.
Hearts Entangled
Dream A Little Dream Of Me by The Mamas &The Papas
Back at the bar, the girls had finished their drinking and stood together outside now, the cold night air feeling good against their skin in comparison to the air of the bar which became hotter and damper as more and more people poured in as the night went on.
"Well that was nice. I'm so glad Rukia found you two." Kiyone said to Tobiume and Momo in good spirits.
"Yeah, It was fun. Let's do it again soon." Momo said as a completely drunk Tobiume leaned up against her for support.
"Totally." Kiyone said as her sister nodded her agreement.
"Anyway we ought to get going. This one's totally out of it." Momo said pointing at Tobiume.
"Momo-chaaan do I have to walk? I don't wanna walk." Tobiume asked with a whine.
"You don't have to if you don't want to Tobi." Momo responded.
"Yay! Ima go back in then." Tobiume said cheerily.
"Alright." Momo said as she pulled her sword out of her scabbard just enough for a sliver of silvery metal to show.
"If I don't call you when we get home wake me up, I don't wanna sleep in here." Tobiume said as she began to glow red and become translucent.
She then waved goodbye and said "Bye guys, it was nice hanging out with you." then disappeared into the blade.
"Are you ok to walk home alone?" Kiyone asked.
"Yeah I'm fine. Plus she's right here with me anyway." Momo responded placing her hand upon the sword strapped to her hip.
"Ok. We're off to the 13th then." Kiyone said.
"Goodnight." Momo said.
"Goodnight." The other three responded.
And so they split, Momo and Tobiume heading to the 5th and the rest heading to the 13th.
"They're really close." Isane commented. "I don't know of any other Shinigami can do that."
"What, the materialization?" Kiyone asked.
"Yeah."
"I can." Rukia said. "Although that said Yuki doesn't come out that often. She says it's annoyingly hot out here for her."
"That's so cool!" Isane said with interest, wondering what her sword spirit truly looked like in the first place.
"Yeah. She almost exclusively asks to come out when I cook something good. Moocher…"
Isane laughed, thinking to herself that she should spend more time with her sword spirit too and not leave the blade at home all the time like usual, especially considering how Itegumo reached out to her just the day before.
"By the way, you know they're together right?" Kiyone said to Isane.
"Huh. Who? Momo and Tobiume?" Isane asked a bit incredulously.
"You couldn't tell?" Kiyone said just as incredulous as Isane.
Rukia couldn't help but grin.
"No. I didn't know you could, I mean I don't see why you couldn't, wow."
"Damn sis, you're dense." Kiyone said.
And Rukia laughed her polite laugh as they walked onward.
Isane fell silent and sank into her own thoughts, thinking about what she wanted. Thinking about the girl beside her who walked as quietly as she did. Only occasionally did she speak to Kiyone as the three of them, though still fully under control of themselves, were certainly affected by their drinking and were in need of sleep. Her heart raced at the idea of her and Rukia being a thing, just like Momo and Tobiume were. It wasn't so much that she wanted to be with Rukia, in fact the very idea of Rukia as a romantic partner was still very new and very strange to her. Rather she wanted to feel the feelings that such a union would give her, a closeness that only they would know. The love, tenderness, and trust.
The interlocking of their hands dwelled heavily on her mind right now and she wished she could do it again. To touch in such a simple yet profoundly symbolic way and feel Rukia's body against hers whether it be just her palm or her entire lithe frame. And the fact that Rukia could and wanted to offer her such feelings and experiences made her more accept the notion that she wanted to be with Rukia in some capacity.
"They were right." She thought to herself. "I need to make my move. Feeling like this. Doing what I did last night. Rukia and I need to talk about us." She thought to herself. "About us. Oh my god."
And then she had an idea, it was beautiful and romantic and with confidence and determination she decided that she would make it happen.
They stopped walking and she realized that they had arrived at the 13th and reached a point where the group would have to split again.
"Well, this our stop." Kiyone said, readying herself to go on her and Isane's way.
"Goodnight then it was a pleasure as always." Rukia said.
"Goodnight." Kiyone responded and started off then stopped when she noticed her sister didn't follow.
"I'll catch up with you in a moment." She said. "Rukia, let me walk you home."
"W- ok." Kiyone said then set off swiftly, clearly seeing that Isane was tense and that something needed to be said between the two potential lovers. She wore a smile as she walked away, not knowing what it was that Isane was going to do but feeling proud that Isane was about to do it.
Meanwhile Rukia and Isane had set off to Rukia's place and Isane had thus far said nothing.
Rukia chose to break the silence.
"Thank you for accompanying me. I appreciate it." She said.
"What?"
"You accompanying me home to make sure I get in all right. I assure you I'm fine though." Rukia said knowing that this probably wasn't the reason Isane had chosen to walk with her.
"That's not why." Isane said. "I wanted to ask you something."
"Oh." Rukia said wondering what it was that she was going to say and wishing that there was something she could do to put Isane at ease.
"What is it?"
"I want to take you somewhere." Isane began. "Just you and me. I've realized some... things recently and I wanted to talk to you about them."
"Of course. Where do you want to go?"
