Special thanks to LoVe23, my lovely, super awesome, patient, kind confidante~ honestly without her, who knows when I'd update this fic ^^!

***So welcome to the new Session 2! After all it's been a long time. I forgot to give you guys a heads up, but this session in particular is different from the others. All the chapters in this session will be written in first person and each chapter follows a different character so look out for that! And I'll let you know ahead who the chapter will focusing on***

Rukia

"I'll say it before you do, Orihime's back," Renji dead pans while rifling through the refrigerator. Yet strangely it is not to take food out but to put food in.

Ha. Look at how much has change in so little time, I scoff, laugh, and admire at the idea. But then Renji faces me when I make the sound and I see him grimace before he drops a heavy hand on my shoulder.

"Oi, don't cry now!"

I fold my arms in defense, I know I'm scowling, and I know that he isn't really trying to console me.

Just trying to prevent me from actually crying (again and again and again). Because if I start then he will, all because of— I choke down the forthcoming sob and Renji lets out a snort that makes me want to scrunch up my nose. The tension drops uneasily when he turns away from me, while I act like nothing has happened.

But something that could be almost considered vile solidifies deep within me. I am mad at Renji for acting so presumptuous all of a sudden. Not after the experience we shared.

Then again maybe I'm mad at Urahara, Nii-sama, the whole Soul Society—this whole damned situation.

Everything.

Me, most of all.

These thoughts in my head tangle a nasty web into my heart, even as the blame never fully forms. Because it's too late to be thinking thoughts like that anymore, I can't let my emotions get carried away. I sigh while glancing somewhere down the small aged hall; the hallway light begins to flicker and it vaguely reminds me of—still out cold, watching golden light break in and out, from forcing too much of—I cut these thoughts promptly off, but I can still see it flicker in the back of my mind.

On and off.

I shut my eyes tightly as if that could prevent me from seeing these visions, (memories that are more like nightmares, images haunting and eerie with their obscurity and their apparitional appearances), but I try to focus on my other senses, at least on something else—the sound of your coming footsteps are a welcome distraction, if only for a moment.

But then it means it's time.

"You ready?" Renji asks, now with a breaking edge to his voice but I'm glad. He finally sounds honest.

And that's why I hear myself say, "I sure hope so." But no, it's too soon, way too soon for me to gather myself completely. It's because I don't want you to see me like this.

Except I know better. I realize it now—that there are things still so far from my reach, things I cannot control, that in end I couldn't do better for you.

It hurts to wonder about that. Nothing is ever that simple, after all. No matter how hard we try to get things right—not when I am able to sense that you have been slipping somehow. This entire time and–

And I'm sorry. But I just can't be reminded of that. Not now.

Session 2: Characters Crying Out

Chapter 1: Not Now, Not Ever

[28 days ago–Soul Society–Kuchiki Estate]

i.

Or at least that's what I'd like to say to comfort myself because I have just woken up again and just like every other time, it causes the memories to pull, and my stomach to sink, just a little bit. But thankfully you are still asleep and as much as that fact still worries me, it makes things easier for me to handle—I sure as hell know that I won't be able to keep up a poker face when it finally comes to the time where I'll need to deal with all of this.

Yet, as much as I am ashamed to admit this, but I hope that when you wake up you won't remember the details of—

What happened.

Where we are.

Why we're sharing a futon.

But first things first, why am I still unable to move?

I should, I've had enough time to recover. But when I remember the hurt, I more than remember the cause and— I'm just thankful that you don't. Or can't remember, probably because you're still asleep and not because you're–

I grimace inwardly, at the thought, and try to force myself up. Because I have to get up, because I feel like I am going to start crying, and then, if I wake you and you notice, you'd more than remember the incident, what happened because of it...

And of course the result.

The moment I shift into a sitting position I hear you groan and I can see that you're slowly waking up. I don't like how you look so out of it, so completely out of your element. But more than that, I don't like how you look exhausted, as though you haven't been sleeping for over a week—except you did and you wouldn't open your eyes, wouldn't move, wouldn't even provide the slightest twitch.

And you don't know this, but I've been scared that maybe you wouldn't–

It is probably for the best if I refrain myself from thinking such thoughts. Not when I am here, right now, ready and willing to stay by your side. Not when I see the disheartening sight of you looking so vulnerable. Especially since you have yet to completely heal.

