"Captain Hikamara" a Shinigami bowed at Kushira Hikamara's feet "the Captain-Commander wishes to see you" Kushira blinked "is everything alright?" sadness crossed his features "no Captain" he said "the Captain-Commander…he is…dying"

Kushira nearly fell over in shock. The words didn't even register "dying?" she asked numbly "why?" the Shinigami looked confused "I-I am not sure Captain" he said "but he wishes for you to see him" Kushira nodded, unaware of her actions as she was still in shock.

She followed the Shinigami back to the 1st division barracks and into Captain-Commander Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto's room. She let out a cry of despair as she saw him lying on his bed. Captain Retsu Unohana was there as well.

Kushira rushed to his side, nearly tripping over her feet "father…no" she whispered taking his hand "daughter" he squeezed it and for the first time since she had known him, since he had taken her in, he looked like a frail old man.

"Father please don't die" tears fell in torrents down her cheeks as she held his hand tightly "daughter…it is inevitable" he said "I have lived a long life" "no!" she cried vehemently shaking her head violently "you have to live longer! I can't lose anyone else I love!" he raised his hand and brushed a tear off her face.

"Kushira listen" the familiar commanding tone returning to his voice briefly "the reason I called you here is not so you can grieve for me, no. It is to tell you that it is you I want to succeed me as Captain-Commander" Kushira inhaled sharply "please father, I can't…there is someone better suited for the job than I am" she blinked "I'm not good with responsibility and I know the Gotei 13 will fall if I am in command…I'm not strong enough"

Yamamoto held her gaze and sighed "I figured you would recoil at the suggestion…who do you suggest then, that I appoint?" Kushira took a deep breath "Captain Jushiro Ukitake…he is strong, capable and will run the Gotei 13 with the same fairness and gentleness he runs his division with" Yamamoto considered this "if that is what you wish" he said squeezing his daughter's hand.

Kushira swallowed and nodded "it is…but there's no need for a new Captain-Commander because you're not going to die" he looked at her with clear eyes and she knew in that moment, his death was unavoidable. She cried out softly in despair,

"Sasakibe" Yamamoto commanded and his lieutenant Chojiro Sasakibe stepped forward "yes Captain-Commander?" Yamamoto was seized with a coughing fit and Kushira tightened her grip on his hand fearfully "I…I want you to announce the new Captain-Commander at my funeral" he wheezed. Kushira let out a strangled sob "there is no time…to tell young Jushiro beforehand" he said with a sigh.

"Please hang in there father" Kushira cried looking up at Retsu Unohana "Retsu can't you do anything?" she cried. Retsu's blue eyes softened with sadness "I tried everything I can…there is nothing more I can do" "no" Kushira breathed out "there has to be something! Anything!" Retsu shook her head "I am very sorry Kushira-san"

The redhead's body shook with sobs "no, no more…I can't lose anyone else I love…please…don't die…you were the first good thing I remember. When you found me in that clearing and took me in as your own…I was so grateful and so happy…p-p-please…please don't leave me!"

Yamamoto coughed once "daughter…I have always been proud of you…even then I knew you would be capable of many things which is why I took you in. I knew you would need guidance and encouragement to reach your potential…I still think you can do greater things than you have already achieved" Kushira let out a sob as he continued "my one regret is that I won't be around to see you achieve your true potential…" his body was wracked with coughs "daughter…I have always loved you as though you were my own flesh and blood and no matter what happens in your future I will always be proud of you"

"Father…thank…you" she whispered brokenly "I love you too father…I love you so much" he closed his eyes and gave one last contented sigh. Kushira panicked and felt for a pulse but there was none. Grief overcame her and she let out a long scream filled with anguish and loss. Retsu wrapped an arm around the redhead before she passed out.