Ulquiorra sits on the chair provided by the cafe, looking at his MirrorPhone while he waits for Orihime to finish her class for the day. He have been a little concerned because she seems slightly down as of late. Around him, the humans are both giving him an extra wide berth and lustful looks at his appearance. Ulquiorra could hardly care how these humans perceive him. He find it all as utterly bothersome.

Though he would have come in the form he is most familiar with, his siblings all agreed that he should try to make it easier for Orihime. So, for her, he put on a false more human appearance. Gone was his dead white/grey skin with the green tear tracks that traced a path from the middle of his lower lashes to his chin. Instead, he have a fairly clear pale skin that flush pink in the cold weather. His half bone helm disappeared from his head, leaving his thick black hair to be played by the wind. Mussing up his carefully combed hair by his sister Hotaru.

Speaking of her, as predicted by Father, she desires to return to her post as the Guardian of Ruin and Rebirth back in her original World Tree. Everyone disagrees, desiring to keep her close and happy. However, she carries ancient memories and ancient bonds with her and those aren't so easily forgotten. Though Father himself dislikes it, he understands and instead compromised to have her at home as often as she can via a special teleportation device so that she will not be alone.

Said teleportation device is currently being built.

He huffs, watching as his nephew asks Minato about what he should buy for his girlfriend for their latest date. He gives his input; something handmade.

Ulquiorra, after the many tricks that he stumbled into by Loki's silver tongue, have decided to educate himself and spent a very long time learning all he can about relationships at the Archive. He is still unsure about many things but at the very least that Kurosaki boy have stopped pegging as him 'creepy'.

He rubs his sternum.

It still ache now and then with her distance. But he already learned his lesson to give her space and to not cling to her too tightly. Father had given him enough lecture about Haunting. He understand that this is their nature, especially when compared to his other siblings, Ulquiorra is more dead than alive even by their standard. That and the fact that his existence came about from the crystallization of an untold number of souls with Father's shard being the sole reason he is Ulquiorra and not some other Espada.

Minato contacts him via private messaging; [I think I know why she's down]

Ulquiorra had inquired Minato for his help when he noticed Orihime's low energy. It isn't like her. Especially when it persisted for weeks. When he read through the message, his pupils blows wide open. He quickly stands up and make his way out of the cafe. To hell with waiting for her for their date.

Predator on the hunt.

He quickly heads for the location that Minato had given him; the train. He have read and watched news about such matters before. He wants to know that Orihime is safe in the location she have chosen to set her root down to continue her education in baking. It is a dream of hers to one day own her own bakery. Though he does not understand the importance, he decided to be there for her for whatever she may need him for.

What he couldn't understand is why she is allowing such a thing to happen to her when he know that she can easily stop it. After all, despite his lacking memory prior to waking up as Father's son, his memory of her grows clearer the longer they date each other. He, through speaking with Father, understood that the things he did to her can be considered emotional and psychological abuse. He wasn't kind to her. He was a soldier through and through. Yet, somehow...

Somehow her heart is big enough and strong enough to beat for both of them.

Ulquiorra hides his presence, waiting for Orihime to take this exact train. She have a habit and he is aware of this habit of hers. Though it might be because he was once made to hunt her down and steal her from her friends, he cannot help but repeat his actions. Only this time instead of gathering intel to steal her away, he did it to keep her safe from external dangers on her person.

Ulquiorra isn't blind.

Orihime is a kind of woman who is too good for most people, the sort that can be taken advantage of. She is so used to the burden of being alone and forcing herself to be independent that she often forget that there are people around her that will go through war and death to help her. They have done it before. They will do it again. But perhaps, understanding the complication of human society, she know that her friends cannot behave the same way that they did with the 'other' society in their human world. They are still bound to this world and their laws. The consequence of doing what they did will hurt even the people who are innocent. Like their family.

Ulquiorra isn't blind.

He is aware the kind of looks her appearance garner simply from breathing in a corner. Her physique mature ahead of her peers. Perhaps the foreign blood in her is to blame. The strain of DNA that gave her, her unique red hair. He have seen how the people around her look at her. It...make him...dangerous. He will think of way to erase them from her presence often. When he asked Father about this reaction of his, Father simply nodded and said that he was jealous but also angry for her. He was jealous that others get to see what he saw but also angry that unlike him, who would worship her like a religion, their look only objectify her to nothing more than something to slate their carnal desire.

He had considered bundling her up, changing the way she dressed to make her less appealing visually. But the books told him that doing so would make him controlling and no woman like a controlling man. A woman deserved to dress however she pleased.

Well, it isn't that Orihime dressed provocatively. Rather, she is modest in her dressing. However, the shape of her body make her provocative no matter how she cover herself. Even if the clothing is loose, her daily movement will give hints of what lies beneath. Orihime cannot help how she is shaped.

And there are people who likes taking advantage of her sweet nature.

Ulquiorra slips into the train, his presence noticed as just another body to avoid. He slowly make his way to where he can sense her. He immediately sees the man behind her. Seemingly older. He knows him.

