Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of it's characters.
It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.
- Roy Disney
"No."
Orihime stumbled forward, her hands trembling as she shook her head side to side warning her that her current choice of words weren't wise at this particular moment. Glaring back at her, Rukia looked around and again was surprised by the emotions that swirled around the audience's faces and eyes. Raging from sadness to anger to surprise. A few grins were plastered on some (mainly woman ranging from three and ten to eight and thirty) but overall she saw- no, felt- the energy surrounding the hall.
It was beautifully decorated, red drapes hanging from the ceiling concealing the opening to the grand hall. Blue and purple flower petals scattered on the floor forming a trail leading to the far end to where she was now at.
Every single person wore kilts, showing off enough knee and ankle for a lifetime. It must be comfortable since not one of them spoke of not being so.
Driving her hands up and down on her own gown, she felt out of place and taking a quick glance at Orihime's direction she could tell that her friend felt the same way. She grasped her hands in front of her, resting them silently in a grip on her lap.
What uncommon people, sighting for the nth time she moved her body towards the priest in front of her. Once again she repeated her answer, this time raising her voice in case anyone- or rather someone- didn't hear her the first time.
"I have said that I would rather not marry Lord Kurosaki. I thank him for being so frank and bringing me here," she smiled softly at the wide-eyed priest who was apparently having a difficult time breathing, "but I must decline. So good day to you sir."
Not waiting for anyone to speak, as if they could, they were all staring at her as if she'd gone mad, she quickly grabbed her friends' hand and walked briskly to the doors. Maybe if she could just get past those doors she will find a-
She felt her hand touch the wooden surface of the door when a hand snaked around her waist, hauling her up in the air.
She felt the oncoming scream get clogged in her throat, a soft growl taking its place instead. Her left hand felt vacant of her friends', which must had slipped from her grip when she was lifted up in the air. Cranking her neck around she met with hot amber orbs that were cutting through her own amethyst ones. The ever-present scowl looked much harder than when she last saw it, a soft but deep growl coming out from said persons' lips.
Her whole body felt numb, but that can not be right, can't it? This man could not possibly scare her... Right?
Wrong.
Flexing her fingers she was surprised that she could actually move them, so the question was, how could Ichigo Kurosaki make her insides turn into a puddle of heat with just one look? Was this man even human? Probably not with that hair color of his, not that she has not seen outrageous colors of hair before.
Lifting her hand up to his face she softly brushed his cheek, feeling his body go still for a second before he pressed her flush into his body. "Do not make an idiotic mistake by refusing my offer, you should count yourself lucky that I have asked you to be my wife.
"Any of those woman currently present in this hall would rather be in your place right at this moment and would not refuse to be married to me," tightening his hands around her waist he lifted her up towards his eye level.
"Then why did you chose me instead of any of those woman to marry you? I am no different then the lot of them," they stared at each other for a few seconds, neither breaking eye contact with the other. "If what you need is a wife then it would be my pleasure to hand you off to any of these unmarried women. Now if you would be so kind as to let me down and let me presume my walk-"
"You mean your escape?" Ichigo chuckled as her face heated up in embarrassment. That insolent buffoon! It not mattered that he is a Lord, he should know how to respect a woman, especially one as herself.
The hall became silent as both stared at each other with such vigor, "I do not need any of this childishness you have set upon yourself on me."
His reply was once again silent as she glared back at him, her lips twitching at the corners. He could not decide if she wanted to smile or to smirk at him but he would have neither. "Hey, I am talking to you!"
Again he was met with silence but this time her lips turned into a grin as her glare dissolved into a nonchalant stare. He was about to open his mouth to say something that would snap her out of her current state when she turned and looked down at the woman who was tugging at her dress.
"Orihime," standing up on the tip of her toes, her friend whispered quietly into Rukia's ear and scurried back to where she was once standing at. The woman before him sigh as she turned her face back at him, "fine, I would think this offer through and I would tell you the following morn."
A sudden spark lit up inside of him, something he couldn't explain what it meant or what it was. Nodding he let her down as she walked back to where her friend was at, "I would like to retire now, the day grows dark."
Impatient, ungrateful little- his thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of his second-in-command who was surprisingly taking a liking to Lady Kuchiki's friend. A grin stretched upon his face, thinking of the wonderful time he's going to have in pestering his friend about Inoue Orihime . Could it be his friend has found love?
"Rukia, what are we going to do? We can't just leave this place like we did back home, they will find us with all the guards outside."
Orihime started trembling again, her once steady hands visibly shaking. It was an uncommon thing for Orihime to be so worried. She was always known to have a smile upon her face when she talked to anyone, a soft voice when spoken, a sincere heart for those who needed mending of their own.
