Devour

The soft light of the ever-staying moon hardly lit up the room. But it's presence was comforting as it had been her only true companion during her stay. It never falter, never changed and never let her down. Though she found it hard to admit to herself, it also made her feel closer to home.

Pressing her hands to her heart, as if to stop the painful memory from resurfacing, though it belonged in her mind and not her heart, the memories of many lone evenings flooded before her eyes. Moments of her friends were not being with her.

The wind wailing outside, soon followed by rain and, her, staring at the same moon. Feeling the same loneliness. The same loss. Those evenings were the hardest. On those evenings she would cry herself to sleep. Sora's picture pressed into her heart, hoping he'd feel how much she missed him.

She didn't think she could ever feel any worse pain then that.

But Hueco Mundo's emptiness was maddening. It's cruel nature and that of its inhabitants made her question life's worth. Though she still believed she could help her friends, even at this great distance, she had caught herself from time to time wondering if there was another way out.

Even if he would do just about everything to keep her from them, could she be freed?

The idea saddened her. What is freedom, if it is lived in loneliness?

Without knocking, Ulquiorra entered as always. His cold voice one of the few things capable of shattering the deafening silence in the room. 'Woman, come.'

Turning around to stare at her ever stoic warden, Orihime wondering if he would ever bother to talk to her about the events that transpired between them when he had fought Ichigo.

Before the hollow that lived inside of her precious friend could kill her and Uryu, he had saved them by using the same trick Grimmjow had. Though caja Negación had only a temporarily effect, it was enough to buy them some time and for her to heal the demonic looking hollow. When Ichigo had found his way back both decided to resume their battle on equal footing. It was what Ichigo wanted.

But sadly, as himself, he could not win from the number four espada. Everything after that, was still somewhat a blur. The boy had escaped with his life. And it pained her to let him go. To sacrifice herself once again. Although perhaps that time it had been for real.

There was no going back.

'Woman,' he warned her.

Orihime simply nodded, finally moving to follow his lead.

Though his behavior was still cold, his eyes told her a different story. His viridian eyes were full of emotion. She just couldn't decipher what it was he was feeling. Resentment? Hate? …love?

In silence they walked to a familiar place. A place she loathed. Though she was supposed to feel special, it made her insides turn. She hated every second of it.

Or so she told herself.

Entering the white room, which was bland as hers and lit by the same lone light in the sky, Ulquiorra bowed to him. 'Orihime Inoue, Lord Aizen,' he informed his master.

The man was standing with his back towards them, leaning on the ledge of his balcony, staring at the sight of the desert. He only raised his hand to relieve Ulquiorra from his duty and without speaking another word, her warden left without sparing her look. Sometimes she wondered if he still felt the same loyalty towards the man he had once spoken so highly of. After all, in a way, he had failed him.

His greatness had been tainted by greed. Resulting in him being only the king of the dead men desert, stuck in its emptiness with only a few to accompany him from the outside world.

No, she corrected. Only her. Everyone else here was a hollow. Void of feelings. Void of wanting anything other than to stop their never-ending hunger.

His kingdom was now also his prison. After a battle, that she knew little of, he had been cleverly sealed by the people he deemed to be inferior than him in the land he had already once escaped to.

He had crowned himself King here, and would remain so until the seals were broken.

Without a passage way, no one could come in but alas, no one could get out either.

So Hueco Mundo became one and the same for everyone, an entrapped place to call home.

'Miss Inoue,' he softy spoke her name. Always using the same low voice and charming attitude. She hated it. She hated his antics, especially because they worked so well.

Ulquiorra had kept his distance, so her days were lonely and silent. Only haunting memories kept her company. And of course, that crescent moon that would find her wherever she went.

'Yes?'

'Would you like some tea?'

Turning around, he stared at her with his lone eye. Ironically, the all-powerful, mistrusted her and her powers, so he did not let her near himself or the Hogyoku. Though she did not ever reveal her plans to him to destroy the source of his power, he had somehow guessed it. Easily as always.

Though she wondered if he knew that she no longer longed to do so. If she destroyed it, she destroyed her chance of ever escaping this hellhole. However frightening the idea of using that power might be, the idea of never leaving this place frightened her even more.

Leaning on the ledge, he lazily took in her form. It made her feel uncomfortable and begrudgingly she stared at him, hoping to somewhat affect him in the same way. His smirk told her she was failing miserably.

'With each passing day you become more beautiful, Miss Inoue.'

A blush graced her cheeks and in shock, her eyes faltered to the ground, no longer being able to defiantly stare back at him. From time to time, he would make a comment like that. And every time he managed to catch her off-guard with his words.

