I have finally name the Castle and the guardian, yay. I know not really imaginative but I figure why not. I am just too lazy to look something up.
Warnings: not much happening in this one but usual warnings will still apply.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Bleach.
An non script man walked through snow cover streets. If one were to bother looking they would have properly recognized him as the leaders second in command, but not many bother since the man was very easy to overlook. Now he was taking information gained in last week's attack on the Kingdom of Kuro to his leader, High King Yamamoto, now with little time to reach the cathedral Chojiro Sasakibe walked faster until he came upon tall oak doors.
The doors open with loud groans and before they finish opening the grey hair man walk through and straight to the old King. On either side of the dais two rows of people ranked as Captains and filed by numbers from two to thirteen, each with their own second behind them. But currently only two spots were vacant with both Captains and their lieutenants gone.
"What news did you bring?" came the gruff command as Sasakibe kneeled in front of the King.
"From the accounts of lieutenant Arbarai as well as our spy still in Kuro, the young man thought to be the late Prince Mugetsu, is not but a boy with the same face. Thought he was able to fight off our fighters according to the spy he is still undergoing training as well seems to be recuperating from something."
"And what else?"
"The young man also has been taking under the wing of both Kisuke Urahara and Aizen. But also has made allies with both the Vizards and the Espada's." this earns several gasps from the captains on both sides of the aisles. "But from what the lieutenant said the boy also can fight with dual swords and was able to summon a unknown creature that protected him from the lieutenants assault. But anything else is still unknown, however the spy has reported that both the King and Queen have taken to the boy."
That tiny last bit of info has the old man thinking on exploiting it. He wanted to destroy the outcast kingdom and take the land that it was seating on. The State of the Sereitiei had tried once before and only succeeded in killing one Prince, but one was enough to cause harm, or so he thought. Now with this other boy added to the picture and with seemingly low chances of being able to defend himself properly he may be able to give a killing blow to the royals as well as their pain in the ass offspring.
"Sasakibe," the High King call out. "Send word to our spies, have them get close to the boy and when able either kill him or if he can be used send word back for reinforcements to bring him here."
The first lieutenant said nothing as he bows and left, but that could not be said for the others in the room. The Fourth Captain gave a worried glance at her King while others quietly mummer to each other, she wished that the Eight and Thirteenth were still here to talk sense into the old man but no they both had been gone for years since the last attack on Kuro.
"Are you sure this is wise?" she asks. "I don't think that the Kingdom would take it calmly this time, you may cause a war to break out."
"What better way to start one then." Yamamoto answered. As he taps his cane against the stone floor. "that Kingdom sits upon what we need to keep order and if this new pawn can be used whether he is alive of dead matters not."
Unohana, Captain of the healers, wish that she was surprise but no she already guesses that this would be the most likely outcome; but she had a feeling that this time it may not be so simple as taking out the royals as the High King figured.
oOooOooOo
in a far off corner of Castle Engetsu Ichigo, for the safety of keeping said castle intact, was trying to form a cero. It had come from talking with his zanpakuto that he didn't know what he was capable of now since he could no longer get out of his body. In light of this Ichigo had been practicing and he found out for certain that he can't do either flash step nor shindo to their fullest extent without breaking his bones. He can summon both blades now but keeping them out for long periods of time left him exhausted and bed ridden for at least a day. He still couldn't do kido and he has been trying to do any level of a cero so far he just been getting sparks.
"Damn it!" Ichigo's shout could be heard ringing throughout the grounds. when he first tried to form a cero and it had exploded Ichigo found himself staring up at the Queen and King with both Shiro, Kaien, Shinji, and Grimmjow. It had taken him two days to convince them to let him practice alone. "How the hell did Shinji and the others do this?"
"Well, first off they weren't in a body when they did it and they had years of practice. You dear King don't have the luxury of being in spirit form nor the years under your belt so quite whining and get back to blowing things up." Shiro Zangetsu pipe in. his unhelpful commentary had been given Ichigo a headache which he figures is why his hollow blade did it.
"You're not helping!"
"Ichigo, it would be harder for you to do this since controlling your spirit energy had never been your strong suit but try instead of holding it then firing try throwing it like if you were throwing a punch or like if you are firing a getsua. It may run on the same principle for you."
"Fine I'll try it," gathering what he could in his palm Ichigo held it out towards one of the undamaged targets, when he was ready he pulled his arm back and let his fist fly he did get a red energy but he knew it wasn't a cero. "I think that was more of a bala but I feel like I'm getting close."
He was glad that he was getting help from his blades but he had notice that since he has been here they both had been a bit chatty more than usual. It surprised him when the old man had actually added to a conversation.
"I see that you at least didn't blow yourself up this time and you hit the target too."
The sudden sound of someone talking had cause Ichigo to jump turning to the one who startle him the orangette sent the blond man his best scowl.
