Welcome to the 8th Chapter of Just A Bit Longer! Thank you so much for sticking with me this far!
Sorry I haven't posted in... over ten days (gasp)! I've been motivated to work on my new fic Masquerade~
Please check it out if you're into dark romance hehe

Also, I didn't thoroughly read for grammar/spelling mistakes so please excuse them if necessary!
Enjoy!

Deep within a foreign, thick forest, a certain strawberry-blonde woman yawned as she curled up next to her silver-haired companion. A gentle autumn breeze drifted through the brown and orange leaves above them.

"Gin."

Matsumoto Rangiku rolled on top of her lover, pressing her bare chest against his. He grinned at her and ran his skinny fingers through her hair. She smiled back at him and kissed the area beneath his jaw. With her feet, she lazily pulled the blanket to cover their naked bodies that lay sprawled on the forest floor.

"Yes, Ran?"

"I've always been wondering… why did you ask permission for the Espada to come here?"

Rangiku was referring to the Living World. Since Gin was exiled from Soul Society and Rangiku had no access to a garganta, the two star-crossed lovers would occasionally rendezvous in the Living World deep in a forest that reminded her of the first place she met him when they were children.

Gin's smirk stretched wider, his aqua eyes squinting at her as the afternoon sunlight beamed through the clouds and rested on his face.

"I can't tell you, Rangiku."

"Booooo, Gin!" she whined, tucking her head underneath his pointy chin, "You always hide things from me!"

Again, he ran a hand through her gold waves of hair, admiring the feeling of silk at the tips of his fingers. His smile turned upside-down into a frown. It wasn't that he wanted to keep his plans a secret from the woman he loved, but everything he did was for her. It always had been. And he couldn't afford to slip up.

"I'm sorry, Ran," his eyebrows knotted in concern as he said the next part, "But if it makes you feel better… You will probably find out soon."

Rangiku snapped her head up to look at him and glowed at him, her blue eyes wide with excitement, "Really, Gin? Really, really?" she chirped.

Gin's frown deepened, "Really."

If his predictions were correct, Aizen Sosuke would break out of his confinements any time now. Five years…

"Ran, I have a favor to ask of you."

"What is it?" her bright, azure eyes held curiosity and anxiety upon seeing his expression grow serious.

"Smile, Ran," he poked her cheek teasingly. She laughed and grabbed his hand, intertwining their fingers together.

"Promise me."

It was moments like this that came crashing upon her whenever Gin left her. A wave of nostalgia and heartache constantly nibbled at her soul, making her breathless and depressed. Fortunately, she was a strong woman. She could smile, but she could never forget. Unless she drank sake of course.

Gin opened his eyes, his undiluted blue eyes piercing through her intensely.

"Promise me… you won't leave me anymore," her voice cracked as she talked.

This was it. This was what Gin didn't want to see. He never wanted her to cry ever again. But if his plans were successful, both their wishes might just be granted.

Gin could only hope the Espada he had laid his trust in had adjusted to the Living World accordingly.

He pushed her shoulders back gently and laid her on the soft grass. Hovering over her, his silver hair brushing against her skin, he laid soft, warm kisses on her cheek, trailing down to her breasts. She giggled in response, feeling his touches tickle her. She pulled her legs up and captured his nude waist with them, then pulled him towards her to press his groin against her lower abdomen. He raised his eyebrows in amusement at her silent request and chuckled softly.

"I wouldn't dream of it, Ran."

…

Meanwhile in the lowest underground prison, the 8th prison known as "Muken", Sosuke Aizen himself grinned widely. The entire room was pulsating with an eerie light as the Hogyoku within him pulsated power into his veins and arteries. He felt the Kidou that bound him gradually melt away into useless liquid around his fingers, shoulders, and head.

'The Hogyoku is very impatient,' he mused to himself, 'Though, that isn't entirely true. It is fulfilling my desires after all.'

He felt his restraints loosen around him even further. Flexing his arms and stretching his legs, he savored every sensation of power and strength seep back into him from the jewel embedded in his chest.

…

It truly was a strange sight. A human girl and a demon were cuddling in the same bed. The soft afternoon sunlight leaked through the girl's window blinds, resting on the tangled mess of ebony and auburn strands splayed on the same pillow. It was silent except for the heavenly, shallow breathing of an angel and her masculine counterpart. Their limbs were intertwined as they hugged each other in a heated embrace. The boy's arm wrapped securely around his princess and the girl's nose pressed snugly against his hard chest, right below where his heart should be.

Sometime during their afternoon nap, Ulquiorra had awoken, yet again, by Orihime's restlessness. Gradually opening bold, forest-green eyes and tilting his head to the side to look at her, he observed that the girl was drowning in the cold sweat of her fever. Despite the heat that emanated from her breath and radiated off her skin, she was shivering violently and clinging onto him desperately for warmth.

Orihime's eyes fluttered open, only opening halfway due to her faintness. Ulquiorra shifted the arm that rested below her breasts to caress her cheek and lull her back to sleep. Obliging, Orihime closed her eyes once more.

