Teal and Orange
By: Confusion No Hime
Author Notes:
Hello people, it's me again bringing you another update of this shit I'm writing. Another busy week and I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to update immediately next week since I'll be busy with this presentation I had to do.Y-Y I really hate my work but I have to if I want to survive in this cruel world! Okay, I'm exaggerating here. XP
Anyhow, I still can't believe that the last chapter got a lot of reviews despite me, feeling not confident about it since I rushed it. Thank you very much to those people who made it once again possible *burst into tears of joy*. I hope this chap would do well too though I doubt that since I also rushed it, just so I can update before Monday. Anyway, please tell me what you think and feel free to point out any errors.
Thank You Corner:
Thanks to the following peeps! I love you guys! Ichigo-kurokawa, Yuki-chan55, happygirl24, Sora No Tori, sexykakashi99, Thierrymist, bloodrayne337, Ruyu-san, vanity-issues, shillana, DragonDame57, Akagi-H.S., Bonnenuit, Trin 077, smith Courtney, crave-the-rave, evanescenceangel18, fancyultraaafresh, Yoshimara, vudupins, queen86, Nosferatu523, fatelover99, saixKos-Mos, CrazyDudette, ConstantSnow, 4differentpersonalities and ShikamaruIsMyCrack,
Hope you'll enjoy this chap and leave your reviews. Just one thing, no FLAMES please!
Warnings:
Yaoi, male to male, bad language, bad grammar, cheesiness and extreme OOCness to the highest level (not really) so don't complain about the characters being OOC because I already warned you.
Disclaimer:
I still wish I own Bleach.
*****
Chapter 10: The Engagement
ICHIGO KUROSAKI
"Ichigo, are you ready?" Rukia asked as she entered my room. The young woman looked really beautiful with her pink off-shoulder, knee-length dress and small pearls that decorated her ears and neck. Renji was probably feeling lucky to have Rukia but then again… he was in love with Byakuya.
I tried to put on a smile though deep inside I was feeling like shit. I was a little nervous, no, not a little but very, very nervous. Though I agreed to what my grandfather asked of me, I didn't love Inoue and I am plainly doing this for the benefit of my family and the organization. My grandfather said that the future of Seiretei is in my hands and the future would be a secured one if I'll get to have Inoue Orihime, the sole daughter of the Orihime Clan, the fifth most powerful family in the underworld as my wife.
I wanted to say no, I wanted to back out but whenever I think about the sin I've committed last year and whenever memories of Grimmjow Jeagerjaques crossed my mind, I know I had no other choice but to follow what they ask of me.
This is my punishment for falling in love with the enemy, for making Grimmjow my whole world.
"Yeah, I'm ready." I answered as I stood up from the stool in front of a large mirror and walked up to her.
She looked at me with awe in her eyes. "I never knew you'd look so handsome in a tuxedo." She commented or rather teased as one of her eyebrows was raised mischievously.
I scowled at her. "Shut up, Rukia. I look shit in this stupid tuxedo." I complained as I opened the door and got out of my room. I'm not really used into being all formal and stuff.
She chuckled. "Don't say that, it's true. I bet Inoue's eyes would pop-out once she sees how hot you are in that." She said as she followed me.
"Stop making fun of me!"
"But I'm telling the truth!"
"Yeah right, Rukia!"
She just laughed again and I chose to ignore her. I wasn't really in the mood to put up with any of her teasing and stuff. I was nervous as hell and I feel like I'm not going to an engagement party but to the gallows to be executed.
Yes, this engagement is an execution, an act to put me into more misery.
I clenched my hands into fists inside my pockets, the hate I was feeling surging uncontrollably inside my chest.
This is all your fault, Grimmjow.
You made me do this.
Once we got outside the mansion, Renji and Urahara-san was already there, waiting beside the car.
"You look good, Kurosaki-san." Urahara-san complimented.
Renji smirked. "You look like a worthy heir now, Ichigo." He teased.
I just scowled even more and got inside the car, ignoring their teasing comments.
Since the party is going to be held in one of the Orihime clan's hotels, we still had to drive there. My father, sisters, grandfather and other members of the family already went ahead, so Urahara-san asked the driver to go faster, which the man willingly followed.
