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Post by Tessai Tsukabishi on Aug 20, 2024 19:20:22 GMT -6
Bleach Unrated: REBOOTEDCurrent Arc: The ChaosEpisode 512 "Dire Straits": (continued) As they reached the back room, Tessai’s expression was grim as he took in the scene, but he moved quickly, directing them to lay Kita down on the prepared mat. “Set her here, Seto. We need to stop the bleeding.”Seto gently lowered Kita onto the mat, his hands shaking slightly as he stepped back, his gaze never leaving her. Sojiro stood nearby, still holding Kadaj, who whimpered softly, sensing the tension in the room. Ide stayed close, his grip on the zanpakuto unwavering, watching his family. “Tessai, please…” Seto’s voice was thick with emotion, his usually calm demeanor shattered by the sight of Kita so gravely injured. “Save her.” Tessai nodded, already working with swift precision. “I’ll do everything I can. But we need to move fast. The Hogyoku… it’s left a terrible wound.”As Tessai began his work, Seto took a step back, feeling the weight of the moment crash down on him. He looked at Sojiro, who was doing his best to stay strong, and then at Ide, who still clung to the zanpakuto with fierce determination. “We’ll get through this,” Seto said quietly, more to himself than anyone else. “We have to.” As Tessai striped the clothing away from the wound, he looked pointedly to Sojiro, a serious look on his face. "You need to try and contact your father and get him back here. Now!" |
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Aug 20, 2024 19:40:36 GMT -6
Seto didn’t let the boy take the chance to contact his father. He turned quickly and grabbed his zanpakuto. “Ide,” the boy wouldn’t let go. “I’ll give it back, son.” Ide let go reluctantly. Tightening his hold on his zanpakuto, Seto looked back at Kita.
“Gin!” He shouted, reaching out via the shard of Chinmoku. “Kita’s hurt…” he said nothing else. No more was needed.
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Post by Gin Ichimaru on Aug 20, 2024 20:26:02 GMT -6
Gin Ichimaru appeared a few moments later, making Sojiro jump at his appearance. His kimono was tattered as it had been stabbed multiple times and blood ran down one side of his mouth. He also smelled vaguely floral.
“Dad, Mom….”
“I know,” Gin hissed, voice hoarse, wiping his mouth, eyes flickering between crimson and his sharp blue. “And I didn’t get any of them in time …”
“You- you were there?!” Sojiro exclaimed. “But-but I didn’t sense you! If you were there, then why-” His hands, covered in his mother’s blood, clenched at his sides, “why is Mom hurt…”
“Because I wasn’t fast enough with everything going on, even with the boost.” Gin snapped, wiping more blood from his mouth. “He moved her before I could do something and then I tried to undo it. I’ll explain it later. Right now, stop asking. I can’t stop her bleeding but I can stop her pain. I need you to be quiet."
“You’re - you’re hurt.”
“I’ve dealt with worse, and I already took the antidote.”
Sojiro just couldn't stop talking. “Dad…."
Gin sighed and looked his son in the eyes. “Wait and watch. This won’t kill me, but your mother needs my help.” He held his son’s eyes for a moment longer and walked over to Tessai and Vale.
“Can you keep healing her if you step back?” he asked the former.
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Post by Urahara Kisuke on Aug 20, 2024 20:40:51 GMT -6
The Garganta opened above Karakura Park, and Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Aizen stepped out. As soon as they landed, Kisuke shot Aizen a sharp look. "Need to get better control of that thing, Aizen. If you ever want curbside service."
Aizen's expression remained impassive, but before he could retort, Kisuke's face turned serious as he felt Kita's weakening reiatsu. Without a word, he vanished in a flash of shūnpo, leaving Yoruichi and Aizen to follow closely behind.
They arrived at the Urahara Shop and quickly made their way to the back room. Inside, they found Tessai, Gin, Seto, Sojiro holding a fussing Kadaj, and a young man—Ide—whose fear was palpable.
