To the Hospital!

[Little Emi]

It didn't seem that long of a trio before herself, her future self and well, everyone that was going to come along. Since they were gonna go, she wanted to make Shukumei a snack. Of course, she had help after all. She got to thinking maybe she was tired of eating hospital food. Then the litle one got to thinking if it was yummy or not. Upon arrival, they all went to the reception to ask for permission to go visit Shukumei. After they were allowed, they all went in, but Emi made sure she was the first one to go on. After all, Ryouji did say it himself. Maybe she could make Shukumei all better!

"Hiya Auntie Mei-mei!!"

She went over to the bed and tried climbing up but was having some difficulty. As her older self went to help her, the litle one just flailed her arms up and down as fast as she could. It wasn't a act of hostility or nothing, but the litle one wanted to climb up all on her own.

" I wana do it myself!"

Big Emi just smiled, letting the litle one try and try again until she was able to climb up on her ownb and just plopped right next to Shukmei, huging her very carefully. She wasn't sure if she was still hurt so she had to be careful!

"How are you, Auntie Mei-Mei?! I miss you soo much! Ohoh! I made you some yummy snacks!"

She handed the little bag of what seemed to be what her mother said Humans called 'Cookies' which were shaped like little kittens. Azumi had helped her make them while the others were talking and just before they left. She was hoping she would like them a lot!

"We all miss ya! So I hope my snacks will help you get all better and stuffs! Oh yeah! Everyone came too! Uncle 'Ouji, an older me, an older Shi, Shi, Ami, and and.. everyone!"

[Shukumei Onigata]

After being given her snacks and a hug by her little 'niece' Shukumei gave her a big hug. She looked into the small bag and saw the kitty shaped cookies, when she pulled one out of the bag and looked at it. In her head she heard it 'meow' and found it to be the cutest thing she's ever seen she placed it back into the bag and gave the little one another hug.

"Thank you Emi, this is a wonderful present from you. I don't even want to eat them because you worked so hard on them. Where are my other little nieces. Come up here and give you're Auntie a Hug!"

When the other two climbed the bed Ami sat down next to Emi and Shizune sat on her opposite side. She gave each of them a hug before smiling. It was so nice to see all of her family again. Hard to believe they keep coming to see her, but that's what a family does. When seeing the older Shizune and Megumi she gave them each hugs before settling back down into the bed.

"Thank you everyone for coming to visit again. I hope I can leave this place, not being able to visit my squad and come home with you guys makes me sick. Maybe soon they will let me leave. So girls are you behaving and giving Ryouji a lot of trouble?"

[Little Emi]

[This is a combination post of Little Emi and Yuri.]

Emi couldn't help but to giggle from Shukumei's question. Of course they were good! As for giving Ryouji trouble.. maybe a little. After all, her and little Shi were going to wake him up by jumping on him but he caught them after they jumped down. It was fun though. She just had to tell Shukumei the good news that herself and her mother are gonna move in with Azumi and Ryouji!

"Ohoh! I asked Auntie Azumi and Mama if it was okay to move in with Auntie 'Zumi and Uncle 'Ouji and they both say yes! That means I can eat all of auntie's yummy snacks, play with Shi and Ami, and all kindsa stuffs Whenever I want!"

Yuri just laughed nervously as she rubbed the back of her head. How could she not agree with Azumi glaring at her with looks that could kill? It would of been suicidal to say no.

"Yeah, it's true. We're moving in. Jiro's helping move some of our things over there. I figure it would be good for Emi to be there with her friends, and well, family, at all times. that, and I couldn't say no to that look Azumi give me.."

Just thinking about the glare of doom made her cringe. She didn't know what was better: The glare or having her cheeks pinched. Regardless, what's done is done and it's all fo r the better good, anyway. If something were to happen to her, Yuri knew that Emi would be kept safe and be able to grow into something similar to the Elder Emi.

"When are you coming homel Auntie Mei-Mei?! I wanna be able to play wiff you too! That and it would be nice to have you back home! Get better fast, pweease~"

Then, Emi just clung-huggled onto Shukumei. She didn't mean any harm. It's just that some times she doesn't have a lot of..Patience or whatever her mother called it. She just wanted Shukumei home so they could all be a biiig family again!

[Shukumei Onigata]

When Emi hugged her it brought a smile to Shukumei's face. She picked up the little one and sat her down in her lap. She was such a caring little thing just like the older Megumi was when she was younger. It meant a lot to her to hear that she was wanting her to come home.

"The funny thing is that I am all better. My wound healed up rather quickly, I have my strength back and most of all my apatite. I haven't felt this well in a long time. I really have no idea why I'm still here. Believe me I want to come home and eat real food and spend time with you all."

