A Rip in Space & Soul

A quiet grin slowly curved up his lips as the Lieutenant spoke, drawing a warm chuckle from him, "Seems I don't really have a choice." He replies, starting to feel a bit more confident that he just might be able to learn to control his power. His visage softens as he held her gently, "Thank you, Lieutenant."

*She lets out a laugh and grins.* Ahhh I'm glad you finally understand! Then we'll do this again in the near future. Unless I'm in the world of the living, I can usually be found in the barracks, one of the bars in Rukongai with papa or, well...here. Meditating. *Smiling, she peeks open an eye to look up at Kyousuke.* No need to thank me Kyou-kun. It's my pleasure.

Reverting those locations to memory, Kyousuke reminds himself to check those places if ever he needed to talk to her or just wanted to see her again. He slowly raises his head to the sky, gazing at the stars glistening above them, deciding that while he wouldn't allow any harm to come to her, he was also going to try his best to master his power. His eyes fell down upon the Lieutenant once more, and he gave a firm, warm smile, "Rest youself, Rizu." He utters to her, "You look tired."

*Rizu shuts her opened eye once more and waves her hand once again dismissing Kyousuke's words.* Ahh I'm just fine. This is resting. In fact, I'm sure I've rested plenty. *Slowly she puts her hands on the ground to prop herself up off of Kyousuke's lap. Her arms shaking and threatening to give way, she frowns as she concentrates on not dropping back down.*

Since their bodies were in direct contact with one another, it wasn't hard for Kyousuke to tell that her strength was not completely restored.

'I can't believe my power could have this strong of an effect on her.' He mused, astonished that she still couldn't stand herself up on her hands, 'And she's a Lieutenant!'

The display caused him to feel slightly more ashamed, but he shrugs it off and reaches to take her gently by the shoulders, "It's all right. You don't have to try so hard. Just rest for now." He insists in a calm whisper as gentle as the next breeze that blew through the land.

Hm? *As Kyousuke takes her by the arms, she opens her eyes and blinks. She frowns and opens her mouth, prepared to protest but stops and relaxes, laying herself back down with a half smile.* -He must be feeling awful right now...best not shrug off his efforts.- *Rizu sighs and looks up at Kyousuke with a slight smirk.* Well now, I suppose I don't have much of a choice do I? I suppose if I must, I must.

As she lays herself back down, he glanced over at the pair of katanas resting nearby. His expression fades for a moment into a look of thoughtful seriousness.

'I'll need your help as well. You understand my power more than anyone, don't you?'

He was brought out of his thoughts by the sound of the Lieutenant's voice, look down upon her weary face and smiles, "Well, if you're so repulsed by this, I guess I could always carry you back to the Barracks." He offers teasingly, wondering how embarrassed she might be to see a junior squad member carrying their helpless Lieutenant back to base...

*Rizu laughs loudly with a quiet snort.* Repulsed? Oh come on. If I were at all repulsed I would have crawled back to barracks a long time ago. I'm just fine thank you. *She stifles a yawn and smiles.* What, was that meant to be a joke? I have no qualms with being carried. I'm not quite sure if you've caught on but I'm relatively shameless when it comes to such things. *She reaches to her face and pushes her damp hair from her eyes.* I'll rest anywhere as long as it's convenient to you Kyou-kun. Beggars can't be choosers you know.

"An officer without a sense of individual superiority..." Kyousuke remarks cheekily, "You continue to amaze me, Lieutenant Rizu." He chuckles quietly, still teasing her. "I think it's best if you rest here with me for a while longer." He finally confesses without hesitation or embarrassment, raising his head up and staring off into the distance, "I would like to savor this moment a little bit more."

*Rizu chuckles, shrugging slightly.* I am a person just like everybody else. I live, I breathe and sometimes I get tired. In the event that I'm too tired to walk, I would be foolish to decline help just for the sake of pride. It's far more degrading to crawl on your hands and knees than to be carried by a fellow squad member, wouldn't you say?

*She looks up at Kyousuke with brief surprise, then smiles, shutting her eyes once again. She speaks quietly, almost muttering under her breath.* Then that sounds just fine to me. I'll rest right here with you, Kyou-kun.

Deciding to finally let her rest for what was left of the night, he continued to stare on ahead, into the beauty of the land beyond; stretching through the trees, past the Seireitei, onward through the Rukongai, traveling on an endless path of strength, compassion, and warmth. This was a moment which he could remember for years to come; a scene to place in the storages of his mind, to recall and look back on whenever he felt alone...

"Truly..." He whispers quietly, "Thank you, Rizu."

*Rizu tries to remain conscious a few moments longer to keep Kyousuke company, but slowly succumbs to her exhaustion. She relaxes and smiles softly, mumbling tiredly under her breath.* My pleasure, Kyou-kun... *She drifts off to sleep to rest her body and mind.*