The stars are clear tonight, she thought absently. I wonder if they have stars in Hueco Mundo.
The cool air brushed past her, ruffling her strands of auburn hair, lifting them up off her shoulders and into the night sky before they fell back down. She smiled thoughtfully; Tatsuki-chan loved her hair. She would sit down behind her, braiding her hair while Orihime told her an exaggerated version of a not-so-interesting story. Tatsuki-chan would laugh sometimes, if she was in a good mood. Most of the time, though, she would pick up on something foolish Orihime had done and lecture her about it, coupled with a light punch to the head.
She felt a sharp pang of guilt as she stopped walking, looking up at the last place she would visit before she left forever.
Kurosaki Clinic.
It wasn't hard getting through the walls, though it did leave Orihime slightly dizzy. She didn't really mind the feeling, it was rather exhilarating and she let out a soft giggle. She stood in front of the window, peering into the room. Was it this one? Have I ever been to his house before? No, that was always Kuchiki-san, she was welcome here, part of the family. Her presence was nothing out of the ordinary for the Kurosaki's. She winced at that, her smile slipping.
Well, there's a first time for everything.
She reached out her pale fingers, watching as they dissolved into the wall. She stepped forward, then stopped, hesitating. Was this the right thing to do? Maybe I should go back. What am I doing, sneaking into Kurosaki-kun's room in the middle of the night? What if he's awake and he sees me?
That last question rang in her head, resounding through the empty air around her. There she was, a hand reaching out towards him and the rest of her body pulling back. Orihime did the only thing she could; she closed her eyes and let her heart speak. Within a moment, she was inside Kurosaki's room, the chill of the night replaced with a strange aura that must be his spiritual pressure.
Her eyes immediately settled onto his sleeping face, taken aback by the pain and frustration in his unmoving expression. He looked...lonely. Maybe this had been a good idea. Maybe she would be able to give something back to him, in return for everything he had done for her. Maybe her presence would soothe him, just this once.
It took her one glance in front of her to know that no, it wouldn't. The closet door was left ajar, the pile of blankets laid out and untidy.
Kuchiki-san.
Orihime finally looked around the room, noticing the sleeping presence of Yuzu and Karin for the first time. They were curled up on the floor, clinging to the sheets of his bed. In front of them lay two plates of unfinished curry and rice. And a third one, for Rukia.
So she had been here. She had been here from the start, always supporting Kurosaki-kun. She suddenly felt stupid. She had thought she had accomplished something great, deciding to say goodbye to Kurosaki before she left. But her presence was unneeded. He already had Yuzu, Karin and Rukia. He didn't need her.
So, with a shaky breath, Orihime gave a small smile to no one in particular and turned away, stepping into the night air.
The stars had faded away.
Note 1: This is not Ichigo/Orihime or Ichigo/Rukia. It is an exploration of Orihime's feelings.
Note 2: Follows the canon storyline up until the last scene. :)