A/n I own nothing. I will give reciprocal reviews. The first two parts take place after Kaien's death and tie into 'reaction'. The last part was born of me watching Toshiro in early arrancar and I kept thinking is this a captain or a kid doing a bad Byakuya impression.
Byakuya found her watching the sunset from a clearing in western Seireitei. He approached silently and waited at her shoulder until she spoke. She didn't. It surprised him to an extent; he knew Kaien's death was eating her up. The sun had set by now and he decided that, in keeping with his obligation to Hisana he had to try to talk to her. He wasn't worried per se, these situations were an unfortunate part of a shinigami's life. It was however his duty.
"You are concerned about your decision?" he asked.
"Go away," she snapped. His eyes widened in shock, it was the first time she'd ever spoken to him with disrespect. As the head of the clan he should have corrected her however she was a solider now. The courtesy of grieving as one chose must be extended. Rank was not a suitable reason to gratuitously step on another's pride. He walked away allowing himself a glance backwards, he saw her shoulders shaking with sobs. He walked on, it was her choice.
Ukitake sat at his desk, filing paperwork to distract himself. Trying not to think about Kaien and the fact that he'd cleaned out the boy's quarters that morning. He'd composed himself but, it still seemed like every other thing reminded him of his late comrade. The boy'd been like a son to him. A knock sounded.
"Enter," he said, blinking back tears. At his permission captain Kuchiki entered.
"Captain Ukitake…are you alright?" he asked, obviously changing statements mid-stream.
"I lost an assistant. Some of us grieve and move on," he said. It had a bit too much bite but, after Captain Zaraki, he was the last person Ukitake wanted to see right then.
"My apology for interrupting but, that is what I wished to speak with you about," he said.
"And that would be?" Ukitake asked.
"I believe that your company member Kuchiki may be having difficulties with the situation. I thought you should be alerted," he explained. Ukitake sighed. Why are you always so damn formal?
"You're worried about her?" he asked. The other captain said nothing. "I tried to talk to her already. She asked me if she had done her duty and when I told her that she had, she wouldn't speak about it anymore. I take it that she won't talk to you either?" he finished rhetorically. The other captain remained silent. Wonder where she got that habit. "I'll keep an eye on her," he said.
"Thank you for your time," captain Kuchiki said walking out. Ukitake wondered if the other captain realized how much genuine gratitude colored his voice.
Toshiro Hitsuyaga couldn't stand sixth squad's captain, the arrogant noble who'd been handed everything because of his name. He was just a bastard with the gall to look down on people, who'd actually worked to get where they were. Since becoming captain he'd been bent on proving that a kid from Rukongai could be a far better captain than he. The problem was, he was currently watching an unconscious Momo lying in her hospital bed, silent tears running down his face. Swiping at them angrily, he admonished himself to grow up and focus on what needed to be done. He tried so hard to act like a captain but, half the squad thought he was little better than a puppy. He'd always assured himself that it was just prejudice and jealousy that he was so young. If he'd been a noble he would have gotten the respect he craved. Yet here he was, crying over a friend like the kid he was rather than doing something about it. Useless sentiment. "I'll avenge you, Momo," he whispered. At least he could conduct himself properly in that regard.