Leviathan Chapter1
Hidden in the mist off the oceans shore a melody flitted on the breeze. Sitting on some rocks hidden from the mainland's view sat a young man of nineteen years. His hair was a vibrant fiery orange, unusual for his kind, and his eyes where living pools of liquid amber. The song he sang was a sad melody, the entire ocean seemed to still just to listen to. His eyes held a faraway look in them and there was a great sadness in his heart. But from what he did not know. He wore a cap over his spiky hair and his soaked clothes were lightweight and earthy tones. He didn't seem to mind that they were soaked through as he stared out over the water. He was a sea shepherd, or Sherpa as they were commonly called, named Ichigo Kurosaki.
A whine like sound beckoned his attention and he turned to see the long face of a water creature looking at him with concern in its eyes.
"Don't worry Echo. I'm fine," he reassured the creature.
The creature was gigantic with four paddle like flippers and a massive tail that tapered to a point. It had a long face and elegant head that rested upon a long neck. It's huge dark eyes stared intelligently at the teen. It's skin was slick to the touch but held underlying warmth hid beneath. It was a mariequss, commonly referred to as a water horse. They were the primary live stock of the sherpa's who raised and guarded them. Especially from the world of mortals.
Echo looked at him with a questioning look in her eyes, in her own way asking him what was wrong.
"It's nothing. . . .It's just that lately I've been feeling a little . . . . . lonely."
A look of confusion and shock flitted through her eyes for a second before she concealed it. The teen had not seen it. Echo knew that he often preferred the company of himself and his flock of mariequss so this was definitely out of character for her master. She hated to see that faraway look on his face and without warning she leaned over and began licking his face vigorously. Laughing Ichigo pushed her away, petting her behind her long tapering ear but being mindful to watch out for her rear facing ivory horns. They didn't look like much but every Sherpa knew to be mindful of an angry mariequss. The usual docile creatures could inflict some serious damage if pushed too far. Echo let out a keening rumbling sound of pleasure at his touch.
Ichigo had raised her since she was a foal and was as attached to her as she was to him. She nudged the boy's lithe frame in a thanking gesture, making sure not to knock him off. A splash nearby pulling their attention as a figure broke the surface. Ichigo reached for the conch around his neck, ready to call his flock underwater in case a human had stumbled upon them. He relaxed noticeably when he realized it was just a merman. He was older, in his late twenties, and he carried a satchel across one shoulder.
"Ichigo Kurosaki," he asked.
"Yea that's me," Ichigo answered in his characteristic scowl, looking down at the messenger with a hard look in his eyes. He was known as one of the strongest Sherpa in the sea though he didn't care for the title.
"I have a message for you from the King of the Sea. He wants you to bring you're herd to the Sea Palace at once. He wishes to purchase one of your horses," the messenger replied nervously under Ichigo's stare.
"Great, now I have to drag my flock all the way there. They're not even done with their morning feed yet," Ichigo grumbled irately as he scratched his head.
"The king has promised you'll be greatly compensated. He's heard of you and knows you have the best water horses in the sea. And …. He also has no patience for insubordinate commoners," the merman said this with a sneer in his voice. Ichigo wanted to beat the shit out of him right then and there. The only thing stopping him was Echo grabbing the back of his shirt and giving him a look that said, "Ignore him." Sighing Ichigo patted her head and turned back to the messenger with a far more hostile look.
"I'll leave in an hour. I don't care what he has patience for, my flock needs to eat. There are foals in there that need to eat frequently. So I'm not leaving until they're ready. And you can tell him that. ALL of that." The messenger nodded nervously before heading back under the water's surface. He was not looking forward to telling his VERY temperamental king what the orangette had said. It was pure suicide. Grimmjow Jaggerjaques, the King of the Sea, was known to be very hostile. All his subjects were always obedient as to avoid his wrath.
