Chapter Nine: Prism, Orihime
Two months.
Two whole months.
Two whole months since I heard his voice.
Two whole months since I felt his touch.
Two months since I felt him inside me, since I kissed his lips; two months since I've seen him.
I miss Renji. I feel so empty without him. I stopped crying profusely by the end of the first month and the last time I cried was during graduation. Renji and Ichigo were withdrawn from school and I don't know what they told the school principal. When the day came, I was happy. Then I realized two names were missing. My aunt, uncle and their kids came to my graduation and put leis with exotic flowers around my neck. I took photos with them, with friends, with classmates. It wasn't the same. I didn't go with everyone to celebrate and got drunk. I stayed with my relatives because they were the ones I had left. My mother and father weren't exactly the right type of parents but I stopped caring a long time ago. That night, I felt my body yearning for sex but I ended up crying at night. I remembered then and there that it wasn't just sex. I wanted him to make love to me again. There was so much I needed to tell him.
I continued to work at the bakery as a pastry chef and I was promoted to lead supervisor although I would periodically visit Soul Society for Asuna. It had been a long time since she's seen me, according to their timeline. She was careful to never bring up Renji so she mostly asked me questions to fulfill her curiosity. Then I'd go home and just clean up, or read books, or just practice yoga. I'd run about three times a week to get my mind off things. This was the middle of the third month but two whole months have passed since I've even been near him. I haven't even been visited by Rokujin and I thought we were fairly close.
I decided to follow my new friends to the beach. I became popular with the in crowd and I didn't realize I neglected my old friends and the now-disbanded Karakura Special Forces. They decided to go their own way, I guess. Tatsuki and Chad are still together with the exception of being official, Ishida decided to work with his father and I'd stop by the Kurosaki household to give them free bread. Still... nobody indicated of the missing friends we have. Or my lover. I layered my hair and I was curling it when I got a text message from one of the popular girls, Ayako, I befriended before graduation asking when I'm coming. I told her I'm still getting ready and that Takeru was going to get me in his car. When I finished, I adjusted my bra, pressing up against my breasts to make sure I was comfortable. I was wearing a designer chic shirt with a very compromising v-neck that I got during our break after getting a pay raise and white shorts with pretty expensive sandals that Takeru bought for me. I wasn't in a relationship or anything like that with him but he's been helping around lately. He was one of the popular guys in our school and was on the bodybuilding team. Majority of the girls swoon over him but I felt nothing though he was being sweet to me. He had a pretty infamous reputation of sleeping around but I wasn't bothered. I got my bag when I heard my phone vibrating. It was from Takeru telling me he just arrived so I grabbed my jacket as I proceeded to leave. I got out and when I saw him in his convertible, I waved while I put my sunglasses on.
"Hi," I greeted.
"Hey, sexy," Takeru replied, flashing me a smile with his sunglasses tipped down. He purposely left the first three buttons alone to expose his chest but I've seen better.
"Thanks for picking me up, by the way. I'm going to request for a loan to get myself a car."
"Hey, don't worry about it! If you need anything, just ask." Takeru smirked, leaning close to me as I entered. I laughed nervously as we began making our way.
We spent the car ride in silence when he asked me a really absurd question.
"You down for a quickie?" he blurted, one hand on the steering wheel while the other rests on the shifting gear.
"Takeru," I started. "Drop the act."
"What act?"
"I know where you stand." I tipped my sunglasses down a little to get a better look at him. "I've seen you checking out guys' asses."
"What! That's ridiculous!"
"I've also seen you kissing Kentaro from the glee club."
"Who?"
"Kentaro Sakurada? From the glee club? Rainbow Romance?"
"Shit... FINE! But you can't tell anyone!"
"Of course I won't but you asking me to have sex with you won't help your denial."
"I'm trying to get into the national wrestling team. But Kentaro doesn't want me to."
"Takeru..." I sighed. "Why?"
"Well..."
And for about thirty minutes, he started confessing everything to me. He slept with girls to make it seem like he was straight because he comes from a strict family who pays for his tuition. He met Kentaro in a martial arts camp and the two carried a covert affair. I knew from the get-go when he and Renji were assigned as strikers for the soccer team but I never gossiped about it. It was okay, because I actually liked Kentaro since he never bothered hitting on me. Come to think of it, within reason, he was the only guy who never did. We got the beach and the party was just getting started. I stopped by the store to buy alcoholic drinks which Takeru took down himself, and when we passed by Kentaro who was just as muscular, I saw them giving each other glimpses with Takeru looking back for a second to check him out.
"Smooth operator," I joked.
"Sorry..." Takeru chuckled.
"About time!" Ayako called out to us, waving.
"Sorry!" I apologized, increasing my pace to her. We hugged upon our arrival as Takeru hugged her boyfriend.
I stayed with Ayako and her clique, talking about the latest fashion, the hottest spots to go dancing and boys but I had a hard time keeping up. I was on my second wine cooler when some of their boyfriends joined them, and one of the guys, Takahiro, sat next to me at a close distance to where I felt my skin touching his. Takahiro was the captain of the baseball team and was ranked number two on the list of hottest guys of our school. All of the guys here were muscular and so dressed up. I smiled when I looked up at him, but I began looking down. While everyone spoke, I just looked around. It was still daylight so I kept my glasses on. I felt Takahiro's arm go behind near my opposite arm but he wasn't hugging me. I felt weird for some reason. Maybe because he had red hair like Renji and had his stern expression.
Renji...
I miss you.
"You okay, Hime?" Takahiro asked.
"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you, Hiro," I said softly.
"No problem." He put his hand on my shoulder, moving me closer to him as I felt his chin on top of my head. For a while, I allowed it to happen but I felt nothing. "Your hair smells nice."
