Rukia Kuchiki (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
damn_juicebox) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
melodiesoflife2016-05-11 11:31 pm
damn_juicebox) wrote in melodiesoflife2016-05-11 11:31 pm
Entry tags:
Broken Promises
WHO: Rukia Kuchiki, Yuri Lowell
WHAT: The conclusion to The Enemy Within event thread, where Rukia attempted to use a black crystal to merge with the Calamity and control it. Yuri is against this plan. Rukia is against Yuri being against this plan. They butt heads, and everyone is sad forever. (No really, it's a tearjerker, don't read it if you like either of these characters.)
WHEN: January 15th, 2016 (SUPER BACKDATED)
WHERE: The Sage's Shared Consciousness / The Tree of Life
WARNINGS: HOLY SHIT THIS IS SAD. Also, apologies for any assumptions taken. The thread wasn't getting tagged, so we went forward under the impression that Selen died, at which point Yuri showed up to interfere.
Rukia’s eyes were wide when Yuri appeared. At first she’d thought for sure that he had come to stop her, but once he drove the others back, and threatened them to stay back, she wasn’t entirely sure why he’d come after all. She’d just started to lose hope, and fear that her sacrifice would wind up being fruitless if they really followed through with their intentions of killing her.
She was quiet, unmoving, as she stared at him in surprise. Her feelings were jumbled. Of course she was glad to see him, but he shouldn’t have been here in the first place. How had he known?
Worse, did he intend to stop her? He did say he’d kill her himself if she truly were a monster.
She squared her jaw and steeled her gaze. With her hands and wrists already absorbed into the tree, she was an easy target, unable to defend herself from attack. He needed to know why she was doing this. He had to understand what she could accomplish. She could finally make everything right again. All those lives lost, all those homes destroyed...she could put them back the way they were.
“Don’t,” she warned him sternly, her dark eyes flashing. “I know you didn’t come here just to provide moral support. If you stop me now, all our hopes will be lost. I found the one solution where no one has to die, or be sacrificed. You’ll finally get to go home again. So don’t you dare try to tell me I’m in the wrong, Yuri.”
“It’d be smart and not piss me off right now. I don’t care who you are. Get in my way, and I will cut you. I won’t repeat myself a third time," he replied giving the Heroes a once over, his eyes narrowed, and his expression grim-- an expression that Yuri hardly ever wore. He had only worn this expression so many times in the past and none were pleasant.
“How about, You’re doing something crazy and ridiculous?” He mused, his sword was drawn and pointed at the group of Heroes. Once they more or less were forced or backed up, he continued his conversation with Rukia.
“I knew something was wrong with you since that day, but you know it sure took a lot of intelligence to gather the right clues and the right evidence to prove it,” he added sighing. Maybe this was his fault for not paying enough attention to Rukia’s habits. Maybe he didn’t spend enough time with her, but in any case, her theory and her ideas were crazy and he couldn’t accept her dying for the sake of everyone else.
That was the last thing he wanted to see his friends do was die pointlessly for a plan that might not actually work without any possible percentage of succession.
“You don’t want to do this, Rukia.”
A line he had said once before
Rukia regarded him warily, frowning. She looked as if she wanted to shout at him, or issue a harsh rebuke. Instead she exhaled, her head falling forward. “Yes. I do.” There was no hesitation or regret. She’d left those things behind before coming to this place, and he was a fool if he thought he could change her mind.
She raised her head to look at him again. He stood as if he meant to protect her, but she doubted he would keep that position for long. Yuri would turn on her too, just like Tazendra, just like Valvalis. Selen was the only one who had understood the gravity of the situation, and the necessity born of desperation.
“There’s almost nothing to lose, and everything to gain,” she told him, her gaze steadfastly holding his. “No one else is going to die for this world. It can all be reset. You, Raven, Flynn...everyone you care for can go home at last, alive and well. I can give that to you. Give me a chance, Yuri.” Her hard expression softened slightly. “Please. I know I can do this.” And it was all she could do.
Yuri’s expression remained cold as he continued to wedge himself between the ones opposing Rukia and intervening with his talk. He’s no fool. She’s absolutely lost her mind and he promised her and himself that he’d do whatever he could to save her and if it meant killing her was going to do it-- he certainly would take upon that burden to.
She was that important to him, just as Raven, and Estelle, Flynn and everyone else he knew back home. They probably didn’t want to be safe and home built on the corpse of someone they considered an ally or a friend. Rukia meant more to him than a sacrificial lamb, so that things would be fixed-- or rather the slim chance of things being fixed.
“Don’t need it,” he replied bluntly.
“I don’t need a world paved by the corpses of my friends. I carve my own path and you know better than anyone else, Rukia that I won’t change my mind. Neither will Flynn, or Raven-- Estelle. None of us want that from you.”
He stepped towards her.
“You can stop this, or I will stop you. I’d rather be the one to end it than allow those emotionally driven folks to do it.”
There was a brief moment where her eyes reflected the hurt she felt after his proclamation. “You what?! Who gave any of you the right to decide my fate?!” Fool! Valvalis had said the exact same thing, and it was no less hurtful to hear those words come out of Yuri’s mouth. It made no sense. He’d kill her and make her death meaningless, rather than allow her to transform for the sake of billions upon billions of lives. Half absorbed into the Crystal Tree as she was, she couldn’t kick him and call him a fool, or jab his arm, nor could she rub her temples in frustration.
“I’m not going to die. I’ll still exist, just in another form. You knew the time would come to say farewell to each other eventually.” Rukia glanced away, disappointed. “There’s no time left. In four days, everyone dies. Everything will be gone. I can’t let that happen, and neither should you. I’m a soul reaper. I understand the gravity of maintaining a world of balance. There’s no one else who can do this.”
She shook her head, then firmed her expression. “I was proud to fight at your side these few brief years. But that must end now. Saying goodbye isn’t so bad, and I’ll still be there to watch over you. You may not want this, but I do.”
“You’re not understanding my point here,” he replied, though it was hard to reason with someone who had a strong resolve, “I’d rather die trying to save the world with those I care about then watch them sacrifice for my sake.”
