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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Jan 18, 2017 0:09:09 GMT -6
Byakuya answered that question. “You are right, Kin. If he were after me,” he looked to Yumiko, “as my betters before me in order to take down the strength of Soul Society, he would have gone for your mother.” He looked to Yumiko again. “Is it possible with your bending of Kido to make it more difficult for this new espada’s skills to work? He could still take her, and I will not take that chance.”
I have already lost one of my new family to him. I will not lose another if there is something I can do.
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jan 18, 2017 0:18:32 GMT -6
Yumiko blinked in confusion before recalling the threat to the young girl because of -
“Sojiro,” she breathed. “If she’s not there to hurt you, she’s there,” she looked to the gathered family, “because of her connection to Sojiro.” She drew Mizue no Kagami, swinging it slowly as she continued to speak. “He’s wanted that boy since he was a child playing chess with him in Karakura. He compares him to his father, though Sojiro seemed to have more qualities… of the mother. He threatened Sojiro when he set them free, and when he wanted something again, he summoned Sojiro specifically, after three years of silence.” “Flow,” she whispered, releasing her zanpakuto’s powers.
A filament of light seemed to catch on the tip and then stretch. “Defense Kido are more difficult to spin in different shapes. Their name almost reinforces their shape or purpose. It takes a slow, deliberate pull.” The blade swung to the other side of her, and the light expanded into a shimmering thread. Releasing one hand from her blade, she reached for the thread. “Bakudo No. 38: Karagi Hakkou.”
Light flared from her blade and a moment later, a reflective net of nearly palpable threads surrounded the room from all sides but the ceiling, stretching from one side of the room to the other. Blade still shimmering, she lowered her zanpakuto.
“It's stronger than it seems. The light is woven into another Kido, which increases its power, and then ties into the reiatsu around it. Until cancelled. It may be enough to stop the Espada from appearing and leaving, though he can still enter through the door."
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Post by Kin Masanobu on Jan 18, 2017 0:25:22 GMT -6
Kin Looked from Byakuya to Yumiko after she was done with her Kido spell and spoke up. "Lady Ryouma, if Aizen has Sojiro, why would he take our sister as well? I could understand if the man had not take Sojiro before her. However, the boy had been taken a few hours before she was."
"Nii-sama, Sojiro explained..."
"I know what Sojiro explained, Kouen. He told us that Aizen might take her to use her against him. If the man has his mother," he looked back to Yumiko. "Wouldn't she be enough to use against the boy? Its his mother after all."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jan 18, 2017 0:43:36 GMT -6
Yumiko took the seat by the door. “Because it’s Sojiro. He’s been raised on two things: 1) knowledge of Aizen and his side of the war; and 2) the power of family and love. Kit… his mother could be good leverage, but it is not certain that Vale would let Aizen use her in that manner. He is …. protective of his chosen woman.” Yumiko swallowed before continuing, running a hand over her belly as her child kicked. “Sojiro is as stubborn as his parents, too. It may take special leverage to break the wall Sojiro has created against Aizen and the darkness. Aizen has used love that way before…. even if it is a two-edged blade.”
The mother decided to speak. “Yumiko, why was Makino the only one with the Goddess? If Aizen had her son wouldn't she have had both kids with her? Why only Makino? A mother would have never left her son’s side no matter the augment."
“Because there are two sides of power in Las Noches, and there are two kinds of chaos. Aizen and Tervaden are the two sides of power there. Sometimes, they work in tandem and sometimes, they are in opposition." Yumiko slid a lock of her hair back behind her ear before she went on. "And then, there’s the Seer and Alister’s creation, Sada Teruo. They both serve the rulers, but sometimes, their agenda is different. That monster didn’t have to be following orders when he grabbed Sojiro. Something could have called out to him. Or he… was bored. Kita… might not have known… Or she decided to free your daughter first, probably because of the danger she was in.”
Yumiko looked down to her blade. "I wish I could say something more helpful, but Las Noches is a cruel place." She ran her free hand over her stomach.
Even when the King is merciful.... if he will be... ever again...
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Post by Kouen Masanobu on Jan 18, 2017 1:12:39 GMT -6
Kouen shook his head as he combed his fingers through his loose dark hair. "But she is the Vessel." He stopped from his pacing and looked at the group. "It's been told she is as strong as the Goddess herself. She should have no issues with a monster like this Sada. Teruo. I am sorry. It don't make sense. As much as those two kids love one another I don't see either of them wanting to be separated and I don't see a mother going after another child before her own."
