俺の氷皇嗣Ore no Koori Koushi
Author's Note: Hi! And welcome to this insane HitsuIchi fic! (It's insane, I tell you, really insane) Anyway, the title means 'My Ice Crown Prince' in Japanese, in case you're wondering. The term for crown prince, koushi, also has another way of saying it, which is kou tsugu. I think koushi is cuter. XD
Japanese terms – koushi crown prince, koutei emperor, kouhou empress, ishi physician.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything concerning Bleach. I only own the plot.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Scroll One – Two Different Worlds
The sun's rays were shining brightly across the peaceful lands of the famous Karakura Capital. It was the capital of the mythological plot of land known by all as Seireitei where the residents were kind and helpful souls (not literally). Even though Seireitei was swarming with people, very few traders and travellers from other countries and states came to visit it, therefore some of the residents felt that life was quite dull there while the others prefer to live quietly in secret without anyone else knowing that they were there in the first place.
The most definite thing which was agreed by all was the fact that Seireitei would most probably be the happiest, largest and most peaceful state in the whole of its country, Soul Society, otherwise nicknamed by the teasing residents as Tamashii (souls). Tamashii had been divided into many different districts and states known as Rukongai altogether. Most Tamashii nationalists stayed in Rukongai because in certain states, there was no such thing as law enforced rules; just freedom. The people loved going wild there and the government didn't do anything to stop them because the warm-hearted koutei insisted that there should be at least a place where wild and fun-loving people lived.
In the class system of Tamashii, everyone was seen as an equal being other than two exceptional cases – the royalties and the samurai warriors. The warriors were known as shinigami and there was an estimated number of a million shinigamis in charge of guarding the palace and the royalties, as well as protecting Tamashii from any invaders. The shinigamis had their own class system as well. At the top was the soutaichou who was the appointed commander of all shinigamis to help carry out the koutei's orders. Right below him were the taichous of the respective thirteen divisions – the Gotei 13 – who gave commands for their own divisions of equally-appointed shinigamis, followed by the fukutaichous who lent a helping hand whenever their taichous needed it. At the end would be all the unranked shinigamis who would have to obey their superiors' commands at every whim.
As for the royal class system, there was none, for the koutei strongly insisted on treating everyone as equals, even the maids and servants working in the palace. The current koutei at that point of time was probably the kindest and most considerate koutei in the long line of emperors who ruled over Tamashii. His poor wife, his kouhou, had died from leukaemia a few months after giving birth to their son, the next heir to the throne. He had no intention to get himself another kouhou, because to him, there would forever be only one kouhou in his heart, his poor heartbroken heart. His only son, his koushi, was the only next-of-kin he had so he had pampered the young prince with fabulous and expensive gifts, and showered him with lots and lots of love and affection. Behind the optimistic mask of the koutei, the residents knew, there was only a shell of sorrow.
The sun's rays were shining brightly across the peaceful lands of the famous Karakura Capital. It was the capital of the mythological plot of land known by all as Seireitei where the residents were kind and helpful souls (not literally).
And that was where their story began to unfold…
<ブリーチ>
"Ichi-nii, are you serious about taking the shinigami entrance exam?" the raven-haired girl asked her older brother, kicking her coconut around randomly.
"Ah," her orange-haired brother replied with the usual frown on his face. "I don't wanna stay at home and laze around in school twenty-four seven. I wanna protect the people, Karin."
Karin looked at her brother with a bored look. "Oh yeah? Like who?"
"Like…like…you, Yuzu and Dad!"
Karin scoffed as she kicked the ball-like coconut back into the hut where her family lived. She folded her arms and looked away from Ichigo's gaze. "They don't let just anyone to take the exam, Ichi-nii. You know Ishida Uryuu, don't you?"
Her brother blinked and stared at her. "Yeah…He's my classmate and he sits right in front of me."
"He went to take the exam and got disqualified because he's from the state of Zaraki, like us," Karin replied as-a-matter-of-factly.
"So? I know that! That's why I gotta go and show 'em that the Zaraki people like us can be brave warriors like them too!" her brother retorted angrily.
"Even if you do qualify, Ichi-nii, will Dad agree to it?" Karin asked challengingly, raising an eyebrow.
"What are you talking about, my dear daughter Karin?!" a muscular man (cough cough) with chest hair sticking out from his tattered shirt exclaimed. He tromped over to his orange-haired son and collided with him, embracing his son in a death hug without warning. "Of course I'll let Ichigo go! He's going to do us proud! You should be happy for him, Karin!"
"Get off me, old man!" Ichigo demanded, struggling to push his insane father off him.
His father got off him and helped him up…
…before giving him a spine-cracking hug.
