A/N: Hello everyone, I'm back from my vacation! I apologize for keeping everyone waiting. I am working on the next chapter as we speak, so hopefully I'll be able to post it soon. Thanks a lot! 3
Chapter 14 Homecoming
Rukia and Ichigo watched as Grimmjow hopped off the window sill and into the room, his intense blue-eyed gaze not leaving theirs; particularly the Prince's. His shirt had a few rips and bloody stains, but he was looking more fresh than he had been in days.
Rukia was the first to pull away from the embrace, much to Ichigo's dismay. "Grimmjow!" She exclaimed. "You're bleeding!" She took a step towards him, cautiously touching a bloody stain on his shoulder, oblivious to the shady scowl on the Prince's face.
"It's not mine." Grimmjow replied.
"You mean…?" Rukia started, but let the sentence drift off when she saw the smug smirk on his face. She swallowed, suddenly understanding. She knew Grimmjow was ruthless man, but she'd rather not want to imagine what gruesome things he did to the enemy.
Grimmjow's eyes gleamed dangerously as he smiled wickedly. "That bastard Nnoitra got what he deserved for crossing paths with me."
He feels no remorse at all. Rukia thought. He enjoys killing. She shuddered inwardly, taking an automatic step back.
Ichigo took the opportunity to take a step forward. "Did he mention anything before you…" He re-stated his words. "Before he died?"
Grimmjow scoffed. "All Nnoitra is good at is gloating. He kept saying Gin will free Aizen. That we're too late."
Ichigo and Rukia exchanged looks. "Then what happened?"
"Cut the bastard's throat before he could spew anymore shit."
Rukia blanched.
Ichigo cleared his throat. "Well, we weren't too late. Gin was stopped before he could make it to the city." He paused when he noticed the scowl on Grimmjow's face. He continued. "Shinji and the rest of the Vizards ambushed Gin and his band, sending them retreating."
Grimmjow was strangely quiet when the Prince was finished. Rukia watched the blue-haired man, expecting his reaction.
He finally broke the silence with a half-scoff, half-chuckle. "Just like Shinji to have all the fun for himself."
"So, what do think then?" Rukia asked, staring fixedly at him. "Is it possible that Gin really did retreat that easily?" Even though she didn't mention it aloud, Grimmjow understood her unspoken statement; she wanted to know from an Espada's point of view.
He met her gaze for a spilt second before looking away. His eyes had a distant look to them, as if he knew something they didn't.
"Don't worry about what I think." He finally answered plainly as if that explained everything. He turned towards the window once more, expertly jumping out in one quick move.
Before Rukia- or even Ichigo- could ask where he was headed, he was gone past the trees in a flash, leaving them in pondering silence.
"What was that about?" Ichigo asked, half to himself.
Just as Rukia opened her mouth to reply, the door to the room swung open. Stood in the doorway was a rigid Ishida. Ichigo could tell right away by his advisor's tight-lipped facial expression that something was amiss. Even Rukia noticed it.
"Prince Ichigo." He said with the traditional salute to his chest, his unreadable gaze meeting Rukia's for a spilt second. "I am glad you are convalescing well." He did a quick skim of the Prince, scrutinizing him in his injured state, staring at the bandages as if he could clearly see the wound. He let out a sigh of relief, but he still looked like a riled snake about to attack. "I came as soon as I received news of your injury."
"Well, I recovered quickly thanks to Inoue so you do not need to worry. Ishida…" Ichigo exchanged a sideways glance with Rukia, before continuing, "…is something wrong?"
Ishida's eyes flickered to Rukia, and he replied lethargically, "As a matter of fact, there is." Before either of them could react, he released the rod at his hip belt, opening it into his six-sided bow. He aimed it at Rukia.
"Prince Ichigo, please step aside." He said, each word as apathetic as the expression on his face.
Instead of heeding the warning, Ichigo stepped forward, putting out an arm protectively in front of Rukia. "Ishida, what's the meaning of this?"
"Rukia is under arrest for treacherously aiding in the escape of a criminal."
Ichigo's brown eyes were wide with surprise for a spilt moment as he looked to the young woman at his side. Rukia, however, managed to keep up her blank street face.
"Escape of a criminal?" Ichigo echoed, his trademark scowl back on his face once more.
Before Ishida could answer, Rukia spoke up in a calming tone despite the situation she was in. "I tried to tell you before that Grimmjow is not a bad guy."
