Hope for My Happy Ending (Ichigo/Senna, theme #12 -- Parting Ways/Meeting)
Title: Hope for My Happy Ending
Author: UtahimeLorelei
Pairing: Ichigo/Senna
Rating/Warnings: PG. Spoilers for Memories of Nobody, if you've not seen it. Otherwise, really nothing.
Theme: #12 -- Parting Ways/Meeting
Summary: Ichigo muses over memories, goodbyes and second chances.
I’d rather sacrifice myself than let you die.
The words had echoed in his heart since their utterance. Her last words to him before she gave herself up; before she started the chain reaction in which all others were saved-but she was damned. Though Rukia had told him that no memories of her would remain, they were still vivid-and this, one of the most-her honey-colored eyes still locked upon his, the reiatsu of the blanks and herself swirling around in an angry torrent, quelling the disaster around them, nullifying the swiftly-coming apocalypse.
He remembered how serene she’d looked. Even though she knew it would spell her death; even though she knew she’d never return from it…she had a smile on her face, eyes speaking volumes of many different emotions...courage, determination, with streaks of melancholy from knowing the repercussions that would occur to her. But, one emotion overshadowed all the others, blanketing them in insignificance; gleaming as bright as the aura that now encompassed her.
Love.
Ichigo could not say he did not find it somewhat unexpected; especially so strongly in such a short amount of time. She’d known him for a little over a day, and already, her heart reached out for him in such a manner that was reminiscent of the princess of a fairy tale, as she looked to her prince who’d come to save her from whatever plight she had been caught within. Ironically, that was not really that far from the truth; he’d come to save her, it being the only thought within his mind as he’d plunged into the Valley of Screams, risking life and limb to retrieve one he’d vowed to protect. The only difference was their story did not have the classic happy ending.
He remembered their parting. Carrying her upon his back, he felt her breathing become faint and her weight non-existent as he spoke his last words to her. All she’d wanted was a family to remember-no, an existence to remember---and even if it wasn’t true, he’d given it to her. She’d been overjoyed, her spirit finally at peace, as she began to fade, with one last good memory.
”I’ll see you again, right?” Her voice had sounded hopeful; weak as it had been, touching his heart again with its simple wishes.
“Don’t be dumb. Of course you will.” His voice, while trying to color itself with the same hope that hers had possessed could only find itself a hue of slight hope, with a deep undercoat of sadness. As the words passed his lips, she passed from the world, vanishing from his back, into nothingness. He fell to his knees, the rush of emotion being too much to allow him to stand. He was overwhelmed; the amalgamous mass of feelings filling his mind---regret, depression, pain, anger---all seemed one and the same at the time; but, as he muddled through it longer, he realized something. His heart was radiating the same emotion that Senna’s eyes had just a small time before-just as strikingly, and just as strong.
Love. He loved her.
He understood now why she’d done what she had, and why he’d done what he had as well. It was not just that he’d not been able to protect her…it had also been that he loved her, even though at the time, he’d not understood what the greater force behind his drive had been. He had wanted to protect her, as one who needed protection and was being targeted; but also, he wanted to protect her as someone dear. He’d thought a friend, but now, as she had gone, he’d realized she was much more.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the ribbon he’d bought for her, holding it close to his heart. The wind had brought it to him on the bridge that morning, the same bridge where the portal had been, and where she had sacrificed herself. It had almost been an omen, and as his eyes wandered down its length, the bright color caused another memory to surface, a smile beginning to walk across his lips.
A familiar voice had echoed-and a girl ran past; giggling as she had passed him. As he looked at the girl, something in him leapt, his eyes following after her form as she ran down the bridge.
Senna. There was no mistaking it. Her voice, her movements…her entirety…it was all the same. A smile grew on his lips, reflecting the warmth that grew within him, as he began to walk. Hope began anew. Maybe, it wasn’t all just wishes that he gave to her in her final moments…maybe, there was some truth.
Looking up to the sky, he felt the wind wrap him in its familiar embrace. He took a deep breath, replacing the ribbon into his pocket as he began to walk. He may have been wrong; they may get their chance yet---and the previous goodbye would only lead to a more beautiful hello. Even if she didn’t remember him, something in him knew it wouldn’t matter. With a small laugh, he grinned, as a thought surfaced in mind.