"Oh, Ichigoooooooo…" Isshin cried, unwilling to let go of his suffocating son. "I'm so happy! I hope you'll pass with flying colours and do us proud!"
"Yeah…that's nice, old man…" Ichigo replied sarcastically as he pushed his father off him with all his might and stretched his muscles numbed from the two death hugs. "Well, I'll be going now."
"What?!" Karin exclaimed as she kicked the coconut and sent it flying towards her brother's direction. Ichigo spun around and got hit in the face instead. Falling on his back, Ichigo groaned as his violent sister picked up her 'soccer ball'. "You're leaving now?! You still haven't told Yuzu about it yet!"
Ichigo went back on his feet and dusted himself. "Well then, tell her when she gets back from picking herbs from the hills. I gotta go and hurry before they disqualify me for being late."
"Go on ahead, my son!" Isshin encouraged Ichigo by pulling out his handkerchief and swinging it like a sissy with tears streaming down his face anime-style. "I'll always be here waiting for you!"
Ichigo turned around and waved goodbye before muttering, "And I'll always be here kicking you in the face…"
<ブリーチ>
"Ukitake-koutei! Ukitake-koutei!" the blond girl clad in a pink kimono with a magenta obi (sash) exclaimed as she ran up to the long white-haired man who was wearing the royal navy blue robes. The obi was of an even darker shade of the blue and at the back of the attire was an embroidery dragon which had been sewed with bright light blue thread. On top of his head was a short crown-like hat which had been decorated with gems of all sorts. The blond girl bowed down with respect. "Ukitake-koutei, the ishi said that you have to rest well in bed. I…I'm afraid that Ukitake-koutei, you, will…will…"
Smiling light-heartedly at his personal maid, Ukitake patted her on the head. "Now, now, Kiyone, don't think so negatively."
"G-go…gomenasai, Ukitake-koutei…" Kiyone apologised as she bowed once more.
"Ukitake-koutei!" a jet black-haired boy with a headband of some sort tied around his forehead yelled. He was wearing a light grey kimono with a hint of dark blue and the obi was the same shade of bluish grey. "Ukitake-koutei, you shouldn't be walking around! The ishi said that-"
Before he could continue, Kiyone interrupted him rudely, "Sentarou! How dare you repeat what I have just told Ukitake-koutei! Are you trying to gain favouritism?!"
Sentarou glared at Kiyone. "You're one to talk! Who asked you to come to Ukitake-koutei and relay my message to him?!"
"Why you…!"
Sweat dropping at the scene, Ukitake sighed at his two personal royal servants of the palace. He stepped in between the two arguing servants. "Um…I'm feeling hungry…Kiyone, can you help me get some porridge from the royal kitchen?" Ukitake asked on an impromptu basis, hoping that his excuse would stop the two from arguing.
"Hai, Ukitake-koutei!" Sentarou replied enthusiastically as he practically ran all the way in the direction of the royal kitchen.
"Hey! Ukitake-koutei asked me to do it! Get back here!" Kiyone demanded as she chased after him.
Chuckling happily, Ukitake continued on his way. He slowly took step by step in the direction of the palace gates. The scenery in the palace was welcoming with its tall and mighty trees and the fragrant flowers giving off a wonderful scent. Ukitake smiled, happy that he was able to live in such a beautiful place. The butterflies were fluttering around the flowers, preparing to suck in the nectar as food. The birds chirped as they flew from tree to tree, and tree to tree. It was a very beautiful place indeed.
If only his kouhou were here to enjoy the scenery…
"Koutei-otousan?"
Ukitake blinked out of his trance-like state at the voice which spoke from behind him. He smiled and turned around to come face-to-face with a young boy who was wearing the exact same kimono as he was, except of a smaller size, of course. In contrast with his kimono, his beautiful emerald orbs stood out the most if his unique white hair wasn't included as well. "Yes, my koushi-aisoku?" (aisoku – beloved son)
The crown prince – his only son – sighed and spoke, "Koutei-otousan, I bumped into Kiyone and Sentarou at the royal kitchen just now. They're making a fool of themselves as we speak, having a porridge fight of some sort."
"Oh?" Ukitake asked, raising his eyebrows in interest.
"I heard that you aren't resting up in bed when the ishi instructed you to, koutei-otousan," the crown prince bluntly continued. "Where are you going?"
"I'm heading off to witness the entrance exams for the shinigamis. I always get invited but I feel bad about turning them down year after year…" Ukitake trailed off, leaving it at that.
The koushi sighed and muttered under his breath, "You're way too kind-hearted, koutei-otousan…"
"What was that, my dear Toushirou?"