Ishida's hand tightened on the bow, while his other hand fingered a silver rod on the back of his belt. "And I told you, I am ready to remove any possible threats to Karakura one way or another." He inserted the rod, pulling back the string. "For assisting in the escape of Grimmjow Jaggerjaques, I am here to place you under arrest."
"That's enough, Ishida." Ichigo said resolutely, in a way that only a Prince would demand.
"But Prince-" He started.
"Rukia is not at fault." Ichigo stood up taller, his brown eyes flashing. "She was only doing what I asked of her."
"What?" Ishida and Rukia asked at the same time, baffled looks on their faces.
"Yes, you heard right. I asked for Rukia to release Grimmjow from prison."
Ishida's cold façade was gone and now replaced by a look of perplexity. His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of the water. "B-but when did-why?"
Ichigo was well aware of Rukia's violet eyes watching him and mentally asking the same question, but for another reason.
"Because I never thought of Grimmjow as a threat. If he had been, he would have eliminated me the first chance he got." Ichigo replied simply.
"But he's an Espada!" Ishida spluttered.
"An ex-Espada." Rukia corrected him. Ichigo glanced sideways at her, his eyebrows risen questioningly, mentally asking, When were you going to tell me all this? Rukia replied with a half-shrug.
Just as Ishida opened his mouth to argue, Ichigo put up a hand to stop him. "As a matter of fact, Grimmjow helped in our fight against Gin and his men. Without his aid, I wouldn't be standing here right now."
Ishida pressed his lips together tightly, the stern look back on his face. Ichigo took his silence as a chance to respond, "Now, let's put this matter behind us. We have more important things to talk about." He made his way past his advisor, walking out the room.
Rukia made to follow, but was briefly cut off by Ishida. "The Prince may have come to your defense this time, but consider this a warning, Miss. Rukia. If you ever attempt a task like that again, I will be forced to take extreme measures."
Rukia met his determined gaze with an icy, composed look of her own. "I understand Advisor Ishida." Her violet eyes flashed darkly. "However, I will not hesitate to help an innocent soul again, no matter what the consequence may be." With that, she followed the Prince's tracks, leaving Ishida to watch her departure.
Once she was out of sight, the advisor's lips quirked up at the corner. What a strange young woman. He wasn't sure whether to call Rukia brave or reckless, but he knew for sure she had a chaste heart.
"You're leaving? Why?" Rukia asked, watching Grimmjow sling a worn out bag over his shoulder.
"Like I said before, I got places to be. I'm not one to stick around for long." He said.
She had met up with him on her way to the markets and was caught off guard as he grabbed her by her upper arm, and dragged her to an empty alleyway to 'talk'. "But tonight's the Winter Festival. Why don't you wait until tomorrow to leave so you can enjoy it?"
He let out a scoff. "That shit's not for me. I got better things to do than waste my time at some pathetic festival."
Rukia frowned. "If you're in such a hurry, then go ahead and leave. Why are you telling me?"
Grimmjow averted his eyes to a rock on the ground before his feet. Picking it up, he easily crushed it in his fist. "Just thought I'd tell you so you don't waste time looking for me or anything."
Rukia folded her arms across her chest. "Don't worry. I won't." She started to leave, but his voice stopped her.
"Hey…Rukia."
She turned back to him, seeing a whole different look on his face that it was unreal. "Be alert. Gin's never to be underestimated." His eyes had a subtle look to them; but it was gone as fast as it came that she thought she imagined it. He smirked. "See you around wench."
After her 'farewell' with Grimmjow, Rukia took the market streets, hoping to purchase a gift for the lady that healed her back in the cabin in the forest. Inoue, Rukia recalled Ichigo calling her back when Rukia was in the infirmary.
At first, she wasn't sure what to get her. She wandered around unconsciously, going from one shop to another. Soon, she found herself in the front of Urahara's Shop.
Entering it, she was welcomed by a very tall and muscular man with a thick mustache and glasses. For a man his size, he looked very intimidating. But Rukia, however, was not intimidated.
"May I help you?" He asked, in a very deep voice.
"Isn't there usually another person working here? Blonde hair, green-and-white striped top hat and has a cane?"
"He is unavailable at the moment. Is there something in particular you needed to discuss with him?"
"No. Nothing in particular."
"Very well. Have a look around and let me know if you need anything." He returned to a back room.
As Rukia made to turn around, she nearly bumped into a young girl with pigtails holding a broom.
