i.
Hisana.
He met her when she had been fifteen; young, beautiful, kind. She had been the perfect bride.
"Kuchiki-sama… May I help you?"
His eyes moved away from hers, "Come with me."
Hisana knew she was ill. She bit her lip, cast a glance around the town. Her sister… She… "Yes, Kuchiki-sana."
ii.
She stumbled, trying to catch her breath as the coughs racked her body. He held her closely, feeling every shudder and gasp.
She would live though. She had to.
Hisana felt like a rose as it's first petals began to shed. Considered beautiful but yet… Only lasting so long.
iii.
Autumn came. Leaves fluttered by.
He watched her search and his heart twisted with pain.
She really shouldn't be roaming around. She was getting weaker.
"Byakuya-san… What's summer like for you?" He would never know what she meant by this question because he didn't know the memory she was thinking of. Her sister… Oh, how could she have left her? How could she let herself live such a pleasant life?
iv.
He bowed by her and she smiled weakly up at him.
She told him of her sister.
He made a promise.
As she faded, as she felt herself slipping, she couldn't help but reach for him. He would save her. And then the regret could dissolve.
v.
Her death changed Byakuya.
He grew colder and was always searching for something.
Many worried.
She met him in his sleep, covered in black petals and with her glowing black wings. Their fingers would brush, he would whisper to her of his day, and she would smile. He tried so hard for her.
vi.
The dreams stopped coming after he found Rukia. Perhaps because she had finally been allowed to move on. It seemed the regret had to vanish for her rebirth. It still hurt. Her second death cut deeper into him but he would honor her.
"Please, protect her."