Later that evening, just as the sun was beginning to vanish behind the earth, the sky darkening into its array of sunset colors, Toshiro was speaking to Ruala. They stood at the balcony on his father's floor, the latter having used her magic to ease the pain in the Soul King and send him to sleep. They hoped with rest he'd be able to move tomorrow, but it was a small hope.
"How long does he have?" Toshiro questioned in a quiet tone, expression downcast.
"He asked me not to say."
"I see…So not long, then."
The guardian nodded once. Sighing, Toshiro tried to find something else to talk about other than the fast approaching date of his father's death.
"Will Karin and her brother be able to get through the trials quickly?"
"It depends. Everyone is different. The elder Kurosaki has a lot of his power already, but there is still much locked beneath he doesn't know how to harness. Lady Karin has only just unlocked her powers and has much of it still hidden away."
"And everyone else…how will they progress?"
"Those without Bankai might earn it here, and the Captains may double or triple their strength."
"That's the last thing Zaraki needs." Toshiro huffed.
"He has his powers; his problem is controlling it into a deadly force." Ruala picked up Sofia as her familiar returned from who knows where.
But she did not return alone.
Confused, Toshiro looked at Kadin as the new Squad Ten Captain approached them with some confusion himself. Whatever Sofia was planning, no one but she and Ruala seemed to know about it. That's when he remembered how Ruala had looked at him with some recognition when she had first seen him. Perhaps now he'd get some answers.
Kadin didn't seem to recognize her, though, but paid his respects and bowed to the young prince and his guardian.
"Do you know him?" Toshiro questioned Ruala. She nodded, startling Kadin.
"Um, well…I don't know you." The man said, scratching his head nervously.
Ruala removed her hood, something she tended not to do for strangers. She looked hopeful that him being able to see her face would spark a memory of some sort, though why Toshiro had no clue. What was she getting at? Kadin looked at her closely but showed no signs of recognition. Not until his gaze locked with hers.
"You do…look familiar." He mused. "And not from the training…"
"You've never left the realm until you had to come find me." Toshiro said to the girl, starting to get suspicious. This meant one of two things; she'd gone to Soul Society before…or Kadin was never truly a soul in the Rukongai.
"Neither had he." Ruala replied, quickly answering his question. "That's why he can't remember anything past a certain date."
"How did you know that?" Kadin narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Looks like I wasn't the only royal hidden away among the Thirteen Court Guard Squads." Toshiro stated.
"You mean…I'm a…?" Kadin trailed off, unsure and a little confused. "But…why can't I remember anything? It's not like you where you never really had any memories of this place…I must have lived here before…so why can't I remember it?"
"We thought you were dead." Ruala replied sadly. "Ælfwyn, Ralæn, Sylfie and I. We thought Dethmaiyn had killed you."
"Why would he want to kill me?" The man was clearly uncomfortable with this conversation. Toshiro was listening silently now, trying to figure out Ruala's reasoning for saying this now, why she seemed so sad…and why she seemed to speak easily with him.
"You're the son of Ælfwyn Greenleaf." Kadin went silent as Ruala continued. "Ælfwyn is the heiress to the Greenleaf Family, once her mother Sylfie passes, but as her son you are first in line to take that position."
Kadin turned his gaze to the floor, trying to take all this in. No memories seemed to come forth.
"Also, the Greenleaf Family is one of the most powerful families. If Hitsugaya had not been born or was found and killed, you would have been a most likely choice as the next Soul King. Dethmaiyn couldn't have that, as he wanted the position, so he made to kill you. We thought he'd succeeded."
"But he didn't…" Kadin frowned. "Why erase my memory? Why not just kill me?"
"I don't know…you must have escaped somehow but as a result lost your memory, and most of your powers."
