Content warning: graphic injuries, excessive blood loss. If you'd like to skip the second section, feel free to Ctrl+F "Mid-September of 1450".
Mid-October of 1150
Nomiya Family Estate
Renata gazed at the babe wrapped in a white ubugi, a soft swaddling fabric, threaded with the finest silk of the Soul Society. The adorable round cheeks puffed before a coo left its lips. Renata chuckled before gently squeezing her baby's cheeks and kissing their nose.
"My, aren't you just precious?"
Renata's heart swelled with so much love, a warmth enveloping her being. Nothing in this world matters more than this tiny little bundle of joy in her arms. Twirling a strand of bright red hair in between her fingers, the wide smile faltered. She bit her bottom lip, trying to keep her tears at bay.
The babe continued to coo, but Renata's vision blurred, tears welling up and catching on her lashes before falling. The salty tears fell on the ubugi, absorbing quickly into the fabric. Bringing the babe and bending her knees closer to her body, Renata choked out a sob. She didn't really know why she cried; was it from the overwhelming feeling of joy? Was it exhaustion finally hitting her? Renata didn't know why she was crying, but she allowed herself to feel vulnerable. Her husband was away at work, her attendants retired for the night.
It was here in her personal quarters, just her and her infant child, where she didn't have to be Nomiya Renata, the decisive captain of the second relief team. Here, she was Nomiya Renata, a mother to a beautiful infant born in the middle of October. A mother who never thought she would be able to become one.
Despite it all, Nomiya Renata was a mother. She would do anything to protect the precious tiny bundle in her arms.
Late May of 1410
Yonbantai's Sōgōkyūgotsumesho (Coordinated Relief Station)
"Nomiya-san, Yamada-fukutaicho and I will be heading to the battlefield in the outskirts of West Rukongai to begin relief efforts. I need you to stay here and prepare triage measures," explained Unohana Retsu, a short, youthful woman with steel blue eyes and long black hair tied in a loose ponytail in front of her, a white haori draped over her black shihakushō. Next to her stood a taller, young-looking man with thin black eyes and short black hair also in a shihakushō.
Nomiya Renata adjusted her red-rimmed glasses and saluted her superiors, "Yes, of course! Right away, ma'am."
Her captain and lieutenant took their leave to the battlefield and Renata turned to the group of nurses standing behind her.
"Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves for triage measures! This is the third Hollow attack in the past year of this level! Ito-san, Watanabe-san and everyone behind you is assigned to the west wing; Abiko-san, Kimura-san and everyone behind you is assigned the east wing. As they start bringing in the injured, Nakamura-san, please direct them to the wings in an orderly fashion. Finally, the severely injured need to be immediately transported to the surgical wing where I'll be stationed. Is that understood?"
"Yes, ma'am!"
As the nurses scurried to their assigned positions, Renata watched as a twinge of anxiety settled. This was her first time leading triage measures and the responsibility burdened her shoulders heavily. A responsibility Unohana-taichō was absolutely confident that Renata could handle. With two quick slaps to the cheeks and an adjustment of her glasses, Renata steadied herself and made her way to the surgical wing.
The first wave of injured arrived at the division and Nakamura Tōjō calmly directed patients to the appropriate wings. The nurses worked efficiently, tending to wounds with basic kaidō, administering medicine, and providing comfort to those worried for their compatriots. Meanwhile, just as Renata had finished donning personal protective equipment, the doors burst open to the surgical wing. Shinigami clamored through the doors, desperate for attention. An assistant for Renata tried calming the group down as a gurney was wheeled in.
"Isha-san! Please save him!" The assistant held onto the man as he groveled, blood staining the pink uniform of the assistant. Other nurses had to subdue the man by injecting a sedative, allowing them to give proper medical care.
Renata turned to the gurney wheeling into the surgery room and her stomach sank. The gurney was saturated with blood; a couple of tourniquets were placed a few inches above where an elbow would've been, the right forearm completely gone. A portion of his abdomen was missing, a hole punched into his side. A miracle the man was still breathing, albeit labored. The gurney was swiftly brought to a table where the patient was gently transferred. Hands glowing green, Renata began healing the patient's abdomen with advanced kaidō while her assistants helped healing the amputated arm. Once they stopped the hemorrhaging, it was time for sedation and surgery preparation.
Two more patients were brought into the surgical wing, assistants speedily applying kaidō while Renata finished with her first patient. With vitals finally stable and dressings replaced, the patient was wheeled out to a recovery room in the intensive care wing. With her PPE replaced, Renata started to work on her next patient, hands continuously glowing green.
Hours passed by in a blur; more and more injured were brought into the relief station. Renata barely had time to take a break in between surgeries. Sweat dripped from her temples down behind her mask, her glasses slid down on her nose bridge. Blinking the sweat from her lashes, Renata continued working until the last patient was transported to the recovery wing.
Ripping off her PPE, Renata released a heavy, tired sigh and collapsed onto a nearby chair. The hard wood was a welcome comfort against her weary body. Exhaustion washed over her; the smell of disinfectant cleansed the lingering scent of blood and carnage in her nostrils. As she looked down the hallway, nurses were busily but calmly tending to their patients, Renata felt a sense of immense pride.
