Linake allowed the pocket door to slide shut, turning her body to face Kenpachi once more. Kenpachi smiled down at her, letting the black blanket fall to the floor at his feet before he spoke.
"Get dressed. I'll take ya to see your stars." Kenpachi demanded.
Linake watched him as he made his way across the room, opening the large wardrobe and grabbing a clean Shihakusho from a metal hanger. Deciding she would follow his lead, Linake crossed the room, reaching her hand in front of him, she grabbed one of her own Shihakusho's and stepped back from him. It was still a little strange to her, seeing her uniform's hung up next to his. Kenpachi had made it a point to make room for her, pushing all of his stuff to the right side, giving her the whole left side for her things; now they would be filling the room with a crib soon...
Linake pulled the tie to her sleeping kimono before stepping into the clean bottoms of her Shihakusho, she paused for a second, rubbing her hand across the slight bump in her stomach that was her and Kenpachi's son. Linake wondered how long it would be before her body began to change even more-will this all seem more real once I start to show, or will I always feel like I'm caught in a dream?
"What's got ya thinkin' so hard?" Kenpachi interrupted her inner thoughts, bringing Linake's attention to him.
Kenpachi stood in the middle of the room, tucking the top of his Shihakusho into his bottoms before securing the white tie across his lean hips. Linake could still see a good portion of the man's chest and it made her want to press her cheek against him.
"Just wondering how long I have before I begin to change..." Linake answered as she tucked her own top in before securing the tie to her own Shihakusho.
Kenpachi grinned as he walked over to her. Linake smiled up at him softly as he lifted his right hand and placed it against her stomach.
"I've been thinkin' about that, too. I wanna see it." Kenpachi admitted.
"You won't think I'm fat?" Linake joked, wondering how he would respond to her once she was heavy with child.
Kenpachi snorted at her; his green eyes rolling.
"You're havin' my kid, woman, I know your body will change a little." Kenpachi countered.
Linake nodded, not sure where her sudden case of self-consciousness was coming from.
"I'll change a lot. My breasts will get bigger, my stomach will grow more, and my hips will widen the closer I get to giving birth." Linake explained with a sigh.
"You really think I'll care?" Kenpachi retorted with a grin, wrapping both of his strong arms around his wife.
Linake met his gaze and allowed herself to smile at him.
" I half expect that you'll like some of it..." Linake answered honestly.
"You'll always be pretty to me , Wife." Kenpachi reassured her as he lifted his left hand, cupping the side of her face.
Linake smiled fully, enjoying him say the words even though she felt stupid for making him feel the need to speak them; the man couldn't keep his hands off of her for more than ten minutes, and she knew it would be the same even with her being pregnant-He might even touch me more!
"I just hope my dress still zips up tomorrow." Linake laughed, hoping her son hadn't grown too much in such a short time.
Kenpachi chuckled as he ran his thumb across her bottom lip.
"It will." Kenpachi replied.
"I wanna try somethin' tonight..." Kenpachi stated; changing the subject.
Linake's brow's rose and her lips parted, not sure what context he was talking about; when it came to Kenpachi anything was on the table.
"What's that?" Linake asked.
"I was thinkin'...You feel more relaxed up on top of that rock under your stars. You wanna bring your Zanpakuto this time?" Kenpachi asked, surprising Linake with the turn in conversation; she hadn't been expecting this to be his answer.
Linake's lips parted farther as she paused in thought for a moment.
" You want me to try and speak with it again, tonight?" Linake asked.
Kenpachi nodded his head, meeting the woman's gaze head on. She had been hiding from her powers long enough. Linake's comment about how his son may inherit her abilities had made Kenpachi want to know more about them.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to try..." Linake smiled softly.
"I think it'll be good for ya. You enjoy being up there, might as well see if you can hear it." Kenpachi stated.
Linake nodded to him, feeling a rush of unexpected butterflies attack her stomach all of a sudden-am I really still this scared? Linake had tried to hear her blade on many occasions over the past six months, but each time she felt herself growing restless with every silent minute that passed. Linake had grown frustrated and decided not to bother for a while; that was almost a month ago.