I hear you groan again and this time it's filled with a sickeningly familiar sound of pain and I hate the fact that I know it's the bad pain—the deep soul breaking pain. The kind of pain that is making you exhale, shakily, and it is more than obvious, more than it is painful of how your body is probably remembering everything that has happened, even before you get the chance to. What I hate even more is how I hope that maybe you won't remember that pain.

It's not like I want to lie to you, maybe just hide the truth. Perhaps say that everything before was probably just a bad dream—that in itself is just a probability. Except it's not as though you have a bad memory, I'm sure. But maybe you would like to forget.

Maybe you don't have to remember the bad things, right?

Another broken groan… Right, it is simply my wishful thinking. I realize that I'm not gonna be able to hide it. I know you're going to remember it all, about that night, when you exposed yourself in that way, exposed yourself to everyone. I remember being able to feel the worst possible emotion as it flashed in your eyes because they were screaming at me—in pain, in agony, in rapture, I don't know. I'm still not sure and I'm unsure if I want to know.

It's not another moment when a rough knock raps at the door and I immediately sit up just as the door slides open with a red-head peeking in—Renji, looking entirely too worried, but he mouths the words, "anything yet?" Flittering a glance of unmasked concern, towards you. Him being here, he must have realized I wasn't in my own bed when he stopped by. But then again he always knew that I'd be in your room.

As a response, I shake my head and there's an awkward off-beat of silence before Renji takes it as a cue to continue, stepping into the room and quietly sliding the door shut behind him before settling his back on it.

"Just got back from a meeting." He starts slowly.

Surprisingly my voice is calm and soft. "Is that so?" But I still have to swallow the dread, even as it goes down my throat thickly.

"Yeah the captains had to stay behind... We were gonna try and keep this whole ordeal under wraps within the Gotei but..."

I look back up. "But?"

He sighs, "but it seems," and right now he sounds a bit angry, "complicated shit the new Chamber Forty-Six keeps bringing up."

"What?"

"Well, it kinda has to do with the fact that they don't like how we're easily letting Urahara and the Vizards go."

I know I'm giving him a perplexed look and Renji scratches the back of his neck as an expression of frustration mars his otherwise good features.

"But they helped us out and it's not like they've done anything wrong! They're more like the victims of this whole story, if anything."

"It's exactly that," he clipped, folding his arms over his chest. "Given their background and all and what they're capable of..." He trails off, eyes looking weary all of a sudden. "Like I said, complicated shit. Looks like our initial plan isn't going to work out as smoothly as we thought."

I pointedly ignore the fact that his eyes never quite meet mine. "Renji—" yet instead of looking at him when I ask, I avoid him too by focusing my gaze on you, and you finally appear to be fully awake and alert. I'm relieved to see that but the realization that you have yet to interact with either of us nags at me.

I ignore the troubling thought for now because I know that you're listening to the conversation intently. "Renji. What do you mea–"

"What do you think?" He spats, cutting me off and I see your hands starting to shake while I'm reeling, thoughts over thoughts—why—why?—because if he's implying what I'm thinking... This is bad.

"They are going to keep them here..." I mutter lowly, he doesn't even have to nod and I can feel you stiffening under my fingertips, "but I thought Nii-sama said—"

"He must've lied then," Renji's voice chokes, he's gritting his teeth, and the effort I see him put into restraining his emotions is almost heartbreaking. "He'll be back soon though. And he's going to come by and check on—" I briefly look down at you yet your expression is more worrisome than Renji's; your gray eyes are dark with some unfathomable emotion I can't understand.

Renji shakes his head but casts his gaze elsewhere. "Things." He finishes vaguely once more.

I nod along silently while brushing your hair—away from your eyes, face, cheeks, which I notice had finally gotten back its' warmth, and feels more solid and real under my fingers.

When I chance another look at you I'm taken aback by how our gazes meet, bringing out an indescribable feeling within me.

After all it's been so long since we last made direct contact—albeit the last time was an unpleasant one.

ii.

"Where are we?"

Hearing your voice all of sudden startles me, but hearing you speak worries me more, because it's alarming how disengaging your voice sounds. I try not to let that worry show on my face, lest you notice, allowing you to wonder and realize things you're better off without. But don't worry, I'll answer your questions with whatever means necessary.

Even if it means being truthful or sounding convincing.

"We're at my brother's estate." I answer, surprisingly with ease.

But your impassive tone doesn't help

"Why?"

Why? I believe I can manage that.

"After you succeeded in the rejection—yes, you succeeded Orihime— but listen, you were so tired and spent from using up so much of your spiritual power and well... We wanted to take you someplace comfortable to rest properly. And you know... I always wanted to bring you here. Maybe after you have fully recovered I'll have the chance to show you around."

