Tomato: Ulquiorra Cifer x Orihime Inoue, Part 2 (Ulquiorra Centric)

[chuuni.livejournal.com]

Title: Tomato

Author: halclouds A.K.A. Cezaria

Fandom: Bleach

Pairing: Ulquiorra Cifer x Orihime Inoue (Abbr. UO)

Spoilers: Chapters 314 - 354

Updates:
7-05-2009, rewrote some parts so I don't sound insane

Introduction - Back with a lot more canon than crack!

I have to admit, as I start to write this, I'm still a little shocked at what happened with this pairing within the span of 2 years since I wrote the last manifesto about it. 2 years ago, I day-dreamed about Orihime drastically changing Ulquiorra, and about how they finally reach an understanding with each other.  Today, I'm no longer dreaming.

Why the title? Well, if you cut open a tomato, it kind of looks like a certain organ very relevant to UlquiorraxOrihime, that and tomatoes are special to us. See end notes for why.

As usual, Ju-Ni scans are used because they're better at the translations, though I might quote differently. Also, the terror known as Red Text is back, and if you take those too seriously I will laugh at you, etc.

I want to thank many, many people, especially the UO Fanclub at Bleach Asylum and UO Baidu Boards (Chinese). I also dedicate this manifesto to every single one of the Ulquihime shippers out there, even to those who might not agree with me, because you guys just rock.

Note: If you have no idea who these two people are, or haven't thought about this pairing before, please read this manifesto before you proceed.

Since we went through all the basics about the two characters and background in the last essay, I'll just dive straight into the manga analysis, there's a LOT to talk about. Orihime really doesn’t get much development in these chapters, so my main focus will be on Ulquiorra instead.

Relevant Manga Chapters.

315: Back from the other dimension

316: A talk of hearts

317: A talk of hearts part 2

318: Rival's meeting

340: Start of the Epic Battle

341: Human? Me?

342: "I'm not doing it for your sake"

343: Interlude with Yammy. Then battle again.

347: Look! SO not face paralysis!

348: Ulquiorra: 100000 Ichigo: -100000

349: Heartless vs Heartless

353: "Am I frightening?" "No, you aren't."

354: This thing in my hand…is a heart.

Manga Analysis

Starting from chapter 314, Aizen, as all big baddies do, announced his “true” plan. In the midst of it, he mentioned that Orihime was no longer of any use to him, and that anyone could go and rescue her if they’d like. Yes, this is an important point. In 315 he left Las Noches in the care of Ulquiorra, who, never mind continuity problems, burst through Caja Negacion in the throne room. And no prizes to guessing what the first thing he decided to lay his eyes on was…

Without a word, Ulquiorra began strolling towards the girl, keeping eyes fixed on her the whole time. Within earshot, he told her that she had been abandoned by Aizen, that no one was going to protect her and she will die in Las Noches, alone. It all sounded so harsh…until he asked her if she was scared. Wait…so was all that talk before just hypothetical? No.4-sama, it would be wiser to just get straight to the point sometimes…

As Ichigo kicked off like a jet engine towards the fifth tower, Ulquiorra continued his interrogation. Orihime, with an expression that could be likened to a loving mother talking with a small child, told Ulquiorra that she was not afraid, because her friends were coming to rescue her, and her heart is with them. However, he doesn’t comprehend, and began to show signs of irritation by rambling. The infamous “rip open chest, crack open skull” speech was said, but underneath it all, Ulquiorra was indeed curious. He couldn’t understand the concept of the “heart” when he tried to apply his own logic. But all the hand-over-boob-hovering had to be cut short by the arrival of the ultimate mood-ruiner, Kurosaki Ichigo.

