I finally got the opportunity to pick up the pen to start writing again. I thought I had given up on this story, but it seems I haven't just yet!~ I truly hope to finish this. Hope you guys stay with me until the end~! ^_^

Special shout out to all those who followed and commented on this fanfic! I love you all! X)

Chapter 11

His breathing was harsh, mind at haze retrenched from memory. These lingering feelings meant something. Ulquiorra stares at his hand, the weapon that claimed Orihime's life.

No.

The dream that ended her life.

He stands from where he slept, a pale hand brushing through his hair. Ulquiorra's eyes the room indicating his return to the human realm. Parting from Las Noches allowed him the opportunity to think clearly. Erasing these thoughts of this uncontrollable desire.

This desire to end Inoue Orihime.

Or does he?

This appetite, greed, hunger for this human was something his inner demon craved for. It was a longing to touch and destroy her all at once. A longing to break her innocence.

A longing to taste her skin.

His eyelids eventually dipped slowly before surrendering into deep sleep. All seemed to work in his favour making a final decision to inform Aizen about his failure.

Until this happened.

It all started as a simple dream, yet everything felt…real. His conscious state gave him the power to feel. Momentarily his eyes flutter shut as if savouring, reminiscing how her body felt against his. Her soft whimpers as she pleaded him. The hand through his hair now gripped his chest as if soothing it. Struggling to prevent him from acting out his dream.

When was the last time he slept? Sleep was something humans needed. Ulquiorra's emotions were dead yet his woman controlled him. This human flesh he possessed was a shell. Ulquiorra discarded any lingered affections perished long ago transfiguring his human heart to emptiness. Only a large gaping hole where his heart once resided brimmed with anguish. This sentiment, no this need was salacity. His inner demon nods to this contemplation. The pounding to his chest grew stronger. Ulquiorra clenches empty fists becoming aware of this unusual attraction towards this clumsy female. He savoured her caress, her compelling response to his touch.

No.

That was only a taste of what he truly wanted. He craved more. To do so much more. Orihime's perfectly angelic compassion brewed darkness in him supressed for decades. He needed that spark of unwonted pleasure fill her eyes as she screamed for him.

Only him.

Ulquiorra desired a human. Something unacceptable to Aizen's standards.

He needed to re-think this situation. Ignoring his inner subconscious the demon retreats to a place where he can logically grab a proper conclusion to all this.

This needed to end soon before giving in to those fatal yearnings. Returning to his mission was already long overdue.

Hazel eyes scan the book once more ensuring that every clue to her speculations had been met. Pre-occupying the only piece of furniture within the room while Grimmjow subjugates the floor, Nel internally sighs before squeezing her eyes shut to ease her tensions. It felt as if the closer she got to solve the mystery, more unanswered questions arise. This deemed frustrating at some point and this took a toll on her. Especially when she has only forty-five minutes left before Ulquiorra's return. If only Ulquiorra allowed her to borrow the book for one day.

A gruff voice replaces her thoughts. "This isn't going anywhere."

Here we go again.

Nel places the now closed book unto the table before facing an upset Grimmjow. This legend surely gave him a lot of brainstorming…something he hated doing. She watches him closely as he kicked a few books around in fury.

"I don't get it. How can someone possess the orb without having it?!"

The woman smiles at the worked up pantera. Have no fear, Nel is here. "Aizen fought Soul Society for the orb meaning it was indeed possessed by a Soul Reaper."

"Fuck that. What I don't get is this entire orb choosing shit." Grimmjow explains rather sullen.

Nel nods. "It's like the orb has a mind of its own. It practically chooses its bearer." Her legs crossed deep in thought. "It reacts to the victim's emotions, their true desire. Just as Szayel said the orb can be good or evil." Her eyes revert towards the book beside her. "This book Ulquiorra bestowed upon us seals the cracks of the legend."

"What cracks?"

