He paced restlessly in the hallway where his sisters were staying. Yuzu wouldn't arrive to the gala for a few more minutes, and was entering with the Unseelie hime, and so Karin was to enter with him instead. He couldn't help but be thankful that Rukia seemed to be avoiding him after the thoughts he had been having earlier in the day. Sure, the females in his lands caught his eye now and again, and more than a few pined after him, some more blatantly than others, but it was never like this. He was never the one to feel so thoroughly shaken by a woman, so like a moth drawn to a flame. Just thinking about it caused a shiver to run down his spine. Rukia Kuchiki was something else, and if he wasn't careful, she would devour him without even realizing it.
The creaking of the door opening caused Ichigo to look up and stare at his younger sister in shock. Karin was dressed in a two piece, a pale silver skirt that was high-waisted and full, which the boy king was surprised to see her wearing, but the most surprising thing was the navy shirt she wore with it that had almost no neckline and plunged somewhere into her skirt. The only saving grace was that it had sleeves to her elbows and a covered back, but he knew that he couldn't stop gaping. Karin looked up at him with a dry look, her hair pinned back and out of her face for once.
"Enough Ichigo, you're embarrassing." He fumbled for words, and she took that time to walk past him and towards the doors that would lead them to the outer courtyards. It was only once she started to walk through the door that he moved after her, finally finding his voice.
"H-hey, who said you could wear that?!"
XxXxXx
She could sense Yuzu's nervousness as soon as she had stepped into the room. The hime, to her credit, had not shown any outward signs when she turned and greeted Rukia, but she knew nonetheless. She waited until Yuzu led her further into the room, and closed the door before:
"What troubles you, Yuzu?" if the younger girl was surprised at Rukia's question, she didn't show it. She only slowly turned with a small smile on her face and shook her head.
"It is nothing really, Rukia-hime. I'm just nervous for the party, I've never had one hosted for me before!" she could sense something further off than just that, and couldn't help from frowning. As soon as Yuzu had seen her do so, however, the hime laughed. Taken aback by her reaction, Rukia couldn't help opening her mouth to at least question her about it, but Yuzu beat her to the punch. "Ah, I'm so sorry Rukia-hime-sama," the girl bowed to further show her sincerity, no doubt because of how off-guard she caught Rukia. When she stood, it was with a soft smile on her face. "it's just that you reminded me so much of Ichi-nii in that moment."
At the name of Yuzu's brother, Rukia couldn't help the butterflies that seemed to manifest at just his name. She felt cold and hot at once, and couldn't fathom any of it. She must've looked horrified at her own reaction, because Yuzu moved to her side, her hands out as if to help Rukia with whatever her issue was. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" panic was lining the girl's voice, and it was what helped anchor Rukia, the emotion dousing her cold. She stood up fully, unsure of when she had started to curl in on herself, and looked into Yuzu's warm eyes.
"Yes I am fine, I apologize Yuzu." Bowing slightly to the younger girl, she gave a heavy sigh. "Let us forget these heavy things, after all there's a party going on." It was said with a smile, and Rukia was pleased to see Yuzu follow her lead and nod vigorously, a wide grin on her face.
"Of course Rukia!"
XxXxXx
Hisana had no intention of letting this night go to waste. Not only did she find out Yuzu's "illness," and ultimately the cure for it-courtesy of Unohana-she had been slowly placing Ichigo into the path of her sister. Thinking of her doppelgänger, she let out a grimace. Rukia already knew that Hisana teased her incessantly about the Seelie Prince, but if she knew the lengths she were going to push them towards one another…the reaction would not be pretty.
Regardless, Hisana knew she needed to do it. She didn't forget the words that witch had spoken to her and Isshin so very many years ago. So many, in fact, that until she had seen the burning prince, the memory had all but been wiped from her mind. And so the plan had been born. She had sensed him enter their lands that fateful day, his magick so like his mother's and father's that Hisana would've known it anywhere. So she nudged Rukia so gently, barely a suggestion into her sister's mind, that the girl never even noticed that the urge to check their lands and head to the Rukongai was not her own.
When she returned with the boy king in tow, already Hisana could see something trying to form between them, their magick calling to one another whether they realized it or not. It was what pushed her to accept his council, Byakuya deferring to her easily. He had seen what his mate had, and he trusted her judgment, despite the fact that she knew he only wished to protect Rukia. Hisana wanted to do the same, but she could read Ichigo Kurosaki easily enough, and she knew that he would protect what he cared for fiercely.
