Blending into the crowd is harder than it seems,
Forgetting the lifestyle you have always known,
The many different levels of status in your world—it's all gone, within a moment.
I thought I knew many things, but clearly I didn't, I was never prepared for this… world.
Born into luxury and royalty,
Breed to run a kingdom not the price of simple objects.
Thankfully, I am not as useless as you may think;
I can be poor—I think.
Give me a little chance, it is not much to ask, but I promise you shall not be disappointed, my love.
The village is loud—louder than the markets I'm used to.
People are smiling and laughing with their children close to their hip, baskets wavering on their arm and different foods being placed inside. I watched as many women passed the venders different coins for quantity.
Is this what the maids and chiefs go through on a daily basis?
Clinging to Ichigo's side I continued to look around the village, dazed by the different interaction and people who I didn't know. "Is everything alright?" he looked over and asked.
I flinched for his sudden words and gripped his arm tightly; ice slowly cracked his flesh but he didn't hiss in pain but chuckled. "What is it you tend to do here?" I squeaked.
"Purchase food. It that not obvious?" he teased; when he noticed the discomfort written on my cheeks and stopped. "I thought it would be best to teach you: how to shop, since you will be doing most of it".
"Who do you take me for?" I harshly snapped. "I am Rukia—"
"Kurosaki", he stopped me. "You are my wife. One that I found beaten and bruised in an alleyway due to different men. Upon entering Soul Society, you have been ordered to live with me, making our relationship a housing-circumstance", I bit my tongue for the fake-story; it's the one we both agreed on, and the one that I fed to Yuzu. I have to keep to it or someone will get suspects and figure out my true blood-line—not some trades man's daughter who was left behind by accident.
I sighed heavily and glanced to the basket dangling from the blacksmiths arm. "If that is the case, please give me the basket and allow me to do my duties as your wife", raising a hand out for the basket, I waited for him to pass-it-on.
If I am to learn something like shopping for food, I will have to do it full-force—I cannot have him holding my hand and guiding me through, I must learn through faults.
Ichigo placed the basket into my grasps with hesitation. I didn't pay mind to his cautious aura; worried for my spending since he seems to believe I cannot control money—which is a lie! As a royal I was taught, by my mother, how to lower a price.
Quickly I fled from the blacksmiths side and to a vender selling apples. "Well!" the elderly man smiled with charm. "What a lovely lady you have here, Blacksmith" he chuckled to Ichigo; I picked through the different red-fruits trying to find bruised or browning apples.
"Indeed, she is quiet the beauty" I blushed for Ichigo's words. "I thought it would only be proper to teach her the handles of marketing", now he is making seem like I am nothing but a fool!
"Oh?" the vender perked. "What is your name, my lady?"
I smiled brightly, grabbing Ichigo's hand causing the man to blush with a gritted smile. "Rukia. Kurosaki Rukia" I bowed; the vender gasped for the surname and I cuddled into the blacksmith. "We are currently living together as housing-partners or… as you say: husband and wife".
Feeling the heat of Ichigo's hand grow and the black-mist swirling over my chilling hand. He's probably too embarrassed to calm down; I hide his hand in my kimono so others wouldn't see the magic and suspect anything.
"W-Wife?" the vender stuttered in disbelief. "How on earth did you manage to get such a high-looking lady?" a smirk grew on my lips as I looked over to Ichigo.
"Yes, my beloved ", I slurred. "Do tell this merchant how you managed to catch yourself as such a wondrous beauty". The blacksmith glared down at me slightly annoyed for my enjoyment of his torture; to think this is his village, where many know him. Now he must wander around with me on his arm, calling me: wife. It's rather amusing since there are royals around the village, one's I have taken their crown, and now, I am here—named a blacksmith's wife.
I have definitely hit the bottom within nights.
