::Strong Sexual Content, intended for mature readers!::
Sosuke Aizen pushed through the doors of the medical unit. His honey brown gaze seeking out Amaya. Orihime Kurosaki turned at the sound of the doors being opened. Her open smile welcomed him into the room as she faced him.
"Captain Kotetsu moved Amaya into one of the back rooms. She exhausted herself." Orihime explained, her smile fading from her vibrant face. The human woman was truly an anomaly and without her assistance Linake would have died. Had that happened, his wife would never have been able to forgive herself.
"I don't think Amaya is the only one who is exhausted." Aizen countered.
Orihime liked to hide behind her smiles and jovial nature, but deep down Aizen knew she had been shaken, both physically and emotionally, still she stood in the medical unit looking after another with Linake's dried blood still caked on her hands and forearms.
Orihime let out a soft sigh, her shoulders slumping.
"I should have known I wouldn't be able to hide it from you." Orihime replied, lifting her left hand to rub her forehead but pausing at the sight of her blood tinged skin.
"Oh…I didn't realize I was covered like this." Orihime gasped, pulling her t-shirt out and inspecting the ruined cotton.
Aizen turned his head towards the sound of footsteps. Isane Kotetsu and Soifon turned the corner and paused.
"Aizen. I didn't realize you were here. Amaya is in the back." Soifon stated, her small stature looking tense, her small features unable to hide her apparent frustration.
Aizen nodded, feeling no need to waste time speaking. Turning the corner, he made his way to the large sick room at the back of the building. As he walked, he tried to greet Amaya through their telepathic link, but it seemed she was either too weak to respond or she was sleeping.
Aizen gently slid the closed door open and stepped inside. Amaya lay on the hospital bed, perched up and connected to an IV solution. Aizen walked closer, his gaze taking in the contents. Reishi Serum. Aizen turned his gaze back to his wife, scanning her pale face.
She looked so delicate to him on occasions like this, but deep down he understood her real strength. She was a lot like him in many ways, yet also so vastly different. Her humanity for one was a big difference. Aizen had learned from her, and she from him over the years. It seemed from Soifon's earlier agitation that a conversation had been had prior to his arrival. Was that why Amaya was sleeping now? Had she been arguing with her current Captain?
Amaya shifted in the bed moaning softly in her sleep. Aizen sat on the side of the bed and carefully caressed her face with his knuckles. He didn't necessarily want to wake her, but to give her comfort, to let her know he was there.
Amaya turned her face towards his touch, seeming to enjoy the sensation. Aizen leaned down pressing his lips to her forehead. It had been a rough battle, even he felt a bit drained of energy and he was immortal.
"Sosuke." Amaya sighed, her dark eyes opening into slits showing just how exhausted she was.
"What is it, my sweet?" Aizen murmured.
"Linake…" Amaya sighed her best friends name.
"She is well. Back with Zaraki and on her way to her children." Aizen assured her.
Amaya's body seemed to relax back into the bed, a tension he hadn't realized she was holding being released. Aizen frowned, leaning in closer, placing his palm over the top of her chest, seeking out the rhythm of her heartbeat. Her being here brought back harsher memories. Memories of her bedridden and sick from the virus.
"How do you feel, Amaya? Do you need anything else?" Aizen whispered.
"Just you." Amaya murmured groggily.
Aizen pulled back and stood from the bed. With deft movements he stripped himself of his soiled top and draped it over the back of the chair while kicking off his sandals. Without overthinking it, he bent, peeling the blankets back and adjusting her slim from on the bed to make room for him. Taking care not to pull on the IV, he turned her onto her side and pressed his lean muscled body against her, giving her his heat, his presence.
A content sigh escaped her lips as complete relaxation washed over her. Aizen pressed his lips to her temple before closing his eyes. There would be plenty of time to talk once she was revived from the exertion of her Bankai.
Akon walked through the heavy doors of the research and development building. Nemuri smiled her welcome to him having opened the door for him.
"How is everything?" Akon asked.
"Seems to be going well. Mom is in the back; Father is speaking with her now." Nemuri answered.
Akon let out a sigh of relief as he made his way down the long dimly lit hallway. The Teenager following him close behind. Akon wasn't sure how long the clean up procedure was going to take, but he was more than willing to assist his Captain.
It seemed that the turmoil was over, and he could finally relax. It hadn't been easy for him to stay behind with the women and children, but he also understood it had been the same for Captain Kuchiki. Akon turned his head and blinked his eyes, the bright lights from the lab making him feel a bit disoriented. It had been many hours since he'd allowed himself any real sleep.
He felt like he'd been surviving on pure adrenaline for the past forty-eight hours. His body hadn't started to relax until he'd witnessed the return of Captain Zaraki and Linake. While the shock of Zaraki's being stuck in his Bankai from and the reappearance of Yachiru weighed heavily on the mind, he also understood enough about A Zanpakuto to understand the need for her manifestation.
Takeo hadn't even blinked when he saw his father's appearance because Akon had taken the time to lesson the impact for the boy. As he's walked with Zaraki's children he had spoken to them. Preparing them the best he could. Akio was still so young; he was sure she hadn't comprehended much. She's stared at him with wide blue eyes the same shade as her mother's. Her cooing sounds almost sounded like comprehension at times, but he knew better.
Linake had come out of the barracks first, catching her son up in her arms and pressing kisses along his cheeks. Takeo had smiled, taking his mother's affection without argument. Zaraki had hesitated in the doorway, Yachiru standing off to the side with a wide smile. Takeo had turned form his mother's embrace and looked at the shadowy figure of his father.
