Missing the Obvious

by Anonymous Hijink

In times of war it is sometimes easy to miss the obvious things that are occurin around you. When Ichigo begins showing signs of extreme fatigue and high temperatures everyone simply assumes that the boy is overworking himself. Reality is far worse. The young Substitutes time is running out, will he live to see the end of the war?

Right this is the Prologue of the final instalation of my Hate tie-ins.

I don't own Bleach. Enjoy.

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Prologue

I breathe out a heavy sigh as I watch my friends laughing and having fun, splashing in the water or playing in the sand, wishing more than anything to be able to join them. The fragile beats of my heart tell me that it isn't possible however.

Of the all, my friends and the visiting Shinigami, not one of them have noticed my pale complexion, the dark shadows under my eyes, the frail twist of my shoulders as I suppress a cough. Or if they have, none of them have mentioned anything, not even Ishida, who has known of my condition since we were children.

Somebody should have, I've situated myself in the hut with Hitsugaya and Ukitake. Neither have asked for the reason I'm in here with them instead of out in the sun and sand with my friends.

There is a stutter in my heartbeats and breathing hitches, I force myself to my feet and make my way over to my bag, drawing the tinted bottle from the fabrics depths. My time is drawing near.