A tense silence stretched over them, heavy and uncomfortable. If what Ruala said was true, this shadow wielder was a cousin of Toshiro's, which the said prince found interesting. Not only was the new Squad Ten Captain another royal, but he was also related to the last one. In fact, as he thought about it, that was three Captains in a row for Squad Ten that were royals, even if the Shiba clan was no longer a Royal Family. Strange.
"You may be able to get it back through the Five Trials." Ruala continued. "You could return to your home."
Frowning Kadin chewed on that thought for a moment.
"I think…" He looked back up at the girl. "I think I'll stay where I am. It would be a little strange to come back to a place I don't remember, and Squad Ten has lost enough Captains." At the last part he smirked at Toshiro, the young prince replying with a small smirk of his own. The man had a point.
"If that is what you wish." Ruala bowed her head to him, looking a little sad. The hood went back up. "At least you know now."
"Thank you." Kadin smiled gently at her before he turned away to leave.
Though Toshiro had several questions for her, Ruala did not linger long either once Kadin was gone, vanishing into the depths of the palace and leaving him confused. Perhaps he'd ask another day, she seemed upset and he didn't want to bother her.
He returned to his room but was not ready to sleep just yet. After his father had had that fit he'd been forced to rethink how to get more of the symbols on his brand. Sitting at his desk he looked down at the faintly glowing mark, frustrated that he still only had one. He was running out of time and he had no idea how to get the others. Sighing, he let his hand fall before running the other through his hair; this was way too stressful.
There was a knock on his door. Curious, he searched for whose Spiritual Pressure it was and was surprised to recognize Karin. What was she doing?
"I'm coming in." She spoke and pushed the door open carefully, spotting him at his desk. "And I thought you might have been asleep."
"What would you have done if I was?" He questioned curiously.
"Probably left." She shrugged, walking over to him after shutting the door behind her. "I just looked in to make sure, glad I did."
"Was there something you needed?"
"I just wanted to make sure you were okay." Her voice got a little quiet as she continued.
His expression darkened and he turned away from her. That was all the answer she needed.
"You should spend more time with him." She leaned up against his desk.
"It'll only make it harder to lose him." Toshiro frowned, still not looking at her.
"But it'll make him happy. A lot of people would kill to spend more time with family before they died." Karin's voice cracked a little and Toshiro turned to look at her, realizing she was talking about her mother. He grasped her hand gently in his and she squeezed it lightly.
"As much as I want to I'm running out of time." He told her. "If I can't earn the other marks soon my father will die for nothing, the realms will fall apart."
She sighed heavily.
"Man this sucks." She grumbled.
"Yes, it does."
Another uncomfortable silence. He'd been in too many of those today. He opened his mouth to say something but Karin beat him to it, also moving to sit on his lap, which surprised him.
"I still think you should hang out with him, maybe he can help you." She said, remaining firm on her earlier idea.
It was his turn to sigh.
"I can't, Karin. But trust me, I want nothing more than to do that." His gaze turned downwards. "There's nothing I can do about it…"
"Guess not…" Karin leaned into him, laying her head on his shoulder. He responded by putting his arms around her.
"I may not be able to do anything about my father's death…but I can do something about everyone else."
Not shifting her position, she gazed up at him, that entrancing teal gaze focused on her and only her.
"I'll do my best to help everyone get stronger, no matter what." He promised. "I will not let Dethmaiyn gain the upper hand over us."
"So you won't avoid everyone?" She lifted her head up.
"No, I won't avoid them. I'll help where I can, but I might have to leave to complete certain tasks."
"At least you'll help."
"Any time I can, I will." His grip around her tightened. "No one will die if I can help it."
She smiled at him before putting her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. He didn't hesitate to return her embrace.
"You should probably go back before your brother worries about you." He whispered, tone playful.
"Oh…yeah." She leaned back, frowning. "Jeez, I'm seventeen, he should leave me alone."
"Adult or not you're still his little sister."
"But you're not exactly some bad boy off the street that he needs to worry about, he knows you."
