Continued From: The Cave’s Truth
Final Chapter of Winter’s Touch
----
Kisuke was still pacing while paying close attention to the storm outside when, as he turned back to the mouth of the cave, the storm let up.
Grabbing his things, he called to Tsukiro, "Let's go! Now!” Kisuke took off running out of the cave.
Tsukiro, grabbing his cloak and Kotaishi, leapt to his feet, ready to bolt outside with Kisuke, but stopped. Hesitating.
“Kisuke…”
A feeling rose in his gut. It smoldered, grew, and rooted his feet to the ground. Something wasn’t quite right about this. Why would it just suddenly calm down? Obviously Ukitake had made it and consoled the dragon somewhat, but... if he had consoled him enough to weaken the storm, why not just drop it all together.
"Wait. Something's not right about this."
Kisuke turned, looking at Tsukiro.
"WHAT!?" Kisuke glared at him as he stood firmly in his place. "The storm has lowered and we need to move now. We don't know what kind of window we are going to get here.” Tsukiro hadn’t moved. “COME ON!"
Tsukiro shook his head. I'm being paranoid. Or maybe I just don't want to get there and find bad news.
With shaking bones, Tsukiro ran out of the cave, gripping Kotaishi tightly.
Captain, please be okay. I don't want to have to watch tears fall from my fellow squad members' faces if I have to tell them you're dead.
Kisuke turned when Tsukiro finally stepped forward and the two bolted out of the cave like it was ready to collapse on them. Kisuke threw on his cloak as they ran. Even though the wind and snow had lessened, the temperature of the overall surroundings was still well below freezing. He did not slow for a second as he shunpo'ed over halfway to the cave, following the direction of Juushiro's reiatsu.
---
Changing into his human form, Hyourinmaru walked back over to the coffin. Solemnly placing his hand on it, he gazed down at Toshiro and memorized every feature of his master. His white hair that sometimes revealed the lightest shade of blue on a sunny winter day. His bright turquoise eyes that always expressed how much he cared for his friends and subordinates. (They were now dull, lifeless, and empty.) His small hands that were beaten up from endless hours of training in order to protect everyone he could.
His eyes fell on the gaping hole in his master’s chest. It turned his skin and clothes the most horrifying shade of crimson red. It represented a broken trust, betrayal, regret, failure. A zanpakuto's purpose is to grant strength and protection to its master, and he, Hyourinmaru, the strongest ice zanpakuto, servant to the Guardian of Heaven, had failed.
Tears froze on his cheeks as he stared at the wound. "I am sorry, my master. I couldn't…." The words got stuck in his throat, the pain far too much to bear.
----
