More IzuMomo. I desperately need to broaden my horizons. ((sigh))

Originally written for the livejournal community 31days, the prompt inspiring it being "your companion of soul understanding." There are spoilers for the Soul Society arc here; proceed with caution if you don't wish to be spoiled. Please enjoy this little drabble, and if you'd like, leave a review once you're done with it telling me what you thought. Thanks very much. ((grin))

Disclaimer: Don't own it.
Without Words

He'll come to visit her at the infirmary, twice a week, thrice if he can get the chance, and sit by her bedside, not saying anything for a long, long time.

This is what Hinamori's come to expect from Kira. He'd always been quiet, reserved, out of reach from her probing words, but since the disappearance of the man who drove his sword through her stomach (he has no name, and if he does, it is not Aizen), he's been more so, barely touchable by anyone, anything. When he comes to her, he simply sits, stays, obedient and at the command of something that isn't verbal.

Maybe he's still reaching for his own captain too.

Maybe he knows that she herself is hurt, in ways that Unohana-taichou can't heal, that no amount of soothing words could ever assuage.

Maybe he knows that he's hurt like that, like her.

And maybe, just maybe, he's here because he understands.

He'll sit, silent, until he'll bring himself to lift his eyes.

"Hinamori-kun…"

And every time the words will be different. "I'm sorry," or "it's my fault," or "I hope I you can forgive me." And every time she will hold his hand and say "it's okay," or "it wasn't your fault," or "you don't need to apologize." Because both of them know that words are hollow, yet they help to form a bridge of understanding between them.

One day he comes to her, the fourth time that week, sits by her side and this time, she's ready to intercept him.

"Kira-kun… I am getting better."

And he smiles at her – really smiles, for the first time since he himself broke, back when he had something to break – and knows that she needn't have said anything to tell him that.

He understands her intuitively, just as she does him.

And more than any medicine or soothing word, it is that understanding that helps her to convalesce.