The Hollow Princess

Chapter 16: Silence

All was silent.

No one moved.

I leaned forward and brushed a strand of get raven hair from her face.

Not that she would be bothered by it anymore.

I looked back at Hinoue, wiping at my eyes.

"Hey,"

"Yeah?"

"Do you wanna help me?"

She looked away from me, platinum hair covering most of her face.

"I should probably stay away from you for a while." She said quietly.

I was surprised at her.

"Why?"

"I'm turning soft around you. I hate that, and I hate you."

I didn't say anything, there was nothing to say to that.

So I closed my eyes in resolution and when I opened them again she was gone. Back to whatever place of my mind she resided.

I stood up and took a deep breath.

I don't have a shovel or anything like that so...

I'll have to use my hands I suppose.

I crouched down next to the tree truck and started digging with my hands.

By the time the grave was dug and Ayame buried, it was dusk.

The sky that matched my hair illuminated the solitary mound marked by a branch filled with blossoms.

No tears were left in me and my hands ad nails were caked with dirt.

"I didn't know you for long but," I closed my eyes and the memory of when we met that time I first learned I had powers.

"I know that you've always been there watching over me. Along with the others."

All the times we fought together and even the times we fought each other came flooding back an my breath caught in my throat.

"I didn't deserve you. I was weak, I was always weak. Even when I tried to be strong. I know that we'll meet again. I can feel it."

I turned and walked away and it felt like the longest walk I ever took.

I felt my hairpins heat up and took them off to look at them.

I held them in the palm of my hand ad they expanded as my ShunShunRikka emerged.

"Orihime," Shu'no said.

"Yes?"

"We have something we all need to say to you."

"Go on then."

They all hovered in my line of vision, looking subdued.

"We are so sorry Hime. We were blinded by our grief and loss of Ayame that we wrongly blamed everything on you. Please accept our apology."

I looked them each straight in the eye. I let out a long sigh.

"You know what? I don't care anymore. You can be sorry or you can not be sorry but I'll tell you this, I need you to help me. I'm not staying here as if you want to make it up to me then you'll do what I ask without asking."

I walked away, ignoring their shocked faces. I don't have time for reconciliation right now.

They followed a few seconds later,

Awaiting my orders no doubt.

"Hanagiku, Baigon and Lily. I want you to deploy your Santen Kesshun and wrap it around me."

"Around you?" They looked worried.

"Don't worry. I believe you can do it and I want you Shu'no to repair their shield where it fails."

"I'll do my best."

"And finally Tsubaki."

"Yeah wha-...yes?" He caught himself.

"I want you to use your Koten Zanshun to blast a hole in this place."

I smiled at him, knowing the pleasure he would take from it.

He returned my grin and shot off into the sky.

"Get ready everyone, here it comes."

All of a sudden Hinoue appeared in front of me.

She grasped my hand and the second Tsubaki broke through he threw upwards towards it and the last thing I was before I was covered by the shield was her mouthing,

'I really do hate you.'

Sorry for the wait yet again but life is as hectic as always :( I think that Blastrei (if you remember him ^^) will make an appearance the next chapter !

So look forward to it! And as always,

Thanks for reading~