It wasn’t different from Valvalis but Yuri actually cared about Rukia to a certain degree that he could say these words to her. It’s because of those reasons that he’d rather be the one to take the consequences of the outcome rather than her. They were both self sacrificing idiots. He of all people should understand that better than anyone.
“No one but me. You’re a member of Brave Vesperia right? Remember what I told you that one rule that’d we’d follow no matter what? Even if you won’t die, you won’t be you.”
He takes a few more steps towards her.
“Stop this nonsense. Nothing certain will come of it and we’re better off working together to find it together then struggle and die for nothing. You’re not even certain what that crystal you hold can do or what it will do to you. Have you even thought about what your other companions were going to respond to what you did? You gotta be kidding me if you think they wouldn’t be hurt.”
“Life ends, but right now isn’t exactly what we’re searching for.”
Rukia grit her teeth. Her heart was aching, but she had to deny what she wanted, and what she felt. Her will had to remain strong, or else the Calamity would absorb and consume her. She watched Yuri warily as he approached, and her heart beat faster. If he really did intend to kill her, he could do it easily. Her spiritual pressure was ablaze with warning, but as he couldn’t detect the reiatsu of others, it likely did her no good.
“You are the one who does not understand,” she argued sharply. “Don’t be so selfish. It would be a different matter entirely if it was just Brave Vesperia on the line. I would be proud to fight at your side, and die beside you. But that isn’t an option. Not for this.”
Rukia quieted, some of the anger fading from her dark blue eyes. “Each one of us carries billions of lives on our shoulders. If one of us dies, everyone in our world dies with us. That’s a price too heavy to pay for the sake of friendship, Yuri. Everyone you knew and cared about in your world is counting on you to stay alive. But if I fail, it isn’t the end. Ichigo is from my world as well. So long as you keep him alive, my world is safe.”
Her head hung forward for a moment. When she raised it again, she smiled softly. “You must not forget that I am already dead. I had my shot at life, and it ended long ago. Everything that has come after it, meeting Ichigo, meeting you, falling in love, was a blessing. But in the end, my time was up before I ever set foot on this world. I am not afraid of failing, nor am I afraid of being changed if indeed I must.” She locked her gaze squarely on Yuri. “You must not be afraid of it either, Yuri. It is time to let go.”
He understands it. Logically, it was correct. The sacrifice of one innocent person for the lives of many. That was only a small price to pay for salvation, but he wasn't the type that would be happy to walk over the corpses of innocent people-- of people who didn't do anything wrong to begin with. If Rukia continued this way, then he had no choice. He had to make a decision soon. The lives of others relied on that. Not only just Rukia's. He's not interested in watching her lose what little remnant of sanity she still had but he wasn’t prepared to watch everything be consumed by the Calamity.
She was right. He had no reason to tell her otherwise but he also knew that these Black Crystals, no matter how anyone looked at it were not the right solution. They weren't the answer. The world is ending but that was the least of their worries. What if those Black Crystals created monsters from the people that are sacrificed to it? Then what? He wasn't taking any option without obvious research and time put into it. They were short, yes, but he wasn't going to have any of her selfishness either.
"Call me what you will. Hate me if you must, but you're just as greedy and selfish as I am."
His eyes were fixed on her, sharp like daggers. With each step, the tension only grew between them. Eventually, when he did get close enough, his sword had been drawn long before as he inched closer and closer to her. That slow motion of gradually but surely, he was going to end her life for her own sake. He wasn't going to call her crazy. He wasn't going to tell her that what she did was horrible. She had a right to choose her path but he also had a right to end it. Their relationship had been a double edge sword since the world started falling apart.
"You don't know the answer to any of that. Being part of that source, you don't even know if it will bring salvation. You're only hoping on a miracle. Miracles don't happen, Rukia. People make it happen. None of the people you care about, Ichigo, Raven, or even people from my world would smile upon your sacrifice. None of it. You know better than this."
His expression twisted into something much more painful than anything that anyone had seen on Yuri's face, "For that I have to stop you before it's too late. Before you lose yourself and before more unmeasurable consequences come. This is the only way I know to save you-- and the rest of the world. I’m not prepared to die any time soon, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
"I already told you didn't I? This place gave you a second chance at life-- a second chance to feel like you're alive. You should have taken advantage of it," his bangs covered his face, eyes and on his lips the emotions were unreadable. There was a moment of silence where Yuri seemed to have been lost on what to say. Eventually, his lips parted. What came out was surprising, even for him.
“Are you stupid?!” After that long moment of silence, he was right in front of her face, hands both latched on each side of her shoulders as he almost shook her in frustration. Yuri hardly ever lost his composure in any given situation, but right now was probably one of those times. It was like Estelle all over again, only there was much more than his world at stake.
“Didn’t I tell you to trust me?! To trust Brave Vesperia!? Our friends and allies? Everyone’s fighting!”
He was getting flashbacks of Niren, and Lambert as he continued to lose his cool. His expression showed anger, and sorrow as his grip continued to dig into her.
“Death is a permanent relief. Live for the crimes that you committed, atone for them that way. There’s little meaning in death!”
Not with her life. He couldn’t shoulder anymore burdens of people dying. How many had he lost, and how many were needlessly sacrificed. The world was twisted broke and dying, yet was he wrong to think that there was some sort of outcome to it all? His way? Maybe it was selfish of him but Rukia was almost like family to him. The few years they spent together. If only he knew what kind of path she had gouged for herself then he could have stopped her completely from this right now but there was no point in regrets and no point in dwelling on the past. They had to carve their own future.
Rukia didn’t break eye contact with Yuri as he came closer, drawing his sword. With each step he took, her gaze continued to cool to frosty indignance. So he meant to kill her while she was helpless, disregarding her choices without considering her right to choose her own fate. Tch… He was just like the rest of them, trying to wrest control of her life away from her own hands. She thought he of all people would understand what she was trying to do.
Then he dropped the sword and grabbed her shoulders, breaking her resolve with the sheer shock of the moment. Her eyes jumped wide open as he shouted in her face, almost loud enough that she nearly missed the clatter of the sword hitting the ground.