In less than thirty minutes, we had already arrived in our destination and were entering the grand hall where the party was held. I clutched nervously on the collar of my tux as I felt my lungs constricting from lack of air. The nervousness I feel was so intense I find it hard to breath and even speak when Rukia asked me if I was alright. She must've noticed the twisted look on my face.
I looked straightly at her and forced a smile. "Of course, I'm okay."
There were almost a hundred people in that great, big room. All of them, belonging to other rich and powerful families. Some are politicians and business tycoons who were close acquaintances with Seiretei and the Orihime clan. They all greeted me with a nod or a smile whenever I passed by them and I had to greet them back as to show politeness.
A man dressed in a black tuxedo approached us and guided us to the table where my family was seated. Yuzu immediately placed a bright smile on her face once she saw us while Toshiro and Karin were wearing their usual scowling face.
"Ichi-nii, you look so handsome tonight!" She praised cheerfully and sincerely as we finally approached the big round table.
I couldn't help the blush that crept across my face and scowled even more. "Stop teasing me, Yuzu." I hissed as I sat down a vacant chair.
"Now don't be like that, Ichigo. It's your engagement party tonight, you should be happy." Renji said as he pulled a chair for his girlfriend.
Rukia sat gracefully on the chair offered by Renji and laughed. "Yeah, Ichigo. Don't be so nervous."
"Shut up." I spat as I rolled my eyes away from them and looked around. "Where are the others?"
"Dad and jiisan went to talk somewhere with a big fat guy." Karin answered with slight interest.
"Kuchiki-dono is currently conversing with a man from Inoue's clan." Toshiro answered.
"So, how's the party so far?" Urahara-san asked eagerly.
"It's fun." Yuzu replied happily.
"Boring." Karin and Toshiro replied in unison.
Urahara chuckled. "Well, elegant parties like this are usually for adults." He said and stood up. "Please excuse me for a moment. I think I need to mingle around."
When Urahara-san was gone, almost everyone let out a bored sigh. I wish I could do the same, but that wouldn't be right. It is my engagement party after all.
Everyone on the table started talking, they began to make fun of the people in the party except for me and Toshiro, the little guy could really pass up as an adult with this thick seriousness oozing from him.
After a few minutes, Inoue had approached our table looking beautiful in her sexy, red dress that fully showed her breasts. Every man in the room was practically drooling at her sexy figure and I started to think I'm a real bastard because I didn't feel anything when she bent down to bestow a soft kiss on my cheek, her breast almost touched my face but it didn't make me feel anything… which is strange.
Any normal guy would already have nosebleeds if they were in my position.
"You look so good tonight, Kurosaki-kun." She praised, the sincerity of her words clearly reflected in her gray eyes.
I plastered a big smile on my lips. "You look really beautiful too, Inoue." I replied, I really meant that. She really looked beautiful, but not beautiful enough to make me forget him.
She looked at everyone around the table and greeted them. "Good evening Kuchiki-san and Abarai-kun."
The couple both greeted in unison with a nod.
"I'm happy for the both of you." Rukia said with a smile.
Inoue blushed while I felt like someone stabbed me in the heart. Fear and doubt gripping me all over again as those words pierced forcefully inside me head; still I placed a smile on my lips. I have to because I need to.
"ichigo is one lucky bloke to have you, Inoue." Renji, my stupid best friend added. I had the urge to kill him, but then I couldn't and besides he's kinda right. I am lucky to be with her, and would be even luckier to be engaged to her.
But she's different, nothing compared to…
"Thank you." She said and looked sweetly at me again. "Kurosaki-kun, we should greet the guests.
Greet the guests…
Great. This is the part I hate the most but because this party was for me, I don't have much of a choice.
I gave her a small smile and stood up from my seat. "Okay."
She circled an arm around mine and with a small nod, she pulled me away from my family and onto the first people we have to greet. The cycle was redundant, repetitive. Not only I had to put on a big, fake smile, I also have to listen to most people's blabbering about how lucky I am to be with a wonderful girl like Inoue.
