Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Mistaken Identity ❯ Assumptions And Speculations ( Chapter 9 )

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

Disclaimer: Still do not own bleach

[A/N]

Soooooooooo sorry for the long wait. Really really busy.

To those who reveiewed, thanks a lot. Had it not been for your encouragement, I wouldn't be able to post this chap yet. Heck, I wouldn't be even able to finish it. This review stuff is taking squeezing out all my artistic ideas. It's figuratively drying up my brain cells.

CHAPTER 9

ASSUMPTIONS AND SPECULATIONS

She's lying. The princess is definitely lying. She is hiding something. Whatever it is, I'd bloody hell will find out about it. Ulquiorra, looking grim and serious, thought to himself. If ever there is a thing that he takes very, very seriously, it is his job. The prince has specifically instructed him to look after the princess in his absence. And he'd very well follow the prince's instructions to the hilt. It is his job as a royal guard. And he'd be damned if he'd let the princess and whatever it is she is hiding, or more specifically whoever she is protecting, run circles around him.

“Quite serious this morning, aren't we?” Gin, with his usual sly grin and smiling eyes greeted him.

Cool, steady green eyes focused on Gin “What do you want Gin?” he never really did like him. Nonetheless he tolerates his creepy face because of the fact that they are comrades, if nothing else.

“Tsk, tsk… is that how you talk to your superiors?”

“You are not my superior” he answered flatly.

“Oh, temper, temper” swinging his index finger in front of Ulquiorra's face “Wonder what got the mighty Ulquiorra pissed.”

“That is of no concern of yours” walking away, indicating that the whole conversation was over. But the other guy side stepped him, implying clearly that he still has something to say.

“But it does when you start ordering my men about.”

“”I'm only ensuring the princess's safety just as the prince instructed me to.”

“Oh? Having trouble with the dev…ah…spirited princes?”

Not bothering to reply, he started to walk away.

“I rather have this affinity to the west garden. The princes and I have this in common I believe” Ulquiorra did not stop walking. But what Gin said was imbedded in his mind. And yes, he has observed it to be so. That is basically why he had stationed five guards to patrol the said area 24/7. Five, because he knew could not underestimate the young princess. And two by her chamber doors, with strict instructions to alert him whenever the princess leaves the safety of her room. Now all he has to do is wait for her to make a move.

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There were dark circles around Ichigo's eyes. He hadn't slept well the whole night. Thoughts and questions were racing inside his head. Questions that he must and will find answers to. Those little niggling thoughts that kept him awake confused and perplexed not just the whole night, but since he had that chat with a certain amethyst eyed nymph yesterday.

Nymph? Where the hell did that come from anyway? Man, this lack of sleep is certainly affecting my brain! Argh! I can't take this anymore. I just have to know.

He got out of bed, slung his zanpakutou into his back, and went directly to the door. Totally ignoring Chad and Uryuu who were both sitting around the table, each holding a steaming hot mug of coffee.

“Oi Ichigo, where are you going?” Chad just had to ask. It wasn't everyday that Ichigo charges out of his bed, in such an early time, sporting a very intense scowl and a lethal glint in his eyes. The times when he does see Ichigo in such a state, wearing those kind of eyes is during a battle, when he is trying to seize up his opponent, intent on learning something about its weakness and flaws. Or while interrogating a suspected criminal.

“Out” Not even bothering to give further details.

“You don't really want to do that. Believe me”

“And what do you fucking mean by that Quincy?” He really doesn't need this right now. By `this' he refers to Ishida's yapping and cryptic comments. He wants answers and he wants it now. And he damn well knows that there is only one person who can give him the answers he sought. And it fucking isn't Ishida. But years of being comrades with the said Quincy taught him to hear out what his friend is saying. Because much as he hates to admit it, no scratch that, he'll never, not in a thousand years admit it, he usually has a point.

“Well, just thought that Rukia won't definitely appreciate bad breath and saliva stains on your jaw.” Ishida said laconically, giving him a pointed stare.

