Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Cursed Existence ❯ chapter 1 ( Chapter 2 )

All I'm Asking For

Disclaimer: not mine unless Kubo agrees to marry me. Oh and the idea of swords feeding on the souls of their wilders is from the game Shinobi…not my idea at all.

I had to alter some of the Bleach facts. Hope you like it.

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Chapter 1:

It was perhaps the gloomiest mansion ever. In spite of its great structure and the vast beautiful garden surrounding it, the inside was what could only be described as awful. The lighting was insufficient, and many were laying broken or barely working in a futile attempt to fight the darkness to no avail. Though nothing would seem out of the ordinary at day time, the true deficiencies appear when the lights come and go at night. The furniture though, extravagant was quite old. The windows' iron bars were rusty from the unmerciful forces of time. Everything in the hall, every piece of furniture was covered with a black cloth. The dirty floor of the hall was covered with a light blue carpet which gathered the same amount of dust the curtains held.

In spite of the spacious many rooms the mansion had only two lived there. They rarely remind within and so they didn't care about the bad condition the mansion suffered.

He barely managed to purchase it, Planning to have it as the base for all his operations. He had been planning to end the futile struggle his town's people went through for their sake, but will they really understand that whatever he was doing was for their own good?

The mansion's library was perhaps the cleanest place there after the residents' bedrooms, but that does not mean that it was very clean. The bookshelves there were not only holding books, but spiders and dust as well. They were crawling every where, sitting their small fragile homes in every corner possible. A large desk laid on the other end of the library near the entrance. Mountains of books were cluttered on it and around it, not to mention the scattering sheets of paper, and the dirty cups. Ichigo did not mind the chaotic environment he was working in as long as he could locate whatever he needed in that clutter. He leaned down to get something from the drawer of his desk when the chain around his neck dangled out of his shirt. That chain! No matter how hard he tried to get rid of it, he couldn't. The sparkling golden ring caught his attention. His fingers reached out to inspect it. He was twelve when they held the ceremony for him with that girl.

It was decided already that he would let go of whatever tied him to that cursed town, but he couldn't stop wondering how she was doing.

Feelings of pity crept up his heart whenever he remembered her. she was a cute thin girl with the most beautiful eyes ever. It was fun to play with her for time seemed to pass by quickly whenever he was in her company. It was only then that he could forget the anxiety he felt over his mother. She must've grown into a beautiful woman now, and he doubted that a woman of her status would be left without marriage till now.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts causing him to turn his chair towards whomever was asking for entrance, and there stood his one and only friend Shuuhei.

Upon seeing him lost in thought again while holding that ring he smiled as he drew a chair to sit in front of him: " A little nostalgic, are we?"

" She was my betrothed you know. I can't help but wonder what has become of her."

Shuuhei was one of the cursed town's residents, but unlike Ichigo he was not born with any special ability. He was what could only be described as normal if the ability to sense spiritual presence could be counted as such. That ability to sense spiritual presence had been obtained through years of living among the cursed town's people, and so, nearly everyone who was born and raised there held that ability.

Shuuhei shared the same goal as Ichigo, to end the futile struggle the elders insisted on. They saw no point of keeping on living under the heavy curse. It was a burden to everyone there to live in constant worry whether their daughters or sons would serve to prevent the curse from consuming them. The reason why Shuuhei chose to help Ichigo was that they both knew the same pain. Both lost dear ones for the sake of the rest of the accursed.

He was of the same age as Ichigo, but he did not leave the town at the exact same time.

It was forbidden for the accursed to mingle with normal humans for fear that their secret would be exposed. However, Hisagi did not heed that warning and fell in love with one. When the elders caught wind of the news, they tried every way possible to keep him away from her. That attempt, added to the old grudge of losing a dear one caused him to rebel and to leave town immediately.

Hisagi knew the woman Ichigo was betrothed to, but he only knew her by name. she was a Kuchiki, a noble woman whom everyone desired to make her their own in order to increase their chances of joining the council of elders. He knew that Ichigo felt guilty whenever he remembered her for he thought she must have been badly hurt when he left her. Shuuhei learned from Ichigo that he was the only friendly figure in her life.

Seeing his friend inspecting the golden ring was a sign that he needed to change the subject now, so he went on: " Rangiku agreed to help us in our plan."

At that sudden mention Ichigo's eyes grew wide in response as he leaned forward: " Really?"

