Linake hung her head, not sure what to think about the coming situation. Mayuri's joke not only adding even more anxiety for her, but hitting on a sore subject. It was no secret that Kenpachi craved the battlefield. In the five years they had been married, the only thing he'd been able to fight had been hollows. For a man like Kenpachi, that was like teasing a tiger with a small scrap of meat; annoying and not nearly satisfying enough, only heightening the hunger.
"I would like to request a meeting with head captain, Kyoraku. If extra terrestrials is what were about to be dealing with, we're going to need a little backup in the human world." Kisuke stated.
Linake lifted her head, looking over at both Kisuke and Mayuri, her emotions now somber as she thought about her family back within the human world; her mother, her sister. Not only her family, but Amaya's as well. Linake's lips parted as she stood from Mayuri's chair abruptly, making both men turn to look at her.
"Is something troubling you?" Mayuri asked; his pale hands lifting in the air showing his confusion.
"I would like to go check on Karina. She was injured and I need to make sure the wound doesn't become infected." Linake answered.
Mayuri's brow lifted, turning his head to the hallway and then back to her-It seems being human will always bring such tender emotions to the surface.
"Very well. You may take some reishi Serum with you if you would like. Although, I would advise you not to go into too much detail about anything. We still have not taken the proper precautions by examining her. She could still be a threat." Mayuri stated.
Linake nodded to him, knowing well enough that Karina Reiko was anything but a threat as she made her way to the back of his lab and opened the medicine cabinet. Mayuri would understand that if he'd witnessed Karina's reaction to Kenpachi entering her room last night. Linake paused, turning on her heal as she stepped out into the open hallway.
"Mayuri? Now that Grimmjow is here, what do you plan to do with them?" Linake asked.
"Ah, well. I have taken the liberty of sealing Grimmjow's power for the time being. If he gives me full cooperation, I will most likely allow the woman to reunite with him. I don't see an issue with giving the beast back his toy, as long as he behaves himself." Mayuri grinned.
Linake nodded; her features stoic as she turned away from the two men and began to walk down the hallway.
"I have to say, she's an interesting woman. Not someone I would have pictured for Zaraki." Kisuke smiled.
Mayuri turned his head, once again giving Kisuke his attention. While there had been a time Mayuri himself thought the couple odd; he no longer had that feeling.
" Yes, well, sometimes what we picture isn't accurate." Mayuri countered; not wanting to go into too much detail about the Brute and his wife. If Kisuke were around long enough, he would come to see for himself the connection Kenpachi and Linake actually shared.
Ayumi Kurotsuchi let out a deep sigh as he leaned down, placing her second born daughter down into the crib. Feeling a bit peckish, Ayumi remembered she had been so busy taking care of her twins that she'd forgotten to even feed herself. Ayumi lifted her head, hearing the soft knock on the door, knowing it would be Nemuri coming to help out with her sisters. Somehow, that had started becoming the normal routine and it hadn't even been on Mayuri's instruction. Nemuri had taken it upon herself to help.
"Come in." Ayumi called out loud enough for her eldest daughter to hear.
The door opened softly as Nemuri Kurotsuchi entered the large room, her lips lifting into a warm smile.
"Has father already gone to the lab?" Nemuri asked as she searched the room.
"Yes. Something came up early this morning and he had to leave." Ayumi explained.
"I see. How are they doing this morning?" Nemuri asked as she walked over to the crib and looked down on her sisters.
"I just finished feeding Miyo her breakfast. I am sure Miya will be fussing soon for hers." Ayumi answered before taking a seat in the desk chair.
"You look tired." Nemuri observed; not beating around the bush with the woman who had become her mother in all aspects.
Ayumi smiled as she lifted her hand to the side of her face, she was beginning to feel flushed and somewhat anxious; a sign that she might be about to have another vision.
"I am, sweetheart, but don't worry. I will be fine." Ayumi assured the thirteen year old as her body began to shake.
"Mom? Are you about to see something?" Nemuri pressed; walking over to stand in front of Ayumi.
