I do not Bleach or any of its characters.

Beta: lilarin

Author's Notes: So the story is winding down. This chapter is a slight departure from the rest - low on humor. It was a request from my beta lilarin. She has wanted a hurt/comfort chapter since I started this a year ago, and since it was written for her as a birthday gift, I owed it to her. It does advance the plot and take it from random chapters to a conclusion that I think will be fun and make sense.

Hope it does not disappoint. Please let me know what you think.

Chapter Fifteen - You don't always get what you want. It's a hard lesson, but you might as well learn it now.

"Grimmjow, we really should return to the room," Orihime called out as she ran after the espada. His brisk pace left her winded; he could hear it in her voice, so he slowed down and came to a stop to wait for her to catch up. Panting, she continued, "Ulquiorra said to stay put while he was at his meeting with Aizen."

"I don't have to listen to him," Grimmjow replied, arms crossed as he leaned in to emphasize his point.

"After the last time I would think you would know better," Orihime met his stare with a determined look of her own. "Unless you really did want to kiss Ulquiorra."

"Shut up!" he yelled. His hand wiped his mouth on instinct. Just the thought of pressing his lips to that bastard's made him cringe with disgust. "I was not myself and you know it."

"And what if something like that happens again?" she refused to back down.

"I know better than to roll in a patch of catnip again," he turned and began to storm away from her.

Once more she ran to match his pace.

"There are other ways to get into trouble," she said.

Once more he stopped. She was too focused on keeping up with him that she didn't even notice. Her body slammed into his and the unexpected force was enough to knock them both over.

"Damn it, Orihime," he pushed her off of him and stood again, "You are such a klutz."

"And you should warn me when you're gonna just stop short like that," she dusted off her dress and stood as well.

"Look," he pointed a finger at her, "I am not subject to Ulquiorra's rules. I can do as I please – unlike you. So get back to the room and leave me the fuck alone."

She blinked several times. Her mouth opened and closed, but nothing came out.

"Oh my Grimmjow," a rather large shadow fell over them, "You should know better than to treat our little pet-sama so cruelly. What would Ulquiorra say if he heard you speaking like that?"

"Shit," Grimmjow cursed under his breath, as he turned and faced the Fifth. "This does not concern you Nnoitra, so butt the hell out."

Nnoitra narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips. He leaned down, hands on hips, and stuck his face inches from Grimmjow's. "You talk mighty big for one so small."

Grimmjow bit back his retort. It had been barely a week since his last encounter with the Fifth and Ulquiorra's words of advice screamed with annoyance in his ears. If he responded he would be giving the shit power over him, and the last thing Grimmjow, in his current predicament needed was to give away what little power he had.

Taking a deep breath he turned back to Orihime and grabbed her hand, "Let's get out of here. This piece of crap is not worth the effort."

She squeezed his hand in reply and they began to walk away. Yet they had only gone a few feet before Grimmjow felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder.

"Don't you dare ignore me, you little shit!" Nnoitra stated as he spun Grimmjow around.

Orihime was dragged off balance and fell to the floor. Shrugging the taller espada off, Grimmjow bent down, "Are you okay?"

She nodded, but winced as she rubbed her elbow. "I'm ready to go back to the room now."

"You gonna just let her dictate your life, Grimmjow?" Nnoitra taunted.

Once more he ignored the man, but his patience was at its limits.

"Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, Aizen's Sixth, being led by the nose by a mere human," the other espada snickered. "What a true pussy you have become."

Grimmjow's vision blurred and he literally saw red as his temper exploded from the control he was struggled to contain it with. He dropped Orihime's hand and lunged for the tall espada.

"I bow to no one!" he landed a punch to the man's gut, but Nnoitra only smiled.

The Fifth reached out and snagged Grimmjow by the collar. Pulling him up level with his face, he smiled menacingly, "When I'm done with you, you're gonna be struggling just to get to your knees and plead for mercy."

"I'd like to see you try," Grimmjow spat in the espada's face. Nnoitra dropped him as he went to wipe his face.

