~When you're Gone~
It wasn't supposed to happen this way.
This wasn't supposed to have happened.
At least that was what his mind kept repeating over and over to itself. As if by whispering the possible it could make it the impossible.
Renji wasn't standing so still and quiet with the other Lieutenants.
The grief mirrored in their faces wasn't real.
No. No more real then Orihime's hand shyly sliding over the back of his, silently asking for acceptance. Unconsciously his fingers tightened, the blunt tips of the nails digging into his palms. She didn't try anymore after that.
Ukitake's voice washed over him for a minute, bringing everything into painful reality.
"Rukia Kuchiki will be missed by all. We will always remember her and keep her in our hearts."
Respective silence fell. Heads were bowed in memory of the Soulreaper with the most beautiful sword in all of Seireitei.
His didn't lower.
Byakuya had called her sister, his face revealed little emotion past his mask. But Ichigo had seen it break when the Noble had learned of her demise.
Ukitake had been her Captain and he appeared frailer than before. He had seen too many deaths of his subordinates and was tired.
Renji had known her since childhood. Maybe if he had known what awaited one part of their team on the other side of Hueco Mundo, he wouldn't have allowed her to go alone.
Maybe he wouldn't have either.
Dead. Ichigo let the word sink in. Fill his insides until the word was etched into his mind. Rukia was dead.
He remained standing while his world shattered into a million pieces.
~To be continued~
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