Rain
It started to rain.
She felt the drops slip down her skin, felt it mix with her tears.
Her knees buckled and she dropped to the ground, not caring that the mud would ruin her clothes. She clutched at her side, desperately trying to lessen the bleeding, but that didn't appear to be happening.
All she had wanted was to help; all she ever wanted to do was to help, but she couldn't think of anyway that she could at that very moment. Instead she started to crawl, keeping her one hand firmly pressed to her side.
No.
A trail of blood followed her, marking the path she took, but was quickly washed away by the pouring rain. Pieces of rock and sticks stabbed into her hand and knees, but she pressed on, refusing to give up.
No, please.
Her thoughts were the only things that kept her going, that kept her from falling over and waiting for help to arrive, chances were good that she'd survive if she just stopped. She could feel the skin tearing with every movement of the surrounding muscle.
Hold on.
She was breathing raggedly when she reached him, laying on his back, his eyes closed and chest unmoving.
Don't leave me.
She fell to the ground, gasping for air when blood started to fill her lungs. With the last of her strength she hoisted herself onto her elbow and dragged her heavy body until her head was next to his.
Please.
She turned on her back, her head still facing him. Even more tears started to form in her eyes, spilling out uncontrollably. Never in her wildest dreams had she thought there would be so many of them, but they still did it, they killed every single last one of the bastards.
"I'm sorry" she croaked, her voice barely audible above the sound of the water. Slowly she craned her neck until she was able to press her forehead against his, the blood on their lips mixing.
Thank you.
The pain in her side started to fade, followed by nothing. She didn't feel the drops on her skin, didn't feel his nose pressed against hers and didn't hear her friends calling her name.
Rukia stood up and watched over the couple on the ground. Ichigo opened his eyes and pushed himself onto his feet. She said nothing as she stepped closer and embraced him, letting him hold her in a way they had never held each other.
They stood in silence, watching their friends round the corner. Orihime, Chad, Uryuu and Rengi saw them and stopped.
Uryuu pulled Orihime into his arms as she let out a cry. Chad balled his hands, turning his head away from the two of them. Rengi was the first person to approach the couple.
He went down on one knee, letting out a choke that almost sounded like "No."
Slowly he bent down and closed Rukia's eyes, closing his own as he did this, sending out a silent prayer. "We're too late" he whispered.
Rukia felt sad when she looked at her messy body on the ground next to Ichigo's, but she didn't regret losing her life to save others. She thread her fingers through Ichigo's and he pulled it up to kiss the back of her hand. She smiled at him.
Together they turned, the sound of the world fading away until nothing but their heart beats were left. A light started to form around them, engulfing them completely.
The rain continued to fall.
So this is my first Bleach one-shot. Please review, I'm really not sure that I fully got the effect that I wanted when I thought about something sad. Tell me whether I should just scratch it and try again, or keep it up :) xx