Remembering Love [Jian|Closed]

A moment of pure exultation, one that drives out ever thought you could have possibly had, drives away any realization of what you were doing and makes you act. It doesn't matter what it was, who you're with, or why, something sparks a revelation in you and it is the most important thing, anything not doing with that has to shut down.

Jian was standing in the middle of the sidewalk, arguing with a street meat vendor when it happened, why became meaningless.

He felt her presence.

Like a reverberation, the subtle sensation of a long lost loved ones car pulling into a distant driveway. His senses exploded into his mind, the field of stars arrayed before him. The universe had its center once again, just like that the sun returned and its light burned away the long held darkness.

Seryu had returned.

There wasn't time to finish the petty argument. He threw the large bill at the man and already he had burst into movement leaving a crowd of stunned onlookers as he went. His backpack lay abandoned at his feet for fear it may slow him. The crowds of people slowly him only for a moment, prevented him from exploding into the sky. The instant eyes were off him he became a flurry of motion, wind gripped his body, yanked him into the air, concrete bent to his touch as he propelled himself rapidly towards her.

He had to keep from screaming his joy as he soared through the air. She came back, and she was alive, and all was well. None of it mattered, not the crushing loneliness, not his ancient wounds. None of what occurred since they left mattered, they could pick up right where they left. Love on hold, now resumed.

All he needed was her, and in a moment, he would have her.

As he neared his mind began to reset, began to focus on the little things, what to say how to greet her, how she might be when he saw her. Had she already felt his approach? He wondered. Should he have brought his flowers? His surprise?

In a rush of wind the echoed about around him in a wild way he arrived at the balcony, in an instant he fished open the door and stepped in, saw her.

Seryu.

She was alright. Perfect, more than perfect, somehow she seemed even more beautiful than his mind remembered. His eyes stung from the welling tears of joy and he threw himself to her, pulling her tight against himself in a warm embrace, sighing weakly. Her scent, just as he remembered. Feelings rushed through him in a wild torrent, drowning him in emotionality.

In a shaky voice he managed. "Oh my god, you're okay. Seryu, I've missed you so much."

He broke the hug to study her face for a moment, to soak in every loving detail in some unrealized fear she might suddenly disappear again.

He froze, and the rush of emotions went silent.

A voice too afraid of the possible answer. "What's wrong?"

501/10/10 GP Total

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627 W O R D S
12 P O S T GP
24 T O T A L GP

Action.

It demanded action, it screamed at him from his core to do something, anything! He could have said 'that's not a funny joke', but it wasn't a joke. He didn't need spiritual senses to see that she was being earnest, he didn't need magic powers to read his beloved. He wasn't staring at a cruel joke being played out as his expense.

Or at least, he wasn't staring at the one behind it.

In all the world big and small there existed terrible and wonderful things, but none shook him more than the eyes empty of familiarity that looked back at him. To feel those familiar hands rise to his cheek and have them explore it as a stranger, to wipe away the tears of joy that fell silent as his emotions took on a different tone. To see a sudden burst of pain he caused by tearing at a wound, a cover up that hid his love from her.

He shifted back naturally as she bent over, watched her hand to chest. A panic attack, an old friend of his. He placed a hand on her back gently to soothe her.

Inside his mind burned, held tight in the grips of an unquestionable rage.

She turned back to him, having calmed and smiled, and inside his heart shattered.

And he smiled back. Chuckled naturally as she laughed, stayed silent in response while he tried to find a way to make his throat let him form words. Tried to figure out how to breathe properly again. She went shy, flushed, covered her chest, the act cementing itself. Two strangers sharing a strange moment together, that's what they were.

She noticed his expression and asked him to introduce himself.

Introduce himself to the woman he loved.

To the woman who once loved him.

A promise to stand together against whatever came, a relationship of suffering and hurt and struggle.

And now she seemed happy. That was the goal right? To make her happy? Even if he could undo this, could he ever promise the same? Perhaps the illusion was better than the cold reality. Perhaps it was better than him.

His anger boiled, seething into silence as he climbed to his feet, moved away from the bed and turned towards the balcony. The doors were still thrown open, the drifted silently in the summer breeze.

A clean a break as someone could ever ask for.

He took a breath, and sighed. They'd never promised their love would be easy, there was an honesty in that. A truth in their mutual devotion. Their love was something that seemed to defy the universe and the universe seemed so ready to tear them down for it. It was an easier end than what lay ahead, that was for certain. So, who were they to stand in the way of that?

Jian Oreachi. Mortal. Seryu Akamine. Shinigami. Bound together by their hopeless tortured love, separated endlessly by twists of fate. A love built on their fight to try to be together and the pain it caused.

He would be damned if anything stood in the way of it.

He turned to her with a smile. "I'm sorry, we've met before actually. My name is Jian," he stepped towards her, taking her hands gently in his as he stared into her eyes. God how he loved this woman, inexplicable, unexplainable. She drove him crazy, pushed him to the very edges of what he could tolerate but there was nobody on Earth, or the worlds after that he'd rather spend his life with than her. Whatever disasters lay inevitably ahead it didn't matter, because they were together now.

"I know your name because we are in love." He gave her hands a gentle squeeze. "Because we have been together for almost a year now, despite the best efforts of the rest of the world to tear us apart."

He was no stranger to fighting for her.

"Nagisa assaulted you, and you were taken back to the Seireitei, shortly after our last reunion I might add."

He would fight again and again for her love, it didn't matter the how or the why.

He let go of one of her hands, drifted it upward to cup her cheek softly. He smiled warmly, not impatient or annoyed or any of the negativity that once plagued him. It was gone in a puff of simple realization. If she forgot who he was, he would remind her.

So long as he still drew breath and he still believed she loved him.

"Now, I don't know who put this silly spell on you, but enough is enough dear. I've waited long enough to see you." Even if he would wait.

Forever, and ever.

He leaned in and kiss her, softly, lingering for a moment in spite of the fact that he had more to say because he couldn't help it.

No matter what.

"No more games," he whispered hopefully as he pulled back but an inch to study her eyes hoping that she could see him, that she would remember.

That she might feel his love and it would rekindle hers.

"I love you Seryu Akamine. With all my heart, as I have never loved another."

875/16/26 GP Total

For a moment, one that lasted a few very precious seconds, they laughed together. Her smile never faded but her insecurities showed the moment she could sense a shift in his spiritual presence. Seryu had learned how to understand people’s feelings by reading the tales their auras had to tell and Jian was letting her in. He was letting her in and she embraced everything he showed her. And what she felt disheartened her. “H-hey,” a softly spoken word, simple and short but filled with worry and concern for the man who was ‘apparently’ a stranger to her. He seemed torn, conflicted and something about him was so disturbing, Seryu found it hard to understand why she felt so at ease when he looked at her with those loving eyes.

