OUR LOVE TOWARDS THE FUTURE
By: Mari Kia Aishiteru
ELEVEN: Sacrifice
"What do you want from me, Kuroki Tomoki?" Kuchiki Hisana retorted with obvious disgust. There, in front of her, stood the person who betrayed the whole Thyilea, and the Kuchiki Family. She was escorted here by his evil son, Shizuri. He told her about this already the other day. He told her that his father would like to talk to her personally about her siblings. Hisana couldn't just sulk in her room and wait so she let him take her here, in the main room of Kuchiki Castle of the Thyilea Kingdom, where the previous King and Queen, her Father and Mother, died by this traitor's hands.
Kuroki Tomoki smirked at her evilly. "Why my dear Hisana-chan. Don't you miss me? You shouldn't speak to me that way." He said.
"Oh? Is that so? I don't see the reason why I must obey you." She replied with much sarcasm.
"I guess it's because your siblings' life is in my hands?" he replied her with a question of his own.
Hisana gasped. "You evil!" she yelled. "Don't you dare hurt my siblings or else—"
"Or else what? You'd kill me?" Tomoki laughed. "Don't try to be a comedian, Hisana-chan. You suck in it."
Hisana gave him a death glare before asking him again. "What. Do. You. Want. From. Me?" she asked slowly, stressing each word.
Tomoki smirked. "I just want you to have a little chit-chat with your siblings is all."
Hisana's eyes widened and she stuttered, "What a-are yo-you..." she tried to gather her thoughts and form words but nothing came to mind.
Tomoki smirked even wider as he watched her dumbfounded reaction.
"My lord," a man from behind Tomoki approached. The said man looked behind him and grinned evilly as the man nodded and bowed politely.
Hisana gazed at the man's direction and for the second time that day, her eyes widened and she gasped.
...
Ichigo and Rukia with Orihime and Uryuu landed at the front door of the main room by the use of their own flash steps.
Rukia ran inside as her three guardians followed suit.
"Nii-sama! Kazu nii! What happened?" she asked as she came to a halt in front of her brothers. The three guardians were still behind her waiting for the answer as well. They saw that they were not the only ones who were there. Princess Momo, Toushirou, Nazure, Prince Hazu, Princess Mai and the wives of Honoru and Kazuki, Kizuri and Mirashi were all there already.
Ichigo and Rukia, who finally confessed their love for each other last night, were having their sweet moment in Rukia's room a while ago when suddenly, Orihime and Uryuu barged in, talking about an emergency meeting called by the Kuchiki Princes in the main room. So, the four of them made their way to the room hurriedly.
The Kuchiki Princes faced them.
"Rukia, calm down." Honoru said, as cold as ever.
Rukia took a deep long breath before asking again, "What's with the emergency meeting? Did something happen?"
"Honoru and Kazuki exchanged knowing looks before looking back at Rukia. Kazuki was the one who spoke first. "Rukia, you know about the Power Connection Range right?"
Rukia had a confused expression on her face but nodded. "Yes. I know about it. It's the spell used to contact a group of people from afar, am I right?"
Orihime and Ichigo glanced at Uryuu who nodded, confirming their unasked question which was 'Is that True?'.
"What about it?" Rukia's voice brought back the Kurosaki Twins their attention to her.
"There's someone contacting us using that spell." Honoru said simply.
Rukia had a bad feeling about this suddenly.
Why am I so nervous?
And then, the most dreaded question was finally asked by her with complete uncertainty. "Who?"
The two Kuchiki brothers sighed heavily before one of them answered, "It's from Thyilea, Kia-chan." Kazuki said, indirectly answering her question, hoping that his little sister will get the idea.
And she did.
Rukia found breathing difficult suddenly as one person's name came to her mind and escaped from her lips.
"It's... Tomoki?" she asked slowly, trying to calm her mixed feelings.
Meanwhile, the three guardians were stunned. Why would Kuroki Tomoki contact them? Was it because of Kuchiki Hisana? Or was it about something else?
These thoughts were abandoned when a calm, firm voice surrounded the room.
"Honoru, Kazuki, Rukia." Hinamori Suguru started. "He's waiting for the confirmation. Should we accept the connection?"