"Sorry." Rukia said. The girl nodded once and turned back to her task of sweeping the shop. Rukia immediately recognized her and the man. He had carried her in to the infirmary. That time the girl was convulsing uncontrollably until Unohana had given her a shot. She had looked so ill. But now, she was sweeping with the broom like a normal young girl.
She wasn't sure why, but Rukia felt compelled to talk to her. "Excuse me. May I know your name?"
The girl looked up at her blankly with dull-colored eyes. Rukia thought for a spilt moment if she was blind, but then how could she sweep the shop so neatly?
"Ururu." She replied in the most shyest voice.
Rukia held out her hand to her. "I'm Rukia."
Looking at her hand, the girl's eyes widened in terror. She took a startled step backwards, bumping into a shelf. Her eyes were on Rukia's hand as if it was a harmful, poisonous object.
"P-please. Don't touch me." She whispered frenetically. "It will be bad for you." She side-stepped away, rushing to the back room, dropping her broom at Rukia's feet.
Rukia watched her leave, confused and troubled by her odd behavior. She looked down at her hand. What was that about?
"This is for you." Rukia said, holding out the freshly baked, sweet cinnamon smelling pie. "I didn't properly get to thank you for healing me."
"Oh!" Orihime's squeal of joy made the cat in the corner jump and rush out of the kitchen like a dog was on it's tail. "Thank you so much, Rukia!" She beamed. "It will go great with the strawberry-squash, garlic tomato paste I made for the festival."
She placed the pie on the counter and retrieved a wooden bowl with an odd mixture of contents. It was reddish in color, bordering on dark red and brown, and smelled strongly of garlic. Rukia tried not to blanch at the sight or stench of it.
Rukia was at a loss of words as she stared at the homemade paste. And Ichigo eats this stuff? He must have a strong stomach.
Inoue took her silent shock as a good thing. She stood up even straighter. "It's my special recipe. I tried adding pickles before, but that hid the smell of garlic."
"Oh…uh, that is…" Rukia cleared her throat, forcing down the bile that threatened to escape her mouth. She forced a smile. "It looks good, Inoue."
She held up the bowl. "Would you like a taste?"
Rukia took an automatic step back, bumping into the wooden table. "I really shouldn't."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." Rukia said, not wanting to sound rude. Inoue was a nice person. But apparently she was better at healing than she was at cooking. "Besides, didn't you make that for the festival?"
"Well, I did." Inoue admitted.
"It wouldn't be fair to everyone if I had a taste before they did." Rukia said, bringing that to a conclusion.
"I guess you're right."
Rukia let out a sigh of relief as Inoue placed the bowl back on the counter, covering it with a handkerchief.
"I know it's tonight, but I just can't wait for the festival to begin!" She exclaimed. "Are you excited as well?"
"Yes." Rukia replied, mindlessly picking at a dent on the wooden table. "But this will be my first time viewing from inside the palace gates."
Inoue paused, her eyes filled with marvel and intrigue. "Really? The villagers come from all over to join in the festival. Why haven't you?"
Rukia shrugged her shoulders. "I never did like big crowds. It was always a quiet time for us when the festival arrived." Her eyes went distant, as if she was remembering the past with every detail. "The village and streets would be deserted. Renji and I would grab some food for a picnic and head up to Sunset Peak, where we had the best view of the fireworks."
She paused when she noticed the thoughtful smile on Inoue's face. "What?" She asked her.
"Oh, nothing. It just sounds very romantic."
Rukia half-chuckled. It was anything but romantic. Renji would eat most of the food and complain about a stomach ache. Rukia would find two large tree branches and they would quarrel in a pretend sword fight until the fireworks lit the night sky.
Rukia's shoulders slumped forward. "This festival will be the first without Renji since he's on a mission."
"Is he your…" Inoue bit her bottom lip nervously and whispered, "…lover?"
Rukia uncharacteristically snorted with laughter, startling the auburn-haired woman. She must think I'm mad! Rukia thought as she struggled to catch her breath."Renji and I? Lovers? I doubt that's possible. I have never thought of him that way. We are childhood friends. Sometimes I even think of him as family."
"Oh." Inoue said, nodding as if she understood, though her eyes were full of questions.
Rukia cleared her throat. She decided it was best if she changed the subject before Inoue could have any other nonsensical thoughts. "So what events are held inside the palace gates?"
Inoue's eyes immediately brightened and she clasped her hands together in excitement, listing the events as if she had them committed to memory. "There are games for children, even the adults, there are lots of competitions, and puppet shows and dances." She halted briefly. "The most special dance of the Winter Festival is the Dance of the Snowflake."
