*SPOILERS*

AN: I have this headcanon that Ishida has some serious feelings for Inoue, but he's completely hapless because he's never really experienced this sort of thing before. On the other hand, we have Inoue; who is still stuck on Ichigo (dumb prat that he is) but can't stop her heart from crawling into her throat whenever Ishida gets close to her. This fic was inspired by that, and Ishida's sudden transition to the opposing side with the Quincies. Ugh. I have very mixed emotions about that, if we're being honest.

Well, enjoy.


{one} {love is blindness}

Everyone saw how much she adored him. It was plainly evident in her sweet words reserved just for Ichigo that she was infatuated with him, but unfortunately for Inoue, he was too stupid to see it. He went on with his life, unaware of her emotions. She was never frustrated by this, but it killed him to watch her swallow down the words she wanted to say to the citrus - haired moron. It also killed him to watch her love someone other than him; but that was besides the point. This wasn't about him. Part of him desperately wanted it to be, to have himself be in Ichigo's place, to have her eyes follow him around the room instead. But it wasn't. It never was. It's always Ichigo, he thought scathingly. It's all about him and how amazing and strong and rare he is. He felt his shoulders hunch, then drop - was he always so bitter?

He breathed out deeply, watching his breath dissipate into the cold January air. Stars shone brightly through the thin clouds that tried to cover them. He scowled.

The smell of strawberry filled his nose and he winced.

Oh.

"Uryu? Is everything okay? Why did you just rush out like that?" she questioned, her feet coming to a halt behind him.

He felt like he was choking.

Then he looked up again; the clouds backpedaling away from the glow of the stars, their shine expanding - impossible to ignore.

And suddenly, he felt he could breathe properly again.

"I'm quite well. Thank you, Inoue."

Stuffing his hands back into his pockets - gaze even more unreadable than usual - he trundled back into the house.

You can't hide my brilliance forever, Ichigo.


AN: [until next time *salutes*]