"I think we should." Honoru commented.
"Yeah, we need to know about Hisa-chan." Kazuki nodded.
Suguru smiled slightly then turned to Rukia who was bowing her head. Her face was hidden by her hair. "What do you think Rukia-chan?" he asked.
Rukia thought about it. What should I do? I don't want to see him again. But, I need to make sure that Hisana onee-chan was alright, Kazu nii's right.
She straightened and raised her head, eyes filled with the unbreakable resolve.
"Hai." She nodded.
Ichigo smiled slightly at the sight of Rukia's filled-with-determination violet eyes. He loved it. And so he will support her, even though he was worried.
Honoru simply gave one of his rare small smiles as Kazuki grinned at Rukia. Orihime and Uryuu smiled at each other and Suguru, "Alright, I'll accept the connection right now." he said, facing the other side, the Kuchiki siblings behind him. He walked slowly away from them and towards a tall circular panel, as tall as him. He placed his right hand on it, his palm downward and whispered, "Accepted."
All of a sudden, a gush of smoke appeared and a square shaped panel was formed. A figure was seen in the said panel.
All of them gasped except the Kurosaki twins, the Kuchiki Princes and the Hitsugaya brothers.
A man appeared before them, smiling evilly. "Greetings, Kuchiki princes and princess. How are you?"
Ichigo looked at him. So he's the one who caused Rukia's suffering in all those years. He clenched his fists tightly.
Honoru stepped forward and calmly stated, "What do you want, Kuroki Tomoki?"
Tomoki's smile widened. "Still calm as ever, Honoru-kun."
Honoru didn't budge.
"Just answer the question, you traitor!" Kazuki yelled this time.
"And still short-tempered as ever, Kazu-kun."
"Don't act as if we're close, you scum!"
"But, we used to be close right? Rukia-chan?"
Rukia stared at him seriously. She wouldn't be afraid because of this man. She was strong now. Because of his brothers and sister, their guardians who she treats like a friend, her nephew and niece, and...
Ichigo...
"Yes you're right. But now, you're the one who destroyed everything. Our trust, our bond with you, our parents, our kingdom, our life. That is why, we can never accept you again."
Honoru and Kazuki gazed proudly at their youngest sister. Everyone smiled contentedly.
We're here Rukia, don't forget that.
Tomoki just smirked even more. "I know, that is why I want to atone for my sins."
Everyone exchanged curious faces.
"What do you mean?" Rukia asked.
"I mean, I have a surprise for you."
"Wha—" her voice was nowhere to be found when she caught a glimpse of her, as Tomoki walked aside. She wore a long light blue gown. It had a dark blue ribbon at its waist, curving her waist. It also had ruffles at its edges. Her hair was long now and beautifully lay down, nothing compared to her hair five years ago, which was short and a bit messy. She had grown up into a woman befit of being the first princess.
The beautiful lady looked at her with her eyes wide and pool of tears gathered in her eyes.
Rukia stared back at her too. And finally, her voice seemed to come back to her throat.
"H-Hisana... onee-chan..." she managed to choke out, her voice cracked as she contained herself not to cry in front of her.
"Rukia... is that really you?" she asked, worry obviously present on her face.
Rukia slowly nodded. "Hai, it is me."
Hisana sighed deeply in relief. "I'm happy that you managed to come back safely." She smiled brightly.
As Hisana's words sunk in, Rukia couldn't contain herself any longer. She cried. But, she looked at her sister and smiled, ignoring the tears stubbornly fall down her cheeks simultaneously.
Meanwhile, Ichigo was looking at the scene unfolding in front of him. Rukia was crying. Though, he didn't want to see her cry, he knew that it was happy tears above all else. The relief of seeing her sister safe even with just a panel away.
As if his twin sister read his thoughts, Orihime wrapped her arms around Ichigo's right arm, telling him that Rukia was going to be alright and that, as his twin sister, she was there for him.
Ichigo smiled at her as Orihime did the same.
Back to the Kuchiki's...
The Kuchiki Brothers' stood behind the youngest princess and Kazuki put a hand on Rukia's shoulder, reassuring her.
