Still no tears fell.
Not on the outside. Inside, he was drowning.
They couldn't understand; Orihime with her falsely bright smile constantly at his side.
Yes, she was hurt. She had been the captive, she had witnessed his battles and struggle all to retrieve her. Maybe that was what fueled her hopes.
If he had gone through so much to rescue her then he must feel something else besides friendship.
He must care for her.
And if he cared for her then he must...
Ichigo looked into her eyes and saw them shine with tears for Rukia, but glow with the hope of something else. The words he dreaded hearing spilled forth; on Matsumoto's orders, they were left alone.
"I don't expect you--I mean--I know it's silly of me to hope b-but, I-Ichigo, I--"
"Don't." He began walking away; the sun was setting low over the realm of the dead. Already the shadows were creeping onto her resting place. It was a mere pretense to offer solace for those left behind. Everyone knew that when a Soulreaper died, their body disintegrated into spirit particles becoming a part of the world.
Now she was a part of Hueco Mundo.
"I'll wait for forever if that's how long it'll take!" Orihime's voice momentarily made him stop in his tracks. He knew he should say something. Say anything that would get her to cease these foolish hopes. Find somebody! His mind screamed. Anybody but me!
Instead, he gave a half-hearted back wave; temporarily fooling himself and her.
Maybe, it meant.
Maybe one day he would forget the woman who had changed his life, who without knowing it became everything. But she never knew. He regretted now those words he had swallowed before they had parted ways down the five paths.
Come back, because you're everything to me.
~To be continued~
AN: *-* Thanks for reading!
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