They had all collaborated flawlessly with each individual executing their duties with accuracy and devotion. Renata acknowledged that without them, she wouldn't have been capable of rescuing as many lives as she did. As she reminisced about the turmoil that occurred just hours ago, a feeling of triumph washed over her.
Despite reveling in their collective accomplishment, Renata recognized that there was still a great deal of work to be done. With renewed determination and a sense of purpose, Renata rose from her seat and began planning for what laid ahead. There were lives to monitor and futures to reconstruct―but she was prepared for anything that came her way.
Mid-September of 1450
Fourth Division Barracks
"As I've said before, Nomiya-san, there is nothing more I can do to help your son. All we can do is continue to make the concoction from the Yokukansan," Unohana Retsu sternly reminded Renata, who stood before the captain in desperation.
"With all respect, ma'am, we've been using the Yokukansan for my son for centuries and there isn't any improvement!" Renata covered her mouth after her outburst and apologized. "There must be another way…"
Unohana closed the manila folder in front of her with a sigh and stood from her desk. In all her years as a medic, she had never come across a case like Nomiya Rafael.
"Renata-chan, please understand that we are doing everything we can. Your son's health has made improvements; however small they may be, he is improving," Unohana's eyes formed crescents, a sickly-sweet air of foreboding crept over her.
A chill found its way down Renata's spine, forcing her to straighten her back before bowing, "Again, please forgive my outburst, Unohana-taichō!"
Waving her off, Unohana placed her arms inside the sleeves of her haori, wordlessly asking Renata to follow her. As they passed the desk of her lieutenant, Seinosuke, Unohana informed him that they'll be away for some time.
Renata followed her captain as they left the barracks and seemingly made their way to the twelfth division offices. As they entered the grounds, Renata couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. This was the first time she had been on these grounds. Many, if not all, of the captains were just mere acquaintances and rare for captains themselves to appear at other divisions.
Her captain seemed to notice her discomfort and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Nomiya-san," Unohana said. "We're just here to deliver some paperwork. Nothing more."
'Paperwork...? I didn't see any scrolls…'
Despite her thoughts, Renata nodded. As they entered the building, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't right. The halls were eerily quiet and the few people they passed gave them glances. There was peculiar sight that Renata beheld. A child with dark blue hair and piercing gold eyes stared blankly through her, a bored look on his face.
They reached their destination—a small room at the end of the hallway. Renata's captain knocked on the door and a voice from inside called out for them to enter.
As soon as they stepped inside, Renata's worst fears were surprisingly unconfirmed. Greeting them was a tall woman with long, purple hair that curled at the ends. Her cheery green eyes landed on Renata.
"Welcome to the Twelfth Division, my name is Hikifune Kirio, the captain! You must be Nomiya Renata-san. I've been told many good things about you!"
Confused, Renata stood as Hikifune grabbed her hands, shaking them in enthusiasm. Unohana cleared her throat and Renata was freed. Adjusting her red-rimmed glasses and braid over her shoulder, Renata observed Unohana-taichō and Hikifune-taichō talk over what Unohana brought. After several seconds, Renata decided to roam around Hikifune's office and investigate the miscellaneous odds and ends on the shelves.
The shelf on the left-hand side of the room had books and objects that looked foreign to Renata. Some were gold, others a tarnished silver. There were porcelain bowls, some antique with cracks around; others had been broken at one point and put together by kintsugi. Displayed in pairs were chopsticks lacquered in various shades of red, blue, green.
"Nomiya-san, I would like to extend an invitation to a lecture I'll be presenting next week," Hikifune said. "Unohana-taichō believes you should attend."
"Oh, yes! I would love to attend!" Renata bowed. "Thank you, Unohana-taichō, Hikifune-taichō."
Early January of 1490
Soul Society
The year's end winter was the harshest one yet; several feet of thick snow blanketed the landscape with cold, bitter winds blistering the tiniest of exposed skin of any who dared to step outside. Not even the few Hollows that littered the far outskirts of the Rukongai could withstand the harsh winter. The few Hollows that remained emitted anguished howls as inky voids materialized behind them, promptly seeking sanctuary within the obscurity.
Elsewhere, in the western end of the sixth sector in the Kizokugai, stood the Nomiya Family Estate. The sukiya-zukuri styled abode existed on less than one chō of land, at around 6070 square meters (or 1.5 acres). Solid wood amado slid behind the shoji, sheltering the home from the cold. Layers of straw and batting were set up on the inside of the amado, insulating the heat radiating from the irori set up in the living room.
Renata and Mamoru sat at the sunken hearth bundled up in hanten with the Nomiya family crest embroidered on the back. Half-filled tea cups forgotten on either side of them as they leaned close to the other. Renata laid her head on her husband's shoulder and her husband buried his nose in her hair.