"How are you, Hisana?" Honoru asked Hisana calmly but she heard a tinge of worry in his older brother's voice.
Hisana smiled. "I'm fine, Noru nii. Sorry for making you all so worried."
"That's good." Honoru smiled back.
Kazuki turned to Hisana as he pats Rukia's head this time. "It has been a long time, Hisa-chan!" he said grinning.
Hisana giggled. "Yeah, long time no see, Kazu nii. I see you're still yourself." She commented.
"Of course, you and Kia-chan here would kill me if I changed." He said, grinning.
"That's right."
"N-Nee-chan..." Rukia whispered.
The Kuchiki siblings turned to their youngest. She was strong yet so fragile. She was tough in front of other people and yet, she becomes soft when it comes to the people she love most. In this case, her siblings.
"Yes? My dear?" She asked her, urging her to continue.
Rukia looked at her sister. Her physical appearance changed a lot but she knew, her sister was still there. The sister she love so much ever since she was a child, until now.
"I... I'm happy you're safe... and I... I want to say..." Rukia took a deep breath as her siblings waited for the words she wanted to say.
"I'm back."
Hisana couldn't help but let a single tear ran down her pale cheeks. She smiled despite of it.
"Yeah, Welcome back." She nodded and gave Rukia a big warm smile.
She suddenly turned behind her siblings and saw the people she knew and she didn't.
"Kizuri nee... Mirashi nee..." she bowed as a sign of respect. "Nice to see you again."
The two ladies bowed before here.
"Us too. It's great to see you well, princess." Kizuri replied. Mirashi just smiled warmly.
"Hazu... Mai..." Hisana whispered as she caught sight of the two teens beside their mothers.
"Hi, Aunt Hisana." Mai greeted formally. Hazu just smiled after the two of them bowed before her.
"You two were grownups now. I'm happy to see you."
"Thank you so much." Mai replied.
Hisana noticed the siblings beside them and she smiled.
"Suguru nii, Momo-chan... looks like you two were doing great too."
The said people bowed, and smiled at her.
"Of course, looks like you too. Hisana hime."
Hisana nodded as she smiled.
The second princess saw behind them, the Kurosaki family.
"Isshin-san, Masaki-san, you're finally back. It had been so long since I last saw you." She declared, surprised and happiness mixed on her face.
The Kurosaki couple bowed, the twins followed suit. That was when Hisana noticed them.
"Your kids?" she asked, talking about Ichigo and Orihime.
"Yes my princess. Our twins." Isshin said as he gestured to the two.
"Kurosaki Ichigo desu." Ichigo said, still feeling weird being formal.
"Kurosaki Orihime desu." Orihime said, smiling.
The two bowed in unison.
"They were so adorable." Hisana commented, smiling happily.
And then she finally saw them. The Hitsugaya brothers.
"Uryuu-kun, Shirou-kun..."
The said men bowed firmly.
"I'm happy to see the both of you again."
And then, behind the two, she saw him.
Her first. First knight and guardian. First love. First kiss. First fiancé.
Hitsugaya Nazure.
"Nazure..."
Nazure bowed, straightened up and looked at her intently.
She missed him, so much. Even though he stayed in the Thyilea, she wasn't able to see him since Tomoki forbade him to see her. She knew that he felt the same way too.
"Hisana... I..."
"Don't talk. I want you to listen to me first, 'kay?" she said.
Nazure sighed. He couldn't do anything really. If Hisana wanted something, she will get it. She will make sure of that.
When he saw Nazure nodded, she started talking.
"Nazure... I want to thank you for taking care of my sister. I know you risk your life since you accepted the mission to be a spy. I'm grateful for that. You have been so loyal to the Kuchiki Family and to me." she paused and took a deep breath, "I... I want you to know that I love you and I always will." She finished, blushing.
Rukia smiled despite herself. She didn't miss her sister's blush and Nazure's too. They were so cute together.
Nazure's eyes widened but returned to normal and blushed. He saw Rukia looking at him and smiled. He smiled back and turned to Hisana.
"I love you too Hisana… forever." He replied, ignoring the people around them.
"I know that."
