Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Mistaken Identity ❯ Surprises ( Chapter 7 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Discalimer: TK = bleach, me = fanfic

[A/N]

Ohhh… so varied reactions I got. Thanks! To everyone who reviewed.

@____@, thank you so much, so here it is, your wish is my command

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Chapter 7

Surprises

Something has been bugging her since yesterday. Only, she didn't know who to ask for clarifications. Where is Renji when I need him? She was currently at the dojo, practicing her swordsmanship. Every stroke and movement perfect, just like she was taught to. But if one would look closer, one would see that the princess' actions were more mechanical than anything. She was distracted.

Thinking of yesterday's happenings, Rukia couldn't stop the slight blush from staining her cheeks. The thought that Ichigo was concerned for her safety, was enough to sent her heart fluttering. He was concerned for her safety. Her, meaning Rukia, as her simple plain self. Not as a princess, but as a person whom he could just have considered as a friend. It was a totally new experience for her. To be liked and cared for, not as a princess but as a person of some value.

After that business with the bully Yammy and the weird kid Kon, and of course the little disturbing talk with Ichigo, the rest of the day seemed to pass quietly. Though Ichigo was scowling more than usual, he didn't leave her side for a moment then on. Could he really be that much worried about me? She thought.

Ishida and Chad were waiting for them on the clearing when they got back. And Ishida, being his own friendly self had once again invited her to join them for dinner in the pub that they frequently visit. Totally ignoring Ichigo's sudden outburst, she nodded immediately.

Now all she needs to know is what is a pub anyway? She's never been in one and basically, she doesn't have a clue as to what is in it. And for some obscure reason, she does not want to ask Inoue. She wanted to ask Renji, but he is with her brother, accompanying him to the court, to meet King Yamamoto.

“You seem to be a little distracted princess”

Turning around she saw Shuuhei, Sitting, propped up in one of the soft cushions, leaning back in the wall. How the hell did he come in without her noticing it? Distracted would be too mild a word.

“Shuuhie!” smiling she went to seat beside him, a new opportunity rising in her brain. She would ask Shuuhei instead. She knew she could trust him. He and Renji are the two closest male friends that she has. Princess or not, they both treat her like a sister and a friend.

Uh-oh, she has that smile. What scheme could be running in her very cunning brain right now, he doesn't know. And he sure does not want to find out, given the choice. “What ever it is, no I'm not going to help you break palace rules. No way!”

“Duh…when have ever broken the rules?” she asked, adapting and attitude of feigned innocence. “I just wanted to ask you something dimwit!” Sitting beside Shuuhei, “What's a pub? I mean, what's in a pub? Do people usually eat dinner at a pub?”

“Pub? Where'd you learn about bars and pubs?”

“Well, if I tell you would you promise to keep it a secret?” Nodding his head in agreement, Rukia told him about being invited to dinner with her new friends.

“No way are you going princess! A pub is definitely not a place for a respectable lady like you! NO.”

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“Why'd you have to invite her to dinner anyway? And at the pub too?! Are you out of your mind Uryuu?” They have been going at it for quite some time now, since yesterday actually.

“Stop worrying Ichigo, she'll be with us. She'll be safe.”

“Worrying? About that midgets safety? Yeah right!” his scowl becoming deeper. “That girl can take care of herself! You should have seen her use kidou. I'm telling you, she can very well take care of herself!”

“Anyway, I don't think you've found out anything about the princes have you?” Ichigo's silence and his glare said it all. “See, we still need her. The least you could do is thank me properly”

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Byakuya could not believe his own ears. Keeping his voice low and modulated “Just who is this guy that you have promised my sisters' hand to your majesty?”

“No need to get angry young prince” The old bald bearded man who sat in the throne said. “I can assure you that this guy is most suitable for the young princess. He is a warrior of exceptional abilities, with lands of his own, and he is a knight of the realm. Surely appropriate enough for your sister”

“But your majesty, Rukia is still not of age, and she and most specifically I do not know who this man is. Surely the princess should have her own say in the matter.”

