WestSide Story From Hell

Chapter 18

I didn't know why being abandoned like this made me hurt this much but it did. I eventually got back up and walked back into the classroom. Ignoring all the stares, I managed to get to my desk with a straight face. Slowly, I crashed into my seat. I could hear the voice of my teacher but I couldn't understand her. I could feel the stare of Nel, but I couldn't look at her. Not yet, I'm not ready to be read, I thought to myself, shaking my head miserably.

"It's just Ulquiorra. We wouldn't have been able to work out anyways." I whispered to myself. Glaring angrily at my desk, I bit my lip. Did I really believe that? For that moment, did I really think that way?

Self punishment. That's what I was giving myself right now. I was making myself feel worthless and lower than dirt because I had just been thrown to the crub. But did I really need to do that to myself? I had Nel and Rangiku by my side and Ulquiorra wouldn't let this all be for nothing -he'd make it right if I really meant something to him.

I wasn't lower than dirt, I deserved much more than to feel like this. Gin was just being a jerk. The rightful way as the co-leader of the Espadas. They had a reputation to up hold and I did as well. Just because I was kicked out by both teams, didn't mean I'd leave this game into their hands. No, I was going to play and get answers. Whether they let me or not.

By the time the last bell had rung, I was out the door before anyone could get in my way. If I wanted answers, there's only one place where I'd get them. Urahara's shop.

"Orihime!" I heard Nel bellow out behind me. I was able to avoid her picking up on my feelings, but I really wanted to get out of here. I didn't want to second guess myself and not follow through with my decisions.

"Hey..." I choked out, raising my hand to wave a little bit. A queasy smile made it's way to my face as she came closer.

"Hey...what...where are you going?" She asked nervously. She stood there staring at me slightly stunned by my sudden change in attitude.

"I just...I need to do something, Nel." I started avoiding the truth before becoming straight forward with her.

"I can help?" She offered with a shrugg. I shook my head, watching as she became chestfallen.

"I appreciate you asking," I started out, trying to word this nicely, "I kinda want to do this myself, you know?" I said, trying to get her to understand. She nodded slowly and shook her head.

"You have something you must really need to do right now." She spoke softly. "All by yourself, too." Sighing, she came closer and ruffled my hair. "You grow up so fast." She ended with a smile.

Laughing softly under my breath, I smacked her hand away and smile at her. Turning my back to her, I ran in the direction to his shop. I had to get there fast. I needed to do this before they get there.

I crouched behind a car in the parking lot as I saw them pull in. Rukia and the others slowly got out and piled in the shop. They were already here and I really needed to talk to Kisuke. If Gin was no longer on my side, and Kisuke really couldn't care less about who he talked to, he'd be the one to anwser my questions. But could I really go in there when they were there? For all I knew, they could be waiting to pounce on me for my betrayal.

I needed to do this though. I needed to do this now. Quickly gathering up my courage, I stood up from behind the car and started walking to the shop. With each step I took, I could feel my new found confidence draining from me. My instinct to cower and take punishment was kicking in, and it wanted me to flee. Grabbing the handle of the door, it was now or never.

Stepping inside the shop, I searched for them. I wanted to know where they were at if I happen to encounter them. I looked around before realizing that they probably went around to the back. Walking over to the counter, I nodded at Ururu.

"Hey." I said breathlessly.

"Did you run here?" She asked quizzically, noting how out-of-breath my voice sounded.

"What? No...no...I'm just a little nervous." I said trailing off. How should I put this? I asked myself.

"What do you want?" She said, getting straight to the point. I looked at her, giving her a sly smile.

"I...I need to talk to Kisuke." I started, holding onto the counter. "I know I might not be allowed to anymore, but I really need to. It's important." I spoke softly. I wanted answers. I needed them before anything gets worse. I looked up at her, only to find her beckoming me to come behind the corner around back.

All that I needed to do now was have this talk and avoid the others. Easier said than done, if I might add.

Nel watched as Orihime turned around and ran off. She fiddled with her fingers until Orihime vanished from sight. Rubbing her face, she turned around to go back inside the school. With no one waiting for her at home, and Orihime not around to keep her company, she needed to stay in a environment she was familiar in.

She pushed opened the doors, and shuffled through all the other teenagers rushing out. She could hear the buzz of all their voices coming together as one. It was comforting to say the least. Silence would've been a little too lonely.

Opening her locker door, she gently picked up her book and set them inside her bag. Perhaps, she thought to herself, tomorrow everything will be okay. Slowly shutting the door, she waited to hear the satisfied click of the lock. Turning around, she began to walk in the direction to the roof before bumping into someone. She stumbled a little bit before catching her balance.

"S-sorry." She stuttered out, trying to hold onto the person she bumped into so they wouldn't fall. "I wasn't looking where I was going. It was my fault." She said, squeezing her eyes as she apologized. She felt them shrug off her hand, and walk away.

Looking over at the person, she noticed he was in a group of people and didn't pay much attention to their collision. Sighing, she scolded herself for making a big deal out of nothing.

Holding her bag tighter against her shoulder, she began to walk to the stairwell. She stood there for a second before pushing open the door. If she went up there and he was there, what would she do?

"Ignore him." She told herself as she gathered her insides and started climbing up the steps. She stared at the steps, of her feet hitting each other while concentrating on calming her heartbeat. There was nothing to nervous or anxious about.

Before reaching the very top, a shadow loomed on the steps in front of her. Debating on whether to ignore it or not, she flicked her eyes up to see who is was. Taking a quick intake of breath, she stood up straighter and held onto the railing like her life depended on it.

"Nel…" Grimmjow trailed off, staring longingly at her. With her head still down and her ability useless towards him, she didn't see the signs.

