Oh my GOD, this took forever to do. I finished like ¾ the day after I published the last one, but I just didn't have the time to finish the rest! Oh well, I hope you guys enjoy it, I know I had fun writing it! Review please!!
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Izuru raised a hand to shield his eyes from the sun, which brought wave after wave of heat. He sighed up at the sky before looking back to the street before him, watching as Renji swung Zabimaru around for entertainment. Izuru sighed once more.
"I pray thee good Renji let's retire. The day is hot. The Kurosaki's are abroad," Izuru called to the redhead. "And if we meet we shall not escape a brawl, for in these hot day is the mad blood stirring."
Renji stopped swinging Zabimaru and sheathed it as the blonde made his way over. Once they were together, they began to walk down the street. Renji thought about what Izuru had mentioned earlier about the Kurosaki's.
"Keep away the cats!" he cried and went to put Izuru in a headlock. Izuru dodge and laughed at his friend's failed attempt. Izuru grinned and waved to Ikkaku and Yumichika as they made their way towards them to lean against the wall. Renji smirked and dove for Izuru, but once again missed. Izuru chuckled and sat himself upon a crate that happened to be there. "Thou art like one of these fellows that, when he enters the confines of a tavern claps me his sword upon the table and says, "God send me no need of thee," and by the operation of the second cup draws him on the drawer…" Renji and Ikkaku pulled out their swords at the same time, but merely grinned at the other's action. "When indeed there is no need."
As the swords were put away, Izuru looked between his friends. "Am I like such a fellow?"
Renji laughed and leaned against the wall beside Yumichika. "Thou art as hot a Jack in thy mood as any in the Seireitei." Izuru grinned and looked off to the side. His grin slowly faded as he saw a group heading in their direction, led by a mass of white. He turned to look back at Renji.
"By my head, here come the Kurosaki's."
Ikkaku and Yumichika straighten up and instinctively reached down to hold their swords at the ready. Renji shrugged and lifted his leg so that his heel was on level with Izuru's head.
"By my heel…" He grinned. "I care not."
Shirosaki stopped as his eyes landed on the boys of the Hisagi household. Uryuu and Chad came to a stop as well, just behind the albino. Shirosaki took a step forward and looked over his shoulder slightly.
"Follow me close," he told his companions before turning to Izuru's group. They walked up slowly and eye contact between the two groups never broke as the tension began to escalate. Shirosaki came to a stop a couple feet away. "Gentlemen, good day, a word with one of you?"
Izuru glanced between Yumichika and Ikkaku and found them to be doing the same. Renji, the only one who pretended not to notice the hollow's presence, suddenly jerked in mock surprise. "Oh, and but one word with one of us?" Renji pushed off the wall and gestured to his friends with a mockingly innocent expression. "Couple it with something. Make it a word and a...a blow." Ikkaku laughed and Renji grinned as he held his head in his hands before floofing the red mass. Shirosaki just stared at the lieutenant with annoyance, more than anything else.
As everyone laughed, with the exception of Izuru, who was trying so hard not to, Shirosaki spoke. "You shall find me apt enough to that, sir. And you will give me occasion." Shirosaki twitched slightly as Renji began to slink around the street, laughing. Oh, how he wanted to kill that man, but now was not the time. This is not what he came for.
"Could you not take some occasion without giving?" Renji asked with his back turned to Shirosaki as he held his hands over his head and swaying his hips. Shirosaki scanned the area, searching for his man as he felt his patience growing thin.
"Renji!" he called through grit teeth. "Thou art consortest with Shuuhei?" Shirosaki smirked as all went quiet and Renji froze. The lieutenant slowly turned to the hollow.
"Consort?" he spat. Uryuu and Chad pulled Shirosaki back as Renji turned and angrily began to make his way over. "What does thou make us minstrels? And thou make minstrels of us look to hear nothing of discords." Ikkaku and Yumichika quickly walked around to stand in front of Renji to try and stop him. Renji pushed through and began to push aside anyone in the street that got in his way. "Here's my fiddlestick. Here's that shall make you dance! Zounds, Consort!" Izuru managed to get to him and tried to push him off course. Renji moved and continued to get to Shirosaki, who began to make mocking gestures to the redhead.
"Either withdraw unto some private place, or reason coldly of your grievances, or else depart. Here all eyes gaze on us," Izuru said as Renji broke through and continued on for Shirosaki. Ikkaku and Yumichika came up to flank their friend, should he need any help. Shirosaki laughed and continued to back step away into a deserted street.
"Men's eyes were made to look, and let them gaze," Renji replied as Shirosaki let out another laugh. I will not budge for no man's pleasure, I."
Shirosaki suddenly froze, causing everyone else to do so. Shirosaki looked behind Renji at the sound of running and saw Shuuhei coming towards them. He looked back to Renji.
"Peace be with you sir, here comes my man."
"Renji!" Renji turned as Shuuhei called his name. Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Izuru all looked between Shuuhei and Shirosaki, wondering what was going on. Shirosaki looked away from Renji and to Shuuhei, who was just about upon them.
