Note - Soo I am currently working on a Full Metal Alchemist - Edward Elric story and a Death Note - Light Yagami one coming soon if you are into those as well. Just wanted to say thanks for reading and I'm so glad that you all enjoy it! Don't worry, I have more chapters coming out for this one as well but here goes the next chapter so enjoy! :)
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Toshiro lay in bed, eyes heavy-lidded, watching the hands of the clock slowly slide across its face. He had been awake for hours, unable to rest, his thoughts spinning around one another, tangled in a web of fear and guilt. He was not sure exactly why he felt so anxious, but he knew something was coming, something he was not ready for.
He had heard the rumors, the whispers of the execution, and he felt the pain of it. He had known Rukia since she was a child, being a few years older than her and all, and she had been like a sister to him. His heart ached for her, and he felt powerless to do anything to help her.
He glanced at the clock again, and his heart skipped a beat. It was almost time. With a heavy sigh, he got out of bed, his feet barely touching the cool tile floor. He moved silently, as if he was afraid of disturbing the stillness of the night, and he found himself moving towards the door. He had no idea what he was doing, but he knew he had to do something.
He opened the door and stepped out into the night, the light of the moon illuminating the sky. The stars shone brightly above him, and he felt a strange peace come over him. He watched as the clouds moved slowly across the horizon, and he felt a sense of clarity come over him.
Toshiro had been walking aimlessly down the street, his gaze trained on the pavement and the tips of his shoes, his thoughts as murky as the night sky above him. He had no plans, no destination, no idea of what to expect. But then, as if by some unseen hand, he felt his gaze shifting, slowly rising towards something, someone who seemed strangely familiar.
The two figures were standing outside a bar, their silhouettes illuminated by the golden light of the streetlamps. He drew closer, and as the details of their faces began to sharpen, he was sure that it was Rangiku and Sayuri.
They looked like they were already drunk and having a good time.
Toshiro stopped a few feet away from them and cleared his throat. He was suddenly very aware of the awkwardness of the moment.
"Excuse me," he said.
Sayuri turned to look at him. Her eyes were deep and wide, and her gaze was as unreadable as a book.
"Toshiro! Did you finally lighten up and come to join us in drinking?" Rangiku asked.
"What is she doing here?" Toshiro asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"What does it look like? We're drinking duh! Rangiku said while rubbing his head jokingly.
Toshiro glanced at Sayuri, who was still standing motionless beside Rangiku.
"Come with me," Toshiro said, his voice barely audible. "Come to my place. We can talk there."
Sayuri looked up at him, her face a mask of confusion and fear. But after a few moments, she nodded slowly, her eyes never leaving Toshiro's.
Without another word, Toshiro turned and began walking down the street, Sayuri and Rangiku following close behind. He could feel their gazes upon him, their words unspoken but loud in his mind.
The night seemed to stretch on forever, the street lit only by occasional streetlamps. Eventually, Toshiro arrived at the building where he lived, and he let himself and his companions inside.
Inside, the hallway was dimly lit, and the air was heavy with the smell of dust and age. Toshiro led Sayuri and Rangiku to his small house and, as they entered, he could feel the tension between them begin to dissipate.
Toshiro set out a few chairs in the living room and offered Sayuri and Rangiku a drink. He was relieved to see that, despite the awkwardness of the situation, they were slowly beginning to relax.
He poured each of them a glass of whiskey and sat down opposite of them. For the next hour, the three of them talked, Sayuri and Rangiku telling Toshiro about their night before they saw him.
Rangiku watched as Toshiro and Sayuri reclined into the cushions of the couch, their conversation from the night still echoing in the living room. Both had an eagerness to start the conversation, their voices blending in harmony with the sound of the water cascading from the bamboo fountain in the corner of the room. It made Rangiku smile as she sunk even further into the armchair in the corner of the room, it was a good sign that they were still getting along well after the wild night out they had together.
Sayuri began the conversation with a coy, playful smirk, "You know what I'll never forget?"
Toshiro stifled a yawn, but his eyes still sparkled with curiosity, "What?"