"Be reassured my fine fellow. She may seem fit for royalty but her cruel mouth and sharp-tongue are distasteful", Ichigo snickered with charm; when we get home I will be punishing him! "Not to mention she is lacking experience in many every-day things".
"Ah, I see" the vender sighed. "She is most likely a pillow in bed—".
What?! I am nothing of assort! Actually—I have never done anything, so maybe I am—but that is not the point! I am not a bedded woman! I hissed in my thoughts but smiled blankly at the man, not wanting to start a fight.
"Anyways", I sang while grabbing apples that I thought were suitable. "We would like to purchase these".
"Ah, indeed" he took the apples from my hands and placed them on a scale for weighing. I watched sharply as he looked at the weight; I wished to freeze the stone he placed on the other side of the scale, it would make the apples lighter but it would be unfair. "It shall come to three silver yen".
Ichigo tensed for the price and went to speak but I stopped him. "I believe that is fabled", I spoke.
"Now, now, young-lady. The scale never lies" the vender chuckles.
"I believe that is correct, but the status of those apples are not high-quality" the keeper blinked quickly. "They are bruised and rotting, nearly ready for disposal. Hence the price should be less", I wagered. It is the classical trick my mother taught: mix and lower. "I believe it should be lowered to one silver yen".
The old-man sighed as he looked over the apples, confused by my offer. "I do not see where this price is coming from, Kurosaki-san" he heaved.
"There are exactly two decent apples among those five. Since you were going to sell one for 0.2 of a coin, I believe the rotten apples should be 0.1 each, meaning those are 0.3 of a silver coin. The two which are decent are 0.2, making the purchase 0.7 of a coin. One silver coin is 0.10", I explained with my eyes flaming with icy fires. "Which means, you would owe us 3 bronze coins for change".
The two men stared at me, shocked for the knowledge and over-powered by my budgeting abilities. I would be too, this is the highest use of trading, only royals use this method—which means only Kuchiki kingdom.
My mother created the method depending on the season. For instance the apples: it is nearing the end of the fall-season and winter will be setting in. The price for apples will be high, but the rotting ones are going to be extremely low since they will be trash in a matter of a day. By buying more spoiled you lower the price of the decent ones in the pick. Also, with the spoiled apples you can make different dishes: pie, sauce, cakes and juice. These things can be frozen and eaten throughout the winter-season, ultimately making the spoiled apples more useful than the others.
Apples which are not beginning to rot tend to be a little more bitter than sweet when baked, and most would rather eat them than the spoiling. So, my mother decided to mix them together and created: the mix and lower method.
"One silver coin then", the vender answered in defeat.
I jabbed Ichigo to give him the money, knocking him out of shock and into his little pocket of coins. "Here you are", the blacksmith smiled as the man handed over the apples.
"Kurosaki-kun", the man sighed. "It seems your wife has some-kind of business knowledge. I would love to know where you got her. I would love to trade my own wife for one of her own", I chuckled gently and waved off the man's words.
"Ne Ne (hey)" I giggled. "I am one of a kind", latching onto Ichigo's arm and I cuddle into his warmth. "And, I have found my true-love. He may be rough and foul-mouthed, but I would not change him for anything—not even a crown or throne".
The blacksmith grinned softly before placing a hand on my head. "Same as I", he replied as the vender handed him the three bronze coins.
"It is a pleasant sight: two young people in love" he bowed. "I wish you the best" the vender waved as we smiled and began to leave the stand.
I looked up to the blacksmith and he looked down to me, both of us smiled happily at each other. 'Indeed, I do love this man', I thought as he leaned down, pressing a tender kiss on my forehead as a kind gesture.
To be honest with myself, I don't wish for this to end. I would love to live in this poverty for years, undisturbed and with Ichigo, happily. We could marry (for real), start a family and live a normal life. I would rather that over a heavy-crown.
Come to think of it, it would be easy for us to live like this, even if he manages to get less-work. I have the budgeting of royalty, meaning: no vender can defeat my money-managing. I could budget the costs and make him different things: deserts, meals, pickled-items. It wouldn't be too bad.
