TZC: Shades of Strength and Weakness
Jyuushirou stood under a sakura tree on the Eighth Division's grounds. Shunsui's division, now. No matter what the other man said, Jyuushirou'd suspected for a long time just which one of them would make captain first. That had been the trend, lately, and it was one Jyuushirou was getting a little tired of. He closed his eyes and allowed the outer world to fade away. When he reached his inner world, Sogyo no Kotowari was waiting.
The Gotei 13 has no need of a weak captain, Jyuushirou.
And they will not find one in me.
I am aware. Are you?
Jyuushirou was about to snap back at his zanpakutou that OF COURSE he was, why else would he seek to be captain. Knowingly putting yourself forward for a position you were unable to fill was the...height...of... Suddenly, every battle, every practical demonstration at the academy, every training mission came back to him in a rush, and Jyuushirou saw what he never had before.
It hadn't been his sickness holding him back. It had been his fear. He was afraid of his potential, of their potential together.
I've been afraid of what we could do together if I allowed myself to...
Sogyo no Kotowari nodded in satisfaction and filled in the blanks that Jyuushirou was still missing.
You were afraid that, in reaching your fullest potential, you would fly too high and no one would be able to catch you should you fall. As always, my brother, you worry for nothing. We are never apart, you and I. And you have overlooked your other partner, the one who has always walked this path beside you.
Jyuushirou instantly knew who Sogyo no Kotowari was talking about.
Shunsui...
Yes. Did you not go to him first, when your mind was in turmoil? And did he not grant you what you needed to regain your inner peace?
Yes...yes he did. He gave me space, understanding and a place to come back to.
Then what is there to fear?
Nothing. There's nothing. Sogyo no Kotowari.
Yes, Jyuushirou.
I do not walk the path laid out before me alone, and I am strong enough to see it through to whatever end is in store. I can become a captain. We will do this.
Sogyo no Kotowari smiled.
Yes. We will.