OUR LOVE TOWARDS THE FUTURE
By: Mari Kia Aishiteru
NINE: Butterflies
"Is this… the Butterfly Society?" Ichigo asked as the fusuma door behind them closed and totally disappeared.
"It seems like we're in a forest." Orihime spoke, looking around.
She was totally right. There were large trees around and no one seems to be there.
"This is a forest." Mai confirmed. "This is where the nearest gate was so appeared here. Don't worry, we only need to walk a few miles and we'll reach Shimylea kingdom." She finished with a wide smile and a thumbs up.
"I see." Orihime nodded.
"Let's go then." Ichigo said and then noticed something. "Oi, where's Rukia?"
All of them looked around and saw her at the end of the forest. Ichigo walked towards her, her back facing him.
"Rukia, what are you doing? Don't just disappear like that!" Ichigo told her.
She ignored his claim, instead nodding to the view in front of her. "Ichigo, look…"
Ichigo looked in front of him and saw a town. "Is that…" he trailed off as he heard a voice behind him.
"The kingdom of Shimylea." Mai answered. "That is where our hideout is for the time being. All of the Butterflies are in there."
"Your majesties, it's time." Toushirou declared.
They all nodded. "Let's go." And they started to walk towards the town.
Though Rukia couldn't help the nostalgia that seemed to make its way in her heart.
I'm here. I've finally come back.
...
"Nii-san!" a lady with a black short hair and tied up in a bun yelled as she ran inside the room. She was wearing a long dark pink dress with long sleeve and a pair of pink sandals with high heels. It had a long black ribbon around its waist serving as its belt.
"Don't be too loud." Her brother told her when she reached in front of him, gasping for air after what it seems like a long run. He was wearing a red cape and noble clothes.
"I'm sorry." She apologized and bowed.
"Don't be so formal. So, what's the hurry?" he asked.
"Princess Rukia and the others have return. They were on their way to the castle." She said excitedly.
"So, they are here huh? Why don't you get them at the gate entrance with a horse carriage, Momo-chan. I'm sure they are tired." Her brother implied.
"Hai! Suguru nii!" Momo, the lady, nodded happily and ran out of the room.
The brother, Suguru, looked at his cousins who were there with him.
"They're here. I'm sure the two of you are so excited to see her." Suguru concluded.
"I'm not." The older man said, as cold as ever.
"Hmm… You're so stubborn Noru nii! Even if you won't say it, I know you missed her so much and you're so worried about her all this time." The younger man retorted, as he smirked widely.
"Don't talk about unnecessary things, Kazuki." Honoru scolded his brother.
"G-gomen. You're really scary. I think you should stop that, Noru nii!" Kazuki replied back at his brother.
Honoru ignored him. Kazuki sighed. His brother was really, really stubborn. He couldn't do anything about it.
Kazuki stared at Suguru instead.
"I'm wondering what she looks like now. I really missed her a lot."
"I'm not surprised by that. You're the one among the three of you who are very close to her right? She even sometimes call you father instead of brother." Suguru said.
Kazuki smiled. "Yeah. That's true. I somehow missed those days."
"Don't worry, Kazuki, she's here now. And you'll finally be together."
"You're right, Suguru." Then he sighed, sadness in his eyes. "But, Hisa-chan…"
"Don't worry; we'll help you save her." Suguru answered.
"No need for that, I will save her." Honoru chimed in.
Kazuki and Suguru smiled. "Of course we'll help too."
"Me too, she's my sister too you know!" Kazuki retorted.
Honoru ignored his brother again.
"You're always ignoring me! Good thing Kia-chan's already here! I'll have my teammate! Hah! You, alone versus us!" Kazuki said as he laughed hysterically.
"You're retarded." Honoru said. "Get ready for her arrival idiot." He said as he walked out towards the door and disappeared.
"That idiot called me 'idiot'." Kazuki shook his head. "Suguru, see you later." He told his cousin as he walked out of the door too, taking the opposite path his brother took.
Suguru sighed. "Those two brothers really bothers me."
...
"We're here. The entrance to the Kingdom of Shimylea." Mai declared. "It's beautiful inside."
"It's been six years since I've come here. I'm wondering if there's something new in here." Rukia asked to no one in particular.
"Not really." Mai said.
"Nee, there is a horse carriage coming towards us." Orihime said.
"Eh?" All of them looked before them.
The horse carriage stopped next to them.
"I think someone had come to get us." Masaki said.
"That's right. Wow, how good the king was!" Isshin chimed in.
