So this was the end. Yumichika expected it to be much more painful than this. Surprisingly though, he didn't feel much of anything. He was numb. He didn't have a reason to feel anymore, now that it was over. Perhaps the pain would come later, once the realization of the end settled into his mind. But for now only numbness consumed him.

He must have looked hideous, walking so mechanically like this. Not an air of grace in his step. Oh well. Looking ugly was much less of a punishment than he deserved. He deserved to be the most hideous thing in all of Soul Society. No, not even that would be enough.

Your whining is incredibly irritating. You should be proud of what we accomplished today.

The 5th Seat of the 11th Squad was not surprised to hear Ruri'iro Kujaku butting into his thoughts.

It felt so good to release my true power. And I would have been angry with you, Yumichika, what with you stifling me with that wisteria nonsense all the time. But you know the reason I assented to revealing myself this time, don't you?

Of course Yumichika knew. The true release of his Shikai had never been more powerful than it was today.

I had a worthy spectator. One who was not my enemy. That has certainly never happened before. And I'm sure I was the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. I even got poor, shattered Houzukimaru to wake up and ogle at me. Ah, it feels so wonderful to be admired for my beauty.

Yes, Yumichika used to think that too. But there's really no point in looking beautiful if the one you try to look beautiful for can no longer stand the sight of you.

Oh please, the Zanpakutou groaned. If my beauty disgusts him that much, there's no need in having such blasphemous thoughts around anyway.

"Please be quiet." The sound of his own voice was foreign to him. Yumichika barely recognized it. Nonetheless, Ruri'iro Kujaku obeyed and remained silent, leaving the Shinigami's mind empty and barren. Numb.

Without thinking, Yumichika lifted his hand to his face, digging his fingernails into the skin directly under his hairline. Once satisfied that they were deep enough, he raked them diagonally down his forehead, over his eyelids and nose, all the way down to his jaw line, letting the pain numb him even further. Streams of blood trickled onto his neck.