"Kisuke you need something?" Ichigo hadn't seen the man since the time he was in that pool but he figures that it was only a matter of time.
"Oh can't I come a check up on my new cute little student." The man said as he took a seat near a tree that has escape one of Ichigos explosions.
"One I am not cute nor little and two when was I your student?" Ichigo deciding that, he might not get anything done while the blond was around, taking a break and came to sit across from Kisuke.
"hmm oh since this morning."
"…I hate you now."
"Aw Ichigo how cruel you are and I thought we got along so well." The blond pouted.
The fake pout and tears had the orangette ready to send a bala right at the man and he would have succeeded if not for the next person to come upon them. Now Ichigo had gotten to the point where he could stay in the same room with Aizen without feeling twitchy, but it mostly when they are both on different sides of the room with a lot of distance between them. Now with the brunette right next to him Ichigo was trying not to swing old man Zangetsu at the man. Kisuke must have seen his arm twitch because next thing Ichigo knew the blond was between him and Aizen.
"Now, now let's not paint the forest red I like both of my students to be in one piece." Kisuke had a grin on but Ichigo could see his muscles were tense and one hand was near his own blade.
'I guess there is more I need to work on then my powers huh?' Ichigo thought feeling a little guilty about his reaction.
"Yeah no kidding."
"It would be wise to try to get along with him, he is not the same Aizen Ichigo but it you can't undo your normal reactions in one day. I believe that both this Aizen and Kisuke understand that, for now just small doses."
'right,' out loud he says. "Sorry I still need to get use to you."
"It's fine I notice that this time you didn't swing and your power didn't throw us around." It was a small complement and Ichigo did feel a little bit better. "I guess we have to tell Ulquiorra to add more to your work load since you seem to be slowing down." And now Ichigo was back to wanting to chop the man's head off.
"Oi if you want to see speed I'll be happy to give your head a couple of hits while you're trying to catch me."
"With your dismal control I highly doubt that."
"Why you,"
"Ah it's so nice to see my boys get along so well I feel like a proud parent." The blond said interrupting the two bricking it had also earned him twin glares as he was wiping away a nonexistent tear.
"Shut it old man!"
"Please keep your stupidity to yourself Urahara."
The two look at each other after both had shouted, well Ichigo shouted, at Kisuke before turning their backs towards each other like five years olds throwing tantrums.
"sigh…the joy of parenthood." The blond yelp has a bala missed him by inches only to be hit but a more accurately thrown book.
Satisfied with that Ichigo went back to his practice while Aizen drag the blond off to who knows where with a promise that he would tell someone where Ichigo was. Giving a wave that he heard Ichigo prepare another fist and had decided to try a different way of firing.
Off in the distance Aizen had found Grimmjow and was about to tell him where his orange headed charge was when both heard a loud blast followed but an equally loud shout of joy. Grimmjow only shook his head and bow to Aizen before walking in the direction of the blast. Aizen figure that he let Ichigo have his day as well time to rest before locking him up in his new classroom. He griminces at his future teaching the young brat.
"why am I the one taking care of children?"
oOooOooOo
"Honestly, I think that I see you more than the rest of the guard." Jason says matter of factly. He was currently wrapping Ichigo's hands due to burns he had received that day. "The Queen is going to scold you again."
The young healer had gotten to know the orangette from the many encounters after the boy's lessons with master Ulquiorra as well as his own self practices. It would be only a matter of time when news of his latest injury reached the Queen who from the very beginning placed Ichigo into Jason's care.
"Yeah I know, but I almost had it." The orangette said. "These," he waves his burn hands. "will heal soon anyway."
"yes, but still you know that she treats you more like a unruly son then a guest."
Ichigo hum but made no comment it was one of those things that he still felt uncomfortable with. He had gotten use to Shiro and Kaien as well as their subordinates, but the King and Queen he was still getting use too. Aizen was a given and Kisuke, well, was Kisuke you didn't get use to him.
Looking at his bandage hands Ichigo wondered why he was still here. He had gotten the grist of what to expect from this world and had many warnings about this worlds Sereitiei but with it still being winter he could understand why the Royals wanted him to wait.
"There you are Ichigo," a sweet bell voice had the orangette freezing in place. "What are you in the healer's room for this time?" though the question sounded innocent Ichigo knew from past experience that it was far from sweet.
"Ah good afternoon Lady Masaki." Ichigo had to pat himself on the back for not stuttering. "I um was just…um."
"You were just practicing again and ended up burning your hands in the process." She finished for him. "You boys can't seem to keep yourselves from getting hurt."
"But I almost succeeded and I made a truce with Aizen so that outweighs me getting burn. Right?"
The look the Queen gave Ichigo said otherwise, but she gave him a smile.
"I have an idea," she finally said. "there is a tradition we have every winter called the Winter Ball and you Ichigo will be attending it and no getting out of it."