"Back in the stupid actions now aren't we?" Ichigo whispered to himself.
The door of the horse carriage was opened by the guard near the horse carriage's driver and revealed a lady with long dark pink dress and a pair of high heels sandals. She walked towards Rukia and hugged her which startled the Kuchiki princess.
"Eh?"
"Rukia-chan! I missed you! I've been worried all this time!" she cried literally.
"M-Momo-chan?" Rukia managed to say.
"Momo, you're choking her." Toushirou said.
"I-I'm sorry!" she said as she let go of Rukia. She stared at her and touched her cheeks with her hands.
"Rukia-chan, how are you?" she asked in complete seriousness.
Rukia felt that she was really worried about her. She knew it. She had always been like that. She touched her hands on her cheeks.
"I'm fine, Momo-chan." She replied with a smile.
Momo smiled too. "I'm glad. Welcome back."
"Hm, I'm back."
Momo stepped back and bowed a little. "Welcome to the kingdom of Shimylea, Kuchiki Rukia hime. I was ordered by the King to get you and your guardians and bring you to the castle with ease." She declared.
"Is that really from the King?" Mai asked. "Did he really send you here, a princess, to fetch us? Is it better if he ordered someone or any of your guardians to do that instead of you?"
"Eh?! Princess?" Orihime and Ichigo asked in surprise.
Momo smiled at them. "I'm sorry. I didn't introduce myself yet. My name is Hinamori Momo. I am the princess of this Kingdom, the king's sister and most especially, the Kuchiki siblings' cousin. Nice to meet you!"
EH?
...
"I'm really glad that you're all fine." Momo said, with a smile. "Ara! Isshin-san, Masaki-san. You've come back as well. That's nice of you."
They were in the horse carriage, on their way to the castle.
Masaki smiled. "Of course princess. We couldn't leave our youngest princess alone."
"You're really caring. You never changed at all. Mother missed you."
Masaki let out a small smile. "Really? I'll see her later then."
Momo nodded and turned to the white haired boy.
"Shirou-chan, are you alright? I heard you and my nephew and niece encountered the four generals of complete destruction in the Human World. You didn't get hurt, did you?"
"I didn't, don't worry too much." Toushirou said.
"Araa… I smell something's fishy here." Orihime's eyes shone with mischief.
"Oh, you don't know yet about it." Nazure said.
"Eh? What is it?" Rukia asked.
"Those two, Momo hime and Toushirou, are engaged." Nazure replied as if it was the most obvious thing to say.
"!" Everyone freaked out, except the Kurosaki couple of course.
"Is that true? Momo-chan, Shirou-kun?" Rukia asked.
"Yeah. That's true." Momo answered. The two of them were blushing madly.
"For how long?" Ichigo asked.
"Um… I think… for two years now." Toushirou replied.
"Wow, never thought my younger brother would be married soon ahead of me." Uryuu said thoughtlessly.
"Then why don't you propose to Orihime-chan already?" Nazure said.
"Eh?" Orihime blushed by that statement.
"I'll kill Uryuu if he dare do that." Ichigo commented, averting his gaze.
Everyone looked at Ichigo.
"Why? I thought you accept him already as your brother-in-law, Ichigo?" Rukia said.
"Well… it's just… it's still early for that, you know."
Orihime giggled at his twin brother as she tilted her head to see his face better.
"You're still overprotective of me, Ichi."
"Shut up."
Orihime smiled. "Don't be jealous."
"I'm not."
"You are. It's written all over your face."
"It's not. As if."
"Arigatou ne. Twin brother."
"Tsk."
The Kurosaki Twins' parents smiled at their twins. They really love each other. They protected each other and happy when the other one was. They helped each other stand out and cried for the other. They were really grown-ups now.
Rukia smiled at the twins' love for each other. She remembered how her Honoru nii-sama and Kazu nii protected her like Ichigo was doing for his twin sister. It was very good to feel that you have someone treasuring you as much as you treasure them.
"Araa… we are here…" Momo said all of a sudden.
Rukia looked behind the window. She saw the castle's gate as they passed through it.
Honoru nii-sama… Kazu nii… I'm back…
...
"We're here." Momo said as they faced a large door in front of them. "Behind this door, Rukia-chan, are the king, and your brothers, waiting for you."
Rukia clenched her fists as she rose her gaze at the door.
"You ready?" Momo asked.
"I-I'm nervous." She whispered.
