.
Red
Sad Eyes by Crystal Castles
Disclaimer: This chapter contains spousal and child abuse.
Isane awoke Sunday afternoon at about 2pm with a hangover and checked her schedule. She had a shift beginning at 6pm so she basically had 4 hours left to her weekend. Rangiku had put too many blankets over her the night before and she had slept in the thermal clothing she wore the night before, so she woke up quite sweaty. She even had her boots on. So she began by pulling them off following with the outer layers of her clothing.
Then she poured herself a tall glass of cold water. She walked outside barefoot enjoying the cool temperature of the wood paneling under her bare feet. She wiggled her toes, then she sat to drink her water. She drank it pretty quickly as she was thirsty and dehydrated, but she stayed out a little longer to listen to the birds chirping.
Then she went back inside to run her bathwater. She ran it cooler than warm but not quite cold, a refreshing temperature. Then she left the bathroom to make herself something to eat. Famished, she prepared toast with jelly in addition to her usual porridge. She checked the bathwater and turned it off as the tub was almost full, then went back to eat finishing her midday breakfast quickly. When she finished eating she poured herself a glass of milk and dropped some ice cubes in it, then returned with it to the bathtub. She pulled off her final layers of clothing, dropping them carelessly on the floor and stepped into the tub.
It was a large tub, hewn out of a single piece of granite. She made it herself years ago, shortly after being promoted to the position of lieutenant. When she moved into her new quarters she found that the already installed bathtub was both old and way too small to accommodate her tall self with her long legs. Her knees would stick out way above the water level, significantly reducing her enjoyment of the bath. So on one of her remote hikes she went to the old quarry in search of a suitable piece of stone, searching amongst the useless abandoned rubble. The pieces on the ground were too small, even for a sink, so she ended up having to cut a big enough piece directly out of the quarry wall. She carved the tub onsite too. Going there when she had free time and hacking at it relentlessly with her zanpakuto.
Isane would have used a proper hammer and chisel but her Itegumo took offense, and assured Isane that she could take it the abuse of being slammed into the rock over and over again. So day after day she hacked at it until it was done. Then she sanded and polished it and moved it to her place with the help of Unohana and her Minazuki. Unohana helped her install it too, remodeling entire bathroom to make space for the tub.
It was the single most expensive item in her house and the one she was most proud of. Its outer edges were rough, raw, and uncarved but the inside was smooth and it followed the curves of her reclining body. She could lie in it and completely submerge herself if she wanted or she could lie in it with her head sticking out the water as she did now. There was even space for another person provided they were small enough though this was not a feature Isane designed it to have. She did however incorporate a cup-holder into the design and from this cup holder she grabbed her glass of milk and took a cool refreshing sip.
"Shit I really overdid it last night." she thought to herself as her skull reverberated with pain. She slumped further into the bathwater submerging herself completely. She blew bubbles out of her nostrils and opened her eyes which stung a little bit so she closed them again.
It felt nice to be submerged like this, hearing nothing but the soft muffled slosh of the water around her, seeing and feeling nothing but the water pulling the heat and dirt and sweat away from her body. It was like her own comfortable pocket of reality. Soon she ran out of bubbles though and lifted her head out of the water to breathe. The water suddenly dripped out from her ears, giving her back her hearing as well as a powerfully ticklish sensation that made her head involutarily shake. She listened to the water dripping off from her chin and looked down to see the ripples propagate from each one. Then she looked at her body warped beneath the undulating surface.
She thought for a moment that a belly button ring might look good on her then touched her bellybutton entertaining the idea. The image of Rukia's smooth porcelain torso flashed across her mind, reminding her that she needed to contact the girl. So she summoned a hell butterfly and sent her message.
Hey Rukia,
I hope you're doing well. There are some things I need to tell you and I'd prefer that we speak face to face. I have work tonight at 6 so tonight is not a good time for me but I'm free tomorrow afternoon. You usually have Monday nights free as well so if you could meet me for coffee at our usual spot then that would be great. I'll buy. Hope to see you there.
Yours,
Isane
Isane sent off the butterfly, watching as it dismounted from its perch on her outstretched finger then phase clear through the wall on its path toward Rukia. Then she let her arm dip back beneath the water and put her head back. She stayed like this for some time relaxing and drinking milk until her headache was gone. Water beginning to get cold, she got up and drained the tub then showered, using warm water now.