"You fucking piece of crap," the taller man yelled.

Grimmjow dodged Nnoitra's fist and drawing Pantera, managed to land a blow on the espada's lanky arm. Nnoitra's face contorted in rage and he swung his own blade, hilt aiming at Grimmjow's legs in an attempt to knock his feet out from under him. The Sixth easily jumped out of the way and landed a kick to Nnoitra's ribs before leaping away.

Nnoitra swung again, this time the blade of Santa Teresa aimed at Grimmjow. Pantera clashed with the espada's zanpakutu, clanging loudly through the hallway. Yet even as Grimmjow prevented the blade from cutting him, the force of the blow was enough to force him back, stumbling as he tried to gain his footing. Swinging wide he pushed the other man's blade away.

"Get the hell out of here, Orihime," Grimmjow yelled as he came to a stop at her side.

"I won't leave you," she replied.

"How sweet is that," Nnoitra sneered. "The two little brats seem to care for the other's wellbeing." He took a step closer, Santa Teresa now slung over his shoulder. "You should watch it girl. Grimmjow has a habit of getting those closest to him killed. Wouldn't want Aizen-sama's precious pet to get hurt."

"Shut up!" Grimmjow yelled. The mention of his fallen fraccion causing him to disregard Ulquiorra's advice completely. Facing Nnoitra, Pantera poised once more to strike, he continued, "Don't pretend for a minute that you wouldn't cut Tesra down if he got in your way. At least I actually cared for my fraccion."

Nnoitra laughed. "That's a joke. If you had given even the slightest shit about them you wouldn't have rushed off to the world of the living when you were obviously outmatched."

"I had my reasons…"

"Your reasons still got them killed," he gripped Santa Teresa tighter. "And left you stripped of your rank. Which I assume will happen again since Szayel doesn't seem to be coming up with an antidote anytime soon. But don't worry, I'll kill that brat Kurosaki for you…"

Grimmjow screamed as he ran towards the Fifth. Pantera once more clanging loudly against Santa Teresa. Undeterred, he was not going to stop until the shit Nnoitra was lying in a pool of his own blood.

Ulquiorra sensed Grimmjow's reiatsu spike as soon as he left the meeting with Aizen and Szayel.

"Damn it," he stated softly as he picked up his pace and headed in the direction of the Sixth.

He came upon the scene only to find the boy lying on the ground unconscious. A large gash reached across his chest and blood was pouring out from the wound rather profusely. Orihime's shield blocked the Sixth from his attacker as she tried to reject the injury.

"You must feel rather proud of yourself," Ulquiorra stated, his voice cold, as he faced Nnoitra. "Defeating a small child. I was under the impression that you made a point to leave the weak alone."

Nnoitra only laughed, "Sometimes sacrifices have to be made to gain the bigger prize."

"Oh?" Ulquiorra stared at the Fifth. His blank expression giving nothing of his thoughts away. "Are you implying that the boy was merely bait to draw me out?"

Nnoitra laughed louder, "I managed to get your attention, Ulquiorra."

"You cannot defeat me, Nnoitra," he stated. "Using the boy only reveals how pathetic and desperate you really are."

"You fucking piece of shit!" Nnoitra lunged forward.

Ulquiorra held up his hand, effectively stopping the blade of Santa Teresa as Nnoitra brought it down towards his head.

"Predictable as always," Ulquiorra pointed his finger at his opponent and powered up a cero, "And I do not have the time to deal with you at the present."

The blast sent Nnoitra flying back and through the nearest wall. Satisfied Ulquiorra turned back to the children.

"How is he?" he asked Orihime.

Tears streamed down her tiny face, but she stared determinedly at the Sixth beneath her shield.

"The wound is closed…"

"Then we will leave," Ulquiorra cut her off. "You can finish in the privacy of your room."

She hesitated, but a quick glance at her jailor caused her to lower her hands and drop the shield.

Ulquiorra bent down, "Climb on my back, girl."

She did as he said and he scooped up Grimmjow in his hands. It would be best to get out of here before Nnoitra caused any more trouble. Yet he was not quick enough. The Fifth emerged from the rubble and blocked his path.