It honestly made her sad...what wouldn't she give for some of Azumi's Ramen...or pretty much everything she's cooks. To see her nieces and to be with her family again. Three years is a year to long considering the injury she had. After giving Emi a hug there was a knock on the door. She turned and glanced to the door way and saw her lieutenant standing there.

"Captain, I've received some more information regarding matter you wanted me to look into. The two Shinigami have defected completely. They stopped reporting in and have left the Sereitei. Would you like me to organize a recon party?"

Shukumei lowered her head while thinking. At the end of it all she decided not to send anyone in her squad after them.

"No, this is a rather personal matter. I'd much rather go myself but since I am unable to leave the hospital grounds. I would much rather that my brother go in my place."

Upon hearing his name Ryouji instantly stared at his sister, what was he being volunteered for exactly?

"That matter that Ayame asked us to handle to prevent something else from happening when she died three years ago. I want you to go and face her and perhaps talk some sense into her and tell her what really happened. You know you'd rather go yourself, if anyone else went in she'd kill them all."

Momo approached the former Captain and asked him to come with so she could give him the information as her Captain had instructed.

"Write them down, I still wish to visit with my family before visiting hours are over. Besides I think the little ones wouldn't like it if he left on them."

Shukumei smiled before playing around with Emi's hair.

[Little Emi]

As she let Shukumei pay with her hair, she overheard what she and Momo were talking about. It sounded like some sort of secret mission and she so wanted to go! She had a feeling if she did ask, she would be shot down. Still, she wanted to try. It wouldn't hurt to..right?

"That sounds like a lot of fun! Can I come too?! Pweeease? I promise to be a good little girl and just watch as you beat up the bad guys!

Though it would be hard to, Ryouji knew that he couldn't allow her to come along with him. With what he's about to do, he just couldn't risk her getting in the middle of it. He would only hope she wouldn't be too mad with him. He would make sure to make it up to her!

"As much as I would like for you to come along Emi, I just can't allow it. I don't want you to get hurt. I would never forgive myself if I let you come along and something were to happen to you."

Emi didn't grasp the concept that she could get hurt. All she could understand is that he didn't want to come and it hurt her little feelings. She hopped down from the bed, waking over to him, tuging on his hand to get his attention. As he looked down to her, she had what seemed to be the world's most saddest look. She was even about to cry because she thought he didn't want to take her along for soem other reason!

"But Uncle 'Ouji! I promise to be good! Promise!"

When he shook his head no and stood by his decision, the little one just couldn't take it. She even started to cry and flail her arms like she did when her elder self tried to help her up on Shukumei's bed.

"I wanna go! I wana, I wana, I wanna!!!"

Yuri had tried to consoleher daughter, but Emi would have nothing of it. She just wanted to tag along with like, her only favorite Uncle and he wasn't letting her!

[Ryouji Onigata]

Watching Emi react like that to Ryouji telling her that she couldn't come with him, bothered him. Did she really want to come along with him that badly? She was even crying and begging him. While she was crying and flailing her arms about Ryouji leaned over and picked her up and looked at her. How could he explain that he was going to do something dangerous she couldn't come to a three year old without making her upset.

"Emi, sometimes I have to do things that could hurt everyone I'm close to. I face dangerous enemies who would love nothing more than to bring harm to you or anyone else I love or care about...or hate for that matter. Having you along with me would only give them a chance to defeat me. You wouldn't want me to lose and get hurt do you?"

Emi looked to her Uncle and shook her head as hard as she could while sniffling. Of course she wouldn't want her favorite and only Uncle for that matter to get hurt. He was big and strong...just like when he caught her and shi when they tried their trademark cutieness wake up call. Ryouji smiled at her and poked her nose

"If you were to come with me, you would give those bad guys a chance to beat me up and hurt me. I would have to focus on protecting you. If I do that I can't really beat up the bad guys because I'd be afraid that they would get to you. If something bad were to ever ever ever happen to you, it would make me really really sad. Its safer to stay with your mother and Auntie Azumi and Hina and even Shi and Ami. If something happened to you, they all would beat me up and be really mad at me. You don't want them mad at me do you?"

Emi shook her head furiously again. Now she was beginning to understand. If she tagged along with him, he could get hurted and she never wanted that to happen to her Uncle 'Ouji!

"If I can't go...promise me that you will come home soon; 'kay Uncle 'Ouji! If you don't I will be really really angry wiff you!"

Ryouji nodded and promised her he would be home soon. Although he wasn't so sure, this was officially Zetsumei he would be going to deal with. If she was nearly as dangerous as she was when she first arrived from the future, he could only imagine exactly what it was she could do in the present. She could even be stronger.

"I double promise!"

Emi smiled and nodded before giving her Uncle 'Ouji a super cling-huggle. She didn't like it when she couldn't go with him but she knew he'd come home because he promised her that he would!

