A/N: So my rp partner and I were talking about this fan art art/Medusa-Retold-254339444 she saw and how that could be applied to Ichigo and Rukia. I started going off on a story line and she begged me to write a fan fic about it so here you go. I was originally going to put this in a one shot but I write in spurts so I figured I'd just put this up and see if anyone even wanted to read it. I have no idea how many chapters I'll do…pretty much just until the story's done. I'm trying to write the next chapter of "Within the Shadows" too so please be patient with me I do have everything outlined so it will eventually get written. Anyways, hope you all enjoy it. I better get a nice angsty fic for this Lexa 3
So basically I took Acacaithorn's idea about a twist in the legend of Perseus and Medusa and applied it to Ichigo and Rukia. Hope you all enjoy! Leave me comments!
~A Miserable Melody~
"It is as we have stated, Isshin Kurosaki. You have failed to remarry after your late wife's death. Your son has shown no desire to marry any suitors nor has he proven himself worthy. As such, we must insist that your daughters prepare to be courted by suitors in order to produce an heir for the council." His ears were ringing with rage. The look of anger on the dark haired man's face was almost enough to kill. He could not believe what this corrupt council member was saying. How dare he drag Masaki's name into this! It wouldn't be fair to remarry another woman when his heart truly belonged only to her! The overly ornate robes coupled with the triple chins that wiggled each time the councilman spoke; all of it drove Isshin insane. This is why he hated nobility in the first place. He never wanted this. Not for him. Not for Masaki. Not for his children.
"Am I to understand…that you asswipes are forcing two 13 year old girls to marry someone just so you can have your precious heir?!" Isshin's voice was dangerously low as his gaze cut like ice. "Why not just wait until my idiot son finally settles down? He is my heir until he produces a child! Time is not short. There is no indication that I am of ill health unless you slipped me some poison like the dirt crawling snakes you are!" He seethed, his hands curled into two large fists on either side. "If the gods had any sense of morals, they'd kill you all in your sleep!"
"You would do well to hold your tongue, Isshin. I communicate to the gods, they would not speak to someone as impure as yourself. Sitting freely with the those of non noble status. Disgusting. You may be our leader but without the council's permission, you are nothing!" The overweight man's vein throbbed against his sweat covered skin. "As for your son, he cannot be considered a man or an appropriate heir until he proves himself worthy. Every man in this room was required to do so. Ichigo has been…insubordinate…to say the least. He has defied every rule the council has attempted to place in order to refine him. When asked to dye his hair, he covered the messenger in the black liquid and returned him to us with threats of dying our hair orange! When asked to dress in fine robes and not to associate with those non-noble ruffians he favors, he tore the clothing in two and paid the seamstress double her wages for the trouble! He defies the will of the council left and right! This will NOT be tolerated!"
Isshin simply stared at the man before suddenly smiling proudly. "Well well well, guess my son's not as much of an idiot as I thought. He seems to have a good grasp on who's full of bullshit." He turned away, walking swiftly out of the council room. Guess he didn't turn out so bad, eh Masaki?
"You have our decision! Your daughters are to be married unless your fool of a son swallows his pride and goes through with the ritual of manhood. You have been advised. Suitors will be prepared for Yuzu and Karin in three days time." The sound of the door slamming behind Isshin echoed throughout the hall.
"Do you really think he will comply?" Said a thin, dark-haired councilmen.
"He will have no choice. Isshin Kurosaki will not allow us to marry off his daughters nor will his son rest easy with this choice. Ichigo will approach us for the ritual."
"But my lord, the ritual is a simple matter of hunting! Almost every teenager that goes out comes back with a kill! Ichigo has shown great promise in the skills of hunting, sword play and strength. This will be-"
"SILENCE! Do you think I am a fool?!" The fat man's chins wiggled in his irritation as his beady eyes glared at the offending speaker. "I will not be giving the Kurosaki brat some simple hunting exercise to go on." The way his lips parted and curled upward caused a distinct chill throughout the room. "He will be going on the hunt. The one creature that has alluded us for many years. That man-killing witch herself and former member of the long destroyed Kuchiki-clan, Medusa! "
Everyone in the room remained silent, the only sound coming from the anguished cry of the wind through the village.
"WHAT?!" Ichigo's face was red as the table everyone was sitting at flipped over. His muscular chest heaved in the low cut tunic he wore as he fumed with rage. Orange hair went in every direction, clashing beautifully with the slight tan of his smooth skin.
Isshin's mask of indifference stayed steady. "This was a perfectly good table. Break it and I'll break your face."
Ichigo blinked, unable to process anything after the last thing his father said. Yuzu and Karin stared at their farther, stunned. A look of horror and fear frozen on the blonde haired girl's face while the darker one's flashed with anger and hatred. "THEY CAN'T DO THAT!" Karin shouted. "Tell 'em, dad! Tell 'em we can't get married cause we're too young! Look at poor Yuzu! She's scared to death!"
