OUR LOVE TOWARDS THE FUTURE
By: Mari Kia Aishiteru
EIGHT: Guardians
"Your majesty!" a white haired boy about fourteen years of age spoke as he ran in the room. There, he saw two men older than him talking to each other with one guy about fifteen years of age and a young lady about fourteen years of age. They were talking with the two men standing in front of the throne.
The four people stopped their conversation and looked at him.
"What is it?" the oldest man asked calmly. He was wearing a red long sleeve noble clothing with black long pants and red shoes. He also wore a red cape considering his powers and abilities.
The white haired boy walked towards him, bent on one knee and answered, "Your majesty, the preparation is complete."
The four people smiled slightly.
"About time!" the other older man said. He was wearing the same clothes as the other man except its amber-colored. He also wore a brown cape.
"Very well." The older man said. "It's time. Get the princess from the Human World. With the other guardians there of course. We need to ensure the princess' safety when she comes here." He explained.
"Hai." The white haired boy said as he turned and attempted to go when he stopped as he heard a voice coming from behind.
"Daddy, he'll go to escort the princess here? No way! I want to come too!" a young lady retorted as she went to her father, the older man with the brown clothes.
"Mai, you can't go with him. It's dangerous." He replied.
"Eh?! But I want to be the first one to see the princess! Not him!" she pouted as she pointed to the white haired man as she looked at him.
The older man sighed. His daughter was really, really stubborn. She was like her mother.
He looked at the other older man who was wearing the red clothes and all.
"What do you think, Nii-sama?" he asked, as his brother seemed to be thinking about this matter.
"It's fine with me. As long as Hazu comes too." He replied.
"Me?" Hazu, the other guy in the room, replied questioningly. "I have to babysit her again, Father?"
"Don't complain. I need you to see the princess too." He said as he looked at his son.
The son nodded in understanding. He knew how much his Father and Uncle worries about the princess.
"Yay! Hazu nii will come too!" Mai said as she jumped in excitement.
"Take good care of them." Mai's father said to the white haired boy as he looked at him, grinning.
The white haired man bowed at him and replied confidently,
"Hai, understood." Then, he walked towards the door as the two teens followed behind him.
"Bye bye daddy, uncle! See you!" Mai said as she waved to her father.
"Hai hai. Just be careful!" Mai's father replied.
Hazu bowed at them and followed behind Mai. The two disappeared outside.
"You think she'll be happy to see us?" the man with the red clothes asked his younger brother. He was two years older than his brother.
The younger brother smirked. "Of course, nii-sama. She is Kuchiki Rukia after all. Our cheerful, little princess. Even so, five years has passed, I'm sure she hasn't change at all." He said.
The older brother gave a rare smile and walked towards outside.
"Oi, where are you going?" he asked.
"She's going to be here tomorrow. I'll inform the Izutsu and Hinamori Family about the good news." He said as he disappeared.
The younger brother sighed and smiled softly.
I cannot wait to see you again, little sister.
…
The training of the princess and her three guardians continued. After a week of training straight, day after day, time after time, it was Sunday and Isshin decided to give them a good day of rest. He saw the great improvement the four teens had shown in the last day of training. Isshin came to a conclusion.
They are ready…
"Dad, I'm going to my room and rest for a while. If you need something just call me." Ichigo stated as he started going upstairs.
"Ichigo! Return my book already!" Orihime yelled at him as she was watching TV in their living room.
"Hai hai. I'll return it to your room later. I'm not finish reading it yet." he replied as he disappeared upstairs.
Orihime pouted but ignored him nonetheless. She continued watching TV instead.
I wonder what Rukia-chan and Uryuu-kun's doing now? She thought as she drifted in watching.
…
Uryuu couldn't still believe it. He and Orihime started dating now, and her dear twin brother wasn't saying anything about it. Maybe, he wasn't surprised about it anymore.
It wasn't the time to think about that anymore. The more important was Orihime loves him and he loves her back, and they're together now.
He will protect her and no one and nothing will ever tear them apart.
He didn't notice that all of his thinking led him to a good night sleep.
…
Rukia just finished her bath and was eating right now. She was wearing her white blouse with a pink cherry blossom pattern on it as its design. She partnered it with above knee length black skirt with pleats and she was wearing long white socks in shield of the cold. It was near winter so it was getting colder and colder now.