She shaved upon completion of the shower. Gliding the razor across the warm wet skin of her long slender leg, planted elegantly upon the edge of the tub. She shaved the other leg in the same manner. Legs done, she set to work shaving her pubic area. This procedure was not as elegant. She hunched her back forward dramatically so she could see what she was doing. One hand guiding the razor, shaving away the persistent fuzz, the other pulling the skin of her vulva taut to avoid any knicks and cuts. Then in downward strokes she followed the curve of her pubic mound leaving that smooth and bare too. This was her Sunday shaving routine. She did it for no-one but herself. It was her own sexy secret. And the feel of freshly shaven skin against the cool soft fabric of her underwear just felt nice.
She then shaved her armpits as well and turned off the water after she cleaned the hairs off the razor and washed them down the drain. She toweled off, patting the shaven skin dry instead of rubbing it, then applied a soothing shaving aftercare lotion with aloe vera as a primary ingredient.
She walked out the bathroom naked as she hadn't brought any clothes in with her and went to her dresser where she grabbed a pair of underwear and slipped it on. The cool fabric feeling nice against her tender skin. Then she checked the time, seeing that she had three hours left. She looked into her drawer deciding whether she should go through the trouble of wrapping her chest in a Sarashi, which she preferred enjoying the snug yet non-restricting feel, or just taking the easy route and putting on a bra instead. She was interrupted by a sudden knock on her door followed by the sound of a letter falling though her letter box.
"Mail?" She thought. "I never get mail."
She walked over and picked it up and saw that it was from Rukia then sat down on her couch opting to relax topless for a little longer.
Dear Isane,
I write to apologize to you, not only for my violation of your person the other day, but also for lacking the confidence to tell you the contents of this letter face to face.
The truth is, I am strongly attracted to you and have been for some time now. Though I have fought to keep my feelings for you pure, the attraction continued to bubble forth and reached its zenith the morning you healed me. I should not have done what I did and I hope that you'll forgive me. I also hope that despite this new revelation into my feelings we can keep some semblance of the friendship we once had.
Also for the sake of clarification, I was never mad at you, nor have I ever had reason to be. I was only avoiding spending time with you so that I could make my feelings pure again and I believe I should continue to do so until they go back to normal. I'm sorry I made you worry. Like the cliché says, it's not you, it's me.
Your friend,
Rukia
She put it down and leaned back in her chair. Its contents made her sad. But the fact that Rukia was finally honest with her feelings was good she thought. And she worried she might get a hell butterfly back declining her invitation if she got one at all.
. . .
Rukia received Byakuya's message summoning her to his office at around midday and she almost immediately made her way over. As she walked the halls of the estate, she wondered what he might want to speak about. It was rare for him to summon her like this so she feared it was serious.
She arrived at the door and knocked. He told her to come in.
He greeted her with a smile, rare for him, and she was made even more confused.
"Good afternoon Nii-Sama how can I be of service to you?" she said with a bow.
"Good afternoon Rukia. Are you well?" he asked.
"Yes. Nii-Sama, life is as busy as usual and all is going well."
"I'm glad he said."
"Anyway, I wish to speak with you about what we discussed last time you came." He said.
Rukia's mind returned to that day and she shifted nervously where she stood.
"I assure you that is behind me." She said. "I have forgotten her."
"No it isn't, and no you haven't." He corrected sternly. "And nor should you."
"The fuck is he talking about?" she thought to herself. Then he continued.
"I have thought over what I said and realize that I spoke too soon. I should waited before speaking."
"It's fine you…" Rukia began.
"Stop Rukia. Listen to me." He interrupted.
"You know very well that upholding traditions of our family, and respecting the honor of our elders is of utmost importance to me. And you know that they would at best dislike it if you were to pursue a relationship with another woman."
Rukia needlessly felt shame and still didn't understand what Byakuya was getting at.
"But." He continued "I cannot deny you the experience of love. In life, we must often submit to will of our families and our traditions. If we don't then those those concepts lose their sanctity, and our name will surely fall. But at the same time we cannot betray ourselves, nor should we deaden the desires of our hearts. I know certainly didn't. And yet here we are, our family is fine." He said.
"Nii-Sama." Rukia said not believing her ears.
"So for that reason, I call you here to recant my previous prohibition. Though they are… different, your desires aren't wrong or shameful. They are honest, true, and pure. This I saw in your eyes when you spoke of her. So go forth and pursue your love. If you two are good for each other, I pray you find yourself successful."