All of them looked at her. Ichigo saw her hand clenching so much so he held it tightly in his palm. Rukia looked at him with wide eyes.
"Rukia, don't worry. Everything will be alright. They are waiting. You waited for this time to come, didn't you? It's here now. Are you going to run away?"
"Ichigo…"
Ichigo smiled at her. "I'm here. We're here. You don't have to worry a thing."
Rukia looked at the people in there. They all smiled at her warmly.
"Everyone…" she looked at Ichigo and sighed slightly.
"You're right. I have nothing to fear about. I'm not alone." She said. "Thanks everyone. Thanks Ichigo." She smiled.
Ichigo gave her a nod and pushed her a little towards the gate. "Come on. You don't want to make them wait, do you?"
Rukia nodded.
Momo smiled. "Let's go then."
She opened the door and then they saw them. All of the members of the Hinamori Clan and Izutsu Clan and their respective guardians were assembled to see the youngest Kuchiki princess again.
The princess walked in with her guardians, looked around and smiled. She recognized some of them. Some were not. But, she would know them later on. She was sure about that.
Rukia then finally, finally saw them. At the end of the red carpet she was walking on to, she saw them, smiled at her warmly. She stopped walking and stared at them with her eyes wide.
Nostalgia ate her whole being. It felt like she was ten again.
"What are you doing, standing there?" Kazuki told her. "It's really a surprise. The little sister we knew no longer exists. You're a pretty lady now." he said, slowly walking towards her.
"You've changed so much. And you also fulfilled your promise to me."
Rukia continued to listen and stared at him as pool of tears gathered in her eyes.
"You've become so strong, stronger than I thought." He stopped in front of her. He smiled.
Rukia let her tears streamed down her cheeks.
"I'm so proud of you, Kia-chan." He finished, as he grinned widely at her.
She unconsciously wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her head on his chest.
"K-Kazu nii…" she cried literally. "I-I thought you… you are already…"
Kazuki hugged her back tightly.
"I promised too right? I'll be okay. I've missed you so much, little sister."
"I've missed you so much too, Kazu nii…" she said as she sobbed.
Honoru walked towards them and said, "You've grown a lot, Rukia."
Rukia let go of her Kazu nii and hugged her Honoru nii-sama. He embraced her back.
"Nii-sama, I'm glad you're alright as well. I'm very happy." Tears continued to stream down her cheeks.
"You cry a lot. Did you gather all of those tears for today?" Honoru commented.
Rukia let go of her older brother, looked at him, and chuckled.
"Hai!" she replied.
Honoru gave her his rare smile, which Rukia was truly grateful of. Kazuki patted her head like a dog.
"Kazu nii, don't do that!" Rukia retorted as she removed her brother's hand.
"Eh? Why? I used to do this to you! You've really changed a lot." he pouted.
"Daddy, don't act like that. You had a daughter already!" Mai cried as she walked towards her father.
Kazuki looked at his daughter and pointed at his sister with a pout. "But, Kia-chan hates me now!"
"Kazu nii!" Rukia smiled. She never dreamt that this would happen again.
Ichigo looked at her and smiled.
She looks so happy. I never saw her smile like that. I'm happy for her.
"Princess Rukia, it has been a long time." Suguru said.
"Hai, nii-san. Are you fine?" Rukia asked with a smile.
"Yeah, you've been so far away from us for a long time so you didn't know that I am the new king of this kingdom now."
"Eh? Really?" Rukia said, not that surprised.
"Yeah. You're not that surprise, are you?" Suguru asked with a smile.
"Of course, you're the heir so why should I be surprise if you became the King?" she asked in such an obvious way with a shrug.
Suguru laughed. "You're right. I'm happy you came back safe, Hime-chan."
Rukia bowed at him and straightened again, "Thank you so much, your majesty." She smiled happily.
Honoru, Kazuki, Suguru, Mai and Hazu smiled at her.
Everyone, thank you. I'm really home now.
...
"The princess had come back in the Kingdom of Shimylea." A man with a gold long sleeve royal garb with gold long pants and a gold shoes said. He also wore a red cape. He didn't like wearing gold, did he?
"I know. I had just received that report, my lord." Kuroki Tomoki said politely as he faced the man in front of him.
"What will you do now?" the man asked.
"I have an idea my lord. Don't worry." He replied.
"You're going to use Kuchiki Hisana, are you?" he asked with a tinge of amusement in his voice.
Tomoki nodded.
"Tomoki, remember what I've told you. I just agreed to this agreement because of your promise that you'll let my youngest son marry the youngest Kuchiki princess."
