Pain has an element of blank;
It cannot recollect
When it began, or if there was
A time when it was not.
It has no future but itself,
Its infinite realms contain
Its past, enlightened to perceive
New periods of pain.
By: Emily Dickinson
In hindsight she wasn't exactly sure how the situation started, but Orihime couldn't help but ridicule her evident fortune. Feeling like a child she huddled in the restroom with both Tatsuki and Rukia. Together all three girls massed themselves into the small enclosure Orihime writhing into a ridiculous fitting starfish themed Kimono with the assistance of two rebellious friends.
"Orihime! Suck it in!" Tatsuki screamed as Rukia forced the busty woman into a ridiculous position against the bathroom sink. Puffing out her cheeks and holding her breath Orihime squeezed her abdomen as tightly as she could. All at once Tatsuki and Rukia united the folds; all to late for the red faced Orihime let out an over zealous breath causing Tatsuki to perilously hold onto the sleeves of the folds. "Shit. Orihime don't breathe!" She screamed.
Fisting the cloth between her palms Tatsuki steadied her assault, placing one foot sturdy on the ground and the other braced against the sink cabinet. Readying herself Rukia Pulled out the lace "Jesus Orihime, One more tug!"
Preparing her for the assault Rukia counted down, "One..." Tatsuki jerked the material of the folds tight to get some leverage, "Two..." The soul reaper prepped the string below Orihime's bust tension settling on her eyebrows.
Fear begin to form in Orihime's eyes,"Wha!"
"Three!" A yelp escaped the quivering girls lips. Frantic breaths lacing the quiet heaves of the room. She wriggled slightly while they seamlessly tied the uniform. After a satisfying breathe the two assistants crashed on the ground in reckless mirth. From the floor they could see the tremble of Orihime's shoulder as she tried to breathe.
The poor red head held utterly still rethinking those old movies of those buxom women fainting from the tightness of their corsets. She just had an unsettling suspicion this would be the case later on the evening maybe all for the good Orihime jested. But then again, she tended to have the worst luck in these type of situations. Peeking down between her toes her eyes settled upon the two girls flowered in laughter. Pouting the girls laughed at their friend's still holding a red breathe against her cheeks. After a few minutes of assurance Orihime finally released her breath allowing a softness to settle on her shoulders.
Well she reasoned she could at least breathe. Might as well push her luck while it was on her side she chided. After quick consideration of the pro's and con's Orihime attempted to sit-down. Well... more like uncomfortably slide her back stiffly against the cool sink cabinet; her legs sliding across the tile wide like the wobbly hooves of a newborn deer. She inched down till her butt met with the frost of the floor the cold setting a prickliness to her body. Pulling her feet into the comfort of her arms her gray eyes set upon the long thin material of her garb. The sleeves of her Kimono fascinating her, the hemp green of the material causing a curious ache to surface onto her heart.
She tried not to dwell. Pain surfaced in a way for her that she often felt drowned. The robe didn't fit too nicely, but she subsided the discomfort for the delicacy of the color. The prettiness simple almost childish but to her liking seemed to uplift her spirits- without thought her fingers began to fiddle with the plain silver bracelet on her wrist. Her buoyant when she began her constant muddled thoughts. Unclasping the rusty lift of the bracelet Orihime's mind contemplated the furtive unknown of the quickly approaching future.
Silently relishing, tightness squared on her lips. Fidgeting her hips squirmed in discomfort. A grimace washed over her face but she refused to complain or struggle. She should be grateful regardless she mused. The dress wasn't hers but Tatsuki's from two years prior, and although the color ran a little dry from dust accumulation it was rather beautiful.
Slowly Orihime melded her face into the softness of the sleeves causing the material to crumple up her forearm. She relaxed her head onto the crook of her elbow fingers twining through the brunt circle of the bracelet absent of the coldness settling onto her bare arm. A warm smell of august made her smile for a moment. Until it to vanished with the deadening of the seasons.
