Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, or any of the characters used in this fic. They all belong to Tite Kubo. I only own any of my original characters that I choose to include, as well as any of my own original plot ideas.
Yesterday Before Today
Prompt: "What happened in the past that was painful has a great deal to do with what we are today." - William Glasser
A/N: Tsukishima arc.
He had known she would be coming, but seeing her there, looking so triumphant, was like a warm glow upon his skin.
For the longest time, he had believed that she deserved to be a seated officer, not only by way of her name, but her undeniable prowess. When she had, at long last, risen to the lieutenant's seat, he'd been nothing short of pleased. In fact, it had been everything he'd wanted for her.
Watching her, he is reminded of how small she seemed just months ago.
She had been so frightened, her life having been so close to being snatched away. When she'd hovered over his wounded body in tears, she'd reminded him of a child in need of comfort.
When she'd returned home after the war, it had been much different. He remembers the way she'd sit alone in the gardens, busying herself with pulling up grass or winding her way through the boughs of the trees. She had been so sad then, having wanted nothing more than to be in the living world with those she called friends.
He'd worried about her immensely.
When her training had picked up again, he'd been given a hope that, maybe, it would take her hurt away. But it didn't. Instead, it served a greater purpose, her remorse and regret having been used as fuel upon the fire; as her drive to attain that which she desired. Rukia had sworn that, somehow, she would return to aid her comrades.
That had all been yesterday and some time ago. She was stronger now, certain of what she wanted and how she would go about obtaining it. And she had. Here she was, reunited with her friends, albeit under the strangest of circumstances.
But he could see it in her: The past was gone. Rukia held only tomorrow in her eyes.