Author's Note; Thank you very much for deciding to check this out. I'm going to get a lot of stuff out of the way right now. Feel free to skip over it.

Firstly, I do not own Bleach! (Although that would be one amazing birthday gift...) But no, I do not. Bleach completely and utterly belongs to Tite Kubo and all his glory. I don't want to post this obvious fact at the beginning of each of my chapters, so I'm getting it out of the way right now. So, again, I do not own Bleach. Thanks!(:

Secondly, this fanfiction is rated "T" for "Teen" although some mature language will be splashed throughout the story.

Thirdly, no matter what my writing implies, I am pro Orihime and Ulquiorra. Ohmygod, they are meant for each other. So I do not support Orihime and Ichigo (or anyone else with Orihime, for that matter) together in any way, shape, or form.

Fourthly, it would be great if you could take time to review my story and/or send me a PM. I would REALLY love it if you did!

And Fifthly, there will be moments and things that happen in this fanfiction that did not occur in the manga/anime(whichever you prefer). So just keep an open mind!

Okay...I think that's it! Thanks again for checking this out in the first place and I really hope my writing does justice....

I couldn't breathe. Gasping, I put my hand over my gaping mouth, damming tears that flowed incessantly down my cheeks. But some tears went free and fell upon his face, caught onto his lashes.

I was mere inches away from him, my lips so close to doing what I've always wanted them to do. He exhaled excellently, his sweet breath touching the front of the hand currently protecting my mouth. Its warmth sent chills up my spine, made my eyes shut themselves tight with confusion, made me release a yearning cry. I staggered backward, attempting to back away with as much cool as I could muster. But instead I landed in a messy heap at the foot of his bed.

I wept for what I didn't have the courage to do; even when I was technically invisible and he wouldn't feel anything…I just couldn't bring my mouth to his.

"Say 'good bye' to one person and one person only," I was told.

Honestly, there were so many people I wished to bid farewell to. Sado, Uryū, Rukia, Rangiku, Tatsuki, Mr. Urahara….there were just so many. But one person only? I struggled to figure out whom that one person would be ever since Ulquiorra placed that strange bracelet upon my wrist which completely hid my reiatsu.

I fiddled with the strange silver link now, staring at Ichigo's arm which hung over the side of his bed. I don't know when I decided that he'd be the one I'd say good bye to.

Perhaps it was after I had seen all of the people currently in my life going about their everyday business. "They'll be fine without me," I thought, as I observed Uryū embroider a doll's outfit, as Rukia recuperated after some sort of battle(the reiatsu hanging around her was unbelievably strong and sinister), as Tatsuki, my best friend in the entire world, fooled around with her disciples after a long and difficult karate practice.

"They won't even notice I'm gone, but I appreciate them all the same," I smiled mournfully as my mailman made his route, as the florist I walked by everyday closed her stand for the night with a satisfied smile on her face, and I watched as my neighbor contently played with her child. I suppose I subconsciously left Ichigo for last. And sitting here now, my eyes tracing the contours of his muscular arm, I don't regret it. Even though it pains me to leave this Earth without saying one last thing to everyone, and I feel guilty saying this, but compared to all the others…

"Ichigo?" I whispered, barely hearing myself.

I cautiously stood up and wiped my face with the palm of my hand, and I let it linger there, my palm resting on my cheek while my fingers curled down to close my eyelid. My left arm slid around my waist, clutching my side, and I felt myself shudder inside as if an earthquake was taking place right there in my stomach.

"Ichigo," I said louder, my fingers digging deeper into my side.

I struggled to say out loud what I was thinking, my chin shaking against my wrist. Mere rasps escaped my throat instead of the words tripping in my mind.

"ICHIGO!," I cried, and shocked myself with my sudden outburst. The rasps instantly stopped.

"ICHIGO!," I screamed once more, now the hand clasping my side brought itself to my face and together my right and left hand caressed my eyes now streaming tears. "ICHIGO, YOU JUST MEAN SO MUCH MORE!."

I stood there crying as that powerful sentence echoed from his walls and continuously into my ears. It shook my center, chills vibrating my spine. What I said sounded so much more powerful, hearing it over and over, and standing there now, I wished with all my might that he could've heard the words that escaped my mouth. The words I screamed at his sleeping body, I wish he was able to process them.

More tears slid down from my eyes and onto my hands that never left my face. I would probably never have the chance, never have the guts to unleash that sentence again. My sudden outburst then sounded weak and pathetic…and I felt like a loser. Not a winner, who finally said something she's thought about for the longest time…but a loser who just couldn't do anything right. I was off to meet Ulquiorra and to seal my fate…I was off to leave Ichigo, and everyone else, forever.

I got a grip of myself then, my palms sliding down from my face and back to my sides where they belonged. I was standing straight, slightly shaking, but straight with nothing to shield my feelings. If this was going to be the last time I ever saw Ichigo's warm face..it wasn't a time to cry.

