[Amirali]

UlqHime. This is one of those rare cases, where artwork, closeups and looks have laid most of the basis of speculation.Now, when two characters gaze into each other's eyes........it can mean many things. It can be love, it can be hate, it can be fear, it can be understanding. The point is, frequent eye contact means an emotional bond and intense non-verbal communication. Whether positive or negative, it is intimate......not something casual friends or impersonal enemies exchange.

The starting point is when Orihime stood upto Ulqi and slapped him in the face. If you examine the OriUlqi scenes before that, it's distant, it's cold........they're drawn like any espada intereacting with his prisoner. He's disinterested, she's unsettled.

Spoiler for Manga, but has been animated. From the slap scene.:

Artistic distance. They're drawn impersonally, just a prisoner with his captive. It'll contrast nicely with some of the more intimately drawn moments later.

The slap was a turning point. Perhaps she earned his respect? After that whenever they meet........the artwork suggests some brooding interest in Ulquiorra . Orihime alternates being afraid, or guilty or sympathetic.Yet he always has some effect on her.

Credit to Royal Devil for the next two observations:

Spoiler for Manga, but these chapters have already been animated. Grimm vs Ulqi:

Ulquiorra finds Orihime, after Grimm took her to Ichi. They exchange angst filled looks. Ulqi looks accusingly at her and Ori seems almost guilty for having escaped. She lowers her gaze.I can't read their non-verbal communication, but something does pass between them.

Spoiler for Manga, but these chapters have already been animated. Grimm vs Ulqi:

Orihime hears from Grimmjow that Ulquiorra could be caged for eternity. Her expression is troubled. Compassion for enemies, sure. But to this extent?

The real reunion I was waiting for :

Spoiler for manga, chapter 315. Not yet animated:

End of 315. Orihime's frightened to see Ulqi back. His reaction is more..........inscrutable. The artwork to simultaneously convey closeness (the zoom ins) and distance (the far shot) is very elegantly done.

Ahem, the following two pairs of eyelocks sent chills down my spine. Of course, the emotions might be different (love in one, fear in another?) But strangely............very similar.

Spoiler for Manga chapter 317. Anime-only fans beware!:

Ulquiorra and Orihime have intereacted before. But never so artistically upclose and intense.

Call it friendship, call it love, call it partnership. Whichever way,IchiRuki have a bond. Interesting that it's in the same chapter as UlqHime eyelock. Perhaps more as a contrast based in difference.........than it is a comparison of similarity. Still intriguing though.

This isn't proof. But artistically, these have been among the most impactful scenes in Bleach. There are certainly some sort of emotions behind all those glances.....With Rukia and Ichigo, or Ichigo and Orihime, one knows that behind any teary look are tender emotions. But with Ulq-Hime, it might be that all there is between them is fear, respect and curiosity.The mystery makes it that much more intriguing.