"I'm sorry, Kaien-dono." I looked at the tiny woman nestled in my lap. We were outside, and my legs were spread wide, with Rukia sitting on the ground, leaning on my right leg. "Why?" I managed to rasp out. "You haven't done anything."
My heart nearly broke when I saw the guilty expression on my subordinate's face. "Exactly! I was supposed to have gone with her squad, but I didn't. If I had been there... I still wouldn't have been any help. But I could have done something! I could have distracted the hollow while Miyako-dono escaped."
I laughed hollowly. It had only been yesterday Miyako had been killed by a hollow, but it seemed like so much longer. "Why didn't you go with her squad? Because I pulled you so that we could train. I was supposed to be there too you know. And besides, what good what it have done if you were dead? I wouldn't be able to take it if both my favorite pupil and my wife were killed at once."
For a moment, a pained expression passed across Rukia's face, before it was covered up again. As if a loudspeaker had been connected to my brain, I heard the message, "Of course. I'm his favorite pupil, and she's his wife. How it always has been, how it always should have been. He deserved someone like her. I wonder if he'll find someone else. I'll be the first to congratulate her, even if it kills me. He should be happy."
I shivered. That couldn't have been Rukia's thoughts. Could it? Of course not. Right? Sighing for what seemed to be the millionth time that day, I reached up to scratch my neck. Even if Miyako and my marriage had been arranged, and I never truly loved her, her death had hit me hard. She had been my best friend, the person I told everything to. Miyako's body had been found face down on the ground in the Living World, and the hollow had disappeared without a trace.
After a moment more of silence, Rukia spoke up. "What now?" I thought about trying to joke about paperwork, but I just didn't have it in me. "The burial," I said solemnly, "Then our lives. Miyako would want us to live to the fullest." Silently, she nodded, knowing what I said was true. My stomach rumbled, and I clamped a hand down.
Rukia giggled, and then immediately covered her mouth as if she had said something awful. Genuinely laughing in what felt like a century, I pulled her to her feet. "Come on Kuchiki, let's get some food." Nodding, she followed me to the cafeteria.
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AN- Okay guys, I wrote this beginning to a story, but I have no idea where to go from here. This story is up for adoption, you have my full permission. In fact, please use this. I want to see where it would go. To see the photo that inspired this, go to my profile page, the link's there. Kinda stupid, they won't let you post links in here :(