Akon had heard Yachiru whisper about the resemblance between father and son and it didn't take a man of science to understand the emotional impact a statement like that would make. Zaraki was stuck between two worlds at the moment, the past coming back to complicate the future. Akon wasn't sure how long Yachiru would be able to hold herself here. Eventually her energy would be depleted, and she would return to Zaraki's blade.
Kenpachi had stepped out, meeting his son's gaze and instead of fear in the boy's blue eyes, he was met with adoration and awe. With a grin, Kenpachi reached down, picking his son from his feet and enclosing him in a bear hug. Akio was given to Linake and the exchange was completed.
Akon having the observant scientific mind that he had, brought with it a natural curiosity. One quite like his own Captain and also Ayumi. The three of them always studied situations, looked passed the expressions and deeper into the psyche. It had pleased Akon when Akio had accepted her father, reaching out with pudgy little fingers and smiling when she gripped the horn on his forehead.
Akon stepped fully into the room. His reminiscing of current events interrupted by the vision of Kameko sitting with one of the twins nestled in her arms. Akon inhaled a slow breath, not allowing himself to observe her too closely and make her feel uncomfortable. She looked lovely though, sitting with the child in her arms, her pale skin bright and her red hair shining from the harsh light above.
"It shouldn't be too much longer and I will have scoured the whole circumference of land mass we exchanged." Mayuri's matter of fact voice came from a set of speakers attached to his main computer. Ayumi sat in her husband's chair, watching him on live feed. It seemed Ayumi had placed a camera on her husband at some point, most likely with his approval. The two were an oddity at times, yet, they fit.
Ayumi leaned closer to the computer screen, nibbling on her lower lip as she watched her husband walk through an abandoned battleground. What had only been a matter of hours since he'd been left there alone felt like days. Ayumi had known better then to try to stay, she understood Mayuri's wish to have the area cleared, but it still didn't ease her tension. So far, she hadn't had anymore visions warning her of another catastrophe or appearance and for that she was grateful.
"Almost ready to reverse the pillars?" Akon asked, making Ayumi jump in her seat.
"In the next couple hours or so. I do not want to be too hasty with the reversal, just in case one has slipped by me." Mayuri answered absentmindedly.
"Understandable." Akon murmured.
"Akon. I don't care if you have to physically remove her from that chair, but please see to it that my wife heeds my request of finding food and getting adequate rest. I don't care if you have to shove it down her throat and then inject her with a sedative." Mayuri continued.
"I love you too." Ayumi countered.
"Of course." Mayuri agreed as if there were no other conclusion.
"You won't have to remove me, force feed me, or drug me, Akon. I need to feed the twins soon, Anyway."
Akon nodded, a small smile on his lips. The interaction between his Captain and his wife always tickled him.
"I will stay in your place." Akon offered.
"No. You will also seek out food and a bed and leave me to my task at hand. I do not remember requesting to have my every move monitored. I will reach out if I should need assistance, however, the chances of that occurring are rather nonexistent." Mayuri retorted.
"Very well, Captain." Akon stated.
"I'll do what you ask of me, but I'm setting an alarm and I will be back in this chair in six hours." Ayumi informed her husband as she stood.
Mayuri let out an exasperated sigh before replying.
"I would expect no less from you."
Karina tossed the blanket to the side of the bed, grunting as she pushed herself up from the mattress. Her restless mind couldn't shut down enough to sleep, no matter the fatigue she felt. The earlier conversation between her and Grimmjow kept coming back like it was on replay, making her heart flutter and ache. It had been hours since he'd gone back to Hueco Mundo.
Karina stood from the bed, walking in the dark to the door and slid it open quietly. She wasn't sure what she should do with herself, but something inside her couldn't rest. She was missing home, her small flat filled with her books. Her normal everyday boring human life. That was what was comfortable. Could she go back to it now? Would going back to class and finishing her degree be enough after having lived among such amazing people?
Karina wasn't sure of the answers but the strange pull towards home couldn't be ignored. She longed for Grimmjow to appear in the room and take away the heaviness, the grief. It had been for the best. There was no use in having regrets now. She'd taken a stand and demanded clarity, something that was long overdue if she were being honest.
When she thought about it, the two of them really hadn't known one another for long. It made her question her own emotions. Was the excitement the only thing she craved from Grimmjow? Psychologically what was it that made her feel so strongly? Was she just going mad?
Keeping her steps light so she wouldn't wake anyone else in the house, Karina made her way to the main entrance of the squad 1 barracks. Slipping passed the main doors undetected she started walking aimlessly down the dimly lit dirt pathway. It was a couple hours passed dusk now, the sky turning that smokey blue hue, the stars just now coming into full view. The moon was high and full catching Karina's attention as she walked. Where she was going, she didn't know, she just felt the need to move. It was almost instinctual, like a form of trance she had entered. Without questioning anything, she continued down the path.
As she walked, she kept her gaze focused on the sky above. Karina wasn't sure why, maybe she was waiting for a rift to appear and Grimmjow to step out with open arms. It wasn't like she expected a declaration of undying love and a marriage proposal from him. Just something a bit more established. Some would argue why she even felt the need to put a label on their relationship in the first place. She would argue back that living with uncertainty wasn't something she did well. Karina liked to have a plan. She enjoyed setting goals and achieving them.
It had been impossible for her to find a solution on her own. It was true, she could have ignored her concerns and just fell back into bed with Grimmjow but that wouldn't have solved anything. She would have had another amazing time locked within his brutal animalistic intensity and then been shocked back into reality once the party were over. Grimmjow seemed to be the type who lived in the moment, no rules, no foundation. He wasn't human. He didn't relate to her in the same ways and it was apparent.
