chapter 96 - Together

Right, I have to get up super early tomorrow and fucked up my time management so I don't have time to read this thing over. If you see anything bad comment and I'll fix it. It doesn't have to grammar or anything, if you thing a story beat or action is messed up, comment about it.

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The evening was adorned in a rich tapestry of deep indigos and smoky purples, as twilight cloaked the land. In the heart of this dying day, there was a peaceful hum of twilight creatures beginning their nocturnal serenade, the rhythmic pattern of cicadas and the occasional hoot of an owl punctuating the silent dusk. The faintest glimmer of stars began to peek through the velvet canvas above, as if they were shy children cautiously emerging to play. (I'm assuming that the Soul Society also has the souls of animals)

In the midst of this natural symphony, Yoruichi stood alone, her heart thumping in her chest, echoing the pulse of the evening. Her golden eyes, usually ablaze with mischief and courage, were instead shimmering with quiet dread, reflecting the last embers of the sunset as her fingers nervously played aimlessly with a loose thread on her sleeve.

Her gaze was fixed on the solitary path that led to the training grounds. The same path that had bore witness to her countless hours of exercise was now soaked in her uncertainty. Shadows danced along the path, the leaves overhead whispering in the breeze as if carrying her thoughts on their rustling wings.

The familiar fragrance of the earth, the damp scent that wafted up from the forest floor, was mixed with the faint aroma of sakura blossoms carried by the evening breeze. Each breath she took was bittersweet, comforted by the familiarity but filled with a sense of impending change.

An involuntary shiver traced her spine, the cool night air seeping through her clothing. It wasn't the chill that brought a slight tremble to her hands or the goosebumps dotting her skin. It was the fear of uncertainty, the uncharted waters she was about to wade into. She'd faced formidable opponents, conquered countless battles, yet this internal war, the fight against her own feelings seemed to be her greatest challenge yet.

A deep breath filled her lungs, the chilly air grounding her turbulent thoughts. Every nerve in her body seemed to hum in anticipation, resonating with the pulse of the night, as a figure approached the training grounds.

Like a solitary silhouette against the evening's dimming light, Ryu moved gracefully through the greenery toward the training grounds. His footfalls were gentle, barely audible over the symphony of nocturnal life around him, his form like a phantom drifting amongst the reality of the encroaching night. The rustling of leaves echoed his arrival, their whispers turning into a chorus.

As Ryu emerged into the clearing, his eyes found Yoruichi, standing alone beneath the soft rays of the sunset. "Yoruichi, Soifon told me you wanted to talk?" he greeted, his voice carrying a casual warmth, a stark contrast to the tense anticipation that hung in the air.

Yoruichi turned towards him, her golden eyes meeting his in the dim light. The shadows dancing across her face seemed to mask her emotions, making her an enigma. Her usual aura of playful confidence was replaced by a quiet seriousness, her silence more deafening than the words she was yet to utter.

Ryu, intrigued by the weird atmosphere, studied her with a gentle curiosity. The scent of the dew-kissed grass mingled with the faint aroma of Yoruichi's own scent, creating an intoxicating blend.

The silence between them stretched, its threads weaving a blanket of tension that seemed to smother the tranquil hum of the evening. Each second hung in the air like a droplet of time, refusing to fall.

Finally, Yoruichi cleared her throat, her voice barely above a whisper as she broke the silence. "Ryu," she began, her tone carrying a weight he had never heard before. The name rolled off her tongue, a single word carrying the unspoken emotions that seemed to pour from the depth of her heart.

Taking a deep breath, Yoruichi continued, mustering up the courage to voice what her heart had been screaming for a while now. "Sorry that I sent Soifon, but I need to talk to you. It's something important."

Ryu nodded, encouraging her to continue, "No problem. It's not like I had any plans."

A faint smile played on Yoruichi's lips as she tried to hide her nervousness. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she held her ground. "You know, we had a lot of fun moments considering I only met you about a month ago."

Ryu chuckled lightly, the corners of his eyes crinkling, "Yeah, I didn't expect it either."

Yoruichi's heart ached from the tension she felt, but she couldn't afford to falter. This was it. "While we didn't spend a lot of time together, it was very meaningful for me," she began again, her voice barely more than a whisper, "I think... Well, I know... that I developed feelings for you."

Ryu was silent, stunned into stillness, his eyes wide as they bore into Yoruichi's. The words echoed and reverberated through the air, the only sound for a moment that felt like an eternity. Yoruichi searched his face, trying to gauge his reaction but found him inscrutable, his expression unreadable.

Finally, he seemed to come back to himself, his posture straightening as he looked at her. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, seemingly lost for words. He cleared his throat, his gaze steady on Yoruichi, his voice calm when he finally spoke, "Yoruichi, this is... shocking. To be honest, I don't know what to say."

