Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Alone.

That was what Orihime Inoue was. Completely and utterly alone.

She sat on the couch in the room where she was kept prisoner, fidgeting with her fingers and staring at the eternally crescent moon of Hueco Mundo outside her tall, barred, out of reach window. That was all there was to do in these four stone walls that kept her caged. She had no books, nothing to write with, no form of entertainment to keep her stimulated. All that was in the room was the large couch she had to use as a bed, and an equally large rug that took up most of the space on the floor. It was white, bordered with red. The only speck of color she had seen since entering her little cage.

Orihime had no idea how long she had been in the room. Weeks, days, it didn’t matter. There was seemingly no concept of time in Hueco Mundo. The only thing that let her know the seconds had ticked by at all was when some nameless Arrancar (or occasionally, Ulquiorra) brought her her bland, tasteless meals or came to check and see if she was still alive. It wasn’t much, but it was one of the few things that kept her from going crazy.

Orihime was sure it was some form of psychological warfare. The isolation, the lack of color and any sort of engaging activity, it was all part of an attempt by her jailer to break her mentally. She had read about stuff like this before. People had done studies on it in the human world, about how people had gone insane after being locked in all-white rooms with nobody to talk to, nothing to do, and no hope. Idly, she wondered if Aizen had seen the studies too. It would certainly explain the white everything in Las Noches. But if Aizen thought she would break that easily, then he didn’t know her as well as he claimed to.

Because no matter what Aizen or his lackeys thought, Orihime was strong. Not strong like Uryu, Chad, Ichigo or even Tatsuki were, though. They were the kind of strong that tore apart everything in front of them when they were on a warpath. The kind of strong they felt they had to be to protect those closest to them, to protect her . Orihime wasn’t strong like that. She couldn’t fight, and she could barely defend properly (her recent failures in the various skirmishes she had been in against the Arrancar, despite the training she had received in Soul Society, cemented that fact). But she could heal, and she could endure.

She had always been good at that, enduring. She had endured all the bullying in middle school. She had endured the death of her older brother. Her sweet Sora, the only family she had ever known. The young man that had to be a father, mother and brother all in one for her, because if he wasn’t, then no one else would be. She had endured the suffocating loneliness that came with coming home to an all-too-empty apartment for years. She had endured the sharp pains in her heart whenever Ichigo gave those longing looks to Rukia whenever he didn’t think the Shinigami girl was looking. She had endured the resignation she felt when she realized Ichigo would never love her the way she loved him. Yes, Orihime was very familiar with enduring. She knew how to weather the storm until the sun decided to shine through the clouds. She had practically made a skill out of it.

‘But what happens if the sun never comes?’, Orihime thought to herself doubtfully.

The question came to her unbidden, like the devil whispering in her ear. It sounded like something that would come out of Ulquiorra’s mouth during his sporadic visits; detached and pragmatic, but not cruel. It was also not an absurd thing to think. It made Orihime want to throw up.

She knew how her abduction looked. Aizen had done everything possible to make it look like a defection, like she had gone willingly to the other side. Orihime knew that was absurd. Her friends knew that was absurd, but from what Orihime had seen of Soul Society and its higher-ups since gaining her powers, she knew they were quick to make assumptions based on the flimsiest of evidence. They would take things at face value, and most likely, her friends would be ordered to remain in the human world on pain of some grisly fate.

They would rebel, of course. Ichigo, Chad and Uryu would kick up a fuss. Kisuke might make some sort of argument in her favor. Rangiku, Toshiro, Renji and Rukia may try to plead her case, but Orihime wasn’t stupid. She had the third best grades in her school, and had been top of her year in History every year since middle school. She knew what happened to prisoners of war. She knew that Soul Society was about to engage in a war against Aizen, and she knew that in war, every resource mattered.

At the end of the day, Soul Society and their allies had more than enough healers. They didn’t need to risk valuable fighters trying to retrieve another one, least of all one that was fragile and untrained for combat. If she was really that important to them, she could be saved after the war–if she was even kept alive that long. But not beforehand, not when they were needed most. Yes, her friends would all realize this and end up staying put. And Orihime… Orihime would be left to rot and turn to dust, to be blown away with the desert sands of the Hollow realm. Forgotten.

Alone. 

Orihime balled her hands into fists in her lap, wrinkling the skirt of her annoyingly white dress that she had been made to change into upon her arrival (another thing Aizen had done to try and break her, as if she hadn’t already lost enough autonomy). No, it was clear that enduring wasn’t going to help her this time. Waiting around to be rescued like some princess in a tower wasn’t going to work. If her friends didn’t come like she anticipated, then she was on her own in the wolves’ den, and on the off chance they did come for her, they would be playing right into Aizen’s hands and likely end up getting themselves killed. It was a lose-lose situation. Orihime was either going to have to give into despair, or save herself. And giving in, she had decided as soon as she followed Ulquiorra into that Garganta, was not an option. But how was she supposed to save herself? How was she supposed to find a way out of this?

‘I could reject the Hogyoku.’, she mused. It was the first thing she had thought to do when she saw the rock responsible for giving her her powers in Aizen’s throne room the day of her arrival. Just reject it out of existence and save her friends a world of trouble. But she would definitely get herself killed before she even finished, either because the task was too daunting or because Aizen’s Arrancar would’ve descended upon her like war dogs the moment she tried. No, the Hogyoku was too obvious of a target, and it wouldn’t help her escape. But what else was there to dispose of that would free her, or stop Aizen’s plans in their tracks?

Unless… 

A thought struck her like a bolt of lightning, sharp and electrifying. The Hogyoku was too well-guarded, too predictable of a target. But no one would expect an attack on the untouchable ‘Lord Aizen’. Least of all from the meek little human girl he had taken as a hostage. No one would see such a bold move coming.

It was a crazy idea, utterly insane, but Orihime was familiar with crazy ideas. She had them almost everyday, thanks to her ‘overactive imagination’, as people put it.

Sousuke Aizen was powerful. He was the Lord of Las Noches, the man who had defeated Ichigo so easily when he fled Soul Society, and had every Shinigami in existence scrambling to put a stop to him and his impossible-to-understand plans. But it was also clear that Aizen, despite all his talk about how god-like her powers were, underestimated her. He thought her to be a weak-willed little girl, unable to use her powers to their full potential because of her lack of resolve, and Orihime had given him little reason to think otherwise. She wasn’t a fighter, she hated hurting people, and she always hid behind Ichigo or her other friends when things got intense. But now there was no one left to hide behind, and she was backed into a corner. She was desperate.

People always got more dangerous when they were desperate.

Now a wicked, wicked plan was forming in Orihime’s head; use her Shun Shun Rikka to reject Aizen, and stop the Winter War before it even started, saving the lives of countless Shinigami, her friends, and the rest of the world. Sacrificing one life (possibly two) for thousands of others. It was a noble plan, and probably just as stupid and suicidal as her Hogyoku idea, but it was all she had. If it worked the way she wanted it to, Aizen would be gone, Hueco Mundo would be in chaos, and she would be able to slip away to freedom. And if it didn’t work the way she wanted it to… at least she would die slow, lingering death like she would if she just let herself waste away in her prison.

Clenching her fists even tighter, Orihime felt her resolve harden. She was doing this. She was going to erase Sousuke Aizen’s very existence. Then, just slightly, her grip loosened and she faltered.

‘But, do I really have it in me to kill someone?’, Orihime thought to herself. Doubt flooded her mind. She never liked hurting people. She had always abhorred the idea of violence and killing, even when it came to her enemies. It was why Tsubaki’s attacks were always so weak. And if she used her powers on Aizen, she wouldn’t just be killing him, she would be erasing him from existence. His body, his soul, his very essence of being… it would be like it never existed. The image left a bad taste in Orihime’s mouth.

Then she remembered who Aizen was, and what he had done. Her friends had tried to shield her from the gruesome reality, but Orihime was more observant than they gave her credit for. She had heard about the experiments, what he had done to the Visoreds, to Kisuke and Yoriichi and Tessai, and then there was everything he had done when she and the others had invaded Soul Society. All the people he had killed, attempting to kill Rukia.

Sousuke Aizen was a monster. He was a ruthless sociopath with a god complex. He would kill as many innocents as needed if it meant he could have his long-coveted throne. The thought of that made Orihime more sick than the thought of killing.

“I do if it’s him.”, Orihime whispered to herself, her resolve once more becoming iron-clad. She had never hated a person until now, but Sousuke Aizen was the first to take that honor, and that was enough.

‘But how am I supposed to get close enough to do it?’, Orihime questioned herself, biting her thumb thoughtfully.

Aizen only summoned her every so often to try and mess with her head and gloat about his impending victory, and every time, he was surrounded by either Gin and Tousen or his Espada, the top Arrancar in Las Noches. And then there was the matter of his Zanpakuto. Absolute hypnosis was a terrifying power, but according to Kisuke, it only affected those who had seen Kyoka Suigetsu’s released form. Orihime had never witnessed that, even during the assault on Sokyoku Hill. She was too busy healing the injured. That meant she wasn’t under its effects. And Aizen underestimated her so much, there was a good chance he would let her within range to use her powers, thinking she wouldn’t dare to attack him in his own stronghold. That was good, but there was still the matter of Aizen’s men. They would rip her apart the second she did the deed.

‘I can’t take on all of them, probably not even one of them. Yammy is the weakest Espada, and he swatted me like a bug when he and Ulquiorra showed up in Karakura. If any of them attack me, I’m a goner. So I need to give them a reason not to attack me.’, Orihime continued musing.

But what kind of reason could she possibly give a bunch of bloody-thirsty Hollows and ex-Captains to not kill her? ‘Sorry I killed your boss, I needed to do it to prevent a war’? Yeah, that would go over real well. Orihime was an optimist, maybe even a bit naive at times, but even she knew she couldn’t just wing it from then on out like Ichigo always seemed to. She needed to think about this, hard, and analyze all her opponents. So she did, and in doing so, Orihime came to one conclusion.

The Espada–hell, all the Arrancars–didn’t really like Aizen.

From what little she had seen of them since her arrival, they listened to him and did as he said, but that was more out of fear than anything. The Espada were at the top of the food chain in the little court Aizen had made for himself, but they were still beneath him and he reminded them of that frequently, which couldn’t be pleasant for a bunch of people who clearly very prideful. The Orihime had seen a few Arrancars that genuinely admired the self-proclaimed ‘Lord of Las Noches’, but that was more creepy pseudo-worship than respect. Aizen was probably considered a usurping tyrant among most of his ‘subjects’, and where there are tyrants, there are rebels and dissenters who want to overthrow those tyrants.

‘That’s it!’, Orihime exclaimed internally, a wide smile appearing on her face as she had her eureka moment.

She was going to have to plan a rebellion. If she wanted to kill Aizen, she had to find those dissenters, organize them, and convince them to help her. If she could get the majority of the Espada on her side, then together they could make quick work of Aizen, the other two ex-Captains and any remaining Aizen loyalists. And together, they would all get their freedom. It was a fool-proof plan. There was just one problem.

‘Who would listen to me?’

Orihime was a human, a prisoner and a non-combatant. All three of those things seemed to be despised by the residents of Las Noches, if the looks she received from the Espada upon her arrival were anything to go by. But if she wanted this to work, she had to make them listen. She had to find a way to make them see her not as a weak, pathetic girl, but as someone who could actually change their fates. She needed a way in.

Her mind raced, recalling every interaction she’d had with the Arrancar so far. Most of them had ignored her, sneered at her, or simply viewed her as a tool. Except… There were cracks in the exterior. Subtle things. Grimmjow, for instance—he was rebellious by nature, and his hatred for Aizen was clear in the way he disrespected orders, the way he had gone out of his way to attack her and her friends in Karakura, even when it was against Aizen’s will. There was something there.

