Chpt. 14 – A Soul Reapers Battle Cry

*Flashback*

Toshiro was overcome by his grief as the sound of his sobs echoed throughout the infirmary halls. Holding Sayuri close in his arms, her eyes closed in deep sleep he knew exactly what had transpired, leaving him filled with anguish that was indescribably heart-rending. The tragedy filled his heart like never before.

Toshiro thought himself prepared to face any challenge presented by the Hollows. Unable to expect this loss or the pain it entailed, Toshiro held Sayuri close, her body like an exquisite flower in his arms, placing his lips against her forehead and weeping tears down onto her skin.

This was too much. Toshiro felt crushed as his heart disintegrated into a million pieces and found himself gasping for air - after trying so desperately to protect her and ensure that her life would be safe and happy.

The other captains watched in shock and silence, their eyes wide and faces pale. They had not expected this either, they had not known that under the surface of the calm and stoic Hitsugaya, there was such deep and powerful emotions. While they had seen him fight alongside them and battle the Hollows fearlessly, none had witnessed his sorrow or witnessed its depths.

Toshiro sobbed softly as his body shook with sorrow. Although no words could comfort him at this time, Toshiro knew he must remain strong for those close to him.

He looked around the room, his gaze falling upon the other captains in shock and sympathy, knowing he could not manage this alone; no single heart could bear the burden of grief alone and bear its pain alone.

He reached out with a trembling hand, and the other captains quickly gathered around to offer whatever comfort they could. Their presence alone was enough.

He looked up, meeting each captain's gaze with his own and seeing their expressions of sympathy, and knew he wasn't alone in his grief and sorrow.

Toshiro stood up slowly, keeping his fingers interlaced with Sayuri's. Looking down upon her still fragile form, he laid his lips against her forehead for one last kiss.

His tears fell softly onto her skin as he whispered a quiet prayer for both himself and for her.

He then looked back at the other captains, and they began to back away to give Toshiro space. With one last glance back towards them he nodded silently before moving away from them all.

As he left, their eyes followed him until he disappeared.

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Rukia entered the Kuchiki Estate, her heart heavy with the burden of her news. As she passed through the courtyard, the gardens of white and silver seemed to mock her grief with their resplendence. Taking a deep breath to steady her fears, she reached for the door.

She knocked softly and waited.

The moments of silence stretched into an eternity as the door remained shut. Then, with a creak of hinges, it opened.

Byakuya stood in the doorway, his features calm, yet exhausted. His pale complexion and hollowed eyes spoke of his sleepless nights.

Rukia bowed her head. "Kuchiki-sama, I-"

But Byakuya stopped her. "What news do you bring?" he said, his voice emotionless.

Rukia swallowed, unsure of how to begin. She had known this moment was coming, yet now that it had arrived, she was frozen in fear.

Finally, summoning her courage, she spoke. "It is about Sayuri," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Byakuya's gaze hardened, and Rukia knew she had said enough.

"What of her?" he asked, his voice devoid of any emotion.

"She is in the infirmary," Rukia said, her throat tight with emotion. "She was in battle with a hollow, and... and something happened."

Byakuya's eyes widened, and he seemed to take a step back, as if he had been punched in the stomach.

Rukia wanted to reach out to him, to offer some comfort, but she knew it was not her place.

Finally, Byakuya spoke. "What happened to her?"

Rukia wasn't sure what to say. She couldn't bring herself to tell him the truth; that Kaien had died in the battle, protecting Sayuri from the hollow's attack. But she also couldn't lie, so she simply said, "The situation was grave. You should go see her."

Byakuya nodded, then he turned and walked away without another word.

Rukia watched as Byakuya shut the door behind him. She remained standing in the courtyard, her heart heavy with grief. She had not only lost her sister, but she had lost Kaien and was afraid of losing another sister in the midst. She knew Byakuya still had deep feelings for Sayuri even after her sister's death and that she was the last person to see kaien alive, but she could never bring herself to have ill feelings towards her.

As she stood, she allowed herself a moment of solace. All she could do at this moment was bend down and pray for Sayuri's safe recovery.

•• ━━━━━ ••✾•• ━━━━━ •••• ━━━━━ ••✾••

Byakuya felt the rage swelling in his chest as he stormed into the infirmary. After hearing the news about Sayuri being injured during the battle, he wanted to know why no one had thought to protect her.

When Byakuya saw Sayuri lying in the bed, her face pale and her eyes closed, a wave of grief and anger swept over him. He wanted to scream and throw something, to unleash his pain in some way.

"Toshiro!" Byakuya shouted, spinning around to face the captain, who was standing in the corner of the room. "Why wasn't she protected?"

As Toshiro and Byakuya stepped outside of the quiet room, their argument filled the hallway of the hospital like a thunderous storm. Their voices echoed off the walls, ricocheting off the linoleum floors.

"You did not protect her!" Byakuya declared, his hands shaking with fury. "You let her get hurt! How could you let that happen?"

Toshiro looked away, his expression one of intense sadness. "I tried my best, Byakuya. I am sorry."

Byakuya shook his head, refusing to accept the apology. "Sorry is not enough," he said. "You should have done more to prevent this from happening!"

Toshiro sighed, his shoulders slumping. He had tried to protect Sayuri, but it had not been enough. He had failed, and now his fiancée was in the infirmary, her fate uncertain.

"It is too late now," Toshiro said softly. "I wish I could turn back time and undo the mistake I made. But I cannot."

Byakuya's anger slowly began to dissipate as he looked at Toshiro's forlorn expression. He knew that Toshiro cared deeply for Sayuri, and he couldn't blame him for what had happened. Still, it hurt to think of Sayuri lying in the hospital with her future uncertain.

"What will happen to her?" Byakuya asked, his voice thick with emotion.

"I do not know," Toshiro said. "I can only pray that she will recover."

Byakuya nodded, his gaze drifting towards the infirmary where Sayuri lay. He closed his eyes, sending a silent prayer for her recovery.

"I want to see her," he said, his voice barely a whisper.

Toshiro nodded and gestured for Byakuya to follow him. They walked in silence until they reached the room. When they entered the room, Byakuya couldn't help but gasp in shock. Sayuri lay on the bed, her once vibrant face now pale and drawn. She was barely recognizable from the woman he had loved so dearly.

Toshiro moved to her side, taking her hand in his. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Sayuri," he whispered. " I am here."

Sayuri did not stir, and Toshiro's heart sank. He had prayed for a miracle, but it seemed that his prayers had gone unanswered.

"I am so sorry," Toshiro said, his voice thick with emotion. "This is all my fault."

Byakuya shook his head. "No," he said. "This is not your fault. You did your best to protect her. There is nothing more you could have done."

Byakuya smiled sadly and reached out, placing a comforting hand on Toshiro's shoulder. The two men stood in silence for a long moment, neither knowing what to say or do.

Finally, Byakuya spoke. "If you ever need to talk, I'm here." Byakuya said quietly.

Toshiro nodded.

Byakuya knew he would never forget this moment. He would always remember the pain of Sayuri's injury and his own anger at not being able to protect her. But he also realized that Toshiro had done what he thought was best, and he had to respect that.

Byakuya took one last look at Sayuri before leaving the infirmary. He knew he couldn't stay angry forever; it wasn't in his nature. But he also knew that he would never forget what had happened here. He nodded to Toshiro one last time before leaving, knowing that he had just taken the first step towards reconciliation.