He rose to his feet and turned his back on her, her eyes saw him moving to the balcony and her mind saw him leaving. “No!” Another mere word escaped her lips, followed by a fairly desperate action. Her hands reached out to him, both of them, trying to grab him and pull him close again. “Don’t leave just yet!” She begged and crawled over to the end of the bed where he stood. Her insides were a mess of boiling emotions and all she knew was that she wanted to meet this man, learn who he was and have him tell her his story. She wanted to listen to his voice, feel his heartbeat, his warmth and his soothing presence close to her.

Why? She had no clue.

Seryu had always been a curious girl and humans fascinated her more than any other creature. They were everything she wanted to be, the lives they lived were admired by the pure-hearted Shinigami and all those different emotions they were able to feel--even if it was just for a single person--were absolutely magical to her. And this man, more than anyone else, was magical to her. He turned around and smiled again but instead of just letting him speak and introduce himself, she moved forward and her small hands slid up his chest until they both rested on his heart. “Jian,” she repeated and smiled warmly, “that’s a beautiful name. It suits you rather well.” And she meant it. “Jian, please smile when you’re happy. Don’t force yourself to smile when you’re not. I want to see what you truly feel anytime I look at you.” Her voice was rather meek, almost a little shy as she feared he could take her plea the wrong way.

Her desire to get to know him grew so she would beg for his honesty and his approval.

I know your name because we are in love.

He squeezed her hands and she could feel how they were beginning to tremble. In love? With him? She wanted to deny it, she’d never seen him before after all, but what she felt in his presence was the honesty she had asked for. Seryu swallowed her thoughts and listened politely, even returning the little squeeze he had given her to cheer him up. His feelings were a mess, she could tell that much and she hated it to see him in such a miserable state.

Why was he so easy to read for her anyways? His Reiatsu was almost too familiar.

Nagisa assaulted you.

Now she had to protest. “Jian please, I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t know how you know about Nagisa, but no such thing ever happened. We’ve been friends for a long time, she would never hurt me or the people I care about!” She believed in her own words and she hoped he would too. Seryu was a decent healer and clearly she had forgotten something she shouldn’t have. Jian. But he, on the other side, remembered things and events that had never happened. She wanted to help him first and her hands rested on his cheek now. She could easily cast her Kaido through her Gigai, she would do anything to help him understand and ease his pain.

But then he kissed her. And of all the hundred million possibilities she considered not once did she entertain the notion that she might simply kiss him back.

Their lips found each other with ease, her body moved against his, hands searching for a place to hold on to and just like that, she was swept again. Her cheeks reddened and Seryu began to struggle. The poor girl forgot to breathe. How else could it be? He pulled back and every fiber of her body protested violently against their separation. She looked up to him, still gasping for air, confusion written all over face. There was hope in his words, his confession of love melted her heart and yet she had to force herself to be honest with him. After all, it was what she had been asking for as well.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, shaking her head a little in despair. “I don’t know who you are, Jian. All I know is that I’m a Shinigami and if I could fall in love with Mortal, I know it would be you. But I can’t because I’m married. I’m married and I don’t know why it’s you that I’m holding in my arms. I don’t know why there are things that I feel like I should remember, but I don’t.” Tears welled up in her eyes, guilt overcame the petite girl. “I want to know why this room and everything in it has your scent. I want to know why I feel like I’ve held you so many times before, without even knowing you. I want to know why I don’t know how and when you fell in love with me.”

She knew he wasn’t lying when he said those things. She had no ability to read his mind whatsoever, but something inside her made her believe that he said the truth. And could those eyes really lie?

“Please, I don’t know what else to do, so at least let me get to know you.”

Her fingers wrapped around her left hand, searching for the ring she wanted to show him. Her wedding ring, with her husband’s name engraved in it. But instead, she found it empty. Even more confused now, Seryu looked down at her own hands, mumbling something about ‘where’s my ring’--little did she know that it was still in Kasumi’s possession with a completely different name in it--only to realize that her real body couldn’t wear it either.

She’d lost her left arm. It was gone and the prosthesis could not wear a ring at all.

Seryu’s body froze.

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1112 W O R D S
22 P O S T GP
46 T O T A L GP

And he was back, just like that. With a deep breath he could feel life return to his limbs, the panic recede and his emotions settled. It was scary for a moment there but the worst had passed.

If she didn't remember their love, then he would simply have her fall in love with him again.

When they kissed he knew that all was not lost.

He moved a hand up to her cheek and sighed in a patient way, shaking his head a little. "No no no Seryu, it's okay, I'm so sorry, it's okay. You don't need to worry if you remember right now. There's something going on here, and it's wrong but it's going to be okay soon. I promise, and you know that I mean it."

He drew a short breath, pulling her close to him in a gentle embrace trying to do his best to soothe her worries.

"You told me that you belonged to me, and no one else. That there would always be a way for me to bring you back, even when all felt hopeless."

He release her and shifted back, taking her hands in his and pressing them together gently. "Thank you, for that, for pulling me out of the darkness. I wish I had said then what I will say now. That I too belong to you, and nobody else. That I will always be there to bring you back to me, even when all is hopeless. That nothing could ever change that."

The Seryu he loved was in there, she had just gotten a little lost on her way back to him, all the infinite darker possibilities had melted. A ring missing, an illusion shodily put together but why? To punish her? To get to him? It didn't matter in that moment, but at some point it would.

And they would pay.

"You are so much stronger than whatever sad pathetic thing did this to you."

He led her gently to her feet, felt the wind gather around them gently. "I will show you the truth."

They appeared in the sky, twinkling above the city of Karakura. Beneath them the city streets lay spread, sprawling in directions rebuilt from the destruction that had been done and the multitude of people below going about their lives. "I could show you the places we spent our nights hand in hand, the places we looked upon the stars together. I could show you the things we've done together, places with shared meals and time frittered away in long walks together. Where we met. Where we first kissed. The first time I tried to teach you to swim. I could tell you how my heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest when I showed up on the balcony to ask you out."

He shook his head. "There are so many things our love has been built upon, even if they have erased your memory of it, in here," he placed a hand over her heart. "You still remember me, you remember our love."

"Listen to it Seryu. Ignore what your mind says and follow your heart, where is it telling you to go?" He closed his eyes and took her hands in his as the winds gathered and waited for her command.