Then there was Nnoitra. He despised her, made fun of her, called her weak and taunted her the few times he had the chance. But there was something deeper there—anger, maybe even insecurity. He didn’t seem to be the type to blindly follow orders. Perhaps he too had his own grievances against Aizen. And if he didn’t… Well, he had a deep-seated need to prove his strength. Perhaps she could use that.

(For a brief moment, Orihime felt guilty at the thought of manipulating someone for her own benefit, but then she remembered what was on line, and that guilt vanished in an instant).

Szayel Aporro might be another option. From what little she had seen of him, he was cunning, sort of a Disney villain type. Always scheming, always looking for an angle to benefit himself. If she could convince him that siding with her would further his own goals, he might listen.

Stark… She didn’t know much about him. He seemed uninterested in everything, including Aizen’s war. Maybe that was something she could work with.

And there were other possibilities, too. Tia Harribel seemed reasonable enough, she might hear her out if she played her cards right. And Ulquiorra… Well, it was best not to get her hopes up about him. He seemed as loyal to Aizen as they came, but for what reason Orihime didn’t know. But maybe cold nihilism wasn’t all there was to him. Maybe, just maybe, she could convince him to join her.

The pieces were there, scattered but possible to put together, like a jumbled-up puzzle just waiting to be solved. If she could get just one Espada on her side, it could start a domino effect. But she had to be careful. If she was exposed too soon, she would be killed without hesitation. Her powers were interesting, and she was useful as a hostage, but Orihime knew she was largely expendable.

She exhaled slowly, clenching and unclenching her fists. There was no turning back now. If she wanted to survive, if she wanted to end this war before it even began, she had to do this. A small, weary smile graced her lips.

Orihime Inoue had always been the girl waiting to be saved. The princess stuck in the tower. The healer. The shield. The weak-link.

Not this time.

This time, she was going to be the one who saved everyone. This time, she was gonna save herself.

Orihime spent the hours after steeling her resolve thinking up ways to recruit various Arrancar to her side. Thinking of ways to best say this or ways to convince Ulquiorra to let her out of her cell room so she could actually talk to her potential fellow co-conspirators and meet them in a way that wasn’t the tense introduction Aizen had done for her in the throne room upon her arrival. She thought she came up with some pretty solid ideas, but she was no Kisuke, so she worried nothing she’s come up with will be enough.

Unknowingly, she takes the first step towards carrying out her plan the next time Ulquiorra visits her room.

He’s standing in the doorway, that same bored look on his face, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his white hakama like a brooding teenager. An extremely dangero us, inhuman, emo brooding teenager. The comparison causes Orihime to giggle out loud without thinking.

“Woman, what are you laughing at?”, Ulquiorra demands to know in a bland voice that makes him seem ten times more funny to Orihime somehow. Orihime laughs louder, before realizing what she’s doing and quieting down because get it together girl, you’re supposed to be plotting a revolt!

She clears her throat, trying to smother her smile, but it’s too late—Ulquiorra is already staring at her like she’s the most inexplicable thing he’s ever seen. And considering the company he keeps, that’s saying something.

“Nothing,” she says quickly. Then, because she’s a terrible liar and Ulquiorra’s stare doesn’t let up, she amends her statement almost immediately.

“Just… you were standing there like you were posing for a sad album cover.”, she tells him, letting out another short giggle. His expression doesn’t change.

“I do not know what that means.”, Ulquiorra says in that same bland voice, and that just makes her want to laugh again, but she tamps it down.

‘Focus, Orihime. You have a rebellion to plan, and this is your best chance to start.’, she scolds herself. Then she tilts her head, shifting tactics.

“Ulquiorra, I’ve been thinking… ”, she starts, trying to seem as demure and harmless as possible. An easy task for her, considering Tatsuki had once told her she was ‘a bunny given human form’. Whatever that meant. Ulquiorra blinked slowly at her.

“A dangerous pastime.”, he said without hesitation. Orihime gasped dramatically at the insult.

“Hey!”, she puffed up in offense, but then she forced herself to calm down. She wouldn’t get what she wants if she kept antagonizing her jailer. 

“What I meant is… I’ve been here a while now, and I know Aizen-sama wants me to be cooperative, but how can I truly do that if I don’t know anyone?”, she started to say, hoping to God she didn’t sound too invested in his answer. If she sounded too eager, he would know she was up to something. Ulquiorra’s gaze sharpened by a fraction.

“You met the Espada upon your arrival.”, he reminded her. As if Orihime would ever forget that terror-inducing experience, filled with predatory stares and intense spiritual pressure.

“Yeah, but that wasn’t really meeting them, was it?” she argues, shrugging casually.

“It was less like an introduction and more like an announcement. You know, ‘here’s a human, please don’t murder her’. If I’m going to be staying here indefinitely, don’t you think it would be beneficial for me to build some… camaraderie with the other Arrancars? Maybe let them get a little more used to me?”, Orihime continued, trying to sound nonchalant. Ulquiorra was silent, studying her. She can’t tell if he’s suspicious or merely unimpressed, but that’s nothing new.

“I fail to see the purpose of such an endeavor.”, he said dryly, and Orihime felt anxiety creeping in.

Crap. She was losing the argument. She needed to think of something to say to convince him fast, or she could say bye-bye to her plan. Orihime clasped her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels. An old nervous habit from when she was a child, one that she had never managed to break.

“Well, what if I have questions? What if I get lonely? I’m sure you don’t have time to deal with all that. Delegate a little. Make me someone else’s problem for a little while. What could it hurt?”, She said as she widened her eyes for effect, knowing Ulquiorra was immune to most emotional ploys, but hoping sheer persistence would wear him down. Ulquiorra wasn’t moved.

“If I ‘delegate’ as you put it, there is a good chance you will be harmed or killed. The Arrancars of Las Noches are not all as controlled as I am. Meeting the wrong one could spell certain doom for you, regardless of Aizen-sama’s decree.”, Ulquiorra said, not mincing words as usual. Orihime resisted the urge to wince, recalling the way Aizen’s two attendants (who she had only seen once and whose names she didn’t know) glared at her when she had been brought before their leader.

‘Oh, I believe that. But no risk, no reward as they say.’, Orihime thought, before jumping right back into her pleading.

“Please, Ulquiorra? I promise I won’t cause trouble. I just want to talk to people. Have a few normal conversations. Besides, what am I gonna do? Escape? There’s no way I’d be able to make it out of Las Noches, let alone Hueco Mundo. I can’t open Gargantas, remember? What’s wrong with giving me a little more room to roam?”, Orihime reasoned, and for a moment, she worried she was pushing to hard, but she couldn’t dial back now. She was already in too deep.

Ulquiorra exhaled slowly through his nose, as if debating whether humoring her was worth his time. Orihime felt her heart pounding in her chest. This was it. If he said no, she could kiss her plan goodbye. Much to her annoyance, the Cuatro Espada took his sweet time answering her. A moment of tense silence passed. Then…

“I will consider it.”

Orihime beamed.

Hook, line and sinker.

“Really?”

“Do not mistake my words for permission.”, he warned, before taking another breath and speaking like he was choosing his words very carefully.

“But if I determine there is no risk in allowing such interactions, and am able to provide a suitable escort to such excursions, then I may allow it in a controlled manner.”, he stipulated, and Orihime wanted to squeal with happiness.

It wasn’t a yes, but it wasn’t a no either. And for her, that’s a start.

Orihime nods, schooling her expression into something more subdued so she doesn’t seem too eager.

“Thank you, Ulquiorra.”, she says, and she means every word. He had just given her the means to her salvation, even if he didn’t know it yet.

Ulquiorra didn’t reply, simply turning on his heel and leaving her room as silently as he had arrived. But before he did, Orihime caught a glimpse of something in his eyes, something that wasn’t the cold indifference she always saw in them. It was so brief, she almost thought she’d imagined it. And maybe she had. She didn’t have time to dwell on it, though. Now that the first part of her plan had (nominally) been completed, she had some more thinking to do.

As soon as the door closes behind him, Orihime pumped her fist in victory.

Step one, complete.

Chapter Text

Time passed in dull, worry-filled blur. Orihime knew there was no point in being anxious about whether or not Ulquiorra would allow her a few small freedoms, but she couldn’t help it. Being denied those freedoms could mean the death of her plan, and that wasn’t something she could allow. So she was worried. She wrung her hands and she paced the length of her room a million times over, until Ulquiorra returned with his answer.

She heard the door opening before she saw it. She had been taking a nap on the couch and had only just woken up. Sleep was her only moment of respite from her anxieties, so she tried to do it as often as she could. Her mind was still dazed from a dream she had forgotten when she saw Ulquiorra walk in.

“A decision has been made.”, he declared ominously. Orihime tensed when she heard that, and got even more tense when he didn’t immediately tell her what that decision was. Eventually though, he stopped leaving her in suspense and spoke again.

“I brought your wish to the attention of Lord Aizen, and he has approved your request. He has taken into consideration your obedience since your arrival, and has decided to reward it. By his will, you will be permitted to roam Las Noches more freely and not solely be confined to this room. However, you are not allowed to leave without an escort, and leaving the grounds of Las Noches is absolutely forbidden. Do I make myself clear, woman?”, Ulquiorra explained sternly, but Orihime was practically bursting with joy. This was everything she could have hoped for! Sure Aizen was aware of her movements, but she doubted he would spend much time monitoring the conversations and actions of a teenage girl. She was being given nearly unrestricted access to the Espada! This was perfect!

‘Now I just need to figure out which Espada to get in touch with first.’, Orihime thought. She had contemplated the decision long and hard since proposing her idea to Ulquiorra, and so far, her main starting candidates were Harribel and Starrk. They were both the least hostile to her when they met her for the first time, so they would likely be more open to her company than the others. It was much easier to pitch ideas when people didn’t want to rip your throat out.

‘I think I’ll start with Starrk and work my way through the ranks from there.’, Orihime decided with a subtle nod to herself. She gave Ulquiorra a bright smile and got up from the couch.

“Crystal.”, she said, straightening out her slightly wrinkled dress. She really wished someone would give her more clothes, or at the very least a shift to sleep in. She couldn’t wear the same dress forever.

“So since I’m allowed to wander now, can I go visit the Espada with the brown hair? What was his name… Starrk?”, Orihime asked carefully, trying to sound casual about the whole thing, like it was just an idea that had popped into her head and not a carefully thought-out plan. Still, Ulquiorra’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at her.

“What business could you possibly have with the Primera Espada?”, he asked. Orihime shrugged and avoided looking him in the eyes. Eyes were the windows to the soul, and her soul was very anxious about deceiving her warden. She didn’t want him to think she was hiding something.

“Nothing, really. I just thought he seemed nice. Like someone I could spend some time with.”, Orihime responded, and she wasn’t lying. Her initial impression of Starrk was that he was very lazy, but also very nice compared to the other Espada. Plus his Fraccione, Lilynette, seemed more like a rambunctious child than a dangerous Hollow. They were both so normal– well, as normal as Arrancar could get–so she wanted to start with them, the two ‘easiest’ candidates on her list, and maybe find some enjoyment in their company while she was at it. Ulquiorra eyed her carefully, his green eyes scanning for any sign of deceit, and when he found none, he nodded in acquiesce.

“Very well, but I cannot guarantee he will accept a visitor. Follow me.”, Ulquiorra ordered, and Orihime obliged.

The halls of Las Noches were like a maze. A big, eerily silent white maze with vaulted ceilings, where even the quietest of sounds echoed. She had walked through it once, when she had first been escorted to her room, but she had been too upset that time to really take in the ginormous structure. This time though, she was determined not to let a single detail escape her notice. After all, when she pulled off her rebellion, Las Noches would be her battlefield. Knowing the terrain before things got violent would be beneficial.

So as she walked, Orihime tried to memorize the way to Starrk’s residence, as well as the hallways in general, but there were too many twists and turns. Too many stark-white doors and walls and pillars that looked exactly the same. Las Noches was a very confusing place, likely on purpose, so that potential intruders wouldn’t have an easy time getting around. Orihime sighed as realized this.

