AN: Hey every one. This is the first chapter of a new fic I'm writing. I'm posting it to see what kind of reviews I get so that I can decide whether I want to continue with the story. So please review to let me know what you think.
Summary: After seven years, Rukia is reunited with her orange haired friend. But when the ones who stole him away from her return, will their relationship survive? IchixRuki
Disclaimer: I wish that I did, but I don't own Bleach in any way shape or form
And without further delay, here is the chapter (hope you enjoy):
Prologue: Hidden Tears
Two kids ran through the dark alley, soaking from the pouring rain. One of the kids, a girl of about ten years with shoulder length, black hair looked over her shoulder. There was no one behind them, and she let out a sigh of relief.
"I think we lost them," she said to her companion, a boy around her age with bright orange hair. The boy nodded but kept on running.
They rounded a corner and ran back out into an open street. As they ran out into the open, a pair of arms swung out, attempting to grab the girl, who ducked and began running down the street with the boy on her heels.
"We have to hide!" the girl yelled over the thunder. Their splashing footsteps echoed through the empty streets, and they could hear a pair of boots running after them.
They approached another alley and the girl pulled the boy into it, holding a hand over his mouth. As they crouched in the shadows, the man ran by the alley, not noticing them. They remained silent until they heard his footsteps disappear in the distance. The two kids looked at each other in relief, and they began to peer out at the rainy street to see if anyone was still around. When they saw that they were alone, the two cautiously stepped out onto the street.
"I think they're gone," the girl whispered.
"That's where you're wrong, sweetheart," a deep, gruff voice said, and an arm wrapped itself around the boys stomach. The man lifted him up, a maniacal grin spreading across his bearded face. The boy began screaming, pounding his small fists against the man's chest as he was held like a sack of flour.
"Hmm, this one's got spirit. He'll fetch us a good profit." The man hefted the boy onto his shoulder and walked toward a wagon with steel bars around the outside. He tossed the boy in and slammed the door on the jailing wagon. The boy began sobbing and pulling on the bars as the man climbed on a horse and began to ride away with the boy.
"Ichigo!" the girl yelled, running after the cart, panic rising in her chest.
"Rukia!" the boy called back, holding out his hand as if he wanted to just touch her one more time. The girl continued to run after the cart desperately, watching as it got further and further away. Soon she could no longer see it, but instead just stared off into the rain. She slowly stopped running, sobs racking her body. She fell to her knees, her tears hidden by the pouring rain.
"Ichigo!"
/ / / / / /
Rukia sat looking out of the window at the clouds covering city. It had been seven years today since she had lost her best friend to the slavers. She wondered what Ichigo was doing, if he was thinking about that day too, or if he was even still alive. She sighed. It wouldn't do her any good to think like that. Rukia only looked away from the window when she heard someone open the door to her room.
"Are you prepared, Rukia?" a tall noble with black hair asked, looking at her with emotionless eyes.
This man was Rukia's adoptive brother, Kuchiki Byakuya. He was a noble of Rukongai District 1, Junrinan. When she was eleven, Rukia had run into Byakuya in her home district of Inuzuri, or Hanging Dog. He had been surprised by her stature and ability to care for herself, and had adopted her. From that point on, Rukia had been a Kuchiki. A noble. Here she was living a life of luxury when her childhood friend was off in some slave quarters or possibly even dead. It made her sick.
"Yes, Nii-sama," Rukia replied, standing from the bench next to her window.
"Remember, we are meeting the noble clan of Kusajishi as an attempt to end hostilities between our people. Do not speak out of turn."
"Yes, Nii-sama."
"Very well. Come, we must go greet the Kurosaki clan." Rukia followed her brother out of the room reluctantly, walking a few paces behind him.
"There are a few things you must know before greeting the Kurosaki clan. First, they are from Kusajishi and relish in violence, but they demand respect. Second, the head of the clan is an old acquaintance and, and is not of sane mind. You would do well to avoid him. Third, the son is adopted, like you, and has been rumored to have much anger and hate inside him. You would be wise to avoid him as well."Rukia just nodded.
"We shall meet them in the garden. Hold your tongue unless addressed by a member of the Kurosaki clan or myself. When addressed, you will show due respect to the members of the Kurosaki clan. Understood?"
"Yes, Nii-sama."
"Good. It seems we have arrived just in time."
Rukia looked up at the family walking into the garden. At first glance, she saw three people, a man and two young girls. The man had black hair and a thin beard, and was grinning like a fool at his two daughters. The daughters were both around the same height and age, but one had short black hair and was scowling while the other had large brown eyes and sandy hair. Both were looking at their father like he was crazy, and the black haired girl looked like she was ready to punch him. I wonder what that is about.
"Kurosaki-sama," Byakuya said when the three reached them.
"Long time no see Bya-bo!" Kurosaki exclaimed, clapping his hands together excitedly. "When's the party gonna start?" Rukia had to stifle a giggle at the look on Byakuya's face. His eye was twitching slightly and his normally emotionless eyes held irritation.
"There is no party, Kurosaki." The other man sobbed, turning toward his daughters.
"There is no love for us here, my daughters! Maybe we should leave and forget about peace treaties!"
Byakuya stiffened, forcing his emotions back and trying to become formal again.
"This occasion did not seem suitable for a party, Kurosaki-sama. We are here to discuss business."
"No need for the formalities! You can just call me Isshin!"
"I cannot, Kurosaki-sama. May we please move on with business?" Byakuya ground out through clenched teeth.
