When they had been told the news of Hisana's illness, her face was flushed, her cheeks high points of red. Byakuya had taken her hand as she listened to the doctor, and felt the heat of her body as every minute hurried her closer to death. She had turned to him afterwards, and leaned softly against him, and he was strong for her as much as for himself.
Rukia had no colour to her at her sentencing, none: her face was as pale as her robe when he bade her farewell. She held herself like a statue, and turned away.
---