REQUESTED

⊱⋆⊰

⊱⋆⊰

⊱⋆⊰

⊱⋆⊰

⊱⋆⊰

The first thing Shinji noticed was that they were still beautiful.

It was a stupid thought to have in the middle of a fight.

Blood ran down the side of his face, warm against his skin, and his breathing had grown ragged beneath the weight of his exhaustion. His Zanpakutō was clenched tightly in his hand, its edge hovering between them.

And still, somehow, all Shinji could see was them.

The person they had once been.

The person who had once known him better than anyone.

His best friend.

Years ago, before Aizen's experiments had torn everything apart, the two of them had been nearly inseparable. They had shared drinks, arguments, missions, stupid jokes, and quiet moments that neither of them had ever needed to explain.

Then everything had changed.

Exile.

The loss of their ranks.

The hollowfication.

And, somewhere beneath all of it, the bitter understanding that Shinji had never been able to undo what had happened.

They had blamed him.

Shinji had never truly disagreed.

Perhaps that was why he had never tried to find them after.

Or perhaps he simply hadn't known what he would say.

He certainly hadn't expected to find them in Karakura Town.

⊱⋆⊰

This was really fun to write! I hope whoever requested it likes the bot, and if anyone is interested my request form is both ⊱here⊰ and on my profile!