"Maybe letting go would be my best option?" Karina whispered to the night, her eyes welling with tears, making the dark sky above go cloudy.
She paused on the dark pathway, lifting her hands to her eyes to clear the tears. Karina wasn't a big fan of crying to begin with, it made her head feel stuffy and she always had to clean the lenses of her glasses after. As she stood there, feeling like a nest of emotions she heard what sounded like footsteps. Snapping to attention, Karina searched her surroundings more closely.
It took Karina a full minute to understand that she wasn't hallucinating. She was standing in the middle of her neighborhood. Her flat was just around the corner from where she was standing. It hadn't even occurred to her that she could have gone home all this time. Instead of staying with squad 12 she could have been in her own home since Mayuri had quite literally lifted a chunk of England and replaced it with part of the soul society.
Feeling foolish, Karina started walking around the corner of stone buildings. She hadn't even noticed the change beneath her feet. When had the dirt turned to stone? How long had she been walking? Feeling a bit uneasy she decided not to question it, her main goal was to get to someplace familiar. Somewhere she felt grounded. A soft smile spread across her lips as the steps to her building came into view. Keeping her attention forward, she didn't realize she was being followed until the deep commanding voice spoke.
"What are you doing here, Karina?"
Karina screamed. Literally jumping a mile while bellowing out a pathetic wail. Byakuya took a few steps back from her, no doubt a precaution. He didn't want to get bit and she was a snake after all and a snake never appreciated being cornered.
"Good, god! Byakuya! You scared the piss out of me!" Karina panted, her hand laying flat against her heaving chest.
Byakuya inclined his head in a silent apology of sorts. How the man could convey such things with barley any visible emotions was beyond her. The man was so hard to read and at times she felt like he was composed of marble. There were occasions when he did thaw a little. When he was around family his stone like gaze grew more molten and the corners of that stern mouth would lift slightly.
"Captain Kuchiki?" Another voice called out in the dark.
Karina turned her head, meeting one uncovered grey eye. Shunsui slowed his pace, realizing who had been responsible for the pathetic wail.
"Ms. Reiko? What made you come all the way out here?" Shunsui asked, his brow furrowing.
Karina lifted her hand and pointed at the building.
"I live here. I'd like to go home now. If I go inside and sleep, when you make the switch I'll be back in England, yes?" Karina replied.
Shunsui lowered his head, a sense of sadness seeming to overtake his features. Byakuya turned steel eyes and they shared a look.
"Hypothetically, yes. I had planed on having you escorted back after the reversal." Shunsui answered.
"Wouldn't this be easier? Just a quick push of whatever magic button Mayuri has and I'm back to normal, right?" Karina continued.
"I don't think normal will ever be the correct terminology." Byakuya countered.
Karina stared at him, seeing the side of his lip curve and her heart jolted when she realized the squad 6 captain had just made a joke at her expense. Karina wanted to cry again. Why was it these people were so easy to be around? Why had she been thrown into this world when she didn't belong? Why had she met Grimmjow if they couldn't have a future?
"I will miss all of you, I hope you understand that." Karina blurted.
Byakuya gave another nod While Shunsui let out a sigh as he stepped forward.
Karina didn't pull back from the embrace the head captain gave her, instead she allowed her body to be enveloped by his size. Shunsui was a perfect man, in all aspects. Many of the men here felt like they were the embodiment of perfection, even Mayuri with all his crass mannerisms was a beautiful man.
"I don't know how you feel about injecting yourself, but this would be the safest option for you. I'm not sure how much longer Kurotsuchi is going to take."
Shunsui explained while handing her a small syringe filled with what she suspected was a sedative. Karina didn't much like the thought of injecting herself but she reached out to take it anyway.
"Thank you. I guess this is goodbye, then." Karina swallowed thickly before continuing.
"Could you please tell the others thank you for me?"
"I'll do just that, but you know we should all be thanking you." Shunsui answered.
Karina chuckled, shaking her head.
"I was happy to help save everyone from the alien invasion, however absurd that statement sounds."
"Be well, Ms. Reiko." Byakuya spoke softly before turning and walking back in the direction he'd come from.
"You too, Captain Kuchiki." Karina called to his back.
"Would you like for me to come in and give you the injection now?" Shunsui asked, seeming to have sensed her earlier hesitation.
"I would be more than grateful if you would." Karina smiled through fresh tears.
"Alright then."
Linake pushed herself up from the bed at the sound of soft footsteps entering the room. Thinking it was Takeo needing something she blinked sleepy eyes but instead of her dark-haired son, she was met with wide dark pink eyes.
"Yachiru? Is something wrong?" Linake spoke softly.
The little girl smiled as she climbed up onto the large futon her and Kenpachi shared. Her large eyes moved to look at his sleeping form and she smiled.
"Ken-Chan is happy. That makes me happy." Yachiru stated before climbing over Kenpachi's long legs and taking a seat next to Linake's side.
Linake wasn't sure how to react. It was a complicated situation. Yachiru was more than just a Zanpakuto spirit, she was like an estranged daughter to Kenpachi.
"Do I upset you, Yachiru?" Linake whispered, needing to know the truth.
Big eyes turned to look at her.
"Not at all. I was so happy to see Ken-Chan again. I'm happy I got to see you and play with Takeo and Akio. I'm happy that I got to see everyone again, even Ichi, baldy, Yumi, Byaky, but I'm starting to feel a little funny." Yachiru answered honestly.
