Hi everyone! As promised, I started a new story! I hope I improved my writing a bit. But this time, I don't think I will be able to update everyday. I am taking four AP classes next year and my teachers are already killing me with summer works. But don't worry! I will not abandon my story. Please read and review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or any of it's characters.
Musashima was the poorest village of the Rukongai Kingdom. Only scums and filthy peasants lived there who weren't worthy of a decent life. That was the lesson all the students of the royal family and the nobles were given during their young age. The royal family lived in Seireitei, the richest area of Rukongai kingdom. Many nobles also resided in there. While residing in the richest area, most of them never set a foot on the poor areas, like Musashima, because 'those scums that resided in those areas weren't worthy of a royal or noble presence.'
But one noble broke this unspoken tradition. He loved to travel around the kingdom. He was intelligent, curious and loved to learn new things. He was the heir of the Ichimaru family. One of the oldest noble families that lived in Seireitei. His name was Ichimaru Gin. From young age, Gin always wondered about the poor villages. He wanted to see what the villagers lives were like. He wanted to see it with his own eyes. So in one summer morning he mounted his horse and rode to Musashima. Of course, the common peasants never saw anyone from any noble family before and were delighted to see him. They crowd watched him like they were seeing some heavenly being. Out of the big crowd, Gin saw one unique girl. On that day, Ichimaru Gin of the noble family fell in love with a mere peasant Matsumoto Rangiku from the Musashima village. She was an orphan. He kept going back to Musashima to see her and one day he told the Rangiku about his feelings and soon she also fell in love with him. In the meantime, the Ichimaru family found out about their heir's adventure and confronted him about it. They simply told him to never go back in Musashima ever again. But he did go back because he loved Rangiku. He went back there and married Rangiku then came back to Seireitei.
Rangiku saw Seireitei for the first time and was amazed. But her amazement didn't last long. When they went to the Ichimaru mansion, Gin's family was furious. They violently asked him to abandon Rangiku but he refused. They disowned him from the family. They wanted to kill him for bringing shame to the family, but Gin's mother's pleading was able to lessen the punishment. Gin came back to Musashima along with Rangiku and lived like the rest of the peasants. Even though they were poor, they lived happily. In no time, Rangiku gave birth to a beautiful girl with the same shade of auburn hair as her. She named her Orihime. Orihime the weaver princess. Weaver princess because she was from a noble family but fate brought her in the slums and she had to work to live. The name fitted her well. Orihime was the jewel of her parents. When Orihime was six, her parents presented her a cute little brother. He had white hair. Even though their father's hair wasn't completely white, one could tell that Gin played a decent role on his son's hair. Little Toushiro was the cutest baby Orihime had ever seen and she love her brother. Their little family was still poor but still happy. Until that day came.
It was a sunny day. Unlike the nobles who didn't spare a glance at the peasants, the sun seemed to give them its full attention. Everyone was exhausted. And the bandits found their chance to attack. Those bandits were the residents of another village. That day, Gin and Rangiku left their twelve years old daughter and six years old son to be orphans. Their struggle began that day.
Twelve year sold Orihime worked very hard to provide for her little brother and herself. The villagers helped her with the little money they could spare. They helped her by giving her jobs. Orihime cleaned the stores. She even worked on fields. Some days, she had to fast in order to feed her little brother.
Despite all the difficulties in her life, Orihime grew up to be a beautiful, bubbly girl who could put smile on almost everybody's faces. Everyone loved her in the village. And Toushiro grew up to be a genius. Even though, he barely had any education (the village priest did teach children how to read and write but it was nothing big enough to be considered as real education), Toushiro was very smart. He learned things ten times faster than other children. He understood things that adults had problems with even though he was just a kid. Orihime wished she could send Toushiro to a good school in other villages or even in Seireitei. But she knew she couldn't afford to something like that in a million year. Toushiro wasn't bubbly like his sister. He was always serious. But he loved his sister very much and was very protective of his sister. Orihime was smart but she was naïve. She trusted people very easily. The siblings worked hard to provide for themselves. Orihime was eighteen and Toushiro was twelve and they were orphans.