"I'm so cold, Ulquiorra," she whispered. She tugged on his shirt twice trying to motion to Ulquiorra what she wanted.

Without hesitation, Ulquiorra removed his hand from her cheek placed her trembling hand on his tie. She tilted her head up, her nose just a few centimeters away from the Espada's.

"Show me what you want, Orihime," he sighed softly into her ear.

Orihime opened her eyes widely in shock, comprehending what he had meant. Her hands hovered over his tie in hesitation and she bit her bottom lip, but eventually she placed her feeble fingers and loosened his tie. Ulquiorra's eyes shifted down to look at her as she tried to unbutton his shirt. He felt amusement tugging at the corner of his lips, urging him to smirk, as he watched her mouth twist in concentration in trying to pry the buttons of his shirt apart with difficulty. Gently he placed a pale hand on her trembling fingers and pressed his forehead against hers. He relished in her warmth and the sweet smell of her hair.

"You don't have to do it if you don't want to, Orihime," he murmured, his lips grazing against her nose.

Orihime's face grew so hot, she felt as though she would faint, but when she managed to free one button, her resolution had settled.

"I want to," she whispered.

Despite the blush evident on her face, she was still shivering uncontrollably from her fever. She was cold and a different type of hunger was gnawing at her heart. She knew Ulquiorra would be the only one that could satisfy her needs.

She wanted him.

He filled the emptiness in her heart just as she had done for him. Now she desperately thirsted for him. Skin, soul, and body. Orihime was sure he felt the same way. She could feel it in the heat of Ulquiorra's hand, she could hear it rebounding in his voice, and most of all, his ember-green eyes, which looked at her now, were filled with passion and care she had never seen before.

Ulquiorra released his grip on her hands and placed it on her hip, encouraging her to continue. Shyly, Orihime unbuttoned one more, occasionally looking up into his emerald gaze for approval, but found him to be as apathetic as ever. Little did she know that Ulquiorra was having trouble maintaining his composure as the girl in his arms gradually undressed him. He tangled the fabric of her light, autumn dress in between his fingers as eager and greed threatened to consume him.

Earlier, Orihime had kicked the sheets away, giving Ulquiorra full sight of her curvaceous body. Clutching the thin fabric even tighter in his pale hand, the dress lifted higher, exposing a delicious amount of her thigh. Upon further contact with the cold air in her room on her skin, Orihime inhaled sharply, but quietly, and arched her body even closer to Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra had to use all his strength to refrain his body from reacting inappropriately, but he knew that when it came to Orihime, his body would prevail over his mind.

On releasing the last button of his shirt, Orihime slid her arms up from his abdomen to his shoulders, delicately separating his shirt and slipping it off his shoulders to expose his broad chest and throbbing Hollow hole.

Growling with approval, he tilted his head lower and nuzzled Orihime's chin upward to expose her neck. She shyly gave into his silent request, closed her eyes, and gasped quietly when she felt Ulquiorra's cold lips settle on her neck. She curved into the shape of his body and pressed her breasts against his chest. The heat radiating off of him did everything but quell the shivering of her excited body. Her heart hammered loudly in her chest and she suddenly felt embarrassed.

Orihime weaved her bare legs with Ulquiorra's, her abdomen brushing against his groin. Immediately, Ulquiorra felt that uncomfortable heat growing exponentially from his lower abdomen and his body stiffened.

Tentatively, she placed both her palms around his hollow hole. Orihime tilted her head lower causing Ulquiorra's lingering lips to graze up her jawbone and tickle her cheek and then her forehead. Timidly, she pressed her lips at the corner of the aching hole. Ulquiorra winced underneath her touch.

"Am I hurting you…?" she whispered. With every word, her lips brushed against his velvet skin, sending waves of pleasure and pain all at once throughout his body.

Ulquiorra loosened his grasp on her hip and placed it on her cheek to gently angle her chin up once more. He lowered his lips onto her warm neck and licked her skin, causing her to tremble in delight.

"Orihime," he breathed out, closing his eyes.

Orihime sighed and wandered her hands up past his shoulders and curled them around his neck, her fingers combing through raven-black hair. She noticed Ulquiorra avoided her question, but she expected that he would since it would be out of character for him. Emitting a tired giggle, she smiled into his hair.

"I like it when you say my name, Ulquiorra."

"Orihime…Orihime…Orihime…" between every sigh of her name, Ulquiorra placed feathery kisses on her jawbone, collarbone, and the area right above her heart.

Orihime had never felt so complete. At first, it seemed strange to have her heart full of the dark Espada Ulquiorra Cifer, but with every touch of his gentle fingers and his coarse lips, and with every inch that joined them together as they lay in bed, Orihime started to feel familiar with him. She loved how it seemed Ulquiorra knew how to console her and yet make her feel as though she would burst. Five years ago, she could have never seen this day coming.

Would it be too late to turn back now?

Orihime couldn't imagine leaving him.

She hugged him tighter in response, savoring the feeling of his satin lips on her tender skin. She made a strange reaction when he kissed the skin that throbbed above her heart.

"Sleep, Orihime."

She nodded against his head and drifted back to sleep to dream about a certain dark-haired prince.