After eating, she got up from her position on the couch and to the kitchen, washing dishes. After a few minutes, she returned to her living room and was surprised to see someone she knew, looking up at her in complete seriousness.
"N-Nazure-kun? Why are you here?" she stammered, pointing a finger to him to emphasize his presence.
"Princess, I'm here to warn you. You need to get out of here." He informed.
"Eh? Why?" she asked. She noticed that he wasn't wearing his general cloak.
"Princess, come with me. They're coming to force you to go with them." He said.
"Them? Who?" she asked again, getting worried about Nazure's nervousness. She never saw him act like this since he always acts so serious like her older brother.
"Princess, please trust me. The four generals were on their way." He explained.
"The four generals? You mean, the four generals of complete destruction?" she asked, truly bewildered.
"Yes, they are." He said. "So, we need to get you to safety. Stay with your guardians. I'll accompany you until you get there." He declared.
"Nazure-kun, why are you doing this?" she asked.
"I promised Hisana, I'll never let anything happen to you. And because…" he paused, looking at her with a smile. "…you are my sister." He finished.
Rukia smiled at his kindness. "I trust you. Come on, let's go." Rukia said as she put on her white boots. The one she first saw in her genkan.
Nazure and Rukia ran down the street towards the Kurosaki Household. But, before they could get even further from her apartment, four people with white cloaks like Nazure used to wear appeared before them.
They were surrounded.
…
There were a very strong aura that made Ichigo jumped up from his sleep on his bed. He quickly stood up and ran out of his room. He walked downstairs but stopped when he heard his twin sister called out behind him. She walked up to him and asked,
"Did you feel that?"
"Yeah. It's very strong and it belongs to four people." He nodded.
"Ichigo! Orihime! The princess is in danger! Hurry up!" they heard their father yelled from downstairs. The twins wasted no time and hurried downstairs. They immediately met their parents at the doorway and ran outside the house.
They went towards Rukia's direction. They met up Uryuu on the way and they all ran towards Rukia's location.
…
"I never thought you will betray us too soon, Nazure-kun." One of them said. He had a long black hair with red eyes. He was as tall as Ichigo. He looked at Nazure and to Rukia.
"Hi, Hime-sama. You need to come with us now in Thyilea." A woman with brown hair and long bangs across her face and with yellow eyes, said.
"And why would I listen to the likes of you?" Rukia said as she glared at them.
"Feisty, are we?" the third one said as he paused. He wore a white cloak like the three with him signifying their positions as generals. He had red spiky hair and it was raised upwards. He looked at Nazure and raised his one hand towards him. "Let's see if you are still going to stick with that decision after this." he said, concentrating on his powers.
Rukia, knowing what he was doing, yelled at Nazure,
"Nazure-kun, don't defend! Get out of the way!"
But, it was too late. There was a big red fire ball released from his hand and it hit Nazure. Rukia saw that Nazure tried to defend himself from it, but, to no avail. It was too strong. And Rukia knew it very well.
When the smoke cleared out, Rukia saw Nazure still standing but there was blood all over his body.
"Nazure-kun!" she yelled.
She went to him immediately to give him the yellow crystal she had been saving just in case. But, she was interrupted by one of the generals.
"Get out of the way." She said calmly.
"No way. All you need to do is watch." The last man in white cloak said. He had long white hair which was hanging in a ponytail and had black eyes. "Oh, and another thing…" he added as he stared at Rukia's eyes. He pointed one finger at her and whispered,
"Paralysis, activate."
Rukia's eyes went wide as she felt her body went numb and she fell on her knees. She looked at the man who has just paralyzed her.
"To make sure you don't do anything stupid." He said to her as he turned away to face Nazure.
"P-paralysis… D-damn it…" she tried to murmur in herself. She couldn't do anything. Nazure will be dead if she didn't do something. She tried to fight but she was hurt by the electricity cursing her body and insides. It was the other ability of the paralysis technique. If you try to resist it, it will electrify you. It will never broke unless the one who casted it will die.
It-it hurts… but, Nazure-kun… She looked at him.
"Wh-what did you do to the princess?" Nazure asked, trying to still stand despite of his wounded body.
"Paralysis. Just to make sure she didn't interrupt the plan." He said.
"The plan? What do you mean?" Nazure asked again.
"Don't talk about unnecessary things, Yoshi." The woman said.
