POLL RESULTS!

Alright, this one has been out for awhile XDD

Well, actually, the majority was Mariya Shecker, but actually, that's wrong,

The correct answer is actually CREE

Cree was born in SEPTEMBER, while Mariya born in NOVEMBER

Do we see this? X3

Other guess:

3rd Oldest: Bianca (the February of the next year)

4th Oldest: Virginia (June 25 of next year)

YOUNGEST: Kayla (she is about a year younger then Mariya, her birthday being December 18th)

Hey, only two days difference then Toshiro XDDDD

Enjoy, new Poll out soon

~Maddie ^o^

M.S.A.A. pt. 84

"...Trust in the abilities of your friends, acknowledge their strengths and believe that they will be able to pull through for you in times of struggle and conflict. Have faith in the thought that they will be safe, and will eventually return home to you. Rejoice with their return, share a smile, have laugh. You don't really have to dance or literally have a party, but you must remember to at least let the person know that you're glad that they're alright, or else they may begin to think otherwise. Savor the time you have with the people you care about, and live for tomorrow, not yesterday. It is important to believe in the light of good and prosperity, as well as the happiness that comes with the return of a lost friend...someone that means the world to you, and they're finally back within your grasp..."

July
SOUL SOCIETY
Toshiro's Perspective
Light begins to peak through the windows, signaling that the sun has finally broken through the clouds of what was night, meaning that it's now dawn. He blinks a few times as he feels the warmth on his head, looking up to see the room lighting up.
...It's morning...
He yawns, scratching his head as he begins to sit up.
...I must of fallen asleep...
He blinks, finally noticing the mass infront of him.
The reason he hadn't noticed was because now she wasn't breathing hard and rough, her breath barely audible now except for a small snore here and there. Now all cleaned up, she looks a lot better then she did when she had first fallen into his arms the night before. The blood has been washed out of her hair, and is brushed out, laying nicely around her body. They changed her uniform out for a white sleep kimono, and somehow cleaned up her choker, so that it looks as it did before. But, there's still a reminder of what had happened.
Her arms and head are all bandaged up, some small blotches of blood soaked into her gauze. Bandages are around her neck as well, a few smaller ones marking some cuts and scraps. His eyes narrow, thinking over the past few days, and what had happened the night before...
LAST NIGHT
"R-Rangiku!" Toshiro yells over his shoulder, reaching his arm under Yattamori's legs to cradle her.
To his surprise, he hears the door to his office open quickly, followed by the echoing steps of someone coming closer.
"C-Captain?! What is it?!-" Rangiku yells, standing on the edge of the walkway.
He turns with Yattamori limp in his arms, breathing hard as he steps into the light of the building. Rangiku gasps, her eyes widening as Toshiro flashsteps up to the walkway. Quickly he begins by her.
"We need to get her to Squad 4, now!" Toshiro instructs.
Still stunned, Rangiku blinks, but follows fast, flashstepping after him as he does as well.
.....
Once arrived at Squad 4, many of the members looked stunned probably by not only Yattamori's sudden return, but the extent of her injuries.
"Unohana!" Toshiro calls.
Turning a corner, he finds Unohana standing in reply to his call. Quickly her eyes find their way to Yattamori, widening more then he's ever seen them. She walks closer.
"Mariya...Yattamori..." she trails.
"Help her."
She blinks, looking up at Toshiro.
"She collapsed into my arms, I don't know the extent of her injuries." Toshiro continues.