"You've never tried with me around ya. Maybe it'll help havin' me there." Kenpachi added.
Linake's lips parted once more, hearing the man offer her his support so openly; Kenpachi had to know that Linake felt the most safe when she was by his side.
"I'm still a bit scared of what I'll find out." Linake admitted, knowing she didn't have to hide it from Kenpachi.
Kenpachi sighed, figuring that was the case. Linake was the kind of woman who would avoid something that made her uncomfortable, and wouldn't willingly to do something she didn't want to without a gentle push.
"No reason to be scared, Woman. I keep tellin' ya it's a part of you..." Kenpachi sighed.
"I know I'm being stupid." Linake replied as she averted her gaze from him.
"We'll give it a shot; if you don't hear somethin' we'll try another time." Kenpachi offered.
Linake nodded her head, a smile spreading across her lips.
"Okay."
Kenpachi lowered his arms from the woman, allowing her to turn away from him and walk across the room. Kenpachi kept his eye on her, watching the way the woman absent mindedly rubbed her stomach with her left hand as she reached for the black onyx hilt of her Zanpakuto with her right.
It had to have been a while since she'd held the damn thing. Kenpachi shook his head as Linake placed the sheathed blade on her left hip, securing it in the band across her waist-what good is it to have a sword if she won't even use it?
Linake turned back to face him, her blue eyes showing him more than she realized-She's anxious...
"I'm ready." Linake spoke softly to him before she turned and slid her sandals on her small feet.
Kenpachi walked forward, intending to do the same and as he did, he thought about Linake's situation from her point of view-I've always had power, I know what it's like to be strong. I'll have to be patient with her, when the time comes she'll understand she's not the same weak human she used to be.
Linake paused at the bottom of the staircase that would lead the couple up to the top of Sokyoku Hill. The walk had been pleasant for Linake. Now that the rain had passed, the air was filled with the smell of water, the grass and trees giving off the smell of damp earth. Kenpachi had reached his hand down and thread her fingers with his as they left their room, but he hadn't spoken to her the whole way to the stairs.
"Kenpachi?" Linake whispered up to him, making the man turn his head to look down at her.
"Hmm?" He replied.
" You're being really quiet..." Linake stated, wondering if maybe she had annoyed him with admitting her fear still lingered; even if it was irrational.
"Just thinkin'." Kenpachi answered.
It wasn't a lie, the whole time Kenpachi had walked with her his mind had been racing. Tomorrow was the ceremony, Linake would be marrying him; giving herself to him in front of all of his comrades-I hope she likes her ring...
"Oh..." Linake replied, not really knowing what else to say, this was the first time since Kenpachi had asked her to marry him that she truly felt nervous-I really don't think my spirit is going to speak to me! Or, is that just wishful thinking?
"You ready, Woman?" Kenpachi asked her as he met her gaze, giving her the eye contact she truly needed in that moment.
"I guess so..." Linake answered.
Kenpachi sighed as he felt the woman's body shiver as if she were cold; he knew that couldn't be the case, the night was warm and filled with humidity from the rain storm that had just passed.
"Hold on." Kenpachi demanded as he pulled her by her hand to stand in front of him, his brow furrowing and lifting into a deep scowl.
Linake's lips parted as she stared up at him, not liking the look on his face.
"What are you afraid of, Linake?" Kenpachi pressed; wanting to get to the bottom of it, that way his woman could be free of such useless barriers.
"I don't know...a lot of things I guess. I think a part of me is scared to hear, scared to see, it's like if I see it and I hear it, I'll never be human again." Linake admitted.
Kenpachi tilted his head, his scowl deepening.
"You're always gonna be part human, whether you hear it or not, Woman." Kenpachi countered, not seeing the big deal.
Linake met Kenpachi's gaze trying to think of a way he could understand where she was coming from...
"How would you feel if our situation had been reversed? What if you lost your power and woke up one day just an ordinary man?" Linake asked him.
Kenpachi cursed under his breath as he shook his head at her.
"Pretty pissed off..." Kenpachi answered; starting to understand where is wife was coming from.
" You ain't gonna lose who you are by accepting the changes, Linake. You'll just become stronger." Kenpachi reassured her as he caressed the side of her cheek with his knuckles.