"Shuuhei!" he called. Shuuhei came to a stop and watched Shirosaki for a moment. Shirosaki returned the gaze until Shuuhei turned to look at Renji. Renji shared a glance with the tattooed man before looking back at the hollow. "The love I bear thee can afford no better term than this. Thou art a villain!" Shirosaki emphasized the statement by spiting at the lieutenant's feet. Shuuhei made no response as Uryuu walked up and drew Zangetsu for the albino. When his friend made no move to draw his own sword in defense, Renji walked over and moved to do it for him. Renji went to pull the sword out of its sheath, but Shuuhei took hold of his hand and shook his head.
Shirosaki stood there in confusion as he watched Shuuhei refuse to draw his sword. What on earth was he doing? Why wasn't he drawing his sword to fight?
Shuuhei put a hand on Renji's chest and slowly pushed him away as he made his way over to Shirosaki. The albino took one step back as a precaution, but otherwise continued to watch Shuuhei's careful approach. Once he was before him, Shuuhei looked up at Shirosaki. Shirosaki couldn't quite understand what he saw. Shuuhei had never acted in such a way before. He couldn't interpret the emotions that swirled in the other's eyes and it all made him very uneasy.
"Shirosaki," Shuuhei began, but had to pause and look down for a moment before looking back up and continuing. "The reason that I have to love thee doth much excuse the appertaining rage to such a greeting. Villain am I none. Therefore, Farwell, I see thou knowest me not." Shuuhei paused before slowly raising his hand out to the hollow. Shirosaki looked around at his companions before growling and smacking the hand away. Shuuhei sighed and looked down at his hand before looking back at Shirosaki. Renji looked between Shuuhei and Izuru, wondering what the hell was going on.
Shuuhei sighed again before turning to walk away from the hollow. Shirosaki snarled and took a step forward as Shuuhei turned his back.
"Boy this shall not excuse the injuries that thou has done me! Turn and Draw!" he called confused and enraged as to why he was being refused. As Shuuhei walked though his friends he looked back at Shirosaki over his shoulder. Shirosaki growled and ran forward before slamming his fist upside Shuuhei's head. Shuuhei fell to the ground and rolled over his a groan. Shirosaki delivered a harsh kick to the other's gut. "Turn and draw! Turn and draw! Turn and draw! Turn and draw!" Renji took a panicked step forward to help his friend, not knowing what to do.
Shuuhei propped himself up on his elbow and held up his hand for the hollow to stop. "I do protest I never injured thee, but love thee better than thou cans't devise till thou shall know the reason of my love. And so good Kurosaki whose name I tender as dearly as mine own," he cried. Shirosaki looked down at the soul reaper before him, feeling a panic rise within. All those behind them looked at one another in panicked confusion. Neither groups had no idea as to why Shuuhei was acting this way. Shirosaki's eyes widened as Shuuhei drew his sword and held it out for the hollow to take. "Be satisfied. Be satisfied."
Shirosaki snarled and roughly smacked the sword out of Shuuhei's hand. Renji clenched his fists as he felt anger quickly bubbling up within his gut. He felt it grow into rage as he watched Shirosaki shove Shuuhei, who was trying to get up, back down onto the ground.
"Calm, dishonorable, vile Submission!" he growled as he began walking towards Shirosaki.
Shuuhei staggered to his feet, but didn't have much time before Shirosaki gave him a swift punch to the jaw, sending him back to the ground. Shuuhei groaned as the hollow proceeded to kick him once again.
"Thou art my souls hate!" Shirosaki cried at the body beneath his foot. Renji snapped and drew his sword. He glared at the metal before throwing it on the ground and making a run at the hollow.
"Shirosaki! You rat catcher, will you walk?" Shirosaki froze, pausing from punching Shuuhei, when he suddenly dropped the body and jumped out of the way to avoid behind struck by Renji. Renji lunged forward and grabbed hold of Shirosaki's shoulders roughly. Shirosaki did the same to avoid getting hit again.
"What wouldst thou have with me?" demanded the hollow. His fight was with Shuuhei, not this piece of scum!
"Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives," Renji growled tightening his grip. How dare he harm Shuuhei so when the other showed such unwillingness to fight and even peace?! Renji grunted as Shirosaki broke out of the hold and punched him in the cheek. Renji stumbled back and Shirosaki ran forward to ram Renji in the stomach with his shoulder. Renji took the blow, but grabbed Shirosaki and turned around and slammed the hollow up against the wall. Without hesitation the redhead pulled back and slammed his fist against the hollow's jaw. He drew back and struck again. Then, while the hollow was dazed, threw him to the other wall and into a glass window. The glass shattered and Shirosaki fell forward with a groan. Renji reached down and meet Shuuhei's gaze as he picked up a stray piece of wood.
Just as Renji was going to strike Shirosaki with the new weapon, Shuuhei lunged forward and wrapped himself around his friend, struggling to keep him from hitting the hollow. Shirosaki looked up in confusion as Shuuhei turned Renji to face him.
"Forbear this outrage, good Renji," Shuuhei pleaded. Renji stopped struggling and looked down at his pleading friend. Shirosaki growled and grabbed a piece of glass.
At the sound of a cry from Shirosaki, Renji looked behind Shuuhei to see the hollow running forward with the piece of glass. Shirosaki went to stab Shuuhei, but Renji let out a cry of his own and shoved Shuuhei out of the way just the glass met flesh. Renji fell to his knees holding his stomach. Shirosaki dropped the glass and took a few staggering steps back. Shuuhei slowly pushed himself off the ground.