‘This is frustrating, but I guess it doesn’t matter. Once I’m able to convince someone to join in on my plan, they’ll be able to give me the layout of the building.’, Orihime thought. Normally, she wouldn’t be so confident in her desperate scheme, but she felt like if she didn’t have faith in it, it wouldn’t work, and it needed to work. So she would be confident in her abilities of persuasion… or at least pretend to be.

Eventually, after following Ulquiorra down a long, long corridor, Orihime arrived at two large, heavy white double-doors. They weren’t ornate or anything, but the fact they were even bigger than two Yammy’s let Orihime know they led somewhere important. Or rather, to someone important. Ulquiorra stepped forward and pushed open the doors effortlessly with a loud creak.

“This is the palace of the First Espada. As a privilege of our status, very Espada is granted a personal palace to live in by Lord Aizen. This is Starrk’s palace.”, Ulquiorra explained unprompted, and Orihime filed that useful information away for later.

“Do you have a palace, Ulquiorra?”, she asked, not really expecting an answer. The Arrancar who’d abducted her wasn’t one for casual conversation, after all. Ulquiorra spared her a brief disinterested glance as they walked into the palace.

“Yes, but unlike Starrk, I do not tend to linger there.”, was all he said, but it was much more than Orihime had expected from him, so she was satisfied with the answer.

As they walked deeper into the palace, Orihime could make out the sound of muffled voices. One high-pitched and loud, and the other low-pitched and subdued. She figured they belonged to the residents of the palace. As she walked farther and the voices got clearer, Orihime took a deep breath and prepared herself mentally.

‘Here goes nothing.’, she thought, before Ulquiorra stopped in an open doorway and gestured for her to walk through.

All Coyote Starrk had ever known was haunting, crippling loneliness.

It was a thing that had plagued him since the very beginning of his existence, when he was some other Hollow entity entirely. Those days were blurry and distant, but he still remembered the worst things about them. The being he had once been had been so strong, no other Hollows could get near it without dying. It had no enemies, no friends, no family, no pack. Just the whistling winds and the sand. The loneliness had been so awful it had driven it mad, and it tore itself in two in a desperate attempt to make itself weak enough to be around others, creating him and Lilynette. His other half, his Resurrección, his annoying little sister-daughter- something that was always with him, kicking up a fuss and trying to make things interesting. Together, they could go anywhere, do anything, and through it all, they would always be together. It was a fact that comforted him during the too-quiet nights that were 

From then on out, the loneliness wasn’t so bad, but it was still there, following them both like a shadow. Hollows still dropped dead from their presence alone. They were still too strong to have companions. Barely anything had changed from when he and Lilynette were one, so they resigned themselves to their fate of being alone once more.

Then Aizen came along. He was different from all the others. He was strong enough to be in their presence without dying, and he had a proposition. Join him in his goal, and he would give them allies. Allies strong enough to withstand their presence. Allies they could talk to, that they could form bonds with. The offer was too enticing to refuse. Starrk accepted, and so did Lilynette. They followed him to Las Noches, hopeful for the future for the first time in their existence.

Only, Aizen’s promises weren’t all they had seemed. They turned out to be half-truths, sold with an arrogant smile and greedy eyes. They gained allies, yes, and a cause to fight for… but they were still lonely. None of the other Arrancars craved companionship like they did. They all had their own personal goals and ambitions, and none of them involved making friends. Some of them, the members of the Espada especially, had come with entourages of weaker Hollows that would later become their Fraccione, but beyond that and mandatory interactions like Espada meetings, none of them were open to the idea of spending time together. At best, everyone tolerated each other, and at worst they were all just waiting for a chance to kill each other. It was like being back out in the desert again. Everyone for themselves, kill or be killed, just a veneer of civilization that Aizen insisted on for the sake of ‘propriety’.

They were all like animals in a jungle, and as the Primera Espada, Starrk was the apex predator. And you don’t make friends with the most dangerous thing in the jungle; you either try to kill it, or you avoid it like the plague. Starrk had dealt with people with both kinds of mindsets since joining Aizen, and he knew for a fact that that way of thinking wasn’t changing anytime soon.

So, since he couldn’t form the bonds he so coveted, Starrk resigned himself to spending his time doing the one activity he consistently did before becoming an Espada; sleeping. It wasn’t the most dignified passtime if Lilynette’s constant griping about it and the glares he received from his fellow Espadas when he napped during meetings was anything to go by, but it was easy to do, required no energy, and wasn’t as tedious as training constantly was. So he spent most of his time in his palace, sleeping on his little pile of pillows (because not even the first Espada got bed privileges, apparently), while Lilynette either complained about how lazy he was or talked to him about nothing.

And that was how Ulquiorra and his captive found him when they barged into his way-too-large room.

“STARRK! Wake up already! We have guests!”, Lilynette shouted as she kicked his pile of pillows. Starrk yawned as his consciousness slowly returned to him. He had barely been asleep for five minutes this time before Lilynette woke him up yet again.

“M’awake… “, he said unconvincingly. He sounded like he had been sleeping for hours instead of a few minutes. Lilynette glared at him when he refused to open his eyes, but her attention was soon on the two people that had entered hers’ and Starrk’s space. The young-looking Arrancar crossed her arms and raised a questioning eyebrow at their company.

“What are you and the girl doing here, Ulquiorra?”, she asked, and that got Starrk’s attention. He opened his eyes and saw it was true; Ulquiorra and the human hostage he was supposed to guard were standing in his room, and the girl’s grey eyes were dancing with amusement. She must’ve thought his and Lilynette’s interaction was funny. That was a first. Most people just thought they were annoying. Ulquiorra, to the shock of no one, didn’t even bother to answer her. He simply exhaled quietly and turned to his charge.

“I have no interest in this. I will return for you later. Do not attempt to flee.”, he told her, and he left as soon as he had arrived. Now it was just Starrk, Lilynette and the captive girl, alone in the now awkwardly silent room. Starrk shifted on his pillow pile and took a good look at the girl that had been unceremoniously dropped upon him.

She was pretty, prettier than most of the female Arrancar in Las Noches, with wide, innocent grey eyes and long orange hair. Those two blue flower hair clips, the ones that gave her the powers she had been brought here for in the first place, were still on either side of her head. She looked kind and bright, and not at all threatening. He was surprised Las Noches hadn’t eaten her alive by now. Starrk narrowed his eyes at her.

“You… Orihime, right? Why are you here?”, he asked bluntly after struggling to recall her name for a moment (he had been half asleep for the meeting she had been introduced at). The girl didn’t flinch under his gaze like he expected her to. Instead, she smiled brightly at him.

“I just wanted to come meet you properly and talk a little! You seemed really laid-back when we  first met, so I figured it would be nice to spend some time with you!”, the girl chirped like a songbird. Starrk couldn’t help the widening of his eyes when he heard that.

‘She… wants to spend time with me?’, he repeated in his head. That was… honestly a first. No one except for Lilynette had ever wanted to spend time with him just because. And now this human girl, who should be terrified of him, wanted to, what? Hang out? It was like some nebulous divine being had sensed his desire for companionship, and sent this orange haired little fairy his way. He didn’t know exactly how to feel about that, but he wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. So, with a yawn and a wave of his hand, he gestured for his visitor to come further into the room.

“Well then, get over here. You can’t really spend time with someone if you’re that far away.”, Starrk chided gently.

The girl’s smile widened, and Starrk couldn’t help but compare it to the false sun Aizen had created to shine down on his fortress.

Orihime shifted slightly in her seat. Thankfully, she was sitting on one of Starrk’s many pillows instead of the cold hard ground like she had been before. Lilynette had offered her one after she noticed she was uncomfortable on the floor, grumbling under her breath about how rude Starrk was for not offering her one to begin with.

So far, there hadn’t been much conversation. Starrk had his eyes closed and appeared to be napping again, while Lilynette would make the occasional comment or complaint that Starrk would hum at, proving that he wasn’t actually asleep. Orihime hadn’t spoken yet. What was she supposed to say? ‘I’m recruiting Espada’s for a possibly suicidal rebellion, and I want you to join’? She couldn’t just come out and say that! She’d sound crazy! And he might rat her out to Aizen if she wasn’t careful! No, she needed to test the waters a little bit before saying anything that could get her in trouble. Actually get to know him some, like she had told him she would. So, after taking a deep breathe, Orihime broke the lull of silence that had washed over the room.

“So… what do you guys do for fun around here?”, Orihime asked carefully, thinking that was a good way to start the conversation. Everyone had hobbies, right? Even Arrancar. However, the confused looks she was getting from Starrk and Lilynette told her otherwise.

“What do you mean by that?”, Lilynette asked. She had gotten bored of just sitting around and was now busying her hands by sharpening her sword. Orihime was quick to elaborate.

“You know, what do you spend your free time doing? Do you write, draw, play games, anything like that… ?”, Orihime continued, and a melancholy look appeared in the pairs’ eyes.

“We’ve never done stuff like that. I don’t think anyone here has. Aizen… Aizen doesn’t approve of such ‘frivolities’.”, Lilynette admitted quietly after a moment. Orihime’s gaze softened when she heard the sad tone of the girl’s voice.

“Oh… “, she trailed off, not sure what else to say. She knew things in Hueco Mundo weren’t anything like they were in the human world, but this felt dehumanizing in a way Orihime had become intimately familiar with as of late.

‘I understand why Aizen is treating me horribly, I’m a prisoner. But treating his most valued soldiers this way… ‘, she trailed off internally.

Orihime knew how she was supposed to feel about Hollows. She was supposed to hate them. See them as threats to be eliminated. They were monstrous beings that fed on souls and had no concept of love, kindness or happiness. They were the beings that had tried to kill her friends, that had kidnapped her and taken her away from her home. All they wanted was destruction. That was a line she had been told time and time again by Rukia, Ichigo, Uryu and every other Shinigami she had talked about Hollows with. But Orihime had never hated them. How could she, when her own brother had been a Hollow, tormented by the never-ending hunger in his soul? Yes, Orihime had always empathised with the Hollows she and her friends had fought. She had shed tears for their suffering. And everytime she did, her friends would always give her those pitying looks.

“Oh Orihime-chan.” , they’d say.

“You’re too kind.”

Kind, they called her. Consciously or unconsciously, they called her that like it was a weakness, and it hurt. How was she too kind? Was she too kind for seeing the humanity and pain behind the white mask? Or was she too kind for viewing Hollows as more than rabid animals to be put down? Maybe it wasn’t that she was too kind, but that her friends weren’t being kind enough.

Orihime never voiced these thoughts. She didn’t want to cause a conflict because of her differing ideas. But every time she heard her friends talking about the Arrancar as less than human, she couldn’t help but feel they didn’t deserve to be treated like that. They were their enemies, yes, but they were still sentient beings with thoughts and feelings. They were humanoid creatures with wills of their own. It wasn’t their fault they had once been Hollows, or that they had to obey Aizen. They probably didn’t have a choice. Orihime wasn’t so naive as to think Aizen hadn’t used fear and intimidation tactics to get his soldiers to follow him. It was either listen to him, or die. And yet the Shinigami, the Head Captain especially, talked about the Arrancar like they were willing participants in everything. And Orihime wouldn’t deny that some of them probably were. But that didn’t mean every single Arrancar was an irredeemable monster.

The reason Arrancars existed in the first place was because Hollows had removed their masks and regained some semblance of their humanity, right? So why wasn’t that humanity being acknowledged? Orihime knew the answer. It was because it was easier to pretend that Arrancar were still mindless beasts. It was easier to kill a monster than it was to kill a person.

Orihime could contemplate the morality of Soul Society, killing Hollows and how wrong it all felt to her all day, but she knew if she didn’t keep the conversation with Starrk and Lilynette going she wouldn’t make any progress in her plan, so she made a remark in an attempt to dispel the growing awkwardness.