Linake felt her heartrate accelerate. It was too soon! She couldn't leave now, Kenpachi needed more time with her. They hadn't had the chance to really talk.
"Ken-Chan." Yachiru called out as she placed her little hand on the side of his chiseled cheek.
Kenpachi jerked awake, blinking his eyes into focus, he pushed himself onto his side. His gaze looking over both Linake and Yachiru sitting closely together on the large bed.
"What's goin' on?" Kenpachi asked sleepily.
Linake silently pushed herself up from the bed, deciding that she needed to give Kenpachi time alone with Yachiru. Kenpachi reached out and grabbed her by the ankle, stopping her from stepping off the mattress.
Yachiru giggled.
"I was trying to give you two a moment." Linake tried to explain.
"You can stay. I don't mind at all and you want her to stay, right, Ken-Chan?" Yachiru smiled.
"Right." Kenpachi answered.
Linake hastily climbed back over to her vacated spot and sat next to the girl.
"I'm guessin' you're starting to feel the pull to release me?" Kenpachi started, both of his eyes locked onto the young girl who have lived as his daughter.
"Mmhmm." Yachiru hummed in answer.
Linake stared at the two of them, both sitting there, not saying a damn world of importance to one another.
"Kenpachi…" Linake started but he shook his head at her.
Linake closed her mouth, not wanting to overstep any kind of boundaries. Maybe them just sitting there with each other was enough of a goodbye.
"I'm gonna miss ya, brat." Kenpachi finally spoke after several minutes.
Yachiru smiled.
"I'll always be there, Ken-Chan. Even if you can't see me, or hear me. Nozarashi can feel your happiness and so can I and it made us happy too." Yachiru replied.
"I know you'll always have my back." Kenpachi sighed, turning fully to lay flat.
"Come here." He demanded.
Yachiru leaped up, practically throwing her small body onto his chest. Kenpachi wrapped both of his long arms around her, giving her the tightest hug. It was no secret that before he'd married Linake, Kenpachi hadn't been nearly as affectionate and Linake couldn't help but close her eyes as tears began to well.
Silently as possible, Linake let the tears slip down her cheeks as father and daughter both held each other. As the minutes ticked away, Yachiru's form began to slowly dissipate, as if turning into a ghost and then going invisible.
"Love you, Brat." Kenpachi blurted as the feint outline of the child disappeared from view. Kenpachi's arms feel to his chest and he closed his eyes shut.
"Love you, too." Yachiru replied as if calling out from far away, she'd used the last bit of her power to tell him so.
Linake held her hand over her mouth to stifle the sobs. Kenpachi was the one who was hurting, but he would never make a big deal of it and that made Linake cry even more. Linake turned her body away from him, understanding that laying in the dark with closed eyes and allowing himself time to process what he felt silently was what her husband would prefer.
It killed her to stay silent, to not roll over and smother him with her affection, to try and soothe the old wounds that had been freshly opened anew. Linake didn't know what to do, what to think, she just felt such bone deep sadness, and she understood it wasn't coming from her. She was connected to Kenpachi in a way that was unexplainable but she would be the vessel for his sadness because he was the cornerstone of her strength.
Kenpachi rolled his large body over in the bed and without a word, he pulled his wife close to him. The warmth of her small body easing the ache in his chest. He was glad for the pain; it had given him closure and a better understanding of what had happened all those years ago.
Yachiru was the power of his Bankai, the one ability his ego had blocked him form achieving all those years ago when he had absentmindedly sealed himself during the first fight with Unohana. Somehow Nozarashi had split herself into two, allowing for Yachiru to manifest in his world until the seal had been broken.
Linake placed her small hand on his arm, tucking her head into the pillow away from him. He knew she was crying, and trying to hide it from him. His wife was feeling his emotions somehow, he wasn't sure why it had taken him so long to realize Linake was empathetic to his emotions. Kenpachi didn't like it when she cried. It tore at him unlike anything else could.
Kenpachi leaned into her farther, wrapping his large frame around her and lifting his left hand to her soft face. Silently, he caught her tears on his knuckles as he pressed kisses to the top of her head.
"Don't comfort me! I should be comforting you…" Linake whispered.
"You already are, Wife. You're cryin' the tears I can't cry and for that, you have my thanks." Kenpachi's rough voice broke through the silence, making Linake's heart squeeze and flutter in her chest.
Linake nodded making the top of her head brush against his mouth. Kenpachi continued to collect her tears as they fell and while it looked like he was the one comforting his wife, only they understood that Linake was the vessel. Kenpachi couldn't help but think that maybe his wife truly was a goddess and he in fact was the Demon everyone accused him of being. Regardless, his goddess was proof that demon or not, Kenpachi had a heart and it lived inside of her.
Shunsui turned his head, looking down the street as he stepped out of Karina's small apartment. Byakuya wasn't far off in the distance, keeping an eye on the area. It was only a matter of time before Kurotsuchi gave the word and the land mass would be switched over. Taking Karina Reiko home and bringing Mayuri back as well. It wasn't the best of scenarios, but the squad 12 captain was crazy enough to make the journey while conscious.
Shunsui could hear the soft conversation between Mayuri and Ayumi over the headset he was wearing in his right ear. Something Akon had given to him before he'd headed out to prepare for the reset. Now that Karina was fast asleep, having made her decision Shunsui walked away, a sense of heaviness surrounding him. Sadness always seemed to follow him in some form or another, but he always looked passed it. Another day would dawn and him and his friends would live to fight another day. For that he was sure they were all grateful.
