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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Mar 21, 2016 9:59:18 GMT -6
Yumiko hesitated and then combed her hand through his hair. “Vale, I thought you stopped letting the gods rule your life. Kita cares for you. I don’t think that will change. And if you continue to love your son, you have him. You even have my friendship. Aren’t these details proof that the Soul King is wrong?”
She let her hand fall. “We choose our own fate and our own pain. The gods only guide. If you don’t want to be alone… then don’t stop fighting for that wish.” She looked to the lake once more. "And accept the consequences. Don't run and be miserable."
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Mar 21, 2016 10:48:20 GMT -6
Vale shook his head, a frown on his face. " No. They aren't. It merely provides him worthy things to take from me." Vale turned to look at Yumiko, as he took his zanpakuto from his lap and placed it at his side.
"This is the beginning of my immortal life. The Soul King isn't like Alister. He's not using his influence to make me miserable or to get his way."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Mar 21, 2016 11:12:29 GMT -6
Yumiko’s eyes flashed. “Why would he care about the details? He’s a god who watches the whole world. He can punish you about the same amount he can punish others who have done wrong. If you don't draw his attention. You’re only alone if you want to be. Or if you give up. Are you going to give up?” She paused, taking a breath. “Justice in their eyes is not the same as we see it. Don't regret what you've been given. Even if it could be fleeting, it's something to enjoy. Not fear for the end of it."
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Mar 21, 2016 13:22:35 GMT -6
"May I ask a question?" asked Vale. He lifted his hand brushing a few strands of hair from his face.
"Go on," she said.
"Why do you love him?" he asked. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to. But...I just want to know..."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Mar 21, 2016 14:00:53 GMT -6
Yumiko looked back over the lake, her hand going to her closed book. “He ….” she paused, considering, “he makes my fears go away, and though I am not sure of my safety or the future - whether I can be what he wants - I am not always questioning. And things are clearer to me than they have ever been.” She lowered her eyes to her lap. “I’m not scared. It’s harder here but…. it’s truer in some sense. I'm not hiding from the past and I think he makes me stronger."
Her hand clenched, struggling with her new place. With her best friend's title. She took a breath and thought about little Kadaj. "At least I think I am."
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Mar 21, 2016 14:34:43 GMT -6
Vale nodded with a sigh. He fell back to the ground, draping an arm over his face. "Alright then."
"You didn't come here just to make conversation, did you?"
Vale shook his head.
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Mar 21, 2016 14:53:11 GMT -6
Yumiko chuckled. “Still awkward as ever when you want something and don’t know how to get it.” She sighed. “What do you want?”
Vale didn't say anything as she stood and stretched his limbs. He walked over to Yumiko, kneeling down and taking her in his arms. While carrying her closer to the edge of the lake, Vale placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"Boring, today," said Vale, tossing Yumiko into the lake.
Yumiko came up coughing, her head ringing from the fall and eyes narrowed as Vale grinned down at her. She glared at him. “Horin,” she snapped, reaching for his leg with the hissing golden chord. He sidestepped but missed the second rope wrapped around his arm. She grinned and pulled him into the water.
Treading water, she waited for him to surface. “Do rogues have something against kimonos, Vale?” she murmured. “Because that’s the second one of mine that you’ve” she twisted out of the way of a splash, “that you’ve ruined.” The second splash slammed into her. Pushing her hair out of her face, Yumiko’s sparkling eyes narrowed again.
“Sai.”
A large wave pushed Vale away, drenching him. Yumiko laughed as she shed two of the heavy layers, wrapping the last one around her tighter. "Still bored, impossible man?"
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Mar 21, 2016 16:24:15 GMT -6
Vale laughed, swimming back the lake's edge. He pulled himself back onto the edge and extended his hand to Yumiko. "I never claimed to be bored, love. I just wanted to speak with you. I miss doing that, without the threat of one of us getting upset, of course. I miss you, if we're being honest with each other."
Yumiko took Vale's hand, as he helped her back to the lake's edge. "I'm sorry things happened the way they did, Yumiko." Vale brushed his hair from his face. "I'm sorry I hurt you."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Mar 21, 2016 16:56:33 GMT -6
Yumiko squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry, too. For my part in it.” She lowered her head. “But that’s why I have to try to make this work. I have to believe. And so far, Sousuke, he hasn’t gone too far. Even if Kita-” She shook her head. “I’m glad you made me laugh, Vale, and that we can still be friends.”