Ayumi allowed her eyes to slip closed as her stomach plummeted; filling her with a sense of dread.
"I-I think so..." Ayumi answered; bracing herself for whatever was about to come.
The last thing Ayumi felt was Nemuri's warm hand gripping hers. Ayumi let out a gasp as her body jerked, her head turning up towards the sky. Keeping her eyes shut, Ayumi squeezed Nemuri's hand, using that as her anchor. Ayumi sucked in a deep breath, urging her mind to calm as her vision went black and her hearing faded out. It was as if she were standing inside some sort of vortex, seeing through someone else's eyes.
Ayumi held her breath as colors began to appear around her, a swirl of deep red and black. As Ayumi turned her head to the right, her body broke out in chills as a creature appeared before her with skin so dark, she couldn't tell if it's flesh were black or dark green. The texture looked rough to the touch, with deep pivots and hard scales rising up from it's shoulders, almost like a lizard. A pair of sunken in yellow eyes met hers as it's protruding mouth opened to speak.
" Why are you disturbing me?" It asked; speaking to her.
Ayumi felt a sense of fear crawling up her spine that wasn't hers; whatever she was seeing through feared this creature personally.
"I can't help but wonder if this is the right course to take." Ayumi felt her larynx move as if she were the one speaking, her voice sounding strange, as if too high pitched to be human or Soul reaper.
"Don't question me! We have run out of options!" Ayumi heard the creature reply.
"Lord Munashi. I ask of you to reconsider the risks." Ayumi shook her head, not liking the way her borrowed voice sounded.
"I know the risks! Besides, the virus has failed! It has become clear if we seek to take over the three realms; it will have to be done by force." The creature countered tersely.
"So this is your final order?" Ayumi squirmed in her chair; feeling a mixture of both panic and deflation; the panic coming from her, while defeat being the emotion of whoever she was seeing through.
"It is. We will arrive within the next couple days, and the humans will be unsuspecting. I have taken precautions to make our arrival stealth. Do not question me again, Jungyo!" The creature now identified as Munashi countered. Turning his yellow gaze forward.
Ayumi let out a choking sound as the head of her borrowed body lifted, looking out onto the planes of deep space. There in the middle of a swirl of deep crimson and black was the outer rim of what looked like...Earth.
Ayumi blinked her eyes rapidly, as the vision disappeared from her vision; whatever had connected her to the unknown creature having been severed. As Ayumi lifted her head, she met Nemuri's concerned expression. As her hearing acclimated once more to her own world; she could hear the cries of her twin daughters. Ayumi turned her shaking body on the chair, seeing both of her girls in distress making her jump to her feet.
"Shhh. It's okay!" Ayumi assured them as she leaned down and placed her left hand against Miyo's little tummy, while her right caressed through the baby girl's dark blue hair.
Nemuri followed, lifting Miya from the crib and cuddling her close, running her hand along the baby girl's back in an effort to comfort her. Ayumi allowed her eyes to close, taking a deep breath as she tried her best to soothe not only Miyo, but herself as well. It was no surprise that the two children were picking up on Ayumi's own emotions; her reactions to the warning she had just been given.
"They sense your worry. What did you see?" Nemuri asked.
"Don't worry about that right now, Nemuri. Just concentrate on calming them down." Ayumi replied.
"Yes, Mother." Nemuri answered, dropping the subject even though she too had been worried about Ayumi during this vision; whatever she had just seen had truly scared her down to her bones-I'm sure father will be able to help her with whatever it may be, he will protect us.
Linake leaned forward, taking a peek inside the dark room Karina lay inside. As the light from the hallway seeped inside, Linake realized Karina was still fast asleep. Something Linake had been expecting, all things considered. Linake allowed the door to open fully and went to Karina's side. As she took a seat next to the human woman and pang of emotion filled her-She's still so new to all of this. How is she going to react to a possible invasion?
Linake let out a sigh as she tried to push her own dread away, even though she knew in this case, her fear was warranted-An E.T. race held unknown variables, if they did intend harm, how would they fight? That was the question that bothered Linake most. Would Kenpachi get hurt? Would she end up losing her husband to an unknown entity? Linake swallowed deeply against the emotion climbing up her throat, threatening to make her cry.
