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Chapter 44: Aftermath

"Please wake up."

Waking with a jolt, Kirara bit back the cry of pain as the jolt jarred her side. Remaining still until the pain dulled to a low throb, Kirara breathed slowly, and opened her eyes. She blinked several times, as if expecting her surroundings to change.

"What…where...?" she mumbled, before pushing herself up carefully into a sitting position. "My room? How…?" she wondered aloud, looking around. Kirara spotted her Zanpakuto leaning against the wall. "How am I back here?" Kirara bit her lip, and planted her hands on each side of her.

'Perhaps you should remain there, Kirara. You sustained a severe injury in the last battle,' Kokoro no Kage reminded her.

"Old man, you think that's going to work?" Kirara asked softly, amusement in her voice. She heard the sigh a moment later.

'No…but it was worth a shot. Hope springs eternal, and all that human nonsense,' he commented, and Kirara smiled. It died quickly, however, when she pushed herself up. Slowly, fighting the pain, she managed to get to her feet, and almost fell as her still sleeping legs gave out from the sudden use.

Once she managed to stand and remain upright, Kirara looked down at the bandages that were wrapped around her body. Wrapped tightly and neatly, Kirara wondered just who had done it. The Vizards were anything but neat.

Carefully lifting her Zanpakuto, she ran her finger down the handle and heard the hum in the back of her head. She smiled softly, before the door opened and she glanced around. Shinji walked in, and froze when he looked up to see her standing nearby. Her eyes were wide in surprise, and she took in his tired appearance. He looked as bad as she felt. Despite the surprise in his gaze, dark circles lined his eyes. He stared at Kirara for a moment, before sighing.

"You shouldn't be out of bed," he muttered, walking over to her.

"I don't like bedrest," Kirara replied, setting down her Zanpakuto again. "Shinji, I-" before she could speak, he had pulled her into his arms gently, burying his face in her neck.

"You've been out for a week," his voice was quiet, his arms tightening around her.

"A week?" Kirara breathed, stunned that she had been unconscious for that long. It felt like she'd only been asleep for a few hours. "Shinji…what happened…after…" she trailed off, not able to finish as the blurred memories in her mind replayed Aizen cutting down her friends as she lay helpless on the ground.

"Ichigo stopped him," Shinji still didn't move. "Unohana healed you, but we didn't know..." Kirara realised he was shaking.

"Hey…" Kirara touched her hands to his face and forced him to lift his head. "I'm alright," she told him gently, giving a small smile. "I'm alright," she repeated as he didn't respond. Shinji pressed his forehead to hers, taking a deep breath to try and calm down.

"Kirara, what you said before," Kirara blinked as he lifted his head and stepped back. "When you-"

"Yeah…" Kirara nodded, and smiled again. "I meant it, Shinji. I still do," she told him. Shinji closed his eyes, letting his head fall back.

"You drive me insane, Kirara," his groan made her smile fall, and she went very still, watching him. "You're reckless, stubborn, and impulsive, and you make me lose control so damn easily. After that night at the Academy, when you were hurt…I swore to myself I wouldn't lose control like that again. I wouldn't give in to feelings before thinking things through, but I just…I can't do that with you. You're a damn whirlwind, Kirara, and dammit…dammit…" he put a hand to his face, before letting it fall to his side. He finally opened his eyes, and looked at her. "I love you so damn much," he sighed. "I should have told you before. It shouldn't have been-"

"You talk too much Shinji," Kirara lowered her head, rubbing at her eyes furiously. "Who gives a rat's ass about when it was said?" she demanded, her voice shaky. A grin managed its way onto Shinji's face, and he stepped closer again, making her look up at him. Tears swam in her eyes, and when she blinked, they escaped, running down her face. "I love you too, my idiot," she whispered as he used his thumbs to wipe away the tears.

"What was it you said? Damn right you do," Shinji grinned, and as she laughed, he leaned in and kissed her.

"You're such a dumbass," Kirara told him as she pulled back, but Shinji just pulled her back in, seeming determined to keep her close.

They were interrupted by a loud crash and a groan of pain, and pulled away to see Lisa, Love and Rose on the ground. "Really? Eavesdropping again?" Shinji growled, his face going red.