...

Ring.

Ulquiorra felt Orihime stir next to him and groan in complaint. He snapped his eyes open on sensing a familiar reiatsu.

"Just a bit longer…" she grumbled into his chest, tightening her embrace.

Ring. Ring.

The caramel-brown haired girl groaned even louder in his arms and shifted her body so that she would be lying sprawled on her back. Ulquiorra leaned over and brushed her hair clear from her face.

The Arrancar could sense the foreign reiatsu heighten in anxiety the longer he procrastinated on answering the door. Much to Orihime's discomfort, he removed himself from the girl that persisted on gluing herself to him. Climbing out of the bed, he didn't bother fixing himself up before walking to the door and opening it.

At the other side of the door, a blue-eyed Quincy sighed in exasperation. He was about to turn away from the door, when it slammed open unceremoniously revealing a half-dressed, disheveled Espada.

"Ulquiorra?!" Uryuu shouted in disbelief. Why the hell is he half-naked?

"Do not be so noisy, Quincy. It's quite annoying and the girl is sleeping," he deadpanned.

Uryuu was stunned. He was aware Ulquiorra was staying with Orihime, but he didn't expect the Arrancar to be this comfortable with her. He couldn't help but wonder what he had interrupted.

"Err…" he sweat-dropped.

"State your reason for appearing here, Quincy," Ulquiorra demanded. He longed to return to Orihime in bed.

Uryuu furrowed his brow, "I haven't seen Orihime in a while. I just wanted to check up on he—"

"—The onna is perfectly capable of taking care of herself," he interrupted, "If that is the only reason you are here for, I suggest you leave now and let the girl rest."

"Is something wrong with her?" Uryuu grew more worried.

"I assure you she will live," he responded vaguely and slammed the door on him.

Irritated, Uryuu blinked hard and started to slam on the door with his fists.

"I demand to see Orihime! What have you done to her?!" he shouted at the door as he banged on it insistently.

The door responded to him with a click as the lock was put in place.

Uryuu was really peeved now. He pulled out his sewing kit from his coat, picked at the door's lock just like he did five years ago, but paused before he could unlock it. Sighing, he withdrew the pick and stepped away from the door. His Quincy pride wouldn't allow him to stoop this low. He decided he would pay another visit later when Orihime would be awake to open the door instead.

…

Back in the room, Ulquiorra sauntered over to Orihime's bedside with his hands in her pocket. The girl rolled over on the bed to face him and looked up at his dark face.

"Who was that, Ulquiorra?" she slurred at him sleepily.

"Just trash, onna," he said humorlessly. Looking at Ulquiorra's face, Orihime decided not to pry.

Ulquiorra's green eyes softened when he watched her reach out to him eagerly with both arms outstretched. He bent over and allowed himself to be taunted by her inviting warmth. Wrapping him in her embrace, she tugged his body over hers on the bed, welcoming his presence back into her life. He in turn wrapped his arms under her back and rolled over so that she was now on top.

Drowsily, the girl giggled cheerfully at him, her nose crinkling to hold back a sneeze.

"Ulquiorra," she beamed. She placed a curious finger on his cheek and traced the line of his tear marks.

"Yes, Orihime?" he closed his eyes and sighed softly as he leaned his head into the palm of her hand.

She lowered her head onto his chest, her ear resting into his hollow hole. Her smile slipped from her face and her vision became cloudy with tears. Her other hand roamed and outlined the curves of Ulquiorra's torso.

"Do you think this is okay?"

"Is what okay?"

"This. What we're doing… I… don't want to seem like I'm using you as a rebound…" she sniffled quietly into his chest.

"Rebound?" He felt her nod against his chest, her soft cheek rubbing against his gaping hole.

"A rebound is someone a broken-hearted person relies on to fill the emptiness in their hearts," her shoulders started to quake as her tears silently poured, "I feel so guilty, Ulquiorra. About everything."

Ulquiorra rested his hand on her head and ran his fingers through golden-fiery strands.

"I assure you, onna, that no matter how you view me, I will not leave your side. That is my own will, not yours."

Ulquiorra expected her to be happy when he said this, but instead she curled up into a ball on top of him and began sobbing loudly. Stunned by her reaction, he leaned up and pushed Orihime into a sitting position in his lap. She continued to cry, desperately wiping her tears from her face over and over again as she bawled.

"Why, Ulquiorra? I really liked Kurosaki-kun! Being here with you now… like this… I can't help, but wonder why it's you and not him. Kurosaki-kun… I feel so guilty, Ulquiorra," she cried into his chest, her voice leaking through his hollow hole.

Ulquiorra felt a pang of jealousy course through him. His mouth tightened into a straight line and he looked down at the girl pouring her emotions into him. He placed his hands on her shoulder and pushed her off of him. Orihime snapped her eyes open and her heart felt as though it were being shred to pieces. Ember-green eyes glared right into her iron-gray orbs, his brow furrowed in frustration.

"Inoue Orihime," he rasped. Orihime sniffled, her eyes widening from the intensity of his gaze.

