Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, or any of the Bleach characters used in this fic. They all belong to Tite Kubo: the genius behind the captivating manga that started it all. I only own any of my original characters that I choose to include, as well as any of my own original plot ideas.
Half A Life
A/N: Companion piece to On Pins and Needles. Written to Christina Perri's "Jar of Hearts." Oneshot written for St. Harridan.
She sat in silence, a bundle of bright pink flowers clasped within her tiny fist. Although freshly picked, it seemed that they, too, were wilting. Perhaps they could sense the mood and her sorrow, as well. It hadn't been long since she'd been plunged into the wave that was despair. Plenty of people had died lately, so why was this any different? She didn't care about the others. He had been her whole world for so long, and, in an instant, he had been snatched away.
Little hands released the flowers, allowing them to fall in a scattered heap beside the memorial marker. She'd never been good with dates, but he had left her no more than a week ago, just after Captain Whitey. Upon seeing her cry, he had promised to come back alive, rubbing her little head with his warm hand. Oh, how she missed that. Each night, before she'd go to sleep, he'd sit there with her in silence, allowing her to rest her head upon his arm.
Why hadn't he come back? He was the best fighter she'd ever seen, and she'd seen quite a few during her time as the lieutenant of the Eleventh Division. But now, she was crushed like a seashell beneath a stormy wave. She was drowning in her sorrow, trying to find something, anything, within this wild tempest to hold onto.
A hand upon her tiny shoulder silenced her sobs, holding her gently. She turned, staring up at the man with her wide eyes. Although she normally made fun of his stupid hair and feathers, she allowed him hold her little hand as he stared down at her with kind eyes. .
Just like she used to do with Kenny.
Not a word was exchanged between the two, leaving them to stare at the marker in silence. Although a huge part of the young lieutenant's world had seemingly ended, the sun would ever continue to rise and fall, bringing about the passing of time. Her only fear was forgetting him. Forgetting his smell, the annoyed look on his face when she pulled at his bells, and the way he smiled when she did something to piss someone else off.
How long they stood there, she didn't know. But, all too soon, he left, offering her a small smile as he went.
Even into the setting sun she stood, staring sadly at the marker, her captain's mighty Zanpakuto having been stuck in the ground, and his ragged haori hanging over the hilt. She leaned forward, snatching the white fabric in her hand, pulling it away. When they named the next captain of the Eleventh, they would have to find another haori to replace the one she had claimed as her own. She lifted it to her nose, inhaling his scent. She missed him so much.
He was gone, and she was still alive. She would live, but only half a life. Without him there for her, that was all she had left.
As the sun began to sink beyond the horizon, she leaned forward, planting a light little kiss upon the marker.
"I love you, Kenny."
Sad, sad, sad.