"Why? He's going to be dead anyway, it's alright to tell him one last time, Shirani." He said.
"Let him do what he wants, Shirani," the one with the red hair said. "Just don't tell him all, just the mission we had now."
"Hai hai. Arigatou ne, Jun." Yoshi said as he faced Nazure again. "Nazure-kun, we're really here to get the princess back to Thyilea."
"I know that, then you'd drain her powers for Tomoki and let her die!" he retorted.
"That's not like that. Of course, Tomoki-sama wants that, but not too soon." Yoshi explained.
"I will not let you hurt her or take her. I will risk my life to protect her."
"Why? Because of Hisana hime? You're pretty hopeless you know that?" the one with the long black hair said.
"Why did it concern you so much, Genki? Is it because you're still in love with my fiancée?" Nazure asked.
"Shut up. We are given two missions upon coming here. The other one was already given by Yoshi. And the other one…" he paused and stared at him coldly. "… is to kill you."
Rukia's eyes went wide when she heard that. But, Nazure didn't budge. He wasn't really surprised.
"I know about that."
He knew? the princess thought.
"I know, when I chose to help the princess, I know that you'll be here to kill me too. For betraying your precious, 'Tomoki-sama'" he said as he quoted the words, 'Tomoki-sama'.
"Good for you then. Now, we will start the torture. This is a good chance also to persuade the princess to come with us in order to save your life." Genki continued.
"Yeah, knowing the princess' personality, she didn't want anyone to risk their lives for her. So she will surely fight of the spell." Jun said.
As if on cue, they heard an electric shock from behind. They looked at the princess, blood rushing down her face from her head.
Shirani laughed. "She's still trying." She commented.
"Yeah. What a stubborn princess." Yoshi said.
"Princess, don't push yourself any further. You'll just hurt yourself." Nazure said as he straighten up, readying himself to fight.
"N-Nazu… re…kun…" Rukia tried to choke out.
Nazure saw that she was about to cry. He smiled to himself.
She didn't change a bit. She still cares about other people. And she didn't want to see other people die because of her. She was such a good person. Truly a Kuchiki.
I could see Hisana in her. Nazure thought.
"Don't worry princess. Everything is going to be fine." He said as he showed a fighting stance and faced the four generals of complete destruction.
I'll protect the princess. Like the way I always wanted to protect Hisana.
"Oh, he's ready to face his death." Jun commented as they all looked at Nazure.
"You're right. Why don't we give him what he's asking for?" Genki said.
The three nodded in approval and they all charged at Nazure.
…
The Kurosakis and Uryuu were all near to their destination. They suddenly felt a different aura coming from ahead. It was different from the strong aura earlier.
"There's another aura." Orihime said.
"You're right, I wonder who that was." Ichigo replied. "Or, if that person is an enemy, or an ally."
"He's an ally." Uryuu said, as he continued to run faster.
The twins looked up at him.
"What do you mean? How did you know?" Ichigo asked his friend and his sister's boyfriend.
"Because… he's my brother." He replied, running ahead of them.
The twins continued to run behind him.
"Eh?" was they managed to say.
…
Rukia let her tears in her eyes fall down her cheeks. She was cursing at herself right now. She couldn't do anything! Now, someone important to her will die again because of her! She had powers but she couldn't use it. She was useless.
She looked at Nazure who was lying on the ground, almost lifeless. She couldn't see his face since his body was turned away from her. But, the pool of blood coming from his body on the ground showed it all.
If she didn't really do anything right now, he's really going to die!
She tried to fight the binding spell again. She received the electric shock again. She bled up again. It hurts… again.
AAARRRRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
She hated being like this! She hated herself! If her supposedly brother-in-law died this time, she would never forgive herself!
"Well then, the traitor's already dead." Shirani said.
"That's right." Jun said and paused. "Let's go back now with the princess."
The other three nodded. Genki moved and made his way to carry the princess but he was interrupted when a sword snuck its way on his throat. He looked at his shoulder and saw his friends getting the same treatment too. He looked at his attacker and asked,
"Who are you?"
The white-haired boy smirked. "Kuchiki Family's guardian. Hitsugaya Toushirou. Nice to meet you." He said.
Rukia looked up at them and saw the three people who had just saved her. She was so shocked she didn't know what to think. She saw Toushirou looked at her and smiled at her.