"Or does he?" The mischievous smirk that crossed his face made her both nervous and happy. It was strange to see him so relaxed, but she was glad he was relaxed with her.
"Anyway." She rolled her eyes. "I think he can handle me staying a little longer."
"You Kurosakis are so stubborn." He sighed lightly.
"Shut up, you love me."
"I suppose I'll have to get used to it then."
She smirked.
"But really," He lifted a hand and tapped her on the forehead with the back of it, "you should probably go back or he'll have MY head for keeping you here."
With a huff she made to stand before freezing, noticing something interesting. Confused, Toshiro was unprepared for her to latch onto his right wrist and hold up his hand, looking at where his birthmark glowed faintly.
"What?" He questioned, not liking the forced movement and feeling a little self-conscious. The mark was like a label, he didn't like people staring at it.
"Look." She responded with a grin, letting go of his hand.
He raised an eyebrow at her before turning his hand to look at the icy-blue mark there. There upon his hand were two more symbols, the mark still glowing white as they became permanent. North for Tranquility and South for Honor. He had three now, and all from one conversation. Eyes still wide in shock, he tried to think of what he could have said to earn them. Was it his promise? He guessed it was. Two marks closer to becoming king, closer to taking on his father's role so the man could die happy knowing the worlds wouldn't fall to pieces.
And it was thanks to a certain raven haired young woman sitting on his lap. Smiling, he let his hand fall and looked at her.
"You really are a miracle, Karin." He said softly, causing her to blush. While she was flustered he kissed her lightly on the cheek, her blush darkening, and let go of her so she could stand. "Go get some sleep, you'll need it."
"Okay." She stood slowly and headed out of the room, looking a little dazed. Amused, Toshiro watched her leave with a smile.
After she was gone, he returned to his work, thinking how he could get the fourth mark. After that he just had to complete one final test, though he had no idea what it was, and he could succeed his father, he could protect the realms from chaos and demons. He got no sleep that night, though Karin slept very well.
The next morning the two of them stood with Ichigo atop the palace roof.
"So if your dragons aren't coming, how do we get over there?" Ichigo asked, motioning to the forested kingdom.
"By me!" Sofia replied in a sing-song voice while jumping onto the young prince's shoulder. Toshiro raised an eyebrow at her but did not push her off. "My master is waiting, she'll get you all started."
"What do you mean, 'by me'?" Ichigo frowned, confused.
"Oh come on, I'm a shape-shifter." The feline rolled her eyes and jumped down to the ground, glowing brightly as she did so. Toshiro took a few steps away to give her room as she grew.
Her fur-covered dragon from now stood before them.
"Right, shape-shifter."
"You can be dense sometimes, Ichi." Karin snickered.
"Shut up!"
Sofia snorted at them and they got on, Toshiro not doing so. Karin was about to question why when the white dragon took off for the Kingdom of Magika and the prince was left behind. She had thought he was coming with them. Then again, the others needed to be looked after. That didn't mean she was any less disappointed.
The trip was a little rough, as Sofia's dragon form wasn't the biggest, but they made it there in good time. Morphing back to her cat form, the familiar led them on towards the mountain in the distance. Being his first time there, Ichigo was a little nervous with the animals hiding in the shadows, watching them. Not all of them were harmless. A large tiger even moved out of the trees to get a look at them before being shooed off by Sofia as she hissed dangerously, grumbling as it left.
"What's with all the animals?" Ichigo asked.
"My master feels more relaxed with creatures than people. She has a natural talent with them." Sofia answered.
"Uh-huh."
Awaiting them at the base of the mountain was Ruala, and, to their surprise, Toshiro. He smirked a little at their shocked expressions.
"But…you were just…when did…?" Karin quickly lost her train of thought as she tried to figure out how he got there before they did.
"I had to speak to Nakryin anyway, so I teleported here with her."
"But Sofia said she was already here." Ichigo frowned.
"No, I said she was waiting." The feline snickered, jumping onto the Reaper's shoulder. "Pay more attention, Strawberry."