" Yeah. I already told her everything concerning the curse. She didn't believe me at first, but thanks to you, she does now." Shuuhei couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him at the reminder of Rangiku's reaction upon seeing Ichigo's soul slayer changing form.

Ichigo's brain was occupied with the other two who were born with a special ability. So far, the only thing he learned was that they moved to town in order to find their preys much easier. He had to ask Shuuhei to help since he was terrible at sensing people's spiritual presence. However, Shuuhei could not sense anything either: " We couldn't find a single trace of their riatsou anywhere. Are you sure they were granted the permission to leave the town?"

" Yes I'm positive. As for their riatsou, I sensed something different from yours while I was walking in the park today."

" And?"

" It was a woman which was strange giving the fact that only men were born with those special abilities in our families."

Ichigo leaned back in his chair thinking over what Hisagi just told him. It was not possible for a woman to be among the chosen three. Only the Eye could have a spiritual energy large enough to be sensed, but no one would let her wander alone like that: " Maybe it was not her. Maybe her companion."

" She was walking alone, and I'm more than positive that what I sensed belonged to her. Add another thing, her riatsou was not normal one bit."

It was then that Ichigo realized what Hisagi was trying to say: " Is she?"

" I believe so. Your men are there to monitor any movement they do. It turned out that she's living with two men at the same house. Remember, the Eye should not be left alone at all costs."

" Then the two men are like me?"

" positive. Their riatsuo is identical to yours… So? …What do you want to do?"

What he wanted to do was simple enough in theory but he didn't know exactly whether he could pull it or not. For one thing, he was to suffer as well, but he was welling to take the risk: " Take they Eye, prevent them from transferring her power to someone else, and with that, we'll throw the whole town into chaos. I know that I would suffer as well for my sword needs to feed on those creatures we slay, otherwise it would feed on me, but I'm willing to take the risk. I managed to sustain myself for ten years and I'm sure they could do the same, but it would be only a matter of time before each and every last one of us dies because there's this great chance that the curse would become worse than before and turn us all into ash."

" Hey, It took me a long time to consider offering my help, and now you're making me reconsider."

" Don't worry. This step will throw us into chaos, but we might not be there to witness it because it requires lots of time. we could be dead by then."

" You're right. Anyways, I just came to tell you about my findings. Wait for a call from your man, see where they are heading, and meet them there. And remember, they don't know that you're one of them. Keep your face masked, so as not to alarm them to your identity."

" You don't need to tell me that."

" I just thought I'd remind cause you tend to rush things sometimes. Good luck!"

" Thanks."

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The stay in the park was one fraught with fright. It was strange for her to sit in some public place surrounded by so many people. Rukia had been living the last 21 years of her life isolated from the rest of people, first because of her high status, and then because of her position as the Eye. That duty almost drove her insane, and it had only been for three months since she took over that duty. It was suffocating to live isolated from the rest of people, constantly watched over, constantly reminded that she might die at any hour. Renji was the one who proposed to draw her out of that suffocating environment, opposing the elders and was almost punished had he not been one of the three priced special ability possessors. Little by little, he managed to obtain the permission of taking her out even from town, convincing them that it would be much more convenient to carry on their duties if she was with them.

It was perhaps the most difficult, most heated argument ever, one that Renji barley won. He then proceeded to teach her how to use a sword, complimenting her for the first time on how fast she managed to grasp the basics. It was the first compliment she ever received, and she always thought that she owed Renji a wealth of debt.

Kira was the second, and the youngest born with a special ability. His ability was discovered three months ago, at the same month she became an Eye. However, there was no trace of the third one, yet. And since they needed to immediately act upon the visions she saw, they ignored the matter all together, and left it up to the elders to inform them of any new changes before they left for the city.

At first, she found it difficult to live in such a crowded place, but then she grew to like the idea a lot, and dreaded the moment when the elders demanded that she comes back. It was decided that she would disguise herself as the third chosen one and accompany them in their battles until the third one arrived to replace her. Kira and Renji objected at first, but they didn't want to alarm their enemies to their number. If only the two of them appeared constantly then that would definitely alert the enemy to the fact that no trace of the third one was found. And since Rukia was skilled with the sword, they allowed her to join them in most of their battles against the hollows under one condition, that she stays away and let Renji and Kira do the fighting.

Hollows, creatures that feed on human beings souls were the creatures she always saw in her visions, and were their sworn enemies and the same time, necessary for the food chain. Their swords fed on them, and if by any chance they stopped fighting those creatures, then their swords will start eating on their wielders souls instead.

