Chapter 15: A Tearful Good-Bye
Howdy y'all! It's me sakuraphoenix, and I'm back with a brand new chapter of Spirits of the Past! I know that it's been a while, but I've been busy with the college applications and stuff. Anyway, it's time for the disclaimer!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. I also don't own Shizuku. He belongs to Lyokowarrior1994.
Enjoy!
The lights around me flickered before they shut off as I placed my hand on top of my wound.
"Sorry that it has to end this way human, but this what we call a difference in strength. A zanpaku-to can change its size and shape in response to the wielder's spirit energy. How do you like mine? Sorry, but your time's up in both realms. It's time for us to leave, unless you have something to say for your death wish." Said Hinata
Shizuku's P.O.V.
Now Karen knows that she can't win this fight, but knowing her, I know she won't give up. That's her, never backing down.
"Ready?" asked Hinata
Karen, you can still run. Don't worry about me, please. Just run. Please!
"No answer? Oh well." Said Hinata
Without thinking, I ran to protect her as Hinata was about to attack.
"Karen! Run!" I exclaimed
"What are you doing?! Let go of me! Are you trying to make things worse for yourself?!" exclaimed Hinata
"Karen, get out of here! Hurry! You gotta go! Run!" I exclaimed
I was surprised when I heard that she grabbed her zanpaku-to.
"But… but this can't be! You shouldn't have the strength to move!" exclaimed Hinata
Karen's P.O.V.
"Looks can be deceiving. Didn't Sakura teach you that?" I asked
"How do you know that name?!" exclaimed Hinata
"Because I met your brother, Ren." I said
"But he's dead!" exclaimed Hinata
"I met him as a Hollow. He mistook me for her when we met, but I could tell that he loved her so much. His world shattered when she died, and you're fighting just to keep a family name alive. How stale. A name isn't everything." I said
"Well, I guess the only thing left for you is to die after you insulted our family name the way you did." Said Hinata
"Run! Please, just save yourself! I'm begging you, run!" exclaimed Shizuku
I felt a small breeze blow, but this wind felt… strange.
"What's wrong? If you won't attack, then I will!" exclaimed Hinata
Wait, this wasn't wind. This was… me. My spiritual pressure must've just increased.
"Ruler! Mask of flesh and blood, all things in the universe fly, that which names all! In the name of truth and temperance, dig your claws into the wall of sinless dreams! Hado number 33! Sokatsui, Pale Fire Crash!" I chanted
Hinata used her staff to block the force of my attack, but she sustained a few burns on her hands.
"What the hell?" asked Hinata
"What's wrong? Is it just me, or have you slowed down just because I was on the brink of death?" I asked
She was about to fire more of her ice arrows when I stepped out of the way, and before she summoned more, I held out a single finger.
"Ruler, mask of flesh and blood, all things in the universe fly! That which names all in nature, gathering in heat of war! Beyond the seas in reverse, take steps to the south! Hado 31! Shakkako! Red Flame Cannon!" I chanted
Her ice arrows melted from the attack and she barely got out of the way of my fireball.
"You're pretty good at dodging my attacks, but it's going to end right here and now as the crescent moon above shines down upon us tonight!" I exclaimed
I charged in with my sword, but before I could get to her, it broke, and my ringlets became undone. How did that happen? That's when I noticed someone else invited himself to the party. He was wearing the same coat that Aizen had, but seemed different. Is he a captain too? He had long black hair, wore some kind of green scarf, and had some kind of weird hair holders on his head. I know I've never seen him before, but I have this feeling that I have. Not only that, but he was holding the part of my blade that broke! He did that?! I prepared myself as he unsheathed his sword, but I barely saw him move.
"You… got me." I said
Two more wounds opened up as I collapsed onto the ground.
"You're slow, even when you're falling." Said the man
I know that voice.
'Byakuya Kuchiki. It appears he hasn't changed much.'
That voice… it's different from the other one I've always heard.
"Captain Kuchiki! Don't do it!" exclaimed Shizuku
"What's the matter Hinata Himiwari?" asked Byakuya
"Um… it's nothing Captain Kuchiki. You really shouldn't have intervened though." Said Hinata
"Even I will get rusty if all I ever do is watch. Do you agree?" asked Byakuya
"Yes, I do." Said Hinata
"Karen! No, please! Stay alive!" exclaimed Shizuku
"Stay back!" exclaimed Daichi
"Daichi let me go! She's hurt!" exclaimed Shizuku
"It doesn't matter now, does it?! She's dead! If you touch even a hair on her head, they'll probably increase your sentence! Besides, you'd only end up increasing your sins for someone who's died!" exclaimed Daichi
"But… I was the one who got her involved in all of this. It's my fault that she's dead in the first place, all because I changed her destiny! So tell me Daichi, what the hell is wrong with me going to her?!" exclaimed Shizuku
"So even if it would make your sentence harsher, you truly feel you must help her. Is that what you're saying to me Shizuku?" asked Byakuya
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying Captain Kuchiki." Said Shizuku
"I understand Shizuku. This young woman bears a striking resemblance to your deceased sister Sakura, does she not Daichi, Hinata?" asked Byakuya
That does it. I'm sick and tired of pretending to be dead. I grabbed the bottom of his pants just to get his attention.
