Moment's Rest

[Megumi]

With Jiro's help and the other Shinigami that game, Emi and the others were able to get to Urahara's shop without any trouble. Though they were out of danger for now, sooner or later they knew they would meet up again with the man who says he's Ryouji and Shukumei's brother. It was amazing how Ryouji and Jin looked so similar. It was also amazing, though kind of scary, on how he just shot down everyone who tried to attack him. At least they were lucky to escape with their lives unlike the shinigami that was from Yuri's squad. Then it struck her. Yuri wasn't here. Why wasn't she? Did something happened?

Then, she recalled her saying something about going to Soul Society or something like that. Why wouldn't she of come along with them to Urahara's? Sure, Jiro would be capable of protecting them, but something didn't seem right. She was visibly shaken by the death of her team mate. Who couldn't blame her? It just made her tremble each and every time she thought about it. It wasn't like she could forget it that easily either. Still, with them here, they should be safe long enough for the twins to get healed. Still, she couldn't help but to feel helpless. Of course, she was still in training, but if only there could of been something she could of done. Maybe even if there was, her mother or Big Shizune wouldn't let her do anything in fear of getting hurt.

Why did all this have to happen now? She often heard from her mother that the life of a Shinigami were full of surprises, but she had no idea it was something like what just happened. She wasn't going to let it stop her though. She would keep on training and become strong so she would never again feel that helpless. Now that they were at Urahara's, the other shinigami that helped them had left to return to Soul Society. She could only hope that Yuri was alright. Speaking of being alright, Emi goes over to Ryouji who was still holding little Shi. Even though he was out and about, she couldn't help but to wonder if he was really alright.

"Are you alright, Mister Ryouji? You gave everyone a scare, you know!"

After she realized what she said, she just laughed nervously while frantically moving her arms. She didn't mean it the way it sounded, after all. She was just worried was all.

"Er.. What I mean was.. I know you're strong and all, but I'm just worried is all! Really though.. Are you alright?"

[Ryouji Onigata]

Upon hearing Megumi's question, Ryouji tilted his head over and stared at her. How could he possibly be okay after figuring out that he has a brother who could very well destroy everything and everyone. He was so fast and didn't even see it coming. He should have been more clear headed but seeing his old friend die sent him over the edge.

He sighed quietly to himself. He really wanted to avoid the subject all together, he was fine compared to Shukumei. He still needed to be healed, but he would be fine.

"I'm fine Megumi, there is no need to worry about me. I still don't know what the hell happened out there...I'm usually always in control...but having her die in my arms like that...it just sent me over the edge."

Damn that bastard, how could he do something like that and not show even an ounce of respect. It made him sick to his stomach. At least he didn't go after the children or the others. He glanced down to the little one who was still snuggling into him she was still shedding tears because she was so worried. It only served to make Ryouji hug her even tighter.

"Stop crying little one...I will be fine. I won't ever let something so terrible happen to me that I couldn't protect you or your mother or anyone else. I promise."

Azumi approached Ryouji with her head down...he turned his attention to her and noticed how worried she was. It wasn't hard to see at all. She was afraid...and it wasn't without good reason.

Azumi gave her husband a hug and sighed. It couldn't have been easy being married or loving a muscle head like him, but she would continue to stick by him no matter what. When Azumi stepped back she turned to Shizune who was looking a her. She held out her arms, wanting to carry her again. The little one whimpered and clung to her father even tighter. Why was she acting like that?

"Shizune...why won't you let your mother hold you?"

Shizune didn't answer and buried her head into his neck to keep from looking at Azumi. Ryouji turned his attention to Azumi who had gasped and turned away from them both to go and sit alone across the room from there. She looked as if she lost the only thing that mattered to her. Ryouji put Shizune down and knelt down in front of her. She looked up to him with a very sad face.

"Shizune don't you want your mother to hold you? She looks very sad"

She shook her head from side to side, telling him no. Ryouji wondered what the heck happened to keep Shizune away from her mother, usually they were inseparable.

"Shizune go over to your mother and give her a hug."

Shizune stomp down her little foot and screamed "NO!!!" before jumping up and clinging to her father's face. Ryouji grabbed the little one by the back of her shirt and pulled her off and his face free of her rather powerful clinging ability.

"Mommy hates me!!!"

She clung to Ryouji's leg and refused to let go. Ryouji glanced over to Azumi who at this point was crying. It was apparent to him that she didn't hate her at all, but worried about her.

"Your mommy doesn't hate you sweetie, she's just really worried about you. You and Big Shi are the most important people in her life, she could never hate you! Now go on go hug her and tell her you love her."

