Left Behind
Kurosaki Ichigo was powerful. No one could deny that any more than they could deny their own reflection at this point. He had always been, but he had gotten more so as time and circumstances passed by. Ninety-eight percent of the time he had grown and refined under heavy pressure. Aside from progressing in power and ability, he had also become a better man. He'd always been a good person, but he morphed into someone even better.
He had been rough around the edges, and, admittedly, still was, from the loss and hardships from his childhood, but he was very much a caring person. He valued friendship and displayed it through his unwavering loyalty. He felt the need to protect everyone, though that had not always been the case. At first, it had only been his family and friends, then it extended to all he could see right in front of him, then to all within his ability, which led to those even outside his reach, and finally to every last soul that existed. For a while, he felt it was his responsibility and his alone, to protect everyone. He had a hard time accepting help from others. Finally, he's now learned to believe in those around him.
Every step forward in his journey as a person, every breakthrough he made in his fighting abilities, it felt like everyone else had to catch up. It almost felt like they had been left behind every time. Of course, everyone coped with it differently. In fact, it seemed like some people weren't even bothered by it. Still, everyone fought to catch up and support Kurosaki Ichigo.
From any angle he looked tall, strong, and fearless. Now, Kurosaki Ichigo was far from perfect, though some thought he was darn well near it, but he, of course, felt fear and doubt. And Inoue Orihime wanted so badly to help him through those moments. Much to her dismay, she never had any idea how to do that. Instead, she continually watched Kuchiki Rukia help Kurosaki Ichigo overcome those fears, and how Ichigo was always stronger afterwards.
The two of them seem to fight and work together like clockwork. It was amazing to watch, and it made Orihime more than a little jealous, though she kept those thoughts to herself. But more than that, she felt like she was falling further and further behind. Lonely. Sad. Hopeless. It wasn't a good feeling. Still, it always gave her determination to be a support and ally to Kurosaki Ichigo.
Yet, again and again she felt that her help wasn't needed. She felt like an outsider. And even now, fighting beside him and their friends, she felt like she's been left standing miles behind. She might as well admit it; she will always be left behind.
End
A/N: I hope you enjoyed my half-hearted attempt of a story/drabble.