What.
WHAT!
She stared at him, blinking only once, before frowning. “Oi, who are you to yell at me about lack of trust! I am seriously considering headbutting you right now!” She squirmed in his grasp as if struggling to free a hand or foot to hit him the way she used to, but her head was all she had. That, and empty threats.
She pushed her forehead stubbornly against his, gritting her teeth angrily. “The will to fight isn’t enough! What’s your plan? How are you going to stop this? You don’t have any better alternatives! Let me make my decision in peace, you foolish man!” Shove shove.
“Do it then with that stupid small head of yours Shorty!”
It would only prove his point. That was all. He wasn’t going to give up on her. He wasn’t going to judge her for her choices. Hell, he was being just as selfish as she was in this given situation. People’s lives were at stake and here they were bickering like the world didn’t matter. It only lasted a few minutes but it felt much longer. Maybe he was just the same as her, not trusting her on this but Rukia’s life mattered to him more than what she was sacrificing herself for. There were always ways to fix something. No matter the impossible.
“Isn’t it true? You don’t trust me. You don’t trust Ichigo or any of those people you consider friends. You’re throwing it all away on a goal that might not even work. Do you have any idea what those things are capable of or what the Calamity will do to you?! Did you not see what it did to people-- the cities? Don’t be foolish Rukia. You’re too smart for this.”
Way too smart. He wanted her to understand that. He wanted her to understand that she shouldn’t just give up. When their foreheads collided, Yuri felt a spark of pain but it didn’t stop him from being himself. Right now, he just wanted her to trust his words.
“I’ve got messengers working for me, Rukia, they’re gathering information on the Black Crystals. We’re trying to figure out how to decipher these things and see if they can prevent the spread of the Calamity, even reversing its effects. The will to fight is much stronger than you think,” his voice softened, “What peace? Dying? You’re foolish to think that death is the answer to everything. You’ll be no different from those extremists wanting to control the world through bloodshed and death.”
He takes in another breath before giving her a grin above all else, “Plus, you’ve got a lot to make up for since you and that woman created such a mess. I need you to clean it up and apologize to everyone that you crossed and lastly,” he takes another pause, “you’re not allowed to die. You belong to Brave Vesperia and that’s the one and only rule we got. I still have to punish your ass for that.”
“What?! You’re so impertinent!” Rukia glowered back at him hotly for a few moments. But her anger couldn’t truly last. What he said was true. She was a hypocrite for saying he didn’t trust her. This had seemed like the only thing she could do for them, but maybe he was right.
He was still a jerk, but that didn’t make him wrong.
Finally she stopped pushing her forehead against his and slumped with a loud sigh. Then she chuckled. She couldn’t help herself. Yuri just didn’t change, no matter what happened to this world. She had thought, with her shinigami form and her will to save and protect her friends, she could prove to be a match for the Calamity and overpower it. But her will was nothing compared to Yuri’s. He wasn’t giving up. There were only a few short days left, and he was still persisting in finding his own path.
“Maybe we’re both fools,” she confessed, before lifting her head to look at him. Her expression had softened significantly, the cold pride replaced with a sincere fondness for her friend. “You’re right. Maybe I should have held out a little longer. I didn’t trust that you would find a way, and that is a terrible betrayal indeed.”
But she couldn’t make up for what she’d done. Not anymore. She wondered if he knew that, or if he was stubbornly thinking that she could just step out of this tree and jump back into the fight.
“Well. I haven’t died yet, but if you’re so intent on punishing me, you may as well get it over with right now,” she shrugged with an infuriating smirk.
She wanted to keep fighting with him, just a little longer. She still had time, even if it wasn’t much, and the feelings of nostalgia were warm and pleasant.
Yuri was confident that he'll succeed. He was never the type to give up. He wasn't giving up on her nor was he giving up on finding a way to stop the Calamity. It was for the best to be honest. He didn't want her to sacrifice herself. He'll keep telling her that again and again. She could call him whatever names she wanted but he wouldn't change. He knows this is right. After walking at her so grimly with his sword drawn. He was prepared to kill her for the sake of justice. He was going to end it all, but he stopped half way, remembering that violence was not always the answer. He was glad he followed his instincts.
If he had killed Rukia then, he'd regret it forever and he'd hate himself for it. Rukia would never forgive him and he would never be able to rely what he truly felt. He'll probably self destruct in the process. It was a burden he was prepared to take but he didn't realize how painful it was until he dropped the stupid sword and grabbed her instead. For Yuri who was always sarcastic and snarky, he was empathetic above all else. All the emotions that Rukia felt, he empathized with them. How could he kill her in cold blood?
"You know better than anyone else, that I tell no lies."
He smirks. Maybe he's getting his confidence back when she stopped struggling against him and laughed. How long was it since she had laughed so calmly, and gently?
"You're probably right."
He replied with with a shrug. His grip on her loosened just enough but hands were still around her shoulders. Giving up was not an option. At least, not after what he had gone through to save his own world. Crystallis was also in that kind of situation. He'd be damned first if he didn't find a solution. Even if he didn't show or act it, he was somewhat of a natural leader.
"Perhaps, we should have spent more time getting to know each other and all of this wouldn't be the way it is but there's no use dwelling right? We're in the here and now."
He added with a nod to her comment followed by a laugh. Oh, so now she wanted to obtain punishment. He pulled up one of his hands and reached towards her forehead. Without warning he flicked it with all his strength.
"I think that's enough."
He smirked.
Rukia gaped at him. A red mark on her forehead began to throb with pain. “OW!!! That hurt!” How mean was that? Then again, she’d told him to do it, so who was really to blame here?
...No, it was still his fault. Jerk.
She glowered at him for a moment longer before her breath left her, and her forehead dropped to his chest. She couldn’t return his hug, and more importantly, she wasn’t sure she wanted him to see her face right now.
“If anyone can find a way to stop all of this, it’s you, and it’s Ichigo,” she said quietly. “I do believe in you. Both of you. So accept my surrender.” She couldn’t give up the black crystal. It was still firmly clasped in her hand, and her hand had become part of the Tree of Life. There was no turning back, no way to reverse her position.
