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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jun 1, 2015 10:01:10 GMT -6
Pale-faced, Yumiko clutched Vale’s hand, tears falling down her cheeks, until the god turned to her with a smile. Her eyes narrowed, rage replacing her sorrow, even as she became whiter - as she recalled the last words Allister had given her in their last meeting.
“His pain will only get worse.”
Damn it, she hissed to herself, this is all my fault. She leaned down and kissed her lover as he twitched, trembling with the fact that he couldn’t see her in his agony. "I’m sorry….” she whispered, “and I love you.”
On the other side of Vale, Kita was talking to herself. "Sumi, I know you're there. Why can't I heal him? I should be able to, so why is he still fading?" She bit her lip. "You can't mean.... it's because he's human. But I have other friends...." She looked down at her hands. "This is not fair...."
Yumiko squeezed Vale's hand again and raised her head. She didn't want to take the chance that Kita couldn't convince her goddess to heal him. And she was done losing things. Keeping the grip on Vale’s hand tight, she looked to the ceiling. "Allister!" she screamed. "You once wanted to bargain with me. Any chance you have at doing so dies with him." She paused and looked down at Vale. "Will you do so now?'
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Post by Alister on Jun 1, 2015 10:09:47 GMT -6
The god appeared across from Ryouma, leaning over Miyamoto. "Why should I, now?" He ran his fingers through his fiery hair, smirking madly. "I've told you, Ryouma. I do not bargain on your terms. This will happen on mine." The god placed a heavy hand on Tervaden's side, causing the man to scream out in pain.
"What is it that you want? And, what price do you think I will have for it , Ryouma? Do you doubt the goddess' power so much, you call on me?"
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Jun 1, 2015 11:04:57 GMT -6
As Yumiko started to reply, Isshin and Kisuke’s eyes narrowed. This wasn’t a good development, but before they could question the revelation or interrupt, another voice called out in their place.
“Yumiko, have faith,” Juushiro murmured as he walked back inside. He had just finished taking the children to the shop and leaving them in the care of Tessai and Yoruichi. Seeing the fire god addressing his ward was not what he had hoped to return to. Especially if the loyalties of that god was more than questionable. Nodding in passing to Allister, he kneeled by Yumiko, brushing her tears away. “Don’t panic, dear heart. Kita will be able to heal Tervaden.”
“Unless that poison is not from any of our Realms,” Kisuke murmured. He turned his narrowed eyes to the god. “If the bastard came from your blood - say during a little scuffle with a certain someone - the poison might take much longer to heal. More time than a human body has. Correct?”
Juushiro pressed a hand to Yumiko's, keeping her quiet as he waited for the god to reply, before deciding on his next course of action.
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Post by Alister on Jun 1, 2015 11:18:49 GMT -6
"You are a wise one, Kisuke Urahara." The god smiled, forcing his weight on Tervaden's side. "The healers of the Soul Society could prolong the inevitable. But, he is going to die." He held his hand to his jaw. "It's not as if he does not deserve this fate. The events of his final stand against the Soul Society alone, guarantee his death. You are foolish if you stand by him."
The god looked to Ryouma then to Ukitake. "Not one of you can tell me that you truly want to save this man. Let him die. Enjoy this peace. The world is free of Sousuke Aizen. Now, free of Vale Tervaden."
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Post by Kita Miyamoto on Jun 1, 2015 11:54:59 GMT -6
Kneeling next to the dying man still, Kita's eyes did not avert. Slowly closing her eyes her wave of healing stopped flowing through her into Vale.
"Sumi," Kita called out to her yet again.
"Yes Kita."
"Have Vale's memories returned?"
"Six years ago. Yes. Alister returned his memories and granted him the creation of Sada." Sumi informed her.
Kita looked up at the ones in the room her eyes narrowed slightly. "Who all knew this?" Kita asked her.
"Yumiko, Kisuke, Kyoraku, Juushiro, Yorusuke and his Captain." Sumi told her as Kita's eyes went to each name Sumi rattled off. "Gin found out this morning." Kita then let her eyes drift toward Gin which was now looking at her.
