What the future holds for us (353 words)

Ichigo flashed stepped over to Rukia. The relief was clearly written all over his face when he confirmed her bankai was long thawed and she was left in tack. He gripped her elbow to help her steady herself as she stood on tired legs. Ignoring all of his own injuries, he couldn't help but ask after all he had seen, "Are you all right?"

"Ah," she whispered in exhaustion, her eyes looking up into his with swirling emotions. With adrenaline still high for both of them, it was hard to come down after the battle.

With one hand still holding onto the woman by his side, he surveyed what remained of the royal palace around him. As the dust settled, destruction was all he could see and he was sure the Soul Society was probably even worse. There was no telling what the final casualty count would be by the time everyone could regroup. It didn't feel much like winning.

"Hard to believe it's all over," she whispered softly. He could hear the same sentiment in the catch her voice as he felt in his own heart.

"So what do we do now?" he couldn't help but ask her. He felt that she always had good answers when he couldn't find them himself.

"We rebuild."

She sounded so sure, so brave, even in the face of near-annihilation. Yet all he felt was exhaustion down to his bones. He hadn't been a shinigami long but he'd appreciate it if enemies would stop popping up, hell-bent on destroying the world and everyone in it.

"How…?" He stopped his question, unable to ask past the lump in his throat. He felt Rukia pull her arm out of his grasp and instead take his hand gently, but firmly, into her own. Blinking, he glanced back down to her face. He was taken aback when he saw a smile on her face. It was sweet and determined. Somehow he was able to stand a little straighter.

"One day at a time."

She always knew what to say, he thought, and smiled back at her without hesitation. "Together?"

"Together."