Happy Monday my Lovelies. I play back and forth with POV's so much in this fic I admit I accidentally spun so much with this chapter I'm a bit dizzy. One thing I try to point out is at this time Ichigo does not refer to Shunsui as Shunsui but rather, Captain Kyoraku. I think I caught all of those referrals when it is solely her POV and not a 3rd Party POV (in which case it's Ichigo and Shunsui) but just in case feel free to point out and please have mercy. Thank you all so much for the lovely reviews, favorites, follows, and kudos. I must say I really love this fic and am so excited with where it is going. In other news, I was thinking of making a Bleach Fanfiction Facebook Group where writers and fans can get together and discuss their stories etc. I'm in one for ...unconventional Harry Potter ships and I love the community there and would love to start a Bleach Fanfiction Community. Let me know your thoughts. I'll leave you alone to read now. Please enjoy and have an amazing week my lovelies!
XOXO~GirlX901
Chapter Seven: Saying Goodbye
Ichigo was staring, unseeing, at the bathroom mirror. She was dressed. Her still wet hair was tied into a bun and hidden by a veil. Her clothes clung uncomfortably to her as her skin was still partially wet from her shower; and, her foot tingled a tiny bit.
The pervert had a hard head.
When she had heard his intake of breath she didn't have time to analyze the thoughts that had rushed through her head. Her thoughts started from questioning if she had locked the door and ended on him being a perverted old man, then she struck.
Once she had landed her jumping kick she was already twisting her body again to maintain her position in the bathroom and closed the door. She didn't remember getting dressed. She didn't remember doing her hair. She was too angry and embarrassed to focus on that. While she raged in her head about his perverted ways and a small sensible part of her reminded her of their marriage she had simply stayed in autopilot. She finally gained control again staring at the bathroom mirror.
Well, she couldn't stay in the bathroom; memories of her childhood tantrums of running away to be a hermit in the bathroom -because at least it had water- reminded her that wouldn't work. She would have to face him and give him a piece of her mind. What kind of man just enters the bathroom when someone is showering? Especially to someone they didn't even know. There was only one kind of man that did that: a pervert.
She was married to a pervert. She was married to a perverted old man that wore pink kimonos and a stupid straw hat. She was married to a man that didn't wear socks. She was married to a man that had lucid affairs with married women. She was married to a man who writes trashy romance articles. She was married- Ichigo stopped her inner ranting as finally, finally, it sunk in.
She was married.
She lifted up her veil and rested it atop her head. The blue fabric bunched together making it look like a fancy hairband rather than a method to hide her parentage. In the mirror she could see herself, really see herself. Her eyes, that used to look so much like her mother's and her father's, now looked so sad and lifeless.
This wasn't something temporary. This wasn't some training weekend that ended on Sunday afternoon. This was permanent. This was real. This had happened, and she let it happen. Her father had let it happen. Her teacher had let it happen. Her mentors had let it happen. Shinji had let it happen. Shinji had said he loved her and then he practically forced her to marry another man. A perverted old man. A perverted old man that just walks into bathrooms when people are showering. A perverted old man that had just seen her naked. Very, very naked. Other than the time she was a baby, no man had ever seen her naked before.
He didn't see her face though, of that she was certain. He just saw...the rest of her.
Ichigo ran a hand across her face and squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn't change the situation she was in. She was married now. End of story. She couldn't change that Shinji had left her and despite how much it hurt she needed to let that go and focus on what was in front of her. Time to step up. Just yesterday she was wondering how long she was going to allow herself to be so vulnerable; that question no longer mattered. She wasn't going to be vulnerable anymore.
With a flick of her wrist the veil covered her again and she turned to face the door. No hesitation, no retreating, time to step forward. To quote Zangetsu, to retreat is to age, to hesitate is to die.
Shunsui had totally and completely screwed up. He stood facing the bathroom door Ichigo had locked herself in. He didn't dare go near the bathroom while she was in there. He didn't want to get kicked in the head again. The ringing had just stopped. For someone that was supposed to be weak she had one hell of a kick. She was fast too. He didn't even see her move across the room.
