Kita rested her head to her bended knees, her eyes stung for forming tears. Was this really the way she was going to die? In the four hundred years she lived as the Seraph she has never died as the Seraph. It has always been in human form, which she knew she would always be reborn in her Seraph form. But what about now? If she dies in Seraph form will she come back? Will she be reborn as the woman she always knew as Sumi. Or would she just fade away like all the souls that have died before her. She tightened her arms around her legs as the feeling of fear washed over her. Was this truly the end for her? And if it was. What would happen to Toshiro, the Guardian? Her eyes slowly closed as she cried to herself.
Not long after she found herself standing in a lush, exotic garden filled with what seemed like every flower known to man. There were even cherry trees, plum trees and apple trees. Usually, these three would not be in bloom simultaneously, though here they were. There was a small flowing stream that ran around the entire garden before going back to its source: a small pond towards the back. There were stone benches placed around the path and underneath some of the trees. The entire garden sat on maybe two or three acres of land. She turned her head to see a black silhouette standing underneath an apple blossom tree with a stone bench underneath, sitting along part of the stream.
“Where am I?” Kita whispered softly. “There are only three that can pull me into their dreams, and I know one would never have thoughts like this.” She almost laughed at that thought not believing that that one man was who she called Master. She stayed where she was to watch a little more and try to figure out what was going on.
Tsukiro sighed as his stomach only turned even more. “Not the kind of dream I was hoping for…” He then turned to see a female figure standing a ways off. “Who is…?”
He walked towards the figure, narrowing his eyes to try and see who it was.
Kita had turned her back to the shadowed figure in the distance to look around her. Not aware that it was moving toward her. When she turned she saw a large building not too far off from where she stood. It looked like a building straight out of the Forbidden City. It stretched far up into the sky and had a sloped roof. The roof was golden and the walls were brick red mixed with a reddish orange color. A lovely young woman stood out on the walkway in a beautiful white kimono adorn with what looked to be soft pink colored apple blossoms. Her heart sank quickly when it finally dawned on her where she was and who the young woman was.
Her hand quickly went to her forehead, but was stopped by the restraint straps around her wrist. She lowered her head and turned quickly.
“I am in Tsukiro’s dream and he is with Kaori at the Shihoin palace.”
She stepped forward only to see the figure coming toward her from the corner of her eye. She looked up and standing in the light was Tsukiro. She gave him a weakened smile as one of the tears she tried to stop trickled down her cheek.
Once Tsukiro realized it was Kita, he picked up his pace. Then, from far off he thought he saw a glint on her cheek and he ran to her worriedly. “Kita, I didn’t realize you were here. I tried to go to your cell but they wouldn’t let me through. Are you okay?”
Kita quickly did away with the tear still forcing a smile across her lips giving Tsukiro a nod. “I can understand why. You're with your fiance. I was the last thing on your mind.” She gave a half hearted giggle. And when he stepped up to her getting too close she stepped back from him. Her head shook slightly. “No one is allowed to see me.”
Tsukiro tilted his head at her with a worried expression. He raised his hand to her. “Kita? What’s wrong? And what do you mean you’re last on my mind? You’re all I’ve thought about since Yamamoto dragged you to the Soul Society.” He bowed his head. “I wish you didn’t have to come to Soul Society under these circumstances.”
“It will soon be all over and no one will have anything to worry about.” She turned and looked back over to Kaori. “She is very beautiful, Tsukiro. Your a lucky man.”
Tsukiro blinked and followed Kita’s gaze over to another figure on the path a ways down. His heart caught in his throat. He shook his head. “I don’t deserve her. I haven’t been back to see her since I entered the academy.” He turned back to Kita. “I hate that my dreams brought me here. It makes me feel guilty… nostalgic… among other things…”
He took Kita’s hand and pulled her down the path in the opposite direction of Kaori. “I won’t let Yamamoto or the 46 condemn you to death. Even if I have to storm the place, I won’t let it happen,” he said as they walked.
Kita tried keeping up with Tsukiro and his long stride as he walked down the path her ankles still bound together attached to her wrist and waist. She pulled against him to free her hand as he held tight to her.
“Tsukiro. Stop please. I can’t keep up with your pa--” Before she could finish she found herself toppling forward.