Ichigo told Ulquiorra to get away from Orihime, to which he replied that he intends to. (Though something tells me otherwise…) The Espada then went off on an explanation as to why Orihime was still left alive (he felt the need to explain, for some odd reason), which ended with something along the lines of “Aizen-sama hadn’t ordered her killed so I’ll keep her alive”. Oh, this is just great, Emospada. You totally convinced all of us that everything you do is for Aizen-sama. Especially when he said he didn’t care about the girl anymore mere minutes ago. *shakes head*

Then Ulquiorra, of all people, drew his sword and announced that he must destroy Ichigo to protect Las Noches. Las Noches? Ichigo’s one and only goal of coming to the fifth tower was to get Orihime, and Aizen-sama himself had given permission for her to be taken! What’s all the serious business about? Even Ichigo’s shocked! Or perhaps, the fact that Ichigo is here to take your woman away is exactly why you’re suddenly so serious?

After fighting for a while, Ulquiorra noted that Ichigo became stronger, and looked towards Orihime (Hmm, already speculating  your woman and the rival's relationship? How possessive of you). He then stated that Orihime is already “one of us” and even if Ichigo takes her back, that fact won’t change (Ooh, putting your paws on the property already, eh). Ergo, there is no point in rescuing her. Whoa there, hold on. Didn’t Aizen-sama say otherwise? Who are you to assume she’s already a comrade of yours, Emospada? And…instead of destroying, you can’t possibly be trying to discourage Ichigo from rescuing Orihime…? Ichigo then yelled that it wasn’t for Ulquiorra to decide, to which Espada replied, “It’s for Aizen-sama to decide.”

………

I’m taking a break to say, that was an epic amount of contradiction you just spewed, Emospada. More than every chapter in the past added together. Can we still take you seriously when you say “Aizen-sama” now?

…anyways.

The fight continued, Ichigo finally scratched Ulquiorra, at the same time remarking that perhaps Ulquiorra had become more human. This induced much calm rage in the Espada, who showed off his power solely to prove to Ichigo he was different from humans. Oh, insecurity much? It wasn’t helped when Orihime interfered by casting her shield on Ichigo.

Ulquiorra, ignoring Ichigo completely, immediately stopped attacking and asked her why she did such a thing. (Aren’t we in the middle of a fight here, hello?) When Orihime couldn’t answer, he started to suggest his own thoughts but Ichigo cut him short, remarking how Ulquiorra was strangely chatty (remember what Grimmjow said as well?). No.4-sama, isn’t it bizarre that you’re always so talkative when matters concern that woman? And then it was back to fighting until the two arrancar girls got hold of Orihime.

Ulquiorra looked on with a strange pained expression as Lolly and Menoly beat Orihime. Ichigo, who also noticed, turned around (Ulquiorra could have killed him just then, if it weren’t for the fact that the Espada had his attention on Orihime as well) and started to charge up a Getsuga at Lolly, who was holding Orihime hostage. [Picture]

The Espada sonido’d in front of Ichigo just in time, blocking him. Lolly was shocked that Ulquiorra had saved them, but the Espada replied that he didn’t do it to save her. (Oh, I do wonder who else there is, No.4-sama…) Whilst blocking Ichigo, Ulquiorra was looking back at the 3 girls behind him (worried much?). Ichigo lost his temper at Ulquiorra’s refusal to budge. And to top all of it off, Yammy burst through the floor at that moment.

Yammy promptly polished off the arrancar girls and turned to Orihime, asking if he could kill her as well. But before Ulquiorra’s reply could be heard, Ishida arrived on the scene and sent the giant arrancar crashing down the floors in an explosion.

Ishida and Ichigo then bicker for a little, Ichigo entrusted Ishida to protect Orihime as he continued to fight Ulquiorra. (If I weren’t already a crazy Ulquihime shipper, I’d totally be an Ishihime shipper just by this scene, but I digress…)

Ichigo hollowfied, and the fight was taken to the roof, where Ulquiorra released his Zanpakutou in a shower of black rain. The Espada then proceeded to beat down on Ichigo bit by bit, showing the Shinigami the difference in their power. But Ichigo wouldn’t back down, and Ulquiorra finally lost his cool.

Seeing that our hero wasn’t about to give up no matter what, Ulquiorra decided to reveal his second release form, which drowns everything in despair with its reiatsu. Even before attacking, he asked Ichigo one last time if the fight should still go on.

