Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, or anything relating to it, and have the utmost respect for all the people who created these wonderful characters.
AN: Each part will be a look inside the head of a different character as they reflect on the person they stood one step behind. Also, I do not read the manga, so I did some basic checking online to try and figure out how the Aizen storyline ends. If anything is wrong, please let me know and I will try and fix it. Characters will be referred to the way they are in the Japanese, as will titles. For example, Ichigo calls Orihime Inuoe by her last name, so that is what will be used when he thinks of her. The glossary of Japanese words is at the end, if it was in a previous chapter it will not be in this one. Oh, and I've decided not to tell you which character's head you're inside until the end. (unless you know the names of their zanpakuto, which are at the start of each section.) If I've done my job well you should be able to tell.
One Step Behind Him
By Lady Callista
Wabisuke.
I wish I hadn't stood one step behind you.
Shinso.
Fate annoys me sometimes.
Mostly because it always seems to screw over the little guy. But I like being the little guy.
I'm not a taicho and I don't want to be, but I may have no other choice.
My first taicho decided to follow a crazy man and betray those who should have been his comrades, and my second taicho was a crazy man, hell-bent on revenge that turned out to be misplaced.
But I'd barely gotten to know the second one, so it wasn't a personal loss.
It was just that it reminded me of Ichimaru-taicho.
I had been so proud to serve under him, and so amazed by how powerful he was.
No one was more surprised than I was to find out he was working with Aizen.
No one was more betrayed by him than I was.
And then for my second taicho to be crazy as well…
I think maybe I should just see if they'll let me be the 3rd Division's taicho. I've been doing the job anyways, and the division all know and trust me.
I don't want the job.
I don't want the responsibility. I never have.
And I'm afraid that maybe the position is cursed.
But I don't think the division will trust anyone else.
Shinso.
If I hadn't stood one step behind you, could I have stayed behind someone forever?
Glossary:
In case you couldn't tell, this is Kira reflecting on Ichimaru.
Zanpakuto: Literally "Soul-Cutting Sword," I believe it's called a "Soul Slayer" in the dub.
Wabisuke: Literally "Miserable Man," the dub uses "The Penitent One." The zanpakuto of Kira Izuru.
Shinso: Literally "Divine Spear." The zanpakuto of Ichimaru Gin.
