"G-Grimmjow?!" Ichigo shouted at the top of his lungs. The tiny pantera's eyes snapped open from his slumber, his wild instincts kicking in. In a split second, Grimmjow lunged forward, sinking his sharp teeth into Ichigo's finger with a bone-crunching bite.
Pain exploded through Ichigo's hand, shooting up his arm. "What the fuck?!" He recoiled in shock, his hand trembling uncontrollably. Blood trickled from the wound, mixing with the anger pulsating through his veins. Ichigo shook his hands violently, causing Grimmjow's tail and long blue locks to thrash in the air.
"Let go, you little pest!" Ichigo's voice was laced with both agony and frustration as he snatched Grimmjow's small body with his free hand, desperately attempting to pry the pantera away. With a surge of strength, he succeeded in pulling Grimmjow off his finger, their eyes locking in a fiery confrontation.
Ichigo's face reddened with a mix of anger and disbelief. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a blend of confusion and irritation. He leaned in closer, his eyes burning with intensity.
Grimmjow, unfazed by the confrontation, met Ichigo's gaze with a cool, indifferent expression. "Nothin'," he replied nonchalantly, the corners of his mouth curling into a sly smile.
The strawberry-haired Soul Reaper stared at Grimmjow. Ichigo's voice grew louder and more agitated. "Why are you so fucking small?! First Ulquiorra and now you?"
Grimmjow's glare intensified, his blue eyes narrowing with defiance. "Like hell I know," he retorted. Just as Ichigo's anger reached its peak, Grimmjow sank his teeth into Ichigo's hand once again, the pain shooting through him like a lightning bolt.
"Shit!" Ichigo clenched his teeth, wincing in agony as Grimmjow maintained his biting grip. The pantera's smile widened, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Grimmjow's sadistic pleasure pushed Ichigo over the edge. "I don't know why Urahara left you here," Ichigo began, his voice filled with a fiery determination. "But no way in hell Soul Society is going to approve of this. You're L.E.A.V.I.N.G!"
Grimmjow's smile faltered, his eyes betraying a flicker of concern. The realization of the impending consequences began to weigh on him.
Driven by both pain and frustration, Ichigo swiftly snatched his phone and dialed a number, his trembling fingers struggling to hit the buttons accurately.
The phone rang, each chime amplifying the tension in the room. Ichigo's grip tightened on the device as he held it to his ear, his voice shaking with fury and confusion.
"Hello?" a familiar voice answered on the other end of the phone.
"RUKIA?!" Ichigo exclaimed, relief washing over him.
He could sense Rukia's irritation as she let out an exasperated sigh. "What is it now?" she asked. "And make it quick, Renji and I are busy decorating Nii-sama's place for the celebration."
"I don't care what you're doing! What I need to know is why Urahara left me with this... this... Grimmjow!" Ichigo blurted out, frustration evident in his voice.
"What?!" Rukia's voice rose in surprise. "Grimmjow is there?!"
"Well..." Ichigo hesitated, glancing at the small pantera, "Technically, Grimmjow is here, but he's only six inches tall. Oh and Ulquiorra is here too, staying with Orihime, and I'm not happy about it one bit."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. Grimmjow released his grip on Ichigo's finger, a mixture of disappointment and resignation spreading across his face.
"Haha... Ichigo, that's a good one," Rukia finally responded, her tone filled with disbelief. "Nice joke, but I have to get back to work. You'll be receiving the invitations soon. Bye."
Before Ichigo could protest, Rukia hung up.
He stared at the wall in front of him, a blank expression on his face, and then slowly turned his attention back to Grimmjow. The tiny pantera looked up at him with pleading eyes.
"Looks like I'm stuck with you..." Ichigo muttered, a hint of resignation in his voice.
As exhaustion settled in, Ichigo's eyes began to close, but just before he drifted off, an idea struck him like a lightning bolt.