"You are strong. You have the abilities that defy God's Will and a heart so pure. Kurosaki Ichigo is a fool for taking advantage of you," he continued. His gaze softened and Orihime felt his clutch on her shoulders relax, "Now will you seize with this pathetic act?"

Orihime wiped her nose with the back of her arm and smiled goofily at him.

"I'm sorry," she laughed, "I think I'm near my period. I should feel better soon though!"

Ulquiorra didn't know what a "period" was, but he decided to inquire about that later.

Swelling with happiness, guilt, and bittersweet sadness, she smiled and pushed Ulquiorra's shoulders back slightly so their eyes would be level. She felt the heart in her chest flutter as she gazed at him. Lowering her lashes, she leaned in towards Ulquiorra.

"Do you…like me, Ulquiorra?"

"Like?" he scoffed.

She nodded vigorously, her blush becoming more evident on her face. She grabbed his hand and placed it on her chest right where her heart was pumping rapidly.

"This is what happens when you like somebody," she said, turning even more red realizing how sappy she was being.

Ulquiorra looked at his hand curiously. Underneath his fingers was Orihime's heart, alive and warm. It was a mysterious sensation to someone who had a gaping hole at that same location. He pressed his palm further into her chest and felt her fast, pulsating beats resonating through his cold blood and run through his chest as if he had a heart too.

She was his heart. He already discovered that. But now it seemed so much more.

What could it be?

Orihime freed his hand from hers and Ulquiorra withdrew it, staring at it as the feeling of her pulse faded out of him.

"Ulquiorra, can I try something?"

Ulquiorra continued to wordlessly gape at his hand. Orihime took his silence as an approval and she prayed to God he wouldn't regret allowing her to do what she was about to do next.

Her focus slid down from his eyes and rested on his lips as her trembling fingers reached for his face. Timidly, she leaned in and closed her eyes while Ulquiorra's eyes widened surprise, unflinching. He watched as her face neared his and he also felt heat rising to his face. Her unsure fingers roamed past his neck and tangled themselves in his long, black hair while she lifted her body slightly to place her lips on Ulquiorra's.

Speechless, Ulquiorra continued to stare at her closed eyes as she kissed him. Finally regaining his composure, he closed his eyes and leaned into Orihime to return the gesture. He felt her lips turn into a smile under his as he placed both his hands on her lower back to support her. Eagerly, she angled her head so she could kiss him again and he sighed against her lips. Then Orihime did something that caught him off guard.

When Ulquiorra sighed, she courageously licked his bottom lip sensually. She felt Ulquiorra twitch in her embrace, but she calmed him with another kiss, her touch melting him into nothingness. Orihime nibbled on his bottom lip, causing him to slightly part his lips to emit a low growl. She licked his bottom lip again, asking for approval. Consenting to her request, he parted his lips more and let Orihime caress his mouth from inside with her tongue. Every flick of her tongue that battled with his shot pleasure through him that pooled in his stomach.

The sensation was overwhelming him. When her tongue slid against his, he couldn't restrain himself back anymore. Grabbing the girl's arms roughly, Ulquiorra pushed her onto her back on the bed and he continued to ravish her tongue passionately. Their bodies were so close together, every inch of one body touched the other. One heart beating rapidly and the other aching and throbbing in hunger.

Everything about Ulquiorra was alluring. His low, seductive grunts, the musky scent of his masculinity, the way his body hovered over hers dominantly. His touch was scorching hot, but his breath was cold and gentle.

Orihime curled her fingers into his hair, deepening the kiss. Ulquiorra felt her legs wrap around his waist and her thighs brush against his causing her dress to fall in a pool around her rear, exposing her creamy thighs. He knew his groin was reacting shamelessly, but he could no longer limit himself. He felt Orihime arch into him and moan inside his mouth. Her lower abdomen rubbed against his, arousing him even further. Her breathing became labored as she explored his bare back with slender fingers. He couldn't refrain himself from touching her either; his own hands disobeyed his mind and traveled from her arms to the area underneath her supple breasts and her flat stomach.

It was blissful torture to Ulquiorra. He knew he had to stop himself before his body would betray him and he would terrify the innocent girl beneath him.

Ulquiorra took a few moments to relish in the waves of ecstasy from her grinding into him lustfully and listened to the desire woven in her uneven breaths. He had never yearned so strongly to be with her, but when he felt his body reach its limit of arousal, he flinched away before Orihime could feel it.

Sitting back on his legs, he stared at the girl beneath him, her hair a mess of red and brown coating the cluttered sheets. Her eyes were glazed over and directed towards the ceiling, her chest rising and falling in rhythm with his unsteady pants.

Sluggishly, her large, gray eyes wandered to him and she reached out and tugged on his arm to pull him back on her. Ulquiorra obliged once more and hovered over her, his dark hair casting a shadow on both their faces. Urgently, she draped her arms around his neck once more, a look of need cast on her features.

"Calm down, Orihime," he said in a low voice.

The girl was burning beneath him. He knew he shouldn't leave her as she was, but he didn't want to hurt her. He was afraid she might regret choosing him. After all, he was only a rebound, but he was determined to play his role to the best of his ability.

