I may not know the past, but I know that I will try to mend the future.
Guilty for something I do not recall,
But sorry for the things I have done.
Even though it seems like history, it is not forgotten by me.
I wish to know more, I want to know the whole story—
The little bits and pieces are not the end.
You may be moving forward but I wish to know the rest of the story.
I want to know why you fall to my hand all those years ago.
The blacksmith woke me up early the next day—excited to see whether I could cook or not. Personally, I was irritated that he thought my royal lifestyle was nothing but sitting and looking pretty—I do things! Well some-what.
"What are you thinking about making?" my eyes went to Ichigo as he dried his hair with a towel, and another wrapped around his waist. I blushed for the sight of his perfect-chest and kept my eyes to the mixture in front of me; blowing steam through my long hair and tickling my cheeks with a hint of cinnamon.
"I am going to put the apples to use", I answered; he leaned over my shoulder to see the caramelizing apples—coated with cinnamon and other sweet spices. Ichigo placed his damp head on my shoulder; I tensed and blushed brightly for the touch. "W-What are you doing?" voice hitched and nervous, he grinned for the reaction.
"Does my body make you tremble, Rukia?" a swift hand wrapped around my waist making my cheeks burn brighter. His callous hands spun me around and into his chest, just like our dance in my bedroom—that magical first touch. "Perhaps, you are having thoughts about being bedded" his voice whispered into my burning ear—of course I am having such thoughts! Wait—no, no I am not having those thoughts! I am a princess—one of great lines and morals – but those abs… Rukia stop it!
The battle in my head became a rambling war of different things: morals and Ichigo—either way it's going to lead to a massive headache. "You should not be doing this, Ichigo" the temptation is strong but there is another woman—his real 'soon-to-be' wife.
He growled as I removed the apple mixture and readied the pie-crust. "Why must you bring that matter up?"
I sighed while looking over: "Ichigo, you are a taken man. Hence, you should not be attempting to seduce another maiden", those are the words of my father—when to be married, you will become loyal to your fiancée.
To be honest, I don't know whether that works for me or not—well the situation doesn't seem to matter. I shall not marry Renji, even if I must die first.
"But that is not the woman I wish to be with—", cleverly he spun me around and pulled my tiny body to his chest; blush coated my cheeks as his fresh-scent surrounded my dress. "—you are thy love", he pleaded like a poet.
I am flustered for his sweet-words, but, they are weigh-down by the ring being proclaimed by another woman—indeed my surname of this village is his (Kurosaki), but it is not legal, it is nothing but a mere fickle to hiding my identity. "So, are thee to I" he blushed for the response—why did I have to fall in love with such a thick-headed fool? One whom is taken as well… it seems the gods hate me. "But, we should not be speaking such tales", I pulled away and went back to the pie. "It shall only get us both be-headed".
"I do not care", Ichigo pushed forward but I moved away. "My love is never ending".
"Our love is against several courts of law", standing with the pies filled I looked at the blacksmith with serious hues in my eyes. "Do not be a fool", taking his hand I pulled it to my cheek—a tender and sweet gesture my mother would do to father when he was stressed. "If you were to die, I would be sad—lonely, because my heart is complete when you are around, blacksmith".
I must admit—it is fun living like this: just I and Ichigo. It's peaceful—I wish it could stay like this forever, but it can't.
He kissed my forehead—a gesture my father would do to my mother; I've seen it before when I spied on them in the ballroom meetings.
The sweet scene didn't last long though, soon there was a knock on the door and Ichigo tensed before scurrying to his bedroom. "Answer the door" he ordered; I glared for his foolish ways, but I suppose this is another thing I must get used to, since I'm living here.
I scurried to the door and gripped the knob; for some reason I am nervous about this—why?
Opening the door I came fact-to-face with the knight from the front-gate. Ichigo's brother: Kaien. He and the blacksmith could be seen as twin, which they are (kind of). "Good-morning" I greeted the knight; he bowed in his normal clothing: pants, shirt and boots.
"Indeed it is—", he stopped; does he not know my name? Did I ever tell him my name?
Looking around my breath hitched. "Rukia", he nodded solemnly—waiting for my surname. "Uh, Kurosaki Rukia", I blushed and he stuttered back.
"Wait, you and my brother are—", what do I do? We never thought this fair into it. Yes, it was fine to say we are married in the village but with his family? Usually Ichigo explained that side of the story, not me.