I take a chance to look at you but your eyes are like a mirror, I can't see past them because they're only reflecting the figures that peer into them. None of your emotions appear, it is only my hopeless image that I see. And that's the last thing I need.

"How long?" You ask, voice tired and almost withered.

"Just about two weeks," I answer and I hate how weak my voice sounds.

and I barely catch how a tremble slivers through your body, small but violent; your eyes are also downcast but it looks as if you are glaring at the sheets crumpled in your hands.

And maybe I'm just now realizing something crucial a little too late.

Because a week to us must seem like a year to you. Years you spent trapped within your own soul.

I don't have time to ponder on that thought when Renji adds, "yeah you've been gone a long time Orihime." And it's the sound of your name, the implications of his words, and—how could I think he was angry beforehand? He looks like he's just a step short from crying out, but I know he had done that already. We both had. Too much.

But Renji reigns it in, tact and sensibility helping him hold back in front of you.

Except...

You tremble.

I freeze.

And someone actually walks in on us.

"Oh!" It's Urahaha—I should have known—with a tray in his hands, two cups of tea on it, and he smiles, "I'm glad to see you're awake Inoue-san." The smile is small and indescribable as he quickly adds, "you as well Kuchiki-san." The smile itself never drops but his lips twitches for a moment as he places the tray on the bedside table, turning to face us the second he does so.

His eyes scan, his feet shift before he speaks. "Are you—how are you feeling?" How strange it is see him hesitate over the first couple of words, but after realizing that this is not a good question to ever ask he tries to readjust, "I mean–" But he drops whatever he intends on saying when you don't acknowledge his presence—you're looking out the window next you, where the sun is shining and the sky is blue.

So I decide to do it for you, "it's fine. She–" I turn to see your face setting into a small frown, and I too, drop whatever I had intended to say.

I suppose there really is no point in saying anything but—and I know it's a mistake regardless because you seem to be shaking more visibly now. Shaking, but somehow holding it in.

"I see you brought tea," I point out instead, obviously, divertingly, to fill the silence, and I can tell you aren't focusing on it. Solely because of the way your attention snaps back, from whatever you have been concentrating on before.

Urahara attempts to smile when I motion— with one arm while my other is securely wrapped around your shoulders—towards the drinks, and he says, "Ah, yes! Decided to help the housemaids out." He light-heartedly answers.

You still don't make eye contact with any of us, continuing to stare out the only window in the room, searching for something. Or nothing. I suppose I'll never know.

That is, until you abruptly say, "I was thinking how I would like to sleep a little longer."

Your fingertips lightly touch your temples as your eyes flutter close, it's almost a serene expression if not for the way your eyebrows are slightly furrowed, as if in concentration. Yet that expression quiets down, as does your shoulders, your body now completely lax. The unexpected shift in weight makes you to almost slip out of my grasp but I manage to hold on, now gently laying you down on the futon.

Its an immediate reaction; the second I remove my hand from you, your body shifts and turns away from me, turns towards the open window. And its the twist in Renji's expression—an unsettling frown, upset eyes— that matches the twisted knot feeling in my stomach. Neither of us liking your reaction. Yet none of move or make a sound, hell I'm pretty sure none of us are daring to take a breath while we watch you fall back to sleep.

Its only when we hear your even breathing that the tension evens out as well.

"So, what happened?" I ask, my voice just a notch above a whisper, I didn't want to risk the chance of waking you up.

"With the Chamber forty-six, you mean?" Urahara questions back and both Renji and I nod our heads. He waves his hand flippantly, "just a bunch of newbies trying to appear competent by trying to force their authority."

"But what's gonna happen to you and Yoruichi and the rest of the Vizards?" Renji asks.

Urahara sighs, his hat shadowing his eyes, "they're probably going to want to hold a trial of their own." At both Renji's and mine's confused stares, he smiles sardonically. "I see it as an interrogation of our characters, to see what our motives are."

"But that doesn't make any sense!" I bark and belatedly realize that you're still laying next to me. When I look over to you, I'm relieved to see that I didn't wake you.

"You think so?" Urahara asks, but there's something almost dark in his tone. "If I have the ways to create and destroy such a thing as the Hogyōku then I can see why they would consider me a threat." And his previous uncharacteristic behavior fades uneasily when he abruptly shrugs nonchalantly, "and the Vizards being what they are, of course it makes them wary."

I bite my lip, hating how his words are beginning to make sense. But this isn't right.