Is that really you, Shirou-kun…? Her eyes were still wide but she still felt the numbness of her body.
Damn it… if the spell run out, my body will hurt so much as hell…
"Hitsugaya?" Jun asked in bewilderment.
"Are you Nazure's brother?" Yoshi finished for him.
"Yes, and I will beat you all up for doing this to my brother." Toushirou answered seriously as he slashed Genki's shoulder and jumped away from him. He stood in front of Rukia.
The two people who were holding up the other three, with their swords—the other one had two swords so he's holding up two of the four generals—did the same as Toushirou and left a very heavy wound at them before backing away and standing in front of the Kuchiki princess.
"Mai, try to undo the binding spell." The other teen said. He had long black hair like his father but up until his shoulder only and brown eyes. Something he inherited from his mother. He had a serious look on his face as he looked at the enemy.
"Hai, Hazu nii." She replied as she sat down next to Rukia and examined her. She had a long yellow hair up to her waist. It was tied up in a ponytail with a loose two pair of bangs in her locks in front of her face. She put a finger on Rukia's forehead and closed her eyes. She concentrated as she tried to break the spell.
Meanwhile, Rukia was thinking about something. Mai… Hazu… don't tell me they were… Her thoughts trailed off when she felt her body hurts so much. She closed her eyes tightly. Mai noticed it and made a mental note at herself to give her a pain reliever later on. She knew what she was feeling but she needs to endure it.
"Can you do it?" Hazu asked her.
"Hai," Mai answered.
"Take care of her then. We'll take care of these idiots." Hazu said as if it was obvious.
Mai nodded, concentrated on breaking up the spell casted at Rukia.
Hazu looked at the enemy and stood next to Toushirou.
"Toushirou, we need to dispose of them immediately. After Mai is done, the princess will deal with great pain. She needs to rest." Hazu explained as he readied his two connected red hilt swords.
"Hai," Toushirou answered as he readied his sword as well. They both charged at the enemy. Toushirou chose to fight Yoshi and Shirani since they were the ones close to him.
He moved in so much speed so the two generals couldn't see him.
"This is impossible! How could this happen?!" Yoshi yelled when he received a deep wound on his chest from Toushirou's star-shaped guard sword.
"He's fast! I couldn't see him!" Shirani complained as much as Yoshi. She had a deep wound in her stomach due to Toushirou's sword being thrust inside her.
I wonder what's happening with Genki and Jun… Shirani thought as she received another gashed of wound at her left shoulder from Toushirou.
…
"Another aura!" Ichigo said.
"It's stronger than the four a while ago." Orihime said, breathing heavily.
"Isshin, they're here…" Masaki said as they neared their destination.
Isshin nodded.
Yeah, they are. Finally, it's time…
…
"Who are you? How did you seal us like this?" Genki retorted as he tried to escape and fight off the magic circle with triangular patterns under him and Jun. They couldn't move a muscle because of this seal.
What the hell was it anyway?
This is the first time he saw such a technique.
The two generals saw the teen's two connected swords dematerialized into thin air. He looked up at the two and answered.
"Kuchiki Hazu."
"Kuchiki? You're the…" Jun trailed off.
"The only son of Kuchiki Honoru. What is the Kuchiki son doing here anyway?" Genki asked him.
"There's no worth knowing about it because, you're going to die by my hands." He said as he raised his right hand with ease, not even letting them reply to that sentence of his. He pointed it towards the two generals. He closed his hands into fist tightly and the two generals screamed in pain. When the light of the seal disappeared, the two generals dispersed into thin air.
Hazu went back to Toushirou and asked, with arms crossed against his chest,
"Not finish yet, Toushirou?"
Toushirou looked at him and smirked slightly. "Don't worry your highness, this won't take long anymore." He said as he looked back at his opponents.
"What do you mean? So what if you killed Genki and Jun? We're not weaklings like them!" Yoshi retorted.
"That's right! You will be having a hard time killing us!" Shirani seconded, breathing heavily because of the wounds she sustained.
Toushirou smirked widely. "Are you really sure you know what you're saying? I've killed you easily already." He said.
Yoshi laughed hysterically. "Do you see us laying on the ground or dispersing into thin air? You're dreaming the impossible!"
"Right! We will never get defeated or worst, killed by you." Shirani seconded.