“You win. So...don’t let me down. Do you understand?”
Yuri smiles back unchanging this time. It was a lot genuine than the cold expression he had earlier.
“Now we’re even.”
Yes, just like that he forgave her for what she had done. He was content with it too since she had it coming. He wasn’t going to take any of her complaints or griping for the matter. She did say he could do it so he did.
He’d be fine taking the blame for it so it didn’t matter to him if she said it was his fault. Of course, his grip loosened enough to become a hug. He’ll pull her close to his chest as she wants to hide her face right?
“You have my word for it. For the better or for the worst, we’ll make it somehow.”
He replied smiling a lot more gently now than he had ever since their encounter. He ruffled her hair like he would normally as she continued.
“Did you expect so little of me? Of course, I won’t let you down. I’ll get Grumpy to settle this matter as soon as possible. Now, how do we get you out of this?”
He replied, but even Yuri knew that the answer probably won’t be a good one.
Rukia didn’t say a word. She closed her eyes, even as she felt the prickles of assimilation crawling further up her entombed arms. Little by little, the tree was taking her, and she couldn’t stay like this no matter how much she wished she could. Time was running out.
“Yuri. My crystal...the one I woke up possessing...it’s in the left inner pocket of my hakama.” Even as she said it, the words tasted bitter. It was unfair for her to ask this of him after all they’d been through, and she was filled with regret. After she’d tried to goad him into taking her life, she vowed to herself that she would never put him in that awful position again. But here she was, breaking that promise.
“I cannot stop what I’ve begun. Perhaps when I started, I truly possessed the willpower to overcome the Calamity’s influence. But that isn’t the case anymore.” Her jaw firmed, and reluctantly, she lifted her head to look him in the eyes. “I believe in what you’re doing, and I believe in you. So you know what must be done now, don’t you.”
It wasn’t a question. It was a confirmation. And she was sorry she had to say it out loud.
“I don’t want to lose myself. So… I must break the rules of Brave Vesperia after all. I’m sorry.”
Yuri looks at her. So there isn't any other way is there? Of course, he reaches towards her Hakama pocket to retrieve the Crystal. That Crystal that used to glow a bright color was lacking. He watches it quietly as he takes it out of her Hakama. There's no real way of this all ending happily is there? He almost looked bitter at that thought but Yuri understood that this wasn't something that could be reverted easily.
At the very least, he was able to save Rukia from becoming a monster, if at all. Maybe it wasn't the right choice but he can't stop himself from following what he thinks is right.
"This is one hell of parting gift, Shorty."
He replied, his tone was almost shaky, but it held its evenness as he continued to blankly stare at it as if it were at fault but he knew. Rukia made her choice and these were the consequences for the choice she made. There was no way to stop it and even now she was becoming part of the tree. He definitely had to end it before she became nothing but a mindless monster or something more controlled by the Calamity. He gripped the Crystal.
"You owe me... a lot in the next life a lot more than an apology."
He mustered enough of his own emotions to give her a smile. It was a sad, almost empty smile at that. Yuri stepped away from her, and reaching for his sword. He wouldn't ask the obvious question.
"It's better this way, isn't it?"
Maybe he was telling himself more than her, but clearly, Yuri was agonizing over this choice in his own right, even if his expressions were a lie.
Rukia’s head dipped and rose, giving a single solitary nod. “It is,” she answered him. Her heart was beating hard and fast against her ribs. It was only natural to want to cling to life, and the panic of nearing the end was setting in. But then, in a single moment, the fear and uncertainty was replaced by a sense of quiet peace when she saw him smile.
Fool…
“Thank you,” she told him. “You are the truest friend I could ever hope to know. Maybe...I will be reborn, and we can meet against in my next life.” Her smile turned wry. “Then you’ll be old and wise, and I’ll be young and reckless.” Her eyes felt damp as she looked at his face, struggling to memorize every last feature. “And maybe I’ll find Raven again. I won’t be alone. And neither will you.”
She took a deep breath and held it, then nodded her head at the crystal he held. “When you’re ready, then. Crush it.”
“You better remember all that you said. I won't forgive so easily next time alright?”
He replied, keeping his expressions to himself. How many people had he failed now? Lambert, Niren, and now Rukia. Flynn and Raven were gone too. He was left with whatever remained of his Guild. He would continue to keep going though. He promised to keep going no matter what. He was going to honor those who had died for the sake of Crystallis and the worlds that it will save. He certainly won’t waver now.
It’s almost saddening that little by little he was losing people and he was once again left unable to do anything to save them.
“You don’t have to thank me. It’ s my job remember-- to make sure you don’t fall down the wrong path,” maybe he was half serious but it was all the same.
With his sword in hand he looked back at her, his expressions seemed saddened rather than the forced smile he had seconds ago.
“I’m sorry for being unable to save you any other way, Rukia.”
With that he thrusted the sword into the Crystal.
“Don’t apologize. I’m grateful.” She smiled as she looked at him, the tears clinging to her lashes. “I will always be grateful.” She tensed as he placed the tip of the sword to the Crystal.
It didn’t hurt. There was a sudden sharp jolt of pressure, as if something had been ripped away from inside of her too fast for her nerves to register. Then she sighed, and her body slumped where it hung. Her dark eyes grew heavy, glassy, and she could no longer hold her head up. Her lungs refused to draw another breath, and her heartbeat slowed. This was how it had to be. She just hoped…
“Thank you…”
...that she could see his face again, waiting for her on the other side.
The last bit of life left her, and her eyes dulled. It was finished.
“Heh, you never changed at all, Shorty.”
Honestly, that’s not something she should be thanking him for. Killing her was the last resort. He had no other options no matter how they both looked at it.
He replied giving her a soft laugh from her words. When she finally ceased to exist, he watched her limp figure for a moment longer, before sheathing his sword. If only he could peel her away from the grasp of the tree that she was bound to but alas that was a task even Yuri could not do. He’d probably die if he tried.
There were things left to do and as much as this all hurt him to no end, he knew that Rukia was at peace. It was at least something he can admit. Yuri looked back at his hands once more before letting them slip to his side. He stole one last glance at everything before disappearing in the forest.