"That was impressive back there, Rukia" he said; I dropped the thought of marriage and looked over to the man. "I would have never assumed you knew such an effective trick", he chuckled.
"My mother taught me such", I answered. "Before she passed-away".
He stopped suddenly and tightened his hold on my hand. "I am sorry to hear—"
"Nonsense", I interrupted him. "It happened when I was a child, also, I have heard enough apologies for her passing", it is true: maids, servants, other kingdoms, villagers and family. They all came to the funeral to give their apologies for her passing.
As the years went by, and my mother's grave grew old, I became a spitting image of her. Many would mention the similarities and quickly apologies for bring her up. After years of hearing: "I'm sorry for your loss" you get sick of pity.
He nodded slowly as we continued to walk through the village. Throughout our shopping Ichigo allowed me to make the deals and as a result I got most of the food half the price told. We enjoyed our day shopping together, not uttering a word of our past, it wasn't time for that—yet.
There are things he probably doesn't want to talk about, and it is the same as me. I may not know what's in his past, but I know I will someday; when that day comes we shall share and explain the situation.
We both understand each-others weakness and hidden secrets.
**~Cherry Blossoms~**
Later that day, I sat in the living room, eyes casted to the backyard while Ichigo worked in the kitchen preparing dinner.
At first I insisted to cook but told me to relax, apparently my business dealing was enough for today. Tomorrow he will test my cooking skills and see how bad a princess is at using a stove. I can't say that I can cook, but I will fight and tell others there are things I can cook.
My grandmother taught me to bake, once my mother was gone she came for a week or two, so I wasn't alone and could wept with someone. She figured my father wouldn't be there for me—and he wasn't, he just through himself deeper into the throne and kingdom duties.
I remember the night my grandmother caught me sobbing for my mother in the garden near the roses; mother loved those roses.
She comforted me and whispered sweet things in my ear: "I know my dear. You miss her, but she is watching over you" she would repeat; as a child I didn't know the meaning and just wanted my mother again, but there was no-getting her back.
That night my grandmother took me to the kitchen and taught me to bake. She started with cookies and then to pie, later-on cake.
When my mother passed-away, grandmother became even more precious to me, she was the last piece of my mother. She had the same gentle touch, warm aura and kinder eyes as mom. I cherish her, and that is way I left the kingdom when I saw through Renji's plans.
Indeed I love my kingdom and want the best for it, but seeing those thoughts about killing my loved ones caused me to snap. It is enough I watched my mother die from sickness, but, I could not handle my grandmother dying from such slaughter. To be queen is to have a heart, even when the King is nothing but a demonic-ass; father turned into one once mother passed. The kingdom went through one-generation of torture… it will not go through another!
I curled into a ball on the couch, pulling my knees to my chest as I looked up to the moon; it's bright and luscious, full and mysterious. I could stare at the moon forever, it is like an obsession. Perhaps it's because everyone around the land sees the same moon, there is no-class marking the sight, it is for everyone: the rich, poor, abandoned and etc.
Slowly I stood from the couch and walked to the door, hands clamped on the nob as I opened the glass-frame.
My hair swirled in the chilling air of the night as it enveloped the house. Ichigo looked over but didn't stop me from walking out and into the backyard.
The wooden steps creaked as I walked to the leaf-covered grass and into the moonlight that shimmered on my skin. "I wonder if father is looking at the moon right now", I whispered as I reached my hand out to the light.
I felt my palm glow as the light turn to a flaky mist in the shape of a large crystal; with a grin I pulled the large ice-crystal to my chest and looked down as my abilities swirled around the stone. My index-finger burned with white as I traced the symbols: 冬の秘密.