554/11/37 GP Total

“Please don’t apologize,” Seryu interrupted him and smiled awkwardly at Jian. She still felt concerned for the young Mortal, and although his mind and spirit had calmed down she couldn’t help but think that he hated the situation they were in. Something had happened to them, something she couldn’t remember--perhaps even refused to remember--and Seryu couldn’t escape the feeling that it should be her comforting him, telling him they would be alright for as long as they were together and not the other way round. He visited her just like that and she didn’t question it. He knew she was a Shinigami, a spirit and she didn’t question it. He told her they were in love, he kissed her and showed her everything he felt for her - and she didn’t question it. Those feelings she could sense were so beautiful that Seryu was almost a little too stubborn to give up on them.

She wasn’t alone, she had a partner, a wonderful husband who she had been with for so many years and yet, when Jian came to see her it felt as if all her feelings of loneliness not only had revealed themselves, but also vanished out of sight. Her heart had regained something by seeing Jian and it was that precious feeling she wasn’t going to give up on. She was going to explore it, she was going to find the answers they both deserved to know. But none of that helped her with being less confused. Part of Seryu wanted to protest against the intrusive man but the young woman simply didn’t have the heart to do it.

“I have no idea what you mean,” Seryu confessed and turned her head away, only so he wouldn’t have to look at that derpy expression of her’s, “but I trust you. And if it’s a promise, I know you will keep it.” Had she really told him all those things? That she belonged to him, that she loved him? Seryu would never betray another person, let alone her husband - she knew that much. She was loyal to him and yet she couldn’t help but think that Jian was right, that his words were the truth. Her mind was a tangled up mess of confusion and so she decided to follow his advice and listen to her heart instead.

And before she knew what was happening, he had pulled her close to his body and for a moment, she felt the wind gather around them. A moment passed, then another one and suddenly, Seryu found herself in his arms but no longer inside her bedroom. Her eyes widened immediately and as she looked down, all the Magic was gone. She clinged tightly to his body, a desperate action that was followed by a shriek and lots of flailing. “I-it’s telling me to go back into my room!!!” She exclaimed horrified and pointed back towards her balcony. “It’s telling to go back to my room and change my clothes, please!” Her face had gotten pale first, but after only a few moments of realizing in what situation she was in, it turned red and quickly resembled a tomato.

Luckily, Jian was an understanding man and the moment he set her back onto the balcony, the young woman rushed inside and proceeded to raid her closet. Her mind was still spinning and all those things he had said to her weren’t lost on her. Do all of these places really exist? she wondered and the urge to find out the truth overcame her. If Jian says they do, it must be true, right?

But before Seryu could find out anything, she needed something to wear. The girl dug into the ridiculous amount of human clothes she owned and quickly stripped down the silly nightgown to switch into some underwear. Jian hadn’t reacted to certain body parts of her at all so far and the girl quickly forgot about it. After a while, the whole bed room--including Jian himself--were buried underneath dozens of clothes and when she finally turned around, Seryu presented herself to him in a waist-high, pastel rosé coloured skirt with soft waves in it, combined with a loose-fitting white tank top which complimented her chest. “How is this?” She asked and bit her lower lip nervously. “A pair of beige pumps will do!”

Boys will be boys and Seryu realized quickly that Jian had little to say about her outer appearance, so she decided to get over with it. After getting ahold of her purse--girls will be girls after all--she returned to his side and wrapped her slender arms around his neck. Seryu poked his nose with her’s and smiled brightly at Jian. “Let’s go on a date then. I’d like you to take me to the place where we used to dine together. I want to talk to you just a little bit first, I want you to tell me everything about you. And I also want to eat.”

What? She was starving after all!

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836 W O R D S
16 P O S T GP
62 T O T A L GP

He grinned, realizing what exactly he had done, how she panicked and flailed and carried on about her nudity. He could have said something like, just leave the Gigai, but then it was just such a perfectly her moment he didn't dare interfere. He descended, stood atop the railing and lowered her down, letting her rush back inside the get dressed. "As you wish," he inclined his head politely and took a seat waiting.

Together, one way or the other. She was right, they didn't have to worry what came so long as they were together. He leaned dangerously off the railing, slipping back such that only his legs could be seen over the edge while she proceeded to raid her closet. He didn't feel like prying right now, even though he'd taken the poor woman up into the sky like that it was because he was more swept up in the moment than anything else. There would come time for those feelings, when she could return them properly.

As he heard her footsteps appearing he pulled himself upright and standing in front of her. He made to bow in a dramatic way but she had already slipped her arms around his neck.

His heart skipped a beat.

With face flushing, nose pressing against hers just as gently he did his best not to cut her off with a kiss, took a slow breath and tried to keep it out of his expression. "Of course, that sounds good. You look...beautiful by the way," His hand took hers gently and he hopped up to the railing gently.

"Food first, we'll figure out where to go from there." He bent low and kissed the top of her hand and vanished along with her.

They appeared on the open streets, Jian taking her arm gently as he led her through the city. "I prefer to walk with you a ways if that's alright. I'm in no rush, I'm sure you can understand why," he looked long into her eyes with a look of pure contentment.

"So, you wanted to know about me right? As well as eat of course, it isn't far trust me." He smiled at her. "It's weird, introducing myself to you, haha," his expression darkened for a moment, but soon brightened. "But who can say they've been so lucky as to go on two first dates with someone as beautiful as you?" He brightened again, focusing on the positives made this somewhat manageable.

"I grew up in Karakura, only child, my parents passed away when it was attacked, the same time I gained my powers. I fell in love with you shortly after that. We met when I was trying to purify a spirit actually, a young child" he grinned at the memory. "You accused me of being a pedophile. I had no idea what I was doing of course. Then we-"

He looked over. "Spoilers though! You'll remember soon I think, no worries. I don't want to fill your head with my version."

He reached over and opened the door to the restaurant for her and walked in after securing them a table. A place fancy enough to satisfy her, quiet and private. They'd eaten here before, more often they ate together, perhaps that would have been more true to them, get her to make food for him. He suppressed a smile, amused at how that might play out. He wasn't directing the show this time, she needed to. Her memories couldn't be his, he needed her to remember her own love, her own feelings without him forcing them on her.

Or it wouldn't be right.

"So, more about me I guess? Maybe you should tell me about yourself? The you that you remember and we'll see how much has changed. You say you don't remember fighting with Nagisa?" Hmm, he seemed troubled for a moment and gave her a chance to speak while he assembled himself.

"I was a bigger nerd before my powers, I like videogames, I like..." he drifted off for a moment watching her. It was getting difficult again. To stare at her and say things and see that expression. The one that didn't know him.

