253 Goodbye, or rather see you later

(Yoruichi's pov)

I'm fucking pissed! I mean, like, I'm seriously angry! Kisuke just went and did something really stupid. For the smartest person I know, he makes some idiotic decisions at times, and what's worse, I can't even reprimand him for that because I'm doing the exact same thing!

I'll kick his ass later.

*Sigh*

I didn't want to drag my family into trouble, but at the same time, I couldn't abandon Kisuke and Tessai, my two and only childhood friends. I owe them that much because they have stuck with me for a long time and have helped me on many occasions.

It was the hardest choice I have made in my life, but I went with it. I saved the two idiots and dragged them into the Study Chamber. I already moved the injured captains and lieutenants, so Kisuke and Tessai are the only ones left to rescue.

After we arrive there, Kisuke will probably formulate some plans. We'll probably need to escape and hide in the living world, so we'll need a couple of gigai. That's why I brought the gigai he was working on until yesterday. I include myself because there aren't many gorgeous dark-skinned women with my abilities in Soul Society, and I'll find out sooner rather than later.

Even the thought of leaving what I called home for years was... painful, which was ironic for a cat like me who goes wherever I want. I didn't even have a place that I could call home. I had a place where I slept, where my parents and brother lived, and so on, but after I got together with Ryoto, it changed. Finally, I had a place I could call home. I turned from a stray cat on a leash to a house cat with a collar, and I didn't even mind. I had a man that I loved, although with a few issues that he worked on throughout the years, two new friends that share the same man, and even kids. One of them is even mine, the only daughter at that!

I smiled while thinking about her.

I never could imagine myself as a mother, and I can't even say if I was a good one, but I can't say that I wasn't having fun during these years.

At least I know that when I'm gone that Yukima won't be alone. With Ryoto as her father and Rin and Isane as her mothers, I know that she will have a family... a home.

Without them, I don't know if I would make the same decision I'm making right now. If Yukima was instead forced to live inside the Shihoin mansion, I would probably stay.

---

Arriving in the study chamber, I took down the cloth that was covering my face. It wouldn't do much, but at least it could buy some time, and that would allow Ryoto to find the letter that I left for him before anyone else. Otherwise, it would go into evidence, and I wanted to leave some kind of message for him.

I went soft because of him... not that I hate it.

"Yoruichi-San..." Kisuke called me, probably trying to thank me, but I was faster as always.

"I don't need your thanks, and I'll kick your ass later for not saying anything about this to me or anyone else last night." If he had informed me or Ryoto or even Rin, then this whole situation would be different. I don't know how, but it shouldn't evolve into anything worse than this.

"I carried all eight of them here." I continued. "I also brought the prototype for the 'new gigai' you were researching. Hurry up and finish this up. Ever since the moment you first asked Hirako about this case, you've been thinking about the worst of the details and the best means for dealing with them.

"... You foresaw all this. You are a creepy person."

He gives me too much credit. I expected him to at least ask someone for help, but as soon as I noticed that he had vanished from his post, I made preparations for the escape, but before I could answer him by calling him a creep as well, Kisuke and I felt someone behind us.

Fearing that someone somehow managed to follow me, we quickly drew our weapons and were ready to fight, but no one present was expecting Ryoto, leaning on the rock.

I flinched, not expecting to face him right now. I feel like I betrayed him in some way.

"Done talking?" He started walking up to Kisuke and stopped when they were facing each other. Ryoto took off his glasses that he doesn't need, opened his eyes, took out his contact lenses that Kisuke created to hide his eyes, and did something we didn't expect.

He bowed and started apologizing.

"I'm sorry that I didn't help." Kisuke's eyes were wide open, and mine as well.

"Come on, Ryoto. You don't need to apologize for not solving my own problems. You couldn't have known that it would happen."

Hearing Kisuke, Ryoto had this look on his face that I was pretty familiar with. He was hiding something, which made him feel guilty, but unlike usual, I didn't need to wait to know why he felt like that.

".. About that... I was aware of what Aizen planned..."

That one name-drop let us know that not only did he know what happened, but he also was aware of the traitor. I only knew about him because he was the one Kisuke suspected during his trial, and while I wasn't present there, I could still overhear some things over the sounds of the guards being beaten by me.

I was ready to walk up to Ryoto and smack him, but I restrained myself as he already felt guilty enough, and knowing him, he probably had a good reason. Not to mention Kisuke was already questioning him.

"I've known you long enough that you wouldn't withhold vital information like that without any reason, and as you apologize, I can see that I was right, but I still would like to hear your reasoning."

Ryoto looked troubled by this request. I feel like he was already planning to do it anyway, but it's probably very complicated or difficult to explain.

Preparing himself to share one of his secrets, Ryoto took a few deep breaths.

