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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Jun 11, 2015 12:36:31 GMT -6
Juushiro shook his head and pulled her up from the floor, stroking her head. “I believe he blamed himself more than he ever did you.” He hesitated. “Yumiko, I know this may not be the best time, but when did Vale ask you not to bargain with Alister?”
Yumiko’s eyes narrowed at the change in subject for a moment before looking down to the ring in her hand. “He wanted to protect me…. Six years ago. When Kisuke confronted him about our relationship, he warned Vale about hurting me.” Yumiko went on to explain how Vale’s rage had brought out Chinmoku, her calling him back with what they had which stopped him from using the zanpakuto, and Alister’s price to take away his pain once she was alone. “I refused and he left. Vale returned and made me swear not to speak to Alister again. I hadn’t…. until the demon attacked him.”
She pulled away. “But Alister was waiting.”
Juushiro’s eyes narrowed, wishing he had had this talk with Yumiko before interrogating Vale. The gods sometimes spoke in riddles, and this exchange six years ago seemed to be one of those times. What did the god mean by naming Yumiko as Vale’s ‘eternal’ price?
It could mean that their love would bring him to justice and to him taking his life… but it could also mean… that Vale was not as dead as he had appeared in the cells …. and that he would search out Yumiko again.
I need to talk to Kisuke about this.
Focusing on the situation at hand, Juushiro urged Yumiko to sit down again. “We may never have all the answers, Yumiko, but his last words were to get this to you, a confession to the commander, and another promise from Alister. He is not to bargain with any of us again.”
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jun 11, 2015 12:47:04 GMT -6
Yumiko jolted at that before bowing over the ring and letting tears come forth again. “He forgave me then. He knew what I had done and he forgave me anyway.” She hiccuped. “Selfish, selfish, stupid man! Why didn’t you let me say goodbye?” She got up from her the couch and approached the last bookshelf. She took ahold of the picture frame. “If you could no longer escape your the weight of your crimes, you could have at least given me more than a ring and some words in a myriad of questions and doubts. You silenced them for me for so long. I was scared… but you slowly took that away from me.” She fumbled with the picture, cutting her palm in the process, and winced. Healing it, she pulled out the picture on top and a few more stuck behind it. “It’s not fair…. leaving me alone …. and waking the fears. It’s really unfair…. I trusted you. I gave you the chance.... Why didn't you trust me that far?" Tears plunked down onto the empty frame. Feeling a hand on her back, she sniffed, turned and place the pictures on top of a moving box. "I'm sorry, Ukitake.... but I can't.... I can't hate him." She slipped the ring inside too and closed the box. "I ... I still love him. And because I know so little of the answers ...... but the important one ...... I forgive him." Setting the empty frame down, she looked up. "I have to," she whispered in a hoarse, firm voice. "Even if it's over...." her hand fell to her side and she closed her eyes, letting the last of the tears in her eyes fall before locking them away again. Good-bye, my rogue and love....
- END RP - "Making Amends":
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Post by Kita Miyamoto on Jun 11, 2015 14:28:45 GMT -6
"Making Amends": Not having seen Yumiko since her birthday party, Kita decided she had better seek her out so they could talk. With everything that had happened, the attack, Vale being taken to Soul Society, his death. Aizen, and everything that happened with him. Just too much has went on without contact between her and Yumiko. Someone she looked to as a dear and close friend and their last meeting was not exactly of a good thing.
She had yelled at her calling her a liar, along with all the others that knew this information. Not that Kita was pleased with the way they all handled this, but it was a fact she had to face. Would she have mad when they told her. Maybe, but she doubt she would have been as mad as she was when she found out they were all lying to her and hiding it from her. Either way. It was time to put this behind her and Yumiko. she missed her friend and she knew she need a friend more than ever at this time in her life.
Stopping in front of Vales old apartment above the flower shop, she lifted her hand and knocked on the door. She was not even sure if Yumiko was there. It was just a lead she was going on from past information.
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jun 11, 2015 15:07:36 GMT -6
Yumiko set the paintbrush down and stood up, wondering who had followed her here a mere hour after she had arrived. “It’s open,” she called out, looking over the wreck of the apartment before her.
When Kita walked in, Yumiko froze. She looked away, recalling the screaming as she lay over Vale’s body - Kita telling her to wake up - that it was all a lie. Mind turning to the ring in the boxes and Kita's support at the midnight meeting, she sighed. "I did say come in," she murmured in lieu of a greeting when her friend paused. Yumiko picked up a box from off the couch and set it on the floor. She brushed feathers to the side before taking a seat on the torn couch.
