A Mother's Frustration

[Azumi Onigata]

It was early morning once again in the Onigata/Kusanagi household. Yet another day for Azumi to have to cook and clean and listen to Shiori complain and watch her husband be pulled in all different types of directions by her nieces and own daughters and even her granddaughter now.

The only fan she really had was Hinata, but she was always so shy and kept away from everyone, she hardly has time to see her. It seemed like her work was never done. She wanted to have fun once in awhile! She wanted to relax and shoot the breeze with her husband or her daughters and nieces. She wanted to fight someone and be bandaged up after she gets her butt kicked.

She just wanted something different for once! Something that was different from the routine of waking up, cooking, cleaning bandaging wounds and breaking up fights. What if her family found her boring. At one time she was popular and fun and stuff! Now she's just...a mother, Auntie and Grandmother. It didn't help that she was so much older than everyone else, even though she didn't look like it at all. She wasn't what the young kids would call hip! Although she had an extraordinary sense of fashion.

After sitting up in bed she turned and looked at her husband who in turn stared back at her.

"Ryouji, am I boring?"

Ryouji sat up and took Azumi by the hand and kissed it before shaking his head.

"No, I've never found you boring and you've always been one of the most fun people I've ever known. You use to get us into so much trouble when we were younger. I could never find you boring Azumi."

She giggled for falling into his embrace. There were times when she wondered if he said the things he said just to keep her from complaining. Even if that were the case she didn't mind, after all he did his very best to always compliment her and stand by her side when Shiori openly defies her.

"Before All the kids were born, we use to have so much fun. We would go out on dates and...do all sorts of crazy and things that would make most women blush. Now it's just a monotonous routine of waking up, cooking, cleaning, laundry, cooking for lunch, more cleaning, some reading, naps, cooking dinner, tucking in the little ones and lots of sleep! I had dreams once you know, aside from marrying you, there was much more I wanted to accomplish."

Ryouji rubbed the back of his head. He honestly believed that Azumi was having a midlife crisis which was odd because considering her age, and the fact that Shinigami live for a very very long time makes it hard to pinpoint when it happens or even if it happens.

"Azumi you are one of the strongest and most amazing women I know. You are a mother of five, an aunt of four; all girls mind you. and a grandmother. You are a noble by birth, you are a master of Kido. You are an amazing chef, and an amazing singer, and a good teacher, wonderful Role model for our daughters and nieces. You are just amazing in every sense of the word."

She smiled and even blushed a bit before covering her cheeks. She totally felt like he was just buttering her up but he's never had a reason to before. He was always so understanding, no matter how overly dramatic she is.

"You're the best. I've been thinking too, perhaps I should return to teaching. I don't want to go back to the human world though I would be depriving our girls of a true human world experience, I think we should go. Hinako and Ryoko have been spending a lot of time down there and I miss my clumsy baby!"

Ryouji nodded, it would be good to give the girls some human interaction. With the exception of Shizune and Ami, none of their daughters have actually interacted with humans. Even though they aren't really supposed to, it's still a good experience for them or at least he believed. Then again, knowing how human males are and the fact that all of his daughters are well pretty, bothers him.

"Well perhaps we can make a trip sometime soon. I'm sure Ryoko misses you as too honey."

Azumi giggles and gives him a kisses him before hugging on to him. A knock was heard at the Azumi turned around and rested against Ryouji again as she answered the door. Her granddaughter opened the door and peeked her head inside and waved.

"Granny Azumi, Grandpa, someone wanted to see you! I hope you don't mind that we both came to see you!"

[Hinata Nakayama]

Hina was a bit reluctant to enter the room, but with some encouragement from little Saya, she slowly opened the door fully before stepping in. The reason she wanted to talk to her Auntie and Uncle.. Well, it would probably be just Azumi but .. Anyway, she wanted to talk to them about something unusual that happened.Since she's really not a Shinigami, she shouldn't have a Zanpakuto or be able to converse with its spirit. Yet.. She has in her possession a Zanpakutp. It was strange but yet.. oddly comforting.It does explain why she sees the things she does.

"Uh..H..Hello, Auntie Azumi.. Uncle Ryouji.. I.. Have a question to ask.."

As she stepped in, she reached for her side, fidgeting with the string that was keeping her Zanpakuto to her side.

"For as long as I can remember.. I never really had dreams.. Just recently, I've been talking to someone while I was sleeping. I know that sounds strange, but when you see... what I'm about to show you, you'll understand."