Until the very end, he fulfilled that promise to Rukia about stopping when there was no other way.
WHAT: The conclusion to The Enemy Within event thread, where Rukia attempted to use a black crystal to merge with the Calamity and control it. Yuri is against this plan. Rukia is against Yuri being against this plan. They butt heads, and everyone is sad forever. (No really, it's a tearjerker, don't read it if you like either of these characters.)
WHEN: January 15th, 2016 (SUPER BACKDATED)
WHERE: The Sage's Shared Consciousness / The Tree of Life
WARNINGS: HOLY SHIT THIS IS SAD. Also, apologies for any assumptions taken. The thread wasn't getting tagged, so we went forward under the impression that Selen died, at which point Yuri showed up to interfere.
Rukia’s eyes were wide when Yuri appeared. At first she’d thought for sure that he had come to stop her, but once he drove the others back, and threatened them to stay back, she wasn’t entirely sure why he’d come after all. She’d just started to lose hope, and fear that her sacrifice would wind up being fruitless if they really followed through with their intentions of killing her.
She was quiet, unmoving, as she stared at him in surprise. Her feelings were jumbled. Of course she was glad to see him, but he shouldn’t have been here in the first place. How had he known?
Worse, did he intend to stop her? He did say he’d kill her himself if she truly were a monster.
She squared her jaw and steeled her gaze. With her hands and wrists already absorbed into the tree, she was an easy target, unable to defend herself from attack. He needed to know why she was doing this. He had to understand what she could accomplish. She could finally make everything right again. All those lives lost, all those homes destroyed...she could put them back the way they were.
“Don’t,” she warned him sternly, her dark eyes flashing. “I know you didn’t come here just to provide moral support. If you stop me now, all our hopes will be lost. I found the one solution where no one has to die, or be sacrificed. You’ll finally get to go home again. So don’t you dare try to tell me I’m in the wrong, Yuri.”
“It’d be smart and not piss me off right now. I don’t care who you are. Get in my way, and I will cut you. I won’t repeat myself a third time," he replied giving the Heroes a once over, his eyes narrowed, and his expression grim-- an expression that Yuri hardly ever wore. He had only worn this expression so many times in the past and none were pleasant.
“How about, You’re doing something crazy and ridiculous?” He mused, his sword was drawn and pointed at the group of Heroes. Once they more or less were forced or backed up, he continued his conversation with Rukia.
“I knew something was wrong with you since that day, but you know it sure took a lot of intelligence to gather the right clues and the right evidence to prove it,” he added sighing. Maybe this was his fault for not paying enough attention to Rukia’s habits. Maybe he didn’t spend enough time with her, but in any case, her theory and her ideas were crazy and he couldn’t accept her dying for the sake of everyone else.
That was the last thing he wanted to see his friends do was die pointlessly for a plan that might not actually work without any possible percentage of succession.
“You don’t want to do this, Rukia.”
A line he had said once before
Rukia regarded him warily, frowning. She looked as if she wanted to shout at him, or issue a harsh rebuke. Instead she exhaled, her head falling forward. “Yes. I do.” There was no hesitation or regret. She’d left those things behind before coming to this place, and he was a fool if he thought he could change her mind.
She raised her head to look at him again. He stood as if he meant to protect her, but she doubted he would keep that position for long. Yuri would turn on her too, just like Tazendra, just like Valvalis. Selen was the only one who had understood the gravity of the situation, and the necessity born of desperation.
“There’s almost nothing to lose, and everything to gain,” she told him, her gaze steadfastly holding his. “No one else is going to die for this world. It can all be reset. You, Raven, Flynn...everyone you care for can go home at last, alive and well. I can give that to you. Give me a chance, Yuri.” Her hard expression softened slightly. “Please. I know I can do this.” And it was all she could do.
Yuri’s expression remained cold as he continued to wedge himself between the ones opposing Rukia and intervening with his talk. He’s no fool. She’s absolutely lost her mind and he promised her and himself that he’d do whatever he could to save her and if it meant killing her was going to do it-- he certainly would take upon that burden to.
She was that important to him, just as Raven, and Estelle, Flynn and everyone else he knew back home. They probably didn’t want to be safe and home built on the corpse of someone they considered an ally or a friend. Rukia meant more to him than a sacrificial lamb, so that things would be fixed-- or rather the slim chance of things being fixed.
“Don’t need it,” he replied bluntly.
“I don’t need a world paved by the corpses of my friends. I carve my own path and you know better than anyone else, Rukia that I won’t change my mind. Neither will Flynn, or Raven-- Estelle. None of us want that from you.”
He stepped towards her.
“You can stop this, or I will stop you. I’d rather be the one to end it than allow those emotionally driven folks to do it.”
There was a brief moment where her eyes reflected the hurt she felt after his proclamation. “You what?! Who gave any of you the right to decide my fate?!” Fool! Valvalis had said the exact same thing, and it was no less hurtful to hear those words come out of Yuri’s mouth. It made no sense. He’d kill her and make her death meaningless, rather than allow her to transform for the sake of billions upon billions of lives. Half absorbed into the Crystal Tree as she was, she couldn’t kick him and call him a fool, or jab his arm, nor could she rub her temples in frustration.
“I’m not going to die. I’ll still exist, just in another form. You knew the time would come to say farewell to each other eventually.” Rukia glanced away, disappointed. “There’s no time left. In four days, everyone dies. Everything will be gone. I can’t let that happen, and neither should you. I’m a soul reaper. I understand the gravity of maintaining a world of balance. There’s no one else who can do this.”
She shook her head, then firmed her expression. “I was proud to fight at your side these few brief years. But that must end now. Saying goodbye isn’t so bad, and I’ll still be there to watch over you. You may not want this, but I do.”
“You’re not understanding my point here,” he replied, though it was hard to reason with someone who had a strong resolve, “I’d rather die trying to save the world with those I care about then watch them sacrifice for my sake.”
It wasn’t different from Valvalis but Yuri actually cared about Rukia to a certain degree that he could say these words to her. It’s because of those reasons that he’d rather be the one to take the consequences of the outcome rather than her. They were both self sacrificing idiots. He of all people should understand that better than anyone.