“I’m sorry for the mess. I was … cleaning up,” she murmured, an excuse. But that’s what was easiest. She clenched her hand in her apron. “Kita, I….” she fell silent and then took a breath, looking up. “I’m sorry, Kita. I… I should have told you.”
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Post by Kita Miyamoto on Jun 11, 2015 15:25:41 GMT -6
Kita shook her head. "I don't want to talk about it. I just want to say I am sorry for screaming at you that night. I owe you that much." She bowed to Yumiko then stood erect looking around the apartment.
It was in shambles and she can't say she blamed Yumiko for doing what she did with it. Kita was still upset even with everything she had heard of Vale's confession and what had happened. Kita's anger with all this had only curved, not subsided. Each party was right in with how they handled the situation, but Kita just could not get over the fact that Vale had kept Aizen hidden from them. Yet another lie. Especially, with his confession in the end. Why would he put them in danger like that? She just could not understand it and without answers from the one that caused all of this, she would never know.
"You are looking better or well... At least from what I heard how you were from Juushiro. Have you eaten?" Kita walked further into the apartment picking things up as she walked along.
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jun 11, 2015 21:13:16 GMT -6
Yumiko shrugged. “I managed breakfast,” she murmured in reply, getting up again and returning to her paint job. She picked up her brush. “Then I decided that I wanted to fix the scorch marks when my feelings got the best of me. I cleared out the shelves, taped some boxes shut, and then started the primer. After cleaning more of the books up, separating which ones I ruined, I began the painting.” She sighed. “I didn’t even know how late it was getting until you knocked. I've been here longer than I thought.”
Yumiko looked over at her friend. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, Kita. I just…” she looked down again and then ran a line of white over the wall, “he asked me to keep it a secret…. he didn’t want to lose his chance….” Her paintbrush lowered.
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Post by Kita Miyamoto on Jun 11, 2015 21:24:00 GMT -6
Kita tightened her grip around a rag she picking up from the floor. "It's...it's fine, really. Don't worry about it. I don't want to talk about it alright. Anything but that. I don't care. Pick a subject." Kita told her setting the things to the table.
"Do you need any help with anything? Packing, painting... cleaning up." Kita's hands rested to her hips as she looked around the room again, her head shaking slightly. "I am sorry for what happened with Vale. For whatever the reason he decided to li--keep things hidden as well. We will never know." She looked to Yumiko, "but know I will never forgive him for not telling us Aizen was still alive. That's one cover up, lie, story, whatever you want to call it, I will never forgive him for. He endangered us all with not telling us, and I will not forgive him for that." She looked away from her out the window.
"I am sorry, Yumiko. I just can't."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jun 12, 2015 10:25:54 GMT -6
Yumiko nodded. “I understand.” She paused. “You might think I am a fool, but my own sense of betrayal was lessened with his confession. And really, you don’t have to agree with me. They both hurt you more than they did me. And I’m glad that … it didn’t tear our friendship apart. You’ve helped me in so many ways.” It was her turn to look away. After a few moments of silence, she set the paintbrush down. “We should probably clear the kitchen of the boxes and eat some lunch. I came here in the early morning again. After that, you can help me move boxes to one spot, so I can clean the mess better."
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Post by Kita Miyamoto on Jun 12, 2015 11:34:09 GMT -6
Kita turned and looked at Yumiko, "but I do agree with you. To a point. I know Vale is a good man. I saw it in his eyes. I know he is a good man. I just don't understand why he did things the way he did. Maybe it was for the better, maybe it wasn't." Kita lowered her head and looked to the floor her hand resting to her forehead. "I don't know," the words fell softly from her lips. "I just don't know..."
Quickly she looked up her hand clenched to her sides. "It's Gin all over again." Yumiko looked at her and blinked a few times. "He thinks he can do this all by himself AND HE CAN'T. HE CAN'T! IT'S AIZEN! DAMN IT WHEN WILL PEOPLE REALIZE THIS! UGGGGG!!" Kita exclaimed. "Men! Why do they have to be so dame hardheaded!? Why do they think they can do it ALL ALONE?!" She quickly went to Yumiko and embraced her in a caring, sentimental hug.
