Three days later Ichigo stood in the Sept of Baelor atop a small staircase next to the new High Septon. He would admit, the cathedral itself was quite nice. It almost reminded him of the pictures he saw in books about the Vatican in Italy. The floors and walls were carved from marble of different colors. They had intricate designs of the seven-pointed star, most notable was the giant one in the center where all the guests were. He looked at the different statues for the gods of the Seven. Each one stood nearly twenty feet tall and depicted each aspect quite well and were very detailed. A great artist made them that was certain.
He looked around at the different people in attendance. To his left, just a few steps down from him, was Tywin dressed in black leathers with gold accents and the Hand of the Kings pin on his right lapel. He was there as his Lord bearing witness. Along with him was Cerci, who wore a resplendent red dress with intricate golden squares stitched throughout and her long gold hair in a tightly braided bun while two pigtails framed her face. On the opposite side were the Tyrells-Olenna, Loras and Margaery. Olenna, he noticed, was watching him and the Lannister's in general, quite closely. She had on a sky-blue head scarf, with a golden dress highlighted by green flowers. Margaery with her usual attire wore a sky-blue dress, likely to match her grandmother, with silver and green flowers decorating the front and her reddish-brown hair intricately styled. Loras cut his hair it seemed, no longer nearly to his shoulders, but merely his neck, and had on a green and gold leather vest decorated with flowers as well. There were at least thirty or so people here watching. And Ichigo himself could barely stand it. All these people, here to watch and to some extent humiliate a fourteen-year-old girl while she gets married. At that, the front doors opened and the Lady herself stepped through with Mary and Oryna on either side of her.
Oryna was a sell sword from Essos that had gone through training with Mary during his first recruitment. He would admit that she was good with a sword. He did not ask her why she was a sell sword, as with her admittedly beautiful looks, she could have easily been the daughter of some high noble from Essos. She was actually taller than he was standing at six foot six and with her years of training, certainly appeared a warrior. Her armor had to be made specifically for her-well most armor did get made for one person, but they could typically follow a general mold- with its deep blue leathers under her shining black tinted steel armor. Her face was as impassive as it usually was, as though nothing fazed her, and her slightly bronze skin with blue eyes and midnight black hair only made her all the more beautiful. But don't get him wrong, he had seen how she dealt with people she didn't like-she was somewhat terrifying.
He then drew his eyes to Sansa. She wore a tan shoulder dress that highlighted her fairer skin and red hair, and was stitched with differing shades of tan and gold to show flowers and plants. Her hair was done up in a very intricate bun, looking somewhat like doughnut, with two braids coming just over her shoulders. He watched as she looked to both Mary and Oryna nervously before the King stepped up to her from her right. They had a small exchange and from the obvious scowl and slight narrowing of her eyes from Mary and Oryna respectively, Ichigo knew he had said something stupid to her. With a brief shake of his head, signaling them not to do anything, Joffrey then offers his arm to Sansa who hesitantly takes it. He watched with narrowed eyes as the two made their way through the smallish crowed, some he could see smirking at Sansa, while the girl herself looked forward steadfastly. They finally made their way to the stairs and Ichigo could get a better look at the King.
He wore a silver doublet intricately patterned with golden swirls. The boys crown was off center and looked to be lazily put on-which it probably was as the boy didn't really care about this. He soon made it to the top step and gave a brief nod to Ichigo with a smirk before stepping down and standing next to his mother.
"You may now cloak the Bride, and bring her under your protection." The High Septon said, causing Ichigo to finally look at the elderly man. He had to be nearing Tywins age with the white receding hairline. He wore white robes with a red scarf that was nearly touching the floor. He then pulled the, slightly rushed he would admit, cloak from under his arm as Sansa turned away from him. And with a slight flourish, draped the black cloak with a single white moon in the center of her back over her shoulders, adjusting it slightly so that it didn't bunch up.
"Your Grace, your Grace, my Lords and My Ladies. We stand here today in the sight of Gods and men to witness the Union of Man and Wife…" As the High Septon continued the speech, going on about how each of the representations of the Seven Gods would protect them and their marriage, he looked at Sansa who began to bunch her dress and panic slightly. He discreetly brushed his hand against hers causing her to look at him from the corner of her eye. He gave her a pointed look at her hands, letting her know that now was not the time to show how uncomfortable she was. She quickly released her dress and held her hands in front of her. "…And now, your pledges." Ichigo and Sansa then turned to each other and at the slight prompting of the High Septon, he took her hands in his, feeling the slight buildup of sweat on her palms showing how nervous she really was.