"You," he smiled finding that purpose again. "Sorry, you're just so beautiful, I've missed you so much. I'm sure I seem so strange to you I just...can't help it I guess. I never really can when it comes to you."

"I'm sorry, I got off track. Was there anything specific you wanted to know about me?"

A soft pair of lips, a sweet compliment and the warmth of his body was all it took for Seryu to trust this stranger of a man. She felt fearless, her mind had given up on protesting against this unreal love for the moment and her head rested upon his chest, eagerly awaiting the moment he’d take her away. And when he did, she was astonished by everything he was capable of, craving to learn more about him. As they appeared on the streets, he reached out to take her arm but she took his hand instead to intertwine their fingers. Seryu decided to give him a moment, speaking almost felt like a waste of time, time she could use to listen to his voice instead. So the young beauty remained silent, her fingers played with his and she became his careful listener. Every word that came out of his mouth, no matter how awkward it was, she would remember it.

She saw his expression darken for a moment and when it did, she quickly catched up to him and gently placed her index-finger upon his lips. Their eyes locked and her hand slipped up to his cheek, pulling his face a little closer to her own so she could bring her lips up to his ear. “Thank you,” she whispered and smiled lovingly at him. “I’m glad you took me with you, despite me not being able to remember you. I’m grateful to you for not abandoning me.” Now it was her voice that had taken on a sadder tone. “I don’t know what there was between us and I’m scared to find out about it. My life is in balance and this might ruin everything, but something tells me you are worth it.” She sighed and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. “We have all the time in the world. Lets enjoy it together.”

A few things about Seryu would perhaps never change. How much she needed physical interactions to convey her feelings was most likely one of them. She refused to speak when he did, simply because she wished to listen to his whole story and everything he had to tell her, but her body language sung songs about how comfortable and happy she felt around him. She often sought out more contact than she would have been comfortable with if this was any other man and when they sat down at their table, her hand immediately slid over the wooden surface to take his. “I remember the Karakura Incursion. I’m sorry to hear about what happened to your parents.” She squeezed his hand and her smile brightened up a little. “But I don’t think I’d ever call anyone a pedophile!” She chuckled and shook her head,amused at the turn this had taken.

Seryu ordered a simple meal, a fish dish alongside with some mango juice and the moment the waiter disappeared, her attention reverted back to Jian. “Video games…? I do have a few video games at home! We should play later tonight, I bet I can crush you at Mario Kart!”

And then she saw it again, that unhappy expression of his which always broke her heart. Seryu couldn’t help the situation, even now she felt like she was lying to herself. His scent was familiar, the way they kissed made her feel nostalgic. Their bodies seemed to recognize each other, the way they moved together told the story of a couple who had been together for a while and yet, she couldn’t remember him. She couldn’t remember him at all and she felt unbelievable guilty and dirty for being here with him and for touching him the way she did.

It wasn’t fair for either of them and she believed that Jian didn’t deserve that.

“A-anyways,” her voice broke a little, but she shook those negative thoughts off for now. “There is something I want to know actually. I’ve never met a spiritual.. mortal like you before. I heard you are capable of fighting hollows.. defeating them even.” Her eyes widened and she slightly leaned over the table. “Jian, after dinner, would you please show me your powers? Please please please? I’m dying to see them!”

Little did Seryu know that this would just be another bittersweet déjà vu for them.

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719 W O R D S
14 P O S T GP
76 T O T A L GP

He smiled sadly nodding slowly. They ordered their food, ate their meal and talked in the way two strangers did while their bodies betrayed that they were more than that. He wanted to be angry at whoever had done it, but now it felt pointless. It wouldn't undo it to be mad, all he had to do was keep going, keep up the act and hope at some point something in her would spark an awakening in her.

It had to.

But then what if it didn't? What if she never remembered? Would she accept this strange story from a mortal of a love that once was when her mind told her of a love with another? Could she fall for him a second time knowing the misery that lay ahead?

It didn't matter. He would try either way.

He smiled earnestly at her mention of Mario Kart, there was a positive. She didn't remember him nor her incredibly savage record of stomping his face in at video games. A shot at redemption! "Yes, that sounds like fun," he said, all the while plotting his great revenge. Bwahahaha.

"You want to...see my power?" He folded his arms slowly and considered. There was a place that might resonate strongly with her, a number of them really but one he was saving. "Just, see them right?" He clicked his tongue against his teeth in a concerned way. "So long as it is just a simple demonstration." Memories he had but she did not informed his reticence. He couldn't tell her though, that was against the rules and besides he wasn't super eager to recite the story either, nor to call up the sight of her dying.

They finished their meal, Jian paid and left a nice tip before helping her outside. The fresh night air helped, helped him focus on the simple fact that he was with her. He smiled at her. "I had a great time at dinner, thank you," and leaned low to plant a soft kiss on her cheek. He stood up and took her hands gently. "Since you wanted to see my power, I know of a spot."

They moved, it didn't take long even if he wanted the scenic route. "Please, take every precaution Seryu. I am serious. You don't have memories of me so you probably don't know what us mortals are capable of," he smiled at her mischievously. "I will remind you."

They appeared in a rush of wind the echoed silently through the dead part of the forest. This was Seryu's work, handedly it stretched out in all directions some distance. "Let me know if you remember anything," he said quietly, as he began to walk away from her.

The cape. He should use it and yet he hesitated. It was a symbol now of a past he didn't appreciate, a time when he thought this spiritual world as a joke.

And yet...even as she mocked him for it the look in her eyes when she saw him, saw it laid across his shoulders. "Don't laugh, alright? I used to use this when I started but I don't anymore." And then it appeared, a simple expression of his will and the reiatsu sprang into existence around him forming into the long cape that stretched across his shoulders and down to his feet. "I used to wear this before I fought, it let me use my powers more easily. Kind of a crutch I don't need anymore," He took the spiritual fabric in his hands and lifted it up to the light, leaving it there to be studied for a moment before letting it drop.

"Anyway, my powers. I can move quick, fly as you saw, throw a hell of a punch which you may see. My body can take punishments that should kill me, but as notable powers go it all comes down to uh, my special techniques."

"It's called Punch Arts. Remember. No laughing." He pointed a stern finger in her direction and broke out a grin.

"When I first started I could do simple things," he jabbed a fist and wordless a lance of raw energy shot forth, consumed the air between them and vanished. "I would chant something like 'Raw power heed my call and rush across the earth seeking but one thing: Punch Art #1, Destruction.' before I did it to help me focus my power. I know. It's ludicrous, no laughing," he sternly reminded but smiled just the same.

"Then I worked on doing things more complicated, a punch that would tear through defenses and armor. One that if it lands confuses the opponent's ability to defend. Another, but I'll keep that secret for now." Quietly he focused his energy, forming the power inside to be used at a moments notice.

