Orihime could barely keep her heart from breaking as the person whom she could never live up to, looked at her from across the door. There was genuine concern on Rukia's face and a slight bit of panic. Of course she would panic. She's a warrior, unlike me. She wouldn't know how to deal with childish tears… like mine. These thoughts finally pushed Orihime over the edge as she sobbed pitifully, allowing Rukia to lead her to the rooftop.

She had changed her story. She told Rukia how her motivation was all about being with her nakama. "We were targets together. We all grew because of our friendship. I was thinking I could be there to fight beside my friends this time too," she sobbed.

"You're not wrong, Orihime. It's one for all, all for one. You followed Ichigo into battle when all of you had just developed powers. In that much danger. You are needed now as much as you were needed then! The point was that everyone lent their hand. This is a team effort!"

Rukia's empathy had comforted her a little. But it wasn't enough, because Orihime had been lying to herself. It wasn't all about friendship. It wasn't even mostly about friendship.

When Hiyori dragged her to the weird charmed place where Ichigo had been training, Hachi san had fixed Tsubaki for her, and told her to her face that she wasn't fit for battle. Orihime had pondered only a few moments before telling him firmly that even then, she wanted to fight.

Sado kun had said that their powers had awakened because of Ichigo. But he was wrong. Her powers came through for Tatsuki chan. She had wanted most of all to protect her best friend. Her powers were always about friendship. Weren't they? She wanted to be there for her best friend. To protect her. To heal her. She did not ever want to see Tatsuki Chan hurt. Just like Kurosaki kun.

Orihime walked home later, with fresh purpose on her mind: she would train with Kuchiki san and become as strong as she could. She had to show that she was capable. She had to stop relying on Kurosaki kun.

She halted her step.

In the end, it was about Kurosaki kun. When she was alone, it was Kurosaki kun.

She wanted to be his source of comfort. His voice of reason. She wanted to be strong for both of them.

But somehow, it always ended up with her being the one in need. Her being the one needing protecting. I'm so tired of being strong, she thought. I've taken everything life has thrown at me. Starting with my parents, and losing the only person who loved me…I have never been special. I've been bullied, scratched at, and laughed at. And yet Kurosaki kun… he sees something in me that's worth protecting.

It was so easy to rely on this strong man.

Her hands trembled and it felt like her heart was being squeezed into a prune. In the end, it was always Kurosaki kun. In the end, it didn't matter who acknowledged her or didn't. She had to prove herself to the man she was in love with. She had seen the look of devastation on Kurosaki kun's face when Kuchiki san had been injured. She'd had no words to describe that hurt. Would he have looked like that if it were me? She wondered.

She resolved to stop feeling like a burden by not acting like one. In the end it doesn't matter about feelings, she lied to herself. I have to do what's right for the sake of the group.

She carried on walking home, having forgotten her moment of inspiration, her Tatsuki chan, heart churning in the woes of her unrequited love.