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Prince Ichigo woke up from his peaceful slumber by the little sunlight that peeked into his room through the red window curtains (his mother's idea). He moved his hand to his face to shield his eyes from the bright light. 'Maybe the old man isn't going to pull his usual morning shit today' thought Ichigo as he moved to his side to get couple more minutes of sleep. Then he heard his annoying dad. 'I spoke too soon, didn't I?' thought Ichigo as he got ready to shield himself from the kick he will soon receive. Seconds later, King Isshin broke through Ichigo's bedroom door and ran toward Ichigo, aiming to kick him on the face. Ichigo brought his two hands in front of his face in order to stop his father's leg. As Ichigo was holding his father's leg, he used his own leg and kicked his father square on the face.
"OLD MAN! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING? WHY CAN'T I HAVE ONE, JUST ONE SINGLE MORNING WITHOUT YOUR STUPIDNESS TO WAKE ME UP?" yelled Ichigo, irritated.
"My son! It is a father's duty to prepare his son for everything!" said Isshin as he got up and punched Ichigo in his stomach who simply moved out of the way to avoid the punch.
"In case you have forgotten, I learned fighting and swordsmanship from Yoruichi-san and I beat Ikkaku and Kenpachi! I wipe the floor with your ass every morning. Why do you still try to 'prepare me for everything?' said Ichigo, a vein twitching.
"Ichigo! You were only able to beat Captain General Kenpachi and vice-captain Ikkaku because I kept your ungrateful ass in shape!" said Isshin as he tried to punch Ichigo again.
Before Ichigo could say anything back, his mother came into his room.
"Isshin, Ichigo, what's with all these yelling and noises so early in the morning?" said queen Masaki. She was trying to look irritated but she was smiling at the father-son 'bonding.'
"Mom! Can you please tell him to stop attacking me every morning? I am nineteen for god sake! It was already stupid when I was ten but now it's just intolerable!" said Ichigo pointing at his father.
"Aww! My little Ichigo has grown up, hasn't he!" said Masaki as she ruffled her son's hair.
"Not you too!" groaned Ichigo as he went to the bathroom.
A little later, the Kurosaki family was having breakfast. The dining table was large, lavishly designed. It sat in the middle of the ornate room. Many delicious dishes decorated the table. A diamond chandelier was hanging from the ceiling. Three maids were standing on one side of the room in case the family needs any assistance. Hanataro Yamada (the queen's personal assistance) was standing near the queen who was sitting on one of the dining chairs right next to the king.
"Hanataro-kun, have you eaten anything yet?" asked queen Masaki with a kind smile.
"M-My lady, I w-will eat after you are d-done." said Hanataro nervously. After all, he was just a kid. He was undergoing training to be royal assistant in future.
"Please don't call me that, Hanataro-kun. You know how I don't like to be called my lady. Please call me Masaki-san when we are inside the castle. Hanataro-kun and everyone else (indicating the maids) please go eat your breakfast. I am sure you all are hungry and besides I can assist on serving if anyone needs anything." said Masaki with another smile.
"H-Hai my…I mean M-Masaki-san!" said Hanataro then turned toward the door to go eat something in the other dining room which was for the maids and other workers who worked for the castle. The maids also followed him after a quick nod.
"Karin-chan, Yuzu-chan, how is your dancing training coming along?" asked Masaki.
Princess Yuzu and Karin were eleven years old and they were learning how to dance. After hearing their mother's question Yuzu smile and Karin made a disgusted face.
"They are fine, mommy! And I learned this new dancing style on our last lesson, I will show after we are done eating!" said Yuzu happily.
"They are terrible, mom! I still don't understand why I have to learn them." grumbled Karin.
"It's okay, sweetie! I will show you some easy technique after breakfast, okay?" said the mom.
"Thanks mom." Karin said.
"My princesses! They are growing up, Masaki-chan!" cooed Isshin dramatically.
Masaki laughed and the twins blushed. Ichigo also chuckled.
"So what is my son doing today?" asked Masaki.
"I was thinking about going to the dojo with Renji but Rukia is still sick, so he is going to visit her instead." Ichigo said. Renji and Rukia were Ichigo's childhood friends. Rukia and Renji were also in love and they were engaged to each other since they were ten. Rukia was the hairess of the Kuchiki clan and Renji was the heir of Abarai family. They were the two richest nobles in Seireitei.
"Is Rukia-san alright? I haven't seen her in a while." Asked Masaki, worrying about the petite girl.
"That midget is fine. That's what she gets for running around in the rain. She even tried to drag me and Renji along!"
"Onii-chan! That's not nice!" objected Yuzu at her brother's rude comment.
