After Rukia died, she dreamed. It was not a forgettable dream, but, should she ever wake up, she would not remember it. It would haunt unused corners of her mind, stirring up dust, which had been settled for years, and whispering to her in her sleep.

It didn't occur to her, really, that it was a dream. All that she was aware of was that she was dead, and that she had died alone, and that she had abandoned her nakama.

It wasn't fair to them.

She had sworn to herself that she would save Orihime.

She had failed.

She hoped that her friends would at least be untroubled by her death- what was important was that they were still alive. The others could still rescue Orihime, couldn't they? Her death wouldn't impede them that much. After all, Chad and Ishida barely knew her, Renji would get over it, and Ichigo was likely not to even notice, his sense for reiatsu being so bad. He would find out later, doubtless, but by then he would have saved Orihime- now, Orihime was worrying. Orihime was sensitive. If she knew that Rukia had died trying to save her, it would tear her apart. Rukia hoped that, somehow, she wouldn't find out.

The dream soon proved that it was already too late for that.

Rukia wasn't hovering, floating, standing, or drifting anywhere. She just... knew it.

In glassed-over eyes, Orihime was reflected, slamming delicate fists against the unfeeling walls of her cell, screaming to be released. Rukia could feel the other girl's fear, could see exactly what she saw from the Noveno Espada's report.

Damn.

Not only did Orihime know about Rukia's death, she had had the misfortune to see it.

Damn, damn, damn.

Then Orihime faded abruptly from presence, replaced by Renji. Rukia could feel his heart skip a beat when his opponent tauntingly gave him the name of "the dead girl." She felt his hand tremble on Zebimaru's hilt for a moment, and his grip convulsively tighten a moment later as he struck. Rukia hoped that he would be all right, but then he, too, was gone.

Ichigo.

No, don't let him notice, don't let him-

He skidded abruptly to a halt; nearly sending up sparks from the bottom of his sandals at the sudden cessation of motion from such a high speed. "Rukia?!"

He knew.

Dammit.

Don't be distracted! Don't worry! Please! Take care of yourself!

Don't die...

Whatever you do, don't die.

Don't die, Kuchiki-san! Orihime pleaded in her mind, tearfully, though she knew it was too late.

Don't die, Rukia! Renji ordered mentally. If she was really dead, he didn't know what he would do...

Don't die, Rukia, Ichigo thought grimly. I'm on my way.