Cherished
Toushiro slumped by his Lieutenant's side while she cried atop of the precious life that was withering away. He clutched onto his previously dismembered side, remaining silent as he heard Matsumoto's sobs as she smothered into Gin's clothes. Toushiro could see that his breathing was becoming more faint as the seconds dwindled away. He was leaving in peace, knowing that Aizen is going to be defeated.
The numbed captain saw the nearly dead man's lips move but without uttering a word, Toushiro already knew what Gin wanted to say before he left them and the pieces left behind.
He stood there, without moving.
Completely numb.
Even after the fight between the Substitute Shinigami and the betrayer was over... And when Matsumoto's gaze briefly drifted away after noticing Aizen's defeat, Toushiro crept over Gin's body, taking something to remember him by before someone came to clean up the body.
—
It is rare to see him without it now. It became worn out from the excessive use, but Toushiro refuse to replace it - even when a handful of people mentioned it to him. Toushiro wore it like it were the most valuable thing that ever existed.
The pint-sized Captain adjusted his teal-green scarf as he trained harder in hopes to further hone his Bankai. He panted as his breathe visible with the cold climate that Hyourinmaru made. This time... ...This time he will protect those precious to him. The warmth around his neck of what could have been will be his reminder of that.
"Ne, Toushiro. Why aren't we together?"
"I... I don't know."
"Can I make ya a promise then?"
"Promise? What do you promise?"
"That maybe someday... I could make it into a reality."
—
note: This is my headcanon. Toushiro's scarf was Gin's sash. I repeat, TOUSHIRO'S SCARF WAS GIN'S SASH. I don't care what anyone says otherwise.