“There really isn’t much to do here other than sleep and train, huh?”, Orihime said with a nervous laugh. Starrk, seeing what she was trying to do, afforded her a small smile.

“Couldn’t have said it better myself, Princess.”, he said. Orihime blushed at the nickname as the Primera Espada sat up on his pillows and groaned as he stretched the muscles in his back.

“Everyone in Las Noches is a soldier under Aizen’s command. We keep our skills sharp, we do what he says, and when we’ve got no orders, we wait for them. We’re tools for him to use in the fight against your Shinigami friends, and tools don’t have fun little pastimes like what you’re describing. We’re trained attack dogs. Nothing more, nothing less.”, Starrk said, unable to keep the cynicalness out of his voice. He wouldn’t say he was as jaded as some of the other Arrancar, but that didn’t mean he didn’t know the cold hard truth of their world. He felt a little bad for potentially upsetting his guest with that information, but she was going to hear about it sooner or later. Better for her to hear it from him instead of someone crueler. Orihime, in response, looked at him with an intensity he didn’t think she was capable of.

“What if things didn’t have to be that way?”, Orihime asked, choosing her words carefully. Starrk’s eyes went wide at the question, but Lilynette was quick to disregard her.

“Sounds boring to me. Just sitting around doing nothing? I’d rather train or spar. At least that gets your blood pumping. Though, I wouldn’t mind if Starrk slept a little less.”, she scoffed. But Orihime just smiled, unbothered by the younger girl’s dismissiveness.

“Training is important too. Everyone has their own way of feeling alive. If training and fighting are what help you do that, then you should do it.”, she said understandingly. As much as she didn’t like intense violence, the kind that left corpses and mortal wounds for her to heal in its wake, Orihime didn’t mind serious sparring or training. With how often Ichigo and the others did it, it had long registered in her mind as just another hobby people had. Starrk let out a quiet, thoughtful hum.

“A place where you don’t have to constantly be on guard… sounds like a fairy tale. Even before Aizen came along, it was always survival of the fittest. Strong eat the weak. He just gave it more… structure.”, Starrk commented. Lilynette scoffed again and crossed her arms.

“Structure, my ass. It’s just more organized killing. And all those ‘rules’ he has don’t make it any less brutal.”, she said bitterly. Orihime’s expression softened.

“It doesn’t have to be like that, you know. Just because it’s always been that way doesn’t mean it can’t change.”, she told them gently. Starrk gave her a tired, almost wistful glance.

“You talk like it’s that simple. Change is just another word for chaos around here. Hollows aren’t meant for peaceful lives. We’re born from violence and misery. It sticks to us, no matter where we go… no matter how alone we are.”, Starrk said, his expression turning downcast at his last, muttered remark. Lilynette looked like she wanted to argue, but she stayed quiet, lips pressed into a tight line. Orihime glanced between the two of them, determination hardening in her chest.

“But… isn’t it worth fighting for? Even if it’s hard? If it means not having to live like this anymore?”, she asked. Starrk didn’t answer right away, his gaze drifting to the endless white walls around them.

“Maybe for you, Princess. You still got hope left. Your Shinigami friends are probably planning to come save you as we speak. You’ve got a good life to go back to when all this is said and done. We’re just…” He trailed off, unsure how to finish the thought. Lilynette finally spoke up, quieter than before.

“We’re just trying to get by. That’s all we’ve ever done.”, she finished for him. A silence settled over them, and Orihime took a deep breath, gathering her courage as she started to trace an invisible image of a poorly drawn house with her finger on the cold, white floor.

“You know, I had this little apartment back in the human world. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was mine. It was the only home I had ever known. I had flowers on the windowsill and posters on the walls. My friend Tatsuki would come over sometimes, and we’d watch movies or try cooking new things. It wasn’t perfect, and it could be lonely at times… but it was home.”, Orihime said, speaking raw and from the heart. She felt herself getting teary eyed at the thought of her home, but pushed away the desire to cry.

Starrk closed his eyes, and his breathing got more relaxed, but not like it did when he was sleeping. It was almost as if he were imagining the scene she painted.

“It sounds… peaceful.”, he admitted, voice low with an emotion Orihime couldn’t quite place. Lilynette gave him an incredulous look.

“You’re not getting all sappy, are you?”, she asked, though none of her usual bite was in the question. Her eyes and voice told Orihime she felt the same way about the little glimmer of humanity she had been shown. Starrk gave a lazy shrug.

“Can’t help it. She’s got a nice way of talking. Makes it sound like a different world entirely.”, he said, opening his eyes briefly to look at his guest. His steely blue hues seemed to bear into Orihime with an intensity they hadn’t had before. He was analyzing her. Orihime laughed softly, trying not to appear unnerved by the sudden attention.

“It kind of was. But… maybe it doesn’t have to be so different from here. Maybe there’s a way to make this place feel a little more like that. Even if it’s just a little.” Orihime said with a soft smile and spark of hope in her eyes. Lilynette gave her a long, intense look, not unlike the one Starrk was giving her. Then, after a long moment, she spke.

“... You’re a weird one, you know that?”, she said after a while, but there was no real malice in her words. In fact, they sounded almost like a compliment. Orihime just giggled at the younger girl, unbothered by the remark.

“I get that a lot.”, she said truthfully. Starrk gave her a slight smirk, finally settling back down onto his pillows.

“Weird or not… it’s not such a bad thought. Guess it’s nice to dream once in a while.”, he muttered, before yawning loudly and turning onto his side.

Orihime couldn’t help but feel a small spark of hope in her chest. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. Maybe, just maybe, she could help them see that they deserved more than just existing as tools for someone else’s ambitions.

As Starrk seemed to drift back into his nap and Lilynette went back to sharpening her sword, Orihime couldn’t help but think that maybe she’d found the tiniest crack in the walls they’d built around themselves. And for now, that was enough.

Chapter Text

Orihime laid on her back on her couch, staring at the roof of her room with a big smile on her face. She couldn’t help it. For the first time since she had gotten dragged away from her home, things were finally going her way. She had no idea how she had done it, but she had somehow wormed her way into Starrk and Lilynette’s good graces.

It had been a good while since her first visit with him, and since then, she had made many more to the Primera Espada’s palace. She had a routine at this point. Everytime he came to her room, she would have Ulquiorra escort her to the Espada’s palace, he would drop her off to go do something else, and she, Starrk and Lilynette would be free to do whatever they wanted until he returned.

Most of the time they just talked. Orihime would tell more stories of her life in the human world, Lilynette would make comments or ask questions, and Starrk would listen. Sometimes they napped together, sprawled out on Starrk’s pile of pillows. Even Lilynette would join in too after some half-hearted complaining that she was ‘too old for naps’. And on rare occasions… they would play games.

Lilynette had been right when she said hobbies were not a thing amongst the Hollows of Las Noches. There was no paper or writing utensils to draw or write with, no non-essential craft materials, no board games, and especially no technology that wasn’t a surveillance system. So when there were lulls in the conversation and none of them were tired enough to nap, Orihime would dip into her reservoir of childhood memories, and fish out an old playground game for them to play.

One time they played hide-and-seek. It was fun to play it in the never-ending maze of unused rooms that was Starrk’s palace… at least, it was fun after Orihime demanded Starrk and Lilynette stop using their Pesquisas to find her within minutes of starting the game. But after that, their little games were filled with Orihime’s laughter, Starrk’s smiles, and Lilynette’s whines of ‘no fair! You guys cheated!’ whenever she got caught.

Orihime had gotten to know a lot about the first Espada and his Fraccione throughout all this, but she had never thought they considered her a genuine friend. Of course she considered them her friends, but she figured the feeling wasn’t mutual since she was likely still ‘just a human’ in their eyes. That, or they just didn’t understand the concept of friendship in the first place. She was proven wrong about all that when while taking one of their customary naps, Starrk laid his head on her lap, and Lilynette laid her head on her stomach.

To them, and to Orihime, that was the ultimate sign of trust. The fact that they were willing to not only sleep near her, but sleep on her while letting their guards down completely, proved that the pair of Arrancar had started to care deeply about her. And Orihime knew the feeling was mutual. She didn’t know when she became truly attached to the duo, but she had always known she would never see them as chess pieces on a board to sacrifice for her plan like Aizen did. She empathized with and wanted to help the Arrancars just as much as she wanted to help herself. So she embraced her new friendship with her supposed enemies with open arms.

And because she let her walls down, it wasn’t long before she ended up telling Starrk and Lilynette about her plan. It was a risky move, letting the truth spill so easily, but she felt they deserved to know as soon as possible so they didn’t feel like she was only friends with them for her own benefit. She didn’t want them to think she was like Aizen.

They surprised her by saying they had honestly expected that part of the reason she set out to befriend them was so that they would help her escape, and that despite being aware of that, they were more than willing to help her do so because that was what napping buddies were for and of course she didn’t want to stay a prisoner.

“It’s not manipulative or selfish of you to seek out powerful people and make them want to help you, Princess. It’s pragmatic. You’re trapped in enemy territory all alone, so you need strong people to help and protect you. We get it, and we don’t hold it against you, so don’t hold it against yourself, alright? There’s nothing wrong with wanting to survive.”, Starrk had told her firmly. That had Lilynette nodding furiously in agreement.

“Yeah! If anything, we’re proud of you! You were smart enough to find a way to make allies, AND you did it right under Aizen’s and Ulquiorra’s noses! That’s really impressive!”, Lilynette had said cheerfully.

They even already had some plans in mind for how to pull off the breakout. Hearing all that brought happy tears to Orihime’s eyes that Starrk and Lilynette were soon panicking about, because apparently no one cried in Las Noches either and they had no idea how to handle a crying teenager. It was so endearing to Orihime that soon she was laughing at their bickering and attempts at comfort instead of weeping.

But they were more than a bit shocked and apprehensive when she revealed that her plan wasn’t just to escape, but to take down Aizen entirely. Helping her get home was one thing, but toppling a regime was another. They talked for a long time about it, trying to figure out if going against Aizen like Orihime was suggesting was really feasible. It took a while, but Starrk and Lilynette finally came to the realization that yes, it was possible. But they would need allies. Lots of them.

“You were right to start with attempting to recruit the Espada, but you won’t be able to get some of them on your side no matter what you do. Zommari worships the ground Aizen walks on, and Yammy wants the war with Soul Society to happen so he can kill more people. He can’t do that if Aizen disappears. Barragan might join you, since he hates Aizen more than anything for taking his title as King of Hueco Mundo from him, but he’s just as liable to betray you and kill you the second the deed is done so you can’t potentially challenge him when he tries to reinstate his rule.”, Starrk advised thoughtfully as he, Lilynette and Orihime sat on the floor of his room, hashing out the details for their rebellion recruitment. Lilynette hummed in approval at his words.

“He’s right. And as for Grimmjow, Nnoitra, Szayel and Ulquiorra… we honestly don’t know, they could go either way. Grimmjow and Nnoitra both hate Aizen, but they also love fighting, so going to war is something they want. Szayel is kind of a dark horse, since all he really cares about is his experiments. So long as the plan doesn’t get in the way of that, he might join us if he thinks we have a good chance of winning. And as for Ulquiorra… he seems really loyal to Aizen, but I think that’s just because there’s no one better to be loyal to. Maybe if you give him a better option, he’d consider defecting.”, Lilynette proposed. That had Orihime shaking her head.

“It’s too early to try approaching him like that. I need to know how to talk to him exactly to get him on our side , or he’ll reveal everything to Aizen and get us all killed. Let me spend some more time with him first before we try anything.”, she said, and both Arrancar saw the wisdom in that. Lilynette grinned excitedly as she thought of another potential recruitment target.

“Ooh, what about Aaroniero? He’s dumb enough to convince. He’d probably join.” Lilynette suggested. Starrk eyed her uncertainly.