"Nee-chan..." Rukia said, causing all of them to look at her.
"We will save you, I promise." She said with a serious face and determined eyes.
Hisana was stunned at first but she later on smiled warmly at her youngest sister.
"You really changed a lot. You're not the same little Rukia who cry that easily. I love you back then but I love you more now because of that. You've become strong, and I'm very proud of you." Hisana finished, smiling widely at Rukia.
"Thank you onee-chan. Thank you." Rukia replied in a shaking voice.
Hisana continued to smile.
A sound of hands clapping simultaneously cut off their heartwarming reunion.
They all turned behind Hisana and saw Tomoki again. He was walking towards Hisana's side as Hisana took a step back.
"That's a very heartwarming reunion, isn't it?" he asked as he smiled evilly. No one answered; the Kuchiki Siblings just gave him a death glare. Tomoki's evil smile turned into an evil smirked. "Now's that finished, can we go on now to my real intention?"
"I thought so. You're planning something else." Kazuki commented, clenching his fists.
"Well yes. You want to be with Hisana hime here right? I'll give her to you..."
All of them, especially the Kuchiki siblings' were shocked and their eyes widened.
"A-Are you... serious?" Kazuki managed to ask.
I had a bad feeling about this... Ichigo and Rukia thought in unison. They unconsciously looked at each other and Rukia saw the worry on Ichigo's face. She smiled with a nod, reassuring Ichigo that everything will be alright.
He seemed to get her gesture and nodded, smiling back at her. Rukia turned back to Tomoki, waiting for his answer to her brother's question.
"Yes. In one condition." He paused and smirked evilly, "I want you to exchange her with Kuchiki Rukia hime."
All eyes widened. It seemed that Rukia's body felt numb that time. But she thought that if she agree, her sister will be safe because all Tomoki needed was HER, and only her.
"No! I won't exchange myself with Rukia! It's better to be killed instead of letting you kill my sister!" Hisana screamed almost immediately after she had recovered from shock.
Rukia's body shivered and her brother's saw it. They put a hand on her shoulder. Rukia looked at them. They smiled, reassuring her that he wouldn't get what he want.
"We refuse." Honoru replied calmly.
Hisana sighed in relief.
Tomoki knew that they would refuse at first so he had prepared a plan for them to agree.
He walked towards Hisana as he said, "You really sure about that? You can still reconsider. If you didn't..."
He held Hisana's neck and raised her up, her feet not touching the ground anymore. His hand was tight around her neck, causing her to wince. She held his wrist with her both hands and tried to let go but his hand was firmly around her neck and she couldn't do anything about it.
All of their eyes widened for the fourth time that day.
"NO! Onee-chan!"
"Hisana!"
Rukia and Nazure's worried voices echoed through Hisana's head.
"What do you think you were doing?!" Kazuki yelled at him angrily.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm killing her. If you didn't reconsider."
"We already told you we refuse!"
"So she'll die before your eyes then." And Tomoki tightened his hold around Hisana's neck, causing her to moan loudly.
"W-Wait!" Tomoki stopped what he was doing with Rukia's voice.
He turned to the youngest Kuchiki Princess. Rukia stepped forward.
Ichigo's sweat fell down on his forehead. His heart was beating fast. He knew what Rukia wanted to do. But, he couldn't help but disagree. He couldn't let her do that. It was too dangerous for her. As if Rukia heard him, he saw her gaze at him with a smile. She nodded gently at him, reassuring him that she will be alright and not to worry anymore.
But, Ichigo's heart just beat faster. I couldn't lose her. I wouldn't let it happen. He shook his head gently, telling Rukia that he doesn't agree to her plan. But Rukia smiled even more. He could see in her eyes what she wants to tell him.
"Don't worry about me idiot, please don't look at me like that."
"But Rukia, if something ever happened to you, I'd die."
"I will not die. I promise you that."
"You better be princess. You better be."
Rukia couldn't help but smile a bit with the simple communication Ichigo and she had. She was happy that Ichigo could see through her that easily and vice versa. That was enough for her.
She confidently faced Tomoki. She needed to be strong, because she had everyone who gave her strength behind her, and she was a lot stronger now because of Ichigo's love and trust for her.
