A/N Auld Lang Syne was a poem written by Scottish poet Robert Burns.In Scottish, "in the days of auld lang syne…" means "Once upon a time".
Happy New Year everyone! Happy 2013!
Auld Lang Syne
The ceremony for the end of the Winter War, after the defeat of Aizen, took place on New Year's Day – an unexpected, ironic emphasis to the phrase "Turn over a new leaf".
Although there was jubilation in Soul Society, there was also somberness during the ceremony, as relevant humans and shinigami paying tribute to the bravely fallen shinigami soldiers.
The ceremony had actually been pushed back because of Inoue Orihime's trial, and the wonderful, blessed verdict of "not guilty" was returned.
Despite the preparation for the event, there was an awkwardness pertaining to laying the dead to rest. Yamamoto soutaichou gave a grave speech of never forgetting the casualties and that each and every member of the Gotei 13 has a duty to prevent such a catastrophe from ever happening again.
One would have expected a soft requiem to play during the closing of the caskets and the final lighting of the pyres, but it was uncomfortably silent.
It was a detail which was unfortunately overlooked.
Standing beside Renji and Rukia, Ichigo was privy to their hushed mutterings. "This is bad. It wasn't supposed to be like this."
"What kind of music are you expecting?" Ichigo gritted from the corner of his mouth, trying not to draw the disapproval or attention of any member of the Court Guards.
"Appropriate music, baka! What else?" Rukia hotly whispered back with a strained expression on her face.
Strangely, Kuchiki Byakuya was nowhere to be seen as he had disappeared a few minutes prior.
When his figure returned, Renji casted a questioning look at his captain. Byakuya paused, like a split second between maintaining his silence or speaking. He made a compromise when he tilted his head slightly to the side.
Inoue?! Ichigo was confused as to why his best friend was standing beside the first row of caskets.
Then, she suddenly looked up at Byakuya as though looking for a final confirmation or encouragement. Finding what she needed, she faced the front once more.
Then, she parted her lips.
"Should Old Acquaintance be forgot,
and never thought upon;
The flames of Love extinguished,
and fully past and gone:
Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold,
that loving Breast of thine;
That thou canst never once reflect
On Old long syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne."
The music soared as shinigami captains and vice captains filed past their lost brethren. Sadness and joy jostled within their hearts as death, pain and the optimism of new beginnings were felt all within one song.
Orihime's voice continued to soar among the grounds, carried by the winds.
"And there's a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o' thine !
And we'll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne."
A/N It is the tradition in London and Scotland that after the twelve peals of the bells ushering in the New Year that the song 'Auld Lang Syne' is sung.
Well, the bells have rung. The Old Year has gone, and the New Year has been sung, cheered and merrily drank to to come in.
All the best to all of us this coming year of wonderful opportunities!
Checkmate