Disclaimer: Bleach ain't mine… and if it were to end like this, then I would NEVER even think of wishing for it…
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HER LAST
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"Rukia…" he choked out, feeling his chest might burst at any time.
She gave him a soft smile - her last.
He barely heard the words she said, for he was shouting, howling, at the skies. As he did so, the Heavens somehow decided to answer him this time. Now, the skies were crying as well.
Too late, he thought bitterly. No one can stop the rain inside him now.
She gasped, and he quickly looked back down at her. She was trying so hard not to close her eyes. He somehow understood. You must be tired… am I right, Rukia?
"Shh... It's okay," he said softly, tightening his grip on her hands. They were slippery with blood – her blood, and a bit of his as well. "I'm right here. You…" he swallowed painfully, but forced himself to continue on, "…can rest peacefully now."
"Hmm…" she murmured, lids slowly closing. He did not want to lose sight of those violet eyes. He did not want to see them lose their quiet sparkle. But he did not want for her to suffer any longer.
He did not take his eyes off of her, not while she still had even a spark of life left.
His world was crumbling away, but he held on. And when she took her final rasping breaths, he felt that he couldn't possibly let go.
"Live," she whispered, the wind carrying her words, along with her last breath, away from him.
Live? Tears poured with renewed vigor from his already swollen eyes. How could he? But she still held her smile, even in death, and her words burned at him.
He felt the darkness swallow him alive, but he no longer felt fear.
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So be it.