"With this kiss I pledge my love to you, Sansa Stark, as my Lady and wife. I give you the protection of my House. I give you the water of my rivers and lakes. I give you the grain from my fields. And I give you the bounty of my forests." Ichigo said, having memorized the seven pledges Tyrion had to write down for him after their meeting the other day. Once he finished, the High Septon then looked to Sansa.
"W-With this kiss I pledge my love to you, Ich-chigo Kurosak-ki, as my Lord and Husband. I give you my heart. With your protection, I shall bear you strong children. I shall drink heartily from your rivers and lakes. I shall accept the grain of your fields. And I shall eat from the bounty of your forests." She stumbled slightly with his name, causing some snickering from the crowed, which both he and Tywin silenced with a glare.
Once she finished, the High Septon nodded to them both and with that, Ichigo leaned forward, bending down to better match her five-foot four-inch frame, and placed a gentle and chaste kiss upon her lips. He then stood back to his full height and faced the High Septon.
"With this kiss, the seven pledges, and in the sight of the gods, this man and woman are now one flesh, one heart, one soul for now and forevermore. Congratulations, Lord and Lady Kurosaki. May the Seven grant you a long and prosperous marriage."
Several hours later, long after the sun had gone down, Ichigo and Sansa were picking slightly at the food in front of them. He couldn't really speak to her reason, but he was not all that hungry, especially considering what was going to happen within the next hour or two-he grimaced at the thought. He had been watching as many of the people attending their wedding feast drank, then ate, then danced a little, and drank some more. If nothing else, he could say that the nobles here really liked to party. Even if the reason for this particular party was not something he thought to be celebrated. He scanned the tables and saw that Tywin, Cerci and Joffrey were eating quietly, Tywin was more watching those around him-most notably Tyrion who had just pulled a serving girl into his lap as he downed another goblet of wine-while Joffrey and Cerci were talking to each other. He saw Olenna talking to Loras and Margaery while making slight pointing motions to various members of the Lannister household. After a moment, Loras stood from the table and stormed from the dining hall.
He then looked down at the food in front of him. Smoked boar and green beans. To his left were an assortment of sweets from cakes to tarts. To Sansa's left were grilled fish and eel. He looked to her then, he could see that she was…exhausted. Her eyes were beginning to droop slightly, and her focus was waning. She noticed him then and snapped to attention, likely scared he was going to say something to her about it.
"Will you pardon me My Lord Husband?" She said, looking at him, clearly tired but not willing to show him.
"You don't need to ask my permission Sansa." He said, already knowing that in Westeros, while more progressive than parts of Essos from what he heard, was still a patriarchal society that allowed few freedoms to married women. Especially women of nobility even if it appeared, they were allowed to do what they wanted. Really, it was more, they were allowed to do as much as their husband allowed. He watched her nod, understanding that he had given permission regardless of how he said it, and stood. "Mary, go with her."
"Yes Mi'Lord." The woman gave a brief nod before following her new lady to wherever it was, she was going.
"Oryna." He said, causing the other woman behind him to bend over to his ear. "Have preparations for tonight been made?" He asked, watching as the King jerked himself from his mother and made to go in the same direction as Sansa. He narrowed his eyes at that.
"Yes, My Lord." Her accented, sultry voice stated. Her breath tickling his ear slightly.
"And for tomorrow?" He asked, taking a bite of green beans watching his wife and the King ascended to the small balcony surrounding the room on the other side of the room from him.
"We are ready to move at first light My Lord. Most of our men left this morning during your ceremony and should be waiting for us near the fork in the Blackwater Rush on the Gold Road." She said, confirming that everything was set. He then watched as the King and Sansa walked around the balcony so that they were now above him. And the King clapped, gaining the attention of everyone in the room.
"Time for the Bedding Ceremony." Ichigo could hear the smugness in that statement and immediately turned to face the King.
"There will be no Bedding Ceremony!" He bit out harshly. He was going to have to have sex with Sansa in front of a Septa, he was not going to allow her to be humiliated more than that.
