The Pact

Holy crap! I'm sorry it's taken a small forever for me to update this. Things have been a little crazy in my life the last few months. If anyone still wants to read, here's the next chapter. If not, I understand. Again, sorry it took so long.



***

While Morrigan was straightening out Uryuu and Nyx, Jyuushiro was walking with Renji and Ama around the grounds. Renji left to grab them all something to drink, leaving the older man alone with Amaterasu for a few minutes.



“You can take him with you,” she said quietly.



Jyuushiro was taken aback for a moment before turning to look at the young woman fully. “Thank you,” he said, deeply and sincerely meaning it. “May I ask what made you change your mind?”



She shrugged. “Morrigan is right. I can’t keep him against his will. Even if it’s only because I want to protect him.”



He nodded, understanding where she was coming from and also understanding how hard it was for her to let go of a conviction. Even a recently held one.



“Truly, he isn’t disdained among the soul reapers. There was a time when things were hard for him but no longer. He’s an excellent fighter and a good man. Even if his heart tends to run far in front of his head some times,” he said, smiling wryly.



Ama was silent for a few moments, digesting what she’d been told. “What of the woman he cares for?” she asked between clenched teeth.



“Now, that situation is a bit more complicated,” Jyuushiro said thoughtfully.



“She keeps hurting him,” Ama said, her fists clenching angrily at her sides.



“In her defense, I don’t think she’s aware of it. He is her friend, has been since long before I ever knew either of them. I honestly don’t believe she sees his caring for her in any way but as a friendship. I know she would not intentionally hurt him.”



She nodded. Jyuushiro could tell she was struggling to accept the answer he’d given her. He’d told her the truth as he knew it. He truly didn’t think Rukia was aware Renji loved her as something far more than a friend. If she actually was aware of it, she did a fine job of playing blissfully oblivious.



Amaterasu finally nodded, more to herself than to what Jyuushiro had said. She glanced up and watched Renji coming toward them with the drinks, feeling as though someone had punched her in the stomach. She turned away quickly, looking for something to distract her from the sick feeling she was suddenly having. Her gaze happened to light on her brother, staring wide eyed at Morrigan. She had to chuckle a little bit at that. At least her brother had been entertaining so far, she thought.



She was brought from her musings when something cool was pressed against her hand. She looked up and found Renji holding the drink he’d gotten for her.



“Oh, thank you,” she said, trying not to focus on him because it really hurt for some inexplicable reason.



“Hey, you okay?” Renji asked. “You’ve been real quiet since we got here.”



“I’m fine,” she said. Then on impulse stretched up and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for the concern. You’re sweet. I’m going to go see what Morrigan is saying to my brother that’s making him look like he’s being scared out of his skin.”



She walked away without another word. Each step away hurt more than the last and all she wanted to do at that moment was fling herself at her sister and cry like she had when she was Cyan’s age. She’d done the right thing. She knew she had. So, why did it feel so wrong? She stopped halfway to her siblings and turned in the direction of the gate in the oak tree. She didn’t feel up to trying to explain to Nyx why she was so upset when she really didn’t know the reason herself.

***

Uryuu and Nyx had both seen her start over to them then switch paths abruptly halfway there. They both frowned at the sudden change.



Morrigan simply sighed. “Okay, go get her, you two. I know you’re not listening to a damn word I say anymore anyway. I’ll wrangle your kid, Nyx.”



“Thank you,” Nyx said before looking at Uryuu. “Did you see where she went?”



“She went back to the portal. Seems like she’s upset about something,” Uryuu said, pushing his glasses up.



“Now that you mention it, she’s been acting strangely since we got here. I wasn’t paying much attention at first because of Cyan and now this,” she said, nodding toward Morrigan.



Uryuu nodded. “Come on, let’s go find her,” he said, taking her hand in his and shrugging slightly at her odd look. “Might as well start practicing.”



“True enough.”



***

Renji watched Amaterasu for a moment as she walked away before turning to the Captain of the 13th with a questioning look.



“Captain, got any idea what’s goin’ on with her?”



“I’ve no idea,” Jyuushiro said mildly. “She didn’t mention what might be troubling her. Only that she’d decided to allow you to return to Soul Society without a fuss.”



Renji frowned. “That’s kinda weird isn’t it? To change her mind so totally in just a few hours, I mean.”



“I believe she’s been mulling over what Morrigan said about keeping someone against their will.”



“Oh. Well, it’s not . . . I mean, not really . . . Y’know, Captain, if it’s okay with you and my Captain, I kinda want to stay for a bit. There’s something weird goin’ on and Nyx thinks someone might try to hurt Ama, Uryuu and their dad. I don’t want to leave if there might be trouble comin’ that I can help with.”



Jyuushiro’s lips twitched a little but he didn’t fully smile. “I’ll speak to your Captain concerning the matter. I’m certain he’ll not mind. Things are quiet at the moment back home.”



“Thanks, Captain. ‘Preciate it.”



“No trouble. Though I believe I’ll stay for a bit as well,” Jyuushiro said. “Things may get interesting around here.”