"To this spot Kiyone and I used to play in when we were younger. A lake. The sunset there is beautiful. I think it would be a good place for us to talk about…"
"…us?" Rukia said finishing Isane's sentence.
"Yes." Isane said. That single confirmation bringing such satisfaction to Rukia's heart.
She knew that asking this would strain Isane but she wanted to hear her say it so bad. So she asked anyway.
"Is it a date?"
"Something like that." Isane said with a blush so strong.
A wide smile crept onto Rukia's face making Isane feel happy that her confession brought such satisfaction to Rukia.
"When do you want to go?" Rukia asked.
"Are you free tomorrow night?"
"Yes. You know that." Rukia responded as they reached the door to her place.
"I just wanted to make sure. Anyway, I'll send you a butterfly when I get off of work and we'll coordinate from there." Isane responded feeling a little more relaxed.
"Why not just text me?" Rukia asked.
"My denreishinki is always either lost or its battery is completely dead. Although it's still probably charged from last night. You know what, I'll just text you, I probably won't manage to lose it between today and tomorrow." Isane said.
"Sounds like a plan." Rukia said with a laugh.
Then she waited a moment to see if Isane was going to say something else. She didn't and they stared at each other for an awkward moment that was broken by Isane's utterance of a meaningless "umm…"
"You can come inside if you want." Rukia offered thinking that Isane didn't really want to leave and that they could hydrate themselves or something so as to avoid a headache the next morning.
"I shouldn't. We've been drinking and…"
"I understand." Rukia said awkwardly twiddling her food at the thought of what could transpire should Isane enter and stay a bit two long.
"Goodnight then. I'll see you tomorrow." Isane said cheerfully as she turned slightly to leave.
"Wait." Rukia said.
Isane froze and turned back to her with a confused expression.
"You don't hug me when you say goodbye like you used to." She said as she reached out with both arms asking to be embraced.
Isane looked Rukia in the eyes then stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the girl.
"I'm sorry." She whispered. "Things have changed. They've become… different."
Rukia pulled back a bit to look at her and said "And I'm glad that they have." Then she planted a quick kiss on Isane's warm rosy cheek and let her go.
Isane touched the spot with her fingers and smiled.
"For a there second I thought you were going to kiss me again." she said feeling butterflies.
"What would you have done if I did?" Rukia asked flirtatiously.
"I would have kissed you back." Isane responded with her heart racing as she tried to speak as suavely as possible.
"And what would you do if I kissed you now?" Rukia asked.
"I'd kiss you back."
Rukia stared for a moment at Isane's lips, then back into her eyes. And then Isane smirked. It was so sexy and Rukia immediately grabbed the ends of her scarf, pulled her in, and kissed her. She originally intended for it to be brief but the refarmiliarization with Isane's lips and the girls hands at her waist holding her close drove her to stay a bit longer. So she did, savoring the moment and its sweetness. Soon however restraint prevailed and she pulled away despite the strong temptation linger longer.
They looked at each other now, faces inches apart, each with lust in their eyes, and Isane moved in for another kiss. But her lips were met with Rukia's finger, stopping her approach.
"Tomorrow." Rukia whispered. "If we continue we might not stop."
Isane shuddered and Rukia bit her lip, both feeling a desire neither was ready to indulge in at the moment.
"You're right." Isane said. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Sweet." Rukia responded.
And with that Isane hurried off while Rukia wondered if she had gone too far, not knowing that Isane walked with the biggest most excited grin on her face and butterflies in her stomach. Soon each found themselves in bed thinking of the moments that had just transpired between them and what the next day would hold.
. . .
Headlock By Imogen Heap
. . .
"Oh where to begin? Where to begin?" Unohana said then thought to herself for a moment.
Then she got it.
"My name, is Yachiru Unohana."
"Or rather my name was Yachiru Unohana. I gave myself that name long ago. Before that, I was simply called Little One. My mother gave me that name, a literal name as I was little then and stayed little for a very long time. In fact I'm probably still short by some people's standards." She said causing Rangiku to laugh as she imagining a cute little Unohana, or rather a cuter and littler Unohana. Then she thought to herself that it was strange that the 11th division's lieutenant shared the name.
"My first memory was of waking up with a headache in a state of extreme hunger. Dizzy and weak as I looked up at what was then an unknown and very worried woman's face. Before that moment I remember nothing and immediately after that moment she took me into her arms and into her life and proceeded to raise me as if I was her daughter by birth. I don't know when or where I was born. I don't know if I was born then abandoned in Soul Society or if I died as a child on the human plane and emerged in Soul Society the day she found me. What is important is that strictly speaking my life began when she found me, so I consider that day my birthday: April 12th almost 2000 years ago."
"You're 2000 years old?!" Rangiku said in disbelief.
"Almost 2000." Unohana corrected.
"You look so good though. I knew that you are one of the four great captains but I did not expect you to be that old." Rangiku said then backpedaled saying. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to call you old. It's just you look so good that, No. That sounds weird too…"
Unohana giggled and said "I understand what you mean, and to that all I can say is that I take care of myself."
"Anyway my mother was an amazing woman. She had the most caring heart I have ever encountered. Nine kids were in her care. Nine. And none of us were hers. She found us all and took us all in, unable to leave us to suffer alone, starving to death."