"Grimmy-kun…" She pouts giving him a pitiful look. "Were you listening to anything I said before? If a Soul Reaper was actually the bearer of the orb then Aizen's goal is…"

Grimmjow stands, realization dawning to Nel's philosophy. "Finding the Soul Reaper who has the orb."

"Aren't you the smart one." She winks as he glares her way before continuing. "The only problem I have is this. There is a paragraph in the book that says when the orb chooses its victim it becomes part of them. Like a parasite unknown to their existence."

Grimmjow huffs a breath while Nel places an index finger grazing her lower lip. "How confusing is that?" He feels Nel's eyes look towards him but he simply turns his back before she can see the disgust etched to his face. "Just as Aizen uses us to do his dirty work the orb uses a host as its nesting place. That thing is protecting itself like a fucking coward. Just like that piece of shit that emo asshole worships."

"Hmm…" It was already surprising enough Grimmjow thought of this, but it made sense in a way. She grasps the blue-haired demon's theory but as always another question comes to light.

How does a human fall in all this? This was a battle between Hueco Mundo and Soul Society. Brushing it aside Nel grabs the book looking up at Grimmjow cheerfully. "Well then that wasn't all that bad. Now let's go before Ulquiorra-sama returns."

Grimmjow scoffs looking over his shoulders to see Nel already making her way out the door. His brow rises slightly staring at the book neatly tucked under her right arm. "Oi. Didn't the emo asshole order us to leave the book here?"

Nel smirks. "He did? I can't recall him saying that. We need this book and you know it. Besides, all we need to know now is who the bearer of the orb is."

"How are we going to do that?"

"Dunno."

Nel can feel the obvious glare behind her and she had to admit she enjoyed it. "Relax kitty. We can still figure that part of this legend mystery." She turns smiling brightly. "Luppi." She raises a hand to silence the riled up Grimmjow. "We're spying on him. Don't worry. Only until we can figure out whom Aizen's target is going to be."

The blue-haired pantera sulks noting his resentment. This thing was a pain in the ass. To think all this happened by simply overhearing Aizen's conversation with god knows who.

Damnit. Even that remains a fucking mystery. The only concern Grimmjow has is one thing alone.

What will Aizen become once the orb is finally his?

This was certainly a disaster. Although the atmosphere was filled with her favourite scent of jasmine, it reeked of horrible karaoke performers and sweaty children prancing their way around the once sophisticated restaurant. It was a rather strange feeling at first when Mari requested her entire staff to work on a weekend, especially a Sunday afternoon. During the emergency meeting panic filled Mari's eyes while begging the staff to work on their day off. Orihime found it adorable when she found out she held a special event for the needy and disabled. Known to them, Mari prepared this event for months without staff knowledge. This gesture to assist her manager on this occasion made Orihime thrilled to share this happy experience with them all. Deep down this gesticulation reminded her the true meaning of poverty. She had much struggle after Sora's death. Paying the bills on her on to keep a steady roof over her head was certainly not easy.

Waving the memory away the maiden giggles as Rangiku struggled to catch one of the children robbing her 'tip' jar. Then without notice their eyes locked. It became a recent habit lately between them. As always Ulquiorra would stare at her, a somewhat wild glazed look as if seeking something she wished to help him find. However the result always end the same.

With a grin she waves towards the raven-haired male…but then he simply looks away, resuming his work accordingly.

What is going on?

After disappearing for almost two weeks without contact Ulquiorra unexpectedly shows up at her school gate. He simply awaited her arrival as he did before with that same emotionless wall which recently seemed much stronger than their first meeting. This man carried on escorting her to and from work. Being a chatter box around him never faltered. He listened completely but something else changed.

His intentions of speaking ceased entirely.

Truly her persistence driven mind set was at its peak, giving up on all hope of ever speaking to him again. Yet part of Orihime believed that something bothered him. Communication was the only way to understand Ulquiorra. It became an addiction to learn of this mysterious entity as she would describe him to be. How can she gift him something special without finding his likes or dislikes? For a split second Orihime's cheeks burned. Something special?