"Kirara!" ignoring Shinji, Rose got to his feet when he saw her standing behind the lanky blond, just as red-faced as Shinji. "How are you feeling, my dear?" he asked, walking over and smiling at her. His eyes were filled with relief, and dark lines ran underneath them, much like the others. It didn't seem like any of them had been sleeping well.

"Alive," she smiled back at him. He gave a small chuckle.

"Good. Don't scare us like that again," Rose ordered her gently, and hugged her as tightly as he dared. Kirara was surprised by the action – other than Mashiro, none of them were very touchy-feely – but she hugged him back regardless.

"I'll do my best," Kirara grinned back up at him, and winced as Shinji bumped his fist against the top of her head.

"Do better than that," he muttered, making her go red.

Sitting on the edge of a large rock formation, Hiyori glared out at the distance. The pain in her head had dulled, throbbing occasionally, but she ignored it. Her fingers dug into the edge of the cliff as her glare grew even harsher.

She couldn't believe how stupid she'd been. Despite Shinji's warning, she'd attacked Aizen, and if it wasn't for Kirara, she'd have been skewered by Ichimaru's sword. And now Kirara was in the position that should have been where Hiyori was. Her life in the balance.

"Why…why didn't he blame me?" she demanded to herself. "It was my fault…Kirara could die because of me…and that dumb baldy didn't blame me?" Hiyori shook her head, and pain throbbed again to punish her for the sudden movement.

She put a hand to her face, trying to calm the torrent of emotions that had plagued her since she had woken up. If Kirara died, she'd never forgive herself. It was one thing for her to have hurt her friends when her Hollow took over, but this was all on her. She had no Hollow to blame for her actions this time.

"Hey," she jumped, letting out a yell of alarm at the simple greeting, and spun around with wide eyes to see Kirara sitting beside her.

"Wh…what the hell Kirara?!" she demanded, her heart frantically trying to break free of her chest.

"I did call your name, but you were pretty out of it," Kirara shrugged, and flinched, putting a hand to her side. She wore a hoody, and the bandages could be seen peeking out of it. "How's the head?" she asked. Hiyori stared at her with wide eyes.

"Are you insane?!" she yelled at Kirara, who winced at the volume. "You shouldn't be out of bed! And you're asking me how my head is?!" Kirara just smiled back, much to her frustration. "What's so funny?!" Hiyori shouted, growing more frustrated by the minute.

"I'm not laughing. I'm asking because I didn't exactly hold back when I kicked you," Kirara told her.

"Just a concussion…that's the least of what I deserve," Hiyori muttered, looking away again.

"You idiot," she looked up, her eyes narrow at Kirara's sigh. "You don't deserve any worse. Sure, you lost your temper, but if you hadn't lost it then, he'd have kept pushing our buttons until one, if not more, of us snapped," Kirara told her, looking out at the grounds in front of them.

"You could have died," Hiyori's voice was quiet and uncertain, and Kirara looked at her in surprise. The short blond was never one for saying how she felt, and never looked as vulnerable as she did now.

"We all could have died. It was always a risk when we went out there," Kirara replied. "It wasn't your fault you know. I'd have done the same for any of you," Hiyori shook her head, refusing to believe it. She tensed when Kirara put her hand on her head. "We're a family, Hiyori, and that's what families do for each other. I don't blame you, so don't blame yourself," she told her.

"You're the worst," Hiyori growled, quickly pressing the heel of her palms into her eyes. "You're…the worst…" she repeated, and Kirara smiled.

"I know," Kirara chuckled. She waited until Hiyori's sharp breaths finally faded, and her sniffing died down as well. "Hey, so…can you do me a favour and help me get back up? I don't think I can move," she admitted.

"Dammit Kirara," Hiyori got to her feet. "You're a complete idiot," she told the dark haired Vizard.

"So you tell me," Kirara hummed.

Another two weeks passed, and Kirara was already sick of being injured. She had accepted staying in bed for a few days, but after that she was bored to death. She had the other Vizards tortured within the first couple of days, and finally Shinji gave in to her whining.

"You have got to be the worst person on the planet when you're like this," Shinji muttered as they walked through town.

"I'm bored easily," Kirara shrugged, not looking the least bit apologetic. "Even I can only sleep so much," she grinned.

