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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Apr 18, 2024 17:44:55 GMT -6
Bleach Unrated: REBOOTEDCurrent Arc: RejectionEpisode 413 "The Last Straw": Neither Juushiro nor Shunsui were in a talkative mood after Yumiko's revelation. The guilt between them weighed down on the calm evening, subduing the night noises and turning the tea bitter. They had long knew that their mistakes there would come back to them, but knowing and seeing the effects were two very different painful things. Neither had been able to save much in this war either. When in front of their peers, they could pretend to weather the hurt to keep their front strong. Alone, however, it was a different picture. Shunsui returned to the roof from where he had appeared, choosing to continue his search. Juushiro rose from his seat to retreat somewhere closer. For one night. He shunpo'd to the other side of his estate, to a small house situated in a bamboo forest. This was his personal space, first created for him because of his illness and later expanded upon as his siblngs' families grew. The whispering trees blocked out most of the outside chatter in the day and during the night, they seemed to soothe away the worst of the worries on his shoulders. On one side of the hut, a small pond rippled outwards, fed by a stream hidden in the foliage. The retreat in 13th division was created in similar likeness to this space but it lacked the stone garden on the other side. Juushiro moved towards it and set his zanpakuto down. Letting his reiatsu escape the confines of his control, enough to fill the area around him, he sat down in the center, settling into meditation. Or he would have, had he not sensed someone intruding. "Come out, Vale Tervaden, or leave. I won't allow you to lurk." He stayed seated for the moment but kept his eyes sharp. |
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Apr 18, 2024 19:36:52 GMT -6
"I'm not lurking," answered Seto, stepping into view. He kept his eyes to the ground, silently counting the leaves and small stones. "I simply did not want to disturb you. I can sense you're not well." He looked at the sickly Captain for just a moment before looking down again. Exhaling slowly, Seto wondered why, for the first time in many meetings, he was not angry with the man.
"I am not here to cause any harm or to create a disturbance. I..." Seto looked at the Captain. He folded his arms across his chest as he stepped a bit closer. Keeping his voice low, he spoke calmly. "I would like to speak with Yumiko. I've already intruded upon your home. I would rather not be more of a burden then what I already am. Could I speak with her?"
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Apr 18, 2024 19:52:11 GMT -6
Juushiro looked to his visitor. He intended to give him a simple reply in the negative but he did not. The man before him had changed yet again, his appearance older, his demeanor dimmed. Although confrontations with him in the past made him wary of believing any weakening in that demeanor, it did cause the captain to pause. He remembered what Kisuke had told him about Alister being stripped from the man and his imprisonment in Hell. It would be unwise to dismiss him.
“Yumiko is asleep now, and I would bid you to leave her be for the night. Not because I don’t want my family to sense you and panic, though that would be unpleasant, but because she needs the rest. She's had a difficult night tonight."
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Apr 19, 2024 0:58:27 GMT -6
On top of the man's current health, Seto could sense the Captain's obvious distrust of him. He had good reason. Seto knew that he would be starting this new life outside of Las Noches in a negative in terms of trust. But, here he was...Fully risking his own freedom. Yumiko was worth the risk.
"Tell me..." he looked to the Captain. "Is she alright?"
Juushiro closed his eyes with a long sigh. "She is not, though she is in a better place than when we were first freed from Las Noches."
Seto nodded. "Will seeing me make it worse?" He, for a moment, went back to counting leaves and pebbles. "She hasn't seen..." he raised a hand pointing to his face. "This yet." The Captain's expression was unchanged. "I'm not even sure you recognize me. Or have you forgotten what this former captain looked like?" Falling silent again, Seto looked upward to the night sky. "I did..." he whispered.
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Apr 19, 2024 1:16:38 GMT -6
Juushiro followed the man’s movements with his eyes, staying silent as his eyes roved around, but the pity he’d long felt for the man stirred up with his question on the past. He looked to his blade. “You may not, but I do, and even if your general appearance is similar to your time as a captain here before the madness took you, it is also different.”
