And we're back with chapter 2 of The Princess and the Plebeian. I hope you all are enjoying it. If you like this era of stories than you should also check out my fic Separate Worlds. That one has Ichigo as royalty. Anyway, here's chapter 2. R&R!
Ichigo burst through the door of his house, panting heavily. He slammed the door shut behind him. For some reason he was scared out of his mind. He just saved the King's life, right? Why should he be worried? If anything, he was a hero. At that moment, Ishiin walked by and noticed his son's state.
"Have a nice morning in town, Ichigo?" Ishiin asked, nonchalantly.
"D-Dad?"
"Yes?"
"K-King Kuchiki..."
"What's wrong, Ichigo? What about King Kuchiki?"
"There was an assassination attempt!" Ichigo yelled.
"I had nothing to do with it!" Ishiin held his hands up.
"What? No, I know, but I… I stopped it." Ichigo stared his father in the eyes. Ishiin began to tear up.
"Oh, Ichigo my son, you made the Princess fall in love with you all by yourself! I'm so proud of you!" Ishiin grabbed Ichigo in a bear hug. Ichigo shoved him off.
"Try to take this seriously, old man!"
"I don't know what you're so worried about. You did a good deed. The King may even reward you. Calm down, son."
Ichigo took a deep breath, and then nodded. His father was right, which was rare, but that only proved how right he was. Nothing bad was going to happen. As Ichigo cleared his mind of stress, Ishiin answered a knocking that came on the door. When he opened it, he found two guards waiting outside.
"Is this the residence of Ichigo Kurosaki?" One asked.
"Indeed it is. I am Ishiin Kurosaki, his father. We are both doctors."
"If you didn't already know, your son saved the King's life not but half an hour ago. For that reason, King Kuchiki has requested an audience with Ichigo."
"I'll go get him." Ishiin called for Ichigo. When he arrived, Ichigo shook their hands."
"Gentleman," he greeted.
"The King would like to see you."
"Well then, I wouldn't want to keep him waiting."
XXX
"King Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki has arrived, as you requested."
"Thank you," Byakuya said.
Byakuya and Rukia sat side-by-side, and watched as the door opened, revealing the man with orange hair. Rukia slightly smiled at him, but Byakuya's face remained as solid as a statue. Byakuya nodded to a chair, and Ichigo took a seat across the table.
"King Kuchiki, it is an honor to meet you," Ichigo bowed his head.
"Not at all. The pleasure is all mine Mr. Kurosaki," Byakuya replied; tone surprisingly light for his countenance.
"Please, call me Ichigo. 'Mr. Kurosaki' is my father," Ichigo smiled. Rukia smiled too, and let out a slight laugh, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Well then, Ichigo, I have to admit, I am indebted to you. You saved my life and possibly my sister's today. For that I am grateful."
"King Kuchiki, I am only glad that I was able to help. One might say that I have an innate urge to protect people."
"That explains you being a doctor, but where did you learn to throw a scalpel like that?" Rukia asked, suddenly. Ichigo was thrown off by how smooth her voice was for a moment.
"I… may get into fights with the darker residents of Karakura on occasion. Being a doctor isn't the extent to which I help others." Ichigo smiled bashfully.
"Back to business," Byakuya interjected, "I have a debt to pay to you, and it just so happens that our former royal doctor, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, has disappeared for an unknown reason. That position is now open… if that would interest you." Ichigo was stunned beyond words. He stared at the two royals for a few minutes, and then at the ground. He had to process this.
"King Kuchiki, are you really offering me a job as the royal doctor?"
"Ichigo Kurosaki, you have saved my life by protecting me from harm, and from what I hear you can save my life far after trouble befalls me. I not want anyone else to assume this position, since I already know that I can trust you."
"If that is the case, then I will gladly accept your offer, my King."
Ichigo stood up and bowed to the king, who nodded in return. Rukia stood as well.
"I am sure it will be a pleasure to have you as our doctor, Ichigo, but I am going to rest now. It's been a long day," with that Rukia left the room. Then, Byakuya turned to Ichigo once more.
"We will be staying in Karakura to visit my grandfather. When we depart, you will depart with us. You have until then to say farewell and get any business in order." Ichigo nodded. "Oh, and one more thing. I fear that this morning's events have taken a stressful toll on my sister. If you have the chance later today, I would ask that you examine her to see if she is well."
"Yes, sir. Shall I return at noon?"
"The doctor is different from other servants in the Kuchiki Family. We tend to respect those who could save or kill us. You have freedom to do whatever whenever as long as you don't ignore your duties."
