Well, Rukia was right โ stepping into the cockpit, Kyoraku finally found the code scanner he'd been searching for all over the ship. The only thing left was to open the cargo hold and finally see what was inside.
When he returned to the common room to gather everyone else, he only found Rukia sitting on the floor, arms wrapped around herself. Kyoraku felt a twinge of shame. He shouldn't have snapped at her like that. He'd been too harsh lately...
โ Are you okay? Sorry, I went too far earlier...
He began, stepping closer. Rukia didn't turn around.
โ Why do you think he did it?
Kyoraku fell silent, his fists clenching slightly.
โ Does it matter? Would knowing make you feel any better?
Rukia stood up, staring ahead at nothing in particular.
โ Kyoraku, I want to believe that moments of weakness don't make us monsters. I have to believe that. Even at times like this.
Crossing his arms, Kyoraku looked at Rukia skeptically โ or rather, at her back.
โ Rukia, he was trying to take all of us down with him. As far as I'm concerned, there are only two reasons to keep him alive right now. But the most important thing is that the whole crew agreed to it โ whatever their reasons were.
Rukia was silent for a moment, then spoke more quietly.
โ ...I need a moment to pull myself together. You go gather the others.
With that, she left. Well, that was what he'd planned to do anyway.
And so, ten minutes later, everyone had gathered. They stood in front of the cargo hold entrance, ready to take the final step.
โ Are we sure we're doing the right thing? I hope it's medicine, or food and water...
Rukia murmured, staring at the door. On the other side stood Renji and Byakuya.
โ What do you think we're hauling? If it's spare parts, Kuchiki-san and I could fix the ship and finally get out of here! That's right, isn't it?
Renji asked cheerfully, only to receive a displeased look from Byakuya โ and Kyoraku, for that matter.
โ Enough empty talk. Just get on with it. This was your idea... I want everyone here to know โ I had no part in this. I was against it.
Kyoraku rolled his eyes and, with a heavy sigh, pulled out the scanner. The code was 4571. Simple enough. After entering the code, the door gave way and began to open. Slowly, they all stepped inside...
๐ฌ 0ย ย ๐ 0ย ย โค๏ธ 0ย ยทย Post by @sheeps-dreams ยท 1 imageย ยทย ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก๐ฐ๐๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ร ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ก {3/4}
Entering the medical bay, he saw Rukia standing by the co
Entering the medical bay, he saw Rukia standing by the cot where their former captain lay. Wrapped in bandages, breathing heavily, barely any skin or hair left โ right now, he looked more like a piece of meat than a human being. Rukia turned around, her face filled with sorrow.
โ ...He can't just lie here like this...
Rukia looked away, and Kyoraku sighed heavily as he stepped closer.
โ What about the painkillers?
Rukia covered her mouth with her hand, growing more agitated.
โ He... It just hurts so much. I can't listen to those screams anymore...
Kyoraku frowned deeper, glancing between the man wrapped in bandages and Rukia.
โ You did finish medical school, right? Or did your parents buy you that degree back before your family lost their business? Mmm... This company really will cut corners wherever they can.
Rukia lowered her head, not responding to the remark, and decided to change the subject.
โ Um, I was thinking... After we pulled him out of the cockpit, we never went back in there.
That was true. But what could they find there now?
โ It's all filled with foam... It's a miracle Ukitake didn't get sealed in there. We have no idea what condition the cockpit itself is in.
Rukia nodded and continued.
โ I just thought... well, that's the only place we haven't checked...
Kyoraku sighed heavily but nodded.
โ If the scanner isn't there, we're done for... But I'll look.
Rukia smiled, clasping her hands together.
โ I'm sure you'll find it! Um... Also... Could you please help me with the Captโ
Kyoraku immediately cut her off, his expression shifting instantly.
โ With Ukitake.
Rukia quickly nodded.
โ Yes, with Ukitake...
Kyoraku frowned, looking down at her.
โ That title has to be earned. Don't you think so... nurse?
Rukia lowered her head, fidgeting with her clothes.
โ Sorry... S-so...?
Kyoraku sighed heavily and nodded.
โ Alright. I'll do it.
Rukia nodded.
โ Thank you...
He took the pills and approached Ukitake, grimacing as he took out a couple of tablets and opened his former comrade's mouth.
โ Just try not to move, alright? This isn't exactly pleasant for me either...