"Be respectful of tradition Lord Kurosaki." The King stated mirthfully, as he slightly dragged Sansa down a staircase to his left. "Come, everyone, pick her up and carry her to her wedding bed! Get rid of her gown, she won't be needing it any longer. Ladies, attend to Lord Kurosaki, he's not that frightening."
"There will be no Bedding Ceremony!" Ichigo said, trying quite hard not to lose his temper with this arrogant child.
"There will be if I command it." As he said this Ichigo could not hold himself back anymore and stood to his full height, before raising his fist and bringing it down on the table he had been eating from. The table immediately crashed to the ground. The once pristine white table cloth now covered in food and wine. The entire hall was now deadly silent as they watched the normally quiet Lord of Castamere destroy a table made of Iron Wood with a single strike.
"I said there will be no Bedding Ceremony. Perhaps you don't realize this, Your Grace, but everyone here. Everyone in this room? None of them are here because of you. They are here because of your Mother and Tywin. You may be King in name, but it is they who have the power in the Seven Kingdoms right now. And do you want to know why?"
"Ichigo, that is enough." Tywin said firmly, stepping in front of Ichigo and next to Joffrey, his slight fear at the strength shown hidden under years of experience dealing with the Mountain.
"No, I think your grandson needs to learn something. In fact, it's something one of my sword masters taught to me when I first started learning." He said, refusing to stand down, while looking Tywin in the eyes. "Tell me, Your Grace, what is the difference between a King and his Horse?" The boy stood there stunned for a moment before he collected himself and stood next to his grandfather.
"How dare you refuse a command from your King. Perhaps I shall have you tried for treason." At this he looked over to Sansa. "I see that wherever this wolf bitch goes Traitors are sure to follow." And then back to Ichigo. "And what sort of foolish question is that? Ones- "He didn't get to finish as Ichigo interrupted him.
"And I'm not talking about obvious things like ones a person and ones an animal. Or one has two legs and one has four." Ichigo said, stepping over the destroyed table so that he was standing in front of the King, their difference in height quite obvious.
"What is he talking about Grandfather?" Joffrey asked, taking a half step back and looking to said man.
"I do not know Your Grace. I am actually interested to hear the answer to this little riddle myself."
"Form, ability and power. That's what's puzzling. If their form, ability and power are exactly the same, why is it that one becomes the King and leads them into battle, while the other becomes the Horse and carries the King? So, what's the characteristic that distinguishes these two beings?"
"An interesting question Lord Kurosaki. I am sure you will regale us with an answer." Cerci said as she stepped forward to be with her family.
"There's only one answer. It's the reason people followed your father. It's the reason people followed the Targaryens. Its why people follow Lord Tywin." When he watched the boy King struggle to find an answer, he decided to give it to him. "Instinct! In order for identical beings to get stronger and gain power they need to develop a killer instinct. And that instinct is mostly forged in battle. They must develop an insatiable hunger to engage in battle. They must live to mercilessly crush, shred and slice their enemies. And this thirst for power is not an unnatural desire. Deep within all our bodies lies the honed instinct to Dominate and Slaughter our enemies. And that is why the people here are not here because of you. And are here because of your mother and grandfather. You don't have that. You ran from the Battle of Blackwater Bay. You hid with the children. I would say that was smart but you are also the King. If you cannot lead your men into battle how will you lead the Kingdoms to the future?"
"How dare you question my- "Joffrey began only to be silenced when his Grandfather placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Perhaps, it is time for Ichigo to retire for the night. Clearly, he is so exhausted from the Ceremony and festivities that he has lost his temper in front of the King. Wouldn't you say so Lord Kurosaki?" Tywin question, staring at the young man before him. The meaning of his words not lost on the him.
"…Yes. I am quite tired Your Grace. I apologize. I think I will retire for the night. Please, continue having fun even if I am not here. I would hate for all this good food and wine to go waste after all." Ichigo gave a slight bow before turning to Sansa and offered his arm. She quietly stepped forward and laced her arm in his. "Have a pleasant night everyone and thank you for attending our Wedding and the feast." Ichigo said as he escorted Sansa from the hall.