“No one but me. You’re a member of Brave Vesperia right? Remember what I told you that one rule that’d we’d follow no matter what? Even if you won’t die, you won’t be you.”
He takes a few more steps towards her.
“Stop this nonsense. Nothing certain will come of it and we’re better off working together to find it together then struggle and die for nothing. You’re not even certain what that crystal you hold can do or what it will do to you. Have you even thought about what your other companions were going to respond to what you did? You gotta be kidding me if you think they wouldn’t be hurt.”
“Life ends, but right now isn’t exactly what we’re searching for.”
Rukia grit her teeth. Her heart was aching, but she had to deny what she wanted, and what she felt. Her will had to remain strong, or else the Calamity would absorb and consume her. She watched Yuri warily as he approached, and her heart beat faster. If he really did intend to kill her, he could do it easily. Her spiritual pressure was ablaze with warning, but as he couldn’t detect the reiatsu of others, it likely did her no good.
“You are the one who does not understand,” she argued sharply. “Don’t be so selfish. It would be a different matter entirely if it was just Brave Vesperia on the line. I would be proud to fight at your side, and die beside you. But that isn’t an option. Not for this.”
Rukia quieted, some of the anger fading from her dark blue eyes. “Each one of us carries billions of lives on our shoulders. If one of us dies, everyone in our world dies with us. That’s a price too heavy to pay for the sake of friendship, Yuri. Everyone you knew and cared about in your world is counting on you to stay alive. But if I fail, it isn’t the end. Ichigo is from my world as well. So long as you keep him alive, my world is safe.”
Her head hung forward for a moment. When she raised it again, she smiled softly. “You must not forget that I am already dead. I had my shot at life, and it ended long ago. Everything that has come after it, meeting Ichigo, meeting you, falling in love, was a blessing. But in the end, my time was up before I ever set foot on this world. I am not afraid of failing, nor am I afraid of being changed if indeed I must.” She locked her gaze squarely on Yuri. “You must not be afraid of it either, Yuri. It is time to let go.”
He understands it. Logically, it was correct. The sacrifice of one innocent person for the lives of many. That was only a small price to pay for salvation, but he wasn't the type that would be happy to walk over the corpses of innocent people-- of people who didn't do anything wrong to begin with. If Rukia continued this way, then he had no choice. He had to make a decision soon. The lives of others relied on that. Not only just Rukia's. He's not interested in watching her lose what little remnant of sanity she still had but he wasn’t prepared to watch everything be consumed by the Calamity.
She was right. He had no reason to tell her otherwise but he also knew that these Black Crystals, no matter how anyone looked at it were not the right solution. They weren't the answer. The world is ending but that was the least of their worries. What if those Black Crystals created monsters from the people that are sacrificed to it? Then what? He wasn't taking any option without obvious research and time put into it. They were short, yes, but he wasn't going to have any of her selfishness either.
"Call me what you will. Hate me if you must, but you're just as greedy and selfish as I am."
His eyes were fixed on her, sharp like daggers. With each step, the tension only grew between them. Eventually, when he did get close enough, his sword had been drawn long before as he inched closer and closer to her. That slow motion of gradually but surely, he was going to end her life for her own sake. He wasn't going to call her crazy. He wasn't going to tell her that what she did was horrible. She had a right to choose her path but he also had a right to end it. Their relationship had been a double edge sword since the world started falling apart.
"You don't know the answer to any of that. Being part of that source, you don't even know if it will bring salvation. You're only hoping on a miracle. Miracles don't happen, Rukia. People make it happen. None of the people you care about, Ichigo, Raven, or even people from my world would smile upon your sacrifice. None of it. You know better than this."
His expression twisted into something much more painful than anything that anyone had seen on Yuri's face, "For that I have to stop you before it's too late. Before you lose yourself and before more unmeasurable consequences come. This is the only way I know to save you-- and the rest of the world. I’m not prepared to die any time soon, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
"I already told you didn't I? This place gave you a second chance at life-- a second chance to feel like you're alive. You should have taken advantage of it," his bangs covered his face, eyes and on his lips the emotions were unreadable. There was a moment of silence where Yuri seemed to have been lost on what to say. Eventually, his lips parted. What came out was surprising, even for him.
“Are you stupid?!” After that long moment of silence, he was right in front of her face, hands both latched on each side of her shoulders as he almost shook her in frustration. Yuri hardly ever lost his composure in any given situation, but right now was probably one of those times. It was like Estelle all over again, only there was much more than his world at stake.
“Didn’t I tell you to trust me?! To trust Brave Vesperia!? Our friends and allies? Everyone’s fighting!”
He was getting flashbacks of Niren, and Lambert as he continued to lose his cool. His expression showed anger, and sorrow as his grip continued to dig into her.
“Death is a permanent relief. Live for the crimes that you committed, atone for them that way. There’s little meaning in death!”
Not with her life. He couldn’t shoulder anymore burdens of people dying. How many had he lost, and how many were needlessly sacrificed. The world was twisted broke and dying, yet was he wrong to think that there was some sort of outcome to it all? His way? Maybe it was selfish of him but Rukia was almost like family to him. The few years they spent together. If only he knew what kind of path she had gouged for herself then he could have stopped her completely from this right now but there was no point in regrets and no point in dwelling on the past. They had to carve their own future.
Rukia didn’t break eye contact with Yuri as he came closer, drawing his sword. With each step he took, her gaze continued to cool to frosty indignance. So he meant to kill her while she was helpless, disregarding her choices without considering her right to choose her own fate. Tch… He was just like the rest of them, trying to wrest control of her life away from her own hands. She thought he of all people would understand what she was trying to do.
Then he dropped the sword and grabbed her shoulders, breaking her resolve with the sheer shock of the moment. Her eyes jumped wide open as he shouted in her face, almost loud enough that she nearly missed the clatter of the sword hitting the ground.
What.
WHAT!