"You've been sleeping less than ever this week!" Shinji complained, turning a glare on her. Kirara had the decency to blush, but still smiled innocently. "You are going to be the death of me," he told her. Kirara laughed, grabbing his hand.

"I thought that was obvious from the start," she told him. Sighing again, Shinji leaned in and kissed her. When he pulled away, he ruffled her hair, making it fall down around her face. "Hey, so…" Kirara started as they kept walking.

"Huh?" Shinji glanced to her as she seemed to hesitate.

"What's going to happen now?" she asked in a quiet voice. "I mean, the Shinigami know we're still alive, though judging from the old man's reaction he already knew. What'll we do?" Kirara looked up curiously.

"Who knows?" Shinji shrugged.

"As reassuring an answer as ever, Hirako," Kirara couldn't help but laugh, before stopping. "Sorry…need a minute," she sighed, sitting down on the wall beside them.

"I told you that it was too soon," Shinji frowned, earning a glare from her.

"If you'd made me stay in the warehouse for one for day, I was going to start smashing things," she warned him, a hand on her side as the pain throbbed. While nowhere near as bad as it had been a fortnight ago, it was still bad, and she could do very little without setting it off. After all, she'd almost been cut in half. It would take a while for her to recover.

"Why do you think I said you could go out?" Shinji rolled his eyes at her dramatics. Kirara just stuck her tongue out at him. "As mature as ever, Princess," he commented.

"Don't call me that Hirako," Kirara frowned at him, as easy to irritate as ever. Not replying, Shinji leaned down and kissed her again, making sure to avoid hitting either the burn on her shoulder, or the wound down her side. "You know," Kirara pulled away. "I'm not made of porcelain, you're not going to break me," she grumbled.

"Nothing appeases you, does it Princess?" Shinji quirked an eyebrow at her.

"I've been cooped up for two weeks, I'm a little grumpy," Kirara shrugged, and winced as she jolted her side. She gave a small sigh, lowering her gaze. "Sorry Shinji…I don't mean to be so bad," she apologised.

"I'm used to it by now," Shinji earned a punch to the stomach for that. He groaned, laughing quietly as she went red, and he helped her up, putting her arms around his neck. She squirmed as it pulled at the burn on her shoulder, but then sighed, unable to stop her own smile.

"Asshat," she stated.

"Brat," he retorted.

"Kirara?" hearing another voice call out, Kirara looked around in surprise.

"Tatsuki!" she smiled, letting go of Shinji. He kept a hold of her waist, just in case her legs decided not to support her. "I haven't seen you for ages," Kirara commented as Tatsuki approached.

"What happened to you?" Tatsuki asked as she saw the bandages that lined Kirara's torso, visible from under the loose cami she wore. She shot Shinji a glare as if blaming him, and Kirara bit back her laugh of amusement as the man started in alarm.

"I'm fine Tatsuki. Are you okay?" she asked the dark haired teenager.

"Yeah, I'm fine…still a little confused about what happened the other week," she admitted.

"What happened?" Kirara asked, confused. She knew that everyone in Karakura Town had been knocked out when the Head Captain had created the fake town, but other than that, she didn't know much else.

"Well me, Keigo, Mizuiro and Chizuru...we woke up and everyone was out of it…nobody would wake up," Tatsuki explained slowly. "We…we saw him," she admitted.

"Him?" Kirara frowned, still confused.

"Sosuke," Shinji murmured, making her look up in surprise. "He and Gin got into the real town, that's where Ichigo defeated him," he explained. Kirara then looked at Tatsuki in shock.

"He was so powerful…just being near him…" Tatsuki shivered, a haunted look in her eyes.

"He's gone now," Kirara spoke softly, and gave a small smile. "How's Orihime doing?" she asked, changing the subject to one that would take Tatsuki's mind off her brutal encounter.

"She's doing a lot better," Tatsuki smiled slightly. "Still worried about that idiot Ichigo, but that'll never change," she rolled her eyes, and Kirara laughed.

"True…she'll never stop that," she nodded in agreement.

"I better go, I'm on my way to training," Tatsuki sighed as she checked her watch. "I'll see you around?" she asked. Kirara nodded, and Tatsuki jogged off, glancing back to wave as Kirara raised her hand.

"I believe she's a little defensive of you," Shinji commented as she turned a corner.

"She's cool," Kirara defended.