He sighed both hands now on his hips as he looked to the floor. "Even if she did find Maki-chan first. The second she would have told the Vessel about her son. She would have went after him. With or without Maki-chan."
"Maybe that was what she was going to do, Kouen." Saya's head shook. "I know the point you are trying to get across, but if the woman did come across Makino first and Makino told her of her son's situation, she would not have wanted Makino in harm's way. Taking Makino with her to get her son with that monster there would have done just that."
Byakuya nodded adding his thoughts. "And the Vessel is not as strong as the Goddess. She is human, and as a human, she can only control a certain amount of the Goddess powers. Yes. She is stronger than Teruo and even Aizen, but it is at a cost to her health and her physical form if she were to reach further to obtain more power. Teruo is their strongest and he is far from a fool. He knows this, but he also knows he cannot beat the Vessel. Thus making him attack the children. The Vessel would then have to breach her power level to protect them all. Thus giving Teruo a better chance of winning."
Kouen sighed and plopped down on the end of the bed with the newest information. His hand lifted as his fingers combed through his hair once more. He then looked up at the lovely Lady Ryouma. "Lady Ryouma, if it is not an inconvenience to you, would you please stay so to help protect our mother?"
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jan 18, 2017 14:11:22 GMT -6
Yumiko nodded with a small smile at his respectful tone. “I will stay as long as I am able, and I will be honored to do so.”
“Thank you,” Kouen replied. He squeezed his mother’s hand and then rose from the bed. “You can take my place on the bed. It’ll be more comfortable in your condition.” He paused. “Will that change the Kido protection?”
Yumiko shook her head as the captain helped her to her feet again. “No, it will remain stable for a while, even if we move within it. It’s outsiders who will feel resistance.” She took a seat on the bed and Kouen sat on the floor by the window. Hand fisting on her kimono, Yumiko turned to Lady Masanobu, determined to keep the pained silence at bay longer.
“Your daughter is strong, and she has a full circle of friends who watch over her, as well as a large close-knit family. She has everything she needs to heal when she comes back from this.”
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Post by Saya Masanobu on Jan 18, 2017 14:23:26 GMT -6
Saya reached over and took Yumiko's hand in hers giving it a gentle squeeze and a warm smile. "Thank you, but I pray she comes back unscathed from this."
Kin let his hand move to his mothers back as he rubbed it softly. "I hope you're right, mother, but she will be dealing with one of the worst men known to the realms."
Saya nodded as she looked to her son then back to Yumiko with another warm smile. She wanted to get off the subject, it was starting to wear on her again, and for the first time in her life she felt helpless.
"So when are you due, Lady Ryouma?" Saya asked her hoping talking about her child might help them all relax some.
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jan 18, 2017 14:41:27 GMT -6
Yumiko’s smile grew at the change in subject. “I’m due sometime next week,” she confided, setting a hand on her belly. “It will be around the time of the festival, and because I am the first soul reaper mother, there will be a lot of fuss.” She paused. “I’m sure everything will go well, but I’m still nervous.” She covered her mouth. “And giddy. I keep switching between those two things."
She looked back to Lady Masanobu. "Is that normal?”
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Post by Saya Masanobu on Jan 18, 2017 15:00:42 GMT -6
Saya giggled with her and patted her hand as she nodded her head slowly. "Yes, it is very normal with this being your first." She looked to Kin and cupped his cheek. "I will always remember my first. I was so nervous. I did not know if I was ready to be a mother. If I was going to mess up and hurt the baby or if I was ready for the long trying nights of the crying because they were sick or just did not want to sleep." She patted Kin's cheek looking back to Yumiko.
"But it was all worth it. All five of them were worth the turmoil they put me through." She looked to Byakuya from the corner of her eyes and smiled. "I would even have another if the opportunity raised."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jan 18, 2017 15:55:27 GMT -6
Yumiko laughed as Kin’s face scrunched up as if to beg his mother not to elaborate, and she bended over to keep from snickering. It wasn’t that lady-like. Under control, she looked to Lady Masanobu again. “That’s another reason I am so nervous. Evas are only children for two months. There’s so much I want to teach him or her before then. How am I going to do that without smothering the wonderful child?”
