Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. *Insert witty statement here*

Thinking back now it was pretty obvious just how hopeless it all was. The hoping, wishing and praying. All for what? Nothing? Seems pretty pathetic but then again what else was a naive 17 year old girl to do.

Seems harsh but these were tough lessons that the auburn haired beauty had to struggle through in order to get to the other side. To make it there stronger and wiser. Braver then before and hopeful that the mistakes of her past didn't come back to haunt her. She allowed herself to foolishly be blinded by everything that was him that she forgot everything else.

Herself.

Her happiness.

Her heart.

But isn't that expected of a teenage girl. To blindly follow their heart? Forgetting the consequences and embracing the moment. It all seemed so simple then but this is now.

No longer could her doe eyed stare perceive the path that she would follow. But with tentative steps and unsure choices she would move forward and leave everything behind.

Including him.

She would assure herself that it was for the better. That she needed to forget and no longer burden her heart with the thought of him and what could have been.

But hadn't she promised five lifetimes?

Another foolish and naive sentiment. However, she would love him for those five lifetimes and even more. That she was sure of, so much so that it was suffocating how much the certainty weighed down on her.

Bright orange hair and deep chocolate eyes would haunt her. So uniquely him and he was perfect to her. How could she ever learn to love another when her heart belonged to him? That after all this time even as she journeyed and moved further and farer away, her heart remained always with him.

Maybe that was why she could never truly leave. No matter the distance she put between then and now. Her heart was nestled securely in his grasp and painstakingly it stayed loyally by his side. Even when the pain grew unbearable, her heart remained firm - never straying, never lingering.

Hopelessly dutiful but it was impossible to not be when it came to him.

Was she sick? Was it a hero complex? Damsel in distress syndrome?

No. It couldn't be because none of that made sense. None of that even offered the slightest bit of reasoning of just how strong her love for him was.

It was unexplainable and it was painful. She just couldn't let go no matter how hard she tried. She was forever bound to him.

Hoping. Wishing. Praying.

That maybe just maybe he would see and chocolate would meet grey as if for the first time.

Finally no longer able to deny the distance, succumbing to the bonds that tie her to that all too familiar place. She confidently stepped onto familiar soil and searched the crowded landing for a familiar face.

When she spotted no one she simply shrugged and accounted traffic as a reasonable explanation. Settling upon a nearby lounge, her luggage placed be her side she rested and let the memories of her old home flood and like a dam breaking, she was engulfed by the ferocity of everything she tried to forget.

But as she remembered the smiles and joy she was hard pressed by as to why she would want to forget these precious memories. Why would she want to leave behind her nakama? A peaceful smile appeared and all apprehension dispersed. She remained transfixed of memories of long ago until finally her revere was shattered. That all too familiar voice ringing in her ears and she relented in the warmth it immediately offered.

"Inoue."

It only took one word and her world crumbled and melted into an abyss of chocolate gazes and soft smiles. Hesitantly she turned and chocolate met grey. Her heart picked up and it beat so fast she was sure it would give out to exertion. Her lips fell open in a silent gasp as she took in all of him and he was everything she remembered and so much more.

Confident strides brought him to her and with one knowing look and unwavering gaze, her world come undone again and again. Rebuilding to finally put together the puzzle that was her life, what was missing was now found.

"I'm sorry I'm late."

And just like that her life began again.