| The Thirty Third Aura • Accidental Video |

[reflectivedawn]

[The first thing that gets recorded is the PCD being dropped unceremoniously onto the ground. It's easy enough to see that it's an accident, a mistake that wasn't meant to happen. But fingers get weak and slippery, devices fall to the ground and are left to film the scene as it unfolds before them

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[taichou_tb]

[This week is taking its toll on Ukitake, sapping him of hope and positivity. He wanders through the fog, following Riku's presence, and tries to stay away from any headstones.

He's already seen too many deaths. He doesn't know what the next one will do to him.

And Hitsugaya is dead. Really dead. Ukitake just...cannot let more horrible things happen.

So when he gets to Riku, he doesn't say anything, just gently grips the young man's shoulder.]

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[reflectivedawn]

[He jumps slightly at the feeling of the touch to his shoulder, even if he could sense the other coming. Ukitake's light and darkness were ones he had memorized long ago, and he would know them instantly. But he still jumped, as if the touch hurt, before settling.

He had taken to sitting against one of the other tombstones, Hanna's, bright greens eyes staring forward, locked on the pile of rumble.]

You didn't have to come.

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[taichou_tb]

[Ukitake takes no offense at the surprise Riku feels. Instead, he kneels in front of Riku, looks at him for a moment, then wraps an arm around his shoulders, pulling him against Ukitake's chest.]

Let's go home.

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[reflectivedawn]

[There's a small intake of breath as Ukitake wraps his arms around him, and for a moment, all he does is sit there, bright green eyes still staring forward. Before he realizes that, for once, Ukitake probably isn't hugging him because he's the only one who needs it. He's been watching the network. He knows what's going on. And he knows that, for once, he wants to be there for Ukitake.

So instead he speaks quietly.]

I'm sorry. About Hitsugaya.

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[taichou_tb]

[Ukitake doesn't answer right away, but at Riku's words, his hand tightens slightly on Riku's arm.]

...Thank you.

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[reflectivedawn]

[He sighs lightly, lifting an arm to wrap around Ukitake's shoulder, bringing them closer.]

None of this is real, right?

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[taichou_tb]

[He lets out a breath, closing his eyes. It's good to have another person's warmth there.]

The Animus are playing with us. That's all.

[Except in Hitsugaya's case, but there's nothing to be done about that, now.]

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[reflectivedawn]

[And he's happy to be that warmth. At least for now.]

Do you ever get the feeling you'll never see someone again?

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[taichou_tb]

[He nods. No fight, no inspirational speech. Just honesty.]

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[reflectivedawn]

[That honesty almost hurts. But it's what he needs. And it's something he could only ever take from Ukitake.]

I'll never see him again.

[It's said simply, another piece of honestly. There's no bitterness, no pain. Just the statement of it.]

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[taichou_tb]

[That stirs something inside of Ukitake and he pulls away just far enough to look at Riku. He had answered for himself in a moment (this whole event) of hopelessness.

But it's not something he wants for Riku.]

Just because it feels like that doesn't mean it will come true.

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[reflectivedawn]

[He's calm. For the first time in a long time, he's calm in the midst of chaos.]

I wished for him once. When Hanna first told me about the legend of the cranes. I wished for him, and my wish came true. I don't think it'll happen twice.

[He knew it wouldn't. He had tried a long time ago.]

I'll see him when I go back. He doesn't belong here anyway.

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[taichou_tb]

[And with that, Ukitake pulls Riku back in for a hug.]

I know. I know.

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[reflectivedawn]

[He takes a deep breath, wrapping both arms around Ukitake tightly.]

Want me to stay with you until the week is over?

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[taichou_tb]

Only if you'd like.

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[reflectivedawn]

I think it's better than being alone.