Disclaimers, Etc.: See Chapter One.
Opening Theme: Jué Ài (訣愛) by Faye
Ending Theme: 最後一次 (One Last Time) by OSN
Chapter Six Written On or Before 8/28/2022.

Bleach: Cross
Key of Gods:
Bend or Break
By Eugena

Rated M

Chapter Six: A Matter of Moments

天国的白雪公主

Shirahime knew she was putting off the inevitable. She walked through the sparsely populated Fourth Division to the room she felt she knew so well.

If she were human, she would have cringed at the tubes coming out of the young woman.

She sighed and crossed her arms.

"So, you're the one Suki has screwed up so much. Well, at least he hasn't screwed you in other manners.

"Wake up now. I said wake up."

The woman was too injured to comply. And Shirahime had little more to simply give out.

She extended her hand and touched the woman's forehead.

天国的白雪公主

Shirahime appeared in a grey landscape. She looked around, impatient to see the woman.

Another woman, a zanpakuto, appeared.

"Wake her up, Tobiume."

The zanpakuto looked confused.

"Wake. Her. Up."

Tobiume didn't appreciate being commanded. She could tell the command in the other woman's voice.

Shirahime pressed her lips. Her blue eyes sparked.

"Cease your disobedience."

Tobiume knelt. "Forgive me, kami-sama. We don't know your language."

"Language?"

Shirahime sighed, realizing.

"Do you know this one?" she asked in Japanese.

She realized how strange it was to see someone bowing to her as Tobiume did.

In the era of the emperor, in human terms, the palace's customs were more historically Chinese than Japanese. The fact that Shirahime's final incarnation's human self was fluent in Mandarin and not Japanese caused her to latch onto some of the older traditions.

"Rise," Shirahime said.

"How may I greet you, kami-sama?"

"My official title would take you a very long time to repeat. I am Shirayukihime no Tenjou, Shirayukihime Shinnouhi."

"Shinnouhi," Tobiume repeated again before she rose. "How may I serve you?"

Tobiume didn't wish to serve anyone, but she knew this woman was a god, a very annoyed god.

"I want to speak with the one considered your master," Shirahime said.

"She is not well."

"I am aware of her condition."

"Then, kami-sama, I beg you to -."

"Fine. I will get what I require from you."

She reached out and touched Tobiume's forehead.

Tobiume tried to resist at first, but she gave up.

"Aizen-sama."

Momo's voice carried through the grey void.

"Aizen-sama, have I -?"

The world shook.

"No more time," Shirahime gasped.

天国的白雪公主

Yachiru looked around Urahara's Shop, but no one was there. "Obaa-chan?" she called. She didn't see Yoruichi or any of the others. Today she'd even be satisfied to see Urahara, that pathetic man who didn't deserve to be her grandfather.

"They're not here," Shirahime called to her.

Yachiru saw her in the doorway and leaped into her arms.

"My girl. My Hikari. I've missed you so much."

Yachiru pulled back. She saw Shirahime's glowing eyes.

"Please go back," Yachiru begged. "You can't stay. But if you leave, mommy can stay with me."

"I'm your mom, too, you know?"

Yachiru nodded. "But you only stay with the gods. Mom told me. You can't stay here. So go back to the gods and leave my mom here."

"We can't do that," she said. "It's time for us to go. We must save you."

"Kenny can save me, mom. You don't need to leave. You don't need to go back."

"I can't go back, Yachiru. I have no more incarnations after this one. So, I have to make this one count."

"What are you saying, mom?"

"Did you like this life with me?"

Yachiru nodded.

"Then it was worth it."

"Stay, mom."

"I can't hold on much longer. I've run out of energy. I don't have much left."

"Then I will give you mine. I have so much, I don't need it all."

"You do, Yachiru. You have to keep it to help your brothers and sisters."

"Brothers and sisters?"

"Yes, Yachiru. I will try and save as many as I can, and maybe I can send them here to you."

Shirahime fell.

Yachiru flipped and landed. She rushed to Shirahime.

"I can't hold on," Shirahime heaved and faded away.

Yachiru's cry stayed with her.

天国的白雪公主

Strong arms caught Shirahime as she fell. She fought to open her eyes.

The prince, a much more real and older version of Kail looked down at her.

"I'm almost there, my princess. Hang on for me."

She shook her head.

"Aizen nearly has the key. It's a matter of moments."

"Unseal the barrier."

She shook her head. "I can't let them take Yachiru away. Until you replace the abomination on the throne, she won't be safe.

"Thank you, my prince," she said as she faded away.

谢谢你们的阅读。