Log - Bleached
WHO: Nnoitra, Orihime, Ulquiorra
WHAT: Orihime's first night in Hueco Mundo is punctuated by a visit from the creepiest spoon ever.
WHERE: Hueco Mundo
So this is Hueco Mundo. It's very monochromatic.
Orihime sticks out like a sore thumb, still wearing her colorful street clothes and lacking any bonewear accessories. The room where she's been placed is large and nicely furnished, but it feels like a prison cell just the same. The barred windows probably have something to do with that. The moon throws a silver square of light on the floor where Orihime sits, her arm across her stomach, gripping her elbow. Her stomach has been growling for a little while now, which seems odd to her. The whole experience has left her badly shaken, though so far, she hasn't broken down and cried. She wants to keep it that way if she can.
Her mind is still in Karakura Town, though, the memories too fresh to be forgotten. Uryuu...is he okay? And what about the others? Will they even notice that she's missing? Well...Rangiku and her captain might, when she doesn't bring home dinner.
Orihime sighs, her shoulders slumping, as she continues to gaze up at the moon. It's the only thing here that gives her some real comfort, and she wonders if her brother, once upon a time, gazed up at that same moon when he became Acid Wire.
There's someone very bored lurking the halls of Las Noches; such tends to be potentially dangerous for anyone who falls into his view, but he had heard of the prisoner acquisition by a foray into Karakura; the very same town that Grimmjow almost threw away his life to invade, once again entered by Aizen-sama himself? What kind of person elicits that kind of attention... why, how can he not go and check it out. There's no real warning when the door is unlatched and pushed open; ducking down in order to navigate the doorway, black steel hilt of Santa Teresa held in one hand, the broad, upper-toothed grin of Nnoitra is cast into the room. His one slit eye is alight with unrepentant mischief, free hand resting upon a hip. "Well, well. So we do have a visitor in our castle after all." is asked, tone almost cruel despite a lack of implications. The twin moons of his zanpakutou barely navigate the doorway, before his heel kicks it shut with a loud, echoing slam.
Standing up almost straight - his shoulders must hunch, lest his spoon warp upon the low ceiling - Nnoitra looks over the room with just a touch of sourness. "Not bad, not bad. Pet-kun is being well taken care of by her new masters..." He walks into the middle, head shifting in either direction before his lone eye focuses on Orihime. The blade of his weapon loudly scratches along the ceiling, but he gives it no heed. "I thought I'd introduce myself... Nnoitra Jiruga, the Fifth Espada of Aizen-sama's army!!"
This man is dangerous. That's the first thought that moves through Orihime's mind as she turns her head immediately at the sound of the door's latch being undone. She can feel his reiatsu even before he emerges. And once he shows himself, that thought strengthens in truth. He /is/ dangerous. And for some reason, he's coming to see her.
...Pet-kun?... She doesn't object to it. It's probably safer to stay docile in this situation.
Orihime pulls herself to her feet, quietly inclining her head. "Inoue Orihime," she replies, still holding onto her other arm.
"I don't give a fuck what your name is!!" Nnoitra snaps, looking to be wild in that instance, baring his teeth through spread lips like a predator might. "You're /pet-kun/ to me. I'm not as nice as half-skull and Aizen-sama..." That initial bristle slowly fades away, readjusting his grip upon Santa Teresa so the oversized blades hang lower to the ground; this prevents the ceiling from getting too guffed up. He'd hate to be scolded for damaging something actually valuable. For a long moment he looks at Orihime, in a thorough manner unlikely to give even a mote of comfort. "So what makes you so valuable? Going through all that trouble for a human... Seems like a waste of time to me. Or a joke." His head tilts, just a mild touch of frown upon him as he investigates a book upon a small table, disregarding it just as quickly. Apparently, only Orihime is getting any of his attention at the moment. Dangerous attention, at that.
Orihime squeezes her eyes shut at the sudden backlash of foul words, head bent as though weathering a sudden and terrible gust of wind. Her fingers tighten momentarily in her sweater sleeve before she forces herself to relax her grip. She's fairly certain that his question is a rhetorical one, but on the other hand, not saying anything at all could be just as dangerous.
