88 Chapter 86: Funeral
Hey, guys! the chapter is here.
Now, here's the thing: I need your blessings or luck for my exam on the 28th. I'll most probably upload the next chapter next year.
I'll definitely update you if I pass my interview on the 28th, as they will declare the results on the same day. Truthfully, I have the skills for the job role, but the issue is confidence. I've had this type of interview before, in February, for a different role, but the process was similar. I think I failed that interview because of my lack of confidence. This time, I'm pretty fired up and will try to pass. The process will take 5-7 days, and if I fail on day 1, I won't be able to proceed to the next round.
As a firm believer in lady luck, I just want some blessings or luck from you guys. I believe that something small can change the outcome of a situation for me, so maybe this time it'll work out.🍀
Enjoy the chapter!
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"Yamahiko, born in the 78th district of Southern Rukongai, Inuzuri, at the age of twelve, entered the Shin'ō Academy, graduated two years later, and joined the Second Division of the Onmitsukidō's Patrol Corps as the Vice-Captain. Six years later, he became the Captain of the Third Division's Detention Unit within the Onmitsukidō.In the year XXX, he assisted in the capture of a rogue Shinigami, but was ambushed and killed by Kaname Tōsen. He was 32 years old at the time."
In front of the grave, Shiba Kaien softly recited Yamahiko's life story, and before him stood many Shinigami.
[Shiba Kaien - img]
Kuchiki Rukia, Abarai Renji stood at the forefront; they were his childhood friends, classmates, and good friends.
[Abarai Renji - img]
Kuchiki Rukia sobbed uncontrollably, her eyes bloodshot, and Abarai Renji held his head, biting his lip so hard that blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He didn't want to cry, but the tears flowed uncontrollably.
[Kuchiki Rukia - img]
My dear brother, how could you possibly be gone?
Kuchiki Rukia and Abarai Renji remembered the time they spent together, growing up, studying, and helping each other. They became Shinigami together and reached this point in their lives.
During her times of sadness, Yamahiko was always there to comfort Rukia.
When Renji Abarai felt like fighting, Yamahiko was always there to be his sparring partner.
The death of Yamahiko left them devastated.
Standing beside them were Hinamori Momo and Kira Izuru, their faces covered in tears, looking despondent.
[Hinamori Momo - img]
[Kira Izuru - img]
Yamahiko had passed away like this, leaving nothing behind, neither his clothes nor his body.
How could he have died?
In addition to them, there were the Shiba brothers, Shiba Kaien and Shiba Ganju. Shiba Kaien muttered softly, "You little brat, how could you die like this?"
Kenpachi Zaraki, Yachiru Kusajishi, Ikkaku Madarame, and Marechiyo Ōmaeda stood by the side.
[Kenpachi Zaraki - img]
Kenpachi Zaraki sighed and said, "You're gone. Who will be my sparring partner now?"
Kusajishi Yachiru cried out, "Little Yama..."
[Kusajishi Yachiru - img]
Apart from them, members of the Shinigami Women's Association stood not far away. Matsumoto Rangiku had bloodshot eyes, Nemu Kurotsuchi remained silent, Nanao Ise and Isane Kotetsu had sorrowful expressions on their faces.
[Matsumoto Rangiku - img]
Kurosaki Isshin, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, Kyoraku Shunsui, Ukitake Juushirou, and Kuchiki Byakuya, and other Captains, although not very familiar with Yamahiko, came to this place due to the invitations from their respective lieutenant commanders.
Gin Ichimaru, Sosuke Aizen, were also among them, silently observing in the crowd.
Kenpachi Zaraki and Yachiru Kusajishi stood to the side, looking at the nearby grave. Yachiru Kusajishi cried incessantly, but Kenpachi Zaraki remained silent.
The entire Gotei 13, with the exception of the captains of the Second Division and the Head Captain, and the deceased Ninth Division captain Kaname Tōsen, had gathered here.
Hideyoshi Tsuruno, who was Yamahiko's instructor in Kido class, attended the event. Shūhei Hisagi, an alumnus of their school, was present as well
These people had all come here to prepare for Yamahiko's funeral.
But the person who should have been here the most, Suì-Fēng, was not present.
