Shiba Kaien, my fukutaichou, or vice-captain, as you might call it. He was one of my best friends, always looking out for others and taking over the division for me when I fell ill.

[He still focused on his sewing, remembering the man he'd only lost a few years ago. The time may have seemed a while for a human, but his bloody body and broken voice that fateful night were fresh images in Ukitake's mind.]

It didn't matter what mood you were in, Kaien could make you smile or laugh, and yet he knew when you needed a friend just to listen.