"I agree." She said.
The Kuchiki Siblings and all of the people in there widened their eyes with the youngest Kuchiki princess' decision. Tomoki smirked triumphantly and let go of Hisana, causing her to stumble to the ground, coughing.
"Knowing you, I know that you would accept the offer if I do that, I wasn't mistaken about it. You are still the 'Kuchiki Rukia' I used to know." Tomoki stated as Rukia glared at him with disgust.
When Hisana regained herself once more, she stood up to her trembling knees and faced her sister.
"Rukia, please don't do this. I don't... I don't care what happens to me... I just want to protect you..."
"I want to protect you too, onee-chan. You and Honoru nii and Kazu nii protected me five years ago. Since then, I've always felt so weak. I am a Kuchiki princess but I cannot do anything. This time, I want to do that. I want to protect all of you. I want to do anything for our family and our Kingdom." Rukia stated calmly.
"But, Rukia... if something happened to you... I don't know if I can... bear that..." Hisana looked at Rukia with teary eyes, pleading for her sister to reconsider her decision. "I don't want to lose you..."
Rukia sighed heavily. She didn't want to lose her sister either. And so she determinedly said, "I don't want to lose you either. Please, don't worry Nee-chan... I'll be fine. I promise."
Hisana looked at her intently. She saw Rukia's violet eyes were full of determination that she was so sure on what she had decided to do.
"Please... trust me..." Rukia said.
Hisana smiled despite her tears. Rukia... you...
She nodded finally. Rukia smiled warmly.
"Kia-chan, are you sure about this?" Kazuki's voice caused Rukia to turn her attention to him.
"Hai, Kazu nii..." she said firmly.
Kazuki saw her determined eyes. He sighed.
"I don't have any choice about it, right?" he just said.
Rukia chuckled at her brother's reaction. She turned to Honoru and saw him nodded at her, telling her that he would support her decision.
She looked at the people behind them. They all smiled at her. Momo winked at her as Suguru thumbs up.
She saw Ichigo's intent gaze at her. He was worried, but there was also something in there.
He smiled.
He looked so proud of her.
She smiled at him. He nodded at her in determination.
I will support you because I trust you. I believe in you.
Rukia faced front once more, faced Kuroki Tomoki.
She saw him evilly smirked at her. Her facial expression hardened.
"Very well then. You need to be here in the Kingdom of Thyilea tomorrow morning. You will be escorted by your brothers. Nobody else. You're not allowed to come with your guardians. If you let them come with you, I will not hesitate to kill Kuchiki Hisana hime. Do you understand?" he asked.
Rukia stood proudly before him. Not even flinching.
"Fine. Just fulfill your promise. And don't ever hurt my sister. If you do that, I promise you'll regret what you did, for the rest of your life." She declared firmly.
Hisana stared at her younger sister in awe. Rukia... you are really...
Tomoki smirked once more. "Don't worry princess. Your wish is my command. You will have your sister back safe and sound, in exchange of you." He said.
Ichigo's fists clenched. Despite his trust to her, he still couldn't help but be worried. Orihime saw her twin brother's face changed expression from worry to anger. She saw his fists clenched so she enclosed one of his fists in her hands. He looked at her and she nodded.
"Ichigo... don't worry. Rukia-chan's strong. She will be fine." she said. "You, of all people, know that the most."
Ichigo's eyebrow twitched in understanding. And he nodded and finally let a small smile overcome his face.
"You're right, Orihime. Thanks."
"Anytime." She said.
"We shall meet tomorrow then. See you. Hinamori Siblings. Kuchiki Guardians. And Kuchiki Family." He smiled evilly. "I hope we would have a very interesting reunion tomorrow." His voice trailed off as the panel slowly disappears.
The last thing Rukia saw were her sister's tears flowing down on her cheeks from her eyes.
And the last words she heard her say...
"Rukia, don't be reckless. And take care. I love you."
Nee-chan... please wait for me...
...
"I know you have a plan about this matter, Noru nii... so let's hear it out." Kazuki said. They were still in the main room. All of them.
"What are you talking about?" Honoru asked his brother calmly.