"Really? It's just Head & Shoulders."
"It smells like strawberries."
"Oh. That's my body spray."
"Well, I like it. It suits you."
"How so?" I looked up and realized how close our lips were.
"Because you're so sweet..." Takahiro complimented, placing a hand on my face as his thumb went from my lower lip to my chin slowly. "And soft to touch."
I felt his hand beginning to travel down to my neck but before it touched my cleavage, I put his hand down, earning a chuckle from my rejection. "That's very sweet of you."
"Ouch. You got me, sheriff." I rolled my eyes but I made sure he didn't see that. Who does this guy think he is? So cheesy...
"I hope you can respect my body just as much as you can respect me, Hiro," I said without emotion. "Because I really like you." I kind of told the truth but I meant it in a platonic way. Clearly, he misunderstood me.
"Yeah? I feel the same way, Hime."
I was debating if I should roll my eyes again but I heard some moaning sounds. Some of the couples were making out while some were just being cheesy. Great. Just what I needed.
"Hiro!" I heard Takeru call out, throwing Takahiro a baseball. "Come play catch."
"All right, all right. Hold your horses, would ya'?" Takehiro got up but he still held one of my hands. He turned around to kiss it and tried to look suave doing so. "May I play with my friends, Hime?"
"Um... sure. I guess. You don't need my permission." I wanted to gag.
"Of course I do. Whatever you desire, I obey, princess." Takahiro grinned and I could tell one of the single girls started glaring at me in jealousy.
"Sure... Hiro, go have fun." I wiggled my hand but he mistook it for playfulness. It didn't help that I smiled to avoid looking like a bitch. A sexless bitch at that. He ran to the group as I began drinking my wine cooler.
I would catch Takahiro occasionally glancing at me with that trademark grin of his and I would reply back with a smile of my own. I can't believe nobody could tell I wasn't into him. We continued random conversations but I sighed. I started to rub lotion on my skin and sprayed bug repellent when I noticed a mosquito on one of the girl's legs. About forty minutes later, another guy, Jun, sat next to me with a hotdog filled with every damn condiment but I thanked him regardless. I started to grab my bean paste and smother it when I noticed him staring at me, his mouth inches away from biting.
"What?" I asked.
"Bean paste?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"I didn't think a girl like you likes that shit."
"So what if I do?" I smiled but mind you, it was supposed to intimidate him but it failed. He smiled back and I dreaded another flirt coming my way. I took a bite out of my hotdog when I saw him staring at me creepily. I started wiping the condiments from my mouth with my finger, careful not to let my nails touch my lips as I chewed on my food. "What?"
"Nothing. You look hot when you put that in your mouth."
God. Shoot me.
"Why? You like that?" I asked sarcastically.
"Hell yeah." I glared.
Why the hell is nobody taking me seriously?!
"Hey, everyone seems busy."
"I noticed, Jun," I said with a mouthful.
"Why don't we... you know..." he began whispering to my ear.
"You know what?" I looked at him as I made it down to my last bite.
"You know... go to the back behind the building over there?" Jun nodded over and when I looked, it was in a secluded area. I read the word restroom.
"What are you proposing?" I asked, narrowing my eyes but it was impossible to tell with my huge-as-shit sunglasses. I already knew the answer.
"Proposing? What? No way! I mean... let's sneak off and have some fun. Me and you." Well. I kind of knew the answer but this was more detailed.
"You want to have sex with me?"
"If you put it that way... yeah, baby." I heard Jun chortle as he gripped my thigh. Before he tried to grope me, I grabbed his hand.
"Jun," I said, inhaling. "I know you're a nice guy but I'm not the type for a one-time thing."
"Who said it only has to be one time?"
"Jun, please. If you wanted to be with me, I want you to be honest and faithful. I want to get married and have kids with the next guy I'm with."
"Shit, I just remembered me and Hiro have shit to do." Jun scrambled to his feet as he called for Hiro.
"Hiro and I," I corrected Jun but he blatantly ignored me. Men.
An hour later...
It was time the sun began to set so another friend of mine, Ryo, kept me company. In a way he reminded me of Renji because he only made one pass at me but I told him I wasn't over him. So he became a friend of mine. He was less destructive compared to the other guys in this clique but he was still among them. Turns out he was dumped by Yumi who was in a three year relationship with him before she cheated on him with another guy from school. Yumi was no longer a part of this group so he figured he and I can be each other's rebounds but I was against it. Then again, apart from Takeru, he's been helping me out around the house and around work, dropping off lunch and we'd occasionally talk to each other at night on the phone. The boys started a bonfire and when I voiced my concern to Ryo, he made it clear that nobody bothered me so he hasn't left my side. When night fell, most of us recovered from intoxication, some people left but the party was still going on. The popular crowd ranged from current juniors to seniors and us, the class that graduated. Like every other guy, Ryo was extraordinarily handsome and he was built. He was also in the kendo and jujutsu classes, and he joined the sewing class with me while Renji was still around since Renji decided to leave it after pricking himself one too many times. Ryo sat next to me with two hamburgers and I already saw bean paste inside. I didn't smile but I thanked him. People started laughing as we ate but I stayed silent, watching the embers of the fire. When it hit eight o'clock, we decided to call it a day and Ryo offered to take me home. I got in Ryo's car which was a red Porsche and we began making a drive. I felt my heart thump from unknown nervousness so I decided to look outside the window. Then I realized that I was still buzzing from the alcohol and I realized Ryo decided to take the long route. Some slow R&B songs were playing so I looked at Ryo who maintained his focus on driving. But for some reason, it felt like I was with Renji. When he caught me staring, I blushed and I realized he had a strong resemblance to him. Or was it the alcohol? Either way...