"Nonsense" Ichigo suddenly appeared behind me; a sudden smirk on his lips for my flustered reaction. "When I found her she did not know her last-name, and since we shall be living together it would only be proper to address her as family. Wouldn't you agree, Kaien?"
The knight nodded with hesitation. "Indeed".
I felt the blue-eyes on my form and I tensed remembering I did tell him my true name. He was the knight from the gate—the one that watched the other put me in chains and Ichigo as well. "You know my true name", he pursed his lips together. "Why is it you play fool when you know the truth?" could he be here to spy?
Kaien chuckled while scratching the back of his head; it's the same thing Ichigo does when he's nervous or on the spot. "I just wanted to know whether you were going by that name around here", he answered before looking into his brother eyes. "If villagers knew that the princess of Kuchiki kingdom was here, there would be war throughout the land. You both know this, am I correct?"
The blacksmith sighed before pulling me to the side, allowing his brother into the house. "Indeed", Ichigo answered as he closed the door. "It would cause much trouble".
I think everyone holds that knowledge—even my father. He's probably thinking I went somewhere else, somewhere where all my defeated enemies are residences is out of question. There would be much mayhem if I was present in this kingdom—so, he'll most likely refrain from coming here; but, his presence will also do the same for the fallen kingdoms.
"Either way", Kaien's voice knocked me back to the present. "I am not here for kingdom duties or to bother you both with nuisance questions", well that's good news, I suppose. "I am here to tell you both that you are invited".
"To what?" Ichigo questioned.
"A family dinner", upon hearing the words the blacksmith seemed uneasy. It's probably because he hast to bring me around his parents, sisters and brother. "It is being held at mother and father's house", the knight finished.
I knew the blacksmith was going to refuse: "Ichigo shall be there", I quickly told him. Ichigo glared down to me and Kaien seemed astonished. "It would only be polite for you to join" I shot a look at the bright-headed man. "I believe, they must have been quite bothersome when Ichigo was away in my land—worried for their beloved son—since I have managed to get him into this mess, I think it is only proper to have him see his family, even though I am present".
The knight sighed before looking between me and his brother. "Actually, our parents have invited you as well", I tensed. They know I am here? Well, of course, Yuzu must have told them, right? Or is it that the word is traveling around the village like a wild-fire? "Apparently mother wishes to see this beauty, her son managed to woo while traveling home", it was definitely Yuzu.
"I do not think that is necessary" Ichigo groaned.
Kaien waved his brothers opinion with a hand. "Now, now brother" he started. "They had the liberty to arrange you a wife – one whom is nearly royalty—then you come home with such a prize as the Kuchiki princess…" he trailed with an eye on my form; I bowed my head in shame. It seems my arrival has raised some trouble with the arranged-marriage. "Of course our mother and father, are curious to see whom this maiden is, since our sister is always speaking of her".
"Yuzu has been speaking of Rukia?" Ichigo's jaw tightened as his brother nodded. "What is she saying?"
My hand chilled as Kaien pulled me to his chest. "How fair her skin is", he brushed my cheek gently—Ichigo growled for the touch. He spun me around and brushed my hair through his fingers. "The lovely length and shimmer of her black-as-night hair", once more he caressed my cheek and looked into my violet eyes. "The magic within her violet eyes and mystery with each-step she takes".
Ichigo pulled me back to his side—clearing stating: she is mine! Do not touch!
"Also" Kaien chuckled. "How protective you are for this solemn maiden".
I pushed away from the blacksmith and his eyes darkened. "It is none of their concern", he growled.
"Ichigo", I tried to calm him with my voice but it wasn't strong enough. If I didn't do something fast the magic in his veins would do something unthinkable. I grabbed his hand swiftly and tightened the grip with a chilling eye. "Calm down".
Kaien watched with a pleased smile as the darkness left his brother orbs. The tender look that came from the blacksmith made the knight chuckle. "You my brother are in love".
My breath hitched. I know we are indeed, in love, but how could he tell?
"How would you know?" Ichigo dared to ask.
"Simple" his brother snickered. "She has a touch that calms your anger—something mother could never do for you. It was either allow you to destroy things or completely isolate you from other's till you calmed down", I clung onto the blacksmith as Kaien looked over to me. "This little flower seems to have the ability to sooth you—which only true love can do".
Ichigo remained silence, not wishing to say anymore that could ruin his parent's plan of his marriage—it would only lead to fighting. "I believe you should leave".