Her friend was the only healer back at her place, a person whom has been called a miracle worker. Whenever someone was injured, sick, in labor or about to die they always came to her soft-spoken friend.
She herself had been able to seen her at work, repositioning a broken bone, mending an open wound or making medicine with herbs. No one knew how she did it but whoever has come to her before wasn't six feet under. Rukia may not believe in the above and beyond but she did believe that her friend truly had the hands of an angel.
"I'll think of something, but so far we need to avoid Kurosaki and everyone in this household," looking up at her dearest friend she laid both her hands on Orihime's shoulders, "we will escape, it just depends on when and how."
A small smile started to appear on her friend's face, a spark of hope shinning in the depths of her eyes, but disappeared just as suddenly and was replaced by concern.
Lifting her eyebrow she gave her friend a confused look, wanting to know what her thoughts were about that were troubling her so.
"You told Lord Kurosaki-kun that you will think of his offer until the morn, that is not enough time to think of an escape from here," her voice was shaking as she twisted her fingers.
Groaning and silently cursing herself for forgetting about that she gave a friend a small encouraging smile before curling her arm around her friend's elbow.
Walking side by side they ascended the stairs until they reached the top and went straight towards the room given to them.
"I will think of something, do not worry," smiling she once again tried to calm her anxious friend, "every wall has it's weakness."
The woman beside her nodded her head, a silent prayer leaving her mouth.
As they reached their destination they were taken back by how well furnished the room was. Walking forward, both women gazed at the bed. Silky pink covers decorated the top, to the side drawers were held up against the wall.
Without thinking Rukia lifted her pointer and softly, but swiftly drew a line on the wood. Withdrawing her finger she saw that not a single speck of dust marred the wooden chest.
Unknown to her a small smile started to appear, thinking how well Lord Kurosaki treated his guests.
"By the power of thee, help me with this woman who is driving me insane!"
"Screaming at the top of your lungs will not help you Kurosaki."
Ichigo turned towards his childhood friend, the raven haired man smirking back at him. "I know that Ishida. I just thought someone, mainly He, will help me."
Nodding Ishida turned back to the book he was reading, one ear opened to listen to his friend rant about Kuchiki-san. It wasn't everyday someone aggravated Ichigo to the point where he will be spewing fumes.
It was a nice change really. Ichigo often considered himself calm and collected when everyone else knew otherwise. It didn't take much to trigger the infamous scowl to reside on his forehead.
Maybe bringing Kuchiki Rukia was good after all.
But maybe not.
He knew how strong of a female she was and usually it wasn't the smartest idea to add more fuel to the fire when it was already blazing. It might counteract and create a catastrophe. God all mighty knew that wouldn't be good for their crops.
A sudden image of their land catching on fire brought a shudder to his body.
"I was meaning to ask, how do you find Inoue Orihime?"
A vicious cough took Ishida's body as Ichigo smirked in response.
"W-what?!"
"I was just curious."
"You know what they say Kurosaki, it's better to be cautious than curious. It might get you killed." Rising his slipping glasses with his finger the raven haired man pretended to read the forgotten book, dismissing the question.
"Just tell me already. It's not like I am going to go and bust into their room ready to tell them what you're about to say."
Sighting he looked at his orange haired friend, murder licking his insides on the thought of Ichigo doing so.
Fine.
"I am... charmed by her presence."
"Charmed?! What are you? A priest?" A throat cleared, "No, I am not but that is the best way to express my... feelings so just drop it already."
"Fine, fine."
Getting up from his seated position he walked away towards the door, only to turn around one last time, "just make sure not to indulge yourself with her for now."
He laughed as he heard an object hit the door he had already closed.
A/N: I'm not dead! I know, I know. Two years? Are you serious? I have had mixed feelings about continuing this story. When I went back to read the recent chapters I kind of cringed. I have evolved into a better writer - well that's what I tell myself anyways – and I see that I am writing this story as if it was set in England.
My laptop had crashed on me and I lost all the chapters I had already written except for one and it is this one. I forgot I had saved it in my friends' laptop (kudos for her in reminding me I still had this puppy saved in her computer). It's very short but for some reason I couldn't think of adding more to the chapter unless I spoiled some things. Whatever those things may be.
As I've mentioned before I may either just quit this story, continue it as it is or start from scratch. I'm still debating. Also I am soon entering college – GASP! - and I know, if I am still writing this story, I will not have enough time to write unless I'm in spring break or vacation.
So leave a review on your opinion about if I should continue, delete or rewrite this fanfic.