"I know that you won't let Kia-chan get taken away that easily, so I thought that you have a good explanation behind it, and that you were planning something."
Honoru sighed. "I've expected that coming, Kazuki. Very well... I will discuss with you the plan now."
All of them listened intently especially Ichigo, wanting to help because of the fact that Rukia's life is at stake.
...
"Rukia?" Ichigo whispered behind her door. Rukia was back in her room and currently looking at the terrace located in her room as Ichigo's voice suddenly got her attention to her door instead.
"Ichigo? Why?" she asked.
"Can I come in?" he inquired, not answering her question.
Rukia sighed. "Yeah, come in." If it was Ichigo, she already knew what was about to come.
Ichigo opened the door. He saw her sitting on a chair in front of the terrace. She was outside. He sighed and made his way towards her.
He stood next to her seat, looking at the full moon. They sat in a comfortable silence but was soon broken by Ichigo.
"Rukia, are you sure about this?"
See? That was what she was hoping to come...
For Ichigo, he still didn't want her to do this. He didn't know what could that Kuroki Tomoki might do to her. He didn't even want to know.
He heard Rukia sighed heavily. "Ichigo, how many times have you asked me the same thing?" she replied instead, not averting her gaze at the moon.
"But, Rukia... I'm just..."
"Ichigo... I know you're worried about me. But, please, would you just trust me on this? I can take care of myself. I'm not that weak you know."
Another sigh. This time, it's from Ichigo. "I know… I believe in you… but…"
"And don't worry. The plan will work." Rukia said, showing a smile on her face.
Ichigo smiled as he looked over at her.
"I know. I trust you and the princes. But, are you ready for the final battle?"
Rukia looked at him seriously this time.
"Ichigo, we are of royalty. We won't lose. And, I'm ready. I'm sure my brothers were all set as well." Rukia replied. "So please, don't think too much anymore. And don't ask me about the same thing again. Okay?"
Ichigo averted his gaze from her back at the full moon.
"Fine, you win. I won't ask you anymore about it." he said as he pouted slightly.
Rukia was trying very hard not to burst out laughing. "Very well then, this discussion is over." She declared instead.
"Rukia, promise me one thing though." Ichigo said seriously.
"I thought our discussion about it was over?"
"Just promise me!" Ichigo retorted.
"Okay! What is it?"
"Promise me... that you won't die... no matter what happens... don't die." He said calmly this time, looking straight into her eyes.
Rukia breathed out with a chuckle. "Ichigo... I promise... I won't die. I'm Kuchiki Rukia after all."
Ichigo smiled. "Yeah, you are right."
"And besides, you'll be there to fight alongside me right?" Rukia smiled.
Ichigo smirked. "Of course. What's with me being the backup if I won't fight?"
Rukia chuckled. "Yeah, true."
She stood up and leaned against him. Ichigo hugged her from the side, her head on his shoulder. Rukia hugged him back, while looking at the light from the full moon, and at the same time, feeling the warmth from each other.
"Ichigo?"
"Hm?"
"Thanks for everything. If it weren't for you, I would still be in the Human World by now, living in my past. And no particular direction in life. I'm very thankful that I met you."
"Tell me Rukia, do you believe in destiny?"
"Destiny?" Rukia glanced at him.
Ichigo nodded. "Yeah. Because you know, I think that's what happened to us. It's destiny that made us meet each other. By each other's presence, we changed one another and we learned to love each other, as the way we are now." Ichigo looked at her.
"Do you agree?"
Rukia smiled, still looking at him. "Yeah, I agree. We should be thankful to this 'destiny' then."
Both of them laughed softly.
"Rukia, I love you. And I will make sure that I won't lose you in the upcoming fight." He said determinedly. "And after this, we'll be happy together and forever."
Rukia smiled warmly. "Yeah, that's for sure. We will be happy together and forever."
They faced each other, breaking the embrace. They looked into each other's eyes deeply.
Rukia wrapped her arms around Ichigo's neck while the latter wrapped his arms around the former's waist as he pulled her closer to him.
They slowly leaned, closing the gap between their lips.
"I love you too, Ichigo."
