Blitch:Yay! Here's my 2nd chapter of my 2nd fic. *Pats myself at the back.*
Byakuya: WTF? Why are you patting your own back, you don't have reviews!
Blitch: Well, my dearest Shigur3' and bloodyrose1294 and cooperheadfigthingninja and Lumchan123 did leave me very kind reviews. * blows kisses* Thanks guys!
Byakuya: I see, that many reviews. *Coughes*
Blitch: Shuddup! *Cries*
Byakuya: I'm sorry baby, at least you have me?!
Blitch: No, I'd rather have more reviews. So please please leave me a review people?
Byakuya: What about me?
Blitch: I'm just borrowing the favourite characters from Bleach because my imagination is running wild. You know I don't own them.
Byakuya:Why am I never mentioned in your stories? I thought you said favourite characters?
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Chapter 2
Scene 1
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It was a fine and lazy Sunday afternoon. In a cozy coffee lounge, oldies were played on the recorder, and low buzzing of gossip exchanged between some old women filled the air.
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Crushing the piece of paper into a ball in his fist, he dropped his hands lazily to his sides.
"Damnit! This isn't working!" He muttered in angst.
"Hi, hi, here's your second espresso Sir!" a blonde man with utmost enthusiastic customer service placed the coffee on the table.
"Uh, thanks." The red-head slapped his hand over his forehead.
"It's a beautiful day, ne? I've never seen you in the area before."
"Isn't this place supposed to be a renaissance of the arts, where the air is romantic and the smallest leaf that falls to the ground can be inspiring?" he red-head asked. Not answering the waiter's question, nor was he expecting an answer for his own.
"Haha, well that's what they say." The blonde, took a quick glance from below his hat that almost covered half his eyes at the pile of crushed papers on the table.
"Trying to write a love letter?" The blonde gave a mischievous grin.
"Haha, maybe that'd be easier." The red-head shrugged and took a sit at the espresso. "I'm a composer, just moved here couple of days ago."
"Oh you make music? That's marvelous! I only make coffee.. but I believe I do make a good lover if I can say so for my wife." And the blonde laughed bemusedly at his own joke.
The red-head raised his brows and gave a forceful smile.
"May I suggest taking a walk around the park, there's some interesting buildings at the other side of the park."
"Isn't the other side Rukongai?" the red-head drowned the remaining espresso.
"Not quite, there's a large river that separates Sereitei from Rukongai. Maybe you'll find something inspiring, ne?"
"Well I guess I can take a tour! Thanks."
The red-head extended his hand and shook the blonde's hand.
"I'm Renji by the way."
"And I'm Kisuke. You're always welcomed to Urahara's Coffee Lounge and have a cup of delicious espresso when you're all inspired to make some music, ne?" the blonde flashed his overly enthusiastic smile once again.
"Later!"
"Hope you enjoy your stay here in Sereitei Valley!"
The red-head put on his black leather jacket and sling his bag across his shoulders and headed for a walk.
"Of all the places, you had to suggest the other side of the park, Kisuke?" a deep sultry voice came from the counter.
"Well, I don't think there's any harm! Besides, that place was… once the place for musicians and composers."
"Yes, it was… a place of dreams.. beauty… hope.. lov-" the owner of the voice was an exotic beauty with dark olive skin and golden eyes, long purple hair in a high sleek ponytail.
Unlike her usual dominant, witty and strong self, she seemed to be troubled by a thought as she averted her gaze to the floor.
"Love huh?" she sighed.
"Yoruichi…" Kisuke turned to his wife, and pulled her tightly in his embrace.
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The trees, the flowers and the grass seem to be winning the war against winter as leaves and buds start to surface.
He tried to gather a peaceful mind, to absorb the surroundings, experiencing this new place.
The park was clean. It was spotlessly clean. Renji figured the reason why it was that clean was due to the fact that no one ever comes here. A sudden gush of wind sent eerie chills down his back.
He couldn't make out if it the darkness in front of him as he walked further into the park was because of the taller trees, the shadows, or because night was falling.
Tucking his glove covered hands deeper into his leather jacket, he continued walking.
Has it been 6 months or more since his last paycheck? He'd been jobless for what seems like forever, yet time seemed to fly past without going noticed.
He'd hop from jobs to jobs to earn himself a decent living. But his passion was for music and composing the rhythm.
So he packed his bags and moved to Sereitei Valley. Hopefully a change of environment, new places and new faces was always a good step towards finding an inspiration to his music-writing.
As he approached the other side of the park, his breath was caught in view of the scene.
On his left was a slope which rested a very old, grey and white tower of a mansion, on the top. One could tell that it most likely used to be, in its more glorious days, an old castle of a king or at least someone as rich as a king. Yet it was now surrounded by tall weeds, the walls of the mansion had permanent residents like fern and alga. It looked forsaken.
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He scanned the area and his eyes widened when saw a Neo-Baroque style architectural masterpiece on his right. It was tall, wide, rectangular and had tree stories.
There was no mistaking that this was the long abandoned grand landmark of Sereitei – La Palais. An opera house painted in beige, golden windowsills, it was once a famous for its magnificent and grand outlook. The last thing Renji remembered about this place was the news of it on fire. This was confirmed by looking at the black exterior of the opera house.
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Behind the opera house was a river, the river that separated Seireitei Valley from Rukongai Town.
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Inspiration… Ah yes…
If he were to compose a song, he'd do a very sad ballet.
Possibly a very dark and troubled one indeed.
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That was, until his muscles tensed up when he heard something coming from the opera house.
It couldn't be!
