-----
DEATH, STRAWBERRY, AND HAPPILY EVER AFTER
----------
***
---------
Shirosaki Hichigo
I guess she's okay. I mean, I wouldn't be around if she never stabbed the King in the heart.
Just to give the King a scare, I like to show up. It was always fun to antagonize him because sometimes with his seemingly mundane life, his inner world was boring. Between his jobs, his kids (sometimes, they were really annoying), and his wife, it doesn't leave much room to fight hollows. I wondered about them too – those hollows. Why were things in this dimension going too smooth? There were no other enemies to conquer? No battles? No blood to shed?
"So what do you want me to do about it?" Ichigo watched me with wary eyes.
"You could let me out more."
Ichigo shook his head. "No way. Absolutely not."
I rolled my eyes at him, while swinging my sword over my head. "But it's so boring!"
"I said no!"
"Don't speak to me like I'm one of your kids!" I snapped, my yellow eyes narrowing at him. He glared at me, his mouth set in a deep scowl.
In his sternest voice he told me, his horse, "No, I'm leaving."
Shit. I knew why he was being like this. "Wait, listen, I swear I'm not gonna hurt them." It was his family. His pride. His highest priority to protect.
The King turned back at me, and he did not look impressed. He didn't even look that intimidated by me anyone. Damn him. My bright yellow eyes and my slithery tongue used to be enough to put him on edge. Maybe if I attack 'the Queen', as I like to call her, then he would finally yield to me. "Just let me out when you're facing a hollow or somethin'."
He shook his head, his hazel eyes showing nothing but disapproval. "Maybe, if I need you."
Before he left for good, I moved so my face was right in front of his. His scowl twisted into one of those angry frowns; he hated when I got in his personal space. "Just remember you were able to save her because of me. Don't try to cage me because when I break free you have no idea what I will do with my freedom…" I was smiling at him now, grinning widely. My yellow eyes were vibrant, I knew, because I could feel the blood simmer under my skin. And the look of disgust colouring his face told me he knew it was a terribly bad idea if I tasted this liberty.
"You can try, but you won't succeed."
I cocked my head to the side while still spinning my weapon around. "Really? Because she said you're strong enough to?" I laughed at him slowly with more mockery and contempt. If he was getting angry at me, it hardly showed. He used to have a temper with me, and I used to get under his skin easily…but he changed. Fuck. "That sounds like a challenge, King. I guess I'll have to show you."
Without smiling or frowning, the King threatened me, "Rukia will kill you before you have a chance to do anything."
Really? Really? "Killing me means killing you. You really think she can do it?"
Finally, the King looked away. The sun was setting in his world, which made the shadows on his face darker. He didn't smile nor frown nor show any other expression than confidence and presence. "She will but she won't have to because I am strong enough."
"Heh." I licked my lips wet and left the tip of my tongue on the corner of my mouth. "You better be because if I come out, who knows if I kill her before she can touch me." I wasn't serious about killing her; I was just angry and agitated. And it was fun to trouble the King.
And oh yes – he was troubled.
Ichigo's eyes suddenly steeled at such a thought. His hand shot forward like a whip and wrapped around my neck, as if to squeeze the life out of me. I could even hear him breathing; harsh exhale, deep inhale. "Like I said, I'm strong enough." And then he let go abruptly, his back facing me. The King didn't say a word, not even when I laughed, and he was gone.
----
Sorry for the late delay. I got caught up writing "I love" and was distracted with school… and the Olympics. When Tessa and Scott won their gold, I got sucked in. Yay men's hockey team! I don't even watch sports but I almost had a heart attack in that last 30 seconds when the US team tied the game… Now I'm sad the Olympics are over! Go world! Eek, I'm babbling now!
Hugs to those who have read. My love to you for a review.
Thanks for reading!