Renji began to chuckle as he slowly got to his feet, holding his stomach. He staggered a little as he laughed and Izuru cautiously stepped forward, reaching out to touch his friend's shoulder.
"Art thou hurt?" he asked. Renji grinned a lopsided grin and staggered away from the touch.
"Ay, ay, a scratch, a scratch, a scratch" he assured his friends, laughing. Izuru smiled half heartedly as panic began to seep through him. "A scratch." Renji laughed and turned away from the group half way. Shuuhei walked over to him.
"Courage man, the hurt can not be much," Shuuhei said holding his own stomach. Renji laughed again.
"'Twill serve. Ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man," he answered patting Shuuhei's cheek playfully. He laughed again, only this time it seemed laced with unseen pain and panic. He turned away from everyone and let the pain finally show as his breathing became labored. He slowly removed his hand and looked down at his side to see a large gash in his side with blood beginning to seep through his clothes. He covered the wound, unable to bear the sight. Slowly, he turned and face the group, hunched over slightly from the pain.
"A plague on both your houses," he said to them. Shirosaki stared at the redhead with some unknown emotion that even the hollow cold not explain, even to himself. Renji turned and took a couple steps away. "They have made worms meat of me." He took a few more steps before turning and glaring at all in sight. "A plague on both your houses!"
Shuuhei began to follow the wounded man as he quickly staggered down the street, away from them. He reached out to grab his shoulder, but Renji shoved him away with a cry. As they continued to get further away, Izuru, Yumichika, and Ikkaku made chase. Renji continued to stagger along as Shuuhei tried to reach him. Finally, he dropped to his knees and then to his side. Shuuhei fell down beside him and turned him over.
Shirosaki watched from down the road and could not help the guilt that rushed through him (1). He looked back at Uryuu and Chad before looking back down the street at the wounded man and his companions.
Shuuhei slowly turned Renji to get him onto his back. The older man let out a cry at the blood that soaked his friend's shihakushou. Renji grabbed Shuuhei's arm.
"Why the devil did you come between us? I was hurt under your arm," he managed to say. Shuuhei reached down and cradled Renji's head in his hands as tears began to pool in his eyes.
"I thought all for the best!" Shuuhei cried to his friend. Renji took a gasping breath before looking up at Shuuhei.
"A plague on both your…houses…."
Shuuhei gasped and studied the face for a moment before letting out a cry. He shook the now still body gently before letting out another cry and holding Renji's head to his chest. (2)
"Renji!" Izuru collapsed to the ground and let out a mournful cry of his own. Ikkaku turned away and Yumichika used him for support as Shuuhei let out another wail.
Shirosaki stood there transfixed on the spot as he watched the scene unfold. He couldn't move; held down by the sheer weight of his horror, guilt and sorrow. He killed Renji. He killed Renji. H was jerked out of his inner turmoil as Uryuu and Chad grabbed him and began to pull him down and out of the street. Shirosaki looked back over his shoulder multiple times towards where Renji lay dead, before he was dragged around a corner and out of sight.
Shuuhei held the body to him unable to let go. Renji was gone, dead. He was never coming back. He'd never say all those witty comments, never wrestle with him, never anything. Shuuhei sniffled and swiped at the tears streaming down his face before slowly placing the body down and standing up. He stared down at the bloody body before him and ran his hands through his hair. People were beginning to gather and those who had seen the event were deadly silent. Shuuhei lowered his hands as a rage slowly began to build inside him. Shirosaki did this. Shirosaki took his best friend away from him.
Shuuhei clenched his fists and staggered to his left, down the street in the direction that Shirosaki had exited. After a few steps, he began to walk faster. Izuru gasped and spun around just as Shuuhei broke out into a run.
"No!" The blonde cried chasing after him. Shuuhei pushed past people in blind rage as he turned the corner. Izuru caught of and took hold of him, but Shuuhei turned and shoved him off, sending Izuru to the ground. Then, with nothing else in his way, used shun-po to find the man that he was going to kill.
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Ichigo sat on his bed and stared out his window into the night. Tonight he and Shuuhei were to be together and he found, though he was excited as hell earlier, he was strangely calm and content now. He smiled and flopped down onto his pillows. Okay, he lied. The more he thought about it, the more the excitement began to return, until it was almost fully there again.
"Come gentle night. Come loving black-browned night give me my Shuuhei. And when I shall die, take him and cut him out into little stars, and he will make the face of heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night and pay no worship to the garish sun. Oh, I have bought the mansion of love but not possessed, and though I am sold, not yet enjoyed. Oh, tedious is this day, as the night before some festival to an impatient child that hath new robes and may not wear them."
He grinned and shook his head laughing at himself before rolling over on his side to watch the stars that lay outside past the glass.
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Shuuhei let out a cry of rage as he spotted Shirosaki in the busy square. After many hours of searching, he finally found the bastard!
