AN: I actually did this in a hopeful bribe on a lazy author that only read through half my chapter 6 yesterday =w= and she knows who she is. Anyways~ I'm trying to pick up the pace, so I'm sorry if this feels a little blah like when I felt towards the end trying to end the chapter without driving myself end. I'm recognizing that my relationship writing abilities isn't strong in the beginning stages o.o so pardon me. Happy reading~
All rights belong to Tite Kubo~
Karin stood stiffly in front of Aizen. After arriving, the demon had called for her, requiring her presence. The first thing she noticed was a celestial aura and for a moment nearly freaked out if Aizen had discovered Yuzu while she had been out getting some supplies for her little abode, but the aura was much stronger than the other angel. Karin had came face to face with a petite raven haired angel just a bit taller than her, but clearly older with the intensity of this woman's aura and her gaze. It was the harden gaze of someone that had been apart of the war thirteen years ago. Aizen had introduced her as Rukia and Karin couldn't maintain the shock from reaching her expression. She had already concluded this woman was here for Yuzu, no matter what reason they had for her presence in the central of Hell. But the angel's presence didn't bother her so much. Once Yuzu was in better condition, she could try talking to Rukia about having found Yuzu and her broken wing. Maybe then they could get Yuzu out without Aizen finding out that Karin had hidden the angel from him and even prevented her from dying.
No, what bothered Karin was the intense attention she was getting from Aizen. His eyes had not left her as she took in the information and Rukia had given the common courtesies. She felt the instinct that she needed to escape Aizen quickly and soon. She also would need to arrange a way to talk to the Arch angel without any of Aizen's little whisperers hearing or seeing them. Ichigo had remained silent and hadn't even looked at her once, which wasn't unusual, but this time it really seemed like he was lost in thought. His gaze periodically observed Aizen from the corner of his eyes. Ichigo is wary of Aizen, Karin had concluded as Aizen told her she was free to go back to whatever she was doing, commenting on the purchases in her arms. She had responded with something about wanting to try something that came to mind, but wasn't really sure what exactly she said. Her mind buzzed. Something must have happened, her body was tense, expecting something. And there it was.
"Oh, before you go, I wish to talk to you later this evening. We're going to have a banquet for Miss Rukia tonight. Afterward, I would like to see you alone."
Karin stared at Aizen, nodding quietly. Was her secret known? She doubted it. Yuzu hadn't been outside of Dead Woods and no demon entered while Aizen was away. She pushed the train of thought from her mind, despite the warning signals telling her of danger. Ichigo looked slightly more tense as well.
"As you command," she responded numbly and gave a slight bow and left. Past the doors, she picked up a brisk pace until she found an open terrace and launched into the air, her heart pounding. I may die soon, she thought absently, flying as quick as possible to her home. She never felt this terrified before in her life.
Ichigo clenched a fist, hidden from Aizen's sight. What he feared would occur has finally came. Karin was going to get sucked into the sick game Aizen plays that had ended their mother's life. He did his best though to keep his face clear of anything. Aizen knew he knew about his little game. He had came upon him 'playing' with his mother in her last moments. Just am I strong enough to kill him? Ichigo had to question it. He has never seen Aizen's full strength. He was even toying with Ichigo by making him his most trusted. Ichigo may know what Aizen is planning, but he's also constantly watched.
A thick silence had fallen, the tension before Karin had came in had returned. Rukia turned and stared icily at Aizen. Throughout the trip, Aizen had made sly comments and Rukia had developed a clear hatred for the Demon Lord that was utterly justified. He had expected her to show that detestment to him as well, but he has yet to see evidence of it.
"If we're done here, I would appreciate a chance to look around to familiar myself with your castle," Rukia said, her words chosen through court-like courtesy, but her tone would create frost if she had the power for it. He was suddenly glad that the only being that had control over ice and frost was Jack Frost and his little imps that are easily scared away. Aizen's expression had reflected her coldness in its mask of I-don't-like-you-at-all smile.
"Of course, though Ichigo will have to go with you. I hope you don't mind his little sister who you just met earlier. She comes second only to Ichigo power-wise so you ought to be fine."
Rukia looked at Ichigo with a blank conserved gaze. She seemed desperate to get out of these walls to not complain about him. He stood up.
"If that's the case, fine, let's go," he muttered, keeping his air of I-don't-care. He felt Aizen's gaze on his back that spoke of his distaste and reminding him again what Karin was in for as he left the room. Rukia released a slow breathe as the walked down the hall.
"I didn't think you had any siblings, but she does have similar eyes to you," Rukia said, trying to create a conversation. She seemed uncomfortable walking next to him. He wondered if she'll ever feel comfortable walking beside a demon, let alone him.
"She has the stubbornness, too, but we don't interact," Ichigo responded. Rukia glanced at him as he led them out into a central garden. It was well taken care of, tall pines shading the paths that ran through it, the grass growing nicely despite this being Hell and the misconceptions. Best of all, no one can listen in on them talking without being seen. They have no valid excuse since the ones that took care of the garden only told Ichigo what they heard and sometimes Karin.