"What about Orihime?" Renji steps in, despite the brash interruption and the hard expression, I can still see worry and slight panic underneath all his actions. "They already know about her involvement with the recent events." He stresses, I know he hates to even mention about that.

I realize, a little too late most likely, when Renji starts to grit his teeth, when he shuts his eyes briefly, that he would be unable to escape from reliving that moment that had left a scar in the both of us. I know this, I can feel it too just from looking at him. I can see it in hot, blinding flashes in my mind.

There was no way for us to even imagine how you would handle the situation at the time. No way for any of us, even Urahara, to predict the possibility of seeing you react in such a chaotic way while immersed in that immense spiritual pressure. No one could blame you though, we all knew of the weight that your role carried.

But then I remember the lifelessness behind your eyes, or rather, when we thought you died—

And now of course, there are those who wanted to know.

Those who didn't have anything to do with this in the first place. To make demands and ask ridiculous questions—because they had heard the rumors of your supposed betrayal, of your apparent capabilities.

And they probably don't even give a damn about what we think.

Urahara not bothering to answer Renji's prior question says instead, "I think it would be best for the both of you to keep your distance from Inoue-san."

"What!?" This time it's Renji who raises his voice, while mine is stunned into silence. Just what is Urahara saying, why would he suggest that. Can't he see that you needs us here, we're the only ones you have left. How would you defend yourself, you who is still unable to even get out of bed now.

Which is why I am here, helping you until you're better. Better than before.

"They will most likely hold a trial for her too, due to her involvement Aizen and her ties with us." Urahara says simply, "of course her relationship with you and the other Shinigami might help her, when the time comes but..."

I shake my head and let out a weary sigh, this isn't right.

Inside I feel bitterness riding but I know I need to push it down—not now, not when, with the fatigue, the worry, especially the fear.

Urahara reads me easily, saying solemnly, "I understand how you must feel after what you saw, I was there." I am a little shocked to hear the hint of pain in his voice. "The way the two of you are acting is too attached. It might put you guys at risk." He finishes, but just a little bit too tight.

Renji makes a frustrated sound in the back of his throat and I didn't know how to respond to that. But I didn't have to.

A gasp, or rather, a sharp intake of breath and it's coming from you.

To my surprise I glance down and see you awake again. Your body is lying flat yet stiff on the futon.

"I saw it."

Your eyes are wide, almost dilated as you sit there with no particular focus but what causes me to form a lump in my throat, making it harder to breathe, is how there are lone tear tracks flowing down your eyes without your knowledge.

Your eyes are dazed and unfocused. Your voice barely audible as you whisper. "I saw it. I saw it. I saw it—"

Over and over and you don't stop.

"No…"

I look back at Urahara when I hear him say that, when it sounds broken and almost… Horrified—perhaps this is not the right word, at least I hope not.

"What the Hōgyoku really is… It's—"

The tears running down your eyes become more prominent.

This time, a moan, and I immediately reach out to you, my hands gripping your shoulders. Then, I begin to notice the first signs—a slight curl—you are curling into that horrible ball again that you were reduced down to—when you—and immediately my hand wraps around your waist, pulling you towards me. My other hand still wrapped around your shoulder, squeezing. But you don't relax, just curl even tighter. "Urahara! Orihime is—" Instantly he is on the other side of the futon, reaching out, pressing his hands charged with his reiatsu along your face, neck, and chest. Just like he did that night.

It feels like an indefinite amount of time has passed until you seem to have settled but it isn't until your body fully relaxes, lost to the peace of gentle sleep, that Urahara moves away. Long since then Renji has come closer, with equal worry on his face, with surprisingly gentle movements. I look back and find his gaze focused on you but his eyes are filled and so heavy with an unknown emotion, that I can't help but relate to. However I need to turn away from them as well. He does not acknowledge our interaction but I feel his hand, lightly grazing up my back before settling on my shoulder. I can somewhat appreciate the gesture.

Soon I find myself mimicking his actions as my hand too grazes lightly up your arm, across your smooth cheek but not before brushing a lock of auburn hair away from your recently disturbed face.

"Kisuke." Both Renji and I jump in alarm at the sound of Yoruichi's voice but we really should've not been so surprised, considering she was formally the captain of squad two and former head of the Onmitsukidō. Speed and stealth are her specialty.

And from the look of her face, the sheer lividity of it, she must've been hidden here the entire time and witnessed the whole thing.