"That's not my name!"
Laughing, the cat returned to the ground and walked over to her master.
"These trials will tax you heavily." Ruala warned.
"But it'll be worth it in the end." Ichigo replied.
She nodded before stepping forward and holding out her hands.
"I'm sorry but I must take your zanpaktous. These trials were not meant to be done with them."
"We know." Karin somewhat reluctantly removed her zanpaktou from her waist and handed it over. Homuratei grumbled quite a bit but understood it was necessary.
With a bit of grumbling on his own part Ichigo handed over Zangetsu. The two swords were given to Sofia as the familiar morphed into a large bird and carried them up to the top of the mountain, their wielders feeling very unhappy about it. But they were determined to get this power, and if Toshiro could handle it, so could they.
"One at a time, so the mountain can adjust your paths." Ruala told them before stepping aside, the pathway clear.
Before her brother could take lead, Karin stepped forward to start up the path.
"Be careful." Toshiro told her in a softer tone than before, catching Ichigo's attention.
"I'll be fine, stop worrying." Karin patted his head, making him scowl, before she headed on up.
Ichigo waited until she was far out of earshot before stepping forward and grabbing the front of the young prince's shirt, getting very close to his face. Ruala tensed but Toshiro held a hand up to order she stay put; he knew what the orange haired Reaper wanted.
"Now listen here, you." The Ex-Substitute growled. "You may be a prince now but if anything happens to my sister I'll-"
"I would never hurt her." Toshiro cut him off. "And I would gladly risk my life to protect her."
"Tch, I don't doubt that… But still, if she ever tells me you're being an ass you'll be needing an heir yourself…and not with my sister!"
"Though I would never go along with it, she is seventeen, Kurosaki, so she can do what she wants."
"Oh you just wait." The Reaper growled but let him go. Toshiro just fixed his shirt, still looking unnervingly calm for something Ichigo thought would be a sensitive subject. Well, that was one way to prove he was serious.
"You should get going." The white haired being remarked.
Ichigo grunted, arms crossed, and didn't shift for a minute or two.
"You better look after my sister, Toshiro." He demanded. "I'm trusting you."
And then he was off up the mountain to get even stronger than he already was. Silent, Ruala stood next to the young prince, watching the young man leave.
"Would that be considered his approval?" She asked.
"To be honest…I don't know." Toshiro replied. "But I'll go out on a limb and say it was. I have a feeling, though, that someone warmed him up to the idea."
"Maybe he's fine with the idea of being tied to the Soul King?"
"He's not that kind of person. As you heard, he'd have his zanpaktou to my neck the second I did something wrong." He sighed. "Well, if he can get over it, I suppose I have nothing to worry about now except demons."
"What about her father?" Ruala questioned as he walked away.
The young prince froze.
"Let's not think about that."
Secrets, symbols and sappiness! And Ichigo being his usual self XD A lot in one chapter but i'm trying to get to...uh...can't tell you...epic stuff ^^ Anyway, there's gonna be a time skip, no need to go through the trials AGAIN. Karin's first spirit is Aquafang, the water wolf that helped out Toshiro many chapters ago for his fourth trial. I'm not sure what elements Ichigo would be so ya'll can make up his first spirit ^^ They won't be in here so it doesn't matter, but Karin's going to mention hers at some point or another so I thought i'd give ya'll a heads up. (I limit myself to the thirteen elements of Organization XIII from Kingdom HEarts with the additive of Death for Ruala's twin(she'll be in here eventually))
One more thing! I've decided to split this into two stories with the second one being called Soul King, since obviously he'll be kind at the end of this one. Would that be a spoiler? I mean, it's kinda obvious...I can't just kill him, then there wouldn't be a story...but anyway, the end of this one will be him as king and so throughout the second story he will be too, hence the name. I gotta start planning it out so I can get a few chapters ahead ^^ Enjoy!
