I ran as fast as I could. I had never run so fast in my life before. My heart was racing in my chest. The feeling of pain numbed everything else. Reverberations of footsteps, mine, echoed through the empty hallways through which my path led me.
It had to be here somewhere. You, the reason I was here. Why I endured this pain in the first place. But why was she so important to me all of a sudden? We were friends and friends help you. Yes, but I had a very strange feeling. The feeling that there is more than just friendship. I had often had this feeling before, but never really noticed it. Or maybe I ignored it? Did I really not want to let it happen? But why should I do such a thing?
My steps slowed. Died. I could hear loud breathing. A stab pierced my chest, but I didn't care. Blood oozed from my wounds, which I had suffered from many fights.Pain was all I saw. But I didn't care either. It didn't matter as long as she wasn't with me again. Take a short deep breath and then I ran on again.
As I ran, thoughts popped back to my mind. Why had I never noticed before how important your smile was to me? It had always made and built me ​​up happy, but I never noticed it myself. How stupid I had been all along!
Suddenly I stopped again. My eyes widened. It couldn't be. I shook my head briefly and rubbed my eyes in disbelief. There she suddenly stood in front of me. She looked at me blankly with her big brown eyes.
Orihime Inoue.
A smile appeared on my face. Nothing happened to her. She was still alive! It was like a heavy stone was falling from my heart. I was just so relieved to see them alive before me.
But something was different about her. She's not happy to watch me like she always did.Not a friendly and happy smile from her.
No happy shine on her face.
Nothing…
What was the matter with her?
I swallowed hard. I was afraid to speak. My mouth was dry. What if she didn't want me to be here? When she was happy to finally be without the others and me. The whole time I just hurt her.
I knew she loved me. I had always known that, but never said anything to talk her out of it. It never reciprocated. What an idiot I was.
"I ... Inoue ...!"
At last I had made up my mind to say something. My hands committed to tremble. My whole body was shaking.
A chill ran down my spine when I saw her reaction. Her otherwise bright eyes looked at me empty and expressionless, her face was pale and without any emotion.
I held my breath. I had never seen her like this before!
"What ... what's wrong with you ?!"
Actually, I didn't want to ask. The fear of the answer bothered me.No matter what she said, it would probably tear me apart.
"Kurosaki-kun ...!"
Tears flowed down her cheek. I blinked in confusion. Suddenly I no longer understood the world. She cried because I was here. All because of me ?!
"Why did you come? Why are you fighting for me? Why ...?"
She screamed the last word from the bottom of her heart. It pierced my heart and soul. Did she really think I'd just let her go. Would let you down like that. No matter how much I hurt her, I wanted to make it all right again. Even if that would probably never happen.
"Why shouldn't I fight for you?"
My voice was soft, but loud enough for her to understand. Nothing mattered now. I just wanted her back. See you smile in my arms again.
"I can't just leave you alone. I've hurt you way too many times to make it up to you, but I want to try to do better.I want to be different. Alone just for you. Even if I don't know if that will be enough ... "
I didn't look at her while I spoke. I just couldn't do that. Her tears hurt too much for that. Only a low sob could be heard from her.
"Please forgive me…!"
Only the tears ran down my cheeks too. I just couldn't help myself. The thing was too important to me for that. It was the first time in a long time that I cried again. Since the day my mother was killed by a hollow ...
"Kurosaki-kun ... If I come back to you guys now, I'll only make things worse. I don't want any of this anymore. I just can't do it anymore!"
Her voice was tearful. Almost hard to understand, but I understood everything. Every word. And it almost destroyed my soul. It was as if her words were burning into My Heart and destroying it.
Without really realizing it, I fell to my knees. For the first time again, I looked her in the eye.They were soaked from crying and stared at me sadly. That look finished me off. I just couldn't take it anymore. My body was paralyzed. What should I do without her. I wouldn't go alone. Either with her or ...
"Please, come with me ... I just can't do without you anymore. I was stupid to notice. I was too selfish to tell you. Actually, I just wanted to protect you from everything bad out there, but I just have everything made worse. For you, for me, for everyone ...!
Please, Inoue ... don't leave me alone! "
My hand dug into the fabric of my hakamer. I felt more tears fall to the floor. For the first time I showed weakness again in my life, but I had sworn to myself to be strong. For my family, for my friends, for them ...! But apparently I would never be able to protect what was important to me. It just didn't seem like it should be.Apparently I was doomed to suffer.
"You are not alone!"
Suddenly I felt a soft, warm hand on my cheek. Inoue's hand. Our eyes met. A warm smile that I missed so much could be seen on her face.
"You have so many that you have to protect, that are important to you. You don't need me at all!"
But I shook my head. She didn't even know how important she was to me. She didn't know anything about the feelings I was having.
Now I smiled too and lifted my face closer to hers.
"Yes, you are more important to me than my own life!"
I whispered softly and then gave her a gentle kiss on the mouth. I didn't know why I was doing this, but it was really good for me.
It was the liberation that my soul had longed for all along.

** ~ * - * ~ * - * ~ **

So, done!
I have now sacrificed two hours of my night to that part that I couldn't sleep! xD ~
I felt like it, but I think it's really successful!IchiHime forever! > o