Byakuya rested his head against the stone obelisk, trying to prevent more tears from escaping his usually emotionless eyes. Her name kept running through his head along with images from the past. Hisana. Hisana. Hisana. He placed his head in his hands, wetting his palms with salty drops of water. He had to stop. His tears wouldn't make her come back. Nothing would. The thought only upset him more.
She was never coming back.
….
It was hard to sleep without her there. The bed felt empty and the blankets too cold. He counted sheep, unconsciously feeling for her hand. He panicked when he couldn't find it. He looked to his right and saw the empty space, realization hitting him like a bucket of ice water. He bit his bottom lip, sobs starting to creep back up his body. He took deep breaths, calming himself.
"Don't cry, Byakuya-sama," said a familiar and comforting voice.
He wiped his eyes.
"I love you, Byakuya-sama," said the female voice again. "I love you. I love you." She went on and on.
"If you love me," he whispered, "then why don't you come back to me?"
And with that, the voice ceased and left him in a painful silence, all hopes of getting any sleep gone.
….
The scent of incense filled the brisk spring air, the smoke drifting in front of the grave marker, blocking the words. Shaky pale hands lit the final stick before folding back into a tear stained lap. Dark storm clouds hovered above trees filled with white blossoms, threatening to pour rain on the already dismal scene.
"I-I'm taking the captain's exam later today," Byakuya explained, his voice cracking at several places in the short sentence. "I'm a little nervous, to be honest. I wish you could be there to watch."
The tree leaves rustled in agreement.
"I was finally able to eat today, though only a little. I had your favorite, yakisoba."
A couple flower petals drifted past the grave, listening carefully.
"You seem lonely, so I'll bring your favorite book tomorrow and read it to you."
A happy silence.
"I'm lonely, too. So we understand each other." Byakuya gripped the grave marker, leaning his head against it, tears streaming uncontrollably out of his eyes. "I love you so much, Hisana. Wh-why did you leave me?" he sobbed. His shoulders shook as he cried, pressing his lips against the cold stone. "I thought you said we'd be together forever."
Then rain poured from the sky as if to say I'm sorry.