"I understand."
Finally, Byakuya left the room and Ichigo returned home to bring the good news.
XXX
Rukia stared at the ceiling from her bed. She had said she was tired, but in truth she was restless. This new doctor, there was something about him, but she couldn't tell what it was. She had noticed for the first time this morning before the… incident. Something in his eyes showed passion, and yet pain at the same time. Like he was protecting something that had already been lost and he knew it. Rukia couldn't deny that he was attractive as well. He was tall, his skin was dark, and his muscles were defined. That was probably from years of fighting. But his eyes still perplexed her, those amber eyes. Rukia was looking forward to having this new doctor around.
XXX
"Royal Doctor! Onii-chan?" Yuzu screamed in a combination of happiness and sadness. She loved that he was rewarded so highly, but she didn't want him to leave.
"Sounds cool, Ichi-nii," was all Karin had to say, but Ichigo knew that she would miss him.
"That's my son! I have trained you well!" Ishiin exclaimed
"Thanks guys, this means a lot to me," Ichigo said as he buttoned up his shirt. He also pulled on a nice, black coat. It was part of his uniform for when he made house calls. Ichigo also picked up his black bag, which held all his equipment as opposed to his pocket kit. He was short a scalpel though, so he got one out of the storage room.
"Hey, Ichigo, where are you going?" Ishiin asked. Ichigo rolled his eyes, he was never going o to live this down.
"Princess Rukia is feeling under the weather. I am going to give her an examination," Ichigo stated dryly.
"Haha, I see what you're doing Ichigo. Trying to get a little alone time with the Princess already. I raised you well -" Ishiin's face was met with Ichigo's foot.
XXX
Rukia sat up when someone knocked on her bedroom door.
"Princess Rukia? It's me, Ichigo Kurosaki. May I come in?"
"Y-yes, please come in," Rukia said as she straightened her hair."
The door opened slowly, and Ichigo stepped through. Rukia laughed when she saw him in his suit.
"What? What's so funny?" Ichigo scowled. Rukia was slightly taken aback by his harshness. No one ever regarded her that way.
"Sorry, it's just that you're dressed so formally."
"I always where this on house calls."
"Well, feel free to be more casual from now on."
"Alright then. Oh, and the king asked me to take a look at you. He was afraid all the stress would be hard on you." Rukia rolled her eyes.
"That's sounds like Nii-sama. I guess it's all right, though. Go ahead."
Ichigo set his bag down on the end of the bed, and clicked it open. He took out a glass thermometer and motioned toward her. Rukia opened her mouth, and closed it when he put it in. Then Ichigo placed a hand over her forehead. His hands are so warm, Rukia thought.
"Your temperature's normal," Ichigo said, removing the thermometer. "Let's see about the pulse."
Ichigo checked her wrist first. His grip was pretty firm, but it was gentle too. Rukia felt like Ichigo really cared for her, even though they had just met. Then Ichigo moved his hands to either side of her neck to confirm her pulse. His hands felt so good! At this rate, I'll be sick forever, Rukia mused.
"I can't find anything out of the usual, Princess. As far as I can see, you're perfectly healthy." That's too bad, Rukia pouted.
"Thank you for coming, Ichigo. And I'm sorry Nii-sama made you come over something so small."
"Not at all, Prin-"
"Please, when we're in private, call me Rukia." Ichigo blushed slightly.
"R=Rukia, please tell me if there's anything else you need."
Ichigo packed up his bag, and left quickly. Rukia blinked, and then smiled. As Ichigo walked down the hall, he let a small smile form on his face. Just Rukia, eh? Ichigo mused over her name as he walked towards the door, then he saw a horrifying sight. There was the King with the same emotionless face, but a dark aura surrounded. Ichigo nearly dropped his bag when he noticed the source of the King's discomfort. Standing there, with his arm flung around the King's shoulders, was his father.
"You know my son is an absolutely fabulous doctor. He'll keep you and your family in very good health. Couldn't have made a better choice myself! I'm so proud of him. You know –" Before he could finish that sentence, he fell to the floor. Byakuya looked up from the unconscious Kurosaki to see Ichigo standing there, empty syringe in hand, looking furious.
"I'm sorry, my King, this won't happen again," Ichigo said picking up his father and leaving the building.
Byakuya watched as Ichigo left, and blinked when the door was slammed. Then Rukia came out.
"Nii-sama, is something wrong? I heard someone slam a door."
"It's nothing, Rukia. Ichigo just saved my life again is all."