Yoruichi’s gaze softened when she saw how distressed Sojiro was. She stepped forward and gently took Kadaj from him. "Focus on your mother, Sojiro. I’ll take care of Kadaj." With a reassuring smile, she left the room to clean, change, and feed the baby, giving Sojiro the space he needed.
Kisuke scanned the room, his eyes landing on Sojiro. "She'll be alright, Sojiro."
Sojiro nodded slightly. "I know she will, mom's strong," he replied, his eyes never leaving his mother’s pale face.
Aizen, observing the situation with a calculating calm, turned to Kisuke but remained silent.
Hearing Kita's weak voice calling out to him, Kisuke knelt beside her, taking her hand gently. "I’m here, Kita. Save your strength—you’re going to need it. Gin's going to alleviate some of the pain."
Kita shook her head, "not yet," she struggled to speak, each word a labor. She coughed, her breath ragged, her eyes locking onto his. "I swear... on my parents'... grave... if I make it... through this..." She gasped for air, her determination unyielding despite her condition. "If you ever... do something... like this again... to me... or to Gin... or my children... I’ll... kill your hat... and you with it..."
"Kita, enough," Tessai interjected, his voice firm yet gentle. "This can wait."
Kita’s head shook weakly as she forced out the last of her threat. "I mean it..." Her voice faltered as she took a deep, agonizing breath, and then fell unconscious.
Kisuke sighed, adjusting his hat with a touch of weariness. He gently placed her hand beside her and stood up. "She’s one tough woman," he murmured, the usual playful edge in his voice softened by genuine concern.
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Post by Gin Ichimaru on Aug 20, 2024 21:05:26 GMT -6
Gin clicked his tongue. “As if now is the time to compliment her,” he muttered, taking a breath and drawing Shinsou. “All of you get back from her. This is easier without a crowd.”
“Dad, what are you-”
Aizen set a hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t we see the fruits of your father’s path first, Soji?”
Sojiro pushed his hand off him but fell silent.
Ignoring Aizen, Gin looked down at his love. Shinsou started to faintly glow as he communed with him, drawn closer to their realm with the proximity of the woman he had pulled into their realm time and time again. “You've always drawn the best out of us, dearie. You’ll find the strength out of this. Bankai."
A streak of light shone out from the zanpakuto, blinding the nearby people for a swift moment, before disappearing in the next. For another breath, it was silent, and then Gin swayed. “Buto: Tamatachi.” He pitched over, falling to one knee, head bowed. “I did not miss this feeling…”
He laughed shortly before grinding his teeth, Shinsou clenched in his hand. "Too bad... I can't ... pass this onto you two... who caused it."
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Post by Tessai Tsukabishi on Aug 20, 2024 21:33:04 GMT -6
Tessai stepped back up to continue healing Kita as he put his hand on Gin's shoulder, his expression understanding and gentle, "I understand your pain, but now is not the time or the place for this. This is a place of healing."
He looked over at Kisuke and Aizen, "The three of you need to talk, but not in here. I will not allow this to take place in front of the boys or in this room."
"It's fine Tessai, we're leaving," Seto placed his hand on Ide's shoulder and steered him toward the door. "Please keep me updated on Kita's recovery."
Tessai nodded, "I can do that. Have a good day Seto-san, I hope to see you again Ide-chan." Tessai looked at the three grown men in the room once Seto and Ide had left. "Now the three of you can call a cease-fire or take it to the training field. Because if you don't you will deal with me."
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Post by Sojiro Ichimaru on Aug 20, 2024 21:57:46 GMT -6
“Wait,” Sojiro cried out, looking from his mother to his father. Again, he found himself babbling instead of putting together concise questions. “How- how did that help Mom? She’s still bleeding and now- now Dad’s on the ground. What happened?”
“Soji….”
What was wrong with him? It wasn’t the first time he’d seen his mother or father covered in blood. He’d been dragged into the middle of a battle that was too big for him multiple times now. He'd put together some of the pieces of the situation with this father's reaction two weeks ago. He’d even witnessed them all failing….
Someone called out to him again.
“Did it hel-" Sojiro sneezed and then started coughing.