Orihime had reduced the Cuatro Espada into a weakling. He was under her command and even declared he would follow her no matter what her intentions would be. Though, Ulquiorra realized it would be acceptable when it came to this girl. He understood that she had become a part of him. In a way, the human made him stronger. If they were to part, Ulquiorra was sure he would fall back into the abyss of despair.

Their intense, fixated gaze on each other was interrupted, yet again, by the ringing of her doorbell.

Orihime giggled, and feeling suddenly lethargic, flopped back down on her sheets and dragged a pillow over to cuddle with it.

"Can you get that, Ulquiorra? I'm still sick," she muffled into the pillow.

Ulquiorra almost scoffed aloud, knowing through Orihime's actions that she was no longer under the spell of a fever, but he got off the bed anyway and headed towards the door. Stuffing his hands into his pockets as he neared the door, he felt the fluctuating reiatsu of the shinigami. He hesitated in front of the closed door, debating if Orihime were mentally stable enough to face him in her current condition. Unhurriedly, he removed a hand from his pocket and opened the door. Both Kurosaki Ichigo and Ishida Uryuu were standing at the doorway.

Ulquiorra glowered at them. Ichigo had his hands in his pockets and his angry eyes were averted to the side.

"Is Inoue-san awake yet?" Uryuu started, gawking at Ulquiorra who seemed more disheveled than the last time he visited.

"No," Ulquiorra stepped back to slam the door on their faces again, but Ichigo stuck his foot out in between the door and the frame before it could close.

"I need to talk to Orihime," he snarled. Ulquiorra reopened the door, but his expression remained stoic.

"You call her by her first name so suddenly after she points it out to you? How ridiculous."

Ulquiorra and Ichigo glared at each other for a few seconds, invisible sparks flying as a flustered Uryuu tried to calm Ichigo down to no avail.

"Ulquiorra? Who is tha— oh!" Orihime peeked over his shoulder and immediately withdrew to hide behind his back.

Ulquiorra tilted his head back to look at the cowering girl and noticed she changed into large t-shirt and tight, spandex shorts and her hairpins were placed to keep rogue strands away from her small face, but her eyes were still puffy from her crying fits. He sighed inwardly and shifted his gaze to Ichigo.

"She's not ready to see you, shinigami. Leave," he demanded.

"Umm, it's okay," he felt Orihime peek around his shoulder this time, her eyes cast downwards in shyness.

"Orihime, I want to talk to you," Ichigo declared, looking at her now, but she refused to look at him in his eyes. Uryuu stood there awkwardly, hearing from Ichigo what had happened between them earlier and in exchange Uryuu revealed that Ulquiorra had been living with Orihime.

Orihime tugged at Ulquiorra's sleeve and he understood that she was asking him to lend her strength.

Ichigo switched his gaze to Ulquiorra and his amber eyes hardened, "Why the hell are you naked?"

Then, out of nowhere, Orihime's stomach rumbled noisily and ended with a sound similar to a spring. All three pairs of blue, brown, and green eyes stared at her intensely and she felt herself shrink.

"Ah!" she blinked, "I guess I'm hungry!" and then laughed awkwardly.

"Good! Then let me take you out again, Orihime," Ichigo persisted. Ulquiorra saw her visibly flinch when she heard him say her name informally for the second time. Ulquiorra's face darkened.

"Orihime is ill, shinigami. Were you not aware of her symptoms when you were out with her earlier? Or were you too busy thinking about yourself?" he sneered.

Ichigo glowered at him, "Now who are you to say you could call her by her first name?!" he yelled, "I've known her longer than you! You can't just take control of her li—"

"Stop! Kurosaki-kun…" Orihime withered. Uryuu looked at her with pity. The poor girl did indeed look sick and after all Ichigo had put her through, he wouldn't blame her for feeling worse.

Uryuu placed a hand on Ichigo's shoulder, "Lets go, Ichigo. Just leave her to rest. I'm sure she will be fine."

Ichigo clenched his fists between his sides, lowered his head, and gritted his teeth.

"I never wanted to hurt you, Orihime," he muttered.

Orihime realized Ichigo had come to her just to make his rejection clear. When she felt her heart couldn't be any more broken, it felt as though Ichigo had stepped on the shards with those words. Frankly, she was impressed that he managed to directly confront her about it without Rukia this time, but it did nothing to settle her spirit.

Orihime smiled sadly, "I know… Kurosaki-kun."

Without another word, Orihime shut the door and locked it in place.

So that was it. Ichigo and Orihime would continue to live on as friends. After six years of unrequited love, she had received her answer. Ulquiorra would pity her, but he felt no such emotion. If anything, he felt anger and relief, but he wouldn't admit to that.

Auburn strands of hair covered her face as she lowered her head and leaned back against the door. Ulquiorra could hear her muted sniffles and quiet hiccups. Not knowing how to sympathize or console her at this point, his frown deepened.

"Onna," he paused for a moment wondering what the hell he was thinking, but continued anyway, "Do you want me to retrieve you a meal?"

