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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Apr 10, 2015 12:58:01 GMT -6
Byakuya entered silently and set a wide vase of water lilies on the table near the door. His eyes lacked the usual glint of steel as he turned from the glistening flowers to the older captain and then to the ghostly pale form of his sister.
Hisana, I failed you.
“I should have realized that she wasn’t the same," the noble murmured aloud.
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Apr 10, 2015 13:00:56 GMT -6
Juushiro shook his head. “I don’t know when they were switched, but I didn’t notice either.” His eyes narrowed. “I hadn’t finished my precaution against the shape-shifter either due to my failing health. It’s cruel, yes, but neither of us has the blame for this, Byakuya-san." His stern voice softened as he continued. "Do you want to stay with her?"
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Apr 10, 2015 13:16:59 GMT -6
Byakuya turned around. “I am not going to let my selfish desires cause her pain,” he stated simply.
“Then stay until she wakes up,” came the voice of the wiser captain. He turned and Ukitake smiled with a teasing gleam in his green eyes. “As you have done before.” He turned back to Rukia. “She was asking for you, and if Isane let you through, I think she doesn’t see you as a threat.”
“I will wait.”
“There is still no harm in being here while she sleeps.”
The noble hesitated and then walked over. His eyes narrowed, eyes turning stormy. “She is as strong as any full-blood Kuchiki heir,” he growled softly.
Ukitake nodded, and the noble was grateful he didn’t comment further. He didn't turn his gaze from Rukia.
Rukia… can you forgive me?
The noble nodded once, curtly. “I will stay until the monitor alerts me to the change in her status.”
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Apr 10, 2015 13:27:38 GMT -6
Juushiro gave Rukia's hand one last firm squeeze and then rose from the chair, nodding towards Byakuya. The head of the Kuchiki clan offered the same farewell, silent in his pain of not being able to stop his sister's suffering. Juushiro sighed and left the two alone. At least it was a step in the right direction. |
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Post by Ichigo Kurosaki on Apr 20, 2015 20:23:17 GMT -6
"Friendly Nudge":Ichigo tapped his fingers along his folded arms, worried in spite of the meeting’s good ending. He hadn't seen seen Rukia for over half a year, and in between, she had gone through the same thing as Orihime. He sighed and scratched the back of his head, unsure of how he would react if he had to leave another friend. If he couldn't help again. Kotetsu had ordered him away once. Would he let her again? Renji clapped him on his shoulder and he looked to the said redhead.
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on Apr 20, 2015 21:11:28 GMT -6
"Nervous?" Renji asked him. Ichigo nodded slightly then quickly shook his head. Laughing Renji let his hand drop, slugging him in the shoulder. "Liar. Because I am nervous as hell." He rubbed the back of his neck giving a nervous chuckle. "I have never had to deal with something like this. I don't know what to say."
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Post by Ichigo Kurosaki on Apr 20, 2015 21:24:43 GMT -6
Ichigo gave a slight smile as he nodded, rubbing the back of his head again. “Or what to do,” he murmured to his friend. He looked at the halls around them again. “Orihime fooled me when she returned… but she was already gone…. She left willingly.” He shook his head. “And then ...... she saved herself ..... somehow. I don't know how. They dumped her." His hands clenched.
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on Apr 20, 2015 21:41:28 GMT -6
Renji smiled then sighed softly. "They're strong women. All three of them. Hime. Rukia. Momo. Each one fighting the same battle within. Each one doing it differently. It just goes to prove that the same issue can be handled in so many different ways." Renji sighed hanging his head. "You know the sad part?"
Ichigo looked to Renji with his question.
"Two others have suffered this same fate. I don't think I have spoke to either since they have returned back from Las Noches, and one of them I look upon as fondly as I do Rukia." He shook his head. "I have been so busy with everything else..."
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Post by Ichigo Kurosaki on Apr 21, 2015 10:06:17 GMT -6
Ichigo slugged him. “At least you have that excuse. With Orihime… I just - I felt,” he looked away, running a hand through his hair, “I felt like I failed her this time. I mean, I - I rescued her last time, and this time, either she was freed before I could get to her or by the time I could rescue her, it was too late. She was a wreck for a while when Grimmjow dumped her back here. She wanted to go back. I didn’t know what to do or say. It was …. hard.”
He straightened and his eyes narrowed. “But I am going to make it up to her,” he declared. He grinned at the redhead. “And you can make it up to your friends, too. The war’s over. They’re moving on. We need to, too.”
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on Apr 21, 2015 16:53:56 GMT -6
Renji slapped him on the back and laughed. "Just like you to blame yourself. Gods forbid the world was to end you would take the blame for that as well." As Ichigo was about to protest on Renji's comment. Isane walked from around the corner and looked at the two boys.
"Are you two ready to go see Rukia?" Isane asked them.
Renji became nervous again nodding his head slowly, his eyes filled with doubt once more. "I guess we need to get get this over with."
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Post by Ichigo Kurosaki on Apr 21, 2015 17:24:23 GMT -6
Ichigo frowned too and resisted the urge to bolt. "Is she - how will we know if she's not ready?" he asked finally.
Captain Kotetsu smiled gently at them both. "She is still hooked up to a monitor. That will alert me if she turns angry or violent and her brother will not be far away either."
Ichigo scowled a bit at the mention that Byakuya would be there, too. He didn't want to make a fool of himself - or heaven forbid, scare Rukia with him nearby.
The Captain's voice brought him out of his worried thoughts and hasty scenarios. "Well, boys?"
Renji slapped him on the back again and took the lead. "Yeah, we are. Let's do this." A brave announcement, but Ichigo could still hear a slight quaver in his voice. It made him feel better.
The healer nodded and led them down the last hallway. Ichigo followed them.
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Post by Lt. Rukia Kuchiki on Apr 21, 2015 17:30:01 GMT -6
As Captain Kotetsu opened the door, Rukia looked up from her book. Reading the look in her eyes, she smiled slightly and then glanced to her brother, who remained in his position in the other corner, looking out the window. Feeling emboldened, she looked back towards the door and tried to keep her smile in place as Renji and Ichigo entered. "Renji, Ichigo," she greeted quietly. She looked down at her hands.
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Post by Ichigo Kurosaki on Apr 21, 2015 17:33:22 GMT -6
Ichigo spared one glance towards the noble before really taking a look at Rukia. She was pale, but her violet eyes shone. He smiled at her and rubbed the back of his head. "Hiya, Rukia.... How are you feeling?" He reached into his uniform and pulled out a large bar of chocolate. "Kisuke said to give this to you and eat it if you start feeling down."
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Post by Lt. Rukia Kuchiki on Apr 21, 2015 17:35:53 GMT -6
Rukia's small smile grew and she took the chocolate. "Thank you, Ichigo. I'm sure it will be good." Setting the gift on her lap, she then looked over to Renji and her smile fell. "Renji, I-" she paused, "I'm sorry about what happened before. Are you alright?"
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on Apr 21, 2015 17:52:40 GMT -6
Renji could not help himself as he felt a burning in his eyes. He quickly turned from her and dried his eyes with his sleeve, waving his other hand nonchalantly back at Rukia. "Of course I am." He said in the best carefree tone he could muster at this point.
"You know me it takes more then that to hurt me." He sniffled softly then fell silent for a few seconds. His head dropping down. "Rukia. I'm..." He turned and looked up at Rukia, forcing a smile and finished his statement. "I am glad to see you feeling better."
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