Once the string was untied, she pulls the sheathed sword into view, holding it up where they could see it. Hopefully they would be able to tell her what exactly was going on. Now that she has a Zanpakuto, would she have to become a Shinigami? She really hopes that's not the case. Like her eldest sister, she really didn't care for fighting too much.

"Do..you know why this..weapon appeared to me?"

[Azumi Onigata]

Upon seeing the Zanpakutou that her niece show to her and her husband and sighed. Turns out that Emi is the only normal child in the family well her and Little Uri but she hasn't had a chance to develop any type of powers or manifest a sealed Zanpakutou.

"Well sweetie...it is in your blood after all. You have all the abilities and genes to become a Shinigami. It chose you for a reason. What that reason is can only be told to you by communicating the the spirit that inhabits those dreams. Whether or not you choose to become a Shinigaimi or to remain a normal girl is up to you honey. I will support you no matter what and your Uncle will too, right honey?"

Azumi looked over to Ryouji who was staring at Hinata and then to his wife. He shook his head. He didn't want any of them becoming Shinigami, He was away when Shizune and Ami joined so he had no choice but to deal with the fact that they were both apart of the Gotei 13. Azumi elbowed him in his arm he rubbed his arm and continued to shake his head.

"No! I don't want her to become a Shinigami. I can't protect her if she's out there fighting! I know its up to her to decide but, it's HInata! I still remember her wanting me to read her a bed time stories and tuck her in. Of couse that was before she became Shy around me!"

Ryouji was a little sad that Hinata now had her own Zanpakutou, it means that she was chosen. Saya saw that her grandpa had a sad look on his face and gasped before turning to her Auntie Hinata.

"Auntie! Don't make Grandpa sad...don't be sad grandpa!"

Saya tackled her grandfather and hit him with so much force, that he fell out of the bed landed on the ground where Saya was keeping his upper body upright by huggling him by his head and neck. She didn't want her grandpa to be sad ever!

"Don't worry grandpa, I'll never become a Shinigami!"

Ryouji chuckled and hugged Saya back before picking her up so that he could stand up.

"Thank you Saya, it means a lot but, I want you all to make the best decisions for yourselves. My feelings are only feelings, if you have the desire to become a Shinigami then go out there and do it. Hina, no matter what you decide, I will support you and help you any way that i can."

Ryouji put Saya down and smiled and she giggled before hugging on to his waist.

[Hinata Nakayama]

Well, Hina had no intentions on becoming a Shinigami. Fighting, to her, was really scary. She doesn't want to see things she may not be ready to see just yet. She could see their disappointment and in a way, it did hurt but she realized that they were only worried about her. As for being shy..

"Well..The spirit and I do talk a lot in those dreams if you can call it that. It was..strange but she did explain a lot of things to me. We were talking in this..strange room that had nothing but mirrors. When I see someone..."

She paused for a moment. How could she really explain this without seeming so crazy?This was probably a bad idea. There was no way she could tell them. If she did tell them, how would they react? How can she honestly say "I can see anyone's personality whether it's good, bad, or a mixture of both"? That may just hurt Ryouji more but if she doesn't..

"I see their personality."

Though, she wanted to show Ryouji that she really does love him. She went to him and just.. Gave him a big hug. He may seem really, really scary but he does care for his family.

"I know.. I'm shy around you but.. I do love you, Uncle Ryouji.. I honestly don't want to be a Shinigami.. I can't stand fighting nor do I really want to see anything that could be..bad to see."

[Ryouji Onigata]

After being hugged by his shy little niece, Ryouji glanced down, unable to comprehend exactly what was happening. She hasn't hugged in since she was a little girl. This was strange but he hugged her back and placed his hand on her head and rubbed it gently.

"If you don't like fighting, then you never have to fight, you do whatever makes you the happiest!"

As he stopped rubbing Hina's head their door flew open and in walked Shiori carrying his youngest Shiyuri on her back. Once Shiori stopped she sat down on her parents bed and little Uri as they call her, jumped down and scurried over to her mother and gave her a hug. Azumi hugged her youngest tightly, while Shiori stood up and glanced at Hina.

"I don't mean to interrupt Hinata buuuut, I'm going to! Daddy! Today is the day you promised that we could finally play! You are the only person I haven't fought and now I want to add you to the list of butt's kicked by Shiori, it's play time!"

Ryouji noticed it was still early and he didn't want them to wake everyone.

"It still a bit early Shiori, why not wait a little while longer for everyone to wake up. You wouldn't want to wake everyone up do you?"