"Thanks for taking care of me, Ryo," I whispered.
"No problem. I'm there whenever you need me, Inoue." I smiled but I felt hot for some reason.
"Oh, my God, it's hot." I took off my jacket without realizing how much of a generous view I was giving my cleavage. I felt flustered but when I remembered what I was wearing, I looked at Ryo who was staring. "Um... Ryo?"
"Y-yeah?" he stammered.
"The road?"
"Huh-OH SHIT!" Ryo made a sharp turn before he crashed into a car as I screamed, sending us off the road down a hill before we stopped near the sand behind a few palm trees. We both started breathing loudly and I pressed my palm on my forehead. He turned off the car. "I'm so sorry, Inoue!"
"It's okay! We're fine! That's all that matters..." I leaned back, rubbing the sweat off my neck.
"I just got... I just... got... distracted..." Ryo trailed off so when I looked at him, he was staring at my breasts. I bit my lip as I smiled, kind of flattered he found me attractive because he was rated the third sexiest man in our school. When he saw me catch me, he turned away to shield his blushing. "Sorry."
"For what?" I asked playfully. Ryo hesitantly turned to face me and I began tracing my fingers on my cleavage.
Oh, Renji... I miss this...
"I didn't mean to stare!" Ryo gulped.
Oh, God... I want you so bad...
"It's okay. I want you to." I unbuckled my seat-belt as I sat on his lap, Ryo adjusting the seat to give me space. I took his hand and gently placed it on my breast but I put my hands on his shoulders, allowing him the freedom to squeeze. "You can play with them."
Renji... I need you right now...
"You sure?" Ryo asked. For some reason, I saw tattoos forming on his forehead. And his hair turning crimson. He had Renji's facial structure and his voice. I felt him squeezing them firmly with both hands.
I missed you, Renji...
Renji.
It's Renji.
I'm with Renji!
"Yeah," I said to Renji, playfully teasing him as I smiled, biting my lower lip again. He began to remove my shirt and undo my bra, exposing my breasts as he began playing with my nipples. "They're yours, baby..."
"Yeah?" I saw Renji smirk. Oh, God, he's so handsome...
"Of course, baby. They've always been yours. They'll always be yours. I'm yours..." I leaned close to his ear as one hand groped my tits and the other grabbed my ass. "I want you to have me..."
"How bad do you want it, Inoue?" Renji asked me with a teasing tone. He inserted his hands into my shorts. I couldn't wait any longer.
"So bad! I want you inside me!" I was beginning to breathe heavy as I felt his thumb rubbing my vagina through my panties.
"Fuck yes, I've wanted this for a while. Inoue?" Renji asked.
"Yeah?" I grabbed his manhood, feeling it hard through his pants as I started to unzip it.
"You okay with casual sex? I'm down to be friends-with-benefits with you but I'm willing to go further if you want," Renji suddenly propositioned.
Huh?
"What?" I started snapping back to reality when I realized they weren't Abarai's voice.
"You want to be fuck buddies for now? I'm clean, I promise. You got birth control, right? Because I want to cum inside you," Renji said in Ryo's voice.
I felt my heart drop. I was sobering up and I saw Ryo's face. I got off him and quickly covered myself. I looked at him which he responded with a stare of confusion.
I cheated...
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to pressure you!" Ryo apologized.
"No, no! I'm sorry! I... I didn't know what I was doing..." I started to cry, tears falling on my legs.
"Hey. Hey, it's okay! Look, I'm sorry..." Ryo wrapped my jacket around me as I hugged on it.
"No... I did something bad..." I said, my voice choking up. I started wiping my tears away when I heard Ryo sigh.
"I didn't mean to do that to you. It's not your fault. I'm single, you're single. We're both hurt. We both miss it. And we both want it just as bad. I can't blame you," Ryo assured but I didn't care. He grabbed my chin so that I could look into his eyes. "Look, I didn't mean to seduce you if you felt that way. I don't want to hurt you."
"It's not your fault. I'm responsible for my own actions."
"So am I. You're not the only bad monkey in this situation. I spilled the banana, too, you know!" Ryo joked, making me laugh.
"You're so stupid." I turned to him and smiled. "Thank you for taking care of me."
Ryo smiled, turning the ignition on again, but he kept his eyes on me. "You're welcome."
"Ryo?"
"Yeah?" He looked to me with curiosity, eyeing my body and when his eyes met mine, he saw me giving him a disappointed look.
I made a circular motion with my finger so I can put on my shirt. "Please?"
"Oh. Sorry," he said while turning away.
"Thank you."
When I got done, he backed up but just before we got back on the road, he paused, looking at me. I was rubbing my temple but when I felt us not moving from the location, I saw him staring as if he had a question in mind.
"What's wrong?"
"If you want, I can stay over tonight." I narrowed my eyes at him. "Or maybe not tonight."
"... yeah."
"Okay, then..." Ryo gulped, running his hand through his brown hair. He pulled out glasses that he hid from most of us to get a better view of where he's driving because the road we were in had no street lights. "Are you sure?"
"... no," I said, glaring but keeping a smile because I know he was only partially serious.
"Loud and clear, boss."