And they finally kissed.
...
"Orihime, will you please stop that?"
"Uryuu-kun, you think we'll defeat that Kuroki Tomoki guy? I guess he's pretty strong." Orihime asked worriedly.
They were in Orihime's room. Orihime was pacing back and forth while Uryuu was sitting calmly on her bed.
"Yeah, he was insanely strong. But the Kuchiki Clan was insanely strong too. Especially, Rukia hime since she had the four elements within her. Everything will work out just fine." he said.
"What if they not?"
Uryuu sighed. "You worry too much. It's fine don't worry. We're here to back them up right?"
Orihime stopped pacing and stood still in front of him. Breathing heavily, she slumped back on the bed, next to him, as she snuggled between his arms.
"Right." She whispered.
"Orihime, I think you should rest up now. Tomorrow is going to be a long day." Uryuu said as he wrapped one of his arms around her.
"Uryuu-kun, after all this, what do you think will happen?" she asked, ignoring his statement a while ago.
"I think I will live a good life here... with you of course."
Orihime smiled. "So, we're going to stay here?"
"Yeah, you don't want to?"
"No, it's just... I don't know what to say... I'm just not used to this kind of world I think."
"But, you'd be here with me. Isn't that enough?"
Orihime smiled. "I don't want anything else in my life except being with my family... and be with you forever."
That was it.
Uryuu gave Orihime a deep passionate kiss. Orihime was startled but she returned his kiss nonetheless.
Uryuu slowly laid her on the bed as he hovered above her. They continued to keep their intimate moment when after a few minutes, the door swung opened.
"Orihi— WHAT THE HELL??!!"
The two immediately broke up and Uryuu stood up as Orihime sat up simultaneously. They looked at the newly arrived couple.
They saw the orange-haired twin brother fumed with a dark aura surrounding him while the black raven haired princess got a hand on her mouth, trying to stifle a gasp.
There was silence, except the sound of deep growling of the overprotective twin brother.
"I-Ichi... what are you doing here?" Orihime managed to say to break the tensed silence in her room. She admitted that this was the first time she saw her brother this angry. He had been so overprotective of her but, this time, it was different. She could feel his intent to kill her boyfriend who was also his best friend and his girlfriend's guardian.
"What kind of question is that? Is that wrong for me to visit my sister?" he asked as he glared deathly at Uryuu who stiffened.
Uryuu hated to admit it but he was slightly, actually, very much, afraid of Ichigo. He was very dangerous when he was mad. He never saw him act like this before and so, he didn't know what he might do to him if he had the chance to grab him right now, so he stayed on his place.
"Uryuu, what are you thinking, groping my sister like that?"
"Ichigo, I'm not groping your sister." Uryuu reasoned. "And what is so bad about it? We're together. So it is natural for us to do that. I think you and Rukia do that either, don't you?"
Rukia's hand tightened on her mouth as she blushed madly with Ichigo.
"W-We don't do that!" Ichigo yelled at him. "At least not yet." he said, turning his gaze away from the two.
"Really?" Uryuu asked, looking at the both of them dumbfounded.
I couldn't believe that he's so slow!
"Yes! Never mind me! I am the one asking here!" Ichigo said.
"Ichigo, let them do what they want already. Uryuu's right. They're together. We don't have the right to stop them."
"But, Rukia!"
"Ichigo! You're overreacting!" Rukia retorted. "Orihime is not a child anymore. She had a mind of her own. She knows what she likes already. You don't have the right to stop her on what she wants to do anymore."
Ichigo sighed. He glared at Uryuu before walking out of the room angrily. Rukia looked at him and sighed.
"Stubborn strawberry..." she murmured.
Orihime sighed heavily and stood up on her feet.
"Rukia-chan, thanks. I'll go after him. I'm sure he's sulking right now." she giggled.
Rukia nodded and smiled. "Sure. Just get him feel better. I guess I went overboard."
Orihime nodded. She looked at Uryuu and winked before she made her way out of the room.
"I think I went too far..." Uryuu whispered thoughtlessly as he sighed.
Rukia giggled loudly. "Yeah Uryuu... you really went too far at that."