"Sorry Yuzu but she is a midget." Said Ichigo with a smile.
"Yuzu-chan is right Ichigo. That's not nice!" said Masaki.
"Ok! Ok! I won't call her that anymore" in front of you. Ichigo finished the last part in his head.
"So what are you doing today?" asked Isshin.
"Since I won't be able to spar with Renji, I was thinking of going to visit Chad and Uryuu," said Ichigo. Chad and uryuu were cousins. They were from the Ishida family. Even though they were one of the richest nobles in the whole kingdom, they didn't live in Seireitei. They lived in Karakura town. Uryuu was a smart-ass (Ichigo's point of view) and Chad was a quiet guy who was Ichigo's best friend. He was Uryuu's aunt's son. Chad's parents died in a chariot accident when he was only three. So he came to live with the Ishida family and grew up in Ishida Mariko's (Uryuu's mother) care. So Uryuu and Chad were basically brothers.
"That's nice. They should come to visit more often," said Masaki. "I haven't seen Mariko in ages."
Masaki and Mariko were also childhood friends as well as Isshin and Ryuuken Ishida (Uryuu's father).
"Will you be back today?" asked Isshin.
"I think so." said Ichigo before resuming eating.
"Are you going to take the royal chariot or are you taking Zangetsu again?" asked Masaki.
"Those chariots attract too much attention. So I will just go as a commoner," said Ichigo finishing his breakfast.
"Alright. Have fun! And tell Mariko I said 'Hi' when you get there. Oh and if it gets late, just stay there for the night." said Masaki.
"And give Ryuuken a kick for me. OW! Masaki-chan! I am just kidding!" cried Isshin.
"Thanks mom. Bye Yuzu. Have fun with your dancing lesson Karin." smirked Ichigo knowing his sister hates dancing.
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Orihime was getting ready for work (more like looking to see if she forgot to stitch any other tear in her very old yukata). She worked in a restaurant (if you could even call it that). She hurriedly checked her old cloth to see if a new tear was visible, she quickly exited to the street in order to get to the restaurant on time. Orihime worked there with Tatsuki. Tatsuki was her best friend. Tatsuki's family was also very poor just like the rest of the village. But Tatsuki was a very strong girl. She could alone beat up guys who were twice her size. Tatsuki was always there for her when she needed help. She also protected her from the unwanted attention Orihime always got from the boys whenever Toushiro wasn't around. Speaking of Toushiro, he worked in the fields even though he was only twelve. Orihime knew that Toushiro didn't like the idea of her working so hard to provide for both of them. It was like Toushiro was counting days when he will become a little older so more people will hire him without question. He didn't like to be called kid. Orihime giggled as she remembered how Toushiro got mad whenever Tatsuki called him a kid.
"Hey Orihime! I was wondering when you will come. You are almost late." said Tatsuki. "Momorina-bitch was looking for you."
"Oh. Hi Tatsuki-chan! I was just checking my yukata for any rip. I guess I took too long, ne?" said Orihime with nervous laugh. "Where is Momorina-san?"
"In her usual throne-chair. Where else does she stay? She just sits on her stupid chair and barks order at us. You better go see what she wants before she goes nuts again." Tatsuki said.
Around noon, Tatsuki and Orihime exited the restaurant. Usually, they work till evening but today they had very few customers. So Mamori-san insisted they go home. She didn't want to pay them for no reason.
"That bitch! What does she need all those money for? She lives alone!" said Tatsuki angrily.
"Tatsuki-chan! That's mean! You know how she is." Said Orihime.
"Yeah, I know she is a real bitch. I could've used a few more coins."
"Yes, me too. But we can't really force her to just let us stay for more hours, ne?" said Orihime.
"I guess. So are you going home?" asked Tatsuki.
"Yes. I want to cook something for Toushiro. He had been working so hard."
"Oh okay. I will go home and help mom with the kitchen. She is kind of sick." said Tatsuki.
"Please tell her that I said to get well soon." Orihime said softly.
"Alright. Bye now. And be careful on your way home." said Tatsuki before waving good-bye to her best friend.
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The sun was almost setting. But Toushiro hadn't come home yet. Orihime was worrying about her little brother. He is supposed to finish work in the fields by now. Then why hadn't he come home. What if something bad happened? What if he lost his way home (which is very unlikely)? Orihime's mind was clouded with anxiety so she headed toward the fields Toushiro worked, by the river bank. She was walking quickly at first but soon she started to run. She reached the river back and looked around. She couldn't see anyone. She called for him but no answer came. She panicked more and on her hastiness (with clumsiness), she fell into the river. As she was falling, she screamed before everything went black.
