April 2009. 130 words.
I'm here. Waiting with you.
*
It takes a long time for a person to bleed out.
Orihime is learning the hard way. In movies, death is a neat cut, wrapped, finished. End of scene.
As the third hour approaches, still Rangiku holds Gin's hand as he shakes and coughs, and struggles to breathe.
At one point, Orihime can bear it no longer and steps forward to heal; drawn back by a firm grasp and not unsympathetic shaking head.
The tired captains organize the aftermath of the battle, trudging through the mud barking orders, awkwardly avoiding any glances at the intimate drama beside them.
So Orihime waits, close enough to be there if her friend needs her; and far enough not to overhear the low, strained words they sometimes speak.