They're right; Inoue is really wonderful but…
I'm not in love with her.
After meeting seventy-five people in forty-five minutes, we met up with my family and Inoue's family in a room located beside the large hall. Inoue's parents and older brother was there together with my father, grandfather and Byakuya.
Inoue's father, a man almost the same age as my father immediately smiled once he saw me. "Ah Ichigo, I'm glad to see you." He chirped happily as he walked up to me, with arms wide open for a welcoming hug.
I forced a smile, yet again and just stood there while Inoue's father squashes me with his small, yet strong arms. I gulped a large amount of air when the man finally released me and I tried to look as if I didn't just go through a life-threatening situation.
"Good to see you too, Ichigo-kun. You look very handsome in your tux." Inoue's mother, who looked a lot like Inoue, said cheerfully as well.
Inoue's brother just smile and nodded in acknowledgement.
I have nothing against the Orihime clan, especially the main family. I mean they're all nice and likeable but with anxiousness filling my gut, I feel irritated with every smile and compliments they threw at me.
After a small chat, Inoue's family went outside to take care of the guests. They took Inoue with them while I was left with my family. I looked at the three men sitting on a couch across me. My father has this big idiotic smile on his face while grandfather and Byakuya still looked as serious as ever.
"Ichigo, tonight is the big night! Are you ready?" My father asked excitedly.
I looked awkwardly at him and answered. "Y-yeah, I guess."
My father stood up from his seat and sat beside me. He slipped his hand inside his jacket pocket and took out a small, red box. He gave it to me with a certain twinkle in his eyes. "Take this, my son."
I looked suspiciously at the small box and hesitantly took it. "W-what's this?" I asked though I have an idea what it was.
"Just open it."
I followed my father's instruction and wasn't surprised to see a large diamond ring.
I knew it, an engagement ring.
I couldn't help the frown that graced my features as I continued to stare at the piece of jewelry that will make my about engagement to a woman I didn't love complete. My scowl faded though when he said, "It belongs to Masaki."
I immediately looked at him with wide eyes.
It was mom's ring?
He suddenly had this sad expression on his face as he remembered my mother. "That was the ring I gave to her when I asked her to marry me. I think she would be very happy if you'd give this to Inoue."
The look, the look on my father's face was breaking my heart.
It was just making things more difficult…
I…
I...
I frantically shot up from my seat and walked to the door. "Excuse me; I need to go to the men's room." I quickly said before I got out and ran along the long corridor. I just ran, straight ahead with no specific direction. There were countless emotions running bloody havoc inside me that threatened to make me lose my grip from insanity, from this life.
I couldn't do it. I can't love Inoue, but with all these people forcing me, making me think that it's my responsibility, I have to do it.
But…
I ran faster.
I can't fool myself.
I can't fool myself.
I can't fool myself.
I can't fool myself.
I can't fool myself.
"I can't fool myself, Grimmjow!"
I continued to run but was stopped when I felt something or someone grasped my arm in a tight grip. I quickly looked back; ready to deliver a punch to whoever it was…
Thump… thump…
My heart…
Thump… thump…
It wanted to stop beating…
Thump… thump…
Holy shit!
Thump… thump…
No, this isn't happening.
I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed, prayed that the person in front of me wasn't him.
Thump… thump…
I slowly opened my eyes, tears suddenly falling from them as I looked at the face of the man that I hated… and loved.
Thump… thump…
The teal hair, those deep blue eyes, that arrogant smile that just curved up on his lips, it was him. It was really him.
"You don't have to fool yourself, Ichi."
Thump… thump…
The voice, that deep, low voice…
Thump… thump…
No.
No.
No.
Thump… thump…
"Grimmjow…"
*****
Yes, I know short chapter and an ugly one too! I'm sorry; this is probably what you get from rushing things too much. Anyhow, please tell me what you think if you liked it or hated it. If you did hate it, please tell me in a nice way…? Is there's such a way to say something bad in a good way? Man, okay I'm crazy, crazy!
Anyhow, yes! Grimm finally appeared but how and what is he gonna do?
Thanks for reading and ja neh~*^^*