The curse was represented in their inability to ignore the demands of their swords to be fed on the riatsuo of the hollows for that would definitely direct the swords hunger towards their own souls instead.

She packed her stuff in her back bag and tried to find her way back home, but even then, she could feel that she was being watched. That feeling caused her to rush back to the safety of their home, and then she was greeted by the sight of a frantic Renji standing by the door: " Where the hell have you been?"

Rukia threw her bag on the couch and proceeded to pour a drink to herself, ignoring a worried Renji. But he was following her like a shadow: " I was in the park. Why are you asking?"

" Rukia how many times did I tell you that it would be dangerous to alert the public to our curse. What if you receive a vision then? What would they think?"

It was annoying to have him lecture her like that each time she went out. It's true that it was thanks to him that she was able to enjoy such freedom for the first time, and that he would be held responsible if anything happened to her, but she couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed over his endless reminding of her position: " Relax. It happened before and they thought I was having a cataleptic fit."

Renji couldn't help the sigh that escaped his lips. She was impossible to deal with, but he loved her carefree attitude around him. She wasn't like that back in town. Back there, she looked pale, miserable, sad, and worn out. But here, even when she receives a vision, the fact that she would be able to get up and smell some fresh air was something that she looked up to.

He frowned at the reminder of what Kira told him this morning, then proceeded to put the question to her: " Anyways. Kira told me that you were extremely tired this morning. Did you get a vision?"

Rukia winced at the reminder of that gross vision. And for some reason, she didn't wanna drink what was left of her juice: " uhh believe me it was the most gross ever."

" To be or …?"

" Renji you know that the ones I get in my sleep are things to happen."

" And?"

" Get ready tonight. I already wrote down a note for you on the place and time. It should be an easy task cause no humans are involved this time."

" Then there's no need for you to show up."

Figures! He wanted her out of the way at all costs: " I'm sorry. I already made up my mind that I would be accompanying you."

" There's no talking you out of it, is there?"

she replied in a sing song voice: " No."

Renji laughed at that and went to pour a drink for himself. When he came back to sit next to her, he found her inspecting the golden ring in her hand. It pissed him off to see her still occupied with that old ring. It infuriated him to think that she still thought of her childhood love rather than see him right now. He couldn't prevent that irritated tone from emerging as he asked: " You're still keeping that thing?"

Rukia was clueless to why Renji got angry every time he asked about her ring. She tried to explain to him countless times what that ring signified to her, but he wouldn't understand: " Why does it piss you off so much? I told you it was the only reminder of the rare happy moments of my childhood."

" The guy left Rukia. We haven't heard about him in ten years. He could be dead."

That was his usual phrase, and she totally hated it. To think of the possibility that he could be dead almost shattered her, but still she wanted to keep on believing that he was alive. For now, she needed to end it here with Renji: " Still. I grew attached to it. I can't throw it just like that."

Renji wanted to leave her presence for now at all costs. No matter how hard he tried to make her understand, she still wouldn't get the hint. He had to leave so as not to blurt his feelings and look like a total idiot. He stood up and went over to his room, muttering under his breath: " Whatever…"

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It turned out as excepted. They took care of the threat in no time, but what came next had never crossed anyone's mind. Through out the whole battle, Renji and Kira made sure that Rukia stayed out of reach. After all, she served a single purpose by joining them in almost every task.

They were trying to take proper breathes when she walked over to them to check whether they had any injuries, but she should've known that they were getting better in this. There wasn't even a single scratch on them: " Wow! I should've known that you would pull it real well."

Kira and Renji were laughing as they struggled to catch their breath, putting their soul slayer back to its sheath: " we told you that there was no need for you to worry."

" I wouldn't say that if I were you."

It was a statement uttered by a dark visitor before they heard sounds of foot steps approaching. How weird, that secluded area of the city was usually empty at night for there was no proper lighting to it.

Then, a tall man appeared. He was dressed in black from head to toe. A black leather coat hid his muscular built under its blackness. the cloth he wore over his head covered his face down to his nose. Only his eyes and chin were showing. The high collar of that leather coat hid the short strands at the back of his neck, not that they would know what color it was in that dark place anyways.

Kira immediately shielded Rukia behind him as he drew his soul slayer: " Who's there?"

The dark figure came to a stop a bit away from them as he answered: " your worst nightmare."