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Ichigo was tired. He sparred with both Uryuu and Chad twice. That had to be some labor. Then without eating anything, he decided to head back home which was a bad idea. But then again, it was late afternoon and he didn't have much time to eat if he wanted to make it back home before late night. So he journeyed toward home. But Zangetsu was also tired. He soon reached a river. If memory served his right then this was one of the branches of the Karakura River. He forgot what it was called. But it wasn't a big river. He got off of Zangetsu and took him to drink some water. By now the sun was setting. Then he heard a noise. It seemed like someone was calling for someone else. It was a girl's voice. 'What is a girl doing here? I don't remember any towns in this area.' Then he heard another scream followed by a loud splash sound. He immediately knew that the girl who called fell in the river. He looked around and saw where the water was splashing and creating waves. He jumped into the water and swam toward where the girl's approximate falling location. He swam through the raging waves and reached the location. But the girl wasn't visible. So he had to dive under the water and after searching around he finally found a hand. He took the hand and pulled it toward him. The girl's body crashed into his. He immediately swam toward the bank of the river. After battling with the waves, he managed to pull himself and the girl to the ground.
It was dark around by now. He couldn't really see the girl. He called for her ('girl') but she was unresponsive. So he did the logical thing. He tried to locate the center of her chest. It was dark and one of his hands accidently touched a soft, large mound and he immediately took his hand back. He knew what that was.
"Come on, Ichigo! This is no time for that. The girl might die if I don't do something." said Ichigo before resuming his work on finding the center of her chest. He tried not to feel around. Eventually he found the place after couple more accidental encounter. He pushed down a couple time and the girl coughed. She spit the water out of her mouth and kept coughing. At one point, she stopped coughing. Ichigo retreated his hands from her chest by now. He didn't need to get slapped by a girl for wrong accusation. And she was breathing fine by now.
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Orihime woke up and heard herself coughing loudly. Hmm… She was looking for Toushiro then she fell in the river. Was that a dream? After the coughing stopped, she opened her eyes. It was dark and she wasn't in her home.
"Am I dreaming or am I dead from the fall if that was real?" Orihime said out loud.
"Hey, are you alright now?" said a masculine voice.
"Who is there? Where am I? Are you the devil?" panicked Orihime. She was so confused.
"Last time I checked, I was still a human. And you aren't dreaming. You really did fall in the river. I swam you out of there." Said Ichigo clearly amused by her questions. He still couldn't see what she looked like but he could make out her outline.
"T-Then thank you. Oh no! Where is Toushiro?" Orihime panicked again.
"Who is Toushiro?" asked Ichigo now understanding that that is the person she was calling out to before she fell.
"He is my little brother. He works in the fields but he didn't come home even after it was past afternoon." Said Orihime. Her mind is clouded with worry again.
'Her little brother works? Does that mean there is a peasant village around here? Hmm… I didn't know about it. Maybe I can stay here for the night and eat something.'
"I think you should go back to your village and talk to the people who work with your brother." suggested Ichigo.
"You are right! Why didn't I think of that? Thank you so much stranger-san!" said Orihime. Ichigo chuckled at her word choice.
"Please call me Ichigo and I think I will stay in your village for the night." Said Ichigo.
"Well.. then Ichigo-kun, please call me Orihime. And follow me so we can go back to the village." Said Orihime getting up then winching and sitting down again.
'Orihime, hmm… that's a nice name.' thought Ichigo but he wasn't about to tell her that.
"Hey! Are you hurt?" asked Ichigo.
"I think I cut my leg a little bit when I fell. It is alright. I think I can walk." Said Orihime as she tried to get up again only to fail.
"You can ride on my horse and tell me which direction your village is." Said Ichigo as he called Zangetsu.
"You have a horse? That must mean you are a rich person. I am not sure you will like our village." Said Orihime suddenly suspicious of Ichigo.
"I am just a commoner from a far-way village. I am sure your village is lovely." Said Ichigo knowing that there is no way he could reveal his true identity.
"Hehehe…You might change your mind once you get there." Said Orihime as Ichigo helped her get on Zangetsu.
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I hope you enjoyed! Please review. It makes me very happy! And also, I apologize for any grammar mistakes.