One life

(Rin's pov)

Ryoto was right. Aizen was an absolute monster. Faster, stronger, more strategic, and not to mention that annoying Zanpakuto of his. Thankfully, we were prepared, but even with that, the fight was too close for my comfort. Ryoto wasn't at his full strength with the loss of his arm, and he wasn't fully healed—almost, but not entirely. He was at about 70-80%, I would say, not counting his arm.

I tried to support him to the best of my ability. I know that Ryoto is strong and he can take care of him, but I can't stop worrying about his current state and seeing himself fight, I was right. He wasn't moving as he usually does. I'm not saying that he was sluggish or anything like that because saying that meant that almost every Shinigami in Soul Society was incompetent. Still, as someone close to Ryoto, I knew when something was off.

At the moment, Aizen was winning. Not by much, but still. Both Ryoto and I were barely standing. I needed to support myself with Tsunagari, now Ensō, just so I wouldn't fall on my knees. Ryoto was in a similar state, but I couldn't check on him right now. I was focusing entirely on Aizen. I could only trust my eyes. All my other senses could and were controlled by the traitor in my sight.

We were currently at an impasse when I suddenly heard the sound of a blade going through the body. It was from Ryoto's direction, but I didn't look. It could be a trap, so I didn't move and focused on Aizen. Then I heard Soi Fon and Ryoto talking. From what I gathered, Soi Fon stabbed Ryoto, and she was having a panic attack. Not turning and running there was hard, but I needed to remember who we were fighting. It could very well be another of Aizen's tricks. It wasn't until I heard the name Koro-sensei that my eyes widened. I involuntarily turned my head to see Ryoto on the ground, bleeding, and Soi Fon next to him.

I immediately understood what happened. It didn't take a genius to figure it out. Aizen was behind it because Soi Fon would never attack Ryoto that way. 

The moment I realized that Ryoto was not only in danger but dying, I started moving. His eyes started losing their shine. It never happened before. As long as I knew about them, they have always been the light source in a dark room. It wasn't the only answer, but at the moment, I could only think that it was a sign of him dying.

My injuries hurt. The loss of my blood made me weaker, and I was barely standing even with the support of my Zanpakuto, but against all odds, I was walking towards the pair. Every step was full of pain, every second was a precious moment, and every meter, I was closer to my goal. I gave Aizen one last look to see if he'd try to stop me from doing what I was about to do, but he just looked amused and curious. I didn't have a lot of time, so I ignored it for now. Ryoto is my priority.

As I finally stood above Ryoto, his voice was barely strong enough to speak, and his voice was quiet enough to escape my notice.

"Move."

It was directed to Soi Fon, and it wasn't a polite request that I would usually make. It was a demand. I was too tired, worried, and stressed to calm down Soi Fon, not to mention that there wasn't enough time for that. Thankfully, she listened.

This was when my knees buckled, but I was where I needed to be.

Who knew I would be forced to use it? To be honest, deep down, I was expecting it to happen even if I didn't want it.

I raised Ensō above Ryoto's chest and started chanting.

"Every beginning has its end, and the invisible link connects the two. 

Without one, there isn't the other.

From this day onwards, we share this fate.

Your pain is mine, and mine is yours.

What I heal, you will heal, and what you will heal, I will heal.

The red string of fate shall strengthen to become a chain, and nothing shall separate us, be it a sword, distance, or even death, we shan't be apart.

The only thread of fate in our life will be between us, and the string will become one of steel, while those that will try to separate us will try without success until the end of time.

Your life is mine, and mine is yours.

Hitotsu no inochi." (One life)

With my chant done and the name of my ability said, I shoved my Zanpakuto right where Ryoto's heart was.

Soi Fon, who stood at the side, kept quiet even as I seemingly killed her Captain. She knew that I would never do something to harm Ryoto.

Suddenly, I felt pain across my whole body. New wounds started appearing on my body. Some are more minor, while others are more severe. At the same time, some of Ryoto's wounds began closing.

I removed Ensō from Ryoto, and there wasn't even a trace of it left.

This whole thing wouldn't be enough to heal Ryoto fully because Hitotsu no Inochi isn't a healing ability. Not in a way that I could use it on everyone. It's a very intimate process. I've connected our lives together. This way, I could 'take over' some of Ryoto's injuries so he would survive. I needed to be careful, so I wouldn't take too much. Otherwise, we would just switch places. Not that I wouldn't die for him, but when I say that our lives are connected, I mean it literally. If Ryoto dies, so will I, and vice versa.

As far as I know, this technique won't ever be disabled. Tsunagari warned me about it, but at the same time, she wanted me to do it from the very beginning. I still remember when she recommended doing that the first time and it was the very same day I heard her name. Stupid horny sword.

From now on, whenever Ryoto is hurt, I'll feel it, and so will he when I get hurt. We will understand each other even better than before. We can also heal each other's wounds by taking them on ourselves like I just did. If we focus, we'll not only feel our emotions but also where the other is.

I didn't want to do it without Ryoto's knowledge, but I had no other choice. I didn't allow him to die just yet, and I certainly won't take responsibility for his death before we'll at least see our grandchildren grow up and have their own grandchildren. I'm not aiming low. Never was.

It was time for me to get up, and it didn't get any easier than it would have before I saved Ryoto, but with great effort, I managed to do it. As I stood straight up, I could feel my blood dropping down on the ground.

"W-what happened."

Soi Fon finally overcame her shock and asked a question. Not wanting to say anything that would give Aizen even the slightest edge, I answered with just two words.

"Nothing... happened." I looked at Aizen, who had a curious expression and a hint of amusement. "Nothing at all." With Ensō in my hands, I took a battle-ready stance despite all the pain and blood as I turned to Aizen. With his condescending look, he clapped as if to applaud my achievement in saving Ryoto.

"I must admit that I'm not easily impressed, but you have achieved just that. To heal someone from the brink of death. Even Captain Unohana would have trouble replicating something like that. I have a few theories about the nature of this technique, but I sincerely doubt you wish to listen to me rumble, especially in your current state."

...Ryoto was right. He really loves the sound of his voice.

I was about to tell Soi Fon to take Ryoto to a healer. I may have saved him from death, but his body wasn't in the best condition. I was only slightly better, but I still have a few cards ready to be used. Unfortunately or fortunately, something happened that caught everyone's attention. Not only mine and Aizen's but everyone's in the whole Soul Society.

The bells rang, and the crosses of Reishi appeared.

---

END

Discord server: https://discord.gg/dQhGHSV4n9'

Patreön.com/Kurit (10 chapters ahead and illustrations.)