"The Big Ice Theory"
I will never own Bleach.
AN:
I'd like to apologize again for not updating for such a long time. I needed to stay away from fanfictioning, though. It was a really hard semester. I had to drop one of my classes and it was still really hard. I can't imagine getting through it with fanfiction! Anyway, I've got a nice, long chapter to make up for it. Merry Christmas ^_^.
I'm going to add this spoiler for this chapter, which I hope would not take out too much fun. There's going to be a song in Japanese called "Yume no Tsubasa." I chose the Japanese lyrics. There are English to the song, but they make as much sense to me as the Japanese lyrics (and I don't know Japanese). I picked the Japanese lyrics because I really don't think that the English lyrics are any good and with Japanese lyrics I don't care if the meaning is any good... because I don't get the meaning. Maybe I'm making a mistake, though. Tell me if I should use the English lyrics instead.
I'd like to thank Northern Shinigami for mentioning Yume no Tsubasa to me because I didn't know about the song until that review popped. Out.
I'd also like to thank AnimeLover4Everandevr for giving me a long list of songs. I'm sorry that I could not imagine any of the characters singing any of them, though, so I didn't use any of them.
I'm also using a Sesame street song and a Taylor Swift song in this chapter.
Another reason why it's taken so long to update: It's difficult to combine song lyrics with fiction text in a way that the lyrics don't dominate the story. Writing in general is difficult for me. That's another reason why I had to set this fanfic aside. I had to write two 10 page papers this semester! That's all over now.
Enjoy ^_^.
Chapter 11: Challenging the rules
"Well, that was quite a show from Matsumoto, wasn't it?" said Isane. The crowd roared again. "The winning Division for tonight is almost certainly decided. However, we still wish to invite anybody who wants to sing to come on stage. We might even still find someone to end the 10th Division streak tonight."
"I wish to sing," came a confident voice. Ishida, Orihime, and Sado went on stage.
"I wish to sing," repeated Ishida. He lifted his white cape. "I hate Shinigami, and I shall teach all of you to fear the Quincy race by defeating you at your own game of Sereitei Idol."
"Hi everyone!" waved Orihime cheerfully, completely ignoring Ishida's Shinigami-phobic remarks.
"B-but, this contest is only for Shinigami," said Isane tentatively. She turned to the judges' table.
"Allow them to sing," said Unohana with her magnificent and calm demeanor. After all said her inner fiendish voice. Your admission only brings more money to the Shinigami Women's Association.
"Very well," said Isane. "You may proceed."
Ishida, Orihime, and Chad sang together.
C is for Cookie, that's good enough for me
C is for Cookie, that's good enough for me
C is for Cookie, that's good enough for me
Oh! Cookie, Cookie, Cookie starts with C!
Silence.
"1," said Yachiru in her childish bluntness. "Totally out of tone."
"1," said Unohana, although her tone was kind.
"1," said Nanao stiffly. "Poor song choice."
"Is there anyone else to challenge 10th Division's standing?" asked Isane.
"Here," came a voice. "We will sing together."
Everyone's jaws dropped.
Hinamori Momo came on stage followed by none other than Toshiro Hitsugaya.
"We'll sing together," repeated Hinamori confidently. She looked stronger than she had in a long time. She even smiled— the charming smile that everyone had missed ever since the day that the traitors left Soul Society. Isane turned to Toshiro.
"Hitsugaya-taicho," said Isane. "B-but you're in 10th Division! And Hinamori is in 5th Division. You can't sing together!"
"It's alright," said Hitsugaya calmly. "I'll sing for 5th Division."
Hitsugaya looked at his squad. His comrades were more than surprised to see him on stage with Hinamori. Many of them looked betrayed. Matsumoto, on the other hand wore an amused grin and even winked.
Isane again turned to the judges' table.
"Allow them to sing," smiled Unohana. "I am touched my Hitsugaya-taicho's support. It is a great example of inter-division cooperation."
"Very well," said Isane. She left the spotlight to the pair.
***********
"Hitsugaya's singing!" whispered Ichigo.
Rukia rolled her eyes. "Yes, Ichigo. I notice it too. He's standing right in front of us."
***********
Hinamori started the song.
[Yume no Tsubasa]
Konna ni no tooku e futari wa kite shimatte
Everyone's jaws dropped. Hinamori could sing— like an angel. And then Hitsugaya joined her.