Kenpachi lowered his hand pulling the side of Linake's top open and exposing her left shoulder, there in the light of the moon, Kenpachi could make out the feint scar she still had. Linake let out a soft gasp and allowed her eyes to close as she felt Kenpachi's fingertips run across her scar-the scar he had inflicted on her all those months ago.
"You're already strong, Linake..." Kenpachi whispered to her, his voice deep and low.
Linake opened her eyes, meeting Kenpachi's gaze and nodded her head at him, all the while fighting back an emotional wave deep inside her-I was fearless enough to challenge this man before my soul reaper powers ever manifested!
Kenpachi watched as Linake nodded at him, all the while keeping his gaze on hers, he swore he was watching the woman's struggle within her eyes; seeing the emotions she was fighting against inside; it was a battle he couldn't help her with and it drove the man crazy.
Linake squared her shoulders, lifting her right hand she fixed her top, so that her scar was no longer visible and without another word, she turned on her heel and began to jog up the steep stairs that would take her to the top of Sokyoku Hill. Kenpachi found himself smirking as he watched his woman take off up the steps, her deep blue eyes lit with a fire from within. Kenpachi took his time taking the steps at a slower pace, wanting his woman to have a few moments alone to compose herself before she began to meditate in order to hear her spirit.
Linake inhaled a deep breath as she made it to the last step. Pausing for a brief moment before she allowed her right foot to hit the top of the sacred ground. As Linake stepped out onto the flat rock surface she felt the energy of the earth radiating from the souls of her feet all the way up her calves and into her hips. Linake placed her hand to her stomach, her eyes widening as she felt the slightest twinge inside her-Is that you, Takeo? Did you just move, or am I losing my shit completely?
Linake let out a shaky breath as she lowered her right hand to the hilt of her Zanpakuto and pulled the blade free from it's sheath. The inlayed diamonds on the side of the black onyx hilt gleaming in the silver hue of the moon. Linake walked to the middle of the large cliff-side, ignoring her telescope, she sat down directly under the moon's energy, allowing her body to bathe within it's light.
Linake sat her unsheathed sword across the tops of her legs, keeping her right hand wrapped around the hilt, her fingers gripping the blade for dear life; hoping she wouldn't be disappointed by what she would see-I'm listening; will you please tell me your name?
Kenpachi stood back a couple feet from Linake, wanting to keep her in his sights, allowing her to feel his presence as she tried to speak with her Zanpakuto. Kenpachi lifted his arms, tucking them inside his top before he crossed them over his chest. Linake was sitting with her back to him, her body highlighted by the glow of the moon. Kenpachi didn't think the woman even realized how much energy she gave off in any normal day, there was a reason he couldn't go without touching her for very long when she was around-her body calls to those around her, it's her soul, it's her energy-she's comforting.
Kenpachi slowly walked forward, making sure he kept his steps light enough, so she wouldn't hear him. As he walked he noticed the green glow of Linake's spiritual pressure begin to swirl around her, the brilliant jade green mixed with the moon's silver hue was almost breathtaking, even for a man like Kenpachi, it was hard not to notice the beauty the woman possessed-even her power looks pretty, the sun makes her shine like gold, the moon makes her body shimmer-what else do you have up your sleeve, Wife?
Kenpachi stood in the same spot just watching Linake, not too far from her in case she called out to him. Even though Kenpachi couldn't see her face, he could sense she had her eyes closed, the stillness within her movement's letting him know her mind was at ease-she's giving it her all...
Kenpachi's brow lifted when he heard Linake sigh out loud, her shoulders slumping a little before she turned her head and looked at him. Kenpachi's lips parted a little when the woman's gaze met his; what used to be the deep blue eyes of the woman he loved were now electric blue pools, dancing as if literally on fire. Kenpachi tilted his head, studying his woman closely-her flames are normally orange, and I've never seen her eyes change like that before...
"I don't think I'm going to hear anything, Kenpachi." Linake stated.
" It's alright, you gave it your best shot..." Kenpachi answered her as he stepped closer to her, wanting to get a better look at the woman's gaze.
