Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
A/N: I feel so proud of myself being able to update very soon. I hope you look forward to the coming chapters as well. Thank you so much for the reviews and for supporting my story! Read and enjoy!
Chapter 29 : And So He Learns
" I need to know where Rukia is." Ichigo demanded the moment he entered his father's study where the latter had been going on several documents. He had just come back from the royal family's cemetery and went directly to see his father.
" Good evening to you too, my son!" Was Isshin's cheery reply. When the prince didn't buy his greeting, the esteemed king pouted. " Awww…no greeting for me?"
The prince, appearing to be impatient, pounded a fist on his father's desk. " Enough with the games, goat-chin. I need to see Rukia." He told him, sounding almost desperate.
Isshin sighed as he gathered the papers that had scattered on his desk upon the impact of Ichigo's hand. " She went home." Was the king's simple answer.
" Home?" He repeated, his perpetual scowl contorting into confusion. Ichigo was actually surprised how his father had given him the information. He had been preparing to get into a tug-of-war conversation just to extract an answer from him. Thus, he was thrown mentally off balance and was momentarily bereft of speech. " W-what do you mean by home? Shiba Kaien's home?"
The king tilted his head and stared at his son quizzically. " What makes you think that?"
" I've heard Kaien's conversation with Urahara-san." He answered directly, understanding that he won't get anywhere beating around the bush. " I know she's with him…somewhere! I don't know and I don't have a clue." For the three years that they had spent together, it was only then that Ichigo realized how the midget had never talked about her home or her family. She'd been introduced as his father's guest and he had accepted it as that and enjoyed the present with her rather than delving on her past. " So, is she really with Kaien? In his home?"
Isshin wore a thoughtful look as he studied his son's feature. He propped his elbows on his desk, laced his fingers together and rested his chin on top of them. " You know…I've promised Rukia-chan something but I'm willing to break it since she tried to cheat on our deal once. However, it would depend on how you answer my question." The king paused and waited for any negative reaction from his son. When nothing came, he continued. " Will you take over my paper works so I can sleep beside your sisters tonight? It's been a while since I've read them a bedtime story and I'm planning to tell them about my adventures as an amazing young and handsome man!"
" No, you psycho!"
" Awww…and I thought you'll do me a favor since you're asking something big from me." The king pouted his lips sulkily. " But why do you want to find Rukia-chan?"
The prince opened his mouth to answer but no word came out. He closed it and began to think the question through. Why did he need to see her indeed? He understood that there was a reason as to why the mi—Rukia left without telling him. And so, he could have just waited until she comes back…when she comes back…if she comes back. " I need to see her! If I don't, I feel like I'll never see her again!" Ichigo was even surprised to hear his answer. He looked at his father expectantly and saw how the king's eyes were suddenly shadowed.
" Ichigo," Kurosaki Isshin's voice seemed surprised. " you…" He stopped and wrestled with himself a moment before he shook his head. " I don't think Rukia-chan would want to see you. Or to better place it, I don't think you should see Rukia until you're clearer in your own mind."
" I need to see her if I want to be clearer in my own mind." The prince stated indignantly before turning to leave. " If you don't want to tell me, then I'll find her myself. Even if I have to travel everywhere."
The king sighed loudly. " Well, Ichigo…you really are a stubborn and idiotic son of mine!" He conceded. " She's in Sakura, her home kingdom. I sent Kisuke there to check on her." He then let out a broad grin and a smug look on his face. " Ha! You never thought of that, right? I would have seen to it myself but then you'll notice! I'm so clever." He erupted in a loud laughter.
" Shut up, old man!" The prince bit out, brooding over his newly found information.
" Well Ichigo. I see no reason for you to see her seeing how your fiancée is here and Rukia went home on her own."
Ichigo's brows furrowed. " I don't know and that's what I'm trying to figure out. I know I'll have my answers once I see her."
" Don't you think you just miss her?" The king teased.
