"These two guys!"
Not far away, Yoruichi Shihōin shook his head helplessly, this could make a noise!
"Yoruichi!" Slowly blowing out the smoke ring in his mouth, Kūkaku Shiba spoke hesitantly; "Shadow, and Ran'Tao, aren't you worried at all!"
"Worry!"
"That's right!" Shunsui Kyōraku pressed the brim of his hat and said teasingly, "This seems like a quarrel, but it will really cause problems!"
"······"
"Ahem... Kyōraku!" Jūshirō Ukitake coughed twice and said quickly, "Don't say that! Yoruichi, don't pay attention to what Kyōraku said, he is talking nonsense!"
"······"
Shrugging her shoulders, Yoruichi Shihōin said nothing. Looking at Shadow and Ran'Tao who were still arguing, her eyes flashed. Maybe, she really should speak out.
······
"Haha!!!"
While they were arguing, Ran'Tao couldn't help but laugh. Even Shadow's indifferent face had a smile on it. At this moment, whether it was Shadow or Ran'Tao, both of them felt like they were back to the days when they were in the underground cave.
"Tch!" Shadow curled his lips, glanced at Ran'Tao with a disdainful tone, and said, "I'm too lazy to argue with you, an idiot and a stupid woman, so just tell me! Do you have any business with me this time?"
"Can't I come to you if I have nothing to do?" Ran'Tao tilted his head, not paying attention to Shadow's tone, but looking at Shadow intently.
"You are really an idiot!" Shadow snorted and said, "I don't have any extra time to spend with you!"
"You are the idiot!" Ran'Tao hit back at Shadow without hesitation, and then laughed; "I never said I wanted you to accompany me!"
"······"
After falling silent, Shadow turned to look at Ran'Tao, his eyes indifferent and flat. He opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but after hesitating for a moment, nothing came out.
"I understand, Shadow, don't worry, I... won't bother you!"
Lowering her head slightly, Ran'Tao tried hard not to let Shadow see the loss and sadness in her eyes. Although Shadow didn't say anything, how could Ran'Tao, who knew Shadow's character very well, not understand the underlying meaning!
"Women..."
"Shadow, you are going back to World of the Living soon, and I don't know if we can see each other again in the future!" He raised his head again, Ran'Tao sniffed and smiled, still with the same intellectual gentleness; "So, there are some words that I really don't want to keep in my heart, no matter what you think, I..."
"Just in time, I also have something to give you!" Shadow turned away and lightly interrupted Ran'Tao's unfinished words; "It's just a good thing you came over, otherwise, I would have wasted time sending it to you!"
"Thing!" Ran'Tao was stunned; "It's for me!"
"Yeah!" nodded, Shadow rubbed the tip of his nose and said, "You have to catch it! Woman, if it falls, I won't be held responsible!"
"······"
A dark shadow flashed in front of his eyes, and Ran'Tao quickly stretched out his hand to catch the thing thrown by Shadow. After taking a closer look, his body suddenly trembled, he gritted his teeth, and the corners of his eyes were already wet.
"This... isn't it, wasn't it already thrown away by you at that time? How could..."
"Stop joking, I have no interest in that kind of thing!" Shadow gently scratched his face, and said with a hint of inexplicability in his voice; "That kind of useless thing, I think only an idiot and stupid woman like you would treat it like a treasure and carry it with you all day long!"
"But..." Ran'Tao raised his head, holding the delicate wooden knife in his hand, looking at Shadow intently, and said with a trembling voice, "At that time, I obviously saw it with my own eyes..."
"What you see with your eyes must be real!" Shadow snorted disdainfully and said, "I said you are an idiot, but you are really an idiot. After all, didn't you look for it afterward? After searching for most of the night, did you find it?"
"How... how did you know!"
"You're an idiot, but that doesn't mean I'm stupid!" Shadow stroked his forehead feebly and said, "Shouldn't I know about such an obvious thing? What's more, I'm..."
"Shadow!!!"
"What are you doing!"
Before he finished speaking, he was suddenly interrupted by Ran'Tao. Shadow frowned slightly, turned his head, and was about to speak, but suddenly stopped.
Because, that woman, Ran'Tao, suddenly rushed up and hugged him tightly, her hot and delicate body pressed against Shadow's chest without any ventilation. However, Shadow didn't have any other thoughts at this time. In fact, he was not a sexy guy.
