Chapter 21: A Grief Encounter
I've said it once and I'll say it again. Please review! Guys, seriously there is no reason you shouldn't be able to except for being really lazy or inconsiderate (or both). I won't hunt you down or bite if you review unless you leave a flame in which case God help you.
I am extremely upset and disappointed and quite hurt.
P.S. If any of you can guess how many subplots there are in this story, I'll give you a cookie and I'll take a one-shot request.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, just the OC's.
The sound of shuffling sheets snatched Rukia's attention and she looked up hopeful that Naoko would wake up. But the Quincy princess merely shifted her limbs and remained asleep or rather comatose. Rukia sighed and returned her attention to the book in her hands; she managed to find one in the library in Japanese. It was discussing the differences and similarities between Quinces in the east and west, it was surprisingly intriguing.
"Don't worry Miss Kuchiki, Naoko will wake up when she's good and ready," Angelica said trying to sound comforting.
"I know I'm just worried about what's going on in her head. She's been twitching and moaning a lot not to mention crying too," Rukia murmured looking at Naoko's still form sadly. "And you know you can call me Rukia. We're friends."
Angelica looked taken aback for a second but nodded, "Alright Rukia."
The girls returned to their reading. While the boys and Nemu went off into town to collect clues about Himmel Feld's elusive history, Oliver went back to the Soul Council to "attend to some business" and Rukia and Angelica were left to watch over Naoko.
Said Quincy had been twitching and moaning, it was rather heartbreaking. She had never looked so thin and brittle before then she did now buried under plush covers and surrounded by stuffed lacey pillows. Naoko looked smaller and more petite than Rukia. She had also been quietly crying and mewling too which was equally sad.
Rukia quietly closed her book and rose from her seat in the armchair. She sat on the edge of Naoko's bed and held the pained Quincy's hand loosely in hers, after a moment she placed her other hand on top.
I know your pain Naoko. By God do I know it. Rukia thought. Images of Kaien smiling and laughing flashed past her closed eyes. Then replaced by the more prominent blood images of him dying leaning up against her and her sword sticking out from his back.
"Believe me Naoko, I know the pain you're going through. I've been there too, you're not alone in this," Rukia whispered gently.
"We all have our sorrows, and although the exact delineaments, weight and dimensions of grief are different for everyone, the color of grief is common to us all," Angelica said as she removed her eyes from her book and looked at Rukia. Her softened blue eyed gaze said, I have tasted grief as well and it is painfully bitter.
"Well since when do you quote modern gothic literature?" rang a familiar male voice that was Oliver Twitterson's. "Afternoon ladies! Miss me?"
"No," Angelica replied curtly.
"Aww! Even my own lieutenant doesn't care enough to miss me. You have me burned Angelica!" Oliver cried dramatically.
"Quit with the dramatics already. Where did you run off to?" The pigtail wearing blonde snapped calmly.
Oliver sobered up quickly, "I was at the Soul Council. I had to explain, you know, what happened last night."
The words and recollections that sentence brought hung in the room for a few tense moments.
"And how did that go?" Rukia asked cautiously.
"After I explained what happened, a whole bloody uproar broke out. While the Head Captain...God I've never seen such a look on her face. It wasn't just grief it was more than that...much more," Oliver ran his hand through his hair as he slumped down on a nearby couch. "People started pointing fingers like they were in a panic. One of the captains, Cairbre Mac Domhnaill, he was the big red headed Scottish guy you lot met the first time you came to the Soul Council. He immediately blamed Naoko for all this and so did some of the others."
"What?" Both girls cried out in surprise.
"I can understand Mac Domhnaill because Franz Reiniger used to be his lieutenant. I heard that those two used to be quite close before Franz was promoted. I think the big guy is still in denial about his lieutenant and the others betraying everyone. The Royal Knights used to be captains and lieutenants that were specifically chosen to protect the Royal Quincy Family. A lot of people were hurt after they defected and disappeared," Oliver said with surprising calm.