" M-me?!" The younger of the two appeared startled by the question as he pulled out a face. " Miss the midget?! That's just stupid! Absurd! She's too violent to be missed! Have you seen the bruises she left on me? The last blow she left on me hasn't even healed! Do you even hear yourself?" Ichigo was certainly baffled and the amused look on his father's face didn't help as well.
" I'm not the one who insists on finding her." Isshin stated with a grin. A moment of silence passed between the father and son before the king opened his lips again. " Do you know why I sent you to find a bride?"
" Because you're an idiot with nothing useful in mind aside from putting a burden on your son?" Ichigo dead-panned.
The king stood up and shook his head. His usual jolly manner was gone and was replaced by a man of serious intentions. Even his dark eyes were sharper as he gazed at his son directly. The light from the lamp on the desk brought an unusual glimmer in the older person's eyes—something that Ichigo hadn't seen in a long time before. " You've been too closed off from the world ever since your mother's death. You were simply living and breathing. But when Rukia-chan arrived, you've managed to change little by little. Perhaps, it's because there's a special connection between you two…" He turned around and walked towards the open window inside the room, a hidden meaning behind his words. " The Kurosaki tradition we spoke was not a lie though we altered it a bit. I just needed a reason for you to go out and see the world better, to see the world in a different light. And the royal traditions state that before you become an official crowned prince, one must overcome the king's challenge. I think Rukia understood it better than you did."
" Then why did you have to make it so that I have to find a bride, you idiotic father!" Asked Ichigo angrily. " There's so many things to ask me to do!"
The king shrunk and stared at his son with a childish look on his face. " Well, you'll never think about finding a wife and making grandbabies if I didn't do that! I've always believed and worried that you were gay! I mean Rukia sleeps in the room next to yours yet you never made a move on such a charming, young woman."
Ichigo blushed at his father's words and glared at him to cover his embarrassment. " D-do you even hear yourself, you psycho!?"
The older Kurosaki simply grinned. " Me having grandchildren running around the castle is much more important than propriety!"
The prince groaned and can't seem to make up his mind if which will be saner, talk to his father or just leave. He decided on doing the latter. " I'm leaving."
" Good night, son. Sleep well."
" No. I mean I'm leaving to go to Sakura." The prince clarified.
Isshin wore a triumphant smirk. " Well, Ichigo. I'm glad you finally found the gall to make a move."
Not understanding what his old man was implying, he shook his head and exited the study. He then went towards the direction leading to the stables. Halfway on his trek, he was met by the princess and Ishida who were walking along the corridor.
" Kurosaki-kun!" The princess called out excitedly, beaming as she did so. When she had a closer look on the prince's face, she saw how he seemed different compared to how he was a few days ago. " Your highness! It's been a while. Have you just arrived from the cemetery?"
The prince had no choice but to stop and entertain his guests. " No…uh…I'm actually on my way out of the castle." Was the prince's response and was about to move on but was interrupted when the princess went on with the conversation.
" This late?!" She stared at the orange-head in wonder and noticed his impatience. " Is something wrong? You seem in a hurry."
" I…uh…" He gazed at Ishida who gave him a displeased look but remained mum. "…I'm going to see Rukia."
" Rukia-san?!" There was certainly surprise in Orihime's reaction. Along with it came a sudden pang of hurt which the princess immediately hid behind a bubbly smile. " Is she nearby?"
" She's in Zenbonsakura and I'm going there." Ichigo explained. " I need to see her."
" But why?"
The words were almost inaudible that the prince thought Inoue never spoke. So, he took the opportunity to end their conversation. " So yeah. I'll go now. I'll see you both when I return." Ichigo walked passed them but was stopped when a hand grabbed his arm. He looked back to see who stopped him. " Inoue?"
The two males were disconcerted by the princess' action. " I…" Inoue Orhime began, her head hung low and her fingers tightening around Ichigo's arm. " Your highness…why are you going to see her? It's so late. Can't you sleep the night and just go tomorrow?" This time, she let go of the arm she was holding and took a step back before she raised her head to face the prince. " I mean, I'm sure lady Rukia is asleep by now. And you're tired too. You have to rest." She offered and gave him a small smile. " I'm not stopping you! I just don't want you to push yourself too."