"Her husband was a different man altogether. He was an angry, broken, and resentful man. I always wondered how such a rat like him could end up with someone as amazing as her." Unohana said, her anger leaking out just enough for Rangiku to notice. Motivating her to place a consoling hand atop Unohana's.
Unohana allowed it to remain.
"I don't think he ever smiled at me, and I know that he certainly never wanted me around. And yet, even after he began to abuse my mother and us verbally she still insisted I refer to him as my father. One day, the abuse became physical, and I, a fearless little girl, tried to protect her. Out of my six brothers and two sisters only I moved to protect her. And he threw me out because of it." Rangiku squeezed her hand tighter.
"A week later I returned, and I killed him."
Rangiku felt a chill and let Unohana's hand go.
"That was the day Little One died. My innocence was gone. And the person who would become Yachiru was born. It was my second birth. For on that day I discovered my taste for blood. I never knew I had such a taste and there were no signs I would develop it. Sure I did have a bit of a temper but I wasn't one of those kids who pulled wings off of dragonflies and such, needlessly hurting things for fun. But as I stood above his lifeless body I felt a most amazing feeling. A feeling I would never forget. I felt powerful, accomplished, and alive. I did that to him. I put him there, limp on the ground in that state. And he was never coming back. I remember feeling like such a big girl as I sat atop him with my knife in hand, so proud."
"The feeling was short lived though for my mother came outside and screamed a scream that I would also never forget. I had killed the man she loved and needless to say, I never saw her or my siblings ever again."
"Immediately I entered a life of violence and became that kid. The kid that destroyed for fun. Fighting and killing became both my tool of survival and my source of fun. It became the way I played. I'd look around until I found someone worthy of my hatred and then would pick a fight with them. But I was small, weak, and untrained in battle so I lost a lot. I survived though, for after defeating or disarming me, no one would kill me. In their eyes I was just a little misguided girl, not even a serious threat. Whenever this happened it angered me so much. I felt so... disrespected. And many times I would simply return to kill them while they slept. Heart racing with excitement as they woke up to a knife in their gut and the sight of the girl they refused to finish off looming above them."
"I eventually stopped killing people while they slept though. Something about it felt wrong and unfair. There was no fight, victory was not earned. So I just fought more, and got better and better at it. Eventually I got myself a sword, a regular metal sword as the Zanpakuto had not been invented yet. It soon broke so I got another. Then when that one broke I replaced it with another, then another, then another. All the while improving at my swordsmanship."
"And then I met her." Unohana said with a nostalgic smile.
"She was like me, a young girl with only a blade to keep her company. And at first sight I could see that she and I had things in common."
"My first instinct was to challenge her and see which of the two of us was stronger. But when I saw that she was starved half to death, and made no attempt to grab her blade, instead only asking "What? You gonna fucking kill me?" I felt a great desire to care for her instead. So I did. And she quickly got better and regained her strength. Yet I still felt no desire to challenge her. She was the only person with strength that I didn't wish to destroy."
"We decided to stick together and soon became a team of sorts. We complemented each other. What I achieved through violence and brute force, she achieved through cunning and manipulation. She was weaker than me for sure, but she was no weakling either. And in any case I taught her some things, ways to protect herself if ever I couldn't."
"I mention her again because with and to an extent because of her, I surged in power and skill, I had something, someone, to live for and together, we honed our talents. We gained power, skill, and reputation. People feared us. They whispered about me and wondered about her, the quiet one who followed always slightly behind and watched my fights. Casually sitting on the sidelines knitting or doing some sort of handiwork as I cut down whoever had tempted me and my sword. They referred to me as The Girl of Eight Thousand Flows due to the versatile manner with which I fought, and they referred to her as my shadow."
"Anyway, though I thought it a bit pretentious I eventually embraced the title and made it my name and soon became the most violent and destructive criminal in the recent history of Soul Society."
"See, people speak of Aizen as if he was the most dangerous criminal our world has faced. Indeed, he threatened the balance, no, the very existence of the worlds. But at least he had a goal, at least he had an objective. We did all that we did just for the fun of it. Neither she nor I had any desire to build an empire, we never tried to start a gang of thugs who would serve under our rule. We just roamed from place to place raising hell for kicks."
"But in time our lives began to feel boring and empty, the only things that captured our interests and gave our lives meaning was the bond we shared with each other. We both wanted something, something more to our lives, but we were lost and empty and we failed to figure out what it was."
"Then we met our leader, General Genryusai Yamamoto."
"He recruited us, gave us meaning and purpose, and united us with the others in his group. We named ourselves the Gotei 13 and together we built the empire you know."
"We were his swords, though he did not treat us as such, and we grew so much under his command."
"I being the best swordsman of the lot, second only to him, was given the task of leading a group of pure fighters. People like me who were strong and had a passion for the fight. That group became the 11th division, I its first Kenpachi. And with that my love of the fight was rekindled. My sword, a Zanpakuto now, and I fought with purpose. Destroying to build and create. I was a leader and I had a title to be proud of."
"But the excitement that that gave me faded in time, and Retsu began to take form."
