Chapter 7: Recovery and Redemption
*Hey guys another chapter coming your way, I deeply apologize for not updating sooner. It's just I had trouble writing this particular chapter. It was the ever present scourge to all authors...writer's block! For some reason I couldn't work on this chapter for the longest time.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach that's Tite Kubo I only own my OC's. Anyway read, review and enjoy!*
The soft morning rays of light filtered through the gossamer curtains pulled across the lone window. A single bed sat in the room with one occupant. When the soft light touched Nemu's face she gingerly opened her eyes. She blinked a few times to clear her vision and take in her new surroundings.
She was in a white room, lying on a clean white bed dressed in a pair of long pink pajamas. Her hair wasn't in its usual braid and fell freely down; it was a little shorter than she remembered. There was a small table next to her bed, various medical equipment in the room too and a few shelves. It looked like a scaled down version of a hospital room.
Nemu slowly pulled herself up, though she felt the dull throbbing bite of her wounds from last night. What exactly happened last night? The images of her fighting Anya, Uryu almost kissing her, Anya stabbing them both and lying on the ground bleeding. She remembered in her mind begging Uryu to stay awake and stay alive.
Her mind and heart froze at the thought of Uryu lying on the ground next to her, bleeding and in pain. It's my fault he got hurt. If he hadn't come to me while Anya was still close... Nemu was jarred from her thoughts as the door opened. It was Kisuke that walked in smiling of course.
"Ah, good morning Nemu-chan glad to see you're awake albeit a little early. So how are you feeling? You and Uryu took quite a beating the other night." Said the grinning shopkeeper.
"I'm fine, just...a little sore. Is Uryu—"Before Nemu could continue Kisuke cut her off in a more serious tone.
"His condition is stable but it's been touch and go since we brought you both to the clinic. Due to the severity of the electric shock from Anya's attack he's suffered internal and external burning mainly around his abdomen and his chest. There second and third degree burns. His heart has suffered significant damage, which has been putting him at risk for another cardiac arrest and his breathing is very weak and shallow. He also has a terribly high fever. We almost did lose him once but we got him back right away. All in all he's made it through the worst and his on the road to recovery. "He explained while keeping his fan in his face.
Nemu couldn't breathe, her mind froze. Uryu almost died last night? "W-what about Orihime's...healing?" Nemu asked trying to keep the panic from showing.
"It seems there's some sort of secret ability to Anya's electrical attacks. That prevents any wounds inflicted from the swords to be healed using kido or any other method. She was able to heal some of it and lessen the severity of the burns but it was taking too long so Uryu is going to have to let the rest of his wounds heal the old fashion way."
Nemu pressed her clenched fist to her heart, trying to will it to slow down. "M-may I see him?" She asked in a soft whisper.
Kisuke snapped his fan shut and tapped it thoughtfully on his chin. Well worst case scenario Nemu's presence causes Uryu's heart to race and put him through cardiac arrest again. Although best case scenario hearing her voice and feeling her touch may help Uryu heal faster.
"Well, who am I to keep destined lovers from being apart, hmm? I think it may even help Uryu's health; you two seem to have a very close bond. He's right next door." He said gleefully.
Kisuke helped Nemu pull off the sheets and stand up. Her sides throbbed even more as she stood but she didn't pay it any mind. Urahara helped her slip into a short silk white robe that had pink and red flowers with green leaves on it. Nemu took a few unsteady steps forward, her weakened legs almost gave out but Urahara caught her. She grasped Kisuke's shoulder to support herself, while he kept one arm gently wrapped around her waist to steady her. Nemu allowed Kisuke to steady her as he led her to Uryu's room.
When Kisuke opened the door and Nemu beheld the sight in front of her she thought she was going to faint or at least be sick.
Uryu was lying peacefully still on the white bed. His whole chest and abdomen was loosely wrapped in white damp gauze bandages. But Nemu could see two dark red patches on the bandages on his sides where he was stabbed. His chest hardly moved, the only thing that proved he was still alive was the jumping green line on the heart monitor. Uryu's complexion was a deathly shade of white, with a noticeable flush on his cheeks and a thin layer of sweat covering his visage. His glasses had been removed and set on the bedside table. One arm was connected to an IV and other tubes next to him.
