NEW FIC!
AU universe, all humans but with their weapons and powers.
Please enjoy. Its quite different from my other fics.
Read and review and lemme know what you think
Probably wont be as dark as the others…. Hopefully.
WARNING: slight spoilers for chapter 578 and before.
DISCLAIMER: i own nothing, including the cover image all rights reserved for their proper owners
Princes' Lament
Chapter One: The Alliance
"I refuse." A strong voice argues. The man has his arms crossed over his chest, a deep scowl etched on his brow. His chocolate brown eyes glare menacingly at the three men sitting across from where he stands. He stands in a simple overcoat over his sleeping attire, his bright orange hair ruffled from sleep. He is not happy, having been woken up at an absurd hour to be told an even more absurd proposition.
"Don't be so stubborn son, a war is inevitable between us and the Wandenreich, an alliance between Hueco Mundo and the Seireitei will serve well when war does break out. This is to be done for the good of the people." A man with tired eyes sighs, his face is worn and his facial hair has not been trimmed in a few days, he looks nothing like his boisterous usual self. He had been traveling for many days between his kingdom and that of his new ally Aizen. They had been furiously discussing treaties. The discussions had been unfriendly at first, Aizen wanting nothing to do with the Wandenreich armies; the Quincies and their delusional ruler a man named Yhwach.
There had been tension between Wandenreich and the Seireitei for some time. Long before the boy had been born, what ever the reason for the growing hostility between the two groups was never clear to the people or the prince. The subject was taboo, and only ever discussed amongst the Steward, the royal advisor, the King Regent and his predecessor. The whispered discussions had become more ominous of late and had incorporated strategic military proceedings then peaceful negotiations.
"Your father is right Ichigo, war is coming and it will effect all of us, as our armies stand now we will be unable to pose much opposition to Wandenreich's superior forces." The man's usual playful smile is drawn into a tight line reflecting the severity of the situation. He fiddles with his newly acquired eye patch under the intensity of the young princes gaze.
He had lost it in the instigating battle some weeks back. The Wandenreich had mounted a small attack on the inner city, attacking with a small but efficient crew. A majority of the Seiretei's Captains had been wounded, and were only now finishing their recovery. Among the fatalities was the King, he had suffered at the hand of Yhwach. The battle had been quite spectacular, in a morbid sense. The death of the old man had seemed to be the purpose of the attack, since soon after the remaining forces retreated leaving devastation in their wake. Official notice of war had not been declared but both sides were not ignorant of its inevitable arrival.
"Besides I saw Prince Grimmjow, he is quite a looker. Very sexy. You might not like him personally but at least you'll be wed to a nice piece of eye candy." The last of the three men chips in hiding mischievous eyes with a ridiculous hat and leering smile with a fan.
Ichigo says nothing, just giving a low growl and storms out of the room.
§§§
"No fucking way" a deep voice growls upon hearing his father's unreasonable demand. Deep blue eyes narrow dangerously, his tussled hair reflecting his nightly activities, as do the reddening scratch marks across his chest, his pants hand low on his hips the buttons left undone in the haste to put them on. The man doesn't care much of his exposure.
"I don't believe I said you have a choice." His father replied with a smirk. Tying his wild son down to some uptight prince would be the highlight of his life. Seeing them interact and have to deal with each other would be amusing in the least. Having too sacrifice some of his army in the process was a small price to pay for such entertainment.
"Whats your game old man?" the prince demanded taking a threatening step forward, in a futile attempt too intimidate the king.
"Ne Grimmy don' go getin yer panties in a knot, Ichi-chan is a real firecracker. Ye should hav fun wit him." Grimm turned his glare to his father's husband. The silver haired man wearing his ever present sinister smile. His words meant nothing. Grimmjow wasn't one for marriage, he like sex, he liked it too much to be satisfied by a single partner. And he couldn't survive if his intended demanded fidelity. The prince gave out a huff in irritation before complying.
"Fine. But don't expect me to stop sleeping 'round." With that he stormed off, in search of some company to burn off some of his irritation.
