Bleach © Tite Kubo. Bleach: Cross original characters and elements, including the "past life backstory" © Eugena.

A/N: This story occurs much later in the Bleach: Cross universe. It explores Shirahime's relationships with Toshiro and Kenpachi.

Opening Theme: Hikari no Rock by Sambomaster

Ending Theme: Tooi Michi no Saki De by Takekawa Ai

Bleach: Cross

After DiamondDust

By Eugena

Rated: T

Chapter One: To Hold Your Hand

KARAKURA TOWN

The human world was safe yet again from an unknown threat. The Soul Society knew what had just happened, but all the humans in the world of the living—save Shirahime Thorne—knew nothing of it.

She knelt on the ground, supporting the bulk of her weight with her zanpaku-to. Done, finished. This human world was safe again. She could now open the gate into Soul Society and see who survived the battle.

oOo

SOUL SOCIETY – A DESOLATE FIELD

Toshiro Hitsugaya proved that he was the true incarnation of the dragon god. Hyorinmaru was again just his, yet he never saw it that way. His friend was gone, the same one who said he would control Hyorinmaru. Yet Toshiro knew he had to work together with Hyorinmaru, not try to control him.

Why did he feel so alone in victory?

oOo

SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD FOUR BARRACKS

Squad Four barracks were filled with the many injured soul reapers. Several more who had died in the battle remained hidden in the back rooms awaiting burial. Very few Squad Four members paused long enough to acknowledge the woman walking through.

"Thorne Taicho," they acknowledged.

She nodded curtly to them, continuing on, searching the reiatsu.

She found Zaraki Taicho attended by Unohana Taicho. Yachiru stood looking over Zaraki, but lit up the moment she saw Thorne Taicho.

"Mom!" shouted Yachiru. "Kenny, mom's here." She lept into Thorne Taicho's arms.

Yachiru began to call Thorne Taicho "mom" long before she became captain of the fifth squad. She referred to her as "mom" back when Shirahime had not yet joined a squad. Zaraki invited her to become a member of Squad Eleven, fourth seat, but Hitsugaya fought with him. In the end, she joined Squad Ten, where she remained until the first time she "died."

Yamamoto Sou Taicho promoted her to Squad Five Taicho, though he thought it was only in memory. Shirahime returned to the living world, though she had no memory of her past. With the help of Hitsugaya, Kenpachi, Yachiru, Ichigo, Kail, and Zangetsu, she regained her memory and her power.

"Ya," Thorne said, addressing Yachiru, "can you go and help Hanataro and the others move the patients?"

"Yes, mom," Yachiru said.

"Be gentle with them. Don't break them."

"Ok, mom." Yachiru dashed off.

"Unohana Taicho," she acknowledged, "Zaraki Taicho."

"I see you still have your sights on Hanataro," Unohana said.

"Yes, but he serves in your squad very well. Who knows how he will do when he achieves bankai?"

"Him?" asked Zaraki.

"Yes, him. I can plan ahead."

"Far ahead," said Zaraki.

"How did the living world fare?" asked Unohana.

"No casualties or injuries. I can't say the same thing here. I should have been here instead."

"Sou Taicho wanted you to stay in the living world."

"Yes, so convenient after he issued Hitsugaya's execution order. Thank you, by the way."

"I could not do anything," said Unohana.

"You did," Thorne said. "It was enough."

"Sou Taicho said your bankai could have destroyed Soul Society," interrupted Zaraki.

"Only if I cared to die in the process," she sneered. "He wasn't worried about that," Thorne countered. "He didn't want me to get the King's Seal. But I agreed, because someone had to support Soul Society from the outside. The living world would have vaporized. Balance and the cycle of reincarnation destroyed forever."

"We knew you could handle it," Zaraki said.

"I still don't like the way Soul Society works."

"Things here do not change for thousands of years," said Unohana.

"Unohana, can I see Hinamori?"

"Yes, Thorne. She's made no progress, but she hasn't gotten worse either."

"I'll come visit you later, Kenny," she said as she left with Unohana.

oOo

SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD FOUR BARRACKS – HINAMORI'S ROOM

Momo Hinamori lay still in the bed. She had not moved for many months now. She was neither worse nor better. Once she stabilized enough from her near execution from Aizen, her body remained frozen in a coma.

Although Thorne had never spoken to her, Hinamori was still her fukutaicho. She had no plans to change that for now.

Unohana left Thorne alone with Hinamori.

Thorne sat down at her bedside. She was going to reach for her hand, but she did not. After her injuries and contact with the King's Seal, she did not know what to expect.

"The first person you would have expected to call themselves your taicho is Aizen. Many things have changed. But, as I said before, my name is Shirahime Thorne. My name in the Royal Family is Shirayukihime no Tenjou. You can call me Shirahime or Thorne Taicho. I introduce myself every time to you, because eventually you'll remember me. When you wake, you'll look for me as your taicho.

"I hope I am not here when you wake up. I hope Shiro is here by your side. I know he is important to you. Has he held your hand yet? I shouldn't be the first to."

Thorne got up and left her unconscious fukutaicho. She would never hope to inspire such reckless devotion that Hinamori gave to Aizen. Although she was a soul reaper, she would still always be human, until she died. Yet, when she died, where would her soul go? Would the cycle of reincarnation end for her?