Unohana stares for a moment, before nodding, gesturing over a few members of her Squad.
"She looks to be in pretty serious condition Captain Hitsugaya, but I'm sure she will be fine." Unohana reassures him, "Allow me to see her."
Out of instinct, he subconsciously pulls her closer, not really wanting to release her. Unohana notices, then sighs, gesturing towards the door.
"Follow me, I believe she'll probably have a greater chance of staying stable if you stay with her." she says, walking ahead.
Toshiro blinks, but nods, following after.
What happened next was kinda a blur, after they had gotten Yattamori into the ER section, and hooked her up to a few of the machines, Yattamori began screaming out of nowhere off and on for about 4 hours as they had gotten her all cleaned up and healed by some of Yattamori's own Squad Members, such as Aneko and Miyoko.
---
PRESENT
"I must of doused off around 3 in the morning." Toshiro says to himself, looking over her.
After a moment, he grins some.
...Unohana said that even though she's stable now, it may be some time before she wakes up...So for now, I must be patient...
He sighs, leaning back in his chair.
"You're in Squad 4 way too much Yattamori. It's beginning to get a bit annoying." he says with a chuckle, before his look becomes more serious, "But, I guess that is partly my fault. Head Captain Yamamoto gave me orders to keep you safe...but it seems I can't keep you from getting hurt..."
He falls silent, watching her breathe in the stillness now found in the room.
Thinking back on the past events since Yattamori has come back, he counts a total of 5 or 6 times, not including now, that Yattamori has been a patient in Squad 4. That is not a good sign.
"I wish at least once it would be me. Then it would make me feel a bit better about this stuff-" he starts.
"R-Really?..."
His eyes widen.
"I-I've only been...awake for two...minutes, and you're a-already...saying crap about...yourself."
He looks up, gaping as he sees Yattamori looking up at him, a small grin across her face.
"Yattamori?..." he trails.
"I believe...that's a n-new record on your part." she says lightly, he voice cracking.
He blinks, not able to find a response to her. She stares back, her eyes widening in confusion.
"What?" she asks.
"Yattamori, do you not realize how big your return is?" he asks.
She blinks.
"Return?" she repeats, not understanding.
It's now that he realizes something, standing. Yattamori becomes surprised by his sudden action, beginning to lift herself up with her forearms.
"T-Toshiro-" she starts.
"Don't try to sit up Yattamori, you're still very weak." he interrupts, laying her back down by taking her shoulders.
She stares at him for a moment, before sighing, resting her head back on the pillow.
"Fine..." she trails.
He grins.
"I'll be right back, alright?"
She nods in response.
He in turn nods, turning away to walk towards the door, opening it quietly so he doesn't disturb Yattamori as she rests. He steps out, shutting the door behind him, waiting til he hears the click to walk off at a fast pace down the hall. Turning through familiar halls that he's unfortunately learned by being in the vicinity so much more then he wishes, he soon finds Unohana sitting with a patient from her own Squad, who must've gotten involved in an accident during the last Bijuu invasion. So to not be so rude, he knocks on the door panel, letting Unohana know he's there. She looks up, once meeting his gaze giving a nod to him, before saying a departure to the Squad Member, soon standing to follow Toshiro out into the hall.
She sighs.
"What is it, Captain Hitsugaya?" Unohana asks.
"Yattamori is awake." Toshiro answers.
Unohana's eyes widen, not expecting him to say that.
"Wait, what?"
"She's awake, woke up about five minutes ago."
