Returning to a normal life

[Ryouji Onigata]

Even though he had returned home a mere day or so ago, he was still restless. After spending all that time in the Dangai fighting, he wasn't use to being able to sit around or sleep for that matter, it was too quiet for him to focus. Mainly his thoughts were of his origins. Now that he knew exactly how he came to be, it bothered him. He couldn't tell the others that he was 'created."

As he sat up in the bed he turned and glanced over at Azumi whom was resting peacefully. He climbed out of bed and dressed himself before leaving the bedroom. He walked through the hallway and exited the house through the back door. The sun wasn't even up, but the breeze that was blowing felt good, the trees rustling was plenty of noise for him to meditate on and try to focus on returning to normality.

He extended it outward and uttered its name causing the spirit within the Zanpakutou to release itself. Once entering this plain , Shinkuremasu sat down on the ground before his partner and master. Ryouji joined him.

"I'm sure you're well aware that I don't think I have anything left in terms of evolution. I'm only able to continue to evolve because of my origins. I honestly believe that this is the final time I can climb that ladder."

Shinkuremasu nodded his head, They did have one final trick up their sleeves, but it would mean the end of them both and he was certain that Ryouji would never use that regardless of how badly things got.

"It matters not. Our current form was only achievable because you desired to return to your family. We can't risk it any further. If there is one final evolution...you know it means death. You hide it well Ryouji, but we are one, if you push yourself to much...you're going to die."

Ryouji turned his head to avoid looking at Shinkuremasu...as much as he hated to admit it, he was right. Even with all this strength, his body wasn't holding up the way it use to. Sure he was stronger but he's also dwindling his life away. Jin however was different all together, it seemed that he had no limits. He evolved several times throughout their fight within the dangai. He still wasn't sure if he even killed Jin, there was a good chance that he is still alive or reconstructing himself. What made Jin so different.

"I refuse to die, I've caused them enough pain. I won't allow myself to cause them any more. You and the my family are all that I have left and I refuse leave them again"

Shinkuremasu chuckled, he was still very stubborn but he made a good point, his family gave him the strength to overcome possibly the greatest adversary he's ever faced. Yet he was afraid that there was another, another family member who still lived albeit within another individual.

"Jin was a threat, but not nearly as deadly as Shivariea...The midget defeated her, but it isn't over. Shiva is a virus, no matter how many times you defeat it, it keeps coming back even stronger than before. That fool Lunamir is a pawn, but her love for her mistress blinds her from the truth."

Ryouji tilted his head back slightly before sighing. Even if they told Luna...she wouldn't believe them. Shiva was a black hole of reiastu she'd grow stronger just by fighting...the stronger her opponent, the stronger she becomes. Not to mention when she consumes an individual, hollow or shinigami, she gains some of their spiritual pressure. She was the worst kind of parasite and they knew of no way to defeat her. As he prepared to speak, he turned his head back slightly to check the door.

[Megumi Nakayama]

No matter how much she tried, Megumi couldn't sleep. Each time she tried, all she could see was visions that she tried so hard to block away. For a while, she would just lie still, staring up at the ceiling. This time was completely different. Everyone was so happy and it actually made her feel out of place. She was glad that they were happy, it's just that it made her feel completely left out. While grateful, it was going to be hard being around everyone, especially her mother, her new siblings.. and just everyone in general. Unable to take it any longer, she got out of bed and decided to walk around.

As she wandered about, she could hear someone talking and decided to follow the sound. As she got to the door, she slid it open slightly and saw Ryouji talking to his Zanpakutou. Of course, she couldn't make out what they were hearing. Not like it mattered anyway since she saw him turn his head to the door. She was caught red handed. She opens the door, closing it behind her as she steps outside, sitting beside him.

"What are you doing up so late? Then again, you're going to as me the same question. Guess we can't sleep."

She had so much she wanted to talk to him about but was unsure how to say it. Maybe if she started from the beginning, would he understand? Even if there was a chance of him doing so, why does she feel like something still is going to go wrong?

"Whether I am asleep or awake, I always see and hear the same thing. I keep running, but it catches up. You..fought Jin haven't you? You know what he is capable of.. He's taken a lot from me. I'm in a world where there are no more Shinigami.. Just me and whatever people there is left. I'm faced with a problem that I don't think has an answer.."