Shirosaki turned just in time to see a flash of light before he and his companions were slammed against the nearest wall. The people panicked and stepped away from Shuuhei, who cast the kidou spell. Shirosaki slowly staggered to his feet as he felt blood trickle down the side of his head. At the same time, both he and Shuuhei noticed Zangetsu, who lay in the street between them. They both made a run for it, but Shirosaki was the faster of the two and grabbed the sword before the other. Shirosaki held up his sword as Shuuhei began to circle him, angry tears slipping down his cheeks.
"Renji's soul is but a little way above our heads staying for thine to keep him company!" Shuuhei cried smacking the hand that held the sword. Shirosaki took a step back
"Thou, wretched boy shalt with him hence!" the hollow spat. Shuuhei lowered himself to his knees and held the tip of the sword to his neck.
"Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him! Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him! Either thou, or I, or both, must go with him!" Shuuhei cried, growing angrier and more hateful with each word. He shoved the sword away and Shirosaki fell back, dropping the sword. Shuuhei fell forward as well and spotted the sword. He reached for it and held on as he stood. As Shirosaki stagger to get up, Shuuhei ran forward.
All went silent as Shirosaki gasped at the warm feeling pooling in his gut. Slowly, he looked down to see Zangetsu positioned strangely through his shihakushou. Shuuhei stared at the pale face with hate for a few more seconds before realization slowly dawned on his face. Shuuhei looked up at Shirosaki's pain struck face before the albino fell back and off the sword.
Zangetsu clattered to the ground as Shuuhei took a few staggering steps back. He took in a couple gasping breaths before looking up to the sky.
"I am Fortune's fool!"
Through the crowd someone broke through and took hold of Shuuhei's shoulder. Shuuhei started at the touch but, relaxed slightly as he saw it was Izuru. Izuru shoved Shuuhei away from the body and towards a different direction.
"Shuuhei! Away be gone, stand not amazed!" cried the blonde. Shuuhei looked back towards Shirosaki as more tears began to flow. Izuru grabbed Shuuhei's shoulder more firmly this time and shoved him away again. "Away!"
Shuuhei took one last mournful look at Shirosaki before turning and disappearing into the night.
The square became more crowded as fourth squad medics and second squad punishment forces arrived to take care of everything. Shirosaki's body was placed on a stretcher and was being taken away as Lady Hiyori broke through.
"Shirosaki!" she cried reaching forward to hold the body. Tears streamed down her face as more mournful cries escaped the lady for her nephew.
Byakuya approached the scene and looked around at the damage. His eyes narrowed at the sight of the effects of the Kidou spell and that of Shirosaki's body. "Where are the vile beginners of this fray?" His eyes landed upon Izuru who sat with his head in his hands on a chair provided by the fourth squad. The captain made his way over to the blonde.
"Izuru, who began this bloody fray?"
Izuru looked up only to look back down as he felt tears began to pool again. He took a shaky breath before looking back up at the captain. "Shuuhei, he cries aloud, hold friends. Shirosaki hit the life of brave Renji. Shirosaki here is slain. Shuuhei's hand did slay." A cry from behind Byakuya caused him to turn. He caught sight of a very distraught Lady Hiyori being held back by some squad two members. "Shuuhei spoke him fair…could not take truce with the unruly spleen of Shirosaki, deaf to peace."
Lady Hiyori broke out of her holds and walked up to Izuru. "It's the kinsman to the Hisagi, affection makes him false!" Izuru raised his arm to cover his face from her onslaught of smacks. The two that were holding her before managed to grab her and pull her back. "I beg for justice which thou prince must give, Shuuhei slew Shirosaki! Shuuhei must not live!" Byakuya turned and cast a cold look upon Lady Hiyori.
"Shuuhei slew him, he slew Renji. Who now the price of his dear blood doth owe?" Byakuya asked just as coldly. Lady Hiyori looked away as tears began to flow once more. Byakuya sighed before walking away from the woman. After a few steps Lord Kensei appeared beside the captain.
"Not Shuuhei, Prince, he was Renji's friend; his fault concludes but what the law should end, the life of Shirosaki," Lord Kensei said, trying to reason with the other man. Byakuya looked over at the other without breaking his stride.
"And for that offense immediately we do exile him." Kensei froze and looked taken aback.
"Noble Prince-" Byakuya turned, his spiritual pressure becoming apparent.
"I will be deaf to pleading and excuses. Nor tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses, therefore use none," he said raising his voice ever so slightly. "Let Shuuhei hence in haste, else when he is found that hour is his last! Shuuhei is banished!"
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"Banishment?" Shuuhei questioned with a pained look. "Be merciful, say death; for exile hath more terror in his look much more than death. Do not say banishment."
Juushiro scowled and looked over at the youth sitting in the chair beside him. "Affliction is enamored of thy parts, and thou art wedded to calamity." He sighed and pulled up a chair beside Shuuhei, who now had his head buried in his hands. "Hence from Soul Society art thou banished. Be patient, for the human world is broad and wide." Shuuhei lowered his hands and looked over at the captain.
"There is no world without Soul Society walls, hence banished is banished from the world and world's exile is death. Then banished is death mis-termed. Calling death banished, thou cut's my head off with a golden axe and smiles upon the stroke that murders me."
Juushiro huffed and threw his arms up in exasperation. "Oh deadly sin, Oh rude unthankful-ness! This is dear mercy and thou sees it not." Juushiro's head shot up at the sound of a knock at his door. He grabbed Shuuhei by the arm and pulled him up. "Hence!"