But retreat is unbecoming of a shounen hero! And Ulquiorra was finally driven to do the drastic: he blew a hole in Ichigo right in front of Orihime. Then, Ulquiorra sonidos to the girl and prevents her from healing Ichigo (Notice how Orihime here just stares at him, not backing down or withdrawing). This set off Ishida attacking Ulquiorra recklessly and getting injured (...only injured?). Orihime broke down and screamed for help.

Hearing Orihime’s screams, Ichigo revived as a true hollow (with no conscious) and easily overpowered Ulquiorra. In his defeat, Ulquiorra asked to be killed. Hollow Ichigo then brutally maimed the Espada with a cero, and proceeded to carve the corpse when Ishida interfered. This resulted in poor Ishida getting stabbed and aimed at by a cero. Orihime screamed for Ichigo to stop, but the hollow couldn’t hear her...

That was when Ulquiorra leapt up from the dead and cut off one of Hollow Ichigo’s horns, causing the cero to explode and finally shattered the hollow mask. Ichigo collapsed, Orihime ran to his side as Ulquiorra looks on, a little forlornly…(You just killed Ichigo, aren’t you supposed to be happy? Why are you looking at her with that kind of expression?)

Ichigo turned out okay with some hax abilities. Ulquiorra then decided that the score must be settled and egged Ichigo to fight again, but this was cut short when Ulquiorra’s wing exploded into ash; he was dying. He again asked Ichigo to kill him, but of course the noble main character refused. Ulquiorra then turned to Orihime in his last moments, expressing his interest in humans and extending his only hand towards her…

“Am I frightening?” He asked her.

She was a little taken aback at first, but gathered herself and walked towards him.

“No, you’re not.” She answered.

“I see.” Ulquiorra said.

Before Orihime could grab hold of his hand, the Espada dissolved into the wind.

Meanwhile, the hearts conversation he had with Orihime relived in Ulquiorra’s mind, The girl’s figure blurred out front of his eyes. Before the last sentence of that conversation had finished replaying…

I see…

Orihime grabbed his hand but failed to hold on. She reached out again, even though his body was crumpling into ash. From between her fingers she saw him with an expression she never thought he was capable of...so gentle, longing, yet full of sadness. Then Ulquiorra faced away as his entirety disappeared…

This thing in my hand…

Is a heart.

 

And with the conclusion of chapter 354, many fans have recognized UO as a pairing with evidence. However, there are still those who do not think Ulquiorra had any feelings towards Orihime. The reasons for this denial is unknown, but following sections will deal with explaining Ulquiorra’s behavior in an UO context.

 

I’ve Always Been Watching You [Right from the beginning]

Kubo had devoted copious amounts of panels to Ulquiorra and Orihime just looking at each other, or sometimes Ulquiorra looking at Orihime. He observed her. He went to great lengths to make sure she wasn’t out of sight (remember when Grimmjow took her away). He protected her from Ichigo, whom even in good will would have killed her with Getsuga. Despite showing dislike towards her friends and especially Ichigo, he had always considered her as an equal (except for the first meeting, but that doesn’t count).

What does this mean? At the very least, he had an interest in the girl, and respected her for who she is. He had, after all, complimented her multiple times.This laid down the path for UO, where Ulquiorra began to have more than just a fleeting interest in that human girl…

 

I Wanted You To Stay With Me [Espada’s Contradictions, Part 2]

How do we explain the over 9000 contradictions Ulquiorra made in chapters preceding and up to the battle with Ichigo? Obviously, he had heard what Aizen said pertaining to Orihime, and he confirmed this himself. Yet in front of Ichigo, every sign showed that Ulquiorra was unwilling to relinquish Orihime despite the fact that Aizen had explicitly allowed anyone to take her. On top of that, “Aizen-sama” was gratuitously used as an excuse for this bizarre behavior. What’s going on there in your mind, Emospada?

Ignoring Aizen’s explicit orders, refusing to let Ichigo come near Orihime, there was only one thing he could hope to achieve, that is, to keep Orihime with him.

