Scarlet

by: Thinking of England

A/N: I got some pretty nice feedback on my UlquiHime oneshot, so I decided to write a full length one (check out the other story if you feel so inclined). The first chapter is on the short side but I promise the rest of the stuff I've written is much longer, and I'll keep posting if you guys like this.

Summary: Orihime's imprisonment in Hueco Mundo changed life as she knew it. Thrown into a constant struggle to keep her sanity and her dignity, she finds consolation in the most unlikely of places.

WARNING: Definite spoilers from the manga.

Moonlight poured in through the single window in Orihime Inoue's cell, bathing the bland white room in light. The girl sat on her bed hugging her knees and staring out onto the desolate sands of Hueco Mundo. She noticed that the barren landscape reflected pale blues and purples that were eerie yet somehow serene.

Each day, Orihime grew a little bit more accustomed to her new lifestyle as a prisoner in Las Noches. Since she had arrived a few weeks prior, Orihime spent a lot of her time contemplating the situation and gravely missing all of her friends. The solitude of being locked in a room the size of a matchbox all day and night was getting under her skin.

Four times a day Orihime was served food that was barely edible, hollows constantly found ways to agonize her, and she was forced to wear traditional arrancar robes that displayed a visible mark of her traitorous decision to follow Ulquiorra into Hueco Mundo.

Aizen's use of her healing powers had started the day Orihime restored Grimmjow's missing arm. Directly afterwards, he shoved it straight through former espada Luppi's abdomen, laughing maniacally the whole time. This gave Orihime a knot of guilt that throbbed in the pit of her stomach. Each arrancar that she healed could go out to kill shinigami. The fate of the purple eyed espada could just as easily belong to Sado, Rukia, Renji, Ishida, or Ichigo.

Orihime brushed out her locks of auburn hair, a ritualistic activity. She ran a brush from root to tip and smoothed over the unruly strands of frizz until all of her hair was perfect and sleek.

The cell door slid open, causing Orihime to jump. She watched intently as an espada swept into the room holding a tray with a teacup and some crackers. He made little or no mention of his entry, a typical lack of courtesy.

"Drink this, woman," said Ulquiorra Schiffer. He set the tea tray down on the small white table, stuffing his hands deep into his pockets.

"Yes, sir," replied Orihime. She stood up to receive the teacup, taking as sip. The girl squeezed her eyes shut tight and tried to keep her expression neutral as the bitter, hot liquid slid down her throat.

Ulquiorra watched her drink through his emerald colored eyes. His cold, calculating glance burned through her and he was frowning in indifference. Orihime didn't even think that he had any other emotions. Ulquiorra was wearing his typical Arrancar robes with long coattails and his zampakuto glinted menacingly at his hip.

She sat on the edge of her bed with the cup. "Thank you," replied Orihime meekly.

Ulquiorra ignored this. His eyes traveled up and down her body. He took note of her obvious discomfort and depressions. The espada watched as she habitually stroked her long locks of hair, which fell down to the small of her back. This display evoked no emotion from the espada but piqued his curiosity.

"Why do you keep your hair so long... does it not get in your way?" asked Ulquiorra.

"Nope, not really," replied Orihime in a shaky voice. She cleared her throat. "I promised one of my old friends, Tatsuki, that I wouldn't cut it."

Orihime stopped herself before she went on to talk about how Tatsuki promised to protect her. Because there she was, standing in the presence of one of the deadliest hollows, locked up in Aizen's castle, and Tatsuki was nowhere to be found.

Ulquiorra continued to study her with a blank expression on his face, though he was slightly bemused. "Such a strange girl," he replied under his breath.

"Aizen will see you in a few day's time. Until then, eat all of your meals and preserve your strength," commanded Ulquiorra.

"Hai," replied Orihime. Ulquiorra turned on his heel and swept across the room. "Er, can I ask you something, Ulquiorra-san?"

The espada looked back and nodded his head slowly. Orihime found herself entranced by his smooth mannerisms. His cold, yet strangely alluring glance settled upon her once more.

"Do... D'you think that you could bring me something to read, like a book or a magazine? It can get dreadfully boring in here," she said.

"It is not of my concern if you are bored, I'm not here to entertain you," replied Ulquiorra.

"Of course you aren't!" Blurted out Orihime. "I was just wondering, if maybe you could-"

"-No. This is my final answer. Goodnight, woman."

Ulquiorra exited the room. Orihime heard the lock click, and she knew she was trapped there alone until sometime the next morning.

A/N: Please leave a review on the way out, I appreciate each one.