Tears fell from Rukia's eyes again. This time out of happiness.
"Thank you Nii-Sama." She said.
"I have heard of your tireless bounty hunting efforts as of late too." He said.
"I did it to take my mind off of her." Rukia said.
"I suspected so." He responded. "Your success in it has been notable. Impressive actually. Most Shinigami aren't that dedicated to their work. Stay dedicated however, and do it to train, to strengthen yourself. You and I are the face and the sword of the Kuchiki name after all and you uphold our name well." he said. Then he reached under his desk and pulled out a box, placing it on his desk.
"These are for you." He said. Gesturing for her to take the box. "They are a pair of Tekko. They are a bit of an heirloom." He said. "Though they are sometimes torn apart in battle and always tailored to fit their wearer they are still special and only the most powerful Kuchiki wear them. Our late grandmother wore this pair, more so as an ornament than a weapon, and I think it's time that you wore one and so I pass this down to you."
"I cannot wear something this special." Rukia said looking at the simple and beautiful white Tekko and considering herself unworthy of the honor.
"Of course you can, and you should. Take care of them and wear it proud. Try them on first though I had them tailored to my recollection of your arm size, so if they do not fit properly I can have it adjusted."
"You honor me Nii-Sama." Rukia said as she carefully removed them from the box. She looked at them for a moment then put them back and rolled up her sleeves exposing her bandaged arms."
"A hollow?" Byakuya asked.
"Yes." Rukia said.
"Even more reason to wear them." Byakuya responded.
Rukia smiled, then carefully put them on. "They fit perfectly." she said with a smile as she flexed her fingers and moved her wrist about getting a feel for them wishing that she cold feel the fabric against the skin of her forearms. So she touched them with her fingertips and found them to feel nice and soft yet solid. "I need to order another new Shikahusho." She thought to herself knowing that she couldn't wear something such as this hidden under long sleeved robes.
"Thank you Nii-Sama, for everything." She said as she bowed low once again.
Byakuya nodded and said "That will be all, unless you wish to discuss something. You have everything you need? You're comfortable?" he asked.
"Yes Nii-Sama. I have all I need."
"Good." He said.
"Thank you. Nii-Sama" Rukia said with another bow then left.
She walked through the hallways of the Kuchiki manor with vigor and excitement in her step carrying her new Tekko in their box. She was amazed that Byakuya had given her his blessing, and this honor. It was not until she got home that she realized that even with his blessing she had only won half the battle. This was reasonable she thought, as even though Isane may never return her feelings she at least could be honest and open about them even if it was only to herself. She thought herself fortunate.
Then she remembered the letter she had sent that morning. Surely Isane had read it by now. Naturally she regretted sending it. Primarily because Isane now knew exactly what Rukia felt toward her, which just made Rukia nervous, and because she now had to figure out how to undo what she had said and try to spend time with her again without making it weird.
"At least I don't have to tell her I like her now. That much was obvious with the letter and the kiss." she thought to herself, weighing pros and cons. Then her heart fluttered and her face blushed at the memory.
"I'll just have to wait and see how she responds." she thought to herself, wishing that Isane wouldn't do as her letter requested and simply leave her alone.
Still exited, she realized that she had to share the news with Sode No Shirayuki who had counseled and consoled her before. So she grabbed the sword from its spot on the shelf and called its spirit forth then hugged her companion without warning.
"What is it? What happened? Why are you so happy?" Yuki asked demandingly and with confusion.
"Byakuya called me over!" Rukia said letting her go.
"And?" Yuki asked still not knowing where this was going.
"He gave me his blessing. I'm free to pursue Isane if I wish!"
"Wow! He went completely 180 with that." Yuki said.
"I know." Rukia said with girly excitement.
"This is good. Now all you have to do is win her heart." Yuki said with calm understated happiness as was her manner.
"I know." Rukia said. "How do I do that?"
"Oh I have no clue how to proceed in these matters." Yuki said.
"Me neither. I've never had to… pursue anyone before. Things just happened." She said thinking aloud and clearly showing that she had no idea how to proceed. "This is so new."
"Oh! And Byakuya gave me these!" Rukia said holding up the box.
Before she could open it to show Yuki the Tekko she was interrupted by Yuki who, pointed at the hell butterfly flying toward them.
"Who is this?" Rukia asked as she put down the box and reached out to the butterfly letting it land on a finger. Then she read the message aloud.