An hour later
Ryo was nice enough to let me endure the silence as I thought about my actions. When we arrived, I gave him a drink as a way to thank him since he refused gas money. I put my stuff away and started to charge my phone. We spoke for a bit and I told him I was still not over Renji, and that I still thought about him. He sat there and listened, not saying anything because I could sense he didn't come over to listen to me ranting about him. I saw him out the door, hugging him tightly and when we parted, I noticed how extremely handsome he was. He kind of resembled Aizen when he abducted me except he had glasses on. I began to stare at his chocolate colored eyes and we both shared a smile. I felt him hold me closer, my breasts pushing against him and I felt his boner. I raised an eyebrow and pushed him away. But he held on to my hands. He regretfully had to let go when I let a yawn go, taking his glasses off to remove the fog before putting them back on. I realized the night became chilly so he began making his way to his car when I stopped him.
"Ryo..." I called.
"Yeah?"
"If... for some reason... if I'm still single by the time I enroll for school... and you're single... then..." I started to say, exhaling to release steam from my breath.
"What about it?"
"Maybe we could... yeah..."
"Yeah?"
"... yes..."
"We could? I mean? Yeah? We could maybe be friends-with-benefits?" Ryo beamed with optimism that I just had to laugh. I tilted my head when I stopped.
"Uh-huh." I nodded my head enthusiastically, giving him a wide grin.
I kind of expected Ryo to do something immature to celebrate this victory, like throwing roses in the air singing like he were in the opera as if he won a sudden death match. Instead, he just removed his glasses and flashed me a smile that I assumed to be his display of sensual side. Like every other popular guy, he was good lucking and built, and quite the charmer.
"Sounds like a plan."
"Then it's a deal."
"It is," he concluded.
Why the fuck did I not just say ask me out instead? Something is clearly wrong with me...
He began making his way to his vehicle, dragging his feet with his hands in his pocket like a typical yakuza or delinquent. He took one last look and we exchanged waves, bidding one another farewell before he drove off. I got in my house after his car disappeared in the corner and began locking my doors. I closed my windows and got into the shower for a quick wash. When I got done, I laid on my bed without having a change of clothes and with my hair still damp. I looked through my phone while it charged, scanning through messages and missed calls. I started browsing the web but when I lost the entertainment, I began to play some music. Lately, I had my playlist filled with indie tunes, Bjork, Cold Play and other stuff that most people normally don't play in our streets. I sat right up when I heard Madness by Muse playing because I started to reminisce. I curled my body as I hugged my legs, paying close attention to the lyrics. I felt myself sobbing. I'm still in love with Renji.
I don't know why I did what I did. I have no excuse. I don't know if Renji is truly dead or there's a chance of him being resurrected or whatever it was, but it was no excuse for me to fill that gap of loneliness. He doesn't deserve me. I just became unfair to him. Instead of grieving for him, I ended up indulging in my own pleasures, of my own fantasies. I even abandoned my friends. Not even Rokujin bothers checking up on me anymore and I think I caused that. I laid on my bed, sobbing as quietly as I could. He didn't deserve to be treated like garbage. I wronged him. I was no better than the other girls from my new clique. And I can't believe I was listening to these people! I don't even know who I am anymore...
One of the girls noticed that I had been single for quite a long time and without regard for my not being over Renji, she advised me to go for a one-night-stand. Yeah, hell to the no. Sex is just sex, they would say. I couldn't have sex with just someone who I wasn't investing my emotions with. I wanted more than that. Some recommended me to ask one of the guys to be friends-with-benefits and I just left the answer in the air but I didn't entertain it. I couldn't drag anyone behind my skirt because I'd lose my self-respect, my value. My self-worth. But right now, I feel worthless. One of the girls in our class just got back from a trip she took down to several Asiatic countries such as Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and whatnot for two weeks. She was on a break with her then-boyfriend but we found out she slept with roughly fifteen guys, catching HIV in the process. Her now-ex found out after he found her taking medication to control the strains and literally wore a poison mask, treating her as if she expelled airborne toxins. I couldn't blame him for it, though. Another girl had a one-time fling behind her now-ex's back and she caught HIV as well. Her ex found out when they tried getting intimate and asked why she had to have him use a condom, and when he found out, he let the world know. Then I heard one about a girl catching chlamydia because her boyfriend cheated, though by a twist of irony, she cheated on him after the fact. This was one of the reasons why I had to develop trust before I got in bed with someone and I couldn't get over the fact I once had Renji. He was a quality guy. And that's rare.
I hugged my pillow as I began to muffle my sobs by pursing my lips together, going through my contacts. I needed someone right now because I suddenly felt my world shatter again. I let hot streams fall down my face as I hugged my pillow. I realized I had to struggle looking through names so I had to call the one person I could always rely on and had my complete trust. I started crying a little harder when I finally summoned the courage to call my friend. I couldn't believe I traded them for new people I barely even had anything in common with. I may have reached the summit of my pain and I couldn't take it anymore. I heard the line ringing so I tried to control my crying but I couldn't. At first a male picked up but I didn't realize, despite how quiet I cried, I couldn't stop it so I didn't bother though I cried softly. I looked at the clock Renji bought for me and saw that it was almost midnight.
"Hello?" I heard a groggy voice at the other end.
"Tatsuki..."
It took Tatsuki forty minutes to get here. I heard Chad's car but when I looked through the window, I didn't see him exit with her. She rushed to my door but I jolted to it first. I gave her a chance for one knock when I opened, I felt my eyes beginning to swell in tears, and she came in apologizing how late she was because of traffic at this time and how she went to get some sweets. She placed Chad's car keys on the kitchen table along with the bag of goodies and she turned to face me when she noticed my puppy dog eyes. She stood with one hip extended sideways, supporting the opposite leg while she placed her hands on her hips.
"So what's going on, Orihime?" Tatsuki asked. "Hoi. What were you going to tell me?"
"Tatsuki..." My lips began to tremble as I held two balled fists in front of me as I was charging up, my lower lips pursed upwards like a grouper fish as I began to exaggerate my crying; my eyes were enlarged as a waterfall slowly began to progress from my eyes.