The knight sighed before nodding in agreement. "I shall, but, you two better be at dinner".
I looked at the blacksmith and nodded for the both of us. "We shall", with the answer Kaien left and all was silent in the house.
*Cherry Blossoms*
"Why can I not bring a pie?" I questioned.
Since Kaien had left we were having a slight disagreement. I wanted to bring my famous apple-pie since I made two out of the apples we purchased the other day, but, Ichigo refused and said to make something else.
"Simple. It is dinner not desert" the blacksmith sighed as he took out different things from the cabinet. "Do not worry, I shall help you" he insisted. It seems his plan to teach me to cook had been interrupted, thanks to the dinner invitation.
"Fine", I sighed in defeat—it was like arguing with my father. "What are we going to make?"
"We? You are going to make it", what?
"I am not your maid!" I snapped; he snickered in realization. I am his maiden or 'wife', and for that title I have to make dinners and tend to his needs—or so I was taught. "Not a word", I hissed as I looked over the different disarray of ingredients.
"It is not too difficult", the blacksmith reassured me; but just because it isn't hard for him doesn't mean it won't be for me. "It is only Nikuman [Nikuman: Pork buns]"—I have never heard of such a dish.
"What is that?" I questioned.
"You have not—", he stopped for my confused look. "Please tell me you are joking", I shook my head.
The name of the dish sounded like something that would be sold in a village. My father would hang maids if I was served something from the village, it was against the "rules" to feed me low-status food, which upset me. I would have loved to taste the food of our land—the richness of the fields and purity from the villagers, but father disapproved.
"Father was against it", Ichigo sighed before pulling out a piece of paper with measurement. "He believed that royals were meant to only eat the best: fish, deserts and rich foods", my eyes dimmed. "He believed, if my tongue touched the lands foods… it would freeze", even though I was the princess the words of different lands being cursed frightened my father.
When my abilities started to become stronger—to the point I would freeze anything I touched—he got even more paranoid. If I could freeze my bedroom while sleeping, even the whole upper-level of the castle… what would stop me from freezing the crops? Nothing.
I thought it was foolish and insulting but, when it came to witches and my blood-line; you can't really take chances—our strength is more than we think. If I really wanted to freeze the kingdom I could: start with the castle and have the frost coat the village like a settling fog.
Suddenly the blacksmith threw a smoke of flour in my face making me cough. "What are you doing?!" I sneezed; he chuckled.
I quickly dusted my face to end my fit-of-sneezes, when I saw the bright look on his face as he laughed I stopped. A smile slowly crept on my lips—I couldn't stop myself, for some reason… his happiness made me happy. It's nearly like the flu, but, it's a good-thing.
Knowing my dress was covered in flour I copied his movement; tossing flour at the large-man, soon covering his bright-head and making it white. "You seem to look like jack-frost" I snickered.
"You have officially turned me into my sister's suitor" he growled while kneading the dough.
I noticed the aggression in his tone when speaking of the prince. "Why do you hate him so much?" from the story Yuzu told me I thought he would be a kind, and gentle man whom fall for this girl named: Karin (I believe that is her name, maybe not). "From what I have heard he sounds quite splendid".
Ichigo's glare moved over to me while I created the filling for the buns. "I should never hear that from you again" he jealously hissed, I smirked.
"Why not? Are you frightened I may meet the prince and prefer him over you?" his eyes wandered for the suggestion. "Are you jealous perhaps?" I pushed.
"Nonsense", he grumped while covering the dough. "Why would I be jealous?"
I washed my hands and flicked the water his way. "I am not certain" I teased while leaning against the counter. "You tell me".
"I am not a jeal—", he began.
"Then, I shall be off to the village to find a man to bed me" skipping towards the door I watched as his eyes grew irritated, and instantly one of his arms wrapped around my waist. I looked up from his large chest "Is there a problem?"
"Indeed", I raised a brow for his answer. "My mate seems to wish for another man besides me", the look in his eyes made me feel smaller than I really am. Such dark swirls of dominance—it was like he wanted to conquer me, and own every part of my body. "Shall I show her my true nature?"
My skin tingled—looking over I noticed the dark swirls coming from his hands. "You are quite the jealous man, blacksmith" I said while staring at his abilities; slowly I covered his hand with mine.
Ice and black mist swirled together in peace; calming the blacksmith and his jealous heart. "If you were to be in my place, there would be no mercy on those around", he'd probably kill the man I was to marry. I thought about ending the maiden who was to become his true-bride, but I could never do such a thing.