As promised an hour later Ichigo gathered his flock and lead them towards the Sea Palace. Swimming beside him like usual was Echo, the light reflecting off her silver skin in a breath-taking way, that is of course if Ichigo NEEDED to take a breath, Sherpa's could survive both above and below the water's surface. As they approached the sparkling white palace Ichigo began to wonder what the king was like
Grimmjow sat on his throne in an irritated mood. A lowly Sherpa had refused to meet him immediately. He usually didn't care about stuff like that but it VERY rarely ever happened since everyone minus a few people were afraid of him. He'd have to put this Sherpa back in his place. A large shit eating grin split across his face at the thought of inflicting some damage.
"Must you cause some sort of destruction," came an exasperated voice in the door way.
Grimmjow looked up surprised to see the figure he hadn't noticed for the past few minutes.
"Ulquiorra, when did you get here?"
"Not long ago. Just long enough to catch you planning some sort of destruction. Again," he said in a monotone voice. Ulquiorra was only a little shorter than Grimmjow. His skin was a pale ash white and his nails were black. His eyes were green with a single green tear streak going down his face on either side. His appearance was melancholic and his raven hair fell to his shoulders.
"Hey! What do you mean by that! When have I ever destroyed something," Grimmjow snarled back.
"How quickly we forget. There was the west wing you destroyed last month that's still being repaired from that outburst with Nnoitra. The new trench you added to the ocean floor where those villages who didn't agree with you used to live. And the tsunami caused from your anger when those human pearl divers started stealing from your pearl beds. And that's only this year's damage."
Grimmjow looked even more annoyed then before, "I had my reasons for all of those so shut up."
"A short temper is not a good reason Grimmjow," Ulquiorra replied flatly.
"Shut up!"
". . . . . . So what has you so pissed off anyway?"
"Remember why the west wing is destroyed? Me and Nnoitra got into a fight about who was a superior ruler. I mean I am of course being the "ruler of the sea" and everything. But that dumbass is stubborn. So we ended up fighting it out for a while thus the destruction. But before we could settle it a messenger arrived saying Nnoitra was needed back at his home. He insisted on settling it next time but not with normal combat since my home had taken a beating. So he suggested horse racing since he has "the best mariequss in the sea". I told him I'd still beat him so here we are. I'm waiting for that damn Sherpa to get here since he refused to come when I told him. And that's why I'm pissed the fuck off," Grimmjow ranted.
"Do you even know how to ride a water horse?"
"Of course! I aint stupid!"
"So you have a suitable steed then?"
"No. that's why that damn Sherpa better hurry his ass up!"
"So you basically got goaded into a race you're not even ready for and because you've encountered a commoner more stubborn then yourself you're in such a bad mood."
". . . . . .Shut up. He just better get his ass here soon and when he does I'm gonna make sure he doesn't cross me again and buy his best mariequss," Grimmjow declared ignoring how his friend was correct.
Ulquiorra just stared uncaringly into his friends face and sighed. He'd known Grimmjow since they were children and like Nnoitra and several others he was a noble with his own kingdom serving under Grimmjow. Grimmjow had been destructive since childhood and even his great father, King Yamamoto, had his hands full reining in his son. He was used too Grimmjow's destructive tendencies but as much as he hated to admit it Grimmjow was ulquiorra's best friend.
Just then a merman messenger arrived and knelt down humbly to announce the arrival of Ichigo. Grimmjow muttered something along the lines of 'about time' but a little more obscene and he and Ulquiorra turned towards the chamber door. Ulquiorra secretly curious about the bold (or stupid) Sherpa who defied an order of the king. Ichigo stepped into the throne room into the view of both nobles. Though he hid it this threw Ichigo off. He wasn't expecting to be faced with both men nor did he expect Grimmjow to be so handsome.
Ichigo found his eyes were glued to Grimmjow. His messy hair fell in light blue spikes and his feral cyan eyes were like those of big cats with or without the teal markings under them. The Imperial was dressed in silk like white pants and a matching white sash going across his chiseled chest. He was a muscular young man in his early twenties and his tight muscles looked as if his entire body had been chiseled from stone. Ichigo found himself stunned by this man whom he hated to admit was a sex god before him.