Hey Rukia,
I hope you're doing well. There are some things I need to tell you and I'd prefer that we speak face to face. I have work tonight at 6 so tonight is not a good time for me but I'm free tomorrow afternoon. You usually have Monday nights free as well so if you could meet me for coffee at our usual spot then that would be great. I'll buy. Hope to see you there.
Yours,
Isane
"Well there it is." Yuki said.
"Yeah. I guess I'm meeting her tomorrow afternoon." Rukia said. "I'm even more nervous now."
"Just be cool and play it by ear." Yuki advised.
"Heh. You said you had no clue how to proceed in these matters." Rukia said teasingly.
Yuki laughed then said "I don't, being chill is plainly obvious though."
"True." Rukia said, then laughed.
Rukia's day had thus changed from being a dull and depressing one to a happy and exciting one with a touch of love driven anxiety. She proceeded to spend the rest of her Sunday chilling with Yuki.
. . .
Upon arriving at home Rangiku went straight to the bathroom to take a shower. Though she felt great thanks to Unohana's care, she still looked like shit so she was in need of a bath and a hairbrush. After being restored to usual state of cleanliness and radiance, she went to the kitchen as she was hungry. Her refrigerator was pitifully bare though so she ate some dry toast and coffee then brushed her teeth and got dressed to go out. She went to see her captain and invited him to accompany her to the farmers market. Hitsugaya declined her invitation once he found out it was all the way in Rukongai.
So she set out alone, and flash stepped all the way to the gates of Seireitei. Then she walked once she crossed over to the other side of the wall as she wanted to take in the sights, sounds, and smells of regular life that she rarely encountered. It was busy and bustling in Rukongai. As she walked, people stopped what they were doing and stared at her, as much for her beauty as for the fact that she was obviously a Shinigami. Though she was not wearing the standard shikahusho nor carrying her zanpakuto, her commanding presence made it apparent.
She smiled at those who made eye contact. But they hastily turned they gaze away as if afraid. Despite these reactions, which she encountered every time she ventured out of Seireitei, she enjoyed the walk. She most enjoyed watching those who didn't pay her any mind and instead remained focused on what they were doing. Selling things and doing business, chatting and arguing with emphatic gestures. Children playing, people cutting wood for fire. Regular life, the simple life.
Soon she arrived at the farmers market and began walking about its booths, looking at what was offered. There were fruits and vegetables of every kind. Fish, meat, and baked goods too. She bought as she walked while being mindful of the fact that she would have to carry all the things back herself. Then her attention was grabbed by the wild commotion of people gathered around one cart in particular.
They were buying mad shit, many stumbling one after another out of the crowd carrying large fresh looking watermelons in their arms. "It's almost winter." Rangiku thought before she squeezed her way through the crowd to see the kiosk they were gathered about. Sure enough she saw watermelons. Loads of them all large and good looking despite being out of season. But there were peaches and strawberries and apples too. And all looked deceptively good.
"These are all out of season." Rangiku said to the vendor.
"I come from the south." He replied. "And I grow in a greenhouse. Try a strawberry, they're better than the ones other people grow IN season." He said making his sales pitch without even looking at her as he was too busy handling cash.
"Ok, thank you." She said before grabbing one bright red berry and examining it before taking a bite.
Her teeth slid through its flesh, devastating and disfiguring the beautiful berry but releasing its flavor and juices into her mouth. And oh how sweet it was. Her eyes went wide with the first bite and she knew she had to buy some. It tasted like late spring, fresh and full of life. Its flesh was firm yet compliant and there was a tart tanginess to its sweetness. She took another bite and its juice ran down the corner of her mouth but she intercepted the flow with her tongue and licked it up.
"I'll take 10 pounds." She said.
He looked at her for a moment then put ten pounds of strawberries in a box and charged her.
"You know what." Rangiku said as he handed the box to her causing him to pause. "If your peaches are as good as your strawberries I'll take ten of those too."
He smiled proudly and said "They are." Then prepared a box of those too.
"Anything else?" he asked before charging her again. Rangiku responded in the negative, not wanting to carry a watermelon in addition to all the other things she had purchased then paid for the fruits.
She picked up her bags which were now annoyingly heavy but not unbearably so and continued walking. As she walked about the market the bags seemed to get heavier. But it was only the fatigue in her arms that made it seem so. Nonetheless, she bought an entire gallon of freshly squeezed orange juice, this purchase driven by the refreshment Unohana's orange juice gave her that morning.