The crystal blew a strong gust of winter air in my face, making my long hair wisp through the night. Slowly the white ice revealed a scene of my father:
Eyes facing forward and jaw tight while he marched with many knights following behind their king. His metal armor shined in the moonlight as he waltzed through the village of magic-users.
Many women gasped for his presence but the cold expression on his face caused them to look away; such a handsome man but yet, ruined by the throne he owned.
Stopped at the steps of the large castle of the queen, he called his soldiers to a halt. "Man!" he called as he turned. "I wish for you to await my return here. Please, do enter if there is any sign of struggle; I highly doubt there will be! I leave Head-Knight Aizen in charge for the time being!" he announced; the knights bowed to their king and nodded before walking up the steps.
Aizen smiled evilly as he watched the King enter the castle. His eyes growling with deceiving thoughts and the devil laughing by his ear; any common witch would notice he was up to no-good.
"Uncle!" he heard from behind, causing the knight to spin on his heels.
"Yes, Renji?" the red-head pursed his lips together as he stared at his uncle, awaiting the information of their plan.
"You called for me", Renji bowed in his suit of armor.
"Indeed", the head-captain chuckled as he took his nephew by the shoulder, guiding him away from the others. "We have much to discuss", Aizen whispered.
In the castle sat the King, head high, grey eyes looking through the mist of the red curtains, and crown stuck to his skull.
He stared forward, into the eyes of the witch who wore a gentle smile for her company. Queen Unohana: she is the strongest witch of the land (so many are told). Her land is home to many women who work in the dark-arts or were born with special blood.
"King Kuchiki", she smiled with her bright eyes on the man. "I believe you are here for some information", Unohana sighed as she snapped her fingers, instantly lighting many candles. "You do understand that if you make a slight move to go against my kingdom, I shall end you".
"I understand" he nodded.
She clapped her hands together before leaning forward. "It seems as though you have lost something quiet precious to you, am I right?"
"Indeed", he shifted. "My d—"
She stopped him while closing her eyes. "Your daughter as fled your kingdom" Unohana finished. "You wish for me to locate her", the king nodded quickly.
"Can you do such?" The Kuchiki asked.
"I can do many things, Kuchiki-kun: tell thoughts, see the future, reveal a love, end a war… even locate those who are missing", his eyes didn't show emotions as she answered the question.
"Please, Queen Unohana, tell me where I can find my daughter" The king insisted.
"First, why do you wish for your daughter to be found?" the queen leaned into her chair and looked deep into the eyes of the Kuchiki.
"She is to wed", he simply answered. "I have chosen the man very carefully" his chest puffed with pride for his pick, but the queen narrowed her eyes as she looked at the man; she knew something that none-else know.
"Kuchiki-kun, last I recall, your late wife Hisana-san" she started with her eyes on the ceiling. "She made arrangements with another kingdom to have your daughter married. It was to be the biggest wedding of all the land; two main kingdoms becoming one, through two star-crossed lovers. Born for each-others; a balance between kingdoms and magic", her lips curved into a delighted smile. "All the kings were looking forward to that marriage".
"It was cancelled", the king crashed her dream. "The Kurosaki kingdom fell to the ground when my daughter was young".
"Who did such a thing?" her eyes narrowed at the king. "I believe the one who did it was you—"
"I have come here for my daughter's location, not for the past" he impatiently hissed.
The queen sighed as she looked over her hands, seeing the different symbols of magic glowing underneath. "She is happy, Kuchiki-kun".
"I do not care!" the king snapped. "She is the crown to my kingdom, the man who is to wed her is to take my throne; that is the only duty she has!" he continued. "My wife might have planned a marriage for her, but I have chosen otherwise".
The queen rested into her seat, unpleased with his words and uneasy for the news about the marriage. Her eyes shot over the room and to the tiny snowflake resting on the curtain, knowing the princess was watching them. "I see why Rukia-chan left", she stood from her seat.