Once he shoved Shuuhei safely under his desk, Juushiro opened the door. He was surprised to see Rukia, Ichigo's nurse standing there. He quickly stood aside to let her in. Once the door was shut, she turned to Juushiro.
"I come for my lord Ichigo," she told him. Juushiro nodded in understanding.
"Welcome."
"Where is my lord's lord?" she asked looking around, slightly out of breath. Juushiro pulled out the chair to his desk and backed away.
"Shuuhei, come forth." Shuuhei slowly climbed out from under the desk and stood to greet Rukia.
"Nurse."
Rukia covered his mouth in surprise at the wounds that she could see. She slowly walked up and put a comforting hand on his arm. "Sir. Ah, sir. Death the end of all."
"Speakest thou of Ichigo? Where is he? And how doth he? And what say my concealed lord of our canceled love?" Shuuhei asked quietly.
"Oh, he says nothing sir, but weeps and weeps, and then on Shuuhei cries and then falls down again," Rukia explained. She lowered her eyes as she remembered his reaction only moments ago. The strawberry couldn't believe it at first. When it finally sunk in he tried not to cry over the death of his cousin, whom, though they fought often, he loved very much. When he heard of Shuuhei's banishment, he got angry and threw things, getting angry at both Shuuhei and Shirosaki for being so stupid. Then, he eventually broke down as the effect of the word banishment took its toll. She knew he hated for her to see him cry, hell, it made her want to cry too. She sighed and shook her head sadly. Shuuhei looked away, unable to hold her gaze.
"As if that name, shot from the deadly level of a gun did murder his, as that name's cursed hand did murder his kinsman," he said sadly as he buried his face in his palms. Juushiro looked at Shuuhei with a slight scowl.
"I thought thy disposition better tempered!" he said walking over to a cabinet to get a clean shihakushou top for Shuuhei. "Thy Ichigo is alive. There art thou happy. Shirosaki would kill thee, but thou slew'st Shirosaki here art thou happy. The law that threatened death becomes thy friend and turns it to exile. There art thou happy, a pack of blessings light upon thy back." Rukia turned Shuuhei around to help his get the top on. "Wherefore railest thou on thy birth the heaven and earth? Since birth and heaven and earth all three do meet in thee at once."
Once the garment was on, Rukia sat Shuuhei down and stood before him. "Sir, a ring my lord bid me give you." She handed him a silver band that had his and Ichigo's initials engraved. Shuuhei cradled the ring before pressing it to his lips.
"How well my comfort is revived by this."
Juushiro walked over to Shuuhei and pulled him up to his feet before dragging him to the door. The captain stuck his head out to check to see if it was clear before turning to Shuuhei once more.
"Hie, you make haste! But look thou stay not till the watch be set. For then thou canst not pass to the human world where thou shalt live till we can find a time to blaze you marriage, reconcile your friends, beg pardon of the Prince and call thee back with twenty hundred times more joy, than thou wentst forth in lamentation," he told the younger. Shuuhei nodded. Juushiro smiled and gave the lieutenant a strong but brief hug before pulling away. "Quick hence! Be gone by break of day! Sojourn in the human world." Shuuhei nodded.
"Farewell," he said before turning and disappearing from sight.
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Ichigo lay on his bed staring up at his ceiling as he felt a slight numbness sink into his limbs. After a moment he sighed and turned to face his window.
"Oh God. Did Shuuhei's hand shed Shiro's blood? Oh serpent heart hid with a flowering face. Was ever book containing such vile matters so fairly bound? Oh, that deceit should dwell in such a gorgeous palace."
Downstairs, Lord Shinji, Lady Hiyori and Ms. Inoue stood staring up the stairs that led to Ichigo's room. Lady Hiyori sighed and looked over at the other two.
"He'll not come down tonight," she announced sadly. Orihime looked down at the flowers in her hands.
"These times of woe afford no time to woo," she said smiling softly. Lord Shinji looked down at her.
"Look you, he loved his kinsman Shirosaki dearly," he said crossing his arms. Lady Hiyori nodded and looked away.
"And so did I."
"Well," Shinji said shrugging his shoulders. "We were born to die."
"I'll know his mind early tomorrow, but tonight he's mewed up to his heaviness," said Lady Hiyori as she took Orihime's flowers. The other two nodded before they walked off to some other part of the house.
Ichigo sighed and looked towards the window for the millionth time. 'Shall I speak ill of him that is my husband? Oh, oh my lord. What tongue shall sooth thy name when I three hour's husband had mangled it. But why, poor villain, hath thou killed my cousin?' he thought looking away, back to the ceiling. He sighed and laid a palm to rest on his forehead. He shot up though, at the sound of someone climbing through the window. Shuuhei looked up and gazed at his love for a moment before looking away sadly as he pulled himself into the room.
After a moment, Shuuhei looked back to Ichigo to see the strawberry smiling. Shuuhei blinked before smiling as warmth spread through his body. How could he think that Ichigo would hate him? He was being silly. As if reading the older man's thought, Ichigo swung his feet over the edge of the bed and made his way over to his lover. Without pausing in movement, Ichigo reached up and pulled Shuuhei into a kiss. Shuuhei smiled as he slipped his arms around his angel's waist to pull them closer to one another. Ichigo pulled back a moment later only to pull Shuuhei into a tight embrace. Shuuhei returned the gesture, holding the strawberry as tightly as he dared.