Orihime lifted her head and looked at him with enormous, sparkling eyes. If she were crying, any evidence had been immediately evaporated.

"Are you really going to cook for me, Ulquiorra?!" she screamed enthusiastically. Ulquiorra had to cover his ears. His face darkened, displeased.

"I was referring to procuring a bento from the convenient store," he said plainly.

Orihime wilted, "Ah… Well then, why don't you try cooking? I'll teach you!"

Cooking… Ulquiorra could imagine that it was a hobby only weaklings found pleasure in.

"No."

"Ulquioooorraaaa!" she whined, beating on his hard chest with her fists.

Suddenly, she let her legs give way and she collapsed on to floor in a heap, intentionally breathing shallowly. Opening her eyes marginally, she peeked to see if Ulquiorra was concerned, but he was just staring down at her stoically. Maybe she didn't look pitiful enough…

"Onna, what are you doing?"

"Ulquiorra…" she grated with a dry, scratchy voice, "I'm so… sick… I need… food"

Ulquiorra's eye involuntarily twitched. The woman was insulting his intelligence.

"Cook it yourself then."

"…weak…" her head fell upon the carpet in defeat.

Ulquiorra sighed internally, closing his eyes as a vein popped at his temple.

"Fine, Orihime. Teach me this… 'cooking'."

…

To Orihime, it seemed Ulquiorra was a prodigy when it came to cooking. He was swift and efficient, precise with his measurements, and had a knack for knowing what ingredient was needed despite the fact he didn't know the names of more than half of them. Ulquiorra switched off the gas for the stove upon completion.

"No, Ulquiorra! I want this!"

"Onna, that does not compliment this. To accentuate the flavor you must—"

"Nooo!" she continued to whine while reaching for the chocolate syrup that Ulquiorra was suspending high above his head, away from her grasp.

"I want Chocoyaki!"

"Is that Yakisoba or…"

"It's Chocoyaki! Chocoyaki! Chocoyaki!"

Ulquiorra mouth twitched in aggravation. His creation was perfect. He didn't want to soil it with Orihime's strange taste, though the girl insisted that he pour a bottle of chocolate syrup in the concoction. As she jumped to reach the bottle, her breasts rubbed up against his chest repeatedly.

He had enough of this nonsense.

Abruptly, he shifted the bottle over Orihime's head and compressed it within his strong hand, causing it to explode all over her. She gasped and stared at him with wide eyes as the syrup coated her hair and cover her nose and cheeks in a sticky mess. Ulquiorra tossed the damaged bottle over her head and into the trash can across the kitchen.

"Ul…Ul…Ul…" her wide eyes started to glisten with tears as she whimpered.

Ulquiorra was taken aback. He almost felt regret and guilt, but he remained cool. The girl had forgotten that he took no orders from anyone. He was the fourth Espada of Aizen and, technically, now the second. He glowered above her, his face dark with ill intentions.

"You wasted it! Now I can't have Chocoyaki!" she hurled herself at him.

Caught by surprise, she successfully knocked him over, sending both of their bodies crashing to the floor. Angrily, Orihime glared at him as she sat on top of him. She brought both her fists up and dropped them onto his chest and began to repeatedly beat him with them.

"Y-you suck!" she screamed as she pounded her fists harder on his chest. Syrup was slowly dribbling down her nose and landing on his bare chest.

The dark-haired Espada was fully aware of her rear sitting on top of his groin and as her arms flailed in the air, her hips shifted, grinding on him sensually. Ulquiorra gritted his teeth to regain control on his urges, but the fact that Orihime was on top of him only spurred the desire within him.

With rapid speed, he grabbed her wrists to stop her and pinned her down onto the floor, the shadow of his figure cast over her shocked face. She gasped loudly when Ulquiorra leaned down to lick the syrup that coated her cheek, his hands slid down from her wrists to cup her chin and angle it upwards so he could taste the sweetness of her skin on her neck. Orihime weaved nimble fingers through his dark hair as she raised her hips to press against his. Before Ulquiorra could stop himself, he groaned against her neck, savoring the feeling of pressure on an intimate part of him. His brow creased in mild concentration as he continued to clean her face free of the sticky substance while Orihime lifted her legs to wind around him. He was starting to like the taste of chocolate.

Ulquiorra wondered for a moment if she were trying to kill him by putting him through such torture.

"Orihime," he rasped. He was quickly losing the strength that kept his sanity intact with every graze of her hips against his.

She giggled underneath him and pressed his head lower to have his lips meet hers. His viridian eyes widened in surprise as a jolt of electricity ran through him as they touched. Eventually, his entire body relaxed, molding into the shape of hers as he returned her kiss.

To Orihime, being with Ulquiorra now was absolutely amazing. To think he was once her cold, emotionless caretaker who had harmed her friends (or tried to). Now, almost a human, he was planting a small trail of kisses from her forehead down to the tip of her nose. Smiling at him, her silver eyes sparkling with joy, she slipped her hand out of his long, ebony hair and rested it on his, tangling their fingers together. Gently, she pulled his hand up to have him cup her round, supple breast. Still beaming at him, she enjoyed watching his emotionless face turn to one of surprise, nameless sensations swirling in his deep, green eyes.