"But how? Considering the extent of her injuries, she should be unconscious for at least another eight days-" Unohana starts.
"That was something I was hoping you could explain to me." Toshiro interrupts.
Unohana sighs again, thinking.
"Well, Captain Yattamori has always had a way of healing faster then most, that may be a factor in this situation. But, even with that, this is still odd. Even if she was making faster progress as she normally does, she should still be asleep for another day or two." Unohana explains.
"That makes sense, but yet she's awake..." Toshiro trails, "I think she should be kept awake for a bit longer."
"Why is that?"
"I want to know how she escaped the Bijuu."
"What makes you think she escaped?"
"Well, it doesn't make sense that they would do all this and just allow her to go. They must of fumbled and then Yattamori took the opportunity to run."
Unohana thinks for a moment.
"That does sound legible." she agrees, "Alright, she may stay awake, but she must not leave her bed, she's probably too weak to even stand, maybe even sit up."
Toshiro nods in agreement.
"Alright then, let's go." Toshiro says, beginning to walk off.
Unohana follows, not replying as they start back down the same way that Toshiro had just followed through the barrack. As they turn again and again, Toshiro begins to get the feeling he forgot to mention something to Unohana. Something that may be important. Though, for some reason, he can't think of it. As if it's just out of reach, seen, but not able to be grasped. But, as they come to the hall where Yattamori's room is, it returns like a flash of lightning. He stops her, taking her by surprise.
"Captain Hitsugaya?" she says.
"There's something I forgot to mention."
She blinks.
"What?" she asks.
"Well, I brought up her return, and she gave me a really clueless look, as if she had no idea what I was talking about." Toshiro responds.
Unohana's look becomes more concerned.
"What are you trying to imply Captain Hitsugaya?" she questions.
He looks back at her.
"Is there any chance that she could of gone into shock and may not remember what happened?"
Unohana's eyes widen, taken back.
"You mean, like amnesia?" she asks.
He nods.
"She didn't look at me as if she hadn't seen me in weeks, she looked as if she just had fallen asleep the previous night and it just so happened I was around when she woke up." Toshiro explains.
Unohana thinks about it.
"I guess there would be a possibility that Captain Yattamori may of blocked it out so to protect herself, and maybe even her mental status. Though, wouldn't it be the first time she's done this?"
He blinks.
"What?"
"Captain Yattamori isn't one to really block out what has happened to her. It has never happened with Devena, or whenever her memories were stolen. She allowed herself to work through it, and persevere through the mental wounds. This will be the first time she's actually blocked out something if it really is the case that she did." Unohana explains.
Toshiro doesn't respond for a moment.
"Well, then I guess it means one thing..." he trails.
"And what would that be?" she asks.
He takes a moment.
"...What she experienced...was far worse then anything they've put her through up til now." he replies.
Unohana seems to become speechless, taking in his words, thinking about what Yattamori may of experienced while a technical "Prisoner of War".
He sighs.
"I hate this." he admits, "Why is it that out all of us, she always has to be the one put through shit?"
"Because she has a connection, remember?" Unohana replies.
He looks back at her.
"Yep....Mahinahime." he answers.
"Mahinahime may be the key to this entire mystery. If this time we keep Captain Yattamori safe and out of harms way long enough, we may be able to learn of what the Bijuu don't want us to know."
"If only it was that easy, but it seems that nothing is." Toshiro comments.