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Post by Saya Masanobu on Jan 18, 2017 16:23:40 GMT -6
Saya turned her head slightly and waved a hand at Yumiko with a small huff. "Spoil the child rotten and smoother them with all the affection you can spare." Byakuya blinked many time then looked the other way trying not to appear unphased as Saya giggled softly covering her mouth.
"But teach them right from wrong. How to stand on their own and be strong, but not to the point of where they think they are better. Show them how to honor not only themselves, but others and their family. Lead them to the proper path and be there to catch them if they fall, but don't coddle them if they have done wrong. Tough love is one of a parents' hardest trials in raising a child." She smiled as Byakuya looked back her way.
She patted Yumiko's hand. "And never forget to tell them everyday, how much you love them. It don't matter if your child will be an adult in two months or twenty years from now. If you follow your heart in their raising you will not fail."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jan 18, 2017 17:01:56 GMT -6
Yumiko listened quietly, taking each note of advice to heart, as she continued to stroke her belly, enjoying the warmth the little life offered her in the trying circumstances around them. “I will do my best, Lady Masanobu, and I will tell the child I love them every day as often as I can. He – or she – has done so much for me already.” She looked down to her stomach, smoothing her hand over the life growing inside her. “I felt so alone when the captains were killed, and I still miss them terribly. But I’m not drowning. I’m even smiling,” she brushed at the corner of her eye with her sleeve, “and laughing. I'm so grateful Misao came to me.”
She turned back to Lady Masanobu. “But if our child does mess up, how do you reprimand something so precious?”
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Post by Kouen Masanobu on Jan 18, 2017 17:28:14 GMT -6
Kouen chuckled. "I can answer that question for mother." Kouen blurted out cheerfully as he pushed up off the floor. "Father told us she use to think of the worst kid in the neighborhood and pretend we were that child. That was the only way she could scold us. If she looked upon us as her own child she would always melt the second we gave her 'the sad' puppy dog eyes."
Kin chuckled next nodding his head. "It never failed. Push out that bottom lip and whimper some and she was putty in our hands." Kin elbowed his younger brother as he walked up beside him.
Kouen chuckled again. "Father was no better. Well..." Kouen cringed as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Unless you pulled the old 'so and so' made me do it. I think that used to upset father faster than anything."
"Of course it did," Kin added. "He raised his children to have a mind of their own. He knew no one talked us into doing anything. It was a bold-faced lie and you know how father was with lies."
Kouen nodded his head slowly, the expression on his face sad he remembered one too many whippings for telling a lie to his father. He then looked to Yumiko and smiled. "You are a wonderful person Lady Ryouma, and I have no doubts that you will be anything less than a wonderful mother to this child."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jan 18, 2017 21:12:26 GMT -6
Yumiko blushed deeply and lowered her head. “I am honor-” She paused. “I’m really happy you said that, Masanobu-san.”
Her eyes moistened with tears, a bit overwhelmed at being called such after everything, her imprisonment and Las Noches included, but also the captains’ deaths and the betrayal of the two closest people to her. What had happened, had passed. She knew that. She couldn’t change that. But those things had left an impression on her, and they had set her apart from most people. It was a bridge that was difficult to breach without someone having met her beforehand. She still felt lonely, but it wasn’t devouring her with the life kicking inside her.
Since Misao’s visit.
But this felt different.
Kouen had only spent a little time with her and he knew much because of his family’s line of work. And he wasn’t a gentle but all-seeing god. This complement struck her deeply. She couldn’t stop the tears.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I’m a little emotional.”
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Post by Kouen Masanobu on Jan 18, 2017 21:42:44 GMT -6
Kouen boldly wrapped his arm around her giving her a tender hug. "It's alright, Lady Ryouma. I know how a pregnant woman's hormones are this late in the pregnancy." He looked to his mother and smiled. "We boys saw what Makino did to mother." He looked back to Yumiko and whispered softly in her ear.
"She was a bear of emotions." He chuckled lightly as his mother reached forward and slapped him playfully.
"Leave that poor girl alone." She told him.
Kouen chuckled softly patting Yumiko's shoulder. "Just think it is almost over and soon you will be holding your bundle of joy."
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