Here Comes Goodbye[Ehefera, Natasha]

Christ, life sure was growing hectic with each passing day, wasn't it? The Gotei United had dissolved. And Natasha's natural reaction to that information was shock. What happened to them? Who attacked? Even more, would the Vandenreich and the City of Lights be next? There were so many thoughts floating through her head, but none of them mattered too much right now. Unraveling the mystery behind all that could wait.

After all, there was another piece of info that fell into her lap that required her immediate focus. Ehefera was resigning from the Vandenreich. No break, no vacation... she was going somewhere else soon. She had been meaning to visit her in the hospital, but duty called, and the hours couldn't align the way she wanted. But what was done was done.

At the very least, she'd visit her now and say her goodbyes. Of course, before she got dressed and went over, she decided to prepare some of her finest meals and desserts to send her off, each packaged in a way that she could reheat and enjoy in her own time. There was stuff she prepared for her when they used to hang out, and even some new recipes Ehefera could enjoy. Cakes, cookies, homemade mac and cheese... would she accept all of it? Maybe, maybe not, but she wouldn't let a woman she considered a dear friend leave without knowing how much she genuinely cared about her. Without hesitation, with a bag full of treats, Natasha knocked at Ehefera's door.

"Heff, it's me, Sweetheart. Can I come in and say my goodbyes?"

"Easy there, sweetheart. We don't need ya breakin' any more bones before you go home."

Natasha was taken for a loop when she saw the white-haired male. Automatic assumption? This guy had to be her father. He had a sort of fatherly air about him, but she didn't linger on him for too long. Difficult to do that when your friend was squeezing and kissing you on the cheek, ya know? Maintaining her bubbly smile, she gently returned the hug, mindful of the woman's injuries. After how many hospital visits she had, she was no particular stranger to recovery periods. Following Ehefera's gaze, Natasha placed a hand at her hip as she let out a playfully exasperated sigh.

"Busy as hell, honey. As you can see, news Is slowly spreading around about the Gotei dissolving. No idea how it happened, though. Can only imagine they ran into the wrong type of enemies. Everyone's been on high alert, as a result... but, m'real happy to see you again. Sorry, I couldn't pay ya a visit at the hospital..."

Wrapping her arms around the woman, pulling her into an embrace of her own, she rested her chin against the woman's forehead. Wow, she still couldn't believe she was leaving, even though she'd been made aware. Part of her hoped she could at least visit her, but she'd let her raven-haired companion decide that in the end. What with their history and all, she didn't have the right to demand that of her, now did she?

"So yer' going back home, eh? I'm gonna miss ya', Heff."

"Yep. We're the Wahrender now. Still gettin' used to that name, though. Far as the recruits go, heh, they might be old enough to be my ancestors, but my southern charm'll win em' over all the same. That's the hope at least."

Exchanging playful banter, she'd follow Ehefera over as she sat at the table with her, momentarily glancing over at the television. The idea of new recruits didn't exactly bother her. After all, the more allies, the better, right? Of course, that line of thought was interrupted the moment Ehefera took a minute to settle down, unveiling some information that had never crossed her ears before.

That is, her mother's passing and the timeframe in which it happened. Christ... talk about the whole world crashing in on her at once. Ichigo Kurosaki's attack had already been devastating for everyone involved, but to have the women who raised and cared for you die a week after... that must've been awful. And she kept it in the entire time.

"Christ, Ehefera, I..."

For a moment, a momentary lull had set in the air as Natasha parsed those words, gazing at the table. Thinking back on it, between the Kurosaki attack and what happened in Miami, and even her recent injuries, how much had she kept in? Did she talk to anyone else about this? Or anything else that bothered her? Judging by her expression and admission alone, that didn't seem to be the case. Rising from her chair, she'd walk over and pull the woman into a warm embrace. This one, compared to the first, was far more apologetic in its nature and intent. She wished she could've reached out sooner, to support her, and show her she cared...

"I'm sorry I couldn't find time to reach out sooner, Heff. I can't even begin to imagine how awful that must've felt."