"I am sorry Yumiko. I may be mad at Vale for this, but I don't hate him and I never wanted him dead... I am so sorry." She hugged her tighter.
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jun 13, 2015 15:36:23 GMT -6
Yumiko nodded and hugged her back, leaning against her for a moment. Her heart felt like a lump of meat, pumping chilled blood throughout her system. But the beat seemed a little less ominous or painful with the support of her friend. Pushing back, she smiled softly. “Thank you, Kita. I’m glad that you don’t hate him, and you were able to forgive me. And at this point, I think that’s what matters." She squeezed her hand. "It helps."
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Post by Kita Miyamoto on Jun 13, 2015 17:41:13 GMT -6
Kita returned the gentle squeeze of hand as she smiled warmly, she looked around the room once more and sighed. "Lets get this place back in order." Her smile widened, "maybe you will come by for dinner tonight? I know the boys are missing you. I am sure they will be very happy to see you."
She released Yumiko's hand and started picking up things again, working her way into the kitchen so that way they could get things cleaned up in there as well and get some lunch.
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jun 14, 2015 0:04:18 GMT -6
Yumiko’s smile grew a bit before she picked up her paintbrush again, running another line of white over it, hiding the primer in the clear color. “I think I will go back with you tonight.” She ran the brush upwards, watching more white conceal her rage and pain. “We can fix the rooms… and tomorrow we can move the boxes out.” She let the paint flow over the wall before her with each slow stroke and took a deep breath. One step at a time. She would move forwards.
But she still missed him and ached for his arms around her.
Yumiko paused. "I think there are some strawberries in the fridge. If they are still good, can you give them to the boys? I'll make them muffins to apologize later for not making the tarts."
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Post by Kita Miyamoto on Jun 14, 2015 11:56:41 GMT -6
Smiling warmly as she walked toward the kitchen, Kita slightly glanced back over her shoulder. "Sojiro will like that. He thinks your muffins are the best." She looked around the kitchen sighting softly. Not much of a mess but in away it was from her packing and moving things around. There were a few dirty dishes from breakfast, Kita presumed. She then got to work moving things around picking up the boxes that were left on the counter, asking Yumiko what she wanted to do with them. Wiping things down and sweeping the floor. By the time Yumiko was taking a break from her painting Kita had finished picking up and cleaning the kitchen. There were still a few things in the room that needed to be packed, but being shy on boxes did not help in the fact of packing them.
When Yumiko stepped into kitchen wiping her hands free of paint on a damp rag, Kita looked her way smiling softly. "Are you going to stay in the apartment? Leave the flower shop open and work it yourself?"
Kita walked over to the refrigerator opening it to see what they had in there for lunch. Spotting the strawberries she took them out looking over them. They were still good so she sat them on counter to wash and slice them up from the boys. She turned and looked to Yumiko when she started to speak.
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jun 15, 2015 10:35:01 GMT -6
“I don’t think I can,” Yumiko replied in a low voice. She set the rag down and took a seat at the kitchen counter. “Right now, it reminds me of what I had with him - of what is over , no matter what I wish.” She looked down into her lap. “I haven’t decided whether I will come back later or not, but for now, I am leaving it behind. The season of the flowers is ending soon, so the roses out back will be fine. As for the rest in the greenhouse…” she shrugged, “maybe Tessai or Kisuke can use them to supplement their money, now that I want to go back there.”
At least to start, she murmured to herself.
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Post by Kita Miyamoto on Jun 15, 2015 12:46:38 GMT -6
Kita walked over to her and patted her hand softly. "I understand. I was the same way at the shop when we returned along with my memories. I did not even dare walk into Tsukiro's room. There were so many memories there with him. I still have issues in some parts of the house or just certain days." She sighed giving her a weak smile. "Given Tsuki is still alive, but its the memories that rip you apart, not the person." She drew back her hand and looked across the room. "Some days I wish my memories had never returned."
She then looked back to Yumiko patting her shoulder. "I promise it will lessen in time. Becoming a lot more bearable." She turned and grabbed one of the boxes off the counter. "You know what helped me?" Yumiko looked at Kita with questioning eyes as Kita turned and walked toward the other room with the box.
"Training. Find a hobby or something you can lose yourself in. Something that takes your mind way far away from the weight sitting on it." She sat the box down in the proper area with the others, turned and walked back in the kitchen. "Come to think of it; Gin owes me a training session. Maybe I will drag him to the training field later today. He needs to get off his lazy butt and do something."
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