"I don't really know..." she confesses. She suspects it probably has something to do with her healing powers, but they have yet to tell her just why she was taken from her world and dropped into this one.
"You don't know...?" From the darkness lacing his already sardonic voice, he's irritated by the response. A lone step is taken towards her, leaning forward slightly to bring his face closer. There's still more then a meter between them, but that's hardly likely to make it any more comfortable. Just being in the room with him tends to be overwhelming for most, given the raw density of his reiatsu. "Don't bullshit me. You gotta be good for somethin'!! Is it the nice rack?" His eye shifts appropriately. "The ass?! Just for someone to wear a lace number with a leash? Ehhhh?" He laughs to himself more then any intended joke, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Do you got a talent, pet-kun, beyond barking on command?"
At least Orihime's used to people eyeing her like that, thanks to a couple of excitable classmates. And she reacts the exact same way as she does with them...which is to say, she remains oblivious, or at least seems to. Her hand clenches into a fist against her thigh as he draws closer yet, but she holds her ground, not stepping back.
"Aizen-san didn't say. I don't really know," she says again, blinking up at Nnoitra warily. "All I can do is heal." Surely some of the Arrancar are able to do similar things?
"Maaaaaaaan... you're completely useless, aren't you?" Nnoitra mulls, looking to become even more bored, scratching at the side of his face. He had hoped for someone interesting to a better degree. Healing doesn't even draw a single raised eyebrow from him; the crude surgery performed by some is not truly refined, but Nnoitra at least could care less about that ability. He is one of the very few who have the instant regeneration of his original Hollow self, enough to even return lost limbs. Of course, then a look of cunning flows across his face, before Santa Teresa slithers around. The pronged point looms, as he advances in a leisurely gate towards Orihime, trying to herd her like cattle against one of the room's walls. "Well...? Can you bark for me, pet-kun?" is asked, just a bit of sadistic laughter in his voice.
Orihime pales. Oh, she doesn't like the look of this one bit. She releases her sleeve as the takes a stumbling step backwards, then another, quicker and more sure. That sense of danger spikes into her chest once again as she retreats from the very sharp-looking weapon. "Ah...bark, Nnoitra-san...?" It's difficult to keep the tremor from her voice, but she IS afraid. No guarantees were made on her life or safety from Aizen. She has no idea what he's got planned for her. It may even be that he plans to torture her for information, fingering her as the one with the weakest will. Maybe he sent this Espada to do just that. "I-I don't know what you mean..."
"What? What was that?!" Nnoitra asks, grin stretching until the teeth seem to take up an impossible amount of his face, eye almost slit completely shut. His advance quickens until he sees the wall behind, and in one smooth arc he thrusts out Santa Teresa, the twin prongs sinking into it a meter to the right; his other hand rests upon the other side, to trap her between them both. His movement displayed here might of been beyond her perception, a lone eclipse of his broad spoon and pale features cutting off the ambient light of the solemn moon. "Bark for me like you mean it... Pet-kun..." is hissed out lowly, long tongue slithering from his mouth immediately after; scarcely inches likely between them at that point...
It is highly likely that the two will be -very- aware of another presence entering the room then. Although his steps make no sound as he walks in, Ulquiorra has allowed a little more of his reiatsu to radiate from the normal amount he maintains control of. He wants to be noticed.
"Nnoitra."
The voice cuts through the room like a bared blade, even though it's hardly a difference from the usual volume at which the Fourth Espada speaks. His gaze finds its mark, and if they possessed such an ability, would have pinned the taller figure of the Fifth to the wall.
"...what are you doing here."
"AH!" Orihime jerks backwards with a sharp cry as the weapon thunks solidly into the wall not far from her ear. She twitches to the side as though to move away, but the sight of Nnoitra's arm, caging her in, freezes her in her tracks. She presses herself back against the wall, her flesh crawling as he bares his tongue. G-gross! He's not going to lick her, is he?! The skin on her legs and arms prickles into goosebumps, and the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.