Slowly Kita lifted to her feet as she looked to the God of Fire. "I did. I wanted to save him. I truly believed he has changed. Changed for the better, but now learning what I have. I know this is nothing but all one big lie. You," her eyes stayed on the God, "you are nothing but a joke, a cruel and vain man. If that is even what you can call yourself." Her eyes then drifted to Kisuke.
"And you," her eyes then drifted to each one that was named that was in the room. "And you, and you, and you." Her eyes drifted to Gin, "and even you. The five of you knew." She paused her face contorting in rage as she looked around the room at them. "YOU KNEW! YOU KNEW AND STILL YOU DID NOT TELL ME! MY SON! YOUR SON!" Kita now looked at Gin once more. "SPENT TIME WITH THIS MAN! HE WATCHED HIM! THEY SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS TOGETHER! AND YOU!" Kita now looked at the kneeling Yumiko in Juushiro's arms. "YOU TOOK HIM AROUND THIS MAN KNOWING EVERYTHING!! EVERYTHING!!"
Yumiko was about to speak as Kita cut her off. "I don't want to hear you fucking excesses, Yumiko! He has not changed! It is a front!" She looked at the ones in the room again. Then back to Yumiko. "Tell me Yumiko. Has he apologized? Truly apologized?! For the hell he has put you through in Las Noches since his memories have returned."
Yumiko fell silent as she hung her head.
"HAS HE!!??" Kita screamed at her, her hands now clenched at her sides. Kita's eyes quickly lifted seeing a few move toward her, Gin included. Her hand shot up quickly as she looked at them. "STAY AWAY FROM ME!!" She looked back to Yumiko. "ANSWER ME YUMIKO!!"
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jun 1, 2015 12:33:03 GMT -6
Tears of rage and pain were coursing down her face as Yumiko rose, shaking Ukitake’s hand from her to meet Kita’s eyes. She didn’t mean to hurt her. But… she had. Her first friend. The betrayal in Kita’s gaze tore into her mind, opening another memory. Orihime's accusation in Las Noches. She felt sick. It had also been for Vale.
Was it worth it?
“Yes,” she whispered, “Vale has apologized.” She took a breath. “He has changed. I know it. The man beforehand wouldn’t have stopped at hitting me if I stood up to him - told him that I could not be with him. He would have torn my clothes from me as he did that evening Soul Society was aflame when he locked me in a room with him. With Allister’s powers.”
She took a breath, her throat aching, raw with emotion. Her head spinning. “Kita, I was the one who told you all that he had a connection to Allister. If he was still dangerous, I would have told everyone.”
She fell back down to her knees. “I didn’t want another false love, but surely, if Ichimaru can change, Vale could. You saw the good in him first. You know it’s there.”
She looked around the room. “If he wanted to harm you all, why has he never talked about my powers or how much Soul Society tears at my emotions? Why has he stayed in a flower shop? Waiting. Never asking for something in return. He told me he loved me six years ago - when I couldn’t return the emotion. It took me another three years to respond to him. He never wanted… anything else….”
Her hand took Vale’s again as he groaned. “You’re wrong. You are,” she voiced, tone hoarse heartbreak. “And I want to save him.”
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Post by Alister on Jun 1, 2015 12:42:14 GMT -6
The god laughed. "Calm your foolish emotion, woman. Have you thought that they have never told you this, simply fearing your reaction? This reaction?" He turned from Miyamoto, to face Ryouma. "So, you wish to save him, do you? What are you asking me to do, Ryouma?"
The god raised a hand to Ukitake, as he opened his mouth to speak. "What is it that you want? Precious time is being wasted."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jun 1, 2015 13:17:21 GMT -6
Yumiko opened her mouth to reply when Kita cut her off.
“FUCK YOU, ALISTER!” She stormed from the room, kicking chairs out of her way. Gin followed a few moments later, giving the god and Yumiko a passing glance.
Kisuke glared from under his hat, realizing that the god had silenced Juushiro to prevent him from interrupting this. He would leave Kita to Ichimaru, but for now, he needed to see this through. Especially if it looked like his research could be needed in another avenue. He waited to see the damage the god would do.
Vacanze clenched his hands, deciding to wait as well, not liking how Yumiko had started to sway. He really hoped Kita and Yumiko’s friendship wouldn’t be broken through this. Both sides had their reasons. Though he would like to know why HE hadn’t been kept in the loop in regards to Tervaden’s memories.