Shuuhei detached one arm from Ichigo's waist to pull back and rest the hand on the tanned cheek. Ichigo smiled as he leaned to rest their foreheads together. Shuuhei smiled gently in reply, lower his lips to slowly kiss the others. Somewhere along the line, the kiss began to deepen until Ichigo pulled back, hands setting themselves to work at the lieutenant's shihakushou. Shuuhei let out a small hiss of pain, brought upon him by his wounds from his previous beating, as he helped the younger remove the article of clothing. Once it was off, Ichigo gently ran his fingertips over a cut on the tattooed cheek that, he concluded, was from Shirosaki.
Shuuhei allowed his head to be gently turned as Ichigo ran his eyes and fingers over the skin, a small frown tugging at his lips. Shuuhei turned his head and brushed his lips against Ichigo's wrist, silently wishing him to stop. Shuuhei didn't want his angel to think of such trivial things such as the small cuts he had received. Ichigo sighed silently, but complied to the wish nonetheless. Shuuhei smiled and placed a short kiss on his lips before pulling back to smile again. Ichigo looked down briefly before looking back up.
The strawberry reached behind him as he felt Shuuhei brush his fingers along the rim of Ichigo's shirt, in attempt to help remove the piece of clothing. As it dropped to the ground, the two merely stood there, admiring one other before looking up simultaneously. The two smiled at each other before allowing themselves to lose their way in passion and sweet touches.
Back downstairs, oblivious of the lovers above them, Lord Shinji, Lady Hiyori, and Ms. Orihime sat in one of the mansion's large rooms. For the longest time they had been discussing Ichigo's happiness, and the topic had finally fallen upon a marriage between her and the strawberry.
"I will makes a desperate tender of my child's love. I think he will be ruled in all respect by me. Nay, more, I doubt it not. But what say you to Thursday?" Lord Shinji finally asked, speaking a little louder than necessary due to the drink in his hands. Orihime blinked before giggling, feeling a little uncomfortable.
"My lord, I..," she stuttered, trying to think of something to say to the lord. However, when she looked over to see Lady Hiyori watching her she sighed and put on a bright smile. "I would wish that Thursday were tomorrow."
"A Thursday let it be then," Lord Shinji exclaimed excitedly. He turned to Lady Hiyori. "Wife, you go to Ichigo ere you go to bed. Tell him, a Thursday he will be married to this noble lady!" Lady Hiyori smiled and nodded before standing up and exiting the room to leave the two alone.
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Shuuhei gasped as his eyes shot open. He blinked for a moment, trying to adjust to the morning light that was seeping through the window. He closed his eyes and laid his head back against the pillow. Those images of Shirosaki haunt him even now, when he lay there enjoying the warmth that's coming from his angel beside him. Shuuhei cracked an eye open when he felt Ichigo's hand slowly slide up to rest itself on his neck. Shuuhei turned his head to kiss the wrist before moving to kiss up the arm and to the shoulder as he slowly turned to face Ichigo. Said berry smiled as he felt Shuuhei place a small kiss on his shoulder before jumping to his lips.
Shuuhei smiled and lay his hand to rest on the soft locks on the side of Ichigo's head. He placed another kiss on his love's lips before turning to sit on the edge of the bed. Ichigo smiled and propped himself up on one elbow, admiring the view of Shuuhei's strong back as the lieutenant reached down to put on his undergarments. Shuuhei winced slightly as some of the wounds on his legs and side cracked. Ichigo reached up and ran his hand over his knight's shoulder as he sat himself up to rest his chin where his hand had once been.
"Wilt thou be gone? It is not yet near day," he said placing a kiss on the shoulder. Shuuhei smiled as he began to pull on the top of his shihakushou.
"I must be gone and live, or stay and die," he replied. Ichigo chuckled and leaned back on his left arm to smile out the window.
"That light is not daylight, I know it, I. It is some meteor that the sun exhales to light thee on thy way to the world of the living." He leaned over and pushed Shuuhei back until he was lying on top of his knight. "Therefore stay yet. Thou needest not be gone." Shuuhei snorted.
"Let me be taken, let me be put to death," he said as he flipped Ichigo over and pulled the sheets overtop of them. "I have more care to stay then will to go. Come death, Welcome, Ichigo wills it so." He sat up, lifting the sheet with him, but still keeping them covered. "How is't my soul? Let us talk it is not day."
Ichigo chuckled as Shuuhei leaned back down to place feather-light kisses down his neck. The berry tried to find his way out of the sheets as best he could with a sex god hanging around his neck. (3)
"It is, It is! Hie hence, be gone, away. Oh, now be gone. More light and light it grows," he said as they sat up and let the sheets rest on their shoulders Shuuhei smiled and placed his forehead against the berry's.
"More light and light, more dark and dark our woes." He smiled as he kissed his love, wishing that this moment would never end. Well, of course, fate decides to, you know, choose now of all times to pick on him. Rukia burst into the room and the two break away in surprise.
