she’s not ashamed to admit that, with each eclipse, her eyes are glued to the sky for a time and the urge to look at her phone became almost too much to ignore. she rarely did though. getting her hopes up only for them to get crushed at spotting not a familiar name aside from Unohana’s would not be good for her. no, she’d rather keep her hope and let herself be surprised. there was always a chance, she told herself. despite never wishing for them to be ripped away from home, she was human, and as such, could not help but to hope against that. but for all of her hope, she did not think that it would be answered so soon.
first is that feeling. that very specific and unique feeling she only ever had around those she loved. she could sense it. someone was here and the longer she concentrated on that feeling, the more tangible it became and without hesitation, she follows it. she follows this feeling as if her very life depended on it, forgetting her original destination as she pushes through crowds of people going about their lives. Orihime doesn’t see them right now. she only sees that invisible string that tugs her ever closer to the hole. her heart beating faster and faster as the crowds begin to thin and that feeling tells her that yes, someone is here. they are right there. all you have to do is reach out and–
her gaze zeroes in immediately. a cropping of beautiful midnight hair. a troubled amethyst gaze mixed with a hint of annoyance. it is a face that Orihime could not forget nor mistake and as her rushed steps come to a halt, words spill before she can think on it. “ Ru….kia….? Is it really you?”
THERE’S a distinct sensation that buoys her amid this sea of confusion. Initially, she was too focused on her suppressed ability to notice it — there’s a high concentration of souls in this place, human or otherwise, and they feel muddied as a result. But two souls stand out firmly, all but demanding the attention of her mind’s eye. She would know them anywhere, under any circumstances. One of them draws closer, and the ribbon that binds them comes more into focus; her name leaves Rukia’s mouth before even spotting her in the thinning crowd.
❛ Orihime... ! ❜ Annoyance still lingers in the furrow of her brows — she had a whole laundry list of grievances already — but it ebbs away as she takes in the familiar sight. She’s grown some since they last saw each other... Has she been in this place long ? … What was this place, anyway ? They were questions that could wait. She finally remembers how to move, her legs swiftly carrying her to her dear friend — and finally she allows relief to permeate her troubled features. ❛ I felt it was you, but... I wasn’t sure if I believed it. Are you alright ? ❜