He followed suit. "Unohana!" he shouted and she stopped. "Please give me the locat—"
"Your daughter has finally met someone who makes her happy—complete. I do not blame her for such actions", Unohana raised her head to the snowflake and nodded. "If you demand her location, I shall not give you such information. This is your battle not mine, but if I were to become involved, I stand with your daughter".
The king sighed as the woman left the room; unsure of what to do next or how to manage the situation. He was certain that the queen of the magic kingdom would help him, but he was proven wrong on many-levels.
The queen smiled to the flake as it danced out the castle into the woods, where it rested on a tree.
Below stood the two men, uncle and nephew, both in a serious air. Neither man fought the others opinion as they looks around the woods, trying to see if there was anyone around.
"What is there to discuss, Uncle?" Renji questioned.
The knight sighed as he looked at his nephew: "We must find the princess and soon", he started; the confused look on the young-man's face told him to explain. "Years ago the queen of Kuchiki land found the princess's mate. A prince of the once known kingdom of Kurosaki or Shiba. They were to marry: a pure blood royal/noble like the princess and a pure royal from the Shiba kingdom. The King was not friendly with the parents, hence he rejected the idea of marriage, but the queen held more power. The wedding was to be carried even if her husband did not agree" Aizen sighed.
"Where is the kingdom now?" Renji asked.
"It is no-longer. The King of Kuchiki kingdom destroyed the land and the royals went to hiding", the head-knight told him. "But that is not the issue".
"What is then?" the boy questioned.
"Rukia was to marry a man by the name: Shiba Ichigo", he growled as he looked up to the sky. "The man that we are assuming she is with, is Kurosaki Ichigo".
"They are two different men", Renji narrowed his eyes.
"Nonsense!" his uncle snapped. "I saw the man, his face, eyes, nose and aura! They are all the same as his father when he was nothing but a boy!" Aizen snapped. "That is Shiba Ichigo, there is no doubts", he walked up to his nephew and stared into his eyes. "The problem is: if the princess and that man were to produce a child, there would be no-hope for our plan. A child with so much power could take any land—it would become the next Head of all the lands. Forget: Kuchiki, Unohana, Utitake and all the others; that child would be one kingdom".
Renji gawked at the news as he stared into his Uncle's eyes. "Why would the queen wish for this?"
"It is simple. The head of the kingdoms, noticed the power in all her blood-line. They were tired of the wars, all the deaths and fights between lands", he dropped the boy to the ground. "They wanted one main kingdom for all the lands, every-bit of land would be owned by one king", Aizen sighed as he wiped his hair. "But they did not have the power. It would be easy for two main kingdoms to join and destroy the main-castle. They needed someone who could defeat all kings. When Hisana-sama and the King fell in love, their stories came true. They gave birth to a woman whom could provide a child with that power, but there was no-mate for her", the knight crouched to his nephews face. "Then the first Shiba son was born: powerful, dark and equal to her. They were mates from birth, destined for the main-kings future plan", he heaved.
"I see", the man said. "We shall find her and I will wed that woman for the throne", Renji answered. "Then we shall end her and the mate".
Dropping the crystal to the ground the stone shattered and vanished within in the moonlight.
It seems that my father is the reason behind the falling of Ichigo's kingdom. Why?
I could understand if it was because he didn't want to lose his power; my mother's plan did eliminate all the kings and different kingdoms. Father wouldn't like losing his crown to a child—but he's going to lose his crown regardless. Once I get married the crown is given to my husband.
Sitting down on the deck I stared up to the sky, uncertain of my father's actions.
He seems so willing to give-up the crown but, why couldn't he just agree with my mother's wishes. It would only make sense, not to mention: if Kuchiki kingdom were to become the main-kingdom, then the rest of the lands would be ours.
The main kingdom could then, making the other lands into divided branches in which would refuse wars and disapprovals. Lands like the Magic kingdom wouldn't be shunned by other lands who hang witches—they couldn't since their main-king would hold magic in their blood.