Toushirou locked eyes with Ukitake. "I asked if I can join you," Toushirou lied half-heartedly. He did want to accompany his emperor father lest his father got a fit or a serious relapse. He'd at least be by Ukitake's side to help.
His father smiled at him warmly. "Of course you can, my son."
<ブリーチ>
"What?!"
The bald grandfather resisted the urge to cover his ears with his bare hands. His braided beard literally flew around wildly at the sheer force from Kurosaki Ichigo's bellowing voice. Holding onto his staff, he spoke, "I am sorry, Kurosaki Ichigo, but as you are from the Zaraki state, I have the right to disqualify you straight away."
Ichigo couldn't believe what he had heard. He was going to get expelled when he hadn't even taken the exam yet, and it was all because he was from the state of Zaraki? It wasn't fair! No wonder Ishida tried to convince him the other day that going over to the Karakura Capital to take the entrance exam was a bad idea…He got rejected, like what everyone expected, but Ichigo wasn't going to give up that easily. He was going to get himself an exam, and he was going to make damn sure that he got himself an exam. "Wait wait wait wait wait…" Ichigo rudely requested for the old examiner to wait as he showed his palm at the examiner. "Are you saying that I can't get gain entry coz I'm from Zaraki?"
"Yes. It is clearly stated in our rules and regulations for the exam that the candidate cannot be from the Zaraki state."
"Why?! That's discrimination!" Ichigo exclaimed, banging on the table, earning himself curious glares from the shinigamis present.
"Calm yourself down, Kurosaki Ichigo!" the examiner shouted. "It has always been like this; the barbarians from the Zaraki state is not allowed to mix with those who are more civilised. We certainly cannot allow a barbarian such as you become a brave and honourable shinigami warrior."
"Oh? And why not, Yamamoto-soutaichou?" a warm and friendly voice cut in. Yamamoto, the old examiner, recognised the voice and immediately stood from his seat. As expected, the sickly white-haired koutei was walking in his direction with a younger white-haired boy following him with a serious frown on his face. Ukitake smiled at Ichigo and looked at Yamamoto directly in the eye. "Haven't I said it before? All of us are equal entities, Yamamoto-soutaichou, even you and me. I see everyone as an equal being, despite their status and background."
"Yes, I understand, Ukitake-koutei…" Yamamoto replied as he bowed.
Ichigo, on the other hand, was baffled by all this sudden turn of events. First, the old bastard didn't let him take the entrance exam. Then, the KOUTEI came and put in a word for him, a person from the Zaraki state, and now the old examiner would most definitely let him take the entrance exam! It was too good to be true!
"Oi," a sharp voice shook him from his trance. Ichigo blinked in confusion as his eyes landed on the young prince whom he didn't recognise as the koushi, of course. "You there, with the orange hair, aren't you going to thank koutei-otousan?"
…
Koutei-otousan…?
"Now, now, my little Shirou-chan, don't be rude to the candidate," Ukitake warmly reprimanded his son, placing a hand on his shoulder. He then looked at Ichigo, the smile still on his face. "What's your name, child?"
"Ku…Kurosaki Ichigo, koutei," Ichigo replied with respect, even though he didn't bow. Yamamoto, Toushirou and the shinigamis present were glaring at him for not showing enough sincerity, even if Ukitake didn't mind it.
"I see. Well, Ichigo-kun, we'll be watching you. I hope you pass with flying colours," Ukitake gave his best regards.
He was about to take his leave when Ichigo stopped him. "W-wait, koutei! I gotta ask you something!"
Toushirou shot daggers at him once again for being rude to his father. Ukitake was curious, on the other hand. "Anything, Ichigo-kun."
"I have a friend in the Zaraki state who goes to the same school as I do," Ichigo began his request. "His name is Ishida Uryuu. He can be a bastard sometimes, but he really wants to take the exam. He got rejected last year because he is from the Zaraki state. I hope you can let him take the exam this year."
There was a pause. A very awkward pause.
…Then…
Ukitake started laughing.
"So that's all you wanted to ask?" Ukitake chuckled light-heartedly. "It's not a big deal, Ichigo-kun. I'll notify your friend immediately. Yamamoto-soutaichou," Ukitake called.
"Hai," the elderly responded.
"Please inform Ishida Uryuu-kun about his participation in the entrance exam. We will extend the exam date to next Monday." With that, Ukitake turned to face his grumpy son. "Let's go, Toushirou." His son only grunted in reply as he waited for his father to walk on ahead in front of him first. Turning to give Ichigo one last icy glare, he left with his father to return to the palace.
Ichigo scratched his head at the crown prince's strange behaviour. "Um…Old dude-"
"It's Yamamoto-soutaichou," Yamamoto corrected, trying to contain his anger. "You'll have to address everyone by his or her title if you want to be a shinigami."