At this moment, Suì-Fēng was sitting on Yamahiko's bed, hugging her knees, leaning against the wall. Her expression was filled with pain, and her eyes were bloodshot.
She hadn't cried, not because she didn't want to but because she couldn't. Since Yamahiko's death three days ago, she had fallen into unconsciousness several times due to grief. It was only today that she finally accepted this reality.
Yamahiko was dead, the little devil who had always been with her.
Sui-Feng remembered the scenes of their meetings. It was one night when she had brought him to the Second Division, but this clever little devil had figured out her identity and origin.
Then he joined the Onmitsukidō, becoming the adjutant to Marechiyo Ōmaeda. She made time every day to train him.
Afterward, he had helped her research Shunko, and she had helped him master Shikai.
Then he had fallen in love with her, continuously trying to get closer to her, making affectionate gestures that she had repelled with her scolding.
During the summer festival, he held her hand. After their training sessions, he would give her massages. They shared a box of takoyaki and fought together to gain more experience.
On his sickbed, he secretly kissed her. During their birthday celebration, they made plans for their future.
Even though their relationship was becoming more intimate, and she had decided to accept him as long as he continued to grow, why did he have to die?
Seventy-one years ago, she couldn't forget the betrayal of her respected mentor, Yoruichi Shihōin, for the next sixty years.
[Sui-Feng with Yoruichi Shihōin in Past - img]
Twenty years ago, she met Yamahiko, and by ten years ago, she had grown accustomed to his presence.
But why did they keep leaving her?
The greatest despair is not in not getting something, but in watching something she had finally obtained slip away time and time again. Every time happiness arrived, it was taken from her.
Suì-Fēng stung by immense grief, both for Yamahiko's passing and for her own fate, she whispered, "I'm sorry, if I could only have accepted your proposal..."
Suì-Fēng looked at the clothes Yamahiko had prepared for her. Despite their boldness, he must have liked them. But she had rejected him. Guilt, sorrow, despair... Various emotions pervaded her heart, making Suì-Fēng even more distant.
She had no intention of attending Yamahiko's funeral because what was being buried wasn't Yamahiko; his body had been completely destroyed, returned to the earth.
Only this place still faintly held his scent. Suì-Fēng remained in the room where Yamahiko had lived, lying down on the bed, contemplating for a long time. Eventually, a voice came from outside, "Captain, the funeral is over."
It was Suì-Fēng's lieutenant, Marechiyo Ōmaeda. After the funeral, he came to inform Suì-Fēng.
[Marechiyo Ōmaeda - img]
Suì-Fēng didn't respond, and Ōmaeda waited for a while before quietly leaving to prepare his and the captain's tasks.
The Second Division couldn't neglect its duties due to Suì-Fēng's despondency, but Ōmaeda was willing to do some work to buy time for Suì-Fēng to regain her composure.
"Why did you have to die?"
Ōmaeda sighed with a bitter smile in his thoughts.
…
After the funeral, people dispersed. Byakuya Kuchiki came to stand beside Rukia Kuchiki, patting her shoulder, and handed her a handkerchief.
Rukia accepted the handkerchief and wiped away her tears.
Ikkaku Madarame approached Renji Abarai, saying, "Let's go, it's time to leave."
Renji followed the members of the Eleventh Division as they left.
"Momo, let's go."
Sōsuke Aizen came to stand beside Momo Hinamori, calling for her to leave.
With sorrowful expressions, everyone left the place. The death of Yamahiko was now defined as follows: Kaname Tōsen betrayed the Gotei 13, launching a surprise attack on Yamahiko and members of the Onmitsukidō's Executive Squad, then becoming a Hollow and killing Yamahiko.
The person controlling Kaname Tōsen was believed to be Kisuke Urahara, as only he had the capability to transform someone into that kind of monster.
After these people departed, only Unohana Retsu and Isane Kotetsu remained. Isane Kotetsu softly said, "Captain, it's time to leave."
Unohana Retsu nodded and replied, "Yeah, let's go."
[Unohana Retsu - img]
Unohana Retsu returned to the Fourth Division and entered a room. From her pocket,she took out a letter and slowly opened it.
~End of the chapter~
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