Now with entirely way too much stuff to carry she finally decided to head home. As she made her way out of the market a rack of dried persimmon caught her eyes. Her favorite. She paused for a moment and considered buying some but decided not to and walked on.
The trip back was longer and less pleasant. Her pace made slow by the burden of all she was carrying. She wished Toshiro had come with her so he could carry some stuff too, but figured he probably wouldn't carry much anyway. After all he decided not to go simply because he considered it a far journey.
Approaching her walk with the mindset that it was a workout, Rangiku marched on and after about a half hour arrived back at home. She dumped the entirety of her purchase on the counter with one swift movement. Immediately she was taken with concern that she had bruised the peaches. But she checked and they weren't bruised so she poured herself a glass of orange juice grabbed a peach and some berries that sat down to rest.
"What the fuck am I going to do with all these berries?" She thought to herself realizing that she had gotten carried away with their purchase. She considered making ice cream with them but this reminded her that she didn't have amy cream and that she had forgotten to buy milk. She considered going out to get some but decided not to as the weather was too cold for ice cream anyway.
Then as she was chewing on one of those succulent berries she realized that she could give some to Captain Unohana as a token of thanks. She decided that this was a good idea but didn't want to head out just yet. Unohana was probably still working anyway. So she put away her groceries and then laid down on the couch to take a nap. She soon found peaceful slumber once again.
. . .
Work was pretty boring at the Fourth for Unohana. It consisted entirely of managerial tasks and paperwork. And there were no surgeries to perform, neither major nor minor. This was good in a way as it meant that no one was getting injured, but bad since surgery was what Unohana most enjoyed in her work. The process of receiving a body, broken, dying, and unconscious, and mechanically setting it right again was amazing. As was watching it slowly regain its normal function and consciousness and feeling the strength of the soul build again. Surgery was the polar opposite of killing, also a moving experience for her. The process of taking a being in its prime state and breaking it. Dismantling its body with her blade, then feeling its strength and consciousness fade permanently. Both experiences were absolutely enthralling for her and she loved them equally.
Surgery gave her the exact same rush that fighting did due to the tenseness and urgency involved. The focus and precision required. The smallest error, a cut a little to the left or a little to the right, or a little too deep could mean the difference between life and death. And when she emerged victorious in her endeavor she would feel a great sense of accomplishment and triumph.
This time of peace in Soul Society deprived her of this feeling and it made her a little restless. "Perhaps this is why I behaved the way I did toward Isane. Perhaps I was compensating for this lack of excitement." She thought to herself as she sat at the machine the 12th division had completed for the Fourth and installed, exploring its software and taking notes. "Or perhaps I'm just lonely."
Only for a moment did she consider the possibility that she desired love. She fancied herself as someone above the need for love and amorous companionship. She wasn't sexual either, never even touching herself. Her vagina was probably the weakest muscular apparatus in her body. It was completely ignored but not yet barren as menopause was still a couple centuries away for her.
Instead of realizing that her sexuality was making a resurgence, her mind went to the memory of the first time she killed.
It happened when she was a little girl, only decades old. Upon arrival into Soul Society she was taken into a large poor family consisting of 6 boys, 2 girls, a man, and a woman. The woman had a soft part of her heart which drove her to take in all these little lonely children in, wanting to care for them and give them a better life. Her husband on the other hand wanted none of it. He was a selfish man and they were poor so to him the kids were only a burden, extra mouths to feed and worry about. And he made no attempt to hide his displeasure at having all these kids around. She remembered overhearing him say once that "you should leave them out like the rest of the strays, they aren't ours anyway." during a conversation with his wife about how they would feed everyone during a particularly dire shortage.
Out of all the children little Yachiru earned the most of his hatred. Though she was the youngest and the smallest - a tiny little thing with hair half as long as she was tall, and big blue eyes that seemed to take up the majority of face - she was the most headstrong and stubborn and energetic. And she had the largest appetite of all the children.
Her brothers, emulating the father figure in their life were, like him, verbally abusive toward her. This didn't last long though. The oldest boy put his hands on her once after she rebutted to one of his insults with one that was even more scathing and sarcastic. He pushed her and she fell. The mother scolded him strongly but he and his father began to complain in his defense saying that she deserved it. A commotion began between them but it was silenced when Yachiru suddenly jumped two feet up from the ground and decked him in the jaw, planting her little fist into his face with a punch that fractured his jaw and knocked him to the ground. She continued whaling away at his sarcastic condescending face until the man pulled her off and slapped her across the face with a swift backhand which just caused greater commotion between her mother and the man.
