This chapter has probably been my favorite to write, so far, out of those already published and the few I've penned ahead. Perhaps because it came the easiest. I hope you guys like it!
And thank you SO MUCH for the great response I got last chapter. I was just so happy and immediately went to work on another chapter so clearly it's good for my motivation. Haha.
Thanks again for reading and for the reviews!
xxxxx
Byakuya's tiny little sister had made good on her threats. Much to Ichigo's annoyance, she arrived the next morning at the crack of dawn and pounded away on the door of his guest room. Judging by the loudness of her knocks, Ichigo had expected her to be angry and willful like she had been the day before. But after he stumbled out of bed groggily and shoved opened the door, she greeted him with a bright, lively smile and an enormous tray of delicious looking baked goods.
"Good morning, Kurosaki Ichigo!" She said cheerfully. "It's time your tour!"
He stared back blankly.
Seriously, how many faces did this girl have?! For the first few days he had met her she seemed so cold, cut from the same, stupid block of ice her brother was. Then yesterday he had seen a fiery, riled up side of her. Now suddenly she was so cheerful? Who was this girl? How could one person be so confusing?
"Go away and come back when the sun has actually risen." He snapped grumpily, trying to shut the door on her but she moved quicker and blocked his path.
"Now Lord Ichigo, don't be like that." She scolded in a singsong voice. "Your friends are already up and ready to go. We're all waiting for you!" Sure enough, Ishida and Chad appeared behind her in the doorway, both looking very groggy themselves, but they were awake, nonetheless.
He furrowed his brows. "What the hell guys? You really got up that early?!"
Ishida lifted his head and looked him directly in the eyes. "Lady Rukia can be surprising persuasive." He informed him in a solemn tone. Chad, his best friend who was built more like an ox than a man, nodded silently in agreement.
"Fine." He said, grudgingly. "We'll go now. Just give me a moment." He grouched but the petite girl did not flinch. Instead, to his surprise her lips curled up in a smug, challenging smile.
"Of course, Lord Ichigo." She sang out, her voice happy-go-lucky but her wide eyes were filled with malice. "But please hurry. We have so much to do and so little time!"
xxxxx
It was amazing how deceiving appearances could be.
Kuchiki Rukia looked normal enough, or perhaps normal wasn't the right term. She was unique in many ways with her tiny, slender body and her dark hair that often fell over her eyes, even though it was usually tied back into one of those ridiculous veils all the women in Seireitei wore.
Ichigo had thought she was rather pretty upon first glance but hadn't given it that much thought since she seemed so much like her brother. Both Kuchikis moved with that quiet, yet chilling grace that unnerved him but he could grudgingly admit Rukia was attractive in her own way.
He liked her eyes especially. They were enormous, framed by thick lashes, and were a startling violet blue in color that he had never seen before. Due to their size, they gave her a sort of innocence, much like a young lamb or a baby doe…
Ichigo learned quickly that that innocent look was entirely deceiving. Lady Rukia was no lamb. She was a menace and an even tougher opponent that her brother, something Ichigo never thought he'd find in this world.
As it turned out, the delicious looking pastry she had brought him that morning was filled with a spicy, peppered paste that made him feel like his orange covered head was going to burst into flames the moment he took a bite. For nearly ten minutes he had tried to rub the taste of pure fire off his tongue while tears inevitably poured from his eyes.
Rukia, in turn, handed him a dainty kerchief to wipe them away and gave him a few "comforting" pats on the back.
"I'm so sorry, Lord Ichigo." She sang out in that fake voice of her. "Spicy cheese rolls are very popular in Seireitei. I had no idea you were so sensitive!" She looked sincere enough but he could have sworn he saw her bit her lip, trying to hold back a smile.
He glared, especially as Ishida and Chad stood to the side munching on their own rolls which smelled of sugar and cinnamon rather than the liquid flame he had endured.
After the burning feeling in his mouth slowly died down, the four of them continued along on their tour. On the path, Ichigo drifted to the back while Ishida and Chad walking side by side while Rukia lead the way. First on their agenda was an exploration of the citadel's top level where all the noble families lived.
Of course, the Kuchikis lived at highest point in the greatest manor but the other white stone buildings were impressive, as well, though he loathed admitting there was any beauty in this place. It had been all too easy to think of it as just a stupid pile of rocks when he had been locked away in Byakuya's Peace talks.
Once this area had been toured, they worked their way down towards the lower levels of the citadel which grew progressively humbler the farther down they went. As they walked along a perfectly kept pathway, Ishida and Rukia engaged in a long conversation. Ichigo wasn't surprised. Random knowledge and useless facts were his proud, rail-thin comrade's particular forte. He frequently asked rattled off questions wherever they went.
"How old was the citadel?"
"Who was the leading architect of the Kuchiki Manor?"
"What sort of stone was used to give each building that distinct chalk white coloring?"
At first, Ichigo had tried to ignore them but he was eventually drawn in and forced to feign disinterest, instead. Secretly, he was waiting for Rukia to slip up and admit there was a question she couldn't answer. Yet to his annoyance, the tiny know-it-all actually knew it all.
