Forever Rainy...

Storms

AN: this is supposed to show the respect byakuya has for ichigo, and that they now share the same pain. Brotherly affection. This is strictly an ichiruki fic.

Ichigo was not prepared for that moment

He never thought he would lose those obsidian orbs to this desolate war.

It was her blood on his hands. He could have stopped Yhwach, he told himself. He knew she would have scolded him for it, but he didn't care because he thought it was true.

Byakuya appeared, as he felt Ichigo's reiatsu spike, but none from his sister.

He too felt the guilt and the pain, from Hisana's death.

Ichigo looked up. "B-byakuya...it's my fault...", he said. He could no longer look Byakuya in the eyes.

"I could have killed Yhwach in the beginning. I could have ended this. If only I was stronger. Now she is...and I didn't tell her that she is my light. I never thanked her for clearing away the rain!"

"Kurosaki-"

Ichigo handed him Zangetsu.

"If I could not protect the person dearest to me, I don't deserve to be a shinigami."

By then, Ichigo was in tears. The grief was too overwhelming for him.

Byakuya laid Zangetsu on the ground, knelt down, and hugged who would have been his brother-in-law.

"I do not blame you, Kurosaki. She does not blame you. You and I know that."

"How can you not blame me?! She was always the one protecting me..."

"If I blamed you, I would also have myself to blame. Rukia would not like that either."

Ichigo just cried for his loss.

Epilogue
_________

Rukia's memorial was placed next to Hisana's grave.

It always seemed to have a Strawberry Chappy and a scarf placed on it.