Log; Complete

[apostleofhope.livejournal.com]

When; May 27th [Afternoon]
Rating; R [Violence and Death]
Characters; Rosette [bound_by_time], Joshua [apostleofhope], and Aizen [good_and_proper].
Summary; After an argument between the two Christopher siblings leaves their relationship tense, Rosette refuses to give up on her promise to teach Joshua how to shoot at the range. Unfortunately both are completely oblivious to the deal Aizen and Rosiel have on the younger sibling's life...
Log;

Rosette; Rosette was frustrated, completely and utterly wound up. Her room had felt the brunt of her aggravation, bedding and different things strewn about and quite a few things busted. Why couldn't things just go how she planned them? Why did her brother have to be so DAMN STUBBORN?

She hadn't meant to make him mad, But when she was angry herself stuff came out of her mouth like bad diarrhea.

But the hell if she was going to let her little brother stay mad at her. She had promised to teach him how to shoot, and She was going to do exactly that. They were brother and sister, and weren’t supposed to be mad at each other over something so pointless.

The ex-nun put her guns back together, inspecting her rounds and tucking them into the waist belt of her uniform, snapping the green containers closed, before holstering the guns at her hips. She closed her eyes, trying to get herself to calm down. Don't say anything stupid Rosette. Just stay calm and invite him out...

She pushed her brother's door open, her lips pressed into an uncomfortable line as she leaned on the door frame. “Ready for your lesson Joshua?”

Joshua; Joshua had just been sitting by his window and reading, a similar picture to when he had been a child, but this time it was by choice. He just hadn't felt like going out and doing anything.

When he heard the door creak, the teenager looked up to see his sister, and he sighed at her inquiry. No, was what he wanted to say, but usually trying to convince Rosette to not do something once she had her mind set was a waste of time. So instead he just frowned and looked back to his book for a minute before sliding the bookmark into place and setting it on the windowsill.

"Ever heard of knocking?" he muttered dryly, considering grabbing his coat before shaking his head and just walking past her. It was warm enough out now that he really didn't need it. His sleeves were even rolled up.

Rosette; Rosette could feel a vein in her temple pulse, wanting to grab him by the shoulders and shake some sense into him like she used to when she was a kid. Demand that he forgive her for being an insensitive dumb ass.

It really was hard to resist such an impulse, especially when he just walked past her like she wasn't even there. Really really hard.

Rosette honestly didn't have that strong of a willpower when dealing with temptation. It was why back at the Abbey, Sister Kate had to have locks installed in the kitchen over the sweets and food.

And in that situation and this, Rosette couldn't resist.

"Joshua!" She grabbed his shoulder, twisting him around and staring up at him with frustrated blue eyes, her fingers clenched on his shoulders tightly.

And then she shook him like a dog would a toy, an almost psychotic expression on her face.

"ISAIDI'MSORRYJOSHUA!JUSTFORGIVEMEALREADY!I'MAJERKANDSTUPID!IHATEWHENYOUSTAYMADATMELIKETHIS!I'REALLYAMSORRYALREADY!"

Joshua; He should have seen it coming, really, but he had been so busy zoning in his own little frustrated shell that he just...hadn't been paying enough attention. So when he was turned around, the best he could do was try to keep from biting his own tongue off from all the shaking. Sometimes he had to wonder where his sister's freakish ogre strength came from.

"Okay, okay, stop it!" Both hands flew up to grab hers, wrenching them from his shoulders. "Calm down," he hissed. "You're making a scene."

With a shake of his head to get back a bit of his composure, he lowered her hands and stared down at her. She really was hopeless sometimes. "I'm not mad at you, okay? It's something else." Carefully, Joshua let go of her hands. "Maybe the shooting range will help."

Rosette; She stopped shaking him the moment that he grabbed her hands, almost stumbling from the force of the stop. Quickly the blonde glanced around for whom ever might have seen this 'scene' she was creating before she looked up at him, twisting her lips up to the side as she inspected him for the truth; and then sighed as he let go of her, crossing her arms.

"Fine." She closed her eyes as she turned and headed towards the stairs, before dropping one hand and offering it back at him. "Thanks..." She opened her eyes and glanced back at him, grateful that he wasn't mad at her. "Come on, We'll get any of that frustration out by blowing stuff up. That normally helps for me. I've got a few grenades here too."

If that wasn't what was bothering him, then she wondered what was. "Believe me, after setting one of those babies off, you can barely feel your brain, let alone any frustration." She grinned up at him manically.