A forlornness settled on her heart. Quietly she recalled how she came into the possession of the dress, Tatsuki's dress she reminded herself as she played with the withered hem. The opportunity presented itself four days prior. It began as an offhanded suggestion of the group appearing for the Tanabata festival an activity Orihime had neglected to attend for the last three years. Her mind prioritizing between demons of the past and monsters of the future. But she was persuaded with little fight. As they put the words carefully, "the last moments of our youth." Tanabata would officially be there last moments together as children at least before they were forced to grow up.
All memories of their foolish childhood dissolving into dreams unrealized. Even she who once wished for a thousand lifetimes would also be forced to move in melody with the rest of the world. Her halcyon days were officially over.
She would be leaving soon with the approach of University. Orihime didn't have the finances to doddle in expensive affairs. She was eighteen after all no longer required for dependency. For the most part she didn't have much to worry about. Her expenses paid for at school. Although it took little neglect for anyone to regard the long stretch of Summer she would have to house herself, with a vagrants salary, working hand to mouth.
Tatsuki offered her the dress on a doddering afternoon under the July heat. They were eating acquiesce to the permeable weather enjoying a silent rendezvous together. It was merely chance their paths crossed. Since the night of Graduation the red head made a diligent effort to remove herself from the unfolding lives of her friends. Finding it much to hard to bid them goodbye then to forever engrave their friendship into the little space remaining in her heart.
So together they sat inside a nicely ventilated Ice cream shop watching the daylight twinkle down- Tatsuki idling summing up important passing of the lives of their friends, while the easily lost red head floated into far away thoughts as she played with the bronze trinket on her wrist.
Orihime tried politely to refuse the dress but like always rebuffed and impassioned into submissiveness. No amount of posturing, no amount of half-smiles could summon her friend away. And so now hear they sat heaving over the accomplishment.
Dangling her hand across her knee she watched in an unattached mirth- the two girls celebrating their victory. Rukia spinning around in her amethyst dress, pulling Tatuski playfully along, together basking in a childish joy Orihime had slowly become unaccustomed to.
"What's wrong Orihime?" Tatsuki woven in a lovely garb settled next to her, a frown slighting her face. Orihime admitted willingly in her head; Tastuki had become beautiful over the last few years. In a certain fragile way Orihime envied. The girl's face narrowing out and hair growing flaxen against her neck was tied intricately into a sophisticated style above her head. The Kimono brusque suited her figure; mature designs of moons painted in deep cerulean complemented the cut of her eyes as well as the olive of her skin. The sleeves pressed of soft silk did not crumble when she knelt down but instead settled like waterfalls against the floors toppling her petite fingers into the unknown mass. She brewed at the beauty Tastuki unknowingly grew into. Orihime in her thought got lost in the patterns momentarily the backwards crescents speaking to her from their perch.
Rukia entered her sound evaluation soon enough concern etched onto her features, "Orihime?"
Smiling softly from her nestle in the fabrics, a quivering voice whispered. "I'm alright." No mirth, no forthcoming of senseless babble, simply words so soft and humble the tightness of the voice frightened even herself as she spoke them.
For a few minutes the three young women remained in this consuming silence. Each frightened of the true changes between each other. Fearful they accredited to a pitiful title of fare weather acquaintances. Age had gracefully cornered the trio. Each had their secrets, insecurities, and freedoms they could no longer express in the company of each other. But still they attempted at being children and cherishing their meaningless moments together.
Triiiiiiiiiiiing...Trinnngggggg...Triiiiin-
A trickling sound emitted from the previous room, on the bed a plain white phone floundered against the sheets. Peeking from around the corner of the bathroom door Tatsuki seemed hesitant to go for the device while Rukia seemed adamant of studying the door. When had such abashed women turned so unnerved, when had the world turned from its upright position. Standing Orihime took a few testing steps feeling the long sway of her red hair slip over her shoulders, grasping the phone she attempted to flip it open.