His manipulation was never to be underestimated. Even in the lone days, he'd still twist those around him to do his bidding. Though, she had yet to figure out what he thought he could accomplish by doing something so obvious as complimenting her.

Her heart was racing though. And she felt more alive under his gaze. She hated ever single second of it. She hated their casual conversations. She hated the bland taste of tea.

Yet.

At the same time.

She rejoiced to leave loneliness behind and let herself believe in the illusion he always webbed so easily and delicately around them.

Sitting across of the man, Orihime poured the tea into their cups. A deafening quietness filled the room and a year back, when she had just arrived, she would have perhaps started chatting to make the threatening silence go away. However, she was content to just be around another being now.

She and Aizen did not have anything to discuss. Sometimes it would be just that; them sitting and drinking tea not uttering a word.

'How…' her voice almost died, regretting the need to speak up. Curiosity urged her to ask however, as he had causally mentioned it before parting with her last time they had spoken. Orihime was certain he did it on purpose. To make her wonder. To make her think of him, even if he wasn't around. He'd reveal some of his plans to her, as if she was his confident. His friend.

'Have you been able to… create a path to the outside?'

With a content sigh, his eye stayed on the cup in his hand. Humming lightly, he did not answer her question. Instead asking her if she had become unhappy here.

'As I have said, a darkened sun saddens everyone.'

'And I highly doubt my presence brings anyone here light or happiness.'

'Yet here you are,' he teasingly answered, insinuating she did just that for him.

Turning her hands into fists, a low growl escaped her throat. 'Stop that.'

The smirk on his face only widened, arching his brow lightly at her outburst. Glaring at him, annoyed at his amusement, she opted to keep quiet. Reaching her fingers delicately around the cup of tea before her, she grasped on the warmth that it emitted. A sensation she longed for so desperately. To feel something other than the loneliness and coolness that surrounded them.

'Do not worry, Miss Inoue, I can assure you, our time will come.'

Our time. As if she was actually a part of his kingdom. As if she longed for the same things as him.

Ridiculous.

Again, she opted to not react to him. Instead focusing on the taste of the tea, calming her nerves by closing her eyes and pretending it was not him not sitting before her.

Peace lingered on and had he not been here, she would've never moved.

However, weariness made her open her eyes to stare at him. He was unpredictable. Whenever he was near her, she could not ignore the power of the Hyogoku that radiated from within him. If she allowed it, it would consume her. However, just like him, it kept its distance. His maroon eye stayed on her at all times.

When he suddenly spoke up, she couldn't help but gasp.

'On the contrary, my dear, you affect many with your light.'

Slowly standing up from his seat he reached out his hand to hers. Staring at it before accepting it, Orihime let him raise her out of her seat and guide her back to the balcony he had been standing on before. The cool wind was refreshing, yet his hand burned on her skin. He had yet to let go of her.

'Your light brings life,' he continued. Slowly letting go of her hand, he traced her arm up to her neck. Placing a few auburn strands of hair behind her ear.

'Just look what you did to Ulquiorra. You've bewitched so many of them…' he muttered while staring at her in a way he had never done before. On edge, she took in every move he made, tensing up as he came even closer. Sensing the power within him stronger than before.

'You healed them like the good girl you are…' he breathed into her ear. 'You've given them kindness…' she could almost feel his lips on the shell of her ear, 'warmth...'

'But can you still their hunger?'

The question made her snap up to look him in the eye, realizing their noses were touching. Warm air tantalized her skin and she had to fight the urge to react to it. Yet the glint of amusement in his eye angered her. To him, everything and everyone was pawn in his game. Everything was meaningless in his life.

'You don't even have hunger,' she blatantly stated.

The amusement vanished into thin air, and he arched an eyebrow at her sudden braveness. Glaring at the man who held everyone in the damned desert imprisoned.

'You've deliberately made no process to find a way out because you've been sulking like a child over your defeat,' she hissed. 'You let your subordinates suffer because you feel nothing! I healed them because you couldn't care less about their existence… You have no heart. You are worse than any hollow here… You've never experienced any feeling, so you don't even have a void, a place you once held a heart—' The words died in her throat. The iron grip he had over her delicate neck, made her realize she had forgotten her place. Just little bit more pressure and the bones inside would snap. Pulverize under his power.

Fragile under his grip. Fragile under any beings grip in this world. She hated it so much.

But she had also grown so tired of being submissive to him. This entire world was in chaos. She could hear pain and doubt everywhere she turned. Even though Ulquiorra never spoke a word to her, his expression held agony. Hollows wailed in pain and hunger outside of this palace. Devouring one another in search of a power that would please their king.