"'Bout time you got your ass here. I been waiting over an hour for you to get those beast here," Grimmjow snapped. Though rude Grimmjow's voice had a velvet like quality to it, rough yet smooth.
"My flock had to eat or else I wouldn't have been able to get the foals here. And I wasn't leaving them for the sharks and orcas," Ichigo replied stubbornly. Grimmjow noticed how he said he wouldn't leave them and not he couldn't. The boy didn't make wimpy excuses and even now he was staring directly into the sea king's eyes with a scowl plastered across his face. The kid had guts he'd give him that. Unbeknownst to them Ulquiorra was watching the exchange with interest. Grimmjow would've usually had his sword at the boy's throat by now like with anyone who didn't follow his orders. Almost as if Grimmjow had read ulquiorra's mind he unsheathe his sword and held the blade to Ichigo's throat. Ulquiorra inwardly sighed. Spoke too soon.
"You refused an order of the king. I should just cut you down right here and now and take your entire flock," Grimmjow threatened. Ichigo glared at him with defiant eyes and his tight scowl still in place.
"You wanted me and my flock here. So here we are. I obeyed your 'order' but I will not jeopardize the safety of my flock for anyone. No matter they're status."
Grimmjow pressed the cold steel of his blade harder against the teen's neck and blood started to drip from the cut inflicted there but Ichigo didn't falter. He just kept glaring defiantly at the king. Grimmjow found this amusing in a way. Usually even the toughest would have crumbled by now but this boy was still standing tall and defiant against him and his steel. He was right this kid had guts and he liked that. He withdrew his sword from the boy's neck and let out a feral booming laugh.
"You're brave I'll give you that. But don't cross me again boy."
"Didn't you bring him here for a particular reason," Ulquiorra reminded Grimmjow.
"Oh yeah. I've been told you have the best mariequss in the ocean. I want one. And I'll pay handsomely for the beast I choose," Grimmjow grinned. Ichigo had to regain his wits. The man was just as handsome even threatening his life. He tightened his scowl as to not let anything out but Ulquiorra still noticed.
"They're outside," he replied and turned to lead the other two to his flock outside. Grimmjow didn't get offended by the boy's brazenness it was actually starting to interest him. No one else except his other nobles would treat him in such a way and the change of pace was kind of refreshing.
Outside Ichigo's flock frolicked about the palace grounds. Mainly the young ones curious about everything not yet seen. The sun glistened off they're smooth sleek pelts and swirls of gray, black, blue, green, and many other colors as the flock moved. Mariequss came in many colors depending on where they were from. From colder waters they were white or gray, sometimes black; from warmer more tropical places they had a range of colors and sometimes combinations of colors to match the coral reefs they lived by. Sun and sand colored ones came from hotter oceans and neutral ones from more temperate climates. Grimmjow really had the best of the best gathered before him. All he had to do was pick one.
As they approached the flock everything stilled. The flock could sense it was in the presence of a powerful being and watched Grimmjow quietly. Even the foals had stopped their play to watch the strangers draw near. Grimmjow passed each mare, stallion, foal, and colt before turning to Ichigo.
"Which one."
"Huh," Ichigo asked unsure of the question.
"Which one is the best."
"Depends on what you're looking for in the horse."
"I need it to be fast but it needs to be able to be strong enough as a war horse too. And I don't want a stubborn beast who doesn't know who its master is either. So which one is that," Grimmjow asked coolly.
"All of them," Ichigo replied, "I make sure to raise them all with the utmost care. Anyone of them will be able to meet your requirements." Grimmjow looked at the boy. His eyes didn't waver like a liar out for the cash. He was serious. Turning his attention to the flock he decided on looking for the horse worthy of himself.