“Silence! I will not condone insolence from anyone!” Gone is the stale air around the throne and replaced by the kings powerful reiatsu. “I have already made up my mind and you fill follow young prince.”

Curbing his own anger, “Hai your majesty.” Feeling the kings reiatsu return to normal, “but if you would, please let our own traditions be followed through in this engagement and marriage agreement.”

Chuckling “But of course young prince. You will see that young Kurosaki will not disappoint you”

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“I…I…have…to go…to the ladies room.” She said with much dignity as she can. She could not endure it much longer. Ever since that Ranguki woman showed up at their table she and Ichigo have been touching each other, her hand on his face, his on her arm, a flick of her finger in his chest…. Urgh! She hated it! She wants to throw her plate at the busty blond. And she wants to smack Ichigo's face right on the table!

They have arrived at the pub earlier. Ishida took a table in the far right, which was quite secluded from the main part of the pub, away from the noisy drunken men. They were doing quite well. Until that busty blond came swaying her hips and jiggling her big, and mostly exposed breasts at the guys.

Walking across the main part of the pub, not noticing the stares and glares she was getting, she reached the ladies room in the other end of the bar. Leaning back on the door, she closed her eyes, trying to alleviate her rampaging emotions. It was so disgusting! Yuck! He is really a pig!. PDA, gross! His hand which held her days ago was touching that blonds arm! That is so sick! It makes me sick!

Gosh! Why am I even affected? That gaki could do whatever he wants for all I care! Right, I don't care. I shouldn't care. I won't care. Squaring her shoulders she opened the door and walked out, intending to return to their table. But someone grabbed her from behind impaling both her hands in a death grip. Panicked, she started to struggle. “My, my, feisty little thing are you? We could have fun, you know, you and me sugar” the voice drawled.

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Ichigo has been stealing glances at the other end of the bar. She's been gone quite some time now. Why haven't she returned yet? “Are you not enjoying yourself hon?” Rangiku said after seeing how distracted Ichigo has been since the short girl left the table.

Standing, “I'll just go to the bathroom”, not even bothering to reply to her. Chad and Ishida, knowing their friend well, smiled and toasted each others glass.

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She's not in the bathroom, where the hell could she be? Fear, just like what he felt when Yammy attacked her gripped his heart. Where are you? He silently asked. Seeing the back alley door open, he went where his gut instinct told him. Adjusting his eyes in the darkness of the alley, he heard a whimper. Then two shadows emerge in his line of vision. One was bug and burly the other small, and it was being pinned to the wall. Rage like he never felt before consumed him, unleashing his zanpakuto, he charged head on, aiming for the guy who was holding Rukia.

The guy, stilled upon feeling a powerful reiatsu, and was barely able to deflect Ichigo's attack. Ichigo could see that this guy is also trained, but he couldn't care less, he was stronger. All he could think about is the guys' dirty hands grabbing Rukia. He attacked and slashed on, full force, intent on damaging his opponent, punishing him for even thinking that he could lay a hand at her.

Chad and Ishida, upon feeling Ichigos reiatsu flare up looked at each other, troubled. They both know that something must have happened. Something bad. They stood up at once and followed his trail. Ichigo always has his power in check. By the feel and pressure of his reiatsu, they could tell that he was angry.

Rukia on the other hand could not believe her own eyes. Ichigo's manner and stance was so different from before. She never, not once notice, when they are together, how strong and powerful he is. The pressure of his force is heavy and suffocating. How come she never felt it? Not when he grabbed her during their initial encounters, not when she was facing Yammy. But now, there could be no disguising that Ichigo was strong and powerful. Almost, almost like her brother.

Chad was about to help Ichigo but Ishida put a restraining hand in his shoulder. “Let him, the guy is too weak anyway.”

She saw Ichigo move as he cornered her assailant. Each slash and maneuver perfectly executed and timed. Her attacker lunged for him, his sword poised at Ichigo's chest. Ichigo sidestepped and deflected it with his sword, slashing the guys palm. With one more stroke the guy was unarmed, his sword thrown a few meters away, the tip of Ichigo's zanpakuto at his neck. “Don't you ever again lay your filthy hands on her again!” and with a blow to the guys stomach with the base of his zanpakuto, the guy fell unconscious to the ground. Sheathing his sword, we went to Rukia, who was still huddled in the ground. The force of his reiatsu dropping until one could almost not feel it

“Are you ok?” he asked gently. His face devoid of his usual scowl. It was dark, and he could not see her eyes clearly. She could only nod. “Are you hurt?” She shrugs.

