Chapter 44: The Reality that Remains

The wounded are finally being carried in.

None of the wounded were brought in during the battle.

Captain Unohana, was staying in the Squad 4 barracks really the right decision?

We could've treated the wounded if we--

Isane.

Do not let your emotions take over. It would have been easy for us to vacate this place out of concern.

But I know you are not so short-sighted that I have to explain why that would have been wrong.

Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry!

(I'm such a fool.)

(Captain Unohana wanted to help those people even more than I did!)

There's no need to cry, Isane.

Do not leave the Squad 4 barracks, no matter what. That was the last order given to us by the head captain.

Ichigo...

*Gasp* Rukia! You sure you should be talking?!

She said our condition was stable. Weren't you listening, you idiot?

You...! Seems like your mouth is just fine.

Ichigo, you came to save the Soul Society.

Thanks.

Of course! Although, I couldn't do a thing this time!

You stupid? You drove the enemy boss away. If you hadn't come, we woulda been in a bigger mess.

Stick out your chest more, fool.

Shinji...

Mr. Ichigo Kurosaki! Captain Kurotsuchi would like to see you about your Zanpakuto.

Look at him. He's always busy no matter what the situation is.

Ignoring his wounds. Caring for everybody but himself.

Captain Hirako? Why did Ichigo look like he was in such pain?

He went through a rough time as well. His Zanpakuto was broken and he couldn't save anybody.

He's probably tired. You don't have to worry about him.

Is that really everything?

It seems like he's trying to hide something much more serious.

The head captain's body was never recovered. The enemy destroyed everything.

I have the latest report.

Squad 6 Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and Squad 11 Captain Kenpachi Zaraki have both survived.

However, it seems unlikely for them to ever be able to carry out their duties as captains again. In fact, they may never regain consciousness.

Get out! We don't wanna hear that kinda report right now! Can't you tell?!

The head captain is dead! What more do you want us to deal with?!

Cut it out. You're embarrassing yourself.

Embarrassing myself?! You guys can stay calm because you resented the head captain!

What?

STOP, SOI FON!!! You think you're the only one who wants to scream?!

*Gasp*

Okay. Okay, okay, okay, okay.

No fighting.

The way we're behaving, Old Man Yama would've lined us up and smacked us for sure.

Crying and screaming in front of the articles I left behind. It's so pathetic it gives me the shivers, is what he would've said.

Shunsui, you--

The 13 Court Guard Squads don't exist to mourn the dead or cry about how the Soul Society was damaged.

They exist to protect the Soul Society.

Let's look ahead. We ARE the 13 Court Guard Squads, aren't we?