Disclaimer: The only I own relating to Bleach are the ones for laundry. By the way, anything italicized in this chapter are the thoughts of the characters save for the usernames in the review reply part.
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anon - Thanks for liking! It always helps to know someone likes my story.
The weasel is MINE XP - Of course! I understand. Sorry for the long wait but don't worry, the time for my freedom is getting near. :D
Four camels arranged properly slowly dragged a carriage into the South lands and the people looked with wonder. The carriage looked too grand for the visitors to be normal, and they're sure that whoever is inside the carriage is either rich or royalty.
"It's still four years until I'm legal to be married." a boy inside heaved.
"It's the same with the princess." a girl replied in a sweet tone.
"Will I even like her? Would she appreciate me?" he asked with a nervous tone.
"We'll just have to wait and see, Toshiro."
"Um, remember I'm a prince so please refer to me properly, Matsumoto." Toshiro bluntly reminded and closed the drapes completely so no one would see their faces.
I'm not in the mood to attract more attention right now. But I wonder, what kind of person the princess is? He was deep in thought as the carriage kept going straight, getting closer and closer to the palace.
Ichigo stared at the weapons for a moment before walking to the window to see the town below. She saw many people walking, but even from afar Ichigo knew that they are staring at something, and their gazes are focused on one direction. She followed that direction and saw a carriage.
"What the..."
The sound of a creaking door made her drop the curtains and Byakuya stepped in after she opened the door wider. For some reason, she didn't feel so threatened right now. But it was better because the prince seemed to want to talk to her.
Before she could tell him if he does want to speak with her, Byakuya asked, "Do you... want to know more about Hisana? About why she's gone for years?"
Ichigo was surprised. "Why do you ask?"
"Because I was listening when you told those two from a while ago... about Hisana."
Are you going to scold me or something? "I just needed to share it with someone. And I trust them, they're one of my few friends here." she immediately defended albeit not rudely.
"Don't worry. I'm completely fine with it. I also want to share it with someone, although Rukia doesn't seem to be much of a choice right now."
"Why?" she questioned, wondering if his reason was because of how silent and distant the princess was a while ago, which the orange head noticed.
"She doesn't seem too much pleased with the fact that Hisana is back, and when I tried to talk to her she was so silent and just lied down on her bed like a statue. So I didn't say anything and decided to come here. I hope it's okay that I speak about this with you."
"It's totally fine!" Ichigo sighed, shrugging her shoulders. "To be honest I also noticed how Rukia acted when Hisana-san revealed herself to your parents. But I didn't seem to be comfortable in saying that part to anyone. I'm glad that at least there's another one who knows."
Even though he was of royalty, even though he was a prince, Ichigo started to see Byakuya as someone comfortable in speaking to, even though they rarely speak like this. Sharing about something, even though it's not personal, can help enlighten one's soul. They sat beside each other at the edge of the bed and continued speaking.
"When I brought Hisana-san to you, you said it's been ten years. So in other words she was gone for ten years?"
"That's right." Byakuya asked, his tone slowly turning solemn. "Ten years ago, everything was still alright. But then, all of a sudden, there was a group of men that outwitted all of us. Even the guards, even me, even Father." he sighed, rubbing his forehead at trying to reminisce the unpleasant memory. "Luckily no one died, but many were injured. We thought they wanted to kill us all, but all what they were after was Hisana. We tried stopping them, but they warned us that should we make a move Hisana will die. All of us did nothing as they were disappeared."
Ichigo consciously placed her hand on his shoulder, feeling pity. He also had been through what she did; that is losing a sibling. She lost Karin and Yuzu for only a few days, while Byakuya lost his sister for a lot of years. He's more than I thought he is.
"I don't know how she got back here, because ever since they kidnapped Hisana I thought I would never see her again. But now, all that matters most is that she's back. I never felt so comforted before."
Ichigo twitched her lips, the pain mixed with relief in his voice making her eyes water slightly. "How come Rukia doesn't remember her back then? Was she not born at that time?"
"No, she was already born." Byakuya replied, breathing once to collect himself. "She was four years old at that time, and even though she already forgot about it since she was very young and unaware of her surroundings, she used to play with Hisana a lot."
That hurts. Rukia doesn't know even that? She was at the point of drawing out thin drops of blood from her lips, and she gently placed a finger on his lips. Byakuya was surprised by the act as he could feel the softness of her skin, even though it was just one finger. "Don't say anymore. It's too painful."