Unohana notices the change in his tone, and sighs.
"Captain Hitsugaya, all of us in our lives will go through a good amount of pain. Captain Yattamori has had to meet much more then the average person, but still, somehow, she always finds a way to smile." Unohana says, "Once, I asked her why she is able to smile when times are bad. Do you know what she told me?"
Toshiro shakes his head.
"She just looked at me, and gave an innocent smile, then replied "Because if I can give a smile through the bad, I will be able to truly smile through the good."..." Unohana continues.
Toshiro blinks.
"If you look upon the bad with a smile, you may truly smile through the good...That saying is probably one of the best I've ever heard. Captain Yattamori is happy because she knows that no matter how much pain she's in, there will always be a good thing to look forward to."
He doesn't respond for a moment, thinking. Then, he gives a chuckle.
"That does sound like something Mariya would say..." he trails.
"Captain Hitsugaya."
He looks up at her.
"Captain Yattamori is looking forward to seeing you."
He stares for a moment, then turns, opening the door to Mariya's room, which is now lit warmly with the light of the rising sun.
"Yattamori?" he says.
His reply is between a snore and a groan, Yattamori turning her head to look at him.
"T-Toshir..o?" Yattamori whispers.
"I'm back, I'm guessing you fell back asleep." he replies.
Yattamori nods.
"I suppose...you were right about the weak...thing." she answers.
"Mariya Yattamori?"
Yattamori looks beside him to see Unohana, grinning.
"Unohana..." she trails, a little more light in her eyes then before as her grin becomes brighter.
Toshiro blinks.
...if I can give a smile through the bad, I will be able to truly smile through the good....
Her words to Unohana replay in his head, seeming to show themselves through Yattamori's current grin. In response, he grins back, allowing Yattamori to catch it. At the sight, a bit more light shines in her eye, a good sign.
"Yattamori, you do know where you are, I'm guessing?" Unohana asks.
Yattamori nods.
"I'm at...Squad 4 again." Yattamori answers.
"That's right dear. And do you remember why?" Unohana asks.
Yattamori blinks, appearing to have a bit more difficulty with the answer to the question.
"Uh...I guess it's still...fuzzy..." Yattamori says, trailing a bit more.
Toshiro looks over at Unohana.
"I guess we shouldn't be asking you that just yet, you probably don't remember much right now." he comments.
Unohana nods.
"Alright, well, Yattamori, how do you feel?" Unohana asks.
"I'm fine..." Yattamori replies.
Unohana grins.
"No new pain at all?" she asks.
Yattamori shakes her head in reply.
"Ok then," Unohana says, turning away, "I'm going to take my leave for now and go record this. Captain Hitsugaya, you may stay as long as you like."
Toshiro nods.
"Thank you." he replies.
Unohana gives a simple nod, and with that, she opens the door, silently slipping out, leaving Toshiro alone again with Yattamori.
"Toshiro?..."
He turns back, taking a seat back in his chair.
"Yes Yattamori?" he answers.
She doesn't answer for a moment, putting him a bit on edge.
"Toshiro...something bad...happened..." she trails.
He blinks.
"What?" he asks.
"There was...so much blood..."
He shushes her.
"Don't think about right now, just rest, you need to get stronger." he answers.
Yattamori watches him for a moment, before she turns her head to look back up towards the ceiling, giving a sigh.
"This world...it's making it harder....to smile..."
His eyes widen.
"Yattamori..." he trails.
Her eyes are focused on the ceiling, narrowed contently.
"....It's full of darkness...Toshiro."
He blinks, not ready to hear her say that. Yattamori is usually positive, but it seems that this...has changed her some...