"The old wars of conquest had ended and I now had something greater than me or my lover to protect. I developed a distaste for the thing I loved most. We all became a bit lost when the war was over, left with no one to fight but ourselves. All of the others like us killed off simply because they fought for the wrong side."
"And then I met him." She said as she touched her scar.
"Zaraki." Rangiku said.
"Yes. You've put two and two together."
"I was on a patrol mission, authorized to kill any dissenters that could cause problems for the young Gotei. And he emerged from nowhere. We looked each other in the eyes and then our blades connected. And we clashed. He was simply a boy from nowhere and yet he was stronger than me. He nearly killed me in fact. And with him I shared the most amazing fight I ever had. Then as quick as it started it was over. He drove his blade through my chest and froze. He looked so lost and confused in that moment as we both came down from our high. We knew that we had forever changed each other. Never again would either of us experience a fight like that. I felt him seal his power away, and then he was gone. Just as fast as he came."
"And though I did not seal away any aspect of my power, I did put down my sword that night and I swore it would be my last fight. Then the next day, I transferred to the Fourth and learned under its then captain. I developed the only other skill I had, and over the centuries became the woman you see before you now. Living day to day ignoring a thirst that can never be quenched, a hunger that can never be satisfied. Hoping to one day heal as much as I previously destroyed. And enjoying my blessings and the little pleasures of a simple life. This, Rangiku, is me."
Unohana had thus finished her story and sat quiet and somber as she looked into Rangiku's eyes wondering what she was thinking, wondering how her perception of her changed.
"Guilt. You're ridden with guilt." Rangiku said.
"I, I wouldn't say I'm guilt ridden. I feel remorse more so than guilt. And though I do not wish that my past isn't what it was I certainly do not embrace it either. It is simply a fact of my existence."
"Stop it. Of course you are guilt ridden. Listen to yourself. Is this why you punish yourself, to make up for the past?"
"Punish?"
"Rejecting your feelings, for Isane for one. I heard it in your voice when you spoke of her. At the time I thought it was embarrassment for falling for a girl so young but now I see that there is self loathing in you. On some level you feel you don't deserve it, to be loved. I don't mean to overstep my bounds, or commit any effrontery but how long have you been single?" Rangiku asked.
"I tell you of my past as a psychopathic and sadistic killer and you ask about my romantic life?" Unohana said defensively. Her exposed soul becoming more and more undressed by Rangiku's words.
"It is relevant." Rangiku said insisting on an answer.
"She was the last and only serious relationship I had."
"And Isane is the only person you have felt anything for since then?"
"No."
"And what of them? What about the others you felt for precluded a potential serious union?"
"What was I to offer them?" Unohana asked argumentatively despite her polite tone.
"Oh Retsu." Rangiku said burying her face in her hands, stressed by her empathy.
"You can't do this. You can't do this to yourself. You said there was wisdom in the words never forget only move on yet you haven't moved on. You said to never regret the past and yet you do in your own way."
"Rangiku," Unohana said.
"No amount of penance can right previous wrongs. The past remains forever. And though the longings of Yachiru still exist in Retsu, Retsu isn't Yachiru. That isn't you anymore. And furthermore psychopaths and sadists cannot control their desires or a least they don't control them well. They are defined by their desire. Controlled by it. But you, you have subdued it. You chose to put it behind you and embrace a new life. So live it."
"Live it." Rangiku repeated, finally calming down as she placed her hand atop Unohana's again and squeezed it.
"Live it." She said softly as she moved her hand upward to touch Unohana's cheek.
"What is this?" Unohana asked, as Rangiku's hand made its way to the hair on her forehead and swept it out of her face.
"Something you should allow yourself to do if you want to do it." Rangiku said as she looked down at her lips then back into her eyes, clearly communicating what it was that she wanted to do.
Unohana sighed, and gently pulled Rangiku's hand away. Rangiku's words, and self reflexive thoughts raced through her mind. And through the chaos and questioning, the feeling of Rangiku's touch shone through. It pulled on something inside her. She looked at her hand now and wanted to touch it again. And like that she realized that it was her attraction to Rangiku manifesting itself, so she smiled.
As quickly as it came her warm smile faded, then she looked back into Rangiku's eyes.
"You don't want this." She said.
"I kinda do, and I'm starting to think that part of you does too." She said shifting closer to her.
"It can only end in your sadness Rangiku." Unohana said, a bit saddened herself by her own words though she knew with certainty that they were true.
"Why?"
"When she left, she took a part of my soul with her and left behind a void. I don't think that what is left can love was deeply as someone could love me."
"Oh Retsu." Rangiku said. "You're not broken." She said softly touching the spot on her chest above her heart.
"And I'm not asking you to love me anyway. I just want you to let yourself do what your heart desires. Or at least that is what I wish you would do." she said then leaned over and planted a kiss on Unohana's cheek.
Then she stood. "Thank you for telling me your story. I have come to understand you and yet my perception of you has not changed as I feel you expected it would. Anyway I should go, I should get to sleep."
"Yes, it has gotten late." Unohana said standing up too now.
"Thank you for the tea." Rangiku said as they made their way to the door.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Unohana said as she opened the door for Rangiku.
Rangiku stepped out into the cold air and shivered.