Again and again, she pushed him towards her, knowing her sister would be immovable, but she had not taken that other woman into account, the one she had seen in Rukia's mind, the last glimpse being her kissing the Seelie prince on the side of his mouth and him not stopping her. It was what drove her to warn him that night when they announced their alliance. To her surprise, she couldn't sense that woman anywhere on his thoughts, only Rukia, his vehemence that he would never hurt her resounding in Hisana. It was a situation leaving her confused, and it only grew when she realized that Renji plagued the Seelie Prince's thoughts when it came to Rukia.
Coming upon this thought, Hisana scoffed and shook her head, a smirk on her lips.
"Of course these two cannot just speak to one another." It was spoken to an empty room, but it did not stop the response that came back to Hisana, the mating bond humming. Despite what we know, they have barely known one another for a week. Give them time, it does not snap into place for everyone. Especially when war times seem to be upon us. Her mate would seem to know that best, and it transported Hisana back, to a time when their people were so willing to tear one another's throats out, when fae blood constantly fed the Earth. When she had met Kageyoshi Byakuya, he was nothing more than a burning Seelie Prince, not unlike Ichigo, except he had been willing to kill Hisana and Isshin on the spot when he had seen them.
~The Year Five Hundred and Three~
She had sensed his decision to leave almost as soon as he had made it. The only difference was that he was already doing rotations around the Rukongai and she was deep within the manor walls. By the time she had found him, he was already halfway to the Seelie lands. Fear was a constant thing that pricked her senses, but she couldn't tell if it came from her or the creatures, if they could sense the war that had come to their home.
Isshin was not doing anything to hide his presence in the forest, and perhaps that was why that Seelie man had found him. Hisana did not know why he was acting this way, but the moment she had seen the blade drawn against her closest companion's neck, by the broad shouldered Seelie whose back was to her, all thought disappeared. She had never known fear in life like she had in those few seconds. Within the span of a breath, she had moved from her hiding spot, to press the tip of her blade against the base of the man's skull.
"Release him." Her voice was ice, and she felt like her heart had all but stopped. She could tell when Isshin recognized the voice, could feel dread curl inside his stomach, could feel his knees nearly give out. The man between them said nothing at first, but when she dropped the temperature and knew he felt it, he stepped away from Isshin and removed his blade, causing Hisana to step back as well.
"So you finally show yourself. How cowardly to sneak up on a man in his own home." The man's tenor was deep and smooth, and Hisana hated the moment she realized that he sounded attractive. It only worsened as he turned to face her slightly, only giving her his peripheral and a mercurial set of eyes, but it had been enough for her to know. Her stomach had plummeted from beneath her so quickly that even Isshin had flinched, the ancient thing repeating itself in her bones.
Mate.
A knock on the door broke her from her reminiscing, and Hisana stood in a flurry of silk and organza, deciding to wear a modern dress for the night. Standing there in the doorway stood Byakuya, dressed in a modern suit, fitted in grey and white, just as she was. He smiled down at her softly, and even now, over 500 years after meeting him, Hisana could not stop the emotion that rose in her chest at seeing him, could not stop the smile and love she felt for this male. Already knowing her thoughts, and echoing them back to her, he bent forward to press his lips to hers, gently but insistently, before breaking away with a grin almost no one ever saw.
"Come, love, it seems we have a gala to attend." Her laughter was light and chiming, full of love for her mate and family…but love cannot win a war.
XxXxXx
When Karin and Ichigo finally made it to the courtyard, it was to dozens of fae dressed in their best, all mingling and dancing outside while snow fell around them but did not touch the party. Rukia's magick stood strong and constant, even when she was not there to watch it, and both siblings were silently awed once again by her. They stood there for a few minutes, content to watch the fae there and the firelight that lingered in antiqued, golden urns. It was only when Toshirou Hitsugaya walked up to them that they once again came to life. Karin and Ichigo had both inclined their heads to the male who did the same in kind.
Ichigo could see Toshirou giving them both a once over, but he wasn't a fool, and could see his eyes linger on Karin. To his surprise and relief however, he did not stray past her face, seemingly thinking something.
"You look lovely tonight, hime." his voice was polite, but Ichigo thought him rather bold to compliment his own sister in front of him. As if he could hear his thoughts, Toshirou's turquoise gaze flicked to Ichigo, dark amusement shining in them, and Ichigo forced himself to meet his gaze. Raising an eyebrow, Toshirou straightened, but did not say anything for a moment. It was as if his eyes had lost focus, but then he blinked and it was gone. Instead, he looked over his shoulder, back to the archway that they had all entered. Nothing happened, and Ichigo was finding himself really curious as to what went on in Toshirou Hitsugaya's head. The man turned back once more and bowed to Karin. "Would you care to dance with me, hime?" Ichigo was so shocked, he couldn't help but look to his sister, who was just as equally, if the look in her eyes was any indication.