He rose from his place on the ground, setting his zanpakuto back in its sheath. He would find no rest tonight.
He faced Vale again. “Like you seem to be, though I don’t know if such a transformation will be helpful to her.”
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Apr 19, 2024 1:26:13 GMT -6
Seto stepped back. “No. Please rest.” He begged the Captain. “If she is resting, I won’t disturb her. And I have disrupted your peace long enough.” He glanced up again.
“Give me permission to come back and see her…” Seto’s face was, for a moment, marked with surprise. He was seeking permission. “Please..” he mumbled to himself before looking up again. His hand went to the hilt of his blade despite there being no apparent reason for it. Just a sudden unease. Seto looked to the Captain and let his hand fall to his side. “I will only come back if you grant me permission, Ukitake. If not, you’ll have to deliver a message for me…”
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Apr 19, 2024 18:42:13 GMT -6
“Then deliver your message for her,” a gruff voice replied as the commander joined the two in the small clearing, no longer content to leave it to his friend when he was hurting enough that their visitor could see it. He met Vale’s gaze head on. “The Gotei may not be able to deal with you and your crimes today, but that doesn’t mean that it is safe for us to let you roam free in the Soul Society.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “Doubly so when you’ve used her name to do your ill deeds in the past."
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Apr 19, 2024 18:53:53 GMT -6
Sensing his friend's mounting anger, Juushiro sighed yet again and set a hand on Shunsui’s blade, keeping it sheathed as he addressed Vale in turn. “Because of your past deeds, I cannot allow you to visit Yumiko here, but at this time, I will not stop her from seeing you in Karakura. You have a child there. I hope that’s enough to keep you from causing harm there.” He paused. “However, Vale,” he released his friend’s sword and walked a few paces closer to their visitor, his tone hardening, “if you convince Yumiko to return to Las Noches one more time, with or without Alister’s assistance, I will cut off all contact between you two without any remorse. I won’t let you break her again.”
He let his final words remain unsaid between them — that this chance was for her and not him.
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Apr 19, 2024 19:14:21 GMT -6
Seto held his breath as he took a step back and away from the Commander and Captain. "My past deeds," he sighed. "I understand what I risk coming here and asking to see Yumiko. But, I chose to come to you first and not go directly to her." Seto looked to the Commander and raised his hands to about chest height, palms facing out. "I meant it when I said that I was here to do no harm, Captains. But, if my option is to leave a message, then so be it."
Lowering his hands, Seto shook his head. "If you could let her know that I am..." He grew quiet as he thought on his words. "Let her know that Vale Tervaden is no more. And, I have left Las Noches. No Aizen. No more Alister....Just...Me. That's all." Seto nodded, signaling he was through. "That's all."
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Apr 19, 2024 19:22:39 GMT -6
Shunsui Kyoraku, Commander of Gotei 13, had no patience for games tonight. He was not going to pick Vale's convoluted words apart for his amusement or to form the bigger picture. Not this night.
“Speak plainly, Vale,” Shunsui demanded, overriding the confusion starting to show on his friend’s face. “Your riddles have left nothing but grief so if you want to turn a new leaf, keep it simple without being held at sword point.”
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Apr 19, 2024 19:38:38 GMT -6
Seto chuckled and folded his arms across his chest. "Speak plainly, hm? I almost feel as though being more theatrical may help you understand things. So, here goes." He smiled and raised a hand, twisting the end of his goatee around the tip of his finger. "My name is Seto Tetsuya, formerly known as Vale Tervaden...Formerly known as...You get it." Seto waved a hand.
"Listen," Seto steeled himself before locking eyes with the Commander and speaking his piece. "I love Yumiko Ryouma. And, whether you find me worthy of her love or not, I have as much right as you do to tell her how I feel. I realize now that I've gone about this the wrong way. I should have ignored the old fools and gone to her. And, I should do that now...But," Seto gaze shifted to Ukitake. "I'm tired of fighting..."
