Ch 36: Memory Part 2
He was still grinning at me as he tightened his grip further. Then he stood and lifted me bodily into the air.
"K…Kyle…stop it." I gasped, finding his grip to be stronger than I could break.
"The babe will die." Kyle said, in a deep menacing tone.
"Wh…what?" I gasped, horrified by what Kyle said.
"Welcome to hell." the voice came again, only this time, I saw a figure in black armor appear behind Kyle.
"Y…you!" I gasped, remembering the man.
"Foolish Shinigami. You are no match for Saiga's power. Watch as the one you love the most, kills you and your precious baby.
"N…no." I gasped.
"Then kill him. Cut down your lover. Kill your happiness and give into rage." Nobunaga taunted.
"No…!" I gasped, as my reiatsu spiked.
"What?!" Nobunaga gasped. Then he was shattered into nothing.
A column of reiatsu formed around myself and Kyle. He let go of my neck.
"Kyle. I'll see you when I get back. We…we can't die yet." I promised him.
Kyle grinned at me, then he shattered like a broken mirror.
When he shattered, the illusion went with him. I was back in the final room of the Oda fortress, and Nobunaga was glaring at me.
"Those were…I'll kill you." I said in rage.
"You are welcome to try Shino Tobias. I will inform your husband of your death. Then I will send him to you. Only after Central 46 and all the captains have been defeated, can Soul Society be truly free!" Nobunaga yelled, then he assumed his stance.
"You won't touch Kyle." I said in murderous fury and I jabbed my arm out. "Bankai."
A flash of light appeared, obscuring me from view. Then the light cleared and I stood with my bankai revealed. Wicked black talons came from my hands and a skintight suit in a scorpion pattern formed on my upper body.
"Come then!" Nobunaga said, charging me.
I watched him and when he got within range, my hand shot upwards and caught his blade.
"What?!" he gasped in shock.
"Too fast for you?" I muttered angrily.
Then I tore is arm from his body and threw his weapon from the building. Nobunaga screamed and backed away from me. I followed him, faster than he could follow, and appeared behind him. He glanced around in fear and turned around slowly, almost as if hoping I wasn't there. He barely managed a look of fear before I grabbed his head with a clawed hand.
"So this is the end…No flames…no glory?" he asked, almost as if he didn't care.
"…No." I said, ramming my free hand through his stomach, destroying his ability to manipulate spiritrons. Then I threw him bodily from the building.
I resealed my bankai and felt around for a certain spiritual pressure. Lalum was nowhere to be found.
"I'll find you." I muttered.
I walked downstairs and gathered those that came with me. Each asked me what had happened and each was given the same answer, "Vengeance."
We went back to Seireitei. I gave my report to Yamamoto and immediately went to see Kyle. Retsu informed me that Kisuke had developed an antidote. Kyle's wounds were slowly healing. I cried a little when I heard that he was going to recover. I then began a huge negotiation with Yamamoto.
*****************From Kyle Tobias' Perspective*******************
I rose from the pit. My body felt stiff and sore. I slowly realized I was still alive. I opened my eyes and stared at the white ceilings of the 4th division hospital.
"Tobias!" came a voice in shock and relief.
"I…Isane?" I muttered, my throat hurting and my voice sounding heavy.
"Yes. How do you feel?" She asked me, a look of worry on her face.
"Is…is Shino still mad at me?" I asked, fearing the answer.
"I…I'll get her." Isane said, hastening form the room.
"Welcome back among the living." came another voice.
"Captain Unohana? Is…is Shino alright?" I asked.
"Perhaps you would like to know the extent of your own injuries? Your right leg is broken. It will be another several months before it heals. Also, the discomfort in your throat is because your windpipe was slashed open." Unohana explained. "Your left arm is also broken. However, it should heal with three months.
I didn't say anything, the memories coming back. Shino saying she hated me. Slowly, tears leaked from my eyes.
"Ah. Captain Tobias." Unohana said, rising and walking away.
Shino stood over me. Before she could say anything, I opened my mouth.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry! Please, forgive me Shino! Please!" I begged her, tears flowing like a flood.
"Forgive you?" Shino asked.
I felt like my heart stopped when she asked me that. She couldn't.
"You can't…forgive me…?" I asked her, my body growing cold.
"There's nothing to forgive." Shino said, relief breaking her face.
"W…what?" I asked her shakily.
"You were set-up. Now please, rest. I'll explain everything when you get better.
"I was…set…up?" I asked shakily.
"Please, get some rest." Shino said, before walking away.
"Shino…" I said longingly.
Then I passed out.
Five weeks passed before I was allowed to leave the hospital. Most of that time, I was unconscious, my body healing. When I was released, I was given a set of crutches so I could get around with my broken leg. I made my way back to our barracks and our room. When I entered, I found Shino packing some clothes in a large suitcase. She seemed, larger.
"Shino…?" I asked in confusion.
"Oh. Hello Kyle. How are you feeling?" she asked me, coming over to me and giving me a hug.
"I'm…I'm alright I guess." I said. Shino didn't let go. "Shino?"
"Don't speak. Just…hold me." She said. I put my arms around her.
She began to explain everything. How Lalum had been sent by the Oda clan. How Shino had taken a force to avenge me. How Lalum, or Oichi, was never found. She wouldn't stop apologizing.
"Shino…it's still my fault." I told her as we both cried freely.
"I…I said such mean things…" Shino cried.
"It's ok…it was…still my fault." I cried as well.
"Kyle…I love you…so much." Shino said.
"Shino…I love you too….More than you'll ever know." I told her, kissing her.
When we had calmed down, I eased myself into a sitting position, taking care with my arm and leg.
"So…why're you packing?" I asked her curiously.
"Well, considering our positions, I managed to negotiate a deal with Yamamoto." Shino said with a grin.
"What kind of deal?" I asked her.
"Well considering how injured you are, I have managed to convince Yamamoto to give us an eleven month relieve." Shino said, looking proud of herself.
"Eleven months!? But…why so long? Wait a minute…You said us?" I said, glancing at Shino's face again. She wore a smile and was blushing slightly.
"Yep. You to recover…me to…well…" Shino answered shyly, massaging her waist.
"You…you're kidding." I said in shock.
"Kyle…I'm pregnant again." Shino said with a smile.
"Shino…" I said quietly.
"Kyle…" She replied.
Then we were kissing and the world disappeared.
Two day's later, we were both given a gigai, and our collective wages, and we entered the material world. In a sunny environment. A cool ocean breeze drifted through my hair.
After my initial shock, Shino led me to our hotel. After getting set up in our room, we laid down on our bed and fell asleep, cradling each other.