Ulquiorra never intended to kill Ichigo. He left Ichigo alive after the first battle (though barely), telling the shinigami to go home. He has had plenty of chances to royally fuck Ichigo over in this battle; he could very well have killed Ichigo in the first release state. Yet he took no advantages even when Ichigo was distracted. He released a second time just to let Ichigo experience true utter despair, and still tried to discourage Ichigo instead of just killing him outright. How perplexing for someone who vowed to “destroy”. Or perhaps, he did this because killing Ichigo would make Orihime sad?

All that trouble…what for?

Oh, Ulquiorra. You really…just didn’t want anyone to take her away from you…right?

In the end, he had no choice, because Orihime cared too much for the Shinigami. So much that she followed them through the dome. And Ichigo is too well endowed with the brilliant traits of shounen heroes to know when to give up. In between killing Ichigo and making Orihime sad, and not killing Ichigo but have him take her away. Ulquiorra had no choice but to go for the first, because Orihime is more important to him.

Overwhelmed by his desire to keep Orihime, Ulquiorra chose to be cruel and heartless. Perhaps...this is what the title "Lust" really refers to in this long, long battle.

I Wanted You to Be Like Me [Those Cold Words]

One of the problems people most often have with Ulquiorra is the brutality of his words. This causes some to simply conclude that Ulquiorra is manipulative or maliciously intends to hurt Orihime.

Aizen used sweet words to gain trust, and betrays all of it with his cruelty, that is true manipulation. Ulquiorra, on the other hand, had never shown a fake side of himself towards Orihime. Everything Ulquiorra had said echoes with what he believes.

But then, why is he so harsh, yet so honest with her?

As said in the first manifesto, he had tried to make her see things his own way. He truly wanted this girl to see and understand his worldview, bleak and nihilistic it may be. It was speculated that he was comforting her, or at least trying to make the defeat of one of her friends a more bearable thought  (though we all know how that went). But from recent chapters, he postulates scenarios of despair and then asks if Orihime is scared under those circumstances. He wants to see what she thinks. He was obviously concerned about this.

Why are you even concerned, Emospada? She’s of no use to Aizen anymore; you have no duty to be caring for her anymore. Why do you care?

Despite Aizen's explicit orders, Ulquiorra did not want Orihime to leave. He wanted her to be 'one of them', and he tried to assimilate her into his world.

But You Made Me More Like You… [The Hollow Who Changed]

A slap. And we have a confused, and indignant look on the Espada.

At that point, he didn’t understand her thoughts, and she didn’t understand his. After Ulquiorra showed up from Caja Negacion, Orihime patiently explained to him about her heart being one with all her friends. The Espada became irritated at her mention of friends and hearts, which set off yet another one of his rants (my gosh, you do rant a lot when you're with her). But Orihime seemed to realize something then, that maybe Ulquiorra really has no idea…

Ichigo, of all people, noted that Ulquiorra is becoming more “human” during their battle, to which Ulquiorra responded with cold outrage. Yes, instead of making a human more like himself, he had been made more human! And who else would be the culprit of that except for the one person he hung around all the time? The emotionless façade of Ulquiorra’s began to peel off bit by bit after that…

Even with his body ripped in half, the sound of Orihime’s voice calls Ulquiorra to life as he knocks Ichigo out. If he hadn’t exerted that last bit energy, he could have lived thanks to superior regenerative powers. But nevertheless, Ulquiorra chose to sacrifice himself to save the “enemy”. The moment he killed Ichigo, Ulquiorra lost his "heart", but somehow, Orihime's presence always brings out the unexpected in the Espada...

In his final moments, Ulquiorra admitted his interest in humans. To Orihime, he reached out and asked for her acceptance. Finally, embracing the human “heart” he had dismissed previously, he disappears into the wind. But not before facing Orihime, whom he couldn’t even see clearly anymore, with a tender, regretful expression… It was, after all, her who had changed him in ways unimaginable.

How…very human of you, Ulquiorra.

Goodbye, My Sun…[Conclusion]

This manifesto finally comes to an end, what new conclusions have we drawn? As I read the manga chapters over and over again. I realized with a little surprise that, all along, Ulquiorra had wanted Orihime to be with him. This desire of his had regretfully led him to commit brutalities to her friends, also hurting her in the process. But in the end, Ulquiorra finally realized what he had done, thus the last "Am I frightening" question. That had been plaguing your mind much, hadn't it, No.4-sama?

