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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on May 12, 2015 16:37:11 GMT -6
"A Rose’s Thorns": Yumiko sat at a table in a room adjourning the inner courtyard of the Ryouma estate. A few minutes ago, a servant had left a platter of egg rolls and some tea. The aroma of the rose and lemon tea blended with the scents of the flowers drifting in from the open window. When she had been younger - before her confinement - it had been one of her preferred studying rooms. Close to the garden and closer to her brother - who would often be practicing footwork outside with his tutor. Tomorrow would be his birthday. Her hands clenched in her lap, inspecting her choice of kimono. She had had nearly a full month to prepare, but she wanted to be sure. It was a white kimono with an embroidered branch of full pink roses in bloom across the right side, with a sheer silvery blue sleeveless haori with etched the silhouette of flying cranes, and a silver silk obi tied with black thread. She pinned her hair up into a dark ebony flower clip. Hopefully, she did not disappoint her family and could be allowed to join the festivities today - for the first time since that disastrous fiery night. Her mind flashed to her brother’s screams of fear and his accusations before she closed her eyes and pushed them back. They were just memories. Like Las Noches. Now that the one was nothing more than bad memories, it was time to build a new relationship with her family. Then, she wouldn’t be weak… She wouldn’t still feel the sting of shame and failure. Or the cold of the darkness of her binding…..
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Post by Yukishiro Ryouma on May 12, 2015 16:39:27 GMT -6
Footsteps and voices broke through her thoughts and the door slid backwards. Waving a dismissal to his companion, her younger brother, Hideyoshi Ryouma, now heir to their family, walked in. His dark eyes smiled. “I’m pleased you could come, sister.”
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on May 12, 2015 16:41:06 GMT -6
Yumiko smiled in return and turned from the table, folding hands together and bowing formally. “I was honored to be invited once again, Nii-san.” Yumiko had been told that she had inherited most of her characteristics from her late grandmother, especially her mysterious, stern blue grey eyes. Her brother had grown up into a younger picture of her father, with eyes from their mother.
Hideyoshi offered her a hand. “Let’s not stay inside any longer. I know you enjoy the gardens.”
Yumiko nodded but hesitated. She was not often left alone with her brother and didn’t want to take up his precious time with a long stroll.
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Post by Yukishiro Ryouma on May 12, 2015 16:43:29 GMT -6
He must have guessed at her thoughts because he chuckled. “Don’t worry. Consider it my birthday request. You can’t refuse and they can’t interfere.” He raised a finger in mock warning. “It’s something I am well within my right to take advantage of. Even father would agree.”
She giggled and nodded, taking his arm and following him outside. They walked along the paths, reminiscencing about the memories they had shared - what bushes were the best to hide under and what flowers were the easiest to clip and sneak inside to her rooms.
The gifts of flowers on her pillows after a long manners lesson had been something Yumiko had forgotten - and how sometimes he forgot to check for spiders.
“I can’t believe you’ve forgotten about the spiders,” Hideyoshi chuckled. “The bigger ones you opened the window for, but the little ones…” He smirked. “I got to watch you try to stay still at evening meals making faces - since you put the best flowers in your hair.” He shrugged. “Eventually, a servant or Mother would notice.”
He paused. “It was better when it went down the other way, down your neck.”
Yumiko shuddered. “I don’t think I’d like that.”
“You didn’t,” her brother stated. “You’d scream or kick me hard under the table and leave.” He chuckled again. “It’s too bad my other sisters don’t have your eyes. It makes it boring to tease them.”
Yumiko chuckled. “Why would that be?”
“Your sharp eyes would promise revenge better than any dark, doe-eyed gaze.”
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on May 12, 2015 16:48:35 GMT -6
As a lump formed in her throat, Yumiko smiled gently. “I’m sorry I don’t remember any of that.” She took a breath and looked to the fountain in the center of the courtyard. “I do remember repairing leaf boats.” Her head cleared.
Hideyoshi folded his arms. “No one did that after you left, so the boats grew boring.”
“I’m sorry.”
He waved his hand. “That doesn’t matter now. You did your duty as a Ryouma. It’s only a pity that it was harsh.”
Duty….
As he took her hands, her attention returned to her brother. He was smiled widely. “But now, that time has passed. You have your powerful zanpakuto and you escaped the traitors’ attempts to turn you against your house. I’m proud of you, Nee-chan.”
Yumiko tried to conceal her mounting confusion and a sense of unease. She didn’t like it when her family brought up Las Noches. Or the powers of her zanpakuto. The reason she’d lost so much.
“Thank you, Nii-s-”
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Post by Yukishiro Ryouma on May 12, 2015 17:20:20 GMT -6
“You don’t need to call me that, Nee-chan. Really.”
“What, but that- that was the family wish since I am no longer the heir.”
He swung her around before letting go. “But if your rank is restored, you don’t have to worry about that rule anymore.”
“Wha- Nii- I mean, Yuki, there’s no way I can become the heir again. I-”
“You’re not thinking large enough, Nee-chan.” He took her hand again and then hummed in approval. “You really are the most beautiful of my family, and we can spend much more time together, too. It will take some time for you to have a child.”
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on May 12, 2015 17:21:37 GMT -6
“Child?!” Yumiko repeated, flabbergasted and stepping backwards. “Nii-san, I-”
“I told you to to call me Yuki as you used to.”
“Yuki, then please explain what you are talking about. I am not pregnant and I am not ma-”
She halted and paled. Marriage. If she married a noble with a high enough heritage, then she would be… Equal again. She wouldn’t be a lowly guest anymore. She’d be respected. Her mistakes…. forgotten. Her heart clenched.