Ichigo had to ask her to repeat that he really wasn't sure if he had heard her right. The idea that he was going to be force to go to a formal event when he hated those things had the young man thinking if he could find a way out even though he knew that it would be fruitless to even try.
"A winter ball?"
"Yes, and I am sure that you can find someone to teach you how to dance if you think you can't." she says as they made their way out to one of her many private gardens. "It would also be a way for you to meet the nobles whose lands you may be crossing if you still plan on leaving in the spring."
"I am just telling you now me and nobles really don't get along." Only a half-truth he eventually got along with a few back home.
"Well this is just a way for you to meet them in an non hostel setting." She counters. "Plus, Shiro needs someone to watch him since it is one of the few nights Grimmjow has off."
"So you just really need me to babysit?"
"If you see it that way."
They elapse into silence as they made their way over to one of the many sitting areas in the garden. He wanted to get back to practicing but he could see that the Queen wouldn't be letting him go anytime soon. The idea that he had to even dress up and learn some fancy dance had his skin itching but staying with the white Prince meant that he wouldn't be suffering alone.
"I don't suppose that I have to wear something too form fitting?" his question was more of a way of showing his surrender then actual curiosity.
"I'm sure that the seamstress could figure something out for you." And that was that as both parties sat in silence just enjoying their surroundings.
oOooOooOo
The seamstress Ichigo decided was just as terrifying as Captain Unohana he had been poke and prodded before the woman told him to get lost in no uncertain words. He was glad that he wouldn't be wearing any of those tights but more of something of a hybrid of his jeans and whatever she was using. His shirts would be blood red with gold trimming with black flames stamped into the fabric. All in all, he was told that he would be stunning for the night and be the envy of many. He just wanted it to be comfortable and he rather not be the center of attention if he can help it.
"I guess it's better than what I was thinking." He says to himself
"yeah don't want to show everyone what you have hiding huh King?" Zangetsu teased.
"Shut up Shiro." Ichigo was almost to his door when the feeling of being watched made his skin crawl. He keeps from looking but he looks out of the corner of his eye, but doesn't see anyone. When he opens his door he is met with a woman who was going through his dresser drawers. He stood there just staring on the small woman before getting annoyed. Quietly he creeps up behind her.
"What the hell are you doing?" he doesn't shout but his voice is loud enough that the woman squeaks and jumps in the air. Now that she id turned around Ichigo could get a look at her and what he sees makes his breath hitch. Standing in front of him was a copy of Rukia and Ichigo had to catch himself from flinching from reacting to his Rukia's normal attack of hitting him.
"I sorry milord, I was just cleaning and folding you clothes." She said meekly an aspect that Ichigo couldn't help but think sounded weird coming from her.
"It's no big deal, but if it's all the same to you I rather do my clothes myself but thanks anyway." He couldn't escape the feeling that something with this Rukia was wrong but put it off thinking it was just his memories overlapping the two Rukia's. but there were no warning bells ringing in his head so he, if a bit awkwardly, treated the maid the same as he would treat anyone else.
"Of course milord, I shall be taking my leave now." With that eh small woman was gone leaving the orangette alone in his room.
"I hope not to be seeing anybody else real soon." Without taking off his clothes Ichigo falls onto his bed and falls asleep before his head hits the pillow.
He was so out of it that not even the touch from his unseen protector nuzzling his head woke him nor when Shiro came into his room and join him in bed made him twitch. Whatever Jason gave him it meant to keep him from anything else till his hands were heal.
oOooOooOo
It was nearly midnight when three shadows met in a darken corridor deep in one the unused portions of the castle. No one would find it due to it being long forgotten and the three people knew it.
"What have you to report?" the leader of the group asks.
"Not much, the boy seems to love getting hurt but from what the servants say he is a fast healer." One answer.
"He also will be attending the Winter Ball." The other pipe in.
"But it seems he also has a shadow watching him and I couldn't get close enough to see who it was."
The little information has the leader thinking. His King wants to either kidnap the teen or kill him. with so few openings neither seem possible now. They could try during the ball with so many bodies in the castle could cover their crime until someone took notice but the teen might be closely guarded during that time. Trying afterwards would just as hard and the leader wanted to try to keep the boy alive, it would be a waste to kill all that potential. But seeing no way of taking the teen it they would have to just get rid of him before he could become a threat.
"We will have to kill him, each pick a point and take your shot if you can get one of the Royals then do it. The more chaos we make the better for us in the long run."
The two subordinates nodded before taking a different route out of the old corridor. The leader was the last to leave he couldn't help but look over his shoulder when his skin broke out in goosebumps. He could almost believe the rumors of a castle guardian but he was one not to stoop so low as to believe in such superstitious drivel.
"Just my imagination," he said as he left the cold area not seeing the flash of white following him out before taking its own leave.
The being may not understand everything that was said but it did understand that the boy he has been watching was in danger so it would be keeping a close watch on the teen in the meantime.
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Chapter End
Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday I know that I did.
Thank you for reading.
