Disclaimer: I do not own the anime/manga Bleach nor any characters affiliated with it.
Chapter 3: His Most Prized Possession
It was a soft sound, barely audible with the crickets and nocturnal creatures coming out, but heard it he did. Peaking his head around a large tree, he witnessed an ethereal beauty sitting among the tall cat tails and lilies that framed the lake. He swallowed hard watching the beauty slowly roll her head back and close her eyes allowing the last rays of the sun to caress her raven hair and embody her in fading light. Soon, he found himself slowly and silently crawling over to the nearest bush, listening intently to her breathing becoming more erratic. He paused and watched one small, soft hand slowly lower the sleeve of her thin chemise, which upon further inspection, was clinging to her body as if she had just came back from a swim. He watched as the other hand performed the same action allowing the garment to fold away from her upper body and reveal two small but beautifully pert breast.
Inhaling sharply and trying not to cough at the flower pollen just ingested, he reached to his side and pulled out his leather pouch. He silently thanked the Gods above that he made the fresh brew just the other evening and remembered to fill his bag. He took a long swig of the fiery substance and placed the bag back at his side. When his eyes focused once again on the beauty, it was to see her face softly smiling down at the ground. Curious, he leaned in as he heard the soft, sweet mumble of her voice. Soothing words she whispered while her mouth slowly pulled into a mischievous grin.
As he made his way to get up, he was stopped by the sound of another voice, soft yet deep enough to signify a man's presence. This was confirmed as he watched her lift two large yet strong hands to her mouth and place a gentle kiss on each inside palm. Sighing in resignation, he slowly got up and made to leave. Who was he to interrupt a passionate forest tryst when he himself had been doing so for years since he was no more than sixteen.
With his back to the lovers, he could still hear the gentle yet teasing laugh from the woman which had soon turned into a sharp intake of breath. He imagined the young man had just cupped those beautifully pert breast and was fondling them gently, running his thumb over her rosebud nipples. He needed another drink other wise he may find himself on the other side of a tree taking care of himself, but reaching back for his pouch revealed nothing more than empty space. He must have left it on the ground by the bush.
Cursing himself for his stupidity, he once again found himself crawling as quietly as possible to the bush, but this time, he made sure to block out any sounds the pair may be making. He soon found his lost item and tilted his head back for another swig when he caught sight of the woman being rolled from the top of her perch down to the ground, her laugh echoing through the cat tails. It looked like things were about to get really serious and he wished not to be an observer. He was slowly turning around when he caught it. It was almost unnoticeable due to the dying rays of the sun, but still he caught it. Slowly turning his head and letting a huge grin plaster his face, his theory confirmed as he watched the orange head of his King's son slowly lower to the ground presumably to kiss his lady. Oh but he could not allow this. No he could not.
Even though Ichigo was of age and soon to be King, he would not allow him to be the father of a bastard born from what ever class that woman belonged too, and if Isshin discovered he did nothing to stop it, his head would roll. Cracking his knuckles and rolling his shoulders, he put a brave face on knowing that his Prince would be angry beyond reason. And who wouldn't be upset with the intruder stopping such a delicious tryst. He was sure Ichigo would have a boner all the way home. He wanted to laugh badly at the good natured yet evil intent.
Ichigo nipped at the soft skin of his beloveds neck as she sighed contentment in his ear and arched her body to meld with him. He wanted so badly to take her and make her his. It had taken them both years of learning to trust each other and becoming friends to finally reach this level of their relationship. He kissed her gently behind her ear before nibbling on it taking satisfaction in the satisfied mumble that left her lips. His left hand remained caressing her soft mound as his other slowly started bunching the fabric of her chemise up her thigh. Six months. Six torturous months he would be away from her and surrounded by his troops. It was his idea to take her out with him to talk but never did he think that she would be the one to instigate such sinful pleasures as this.
He could feel his britches tightening with every caress down his back; every pull on his hair; every curse that left her beautiful, delicate lips...curse?
It took a moment for reality to come back and show a shadow that had enveloped their entwined bodies on the ground. Tense with sexual frustration and anger that someone had the gall to interrupt their intimacy, Ichigo slowly turned his gaze to the culprit. Urahara standing a few feet away with a goofy grin on his face and waving hello while his liquor slushed in his pouch took Ichigo so off guard that he fell to Rukia's side. He gawked as the bastard took a swig and stared at...Ichigo flung himself to his feet and placed himself in front of Rukia, effectively hiding her bare breast as her fingers stumble to put her chemise on.
"My oh my. Am I interrupting something?"
Ichigo could do nothing but stand with his feet braced apart and arms crossed in front of his chest as he scowled at the man before him. Never in his life had he so badly wished to rip Urahara's head from his shoulders.
"What the hell are you doing out here?"
"No need to growl Ichigo. I know you are angry," Urahara bent to take a quick peak at the pixie hiding behind his Prince, "and who wouldn't be, but the truth is that I was out here to test a theory for one of my inventions and happened to stumble upon you both. You know, you should be more thankful to me. Why, what if I was a robber or forbid your father?"
Ichigo so badly wanted to take that disgusting pouch of his and throw it as far as he could into the lake. His arms unwound themselves from his chest and settled into fist at his side. Most unfavorable words would have left his mouth if not for the sudden movement behind him. He glanced as Rukia stepped from behind and stood at his side, her small hand circling his fist. He watched as Urahara tensed a bit.
"I'm sure then if it were a robber, Ichigo would have quickly dispatched him as he is indeed the Prince and was trained by those most skilled in the area. And if it were his father, then I'm sure he would understand."