Shunsui stopped beside Byakuya, the two of them standing in comfortable silence for a time, watching the area, taking in the buildings, the quiet streets as residents of a small English town slept as if nothing had happened. Sometimes Shunsui wished he could sleep like that.
"Do you hear that?" Byakuya asked, his body coming to full alert, his steel grey gaze searching.
Shunsui shook his head, too busy trying not to eavesdrop on Ayumi and Mayuri's banter as he made his final sweep of the battlefield.
"What is it, Kuchiki?" Shunsui replied, trying to see with his one good eyes.
Byakuya stepped forward briskly, the tension in his body making Shunsui go on full alert. It wasn't until Byakuya got almost right in front of the pair when Shunsui's vison focused. Two women were walking down the cobblestone streets and it didn't look like a normal pair. Pausing a few feet in front of Byakuya, the two women stared at Byakuya. Shunsui quickly closed the gap, taking longer strides than usual to catch up.
"Well now, what do we have here?" Shunsui stated, keeping his tone light and casual. It was apparent by the twin pair of wide blue eyes that the women felt threatened.
"Please, let us pass, we didn't mean to come this way." One of the women spoke, her voice was soft and soothing. It reminded Shunsui of taking a shot of Sake. Warm and inviting.
"I believe you may not have intended to come this way being that you appear to be a soul. But she is human." Byakuya stated, turning his intense gaze to the smaller of the two women.
The human woman wrapped her arm tighter around the soul standing next to her and shook her head as if trying to deny the obvious. What was going on? Why was a human who obviously had been sleeping previously now walking around with a Soul who had no business being in this part of the Rukongai?
"Head Captain. Mayuri is ready to proceed." Ayumi Kurotsuchi's voice filled his ear.
Pausing, Shunsui lifted his right hand and pressed on the ear pieces to connect.
"Just one second, Ayumi. We've run into a situation." Shunsui spoke.
"A situation? Prey tell how does a situation form when I've literally given you all hours of time for preparation. I'm giving you five minutes to clear the area." Mayuri ranted into Shunsui's ear.
"What's your name?" Shunsui asked the soul.
"I-I am Reina. Reina Aikawa." The woman answered, her ice blue gaze peeking up through thick dark lashes.
"Reina. You've stumbled into the wrong place, I'm afraid. We need to evacuate." Shunsui stated an edge of urgency seeping into his usual calm voice.
"No. Please, please let me stay! You don't understand! My name is Emi. Emi Aikawa. I-I am her sister. Please don't make me leave her!" The human woman begged, her sky-blue eyes growing wide from sheer panic.
Byakuya's steely gaze locked with hers and without speaking he moved lighting quick, coming behind the two women and placing a hand to the human woman's shoulder. Her body tensed at the contact as Byakuya pulled her back against him, wrapping his other arm around her waist. Emi wasn't given much choice as Shunsui followed Byakuya's quick thinking and rushed to Reina's side. The two men grabbed hold of the women and using flash step moved them just at the ground beneath their feet began to tremble.
Emi and Reina both let out shocked cries as they were carried away from the danger of being transported. Once clear from the pillars marking the area being switched both Captain's landed gracefully on Rukongai earth. Byakuya released the human woman instantly as if the touch of her skin somehow offended him. While Shunsui kept his arm loose around Reina's middle. The four of them watched as bright light flashed in the distance.
The land they had just been standing on seemed to dissipate before their eyes between the flashes. Emi looked up at the large pillars, realizing the light was emanating from them. As quickly as the phenomenon started, it ended, leaving behind a nightmare. Emi let out a terrified scream as Mayuri Kurotsuchi manifested before her, standing among a pile of reptilian corpses.
Byakuya reached out, almost an afterthought and placed his palm to the woman's shoulder once more. She jumped and backed away from his touch making him regret his effort to comfort. Mayuri stalked forward, hands on hips as his golden eyes searched the two women.
"Honestly, I don't see why we can't go a full decade without someone new arriving. I take it these two were the situation?" Mayuri asked plainly.
Shunsui dropped his arm from the soul's waist and stepped away, seeming to realize he'd kept his hold on her for too long. Reina tipped her head back, meeting his gaze fully. The intense almost clear blue of her eyes made his knees feel a bit weak.
"Thank you, Head Captain." Her smokey voice whispered.
"I see the resemblance between the two, yet, one is clearly dead and the other is not. I feel like I don't really need any further explanation. The two of you have gone quite soft, I am afraid." Mayuri frowned, his golden eyes focusing on Emi.
Emi took several steps back, her fear evident.
"Oh, don't flatter yourself, human. Why, I have absolutely no desire to study the likes of you." Mayuri rolled his eyes heavenward before speaking into the microphone.
"Ayumi, Wake Akon, Rin and Kameko and meet me at the sight. The transition was successful and now we must collect our samples for further research." Mayuri stated.
The static filled the silence and Mayuri's wife replied.
Reina turned then to face her sister, her light eyes filling with so much emotion that is made Shunsui want to hug her close all over again. Shaking his head and remembering who he was he stepped forward.
"I think it would be safest for the two of you to come with us." Shunsui stated.
Emi shook her head absentmindedly as if she were trying to process everything that had just happened, like she was only minutes away from going into full blown shock.
"It's like I told you Emi, you are in the Soul Society, where I came after I died." Reina's husky voice tried to soothe the other woman.
"Then am I dead too?" Emi blurted, her soft eyes filling with tears and spilling forward.
"No, Little sister. You are very much alive." Reina smiled.