Shizune looked up toward her father and he nodded at her. She unclung herself from his leg and turned over to her mother. She was still afraid of being yelled at so she just hid behind her father instead, worried that she was going to get yelled at again. She gripped her father's pant leg tightly in her hands and stood there hiding from her mother.

[Megumi]

In a weird way, Megumi could and couldn't understand what Ryouji was saying. It was like.. She probably had a feeling that if something like that happened to her family and friends, she would lash out like that too even if she were to get hurt. Though seeing little Shi act like that to her mother.. It was a little strange, but probably just a misunderstanding. Often times, her mother would yell at her for doing something she wasn't suppose to do. Heck, even people she doesn't know tend to yell at her because of her abundant energy. Ryouji was out could during the time Azumi yelled at her. She wanted to say something, but figured it was something they needed to do for themselves.. or something.

The whole say started out fun and a bunch of meanies had to ruin it. It just wasn't fair! Still, they were alive and that's all that mattered. Maybe since Ryouji has known Yuri for some time, maybe he could answer something that's been bugging her.

"Uhm.. Mister Ryouji? Do you think Mama knows that lady Arrancar that showed up? While you were passed out, she was saying some weird stuff like.. I dunno. Like everything seemed familiar or whatever. Maybe I'm just looking too much into it. I just worry about her since what just happened, she's been acting weird..even for her, you know?"

[karei]

It's been a long time since she last saw everyone. Then again, the first time they met, she felt like they were going to attack her. She didn't blame them though. She's an Arrancar and they're Shinigami. Still, she has no hatred toward them nor to her Arrancar brethren. She just wants to help out those who mean everything to her. Maybe now she can properly introduce herself to the others. The other woman she met the last time.. Shukumei, she believed her name was, seemed to of known at least where she came from. It was to be expected. She has heard a lot about her from the Arrancar that she watches over in Las Notches. As she came into the room where everyone was at, she felt their glances turn to her, even with one Shinigami drawing his sword.

"There's no need for that. I'm not here to cause any trouble. I'm just here to check on some people.. I'm a good person, I swear!"

The shinigami then slowly sheathed his sword. He couldn't explain why, but he had a hunch that she was telling the truth. Sighing in relief. She goes over to Ryouji who was being hid behind by his little girl. She kneels down, looking to her. The way she was being stared at showed that the little one wasn't scared of her at all. With a light smile, she patted the little one on the head and then gave Ryouji a quick hug before letting go.

"It's good to see you all again! Of course, it's been a long time since you all saw me. I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you with Luna or Jin.. He's really scary, you know? I wanted to tell you all sooner, but if I did, I would of been risking all of your safety. Anyway... How are you Daddy?! Are you alright? You look hurt! Didn't the Shinigami heal you when you were brought here?! Oh, I know! Why don't you get Miss Azumi to?"

It was then when Karei turned to Azumi. Hopefully she wasn't freaking out that she called Ryouji Daddy. maybe she should explain before she gets the wrong idea. "See, I was made during the time Daddy... Er... Ryouji was pretending to be evil. He was using the Orb to help Yuri control her Hollow. Their Reiatsu together was enough to temporarily awaken its power. Eventually, I was 'born'. I'm nothing more than their spiritual energy combined, so please don't get mad!"

[Azumi Onigata]

After hearing that wretched Arrancar call her husband "Daddy" Azumi's head shot up and her eye began to twitch uncontrollably. She stood up and stomped her way over to where Karei and Ryouji were standing and just stared at her. There was so many things she wanted to tell this creation of their spiritual energy, but couldn't. She just really hated hearing her call him that, it wasn't the first time and it sure as hell wouldn't be the last, which was why she was really tempted to nuke her with some sort of kido spell!

"Hmph!"

Azumi after having stared at her long enough, she turned away and marched herself into a different room. If it wasn't yet obvious, Azumi didn't like Karei one bit, every bit of her creation was unnatural. There was nothing she could really do. On a technical sense, she was Ryouji and Yuri's daughter, making her a half sister to both Shizune and Megumi. It was just something she could not get use to. Being a step mother of sorts...gah how weird is that. Someone as beautiful and as loving as she is, being a step-mother to something that could possibly destroy her without even thinking twice about it.

Azumi wasn't very trusting of Karei because of what she was. She still seemed nice and so innocent, but first and foremost she is an Arrancar.

[karei]

Karei just stared back at Azumi, unsure what to say. When she gained the courage to say something, Azumi more or less stormed off to another room. In the back of her mind, she thought it would be a mistake to come to see how everyone was. Her intentions were good, but it seems they manage to get blown back into her face. To them, she would be nothing more than a monster that could eventually turn against them. Who was she to think that Shinigami and Arrancar could before friends, let alone a family?

"..I'm sorry for causing so much trouble. I didn't come here to make anyone feel bad or nothing. I was really worried about everyone. I should of helped out even though there was little I could of done."