She'd been in the bathroom for a while. It was drawing on his worry. Perhaps if she didn't come out in the next fifteen minutes he'd go and knock on the door. She couldn't stay locked in there all day.
Five minutes into his countdown to knocking on the bathroom door the door swung open.
"Listen here you perverted old man," Ichigo exclaimed as she pointed accusingly at him.
"Old man?" Shunsui blinked disheartened. He could practically feel her glare from behind her veil.
"Just because you are used to getting what you want from women does not mean that you can expect the same treatment from me, you womanizer. I'm not some girl that falls into a man's arms, a man that I don't even know arms. Any man's arms, really. Especially a man who just walks into the bathroom when it's being used."
Well at least now he knew how she felt about him.
"Just because your ol' walk in on them in the shower worked before doesn't mean it will work again. Honestly, you deserve to get your ass kicked for being such a pervert. If this is how you want to initiate consummating our marriage you've got another thing coming old man." Again with the old man.
"How old do you think I am?" Shunsui interrupted her before she continued on her tangent. There were only so many times he could be called old. He was mature, sure, but old? He wasn't old. He was still in his prime. Did he really look that much older to a seventeen year old.
"That's what you hear?" Ichigo's voice raised another degree. Blood was rushing to her head as a new sense of frustration took over her body. She moved her arms from crossing her chest to holding her hips. He could not be serious. Here she was telling him where he could stick it and he was more worried about her pointing out his age.
"Well you have to admit it is a bit rude," Shunsui pointed out and rubbed a hand across his painful cheek. Her hands on her hips caused his bruise to start pulsing again.
"Rude. Rude? You walk in on me naked and you have the guts to call me rude?"
"Well I didn't realize you were in there," Shunsui interrupted. "And I had to use the bathroom. The door wasn't locked so I just went right in. I didn't see anything, really. By the time I was realizing what had happened you were kicking me across the room."
Ichigo folded her arms across her chest again. Shunsui took it as a sign that she was calming down, but he stayed where he was because it could also be a sign that she was getting more flustered and could have more outbursts.
"How do I know you're telling the truth? How do I know you didn't unlock the door just so you could barge in and see me naked? From what those old hags at the noble meetings say, you have a reputation for sneaking into women's bathrooms."
"What?" Shunsui asked, shocked. Why would he do a thing like that? He would never walk in on a woman uninvited and he'd always give her the respect she deserved. And what was being said about him regarding his relations. While he was known to spend time with some of the noble women he had never done anything to that extent. He had his lovers. He didn't get serious with them and they understood that. He wasn't a man for serious relationships before this marriage came to pass. "Ichigo, please. I would never push myself onto a woman. More importantly, I would never do that to you. It's true that I have had previous relationships but,"
"You're previous," Ichigo stumbled for the right word, "relationships, as you say, are the ones saying that you would rush into the bathroom when they were showering and force your attentions onto them until they caved. Whenever we have a luncheon with the other captains or with the nobles someone is always talking about your-"
"My what?" Shunsui asked when she cut off her last sentence.
"Your sex life," Ichigo exclaimed exasperated. She really should have read those romance novels Keigo's sister gave her. "Apparently, you've got quite the past experience and you're a pervert."
"That's what they say about me?" Shunsui knew he had a bit of a reputation but he didn't realize it went that far.
"Yes. One lady said that you just showed up into her private bathroom once. You've clearly done this before and it may have worked on her but it won't work on me."
"Ichigo, wait a minute," Shunsui gasped out, reeling from her accusations. "Yes, I have had previous relationships before our marriage. They weren't serious. I didn't do serious." Crap. He was babbling. "And in those relationships there were times that I would be invited to share a bath or shower; or I would invite someone to share a shower. That being said, Ichigo, I promise you I would never do so, or expect for us to do so, without you saying so. I really just needed to relieve myself and didn't realize you were in the bathroom."
Ichigo looked into his face. His raised eyebrows as if he were pleading with her, which in a sense, she supposed he was. Ichigo felt a rush of warmth dance across her cheeks as a blush set in. She was mortified. No wonder those lady's had such lewd grins and excited tones when they spoke about his "showerscapades." They were telling stories because they were likely jealous that he wouldn't be asking them into his shower...her shower...their mutual shower. She was letting them get into her head. Everything he said made sense. When she saw him in the bathroom doorway he was standing there with a shocked expression. He didn't come up behind her when she was actually showering. She may have overreacted. Okay, so she kind of overreacted.