She stared at him, blinking only once, before frowning. “Oi, who are you to yell at me about lack of trust! I am seriously considering headbutting you right now!” She squirmed in his grasp as if struggling to free a hand or foot to hit him the way she used to, but her head was all she had. That, and empty threats.
She pushed her forehead stubbornly against his, gritting her teeth angrily. “The will to fight isn’t enough! What’s your plan? How are you going to stop this? You don’t have any better alternatives! Let me make my decision in peace, you foolish man!” Shove shove.
“Do it then with that stupid small head of yours Shorty!”
It would only prove his point. That was all. He wasn’t going to give up on her. He wasn’t going to judge her for her choices. Hell, he was being just as selfish as she was in this given situation. People’s lives were at stake and here they were bickering like the world didn’t matter. It only lasted a few minutes but it felt much longer. Maybe he was just the same as her, not trusting her on this but Rukia’s life mattered to him more than what she was sacrificing herself for. There were always ways to fix something. No matter the impossible.
“Isn’t it true? You don’t trust me. You don’t trust Ichigo or any of those people you consider friends. You’re throwing it all away on a goal that might not even work. Do you have any idea what those things are capable of or what the Calamity will do to you?! Did you not see what it did to people-- the cities? Don’t be foolish Rukia. You’re too smart for this.”
Way too smart. He wanted her to understand that. He wanted her to understand that she shouldn’t just give up. When their foreheads collided, Yuri felt a spark of pain but it didn’t stop him from being himself. Right now, he just wanted her to trust his words.
“I’ve got messengers working for me, Rukia, they’re gathering information on the Black Crystals. We’re trying to figure out how to decipher these things and see if they can prevent the spread of the Calamity, even reversing its effects. The will to fight is much stronger than you think,” his voice softened, “What peace? Dying? You’re foolish to think that death is the answer to everything. You’ll be no different from those extremists wanting to control the world through bloodshed and death.”
He takes in another breath before giving her a grin above all else, “Plus, you’ve got a lot to make up for since you and that woman created such a mess. I need you to clean it up and apologize to everyone that you crossed and lastly,” he takes another pause, “you’re not allowed to die. You belong to Brave Vesperia and that’s the one and only rule we got. I still have to punish your ass for that.”
“What?! You’re so impertinent!” Rukia glowered back at him hotly for a few moments. But her anger couldn’t truly last. What he said was true. She was a hypocrite for saying he didn’t trust her. This had seemed like the only thing she could do for them, but maybe he was right.
He was still a jerk, but that didn’t make him wrong.
Finally she stopped pushing her forehead against his and slumped with a loud sigh. Then she chuckled. She couldn’t help herself. Yuri just didn’t change, no matter what happened to this world. She had thought, with her shinigami form and her will to save and protect her friends, she could prove to be a match for the Calamity and overpower it. But her will was nothing compared to Yuri’s. He wasn’t giving up. There were only a few short days left, and he was still persisting in finding his own path.
“Maybe we’re both fools,” she confessed, before lifting her head to look at him. Her expression had softened significantly, the cold pride replaced with a sincere fondness for her friend. “You’re right. Maybe I should have held out a little longer. I didn’t trust that you would find a way, and that is a terrible betrayal indeed.”
But she couldn’t make up for what she’d done. Not anymore. She wondered if he knew that, or if he was stubbornly thinking that she could just step out of this tree and jump back into the fight.
“Well. I haven’t died yet, but if you’re so intent on punishing me, you may as well get it over with right now,” she shrugged with an infuriating smirk.
She wanted to keep fighting with him, just a little longer. She still had time, even if it wasn’t much, and the feelings of nostalgia were warm and pleasant.
Yuri was confident that he'll succeed. He was never the type to give up. He wasn't giving up on her nor was he giving up on finding a way to stop the Calamity. It was for the best to be honest. He didn't want her to sacrifice herself. He'll keep telling her that again and again. She could call him whatever names she wanted but he wouldn't change. He knows this is right. After walking at her so grimly with his sword drawn. He was prepared to kill her for the sake of justice. He was going to end it all, but he stopped half way, remembering that violence was not always the answer. He was glad he followed his instincts.
If he had killed Rukia then, he'd regret it forever and he'd hate himself for it. Rukia would never forgive him and he would never be able to rely what he truly felt. He'll probably self destruct in the process. It was a burden he was prepared to take but he didn't realize how painful it was until he dropped the stupid sword and grabbed her instead. For Yuri who was always sarcastic and snarky, he was empathetic above all else. All the emotions that Rukia felt, he empathized with them. How could he kill her in cold blood?
"You know better than anyone else, that I tell no lies."
He smirks. Maybe he's getting his confidence back when she stopped struggling against him and laughed. How long was it since she had laughed so calmly, and gently?
"You're probably right."
He replied with with a shrug. His grip on her loosened just enough but hands were still around her shoulders. Giving up was not an option. At least, not after what he had gone through to save his own world. Crystallis was also in that kind of situation. He'd be damned first if he didn't find a solution. Even if he didn't show or act it, he was somewhat of a natural leader.
"Perhaps, we should have spent more time getting to know each other and all of this wouldn't be the way it is but there's no use dwelling right? We're in the here and now."
He added with a nod to her comment followed by a laugh. Oh, so now she wanted to obtain punishment. He pulled up one of his hands and reached towards her forehead. Without warning he flicked it with all his strength.
"I think that's enough."
He smirked.
Rukia gaped at him. A red mark on her forehead began to throb with pain. “OW!!! That hurt!” How mean was that? Then again, she’d told him to do it, so who was really to blame here?
...No, it was still his fault. Jerk.
She glowered at him for a moment longer before her breath left her, and her forehead dropped to his chest. She couldn’t return his hug, and more importantly, she wasn’t sure she wanted him to see her face right now.
“If anyone can find a way to stop all of this, it’s you, and it’s Ichigo,” she said quietly. “I do believe in you. Both of you. So accept my surrender.” She couldn’t give up the black crystal. It was still firmly clasped in her hand, and her hand had become part of the Tree of Life. There was no turning back, no way to reverse her position.
“You win. So...don’t let me down. Do you understand?”
Yuri smiles back unchanging this time. It was a lot genuine than the cold expression he had earlier.
