Title: The Pain That Binds Us
Author: disnaly
Main Pairing: Inoue Orihime x Cifer Ulquiorra.
Minor Pairings: Mentions of Kuchiki Rukia x Kurosaki Ichigo, Matsumoto Rangiku x Ichimaru Gin, Urahara Kisuke x Shihoun Yoruichi, Aizen Sosuke x Hinamori Momo.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original Bleach characters or the Bleach franchise.
Warning: Mentions and mild descriptions of violence. Hints at mature themes.
A/N: Each chapter will contain ten snippets, all in varying lengths. These take place before and throughout Orihime's captivity. The events are written in chronological order and do not follow the events of the anime.
Summary: In a world where Soulmates can feel each other's pain, Orihime was born with a Numb heart.
The Pain that Binds Us
Snippet Story
Soulmates were a single soul, separated and placed into two different bodies. They were two Halves of a Whole, in every sense of the phrase.
(I)
The gods wept when Inoue Orihime was born.
They cupped her Soul in their hands, watching in sorrow as the red thread that binded her heart turned to ash. Their tears fell on her face, glittering like the stars that shone in her eyes.
As an apology for the turn of events, they blessed her with hair that shone like the sun itself, and the power of Rejection.
(II)
Despite it being warm and humid, a chill hovered over the hospital. The cold shivered its way into the newborn's skin, seeping through her flesh and bones, and wrapped itself around her Numb Heart.
It would stay that way for the rest of her life.
(III)
Orihime spent her infancy cradled in her brother's loving arms, away from the insults and abuse of her parents. She grew up with once upon a time stories of princesses and dragons and many more fairytales which would serve to comfort her during her time alone.
She spent so much time thinking about stories that she became a part of them.
(IV)
One day, her brother my saviour and protector and knight in shining armour fell ill. It was not like a fever or a cold which she could cure--or so he whispered out through his pained expression--but something different entirely.
He spent hours clutching his chest as Orihime held his hand, not knowing what to do but providing comfort nonetheless. Throughout the ordeal, she told him stories, adding along the characters as she went, adding to the plot to keep him engaged.
She spoke until her voice was raw and her brother was fast asleep.
(V)
The following morning he told her another story. This one was about Soulmates and Hearts and the Threads of Destiny that bound them.
This one she memorized until she could see the words hovering behind her closed eyelids. She whispered it to herself every night with a wish and a prayer.
(VI)
Her brother left her far too soon for her liking. His demise was unexpected and left behind a deep gash within her heart. Orihime never got to apologize for her cruel words to him, nor to thank for the lovely and so very pretty blue hair pins he had left behind.
Returning to her home after the funeral, Orihime filled in the silence with stories, letting her sorrow echo with her words.
(VII)
The years passed and slowly but surely, she stepped outside the four walls of their no. now it's mine, mine alone home. She met several people, few of which came to be her closest friends.
Arisawa Tatsuki was at the top of this list, followed by Kurosaki Ichigo.
Meeting them reminded her of all the stories she had listened, of knights and the fair maidens they rescued.
In the silence of her home, she made up another story, replacing her black haired hero with visions of orange and brown.
(VIII)
She fell in love with Kurosaki Ichigo, words of Soulmates and Bonds long forgotten.
(IX)
It was during a girls night when Orihime was forced to recall the memories of her brother which she had buried deep inside her mind.
Her friends asked if she had felt the Pain yet. Orihime looked away, This is so embarrassing, Tatsuki-chan. Can we talk about something else? because the whole idea seemed too personal; too intimate.
They shared their own experiences, complaining and groaning throughout the night, but Orihime didn't miss the bright gleam within their eyes.
(X)
As the time passed, her heart remained Numb, feeling no Pain at all. It made at least one thing clear; no matter how much she wished it to be, Kurosaki Ichigo was not her Other Half.
A/N#1: Thank you so much for reading and giving this snippet story a chance!! This idea came to me when I was reading a book. I've always liked the way authors describe negative emotions between characters as if it were actual physical pain. It made me wonder what if we could actually feel that pain. One thing led to the the other, so ta-da! I'll try to make both characters as realistic as possible, at the same time, keeping in mind the plot and the situation at hand. Sorry if they come of as OOC in future chapters, but I'll try my best!! Be sure to tell me if you spot something out of the ordinary.
A/N#2: The updates for this are going to be random, and I'll be posting as soon as I finish the next ten snippets. Sorry if you prefer scheduled updates, but deadlines make me nervous and unable to write at all! Hope you don't mind bearing with me (TT)
A/N#3: I also wanted to say that this idea will extend to othe Anime too. Which means I will most probably writing other couples with the same core idea with minor changes. So if you have anyone you would like me to write about, be sure to tell me!
Thank you again for reading and remember to tell me what you think!