It's amazing how quick things can end. One second you're so sure of what you got and the next moment it's gone, never to be reclaimed. And when you just have gotten a precious thing back, it hurts the double.
It rained. Everything was soaking wet and the whole of Seireitei felt miserable for themselves.
Zaraki Kenpachi, taichou of the 11th squad had just arrived at the scene and he could not believe what he saw. Rai was there, laying in what seemed to be an ocean of blood, slowly being diluted by rain. It was so unthinkable, but very possible. Rai was on a taichous level and probably way over, but she could not handle 25 menos all by herself. Her soul pulse was weak and decreased each second. Kenpachi kneeled beside her and took her head in his hands.
- Rai, my dearest Rai.
She opened her eyes, which had always been completely white, but now the glow were gone from them and they looked like a blind man's eyes, unseeing.
- I'm dieing Ken-chan, she said faintly. I guess this is the end. It has been an honor and a pleasure serving under you, Zaraki-taichou.
- Don't talk such crap, he sounded almost desperate. You can heal! Do it!
- I don't have the reiatsu to fix this. Her voice died out.
- Then take mine! I know that you can.
He ripped off his eyepatch.
- Come on, Rai, I know that you want to.
He put her hand against his forehead, there was a jolt of pain, a quick flash of fire and he was thrown into oblivion.
When Kenpachi woke up he was at the 4th squad's treatment rooms. He saw Isane-fukutaichou walking around caring for the other patients.
- Isane!
- Oh, you're awake now, Zaraki-taichou, she smiled.
- Where's Rai?
- I'm afraid she's not here.
- What!
He flew up from his bed, ignoring his own injuries. He had to find out where Rai was, if she was alive. He ran around the place searching for Rai or someone who would know anything about her. In a small secluded room he found her. Unohana-taichou had just finished her work there.
- Rai, Kenpachi breathed and walked up to her bed.
- Kenpachi, Unohana softly spoke, she's still on the verge of death, please be careful.
He warily sat down beside Rai and took her pale hand in his broad scarred one.
- Rai, I know you can hear me, he whispered in her ear. I know you don't like defeat, so don't settle for it now. I need you here to help me with Yachiru and I know we have a future together and...
He fell silent. He had never cared for anyone but Yachiru before and it was god damned hard for him to express feelings he never knew existed. Hate was alright, just as bloodlust and joy, but needing and powerlessness left him hanging in a nothingness.
The first thing Rai felt as she regained consciousness was the feeling of a single drop hitting her cheek. As she slowly opened her eyes she saw the origin of it glittering on Kenpachi's cheek.
- If your body only carried this single tear, I'm happy you shed it for me.
Her voice was hoarse, her eyes were dull and her face looked worn out. But she was alive!