"Sister, I really… I really don't have any strength left! Stepping on me won't help!" Shiba Ganju's back pressed flat into the grass under the weight of one bandaged foot. Numbness had replaced sensation in his arms, and despair was written plainly across his face.
His older sister was gorgeous-but unfortunately, cruel beyond reason.
She stood tall: a young woman with her right arm missing from the upper bicep down, white bandages wrapped tightly over the stump. The word "empty" had been inked across her left arm. More bandages covered her head and feet.
There was a blade strapped to her back. A swirling crest painted across her lower abdomen marked her unmistakably as part of the Shiba family.
Her massive tits rivaled Matsumoto Rangiku's in size and were barely covered by the loose, revealing outfit she wore. That was Shiba Kūkaku-and the one groaning beneath her was none other than her brother, Shiba Ganju.
"Sister… looks like someone's coming."
"I know."
Kūkaku stepped off him with little care. Ganju sat up slowly-then stiffened when he saw Kuchiki Rukia approaching from behind the trees.
"That's… that's the Shinigami who killed our brother."
Kūkaku's expression lost its playful edge immediately. Her tone turned hard. "Shinigami-what the fuck do you want?"
Kuchiki Rukia kept her eyes down. She couldn't even lift her head to meet their gaze. Her lips trembled as she bowed deeply from the waist.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I've wanted to come see you for so long-to apologize-but I was afraid. I hid from it… and now I've come too late."
"I'm sorry, I really-"
"Alright. That's enough with the apologies." Kūkaku stared coldly at her.
"But… but-"
Before Rukia could finish, Kūkaku cracked her fist down on her head. Thud.
Rukia's eyes glazed with shock as Kūkaku turned away from her completely.
Losing Kaien had hurt-but guilt had probably punished Kuchiki Rukia harder than anyone else ever could.
"Ukitake already told me what happened," Kūkaku said with her back turned. "It wasn't your fault-not really. And I know better than anyone that it's been eating you alive."
"I'm so sorry…" Rukia's fists trembled at her sides, fingernails biting into skin so tight her knuckles paled with pressure.
Slap. Kūkaku knocked the back of her head again, glancing harshly over one shoulder before grunting out-
"Didn't I say? Stop apologizing."
"Right… no-"
"Thanks…" Rukia caught herself just in time when Kūkaku raised her hand again. "T-thank you for forgiving me."
Yuta stepped forward casually. "Are you Shiba Kūkaku?"
"Who the hell are you?"
"My name's Yuta. Just someone from Rukongai." He looked at her with interest peeking through his bored tone-though his eyes barely left her arm.
He wasn't here to ogle fireworks or admire the family home. He wanted two things: fireworks technology... and access to create the Royal Key that leads to the Soul King's Palace.
"Word is your fireworks are famous," Yuta said dryly. "Mind if I see them for myself?"
Behind him, Rukia's hand tightened around his sleeve in panic. He patted it calmly without turning around.
"Oh?" Kūkaku raised one brow with vague amusement. "Didn't think anyone came begging to see fireworks."
"Our family doesn't share that shit with outsiders," she said while turning around toward the mansion entrance. "Take your curiosity somewhere else."
"What if I could heal your right arm?"
Kūkaku froze in place before she could take another step.
"You're clearly struggling with that missing arm." Yuta kept speaking casually. "Studying fireworks must be hard with just one hand. Consider it my half of the trade."
Before Kūkaku could reply, Ganju practically jumped forward, eyes wide with hope.
"You serious?! You really think you could heal my sister's arm?"
"If she wants me to." Yuta shrugged like it wasn't even worth bragging about.
"Please! Heal it!" Ganju dropped his usual loud persona and spoke earnestly now. "Even if she won't teach you anything-I'll tell you everything I know!"
"Idiot!" Kūkaku snapped back, turning with narrowed eyes at her brother.
"Sister!" Ganju raised his chin stubbornly. "You've suffered long enough! Even if you hate me for it-I'm not backing down!"
Kūkaku exhaled slowly under her breath as she looked at him again… then sighed aloud.
"I'll teach you once," she said finally-and walked toward the house.
Inside, the mansion corridor sloped underground until they reached Kūkaku's private workshop: shelves stacked with black powder and firework materials everywhere across the room.
Yuta didn't recognize half of it-but he'd dabbled in explosive theory before. This time, it would be hands-on experience taught directly by Soul Society's most famous technician.
"You seem to know your way around already," Kūkaku commented eventually while watching his work closely. "Have you… studied fireworks before?"
Yuta didn't answer-he just smiled while molding the final shell between both palms.
Even Rukia looked confused now-since Soul Society's knowledge of fireworks belonged entirely to the Shiba family… when had Yuta learned any of this?
They stepped outside together into open grassland beyond the estate wall. Yuta threw the spherical shell into the sky-and boom-it exploded far in the distance with frightening precision and force.
Kūkaku nodded once in surprise and approval. "Your talent's good," she admitted. "Didn't expect that kind of result first try."
"You want to stay and keep learning?"
"No." Yuta shook his head once. "I've seen enough."
Fireworks here weren't just for show-they were tools that might one day open paths beyond the living world itself.
He knelt beside Kūkaku and began unwrapping the bandage over what remained of her right arm.
His hand lit up dimly-and fresh granulation began forming immediately where scar tissue had once hardened over time. Muscles curled into place-bone repaired-skin closed without flaw.
It grew back completely before their eyes.
Kūkaku flexed the new arm slowly and tested its strength by clenching her fist once, then twice. It was identical to what she'd lost-though muscle memory would take time to resettle in place again.
"…Thanks," she said after another moment passed, lowering her arm again. "I owe you big time. Anything you want-just ask. Shiba family will answer."
"I really appreciate it," Ganju added, bowing low in front of Yuta without hesitation. "Thanks for healing my sister."
After saying goodbye to Kūkaku, Yuta and Rukia turned back toward Seireitei together-
And without warning, Rukia wrapped her arms around him from behind.
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