TITLE: His Wounds

AUTHOR: Simply Kim

PART: Zero of Three

WORD COUNT: 224

CHARACTERS: Hisagi Shuuhei, Ayasekawa Yumichika, The Eleventh Division, Abarai Renji, Izuru Kira, Matsumoto Rangiku. Mentions of Tousen Kaname and Ichimaru Gin

PAIRING/S: Hisagi Shuuhei x Ayasekawa Yumichika. Mentions of Abarai Renji x Kuchiki Byakuya, Zaraki Kenpachi + Unohana Retsu, and past Ichimaru Gin + Matsumoto Rangiku

GENRE: Alternate Universe/Humour/Angst

DISCLAIMER/S: I'd love to have the creativity and talent Kubo Tite does. Unfortunately, I don't, so I don't own any of these characters or the series... just this story.

NOTE#1: This is a companion fic to "His Freedom". The story explores the possible relationship between Hisagi and Yumichika, which was something I have really followed in the fandom. XD I just find these two really, REALLY cute. XD

NOTE#2: Please keep in mind that this fiction arc (His Crime, His Choice, and His Freedom) was written without any regard to the new Gaiden chapters, as well as the entire Arrankar Battle. Everything here are part of the theory I had before there was the cute little thing that is Nell.

HIS WOUNDS

Darkened eyes opened, and they were guarded.

There was a semblance of sadness in them, and maybe even depression, but everything was wiped off in a single blink.

He didn't really want this.

With shaky hands, he touched the excessively fine cloth of his coat and drew back quickly as if burnt. He felt like he was being roasted alive, burning in the depths of his own hell as he stood, swathed in finery he shouldn't even be swathed in.

The insignia that was supposed to be on his back was etched in his mind completely.

Inescapably.

But it didn't matter. He didn't want to escape anyway.

A sudden knocking intruded on his thoughts and he turned around, brows knitted and eyes hard… immediately softening as he recognised who it was.

"'Ya alright? Ready?" Madarame Ikkaku grinned.

He chuckled lightly and waved him away. "I will be as soon as you stop peeping."

"You wish!" The Eleventh Division third chair snorted before giving him a jaunty wave and wandering off.

And all he could do was snicker in amusement, shaking his head before turning back to the mirror he had been staring at for hours now.

"Tousen-taichou…" He murmured. "I'm sorry."

And he turned around, long, crisp white coat swirling around him as he walked out of his old office's front doors.

"Forgive me."

TSUZUKU

A/N: Finally starting this. :) Next part to be posted tomorrow or on Friday... or tonight if everything goes well. :) Feedbacks are greatly appreciated! :)