Surviving

The grave read, Soujiro Kusaka- Wielder of Hyourinmaru. On this grave, thrown over it with great care was a haori. It marked the captain of squad 10, but Soujiro Kusaka has never been and never will be the captain of squad 10. It was his dream, though, to be a captain and the captain of squad 10 knew it. Toshiro Hitsugaya, the man who killed Kusaka, knew it, which was why he was one haori short and standing in the rain with his head bowed. Kusaka was his best and only friend in his academy days.

It was ironic, wasn't it? All he wanted was a few friends, yet he killed his best friend, Kusaka, twice. He knew Kusaka would be mad if he knew how guilty he felt. Hitsugaya didn't care, though. He was angry at himself, Head-Captain Yamamoto, and the Central 46. It was all their fault, anyways. Kusaka and Hitsugaya just couldn't have the same zampakuto. They had to fight for Hyourinmaru. Then Kusaka was revived and attacked Soul Society. Hitsugaya had to stop him. Had to fix his mistake. He never would forgive himself, which was also why he was standing in the rain. He wanted Kusaka to forgive him.

'We'll always be friends.' That is what Kusaka and Hitsugaya agreed on as Kusaka breathed his last breath. Hitsugaya knew this and was grateful that he would always have a friend, whether that person was alive or dead.

"Captain?" that scared him. He didn't know Matsumoto was there. He must have seriously been in his own sad, little world.

"Yes, Matsumoto?" Hitsugaya replied. His voice was slightly hoarse from pain. From the pain of losing Kusaka and unhealed wounds getting jarred from jumping in surprise. Matsumoto knew it, but didn't ask him if he was okay. She knew he wasn't.

"I'll listen if you want to talk." He forgot about that. He had a friend that wasn't Kusaka. That he hadn't killed. He had Matsumoto, even though it was different. He loved Matsumoto, but didn't need to tell her. She already knew. Matsumoto loved him, but Hitsugaya didn't need to hear it. He, too, knew that Matsumoto loved him. They knew each other too well.

"I'm glad you're my lieutenant, Rangiku. I'm glad you're here. That's the only reason I haven't left my post permanently," Matsumoto knew it, but it was hard to believe. She wasn't that important. "I'll miss him, but I have you so I'll survive."

Matsumoto and Hitsugaya knew that it would be hard to continue on with their duties when they disagreed with the way Soul Society goes about its business and some of the laws. They knew it would be hard to continue with their duties and mourn an enemy, but they would do it and they would do their best. Together. Together Forever.