.:twenty-five:.
Rukia
He'd arrived at the last possible second, just like always. The Zero Espada had chucked her toward the ground, but instead of stinging sand she felt herself crashing into a warm, sweaty, and bloodied chest. Before the dust had time to clear he set her on the ground and turned toward the enemy, stoic as ever.
But something was different. When he looked at her, when he spoke to her, she could tell that something was wrong. He claimed he'd won, but he looked at her with defeat in his eyes.
Where had all his resolve gone?
Where was the Ichigo who'd saved her and fought alongside her all this time?
Where was the victor?