She feels the sudden sharpness of Ulquiorra's reiatsu, and her wide eyes immediately swing in his direction. Him too...? The sight of him stirs fear as well. He's the one that stabbed Uryuu...the one who was in charge of the attack that took the lives of Tatsuki's karate club, who even once pronounced her death sentence. What does he want here?
"Eh?" Nnoitra mulls upon sensing he's no longer alone, leaning away from Orihime but not yet yanking Santa Teresa from the wall. His look is completely lacking in any shame, or the slightest nuance of being caught doing something untoward. "What do you want, Ulquiorra?! I'm just checking out our newest prisoner..." His grin becomes more playful now, stepping back while yanking his weapon from the wall effortlessly. Either he's not intimidated due to not expecting any actual reprisal, or he sheerly doesn't care either way. "It's not like you to get so touchy about Aizen-sama's pets..."
Ulquiorra continues to walk into the room, right until he's perhaps several steps from the taller Espada and the girl. He looks less than amused, although it's only a slight change from his usual look of indifference. "...you are not the one charged with watching the woman," he replies, his words only bearing a subtle edge. He flicks his gaze from Nnoitra to Orihime, long enough to see that she is unharmed before he returns his attention towards the Fifth. "Or are you so inclined as to follow whatever whim possesses you at the time." They both know where that gets him. It hasn't been all too long ago either.
What...? Wait, what? Ulquiorra's supposed to watch over her! Orihime swallows hard, though she can't deny the huge wave of relief that washes over her once Nnoitra pulls himself away from the cringing girl. She's still uneasy about moving away from the spot just yet, though, so she remains still, and silent. The less attention paid to Orihime, the better!
Really, Ulquiorra being slightly unamused is like any other person stamping around and yelling at the top of their lungs. Normally the smallest shift of his eyes is uncharacteristic, let alone something almost tangible. It's not lost on Nnoitra, who raises up a hand with now just a touch of guilt; not truly felt, but to dissuade the Fourth. "I'm not saying I'm watching her! Calm down! I was bored. I didn't know she was anything special. Aizen-sama never minded when I played with the other people we dragged into Hueco Mundo. It's not like I was going to..." He turns his eye to Orihime, some dark intent there now hidden from Ulquiorra, who would see only the pristine back of his spoon. "...hurt her..." He laughs thereafter, turning to walk towards the door. "If this pet is so important to you, I won't bug her again..." At least, not in any situation where he might get *caught*, is all that amounts to.
This slight annoyance only stems from having to deal with the troublesome Espada regarding boundaries overstepped in the missions of picking off the shinigami support groups during their runs between Seireitei and the human world. While the two situations have nothing to do with each other on that level, the main point that sticks out in Ulquiorra's mind is the fact that once again Nnoitra is butting in on another's business, and all on the account of what...?
"'Bored.'" This is said flatly, lacking in amusement, his usual tone, in other words. The vague aggravation that had touched his eyes is skillfully slipped away. Such a minor misdemeanor is not worth his full upset. "Have you forgotten already what your boredom has gained you the last time?" It's not asked to taunt, it's almost an honest inquiry of whether it's so quickly passed from Nnoitra's mind or not. Ulquiorra steps aside to allow the Fifth Espada space to leave, a silent suggestion.
"Whatever importance there may be, it is out of respect for Aizen-sama's orders," he calmly informs, closing his eyes as he says so.
Quietly, carefully, Orihime lets a long-held breath slip between pursed lips. She's safe this time. But that evil look directed at her from Nnoitra causes her to stiffen up again. Safe now, sure, but if he comes again...?
At least she knows he's not supposed to. She can defend herself in that case, and the knowledge alone gives her some small comfort.
Knowing that Aizen kept others here, who now sound to be sort of dead, gives her no comfort whatsoever.
