Don't own Bleach
The week had been slow, the days had dragged. The nightmares were back. The intensity has increased. Utsumi thought they were getting better, the past week had been one of the worst since he returned from the Soul Society. He had managed to avoid waking his Goddess from her peaceful sleep. It was one thing he'd tried to do, leave Yoruichi to sleep while he dealt with his nightmares. She shouldn't have to sacrifice her sleep to deal with him.
The night was mild, despite this, Utsumi still woke up in a cold sweat. His body damp from the perspiration. He looked down to find Yoruichi clinging to him in her sleep. How is she sleeping with all that sweat? he asked himself. There was no way he could get out without waking Yoruichi. He needed fresh air, he slowly eased out of Yoruichi's vice grip and crept out bed. He pulled on his black vest and pajama bottoms and left the store. He propped himself against the wall, looking up at the sky. This would be the last time he saw the moon here. He'd be heading back to the Soul Society soon. He needed on last look. His upcoming return to the Soul Society was the cause of the resurgence of his nightmares, he knew that. He wondered whether they would ease after they have rescued Rukia. He crossed his arms over his knees and rested his head.
His thoughts were disturbed when he felt a gentle hand wrap around his, "I always know when you're not in bed." she said softly, "I even tried holding you prisoner, you still managed to escape." she joked.
Looking up, he saw Yoruichi in a yellow vest and her black boy shorts. He smiled slightly, not reaching his eyes, "I wanted you to sleep." he whispered as she sat down next to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "I don't want you to worry about me, I'm sure things will get better." he said gently.
Shaking her head, "I hope so, I miss it when you're not there." she said with an exaggerated pout, "You've done so well, there haven't been any nightmares for a little while. What happened?" she asked.
He slung an arm lazily across her shoulders, "It's the same. No matter what happens, no matter what I do" he began shakily, "I always lose you, that's when I wake up." he whispered. "I can't lose you." he said burying his face in her hair, hiding his tears. This was only the second time that he had cried in front of Yoruichi, he has tried to keep his tears away from her as he didn't want her to worry for him. Now, he can't stop the tears flood out of his cerulean blue eyes.
She immediately began stoking his back, comforting her lover. She couldn't bear this, the tears. She hated it when people cried, but this wasn't some random person or squad member. This was her Kaito, the man who fought the Soul Society for her freedom. "Shh, you're not going to lose me. Ever." She whispered in his ear, trying to reassure him. The crying started to subside. His breathing still shaky but the crying has slowed, she continued to hold him close.
I'm a basket case, why does she stay with me? He thought sadly. He took a deep breath, calming himself. Utsumi looked up at Yoruichi, her hair in a loose pony tail. "Am I really worth this? All the trouble, I mean. Waking you up in the middle of the night, crying on your shoulder. I must be a real step down from what you were used to, noblemen and all." he said, quietly.
Yoruichi squeezed his hand tightly. She would not have him thinking that little of himself. He was the best person she knew, no one else would have risked their life for something that didn't involve them. He didn't have to leave the Soul Society, but he did. He put himself at risk to help them, Kisuke, Tessai and herself. "You are the strongest man I know. Nobody else would have attempted what you did for complete strangers. I'm sorry that you have to go through these nightmares, but don't think that you aren't worth my time." she said in a heated whisper. "The next time that thought enters your mind, I'll kick your ass to remind you that I'm not going anywhere." She joked lightly, while kissing his lips fiercely, to reinforce the fact that she wasn't leaving.
He smiled after they separated from the kiss. "Together forever huh?" he asked lightly showing that he was getting back to his usual self.
She threw her head back in a laugh, "Well, we made it through a hundred years, let's see how the next hundred goes." She joked back.
They stayed there until the sun rose and the early morning glow signaled the last day they were to spend in the World of the Living. They were together, that was the main thing. Utsumi looked deep into her golden eyes, "We leave today, I hope they are all prepared for this. I don't want them to get hurt. I haven't known them long but they are my friends" he said.
Yoruichi smiled at his protectiveness, "We'll keep them safe, I know we will." She promised. "Besides, I've trained them. I've got a good track record with training people who want to infiltrate the Soul Society." she said with a wink. They got up and headed into the store to prepare for their trip to the Soul Society.
It was closing in on 1 am and everyone was gathered in the training basement underneath Urahara's shop. Ichigo was wearing the standard shihakusho with his large Zanpakuto, Zangetsu, on his back. Chad and Orihime were wearing their usual casual clothes. Yoruichi was in cat form, to avoid detection in the Soul Society. She was sat on Utsumi's shoulder who was in his shihakusho with his Zanpakuto tied to his back with a deep blue sash.
Urahara and Tessai opened the portal and said, "This is it, my friends. Your trip to the Soul Society begins here, the portal can only stay open for four minutes. If you don't make it to The Soul Society in that time, you'll be trapped in the Dangai."
The manly voice of the cat spoke up next, "Only those who are ready for the task ahead can go." she said firmly looking around the room finding all of them looking determined to go.
Ichigo, eager to get started, said, "We wouldn't be here if we hadn't already made that decision. Let's just get on with this."
They all walked through the portal, determined and ready to rescue their friend. They wouldn't be leaving the Soul Society until they have saved Rukia. This left Uraraha, Tessai and the two children to run the store. Urahara walked up to the portal and tried to place his hand on it only to receive a jolt of electricity repelling him away from it.