"What's wrong, sis! What happened! Did you get mugged! Oh, no! Did you get raped! Who did this to you! Answer me! Orihime!" Tatsuki began to shake me as she harassed me with a barrage of questions. That did it.
I began to remember who my true friends were. And I tossed them to the shelf. My friends care about me. They made sure I was okay. I began to get clear images of our old group from the very first day I met Tatsuki to when I first entered Soul Society all the way up to now.
These were my real friends.
My friends were always there.
This is what real friends do.
No.
This is what family feels like.
This is what family does.
They look out for one another.
"Tatsuki!" I lunged, tackling her to the ground as I began to pour my tears on her clothes. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
"Sorry?! What happened?! What's going on! Talk to me! Who did this to you! Who! Tell me so I can kill 'em!" Tatsuki demanded.
"I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry!"
After about an hour, I explained everything to Tatsuki. She replied by laughing and telling me how adorable I was acting just now. She sighed and began to tell me how everyone parted of their own accord. Tatsuki and Chad got occupied by work so they got tired almost everyday, Ishida began working for his father as an intern for Ryuuken but he decided to train on his own so nobody really saw him while the rest of our friends got busy with college applications and or work. The Karakura Special Forces disbanded of its own will as the Gotei 13 took over operations, starting with Rukia who was the first to distance herself and replacing her were various officers. Right now, Kira Izuru and Shinji Hirako were currently in rotation but I haven't heard from anyone lately. And this resulted in me hanging out with other people.
"I'm sorry we didn't check up on you, Orihime. We all just got busy with our lives. You were the only one trying to keep us together but things got hectic." Tatsuki looked at me with heart-warming eyes as she began eating a slice of chocolate cake.
"I guess I just missed everyone..."
"It's fine. You should make friends though I wouldn't want to hang out with Ayako's crowd. She's the queen bee of sluts."
"I kind of got the idea." I slowly ate a piece but I couldn't help think about how hypocritical I sound.
"Sixty guys? Jesus..."
"W-what?" My hand started shaking, bits of the cake falling on the plate.
"You heard me. Sixty. She's fucked sixty guys. You're a saint compared to her, and you've only had one guy."
"Well... about that..."
Ten minutes later
I elaborated more of the issue to Tatsuki and she stared at me blankly before roaring with laughter. I was about to cry but I kind of got pissed.
"It's not funny!" I whined.
"Yeah, it is!"
"Tatsuki!" I hugged her.
"Whoa, calm your tits, girl! My goodness, that's not anywhere close to cheating! If Renji is dead that makes you a free woman. But since you didn't do anything and he just touched you, then you just got touched. You still love Renji and that's more important, as long as you aren't doing anything while you're together!"
"But-but..."
"I know. It's guilt. Believe me, Renji is not exactly innocent, either."
"Huh?"
"You have to ask him about that one." Tatsuki began to wipe her eyes from crying because of her laughter. "I almost thought this was serious! Like you catching an STD or something..."
"What! No!"
"Good, because I heard Ayumi caught HIV."
"Ew..."
Tatsuki stayed over that night. We ended up catching up and sharing stories, and what she knew so far. She told me about how her and Chad have been, and that they're looking for apartments. I told her about what I've been up to lately, if I met some other guy, and she started playing the role of my mother. We ended up sleeping on the couch watching movies on my TV. When I woke up, I heard Chad and Tatsuki talking. I went to check on them and Chad assured that what I did would not constitute as cheating on Renji because we weren't technically together. They both advised I tell him, anyway, and that he would forgive me if he truly cared. I felt worthless and completely shitty but they didn't leave until I felt better. Both of them promised to gather the old group and just hang out soon. When they left, I showered and changed, and as I prepared to go to the market to do some minor grocery shopping, I heard my phone ringing. It was from the guys at the beach asking when I was available so I ignored them, which resorted to them sending me text messages in paragraphs. Before I had the chance to turn off my phone, it rang once more and I saw a familiar number and name attached to it. I felt anxious but I answered, excitement building up.
"Hello? Inoue-san?"
"Shinji!"
A few hours later...
I met up with Captain Shinji Hirako and Rokujin by one of the buildings near my house on its rooftops. I was in a tickle-me-pink shirt and gray sweatpants when I left the house and I noticed Rokujin was in normal clothes that he probably purchased here. I was so happy to see them that I gave them a hug that caught Rokujin by surprise. Then they began to relay their progress to me and I felt myself getting excited to learn some good news. Hiruyaga was requested to investigate a turbulent anomaly fluctuating in the outskirts of Soul Society that connected to our world but she hasn't reported any intelligence to S.R.D.I. who are spearheading the operation with Urahara investigating our end. Captain-Commander Shunsui began taking defensive precautions by amplifying their defensive mechanisms with Captain Kuchiki's tactician skills and Captain Zaraki's spectacular combat skills so he would send a small unit to cover Karakura with at least one captain and one lieutenant, the current officers being Shinji and Kira. They notified everyone else about the situation but I was harder to get a hold of. I had to explain people kept blowing up phone via texts and phone calls so I had a hard time distinguishing who from who. Rokujin sent his forces to act as an international task force to handle problematic issues on a global scale while the Karakura Special Task Force guarded the parameters of Karakura exclusively. I asked about Renji's current condition but so far, nothing has improved but he did not face degradation. He did, however, inform me of Hitsugaya Juushirou entering a similar state so that gave me a glimpse of hope.
"It's been roughly four months since we received any word from Hiruyaga. She volunteered to go alone because she is currently the strongest Hiryu in the Lost City now that Hitsugaya's out of comission. We're trying to cooperate with the Hiryu clan but as of now, nothing has changed," Shinji told me.
