[It's almost too much to contemplate: the Gotei without its Soutaichou - the only Soutaichou it had ever known, who had created it from whole cloth and the remnants of what had once been little more than a ceremonial guard functioning only at the whim of the noble families. Even the knowledge that Ukitake is alive, here - that he can feel the warmth of her against him - is not enough to put aside the knowledge that he had failed. He had failed, and someone had died.]

It was my duty to protect him, Ukitake... it was my duty to protect you.

[The anger in his voice is barely contained, and his fingers curl into fists against the urge to hit something, anything. He had disobeyed an order - hesitated when the Old Man had told them to stand firm - told himself there was time when there had been none.

She is right. We could not defeat the Mirrored One. He was too strong.

Katen Kyokotsu's refusal to use the name of Aizen's blade is not new - her contempt born of a resentment that one zanpakutou would deceive another. But to his knowledge, she has never admitted a weakness save for against Ryuujin Jakka - even facing Sakanade's abilities two centuries ago, she had displayed little more than mild amusement.

For me, or for you?

A hesitation then, before she replies.

It is the same.

...You've always been a bad liar.

He looks down at his hands, still shaking, and the sudden desire for sake - for enough alcohol to drink himself back into unconsciousness is sharp enough to be painful.]

If I had been able to weaken him... I didn't even try...