"You really want to die now huh…? I'll be happy to grant your wish then." He snapped his fingers and the two generals were shocked.
"W-What's happening?" Shirani mumbled.
"M-My blood was flowing out fast!" Yoshi yelled.
"Y-You're right! Mine too!" Shirani yelled back.
The two generals looked at Toushirou and found him smirking at them.
"What did you do?" Yoshi asked, terrified.
Toushirou picked out a black seed and showed it to the two. "You know about this don't you?"
The two showed shocked faces as their reply.
"I guess so. As you know, the black seed of death absorbs the blood of the opponent when planted in their wounds. I planted it in the both of you since we've started the fight. Prince Hazu and I already gave you wounds earlier so it became easy for me to plant the seed while we're fighting." He explained.
"Eh?! That's not possible!" Shirani yelled at him.
"You know that if a person was planted by this seed will not escape his or her death right? There's a few minutes left before you two totally die." He said again.
"This is impossible!" Yoshi said.
The two generals continued to yelled and cursed to Toushirou for doing that to them. After a few minutes, the two generals disappeared into thin air.
Because of Yoshi's death, Rukia was finally freed from the binding spell but before she could reach the ground, Mai caught her. Rukia lose consciousness because of the pain of her body. Mai placed the yellow power crystal in her mouth and Rukia unconsciously swallowed it. Her body started to heal.
Toushirou went to Nazure and did the same as Mai. His wounds began to heal too.
That was when finally Ichigo and the others arrived at the scene. They saw Rukia, who was unconscious, in the arms of a young lady with long yellow hair. And Nazure, the man Ichigo met when he first discovered Rukia's secret.
Ichigo immediately went to Rukia and held her. Mai gave her to him.
"You're all totally late." Hazu declared calmly.
Isshin and Masaki bowed down their heads and said, "We're very sorry, your majesty."
"Your majesty? Mom, Dad, you know them?" Orihime asked.
"There are other things we need to do first. Let's get to a safe place where the princess and the guardian could rest peacefully." Hazu said again.
The older Kurosaki couple bowed again and nodded. "Let's go to our house then."
Hazu nodded.
Ichigo, Orihime and Uryuu couldn't understand a thing about what was happening but they followed nonetheless.
…
At the Kurosaki Residence, they were all gathered in the living room. It was large for all of them after all. Hazu was sitting on the floor with Mai. Toushirou was sitting on the solo part of the table. The five others were sitting on the floor also across them, the table as a divider.
There was a long silence but finally, it was broken by the most courageous person there.
"Can you explain to us what was happening? And who are these three people here?" Ichigo asked, as he nodded at the two people across them and the other one with white hair at his right side.
"You don't know us yet, I see." Hazu paused and looked at Ichigo. "Toushirou, you start."
"Hai." Toushirou said as he looked at all of them and introduced himself. "I'm Hitsugaya Toushirou, one of the guardians, nice to meet you." He said as he smiled at Uryuu.
"Hitsugaya? Then, you are Uryuu's younger brother?" Ichigo asked.
"Yeah, he is." Uryuu answered.
"You don't look like brothers to me." Orihime commented.
"Other people used to tell us the same thing too." Toushirou said with a smile.
"It's because that's true, Shirou-kun…" Mai said as she giggled.
"Mai hime…" Toushirou whined.
Mai giggled.
"Hime?" Orihime wondered as she looked at Mai.
Mai smiled at her and said, "Hai, I'm a Hime! Kuchiki Mai desu! Yoroshiku desu!" she introduced. "And this cold-hearted boy here," she paused as she pointed at Hazu, "… is Kuchiki Hazu. My cousin. I know he is nice to meet you too."
Hazu looked at her. "Mai, I can introduce myself. You should stop that hobby of yours. Or you're just annoying me?" he said calmly.
Mai giggled. "The latter!"
Hazu ignored her and looked in front of him to find them with shocked faces.
"Kuchiki? How is that…? I thought there's only Rukia left in the Kuchiki?" Ichigo said.
"That's not true! Rukia hime had my Uncle and my father! And Mai and Hazu nii too!" she said in a childish way.
"Uncle and your father?" Orihime asked.
"My father was Kuchiki Honoru and Mai's father was Kuchiki Kazuki." Hazu said.
"Eh?! I thought they're dead? Rukia said they were dead already." Ichigo said.