The sun had finally risen to an acceptable height when their small party reached the bottom level of the citadel. He had caught a glimpse of it before when he had first entered the stone walls, but he was surprised by what he saw, nonetheless. The whole area was filled with row upon row of small stands and shops that were all clustered together. Every single one of them seemed to be bustling with activity. Aside from the battle field, Ichigo had never seen so many people in motion.
"This is our main market place." Rukia announced, and Ichigo could detect a small amount of pride in her voice. He couldn't quite blame her when even Chad was looking around in amazement. "It's especially busy now because, traditionally, Seireiteians shop in the morning."
"Then we should have woken up later and gone at a less hectic time." Ichigo crabbed in response. He was pleased to see her mouth flew open, ready to snap back challengingly until she seemed to change her mind.
"That's not a very positive mindset, Lord Ichigo." She told him cheerfully, much to his disappointment, but there was a clear edge to her happy-go-lucky tone . "Come on. I will show you around."
After browsing through nearly a dozen shops and passing by at least a hundred people, Ichigo caught sight of a small stand that had a number of exotic looking plants in it that finally drew his interest. Ishida was busy conversing with a bow and arrow craftsman while Chad had been staring into some white bird's cage at an animal shop for quite some time now. With nothing better to do, he ventured closer to the stand and glanced over at a tall, bright blue bulbed flower that he had never seen before. Suddenly, he felt a small presence appeared at his side.
"Lord Ichigo! You like the Fuji Kujaku flower?" Rukia's now familiar voice called out. He frowned.
"It's alright." He said with a shrug, stubbornly refusing to admit it was pretty.
"It is more than just 'alright'." She insisted. "The Fuji Kujaku is a very rare blossom that grows only in the mountains. And it's known for its beautiful scent. You should definitively give it a sniff." Grudgingly, Ichigo did just what she said and suddenly, he found himself in an intense sneezing fit.
Dimly in the background, after his ninth or tenth sneeze he heard Rukia's devilish voice telling him that she must have made a mistake and that this was probably Ashisogi Jizo, a known irritant.
Once Ishida and Chad headed over to see what was the matter, they merely exchanged knowing looks when Rukia informed them of her "innocent mistake." Ichigo, in between sneezes, flashed Ishida his meanest scowl when he saw his lanky friend turn his gaze away, trying to hide a look of amusement.
The torture the Kuchiki Rukia inflicted upon him did not stop there. Later in the day, she insisted they take a ride around the Seireiteian countryside on the royal horses rather than their own. They four of them had barley left the chalk colored walls of the citadel when Ichigo's stallion had tried to buck him off, proving to be the nastiest horse he had ever seen.
Rukia, again, had apologized in that fake tone of her while she gracefully circled him on her own horse, a pretty white mare she called Shirayuki. She, Ishida, and even Chad were getting bolder and bolder by the minute as none of them bothered hiding their amusement anymore. She couldn't stop grinning, Ishida had made a number of snippy comments, and Chad's strong shoulders had shaken twice in silent laughter.
Fortunately, Ichigo never actually fell from his horse. He was much too good of a rider for that. Yet the malicious beast had strayed off on the path several times and wandered below a number of trees with low branches. By the time their small party had returned to the top of the Seireitei citadel, the sun was setting, and Ichigo was covered in dirt and leaves because of everything that damn horse had dragged him through.
Annoyed, he was busy pulling small twigs from his hair when he heard Ishida and Chad both give Rukia a genuine thank you for a good day before they retired for the night. Looking pleased with herself, Rukia moved to follow after them but Ichigo moved faster, effectively blocking her pathway outside the Kuchiki Manor.
"Lord Ichigo…what is it that you are doing?" She asked, still talking in that fake tone but he quickly stopped her.
"Cut the bullshit." His eyes narrowed. "We both know that isn't you and I'm sick of that stupid voice." Instantly, that cheerful look was wiped away and she was back to the Rukia he had met the day before.
"There you go again. Assuming you know me." She told him wryly.
"I know you're a menace!" He replied hotly. "You might look like a normal person, but you're actually a little she-demon. One that excels at annoying people."
"What are you trying to say? Did you not have fun today?" She asked him with a sardonic smile and an evil glint in her large, "innocent" eyes. "You ate traditional Seireiteian food… experienced exotic Seireiteian flora… explored the beautiful Seireiteian countryside…." She raised her chin up proudly. "I believe I've been a perfect hostess."
He shook his head slowly. "You know, I thought your brother was a fearsome opponent…. but you're much worse, in your own way, than he ever was."
Rukia's smile only grew wider. "I shall take that as a compliment."
"Don't bother. I was insulting you."
She huffed at that. "It's considered uncouth and discourteous to insult your hostess."
"I told you. I don't care about that sort of crap!" He responded while the two of them glared at each other.
"You know, Lady Rukia, whatever game you started today isn't over." He said, breaking the silence as he leered over her. "I'm merely been biding my time, waiting for a good chance to strike back."
She looked up at him with those wide eyes and tilted her head. "That sounds dangerously like a declaration of war, Lord Ichigo." When Ichigo saw a small smile tug at her lips he couldn't help but to grin in return.