Shiori smirked before pointing to the door, she had already considered that answer and threatened to blast anyone who decided they were going to sleep for her biggest battle yet.

"Way ahead of you daddykins! Shiori knew that everyone would still be sleeping, so Shiori woke them up! Now you have no excuses, you will fight me today daddy and I'm going to show you just how tough I really am!"

Before Ryouji could even respond, Ami peeked her head into the open door looking more tired than ever before.

"Do us all a favor dad and kick her ass! She woke us all up! This was my one day to spend at home with Emi and everyone and she woke me up at the crack of dawn!"

Ryouji glanced at Ami for using that kind of language especially in front of Shiyuri whom he didn't want speaking like that, to be honest he didn't want any of them speaking in that way.

"Watch your mouth Ami, Saya and Uri are in here! As for your challenge Shiori, it seems that you've truly thought of every thing so I suppose I can't avoid fighting you this time!"

Saya looked over to her Aunt Shiori and then to her Grandfather. They were going to play like her and her mommy use to before...now she wanted to play too.

"Grandpa, I want to play too, can I please? I promise I won't get hurt!"

Ryouji knelt down in front of Saya and looked at her before smirking. There was something about Saya he couldn't quite put his finger on it though.

"If Shiori says it's okay, then it's fine with me!"

Shiori glanced at Saya and then over to her father and then to Saya again. Saya knew what she was doing, the way her reishi moved and flowed was similar to her own, she had been trained and she was strong too! Stronger than her father and Uncle Hayate, that's for sure. Shiori smirked

"I'm interested in seeing what my little niece can do! So why not!"

Saya jumped and huggled her Auntie Shiori and belted a huge "Yay" as a result because now she could play with her Auntie and Grandpa.

"I'm going to tell my mom and dad! I know they want to watch too! Maybe Aysa and Auntie Emi and "Gramie" Yuri too!"

Saya gave her grandpa a hug before running out of the room to find her parents! She couldn't wait to tell them that she could get to spar with her grandpa.

She's always wanted to ever since her mother told her the time where she played with him once. Her mother always told her that her grandpa was very strong, now she can't wait to see just how strong for herself, and maybe even see the famous Bankai!

[Shiori Onigata]

After little Saya left, Shiori turned to her father and smiled. She was hiding it well but she was worried, for a few days now her mind has been on something that's been bothering her for quite a bit, since her sisters from the future came to visit. More specifically, the sister she was thinking about was Shizune.

"Daddy before we fight, I have something i need to do first! So you go get ready and I will meet you outside, kay?"

Shiori turned away from her parents and cousin Hinata and followed little Saya to her parents. Once reaching the room they were staying in she knocked and once receiving the acknowledgment to enter, she did.

Once entering the room she closed the door behind her and saw Shizune resting on the bed with Saya sitting next to her and Shuzen standing over both of them. The three of them put on smiles to attempt to hide the fact that something was wrong but Shiori knew better and they weren't going to hide it from her.

"Shizune, your reiatsu has been on a steady decline since you've come back. I remember the first time I saw your reiatsu for what it was, you are a lot like our father or at least you were, but now, it's lower than Shuzen's and Hayate reiatsu. I haven't placed my finger on why they are so weak. But you..."

Shizune sat up with the help of Saya and Shuzen, she turned to her younger sister from this era and lowered her head and smiled. She began to respond but Shiori cut her off...

"Don't you lie to me Shizune...You may be able to fool everyone else into believing that you are okay, but I know that you aren't. You're....you're sick...no not just sick...you're..."

Shiori couldn't even say it. Shizune stood up slowly and walked over toward Shizune and stood in front of her. She placed her hands on Shiori's shoulders and looked at her. Shiori couldn't even look at her in return, her bangs were covering her eyes.

"I'm very sick...Shiori. Saya...go and get Emi, Ryoko, Hayate and Ryusei...I need to speak with them too."

Saya nodded and ran to get her Aunties, Uncle and brother as she was instructed. Shizune returned her attention to Shiori and pulled her over to the bed to sit down with her. Within a few moments, Saya returned with everyone her mother instructed her to bring.

"Shiori knows. I've reached the point to where it has gotten harder for me to stand. I fear if we remain for to long, I won't be able to move and it'll happen here. I want to be away from my mother and father when it happens. I don't want to sadden them any further than I'm going to when I..."

Shiori stood up and broke away from her sister's grasp. She didn't want to believe that Shizune was going to die, she didn't want to hear any more of it. She can't die, she was her big sister! Even if she was from the future, Shizune was her big sister and she couldn't stand the thought of her dying!