"You are a stupid fool Ulquiorra," he spat blood and smiled wide. "Nothing more than a freak. Aizen's ass-kissing, little errand boy." He looked down at Ulquiorra, "You keep his bed warm when you're not babysitting the brats?"

"You are truly pathetic."

"So you've said before," Nnoitra smiled wider. "How about it Ulquiorra, you let Aizen fuck your body as well as you mind?"

"Disgusting as usual," he replied and began to walk around the taller espada.

"Don't walk away from me Ulquiorra," Nnoitra yelled.

Ulquiorra kept walking.

"You're just scared, Ulquiorra," Nnoitra refused to let it go. "You know I can take you. I'm bigger and stronger, and you are weak…weaker now that you have taken to caring for these two."

Ulquiorra paused a moment, and then deciding against teaching the Fifth a lesson, continued towards Orihime's quarters.

"Everyone is laughing at you, Ulquiorra," Nnoitra yelled after him, "Even Aizen-sama…"

The rest of the man's words were lost on him as he picked up speed. In moments they were outside the door to Orihime's room. He walked inside and placed the still unconscious Grimmjow on the couch. Orihime scrambled from his back and resumed the task she had started earlier in the hall.

Ulquiorra stood back and watched. Her powers never ceased to amaze him. Staring at the shield he soon became lost in his thoughts.

Images.

White teeth smiling manically from black faces.

Disembodied voices taunting him.

Sharp claws digging into his flesh.

"It's done, Ulquiorra-sama," Orihime's voice called him back from his memories. She stared up into his face and he felt her small hand slip into his. "You okay Ulquiorra?"

"You do not have to concern yourself with me," he stated coldly.

She squeezed his hand, "You shouldn't let Nnoitra's words make you mad. He was just trying to get you upset. No one is laughing at you. You're too brave, and strong…"

"I am not concerned with other's opinions," he withdrew his hand. "Nnoitra will try to use any trick he can to win a fight, including fighting a strong opponent who has fallen to injury. Still," he walked over to the couch to stare at the sleeping boy, "This is even beneath him."

"Grimmjow tried to do what you said," she was beside him again. He looked down at her, eyebrow raised in question. "He was going to walk away, but then Nnoitra said it was his fault his fraccion died, and he got too upset."

"As I mentioned, Nnoitra will use any means to win a fight," he stated. "But it seems that Grimmjow was not his true prey."

She was silent a moment before she spoke softly, her hand tugging his as she pulled his face level to hers.

"Ulquiorra-sama," she bit her lip and hesitated once again. "Do you think you could keep that from Grimmjow? The part where Nnoitra was just using him to bait you. Because Grimmjow really fought hard…and he already feels bad that he is small…and I won't say anything…"

"I see no point in mentioning the Fifth or his plan," Ulquiorra responded.

"Thank you, Ulquiorra-sama," she smiled.

"Do not thank me," he stood and turned towards the door. "I will go get some food for you. Why don't you go clean up?"

She nodded and took off for the bathroom. When he returned an hour later he found her curled up on the couch, arms wrapped around Grimmjow, a contented smile on her face. He placed the food on the table and sat on the end of the couch and stared at the two children.

It was odd that Grimmjow lamented the demise of his fraccion like he did. They were weak, far weaker than the Sixth. He should have known they would die, but then that was an acceptable loss. After all Grimmjow's survival should have been all that mattered to the blue-haired espada.

Ulquiorra closed his eyes and the images from earlier assailed him once more. He refused to rely on fraccion. He could do the task Aizen presented him without the help of others. In fact it gave him satisfaction to do the job as well as he did.

Opening his eyes he glanced again at the children. Relying on others was foolish, and these two had caused him enough grief already. Still he wondered if he would miss this after things went back to the way they were before.

He gripped the vial in his pocket. Standing up he walked over to the table and poured the contents into two cups. Returning to the couch he roused each child long enough to get them to drink the liquid. Satisfied, he dimmed the lights and left them to sleep it off.