The Lily of the Valley

Disclaimer: I do not own bleach, or anything affiliated with it. I do not own the characters, towns, techniques, or Zanpakuto. Some of the characters will be out of character by just a bit. My apologies. This is my first fan fiction ever. There are a few events that happen out of date. And there are a few pg-13 and R-Rated scenes. this noted, I hope you enjoy.
I also have an Original Character who is the Main character. That I do own. Her name is Lilith Suzuran. She was given this name because when she was born, she had a birthmark on the back of her right shoulder in the form of a lily. Her mother died when she was young, telling her that her father is a soul reaper and is amongst the Thirteen Court Guard Squad. After her mother died, Lilith became an orphan and happened upon Yamichika and Ikkaku, who took her in as family.

Appearance: Lilith is 5'6", 16 years old, green eyes, surrounded by a blue ring, five gold points go from her pupil to her iris in different directions, almost to make a star. Her hair is two toned. Black on top and lavender underneath. The lavender portion is long enough to cover her breasts, but just barely. Her body is slender, but curvy at the hips, she has an hour glass figure. She normally wears loose clothing and makes sure her birthmark is always covered.

Attitude: Lilith is kind, caring, smart and a very quick learner. usually has children around her, as she is their role model and she always protects the younger children. She has a serious side and is very protective, and hates to fight. She refuses to use a sword in battle, feeling hand to hand combat is best. Lilith only uses a sword in dire emergencies. Lilith runs a small kitchen in the Rukongai, in which she provides free meals to children for breakfast and dinner. She initially started this when Yumichika and Ikkaku took her in to repay them. But she wanted to take their example and help others that couldn't fend for themselves. Lilith has high reiatsu, and also is knowledgeable in Hado and Bakudo to the extent that she is self-learning theses skills.

CHAPTER ONE

The rain was pouring in the Rukongai District, although it is usually a populated area, only five people were in the streets. Blood was falling down from above Lilith's right eye, thanks to Ikkaku's previous attack which broke her bokken into two. His swing continued through the break to her face, causing a gash above her right eye. Lilith took her stance near the three wounded boys, blocking them from Ikkaku.
"Come at me one more time, if you must, Chrome Dome. But don't think for a moment that I'd just let you go after those that are weaker than you for your own enjoyment."
"Ikkaku said nothing but gave a huge grin as he rushed to attack Lilith. Just as he thought he had her, Lilith moved to the side, hitting Ikkaku in the stomach with her first half of her bokken. This caused Ikkaku to stumble and fall forward. Lilith's next swing came from his backside, the second piece of her bokken, breaking across his rear end, causing Ikkaku to fall face first into the mud.
"Damn you Lily! The hell was that for? I'll be tasting mud for the next few hours!" Ikkaku took a moment to get up and wipe the mud from his face. "Though, that was a good combination. It was almost like you meant it." With that, he charged again, only to have a pissed off Yumichika standing between him and her.

Narrowing his eyes at Ikkaku, Yumichika spoke slowly,"Madarame, stop now before she does actually become serious. We both know Lily can take you if she really wanted to." Noticing Ikkaku still has not backed down, he simply said, "Continue your quarrel here or get ready for dinner. You've made her late for the children." He then let out a long sigh, "Ikkaku, get inside unless you don't want to eat!"

"But she challenged me! Did you not just hear her Ayasegawa? If it's a fight she wants, I'll gladly assist!"

Yumichika glanced towards Lilith, surprised to still see her in a defensive stance, still holding the one remaining portion of her broken bokken. Though now, the rain was just a drizzle, blood was still seeping down the right side of her face. Her eyes were a fierce green, like that of a canopy of a forest in the summer. She was very serious.
"Seems to me, Ikkaku, that you wanted the fight. Typical. Hmph." Turning his back to his friend, he slowly strode over towards Lilith.
"She is weak, and so were they! Interfere with my fight again, Lily, you'll wish you never had. Just be glad he was here to save you, or you would be just like them." He pointed at the bodies behind her with his bokken, with a huge grin on his face.
Calmly she spoke, "Stop picking on the weaker kids, Baldy. Find someone stronger than you. If I ever come across you wounding them again, not only will you NOT have food in your stomach for three days, but I will personally end you. I'll even do so wearing a dress. Just because I'm a lady doesn't mean I can't beat you. I just choose not to."

"Whatever, Lily. You don't even own a dress. So you'll never beat me." He said tauntingly towards her. Now completely dismissing their fight, he walks towards the café and left Lilith and Yumichika alone in the now tapering rain.

"I - I'm sorry, Michika." She said, letting go of her bokken and holding her head down. "I didn't intend to let it get this far."

"Lily," he spoke her name softly, "Look at me." When she did not he out stretched his hand, lightly touching her left cheek, moving his hand to cup her chin. A little less soft spoken he repeated himself, "Lily, look at me. Now."

Hesitantly she slightly raised her head, her eyes moving up Yumichika until she came to his face. Noticing the soft demeanor in his beautiful purple eyes, "I'm sorry, Yumichika," she said, barely in a whisper, holding back tears./p

"Lily," he started, letting out a deep sigh, "you brought this upon yourself. You know how he is. Those boys are more than capable of being responsible for their actions. Why did you interfere?" Yumichika took a step closer to Lilith, now just inches from her.
"Mi-Michika," She stuttered his name, her face turning a light shade of pink, "Please, go inside and change, your clothes are wet, as is your hair. I can't have you being sick. I'll have dinner in an hour." She said, trying to avoid the conversation.