"No...I don't want to hear any more of this...I don't want to think about it! Just...stop!"

Shiori for the first time since she was a baby, was crying. Shizune was one of her favorite people ever. While she wasn't the Shizune she's grown up knowing and living with, she was still Shizune!

Shizune stood up and slapped Shiori. Shiori's head turned from the force of the slap but she didn't even react. She had gone numb inside from knowing she's going to lose her big sister from the future. Shizune nearly collapsed soon after but was caught by Emi and her husband, she began to breathe heavily.



"Stop acting like a brat Shiori! Do you think it's easy for me to say it? It's harder for me than it is for you to grasp. I have a family, a wonderful son and daughter. I married a man for love, who has had to deal with this since it was discovered but never left my side even for a moment.

Do you think it's fair to Megumi? My life was unbearable and I was a terrible person. The moment I held her in my arms for the first time after she was born, everything changed for me. She is my best friend and sister whom I can't bare to leave behind! Then there are my wonderful children. My strong handsome Son and my beautiful baby girl. They've had to deal with the fact that their mother would soon be leaving them and I know they are hurting inside but they stay strong for me. I need you to do the same Shiori...I need you to be strong for me too, okay?"

At this point Shizune was also crying, she didn't want to die but she realized that she doesn't have a choice in the matter. It was the way it was meant to happen. She couldn't deny fate that her time has nearly come.

Shiori nodded before lowering her head again. If that is what she truly wanted, Shiori would do her best to be strong for her sister.

"I only have one favor to ask of you Shiori, I want you to swear to me that you won't tell Mother or Father until after we've left. This trip was many things. It was to celebrate Aysa's birthday, to introduce Ryoko to her parents and sisters...and for me to say goodbye to everyone. I know they'll be angry that I didn't tell them personally. It's just easier for us all to deal with this way. I think I'm going to get more than enough rage from Lady Yuri for not telling her sooner. Promise me you won't say a word until after we've left."

Shiori began to tremble, she was so angry and so sad and filled with so many emotions, she couldn't even answer her. Shizune wrapped her arms around Shiori and held onto her. Shiori burried her head into Shizune's chest and squeezed on to her clothing as tightly as she could while crying again. Shiori pulled away from Shizune and left the room with her head lowered.

Shori had never felt this way at all. She's never had a reason to be sad before. It just felt so...wrong knowing that her favorite sister was going to leave soon. It made her appreciate her sisters a lot more.

[Megumi]

Megumi ws just in complete shock from both the news and Shiori's crying. She just.. didn't know how to take the news. Her best friend.. No.. Her sister was dying and there was nothing she could do to help her or save her. She tried to hold everything in and not react but it was so hard. Especially when memories began to flood through her mind. Shi was always there for her even if it was just to play or to hang out with. By now, she couldn't hold in her feelings anymore. Like Shiori, she hd begun to cry. She was hurt.. She was angry.. Most of all, she was sad.

"Shi..You can't go! You said.. You'd never break your promise to me!"

That promise..meant everything to her. Of course, when she was little, she didn't understand what it meant and when she asked, she was told it was something that could never be broken and would be absolute no matter what would happen. She nearly lost Shi that day..or at least that's what it felt like when she was a child.

"R..Remember? When..Zetsumei was still around.. You and Mama fought him and had captured him.. you were hurt really bad..I.. I went in the fourth division barracks even if it was against their rules. I was so scared.. That's when.. That's when you promised.. Promised you'd never leave me!""

Was it selfish to feel this way? At the time before Shi got married and had her children, she only had just her mother and Shi.. Everyone else was gone. Now Shi would be joining her parents and Aunt.. It was all too much for her to bare. She'd be reincarnated into a regular human with no memories of them.. and..if they ever meet.. No, Emi couldn't think about that. She just couldn't. She understood being a Shinigami was hard but..This.. This wasn't included!

"I..I didn't know what a promise meant back then.. that's when you told me what it was, Shi! You.. can't break it! Please.."

Now, it was her turn to hug onto Shi tightly but not enough to hurt her. This couldn't be happening. She wanted to pretend it was some kind of dream and that she'd be waking up any minute. However, the cold tears and her aching heart told her otherwise. How could her husband and children be so strong? Then, another realization hit Megumi. When it does happen.. When Shi dies.. She's going to have to explain to Aysa and even worse.. Her mother.

"I'm sorry if this is...really selfish.. I know your children and husband must be hurting as well but.. I.. Mama.. Oh no.. Mama doesn't know?"