"Stay warm." Unohana said.
"I will. Goodnight Retsu. Sweet dreams."
"Goodnight Rangiku."
Rangiku turned away, and Unohana shut the door behind her. She leaned back against it and felt Rangiku's presence as she moved away, and wondered how far away Rangiku would have to go for it to fade completely.
Then she felt Rangiku stop and stand still.
She opened the door again and stepped out to find Rangiku staring up admiring the sky.
She looked up at it too then back down to see Rangiku looking at her now.
"Were you watching me?" Rangiku asked.
"I felt you stop so I came to see why."
"Oh." Rangiku said then waited as Unohana walked over to join her, black hair blowing in the blustering wind.
"When you look up at the sky, do you think of her." Rangiku asked.
"No, not often. What were you thinking of?"
"You, and the simple beauty you see in things."
Unohana looked up at the sky and sighed feeling a part of her wish that Rangiku would stay. The little voice in her head egging her on until she gave into it.
"Stay." She said.
"Stay?" Rangiku responded, surprised as she was resigned to Unohana's resistance.
"Sleep beside me tonight. Sleeping beside Isane reminded how wonderful it is to share a bed with someone. So share one with me." she said feeling an anxious excitement she had not felt in a while.
"I'll stay then."
"Good. I'll take your advice if only for just a night."
"Good." Rangiku said as she wrapped an arm around Unohana and pulled her closer. Unohana enjoyed the proximity and wrapped one of her arms around Rangiku's waist.
"Come now." She said. "It's cold."
So they went back inside, both walking silently on their way to Unohana's bedroom. They arrived and Rangiku was surprised to find such a small bed.
"They must have slept quite closely to each other." She thought to herself as she looked at it and began to disrobe.
She stood now in a bra and her underwear and noticed Unohana giving her a look that said "what the fuck are you doing?"
"What?" Rangiku said. "I usually sleep topless, sometimes naked. As far as I'm concerned I'm overdressed right now."
"Overdressed?" Unohana said with amusement, taking in the beauty of Rangiku's almost completely unclothed form.
"Yeah. Is my chest too much for you?" Rangiku asked playfully.
Unohana laughed. "You sure are proud of them aren't you?" she said as she removed her robe to reveal a loose light white shirt and a loose pair of pajama pants.
"I guess, they are my most attractive attribute."
"You think so?" Unohana said as she sat on the bed.
"Yeah. You disagree?"
"I wouldn't put it like that. Your figure overall it's, put it this way it's not just your chest that's appealing to the eyes."
Rangiku smiled. "Thanks." She said. And they climbed in bed together. Naturally and without deliberation they fell into position, their bodies folding into each other. Rangiku sort of wrapped herself around Unohana's body and Unohana with her smaller frame sunk into Rangiku's embrace. After wishing each other a good night once more they each fell silent and tried to sleep.
But neither would find themselves able to fall into sleep's embrace. Rangiku because the closeness of their bodies dwelled heavily on her mind. How natural it felt. How Unohana held her arm to her chest, her hand atop Rangiku's. The softness of her breathing too, and the smell of her hair. Unohana because despite how close they already were she wanted to feel closer. Because though she felt comfortable in Rangiku's arms and against her body, she wished she could see Rangiku's face right now. Because despite her slow deep breaths and tightly shut eyes, her heart heart fluttered with excitement, and her mind raged with turmoil.
She figured Rangiku was asleep for she was calm and completely motionless so she stroked her forearm, imagining the rest of the almost nude, smooth body pressed up against her. Indulging in the touch so as to calm her mind.
But to her surprise Rangiku stirred and spoke.
"Can't sleep?" She whispered.
"No." Unohana said as she turned round to look at her. She found Rangiku propped up on an elbow, her golden hair cascading onto the pillow, the curves of her form apparent through the loose sheets.
She took this all in, then looked back into Rangiku's eyes. Rangiku clearly saw her desire and nodded as if to acknowledge it. Unohana laid down again this time facing her. She reached out and touched Rangiku's shoulder, then ran her hand downward. Slowly feeling the contours, as she went along. The little bumps of her ribs, the concavity of her waist, the convexedness of her hips.
"I'm restless." She said.
"With desire?" Rangiku said.
"Something like that."
"It feels so nice to hear you say that." Rangiku said.
"Why do you want this?" Unohana said.
"Because... because of the way you make me feel. Because you seem lonely, and I don't want you to feel that way. Because I care about you. And because now that you have invited me into your bed and touched me the way you touch me now, I know that a significant part of you wants this too."
"No one must find out about this." Unohana said not believing the words coming out of her mouth.
"They don't need to," She said as she moved closer. "This remains between us," she whispered then planted a soft kiss onto Unohana's lips.
"just you and me." She said and kissed her again, longer this time before breaking it, laying back onto her side, and smiling a reassuring smile.
And then Unohana was upon her. She pushed Rangiku onto her back and kissed her with uninhibited desire. Rangiku, a bit surprised but certainly pleased, pulled her closer holding her about the waist. Then she sucked Unohana's lower lip into her mouth and bit on it eliciting the softest sweetest whimper of a moan from the woman.
