Memories Etched in Ash (Shiro/Hisana)

The Rukongai is the perfect place for unsavory things. Today, it'll be used for someone to finally share his thoughts on something important to him. Something like this; someone wouldn't think it troublesome, but he knows better. This issue isn't important because it's some dirty little secret. No. It's a rather drastic, critical, and factual disruption to his day to day life.

Only one person alive has seen him revert. That's why Shiro had invited her out here. They're far from any living soul. He made sure of that. Maybe she's read through his records by now. She became a teacher, after all. And, she's also related to someone he's grown a bit close to.

However, Shiro didn't give off the air that he's waiting for someone. If anything, his relaxed position on a large rock made him seem entirely like the wandering souls that normally populate the outer districts. The only clue that he's more than that is the wooden sword he's kept under the palm of his hands, its length barely buried in the ground beneath him. Eyes glued on his own feet, there's no way someone like him could be thinking of anything wholesome.

"You've seen the news," He murmured, keeping his head lowered, steady even breaths leaving his nostrils.

Nothing's alright, in a sense. Earth is a mess, the person who blew up the hospital is still at large, and the Divisions are on edge somewhat. At any moment, something could go wrong, but he's not someone who's reliable enough to be on the frontlines. They could throw everyone at the problem, but that'd only help in complicated and sullying the situation with incompetent people. All that's left for someone like him is to wait and pray.

It sucks, but that's life.

"But, in a sense, I guess I'm alive and well, so..."

Finally looking her way, she'd see the slight bags under his eyes, his hair nappier than usual; even if that's not too surprising. His carefree nature is still there, but there's a wryness to his gaze. It's discomforting to look for too long, like a dull knife trying to cut.

The world just sucks right now though, so it makes sense that he's a bit bummed. He'd just like to go back to not having to think about this stuff and go hang with Rukia or something, but she's a Captain now, and she has a lot on her plate with and without a bomb going off in her Division.

"After going through the trouble of clearing this joint?"

He scoffed but rose from his seat. There's no attachment after all. Shiro didn't want anyone to interrupt their talk this time is all. If she'd rather be elsewhere, that's fine.

"Guessing you're leading the way. Looking to help someone, eh? Hope you're paying too."

How much does Hisana know about Shiro? Not much, yeah? He knows she became a teacher somehow, so that means she's privy to information most are ignorant of. However, that doesn't matter. Shiro let a small smile exorcise his cheeks before he promptly took Hisana's side.

His atmosphere isn't great still: a sag in his shoulders, a lack of personal care, yada yada. But, anything on his mind can wait until they're situated.

"I know you're an Arrancar and all, and seeing you as Rukia's sister is probably somehow wrong... It's just weird to imagine though, right? The idea that someone could die and come back to life as something or someone else."

They had went through the formalities and whatnot of acquiring food and all that business. Shiro wasn't talkative during any of it until they returned to their seats though. His head is full of a lot of stuff, but most of it is just introspection about what's going on around him. He just felt the need of pointing out the situation with her real quick as an opener.

"But, that doesn't really matter to me at least. I just wonder how Rukia feels about it at times. Her sister and old friend both Arrancar. But, that's just me wondering how I could help you two get along, ya know? I don't really know if you two are getting along. I know what Rukia's going through, but as a guy who's been through Hell and back, I feel like I'm strangely unequipped to help her."

He ate as he talked, sometimes chewing through his words and taking a bit to gulp. Food became easier to scarf down when you're trying to get your thoughts out in a way that makes sense.

"We're past worse," Shiro muttered, shaking his head.

"I'm no hero, nor can I pretend to be one. I'm used to ending lives, not sending them in a circle, if that circle's even any good. If it wasn't around, we'd all just be dead and none of this would even be an issue."

Morbid, but he's in that kind of mood. However, knowing the implications of his words, his eyes wavered away. Hisana is right, in a way. He should focus more on giving Rukia relief from her worries, but she's a Captain. No matter what, she has to face this crap everyday until it's resolved. Any bit of respite feels useless to him. He, himself, sometimes hate remembering the happier times because it makes the bad times worse.

"But, I guess we can't do any worse, huh? Things are already rock bottom in term of vibes."