"I learned more complex tricks, combining those mores to be used at range," as he spoke multi colored orbs of light began to dance atop his fingers, swirling and orbiting around his hand. "This one would explode like the first," it streaked past her suddenly and exploded behind her, the heat would reach her but little else. "This one would burst through defenses before detonation," he said and it too streaked past her before exploding harmlessly in the air. One by one he went through them, tricks, ones that would scatter and dance around her before detonating as well.

"That's all you've seen but, I didn't stop experimenting. I've actually learned some new tricks, but...those. Too dangerous, sorry." He smiled and brushed his hands off. "Anything else you wanted to see?"

936/18/70 GP Total

Seryu shared many precious moments with Jian. He was so handsome and his smile had already stolen her heart the moment he came flying through her balcony window for the first time. They bonded in a beautiful way and nothing felt more right than the chemistry between them. And yet, something about the situation bothered her in a way she couldn’t place. It felt wrong not holding his hand, it felt wrong not being in his arms and she almost feared they were running out of time. Seryu suddenly wished to skip all those unnecessary steps so she could be with him, where she belonged. Before he ran out of time.

It’s because he’s a mortal. You know he can’t stay with you forever.

Listening to a stranger’s voice was nothing like her, but she knew they weren’t wrong. He was mortal and his life was so much more fragile than her’s. Outliving your loved ones was among her greatest fears and once she and Jian experienced how wonderful their life together could be, his mortality would take it away from her again? Take him away from her again? Just thinking about it made her feel sick. Seryu refused to believe that she would allowed herself to fall for a man like him whilst knowing the consequences and the grief that awaited her. And still, every time he spoke and their eyes met she wanted nothing but to be with him.

“Yes,” she confirmed and nodded eagerly, “please demonstrate your powers to me.” He seemed a little sceptical about it but agreed nonetheless - much to Seryu’s delight. They left the restaurant and she squirmed a little upon feeling the softness of his lips pressing against her cheeks. She still hadn’t gotten used to that insane intimacy between them and her body reacted way too strongly to everything he did. He took her with him and within an instant, they had vanished again. Seryu kept her eyes closed until she could feel the ground back under her feet and once she opened them again, the young woman gasped in shock.

Wasteland.

The awful sight nearly stunned her. Death dominated the scenery and she grew anxious, covering the mouth to keep the toxic scent away from her organs. “Who could have done such a thing?” Clearly, she had no idea. Jian moved and Seryu quickly followed him across the barren field. She was in a state of concern but the man quickly pulled her out of it with a few comments about his powers which honestly made her laugh. “You sound rather confident about your abilities to impress me,” she cooed and took a respectful step backwards so she could see whatever it was that he would show her now.

And that’s when things were beginning to get ridiculous.

She should have known when he told her not to laugh, but Seryu was a light-hearted girl who loved to laugh and when his cape appeared, she simply couldn’t help it. Holding her belly with tears in her eyes, the helpless Shinigami made her way over to Jian and wrapped her arms around his upper body, pulling him close while she was still trying to get her chuckles under control. Her cheek rested upon his chest and she closed her eyes for a moment, allowing herself to rest before she looked up to him and smiled meekly at the man. “My hero,” she whispered and hid her face in his chest again.

What followed now was not much less hilarious and before Seryu knew what happened, she broke out into more snickering once again. “I have to admit.. it does sound silly. But if you do it, it’s kinda cool.” There it was again, that shy smile. Needless to say, Seryu was quite impressed by his demonstration of skills, but when he told her he still had something he refused to show her, she got a little unhappy.

Too dangerous? But she really wanted to see..

Seduce him. He’ll do anything you ask him for, it’s rather easy.
I’d never manipulate him like that.
It’s not manipulating, he wants your love. And you want to see his strength.
And she did. She did want to see his strength.
Just do it. He’ll be happy to get a treat from you every now and then.

Seryu swallowed. Was that true? Would Jian be happy if she asked him for a favour and awarded him in return? It wasn’t manipulating, right? He could always say no after all..

“You’re impressive,” a shy whisper, her face flushed, “and so strong. I really wish I could see more of it.” Her fingers trailed down his chest and magically found their ways underneath his shirt. Slowly moving it upwards until his bare chest was revealed, Seryu leaned in and planted a soft kiss right where his heart was. “Hey Jian… if you show me your true strength, you will get another one of these. Anywhere you would like.” An innocent smile spread across her face and with her fingers, she drew little hearts all over his skin.

It would be okay because they wanted each other anyways, right?

________________
860 W O R D S
17 P O S T GP
93 T O T A L GP

Jian exhaled and let out a slight smile. Of course it wouldn't rest with that. She'd want to see it, she'd try to get him to, plead with him, demand. But oh no, he'd cry, you'd get hurt! And she'd launch out everything she had. That was how the memory went, anyway. He wasn't here to just retread old ground, this was his time with Seryu, new memories even if she didn't have the old ones, even if they were steeped in familiarity.

The cape slipped from his shoulders, evaporated into the air in a beautiful array of white wisps of spiritual energy. "You're very kind to say it, but I think I've outgrown most of those childish things. Well, at least on the outside," he grinned and winked at her. He blinked as her voice shifted, the shy whisper and flushed face. "W-well," he began stammering flushing from praise. Worse from the way her hands began to search through his shirt, exposing his bare chest. He let out a groan, this was so mean, but so undeniably pleasant. The rush of hormones hit him immediately, like a truck and did their best to swallow up the senses of reason and self restraint. His hands brushed along where he could find mostly along her back as she bent low to plant a soft kiss on her chest. Shivered where her fingers drew slow hearts on his skin.

He grinned at her as she looked up to him and made her request. "You never change," he whispered sighing with a sense of contentment. "You wanted to see more, I feel almost like I should drag out my no just to see what you'd do."

In an instant his energy changed, where it was bright, burning in a joyful away it went dead silent, existed in a simple condensed way inside of himself. In that same moment the air around his skin grew thick with spiritual energy. He shifted back a half step and around him the thick black robes burst into existence around him, settling around his feet, a dark hood concealing his face. He slipped it off easily and gave her a smile. "But I could never say not you," he winked. It had the added effect of restoring the concentration she so quickly robbed him.

"Right, so this is I guess the first part of it. The cloak serves to help me unleash my next stage of power, similar to the Shinigami bankai although much less flashy. I will show you two," he shot out two fingers, "Count it, two of my techniques. No more than that, or you put me at risk, even more than yourself!"

