Happy Turkey Day everyone.

Before we begin a question, would you rather:

Eat one of John Madden's Turduckhen's for Thanksgiving?

Or have Mayuri-Taichou cook Thanksgiving Dinner?

Your comments please

I do not own Bleach

Chapter 10:

To Know One Another, And Then?

"So what brings you to Kyoto, umm, Rukia right?"

"Heh, even I'm trying to figure why, for the most part I just travel what the road takes me."

"Like the rock that continues rolling, it gathers no grass."

"Hmm?"

Ichigo gulped in a mouthful of noodles than replied "Oh, It's just something my mother told me."

"I see, intresting"

As the two continued eating Rukia took the moment to look down her bowl, to nobles like her family a bowl of noodles was just a peasant dish. But for the common people it was food that many in this city could only hope for.

Being the sister of the Lord of the Kuchiki clan, she too could understand the plight that people face.

"You know, perhaps it's not so bad."

"What?"

"That man who picked my pocket, he's an example of a people stricken by war and famine, even here in the Capital."

"You don't have to tell anyone twice, thanks to all the collections Aizen makes for his campaigns, a bowl of rice could be considered a New Year's feast for many."

"I take it take you do not take kindly to Lord Aizen's rule"

"You can just take a look around the city and you'd see why! The peasant on the Marketplace begging for food, the samurai who demand everyone bows to him, and all the wars they go off and wage!" Ichigo took a moment to breath and gather words "It's an iron-fisted rule, choking the life out of this city, and no one seems to be willing to correct it!" he finished, taking a large swig from his drink.

Rukia couldn't help but wince a bit at Ichigo's outburst, true their was some strong resentment to Aizen's rule, but the military power of the Sosuke always suppressed that resentment.

Here though, this commoner seemed more than just mulling quiet anger towards the rule of a tyrant.

Now Ichigo began to regret his own temper flaring, "I apologize, I shouldn't have snapped just like that."

"No"

"Hmm?"

"I think your speaking for a lot of people's feelings."

Right at the moment, a streak of lightning pierced the gray sky, the boom of thunder echoed across the city.

"Sounds like a storm coming in, a big one" Ichigo remarked, "Here" He handed Rukia another handful of coins. "Hope this covers for a room, unless you prefer sleeping in the rain."

"Good luck finding one" Chad interjected "With Lord Aizen's call to arms every inn and brothel in Kyoto is full."

Rukia sighed upon recieving the information, traces of weariness on her voice "Well, I suppose my good fortune never does change"

Ichigo himself felt a bit of pity from her own situation, thus perhaps he can owe a further obligation.

"Um...Rukia, my family has a spare room for guests sometimes, if all the inn's are full, well...perhaps you'd like to stay for the night? That is...only if you want to."

"I thank you for your hospitality Ichigo, but I don't know how I would repay it."

"It's no problem, all of this is just helping someone in need."

Normally, for the woman known as Kuchiki Rukia, being seen at with pity is was somewhat demeaning, both to her woman's pride and as a member of the Kuchiki. However being in a city during winter without a place to stay was quite inconvient. So she swallowed her pride and accepted his offer.

Afterall, she still had a mission to acomplish

"Well, if you feel no need to accept repayment, than I suppose I'll stay with you for the night."

The pair paid for their meals then promptly left the bar,

"Take care of yourself Chad."

"Same to you."

East District

Ishida saw the approching thunderstorm as well, a sign of the inevitable winter. His thoughts though quickly returned to the task at hand.

His mission the Temple assigned him was to gather information of Aizen's latest campaign and report back.

He had spent six days in Kyoto and to be honest, even he felt amazed at the military might of the Sosuke clan, how could one man force so many others to gather an army of this size?

"I've seen some campaigns take place, never before have I seen that massive of an army, is all of this to subjagate Kyushu only? Or does Aizen have more in mind? Could he be..."

Without a further moment to reflect, Ishida felt a sharp and heavy blow hit the back of his head. He tried to regain his senses but could feel even more forces of pain afflicting his body, the blow to his head rendering him unable to counter-attack, Ishida was soon dragged to the ground.

"Out of the way, I want him to see me."

Despite the pain Ishida could notice the familiar tone of the man's voice.

A voice he would know, that promised more pain to come.

Toyori was towering above him, the scar from Ishida's arrow now adorned his face, along with an even larger gang of samurai.

"So what now eh Quincy? You think you can show off and make me a fool and expect to get away with it?!" shouted Toyori, and to exemplify his words, pressed his heavy foot on Ishida's neck.

"Come on tough guy! Look upon this face! Look at me!" Toyori stomped on Ishida again.

"Give me his bow" One of his men took the bow off of Ishida and gave it to Toyori, then, he pressed it upon his leg and snapped it in two.

"Betcha think your all that with this shitty bow huh?! Well tell me what do you think of this?!"

The last thing Ishida could see before blacking out was Toyori stomping his foot onto his face.

Kurosaki residence

"Oka-sama! I've brought a guest for the night."

Masaki, who was tending to the fields outside saw her son and Rukia outside the door.

"Oh, by all means let her in. It's been awhile since we've had guests"

"Thank you very much for your kindness Lady Mashiba" she bowed.