"No they're not! Actually, they were the one who ordered us to get the princess here. And the guardians too." Mai explained.
"Rukia hime didn't know about it but she'll know it when she wakes up. Her brothers are worried about her." Hazu said thoughtlessly.
Ichigo realized how Rukia's family was also missing her for a long time like her. But, hers was worst. Heck, she didn't even know they were alive so she lost her hope about seeing them again. But, he was sure she will be happy to see them again after a very long time.
"What about the other guy? Why did we save him? He attempted to kill Rukia always so why…?" Ichigo said.
"He's not an enemy. He's a guardian." Hazu said.
"A guardian?" Orihime asked.
"Yeah, He is Hitsugaya Nazure. Uryuu-kun and Shirou-kun's older brother. He's the first son of the Hitsugaya Family and the guardian and fiancé of Kuchiki Hisana hime." Mai explained.
"Fiancé of Rukia's sister?" Ichigo asked.
"Uryuu-kun and Toushirou-kun's brother?" Orihime said.
Mai nodded happily.
"If he was really a guardian, why did he attack Rukia when I first discovered about her powers?" Ichigo asked.
"That's because he's trying to train Rukia hime. He joined Tomoki's force as a spy for Hisana hime and for training Rukia hime. That was my mother's order for him while my Father and Uncle were regaining their strengths that time." Hazu said.
Ichigo nodded. Now I understand the reason why he didn't seize the opportunity to kill us when Rukia lose consciousness. He really cared for Rukia after all. He thought.
Isshin finally spoke after the explanation. "Prince Hazu, are you here because the preparation was already complete?"
Hazu looked at him and nodded. "Yes. So, we need to go back in Shimylea immediately. We couldn't waste time here. I'm sure Tomoki already knew what happened earlier. We will leave when Rukia hime and Nazure regain their strengths."
"Hai." All of them said as they nodded.
…
Ichigo sat on the chair near Rukia's bed. She had been sleeping for two hours now. He was holding her hand tightly in his as if he was her boyfriend.
Oh boy, he was in love with Kuchiki Rukia. The princess he must protect with his life.
He was sure of it now. The pain he felt for her when she was crying. The happiness he felt for her when she was laughing. The worry he felt for her when she was fighting. The protectiveness he felt when she was injured. Those entire feelings concluding the same thing:
He was in love with her. So much.
He snapped out of his trance when he felt Rukia stirred from her sleep. He looked at her face and waited until she opened her eyes. As if on cue, Rukia's eyes fluttered open and she saw Ichigo on her side, smiling at her.
"Hey, you feeling okay?" he asked.
"Yeah. I'm fine now. You looked so worried. I'm sorry." She answered as she tried to sit up.
"That's alright. But, you really made me worried. You should really be sorry." He said as he helped her sit.
"That's why I apologized already right?" she said, getting annoyed. But, there was a tinge of happiness in her voice.
"Hai hai." Ichigo said, smiling. "I'm glad you're safe." He said.
Rukia blushed. "T-thanks."
"It's nothing." Ichigo said, feeling warmth on his face.
"Ichigo, where's the people who saved me?" she asked suddenly, remembering what happened in the battle field.
"They're outside. Rukia, you need to know something. They've given us great news." Ichigo said, getting excited.
"Eh? What is it?" Rukia asked.
"Rukia, that two Kuchiki cousins… you know them right?" he started to asked.
"Yeah, they're my nephew and niece. My older brothers' son and daughter. What about it?" she asked.
"They told us… that your brothers… your brothers were alive, Rukia." he finished, staring as Rukia's eyes went wide.
"Eh??!! Is that… Ichigo is that true?" Rukia asked, pool of tears gathered in her eyes.
"Yeah. They told us themselves. They were in Shimylea now, waiting for you to return." Ichigo said.
Rukia couldn't help but let the tears in her eyes streamed down on her cheeks.
Ichigo smiled. He knew those tears were not tears of sadness, instead, it was tears of joy. She was happy to know that her brothers were alive and safe and was waiting for her after all of these years.
Rukia smiled between her tears. She didn't know what to think but she felt happiness, as if a very big rock was just lifted off of her back. She was feeling light as a feather. That was the first time she let her tears fall on her own will. She was happier because the news was delivered by Ichigo himself. She was sure that Ichigo was expecting her to react like this. He knew she will be happy.
