Title: Fade to White

Sad to be Alive

This was written before Ichigo and Ulquiorra's battle so it is a little late. Sorry for the grammatical horrors. I don't own Bleach.

She wasn't dead. Oh yes she can still feel the slight breeze hovering over her form. What was that?

--a teardrop for my friend--

Something wet dropped on her hand. Her body denied opening her eyes. Even that was tiring for her. What exactly happened anyway? The last thing she remembered was that Ichigo's hollow mask—broke, no, even shattered. After that there was orange—his hair? No, it was some kind of shield…something wider, warmer and comforting.

--a teardrop for my love—

She felt her something dropped on the same spot again. That made her eyes to open.

"I-noue…" her voice, tired and hoarse, echoed through the room she was in.

"Ku-kuchiki-san, you're awake. Thank goodness." The sweet girl said, trying her best to hide the tears which woke her shinigami friend who was lying on the bed of her room.

"Where am I?" Rukia asked.

"You're in my chamber." Orihime replied as she dried her eyes with the remnants of the sleeve covering her forearm. "…here at Los Noches."

"At Las Noches…" Ichigo crossed her mind. "Where's Ichigo? What happened?"

The orange haired girl knew she'd ask but she didn't get the chance to give a ready answer. How can she tell her that she wasn't able to save her friend—their friend! How will she tell Rukia that Seretei abandoned this rescue mission for another more important plan and that all captains were forced to pull back from Hueco Mundo even his brother, Kuchiki Byakuya? They were abandoned…pronounced DEAD.

"Woman…" There was that voice again. "Get your hands off me, woman or I will be forced to cut you too." It was cold and confining, never welcoming at all. "Are you not afraid of me?"

He can feel her tremble under her touch. She knew that as well but she still went on the stop him and even looked straight into his lifeless green eyes.

"I-I am not afraid." She gave more pressure to the hand which held his sword. "Please stop." She whispered.

Ulquiorra knew that these people were her friends. Kuchiki Rukia, unseated member of the 13th division squad and the other Kurosaki Ichigo, substitute shinigami and the current threat to his Aizen-sama's plans. The latter he knew as well was the person she dearly loved.

She broke the stare, anywhere away from his gaze, without letting go of his hand, afraid that he'd give her comrades their end. "Please stop." She repeats louder this time. "It's over."

"No one can stop Aizen-sama's will and therefore these savages are to be eliminated with or without your opinion." Ulquiorra shook off Orihime's hand.

"They are not savages! They are my friends!"

He was taken aback by Orihime's sudden outburst. How can she be not afraid? Here she was in front of the fourth Espada, not just some hollow but a Vasto Lorde but still she wasn't scared? He turned around, avoiding her stare.

"Keep the shinigami and leave Kurosaki Ichigo behind. Wait for orders and never leave your room. If you disobey I will be the one to finish off you two."

"I understand." She said sadness evident in every syllable. In Ulquoirra's cue, a hollow which took over the the job as guard of Las Noches appeared to escort her back. She didn't remove her gaze from the man lying unconscious on the bloody sand even at the last second before her escort disappeared with her and Rukia in a bang of Sonido.

"I love you, Kurosaki-kun. Thank you and goodbye…" she found her lips speak the words, sorrowful words.

"Inoue, where is Ichigo?" Rukia finally regained a little of her strength and sat up.

"Kuchiki-san…" Her voice was breaking and she knew that she can no longer hide the tears which was brimming in her eyes. She threw her arms around her friend and wept.

"Inoue?"

"I'm so sorry Kuchiki-san! I tried to save him too but I wasn't given a choice!" She cried hysterically. "You knew how much I…" She hardly felt Rukia's arm wrap around her for all she felt was pain inside like something broke inside of her.

"It's okay. It's alright."

"But Kuchiki-san, he could be…he could be…" she didn't finish or rather she doesn't want to finish. Her mind was lagging, searching for a word which would end her statement.

DEAD

That was the though which draw her into a maze that lead to it in the end. No matter how much she search for the appropriate word, it all lead to it.

"Listen to me. You're alive, fine and unharmed with me so let's live this life. I don't know how long until we meet again but I'm sure that we will be reunited with the departed ones, your brother, my sister and Ichigo. I don't know how long but I know they are waiting there for us. They will not want us sad so as much as we can, let's live this life and be strong for them." Rukia pulled off the embrace to be able to see her tear-drenched-face. With the back of her hand, she gently wiped off her tears.

"But this is the other side." Orihime reasoned out.

"That's why we should live this life and continue. They may no longer be here but I know that they're out there watching over us."

"Ku-ku-kuchiki-san!" She threw her arms in a tight embrace and wept.

"It's okay. Cry as much as you want until it can wash off the hurt you feel inside. It may not take it all but I'm sure it will help, at least." She thought as she brushed the orange locks that never went dull. "Mourn for the departed today and live tomorrow, Inoue…" she whispered.

"Kuchiki-san…" she murmured in between sobs. She is right. They both had to move on and live until then. Even Ichigo would want that but for now she can't help but cry her world out. It was painful.

"God help me…God help us." Rukia sighed as she looked out of the window where the crescent moon lit the little a space.

Neither of them knew that Aizen had far worse tricks off his sleeve, plans which were far more evil and more destructive.

"I'm back, Aizen-sama." The Arrancar bowed down before the throne where a man was seating in a rather comfortable manner. He had his elbow on the armrest and his hand slightly closed and supporting his jaw.

"Welcome back, Ulqiuorra. Tell me about the battle you fought today."

He held Ichigo Kurosaki's lifeless body with what was left of his collar. "I brought what you asked for, Aizen-sama."

"Very well done, Ulquiorra, this is as much as I have expected of you." His eyes darted down the body held by the arrancar. "Tomorrow, everyone is expected to meet me down this hall. There is a change of plans." Aizen stood lazily and was about to exit the hall when he heard Gin talk from the sidelines. He had been watching since Ulquiorra presented the lifeless shinigami representative.

"Boy was that exciting."

"What is, Gin?"

"You have the two li'l girls who worked on you with the Hougyoku and now Kurosaki Ichigo. Tell me, Aizen-sama, what do you want to do with them?"

"That is for everyone to find out tomorrow."

This is originally a chapter story but I decided to end it as a one-shot. But man, I really wanna go on and make the mood lighter with a couple of whack. Give me a chance and tell me what to do. I need help…

Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think and help me by leaving a message