"You get far too attached," Shinji told her, making the woman blush. Pulling her up onto his back, Shinji then started to make his way back to the warehouse.

"I can walk back…" Kirara muttered.

"At the rate you were going, it would have taken us all night," he reminded her patiently.

"I'm sorry…you're doing this when you're injured too," Kirara's arms tightened around him. Shinji didn't reply immediately. While none were hurt as badly as her, they were all still recovering.

"Stop apologising. I wouldn't do it if I didn't want to," he finally spoke, and Kirara's grip tightened. She just nodded wordlessly, and leaned her head down. After a moment, he felt her grip loosen, and her breathing evened out. "You're such an idiot…" Shinji muttered, but gave a small smile in amusement at her falling asleep.

He stopped when someone approached, and he lifted his head in surprise. Walking towards him with an amused smile was Urahara, who adjusted his hat as a wind picked up and threatened to knock it off.

"Afternoon, Hirako," he greeted with a smile.

"What's up with you, Kisuke?" Shinji asked, arching an eyebrow. It was rare that the man sought them out, and when he did, it was always important.

"My, you're just as suspicious as the lovely lady you're carrying," Urahara chuckled, his eyes gleaming in amusement.

"A currently irritable invalid of a lady, yes. If you wake her I'm going to be annoyed," Shinji warned him slowly. Urahara tried to fight back another laugh, and failed.

"Sorry, Hirako," he shrugged when he saw the glare. "I've actually come looking for you for quite the important reason," Urahara raised his hands in surrender. Shinji's glare faded slightly as Urahara's expression turned serious. "I have a message. From the Head Captain."

Waking up with a gasp, Kirara sat up quickly and whimpered; her hand immediately going to her side. When the pain faded and her heart rate slowed, she let out a breath and relaxed, lifting her hand and putting it to her face. When she realised it was shaking, she took a deep breath.

"I need to calm down…" she breathed to herself. "I need to get over this, it's just stupid," Kirara said aloud.

'It has only been three weeks since the battle took place. It is understandable to still have some demons,' Kokoro no Kage reminded gently. Kirara gave a wry smile.

"I thought you said it didn't bode well to dwell on the past?" she asked him. He gave a hum of irritation.

'I would appreciate it if you didn't twist my words to suit yourself,' he told her testily, which made her smile turn genuine. 'Although…when you finally did stop dwelling on the past before…' Kirara's smile immediately fell.

"Oh shut up. I will find a koi pond to leave you in," she grumbled, blushing. The spirit chuckled low, and Kirara smiled again, despite her red face. "Thanks, Kokoro no Kage," she said quietly.

Hearing a loud yell echo from below, Kirara sighed. Shinji and Hiyori must have been fighting again. "Idiots," she muttered. When another yell, however, picked up, her head lifted. There were multiple people shouting. With another sigh, Kirara pushed herself out of bed and slowly made her way out of her room. As soon as the door opened, the shouting grew louder.

"It's bullshit is what it is!" Hiyori yelled.

"I agree with Hiyori," Lisa agreed.

"Just try and see things rationally, if you-"

"How can you even consider it?!" Love cut Rose off. "After everything that's happened?" he demanded.

"What would you prefer, huh?" Kensei spoke up as Mashiro looked worried. Her face was still bruised around one eye, but the swelling had gone down a great deal.

"What the hell are you all yelling about?" the group, who were gathered around their usual area, looked up in surprise to see Kirara standing nearby, a hand in her hair. She looked exhausted; the black circles under her eyes worse than any of them. As time progressed, they had all started to look a little better, bar her.

"I thought you were sleeping," Rose commented, his voice softer.

"Who the hell could sleep through you lot yelling like banshees at each other?" Kirara replied irritably. "So? Anyone care to enlighten me as to what the hell is going on?" she asked, looking from one to another.

"Ask him," Hiyori hissed, glaring at Shinji.

"Hiyori!" Hachi protested. Kirara sighed, walking over to Shinji, who was sitting on a crate and hadn't spoken a word, but was scowling back at Hiyori.

"Well?" Kirara arched an eyebrow when he looked up at her.

"The Head Captain has offered a full pardon for all of us," his low voice froze Kirara. Her irritated expression faded as she didn't speak. "He's offered to reinstate us in the Gotei 13."

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