Disclaimer: Sadly, I own nothing. Not the cover picture, The Moon That Embraces the Sun or Bleach, i swear.
Title: Eclipse at the Palace
Pairing: IchiRuki, NnoiNel, UnohanaAizen, UlquiHime, GrimmSuki, etc etc...
Rating: T, for safety purposes, because of some reasons I don't want to count
Warnings: This is my first work of fan fiction so, don't expect much. I'm open for suggestions, and critics. No, actually, I am begging for suggestions and critics. I have random flashbacks, and not so accurate information. If ever you dislike the story, think I am completely murdering Bleach, and wish to tell me, then please do not FLAME. A Korean political show inspired me on this story but I have twisted it to an unrecognizable way.
Summary: In a world drenched in politics, Ichigo Kurosaki, crowned king at a young age, finds himself falling for a priestess,Mond. Mond was born as Rukia from the noble family of the Kuchiki and was supposed to be the crowned princess. Her family's enemies, jealous of Byakuya's place in court schemed against them. Managing to steal her rightful place as predestined queen by the heavens, to false death, she was thrown . Years later, after the tragic incident, Rukia now as Mond, meets the bitter King Ichigo, as a priestess who has no memory of her real identity. Now, how can they turn the events back to how it is suppose to be?
In this chapter: This chapter is still the Prologue of everything. This is where history of my Alternate Bleach Universe takes its a leap on what should have been. There would be mentions of the following pairings: Unohana x Aizen, slight Mayuri x Sui Feng. Be warned that this has seduction and slight sexual tension.
Whispers of the Mortals:
This Might Have Been
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"For all the sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: 'It might have been!'"
-John Greenleaf Whitter-
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"The heavens hold the fate of mortals like us," she said softly. "But we cannot simply rely on the hands of the heavens for everything… We must make our own effort. This is what our previous heroes had thought, and so we should also have in mind," Princess Retsu said with her red-painted lips smiling. She batted her long curled lashes, as she looked up at him.
The winds entered the chambers and danced with the flames; the candle lights flickered along. The room was dimly lit, only they were truly illuminated. The incense kept them intoxicated. The air was cold but their bodies were hot, but it was only her who shivered. The man continued to refuse to show his weakness even in private.
"Forgive this subject for the ignorance, Princess Retsu, but let me dare ask… What do you imply?" he asked. It was rather hard for him to speak and think straightly as the scents slowly consumed his body. And now, maybe sooner his mind. How could he have fallen for the witch's trap?
"My, my, aren't you being too humble? I am pretty sure you are a smart man," she said in a teasing tone. She bit her lips suggestively, looking rather provocative. She let the sleeve drop off her shoulder showing the pale flawless skin under. Her well endowed breast peeking at the hem of her clothes. He licked his lips absent-mindedly as he stared at her areola, exposed just a bit.
She truly was the pride of the royal family. Her beauty and her body were of no match to the other women. She was the everything in perfection. She was Princess Retsu, sister of the King Isshin Kurosaki and daughter of the late top courtesan of the country and of the previous king. And now, she is the wife of the influential scholar, Mayuri Kurotsuchi. How lucky must he be to marry the most beautiful woman of the country?
"If Lord Kurotsuchi was to find out—"he said but stopped by the princess.
"Hush," her sickly sweet voice came. Her finger playfully tapped on the man's lips, as she leaned close. His eyes widen in surprise of her gesture but his eyes were rather locked into the sight of her well endowed breasts that were showing off as she leaned. He gulped as he watched them jiggle in her sudden movement. His whole body started to grow hot once again.
Princess Retsu could smell her success as she sat back and took a bottle of alcohol in her grip. And with her elegance, she took the space next to him. The man however did not fully understand the purpose of this seduction. He merely thought deeply. While, she, the princess guided his hand for a cup and poured alcohol to it. Her scent was even more irresistible. That was a very familiar scent for the both of them.
Painful memories flooded back to them… This could have been; this should have been. She should have been his; he should have been hers.
Aizen Sosuke took a sip on the cup. His eyes still looking at her suspiciously, "We shall be doomed of death."
"Not if we can stop it… Can't you be the hero this country needs, Lord Aizen?" she asked. She did this as she whispered against his neck, making sure he'd be burning in her hot breath. Her left hand supporting her and the other on the man's thigh slowly curling up. Her tongue managing to give a lick on his pale neck, the man shivered in lust, finally.
The alcohol consumed his mind, finally, unable to stop it, he pinned the princess down. He leaned in her neck inhaling her intoxicating scent. The woman whimpered at the hot breath on her neck. She smiled triumphantly as the man started to kiss her neck.
"Be the hero, Lord Aizen. Be my hero…" she whispered against his ear as her hands an over his ebony hair. She closed her eyes, enjoying the moment. Because tomorrow it would not be like this anymore; tomorrow, she will again be the woman of the Kurotsuchi… Tears started to pool at the corner of her eyes but she'll never let the man know this or even notice. She was a woman now.
"Lord Sosuke," she smiles happily. "It's been awhile," she says
The man looks up at her from his low bow. Aizen Sosuke was never the one to forget about the status. He smiles shyly at her. The princess was always all beautiful; the epitome of beauty. She was the rose among the thorns of the royal family.
It was not a secret how much the men had admired and wished for her hand. And the young Lord wasn't an exemption. Being part of the court in a very young age, he found it rather inspiring seeing a woman of his age in the palace.
If only everything went smoothly then it was almost the perfect love story there could ever be in the palace.
To stop the Kurotsuchi's family from the gain of power in the court, he was politically arranged to marry Princess Retsu.
