Celestial Fears
*Flashback*
"Head Captain, I must ask you to reconsider your decision."
Yamamoto remains impassive, yet the soft lines around his eyes betray the emotions coursing through him. Before speaking again, he takes a deep breath.
"Toshiro, I must let you know that this was Byakuya's idea and a good idea at that. As you well know, keeping Sayuri here would be a grave miscalculation. To safeguard her safety from "him" we must erase her memories."
Toshiro takes a deep breath before speaking up.
"Byakuya!? Since when does he get to make decisions regarding my fiancée!"
Yamamoto looks upon Toshiro with both sadness and admiration; such an impassioned plea from someone so young is remarkable. He mulls over Toshiro's words carefully, deliberating over their significance before finally giving in with a sigh and shrugging his shoulders resignedly.
"I am sorry sir for speaking out of character, but she is part of us and should not just be cast aside like some broken machine. She deserves her place here just like everyone else - we should not so quickly forget her."
"Toshiro, I understand and respect your position; however, in considering our safety as a group I must send Sayuri away; she could become an immensely powerful force here if her father found her and was allowed to use and unleash her full power." He paused; his face turned thoughtful. " Sending Sayuri away is the only sensible choice; as soon as her father finds her then her power could become dangerous for everyone involved."
Toshiro was filled with emotion as he stared back at Yamamoto with anguish. Although they had been warned of such an eventuality, Toshiro never expected that it would happen now, after everything they had endured together.
"Don't do this," he begged, his voice rising as his face turned red with fury. "Don't take away her memories and send her away; not after everything we have shared."
Yamamoto looked at Toshiro with an unwavering gaze and said: "Please accept my apology, Toshiro; however, this is necessary in order to protect her safety."
Toshiro could hardly believe what he was hearing and insisted there must be another solution - one which did not involve wiping her memories, nor her identity, away.
Yamamoto sighed and turned away, then spoke softly: "This decision is in her best interest - she has endured enough and can start fresh without carrying around any of her past baggage."
Toshiro's fists tightened and his mouth set in a grim line. He knew Yamamoto was right, but he refused to accept it. He had promised to protect her, and yet here he stood, powerless to do anything as the man he looked up to as a mentor planned to take away everything she was.
He took a deep breath and turned back to Yamamoto. "At least let me take her to the world of the living," he said, his voice trembling. "Let me spend the last few days with her. Please."
Yamamoto hesitated, leading Toshiro to hope he might back off his decision, but then said flatly: "No. The risk is too great; I will bring her into the world of living."
Toshiro felt his heart sink as Yamamoto seemed set on continuing his plan. Toshiro closed his eyes in resignation as he realized there was nothing, he could do to stop it happening before him.
Toshiro opens his mouth to protest but Yamamoto shakes his head while holding up one hand to silence him.
"I understand your concerns and have given this decision my careful consideration; however, for everyone's safety here. This must be made."
Toshiro hangs his head, feeling defeated. While his heart resists Yamamoto's words, Toshiro knows they make sense on paper. So, he takes a deep breath before speaking firmly.
"I respect and agree with your decision, sir."
Yamamoto nods in understanding. Reaching out, he pats Toshiro on the shoulder in an act of respect.
"Thank you, Toshiro. I know this has been challenging for you, but I applaud your courage in standing up for yourself and speaking your mind."
Toshiro stands up with fists clenched. He takes one last look at Yamamoto before turning and walking out of the room - pausing at the doorway where his hand rests against its frame.
Yamamoto watches in silence as Toshiro walks down the hallway and out of sight; his voice no longer audible in their silenced hallway. Knowing there's no turning back now but feeling saddened at having to make this decision; He sighs and starts walking, heading for the balcony and the sunset.
•• ━━━━━ ••✾•• ━━━━━ •••• ━━━━━ ••✾••
"Byakuya, why?" Toshiro said, his voice raw with emotion. His hands were shaking and clenched tightly into fists.
Byakuya turned to him, his face emotionless but his eyes cold. "Because it was the only way," he said, his voice flat and expressionless.
Toshiro shook his head. "No, that's not good enough. You can't just send her away with no memory and no way to return. What kind of life is that?"
Byakuya sighed. "It's the only way to protect her."
"Protect her from what!?" Toshiro asked, his voice rising. "From us? From her own family?"
Byakuya ignored Toshiro's anger and spoke calmly. "Sometimes, it's necessary to make sacrifices in order to achieve a greater good. Sayuri has a chance to have a new life, one that's free from the burdens and dangers of the spirit world. That's why she is being sent away."
Toshiro was incredulous. "But she won't even remember us! How is that fair?"
Byakuya looked at Toshiro and his voice softened. "I know it's unfair, but it's for the best. Sayuri will be safe, and that's what's most important."
Toshiro couldn't believe it. He had known Byakuya for years, and yet he had never seen him be so heartless. He wanted to yell and scream and demand answers, but instead he just sighed and shook his head.
"I just don't understand. Why make her forget everything she knows? It's like you're erasing her entire life!"
Byakuya didn't reply, and Toshiro began to get angry. He was about to speak when Byakuya finally spoke.
"It's because I still love her," Byakuya said softly. "It's the only way I know how to keep her safe. I know it's not fair, but it's the only way I can think of."
Toshiro was silent for a moment, and then finally nodded. He knew how much Byakuya still loved Sayuri, and he could understand why he would do anything to keep her safe. He was still hurt and angry, but he had to accept Byakuya's decision.