It was at that moment that Ulquiorra had understood. She had accepted him and now she was inviting him.

"I trust you, Ulquiorra," she said. 'The food can wait.'

Before he realized it, human emotions welled up inside him and he felt the tips his fingers, which were entwined with hers, tingle.

Hungrily, he caught her mouth with his and she responded just as greedily. She parted her lips only to lick his bottom lip for permission. Submitting to her, he allowed her to taste him inside his mouth as their tongues battled for dominance. Heat started to radiate stronger from their bodies, suffocating them and drowning them in lust. Ulquiorra pressed his hips harder on hers, making her moan softly in his mouth. Wanting more pressure, she tightened the embrace around his waist with her legs and released her restraint on his hands and slid them to the small of his bare back to push him down even further.

Ulquiorra growled in response, squeezing a large breast in his hand lustfully. She inhaled sharply from the foreign touch, breaking away from the kiss to gaze into his wide emerald eyes. The sound of Orihime's moans was intoxicating to him and only spurred him to go farther. He wasn't sure if the girl felt the same way, but looking into her eyes, he could see lust and desire swimming in those silver pools. Her cheeks were covered with droplets of liquid chocolate along with a faint blush. Reluctantly, he shifted his hand away from her body and placed it beside her on the floor to support him.

She undid her legs around his waist and brought her hands up to cover her mouth as she tried to stifle a giggle. Chocolate syrup had mixed with auburn and caramel strands of hair, tangling it into a fiery mess framing her on the floor. Ulquiorra's eyes softened as he watched her smile happily.

"I…" she started to blush profusely, "I'm going to take a shower. This syrup is ruining my hair."

To Ulquiorra's confusion, she averted her eyes and refused to look at him while she fidgeted nervously underneath him. He removed himself from her, allowing her to sit up though she still wasn't looking at him.

'I can't believe I'm about to say this, but…' she squeezed her eyes shut. After years of sexual frustration, it wasn't as if Ulquiorra was the only one trying to contain his desires. Being so close to him and having his hard, muscled body press against her breasts and her abdomen was irresistible.

"W-would you like to join me?"

Again, the girl had managed to surprise him. He stared at her wordlessly for a few seconds. Orihime opened an eye to look at him, but he was just as expressionless as always.

"I mean, y-you haven't showered y-yet… Oh! And I got some chocolate on you."

"I can go after you," he deadpanned. He really didn't want to go through any more of this torture. Having her naked body so close to his… he might just be brought to his knees by his urges.

Orihime's face flushed a bright red, "I-I-I…," she couldn't control her quivering voice.

Ulquiorra sighed inwardly. He couldn't deny that their relationship was going at an extremely fast pace and he worried that the girl would only regret it later. But he was also aware that the longer he spent time with her, the more vulnerable he was to succumb to his lust. And apparently hers also. The moment was inevitable. Two young adults living together, broken and empty, filled only with the presence of each other; it was to be expected.

"Are you still ill?" was all he asked.

"Um," she raised the back of her palm to her forehead as if she could discern her status that way, "I think I'm a lot better. A bit groggy, but my nos—"

Orihime stopped talking suddenly as she felt Ulquiorra cool hand touch her neck, his fingers brushing against her skin, "Your fever has subsided."

Ulquiorra scooped her up in his arms and stood up, eliciting a startled shock from her. Unable to hold back, he used sonido to arrive at the bathroom and shut the door behind him with a foot since his hands were occupied with her weight. Gently putting her down, Orihime's face continued to grow a shade of red in shyness. Bashfully, she placed her hands on his chest and shut her eyes, biting her bottom lip in anticipation.

Understand her body language, Ulquiorra's hands hesitated at his sides before he slowly gripped the fabric of her shirt.

"You won't… regret this," he meant to inquire the question, but he almost didn't want to know the answer. He felt her nod against his chest.

Swiftly, he pushed her off of him and pinned her against the bathroom wall, pressing his lips on hers more roughly. His hands wandered underneath her shirt and she gasped against his lips when she felt his cool hands touch her hot skin. With her lips apart, he slipped his tongue inside to taste the sweetness that coated her tongue. As Orihime fought for dominance with her tongue, she ran her fingers down his chest slid them around to press his hips against hers. She lifted a leg to wrap around his waist, pulling him closer to close any gap. He groaned into his mouth on feeling the wonderful sensation of pressure against his heat.

Feebly, Orihime's hands wandered to his waist and then slid to the buckle of his belt. Her face began to heat up as she tried to loosen it from its clasp, but a rough hand immediately caught her wrists and pulled them away. Looking up, she could see an intense, green ember burning within his eyes. He shook his head in disapproval at her. She frowned, but complied nonetheless.

Ulquiorra's gaze softened as he lifted his hands to carefully remove her hairpins from her bangs. She watched him with awe and listened to his quiet breathing as he hovered above her. With the pins removed, he leaned forward against to capture her mouth in his. Orihime closed her eyes and shuddered visibly when she felt Ulquiorra's cool hands wander to the edge of her shirt again and then slip his pale hands under the fabric to caress her. Impatiently, Orihime reached for her shirt and began to pull it off over her head. Ulquiorra broke away from the kiss to watch her as she undressed herself.