"Ichigo," Shunsui started again. She hadn't said anything yet and not being able to see her face and her not responding was starting to worry him. "Ichigo, I -"
"I overreacted," Ichigo's voice wasn't as strong willed as she had previously portrayed.
"In your defense I'm sure hearing all of that in the short time we've known each other hasn't helped my image," Shunsui joked after a few moments of silence in hopes of lightening the mood. The softness to her voice made him feel uncomfortable.
"That and your writings in the Seireitei News," Ichigo chimed in after a short laugh. Shunsui joined in with the laughter and gave her a smile.
"Found those did you? Well, you'll be pleased to hear that I never got one fan letter."
"That sucks. They weren't a bad read. Fairly enjoyable for what they were." Ichigo paused again. Probably trying to determine what her next step was in escaping the situation. "Do you still write?"
Well now that was surprising. Usually she would say what she needed to say and then kept quiet. The new conversation starter was welcome and Shunsui was going to take advantage of it.
"When I can," Shunsui nodded with a smile but was cut short from his bladder reminding him that it was, indeed, still attached to him. "We can talk about it more on our way to lunch. Let me just use the restroom and we can be on our way if you're ready."
"Oh! Of course, I'll grab my shoes." Ichigo could feel her face blush as she moved out of his way so that he could walk into the bathroom. Way to go dum dum, just leave the man in a state of distress while you yell at him and then tease his writing. Though she did move from teasing his writing to being intrigued by it. So she shouldn't have caused too much annoyance in that area.
Shunsui smiled and went into the bathroom; shutting and locking the door behind him. Ichigo sat on the edge of the room into the entrance area and slipped her feet into the sandals.
"Ready?" Shunsui asked after he exited the bathroom.
"Yeah," Ichigo looked up from tying her sandals and flinched. Somehow between the time he went to use the restroom and him exiting the restroom the bruise on his face had gotten a lot worse. Should I - should I tell him?
"I was thinking that after lunch we could take a walk to the different divisions. That way you'll know where they are all located."
"G-great," Ichigo faltered. She wasn't going to tell him. He did walk in on her so, in a way, he did deserve it. Besides, there was no reason to bring the fight back into discussion. Shunsui gave a smile that made the swelling from the bruise look worse and held his hand out to help her from her seat. Ichigo took his hand and let him help her to her feet and the two headed out for their excursion.
That evening while Ichigo was enjoying a private dinner with her grandmother Shunsui was giving a lazy smile towards his flabbergasted friend.
"She kicked you?" Jushiro asked for the third time.
"Right in the face."
"And she called you what again?"
"A perverted old man." That was when Jushiro's shocked expression changed into one full of glee. "Oi I'm not old!"
"And that's what you take from it."
"She said that too!"
Jushiro laughed and shook his head. "She's got quite the kick. What a shiner."
"Now you're complimenting her," Shunsui threw his hands up. "And you call yourself my best friend."
"Indeed. Which is why I get to compliment your wife's methods of discipline."
"Discipline? I was trying to use the bathroom, not seduce her!"
"To walk in on such a poor delicate flower in such an intimate setting," Jushiro tsked and waved off Shunsui's outburst. "I believe I've said this before but really Shunsui you are a scoundrel."
"Delicate? Do you not see my face?"
"Even the most beautiful flowers have the sharpest thorns."
"Yes well her thorns happen to include an air assault," Shunsui took a sip of his sake. "Honestly though it really was a misunderstanding. She thought I was trying to come onto her."
"Weren't you?"
"What? No. I just needed to relieve myself. I wouldn't do that to her!"