One of her educator.

No wonder she is silent.

Orihime had worked so hard to get into this particular school.

Considering his age, perhaps he have connection with important people. Ulquiorra have enough mind to take the man's picture and send it to Minato. The beauty of the Scribe's Archive is that there are knowledge from everywhere, no matter the universe or reality. Minato, having spent almost all of his time in the Archive while trying to find a way to return to his son, is a sort of master in bringing out the right information without bothering the Scribe himself.

With Minato's interference and Father's easy ability to get blackmail from the dead walking about, the man's career is heading for the gallows.

Ulquiorra reminds himself to restrain himself as he pushes his body between Orihime and the man, stopping his disgusting limb from touching her, and greets the surprised girl, "Onna,"

Orihime squeaks, "Ulquiorra?!" She blinks away the barely there tears, forcing herself to smile, "W-what are you doing here?"

Ulquiorra hates her tears, "Just say the word..."

She tilts her head at his whisper, "Word?"

"No mark. No trace. I can simply...erase him,"

Her grey eyes widens at his almost silent offer. She is aware what he is offering her. No mark or trace can lead back to him. After all, all he need to do to get rid of her latest tormentor is to breathe near him in that unique manner and he will drop dead like a fly. She won't even see him as a Plus.

He will be beyond dead.

Her lips, dry and chapped, trembles. He digs out the chapstick he carries on him because of the weather and his habit of being always prepared, he starts to paint them carefully on her abused skin. Once done, he puts the item away only for her to press her face against the fold of his clothes. He can feel the warmth of her tears damping his front.

He hugs her, "I am not part of this society. Nothing can harm me. Use me, Onna,"

"I'm sorry,"

Her voice is weak and almost silent. He can feel her frame trembling. Ulquiorra looks behind to see the older man shifting through the crowd, putting a distance and using other humans as shield. Ulquiorra is tempted to just kill him, to get rid of this scummiest trash for good. However, when he feels Orihime's gripping his winter coat in tight fists, he decided to focus on her instead.

~

"Why did you not report his abuse of power?"

He needs to hear from her.

Orihime sniffs, eating the box of expensive donuts he bought for her while walking her home to the apartment that they shared. Originally, he had wanted to simply gift it to her as a present for making it into her dream school. However, Kagome warned him against that. From her observation, Orihime will feel bad accepting it. So, in the end, he offered the place as his for her to move in with him. He hardly use it but if it will make her use it and be in a safer place to rest in with true securities against other humans, he will pretend that he use it. Not to mention the extra securities that Minato put using seals as random decorative painting in the apartment as well as Mal's magical plant's defenses against other supernatural, their apartment is a proper sanctuary for her to rest in.

Nothing like him will ever happen to her again.

He is aware that she suspected his true intention but is glad that she never bring it up with him. After all, he tried his best to not step on her toes.

Orihime swallows her donut, "I was stumped. I know that I should report him but at the same time, he have a great reputation with his colleagues. He's a respected figure in the baking industry and...I'm nobody. If I say anything to the others, they might try to bring him down like how they break into Seireitei or Jigoku or Las Noches. I...that sort of thing will lend them on the bad side of the law and I don't want them to ruin their future because of me. Not to mention, I worked so hard to get into this school. If I...get myself kicked out, I could never enter any of the other schools. My reputation will...and if I expose him, I don't have to money to take him to court and..." She burst into tears, "I really don't know what to do! He's not a Shinigami or a Hollow! Things that I can defend myself with is useless here! I just...I don't know!!"

As she cries again, Ulquiorra pulls her onto his lap and hugs her to calm her down. He then asks her, "Why did you not say anything to me?"

Orihime hiccups, "...I don't want you to leave me..."

He tightens his hold on her, "Did he do more than touch you?"

Orihime shakes her head, "I did my best to avoid him after he made his intention clear...that's...that's all I can do, really,"

Ulquiorra is aware why this is difficult for Orihime to solve. Her usual method could destroy her life. She is not a teenager anymore and the working world of adult is more complex than what she knows. Navigating her own society is not as clean cut as when dealing with the others. She is right that her friends might land themselves in hot water with their own government. No matter how powerful they are, the law is airtight. Not to mention the law on sexual assault and rape are more complex.

Depending on the society, the punishment is utterly unfair for the victim. Laws and punishments for owning, using, and supplying drugs are far more strict than the act of plundering another's body and mind.

It is stupid and stink of catering to the elites when they get caught.

Ulquiorra finally says, "I will never leave you, Onna. No matter what condition you are in, I will always be by your side. In life and in death, in sickness and in health. In plenty and in poverty, we will always be together,"

Orihime smiles, "It's backward but that's what you promise when you marry someone,"

He hums, "Does it matter? We might not be married but our heart is one," He looks at her, "Your heart is mine. After all, I don't have my own. Your heart have beating for both of us. What is marriage when compared to that?"