Including Shadow himself, Yoruichi Shihōin, Soi Fon, Kūkaku Shiba siblings, Ichigo Kurosaki, Uryu Ishida, Byakuya Kuchiki, Shunsui Kyōraku, Jūshirō Ukitake and others were all stunned on the spot, staring blankly at Ran'Tao who buried his head in Shadow's arms.
"Ah ah ah ah!" Shunsui Kyōraku, who was the first to come back to his senses, immediately opened his mouth and smiled very proudly; "Look, what if I just said it! Sooner or later something will happen..."
"Hey! Kyōraku······"
Seeing that Yoruichi Shihōin looked a little unkind, Jūshirō Ukitake couldn't help but shudder and quickly pulled his friend.
"Yoruichi······" Kūkaku Shiba spoke hesitantly.
"······"
Shaking his head, Yoruichi Shihōin crossed his arms in front of his chest, but he didn't express much about Shunsui Kyōraku's teasing and Kūkaku Shiba's worries.
······
"Hey! You guy, woman..."
"Shadow!"
Ran'Tao's body trembled and he raised his head, but his face was already full of tears. The pear blossoms with rain made Shadow unable to speak. His hands were stiff and he didn't know how to put them. If it had been someone else, it might have been much easier. It's just that Ran'Tao, after all, for Ran'Tao, Shadow always has a feeling that is different from others, although Shadow himself knows very well that that feeling is not love!
Shadow is not stupid. In fact, among the strong people who can survive in the troubled times like Shinobi World, how many of them are fools! In fact, Shadow is also very clear about Ran'Tao's thoughts, but, unlike Yoruichi Shihōin, Ran'Tao, after all, she is just a passerby in his life, nothing more.
"Woman..." Shadow sighed and said helplessly; "You..."
"Shouldn't I fall in love with you?"
Ran'Tao released his hands that were tightly holding Shadow, rubbed his red eyes, and softly accepted the words that Shadow had not yet spoken, with a trace of relief and a trace of inexplicability.
"I still remember that my mother passed away not long after I was born. My father was always busy because he was Third Seat in the squad and rarely took care of me until I graduated from the Shin'ō Academy. During a mission, my father passed away. The only thing I left behind was the small wooden knife. I remember my father said that this small wooden knife was a gift that my mother made for me. However, she passed away before she had the chance to give it to me. I cherish it very much, it is more precious than my life..."
Ran'Tao lowered his head and brushed through the black hair that was blown by the breeze, with a trace of nostalgia in the memory. At that moment, this woman who had lived for countless years seemed so weak and lonely.
"I also always thought that I would be like my father, who died in that mission at an unknown time. Yes, I always thought so. It wasn't until an accidental situation that I discovered that research is what suits me best. The joy of overcoming difficulties again and again is incomparable!"
After sighing lightly, Ran'Tao suddenly laughed out loud.
"That big explosion was really beyond my expectation, and the creation of Bount was really not what I wanted. Spiritual Power was sealed and Seireitei was exiled and worried about those Bount who can be said to be my children. It was really uncomfortable to be alone. Even now, I don't know how I survived..."
"After more than a thousand years, my heart has long been dead. If I didn't worry about those Bount, maybe I should have left this world long ago. Shadow, do you understand that feeling of having no love in life?"
"Of course!" Shadow said with a nostalgic smile; "How could you not understand? At that time, before I met Lady Yoruichi, I came here... like this!"
"Really!" Ran'Tao laughed; "The two of us are really similar!"
"Like!!!" Shadow's voice was a little strange.
Suddenly, with a smile like a flower, Ran'Tao looked up at the dazzling sun, held the edge of his eye socket with one hand, paused for a long time, and then continued to speak.
"Maybe it was when we first met, maybe it was during the quarrels, well! I don't know exactly when, until that time you drove me away, I suddenly realized that I already have your Shade in my heart, but I am still escaping and resisting, because, I know, you will never belong to me..."
"Actually, Shadow, if you hadn't blocked me time and time again on Sōkyoku Hill, maybe I would have reluctantly convinced myself that I didn't fall in love with you, not at all..."
"You're telling me I'm meddling in my own business, woman!"
"..." Without answering Shadow's complaint, Ran'Tao said softly; "I still remember the words you always kept saying, 'If you die, I won't be able to explain to Lady Yoruichi!', Shadow, you know! Because of this sentence, I have always wanted to meet your Lady Yoruichi. Yes, I know, I am jealous, jealous of her position in your heart, and I can't force myself anymore. Falling in love with a man like you is really not what I want!"