“I DO NOT DROOL, you friggin four eyes!” His hands automatically going over the said jaw. He then turned and headed straight to the bathroom.

“At least he hasn't denied that it is Rukia that he is so excited to see” Murmured Ishida.

“Don't tease him too much.” Chad said in between sips of coffee.

“I was just helping, you know, giving that dumb idiot the right push. If we leave it all to him, he'd never figure it out.”

“I think he already does. Or at least he can sense it already. Plus the fact that he has never reacted to any female in the way he acts and reacts to her. I really think he is already there.”

Ishida's mouth was hanging open, eyes as large as saucers. “Forty words! Three sentences! Are you in pain?????”

Chad just smiled and continued to sip his coffee.

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Rukia was pacing back and forth inside her chamber. She has to get out. She needs to get out and see her friend. Looking out to the gardens she silently recounted the number of guards patrolling the area. Shit! There was even one stationed near the secret door. Something is wrong. Something is dreadfully wrong. Ulquiorra must have deduced it by now. He must have found out the truth. Fuck! He might have even seen Ichigo! No, Ulquiorra still doesn't know who Ichigo was. If he did, then he would have found a way to dispatch him. And according to Inoue, Ulquiorra has not left the castle grounds since yesterday. So that means Ichigo is still safe.

Damn! How could I have been so careless? How idiotic could that strawberry get? Trespassing in broad daylight! It is just sort of a miracle that Ulquiorra did not catch him. “Stupid strawberry”

Everywhere she looked there were guards patrolling and guarding. Every move she made and makes is being closely watched. Everything she does is being monitored. Every action being assessed.

To hell with the rules!

She marched out, surprising the guards and Inoue who was just about to enter her room “Where are you going milady?”

Not even deigning to reply, she continued on, with Inoue and three guards at her heel. She went past the ballroom, the library and the kitchen, and emerging out to the stables where she saw the person who was going to help her with her present predicament. “Come with me” Not giving Shuuhei the chance to reply, she dragged him off towards the dojo.

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“No! Rukia no! Are you nuts? How could you even ask me such a thing?” They were safely inside the dojo. Shuuhei was still trying to come into terms with what Rukia just asked him to do. He may be one of her dearest friends, but he is also a sworn soldier for the Prince. And sneaking the prince's little sister out of the safety of the palace walls is definitely out of the question.

“Fine, I'll just do it myself” as soon as she turned, she found herself being spun back, Shuuhei's hands gripping her arms. “The hell you will!” He can't believe it. Just because of some guy that she considers a friend? Someone whom she just met what, like two to three weeks ago? He crossed his arms in his chest as he let go of her arm. “Tell me something Princess, you think that someone who asks you to break palace rules, asks you to sneak around, takes you to a pub, of all places, could be considered a friend? You think a real friend would ask you to disregard your brothers' wishes and put you in danger like that?”

Guilt could be read in her face. Softly “They do not know”

“Huh?”

“They…He…has no idea who I really am”

“What the…”

“I just wanted to be normal. To be treated like a normal person.”

“But you're not” Looking into her eyes “You are the Princess. The most valuable thing that the Prince has. The most important lady in this kingdom.”

Giving a very unlady like snort “Don't remind me”

“I'm being serious here Rukia. Cut me some slack will yah?”

“Is that a yes?” Oh please let him say yes. Please, please, please! I just want to see him, erm, I mean them again. But Shuuhei's response sent all her hopes plummeting down.

“No”

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“Permission to patrol the palace borders captain”

Gin looked at his young lieutenant. “Aren't we excited to do patrol and ground work? And here I thought you hated it” Gin was still smiling, and her facial expression did not changed one bit, but his words had Shuuhei on the alert and wary. He tried to think of something but words failed him. Could it be that his captain knew something?

“I think that is a good idea Hisagi, you'll never know, we could be harboring rodents in the area ne?”

“Hai!”