"Alright," he said quietly. "But I still don't like it. I don't like it one bit."
Byakuya nodded and sighed. "Neither do I. But it's the only way." He paused, looking Toshiro in the eyes. "I'm sorry."
Toshiro nodded, and then turned and started walking away. He had a lot to think about, and he wanted to be alone.
He walked slowly; his head bowed. Byakuya's decision had changed everything. Sayuri was leaving and there was no way he would be able to bring her back, no way to undo what was going to been done. He felt a deep sadness, and he knew he'd never be the same again.
But still, there was hope. Sayuri was going to be safe, and Toshiro knew that he had to make the best of it. He had to find a way to move on, to accept Byakuya's decision and find peace.
As Toshiro walked, he thought about Byakuya and all that he had done. Despite his coldness, Byakuya still cared deeply for Sayuri. He had made a difficult decision, one that he knew would hurt the people around him, but he had made it with love in his heart.
Toshiro knew that he would never be able to fully understand Byakuya's decision, but he could at least respect it. Toshiro had learned a valuable lesson: sometimes doing the right thing isn't easy, but it's always worth it
•• ━━━━━ ••✾•• ━━━━━ •••• ━━━━━ ••✾••
The sun was setting on the horizon of the Soul Society, the afterglow of the sky fading to a deep blue. Byakuya Kuchiki stood atop the walls of the Soul Society, his long hair blowing in the breeze, while he gazed out with a melancholic expression. His thoughts were of Sayuri who he was having sent off to the Human World that morning.
In his heart, Byakuya wished that he could have gone with her, to stand guard over her and protect her from any danger that she might be facing. But as the captain of the 6th Division, his duty was to protect the Soul Society, and this duty was something that he could not ignore. He had no choice but to entrust his younger sister Rukia to her own strength. He knew that she would have to stay there for some time to complete the task that he had given her, and that thought weighed heavily on him.
Nevertheless, Byakuya still felt a deep sense of responsibility for his sister's safety. He had chosen her as his successor to the Kuchiki clan, and he had faith in her strength and courage. But there was something else that concerned him. He had heard rumors that a powerful Arrancar, had recently been sighted in the Human World.
Byakuya knew that Rukia could handle herself against most opponents, but he was worried that she might not be prepared for a battle against an enemy of that kind of power. His mind raced with thoughts of what he could do to protect his sister. He knew that he could not accompany her on her mission, but he wanted to do something to ensure her safety.
Byakuya quickly summoned Toshiro. He explained the situation to Toshiro and let him know that Rukia would be watching over Sayuri while she was on her mission.
Toshiro was taken aback but he quickly agreed. He understood the importance of protecting Sayuri. Byakuya thanked him for trusting him in this.
Toshiro nodded in understanding, and Byakuya gave him one last nod of assurance before watching him leave. With a heavy heart, he turned back to the horizon, his thoughts once again drifting back to Sayuri. He knew that she was strong and capable, but he still couldn't help but worry. He had done all that he could to ensure her safety, and all that he could do now was to have faith in Rukia and the protection that he had offered.
The sun had completely set now, and the sky had turned a deep black. But even in the darkness, Byakuya could still feel a sense of peace and security. He had faith that Sayuri would be safe, and that Rukia would keep a watchful eye over her until she returned.
•• ━━━━━ ••✾•• ━━━━━ •••• ━━━━━ ••✾••
Toshiro sat in the infirmary holding Sayuri close. She hadn't stirred since their last encounter of her discovery that she had miscarried.
Yamamoto and several captains entered the room.
Toshiro stared with wide eyes, his heart racing. Desperate to keep Sayuri close, tears streamed down his face as he begged Yamamoto not to take her away and plead with him not to take away such an essential piece of his life.
"Please, don't do this," he pleaded, his voice shaking with emotion. "I know I said I wouldn't argue but this woman is my lifeline - she is all I have left."
Yamamoto watched Toshiro with an expressionless gaze before hesitating to run his hand through his hair before reaching out and patting hitsugaya on the shoulder.
"I understand," he whispered with heavy sadness in his voice, "but it must be done. You know why."
Toshiro nodded slowly, feeling helpless to respond. He desperately wanted to argue and fight for Sayuri's rightful place with him but was too emotionally exhausted from this battle.
Yamamoto stood with his hand still resting gently on Toshiro's shoulder, saying gently "Come here". Then he lifted Sayuri from Toshiro's arms and gently held her close; Sayuri seemed calm and secure within his embrace.
"I'll take care of her," I promise." Yamamoto assured.
Toshiro nodded slowly, still unable to speak. He watched Yamamoto carry Sayuri away while tears flowed down his face; Toshiro wanted desperately to reach out and stop her leaving but he knew that his efforts would be futile.
Yamamoto stopped at the door, looking back towards Toshiro. "She will be safe," he replied, "but it would be best if her whereabouts remained unknown to you - for your own good.
Toshiro nodded slowly, still struggling to find his voice.
"Go and take care of yourself," Yamamoto said quietly, before turning and walking away.
Toshiro stood there, watching until the door closed behind Yamamoto. He felt bereft, as if his entire world had been taken away. He felt a deep sense of loss, an emptiness that could never be filled. He was left standing there, motionless, unable to do anything but stare into the emptiness of the night.