“I don’t know, he’s kind of erratic on a good day. It’s hard to tell where his loyalties lie. Let’s put him under ‘maybe’ and save him for last.”, Starrk recommended, and Lilynette agreed with a shrug. Orihime nodded to herself. She had come to a decision.

“Next, I want to try and convince Harribel. She seemed like a very wise and reasonable person when I first met her. There’s a good chance she’d be willing to hear me out.”, Orihime declared. Starrk gave her an approving look when he heard her choice.

“She’s a good pick. Harribel’s never cared much for Aizen’s rule or violence. I’m pretty sure all she wants is to be respected and live in peace with her three Fraccione. If you can convince her she’ll have that if we rebel, and that your plan will actually work, then she’ll probably join you.”, Starrk told her, and Orihime smiled. She liked those odds.

“Then it’s settled. Next time Ulquiorra comes to take me to you guys, I’ll ask to visit Harribel instead. Sorry in advance that I’ll be spending less time with you two.”, Orihime said apologetically. She really felt bad that her plans would be cutting into the time she spent with her friends, but it was a necessary evil. Starrk frowned at her and poked her lightly on the forehead.

“Stop apologizing for things you can’t control.”, he berated her gently, like a father talking to his child. It was his way of telling her it was fine. Orihime giggled at the sudden assault on her forehead.

“Yes sir!”, she responded cheerfully. After that, the conversation shifted back to what it had been before (a joking debate about whether or not Lilynette’s hair was prettier than Starrk’s, with Orihime as the deciding party).

Orihime’s smile practically stretched from ear-to-ear as she relieved the memory. She didn’t know if it was the result of her recent success or Starrk starting to influence her, but she felt more confident than ever. She felt like she could take on the world if she tried. She felt like she could actually do this.

‘Tia Harribel, the third Espada.’, she thought as she sat up on her couch, running a hand through her long orange hair.

‘Let’s see how loyal to Aizen you really are.’

Ulquiorra arrived right on schedule, looking just as unenthused about being her designated escort/babysitter as he usually did.

“Come, woman.”, he ordered. Orihime got up from the couch and walked over to him with a secretive smile.

“There’s been a change in plans today, Ulquiorra.”, Orihime said. Ulquiorra might have raised an eyebrow if he was capable of moving his face that much.

“Is that so?”, he asked monotonously. Orhime nodded.

“Yes. I won’t be visiting Starrk today. Instead, I’d like to pay a visit to Tia Harribel.”, Orihime said confidently, making sure to maintain eye contact with Ulquiorra the whole time she spoke.

“Look people directly in the eyes when they talk to you. Here, avoiding eye contact is a sign of weakness, and no one follows the weak in Las Noches.”, Starrk had advised her during their last meeting, and Orihime had taken that advice to heart. Her intense gaze and her bold request made Ulquiorra’s eyes widen almost imperceptibly.

“Why?”, he asked simply. Orihime straightened her stance and stood her ground, ever looking away.

“Because I want to.”, she told him. A few seconds later, she realized how close they were. Their noses were only inches from each other. Orihime resisted the urge to blush.

‘Oops. Maybe I took ‘look them in the eyes’ a bit too far.’, she thought to herself. Ulquiorra clicked his tongue at her answer and took a step back, putting some much needed distance between them.

“What arrogance.”, he said derisively. Orihime just shrugged and kept smiling at him.

“Starrk calls it ‘confidence’.”, she told him. Ulquiorra’s frown seemed to intensify when he heard his fellow Espada’s name.

“Perhaps I should speak to Lord Aizen about limiting the time you spend with the Primera then, if this is the result of such interactions.”, Ulquiorra threatened calculatedly. Orihime’s smile vanished in an instant and was replaced with a cold glare.

“Do it and I will find a way to make sure you never have a moment of peace again. Lilynette will help, too. She likes me just as much as Starrk.”, Orihime warned. Before making friends with Starrk and Lilynette, she would’ve been crippled with fear at the thought of getting her visiting privileges, and thus her means of enacting her plan, revoked. Now, she was still afraid of losing those privileges, but she knew better than to let it show. A surprised glint appeared in Ulquiorra’s cat-like green eyes.

“Is that so? You would really go against me in such a way, woman?”, he asked. His voice wasn’t dark and threatening, nor was it mocking. He sounded almost… genuinely curious. Like he was wondering how far she was willing to go for such a small concession. Orihime, still standing her ground, nodded.

“If it meant getting my visitation time back, then yes. I gave up a lot of things when I chose to come here, Ulquiorra. My home, my friends, my hopes, but I will not give up what little freedom I have. So you can either take me to Harribel, or I can start making your job as my jailer very difficult. ”, she told him with a deceptively sweet smile, and something in Ulquiorra’s gaze shifted. The look in his eyes morphed into something similar to the looks he gave Aizen. Was that… was that respect she saw in his gaze? Orihime wasn’t sure, but she wasn’t able to analyze it, because he was back to hiding the few feelings he had under a mask of indifference before she could even blink.

“How difficult?”, he asked, again sounding more curious than anything. Orihime’s smile turned a tad bit sinister.

“That depends. How do you feel about Lilynette dying all your uniforms pink?”, Orihime asked mischievously. She didn’t know if Las Noches even had pink dye, but she was sure Lilynette would find a way to make it if she had to. There was another moment of silence, before Ulquiorra let out a long, heavy sigh.

“Your attempts at posturing annoy me. Very well, woman. You may keep your small freedom. Follow me to the Tres Espada’s palace.”, Ulquiorra said, and the second his back was turned, Orihime pumped her fist in victory.

‘Yes! Thank you Starrk!’, Orihime cheered mentally, silently thanking Starrk for his A+ advice. Orihime then quickly jogged to catch up with Ulquiorra, whose long strides had already carried him half way down the hall in the time it took her to celebrate.

The walk to the third Espada’s palace was slightly shorter than the one to Starrk’s, but still filled with the exact same sights; white floors, white walls, and white columns. A never-ending sea of white that seemed almost blinding. When they arrived at Harribel’s palace (which was only slightly smaller than Starrk’s), Ulquiorra stopped just short of the entrance, giving Orihime a sideways glance.

"I will remain here. Do not waste Harribel-sama’s time.", he stated bluntly. Orihime blinked at the statement. To most people, his words wouldn’t seem like much, but Orihime had spent enough time with her jailer to be able to read him better than she had when she had first arrived. He never made remarks like that carelessly. When he said something, he meant it. Always.

‘He didn’t say anything like that when I first visited Starrk and Lilynette. He must really respect Harribel.’, Orihime thought. It seemed like everyone she had talked to had a certain respect for Harribel. She hoped it was well-earned.

After nodding at Ulquiorra and trying to steel her nerves, Orihime pushed open the large doors (which she could actually open on her own, unlike the doors to Starrk’s palace) and entered the chamber.

A humid breeze was the first thing that greeted her, and she couldn’t help but be captivated by the sheer beauty of the place. Terraced pools of crystal clear water reflected in the dim light, with waterfalls cascading gently from the higher ledges, creating a pleasant mist that sprayed her in the face. It was the most peaceful part of Las Noches she had seen so far, and it was nothing like Starrk’s barren, unpersonalized palace.

And in the midst of it all, standing in the center of the chamber was Harribel herself, her back turned to Orihime. Her blonde hair spilled down her back, and her muscular yet graceful figure looked almost serene against the flowing water. Her three Fracción—Mila Rose, Sung-Sun, and Apacci, Starrk had told her—were gathered nearby, engaged in loud bickering that didn’t stop until Harribel herself intervened.

“Stop it, all three of you. Can’t you see you’re frightening our guest?”, Harribel told the other Arrancar in a calm, but stern voice. She sounded almost motherly.

‘I think I understand why everyone respects her so much now.’, Orihime thought. Tia Harribel seemed to be the closest thing Las Noches had to a matriarchal presence, and after all, who didn’t respect their mother.

When the other women noticed who Harribel was referring to, Apacci immediately bristled.

"Hey! What’s that human doing here?", the tomboyish woman shouted, arms crossed and stance aggressive. Sung-Sun chuckled lightly, waving a delicate hand.

"Now, now Emilou. She’s Aizen-sama’s guest, remember? No need to be rude.", the other girl berated mockingly from behind her excessively long, white sleeve. Mila Rose shrugged, seeming to be the least put-off by Orihime’s presence.

"Still weird seeing a human just wandering around here. What does she want? And how did she even get here in the first place?", the tall, lion-like woman asked her fellow Fraccion. Harribel turned slowly, her calm, aqua green eyes landing on Orihime.

"Is there something you need?", she asked. Her voice was low and steady, carrying an undercurrent of power. Orihime took a small breath, doing her best to maintain eye contact.

"I just… wanted to meet you, Harribel-san. I’ve heard about you from some of the others, and I was curious.", Orihime said, trying to keep the nervousness out of her voice. The Fracción exchanged glances, clearly skeptical. Harribel, however, remained impassive.

"Is that so? And who exactly are these ‘others’?", Harribel asked. Orihime hesitated to answer, but pressed on.

"Coyote Starrk and Lilynette Gingerbuck.”, Orihime revealed, and that got a reaction. Harribel’s eyes widened a fraction, and her Fraccion descended into chaos.

“The hell? You’ve been spending time with the first Espada and his Fraccion?!”, Apacci exclaimed. Sung-Sun tilted her head delicately.

“Since when did Aizen-sama start allowing that?”, the girl asked. Mila Rose scowled intensely.

“The better question is what is that bastard Starrk saying about Lady Harribel? He better not be spreading rumors about her!”, Mila Rose shouted angrily. Orihime quickly came to Starrk’s defense, waving her arms around frantically as she denied Mila Rose’s accusations.

“No, no! You’ve got it all wrong! He only had nice things to say about her, I swear! It’s just… you seem different from the others, Harribel-san. Calmer. I thought it might be nice to talk with you.", Orihime said sincerely, looking directly at Harribel as she spoke. Mila Rose barked out a laugh.

"Talk? With her? You got a death wish, girl?", she asked meanly, but then Harribel lifted a hand, and Mila Rose immediately fell silent, clearly reprimanded without a word spoken. Orihime glanced nervously at the blonde Espada, unsure if she had overstepped. After a pause, Harribel looked at her with calm eyes and gestured for her to approach.

"Do not be afraid, girl. If you wish to speak, then do so.", she said kindly. Orihime stepped closer.

‘Okay, so from what Starrk told me about her, Harribel seems like the type of person that respects someone being up-front about what they want. So I shouldn’t beat around the bush making small talk with her. Instead, I should tell her as much as I can about what I’m planning without outright saying it, in case she isn’t on the same page or someone unfriendly might be listening.’, Orihime thought to herself before speaking. When she spoke, she was careful to keep her voice clear, her tone respectful and her stance confident.

"It’s just… I was wondering how you felt about all of this. Being in Las Noches, fighting for Aizen… Do you ever feel like you’re losing something important by being here?"

Harribel studied her carefully, and her Fracción seemed caught between confusion and curiosity.

"Losing something?", Harribel echoed, her voice thoughtful.

"Elaborate."

Orihime bit her lip.

"Back in the human world, I had friends and simple things that made me happy. I just… I can’t help but feel that Las Noches takes that kind of happiness away. Does it… does it ever feel that way to you?", Orihime asked, cursing internally as some of her nervousness leaked into her tone unconsciously. For a long moment, Harribel said nothing. Then, with a subtle shift of her stance, she glanced at her Fracción.

"Leave us.", she ordered.

The three Arrancar hesitated but ultimately obeyed, shooting wary glances at Orihime as they moved to be near a different pool at the far end of the chamber. Once they were out of earshot, Harribel regarded Orihime with a solemn expression.

"You speak as if you understand loss.", Harribel said, taking a step closer to Orihime so she could observe her better.

"As if you know what it means to fight to protect something.", she continued. Orihime hesitated but nodded.