" Thanks for the concern Inoue. It will be morning when I arrive in Sakura so it's fine if I leave now." He insisted with determination in his voice.
The princess looked torn as she listened to his explanation. Once she saw the prince turning around to leave, she grabbed the prince's sleeve to stop him. " I'll come with you!"
This made the Kurosaki royalty to stare at the princess in astonishment. The retainer mimicked Ichigo as well.
" I don't think it will be safe for you, princess." Ishida reasoned with exasperation. " Besides, it'll be too short-sighted for you to go on a journey at a time like this without preparatio—"
"No." The princess answered as she held the prince's sleeve tighter. "…I want to be someone who supports the prince." She sounded like she wanted add more but restrained herself.
Ishida sighed. " Your highness, please." He told the princess who refused to turn to him and didn't give any reply as she continued to hang on to the prince, stopping his attempt to leave the moment the opportunity comes. Seeing no other choice, the archer shifted his target as he realized how the princess was being stubborn. " Kurosaki." He called out the prince's attention while gazing at the Kurosaki male with a hateful and knowing look.
Ichigo appreciated the determination in the princess' face. Thus, he looked at her straight in the eye and gave her a small smile. " You really don't have to do that for me. I really appreciate the concern though. I shall remember it while I travel."
" The more reason why I'm going." The princess beamed at the orangette's reaction and let go of the sleeve she was clutching. " You can count on me Kurosaki-kun." She reassured.
The prince opened his mouth and closed it, realizing that there was no stopping her. Then he glanced towards the archer who was displeased and fuming but decided to simply clench his hands by his side. Ichigo gave the dark-haired male an apologetic look before taking the lead and heading towards the stables. Even without turning, he know that the princess was just behind him. And he could definitely feel the archer glaring daggers at his back.
.
.
.
It was almost dawn. The road approaching the border of Zenbonsakura was almost empty except from the three silhouettes. The neighing of the horses filled the tensed silence between their riders. None had spoken a word since they departed from Karakura last night. Prince Ichigo's eyes remained focus on the road ahead of them while Ishida had his eyes like a hawk towards the princess riding beside him.
" Your highness…" The retainer began as he noticed how the princess was slowly leaning to one side of her horse as she struggled to fight off sleep. "…you don't have to force yourself. We shall take shelter tonight and catch up with the prince." It almost sounded as a plea.
" But the prince…" Her highness mumbled.
" Enough about the prince!" The dark haired archer bellowed, gathering the attention of her companions towards him, jolting the princess from her sleepy state and effectively halting their journey for a moment.
" I-Ishida-kun?" Orihime's eyes widened.
Ichigo seemed as surprised as the princess about the archer's outburst. This was the first time that the male had lost his temper in front of anyone.
His nose mildly flared. His jaws tensed. His gaze was hard. But when he noticed the disturbed look that the princess was giving her, he heaved a deep breath and immediately calmed down. " I apologize for my outburst." He stated in a professional manner and propped his glasses up the bridge of his nose. " It was uncouth of me. Perhaps fatigue was getting into my nerves an—"
" You don't have to explain, Ishida-kun. It was my fault for being stubborn and dragging you around on my whims." Inoue shook her head to dispel sleep and beamed at the concerned male. " I'm really fine, Ishida-kun. I know you're only concerned about my welfare and I really appreciate it." She insisted then turned to the prince. " So, shall we carry on with our journey?"
Ishida looked like he wanted to say something else but seeing how the princess' attention was no longer on him, his eyes saddened. He then felt a stare directed to him and turned to find the prince gazing at him, catching the momentary surfacing of the emotion he tried so hard to conceal from the rest of the world. When the prince said nothing, he turned his face away.
.
.
.
