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.
The Pain That Binds Us
Snippet Story
Soul Bonds were meant to be cherished, regardless of the circumstances of the Soulmates. Scorning a Soul Bond was like spitting in the faces of gods.
(CI)
The sky darkened with clouds, the scent of rain hovering in the air. However no one paid attention to the upcoming darkness, their eyes focused on the figure on the ground.
The figure with large bat wings and cold jade eyes.
(CII)
Szayel raised an eyebrow.
Grimmjow bared his teeth in a bloodthirsty grin.
Nnoitora flinched.
Starrk and Harribel watched in silence.
(CIII)
Ulquiorra resumed his position, thrusting his sword into his master's chest once again. Aizen coughed again and Ulquiorra removed his weapon with exaggerated slowness. Urahara Kisuke did the same, stepping away as the former captain fell to his knees.
(CIV)
Orihime had long ago stopped paying attention to the events around her. Even then, she faintly felt the spike in her Soulmate's reitsu. She wanted desperately to look over her shoulder and see how he was but refrained.
She was almost done rejecting the Hokyokou. Looking back would only waver my concentration and I might end up failing in the final steps and I don't want that and I'm so so tired.
(CV)
The last soul whispered its story in her ears, before floating away like steam. Her fairies returned to her pins and Orihime collapsed.
(CVI)
Aizen shouted, his voice so filled with rage, it struck terror in the hearts of everyone present.
Ignoring the Espada, Urahara began an incantation, saying the words as quickly as he could without changing them.
Long strips of reishi came crashing down on the former captain, imprisoning him to the ground.
(CVII)
Ulquiorra spread his wings, dashing forward. A blur of black and white, too quick for many to stop even if they tried. Swiftly, he slipped past Aizen, where his Other Half was collapsed.
Crouching by her side, he gathered her up before promptly disappearing. As the seconds passed, Urahara looked around in dread, thinking if he had somehow miscalculated.
A minute later, Inoue Orihime's reitsu disappeared completely as it does when a person dies and Ulquiorra returned.
(CVIII)
Absolute silence, filled with disbelief and denial. Kurosaki Ichigo was the one to step forward.
"What did you do to her, you bastard!?"
(CIX)
With his sword still clasped in his hands, Aizen looked up at Ulquiorra and smiled.
(CX)
"You seem to have underestimated me, Urahara."
A sword was thrust into his stomach, and the shopkeeper looked up to meet the eyes of an Espada he had almost called ally.
"Did you really think Ulquiorra would betray me?"
The dread settled in as he coughed up blood. The guilt was sudden then, as bitter as the regret he felt at sending an innocent human girl to her death.
A/N: Aha, how was it?? So Ulquiorra was pretending, was he? And what about Orihime? Is she truly dead? Do review and tell me what you think!!
Thank you for reading and giving this story a chance!!