It wasn't the repugnance of the sight but rather seeing Uryu in pain is what made Nemu feel ill. He had shown nothing but kindness to her and this was what he got in return, lying in a hospital bed, severely burned and in pain.
Nemu stood shakily by his bedside. Kisuke quickly grabbed her chair and sat her down. Nemu couldn't tell if her heart was beating to loud for her to hear or if it had stopped. She could feel warm tears brimming in her eyes; Kisuke gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
"I'll leave you two alone, if there are any changes, any at all to his condition give a holler alright?" He asked in a hushed tone.
Nemu nodded but a persisting question came to mind.
"Urahara, how long do I have until I have to go back to the Soul Society?" She asked, Nemu didn't want to know but she knew she had to face this particular truth.
"You're not leaving your staying here." Snapped the cold voice of Toshiro Hitsugaya.
They turned to see Hitsugaya leaning on the doorway and a softly smiling Rangiku behind him.
"Wh-what do you mean?" Nemu stuttered, she wasn't sure she had heard him right. Did he say I'm staying here?
"I said you are staying here. After Kurosaki and I caught Anya he came up with a plan to allow you to stay and Anya to leave. He had me lie in my report of the outcome of the battle to the Soul Society, I said that you died and Anya won. Also as far as Anya knows your dead too. So you get to live here peacefully while Anya takes your place, you're welcome by the way." Toshiro explained as though he had explained it a million times already.
Rangiku bounded up from behind him and tightly squeezed Nemu in a cheerful and crushing hug.
"This is so romantic and wonderful! You get to stay here with your true love and away from that evil Kurotsuchi. It's a win-win all around. "The busty blonde squealed. "Now while we're gone you have to promise that you'll take of your man got it?"
Nemu, trying to breathe again, nodded. She gave Nemu one last tight squeeze and skipped out with an irritated Hitsugaya. Kisuke took his leave as well, leavening her alone with a sleeping Uryu.
The silent Soul Reaper sat taking in and observing the details of Uryu's condition. Beads of sweat rolled off his ashen skin, his breath came in and out in soft gasps. Even in his sleep he looked like he was in much pain. Nemu gently pressed the back her hand to his flushed cheek, his burning skin stung her hand.
As Nemu's soft cool hand touched Uryu's skin he seemed to calm down and look slightly more peaceful. She noticed and smiled softly, at least he is not completely dead to the world. Nemu stood up and grabbed a cloth from a nearby cupboard and ran it under cold water. She rung it out, folded it and laid it on Uryu's scorching forehead.
Uryu gave a soft relaxed sigh of relief when the cool cloth touched his burning skin. Nemu gently brushed away a strand of his black hair that clung to his sweat drenched face. She gently took his limp hand in hers, the same hand that had touched hers last night before her fight with Anya.
"Uryu...please wake up soon." Nemu whispered as her tears fell freely from her green eyes.
Back in the musty catacombs of the twelfth division an insanely smiling scientist sat in front of a large computer. His original plan had gone awry but this new plan he had developed would prove to be much more entertaining. He had watched his lieutenant's entire performance. Her stay in Karakura and to his great displeasure the time she spent with the Quincy that had nearly killed him along with her Bankai training, her battle with Anya and the interesting result.
Behind him his newly created servant like lieutenant stood quietly. She bowed deeply, "Please forgive me master. I had absolutely no knowledge that she was still alive. On your command I will go back and finish her. Please allow me to redeem myself."
"You idiot! Did you really think that you would succeed at all? Of course I knew you would fail! I wanted to see how far Nemu would go to stay in that putrid city with that vile Quincy! I knew she had potential I just didn't know how to unlock it was all, that's where you came in." Snapped Kurotsuchi.
"You planned this master?" Anya said slowly.
"Of course only a man of my intellect could devise and manipulate naïve pawns like you and Nemu. Now the question is what to do next?" The scientist mused.
His eyes snapped to Anya who was still standing still at attention. A wide evil grin spread itself across his face.
*Finally...It's done! I once again deeply apologize for this very belated chapter. It was sorta hard for me to write plus I had a very bad case of writer's block. But anyway I hope you enjoyed it. There is something I want you guys to know...I will never leave a fic unfinished I promise I will never do that. I'll always have an ending to my fics and I won't give up on them. There may be long periods of time in between updates but I will always finish my fics. *