She was stunned, surprised. She never thought that this guy whom she frequently kicks and bullies could be as strong as that.

Seeing as she's not physically hurt, he flicked his finger in her forehead, causing her head to snap back. `Owww!”

“Stupid prick of a midget!”

“Why you…!”

“You leave my sight for a minute and you and up attracting trouble! Seriously! How stupid could you get?” he was leaning down her height to emphasize his point.

“Well excuse me for peeing! Last I checked I wasn't a crime to pee!” she was standing taut trying to measure up to her full height. Both glaring at each other.

Seeing that neither will back down from their glaring contest “Stop it guys” Chad said. “Are you sure you're fine Rukia?” Ishida asked.

“Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for the dinner Ishida-kun, Chad-kun, but I'd best be going home now” Smiling sadly at the two. Though she would hate to admit it, the incident somehow shook her.

“I'll take you home” Ichigo said and pulled her back inside the pub to the exit.

Chad and Ishida were once again left alone, both sporting a smile. “You think its working?” he asked the quiet giant. Chad just smiled. “To think he almost went bankai on some poor wimp!” Ishida retorted.

“Because of her” Chad reminded.

“Yes, because of her”

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She has not said a word since they left the pub. He kept glancing at her to make sure that she was ok. Her head was bent and he couldn't see her face. Suddenly she stopped walking.

“Thank you” barely a whisper

“Eh?”

“Thank you” she said again. “I…I…”

He went to her, kneeled down, his back facing hers. “Hop on”

Without much persuasion, Rukia climbed on his back, wrapping her arms securely on his shoulders and neck, her face resting on his shoulder.

“I…He…I couldn't fight back. He, he grabbed me… from behind.” Ichigo's hands, which were holding her knees, supporting her, tightened their grip. “I felt so helpless”

He could feel sobs racking her body. He could feel the wetness seep through his shirt. His scowl becoming more foreboding. His hands tightening their grip. That stupid bastard, I should have killed him. He thought.

Please don't cry, he silently pleaded. I never want to see you cry.

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Byakuya was itching to get home. Somehow, he felt a very strong need to see his sister. Ulquiorra was with her sister. She should just be fine, he knew. Still the urgency to get home and see Rukia did not diminish. Damn the King for making him edgy. He knew his sister would not like it. Damn, she would hate the idea as much as he does. But it was what the king said. And what the king says is law. He knew he could not break the law.

Much as he wants to head home this very instant, the knighting ceremony is still being held. And Renji was one of those being knighted. He knew the younger guy was ecstatic at the prospect of becoming a knight. He also knew that part of the reason why Renji worked so hard was, damnably, also his sister. What would the younger guy think when he finds out about the truth?

And this Kurosaki guy. What's he like? Byakuya felt the urge to smash something. Just thinking about this Kurosaki guy makes his blood boil.

The only thing restraining him was the fact that they would be allowed to follow Kuchiki traditions in this whole affair. He should start training his royal guards. Five royal guards, the strongest and fiercest, would stand in Kurosaki's way. Then him. He may not be able to break the rules, but he could bend them a little to suit his needs. He perfunctory stood up as the knighting ceremony ended. His face still as stoic as usual. But his thoughts are entirely a different matter. I'll scatter the ashes and bits and pieces of this Kurosaki guy with my zanpakuto.

No one in the palace knew of his dark thoughts, no one guessed, not with his mask of expressionless face perfectly put on.

[A/N]

Whew! All that in one sitting. Help! Cant feel my legs!

Yes, he can hide and control his reiatsu.

Hmm…I'm so sad though, not that much people reviewed the last chap. *sniff,sniff*

Now I'm really serious people, give me reviews, reactions, comments, anything, oh please, pretty, pretty please????!!!!!