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Falling Together
Chapter Eleven- Let the Flames Waltz
NOTE: Um. Yeah…nothing really important. I thank those who've been continuing to read my stories and who support it. XD. Of course…um…Yeah, I know this story is getting really confusing. BUT please don't quit reading, it's just I start getting more ideas which…yeah…not explaining anymore.
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A hand caught her by the throat. Strong, muscular. His breath so warm and filled with energy it tickled the nape of her neck. She could feel chills crawling up her spine. "…What were you talking about…Kuchiki-sama?" Shuuhei questioned. It was deep and filled with anger. She closed her eyes, and refused to answer. "Hm. I see….stubborn as usual." He murmured and clutched onto her throat a little tighter.
She could feel her heart beat rapidly, the room was spinning around, and she knew sooner or later she would end up on the floor dead if she didn't respond. "You heard me…" She finally answered, his grip loosened. "The wedding…everything was planned." She replied using all her strength to get rid of his grasp. Shuuhei didn't seem shocked. He breathed normally, acted calmly, and only blinked at her like a child who couldn't care at all.
"…Everything was a fake. My brother had planned me to marry Ichigo after Kaien's death…and kill him!" Rukia murmured, her voice squeaking as she felt the pain surge through her neck. Shuuhei did not bother to loosen his hold. Tears welled up from her eyes, and she tried to kick him, but failed miserably. "…There, I've told you everything! NOW LET GO!" She cried like a spoiled child.
"No…how could I?" Shuuhei whispered in a dangerous tone. "You have already revealed to me you're intentions…now all I could do is kill you." He murmured feeling a little regret. Rukia's eyes widened with more fear. "I once respected you're clan. You were one of the most powerful until the Fifth of April." He muttered. Rukia gritted her teeth and closed her eyes. Yes…we were a powerful clan…but now….
"Hisana-sama is dead because of him." Rukia pointed angrily at Ichigo who was still unconscious. Shuuhei shrugged, she stared at him with more anger. "Kaien-dono died…Miyako-dono died. BECAUSE OF HIM!" She shouted dangling from his grip. "HOW can we, the Kuchiki Clan, ever forgive such a hideous monster!?" She cried and gave up all her energy. Shuuhei once again shrugged.
"The cause of wars…is because of hatred." He answered absentmindedly. "If you truly wish to avenge Hisana-sama…then you should atone by -" Rukia slapped him, but he felt no pain. No sting of her anger. He gazed at her as she bit her lower lip in fear. "You mustn't be drowned by the depths of revenge…" He grumbled, his grip grew tighter. "IF YOU DO NOT GET THIS, THEN THERE IS NO CHOICE FOR YOU BUT TO DIE!" His grip grew tighter, and she couldn't breath.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Shuuhei looked to his left and found Ichigo awake. His eyes were droopy, but still filled with unlimited energy. "Shuuhei. Drop her, NOW!" He commanded angrily rubbing his forehead.
"B-But!!!!" Shuuhei protested, but Ichigo growled with anger. "Hai…" The man muttered, defeated. "As you wish." He replied and dropped Rukia on the floor. Ichigo walked towards her, marks of Shuuhei's fingers could be seen, and she rubbed on her throat for quite some time looking a little down.
"Are you alright?" Ichigo asked quietly. Rukia stared at him and wiped her eyes. It was obvious that she was crying, but it wasn't apparent if she was crying because of the pain or for him. She nodded slowly and got up. Shuuhei grunted and disappeared. "Damn it…I shouldn't have been sleeping…" He apologized and got up. Rukia continued to rub her neck and followed him. "So…the war began?" He asked, she nodded. The skies were dark and huge explosions were being active. "DAMMIT!" Ichigo muttered darkly, he quickly vanished before her sight and left.
Rukia sighed, exhausted from what had happened no longer than five seconds ago. Shuuhei was about to choke her to death, well…he was literally trying to crush her neck. Ichigo had left to see what was going on in the battle. And now here she was, alone in the stupid tower. "…I should hurry on too." She muttered faintly and got up. She walked towards one of her wardrobes and pulled out a sleek white kimono. Dressing herself up, she stared at a small hidden sword behind the clothes.