He was intrigued by it, captivated and drawn to it as his unconsciously took one step after the other towards the opera house.
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Scene 2
"I'm sorry, you must be bored.." her lips pressed into a line, her eyes clouded with melancholy.
"Wh-what? I'm not! Why would you say that?"
The caretaker's gaze fell on the slender fingers that had abruptly stopped at working their magic.
"Don't you ever think that way! It's my honor to witness and enjoy the wonderful talent that comes from you." The caretaker reached for her slender fingers and stared at her intently.
"Every time you play the piano, I hear the most beautiful sounds imaginable. It brings me to dreamland."
"Even after listening to the same old songs all these years?" She whispered.
"Yes, of cos! And the kinder-garden children love it when you play for them every Friday!" the caretaker nodded approvingly, not that the lady was looking.
"Thank you so much. Without you I'm nothin-"
"Take that back right now!" The caretaker shook her shoulders angrily.
"I'm the one who should say that. Without you and your family, I'd probably be dead a long time ago. It's my privilege to be able to take care of you now Miss Inoue."
"Alright, I take that back. Don't get mad at me? We're both grateful we have each other, ne?"
"Yes Miss Inoue!"
"Rukia, how many times do I have to tell you.. my name is Orihime." She gave a pout which quickly faded to a sweet angelic smile, the sadness in her eyes all vanished.
"Alright Orihime, now, can you please play another song?"
"Only if you let me have wasabi-ramen for dinner."
They both laughed.
The caretaker was beaming with joy in her eyes to see the lady in cheerful spirits.
After all, she rarely did laugh, and she hardly did smile.
Not since that day…
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Renji stood outside the opera house puzzled. He was certain he'd heard music coming from within. Yet the old creepy building gave him the creeps.
The sky was getting dark as the sun was going down, Renji turned to head back to his humble abode.
At that moment, his legs stopped in their tracks and his head spun around when the music met his ears.
Opening the dusty and large wooden doors to the opera house, he quickly followed the music.
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As he entered the hall, what met his ears was the most beautiful rendition of Ballade pour Adeline being played he'd ever heard live in person. And what met his eyes was possibly the most beautiful scene he'd ever seen in years.
A petite and short girl with shoulder length choppy raven hair was… if you could call swirling in circles dancing then, she was dancing.
And next to her was a black grand piano, he could only see the back profile of the lady, whose luscious long and wavy auburn hair covered her back and curls as they ended around her waist, her head lighting swaying to the music.
He smiled inwardly at the beautiful sight and sound. This could be a fruitful walk after all, he mentally reminded himself to thank Kisuke for the great suggestion.
SQUEAK!
Dead silence followed the squeak that came from Renji's large foot stepping onto an unstable piece on the parquet ground.
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Orihime gasped and clumsily moved from the piano, almost tripping herself before she found her knitted cardigan and pulled in tightly around herself as she stared on the ground and started to tremble.
Renji was taken aback by her weird and awkward behaviour, but he caught a glimpse of her face… it was a face of an angel…
But his trail of thoughts all but vanished as he realized who was standing in front of him.
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The girl swirling and dancing gracefully just a moment ago stood in front of him with her sleeves rolled up and her petite fingers balled into a furious fist, her questioning raven eyes stared up at him. Her height barely reached his chest.
He smiled meekly.
"Who the hell are you? What are you doing here?" she roared.
"Woaah.h.. easy there little lady.. ehh you sure are feisty for your size!" he chuckled.
Caught off guard, he howled in pain as he was punched right in the stomach and pushed onto the ground.
"Wrong answer!"
He glared at the feisty raven midget but she glared back.
"Stupid bitch…" he muttered through his breath as he got back on his feet.
"I'd mind my own business if I were you. Don't go trespassing! You never know if it might be…" her voice trailed off as she quickly return to the lady's side.
"haunted." She finished with an evil smirk at Renji when she saw his eyes widened.
"W-wait!"
Did she just say… haunted?
The next thing he knew, the ladies had exited the hall from the opposite side of where he entered from.
He'd definitely have to thank Kisuke for the great suggestion and get some answers for the questions that were spinning in his mind… for the last thing that he heard just as he left the opera house was sounds of evil chuckling and chimes of old rusty bells.
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Scene 3
His eyes darkened, he leaned forward to capture her tempting lips.
But his eyes widened when he felt his lips met by her magic fingers.
"You'll have to catch me first." She started running after lightly pushing him away.
"Oh I will! And when I do, you're gonna get it!"
The sounds of her merry laughter echoed through the opera house as they played cat and mouse.
While her music always made him smile, her laughter always soothed him.
She paused to catch a breath and waited for him when she reached the second story where the circle seats were.
"Tired already?" She teased the boy who was slightly panting.
"No way! But soon, I will make you tired." He gave a devilish smirk.
Immediately she ran up to the third storey and took a left turn into the attic.
She hesitated: 'Hmmm… No, I'll be trapped inside if he catches up.'
So she step back and started to run, but his arms had encircled her from the back.
He chuckled and buried his face into her soft silky hair. Taking in her scent of strawberries and vanilla.
"You only caught me 'cos I let you." She pouted as she leaned on him, feeling his strong and warm chest against her back.
"And you let me catch you 'cos you wanted this." He turned her to face him, and stole a deep long kiss.
When they reluctantly broke the kiss to catch their breath, she gave him her angelic smile.
"I love you."
"I love you too, my princess."
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And that's it for now.
You've read it, so let me hear your say!
I'm heading out for some sushi cos I'm hungry!
When I'm back, I hope to see some reviews, aye?
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Have a nice day with my warmest wishes,
~ Blitch out