What Sets Us Apart
Chapter Seven - Another Awakening
Author's Note: So much demand! Fine, fine! I'll complete this story first then I'll start my new one!
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"W-What…?" She woke up and found the same white clouds hovering above her. It was strange. She sat up and realized she was on a small carriage. "…Where am I…?" She asked herself with curiosity.
"…Back to where you belong!" A voice laughed. She turned her head at the coachman who sat neatly next to her. After all the excitement of living, she didn't really realize his presence was there. "Welcome home, Kuchiki Rukia." The man smiled strangely and rubbed his lower jaw with satisfaction. Oh yeah. Ulquiorra will praise me for this! He licked his purple lips, and found Rukia wincing at such a disturbing scene.
"What are you looking at?" Grimmjaw snapped absent-mindedly and he received a painful slap. Bitch…He groaned to himself and rubbed the fresh spot on his cheek.
"What did you do?" Rukia hollered and took a throw pillow from the side of the coach. Grimmjaw gazed at her lazily and grind his teeth. She threw the thing at him.
"THE hell are you doing!?" The man shouted and stood up. The carriage stopped. Rukia's eyes widened as he seemed to look like the violent type. "Dumbass, get out." He ordered and pushed her out of the ride. Rukia fell and started rubbing her bottom.
"You bastard."
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Unohana walked quietly into the forest. She had felt a strange presence in the shrine of the dead, so she felt it best to see what was going on. "…I wonder if Ichigo really did listen to us?" She whispered quietly and climbed through the vineyards.
As she reached her spot, her eyes widened. The glass case was obviously shattered and Rukia's ashes were gone. "No…" Unohana stuttered in disbelief. She clutched onto her heart and thought about the possibilities. Ichigo…no he couldn't have. I watched him all night long…so that means…
"Someone eavesdropped on our conversation." A voice replied casually. Unohana stared at Yoruichi who seemed as pissed as well. She crossed her arms with anger and stomped off. "Not only that…the ritual seemed to have already been done." She gritted her teeth. Unohana stared at where Yoruichi was looking at. A circle of blood was traced neatly on the floor. The blood was dry. About three hours ago.
"I'll go inform Kisuke and every one else. Unohana please go and tell Inori everything. I suspect that this might have something to do with him." She muttered and disappeared. Unohana obeyed and left the site as well.
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Grimmjaw had left her all alone in front of the Kurosaki gates. She stared at it with familiarity. "…Ichigo?" She replied and pushed the bars. She entered the kingdom property and gazed all over the place. "Everything seems like it was when I left." She smiled and waltzed around the kingdom's front lawn.
It was until then a soldier appeared yelling at her, but when he realized who it was he came running in and telling everyone to come out and see who it was.
Everyone was really surprise. The most was Ichigo who looked lovingly at his wife. She stared at him and smiled as well. "Hello." She replied in an awkward tone. He stepped towards her.
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Inori saw his real mother. For the very first time. He knew it was her, because…he always saw her in his dreams smiling and laughing at him. He couldn't believe what was going on. "M-Mother…" He muttered.
Hearing that. Rukia turned away from Ichigo and gazed at the small boy who was staring at her intently. Ichigo was rather angry, but he knew it would mean a lot to Rukia to see the son she had left behind. "…You must be…" She whispered to herself and walked towards him. She touched his pale cheeks and tears flowed down her eyes. "Inori…"
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Yoruichi stared at the kingdom. She was too late. They all know that Rukia's alive. She shook her head tragically and disappeared. Unohana was in the crowds as well, and found Rukia hugging her son. A frown was plastered on the doctor's face as she realized what she was losing.
"So…the plan's begun…hasn't it?" Kisuke asked as Yoruichi walked around the kingdom with immense irritation. She gritted her teeth and paced back and forth. "Now, now. All we need to do is somehow."
"We can not do anything…it is up to Ichigo and Rukia." Yoruichi replied. "If we destroyed those two. That would mean treason. If we do anything, we would be plotting against his majesty." She reminded him. Kisuke sighed and followed his wife.
"I never thought something so difficult like this would ever occur."
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Ulquiorra gazed at the scenery of the lost queen hugging her child. He smiled as he walked away from the crowd of peasants and soldiers. It was quite amusing. Especially since she wouldn't hold that child for a very long period. "Fools.." Ulquiorra whispered and left.
Another figure followed him. It was Grimmjaw who seemed to be enjoying the scenery as well. Stupid pointless reunions seemed to make him happy.
Two will rise from the ashes. One true blood will live. The others will disappear. Many sacrifices will be made. Many will give and not obtain. Kingdoms will be surrounded by flying flames. Once again. An event from before will occur like it hadn't.
"Heh. Two have risen already." He replied to himself and followed Ulquiorra into the woods.
"Tomorrow. I want you to take Rukia away and leave Ichigo." Ulquiorra commanded as they walked through the forest path. "I need Ichigo to be angry…really angry." He smiled. "And then. Write a ransom letter by the name of Ishida."
"Write it so Ichigo wants to start up a war. That'll help bring enough blood. We need some for master's return."
"Fine." The other grunted.
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Rukia was so happy that she had met her son once more, that she had completely forgotten that Ichigo had existed or was even by her side. "Hey." She heard a rough voice as she played fondly with Inori's hair. The boy didn't seem to mind, he was enjoying his mother's presence. More than his father's. "Aren't you happy to see me?" Ichigo asked gazing down at her.
"Of course I am!" Rukia replied and stared at him with glittering eyes. He sighed. He hated how she acted like everything was fine. She hated how she was teasing him. "Why wouldn't I be fine?" She asked and got closer to him. Ichigo felt Rukia's hand trace his cheeks. She smiled and walked away.
"What was THAT ALL ABOUT!?" The king shouted through the hallways. Heh. He was expecting something more. Like a kiss or something.
"What was what all about?" She easily grinned and strolled through the empty areas of the castle.
Inori stared at his mother's backside and sighed. At least his mother was a kind person. Unlike his father…
"…Are you happy?" A soft voice asked. Inori gazed at Unohana who seemed rather cheerful as well. Yet something like sadness lingered in her eyes and voice.
"Yes." He hesitated at first, but then said it firmly. She smiled at him and walked pass by him. It felt strange to see her act like that in front of him. Something seemed strange and wrong. But it was all normal and right. Right?
Next Chapter
18
Result of Anger