"That's a bit hard to believe. As much as I don't want to discuss this with you, and I don't; she's your wife Shunsui. This is really the only acceptable relationship you can have. You can't tell me that you don't want to have the same intimate relationship that you had with your previous paramours with her. With the first night awkwardness out of the way you two can work towards a normal coupling relationship. I wouldn't put it past you to try to start that in a very Shunsui fashion." Jushiro pointed out with a gentle smirk. It was understandable that the couple would still be a bit shy around each other but Shunsui needn't act innocent around his oldest friend. He could be honest with Jushiro and Jushiro would treat both Shunsui and Ichigo fairly. So with a good try point to Shunsui and a well done point to the Madam Kyoraku Jushiro sipped his tea with glee.
"Does everyone just think I'm some sexual deviant?"
"Yes."
"You can't be serious!"
"You had intercoruse with Lady Meridan the week before her wedding day."
"She was a consenting adult! She came onto me. You can't tell me you don't believe that she came onto me."
"While I'm sure that's true," after all, he knew Lady Meridan was a depraved woman and was entirely unhappy with the arranged marriage, "I have to point out that your wife is also a consenting adult and you wouldn't know if she was consenting unless you asked. Which you did, badly, and she denied. Just say it as it is Shunsui, no need to hide that you tried and failed to seduce your wife."
"I wouldn't do that to her." Shunsui said this with such determination that Jushiro had to pause and analyze his friend. The pair stared at each other for a few minutes. Jushiro took in his oldest friend's fierce eyes and determined expression. It would almost seem as if Shunsui didn't want to discuss his relationship with his wife. Not like did with his precious romantic relations. Which, in a way, made sense as Madam Kyoraku was his wife and not a paramour. But in another way it didn't make sense as it was Shunsui, and Shunsui would find a way to brag without disrespecting his wife. Unless, of course, there really wasn't to brag about. Jushiro took in his friend's determined face once more. He was acting as if he was not just defending himself; but, also defending his wife's reputation.
"You haven't consummated the marriage," Jushiro hissed quietly to him to ensure that his overzealous third seats wouldn't overhear should they be listening in. Trust the pervert to sleep with everyone but the single person that he is expected to. "Are you insane? If the old man found out-"
"He's not going to find out," Shunsui hissed back. "Juu she couldn't even look at me the night of. She's seventeen! She hasn't even had time to go out and experience a truly intimate relationship. You should have seen her, I just hinted, rather strongly, that we could go to my bedroom and she was shaking like a leaf. She wasn't ready. I don't force women into my bed much less my own wife. I wasn't going to push her and I truly believe that in order to make this relationship work we need to take it at her pace. Not mine. Not yours. Not the old man's and most certainly not the Central's."
Despite his being upset with Shunsui Jushiro couldn't help the warm smile that spread across his face. This marriage was a big deal but if it is as he said, the poor girl would struggle even more here than anyone would have anticipated. "You're a good man Shunsui."
"Now you notice."
"In my defense it is the first time you kept it in your pants."
In another part of the Seireitei Ichigo sat clutching her cup of tea and looking purposefully away from her grandmother.
"You kicked him in the face?"
"He walked in on me in the shower."
"You offended him?"
"Honestly calling him a perverted old man isn't the most offensive thing I could have said."
"The force of your kick threw him across the room."
"He should have stood with his legs spread apart."
"He has a bruise. A large black and swelling bruise."
"Oh honestly he just hasn't gone to get it healed yet because he wants sympathy."
"Ichigo," Lady Kurosaki said in a warning manner that caused her to meet her eyes.
"Yes, I overreacted. Yes, I apologized. No, I don't regret it. It'll teach him to not overstep his boundaries with me," Ichigo looked determinedly down at the cup of tea warming her fingers. A terrible habit she had with her grandmother. She would not meet her grandmother's eyes when she feared the Lady's ire. "If this is to be my home I need to be myself. I would have done the same thing if anyone walked in on me in the shower."
The problem with Ichigo's terrible habit is she never saw if her grandmother was truly upset with her. While Ichigo feared the worst Lady Kurosaki had a gentle smile on her face. In this situation she couldn't express in words that she was pleased with her granddaughter instead she could only give non verbal hints. Hints her granddaughter was too stubborn to understand.
"Well," Kimiko diverted the conversation with a sigh. She placed her "goodbye" present in front of Ichigo. A set of brown leather bound journals laid between grandmother and granddaughter. "These are for you. I had them collected while you were packing for your move here. I am sure they will give you guidance."