The two quietly made their way through the corridors of the Red Keep. Neither one talking, though for different reasons. Ichigo himself did not want to talk as he was using this time to calm himself down. He was still quite furious that the little shit had tried to pull that. He had heard of the Bedding Ceremony. Apparently, a group of men and women would take the newly married wife and husband respectively, to their room. Along the way they would strip the two until they were in nothing but their own skin all the while making lewd jokes and, very likely, getting a little too handsy. As he thought of this, he felt Zangetsu whispering in his mind to breathe and think of ways to kill them later, he had to focus on the issue at hand first. With that, he began taking deep breathes to calm himself.
Sansa on the other hand, was not talking for an entirely different reason. She knew what was to come next, the guard her new Lord Husband had assigned her, Mary, had gone into a very detailed explanation of what was to come. But that was not all. No. She had to be watched while they did it because her Lord Husband had been against marrying her. She had to lose her Maidenhood like a common whore being watched during her first time. While she was thankful there would be no Bedding Ceremony, she was still worried about this entire ordeal. Although she had not been taught of what exactly was entailed with having sex by Septa Mordane, Mary had told her what to expect. She would have to undress. She would have to lick or otherwise wet her Lord Husbands cock. She would lay on her back as her Lord Husband crawled on top of her and entered her Maidenhood. He would then leave his seed inside her and once that was complete, the Septa would need to verify that it was there. This was not something she was looking forward to.
Before long, the silent couple found themselves in front of Ichigo's room. And standing next to the door was John and a Septa. Ichigo nodded to John before he looked at the woman who was to watch them.
"Septa, I require a moment alone with my wife before we begin." He tried to keep his voice as neutral as possible, but he was sure the woman could see his irritation.
"Of course, My Lord. I shall allow you a few moments to prepare your wife for the bedding." She said with a slight bow. "Just so that you are aware My Lord, the act shall not be confirmed until your seed flows from her body." At that Ichigo growled before he pushed the door open and slightly dragged Sansa in. Upon closing the door, he whirled around to his new wife and grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look at him.
"I want to make sure you understand this Sansa. I did not want this. I'm pretty sure you didn't either. But we are both stuck in this and I want to promise you, I will do my best to ensure you are as happy as I can." The sincerity in his eyes as he looked into hers was not lost on the girl.
"Of-of course My Lord Husband. I promise to also make you as happy as I can." She said, slightly mimicking him to hopefully give an answer that would please him. Ichigo saw what she was doing but decided not to comment on it.
"I assume Mary talked to you about what is going to happen?" At that, both of them blushed. Ichigo because he knew the implications and Sansa from remembering the conversation from the previous night-but nodded. "Good. I will try to make this as…quick as possible. Why don't you…undress and I will get the Septa?" He requested as he looked at her as she nodded. He let go and watched as she began taking off the clothes she could-which was just the cloak he gave her. He would need to help her out of the bulk of it but needed to get the Septa first. He took a deep breath and then walked to the door and opened it, allowing the woman to enter silently. He closed the door and pointed to a chair at the table in the corner for the religious woman to sit who nodded and sat down.
Ichigo then began to remove his own clothes. First with his Shihaksho, folding it and placing it on the other chair in the room. Then his shirt revealing his slightly scarred and muscular body to the two women in the room-Sansa blushed as she saw this before looking away. Next were his boots and quickly followed by his hakama. Now only dressed in his underwear, he stepped up behind Sansa and began undoing the small buttons on the back of her dress. As he did the last one, he moved her hair out of the way and let it fall to the floor revealing the white under dress. He then went to work on undoing the fanciful braid her hair was in. It took a few minutes but finally he removed the last clip that held it all in place and her hair fell down, slightly curled, until it was draped over her back. While he was doing that, Sansa had slowly been undoing the buttons of her under dress in the front. As her hair was released from the braids, she undid the last one and, with a moment of hesitation, pulled the dress from her shoulders revealing her bare skin to her Lord Husband and the Septa. She was now only clad in a small piece of under garment that covered her Maidenhood and her rear while her arms covered her budding breasts. She made a quick look to the Septa and saw the woman's gaze had not changed, causing her to hunch forward slightly to try and cover herself more.
Ichigo noticed that his wife was embarrassed to be watched, especially by the woman who merely stared at them unwaveringly. He gently grabbed her shoulders and turned her so that they faced each other before he bent down and softly kissed the top of her head.
"Please try to relax Sansa." He whispered, trying to comfort the girl. "Let's get into the bed, okay?" He nudged her slightly, and she moved to the bed, pulling the sheets back.