"I know that, King Hajime. Trust me, I'll have my promise fulfilled." He said.
"Be sure about that or I'll be the one who will kill you and all of your subordinates."
"Hai. My loyalty is only for you my lord." Tomoki bowed once again.
"Very well. I'll be going in Thyilea with you. The war is near. We need to be prepared for it."
"Hai."
"And the Kingdom of Thyilea will be the battle field." He said as he laughed hysterically.
...
"Rukia-chan!!!!" a voice screamed towards Rukia as the owner of the voice approached her and hugged her. She was wearing a knee-length lavender dress with some ruffles on its edge. She had a long black hair swaying as she ran up towards the Kuchiki princess.
"Rukia-chan! I'm happy you're safe! I'm really worried about you!" the voice declared.
Rukia smiled warmly. "I'm alright, Kizuri nee-san. Sorry for worrying you."
Kizuri shook her head. "No, I'm just really glad that you're finally here. We really missed you." She stated.
"I do miss you too."
Orihime looked at her in wonder, thinking who this lady might be. "Um… Rukia-chan? Who is she?"
The orange haired girl Kurosaki was the only one with Rukia at the moment since Ichigo and Uryuu was dragged away by his brother, Kazuki, a while ago. She didn't know what he plans do to them but knowing her brother, maybe he just want to ask them about her life in the Human World for five years. He was her brother after all.
Rukia smiled at her. "Oh, how rude of me. I didn't introduce her yet. Meet my sister-in-law. She is Hazu's mother."
Kizuri smiled warmly. "I'm Kuchiki Kizuri. I used to be part of the Izutsu Clan. Nice to meet you." She said, bowing her head slightly.
Orihime bowed slightly towards her too. "Nice to meet you too. Kizuri-sama."
"Hey! Don't forget about me!" a woman also said as she approached them and put a hand on Kizuri's shoulder.
"Why are you the only one speaking with them?" she asked, pouting slightly.
Kizuri giggled at her childish reaction.
"I'm sorry, Mirashi."
"Oh, nice to see you Rukia-chan! You've grown up a lot!" she exclaimed, patting Rukia's head like a child.
"Mira nee… my hair was in a mess." Rukia said as she tried to fix her hair.
"Oh, sorry." She said as she stopped rummaging her hair and looking at Orihime.
"Hi little guardian! I'm Kuchiki Mirashi. Kazuki's wife and Mai's mother. Nice to meet you."
Orihime bowed slightly again. "It's a pleasure, Mirashi-sama, My name is Kurosaki Orihime."
"Kurosaki? The legendary guardian family of the Kuchiki Clan? Your parents are here, aren't they?" Mirashi asked her.
"H-hai… They're here." She answered.
"I'm going to find them then." She said as she disappeared with a wave, running off somewhere.
"I'm going to go now too." Kizuri said as she walked away from them also after receiving Rukia and Orihime's bows.
"They've really missed you so much, Rukia-chan. They didn't forget about you, even for the slightest bit." She said with a smile.
"You're right. I'm happy about that." She said with a small smile. "I feel bad for worrying them though."
Orihime patted her shoulder. "At least you're back here, safe and sound now."
The princess turned to her with a grin. "You're right."
"Rukia hime!" a girl with long yellow hair and wearing a red dress approached her and hugged her again.
Why did every girl calling to her ending up hugging her? She was growing tired of this. But, she was startled when she recognized who it was this time.
"Kaori-chan?" she asked.
"You remembered me! I'm flattered!" she continued to hug her.
"Of course I do, why shouldn't I remember my childhood friend?" she concluded.
Kaori smiled at her. "You're still the Rukia hime I know."
Rukia just smiled.
"Oh, I brought someone with me! He had been searching for you all this time." Kaori mentioned suddenly as she let go of her.
"Who is it?" Rukia asked, but, her question was answered when he spoke behind her.
"It's been a while, Rukia hime." He said.
Rukia's eyes went wide for a second. But then returned to normal. She slowly turned around to face him fully. She smiled at him when he bowed before her.
"Yeah, it's been a while… Ren…" Rukia replied.
Ren faced her fully and smiled sadly. "I-I'm sorry."
Rukia was taken aback by that. "For what?"
"Well, before you left for the Human World, I've done something stupid and I never had the chance to apologize. But, now that you're here, I don't want to waste any more time. I'm sorry for laughing at you," he explained, not meeting her gaze.