M.S.A.A. pt. 83

ACK!

Omg, I'm so sorry guys!!! DDX

Yes, I am still alive, I've been so busy with school that it's taken me forever to finally finish this. Enjoy, pt. 83 

"...I want to escape...I want to find a way to get out of here and go home to the Sereitei...And to Terre Haute. I want to see Mom and Dad...even my brother and sister..I want my dog. My baby of a dog, even though he's a great big Golden Retriever. I want to hang out with Virginia, and Cree, Bianca and Kayla. I want to feel like I can smile again. I don't want to ache all over, and keep feeling my blood drip from my chin and running over my tongue. It makes me want to gag even more. It's sickening to me.  I hate the feeling of being weak, It makes me defenseless, even helpless. It's despicable...I want to go home...I just really want to...go..back...home..."

July
SOUL SOCIETY
Toshiro's Perspective
"Captain, are you about ready for your meeting?" Rangiku asks as she walks into the office.
"Be quiet Rangiku, I'm trying to think." Toshiro says as he looks over a few maps.
Rangiku blinks, walking closer.
"What are you looking at Sir?" Rangiku asks.
"Something that you helped me find." he replies.
"I helped you find?" she repeats.
"Yes, remember when you told me to look in plain sight?"
She nods.
"Well, it was more difficult then I thought it would be, but with that thought in mind, I was able to find a location where Yattamori just may be." he explains.
"R-Really? Where?!" she asks.
He replies with turning towards his bookshelf, pulling a large book from one of the middle shelves. He flips through the pages as he turns back, stopping on a specific page before laying it out on the desk over his maps, scooting it closer to her so that she can see. He taps on the picture, which shows a building. He looks back up at her to see her surprised reaction.
"The T-Tower of...L-London?" she stutters, not believing what she's reading.
He nods.
"Hidden in plain sight...they put her in one of the most popular and well known prisons in the world, thinking that we would look right over it." he says.
"Because it's walked through by thousands of people a day, how could they hide her?" Rangiku asks.
"Because unlike before, they hide her behind the plain sight, to confuse us," Toshiro says, moving the book aside before gesturing at his top map, "In the tunnel systems below it, that connect to Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and who knows where else."
"Are there any cells in the tunnels?"
"Don't know, it doesn't say anything about dungeons or anything like that in the documents I've been able to find so far. To the looks of it, they're just simple passageways." Toshiro says, "But, then again, it could just be more of what's hidden in plain sight. I did find a few wise tales about a few men that were kept in cells down in the tunnels, but it seems that there's no documents that back these stories."
"But how could they get to her without anyone noticing if there are cells down there?"
"That's the work of what I found here." he replies as he removes the top map.
Rangiku blinks in surprise at the paper, looking over the various different lines. Toshiro points to one running vertical along the middle.
"This is a sewage pipe that runs right by the Tower of London. And, looking closer, we see smaller pipes linking onto the tunnels." Toshiro says, running his finger down the line until it seems to split off into smaller ones.
"So they're traveling through the sewage... that's just gross."
"Well, looks like you'll have to get over that." he comments.
"Why?"
"You're going to be going through those pipelines with us."
"I'm WHAT?!"
"We're going to go to the World of the Living and investigate the Tower of London in search for Yattamori once Cree and the others return from their world. We're going to need back-up, and you're going to be there to help."
"B-But, when was this decided?"
"It will be decided tonight at the Captain's Meeting, I plan to suggest it and getting back up for it. Hopefully some of the Captains will be willing to allow me to take some of their Squad members along with some of Yattamori's."
"You think they'll really agree to it?"
"They better...I've got a lot riding on finding her."
"Like what Sir?"
He doesn't reply for a moment.
"...My sanity, for one thing." he trails.
"Captain..."
"There's also another thing."
"W-What?"
He sighs.
"Do you remember what Yattamori said when the Bijuus' Master intervened?" he asks.
Rangiku thinks for a moment.
"Well, no, not really, I hadn't been there for long, so I may not of heard what she said." she replies.
"She said that it was their doing."
"Huh? What did they do?"
"Yattamori believes that the Master is the one that ordered her death 14 years ago."
Rangiku blinks.
"W-What?!" Rangiku asks.
"And what is the one thing that Yattamori is doing the same from then?" he asks.
"Well...um..." she trails, before she gasps slightly, "Captain..."
Toshiro takes a moment to reply.
"The Princess, she connects it."
"You think that they-"