"Why do you look so sad?"
Linake sucked in a deep breath as Karina's half-lidded brown eyes looked up at her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think you were awake. I came to tend to your wound." Linake stated, changing the subject from her emotional inner ravings.
"No worries. I'm glad it's you I woke up to and not that creepy scientist." Karina answered truthfully.
Linake couldn't help but frown-Funny, I used to find him creepy when I first got here too...
Karina let out a wince as she pushed herself up into a sitting postion, making Linake lean back a little. As the women met gazes it seemed as if the two had come to an understanding. Somehow, Linake had managed to gain Karina's trust and that was something the substitute soul reaper didn't want to lose.
"I brought this for your arm." Linake stated, lifting the small vile of electric blue liquid.
Karina's brow furrowed as her gaze moved to the vile. No doubt wondering what it would do to her body.
"It will heal the wound rather quickly. I decided to go with this rather than bring a member of squad 4 inside." Linake offered.
"Thank you." Karina spoke lowly as she reached for the vile.
Linake let her have it, figuring it would be easier for Karina to apply it herself.
"Are you going to tell me what has you so upset?" Karina pressed; wanting to know what could make the woman from yesterday look so somber.
Linake shook her head, forcing herself to smile, even though deep down she felt as if the whole world was about to turn on its side-I hate not knowing what's in front of me!
"It's nothing. I am sure everything will be okay." Linake assured Karina, even though deep down, she was preparing herself for the worst outcome.
"Fine. I get it; you don't want to tell me, or you can't. No need to sugar coat it. You could just tell me to butt out and mind my own business." Karina countered as she tipped the vile of blue liquid and allowed it to drip over the wound on her bicep.
Karina winced a little as the liquid stung her raw flesh. Blinking her eyes, her lips parted in apparent shock as her skin began to pull itself back together. It was like that hollow had never even managed to wound her. Karina let out a shaky breath as she placed the empty vile down at her side, lifting her hand to her arm, she brushed her fingers across the newly mended skin-no pain, no evidence of anything having been there at all.
"What is that stuff?" Karina whispered.
"It's called Reishi Serum. Something that creepy scientist invented in order to heal Ayumi's eyesight." Linake answered honestly.
"Ayumi? Is that the brunette's name?" Karina asked; remembering how odd she had found the woman's affection for the creepy scientist, but couldn't remember if Amaya had said her name.
"Yes. Ayumi Kurotsuchi." Linake sighed before bracing herself to stand.
"You're not leaving already, are you?" Karina blurted, her brow lifting in confusion.
"I'm sorry, Karina. I need to return back to my barracks. I have two kids that need looking after." Linake explained.
"Oh...Well don't let me keep you from your children." Karina replied; allowing her head to fall forward as if in deep contemplation.
"I'll request that food be brought to you before I leave. It will most likely be Akon, the lieutenant of squad 12 that brings it to you." Linake stated.
"Linake..." Karina whispered, not bothering to look up as she did.
"Yes?" Linake answered as she paused at the door.
"Thank you." Karina breathed.
Linake turned her head towards the open hallway; her raw emotions getting the better of her, once again forcing the lump of emotion back down her throat.
"You're welcome." Linake whispered before stepping out into the hall and securing the door closed.
Karina let out a deep sigh, laying back against the mattress as darkness overtook the room. She could stand up and turn on the light, but her head was pounding and she felt rather weak, something she didn't want to bring to Linake's attention-something isn't right here...that woman was so full of life yesterday! What could have happened in a span of a few hours to make her look so defeated?
Ayumi squared her shoulders as she trudged forward down the hall at a quick pace. Her mind so focused on getting to her husband she almost ran straight into Linake as the woman appeared in front of her.
"I'm sorry!" Ayumi blurted as both women righted themselves in order to avoid a collision.