: Two Months later:
Karina Reiko let out a sigh as she jogged down the stone steps of her university. The weather was shit. Rain pouring down and hitting the sidewalk, making the ground a slushy mess. In the back of her mind she didn't understand the restlessness she was feeling today. It had been months since Shunsui had injected her with the sedative and stayed with her until she'd fallen asleep curled up on her own bed.
When Karina had woken up, she had been back in the normal every day world. It had taken her almost three weeks to get everything situated again. To write to her professors, making up a lie of a family emergency and apologizing for not notifying them before her departure. While most had been sympathetic making Karina feel guilty, others had taken the piss, giving her a lower grade for the previous semester.
It took everything she had to force herself out of bed every morning and peruse her education, something that had been her main priority before he had walked out of nowhere and turned her world on its axis. Luckily, she hadn't had any run ins with hollows on the street. Although, now she was pretty sure she wouldn't be on the losing side of things. After defeating a primordial Alien, the thought of a hollow didn't scare her.
Karina trudged along the sidewalk, keeping her pace light as she hefted her bookbag on her shoulders. The whine of alternative rock music filled her ears as she listened. It was rare that she didn't have her headphones in. Even when she was at home by herself, she needed the music to drown out the thoughts.
Her emotions had gone from raw and uncertain to downright enraged. She'd called Grimmjow every name she could think of over the past two months, but really, she only had herself to blame. She had been the one to send him away. Still, she couldn't help but wonder if she'd really meant so little to him.
Pausing on the street to look for oncoming traffic before she crossed the street, she caught a glimpse of dark Auburn hair in the distance. Karina hurried forward across the street, her curious gaze trying to focus on the woman. It couldn't be her, right?
Karina shook her head, telling herself it was just wishful thinking. She wanted a friend, someone who she could talk to openly. One of the hardest things about coming home was she didn't have an outlet. If she were to tell a random person she was a Fullbringer and had the power to transform herself into a serpent hybrid, they would have her locked up in an asylum. If she thought Mayuri's examinations had been invasive, he would be child's play compared to the so-called doctors of her world.
"Bloody hell, I do miss them." Karina sighed, crossing another section of traffic at a light jog. Her black boots hit the stone curb just as a wide well-muscled chest blocked her view. Karina lifted her head and pulled the earbud from her ear, about to give the man a piece of her bloody mind when she stopped, half frozen. Kenpachi Zaraki stood hovering above her, a small smile on his lips.
Karina's gaze slid down his form, taking in the black leather jacket, the fitted blue jeans and black under shirt. The man looked so different, not even wearing his signature eye patch. Was this really Kenpachi?
"Found her." Kenpachi called over his shoulder.
The head of dark auburn hair rounded his massive frame and two arms reached out pulling Karina into a tight hug. Karina stood shellshocked for what seemed like ages. What were they doing in the human world? Linake pulled back, a beaming smile splitting her face.
"we've been looking for you for over an hour. The woman at the university didn't want to tell me whether or not you were in class, so we've just hung out around here in hopes we would catch you." Linake explained.
"W-what are you doing here?" Karina asked, her voice coming out as bewildered as she felt.
Linake's smile faded and she stepped back.
"We are on our way to visit my Mom and sister. I thought since we were coming to the human world anyway, we might stop here and help out a couple friends along the way." Linake stated.
Karina's brow tensed with confusion.
"Friends?" Karina repeated.
"I wouldn't really call em a friend." Kenpachi countered, his face taking on his normal menacing bored expression.
Karina watched as other passersby gave him a very wide berth, seeming to feel the power behind the wall of muscle. He looked like trouble with a capital T. Karina locked eyes with Kenpachi and he gave a slight nod.
"He's here, then? After two months he's decided to come and see me and he sent the two of you to fetch me?" Karina rambled, hot agitation making her pale cheeks flush pink.
"Well, when you put it like that it sounds pretty shitty." Linake sighed.
"Grimmjow is waiting for you at your apartment, he's changed a little since you last saw him." Linake stated.
"Changed?" Karina repeated.
Kenpachi lifted his hand, gesturing to his body.
"Meat Suit."
Karina blinked, understanding that Kenpachi was wearing one of those Gigai things others had spoken about previously. Was he implying that Grimmjow was wearing one as well? How would he be wearing something that was made for Soul Reapers? Karina shook her head a little in an attempt to clear it.
"I'm sorry. I guess the hopeless romantic in me didn't fully understand the situation. Grimmjow had told me you asked him to go and not come back until he had an answer." Linake spoke lowly.
Karina sighed heavily, closing her eyes and cursing the Espada for taking her words so literally.
"I take it whatever he came up with is the reason I haven't seen him in so long?" Karina asked.
Linake nodded.
"I'll let him explain the rest, I think. I feel like I've unintentionally overstepped some form of boundary." Linake admitted.
"Told ya this wasn't any of our business." Kenpachi sighed.
Linake frowned up at her husband and in the moment, Karina felt like a prat. They had come for her, to help ease her reunion with Grimmjow and she was treating them horribly.
Karina walked forward and wrapped Linake up in her arms. It wasn't her fault that Grimmjow had been so vague and it really wasn't his fault for taking her demands so literally. Karina felt her stomach twist and churn as true realization sank in. He was at her bloody flat! What had he come to tell her?
"I'm so sorry, Linake. I didn't mean to act so harshly."
"Don't worry about it. I think I'm starting to get the bigger picture." Linake replied, keeping her arms loose around Karina's waist as the two hugged.
Kenpachi turned and started to walk in the direction of Karina's apartment and Linake pulled back to follow. Karina let out a slow breath and decided she appreciated having the warning, it would have been too much for Grimmjow to just appear in front of her completely visible for everyone to see.