Orihime's heart plunged.
With a quick sweep the phone was tugged away from her. Orihime smiled her usual dubious confounding smile, "You know I can't work these things Tatsuki." Pulling her hand behind her head in a sheepish grin.
Tatsuki in the loveliness of her teal kimono responded in a low sigh before hen-picking Orihime's utter misfortune with technology.
The red head could feel a whimper lodge into her throat when Tatsuki spoke, "How do you except us to keep in touch when you don't even have a cell phone." Orihime never answered. Tatsuki refused to pressure her any longer and instead began to read the text appearing on the screen of the phone.
Flippantly,"The guys said we should head downstairs to meet them." flipping the phone close she inserted into the cavern of her dress opening grumbling that she wasn't going to carry around a stupid purse. Tatsuki detailed a sideways glance at Orihime who met her with an apologetic smile.
Their world was changing. Small things were growing bigger. They were keeping secrets from each other, insecurities from one another- their fears and hopes they no longer remembered and wondered now did they care to remember.
With the last few minutes, Rukia placed on her makeup a glowing tint smeared on her white cheeks flared her velvet eyes- Orihime pinned her hair clips onto the sleeve of her collar before tying her hair in a simple style with a flowered accents at the top. Tatsuki gathered everyone's shoes as the girls ran down the staircase in a fit of forced shouts and giggles.
Opening the door Orihime recalled the soft shudder of an early August wind settling on her bones, the ghostly chime of her bracelet sway against the seething breeze as she was buried in a pummel of early autumn leaves. She picked a gray fleshed leaf off of her nose smiling more sincerely than she had all day.
All things fester and her leaden thinking was among them.
A chiding thought passed her mind and without thinking she unclasped and re-clasped the badly misshapen bangle onto her arm.
Click
Fear stirred in her heart.
Click
After escaping from the house, the girls at the insistence of Rukia linked arms in merry primary school we're-the-queens-of-the-world fashion- Orihime choosing to sing a soft little french nursery rhyme she had memorized a few months before, Rukia kicking her legs out in a can-can and Tatsuki choosing to grumble and slouch all the way to the curb of their meeting. From their little chain Orihime could make out the frame of a tall lanky red head, curbed at the side by a gentle shadow of Chad and flanked on the side by an albeit forced grumpy Uryuu Ishida.
From the angle of their trek up the hill Orihime knew the guys would be able to see them in much better view than they would. With a soft overcast Orihime caught in her vision a sudden warmth of Golden eyes locked onto the group of women.
Her heart didn't flutter nor did her face redden at the sight of Kurasaki Ichigo. He noted her for only a moment complementing the tie of her hair before he fell into languid banter with Tatsuki.
Click
She felt out of place.
Click
Chad's gentle hand fell on her shoulder briefly in assurance, pushing her into soothing the confrontation settling in her friends heart. Sometimes it frightened her on how well he could read people.
"Hi everyone!" She admitted such a long time passed since the entirety of her friends welded in the same place. In the crowd she recognized brother's and sisters, close friends, fare-weather friends and others she had never acquainted nor ever acknowledged. The long form of chimney white skin, paired with dutch features and black hair had her fingers neatly nestled into Ichigo's. She was a different kind of pretty Orihime mused. Not overly developed, incredibly lanky to be honest but a developed beauty about her with soft endearing eyes.
Ichigo grinned sheepishly when he felt the girl nuzzle her head shyly into his shirt, a bitter mark of embarrassment appearing on her cheek. "Uhmm...this guys is..." Orihime never caught her name not out of rudeness but simply since this would most likely be there last meeting her name would be only one more thing she would begin to forget over time. Instead she chose attention else where catching the endearing smile of Uryuu. She would miss him dearly as well- although they would be in close quarters to each others just a few day's train ride away from one another. Orihime didn't know if that either frightened her or feel misery at her friend's misfortune.