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Post by Yukishiro Ryouma on May 12, 2015 17:25:20 GMT -6
Oblivious to her anxiety, Hideyoshi spread his arms wide. “You’re not yet, but the elders have found a wonderful match. It will bring honor to the family. You will have a protector so no one can hurt or use you. And you can take any position in the Gotei that you want.” He turned back to her and smiled again. “Aizen, Tervaden, no one will be able to harm you again. You’ll be safe once more and we’ll be a family again.”
For the family….
She closed her eyes for a moment. If she could convince him…
“Haven’t you stated that I have already served the Ryouma clan when I was imprisoned?”
Hideyoshi frowned. “It’s a little harsh calling it a prison, Nee-chan.”
Yumiko shook her head. “I apologize, Nii-san, but I lost my sight, my family, and most of the bond all soul reapers have with their zanpakuto. I was locked in room for most of a century.”
“For the safety of yourself and others, myself included," he stated, persuading.
“You think all that time was necessary?’ she asked him directly.
“I- I don’t know that.” Hideyoshi looked away and then back at her. “From the look in your eyes, I take it you are not happy with this proposal.”
She sighed. “I am not ready to consider marriage, Yoshi. I have lost-”
“I know, you’ve lost much because you were kidnapped and taken to Las Noches,” her brother completed for her. He took her hand again. “You’re vulnerable, hurt. Terrible things have happened to you. What better way is there beyond returning to your family? Come back, Nee-chan. You’ll be safe.”
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on May 12, 2015 17:34:08 GMT -6
“I am here now.”
His frown deepened. “You don’t care, do you? Being cut from the family?”
Yumiko stayed silent for a few moments. “Yoshi-”
“Don’t call me that when you don’t want to make amends for what you did to the family!!”
His harsh words were a much worse lash than Aizen’s warning in Szayel’s dream-like garden.
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Post by Yukishiro Ryouma on May 12, 2015 17:36:08 GMT -6
He whirled around. “You say you’ve lost much, but you forget that I lost my sister because she couldn’t use the powers fate had given her!” His tone gentled again. “You needed assistance so you wouldn’t hurt anyone, let alone yourself. Fate gave you the aid you needed. Now, I offer another.”
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on May 12, 2015 17:40:23 GMT -6
Yumiko couldn’t believe her ears. Something was swallowing her up, erasing the sparks of beauty around her, drowning her heart. She didn’t know what. She couldn’t get her throat to moisten. Her brother, the heir to the Ryouma clan, continued on.
“Kuchiki Byakuya is a captain in the Gotei 13. You’ve met him before. And though you will not be his first wife, he is the heir of the Kuchiki clan, one of the most prestigious houses in Soul Society. It is the best marriage proposal you could ever have.”
Yumiko stumbled backwards.
“Careful there, Nee-chan. It’s a strict house. Etiquette matters.”
It wasn’t her brother anymore. It was the new head of the Ryouma clan. She was being locked up again. Why? It didn’t matter. They had deemed it to be so.
Aizen’s voice echoed in her head, “You’ll never escape.”
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Post by Yukishiro Ryouma on May 12, 2015 17:45:17 GMT -6
“No,” Yumiko whispered.
Hideyoshi Ryouma’s eyes narrowed at his stubborn sister. “Are you still refusing our generosity? I thought family meant something to you.”
Her eyes narrowed, the violet scars from her blinding sharp as crystals. "It did," she stated in a emotionless tone.
He didn't like that tone. "Then accept this," he said firmly. He waved his hand. "I order it, and you owe me."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on May 14, 2015 11:25:54 GMT -6
Yumiko could feel her anger at the situation - at the injustice of it all - welling up inside her, replacing any fear, dismay, or sorrow. For a moment, she wanted to turn around and leave. But her confrontation with Vale entered her mind - and him leaving her. Because she had run.
Her hands clenched.
“I owe the heir of the Ryouma clan nothing,” she hissed.
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Post by Yukishiro Ryouma on May 14, 2015 11:26:40 GMT -6
“You are a Ryouma. It is your destiny to do as the family commands,” Hideyoshi snapped in return. “You failed the first time - to master your powerful zanpakuto while it was feasible to arrange for your release - so you could return to us.” He smiled. “I apologize for my anger, but this is for your own good. It’s you second chance. How many people get that so close to a war period?”
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on May 14, 2015 13:46:19 GMT -6
Yumiko chuckled shortly. “For my protection, my own good, and for the family. I have heard those words for so long.”
The heir smiled. “You know it’s true,” Hideyoshi continued, coaxing. “It’s been difficult, I know, but-”
“It’s a bunch of lies!” she screamed.
Hideyoshi jumped back as her reiatsu spiked. “Now calm down, sister. You don’t want to lose control again. I am trying to avoid unpleasant solutions, but you need to be cared for.”
Yumiko ignored him. “The family stopped caring for me since they abandoned me decades ago. They only want to control the power I hold, and I won’t let them.”
“You’re being unreasonable….”
“UNREASONABLE!?” Yumiko hollered, ignoring how her reiatsu cut a nearby rose off its bush. “What was unreasonable was locking me away in a room with hardly any contact from the world for decades. Changing the overwhelming emptiness only because I was hurting myself to be free of the darkness. What is NOW unreasonable is the fact that they’ve only changed their minds because my power was such it attracted the attention of two of Soul Society’s greatest enemies-”
“Exactly!” Hideyoshi called out, spreading his hands. “Bad things have happened to you. You need protection, the protection of family, lest someone try to use you again.”
“I will not be a tool for ANYONE ever again.”
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