"Is there anyone else who...blames Naoko?" Rukia winced as she said that.
"Some people are suspicious now but after Robbinsdale talked with them they settled. But I think your fine for now," The rusty brunette reassured her.
"I hope so," Rukia tightened her grip on Naoko's hand.
"So shall we call the Head Captain and inform him on how we royally screwed any attempts at making peace here?" Renji asked sarcastically.
Ichigo rubbed his temples, "Shut up."
"I mean seriously do you know how bad this is? God could you imagine how Captain Kuchiki is going to react?"
"With cold indifference. Honestly Renji do really think Nii-sama cares?" Rukia fumed.
"I'm sure Captain Urahara will be most displeased," Nemu lamented softly.
"Things haven't gotten that bad have they?" Oliver asked innocently.
"Well a prized officer of the Soul Council just died while hanging around us plus the Royal Knights have reappeared because of us...so yeah I'd say things are looking pretty bad," Renji listed off lazily.
Ichigo leaned his head back against the edge of the couch, "Why did we come here again?"
"You didn't have to come here. None of you did, only Naoko and I were interested in this place but insisted you had to come," Uryu snapped from behind his book.
"Like I was really going to let you two travel halfway across the world without anyone else?" Ichigo shot back.
"Please, as if Naoko and I really need your protection," Uryu returned snidely.
"Enough!" Angelica shouted hoping to stop the boys before their argument escalated any farther.
Everyone looked at the normally stoic girl in surprise.
"Angelica..." Oliver murmured.
"We must not waste precious time fussing and fighting about what has happened and what has yet to happen. All of us have suffered some sort of personal blow either caused by James's death or something else. We mustn't squabble amongst ourselves. A divided house is a fallen house," Angelica spoke sincerely.
Oliver sighed proudly, "Honestly how did you become the voice of reason in this little group hmm?"
"Well someone has to be," She replied primly.
"Yeah that's true. Sorry about arguing with you Uryu," Ichigo apologized.
Uryu pushed his glasses up, "its fine Ichigo. I shouldn't have snapped at you to begin with."
"So are they going to have some sort of funeral or memorial service for James?" Renji asked.
Oliver crossed his arms over his chest casually, "They are and we're invited of course. I persuaded the Head Captain push it back to the day after tomorrow. I thought it would by us sometime because...well I didn't think it'd be right if James was laid to rest and Naoko didn't have a chance to say good-bye."
"Oliver that's...quite considerate of you. I'm sure Naoko would truly appreciate that," Uryu said a tad surprised.
The others agreed too and Oliver grinned and sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.
"But doesn't that sound a tad soon? Even with the extension?" Ichigo said casually.
"That's what I thought too," Oliver answered returning to his somber mood again. "but the look on her face looked like she wanted to get this done and over with as quickly as possible. I don't think it's because she doesn't care about James or see this funeral as trivial but rather...this whole affair is extremely painful.
This type of pain she was expressing...I can't even define it. But if I had to guess I'd say it was equivalent to a parent having to plan their child's funeral."
Soon a calm somewhat relaxed atmosphere came over the room. Everyone had agreed to spend the night in Naoko's bedroom, to act as support and hope she could feel their presence and know she wasn't alone. As Angelica had said earlier grief is common for everyone it's just how it's brought on and how it's dealt with that differs.
Ichigo could still, clear as day, picture his mother. Bleeding and dying as the rain poured mercilessly over them. The most surreal part to him was the feeling of her cold heavy body on his and how he found it hard to breathe.
Rukia still had visions of Kaien and that rain filled night. She could still feel his blood seeping into her uniform, dribbling down the hilt of her sword and the ruby liquid staining her skin. That was what made it much more horrible, the phantom feeling of someone else's blood snaking down one's hands.