"Sir!" Rukia cries as Ichigo wraps himself more snugly with the sheet and Shuuhei falls off the bed. Rukia rolled her eyes and quickly shut the door before turning back to the two, suddenly looking panicked. "Your lady mother is coming to your chamber!"
Ichigo felt the blood drain out of his face and he quickly tossed the sheet off as Shuuhei scrambled to get the rest of his clothes on. Screw this! Rukia raised him since he was a freaking baby! Now is not the time to be getting self-conscience. Rukia spun around and quickly grabbed a robe.
"Ho, son are you up?" All three froze for a second before moving even more quickly. Shuuhei pulled on his pants just as Rukia managed to get the robe around Ichigo's shoulders. Rukia paused to muse at how quickly Shuuhei got them on as Ichigo ran over, tying the robe. Ichigo helped Shuuhei up before dragging him towards the window.
"Then window, let day in and let life out," he said as Shuuhei climbed out. Thank god for these ugly ass drapes his mother made him hang in his room. He could hear her turning the knob. "Oh, think'st thou we shall ever meet again?"
"I doubt it not," Shuuhei answered as he got a grip on the trellis. He looked back up at Ichigo, who was leaning out as far as he could go. "Trust me, love, all these woes shall serve for sweet discourses in our times to come. Adieu."
Ichigo smiled sadly before leaning down and kissing his love. Lady Hiyori looked around the room in confusion. Where the hell was Ichigo? She finally managed to catch sight of him through the curtains leaning out the window.
"Ichigo!"
The two broke the kiss as Shuuhei allowed himself to drop soundlessly onto the ground below. Ichigo straightened up and turned quickly to face his mother. She stared up at him, hands resting on hips, for a moment before sighing and throwing her hands above her head and facing away from him. The strawberry looked over at Rukia to see her giving him a look while letting out a sigh of relief. Ichigo scratched the back of his head as he looked at the window from the corner of his eye. Slowly, he turned back to the window and leaned against the frame to look down into the yard.
'Oh God, I have an ill-divining soul,' he thought as he watched Shuuhei look back up at him silently. Shuuhei mouthed 'Goodbye' to his angel once more before turning and disappearing from the property. 'Oh fortune, fortune, be fickle fortune; for then I hope that thou will not keep him long but send him back.'
Ichigo jumped and turned back around as Lady Hiyori came forward to open the curtains more, hoping to let in some light. Mothers did that sort of thing, right? She scowled before moving to place the curtains in their holdings.
"Thou hast a careful father, child. One who, to put thee from thy heaviness, hath sorted out a sudden day of joy that thou expects nor I looked not for." She somehow found herself smiling as she finished her job and began to lead Ichigo to his bed. She suddenly felt excited and anxious to see his reaction for this moment. Despite her usual attitude, she does love him, and she was happy to hear that her child was getting married.
Ichigo on the other hand was very confused and thoroughly freaked out at his mother's cheerful countenance. The last time he saw her like this he and 'Shiro were left in a closet for a week. Ichigo paled at the memory, but decided to get the torture over with.
"Madam, in happy time what day is that?" he asked as they sat together on the edge of the bed. Rukia drifted over to listen, setting to straightening the sheets as an excuse.
"Marry, my child, next Thursday Morn. The beautiful, young and noble Lady, Madam Orihime, at Captain Ukitake's Squad, shall make thee there a joyful groom," Hiyori explained excitedly. She searched his face for the happiness he was sure to have, but her excitement began to drop when all she saw was shock and slight hysteria. Ichigo looked away slowly as he turned to face slightly away from his mother.
"What?" he asked quietly. After a moment, he intended to speak calmly about this, but when he opened his mouth all he felt was anything but calm. "Now, Squad Thirteen, and Ukitake too, he shall not make me there a joyful groom!" He stood up and walked over to the window as the angry and hysterical words flew from his mouth. Shit, he wasn't going to cry. He was not going to cry. Lady Hiyori watched in shock as he left the bed and spoke. Hearing someone coming down the stairs, she quickly looked before looking to Ichigo again.
"Here comes your father, tell him so yourself." Ichigo turned just as Lord Shinji walked through the door with a grin adorning his face.
"How now wife? Have you delivered to him our decree?" he asked walking towards the bed where Hiyori sat. Hiyori stood and faced her husband.
"Ay, sir! But he will none, he gives you thanks," she replied cheerfully, but as she came beside him she paused. "I would the fool were married to his grave." She looked over her shoulder to throw Ichigo a cold look, which he returned with enthusiasm.
Shinji frowned as his gaze drifted to his son who looked to be on the brink of tears. "How? He will none? Is he not proud? Doth he not count his blest, unworthy as he is, that we have wrought so worth a lady to be his groom?" He started out in a calm manner but by the end Shinji found himself to be sputtering in anger. Why, that ungrateful little shit!
"Not proud you have, but thankful that you have," Ichigo stated as he walked towards his father. Anger and sorrow boiled in his chest as the tears finally let loose. "Proud can I never be of what I hate!" (4)
"Thanks me no thanking, nor proud me no proud!" Shinji yelled as he harshly grabbed the now screaming strawberry. Ichigo struggled to get loose, but Shinji threw him to the ground in a hysterical heap. "But fettle your joints against Thursday next!"