"Is it safe here?" Rukia asked. Ichigo smirked. This angel knew already that there were dangers here. Good.
"Yeah, just about the only place in the castle that it's safe," he said.
"You say don't, but it's can't, isn't it. The way she reacted to him saying that he wished to see her alone, it seemed more pointed at getting at you."
This angel didn't seem to beat around the bush and he didn't expect her to be so observant. True, Karin's reaction still told a bit of the story, though Rukia didn't know how she usually reacted. Karin was terrified. Ichigo could almost feel it. His little sister was afraid of what may happen and he couldn't console her or talk to her, though the only thing he could do was kill Aizen before he kills his little sister.
"For your first day, you're catching on quickly. Yes, I can't. For the past thirteen years, I took care of her needs, but played the act of an uncaring brother. I didn't even interact with her in secret. All so Aizen would believe I didn't care, but me disrupting his stirring up trouble at the meeting has rewarded Karin trouble that may end her life."
He didn't understand why he just told her it all. He never even really spoke this much. Ichigo stared off before them, his eyes on the small pond that marked the middle of the garden. He speaks so much to an angel of all things, but she at least caught on to it. She understood the underlying problems here. He could feel her sympathetic gaze and surprisingly, her sympathy didn't piss him off. He felt more calm now after telling her. He already knew what he needed to do anyways, but having someone else know made him feel a bit better. Isolation can even tear down a demon. He snorted. So much for being the infamous Ichigo Kurosaki.
They stopped in front of the pond. Ichigo sat down, staring at the water. Rukia stayed standing. In his peripheral vision, she stared up at the sky with an expression he had never seen before.
"I can kind of relate. The girl I'm looking for, Yuzu, I had raised since she was three. Near the end of the war, one of our cities was raided, as I'm sure you already know, but she was there with her parents. Her parents were killed as they protected her until I came. Nii-sama didn't like the idea of me raising her, especially when for a brief time she called me mommy. Nii-sama forced me to be more distant with her, but I could only do it within his presence. You're very strong to do that though, I can tell it's hard for you. She watched you, you know. She read your body language as well as Lord Aizen's."
Ichigo had turned his head, staring at her, just listening. He remembered the city. He had been there. He remembered running into Byakuya, protecting a smaller angel though he couldn't tell if it was male or female, but there was a crying of a child that reminded him of Karin. He had became well known that day for taking on Byakuya and surviving though he didn't kick the bastard's ass, but he didn't die. Byakuya was already well known for having killed every demon until Ichigo faced him. It also dawned on him that's why Byakuya hated him. He ruined the Arch angel's perfect reputation.
Ichigo turned his head to look out over the lake. There were a couple servants coming their way. Aizen's eyes and ears. He glanced at Rukia. Her face had already lost that soft look and was harden. He decided he liked how this Arch angel worked. She was quick to deciphering the situation. Ichigo stood up and brushed away any dirt from the bottom of his black pants and stared at the servants that had came close enough to hear. They flinched.
"Does Aizen have need of anything for you two to be coming out here?" he asked in a rough voice that all demons were use to hearing. He wondered briefly why he never used it with Rukia, but put the thought away. It must be just because she's an angel. Always have to tiptoe around them. One servant shook his head.
"No, my Lord, we just came to check on you. It was thought you would be going out to the city," the servant managed to say with a clear voice and not a single stutter though Ichigo could sense his fear. He really didn't want to have been the one to come talk to Ichigo. Rukia spoke for herself in response before Ichigo opened his mouth.
"Is it wrong to ask questions? I just wanted to be out of the walls. The aura is terrible and I want to know what to expect before I really step foot in the city," she said with a clipped authoritative voice. Ichigo suddenly found this a little amusing as they pretend to be all tense. The act was bemusing and he was learning a bit of this woman. If truth be told, he was intrigued by her, and after getting past how she was back in Heaven, glaring at him all the time, she was actually really easy to get along with.
Both servants flinched at her tone and mumbled apologies. They bowed, apologizing again and scurrying away. Ichigo snorted in bemusement, watching their retreat. Rukia looked at him.
"What?" he asked.
"Is that as close to laughing that you get?" she questioned. Ichigo smirked.
"Demons don't laugh, weren't you taught that," he responded sarcastically.
"Ah, and yet you're slowly getting out of the character that I gathered from the first day in Heaven. Are you relaxing or something?"
Ichigo froze. He gave her credit. He hadn't noticed, but there were little things that were unusual for his nature. He was changing, just wasn't sure if that was good or bad. This angel may be the death of me, he thought.
I don't think the title really connects to this chapter w I'm lame, I'm sorry, but I was always told to name your babies (your stories) so I'm trying to make sure I do even though they're just chapters. Within Temptation helped me write so yeah. Rate and review, please~ :3