"You look stunning Orihime." Caught off guard Orihime blushed before she schooled herself into a systematic reply.
With hesitance she noticed the steady stare she was getting from Tatsuki, steeling her face she smiled humbly bowing slightly at the taller man, "Thank you Ishida-kun, you look very handsome as well." Orhime's smile was unauthentic, indelicate and sullen. She imagined Uryuu must have taken some offense his posture seemed to stiffen and without the presence of his glasses his eyes developed a much more raw sincerity.
Click
When had words gotten so hard for them.
Click
Popping the bracelet's clasp back in place; her heart faltered once again lost as tender little pellets plummeted from the sky. She could smell the droplets before their actual dissent and how she dearly wished to be submerged in their cold impassiveness than settle into a murky allusion a minute longer.
"Dammit." Ichigo hissed, "Fuckin' great it's rainin'." He cleaved his foot into the curb before trying to shake the stubborn droplets out of his styled hair. He looked frustrated something he tried vainly to keep at bay. Those seemed to be the permanent temptress of Ichigo's life recently frustration accompanied by quick bouts of happiness. A roller-coaster of emotions that had settled since the waning catastrophe of monster's haunting the sleepy town of Karakura.
Tugging on her brothers breaker jacket, "It's just a little rain. It will clear up," Yuzu cheerfully spoke dressed to the nines in a sweet pink Kimono, her face in an awkwardly cute phase between childhood and teenager-dom. Mindfully Orihime wondered if it haunted Ichigo that everyday Yuzu was looking more and more like his mother. Discomfort swallowed the vision of his eyes. For they all once knew, every inconsequential thing about each other, every truth, every tear, every laughter that escaped.
Click
Did they still judge her?
Click
Did he still judge her? Blame her, or even more hurtful pity her young childish heart for such inconceivable love. It was Ichigo who after all told her to stop thinking like a child. Stop living in a fantasy, stop praying for dreams never to be accomplished. Did it break her heart, she didn't quiver his words only numbed her. When she would thaw out she had no control over.
After an accumulation of unassuming small talk, greetings and wavering speeches the large group began to disperse within the molting crowds. Much like the young teenager said the rain began to let up as the clouds speared out to let the last flecks of sunshine rain in.
Without further utterance Ichigo and his companion in the company of Kiego and Rukia set to a challenge of an eating competition. The girl at that point kept loosely to his arms in a controlled mirth at the happiness around her. Tatsuki chose heartily to pursue a sharp shooting game which Uryuu found the enjoyment to commentate upon. On the other side of the street Chad decided on a little landscape watching with the help of Yuzu who also seemed to enjoy the simple task. They were soon followed by a strange trio of a snide unrelenting Jinta, a jaded Karen and as always meek quite waif of Ururu. Chad didn't seem to mind the parade of teenagers in his presence and seemed fairly eased by their solace.
Orihime chose this time to get lost in the crowd not before catching the eyes of a melancholy child she had grown unashamedly close into the last few years. She smiled softly at the forlorn expression of fragile looking Ururu feeling the action returned before she got fully swallowed by the torrent of clothes and footsteps.
Languid Orihime chose her time playing a few vendor games. After a few little door games she moved on to a quiet part of festival catching the sight of a few plaintive little children. One of the stalls housed a rather lethargic looking fish which caught Orihime's interest the group of abashed children poking at its cage in boring fascination. She couldn't tell the rules or system of the game, the stall seemed abandoned of fun for the entire festival, as was the vendor who was left sleeping on a wooden stool above a large fish tank full of semi-exotic looking fish. One in particular caught her eye in the throng of surplus fish.