Joshua; Her offer actually made him laugh a bit as he took her hand and squeezed it. "Grenades? Talk about overkill... I guess if nobody else is there, it won't be too big of a deal."

As they headed out of the opera house, Joshua avoided making eye contact with anyone. He still hadn't really made friends with any of the residents. For one thing, most of them were friends with Fakir, which meant they probably knew what he'd done to him. But even without that... Joshua still had to come to terms with the things he had done to people when he had been infected by those horns.

The nightmares had yet to stop.

Aizen; Midway to the range, the atmosphere of the area around them seemed to change. It was hard to place, but it was as if the air itself had grown thicker. An almost crushing, oppressive aura had descended on the pathway.

There was the faint sound of shoes on earth in the distance, which grew louder with every step, until they seemed almost thunderous in the volume. A very tall man with piercing golden eyes stared down at them, coming to a stop 10 feet in front of their position. He was blocking the way.

"Ah, Joshua. How fortuitous that I managed to catch you while you were out and about," he said, a small smile on his face, "There is some business I would like to discuss with you. Without your sister, of course."

Rosette; She grinned when he laughed, feeling better because of it, and just snorted in a way that was totally unfeminine. "Hell even if they did make a big deal out of it, I'm blowing something up anyway."

She squeezed her brother's hand as they stepped out of the Opera house, knowing that he was still uncomfortable around many of the residents because of what those horns had made him do. She wasn’t about to let anyone mess with him because of it either. She wondered sometimes if Joshua would ever really get over the effects and memories of those horrible things. Hell, she still had nightmares about some of the situations she had been in back home, in their own world, and nothing she had been through could compare with what Joshua had gone through she was sure.

The walk to the range was a decently long one, said building being decently far away from the city to keep the potential stray bullet from lodging itself in some poor saps brainpan. But half way through their walk Rosette could feel the pressure change immediately, and she slowed down, a confused frown brushing over her features. "Joshua wait-" She stopped as the man stopped in front of them, his tall form towering over the short nun and her brother.

"What business is that Aizen." Rosette spoke quickly, not at all liking the situation they were in. The Arancarr leader had never directly done anything to her, but that didn’t put her any less at ease. Especially since they were completely isolated in this strange atmosphere with him.

Carefully the blonde situated herself in front of her brother, giving his hand a warning squeeze.

Joshua; Rosette didn't have to tell him to wait twice. As soon as he saw the man, he could tell that he had a purpose, and immediately the boy halted. When he noticed Rosette take over, though, he had to shake his head.

His sister had been able to take control when they were younger...but this didn't involve her, he was sure. So it was with a steady hand that he pulled her back, carefully stepping in front of her so that he could look at the taller man carefully. He had heard of him, but he had never really socialized with him personally...that he could remember.

Of course, his memories of what he had done with those horns were fragmented and shaky.

"Well right now my sister and I are in the middle of something. You'll have to catch me at another time, I guess."

Aizen; Aizen gave a small chuckle that would have seemed warm and friendly to anyone that didn't know him, eyes slightly closed.

"I'm afraid this really can't wait. I'm on a rather tight schedule and I so hate to deviate from things. This mainly involves your head. Or rather, that I need to deliver it to someone. Won't be long, I promise."

He began to move toward them again, reaching out toward Joshua.

Rosette; "Like hell you will!" The blonde exorcist wasted no time in dragging her brother out of the way, all but throwing him aside as she dragged out her gun and unloaded half a clip at his forehead, teeth ground together. "JOSHUA!! RUN!" She shouted, backing up as she looked around for a way to get the upper hand in this situation. Her weapons were Gospels, and as well as they worked against demons, she didn’t know what they'd do to a creature like him.

"RUN NOW!!"

Joshua; ...My head? Joshua's eyes widened. Who wanted him dead now? Now that he had become whole again, and was trying to repent? The only person he could think might be pissed at him was Fakir, and there was no way Fakir was that big of a jerk.

Before he could formulate a response, though, he was thrown to the side and had just enough time to push his hands out to catch himself on the road. Wincing a bit at the scraped up palms, Joshua looked up to watch his sister unload a mess of bullets on the man.

"No!" he yelled back at her, and he sat back, tugging up the leg of his trousers enough to reveal the pistol he had strapped there. She had told him to keep it, and so he had, but he'd hoped he wouldn't need to use it for anything like this.