"What's that?" Rukia perked up curiously.
"Oh, it's a dance done between couples. They dance together, welcoming the snowflakes of winter." She paused, a dreamy look in her eyes. "The women wear wreaths of white flowers on their heads. The men hold a single white rose, presenting it to the women, who are the snowflakes. The dance goes on for a while until the women finally accept the rose. It's so beautiful."
"Have you ever done it?"
Inoue's eyes fell. "No, but I've always watched as a little girl."
Rukia frowned slightly. "I would think suitors would fight to get a chance to dance with you."
"They do, it's just that…" She trailed off and Rukia understood.
"You have your eyes on someone else."
Inoue fidgeted with her apron, twisting and turning the cloth in hand. Rukia stepped closer.
"May I ask who is it?"
"I-I…um, it's not important." She blushed, her face as red as the tomatoes in the bin on the counter.
Rukia ruminated for a moment, watching her. Inoue was beautiful with her long auburn hair, her womanly figure, and her modesty. What kind of guy would turn down the opportunity to be with her? "He must be a real idiot for not seeing what he is missing." Rukia said sympathetically.
Inoue's eyes were wide as plums as she shook her head quickly. "N-no, not at all! He's a very nice guy!"
Rukia frowned. "Then why doesn't he go with you?"
Inoue met her gaze shyly. "I-I never asked him." She looked away, her voice falling to a whisper. "Besides, he doesn't have time for these things."
Before Rukia could say anything else criticizing about her crush, Inoue quickly asked a question of her own, "What about you? Will you be joining in the dance?"
"No." Rukia answered flatly. "I don't have anyone to go with, and besides, dancing is not for me." But even as she said this, her mind unconsciously drifted off to a certain orange-haired Prince, and she couldn't help but to think: Will Ichigo be taking someone to the Snowflake Dance?
Later that day inside the palace walls…
Ichigo was never one to attend festivals, but he was not always that way.
The last memory he had of attending the Winter Festival in particular, was when he was a child and his parents had taken him. He had eaten exotic fruits and played games. He didn't enjoy the puppet shows as much, but he did like watching the older men compete in archery and sword-fighting. And before the fireworks show, he would watch his parents take part in the Snowflake Dance.
That was the last festival he had attended before his mother had passed away. Even years later, his father tried to constantly get him -or trick him- into going to the festival, but Ichigo would not budge.
The Winter Festival would bring back the memory of his mother; the memory of that specific night when she looked so radiant and was still alive. Till this day, he still recalled the way his mother threw her head back and laughed joyfully at his father's ridiculous antics to impress her in the dance. She had looked more beautiful than any of the other women present.
But once she was gone, Ichigo didn't once bother to see the couples dance nor attend the festival, not even when young maidens mustered the courage to ask him.
But now was different. He recalled the conversation he had in the library earlier with his advisor.
"Another invitation to the Snowflake dance, I presume?" Ishida asked as he watched the Prince put aside a perfumed note on the extensive table.
"It doesn't matter how many invitations I receive Ishida, I am not going." Ichigo replied indifferently.
"Things would be a lot simpler if you chose someone to go with."
Ichigo scowled. "There is no one I want to go with."
"Are you sure?" Ishida asked persistently.
Ichigo's scowl faltered for a moment as he thought about a certain petite raven-haired lady. "Yes." He lied. He turned his attention to the bookshelf, fingering each spine slowly, reading each title in his mind, hoping to distract himself from other thoughts.
Ishida sighed deeply. "Well, this is a conversation we've had more times than I can remember. I guess there is no gain in trying to convince you when you have made up your mind indefinitely."
"Now you're talking positively, Ishida." The Prince replied, removing a rather thick book from the bookshelf.
His advisor made a nod with his head. "Where, might I ask, is Rukia today?"
"I gave her the day off for the festival."
"Ah." Ishida said. "From what Inoue tells me, this will be Rukia's first time seeing the festival from inside the palace gates."
"Is that so?" Ichigo asked, trying to act uninterested, despite his increasing heart pace.
"Perhaps she might take part in the Snowflake Dance." Ishida paused, and Ichigo's hand involuntarily tightened on the book. "There are many eligible, desperate men that will do anything to get a chance with an available woman. Rukia will be no exception."
Ichigo dropped the book he was holding onto the marble floor, the sound echoing on the library walls.
"Is something wrong, Prince?" Ishida asked, noticing his peculiar behavior.
Ichigo retrieved his cloak and fastened it around his neck, making his way to the door in quick strides. "I-I forgot. There's an important matter I have to attend to."
