A Union of Souls 1

The Aftermath
Raian Getsueikirite, Jacqueline, Hake Getsueikirite, and an unconscious Yūbi Shikizaki, erupted from the small Senkaimon into Soul Society; specifically, directly in front of the Eighth Division's barracks. Jacqueline and Hake collapsed, breathing heavily, as their last efforts had greatly fatigued them. Raian, however, stood in the distance, his fists clenched tightly against his side and his head bowed. Hot tears streamed from his tightly shut eyes and ran down his cheeks, where they landed erratically on Soul Society soil.

"I failed them. All of them. MisQ, the citizens I once called comrades, every last one of them. They all died." he heaved through his tears.

The tight squeeze on his hands caused blood to begin to pour through the crevices of his fingers.

"First Mashū... now this." he muttered under his breath.

Through tear stained eyes, Raian looked up to observe Soul Society for the first time since his return. Smoke was rising everywhere and many of the Gotei 13's barracks were alight with fires. A glint of sheer anger and hatred shimmered in Raian's eyes as one final tear dropped from the right eye socket.

"Jackie, remain here and tend to the others." Raian commanded with sorrow apparent in his voice. "I'm going to go scope out the situation."

Jacqueline handed the unconscious Yūbi over to her son and rose. As she approached, Raian did not turn, though he did not yet leave, as he felt her approach. She embraced him from behind, resting her head on the back of his neck.

"Be careful out there, dear. We've lost our home and many of our friends. Don't let us lose you too." she whispered through her own tears.

"I'll be alright." Raian replied.

They broke their embrace and Raian flashed off, leaving his wife, son, and friend behind. Still Jacqueline stood in place, staring off in the direction her husband had taken off in. Unlike him, though, tears still streamed down her face, dripping onto the ground near her feet.

"Please come back to me..." she whispered to no one.