"Did you know this was going to happen?" She asks but when Urahara stays silent her eyes narrow dangerously and this time she growls, "tell me Kisuke. Did you have even the slightest idea something like this was going to happen?" Her eyes screw shut, her hand presses over her face to hide her frustration, her affliction, and maybe her guilt too. I can tell because when she laughs, it's a hollow echo with a dark tilt, "because I helped you in bringing her here—I helped you so tell me!"

This time Urahara glances up. But his gaze appears blank, somewhat dead.

"Well!?" She demands again and he grimaces.

"Wait." Renji interrupts and I'm surprised at how he can even speak despite the tension hanging heavily in the room. He takes one quick look at you before questioning, "look I don't fully understand what you guys or what Orihime was talking about. But is she going to be okay?"

A scowl sets deep on Urahara's face. It looks unnatural on him, because it looks more sad and refrained. "Of course. I wouldn't have brought her here if I knew she couldn't sur—succeed." He grounds out the last word but I'm sure we all knew what he initially was going to say.

"If I knew she couldn't survive."

"Okay then. Do you know what she saw?" Yoruichi asks, this time much more solemn.

Kisuke chuckles but the sound is flat, "not to the extent as Inoue-san. Even Aizen has a better inclination, seeing as he bared his soul to it." He snickers again and the low sound squeezes my chest with apprehension.

"And now she'll make the third."

This time he's not looking at anyone in particular, maybe you, every once in a while but his eyes are more lost if anything; somewhere far, somewhere unknown, I can't tell. Only that he's lost in whatever he's recalling.

The lost look is still there but he's grounded enough to speak, muttering really. "The third of us to see the true form of the Hōgyoku and the capabilities of the Spirit King..."

The second pause is more of sick joke on his part and I'm frowning just like how I know Renji and Yoruichi are, even if we don't utter a word. His expression manages to stun the rest of us all into silence; confusion, curiosity, and fear are just some of the general feelings that show across our faces.

He somehow looks like how you did moments ago, dazed and delirious. But despite the sudden quietness none of us seem to register our surroundings, like Urahara's shuddering breaths or your light and airy breathing, and none of us hear the slow steps of an individual heading our way.

"What she saw was–"

iii.

"Rukia." The deep smooth voice has Renji quickly shuffling aside. But it doesn't matter, or at least, I figure as much. Nii-sama appears in the doorway a second later, stoic, forbearing and forthcoming with his presence.

I am still in bed next to you and I don't give a damn of the disapproving look that momentarily crosses his face. I'm irritated at Nii-sama for his sudden appearance because whatever it was that Kisuke was talking about, I know he'll never mention again.

The whole atmosphere of the room shifts a one-eighty as Nii-sama's attention pivots towards the extra guests in the room, his gaze settles on Yoruichi, who doesn't return the favor, for her eyes are solely focused on you, but he's well aware that she's attuned to every movement he makes.

"I see you both managed to find your way through my property with no assistance," he indirectly accuses Kisuke and Yoruichi—where she scoffs back at him.

"We have a right to visit, after all Orihime is our responsibility." She states and her eyes have yet to leave your form. As if that will further emphasize her point.

He arches his brow at her comment but says nothing. He looks from you to me, giving me a steady look. Then he says, just as deep but maybe, impossibly softer, "so she isn't awake yet?"

"No," I answer immediately before clarifying, "well she was, but she fell asleep again, just a few minutes ago."

A calm, insinuated, "I see." He glances around the room—at the others and again on me, all before settling on you and your sleeping form, and there is this certain knowing look that churns my stomach. "Yet I can assume that she had reacted..." he trails off.

"Yes." I answer simply enough, "a little... Unsettled but she seemed more tired if anything." I'm not sure if I should mention the recent incident, so I keep my mouth shut about it for now.

My answer triggers a stern but resigned expression on Nii-sama's face. "I see," he replies again but his next words are thick with implication, "I suppose it is good that you were here with her then. We would not have want anything to happen to Inoue-san, especially after everything she has done."

And dammit he knows and means it, for as awful as it implies.

Renji actually looks angry from hearing the comment, though. "She's stronger than that." He defends, but there's a certain shakiness to his voice.

"I believe so too," I smile at Renji and it calms him, if not only slightly.

Nii-sama doesn't appear to have liked our interaction however, but he lets it lone easily enough. Then his look commands attention once more, focusing on both Renji and I, surprisingly. "Rukia, Renji, I came to inform the two of you to be prepared for questioning from the Chamber Forty-six and the captains of the Gotei Thirteen, in the upcoming days."

Renji's eyes widen at that and I'm sure I have a similar look.

