He's seen this.. Somewhere.. Just where?

The war had finally ended, Yhwach was defeated and peace returned to the Soul Society, but not without grief coming along. They had lost many of their own after all. But there was this feeling that lingered somewhere deep inside their hearts - the feeling of something having been forgotten..

Your feet move without your brain telling them to, carrying you across the grounds of the Soul King Palace. During the war, one of the Soul King's fragements had been damaged greatly, the full corruption would've led to a shockwave that could've put all three coexisting worlds into great danger. Only one without the fear of losing everything could save this fragement. It didn't need turmoil - it was built on stable, neutral particles. And so you were the one sacrifice everything.

The sacrifice wasn't your life - it was the memory of it. Of your being.

Ever since Yhwach had then been made the replacing Soul King in his crystal, you lived up there, alone. While three members from Squad 0 were still there, they didn't know you either, but let you stay.

You were left alone, and to say you weren't let down slowly was an understatement. Due to your sacrifice, however, one life hadn't been sacrificed. The sound of footsteps in the distance and of voices broke through your thoughts, all familiar to you.

When you peaked around the corner, you saw them - your former Captain and others. Shinji stood there, glazing at a picture on the wall. Ukitake and Shunsui, now the new Headcaptain were chatting and there was clear relief etched on the latter's face still, even after a year. He didn't lose all. Toshiro and Matsumoto were also present, just like Hinamori. It's been a full twelve month span since you've seen them.. And it honestly had felt like an eternity. One the wall where Shinji stood before were paintings, one of Ichigo, one of you, but yours didn't have a name anymore. It looked slightly blurred, too. Though it was clear that being on that wall meant something.

Shinji stared, feeling his heart ache more the longer he stared. He didn't know why - he didn't remember crying angrily for the first time in his long life when you said you'd do the job. He doesn't remember trying to stop you, pleading that there was another way.

He didn't remember being on his knees, pouring all feelings out he had developed for you over the years together, desperate for you to stay.

"Hirako-taichou?", Hinamori's high pitched voice broke the blond from his trance, making him look down at the Lieutenant of his own division. She noticed his inner turmoil, of course, but didn't mention it. She had the same aching feeling when looking at the picture of this 'unknown' Shinigami.

You had been loved by the whole Gotei 13, an all-time favorite. Though it all was for nothing. Maybe you could start new, maybe not.

Shinji noticed your form peaking from behind a corner, however, when he looked over, you quickly turned away and hid behind the wall. The others present didn't notice, but he definitely did.