Hey all! Thanks for those that are reading!
"Hey! Over here!"
A man dropped down, looking at the body.
"You think she's dead?"
Another man in black robes appeared next to the first one. He used his foot to roll the girl over. A soft groan came out of her open, bloodied mouth.
"We should take her to the Fourth."
The second man elbowed him in the ribs, motioning to him.
"Don't be too long. Or else Captain will be pissed."
"Hey boys! Why are you two just standing there?"
Both of them flinched, turning around to try and find the one that owns the voice. Even if she was laid back, she could crack heads when needed. And they didn't want to get on her bad side right now.
"We found a wounded girl, Lieutenant! I'm going to take her to the Sōgō Kyūgo Tsumesho!"
There was a pause while the female thought for a few seconds. Still outside of their vision. They shifted from foot to foot, trying to spot anything.
"Alright. Be quick. And report in when you get back." Her voice clearly carried out around the battlefield. The dark monsters had gotten closer since the girl had passed out.
"On it, Lieutenant!"
The first man nodded, carefully picking her up in his arms before disappearing./span/p
"Yo! We found this girl out there."
A black-haired woman turned from the table she was standing over. Hands deep into an open wound on someone's back. She studied the two people in the doorway before one of her subordinates lead him to an unoccupied bed. She would get there eventually. The body under her hands spasmed, reclaiming her attention.
"I got it Captain!" A grey-haired woman brushed past her, appearing out of one of the emergency rooms. Charging at the man who was now stepping back, holding his hands in front of her. "Where'd you find her?"
The man stepped back once more as she rolled up her sleeves. His arms dropped to his side now that she was preoccupied with something that didn't involve running towards him. This Lieutenant was not the most graceful out of the whole rank.
"She was out near a group of Hollows. Looked like she was trying to run away from them and finally collapsed." The woman ran her hands over the sleeping girl. "Didn't really want to let her stick around so I came right back."
"She doesn't seem to have too many injuries. Although she seems to be really drained." She motioned to one of the nurses, asking her to set up an IV. "She should be okay. Just needs to rest for a while."
The man nodded; arms crossed.
"Alright. I'm going to report in to my Captain then. Thanks for the help."
The woman gave him a quick nod and wave as he turned around. He disappeared around the corner. She sighed and looked back at the girl. Her chest rose and fell in a slow rhythm. There wasn't much Reiryoku in her system. A slight frown turned down the Lieutenant's lips. Even still, her patient would need to eat when she woke up. She would definitely be hungry.
"Captain Unohana! Five incoming! Critical conditions!"
The black-haired woman, Retsu, sighed. It was never an easy day was it?
"Alright everyone! Let's get ready!"
The medical ward burst into a bustling center. Nurses and medical workers flitted from one bed to another. Their hands glowing and mouths moving. Some chanting, others describing injuries to those taking down notes. Others that were not fully trained in healing just yet were dropping supplies at each table to replace what was used.
"Can I get another hand over here? I can't move my hands!"
Retsu glanced back. Locating the one asking for help.
"We don't have anyone else at the moment. It's going to be a few minutes." The grey-haired lady called out as she furiously worked on her own patient.
"I got this."
The slim blonde flinched back, eyes wide.
"But!"
The brunette that had just been on the table nearby swayed from side to side. Her hands grasped the IV stand and the bed trying to keep herself upright.
"I'll be fine. Do what you need to do. I can at least put pressure on it."
The blonde's green eyes focused on the brunette once more and then nodded. Her face was a sickly shade of white and eyes were clearly unfocused. But she needed to get the bleeding leg under control before he bled out under her hands.
"Alright. On the count of three, push down right here as hard as you can." The girl took a deep breath, moving her hands to hover over hers. "One… two… three!"
They switched positions like they had practiced it thousands of times before. The brunette closed her eyes, listening to those talking around her. She could feel the flow of something. It was cold. Whatever it was. Clean. Sterile.
There was the same feeling within her. Deep in her stomach. She breathed in, then out. She pulled on it, stringing it along little by little. The icy cold feeling prickled down her arms. Towards the fingertips that were pushing into the open wound.
"Hurt."
The brunette cracked open an eye, trying to focus.
"Hey." She pushed harder on his cut. "Don't fall asleep on me now alright? Stay awake."
