Music to my Heart (A Bleach/Ulquihime fic)

Chapter 19

This story belongs to Cerice Belle at FanFiction.net. I am only publishing it in order to share it with more people. All credits go to her.
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Not a sound could be heard through the previously lively backyard as the entire cohort gazed in complete and utter shock at the scene before them.

"Ulquiorra just bitch-slapped a hoe," whispered Nnoitra, his face slack-jawed.

"And that hoe is Grimmjow..." added Szayel slowly.

Orihime's ashen eyes flickered between the two teens, her hands clasped to her mouth in horror. "Ul-ulquiorra?" she asked tentatively. He didn't hear her. He was still glaring at his once best-friend who was lying on the ground, holding his jaw. Grimmjow's mouth opened and closed as words tried to leave his mouth, but for once, he didn't seem to know what to say.

Finally he managed to croak out, "The hell dude?"

"Don't you ever call her that again." Ulquiorra hissed venomously, his green eyes poisonous.

Grimmjow gulped and stood up, trying to look as nonchalant as possible and failing miserably. "What's the big deal, man?" he questioned shakily. "She's just some girl, what does she mean to you anyway?"

"That is none of your concern!" Snapped Ulquiorra.

The corners of Grimmjow's eyes narrowed and he clenched his fist so hard he could feel his nails digging into his palms, "What does it matter what I call her anyway: girl, bitch, whore, it's all the same." Ulquiorra lunged forward and grabbed the collar of Grimmjow's shirt, pulling it tightly so that their faces were inches apart.

"If you ever call her something like that again I will kill you." The two of them stared at each other, breathing heavily, their eyes communicating more than words could. Suddenly, Ulquiorra released him and walked away, causing Grimmjow to stumble at the sudden loss of weight.

"H-hey, I haven't finished yet!" the blue-haired teen yelled.

Ulquiorra didn't stop walking, "I have."

His friend stared after him as he began to ascend the staircase with his hands in his pockets, then suddenly began running after him.

"Ulquiorra!" cried Orihime, releasing a big breath she hadn't realised she had been holding, and jumping after him. Tatsuki caught her arm. "Let go of me, Tatsuki!" she snapped, shaking her arm off and running after him, missing the look of pain that crossed her best friend's face.

"Clearly someone hasn't got the moves like Jagger," Nnoitra commented, clicking his fingers in front of his face. Nel slapped him.

Orihime ran through the house and out the front door where she spied Grimmjow and Ulquiorra locked in a heated conversation at the gate.

"Ulquiorra?" she asked gently, raising her voice slightly to be heard over the bubbling of the fountain.

Grimmjow glared at her and she flinched; the look in his eyes was filled with loathing, confusion, and something else she couldn't quite make out.

"What happened, did she do something?" he asked Ulquiorra in a strangely muted voice. The raven-haired teen just sighed and didn't reply.

"I-I'm sorry if I've done something," Orihime said coming up behind Grimmjow meekly.

"Shut up," Grimmjow told her quietly. Ulquiorra's eyes flashed but before he could say anything Orihime continued.