"No harm done. Are you okay, Ayumi?" Linake asked, picking up on the woman's anxious mannerisms. Her breath coming out rapidly, her vivid green eyes wide and darting as if something had spooked her.
"I-I don't know. I need to speak with Mayuri as soon as possible. I saw something, Linake." Ayumi rushed her explanation, already passing Linake by in order to get to her husband.
Linake's lips parted, wondering if maybe Ayumi had seen something that could give them all clarification. Deciding she would have to leave Kenpachi with the kids for a while longer, Linake followed Ayumi with the intention of finding out whether or not Ayumi's vision was connected to the unknown phenomenon.
Ayumi hurried forward; her hand resting atop her chest as she entered into the lab. With a ragged breath, she called her husband's name.
"Mayuri!?"
As if the tone of her voice had worried him, Mayuri stepped out from the back of lab, his gaze zeroing in on her.
"What is it, Ayumi? Is something wrong with the children?" Mayuri asked, not stopping his stride until he stood in front of her.
Ayumi shook her head, sucking in a deep breath in order to calm her nerves.
"The girls are fine. I-I saw something, Mayuri. I don't know what it means!" Ayumi explained.
Mayuri narrowed his intelligent golden eyes at his wife, lifting both of his hands to her shoulders he pulled her closer to him.
"I see. Try and relax and tell me everything you saw, as many details as you can remember." Mayuri instructed her; his voice low and reassuring.
Ayumi turned her head, trying to gain more clarity, her mind seeming to get jumbled now that she had reached her destination. Ayumi caught sight of blonde hair and deep green material out of the corner of her eye and when she leaned to the side to investigate; she saw the man from her previous vision.
"I see he was actually here." Ayumi whispered.
"Yes. As well as Grimmjow." Mayuri stated.
Ayumi lifted her head, her confusion apparent-Grimmjow? Why didn't I see his return as well?
"Now is not the time to guess why you see one thing and not another. Tell me what you saw now, Ayumi." Mayuri encouraged her.
"Something's coming! It's as if I was transported to another world, or some kind of vessel. I-I don't know if it's a ship, or some kind of craft. All I know is whatever they are...they are not human." Ayumi blurted.
Mayuri lowered his hands, caressing Ayumi's biceps in an attempt to calm her wound up nerves-she's always so high strung after having one of her visions!
"Take a deep breath, then tell me more." Mayuri demanded.
Ayumi complied, allowing her eyes to shut as she took in a well needed breath, just having Mayuri in front of her, feeling her husband's supportive touch was easing all of her tension. Ayumi kept her eyes closed as flashbacks of what she saw appeared, her memory coming back to her.
"Dark reptilian skin, either black or dark green. Yellow eyes and a protruding mouth. His voice was deep and commanding..." Ayumi started.
Mayuri's brows rose as he looked over his wife's shoulder, taking in Linake Zaraki's horrified expression; the woman looked as if she were about to cry, and for the life of him, Mayuri couldn't understand the woman's reaction.
"I was seeing through someone's eyes...another of those...creatures...I said his name; I called him Lord Munashi." Ayumi recalled, her sentences coming out more relaxed, her tone of voice almost normal.
"What else did you say to him?" Mayuri encouraged her.
"Something about asking if this course was really the right thing to do...I got the feeling that whatever I was inside of was scared of this "Munashi." Ayumi continued.
"I see. And what was this "Munashi's" reply?" Mayuri asked.
Ayumi allowed her eyes to slip open, meeting her husband's gaze. Mayuri felt his stomach clench as if she were about drop a bomb on him, alarm bells ringing that something was about to be revealed.
" I know the risks. The virus has failed, if we want to take over the three realms, we will have to do it by force." Ayumi repeated from her memory.
"Oh my god..." Linake whispered from behind Ayumi, her voice cracking as her fears were confirmed.
Mayuri's brow furrowed, his golden eyes widening.
"Did I just hear you correctly? Did you just say virus?" Mayuri countered; his grip tightening on Ayumi's biceps.
Ayumi nodded her head, swallowing deeply-she had already put two and two together while she was trying to comfort her daughters-whatever these creatures were had been responsible for the introduction of the virus that had almost killed many Soul Reaper's and Espada.