'You don't know hunger, dear,' he whispered in her ear. Loosening his grip, he abruptly pulled her in closer to him. His tone was low and dangerous. 'If I allow myself, I'd devour you and all in one gluttonous bite.'

The threatening undertone was hard to miss but the way he had emphasized bite, as if he genuinely wanted to eat her, caught her by surprise. Her heart started beating erratically, nerves tensing up her entire body while his hand took hold of her chin. Making her look up in his lone eye, gleaming with menace. If looks could kill, she'd be dead now.

'You must be feeling quite desperate…' he muttered, 'or perhaps you've finally grown. I assure you I was not sulking like a child. Merely preparing for a greater battle, bidding my time…' Gently he played with the few lose strands of hair that framed her face. His movements were agonizingly slow, and she participated for him to harm her any moment now. She shut her eyes as she felt his finger feathery light touch her cheeks.

'I'm going to wait a bit longer, Orihime… I need them to become just as desperate as you. Even more so.'

Surprised, she opened her eyes again. 'T-them?'

'Yes, your friends and allies… Some are waiting for your return. So I'd much rather have them come to me… and find you.'

Her grey eyes widened realizing she still held the same role from before in his plans. Feeling him grab her hand, she gasped as roughly placed it on his bare chest. Pushing it down she could feel the throbbing power of the Hogyoku in his mid-section. Eyes widening she could help but stare at the reveal. Normally he kept his distance, and she had yet to see his and the orb's power combined. And feeling it beneath the palm of her hand, she realized how frightening it was. For brief moment, she even pondered why any of her friends would bother. This man was frighteningly strong.

'…a god,' she muttered under her breath without realizing it.

'Exactly.'

The arrogant reply made her want to pull back, away from him and his dominant aura but he held her in place. His grip hardening on her hand, his other hand digging into her hair while slightly scratching skin. 'Maybe I'll wait even longer to make my move. A decade, a few, perhaps even a hundred years… When I strike, it will mean the end for all.'

'I…'

'I already told you, sit here and wait for a bit, dear,' he venomously whispered, repeating the same words from almost a year ago.

'And concerning your need to fill voids,' he snickered, 'just what do you think they'll do once they get their hands on you? They have no heart, so they hungrily want yours. And they viciously and selfishly keep you for their own needs. Even my most loyal servant wants to… I can tell he doesn't want to share you with anyone. I've long given him permission to take you out of your room. To permit you to enter the library. The outside court. To attend the throne room...'

Squirming under his grip, Orihime tried to loosen herself but he wouldn't budge. 'Sōten Kisshun—'A-ah, Miss Inoue, play fair,' his words were slower than his actions because before she knew it, his hand had grabbed her by the throat again while the other had taken hold on one of her precious jewels.

'NO!' she desperately screamed through his tight grip. Tears welled up, while fear made her shiver and shrink into him. Clawing at his wrist and pleading with her eyes to not destroy them. With a disinterested gaze he took in the sight of her and then the hairpin in his hand.

'You truly believe this is what holds your power?'

'I… I…'

I don't know, she silently admitted to herself.

'Hm,' with a smirk he released her while inspecting the hairpin in his hand. Stepping closer to him, Orihime tried to reach out and take it but he wouldn't allow it, holding it up far above her.

With anyone else it would have been seen as playful gesture but with Aizen it was meant to draw her dangerously close into him. Her body pressed against him as she kept reaching. The whole thing greatly amused him.

'Is that boy who gave you these? The substitute-Shinigami?' His delicate fingers twirled it around, inspecting it closely before hiding it in his fist. A little pressure and her power would be gone!

'No, please don't! I beg of you!'

With a disapproving sigh, he brushed her hair to the side where the hairpin had been. For a brief moment she couldn't stop herself and think of Sora. Her beloved brother had done the exact same thing a long, long time ago. A sigh escaped her lips and for a split second she had leaned into his hand before snapping back out of it and taking a generous step back.

Of course, Aizen had noticed.

'Alright, since you begged,' he beratingly said while softly placing the hairpin into place. Relieved, Orihime couldn't help but touch the hairpin, even though his hand had yet to leave. Strangely, his skin didn't burn her as before. His hand felt soft and familiar.

Stop thinking of Sora.

'You believe these things hold all of you grant power?' His voice for once didn't sound loaded with ridicule but rather with his usual deceptive sincerity of interest on the subject.