Clad in only her bra and the shorts that fit snugly around her curves, Orihime flushed an even deeper red on feeling Ulquiorra's stare on her half-naked body. She pressed her palms onto his eyes to stop his speculating gaze.

"D-don't look at me like that!" she shut her eyes tightly in embarrassment.

It wasn't as if Ulquiorra felt totally apathetic about their current situation. He was also new to this. His face had also grown warm from the moment, but he imagined he was far beyond the point of being able to restrain himself.

Hungrily, he grabbed her wrists with one strong hand once more and held them high above her head against the bathroom wall. Closing his eyes, he leaned forward to suck on her neck.

"I won't open my eyes then, onna," he whispered against her warm skin.

Orihime only shut her eyes tighter in response, her hands clenching and unclenching in anticipation in Ulquiorra's grasp. With his other hand he reached behind Orihime for the clasp of her bra. His inexperience was as evident as daylight when he couldn't figure out how to undo the contraption. Giggling, Orihime freed her hands and reached behind her flexibly to remove her bra herself. Opening her eyes somewhat, she noticed Ulquiorra was gawking at her body with his bright, green eyes.

"I told you not to look!" She released her grip on her bra to cover his eyes again, but before she could cover herself, her bra had slid off, exposing her large breasts and pink nipples that bounced out as they were released.

Ulquiorra's eyes widened at seeing her nude body while Orihime's face turned tomato-red. Screaming with embarrassment she threw herself on Ulquiorra to press her naked body against his bare chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he had to grab her rear as she jumped and enveloped his waist with her legs. He stumbled back a few steps from the sudden force, but was able to regain his position. He walked over to the shower, sliding the door open with his foot.

Reaching for the shower knob with one hand since the other was still cradling Orihime, he pressed her back against the wall of the shower as steaming, warm water rained down on them. His nice slacks were becoming soaked, but it was the last thing on his mind at this point. Kissing her again, he pinned her against the wall more roughly, his hands supporting her weight on his hips. She moaned quietly against his lips as the water trickled down her cheeks and slipped into her mouth.

Their bodies started to heat up as they kissed. Orihime's hands slipped into his messy, raven-black hair, gripping it as she arched her body into his. Softly, he grinded his hips against hers, feeling the pressure of her round, soft breasts against him. Upon hearing her sweet moans, Ulquiorra's knees buckled underneath him and both bodies were sent colliding with the floor as the shower continued to soak their bodies. Now on top of her, he broke away from the kiss to nibble her bottom lip, his hands tugging at the elastic of her shorts. Orihime's eyes snapped open at his silent request and she reflexively brought her hands to clamp down on his wrists.

Ulquiorra opened his eyes to look into her silver pools, his wet hair dripping onto her flushed face. He was asking for permission.

"H-have you…?"

"No, Orihime," his eyes lessened in intensity, "I'm just as inexperienced as you are."

Orihime bit her bottom lip and nodded silently as water began to fill the tub and submerge her hair. Reluctantly, she loosened her hold on him and he warily slipped her shorts off without removing his gaze from her face. With half-lidded eyes, he brought both of his hands up to cup her breasts and squeeze them together gently eliciting a sharp gasp from her. She shut her eyes shyly as he gently kneaded her breasts together. Suddenly, she felt his mouth capture a nipple in his mouth and pleasure ran through her body as he flicked and rubbed his tongue against her hard nipple. She moaned louder as the sensation increased with his grinding movements against her naked pelvis.

Instinctively, she gripped his shoulders tightly as she felt his other hand roam down her curves and caress her inner thigh. She moaned loudly and arched her back on feeling him tickle the sensitive skin there. Ulquiorra slid his hand further up her thigh and applied pressure on her clit. She inhaled sharply and bucked her hips into his hands.

Her warmth was inviting and tempting him, but he had no idea if he would be harming her if he touched her. Ulquiorra lifted his head that was captured in her cleavage to look at her. Judging by her anxious expression, she was just as lost as he was.

"Ulquiorra," she moaned his name. She pulled her legs up to enclose his waist again and arched into him. He twitched as she felt her heat and wetness graze him. Their bodies were overheating in the steaming shower and their breathing was labored and lustful.

"I feel… so hot," she murmured. She was scalding under his touch.

He delicately picked her up, tucking a hand under her legs and the other to support her back, and shut off the shower. Orihime covered her large breasts with an arm shyly as they stared into each other's eyes, water dripping from strands of ebony and auburn hair. He stepped out of the shower and opened the door, not bothering to grab a towel to cover their wet and naked bodies.

After he managed to pry the door open with the girl in his arms, a cold current of air encompassed and tortured their overheated bodies. He began to carry her to her bedroom, but immediately halted in his step when they both heard someone, or something, shuffle around in the living room.

"Geez, I leave you guys for two weeks and you already can't keep your hands off each other!" Rangiku teased from the living room couch.

Wow, Rangiku~ Way to ruin it!
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