Chapter 7

Hey, nice to be back. It's Friday, so I can update again, but only for two days. :(

Anyway, this is the seventh chapter of "You can't trap Love"

ENJOY!

The next morning was a bright one, as Ichigo woke up to blinding beams of sunshine. Sitting up and stretching all the kinks out of her bones, Ichigo looked around. Instead of finding the familiar surroundings of her bedroom, she found the vegetation of the Karakura forest and Toshiro, Izuru and Shinji still asleep around the campfire with her. She smiled tiredly and looked up at the clear blue sky, 'So, it wasn't just a dream, huh? I'm really running for my life from some crazy tyrant.'

She snapped out of her thought train at the sound of Toshiro waking up, followed by Izuru and lastly, Shinji. Soon, they were all up, washed up by the small stream, eaten a light breakfast, repacked and ready to continue walking. They walked deeper and deeper into the forest, just going straight, not taking any turns at the risk of getting lost.

Three entire days past before the four girls finally exited the forest and spotted a town. Shinji practically squealed, "We're saved! We won't die! Thank God!" Izuru smiled happily, "This is Shunpo, I've read about it. This is a well protected kingdom with a well trained army. We should be safe here. Of course, it couldn't hurt that your father made peace with Shunpo's leader, Ichigo." The orangette chuckled, "Guess the Old Goat's not totally useless."

Toshiro smiled, which was rare in general, "Come on then. We haven't eaten a proper meal in four days. Let's go." Her three friends eagerly agreed and made their way down the dirt path which lead into town.

Grimmjow scowled out his window, looking down at the army of slaves working and toiling underneath the hot sun. What the hell was the matter with them anyway? Couldn't they build any faster? He wanted his new castle completely finished by the time his soldiers find his strawberry kitten.

The master bedroom, where he and his beloved will sleep, was crafted entirely an extremely rare mineral that was similar to crystallized gold, beautiful and valuable like gold, but as strong and sturdy as diamond. Rich ebony curtains would be draped from windows thirty feet high. Their bed would be large enough to fit ten people with room to spare, and would match the color scheme. The hearth would be surrounded with gem-covered couches in the west wing, and an enormous, steam bath the size of two swimming pools plus tow hot tubs in the east wing.

Unlike his previous castle, which was always so dark and scary, this one was built for romance. He made special orders for the blacksmiths to make small, classy chains so that he could control Ichigo. Seamstresses all over the world were working on masterpieces for the strawberry to wear. And jewelers were commanded to create only the fanciest and best jewelry and accessories for his future queen.

Being satisfied for the moment being with just a vision, the blue haired tyrant threw himself back onto his wide and extravagant throne and smirked dangerously. With his entire army searching the entire world for his sweet strawberry, she would soon be here, with him, exactly where she belonged.

Ichigo's mind went blank at when met her eyes. Her entire body went numb, and she began to tremble just slightly. The strong and wonderful kingdom Izuru had told them about now laid on ruins. Bloody bodies laid tossed everywhere. Ichigo had the strong urge to throw up, even though there was nothing to hurl up in her stomach. Whoever did this didn't spare a single soul. Kids, woman, men, elders, babies, royals, merchants, nobles, peddlers, and beggars all laid dead at their feet.

The orangette sank to her knees, tears trickling down her cheeks, her teeth grinding together, "Who..? Who in Hell would have the guts to do something like this..?" A gentle hand landed on her shuddering shoulder. It was Toshiro, who had tears running her cheeks too, "Come on, maybe we should look for survivors." Izuru nodded, using a finger to wipe away tear, "Yes, we should help whoever we can." Even Shinji was crying. But, who could blame them. All these innocent people were murdered in cold blood.

The four girls fanned out in the four directions, searching the entire kingdom, but not a single soul was found to be alive. They were all gone, dead in a puddle of their own blood. The girls finally regrouped, slightly panting from running around. Ichigo leaned against her knees, "I didn't find a single survivor. You?" Shinji shook her head, "Notta." Izuru and Toshiro nodded in agreement, "Not a single soul that's still breathing."

The orangette plopped down onto the ground, covering her eyes with her hands, trying to block out the horrible scenes in front of her. Toshiro, Izuru and Shinji crouched down beside their precious friend, trying to comfort her, as well as themselves.

Just then, a groan of pain broke through the air. It was barely audible, but the girls' ears caught it. They all spun around to see an elderly man, quite plump around the waistline, leaning against a struck down wall, crimson blood splattered all over his clothing. The four girls dashed over to the man. Izuru wrestled through her bag, whipped out a canteen full of fresh river water, and held the spout to the man's mouth, Shinji holding the man up and helping him swallow.

After taking several gulps, the man gave a weak smile, "Oh, thank you four girls. God bless you." Toshiro nodded, "Not at all. We help whoever we can." Ichigo spoke up, "Can you tell us your name?" The plump man leaned against the worn wall, " Hachigen Ushoda, but everyone calls me Hachi." Izuru spoke up, "Mr. Hachi, what happened to Shunpo? I've read that this kingdom is a safe haven for all people. And the army is suppose to be one of the best in this side of the world!"