After this incident the parents argued more and more, going at it into the night and keeping Yachiru and her siblings awake. A divide formed between the kids too. Her two sisters though older, looked up to her because of her strength and her brothers were both fearful and hostile. They only spoke of her behind her back. They were afraid of incurring her wrath. One night as the ten of them sat at the dinner table, sparsely laid with comestible poverty, the mother announced that she had found two more children, in the street. Her husband erupted with anger and yet another argument commenced. He and his wife just yelling at each other in front of the kids and loud enough for people outside to hear. He was saying the wildest and harshest shit and she arguing that she couldn't just ignore the kids and leave them to starve. Making loud hysterical appeals to emotion. She called him selfish, cruel, and said that he was a terrible father.
And then he slapped her and she shut up. She stared at him for a moment, then she began to cry. It was the first time he had ever put his hands on her. Seeing her mother in this state made Unohana's blood boil so she threw her plate at his face and lunged at him. She landed but one hit before he grabbed her and slammed her so hard into the table it cracked. The shards of ceramic that had fallen after the plate shattered on his forehead cut into her neck and back and his blood dripped onto her face as he choked her. He screamed obscenities, yelling about how he will "kill this bitch." The mother screamed even louder now, pulling at her husband's arms as she begged him to let little Yachiru go. His grip didn't falter though. Yachiru squirmed and struggled under him, clawing at his forearms, swinging and kicking but achieving nothing, her world going black.
Then he screamed "FINE!" picked her up by the collar of her top, and literally threw her out of the door. Then he told her not to come back. She caught her breath and rubbed her throat, then pulled the largest of the shards out of her back, and began to climb back into the house through the window. She stopped when he pointed a kitchen knife square between her eyes daring her to climb further. Her mother's incoherent screaming had never stopped and now uttered a shrill "NO!" as she rushed to the window and pushed her husband away then kneeled before Yachiru, her face still red from his slap. She begged for her to leave, fearing for Yachiru's life and hoping that she would be strong enough to fend for herself.
So Yachiru let herself down and walked and walked and walked with tears in her eyes and anger in her heart. A week went by and no one payed her any attention, no one was friendly, all shooed her away, and she found nothing to eat. And so like a starved stray she found herself sitting before her old house across the street and under a tree one night. She sat with her chin resting on her knees, staring at the house from a distance frustrated and starving.
The man came home and walked up to her.
"Go." He said. "I don't want to see you around here again."
"No." She said.
He shoved her legs with his foot. "Leave." He said.
"No." she said again, this time with anger in her voice.
He shoved her harder with his foot and told her to leave more aggressively.
"No." she said staring at him with hatred in her eyes.
He began to threaten her saying what he would do if she did not leave. Seething, she clenched her fists and stood not breaking eye contact.
"No." she said once more standing firm with defiance.
His lips twisted into an angry frown and he lunged for her.
But she countered, screaming as she pulled a long knife out from the folds of her clothes and drove it deep into his torso at a steep upward angle. The blade slid though his flesh, cutting through his intestines, piercing his stomach and coming to rest in his right lung. His eyes went wide and his breathing stopped short. He slowly turned his head down to look upon the handle of the knife sticking out of his shirt, soaking through with blood. Then he looked at her and fell to his knees. He pulled the knife out with a scream of agony and dropped it on the ground beside him.
Eye to eye now he put his hands on her shoulders to try and hold himself up and coughed, flinging a mouthful of blood into her face. But she did not blink. Instead she shoved him to the ground then picked up the blade and stood above him. Blood pooling on the ground now he coughed and kicked at the dirt in panic and fear trying to get away. He gurgled forth the words "Please, don't."
Little Yachiru smiled then stabbed the knife straight through his heart with such force that the tip of the blade reached the dirt of the ground on the other side. And he screamed his final scream.
She knelt on top of his chest now and wrapped her hands around his neck. Then she squeezed as she stared into his panicked dying eyes. His blood soaked into clothes and poured from his mouth onto her hands. Despite his and her trembling she could feel what was left of his heartbeat, fleeting and weak through his neck.
He coughed, gurgled, and gasped, then finally died.