'They… were a gift,' she finally admitted. 'From my brother. It's all I have left of him. Especially here, I have nothing of him…'

His hand took hold of hers and gently placed it on his cheek, as if he wanted to feel more of her touch. Eyes widening, she stared in shock at his erratic behavior and wondered what he was planning. But his eye remained closed and his actions tame.

'I… I don't care about power,' she then whispered.

She truly didn't. The power they held could disappear but not them. Not the last of Sora…

'I see.'

A silence followed and lingered between them. For a moment she allowed it all to happen without thought, not wonder what he was trying to achieve by behaving like this. In an almost trancelike state, they remained that way for several long minutes. Her hand on his cheek eventually was guided to his eye. Or rather the place where his eye had once been.

'Perhaps you can release me?'

As if her hand had caught fire, she snatched it away. Taking in a sharp breath, she then shook her head violently. She would not undo the partial successful work of her friends. The few seals he had were not going to be undone by her, no matter what he tried. She was and never would be truly on his side. A delighted smirk graced his flawless face, ridiculing her childish reaction.

'Pity.'

'I would never…'

Taking in a deep breath, he allowed for some more space between them. As if in deep thought he stared at her for second, taking her in. Though glaring at the man, she couldn't help but feel small in his presence. All of her bravado had dissipated into thin air and she felt much like the girl she did a year ago. Clueless and scared.

'I won't force you,' he enlightened her. 'But I do hope you one day see that is only honorable to repay your debts.'

'What debts?' Orihime hated how her voice quavered when speaking. How could she shrink back so easily into her old self?

'You do realize I don't have to keep you save? I could task Ulquiorra with something entirely else, something much more important then you.'

'I healed every hollow you asked of me—'That is your task,' he crudely informed her. 'But it is not mine to keep you out of harm's way. I do so because I know your incapable of doing that yourself. And most hollows would spare your life as you have saved theirs at one point or another… But that doesn't mean they do not want to approach you.'

Speechless she couldn't help but stare at him. A shiver ran down her spine when she thought of the words he had used earlier, about not being able to still their hunger. A part of her knew exactly what he was talking about. Not every hollow hid their true nature from her. Syazel for instance, could hardly contain himself around her. He wanted to find the true source of her power, within her…

Shuddering at the memory of the mad man's behavior, who had promised her to one day to find out, she nodded in acknowledgement of what he precisely meant.

'You have my gratitude,' she quietly spoke. That was all she could give.

'And that is what I shall take… for now.'

The threatening undertone was hard to miss but she decided to respond only by showing determination on her face. Defying him the only way she knew how; in small insignificant actions. The widening of his smirk told her he knew exactly what she was doing but for some reason, he allowed it without consequence. It occurred her that to him this was probably just another game.

Last time they spoke he had insinuated he was looking for a way out and now he had just said he wouldn't take any action until the other side had. There was no telling what he was going to do.

His course of action was as always immersed in mystery.

'May I leave?' she politely asked, eyes lowered to his feet. She suddenly felt very tired. Mentally exhausted by the revelation that perhaps his boredom was what lead him to her and not much else. She felt like a cheap toy. Useless and unnecessary.

'Of course,' he softly answered though she could hear the snicker he was fighting off. Without sparing her another glance, he turned around and stared at the moon again. It irked her that she had to share even that with him. Feeling sick suddenly, she abruptly turned around and walked out without looking back. As she opened the tall doors, viridian green eyes met her with shock.

'Woman…'

'Let's go,' she determinedly said, not giving him a chance to lead her back to the room where he had decided to always keep her in.

Surprised by her behavior, his eyes darted to the man in the background standing on the balcony. But Aizen didn't budge nor give any indication of why she dared to behave this way towards him.

The door closed shut with a loud thud, making the strange unpleasant stillness linger on as she waited for him to move. Ulquiorra stared at the woman who spoke so fondly of bonds and hearts. Doe eyes full of life, accompanied by tears of sadness. A strange sensation ran through his chest. For a moment he pondered about the heart again…

'Where to?' he then simply asked, not denying her request. Standing with his hands in his pockets, he calmly awaited her instructions. Stunned by the easy admission she had received from him, she blinked. 'I don't know,' she admitted. 'Somewhere out of here. Out of Las Nochas.'

'It's dangerous out— 'You'll be with me, right?'

For the first time in months she smiled, a genuine smile. 'So I'll be safe!'

