If this is the end of the world, I'm not sure I even want it. My resolve to discover my name is shaky with nerves, filled with doubt as to whether I'd ever find it. I looked down at the grey hand around mine instinctively, the only light, however dim it was, in the otherwise pitch black existence.

Was this just Karakura town? Or was it happening in other places? It had to be, something like this. There had to be other office workers and shop staff wondering around, parts and parcels of unspeakable matter clinging to their dry skin.

Please don't eat me, I chant inwardly.

"U-"

"Shh-shhhh."

We lumber our way through, having passed about 5 of them so far. That was enough, but thankfully the stench on my neck and emanating from U had strengthened my stomach. I simply allow him to guide me along, thinking in my little haven. It occurs to me that maybe this is how he got along, how he came through with a measure of mentality; his thoughts. Did he daydream? Does he have memories, or is he just as lost as i?

We enter some metal gates, and a large school yard opens out to us. Beyond it is a large brown building, and familiarity tugs. My school. It has to be.

He lets go of my hand, and makes his way back to the gates. Bending down, he retrieves the discarded lock and places it back, securing us. It took him all of 30 seconds, and I can't help but watch in bewilderment. The longer I spend with him, he seems to be improving.

He turns back to me, and I break from my reverie. He hums and I follow. I don't miss the smug tightening of his lips.

"U, do you know this place?" Somehow I can't place him at the school. He looks about the age, maybe slightly older, but he doesn't quite fit.

He thinks, given away from the distance in his eyes, and shakes his head slowly. "No."

We make our way through the silence, and enter into the building, becoming shabbier the closer we come within sight of the details. Graffiti, empty cans and candy packets, newspapers and rolls of paper. The windows in the entrance doors are dusty, but fully intact. I push them open, and they give a slight groan.

"It looks empty," I observe, entering and scanning up and down the halls. We make our way up through the corridors and stairwells, until I stop and wait for U. "Sorry if I seem impatient," I excuse, blushing at the sarcastic look on his face. I suddenly feel guilty.

His eyes turn from mine to an area on the wall behind, and I turn. My eyes grow wide at the notice board, filled with notes and pictures and pieces of paper. But its not those that stun me. It's the photograph in the centre. A class photograph.

"I recognise these! Some of them! Hmm…" I check and examine each of the faces, and recoil as I find my own. A girl, with the exact same face and hair, but so much more vibrant. Grinning from ear to ear, eyes wide and happy and careless, because she was with her friends. Around her, faces she knew, but they had no names yet. A purple haired girl, an aggressive smile on her face as she stood next to the cheery girl. A bispecticled boy, smiling but distracted. A tall, tanned boy, his eyes concealed by a mop of hair. An orange haired boy, grinning with self-assurance and confidence.

"W-woma-an."

I glance at U, and he plucks a sheet of paper from the top corner. He hands it to me. It's a list of names, each written in the students own hand. I glare at it like treasure.

U takes my free hand, and opens the class room door with a steady, tired sound, like it hasn't been opened for months. He guides me though, and stops at the desk. The teachers desk. He lets go of my hand, and grabs a pen from the pot next to the dusty computer screen, handing it to me. "This w-way, you c-ca-an…comp-pare."

I think, and then I realise what he's suggesting. I feel the unimaginable urge to hug the genius before me, regardless of smell.

"Maybe we could find a way of helping you find your name, U," I suggest as I scan the list before I try out writing them. "Tell you what, I say it with another letter, like Ub. You tell me if it fits as we move along the alphabet. Ok?"

He nods. Zombies are so difficult to read.

I find a desk, determined, and set the pieces of paper side by side. I work my way through the names, and it only takes 5 to notice a match. I write the name out next to it, just in case.

"Orihime…Inoue?"

Click.