Rukia stood in astonishment as she gazed at the individuals in front of her. She realized that this was her inner world, the very place where her zanpakutō, Sode no Shirayuki, resided. It was an exclusive realm accessible only to her, and the presence of these outsiders baffled her. She briefly questioned whether she was experiencing some sort of hallucination, given the unique conditions within Senzaikyū that prevented her from utilizing her reiatsu.
Rukia: "Yato...?" - Her voice wavered with uncertainty as she uttered his name.
Yato: "...Hey there, Rukia." - He responded with a nonchalant wave, his expression carrying a blend of surprise and casualness at the unexpected encounter.
Rukia: "This can't be real... there's no way you can be here... you're not even a Shinigami–"
Before she could finish her sentence, Yato playfully poked her nose with his index finger.
Yato: "Well, I think I'm here all right," - He chuckled. - "As for being a Shinigami... maybe spending two months with you awakened some latent Shinigami powers in me." - He shrugged nonchalantly.
Rukia rubbed her nose after Yato poked her and glanced at him with a playful scowl, though her eyes betrayed a sense of relief.
Sode no Shirayuki: "Interesting," - Rukia's Zanpakutō murmured to itself, gently rubbing the thread tied to its finger. - "So, I suppose the source of that warmth I felt before the gate came from you."
Ōkagetsu: "Certainly." - affirmed Yato's Zanpakutō, smiling gently in response to Sode no Shirayuki's words.
Rukia: "But... how is it possible that you're here, Yato?" - She asked, still incredulous.
Yato: "Good question..." - he scratched his chin, deep in thought. - "Anyway, you look like you've seen better days. Are you on a diet?"
Rukia: "Heh... you're still not being completely honest." - she commented, giving a knowing smile, familiar with some of his habits. - "Well... you don't feel much hunger when your days are numbered." - She tried to smile despite the situation.
Yato: "I intend to change that. That's why I invaded the Soul Society with Ichigo, Tatsuki, Sado, Inoue-san and Ishida-san," he said casually. - "And before you say this is pointless, that it's an impossible task, or that we'll end up getting killed, I'll warn you right now that it won't help." - He playfully poked her nose once again. - "I'm not leaving here without you being alive and safe... well, you're a spirit, so that doesn't make much sense... but you get what I mean." - He said, trying to lighten the mood with a gentle grin.
Rukia: "You haven't changed a bit," - She said with a soft chuckle, her eyes revealing a mix of emotions – relief, curiosity, and a touch of concern.
Rukia looked at Yato's zanpakutō, Ōkagetsu, with an impressed expression.
Rukia: "It's incredible how quickly you acquired your zanpakutō," - She remarked, a mix of disbelief and pride in her eyes.
Yato: "Well, actually, I attained my Shikai on the same day I awakened my shinigami powers." - He confessed, shrugging casually.
Rukia widened her eyes at the revelation.
Rukia: "Are you telling me you achieved your Shikai in just one day?!" - She was utterly astonished by the information, a subtle detail in Yato's words making her even more incredulous. - "Wait...you said you attained your Shikai...so, you already have knowledge of the–"
Before Rukia could finish her sentence, Yato placed his index finger on his lips, a smile playing on his lips, indicating for her to hush and not complete the thought.
Sode no Shirayuki gazed at Yato with a mix of curiosity and fascination. Her eyes were locked onto him for a moment before she turned her attention back to the zanpakutō Ōkagetsu. Ōkagetsu, wearing a knowing smile, closed her eyes, adding an element of mystery to the atmosphere but this simple action prompted Sode no Shirayuki to widen her eyes, a hint of surprise reflecting in her expression.
Sode no Shirayuki: "Does that mean that he…"
Yato: "Well... if there's one thing I can say, it's that..." - Yato's gaze met Ōkagetsu's for a brief moment before he continued, his voice tinged with confidence. - "No one knows me as well as I know myself."
Sode no Shirayuki graced Yato with a fleeting smile, her gaze filled with a mix of hope and determination. She turned her attention to him, her expression soft but earnest.
Sode no Shirayuki: "If I entrust Rukia-sama to you, will you keep your promise to keep her safe?"
Rukia, in response, shot a quick, puzzled look at her zanpakutō, wondering why she had made that request. But before she could voice her confusion, Yato replied, his voice carrying an air of assurance.
Yato: "I not only promise that she'll remain safe, but she'll also emerge from this ordeal even stronger."
Yato gently rested his hands on Rukia's shoulders, his smile warm and understanding. He squeezed her shoulders lightly, a silent gesture of reassurance, and spoke with a softness in his voice.
Yato: "You'll be okay, Rukia. We've got this." - He smile. - "I'll catch up with you in a bit. Right now, I'm deep in the underground channels of Seireitei, blending in as a Shinigami. I've got a few things in the works to get you out, but you'll need to hang in there."
Rukia met his gaze, her eyes showing a hint of vulnerability despite her brave exterior. She nodded, a mix of gratitude and trust in her expression, appreciating his support during a challenging moment.
Rukia: "Heh... you talk as if I could just wander off somewhere." - She let out a soft, wistful laugh, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and amusement.
Yato: "Well, at least your humor is intact." - He gently released her shoulders, not wanting to intrude any further.
With those words, Yato and Ōkagetsu gradually faded from Rukia's inner world, retracing their steps, and as they vanished, Rukia's lips curled into a subtle, hopeful smile.
Rukia: "That fool..." - She chuckled softly, her eyes fixed on the night sky within her inner world. A mix of fondness and exasperation played across her face.
Sode no Shirayuki: "Rukia-sama..."
Rukia: "He... he always seemed so careful about every little detail. He wouldn't just reveal something like that about his zanpakutō... It was his way of telling me he had the strength for what he was undertaking." Her eyes softened as she spoke, her gaze returning to the zanpakutō Sode no Shirayuki. - "And that was the first time he truly looked me in the eyes..." There was a hint of wonder and realization in her voice, as if this small act had meant more to her than words could express.
**
Yato opened his eyes, finding himself once again deep within the labyrinthine underground passages of Seireitei. He let out a weary sigh, his shoulders slumping before he rose to his feet, determined to continue his mission.
Cheshire, who had opted not to venture into Rukia's inner world with Yato, reappeared, perching on the boy's shoulder.
Cheshire: "Well, that encounter... felt rather anticlimactic, didn't it?" - The crimson feline's voice held a touch of disappointment, its tail swishing lazily as it spoke.
Yato: "What did you expect to happen?"
Cheshire: "I don't know, maybe a hug? A kiss? Anything!!" - He shouted in exasperation. - "I tied that thread to your souls precisely to assist, but you're not helping me help you... Geez... looks like if I want to see anything interesting, I'll have to do it myself..." - He grinned wryly. His tail flicked with playful annoyance, a sly glint in his eyes, as he toyed with the idea of stirring up some excitement on his own.