"..Tch.." Nnoitra glowers towards Ulquiorra in a dangerous way, but this is not the same as he gave Orihime. It is the look of a convict glaring at a warden beyond the bars. A man who knows he is powerless, but were he capable of it, would probably strangle the other man to death slowly. "Stop taking it so seriously. This is harmless. The only person who probably cares this much is you..." is growled out, returning to his prowl towards the door. "In that case, I'll leave you to your precious pet-kun..." He pushes open the door with his free hand at this, slipping out in a final duck and entering the halls of the massive palace. Damn Ulquiorra... such a pain in the ass!!
"......" Nnoitra's glare is met with that unnerving pokerface, a mask that rivaled the stolidity of statues- cold, uncaring. He knows well what sort of hostility simmers within the Fifth. He says nothing to further goad nor attempt to soothe such, remaining silent as he watches the Espada turn and leave. His eyes remain on the doorway, focused on the halls beyond until he has deemed Nnoitra's far enough.
Finally, he turns to face Orihime. No words are offered to her in comfort, no consolation, no reassurance. Does she expect anything of the sort? She would truly be foolish if she did. Ulquiorra turns after looking at her a moment, space enough for something to be said, and yet nothing is. He walks back towards the doorway, silently as he had entered.
Orihime has had a very close call. She realizes this. Her insides are quivering, enough to quelch the former hunger pangs, and the grim reality of her situation is impressed that much harder into her senses. What Nnoitra said was true...her abilities to heal can't be worth all that much, and as such, her life is readily expendable. She could die at any time.
But just the same...she's glad to cling to what few moments she has. The situation may not be ideal, but it's better than being dead by a long shot. And she knows who's responsible for that right now.
"...Thank you," she says quietly, her eyes on the floor some several paces ahead of her. He probably doesn't expect any gratitude, and it probably means little. But she means it just the same.
His steps slow as he nears the doorway, or perhaps it's just one's imagination. The half-helmed Espada turns his head enough to glance out of the corner of his eye over a shoulder. Again, nothing is said, but the look is acknowledgment enough that he heard her. Out he steps, and the door seals after him to leave Orihime once again to her lonesome.
WHAT: Orihime's first night in Hueco Mundo is punctuated by a visit from the creepiest spoon ever.
WHERE: Hueco Mundo
So this is Hueco Mundo. It's very monochromatic.
Orihime sticks out like a sore thumb, still wearing her colorful street clothes and lacking any bonewear accessories. The room where she's been placed is large and nicely furnished, but it feels like a prison cell just the same. The barred windows probably have something to do with that. The moon throws a silver square of light on the floor where Orihime sits, her arm across her stomach, gripping her elbow. Her stomach has been growling for a little while now, which seems odd to her. The whole experience has left her badly shaken, though so far, she hasn't broken down and cried. She wants to keep it that way if she can.
Her mind is still in Karakura Town, though, the memories too fresh to be forgotten. Uryuu...is he okay? And what about the others? Will they even notice that she's missing? Well...Rangiku and her captain might, when she doesn't bring home dinner.
Orihime sighs, her shoulders slumping, as she continues to gaze up at the moon. It's the only thing here that gives her some real comfort, and she wonders if her brother, once upon a time, gazed up at that same moon when he became Acid Wire.
There's someone very bored lurking the halls of Las Noches; such tends to be potentially dangerous for anyone who falls into his view, but he had heard of the prisoner acquisition by a foray into Karakura; the very same town that Grimmjow almost threw away his life to invade, once again entered by Aizen-sama himself? What kind of person elicits that kind of attention... why, how can he not go and check it out. There's no real warning when the door is unlatched and pushed open; ducking down in order to navigate the doorway, black steel hilt of Santa Teresa held in one hand, the broad, upper-toothed grin of Nnoitra is cast into the room. His one slit eye is alight with unrepentant mischief, free hand resting upon a hip. "Well, well. So we do have a visitor in our castle after all." is asked, tone almost cruel despite a lack of implications. The twin moons of his zanpakutou barely navigate the doorway, before his heel kicks it shut with a loud, echoing slam.
