[He can't help the sharp intake of breath at that, or push away the renewed wave of anger. Anger at Aizen, for deliberately manipulating the Gotei into a position where a defensive war had become inevitable - and anger at himself, for not preventing it; for allowing himself to be manipulated a century ago.
How many?
The question is only in his head - addressed to Katen, not to Jyuushiko. He can't bring himself to ask it aloud, half afraid of the answer and of forcing Ukitake to say the words.
Tenken. Gegetsuburi. Kubikiri Orochi.
The list is shorter than he feared, but still painful to hear. For Kyouraku, even one lost is too many, but five... Katen's sorrow echoes through his soul despite the emotionless tone of her voice and he doesn't answer her - he doesn't have to - his own grief rushing up to meet hers in a whirlwind that brings with it a sickening sense of vertigo and earns him a sharp nudge of warning from Minazuki.
He makes no immediate attempt to speak, or to answer any of them, simply tightening his hold around Jyuushiko's waist and half-turning, despite the pain of half-healed wounds, to rest his cheek against her hair.]
no subject
How many?
The question is only in his head - addressed to Katen, not to Jyuushiko. He can't bring himself to ask it aloud, half afraid of the answer and of forcing Ukitake to say the words.
Tenken. Gegetsuburi. Kubikiri Orochi.
The list is shorter than he feared, but still painful to hear. For Kyouraku, even one lost is too many, but five... Katen's sorrow echoes through his soul despite the emotionless tone of her voice and he doesn't answer her - he doesn't have to - his own grief rushing up to meet hers in a whirlwind that brings with it a sickening sense of vertigo and earns him a sharp nudge of warning from Minazuki.
He makes no immediate attempt to speak, or to answer any of them, simply tightening his hold around Jyuushiko's waist and half-turning, despite the pain of half-healed wounds, to rest his cheek against her hair.]
She's not alone this time, Ukitake.