Chapter 2: A Morbid Drink

By Nanashi Bakemono

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

He never was interested in anything before.

A mellow character, a sinister ever-present smile located on his pale skin, the curved eyes that never betrayed any thoughts.

So, the question was why would he go?

Why did he leave?

But she knew, he knew and as did everyone else, that one of these things was bound to happen.

Was he just fascinated by the power of those vile creatures?

Was he lured by Aizen?

One would never know.

It was a fatal blow to her and the nervous lieutenant, but expected none the less.

Funny, isn't it? That you know it's going to happen and yet you can't help but try to fight the inevitable.

He was strong. Strong enough, so why did he go?

Why did he leave the first time, anyway?

Was it because of her? Was it himself? Was it just because she had turned useless and was no longer needed?

All she knew was that night, she had cried.

Cried because of him.

Cried because she was alone.

Cried because he didn't care for her anymore.

These thoughts were useless.

A sake cup was slammed hard onto the rickety wooden table.

The liquid swished from side to side, threatening to spill over the edge of the fragile cup.

Staring into the liquid, they looked into their reflection.

Dried, puffy, red eyes strained to stay awake, caused by over-exertion and lack of sleep.

It was her fault wasn't it? Always, ne? Always her fault……

Elsewhere, a young man sat on an old stool staring into nothing. His blank gaze was just that….blank. His eyes clouded over as past memories surfaced into his mind.

Was he just a failure? Was it because of him that he left? Wasn't he a lieutenant? He was supposed to keep things in check! Be there when his captain needed it! Yet, his captain always seemed content. Though his smiles were creepier rather than happy, he seemed capable and he praised him sometimes-it didn't matter the number which was less than a few, even after so many years as long as he was praised, everything was okay. He would be content and he assumed his captain would be too. What a load of bull.

A sound of a sake glass clinking against the door could be heard. Which aroused him from his thinking.

"Arrr, meee welllllcummmm?" a slurred voice echoed from within the hallway outside the room he was currently residing in.

Gracefully, he lifted himself from the stool and crossed the room, opening the door with a click.

Gesturing to an empty couch on the far left side of the room, he led the way.

She sat down, sake bottle and cups in hand.

"We're suckers aren't weeee? Hehe, we bakas!"

Tears streaked down her pale face. A smile of sadness and misery was added and the room was silent, save the sound of sake carelessly being poured into a pair of sake cups.

It didn't matter. They didn't care. And for once they didn't have to do anything, say anything or feel anything. Here, together, they let their minds drift, to more pleasant days and past happiness.

And the cups clinked, as they drank into the night.

Author's Notes:

Well, it's been a while. This is drabble 2 of the Ichimaru musings. Hope you like it.

The main characters are pretty obvious. Please comment and tell me what you think.

More chapters and stories to be updated soon.

Nanashi Bakemono