Kenpachi made it to her within seconds, going down on his haunches he leaned back and sat behind her, wrapping his arms around her body, Kenpachi allowed his eye to close against her heat, her warmth-she feels good! She feels like home! Kenpachi tilted his head, pressing his lips against the side of her neck, wanting to give the woman his affection, to let her know he was proud of her for trying.
"This is the best attempt you have ever taken to get my full attention, young one." A deep ethereal voice spoke.
Kenpachi jerked his head up, his uncovered eye going wide as Linake gasped out loud.
"What the hell!?" Kenpachi growled as he moved his hand to his side reaching for the hilt of Nozarashi.
"You're intention to protect the young one is noble, I can assure you, I mean her no harm." The voice spoke once more.
Linake's lips parted, her voice getting caught in her throat as she stared up at the most beautiful creature she had ever laid eyes on. It's eyes glinted as silver as the moon, it's hair a wild whip of bright orange red flames, the bottom, where the roots would be an electric blue. As Linake's gaze searched the being, she realized it had no gender, it's body made up of tree bark, it's face barley in the shape of a human form. Linake's gaze darted, taking in as much of the being as she could, it's body moved slightly towards her, seeming to rise on a wave of crisp clear water.
"I see your curiosity, young one. Go ahead and study me, I understand your need."
"What the fuck are you!?" Kenpachi demanded, seeming to get a better hold on his reaction than Linake.
Kenpachi watched as silver pools moved to gaze down on him, the area within the bark that most resembled a mouth lifted slightly as the being met his uncovered gaze.
"I have been summoned." It replied.
Kenpachi's brow furrowed as his gaze looked the creature over again-at first he thought he was seeing some strange looking hollow, but now, he wasn't so sure. Linake's gaze lifted to the middle of the being's chest, there in the center was a jade green stone swirling with energy that closely resembled the color of her spiritual pressure.
"Y...you're made of the elements..." Linake whispered as she stared up at the tall figure.
"That I am. It is you who has summoned me, young one." It answered.
Linake's brow furrowed as she realized it was her the being was referring to as "young one."
"Are you my spirit?" Linake asked as she reached her hand back, trying to push herself up on her feet, but Kenpachi caught her with his hand, preventing her from moving closer.
" Ah, you're mate is rather protective of you...a quality I am sure you find most attractive." The being replied, almost as if casually trying to joke with Linake.
"Y...Yes, he is." Linake answered, not knowing what else to say, the shock of seeing her spirit manifest in front of her almost a bit to overwhelming no matter how beautiful Linake found it to be.
Linake watched as the being lifted it's branch like arm and pointed a rooted finger at her.
"I have been waiting for this day with you; the day in which you would finally cast your needless fears aside..."
"You've been waiting?" Linake whispered, her gaze softening as she looked up into it's intense silver eyes.
"Have you lost all of your senses when your fear over took you? Do you not remember me at all?" The being retorted; seeming to show the sting of pain within it's voice.
"I...I'm sorry, I don't remember seeing you before..." Linake replied.
"Of course you did not see me, young one, but surely you remember the way I made you feel?" It countered.
Linake's brow furrowed as she parted her lips to reply, but was cut off by the being once more as it raised root like fingers to the side of her face and gently brushed across her cheek. Linake gasped as the smell of fresh grass and the deep pungent odor of freshly tilled soil assaulted her senses. In a flash Linake remembered what it had been like as a girl, playing around in her mother's garden.
When the wind would blow, Linake would swing out her arms and allow the wind to whip her hair across her face as she laughed. Linake's memory flashed to the spring days when she would jump in rain puddles, not even caring if she got dirty, making her giggle out loud, her mother calling out to her with her hands on her hips, berating her for being so "foolish."
" Was that you?" Kenpachi whispered in Linake's ear; somehow he was seein' shit that shouldn't be there in front of him, it looked like memories of when Linake was a kid.
" You see it, too?" Linake whispered back.
"I allowed for him to see." The being answered before pulling it's fingers from Linake's cheek.
" I hadn't thought about any of that in years..." Linake admitted, feeling as if she had just been given a missing piece of herself back.