"Grimmjow." She said curtly. Grimmjow winced inwardly before putting on a straight face.

"Do you know where Orihime is?" He asked as her eyes began to water. It was always about Orhime, wasn't it? She thought to herself harshly. Clenching her teeth together, she shook her head. Grimmjow sighed and stared at her a while longer. Anyone could see he wanted to say something, everyone but her.

Grimmjow left the stairwell a few moments after.

Nel sanked to the floor, sitting with her head between her knees and her hands cradling her head.

Even with all the misunderstandings between the both of them, she sat there with her head in her hands, wishing they were in his.

Ulquiorra sat in a chair, watching the heart monitor. Every now and then, the monitor would stop beating, arising panic, only to start going again. He was the only one in town who knew of what had happened and while he planned on keeping it that way, he knew it wouldn't be possible. It wouldn't be fair.

"Rangiku…how did you get caught up in this?" He asked out loud to himself. She was alive at the very least, her body was healing, and recovery was hopeful for her. But waking up? There was no way. Not with her mind in a panic when the car crashed. She had tensed up, sitting in the passenger side. Some said it was a miracle to not be dead. Some said it was a curse to be a vegetable.

How would he break the news to her?

Rangiku and Nel were the last few remaining friends of hers that had been there when they were needed the most. Having to lose her support system back then because of him and then losing another one now for the same reason. How could she handle that?

He closed his eyes, and laid back in his chair. He wanted to be there for her. He wanted to show her that not everything was lost. That there was always a way.

He remembered her always being so cheery before the accident. Telling all the sad and angry childish peers that it was no use to be sad. He remembered asking her why she thought that. At first, she didn't answer him. Actually, she didn't even acknowledge him. He shrugged it off, and didn't bother her again. About a week before the accident, he saw her walking towards him, saying she had the answer.

"The reason why it's no use to be sad. Is because no matter how sad or lonely you are, everyone else keeps moving along on their path, and barely no one stops to look besides the ditch to the people who've stopped along the way. Being externally sad is like asking for attention. If you wanted attention, you shouldn't be sad because no one is willing to ask what's wrong."

Shaking his head, he cackled a little. She had a mature way of thinking that she didn't show at such a young age.

Maybe...Maybe tomorrow, I can return and see her. He thought to himself before drifting off.

Ururu led me to the back, silently opening each door to check to see which one Kisuke was in. I began to feel nervous. My palms started to feel sweaty and I felt like the back of head was just getting banged against wall repeatedly. The bruises on my leg started stinging and I didn't know why.

Stopping in the middle of the hallway, I covered my eyes as they began to water. With my other hand, I tried to grab something to keep me upright, only to accidentally knock something over.

A loud crash was heard, with following footsteps.

"What is she doing here?" Rukia asked bitterly.

"I see that it is no longer your concern on what she does." Ururu replied smoothly. Although I was giving Ururu a mental high-five, I could feel myself slipping.

"You don't have any right to talk to me like that." Rukia snapped at her. Uncovering my eyes, I looked around. The lights above me kept flickering, and my eyes kept unfocusing making it hard to see.

"Oho? What do we have here?" Kisuke asked, finally showing himself behind a closed door.

"I need to talk to you." I choke out, loud enough for my voice to carry over to his ears. I fell against the wall, trying to steady myself as the room began to spin.

"Why, of course. But of what, Orihime?" He said playfully, but at the same time, giving me the all knowing watchful eye.

"It's about the bruises and the visions. That guy!" I started, only to stop myself when lights kept getting brighter and my ears began to ring.

"That guy?" Kisuke asked before looking down at my bruised leg. My leg was scorching by now, for reasons I didn't know. "Is that?" He trailed off. I vaguely remembered hearing him start.

The lights flickered again and in those few seconds of darkness, Orhime vanished.

There was no trace of her except for the broken glass that she had accidentally knocked over.

It wouldn't be until days later, would they dare enter her home. There, they would find a book.

Open, faced down. Laying in a puddle of water on the coffee table, with a little purple marker smile face on its cover.

WHY ARE MY UPDATES SO SLOW, YOU ASK?

I'm...not really sure. This is not edited at all. I couldn't find anyone, I'm been searching for someone to send it to since Tuesday and no one had the time, so if you find any mistakes, please point it out so I can fix them! Thank you.

I thank everyone who has favorited/alerted/reviewed.

Thanks to those who have reviewed:

fallenangel320: I can see that..you..you should correct this chapter in your next review since you know..YOU ARE MY EDITOR :P Lol :)

Tuliharja: What do you mean? Like...a filler? Well, Grimmjow's probably the only one Ulquiorra can depend on since they are...slightly close? Poor Nel, indeed. I understand what you're going through, Nel! You're not alone :) TO THE ONES WHO CAN RELATE TO HER, WE FEEL YOU!

BlessedRain : Nope. ;) Btw, you are my 100th reviewer, you have gained the title! Hazzah! Funny part? I haven't finished the movie at all...

ladycifer: Still had to wait :( Sorry...and aww...Thank you! x3 We both shall find out soon...soon, I don't know if you'll enjoy the next chapters though, they're very interesting though. :D

splitheart1120: Because your feelings are right..

Nightkill: Have you came across these future messages yet? :) Nnoitra is...very much out there, isn't he?

Thank you for reviewing! Don't be shy! Keep them coming! :) Only Fanfiction understands... ;)

ATTENTION ANYONE WHO LIKES GOING TO ANIME FESTIVALS! If you live in the US, and you live in Kansas(I'm moving soon anyways, so it doesn't matter if I tell you), and you plan to go to the Anime Festival on July 30th. I will be there. Probably as Nel again. :)