Ichigo touched my cheek gently with his other palm, caressing my jaw and lifting my eyes into his. I grinned for the clever-swirls of amber in his orbs—they are like the rusting sun at dawn. "Needless to say…" I whispered as his lips came closer to mine. "I wish to never leave you, only to become one with you—even if it against my father's wishes" his eyes flickered with approval. "I love you", his lips captured mine.
Closing my eyes as the tender molds of his mashed with mine; they felt ravish on my chilling skin—just a kiss made me feel nude and in flames. My stomach curled while he deepened the passion; slowly his hands rolled over my dress and to my long hair.
Crackling came from my hands as I clenched his shirt wanting to feel skin. I stumbled backwards as he pressed me against a wall; our lips parted and eyes looked into each-other's with swirls of lust—I wanted the blacksmith.
Gradually the flame in my stomach began to roar which frightened me. I have never felt this before; this feeling of lust and desire.
He pushed away softly before licking his raw-lips. "I love you too", he whispered before leaning on the counter.
In the silence I stared down at my hands; a thin layer of ice had formed, creating a sheet of sparkling crystals. I bit my lip as a burning-sensation came to my hip and my eyes went to the blacksmith as he lifted his shirt to reveal his marking: bold lines that seemed to form into a snowflake, now, seemed to be changed.
"It has changed" I rushed over to him and touched the mark.
"It has?" he questioned; I nodded. "How so?"
My breath hitched. "I-it is the moon—it looks as though it is becoming the moon" I stuttered before reaching for my dress; I haven't looked at my marking in a while. Could we be changing?
"Rukia", he yelped to stop me from taking off my dress, but I swatted him away. "You cannot—"
"I must" I interrupted.
The fabric wrinkled as I pulled the ends up. He blushed for the sight of my hip and undergarments, but his eyes stared at the marking.
I blinked for the new developing swirls in the sun and different shades of black that tickled my flesh. "What is this?" I whispered; I graced the marking and it burned like Ichigo's touch.
Mother never told me about this. I thought the markings didn't change, that they only showed you have a mate somewhere out there. When I found Ichigo I knew it was him because of the connection, but now it seems to be changing. Does this mean my mate is changing? Is the blacksmith not my mate?
*Cherry blossoms*
We walked slowly to the door of the small cabin, the loud sound of laughter and fighting ringing through the sun-setting air. The house seems lively and well-loved from the looks.
I looked over to the blacksmith as he sighed. "I shall warn you", his eyes fixated on the house and lips pursed together. "My parents are quite odd", he gripped the doorknob while I processed his statement.
When the door opened Ichigo was immediately welcomed with a fist. "Damn you old man!" the blacksmith screamed as he doubled over in pain; I regret taking the invitation now!
The tall man laughed deeply as his son coughed on the floor. "My son! Still slow as ever! How do you plan on protecting a family with those—", Ichigo kicked his father to ground.
Rubbing his raven head the elderly man glared at his son. "If you can manage to keep us alive than I am fine", the blacksmith hissed.
"I am capable of protecting my family!" I cringed for the words.
Their kingdom was taken down by mine—I don't know how but it happened—the king must have been able to fight-back somehow. Meaning Ichigo's father must be quite strong, but the blacksmith being his son meant Ichigo is much stronger; especially since he is my mate.
"Your wife will have to fight while you cower in a corner", the man yelped when Ichigo lunged at him. "Get your guard up!"
"Shut up!" the blacksmith kicked as he got to his feet.
"I see what you mean about your parents being strange" I whispered to the blacksmith; he turned and wrapped an arm around my shoulder to lead me into the cabin.
The boards squeaked as I entered. I slipped off my shoes and looked over to the man on the floor rubbing his skull. "Rukia, this is my father. Koursaki Isshin" I smiled as Ichigo introduced his father; I bowed to the man.
Instantly Isshin stood with a large smile plastered on his face. "Pleasure to meet you—", he suddenly stopped shaking my hand, and his smile dropped. "W-What was your name?" by his reaction I hesitated.
"Uh, it is Rukia, Kurosaki-kun" I answered.
Does he remember me? Maybe he knows me.
"R-Rukia?" I nodded and he gave me a soft smile. "I see".
