72 Hours
The closer it got to the day we left the more I felt the bittersweet nervousness. In 3 days we'd leave for this place that Gin talked about with so much happiness and hurt. He'd apologized for it being run down and needing work but he promised to have it livable by the time we left. He was doing a lot for us and even my mom was sneaking around and trying to help. It was harder for her because my father liked to keep her close. Thinking about what we'd need to do and learn once we got there made me happy that when I was younger my mom encouraged me to learn to cook.
We'd go to the kitchen together and watch the nameless people there work, they eventually started to let me help when I got old enough. Even Gin had made me cook him meals every so often, claiming that if I knew how to cook then my life would be a lot easier. I'm not sure if he knew how right he was. Grimmjow was a warrior, not a person who spent days in the kitchen. My mom had also taught me how to sew. I wasn't good at it but I could manage.
I tried to act like everything was normal and even liked telling people I was just excited to turn 18 when they asked. In reality, I could care less about my birthday. I just wanted these last few days to hurry up so we could be gone. If my father ever found me he'd be pissed, but I was sure my mother already thought out a way to keep him off our trail.
To pass the time I walked aimlessly around the palace and stopped by places to watch the people. People watching had been a thing I did since I was a child so nobody asked. Today I was seated in Baraggan's training room. He was pushing his underlings far too hard but nobody was complaining. After setting them up to spar with each other he walked over to me sitting down.
"It's been a while since you came in here." He said.
"I'm just bored," I replied.
"Soon, you'll be able to fight these guys, and then you won't be so bored." He laughed slapping my back.
"You think so?" I asked feigning interest.
"You're mom told me about the Jengu coming of age. You'll need to be careful, Aizen's blood runs through you just like your mothers." He said.
I sighed to myself and continued to watch the fighting.
"What's on your mind?" He asked.
"A lot. My father is being stubborn and won't let me see Grimmjow." I said.
"I never cared for the kid but hell he's never hurt you." He responded.
"My father hates him. I thought my mom was the stubborn one." I said laughing a bit.
"Don't worry she is, she'll change his mind. She's good at that." He said giving me a rare smile.
48 Hours
I sat outside in the garden taking in its beauty one last time before I left. I leaned back closing my eyes, allowing the fake sun to warm my skin. The silence was peaceful and kind as it rubbed against my ears. I took a deep breath smelling the roses that surrounded me. Most of the air in the palace was stale and unpleasant when you thought about it. Soon another presence was approaching me. I opened my eyes as my father sat down.
"Nikki, I'm sorry about the other day." He said not looking at me.
"No, I shouldn't have made that remark," I said swallowing my pride.
He seemed surprised that I actually took the blame.
"You're growing up." He said eying me.
"I just don't want to be mad at you anymore. I'm tired of fighting with you." I said sighing.
"Who died?" He asked smiling.
"Nobody, I just don't like it when we fight. We've always been close, and I feel like we're losing that." I wasn't smiling, I was serious.
"Nikki, no matter what you do, I'll always forgive you. I love you." He said pulling me into a hug.
"I love you too, Daddy," I whispered hugging him back.
I buried my face in his shoulder as the tears burned my eyes. Even though I pretended I wouldn't, I was going to miss him. We sat there in each other's arms for a while before I finally pulled away.