Oliver had never lost anyone personal until James and he was more like a very friendly acquaintance. But that didn't mean the British captain had never seen people death or even Hell incarnate. The battlefield of World War I had left its scar on him, even after a Soul Burial it still remained lodged in there. The sight of Hollows eating corpses and live people in No Man's Land and in the Trenches is a sight that will never leave any man who's ever witnessed it.
Angelica has witnessed death being brought upon others as well. Comrades from either her's or another's squad have fallen but it hardly fazed her. That would most likely be due to her past life of seeing people killed left and right. If not for the plague then for witch burning...like her.
For Uryu death is no stranger but rather a bearable presence. But that didn't make the death's he's witnessed any more or less shocking. His grandfather's death had still left quite an impression on him but it hadn't been as painful lately. When his grandmother passed away Uryu could clearly see how bad of a blow it was to her. Grief was something Naoko did not wear well.
Nemu is, by definition, a Death God and therefore has seen death all the time. Some didn't faze her others she wishes day and night to have never seen. When she saw her 'father's' corpse lying in the sand the only thing that kept her from becoming hysterical was Uryu tightly holding onto her.
Renji has never witnessed anyone close to him dying. His friends have come close and so has he but they've all pulled through in the end. But the death of friendship can be just as bad of a blow. Kira and Hinamori were his good friends back in the Academy and for a while even after they became Soul Reapers. Now they're defective traitors that he and the others must find, capture and bring back to the Soul Society or if worse come to worse...kill them.
How does one grapple with such a dilemma? Stay true to the friends he's known for almost a century? Or stay with the friends his made now? Lately Renji's been looking at Ichigo, Chad, Orihime Hell even Uryu and Naoko as real friends.
The strawberry was one Hell of a sparring partner and doesn't hold back unlike Kira who was too worried about hurting Renji to actually put up a fight. Orihime and Chad were great company not to mention how well of punch Chad can throw. Renji even fought alongside the Ishida siblings during the Winter War, both of them had helped Renji stay alive and vice versa. The only one who remained the same on both sides is Rukia, at least there's one less person he's got to worry about.
Kira could be such a wimp sometimes though there were times when he pulled through as a good friend. Hinamori never stopped gushing over Aizen ever since he saved them from the Hollows years ago. She acted more like a little sister to Renji. They were his friends still...right?
Slowly each person began to drift off to sleep. Oliver was seated in a plush armchair his head rested on his shoulder and part of the armchair. Renji was spread out on the couch his sleep was a tad more restless for he kept rolling around and shifting. Ichigo sat on the ground at the other end of the couch and rested his head on the cushion.
Rukia and Angelica shared a large blanket and pillows together on the floor. Nemu had secured her spot on the other side of Naoko's large bed. The bed was actually large enough to hold three or four people easily, so it didn't make much difference.
Uryu, though, was seated in the small space between the bed and wall surrounded by small leaning towers of books. He had a blanket draped over his knees which were serving as a table for a propped open book he had in front of him.
He had an intense absorbed look on him, as though he and the book were the only ones there. Nemu found it very...cute. Combined with his athletic figure coupled with his high intellect and kind gentlemanly personality...well Nemu just couldn't help blush and feel her heart race.
She propped herself up on the pillows, "Uryu? What are you doing awake?"
Startled Uryu looked up, "Oh! Sorry it-it's just I got caught up reading and..."
His voice trailed off as he looked at Nemu. Her normally pristine ink black hair was just slightly ruffled and gave her a cute sleepy look. Her emerald eyes were soft and gentle not glassy and hard. A gentle smile played at her lips and only enhanced the dark beauty she already had.
"You're a very studious person even when you're technically on vacation," Nemu said softly.
"I couldn't help it. When a book hooks you in," Uryu said distractedly as he ran his hand over the cover. "You just can't break away until you've finished it."
"That's very true, though some more pressing matters require a book or the pursuit of knowledge to be put on hold," Nemu said as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. "Like being for your little sister when she needs you most. Why don't you sleep up here and I'll sleep on the floor."
