AU? Maybe? After Hueco Mundo Arc for sure. Maybe even borderline Crack, although I am going to try my best to make everyone, especially Lady Yami and Genetix Chiquita, my favorite UlquiHime writers, proud.
Disclaimer: Do not own except the idea! UlquiorraxOrihime Story. With hints other pairings.
Summary: They have rescued her, rescued her from the prison that enslaved her body, mind and soul. But as she struggles to remember who she once was, with a familiar face recounting stories they had once wrote together, will she remember who she had hoped to be?
There were always shades of gray, within the room, within the world, within the battle against good versus evil…
Even between you and me…but there was always one thing for certain,
I had fallen in love with you.
"Orihime! Come on over here, I have something to show you!" Orange and brown danced across the fading sunlight, where the skies turned dark gray, with an everlasting glow that illuminated the streets. The young female by the name of Orihime Inoue made her way across the park to reside beside, to what was held on account of others, her best friend Tatsuki Arisawa.
They found her, after her defiant brush with death, killing Lord Aizen with her blistering raw power, its prowess formulated by her emotions to protect those she loved and in need of protection, as a heap on the floor, the clearing dusty and in crumbles.
The leading male of the rescue, taking her into his arms, he remembered then,
I'll pay you back for what you did!
No, STOP IT! Don't hurt him!
Inoue-san! Get out of the way!
NO! Don't…I, I-I love-He would have rather not remembered.
When she was safely secured within his father's hospital, he sat beside her bed for days, holding her hand, brushing her hair back when no one was looking, trying to talk to her, to get her to awaken, for it was speculated that she would never arise, but he kept at it, struggling with hope that by sheer willpower alone, she soon would open those gray eyes of hers and look back at him with that goofy smile she had once always done.
"Tatsuki, where are we going?"
When she had awoken, his smile faltered when she looked at him with nothing but a blank expression, the only emotion that painted her face that being fear and confusion.
Who…are you?
And his world had shattered.
"Ichigo and the others are waiting by your house for us, come on Orihime!" Pulling the girl by her hand lightly, she lead the way through the isolated darken streets, giggling Orihime followed wordlessly, never taking into account of the new street signs and districts, never placing a name with anything she passed by or if someone would occasional call out a 'hello'.
Upon coming up front to the apartment complex Orihime resided in, once entering, a sullen hush came about the darkened area and Orihime tried to pull her hand free, stepping back in caution. No lights were on and the quiet gave reason for the confounded girl to grow frantic. "Ichigo! Rukia! I've got her! Now!"
Closing her eyes in fear, 'they set me up, they set me. I knew they couldn't be trusted!' As the lights came on, she, still not opening her eyes, her hands waving at the hair rapidly, refused to acknowledge the words being…sung.
""Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear Inoue-san-Orihime-Hime-chan!- Happy birthday to youuuuuuuu!!!!""
"Come on, blow out the candles!!" A crowd cheered, she still refused to open her eyes.
"Inoue-san…?" There was worry in his voice.
"Orihime! Don't be shy! Come here my darling little-OAF!"
"Shut it Chizuru!" Now opening her eyes, a peak first. It was a blur, the candle lights and street lamps being the only source of illumination, but she made due.
She saw a small group gathered in front of her, in the middle of said group was the boy she had first awoken to, beside him, a rather short dark haired female now fixed with a scowl on her face, them two holding the cake.
To the right side, a tall lean figured male with glasses and midnight blue hair, his worried, and concerned look put her at ease, a sense of comfort washing over her just by looking at him. To the left, a tall, very burly of a man who held soft features as he peered down at her, the others, one now red cheeked smiling female, a group of more girls behind said female, some boys she couldn't quite place names with their faces, all of them from her school. She smiled at the group.
The people she had come to known since her memory lapse, Ichigo, Rukia, Ishida-kun (she found him to be quirky and cute), Chad, Chizuru, Tatsuki…all of them, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt that she had left so many good friends behind, that her trust still wasn't all together there as she looked upon them. Fear that what she doesn't know would be cause for her downfall.
But she took a leap of faith anyways.
Smiling she walked into the room.
"Oh wow! It's my birthday?!" She missed the glances of doubt, worry, and frowns that spread throughout the room as she blew out the candles and the lights came on. "Thank you so much guys! This means so much! The cake looks so yummy!!" Dipping her finger into the side of the cake, she placed it into her mouth and moaned in pleasure. Keigo Asano promptly fainted in bliss.
He went unnoticed.
