(The very strong Ulquihime appeal is finally dragging a reluctant me into Bleach... I think I could get into it more, if I didn't feel like I'd already seen so much of this before in the loooooong years of following Inuyasha.)

I have to say: I'm not convinced that Ulquiorra's going to make it out of the manga alive. :(

But I'm equally certain he's not a goner right now. Not until he's shared his emotastic "How I Learned Despair!" backstory and traded it for a bit of redemption and lesson on the strength of the human heart. And no way the Hero (Ichigo) will be allowed to perform such a beastial execution of a resigned enemy.

Which also means at the very least there will be one more meaningful interaction with Orihime since their discussion on hearts and hope remains unfinished.

(If Orihime pulls herself together and jumps in there I will get myself a 'ship icon and finish that drabble I started.)