THE HEART

Chapter Three : Goodbye Halcyon Day's

A/N : This chapter was when Orihime was taken by Ulquiorra to Hueco Mundo as a prisoner.   

     "You must eat woman".Orihime Inoue stared down at her hands resting in her lap, purposely avoiding eye contact with that of the very powerful arrancar standing before her. She had refused to eat again, much like the last few days, ever since she first arrived in this place.

    Ulquiorra Cifer, Fourth Espada of Aizen's army.The said arrancar who had uttered those four words stood, his hands in his pockets as always, staring down at the woman. His eyes held an unreadable, emotionless expression, while his body stood still, completely stoic, making his expressionless look even more adamant.

    He wasn't at all surprised to find the tray of food untouched when he had come back to check. In fact, he already knew that it would be abandoned yet again. He suppressed a sigh. For the past three days he would come to her cell to bring breakfast, lunch, and dinner, then leave. When returning he would find the plate of food, still lying innocently, neglected.

    At first and still, he had awfully threatened her just to make her eat. Her not eating went against Aizen-sama's wishes, therefore leaving him immobile of fulfilling his orders. She hadn't yielded to his threats yet, seemingly unafraid of him, and although he didn't show it,It's certainly irked him.

     He recalled his orders. They were to make sure the girl stayed healthy, thus meaning that if she not cooperate, then use any means necessary to ensure she does; hence the threats. She had been given three options for eating too: Do it of her own will, be forcibly fed the food, or be restrained and fed by IVs. It didn't concern him which choice she would make, but it certainly would be less of a hindrance if she followed orders and selected the first choice.

    "You do recall the alternative, do you not?" The woman simply remained silent, so he went on. "It does not matter. I have no problem making you forcibly eat that food. You will follow orders and abide by Aizen-sama's wishes, willingly or forcefully."

    When Orihime continued to stay quiet and unmoving, with lightening speed, Ulquiorra had his hand enclosed firmly around her neck. He applied only enough pressure to not harm her, but to frighten her. Orihime's head snapped up, her eyes wide with surprise and fear. Her hands instinctively reached up to take hold of the espada's wrist.

   He stared straight into her eyes, completely calm. "I will not hesitate to shove that food down to your throat woman if you do not eat it willingly."

    Without directing his gaze, Ulquiorra reached out with his free hand to the plate. Selecting a roll of some sort, he brought his hand back, pushing the food to her lips. "Eat. I do not wish to pry your mouth open."He ordered.

    Orihime glared at the arrancar, but opened her mouth nonetheless. If he had already come this far, he would finish his objective at making her eat, and would very well pry her mouth open if she didn't obey. Leisurely, he inched the piece of food past her lips and into her mouth. Orihime bit down on it, and began chewing slowly.

    Ulquiorra released his hand from her neck so she could swallow. Although she really didn't want to, her stomach protested, and she took another bite from the still outstretched food. When she finished it, Ulquiorra pulled his arm back, returning it to his side. "I take it, you are going to eat now?"

    Orihime sighed, giving up and nodded her head."Yes." Her voice was soft and a bit reluctant. Grasping the plate firmly, he lifted it from the cart, and brought it before the woman. Orihime delicately took hold of the porcelain white plate being held out in front of her, and placed it in her lap.

    Satisfied that she had accepted the food, Ulquiorra chose to step back and lean against the wall across from her. When Orihime took notice that he had not left yet, she lifted her solemn gaze from her lap to the arrancar, her face now turning into a look of confusion. "You're staying?"