A/N: Uh Oh, late update, again… don't hate me!
Thank you guys for hanging in there with me for this story. I'm sorry that it got sidelined for a couple weeks. There's just been so much going on in my personal life. I won't get into it right now. If any of you are reading my other story, you know what's up. I'm not going to rehash it here. If you really would like to know, see the author's note at the beginning of Dream A Little Dream. Anyway, this chapter should have been longer. Sorry about that. I had about 4,000 words down but half of it just felt like lazy writing and I couldn't make myself put that out there. I'd feel like I was letting you guys down. So here's the revised version. Hope you like it. Enjoy!
CHAPTER NINE- FROST BENEATH THE FLAME
Jasmine watched Ichigo scurry underneath the bed as Aria made her entrance into the room followed by Kasha and Kean. She held her breath and tried to still her shaking hands. Crossing her legs underneath her she sat back against the headboard and willed her eyes to meet her sister's and waited for the coming storm.
"What the hell have you been doing in here?" Aria chastised in a shrill tone. She shot Jasmine a cold stare before glancing around the room. "Your spiritual pressure has been fluctuating so strongly, we could feel it from the café across town!"
In a flustered panic, Jazz fought the blush rising to her face at the memory of exactly what she'd been doing. She took an unsteady breath and lied her heart out. "I… uh… I was having a bad dream." She knew her excuse would work. She'd told that lie so many times. Before she'd lost her powers, there were many nights that her reiatsu would spike and go out of control. Her stomach turned when she thought of the reason why. She never wanted to go back to feeling that way again and with Ichigo, she never would.
From behind Aria, Kean narrowed his eyes and glared at Jasmine before chuckling softly. "A nightmare, huh? Poor little Ju'oh. Is there anything we can do to make it better?" His velvety soft voice raised goose bumps on Jasmine's skin. She shook her head and cast her eyes to the floor. "I'm fine." She choked out. "It was just a dream."
As Kean approached the bed and sat next to Jasmine, Kasha scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Stop babying her, Kean! A dream, huh? Then what was that loud thump we heard a minute ago? Don't you have to be sleeping to have a nightmare?"
Kean shut his sister up with a glare of pure malice before gently resting his hand on Jazz's leg. "Despite her ignorance, that was a decent question. What was that noise, Jasmine?"
"I… uh… I fell out of the bed. That's what woke me up. I guess it was a really bad dream."
Ichigo struggled to tell what was going on but all he could see from his position on the floor was feet. Three pair of feet. And barely even that now that Kean had sat down. His legs were directly in his line of sight. He felt the bed move and Jazz's bare legs came into view. She was moving away from her cousin. Ichigo hadn't seen what had made her recoil so quickly but he had a feeling it wasn't good. He heard a crooning above him, like Kean was trying to comfort Jasmine but she remained silent, and Ichigo prayed that was a sign that they all believed her story.
Kean eyed Jasmine with suspicion but slowly lifted his hand and placed it on the small of her back. She immediately flinched away from him. He couldn't help feeling a little hurt but he continued to smile, trying to reassure her that he meant no harm. "My dear little Ju'oh." He purred. "I can't begin to tell you how happy I am that your powers have returned to you. Do you know what I think would cheer you up?" He asked lifting her chin with his finger so that he could make eye contact. "A celebration dinner. Wouldn't that be nice? You didn't eat anything at the party did you? You must be starving." He stood and watched her face for signs of acceptance. When her features softened and she nodded slightly, his smile broadened. "Good! We'll all go to that little café on the corner, and… oh dear. It's nearly day light. Well, how does breakfast sound instead, hmm?"
"Oh that'd be wonderful, brother!" Kasha beamed. "Jazz, you should call that sexy little Ishida boy and ask him to join us. I'm sure he's just dying to see you after last night. It'd be kind of fitting since he will be a member of this family soon, anyway!"
Kean's face fell at his sister's words and he turned to her and Aria with a stern but questioning look but before he could say anything, Jasmine flew off the bed and stood in front of her cousin. "What did you say?" She asked just a few inches from Kasha's face. When the young blonde didn't answer, she turned to her sister. "What the hell is she talking about?" Jasmine had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach when she saw the cocky look on Aria's face.
"Oh don't give me that look. You two are perfect for each other! And it's not like there aren't any feelings there. The boy nearly drools every time he looks at you. Any fool can see that. Besides, I've already discussed it with Ryuken, and even though he isn't 100% on board with the idea of an arranged marriage just yet, he'll come around. He does agree with me that he's noticed the attraction between you and that it would benefit both his family and ours."
