Dream

"When I was on the verge of death, I felt nothing but fear."

Byakuya looked at the young woman who had courageously fought against all odds to save first his sister, then Inoue Orihime from Hueco Mundo. Ichigo continued to look towards the red and blue sky, eyes cloudy from remembrance.

"For once, in a very long time, I felt afraid. Afraid that I would never see my sisters again. Afraid that I could not protect the others that I've sworn to protect."

Byakuya said nothing. He knew that it was not easy to confess these feelings that festers within oneself. He knew it because he himself could not bring himself to utter them. To tell her of his feelings.

"I was so scared...But then, I heard a voice telling me not to give up."

The Kuchiki head continued to watch the redhead as a smile begin to etch itself onto her lush lips, only half registering her words. It had occured to him that he might not be able to see her again. To set eyes on her again. So he watched silently.

"The voice also said that if I give up fighting for my life, my sisters, Inoue, everyone I know would be sad. So I shouldn't die."

Warm brown eyes met his own grey ones and he was felt a sudden lurch at the pit of his stomach. This, she was something he couldn't have. Shouldn't desire, crave or dream of.

"And I didn't, all because of that voice. Then, when I woke up, I realize it. Who that voice was."

Byakuya felt as if he was entranced in a dream as Kurosaki Ichigo, with her soft fond smile and warm golden-brown eyes, reached out and caressed his cheek gently.

"It was you."

End of Dream