Standing up almost straight - his shoulders must hunch, lest his spoon warp upon the low ceiling - Nnoitra looks over the room with just a touch of sourness. "Not bad, not bad. Pet-kun is being well taken care of by her new masters..." He walks into the middle, head shifting in either direction before his lone eye focuses on Orihime. The blade of his weapon loudly scratches along the ceiling, but he gives it no heed. "I thought I'd introduce myself... Nnoitra Jiruga, the Fifth Espada of Aizen-sama's army!!"
This man is dangerous. That's the first thought that moves through Orihime's mind as she turns her head immediately at the sound of the door's latch being undone. She can feel his reiatsu even before he emerges. And once he shows himself, that thought strengthens in truth. He /is/ dangerous. And for some reason, he's coming to see her.
...Pet-kun?... She doesn't object to it. It's probably safer to stay docile in this situation.
Orihime pulls herself to her feet, quietly inclining her head. "Inoue Orihime," she replies, still holding onto her other arm.
"I don't give a fuck what your name is!!" Nnoitra snaps, looking to be wild in that instance, baring his teeth through spread lips like a predator might. "You're /pet-kun/ to me. I'm not as nice as half-skull and Aizen-sama..." That initial bristle slowly fades away, readjusting his grip upon Santa Teresa so the oversized blades hang lower to the ground; this prevents the ceiling from getting too guffed up. He'd hate to be scolded for damaging something actually valuable. For a long moment he looks at Orihime, in a thorough manner unlikely to give even a mote of comfort. "So what makes you so valuable? Going through all that trouble for a human... Seems like a waste of time to me. Or a joke." His head tilts, just a mild touch of frown upon him as he investigates a book upon a small table, disregarding it just as quickly. Apparently, only Orihime is getting any of his attention at the moment. Dangerous attention, at that.
Orihime squeezes her eyes shut at the sudden backlash of foul words, head bent as though weathering a sudden and terrible gust of wind. Her fingers tighten momentarily in her sweater sleeve before she forces herself to relax her grip. She's fairly certain that his question is a rhetorical one, but on the other hand, not saying anything at all could be just as dangerous.
"I don't really know..." she confesses. She suspects it probably has something to do with her healing powers, but they have yet to tell her just why she was taken from her world and dropped into this one.
"You don't know...?" From the darkness lacing his already sardonic voice, he's irritated by the response. A lone step is taken towards her, leaning forward slightly to bring his face closer. There's still more then a meter between them, but that's hardly likely to make it any more comfortable. Just being in the room with him tends to be overwhelming for most, given the raw density of his reiatsu. "Don't bullshit me. You gotta be good for somethin'!! Is it the nice rack?" His eye shifts appropriately. "The ass?! Just for someone to wear a lace number with a leash? Ehhhh?" He laughs to himself more then any intended joke, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Do you got a talent, pet-kun, beyond barking on command?"
At least Orihime's used to people eyeing her like that, thanks to a couple of excitable classmates. And she reacts the exact same way as she does with them...which is to say, she remains oblivious, or at least seems to. Her hand clenches into a fist against her thigh as he draws closer yet, but she holds her ground, not stepping back.
"Aizen-san didn't say. I don't really know," she says again, blinking up at Nnoitra warily. "All I can do is heal." Surely some of the Arrancar are able to do similar things?
"Maaaaaaaan... you're completely useless, aren't you?" Nnoitra mulls, looking to become even more bored, scratching at the side of his face. He had hoped for someone interesting to a better degree. Healing doesn't even draw a single raised eyebrow from him; the crude surgery performed by some is not truly refined, but Nnoitra at least could care less about that ability. He is one of the very few who have the instant regeneration of his original Hollow self, enough to even return lost limbs. Of course, then a look of cunning flows across his face, before Santa Teresa slithers around. The pronged point looms, as he advances in a leisurely gate towards Orihime, trying to herd her like cattle against one of the room's walls. "Well...? Can you bark for me, pet-kun?" is asked, just a bit of sadistic laughter in his voice.