Surprisingly it seemed content in its self made cottage In the nest of the deep blue water. The delicate Vieltail's white scales glistened the large fishes belly brushing grit off the bottom of its vessel, the spear of its long twin tail dangled and sliced through the water like a long tailcoat. It seemed sluggish and imbalanced, sickly. And yet still so graceful in its movement but she knew the truth. It was writhing in pain, it like her was slowly dying. The goldfish she presumed took one more quick turn in an effort to dislodge the plain rusty color Ryukin that followed its coattails before it looked up at her with glum green eyes. Eyes so familiar it made her stomach lurch.
Shaking the thought, Orihime took time study the creatures and then on to the skeletal man who was presumably the owner of the stall. A gaunt little man with thread bare whiskers peeking out of his ear. She tried to gain the owner's attention lost in a rather "uhmph" magazine sea-sawed between his nose drool stumbling down his chin. "Excuse me. Sir?" She stumbled for words. "Sir!" Orihime's whimpering voice trying to catch his attention. God she hated her meekness. A gargling snore emitted from the elder's mouth. Soundly her eyes tore down at the Vieltail Goldfish seeing it curl around; its white fanned tail slithering against the ground, the rusty little Ryukin twirling slowly across the flopping creature nuzzling its nose into the creatures soft underbelly. Trying desperately to push the green eyed veiltail off the sooty sand of the fishtank.
At that moment Orihime made a decision; with sudden strike she plunged her hands into the water feeling the slimy texture of the fish between her fingers. The wily fish slipped from her fingers before she took another grab, her elbows pressed too forward into the aquarium knocked the fish tank atop. With a sudden stir she snapped her hands back feeling her bracelet snag against the lining of the tank before it toppled over with a sputtering splash. Orihime in instinct sprinted off, clutching the squirming creature within her hands before the inaudible curses of the awoken vendor resounded through the street catching the attention of indifferent passerbyes.
Orihime fell into a heap crouching down opening her hands she began to realize she could do nothing to save the little fish from death, as the poor thing wriggled tightly, swishing its lithe fins through her fingers her mind stormed back to the rapturous wind of Waco Mundo. Saddened she looked down into its gray...Gray! In her hands wriggling was not the elegant looking Vieltail but the poor little rusty Ryukin. Orihime couldn't believe her stupidity. She caught the wrong fish. She failed. Her hands trembled, like they hadn't before as she watched from her spot the pitying souls of passerby's choosing to bag the still writhing fish from the hapless vendor, they all worked hard to place them into bags onto a small over filling table, all for the writhing mass of white, green eyes staring at her so plaintive she couldn't utter a breathe.
Tiny pelets dribbled from the sky, Orihime quickly picked up the rusty gray eyed Ryukin holding the broken bracelet in her mouth before she ran to the vendor trying to wait patiently as kind souls apologized to the elderly sales mans misfortune. She pushed through the spectators.
"Cah-n Iwe bwuy 'wem?" The man looked at her stupidly, " 'Dis twoo fwiss!" She squeeked already scooping the little rusty one into a bag along with the two tailed white one. They flopped for a single second before she snatched the water hose from a helpful dumb stricken bystander, "Swowy!" She screeched before fumbling with the tie and knotting the two fish in a roost. "Heh." Orihime shouted as she slammed the coins into the vendors hands and stomped away. Frivolous to the wide gaping of the spectators who resembled the quibbling little fish lined behind her.
"Aw you seem much better Mr. Fish." Orihime laid the warped water bag onto an empty space against the concrete street. Kneeling down she took amusement in faintly poking the bag watching the rusty Ryukin follow the reflection of her fingertip. A giggle surfaced at the silliness of the little goldfish, she nodded in a quibble of laughter at the Veiltail who seemed displeased at her prodding. Everytime her finger fell into it's face it would rebuff with a gruesome stare before fanning its tail at her in complete dismiss. "you know..." She spoke to the veiltail, "You remind me of someone I knew a long time ago." A low giggle left her hallow, tears spilling in with the split of rain falling from the sky.
