Cat's got your Back

You jump, not only from the sensation of the soft and soothing words breaking across the back of your neck but also at the fact that someone so quickly and silently was able to sneak up on you without you noticing. You freeze at the words, the soft and sultry tone of a woman ringing in your ears as you nervously speak up, “Um, who in the world are you?”

With a soft chuckle a face gradually moves into view from the corner of your vision, a calm smile and two beautiful brilliant gold eyes shimming out from a complexion of tan and dark black hair, “the name is Yoruichi, John-kun. It’s nice to finally meet you; Urahara has been talking about you an awful lot.”

“W-Well it’s nice to meet you Yoruichi-chan…but how in the world did you get in my house?” you mutter in confusion, something that causes her to chuckle as she holds you a little bit tighter, “why you carried me in, such a kind and caring man to take in a little stay all on your own.”

Instantly it all clicks into place, your eye twitching with irritation as you think of Urahara pulling the wool over your eyes once again, “God damn Urahara…when will he stop fucking around with me!”

Yoruichi giggles a bit but it quickly pitters off, her arms releasing you slightly only for her to turn you around so you can face the beautifully bronzed goddess face to face. Her skin is immaculate and the teasing, mischievous glint in her eye shines brightly no matter what her expression. However, at the moment is grows just a little dull as a more serious stare takes over, her voice becoming very firm as she speaks, “John-kun, while Urahara does like to play with people this time he is not lying. He sent me along with you to keep an eye on you and make sure you don’t do something you’ll regret…”

“I-I’d never do that,” you mutter but Yoruichi shakes her head slightly.

“Almost no one ever thinks they will John-kun, but it still happens. In **** situations people do things that they will likely never forgive themselves for right up until the day they die,” Yoruichi speaks, her saddened tone really driving the point home as she whispers, “like the love of your life walking out of it and never coming back.”

This breaks a barrier within you, your tears breaking loose as you let out a choked sob. The beginning of a crying fit settles in too quickly for you to reign is back and it is only by the grace of Yoruichi that it is kept quiet, her arms holding you tight and muffling you sobs at the thought of losing your girls so quickly to such a bizarre and wicked twist of fate. The fit lasts a solid ten minutes, your mind racing and your emotions snapping at the thought of it all, all the while Yoruichi calmly whispering to you and soothing your body with slowly drawn circles in the fabric of your shirt.

With one last hiccupping sob you pull away from Yoruichi, you hair a mess and you eyes puffy and red with spent tears as you whisper, “Th-Thank you Yoruichi-chan.”

Yoruichi simply smiles and nods, “No problem John-kun, it’s what I’m here for.” With a sly smile Yoruichi suddenly leans in, her lips kissing your own for a brief second before she pulls away with a playful show of her pretty pink tongue, “and maybe more if you play your cards right Johnny-kun. But right now you have a job to do, right?” You are still stunned at Yoruichi’s round about confessions but you can’t help but smile, your head nodding as you rise to your feet and Yoruichi returns to her slim and sleek feline form.

A few short steps and you are back in the living room, all of the girls waiting on pins and needles as you return with an armful of disguised Yoruichi, “J-Johnny-chan! Are you alright? Was…was that you crying?” Rangiku asks her questions with rapid fire speed, her worry and terror at the possibility of you being hurt more than enough than she can bear.

However you quickly stop her, one hand signaling her to stop her questions as you take a seat in a chair opposite the five girls, “Girls…there is something we really need to talk about.” You sigh slightly as you set Yoruichi into your lap, your hand gently scratching the back of her neck as you speak, “Urahara figured out a way to return your powers to you, you can go back to being Soul Reapers or whatever it was you were before you came here.”

The reaction with the girls is instant, a bright smile crossing their faces as she cheer in victory. Some of them thank you, others celebrate with a quick dance, but all you can do is give them a sad and unfulfilling smile. “John-kun,” Snakey suddenly speaks up, her eyes trained on your features as she speaks, “What…what’s wrong?”

Your sad smile deepens at the question, all of the girls stopping their celebratory acts to look you in the eye with concern and fear, “Giving you girls back your powers has two options, one I could never even consider and the other…the other is up to you.”

“What do you mean options,” Renji asks with growing fear, her tone full of worry as she continues her thoughts, “What are they?”

“One is to give you your powers but in return, introduce reiatsu to this world thus changing it forever,” you mutter, your eyes looking away from the girls and to the silently staring Yoruichi, “I can’t do that to other people and I don’t think you can either…from what you tell me that would be opening up more cans of worms then is safe or sane.” Receiving an affirmative nod from the girls you continue the next plan, your throat threatening to synch up and close as you speak, “The other option…the other option is that you girls go back to where you’re from and we never see each other again.”

This, just as the first news you break to the girls, has an instant response, all of them calling out at once with anger and frustration. “Are you fucking kidding me!? Never see you again, not even to visit!?” Chimpette snarls, her hands tightening into fists so tight you think they might begin to bleed, “Fuck no, no deal!”

“You are miserable in this world,” you say with a calm but sad smile, all of the girls stopping on a dime as you stand to speak, “it’s like trying to **** a salt water fish to live in fresh water, essentially the same thing but there is a world of difference.”

“Johnny-chan, no…wait,” Rangiku starts but you shake your head, a small tear in your eye being erased by a quick swipe with the back of your wrist.

“No, I understand Rangiku-chan. It’s alright, trust me,” You offer a chuckle that holds no warmth or soul, just a vibration in the air and nothing more as you continue our thoughts, “I don’t want to **** any of you to do something you don’t want to. I just want all of you to be happy so I’m leaving the choice to you…”

The room is silent as the girls look at you, disbelief, sorrow, and fear clouding their vision as they watch the fatigue of the day finally catch up to your weaker human body, the emotional roller coaster of the past few hours leaving you drained with just barely enough energy to stay awake let alone think. With a sigh you shake your head, one hand going to your temple as you try to rub a bit more life into your snoozing brain cells, “I…I’m getting a little tired…I think I’ll go to take a nap for a bit.”

“John-kun,” Renji mutters, her hands wringing together nervously as she gazes at you from beneath her scarlet hair, “I…we love you.”

You smile sadly at the words, a pang of pain shooting through your heart as you respond, “I love you too Renji-chan, all of you…think about it alright, I just need some rest…”