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Post by Gin Ichimaru on Aug 20, 2024 22:07:01 GMT -6
When Sojiro started rambling and then coughing as shock caught up to him, Gin closed his eyes. Tessai called out to his son, while Gin tried to focus his strength in one side to get up from the floor. But his vision spun, his blurry world threatening to go dark, and he stopped. Biting his lip until it was bleeding too while his heart pounded against his aching lungs.
He didn’t trust himself to pass out right now. With as much pain running through him, he didn’t know if rushing it would trigger something else.
If he would slip into another coma.
And leave them.
While that momentary fear spiraled inside him, more of his side went numb from the torment.
Someone approached Sojiro.
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Post by Sousuke Aizen on Aug 20, 2024 22:16:48 GMT -6
Aizen stepped forward, his path taking him toward Sojiro. "I know you're worried about your parents, Sojiro but what do you say we get you out of here and something to eat. Tessai will take good care of the two of them."
He went to reach for the boy to set his hand on his shoulder and Sojiro knocked it away from him. Aizen paused in his path as he looked on at the boy.
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Post by Evita Anita Aizen on Aug 21, 2024 0:00:49 GMT -6
“I can handle myself, and I don’t want to leave,” Sojiro snapped.
But before Aizen could reply, someone else cut in.
“Quit arguing and get out of there,” a voice called out from the doorway. “You’re giving me a headache.”
Evita walked in, her eyes partly blackened as she looked to her cousin, if only to close her eye momentarily again at another dark swirl of something squeamish in her head. “Stop overthinking things and walk,” she hissed, waving a hand. Her threads, invisible to the naked eye, grabbed Sojiro’s arm. “Come.”
Sojiro started walking and then abruptly stopped a moment later. “Wait, what do you mean I’m giving you a headache?”
Evita muttered something under her breath as his single question started to turn into many in her head and marched over to Sojiro, grabbing his sleeve. “Will you stop it and come out?” She halted, seeing her father as if for the first time that day, and then refocused on her task.
She tugged and this time, whether by her force or his choice, he followed. She led him out.
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Post by Urahara Kisuke on Aug 21, 2024 0:37:24 GMT -6
Kisuke turned to Gin and Tessai once the kids exited the room. He adjusted his hat and looked at Gin as he still kneeled on the floor next to Kita. "You're pissed, I know but what I did had to be done."
Tessai looked up at Kisuke, "I said not in here."
Kisuke paid no mind to Tessai as he watched Gin struggle to stand. "Stay down and next to Kita," Kisuke informed him. "This conversation can be had when the both of you are back on your feet."
"And it will," Gin growled.
Kisuke was about to respond when Kita's eyes opened, and she reached for Gin.
"Gin," Kita's words softly spoke, "They took it. It's gone." she took a harsh breath. "I watched them merge," tears rolled down her cheeks, "it's over."
"Kita," was the only word that escaped his lips as Gin turned giving him a look that could kill. Kisuke returned his glare, then turned placing his back to Gin. "I am going to get food. I will return later."
"Make sure Soji eats," Gin hissed. "Don't bother with ours. I know I'm not eating now and Kita won't be able to for a while, either."
Kisuke said nothing in return as he and Aizen left the backroom together.
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Post by Gin Ichimaru on Aug 21, 2024 1:29:40 GMT -6
Gin glared at the door as it closed.
Kita sniffled behind him.
Slowly, Gin got to his feet, stumbled a few steps and nearly fell over to get to her side. Tessai’s strong arm kept him from falling right into her lap. He grabbed her hand when she reached for him.
“I missed you…”
Gin raised a shaky hand to wipe a tear away. Weeks ago, he’d have been tempted to tease her by saying she had Seto and could have kidnapped Soji, but now, he didn’t. “I know.”
She sniffed again.
“Hush, dearie, it’s not over.”
“But they merged,” she whimpered. She closed her eyes. “I couldn’t stop him.I was paralyzed.”
“You’re not the only one who should have or could have done something to that end,” Gin retorted, wiping blood off her chin and nose. “And you know better than to give in to that doomsday talk. We got this far. We got out of Las Noches. We'll find a way out this time, too."