Their first meeting and subsequent abduction was anything but romance (despite me babbling about it for the lulz in the last manifesto). Love at first sight is a dreamy, but sadly fantastical concept. It was only when Ulquiorra spent time with the girl (courtesy of Aizen-sama), that he began to become fascinated by her, cultivating his strong desire for her to stay with him even without Aizen’s orders. But she was a human, and he a hollow. As anti-arguments have pointed out, hollows and humans do not mix. Ulquiorra conveyed his own thoughts to her, hoping for her to see his ways, and become the same as him. But, ironically, by being interested in the human heart, he was the one that changed. As we can now see, that was how Kubo resolved this problem in the end...

As of writing this essay, we haven’t seen Orihime’s direct reaction to Ulquiorra’s death. In 354, she reached again and again towards him with strained, outstretched hand. No, this isn’t just merely compassion anymore. Maybe Orihime finally understood. Despite this Hollow’s cold exterior and brutal words, his deepest concern was still about her. He never wanted to hurt her, he couldn’t help it because of the way he was born, and he realized that himself as well.

Ulquiorra, you may have gained a heart…but I’d say you had one all along. Orihime had said in 317 that, one may not be able to understand others completely, but if you care for them deeply, you’ve put your heart a little closer to theirs. You did care for Orihime, much deeper than you had realized, deep enough to sacrifice yourself for her sake. And that was your redemption for losing your heart in the battle with Ichigo. As Kaien had so aptly put, when two people interact, hearts are born. Yours was born the moment Orihime had been placed in your care.

I won’t say UO is over now, as I am of the camp that believes Ulquiorra will return. But this is a nice place to leave off. Crack pairing in the past, semi-canon at this moment. Thank you Ulquiorra, for your devotion beneath that emotionless mask. Thank you Orihime, for understanding a Hollow’s yearn for a heart. Thank you Kubo Tite, for giving us everything Ulquiorra and Orihime.

 

Until We Meet Again…

 

Extended Reading

This section I’d like to reserve for links to essays other fans have written, whether they deal with Ulquiorra’s and Orihime’s character, or offer new interpretations to their scenes. Please send in links to your essays so I may put them here ^^!

Ulquiorra [Analysed] // DecSter's Ulquiorra Analysis (Bleach Portal)
Extremely in-depth chapter-by-chapter analysis of the character Ulquiorra Cifer. Worth a read for those who want to understand but still don't really grasp him.

Ulquihime: Sadistic Crack or Redemption, You Tell Me? // bleach_od 
Entertaining analysis on Ulquihime by BleachOD.
 

Message to fellow fans:

I may not know all of you, but I love you all so much. UO had been the best pairing fandom I have ever had the privilege to join. You guys are funny, you love UO with fierce passion but never take yourselves too seriously, you're peace-loving and rarely start shipping wars, and you're all so goddamn talented. I’m utterly smitten like a schoolgirl to be one amongst you. I confess. I wasn't a very good fan at all. I gave up Bleach during the tedious wait for Caja Negacion, and for a while I blamed Kubo for everything and turned my back on this pairing. It makes me very honored to have written this manifesto, yet I felt that I probably don't deserve such honor. I thank you all for reading to the end and I hope to hear your thoughts.

 

Message to anti-fans (whom I know won't be able to resist reading):

I should also thank you for reading this to the end, as much as you probably don't agree with everything, or indeed anything I say. I don't know what pairings you support, or if you just plainly hate Ulquiorra or Orihime. I wish you luck on your own fandoms. A bit of personal advice: making fanworks is always, ALWAYS the best way to support your fandoms. Everyone appreciates a good fic or fanart. So instead of starting ship wars or trying to convince people of how much a pairing sucks, please put more time into the thing you love. That is all.

 

Fandom Links

Bleach Asylum Bleach Fanclubs section – Look for our FC!

Ulquihime LJ Community

Capslock Ulquihime

Ulquihime Baidu Boards (Chinese)

 

And wondering why, of all things, tomatoes? Click here and here.

