Okay I REALLY enjoyed writing this. And I hope you guys would like it and all...
plus I have something very important to say, this chapter is wonderfully edited because I've finally found some internet for my computer, usually I write on a stinky old ipad so it looks... well, not as good, and I am so so sorry about that, cause I really wanna write, and I really want to publish things, and I had comments saying that everything looks jammed together so now you and I both know the problem. I wont have any internet again cause the internet where I live is acting up on my computer. so I'm sorry guys, I'll try to make it as easy as possible to read. :\
In a faraway land, there was a great kingdom near a great expanse of thick woods. It was named Seiritei. It had a good king who ruled all fairly and protected his people with much care. And though the rules of said kingdom were minimal - the usual of 'do not steal' and 'do not harm' your neighbor, there was another particular rule which was very important; 'do not use magic'. This also concedes with learning about the black arts and interacting with those who do, that is why the king has banned magical beings and users out of his lavish kingdom. He believed that they held an irresponsible power that can be used to overthrow his land into chaos, much like the monsters and warlocks that came from time to time to raise havoc and destruction.
To keep the peace he raised an army which specifically deals with battling magicians and creatures alike called 'the order of the third-teen knights' and a new recruit was about to get his badge, the symbol of the end of his training and the beginning of his duty as one of the kings infantry. Shaggy orange hair looked like fire as the sun's rays touched it gently, the boy's stance was nervous, but not at all sloppy, shoulders back, spine straight and eyes determined as he received his blessings from the king as the one who completed the training with honors and held big promise to the force.
"congratulations Ichigo, finally you've stopped being a little brat and went up to be among men."
His cheeky friend, Renji, who was one of the lieutenants jested at him snarkily, clasping his shoulder. Brown eyes narrowed in mock anger as he pushed his red haired childhood friend away from him playfully.
"you say that Renji, but I'll quickly rise among the ranks and surpass you easily." he teased.
"oh~ getting ahead of yourself immidietly are we?" he grinned.
Ichigo scoffed "simply stating the facts" he smirked as they made way into the dining hall "I can't wait to start my duties, going on adventures, slaying monsters! You'll see, they'll be writing songs about my quests."
Renji burst into a hearty laugh and commented on his fiery friends delusions in a playful manner as they ate in the dining hall with their fellow knights.
As time passed, Ichigo was more and more immensed in his work, but unfortunately, as a new recruit he wasn't allowed to go on missions past the kingdom gate, where Renji and the higher ranks usually went. He was usually training, helping out with the weapons and patrolling outside the castle wall. But Ichigo stayed focused, he knew that it was only the beginning and that he soon will travel the lands as does Renji. And of course, that fateful day has come when Ichigo's commanding officer, Kensei Muguruma, has called for him one sunny day when he was doing his guard duties at the inner entrance gate.
"Kurosaki, I've got a job for you." His gruff voice said as he looked through the papers on his desk, finding the one he required and read from it. Not even sparing Ichigo a glance.
"yes, captain Muguruma."
He could barely contain his excited and tried to conceal it from his tone, after all he needed to show that he takes this seriously.
"there is information about a witch that's staying a couple of days ride from our beloved kingdom that's refusing to take her business elsewhere, she is a nuisance and the king feels that she is too close to us, making her a threat." he flipped the paper and handed Ichigo a rolled map of how to get there "we do not know what she is capable of, and she hurt some of our men, so be cautious. I want you to get rid of her." he said sternly, looking at Ichigo in warning.
"yes, sir. I shall do my best."
Ichigo bowed respectfully and was excused, he was given a horse and a bag full of food for the way, he put on his armor and helmet, careful to tighten it firmly so it wouldn't chaff his skin and was off before the sun went down. The ride was pleasant and Ichigo was buzzing with excitement, oh how he had waited for this moment, and after careful and hard work he has finally made the first step.
"we are going to come back and show them" He proudly said as he patted the white hair of his horse and it gave a snort in response. "don't worry, I have trained long and hard and I'm not afraid of no witch! You can count on me Shiro." he said lovingly, scratching behind a perked ear.
As he rode quietly into the night he thought about his teachings of witches, in his training it was said that witches were horrid hags that lived in secluded houses so they could fool passer bys into being eaten, or to be used as a sacrifice to demons. He pictured an old woman with a crooked nose and unkept dirty skin filled with moles, as on her bony fingers grew cracked long yellow fingernails. He frowned in determination, he wouldn't, no, couldn't let a monster like that hurt his people.
After another day of riding, Ichigo checked his map.
"ah, just a little more."
He sighed softly, as he started seeing a garden of different crops he had never seen before, he frowned, why would there be a garden in the middle of nowhere like this? It looked well kept, with straight lines in the dirt separating each herb. He decided he's closer than he thought, and pulled on his horse's rains to make it stop. Lifting his leg, he swung to the ground and tied the rains to a tree near by, he patted the horse's back.
"wait here Shiro, I wouldn't want you to get hurt... Or eaten." he snickered as the horse neighed in fright.