And like that Rangiku was on too. To hear such a sound from someone of such power and stature. So soothingly mellow of character, an archetype of temperance, quivering now under the influence of her touch was amazing. And Rangiku hoped with all her heart that Unohana was as aroused as she sounded and that the night wouldn't end with just this kiss.
Her wish came true, for after some increasingly intensified kissing, Unohana complained that she was hot.
"Take something off then." Rangiku said.
And like that all of Unohana's momentum stopped. She emerged from the warm haze of arousal and into the cold dull of reality. She rose up, sitting on Rangiku's lap, and watched as Rangiku wiped a shimmer of saliva off the corner of her mouth and smiled.
She knew that this was her last chance to stop this. And she thought about it for a moment. But she wanted Rangiku so bad right now and she knew Rangiku wanted her too. And so she decided.
She reached down to the hem of her shirt and pulled the garment off in one fluid motion, dropping it onto the floor beside the bed.
Rangiku's eyes went wide. She had assumed that Unohana was wearing a bra but no, she had assumed wrong.
Instead, she saw sitting above her the completely bare upper half of Unohana's body. She was skinnier and more muscular than she imagined. Her bottom four ribs were visible, and she rocked a solid looking four pack with a nice ridge down the middle. But what drew her eyes most was the sight of her perfect boobs with their little nipples peeking through her hair which had fallen down her chest.
Rangiku reached up and swept Unohana's long black hair out of the way. Her front was fully exposed now. The boobs, B cupped in size and pear shaped in form looked so inviting as did her pronounced collarbones.
After taking in the view for a moment Rangiku rose up and continued her inspections with her hands now. She started on her shoulders and slowly worked her way down her sides, feeling the soft skin along the way. Then she worked back up her stomach, firm in its musculature, and then stopped just under her boobs.
"2000?" She said.
"Almost 2000." Unohana responded. "And like I said, I take care of myself."
"And now I'll take care of you." Rangiku said then squeezed them both firmly, pressing her thumbs into their nipples as she kissed the soft skin of her neck. She let her head fall pack a bit, enjoying Rangiku's touch.
She wrapped her arms around Rangiku and became annoyed at the sensation of Rangiku's bra strap against her arms. The fabric which by no means was of a low quality nonetheless felt like sandpaper in comparison to Rangiku's skin.
"You're overdressed." She said as she undid its strap and freed Rangiku's boobs from their captivity.
Rangiku looked up at her with her smirking face and pulled her back down into a kiss. Then they proceeded to indulge in their passions into the late hours of the night.
. . .
Enchantment by Yanni
. . .
Isane finished work the next day and promptly texted Rukia.
"Hi Rukia, The day was long but finally it's over. Free to meet in an hour? I'd like to take a shower before I head out."
"Sure. Meet at the Fourth?"
"Ok. That's fine with me. Isn't it a little far for you though?"
"I assume we're going somewhere even farther so it's ok with me."
"True. I'll leave the door open then."
"K. See you soon."
By the time they had finished exchanging messages Isane had arrived home. She went inside and gathered the clothes she was going to wear and put them into the bathroom. She began to disrobe then realized that she should probably eat something so she went to the and set two frozen meals to cook. Then she finally hopped in the shower, her mind once again somewhere else. She turned on the water and routed it to the shower-head. Immediately, the coldest water she had ever felt cascaded upon her and like a flash she jumped out of the stream.
A quick wave of shock and frustration came upon her and she turned the shower head toward the wall a bit more forcefully than she should have. Carefully, she checked to make sure that the shower-head was not damaged, then adjusted the temperature appropriately and diverted the flow back onto her body. Then she proceeded to lose herself in thoughts about what she was going to say, how she should say it, and how Rukia would react as she stood under the stream doing nothing.
After over 20 minutes of this she faintly heard the door to her apartment opening.
"Holy shit! How long have I been standing here?" She thought to herself then called out to make sure it was in fact Rukia that was in her house.
"Yes it's me!" Rukia said in response at a raised volume. "Smells good. I'll wait in the kitchen ok!"
"WHAT!"
"I said it," Rukia began yelling then paused and walked over to the bathroom door "I said it smells good here and that I'd wait in the kitchen."
"Ok." Isane said then hurriedly grabbed her bodywash and bathed as quickly as possible.
She emerged minutes later wearing a t-shirt and a warm pair of pants with her hair all wet.
"Hi." She said to Rukia who sat at the small dinner table.
"Hello, you cooked?"
"I just warmed some dumplings up. I made some for you too in case you were hungry."
"Oh thank you. I'll definitely have some. It's getting late though. Why don't we take them with us and eat it there?"
"Ok. Let's do that."
"I'll pack it up while you finish getting dressed." Rukia said.
"Nice. Thanks."
Isane went off to her bedroom to get dressed while Rukia set to work packing up the dumplings. Isane came back a minute later to find Rukia with each cheek stuffed with a dumpling. She laughed at the sight, and pinched Rukia's cheek.
Rukia tried to say "sorry, they looked so good." but her mouth was too full so she mumbled out sorry the covered her mouth with a hand, finished chewing, then said "they looked so good I couldn't help myself."
"It's fine." Isane said with a giggle. "One sec." she said then disappeared into her bedroom again.