Of course, apologizing would do no good. She was under the impression that Ryouji would rather deny her existence. If it made it easier for everyone, especially Azumi, then she would live with it and just work behind the shadows. Still, she thought they at least deserved to know what was going on in Hueco Mundo. Both Hollow and Arrancar alike were getting riled up for war.

"I just wanted to pass the news long that it seems everyone is preparing for the invasion of Soul Society. I'm sure they know of my visit. It would be foolish to assume they don't. I just thought you would like a warning or something."

Perhaps it was a stupid reason to visit. They had to of known of the plotted invasion. With a heavy sigh, she rubs the back of her head. Now she feels completely awkward. She might as well take her leave. It was made clear that she wasn't welcome, at least by Azumi anyway.

"I feel like I should apologize again, but what's it gonna do, you know? Anyway, I passed along my message so I better head back. Then again.. I do have a question I want to ask.. I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but I just want to ask for the sake of curiosity. Why don't you stay out of the upcoming war, Ryouji? I know that Yuri would have to fight, but what about you? Your ties have been cut from there. Wouldn't it be better for you to stay here with the little one and Azumi? I would even ask Yuri to stay back along with everyone else. That's not much to ask for..right?"

Of course she knew he would go off fighting anyway. What was the harm in asking anyway? Perhaps it was a bit of selfishness that she even asked. Well, that and curious as well. How would he respond other than saying he would fight? Would he be mad at her for making Azumi mad? There was no way of telling unless he spoke.

[Ryouji Onigata]

Ryouji glanced at Karei upon hearing her question. Why does he fight when he doesn't have to. Isn't it obvious, if he doesn't fight he can't guarantee his family's safety. Even if he fights its never guaranteed, however he just can't sit by ignorantly. Its something that he must do as they are his reason for living.

"My ties will never be cut from the Soul Society or the Gotei thirteen Karei, my sister is a captain, someone who I've trained is a captain, and my daughter is a future Captain at least I think she will be. Their Safety is my primary concern. So I will fight with everything I've got to ensure that they are safe from this threat. I fight for them and even for you."

Ryouji glanced down to the little one whom was hiding behind his leg. She had one of those serious looks like she wanted to chase Karei off again but that's because she was so very protective of Ryouji.

"Shizune...would you like to meet your big sister Karei? Its complicated to explain but, she wouldn't hurt you ever. You two are...in a sense family after all. Why don't you be a good girl and introduce yourself okay?"

Shizune ran under her father's legs and looked up at Karei, hissed at her and then ran back behind her father to hide. She was being very mean today for some reason.

"Shizune, apologize to Karei, she did nothing to deserve that. If you continue being like this, I am going to send you to bed early tonight for being a bad girl"

Shizune climbed up her father's back and peered over his shoulder once again, staring at the strange lady who was now her big sister apparently.

"I ish sowwie Miss Lady Karei...I just don't like it when people I don't know huggle my daddy!"

Ryouji rubbed the back of his head, she was super protective of him and he had no idea why. I guess that was just a daughter's love for her father. He wondered if future Shi would have been like that with him if he were still alive in that time frame.

"Don't worry about Azumi, she's just not warmed up to you. I'm not either honestly, this is only our second or third meeting. Don't be afraid to come around more. I don't believe you are anything remotely like the other Arrancar."

Ryouji nodded at Karei before taking the little one in to see Azumi so they could work things out. Even if Shizune loved him, she never hung on to him or around him this much. He wanted the two to work things out and she was fighting every step of the way.

[karei]

Karei just giggled from the little one hissing at her. She wasn't offended in the least. It was quite comforting to see the little one so protective of her father. Probably for the sake of Azumi, she wouldn't come around much even if Ryouji said it was alright. She could only imagine the trouble it would cause if she found out that he said it was alright. She wasn't mad at all. After all, most Arrancar do hate Shinigami. Still, she would keep watch over them and make sure nothing happens to them.

"It's quite alright, little one. It's good to see such a fiery spirit in a small child like yourself.""

As for not being like any Arrancar.. that may not be exactly sure. Sure, she isn't maniacal like the others were, but she does have some varying degrees of attitudes and feelings that could be associated with the Arrancar. Still, she wouldn't do anything to hurt them and it made her feel glad that Ryouji noticed. When he and the little one walked out, she just stood there, seeming to be thinking to herself.

"I figured you would have said something like that. I guess it was out of selfishness more so than curiosity. Even if Azumi doesn't like it, I'll be there in the Shadows to watch over everyone and make sure no serious harm comes to you all.

She then walked out of the candy store to head back to Hueco Mundo to keep an eye on things. It was risky, but well worth it if it meant her friends and family remained safe.