"I do. I’ve done everything I could to protect my friends before, and I’d do it again. Even now, the reason I’m here… is because I’m trying to protect what’s precious to me. I’ve sacrificed almost everything I have for those I love. I’m told you know a lot about that, Harribel-san.", Orihime said boldly. She was going out on a limb with that last remark, but she needed to keep the woman’s attention. Harribel’s eyes narrowed slightly, but it wasn’t with anger—more a keen curiosity.

"Aizen offers power and safety to those who follow him. In Hueco Mundo, that is more than most could ever hope for.", she recited, almost as if her words were lines she had rehearsed. Orihime saw through her content facade in a heartbeat

"But at what cost?" Orihime countered gently.

"Is it worth it if it means losing your sense of self? Your freedom to choose? I’ve lived, Harribel-san. I’ve truly lived, and being here now, I can tell you… that life in Las Noches isn’t living. It’s surviving. ", Orihime said earnestly Harribel seemed to consider this, and for the first time, her stoic mask cracked—just a little.

"To follow him is to ensure the survival of my Fracción. Their lives matter more to me than anything else.", Harribel spoke, this time with much more honesty. Orihime smiled softly.

"You care about them a lot, don’t you?", she said.

‘They’re like daughters to her, I can already tell.’, Orihime thought. She saw it in the way the three Fraccion bickered like sisters, and the way Harribel always had to come and break up their arguments like an exasperated mother. It cute in the way that Starrk and Lilynette’s interactions were. Harribel didn’t answer her directly, but the faintest hint of softness appeared in her gaze.

"They are strong in their own right. But without unity, strength means nothing. That is why I fight under Aizen—to create a place where we are not hunted. Where we are not threatened.", she said softly. Orihime lowered her gaze.

"But does he really give you that? Or does he just make you fight his battles for him, expecting you to bleed and die in his name while giving you nothing in return?", Orihime said with a hint of darkness in her voice, her hatred for Aizen shining through. The Espada fell silent, her expression unreadable. Orihime took the chance presented to her and spoke quietly.

"Maybe… there’s another way to protect them. One that doesn’t mean sacrificing everything that makes you… you."

There was another long silence, broken only by the sound of the flowing water. Eventually, Harribel turned her gaze to the waterfall, as if lost in thought.

"To consider such a path is treason.", she finally said, though her tone lacked any conviction or outrage. Orihime stepped closer.

"Sometimes… the hardest thing to do is choose freedom when it’s right in front of you. But I know how strong you are, Harribel-san. You’re strong enough to protect them without Aizen."

Harribel’s amber eyes finally met hers, and Orihime could sense the conflict within them. But before she could say more, Ulquiorra reappeared at the doorway.

"Time is up." he stated simply. Orihime pouted.

‘He normally never comes to get me this soon. I’m convinced this is him trying to get payback for threatening him earlier.’, Orihime thought. Harribel’s gaze shifted away, and Orihime knew she couldn’t push any further today. With a respectful bow, she gave a small, hopeful smile.

"Thank you for talking to me, Harribel-san.", she said, and she was about to turn around and leave, when Harribel called out to her.

"Wait.", she said. Orihime paused, surprised she was being called back. She turned around, curiosity flickering in her eyes. Harribel studied her for a long moment before reaching up and unzipping her jacket slowly, exposing more of her toned chest and revealing the prominent white mask fragment that covered the entire lower half of her face. It resembled the jaws of a shark. Sharp, jagged teeth and all. The bone-like structure gleamed in the dim light, stark against her bronze skin.

Orihime’s breath caught for a second, not out of fear but surprise. Harribel’s eyes never left hers, searching for any sign of discomfort or disgust. 

“Are you afraid of me, girl?” Harribel asked quietly, her voice low and almost challenging, though there was a hint of something else—an unspoken vulnerability, perhaps. 

Orihime took a moment to process the question, then shook her head firmly.

“No. I’m not.”, Her gaze was unwavering, filled with a calm, sincere warmth that seemed to momentarily throw Harribel off balance.

It was the truth. Orihime wasn't afraid of any of the Espada. She was afraid of what some of them might do to her friends if the Winter War happened as planned, but she was not afraid of them as people. And she certainly wasn't afraid of them just because they were Arrancar.

The Espada’s eyes widened. Then, they upturned slightly, as if she were smiling under her mask.

“You are... a strange human.”, she murmured, and there was something almost approving in her tone. She slowly zipped her jacket back up, maintaining that steady, thoughtful gaze.

Orihime felt an odd sense of accomplishment, like she had passed some kind of silent test. Before she could say anything more, Ulquiorra’s voice cut through the moment, calm but insistent. 

“Woman. We must go.” 

Orihime nodded reluctantly and offered one last smile to Harribel before following Ulquiorra out of the chamber. As they walked away, she couldn’t help but glance back over her shoulder, finding Harribel still watching her, expression inscrutable but undeniably intrigued.

As Ulquiorra led her away, Orihime couldn’t help but glance back one last time. Harribel was still standing there, staring at the waterfall, lost in thought. A tiny spark of hope ignited in Orihime’s chest.

Hopefully, for all of their sakes, she was starting to see the truth.

Harribel stood silently in the vast chamber of the main room of her palace, the rhythmic sound of flowing water filling the emptiness around her. She wasn’t supposed to have all these waterfalls and pools in her chambers, but she had installed them using her Resurrección, Tiburon. She wanted to give her palace a touch of personality, despite what Aizen said about ‘altering the architecture’. Orihime’s words lingered in her mind, persistent and unyielding.

"Sometimes… the hardest thing to do is choose freedom when it’s right in front of you. But I know how strong you are, Harribel-san. You’re strong enough to protect them without Aizen."

Truthfully, Harribel hadn’t thought about Orihime Inoue much until now. She just knew her as the human hostage Aizen had taken, the scared girl with the amazing healing powers. She was someone Harribel pitied. But it was clear she was much more than that, if she was asking big questions like this and associating with her superior within the Espada freely enough to have conversations with him about her.

She closed her eyes, allowing the memories to wash over her—endless battles, the countless Hollows she’d slain not out of a desire to evolve, but to survive, and the unwavering loyalty of her Fracción. Mila Rose, Sung-Sun, and Apacci—each of them had chosen to follow her, not because of power or fear, but because they trusted her strength to protect them. In the unforgiving world of Hollows, that kind of bond was rare, precious.

And yet, here they were, bound to Aizen’s will. The man who promised safety, unity, a purpose beyond endless struggle. He had given them power, structure—something no other Hollow could offer. But in exchange, they had become tools of war, sacrificing their autonomy and their identity.

"Is it worth it if it means losing your sense of self? Your freedom to choose?"

Orihime’s voice echoed through her mind, and Harribel opened her eyes, her aqua gaze fixed on the waterfall before her. Could it really be possible—to build a future where they didn’t have to fight to survive? Where they could just… live?

She thought of her Fracción—of Apacci’s stubborn fire, Mila Rose’s fierce pride, and Sung-Sun’s calm wisdom. They had each found a place by her side, not out of fear but out of choice. Was it truly right to continue leading them down this path of endless warfare, dictated by Aizen’s ambition? A path that may very well get them all killed?

Aizen had claimed to bring order to Hueco Mundo, but that order was built on subjugation. On fear. And even if he succeeded in defeating Soul Society, what kind of world would follow? One where all were forced to submit to his rule, no matter their will?

Her instincts screamed at her to stay loyal. Aizen was powerful—more powerful than any of them. Defying him would be reckless, a death sentence. But the more she thought about Orihime’s words—the more she considered that vision of a life beyond violence—the more she realized how much she wanted it. Not just for herself, but for those she cared for.

A small splash drew her attention, and she saw Sung-Sun approaching, her expression curious.

"Something troubling you, Harribel-sama?", she asked, her tone gentle. Harribel glanced back at her, then at the waterfall once more.

"Do you ever think… that there could be more to life than this? More than just serving Aizen and fighting his battles?", Sung-Sun blinked, clearly caught off guard.

"I… hadn’t given it much thought. But if that is what you desire Harribel-sama, then I must admit the idea has some appeal.", she said. Before Harribel could respond, Mila Rose and Apacci joined them, overhearing the last part of the conversation.

"More to life? What are you talking about?", Apacci demanded, crossing her arms. Mila Rose raised an eyebrow.

"Is this about that human girl? What did she say to you?", the tall woman asked, her voice sounding concerned. Harribel considered her words carefully, her gaze unwavering.

"She spoke of a future without constant fighting. A life where strength isn’t the only thing that matters. A place of peace. I believe… she was indirectly proposing an idea of somekind."

The Fracción exchanged glances, clearly uncertain.

"Sounds like a dream," Apacci muttered, but there was a flicker of longing in her eyes. Mila Rose scoffed, but it lacked her usual fire.

"Dream or not, we’re Hollows. Peace isn’t exactly in our nature.", she said. Sung-Sun gave a small, thoughtful smile.

"Perhaps not. But we chose to follow Harribel-sama because she gave us something to believe in. If she thinks there’s a way to build a better future, then… perhaps it’s worth considering."

Harribel’s lips pressed into a thin line. Orihime’s words had planted a seed of doubt, one that refused to fade. Standing against Aizen was a daunting thought, but allowing him to continue down his destructive path and drag them down with him felt equally unforgivable.

For the sake of her Fracción—for the future she didn’t even realize she desired—perhaps it was time to fight for something more than just survival.

As the sound of rushing water filled the chamber, Harribel knew one thing for certain: Orihime’s words had stirred something deep within her—a determination to reclaim the freedom she had long since surrendered.

It was time she got in touch with Starrk.

Chapter Text

Starrk lay sprawled on his pile of pillows, eyes closed, hands resting behind his head as Lilynette dozed next to him. The room was quieter than usual. Normally, Orihime’s soft voice would be weaving tales from the human world, or Lilynette would be boasting about her supposed superiority over every other Arrancar. But today, it was just the two of them. Orihime had gone to visit Harribel, and Starrk couldn’t help but feel the emptiness more than he’d expected.

He shifted, rolling onto his side to stare at the wall. When had his den become so... lively? When had he gotten used to her presence, to the way she filled the space with warmth just by being there?

He huffed out a quiet sigh, thinking back to that conversation. The one where she’d told them everything. Her plan to escape, to take down Aizen, to free herself from this wretched place. At first, it sounded ridiculous. A pipe dream. A fantasy born from desperation. But the more he listened, the more he realized it wasn’t just a childish wish. It was a carefully crafted plan, laid out piece by piece by a girl who wasn’t nearly as naive as she appeared.

He almost felt guilty for assuming otherwise. For thinking that her bright smiles and gentle words made her weak. She wasn’t weak. She was just... kind. And in a place like this, that kind of strength was far rarer than raw power.

He remembered how Lilynette had jumped on board right away, practically vibrating with excitement at the idea of sticking it to Aizen. It wasn’t that simple for him. Sure, he didn’t like Aizen—never had. The man was cold, calculating, treating them all like disposable pieces on his grand chessboard. Starrk hated that. Hated being forced to follow orders just because he was strong. He never wanted power. All he ever wanted was peace and companionship—a quiet life where he didn’t have to hurt anyone or be hurt in return.

But that peace was shattered the moment Aizen dragged him and Lilynette into this war with his false promises and fake smiles.

And yet... as much as he hated the way things were, he never cared enough to change them. Never cared enough to try. It wasn’t worth the effort.

But Orihime cared. Enough to risk everything. Enough to lay her heart bare to him and Lilynette, knowing full well they could have turned on her and delivered her head to Aizen on a silver platter.

And despite how reckless that was, it struck a chord within his hollowed heart.

He still wasn’t sure why he agreed to help her. Maybe because she was right—no one deserved to be a prisoner, especially not a kid with a heart too big for her own good. Maybe because she reminded him of Lilynette—the way she pushed through the darkness with nothing but stubborn hope and a smile. Or maybe because she was the first person, aside from Lilynette, who made him feel like his existence wasn’t just a curse.