Tsukiro reacted without even thinking and caught her before she fell face first onto the ground. He whipped out his short sword and severed the restraints. He set her on her feet, apologizing. “Sorry. I should have cut them sooner. I know this changes nothing on the outside, but…” He tilted his head at her again. “There’s something wrong. I know it. So come on. Tell me.”
Kita looked to Tsukiro and shook her head lowering it slowly. “I am afraid.”
Again, Tsukiro blinked. He opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it with a sigh, smiling sadly. He reached up and pulled her into a hug. “You don’t have to be. I may not be able to get to you, but I’m here with you. Always. Don’t be afraid, for whatever reason. I promise it will all work out okay. I won’t let them destroy you. If it weren’t for you, I’d be dead way before now. If not for you, I’d have gone insane with rage by now. I can’t let you fall victim to their discrimination and prejudice. I couldn’t live with myself.”
Kita shook her head again and pulled from the hug stepping back from him. “I won’t let you risk your neck for me. If they are listening to pleas in my defence then you can say your part. But please do not risk yourself for me. Don’t risk a court martial on my part. If it is my time to die then this is the way it was meant to be. Don’t risk yourself when it was fate that brought me to this.”
Tsukiro gave her a stern look and shook his head gravely. “I don’t buy that. Your time to die will come by natural causes, not by execution. Not by murder. I won’t allow it. You’re my dear friend and I can’t let Central 46 do whatever the hell they want with you like you’re their pet. It’s dishonorable and irresponsible. Not to mention inhumane.”
"But it is too dangerous for you to try and get in there to save me, there is no way for it to be done," Kita hung her head in sadness.
Tsukiro sighed and paced around a bush of powder pink roses. He pushed his hands through his hair, grabbing and tugging at the roots in frustration. “There has to be a way.” He picked out the biggest, brightest rose with his eyes and stared at it, hoping that it would spark some idea in his mind. Thankfully it did. The color of the rose looked insanely familiar. Not just because it was a rose. Not because the color was so common. It was something else…
Then it hit him. That color reminded him of that wack job scientist arrancar that worked for Aizen. And the last time he had seen him was…
He whipped around to look at Kita urgently. “Las Noches! The last time I was there, you did something to bring me there from Kisuke’s shop! When Aizen was trying to beat you senseless!”
Kita shook her head quickly with a scared look in her eyes, "That can get you killed, you aren't dealing with Aizen and the Arrancar, you are dealing with the entire Seireitei. There is no way for you to get in there without them knowing who you are. Even if you are able to get me out, you will never be able to return there. Is that a chance you are willing to take?"
Tsukiro gave her a look that questioned why she was even asking him that. “Do you really have to ask me that? I could have died when you brought me to Las Noches, but I didn’t. I think if I can survive a rescue attempt literally right underneath Aizen’s nose, I can get you out of one pathetic little cell in the First District. I’ve already helped you plenty of times. Let them court martial me. It won’t keep me from helping my friends.”
Tsukiro walked closer to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Tell me the truth. You don’t want to die, do you?”
"No, I don't," a tear rolled down her cheek, "I don't want to die, but I don't want anymore friends hurting because of me."
Tsukiro placed his hands on her cheeks and lifted her head up to look at him. “If I was going to die from helping you, I would have been killed a long time ago. And you kept me from dying when I confronted Aizen by sealing me. Now I’m back and it’s my turn to keep you alive. Besides,” he grinned arrogantly. “Stealth Force is in my blood, remember? They won’t know I was there until I’m long gone and you with me. Even then, I can do my best to make sure they don’t know it was me. I’m not giving you a choice Kita. I will keep you alive.”
Kita sighed, casting her eyes down as she thought, "I don't want to die, Tsukiro is right, there is no other way, and I am not waiting for Aizen to storm the Soul Society to save me, and I doubt Toshiro would come here to save me anyway." She looked slowly up at Tsukiro, "When do you want to do this?"
Tsukiro gave her a confident smile. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Kita reached up with both hands, taking Tsukiro's hands from her face. She lowered their hands, holding on to his. Slowly she closed her eyes, and recited this line. "Boku wa haibun! Ashimitsu Tsukiro desu!"