Sayuri's smirk turned into an infectious laugh, and she leaned forward eagerly, "When we were all walking down that street and we stumbled upon that little alleyway…"
Toshiro nodded in recognition and finished for her, "Yeah. That was the night we met the stray cat…"
As Toshiro and Sayuri continued to reminisce about that wild night, Rangiku found herself feeling a sense of nostalgia–like she had been part of the conversation too. She had been there the night they met the stray cat, and even though she hadn't said much the whole evening, the memory still felt almost painfully vivid.
But then suddenly, Sayuri said something that made Toshiro recoil and his eyes narrow into an unreadable expression.
"You guys remember that moment after the cat ran off and I cried like a baby because Toshiro wouldn't let me keep it?" Sayuri asked, her voice filled with a kind of longing.
Toshiro nodded slowly, his brow furrowing in confusion, "Yeah…"
Rangiku found herself waiting in anticipation for Sayuri to continue, but she didn't. For a moment, she simply stayed silent, her gaze drifting away from Toshiro's as she seemed to get lost in her thoughts.
It was then that Toshiro finally spoke up, his voice filled with a strange kind of suspicion, "How do you remember that moment? We were all really drunk that night…"
Sayuri didn't seem to be fazed by Toshiro's inquiry, "I don't know. I just…remembered it."
Toshiro's expression darkened, and he leaned forward as if to challenge Sayuri's words, "You, remembered it? How do you remember something if you're memories haven't returned yet?"
Sayuri didn't answer, instead she just stared at Toshiro, a strange kind of sadness in her gaze.
The tension in the room was becoming palpable, and Rangiku knew she had to step in to diffuse the situation. She sat up in her chair and cleared her throat, "Well, either way, it was a fun night."
Toshiro seemed to take the hint, and he sunk back into the couch, a quiet sigh escaping his lips as he turned to Rangiku.
"Yeah…" He said, his voice noticeably softer now.
The room was silent for a few moments, the only sound being the gentle trickling of the bamboo fountain and the distant hum of the Seireitei.
Then suddenly, Rangiku stood up and walked towards Toshiro, "Come on, let's go get some air."
Toshiro followed Rangiku out of the living room and out into the courtyard, leaving Sayuri alone in the living room. She watched as Toshiro took a seat on the bench and looked out over the Seireitei, a million thoughts running through his head.
Rangiku waited for a few moments before finally speaking up, "What was that about back there?"
Toshiro didn't answer right away, instead he just kept staring out into the Seireitei, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
Finally, he spoke, his voice low and full of anger, "I think she regained her memories."
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Toshiro opened the door to the house, gently pushing it forward until it was wide enough for him to enter. He could see Sayuri, sitting on the couch, her eyes unfocused. He paused, taken aback by her stillness. It felt like an eternity of silence before she finally stirred, her eyes finally meeting his.
"Toshiro," she said, her voice trembling.
He could see a trace of sadness in her gaze, and he could almost feel the tension radiating from her body.
"Hey," he said, his voice low and gentle.
Sayuri's lips curled into a small smile, and she nodded. She turned her head away, her gaze still fixed on the spot on the floor. He could see the slight rise and fall of her body as she breathed, and he felt the urge to reach out and take her in his arms.
He cleared his throat, fighting the pull that was urging him forward. "Can I sit?" he asked, gesturing towards the couch.
Sayuri nodded, and he took a seat beside her. He could sense her reluctance, and he fought the urge to say something that might make her feel more at ease. Instead, he simply waited, letting her take her time.
Finally, after a while of silence, he spoke. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice soft and remorseful.
Sayuri reached out and touched his shoulder. "It's okay," she said. "We can talk about it later if you want."
Toshiro nodded, and Sayuri was relieved.
Toshiro wanted to be able to talk to her, to understand why she had chosen not to tell him about her memories. But for now, that would have to wait.
He stood, motioning for her to do the same. "Come on," he said, his voice quiet. "Let's go to bed."
Sayuri nodded, allowing him to help her to her feet. He led her into the bedroom, and she climbed into bed. He settled in beside her, tucking her into his arms.
The two of them lay in silence, and Toshiro thought to himself. He had come back inside to confront Sayuri about why she hadn't told him about her memories, but instead here he was, lying in bed with her, his arms protectively around her. He couldn't help but feel a strange sense of contentment and peace.
He closed his eyes, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he felt truly safe. Here, at this moment, he was home.