She came back out with a knitted beret and put it on Rukia's head and said "It's cold out there."
"Thanks." Rukia said wondering if she looked as good in the beret as Isane did in her grey beanie. She certainly did in Isane's eyes who thought to herself that her potential girlfriend looked quite cute in that hat and should wear hats more in general.
"Let's go." Isane said ignoring that thought as it made her antsy.
And they exited to the backyard, Rukia rushing to keep up with Isane's pace.
"Why the hurry?" Rukia asked.
"We gotta get there before sun sets." Isane explained.
"Oh yes the sunset." Rukia said recalling that Isane had mentioned it the night before.
"This must be a special sunset." Rukia said.
"Kinda. I want to show you a double sunset."
"A double sunset?" Rukia asked.
"You don't know what that is? Perfect! you'll see when you get there."
"Ok." Rukia said wondering what Isane had in store for her.
"Why don't we flash there in the interest of time." Rukia suggested.
"Good idea." Follow me she said then flashed off, Rukia after her as Unohana watched their departure from the window with an approving smile.
They soon exited the boundaries of Seireitei and found themselves above increasingly less and less densely populated areas. Just as Rukia was beginning to tire, Isane announced that they were very close and suggested that they walk the rest of the way through the trees for maximum effect.
"Aren't you tired?" Rukia asked as they touched down.
"A little. I'm more cold and hungry than anything else. It's worth it though." Isane said as she blew into cupped hands and rubbed them together wishing she brought gloves.
Rukia took Isane's hand into hers the moment it fell back to her side.
"It's so warm!" Isane said, hers frigid from the windchill.
She reached up to touch Rukia's cheek.
"Your cheeks are warm too." She said then took Rukia's hand back into hers much to Rukia's satisfaction.
"It's just management of Reiryoku flow."
"I figured as much, I didn't know you could generate heat with it though."
"Generate and lower in fact. Yuki taught me how to do it. It's hard to describe how I do it though."
"How did she teach you then?"
"She held my hand and told me to follow her lead. I could try with you if you want."
"Sure!" Isane said.
"Later though, I've never attempted to teach this and don't think I could manage to do so on the go."
"Of course."
"This is a nice area. It's beautiful." Rukia commented as she looked at the scene around them, dense with tall trees, the ground covered in leaves, grass, and rocks.
"Yeah. Kiyone and I used to hike here. We'd climb trees, chase animals and stuff, and then finish off with a double sunset at the lake."
"What is this double sunset you speak of? Is it some geological effect." Rukia asked.
"Sort of." Isane explained. "It has to do with the horizon. Sunset is the passage of the sun below the horizon."
"Right." Rukia said.
"And the horizon is simply the farthest point you can see."
"Ok."
"But the higher you are the farther you can see. So if you lie down and watch as the last sliver of the sun sinks below the horizon, then immediately stand up as fast as you can, you'll see that silver set again. Hence double sunset."
"I see, it's because of the curvature of the earth right?"
"Yeah."
"That's cool. I'd never think to try that."
"My mom is the one who showed it to me and Kiyone when we were really little. We were so fascinated by it. That's why we always loved coming here."
Rukia smiled sharing in the nostalgia.
"Do you and Kiyone still come here?" She asked.
"No. It's been a while. A long while actually. We got so busy when we joined the academy. Two girls slowly became women and we eventually stopped going out to explore like we used to. We used to play and now we hang out instead. It's good, I don't mean to complain. It's just, different."
"I know what you mean. But adults can play too can't they?" Rukia said.
"We can. It's just not the same though. Not without the innocence of a child, without that overarching sense of responsibility which leaves every idle moment feeling like wasted time."
"Indeed." Rukia said somber in tone too now.
"It's so sweet to be back though." Isane said cheering up again. "Back after so long. And even better to not be here alone."
"I appreciate you sharing this with me. And given what you have said about this place, it is all the more special." Rukia said.
Isane looked down at Rukia and smiled, Rukia looked up and squeezed her hand a little tighter.
After a couple moments of silence Isane pointed out to a clearing from which a glowing brightness shone and announced that they were there.
They emerged from the trees and found before them was the lake. It was enormous in size, so much so that the shore on the other side wasn't even visible. It was quite calm for a lake of its size, its small waves lapping softly upon the muddy shore. And its surface shimmered beautifully with the light of the orange sun.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Isane said.
"Very. And we're right on time."
"Mhm."
They sat down on the cold dry grass and watched as the sun tracked its way downward. The bottom most edge began to touch the water and Isane instructed Rukia to lay on her stomach.
"Get as low as possible." She said resting her chin on her hands. Rukia followed suit.
"Watch as it goes."
The sky got dimmer and dimmer as it made its way down, the orb looking as if it was being absorbed into the lake. It slowly sunk further and further until only a sliver remained. Then It sparkled its final sparkles and finally, disappeared.
Isane bolted up onto her knees and said "Quick get on my shoulders."
Rukia hurriedly got on and Isane stood, easily and quickly as if nothing was weighing her down, holding Rukia steady with a hand on each knee. Rukia keeping herself balanced with her hands on Isane's head.
"Now look." She said.
