She crossed her arms in front of her face, shielding herself from the flying debris.

Did that really happen? she wondered, her eyes squeezed shut against the light and wind.  Did Ulquiorra just…save us?

After things seemed to calm and she dared to look, Orihime saw Ichigo standing perfectly still.  The still moment was shattered as his ( Read more... )

Something was wrong.  There.  A movement somewhere near.  Orihime was turning her head, and Ulquiorra watched closely, following her gaze as well; something was different within the healing shield.  Suddenly, the shield cracked, and something was standing up, something dark, looming, and monstrous.  Orihime looked up and up and up, past the red ( Read more... )

She stared disbelievingly as the scene replayed in her mind over and over.  The gaping hole within his chest, a hole that went clear through his body, was the proof that it had truly happened.  Blood gushed from the wound while Ichigo’s eyes stared emptily into space. His body was already falling, and its motion recalled her to the horrible ( Read more... )

“Cero Oscuras.”

At his finger ignited a cero, one that was pitch black, engulfing Ichigo completely in its dark light.  Ulquiorra watched as it surrounded the shinigami completely, swallowing him from view.  When the darkness subsided, Ichigo fell, his mask completely broken from the attack and his body badly battered.

Ulquiorra flew ( Read more... )

She had felt it, that gigantic release of power off in the distance.  It was a power that was not Ichigo’s, a power that could drown everything.  Helplessness weighed upon her heavily, and she hugged herself as she stared up unblinkingly at the ceiling.   Orihime couldn’t see them, but, at the same time, she couldn’t bare to look away for even a ( Read more... )

“Within the dome of Las Noches, two things are strictly forbidden.  One is the use of the ‘Gran Ray Cero’, and the other is for espada ranked cuatro and above to release.” Ulquiorra calmly stated when Ichigo had asked of it.  “Either one could completely destroy Las Noches.”

Do not hold back, the hollow whispered excitedly, expectantly, but ( Read more... )

Orihime rocked back on her heels as a large body (huge bust included) knocked against her for placement at the small table the girl had been sitting at.

“Come on Baldy!” Rangiku yelled, her cheeks red and her eyes holding mirth as her elbow clattered onto the table.  “Leave Ichigo alone already.  You can fight me!”

She could smell the ( Read more... )

She watched from the sidelines, well distanced from their attacks and completely forgotten once more.

What should I do, she questioned herself, full of trepidation and worry.  It seemed Ichigo did not really wish for her help.  Perhaps he did not trust her; Ulquiorra had said before that the weak were preyed upon, and he had used her own ( Read more... )

She stood in the background, completely forgotten as the two men fought.  The air hummed with the intensity of their power, and each time their swords met, she felt the resounding impact of the strike hit her somewhere within.  Each time Ulquiorra swung his sword and Ichigo barely was able to block it, she held her breath anxiously.  And then it ( Read more... )

He was looking at her still, even as he moved purposefully towards her.  Somehow he managed to walk nonchalantly, even as his stare was so piercing.  Every step was so calculated, every word carefully planned.

“Are you afraid?”

She felt so tired, and it showed in her eyes.  They had dulled so much since coming to this place; she felt as ( Read more... )