Orihime pales. Oh, she doesn't like the look of this one bit. She releases her sleeve as the takes a stumbling step backwards, then another, quicker and more sure. That sense of danger spikes into her chest once again as she retreats from the very sharp-looking weapon. "Ah...bark, Nnoitra-san...?" It's difficult to keep the tremor from her voice, but she IS afraid. No guarantees were made on her life or safety from Aizen. She has no idea what he's got planned for her. It may even be that he plans to torture her for information, fingering her as the one with the weakest will. Maybe he sent this Espada to do just that. "I-I don't know what you mean..."
"What? What was that?!" Nnoitra asks, grin stretching until the teeth seem to take up an impossible amount of his face, eye almost slit completely shut. His advance quickens until he sees the wall behind, and in one smooth arc he thrusts out Santa Teresa, the twin prongs sinking into it a meter to the right; his other hand rests upon the other side, to trap her between them both. His movement displayed here might of been beyond her perception, a lone eclipse of his broad spoon and pale features cutting off the ambient light of the solemn moon. "Bark for me like you mean it... Pet-kun..." is hissed out lowly, long tongue slithering from his mouth immediately after; scarcely inches likely between them at that point...
It is highly likely that the two will be -very- aware of another presence entering the room then. Although his steps make no sound as he walks in, Ulquiorra has allowed a little more of his reiatsu to radiate from the normal amount he maintains control of. He wants to be noticed.
"Nnoitra."
The voice cuts through the room like a bared blade, even though it's hardly a difference from the usual volume at which the Fourth Espada speaks. His gaze finds its mark, and if they possessed such an ability, would have pinned the taller figure of the Fifth to the wall.
"...what are you doing here."
"AH!" Orihime jerks backwards with a sharp cry as the weapon thunks solidly into the wall not far from her ear. She twitches to the side as though to move away, but the sight of Nnoitra's arm, caging her in, freezes her in her tracks. She presses herself back against the wall, her flesh crawling as he bares his tongue. G-gross! He's not going to lick her, is he?! The skin on her legs and arms prickles into goosebumps, and the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.
She feels the sudden sharpness of Ulquiorra's reiatsu, and her wide eyes immediately swing in his direction. Him too...? The sight of him stirs fear as well. He's the one that stabbed Uryuu...the one who was in charge of the attack that took the lives of Tatsuki's karate club, who even once pronounced her death sentence. What does he want here?
"Eh?" Nnoitra mulls upon sensing he's no longer alone, leaning away from Orihime but not yet yanking Santa Teresa from the wall. His look is completely lacking in any shame, or the slightest nuance of being caught doing something untoward. "What do you want, Ulquiorra?! I'm just checking out our newest prisoner..." His grin becomes more playful now, stepping back while yanking his weapon from the wall effortlessly. Either he's not intimidated due to not expecting any actual reprisal, or he sheerly doesn't care either way. "It's not like you to get so touchy about Aizen-sama's pets..."
Ulquiorra continues to walk into the room, right until he's perhaps several steps from the taller Espada and the girl. He looks less than amused, although it's only a slight change from his usual look of indifference. "...you are not the one charged with watching the woman," he replies, his words only bearing a subtle edge. He flicks his gaze from Nnoitra to Orihime, long enough to see that she is unharmed before he returns his attention towards the Fifth. "Or are you so inclined as to follow whatever whim possesses you at the time." They both know where that gets him. It hasn't been all too long ago either.
What...? Wait, what? Ulquiorra's supposed to watch over her! Orihime swallows hard, though she can't deny the huge wave of relief that washes over her once Nnoitra pulls himself away from the cringing girl. She's still uneasy about moving away from the spot just yet, though, so she remains still, and silent. The less attention paid to Orihime, the better!