"Ok…Yama-jii then." Yamamoto felt like throwing the ink slab towards Ichigo but he let it slide on account of Ukitake's orders. Ichigo continued, "So, Yama-jii, who's that cocky lil' kid over there? The shorty with the white hair?" All eyes were on Ichigo. Even Yamamoto was so shocked that he dropped his brush and stained his paper with ebony black ink. Ichigo felt rather uneasy having so many people staring at him. "…What? Was it something I said?"
A shinigami with spiky red hair and weird black markings on his face walked up towards him and tapped him on the shoulder. When Ichigo turned to face him, he noticed that the red pineapple dude had a strap of some sort on his left arm, and on it was a piece of wood or something. "Yo, I'm Abarai Renji and I got some tips for you. You know, if you wanna become a shinigami, you gotta learn the most basic rule of being one."
"Which is…?" Ichigo dumbly asked.
The red pineapple whacked him on the head, a vein clearly seen throbbing on his head. "Baka! The most basic rule is mannerism!"
Rubbing his head as he moaned in pain, Ichigo grunted, "What? The kid is short!"
"Do you know who he is, you baka?!" Renji exclaimed, not brave and daring enough to point at the fading figure of Toushirou.
"Uh…no?"
"He's the crown prince! The koushi!"
"…Uh-huh and so?" Ichigo asked, not really getting the facts into that thick skull of his.
Renji slapped himself on the forehead. This guy was hopeless! "You know…The only son of Ukitake-koutei!"
"Yeah…and koutei said that we should all be treated as equals, shouldn't we?"
"For the citizens and warriors like us, yes, but when Ukitake-koutei said something about treating everyone as equals, we should never compare our lowly selves with the royalties like them!" Renji exclaimed the fact. "Even if that's Ukitake-koutei's orders, we just can't see Ukitake-koutei and Hitsugaya-koushi as people equal to our status."
"Wait…I thought you said they are father and son, so why is the lil' kiddo called Hitsugaya-koushi?"
Another shinigami who overheard their conversation stepped in. She had jet black hair, and with that, she had compatible violet eyes. "You mean…you don't know?"
"Yeah, and I don't know you too."
WHUMP
"That was for being rude. I'm Kuchiki Rukia," Rukia introduced herself. "Anyway, Ukitake-koutei's son is Ukitake-koutei's only son because the kouhou passed away a few months after the koushi's birth. The kouhou's family name is Hitsugaya and since Ukitake-koutei decided that in remembrance of the kouhou, as well as not getting the koutei and the koushi mixed up, he asked all of us to refer to his son as Hitsugaya-koushi."
Ichigo nodded in understanding at Rukia's explanation. "Ok…So does the kiddo take after his father's family name or his mother's?"
"The koushi," Rukia emphasized while Renji was sighing away in hopelessness. "takes after Ukitake-koutei's family name in reality, but the koushi's pet name will take after the late Hitsugaya-kouhou's family name."
"Plus, we all got into the habit of calling him Hitsugaya-koushi," Renji added. "I mean, hey, even Ukitake-koutei agrees that the name Hitsugaya Toushirou has a nicer ring to it."
Ichigo glanced at where father and son were before they left, and a mischievous grin found its way to his face.
Hitsugaya Toushirou…eh?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A/N: From now on, I shall refer to Tou-chan as Hitsugaya. I just referred to him as Toushirou in this chapter because if I suddenly refer to him as Hitsugaya, it wouldn't make sense to everyone just yet. I needed to get by with the explanation first.
I'm not sure what the Japanese royalties used to wear…so I just made something up on the spot for the characters to wear. Like I said, it's insane, so don't take the historical facts seriously. …It didn't even happen in history…I'm going bonkers, but what the heck.
I also don't know where I got the idea for writing 'koutei-otousan' and 'koushi-aisoku'. I just find them cute. XD
Please review! I need some constructive feedback! Onegai! Now for the preview for the next chapter…
<ブリーチ>
"Yo, Ishida! You all ready for the entrance exam?"
"Hmph. Unlike you, Kurosaki-kun, I came prepared."
<ブリーチ>
"Come, my koushi-aisoku, don't look so glum. The entrance exams are about to start."
"Koutei-otousan…Why won't you let me take part in the entrance exams too?"
<ブリーチ>
"Yoz! You're the little shortie, Toushirou!"
"It's Hitsugaya-koushi!"
"Don't be such a party pooper, Toushirou!"
"I am not being a party pooper, you lowly strawberry. And for the last time, it's Hitsugaya-koushi!"
<ブリーチ>
