House Call [Keiko/Rukia]

Mon Jan 20, 2020 2:04 am

Rukia Kuchiki

Honestly, having waited this long just to talk to her niece after such a serious injury had been a terrible experience for Rukia. While she'd handled all of the appropriate paperwork and diplomacy with all her typical composure, the truth of it was that she was worried sick on the inside, and in those few moments she had to herself, she'd found herself biting her nails now and again in concern. But now, Keiko had finally been allowed to come home, even if her recovery was...still a long way off, from what she had heard.

She knew that it was just common courtesy to bring something nice for anyone in recovery, and so Rukia now found herself standing outside of Keiko's room with a stuffed rabbit in her hand. It wasn't much, but she thought it was cute, and Keiko was certainly old enough to appreciate it, she thought. She took a quiet breath to compose herself, then knocked once on the door, sliding it open and stepping inside with all her typical poise.

"Keiko? It's your aunt Rukia. I hope I'm not bothering you, but I wanted to come and check on you."

Perhaps it was a little more casual than she normally would have been, to use terminology like "aunt Rukia," but she didn't think it would do the girl much good to be stuck in a frigid atmosphere of perfect, refined composure. She was recovering from an injury no girl her age should have to suffer, the last thing Rukia would want to do would be stress her any more. She took a seat next to the bed, hands on her lap with the small stuffed toy still in her hands, and thought about what to say.

"I'm...very sorry I couldn't come and see you in the medical wing. It was too hectic to push through, and I wouldn't have wanted to interfere in their work. But I'm glad that you're home safe now."

Setting the rabbit she'd brought onto the bed, she smiled just a small bit, even if the girl couldn't see it. That thought broke her heart, truth be told.

"I'm not sure if you like rabbits, but it's always good to have come company."

Mon Jan 20, 2020 2:32 am

Kuchiki Keiko

As soon as she slid the doors open, Rukia was met with darkness. In her current state, Keiko had no use for them, so all the lights were turned off. The only source off light was through the open doorway, revealing only a portion of Keiko's body clearly. Of course, Rukia could just turn the lights on herself. If that were the case, then she'd be met with a great deal of empty space.

Keiko's room was exceptionally minimalist. She had a raised, western twin bed in the corner of her room. A desk was at the opposite end, with a chair and lamp, and some papers. There was closet with a sliding door closed, and a single light in on the ceiling in the middle of her room. Nothing else. Except for Keiko herself, of course.

The girl was still in the hospital's thin gown, her back raised against several thick pillows, and bandages were wrapped around her eyes. Her spiritual presence was fairly weak, just enough to note that it was much darker than the usual. Her legs were under the sheets, and she held a listless expression. Normally, the girl might've turned to the door to see who came, but in the moment she just kept head forward, effectively staring at a wall. Keiko didn't respond to her aunt's greetings.

It was subtle, but the only reaction she gave at all was in her hands. When Rukia first came in, Keiko's just lied relaxed on her sheets, but now, they were clenching the linens.

END POST

Mon Jan 20, 2020 2:45 am

Rukia Kuchiki

Holding back a sigh of rather genuine sadness at seeing her niece in such a state, Rukia could only keep up the comforting air. It didn't surprise her at all that Keiko would be in a state like this. That kind of trauma would do a lot to anyone, let alone someone so young. She definitely noted the tensing of her grip, and though she wanted to take the girl's hand in hers to reassure her, that wouldn't be the right course of action at a time like this.

"There have been a lot of people asking if you're doing alright, you know. One girl in particular has practically barged through the gates on her own... I'm glad to see there are so many people who care about you."

It was very difficult for her, to just dance around the truth of the matter like this. But what else could she do? Some things...well, some things you couldn't always fix yourself. Rukia had learned that lesson herself more than once.

"If there's anything at all I can do for you, Keiko, just know that I'm here, alright? You aren't alone here. I promise."

The feeling of loneliness was one she knew well, that sense of despair when one thought they had no one else. She wouldn't let someone else, least of all her own kin, feel that same thing.