He opened his eyes, glancing at the doorway where she usually appeared. It was strange to think that, despite being human, Orihime was the first person since Lilynette to make him feel something beyond apathy and weariness.

He grunted, shifting to lie on his back again, eyes tracing the cracks in the ceiling. He never wanted to get involved in this mess, but now that he was, he couldn’t pretend he didn’t care.

Maybe it was because Orihime wasn’t like the others. She didn’t look at him with fear or contempt. She didn’t see him as a monster or a weapon. She just... saw him. The way she smiled when he spoke, the way she praised him for his strength without making him feel like it was a burden—she treated him like a person. Like family.

He glanced at Lilynette, her face buried in the crook of his arm, drooling on his sleeve. He smiled faintly and patted her head.

If anyone asked, he’d deny it, but he felt something shift inside him the first time Orihime let him use her lap as a pillow. When she ran her fingers through his hair without hesitation, soothing him to sleep as if it were the most natural thing in the world. It reminded him of something long lost—a feeling of belonging he thought he’d never find again.

He didn’t want to lose that. Didn’t want to lose her.

Starrk sighed, closing his eyes again. Aizen wouldn’t take it well if he found out about their little rebellion. The man was ruthless—efficient, when he wanted to be, at least. He wouldn’t hesitate to crush any sign of insubordination, even from the Primera. And if Orihime got caught... he didn’t even want to think about it.

He’d never been much for fighting. Never liked it. But if it came down to it—if Aizen tried to hurt her—he wouldn’t hesitate to cut down anyone in his way. That thought didn’t feel strange anymore. It just felt... right.

A soft noise pulled his attention, and he glanced at the doorway. Orihime was back, her face flushed from her walk, smiling warmly when she spotted him.

“Surprise! I convinced Ulquiorra to let me visit you guys, too!,” she said, excitement lacing her voice. Starrk gave her a lazy wave, as if he hadn’t just been thinking about her the whole time.

“Great. Did you talk to Harribel?”, he asked. Orihime nodded.

“Yep! I used an up-front, but not too up-front approach with her. She didn’t really say anything about leaning one way or the other, but I could see in her eyes she was thinking really hard about what I said.”, Orihime elaborated. Starrk nodded in satisfaction.

“Good. Knew she’d hear you out. She’s got sense, unlike some of the others.”, Starrk said, scowling at the thought of some of the less friendly Espada. Mainly Barragan. He had always been an arrogant jackass, and ever since Starrk had become the Primera, he’d had this annoying grudge that he tried to take out on him whenever he could.

‘I’ll be glad if he sides with Aizen during the rebellion, if only so I can kill him.’, Starrk thought to himself.  Lilynette stirred, mumbling incoherently before blinking awake and perking up at the sight of Orihime.

“You’re back! Took you long enough! Did she say yes?”, Lilynette asked, optimistically assuming that Orihime had just come right out and proposed her plan to Harribel, as if it were that easy. Orihime smiled at her cheerfully.

“Not yet, but she seemed... open to it.”, Orihime replied, a thoughtful look crossing her face. Starrk sat up slowly, stretching.

“She’ll come around. You’re pretty good at making people see things your way.”, he said honestly. Orihime flushed at the compliment, looking both pleased and embarrassed. Lilynette smirked and elbowed him in the ribs.

“You mean she’s good at talking people’s ears off.”, she teased good-naturedly. That snapped Orihime out of her flattered daze.

“Hey! That’s a lie! I don’t talk that much!”, she pouted, and Starrk couldn’t help the quiet chuckle that rumbled from his chest.

As the two girls bantered, he found himself relaxing again. Maybe this plan of hers really could work. Maybe—just maybe—they’d be able to change things, to break free from the shackles Aizen had placed on them.

And if it meant protecting that rare smile of hers, Starrk figured he could stand to put in a little effort for once.

After all, family was worth fighting for.

A few days after Orihime’s fateful encounter with Harribel, Starrk laid sprawled on his pillows yet again, half-asleep as usual, when he felt the familiar spiritual pressure entering his domain. He cracked one eye open to see Tia Harribel standing just outside the doorway, arms crossed and expression as composed as ever. He gave a faint nod of acknowledgment.

“Didn’t expect you to drop by. Something on your mind?”, he lied smoothly. He very much had expected her to drop by, and he felt he already knew the reason why. Lilynette, who had been dozing nearby, sat up abruptly when she sensed the strong reiatsu and glared at the unexpected visitor.

“Hey! Who said you could just walk in here?”, she bristled, baring her fangs in a way that was supposed to be threatening, but looked more like a puppy getting annoyed than anything. Harribel glanced at her impassively.

“The door was open.”, she said bluntly Lilynette huffed and turned away, muttering something under her breath, but Starrk waved it off with a lazy flick of his wrist.

“It’s fine. She wouldn’t be here without a reason.”, he assured the girl, causing her to reluctantly calm down. Harribel nodded, stepping further into the room.

“It’s about the girl… Orihime.”

Ah, so he was right.

Starrk’s other eye opened, just a little.

“Oh? What about her?”, he asked coily, like he didn’t know what he knew. Harribel’s stance shifted, almost like she was nervous. It was a strange sight to see. The unflappable third Espada, acting nervous. He almost wished he had a camera to commemorate the occasion.

“I’ve been… thinking. She came to visit me recently. Asked me things I hadn’t considered before. About freedom. About the future. About what it would mean to truly live beyond Aizen’s rule.”, Harribel began slowly, choosing her words with care. Starrk gave a slow, thoughtful hum.

“Yeah. She’s got a way of making you think about stuff like that. Doesn’t even realize she’s doing it half the time.”, he said honestly, a sense of fondness washing over him. Harribel’s gaze softened, though her expression remained serious.

“She spoke to me about her plan. About escaping this place—and more than that—about taking Aizen down.”, Harribel said finally. Lilynette’s eyes widened, and she scrambled to her feet.

“She told you too? I thought we were the only ones who knew!”, she exclaimed. Harribel glanced at her, unbothered.

“She didn’t share it with me outright, but I could read between the lines of her questions. I don’t know how she came to the conclusion to tell me of all people this, but I suppose I gave her enough reason to trust me when I didn’t regard her with open hatred upon our first meeting. She has a way of… seeing the potential in people. Of finding the good, even in creatures like us. It intrigues me.”, Harribel said with a hint of wonder in her voice. Orihime had clearly done something to impress her. Starrk would have to ask her what that was. He gave a low chuckle.

“Sounds about right. She’s a strange one—walking into a den of killers and making friends like it’s nothing. In a way, she’s braver than every one of us combined.”, he said admiringly. Harribel hesitated when she spoke next, her eyes distant.

“Yes, I agree. She’s made me question whether I’ve been too passive. Whether I’ve just accepted Aizen’s rule because it seemed inevitable. She believes it doesn’t have to be this way. That we don’t have to be tools of war. And truthfully… I’m starting to agree with her.”, she admitted. Starrk gave a small shrug, his expression uncharacteristically contemplative.

“She’s got guts, I’ll give her that. And she’s not wrong. But it’s risky. Aizen’s not just gonna roll over and die because we want a change of management.”, he said. Harribel nodded.

“Yes, I know. But with the girl’s powers, it just might be plausible. We’ll need the element of surprise, though. And she’ll most likely need some basic combat training at the very least. But even knowing all that… I’m starting to feel that it’s worth the risk. That fighting for something more than survival is worth dying for. My Fracción… they deserve more than to be cannon fodder in Aizen’s war.”, Harribel said with steely determination in her voice, already strategizing and thinking of future battle plans. It was clear none of her ideas had been thought up carelessly. Lilynette glanced between them, looking conflicted about everything for the first time. It seemed all the serious talk had made her nervous.

“You guys are really serious about this, huh? I mean… I get it. She’s kinda convincing when she gets going. And I’m not saying I’m not on board! Don’t get me wrong! I don’t like Aizen either! But it’s Aizen. He’s got that freaky illusion power that can get into our heads and shit. How are we supposed to win against that?”, Lilynette asked, taking a more realistic approach than Starrk had expected now that the heat of the moment had faded away. Her other half gave her a faint smile.

“Orihime doesn’t see it that way. To her, strength isn’t everything. She thinks that even the strongest enemy can fall if enough people stand up together. And her powers are what’s gonna seal the deal. We’ve just gotta help her get a better handle on them first.”, Starrk said soothingly, agreeing with Harribel’s ideas. They were all good ones, and he’d be a fool not to heed her advice. Harribel let out a soft breath.

“I must admit, she’s… different from anyone I’ve ever met. Despite everything, she refuses to see us as monsters. She doesn’t hate us, not like the Shinigami do. She doesn’t even fear us. And despite being our prisoner, she’s willing to fight not just for herself, but for us—for a future where we can choose our own paths, not just because it’s convenient for her, but because she genuinely wants to help us. At first, I thought it was foolish. But now… I’m starting to think she’s right.”, Harribel confessed. Starrk leaned back, snorting as he rested his head against one of his pillows.

“She’s got a fire in her that doesn’t match her gentle nature. Her friends back in the human world were stupid and didn’t notice it, but we’re not stupid. We can see it. She makes you think that maybe there’s something more to life than just fighting to exist. And Lilynette and I… we’ve kinda gotten used to having her around. It doesn’t feel right, just letting her dreams get crushed.”, Starrk admitted reluctantly. Harribel looked at him in surprise.

“You’ve grown attached to her. You care for her emotionally, and because of that, you don’t want to see her hurt or upset.”, Harribel stated like it was a fact. A shocking fact, but a fact nonetheless. She knew Starrk had the capacity to care for people other than himself–he cared for Lilynette, after all–but caring for someone who was literally your other half and caring for a human girl you hadn’t known for more than a month were two completely different things. Lilynette looked away, a little pink dusting her cheeks.

“Yeah, well… it’s not like we’re gonna let Aizen kill her or anything. She’s our friend. Even if she’s kinda dumb sometimes.”, Lilynette admitted, sounding more and more embarrassed with every word she said. Harribel allowed herself a small smile at that.

“Friendship… another concept I hadn’t thought possible for us. She’s done more than just plant the idea of rebellion—she’s made me want something I’d long given up on. A life where we aren’t constantly threatened, where my Fracción don’t have to fear for their lives every day.”, Harribel said. Starrk gave her a knowing look.

“Sounds like she’s gotten to you, too.”, he said. It wasn’t an accusation, it was an observation.

“She has,” Harribel admitted quietly, raising her hand up as if she was making a vow.

“And I won’t ignore it anymore. I’ve made up my mind. If Orihime truly believes in a future where we can be free, I’ll stand with her. Aizen’s power doesn’t frighten me as much as the thought of doing nothing while she risks everything.”, she said. Starrk smiled faintly, almost impressed.

“Heh. You say I’ve grown attached, but here you are, joining this rebellion just so the ‘human girl’ as you put it doesn’t get hurt. But you’re not wrong about her powers. If there’s anyone who might just make the impossible happen, it’s her.”, he remarked. Harribel gave him a firm nod.

“I’m well aware of that. I knew all of that before I came here, but I wanted to hear your thoughts before I made my choice. I value your perspective, Starrk. Not just as the Primera, but as a powerful ally in this place.”, Harribel said respectfully. Starrk gave a small chuckle at her flattering words.

“I guess we’re in this together, then. I’ll be backing her too. Not like I’ve got much to lose anyway.”, Starrk said with a shrug. Lilynette crossed her arms and huffed, trying to sound unimpressed.

“Tch. Yeah right, only our lives. You’re both so soft. But I guess it’s better than sitting around doing nothing and being alone all the time. If it means keeping Orihime safe, then fine. I’m in.”, Lilynette declared. Harribel allowed herself to relax, the tension in her shoulders easing.

“Good. Then we’ll see this through—together.”, she said. Starrk’s eyes drifted closed again, his voice a soft murmur.

