Warning: One-sided Oriran.
Summary: Rangiku's point of view of when she's bathing at Orihime's house in chapter 199
Disclaimer: Me no own
Sitting in Orihime's bath tub, I finally had the time to wonder what was up with her. She seemed…different. And I was worried. So I asked. "Why are you so somber?"
"What?! Am I?!" she says. Everyone knows she can't lie. Hell, she knows she can't lie.
"Talk to me." Do you know how much I care? "I'll listen."
"Oh, but… I'm fine, really." I could hear it in her voice. She was hurting. Bad.
"I'll do painful things to you if you don't" I took a stab at my usual humor. It worked. There was a pause, then, "Rukia…is really amazing, isn't she? With just one kick she snapped Ichigo out of his funk. He'd been feeling down for a while. I'm…a bad person." My eyes flicked to the door. "I thought…I just wanted Ichigo… to be happy. But now Rukia's back…and she cheered up Ichigo. I should be happy." Her voice was shaking. I could barely understand her. She was crying.
"But… but…I'm jealous of her. She's so kind…so strong…so beautiful…I love her…for cheering up Ichigo. So why do I feel this way? I don't feel this way when I'm at school…but when I come home and I'm alone…" she stopped.
"Hmph. Just listen to me. How lame. I'm being a total witch." So, at "how lame" I was out of the tub, and by the end of the next sentence, I had the door open and was looking down at her. I did the only thing I could. I hugged her, and she squeaked.
"Silly," I said. Once again trying to regain my normal self, I tickled her. "You're such a fool." I had her pinned. "You have no reason… to be jealous, Orihime. Ichigo's just a kid. He can barely stand on his own. Right now he needs both of you." But, I need you too, Orihime. "Anyway, what's so bad about jealousy? Look at yourself. You're doing you best to deal with your feelings. You know how easy it is to run away from them, or lash out at someone. But you're facing it and trying to accept it. Because you're good, Orihime." She got teary, and I let her cry herself out, holding her as I never would be able to otherwise.
Author's note: This is going to be part of a one-shot series. Or should I just make it a multi-chap? I'm not sure. Anyway, thanks for reading! I'm outie!