I do not own Bleach.

Nihilism

The prayer was never heard.

It was exactly the thought that ran in her mind as she watched him evanesced with the wind. Their hands never touched. Their hands never connected… She would have collected his ashes and would have given her all to bring him back, but those too were gone.

Her power is that which trespasses the realm of God. The words echoed vividly in her mind as if the person who spoke them were right beside her. Trespasses the realm of God? She would have believed it too… if he hasn't faded into ashes right before her eyes.

The prayer was never heard.

That's what he realized while his body was fading in front of the human who brought colors in his once pallid world. It's a shame… just when he finally realized what a heart is. It was never in his nature to have these emotions, especially towards a human whose species he for so long regarded as trash. The puzzle was never completed.

The things reflected in my eyes have no meaning. The things that could not be reflected in my eyes do not exist. He reminded himself once more. But as he reached out his hand to her, those same eyes saw something that so boldly contradicts his creed. But it was already… too late.

The prayer was never heard.

It was the same thought that ran in her mind as she watched the crimson blood surrounding her. Her hairpins were no more… crushed into nothingness. Half her body was annihilated… she no longer have the strength even to utter a whisper. Her power is that which trespasses the realm of God. But that very moment she can do no such thing… the way she can do nothing when he faded, four years ago.

No savior would come to her aid; she was literally standing before the gates of death. As her eyes closed to embrace the eternal slumber, a faint hope flickered inside her dying heart. Maybe… just maybe… it was still not too late?

The prayer was never heard.

That's what he realized while walking into the forever stretching paper-white sands. It feels like he came back to where he started; only that in the hand where his blood once trickled, he is now holding a heart in its palm – a heart which she unconsciously created out of nothingness. How many years had passed since that day? In this plane where time has no meaning, he would never get the answer.

The things reflected in my eyes have no meaning. The things that could not be reflected in my eyes do not exist. He would have told himself that… if only she is not standing before him. It was never in his nature to doubt his eyes but to see her standing before him is pure subtlety. He reaches out his hand – the one who holds an unseen heart. Will she reach out once more? And will he evanesce into nothingness once again?

It's an answer to the prayer.

She watches as his hand reaches out for her, but she hesitates. What if he disappears again the moment she tries to touch him? Her heart is full of fear. Is this really the answer that she for so long has waited? Or is this just an illusion of the afterlife? But she wanted to touch him… and she still does.

Raising an arm, she slowly reaches out to his open palm.

It's an answer to a prayer.

The warmth of her hand echoes the exact opposite of his, but her expression mirrors his face. Gently, he pulls her towards him and encloses her with his arms. "I've waited for you." His voice is still monotonous.

Nihilism is having nothing… and having nothing to lose. If that isn't "happiness", then what is? The things reflected in my eyes have no meaning. The things that could not be reflected in my eyes do not exist.

There is nothing…

In you

and in me.

-4-