"But, seriously Rukia, you didn't do anything like that yet?" Uryuu asked.
Rukia's blushed returned and it's redder this time. "Shut up!"
Uryuu smirked.
...
Orihime found her twin brother standing in front of the Hinamori Castle's garden. He was facing the garden so he hadn't seen her yet.
She quietly and slowly made her way towards him. That was when Ichigo felt her presence.
"What do you want?" Ichigo whispered, refusing to look at her.
She stopped half way upon hearing his question. His voice was mad. Very mad.
Orihime gathered up her courage before walking towards Ichigo.
"A-Are you mad?" she asked, afraid that he might yelled at her. She hated it when her brother got angry at her.
She saw him face her but she wasn't facing him. She saw him raise his hand as if to slap her or something so she closed her eyes tightly, waiting for the impact. But nothing came.
Just a soft hand on her head.
She opened her eyes to see her brother not looking at her but his eyes were full of guilt.
"I'm sorry."
Orihime gasped.
Eh? He was apologizing? Was this true? Was this a dream? No, if Ichigo is apologizing, it was not a dream.
It was a NIGHTMARE.
It was very impossible for Kurosaki Ichigo to apologize. Let alone to his sister! But, what is it that made him do it?
"W-Why? For what?"
"Rukia is right. I'm being overprotective. I guess I just went overboard."
"Ichigo..."
"I guess... I'm just afraid to lose you..."
Orihime's eyes widened in surprise.
"Orihime, you know that I love you and I don't want any guy besides me to be close to you."
So that is why ever since we met Renji-kun and Uryuu-kun in middle school, you started to get overprotective... Orihime thought.
"I am afraid that they might hurt you and I don't want you to go through that pain." Ichigo explained. "And so, I'm so afraid to let you go on your own."
Orihime smiled. She reached out to her brother and embraced him tightly. She didn't know when was the last time she had embrace him or they had embraced each other. But, she didn't care. All she cares was she wants to show him that she appreciated his actions and love for her.
He'd been overprotective towards her all those years and yet, she didn't get mad at him. Not even once. She appreciated his love and concern for her. She was truly grateful for that.
Ichigo returned her embrace. He hugged her tightly as if his life depended on her.
"I guess, you're mad at me already because of my over protectiveness for you. I can't blame you for that. And so I'm apologizing. I just hope you would forgive me for that." he whispered.
Orihime chuckled, and rubbed her brother's back slowly with her hand.
"I never got mad at you, not even once for that. So don't worry. I'm happy to know that you love me and you are very much concern about me." she said softly. "I'm truly grateful for that Ichi... I'm very happy that you're my twin brother."
Ichigo let go of the embrace as Orihime did the same. They looked in each other's eyes. Orihime smiled softly as Ichigo's eyes softened.
"I love your smiles..." he said thoughtlessly.
Orihime giggled. "I know..."
Ichigo patted her head softly.
"If you're happy with him, I guess I don't have any choice but to support you... and let you go." Ichigo said.
"Thanks Ichigo..." Orihime said. "Don't worry, I'll still be here for you. I will still cheer for you and Rukia-chan." She exclaimed as she winked at Ichigo.
Ichigo smirked. "Silly..."
He rubbed Orihime's hair roughly.
Orihime retorted. "HEY! YOU'RE MESSING UP MY HAIR!!! ICHIGO!! STO— STOP IT, YOU BAKA!!!"
Ichigo ran forward. She saw Orihime surrounded by dark aura.
"KUROSAKI ICHIGO!" she fumed. "GET BACK HERE!"
Ichigo laughed as he ran farther. Orihime ran after him.
"You can't catch me!" Ichigo yelled while laughing.
"ICHIGO~!"
...
Not far away where the twins were currently and seemingly having fun, Rukia watched them as Orihime ran after her brother who was laughing at her. She was yelling at him yet she was smiling.
Rukia couldn't help but let a gentle smile grace her lips.
"Twins' bond is a very good thing." She whispered.
She walked away from the garden and saw the full moon as she made her way to the hallway.
"Please... I just hope... that everything is going to be alright tomorrow..."
Please let it be.
-END OF CHAPTER ELEVEN-