Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Mistaken Identity ❯ Close Call ( Chapter 8 )

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

Disclaimer: KT still owns bleach

[A/N]

Yey! Finally finished this one. Took me a while, since I was just slipping it in between my grueling review.

Diamond42 and Saruwatari Junko, thanks guys. Your reviews meant so much. Now I know that at least there are still who likes what my crazy brain cooks up!

Close Call

Shuuhei was pacing back and forth, he was in the outskirts of the palace border. He should have known she wouldn't listen to him. Looking at his watch, it was already close to midnight. If by midnight and the princess hasn't returned yet, he would personally scout all the pubs and bars in the area and fetch her himself. How the hell she got out he didn't know. He was watching her all night. He was already suspicious when she told him that she'll be having an early night. Early night my ass! Oh hell, she'll definitely hear it from him when she gets back. And Renji, he fucking promised Renji that he'll take care of Rukia in his absence. And damn! The prince would surely breathe fire when he finds out that his precious sister has been out, without a guard, eating inside a pub. A pub of all places!

“Dammit Rukia, where the hell are you?” He said out loud. Frustration clearly heard in his tone.

“So the princess left the palace, again.” Whipping around to face the owner of the voice, Shuuhei came face to face with Ulquiorra's solemn face. Not even bothering, to wait for his reply “How long has the princess been out?”

Shuuhei was torn between sharing the responsibility of the princess' safety and protecting his friend. Running his finger through his hair, he sighed “I don't know, she went straight to bed after dinner, but when I checked on her half an hour ago, she wasn't in her chambers”

“How convenient for you to just suddenly decide to drop by her chambers and check in on the princess” green somber eyes directly boring into dark brown ones.

“I, well, just a hunch” avoiding Ulquiorrra'a eyes.

Just then they saw a familiar figure walking slowly back towards the palace.

“Rukia!” Shuuhei said running towards her, with Ulquiorra right beside him. Something was not right. Her shoulders were slumped together, and her head was downcast. “Rukia” he said again while reaching out to touch her shoulders, but a small movement in his side and Ulquiorra's sharp gaze stopped him. Putting his hands down his side “Princess” he said but his tone is still as worried as before.

“I don't want to hear it. Not right now. I just…I just want to go home” not even bothering to wait for the two, Rukia continued on walking.

Shuuhei immediately went after his friend, however, Ulquiorra stayed where he was and looked slowly around, as if waiting.

He crouched lower, trying to blend in into the shadows. What the heck? It was dark, and he was a few meters away. He couldn't possibly see or sense him. He couldn't even hear what they were saying to each other. From the looks of him he might probably one of the royal guards. Why ever he was there, waiting for Rukia, he didn't know. Maybe the princess found out she was not inside the palace and ordered the guards to find her. Damn! It means Rukia would be in trouble.

It has already been a few minutes, yet the royal guard still hasn't moved an inch from his position and was still staring intently where Ichigo has hiding. He could barely breathe, he could not, definitely not start something with one of the royal guards. Not now at least.

Damn, I should have just dumped the midget and took off just as she told me earlier, he thought to himself. But after everything that has happened, he just couldn't bring himself to abandon here. Maybe it was concern, she is still a female after all. Or maybe pity for what has happened to her, or almost happened to her. He! It was not pity. Just the thought of what almost happened brings his blood to a boil. No, no, and no. I just don't like to see people being hurt. That is just it. Nothing more. That midget certainly has a knack for getting him into trouble.

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Just as she was about to reach the safety of her chambers, Shuuhie pulled he into one of the dimly lit corridors and looked directly into her face. “Rukia, what the hell has happened to you?” Seeing her eyes “You've been crying! Damnit Princess, tell what exactly happened?”

“Nothing happened Hisagi” Intentionally using his last name in deference to his calling her princess.

“Don't lie Rukia. Tell me exactly what has happened”

“I told you already, nothing happened” her voice rising a notch higher.

Knowing she wouldn't be bullied, in a softer tone “I was so worried you know. It was late and dark and you are not in your room. And your questions about pubs and bars. You could have been a hell lot hurt you know.”

“Sorry Shuuhei”

“Just tell me what happened.”

“ I, I mean we just ate dinner. Then, then this guy tried to grab me an-“

“He what?”

“Do you want me to tell you or not?”

“Fine”

“As I was saying there was this guy who tried to grab me but my friend threw him over and beat the crap outta him.”