She remembered how much of her childhood fawned over the love Orihime had for her Kobiyashi. But now under the drizzle of rain she wondered at the princess ignorance. Waiting for the fragile pieces of little magpies to be her saving grace. To cry tears and wait so long in prayer that rain doesn't come. She didn't wish to be the same Orihime always crying tears wishing for the present to slow down and meld into the past.
Why does my heart hurt? She couldn't stand up, ashamed at her tears she hid her face in the blackness of her hands. There's a whole where my heart should be. Vainly she tried to wipe the snot from her nose afraid the lonesome shadows would spear gruesome remarks about her childish behavior.
Oh great snot all over Tatsuki's dress, the thought made her gurgle with such a miserable laugh it subdued her crying.
"Did you know?" she speaks to the two little fish who our cozy against one an others coats, "My name's Orihime too. Like the festival." Her voice is husky, gruff and scratched. "Sometimes I have silly thoughts, only because I'm to afraid to tell truth." She hiccuped. "Mhmm... What about you Mr. Fish?"
"Lady, Why are you talking to a fish?" She startled looking over her shoulder into a small paleness. He was a sightly little boy. Nothing particularly usual about him. Sandy hair with foreign features, little knees with a bowlegged gait. He kneed down with her tracing his fingers around the bag.
"My brother use to tell me when I was little anything will talk if you take the time to listen." she mumbled against her knees. "I never had a fish before..."
The little boy looked up his sterile black eyes feeding into her soul, "Where's your brother?"
A wistful expression grew on her face, "His gone."
"My grandma's gone too." The little boy responded. Circling his fingers into the mud. "Did he die?"
Her head snapped up at the little palomino haired boy.
"Pas simplement disparu..."
The boy repeated, "Pas simplement disparu..."
Together they sat in a comfortable silence they boy would stare with black eyes at the fish, his gangly knees dirtying against the ground. His unusual pale fingers trimming the side of the fishes house.
"My brother..." His unusual placid face smiled in a genuine child fashion, his black eyes squinting close as hidden dimples appeared. "He is..."
"Gone?"
"No. Just different." The boy answered before tangling his fingers into his lap. He tilted his head in a way that made the red head smile. Before blushing, "He is amazing..."
"Do you want them?" She asked her voice a brave whisper. "Your free to have them."
He giggled at the Veiltail as it flippantly fanned its tail at the boy, "He reminds me of my brother." He cooed gently standing after the announcement and brushing off his kneecaps, the leash of his overalls falling off his shoulder. He picked up the water bag carefully cradling it in his skinny arms. A redness of excitement growing on his cheeks. "I have to go now." He turned in a movement of hesitation. "Can you keep a secret."
Orihime stood closer to the boy leaning down so he could whisper in her ear,"Je ne suis pas suppose d'etre ici." With swiftness he brushed a kiss against her temple so gently. "My brother's looking for me." his wide eyes narrowed sweetly before he took of in a sprint. He was gone.
But what if she didn't wish for it to end. But for the world to stay the same for everyone to drown all along with her instead of slowly submerging from the river one at a time. She envied the child who could just run away.
Strange boy Orihime mused. Standing up she cradled the remnants of her heart in her hands, feeling the coldness of the rain drowning out her sorrow. Did she have the right of sorrow. She tried to smile. Let it be rain or snow, autumn leaves, or summer shines old pain always precedes elements of new pain.
Trudging Orihime made her way back to the gorged crowds of celebrators. She lingered on the edge of the festivities one foot trapped under the perpetual solitude of the homely festival the other itching to cross the bridge and exit from the dream.
Complaisant Orihime distantly watched her friend. Tatsuki and Uryuu fled off under the shield of an abandoned cabana; sweet kisses stolen here and there- blushes and hands being entertwined. Ichigo trapped in a never ending chain of arm wrestling coaxed his anxiety under the physical strain. Rukia stood off to the side examining the strange human occurrence around her somewhat enticed and yet hesitant to engage. The no named company sat at the line of picnic tables pleasantly pointing out little booths to Kiego and Mizuru. The the girls Yuzu, Karin, Ururu all split among a number of prizes shuffled in their arms as Chad carried a snoring Ginta over his shoulder. They all looked happy.