Her heart sunk at his words, the unvoiced rejection stinging more than she had anticipated. She braced herself for the inevitable, the words that would solidify the rift she'd caused with her confession.

But instead of rejection, Ryu looked at her with an intensity she had rarely seen. "I won't answer that just yet," he stated, causing Yoruichi to look at him in confusion. He seemed to anticipate her question and quickly explained, "Not because I want to make you wait, but because I think this moment, this raw, emotional state you're in... it's powerful. And I think it's exactly what you need right now."

He gestured towards Raidenkyo (her Zanpakuto if you forgot) resting against a tree nearby. Yoruichi followed his gaze, her brows furrowing in confusion. What did her Zanpakuto have to do with this?

"Pick up Raidenkyo, Yoruichi," Ryu ordered softly, his gaze flickering back to meet hers. Yoruichi hesitated, her confusion mounting. But there was a certain earnestness in Ryu's eyes, a look that implored her to trust him.

Slowly, she moved to pick up Raidenkyo, her grip on the hilt firm yet somehow soothing. The familiar weight of her weapon in her hands brought a sense of comfort, a grounding sensation amidst the whirlwind of her feelings.

Ryu watched her with an approving nod, his gaze softening, "Now, let's see if you can push yourself beyond your limits. The concept is simple, I'll give you my answer once you attack me with your Shikai."

"... If I do all of this and you turn me down I'll kick the shit out of you," Yoruichi said as an enthusiastic smile crept across her lips, dispersing the tense atmosphere as Ryu brandished his own swords.

With a blur of motion, Yoruichi was the first to move. Her feet barely touched the ground, her movements fluid and graceful as she closed the distance between them. Her hand gripped Raidenkyo, the blade a silver streak against the night as she launched herself into the air, her body a silhouette against the pink sky.

Ryu's eyes tracked her movement, his relaxed posture betraying his alertness. As Yoruichi descended upon him, her sword carving a diagonal arc aimed for his shoulder, he pivoted on his heel, his body swaying sideways as if dodging a gust of wind. His right-hand sword rose in a swift counter, knocking Yoruichi's attack off course, their blades meeting in a sparkling clash.

Yoruichi's feet had barely touched the ground before she was moving again. With her sword deflected, she twisted her body, using the momentum to launch a roundhouse kick toward Ryu's torso. But Ryu was already a step ahead, his left-hand sword moving in a fluid arc to intercept her strike, the flat of the blade meeting her heel.

Seemingly undeterred, Yoruichi pivoted on her landing foot, her katana sweeping low in an attempt to sweep Ryu off his feet. Ryu, however, responded with an effortless leap as he somersaulted over her sweeping blade. While airborne, he angled his swords downwards, twin rays of steel aiming for Yoruichi.

Her eyes narrowed, Yoruichi threw herself into a backward roll, her movement a blur of purple and black, as the twin slashes whistled through the air where she had stood mere moments ago. Using her hands for support, she kicked upwards, her feet seeking Ryu's descending figure, only to meet the flat of his crossed swords blocking her path.

She was forced to release her momentum, flipping back onto her feet, a momentary pause. Ryu landed lightly on his feet, swords ready, their gleaming blades a testament to the skill behind them.

The silence was short-lived. With a growl, Yoruichi dashed backward, away from the clearing and into the vegetation. Her form was an indistinct blur as she weaved between the trees, using the shadows to her advantage. Her katana gleamed ominously, creating an intricate pattern of silver lines in the air as she attacked Ryu from various angles, each strike a lightning bolt of raw power.

But Ryu remained calm as he chased her. His footwork was a dance of precision and balance, each step placed with calculated accuracy as he sidestepped, ducked, and pivoted, his movements a mesmerizing blur of lethal grace. His swords moved in a harmony of their own, a deadly ballet of steel as they parried, blocked, and deflected Yoruichi's relentless assault, their movement almost rhythmic in their disciplined fluidity.

In the blink of an eye, Yoruichi veered to the side, her foot pushing off a tree trunk for added momentum as she launched herself towards Ryu. Her body twisted mid-air, spinning like a cyclone as she aimed a high kick at Ryu's head, only for her leg to slice through empty air. Ryu had dived under her attack, his form hugging the earth as he rolled away from her range.

Yoruichi, though outclassed, wasn't discouraged. Instead, she felt the rush of adrenaline and the warmth of determination spreading through her veins.

She weaved between the trees, her nimble form gliding through the dense underbrush, her golden eyes locked onto Ryu. Her heart hammered in her chest, her grip tightening around Raidenkyo as she leaped onto a tree trunk, propelling herself forward.

The world was a blur as she spun, her katana slashing a brilliant arc of silver through the air. Yet Ryu parried her assault, their swords clashing in a flurry of sparks, his dual blades moving in harmony, flowing like water around a stone.