"That's it!" he exclaimed, suddenly invigorated. He leaned in, his face inches away from Grimmjow's. "Orihime! She can reverse you back to your normal size! Why didn't I think of this before? She can reverse both you and Ulquiorra and you can both be on your way back to Hueco Mundo and out of the picture for good."
Grimmjow's eyes flattened disheartenedly at this. Though he wasn't surprised to hear about Ulquiorra's situation with the girl, it made all the perfect sense. The fact that Grimmjow was here though and with Ichigo no less must mean…
"Let's go." Without a second thought, Ichigo stormed out of his room with the 6th espada in tow, heading for Orihime's place.
Ulquiorra's hair, still damp from the bath, clung to his face like a dark veil, impairing his vision. Orihime cradled him in her hand, his small form wrapped in a cloth, her fingers securely encircling his abdomen.
As they came to a halt, Orihime settled down on the couch, careful not to jostle Ulquiorra as she placed him on her lap. Droplets of cold water from his ebony locks fell onto her bare legs as she was still dressed in her pajamas. Though Orihime's hand provided some shelter, the cold still managed to seep through.
Gazing down at the diminutive creature, Orihime couldn't help but feel a mix of tenderness and curiosity. Ulquiorra's hair obstructed his vision, and he attempted to shake his head to clear it.
Observing his struggle, Orihime raised a finger and gently brushed away the strands of hair, revealing Ulquiorra's features. The warmth of her touch against his face was both comforting and mesmerizing, and as his vision cleared, he found himself captivated by the gentleness in her eyes.
Content with her ministration, Orihime began to withdraw her finger, but to Ulquiorra's dismay. "Wait," he uttered softly, his voice carrying a tinge of vulnerability. "Allow me to ask you something."
The uneasiness Orihime left him with in the restroom after he had agreed and acknowledged her words that he was interested in her left him confused by her reaction.
Orihime hesitated, her expression reflecting a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "Of course," she replied apprehensively.
Ulquiorra fixed his intense gaze on Orihime and questioned, "Why would you extend kindness to me? Considering all the pain and suffering I have inflicted upon you and those dear to you, it is inconceivable that you would show me any form of compassion."
Orihime's eyes widened as she met Ulquiorra's stare with a wavering gaze and she found herself having to pull away as she stared off in the distance. Her mind wandered back to their supposed awkward encounter, at least awkward to her, in the bathroom and his unexpected confession of interest in her. She was torn between conflicting emotions and uncertainty. She realized that a part of her believed Ulquiorra didn't understand the weight of his words and another part of her was convinced she was overthinking and overreacting.
It's not like he professed his undying love for her, wouldn't that be impossible for someone like Ulquiorra Cifer?
However, Orihime believed he was capable of uncovering some sense of humanity underneath his stoic level of indifference. Love, though, would probably unfortunately elude him, or maybe it would take time for him to become comfortable with his emotions. Deep down, she was hopeful that Ulquiorra could one day meet someone and experience the wonders of falling in love, just as she had fallen for Ichigo. But she knew she was getting ahead of herself, she was certain it would not be her of all people that would be the subject of his hypothetical affection.
Wait, why was she even considering these silly possibilities of Ulquiorra Cifer falling in love? She had to internally shake the thought from her mind. It was a distraction, a detour from the path she had set for herself. She had made a commitment to unravel the enigmatic bond they shared, to confront the uncertainties that plagued them.
Lost in her introspection, she realized she had drifted away momentarily, lost in the labyrinth of her thoughts. Just as Ulquiorra was about to repeat his question impatiently, she snapped back to reality, her resolve reignited. It was time to face the truth, to seek the answers they both yearned for.
"Ulquiorra," she began, her voice gentle yet firm, "I believe that everyone, no matter how lost they may seem, deserves the opportunity to seek redemption."
Ulquiorra absorbed her words, surprise and contemplation mingling on his features. "Redemption," he echoed, a touch of bitterness permeating his voice. "In the realm of Hollows and Arrancars, it is an abstract concept that holds little value."