The damning evidence, however, was the blush that was currently covering her face. Before Ichigo could call her out on it, a cold wind washed over them, causing her face to pale once more. He bit the inside of his cheek as Toshirou stood, looking at her expectantly, as if he had all the time in the world, and Goddess help him, his immovable, unshakable sister actually nodded, lowering her face from him.
"Of course Hitsugaya-san." Ichigo wasn't actually sure if he was gaping or not, but Toshirou said nothing, only nodded to him and led Karin away. She, at least, slammed her elbow into his side, causing him to curl in on himself, wheezing, and so of course that was how Rukia Kuchiki found him.
XxXxXx
The only reason she had decided to enter the gala was because Yuzu had asked her to go in first. Rukia couldn't help but wonder if she were nervous or if she could sense Tsubaki nearby, waiting for Rukia to give them the okay. Regardless, she acquiesced to the young hime's wishes and snuck her way inside, not wanting to steal Yuzu's spotlight. Of course, now she could see that she ended up stumbling onto a whole different problem when she spotted bright orange hair that was bent forward at a weird angle. Knowing that she should keep her distance, but unable to stop her curiosity, Rukia made her way closer to the Seelie Ouji, before she found herself standing right next to him.
"What are you doing?" the words were out before she could stop them, and she watched the boy king stiffen before he straightened so quickly that she was glad she had not leaned forward to inspect him. His face was red, and his eyes were wide and unblinking on her face.
"Rukia?" she wanted to roll her eyes, because yes of course, who else would she be, but her tongue felt numb when she watched his amber eyes rove over her face, then down over her body. If it had been another man, she would've knocked him out cold, but this man's gaze had her rooted to the spot as he perused her. If it was even possible, his gaze seemed to darken and turn molten, and Rukia's stomach clenched. He turned his body fully towards her, and she was able to see the sharp suit with a white button-down and navy tie.
Once again they seemed to be semi-matching, as she had decided to wear slightly flared white gown with an overlapping sweetheart neckline that was reminiscent of a yukata. She wore a wide navy colored obiage, with a patterned white floral obi overtop of it. The fabric laid against her stomach to create almost a diamond, and was tied in the back in an almost handara musubi fashion, the length falling to the back of her knees.
When he took a step towards her, Rukia's gaze snapped up to his, and she opened her mouth to…do what exactly? He seemed just as lost as she did, but whatever was going on in his head led him closer to her, until he was staring down in her face, and she could count every fleck of gold in his eyes if she wanted.
"Will you dance with me Rukia?" his voice was low, rumbling over her skin like an earthquake, and it felt like she was on fire. He was going to ruin her, surely, this had to have been a warning, but still she nodded.
"Yes."
XxXxXx
Toshirou's hands were large and surprisingly warm, pressed against her back. He had said nothing at first, content to watch her and the fae around them, and just when the music had started to call to her, he spoke.
"You see how they look at one another too?" she was surprised, to say the least, but she had heard of him being bound by blood to the Unseelie hime. Yuzu and she had been bound by blood in a way as well after all, and even now she could feel her twin's heartbeat, an echo to her own. And so Karin merely nodded, content to not ask more than what was needed.
"Of course I do. You forget that Yu and I have spent 200 years with Ichigo, we know our brother, and even we can see the signs. We feel it in our bones." If he was surprised at how perceptive she was, he didn't let on, only pulled her closer and spun her.
XxXxXx
She was small and delicate beneath his hands, constantly cool to the touch, and before long Ichigo couldn't deny the feeling of craving this goddess. The fates themselves could've told him that she would be his downfall and still he would choose this path, whatever direction he was going in. He only knew it needed to go towards her. They swayed to the beat, in tune with one another, and he found himself pulling her closer, tightening his hold on her. She said nothing, only leaned her head onto his chest, seemingly just as lost as he in whatever pull had descended on them.
Nothing else mattered to him, not this war, not these people, not Renji. The male was irrelevant when it came to this woman in his arms, despite how easily he could rile him up. Sighing deeply, he hooked his arms around Rukia's waist and spun her before dipping her low. She gasped slightly, merely an exhalation, before falling back in his arms, with no hesitation in the way her spine bent backwards. She was ethereal. Her pale cheeks were flushed slightly, her lavender orbs bright, both with magick and enjoyment. When he lifted her, she met his gaze without hesitation, looking as though she were going to speak. Before she could, however, Yuzu entered.