"She's dead you say? Bears a striking resemblance to her? Quit talking about me as if I'm not here." I said
"Let go." Said Byakuya
"Sorry about my bad manners, but I didn't want to strike when I was so defenseless after all." I said as I let my hand release the hem of his pants
"You can still move even when you've been struck like that. You are something else human." Said Byakuya
"You wanted to say something to her, did you not?" asked Hinata
"Why? She's just a human. The actions she just took opened my eyes to the truth. I'm ready to face my sins. Captain Kuchiki, you may take me back to the Soul Society." Said Shizuku
"But… you can't leave here now. I mean… there's still work that needs to be finished." I said
I felt a foot on my back, forcing me to stay down.
"You don't know when to give up, do you human? At least you saved that arm of yours. The more you move, the more blood you'll spill." Said Hinata
"There's no need to inflict a final blow on her now. She'll die of her wounds soon enough if you leave her be. We should go now." Said Shizuku
"Shizuku! Stop! Is this some kind of stupid joke?! Don't try my patience!" I exclaimed
"Don't move! Take even one step, or even try to come after me, and I'll… I'll never forgive you." Shizuku said as he looked my way
He's… crying.
"You're going to die, so just stay put and live the last moments of it peacefully." Said Shizuku
"Alright, I will not inflict a finishing blow. With my two attacks against, I shattered both her soul chain and her soul sleep. There's no point in finishing her off like that other boy." Said Byakuya
"I-Ichigo? You… hurt Ichigo?!" I exclaimed
"The boy is most likely dead now. You too shall die within the hour. Even if you do survive, all of your powers will be lost, both your special Soul Reaper power and your Spirit Energy. Daichi?" asked Byakuya
"Yes." Said Daichi
His blade then glowed with some kind of strange energy, and stabbed it into something I couldn't see.
"Now, open!" exclaimed Daichi
Two Japanese-styles doors opened up and four black butterflies appeared. I extended my hand as if I wanted to reach Shizuku one last time before I couldn't see him again, but the doors closed to soon. I finally realized that it was raining. It seems like the heavens were crying too.
"Shizuku… why?" I wondered
I closed both of my eyes as I felt something warm running across the sides of my cheeks. I was… crying. I couldn't stay conscious long, and I felt myself fade into darkness as a cold feeling washed over my entire body.
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My body… it feels warm, and I don't feel any pain. Am I dying? That's probably why I don't feel anything, but is that right? At first, my body was so cold, but now I feel warm. I opened my eyes… and saw some creeper looking at me! What the hell?!
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" I screamed
"Oh, what a good reaction. Quite excellent." Said the man
"Get off me, you pervert!" I exclaimed as tried to push his head away from me
"Boss! You wanted me to let you know the moment Karen woke up! Well, she's awake!" exclaimed the man
"Wait a minute, you work for that hat-and-clogs Kisuke guy, don't ya?! Why are you under the covers?! Get the hell off me!" I exclaimed as I punched him off me
I winced at the sudden pain that originated from my shoulder, and I was covered in bandages. At least whoever did the covering had some decency to cover my breasts. Wait a minute, I'm not dead. And this isn't my house. Where am I? The doors then opened to reveal Kisuke.
"Karen, you need to just relax. We were barely able to patch you up. If you move around too much, you'll die." Said Kisuke
"Is that so? I take it this is your place." I said
"Uh-huh." Said Kisuke
"Why am I here? Did you save me from dying of blood loss?" I asked
"It seems by the tone of your voice, you're a little on the upset side. You didn't want to me to save you?" asked Kisuke
"It's not that. I'm grateful that you saved my life. I'm just worried about Shizuku. He's gone back to the Soul Society, so how the hell am I supposed to save him? I couldn't even save myself against that Byakuya Kuchiki guy." I said
"Do you really believe that?" asked Kisuke
"Huh?" I wondered
"There's a way into the Soul Society." Said Kisuke
"There's… a way? How can I travel there?" I asked
"Of course I'll tell you, but on one condition." Said Kisuke
"What is it?" I asked
"For the next ten days, you and Ichigo will study with me and Tessai and teach you how to fight and use Kido properly." Said Kisuke
"But… if I do that, Shizuku could be dead by the time I reach the Soul Society." I said
"At least you're taking this more seriously than Ichigo did. The Soul Society usually has a one month waiting period before an execution. Usually, they respect their own rules. Let's hope that's the case with Rukia's and Shizuku's execution." Said Kisuke
"Rukia too? Kisuke, answer me this. If I choose to undergo this training, will I become strong enough?" I asked
"Yes, so long as you truly wish to save Shizuku from the bottom of your heart. Your will must be stronger than steel. You must abandon any doubts that you have. Ten days to prepare for a game of life or death." Said Kisuke
"Let me think about it, and I'll have my answer by this afternoon." I said
Done and done! Whew, this one really took me a while, but above and all, I'm finally done! Please review, and until next time, I'm sakuraphoenix, saying I heart you, signing off for now. Merry Christmas!