Ichigo struggled to get on his feet. "Hear me with patience!" Shinji, almost on the same level of angry hysteria as his son, spun around and made to grab his son by the neck, but Rukia and Hiyori grabbed him by the shoulders, causing him to miss and grab the shoulders instead. Shinji drove Ichigo into the hallway, dragging Rukia and Hiyori as well as he vented his anger on his son.
"Speak not. Reply not! Do not answer me!" he yelled as he broke away from the two women. Ichigo almost stumbled as he was shoved backwards down the hallway. Hiyori ran forward and jumped onto Shinji's back to try and restrain him.
"Fie, fie, are you mad!?" she cried. Shinji let go of Ichigo to grab Hiyori and throw her from his back. Ichigo stood there, hands balled into fists as he watched his mother fall to the floor. Shinji rounded back to him and grabbed him by the shoulder so roughly Ichigo could feel the man's fingernails through his clothing. (5)
"Hang thee, young baggage, disobedient wretch!" Rukia ran forward and attempted to pry the Lord's hands from her charge.
"God in heaven bless him! You are to blame, my lord to rate him so!" She cried. How dare he do this to him!? Shinji looked away from Ichigo to the nurse and cast her a deadly look.
"Peace you mumbling fool!" he cried shoving her away. He looked back to Ichigo. "I tell thee what-get thee to the squad on Thursday or never after look me in the face an you be mine, I give you to my friend. An you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets, trust to it. Bethink you. I'll not be forsworn!" With that, he threw his son on the floor before turning and stomping away. Ichigo watched him go away in his rage before turning to Hiyori who was propping herself against the wall.
"Oh sweet my mother, cast me not away. Delay this marriage for a month, a week! Or if you do not, make the bridal bed in that dim monument where Shirosaki lies," he cried. Hiyori stood there panting for a moment before slowly turning to glance at her sputtering excuse for a son. She stared at him for a moment as she felt disgust fill her being.
"Talk not to me for I'll not speak a word. Do as thou wilt for I have done with thee." Ichigo watched in horror as his mother looked down at him once more before turning and walking away. He sat there in silence for a moment before letting out a cry and slamming his fist into the ground. He felt the tears well in his eyes again as he continued to force his fist upon the ground.
Damn it! Damn it! DAMN IT!
Rukia stood there in sorrow for a minute before walking over and gently placing a hand on his head. Ichigo froze and slowly turned to look up at his nurse. He looked away, unable to bear the sympathy lingering in her eyes.
"Oh God! Oh Nurse, how shall this be prevented? What sayest thou? Hast thou not a word of joy? Some comfort nurse," he pleaded, looking back to face her. Rukia sighed and bent down to help him to his feet. From there she led him back to his room, hoping to calm him down. Once she sat him down on the bed she closed the door and turned back to him. Ichigo felt dread seep into his heart at her new expression.
"Faith, here it is. I think it best you marry with this Orihime. Oh, she's a lovely lady. I think you are happy in this second match, for it excels your first. Or if it did not, your first is dead--or 'twere as good he were as living here and you no use to him," she said. By the time she was finished, Ichigo found genuine hope lingering in her words. Maybe if he married Orihime, he wouldn't harm himself over losing Shuuhei. This was for the best, right?
As she turned away to busy herself with cleaning the room, Ichigo glared down at the floor in disgust. Was no one going to help him? Was he going to be forced to marry Orihime when his heart belonged only to Shuuhei?
"Speakest thou from thy heart?" he asked looking away from her. Rukia sighed and paused in her work to look over at him.
"And from my soul, too, else beshrew them both." Ichigo sat silently staring at the wall. He wouldn't do this. He couldn't bear to have anyone but Shuuhei. He had one last option before him and he no choice but to take it. With his resolve in place he closed his eyes and allowed himself to picture his knight's handsome face.
"Amen..."
"What?" Rukia asked standing up. Did he say something? Ichigo turned towards her with a sudden smile plastered upon his face. Rukia was startled at the sudden change, but found that she was relieved to see him smiling again. Maybe he finally found some sense.
"Well, thou hast comforted me marvelous much. Go in and tell my lady I am gone, having displeased my father to Ukitake to make confession and be absolved," he declared standing up. Rukia smiled and immediately dropped what she was doing. This was great! Maybe with the marriage Ichigo will be happy again. And if he was happy that was all she needed. With that in mind, she immediately ran off to tell the lady.
As he watched her go Ichigo allowed his smile to drop. He would go and speak to Ukitake as he said, but he, the last one who could be of any help, were unable to find a way out of this, then he could say goodbye to his family and everything else. He will die before he marries someone other than Shuuhei.
With those final thoughts, Ichigo changed into some cleans clothes and left to find some solace in squad thirteen.
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(1) Not…………
(2) RENJI!!!!!!! –bawlsnffilesnifflecry-
(3)…..-gigglesnortlaugh- Sorry, sorry! XD I had to put that in somewhere! XD
(4) Poor Orihime XD I make her sound horrible X3
(5) Da-----mn, Shinji's a beast O.O
Finished! Whoot! Okay, I'm done. I'll start on the next one since I'm in the writing mood! So, review please! Even if it's criticism, but the hateful stuff I'll just laugh at XD All righty! Onto act 4~!!!!