Hearing her own surname caused Masaki to be head back to a memory. The memory of a former love now lost to time.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, I'm fine, Ichigo if you could show her her room."

Upon leading her to the guest room, Ichigo noticed a katana tied to Rukia's obi.

"Didn't know you practiced with a sword"

"Oh, and I suppose you know everything about swordsmanship?"

"Not at all" he shrugged, "it's not every day you find a woman with a sword"

"This blade happened to be a gift from my brother."

"I see, so how much do you gauge your skill?"

"For the most part, I'm still learning, and yourself?"

"There's a friend of mine whom I spar with every now and then, you can say both of us are still novices."

Rukia then removed the blade from the sheath, her reflection cast upon the iron blade. Ichigo was quite impressed at the craftsmanship of the sword. At that moment he could notice a flower crest on the blade, he'd seen it once before.

"What's that symbol on the blade?"

"This? It's just a decoration."

"I've havent seen that flower except on banners."

"Well, what can I say? I just like decorations."

Despite her claims to the contrary, Ichigo still felt unsure, as if she had something to hide.

He had seen that flower crest once, a black camellia flower on a purple banner.

The banner and crest of the Kuchiki clan.

"HEY ICHIGO! Tell your girlfriend dinner's almost ready!"

Speak of the devil, he knew sooner or later Karin would say it.

"Girlfriend?"

"Rukia, I do not know what is worse, marching on campaign or living with younger sisters."

"I can only imagine" said Rukia, sarcasm tinging her voice. "You should meet my brother one day and perhaps he'll redefine your view of Hell."

"Perhaps it's best not to imagine, now come on, Oka-chan hates it when dinner gets cold."

Even as he said that, the flower crest on Rukia's sword continued to stroke Ichigo's mind.

Clearly, there was more to Rukia than she wanted you to know.

That mystery, Ichigo would seek to solve

While the two headed off to the dining table another crack of lightning made its presence known.

A harbinger of the chaos that was yet to take place.

Las Noches Castle

"One, Two, Three"

Right at the count of three came the clap of thunder.

"Well, it sure has come closer, hasn't it my Lord?"

In the upper keep of the castle, the thunderstorm had distracted for the moment the Shogi game that Aizen and Gin were playing.

"For some people, the weather can be an omen to predict the future."

"Yes, and that thunderstorm sets the scene perfectly for our next performance, right?" Gin took one of Aizen's generals from the board. "So how many of our allies are contributing for this little expedition to Kyushu?"

"Karyia, Fujikabe, Okodai, and Hayakawa have come with their armies. Usagi and Akamatsu are still a day's march away."

"And what of our good friend, Ariyo Hisahide?"

"Ariyo informed me that he'll join with the main army at Hiroshima, after all the invasion fleet will be set off from his territory." Aizen next positoned his chariot piece closer to Ichimaru's king.

"Of course, you don't trust the man as far as he can be thrown." Aizen's other general was next to be captured. "Remember all that trouble he gave us at Shizutaka?"

"I do, Ariyo proved to be a most troublesome advesary, perhaps even more than Isshin. Yes, he agreed to surrender and join my coalition. But as all men smile, they may very well have a dagger behind their backs."

"Well, you know the saying, 'he who betrays must expect betrayl' right?"

"Hmm." Aizen manuvered his king to avoid Gin's general.

"Speaking of Isshin, it is worth knowing, 15 years and we have yet to find the Kurosaki family or Zangetsu. It's as if Isshin continues to defy us even in death." Ichimaru than placed a pawn two squares from the king.

Aizen didn't answer those words, his eyes remained focused on the game as he moved his castle to Gin's end of the board.

Ichimaru at last placed his king piece to within strike of Aizen's.

"Check."

This move, Aizen payed no attention, his eyes had turned to the window.

"One, Two, Three."

A flash of lightning illuminated the room, and then...

Ichimaru found out he had left his promoted castle piece captured by Aizen's bishop.

"Checkmate."

Pain, deep throbbing pain.

His hand placed upon his bleeding forehead, Ishida wandered aimlessly along the road.

Evidently, Toyori and his gang had their way with Ishida, than left him for dead. The fools, did they not know how much physical punishment a Quincy could take?

Still the driving rain didn't help matters much, unless he wished to catch death from a cold it was imperative he find shelter.

Admist the downpoiur he could notice a farmer's silhouette. Ishida tried to motion towards it, seek his or her assistance. He had to hurry, his legs were about to drop.

The farmer dropped the basket she was carrying atop her head. Quickly she ran towards him to help. When she got a closer look of him, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Ishida?"

On the virge of unconciousness, he would see the face of Inoue Orihime.

"Heh, I never thought, that she would repay the favor." His last thought before drifting to an unconscious sleep.

Post Battle Report:

Okay, I don't know if this is exactly my best work, especially the Shogi scene. Afterall it's hard to write a good romance, especially for a amatuer like myself.

But I shall strive to improve.

The Shogun bids you a Happy Thanksgiving.

Review or you and your friend shall be forced into a tag-team cage match against Grimmjow and Zaraki for the Shogun's enjoyment.

Kagekatsu