My entry for Hulaberry32's Mysteries of Bleach challenge.

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“It wasn’t your fault.” Ishida told me, sincerity present in his voice. The Winter War has just passed, but we both still regretted what had happened back then, up in that disconsolate dome in Las Noches.

“No. If it weren’t for me, no one would get hurt in the first place. Kurosaki-kun would have not turned into… that..." He still haven't woken up yet after defeating Aizen. "...and you...” A flashback of his condition came over my mind. Bloody and exhausted, missing a hand. Yet fully determined to fight. I could feel my heart breaking, as I clutched my hand over my chest, looking down in shame. “You should have just left me there.” I looked away. I wanted to protect and not be a burden to anyone anymore. I wanted to fight alongside everyone. But the complete opposite happened. They went through all those torment just to save me. It was all my fault.

Valiant and persuasive. “And leave you to suffer? We would never let that happen."

“I’d prefer for it to happen, than having you all getting hurt because of me.”

“Stop blaming yourself. No one is at fault. It was part Aizen’s plans. All of it.” A grab on my shoulder, stirring me up from my thoughts. He looked at me, aggravated. He didn’t like what I was saying, it seems. I looked back at him, my eyes starting to look teary.

“I’m sorry Ishida-kun… I’m useless. I didn’t do anything. I couldn’t do anything. I’m weak.” And my tears started falling. I could feel his fingertips wiping them away.

“You’re not weak. Please stop it.” I can hear pain in his tone. In attempt to comfort, he brings me in an embrace. I continued to cry, letting out all I felt toward the incident. “You’re strong in your own way. You just have to see it.” He starts stroking my hair gently. “Strength... it’s not based on how good you are in combat or on how powerful you are in front of your enemies.” He slightly moves away, and places a hand on where my heart was located.

“You have strength here.” A smirk- no, a very confident smile came across Ishida’s face. I didn’t look away. I sub-consciously placed my hand over that hand. “My strength... is here.” I smiled, I didn’t notice, but I smiled genuinely.

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Quite easy who's P.O.V. this is, eh? I mean, who else could it be? She's still in that 'depressed-state' but knowing Ishida-kun, he can kick her out of it. :3 Hope this is alright Brooke-chan.