She released her grip but stayed where she was feeling a sense of satisfaction as she stared at his face, eyes wide and blank. She watched as little air bubbles bubbled up and out of his mouth and found it amusing. Then she heard her mother's footsteps running toward them.
When her mother saw what little Yachiru had done she stopped her gallop and screamed a scream Unohana would never forget. But Yachiru calmly climbed off the dead man and pulled her blade from his chest then faced her mother with her hands, hair, clothes, and face painted red.
Her mother screamed again then rushed forward and pulled her husband into her arms shaking him to try and revive him. But it was futile, he was gone.
"He's dead." Yachiru said. "I'm sorry." then she turned to walk away.
Her siblings now rushed out of the house too, wanting to see the source of the commotion. Their mother yelled for them to stay back but they didn't and they saw. Her sisters screamed upon seeing the horrific sight and her brothers yelled in anger then ran at her. She spun round and faced them, brandishing her weapon in a ready stance and they stopped in their tracks, fearing their father's fate.
She smiled at them mockingly and laughed. Then turned and walked off into the night, never to see her mother or her siblings again.
Unohana smiled nostalgically at the memory. Then looked at the time. It was 6:34, her shift was long over. So she powered the machine down and closed her notebook. Then she stood and adjusted her robes, fixed her braid, and exited the Diagnostic Imaging room. On her way out she checked the log to confirm that Isane had signed in. Then she said goodbye to the staff and made her way home. As she walked she thought of her mother and wondered if she was okay, whether she was indeed alive in the first place and if so what her life was like now over 2000 years later. She walked with guilt in her heart, sad that she had given her mother such trauma.
Soon she arrived home and her mind was returned to the present for on the stairs of her doorstep sat none other than Rangiku.
"Good evening Matsumoto-san." She said walking up to her.
"Good evening Unohana Taicho." Rangiku said respectfully as she stood and descended the stairs so as to not stand above the captain.
"I came to offer you these strawberries I bought as a gesture of thanks for taking care of me this morning."
"Oh how thoughtful of you. Come in." Unohana said with a warm welcoming smile.
She grabbed the doorknob and tried to turn it but it did not move then jiggled the knob back and forth.
"You locked the door when you left?" She asked Rangiku as she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a key.
"Of course." Rangiku said. "Do you not lock your doors when you leave?" Rangiku asked.
"No. Why would I?" Unohana asked. "Who is going to break in?"
"Oh." Rangiku thought finding this strange. "No one I guess."
"You lock your doors?" Unohana asked.
"Yes." Rangiku responded.
"Interesting." Unohana said as the door clicked open. Then she gestured for Rangiku to enter.
They walked to the kitchen and Unohana turned on the lights. Rangiku squinted for a moment then her eyes adjusted. She placed the box of berries on the table. Unohana opened it.
"Wow!" She said upon looking at the beautiful red berries and the three peaches nestled in the middle of them.
"Where did you get these?" She asked. "Neither strawberries nor peaches are in season."
"I know." Rangiku responded. "I bought them at a farmers market in Rukongai. The vendor said he came from the south and that he grows them in a greenhouse. Try one. They're really good."
"Ok. Let me wash my hands first." Unohana said then removed her Haori and walked off to lay it on the couch. She returned and washed her hands in the kitchen sink then shook her hands off. She grabbed one and inspected it briefly.
"They're ripe." She commented.
"Yes." Rangiku said.
Unohana bit into it and as she slowly chewed. a gleeful smile crept onto her face. Rangiku had never seen Unohana smile like this before. Unohana raised her eyebrows, enjoying the taste and nodded, confirming that they were really good.
Then she popped the rest of the berry leaves and all into her mouth.
"Dafuq?" Rangiku thought.
Unohana finished that bite then looked to her fingertips which were painted red with the strawberries juices. So she licked them off, one finger at a time. Rangiku looking on as she did so.
Unohana withdrew the tip of her thumb from her lips, making a soft inadvertent kissing sound as she did so. And asked "Are you just going to stand there and watch me eat? Sit. Share with me."
They sat, Rangiku grabbed one, Unohana grabbed another.
"Thank you." Unohana said holding up the berry and really enjoying this treat.
Rangiku smiled and nodded.
"By the way," Rangiku said "I wanted to apologize for the way I spoke to you this morning and for vomiting in your fountain."
"Don't worry." Unohana responded. "The fountain washes off into the creek and your words though rude, were true."