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Post by Kita Miyamoto on Aug 21, 2024 1:38:06 GMT -6
"But everything I’ve been told... the merging of three Hogyokus..." Kita’s head moved slowly from side to side, a mix of disbelief and weariness in her eyes. "Aizen said the only way we can defeat it if that happens is if everyone works together." Her voice was tinged with doubt, and she sighed softly.
"Do you really think that’s going to happen?" A single tear slid down her cheek, mingling with the blood in her hair as she stared ahead, the weight of it all pressing down on her.
"We're halfway there now since I haven't killed Aizen again," Gin murmured, leaning over to press his head against hers. "It's been hopeless before, dearest. We've beaten those odds before, and you're alive when anyone else... would be dead. It's. not. over."
Kita took a slow, deep breath and gave a weary smile. "I’m only alive because I’m immortal." She leaned in and gave him a light kiss on the cheek, but as she inhaled, her expression shifted. Her head tilted slightly, and her brows knit together as she caught the sweet scent of perfume. "If I were just plain old Kita, the human," she paused, her tone growing serious, "I’d be dead."
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she locked onto his gaze. "Why do you smell like Yuzu? Is there something I should know?"
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Post by Gin Ichimaru on Aug 21, 2024 2:22:07 GMT -6
Gin snickered, eyes shimmering with obvious amusement despite the pain riddling his body. “Why would I go for a short cupcake like her when a stunning siren won’t stop looking my way?” he purred. “I only took multiple doses of our traitorous shopkeeper’s refills.”
“Only?! Gin,” Kita tried to sit up but Tessai and Gin pushed her back down, Gin coughing a moment later after. “Gin, how many times did you sniff that stuff? It’s perilous after more than one!”
“I thought we were worried about me and Yuzu~”
Kita tugged on his sleeve. “Gin, if you’re coughing because you took too much of that, you- you probably ruptured some organs. And you- you took my pain after that?!”
Gin smirked down at her. “Guilty as charged.”
“How- how are you even standing? I-I have to heal you now!”
Gin rested a shaky finger against her lips. “I’m fine. Everything’s on fire, but it’s not going to kill me. Like the beautiful woman at my side, I’m immortal. I could take this risk.”
She huffed and turned her head to lean against his hand. “You’re just as bad as Juushiro, and that's not a compliment.”
“Now you’re hurting my feelings.”
“Good.” She breathed in again, “Gin, what was the purpose?”
“Of me taking so much of the floral perfume?” She nodded. “To smell nice for you?”
“Gin!” Kita whined, blushing. “I’m- I’m going to banish you to the couch if you won't be serious. I will!”
“I don’t see a couch here, love,” Gin quipped back, leaning over and kissing her, resting there a moment after. “I was going to cut that thing from you. I’ve done it once before. But I needed to master a much more precise cut. And when Shosei appeared, I was going to cut his spheres into two halves before tearing them apart from the inside out. Whether or not it would destroy them completely or not.” He hesitated. “The speed boost would make me as fast as him when he retaliated. That was the plan when I left you."
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Post by Kita Miyamoto on Aug 21, 2024 2:38:08 GMT -6
Kita sighed, her eyes closing briefly. "And you call me foolish for the things I do." She leaned in, pressing her lips to his, holding the kiss for a few moments before pulling back. "Thank you for trying to help, but I need you in one piece—not scattered in many."
She fell silent, her hand gently reaching up to brush his silver bangs aside. "We both need to stop doing reckless things. We have our children to think about." Her hand cupped his cheek, a soft smile playing on her lips. "And maybe… we could try for another," her smile deepened as she teased, "maybe a little girl~?"
Gin returned her warm smile, staying close. "I seem to recall saying that I'm bad enough with one girl in my life. You'd be endangering everyone else if you give me another I can't let go of." He nipped at the skin of her palm. "So what will do you do about that, hmm~"
She giggled softly with a slight shrug, "hang a beware of snake sign on our front door?"
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