Hello everyone!
Here's another update! On a different note I can't wait until next week comes and we finally get a new Bleach manga chapter (by Kubo) =D!
Notice: There's some make-out scenes ahead ;)
Chapter 12
An uneventful but much needed peaceful month had gone by and Ichigo and the princesses were back to their old routine. There hadn't been any more problems with Ichigo's hollow and his frequent nightmares had also stopped since moving into the Aizen mansion. All in all it seemed that Ichigo's life was back to being as normal as it could get….
Ichigo's chest moved up and down rapidly as he tried to stabilize his breathing. He had been training with Yoruichi since dawn. He had originally wanted to train with Urahara but unbeknownst to Ichigo, the blonde had declined saying that he was extremely busy with a project when Yoruichi asked. Yoruichi knew the truth behind his poor attempt of an excuse though; the eclectic man was both weary and jealous of the young bodyguard.
The exotic princess turned to look at the determined orange head from across the field; the rays of the noon sun were getting too hot for her liking, not to mention that she was also getting bored. She disappeared in the wink of an eye and reappeared in front of a glistening, shirtless Ichigo.
"You look like you've just about reached your limit" she said in a soft tone as her index finger traced the contours of his muscular chest.
Ichigo gulped and stared at her penetrating golden eyes, "Nah…I kind of wanted to train a bit longer"
She continued to stare deeply into his eyes reading him like the open book that he was. A smile graced her face, "You could sound a little more convincing, you know"
Blood rushed to his guilty face and he turned away with a childish scowl. She loved this side of him.
She unexpectedly pushed him on the ground. Instead of bothering to question her random treatment, Ichigo simply put his palms on the grass and leaned back a little as he focused his chocolate eyes on the princess. His lips turned into an automatic smirk. Experience had taught him exactly what to expect from the princesses he looked after.
Yoruichi took his overconfident attitude and smug expression as a challenge. She arched an eyebrow and began to examine every inch of the hunky bodyguard's body. The way he was leaning on the grass deeply defined the muscles on his arms and the mantle of sweat that covered his toned upper body gave it an extremely tempting look.
She finally looked into his eyes and she could tell he was enjoying her appreciative looks. She decided to make her move so she walked closer to him and then slowly came down until she was cradling him in between her legs. She placed her hands on his abs and started going up until she reached his shoulders. She leaned dangerously close to his warm lips, he leaned forward to capture them but she moved away quickly. He gave her a questioning look but she only smiled and began kissing him gently on the neck.
After methodically kissing every part of his neck and shoulders she pushed him on the grass and started trailing kisses down his exposed chest and abs. 'Damn' She thought when she remembered she was getting too lost in their little game. She was to be the one with the upper hand.
After noticing she had stopped her ministrations Ichigo propped himself up on his elbows and looked down to meet her eyes. Her golden orbs shinned with mischief as she began ghosting her fingers around the hem of his hakama. Ichigo gulped and instantly became nervous. What did she have in mind? Never mind that, he knew what she had in mind but was he ready? He wasn't a kid but he wasn't sure if he really wanted to take things that far either.
"What's wrong Ichigo?" She asked innocently as she continued teasing him. She started playing with his obi. Ichigo's heart was pounding fast but he could only stare at the pretty girl on top of him. She moved sultrily back up so that she was face to face with her handsome bodyguard again and without warning crashed her lips on his. He was caught off guard but after the initial shock he wrapped his arms around her and started returning her kiss. Yoruichi had to admit his reaction surprised her but she loved it nontheless.
From amongst the bushes Soi Fon blushed at the sight. Ichigo had a body any woman would appreciate and Yoruichi was a very attractive woman.
"Soi fon, do you intend to join in the fun as well?" Yoruichi asked playfully after breaking her kiss with Ichigo and looked towards her direction. She had sensed the girl's presence quickly.
"N-n-no thank you. Sorry for bothering you Yoruichi-sama!" The black haired girl stammered nervously and ran off to continue on with training of her own.
As she ran away, Soi Fon felt like a complete idiot. Traitorous images of the princess and a very sexy Ichigo crossed her mind and her cheeks heated up. After being placed in Yoruichi's hands a month ago she had become deeply grateful to her and looked up to the princess because of her trustworthiness as well as her strength. She hated disappointing her in any way.
After Soi Fon saved Ichigo's innocence by successfully killing the mood, Yoruichi and Ichigo went back inside the mansion. They took respective baths and afterwards headed to pick up Momo, Nemu and Rukia since they had all agreed to go shopping the day before.
…
The carriage stopped in front of the Kuchiki mansion. Ichigo proceeded to get out to go get Rukia.
"I'll go with you Ichigo. Byakuya might give you trouble if you go in alone" Yoruichi said with a sigh. Ichigo helped her down and the two headed inside.
A servant escorted them in and then went to get Rukia.
"Yo" Ichigo said with a small smile when the petite princess walked in the room.
Rukia's eyes shone. She had been looking forward to her shopping trip with her new group of friends. She was about to greet them when a man's voice was heard from behind her.
"Rukia" Her brother said questioningly in a cold tone.
"Nnnnii-sama" She said with a tense smile, "I'm going shopping with a few girls from school today." She reminded her brother nervously.
"You neglected to tell me anything regarding a boy" He said as he sized up a now scowling Ichigo.
"First of all" Ichigo interrupted the sibling's conversation, anger dripping in his voice, "this boy has a name, Kurosaki Ichigo. Secondly, I'm her friend's bodyguard not some random guy"
A stagnant silence filled the room for a few seconds that seemed like hours before the noble spoke again, "Looks like the other noble families have no taste whatsoever in whom they appoint as caretakers of their family members" He said with disdain.
