Well, I guess this week was the week for emotional, potentially tear-jerking scenes and confessions in my favorite manga/shows.
Bleach Chapter 179
So that bastard Aizen has taken off with the Menos; left behind is the carnage he caused. The medical teams have swarmed on the fallen and Orihime is healing Ichigo. Byakuya is seriously hurt and asks to see Rukia. Rukia sits by his side as he tells her that he was once married to her older sister. Her sister had abandoned her when she was a baby, and on her death-bed (is that an oxymoron?), she asked Byakuya to find Rukia and take care of her. Byakuya made his promise to his wife, but he had also made a promise family--that he would never go against the law again. He had once, and paid the price (marrying his wife--a low born woman). He found Rukia a year later and had her adopted into the family, commanding the servants and such tell her he'd become fond of her because she looked so much like his late wife (no one told Rukia she had a sister).
So when he heard of her sentance to be killed, he didn't know what to do and found himself torn--he made the decision to uphold his vow to his family (ie: run away from the right thing to do).
He then thanks Ichigo for doing what he couldn't do himself, and then he apologizes to Rukia. At the end of the chapter Isane is talking to Unohana and mentions that Byakuya will be fine now.
Byakuya's story made me sad. Really sad, but he's still a dumbass. WTF!? How is upholding his vow to his family more important than saving his little sister? He gets points for admitting his mistake, thanking Ichigo, and apologizing to Rukia though. I hope he's not dead... *gasp* (did I just say that out loud?)
Bleach Episode 32
Okay, this episode brought some tears to my eyes. Poor Renji--my heart just aches for him. Utterly defeated by Ichigo, he begs him to save Rukia. He mourns over the fact that HE wasn't the one who was brave enough to go after her in the first place, and I think that pains him more than the wounds he's gotten during the battle with Ichigo.
Renji tells the story of his life, and Rukia's, as children growing up in a world full of murder and pain. Common street urchins, the form a bond with one another, and after the last of their friends have been killed, they decide to become shinigami in hopes of having a better life. Renji doesn't quite fit in, nor does Rukia, as all the other students are from noble families.
Later, Renji walks in on Rukia and Byakuya, and hears that the Kuchiki family has decided to adopt her. He's a bit startled, and Rukia looks sad, but Renji plays off his grief by being "overly estactic" about the news. They both know that once she's adopted, their friendship will be no more, as she will be a noble and he will still be a street rat from the slums.
Renji tells Ichigo that he trained hard, hard enough to be put into one of the thirteen teams. His goal was to become stronger than Byakuya, but he could never catch up with him. It is then that he begs Ichigo to protect Rukia and save her life.
All I can say is I had tears in my eyes at the end of this episode.
Naruto Episode 135 (? I'm losing count)
Everyone is back in Konoha. Med teams are desperatly trying to save the lives of Neiji and Choji. Kiba is hurt, but will be fine. Akamaru is injured badly, but Kiba's sister says he'll be okay too. Shikamaru sits outside the emergency room where Choji is being worked on. Temari chides him a bit, and Shikamaru gets upset and goes to leave. His father stops him and tells him that even if he stops being a team leader, the missions will still go on. Yes, he failed this time, but wouldn't it be better if it was him leading his friends and not some stranger?
Tsunade comes out of Choji's room and declares he'll be fine. Shikamaru begins to cry. *sob*
Naruto is a mess in his own hospital room. Shikamaru visits with him and Naruto tells him Sasuke got away. Sakura listens at the door until Tsunade shows up and ushers her in. Naruto apologizes for not being able to keep his promise, but Sakura tries to blow it off. Naruto, being Naruto, makes a bold declaration that he WILL get Sasuke back, no matter what.
Later, Jiraiya shows up and tells Naruto he's going to train him, but he needs to forget about Sasuke. Sasuke is like Orochimaru; there is no helping him. Naruto disagrees and Jiraiya says he won't train Naruto and he'll never be a ninja. Worse, the Akatsuki will get him. Naruto tells him to bring it on. He'll train his own way, bring Sasuke back, and beat the hell out of the Akatsuki too. Jiraiya decides to train Naruto.
Meanwhile, Sasuke is with Orochimaru and scaring the shit out of Kubuto.
Naruto chapter 160
Not much here--except that Kakashi fights a psuedo Itachi. Apparently Kisame and Itachi are controlling several sand villagers and making them look like them with some sort of genjutsu.
Back in the Akatsuki hideout--Gaara is dying...
Ugh...time for bed. Zoso has to work at 7am tomorrow...
Posted by Zoso at May 20, 2005 09:20 PM