Cold and silent.
That was Inoue Orihime's first impression of Hueco Mundo.
She had been thrown unceremoniously to the ground.
Pain pulsed from her limbs, her body trembling uncontrollably.
She was terrified.
A strange place. Strange people.
Nothing was familiar, nothing was clear. It felt like some arbitrary whim had brought her to this bleak and desolate world.
Where… was she?
The floor beneath was a smooth, seamless surface—pure white, like a mirrored void.
The surroundings were shrouded in blackness, like a curtain that devoured all light.
Above her… there was no visible sky. Only the crushing immensity of something so vast it defied comprehension.
Even the air was heavy, suffocating.
Orihime forced herself to stay calm, careful. But despite her best efforts, cold sweat poured down.
Why had they brought her here?
That man had said someone wanted to meet her. Was all of this orchestrated for that reason?
She didn't understand. Not even a little.
She was just a normal girl. Liked bread. Harbored a silly crush. That's all.
Why was she the one dragged into this?
Like a wounded mouse, Orihime lifted her eyes to look around.
There weren't many figures before her.
But their mere presence exuded such intensity her heart threatened to burst.
"So this is the girl they call Inoue Orihime, is it?"
A voice made her flinch. Instinctively, she looked up and saw the one seated above all others.
Clad in white, hair slicked back, one hand propping up his chin, the man wore a faint smile.
He alone among them looked at ease, unfazed.
There was no mistaking it—he was the King of Hueco Mundo.
And…
She had seen him before, back in Soul Society.
"Why so quiet?"
The man—Aizen Sōsuke—adjusted his posture, his tone flat but curious, his gaze amused.
When the king does not speak fully, others rush to interpret him.
"Lady, Lord Aizen is talking to you!"
A coarse shout rang out—not from the Espada, but from the flamboyantly dressed figure beside Aizen.
Loly Aivirrne.
She had once offended Seiya and been punished for it—dragged into Szayelaporro's lab for experimentation.
Somehow, she'd survived. But it seemed she'd learned nothing.
Still craving attention, still abrasive. Still just a beast in a girl's skin.
Orihime remained on the ground, lips tight. Was it shock or defiance? She gave no answer.
To Loly, silence was the greatest insult.
Her fury ignited like a spark to oil.
"What's with those eyes?!"
She stormed forward, hand already resting on her blade.
Beneath the rage was a twisted glee.
This moment, this performance before the Espada—sure, she was weak, but right now, all eyes were on her.
She relished it.
"Hey! You deaf?! Lord Aizen asked you something!"
Her hand rose—then came down.
SMACK!
The blow rang out like thunder. Orihime had no strength to resist.
She collapsed, breathing heavily.
Tears fell uncontrollably.
It hurt—so much.
Her face burned with pain. Numbness. Dizziness. Her thoughts blurred.
But Ichigo's pain—his injuries—had to be worse.
Why…?
Why were they doing this to ordinary people?
"Did you hear me, bitch?!"
Loly grabbed Orihime's hair, raising her hand to strike again.
Grinning wildly, caught in her manic high, she had no idea her time was up.
None of the Espada moved—without Aizen's command, no one dared.
This was public humiliation.
A display for the Espada to witness, to remind them who ruled.
But—
"Stop."
Aizen's soft voice cut through the air like steel.
Loly's hand froze mid-air.
Why stop now?
Frustrated, breath heaving, she hesitated.
Just a moment.
Long enough.
Ulquiorra appeared at her side and seized her wrist.
Expressionless, his voice was low and cold.
"Lord Aizen said to stop."
Loly flailed.
"Let go! I heard him! I just—I just got carried away, okay?!"
But Ulquiorra's grip was unyielding.
"You disobeyed Lord Aizen?"
Her heart skipped.
"No, no! I—I wasn't ignoring him, I just… Please, Lord Aizen!"
She begged, voice trembling.
Aizen didn't answer.
Instead, he turned to his right.
"What do you think, Tōsen?"
Tōsen Kaname stood calmly beside him, cloaked in Hueco Mundo garb.
"Those who defy orders… should be executed."
Loly nearly collapsed.
"Lord Aizen! Please!"
But Aizen's smile didn't waver.
"No need for such a severe punishment. Just her right arm."
"Understood."
Tōsen stepped forward.
But Ulquiorra was already moving.
He threw Loly to the floor, placed his foot on her chest, and seized her arm.
Loly's eyes widened in horror. She couldn't even scream.
RIP!
Her shriek echoed through Las Noches.
She writhed, clutching her bleeding stump, face contorted in agony.
Ulquiorra casually tossed the severed limb behind him.
Yammy caught it and chewed it whole.
"Disgusting."
It was primal. Brutal. Like something out of a feudal dark age.
In a world ruled by instinct and desire, there were no rules.
Aizen didn't even glance at the chaos.
He looked down at Orihime.
"Why didn't you beg?"
A simple cry, a whimper, would've been enough.
But she didn't.
Not once.
A mere human—nothing special.
Why endure that in silence?
"..."
Orihime lifted her bruised, swollen face.
Panting, she gazed at Aizen—then at Loly.
The girl was still bleeding heavily.
Even as an Arrancar, she was nearing unconsciousness.
Orihime crawled forward.
Despite the pain, she forced herself to raise her trembling hands.
I reject this reality.
Her power manifested.
The arm began to reform, piece by piece, until it was whole again.
Loly's breathing calmed.
She blinked, stunned, staring at Orihime like she'd seen something otherworldly.
Despite her injuries, Orihime managed a broken smile.
"You… you're okay now, right?"
She was on the brink of collapse, but still…
She wouldn't cry.
Not out of pride. Not out of stubbornness.
Just—
She didn't want to lose.
Ichigo will come for her, like he did for Rukia.
She believed that with everything she had.
She looked up—stared down Aizen with quiet defiance.
So small, yet her willpower burned bright.
On the high platform, several Espada wore curious expressions.
Healing was not rare in Hueco Mundo.
But this? Limb restoration?
That was rare. Impressive.
Even Szayelaporro raised a brow.
"Interesting…"
But not because of her power.
Because of her heart.
"Now I see," Aizen murmured, "why Seiya wants her here."
He snapped his fingers and stood.
"Take her to Seiya's quarters. Guard her well, Ulquiorra."
"Understood."
Orihime was lifted to her feet.
Aizen watched her go, then gave a faint smile.
"And though it's a bit late—"
"Let me say it properly."
"Welcome to my kingdom, Inoue Orihime."
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Powerstones?
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