Aria's words caused Jazz's blood to boil. She could feel herself losing control of her spiritual pressure again and it was all she could do to keep from forming her spirit bow right then and there and impaling her sister with as many arrows as she could manage. It was apparent that her reiatsu was effecting the other Quincies in the room as they all seemed to stumble back a little from her. Or perhaps it was simply the death glare she was sending in Aria's direction. "YOU BITCH!" She screamed. Kean stepped forward and tried to hold her back but she shook him off with ease. She pointed a finger in her sister's face which was now paling slightly. "What makes you think you could do that? Uryu is my best friend! You can't make decisions like that for him, and as for me… you do not have the right! I am head of this house now! Or did you forget, dear sister?" Her voice had grown cold and steady. She was no longer shouting but her words dripped venom all the same. "I have my powers back and you have no control over me or this family anymore."
"You're getting a little ahead of yourself there, aren't you Jasmine?" Aria asked with confidence. "Or did you forget? You aren't the head of this house just yet. Not until you turn 18, and until then, I am your guardian and rightful leader of this family and you will do whatever the fuck I tell you to!"
"Aria!" Kean shouted as he pushed a stunned Jasmine behind him. "That's enough! Never again speak to to the Isaka heiress that way! Have you forgotten her birthright? You're acting like she's some mail order bride going out to the highest bidder! The young Ishida maybe a good match but they are both still children! And you…" he turned his attention to his twin sister who was rummaging through Jasmine's closet holding up her clothes and then tossing them to the floor. "Get out of her things and have a little respect!" Turning and placing his hand on Jazz's trembling shoulders, he sighed. "Perhaps we'll take a rain check for breakfast. Just me and you, huh? And maybe your friend, too, if he feels so inclined. He winked at her then and cut his eyes at the underside of the bed and Jasmine stilled with a wide eyed stare. Kean turned without another word and grabbed Aria and Kasha both hard by the wrists and ushered them both out of the room, slamming the door behind them.
Ichigo listened to the argument, gritting his teeth. They were going to make her marry Ishida? That was bullshit! He'd ring Uryu's skinny little neck before he'd let that happen. No, he should blame Aria. He doubted Uryu knew anymore about their plan than Jazz did. And he'd blame Ryuken if that bastard agreed to this nonsense. He'd had to force himself to stay calm throughout the whole conversation, reminding himself how much worse it would be for Jazz if he'd leapt out from hiding to defend her like he'd wanted to. What was with that Kean guy? Ichigo had originally thought that he must be an asshole and had lumped him in the same category as Aria and his freaky sister but from the way he had defended Jazz just now, Ichigo began to wonder if maybe he'd misjudged him. When he finally heard the door shut and the room grow silent, he inched his way out from under the bed.
Jazz looked up at Ichigo as he approached and threw herself into his arms. All the pent up emotion came flooding out as he held onto her and let her cry. After a few moments, he leaned back and kissed her forehead gently. "So… you got your powers back, huh?" He whispered, not wanting to give the other three people in the house any reason to barge back in. She smiled up at him and nodded. He hugged her tightly. "That's great, Jazz! Hey, I don't know what all that other stuff is about, but we'll figure it out okay? I love you. I won't lose you. Especially not to Uryu Ishida!" He whispered against her hair and felt her giggle softly against his chest. "I love you, too."
They walked together out onto the balcony and stood in the early morning light. They talked quietly for while about everything Ichigo had overheard and about what Ryuken had said about her powers having been suppressed or sealed, not drained by the hollow. She told him of her plan to talk to Kisuke Urahara and he agreed that if anyone in Karakura Town could figure it out, it would be the genius ex-soul reaper captain. They decided they'd go to the shop together later on in the day after both of them had some time to rest.
As Ichigo started to climb down from the balcony, Jazz stopped him for one last kiss. When he pulled away, she was smiling so serenely at him, he couldn't imagine that his life could ever be more complete.
"I wish you could stay." She said, leaning over the railing as he descended. "I wish last night could have lasted forever."
His feet had barely touched the ground before he was climbing back up to capture her lips in another sweet kiss. "Then let's pretend it's night again. Back up, and let me come back in."
Jazz grabbed his shoulders and held him still. "No, you goof," She laughed. "If anybody sees you here, Aria will kill you!"
Ichigo laughed and kissed Jazz on the tip of her nose. In a sudden dramatic motion, he flung one leg over the balcony banister and pulled her close to him. He couldn't resist the urge. "Let me be taken, let me be put to death! I am content if you will it so."