Was she?

No. She couldn't be.

Ichigo was the only person she cared about to that extent. This was simply gratitude.

Right?

Unconsciously, a confused Orihime looks his way, again staring at those empty green orbs. With her mind at haze Orihime quickly looks away unyieldingly returns to her previous task.

I can't be. Not Ulquiorra-kun.

Hours pass while numbers slowly dwindles. The restaurant once filled with children's laughter soon becomes silentious. Now the only ones left were the few kids awaiting transport back to the homeless shelter. During their wait all staff change their working attire to exit the establishment back home. Eventually everyone part ways, leaving Orihime and Ulquiorra behind. Waving to her co-workers departure Orihime turns to take her leave, unable to notice the impassive male standing there. Patiently waiting for her.

Strange.

She can never understand his intentions. The feeling was rather unsettling having to walk the journey home with overwhelming silence. What could she have possibly done to make him this way? Ulquiorra was known for his limited social interactions but this attitude of his was quite alarming. The male had not spoken for weeks. Orihime hated to admit it, but she missed their little conversations.

She missed the sound of his voice.

The man she knew for that short time questioned her unclear articulations. His few words ensured her that he was indeed lending a listening ear. Although it annoyed him at some point he motioned her to continue speaking. So lost in thought her apartment came to eyesight without the realization that their journey came to an end.

"Onna."

The tonality cuts through the repose air lacing it with tension. Although his tone was a bit harsh in comparison to his usual speaking, it was surely great relief to hear him speak. Wait. Perhaps this was the perfect moment to figure this thinking process. Maybe she can reason with him to uncover the motives eating him out to act so cruelly.

With anew resolve the young maiden came to this conclusion, turning to face him—only to see the male was gone. That made her sad, but it was understanding enough that he needed space. Orihime will give him that time. She will await the opportune moment for him to open up to her with the hope that he will eventually.

All this seemed like a foolish tragic fairy tale. Leave it for him to spend his remaining days sleeping through it all. Starrk managed to keep his distance and cover at bay but close vigilance on the given target.

His mission? The human woman—Inoue Orihime.

He releases a dreadful yawn while Lilynette watches the demon and the human exchange silent signals amongst themselves. The situation was so obvious it almost made her gag. Indeed she found it intriguing Aizen had sudden interest in a human. But why? There were also orders to also keep close attention to the quarto. An explanation was never given, nor would she bother questioning it for the matter. Lilynette folds her arms flushing the distasteful sight of the two. "The love in the air is suffocating." Her eyes are now fixated on Starrk, many questions in mind but refused to bother asking answers he could not provide.

"I think we can call it a night." The male gestures his partner to follow him as he makes his way back to Hueco Mundo.

"How long must we do this charade? This bores me."

"I'm aware of your suspicions and impatience but worry not anymore." His partner expressed frustration, practically pleading him for an explanation. "Fortunately for us this is our final night. Stop eyeballing me already it's rather disturbing."

"I don't understand. Its obvious Aizen desires this human. I'm more inquisitive as to why he orders Ulquiorra to spy on these pathetic Soul Reapers when fully aware that his interest really concerns the girl." She cocks her head slightly. "The time to capture her is also close by right? All this was part of Lord Aizen's plan."

Starrk shrugs obvious to the situation playing out by the demon Lord himself. It was quite bothersome indeed to think of matters un-concerning of him. However all that never mattered. He had already presumed Aizen's true intention. "I don't care what he's planning. Give it a rest already." The male's voice was stern, surprising his partner as she looks at him with some concern. "Final arrangements to attack Karakura Town has already taken effect."

Starrk paused, the truth of his words causing him to shiver. "This town…no…the world has already fallen against Aizen's rule. Nothing can stop him now."