A young black stallion with a fiery personality caught his eye but he kept looking. He stopped by five more water horses. A rainbow one with shimmering skin, naw too girly. A gray one, too dull. A white one, maybe, he put that one on the list with the black one. A blue mare and a sun colored stallion also caught his eye. Ichigo lined up his choices so he could pick his future steed. As Grimmjow was about to make his pick a shadow dashed across the sun and he looked up to see a dark shape followed by a flash of silver. Echo sped by in hot pursuit of a feral shark that had managed to sneak onto the palace grounds in favor of an easy meal of water horse foals. At that moment a guard appeared, "Sire! A feral shark has crossed into the palace perimeter and it's headed this way!"
"No shit! How the hell did that monster get onto my grounds!"
"I'm not sure sir but it must have found a way to by past the security," the guard replied.
"Well bring back up and take care of it," Grimmjow boomed. At that moment a conch call sounded beside him and he watched as Echo turned and dived for the small group. Ichigo jumped onto her back as she made her u-turn. In his hand was a Sherpa spear and the conch as he blew it again and his flock took cover. Too Grimmjow's surprise he was headed towards the shark instead of away from it like normal sherpa's. now with one hand on Echo's back and the other grasping the spear he leaned into a turn as Echo took him back to the big predator. She snorted and charged head on diving under it at the last second giving her the opportunity to gore the beast's underbelly while Ichigo thrust his spear through it's jaws and out the top of its head. As the shark floated down, dead, Ichigo and Echo dove back down towards where Ulquiorra and Grimmjow were standing.
"That was incredible! You were right about these horses! They are the best," Grimmjow exclaimed.
"Indeed they are. I believe I'd like to purchase three of them. The gray stallion and the rainbow mare with the foal," Ulquiorra stated monotonously.
"Heh you want the rainbow one? Man you're such a chick," Grimmjow teased.
"Fool the gray one is for myself. I'm getting the rainbow one and her foal for Orihime. She loves colorful things. And I know that she'd be safe riding on one of these horses,"Ulquiorra explained.
"You're getting her two horses," Grimmjow asked.
"No. the second one is for our child. She's pregnant."
Grimmjow slapped his friend on the back and congratulated him on the news. Ulquiorra now a little flustered redirected the conversation.
"So have you picked the horse you want?"
"Hell yeah! That one," he yelled pointing at Echo. A look of dread spread across Ichigo's face at this.
"No. No I'm sorry she's not for sale," Ichigo replied, " please pick another from the flock. Any is fine. Just not her." Grimmjow frowned at this and walked right up to Ichigo.
"Are you saying you won't give me the horse I've chosen," he growled.
"It's exactly what I'm saying. I won't part with Echo. Please choose another one," Ichigo glared back.
"Are you trying to keep the best for yourself? Because she's the only silver water horse I know to exist and you just don't wanna give her up. Is that why she wasn't with the others," Grimmjow demanded. This angered Ichigo and he snapped back.
"No the reason she wasn't with the others was because she was doing your "palace guards" job and chasing off a shark! Which she helped to kill preventing a possible catastrophe for YOUR palace!"
"Hell! I don't care! She's not leaving this palace! So you can just take your money and leave!"
"You honestly think this is for the money!? She's important to me! And damn it I'm not leaving here without her!" Grimmjow was beyond furious by now. He was being denied something he wanted and that only made him want it more. So Ulquiorra wasn't too surprised by the next thing he said and just sighed.
"Oh really? Then you know what? You won't! By royal order of myself, Grimmjow Jaggerjaques, King of the sea. I declare that you and your flock will stay here until I get that mare!"
"Fine," Ichigo yelled. Not thinking about what he was agreeing to.
"Fine!"
"Wait. What!?"
Ulquiorra just sighed at his friend's stubbornness and the stubbornness of the palace's newest resident. He wasn't even going to deal with this right now and turned to gather his three horses as Grimmjow and Ichigo were both slapped with the realization of what had just happened.