Mon Jan 20, 2020 3:07 am

Kuchiki Keiko

The whole time, Keiko kept her silence. Her hands stayed gripping on the linens the whole way through, and she didn't offer much more of a reaction. Of course, she was still listening to every word being said, and there were plenty of things she wanted to say, but... What can even be said? Should she just lie? Telling the truth didn't feel right either. Even if she wanted to, that sort of confession... it felt way too much. It felt almost self-pitiable, a thought Keiko had never come across before. But, at the same time, it almost felt like she was owed that pity. And yet, she also hated the thought of it, like it was an acknowledgement of her weakness. But, wouldn't it be right to say she was weak? This also started because she wasn't honest with herself, thinking that someone like that.... that bitch, was someone she could take on. God... fuck the Shihouin.

Too many thoughts were going through her head. Also, it's been a while since the last dosage. The pain was coming up again. None of it came from below the waist, thankfully, but anything above was excruciating without anything to abate it. Honestly, she wanted more of the dosages, but the nurses and doctors always moderated her intake... Why? Don't they know what she's going through? Why can't a little more be afforded? It was the one thing that made the hurt go away. It also thinned her thoughts, made her feel more... calm. Less activity going on in her brain. More importantly, it helped her forget about that blob. The mass of darkness with a skull in it.

At first, Keiko didn't intend on saying anything at all. But, after all these thoughts came around, she had something to say. The girl turned her head away from Rukia, almost as if to stare at a window that wasn't there. In the hospital, her bed was next to a window, and while she couldn't see anything out of it, the warmth from the outside bathing her face felt comforting.

"Anything? Can you get me some shinten?"

END POST

Mon Jan 20, 2020 3:20 am

Rukia Kuchiki

That response wasn't one that she had been unprepared for, but it also didn't especially put her mind at ease. It wouldn't be good to let her become reliant on shinten, but at the same time, it was just a fact of recovery that pain relief would be necessary. If Keiko was actively asking her for it, then Rukia could only assume she hadn't been receiving adequate amounts, and while she instinctively felt the need to reprimand the doctors, it occurred to her that Keiko might simply have refused to ask it of anyone else yet.

"I'll talk to the doctors about that. I'm afraid I'm not someone quite qualified to administer that myself, but I'll make sure they know that you need it."

The sight of Keiko looking toward nothing else in particular only reinforced the genuine grief in Rukia's heart at this situation, and she knew quite decidedly that she would be exchanging words with the Shihoin family. Her thoughts, then, trailed off into a few that were not dissimilar to the very same ones her niece had had only a few moments ago. They weren't the sort of thoughts she would ever express, given how crude they were in wording, but in emotional moments like these, it was hard to keep one's choice of words elegant.

Mon Jan 20, 2020 3:28 am

Kuchiki Keiko

"I thought you said anything." Keiko held back her words, but her disappointment was made clear when she closed her fists tighter, until her knuckles turned white. If it wasn't for her head facing away from Rukia, she would've also seen Keiko clenching her jaw. If Rukia asked the doctors, then they definitely wouldn't give her the drug. Worse yet, she couldn't even go out and get it herself. If these damned legs just worked...

Maybe Yamamoto would get her some? Definitely, yeah. He never really listened to her, but if Keiko begged hard enough, he'd cave. That was just the type of guy he was, though he'd never admit it. It's settled, then. When Yamamoto would come visit her, and there's no way he wouldn't, she'd get him to sneak her some of shinten. Just a little bit, anything to calm down that itch. No, the pain, that's right. Anything to calm down the pain.

But, since Rukia couldn't really make good on her words, Keiko didn't really have anything else to say.

END POST

Mon Jan 20, 2020 8:57 am

Rukia Kuchiki

Frowning a bit to herself at that reaction, Rukia wondered if maybe she hadn't gotten the whole picture right here. She wanted to give Keiko the benefit of the doubt, of course, but the terseness of that response did make her worry more than just a bit. Maybe, she thought, she'd need to speak to those doctors in more depth...

"I'm sorry, Keiko. Too much shinten can be dangerous in the long term. Not talking to the doctors would be irresponsible."

