It was mid morning. Captain Unohana sat on Ukitake's floor sipping tea. He sat across from her, his eyes ringed black from lack of sleep.
"They had the same dream." Unohana concluded. Toshiro had not said much in the night but it seemed the same memory had returned to the two.
"Only once did I feel such pain." Ukitake said. "When Rukia Kuchki killed Kaien, it was the only time I felt such sorrow mixed with such self loathing. But Toshiro doesn't understand why, he doesn't remember what happened to Momo so he's having a lot of trouble with his emotions. Whatever happened, life really did start over for him ten years ago. He's not a captain, and last night, he was a child. What will happen if that memory returns?"
"We will have to hope that Captain Hitsugaya returns with it. He will be hurt by the memory, but as a captain he will be able to handle it. Where is he now?"
"Resting. He didn't calm down until early this morning."
"You should rest too, you look exhausted."
"I was worried, so I thought I should stay up and keep an eye on him."
"Please, get some rest Joshiro, I will watch him." He opened his mouth to protest but her eyes told him she wouldn't accept anything but a thank-you, so he rose, nodded his thanks and returned to his chamber. Unohana rose as well and walked to the boy's room. The door was open a crack, where Ukitake had been watching since dawn. She slid it the rest of the way and tiptoed to his side. She didn't need to touch him, instead she felt out with her spiritual power to assess his condition. He was in a deep and dreamless sleep, his whole body utterly exhausted from the pain he'd experienced that night.
Aizen! She thought, careful to mask her rage. It subsided into a quiet sadness and she sat in the corner rocker, just watching her old friend breath. He was not the same person. He needed their help but, in the back of her mind, she knew they need him, and Zaraki, just as badly.
It was past noon when he woke. He did not move, he simply opened his eyes in silence. She felt his spiritual pressure shift and waited for him to sense her.
"What happened to me? Who died?" His voice was raspy.
"I think its best if you remember on your own."
He rolled over and faced her. His eyes were still blood shot, his face drawn with fatigue.
"Why does it feel like this?"
"I can't force your memories back and neither can you. You must be patient, then your feelings will make sense."
"Where is Captain Ukitake?"
"He is resting. He won't be able to tell you anything more than I. Would you like some breakfast?"
"I need to see Kenpachi."
"I think its best if you sort through this on your own."
He flung the bed sheets to one side and stood up.
"You gonna to stop me?" he said, remembering the last time he tried to flash step past her.
"No."
He disappeared.
Kenpachi and Kyoriku were in the squad eight training grounds. They were just about to break for lunch when a number of tiles on the roof of a nearby building shattered and rained down to earth. A second later the white haired boy appeared, striking the ground hard but landing on both feet.
"You really should learn to control that." Kyoriku said unphased.
"I need to talk to you." Toshiro said marching past the captain and up to his friend. "I felt your spiritual pressure last night. I know you remembered something too."
"I did."
"So do you believe them now?"
The man looked to Kyoriku then back to the kid. "Let's just say that I'm a little more convinced now."
"Tell me what you remember."
"Running. I remember running down halls and escaping."
"There's more."
"You were kind of out of it."
"But why? What happened?"
Kenpachi remembered Unohana's words. What had happened to the boy might be too much for him to handle if he remembered. He was not a liar, but the boy standing before him now was unstable, unprepared for such information. At the moment, he needed to be protected.
"I don't know." He said. The boy stared at him.
"You're lying."
"How could I know?" Kenpachi said back calmly. Toshiro eyed him longer, but there was no one he trusted more. His shoulders relaxed.
"Fine. But I want to know and they won't tell me." He glared at Kyoriku who stared back at him innocently.
Kenpachi said nothing. There was a slight shift in spiritual pressure and Ukitake was there.
"Ah Shunsui, lunch time is it?"
"I think it is." Said the other captain happily. The four of them went back to Ukitake's manor and had a large meal. Zaraki and Kyoriku had sake while Ukitake and Toshiro sipped tea.
No one knew what to say so they said nothing, letting the food distract them. Then Toshiro stiffened, he sensed a spiritual pressure he knew. Ukitkae also looked around just as a pink flash appeared in the window. The girl landed in the middle of the room, starring at Kenpachi.
"Yachiru, you're not supposed to be here!" Ukitake said standing.
"I've waited long enough." the girl said, a dark determination coming from her red eyes.
"Its time for you to remember, Kenny." Kenpachi stared at her in silence. Even standing she did not match his height in sitting.
"Yachiru, you should go now. We explained to you why this was necessary." Kyoriku stood now too.
"I've waited long enough. Now let Kenny go and I'll help him remember."
"We aren't holding him hostage Yachiru, but you know why we can't force this."
"No!" rage entered her voice. "I don't care about your plans, any of it! He'll remember if he just comes home. Baldy won't mind, and once he sees everything I'm sure he'll know me."
"Yachiru." Kenpachi spoke and the girl fell silent. "That's a good name."
"You gave it to me."
"I did?"
"You'll remember, I know you will."
"I'll let you know when I do."
Toshiro watched his old friend in silence. He'd never acted this way before. The girl broke into a teary smile.
"Okay, I'll be waiting." She flashed away.
The two captains were clearly taken aback by the man's gentle behaviour, but then Kyoriku smiled.
"I guess somethings can never change." he half laughed, slamming back another drink. Kenpachi said nothing but took up his own glass and tilted it back.