Echoing in their minds were the bubbly laughs of their son, who was currently knocked out in the arms of Kaoru, the Nomiya household maid. The parents were informed that their son would be put to bed in his room. Once Kaoru was no longer in the living room, Mamoru curled a finger around a lock of Renata's chestnut curls and brought his lips to his wife's cheek then just below her ear before nuzzling her neck.
"Amor, why don't we get comfortable in our room? I feel you shivering," Mamoru whispered, his lips ghosting over Renata's pulse point.
Goosebumps pebbled in Renata's skin as Mamoru's breath fanned over her neck, a whimper just barely escaping her lips. Mamoru pulled away from Renata, linking their fingers together before standing up. Half-lidded darkened blue eyes met with garnet-like, deep red orange, twinkling with want.
"Kaoru-san, we will be retiring to our room. You are relieved for the rest of the night," Renata said as they passed her in the hallway.
Once the couple reached their room, Renata wrapped her arms around Mamoru's neck as he untied the obi around her waist and pressed his front against her hips. Their lips met in a passionate kiss as they reclined back onto their futon. Even as the storm persisted outside, the chill never reached the couple tangled in each other's arms…
Mid-October of 1490
Nomiya Family Estate
Renata gazed at the babe wrapped in a ubugi threaded with the finest silk of the Soul Society. The adorable, round cheeks puffed before a coo left its lips. Renata chuckled before gently squeezing her baby's cheeks and kissing their nose.
"Welcome home, Kazue-chan~"
A bubble of saliva popped in her mouth and Kazue squealed at the mention of her name, her blue eyes twinkling. Mamoru, sitting at Renata's side, caressed his daughter's chubby cheek with his index finger.
"She's adorable, amor." Mamoru smiled. After kissing Kazue's forehead and his wife's cheek, he called for his son. Kaoru and Shigure stood just outside the shoji.
"Yay, she's finally here! I'm a big brother!" Rafael practically flew into the room with how quickly he appeared. He gently poked at his sister's cheek. "Wow, she's so soft…"
Reiō please, bless this child… Renata prayed. Let us have this one blessing…
October 13, 1891
Nomiya Family Estate
The Nomiya clan spared no expense in preparing for this year's autumn festival. The gardens were adorned with lanterns and intricate decorations, while the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of chrysanthemums and maple leaves. The guests were treated to traditional Japanese delicacies such as takoyaki and yakitori, as well as a variety of sake and tea.
Rafael entertained a group of younger attendees with his expert storytelling skills, weaving tales of adventure and heroism that left them spellbound. Kazue continued to collect donations from various patrons, her warm smile and gentle demeanor winning over even the most reluctant donors.
Mamoru led a tour around the gardens, pointing out rare species of flora and fauna that were carefully cultivated over generations by the family. Renata joined him later, showing off her skills at ikebana by arranging beautiful flower arrangements for guests to admire. Unohana-taichō also participated.
There was a splendid feast prepared for their guests, which was laid out on tables adorned with autumnal decorations. The aroma of the food wafted through the air, enticing everyone to indulge in the delicious spread. Mamoru and Renata led the way towards the dining area, where they took their seats at the head of the table. Rafael joined them shortly after, his dragon-embroidered haori swaying with every step he took. Kazue finished collecting donations and made her way to join her family at the table. The guests followed suit, filling up the seats around them.
As they began to eat, conversations and sake flowed freely among the attendees. The captains and lieutenants of goteijūsantai shared stories of their recent missions while members of noble families discussed politics and current events.
After dinner, Mamoru invited everyone to explore more of their estate's gardens. They strolled along stone paths as they admired various flora such as chrysanthemums, mums, and lotus flowers. The sun continued to set and small lanterns began to glow along the paths of the garden.
As her husband continued to guide their guests through the gardens, Renata rested on a bench underneath a plum tree. This season, the plum trees bloomed a second time, a rare occurrence. Renata closed her eyes and slowly inhaled the sweet honey scent.
"Ah, Nomiya-san, I've been trying to find a moment to talk."
A small gasp escaped her lips, her garnet eyes snapping open to the figure next to her. "Oh, Urahara-taichō! You surprised me!" Renata's heart continued to beat hard in her chest.
"Apologies, I didn't mean to." Urahara plucked a pair of plums from the tree and offered one to Renata. "As you know, I was recently inaugurated as the new captain of the twelfth. It seems there's a history of scientists heading the division."
Renata nodded wordlessly, taking a bite of the plum. Tartness exploded on her tongue, her eyes squinting slightly. Urahara bit into his own plum, but Renata couldn't tell if his plum was sour or not.
"Because of that history, I'm planning on building a special department dedicated to science and research in technological advancements for the benefit of the Soul Society. I've been told you have some interest in this?"
Renata stared at a glowing lantern down the path from her, her heartbeat drumming in her ears. What does he want…?
"I'm not sure what you've been told, Urahara-taichō," Renata quietly started, "but I don't think this is the place to discuss such a thing." Garnet eyes shifted and narrowed slightly. "
Renata's words hung in the air for a moment before Urahara-taichō responded with a small nod. "You're right," he said, his voice calm and measured. "This is not the place."
He stood to leave, but paused and looked back at Renata. "But we shall discuss it soon."