"-know something about the Princess that we don't. They're hiding something that they know Yattamori found eventually discover if they left her alone. They're targeting her to protect it." he explains.
"But why do they care about the Princess?" Rangiku asks.
"That's the mystery, the only thing that I think may connect them is one person."
"Who would that be Sir?"
"The Bijuu's master."
Rangiku blinks in confusion.
"The Bijuu's master?" she repeats.
"Yes." Toshiro replies.
Rangiku sighs.
"Alright, so let me see if I have this right in my head. You believe that the reason she is indeed in London is because of the fact that the Princess has a connection to England, and the possibility that the Bijuu's master may be targeting Yattamori because of the fact that she is close to discovering something about the Princess that the Master doesn't want her to know."
Toshiro nods.
"That's about right." he answers.
"Well, I hope they see it your way Sir."
"Me too..." he trails.
He looks up, seeing the time.
"Damn it, I have to go." he says, walking around his desk.
Rangiku watches him, saying nothing until he gets to the door.
"Captain."
He turns, surprised as she puts up a thumbs up.
"Good luck Sir."
He stares for a moment, before he chuckles, turning away.
"Thanks." he replies, walking out the door.
----
"So, you really believe that Captain Yattamori may actually be in London, England?" the Head Captain asks.
Toshiro nods.
"Yes Sir, all research, and prior knowledge of how the Bijuu and their leader act point to the possibility that she may be there." Toshiro replies.
"Hmm..." the Head Captain sighs, "Captain Kurosuchi, have you found similar findings in your own research?"
Captain Kurosuchi chuckles.
"To my amazement, I'm shocked to say that my research has indeed come up with similar possibilities that Mariya Yattamori may indeed be in the London or other large European cities." he answers.
Toshiro grins a bit, feeling a bit better about his findings.
"And, is it also true that they're may be something that they know about the lost Princess that we do not Captain Hitsugaya?" Aizen asks.
Toshiro nods.
"Yes, it seems to point to the idea that the Bijuu's master may have knowledge of Mahinahime, which is why they've been targeting Yattamori."
Mumbling begins to sound through the room, though it ends quickly as the Head Captain clears his throat.
"So, Captain Hitsugaya, what do you want us to do in the situation given?" the Head Captain asks.
Toshiro sighs.
"I would like to have back-up given and the allowance to go and investigate the Tower of London in search of Yattamori." Toshiro asks.
Aizen, Unohana, and Ukitake blink in surprise as the others whisper among themselves. Toshiro looks around, hoping that their talk is for him, not against.
The Head Captain looks around, his gaze shifting from person to person. As if they know, the Captains quiet down, looking back at the Head Captain to hear his decision for Toshiro's request.
"Captain Hitsugaya, I cannot allow that."
Toshiro's eyes widen, looking up at the Head Captain with shock. Staring, his eyes seem to loose their light as most of the Captains also look in shock at the decision.
"What?" Toshiro asks.
"I am sorry, but at this time we cannot send out a group of Soul Reapers to find Yattamori. The security of the Soul Society is at risk because of these Bijuu. We must ensure the safety of the people of the Soul Society before one single person." the Head Captain says, "Please do not think bad of me Captain Hitsugaya."
"But Sir, we can't just let them get away with this, Mariya's life is on the line!-" Toshiro begins.
"I am aware of that, so was she." the Head Captain interrupts, silencing Toshiro, "Mariya Yattamori may be only a bit older then you Captain Hitsugaya, but she definitely is not naive or unaware. She knew very well going into that attack that there might of been a chance she would of had something happen to her, and she also knows the policy of the people before the one."
Toshiro stands there, speechless.
"B-But...Mariya..."
The Head Captain sighs.
"Trust me when I tell you that this is not an easy decision for me, Captain Hitsugaya. I've always been very fond of Captain Yattamori, and I hate to know she's been put in this situation. But, this is what must be done Captain Hitsugaya."
Toshiro doesn't respond, just nodding, looking down at the wood floor.
"Besides Captain Hitsugaya, didn't you make a promise to Captain Yattamori that you would protect her friends?"
Toshiro's eyes widen, looking up at the sound of Ukitake's voice.
"Remember that Mariya is not the only one at risk here. Now that Captain Yattamori is missing, she is no longer able to protect her friends, which makes them all, especially Miss Virginia, a sitting duck." Ukitake says.
"Which is probably one of the other reasons she was taken, to make them vulnerable." Kyouraku adds.
Toshiro blinks.
"Captain Hitsugaya."
He turns, looking back at the Head Captain.
"I am sorry for this." he says.
Staring, Toshiro watching as the Head Captain looks over the other Captains, then looking back at him.
"With that, I call this meeting to a close."...
-----
"They what?!" Rangiku asks.