She could have immediately taken it and run towards Ichigo. But she was, for once, thinking it over very carefully. Will she be happy if she killed him? Or will…she be forever miserable? She shook her head, saying to herself that Ichigo could never fill up her sadness. "…Damn idiot." She murmured angrily taking the sheath and running out of the room.
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Ichigo stared at the scenery. Kuukaku had just arrived and seemed quite pleased to see him. Her shimmering eyes sparkled with interest as the king came out of his castle. "Well, hello there. Kurosaki-kun." She murmured with distaste, though she still had that silly grin across her red face. Hanatarou stood beside his master, staring at the dirt below his feet. He could already sense that his master was going to sacrifice everything she had to kill the one who destroyed the one thing she cherished.
"Oi. Kuukaku." Ichigo responded, waving his hand back and forth. Kuukaku blew a strand of her hair from her face. She seemed quite disappointed at his bad manners. "So…you're the enemy?" He asked a little displeased at the news that he had just heard. A laugh came from the woman's large mouth. Mighty and horrific.
"Now why wouldn't it be me?" She growled angrily. Her troops were taking position and Hanatarou was seen running behind the forces carrying something large between his fingers. "…Let's just cut the conversation and begin." She hissed, twirling her ebony hair. She turned around and the fighting began.
Most of her men were highly trained, cutting some rookies but failing when it came against the captains and 2nd seats. Everyone seemed panicked, but she had taught her men to realize death and face it. Ichigo seemed interested in her advices to her men. "Hmmm…You're such a cruel teacher." Ichigo smiled arrogantly and raced towards the woman.
Her eyes widened as he came closer to her, he dashed and disappeared all over the place…Luckily enough she caught up with his speed so when he was about to strike her down she immediately caught his blade with her hands. "Ah. Yoruichi-san taught you that? Didn't she?" Kuukaku smiled and tossed the blade aside. Ichigo stared angrily at her and got back into his fighting stance. "But…still. You haven't improved at all. My brother could have killed you if you didn't have that forsaken thing in you." She spat and ran towards him this time.
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Swords clashed everywhere, blood spilt on the floor easily, and tears were common in the battle ground. Renji wasn't horrified at all. He was waiting his whole life to be part of a battle. And here it was. "Fucking time." He grumbled angrily, thinking about the last time with Rukia. Her angry shouts and orders. It gave him some things to be thinking about. "I'm SO better than that bastard." He growled and leaped in the crowds of men.
He was one of the best in the crowd, killing and wounding soldiers one by one. He felt good when blood fell upon his face. It's cooling sensation made him crave for more. "RUKIA! I'LL SHOW YOU HOW GOOD I AM!" He smiled and spoke out loud. Men were confused as he said that, and he continued on his killing spree.
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"Byakuya-sama…would you like to go now?" Matsumoto asked impatiently as she found her leader drinking a nice cold glass of tea. He stared lazily at her and got up. FINALLY! She screamed merrily as he passed by her. "You're sister's in great danger, so we'll have to rush the ride a little!" The woman spoke quickly as they power walked across the hallways. Byakuya had his eyes closed and grunted.
"We are not going to the battle to save her." He replied with a stoic tone. Matsumoto stopped walking and stared at him. "We are going to see him die." Was his simple answer to her silence. She dropped her sword and gazed angrily at him.
"HOW COULD YOU BE LIKE THIS?!" She shouted with intense emotion. Byakuya shrugged and told her to shut up. "How could you not care of your sister's life?" She murmured in a gentle voice, staring at her sword. It was on the floor, it's gleaming silver catching her eye. Byakuya-sama…If I must…One day I will kill you. She thought to herself angrily.
"Hurry up Matsumoto." The man replied once more and walked farther away. Matsumoto glared angrily at him and took her sword from the wooden floor. She followed him. "If necessary, you will fight for Kuukaku-san." He told her as they got to the front gates. Matsumoto said no words at all.
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Hitsugaya looked at Ukitake angrily. His blue eyes burned angrily as he found his master and Shinsui lazily hanging around the palace. "For the last time! Let's fight!" He shouted angrily stomping his feet. Ukitake looked at his pupil while Shinsui ordered another flask of sake. "Rukia-sama is out there. IN THAT stupid battle! DAMN YOU I'm leaving!" Hitsugaya growled and disappeared in a furious speed.