"Ichigo! Is that… are you quoting Romeo and Juliet?" Jasmine was stunned. Hadn't he said he didn't pay attention in that class?
"Act Three, Scene Five. Now, shhh! I'm trying to be romantic." He cleared his throat, then frowned. "You made me lose my place. Oh yeah… I have more care to stay then will to go! Come death, and welcome! Jasmine wills it so! How are you, my soul? Let's talk, for it is not day."
Jazz was laughing hysterically at Ichigo's over dramatic prose. "Wow that was impressive! I thought you hated Shakespeare."
"No… I said I hated that class. Mrs. Matsuda makes my ear drums bleed." Ichigo said as he settled back on the other side of the railing. "I really have to go now, huh?" he asked, poking out his bottom lip in a fake pout. Jazz leaned in and kissed the protruding lip then nodded. Ichigo slowly climbed down until he was standing below the balcony again looking up at her. "I'll see you later." He called up quietly as he waved goodbye and turned to walk home.
"Yeah, later." Jasmine couldn't stop smiling as she watched him go. She knew beyond a doubt that she really never had been in love before this. Ichigo was the sun that her world revolved around. He was her reason for existing. She truly felt complete when he was with her, and when he was away, he took a piece of her heart with him. She laughed at herself. "Wow. When did I get so mushy?"
She turned and walked inside and fell back on her bed. Grabbing her pillow and hugging it tight, she realized that it smelled like Ichigo. She smiled again. She hadn't been this happy in a long time. And she was determined to hold on to her happiness, despite everything that Aria and the twins had planned. "Shit!" She'd almost forgotten about that mess. She sat up, reached for her cell on the nightstand, and quickly dialed Uryu's number.
After two rings, he answered, "Jazz? Are you alright?" his voice sounded gravelly. He'd clearly been sleeping.
She felt a twinge of guilt for waking him up so early but it couldn't be helped. "I'm fine but, Uryu, we need to talk."
"That's never good. Okay…" he yawned into the phone. "I'm listening. What is it?"
"Aria is trying to get Ryuken to consent to an arranged marriage between you and I. Don't freak out, just listen. I think I have a plan."
"What? Did you just say what I think you said?" Well, it wasn't a freak out… by Uryu standards anyway. He actually sounded way calmer than she'd expected.
"Yeah. You and me, married… and before I turn 18 so I'll really have no choice. Unless Ryuken says no. He will say no, right?" She asked. She kind of wished her best friend would freak out just a little. He was starting to make her nervous.
"Um… yeah. Yes, of course he'll say no. He doesn't trust Aria as far as he could throw her. But Jazz, you know she's got a backup plan. She always does."
"I know." Jasmine thought about what it could possibly be. "That's where my plan comes in. I need you to do me a favor."
Uryu was silent for a moment before answering, "Okay, anything."
"I need you to meet me and Ichigo at Urahara's Shop in four hours. I'll explain everything there."
"Jasmine… was Ichigo with you last night?" Uryu seemed to be hesitating as he asked her.
"Yeah, why?" She responded. Uryu was acting strange and not in the usual way. What was up with him?
"No reason. Hey, I gotta go. I'll be there though, at Urahara's. Four hours, right? See you then." Uryu spouted then abruptly hung up, leaving Jasmine to stare at the 'call ended' screen in surprise.
"Okay… bye." She said before laying the phone down on her night stand again. Things were getting really strange around here. She'd slept with her true love, got her powers back, started to reveal some kind of secret about what had really happened to said powers, cussed her sister out, and had gotten damn near engaged to her best friend all in less than 24 hours. And now, that best friend was acting like a weirdo. She really needed Uryu to be his normal know-it-all self right now, damn him! She couldn't spare the time needed for one of her break downs but that was exactly what was about to happen.
A/N: Okay, there ya go. Chapter 9. Sorry if it wasn't exactly what you all wanted it to be. There's much more to come so stick around! Special Thanks to JaegerjaquezSweety for your inspiring pm. You have no idea how much that helped. I promise I will TRY to get chapter 10 out by the end of the week and chapter 3 of D.A.L.D. and the third part of the "Dark" series. Wow, I'm really behind on my writing, huh? :( Sorry guys. I'm on it. I swear! Don't forget to hit that follow/favorite button down below! It really does a lot to boost my confidence and inspire me to write more. And if you have the time, leave a review and tell me what you think. There are a lot of secrets to be revealed before I finish this one off and I just keep adding more to the pile. Somebody shoot me a message about all the mysteries that need to be unraveled that you've noticed so far. I don't want to leave any loose ends. Still in need of a beta. Anybody have any suggestions? Love Ya'll!