Yumiko took a breath, squeezing Vale’s hand again to give herself a boost. “I want you to take the poison away so he will live,” she stated, “and I will take the poison in his place.”
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Post by Alister on Jun 1, 2015 13:36:39 GMT -6
The god raised his chin in thought. Drawing a finger to his lips, he smiled. "No. I will give you what you wish - I will save your Tervaden. But, that is not the price I choose." He looked down at the woman, as her eyes narrowed. "Do not worry, Ryouma. It is not the price we spoke of years earlier. No. In fact," The god looked down at Tervaden, moving his hand from his side. He brushed Tervaden's hair away from his eyes. "I have grown rather attached to this man. He peaks my curiousity. So, your price is this, Ryouma."
The god grew silent, as he looked around the room. He observed the anger in each of their eyes. Along with a hint of geniune fear of losing Tervaden. "He and I held a contract. His power would return to him, if you all were in any type of danger. If you all needed him. It would also return upon entering Las Noches." The god cast his eyes to Urahara. "A place he has not been to in more than six years."
"What is my price?" asked Yumiko.
"Not your price. His. I will void his contract. But, he will have to suffer every consequence of his actions. His power will return to him. From there, you all will be responsible for his punishment; as he should have suffered many years ago. If you do not, if you try to fight for him, you will live the rest of your days in darkness."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jun 1, 2015 16:18:20 GMT -6
Yumiko stiffened as he delivered the stark details to her for Vale’s survival. To live in darkness or live in darkness. To betray the man she loved. Or return to the darkness that had stolen away so much of her life. Yumiko shook her head hopelessly as she looked down into the pale face of the man she loved. She had no choice. She knew her response.
There was always one choice…
Yumiko sighed and lifted her head back to the God, smiling as he waited. “I choose…” her throat stuck, “I choose….” Again, she could go no further.
Why? Why?
A smooth voice whispered in her mind. "If you want me to go I will. I am only here to grant you what you have always wanted. Kyoraku and Ukitake know as well as you and I that Central will never release you. They are scared of you, and when Central is scared they will do everything in their power to destroy or seal away what it is that frightens them."
Yumiko sprang up. There was no way Aizen was still holding her back. It was just darkness and this was a time of peace. The Ayakashi and Espada’s visits were rare. Nothing… nothing… would happen…
“Let - let him. be tried,” she croaked.
She fell back down, over Vale, another tear slipping free from her eyes.
There was only one choice.
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Post by Alister on Jun 1, 2015 17:02:58 GMT -6
"Very well, then." The god nodded laying a hand to Tervaden's chest and forehead. Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply. At the same time, Tervaden exhaled and his trembling ceased. The god lifted his hands and pulled Tervaden from beneath Ryouma. He looked to Urahara. "Hold out your hands." Urahara did as he was told, and held out his hands. Chinmoku appeared in the Shop Keepers hands.
"That is yours for safe keeping, Urahara." The god shook the still unconscious Tervaden in his arms. "I will deliver him."
"To where, may I ask?" questioned Urahara.
The god only smiled, disappeared with Tervaden in his arms.
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Post by Urahara Kisuke on Jun 1, 2015 21:48:31 GMT -6
Kisuke looked to Juushiro, "maybe we should take our leave and head to the Soul Society. I am sure that is where the God is taking him." Juushiro nodded as Kisuke strapped Chinmoku to his side next to Benihime looking back up, he was now looking to Isshin.
"Do you have things here?" Isshin nodded. Kisuke then looked to Vacanze, Yorusuke and Yumiko. "Stick around here and help clean up this mess. I will be back as soon as I can. I don't think we will have any more issues with the Espada and the Ayakashi showing up, but if you do... You are not to confront the creation Sada. Just try to stay as far away from him as you can."
"You mean run away?" Hisagi growled.
Kisuke looked his way with narrowed eyes. "You saw what he did to Vacanze with little to no effort, and he is an Espada. You want to be next?" Kisuke looked to Izuru, Renji and Rangiku as well, as he spoke to Hisagi. They all shook their heads. "Then do what you're told and don't be a fool."