Isshin sighed softly, setting his bowl of stew down and bending over to hold both of his girls in his lap. "I'm sorry my lovelies. I can't tell the council that. They outrank me as a whole. I will do everything in my power to keep you all safe. Even if it means going on the run. Don't worry my little Yuzu…Karin. I won't let them take you from me." Both girls hugged him tightly, even Karin though it was against her nature. The older Kurosaki male glanced up at the younger one, indicating he wanted to speak in another room. Ichigo nodded, leaving the room to wait for his father. "You girls finish eating and clean up. You need plenty of rest. " He stood up and walked into the room Ichigo had entered, seeing his son leaning against the dark wall with his arms crossed. The room itself was not overly large, Isshin being against spoiling his children lest they do become noble brats. Their entire home was modest as far as most nobility were concerned. He did notice that Ichigo had left a lot of his things lying around on the floor again. Sandals lay discarded around the bed, his leather armor tossed precariously in a corner. He'd have to beat the boy for that. What sort of woman would want to go behind him and pick up his things? He was raised better. Oh well, at least his bed was made though covered with his sword and sharpening tools.
"Spill it." Ichigo broke Isshin's mental inventory of his son's room. "What did you want to say to me back there?"
He's quick. Isshin cleared his throat. "There is a way to prevent Yuzu and Karin having to take suitors…but it requires a sacrifice from you." He watched as Ichigo's amber eyes widened, knowing that in the boy's heart, he had already made up his mind to do it.
"Done. What is it?" The younger male leaned forward slightly, seeing the look of hesitation in his father's eyes.
"You have to go through the ritual of manhood." Isshin held up his hand before Ichigo could speak. "Before you say it's stupid, don't tell me. I already know. But son, this won't be as simple as walking into the woods and coming back with a deer or a bear. The council has something up their sleeves on this one. I can smell it. There's treachery in this. It's not about an heir. If that was their real goal, they'd just ask for you to marry someone. They want you out of the way, son. I expect the mission they send you on to be a death sentence." He stared deeply into his son's eyes. "Don't let them win by killing you. Be smart, Ichigo. Think everything through. Stay alive, Ichigo
Ichigo gave his father a cocky grin. "There's treachery in everything they do. Don't worry. I'm sure whatever they give me, I can handle it. I won't let them marry off Yuzu and Karin. I'm going to protect them. Although how the hell the gods could allow that…This is why I hate our priests. All they do is sit on their religious thrones and live off the work of others."
"If I could kill them all myself or at least strip them of their power, I would. But that would start a war within our clan. Our people would be killed for no reason other than noble greed. I can't allow that. I swore an oath to protect the people of this town." Isshin's head dropped slightly. "But I also swore to protect you and your sisters."
"You keep on playing the good clan leader, old man. Leave this ritual bullshit to me. We've gotta keep them safe." Amber eyes hardened for a second, flashing in the fading sunlight. "Things will change once I'm clan leader. I promise you that."
Isshin watched the resolve in his son's eyes, knowing in his heart that Ichigo would find a way. "Yes. I believe you can and will do that. For now, Ichigo, prepare yourself for tomorrow. You will approach the council and receive your assignment." He pulled Ichigo into an uncharacteristic hug. "Be safe." He muttered before letting go after only a few seconds. The door shut silently behind him as Ichigo stood alone in his room. "Well I guess I had to go through with it eventually." It was never about Ichigo being incompetent or lazy. To Ichigo, boycotting that stupid test was a protest, a principle he was trying to prove to those overstuffed idiots. He didn't NEED nor WANT their permission for shit. If the gods cared as much as they claimed, Ichigo should have been struck down by now. He could already fight better than any in their village. In his eyes, Ichigo was already starting to become a man. Why did he need some stupid test to prove it? Besides, it was complete favoritism and everyone knew it. The children the nobles favored, normally those from rich families who gave generously to the priests, were given the easiest tasks that a toddler could complete. Those they did not particularly care for or perceived as a threat to their power always received dangerous nigh impossible missions. Ichigo was positive he would fall under that latter. "Still… unless we run and try to survive all on our own, I've gotta do it. I absolutely hate politics and these religious bastards. I have no issue with gods as long as they leave me alone but these pretentious pigs were going to eat their own words instead of their honey and milk for a change." He ran a hand through his orange locks. He needed air and a place to think. Being as quiet as he could, Ichigo stepped outside, lacing his fingers behind his head as he walked through the quiet village.