“Friend? Who is this friend?”

“Just that, a friend. Goodnight Shuuhei” with that she quickly left him alone in the corridor. Knowing Shuuhie, he would probably scout the whole countryside just to find out who her `friend' was. Carefully moving about, as to not to disturbed Inoue, who was thankfully still asleep and unaware of the whole fiasco, she went to bed with thoughts still lingering on Ichigo.

Ichigo. Her friend. And her knight. Bleh! So maybe he did save me. So maybe he did defend me. Urgh! I don't know what to think anymore! He was always saving her from scrapes and such. And seeing him fight that guy. She never did thought that he held such power. He was quite scary when he unleashes that power. He sure does have a strong and huge reiatsu. All those time that, he had always held back. He could be short tempered, brash, loud and annoying at times, no scratch that, make it almost all the time. But he could be nice too. She blushed at the thought of the feel of his warms firm back. Yes, he could be nice.

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“Renji, pack up, we'll head back home before the sun rises.” Byakuya stoically said after the knighting ceremony without even congratulating the young new knight.

“But…” he started to say but one look from the prince and he acquiesced “Hai! Your highness.”

He could tell something was bothering the prince. Since yesterday, after he had talked with the king. What could have happened? They wouldn't even be able to attend the ball tomorrow night. Sure if it was about an impending attack the prince would have told him about it. But he hasn't said a word. So what exactly is the problem?

But then again, the earlier they get back to the palace, the earlier he could tell Rukia about his knighthood. Oh, how he would love to see her reaction to his good news. And maybe, just maybe, he could finally tell her how he really feels. Now that he is a knight, then his not so royal bloodline wouldn't be much of an issue. Now he can finally pursue the girl that he has always loved.

The thought of finally proposing to her makes his heart beat faster. He's known her since they were kids. They practically grew up together. He knew everything there is to know about her. What her favorite things are. What her preferences are. They are close friends. He's quite sure she'll hear him out.

But what if she doesn't feel the same about me? What if she only sees me as a really close friend?

Shrugging the unpleasant thoughts aside, he went out to arrange things needed for their journey home.

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“You know if you really miss her you could just get your ass in the palace and go see her.” Ishida said.

“I am not worried! I'm not even thinking about her you scumbag!” and went on drumming his fingers on the wooden table.

“Then stop fidgeting”

“I told you, I am thinking about the royal guard who was waiting for her in the place borders. I think he felt my presence. How he knew, damn, there is just no way he could have known!”

“Your saying he's strong and that you want to see how strong he really is.” Pushing his glasses up with his middle finger “Damn you could be so stupid at times”

“What did you say?”

“You cannot get into Kuchiki's bad side. Not yet at least. And you still have to marry his sister. Once you and the princess are married, then that is the time you can go and aggravate and annoy the prince.”

“Dammit Uryuu! You don't think I fucking know that!” Running his hands thru his hair. He got up and went out.

“I'd try the west wall near the forest”

“What?”

“I believe the garden is situated there.” Seeing Ichigo's blank look, “The garden where the princess usually spends her morning”

“Fuck off!” and he stormed out of the room.

“And invite her out tomorrow too!” He added just before the door closed, rather banged loudly.

“You shouldn't aggravate him so” Chad said

“He! He'll live. And I am only helping him you know.” Then looking directly in his friends direction. “Still no news from the king huh?”

Chad just shrugged.

Damn! Till when do they have to stay in this inn anyway? The King sure is taking his time .

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“Stupid quincy! Just who the fuck he thinks he is? Me? Miss that midget? Yeah right!” Scowling all the way out of the town proper, he found himself by the west wall of the palace. Seeing where he is “fuck!” looking around just to make sure the prick of a quincy did not follow him, he started to scale the walls. I am not worried. I am just curious. Yes that I am, curious. Positioning himself on the part of the wall partially obstructed from view by a big oak tree, he waited. Just to see if she is alright, he told himself.

Then he saw her. She was wearing a gown. A simple blue empress cut gown, with white piping on the sleeves, and a white sash just below the bust line which was tied to a ribbon at the back. It made her eyes stand out and shine more. Her hair was beautifully coiffed, and she was wearing a small tiara. She looks so regal and…and…lovely…. Duh! It is her clothes which are lovely, not actually the midget herself! Midget and lovely are two words that definitely don't mix, not in my dictionary!

