BSD
Administrator
From Division 13 Barracks
Katsuo was unconscious as he was delivered from the training yard with Arashi, Oyama Hoshi probably following suit, not that he would know anything about that. His unconscious body led his mind to a place he was really dreading on going to. Eikōgitsune has been pestering him to near death herself about him entering their inner world, he's been slacking the last 3 months because of her threats to beat the shit out of him. It may sound like a good thing to others but Eiko's efforts to try and make him stronger only makes him feel overwhelmed. He wanted to do as Arashi instructed, deep inside, but he was still afraid. Afraid of losing everything again.
This fear of losing everything and everyone, it exists deep within the adopted Oda. Where it all began, was a different story. In losing all those that found him and provided him with a sense of love, understanding, friendship, and home, he gained Eikōgitsune, and a new life he'd never thought he'd had… but always looking at the cost. His happiness costed the lives of six children.
"Katsuo!"
It was Jiro's voice. A brown haired, freckled brat of a boy only seemingly a year older than Katsuo when he was alive. They were best friends. Sharing a Tanto, which at the time was well oiled and taken care of, it was Jiro's. Two young girls, Two younger boys. These children had found Katsuo, and gave him a name. Some souls remembered what they had in the living world, some didn't. It was a mystery to Katsuo even today why that was. Perhaps something awful happened to those that can't remember, and to be at peace, in the process that memory gets annihilated somehow.
He remembers where they were going in this flashback however. The hill. The hill he saw get annihilated just 3 months ago from the blast. There was a garden on that hill old man Hako let the children play in so long as they didn't trash it. They never did, they loved the hideout. He remembers the day Jiro took all of them up to that hill to watch a sunset in the soul Society for a surreal moment. That was when he was serious with all of them.
"If we die before we find families, or before we get old like Hako… we should all leave something here to remember one another."
Sadly, Katsuo remembers leaving five objects left over from each of them. A straw filled plush for their youngest, a blanket belonging to his sister, a game piece for the boy that loved to play board games, a ribbon for the girl Jiro and Katsuo constantly fought over, and… Jiro's Tanto. A makeshift grave for five children of south rukon nobody knew much about but Katsuo.
"Whoever lives through everything, we'll be there always, cheering em on. Death is a part of this life too. Never forget that guys."
Katsuo over the years forgot that Jiro had said that… perhaps this reminiscence of the mind was trying to tell him something after all. It suddenly turned sort of nightmarish when the extreme light, the one he remembered from 3 months ago that destroyed everything, flashed and destroyed the silhouettes of his former home and family… No. Toshiyuki's family. It was as if Jiro himself was there in front of Katsuo smiling at him again. A reassuring pat on the shoulder was felt. It was as if Jiro and the gang was telling him something.
"This part of your life is over Katsu. You don't have to worry about us anymore."
Just like that flash, the faces, the gravemarkers, the garden, the hill, old man Hako's place… all gone. It was all gone, and there was nothing Katsuo could do about that anymore. He would probably have to thank Higen later. Not only did he save south Rukongai, his home, but he released his mind from any troubles or worries from before. It was like he had a clean slate to start over and try again for a third time.
He awoke from that dream in his mind to find himself piled into a batch of purple cherry blossom petals. There, sitting at the stairs of the house, were two little fox-eared and tailed girls. The one in black looked a bit mopey and depressed, the one dressed in yellow… was pissed off. Like, scolding mother pissed off. Katsuo gave an awkward smile to them both, standing out of the pile of purple blossoms, letting them pour off his body. The awkward silence was broken by a "tick donk" of a nearby pond's bamboo fountain.
Then a cat-like hiss, and the world vibrated. Camera pan back to Katsuo, paw print slap to his cheek, scratches all over his face, Eikōgitsune was definitely angry.
"How could you! How could you be defeated by Arashi so easily! Were you even trying?"
Before Katsuo could answer the active Eikōgitsune paced back and forth like a disappointed parent.
"You think you are still worthy to Wield me?!"
She said, taking her bladed form into this world, sticking it into his face. The other one sighed. She had less of a temper, and was more rational, even though she felt the same.
"He was at a disadvantage, Sister. Perhaps our training needs a sort of defense against long range attacks like Arashi's starlight."
The other one argued with her Sister.
"We have one he just didn't use it! He'd rather use it to save others than his own hide!"
Katsuo sighed. She never let things go, she was still sour about three months ago. Katsuo was wriggling his body on the outside world, indicating he was in his mind. His body would tense up as if having a muscle spasm.
"I'm sorry, Eiko. For months now I let my emotions and fears guide me over everything else. I've… been afraid of losing people I care about again."
She lowered her blade. She understood that, being one who loves to be remembered, she'd hate it if she lost something.
"get up Katsuo Toshiyuki Oda, it's time for more of our own training."
She said, tossing her blade, then her sister's to him. Katsuo stood up and caught them both with a nod and smirked. They wouldn't go easy on him either.
His eyes and his heart rate outside his mind where his body is were moving and rising, but he was stable. He'd lost some blood, but it was apparent he was still very much active and responding.
"It's just Katsuo Oda, now."