She felt as if she was on the mere precipice falling to her doom. She couldn't handle it the belabored smiles, the fake sincerity- everyone so happy without her, able to shovel smiles and laughter without her assistance, acknowledge fears, reverence and even sweet feelings.
She ran. The cheerful laughter and chaotic roars from the festival dying out at the distance but even then she did not stop. Something pulled her at such a level that she could no longer decipher if she had full consciousness of her decisions.
The roads fuddled up against her vision. The rain smearing her face making it difficult to direct but her body knew where to go. The roaring sirens of the street frightened her as did the glowing tendrils of headlights and yet she was not afraid. She fell once already unused to the cobblestone of the sidewalk under her wide shoes. She fell twice scraping her knee and elbow a car flailing up behind her kicked up a bale of water knocking her down but she was already numb long before this. She blundered and fumbled a few more streets. Not exactly sure where her fleeing mind was leading her only that a primal urge was guiding her without promise.
Finally she stopped the street deserted. She couldn't tell if it was here her mind wished her to go or if her body was just to weak and vulnerable to travel any further. Behind her was a bridge cars chasing across it at such a speed that the white of their headlights drifted together. She didn't remember crossing the bridge she reasoned she should be afraid that she did so without recognition, but the pain of her chest and lead legs distracted her thoughts.
Around all was silent. The flailing cars turned morose in her thoughts graying out with the rest of the skyline. Only the heady light of the streetlamp flickering wildly and melodious cawing of wild birds disrupted the quietness her mind forced. From behind something caught onto her perception. A feeling more than a sight. A shuddering ill splitting feeling that told her to be unwary, to be unafraid.
She turned her eyes stinging from the salted droplets and utter white of glowing skin. He, it... the thing before her she could not place a name. Cloaked around in a blanket of black he looked at her with the most cursing emotionless eyes.
Under the rain sitting on the asphalt cigarette smoke poured from the individual. He felt dingy wet and miserable under the pour. His conventional black umbrella tripped back from his head collected water as his right leaned against the handle. Taking the cigarette from his mouth he curve a breath; his porcelain jaw shining against the ambiance of the night. Shaking his head from the falling droplets coal locks of hair fell onto the bridge of his mouth. He shrugged standing up a silent ambiguity seizing his chest. Looking up he met wild gray eyes- a depressive little red blotched thing drowning under the rain and squirming in a dress to small for her. She approached him in an unwary way, uncaring of the blood that traveled from her arm neither the discord of her soaked kimono. She seemed frightened but not of him, but more herself. He noted, she only staring at his feet as she came to him. Her head warm even under the cold pour fell onto the curve of his neck. She so close he could cradle his jaw on her crown. He breathed her in; the smell of fear, anticipation and wild flowers. The ashes of cigarette smoke abandoned fell onto her bare shoulder leaving a delicate mark. She flinched, he turned away from her throwing his smoke on the ground stomping the flickering ashes with his black styled boots; maybe he didn't like hurting her, or maybe he believed she was afraid.
He was going to leave her then write off the bizarre behavior as act of drunken curiosity, but then she did something strange. Something that caused even his impassable heart to shudder. She looked up at him. With a gentleness he never felt her fingers slipped onto the cuffs of his overcoat so softly he would only have to snatch it away to free himself, but it was her eyes with this vicious determined scowl that set him in place.
She hiccuped, "Don't leave me."
Hi guys this is my first try at bleach please excuse any mistakes or ignorances on my part and gratefully hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter. Feel free to review they make me happy. Also as an irrelevant though slightly relevant note I am an avid Ulquihime fan and have hopelessy tried to keep watching bleach- but after a year without any sight of Uluiraa coming back I have been unable to keep reading nor watching the sight.