"Oh my...it would seem the situation has just taken a drastic turn..." Mayuri frowned.
"It said something about arriving in a couple of days..." Ayumi added, remembering even more details.
"I'm sorry, did they happen to say anything about where they would be arriving?" Kisuke asked, stepping closer in order for Ayumi to see him clearly.
Ayumi tipped her head up, meeting that man's grey eyes, noticing the scars that ran along his cheeks, a sense of calm washing over her as she realized this man wasn't a threat to her.
"When the creature I was connected to lifted it's head, I saw what looked like the outer rim of Earth. I have no doubt they are about to invade the human world, and the worst thing is, the human's won't even know their under attack." Ayumi answered.
Kisuke let out a deep sigh, turning his head away from Ayumi, his gaze locking on Grimmjow's unconscious body-If that's true, we're about to have a fight on our hands, and it's not going to be pretty. We're going to need all the help we can get...
Mayuri lifted his hands, cupping the sides of Ayumi's face, once again faced with yet another adversary, one he would not be able to study beforehand.
"I'm going to send a message to the Head Captain. This is now a matter of protecting the human's from annihilation." Mayuri announced; turning his gaze to Linake.
Linake stood in the middle of the room, her arms tucked around her middle. A behavior he had never seen in Linake personally, normally it was Ayumi holding herself so insecurely-How the mind tends to wonder to worst case scenarios...
"Linake, now is not the time to dwell on needless fears. I'll need for you to send your husband to me as soon as he is available." Mayuri stated.
Linake blinked her eyes, knowing that Mayuri was right; her fear was needless, but when you loved someone as much as she loved Kenpachi, the thought of them heading into war tended to bring out a lot of pent up emotions.
"I'll send him as soon as I get back to the barracks. On another note; Karina Reiko needs to have some food delivered to her." Linake replied.
"Ah. Yes. I guess it would be quite rude to allow subject 6 to starve while under our care." Mayuri sighed-so many variables at once, a human woman mixed up with an Espada. Another race threatening the existence of their world. On second thought, this Espada may be of more use than I realized. In fact, I do believe his queen gave me an offer not too long ago...
Linake tried her best to calm her emotions as she walked down the dimly lit pathway back to squad 11. As she looked up at the horizon she was greeted with the natural deep pink and orange hue of the sun coming to a full rise-The sun will always rise on another day. As she shook her head, trying to clear the melancholy from her mind she felt a slight breeze come through the pathway, rustling the tree limbs above the white stone wall.
Linake lowered her hand to the hilt of her Zanpakuto, wondering if maybe her spirit was trying to communicate with her again, their connection unlike any other soul reaper in existence. As Linake walked back home, she couldn't help but think back on the night her spirit had manifested for the first time. Godai had soothed her of her fears, reminding her that she held the very power of life and death within her abilities. As the white buildings of squad 11 came into view, Linake squared her shoulders-If it's war they want; it's war they will get. Kenpachi won't be the only one going into battle!
"Mornin' Linake." Ikkaku called out to her as she made it back to the steps of her and Kenpachi's quarters.
"Good morning, Ikkaku. I'm sorry, Kenpachi is needed for a meeting. Would you mind taking over the drills for the squad today?" Linake asked.
Ikkaku shrugged his shoulders, seeming to be still waking up.
"Yeah, sure." He answered.
"Thank you." Linake replied before jogging up the small staircase and pulling the pocket door open.
Linake stilled as she entered the room, her chest pulling tight as she saw her family sprawled out on the large futon. It seemed Kenpachi had had his hands full. Akio was fast asleep on her father's chest, while Takeo laid tucked into Kenpachi's right side. Kenpachi's soft snores filling the room-He looks so peaceful right now, surrounded by his children.
Linake slipped her sandals off and slid the pocket door closed before walking over and kneeling down on the side of the futon. Gently, Linake reached out, caressing her husbands left cheek. Kenpachi sucked in a deep breath, the kind one did when being woken up abruptly.