With that, he began pushing the pills into Ukitake's mouth. The room filled with horrible sounds, and Rukia couldn't take it anymore.
โ I... I can't listen to this anymore... I'm sorry!!
She ran out of the medical bay. Kyoraku didn't react, silently finishing what he started before leaving as well. The scanner. He needed to find that damn code scanner and get this over with.
๐ฌ 0ย ย ๐ 0ย ย โค๏ธ 0ย ยทย Post by @sheeps-dreams ยท 1 imageย ยทย ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก๐ฐ๐๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ร ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ก {2/4}
Kyoraku wandered through the common room, looking at the
๐ [ Part 4 ]
๐ฌ 0ย ย ๐ 0ย ย โค๏ธ 0ย ยทย Post by @sheeps-dreams ยท 1 imageย ยทย ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก๐ฐ๐๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ร ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ก {4/4}
Well, Rukia was right โ stepping into the cockpit, Kyorak
Kyoraku wandered through the common room, looking at the posters of Chappy โ the main mascot of Rabbit Express. A pink bunny in a pink dress with a bow on her ear. Yeah, even for a stereotypical little girl, this would be way too much, and yet the company aggressively markets toys with this pink menace to children... Brr. Then, his gaze fell on Renji, who was sitting on the couch. Kyoraku decided to get closer โ after all, keeping an eye on the crew's mental state was also part of his duties as captain. Seeing him approach, Renji gave him a friendly smile and crossed his legs, relaxing into a more casual pose.
โ Ah... We got soup for dinner again. I'd kill for some chicken noodles, you know?
Renji started the conversation, patting the couch next to him, offering a seat. Kyoraku shook his head, preferring to continue standing.
โ How much longer will our food last?
He asked. The redhead just shrugged vaguely.
โ About four months? I think...
Kyoraku nodded, his gaze drifting thoughtfully to the display screen behind Renji, which was currently showing a sunset.
โ Hmm... The food will run out before the air, but in theory we could stretch it... That would mean tightening our belts soon, though.
Renji nodded, still wearing the same easygoing smile.
โ Yeah, I get it... But we'll make it! Rukia and I are used to it. Back at the orphanage we grew up in, there wasn't much food, so we had to tighten our belts pretty often! It'll be okay, Captain โ don't lose hope! Once this is all over, we'll have such stories to tell! Maybe we'll even end up on TV!
Kyoraku fell silent, but when he caught Renji's confused look, he quickly shook his head and forced an uncertain smile.
โ Uh... Yeah... Exactly... The girls won't leave you alone either!
Renji shook his head.
โ Nah, I'm not interested in that. My heart's already taken, and I wouldn't trade her for anyone.
Kyoraku let out a small laugh, patted Renji on the shoulder, and left the room. He still needed to check on the others and find the code scanner.
The hallways. Familiar hallways that he and the rest of the crew used to race through every day. Now they felt unsettling โ everything was falling apart, and half the passages were sealed off with foam. As Kyoraku walked, he spotted Byakuya standing ahead, leaning against the wall. His pale, gaunt appearance made it look like he was about to pass out at any moment. But no โ whether fortunately or unfortunately, that was just his usual state. Kyoraku stepped closer, finally catching his attention.
โ What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be sitting somewhere, planning out your brilliant scheme to raid the cargo hold?
Byakuya pressed his lips together, deploying his signature "ultra-super-displeased glare," as Renji liked to call it. Truth be told, Byakuya hadn't always been this irritable. Yes, he had always been strict and cold, but after the crash, things had gotten much worse. Maybe it was stress. Maybe something else... Kyoraku didn't know, and honestly, he wasn't too eager to find out.
โ Same question to you, Byakuya. What are you doing here?
Byakuya scoffed and tilted his head toward the door he was standing next to. Through the small, semi-transparent window, foam was visible.
โ Nothing much. Just working. Trying to break through the foam to get some tools... But one wrong move, and we're all done for.
Kyoraku glanced at the door, then back at Byakuya.
โ So... Why don't you ask Renji to help? He was assigned to assist you, after all.
Byakuya's eyes narrowed further, and he waved his hand dismissively.
โ Absolutely not. I'm not letting him anywhere near this. He's completely incompetent โ he'd sooner get himself killed and take all of us with him instead of actually helping. During one of the routine inspections, we were opening an air duct, and Rukia almost broke her leg in there. And that was before we even crashed. I warned her... Mm... No. I'll handle this myself.