XxXxXx
Fool. She had nearly damned herself. How could she allow some twinkling lights and close dancing to lull her into even remotely telling Ichigo the feelings she may or may not be harboring? She couldn't, and that was the point. What was this male doing to her? This was not like her, nothing in the way she had been acting since she had met Ichigo Kurosaki was like her. Seeing Yuzu enter was a reprieve and a reprimand. She was not here to fall in love, especially with a taken Seelie Fae Prince of all people. This was not about her, nor what she dreamed of. When the fiery Prince's youngest sister entered, Rukia took it as her chance to slip away from him, intent on telling Tsubaki and the others to make their entrance, but as she was doing so, it seemed she had caught the eye of yet another male.
Blood-red hair flashed in her vision, and she was stopped by Renji, the general currently dressed in a form-fitting pinstripe grey suit. She gazed up into his face, surprised at how calm he looked. Her companion had never looked as mature as he did now, looking down at her.
"You look beautiful Rukia." His voice was pitched low and she hated it for causing a chill to run through her. She couldn't breathe for a moment, didn't dare to blink.
"Thank you Renji." She paused, mulling over her words. "You clean up nice." There. Casual, but not a come on. She wanted to groan at her own thoughts, they were suspiciously starting to sound a lot like Hisana. A breathy laugh caused her to look back up at her childhood friend, wondering at when she looked away. He was grinning at her, like how he had when they were younger, when love and war were just distant things to worry about. She couldn't help the light smile that found its way onto her features.
"Is that your way of tellin' me I look bad any other time?" humor laced his voice, and Rukia had to choke back a laugh.
"Well I want you to remember that I was not the one to say so, and that if I spent all of my time training and working out, perhaps I would not have the time to always look so amazing." He barked out a laugh and Rukia found herself grinning. Beyond him, Mai's white antlers snagged Rukia's attention, ultimately causing Renji to turn as well. He let out a low whistle.
"Mai always blows me away every time." Rukia felt the same way. Mai and she were bound to one another, and seeing her always overwhelmed and awed Rukia.
"Yeah…"she couldn't help breathing, even starting to go towards them and Yuzu. Renji at least didn't bother grabbing for her, she just heard him call out a farewell. She echoed it back, only half listening, and easily made her way through the crowd to watch Tsubaki and Soul, Tsubaki's packmate, kneeling to Yuzu. To Rukia's surprise and satisfaction, the Seelie Hime was returning the favor.
Someone brushed her arm, finally pulling her out of her trance, and she turned to face Shirayuki, who was smiling pleasantly down at her.
"Hello Rukia." Overjoyed at being able to see her friend, Rukia smiled back.
"Hello Shirayuki. I was hoping I would get to see you tonight." The yukionna's moonstone eyes twinkled.
"Perhaps I was not the only one? I saw your dance." Just the half-mention was enough to make Rukia feel like she were burning, and she couldn't help the cursory gaze she sent around to find the Seelie Ouji. As if he could sense her, he found her gaze easily, dozens of people between them, but she could feel the weight of his arms around her still.
Rukia found herself biting the inside of her cheek to avoid moaning lowly, and whether it was in annoyance or want, she was not entirely sure. As if he could read her thoughts, he took a step towards her, before a pair of fae passed in front of him. She watched him blink as though he were falling out of a trance, and to her surprise it seemed a flush was crawling up his face. It took her a long moment to remember that Shirayuki had spoken to her, but finally Rukia turned to face the yukionna.
"I'm going to greet Yuzu and the reindeer. Would you like to join me?" it was a poor escape tactic, and she knew Shirayuki saw it, but the Unseelie hime had no idea how to respond. Ah yes, it seems that I just can't help myself when it comes to the Seelie Prince? As if that would go over well. To her relief, however, Shirayuki merely smiled at her and nodded.
XxXxXx
Hisana had not wanted to detract from Yuzu's entrance, and so at her behest, Byakuya had led her in the same direction that he had sensed Rukia enter. It was a small, hidden passageway, no doubt something Rukia had found while exploring when she was younger, if her magick signature was anything to go by. The former Seelie Prince could sense another's aura or magick signature that was purely their own, and the hallway they had taken was coated in Rukia's. Hers reminded him of Hisana's in some ways, the quiet strength he could always sense from it, and the calming chill it always held.
Brushing a hand down the worn brick where he knew Rukia placed her own hand many times, he peered into the celebration with Hisana. They could see Karin and Hitsugaya slowly twirling to the music, something that had surprised both of them. Their cousin had not been given an easy fate but for him to be mingling with someone who was not family was progress from the pain he had endured. Closer to the hidden couple however, was the pair that they had both been searching for, and when they watched the Seelie prince leading their sister into a dance, Byakuya could sense Hisana's happiness as if it were the sun shining. Feeling his lips twitch into a soft smile, he looked down at his mate.