"They vetoed it Rangiku, we aren't going to London." Toshiro replies, walking back and forth through his office.
"But why?! Every bit of information you ran by me was proof to send a squad-" Rangiku starts.
"-It's now a matter of the people vs. the one in the eyes of the Head Captain. No matter what I said, I would never be able to convince him with that floating over my head." Toshiro interrupts.
Rangiku falls silent, watching him pace.
He grits his teeth, clenching his fists.
...This isn't right....Yattamori is in mortal danger, and they're just letting it by!...I know that because of the People vs. the One, I can't go and investigate...but...
He's pulled from his thoughts as he feels something hit against his skin, looking down. His eyes widen, instantly recognizing the object as Yattamori's necklace, the lime green pendant reflecting the light. He tightens his grip around it.
...I also had orders to keep her safe...
He turns, looking through the calender near his desk.
"Rangiku, how long have Cree and the other's been gone?" Toshiro asks.
"Oh, uh, about a week Sir." Rangiku replies.
"So they should be here within a day. Good, that will give me some time to prepare-" Toshiro starts to himself.
"Sir, what are you talking about?" Rangiku interrupts.
He turns towards her.
"I'm not allowed to go and investigate because of a principle set thousands of years ago, but not going would also mean I'm defying my orders to keep Yattamori safe."
Rangiku blinks in surprise.
"Sir, are you saying that you're..." she trails.
"I'm not one to usually go and bend someone's words, especially the Head Captain's, but this isn't just a matter of the People vs. the One for me." Toshiro says.
It falls quiet for a moment, Toshiro walking past Rangiku towards the door.
"....Then...what is it?" Rangiku finally asks.
He stops, turning back to look at her over his shoulder.
"For me, it's a personal matter of either letting my best friend die, or save her before I loose her again." Toshiro replies, opening the door, "And I won't loose her."
Rangiku blinks, watching him walk out, shutting the door behind him. After a moment, she gives out a sigh.
"Oh...Captain." she trails.
The only sound he now hears is the tapping that his feet make on the wood floor, a slight breeze causing his haori to fly out a bit as his hair blows around some.
...Think...what is the best way...to get to the World of the Living without being noticed?...
He sighs, looking up to the starry sky to see the moon full overhead.
...The moon...Mahinahime...her name means Moon Princess...nobody knows why she was named that, other then she's said to rival the Moon with her beauty...
The winds blows again.
...A rival to the Moon...it seems a little stretched to say that...Though, it does make you curious...about what she looks like.
He blinks, realizing something.
There have been no photos of the Princess found in any of her records. That is strange. Usually, with such an important person, there's tons of pictures, drawings, or even paintings to take from in research, but for Mahinahime, there is none.
Toshiro scratches his head.
"Maybe I should ask for pictures the next time I'm at the-" he starts.
Suddenly, he hears something crack, sounding like a twig being stepped on. He whips around, looking into the dark for a shape, to no avail. In precaution, he takes hold of his hilt, prepared to attack. He jumps over the railing to the grass, using stealth to watch all around him.
"Who's there?" he calls
No answer, just more noise coming from infront of him.
He readies himself.
"Show yourself!" he yells.
"N-Ngh..."
His eyes widen slightly as he hears the slight groan, something inside him telling him not to attack.
Watching, he finds himself frozen, a figure limping from the shadows.
"...No...way..." he breaths.
The being coughs, blood dripping from their chin as they pant hard. Their hair is all over the place, freely blowing in the breeze as they hold onto their left arm, a trail of blooding flowing slowing down to the tips of their fingers, dripping at a constant rhythm. The uniform is singed and bloody all over, parts of the sleeves and pants in tatters. And the haori missing.
He releases his grip on the hilt, stepping closer.
At the sound of his feet rustling through the grass, the being looks up, proving his beliefs.
Her hazel eyes are lifeless, without their usual warmth, and as she spots him, a relieved smile crosses her lips.
"...T-Toshiro..." she trails, reaching out her hand that she had been using to hold her injured arm towards him, "I thought...that I'd..."
Suddenly, she stumbles, her consciousness evaporated as she begins to fall forward.
With a small gasp, he instantly reacts, taking hold of her from around the waist, letting her fall into him as he comes to kneel on the ground. Her breathing is rough and forced, little bits of blood escaping her lips each time she exhales.
He tries his best not to tremble, too overwhelmed for the first few moments to realize what just happened. He looks down, looking over her.
"Mariya..." he trails, pulling Yattamori closer, "You're so weak..."