Really, Ulquiorra being slightly unamused is like any other person stamping around and yelling at the top of their lungs. Normally the smallest shift of his eyes is uncharacteristic, let alone something almost tangible. It's not lost on Nnoitra, who raises up a hand with now just a touch of guilt; not truly felt, but to dissuade the Fourth. "I'm not saying I'm watching her! Calm down! I was bored. I didn't know she was anything special. Aizen-sama never minded when I played with the other people we dragged into Hueco Mundo. It's not like I was going to..." He turns his eye to Orihime, some dark intent there now hidden from Ulquiorra, who would see only the pristine back of his spoon. "...hurt her..." He laughs thereafter, turning to walk towards the door. "If this pet is so important to you, I won't bug her again..." At least, not in any situation where he might get *caught*, is all that amounts to.
This slight annoyance only stems from having to deal with the troublesome Espada regarding boundaries overstepped in the missions of picking off the shinigami support groups during their runs between Seireitei and the human world. While the two situations have nothing to do with each other on that level, the main point that sticks out in Ulquiorra's mind is the fact that once again Nnoitra is butting in on another's business, and all on the account of what...?
"'Bored.'" This is said flatly, lacking in amusement, his usual tone, in other words. The vague aggravation that had touched his eyes is skillfully slipped away. Such a minor misdemeanor is not worth his full upset. "Have you forgotten already what your boredom has gained you the last time?" It's not asked to taunt, it's almost an honest inquiry of whether it's so quickly passed from Nnoitra's mind or not. Ulquiorra steps aside to allow the Fifth Espada space to leave, a silent suggestion.
"Whatever importance there may be, it is out of respect for Aizen-sama's orders," he calmly informs, closing his eyes as he says so.
Quietly, carefully, Orihime lets a long-held breath slip between pursed lips. She's safe this time. But that evil look directed at her from Nnoitra causes her to stiffen up again. Safe now, sure, but if he comes again...?
At least she knows he's not supposed to. She can defend herself in that case, and the knowledge alone gives her some small comfort.
Knowing that Aizen kept others here, who now sound to be sort of dead, gives her no comfort whatsoever.
"..Tch.." Nnoitra glowers towards Ulquiorra in a dangerous way, but this is not the same as he gave Orihime. It is the look of a convict glaring at a warden beyond the bars. A man who knows he is powerless, but were he capable of it, would probably strangle the other man to death slowly. "Stop taking it so seriously. This is harmless. The only person who probably cares this much is you..." is growled out, returning to his prowl towards the door. "In that case, I'll leave you to your precious pet-kun..." He pushes open the door with his free hand at this, slipping out in a final duck and entering the halls of the massive palace. Damn Ulquiorra... such a pain in the ass!!
"......" Nnoitra's glare is met with that unnerving pokerface, a mask that rivaled the stolidity of statues- cold, uncaring. He knows well what sort of hostility simmers within the Fifth. He says nothing to further goad nor attempt to soothe such, remaining silent as he watches the Espada turn and leave. His eyes remain on the doorway, focused on the halls beyond until he has deemed Nnoitra's far enough.
Finally, he turns to face Orihime. No words are offered to her in comfort, no consolation, no reassurance. Does she expect anything of the sort? She would truly be foolish if she did. Ulquiorra turns after looking at her a moment, space enough for something to be said, and yet nothing is. He walks back towards the doorway, silently as he had entered.
Orihime has had a very close call. She realizes this. Her insides are quivering, enough to quelch the former hunger pangs, and the grim reality of her situation is impressed that much harder into her senses. What Nnoitra said was true...her abilities to heal can't be worth all that much, and as such, her life is readily expendable. She could die at any time.
But just the same...she's glad to cling to what few moments she has. The situation may not be ideal, but it's better than being dead by a long shot. And she knows who's responsible for that right now.
"...Thank you," she says quietly, her eyes on the floor some several paces ahead of her. He probably doesn't expect any gratitude, and it probably means little. But she means it just the same.
His steps slow as he nears the doorway, or perhaps it's just one's imagination. The half-helmed Espada turns his head enough to glance out of the corner of his eye over a shoulder. Again, nothing is said, but the look is acknowledgment enough that he heard her. Out he steps, and the door seals after him to leave Orihime once again to her lonesome.