Urahara hid his smile as he stared at the small woman standing beside his Prince. She had grit to speak to someone who she didn't know and was, by all accounts, a threat to her relationship. "My dear lady, it was not my intention to disrespect our Prince by saying that a robber could have easily taken him down. The truth of the matter is that no matter how skillful Ichigo may be with a sword in a battle, it is with his other sword he was thinking and would have not been able to defend properly." He held a chuckle as Ichigo blushed. "And if it were his father, he would have asked whom this lady that his son has the gall to tryst with in the woods is before he could come to any term of understanding."
Both men were taken by surprise as Rukia chuckled. "Touche'. You have managed to turn my defense around. Kuchiki, Rukia." She curtsied to the man before her.
"Urahara, Kisuke. Lady Rukia, if I may?"
"No you may not." Ichigo took a step forward.
"Well Ichigo. Don't be so mean. I figured since I caught you in such an intimate entanglement that I could at least call your lady love by her first name."
"Stop being a wise ass. Rukia, it's time for us to go." Rukia put her head down to hid her amusement as Ichigo gripped her hand tightly and moved towards the deer trail that they followed earlier to the lake. It was when she bumped into an agitated Ichigo that she dared to look up. Urahara was standing there in the path looking quite serious since they first met him.
"For goodness sake! I'm twenty seven damn years old not a child. Most men my age already are married with a few little ones."
"Very true but you are the only son and heir to the kingdom. It could be disastrous if you were to father a bastard with a woman of ill repute."
Ichigo could feel the atmosphere becoming cold. Lifting his eyes to the now darkened sky he could hear the lake lap furiously at the embankment and the moon reflect a dangerous red aura. "Ill repute?" Ichigo had not heard Rukia take that tone of voice since he had first met her. She was very angry but still in control of it. He mentally thanked the Gods for that. He felt Rukia suddenly walk forward and gawked as she stood toe to toe with his father's friend.
"I am Kuchiki, Rukia. Sister of the Noble Samurai Lord Kuchiki, Byakuya and Goddess of the Moon that you humans so need desperately to keep your seasons in order. And yet here you stand stating I am not worthy of your human Prince?" She hissed the last of the question. Ichigo stood forward and placed his hands sternly on her shoulders feeling the tenseness of them slowly ebb down. He squeezed her shoulders for re-assurance, all the while subconsciously hoping her powers were not slowly returning. He could feel her becoming tired with the attempt.
If Urahara had shock, he hid it well. Both Ichigo and Rukia had no clue as to what he was thinking. And Urahara made a mental note to make sure they never did. He had heard the rumors a few years back about the Moon Goddess disappearing, but since the Moon had never betrayed any thing, he never took notice. But tonight, staring into this woman's eyes, he had felt a certain lightness touch his spirit. It sent a shiver down his spine. "My dear lady. Please accept my apologies. I meant not to upset you so."
"Then shut your pipe hole and let us pass."
Urahara chuckled as he took a swig. "No can do my Prince. I shall escort both you and the Lady back to her humble abode and then you, my Prince, will come home with me. I will not tell your father of this little incident. You know how his health has been of late."
Ichigo finally surrendered, a deep sigh escaping from his chest. "Ichigo, it's okay. I'm ready to go home. It's been a very tiring day both emotionally and...otherwise."
Nodding his head, he allowed Rukia to take his hand as all three slowly made their way back to the small glean Rukia called home. If Urahara recognized the small abode, he made no mention of it. Ichigo could still see her face looking up at him, her eye lids lowered in a tired yet seductive manner. He sent one last glare at the back of Urahara before turning his gaze to the heavens and wondering when the moon's red aura would disappear.
"That was six months and a week ago Isshin. I believe your son has been in love with this woman for quite a long time."
Isshin made no move to leave the window he was currently occupying. "I see. Now it all makes sense as to why he kept declining every eligible noble woman in the kingdom. For a second, I thought he had no want of a woman or any one. I'm very pleased by this. What else do you know of her? I know that you do silent trade with the Earth spirits."
Urahara smiled softly. "Of course. About fourteen years ago, a very bad rumor was going about that the Moon Goddess had disappeared but no one was ever able to find out the truth. You know the Moon does not so easily give up her secrets. So I started asking around. Apparently, Lady Rukia was not close to many of the Gods and Goddesses for save a few and even they never noticed her absence."
"Quite strange really. Not to notice someone missing for fourteen years."
"Yes, well, Isshin the God's realm runs on a different time skip. You should know that personally." Isshin nodded as he turned around and smiled at his old friend.
"It has been quite a long time since we've tangled with them hasn't it? Seems like my son is more like me than I thought."
At this, Urahara raised his goblet. "A toast to Prince Ichigo. May he not lose his resolve and return the moon to its glorious light."
A/N: I am so sorry for the long delayed update. Truly I am. I lost my thumb drive (and a bit of inspiration)with all my stories on it. I think it's fated for me and my thumb drives to be star crossed because it's the fourth one in 8 years I've lost. And this one is important because it has my resume and other important information on it. Thankfully, I put a password on it but that won't stop most people. Lol. I can only imagine what they'd think if they'd see some of those disreputable stories I have saved on there with the intention of posting. Thankfully, none of my truly private info such as social security and such is on it. Just some stories and resumes. Keep your fingers crossed that I can find it.
Please forgive any grammatical or spelling grammar. And once again, I apologize for the late udpdate and short chapter. Next chapter I will try and make longer.
Thanks to all who have reviewed my last chapter. Please enjoy this one.