Still, he at least knew enough to aim in general, and was quick to cock it and fire. There was no way he was just going to run off and let Rosette get herself killed for him.

Aizen; Aizen was pushed back by the high-powered blasts, but otherwise unharmed. His reiatsu had absorbed any actual damage. He was forty feet away now, his feet having left deep gashes in the earth where he had skidded back.

"Useless. Do just give up. You stand no chance of victory. Now expire."

With a single shun-po, Aizen appeared behind them. He grabbed the hilt of his zanpakutou and took a swing at the two siblings.

Rosette; She barely had time to tackle her brother, and was only able to because she had began moving just after emptying her clip into the man, rolling over in a tangle of limbs to avoid the lightning-quick attack.

Pure luck saved them. If he could take six gospels to the head, They were screwed.

"OH SHIT SHIT! RUN JOSHUA RUN!" She grabbed her brother's hand, screaming on the top of her lungs as she half stumbled, half ran, trying to untangle herself from him as they ran back towards the city.

This was not good.

Joshua; Joshua just about tripped over his own feet once they had untangled from each other, and it was only because of his survival instinct that he managed to run quickly enough to keep up with her. Almost out of breath purely from fear, he glanced behind them before picking up speed to run and attempt to find a hiding spot.

What were they supposed to do? Did he know anybody that could help them? Who would even be close enough that could match this guy's power?

"Rosette...! He's just after me! You should run on ahead and get someone! He won't chase you!"

Aizen; Aizen's power flashed again, and he was suddenly in front of them, blocking their egress once more. He held a hand out in front of them.

"Raikohou."

A massive ball of fiery energy streaked toward them, searing the ground in its wake.

"Give up and this will be quick and painless."

Rosette; Rosette Turned her eyes back to her brother, opening her mouth to retort, only to skid to a stop as the Tall man reappeared in front of them, yanking Joshua back again. She was lucky her reflexes were fast, or else they'd be sitting ducks out here. The Exorcist turned on her heel, feeling pain jolt up her leg as she grabbed a cross from her belt and slammed it into the ground. The angel shield activated instantly, the wavering air taking the brunt of the ball of energy.

It wasn't enough to stop it though.

Heat seared pass the siblings, Rosette grabbing her little brother close and placing her back to the cross, meaning to protect him from the brunt of the blast as the energy surrounded them and their failing shield completely.

Joshua; Joshua nearly fell on his face at Rosette's abrupt halt, and looked up in time to see her jam the small cross into the ground. He saw the large shield activate, and the next thing he knew, Rosette had flung herself at him. He could hardly see anything through her hair, which was billowing from the energy the blast created.

It was hot, and he was panicking, and with his eyes widened, he just managed to notice the shield flickering. No. "Rosette!" he yelled, both hands grabbing her shoulders as he tried to fling her out of the way, but he didn't react quickly enough. With a crackle and a burst, the searing heat blasted against the both of them.

Unfortunately, Rosette took the brunt of it, and it knocked them both back far enough, and he hugged her close as he skidded on the ground.

Winded, and his hands stinging from the burn, Joshua gasped and pushed at her shoulders. "Rosette! Rosette! Wake up! We need to go!"

Aizen; Seeing no need to chase after them, Aizen slowly plodded along. He casually took in the surroundings as he approached, thinking about how he really DID need to get out more often.

"All out of fight, yet? Good," he said, unsheathing his blade again and holding it at his side, "Are you ready?"

He stopped in front of them and raised the blade, focusing on Joshua, then brought the blade straight down, aiming at his neck.

Joshua; As soon as he realized she wasn't waking up, Joshua shuddered and strained to look over her shoulder. She was burnt terribly, and he was positive he could see blood. His grip on her back slipped against the soaked dress as he hugged her close and tried to think of some sort of way to fix this situation.

If only he hadn't given up his powers! He could cure Rosette. Maybe he could even...against this...bastard...

When he saw the blade gleam in the sunlight, Joshua yelled and grabbed one of Rosette's guns from its holster, shoving it up in an attempt to stop the blade. Unfortunately, it didn't quite do the trick the way he wanted it to. It did keep it from chopping his head off, but the fine metal cut right through the pistol and sliced into his hand.

"Wait!" he cried out, hand shaking as he gripped the blade. It hurt, it hurt, but he could still remember what that monster had done to him before. The torture. Nothing could compare.

Gritting his teeth, his whole body trembled as he glared up at the man. "First, before you...before you do this...! Who told you to do this? And why?"