While Rukia was prone to leaving her hair shorter than her sister's, Hisana had grown hers to her shoulders, and regularly wore it up. Even now it was in a chignon, with beads strewn through the bun. Byakuya brushed a hand against Hisana's nape, stepping closer to her.
Perhaps they may figure it out after all. Her response was a low laugh. Hisana glanced up at him, an eyebrow raised, but amusement flickered down the mating bond.
"Perhaps they need some interference." A short chuckle echoed back to her, a laugh really, in Byakuya's terms. He glanced back to the party, nudging Hisana to do the same, as the group of reindeer and Yuzu finally made their entrance. They watched Yuzu and two reindeer bow to one another, before Rukia was visible once more, coming up to greet the younger Seelie Hime. On her right, it seemed the Seelie prince was not one to be shown up, and he made his way over to see his sister as well.
It was then that Hisana decided to make her presence known as well, stepping away from the shadowed entryway and into the party. Just as she did, something seemed to pierce the magick surrounding the party, and a scream ripped out. At once, fae reacted and moved, and when Byakuya watched Yuzu stumble, before falling to the ground, shock was his only reaction. At once, both he and Hisana made their way through the crowd, roaring for them to move out of the way. Hisana had reached the fallen hime first, dropping to her knees and grasping for Yuzu, and when Byakuya finally reached them, it was Rukia in Hisana's arms, an arrow through her shoulder. His blood chilled instantly.
XxXxXx
She had sensed it the second the arrow pierced her magick. Not much was capable of getting through a barrier that Rukia set her mind to creating, and if it did, she would know exactly what it was. It was demonic in origin, that much was obvious, and the fact that it was aimed towards Yuzu was a clear threat to the Seelie. So Rukia did the only thing she could. She shoved the younger girl, watching shock unfurl on the girl's face as she stumbled backwards. The force of the arrow hit her in her shoulder blade hard, and she found herself stumbling forward as well. It took all of her concentration to force the barrier to close, to sharpen its defense, as she took in Yuzu's horrified face. She had been the one to scream.
Almost immediately, chaos took over the party, and Rukia quickly found herself looking into matching violet eyes. Hisana looked terrified and furious all at the same time, and when Byakuya could be seen behind his mate's shoulder as well, she watched shock flicker through to disbelief and then cold fury. It took a moment for her to realize that she needed to focus on what Hisana was saying.
"-can you stand Rukia? Is it poisoned?" she shook her head, then regretted it. The arrow was lodged between her collar bone and shoulder. Hissing between her teeth, Rukia lifted a hand towards whoever would help her stand. A tanned hand grasped her own, and when she followed it to the Seelie Prince's face, she couldn't read his expression. The boy king she was starting to know was nowhere to be found, and whatever it was that currently existed in his body was not familiar. It was not kind. Despite that, he was gentle as he helped her stand, but when he bent forward, she was surprised that he had reached to lift her in his hold. Rukia couldn't find it in herself to complain, and only adjusted so that they wouldn't risk jostling the arrow.
He was warm and his scent was heady and familiar, and before she could even think about it, a soft voice had bid her to sleep and she was out, pressed against the crook of his neck.
XxXxXx
He was a living flame. The instant he watched that arrow pierce her, his temperature skyrocketed and he couldn't calm down. Fury roiled underneath his skin, and something even deeper and darker hissed beneath it, something ancient. She was still awake, however, still breathing, and so that was the only thing that kept him sane. He couldn't understand what the ancient thing was hissing to him, his head felt like it were under water, but it bid him towards her, demanded that he touch her and make sure she were real. So he helped her stand, and he lifted her, her form so small in his arms. The arrow was sharp and jagged, gleaming with her blood at the tip, and it only caused his anger to burn hotter, so he turned to face the others that he had forgotten were standing there.
Yuzu had tears coursing down her face, and at some point it seemed Toshirou and Karin had joined her, along with the doe Tsubaki, and Soul. Byakuya was watching Rukia and himself closely, but it was Hisana who faced the woods, silent now that their hime had fallen. Next to her, Mai stood strong and proud. The Unseelie Queen took a step towards the woods, and only faintly did Ichigo realize the other fae had all taken cover elsewhere. He didn't expect her to speak.
"This is your declaration of war. With the Seelie. With the Unseelie. We will give you an annihilation. Our hime will give you your annihilation." Her voice was unearthly, causing goosebumps to break out on Ichigo's skin, and not for the first time, did he wonder what might have prowled beneath the Queen of the Unseelie's skin.