[Hitsugaya & Hinamori]
Ano koro no
[Hitsugaya]
Osanai kimi no hohoemi ni mou kaerenai ne
***********
Blue flames of envy engulfed many of the people who had already sung. This kid is a prodigy in fighting— and now in singing too?! Is there anything that he isn't good at?!
***********
[Hitsugaya]
Kimi ga warau sekai ga suki de
[Hinamori]
Soba ni itai soredake
[HitsuHina]
Wasurekaketa itami wo mune ni
Time goes by
Toki no nagare wa
Futari wo kaette yuku keredo
Nakushita mono mo yume miru mono mo
Sono te o totte omoidasu yo
sumo kimi no soba de
The wrinkles around Nanao's eyes etched from her constant severe squinting softened as if they never existed. Unohana gazed at the two of them with mesmerized eyes as if they were her own children. Yachiru gaped with admiration, laughing in enjoyment. Unohana covered her mouth.
And then Hinamori sang the lalalas as Hitsugaya sang the background verse.
(La la la la la la...)
Time goes by
Toki no nagare wa
Futari wo kaette yuku keredo
Nakushita mono mo yume miru mono mo
Sono te o totte omoi dasu yo
***********
"They're both such good singers," whispered Rukia to Ichigo. "And they blend so perfectly..."
"That's because his voice hasn't cracked," sneered Ichigo.
"They just might beat Matsumoto," said Rukia. "There's no way we can win."
"I'm sure we can...," said Ichigo.
"There's no way I'm singing," said Rukia.
"Why?" asked Ichigo. "Do you want to?"
"Of course not!" snapped Rukia. "Nii-sama is here!"
Ichigo retorted. "I'm not asking you if 'Nii-sama' wants you to sing. I'm not asking you if the law wants you to sing. I'm not asking you if God wants you to sing! I'm asking you if you want to sing."
***********
Hitsugaya and Hinamori finished the song strong.
Soba ni iru yo Zutto
Most of the audience gave a lukewarm applause when they finished. The judges seemed mindful of the lack of enthusiasm and helped back at their own, except Yachiru.
"10!" jumped Yachiru. "That was awesome you guys."
"10," smiled Unohana. "In past years, you were always so good, Himaori, but you also sounded so sad. This year, however, you're happy."
"10," said Nanao, although her voice was as cool and collected as it ever was, her eyes were still soft. "Your voices blended perfectly, Hitsugaya-taicho and Vice Captain Hinamori."
Matsumoto gave the solo burst of enthusiasm from the audience. "Wahoo!!!!" she hollored, leaping a waving her limbs as if in triumph. "Hitsu and Hina are so AWESOME!"
"Ah,... Matsumoto-san,..." whispered a 10th Division member. "They're threatening our lead!"
***********
"Full points, Hinamori," exclaimed Hitsugaya. He could not contain his excitement from the results.
"I don't care, Shiro-chan," beamed Hinamori. "I am just so happy to have sung with you."
"It's Hitsugaya-taicho."
Hitsugaya smiled. He did not get to kiss Hinamori tonight. Nevertheless, he was able to sing with her and make her happy. It was certainly a first step to true love.
"Now if only Aizen were here my happiness would be complete," sighed Hinamori.
Or, perhaps, it was not.
***********
Rukia turned to look at Byakuya in the high box. He looked impassive.
"It doesn't look like the plan worked," said Rukia. "Hitsugaya sang, but he doesn't seem disturbed by it. It must be because he's still not part of the family yet. He would probably just warn Hitsugaya to never sing again later tonight."
"Too bad," said Ichigo. "No matter, let's get up there. It's our turn."
"What?!" hissed Rukia. "But we don't even have a song yet!"
Ichigo smiled. "So now you're complaining about not having a song," said Ichigo slyly. "Instead of about not singing."
"It's a legitimate issue!" retorted Rukia.
***********
"Another division with full points!" said Isane. "I'm impressed, but how are we going to determine the winner?"
"The judges will decide on that matter after everyone has sung," said Nanao.
"Very well," said Isane. "Does anyone else wish to sing?"
Ichigo went on stage. "I would like to sing for 13th Division in place of Captain Ukitake."
"Kurasaki Ichigo...," blinked Isane. "You can't sing for 13th Division. You're not in 13th Division."
Isane turned to the judge's table.
Unohana smiled. "No, Isane," she said. "Kurosaki Ichigo is not in 13th Division. Yet, being a Shinigami Substitute he is not officially in any division. Therefore, allow him to sing in any division he shall wish to."
Isane smiled. "Very well," she said. "Proceed." She left the stage.
