A/N:
This story is a Bleach remix of the play "A Mid Summer Night's Dream" written by William Shakespeare. This is my contribution in the FLOL FanWork Challenge 2011-2012.
For those who watched/read the play, no need for a summary, I guess. However, I make some major changes in the plot to make Ichihime truer and more romantic.
Here is the summary for those who have no idea what I'm talking about. Two pairs of star-crossed lovers, one shy fairy, one troublesome married couple, one love potion, together in a magical forest and the result is more and more troubles for those that are in love.
Pairing: Main pairing: Ichihime, RenRuki. Side pairings: Hitsuhina, Uraha x yoruichi. Also one sided Ichiruki and one sided Renhime (Renji x Orihime), but those two pairings are the results of misunderstanding and mistakes, so you should not take them seriously.
Disclaimers: Characters in this story belong to Kubo. The plot belongs to William Shakespeare. I also took some lines directly from play "A Mid Summer Night's Dream"; I quoted those lines at the end of the story. Some other lines I modified from the play or translated it in modern language. However, I also wrote most of the lines in my own language. In short, if you see something intelligent in this story, it belongs to Shakespeare. If you see something stupid, it belongs to me. 60% content of this story belongs to Kubo and Shakespeare, 40% belongs to me.
This story is beated by Airrieal.
(2/17/12)
"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind;
And therefore is wing'd Cupid painted blind:"
Helena, Act I, Scene I
In the mid of a summer night, anything could happen.
Love was never fair nor it was always well received.
Cupid liked to chase lovers around before granting them the ultimate freedom for their struggling and confused mind, bringing them the true meaning of happiness.
In the land of Athen lived the unhappiest girl in the world. Although she was fair, she was self-perceived as unsightly to look at. Although she was witty, she was self-perceived as clumsy and unintelligent. Although she was in love, she was never gaining enough courage to confess her feelings, and, therefore, having to see the one she loved hopelessly chase after another girl who loved him not.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ 0*...*0 ZZZZZZZZZZZ
Today was a very important day to Hitsugaya Toushiro, the Athen's duke, for he was going to announce his wedding with his beloved, the beauty Momo Hinamori, in the four days time. So why did he have to listen to this nonsense about some love triangles anyway? Hitsugaya irritably leaned his cheek against the back of his hand as Byakuya Kuchiki, an Athen nobleman, stated his course.
His face stoic, the highly Byakuya, in a black cloak with golden threat embroidered around the margin, calmly explained his situation.
"Your Highness, I hope you are doing well today." Not waiting for Hitsugaya to respond, he headed straight to the point, " Full of vexation, I now accuse this villain," he pointed to the red haired fighter standing behind him, "by the named of Renji Abarai for using witchcraft to seduce my little sister Rukia Kuchiki and making her act against my will, refusing to marry the mighty gentleman Ichigo Kurosaki", he pointed to the orange haired warrior behind him, "whom I, with my whole heart, choose as her one and only future husband."
Renji Abarai, in his light armor suit, immediately jumped in front of Byakuya and pointed his finger at the nobleman eagerly to defend himself, "Hey, Byakuya, you gave me false accusation.". Indeed, he was too eager to fight back that he was completely ignorant of the way Byakuya's eyebrows twitched lightly when Renji dared to call him by his first name in such an uncivilized manner. "I never used witchcraft, not that such thing exists anyway. You are so stupid for believing in that crap", he now came next to the raven haired beauty and held her hand, "My love for Rukia is true and pure."
Byakuya closed his eyes briefly to press all of his frustration down his throat before opening them again and looked directly at Hitsugaya, "Your Highness, please look at his face and body. Tattoos are strictly forbidden here since it is believed wide and far that such things are the result of magic practice and will bring misfortune upon us all."
Renj sniffed his nose loudly, 'You're such a superstitious and outdated fool. Again, such things do not exist, Mr. Know It All. And everyone has a tattoo nowadays. It's to show how strong a fighter is."
Byakuya just made a mocking sound in his throat and murmured, "Savage."
The raven haired lady, in her light blue peplo, could not stand the unfair treatment her brother was giving her beloved any more and decided to defend him through and through, "Oni-sama, please don't say such harsh words toward Renji, I am the one who designed those tattoos and asked him to have them on his face and body. They are the tokens of my love for him. Aren't they cute?" Rukia's eyes shone with pride as Renji nodded ardently and they locked their eyes with each other in a loving gaze, full of happiness, hands holding tight.
