If only

Kiyone watched as Shintarō silently compiled the paperwork—tasks that Rukia once handled before she was sent to the Human World.

Though more than forty years had passed since the death of their beloved lieutenant, Kaien Shiba, and his third-seat wife, their presence still lingered within the squad. Their memories remained woven into the very fabric of the 13th Division, shaping its traditions, its grief, and its unspoken rules.

Even Captain Ukitake, despite the need for a vice-captain, had never promoted anyone to the position. It was as if officially replacing Kaien would be admitting that he was truly gone. Instead, Rukia had taken up those duties—unranked, unacknowledged, yet never once questioning or resisting.

Kiyone vividly recalled the first time she met Rukia. Back then, the girl had seemed every bit the aristocratic lady: stoic, reserved, and distant. Other shinigami had fawned over her, eager to gain favor with the noble Kuchiki clan.

She and Shintarō, however, despised those privileged shinigami who earned their ranks through status rather than merit—unlike Kaien Shiba and his wife, who had gained their positions through sheer ability and dedication. But when they learned the truth—that Rukia was not a noble-born Kuchiki, but an adopted orphan from Rukongai, just like them—their feelings changed. She was one of them, a survivor of the same harsh world. And from then on, they became protective of her.

They had tried to make her smile, to coax even the smallest laugh out of her. But back then, it was as if all joy had been drained from her. She looked hollow, like a girl who had long forgotten what it meant to be happy. Only Kaien had managed to pull her from her gloom.

Their protectiveness only deepened when they saw how Captain Kuchiki suppressed Rukia's growth, smothering the life and potential out of her.

But Kaien had changed everything. He had helped her discover herself, to flourish. Kiyone would never forget the day Rukia awakened her shikai—the moment she claimed her rightful place as the wielder of the most beautiful zanpakutō in all of Soul Society, a blade that was a direct reflection of her soul.

Rukia herself was beautiful—so much so that Kiyone often had the urge to wrap her in a tight embrace and never let go. She had come to see Rukia as the younger sister she never had.

But then, disaster struck.

Kaien-dono was dead. And Rukia had been the one to kill him.

The entire squad had turned on her. Even those who had once admired her now looked at her with cold resentment. They didn't care about the circumstances. They didn't care that it had been a mercy kill, that Kaien had already been lost to the Hollow's possession. All they saw was the girl who had cut down their beloved leader.

A murderer.

And because she was a noble—because she had the backing of the powerful Kuchiki clan—they believed she had walked away unpunished. That she had escaped justice while they were left to mourn.

Kiyone had only been able to watch from the sidelines, powerless, as Rukia drowned in guilt and sorrow.

She still remembered seeing Captain Shiba Isshin lingering near their barracks once. He had likely wanted to comfort Rukia, but the weight of the tragedy was simply too much. He must have known that she had personally dragged Kaien's corpse to the Shiba manor's gates. A final act of penance. A silent confession that she would never forgive herself.

In the end, he hadn't approached her. He should have. And after all these years, Kiyone suspected he still regretted that decision.

Now, as she sat beside Shintarō, helping him sign the endless paperwork, both of them were lost in their own thoughts.

Shintarō's mind drifted to the first time Rukia had accompanied Kiyone on a mission to the Human World. Even after all those years, she had never truly moved on from Kaien's death. The guilt clung to her, shaping every step she took. Yet, despite it all, she had proven herself. She had earned the squad's respect, becoming an unranked vice-captain in all but title. She carried authority, even without the recognition.

Then came the mission that changed everything.

Kiyone had reported Rukia missing after a few days in the Human World.

If only he had realized that was an omen. If only he had insisted on accompanying her, even as a mere guard.

But he hadn't.

If only…

If only…

None of this would have happened.

A sudden voice cut through his thoughts.

"Let's go save Rukia," Kiyone said, her tone firm, determined.

Shintarō jumped slightly, startled. He hadn't even noticed her looking at him.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "I thought you'd never say that, monkey girl."

He knew the consequences of what they were about to do. After all, even the vice-captain of the Sixth Division had tried and failed. Kuchiki-taichō had crushed him with ease.

Kiyone, predictably, smacked him hard on the forehead.

"Who are you calling monkey, you old man?!"

And just like that, their decision was made.

Byakuya paced inside his study. It had been over a week, and yet the Central 46 remained silent, barring anyone from approaching the assembly.

Should he go there himself? The thought crossed his mind, spiraling through the chaos of his emotions.

No. He must not.

An act like that, coming from someone of his status, would be seen as an attempt to manipulate the court's decision.

But why…

He had the power to save her. He could put an end to this with a single command.

Yet, he must not.

Hisana had entrusted him with protecting Rukia, but this time, he had no justification—no way to shield her without shattering the very laws he had sworn to uphold.

He could not break the law. He must not. For the sake of peace and order in Soul Society.

That was why, at his parents' grave, he had vowed never to defy the law again. He had already done so twice—marrying Hisana and adopting Rukia despite the clear violation of noble tradition. He knew then that his status and power had the potential to disrupt the delicate balance of their world.

When he had shielded Rukia from the consequences of killing the heir of one of the Great Noble Clans, Soul Society and the Gotei 13 had been destabilized. His actions had set a dangerous precedent, one that had not gone unnoticed.

And now, as the weight of his emotion pressed upon him, he found himself kneeling once more before his parents' grave.

He wanted nothing more than to save Rukia.

But for the sake of Soul Society—he must not.

to be continued ...