Later that night, Ichigo drowned deeper in his melancholy. The third hollow—hopefully the last—of this night appeared around 2 am, and with almost three years of doing this same thing everyday, every night, he slashed this one in half with little to no effort. The past few weeks, he lost all the excitement from this job, as if he's drained of all the adrenaline in his system. It is no longer a challenge.
Maybe a burden, even. Ichigo thought but almost immediately shook his head, clearing himself of the thought. I will not shame myself and break my oath. If I must be unhappy, if I must be broken, so be it.
He made his way back home hoping to catch a good night's sleep this time before he marches on to emptiness tomorrow. Tomorrow, after they bid each other their farewells, his heart will leave and Ichigo Kurosaki will no longer be just part hollow. He will be hollow.
Ichigo chuckled to himself at the thought. As he flashed step his way home, he caught sight of her apartment building. Many times at night, he'd be so tempted to give in to his longing for her and go see her, make sure she's okay, make sure she sleeps soundly, make sure she doesn't disappear from his reach again...The two sides of him would argue, trying to reason with each other.
To watch her sleeping, that would be weird and creepy! She would slap me if she knew what I was doing.
She is too kind, she would do no such thing. She can't even harm a fly.
Then, does that mean it's okay? It's not, but she would never find out.
Ichigo growled in frustration. Still, he stopped in his tracks on mid-air. Whether it's right or wrong, this might be the only chance you'll get to hold her. And without giving it another thought, he went for her window. He found her sleeping, muttering incomprehensible words under her breath. When he drew closer, he realized they were actual words-just not words that went together-"Peanut butter, aliens, dancing red bean paste..." A smile cracked his scowling facade. She always tugs at his heartstrings no matter how silly she can be.
Around her, he saw boxes and bags. She's packed most of her things, half of her room was empty. She is leaving in two days. This reminder made Ichigo's heart weep and rattle against his rib cage like a wild animal raging for freedom.
In his heartbreak, he finds himself moving towards her, towering over her bed and watching her every line, every curve, every crevice. Can I at least have this moment as consolation for not being able to have you?
Dressed in hello kitty pajamas, she slept on her back, with the covers covering the lower half of her body. She had one arm on her side, the other under her pillow. He hesitates for a second and then takes her hand in his. Soft they were, hands that heal, that protect, that care. He loves her hands.
Her long, silky auburn hair fanned across her pillow and sheets, some locks plastered themselves on her face. He loves her hair.
Ichigo thought she looked adorable. Just the sight of her like that is enough to melt him like butter. He slowly, gently brushes the locks away from her face, giving him an unobstructed view of her most beautiful face. She had thick long lashes that kissed her rosy cheeks; she had skin like alabaster, and lips so full, so pink, how he loves her face. She is far too beautiful to be real.
He continued to gaze upon her, wondering how his heart can love every inch of her immensely, how his heart can contain such a love, how he can ever live without her. In two days, she leaves and he will be empty. He didn't want to let go.
He wonders what it would feel like to be close to her. He gives in to his curiosity, drawing closer every second. Closer and closer...He is inches away from her face, her breath fanning on him. He is enjoying this proximity, and his heart begs for more, to fill the void inside him and move closer. He feels curious—Do I dare? He feels longing—You are so precious to me. He feels overwhelmed—I want you to know. He feels daring,—If only to touch once, to hold once, to kiss once...
The world stops when their lips touch, ever so slightly—a feathery touch but he drowns int the sweet smell of vanilla-lavender and the tstrawberry taste of her mouth. A thousand emotions swarm over him—a warmth in his cheeks, a burning, a fluttering in his stomach, a weakness in his knees, a restlessness in his arms, a dizzying in his head, a skipping—no, a bursting in his chest. He wants more, so much more of her, but before he is unable to stop himself, he pulls away.
His cheeks flame red and he sees her smile below him. Before he loses all reason, he drags himself away, and stalked towards the window. He hesitates before he takes his leave and glances at her one more time. If only to calm these raging emotions once...Ichigo whispers,"I love you, Inoue."