It makes sense and its' quiet the plan…
"What are you doing?"
I jumped as Ichigo walked over and sat down next to me.
My eyes wandered over to him, the bright stars twinkled in his eyes as he looked up to the sky. "This is the man my mother chose me to marry…huh, I believe she has a better judgment than more father", I sighed for the thought and looked out to the yard.
There seems to be more to my father's destruction of Shiba kingdom, I would like to know more but I doubt there are many people who understand his logic. "Nothing", I answered him.
"I know you are lying, princess—", he smirked.
"We are on equal grounds according to our memories. If you begin to address me as princess, I will end you, which you and I both know is quite capable", either way, right now I am not the princess of Kuchiki kingdom. I am a runaway—Kurosaki Rukia, a peasants daughter that was left behind.
"If our memories are correct, you cannot kill me" he snickered with confidence; that's true—I do like being sane. "Once I pass-on, you will become nothing but a murderous beast".
"It works either way, Kurosaki" I sighed.
He didn't say anything but I could feel him staring over to me, probably wondering about certain things. I would make the effort to read his thoughts but that would open the door to all the thoughts of Soul Society; meaning: one massive headache.
"Kurosaki, huh?" Ichigo snickered; I looked over only to meet his eyes, instantly sucking me into the depth of his soul. "What do you think would happen if I changed your name to Kurosaki, permanently?"
"You mean marriage?" I squeaked; eyes bulging for the remark.
"Yes", he leaned back.
Blush covered my face as I looked down at my lap—happy but embarrassed, the question was so sudden and blunt, and how do I respond? Naturally I would come-back with a smart-remark but my heart is pounding and my mind is screaming! I can't think straight.
Marriage? To the man I love?
It would be a dream but—"You are due to have an arrange marriage".
The blacksmith grumped "I do not wish to marry her—"
"It is for the best", I stopped him. "If you and I were to wed there would be mayhem throughout the land—", trying to convince him but it didn't seem to work.
"Who gives a damn about the land?!" he roared; shocked I watched as he stood from the deck. "I am not a King! You—you have ran from Kuchiki kingdom, your duties are not your responsibilities any longer", his eyes glowed black as he desperately struggled with the dream.
I stood from my spot and took his hands in mine, they were warm and flustered. Could this be the marks on our hips?
"Ichigo", I whispered as I pulled him closer, attempting to comfort and support him. Slowly I wrapped him in my arms, leaning against his chest I listened to his heart—it's beating so fast, it's like he's been running. Our bodies clenched together as he embraced me in return. "I would love to…but, once I am out of hiding there will be a war with I and my father", his grip tightened. "I do not wish for you to fight such a battle", I whispered.
Burying his nose into my locks he shook, frighten for the future; my father is a powerful man, I could take him but along with the army—it shall be hard.
"We could vanish" he offered; I tensed and looked up to see his eyes burning gold. "Move to the forest and live off the land. I could build a house and garden for food, even live in the mountains of Soul Society. No one would find us", his voice quivered.
I could picture the scene. A little wooden cabin in the woods and tiny garden in the front. Inside would be a little area for living, cooking and dining.
There would be nobody but us. We could wed in secret and start a family, grow old and die happily. No worries of kingdom duties, we'd be normal people.
"I would love that", I whispered into his chest. "But… I cannot abandon my kingdom", my pride is too large and bold for me to run-away. "Let's not think about it…" I trailed as I craned my neck forward. "We should enjoy our time together as it is".
He sighed before nodding; leaning down he captured my lips.
I wish this would continue but everything will come to an end someday.
冬の秘密 means: Winter Secrets (the symbols that Rukia drew on the crystal)
市場とシンボル means: Markets and Symbols (title)
To be honest, I think I edited this when I first wrote it (a while ago) but, I've been waiting for the poem to come to me. So, there could be mistakes.
R&R [tell me what you think, I love your comments]