Rukia smiled and later on, giggled. This made him look at her.
"You don't need to worry about that anymore. I have forgiven you even before the day that tragedy happened so there's no reason for you to be guilty about it. And besides, it's my own fault for causing you trouble."
"It's not your fault, you're just being honest, and I'm thankful for that."
Rukia smiled and nodded.
The two looked at each other but was broken out of their reverie with Kaori clearing her throat.
Rukia turned to her guardian and friend. "Oh, sorry, Orihime, they were my friends. The guardians of the Hinamori Clan."
"Mizushima Kaori desu! It's nice to meet you!" Kaori exclaimed, holding up Orihime's hand in hers for a handshake.
Orihime gave up hesitantly but smiled nonetheless.
"I'm Yoshioka Renzoku. Nice to meet you, Kurosaki Orihime." The teenage boy called 'Ren' by Rukia earlier introduced.
"Yoshioka?" Orihime asked curiously. "You're…"
"Orihime, his father was your mother's younger brother and so…" Rukia trailed off, letting Orihime finished that sentence for herself.
"He's my cousin?" Orihime asked, seemed to be shock by the revelation.
How could they blame her? She and Ichigo grew up in the Human World, not knowing about their relatives so it was just natural for her to be shock about it.
Renzoku or Ren smiled at her. "Yes, I am your cousin. Nice to finally meet my other relatives." He said.
"Oh, nice to meet you Ren-kun." Orihime answered as a soft smile escaped her lips.
Ren grinned wider.
"I never thought I'd see you… wait, you have a twin brother right?" Ren asked.
"Oh, yeah… he's here somewhere… but…" Orihime trailed off while looking around.
"Never mind… I'm sure we'll meet sooner or later."
"Okay…"
...
Ichigo and Uryuu were facing Kuchiki Kazuki at this moment, in a room next to the grand hall where the others were. Kazuki literally dragged the two of them away from the two ladies, namely Orihime and Rukia, to have some serious 'talk' or so he says.
"Um… My prince, what do you want with us?" Uryuu asked uneasily. It was a very long time since he saw the prince so he was uncomfortable.
Kazuki noticed his uneasiness and laughed at them. The two looked at each other.
"You two… you're so serious! I won't do anything to be afraid of so don't be." He said between chuckles.
"H-Hai…" both of them replied.
Ichigo looked at Kazuki carefully.
So, this is Rukia's brother… huh?
"So, I brought you two here because I want to ask you about my dear little sister." The Kuchiki prince started.
"Um… what about her?" Ichigo asked this time.
"Well… all about her… like did she have a good time in the living world? Or did she have a family who took care of her? Or did she have a boyfriend? And such."
The two suddenly bowed their heads and the prince noticed it.
"What? Did she…"
The two didn't reply. They shouldn't be the one to say it. It must be Rukia's job, right?
The prince sighed. "Okay… I will not force you to tell me what happened back there. But, I want you to answer this question for me." He said.
The two men's head shot up and looked at the said prince to encourage him to continue.
The prince continued, "Did she… had a hard time over there?" he asked, not wanting to learn the answer but at the same time needed to know.
The two guardians looked at each other and slightly nodded.
The prince sighed heavily, getting worried about his sister.
"Okay…" he paused, and then, smiled at them. "Thanks you two, for taking care of my sister."
"T-That's nothing." The two said in unison.
"Well… Uryuu can you… leave us for a while? I need to speak with Ichigo-kun about something." The prince said, peeking a glance to Ichigo who seemed to be surprised.
Uryuu was frozen for a minute but later on nodded at the prince. He stood up and bowed before him before leaving the two alone.
Ichigo was freaking out inside. Why would the prince have a word with me? Did I do anything wrong? But, I didn't right? But, what would he say to me?
"Don't be afraid. I just want to ask you something you know." The prince tried to reassure him.
This seemed to calm Ichigo for a minute but not totally.
"Um… what did you want to ask me your highness?" It seemed really awkward for Ichigo to be polite. He didn't grow up to be like this after all. But, Orihime had. He sighed and waited for the prince's answer.
"Ichigo-kun… did you happen to fall in love with Kia-chan?" the prince asked.
Ichigo cringed inside. "Y-Your highness… who are you talking about?" he asked but really positive that he was talking about Rukia.
"I'm talking about Rukia. Do you love her?"
"Um… I…"
"If you do, please don't hurt her." he said.
EH?
What did he mean?
Ichigo shuddered involuntarily. "Y-your highness, can you tell me the reason on why you're asking me this?"