Because marriage in the palace wasn't about love, it was about power…
"The purpose has defeated, don't you think so to, Lady Feng?" he asked. The man continued to flip through the pages. His eyes focused on the ancient teachings and the facts that might supported it. He looked up and stared into the shadow, where a woman tried to stay hidden. Then looked back down on his work as if her presence didn't actually matter.
"You little rascals always try to underestimate me," he muttered closing the book and turning into the other in his pile. "Show yourself!" he ordered. His voice thundered in the room. "I am the Princess's Consort, Mayuri Kurotsuchi!"
Sui Feng stepped forward with her head bowed. She mentally wanted to hit herself. How could her skills be so rusted? She was surely the shame of their clan now. Was she too distracted of her own personal matters she has forgotten the path she was striding on?
Mistress Yuroichi…
"Look at me," he said with rather a calm tone. "Who do you serve under?" he asked. This brought her back to reality. Her consciousness stepping back in the Kurotsuchi's study room... Who does she serve? He asks her. Then that would be Mistress Yoruichi, but, no, she was now a dethroned princess, a fugitive of the country.
"Under the Kurotsuchi clan," she said blankly. She was now serving the man who sat in front of her. And so she knelt before him and paid respects.
"Are you sure you serve me, or shall I say: don't you serve the Imperial Palace?" he mocked as continued his readings. He smiled to himself as he started to stroke the brush gently upon the cloth:
The Art of Life and Death
Sui turned her head to the side in respect to whatever devil incarnate he might be doing. She knew the man was working on something but she has never thought it was so taboo.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi was a man of science and politics. He was young and yet vigilant about everything. It was almost like he had all solutions needed. But here he is, locked into the chambers of being just the Princess's Consort. He wasn't lucky to marry the most beautiful woman in the country; wasn't lucky at should have been the man the country needs to guide the king. His family though isn't of noble blood but he, he could always gather men to his side. He lived within a Machiavellian point of view, although harsh, he knew how to deal with everything carefully. There was a time; she doubted if he was evil as much as the palace claims. He was just young and idealistic and yet supported with his wits and abilities. His goals and points were liberal and yet could be a greater improvement to the government. And he, of all the people in the council, of not even noble blood, spoke against the dynasty of the king's filial side.
But Mayuri was human; he had weaknesses that he couldn't hide long enough. He had but many lovers, as young as he was. He had good looks that caused many women of the city to fall insanely for him. The noble blood could make them fall for him so easily.
He had the wits, the charms, and the looks but indeed it was a question in his swordsmanship. He wasn't the best but he had his tricks in his sleeves. And this was the weakness the Imperial Palace used against him; the woman he loved.
"I serve you, my lord," she answered. Her eyes were dark without any hint of malice or defiance. She should accept this now. Yoruichi was a fugitive, a foe, not a friend.
"Why do I see resemblance between you and the feline?" he asked as he finally gazed on her face. But he wasn't necessarily looking at her or was even talking to her. More of, it was a thought spoken out loud. The feline, she presumed was her earlier mistress. And again she mentally gave herself a hit for her endless blind devotion.
"That, if I am to answer, is my earlier master of the arts as a mercenary," she said silently. He did not even care of her answer, the man merely smirked. He indeed was very handsome and provocative in this matter.
Now that she had noticed it, the man sat cross-legged with his shirt showing off his collarbone, held with his slightly tan skin. He wasn't especially muscular, just well-built. His eyes were molten gold taunting and teasing. Sui had always been seen as a child, but what everyone has overlooked was the woman she already is. She was no killing machine use to merely do some assassination; she was a woman with needs.
She shook her head, flushed at her minds ideas.
"The fugitive princess?" he asked. "Don't you hate her?" he asked, his voice caressing the words softly and naughtily. If only he wasn't a married man, she would allow herself to lust for him. All the hatred and self-pity stirred inside her, as she dared to look into his eyes.
"Forgive me, my lord, but what is it you mean?" she said trying to calm herself. How could he make her fluster so much? She, Xiaolin 'Sui' Feng, the great heir of the Feng clan, and master of the mercenary arts, flustered over not even a noble man.
"Is it so hard to fathom that she left you, her loyal servant of out nowhere? And that she betrayed the country?" he asked again.
Sui clutched on her uniform silently trying to keep her rage.
"Little Feng, you must never forget that fact," he said as he leaned close to her, supporting himself on the table, which was their only division. For a moment, Sui thought he'd kiss her, but he didn't. He simply whispered, "Don't forget that hatred, and use it. Only remember the embarrassment and hatred you feel. And only be overjoyed by the rewards you get in return. Because you will never truly be a woman of the Imperial Palace if you do not shred away the compassion and sympathy in your heart… "
Her eyes widen in surprise. Was it from his experiences? She could not tell at all. The man has always been mocking and taunting to people.
"Or else… There is no place for you in this rotten country…"
Because like her, if only he had erased all those emotion from the very start, he could have made the great change the country needed. Or he could have protected the ones he should. And they should have been together...
A/N: The lot is confusing? Here's for information:
So, it's like this:
Isshin Kurosaki - King
Retsu Unohana - Princess; Sister of the King; Past lover of Aizen (affair)
Sosuke Aizen - Hing rank Official; Noble man; Past lover of the Princess (affair)
Mayuri Kurostuchi - Former Head Scholar of the Astronomy and other Sciences
Xiaolin 'Sui' Feng - Heiress of the Feng clan (Clan of Mercenaries working directly under the Palace); Use to serve under the Shihoin clan; Assigned in the Kurostuchi residence
Yoruchi Shihoin - Fugitive; Past Heiress of the Shihoin clan