Since then, Ichigo had been pacing inside the palace, debating with himself whether or not to confront Rukia about the Snowflake Dance.
Maybe I shouldn't ask. She might get the wrong idea. He thought walking down a corridor with a forest of trees engraved in the marble walls. He turned a corner. But then again, Ishida's right. Men are like wild animals during the festivals; chasing women like lions chase prey.
As he mentally disputed with himself, he made a right turn at the next corridor, bumping into someone. His gaze met dazzling violet eyes looking up at him in surprise. "Ichigo. I mean, Prince Ichigo, were you headed somewhere?" Rukia asked.
Ichigo opened his mouth to say something, but his mind was whirling so much, he couldn't find the right words to say. "I, uh…no. Not really." He said, mentally slapping himself. Where was he headed? The only place he was trying to get away was from his mind and that was because he was thinking too much of the person in front of him. He cleared his throat.
"What about you? What are you doing here? I gave you the rest of the day off."
"Healer Unohana asked me to drop by so she could see if I was recovering well."
An awkward silence ensued while both were lost in thought.
Here's your chance. An importunate voice in Ichigo's head said. Ask her!
A voice in Rukia's head was just as persistent. Ask him if he's going to the Snowflake Dance. This is the only one way to know for sure.
They both remained oblivious that the other was thinking the same thing.
Rukia was the first to snap out of her frozen trance. "Well, I shouldn't keep you. I'll see you around." Rukia said, turning around.
Ichigo unconsciously took a step forward. "Uh, Rukia, wait."
She stopped mid-way, meeting the Prince's gaze, her violet eyes wide with expectancy.
He gawkily rubbed the back of his neck. "I was wondering…if you did not have any plans tonight…would you like to-"
"Rukia!" A masculine voice said a few feet away.
They both turned to see a muscular redhead standing in the courtyard, a huge grin on his face.
"R-Renji?" Rukia asked, clearly surprised by her friend's presence. In two huge strides, the redhead embraced her in bear hug, lifting her off the ground completely.
Ichigo watched the friendly exchange with a pang in his heart and a fire in his stomach. It didn't help when Rukia let out a joyful laugh as the redhead swung her around.
Renji finally released Rukia onto the ground, still grinning like a child with a big treat.
"H-how are you here?"
"Captain Kenpachi sent me and a few others to investigate in the east. Since we were going to pass Karakura, Captain said we could have the night off for the festival."
"That's great."
"Just like old times, right?"
Rukia smiled.
Ichigo suddenly felt like an intruder. He didn't want to observe the scene anymore. He was afraid he might pull Rukia away from the redhead grip or better yet, punch him in his stupid grinning face.
Just as he made to leave, Rukia's gaze fell on him.
She cleared her throat. "Prince Ichigo, I'd like you to meet my friend, Renji Abarai."
Renji, finally composing himself, stood up straighter and did the traditional salute to his chest. "Pardon my intrusion, Prince Ichigo. Rukia and I have never been separated for this long so I couldn't control myself when I saw her. I am sure you know what that feels like."
"No." Ichigo replied icily. "I don't."
An uncomfortable silence followed. Renji was half-frowning, and Ichigo, well aware of Rukia's penetrating gaze on him, scowled and looked at anywhere but her.
"Prince Ichigo, there you are!" They turned to see Advisor Ishida make his way towards them briskly.
"Prince Ichigo, may I have a word with you?" He glanced in turn at them, carefully taking in Renji's uniform. He averted his attention to the Prince. "I hope I am not interrupting."
Ichigo's eyes were hard as he replied, "No, there is nothing to interrupt."
Rukia noticed his hostile tone, but apparently Ishida did not. "Excellent." He said, pushing his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. Ichigo turned quickly in the opposite direction without a second glance towards Rukia, leaving her with her thoughts.
And with Renji. She almost forgot about him as she watched Ichigo's departure.
"That was strange." The redhead said, clearing his throat, bringing her attention back on him. "Anyways…I was hoping we could have some lunch or something." He gestured awkwardly with his hands. "You know, to catch up."
"Sure." Rukia said softly, not fully aware of the word coming out of her mouth. Her thoughts still remained on Ichigo. What was he so upset about?
A/N: I know there wasn't much IchiRuki-ness here, but I promise in the upcoming chapter, there is! Also, a very special IchiRuki moment is coming up just around the corner. Their feelings won't be awkward for long. *wink wink* And of course, reviews are very much appreciated! Thanks!