The prince sighed. "Very well. You see, when Rukia was ten years old, she had a first love." The prince started.
"First love?" Ichigo repeated. So meaning, that Ahiro Kaien was not Rukia's first love? he thought.
"Yes. The boy is a guardian of the Hinamori Clan. He is also one of Kia-chan's childhood friends. He and Kia-chan were very close since they were four. He always protected her and made her happy that's why Kia-chan developed some deep feelings for him. But…"
"But?"
"Well… this is what happened then…"
[FLASHBACK]
"Ren… can I speak with you for a minute before you go home?" a ten-year-old Rukia asked as she and her best childhood friend finished playing at the garden of the Castle of Thyilea.
The boy, Ren, smiled at her and nodded. "Sure why not?"
They sat in silence on the bench behind the big white fountain in the middle of the garden. Ren finally broke up the silence.
"So, Rukia… what do you want to tell me?" he asked, slightly getting impatient.
"Well… Ren… I want to tell you… that I… I… I love you…" she stammered, and a huge blushed creeping on her face.
"I love you too Rukia." he answered simply.
Rukia looked at him. "No, it's not what I mean! I mean, I love you more than a friend!" she screamed at him desperately.
Ren was seemed to be taken aback by that confession. But, instead of saying 'I love you too', he just laughed at her HARD.
"Why are you laughing?" Rukia asked getting embarrassed.
"Rukia, that's funny!" Ren said.
"Why would it be funny to love someone?" Rukia screamed.
"Rukia, listen to me." Ren stopped laughing and faced her seriously. "I… I just see you as my best friend. There's nothing more. We couldn't be more than that." He replied seriously.
"B-But why?!" Rukia said.
"Because… I… I already love someone else Rukia…" he replied, getting uneasy.
Rukia was speechless. She didn't know what to do, heck she even forgot how to think. Her heart ache so much that she couldn't breathe anymore.
"Rukia, I need to go. Let's play again some other time. I'll visit again next week, okay?" Ren said as he waved her goodbye and left.
Rukia stood there and didn't care what was happening anymore. She continued to sit there and cried silently.
"Ren…"
[END OF FLASHBACK]
"So basically, she confessed to her first love and got refused just like that?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes." The prince replied.
"That's why you don't want her to get hurt again?"
"Yes."
"I understand your highness. But, I'm different from them. I…" he wasn't sure if it was the right time to say it but this was Rukia's brother. He wanted to be honest with him. It was the truth after all.
"…I love Rukia with all my heart and it hurts me every time she gets hurt so I will never ever bring myself to do that to her." he finally confessed sincerely.
The prince smiled. "You're truly a gentle man, Ichigo-kun. You are really a part Kurosaki and a part Yoshioka. I'm happy for Kia-chan to be loved by someone like you." He said.
"T-Thank you for the compliment, sir."
"No worries." He waved a hand. "Well, if you love her why don't you tell her already?" the prince asked.
"B-But, we've just arrived here and I want her to be at ease for now. I don't want her to think about anything let alone my feelings for her. I don't want to trouble her with something so trivial."
"Ichigo-kun, love is not something so trivial. It's important. And don't worry, if she loves you back, she didn't need to think about it right?" the prince said with a smile.
He's right… Ichigo thought.
"Remember, you need to tell her before the battle begins. Don't lose the opportunities given to you. Understand?"
"Hai, I understand." Ichigo bowed at the prince.
"You may leave now, and good luck." The prince softly ordered with a grin.
"Hai." Ichigo bowed again and left the prince alone.
The prince sighed to himself but nonetheless smiled warmly.
Looks like you will be in good hands… Kia-chan…
...
Rukia and Orihime sat on the bench at the Castle of Shimylea's garden. The garden was full of pink roses. Maybe because it was Momo's favorite flower.
The two of them left the grand hall to get some fresh air. Rukia advised that they must check out the garden. And so they were there.
"It's very beautiful here." Orihime commented, while looking around the garden.
"You're right. It is." Rukia replied.
"Ne, Rukia-chan… what do you feel about Ichigo?" Orihime asked Rukia after a long silence.
"Eh?" Rukia replied, shocked and a blushed creep on her face.
"Araa! Rukia-chan! You're blushing!" Orihime said cheerfully.
"W-What are you getting at, Orihime?" Rukia touched her cheeks. It felt warm.
"Rukia-chan, you're in love with my twin brother aren't you?"
