Are you really happy now?
“Of course, Ukitake-taichou.”
How could she not be? She was now, officially, his lieutenant. The role had been vacant quite some time and now that she had taken it, a weight was being lifted. For so long, she had blamed herself for Kaien’s death, beating herself up over and over for her weakness. But yet, here she was, a seated officer.
Heart, as Kaien would preach to her during their training, is what allowed him to still be here– to be with those he truly cared about. Rukia could never take his place nor would she ever want to.
“Are you happy, Ukitake-taichou?”