Ichigo looked up at Byakuya. He looked at him suspiciously as if he already knew that Ichigo was going to bring him trouble once again, although he did not know of what kind. There's his mind reading again, thought Ichigo.
Ichigo began the song.
[Adaptation of "Love Story"]
We were both young when I first saw you.
I closed my eyes and the flashback starts.
You're standing there
on a balcony in summer air
And Rukia's voice rang out as she entered the stage.
See the lights.
See the party, the ball gowns.
I see you make your way through the crowd and say, "Hello."
Little did I know.
[Ichigo]
That I was Romeo, I was throwing pebbles.
And your daddy said, "Stay away from Juliet!"
And you were crying on the staircase
Begging me please don't go.
[Rukia]
And I said,
"Romeo take me somewhere where we can be alone.
I'll be waiting. All there's left to do is run."
[Ichigo]
I'll be the prince.
[Rukia]
And I'll be the princess.
[IchiRuki]
It's a love story. Baby, just say, "yes."
***********
"Rukia and Ichigo are really good," said Matsumoto.
"I don't get it," said Hitsugaya. "Kuchiki Rukia isn't supposed to sing...."
"What do you mean?" asked Matsumoto.
"Nevermind...."
***********
[Rukia]
Romeo, save me. They're trying to tell me how to feel.
This love is difficult, but it's real.
[Ichigo]
Don't be afraid. We'll make it out of this mess.
It's a love story. Baby, just say, "yes."
[IchiRuki]
Oh, oh...
***********
Ichigo and Rukia turned their eyes towards Byakuya. He returned their gazes with an almost impassive expression. However, they could notice the slight color of red-hot anger in his eyes.
Ichigo noticed Rukia's voice getting softer and sadder on the "oh, ohs." Nevertheless, it sounded all the more perfect for the next part of the song.
[Rukia]
I got tired of waiting,
Wondering if you were ever coming around.
My faith in you was fading,
When I met you on the outskirts of town. And I said,
"Romeo save me. I've been feeling so alone.
I keep waiting for you but you never come."
Is this in my head? I don't know what to think.
[Ichigo]
I knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring
And said, "Marry me Juliet.
You'll never have to be alone.
I love you and that's all I really know.
I talked to your Dad. Go pick out a white dress.
It's a love story. Baby just say, 'yes.'"
[Rukia & Ichigo]
We were both young when I first saw you...
All of the judges were paralyzed in transfixion for a few seconds before they gave out their results.
"That was amazing," said Yachiru. "I cried in happiness when Ichigo proposed."
"Eh, Madame President," interrupted Rukia. "He didn't propose. We were just singing."
"10!" cheered Yachiru.
"10," smiled Unohana. "You both really put your heart and soul into this song."
"That was wonderful performance," said Nanao. It was rare that Nanao used the word "wonderful." "Full points."
The crowd roared. Ichigo and Rukia beamed at each other, mesmerized at their moment.
"Full points!" smiled Ichigo.
"Nii-sama!" remembered Rukia.
Ichigo was surprised that they forgot about him too. They turned to Byakuya. He was releasing a hell butterfly from his hands. The room fell silent as the hell butterfly fluttered its way towards the judge's table. It landed on Nanao's fingers.
"That performance was horrible," she said in a monotone. "You shall all disqualify those two due to their din of barnyard screeches. If you shall not do this I shall never return to Sereitei Idol again and you shall no longer enjoy my financial support. Message from Captain Kuchiki Byakuya. Tuesday, January 3rd. 6:34."
The judges looked at each other in silence, pondering at what the message had just said.
"0!" said Yachiru, switching her '10' sign to a '0.' "That performance was awful!"
"0," smiled Unohana, as if she was raising up a '10' sign instead of a '0' sign.
Nanao lifted up her zero sign. "Disqualified," she said. "Due to....." She reconsulted the hell butterfly with the tip of her finger. "Your 'din of barnyard screeches.'"
"BLATANT BRIBERY!" hollered Ichigo as Rukia dragged him off the stage. "YOU READ OUT THAT HELL BUTTERFLY ALOUD! IN FRONT OF EVERYONE! HAVE YOU NO SHAME?!!!!!!"
"Look on the bright side," whispered Rukia once they got off stage. "Since our performance was a 'din of barnyard screeches,' it's not singing, and I haven't broken the Kuchiki clan rule."
"Damn you, Byakuya," spat Ichigo.
Well, thought Rukia. I guess it was for the best.
AN:
Thanks for reading. Please Review ^_^