"I brought a squadron of my most capable and most experienced combatants with me. They're from the prestigious element trained in the Lunar Temple: the Shadow Chasers. They master the Shadow Moon half of the Satsui no Meido Zangetsuha," Rokujin added. "The rest remain in the Hidden Temple."
"What about Hitsugaya? What's happening to him?" I asked and I could tell by Shinji's reaction that there was a meaning behind the question. Rokujin kept a better poker face.
"Hitsugaya entered a comatose stasis and just like Renji, his body is void of any traces of reiatsu. His body is an empty vessel but he performed this task on his own, without any intervention. The only person capable of hurting him would have been Hiruyaga but even so, it takes a lot to kill him. For now, we can assume Renji and Ichigo are in the same realm he is in but we can't be too sure," Rokujin answered.
"I see... so nothing really changed... that's good he isn't dead, though..." I looked at them weakly and judging by their silence they could hear the sadness from my heart.
"We should be ready when the time comes. We'll need all the help we can get," Shinji spoke up. I smiled.
"I can call everyone else and tell them about what's going on. And we can help if we can," I offered.
"Good idea!" Shinji complimented.
"How is everyone, Roku-san?" I asked. "Is... is Hiruyaga okay? Do you think she is?"
I heard a thunderous clap from thick fabric speak for me, followed by a mild gust of wind bellowing near us to acknowledge the arrival of someone. I felt a powerful spiritual force enter our domain and when I turned, there stood Hiruyaga. She is so beautiful, I thought to myself. She was in her traditional family uniform but it seemed to be customized for mobilization. Her sudden arrival told me she was an exceptional practitioner of the shunpo technique and I would not deny her the right to be vain about it.
"Why don't you ask her?" Rokujin suggested.
"H-hello, Hiruyaga-sama," I greeted with a bow, hoping to earn her respect.
"Ask me what?" Hiruyaga demanded.
"Oh, n-nothing! I just wanted to know how you all are... that's all..." I averted my eyes. She still terrifies me.
"Oh. You have nothing to be concerned about, child. Everything is going accordingly," Hiruyaga answered.
"That's good..." I held my arms behind me. I was obviously showing signs of intimidation and I heard her sigh. I looked up and I noticed she looked weary. "I hope Hitsugaya comes out from wherever he is."
"I hope so," Hiruyaga whispered, shocking me. I saw her float down gracefully and when she made contact with the ground, she was kneeling as her feet nimbly brought her back up. "I seem to have never formally introduced myself. I am Hiruyaga Motoko Yaburi Hiryu, 2nd Divison Captain of the Death God Squadrons 7 and Princess of the Hiryu Clan. The honor is mine."
I was shocked she even tried to be cordial with me but when she curtsied, I nearly died. I panicked and began a sequence of bowing profusely.
"No! No! The honor is mine! You don't have to! Nobody should have a Hiryu bowing to a lowly person like myself! I am eternally grateful just being in your presence! My name is Orihime Inoue! Please don't demean yourself! I'm not worthy!"
"Such an odd little girl," Hiruyaga said to me, raising an eyebrow. "Stand up right, child."
"Yes, ma'am!" I stood in the position of attention, my legs wobbling.
"Relax, child," she said to me in a maternal way, taking my hand. "Come. If I made you feel uncomfortable in any way, I humbly apologize. You need not to be frightened by me."
I was at ease seeing her trying to smile and I felt her being genuine, somewhat acting like a mother to me. "I... um... I... uh..."
I laughed a little but when I looked at Hiruyaga, her eyes were wide with impatience.
"Spit it out, child," she demanded, causing me to whimper.
"I was just wondering... what do you think happened to Hitsugaya?"
"What about Hitsugaya?" Hiruyaga asked.
"Just... what do you think caused it?"
"Again. What does this have to do with Hitsugaya?" Hiruyaga demanded.
"She wants you to be honest with your real question," Rokujin interjected. I looked at Hiruyaga and saw her beam a smile at me.
"Will Renji be okay?" I felt tears swelling up so fast that I tried hiding my face from her. I felt her kiss my forehead so I had no control over my emotions at this point. "Is Renji... coming back?"
"I believe so, child," Hiruyaga whispered as she pulled me into an embrace. "I believe he will..."
"Thank you, Hiruyaga-sama..." I let go and I saw Setsuka along with Asuna appearing besides Rokujin.
"Oh. Awkward," Setsuka stated, earning a glare from her mother.
"Inoue-nii-san!" Asuna waved at me.
"Asuna! You're here!" I jogged over to her when I saw her and Setsuka flying towards us.
I heard a wicked laugh as a tower of hair started to fill the skies, turning it purple and gray as a murder of crows began flying around the vicinity. A giant skull appeared from a purple storm cloud, lightning bolts attacking the buildings. I ran to Asuna and when I turned to Captain Hirako and Rokujin, I saw them injured from the sudden attack. When I looked up, the mandibles of the skull opened where a witch appeared. Her attire consisted of a frowning kabuki mask, her hair tied in the same manner newly wed wives had done their hair. Her kimono was tattered but I can tell they were once made for royalty. She stopped just fifty yards short in front of us as numerous blades formed behind the skull, the clouds expanding behind it.
"Orihime... run... run..." Rokujin tried to call to me but purple swords of energy pierced his back.
"Asuna... Setsuka..." I turned over to Hiruyaga and realized she had been frozen from the shock. They were both rendered unconscious from the witch's preemptive strike.
"Oh, my, my, my!" the witch said, putting her hand to the mask of her mouth to feign surprise in a theatrical manner.