Okay, so she's freaking out a little bit. It was normal, right? Everyone was just calm or at least on the outside. Might as well do the stressing and the crying and all that for everyone.

[Future Shizune]

After being hugged onto by Emi, Shizune wrapped her arms around her best friend and little 'sister' and held on to her as tightly as she could. She turned to her husband and brother-in-law Hayate and nodded.

"Emi and I need to talk, alone for a while, Saya has a big day ahead of her, she gets to fight with my father, be sure that she stretches and is mindful of what abilities she uses during the fight. Emi and I will be along shortly."

Shuzen and Hayate nodded before taking Saya out back to get her warmed up. Ryoko turned to her sister and nodded and left the room, leaving Shi and Emi alone.

"Emi, I wish I could say something to make you feel better but that isn't something I can do. I know its hard to hear and to understand what that means for me and our families but, I can't change what's going to happen to me."

Shizune pulled Emi over to the bed and sat down and continued to hug on to her. It was hard for her to say the things she needed to say. Emi has been apart of her life since the day she was born and they have always been together. It was because of Emi that Shizune turned her life around and gave up drinking and causing trouble. Emi has been a very positive influence on Shizune and she can't begin to thank her enough.

"I haven't told Lady Yuri for the reasons I wish I could explain. She's gone through so much and I've caused her a great deal of sadness and pain. I wasn't always the easiest person to deal with and then you came along and changed all that. Changed my life for the better. I just...wanted you to know how much I value you not only as a friend...a best friend, but a sister whom I love dearly."

Shizune then remembered the promise she made to Emi all those years ago when she was just a little girl after Zetsumei attacked and injured her, Emi ran to her as quickly as her little legs would take her and there the promise was born. The promise to never leave Emi, no matter what.

"I remember the promise well Emi and I will continue to fulfill that promise for as long as you live. While I may not be here physically, I will always live on in your heart. I've watched you grow from a mischievous and smart little girl to a beautiful strong willed woman and I want to tell you that I love you so very much Emi. You are the greatest friend I could have ever asked for. Now dry those tears, your niece will need your support when she fights against my father."

Shizune released Emi from her hug and stood up. Her body was shaking badly. She was quite weak but it wouldn't stop her from seeing Saya fight with Shiori and her father.

[Megumi]

Megumi just sat there and well..finished her crying before she lets go of Shi. She slowly wiped away her tears and took a deep breath before exhaling. It was heavy news indeed but she had to be strong. It was just so hard. Her best friend and sister was dying and there was nothing she could do to stop it. As much as she wanted to stay and just keep Shizune resting, there would be no point since well.. She's so stubborn. Once seeing Shi shake, Emi helped keep her steady. While her tears may have stopped, it doesn't change the fact that she's really sad.

"I.. I got you."

Emi then helped Shizune out of the room and headed to where Shuzen, Saya, and everyone else that was told the news, helping her to sit down. She took another deep breath and stepped over to little Saya before kneeling in front of her. She had a few tips to tell her since she's trained/sparred with Ryouji.

"Be careful of his speed. He's capable of producing Shadow clones and is generally unable to be sensed by any kind of method. The only one who can due to reasons unknown is my past self. Just do your best and as your mother said, be careful on what abilities you use."

Soon, there was a scream that was heard which made Emi jolt up. that was Aysa's voice. Was she in trouble?! Taking time to sense for any strange Reiatsu, she did notice something.. Was that.. her mother?! More than likely it was Aysa finding out out that her grandmother was here which is exactly what happened. When Aysa saw her grandmother step into the area where she was playing, she had let out an excited squee and completely floored the unsuspecting Yuri who had landed on the floor with an 'oof'.

"I suddenly feel this is karma for tackling Ryouji all those times.. Er.. Hello, Aysa. You didn't think I would miss or forget your birthday, did you?"

Once Aysa lets Yuri up, the Captain stands up, placing her hands behind her back as she stretches back in order to pop her back a little. She was beginning to get too old for these kind of things. Well, she was a day late on it, but that's besides the point. She's here now and that's all that matters.

"I'm glad you could make it, Grannie-Yuri! Just in time, too! Saya is gonna play with Mister Uncle 'Ouji!


Future Yuri let out a chuckle, patting Aysa on the head. So, it seems she was just in time for 'play time'. Perhaps a friendly spar before then would be nice. Unable to hide her excitement, Aysa took Yuri by her hand and led her outside where everyone else. She then tilted her head to the side from the stares she was getting.

"What's with the looks? Is it really that much of a surprise that I'm here?"