerously. She knew the look in his eyes.
Her heart skipped a beat when he began walking closer to the women. The fear on their faces was obvious, as they began backing away, terrified now that they had been caught.
However, before Orihime could get a word out of her mouth and ask him to spare them, Ulquiorra struck.
There were two screams.
The one called Menoly crashed against the door, breaking through its rough material and crashed outside in a mess of flesh and bones. Blood leaked from all around her, it's sickening stench making Orihime gag.
The body was not moving.
Her Soulmate turned to Loly.
"Get out."
The female hollow was quick to follow. She rushed out, kneeling beside her sister, taking in her form with horrified and choked gasps.
Before she could start to hyperventilate, Orihime sent out her fairies to heal them.
(LII)
"You shouldn't have healed her."
"Then you shouldn't have killed her."
(LIII)
Her previous dress ruined, Ulquiorra gave her the freedom of choosing her new dress. Though Orihime had like her previous one, she had gotten used to the cool temperatures of Hueco Mundo and the heavy skirts had become nothing but a burden.
For the first time in weeks, Orihime stepped outside her room with Ulquiorra, as he led her to the dressing rooms of Los Noches. Thankfully, the rooms were empty when they arrived. Rows upon rows of clothes were lined against the walls, all colored white and black. Orihime walked down the aisle, letting her eyes dart all over the place in awe.
Ulquiorra left her alone to choose and change. Unfortunately, a lot of the clothes were too revealing, so Orihime had a hard time finding what she liked. She tried a few on before settling on a dress that resembled a sleeveless version of her school uniform.
The clothes were pretty comfortable, and felt much like her clothes in the Living World. Wearing it, Orihime could almost pretend she was in her own world, standing in my room, dressing up for another day at school.
Orihime pushed the thought away before the homesickness began clawing at her chest.
(LIV)
Ulquiorra's eyes didn't stop roaming over her until their reached her room. Orihime tried to ignore it, even as her heart pounded and stomach churned.
She had scarcely closed the door of her room, before she found her back pressed against it.
Cold fingers brushed against her waist, gripping her tightly to keep her in place. She didn't dare meet his eyes, knowing she would loose herself completely within their emerald depths.
She shuddered, holding on tighter to his coat, when he pressed his lips against her ear.
"You look good, Orihime."
(LV)
Orihime didn't know who moved first; one second, their eyes were clashing, the gray against the green. The next, their lips met, demanding and impatient against each other.
The anticipation from weeks of tension burst forth, and Orihime could do nothing but hold onto her Other Half and pull him closer.
With a single kiss, their Souls met and a new Bond was forged.
(LVI)
He began taking her on walks around the halls of Los Noches. He showed her how the corridors moved, and the other rooms that the palace contained.
Often she lingered behind as he went ahead. This time, when she grabbed the edge of his sleeve, he didn't push her away.
(LVII)
Nnoitora entered her room once with a lecherous grin, as he leered at her. Having caught sight of her as she wandered through the halls without Ulquiorra, he followed her back to her room.
"Pet-sama seems to be getting quite comfortable, right? I think I should give you a real taste of our hospitality."
He was too quick for her to stop with her Shun Shun Rikka. She tried a few attacks but her attempts were futile. Just when she had thought she was goner Ulquiorra? Ulquiorra? Where are you? someone showed up.
(LVII)
The beating the Quinta received from Harribel was ruthless and brutal. And as much as Orihime cringed throughout it, she could help but think that the male deserved it.
She thanked the other woman profoundly for her help; she was surprised when the Trecera Espada looked down at her with uncharacteristic kind eyes.
"I think it would be unwise for you to wander through the halls alone. If it makes you feel any safer, you are free to accompany me and my fraccion on our walks."
Glad to have met someone who seemed more human than anyone else, I would love to, Harribel-san. You are too kind she simply nodded enthusiastically, not knowing how else to convey her gratitude.
Regardless of the way things had turned out, Orihime hoped Ulquiorra never heard of Nnoitora's little visit.
(LVIII)
Her prayers were not answered. Somehow, Ulquiorra found out. The wrath he unleashed upon the male would have made Harribel's beating look like a joke. Orihime couldn't see them, but she could sense their reitsu clashing violently from her room.
The difference in their strengths almost made her pity Nnoitora. The Quinta's reitsu fluctuated in a wild desperateness, before reducing to a dull glow.
For all his bloodthirstiness and fighting prowess, Nnoitora, even in his released form, did not stand a chance.
(LIX)
She saw him that very day when Harribel was accompanying her on their walks. The other hollows were staring, whispering amongst themselves, watching in muted horror.
Nnoitora had been nailed to the wall, all six of his blades thrust through his hands and legs, keeping him in place. The blood leaked to the ground in tiny streams, creating large puddles all across the floor.
Orihime wanted to look away, but found it hard to. Even Harribel looked faintly shocked. When she turned her questioning eyes to Orihime, the latter found that she couldn't meet her gaze.
Nnoitora stayed there for hours and no one dared to step forward to help. The threat was as loud as the silence that hovered over Los Noches.
(LX)
She didn't know how long Nnoitora stayed in that position, but eventually, someone took him off.
And though she noticed him attempt to return to his former attitude, she could see that the fight I don't think I can even call it that had left its mark on him.
Though he scoffed and sneered, every time she passed by, he didn't dare raise his eye from the ground.
Responses to reviewers
Thank you so much to spookyfool and unnamed guest for taking the time to read and review! Your words motivate me like nothing else!!
spookyfool: Thank you so so much for your compliments!! Aha, I try my best _
Unnamed guest: Thank you for reviewing! I'll let you know that I do have another idea regarding this pairing. So there is a fair chance that there will be another story featuring the way Orihime changed during her time in Hueco Mundo. I'm not sure about the rating because I haven't worked out the details yet, but I'll try my best!!
A/N: Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed it! Be sure to tell me what you think!