A brief moment of weakness and Tatsuki had let down her walls. Her mind snapped back into focus, fully aware what was going on. With eyes wide open, she pushed Renji off of her with a quick jerk. Her face was flustered, but whether it was from her fury or the kiss, Renji wasn't sure. Suddenly he felt stinging radiating from his cheek. He hadn't even seen her pull back her hand for the slap.
"Damn, woman," Renji cursed. He rubbed his cheek after the quick impact. "Don't you think you've hit me enough today?"
"Not even close," she hissed. "I can't believe you took advantage of me like that!"
"Don't even pull that crap on me," Renji shook a finger in her direction. "You kissed me back."
"I—Wha—But." Tatsuki couldn't even form a sentence properly. Her head swam as she regrettably looked back a few moments before. His lips had pushed against hers, hard, and moved as if searching for something. And then…Tatsuki shut her mouth in horror. She had kissed him back, with the same ferocity he had given her. She felt her cheeks redden into a deep crimson that matched her yukata. "It didn't mean anything," she finally spat out.
"Like hell," Renji countered. He folded his arms across his chest. The movement shifted his yukata robes and revealed more of the tribal tattoos on his chest. Tatsuki involuntarily hitched her breath at the glimpse of his well-sculpted torso.
"I don't want to feel like this," Tatsuki voiced aloud, screaming at her subconscious to shut up. "This never happened, okay?"
"Bullshit. You wanted it as much as I did."
"I barely know you! Why would I do that?" Tatsuki moved an arm to push past him, but Renji shoved it out of the way and pushed her against the tree.
"Why do you keep lying?" His eyes narrowed as he spoke.
"They lied to me first!" Tatsuki's loud mouth opened before her brain had time to process that thought. She had just admitted that he was right.
It hurt that her friends—even her best friend—didn't tell her about this whole other world they were experiencing. She had to find out from a complete stranger. It wasn't fair. She was supposed to be the strong one, and yet she felt weak now compared to them. But the moment she killed a hollow with a single punch was a turning point. She could now stand with her friends, fighting for what was right, instead of staying on the sidelines and hoping for the best. Meeting Renji like that was an unexpected surprise, but it may have just let her back in.
Renji watched her eyes as she processed the information. She was fighting with herself and her own demons. "Listen," he took a sigh and released his grip on her. "I won't tell them. You can do it when you're ready."
Tatsuki felt her eyes close with relief.
"I know what you're going through," he continued. "It sucks—to be on the outside looking in. I've been doing that my whole life. But you've gotta move on, you know? Sometimes, things just happen.
"I watched my best friend—the girl I loved—torn out away from me by a noble, who later became my captain. Then I saw that she had fallen for someone else. It was supposed to be me." Renji's eyes narrowed, "But it wasn't."
Tatsuki felt her features soften as he spoke. The man certainly had levels he didn't reveal to just anyone.
"And then I met you," Renji moved his face closer to hers. "Shit happens. Things change. The only thing that we can do is rise to the challenge. Fight tooth and nail for what we want." His look pierced through her, finding her soft spot. How did he know exactly what to say?
Dark eyes blinked back at brown ones in front of her. Tatsuki swallowed. He was as close as it got without touching her. Something inside her clicked, and she stood determined. She had been ready for this challenge all her life. "This is all your fault," she said, leaning into him. Renji caught her, engulfing her bruised lips with his own swollen ones. They fought, each wanting to claim the other and win, and each won in their own way. Renji pulled away breathlessly to counter.
"I can live with that."
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Chad felt the frustration rising under his skin. "Is this just a game to you?"
"Of course," Ben-Ten crookedly smiled. "Well, sometimes people need a little push. That's where I come in."
"You're the reason I couldn't sense the hollows, aren't you?" He felt his jaw clench at the revelation.
"Those battles were not meant for you."
Suddenly Chad stood up, approaching the tall woman with large strides. "Do you have any idea what you did to me by blocking my senses? I know where my power comes from. I thought I was becoming one of them."
"Don't be ridiculous," Ben-Ten scoffed. She held her ground strong against his towering frame. "You are exceptional, Yasutora. You will not lose yourself to hollows."
Chad stood aback. To have someone of her stature call him exceptional was an honor, not matter how meddling the being was. He felt himself fall to his knees in her presence. "Why me?" he managed to breathe out. "Why did you choose to come to me?" His dark eyes held confusion, a rare emotion that crossed his face.
Ben-Ten smiled and ran her long fingers through the curly locks of the young man in front of her. "You have a beautiful soul, Sado Yasutora. You are a credit to your namesake: Calm Tiger. Your will has grown strong. It is fierce but as calm as a stream. After all, only one in every eon can resist me. You have proven yourself worthy."