He felt even more surprised. She was pained? And all what he thought the whole time he told the story was a word of condolence and a small talk of compassion. But he could hear it in her voice, which cracked when she said those words. Byakuya couldn't make a sound when Ichigo hugged him.
"Why is it so painful to you?" he asked, not minding what she did. He could feel in that gesture, that she was about to cry. He didn't want to see her cry, or even hear or feel her cry. Like that time when she was intoxicated with alcohol, he'd rather not know her real sorrowful feelings so that he won't feel any more guilty about the marriage.
Whether there's a year left or not, the fact that they're betrothed and would have to wed some time didn't change.
"Because... the same thing happened to me. It was for a way shorter period of time than when you lost Hisana-san, but it's the same. So..." She breathed in the sobs she was about to let out and she relaxed slightly when he wrapped his arms around her.
"You're really unusual. I never thought that you'd be this compassionate to even our personal matters." he whispered with a bitter tone. She didn't reply, but he understood. They kept on being in each other's arms like that, and unintentionally he takes in her scent.
She smelled like the flowers in the royal garden. It was a coincidence, for the garden was one of his favorite places to go to.
When Hanatarou stepped in to check on Ichigo, they broke the hug quickly and Hanatarou didn't even notice.
Whew. Both sighed in their heads. They didn't want people to get the wrong idea.
Hanatarou cheerily placed a tray carrying a pitcher of water with an empty glass beside an empty flower vase. Then he suddenly gasped in shock when he saw the young prince sitting placidly beside Ichigo on her bed, and he bowed before retreating, shutting the door but the sound made was luckily not that loud.
"Why did he panic?" the raven head asked as he stood up.
"Possibly because he was bringing water inside without noticing you, so he thought you might think of him as rude." Ichigo shrugged while her back fell to the bed.
Byakuya snorted slightly, "Nonsense. I'd never think of that towards anyone, unless when people important to me are being intentionally insulted."
His expression gradually turned serious. "I have to talk to Rukia now. Shocked or not, she can't always avoid Hisana any longer. Sorry, but I'll go."
She opened the door for him. "I'll go too."
"Ichigo..."
"I know it's none of my business. But I can't help it."
Touched enough, he smiled and took her hand. This time, both didn't feel nervous like the last time and they walked through the hallway, walking to Rukia's room. Quietly, Byakuya opened the door a little, seeing his sister still lying on her bed with a deadpan look on her face. The look made Byakuya slightly uncomfortable but he entered anyway, still not letting go of Ichigo's hand. Determined, he went even closer until he sat on her bed but the princess didn't say anything, let alone glance at him or the orange head.
Ichigo felt like she was seeing herself in Rukia's expression, but the reason why she had that face before was completely different. She couldn't say anything to call out to the young raven head who just lied down there like she was catatonic and she knew it would be up to Byakuya to say what he had to say.
"Are you in doubt, Rukia?" he asked, holding her hand. She doesn't make any reply for a while, and Ichigo watched them. Some part of her wanted to snoop in and give her own support, but she stayed still and just focused on them while staying on the sidelines.
"Rukia, please. You can't stay like this forever, you know." he pleaded in a whisper, his voice slightly aching. In response, Rukia tilts her head to the side slowly so her purple eyes would meet with her brother's silver ones. Then, finger by finger, she holds his hand as well.
"I'm not in doubt, Nii-sama. I'm just... surprised beyond words." Rukia paused for a moment, and she looks at Ichigo. "Please, come here too."
Gulping, she approached the princess and sat on the far edge of the bed. Then Rukia continued talking.
"She's... she's never there. I never saw her once in my life. So how else can I react?"
"Actually Rukia..." Byakuya immediately blurted out. "She was in your life before she got kidnapped. But... you were so young that you don't remember." From the statement, Rukia blinked in slight confusion and surprise.
"That's right." Ichigo joined in, wanting the situation to be resolved. "You and Hisana-san played a lot back then. Can't you recall one event similar to that?"
"Hmmm..." Considering Ichigo's suggestion, Rukia sat up and began to think deeply. Byakuya looked intently at his sister, wishing that she could remember at least one.
"There's one. But it's so hazy. I could see myself trying to make a crown of flowers, and someone's doing the same. When we're done, we'd put it on each other's head."