"No, don't do that. No self respecting gentleman would ever let a lady sleep on the floor," Uryu protested.
"Then why are Rukia and Angelica sleeping on the floor?" Nemu asked slyly.
"Because if Ichigo or the other two tried to be chivalrous their shins and heads would be kicked mercilessly," Uryu said.
"That's true, but who's to say I wouldn't do the same to you," Nemu gave as a rebuttal. She laughed softly at the disbelieving and shocked look Uryu was giving her. "I'm only kidding. But please Uryu sleep up here for the night, Naoko needs to know her older brother is here by her side."
Uryu sighed he could tell he wasn't going to win this, "Your sense of humor surprises me. Alright if you're sure I'll switch spots."
Nemu gave a small triumphant smile as she slid off the bed with her blanket and pillow in tow. Uryu quietly rose and climbed onto the large pearl colored bed. The Quincy Prince gave Nemu an unsure look and was about to protest when Nemu held up her hand.
"Stop arguing and get some sleep. Good night Uryu," Nemu said quietly as she settled down.
Uryu closed his mouth and smiled tiredly, "Good night Nemu."
He moved a little closer to his sister and gently gripped her shoulder and whispered softly, "I'm right here Naoko. You're safe."
Naoko seemed to relax a little more under her brother's touch. Her face took on a more peaceful look as well.
Ichigo was the first to wake up. He stretched and looked around once he realized he wasn't in his bedroom. That's right. We spent the night in Naoko's room. All the others appeared to still be asleep. The bedroom looked quite different in the early morning light. His still tired brown eyes drifted to Rukia and her shiny head of messy black hair that perfectly gleamed in the dawns light.
Wait...Why am I...? Ichigo shook his head and stood up to stretch. Since the others didn't look like they'd be waking any time soon the tangerine haired teen decided to do a little exploring.
The house no mansion was nothing short of huge and extravagant but that was to be expected of a building that used to house royalty. The lush rug coated hallways that lay atop the mahogany flooring muffled Ichigo's footsteps. The walls were a creamy pearl with fine artistic carvings showing. A tall thick matching pillar stood every few meters on both sides of the hall.
Both sides held wooden doors which he knew to be their own rooms so aimless took turns here and there. In one hall one side were dark superbly crafted wooden doors and the other bore large white windows that let in plenty sunlight that held deep blue curtains at their sides.
Ichigo's curiosity leads him to open a few of the doors. Most of them were furnished bedrooms similar to the ones he and the others were staying in. One was a well furnished and decorated study; another appeared to be a tea or sitting room.
I wonder why there are so many bedrooms. Did this place used to be a hotel or something? Or rather a shelter? Ichigo paused in his walk to think that last thought a little harder. Yeah...like a shelter for Quinces that were being terrorized and had nowhere safe to go. He sighed at his theory and resumed his walk.
The young captain kept going straight until he hit the end of the hall and a large window, so he back tracked a little to a turn off he had passed before. That second hall he would take him to the library and farther down, the ball room. He was surprised how the wood and marble flooring seamlessly shifted as the hallways changed.
But something caught his attention midstride. He looked up to see a very large well painted oil painting of a man and woman and three kids, one boy and two girls.
The blonde man and chocolate haired woman were dressed in high class regal apparel that also had a Quincy sense of style to it. On their heads they wore similar crowns. These must be Naoko and Uryu's ancestors. The three children, the boy and one girl were blonde and the other girl was a brunette, looked to be about ten or eleven and the trio was dressed just as nicely as their parents. On their heads they wore thin silver circlets.
Ichigo leaned over to look at a brass plate on the thick gold colored carved frame; it was dated February 20th 1902. The Quincy Royal Family of King Adal Silberherz & Queen Marcella Silberherz. Under the names and date were three more names, Prince Nicholas Silberherz, Princess Isabella Silberherz, & Princess Nora Silberherz.