"Worthy?" Chad lifted his head up. Smiling silver eyes met his dark orbs.
"Yes. Worthy of a gift from me."
Chad's eyes closed. He had never in his lifetime thought anything like this would happen to him. He had come along way from the hot-headed bully he was as a child. Now a gentle giant, he lived each day with the memory of his Abuelo on his heart.
"Sado Yasutora, the Calm Tiger with a noble soul, I bestow upon you the gift of the sea. Wherever there is water, I will be there. Whenever there is trouble, I will lend my hand. My power will become your defense and your offense, able to protect those you love and smite those who wish you harm."
The air around them swirled in a gentle cyclone, leaves picking up and encircling around them. Ben-Ten's dark plum hair swam as if picked up by a current as her voice hummed out in a language long forgotten. Chad felt coolness wash over him, as if he was breathing air for the first time. His chest swelled, filling with the newfound power he would wield at will. When the wind died down, Ben-Ten sealed the gift with a soft kiss to his forehead. Chad felt himself slump, his body suddenly heavy from the weight of the event. He slowly brought his head up, able to see the shining beauty who had freely offered herself to him. He pressed a hand against his heart, taking an oath.
"I thank you, my Goddess."
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Without warning, the scenery surrounding the group was gone. The illusion fell around them, revealing the truth to all. The group, now coupled up, found themselves in the same open clearing as if nothing had happened. Ichigo held Rukia protectively as if she was a fragile doll. Her face had been strained but looked like it had relaxed recently. Ishida held Orihime's hand close to his side, and she leaned into his shoulder. Renji and Tatsuki had separated physically, but the looks on each others faces were clear that something was different. Chad remained in the center, hand clutched against his heart.
"What the fuck just happened?" Ichigo, ever the impatient, demanded. Chad held up a hand to silence him. If Ichigo listened to anyone without question, it was his oldest friend Chad. Then, the air in front of Chad shifted, and the woman revealed herself to the others. Her deep plum hair lazily floated around her, defying gravity. A small bright green snake emerged from the top of her dragon-printed yukata, resting around her shoulders. She glanced around the group, her silver eyes seeing through to their souls. She smiled, satisfied with her work.
Ishida was the first to speak. "Who are you?" he said quietly as if afraid to speak.
"My name is Benzaiten. But you may have known me as Ben-Ten." The woman's voice was calm and strong like a current in deep sea. Suddenly, Ishida, Rukia and Renji dropped to their knees, heads hung low. Orihime and Tatsuki stood confused, but followed suit. Ichigo remained standing, hotheaded as ever. "What the fuck does that mean?"
Rukia yanked on Ichigo's yukata to bring him to the ground. "She's a Goddess. Show some respect!"
A… Goddess…?! Ichigo could barely comprehend the words. He had come across Shinigami, hollows and near demons, but this was a completely different level. A Goddess: one who had created and ruled the earth, the heavens and beyond. A constantly changing being, as old as time itself. Japanese legend suddenly entered his mind. He had heard her name before in his studies.
"Benzaiten…" he spoke with hesitation. "The Goddess of the Sea."
"…of Music," Renji added.
"…of Beauty," Ishida closed his eyes.
Rukia swallowed and shifted her eyes to Ichigo. "…of Love."
Benzaiten nodded gracefully, not missing a beat. She acknowledged the mortals with admiration. "Your hearts are pure and have endured my tests. Do not be too hasty in your judgments, children, for all will reveal itself with time. Do not be angry at each other over petty differences. Life is too short to harbor ill will with the one you love.
"It is fitting, that tonight is truly a Night of Seven: The Seventh day of the Seventh month, when Vega and Altair can meet as one to share their love has become the day that you discovered it too. You seven mortals have found a love, whether it is the beginning of something new or the kindling of something hidden from long ago.
"Do not waste a second of your days again, or I will come back and create new chaos for you to endure. My trials are final and should not be contested.
"Live, my children.
"Love."
Benzaiten tucked Chad's chin with her elegant hand, and gave him a soft kiss on his cheek. With a flash, she was gone.
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^__^ REVIEWS ARE LOVE ^__^
LAST UPDATE: Tomorrow!
I hope the identity of Ben-Ten pleased/surprised everyone. She just likes to mess with people, too.
One more chapter to go, everyone! Happy Endings for all! ;)
Oh yes and for those who are interested, some of Tatsuki's lines
were inspired by the song "The Walk" by Imogen Heap.