Chapter 216: They meet at last
(Ryoto's pov)
How... How is this possible... She died years ago... So how is she standing in front of me...
Without any thought put into it, I slowly started making my steps toward her.
"Ryoto?" Rin asked worryingly. She probably never saw me like that. On the other hand, Yoruichi decided to deliver a solid kick to my body, sending me flying.
The whole mood was ruined, and the mysterious girl panicked a bit while Zangetsu let out a small laugh.
"Ja- I mean Ryoto!"
Yoruichi got in front of me and grabbed me by the collar.
"You are making that face again."
What face?
"You always look like that on the 12th of April when you go on that hill."
"When did you...?"
"I followed you one day, curious about what you were doing every year. I didn't expect you to visit the grave of someone, and you had a very similar look. A look was full of regret. Just this time, it was mixed with confusion.
I don't know why you have this look, but whatever it is, get over it, dammit! That's not the face of a man I love! You have a problem? You face it! You regret something? Do better next time! That's all there is to it!"
(E/D: Yes if accidentally stab a patient with your knife and she pulls out then plug the hole with the knife.)
I just stared at her eyes widened, not knowing what to say. Her face was too close to my mine, though.
I thought about her words for a moment, and there was some truth in them, and I try to live by them.
While I think living by these words would be better for my emotional state, it's not always that easy. I have some regrets, and while remembering them, I try to not repeat them in the future. So in some way, I live by these words.
"Yoruichi, as much as I love you, there are some things I can't control, and seeing that girl brought some old memories, not all of them happy." I explained. "But thank you for waking me up a bit. Saved us some of the drama."
I got behind her to hug her with my arms wrapped around her waist.
"That's what I'm here for. To-"
She couldn't finish her sentence as I slammed her head against the ground with a german suplex. I did it at great speed, and Yoruichi was so unprepared that she did not protect herself from impact.
"And that was for the kick. Did you forget that I can be pretty revengeful and petty? Especially petty."
"I will pay you back for this..."
Ignoring her for a moment, I walked up to the girl that appeared together with Zangetsu.
Shorter than I remember, but it's natural since I'm taller than I was before, with medium brown/chestnut hair and bigger than average but not big breasts. She looks exactly like I remember. Even her clothes are the same as she used to wear.
"Is that you... Emma?"
Hearing her name, she smiled, and I could see from the corner of my eye that Zangetsu did as well.
"Somehow, yes, but not entirely."
I grabbed her by the cheeks and pulled them in the opposite direction, stretching them more than I thought was possible.
"We didn't see each other in about 40 years, and you try to be mysterious with me. And we're you always in my inner world, and you didn't even let me know that you were there."
"I'm sowwy, I'm sowwy!" She couldn't speak clearly because of the obvious reason, and in the corner of her eyes, tears started to gather, but I let her go soon after.
"*Sigh* We'll talk about everything later, but... good to see you again." My voice softened considerably as I pulled her into a hug which she returned after the shock wore off she returned the hug.
After we separated, I turned to Zangetsu.
"Now that we have this out of the way, it's your turn."
The whole time Zangetsu was leaning on a nearby boulder with his arm crossed. Is he trying to look cool?
"Bankai, right? But before we begin, I must say you surprised me. I was sure that you would break down seeing her again."
"Maybe 20 years ago, I would do that, and maybe if Yoruichi didn't kick me, it would happen. Who knows, but time really helps sort things out."
"You're welcome..." Yoruichi, still recovering from a German suplex, said. I smiled at this.
"During all these years, it wasn't like I wasn't thinking about my past at all. Thinking about if I could do things better, what things I did right, and just remembering in general. Not like it prepared me for today. But enough of that. We are here for Bankai. What kind of test do you have?"
Zangetsu's smile widened.
"We are going to fight."
"How original."
"But using only our bare hands. No Kido or swords."
"Daring today, aren't we."
Zangetsu looked at me with a deadpan expression. "Do you want a Bankai or not?"
"Yes, please."
As we were preparing ourselves for our fight, Emma climbed up on the boulder.
"Sitting up so high doesn't make you taller!" Zangetsu yelled to Emma.
"I know that!" She answered, annoyed and with a pout.
Zangetsu threw away his sword and prepared himself by taking a fighting stance, and I did the same. It is worth mentioning that our stances were different.
Mine was more textbook-like but with my own flare added to it since I change my fighting style depending on the situation. Zangetsu was more aggressive, giving the impression that I would get punched in the face if I came closer.
(E/D: My fighting style is the "Total Fighting" from Baki. My favourite part is when I just jump them while they are laughing at me.)
"Hey, you girl who likes it from behind. Can you give us the signal to start?"
"I don't like it from behind!" It was Rin who answered.
"And I didn't say it was you, but since you are already talking, just do it."
"He really is Ryoto's Zanpakuto," Yoruichi commented.
"...Unfortunately."
Both of us were waiting for some signal, and as we waited, the tension was rising. It was also worth mentioning that the tension was coming from me. Zangetsu had a big grin plastered on his face. He likes fighting, after all.
"3... 2... 1... GO!!!"
And the fight began.
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END
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