"Can't… too tired…"
She opened both eyes. Trying to do two things at once. She could feel her fingers cramp at how much pressure she was putting on his ribs.
"Tell me… tell me about…" She heard someone yell out to a Captain. Something about another Captain arriving. "Your Captain?"
"He groaned under their hands. Trying to shift his body weight and failing miserably when only his arm on the other side moved.
"Cap-Captain Hitsugaya?" The girl mumbled a sure. Anything to keep him talking. "He… he's really strong. Cares… cares about us. People make fun of him because he's really young and really short. But-but he's a great Captain. Lieutenant Matsumoto is really funny. She's strong too."
"They sound like nice people."
"Yeah. They are the best Shinigami."
The warm blood that had freely flooded past her hands slowed to a trickle. Then completely stopped. She breathed in then out again. The chilled feeling tugged harder. She staggered back against it. Slowly moving her hands down to the bed. Staining the previously pristine white sheets red with the man's blood.
"Okay, I'm ready. You can move your hands."
"Ri-right."
The brunette stepped away from the table, clutching onto the pole again for support. The blonde placed her hands on the table, mouth opened in awe.
"He's healed…" The medic whipped around. "You healed him! Oops!"
She tried to catch her the falling girl, but someone had already beat her to that.
A short white-haired boy glanced up to the blonde, eyes hardening. He slowly stood up, arms under the girl's armpits. The medic could see that he was struggling under the unexpected weight but was trying to keep calm. As calm as anyone could be when he had multiple people under his control in need of medical attention. And then seeing some random girl helping to heal his team member.
"Why is she out of bed?"
The blonde nervously took the brunette out of his arms. She set the now unconscious female on the bed. Pulling up the thin blanket up to her chest. Her arms pinned to her side on top of the sheet. It would make it easier for the nurses to check on her later.
"Right! Sorry Captain Hitsugaya." She turned around and gave him a quick bow. "Won't happen again!"
The black-haired Captain elegantly strolled over to the two. Looking between her peer, the healing man, and her subordinate. A small glowing hand lighted on his forehead before coming to rest at her side.
"My! You've certainly improved on your Kaido, Miyako." She gave the blonde girl a beaming smile.
Hitsugaya tilted his head forward. Motioning for her to say something.
"It wasn't me Captain Retsu." She pointed to the girl who had turned on her side. "It was her."
Retsu took the few extra steps until she was standing next to the sleeping girl. She pushed the brown hair in front of her face to behind her ear. A faint wave of Reiatsu flowed over the newcomer.
"Outstanding. She seems to only be a few hours old." A devilish smile crossed her face. Retsu schooled her features into a proper face before turning around. "I will perform a complete exam before releasing him just in case."
"Thank you, Captain Unohana." The white-haired boy glanced over to the brunette one last time before taking his leave. "We appreciate everything the Fourth Division does."
"Have a good day, Captain Hitsugaya."
Miyako bowed again as he left the room. Retsu turned to face the unseated Shinigami, eyes studying her face./
"Captain?"
She sighed, folding her hands in front of her.
"Come get me once she awakes. I have a few things to discuss with her."
"O-of course!"
"I'm glad to see you awake! You gave us quite a scare."
"The brunette jumped at the tone of her voice. Whoever this woman was, she was scary. And the girl was sure she knew exactly the effect she had on others.
"I'm sorry to cause any trouble." Her words came out barely above a whisper. "Um…" She looked up. "Where am I?"/
Retsu put her cup of tea down on the table that was brought over. It was time for her daily relaxation when Miyako had barged into her office. Bent over and panting in the doorway. Trying to say that the girl was awake.
"You are in the Soul Society. More specifically, in the Fourth Court Guard headquarters. The Coordinated Relief Station. I am Captain Unohana Retsu of the Fourth Division."
The brunette nodded. As if taking in all of the information. Processing each word that was coming out of the older woman's mouth.
"You said Soul… Society?" Retsu could feel the panic rise in each word she spoke. "Like the dead?"
"Yes. Like the dead." The black-haired woman gave her a soft smile, reaching out to grasp her hands. They had started to wring around each other. "It feels like you have recently passed. Is that right?"
"Um. I guess? I-I remember standing on a sidewalk, waiting for the sign to change so we could cross. And then. And then there was a hand on my back, pushing me? And." Tears started to stream down her face. Sobs bubbling up to her lips. "And I was hit by a bus!"