"Perfect! I like it!" Uproar of cheers went about the room and music started to play, Tatsuki lead her to a chair in the main active room saying to sit tight and that she would go get her a big piece of cake with something to drink. Scanning the room she smiled as Ishida made his way towards her.
"Why, hello Ishida-kun. Are you enjoying yourself?" a small nod was her answer and she was content. Leaning against the chair she smiled at the comfort of the area. "This is nice…it's really nice." Glancing at her, Ishida kept quiet, allowing her to continue. "It's something that I miss. I don't know why really, and I can't explain it, but I feel…felt," she giggled softly upon correcting herself, never once uttering that she still felt such a sensation. "So alone, for such a long time…it's nice, to be surrounded by so many happy people, people that care about me."
She turned to Ishida and flashed him a radiant smile, to which he returned, only a little bit more dully. "Inoue-san, would you like to dance?" Nodding her head exuberantly she stood up as Ishida lead her across the floor, catching sight of Tatsuki form across the floor, holding the cake and drinks, she motioned for her to wait, to which her friend replied with half a smirk.
The music was a moderate pace, not too slow or fast, Ishida, clumsy as ever refused to hold her close or on to any body part, opting to hold her firmly by the hands. She giggled. She was still as naïve and innocent as she once was, despite the inability to recollect, she never knew that her enormous bust held such an effect on the men around her.
Glowering in a corner, Ichigo was soon joined by Chad; an offer of a drink was made but the orange haired male softly denied. "What's wrong Ichigo?"
"Nothing. I...Just, look at him!" A small nod of the head was used for a signal. "He's taking advantage of Orihime, and the way she looks at him is as if…"
Chad stood silent, deciding that calling his best friend out on his jealousy would not bold well for him or anyone in the vicinity of the area. "hmm…well, if you want to dance-"
"I don't dance."
"Hmm."
"Ah, leave me alone Chad." Pushing himself up off the wall he walked into the kitchen to look for food, Chad on the other hand continued to watch the scene play out before him. As the song started to drift slowly into a soft melody, a dance meant for lovers, Orihime and Ishida both blushed lightly.
"I uh…um, do you-" Ishida's babbling was cut off when Orihime stared up at him, previously about the floor, with big gray beautifully reflective eyes that told her every emotion.
"I think, I am going to go for a walk…" Letting their hands break free from one another, side-stepping his reaching form, she waved to his call out of 'are you sure?', walked up to Tatsuki and relayed her plan.
"Do you want me to go with you?"
"…no, I, uh, just keep the party alive okay Tatsuki? I just need a few minutes." Leaving without another word, Orihime climbed to the roof of her building, gazing out at the stars in the process.
"It's really pretty out here tonight…I wonder if it will rain." As she sat upon the floor, bringing her knees to her chin, she buried her face into the comfort of her body, allowing the tears to fall. She knew not why for this sudden surge of sadness, she was happy just a minute ago, she was happy and having fun, she had friends, she...held no real memory of anything substantial, just bits and pieces...She-
Do not cry woman. It means you are weak.
Lifting her head up carefully, a flash of white penetrating her sights, she grew frightened. They told her, you have powers Orihime, and one day, you'll remember how to use them.
One day, you will have to remember how to use them.
Placing her hands about her hair, the hairpins emitting a soft spiritual pressure, she tried to brace herself for what was to come.
"Who-who's there? Come out …show yourself!"
As he did, her hands dropped to her sides.
No! Don't hurt him! I love-
Her body grew limp, he had knocked her unconscious, the one she was protecting had…
"Who…what…" Her body was starting to convulse, shiver and break down into uncontrollable sobs. This man in front of her, was he a man? Why did he look as such…
Take her.
And where will you go?
"Orihime Inoue." Shocked, widened eyes registering that this person before her knew who she was caused her to step back.
He was quicker.
Behind her again. Just like before.
Go. Now.
No more questions were asked.
The night breeze had stopped, allowing the now oddly calmed girl to cease her quivering, her hair cascading down her back as the tears followed the action along her face. She wanted to turn, and so she did, but stopped halfway when hands shot up and gripped her shoulders roughly.
"Do you remember me?"
A moment of silence, she had not seen his face fully, but his spiritual pressure, his presence alone was so familiar. She shook her head. "No."
His grip tightened, only by a fraction-enough for her to resolve to turn around fully, and when her warm yet cold hands met his frigid smooth surface of a face causing a chill to run down her body. Her eyes flickering with a hint of remembrance, she smiled softly, "Yes."
Crappy beginning, I'm sorry. Please review?