Bitter Sweet
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Naruto is © by Masashi Kishimoto and Bleach is © by Tite Kubo.
How can you see into my eyes like open doors? Leading you down into my core where I've become so numb. Without a soul, my spirit sleeping somewhere cold. Until you find it there and lead it back home.
-Bring me to life by Evanescence
Prologue
"Sakura..." someone calls out to me from the terrifying darkness that surrounds me. "Sakura."
"Who's there?" I yell out into the shadows. I can't see anything beyond the thick veil of fog. I have been wandering around aimlessly for hours, trying to make sense of where I was. My only clue was the sand beneath my feet. I thought that I might be in the desert somewhere close to the Sand Village but something told me that I was wrong. Perhaps it's this chill in the air. Air that feels too cold and ominous. There was no moon to offer any solace. "Show yourself..."
There is an eerie silence that follows. I use my hands to guide me since my eyes can't see anything. I felt some branches that felt like trees and I sighed in relief. The trees calmed me somewhat. "Hello. Is anyone here?" I said, hoping to find someone in the midst of this darkness.
The moon appears suddenly just as a chill runs down my spine. I feel somewhat relieved for the light but I still feel on edge. The moon appeared so suddenly above me that I couldn't help but feel uneasy. The fog, too, began to dissipate.
Strange, I can't help but think as I try to make out my surroundings. I can only see sand in all directions.
"Hello, Sakura. You're here." A voice speaks out from the shadow of a tree in front of me. "Just as I knew you would." I can tell that it is a male voice. One that I can't quite place but something about it feels strangely familiar.
"Who are you? And how do you know my name?" I questioned, focusing my gaze at the man in the shadows.
"Don't tell me you have forgotten about me already, Saki?" He said in a voice that sent goose bumps on my arms. His voice reminded me so much of someone. My heart began to beat harder in my chest.
"I...Your voice...I don't remember...but you sound so familiar. Have we met before?" I asked as my curiosity peaked but at the same time I was afraid.
"I can understand that you might not remember me. After all, it's been a long time since I last saw you." He says in a saddened tone.
"I wouldn't know. But I feel something in my heart tells me I should." I respond.
I focus my eyes on him as he walks forward, out o the shadows, and into the moonlight, just inches from where I stand. At first I couldn't recognize him because he looked different. I gasp in shock as I realize who he is. He looks pretty much the same since the last time I saw him. His messy black hair. His eyes are the same exact shade of green. A green so vivid that always mesmerized me with their hypnotic charm. They were darker than my own. He was still as pale as I remembered. The same cyan lines that resembled tears underneath his eyes.
But that was all that had remained the same. His facial expressions had changed. His eyes no longer held that shine that they used to. He no longer smiled that smile from my memories. I felt as if I was looking at an entirely different person. But it wasn't a different person. That much I knew.
His clothes were different too. He wore all white. A white jacket with coattails and a high collar, black sash, and white hakama pants. The white clothes should have clashed with his pale skin but they didn't. They suited him. On the top of the left side his head lies a broken helmet.
My heart skips a beat as I take him in with my eyes, trying to make sense of his appearance. I was shocked to see him because. As he said, it has been a long time since we last saw each other. About 9 years ago. Back when he had still been alive.
"Ulquiorra." I whispered before I was engulfed by darkness.