Maybe they’d get the happy ending they were entitled to after all.
Author: UtahimeLorelei
Pairing: Ichigo/Senna
Rating/Warnings: PG. Spoilers for Memories of Nobody, if you've not seen it. Otherwise, really nothing.
Theme: #12 -- Parting Ways/Meeting
Summary: Ichigo muses over memories, goodbyes and second chances.
I’d rather sacrifice myself than let you die.
The words had echoed in his heart since their utterance. Her last words to him before she gave herself up; before she started the chain reaction in which all others were saved-but she was damned. Though Rukia had told him that no memories of her would remain, they were still vivid-and this, one of the most-her honey-colored eyes still locked upon his, the reiatsu of the blanks and herself swirling around in an angry torrent, quelling the disaster around them, nullifying the swiftly-coming apocalypse.
He remembered how serene she’d looked. Even though she knew it would spell her death; even though she knew she’d never return from it…she had a smile on her face, eyes speaking volumes of many different emotions...courage, determination, with streaks of melancholy from knowing the repercussions that would occur to her. But, one emotion overshadowed all the others, blanketing them in insignificance; gleaming as bright as the aura that now encompassed her.
Love.
Ichigo could not say he did not find it somewhat unexpected; especially so strongly in such a short amount of time. She’d known him for a little over a day, and already, her heart reached out for him in such a manner that was reminiscent of the princess of a fairy tale, as she looked to her prince who’d come to save her from whatever plight she had been caught within. Ironically, that was not really that far from the truth; he’d come to save her, it being the only thought within his mind as he’d plunged into the Valley of Screams, risking life and limb to retrieve one he’d vowed to protect. The only difference was their story did not have the classic happy ending.
He remembered their parting. Carrying her upon his back, he felt her breathing become faint and her weight non-existent as he spoke his last words to her. All she’d wanted was a family to remember-no, an existence to remember---and even if it wasn’t true, he’d given it to her. She’d been overjoyed, her spirit finally at peace, as she began to fade, with one last good memory.
”I’ll see you again, right?” Her voice had sounded hopeful; weak as it had been, touching his heart again with its simple wishes.
“Don’t be dumb. Of course you will.” His voice, while trying to color itself with the same hope that hers had possessed could only find itself a hue of slight hope, with a deep undercoat of sadness. As the words passed his lips, she passed from the world, vanishing from his back, into nothingness. He fell to his knees, the rush of emotion being too much to allow him to stand. He was overwhelmed; the amalgamous mass of feelings filling his mind---regret, depression, pain, anger---all seemed one and the same at the time; but, as he muddled through it longer, he realized something. His heart was radiating the same emotion that Senna’s eyes had just a small time before-just as strikingly, and just as strong.
Love. He loved her.
He understood now why she’d done what she had, and why he’d done what he had as well. It was not just that he’d not been able to protect her…it had also been that he loved her, even though at the time, he’d not understood what the greater force behind his drive had been. He had wanted to protect her, as one who needed protection and was being targeted; but also, he wanted to protect her as someone dear. He’d thought a friend, but now, as she had gone, he’d realized she was much more.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the ribbon he’d bought for her, holding it close to his heart. The wind had brought it to him on the bridge that morning, the same bridge where the portal had been, and where she had sacrificed herself. It had almost been an omen, and as his eyes wandered down its length, the bright color caused another memory to surface, a smile beginning to walk across his lips.
A familiar voice had echoed-and a girl ran past; giggling as she had passed him. As he looked at the girl, something in him leapt, his eyes following after her form as she ran down the bridge.
Senna. There was no mistaking it. Her voice, her movements…her entirety…it was all the same. A smile grew on his lips, reflecting the warmth that grew within him, as he began to walk. Hope began anew. Maybe, it wasn’t all just wishes that he gave to her in her final moments…maybe, there was some truth.
Looking up to the sky, he felt the wind wrap him in its familiar embrace. He took a deep breath, replacing the ribbon into his pocket as he began to walk. He may have been wrong; they may get their chance yet---and the previous goodbye would only lead to a more beautiful hello. Even if she didn’t remember him, something in him knew it wouldn’t matter. With a small laugh, he grinned, as a thought surfaced in mind.
Maybe they’d get the happy ending they were entitled to after all.