"Do you believe in destiny?" These were the words he started with, which left me utterly confused, but Kisuke decided to answer him honestly.

"Not really. As a scientist, if I believed in something like fate, then I would need to admit that no matter what I do, it wouldn't be thanks to my ability or wouldn't even matter."

Ryoto nodded.

"I don't believe in that either, but there are certain events that will happen whether we want it or not. For example, Quincies have a prophecy about their king. 900 years to regain his pulse, 90 years to regain his intellect, 9 years to regain his strength, and 9 days to reclaim the world. Do you know how long ago Captain Commander defeated Yhwach?"

"It's difficult to say exactly, but it happened about 900 years ago... Are you implying that this prophecy is more than just a prophecy?"

Ryoto smiled.

"Exactly."

"But what does it have to do with you not telling us about Aizen?" I questioned. I still can't tell where he is going with that story about Quincy King.

"Let me ask you this, then. Do you think that we are ready for his return? Yama-jii defeated him last time, but he's gotten old and isn't even suspecting that he failed in killing Yhwach. And the Quincy King would probably want revenge after his return, and he would be prepared."

Kisuke started connecting the dots and concluded something.

"For some reason, you need Aizen to defeat Yhwach... but it would mean that you know what will happen in the future..."

That's true. That would be the only explanation. Otherwise, we would need to admit that Ryoto is capable of foreseeing events that will happen years in the future, and not even Kisuke is capable of doing it, at least not that far into the future with this kind of accuracy.

"I'm not that great... I am aware of only one possible set of events that has already changed. I don't know if it's for better or worse, but it was necessary for all three of you to be in the living world. That way, I can somehow know what Aizen is doing and create counter plans in case he oversteps the boundaries.

That's why I'm sorry... I know how to create a better future, but I couldn't prevent you from being exiled. I am simply too weak to place a bet on the uncertain."

Ryoto bowed his head again and stayed in that position for a while.

"Ryoto, raise your head. As I've said, I've known you for a long time, so I would like to think that I know you, so I know that this decision probably wasn't easy to make."

Kisuke was right. I've noticed that Ryoto has been very deep in his thoughts as of late, and it was probably because of that.

"If it makes you feel better with the information that you possess, I would've probably done the same." Kisuke tried to comfort Ryoto. "But now we don't have time for any more chit-chat. In the next 20 hours, I will make a total of 10 Reiatsu blocking gigai."

He didn't include me, as I could go under the radar with my abilities.

With that said, Tessai created a barrier around us, and Kisuke started working. That left Ryoto and me alone, thanks to Tessai, knowing that we would want to have some time alone.

Honestly, I don't know what to think. Ryoto hid information about the traitor inside Sereitei, but now that I think about it, he mentioned sometimes not to trust a guy with glasses.

"Ryoto, if you knew all about that and still went with it, I can guess that this problem will be resolved eventually, right?" I asked at last.

"You could say that... if you were to be labeled a criminal forever, I wouldn't go with it, but it will take a long time. Until then, all three of you will need to lay low." Ryoto answered solemnly, which annoyed me, so I kicked him in the ass.

"Stop that depressing look! You made the decision, and I made mine. That's all there is to it. If it was something that would put my life in danger, you would take my place. Am I right?"

I didn't need an answer seeing him awkwardly scratching the back of his head.

"As always, you've seen right through me..." Ryoto became silent, seemingly thinking about something. "We won't be seeing each other for some time." He finally spoke. "But I want to tell you that no matter how long we will be separated, my feelings won't change. The moment I gave you that small accessory." I unconsciously touched the chocker I'm always wearing. "Was the moment you could be sure that I loved you, and you wouldn't get rid of me even if you wanted."

He smirked, and I rolled my eyes. Like I would ever want to leave him.

"Just don't chase any more skirts. I don't want to get back and find a new lover and maybe even a kid."

"It's not like I am looking for new relationships." He deadpanned. "All my relationships were mostly accidental. Rio and Kaede are surprisingly an exception." He muttered the last part.

And so we spent our time together, cuddling and just enjoying our presence until it was time to say our goodbyes.

I asked Ryoto not to tell our children that I left to save Kisuke and Tessai because I feared they would think that I didn't think of them as important. At that, he asked about Soi Fon, and to be honest, I believe that it would be better for her to distance herself from me. She was borderline... completely obsessed with me, and it was fun teasing her most of the time, but now that I'll be gone, it would be better for her, but Ryoto only partially agreed.

And so, I, together with Kisuke, Tessai, and the rest, left Soul Society for an unforeseeable future, but not before a passionate kiss between Ryoto and me.

I'll miss this feeling.

(E/D: I miss Lala. Come on summon her once again. Make the conversation true. I want Lala!!!)

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END

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