Nemu Beginings

“Oh right!” you exclaim, your mind finally catching up with the recent events and remembering the rather unique deal you struck with enigmatic and disturbingly odd Mayuri, “My apologies Miss…”

“Nemu, Nemu Kurotsuchi,” Nemu gives you a low bow as you give Kukaku one last kiss before approaching the stoic faced woman, “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Genryuisai-sama.”

You shake your head with a chuckle, your hand resting itself on Nemu’s shoulder as you speak, “Now, now none of that. You can call John or Johnny if you prefer.”

Nemu blinks a but before she slowly nods, her impassive face staring into your own as she cautiously eyes the gentle hand on your shoulder, “Y-Yes…of course John-sama.”

You quietly groan to yourself as you cast a glance over to Soi-fon before turning back to Nemu, “Wonderful, another one. Oh well, how can I help you Nemu-chan?”

Your affectionate title for Nemu sends a slight blush across her cheeks but her expression doesn’t budge and inch, “I was wondering what duties you have for me John-sama.”

Blinking a few times in confusion you raise an eyebrow and ask, “What do you mean Nemu-chan?”

“Mayuri Taicho utilized me for a great number of things John-sama,” Nemu says with a completely flat monotone, “my body is much more study and strong than most Shinigami and I heal very quickly so if you so choose to beat me for entertainment then it is of little real consequence I can als-”

Your eyes narrow dangerously as you interrupt Nemu, your voice carrying a gallon of venom as you growl, “Excuse me…what was that Nemu-chan?”

Unfazed by your expression of anger of the anger of the other females in the room Nemu continued on unabated and with that neutral monotone of hers, “My apologies John-sama, I was not clear. Mayuri Taicho was the one who created me and gave me a body so he designed me to survive his experiments on my body or anything else he chose to do with me. He would use my body for testing and experimentation of his latest **** and poisons and beat me when the results of my performance were not satisfactory. If you choose John-sama then you are free to do the same if you so choose.”

It takes a monumental effort not to run out of the room, fire up your Zanpakuto, and slice Mayuri to ribbons, but you are able to hold back and swallow your rage with what feels like a mountain of salt behind it. With a deep sigh you move closer to Nemu and without a single word you wrap your arms around her, a firm and gentle hug enveloping her as you gently stroke her back with a single hand. For a moment Nemu is surprised, the first expression that you’ve ever seen on the monotone girl crossing her features with a slight blush and wide eyes, “J-John-sama?”

“Nemu-chan, never again,” you mutter as you give her a slight squeeze, your larger body shielding hers as you hold her closer, “never again will you be used for experiments or beating.”

“B-But John-sama,” Nemu seems confused at your words, the tenderness in your tone something that is so novel and unique to her that she can barely understand let alone react to it, “Wh-What do you mean?”

“I could never stand to see a woman hurt,” you say with a deep and caring tone, “for as long as I’ve lived I’ve hated to see so much as a scratch on a woman I care about. That’s why that will never happen again for you Nemu-chan, no more beatings or experiments. You are with me and I will protect you with my life, I promise.”

Nemu’s eyes open wide in shock at your words, her breath catching in her throat as tears begin to prick at the corners of her eyes. Slowly bit by bit the tears begin to fill and fall, fat drops of rolling down her cheeks much to her confusion, “J-John-sama…wh-what are you…what are these?” With the curiosity of a young child Nemu gently touches her face and pulls it away to reveal the wetness of her tears, the glistening salt water that drops from her eyes confusing her as much as it worries her, “Are these…is this crying?”

Moving away slightly you look into Nemu’s sad and tear filled eyes, a depthless sorrow filling her deep forest green eyes as she looks up at your taller form, “Yes Nemu-chan, that’s crying…”

More tears seem to sprout with your confirmation, her face for once changing from the melancholic expression to one of deeper sadness and fear, “W-What…I…h-help me John-sama. I-I…I don’t know what to do!”

With a soft smile you pull Nemu close again, your hands burying her face into your broad chest as you softly whisper, “Just let it all out Nemu-chan…”

In seconds you find Nemu sobbing into your chest, her hands clutching at your clothing as her body heaves and jumps with deep gut wrenching sob after heart rendering sob. Her entire body seems to resonate with her sadness, her muscles weak and trembling as she holds you tightly for support and strength. All the while you slowly and carefully hold her close, one hand stroking along her back as you make comforting noises next to her ear. For several moments this goes on, Nemu holding you tightly and releasing the pain of her existence to you, crying and sobbing with sorrow and hurt as you silently accept her tears and comfort her when you can.

Gradually, Nemu begins to wind down, her sobs slowing in pace until at last they stop, the dark haired and green eyed girl finally having cried herself out for the moment as she pulls away and gazes up at you, “Th-Thank you John-sama…I…I never…”

You smile and place a comforting hand on Nemu’s shoulder, your voice filled with compassion and warmth as you speak, “Don’t worry Nemu-chan, I wanted to help and I still want to, in any way I can.”

Nemu’s forest green eyes seem to spark with emotion and light as a slight blush and a tiny smile crosses her lips, “Y-Yes John-sama, thank you John-sama…”