This isn't one of my most favorite chapters. I was rather incensed about the whole thing for a while after I finished reading it in the wee hours of this morning. I still have hope that Orihime threw herself into action (finally). Ulqui can't die without knowing what it means to have a heart, and I don't think Orihime would let him, either. Still, after two weeks of chapters that pale in comparison to their predecessors, this week's chap was a bit of an improvement. It was a nice adrenaline rush.

I found it interesting that Ulqui was actually protecting Ishida and Orihime when he told them to stay back. I can understand protecting Orihime, but Ishida is technically his enemy, so why protect him? That doesn't really add up, unless Ulqui's unknowingly learnt the meaning of having a heart in the time he's spent around Orihime.

After these last few chapters and reading your analysis, I have to wonder if Orihime will stubbornly maintain her hero-worship of Ichigo. We already know that she really doesn't like it when he uses his hollow powers. Seeing Ichigo look and act like this would have to wake her up to the reality that he really is not the godlike figure she's believed him to be.

But we will see. Here's hoping next week's chapter is going to bring us an Ulquiorra who is alive and well thanks to his princess.