The wavering gaze from Orihime softened, compassion saturating her voice. "Well, in my opinion, the divisions between Hollows, Shinigami, and humans are kind of silly, don't you think? We are all interconnected, cut from the same cloth. I think we should look beyond the past and embrace the potential for change."
"Preposterous." Ulquiorra deadpanned, his disbelief seeping through.
Orihime gently placed him on the couch and began unraveling the towel wrapped around his abdomen, effectively drying most of the fur on his lower half.
"Did you know that my brother turned into a Hollow?" she shared, her voice chiming as she held the piece of cloth in her hands.
Ulquiorra's eyes widened, captivated by her revelation.
"His soul had been bound to me for years, unable to let go. Eventually, he transformed into a Hollow, he had formed an obsession with me, unable to move on because I couldn't let go either. He followed me and attacked me multiple times until he eventually tried to eat my soul… but I reached out to him knowing he was still there deep down and my words reached him and he managed to regain control, to recognize who he truly was. In the end cleansed himself with Ichigo's sword of his own accord and moved on. Deep down, he remained the same brother I had loved, despite the darkness that had consumed him. So you see, I don't believe Hollows are as empty as you claim. Look at Nel for example, look at you!
Orihime's words lingered in the air, unsettling Ulquiorra. It was disconcerting to find himself relating to others in their shared obsession with Orihime. First Kurositsuchi, and now her brother. He couldn't deny the logic behind Orihime's perspective, given her firsthand experience with her brother's transformation into a Hollow. However, he believed she was mistaken to extend those same values to him.
"So what do you think about that? Do you really think Hollows are as heartless as you say they are?" Orihime questioned, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.
"Hollows are inherently devoid of heart," Ulquiorra asserted firmly. "Their descent into darkness signifies the abandonment of their humanity and the rejection of their own hearts. As for your brother, I assume he hadn't been a Hollow for long, which allowed him to retain a semblance of humanity before it would ultimately slip away."
Nodding thoughtfully, Orihime acknowledged his point. "I suppose part of that may be true… but I still believe beneath all darkness, there is still a trace of light, of humanity in all of us, be it humans, Hollows, or Shinigami. Even some humans feel disconnected from their own humanity at times, but most find their way back. That's why I genuinely believe, Ulquiorra, that deep down, you too have the potential for it as well." Her words brimmed with hope and optimism. "After all, we all started out as humans with humanity ingrained in us."
Ulquiorra's lips pressed tightly together, the weight of his past experiences weighing on him. "That does not hold true in my case. I did not originate from a corrupted human soul. I was formed from the compressed reishi in the depths of Hueco Mundo. There was never any trace of humanity within me from the very beginning."
Orihime's eyebrow arched in surprise, taken aback by this revelation. "I've never heard of such a thing before." she remarked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Suddenly a knock echoed through the room, interrupting their conversation.
"Orihime, are you there?!" The visitor's voice demanded their attention, causing both of them to turn their gaze towards the entrance.
"Coming!" Orihime replied hastily, her focus shifting back to Ulquiorra's damp hair. She began drying it off in a hurried manner, causing him great discomfort. It was disheartening to be treated so carelessly, as if he were nothing more than a mere dog.
"What's the meaning of this, Woman?" Ulquiorra demanded, though his voice was muffled through the towel.
"I need to dry your hair quickly," Orihime replied, her voice calm and focused. With deft movements, she vigorously moved the towel back and forth across his head, swiftly absorbing the water. Once satisfied, she scooped him up in her hand and rushed toward the door, leaving his hair completely disheveled.
Opening it, Orihime came face to face with a surprising sight...
"Ichigo... hi!" she greeted him warmly, a smile adorning her lips.
"Orihime," Ichigo began, his voice filled with urgency. "I have a problem." The silver-eyed girl looked at him expectantly, awaiting an explanation.
"What is it?" she inquired.
But Ichigo had to do a double take at the state of his friend in her pajamas that didn't leave much to the imagination. The fact that Ulquiorra was there with her while she was dressed like this pissed him off.