Ichigo was boiling with rage. Out of all the time he had been living in the Seireitei he hadn't met such an arrogant man as the one in front of him. Yoruichi shook her head. This is exactly what she figured would happen. She knew she had to step in before Ichigo gave Byakuya a piece of his mind but then Rukia interrupted,
"Nii-sama, Kurosaki has been a trustworthy and respectful man since I've met him. I would not associate myself with anyone who sullied the Kuchiki name in any way" She said in a formal tone that Ichigo found disturbing.
"Although he remains of questionable character I will trust that your judgment is not wrong, Rukia." Byakuya said as he stared at the bodyguard. He then turned around and walked away.
Ichigo wanted to say so much but no words would come out. Yoruichi grabbed his clenched fist letting him know to let it go.
"We should get going, we shouldn't make the others wait any longer" Rukia said as she turned around. She forced a smile on her saddened face while inside she wished she could disappear after the embarrassment she had just been put through.
The group proceeded to leave the mansion awkwardly. On their way to the carriage Ichigo glanced at the petite girl. How could she keep strong and collected all the time? Moreover, how was she able to deal with that jackass of a brother and still not hold a grudge against him? She stirred up so many emotions inside of him. He wished he could somehow help her, he wanted to take her away, to protect her.
…
"Kuchiki Byakuya-sama" One of the Kuchiki advisors called as he walked towards his office. The noble stopped and turned around.
"I have the list of candidates you requested. I hope they are of your liking." The advisor handed the documents to Byakuya and bowed before walking away.
'Perfect timing' He thought. He could tell these past weeks Rukia had been starting to get too attached to her new group of acquaintances. He needed to kick his plan of marrying her to a deserving suitor into high gear, especially after meeting Kurosaki Ichigo. Such an odd man should not be around his sister. There was something peculiar burning in the young man's eyes that made Byakuya uncharacteristically restless.
…
Once their shopping day began, the girls pulled Ichigo in every direction possible and constantly demanded his attention but he never complained. Rukia stayed quiet most of the time but was truly enjoying her time with the lively group.
Thanks to Momo's idea, everyone was currently enjoying cones of ice cream as they walked around the downtown area. Momo and Nemu were arguing about something while Yoruichi was trying to be the voice of reason. Soi fon was standing by Yoruichi and agreeing to her every word. Ichigo was laughing and smiling at the girls but then he turned to look at Rukia who had been quieter than what he was accustomed to.
'Is this all an illusion? This, them…the feelings they awake. Life is not this simple. It can't be even if I wished it to. There are rules and responsibilities greater than my selfish desires that I must fulfill.' Rukia thought with a heavy heart.
"You shouldn't let him get to you so much." He suddenly said to the violet-eyed girl walking next to him and brought her from her thoughts, "you're the one living your life, and if he's your older brother he should be protecting you and looking after you, not making you feel the way you're feeling now." He finished with a serious expression as he looked into her wide eyes.
Rukia was caught off guard by his boldness to bring up the subject. "Thanks" She said quietly and looked down with a small smile.
When they finished their ice cream everyone was winding down. Ichigo could tell the princesses were finally getting tired. He was about to suggest that they head back when they came across a colorful store with anything and everything rabbit themed anyone could possibly think of.
Ichigo furrowed his eyebrows at the sight, "What type of freak store is-"
"Chappy!" The group heard Rukia yell happily as she dashed inside.
Ichigo motioned for the driver to come.
"I'll go in with her, you guys can wait in the carriage" He said and the princess happily complied.
Ichigo walked in the store and looked after the petite princess as she gawked at everything inside. She was so mysterious. She could be tough and distant one minute and then be warm and childish the next. Strangely enough, as he waited his eye caught something interesting. He smiled and decided to secretly purchase it.
...
The sun was finally setting and Nemu and Yoruichi had been dropped off. Ichigo got out of the carriage and extended his hand to help Rukia down. She frowned slightly since she still didn't like her new life style but extended her hand and put it inside Ichigo's larger one. They walked towards the grand Kuchiki doors together.
"Thanks...this should be fine" She said quietly. She didn't want yet another incident to occur between her brother and the bodyguard. She started walking inside when he called her,
"Oi Kuchiki"
She turned around and he tossed a small bag to her, "Fool!" She raised her voice at the rash bodyguard "it almost hit…my head" She stopped her scolding when she noticed it was a chappy bag. There was surprise written all over her face. She was about to reach inside when Ichigo yelled,
"You can open it when I leave. Good night Kuchiki" He said with a small smile and turned to the carriage.
"Goodnight…" She said softly and headed to the inside of the dull mansion she called home with a warm sensation stirring in her belly.
…
"I understand. I'll take care of the small hits this week and save the big one for two weeks from now" The man in the black cloak said to Aizen.
"Perfect" The brown haired man said and adjusted his glasses. "Remember to stay with the plan." He said eyeing the aqua haired girl, "he must not know that we're working together yet"
She nodded even if she disagreed. She had to follow the rules set by the man they were working with whether she liked it or not.
…
Ichigo and Momo stepped down from the carriage and walked towards the mansion when an aqua haired girl came into view.
"Nel…?" Ichigo said in disbelief and stopped on his tracks.
"Ichigo!" The busty girl yelled. She ran to the orange head and wrapped her arms around him lovingly.
"Ichigo I missed you so much!" She said with watery eyes.
"Wh-wh-what are you doing here? Is everything ok?" The overprotective side of Ichigo kicked in.
"Everything's fine…I have a surprise for you inside!" She said happily as she grabbed his hand and led him in. An ignored Momo followed with a small frown. She didn't know who this strange girl was but she didn't like her being all over Ichigo.
Hello again!
I was trying to tie some lose ends this chapter so hopefully I didn't make it too confusing =p
