What Did It Cost?[Rita, Kenichi]

Following up to this thread: https://www.platinumhearts.net/t24395-trust-in-isolation-rita-solo

Lying amidst a macabre bed of skulls and bones, Rita's battered body bore the harsh testimony of her recent struggle. Blood smeared her skin, bruises, and dirt marring her once-pristine appearance, evidence of the fierce battle that had ravaged the charred surroundings.

Her teal eyes then opened with panic and Rita jolted herself into a defensive leap away from Kenichi as an inferno of aqua energy ignited around her body. Even as each of Rita's limbs trembled from fear and exhaustion, barely supporting her weakened frame, the woman's fists were clenched out of instinct to rip apart whatever threat lay ahead of her.

"Who the fuck are...."

Her vision was initially blurred from the fatigue and sudden shift from sleep to wakefulness. However, gradually, her vision started to sharpen and focus on the person ahead of her. When she realized just who had awakened her, the raging aura of aqua energy around her body dissipated and Rita's eyes turned to shock and disbelief.

"....is that you, Kenichi?"

The words could barely escape the woman's lips; each word coated in exhaustion, surprise, and a brief glimmer of hope and despair.

Despite the fatigue that clung to her like a second skin, a gentle smile began to form as the reality of Kenichi's presence sank in. It was a smile tinged with the weight of her ordeal, a silent acknowledgment of the solace his presence brought amidst the desolation surrounding them.

Following up to this thread: https://www.platinumhearts.net/t24395-trust-in-isolation-rita-solo

Rita should have been smiling, relieved at the prospect of finally leaving this desolate wasteland. Kenichi's assurance and smile normally would have been enough, but his mention of 'kicking everyone's ass' to reach her planted seeds of concern in her exhausted mind. There was only Sabre to worry about and that concerned her.

However, her body was beyond its fatigue point. Every movement felt like moving boulders uphill. So, she reluctantly leaned against Kenichi and used him as support as her face etched itself with a mix of exhaustion and apprehension.

"And whose ass did you kick? What, did that worthless Sabre have some new goons try to stop you?"

Her voice was drenched in tiredness and lacked her usual chipper self. The lingering pain of her pounds gnawed at her. As such, Rita sighed and prepared to be taken from this hellhole. There was a hole in that story, but at this point, she was far too exhausted to bother. Given her injuries, hunger, and fatigue; the woman wanted to head home as soon as possible and work out the damage from this later.

"eh....we'll worry about that later I guess. I just wanna get the fuck out of here."

The words were more than just a desire to escape; they were a plea for normalcy, a desperate longing to return to a world far removed from the hellish landscape that surrounded them and regroup.

Following up to this thread: https://www.platinumhearts.net/t24395-trust-in-isolation-rita-solo

A sullen expression clouded Rita’s eyes, her thoughts drifting to the daunting aftermath of her ordeal. Questions loomed over her – addressing her men, her recovery, and most poignantly, making amends with Kenichi. Despite the pain racking her body, a flicker of gratitude for Kenichi's unwavering support stirred within her, a beacon in the desolate realm that had nearly claimed her.

However, those sentiments were promptly put on pause as the woman's instincts kicked in. Her eyes filled with fear and panic, and a spark of aqua-hued electricity sizzled around her weary body. The succession of relentless combat had left her in a state of restless edge; ready to lash out at the slightest aggressive movement. The sight of that arrancar, even if only a child, made her heartbeat thump with adrenaline.

"Keep your guard up. There isn't much I can do in this state, but I trust you."

Not speaking to the Arrancar that popped up, her gaze lingered on Kenichi before stare looked back at the Garganta. It felt too easy, a part of her was screaming that this was a trap and she felt scared. Anything having to do with that woman never led to anything good. But even if she didn't trust a damn thing Sabre brought, she did trust Kenichi and that if things went south he would protect her.

It is why despite her apprehensions, the deep-seated trust she held in Kenichi anchored her. With every aching fiber of her being screaming caution, she held onto Kenichi. And gradually, that same grip relaxed, symbolizing the internal shift of surrendering her ego to trust another in this state of vulnerability; a testament to the changes wrought by this harrowing ordeal.

Nodding in a mix of hope and readiness, she loosened her posture and spoke aloud.

"Let's go home."

Her words were drenched in tiredness which only those who had seen battle could understand; a reflection of her determination to leave this nightmarish landscape behind.