He's happy for me.
She smiled at Ichigo who was smiling at her.
Ichigo reached out a hand on her cheeks to wipe away her tears and said, "Don't cry now. There's no reason for you to cry now because your older siblings were safe."
Rukia nodded. "Thank you so much, Ichigo."
Ichigo smirked as he patted her head. "Nothing for you to be thankful about, midget."
Rukia playfully punched his left shoulder. Ichigo smiled at her.
That's it. I'm in love with Kurosaki Ichigo.
…
"Nii-san…" Toushirou began as he looked at Orihime. "I just noticed… did the two of you…?" he trailed off, knowing that they understand what he was trying to say. He was sitting on the chair next to Nazure's bed.
He was right. They understood. That was why they both blushed.
They were in the guest room where Nazure was staying for a while. They had been looking after him since after the conversation in the living room. It was getting boring so Toushirou had an idea of teasing his 'long time, no see' older brother, who was Uryuu.
Toushirou smirked. "I knew it."
"Eh?!" the two asked in unison.
"Even so you don't say something, the answer was obvious because of your faces. You're both red."
"Well… that's true… Orihime and I…" Uryuu started, stammering.
"W-We're together now…" Orihime finished.
Toushirou smirked widely. "That's great. You two were perfect match." He commented.
They both blushed again.
"Thank you, Toushirou-kun…" Orihime said.
Toushirou laughed at the two.
"Hey! Stop it!" Uryuu said.
"Your face is funny, nii-san!!!" Toushirou said between laughs.
"Toushirou!" Uryuu said in a threatening voice. He was surrounded by a dark aura and his eyes were glowing with the intent to kill.
"I-I'm sorry. I'll stop, I'll stop." Toushirou said settling himself down. "But I… I'm happy you're alright after almost seven years." He said, smiling slightly but not looking at his dear brother.
Uryuu was shocked to hear those words from his younger brother but later on, smiled and replied.
"I'm happy to see you too, Toushirou."
Toushirou nodded.
Orihime chuckled upon seeing the reunion of his boyfriend and his younger brother.
They stopped their antics when they heard someone stirred.
"Nazure nii-san…" Toushirou whispered as he looked at his brother on the bed. Uryuu stood beside him.
Nazure opened his eyes and saw his younger brothers by his side.
"Toushirou… Uryuu…" he whispered when he recognized them.
Both of them smiled at him.
"How are you, nii-san?" Uryuu asked.
"I'm fine now." he answered as he tried to sit up. Luckily, Toushirou helped him. He leaned on the headboard of the bed. "How are you doing, you two?"
"We're fine." Toushirou answered after getting a nod from Uryuu.
"That's good." He averted his gaze to his lap. "I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?" Uryuu asked.
"Because… I wasn't able to protect the princess. I got weaker more than I thought." He answered, not meeting their gaze.
"It's not your fault, Nazure-san." Orihime piped in from behind. She walked towards him when Nazure looked at her in surprise. "You did your best to protect her. If she heard that from you, she'll get mad and yell at you for sure." She finished with a smile.
Nazure nodded in appreciation. "You're right. That's the kind of woman she is."
Orihime smiled. "That's right. Rukia-chan is a kind person."
"Thanks, Orihime-chan." Nazure answered.
"How did you know my name?" she asked curiously.
"When I first met your brother, I immediately noticed that he's a guardian so I investigated you and your family."
"Oh…" she managed to answer.
"Speaking of that, I know your relationship with my brother too." He spoke again with a teasing tone.
"Eh?" Uryuu choked.
"I can't believe my brother, Hitsugaya Uryuu, who is very shy, would be able to have a girlfriend." Nazure commented again.
"Nii-san! Stop embarrassing me!" Uryuu said as he raised his glasses with his finger.
"Oh! Uryuu! You're blushing!" Nazure teased again.
Uryuu sighed. This is really getting out of hand. He was finally reunited with his brothers again but they kept on teasing him and it was starting to annoy him even more.
Orihime giggled at the sight of his boyfriend. His expression was priceless! She wrapped her arms around his right arm and smiled at him.
"Oh! You two were so sweet!" Toushirou chuckled.
Uryuu sighed again and Orihime just giggled.
…
"Rukia-sama!" Mai said as she hugged Rukia who was still resting on her bed. She was still sitting on the bed with Ichigo beside her.
