Momo P.O.V.
"My lady, your father and mother wish to see you."
"Thank you Mizuko-san. I'm coming," I replied before sighing. I stood and began to walk, my expensive kimono trailing after me.
I appreciated everything I had in life. I always had. Clothes. Rich colours woven together made especially for me. I had never thought I had done much to deserve everything I had. There are people out there who work so hard to make a simple living. Why don't I do anything like that?
I glanced out the window and smiled slightly. The sun was setting and it was a breathtaking view. But it also made me feel sad. The sun disappears into the distance. It's location changes constantly.
Me. I have never left my home. I have never gone outside those walls. I have never seen the outside world with my own eyes. I have heard stories, seen pictures but I myself have never experienced anything outside those walls.
Why could I not go there? Outside. Why was the only time I had ever seen the outside was once when I was younger? I was curious. I climbed to the top of a tree to get a glimpse. I got a glimpse of that world and I had been thrilled.
But then I had gotten caught and the tree had been cut down to prevent me seeing it again. I had pleaded so much but to no avail. I had never understood why they didn't want me to see it so badly.
I should be happy. And anyone that doesn't know me would think that I am. I have a home, family and wealth. I wasn't happy despite this and I often felt guilty because of it. I longed to have fun and freedom and see the world.
I know complaining would make everyone think I am a selfish, spoilt and unappreciative person. I rarely do because of this and I am lectured if I do. I often feel like the only friend I have in the world is Kasuti. She is my bodyguard in a way. She protects me when it is needed of her.
Most of the time though she just stands guard outside my room. But if I feel especially lonely because most of the time I feel the only friend I have is myself. Kasuti is never allowed to call me by my first name and it is always formalities.
But I understand, I don't want her to lose her job. I always feel guilty because of what I have. And the fact I am not satisfied with it. Everyone can think things like what more could a girl wish for. I have wealth, servants. The perfect life.
But they really have no idea.
"You... You what?" I stammered. I couldn't accept it. They couldn't have. Why?
"We believe it is time you married Momo. As the next head of our clan you need a husband. You must be an example to the clan and be strong for them.
Whatever you do you must think of them," answered my mother.
"What about me! What about what I want?" I asked raising my voice.
"He will be a fine husband for you. We have no doubt," said my father.
"So he asked for my hand?" I asked. They shook their heads.
"No we arranged it with him. It is a great honour for him, a soul reaper of the thirteen court guard squads to be adopted as our heir's husband," answered my father.
"B- But I don't even know him! I have never met him! I don't even know what he looks like!" I yelled.
"I assure you, you needn't concern yourself with looks. I promise he is handsome," mentioned my mother.
"I don't care what he looks like. I don't know him! You expect me to marry a total stranger!" I asked.
"Yes we do expect you to. The decision is final. It has already been confirmed. He is your fiance and you will marry him. Do not be ungrateful," warned my father. I lowered my head.
It was too late to cancel the marriage. I could do nothing about the situation. A stranger. I had to marry someone I didn't know. That wasn't the worst part. My true reason for being against it was simple. Love. I had always fantasised about love.
It had always seemed like such a beautiful and perfect thing. Now it seemed pointless. I felt empty. Like there was nothing left. My biggest desire of seeing the world couldn't be fulfilled. As it was I couldn't but if I was married. No one would see it as right or allow it. Love. If people did not have love they had nothing. There was no way I could see the outside world now.
Unless.
"I… I will marry him. On one condition. I wish to go to the world of the living," I told them. They were shocked. There was no other word. If they were not nobles and didn't know of proper etiquette then I reckoned their mouths would have been hanging open. Literally. My father then frowned in concentration.
"We refuse to allow you to go through with your request. You will go through with the marriage without any complaints." my father stated firmly.
"What of protection? If anything happened to you Momo… It is too dangerous a risk" my mother said worriedly in agreement.
"Mother you know I can protect myself. If what you have previously said is true and I have the spiritual pressure and capabilities of a lieutenant of the thirteen court guard squads then there is nothing to worry about. I will get Kasuti to accompany me. It will put your worries more at ease and I would prefer to have company anyway," I explained to her. She didn't say anything, unable to find fault with what I had said. Because it was true.