Kisuke sighed as the group he was speaking to, either shuffled in their place, scratched their head or growled under their breath. Shaking his head he looked back to Juushiro to see if he was ready to go.
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Jun 2, 2015 11:16:22 GMT -6
Juushiro stood up and helped Yumiko to her feet. He kissed her on the forehead. “You didn’t do anything wrong, dear, but please consider talking to me further on what you shouted at Kita.” Yumiko nodded, staying silent. He hesitated and then decided to add something else. “I will take you to see Vale later. For now, stay with the others.” Again, she nodded and this time pulled away, leaning down to pick up some broken plate pieces. A moment later, Yuzu joined her. Juushiro sighed and turned around. “Let’s go,” he murmured. Kisuke nodded, looked around at the gathering one more time before stepping outside of the house again. He chuckled quietly once outside. “I wonder what story Isshin will come up with for the authorities.” Juushiro offered a slight smile in return, mind a little lighter in worry about their girls after the fact that the shopkeeper could still joke.
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Post by Yuzu Kurosaki on Aug 11, 2015 23:13:59 GMT -6
"Coping":
The house was quiet, too quiet. All but for slow, precise chopping in the kitchen. A tray sat on the table behind the woman, crackers in a small bowl and yogurt in another. She was slicing apples into thin slices. A block of cheese stood waiting nearby.
Yuzu’s cutting paused as her hand started trembling.
Too much had happened.
The awful attack in the square. Ichigo’s false form. The near death of Kenji. And the disappearance of Ichimaru, Kita, and Soji as well as the doubt around Vale and Yumiko. What was going on?
She glanced over her shoulder at her sister fuming on the couch, turning a page in her magazine. She’d been reading the same thing for an hour. She turned back to her own task. Setting her knife down, she reached into her apron and placed an icepack on a dark bruise underneath her blouse, by her hip.
It had been nothing serious, so she had been tending to it in the natural way.
Her eyes misted over as she recalled two days ago. The tall Ayakashi who had nearly taken her life had appeared again, but this time, Raelin and she vanished to an alley nearby. A few moments later, she’d been pushed away into a protruding piece of wood as a man in white grabbed her savior.
He was shaking too badly for Yuzu to recognize him immediately.
Ishida embraced Raelin tightly, his cheeks a soft shade of pink at his own lack of control, as he looked into her eyes before pulling away to order the healer to return to their home. Then, they both had turned towards the battle.
That had been when Ayakashi had left. Realin had stayed to heal Vacanze and her twin. Karin had nearly lost her limb, Vacanze, a lung. Ishida had disappeared after being told about the fake, after telling Raelin to be careful.
A faint smile brought color to Yuzu’s pale cheeks. Ichigo would have been happy. It was obvious how much Ishida cared for Raelin. And it meant that his friend was no longer alone.
She started cutting again. Too distract herself. Her smile falling.
She could understand.
The main door opened as Vacanze returned and nearly collapsed, leaning against the wall. "You should have stayed at the shop and rested," Yuzu called out as she dropped the tray and rushed over. Karin scooted on the couch to make room as the former Espada folded onto the cushions. "You know, coming over to protect us doesn't work well if you won't stay down long enough to heal," she muttered, reaching for her water bottle. "Karin!" her sister snapped. Karin sighed. "Fine, I'm sorry," she muttered. Yuzu looked back to Vacanze. She sighed, reminded again of her particular reason to be melancholy. She rose from her crouch by their friend. "I'll prepare the rest of the snacks."
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Post by Byleistr Vacanze on Aug 12, 2015 0:20:19 GMT -6
Vacanze smiled at her, watching her as she walked away back to the kitchen. With the back of his hand and not looking Karin's way, he bumped her softly in the arm. He motioned with his head toward Yuzu and when he heard Karin reply with a soft hum, he spoke.
"Why can't you be more like your sister? You're more like Sub-man. A pain in the butt." He looked to Karin, her eyes narrowed and head cocked to the side.
"Why you!" She lifted her magazine and was about to smack him with it when Yuzu scolded her again.
Vacanze smirked at her and looked back to Yuzu as she was walking toward them with a tray of snacks. "WOW, YUZU! Like always, they look amazing." He kissed her cheek softly as she leaned over to place the tray on the table. "Thank you. You're a cupcake."
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