Ichigo moved a few distance away from them to let Mai hugged her 'aunt' tightly. Rukia hugged her back.
Hazu walked in the room quietly, looking at Mai as she choked her aunt to death.
"Mai, stop it already. She's not going to die." he said flatly.
Mai pulled herself away from Rukia and pouted at her older cousin. "You're so cold, Hazu nii! I just missed Rukia-sama, that's all! And I'm so worried and all…" she said the last line in a whisper but Rukia heard it and smiled at her.
"I'm fine now, Mai-chan." She said.
"I'm glad you are." Mai said as she smiled at her. "Father will be so happy."
"Is he alright?" Rukia asked.
Mai nodded. "Yeah, he and Uncle Honoru are waiting for you to return."
"Is that so?" Rukia looked at her hands on her lap.
"Don't worry Rukia hime. You'll be seeing them again soon." Hazu said, walking towards her, next to Ichigo. "When Nazure and you regained your strength, we will go back there." He said.
"Hazu… Thank you." Rukia smiled at him. She knew that even her nephew act like he didn't care, that was kind of the opposite. He really did care for her and for the people important to him. He was her brother's son after all.
Hazu smiled slightly. It was one of his rarest smiles he just showed for his family.
Rukia looked at Ichigo and saw him smiled at her. She gave him a wide grin.
Arigatou… minna… Arigatou… Ichigo…
…
"Now we've finally come to this." Isshin said as he readied himself for opening the gate to Butterfly Society, with Masaki next to him.
"Yeah." Masaki said.
The couple began the spell that was used to open the gate for Butterfly Society. Meanwhile, the princesses, prince and their guardians talked among themselves.
"It's been a long time I couldn't even remember the Butterfly Society anymore." Uryuu commented, with Orihime next to her.
"It's different now, especially the Thyilea. It's not the way it used to be." Nazure said sadly.
"Don't worry, everything will be alright. I'll do my best I promise." Rukia said, smiling at them.
"Rukia-chan…" Orihime choked out, quite amazed of Rukia's confidence.
"I'll help." Ichigo said, standing next to her and putting a hand on her shoulder as he smiled at her.
Rukia looked at him, smiled, and nodded. "Thanks Ichigo."
"You're welcome midget."
"Don't call me that!" she yelled at him.
"I'm just telling the truth." He replied calmly.
Rukia kicked him in the shin. Ichigo yelled at the top of his lungs.
"What the heck! That's painful midget!"
"It's your fault strawberry!"
"How dare you call me that!"
Mai looked at them with awe. "Are they always like that?" she asked Orihime.
"Hai. They were." Orihime said with a smile.
"They seemed to be so close." Toushirou commented.
"You're right. When I first saw him, I know that they would be fit for each other." Nazure said.
"It's been so long since I saw Rukia-sama smiled again like that." Hazu said as cold as ever.
"You're right. Even I feel that way too." Mai followed up.
"Looks like it was all thanks to Ichigo that the princess was happy." Uryuu said.
They all nodded in approval.
"Do you think they love each other?" Orihime asked.
"I think so." Uryuu nodded in approval.
"I'm sure they had discovered their feelings for each other. But, we just have to wait for them to confess it to each other." Mai said.
"You're right; I hope that day would come though, and when that time comes, I wish it's not too late." Orihime said.
They all nodded again.
"Don't you all worry. They'll be together. I know it." Nazure said.
"We're finished!" Masaki yelled at them.
Ichigo and Rukia stopped their bickering and the others faced the Kurosaki couple. They saw a fusuma door and it opened slowly. They all averted their gazes to it with Rukia, Mai, and Hazu in front, and their guardians just behind them.
"I… I'm finally going back…" Rukia whispered.
Ichigo put a hand on her shoulder and Rukia turned over her shoulder to see him smiling at her.
"It will be alright. We are all here for you after all." Ichigo said.
Rukia smiled at him and nodded before facing in front of her again.
That's right… They are here… Orihime… Uryuu… Shirou-kun… Nazure-kun… Isshin-san… Masaki-san… Mai-chan… Hazu… and… Ichigo… she thought.
I have to be stronger.
They began walking inside the fusuma door.
Wait for me…
Honoru nii-sama…
Kazu nii…
Hisana onee-chan…
I'm coming…
-END OF CHAPTER 8-