"It wasn't my business nor my place to say anything."
Unohana shrugged and let out a sound that basically meant "meh."
"She told you what happened?" Unohana asked.
"Yes. I found her drinking her troubles away under a tree. I cheered her up though and then we got recreationally drunk." Rangiku said still a little embarrassed.
"Did she tell you that she was the one who kissed me?"
"You two kissed?!" Rangiku.
"She didn't mention that detail?" Unohana asked regretting that she had just accidentally divulged that personal detail.
"No. She didn't." Rangiku responded as she imagined Unohana and Isane kissing, how such a kiss would look, the type of kiss it would be. Then she glanced briefly at Unohana's lips, the lips that kissed Isane, lips she never imagined would be inclined to kiss.
"She only told me that Rukia kissed her."
"Aah yes." Unohana said. "I hope they end up together. They complement each other I think."
"I guess." Rangiku said.
"You disagree?" Unohana inquired.
"It's not that." Rangiku responded. "I've never considered the idea of the two of them being a couple. I just watched as Isane's feelings for you developed, and I hoped that it would reach an end that was happy for her."
"You'd rather she be with me?" Unohana asked.
"Well, I just didn't want to see her heartbroken. So in a way, yes, I wanted you and her to end up together. I see why you would be opposed to such an arrangement though."
Unohana laughed then said "You're quite the matchmaker Rangiku-san." recalling Rangiku's hand in getting Momo and Tobiume together.
Rangiku smiled not knowing if Unohana was making fun of her or not. (She wasn't.)
"Anyway," she continued "like I told her, we cannot be both colleagues and lovers so while a part of me enjoys her affection, I cannot allow myself to return it."
Rangiku was amazed that Unohana was telling her all this.
"You seem shocked." Unohana said casually holding strawberry. "Just because I'm an old captain doesn't mean I don't have the same feelings and desires everyone else does." she explained, thinking that she was uttering a lie and trying to humanize herself before Rangiku to make her more comfortable. "I just can't indulge in them."
"Why not?" Rangiku asked simply. The question taking Unohana off guard. Quickly she responded.
"Because my work and my responsibilities come first."
"That is a valid reason." Rangiku said.
Unohana smiled.
"Well. Now that you've opined on me and Isane's life. Let me ask you. Why do you stay single?" Unohana asked curious to see what Rangiku would say.
Rangiku laughed. "Well," she said. "I don't mean to sound pretentious but no one has yet come forth who is worthy of the investment of my love. Nor am I really looking for such a person. I don't yearn for it as much."
"Valid." Unohana said.
She looked at the time and saw that it was late. Then asked if Rangiku was hungry.
"Not really." Rangiku said "I ate already."
Unohana clearly saw that Rangiku was lying but understood her reluctance to stay, she was still a bit uncomfortable. So Unohana concluded their convo.
"Well then, this was good, getting to know each other a little more." She said standing up.
"Yes it was." Rangiku responded following suit.
"And thank you for the strawberries and the peaches. I'll probably just eat a peach and go to sleep now. The day has been long."
"I'm glad you enjoyed them." Rangiku said as she too stood and was escorted to the door.
"Come by for dinner some time." Unohana said as Rangiku stepped out. "I enjoyed your company."
"Thank you." Rangiku said. "I will."
"Goodnight, stay warm." Unohana said.
"Goodnight Unohana Taicho." Rangiku responded walking off as she adjusted her scarf. She made a left and walked a couple paces then stopped.
"The other way." Unohana called out.
So Rangiku turned round and walked, this time in the correct direction. She waved. Unohana waved back.
Rangiku never expected to discover these layers of Unohana's personality. Her view of the Captain hand changed this night. She discovered that she was a creature that felt, desired, loved, and kissed. She was a person just like her. Not just some elevated figure of power existing in a world above hers with a unidimensional existence. It was nice to get to know her a little better, and become more comfortable around her. And she could kind of see what Isane was attracted to in her. Surely she would return for dinner soon.
Unohana watched from her door as Rangiku walked further and further away. She thought to herself that Rangiku was an interesting woman indeed. And she wondered if Rangiku was completely over Gin's betrayal. Curious, she wanted to dig deeper into Rangiku's heart to see what it contained. Then she wondered why she was curious as she closed her door and returned to the kitchen. She further wondered why she had been so personal, open, and friendly towards Rangiku in the first place.
"Perhaps I'm just lonely." She thought.
. . .