“Yeah… together.”

As silence settled over the room once more, the subtle warmth of newfound resolve flickered between them. For the first time in ages, there was a sense of purpose beyond mere survival—a faint glimmer of hope that maybe, they could change their fate.

Tia Harribel stood on the balcony of her palace, the stark white sands of Hueco Mundo stretching out endlessly before her. The eternal night sky loomed above, cold and indifferent, but she couldn’t help but feel something was shifting—like the sands themselves were beginning to stir.

Starrk’s words still weighed heavily on her mind, his deep, calm voice replaying in her memory.

“She’s got a fire in her that doesn’t match her gentle nature. Her friends back in the human world were stupid and didn’t notice it, but we’re not stupid. We can see it. She makes you think that maybe there’s something more to life than just fighting to exist.”

A quiet sigh escaped her lips. The Primera had always been indifferent to Aizen’s ambitions, much like herself. They had both accepted his rule because it was better than fighting a losing battle. But Orihime’s fire—the stubborn, unyielding spark of a human girl—had moved something within him. And Harribel had seen it too. A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

‘To risk so much for the sake of not only herself, but for others... That girl truly is something special.’

A soft sound from behind drew her attention, and she turned to see her three Fracción entering the room, their expressions wary but curious.

“Lady Harribel, you summoned us?”, Mila Rose asked, her voice not betraying how worried she was about her mistress's strange behavior.

“May we ask what this is about, my Lady?” Sung-Sun began, her usual coy smile subdued.

“We noticed your meeting with Starrk earlier. Is something amiss?”, the dainty girl asked. Apacci nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, you’ve been real quiet since you got back,” Apacci grumbled, folding her arms.

“And that’s saying something, considering how you always are.”, she said. Mila Rose snorted, giving Apacci a look.

“You mean how she doesn’t waste her breath like a loudmouth idiot?”, the tall woman snarked. Apacci turned and glared at her fiercely.

“What was that, you stuck-up— ?!”

“Enough.”, Harribel’s quiet command cut through their bickering immediately, both women falling silent, though they glared at each other out of the corners of their eyes. Harribel regarded them calmly.

“I have important news.” she began, her gaze moving between the three of them.

“As you all know, Orihime Inoue visited us the other day. We talked for a bit, and she asked me several odd questions. After contemplating them thoroughly and paying Starrk a visit, I have discovered something of great significance; Orihime Inoue intends to rebel against Aizen, and Starrk is backing her.”, Harribel revealed ominously. Her words hung in the air, and she watched as the realization dawned on them, followed by confusion, then disbelief.

“You’re kidding.” Apacci blurted out, her heterochromatic eyes wide as she gestured wildly with her hands.

“She’s gonna take on Aizen?! Her?! Little miss timid?! She looks like she could barely hurt a fly! How’s she gonna overthrow Aizen?! ”, she exclaimed in shock. Mila Rose crossed her arms and scoffed.

“The human girl? She’s got guts, I’ll give her that. But she’s out of her mind if she thinks she can beat Aizen, even with Starrk behind her.”, the tanned woman remarked cynically. Sung-Sun rested a finger against her lips thoughtfully.

“It’s not a question of whether she can win or who she has backing her, but whether we should even consider helping her. We owe Aizen our current lives, do we not?”, Sung-Sun, ever the voice of reason said. She didn’t care much for their Shinigami overlord, but he was much stronger than them and he had given them all the things she had mentioned, so she followed him without incident. Apacci, however, did not subscribe to a similar mindset.

“That’s bullshit! We don’t owe him anything! Just ’cause he gave us power doesn’t mean we’re his pets! If that bastard never showed up, we’d still be free—”, Apacci snapped, turning on her. She had never liked Aizen and how he treated her lady like a subordinate to be ordered around, but she obeyed him since Harribel did. That didn’t mean she kept quiet about her dislike of him amongst friendly faces, though.

“And probably dead. You think we could’ve survived the constant bloodshed on our own? Aizen might be a manipulative tyrant, but he gave us a chance to live without constantly looking over our shoulders. We’re better off than we were before.” Mila Rose countered, eyes narrowing as she loomed over her fellow Fraccion. She didn’t like Aizen either, but she was more pragmatic than Appaci. She knew that Aizen had been their ticket to steady survival, and so she followed Harribel in obeying him despite her strong dislike for the man. The blue haired woman glared up at her.

“That doesn’t mean we– !”

“Quiet, all of you!” Harribel’s voice was firmer this time, and all three women fell silent. She let the quiet stretch out, giving them a moment to think before she spoke again.

“It is true that Aizen gave us strength and a purpose, but his ambition will lead Hueco Mundo to ruin. He does not see us as equals or comrades—only as tools to use against the Shinigami while he pursues his own ambitions. The girl, however...”, Harribel said. Her gaze softened, and the smallest hint of a smile appeared beneath her jacket’s high collar and her mask fragment.

“Orihime does not see power as something to be wielded over others. She values kindness and connection, even with those who are supposed to be her enemies. That alone is more than Aizen has ever offered.”, She said kindly. Sung-Sun tilted her head, her gaze contemplative.

“So you’re saying she sees us as people, not as expendable soldiers.”, she stated. Harribel nodded.

“Yes. And for that reason, I believe this plan of hers is worth pursuing.”, Harribel continued. There was a moment of silence before Apacci let out a loud, scoffing sound.

“Ugh, great. So now we’re gonna fight for a soft-hearted kid who probably doesn’t even know how to throw a punch. That’s just wonderful.”, Apacci remarked. She sounded angry about the whole thing, but Harribel knew her well enough to know that was just the way she talked. If Harribel was in, she was in. Mila Rose gave her a hard shove.

“Are you calling our mistress a fool? You really don’t know when to shut up, do you?”, the brunette woman insulted scathingly. Apacci was quick to start snarling at her.

“Hey, back off! I didn’t say that!”, she bit back. Sung-Sun rolled her eyes at her fellow Fraccion’s antics.

“Would both of you shut up? It’s not like we’re not just fighting for the girl’s sake. This plan will benefit us just as much as it benefits her. She gets her freedom, we get our freedom. It’s a quid-pro-quo.”, Sung-Sun reminded them, but the other two women didn’t want to hear it.

“SHUT UP, SUNG-SUN! NOBODY ASKED YOU!”, they both barked at her in unison, agreeing on something for the first time in a while. This caused a tick mark to appear on the other girl’s forehead. Harribel allowed herself another faint smile at their usual bickering, before interrupting the scene before it could get out of hand.

“Sung-Sun is right. This plan is a quid-pro-quo at its core, but that doesn’t mean it was created without care for us. Orihime has already shown more compassion for the rest of us in her short time here than Aizen has shown us in the decades since he started his rule. And that is what secured my support. Not her powers, not the fact Starrk is backing her, but her kindness and pure intentions. She’s honest, more than Aizen has ever been. This isn’t just some desperate bid for survival. This is a way to make things better than they are. For all of us.”, Harribel admitted. That got Appaci and Mila Rose to calm down, and actually start considering her words.

“I suppose there is merit in all this. Though I wonder how far the girl’s resolve will truly carry her.”, Mila Rose murmured thoughtfully. Harribel looked at her intently.

“That is why I am helping her. To ensure she has the means to see this through. However…”, Harribel replied. Her gaze sharpened, and her tone grew more resolute.

“I will not let any of you make this choice lightly. I have made my choice, and you will have to as well. Do not agree to follow along with this plan just because I am. If you choose to support Orihime Inoue, it must be with unwavering conviction. We cannot afford doubt when the time comes to act. Indecisiveness can cost us lives.”, Harribel started, but then her aqua eyes softened as weariness flooded into them.

“I do not want to lose any of you. It is for you three’s sake that I followed Aizen, and it is for your sakes that I will back Orihime in this rebellion. Losing you all would be a cruel irony I refuse to endure.”, Harribel revealed, before turning around and holding her hands behind her back in an attempt to hide her true feelings from the other Arrancar.

“It is in my nature to sacrifice. I sacrificed our freedom to keep you all safe when I accepted Aizen’s offer, and I am prepared to sacrifice my life to get that freedom back. But I don’t want you all to pay that price. You shouldn’t have to suffer for my past incompetence. I… I care for you all. More than you’ll ever know.”, Harribel said emotionally, a crack of vulnerability showing through her usually impeccable mask of cool indifference. Her three Fraccion stared at her in open shock.

“Lady Harribel… “, Apacci and Mila Rose trailed off in unison as Sung-Sun lowered her sleeve from her mouth, revealing her slacked jaw. They weren’t shocked that their lady cared for them. They had always known that. It was the fact that she was saying it out loud that shocked them. Words were dangerous in Las Noches. Saying the wrong thing around the wrong people could get you killed, and Harribel was painfully aware of that. So she kept her feelings close to her chest. But in the safety of her palace, faced with the possibility of dying in a rebellion, she was letting her true feelings shine through. And that said more than words ever could. A renewed sense of determination washed over the Tres Bestias when they heard their leader’s heartfelt words.

“We aren’t going to let you do this alone, Lady Harribel! We’ll give our all to this plan!”, Apacci said intently. Sung-Sun and Mila Rose nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, we care about you too my Lady! If you think we deserve freedom, then you deserve it ten times as much! We won’t let you sacrifice yourself for our sake while we do nothing!”, Mila Rose exclaimed. Sung-Sun smiled.

“I agree. We said we’d follow you anywhere, my Lady. Now is no exception.”, Sung-Sun informed her. Harribel’s eyes went wide and glassy.

“You three… “, she whispered breathlessly. She looked like she wanted to do something to show them her appreciation, but she didn’t know what. So she simply looked at the trio warmly.

“Thank you, all of you.”, she told them in a choked voice. A rare sense of warmth settled over them, until Apacci broke the quiet by sighing.

“Well, if we’re gonna throw in with that girl, I wanna at least see for myself why you’re so impressed with her, Lady Harribel. I say we go spend some time with her. See what all the fuss is about.”, Apache declared. Harribel gave her an exasperated look, her eyes betraying a glimmer of fondness.

“You just want an excuse to size her up.”, she stated factually. Apacci blushed in embarrassment at being called out.

“Maybe I do! But what’s wrong with that? This whole plan was her idea, right? That technically makes her our leader in all this! I just wanna know what she’s made of! See if she’s worthy of her position!”, Apacci shot back. Mila Rose snorted, smirking all the while.

“Yeah, right. You’re just curious because Starrk and Lilynette are so taken with her. You wanna know what’s so special about the human that she convinced the first Espada to rebel against Aizen.”, Mila Rose said bluntly. Apacci turned a deeper red.

“Oh, shut up!”, Apacci yelled. Sung-Sun chuckled softly behind her sleeve.

“Perhaps it would indeed be beneficial to observe her more closely. It wouldn’t hurt to build some rapport with the girl before the big moment.”, Sung-Sun agreed. Harribel gave a slight nod of agreement.

“Very well. We will spend some more time with Orihime and assess her as a group. Please do not attempt to intimidate her.”, Harribel requested of them so bluntly it was humorous. Apacci huffed, crossing her arms.

“I’ll be nice... probably.”, she muttered. No one believed her.

“You? Nice? Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” Mila Rose scoffed. Apacci went right back to glaring at her.

“If you don’t shut up, I swear to– !”

Another argument broke out, and Harribel let them bicker, her eyes softening as she listened. Despite their rough edges and clashing personalities, she knew their hearts were in the right place. They cared about her and each other—deeply and fiercely—and that was why she had chosen them as her Fracción in the first place.

‘Orihime… ‘, she thought, her resolve solidifying.

‘You have already changed so much without even realizing it. Let us see just how far your determination will take you.’

As the sounds of Apacci and Mila Rose squabbling echoed through the palace, Harribel allowed herself the smallest of smiles, fondness for her subordinates warming her heart. Whatever trials lay ahead, she knew they would face them together.