Taking a deep breath, he concentrated, revealing his sword from its sheath he carefully made his way to where the garden lead to, his armor clanked softly with his steps and he watched through the holes in his helmet for any thing that might come charging at him. The forest was still thick, and fireflys were dancing in circles next to gentle looking flowers and mushrooms, that were placed at the roots of impressive trees which cast splotches of shade on his path, letting golden rays of sun through. He stopped on his tracks when he saw a cabin, it was old, and made of stone that had green plants climbing on it's walls. This is it, he thought as he hunched into a ready positing and came closer, his eyes dancing around to see that the coast is clear. When he was about three feet away from the heavy looking oak door he inhaled deeply and thrust his sword in it's direction.
"Witch! Come out and face me!"
he declared, body tense and frown in place. But nothing happened. He blinked in confusion and tried again.
"get out here and fight me! I have come to defeat you and stop your evil deeds!"
He kept his stance in the silence that followed, which made him feel a little ashamed, he scoffed as his arm fell down to his side, feeling an annoying blush creep onto his cheeks, that's one reason why he liked to wear his armor, your couldn't see his face. Suddenly, he heared the door fly open with a bang as it his the wall. he jumped in fright, letting out a surprised yelp and almost loosing his footing in the process. He scrambled to get his balance back and gingerly pointed his sword back at the entrance, finally glancing at who was it that he was supposed to battle.
"wow."
He whispered, absolutely in awe as he gaped at what he saw before him. It was no hag, no dirty skin, no disgusting teeth and features, it was an angry looking young man, that seemed to be rudely awakened from his slumber. He had bright blue hair that was sloppily pushed back, tan, sun kissed skin with sharp features and big, cat like blue eyes that caught the light of the early morning sun. His shoulders were wide and he looked to be the same height as himself. The beautiful man frowned at him as he tried to grasp his words.
"to what do I owe the pleasure, sir knight that likes to raise his voice so early in the day?" He yawned, his voice gruff from sleep.
Ichigo, as if was stun out of a stupor fixed his stance and blushed deeply.
"y-you! Where is the witch that lives here? Show her to me at once! and don't try to use your tricks on me, I know your kind!"
He cursed himself when he stuttered, but he kept his ground, remembering the importance of his mission. The blue haired man frowned deeper and crossed his toned arms over his chest, he could see tattoos peeking from the collar and sleeve of his too big shirt.
"what business do you have here?"
"don't you try to change the subject! I won't fall to your schemes, you can try to sell yourself as a fool but I know what you do, you eat people! And you're damn sure not going to eat me!"
Blue eyes widened as Ichigo shouted confidently, thrusting his sword closer to emphasize his words and then his opponent did the last thing the knight thought he would, he started laughing and clutching at his stomach desparetadly.
"oh, it's really to early for me." he cackled "eat you... Where in the world have you heared such nonsense?" he wiped a tear from his eye as Ichigo fumed, feeling his blush consume most of his face and ears.
"where is the witch?" He pressed angrily, gritting the words between clenched teeth "or are you her, trying to trick me." he finished with narrowed eyes.
Resorting to light giggles, the man caught back his lost breath.
"no, I'm her son. She's out for the time." He leaned on his doorframe, amused at the weired armored man that barged in his property.
Ichigo frowned, he was prepared for a lot of things on this mission, but certainly not that. How can he slay a monster thats not even there?
"w-well, where is she?"
Blue eyes rolled with a sigh "on a journey."
"where?"
The man shrugged his shoulders, making Ichigo growl in fury. How dare he mock him, acting so casually in front of a warrior that has his sword drawn on him.
"and when will she be coming back?" He spat.
The blue eyed wonder raised his hand, having only his pointer finger untucked "one year."
Ichigo's eyes bulged, what is he supposed to say to his commander? To the king? 'The witch is on leave? She will be back later and then we could settle this?' It's unacceptable, simply idiotic, he would be the laughing stock of the training room forever, people would write songs about his failure and sing about it for as long as he lived.
"what do you want with my mother anyway?" he push away from the doorframe and stepped closer.
"it is non of your concern."
He growled in frustration, not knowing what he should do.
"uh, I think it is, since I'm her only child." The witche's son said with a raise of a blue brow. Suddenly something clicked in Ichigo's mind and he looked up again at him.
"wait, you mean she left you here all by yourself for a year?" He asked in disbelief, seeing as there is nobody else around these parts in seemed a bit cruel and lonely.
"yes! That's what I told her! But she said that her friend needed help cause she's sick, so up she goes, like the big hero she is to save the day."
He rambled, glad that someone saw his point of view.
"wait, a witch can heal people?" Ichigo thought aloud in exasperation.
Blue hair shook as he nodded "of course! But it dosent mean that she needs to heal every person in the known land, she works too hard and goes too far." He rubbed at his eyes, as if he talked about it with his mother countless times with her not listening.
"and you don't eat people..." Ichigo cautiously asked.
"what? No, I wouldn't eat a living soul."
"so your telling me you've never had pork stew?"
"that's horrible." He frowned in disgust.
Somehow, they found themselves talking for a long while, until the sun had already set. Ichigo did not know his name, but there was something about him that captivated him, making him want to know more. He was new, refreshing, as was Ichigo to the witch's son. Little did they know that they would change everything for each other with this little encounter.