Kyoraku sighed heavily but nodded.
โ Fine. Your call... Just keep me updated, alright?
Byakuya gave a slight nod and turned his head away, signaling that he wasn't interested in continuing the conversation. Kyoraku took the hint and left. Alright... He still needed to check on Rukia and...
๐ฌ 0ย ย ๐ 0ย ย โค๏ธ 0ย ยทย Post by @sheeps-dreams ยท 1 imageย ยทย ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก๐ฐ๐๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ร ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ก {3/4}
Entering the medical bay, he saw Rukia standing by the co
โ ...Anyone in our place would've done the same.
Kyoraku straightened his already broad shoulders, trying to sound convincing despite the distrustful looks from "his" crew.
โ Keep your hands off the cargo. It's against the rules โ according to article 15 of the contract with Rabbit Express, crew members are not authorized to open or inspect transported goods without special permission.
Byakuya crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes. His slender fingers fidgeted with the sleeve of his t-shirt, his cold grey gaze drilling into Kyoraku with as much displeasure as he could express through a look alone. Even in a situation like this, he was painfully meticulous โ a real pain in the ass... They were on the verge of death, and he was bringing up some damn contract?
โ But the cargo could help us survโ
Rukia spoke up hesitantly, raising her eyes to her stepbrother, but the only response she got was a dismissive scoff.
โ And then what? We get out of here, and then what? We'll be arrested like a gang of criminals. No, thank you. I'd rather meet my death with dignity than like a cowardly rat.
Byakuya cut her off, and Rukia lowered her gaze, unable to argue with her brother. She'd been on edge lately โ the dark circles under her eyes and the unusual passivity of the normally energetic girl made it clear to everyone that she was struggling with the aftermath of the crash. Not that anyone here wasn't.
โ Byakuya, this isn't the time to think about honor and rules. You're not alone here. If the cargo can help us survive, we should at least try.
Kyoraku continued, growing irritated. Byakuya opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted.
โ Damn, is our management really that strict? Come on! We can take one little peek โ no one will even notice!
Renji seemed oblivious to the tension in the room, as energetic and enthusiastic as ever. His pink floral shirt only added to the absurdity โ all he was missing was a pair of sunglasses to complete the look. Oh, right... Those had been in his cabin during the crash, probably buried under a layer of foam by now. Byakuya did not share his "apprentice's" optimism, and only his upbringing stopped him from rolling his eyes.
โ And how exactly do you plan to get into the locked cargo hold?
Renji just smirked, lifting his chin with pride.
โ Easy! I was one of the best baseball players in all of Rukongai! One time, WHAM! Almost knocked a kid's eye out! We could grab an axe andโ
Byakuya slammed his fist on the table, making Rukia nearly jump.
โ Enough! I'm not going to listen to this nonsense any longer...
Kyoraku sighed heavily, giving Byakuya a disapproving look.
โ Byakuya, calm down, alright... There's probably some kind of emergency access.
Rukia thoughtfully pressed a finger to her lips, staring into the distance.
โ If I remember the safety protocols correctly... There should be an emergency access code for the doors. But to get it, you need a code scanner.
Kyoraku sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. He could use a drink โ a drink and the chance to stop thinking about all this.
โ ...And access to the scanner is only available to the ship's captain...
Byakuya crossed his arms again, leaning back in his chair.
โ Well, that's simple enough... Just go up to our former captain and ask him to hand over the scanner. Easy. I'm sure he'll even serve you a slice of cake with it, and a glass of sake!
Kyoraku winced at Byakuya's words. Of all the times to practice his sarcasm... What a perfect moment.
One by one, everyone started to disperse, signaling that this "mini-meeting" was over.
โ Sarcasm doesn't suit you, Byakuya. We don't need to ask anyone for anything. We'll take the scanner ourselves, open the hold ourselves, and get what we need ourselves. No matter how you look at it, I'm the captain now.
Renji smirked, raising his hand to his forehead in a mock salute.
๐ฌ 0ย ย ๐ 0ย ย โค๏ธ 0ย ยทย Post by @sheeps-dreams ยท 1 imageย ยทย ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก๐ฐ๐๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ร ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ก {2/4}
Kyoraku wandered through the common room, looking at the
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