"Women..."
"Please, listen to what I have to say. Next time, I won't have the opportunity and courage to say it!" Ran'Tao interrupted Shadow again, with a smile that seemed to be relieved, and said "For an old woman like me who has lived for a thousand years, falling in love with you seems like a kind of irony. I know that in your heart, I will never be as good as your Lady Yoruichi. I know this well!"
"I never thought you would fall in love with me. I have thought a lot these days. It seems that I have no other choice but to let go. Shadow, I just want you to remember one thing..."
"What!" Shadow was stunned.
"No matter when, no matter how long it has passed, please remember that I, Ran'Tao, will always love you Shadow. I don't need your response. Falling in love with you may be just my wishful thinking!!!"
"Ran'Tao······"
"Ugh!!!"
It was as if Immobilization Technique had been used on his body, his whole body was stiff, his wide eyes told of his disbelief and shock, his throat slid up and down, Shadow suddenly came to his senses, pushed the woman in his arms away, and the scent of fragrance left his mouth at the same time.
Shadow pursed his lips subconsciously, as if he was still savoring the fragrance of Ran'Tao. Then, Shadow realized what he had done. Suddenly, his angular face turned red and he looked at Ran'Tao.
"What kind of expression do you have!" Ran'Tao couldn't help but laugh at Shadow's angry and uneasy look, and immediately laughed out loud; "Does my kiss bother you that much? Or..."
"You still said..."
Shadow let out a low cry, and subconsciously looked in the direction of Yoruichi Shihōin out of the corner of his eyes. He looked uneasy like a child who had done something wrong, which made Ran'Tao laugh again.
"This...Yoruichi..."
With his mouth wide open, Kūkaku Shiba was stunned. He looked at Yoruichi Shihōin beside him, whose face darkened. Suddenly, his body trembled and he didn't dare to say another word. next to him Shunsui Kyōraku, Jūshirō Ukitake and others also closed their mouths tightly. At this time, Yoruichi Shihōin was obviously suppressing himself. At this time, for the sake of his own life, it is better to keep his mouth shut!
"Shadow!!!"
"Night...Lady Yoruichi!!!"
"That's it!" Looking at the smiling Ran'Tao, Yoruichi Shihōin walked over and said lightly, "Then, I'm sorry, Miss Ran'Tao, we have to leave!"
"Shadow, open Senkaimon!" Without giving any answer for Ran'Tao, Yoruichi Shihōin immediately turned his head and said to Shadow.
"Yes, Lady Yoruichi!"
He raised his head uneasily and glanced at the expressionless Yoruichi Shihōin again. Shadow's tall body suddenly shuddered. He responded, pulled out the Zanpakutō from behind, and inserted it into the void.
"Forgotten, what I said!"
At the moment when Yoruichi Shihōin and Ran'Tao were passing each other, Ran'Tao tilted his head slightly and said softly, "Just like just now, Shadow is a man after all..."
"······"
Without looking back or pausing, Yoruichi Shihōin walked past Ran'Tao with an expressionless look on his face, as if he hadn't heard anything. However, the sudden change of color in the depths of his golden pupils revealed Yoruichi Shihōin's mood.
Ran'Tao turned around and looked at Shadow standing next to Senkaimon and Yoruichi Shihōin who walked in. A smile flashed across the corner of his mouth, Shadow, Yoruichi, I can only help you so much, come on!
"Ran'Tao!!!"
"What!" Ran'Tao was stunned, looking at Shadow who was about to pass through Senkaimon, but suddenly turned back, somewhat puzzled.
"I almost forgot to tell you. I will leave the rest of the matter to Byakuya and Soi Fon. If anything happens, just go to them!"
"Shadow!"
"Also, thank you!" Shadow chuckled, looking at Ran'Tao's face, and breathed out softly.
"Goodbye, woman!!!"
"Well! Goodbye, Shadow!"
Looking at Shadow's angular face, Senkaimon closed in response to Ran'Tao's low murmur, and disappeared into the air the next second.
Ran'Tao's tears finally couldn't help but flow down, but with that smile still on her face, she raised her head, narrowed her eyes, and looked at the still dazzling sun.
Today, the sun is shining brightly!