"What are they?" Ichigo asked as she untied the string holding them together. She flipped the cover open and glanced at the delicate writing within.
"They were my mother's, your great grandmothers, journals. She started these when she was encouraged into an arranged marriage, like you."
"Great grandma Rei?"
"That's right. Now, I vetoed my arranged marriage, just like your great great grandmother Usagi did."
"And mom."
"Yes, and your mother. But my mother didn't. She had a happy marriage with my father. I grew up looking for a love just as they had and I found it with your grandfather. It is my greatest hope that you will also find the same happiness in your marriage Ichigo. I may not understand what you are going through but I am sure that my mother would and that these journals will help guide you. I'm sure that with your and your husband's efforts, along with your great grandmother's guidance, you will have a happy marriage."
Ichigo touched the pages gently. The indents of her great-grandmother's most intimate thoughts sent tingles up her arms. She flipped through the pages and stopped on one near the end of the journal and read a bit of the writing.
'His kindness towards the child gave me great comfort. To think that I had thought him a great brute, not capable of love or kindness. Most certainly not worthy of my affection. I admit I am ashamed I did not give him the chance earlier. But, as my husband reminds me, we cannot live in the past only the present and the future.'
"Do you really think it's possible grandma?" Ichigo asked quietly, her gaze slowly coming up to meet the older woman's.
"I do Ichigo. I truly do."
"Even after I kicked him in the head and called him a pervert?"
"Well now," Lady Kimiko gave a smirk. "I didn't say it would be perfect."
The next day a small gathering made its way to the gates to the World of the Living. It was time for Ichigo's family to return to the World of the Living. Ichigo walked with her grandmother, Shunsui, following at a modest distance behind them. The two spoke softly to each other as the small gathering neared the gates leading to the World of the Living. Once they reached the gates the group stopped and waited until Lady Kurosaki was ready to leave. Shunsui stood near his wife and chose to ignore the bewildered looks from the guards that were escorting the Kurosaki clan members back. The bruise on his face from his young wife's kick was bigger than he had anticipated it would be. He thought his cheekbone was broken for a faltering second but after some gentle prodding it proved to just be bruised and swollen.
Ichigo stood by Shunsui's side. She hadn't spoken since they had reached the gates. Her grandmother was saying her formal farewell to the head captain and the higher seated members of the Central Forty-Six.
"Would you like a few minutes alone with your Grandmother?" Shunsui asked quietly into Ichigo's ear. "I'll have them spare you a few moments."
"No," Ichigo murmured back under her breath. Her voice soft and broken. "We said our goodbyes yesterday. I don't want her to hesitate."
"If you're sure."
"I am."
Shunsui breathed deeply through his nose and took a step closer to Ichigo, offering what comfort he could.
"Well," Lady Kimiko greeted the couple as she finished her formal farewells. "This is where I leave you." She reached forward and took Ichigo's hands into her own. She blinked a few times as if she had an eyelash in her eyes. Tears started brimming in the corners of her eyes. Shunsui turned his gaze away and pretended not to notice. With a pained smile Lady Kimiko quickly lifted Ichigo's veil and kissed her on the forehead, choosing to ignore Ichigo's tears. Ensuring no one saw Ichigo's face Lady Kimiko smoothed the fabric as best she could. "Goodbye my dear."
"Captain Kyoraku," Lady Kimiko turned her attention to her grandson-in-law.
"My lady."
"I leave a most precious treasure in your hands. I hope you understand what that means."
"I do," Shunsui said with a firm nod and reached a hand out to rest on the small of Ichigo's back. "I will take care of Ichigo, Lady Kimiko. She will be safe with me."
"Yes, but will she be happy?" Lady Kimiko asked and with that she turned and made her way to the rickshaw leaving Shunsui with that gut clenching question. "I will handle myself, just make sure everything is put away," Lady Kimiko turned and made her way to the rickshaw. Ryuuken helped her in and then entered himself.
