Many years had passed since the defeat of Yhwach and Soul Society's return to normalcy. Rukongai #15 Northeast, once a quaint corner of Soul Society's fifteenth residential district, now bustled with activity as new vendors set up shop and new families came to live and work. Today, however, the still charming town square was quiet, with most businesses closed for the day.

It had been a long time since Rukongai #15 Northeast last closed the town square due to unsafe weather conditions, but today was one of those days. The district was unique in that residents walked wherever they wanted to go within the sector, although the greengrocer had an old-fashioned pickup truck that he used to gather his merchandise. In the small park that housed the community garden, the apple tree and all the flowering plants were now covered with tarps to protect them from the bitter cold.

Among the many fascinating destinations in Rukongai #15 Northeast, perhaps the most popular was the Minamoto Temple, known throughout Soul Society for its lush garden and contributions to culture and education in Rukongai #15 and beyond. The Minamoto family had constructed this temple several generations ago, when brothers Minamoto Sousuke and Minamoto Natsumura arrived in Rukongai #15 from the human world. The two brothers had faithfully served the goddess Shinatobe, ruler of wind, until their deaths. Over the years, Shinatobe had been forgotten, but now the temple served both her and the god Yakushi, overseer of healing and medicine. Under this arrangement, both the temple and Rukongai #15 flourished.

The temple was lovingly cared for by the lovely priestess Yume, a direct descendant of Minamoto Natsumura and the first female priest of Shinatobe. Her devoted husband, Yamada Seinousuke, was a master healer who had trained under the first Kenpachi. With their cat Ringo, the couple lived in a special living area on temple grounds.

Today, this threesome stood at the window and watched the snow fall gently to the ground. No one wanted to leave the warmth of the living room or the fire that crackled in the fireplace. Yawning and shaking herself out, Ringo strolled to her cat bed and curled up under her cat-print blanket. She was asleep in no time.

"Sei-kun?" Yume murmured. "You...go to... academy today?" She gave him a concerned look as she poured herself some tea.

Her husband grinned. "I already took care of that. I used Way of Binding #77 to tell everyone I'm calling off classes until the snow lets up."

"That good. Not want you... get sick."

"Nope, me either," he agreed. A mischievous smile came to his face. "How about we spend some 'quality time' in front of the fire?"

Yume blushed. "Sei-kun! You... mean...?"

"Yep. You, me, a big blanket, and a fire. Yuiko-kun brought us that canister of hot chocolate, too."

"Like that," Yume sighed contentedly. With that, the couple got everything together and settled in under their favorite blanket on the loveseat. "Sei-kun?"

"What is it, love?"

"Ever think... about tradition... for us? My Sousuke...had winter tradition."

Seinousuke lowered his eyebrows thoughtfully. "I like the idea of cuddling up with you on the couch, myself."

Yume rested her head on his shoulder. "Want...do something... for townspeople. Special winter celebration...at new meeting hall."

"You're better at planning those things than I am," her husband remarked. "I don't want to have a bunch of people here, though."

"Maybe...my Sousuke...help us too."

"I wonder how busy Sousuke is," Seinousuke pondered aloud. He pecked her on the cheek and closed his eyes. "We haven't visited him lately."

"We...visit him...soon?" Yume asked hopefully, her brown eyes lighting up.

"Of course, love."

"Hey, Ichigo?" the Hollow blurted out during one of Ichigo's rare afternoons off.

"Eh? What is it? I was almost asleep," Ichigo mumbled drowsily, wiping sleep from his eyes.

"It's been a long time since we saw the lovely lady," White Ichigo reminded his partner.

Ichigo sighed and shook his head. "Yume-san's probably doing just fine."

"But you don't know, right? We need to visit her, just to be sure." He perked up devilishly.

"Are you kidding? Who's supposed to take care of my therapy patients if we're up in Soul Society?"

"Close the clinic for winter break. Problem solved."

"Do you really think Yamada's going to like having uninvited guests?" Ichigo persisted, trying desperately to dissuade the Hollow.

"We can go when he's not there. Who wants to see HIM anyway?"

"In case you've forgotten, I'm getting married in less than two weeks. I still have a tuxedo to buy."

"Can't you get one in Soul Society? The lovely lady designs clothes."

"You're impossible." Ichigo rested his face in his palms.

In the Royal Realm, after years of rebuilding, the snow fell gently to the ground, leaving a misty white coating on everything it touched. From the living room in his elegant cottage, the Soul King, Aizen Sousuke, wistfully watched the Royal Realm's first snowfall this winter. The scene reminded him of his childhood in Rukongai #15 Northeast, where he had often celebrated the first snowfall of the winter by watching out the window of Aunt Mitsuko's house while she prepared hot tea and homemade apple tart.

If Aizen had any regrets about allying himself with the Hollows to fight against the Gotei 13, he never mentioned them aloud. Although his cottage was comfortable and well-stocked with books, he missed his freedom to visit Rukongai #15 Northeast. If he wanted to communicate with Yume or Aunt Mitsuko, he typically had to content himself with letters. Sometimes, though, Yume and Seinousuke would surprise him with a visit and a light dessert to enjoy over tea. Perhaps...

After freshening up, Aizen dressed for the day and prepared the kitchen table for his weekly meeting with the Royal Guard. It was taking a while, but the Royal Guard members were finally becoming used to his way of doing things. Senjumaru had even grudgingly admitted that he had impressed her with his careful planning of projects to improve infrastructure and utilities in the districts hit hardest by the Quincy attacks.

Royal Guard members came one by one to his cottage and sat with him around the kitchen table, which was set with tea and cups. Aizen had insisted that all weekly meetings begin with this bit of courteous formality. "Everyone has tea, correct?" he began.