[Little Emi]

Emi could only gigle with excitement! Her Uncle was gona beat up the bad guys! If only she could go.. When she heard that he could get hurted really bad, it made her feel bad too. It just wasn't fair! She wanted to see him beat up the bad guys, like really bad! Even if he did promise to come back soon, she just had to see for herself. Then, it came to her. If he didn't notice her, that means he didn't have to protect her. If he didn't have to protect her, he could beat the baddies! It was perfect! For now she just had to be content with him coming back. She couldn't let on that she was gonna end up going anyway even if it meant she got in trouble.

"At least stay a bit longer, Uncle 'Ouji! We've ben here for only like, five minutes!"

It probably was longer than that, but who would expect a three-year-old to keep track of time other than play time, snack time, nap time, bath time, and sleepy time?! Besides, maybe she could talk little Shi and Ami to go with her. It'll be something they would have to talk about when the grown ups weren't around to listen and stop them!

Still, she gave him another big hug. Other than her daddy, Ryouji was the only other man she really liked! Who wouldn't like having someone who was really tall?! With some squirming around and maneuvering, Emi relocated herself onto his back, more or less hanging onto his shoulder*. It was her favorite spot, after all. It just made her feel really tall and important like!

"When I get older, Uncle 'Ouji, you'll have to teach me how to be a shi..Shini.. Shin-mi or whatever Mama and Papa are!"

[Ryouji Onigata]

Ryouji glanced over to Emi who was hanging from his shoulder and chuckled what was it with the Emi's always wanting to be Shinigami, he wanted something different for the little one. Instead of fighting with her fists, he wanted her to use her head instead of being physical.

"Perhaps I will but I would much rather you use your mind rather than your fists little one. It is never easy being a Shinigami, I fight for you and Shi and Ami so you won't have to when you get older"

Honestly since Shukumei volunteered him to go and try to talk some sense into Ayame, it was all he could think about. She practically raised Shukumei and himself. She looked out for them, but he couldn't necessarily wipe the memory of holding her in his arms when she died thanks to his brother. It was just a lot to deal with mentally.

He honestly wanted to go to get it over with so he could come back. Just knowing what she could be come if he isn't successful frightened him, he was worried for the little ones mostly. For their sake, he couldn't fail.

He had to get her to try and change her ways. The group could use her help against Jin and Shiva. That went without saying. For now however he would try to keep his little niece happy and continue to spend time with his family until he could focus on the problem he was to face later on.

[Little Emi]

Emi was confused when Ryouji said something about not using her fists and not being a Shinigami or something like that. She tilted her head to show her confusion while looking at her little hands that were holding onto Ryouji's outfint. If she couldn't use her hands.. Then she'd thing of something!

"Well... uhm.. If I can't use my hands... I know! I'll use my feet and..yeah! I'll kick them around and.. they'll be sorry!"

After hearing so many stores from her mother about what she and everyone has gone through, she made up her mind then. She wanted to become a Shinigami to protect them too! That and she could follow them on tough missions! Emi noticed that something was bothering him. What could it be? Was it what Shukumei mentioned and the other Shinigami?

"Uncle 'Ouji, Why don't you let Mama come wiff you too? I know you're strong and all, but I don't want the baddies to trick you somehow! Mama can be there to help!"

[Ryouji Onigata]

When Emi took what he said the wrong way, he couldn't help but chuckle, she was so full of spirit and naivety. He could only hope that some day when she was older, she would truly understand what he meant. There were so many better options than becoming a Shinigami, though it was in half of her blood after all, the other half...not so much. Ryouji grabbed the little emi and placed her down on the bed next to his sister.

"I'm going to go ahead and gather the information I need, Girls I expect you to behave yourselves and not get into trouble. Okay?"

The three young ones nodded and gave them their promise to be good girls. Of course the would be good, the were only three, three and seven. How much trouble could they possibly get themselves into, he was only planning to be gone a few hours at most.

"Lieutenant Hinamori, if you are ready, let us go. I'm anxious to read and hear about the information you've gathered thus far."

As Ryouji was preparing to leave, he was instantly clung to by his wife who usually did something like this when he was about to go on a dangerous like mission. She didn't want him to go but he wouldn't stay regardless, this was concerning their friend.

"I'll be careful and come back as quick as I can, Ayame was always a little on the stubborn side but I should be fine, I doubt she's anywhere as strong as she was in the future. I should be home in time for dinner."

After hugging her back, Ryouji waved before leaving the room with Hinamori. Things were bound to be interesting indeed, if the hunters had already been created, then there was a good chance that Ayame was already freakishly strong. He would just have to get her understand and stop this nonsense before it was to late.

[Little Emi]

After watching Ryouji leave, Emi went from being all happy to well, sad. She just loved being around her all time favorite Uncle! At first, she tried to not be sad. After all, he did promise that he would come back! Still, why did it bother her so much? She went over to Azumi, tugging on her hand. By the time she got her aunt's attention, she was sniffling and on the verge of tears.