 

What should I say to wrap this up…hmmm…?

 

Until next installment…eat the tomato, woman!

Comments

[selenityshiroi.livejournal.com]

*cheers*

Your previous manifesto was one of the things that cemented me into the Ulquihime fandom.

Since then, Kubo has turned them into my Bleach OTP. So I'm so glad to see you continue this manifesto.

Here's hoping he gives us material for a third version! *also in the Ulquiorra will return gang*

Also, I love the Red Text!

[hinodeh.livejournal.com]

This is a great explanation for all of Ulquiorra's actions. It makes a lot of sense, even if some people will insist until the end of time that Ulquiorra could have never ever loved Orihime like that.
The red text is hilarious. Still, your manifesto made my all teary-eyed again. Ulquiorra you poor bastard. ;_;

Oh, and I read your first manifesto when it first came out. I never commented, but it was the first thing that made me interested in U/O and believe that there was indeed "something" there.

[chuuni.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm crossing my fingers for Ulqui's return as well. Usually my premonitions aren't bad...I hope they work this time.

[nisecal.livejournal.com]

I LOVE YOU FOR MAKING THE HETALIA REFERENCE. ADHSFLAKJSDFASDLFJ HAHAHAHA.

In any case, this was just as awesome as the first one. (I remember when you posted it-- god, has it really been two years?) Honestly, I'm on the fence about the whole confliction with Aizen's orders idea-- because it really just could be bad writing on Kubo's part, haha. I can't decide, though.

But I think your last two parts, "But You Made Me More Like You..." and "Goodbye, My Sun..." are my favorite -- and the most beautiful. The quote from Kaien ("when two people interact, hearts are born") is especially poignant, even more so because I can't even remember when that was said but it seems so right. (Can we dream that it was foreshadowing? Can we?)



I feel like we'll be discussing this for a long, long time, and every time I read about it, I'll be sad.
I'll never get over it. ULQUOIRRAAAAAA.

tl;dr

[sasha2999.livejournal.com]

Wow you explained everything so well, it's really why I adore this pairing.

I also love you for the tomato Hetalia reference. OMG IT'S INVADING ALL MY OTHER FANDOMS TOO.

[chuuni.livejournal.com]

UO fandom is a great one, eh? I never regretted joining, and I'm happy my manifesto was the one that got you into it.

Oh Ulquiorra, page 3 of 354 never fails to make me tear up.

Thank you for reading! I was thinking how messy this manifesto is but I'm glad I got my point across!

[chuuni.livejournal.com]

Oh, the Aizen thing could be bad writing, but then again, it couldn't be THIS bad. It's gotten to a point where every time Ulquiorra mentions "Aizen-sama" I had to facepalm. Kubo could be the culprit, or...Ulquiorra could be in denial. :P

Thank you for the comments on those parts, I think I even got myself a little worked up writing it ;_; I just hope Ulquiorra doesn't end up like Kaien (though it's unlikely since Kaien was already dead when he was introduced).

353 and 354 had plunged me into an Ulquihime high, I think it's worth all that discussion while we wait. ^^

[chuuni.livejournal.com]

HETALIAAAAAAAAA, I love it so much too haha.

And thank you <3 I'm just glad it was coherent haha.

[inulover4eva648.livejournal.com]

I love you, you know that right? <3 you're such a ridiculously amazing person, so talented with your writing and humor and just all around perception on so many things, especially on the Ulquihime front.

Your Manifesto pt. 2 was just splendid, really a 5 Star job well done, I really love the infamous red text making a beautiful comeback and I am so happy you delved deep into Ulquiorra's contradictory ways. He did always want Orihime with him, without a doubt. There was a connection between the two and like Kaien noted before, a heart was born between the two of them, and now all that is left, since Ulquihime is semi-canon (I'd say totally canon for she did reach out to him so feverishly!) is to see Orihime's reactions to the events that unfolded and to see Ulquiorra come back, back to life from her ability's manifestation or reincarnation or SOMETHING, but I desperately believe and pray for him to come back.