"Where are the kids?" Karina asked, trying to keep her mind centered.
"With Ikkaku and Yumichika. They are having lunch and enjoying their first visit to the human world. It turns out they both don't need any form of Gigai to travel, they're like us." Linake smiled.
Karina smiled back, genuinely happy that she'd gotten to see her friend once more. Kenpachi paused letting the two of them catch up and Karina realized they were on her street. Her feet stopped moving of their one volition. Somehow, she was frozen in place, by fear, by self-doubt, she didn't know.
Linake and Kenpachi both stepped back on the sidewalk, making Karina stand out as Grimmjow pushed himself up from the steps of her building. Karina felt her knees threaten to buckle, he looked so familiar, yet so different. The solid white bone was missing from his face, giving him one hell of a chiseled jawline. In its place was what looked like a tattoo. Karina's lips parted, her chest heaving the closer he came to her.
He looked like a man, not an Espada and it was playing with her head. A part of her didn't want to believe it was actually him, but as he stopped in front of her, his mouth twisted into a half smile that taunted her, she knew it was Grimmjow inside the gorgeous human shell. His brilliant blue eyes sparkled as he took her in, his gaze roaming over her body in a possessive gesture sending a trail of heat down her spine.
"Hey." He greeted.
Karina shook her head, not trusting herself to speak just yet, instead she reached up and caressed the tattooed side of his face.
"You like it? I thought it was a reasonable compromise." Grimmjow half-smiled.
"You look…good." Karina admitted.
"So, do you." He replied.
Karina turned her head, realizing that both Kenpachi and Linake had left.
"I asked them to leave once you saw me, don't get pissed at them." Grimmjow stated, pulling her attention back to him.
Karina shook her head.
"I'm not. I'm just a bit confused as to what this all means?" Karina answered.
"Ain't it obvious? I pass for a human in this form, don't I? I'm here for you." Grimmjow answered, his normal surly nature coming to the forefront.
"For how long?" Karina whispered.
"Forever." Grimmjow answered without any hesitation.
"Are you certain? That is what you want? To live with me here in this world?" Karina blurted, her eyes going misty.
"I've been living with Kisuke Urahara for the past two months. He made this Gigai custom for me and has been teaching me how to act and live around humans." Grimmjow explained.
"But, would that make you happy?" Karina pressed, searching his eyes.
"Tch, can you stop with the twenty questions? You make me happy; I did this to give you a fuckin' answer and the answer is everything. I want it all. I want you, forever." Grimmjow growled, reaching an arm around her waist and pulling her into his warm heat.
Karina licked her lips as he bent his head and claimed her mouth in a searing kiss. Karina opened for him, allowing his full possession. His body may look different, but his touch, his kiss, his scent hadn't changed at all. It was like being hit with a bomb. All of her suppressed emotions came spilling to the forefront as they tasted and teased one another.
A deep voice clearing their throat snapped Karina back to reality and she pulled back from him, meeting his gaze.
"Wanna take this inside?" Grimmjow asked, surprising her with his question. Normally he would just make the demand of her as if it were natural. What exactly had Kisuke Urahara been teaching him?
"I would." Karina answered.
Grimmjow grinned, taking her by the hand and leading her to the front of her flat, up the stairs and into the building. His hand dropped from her hand as she climbed the stairs and she could feel his gaze on her backside as she walked. Just a simple kiss and his gaze had her body sparking to life.
Karina managed not to fumble too much with the key and lock, once the door was open, Grimmjow swung his strong arm out, pushing is open and backing her into the living room. Karina gasped when his hot mouth closed over the side of her neck while he kicked her front door shut.
"I fuckin' missed you." Grimmjow growled into her ear.
Karina reached back, her palm closing on the back of his neck as he pressed his body against her, his thick cock brushing against the curve of her ass through his jeans. It seemed Urahara was very precise in all areas because she couldn't feel a difference from before, his size was still impressive.
Karina tilted her head back, giving him, complete access and he took advantage, bringing his strong hand up and covering her throat. Karina couldn't stifle her moan; his dominance had always made her pussy pulse in such a delicious way.
"Tell me you want me, Karina. I wanna hear you say it." Grimmjow growled against her ear, his lips and teeth nipping at her sensitive skin while his left hand squeezed her throat a little.
"I want you! I need you inside me, Grimm." Karina gasped, not afraid to tell him what she craved from him. The fullness of his body merging with hers had been something she'd dreamt of. It was so frustrating wanting a male and not having access to his body.
"Show me." Grimmjow taunted pulling his body away from her and walking over to sit on her overstuffed love seat.
Karina swallowed thickly, her brow furrowing at the change in their play. Did he want her to take charge this time? Karina wasn't all that sure. Before she could think too much about it, she pushed her bookbag from her shoulders, letting the heavy sack of books fall to the ground.
Grimmjow bent forward and pulled his boots from his feet, then his socks, tossing them over towards her bookshelves. Karina followed the action, needing to clear her mind a bit, she bent down and took her time removing her own boots and socks, leaving them in a pile.
Karina unzipped the black and purple jumper she wore over her sweater and pulled it from her shoulders, noticing the way his hunter's gaze followed her movements, he mimicked her, taking off his own leather jacket and setting it on the top of the coffee table in front of him.
Karina understood his game then. Slowly, purposefully, she removed each item of her clothing, letting him see her body in the natural light from the window behind him. Grimmjow took his time watching her with predatory eyes as he gave her the same show. With every scrap of clothing, another dark blue spot was revealed to her. A large number six was tattooed onto the right pec on his chest, while the hole was missing from his abdomen.
