the one and lonely me

Okay, then why did he, at his most startled/alarmed when fighting Ichigo look like this:

But when Ichigo pointed his cero in Inoue's direction looked like this:

This moment is MEANT to parallel the one in Ichigo vs Grimmjow I think:

Ichigo cares about Inoue and Nel being collateral damage and moves to defend them - it's when he pulls out his hollow mask for the fight to counter Grimmjows special attack.

Then, Ichigo was in control of himself and cared about bystanders.

Now, Ichigo isn't in control and Zangetsu doesn't care about anyone but Ichigo and ruining Ichigo's enemies.

The one who cares is Ulquiorra. The one who moves to protect Inoue is Ulquiorra. And key, after Ichigo's protection, despite the fact he's fighting nominally for her sake, Inoue is terrified of him to the point of shaking, but after Ulquiorra's, despite the fact he's "killed" her friend, mutilated another and has been nominally trying to stop her rescue, she isn't even slightly afraid of him.

The difference, I see, is that Inoue sees Ichigo as a white knight he never was and never can be and Ichigo's care is more general - he's consistently taken bystanders and collateral damage into consideration and this defense of her isn't special.

Ulquiorra on the other hand, Inoue sees for who he really is and his defense is singular and specific. Ulquiorra wants very specifically to save HER. He wouldn't have moved like that for anyone else. Because Inoue is the one Ulquiorra cares about and she is very perceptive and can see the difference.

She doesn't need to fear Ulquiorra because he cares about/for her in specific - and that's also what she's been longing for since her brother died. Someone who prioritizes HER over everything and is a safe place.

Hell, I would've accepted if Ichigo didn't ended up with anybody. You know, keeping it an open ending or something.

Bro should've been a captain, no way in God's green earth he's staying in the human world, what with all that crazy genetics and being a Soul King candidate and shit.

No hate on Orihime (I may not have liked her at first but the moment she got her shine during the Arrancar Saga I realized just how strong of a person she is, it made me appreciate her), but her and Ichigo's relationship seems... forced. Like don't get me wrong, they're cute together and all and it seemed to me that they have a good marriage, but Orihime will NEVER had that chemistry Ichigo and Rukia shared.