"Ah. Maybe it is." He responded. "And since I've kicked Seireiteian ass before, I'm sure victory will be easy."
At the mention of her country's loss her eyes narrowed again. "Don't be so cocky." She responded coldly, shoving by him. He found it amusing that even though she had tried to push her way past him intimidating, her dainty frame could not budge him an inch.
"Are you off to bed then, Lady Rukia?" He called after her with a triumphant sneer. "I hope you have very pleasant dreams!"
She stopped short and turned back to flash him a smirk of her own. "Hopefully I'll dream of Spicy Cheese Rolls or Ashisogi Jizo." Her smirk widened wickedly. "Or maybe, if I'm really lucky, I'll relive that moment when your horse bolted down the ravine and you smacked your head on a tree branch. That would be pleasant, indeed." She answered, before walking away.
His amber gaze trailed after her as she disappeared into her household and frowned because she had managed to get the last word in. Yet, to his surprised, he wasn't nearly as annoyed as he thought he'd be. He was something else… something he couldn't quite describe.
He and Lady Rukia had effectively declared war on each other yet this sort of challenge was unlike anything he had experienced. He had raised his sword, fought in battles, and cut down enemies numerous times during his twenty one years of living. But even in the heat of combat when his heart had been pumping and he had moved to deflect blows that would otherwise take his life… even then he didn't feel quite so..so… alive as he did now.
Ichigo lifted his eyes and stared again at the doorway of the manor, once again, this time wondering if Byakuya's demonic sister had made back to her room yet. Before she had left, she had teased him and asked in mockingly if he had had fun that day, knowing the full well the sort of torture she had inflicted.
Yet, to his surprise, the answer was somehow, yes. Yes, in an odd way, he had had fun especially now that he was facing such a challenge. It was thrilling in a way, and though there were certain things Kurosaki Ichigo held dear in life, very little actually excited him. And it was only going to become more fun now that he had a counterattack to plan.
Grinning to himself as his mind reeled with ideas, he walked back into the Kuchiki Manor, looking forward to tomorrow and oddly feeling like this was the beginning of something…
But as to what, exactly… he had no idea.
xxxxx
Ah. The beginning, indeed, for poor Ichigo. The end of this chapter is a little, not-so-subtle hint as to where his feelings are headed. Rukia's are more up in the air.
Thank you again for reading this and to those who reviewed (who are listed below)…I, really, really appreciate it.
KH 777: Haha..Yuzu and Karin will make an appearance (as will Ichigo's brotherly side). They'll actually be in it for awhile but that won't happen for another couple of chapters so I hope you don't mind the wait.
Rukia kuchiki fan: Thank so much! I'm glad you love it so far.
Angelic93: I hope this chapter was worth your wait!
Alero1990: I'm glad you liked the last chapter and, hopefully, you'll like this one too now that more of Rukia's mischievous side was seen.
Tituba3: I'm so glad you clicked on this fic, too! Haha. And thank you so much for the compliments. They really mean a lot. And while I hope I'm not spoiling it for anyone…slowly but surely Rukia's feeling will definitively change. Until then, poor, beloved Ichigo will be continuously tortured.
Darklover: I hope you really enjoyed this latest chapter and I promise, I'll keep writing and updating as best as I can.
WolfSummoner93: Hahaha, Rukia definitively shows him this time around, too. Being on her bad side is apparently not ideal.
Darkshinigami16: I'm glad you find the story so interesting and thanks for the thoughtful comment. It was nice hearing you loved Rukia's attitude and her rant. I'm really happy you love the story so far.
AvaLuna: Your comment was exactly what I wanted to hear! I'm always afraid that because the story is AU and the premise is so different from Bleach that I'll get their Ichigo and Rukia's personalities all wrong and won't do them any justice. Hearing that they are still in character (as much as they can be at least) is a huge relief.
Blue ocjian: Again, I love hearing that they are in character. It's tough, and I'll probably fail at times, but I'm really going to try to keep their personalities as similar to the manga as possible. I just hope I can do it. Haha.
Rukia635241: Hopefully you didn't feel like you had to wait too long for an update and I hope you like this chapter.
Headyzest: Your comment was a particularly nice one to hear. I'm constantly reading Ichi/Ruki stories here and I'm thrilled you find mine alluring. As the story unfolds more and more, I hope you still find it interesting and I promise not to go too long between updates.
LyricalSin: I'm glad you liked Rukia's rant especially since I think Ichigo really deserved to hear it. And though I love him and though she laid it on particularly thick this chapter, I still feel she was justified. Haha.
Hese Solstis: Aww. Aileah-chan sounds so cute. I'm glad you're planning on updating 'Teardrops.' I'll be eagerly awaiting that now and hopefully you enjoyed Rukia's methods of torture this chapter.
Ashezo: Thanks so much for both chapter reviews! I'm glad this kind of story is just your type. It tends to be mine too if I were to be perfectly honest. I'm happy you enjoyed the conversation between them. It was just one of many to come, the starting point of their whole push/pull dynamic.