Her heart pounding in her ears, Yoruichi rebounded off a nearby tree, a blur of speed and agility. She rained down a storm of attacks, each one met with an effortless block or deflection by Ryu. His footwork was as fluid and precise as ever, his form moving with the grace of a seasoned dancer.

Frustration welled up in her, but she swallowed it down. Her connection to Raidenkyo felt muted, almost distant. She needed her Shikai, but it wouldn't answer. She needed to try harder. With a fierce cry, she brought her sword down in a powerful overhead strike. Ryu met it with his swords crossed, their clash reverberating through the forest.

In the heat of the battle, with her emotional storm acting as the trigger, her connection to Raidenkyo seemed to flicker, like a dying ember in the wind. Hope sparked within her. In a whisper that barely reached her lips, she called for Raidenkyo. Yet her sword remained silent, its usual vibrant response absent.

A heavy sigh escaped her lips, her golden eyes narrowing as Ryu deftly sidestepped her attacks, countering with a well-aimed thrust. She barely managed to deflect it, her body moving on instinct as she darted away, using the dense foliage as cover.

Yoruichi took a moment to catch her breath, her heart pounding, her body aching. Her gaze fell to Raidenkyo in her hands, the familiar feel of it sending a wave of guilt through her. She had taken it for granted, abandoned it. It was time to mend that bond.

"Raidenkyo," she whispered, her voice barely audible against the gentle rustle of the leaves. "I've neglected you. I've abandoned our bond, and for that, I'm truly sorry."

Her voice was sincere, heavy with the weight of her remorse. She clutched the hilt tighter, her thumb running over the intricate carvings on the hilt.

"I promise," she continued, her voice steady despite her racing heartbeat, "that I will never abandon you again. I will wield you with pride, with honor. Please, give me another chance."

Her plea echoed in the silent woods, a solemn vow whispered amidst the symphony of nature. She felt a subtle shift, a warmth spreading from the hilt of her sword. Raidenkyo seemed to hum in response, a quiet acceptance of her sincere apology.

Her heart fluttered with hope, her grip around Raidenkyo tightening as she looked up, her eyes meeting Ryu's.

"You wanted my Shikai, well here it is. Rumble, Raidenkyo!" Yoruichi yelled with excitement.

As the words left Yoruichi's mouth, a surge of electrifying energy emanated from Raidenkyo. The once ordinary katana trembled in her hand, and arcs of lightning burst forth, surrounding the weapon with crackling power.

In a mesmerizing display, the blade elongated, taking on a sleek and menacing form. Its steel darkened to a deep, obsidian black, adorned with intricate silver engravings resembling jagged bolts of lightning, shimmering with a vibrant electric blue glow. The hilt transformed as well, wrapping itself in supple black leather, which seamlessly blended into the energized aura that enveloped the blade.

Yoruichi gazed at her newly transformed Zanpakuto with a mix of nostalgia, anticipation, and excitement, prepared to unleash its power against Ryu as she charged forward.

As she moved, her form became a blur, streaks of lightning trailing behind her. She was a specter, dancing in and out of the shadows, her movements too swift to follow. Ryu whistled in surprise at her enhanced abilities, his dual blades moving in a mesmerizing flurry to parry her relentless assaults.

Taking advantage of her enhanced agility, Yoruichi climbed up a towering tree, her movements as fluid as water. She sprang off from the tree, somersaulting in mid-air as she threw herself at Ryu. Her sword, crackling with energy, descended in a devastating arc toward him.

Ryu met her attack, his swords clashing with Raidenkyo, the energy discharge causing a shockwave that rustled the leaves around them. But Yoruichi was relentless. She was already moving, her body becoming an electric shadow as she dashed around him, appearing behind Ryu with a swift, thunder-charged strike aimed at his back.

Ryu spun around, his movements akin to a dancer's, his blades a cyclone that intercepted her attack. Yoruichi felt the resistance, her electric-charged slash meeting his dual blades. The impact was spectacular, a bright flash of light illuminating the forest as their weapons clashed.

Continuing her attack, Yoruichi used her immense speed to retreat, becoming a shadowy figure dashing through the trees, her form flickering from branch to branch.

She reappeared beneath him, her body low to the ground like a cat as she attempted to bring Raidenkyo up to strike a blindspot she located near Ryu's armpit. But Ryu was ready, as he stepped forward towards the blade, planting his foot on the Raidenkyo's guard before the sword got past his knee, pushing it into the ground. And before Yoruichi could think of her next move, Ryu's sword was near her neck.

"Man, I thought I'd at least get the drop on you once," Yoruichi sighed in frustration, Raidenkyo transforming back to its regular form.

"Anyway... What's your reply?" Yoruichi asked the big question, a hint of fear in her voice.

"Do you think I would have pulled this stunt only to turn you down? I like you to-," Ryu began to speak, only to be interrupted by Yoruichi planting her lips on his.