Had a lovely reviewer, and now more story! It wasn't the one I'd originally planned to work on even, so kudos for upping a time line for me.
Chapter 24: Contain
She tried to hide it from him. She was stubborn and strong willed. It was how she was raised to be. But, Ukitake was never mistaken for a man lacking in his senses. So the minute Rukia even sniffled, she was contained. Locked in the special cell that had never been used see, it was easier for 13 to contain a potential problem than some of the other squads. After the incident with Kaien, he's had a reinforced cell created. In hopes that should something ever happen like that again, that the Shinigami could be saved. And it came in handy now. He couldn't even imagine letting Rukia die. And when she snapped, she had stayed contained. Unusually, she was still alive, and it had been 36 hours since the snap. But the sounds coming from her cell...they were hardly human. He knew she was only sick, but he swore the agonized, shrieking moans sounded like that of a banshee. She beat at the walls, hurting herself more than helping. And he hoped that somewhere inside, she was sleeping. Because it wasn't Rukia anymore. Not really. But he still couldn't bring himself to let her come to her end. It just wasn't right.
A butterfly came in through the window and fluttered around Rukia's desk. Ukitake picked it up and allowed the butterfly to relay the message to him instead. He regretted that he would have to inform Byakuya of her illness. Of the fact that the last piece of his wife was going to die soon, and he couldn't even tell her goodbye. But as he was sending one butterfly off, another came in, with a message that Renji had managed to survive the snap. To overcome it.
Stop this. I command you stop this. She told her body. Her body just stayed there, motionless for the moment. She put every ounce of will she had into just moving one disobedient finger. And she couldn't. She wished that if she were going to have to be infected and trying to kill everyone, that her consciousness would sit it out. Because if she hurt someone else... she wouldn't be able to live. She couldn't stand to be the hand that harmed another friend. But no, she had to feel every flash of fever, every time the skin on her hands split as she beat against the cell door. Had to listen to every hated word that Shiraiyuki repeated in her head like a mantra. And she hated that she was going to die. She knew she couldn't possibly have long left. No one had survived long after losing control. And if somehow her brain didn't melt, then somone would have to kill her in a way that wouldn't pass on the virus.
What was the last thing she'd said to her friends in Karakura town? That she'd see them soon. And now this illness would make her a liar. What would Ichigo say, when they finally let him into Soul Society. Would he be angry? Or his sisters, they had grown so fond of her, always excited for the next time she came to visit them. Would Uryu and Chad even say anything? Urahara and Yoroichi, and everyone at the shop. They had to know something was up at this point. Were they trying to find a way to break into Soul Society once again? And Orihime. She'd be so upset that she wasn't allowed in to help. But when it had been suggested that she be brought in, Mayuri had shot it down, scoffing and asking if they thought it wise to bring in the only person the hybrids truly listened to. To risk her getting infected.
The hybrids. Not a single one of them had been infected yet. Not in her division, and some of the hybrids had even bunked with the other infected. There was something going on there, but there was no way she could voice that revelation. If she ever regained control of her body, perhaps she could then. At the end, right before her brain was going to melt, she could use the last few words she had, to question why the hybrids were fine, and the Shinigami infected.
It couldn't be as hard as it seemed, forcing herself to move. But as another wave of heat coursed through her body, and she began howling and bashing her shoulder against the walls, she couldn't help but feel a little hopeless. And really, it was, wasn't it? Inevitably, she would die, and so would many others. Maybe a few Shinigami would live, but not enough to combat whoever was behind this. It would all be over.
He was sitting at his desk, verifying reports that the infection had reached the Hive. It was a soft sound, disguised as the clearing of a throat. He'd thought he hadn't heard it. He wished he hadn't. Not her. But when the look of resignation crossed her face, he knew. And so did she. He practically leapt over his desk, wondering if he was fast enough to stop her. Because a woman like her... she wouldn't risk spreading the virus. But she didn't need to die a bloody death to avoid it. Two tiny pricks and she wouldn't have hurt anyone. But he couldn't let her die. He hadn't really stopped to question why he was feeling the way he felt towards her, not in the long months since he'd transfered, wasn't even sure he could fully understand the depth of the way the two of them felt, even if he tried. But as he grabbed her wrist, the gauntlet already wrapped around it, and the first homonka on her arm, he could read the expression on her face, and he knew it was relief. He didn't have to say anything. It would only embarrass them both. The gauntlet flowed down her hand into its blade form, and hung limply in her hand. He stood silently, unmoving, even as she slowly tilted forward, her forehead resting against the beat of his heart. He felt her stiffen, knew the control was leaving her body. He knew in that moment, that as reckless and as stupid as he'd ever been, that he was somehow in love with his captain. And with that realization, came the stupidest thing he'd ever done.
The two fell to their knees, and Grimmjow took her katana. She made a strange sound, of protest perhaps, as he took her fingers from the hilt. A quick glance, and he found the drop of her blood remaining on the blade. He stared her in the eyes, as they faded to a dull blankness, and licked the drop of blood from the blade. "If you're going Soi, then so am I." he whispered. In an instant, she had her blade back, and was gone. He panicked in that moment. Instead of containing her in her last moment as her, he'd infected himself for love. If she somehow made it through, she was going to kill him. He had to catch her, while he was still him. So he followed her, through the division, where she strangely avoided every living person. But as the Captain of the Stealth Force, if she had a target, it was the only person she would harm.
It had probably been too long since he'd sat in this desk. But really, he could probably do paperwork anywhere, if he actually did it. No, he was at his desk, simply because it was the only normal thing he had. No alcohol during a quarantine. No laughter, pranks, or jokes either. And even no Nanao. Because she was always out. Checking on people, making notes. Facts and figures. Her comfort. But he desperately wished she were there. He wasn't infected. If she was with him, she was safe. And while he hadn't seen her that way in a very long time, he pictured her as the little girl that Lisa used to read to. Would he have to lose another person he'd grown close to? A knock on the door, followed by a solemn Nanao. "Another 5 in the quarantine rooms Captain," she said. She stood in front of his desk, and the grip she had on her book. It was different. She was worried. He stood from his desk, and put an arm around her. She had to be tired. She didn't protest. He guided her to the couch, and sat her down on it. After wrestling the book from her fingers, he told her to lay down. "Let me take care of them for a while Nanao. Wouldn't do if you got sick too." he told her. Her hand gripped his wrist as he stood. He knelt back down beside her, and brushed a kiss across her forehead. "Its going to be ok Nanao. We'll be ok, get some sleep." her eyes drifted shut, and Kyouraku slipped back into the chair behind his desk. He opened Nanao's book, and smiled, looking at the organized work of the beautiful woman. Maybe when it was all over, it would be the right time to take the next step in their relationship. They'd been together for the last 40 years after all.
So there we are. I know you are all hating me at this point in the plot, for everyone who is getting infected. Just remember, I haven't killed anyone important yet. And now for a shout out.
Kullotte: Thank you so much for your reviews. I'm glad you are interested in my story, I may not always have the time to update it, but I try to make every chapter interesting to make up for it. I love your theories on the virus, but I'm hoping to throw everyone for a loop here soon. Perhaps within the next few chapters even. There's only so long I can drag this out, and I'm really not good at fight scenes (spoiler) so they might not be great. I'll try my hardest for you and those like you that are willing to stick with my story.