The old man sighed, as more blood slowly seeped out of a sword wound in his chest, as Toshiro had used all the bandages they could spare to help close the wounds, "Yes, that was true. Well, that is until he arrived." Shinji rose a fine blond eyebrow, "Who's this he?"

Hachi took a deep breath, but coughed blood. Toshiro hastily took off a scrap of cloth and wiped the blood away. Taking another breath to stable his breathing, Hachi continued, "King Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. He met with our emperor today. When he arrived, he seemed polite enough and quite charming. He said he meant us no harm, and that as long as we told him what he coveted was here, and took him to it, he would leave us be. He was searching for a woman, around sixteen, with "orange tresses as brilliant as the setting sun, warm, affectionate chocolate brown eyes, sunkissed skin and the purity and virtue of an angel," as he had described. What was her name..? Oh yes, Princess Ichigo Kurosaki, from the kingdom of Karakura."

He coughed up more blood, which Izuru wiped away quickly and gave him another swig of water. Ichigo's eyes shot up with horror, and her hands tightened into tight fists.

Hachi continued, but the girls could tell that breathing was becoming more and more difficult for the old man, "But, of course, we have also… heard the stories… of this retched man… and all his horrible deeds, so… our good emperor refused. King Grimmjow tried… bargaining, swearing one thousand gold pieces… if our king would hand over this Princess… Ichigo. But we still refused. So … that man just… left. But… not before completely eliminating the… entire kingdom of Shunpo. He took… the strongest young… men away as slaves… and had his soldiers… salvage anything that… would increase… his treasury…"

Shinji scowled horribly, "That man will pay for what he's done here, and he'll pay dearly." Toshiro held up her hand, "But, remember what Grimmjow is really after." All eyes adverted to the orange haired vixen. Her head was bowed, making her orange bangs cover her eyes, and her hands were starting to bleed from how tightly she was clenching her fists.

Izuru stood up from her place beside Hachi, and put a hand upon her friend's shoulder, "Ichigo..? Are you alright..?" The soft blond maid could feel the orangette's body tremble beneath her hand, as her voice came out just above a restrained whisper, as if she was trying to hold something back, "I had… no idea. If I did… I would've surrendered to that son of a bastard in the first place. Instead, all these innocent people died… and it's all my fault…"

Izuru smiled warmly, "It isn't your fault, Ichigo. King Grimmjow loves you, but you don't love him. All this has absolutely nothing to do with you." Toshiro took her friend's hand and patted it gently, "That's right. Please don't let it get to you." The orangette's grip loosened just a tiny bit, "I know, but I can't help but feel so… guilty..!"

Hachi had been listening on the conversation and his eye shot wide, "You're… Princess Ichigo..?" Shinji grinned, "That's right." The plump man spoke frantically, "You must leave here quickly. That blue haired tyrant had soldiers posted everywhere. He is planning on taking control of the entire world, as well as find you, princess. You must go, and be quick about it!"

Toshiro's eyes showed concern, "But we couldn't just leave you here. You're badly injured, and need medical care immediately." The elderly man chuckled wearily and leaned back, blood streaking down his body and mouth, "I don't matter anymore. It's far too late for me now." Then, he bolted upright, "But it's not too late for the young princess." He pointed to a vacant dirt path was well hidden within an alleyway between two buildings, "That path will take you further into the forest, Continue to follow the path. It will lead you the another kingdom named Shikai."

Shinji's eyes, along with Izuru and Toshiros', lit up with hope, "Hey, that's Shirosaki's kingdom, isn't it, Ichigo?" The orangette smiled, hope lighting her face as well, "Yes, it is. I'm sure we'll be safe there." Izuru turned to Hachi, who had a peaceful smile on his face, a rare sight for someone on the brink of death, "But, how are we going to get Mr. Hachigen there?" The man coughed violently, blood further soaking his clothing, "No… it's too late for me. But not for Princess Ichigo. Please, you all must hurry out of here, before that horrible tyrant's soldiers find you and take you back to Hueco Mundo. Please! I… just want … to rest… in… peace…" With one last, shaking breath, the old man was no more of the earthly world.

Izuru trembled, "Oh, God.." She buried her face into her hands and began to lightly weep as Shinji took her shoulder and let her blond friend to cry on her shoulder, whispering soft words of comfort in her ear. Toshiro gently sighed as she confirmed that the old man was dead, stood up and turned to Ichigo. The orangette's eyes were downcast, but no tears were visible. Instead, she took up her pack, "Come on, let's get going. Let's make sure that Hachi will rest in peace by making it safely to Shikai."

The other three was stunned by their friend's sudden change of mood, but straightened themselves, nodding with confidence, "Right," grabbed their packs and headed down the dirt path. On the way, Ichigo's eyes clouded up with anger, her teeth grinding together,' I swear, upon my Great grandmother Chikane's grave, I will make you pay for what you've done, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez. That is a promise.'

So, how was it? It took me forever to finish it, cause I kept getting sidetracked. But here it is~

For Ichigo's grandmother, I just looked up all of Bleach's characters, and pulled off a random name. This 'Chikane' person is also a shinigami.

P.S: Shiro's gonna come into the picutre in the next chapter~ XDD

~PLEASE REVIEW!