Damn! Gin Taicho sure is eerie. How come Renji got to be under Ulquiorra's squad while he got assigned in Gin's was still a sore spot for him. Shrugging those thoughts aside, he focused on Rukia's so called friends. She said they would be waiting for her at the edge of the forest in the west side of the palace, so that is definitely where he is headed for. Oh he would so enjoy extracting payback for everything they have put Rukia through. Specially that bar/drunken guy escapade. And he would personally like to know just who the guy whom Rukia seemed so attached with in such a short time.

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It was nearing noon and there was still no sign of the midget. His stomach has been growling for the last few hours. And yet he has remained in their meeting place, and steadfastly waited for Rukia to come. Whether it was his faith in her or his determination to have all his questions answered that kept him waiting for almost five hours. Or maybe it was just his need to see her that kept him there, waiting.

He felt someone coming. And for a brief moment his heart fluttered, thinking that finally, she's here. But it wasn't her presence that he felt. This presence seemed familiar yet totally foreign to him. Where have I felt this kind of presence and reiatsu before? He's strong he thought further. He is emitting a very low, yet distinctly strong power pressure. It's as if he's announcing himself with his spirit pressure, but keeping it low enough, and in check. Whoever this guy is, he definitely wants him to know that he, who ever he is, is coming.

His hand automatically gripped Zangetsu's hilt, muscles tensed, alert and waiting.

A guy, dressed in a soldier's uniform was coming his way. He was well built, and also carrying his own zanpakuto. Upon closer inspection, Ichigo could see a 69 tattooed on his left cheek, a horizontal bar running just above his tattoo thru his nose, and three vertical scratch lines on his right cheek. Fuck! This was the same guy who was waiting for Rukia the other day.

Shuuhei stopped just a few meters away from the orange haired guy. He could sense that the other guy was wary, and was in fact standing ready, hands on the hilt of his zanpakuto, waiting, to fight. Could this be him, he silently asked as his eyes roamed all over Ichigo. “Yo” he said.

“Where's Rukia?” Finally unleashing Zangetsu, and pointing at Shuuhei.

“She's not coming” not even flinching, Shuuhei just crossed both arms in front.

“What the fuck do you mean she's not coming? What did you do to her?” Shit! They must have punished her or something. The thought of someone, hurting Rukia made his blood boil over. He wanted to beat the crap out of this guy.

“Nothing…yet” In a flash he found himself face to face with the orange haired guy his own zanpakuto blocking his. Damn he is strong, if he weren't ready, he could've easily slashed him into two. Even the force he used to attack him was powerful enough to make him put one foot back for leverage.

“How dare you!” blazing amber eyes met black ones.

Shuuhei suddenly pushed Ichigo out but only managed to slightly disentangle his on zanpakuto from his. But used the opening nonetheless, and quickly jumped backwards two steps, creating space between them. “Why do you care anyway?”

“Because she's a friend!” He charged once again, intent on damaging the guy who had the audacity to even think about harming and punishing Rukia. Metal clashed against metal, as the two zanpakuto's collided blocking each other's attack.

Shuuhei blocked another attack coming from his right side, shifted his weight on his left foot and simultaneously slid the tip of his zanpakuto down the length of his opponent, it's tip grazing its owners knuckles in the process and kicked him in the knee.

Ichigo couldn't believe it. This guy was good, but he has faced better and won over them. Yet this guy, he was able to fend off his attacks and even see an opening to do a counter attack. Damn! He must really be distracted.

Shuuhei pointed his zanpakuto at Ichigo who was half kneeling and half getting up from the ground. “If you really are her friend, you wouldn't dare to come near here, or her again. Don't even try to see her. You will only be adding up to her pain. And don't bother coming after me, the other guards are coming, you wouldn't be so lucky this time. Leave now and don't ever come back”

[A/N]

Reviews please! Not much fluff. And yes, I am currently starting on the next chap. Keep posting up reviews and I'll try my best to finish the next chap ASAP.

I don't really care if you'd just be criticizing or flaming me, just press the d@#$ review button and tell me watcha think :>