Aizen; Aizen cocked an eyebrow at the boy's request, allowing him to hold his sword for the moment. He shrugged and gave a sigh.

"I suppose there's no harm in it. Rosiel. We made a business arrangement. You die, I get my life back. As for the why? I don't really care. I never asked. This is no different from crushing an insect, to me. If he tries to back out, I will kill him, as well. It's as simple as that."

Aizen quickly pulled his sword back in slicing motion.

"Your sister would have lived, had she simply left. She has no one to blame but herself. Are you ready?"

Joshua; As the sword was yanked away, Joshua hissed in pain as it cut even deeper into his palm, and he jerked his bleeding hand away. It slipped against the ground as he sat up.

Rosiel. Rosiel...wants me...to die... Why? We just... We just spoke yesterday! Choking on his own breaths, he glanced back up to Aizen. How could he possibly get out of this? It seemed like there was a deal...and Joshua couldn't help him get his life back. "A...life for a life...huh..."

With a shudder, he glared at him as he hugged Rosette closer. "Well he didn't tell you to kill her! Give me... Give me just a second. I won't try to...to run, okay?"

Hanging his head, he stared down at his sister's face, brushing her hair back. Her pulse was weak. Was she going to die like this? Maybe...if he could just...

His bloodied hand lifted to cup her cheek, and he curled up with her in his lap, resting his forehead against hers. "Rosette... Rosette... Don't die. God, please don't let her die."

As he whispered and pleaded under his breath, it felt like something was returning. A part of him that he had missed, and yet hadn't. The power helped others, but weakened him, but he was going to die anyway.

Adastrus...hadn't taken the power for good?

Both eyes snapped open wide as the golden glow emanated from his hands, ethereal wings spreading from his back as the power surrounded Rosette, the Apostle's healing touch causing the injuries to slowly shrink and fade.

Rosette; The blond slowly took in a deep breath, color returning to her previously pale white cheeks, the blood that remained on her only being the smear across her face. But that was Joshua's blood not her own, and the girl shifted, furrowing her eyebrows together, trying to regain consciousness from the sweltering depth of near death.

She could almost swear she felt the warmth that accompanied Joshua's Apostle powers floating about her, but That was impossible..

Did the shield hold up?

Rosette slowly opened her eyes, barely able to focus on her brothers’ face, but she gave him a light, tired smile and quietly worked out his name; before floating back and forth in between consciousness.

Aizen; "I have waited long enough," Aizen said, irritation in his voice. The blade shot forward faster than a human eye could track. In the space of a split-second, it had pierced through his back, through his heart, and out his chest, and went back to its sheathe.

He easily grasped the boy by the collar, lifting his body off the ground as if he were a doll.

"Simple. As I thought."

With a small shrug, he gave one last glance at the unconscious girl, then walked off in the opposite direction.

Joshua; Far too quickly for Joshua to even think of a way to dodge. He couldn't even tell what had really happened until he felt a hand on the back of his collar, and then he glanced down to see the wound, blood spilling forth and right onto Rosette.

Opening his mouth, he tried to say something, but nothing could come out as he was dragged away from his sister. His grip on her hand slowly lessened, and he couldn't do anything but watch her slump to the ground as she fell from his lap, and the golden light disappeared, as if the wings had never appeared.

She looked better, but he couldn't tell. Would she live? God, he hoped so. Please don't die, Rosette... he pleaded silently before his eyes finally fluttered shut, and his body and mind gave out.

Rosette; The sensation of warm thick liquid splattering over her cool skin and then the abrupt tumble to the ground woke the nun to half consciousness instantly. She opened her eyes, trying to focus on one of the three forms of her brother as he was pulled away. Slowly, she reached out a hand, pain lancing through her healing body.

"J..Joshua.." She desperately tried to get her mind together, to make it move her legs, to let her stand.

Tears welled in hazy blue eyes and soaked the dirt beneath her as she strained for another inch, closing her fist around the image of her brother, desperate to hold onto him.

There was blood on her fingers, on her arms, in front of her, following the path of her shrinking sibling. He was still, oh god so still. Joshua! Joshua! no no no no no no...not again...Nonononono...please god...no...don't take him away from me....Joshua...

Darkness touched around her sight, the image blurring as her mind gave out again, her fist desperately closed about thin air. Sight and sound disappeared, dropping her back into the black, and her fingers dropped, slowly loosening around her last hope of rescuing her brother.