"EEHHHH??????!!!!!!" Rukia asked freakily.
Orihime giggled at her reaction. "You don't need to answer me Rukia-chan, it's totally written on your cute face."
Rukia tried to calm down her racing heart. But, she couldn't.
"Rukia-chan, if you love him, you should tell him. What do you expect? Maybe he loves you back."
"Orihime, I don't love him." Rukia said firmly, regardless of her red face.
Acting stubborn huh? Kinda like Ichigo… she giggled silently.
Orihime thought of an idea. I think that will work…
"Rukia-chan,"
Rukia looked at her.
"You love takoyaki right?"
Rukia was puzzled but nodded.
"Ramen too."
"Yeah."
"Vegetable?"
"I hate it."
"Sashimi?"
"It's the best."
"Ichigo?"
"I love him."
Orihime giggled loudly, a triumphant look on her face.
Rukia realized what she just said. She pouted at Orihime.
"Sorry about that, Rukia-chan, well it's true… you really love him."
"I don't."
Orihime sighed. "Rukia-chan, listen to me." She paused and continued when she was sure that Rukia's full attention was on her. "Your body will move before your mind can think of the answer. That's what love is."
Rukia contemplated about it for a while and found Orihime smiling at her. She sighed.
"Okay… I'll admit it already. I do. I love him." She said, as she averted her gaze from her loved one's twin sister.
Orihime smiled and held Rukia's hand gently. "Rukia-chan, thanks for loving my stubborn and stupid yet caring and gentle brother." She said.
Rukia smiled and nodded.
"Rukia-chan, please tell him what you feel about him. I know that you're destined to be together. Just please, don't be afraid."
"I… I'm afraid…"
"But why?"
"Orihime, you know, when I was ten, before the time when I was sent in the Human World, I had a best friend. He's a guardian of the Hinamori Clan. You know, I love him so much because he's caring and he always protects me and made me happy." She paused. "I, one day, decided to tell him how I feel for him. But, he just laughed at me and told me that we could never be more than friends because he loved another woman." She laughed bitterly. "After that, I promised to myself that if I fall in love again, I will not tell him how I feel and I will wait for him to tell me. And I'll answer him properly."
"He rejected you?"
Rukia nodded.
"That's so mean! Rukia-chan, do I know him?" Orihime asked.
"Yeah… you just met him a while ago."
"Eh? Really? Who?"
"Ren." She replied simply.
"EEEEEEHHHHHHHHHH????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!" Orihime freaked out.
"Orihime, calm down."
"I never thought I have an idiot relative I called my cousin!" she murmured but loud enough for Rukia to hear.
Rukia smiled brightly. "Don't worry about it. He apologized a while ago right? So, you don't have to be pissed off at him anymore."
"Well, that's true but…" Orihime answered. "So, you're afraid to be rejected again?"
"Yeah."
"Rukia-chan, Ren-kun is different from Ichigo. You should remember that. Because of Ren-kun rejecting you, it doesn't mean that Ichigo will do too. It applies to all." She exclaimed with a smile.
"Orihime…" Rukia smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Orihime. This means a lot to me."
Orihime grinned widely. "Anytime."
I just wish you two will stop being so stubborn already…
...
Ichigo returned to the grand hall and saw that many people were dancing and the others were just speaking happily among themselves.
I wonder where Rukia and Orihime are… he thought as he walked through the crowd. He stopped as he heard someone's voice, a very familiar voice who called out to him.
"Ichigo!"
Ichigo looked behind to see his mother smiling at him. He smiled at her and walked towards her.
"Mom… did you see where Orihime and Rukia are?" he asked.
"Well… I don't know… I didn't get to see them ever since we came here…" she replied.
A voice cut their conversation. A man with spiky gold hair appeared before them with a smile on his face.
"Yo, nee-san!" the man exclaimed.
"Taki?" Masaki asked, getting excited.
The said man nodded and Masaki hugged him gently. Ichigo stood there dumbfounded.
Who is this guy anyway? Wait, he said 'nee-san' so it means that…
Masaki released her hold on to him and faced her son.
"Ichigo… this is Taki… he's my younger brother. Taki, this is Ichigo… my son." She said, while gesturing at each of them.
"Oh, nice to meet you Ichigo. I have such a handsome nephew huh?" he commented as he patted Ichigo's shoulder. "He also got Isshin nii's height huh? Wow…"
"N-nice to meet you… um… Taki ojisan…" Ichigo said uneasily.
Really… can they stop meeting relatives already?