He grinned again then took a slow even breath and let it fade. These techniques were easy to do in fight, just let loose and go. The real trick was using them outside of it, and not killing any body.

He stepped away from her, turned his back before he reached a few steps away and immediately 180'd. His palm shot forth and from it an echo of raw power like white lightning lanced forth, countless tendrils of sharp power pierced the air and rushed towards Seryu, breaking and twisting wildly as dozens sought to pierce her. Inches before contact they broke, shifting direction as wild as they had approached and skirted around her. The air filled with hit and exploded with raw power, she was untouched.

"Are you satisfied with that? Neh? Perhaps I can save the Earth shattering techniques for something more deserving than a demonstration?" She would of course object and he would sigh heavily, ever the showmen. Things you had to fight for all the sweeter, weren't they? He'd smile finally, as if surrendering to her and move close to her, putting her arms around her gently. "Stay close, please." He wouldn't let her disappear again.

The air began to hum around them, filling with a sense of warmth perceptible only to those with a spiritual sense, the kind of heat generated by raw spiritual presence. Before them white orbs began to appear, small in size, no larger than a baseball, but everywhere, a dozen of feet apart each, stretching not only around but above as well, filling the air for some distance.

"Don't move," he whispered.

And they exploded, each of them filling the air in a multitude of colors, a demonstration akin to being in the midst of the detonations of a fireworks show. The energy hissed with raw destructive power, close, every close to their and yet they remained untouched.

It was over quick, mere moments leaving a settling dust.

"There, satisfied?" He let her go and smiled.

783/15/85 GP Total

You put me at risk, even more than yourself.

His words were crushing and Seryu suddenly lost the will to speak. A weak protest, she rose her arms and shook her head gently, but he’d made his mind up and moved forward, preparing himself to demonstrate to her all the things she wished to see so badly. Overwhelmed by guilt, Seryu stood in shock as she watched him using his immense powers so carelessly, all because of her.

You just couldn’t help it. You just had to ask him, right?
I didn’t think it would be dangerous for him as well!
Well, isn’t that obvious? You’re making him use all that power for nothing.
It was never my intention to put so much pressure on him...I didn’t meant it like that!
He’s going to be so exhausted because of your greed. It’s all your fault.

Tears welled up in her eyes, a silent rebellion against the unknown voice she kept hearing. Seryu was pulled back into reality the moment Jian released his disturbing Reiatsu all at once. It rushed towards her and the girl--unprepared and caught off-guard--screamed in panic and took a step backwards when the explosion went off. It was only afterwards that she realized he hadn’t hurt her at all. Breathing heavily, Seryu quickly returned to him and fell into his arms. He wrapped his around her and she shook her head once again, looking up to the man who still had so much resentment in his voice, but before he gave her the chance to speak, he did it again.

Surrounded by an array of orbs which would soon explode into a million different colors, Seryu clung desperately to her man, unable to take her eyes of the spectacle he’d prepared solely for her. The earth underneath them trembled and the air was filled with smoke. Seryu covered her mouth and pressed her face against his chest, waiting a few moments until it was all over. When she finally managed to speak, her voice had gotten a little quiet. “So strong..when have humans become so strong?” She spoke and her voice carried the sound of disbelief in it when saw what Jian was capable of. It was frightening and yet astonishing at the same time.

“Amazing,” she whispered and looked up to him. “You are amazing, Jian. I’m sorry for making you do this, I wasn’t expecting this. I didn’t think you were this strong.” She smiled meekly at him and took his hands into her’s, massaging and kissing them gently as if to say ‘sorry for letting you do such hard work’. “Hey Jian.. are there many humans like you? Humans with such power? I can’t help but wonder if you would even need Shinigami like me..” It was an honest question and Seryu began to admire the man more and more. “Look at all the things you are capable of. It’s really amazing. I wish I was that strong.” Seryu looked down and a disappointed expression spread across her face. “I wish I was a better Shinigami. If I could help humans more I’d be able to spend more time with them. They fascinate me after all.”

There was another idea that came to her mind and Seryu had already noticed it the moment she’d lifted up his skirt. His body was covered in scars and older wounds. They all had healed well but the scars remained. “Jian, say, do you fight a lot? Do you get in trouble a lot because of your powers? I wouldn’t want that. If possible, could you count on me to purify Hollows instead? I wouldn’t want you to get hurt because a Shinigami is incapable of keeping the balance.” Seryu felt concerned for his well-being, but she hadn’t forgotten about the promise she’d made to him.

“Anyways, where would you like your ki--”

Her question was interrupted by the sound of two Denreishinkis ringing at the same time.

________________
662 W O R D S
13 P O S T GP
106 T O T A L GP

He shot her a look when all was said and done, noting the shock in her expression. A lot of the emotional duress was lost while he was deep in focus, unaware of the turmoil that ran through her mind. The techniques he preformed required absolutely focus to control. It wouldn't have surprised him if he did know how she felt though, it was his Seryu after all. "It happened in the absence I think. We mortals had to get very strong very quick to handle the world around us, not that it's the Shinigami's fault, you can't be everywhere at once."

He beamed when she praised him and smiled. "I'm sorry, it's alright, I don't mind honestly, I practice like this, it isn't often I get to show off for someone as beautiful as you. Thank you for," he drifted off for a moment as she kissed his hands and broke into a smile. "...your praise..." he managed though it didn't seem altogether important at the moment.

"People like me? I can count a few, but they've gone and I haven't been able to find them in a while. As far as I know I'm the strongest human still operating openly. That said...many others have powers like mine, still growing. There could be dozens just like me in a short time, a lot sooner than you think." He tapped his chin. "I'd say, a year? Though I think among them I am...kind of a special case," he said without an ounce of pride. Nobody seemed to have a growth like his, it was just a matter of fact, and a disturbing one at that.

"Don't be so hard on yourself, you've grown immensely since we met, leaps and bounds really, I don't think it'll be too much longer until you catch back up to me. Being a better Shinigami though," he let out a sigh and thought on that for a moment. "I think, the one thing Shinigami need to learn, is that moments matter. I think their age gets in the way of things. They tend to see the big picture and forget its made up of smaller ones. Humanity and the Shinigami need to be together, equals. I don't think the Shinigami will ever understand that though," he shrugged helplessly. "We don't live centuries so they forget the impact we can leave."

"You're a great Shinigami though, Seryu. Truly. You gave me a chance when nobody else dared to, kept me alive through my dangerous scraps., put me back together so I could keep learning and grow where I should have died. You're the reason I'm still here. I live on, to make good on what you've done for me." He sighed, full of love. "Yeah, that's why I have all these scars, lots of fights against people I shouldn't fight. Neh? I mean. I don't mind if you wanna do the heavy lifting, but I won't hesitate to step in if it seems like you might be in trouble. Deal?"