"Asuna! Setsuka!" I cried as I tried dragging them away but I didn't have the strength for it. I turned to Hiruyaga with tears flowing down my cheeks. "Do something, Hiruyaga!"
That seemed to snap Hiruyaga from her reverie. She took another glance at her daughter and she saw the injuries on her unconscious form, I saw her expression turning from mother into monster. She snarled, her eyes glowing an dark blue which then grew to a malicious scream as she unleashes a powerful shockwave that was her aura, her hair swirling upwards with the furious wind. She withdrew her weapon and immediately went to her O-Bankai mode. Then I felt it again. The immense heat. I recognized this heat! I saw Asuka descend, her hands scorching with fire. She stood by Hiruyaga's side and I saw how remarkable this sight was.
"INOUE, RUN!" Rokujin shouted with his last bits of strength. "She's a sorceress beyond our power!"
"Who... what... who are you..." I whispered, trembling at the sight of this being.
"Silly, girl," she giggled. "Don't you recognize me? I am the one called me Izanami. And I am here to take you back."
"What?" I fell on my butt, landing in between Asuna and Setsuka.
"You dare challenge me? Insult my pride? Harm my family? You think you can get away from this? You disrespectful dog!" Hiruyaga shouted.
"Asuna..." Asuka's voice echoed with a fierce voice accompanying hers, approaching her daughter and kneeling to touch her, causing Asuna to stir.
"Mommy?..." Asuna groaned.
"I am sorry, my child..." Asuka smiled weakly at her, but when she got up, she rushed towards Izanami.
"You will pay!" Hiruyaga shouted.
I saw both of their blades colliding with Izanami's hands, completely ineffective attacks made on her as sparks began to form from her wrists.
"You are nothing but silly puppets, Lady Hiryu!" Izanami laughed, hurling them towards us with an arc-shaped blast.
"You won't get away for hurting my daughter!" Hiruyaga yelled, lunging at her again along with Asuka.
"You will die, fiend! Hikotsu Taihou!" Asuka unleashed a blast of reiatsu from her weapon but it didn't seem to have a scathing effect on Izanami.
"You may be immortal but you are not invincible, Little Hiryu," Izanami barked, sending a charged current of skulls at Asuka. "Give up already!"
"If you knew anything of the blood that ran through our veins, sorceress, you would know we shall never surrender!" Hiruyaga flew to her, engaging the witch with her blade and for a while, she managed to keep her a distance apart but Izanami just laughed.
"Girl, get our babies away from the fight. We'll hold them off!" Asuka got up but she could barely stand.
"But..." I began.
"Just do it!" Asuka stared but I could tell she had a mother's concern.
"Let's go!" Rokujin stood with Captain Hirako on his shoulders.
"Okay, I'll do my best!" I grabbed Asuna and Setsuka, placing them on a section the fallen billboard. Rokujin placed Shinji on the contraption when an unexpected squad of Shinigami arrived.
"Captain Hirako!" Lieutenant Izuru saw the downed Shinji. "Tell us what to do!"
"Grab them. I'll hold off Izanami if she draws near," Rokujin commanded and immediately they went to work.
We managed to move them to safety at a considerable distance outside a building that was being constructed but we still saw Asuka and Hiruyaga fighting Izanami with no advancement despite their combined strength. I got down and began the healing process and a few minutes later, one of the Shinigami against the cement truck. I looked up to see two heavily injured Hiryus. Izanami threw them down near their children and Rokujin did not hesitate to engage her. He spent a few minutes trying to fight her off but he was sent crashing on a section of blocks. Izanami began to approach and tried to reach for me but then a miracle happened. She was hit from a meteor, slamming her from behind. She turned around, massaging her hand as another wave of flaming rocks rained upon her. She growled in anguish and when I saw who was the cause of the attack, I was stunned. She was beautiful. And familiar.
"You... you're here..." Izanami flicked her wrist, drawing a naginata of hellish origin.
"I will not allow you to inflict further harm on my family," the woman declared.
"Izayoi of the Juushirou clan." Izanami and Izayoi met at the right elevation but neither instigated combat.
"Leave this place, wretch. I order it," Izayoi demanded, wielding two different weapons in each hand as twelve seraphic wings formed behind her. She was no longer translucent but gorgeous.
"You and what army?" Izanami began to laugh haughtily.
"This army." I turned around to see a furious Commander Jinpachi burning with the fires of indignation, a giant blade held by his hand. He no longer wore his cloak but the standard Shinigami attire but slightly different, probably the ones that predated the current usage of their clothing. Every step he took, his footprints left burning imprints on the cement. Behind him were ghostly warriors but no signs of the other eleven officers. Izayoi landed and both of them joined their daughter, Asuka's mother caressing her cheek.
"Mother?" Asuka stirred. Izayoi gave her a smile and a kiss on the cheek as she brushed Asuka's hair aside.
"My beautiful child. You have grown. And look at Asuna! Oh, how I've missed so much!" Izayoi complimented. Asuka saw her daughter and began to hold her barely awake body but when Asuna's eyes fluttered open, she stared at her grandmother.
"Yo'," Jinpachi called, tapping Hiruyaga with his boot. "Stop sleeping!"
"What..." Hiruyaga regained consciousness and gasped at her brother. "Jinpachi-san! You're here! Izayoi, too!"
"It's so good to see you again, Hiruyaga-nii-san!" Izayoi waved at her sister-in-law.
"Mom?" Setsuka sat up, holding her mother.
"... 'Sup," Jinpachi greeted his niece.
"Jinpachi-sama..." Rokujin greeted weakly, bowing when he caught Jinpachi's attention. Jinpachi caught his cousin before he fell.