"It's not fair, Auntie 'Zumi! I want him to be back already! I weally wanna see him!"

She couldn't stand it anymore. The little one just broke down and started to cry. She then clings to Azumi's leg, still crying her little heart out. She really loved spending time with him, especially with everyone else! She didn't understand why she enjoyed being around him, but knew that he would always keep her safe. It's not fair!

"We should have made him stay!"

She knows that he's doing it for a good reason, but still, she doesn't understand why grown-ups have to do what they do. All she knows is that she wants her uncle back!

[Azumi Onigata]

After seeing Emi crying her heart out for missing her favorite Uncle, Azumi leaned over and picked up the little one and began to rub her back, telling her that it would be okay.

"Don't cry sweetheart, Ryouji will be back before you know it. I never knew you were so fond of him. I mean I knew you cared a lot about him but to cry even though he left a few moments ago says a lot about how much he means to you. I miss him every second that I'm not with him"

Maybe she needed a nap or something. It was hard to pick up on what it was Emi needed or wanted since she didn't exactly raise her, but merely helped.

"He wouldn't want you to cry, either Emi! He would want you to have fun with your super cool Auntie Azumi and Hina and Shi and Ami! So no more tears or sadness okay?"

The fact that neither Shi nor Ami shed a tear at all really worried her. Shi was such a daddy's girl so Azumi expected her to be sad when he left, but Ami was like her own little person. She only waved bye-bye to him and was acting like a...a good girl for the lack of a better term!

"We better head on home now all. I'll have Hina see if she is able to do something about your predicament Mei-mei, if you aren't suffering from the injury you received then there is no point in them keeping you here! For now I'm going to give the girls a little nappy to keep them occupied until Ryouji comes home. We'll come back and see you again tomorrow!"

Azumi turned to Emi who was sniffling and shedding tears and sighed. She really loved Ryouji. How could she possibly keep up with such cuteness! Its mind-boggling how Ryouji handles it all so well, he doesn't even flinch when it comes to the girls being their highly energetic selves. He had impeccable patience!

"Emi do you feel well enough to give your Auntie Mei-mei a hug?"

[Yuri Nakayama]

It broke her heart to see her little girl crying like that. After she had stopped crying, she was able to go over to Shukumei, and then she climbed up on the bed on her own. She gave her other auntie a big hug. Smiling a little, Yuri went over to the two of them, also giving Shukumei a hug. She didn't understand why she had to be here either! She would help do everything she can to help out.

"If Azumi will help get you out of here, I'll make sure to have your room all ready and help out with making some food for you. I've been learning from Azumi on how to cook many things. It may not be as good as hers, but I'm trying!"

Yuri then picked up Emi, patting her back to help console her. It made her smile a little on seeing how much she cared for Ryouji. It seemed like it was inherited from her since well, Ryouji means so much to her (Yuri) as well. Maybe a nap will do her some good. It was getting close to her nap time, anyway. Besides, if she was to wake up from a nap, what better surprise than to wake up and possibly see Ryouji? It would also give her some time to talk to Azumi about something very important.

"Azumi, when we get the little ones asleep, may I talk to you about something?"

[Azumi Onigata]

When you're told Azumi that she wanted to speak to her about something, she found herself wondering what it could be. Things like waiting...she hated especially since her mind usually overreacted to any situation involving personal talks. However, she could not deny Yuri, if she needed to talk to her about something then talk they would do.

"Of course! Though I've always been a bit impatient when it comes to waiting but if it has to wait until the little ones are asleep then so be it. I wonder what its about...hmm!"

Tapping her finger against her chin, repeatedly, Azumi's mind began to fall into that place where she didn't want it to go. Perhaps she was going to say something like she doesn't think its a good idea for her and Emi to move in, or that she doesn't like the fact that Emi is so clingy to Ryouji and herself. Or Worse...that she had some terminal disease that was going to kill her or something.

Azumi gasped and turned to Yuri and gave her a big huge hug and patted her head. Azumi constantly suffered from the overactive imagination syndrome and it always causes her to dream up things completely unrelated to subjects or topics at hand.

"Its going to be okay Yuri...I promise!"

After realizing what she was doing she cleared her throat and giggled and delivered her trademark peace sign before turning to Shukumei.

"Everyone give Shukumei her hugs and kisses. We'll come back again as soon as we can, though I'd much rather you'd be at home with us. No one eats my cooking the way that you do! We have to get you out of here pronto!"

After leaning over and giving Shukumei a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Little Shi and Ami followed as did Big Shi. When all the huggles and kisses were done Ami waved bye-bye to her auntie and together the group left. She was honestly dying to know what Yuri wanted to talk to her about so she really couldn't get home fast enough!