"Shit...I guess we all went back to sleep after eating..." Kenpachi half-laughed.
Linake smiled down at Kenpachi.
"Mayuri wants to speak with you. I told him I would send you his way once I got back." Linake informed him.
Kenpachi's brow rose, seeking out her gaze.
" What the hell does he need me for?" Kenpachi countered.
"Kenpachi...this is serious." Linake whispered; allowing her raw emotions to come to the surface.
Kenpachi reached his right hand up, cupping Linake's cheek in his hand, his expression confused, yet sympathetic.
"What is it, woman?" Kenpachi asked.
Linake shook her head, not wanting to see his excited reaction when he realized he would be called to war.
"I'd rather you hear if from Mayuri." Linake answered as she leaned forward, taking Akio into her hands and gently lifting the sleeping little girl from her father's chest.
Linake snorted, letting out a half-laugh as she saw the front of her daughters shirt; it was stained deep orange in about four spots.
"Looks like she got more on her shirt than she ate." Linake commented.
"Tch. Little brat kept spitting her food out." Kenpachi glared.
"I told you she can get fussy." Linake reminded him.
"Yeah, well, she ate about half of it, I ate the rest." Kenpachi replied.
"I'll give her some biscuits when she wakes up. I think part of the reason is because she's getting used to solid foods now." Linake stated, wanting to keep the conversation going before she lost him-Once he realizes he'll have something to fight again, that's all he'll think about.
"You gonna tell me what's eatin' you, or am I gonna have to get it out of you another way?" Kenpachi threatened.
Linake met his gaze. It seemed not even talking about their daughter could hide her sadness.
"I love you, Kenpachi." Linake blurted before leaning down and pressing her lips to his.
Kenpachi let out a grunt as the woman kissed him hard on the mouth, completely avoiding his question-the hell's gotten into her? She's actin' like she's scared or somethin'. Kenpachi kissed back, not wanting to push away the opportunity to taste her. It had been too damn long since he'd been able to make love to her, something he was about to fix as soon as possible.
Linake leaned away from him, lifting Akio into her arms as she stood to her feet, only confusing Kenpachi further-She ain't gonna talk about it about all, is she? Kenpachi let out a growl, moving Takeo from his side before he pushed himself up to his feet.
"I asked Ikkaku to take over for you. I'm not sure how long Captain Kurotsuchi will keep you." Linake whispered; making Kenpachi pause and stare at her.
"It'd be nice if you'd cut the shit and just tell me what I'm walkin' into, Linake." Kenpachi countered.
Linake turned, giving Kenpachi her back as she squeezed her eyes shut.
"The human world is going to be under attack in the next couple days. I'm sure the Head Captain will call a state of emergency. They want you to come and talk about battle strategy." Linake spoke lowly, so low Kenpachi almost didn't hear everything she said.
" Tch. That's all? Something's gonna attack and I'll have to fight, so what? Isn't that what I spend my days trainin' for?" Kenpachi countered.
Linake felt her shoulders lift and tense; while they had talked about him fighting and she knew it was a part of him and that one day he would get his wish, she had never hid the truth from him, the thought of losing him felt like it would kill her.
"You don't want me to fight, do ya?" Kenpachi growled.
Linake turned, allowing Kenpachi to see her expression. She felt as if she were being torn in two directions, the pride she had for her husband was unlike any other, she wanted to tell him to go kick some E.T. ass, but the other part of her didn't want to lose him.
"I would never try and stop you from fighting! I told you that before I married you!" Linake countered.
"So what, you think you'll lose me, is that it?" Kenpachi demanded.
Linake shrugged her shoulders.
"You got your wish, Kenpachi. You're about to see if something from another planet is strong enough to fight you." Linake countered; all while watching Kenpachi's lips lift into an excited grin.
Grimmjow let out a groan as he blinked his eyes open. Jerking into a seated position, Grimmjow realized he seemed to be the focus within the room. Four pair's of eyes looking down on him, each man holding a different expression.