"Please remain in full view. I must be certain that it indeed Lord Kurosaki's seed that enters your body, Lady Kurosaki." The Septa spoke up as Sansa attempted to crawl into the bed. This earned her a glare from Ichigo as he had hoped they would be allowed this much privacy. He then reached over and put the sheets back and gently guided her to sit on top of them. "I believe you will need to remove your undergarments Lady Kurosaki, if you wish to consummate your marriage. Yours as well Lord Kurosaki."
At that the two newlyweds blushed, though Sansa it was out of embarrassment, for Ichigo it was a mix of embarrassment and anger at the woman. Reigning himself in, he gently had Sansa stand who, with one hand so her breasts did not show, removed what little fabric hid the last of her body from her Lord Husband. She then watched as Ichigo did the same. And once he removed them, both he and Sansa realized within a fraction of a second, that she was staring, quite openly, at his cock.
"That is to go into me? I-I did not think it would look like that. I can't…I can't do this." She began panicking and the longer she stared at it the larger it got until it appeared to be floating away from her Lord Husbands body.
"Sansa, please, you need to relax. The more stressed you are the more…unpleasant this will be." He whispered softly to her. She then looked up to him and he saw the fear in her eyes. He decided, then and there, to try something he heard Yuzu say was quite a trope in the romance novels she read. And taking Sansa's chin in his hand, bent down and kissed her deeply-hoping this would calm her down at least a little. The two stood there, kissing for several minutes and by the end he could feel some of the tension leave his wife before he disengaged. "Better?"
"A little My Lord Husband." She nodded, her cheeks flushed even more at the act, though she did feel a bit calmer now. She was still scared and nervous. "I suppose, now, I should p-p-prepare your member now, My Lord Husband." She stuttered out, pushing him back slightly.
"What do you- "He stopped as she knelt down and stared directly at his manhood in front of her face. "Sansa, you don't- "He didn't get far enough before the girl, like a viper, shot forward and gave him a long lick from root to tip before she pulled back and coughed. "Sansa, you don't need to do that." He said, bending over and trying to pick her up.
"No, My Lord Husband. Mary was quite informative about this. If I do not p-p-prepare y-y-your c-c-c-cock then it w-w-will be e-e-even more p-p-painful. P-please allow me t-t-to do this." She said, the obvious fear in her eyes as she looked into his. She did not want this to hurt. She wanted to like this. She had to like this. After all, this was her Lord Husband. This was the man she would bear a child for before the next harvest. She had to get used to this. Or her Lord Husband…she didn't dare finish the thought. She watched him hesitate before standing back up and reaching over her. A moment later a pillow was placed in front of her. Understanding what it was for, her knees already hurting, she moved so that she was now on the pillow and her Lord Husband right in front of her.
She looked at him and wondered how exactly she was to do this. Being told by Mary was one thing, but having her Lord Husband here, in front of her, was another. She supposed she should start with what she had already done. Hesitantly, she moved forward and licked the very tip. She could taste the sweat from him. It had been a hot day after all. Giving a few more licks to the tip she moved to the base. Mary had said men love having the full thing licked. As she dragged her tongue along the length of her husbands' cock, feeling the skin pull slightly as she did, she heard a groan from her Lord Husband and immediately looked up to him, praying to the Seven she didn't hurt him. When she saw his face not scrunched in pain, she realized he must have liked it-just as Mary had said. As such she went back and did it again, eliciting another groan from him. She continued in this vein for a few minutes, a groan hitting her ears every few licks. Until she thought it was good. She looked at his cock and saw as some of her spit dripped from the middle to the floor.
"Do-do you think that is enough My Lord Husband?" She questioned, looking up to him. She saw that his face was very flushed from what she was doing.
"I-I think so." He said as he offered his hand to her and helped her to stand. At that moment, Ichigo realized that she had stopped covering her breasts and pointedly stared at them. They were small, of course they would be she was fourteen, but, and he couldn't believe he thought this of a child, they looked…nice on her body. Sansa realized where he was looking and with a small flinch, refused to cover herself. If her Lord Husband wanted to see all of her, she would need to get used to it. After a brief moment, she turned and crawled onto the bed before turning to face him. Ichigo soon followed as he sat next to her and gently laid her back so that they were both fully on the bed.