“Now we’re even.”
Yes, just like that he forgave her for what she had done. He was content with it too since she had it coming. He wasn’t going to take any of her complaints or griping for the matter. She did say he could do it so he did.
He’d be fine taking the blame for it so it didn’t matter to him if she said it was his fault. Of course, his grip loosened enough to become a hug. He’ll pull her close to his chest as she wants to hide her face right?
“You have my word for it. For the better or for the worst, we’ll make it somehow.”
He replied smiling a lot more gently now than he had ever since their encounter. He ruffled her hair like he would normally as she continued.
“Did you expect so little of me? Of course, I won’t let you down. I’ll get Grumpy to settle this matter as soon as possible. Now, how do we get you out of this?”
He replied, but even Yuri knew that the answer probably won’t be a good one.
Rukia didn’t say a word. She closed her eyes, even as she felt the prickles of assimilation crawling further up her entombed arms. Little by little, the tree was taking her, and she couldn’t stay like this no matter how much she wished she could. Time was running out.
“Yuri. My crystal...the one I woke up possessing...it’s in the left inner pocket of my hakama.” Even as she said it, the words tasted bitter. It was unfair for her to ask this of him after all they’d been through, and she was filled with regret. After she’d tried to goad him into taking her life, she vowed to herself that she would never put him in that awful position again. But here she was, breaking that promise.
“I cannot stop what I’ve begun. Perhaps when I started, I truly possessed the willpower to overcome the Calamity’s influence. But that isn’t the case anymore.” Her jaw firmed, and reluctantly, she lifted her head to look him in the eyes. “I believe in what you’re doing, and I believe in you. So you know what must be done now, don’t you.”
It wasn’t a question. It was a confirmation. And she was sorry she had to say it out loud.
“I don’t want to lose myself. So… I must break the rules of Brave Vesperia after all. I’m sorry.”
Yuri looks at her. So there isn't any other way is there? Of course, he reaches towards her Hakama pocket to retrieve the Crystal. That Crystal that used to glow a bright color was lacking. He watches it quietly as he takes it out of her Hakama. There's no real way of this all ending happily is there? He almost looked bitter at that thought but Yuri understood that this wasn't something that could be reverted easily.
At the very least, he was able to save Rukia from becoming a monster, if at all. Maybe it wasn't the right choice but he can't stop himself from following what he thinks is right.
"This is one hell of parting gift, Shorty."
He replied, his tone was almost shaky, but it held its evenness as he continued to blankly stare at it as if it were at fault but he knew. Rukia made her choice and these were the consequences for the choice she made. There was no way to stop it and even now she was becoming part of the tree. He definitely had to end it before she became nothing but a mindless monster or something more controlled by the Calamity. He gripped the Crystal.
"You owe me... a lot in the next life a lot more than an apology."
He mustered enough of his own emotions to give her a smile. It was a sad, almost empty smile at that. Yuri stepped away from her, and reaching for his sword. He wouldn't ask the obvious question.
"It's better this way, isn't it?"
Maybe he was telling himself more than her, but clearly, Yuri was agonizing over this choice in his own right, even if his expressions were a lie.
Rukia’s head dipped and rose, giving a single solitary nod. “It is,” she answered him. Her heart was beating hard and fast against her ribs. It was only natural to want to cling to life, and the panic of nearing the end was setting in. But then, in a single moment, the fear and uncertainty was replaced by a sense of quiet peace when she saw him smile.
Fool…
“Thank you,” she told him. “You are the truest friend I could ever hope to know. Maybe...I will be reborn, and we can meet against in my next life.” Her smile turned wry. “Then you’ll be old and wise, and I’ll be young and reckless.” Her eyes felt damp as she looked at his face, struggling to memorize every last feature. “And maybe I’ll find Raven again. I won’t be alone. And neither will you.”
She took a deep breath and held it, then nodded her head at the crystal he held. “When you’re ready, then. Crush it.”
“You better remember all that you said. I won't forgive so easily next time alright?”
He replied, keeping his expressions to himself. How many people had he failed now? Lambert, Niren, and now Rukia. Flynn and Raven were gone too. He was left with whatever remained of his Guild. He would continue to keep going though. He promised to keep going no matter what. He was going to honor those who had died for the sake of Crystallis and the worlds that it will save. He certainly won’t waver now.
It’s almost saddening that little by little he was losing people and he was once again left unable to do anything to save them.
“You don’t have to thank me. It’ s my job remember-- to make sure you don’t fall down the wrong path,” maybe he was half serious but it was all the same.
With his sword in hand he looked back at her, his expressions seemed saddened rather than the forced smile he had seconds ago.
“I’m sorry for being unable to save you any other way, Rukia.”
With that he thrusted the sword into the Crystal.
“Don’t apologize. I’m grateful.” She smiled as she looked at him, the tears clinging to her lashes. “I will always be grateful.” She tensed as he placed the tip of the sword to the Crystal.
It didn’t hurt. There was a sudden sharp jolt of pressure, as if something had been ripped away from inside of her too fast for her nerves to register. Then she sighed, and her body slumped where it hung. Her dark eyes grew heavy, glassy, and she could no longer hold her head up. Her lungs refused to draw another breath, and her heartbeat slowed. This was how it had to be. She just hoped…
“Thank you…”
...that she could see his face again, waiting for her on the other side.
The last bit of life left her, and her eyes dulled. It was finished.
“Heh, you never changed at all, Shorty.”
Honestly, that’s not something she should be thanking him for. Killing her was the last resort. He had no other options no matter how they both looked at it.
He replied giving her a soft laugh from her words. When she finally ceased to exist, he watched her limp figure for a moment longer, before sheathing his sword. If only he could peel her away from the grasp of the tree that she was bound to but alas that was a task even Yuri could not do. He’d probably die if he tried.
There were things left to do and as much as this all hurt him to no end, he knew that Rukia was at peace. It was at least something he can admit. Yuri looked back at his hands once more before letting them slip to his side. He stole one last glance at everything before disappearing in the forest.
Until the very end, he fulfilled that promise to Rukia about stopping when there was no other way.