Body shaking in pure rage, Byakuya pointed at the in-love couple and told Hitsugaya, "Your Highness, I believe you have now witnessed the fatal effect of dark magic this villain imposed on my little sister. For the nineteen years I raised her with all my love and discipline, I have molded her into a true lady. Never did I teach her to talk back to me. Never did I teach her to hold hands with another male, much less an untamed beast. And never did I teach her to lie to me to protect the said beast. The rash behavior she just displayed was no doubt the proof of Renji's evil deeds. Your Highness, please grant me the ancient privilege of Athen which allows me to either give her to this gentleman whom I choose or to send her to her death."
Rukia and Renji looked at each other in horror, mouths wide opened.
"Your Highness. Your Highness" Seeing no response from the Duke, Byakuya tried to get his attention. Your Highness, please give me your acceptance."
Hinamoni-chan in the white wedding dress, flowers on her head, dancing with me around the fire. Oh, she looks so beautiful under the moon. She's just like Diana, so pure yet strong and... "Your Highness."...so pure, yet strong and... "Your Highness" …so pure, yet strong and... "Your highness please give me your acceptance". God damn it, those nobles were so troublesome. The girl should just follow whatever her idiot brother wanted and gave him a break already. He really needed to meet his bride-to-be now and asked her what she wanted for their wedding dinner or what dress she liked the best, or... "Your Highness".
Trying to hide his irritation, the Duke, in his white cloak with small blue ocean waves embroidered around the margin, finally decided to take matters into his own hands and shut these troublemakers up once and for all, "What do you think, Rukia? Hear my advise, fair lady. It's always wise to follow the rule, to know who is the one you should listen to. You, as a young maiden, should think of your brother as a god and follow whatever he wants, because it's what written in the law. And besides, Kurosaki Ichigo is a worthy gentleman..."
"And so is Renji."
Hitsugaya almost lost his facade and was about to frown but he held it in just in time. Damn that little brat, to cut his brilliant speech and talk back to him like this. What did Byakuya teach her anyway? She was no where near to be a true lady. You'll get it, you little naughty girl, I'll make you suffer for this.
"Kurosaki Ichigo is the best warrior in this city, no, I believe in this whole land. He has fought countless battles and always wins..." The Duke decided to shut her up completely with his undeniable argument, but before he could continue with his genius talk...
"Renji is no less a fighter. He has fought valiantly to protect this town from every single intrusion. If you allow him to go out of the town and join the battles, I'm sure he'll just get as good records as Kurosaki." Rukia still insisted to piss the Duke and her brother off to no end.
You're so gonna get it, you little brat. Now, I will take every measure possible to make sure you will never get together with your beloved, Ms. Smartly.
"He might be. But in this situation..." Hitsugaya briefly looked at Byakuya, signaling him to back him up when the situation called, "since your brother has said so, Kurosaki Ichigo must be the worthier."
"I'd rather my brother look with my eyes." Rukia looked at the Duke ferociously.
"Rather your eyes with his judgment look." (1) The Duke looked back at her with equal fierce.
Byakuya decided it was the time to settle thing up too, "Rukia, Renji is indeed an unworthy suitor. He comes from a commoner's family, a son of a farmer. You are from the oldest noble family of this land. You must not shame our family. Open your eyes and look at Kurosaki Ichigo. You're destined, even the first letter of our last name is the same. It's KK for Kurosaki and Kuchiki."
Sure desperation brought the humorous side out of the ever placid Byakuya, but the Duke had to admit he got his point.
Rukia's eyes shone in absolute delight and she clapped her hands together, "You're right. We must be destined." Both men nodded in satisfaction. Thank god that she finally saw it. "The first letter of our first name is the same. It's RR for Renji and Rukia." Rukia smiled in happiness as Renji took her hands and their eyes were locked into each other loving gazes again.
The brother still tried to cling on his last hope, "But Renji's hair is much uglier than Kurosaki. It looks like a pineapple..."
"But Oni-sama, it's the hair style that I chose for him. Isn't it cute?" Rukia stroked her lover's hair lightly in pride while he nodded ardently in response. "And besides", she continued, "It's Kurosaki's hair that is ugly. It's so plain and orange. What is it? An orange? He has no style at all."
