Author's Note: Well, I'm not sure Orihime would show her emotion so fast but this was something quick so w/e ~ Oh, and this is for Panda Kanda . Enjoy. ;]
Disclaimer: I do not own any Bleach characters, they belong to Tite Kubo.
"Are you afraid, girl?"
"I'm not afraid."
He reached out to her, not really knowing the reason why. He wasn't even sure if he wanted her to reach out to him.
She was sad, that much could be said. Hesitant, she reached out to him, seemingly oblivious to anything else.
Their finger-tips were just a hair's breadth away but it was too late. His hand crumbled before it could connect with her and he found himself being swept away by the wind. His last vision was of her, yet, that image became blurred and was crushed into nothingness.
She stood frozen in her spot, her hand still reaching out to where he was standing a few moments ago, as if he never disappeared.
She was free. Freedom should taste sweet, and wondrous, no? So why did it feel like nothing? Why did she not feel any joy or burst of happiness? He was gone.
Wasn't that a good thing?
Perhaps, it was. He had been intervening on her path back to her friends.
But…why did he have to die…as such?
Maybe he was just misunderstood? He didn't seriously mean her any harm?
Wait, why did she care?
Or more like, why was she now trembling, and struggling to control herself?
She didn't even react so terribly when she thought Ichigo had died.
"Inoue-san?" That voice, she'd been dying to hear for so long, for so damn long, now sounded like the last possible thing on her mind. He stood before her, and his eyes gleamed as if they were screaming sympathy. For who? She didn't know.
"Just leave me alone, Kurosaki-kun." It wasn't said in a harsh tone but it did sting him. She was hurt yet he could do nothing for her.
"I'm sorry." He whispered and left her alone.
She squeezed her eyes, and clasped her hands together tightly, trying to remain strong. It just didn't make sense anymore. The world felt upside down when it should have felt right. Victory should taste sweet and everything should be bright and so full of life!
However, the world was not like that of a fantasy. In reality it was everything she denied it to be. Was that the source of her confusion in this dreadful moment?
"Ulquiorra."
Her eyes burned, her throat felt raw, and she couldn't stop her muffled sobs. Her head ached painfully, she felt her knees give up and cause her to slump on the ground.
Why did she call out his name? She covered her face with her hands and cried out her sorrow and frustration.
She cried for him and she didn't understand why.