"I guess it couldn't be helped." Shinsui murmured drinking his last flask. Ukitake nodded and got up from the couch. "Matte! Let's have one more drink." The man laughed merrily and ordered two more drinks.
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"Ishida-kun…" Orihime whispered staring at her husband. He seemed in panic as he felt Ichigo's riatsu reacting in such a violent manner. "Is everything okay?" She asked him. He was silent for most of the time and sweated a whole lot.
"H-Hai, Orihime." He murmured in a gentle voice as he stared at her. "I'm just worried about you…" He replied, biting his lower lip. Orihime let out a small laugh and stared at him as if he was crazy.
"Don't worry about me! I'll be perfectly fine." She answered truthfully and saluted him like a soldier. Ishida laughed and kissed her on the cheeks. "But seriously…the person who you should be worried about should be Kurosaki-kun." His wife muttered darkly. Ishida laughed and assured her that he was also concerned about his friend's life as well.
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Rukia pushed the doors opened and her eyes widened. So much blood tainted the floor. It was no longer fresh green grass, but red crimson blades hanging in front of their yard. She stared at it, clutching desperately onto her sword. It wasn't like it was the first time she's seen it…but every time she saw it. It made her vulnerable. She was not afraid of blood…she was afraid of death.
Staring at it without noticing the people around her, she fell onto the floor. It became hard to breath. She cried for air, but she didn't get anything. "BROTHER…." She hollered in tears. It hurt. Her throat ached, it was suffocating for no apparent reason. She couldn't tell what was causing this to happen…but she didn't care. It was killing her. The blood and corpses in front of her eyes. She hated it. She couldn't breath because of those sights. "BROTHER!"
Ichigo turned around for a slight second and found his wife trembling in fear. Kuukaku managed to lay a hit on him, and his own blood fell. He gazed angrily at the woman and continued to fight against her. He knew Rukia was in danger, but he couldn't afford to help her. He was too busy fighting with Kuukaku he had no time. Rukia hold on…He muttered in a frustrated tone.
"What's wrong?" Kuukaku asked staring at his figure. He was missing her so easily. And she laughed at it. "I know you haven't improved…but that doesn't mean you should suck." She replied mockingly. Ichigo kept on aiming at her, but still he failed continuously. Rukia was behind him gasping for air, calling for her brother. But no one came.
"FIRE!" A voice so shakily roared through the crowds of dying men. People turned their heads around and found giant bombs floating down above them. Their eyes widened, and suddenly the explosions occurred.
Ichigo stared at the fire with shock. "You killed your own men…" He replied staring at the woman with such disbelief. Kuukaku ignored him and continued to fight. He was unbalanced, and startled at her sudden thrusts that he fell on the floor. Luckily he got up quickly to avoid some of her stabbing. Fire surrounded them. They were separated from the rest of the fighting. One on one.
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Yoruichi stared at the battle with disgust. Never in her life has she seen such a slaughtering fight. "Such inexperienced people." She murmured unpleasantly and hopped down from the roofs. "Kisuke, stay there and wait till they do something." The woman shouted and disappeared from the man's sight.
Soi Fong at that moment gazed at her admiration disappearing. Her eyes shimmered with concern and she wished to follow her master. Almost leaving, a hand fell upon her left shoulder. "It's best not to leave." Urahara muttered quietly and she darted away from him. "All I'm giving is some nice advice." He replied with his cocky grin. She snorted and took the other side of the castle roofs. Such a hot-headed woman. He thought cheerfully to himself.
"W-What do we do?" Ururu asked the sandal-hat man. Ginta nodded his head as he stared at his supposed master.
"WE WAIT!" The bulky giant behind them replied easily and sat down. "Who wants some food? I'm hungry." He muttered pulling a box of candy out of his kimono. Ururu laughed while Ginta complained to Urahara.
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Rukia stared at the grass. Red and orange surrounded her, and she seemed weak. The area was hot and sweat tickled down her back. She closed her eyes and opened them. Closed them again. "Brother…" She murmured.