My brother ignores our perplexed stares, staring back at the other two occupants in the room. When he speaks his voice is sterner, and with the right amount of frostiness, "and I am sure I do not need to remind the two of you, that you are not allowed to leave the Soul Society during this period?"

Yoruichi clicks her tongue while Urahara is smiling cheerfully again. And he's the one who responds, "of course we do! It'll be like as if we're on vacation!" He turns to Yoruichi, nudging her with his elbow, "right Yoruichi?"

She glares at my brother, it's brief but it carries her point across quite clearly, and now she's smirking, "don't worry so much about us little Byakuya," and to my surprise I find Nii-sama glaring back at her with an uncharacteristic ferocity as Yoruichi's smirk widens. "If you need us you'll know where to look."

I glance back and forth between the two, wondering if there would be a confrontation. Renji is in the background watching the scene unfold with uneasy eyes, and Urahara seems to be back to his chipper self. Nothing happens however as Nii-sama resigns and his expression is stony once again.

No one makes a move until my brother calls out. "Rukia." He says, looking back in my direction.

"Yes, Nii-sama?"

"There is no need for worry." He states and in that instant, he shifts, startling Renji into backing away again, when he comes around towards the door. "This will be nothing more than a formality." I blink in confusion before my face breaks into a smile with gratitude once I understood to what he is referring to. And I'm smiling because his words doesn't sound like a reassurance but instead a promise.

Before he slides open the door I respond, stopping him. "Thank you..." I hesitate, but I shoot it down before it gets the better of me. "But would it be alright for me to stay here, if I may?"

He doesn't turn around. "I think it will be good of you to watch her." He answers simply and keeps going.

I wanted to thank him again except he doesn't even give me a chance to. Already stepping out into the hallway, so silent that I can't hear his footsteps, even though the room is completely quiet.

But then there's the sound your breathing and the chirping of birds fluttering in the wind, amongst the many acres of Nii-sama's vast estate.

[28 days later–Karakura Town–Orihime's apartment]

Your eyes are like shards of a broken mirror, glued together randomly making the jagged edges more prominent. Looking into them you can see a distorted image of yourself, but this image I see of me when our eyes meet has never been more accurate.

"Yo Orihime," Renji greets, his smile is a little forced but it isn't fake. She smiles back in understanding.

It's been almost a month since then yet the memories are still fresh wounds, the kind that bleeds profusely.

"So this is it, ne?"

I realize that when your lip starts to tremble, reassuring you will be a bad idea, so I smile instead.

"Yeah," is all I say and I'm thankful when Renji cuts in, his loud voice booming away this oppressive atmosphere, "it is but make sure you take good care of yourself, you hear? Got your fridge stocked with all the food you'll need to eat right."

"Of course I will, thank you Renji-kun." You laugh and the sound is the best reassurance either of us could ask for as we both grin in response.

"Rukia." You call out and I just now realize how hard it is to maintain eye contact with you. But I swallow all my hesitation and force to keep my gaze with yours. Because this is the last time.

"I'll miss you, truly." You say softly, so softly as if you were a leaf who was okay with simply floating away with the wind.

"Me too." I say, almost choking out the words.

Because right now, I know I wanted to cry out my frustration and anger, or perhaps to simply just breakdown and cry. But I couldn't, not now, not ever.

Yet for the first time I want to disagree with everything. To break the rules—to—to something. Because this is not right.

Because I saw it all, up close but too close for comfort—how could I ever want that for you?

Because out of all of us, it was you who had gone through a fate, perhaps, worst than death, a fate I would've never wanted you to experience. But even if this won't break you—I've also come to slowly learn that you really are as tough as you say, as tough as they come—you still didn't need any of that, not after everything you've been through.

Because you are still slipping, have been this entire time...

So I'm sorry Orihime. Because in the end I just can't think about this. Not now.

.

.

.

"Bye."

Yes I'm alive. And I haven't forgotten about this story, believe me. But damn 11 months, that's ridiculous, to me it only felt like two (the time perception of an author XD). But I'm really sorry about it!

This takes place during the time frame that Orihime spends in Soul Society. There will be two more chapters later on throughout the fic that elaborates more on what happened, through other character's viewpoints. The first and last scene, take place at the same day, which is the end of chapter 5.

I hope you enjoyed it. I hope it wasn't too long and overbearing. I hope you guys don't hate me!

The next chapter actually has been written some and I hope to get it out by December. Next chapter we'll be focusing on Ichigo :)

Take care, as always, my lovelies~

Nova