CH14-Goodbye.
Pausing at the door I look back at Toushirou's sleeping body and step out. I've been spending the past week in his room with him, and no one has noticed yet. Walking to the entrance of Squad 10 barracks I open up and see Renji, a very upset Renji, "Hey what's up?"
"The Head Captain has news for you. They have located your Grandmother in the World of the Living." I have a Grandmother…since when? "Huh, well I didn't know she was still alive."
"The Head Captain believes you to be able to care for yourself, and as a threat to the Soul Society." He looks away, ashamed by the message he delivers, "What? Me, a threat!"
"He thinks that it will be safer for everyone if you went to live with your Grandmother, and you are to be ready to go at noon." My head spins, taken back by his words. "So what I go live with my Grandmother and when she gets killed then what!" I'm screaming now, unable to accept the news with anything but anger. Shaking his head he looks at me, "How would she be killed?"
"My whole family has died because of me and you expect me to endanger my last living relative." He opens his mouth to speak when we hear footsteps, "The Head captain wants to see you, know." Giving me a final glance he leaves. I remain staring at the door when I sense someone approaching. Spinning I face Toushirou and his curious gaze, "What does the Head Captain want?" Not knowing whether to tell him or not I hesitate, but decide against it, "I don't know. I'll go now and be back quickly." Throwing him a smile I walk out and as soon as I am a good distance from the door I sprint. Jumping over buildings I make it there in five minutes.
"Come in." Steadying my breathing I enter, my face hard and my gaze cold. "Ah Kari, I take it you received the latest news." Not bothering to see who spoke I go straight for the Head Captain. Bowing respectively I speak before he can, "You see me as a threat?" his gaze was steady as we evaluated each others' stance, "I found a living relative and I thought that you would enjoy being with your family."
"Thank you for going to all of that trouble, it really is a relief to know that she is alive. But my family is here." My voice was honest and believable but I didn't know how long my patience would hold. "You have friends here, but your family is in the World of the Living."
"Is blood all that matters? I've never met my Grandmother; all I have ever seen are pictures. My family is here, the people I love and cherish the most are here. I love my Grandmother but that's all I know about her, that she is my late Mothers Mother." Not moving while I finished my ranting he speaks up, "Interesting feelings for a girl so young, but I'm afraid that doesn't change anything."
"What is this really about? What's the real reason for sending me away, and none of that family crap." I put my hands on my hips and demand an answer, "That is the real reason, there is no other one. You will be ready to go in an hour." Nodding his head slightly he stares me down. Seeing that there was no way that I was getting an answer or my way out of this I give up. "Ya right." Turning I leave the room in a hurry. As soon as I step out and close the door I take off running. Hot tears well up and I make them stay put. Only an hour, I have one hour to say goodbye to Toushirou. Shaking my head as I run I send tears flying in both directions. He can never find out, if he did it would upset him terribly. He would argue with all of the Captains and I can't let him jeopardize his place as Captain. Wiping away a tear I block my view for a moment and run into someone.
"Ow, watch where you're going." I push myself up and help Rongiku to stand. "Sorry I didn't see you there." Great, it just had to be his lieutenant didn't. "It's ok don't worry. Hey are you ok?" before she could notice anything else I push past, "I'm fine, sorry but I have to go." Running again I focus on the path ahead of me. Jumping on top of a building I stop to catch my breath and calm myself. "Come on Kari cheer up, you have to be strong so Toushirou doesn't expect anything." Psyching myself up I head for the barracks preparing to tell Toushirou goodbye.
"Hey did you find out what the head Captain wanted?" what am I going to tell him? Simply nodding a reply I walk up to him. "Well, what did he want?"
"Um, he wanted to tell me that he found my Grandmother. Apparently she is still alive in the World of the Living." I bite my lip and look away. "That's great news." Then noticing my expression he asks, "Is there something else?" Think, think, think, what am I going to say. "Well..." looking him in the eye I almost break, how can I hurt him? But I have to, "He wants me to spend some time with her. She knows a lot of things about Hollows and souls that would help make me stronger." It's not a total lie, Mother told me that like Grandfather she knew a lot about those things. "Oh, so when do you leave?" I can feel my eyes watering but I force myself to remain calm, "To-today, in an hour." I have to look down, I can't bear the hurt in his eyes. "An hour?"
"You have to promise me that you will visit me. That you will come to the World of the Living and we will go to the clearing." Putting my hands on his chest I lean into him, "Promise me, please" Tears threatening to spill over fill my eyes as his arms wrap around me, holding me closer. Staying like that for what feels like forever we abruptly, but reluctantly pull apart as a knock sounds on the door. "Kari, it's time to go." Renji's voice comes through the door. Looking up we kiss one last time, "Goodbye." I straighten my shoulders as I walk outside to meet my escorts. "I'm so sorry." Renji looks down at me, his expression sad. Nodding I brush past him, and as our shoulders touch I whisper to him, "He knows nothing." He stands there as he thinks about what I told him while I am escorted into the door, leaving the Soul Society.