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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Jul 5, 2015 15:19:29 GMT -6
The Captain Commander’s eyes crinkled slightly. “Always choosing to react to a friendly discussion with violence.” His other blade rose up, preparing to fight Vale. “This time, Tervaden, I won’t lose so easily.” He looked at the swirling darkness and sighed again, fearing that this would crush a certain person but knowing he had to do it.
A gruff voice entered him mind.
“Darkness…..” Yamamoto murmured, as he faced the dark sky of Soul Society after the destruction of division seven, “has two sides to it, the still fullness of the night sky and the oblivion of fear and death. It’s a great man who can balance both.”
Or so we believed.
Shunsui’s eyes sharpened and his reiatsu began to swirl around his large blades. “You chose chaos, Tervaden. The consequences will follow.”
But before he could take a step forwards, a hand settled on his shoulder.
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Jul 5, 2015 15:22:57 GMT -6
Juushiro stepped out to the side of his best friend, knowing Shunsui didn’t see any choice but to end this man’s gambles. But he had to try one more time. For Yumiko. And because of something the man in front of him had said. “Vale,” he called out, “the gods are powerful, but they do not shape the Realms. Those of us who will face death do."
He paused and then lifted his hand from his blade. “Yamamoto did not know about the god that has controlled you. And I don’t know what choices he would have made. But it is different this time.” He held out his hand. “Purge Alister from yourself. Use Kisuke - not because you trust him - but because you want to stop fleeing. And you are,” he continued quickly. “You never told her everything because a part of you saw the end. Even if you won’t admit it.” He paused again. “Make a choice and this time, remove that which breaks your mind and soul."
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Jul 5, 2015 15:36:30 GMT -6
"For what?" asked Vale. His gaze fell to the wooden planks beneath them. "I will never be Captain again. I have no life in Karakura. She will never love me again..." Vale's breathing grew erratic, as he stepped back and away from the Captains.
"Darkness is all the worlds have left to offer me." whispered Vale. He closed his eyes and shook his head, as Chinmoku began to swirl violently. "No...It won't work...I've tried. I wear areonite. And, he still finds a way in...It won't work..."
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Jul 5, 2015 15:52:04 GMT -6
The best friends looked at each other. And then Shunsui rubbed at his chin with his arm. Using hoho, Juushiro took another step and dared to pass the swirling the mass of Chinmoku, and ignoring the blood that bled through his arms at his arrogance, he set a hand on Vale’s arm. A gentle smile rose to his lips. “I know you felt alone back then. And I don’t know if we can save you to the point that you could become Captain again. But is that where your heart is now, Vale? Do you want Soul Society or do you want something else? And is that something worth taking another risk?”
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Jul 5, 2015 16:21:24 GMT -6
Vale shook his head. Looking down at the Captain's hand, Vale calmed the swirling Chinmoku. "Are you not listening to me, Juushiro? There are only two things in this world that I care about. Yumiko and Chinmoku. Both of those you took from me. I can never have one back."
With a shaking hand, Vale grabbed Ukitake's bleeding arm. He turned the man in his grasp and plunged a reformed portion of Chinmoku into Ukitake's torso. Pulling Ukitake close, Vale whispered in his ear. "I am beyond saving, I'm afraid. But, only because I have nothing left to lose."
"Very good, Tervaden." The voice echoed in his mind. "Very good."
Vale looked up and toward the doorway as a familiar presence called for his attention. He waved his hand, opening a gate and stopping time. He pulled his blade from Ukitake's body and walked toward the open door. Stepping into the office, Vale turned to his right and peered into the terrified eyes of Yumiko Ryouma.
Dropping the bloody blade, Vale reached out and touched her cheek releasing her from her frozen state.
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jul 5, 2015 18:44:33 GMT -6
Yumiko started and then gabbed the hand before it could fall away. “Vale….” she closed her eyes, tears falling free at the blood on his hands. Again. “Why?” she whispered, opening them again, looking into his strange new eyes. “Why? When you never lost me? You didn’t….”
A moment later, her eyes flashed violet and she slapped him across the face. “He was trying to help you!” she hissed. “I bargained with Alister for you!”
Her throat closed up around more before she could voice it, the ending wound. You promised you wouldn’t leave me.