While looking away embarrassed, a hint of red flushing his cheeks which didn't go unnoticed by Ulquiorra, Ichigo raised his hand to reveal a tiny figure perched on his palm... Grimmjow.
Orihime's eyes widened in astonishment, the unexpected sight left her momentarily speechless, but before she could react, Ichigo continued, his words laced with frustration. "Do you think you can reverse him back to his original size with your powers? So I can get rid of him? Heck, you should even do the same to Ulquiorra."
From his view perched on Orihime's hand, Ulquiorra's eyebrows furrowed upon seeing Grimmjow in his reduced state, and the blue-haired pantera mirrored his surprise. The implications struck him immediately. If Grimmjow was in this state, it could only mean one thing. Ulquiorra's mind raced, contemplating the possibilities of who or what Grimmjow had formed an attachment to. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of discomfort in his chest at the thought that it might be Orihime. He recalled Grimmjow had indeed saved her from Loly and Menoly, highlighting his own lack of action in her defense.
But on the hopeful chance it wasn't Orihime, Ulquiorra found the next thought to linger in his mind ridiculous..could it be that it in fact had been the shinigami, Ichigo Kurosaki?
Orihime's eyebrows perked up at Ichigo's idea, she couldn't believe neither she nor Urahara had considered this possibility. Perhaps it was Ichigo's desperation to find a solution for Grimmjow that made him suggest such a drastic measure. But the thought pained her heart at the idea of getting rid of Ulquiorra after he had already made such progress.
"I hadn't thought about that," Orihime responded honestly, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern.
"Okay," Ichigo responded immediately, his determination evident. He walked past Orihime, taking charge as he invited himself into the room and placed Grimmjow on the kitchen counter. "Let's try it." He gestured to the tiny cat, who wore a visibly annoyed expression.
The stage was set for an unconventional experiment, one that held the potential to reveal hidden truths and unravel the complexities of their intertwined destinies.
Ulquiorra suggested to attempt this on him first. He was hopeful that maybe this could in fact work. To which Ichigo second that notion, which seemed to be the only thing the two had ever agreed upon.
Orihime focused all her energy and willpower into reversing Ulquiorra's condition, determined to reject his reduced size and bring him back to normal. She closed her eyes, her brow furrowing with concentration as her powers surged through her. With every ounce of her might, she willed Ulquiorra to return to his original form.
But as she poured her energy into the reversal, something unexpected happened. Ulquiorra began to fade away just as he did previously, his form dissipating into ethereal grains of ash. His emerald eyes widened in disbelief as he found himself once again in the void, the empty expanse that had haunted him for so long and the one he found himself in momentarily when he originally began to disappear in the desert of Hueco Mundo. The sense of isolation and detachment enveloped him, threatening to pull him further away from the real world.
In that fleeting moment of despair, Ulquiorra's consciousness hovered in the void, disconnected from reality. But just as quickly as he was pulled away, a powerful force yanked him back into the tangible realm.
Orihime immediately ceased her powers, her hands trembling in the aftermath of her failed attempt and at the realization she was just barely able to pull Ulquiorra back in time. She stared at Ulquiorra, his pale features marred with a mix of disbelief and uncertainty. The gravity of the situation hung heavily in the air, casting a shadow over the room.
Ichigo, his anger now replaced with concern, stepped forward. He exchanged glances with Orihime, his voice laced with urgency. "What just happened? Why couldn't you bring him back to normal?"
Orihime's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she spoke, her voice filled with a mixture of regret and sorrow. "I... I don't know, Ichigo. I gave it everything I had, but instead of reversing his size, he started fading away. It was like... l could feel his presence begin to disappear permanently. I could feel if I continued I wouldn't be able to bring him back at all."
It became clear that attempting to reject Ulquiorra and Grimmjow's current states was not a viable solution. To do so would only reject them back into the state of death they had seemingly transcended. Questions arose in their minds—how had they even returned in the first place? What allowed them to exist anew?
Ichigo's frustration simmered beneath the surface as he looked at Ulquiorra and Grimmjow, his voice harboring anger as he demanded answers. "Tell me the truth. How are you both here? What happened after you died?"