"Huhn?" The Denreishinki went off in his backpocket. "Ah of course, perfect timing," he murmured as he flipped his out.

526/10/95 GP Total

________________
853 W O R D S
17 P O S T GP
123 T O T A L GP

He smiled, felt the way they resonated with her and felt a little sad as well. It was a difference of existence, further than any human conflict he knew. Maybe there was a chance for reconciliation but he couldn't help but feel it slip further and further as he went. The Denreishinki did a natural job of cutting the conversation off before it could sink, with a quick glance he confirmed what his senses were already informing him. A Menos class emerging near a residential area. Could it be? He wondered for a moment with morbid curiosity. Perhaps the sight of the same one would jog her memory.

Then she did something that shocked him. She remembered. He stared at her gaping for a moment and it seemed like she didn't even know, had no clue what she had just done or said, but she was already moving and immediately his concerns joined her. Strong as she was Jian would worry, it's just what he did.

"That's fine, it is your job after all, Shinigami," he grinned playfully. "But my energy is fine, please, I can hear the worry in your voice. I wouldn't have done it if I couldn't handle it, and whatever boogie men await us today. I promise."

She'd fished out her Soul Glove while they spoke and slipped it on, he waited in anticipation. He'd missed seeing her, the real her and was worried he wouldn't get a chance to today. "Oh, nothing you wouldn't want me to do, I promise," he shot back returning her wink. He caught her body as she slipped out and stole a glance at her beautiful form.

And stopped cold. Red eyes. Short white hair. Prosthetic Arm.

Scars. Scars everywhere. Stretching long and short and twisting and winding. Torn flesh healed. Marks of something. Marks of something someone had done.

The gigai had dropped to his feet, he was only dimly aware of it. She said something but he didn't hear and then she was off charging the Menos.

Power sprang to his fingertips. It hissed around him echoing his will, responding to his deep and dark desires. The air shuddered around him, ground quaking under his feet. How dangerous it was to feel like that. In a temper tantrum he might have struck a wall in anger, just overcome by the desire to destroy, to exert your will against the world around you. To threaten danger to the thing that had dared inspire those feelings in you, for even a moment.

As a kid, as a young man it would maybe result in some dented drywall and an angry talking to. Now, he could level buildings, and who could stop him?

Someone had hurt his Seryu, someone had dared to consider for a moment that they had any right to lay a hand on her. To hurt her. To poison her mind. The scars dressed on her flesh were a flag of defiance to him, to his love for her, to his power. He felt it burn inside him.

He wanted to wreck RUINATION upon the world until whoever had done it DARED showed their face so he could UNMAKE them.  Power built further, dancing on the tip of his fingers. He was only dimly aware of the act.

His hand reached up and pulled the cloak over his head and he finally exhaled. With it the power that built faded as quickly as it had come. He couldn't control himself, not when it really counted, but he was learning when better to cut himself off. His fight with Nagisa had taught him that hard earned lesson.

The Menos was slain with little effort, he remarked with a detached sense of curiosity that it was not the one from their shared past. She returned to him quickly and studied him. It didn't seem to take long for her to figure out the change, he gave her an easy smile. "Your scars, your arm, your hair, your eyes, they have all changed from last we met. The eyes are a curiosity, your hair still looks lovely with that bow, and I must admit while shocking that arm is...quite incredible." His hand extended to examine it gently.

"I have to say though, your scars. Someone did those to you, recently, do you remember who?" Even cut off the question burned. He might be able to cut himself from the wild anger, but he would find out who did it, and he would end their existence. It was only now a matter of patience. Something inside him burned brightly at the thought of that satisfaction.

"Oh, I'm being rude, forgive me, the changes to your appearance are quite drastic, I didn't even mention the armor, it looks quite useful. Less flammable I hope?"

"You did great work with the Menos, by the way. And did you notice you remembered giving me the Denreishinki?"

His voice wasn't quite empty, but it seemed rather flat. Muted. Not formal, but simplistic emotionally. It didn't carry the rich tones of his love in every word, although he still clearly conveyed it, but it also didn't convey his raw emotional anger at the sight of her injuries so it seemed a worthy trade.

877/17/113 GP Total

Another shift in the atmosphere. Once the Menos Grande was slain, Seryu was once again reminded of just how powerful this human was. She returned to him and when she saw how his expression had darkened and the way he looked at her now, the young Shinigami felt disheartened in an instant. He’d dropped the precious Gigai to the ground carelessly, not even bothering with picking it up afterwards and Seryu was overwhelmed by an emotion she’d felt several times these past few weeks. Insecurity. The girl swallowed her tears and pressed her lips tightly together, desperately trying not to break out in tears.

What was wrong with her?

She’d noticed the way people had started looking at her. She disgusted them for a reason she couldn’t explain and after getting over the scars she’d carried with herself for so long, Seryu was brought back to a time where she had to be ashamed of her body. She simply couldn’t understand why this was happening. The scars were old, they’d covered her body for decades now, same with the arm which she’d lost in an accident earlier in her career. People had accepted her since then, they didn’t seem to mind the change in her appearance and yet a few weeks ago, they’d started it all over again.

They were staring at her. And now Jian was staring too.

She shook her head gently and tears streamed down her face in silent rebellion. “No,” she began, but her voice broke before she could finish. “Nothing has changed… absolutely nothing. I’ve always been like this but recently people started staring at me.. They were disgusted at what they saw and I don’t understand. These scars were a lesson for me, I earned them throughout the years, long before you were even born. Same with this arm. Are they really that ugly? Am I really that ugly that I deserve to be stared at like I'm some sort of abomination?” She pulled her arm away when he reached out to stroke it and bent low to pick up her Gigai instead. “If you hate it, you don’t have to look at it. The Gigai is pretty, just how you like it, right?” Seryu exhaled a sharp breath and entered the lifeless body so she didn’t have to wipe the tears from her eyes.

“Jian, I don’t know who you are. I don’t know why you keep saying all these things, I don’t know why you pretend to know anything about me. I’m married. I have a husband. I’m a soldier and I’ve had these scars, these eyes, this hair for ages. You tell me how I’ve changed, how I’m not as you want me to be and while I can’t explain this connection between us or why I feel so strongly for you, I want you to know that your words hurt me.” But she still didn’t want him to leave her.