If this was ever the time to tell him, this was it. If he was going to be displeased then.. it would have to be something that would have to be worked out. If that was the case.. why was she trembling as if she were scared? Shouldn't she be at ease?

"Tell me.. if someone has nothing, then what choices do they have? I know I have everyone here but.. when I go back home, I have nothing waiting for me except certain death. If I don't come back.. Things will become worse for everyone.. My mother always listened to your advice, Mister Ryouji.. What should I do? I can't just give up.. That would be putting shame to everyone I know.. but if I don't.. The people here will get hurt.. No matter what choice I make.. Someone will have to die.."

[Ryouji Onigata]

After hearing this Megumi speak of her dilemma in her own time. Ryouji turned his head and looked down at the ground. She lost everything already but she's actually afraid. Fear itself was always a weapon and something that hindered abilities. If she was going to defeat him, then she needed to embrace that fear and use it as a weapon to drive her to victory, but at the same time she was still young and naive. As much as he would like to give her the advice she wanted to hear, he couldn't. Reality was a harsh monster and everyone had to face it at some point.

"Megumi I could lie to you and tell you to believe in yourself and that would get you through. In this case I can't, nor will I think of feeding you such a line. Jin is a threat to everyone everywhere. My face, chest and torso have been permanently scared by him. I will tell you at the risk of sounding mean that...you've already lost everything. What more could you possibly lose? In that sentence lies the only answer I could give you."

He stood up and summoned his Zanapakutou causing the spirit to return to the sword before turning and glancing at Megumi. The look of fear was written all over her face.

"I told your mother once a long time ago that I wouldn't always be here to protect her. You know that to be true more than anyone else. Fear is a crippling disability. Those who are afraid do not act, they do what comes naturally, and that is to run. The more someone runs, the more they become accustomed to running. You have to stop running and fight with everything you have. If you give it your all...then you can never shame your mother but to continue to dodge fate, is more shameful. He will catch you eventually and he will kill you."

Narrowing his eyes he walked over to her and placed his hands on her shoulder, forcing her to sit down. He sat down in front of her and slammed the sheath of his Zanpakutou into the ground leaving it to stand on its own.

"You aren't alone Megumi, you will never be alone as long as you have your Zanpakutou. Perhaps you should spend less time worrying about shaming the memory of your fallen family and focus more on remaining in tune with the one ally that hasn't left your side. Communicate, allow your partnership to mature, only then will you be able to defeat him. A cornered animal still has its fangs and claws Megumi, remember that."

[Megumi Nakayama]

To be honest, Megumi did feel a bit nervous as she was forced to sit down. As she took in all that he said, it slowly donned on her that he was right. She was so busy running away that she forgot that she wasn't truly alone. She unfastens her Zanpakutou from her belt, holding it close to her before resting it on her lap.

"You're right.. I've been running so much that I've lost sight of many things. I thought that since I didn't have tangible people.. I had nothing left. However, you showed me how wrong I was. I have my Zanpakutou.. The one thing that has been with me through thick and thin.. I may not know everything about it.. But I can still learn."

For so long she let her fear take hold of her. Though, in a way, it still does. Still, true bravery means fighting the thing that causes the fear. Though, as she is now, it would mean utter death. She would have to become stronger in order to put an end to Jin once and for all.

""You're right. I should fight. However.. I know if I fight now, I'm as good as dead anyway. I'll have to become stronger.. I have to keep growing. About me having lost everything.. That's not true. I have my Zanpakutou but most importantly.. I have my life still. I can't just stop because there's an obstacle in my way. So.. I guess this goes with the Naive part but.. to make sense of all this.. I need something to hold on to. I know just the thing. If.. no.. WhenJin is defeated, I will rebuild Soul Society and make it the place I remember it to be. I'll make it safe again."

Maybe it was foolish to have such a dream, but if it can motivate her to keep going and not running back, she'll cling to it as much as she needs to. She was glad that she came out to have a talk with him. His advice was actually what she needed.

"You're not mean, Mister Ryouji. You speak the words I needed to hear much. I admit it was harsh, but I needed to accept the fact that I can't become stronger if I keep running away. You've helped me face something I never wanted to face for a long time: The truth."

Now that she has renewed confidence, she was going to do everything in her power to make everything come to reality.Now, she just had to communicate with her Zanpakutou to see what it was like.

"I'm still new at all of this. I had only graduated out of the Academy before things got bad. Perhaps.. you can show me what to do?"