I am so in love with your Manifesto I'm pretty much incoherent and can't continue to point out all the wonderful parts in it, sorry, but I love you, and this, and Ulquihime and that's good...right? <333

[chuuni.livejournal.com]

I love you too! Thank you for never giving up on this pairing ;_;

Haha, I'm glad you liked the red text, it was fun and nostalgic doing those again. And I know...I went kind of berserk after realizing the scope of Ulquiorra's yearning for Orihime to stay with him. Oh Kubo, you're a brilliant troll, you are.

And I only said semi-canon to stay out of certain trouble...:P I desperately want Ulqui back too! Actually, I believe he's going to be back, in some form or another.

Thank you for reading! Keep lovin' Ulquihime <3

[mshepnj.livejournal.com]

I Wanted You To Stay With Me [Espada’s Contradictions, Part 2]

Ah, sweet denial, our man Ulquiorria just won't admit (to himself) what he really wants. This is really the "A ha!" moment that made me go from vaguely interested multishipper to UlquiHime fan.

In addition to all the points you made I would add that if Ulquiorra's only goal and duty was to protect Los Noches as Aizen-sama ordered, the best way to do that would be reduce the risk, i.e.: let the Woman who is the subject of the invaders' pursuit leave without a fight.

When Ulquiorra is confronted by Ichigo, who claims to be there to rescue Orihime, it would have been easy for Ulqui to say "The Woman is useless to Aizen. Take her and get out." That would have achieved both men's stated goals without any loss of face. That would have given Ichigo and Co. no reason to stay. Presumably they could have left Los Noches faster to search for the captains and a way out of Hueco Mundo.

Except that neither Ulquiorra nor Ichigo are acting in their own best interests. It had become personal and both men have other motivations; one wants to fight to restore his pride and the other fights to keep the Woman he doesn't want to let go of.

By challenging Ichigo to a duel, Ulquiorra is actually undermining his orders because fighting Ichigo risked damaging Los Noches more than letting Ichigo escape with Orihime would have. Orihime has become a liability in that sense.

Nevertheless, despite the fact that the other arrancar interpreted Aizen's words as a blessing to do whatever they wanted to Orihime, "by-the-book" Ulquiorra says he won't kill her unless he's ordered to do so. In fact, he ends up protecting her and making excuses (Aizen-sama) for why he won't let Ichigo leave with her.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_debbiechan_/]

<3

[archica.livejournal.com]

My interest in Bleach is pretty much limited to this pairing. I don't even follow the series except for checking out chapters when I hear something happened with them.

Personally, I kinda wonder if Ulquiorra let those two chicks keep attacking Orihime because they appeared to just be tearing off her clothes and not really hurting her. Maybe he was hoping he'd get a nice view? And was planning to step in once they moved from "tearing off clothes" to "actually harming"? XD

Also, it seems that he could have easily stopped Yammy from taking care of those two girls, if he'd wanted, which is further evidence that him stopping Ichigo from attacking them had nothing to do with wanting to protect them.

It's pretty sad that it seems to be over, but by now I'm used to my favorite pairings ending with the death of one or both characters. I have really bad luck choosing pairings. XD

Great manifesto!

[gully-moe.livejournal.com]

Wow, thanks for writing up the 2nd part. UlquiHime is always my number one ship, and I am quite happy that Kubo gave it a nice, beautiful, and not to mention, romantic resolution.

I think Ulquiorra was interested in Orihime because she had something he lacked, emotions and a heart. There's so many things to analyze about this ship. I think he even wanted her to feel despair. You forgot to show that one panel when she was running to Ichigo, and Ulquiorra stopped her, telling her that it was useless to save him.

[woven-silk.livejournal.com]

Awesome. Interesting, and I swear, can probably turn a few people. :D

Tomatoes! The video is too funny ^o^

ot but ...

[frostedbasilisk.livejournal.com]

My interest in Bleach is pretty much limited to this pairing. I don't even follow the series except for checking out chapters when I hear something happened with them.