She looks at him before saying, "I love you,"

He presses his temple against hers, "And I am yours,"

He can never be sure about loving her. Only thing he is sure is that he belongs to her. His hole aches without her heart to echo inside him. Belonging to her is the only way he can return her sentiment.

He then adds, "Onna, let my family deal with him. Also, your grade is good enough that we can send you to a more reputable culinary school. I know this school is the one you dreamt of but I also know that choosing this particular establishment is just you being humble," He presses his finger to her lips, silencing her protest, "Please. I don't want this to hurt your career. I know enough that should you leave this alone for the sake of staying in class, you will be as hollow as I am while still alive. That is not something I wish to see, Onna,"

Orihime blushes, looking conflicted. He is aware that as humble as she is, she still have pride in her chest. She have always been proud of her ability to be independent. Especially when she had to rely on her friends when she went on that adventure to follow her first love invading a whole other world's government. After her brother's death, people around her have been treating her as if she is made of the thinnest glass. Ignoring the fact that outside school, she have to look out for herself without their aid. Being able to do things for herself and being able to be independent of their suffocating protection is something she is extremely proud of.

And he is proud of her too.

He begs her, "Please, Orihime. Please let me help you," He rubs her back, "You are not weak to ask for help. Especially when you clearly need it. Let me help you in a way that only I can. Please,"

Surprised that he would even beg her, Orihime flusters, "Ulquiorra, you don't have to beg me! I-!" She stares at him, realizing just how much he need to do this. Biting her lip, she says, "I don't want to be a burden to you,"

He shakes his head, "Never. And if you ever feel that way, then know that you are a burden I am proud to carry,"

Tears falls down her cheeks, "Ulquiorra, you..." She slumps against him, "I love you. I promise to always love you. My heart will beat for both us!"

~

Danny is furious by the report Minato had given him. When Ulquiorra came to him after a date with his girlfriend, he was surprised to see the boy asking him for an all out brawl. Once the flame of his fury dimmed to cinder, he asked Danny if he can be Orihime's patron. Though Danny don't actually have a presence in Orihime's world, that is easily remedied as he is outside time so he can easily make it seems as if he had always been part of the world if he involves himself a few decades prior to Orihime's time.

Though he asked the boy why when she seems happy with her current arrangement.

Sufficed to say, the moment Ulquiorra explained what had been bothering her, Danny is equally furious. He knows that there are people out there that wear the face of a respectable person to hide the fact that they are really nothing more than animals.

Orihime isn't his only victim.

Most of the girls that the man had preyed upon are young and trusting as well as orphans. He can even pressure them by giving them bad grades to force them into selling their body to him to 'buy' a passing grade. The problem with Orihime is that she is actually talented with baking. So pressuring her by giving her a bad grade could raise brows so he have been trying to blackmail her. The fact that she really have no family to defend her should anything happen and her poor background are enough to bolster his actions towards her.

Disgusting.

Ulquiorra is an unexpected variable. Worse for the scum, Ulquiorra 'doesn't exist' for him to socially ruin. Not to mention, Ulquiorra isn't someone he can 'buy' Orihime from, like he did with the other girls' boyfriends/partners. It is only Orihime's bad habit that delayed Ulquiorra's interference. Fortunately for her, Ulquiorra is more attentive than most give him credit for.

He nods, "I'll be her patron. You just focus on her,"

Ulquiorra bows, "Thank you, Father,"

Danny turns to Archer, "I want you to establish yourself as a famous chef. Jason will help,"

Jason blinks, "I will?"

Danny frowns at him, "Yes you will. I mean, among all your siblings, you two are the best cooks in our family. You can be Archer's assistant," He looks at Archer, "What do you think about this mission?"

Archer smirks, "Better than anything Alaya had ever given me. At least I don't kill anyone,"

Loki snorts, "Just their pride as chefs,"

Archer shrugs, "I'll start planning the details,"

Danny turns to Loki, "You will be the lawyer,"

"I will?"

~

Orihime knows enough about the Phantoms to know that they are a family of impossibles. She is pretty sure that Archer and Jason did not exist last week. But suddenly everyone is talking about Archer's restaurant, Avalon, as the place to apprentice in. Whether as the usual cooks or the patisserie.

Best of all, the man who have been trying to get into her skirt is suddenly flooded with problems with the law. It isn't even about her! This leave her free to continue her life as normal.

Even better, she receives an invitation to work in Avalon for her practical experience!

She gushes to Ulquiorra, "This time, Archer-san cannot hide his recipes from me!"

He hums, snuggling with her as she coos at the pretentious letter Archer had sent her, "He might not give his personal recipes,"

She shakes her head, "It doesn't matter! I just want to know his tips and secrets to make food like him!" She drools, "No one can compare~!"

Ulquiorra watch as she beams like the dawn, happiness pouring from her very pores. He feels warm inside. This is the Onna that he dreams of; happy and content.

No tears.

Orihime suddenly looks at him, "Ulquiorra?"

"Hm?"

"Will you marry me?"

...

...

...

"What?"