Rukia's eyes grew wide in shock at the strange aura she sensed from him. It was an intense spiritual energy, almost suffocating her. she held Renji's arm as she spoke in a low voice: " Renji! Something's not right. I sense a strange aura."

Kira felt the same. At first he thought he was only imagining, but now that even Rukia said the same thing…:" She's right. Something's not right."

Then he directed his eyes back to that threatening presence, asking in a firm voice: " who are you?"

Ichigo ignored them an went on playfully: " There are three of you there. So what would that make me? Tell me something. How is it that there's a woman with you? why are you so desperate to keep her away from interfering through out the whole fight?"

They couldn't reply to what he was saying. Their shock had got the better of them. It was hard to tell what he meant exactly for any wrong reaction on their part would accidentally reveal what they were trying to hide. If that man meant what they thought he meant, then it would be a disaster for it meant that an outsider knew about them.

Ichigo sensed their shock, their worry. He tried to lean his head to the side so that he could spot the petite woman whom the two men tried to shield behind their massive built.

He continued walking to the side, trying to circle his preys in order to get a better look at the one he came for, seeing them grow more alert as they noticed where his eyes were directed: " no answer huh? Well, the only answer I could find is that she's either a normal human, or…The Eye."

Rukia grew more in fear. her grip on Renji's arm intensified causing him to let go of his calm exterior and ask in a threatening manner: " I'm asking you this one more time, and this time, I expect an answer. Who are you? and what the hell do you want?"

Ichigo came to a stop, his lips curving into a smile at the look of fear that he spotted in the woman's eyes: " sorry. I can't answer your first question, but I can answer the other one." Then he pointed his hand towards Rukia and said: " I want her."

At the mention of that request, Renji and Kira immediately drew their swords. It was now apparent that the man was a threat causing Ichigo to draw a whip, chuckling evilly as he said: " I knew you wouldn't hand her over without a fight, so show me the best you've got."

Kira stepped forward, willing to take the mysterious figure down, but he doubted that. The guy's spiritual energy was too much, and it was definitely no match for his. Beads of perspiration began to form on his forehead. Rukia noticed his troubled stance, stepping forward: " Kira?"

" Stay back! This doesn't seem good."

Kira lashed towards him, but Ichigo's whip immediately went to his feet, tying them and causing him to fall on the ground, before he dragged him, held a hand full of his hair, and directed one hit to the back of his neck causing Kira to lose consciousness immediately.

Rukia tried to run toward him, but Renji held her as she screamed:" KIRA!"

It was now Renji's turn to step forward. He noticed that the guy had a sword as well, but he chose not to draw it. Either ways, there was no argument that he was a danger to them. He eyed Rukia then said in a low tone: " Run away!"

But she was too shaken to leave: " I can't leave you two here."

He pushed her towards their car, frustrated with her before he lashed at his opponent:" JUST GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!"

Rukia watched the two of them engage in a fierce battle. At first, it seemed that Renji was holding the upper hand, but as minuets went by, he was breathing hard, breaking into sweat while his opponent kept that calm cold smile of his as he continued blocking Renji's attacks. It didn't take long before the tables were turned, with Renji receiving the attacks rather than delivering them. And it wasn't long before he became unable to move because of all the injuries her received at the hands of his opponents.

He took two steps backward, seeking something to lean on for support. Rukia ran out to him, holding his heavy frame, before he passed out. She struggled to bring his heavy frame to the ground carefully, stroking his bruised face: " Renji!"

At seeing that he was still breathing, she stood up, and eyed their enemy before she walked towards him, drawing her sword as she did this before pointing the sharp tip to their opponent's neck, ordering him with all the vehemence she felt in her tone: " Draw your sword!"

The bastard was still smiling before he gave her that cold side glance. His gloved hand reached for her sword and lowered it in spite of her hard attempt to keep it pointed to his throat: " I didn't use it on those weaklings and now you want me to use it against a woman?"

She took a step back, still keeping her sword pointed to his direction: " Don't underestimate me."

He looked at her. A petite woman with thin frame. There was something familiar about her that he couldn't put his finger on, and for some reason, he couldn't fight the urge to speak playfully: " I'm not, but I can't attack a woman unless I would get something in return, so tell me. If you win, what would you like to have?"

She answered him without a hint of hesitation: " Your life…"

A devilish grin tugged at the corners of his lips: " A feisty one huh? Are you sure you could do that?"