Dim lights could be seen from the dirt road as Ichigo made his way silently to through the hills. This village, his clan, started off like many others ages ago. The Shiba were part of the major clans and therefore considered nobility. The Shihoin lived on the other side of the mountain though their clan leader came to visit Ichigo's father several times a year. Yourichi was unique not only because of her unleveled beauty but because she was the only clan leader who was a woman. Ichigo had been told that their traditions and customs reflected femininity and prided themselves on favoring the women of their clan. Though Isshin often teased her about it, Ichigo knew his father had great respect for the Lady of the Shihoin clan. That was the main reason the council allowed Isshin to remain Clan Leader. His allies were strong and he had ties with almost of the major families. Urahara's clan lived closer to the plains though recently he had been moving closer and closer to the mountains. Rumor had it that Yourichi and Urahara had taken a liking to each other and the first union of clans would take place soon. There were several other clans, of course, though much smaller and generally ruled by the larger clans that neighbored them. The Ishida clan lived directly to their right, having built an orderly village focusing on education and arts rather than on hunting or fighting. Ryuken Ishida and Ichigo's father were childhood friends, both having different interests than the other and more often than not, arguing over one rule or another. They would often meet at the river between their lands to play, using that same spot to discuss political matters when they grew older. Though the Ishida clan leaders pretended to hate the Shiba clan, Ichigo knew they would come to their aid in a heartbeat. Uryuu Ishida was born around the same time as Ichigo and both lived up to their parent's names, reliving the same bonds of friendship and hatred their fathers enjoyed. Both heirs, however, had become increasingly troubled by the religious influences in their clans and had formed a bond of trust that would have made Isshin proud if he knew. The orange haired warrior chuckled softly to himself, finding humor in the fact that his clan was the only one who's leader did not carry the same last name. Many rumors had spread about why that was but the heart of the matter was actually quite simple. When Ichigo's father had fallen in love with his mother while visiting another clan, her father hated the Shiba clan vehemently stating that no Shiba man would marry his daughter. That's when Isshin disowned his last name and took the name of Kurosaki earning her father's favor and marrying the woman he loved. The council had objected of course but at the time, Isshin held much more influence over them and the council was forced to allow it.
Then there was the Kuchiki clan. Ichigo shook his head as he remembered the stories he heard about them as a child. He could hear the water of the bubbling river on the outskirts of the village as he sat down on his favorite flat rock. The Kuchiki's were a proud people, said to be breathtakingly beautiful and graceful but deadly as well. Every member of that clan was a trained warrior though absolute loyalty to their leader remained. Byakuya Kuchiki was a cold man who was said to have a glare that could kill. Ichigo remembered asking his father how that was possible. "It wasn't, son. He was just a simple man that had to keep an image though that bastard was colder than normal. Most people wouldn't believe we were friends." To be honest, Ichigo still couldn't believe it. How could anyone as stoic as the rumors make Byakuya to be handle a personality like his father? That was a mystery for the gods. But Byakuya couldn't have been all bad since he had a beautiful wife. Lady Hisana was said to be the kindest woman in history as well as comparable to Yourichi with her beauty. Every member of the Kuchiki clan loved her and doted on her younger sister, Rukia who was said to look just as breathtaking. Her eyes, they said, were the most vivid violet ever to be seen. Back then, there was no war with their clans and the people lived in peace. Most were prosperous and the priests were not so fat. Then everything changed.
Someone dared to murder the wife of Byakuya Kuchiki in cold blood. It was Rukia who was said to have found her first quickly followed by Byakuya. So enraged was the elder Kuchiki that he called upon the wrath of the gods to destroy whomever had done this. Athena, goddess of justice, arrived and took pity on Byakuya's grieving heart. However, when she walked through the town, rumors of how beautiful the eyes of the youngest Kuchiki were reached her ears, some going as far to say that her violet eyes were more beautiful than the stunning gray eyes of Athena. The goddess became jealous and destroyed the people who dared to compare a mere human to her beauty. Athena cursed the younger sister, turning her into a monster and driving her into the woods. It is said that whoever looked upon her would be so stricken by her eyes that they would turn to stone. To prevent Rukia from trying to gauge out her own eyes and earn the pity of others, Athena further cursed her, turning her hair into snakes that would bite her hands if she tried to destroy her murderous eyes. Byakuya was said to have fled with Rukia, not having been seen in over a decade. Many believed he had died many years ago, stricken from grief at the loss of his family.
Staring up at the full moon, Ichigo wondered if the poor girl was even alive anymore. I wonder what her eyes look like…if they really are such a vivid purple. It might be worth it to look into them and see the legendary beauty before being turned to stone.A soft melodious voice faintly reached his ears, seeming to come from a great distance. Ever since he was little, Ichigo had felt drawn to this rock on this river, spending many hours here and falling asleep among the stars. Every night he heard that beautiful voice float across the water. His heart was stricken by the depth of sadness within the notes, his heart often going out to whoever it belonged to. For no forthcoming reason, it hurt Ichigo to hear such sadness from that voice. When he was younger, Ichigo often thought it was the voice of a goddess, coming to visit him at night. As he grew older, he rationalized that it was probably the voice of a girl in a neighboring clan or some wandering spirit not yet laid to rest in peace. Sometimes he thought he was imagining it. But it pulled his heart into a melodious dance whenever it reached his ears. Amber eyes closed softly, content with knowledge that his fate would be decided tomorrow and allowing the voice to lull his mind to sleep with its heartbreaking song.
