lifeline
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Characters/Pairing: Renji/Yoruichi
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: language, minor character death
Summary: He sees her heart break in her eyes.
-x-
Time slows when you step through the gate and drag yourself to the Urahara Shop. In exhaustion, you fall upon the wood floor before you can make it to where you're staying. Hands clasp around your arms and someone is making an attempt to carry you. You try your hardest but energy has been spent and you can't move any longer.
Finally, you're dumped on a mat, where you sleep, and a blanket covers your body. Your eyes open just enough to see who it is. It's her, the lady of the house. She's beat up pretty good too but not as bad as you. Words try to make it through your lips but she shakes her head in disapproval.
"Don't. You're tired," and she says she'll be back to cast some kido to help you recover, or at least not feel so much pain. When she does, it hurts like hell before the healing spells are over. But you can breathe without it hurting so damn much.
You catch her wrist before she can leave. Her gaze is neutral but you know she's in pain, grieving the loss of friends.
"I'm sorry. Urahara was a good man."
Something akin to anguish reflects in her eyes before she closes them and turns away. "Sleep, Renji."
"Stay," you rasp.
Almost a beg because, okay, you've lost people too and things will never be the same again. No one is coming back and you can only close your eyes and remember them.
There's no hesitation as she lies besides you and clasps a hand in yours. You grip the slender hand like a lifeline, just as she does, and think of how things are only going to grow worse in time. The war is far from over and there's no rest for the wicked. But, for you, there will be rest, for you're done fighting. You're done witnessing others die. And done trying.
You think you can see her heart break in her eyes before you close yours.
-x-
I love this pairing.