Byakuya sighs. He knows that memory, because he was there when that happened. He held her hand even tighter. "I'm telling you Rukia. She was there. So please acknowledge her as a sister. I know ten years can be a lot to make up for, but I'm sure that Hisana wishes to compensate for all of us. Telling the truth, she asked me with tears to why didn't you welcome her."
"I agree with him. When I led her to the palace, she was asking about how you were doing. Even if it's just a simple question, it's more than enough to show that she's concerned about you." Ichigo added.
Now, Rukia started to show a tear or two welling up on her tear ducts, threatening to fall down. But she only let one tear out and no more, while she bowed her head down.
And for the rest of the time, the trio sat on the bed in silence but none were disturbed.
Byakuya and Ichigo left Rukia's room while closing the door, without making any noise. The duo stared at each other, contemplating what to do next.
"So... what now? Dinner's still a few hours away." Ichigo said, then her face reddened when her stomach made noises. Byakuya showed his amusement through a light smile.
"Maybe the garden would be nice. You only saw a part of it." he said, remembering the memory Rukia pointed out.
Ichigo beamed, "Really?"
Already, Byakuya was leading her to the royal garden and taking her by the hand; which the latter didn't mind. "Trust me." he answered, his eyes staring warmly at her. She doesn't hesitate, and even though they've been holding hands a lot today it didn't make either feel nervous anymore. Byakuya looked back at her face once in a while, and she always looked at him with a content expression. He was glad. He was glad that she's starting to become more and more enlightened, regardless of their fate in the end.
But unexpectedly, halfway to the garden, they're interrupted.
"Oh, I apologize; I almost bumped into you, your Highness." Aizen stated, focusing his eyes on Ichigo for a second.
"I don't mind. No one got hurt anyway." Byakuya dismissed, still not letting go of the orange head's hand. He could feel the softness of her skin, and how the smoothness could be compared to that of silk sheets.
"By the way Ichigo, it's a pleasure." the brunette greeted afterwards, and Ichigo tensed at the voice that she looked away, wondering whether she's blushing or not.
"You too." she said in a low voice, but the words were audible to them. "We're going to the garden so..."
"Very well. I don't mean to interrupt you, and it's great that you're starting to get along."
From his words, they couldn't move from the surprise as he left the scene smoothly, not before sifting his hand through Ichigo's hair. She gasped at the feeling but when she turned around to see, he was already gone and so they continued walking.
"Thanks, Ichigo." Byakuya said out of nowhere, pausing for a moment and turning around so they would meet face to face. "You know, I would have cowered if I went there again without anyone beside me. But somehow, you being there gave me the confidence to speak to her."
He grasped her other hand, and she squeaked at the sudden hold.
"Come on..." she mumbled, bowing down her head. "I didn't do that much..."
"No. You did a lot, I promise. I know that you did a lot, so don't be so humble. It's just between us." he whispered, and she chuckled. A pause occurred as they stood in the hallway, holding each other's hands and staring at one another deeply.
"Let's get going, shall we?" Byakuya asked, and the fact that Ichigo walked ahead of him meant that she said yes.
Lying on a bed of soft grass, Ichigo exhaled in peace. Byakuya was about to tell the young teen that it's not allowed, but she looked too happy for him to ruin it.
It won't hurt to just sit on the grass, after all. Taking his chances, he sat on the grass beside her and watched her relax her body on the large patch of green, then he turned his attention to some yellow flowers near them. The petals were full and fresh, and he picked out a few.
"Ichigo. Here, they're fully grown." he called, giving them to her and she smelled it the instant her hands took hold of the thin stems. She closed her eyes blissfully, and she thanked him.
"I noticed the vase in your room. It's going to need some flowers."
Ichigo sighed at his answer. Then she plucked two pink flowers and gently blew the petals towards him. The small circles of pink flew around the prince, and he liked the scene. Cherry blossoms are his favorite, and the flowers that Ichigo blew at him weren't cherry blossoms but they're close enough.
Also, he liked this side of Ichigo. She's so carefree, so feminine but he could still see that undying fire in her hazel eyes.
Maybe... I wouldn't mind if I get married to her.
He gasped at what he just thought. It was impossible. He knew that being married is not what she wanted, nor what she needed. But the fact that he thought that made him feel that he just betrayed her. Of all the things he wouldn't want, that is the worst of all; betraying her.
A/N: Sorry that it took a while. But none of my stories are on hiatus. I'm just getting busier with school now that college is near. Review please and you'll get lots and lots of sweets from me. :D
