Author's note: Not entirely sure how this happened. Spice gave me the prompt 'sleep' and I initially wanted to write a smut piece, but somehow it turned into a massive piece of angst. Either way, I think it turned out okay. I blame the massive amounts of Puella Magi Madoka Magica I've been watching. I like to think I was inspired by the scene between Homura and Madoka in episode ten. XD;

Um, anyway, kind of a different spin on the Winter War and if Orihime had helped defeat Aizen, but didn't survive.

Disclaimer: Bleach and all characters, etc. belong to Tite Kubo. All rights reserved.

Drabble XVII: Sleep

"Inoue... Inoue."

Cracking her eyes open, Orihime blearily peered around her. Her vision was hazy, her body frozen as rain continued to fall from the darkened sky. As her vision focused, the first thing she noticed was a shock of orange hair. Although his facial features continued to fade in and out of focus, she cracked a small smile.

"Kurosaki-kun," she whispered.

"Yeah, it's me Inoue," he murmured. Orihime felt her heart skip a beat as he clasped her hand in his; his warm, calloused hand a stark contrast from her cold skin.

Opening her mouth to speak, she had to pause and swallow against her dry throat before trying again. "What...what happened?"

A strained smile crossed Ichigo's face, although Orihime noticed that it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Aizen's gone, Orihime."

"So we won?"

Nodding, Ichigo felt his heart ache at the hopeful ton in her hoarse voice. Although they had won, Orihime sacrificed herself to reject the Hyougoku and judging by the large amount of blood she had lost, she wouldn't make it through the night. Averting his gaze, he pondered the idea of whether or not she'd have enough strength left to reject her wounds, but quickly pushed the thought aside. She could barely keep her eyes open, let along sit up without any assistance. How would she have enough strength left to reject her wounds?

"Kurosaki-kun?"

Looking back at her, he was shocked to see tears brimming in the corner of her eyes. "Yeah?"

"I...I'm sorry I wasn't able to help much."

"What are you talking about?" he murmured. "You're the only reason we were able to win."

"But if I..." She paused as she swallowed again. "If I hadn't been kidnapped by Ulquiorra, then you-"

Her eyes widened as Ichigo silently pressed his lips to hers, silencing her protests. The kiss lasted only a second, but Orihime was over the moon as he pulled away.

"Inoue, I'm the one who should be sorry. If I hadn't dragged you into this..."

Shaking her head, Orihime smiled softly at him. "Don't apologize, Kurosaki-kun. It was fun while it lasted."

Unable to say much else, Ichigo nodded and returned her smile before pressing his lips against hers once again. As he pulled away, he watched her eyes drift shut as she fell into that deep, eternal slumber.