Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, Bleach, or any of the anime/manga characters.
Warnings: None
Orihime (Part II)
"What would you know about it?" Orihime asked, tears starting to flow.
"I-"
"I'd always thought that Ichigo liked Rukia. I loved him, but I've never said a word," the girl continued. "Saying I'm in pain sounds so dramatic, but it's the truth… I wish I could tell Ichigo how I feel. But I'm not strong enough."
"Don't give me that," Kagome sighed, surprising the girl again. "Your strength's not the problem. It's because you're afraid that you'll be rejected."
"What!"
"I know, Orihime. I know exactly what you're talking about. Because what you're describing, between you and Rukia and Ichigo, sounds almost exactly the same."
"The same as what?" the girl responded, tears changing sources to frustration.
"The same as me. It's almost exactly the same as my situation was with myself, Inuyasha, and Kikyo."
Kagome watched as shock registered on the girl's face, and she decided that she was well past the point of having energy to filter herself for the night.
"I know how badly it hurts, Orihime. But I realize that I was weak, not because of myself, but because I was afraid to tell Inuyasha. When I did, it was too late… I've only been around for a week now, but I feel that something can develop between Ichigo and me."
Orihime simply stared at her, shock evident.
"I also don't want you to pretend to like me. Between Inuyasha and Kikyo, I've had enough lying to last me a lifetime. If you hate me, don't bottle it up. If you don't like me, don't hold it back. You need to let this all out, or you'll end up snapping."
"I don't… I don't hate you," Orihime sighed. "I hate myself. Or I hate how pathetic I am, anyway."
"Pathetic? I find it hard to believe you're anything resembling that word, with the kind of power you have," Kagome scoffed.
"I've been friends with Ichigo for close to 3 years now. I've had feelings for him almost from the beginning. And yet you, who've been here for a week, he noticed no problem."
"To be fair, that's not necessarily a good thing. He noticed me in the first place because I was making a spectacle of myself," Kagome sighed.
"You were kissing when I came in!" Orihime practically growled.
Kagome felt heat rising quickly to her face, which was amazing since she was sure she didn't have the energy to be embarrassed just then.
"Yes, we were… We're going to be dating. Or, knowing me, trying, anyway, before something else happens."
"Why did he notice you so easily? Is it because you're so attractive? Or because I'm not trying hard enough?"
"I don't know," Kagome sighed. "If you want to know, then ask him."
"I… can't," the girl responded, fists clenching. "I-"
"Don't hate yourself. It's a waste of energy, and it'll only lead to self-fulfilling prophecy," the miko cut in, seemingly at random.
"Huh?"
"I'm a med student," Kagome said, shrugging at Orihime's confused expression. "It means that if you think bad things will happen, or you think you're not worth it, you'll start acting in a way that'll make it true."
"Umm…"
"Instead of not liking yourself, or Ichigo, or even me, for that matter, you should use what you're feeling. Get stronger from it."
"How?"
"For starters, stop pretending to be happy when you're not," Kagome offered. "Besides, it's not like you're bad off. It's not like you don't have your own person who feels similarly about you," she sighed.
Orihime's eyes widened, and Kagome gasped, realizing what she said.
"Umm… Sorry. It's been a long day," the miko sighed, her face bright red.
She was mentally kicking herself for having let that slip.
"Sorry. I'm sorry I made you cry, too. But I just wanted to get these things out as they are," Kagome sighed.
Orihime became silent, focusing on removing Souta's injuries…
A/N:
I realize Kagome's speech was very clinical and analytical, but at this point, she doesn't have much energy left in her to think things through with her emotions. She's had one helluva day. Hope you're enjoying the story, and be sure to tell me what you think of how I handled the conversation. See you next time!