𝔀𝓱𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓶𝓸𝓸𝓷

She’s lucky there.

He shrugs one shoulder. “Didn’t melt, yeah. It was shitty. But I made it, I always do. Probably won’t happen again anytime soon.”

Sasuke was curious about his other-self, but perhaps it was better if he didn’t know. After all, that person wasn’t him. He was different. “….I don’t really care. He isn’t here now.  I am.” He replied nonchalantly, then stuck his hands in his pockets. “I’m 13.”  While he was a long way from being considered ‘grown-up’ he still hated being referred to as a kid.

“…I’m sorry you were brought back here.” The apology might have come as a surprise, but this was something Sasuke had learned to sympathize with. Everyone in The Hive was in the same situation.

          Her brows furrowed despite herself. She felt bad. He was still young-- a child, really. She composed herself quickly because even though this wasn’t the Sasuke she knew, if their personalities were similar in any way, showing any sort of pity would be bad. 

“….”

Silence right away.  Even the words that was clouding his mind had dispersed along with the fog.  Everlasting … That was the word she used, and she was absolutely right.  He had left his mark in this city.  Not in a way that his name would usually be associated with.  Not through puppets, not through death.  No, it wasn’t any of those.  Time and time again he found himself reminded of words spoken to him so long ago.  His eyes looked to his left arm as his other hand moved to cover his wrist, the seal concealed behind bandages that carried one of his forbidden puppets, a puppet that marked his true sin.

“You know, there wouldn’t be a single soul that would believe the stories that could be told about me here.  I do sometimes wonder if this is how I would had turned out if I actually had people that gave a damn about me at home,” and of course of they didn’t die on him.  It was truly a bothersome thought, but it may as well be for the best.  There was nothing that can be done now, and he still had a chance to do his proper work.  Rukia was right … he had to think positive.

“Heh… and to think you still look absolutely adorable with a blush,” a quick shift in topic to try and stir things in a more proper direction.  Eyes had opened to look back over to his dear friend.  He knew she had her life outside of her, and he also knew that life could be carried on over here at any time.  He would have to make sure this family of hers stayed safe.  Simple as that.  He was … a hero, after all.

          The shinigami sighed. A small smile played on her lips as it seemed that her words had reached him well enough-- that was all she could do at the moment. Trying to ease his mind when he had so often anchored her to this city despite all the fighting that was happening in her world was the absolute least she could do. 

     She was unsure whether not remembering her human life was a curse or a blessing. If she was being honest she’d never once given it a thought until this very moment. Hearing him say that no one cared about him while he was alive tore at her heart, but she kept her smile in place. “Perhaps you were always meant to be here,” she attempted as she patted his arm gently.

     “Oh hush,” the gentle pat quickly turned into a chastising swat. Though the blush didn’t lessen, Rukia shook her head and walked on ahead of him.  “Come on, I’m not getting any less hungry. And just because you flatter me doesn’t mean I’m going to let you get out of paying.”

FROM: Lt. Colonel Maes Hughes TO: All contacts

[txt]: EXCUSE ME EVERYONE I HAVE AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT  [txt]: attached file: my_daughter_just_turned_3.jpg [txt]: look at my beautiful daughter!!!! she just turned 3!!!! isn’t she perfect?????

@tofrost

❝You … You look familiar. I really can’t put my finger on it though. I met you here, maybe?❞ At least, he was sure that she wasn’t someone from back home.

    “—hard to tell if I should consider such familiar faces a nuisance… or a ‘gifted’ opportunity.” Slender fingers drummed upon the zanpakutou’s clothed grip, dancing idly along it in thought before dropping away and coming to rest, as a fist, beneath it’s wielder’s chin. “Maybe it’s too early to judge.”

  A shift in position followed soon after the release of an amused breath, a cold stare locked curiously upon newly targeted prey. “Whaddaya think, shinigami? Willing to play?”  /  ( @tofrost )

          “While you decide on that, I can tell you that yours is definitely a nuisance.” As expected, she knocked his hand away with one smooth motion. She didn’t appreciate being touched by such cold hands.