Karina paused for a couple minutes, taking in his muscled chest and strong muscular legs as he pulled his jeans from lean hips and let them fall to the floor. His erection pressed against a pair of boxers making her clench her thighs in anticipation.
While it wasn't the body she was used to, he was still perfect. Karina slid her hands down her hips catching the sides of her panties and pulling them down her thick hips, her heavy breasts swaying with the movement. Grimmjow growled low in his throat, following her movement and allowing his thick cock to spring free form its confines.
Karina stood there, eating him up with her hot gaze, watching as his shaft bobbed and a bead of precum spilled over the broad tip. Licking her lips, she slowly walked to stand in front of him. Their gazes locking, both of them transfixed by desire denied for far too long.
"It's your move, my Queen." Grimmjow grated, telling her he was giving her complete control.
Karina couldn't help the soft moan that escaped from her lips as she bent to straddle his lean hips. Grimmjow grabbed her by the biceps, helping her stay grounded as she spread her thighs and took position above his throbbing cock.
Slowly, Karina reached down, taking hold of the swollen shaft and guiding it between her swollen slick folds. Grimmjow hissed through his teeth, his head falling back on the couch, eyes going half lidded.
"Is this what you want?" Karina asked him, teasing him by sliding his shaft between her slick heat, the head of his cock brushing against her sensitive clit.
Karina groaned as she felt him pulsing between her thighs, needing to feel him enter her. The stretch and burn of being claimed by him.
"You know what I want, woman. Give it to me. Give me that perfect pussy." Grimmjow growled, moving his hands down lower to caress the cheeks of her ass. Karina guided him to her entrance, slowly she slid her body down until her pelvis met his groin. She groaned as he filled her, her head tipping back and he body quivering from the decadence.
"You are mine, Grimmjow." Karina gasped as she rocked her body above him, pushing herself up using his shoulders and then falling back down over him.
"Fuck yeah, I am. All yours." Grimmjow grated, his hands molding to her ass, squeezing and massaging as she rode him at her own pace.
Grimmjow let his head rest along the back of the couch, watching as the woman he loved claimed him, gave him what he craved more than anything. Her love. Her acceptance. Her body. Everything about the woman was perfection. Looking back on it now, he knew he'd loved her the minute he'd saved her, with one look, she had stolen what little heart he had.
Grimmjow lifted his hands from her backside, taking hold of her face by gripping her chin and forcing her to look at him. When her eyes locked onto his he didn't hesitate.
"I love you."
Karina stopped moving on him, her body resting fully on his lap as she stared back at him completely bewildered.
"I-I love you, too." Karina whispered leaning in to press her lips to his.
Grimmjow used his strength then to lift her into his arms, not breaking the connection of their bodies, he walked them to her bed and laid her onto her back, covering her with his muscled body. Karina half expected him to take her harder now, but when he started to move inside her his gaze met hers and she could see the tenderness in the blue depths.
Karina couldn't hold back the moans as he found his own rhythm, driving her body higher into the bed as he kept eye contact with her, chest brushing against her nipples as his speed and temp increased. She could heart her own wetness, the smack of his body meeting hers with every deep, hard thrust.
Grimmjow bent his head low, pulling one taunt nipples into his mouth and biting down, the way he knew she liked it. Karina lifted her hand and gripped a handful of his hair as he slid his left hand down between her thighs. The pad of his thumb found her clit and flicked it back and forth, lifting the small hood that covered the very tip.
Karina gasped and cried out his name at the intensity of sensations, the heavy deep drag of his shaft pushing against her g-spot combined with the clitoral stimulation had her pulling his hair with one had and clawing his back with the other. Her legs began to shake, stomach muscles pulled taunt, her body so close to falling over the precipice.
"Come for me, baby. I wanna feel that pretty pussy milk me." Grimmjow's rough voice encouraged her.
Karina closed her eyes, her back bowing into his chest making her hard nipples brush against hot warm male skin. Grimmjow kept his pace, watching the pure rapture spread across her features as her body tipped over the edge, pulsing, milking his own release from him. Grimmjow growled her name as he spilled inside her, pushing into her as deep as her body would take him.
Karina fell limp against the bed, her soft moans sounding like a purr to his ears. Bending his head, he caught her mouth and kissed her as he laid his weight down over her body, pinning her down with his half hard dick.
"Grimm." Karina sighed his name against her lips.
"Let me stay inside ya for a while." He pleaded with her, kissing and nipping at her swollen mouth.
Karina lifted her legs, wrapping them around his lower back, pulling him even closer, even deeper. She had a sneaking suspicion he was waiting to go another round and she didn't mind in the slightest.
"I love you, Grimmjow. I hope you understand what that really means." Karina whispered against his mouth.
"You bet your sweet ass I do. It means you belong to me and I belong to you and we'll figure out this bullshit called life together. Whatever you want, I'll do my best to give to ya." Grimmjow countered.
Karina smiled as her mind began to think of the future and for the first time in months, she allowed hope to bloom inside her. It was them against the world now. Together as King and Queen.
End
AN: Thank you to everyone who stuck this one out with me. I didn't plan on this story taking me as long as it did to finish, but I am happy with it. Some of you may be curious about Emi and Reina. I had not planned on writing any other stories in my universe but I am toying with the idea. I'm not 100% sure at this time so I left it open for the possibility. I know some of you wanted both Shunsui and Byakuya to be included in my giant bubble of happiness. If that is something you would like to see in the future, please leave me a comment. For now, I'm off to finish Tough Love. -L.J