"I suppose you have trained hard these years and you are gifted with kido. You are right you should be okay. I am just concerned of who may discover of departure and use it to their advantage. That is a risk I refuse to take," she explained her worries to me. I sighed. I knew she would think of this. She always thought of everything, all the possibilities.
"I am aware of such but if I bring any more guards with me it will simply come across as more suspicious mother. You know that. Please mother!" I said to her persuasively
"I agree wholeheartedly with your mother, that is true. I will not permit your departure. What about you darling?" my father asked my mother. She nodded.
"No. I cannot risk it Momo. Especially when you're engaged, it would be a great loss, despite the current situation even," my mother said.
"Then it is settled. We apologise but we won't permit it," my father said to me. I bowed in respect, not allowing the tears to spill forth just yet.
"You still must marry him Momo. Don't worry, we are sure he will not dishonour the clan," my father said as I silently left the room.
My mind was overwhelmed with thoughts. The thoughts were loud and confusing. So much had occurred in the last, what? Five minutes? It felt so unrealistic that my life could endure such a dramatic change in that short time. I was engaged to a stranger.
A man I will probably not meet until my wedding day. One thing occurred to me while speaking with them, and it intrigued me. It is a great honour for him, a soul reaper of the thirteen court guard squads to be adopted as our heir's husband. He's a soul reaper, the one thing I had always wanted but could never have.
I returned to my room and sat down. and was delighted to have a reason to put on my shinigami robes other than for training. I then retrieved Tobiume and strapped her to my waist. I was proud that I had insisted on training to become a shinigami.
Well I could never become one, but fight as well as one and that was good enough for me. I had always longed to attend the soul reaper academy and learn everything there but it just wasn't going to happen.
Instead after much begging and pleading I received private training in which I exceeded everyone's expectations. Especially with kido. I could fight as good as a lieutenant apparently and I had a talent for kido.
I had never thought much of myself as a shinigami even though I constantly received compliments on my skills. I appreciated the compliments but I never took them genuinely. I could never tell if it was just to get on my good side, me being a noble. Being a noble you could never tell if people were being honest or just using my authority to their advantage and saying whatever they want to please me.
I finally located Kasuti a short time later.
"Kasuti-san. I must ask you to do something which is very selfish of me and please know before I tell you that you have all rights to turn down my request," I said quickly before diving into a detailed explanation. I explained everything and asked her to come with me.
"It would be an honour Hinamori-sama," Kasuti replied bowing. I smiled kindly at her.
"Kasuti-san... Thank you so much. A thousand thanks, and it is still not enough," I said. I was so happy. So so happy.
"I would do anything to serve Hinamori-sama. I could not allow you to go alone, for it is my duty to protect you. Even if it costs my life," Kasuti told me determinedly.
"Kasuti-san, Can I please ask you to call me Momo? While we are in the human world at least?" I asked.
"B- but that would be very inappropriate Hinamori-sama," Kasuti stammered at my request.
"Please Kasuti-san. Please. I want a little bit of normality while in the world of the living. I want to know what it's like for me to be able to be myself. I want to feel like I'm surrounded by friends. I would call you my friend, as you are, but I don't want to risk offending you in any way," I told her shyly.
"Hinamori-sama . You are a beautiful, kind and caring person. You never have or do take advantage of you status or wealth. You are a wonderful and respectable person. I could never be offended by such a person," Kasuti said to me, smiling. I beamed back at her.
"You really are too kind Kasuti-san. I'm not worthy of such comments," I said bashfully.
"As are you… Momo-sama," she replied. My smile grew. Close enough.
"Thank you Kasuti-san, I won't forget this. We best get going now. I'm far too eager to get there as soon as possible!" I exclaimed eagerly.
Yesh, a new fanfiction from me! FrozenC ^^ I decided to publish this now, because hiatus on my other Hitsuhina story is bugging me so at least now I'll have something to write while I brainstorm :) Anyways, what do you guys think of this fic so far? Is it interesting, or does it sound boring? Awesome if you could let me know :) Thanks!
Disclaimer- FrozenC don't own Bleach or any of it's characters!
FrozenC ^^