She didn't comment on her more pressing worry, that the young girl's reaction was more angry than she'd have anticipated. Disappointed, depressed even, those were things Rukia would have been ready for. But anger? That worried her, but maybe it was just the pain getting to her. She very much wanted to believe that's all it was.

Tue Jan 21, 2020 12:35 am

Kuchiki Keiko

"The doctors don't know anything. They couldn't even cure me."

Keiko still didn't turn her face over to face Rukia's, but she spoke with a catch in her voice. What did the doctor's know anyways? They had to call over that idiot Takehiko to help her, and he had to even use his zanpakuto to do anything about her. Even then, it did nothing to take the bandages off her face, or get her feet moving. God, if these legs could just move. The eyes, they were whatever. If her legs could move, at least then she could still practice hakuda effectively. Auber-sama even praised her footwork. Now? What was she supposed to do about that? Practice the Isshin Handstand maybe? Would that be enough?

There was no window to warm her face, but for whatever reason her face started feeling hot. Like a heat from her chest was rising to her head or something. She had to, like... take it out on something.

Keiko put one of her hands under the linens, out of sight, and dug her nails into her thigh until it bled. Still no feeling. If they couldn't do anything for her, then she'd find a way to make use of them.

END POST

Tue Jan 21, 2020 1:47 am

Rukia Kuchiki

"It isn't good to rush a recovery, Keiko. They've done their very best, and they'll continue doing just that. You recovering is our biggest concern right now, and the doctors are working their hardest to ensure it goes right."

Rukia was, actually, not completely sure to what degree that was true. She had done her best to get a full picture of the situation, but given how hectic the entire situation was, it just wasn't possible to talk to everyone necessary. Still, she felt very confident making that claim. If it wasn't true, then she would make sure that it became true.

"I'm sorry. I didn't come here to upset you any more, and I apologize if I have."

She knew there wasn't much more that she would be able to say without them simply going in circles, and she had spoken the truth there. She didn't want to upset this girl when she already had so much on her plate to deal with. Standing up, Rukia thought to give the girl some sign of affection, but...no. That probably wouldn't help in this situation, much as she might have wanted it to.

"I'll give you some space, I don't want to seem like I'm keeping you stuck with me. I'll visit again soon, alright? I love you, Keiko."

It was a simple little thing, something family, in theory, often said to one another. But, truthfully, she wondered how often the girl heard it. How many times it had even been told to her in a time like this, when support was more important than ever.

Tue Jan 21, 2020 2:20 am

Kuchiki Keiko

"Don't rush things..."

Something people always told her. This wasn't even the first time she was told not to rush recovery. Sometimes, Keiko pushed herself harder than usual during training, and she was advised to take extra time resting to recuperate. Per the usual, Keiko told them she was listening, but as soon as their backs were turned she went back to practicing. As usual, the adults were right. Keiko's just a dumb, young, busybody way in over her head. What else is new, Rukia?

"It's fine."

It's not fine. You come in, you disturb her silence, you make empty promises, you believe in the doctors more than her, you apologise about it, you... no, it's fine. It is fine. It's her own fault, after all. Rukia isn't to blame for any of this, she's just being responsible. Like an adult. Keiko pushed down the anger, the negavity bubbling inside her, like it was a monster trying to climb out. Like the dark mass with a skull-face, chained down, but the chain is starting to rust.

Then, Rukia said her parting. "I love you, Keiko."

Oh. She didn't expect that. Only her mom really said that to her. Not that it meant anything. If her husband Kagemori came running in here to "give you what you deserve", she wouldn't do anything to stop it. The only reason Kagemori wasn't doing anything to her right now, punishing her for bringing shame to the family by going out and getting crippled and becoming completely useless, was because everyone was looking at Keiko right now. He wouldn't be able to get away with it like usual if he did anything right now.

I love you. What did that really even mean? Something to think about.

"Mm."

That's all she really had to say back.

END POST

House Call [Keiko/Rukia]

House Call [Keiko/Rukia]

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