Rukia made her way to the oak tree and put down her easel and drawing materials. Ichigo could see her directly below. She can draw? Just then a movement in his right caught his attention. There he saw the royal guard from last night, walking side by side with the princess, her hand anchored to the guys forearm. From the looks on the princesses face he could see that she was smiling and enjoying the whole ordeal. Jumping down, taking cover in the thick growth of rosebush, he positioned himself just behind Rukia.

For a few moments he just watched her draw. Bunnies! Weird looking bunnies! Deranged, that is what she is he thought.

“Psst, Oi, Rukia”

Rukia could have sworn someone has just called her name. Looking left and right, he couldn't see anyone near her though.

“Pssst…midget!”

Midget? Only Ichigo would dare call her that.

“Here behind you dummy!”

Looking behind her, she could see His orange hair from behind the rosebush. Looking left and right, and seeing Ulquiorra was preoccupied with Inoue, she slowly repositioned her easel nearer the bush and acting as if she was busy with her artwork “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see if you were alright”

Her heart skipped faster.

Realizing what he just said “I, what I meant is, well, uh, Uryuu and Chad wanted to know how you were. So, ah, they sent me here to ask you how you were.”

“Oh” for a moment there she thought, what? That he cared? Get a grip Rukia, she chided herself. “I am fine” still the heavy feeling remained.

“God midget! You have the worst art talent ever! They look like alien and monster bunnies!”

Grabbing the nearest tube of paint, she threw it at him and smiled as she heard him yelp. “Are you blind as well, retard? Can't you recognize a masterpiece when you see one?”

“Where? You don't mean that freak of a bunny that you just drew?'

“Chappy is not a freak! At least Chappy doesn't have orange hair!

“So who were those guys who was waiting for you last night” he said suddenly asked, out of the blue.

“What!”

“Shut it!”

“I thought I told you to go back last night? Why can't you just have followed my instructions?!”

“Baka! As if I could leave any girl out that late!”

“You know you saying that is equivalent to admitting that you were worried for me” she taunted. If I could just go and face him she thought. But doing so would cause suspicion and she really doesn't want Ulqui to suspect that something might be wrong.

“I wasn't!”

“Whatever!” Still acting as if she was engrossed with her drawings “Why are you really here anyway? Missed me strawberry?” Trying to change the direction of their conversation.

It was such a good thing that she had her back to him or she would have seen his face resembling the color of the fruit which he could have been named after. He didn't know which was worse, her calling him strawberry, or her saying that he missed her.

“You are delusional midget.” He countered “So who are they. Specially the one wearing the royal guard uniform.”

“Ah…friends” Ulquiorra! He was referring to Ulquiorra! Kami! Does he now know who I really am? “What exactly did you see and hear last night?”

“A lot” he said trying to bait her.

“What?” This time she did turn around and faced him, or at least where he was hiding. Does he know? And she was so careful! She even walked back alone last night for the remaining half a mile or so just so that no one, either him of someone from the castle, would find out who she really is and what she had been up to. Sad to say, both parties did not seem to buy it. She was even still waiting for Ulquiorra to lecture and nag her about breaking palace rules.

“Shhhhh! Are you trying to get me killed? Just tell me his name and Oh shit!” seeing the princess and the guy from last night making their way towards where they are. “Meet us out there tomorrow.” With that he left, only this time using the thick trunk of the wall as a shield.

“Princess, what seems to be the matter? Inoue asked worriedly. Stopping in front of Rukia. Ulquiorra on the other hand went directly to the rosebush then to the tree, searching for something, or rather someone.

“Who were you talking to Princess?” he asked

“Uh, no one.” Think girl, think! “I was, ah, just surprised to see that I left my pink colored paint in my room. Dang!” Slapping her forehead with her palm, just for added emphasis “and I really thought I had it”

“I'll ask one of the maids to get it princess” Inoue offered.

“No! I mean I'll get it myself. Don't bother Inoue” running out of the garden, escaping Uquiorra's piercing gaze. Not noticing the pink paint tube that was in his hands which he found behind the bush.

[A/N]

Well, to everyone who is asking when they'll know the truth? Well, we are certainly getting there. Not much fluff and snuff in this chap, but I have added some new twists in the story. I can't wait till byaku-bo and renji comes back. *grins evilly*

Anyway, tell what you think guys. Comments, violent reactions, ideas are so much welcome and badly needed.