She didn't like the way he spoke to her; she didn't like the fact that he considered her too weak to fight. But she decided that she wouldn't go down that easily. At least, she needed to show him that she was not what he thought, so she put her order to him again: " Draw your sword!"

His eyes traveled over her petite frame covered in that tight leather suit she wore marveling at the curves accentuated under the silver moon light. His smile took on a darker shade as he put a question to her: " What would you give me if I win?"

" I'll have your life, you'll get mine."

He couldn't help but chuckle at that. She was a feisty one alright. He came to the conclusion that he liked her already. At least it was the first time he took that long, conversing with a woman. His eyes settled on her lips, then he spoke: " I'm afraid that won't do. I can't kill a woman. How about I get a kiss?"

That was it for her. All hell broke loose at hearing him say that. She immediately delivered one blow but the bastard drew his sword quickly, laughing loudly as he blocked her blows.

She was getting frustrated at finding him only blocking but not delivering any single blow of his own. The bastard was still taking her lightly.

Her sword clashed with his causing sparks to fly as she asked him in a frustrated tone:" why aren't you attacking?"

He grinned evilly at her frustrated state: " We haven't agreed on the terms yet?"

She continued delivering her blows and he continued blocking them. He was amused beyond description, but the fun has got to come to an end at some point: " Lady…Don't waste your energy on me. You can't defeat me no matter what."

But she ignored him, struggling to knock his sword out of his hand. Then he spoke again playfully: " you're so stubborn. I'll tell you what; I'll give you three tries to at least put a single scratch on me. If you could do that, then I'll let you walk out of here. However, if you couldn't, then I'll not only get to have a kiss, I'll take you with me as well. The choice is yours to either surrender peacefully or suffer the consequences."

" I won't give up without a fight Idiot."

His smile grew wider as he lifted his sword to deliver the first blow: " well then…let the game begins."

She started backing away the moment he started attacking. Her hands hurt from just blocking his first blow. Beads of perspiration began to form on her forehead as she backed step by step with each blow. Then suddenly, her sword flied out of her hand with the fourth blow. Looking at him with eyes wide open in disbelief:" There goes your first try. "

Then she eyed him as he went to fetch her sword, then throwing it towards her: "Pick up your sword."

They carried the fight for another minuet before he knocked the sword out of her hand for the second time: " There goes your second. You know, it's not too late. Give up lady." He said chuckling.

But Rukia wouldn't listen. She picked her sword, intending to deliver at lest one blow ever since he started attacking only to have it sent flying to the other direction by his sword: " And there goes your third."

She was breathing hard, holding her hand which felt as if it was just broken. He walked towards her slowly, then snatched her good hand in his and drew her towards him. She slammed against his chest, still not understanding what he intended to do, but then it hit her when she felt his other hand go up to the back of her head, holding a handful of her soft locks in his grip and lowering his mouth to hers.

She squeezed her eyes shut, unable to stand what was bout to come. She could feel his breath on her face before his lips attached themselves to hers. She didn't know how to get herself out of this situation. His lips were rubbing to forcibly on her own, begging for entrance, but she wouldn't grant him the satisfaction.

She brought her hand which hurt her to push his chest, but his hand immediately left the back of her head to her hurt hand, grabbing it forcibly, causing her to scream in his lips. His tongue took the opportunity to invade her parted lips, stroking the velvet texture of her mouth. She tasted so sweet to him that he couldn't help but tilt his head to the side to gain a better access. He could feel her surrendering gradually to his kiss, and it wasn't long before her tongue wrestled with his.

Rukia knew in the back of her mind that he was an enemy. That the bastard was taking advantage of her weak state to kiss her, and god knows how many times he did this, but the moment she felt his tongue inside her mouth, she was lost, and couldn't keep on resisting the temptation to stroke his tongue with hers.

It was sweet, breath taking, and it was making her knees grew weak.

But what happened next was something she didn't expect. She felt his hand creeping up to the back of her neck, stoking the soft strands that were too short to be lifted with her hair. She felt him parting them and stroking the sensitive skin behind them before she felt something sharp poke her there.

Then all her world was swallowed by darkness.

Ichigo looked at her limping form between his arms, he sat on the ground, bending one knee and supporting her petite form on the raised one, stroking the soft strands that fell down on her eyes before he brushed his lips to hers one more time, whispering : " sweet dreams."

Then he carried her, and disappeared through the darkness.

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A/N:

Please tell me if you like where this story is going.

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I love you all.

Ja ne