I slowly and lightly walked forward and crouched down beside Ichigo, him still asleep without being the slightest disturbed. I placed my pointer finger upon his flushed lower lip as if quieting him. Its innocence and lusciousness calmed me to the point of smiling, the ends of my mouth straining at the currently unfamiliar expression. I lowered my face as far as I allowed myself, almost to the point of where I originally started; inches away and his breath shushing against my cheeks.

"Ichigo," I said in a normal, even voice. "Ichigo, I'm going away on a little trip," I blinked at the childish use of words.

"I won't be coming back….I don't want to come back." I blinked again, letting a tear glide down my nose and upon my finger poised against his lip. "Yes, Ichigo, I don't want to come back. So don't come after me. …I know you'll want to, and I'm hoping you will, actually. But please, don't risk your life going after me,"

My voice was still even, so even it actually scared me. But this is what I needed, and I continued on confessing my feelings, only spilling a few more tears.

"I don't think I'm worth it, really. You have so much here. You're a strong, intelligent, and caring person surrounded by others whom love and adore you. Don't waste time away from that just to try and fetch me…..because I'm not worth it," I flashed a smile in order to convince myself as well as to convince him, if he were awake.

I stood up and absentmindedly murmured "Sōten Kisshun," and turned away as I ended with "I reject." I felt the warmth of an orange light effortlessly leave my teal hairpins and I could see the light stretch over Ichigo's body and erase all the damage his fight brought him as if I had eyes in the back of my head. A few minutes passed in silence before the soft orange aura returned to its rightful place.

I turned around, making sure that he was fully restored, then turned away again. I took a step forward, finding it hard to leave.

I cleared my throat and pushed back my bangs, swallowing whatever feeling I was feeling. I lifted my head and paid no attention to my wobbling chin. "So please," I said in the quiet. "I'm leaving for a reason. I'm leaving to protect all of you and by you coming to rescue me…," I gulped and blinked slowly, opening my eyes a few seconds later. "If you come to rescue me, it'll be an insult." I tasted bile in my throat as I took another step away. It hurt; like needles stabbing me everywhere, penetrating deeper and drawing more pain than they originally should. I was breathless.

I was caught off guard when I heard him stir. Quickly, I turned to see Ichigo sit upright, his fingers going through his orange hair. His torso was nothing but bandages and muscle; I couldn't help staring. His strength flexed every time he moved, making my breath catch in my throat. His expression turned from a sleepy and confused look to pouty and thinking. His lower lip stuck out in an unintentionally ravishing way and my face blushed knowing my finger was caressing it only a few moments ago.

His earthy brown eyes scanned the room and when they came upon me, I yelped in embarrassment. "Ichigo!" I squealed. "I'm so sorry, I-" I stuttered to a stop as his gaze continued past me.

I faltered, my hand resting against my chest. After scanning the room, he placed his hand to his forehand, paused, then lifted his palm up to his face and gazed at the still fresh tears clinging to his hand. His head titled, face crinkling in bewilderment.

He closed his fist, oblivious to the fact that he was healed, and set his head back down to his pillow. His eyes closed, but they were forced shut.

What was he thinking about? I wondered, as I eliminated my progress of walking away by walking closer.

I stared down as he struggled to go back to sleep…and this moment only felt more real while he was awake. I hesitated..but brought my finger to his still pouty lip again, brushing against it one last time. A shiver shook Ichigo and I was taken aback. Could he…sense me? My hand instantly gripped the bracelet my wrist was donning. Impossible-Ulquiorra wouldn't of gone through the trouble of using this if it wouldn't completely hide myself from the world. But…all the same…

I bent down and my lips grazed his ear-another shiver-and I whispered "Ichigo?"

I could sense him fretting in his mind and I went crazy trying to imagine what about. "Ichigo…you just mean...so much more."

I rose, turning away and walked with bigger steps to the window. I could now walk away knowing, or hoping, that he had heard me and was now processing my words in his mind.

I sniffed, wiping the stray tears from my face and I subconsciously dried my hand upon his curtains. I swallowed and turned towards Ichigo and studied him for what would be the last time. "Ichigo," I called out, not controlling my voice. "Ichigo…..,"

I turned my face away, keeping the image of him trapped in my mind. It would be the only thing I'd think about as I made my way to Ulquiorra..on my way to Aizen. I left one last tear upon his windowsill as I urged myself through the glass and wall, out into the night.

"Good bye."

...The first chapter is a tad short, I know, but I think its message comes across very well.

I wanted to refrain from having Orihime saying "I love you" like she did in the manga/anime because, well...you aren't going to tell someone you love them when you're totally about to fall in love with someone else. That just doesn't work. And I don't really want to use any direct quotes from Tite's original story, anyway, so that's just a note for the future.

Thank you SO much for reading! Please drop in a review. /Author's Note End-