She touched his cheek. “Enjoy your son. You haven’t smiled like that since …” She paused. “For a long time. Just because the timing is kind of twisted doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy it. And if ever you’re worried for your son… I’ll be there.”
Her hand moved to her cheek, tucking a lock back behind her ear. “And if you dump me in the water again, you’re,” she sneezed, “going to be the one paying the price.” She sneezed again. Glared. And threw water on him with Kido. Again.
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Mar 21, 2016 17:15:08 GMT -6
Vale smiled, shaking his head as he stood. He loomed over her, his eyes scanning over her wet form. He shook his head more. Placing his foot to her back, Vale gave a gentle push and knocked Yumiko back into the lake.
"I haven't smiled or laughed this much since the last time I held you tenderly in my arms." he said. "It's quite alright for you to say. It is fact and not fiction. And, it will not fade away if we choose to ignore it." Vale shrugged his shoulders. "You love a man that does not love you. And, I am in love with you, a woman that does not love me. Also fact and will not fade."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Mar 21, 2016 17:43:37 GMT -6
Yumiko folded her arms. “It is also fact that if someone doesn’t have warn clothes that soul reapers can get sick,” she retorted. “Or do we wait for someone with glasses and pink hair to save the day again?”
When Vale just stood there smiling, she chuckled. “Well I think I am better off in here for a little bit.” She fixed the shoulder of her kimono and then disappeared underneath, reappearing by her reading rock. She pulled herself up onto the back of it. “At least your body temperature adjusts to slightly warmer water in deep water.”
She waited for a moment and then pointed at Vale, unleashing a whirlwind of sand and water. “I still think you have to pay, and by the water, I have an advantage.”
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Mar 21, 2016 17:50:01 GMT -6
"Yes yes." Vale dodged another half hearted Kido from Yumiko, wiping splattered mud from his face. "The woman just getting a grip on her power, is going to best the kido master?" Vale's smirk grew wide, as he tugged on his obi.
In the blink of an eyes, Vale disrobed. He winked, placing his hands on his hips. "You stay over there and dry off. Quit harassing me with your random burst of fireworks." Vale dove into the water and began to float on his back.
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Mar 21, 2016 18:06:25 GMT -6
Yumiko blushed and looked away. “Harrassing - But you’re the one who threw me into the lake,” she sputtered.
“And you were the gullible princess who fell for it,” Vale responded.
Yumiko pursed her lips and chuckled. “Next time you can keep your hugs to yourself.”
“But that would be too sad. Don’t you have a heart, Rose?”
Yumiko gathered her hair over one shoulder and squeezed the water out of it. “Yes, I have a heart, but it’s surrounded by a wall of thorns. This would be the thorns pricking you.” Silence fell between them as Vale floated on and Yumiko tried to dry off what she could without disrobing.
It was peaceful. Bringing her knees up, and setting her head in her arms, Yumiko turned to get a better view of the reflection of the garden in the far side of the lake.
“Vale,” she called out, “why do you think he doesn’t love me?”
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Mar 21, 2016 18:15:02 GMT -6
"Well..." began Vale. "He hides you, for one. Even when we were at odds, I did not want to keep you a secret from anyone. Secondly..." Vale swam over to Yumiko. "He expects you to accept his sleeping with other women. Unless your standards have fallen...You didn't take it from me. Why do you take it from him?"
Vale pulled himself up next to Yumiko, giving his wet hair a quick shake. "Thirdly, because he knows what to say to you for you to do what he wants."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Mar 21, 2016 18:27:27 GMT -6
Yumiko kept her head turned the other way, looking out over the garden. “Didn’t you know what to say to me,” she murmured, “before …. well, you know?”
Vale shook his head. “I like your eyes angry, and I still like to rile you up. It's more fun that way.”
A small smile formed on Yumiko’s lips before fading as she let herself continue to contemplate about things she had always stopped herself from doing before. “He hides me because he thinks someone would hurt me if they knew he cared. He says ... it has to stay in our rooms. For my own protection."
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