Chapter 2

/ A year later... /

'Ishida! Are you all right?'

'Yes... thanks, Sado!'

'Did we got all of them?'

'I think so... I don't feel any more hollow pressures.'

'Good. How's Inoue-san?'

Uryu's eyes traveled to the girl, who sat at the bottom of a near by stairs, hugging herself with her arms. Her gaze was lost in the distance, and her expression was empty. The boys slowly walked up to her.

'Orihime...' Uryu tried gently.

Without looking at them, she answered.

'I'm sorry, Uryu. I guess I wasn't paying enough attention.'

A muscle seemed to tense in Uryu's jaw.

'Don't worry about it. It could happen to anyone... and I was here to protect you.'

Orihime's expression suddenly changed. She withdrew her gaze, and flashed her eyes at Uryu, uncharacteristic anger flaming in her orbs. She stood up, and went a step closer.

'I don't want you to protect me!' she cried.

But then the anger dimmed, and the emptiness returned. She turned away.

Uryu looked hurt. He opened his mouth to say something, but closed it back again, waring with himself. Chad put a hand on his shoulder, warningly. The sound of running footsteps made them look up, and they saw Tatsuki arrive. She looked relieved, when she spotted the trio.

'The fight's over, huh? It must have been nasty... I felt it.'

'It was.' Chad answered simply.

Tatsuki eyed the way Orihime's back was turned in their direction suspiciously, and threw a questioning glance to Uryu. He only shook his head.

'Well then... I don't think I'll go back to work now. Only a few minutes left before my shift officially ends anyway. They will do without me. How about we all go and have a coffee together? My treat!' she said grinning.

Uryu smiled at her.

'That would be nice.'

Orihime turned. There was a smile on her face, but it was hesitant, as if even she herself wouldn't believe it.

'Er... you are very kind Tatsuki-chan! But I don't think I'll come today... I have... stuff to do... Important stuff... like... housecleaning! Yeah! There are little dust-monsters all over my place, completely taking charge! They'll grow on my head, and turn me into a sandman if I don't do something quick... so you see... it's really an emergency. But you just go ahead! It's better if I go home...' The middle of her speech was almost as lively and blabbering as her usual self, but the end of it drowned into melancholy. 'See you later guys... and Uryu... I'm sorry!' she added, and was already running away.

'Orihime! Wait!' Uryu cried, taken aback. He muffled a curse, and ran after the girl. 'I'm walking you home!'

Tatsuki and Chad looked after the pair sadly.

'He should give her more time...' Tatsuki sighed heavily. 'She's still not over it yet.'

Chad only grunted in acknowledgment.

…...

Uryu walked Orihime home, neither of them speaking throughout the journey. But when they reached the girl's apartment, she invited him in nonetheless. She made them tea, and they settled down to her low table. Uryu was fidgety, pushing his glasses up again and again. Finally, he couldn't take the tension any more, and decided to speak his mind.

'Orihime... I'm sorry, but I feel I have to be rough with you now. I've been watching you close lately... and there are things I don't like. You are far too reckless on the battlefield. And when you're in the middle of things... let's just say this was not the first time you failed to react properly to danger.' he sighed, then continued. 'You've said you don't want me to protect you. Then what do you want? It's almost like... like you had a death-wish...'

He looked at her directly, and held her gaze firmly. Orihime's eyes widened, and she shook her head fearfully.

'I'm glad. Because, you see, I know very well that I can never replace... him. It would be foolish to try. But I won't allow you to get hurt! Not if I can help it!'

Orihime was averting her eyes again. Uncomfortable silence settled between them.

'Uryu...' Orihime finally addressed him, closing her eyes completely. 'I called you in, because I need to say something to you.' A tremor ran through her form, and wetness gathered in the corner of her closed eyes. 'I... I think it's best if we end this now... I don't want to hurt you any more. You asked me out, and I said yes, but it was a mistake. A selfish mistake. I'm sorry... so very sorry! In truth, I'm just not ready for a relationship... yet.'

She knew she needed to look up, no matter how hard it was. It was Uryu, who averted his eyes now.

'I understand...' he said quietly.

…...

'Being alone is scary... Being alone is painful...

I had my Onii-chan. He protected me, and I lost him.

I had my Ichigo. He protected me, and I lost him.

My life is precious to me, because of all those sacrifices they made for me. I want to use this life for good. I will repay my debt by living it for others now... not for myself.

Being alone is scary... Being alone is painful... But I'd rather be alone, than lose somebody else.'

…...

Death-wish or not, danger just found her...

'Santen Kess...' she cried, but she was a moment late. Her voice drowned into a scream. Luckily, she was able to jump to the side by instinct, so the blow only scratched her. But she lost her balance, and fell down to the ground. The hollow took advantage of her situation instantly: it's clawed hands closed around her throat.

She choked heavily, struggling vainly in the suffocating hold. Her vision was starting to darken, and she had no real strength to fight. She knew no-one would come to rescue her now... She was all alone, and her friends too far. This was the end. As soon as she thought this, her body became limp with surrender. She closed her eyes, so she wouldn't see the monster's masked head closing in on her, it's mouth opening wide...

A wisp of wind. A sudden rush of power. She felt it close. Swirling spiritual pressure surrounded her, a pressure so fierce, that it burned her skin. The next moment, the strangling fingers released her neck, and she could breath again. Her whole body was shaking. She opened her eyes, and saw the hollow vanish, turning into smoke, it's final roar echoing in her ears.

She realized then, that she should have fallen back to the ground, because her legs surely wouldn't support her in her current state. But two strong hands were holding her up firmly. The form of these hands looked human, but the skin on them was a pail, unhealthy white...

She was slowly turned to face her savior, and she saw a pair of intense orange eyes bore into hers. These eyes widened slightly, with evident surprise.

'You?' the man choked. 'No... this can't be!'

Orihime only screamed.

…...

A/N: Please review, I want to know whether this story will be worthy of your attention!