§§§
The wedding was to be held in a week's time, and Ichigo was distraught. His father had later divulged that it was Hueco Mundo's king Aizen himself that demanded the marriage between the two princes to solidify the alliance. The alliance between the two kingdoms was nothing short of a miracle. When his grandfather had been king, Ichigo had heard stories of nobles within the Seireitei being discontent with his rule, and had left, invading a smaller kingdom and claiming the throne. The nobles had been lead by Sosuke Aizen, his lover Gin Ichimaru, with their faithful friend Kaname Tosen. Aizen was ruthless and power hungry. He established the kingdom as his own and formed a thriving military powerhouse from the ruins.
Ichigo was concerned; Aizen couldn't possibly know his secret. He couldn't know of the power he possessed. His own father did not know. Only a select few, only those few who were like him. One of his best friends and captain of his guard knew; Shinji Hirako had been the one to discover what he was before Ichigo himself knew. If Aizen did know, had that been why he had insisted he be married to the Crown Prince, and not one of his younger sisters. Although Ichigo would not have allowed for such a thing.
Ichigo had heard rumors of the other prince. None of them put his mind at ease. Grimmjow was rumored to be an insatiable beast when it came to sex, he would jump anything that moved, male or female. Ichigo had even heard a few bestiality rumors. It was also said that Grimmjow did not grow up as a typical prince. He had been given the rank of Espada, the equivalent to Seireitei's Captain at a very young age. He was bloodthirsty as he was sex hungry. Although Ichigo did not sit around and act like the spoilt prince everyone thought he was, he had participated in many battles under false identities as to not alarm his family and not to alert the enemy the Crown Prince of Seireitei was among them. Ichigo envied Grimmjow for his freedom from the confines of strict order that was imposed on him.
Ichigo sat on the turrets of the palace facing west, watching the sun shrink beneath the horizon, casting long shadows across the land. He often climbed out here to think, much to his father's dismay. It wasn't exactly safe, but Ichigo had always been one to take risks.
"You haven't been out here this much since your mother died." His friend Shinji commented, as he climbed the roof and sat next to him. The Captain of his Guard had a hideous bob hair cut and a grin so full of teeth you couldn't help but cringe, his personality left much to be desired, but Ichigo wouldn't change a thing about him. The comment wasn't meant to be rude. It was the truth, he had first started coming out here when his mother had been brutally murdered. It had been an assassination, was what he was told. It wasn't till Ichigo leaned more about himself did he start doubting the story. When he had finally understood his power he started to wonder if an assassin had killed his mother, or had he lost control and killed her. He never voiced such thoughts. Who would? He just silently suffered with the possibility he had killed the kindest women to walk the planet.
"I've had a lot to think about." He commented acknowledging his friends presence.
"Cheer up Strawberry it's not like your walking to an executioners block." Shinji tried to lighten the mood. Ichigo scowled at the name, but remained quiet. Shinji looked at his friend with sad eyes.
"I doubt Aizen knows anything about us Ichi, its probably just a coincidence. Nothing more." Shinji was of course referring to their inner power, the Seireitei had stories of such creatures with power like them, and they were called Hollow's. Such creatures were revered to be creations of the Gods. Although they resembled these creatures in a great many ways, Shinji and himself were very much human. Shinji had coined the term Visord for their group of misfits.
"I'll be traveling there, once we are wed I'll live in Hueco Mundo." Ichigo informed the blond sadly, he was going to miss all his friends here. He was tempted to demand Shinji and his other friends come with him, but such a request would be impossible. All his friends were important people, and with their world on the brink of war to pull them away for such selfish reasons would be foolish.
"Good then I wont be stuck watching your mopey ass anymore." Shinji exclaimed reclining on the roof and picking his ear. Ichigo gave him a sidelong glare. He got an A for effort for trying to lighten the mood, but he went about it like a bull in a china shop.
"Besides I hear yer fiancé is a god in the sac." He grinned lecherously at his prince. Ichigo growled at the comment.
"Why does everyone think I'm obsessed with sex, I want more then mindless sex." Shinji's leer got bigger.
"Yer a teenage boy of course your obsessed with sex."
"I am not a teenager. I'm a man." Ichigo huffed hotly.
"Ha, only a boy has to assure others he's a man."
"So now I'm a boy."
"That's right Ichi-chan"
"Your insufferable" Ichigo sighed out, although there bantering had brought a smile to his face. Maybe the bull did know what to do in the china shop.