Recap:
She took a deep breath and let it go before turning around and jogging back to the party. She couldn't do that to her friend; especially at something this important. Just because her life was falling to pieces did not mean that she had to ruin another's.
Chapter 12
Orihime's heart pounded in her chest as she stopped at the sidelines of the party. She could see Ichigo standing on the other side of the small crowd that had gathered for the engagement party. Part of her wished he was not here. Could she face him again?
She slowly licked her lower lip. No, not right now, the memories where too close. Everything she had buried seemed to be fighting its way to the forefront of her mind.
Ichigo…no his demon, for the first time, scared her to the point where she was not sure if she could be around him without cringing at every little movement.
She was broken, she knew that, but Ichigo had been her haven. How was she supposed to function without the promise of his safety? Orihime's knees began to tremble, her bottom lip quivering with suppressed emotion. She should try to face him, make herself become overcome the fear of his hollow.
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Ichigo felt his chest tighten as he saw the form which stood at the other side of group. Her eyes her slightly puffy and her nose red from crying.
Damn him. He made her cry. It was all his fault the stupid hollow had almost...no…he probably had destroyed any progress she had been making.
He averted his gaze when she looked at him. She would have been better without him.
Ichigo glanced over at Rukia, who was approaching Orihime, and grunted when his shoulder was slapped. He turned to his right to see Rangiku with a cross look on her face.
"What did you do now?" Her arms were crossed under her chest as she pursed her lips. Ichigo's eyes darted away and he scowled at the ground.
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Tsubasa cringed as the back of his head began to again surge with pain. What in the world did that woman do to him, and why was he so obsessed?
He stood in a white building, so vast that one could not see the end of it, and in front of him stood the woman. She had an odd look on her face as she stared at him, yet there was something in her eyes…pity. Why did she pity him? She was the one that was a captive, humans made no sense to him.
"Your heart you say? You humans are always talking about hearts. It's as if you have them in your hand. But my eye sees everything. Nothing can escape it. What it doesn't see doesn't exist. That's how I've always fought. That's how I've always lived. What is a heart? If I rip open your chest, will I find it there? If I crack open your skull, will I find it there?"
He watched as her eyes widened, and a surge of satisfaction at shocking her slipped through him.
Tsubasa shook his head as the pain slowly began to fade away. Who was he?
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Orihime smiled at Rukia who was headed towards her. "Hi Rukia. Thank you for inviting me. Best wishes for yo-"
"What happened Orihime." Rukia's eyes pierced through her, cutting through the mask that was on her face. How could Rukia tell so easily?
Orihime's smile stayed in place. "I don't understand. Everything is fine Rukia."
The small woman in front of her narrowed her eyes. "I'm calling the bluff Orihime. Spill the beans." Her arms crossed over her chest, and she continued to stare at the red haired girl.
"Nothing happened. I just…was thirsty, and decided to go get some water. That's all." Her eyes darted over to Ichigo who was talking to a very angry looking Rangiku. Did Rangiku know what has happened?
Her heart skipped a beat. Now she wouldn't get the chance to explain things to Ichigo. Maybe if she told him more, and apologized, he would understand. Maybe he would become her safe haven again.
"Something happened with Ichigo…didn't it." Rukia's words came out as a statement.
Orihime's eyes darted back to her, overly wide and innocent. "No. Nothing happened at all. It was just a little misunderstanding. I mean, he only…What I meant to say is…He…His hollow…I…"
Sighing, Rukia relented, "I get it. I won't bring it up again. You can tell me when you are ready." Blue eyes stared into Orihime's brown ones. "But you should know that we are here for you Orihime. We all care; we are your friends. You do not need to shoulder this burden alone."
She took a slow step forward and awkwardly put an arm around her. Rukia was not exactly the sentimental type, but for her friend she would try. "Don't feel like you are required to stay. You can go home if you want. Don't push yourself…Okay?" With that Rukia gave her a little smile and darted back to the crowd.
Orihime's lip began to tremble again, her eyes misting. She didn't deserve her friends. They were all too good for her. They needed…
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Tsubasa watched at the small black haired girl darted back to the party, leaving Orihime standing in the sand on the outskirts. Her body seemed to sway, and his eyes widened as her legs began to tremble, looking like they were about to collapse beneath her. He quickly made his way to her, his feet slipping on the sand.
Orihime's body fell just as Tsubasa's arms wrapped themselves around her. His eyes widened slightly, she was light…almost too light.
Sighing to himself, he slipped an arm under her legs, and cradled her to his chest, careful not to let any of her skin touch his. If he was right in his theory, the contact between their skin was what created the flashbacks.
He cautiously made his way off of the beach and came to a halt at the road. Should he take her to his temporary dwelling, or her house? Would she be frightened by the idea that he knew where she lived? Come to think of it…how did he know where she lived?
Shaking his head, Tsubasa began walking in the direction of his house. That would probably be the safer bet.
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Rangiku watched with Ichigo as Tsubasa carried Orihime away. She was torn between chasing after the man, and keeping an eye on Ichigo so he would not try to go after them; the latter won. Orihime was apparently more than capable of taking care of herself now; and from what Ichigo had told her, the man Tsubasa was not a threat to her.
Besides after what she just saw, she did not think he was going to harm her. A man did not just bolt across the beach in order to catch some random woman that they had no attachment to; especially a man that had a personality that was similar to a rock.
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Tsubasa slowly lowered her to the couch, and placed a blanket over her. The same question that had been on his mind since the time he met her, remained on his mind. Why did she allure him so? Why had his chest gone cold when he saw her fall? It had felt like someone had his heart in their hand squeezing it.
Tsubasa smoothed some hair out of her face, and watched as her eyes fluttered behind the lids. Softs breathing reassured him, and he could not help but lean forward and press a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Her skin is so soft, and she smelled of roses and honey. Such a sweet scent. The sound of her breathing hitched, and he pulled back to look down, and felt heat spread over his face as he saw the wide eyes of the girl that was supposed to be sleeping.
"Tsubasa…what are you doing?"
Author's Note:
Cliffy! Gotta love them! Hehe. I finally took the time to sit down and write out the story line instead of just 'remembering' it. I am hoping this helps with the writing. Anyway, I think I like how this turned out. Keeping everyone in character is so difficult at times. The next chapter should be up sometime soon…But I make no promises. I hope you like it. Please review!
Tea In Sugar: Thank you! Yes, jealous Ichi is cute…but Hichigo made it not so cute.,.O_o Thank you for the review~ ^-^
IntoTheFlame- *Is hiding behind my muse, Asher* Um…So I am assuming that this chapter makes you not like me more right? Sorry…but it is part of the plotline. No threats are needed *still hiding* I promise I will finish this fic…in a relatively reasonable time frame…..So no need to call out Farren. T~T And thanks, I am glad you like it. ;)
Nypsy- As always thank you for the wonderful review. I am not so sure Aizen is behind it…Though I will not give that away. Hehe. And I am glad to hear reaction was okay. I was worried it might have been a little overkill…but I tried to put myself in the same situation. ;) I hope this chapter answers some of your questions.
Tenma- Thank you hun! I am happy to hear that you like it. I am trying to update quickly, but life tends to get in the way somewhat. *frustrated look*
LordPotter123- *Still hiding behinf Asher* Why must we threaten the writer. v_v I am glad to heare that you like the story. I hope this was a quick enough update…one of my quicker ones actually…I think. xP
Again, thank you to all who read, favorite, review, and follow this story; it is a fun journey.