♚ savior. ❝ I always come back in one piece no matter what, so you don’t really need to worry. Besides, you can sense my spirit energy so i’ll be okay. ❞

There was only time for reassurance, best to keep Asuka calm as no one really knew what would happen next. Despite how reckless Ichigo is from time to time, there was always some sort of plan under his sleeve regardless how dangerous. Turning to face the brunette, knees bend once again as lips plant themselves on the peacemaker’s forehead, hand holding hers lightly for comfort.

❝ I’ll be back before you know it! ❞

Ichigo’s ability to remain calm and collected when it was necessary sure was remarkable, was it not? Still conflicted and scared, torn between her feelings and common sense, Asuka had a hard time keeping her promise to obey and stay safe. But damn, how could she even try to argue when he was looking at her like this? How could she have the nerve to doubt him? A sigh escaped the peacemaker’s lips as she looked him in the eye. He was going to make it. He’d come back to her. He simply couldn’t lose.

“Y-yeah. I’ll be waiting. We all will. Don’t forget that we believe in you and want you to come back, so please, don’t let us down. Now go. I know you can do it, so do your best. It’s not over yet.”

♚ savior. So even after witnessing everything she still wanted to tag along. Quite the courageous girl Asuka was to stand in the face of danger regardless of what it was and not really give a damn. One of the qualities Ichigo admired from his girlfriend. Rising to his feet, back is turned before speaking.

❝ Just thought i’d do that to cheer you up a bit. As far as coming with me goes, you’ll have to stay here. If you go only to end up critically injured in the end i’ll never be able to forgive myself, plus I imagine being chewed out by your dad isn’t a pleasant experience. Trust me when I say it’s best to stay with Orihime, she heal any bruises or cuts you have. ❞

There wasn’t much time for arguing and she knew it. After all, it was Ichigo who had to take care of the situation. He knew what he was doing... right? Whether she liked it or not (and she didn’t, there was no doubt about that), she had to listen to him and stay with Inoue so that she could take of her injuries. There was nothing she hated more than being unable to do something to help another person, not to mention that she was not the most patient of individuals. However...

“... fine. You win. I will obey this time.” The brunette finally muttered after a long pause. “But... please, come back alive. That’s all I ask for.”

@kansaiiisms

♚ savior. Knees bend as hand cups the cheek of a certain gloomy peacemaker. Asuka had seen everything that had happened and Ichigo does not blame her for remaining silent while trying to wrap her mind in all these multiple occurrences. There would be arguing and fighting sure, but what mattered is the moment, one of many, that the couple shared here.

❝ No need to look so down in the dumps, Kazama. I’ll put an end to this before it gets worse and come back in one piece I promise. ❞

Quite frankly, Asuka was very well aware of how dangerous and tough it was to be a Shinigami, there was nothing surprising about that, but this... this was beyond her understanding. Was she worried? Heck, she was downright terrified! The thought of being unable to help him while he had no other choice but to put himself in danger was too much to bear, so who could blame Asuka for being at a loss for words at this exact moment?

“... you haven’t called me by my last name for way too long, Ichigo. Given the circumstances, there’s something creepy about it, something that makes me nervous. I want you to live. I want to be able to fight alongside you instead of just standing here and watching. Please, let me help you.”

❝ In complete and totally honesty, not really? Right now we’re barely working with the small stuff like I said, which’ll be put together in not that much time, but that’s just my guesstimate. The time you’ll see me freak is when we start making invites, think of the outfits we’re gonna wear, get our hands on a cater for food.. pretty much the big, more expensive necessities for the occasion. Since you said your parents are conservative, why not ask for ideas on what we should wear, they might fall back traditional wedding attire, but I don’t mind. ❞

While Ichigo didn’t really do or say anything that could help her calm down, she definitely felt much better now. Asuka knew she could count on her fiancé no matter what even if they had a lot to do and that was not going to be easy. “You? Freak out? Gosh, at would be quite a sight to behold. But jokes aside, this even sounds exhausting, so no wonder why you said that. The result, however, is worth it, isn’t it?” The young woman chuckled softly. “And yes, you’re right. Besides, my parents would greatly appreciate it if we asked them for advice. I suppose we shouldn’t focus only on old or new traditions, so why not follow both? This way, the ceremony will be unique and unforgettable and everyone will be happy, don’t you think?”

@kansaiiisms

Palm pushes door open slightly, emanating a small creak from it. Crown shifts left, then right. No one was home? How strange.. Feet tread inside, arm extending outward shutting the door behind him. Usually Asuka met Ichigo at his home when she had time on her hands to chat or hang out, now the male was greeted with pure silence.

❝ Hey, Asuka you around? ❞ the male calls out hopefully to get an answer. ( Something’s definitely not right.. I texted her earlier and still haven’t gotten a response back, where could someone like her be at this hour? )

Asuka had always been a brave and confident individual. However, such remarkable qualities were not always a virtue. This time, the self-proclaimed peacemaker underestimated her opponent. What was she thinking? She couldn’t tell, unfortunately.The last thing the young woman remembered was Jack 5 approaching her slowly but surely, getting ready for the final attack. After that, everything went black.

When she opened her eyes after what seemed like an eternity, the first thing she saw was the white ceiling. Her whole body was in pain, it was hard to breathe, let alone move a muscle. However, she was alive. Weak and tired, but still alive.

@kansaiiisms

Body is weak, irises are baggy, and he does not dare look at the peacemaker in this state. Had Asuka noticed that Ichigo had not been sleeping or taking any time to relax? The last thing the young man needed is to worry his girlfriend.

❝ Sorry if i don’t seem upbeat as usual.. today is just not my day.. ❞

Quite frankly, the brunette had NEVER seen him like this before. Sure, all people had bad days from time to time and she and Ichigo were not any different, but that was definitely beyond her understanding. She simply failed to understand what could possibly bother him so much that he ended up looking so... broken. 

“Look... I know something’s wrong. You can’t fool me because I can see it. I can see that you are not okay.” Asuka sighed as she hugged him somewhat reluctantly, afraid that he wouldn’t accept it - after all, she wouldn’t blame him if he needed some time alone. “But whatever is bothering you, you can tell me. I’ll listen. I’m here to help.”