Characters: Orihime, Ishida, Ichigo
Summary: Not everyone is as oblivious as Ichigo.
Pairings: onesided IshiHime, onesided IchiHime
Warnings/Spoilers: Spoilers for Hueco Mundo arc.
Timeline: about chapter 353; after Ulquiorra's death.
Author's Note: Because Orihime is not an idiot.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
His face is white as chalk and still as death, barely alive and the only way I can tell he's still alive at all is the faint rise and fall of his chest. It worries me, so much so that I can't bring up a shield and all I can do is reach for his remaining hand and hold on tight.
Kurosaki-kun is, understandably quite confused and anything but calm, though he's much better now that I've managed to communicate that no, he was not the one who ripped Ishida-kun's hand off. His breathing is still harsh, ragged, and worried; I understand why, and I wish I could find words to comfort him. Nothing works, and it's not just what happened to Ishida-kun, either.
Something about his battle with Ulquiorra-san has shaken him.
I look up momentarily and try to smile at Kurosaki-kun. I'm glad he's alright; he's been acting so strange lately. He doesn't see me. He never sees me.
My fingers tighten around the inert hand in my grip; a sickening feeling forms in the pit of my stomach. Though Ishida-kun would probably tell me differently if he was conscious, this is my fault. The only reason he came up here in the first place is because I asked him to.
I know why.
Because I know about these things, and while Ishida-kun keeps his own counsel, and keeps perfectly silent, he's not subtle, and I can see how different his behavior has been around me lately. I'd be a fool not to recognize the look in his eyes when we talk, because it's what comes over me every time I talk to Kurosaki-kun. Even now, in my mind's eye I can see the shy, abashed dip of his head and the faint hint of color coming into his pale, slightly hollow cheeks. I can see it.
My grip around his hand is so tight that I can feel his heartbeat, shallow and erratic.
It hurts, just a little bit.
He's only a friend. A good friend, a close friend, but nothing more than that. Ishida-kun can be very…sweet, at times, though I suspect it's mostly unintentional, and unknowing. I'm glad I met him, I'm glad I know him, I don't know what I'd do if he (or anyone else) was to die, but still…
And it makes me sad too. Because I know I'm not the only one this hurts.
"I think he's coming around, Inoue." Kurosaki-kun's voice cracks with relief, and a little bit of anger too, because he was afraid, as much as he doesn't want to admit it.
As much as it hurts, as much as it makes me sad, I'm glad to see Ishida-kun opening his eyes again, glad to know that he is, for present, if not alright then at least alive.
But now I'm scared too.
Because we're all still here on Hueco Mundo. Because we're still here on this nightmare of a world. Ishida-kun is my friend, and he's not out of the woods yet.
I feel a sickened smile come over my face, as I look at him, look at Kurosaki-kun, and see the same routine. As ever, only one sees me.
Neither of us are.