Haunted by the sudden fear that her harsh words might drive him away, Seryu pressed her hands together and bowed slightly in front of him. “I’m… I’m sorry Jian. It’s not that I don’t trust you it’s just.. he’s been away for a while now. I don’t know where he is and with all these people giving me weird looks and you showing up and telling me you’re my lost love.. It’s just so confusing. I feel like a whore just standing here with you and it drives me crazy and at the same time I can’t get myself to leave you because I’m secretly looking forward to the next few day I’ll be spending by your side.” All she wanted was for him to stop saying such hurtful things after all.

________________
621 W O R D S
12 P O S T GP
135 T O T A L GP

He might have laughed, or cried, or screamed or grown angry but instead he did none of those things. He simply raised a finger and pressed it gently to her lips when she was done talking. He hadn't a chance to explain himself through any of it, better to let her burn out he decided. "I apologize Seryu, I did not mean any of those things. I know to you this has been like it has probably all of your life, but all of what I said is different to me. It has nothing to do with your looks, it has nothing to do with ugliness, and as a point the Gigai is but a cheap imitation to the real thing, that has always been true and holds true now."

"Someone hurt you, those scars are wound inflicted between the time we last saw one another. Along with that, your arm too...my love. The reason I am looking at you like this is because I am so angry that someone dared touch you that if I lower this veil before I calm down, I will lose control and I cannot afford to."

It felt like a message from them to him. Look how easy we can take her, look how easy we can hurt her. And there's nothing you can do about it. Perhaps self-centered but why else? Part of him feared he knew all too well why. To have her react like that though, he'd like to believe that was something they did but, then, that was Seryu. He could smile at that another time. "Please understand."  His hand lowered from her lips.

"I've only ever wanted the real you Seryu. I know this is confusing, I know it's hard to take, but while your mind is telling you lies, you know your feelings when you see me. You know who I am, even if your brain tells you otherwise. None of this makes sense otherwise, where did I get the Denreishinki? You said it yourself."

"Aside from that, your scars look fine, they're your scars, the only thing that I care that you endured them, that I know it was recent too." He moved to take her hands gently looking into her eyes. God how he wished she could see his mind, read his thoughts and know the truth of his words more than her fears of what his words meant. How much easier would it be if they could? How much misunderstanding and heartache would be stopped?  Dealing with the lies that sat in her head were hard, how did he even address it? A husband? He’d of asked but, what if she could name him, find him, and he too thought they were in love? What did he do then?

"Now, get out of that Gigai, I'm not doing this to look at an imitation, I believe my demonstration won me a kiss too?"

He really hoped she was in the mood for that joke or this was going to get a lot worse before it got better. He slipped off his hood and sighed with the rush of emotions that went through him. The rage was in check, making sure she smiled came vastly ahead of whatever dumb revenge he had planned.

"I won't let them hurt you again, I promise."

557/11/124 GP Total

“This Gigai isn’t cheap,” she murmured and pouted a little at his words. “Hisui made it with great care.” She muttered a little, speaking against the finger he’d pressed upon her lips. She could barely see his face, it remained hidden underneath his hood for a while longer and she wondered what his words meant. Seryu admitted, albeit grudgingly, that she couldn’t remember the source of these scars or even how she’d lost her arms. The memories were blurry, they made little to no sense and with every word Jian spoke, she believed in the human more and more again. “I understand,” Seryu finally said and sighed deeply. “Are you saying someone hurt me, ruined me like this?” She didn’t want to think of what sort of enemy was capable of doing such a cruel thing to a simple woman like her. A woman who’d never done anyone wrong.

Then he mentioned the Denreishinki and her eyes widened in shock. “You’re right,” she whispered and looked up to him. Her hands quickly shot forward and took the spiritual device from him and after inspecting it for a little while, she realized that he was right. “This one belongs to me,” she remarked, but corrected herself immediately, “I mean, it belongs to you now. I gave it to you?” Her mind blacked out for a moment and she just stared at him.

She gave it to him so he could locate and hunt Hollows.

He took her hands into his and she sighed, finally giving in. She slipped off the hood and Seryu was caught in a moment, admiring his face for much longer than she should have. When she realized what she was doing, the girl blinked and shook her head gently. “I’m sorry,” and she meant it. “I believe you. In a way, I really do believe you. But at the same time, I can’t believe I found myself a man like that. So handsome, funny and strong,” she was smiling now. “If I was in danger, why didn’t I just stay with you? You would have protected me, right Jian? You wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt me like that, right?” Her eyes found his, lingered and her hand slid up to his cheek, cupping it gently while pulling him slightly down to her. “I won’t take the Gigai of yet,” she explained and smirked, “but maybe I will once we’re at home. Now have your reward.”

Instead of kissing him right away, Seryu teased him a little by nibbling on his lower lip first. She took his hands, intertwined their fingers and gently pulled him along with her. For some reason she hated the scenery, so she headed towards a part of the forest that was close to a river and still intact. “There is still something I wanted to say, before the Menos interrupted us but I guess it can wait a little longer.” Seryu found it difficult to hide how shy she suddenly felt. It was almost as if she was avoiding the kiss, running away from him, not knowing how to start it. They’d kissed before, right? She was drawn to him, he loved her, he would be gentle with her and yet she couldn’t get herself to do it right away.

Just kiss him already. Your husband won’t mind, it’s not like you’re going to have sex.
Isn’t that considered cheating? I don’t want to cheat on my husband!
Of course it’s not cheating, silly girl. He loves you. And you kinda love him. It’s only right.
I’m not sure if this is the right thing to do… but I did promise him a kiss
Well, you won’t break your promise, right? No one likes people who break their promises..

Seryu didn’t want to break her promise to Jian. She didn’t want to break any of her promises she’d made to him. “O-okay, here we go…” Placing one hand behind his head, Seryu ran her fingers through his thick hair and sighed contentedly. His scent was still driving her crazy. “Ready?” Before he could answer, she pressed her lips onto his and kissed him as gently as she could. Driven by need, the kiss grew to be more passionate quickly and she almost lost herself in it, falling helplessly for the man who’d stolen her heart with just a single look into her eyes. Seryu continued the kiss for as long as she could, not wishing to ever be separated from him again. It was the sudden reappearance of the voice inside her head that made her gasp for air and recoil so suddenly.

Now, now.. aren’t you overdoing it a little bit here? What’s your husband going to say?
B-but I.. but you.. you said it was okay! And it felt more than okay!
Well, I didn’t think you were such a slut, sticking your tongue all the way in like that. What were you hoping to find in there? Your dignity? Ahahahahah.

The voice laughed and vanished as soon as it had appeared and Seryu leaned against Jian while breathing heavily. “I’m sorry,” she apologized once again, “let’s try again later.”

________________
1108 W O R D S
22 P O S T GP
157 T O T A L GP