"Open the gates," Captain Ukitake called from near Captain Yamamoto and slowly the gates to the World of the Living opened and the Quincies started their trek back to the World of the Living. Once every member made it into through the gates the gates slowly closed with a resounding 'duhm', finalizing the goodbye.
Ichigo felt as if the knot that had been forming in her gut all morning had tightened to the point of bursting. She was completely and utterly alone in the Soul Society now. She had no one to turn to or depend on.
"Ichigo," Shunsui's voice pulled her from her musings. She turned and saw they were completely alone at the gates. "Shall we go home? Or did you want to stay a bit longer?"
Ichigo wanted to run through the gates and back to the clinic. I'd run straight into old goat chin's arms at this point, she mused. A pang ricocheted in her chest when she realized how much she missed her own father. Ignoring the urge to rub her chest, she glanced back at the gates. They needed her here. In order to defeat Aizen, she was needed here. She was a married woman now and had a life here now. No retreating.
"No," Ichigo breathed and turned back to him. "Let's go home."
Lady Kimiko shook her head at the quincy aid holding his hand out to help her out of the rickshaw and pulled herself out. She headed through the open doors and hallway, her shoes announcing her presence to the quiet household. Ryuken Ishida started following her and together the pair made their way to her personal sitting room. Maids nervously bowed their heads as she got closer and with a nod from their mistress they opened the doors.
Inside were twelve figures. Isshin, her son-in-law, stood as soon as she walked through the doorway followed by Ryuken. Urahara and Yoruichi continued sitting on her floral printed three seated couch, Urahara fanning himself slightly with his hand held fan. Hiyori leaned against the couch much to Lady Kurosaki's annoyance. Rojuru and Lisa sat in her wing back chairs. Rojuru's hands were intertwined a few inches from his face while Lisa held a book in front of hers. Hachigen, Mashiro, and Love took up her other couch while Kensei stood near it with his arms crossed. Shinji leaned against her window, clearly a purposeful position away from the others.
"Shunsui Kyoraku," Lady Kurosaki informed them. A sense of relief washed through the room. Lisa had raised her eyebrow but continued reading. Shinji's eyes furrowed but he nodded and Isshin breathed a deep sigh and nodded his head and sat back down next to Yoruichi.
"How is she?" Isshin asked.
"At first she had taken to turning in on herself. She allowed things to be said around her with no sense of arguing them and even remotely defending herself. But, when I left she had kicked her husband in the face and has taken to calling him a "perverted old man". She was waking herself up by then. I had no struggles leaving her."
"And how was he around her?" Yoruichi asked.
"Respectful. He even maneuvered amongst the reception to prevent any correspondence with the Captain that used to perform tests on the quincy. Other than the original introduction of course," Ryuken answered. "I foresee no issues in the future."
"Did she say anything when you left?" Shinji asked. Kimiko turned her attention solely to him as he leaned against her window pane. He showed a face of indifference, but Kimiko knew that he did care. Perhaps he didn't love her in the way that would bring a lasting relationship, but he did love her. But, Lady Kurosaki wasn't one to forgive too easily. He had willingly given up on her granddaughter. He didn't even put up a fight. He hurt her in ways Lady Kurosaki could not prevent. He broke her heart. And what's worse, Kimiko Kurosaki couldn't do anything about it.
Watching her granddaughter numbly pack her belongings to prepare for the move to the Soul Society hurt Lady Kimiko more than she let on. To her, Ichigo should never have been put into this situation. She, the Visoreds, Isshin, Urahara, and Yoruichi should have dealt with it. When the offer came up she was ready to offer up one of her nieces for the opportunity, but Kisuke had stopped her. She argued that there had to be another way. She offered Ichigo an out, allowed her to veto it, if she left with Shinji no one would even question the veto. But, Shinji wouldn't allow it, and so Ichigo no longer had an established veto. Eventually, even she had to admit that having Ichigo go and accept the arrangement was the best for all parties involved. There wasn't enough time to change that. As much as it hurt to deal with, she prepared her eldest granddaughter, the eldest daughter of her Masaki, to marry, not for the sake of love, but for the sake of her people and for Aizen's victims.
"No, she didn't," Lady Kimiko stated and felt a smidge of gratification when Shinji's face flashed a painful expression.