Rukia looked out and sure enough, a small sliver of the sun was visible again as if by their realignment it magically came back.
They watched as it went down again, first for Isane, then moments later for Rukia.
"That was so cool!" Rukia said moved by the beauty.
"Wasn't it?" Isane said.
"Y'know, we're Shinigami, we could have simply flashed upward instead of you carrying me." Rukia said.
"Triple sunset then." Isane said. It wasn't the response Rukia expected and she screamed a little when Isane shot a clear 20 stories into the sky.
A larger portion of the sun was visible in the sky again but neither noticed as Isane, a bit alarmed by the scream said "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you like that."
"It's fine. Not having my own footholds and yet being this high up is quite an unsettling feeling. Plus the way you flash is, different from mine, to experience it is strange."
"Sorry. I'll go back down now." Isane said.
"No! You're holding me tight. I feel safe now. Look, we can see the sun again."
Isane held Rukia's knees tighter just to be sure and looked out enjoying the warmth of Rukia's inner thighs on her neck.
"Y'know. When I was just beginning to learn Hohō I was so scared of going up high, so I never did it. I could flash but I always stayed close to the ground. But Captain Unohana told me that being able to gain higher ground was a combat essential and that I thus needed to rid myself of the fear. So she took me to a tall tall tree and told me to jump. "Jump, don't flash down. Jump and fall, then catch yourself at the last possible moment." she said.
"It was terrifying. She didn't even go to the bottom of the tree to catch me if I messed up. She just told me to jump, then stood there on the branch with me. I was so scared, but I jumped. Then she had me do it again a couple more times and once I could do that, she instructed me to close my eyes and keep them shut. She picked me up and went skyward. She told me that she was going to drop me and that I was to count to three then open my eyes and catch myself again. So I did, but I couldn't keep my eyes closed. So she sent me up to do it again and again and again. I overcame the fear that day with her and it became sort of fun to experience that feeling. The feeling of falling. That's why I sometimes hang in the air a little bit between flashes. It feels like falling, and flying."
"You seem to be feeling quite nostalgic today." Rukia said, a bit displeased by the mention of Unohana who up until recently was the object of Isane's affections and who, as far as Rukia knew, still might be to some extent. She deflected her own jealous thoughts with humor though and asked "You're not going to drop me right?"
"No no. I wouldn't do that to anyone without permission. Wanna go down now?"
"Yeah." Rukia said. "But let me go though. I want to fall as you described."
"O-ok." Isane said loosening her grip. "Ready?" She asked as Rukia removed her hands from the top of Isane's head and spread them outward.
"Yes." She responded.
Isane let her go and she looked up to the heavens and rolled backwards off of Isane's shoulders. Her world spun round and she felt that first instinct of fear, that feeling that she was in danger. But then she righted herself, and calmed down, enjoying the feet first fall back down to the ground upon which she landed softly.
"Nicely done." Isane said as she flashed down to the ground and joined Rukia.
"You didn't fall." Rukia said somewhat disappointed.
"I had to catch your hat." Isane said holding it up.
"Oh!" Rukia said surprised. She didn't even notice that it had come off.
Isane put it onto her head again, just as gently as before. Rukia reached up and slowly grabbed both of her hands when she finished and looked up at Isane with the most overwhelmingly amorous look in her eyes. It stirred in Isane her own desire for Rukia and she decided for once to be the one to initiate a kiss between them. So she leaned her head down and paused for a moment. Rukia tilted hers upward. And Isane brought their lips together. Her hands found their way to the sides of Rukia's face, Rukia's ended up on Isane's hips, holding her close.
They kissed under darkening skies with less lust than the night before but all of the passion. Isane broke it and said. "Rukia."
"Yes."
"I wanna be with you."
"I wanna be with you too." Rukia said.
"Is that what you wanted to tell me?" Rukia asked.
"Yes. Does this mean that we're together now? Are you, my girlfriend?" Isane said surprised that it was over in so few words.
Rukia laughed. "I guess so. And you could call me that, in fact I'd like it if you did."
"This is so cool." Isane said with giddy excitement.
"You're too cute?" Rukia said with a giggle, half wanting to tackle the girl and pepper her with kisses.
"I'm sorry, this is so new, so strange."
"Am I your first?" Rukia asked.
"Yeah, in more ways than one."
"I count two." Rukia said.
"I'd like to make it three." Isane responded.
Rukia looked at Isane with confusion, wondering what she was on about, then she understood.
"Oh!" She said absolutely shocked that Isane had said what she just said.
"If you're ok with that of course." Isane said.
"Oh I am. In fact I have been for a while." Rukia said.
Isane blushed with strong embarrassment.
"I'm sorry." Rukia said pulling back. "It must be strange to have someone think of you in a sexual manner like that."
"It is a little strange. But to be fair I look at you the same way too. I think that adds a bit to my embarrassment."
"I understand." Rukia said. "But listen, you don't have to rush this part. We can totally wait if you're nervous."
"No. I'm nervous about all of this, I'm nervous in general, this is like the thing with the fear of heights and the tree, I just have to trust myself and jump."
"Then let's get out of here." Rukia said, leading Isane off back the way they came.
. . .