" I see you have finally awakened. We have been waiting for the drug to pass through your system for quite a few hours." Mayuri stated.
Grimmjow glared at him, as he felt his body sway as if he'd drank too much.
"Looks like it hasn't worn off completely." Shunsui half-laughed; gaining Grimmjow's attention, his instincts telling him he really was backed into another corner.
"Yes, well. I may have given him a higher dose than necessary." Mayuri offered.
"Tch. Let's cut to the chase. You're here for that woman, right?" Kenpachi barked.
Grimmjow lifted his head, craning his neck to meet the squad 11 captain's gaze. The man's one visible green eye staring down at him as if he knew more than Grimmjow wanted to admit.
"What the fuck do you think, Soul Reaper? She belongs to me." Grimmjow countered.
" I see. So it would be safe to assume you would be willing to help us in exchange to see her again?" Mayuri asked, his lips lifting into a sly smile.
" Forget it; I've already helped you Soul Reapers enough. I just want Karina." Grimmjow growled.
" Let me ask you this. Say you don't help us and something happens to Karina. Wouldn't it be easier to have us as an ally?" Shunsui countered.
Grimmjow lifted his top lip, sneering at the Head Captain, not liking where these assholes were going with this, it sounded a lot like blackmail.
"You're not gonna give her back to me unless I say yes, right?" Grimmjow snapped.
"Grimmjow. You saw the sky in the human world, didn't you?" Kisuke asked, now that he understood Karina Reiko was in fact human.
"Yeah...what about it?" Grimmjow snapped.
"You know as well as I do, sometimes your enemy becomes your ally when faced with a bigger enemy." Kisuke continued.
Grimmjow allowed his eyes to close briefly, the shopkeeper's words sinking in; it was just like before, only this time, they wouldn't know anything about what they were fighting against.
" You're saying whatever is up in that sky isn't going to be satisfied with just fighting Soul Reapers?" Grimmjow asked.
"Can't say for sure. What we're offering is a temporary alliance, a way for both Soul Reaper's and Espada to fight in order to keep the balance within all three worlds." Shunsui answered.
Grimmjow didn't speak; seeming to be thinking about his options, knowing well enough his queen would agree to come forward and fight.
" It ain't that hard to think about. Either fight like a man, or tuck your tail between your legs and go. Either way, we're all goin' to war." Kenpachi stated before turning away from the group. He'd had enough talk, it was time for him to head back to his barracks and spend time with his family before the shit hit the fan.
"I'll give you twenty-four hours to come up with your answer. If you wish to help us, Karina will be given protection, if not, you are free to take her and fend for yourselves. Mind you, I cannot be certain her own abilities will not manifest under a stressful situation. It may not be wise to have her in the middle of a war." Mayuri warned.
Grimmjow exhaled from his nose, his nostril's flaring at the thought of Karina being hurt by someone-why the fuck does my stomach clench every time I think of her? Why does it make me feel sick when I think about losing her? Grimmjow looked around the room, realizing the soul reapers weren't going to blackmail him after all; they were giving him the choice-Fuck! There's too much shit at risk, I need these assholes if I want Karina to be safe!
"Fine! I'll help. Now take me to see Karina." Grimmjow demanded.
Mayuri turned his body to face the Espada, his creepy smile spreading across his face. Even though Grimmjow wanted to roll his eyes, he couldn't pretend that he felt nothing. Mayuri was a man who would go to lengths even Grimmjow had never thought about in order to protect what mattered to him-I guess I can respect him for that much.
"Excellent. I am sure Subject 6 will be tickled to see you." Mayuri teased.
Author's note: While I am sure some of the people reading this are not tickled to find out my subplot for this story, I am not going to apologize for it. As I've revealed in this chapter, I have left some breadcrumbs in past stories for those who have been following me from the beginning. I know it may not have been blatant, but, I found this to be a very interesting concept and I wanted my final fanfiction to kind of go out with a bang. As Mayuri would say, if you don't like it, the solution to your problem is simple, don't read it. To those of you who have been supporting me since I started, I thank you and I hope you continue to enjoy! -L.J.