" We're here." Ichigo announced as he stared at the enormous city in front of them. It was his first time coming here. Sakura as a medium-sized kingdom, probably half the size of Karakura. He knew nothing about the city. All he knew was its location as he had seen on maps and that their kingdom had done business with them a few times. He'd heard of the kingdom a few times especially the news about the invasion that had happened three years ago though no one heard of the exact details. His father had extended his help but said nothing to him.
" So do you know where we're going to find Rukia-san?" Ishida asked as the two from Inoue stared expectantly at the prince.
" Huh?" Ichigo replied with a blank expression. "…uh…I'm sure she's with Shiba Kaien." He scratched his nape.
" Then do you know where this Shiba Kaien lives?" The archer followed up, staring at the prince suspiciously.
Ichigo tilted his head to the side. He hadn't exactly thought that far. All he had been thinking all night was that he had to see Rukia. " Well, I'm sure we could just ask someone for directions."
Ishida Uryuu looked like he wanted to bump his head on something hard. " I knew it. I knew it." He mumbled and sighed. " Kurosaki…" He began with an exasperated tone. " How could you be so irresponsible going on a journey when you don't even know where we should start looking?!"
" Now…now…" The princess interrupted, clapping her hands to gather the males' attention. " I'm sure someone knows Shiba Kaien-san around here so it wouldn't be that hard of a task so let's all calm down, okay?"
It was exactly the moment that the royal city's bell chimed when they arrived upon the gates of Zenbonsakura, Sakura's capitol. The gates were heavily guarded by a squadron of well-trained looking militants. The fact that military roamed in and out of the city did not escape Ishida's notice.
The three were now on foot, guiding their horses by the reign behind them.
" Who are you and what is your business here?" The guard's stone-hard face and cold glare welcomed them as they were stopped from entering the city. The guards gave them surveying stares.
" Good morning, sir!" The princess chimed politely. " We're actually from Karakura and we're looking for Shiba Kaien-san." She informed them with a cheery expression on her face.
" Shiba Kaien? The princess' knight?" One of the guard asked to confirm.
" The princess' knight?!" Inoue blurted out in surprise. " Wow, I never knew we were looking for someone of high ranking, Kurosaki-kun." She told the prince who remained impassive as his attention remained focused on the guard, perpetual scowl intact.
" Yes. He's a distant cousin of mine." Ichigo informed the guards. " I need to see him but I don't know where his house is located. Can you give us directions?"
The guards looked at each other as though they were communicating silently among themselves. " You guys said that you came from Karakura right?" One guard began as he stroked his beard thoughtfully. " It is regrettable to say this but I believe you lot have journeyed for a lost cause. Sir Kaien is currently busy at the palace so I don't think he'll be able to see you."
" Oh? Is that so?" Inoue Orihime glanced at the prince once more and saw the undeterred look on his face.
" Then can you just tell us the direction of his house? We'll wait there until he returns." Ichigo spoke with a flat tone.
The bearded guard glanced left and right and waved for the orangette to come near him. Ichigo did as the guard wished and came near the latter. He leaned on the prince's ear and whispered. " I suggest you come back at a later time. You and your friends will be in danger here. This kingdom is preparing for war."
" A war?!" Ichigo shouted.
" What happened, Kurosaki-kun?" The princess asked as she saw the prince's sudden outburst.
Ishida and the rest of the guards turned towards the bright-haired royalty and the bearded guard who suddenly pale at the intensity of Ichigo's reaction.
" Hey, what's going on there?" Other guards began to approach them.
" Pipe down, young man!" The bearded guard told him, noticing that they've already garnered unneeded attention.
Ichigo grabbed the bearded guard by the shoulders. " Tell me where Shiba is! How dare he bring Rukia here when he knew it could be dangerous?!" The Kurosaki prince demanded with a large voice, distress and alarm palpable in his tone.
" R-rukia? You mean the princess?"
" I don't care about your princess! I mean Ruk—" Ichigo paused from his outburst and was momentarily still. His grip on the bearded guard's shoulder slowly loosened as he stared at the older male with confusion. " What did you say?"
-to God be the glory!-