"First, introductions! Who might this lovely young woman be, Bya-bo?"
"Kurosaki, I must ask that you refrain from calling me that." Isshin just waved his comment off, then turned toward Rukia.
"Hi there! I'm Kurosaki Isshin, but you can just call me Isshin. And who might you be?"
"I am Kuchiki Rukia, Kurosaki-sama," she replied respectfully.
"I told you to call me Isshin," he whined.
"Um, dad, don't forget Yuzu and me," the black haired girl said in a bored tone.
"Of course! These are my lovely daughters, Yuzu and Karin. And my son is…where is he?" Isshin looked behind him, searching for his missing son.
"Hurry, my son! Get your lazy butt over here!"
"I'm coming, hold on," a voice called from behind Isshin. Isshin moved to the side so that his son could enter the group, and Rukia gasped. The boy was tall and lean, yet muscular, and his face was relatively handsome, but that wasn't what made Rukia gasp. What made her gasp was the fact that she knew the boy. He had grown quite a bit, and looked much different, but there was no mistaking the amber eyes and the orange hair.
"Ichigo?"
/ / / / / / / /
Ichigo sat back, leaning against the side of the carriage. He stared out at the cloudy sky, thinking about Rukia and what she could possibly be doing. What would she think if she saw him as a noble and she was still living on the streets? It made him sick just to think about something like that. At least she thought he was a slave and not living a royal life.
"Why do you look so upset today, Ichi-nii?" his sister asked. He looked over at her, noticing that her large brown eyes were full of concern. The sight made him grateful to the Kurosaki clan for accepting him as one of their own. He felt like he finally had a family again. The only thing that was missing…was Rukia.
"I just don't like the rain, Yuzu," he replied somberly, looking back out of the window.
"Don't be ridiculous my son! It isn't raining yet! Besides, I hear this Kuchiki clan has a beautiful heiress about your age!" Isshin said suggestively.
"Shut up, you old pervert!" Ichigo retorted, sending Isshin a death glare.
"Seriously dad, cool it with the suggestive hints already," the other girl drowned. Ichigo looked over at her as she spoke.
There was only one thing that kept Ichigo from fitting in with his adopted family, and that was his looks. As he looked at Karin, the only resemblance between them was the scowl that was permanently glued to their faces. Karin had black, shoulder-length hair and grey eyes. Her sister, Yuzu, had sandy hair and large, brown eyes and a sweet smile. Isshin Kurosaki had black spiky hair, grey eyes and a thin beard that earned him the nickname of Goat face. None of the characteristics resided in Ichigo. He was tall, had orange hair and amber eyes, and his facial features were slightly more angled than the rest of the family.
"Ichigo, you're spacing out again," Karin said, waving a hand in front of his face.
"Wha-oh, sorry," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
"You were thinking about that Kuchiki girl, weren't you?" Isshin said enthusiastically.
"Shut it old man! I wasn't thinking about some noble girl!"
"But you were thinking about a girl?" Isshin grinned slyly.
"Sh-shut up!" Ichigo said, crossing his arms over his chest and turning away.
"Oh Masaki, our son has finally become a man!" Isshin cried looking at the top of the carriage as if he could see through to the clouds above.
"What are you talking about you goat faced pervert? I was just thinking of an old friend," Ichigo said, turning back to Isshin.
"An old gi —" he was cut off as Karin planted a kick in his side.
"Shut up dad, we're at the Kuchiki palace, so try to behave."
"Karin, you don't have to be so mean…" Yuzu said, sending a concerned glance at her father.
"Don't worry about it, Yuzu. He's used to being kicked around by now," Ichigo muttered, climbing out of the carriage.
"That's not very nice, Ichi-nii," Yuzu scolded, climbing out with his help.
"Whatever."
Ichigo looked up toward the massive palace, amazed at the wealth clearly displaced in the building. It was relatively simple, but the roofs and walls were made of the finest materials money could buy. As they walked towards the door, two figures came out of the building into the garden. He noticed that one was fairly short, only reaching the other one's shoulder.
"Ichigo, come back here and wait a little while. We wouldn't want you to scare them with your ugly face," Karin teased.
"Shut it, Karin!" Ichigo shot back, but walked back over to the carriage.
"I was just kidding, Ichigo. You don't have to stay here."
"It's fine, I didn't really want to go anyway." Karin just shrugged, and followed her dad and sister up the hill. Ichigo watched them for several minutes and saw what he figured was Isshin making a fool of himself and successfully irritating the man from the Kuchiki family. Then he noticed that Isshin was talkin to the shorter figure, then he noticed Isshin look back at him.
"Hurry, my son! Get your lazy butt over here!"
"I'm coming, hold on," Ichigo called back irritably, walking up to the group and working his way between his father and sister. He heard a gasp and looked down at the Kuchiki princess. She had shoulder-length black hair that curled out at the ends and a loose bang hanging between her eyes. Her large violet eyes were made larger as she stared at him in surprise.
"Ichigo?" Ichigo knew this girl. He had thought of her almost every day since he was ten, and had wondered what she could possibly be doing with her life if she was even alive. She had been his best friend.
"Rukia?"
AN: Didn't like how this ended all that much, but I think the beginning turn out okay. Please review, and remember, whether or not this story continues depends on whether or not I get enough reviews. So if you want more of this story, please review.
Any and all suggestions, questions, and ideas are welcome in reviews, and of course just let me know what you think
And for those of you that haven't read my other fic, don't forget to check it out: The War Within