He looked at her face, before he leaned down and kissed her again, quickly releasing her lips. He then made his way to her neck and planted some soft kisses leading to one of her beasts. The second his lips touched her she let out a small yelp of surprise. She didn't know what was going on. She had made her Lord Husbands cock wet; he should just be putting it into her. She moved her hands to his head, to move him away.
"Sansa, please, don't do that." Ichigo said, looking up to her. "I am…trying to make sure that you enjoy this as well. As much as you can anyway." He said softly. She could only nod to that. He went back to kissing her breast before moving to the other and then to her stomach and finally.
"My Lord Husband, please, what are you doing?" She asked as he moved so that his head was just above her Maidenhood. He ignored her and gently pried her legs apart, and after a brief moment, she felt him licking her Maidenhood! She immediately sat up and thrust her hands between his face and her body. "Please, My Lord Husband, I have moistened your c-c-c-cock. Please, just plant your s-s-seed inside me so that I may give you a child." She said, the blush that had been semi present since she had removed her dress now spreading to her entire upper body.
"…If you're sure." He said hesitantly, to which she nodded furiously. He pushed her back so that she was laying down once again and positioned himself in between her legs. He watched as she stared at him as he placed himself in front of her. He leaned down, careful not to enter, so that his face was directly over hers, forcing her to look him in the eyes. "Take a deep breath." She did. "In and out. In and out. In- "And on the third deep breath as she breathed in, he pushed himself inside her. Immediately, she gasped, losing the breath she had taken and he eyes closed as tears began to form in her eyes. Ichigo did not move himself but leaned down to kiss Sansa's cheek and then her lips as he whispered to her to just keep breathing.
She knew that it would hurt. Mary had told her as much. But she had hoped that by licking her Lord Husband it would not be as painful. But it was. She felt like her Maidenhood was on fire. It burned. She could feel her Lord Husband kissing her and whispering for her to breath, but all she could do was hold back the sobs as she realized, not only had she now become a True Married Woman, she now had no chance to be a Stark ever again. She would not likely see her home. She would not see her mother, assuming she and her bother survived the War of Five Kings. She would never see Bran or Rickon. She wouldn't see Jon, much as she disliked him, he was family, and she wouldn't see her only sister, Arya. She would not likely see the Godswood of Winterfell. She would not see the Winter Roses she loved so much. No, she was now, and forever would be, the Wife and Lady of House Castamere of the Westerlands. After a few moments, she was able to breathe and she supposed her Lord Husband took that to mean she was okay, because he began moving in and out of her. She did not know how long it was, all she could think about was how much it burned. How much pain she was in. Then, suddenly, she found her Lord Husband going slightly faster before he stopped, fully inside her, and she felt something…warm. That must be his seed she realized. They were done. They had consummated their marriage. After a few seconds, her Lord Husband removed himself from her and got out of the bed.
"Well, are you satisfied?" Ichigo said, as he quickly pulled his under garments on and glared at the Septa who sat still in the corner.
"Nearly." She said as she stood. "Lady Kurosaki, please stand." She requested, more like ordered, as she walked over to the bed. Ichigo saw that Sansa was in no condition to stand on her own.
"Is that really necessary?" He growled at the woman who did not react.
"I suppose not, no. Pardon me, My Lord." With that the Septa brushed past Ichigo and leaned over the bed so that she was even with Sansa and reached down between her legs, eliciting a small scream from the girl as the woman's' fingers entered her briefly before pulling out.
"What the hell are you doing?" Ichigo shouted slightly at the religious woman, before he saw a slightly white transparent goo on her fingers and realized what she had done.
"I am merely doing what I have been asked, My Lord. With this, I now confirm that your marriage has been consummated. May the Seven bless you with strong children My Lord. Excuse me." She walked over to the door, Ichigo watching the whole way, as she pulled a rag from her sleeve and cleaned her fingers, and opened the door before quickly leaving and closing it.
As soon as she did, he moved to Sansa and picked her up, causing her to groan at being moved, and with one hand lifted the sheets before placing her back down and covering her up.
"I am so sorry Sansa. I wish this was not the way you got married. I wish you could have married someone that you actually love. I wish…I wish that this was the wedding you had wanted. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. And now, you are stuck with me."
