[July 27] [Bleach] Chainlink

[grassangel]

Title: Chainlink

Day/theme: July 27, 2007: 'Their story is in every bullet fired down the barrels of their guns'
Series: Bleach
Characters/Pairing: Ishida Souken, Ishida Ryuuken, Ishida Uryuu
Rating: PG
Genre: Gen?
Warnings: Spoilers for chapter 183+ and episode 111 

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Pull, aim, calm and loose. Repeat.

The hollow lurks at the edge of his perception, screeching for souls as it lumbers about. It is near the grocery store, which is fortunate; he was heading there already. Not hurrying his pace, the old man crosses the street. He is getting too old for this really, though with his son denying his responsibilities there is no-one else to exterminate the hollows.
Increasing his pace slightly, the movement ruffling his moustache and cloak, he withdraws the silver cross, preparing for a rather eventful shopping trip.

Ishida Souken heads toward the small supermarket he does his shopping at, knowing that one day he will draw his last breath along with his last arrow.


Pull, aim, calm and loose. Repeat.

The mantra is repeated, running unbidden through his mind, brilliant blue bolts of spiritual energy piercing through the air and off into the distance, smashing into the far off wall. This endlessly repeating drill, required for his continued mastery of the Quincy spiritual arts. Something he has no interest in, only offering protection for all its trouble.
Gritting his teeth, the dark-haired man drew another arrow. As it smashed against the far wall, he turns to the exit. His son, the innocent three year old and his wife, the one he loved. The power to protect, to ensure they were safe, that is all the silver chain and pendant means to him.

Ishida Ryuuken clicks shut the door to the training room behind him. Tommorrow he will come practice again, practice something he hopes he will never have to do.


Pull, aim, calm and loose. Repeat.

He is running. He should not be running; he should be fighting back, bow aflame with angry energy and arrows burning through hollow-flesh. His heart is pounding, a small voice in the back of his mind saying he shouldn't be exerting himself this much.
Throwing a glance over his shoulder at the hollow tailing him, there is a feeling of dread sinking deep into his chest as it gains distance, its tongue searching for his scent. A single shot would get rid of it but, as he rushes around a corner, hair flying and glasses slipping off his nose, there's feeling of being empty even as the bracelet around his wrist swings against his skin.

Ishida Uryuu mourns the loss of his powers and pulls out his silver tubes, hoping that one day he will be able to fight again with bow and arrow. To be able pull spirit particles from the air as he draws his arm back, to focus calmly on his target as he fires and to continue the line of Quincy. 


Pull, aim, calm and loose. Repeat.
This is a story of the Quincy. This is how they live.