Ulquiorra remained silent, his expression inscrutable. Grimmjow, on the other hand, simply shrugged his tiny shoulders and feigned ignorance.
"Don't play dumb." Ichigo pressed, his eyes blazing.
Ulquiorra still didn't speak, but Orihime could see a flicker of something in his eyes. Fear, maybe? She couldn't be sure.
"Ichigo, maybe we should stop," she suggested softly, laying a hand on his arm. "This isn't getting us anywhere."
He shook her off, his gaze fixed on the two arrancars. "No, we need to know. They know something, Orihime. They must have a reason they're keeping this to themselves. What if it has something to do with Aizen?"
Ulquiorra finally spoke, his voice low and measured. "What you seek is not something I can provide."
Ichigo scowled. "Why not?"
"Because I do not know," Ulquiorra replied simply, lying all the way.
Grimmjow snorted, finally contributing to the conversation as his tiny form shook with derision. "Quit your bitching Kurosaki, it's not like we're doing this on purpose. What the hell do you think? We want to be here? I'd rather be dead than stuck in this sorry excuse for a body. Besides, maybe the little princess here just isn't as powerful as she thinks."
"Don't talk about Orihime's powers like that." Ichigo replied defensively. "Didn't she heal your arm? Dumbass. You should be grateful."
"I already repaid my debt to her." Grimmjow retaliated. "If she couldn't do this then obviously something is wrong with her."
Orihime's heart sank at Grimmjow's words, her self-doubt intensifying. She had always try to believe in the strength of her powers, but this recent failure had shaken her confidence to its core. And the thought alone that someone who was just 6 inches tall could make her question herself was a bit pathetic.
Ichigo's eyes narrowed, his patience waning. "Cut the act, Grimmjow. You know something."
Grimmjow's smirk widened, revealing a glint of mischief in his eyes. "And what if I do? What's in it for me?"
Ichigo clenched his fists, frustration and determination burning within him. "We're not playing games here."
Grimmjow's eyes flickered with amusement, reveling in Ichigo's turmoil. "I'm just fucking with you, I honestly don't have a clue."
Ulquiorra had been eyeing Grimmjow suspiciously during the whole exchange, suspicious as to whether the 6th actually knew something and was feigning ignorance the same way he was. He was sure if that was the case, Grimmjow wouldn't want Orihime…or Ichigo if that was the correct person, to know why he was here or the details that came with it. It was humiliating enough.
Ichigo let out a frustrated sigh, his annoyance palpable. "So... what do we do now?" he grumbled, his brows furrowed.
Orihime shrugged, trying to maintain a sense of optimism despite the circumstances. "Well, I suppose we'll just have to take care of them for now," she replied with a hopeful smile.
Ichigo glanced uncertainly at Ulquiorra, memories of the pain he had inflicted still fresh in his mind. His gaze then shifted to Grimmjow. He let out a resigned sigh.
"I was hoping for a peaceful winter break so I can catch up on schoolwork." Ichigo muttered, his disappointment evident. "I'm sure it'll be hard for you too with that little pest."
Orihime's puckered her lips at his reference to Ulquiorra, but then eyes softened with sympathy. "I'm sorry, Ichigo," she said gently.
"It's not your fault." Ichigo replied over his shoulder as he made his way to the front door after grabbing Grimmjow carelessly. "Alright, let's get going, then."
Despite his uncomfortable placement in Ichigo's grip, Grimmjow couldn't help but snicker at Ichigo's exasperated demeanor as they began to make their way out of the room.
"Bye Ichigo, I'm sure Urahara will think of something!" Orihime called out cheerfully, her voice carrying a hint of warmth. Ulquiorra observed her expression, taking in the genuine kindness she radiated.
Once they were out of sight, Orihime returned to the couch, carefully placing Ulquiorra on the coffee table in front of her. Settling into the soft cushions, she turned her attention back to the enigmatic Espada.
"Anyways," she began, her tone gentle, "what were we talking about?"
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