"I have always been there, even after you grew. Your soul reaper powers have given me the ability to be seen within this realm. I am but a mixture of the four elements, combined into one, the energy of the sun within my hands, the pull of the moon within my eyes, the stone of spirit within my chest. I am life, I am death."
Kenpachi kept his gaze on the being as he heard it speaking to Linake; Kenpachi had put enough of the pieces together to understand that whatever was in front of him was Linake's Spirit, somehow, his woman had managed to seal her elemental powers within her Asauchi, making the power of her Zanpakuto the same as her human ability-why do I get the feelin' those abilities are a lot stronger with this thing helpin'?
"Why do you fear so much, young one? Do you not see the power in which you hold?" The Spirit asked Linake, grabbing Kenpachi's attention.
"I...I don't know..." Linake answered, feeling a bit silly with herself for fearing something so beautiful.
"You hold the very existence of all life within your hands and yet, all you have is doubt and fear. If you wish to be one with me you must cast these notions aside at once!" The Spirit demanded.
"I...I understand!" Linake blurted.
"Do you? If that is the case; then you can prove it to me with one simple name, young one; call it out to me and I shall take your word..." The Spirit challenged; it's silver gaze bearing down on her as if daring her to fail.
Linake allowed her eyes to squeeze shut, replaying more memories of her childhood in her mind. Swimming in the ocean during a trip to the beach, flinging sand at her sister and laughing as the waves came crashing to the shore, pulling her down under the water. Linake hadn't felt any panic or fear, knowing the water would push her back up to the surface somehow; even then it felt as if she were speaking to the waves.
Linake opened her eyes, meeting the silver pools in front of her as she parted her lips.
"Godai." Linake stated with a smile as fresh tears slipped down her cheeks, unable to keep her emotions in check after finally hearing her Zanpakuto's name.
" I am pleased, young one. You have finally learned my name..." Godai replied, with what could only be a guess at a smile behind it's bark.
"Why do you keep calling me that?" Linake asked, hoping she wouldn't sound rude.
The Spirit's laughter filled the area, as a gentle breeze rushed passed her and Kenpachi, the smell of wild jasmine and honeysuckle thick in the air; two of Linake's favorite scents.
"Why should I not call you by what you are? A young human woman with such power." Godai countered.
"B...but I'm almost in my thirties..." Linake retorted.
Godai waved it's root at her as if it had more important things to discuss than Linake's age.
"In terms of age, I am ageless. I even surpass your mate, and he is older than mere thirty." Godai retorted.
Linake felt her face heat as her Spirit teased her once more, It was no secret that Kenpachi was older than her, hundred's of years older than her; but it didn't matter how old he was to Linake, she would love him even if he were a million years old.
"What's my age gotta do with this?" Kenpachi growled, making himself part of the conversation.
Godai turned it's head to Kenpachi, once again meeting his gaze.
" Nothing more than an example, Kenpachi of Zaraki." Godai answered.
"Tch." Kenpachi snorted.
"I see the child is growing..." Godai stated, grabbing both Linake and Kenpachi's attention at the comment.
Linake and Kenpachi both reached their hand out, covering Linake's stomach with their palms, their fingers overlapping.
"Is he safe?" Linake asked as her eyes slid shut.
" Why would he not be? He is strong, much like his father, and one day he too will hold pieces of me." Godai stated.
Linake's eyes widened as she met Godai's gaze, her surprise evident on her features.
"What do you mean pieces?" Kenpachi asked, his brow furrowing at the Spirit's riddles.
"I cannot be certain which pieces he will bond to, it could be fire to match the strength of his father, it could be earth, to match the will of each parent. As you can see, it will all depend on the child's personality upon his growth, fear not, young one, his power will lay dormant, giving you many years to prepare." Godai answered.
"Thank you, Godai." Linake whispered.
Linake lowered her right hand from her stomach, placing her palm against the onyx hilt of her Zanpakuto; for once, she felt contentment and happiness upon the changes within her. The reminder of her childhood, the relationship she had felt with the elements even back then. The worry of not knowing why or what her powers were, or what her future would carry for her was long gone-this is my fate, I was born to be a substitute soul reaper!