Everyone nodded between sips. "I don't know where you get this tea, Aizen, but it's good," Kirinji told him.

Aizen raised an eyebrow at this. "Kirinji Tenjirou, you will please address me with an honorific," he responded stiffly. "I shall, however, concur that the tea is of good quality and flavor. Unfortunately, however, my supply is nearly exhausted."

"That's not what this meeting's about, is it?" Senjumaru interjected.

"No, it is not," Aizen answered, handing everyone a stapled packet. "The purpose of this week's meeting is to discuss these reports you submitted to me last week. Considering the start of winter, it is imperative that our infrastructure and utility projects remain on schedule."

Senjumaru nodded agreeably. "As you probably noticed, the projects in districts 21-35 are on schedule. Some are even ahead of schedule."

"Unfortunately," Hikifune cut in, "the work crews in districts 36-50 are behind schedule. It's even worse in the outer districts."

"I see," a frustrated Aizen replied. "For next week's meeting, question the supervisors in those districts and learn the reason for the delays." The Royal Guard members nodded and got up to leave. "I have not yet adjourned this meeting."

"Was there something else, Sousuke-kun?" Hikifune wondered, baffled. "We discussed the reports."

Aizen nodded. "As I mentioned, my tea supply is nearly exhausted. What are the weather conditions in Rukongai #15 Northeast?"

Hikifune sighed. "Well, there was a note on Mrs. Yasuda's door when I went yesterday. It said all businesses are closed until the weather improves." She shuddered. "It was snowing pretty hard."

"Hyosube, are you not able to do something about this? I wish to replenish my tea supply and ensure my mother's safety."

Ichibei cleared his throat. "Well, it's not a good idea to play around with the weather. It would only make things worse down the road." He paused thoughtfully. "We should be able to use Soaring Gate of the Heavens to contact Lady Yume, shouldn't we?"

"Do it."

Ichibei drew the symbols on his arm and cast Soaring Gate of the Heavens. Aizen nodded with appreciation.

"Sei-kun?"

"What is it, love?"

"Like this. Hot chocolate...taste good. Fire...warm," Yume murmured sleepily. "Like...share blanket...with you."

"Then it's settled. Hot chocolate, a blanket, and a fire can be our winter tradition," her husband chuckled.

"Sei-kun?"

"Hmm?"

"Not like blizzard. Worry...about Aunt Mitsuko...my Sousuke too."

"I hope it'll pass soon, love. I don't like being away from the academy for too long."

Suddenly, a voice interrupted their conversation. "My mother? Yamada? Can you hear me?"

"My Sousuke!" Yume exclaimed, looking around the room. "Hear...my Sousuke."

Her husband pecked her on the cheek. "You might not remember, but it's a Shinigami technique. Sousuke's not here." He cleared his throat and confirmed, "We're here, Sousuke. What's going on?"

"My mother...are you safe and well?" Aizen asked gently. "Hikifune informed me that your area is in the midst of a snowstorm."

"My Sousuke...we stay...here...at temple. I...Sei-kun...build fire...make cocoa...sit under blanket today."

"That is good. Yamada, what is the status of the medical academy?"

"I canceled classes until the snow lets up," Seinousuke told him. "The dorm students are taking care of emergency patients in our practice labs."

"You have planned ahead, I see. Well done, Yamada."

"My Sousuke?" Yume began. "Sei-kun...I...want...celebrate winter...in new meeting hall...here. You...help us?"

"I only wish that I could partake in the festivities," her son told her. "If you will give me a tentative plan, I will attempt to participate in a different way."

"Thank you...my Sousuke. Love you. Need anything?"

"The shops are all closed," her husband added. "We'll try to visit as soon as it's not so dangerous outside."

"Very well. It is good to hear from you both. Be safe and well." With that, Aizen ended the transmission.

As the days passed, the temperatures began to rise. Ground once covered with ice was now riddled with puddles of slush. In the town square of Rukongai #15 Northeast, businesses opened once again, and children bundled up to play outside in the snow.

On the outskirts of town, a tired-looking woman stopped at the community garden and sat down on a bench to catch her breath. Her valise leaned against the bench's leg as she surveyed her surroundings. "I wonder where this is," she thought to herself as she sipped water from the fountain.

Now rested, she followed a tree-lined path to a comfortable-looking white house. "Maybe I'll learn something here," she murmured. Tentatively she knocked on the door. Soon, a middle-aged woman opened the door and studied her curiously.

"Uh, can I help you?"

Blinking a few times, the visitor nodded. "I'm trying to figure out where I am. I know this is Rukongai #15, but..."

"Come in, girl," the woman invited brusquely. "I'm the postmaster here. Name's Chiaki." She guided the newcomer to the living room and motioned to the sofa. "Aunt Mitsuko, we have a visitor," she called into the kitchen.

Aunt Mitsuko, an elderly woman, hobbled cautiously to her favorite easy chair and laid a blue floral blanket across her legs. "What brings you here, young lady?"

The visitor took a deep breath and explained once again. "I've been traveling around, but now I don't know which part of Rukongai #15 I'm in. If I could just get an idea of where I am..."

"You didn't see the sign when you came into town?" Chiaki blurted. "You can't have missed it."

"Chiaki..."Aunt Mitsuko interrupted patiently. "It's hard to see in the snow. Anyhow, this is Rukongai #15 Northeast. You're on the outskirts of our sector."

The visitor got up to leave. "That helps. Thanks. If I wanted to spend the night, where would I do that?"

Chiaki thought for a moment. "Well...the bed and breakfast is still under construction."

Aunt Mitsuko's face lit up. "I know where you should go. Our sector has a temple. I'm sure the priest would let you stay the night. Not sure about meals, though."

"Thanks again. I'll check out the temple." With a nod, she left.

"We didn't even get her name," Chiaki mused.