"It-It is fine My Lord Husband. It felt w-w-wonderful. I am now Your Lady Wife and I shall give you all the strong children you want. We are one flesh, one heart, one soul. For now, and forevermore." She said, tears streaming down her cheeks as she looked him in the eyes. He knew she only said that to make him feel better. But now, now he had something to do.
"If you say so Sansa." He agreed with her, not wanting to make this worse. He stood, putting on his Hakama and went to the other side of the bed where he pulled a tray out from under the bed upon which was a tea pot and a single cup. He went to the table and poured tea into the cup before he went back to the bed. Gently urging her to sit up he handed her the cup. "Please drink this Sansa. It is Moon Tea mixed with diluted Milk of the Poppy." As soon as he said that she snapped her face to his.
"Y-Y-You do not wish me to bare you a child My Lord Husband? Am I not good enough? Does my body not please you? I realize my f-father was a traitor but I am still able to give you children!" She said desperately, she had to give him children. At least one. She had to.
"It's not that. With all that has happened to you since you came to Kings Landing, I'm not sure how well your body would take to having a child right now. So, it is better that you don't become pregnant until you have had time to heal for a little bit." He said, his answer to her expected question well-rehearsed. There was no way he could tell her it was actually because he still saw her as a child and did not want her to have to carry the burden of getting pregnant and giving birth.
"If-If you are sure My Lord Husband." She agreed hesitantly, before gulping down the entire cup. "But I shall swear to the Seven, here and now, that I will become healthy enough to have your children before the next harvest!" She said into the cup, and if she had been looking at Ichigo, she would have seen him scowl at that.
"For now, just rest. Mary will wake you at first light and have a change of clothes for you. We will leave as soon as you are dressed." He took the cup from her as she slumped under the covers. "Sleep well Sansa."
"You…as…well…My…" She didn't even finish before she fell asleep. Ichigo stood there watching her sleep for a moment before he heard a soft knock on the door. He quickly moved over to the table and put the cup down before he went to the door and opened it to see John.
"Are the preparations ready?" He asked, to which the man nodded. Ichigo glanced back to Sansa one last time before he stepped into the hall to see that Oryna was there as well. "I don't give a damn who it is, no one goes in there. Understood?"
"Yes, My Lord." Oryna responded, saluting as she took up her spot outside the door.
"Good. Let's go John." The two men then quietly made their way through the Red Keep once again, making sure to avoid any member of the guard or the guests. The wound their way down, and around and in and out of various doors until they had reached their destination-the dungeons. The walked through the halls, the small amount of light showing the way as the few prisoners groaned. After a moment, they made their way to one door in particular. And outside of it, Mary stood with a bag of supplies for what they were about to do. She nodded to her Lord and opened the door, showing that it was a torture room. Ichigo ignored most of the equipment and made his way quickly to what he needed-the two posts in the back just wide enough to hold a man's arms outstretched. He nodded to John and Mary and held out his arms so they could tie him to the posts.
"Are you sure that you must do this Mi'Lord?" Mary questioned as she secured his left hand.
"I am." Ichigo said resolutely as John offered a piece of leather to him to bit down on. "Remember, no matter what, don't stop until you get to twenty." John nodded before he placed the leather in his Lords mouth and stepped around to the other side. Ichigo looked at the wall in front of him. This was the only punishment for himself that he could think of. He could not disfigure himself by cutting off a hand or foot. He couldn't kill himself either. Nor could he really elect to join the Nights Watch. All three led to him either not being able to protect his people, and most importantly now, his Wife Sansa. But this, this was a good compromise he thought. It will be painful. It will need time to heal. But he would still be able to-
"MMMMMMHHHHHHHHHH!" He screamed as best he could as his eyes widened and the whip struck his back. "MMMMMHHHHHHH!" As the second strike hit, he felt tears begin to stream down his cheeks. At the third, he felt the strain on his teeth as he bit continuously into the leather in his mouth. He lost track of the number of strikes after the fourth one. But he could still feel them coming. Across his left shoulder and onto his chest. Across his lower back. On his left arm. The very center of his back. They just kept coming. Finally, after what felt like a hundred strikes, he felt the restraints on his hands loosen and he fell to his knees, only barely being held up by Mary and John. He could feel one of them begin to clean his back, the stinging from it not as bad as the actual strikes as the other removed the leather from his mouth and poured something into his mouth. From the taste, it was probably Milk of the Poppy. He soon passed out, silently crying as his two guards cleaned him up.