The simple gesture shocked him into silence again and he only became more curious to what had happened behind those closed doors when she had been with Lord Aizen. Normally she be even more saddened after speaking with him. The fact she had so brusquely asked to be taken out, meant Lord Aizen had informed her of being allowed to be out of the room he had personally kept her in at all cost. But since she wanted to be taken somewhere outside of Las Nochas, he figured this might be the right moment to talk to her. He had longed to do so for such long, long time…

A sigh escaped his lips and he reached out a hand to her. Without tremble or fear, she took it. Surprising him with her boldness but also the warmth of her soft hand. Pulling her closer to him, she let out a gasp of surprise. Pressing her closely to him, he noted she was still such a delicate creature. Fragile.

In the blink of an eye, they suddenly stood outside. Sonido was the only way he'd make it without someone following them. If such a thing was possible of course, with Aizen you never knew.

A part of him questioned his own actions. After all, he was supposed to be Lord Aizen's loyal servant. A man in his position could easily be relieved from such a trivial thing as being her caretaker. Instead he couldn't help himself around this woman. The idea of anyone else keeping an eye on her, he couldn't bear.

'Now where to?' he asked, inspecting the sight. There was nothing but emptiness and sand in front of them. He briefly pondered about how many hollows where fighting the urge to approach them. Surely, they too could feel her pleasant presence? Even her spiritual pressure was delicate.

What was wrong with him? What had she done…?

'Where do you want to go?' she softly asked. 'Is there place here, you are fond of?'

'Not really… Woman, there is nothing here.'

'Where did you live before Aizen…?' she quietly asked. He couldn't really tell if she was thinking out loud or actually asking him a question. With a sigh, he immediately obliged. 'Hold on.'

They stood before a magnificent white tree, branches reaching high into the darkness, almost touching the moon. Letting go of the woman, she let out a gasp, staring with big eyes at the view. Her reaction stunned him and a strange sense of proud came over him. Her still figure appreciating the place that had embraced him so easily.

Quietly, he took in the sight of her. Relaxed shoulders, her auburn hair flickering around because of a soft breeze. Her hair standing out in a vast sea of white and emptiness.

'Is this to your liking?' he asked in the same monotonous voice as usual.

She only nodded, almost quietly humming in agreement. Slowly turning her head, she gave him a beautiful smile that was so mesmerizing his thoughts fell quiet. Both enjoyed the scenery for as long as they could. Until Orihime couldn't stop herself from asking a question that had been bugging her from the moment they set foot on the scene.

'Why didn't you take me here earlier?'

'…I don't see why I should take you—'Oh! Don't!' she snapped, turning abruptly around to scowl at him. Her brows furrowed together as she took a good two steps to stand right before him. Her close proximity surprised him. Her anger even more. He had never seen her leash out or express anything other than loyal forgiveness.

'Don't be so… cold! You're not! I know you are not!' she yelled, while tears were filling her eyes. Just a blink and one would escape. 'Why didn't you take me out of that room!? You know how I am slowly losing my mind in there! You know how much I longed to be out! I told you! You never answer or acknowledge me! You always ignore me— 'I did no such thing,' he cut her off and as he ended her tirade she sobbed. Tears flowing freely. Grabbing hold of his jacket, she pulled him closer.

Eyes wide, immobilized by her actions, he let her be until she grabbed his hands and placed them around her. The embrace was odd but at the same time he couldn't stop himself from letting it happen. Her warmth was overwhelming and he could feel her heartbeat. Not moving the hands she had placed around herself, he held her.

'Why?' she whispered. 'Why did you start ignoring me… Ulquiorra?'

A shiver ran over his spine when she spoke his name so sadden and yet so freely, as if he were her only friend. Lowering his head, he closed his eyes. Contemplating if he should answer her while also holding on to what little he had.

'…The less attention you get from him, the saver you are,' he finally admitted.

Never had he spoken so softly nor so close to anyone without wanting to intimidate them. He hoped only her ears picked up his words. After all, he was betraying Lord Aizen now. Sure, he had done so without saying it. Protecting her and keeping her out of anyone's sight to not draw any more attention to her than her already vibrant presence. Though he didn't want her to get hurt, his actions did not feel right. Why was he doing this? Lord Aizen… I apologize for being so weak.

When she moved to look up at him in surprise, he was unsure of what to do. Let her go or not at all?

Someone could be watching them… With that thought, he let go of her. The lack of warmth strangely saddened him but at the same time it felt right. A touch any longer, would only mean more betrayal towards the man who had freed him of darkness. He would never forget his loyalty towards Lord Aizen.

The woman's expression was easy to read as always, clearly taken back by his words but at same time he could see it. Right as before, he had it right in the palm of his hand.

Her heart.

Another smile blinded him.

She took his hand without fear or worry.

'Thank you.'

Yes, he had her heart in the palm of his hand… but she also held his in hers. For some reason he knew it was safe with her.

Whatever came their way.