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Jul 5, 2015 18:50:28 GMT -6
Vale brought his hand to his cheek and fell to his knees. "They said...You didn't..." Vale hung his head, wiping the blood on his hand on his haori. "They used you against me...And, after all I've done...I was sure you wouldn't..." He lifted his head, only for a moment. "Did he give you the ring?"
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jul 5, 2015 19:08:31 GMT -6
Yumiko fell down next to him. “Vale…. I….” Her head was swimming with all the pain boiling back up, clashing with despair and loss as well as the fragile thread of hope still tying herself to her lover. Unable to speak, she reached into her kimono and pulled out the long chain, revealing the ring and a small pendant. She paused, and then opened it, revealing the photo of them at the winter festival and a dried pink rosebud. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Jul 5, 2015 19:14:47 GMT -6
"Shut up!" shouted Vale. "You didn't. I thought you would leave me if I told you everything. And, after all of this..." He shook his head and sighed. "So..Kisuke read my journal too? Can he really stop Alister?"
Vale took Yumiko's hand in his. "I thought I lost you, Yumiko..."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jul 5, 2015 19:24:04 GMT -6
Yumiko shook her head. "You didn't. I couldn't judge you like that, even if it was Aizen you hid." She lowered her head, squeezing their joined hands. "I couldn't ... not without hearing your answers. You never hurt me, even that night in Las Noches." She looked up again into his fiery eyes. Her hand tightened on his. "I know you have darkness in you, but you can control it. Come back to me. Please. I won't let Alister or Central win." She hesitated and then lifted slightly to kiss him. "Give your happiness one last chance."
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Jul 5, 2015 19:41:39 GMT -6
Vale looked at Yumiko, not wanting the moment to pass. "Alright." He nodded. "I'll try. But...They'll..." He shook his head, rising from his seat on the floor and walking over to Ukitake. "Neither of them will remember this..." Vale looked to the god now hovering over the injured Captain.
"You seek to dismiss me?" asked the god. "So, why should I help you?"
"Was that not part of our agreement? You would give me what I asked for, without question."
The god nodded. "And, your request has already been done." The god nodded once more, eyes narrowed, before fading.
Vale sighed. "That's the most compliant he's ever been..." He looked to the Captain that lay on the ground, noticing that even his haori was once again in tact. Vale sat with his back against the railing of the balcony. "What now?"
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Jul 6, 2015 9:30:51 GMT -6
Yumiko looked to Ukitake for a moment, reassuring herself of his healing, and then scooted closer, leaning against Vale. "Whatever we have to do, I won't leave your side," she murmured. She fell silent, soaking in the warmth of his body, soothing the ache in her chest.
"Hopefully we can still return you to Karakura Town without you losing Chinmoku. Without you being named a criminal." She sat up, looking into his eyes. The fire scar in them was dimming. A soft smile on her lips, she curled back up. "And when that is done, we can return to the shop. Kisuke hadn't sold it yet so we could return...." She halted, recalling what she had done to the place in his absence, and ducked her head. “The house…. may seem somewhat bare now….”
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Jul 6, 2015 11:41:50 GMT -6
Vale nodded, closing the gate. He pointed to the reformed Chinmoku. "You may want to hold on to that for me." Looking to Kyoraku, blades still drawn, he sighed. "He is alright...Better than I am, at the moment." Vale sighed again, taking Yumiko's hand in his and squeezing tightly. "So, what now, Shunsui? Will you be locking me away again?"
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Jul 6, 2015 13:36:32 GMT -6
Shunsui sighed and lowered his head, returning Katen to her sealed shape and sheathing her. “I think we need to have a talk again, Tervaden.” He raised his head, looking to Yumiko, and then shook his head. “Whatever fate is in store for him, you may accompany us.”
As Juushiro rose from his fall, the Commander’s eyes hardened. “If you try to run again, do not think I will be so forgiving a third time, Tervaden. Your only hope of escaping Alister is through Kisuke, no one else."
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Post by Seto Tetsuya on Jul 6, 2015 16:28:00 GMT -6
Vale held tightly to Yumiko's hand. "I won't." He turn to her and kissed her forehead. "I have no reason to leave." Rising to his feet, Vale pulled Yumiko up with him. He placed another gentle kiss to her forehead, and turned to the Captain Commander. He then looked to Ukitake. "I am sorry, Juushiro."
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