Hahaha, I'm glad I'm not the only one who's like this at this point. XD

[ipsius.livejournal.com]

Oh, Cezaria. I love you like burning. ♥♥♥

It took me forever to figure out that you were the one who wrote the first manifesto, so I might as well tell you now that it was a glorious piece of character analysis and red text crack.

And this one is just as amazing. I especially love your points about Ulquiorra's truckload of Aizen-sama excuses, because I knew he contradicted himself during those chapters, but I never thought it was that extensive. XD. And as for your final point about Ulquiorra wanting to keep Orihime with him... It breaks my heart.

It's okay, though. He'll come back. We just have to be patient and hope. ♥

[lovemebreakme.livejournal.com]

The one thing that confuses me beyond belief is how you can judge the expressions on his face. I will stare at the same image you describe and they all look the same. (his expressions) is their some subtle thing I am missing?

But other than that I really liked this manifesto, it summarized all their moments and I love your captions they are hilarious

Re: ot but ...

[archica.livejournal.com]

I never even read the first few chapters. I never read any of Bleach until people started talking about this pairing and I started reading specific chapters about them. So I'm pretty lost on the story as a whole. XD Oh well, I read enough shounen manga to know the basics, and to just roll with whatever doesn't make sense to me.

Yay, Sana icon. XD

[kaitoru.livejournal.com]

This was just...amazing.

I wish I could say more, but after reading something so epic and well-written, I'm completely speechless.

I also loved your red text-- it provided some comic-relief amidst all the SRS BIZNIS.

[thumbs.livejournal.com]

I just want to thank you. The past chapters were beautiful in how they showed the relationship between Ulquiorra and Orihime, but I was still so disappointed in the fact that Ulquiorra was gone. But reading this, it gives me some hope that it's not really over even now. And though the evidence for Ulquihime was obvious with those last words, this made it all the more evident. <3

[luckysock.livejournal.com]

Eeeee, it's finished now!

I loved it, GJ! Everybody else has pretty much summed up my thoughts.

I didn't know that thing about tomatoes... that when you cut it open it looks like a heart. XD *slow*

Hetaaaaliaa~~

[margin-ruler.livejournal.com]

YOU ARE UNBELIEVABLY AWESOME.

Wonderful manifestos, you make some of the best arguments in them. I'm also on the "Ulquiorra-will-come-back-dammit" bandwagon. I mean, Kubo focused on his death so much that it carried over into 354. And if that wasn't enough, he threw in Ulquiorra's major epiphany on hearts, which really makes me think that Kubo has a little bit more in store for him (*cough*Shingami!UlquiorraFTW*cough*).

OH MY GOD IT'S THE DELICIOUS TOMATO SONG. *doesn't actually know that much about Hetalia* I've seen the first one before (I discovered the existence of Hetalia there) and loved it, but the second one! *cackle* I was also in slight shock because I recognised it as from the same artist who made these two videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwGuVGo_acM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KTHaZaMfTg

You've probably seen the artist's website before, but just in case:
http://yuriyura.web.fc2.com/
You've probably been here before as well:
http://tricktrap.sakura.ne.jp/
They both have AMAZING Ulquihime sections. I'm always stunned by the immense amounts of pretty there. XD

[margin-ruler.livejournal.com]

Holy s***, that was a long comment. ^^;

[taracu.livejournal.com]

BRAVO!:D

May I add that I'm one of those "Ulquiorra will return" supporters? gah, dunno how, but I want to be positive and sometimes, SOMETIMES I get the feeling that it's not over, that maybe someday(with the slooow pace of the manga maybe it will take many years) something interesting, something amazing(?)that kinda explains part of the nature of hollows and death in Bleach(since almost no one dies in this series, just some of the bad guys or non popular characters) will happen and maybe we'll get to see him again? or maybe I'm just crazy and should accept that he's now only in our memories...

Still, I have to be honest, and IMO if Orihime has to end up with a guy in this series, I can't help but think of Ishida, he really deserves to be with her more than anyone in the whole series, he has gone through a lot of shit for her, too bad that he doesn't get attention from her anymore, in comparison to the old times though, then again, KT will decide, maybe there won't be any couple in Bleach..

*starts to pray for a good ending for Gin x Rangiku*