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Apr 19, 2024 19:57:07 GMT -6
Juushiro spoke up again. “Vale Tervaden or Seto Tetsuya, whichever name you wish to go by, the only reason we’re having this conversation is because of her. If this was a wish for you alone,” Juushiro paused, “then you forfeited such a thing long ago. You’ve lost your second and third chances with us, and I don’t trust this change with you. However,” he looked down, closing his eyes against the weariness of this night,” because we share enough of the burden from Yumiko’s plight, I will not keep her away from you. I will not dismiss your words at this time. Keep your word and leave this place. Maybe someday you will be worthy of your son and the women in your life.”
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Apr 19, 2024 20:23:56 GMT -6
Seto bit his tongue in an effort to control the anger pushing against his chest. It didn't work. He shut his eyes and took a moment to calm himself. His chest grew tighter and he clenched his fists. "You fucking old fools..." he mumbled. "In an effort to appear the wiser, you prove yourselves to be nothing more than bitter, tired and stubborn old men! And, I am fucking tired of it! I don't give a shit about what you think you've given me. And, I don't give a shit about whether the two of you trust me!"
Seto's anger was mounting and he felt no desire to control himself. The man hit a nerve despite his attempt to maintain peace. "Here I am getting worked up over two assholes I don't give a fuck about." Seto bit his lip, almost growling as he paused. "You wanted me to state it plainly...So here it is! Yumiko is fucked because of you two overbearing dumbfucks! If she wants to talk to me, tell her to let Kita know." Seto set loose a display of his anger before disappearing.
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Apr 19, 2024 21:17:51 GMT -6
Juushiro turned away, his throat tight with all the tension from the day, staying stiff and silent as Shunsui disappeared after. Hopefully to make sure Vale did not change his mind in his rage. Anger that Juushiro had brought out of him. It wasn’t the first time he had done that, but it was the first time the captain may have regretted it. He brought up the man’s family in hopes to see some small proof of this change. When he couldn’t trust it on his feelings for Yumiko alone. Because he’d hoped he could see a different response by showing him what he had gained despite his crimes. He wanted to see something more. For the first time in a long, long time, Juushiro didn’t want to leave the future to so much chance and steady faith.
“Are you alright?” Shunsui had returned, his eyes hard underneath his hair.
Juushiro shook his head. “Is he gone?”
“He’s not causing trouble, so I left him alone. If he moves, I’ll move.”
Juushiro nodded.
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Apr 19, 2024 23:06:53 GMT -6
Shunsui looked closely at his friend, his white head bowed and usually bright eyes dimmed. For the first time in a long while, he looked his actual age, dredging up old memories. Shunsui hadn’t seen Juushiro like this since the time of the death of his previous lieutenant, Kaien Shiba, when Rukia had taken a life in his friend’s place soon after finding her light. So much of his strength came from believing in others and being the support for others, even at the expense of his own health and time that when his belief broke, it shattered something deep inside him. Shunsui understood that because, in a way, he was the same. Yamamoto had been the mountain, tall, imposing, strong by himself, but his two pupils needed people to use their strength. And now, compounding the losses their realm had suffered with Kenji’s breakdown, the fracturing of the Komamuras, all of these things and more were nearly enough for Shunsui. He couldn’t enjoy the rich flavor of sake or enjoy the freedom of napping in the wind. He barely stayed asleep at night long enough to get enough energy for the next day. It was easier to wander through the night and watch, putting himself forward to protect them all after his failures. Right now, he could barely stand the sight of Tervaden. But it seemed that with the constant threat that Vale proved to be to too many people, Yumiko especially, Juushiro had reached his limit.
“If he hurts them, if he changes again, I will kill him.”
Shunsui sent a prayer skyward, hoping the Soul King would keep the chaos of the world at bay for a while longer.
There was so much to fix.
And he couldn’t send his best shield to the shop to play with kids this time, not for a while yet. “I think you need a few weeks off, Juu-chan. Stay home. Nanao and I will ask Rukia who she wants as an assistant."
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