"You're such a nice kid. You know, you should meet my son. He's gone with Kaori-chan to see Rukia hime." Taki said.
"Oh, you had a son?" Masaki asked.
"Yes, only one son though."
"Where is Shizu-chan then? Is she here?"
"Well… she died after giving birth with our son so…"
Masaki wore a guilty expression. "Oh, I'm sorry Taki…"
Taki smiled at his older sister. "Don't worry about that, I'm over with it. So, is Ichigo here the only child or…"
"Oh, he had a twin sister."
"Wow… that's cool… you had twins…"
Masaki smiled.
"Father…" a man approached them.
"Oh, you're here. You're just in time. I want you to meet someone."
"Son, this is my older sister, Masaki, and his son, Ichigo… nee-san, this is my son, Ren." Taki introduced.
"A pleasure to meet you Obasan… and Ichigo too… I'm Renzoku but you can call me Ren instead." He politely bowed.
Ichigo bowed down too. "Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, Ren… you are the same age as Ichigo. I think you two will get along well." Masaki said as he looked at the two cousins.
"Yeah, I think so…" Taki commented.
"I would be happy too." Ren said, smiling at them.
"I wish you would meet my daughter too…" Masaki said out of the blue.
"I already met her a while ago. She was with Rukia hime." Ren said.
"Really? So, what does she looks like?" Taki asked his son with some curiosity.
"She's beautiful like her mother…"
"Oh, thanks for the compliment." Masaki said as she smiled gently at her nephew.
"I'm just stating a fact, Obasan." Ren said again.
...
"Father! You are back!" Shizuri exclaimed as he saw his father entering the room where he was right now.
"We have some company." He said.
"Eh? Who?" Shizuri saw the King of Castle of Hashylea, Motomiya Hajime, behind his father. He immediately bowed down as a sign of respect.
"Welcome your majesty." Shizuri greeted politely.
"Thank you Shizuri. We will be staying here for the upcoming battle." Hajime stated firmly.
"That would be an honor for us, my lord." Shizuri replied again. And then he saw Hajime's son with him, Ryuichi and Ryusuke.
"Your highnesses, your rooms had been prepared. One of my soldiers will lead you there." Tomoki said, as politely as ever.
"Good. See you later then." The king answered, following the soldier and his twin sons trailing behind him.
When they left, Tomoki confronted his son. "Shizuri, they had already reached the Castle of Shimylea."
"They are in the Butterfly Society already?"
"Yes. The time will finally come." Tomoki replied.
"That's exciting."
"You're right. I know that everything will be according to plan." Tomoki smiled evilly.
"Father, do you want me to inform Princess Hisana?"
"That would be great. We would need her in the beginning the plan."
"Does the King know about this idea already?"
"Yeah. But, don't worry. The plan will still continue." Tomoki paused. "And another thing, tell Princess Hisana that I will be expecting her here tomorrow afternoon. I need to speak with her. You are going to escort her here."
Shizuri smiled with a nod and a bow and left his father alone.
I'll kill that stupid future King and I'll make sure I'll be the king of this Kingdom!
...
Shizuri found himself in Hisana's prison in the underground. She was glaring deadly at him. But, he just ignored her and smiled evilly, making Hisana wanted to throw up because of disgust.
"What is it this time?" Hisana retorted, getting very, as in very irritated.
"Oh, don't be like that Hime-sama. You want to know the good news about the Kuchiki youngest princess right?" Shizuri smirked wider as he saw Hisana's expression changed.
"What? What about her? What about Rukia?" she suddenly asked.
"She's already here in the Butterfly Society. With your older brothers." He said.
"Really?" Hisana asked, getting interested.
So, she's with Noru nii and Kazu nii… that's a great relief.
"Yes. They were in the Castle of Shimylea for now. I think, also preparing for the upcoming battle and to rescue you." He said with a tinge of amusement in his voice.
Hisana shuddered. "What about it?"
"You should be ready. We will need you to get a hold of the youngest and powerful princess."
Hisana's eyes widened. "You're not planning to…"
Shizuri's smirked widened. "Just be ready for tomorrow. I'll come back to escort you. Father wants to talk to you." He said as he walked towards the gate, his back in front of her. "Have a goodnight, Princess." He disappeared at the door.
Hisana sat on her bed and put a hand on her head. She closed her eyes.
"Oh no. They'll use me to…"
A single tear escaped her eye.
Rukia… don't be reckless. Don't think about me anymore.
-END OF CHAPTER NINE-