Hitsugaya sighed. Sorry girl, but I have to end this. I really really want to meet my future wife now. I can't delay it any further for this nonsense. "Rukia Kuchiki, I'll ask you one last time, do you agree to marry Ichigo Kurosaki or not? Fair Rukia, please do take great consideration. Your future depends on it. If you do not abide to this marriage, you will either be sent to death or be isolated from the society of man forever, in a nunnery."
Rukia looked at Renji one last time in sorrow before answering the Duke, "I will not wed Ichigo Kurosaki . Let my body dry in isolation but my heart will ever be full of life for Renji."
"Rukia, please think again." Kurosaki Ichigo stepped up after his long silence. He was indeed a true gentleman. Although he was a mighty warrior, he wore just right the clothing in occasion such as this; under his dark blue cloak was a white plain silky chiton that wrapped his elegant but muscular body perfectly. Moreover, he had kept his silence for the authorities to talk until he could not stand any further, seeing the love of his life be sent to the nunnery. Hitsugaya had to admit Ichigo was the true heir of the highly influential Kurosaki clan and a model for all Athen men to follow. He was calm and well mannered in social situations but ferocious and courageous in war. He was the pride of all Athens, a hero who had fought against the Dark Lord Azien Sousuke single handed and brought peace back to the world. Did Rukia have her eyes behind her head? Girls would drool over to be glanced at by Ichigo, but she flat out refused, rather accepting to be caged for the rest of her life than to be with such a gentleman. Love was indeed unexplainable.
Ichigo looked at Rukia with begging eyes, "Rukia, relent, and think for your future." He then turned to Renji with ragging eyes, "You, stay away from Rukia. You're the seed of her destruction. Why are you insisting to ruin her future and interfere with my certain right? Yield, Renji, to her brother's wish and mine."
Renji put his hand on the sword at his side and returned the hateful look, "Yes, Ichigo, you have her brother's love. Go and marry him. And let me have my beloved Rukia."
Byakuya curled his fingers into a fist, "Hiss, you lowly creature. Yes, he has my love and what is mine, my love shall render him. And she is mine, and all my right of her I do estate unto Ichigo." (2)
Renji turned his gaze onto the Duke with full of determination, "Your Highness, I am no lack of quality as a fighter than he is. I contribute no less to Athen than he does. I compensate my lack of social status by working my way out and become the first lieutenant of the Athen's army. My possession is now in no doubt no less than his. But my love for Rukia is ten times more true and passionate. Then why can't I be with her? Ichigo, go to Orihime Inoue. She is the sweetest lady with the kindest heart who has to suffer too much pain because of your denseness."
That was it. He began to have a headache. Massaging his temples lightly, Hitsugaya announced, "I have to confess I have heard enough. Rukia, you have four days time to think over your course. Use it well, fair lady. I have some urgent business that I need to attend now. Fare you well, lady and gentlemen." With that he swiftly left the room.
XxXxXxXxX
Byakuya soon took his sister off and Ichigo immediately followed their footsteps, but Renji still stood paralyzed in the room, trying to register what had happened. He sighed, "The course of true love never did run smoothly," (3) but hold on, he remembered Rukia secretly threw something off at the corner when she left. He picked the piece of paper up and stood dumbfound... He didn't understand it one bit. The only thing he knew was that there were sure a lot of bunnies fooling around. He might need Orihime Inoue, Rukia's best friend since childhood to help him decipher these codes.
A/N:
(1) The line "Rather your eyes with his judgment look." is taken directly from the play
(2) This line is taken directly from the play: "And what is mine my love shall render him. And she is mine, and all my right of her I do estate unto Demetrius."
(3) The line "The course of true love never did run smoothly," is taken directly from the play.
The line "The course of true love never did run smooth" is taken directly from the play.
I'm extremely nervous I could barely breathe now. I'm writing a remix for one of Shakespeare's play! I was afraid, but I want to try nevertheless. I have been writing this for half a year and pondering on every single words. It has been my dream to be able to write and publish it, so please give me some constructive criticism of how to improve or just simply tell me what you think about this. Is it difficult to understand, to follow the story? Does the beginning sound boring to you? There will be lot of Ichihime next chapter and the chapter after that though.
I had four out of five chapters written, so the update speed depends mostly on my beta.