"Looks like you've seen better days, Six Faces! Hah!" Jinpachi teased his younger cousin which only made Rokujin smile.
"It's good to see you, sensei..." Rokujin tried standing up but failed. "I can still fight."
"Like hell you can," Captain Unohana's voice came forth and then I saw the other officers. "Sit back, boy. Let us handle this hag."
"Inoue," Izayoi said to me.
"Yes, Izayoi-sama!" I bowed but she picked my head up.
"I will entrust you to take care of my family. We'll finish the problem here."
"Of course! I'm on it!" I began to summon my friends to begin the healing process when I noticed Commander Jinpachi advancing towards Izanami.
"How endearing. The beautiful Hiryu clan reunited! I am touched!" Izanami clutched her heart dramatically.
"Yeah, yeah. Fight now, talk later," Captain Unohana chimed, sending a fist to Izanami's face which actually left cracks on the mask.
"How dare you..." Izanami growled when she recovered.
"Oh, I dare, hag!" Captain Unohana held out her Minazuki as she lunged but specters got in her way.
"You will pay for that, you pig!" Izanami roared, summoning her army while Commander Jinpachi's forces charged with the original Gotei 13 leaders leading the charge asids from Jinpachi himself and Izayoi.
"Asuka, stay here," Izayoi instructed.
"Y-yes, mother..." Asuka bowed, causing Izayoi to grimace.
"Hoi. When all of this is said and over, we'll spar. I want to see how strong you got, yeah?" Jinpachi suggested. Asuka smiled.
"You got it, dad!" Asuka's fist pumped, causing a bewildered Asuna to look at the two of them but she copied their actions, making Jinpachi chuckle.
"Now let's take care of this bitch." Jinpachi pushed himself upwards with his powerful legs, skyrocketing to Izanami as he effortless forced aside Izanami's army with just his shoulders.
"Izayoi... Hitsugaya.. he's..." Hiruyaga began.
"I know. He'll be fine. Izanami is just one problem." Izayoi turned but before she took flight, she took one last look at me, smiling.
"I'll heal them!" I blurted.
"I don't doubt you will." Izayoi lifted herself up with incredible speed without the use of her shunpo.
"I got you covered, Inoue-san!" Izuru said as he raised his Wabisuke in a defensive stance. I smiled.
I am so grateful for such wonderful friends...
"You fool! I'll squash you like a bug!" Izanami moaned loudly, holding her severely cracked mask.
"Stop complaining, you pissant!" I heard Jinpachi say as I saw him literally walking on air towards Izanami, tapping his back with his weapon. It dawned to me that this was the reason he was called the original Kenpachi.
"You disgusting peons, stand aside!" Captain Yamamoto snarled, punching Izanami's minions with his bare hands.
"Oh yeah! Eighteen down!" cried one of the captains and I realized he looked like Captain Zaraki.
"Amateur. I'm on thirty!" Captain Unohana replied. I saw the ferocity she held and they were in no doubt the strongest generation. The bloodbath was in their favor.
Finally, the tides have turned!
"We should move to a safer location," Rokujin suggested.
"Huh? How come?" I asked. I heard Hiruyaga groan but I set her down. "No! You'll hurt yourself even more!"
"What made Jinpachi an extremely powerful foe was his Soul Reaper," Hiruyaga answered.
"We're doomed here if he uses it in public." Rokujin got up and began to carry Asuna while Hiruyaga and Asuka held on to one another.
"Hey, wait a second!" I called out but Izuru's unit already began guarding their radius. It was no use so I started jogging to them. "Why are we moving? And what's so dangerous about him?"
"His ability to copy and attack and use it with the same devastating force or even more than the original wielder. It will ensue cataclysmic results that will generate a cosmic explosion strong enough to tear this world asunder," Asuka said to me.
"What? You have seen this before?" I asked as we steadied our pace. She nodded in response. Well, duh! He's her father!
"Inoue!" Ishida called out and when I looked ahead of me, I saw the old Karakura Special Forces regrouped.
"What the hell is that?!" Tatsuki pointed at Izanami who summoned an enormous Chinese dragon that shrieked a thunderous cry.
"One of his deadliest elements is shadow. The will to use any attack just by knowing about it," Hiruyaga told me.
"Plagiarism," Asuka finished her aunt's sentence.
I turned when I heard an even more atrocious roar and a larger dragon; one I saw in movies. I gasped as Inazami's army outnumbered Commander Jinpachi's but his laughter that echoed in the skies revealed he was not intimidated for he summoned numerous doppelgangers resembling him.
"Death of the Dragon! Devil's Cannon Annihilate!" Inazami and Jinpachi cried simultaneously, both directing their beasts at one another's force as a beautiful prism was produced by Izayoi.
Intimidated?
I felt goosebumps all over my body as I bear witness to this event...
Not at all.
To be continued...
Next Chapter: Hummingbird Heartbeat, Renji.
SNEAK PEAK!
I stood on the high ground as I continued to chop firewood. I don't know why but I felt accomplished doing this. I looked up to see Ichigo with haystacks on his shoulders, a sickle held by one hand as he approached. I never figured that leading a farmer's life would be so fulfilling as I brushed the sweat from my brow. I felt a hand tap me and when I looked, it was Shizuka with a cup of water. I smiled as I took the cup, drinking it within a few gulps.
"That was refreshing! I feel better already!" I wiped my mouth as I saw Emi running to Ichigo with his own cup.
"Whoo!" Ichigo quenched his thirst.
"You need to tell me how you make these elixirs of life," I pleaded.
"It's just water, darling!" Shizuka giggled, wrapping her arms around me.
"Well, it's something else." I smiled.
This is paradise.