If the girl was trying to say anything more, her words were distorted by each body wracking sob. When she started hyperventilating Retsu stood up and moved closer to the bedside. She wrapped her arms around the shivering girl.
She let her cry into her haori with little care to the cloth. Retsu gently laid her chin on top of the girl's head. They stayed like that for a while until she finally calmed down enough to not choke on her own tears.
"Would you like a cup of tea?" Retsu still held the girl but she could feel her nod into her chest. "Okay. Okay. Shh."
Ever so slowly Retsu pulled away from her. She could tell that she might break again. Hopefully, the young woman would be able to hold it together for just a few minutes.
The captain went to the double doors, peeking her head out. She waved down one of the guards, relaying her orders. The man in the black robes turned down the hallway with haste. Eager to not get on her bad side.
She made her way back to her seat, again taking the brunette's hands in hers.
"Am… am I in trouble?"
Retsu laughed. She was sharp.
"Well. You practiced Kaido without even being trained. You used your Reshi to a reckless level. And you healed one of my patients without being approved to practice in my ward." She ticked off each occurrence with her fingers with a hand she pulled back. The girl shrank back with each sentence.
"I'm sorry."
Retsu gave her a smile. And even though it was supposed to be a joyous emotion, there was a cold undertone to it. A mischievous, dangerous look.
"You'll be repaying me." Retsu nodded to the man who set down the tea set and a tray of fruits before they scurried out of the room. "Next month they are holding an entrance exam for the Academy. You'll get in and once you graduate, you'll be my own personal protégé."
She poured tea into the cup, offering it to the girl. She took it, wary of denying her.
"Thank you." She took a sip, sighing at the familiar taste.
"I suppose I should learn your name."
"Oh! It's Hezza!"
"Hezza? What a lovely name."
"No, it's- wait. What language did you just speak?"
Retsu tilted her head.
"Japanese?"
Hezza had taken another sip of her tea, only to spit it out. Thankfully she had turned her head at last second, or else she was sure that the woman in front of her might have killed her. Retsu passed her a napkin, watching as she dabbed the front of her kimono.
"No way! I don't know how to speak Japanese."
"You're speaking fine right now. And you've been able to answer all of my questions so you must be able to understand it as well."
"But… I'm…. not from Japan. And I've never learned any Japanese."
The black-haired captain shrugged her shoulders.
"I'm not sure what would cause you to be able to know Japanese, but it seems that you are very much fluent in it."
Hezza had taken another sip, trying to calm her nerves.
"I see."
She watched as the tall woman stood, picking up her own teacup.
"Make sure to eat something. You'll die again if you don't. I'll have someone bring you dinner a little later. If you need anything feel free to let one of the nurses know." /
Retsu gave her a more genuine smile before ruffling the brunette's hair. Her hand lingered for a split second. She sighed.
"Hey. Cap-Captain Retsu?" The brunette looked up past her arm. "I'll do my best."
"I know you will. I have high hopes for you."
The black-haired woman swept out of the room without another word or glance. Leaving the brown-haired girl sitting on her bed. Wiping her eyes with one hand while cradling the green teacup in the other. Slowly taking sips. Mind racing through all of what had happened in the past day. A few times she almost lost the cup, fingers uncurling as she wandered too far in her thoughts.
Her brown eyes looked down into the black tea, reflecting back at her. Lips twitching a few times.
"I wish this was alcohol." The tea was great but it was doing nothing to numb the darkness coming around her like a shroud. It was weighing heavily on her shoulders now. Creeping into her mind. "Maybe I can find some later."
She sighed and finished the cup quickly. Free hand reaching out to the plate and bringing to rest on her lap. She picked at it, slowly eating. At least her taste buds were still working. Her stomach grumbled in thanks as she finished off the mixed fruits. They were remarkably fresh and sweet and gone in seconds once the first one went down. She sighed again and traded the plate for tea pot, slowly filling her cup with more tea before putting down the matching green pot.
Legs swinging back and forth as she stared at a spot above the double doors. Spacing out in her thoughts again. Just aware enough to bring the warm tea to her lips and take sips.
I hope to upload a chapter once a week. So let me know what you think! Have a great week!