"Lily…" He started with an agitated tone, his fingers tightening on her jaw./p

"Because Ikkaku doesn't quite know when to stop! He's stubborn and hard headed. He's forever looking for someone to pulverize. Had he continued here, these boys would be more than just unconscious. He's Going overboard, Yumichika." she was getting angry, Tears were stinging her eyes, "One day he'll meet someone who will greatly surpass him. He will beg to be finished!" She practically yelled, tears now falling down her face.

"Hold your tongue, Suzuran." He said hotly, forcefully letting go of her chin. "Go inside and change as well. Make sure to cover your wound. It makes you very unappealing to the eyes." He gave her one last glance, turning from her to go to the café.
"Michika?" she said softly, grasping his sleeve, "thank you."
"See you in an hour, Lily. I'll be waiting."
His words left a lot more to be said. He was more to her than a friend or a big brother. But not quite a lover.

***Later that night***

Dishes were finally put away. The kitchen was nearly spotless. It was late, the middle of the night, she was almost sure of it. Prep for the mornings breakfast was done and the tables in the café were set. Lilith's head was beginning to throb. Feeling uneasy and light headed, she went to touch her forehead. Feeling warm liquid, she knew immediately what she needed to do before she passed out. Taking in a deep breath, she headed up the stairs to the boys' room.

"Michika," She whispered softly. "Michika please wake up."
Lilith knelt by the left side of the bed. The moonlight shone on his face accentuating his facial features. She very gently moved a stray strand of hair from his face, tucking it behind his right ear. Doing so caused a slight stir in Yumichika. She then slowly, softly started to trace his jawline from his ear to his chin. He was beautiful. Everything about him was beautiful. Lost in thought, she nearly jumped at Yumichika's sudden movement, in which he grasped her hand with his left hand and brought it to his heart. For a moment she was glad it was dark so no one could see how red her face was./p

"Lily.." He muttered, groggy, but barely awake/p

"Michika, I need you."

Yumichika forced his eyes open, rapidly blinking his eyes to adjust to the light from the moon. Not letting go of Lilith's hand he slowly sat up.

"What is it Lily? What do you need? Its late and you should be sleeping. Not in here pestering me."

"My wound keeps opening. I don't feel well and I can't find Ikkaku's ointment" Fully opening his eyes, he brings his right hand to caress her left cheek.
"Turn your head, Lily" He said softly. As she did, he could see the blood seeping through her bandage. "You really did do this to yourself, Lily," He said with a long sigh. "And I'm to presume you woke me from my beauty sleep because…you need me to…?"

Lilith looked down, pulling away from the gorgeous purple eyes that were now intently staring. "If I wake Ikkaku, he'd be less than pleased to see me, and I'm not well enough to put up with his yelling."

Yumichika's hand, still on her face, cupped her chin and lifted slightly. Her head gave no hesitation to the commands of his fingers. Looking up to see his face was just a few inches from hers, his eyes were staring, almost as if to see her soul, making her flush.

"Stay here," he said seriously and somewhat annoyed, leaning forward and leaving a light kiss on her forehead. Letting go of Lilith's face with care, he rose from his bed, quick to grab his flowered robe. He strode across the room to where Ikkaku was soundly sleeping. Slowly reaching under his pillow, careful not to move Ikkaku, he pulled out a small jar. "Lilith, go wash your face and come back here" he instructed her, striding back to the bed. Lilith did as requested, coming back to find Yumichika had dressed and has the light on beside his bed. There was a set of bandages waiting beside him.

"Come here and sit," he said, pointing to the end of his bed. Obeying she moved slowly, her head still pounding and the room was starting to spin. She finally made it to the bed, almost stumbling, but Yumichika had caught her by the arms and had her in an embrace before she could blink. Not saying anything, he gently placed her on the bed, laying her down. He began to tend to her wound and was speaking but she could not hear him, she could not speak, her sight quickly fading into darkness.

"Lily," Said a female "Lily come to the meadow." The wind was swirling around her, Lily could smell the aroma of many flowers, the smell of the grass and feel the warmth of the sun.

"Where am I?" Lilith spoke out loudly, seeming to no one.

"Lily, you cannot hear my name unless you come to the meadow,"Said the strange female voice. "Hear me and release your potential." The voice faded and Lilith fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning Lilith woke up to find she was in Yumichika's bed, and a little more surprised to find she was sleeping on his lap, his hand holding her shoulder and one in her hair. Yumichika was in a sitting position, his eyes were closed, head leaned back against the wall. She moved slightly only to be held a little harder.

"Ow Yumichika. Let me go, I'm late making breakfast!"

"Its already been done, Lily," he said, opening his eyes. "Ikkaku and myself made breakfast for the kids. Thank you for prepping everything. The place looked great."

"Looked?" she said, knowing very well Ikkaku never cleaned up messes he makes. She inwardly groaned to herself. Great, now she would have to clean after them. Ikkaku cooking is probably the worst thing that could happen.

"Don't worry, Lily, I cleaned up most of the mess. Are you feeling better?' he asked, letting go of her.

"I think so. My head doesn't hurt so much anymore. Thank you." She said, slow to sit up. "I'm sorry about last night. Please forgive my intrusion, and any for passing out in your room."

"Hey. Hey hey hey. No worries. You practically own this place. So technically this is your room too. I'm just glad you passed out here in my care instead of downstairs."

"Michika, would it be okay if I left you and Ikkaku this place for a few days? I need to make a trip to the district in the East."
"Yumichika looked a her skeptically, one eyebrow raised. "What business do you have out there?"

"I… I'm really not sure, but I feel like something is calling me. Please, I need to go. By myself. I'm more than capable of handling problems if they arise."

"If you feel you really need to go, then sure. I will watch this place. But be sure to be back in four days, Okay?"

"I will. I promise." She said, rising and taking one last glance at Yumichika. She turned and left the room, feeling his eyes upon her, she quickened her pace, and her heart also quickened its beat.