Chapter 11: Flower of Revenge
All heroes were now at rest. Most rested within Stark Tower, Tony being being more than happy to provide an extravagant home to the many heroes that had helped save the entirety of New York City (and the entire world, by extent, on many an occasion), and both Natasha and Pepper happy to have several new female heroes that could keep up and easily be above the men. It was a good situation, despite Fury's valid and constant concern.
Right now, the only ones conscious within the massive Tower were the twin master assassins, Strike Team Alpha, and Storm Paladin. The Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. were listening intently to Storm Paladin as she told them the various stories of her life as a Neo Guardian Corps soldier on Gran Pulse. It was all a little hard to take in, to be honest.
She had shared with them about how she initially used an alias because neither her her mother nor her father wanted her in, but then she was found out. Luckily for the soldier, her family respected her wishes and let her stay. She had told them all sorts of stories of how she'd fought off monsters from the wilds of Gran Pulse in order to keep the towns safe. The stories were certainly something else.
The nature of Gran Pulse, and its non-human inhabitants. How the people of Cocoon came to learn to adapt to their new home. How they came to be forced to move to their new home. How she came to be a soldier. How she came to be entrusted with the Omega Weapon. How she came to be entrusted with her namesake armor. It was all just… out of this world.
Then came the stories of how her team on this world had come together. How she had saved Lady Miqo'te from slave traders to swaying Shadow Princess… to say that the Agents' minds were blown was putting it kindly. And they worked for S.H.I.E.L.D. for God's sake!
Elsewhere, a lone, small figure stood on the point of the Empire State Building. Concealing herself underneath a cloak and the night sky, she looked over The City That Never Sleeps. Soon, a strange screen with a silver-eyed woman came up next to her.
"Is something troubling you, Miss Cara?"
"...No."
"If anything ever does, solving the problem will be my immediate priority."
"I know."
"Where are Miss Angel and Miss Luna?"
"They are elsewhere."
"Are you alone then?"
"I'm never alone."
The figure on the rooftop called forth a strange, black oval, and hugged it to her face. She closed her eyes, rubbing it against her face affectionately.
"I have Murciélago."
The silver-eyed figure smiled.
"Ah, forgive me for rushing to judgement. I will attempt to locate Angel and Luna."
"That's okay. They need you more than I need you right now, probably."
"I'm always just a communication away. Do you remember your mission?"
"Mm. I have to find the Black Crystal Shard here."
"Have you found it?"
"One of my Solita Vista bugs found it."
"You never cease to amaze me. The Goddess will certainly be pleased."
"I know."
"Good luck on your mission."
"Good night, Mother."
The transmission ended. The figure spread out her arms, revealing strange gloves over her fingers. The dark purple "bubbles" on the backs of each of them lit up with an ominous glow, causing dark purple lines that ran over the backs of her fingers to light up as well. A strange triangle of a matching color spun underneath her, triggering a strange square not too far away.
Lady Sakura was the only hero that fought in the previous battle that adamantly refused to maintain any form of communication with the Avengers. She was not alone in declining Stark's offer to live with them, but it was unspoken that she would probably never live with them. Queen Shirayuri and Crimson Flash just had to sort small things out, and they'd probably be living with the Avengers in no time flat. But Lady Sakura's issues were far more complicated than that.
She laid down on the decent bed that was in her apartment, the day having long since ended. She then heard a soft knock at the door. She growled quietly, under her breath.
"Who is it?" She hissed.
"It's me."
Her eyes widened as her breath hitched.
"Father… but…"
"Rosé. We need to talk."
"Yes, sir."
She walked towards the door, opening it. Byakuya stood there, in full-on Shinigami robes. He was focused on Rosé, which made her tense. They walked into her modest yet well-made apartment. She prepared some of the tea that she had been allowed to take with her when she was ordered to begin this life. She sat down across from her father. He took the cup offered to him, but focused right back on her.
"Now, Rosé… Let's talk." He said calmly. She swallowed nervously, not saying a word. Byakuya took this as a silent request for him to start the conversation. He took a gentle sip.
"I must admit, you did well in your first battle as a hero." He began. She breathed a sigh of relief.
"You cooperated with others and managed to win the battle. I must congratulate you on that." He continued.
"T-Thank you…" She stuttered nervously.
"But there are still things you have yet to learn."
She flinched. She had a feeling deep within her that this was coming.
"Your skills in battle of any kind are quite refined. You maintain a cool head, you have achieved and trained yourself in both release stages of your Zanpakuto, and you are trained in using Kidou. You have the gifts you need, and know how to use them. But there are things you are missing. Things that could cost you your life."
She looked at him in confusion.
"What things, Father? I know how to use my abilities, and I used them like a hero would! What am I doing wrong?!"
"You are attempting to do this alone."
His words stung a bit. She clenched her fist.
"Father, you know as well as I that Shinigami are never supposed to get close to living beings-!"
"But your situation is different!"
"I aided them, like any other hero would have! I can sense disturbances in the flow of spirit particles in the world! I do not need-"
"It has nothing to do with your ability to sense enemies or anything like that-"
"You cannot honestly be asking me to-"
"ROSÉ!"
Rosé fell back in shame. She'd upset her father, no doubt. She couldn't tell him the real reason why she didn't want to go live with the other heroes. He took her hands in his ever-so-gently. She looked at his hands, before looking up at him.
"I know why you do not want to go live with the ones you aided. The true reason."
She closed her eyes, and looked away.
"It has nothing to do with being a Shinigami. Nothing. You're scared."
How does he know? She thought, unable to say anything.
"You're scared of becoming close to humans. Scared of it going beyond friends with one. Scared of dealing with Prince Thor. Scared of his companions finding out the full extent of the truth."
It hurt to listen. She couldn't open her eyes, as tears threatened to burst forth. He pulled her close, shocking the young Kuchiki girl.
"Rosé, you cannot let fear keep you from pressing onward, no matter how powerful or how many fears there are. Know that even if I am not with you on the physical plane, we are family. I will be with you, no matter where you journey leads you."
She finally broke down, letting herself cry against her father. He held her close, and gently stroked her back, soothing his child. He looked out towards the moonlight sky, where a certain black cat was watching from afar, smiling at him. He nodded, and the cat leapt off to parts unknown.