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


Though Numb hearts could not feel the Pain, the presence of something--of someone--remained deep within their chests, reminding them of what they were Missing and what they had Lost.


(LXXXI)

Orihime had to keep herself calm when she saw the Hokyokou. For all of Aizen's planning and cautiousness, he had made one mistake: He had told her the true nature of her power.

Orihime had long ago decided I will do everything it takes to erase that cursed orb out of existence.

(LXXXII)

She stood at the side, Ulquiorra in front of her as Aizen moved forward. Ichimaru was by his side and Orihime couldn't help but notice that his smile was more sinister than usual.

Orihime couldn't tear her eyes away when Matsumoto Rangiku stepped forward, a hand clutching the severe wound at her side. Ichimaru opened his eyes to look at his Other Half and Orihime could swear it was regret and longing that flashed through his gaze.

(LXXXIII)

He took Rangiku far away (how she hoped someone would do the same for her) where she would be safe from the fighting. Orihime refused to meet his eyes when he returned, not wanting to see the resignation and resolve within them. Instead, she looked at Ulquiorra's back, with a look much similar to Ichimaru's.

After all, both of us aren't very different, are we?

(LXXXIV)

She stayed back even as her comrades fell, ignoring the dirty looks many passed her. Hueco Mundo had taught her many things and patience was one of them.

Bide your time, the walls had whispered to her after Aizen had shown her the Hokyokou, Train in secrecy. Wait for the opportune moment. Do not loose sight of your goal.

(LXXXV)

The time finally came, though in a way so unpredictable that it had been nowhere in the thousands of scenarios she had made up in her mind. Even Ulquiorra was stunned when Ichimaru took hold of Aizen's sword and attacked.

Hinamori Momo shrieked; a sound so raw and inhumane it made Orihime throat go dry.

The whole battlefield collectively froze, watching, waiting to see what happened. If Aizen died here, the Espada would have no reason to continue fighting.

Much to her dread, the former captain coughed and spluttered, hand clamped at the wound on his chest, just below his heart. Ichimaru had missed the vital organ, so Aizen lived.

(LXXXVI)

It was when Ichimaru exhaled slowly, the Hokyokou still in his hands that Orihime snapped out of her shock. She was up in a flash, running past Ulquiorra, taking advantage of his confusion.

As she passed him, their eyes met. The Completeness warmed her chest, and Orihime felt the tears behind her eyes.

She looked away and continued running.

(LXXXVII)

Ichimaru focused his eyes on her approaching form. They were wide with surprise, but Orihime was sure she could see the relief in there too. He didn't ask any questions when she sat beside him, simple pushed the Hokyokou into her warm, human and so very breakable and fragile hands.

Without wasting another second, she summoned her fairies and began the rejection.

(LXXXVIII)

Aizen staggered to his feet, sword in hand. Shouting obscenities at them, he lunged. Gin vacated the place beside her and met Aizen in the middle, meeting his blow for blow. Orihime wanted desperately to look over her shoulder, see the faces of her friends, of her Other Half.

But she didn't, because she knew she wouldn't be able to handle the gratitude in the former at the cost of the betrayal in the latter.

(LXXXIX)

Unable to get past Gin as quickly as he would like to, Aizen looked over his shoulder.

Orihime's eyes were still focused on rejecting the Hokyokou, eyebrows furrowed as she concentrated. Her heart stopped when she heard the name that escaped his mouth.

"Ulquiorra!"

(LXXXX)

Gin looked over too, which proved to be a fatal mistake. Taking advantage of his distraction, Aizen sunk his sword in his opponent's abdomen. Not a second later, he was making way for her. He was stopped as another warrior stood in his way. Urahara looked solemn as he took his stance.

When Ulquiorra didn't come after her, Orihime allowed herself an exhale of relief. She continued on, until the voices and sounds faded away, until the colors around her were nothing but a side story, a sub plot I can't be focusing on right now.

She used her god-gifted powers until it was only her and the Hokyokou in her vision, as if they were the only things left in the three worlds.


A/N: Thank you so much for reading!! I hope you liked the way I portrayed Aizen!! It was so much harder than I had expected, so I can't guarantee that he wouldn't be OOC in coming chapters. I'm really sorry but I'm trying my best (TT). He's such a complicated character, I find it hard to put his genius and arrogance in words. I hope you like it more than you don't!!

Thank you again for giving this a chance and be sure to tell me what you think!