He let out a low soft whistle. Those were some fancy names. Ichigo leaned back to look at the painting, but the name Nora kept striking something familiar cord in him. His eyes stuck to that of the gray eyed blonde girl as if he expected an answer from her. But she remained silent as he expected so he continued sauntering through the quiet halls.
"The views lovely isn't it?" asked a British accented voice.
Startled Ichigo perked up and looked to his left to see Oliver strolling up to him, his gaze locked on the scenery outside the window that Ichigo was just gazing out of. He noticed Oliver was wearing his gigai again and dressed in slacks with a dark sweater.
The carrot topped teen had decided to take a break from his exploring and sat on a long cushioned bench that had a small dark wood table seated in front under a tall window. The window opened the view of the garden, forest and lake, though everything was still coated in layers of snow and ice, so it gave the appearance of a winter wonderland.
Ichigo always preferred snow over rain anyway. Especially since his lieutenant, Rukia wielded the most beautiful ice type zanpaktuo in the whole Soul Society. He thought it was quite fitting for her, a beautiful sword for a beautiful woman. What...wait? Where did that come from? Well...it is true...
"Hmm? Oh yeah it is," Ichigo murmured in agreement.
"I've heard that the garden is something to be envied. That it's a treasure trove of colorful blossoms and petals. It's a shame that weather isn't more hospitable," Oliver said lightly as he continued to gaze out the window.
"Yeah, but the snow isn't that bad. It can actually be quite beautiful," Ichigo said, like Rukia.
The two lapsed into silence.
Until Oliver broke with a softly voiced question, "Has Naoko ever...been like that before?"
Ichigo didn't need to ask what he meant. He kept his gaze on the snow laden terrain, "She only became vicious like that one other time," He laid his hand over his chest, over the claw marks left by said princess. "And that was in Hueco Mundo after...a serious battle. Uryu was hurt very badly and Naoko can be quite protective of him."
"I see," Oliver muttered. "Hueco Mundo, the Hollow World. I hear it's a vast wasteland crawling with hellish looking Hollows. That's where half the Winter War was fought right?''
Ichigo nodded, "It's an endless white desert dotted with thin crystal like trees. The sky was a dark grey with an inverse moon in the sky. Las Noches, the Espada's headquarters was there too. A huge white palace. Naoko and Orihime were kept prisoner there."
Oliver could tell Ichigo was getting that far off look on his face, common among war veterans. He'd seen it before...on himself whenever he or others talked about the wars they died in. For Oliver it was World War I, some World War II, even Vietnam or the Korean War.
"You don't have to tell me anymore if you don't want to. I was just curious about Naoko's common emotional habits and if that kind of rage was normal. She's seems like such a sweet if not cold person," The rusty haired captain said calmly.
"She is but I think the combination of the Winter War and the loss of her grandmother and now James...I think it was just a bit too much," Ichigo theorized. "Naoko is normally a fairly strong person, she doesn't let much shake her or she doesn't show it."
"I'm sure she'll come around again. The funeral's tomorrow, it'll be her last chance to say good-bye to James," Oliver said quietly.
Ichigo merely nodded.
Oliver perked up and slapped Ichigo's back encouragingly, "Well let's cease with this useless gloomy talk. Let's see if the others are awake and grab some breakfast. I feel we've got a productive day ahead of us."
*Wow only a week between updates, not bad. Now let's see if you people will actually review.
Naoko: Gin?
Gin: Yeah?
Naoko: I've never seen the Empress this...down before. I'm worried.
Gin: *thinks deeply for a moment* Maybe she needs some cuddle time with Uryu or better yet me!
Naoko: *hits him over the head* This is serious you moron! Readers we implore you to review. I know we can't make you (at least not yet) but please do so. Plus the quote Angelica used earlier is from The Thirteenth Tale, by Diana Setterfield.