Chapter Five – Searching For Rewind

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Here's your next chapter; I think you'll find it very interesting…

The songs used are, respectively:

"Dreaming With a Broken Heart" – John Mayer

"Everytime" – Brittney Spears

"My Last Breath" – Evanescence

"Like You" Evanescence

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According to the rest of Karakura, Ichigo Kurosaki had drowned.

The story went like this – Ichigo had been supervising his sisters while they were swimming in the river. Suddenly, the storm had kicked up and Yuzu had been swept away. Ichigo had bravely dived in and saved her, but he was swept away by the current. He'd hit his head on a rock and slipped beneath the eddies, never to resurface. His body had not been found.

It was a good story, Orihime had to admit. He probably would have wanted to "go" that way, in his natural role as protector, a hero to his last breath.

But it was only a story, after all, and she could hardly bear beign at Ichigo's "funeral", surrounded by people in white kimonos, mourning the "loss".

If only they knew, Orihime thought.

She began to distance herself from everyone, even Chad and Uryuu, who knew the truth. If anything, it was harder being around them, because it reminded her that, though she knew exactly where Ichigo was, he was far beyond her reach…

She took to brooding, sitting on a footbridge over the creek for hours at a time, with headphones jammed into her ears. Her friends, their grief giving them understanding, realized it was best to leave her alone, and allowed her to avoid them most of the time.

A year passed in this way. It was now well inot spring. The earth was slowly awakening in the form of new life; the world grew and blossomed, forgetting Orihime's sorrow, ignoring her pain and moving on regardless. Because of this, she felt even worse, if that were possible.

She took her iPod out of her pocket and pushed 'play'. Her head was filled with sound and she closed her eyes, shutting out the faithless world.

When you're dreamin' with a broken heart

The wakin' up is the hardest part.

The sun shimmered off the water's surface, which barely even moved. Somewhere nearby, a bird began top sing. A butterfly flew across where her line of vision would be if her eyes had been open.

Do I have to fall asleep with roses in my hand?

Will you get them if I do?

No, you won't

'Cause you're gone, gone, gone, gone, gone.

Orihime frowned and, though it was almost over, changed the song. It reminded her too much of what was going on now…

Everytime I try to fly

I fall

Without my wings

I feel so small

I guess I need you, baby

That was worse. Slightly irritated, Orihime moved onto the next song.

Hold on to me, love

You know I can't stay long

All I wanted to say was I love you and I'm not afraid

In her desperation to change the song again, Orihime pushed 'fast forward' instead.

Closing your eyes to disappear

You pray your dreams will leave you here

But still you wake and know the truth

No one's there

She viciously stabbed 'next'.

Halo

Blinding wall between us

Melt away and leave us alone again

Humming, haunted somewhere out there

I believe our love can see us through in death.

"No!" cried Orihime hoarsely. "No, it can't; there's nothing we can do, nothing; it's all a lie!" She ripped the headphones from her ears and hurled the iPod into the water. Ripples bloomed from the epicenter in quiet, eerily perfect circles, but she failed to see as she buried her face in her hands and sobbed hysterically.

When she was through, she realized someone was watching her, and she looked up to see Rukia, who gave her a wavery smile. "Feel better?"

"…No, not really."

"Can I sit down?"

"If you want – it's not my bridge, after all."

The dark-haired girl took a seat next to her.

"Look," she said. "I came because I have some huge news. I'm just going to tell you straight out –"

Orihime felt as though her heart had stopped.

"Is it Ichigo?" she cried. "Did something happen? Did he turn into a Hollow anyway or was he – did he – die? For real this time?"

'What --? No, no! Ichigo's fine. He was allowed to join the Gotei 13; he's in division eleven, fourth seat already. Since he's 'four', everyone calls him 'Deathberry'. So, he's great. Well, no, actually – he's miserable. He snaps at anyone who tries to talk to him. But, that'll change soon – because – I know how you can be with him."

Orihime gasped. "You do? You really know a way? I can see him again, and stay with him? You really know how I ca do that? Tell me; please, tell me!!!'

Rukia laughed. "Don't worry," she said. "I was going to. You're an angel, Orihime."

Orihime blinked. "What? Why? What did I do that was so --?"

"No, no," Rukia's eyes were wide with a combination of earnestness and exasperation, but he expression was dead serious. "Orihime – you're an angel."

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A/N: So…what'd you think? Interesting, eh? You know what to do…see you next chapter!

~Raye Lynne