I looked over to Ichigo who gave me a nod to ask him any questions. "Um, Kurosaki-kun" the father nodded with smile. "By any chance… have we met before?" Isshin blinked rapidly before laughing—this didn't feel right to me. I feel like he's hiding something.
"Nonsense", he chuckled before pulling me further into the house. "Come, come" he sang warmly; I looked over to Ichigo hoping he would step-up and help me. "Let me introduce you to the rest of family, my new daughter", I tensed for the name.
My eyes widened as he eagerly pulled me into dining-room.
"Ichigo" I whispered in plead for him to rescue me; Isshin chuckled.
"Finally, my boy has found a woman!" he cheered happily.
Entering the living room I tensed; there sat many people: four females and three men. I recognized Yuzu immediately as she sat next to a raven-haired girl who was close to man, and then Kaien while he cuddled-up to a beautiful pregnant woman.
"Rukia-chan!" Yuzu squealed as she stood from the floor and ran over to me. I rocked as she hugged me tightly, knocking the air out of my lungs. "I have missed you!" the girl jumped; she pulled away and looked at my form. "You look so lovely in red! Don't you agree Miyako-nee?"
My eyes went to a woman with long raven-hair falling over the shoulders, she looked gentle and kind as she tried to stand from the floor, but her large stomach seemed to give her trouble. She smiled as Kaien lent her a hand, her grey eyes shimmering while making her way to me. "Indeed, she is lovely" her hands are soft like feathers as she grabbed my hands. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I'm Kaien's wife, Miyako", I blinked rapidly before bowing my head.
"Pleasure to meet you", I whispered while shaking her hands. "I am Rukia".
"That is a lovely name", Miyako smiled before looking over to her husband. "How about we introduce you to the fam—"
"That should be my job", Ichigo sighed as he entered the room. I looked over to see Isshin trying to punch the blacksmith but he dodged each attempted. "She is my guest", he pushed.
Miyako eyes seemed to narrow with the amber. "If that is what you wish", she sighed allowing the blacksmith to step forward.
He started with a woman with fair-skin like snow and black-hair that reached a little past her shoulders. Her eyes were a dark grey, body fit for battle and aura flamed with control. Her name is Karin, Kurosaki Karin. By the large ring on her finger I should tell she is engaged to someone.
Then Ichigo moved to the man next to his sister: stark-white hair, his right-eye burned was turquoise and the left a blood-red. I wished to touch the white-scales like a dragon that covered the red-eye; I have never seen such a thing before. His tanned skin didn't seem justified when Ichigo told me he was the prince of the ice-lands—I thought he would be pale as snow. The peaking fangs covered his lips as he cracked a slightly forced smile. I noticed when he grabbed Karin's hand, the long dagger-like nails—this must be the curse. He is Hitsugaya Toshiro.
My eyes wandered to the other man—one that looks exactly like Kaien and Ichigo—his eyes were gold as the black outside seemed to stare into my soul. He wore a cheeky smile as I looked over him. Ichigo told me that he is on the survey-team, which meant he wandered from kingdom to kingdom looking over their trading and motions to see whether they were going to start war. He would also be sent into the woods to kill some of the cursed souls, and bring them back to be tested by the scientist. Tomo is his name, the youngest of the triplets—I remember him from the memories of the two boys playing in the garden. His white skin and hair gave him a ghostly vibe, but, his eyes and sly demeanor took the cake.
Lastly was Ichigo's mother—the kindle woman from the memories—she was pregnant back then, but now, she had a slim waist and gentle hands. "This is my mother, Kurosaki Masaki" I bowed slightly and she stopped me.
"No need for that", her voice is like the wind: gentle and timid. "Formality is something that is forgotten in this house", she chuckled with her kind-brown eyes on me.
"Well, you have met Kaien, Yuzu and my dad" Ichigo shrugged before taking a seat. "That is everyone, I believe", he sighed patting the floor next to him. "Come, come" he beckoned but I glared.
"Nonsense, I still need to introduce myself" the blacksmith rolled his eyes and looked over his family who chuckled for his scolding.
"And this is Rukia, she is a donkey most the time" he grumped before pulling me to the floor. "Now introductions are complete".
"A donkey? You fool" I hissed with a glare.
Miyako snorted when Ichigo yelp in pain as I punched him in the arm. "You will fit-in just fine, I believe" she giggled next to Kaien. "At least now we have someone to put Ichigo in line".
"You make it seem like I am out of line", the blacksmith perked. "I am quite a gentl—"
"Do not lie, baka" I interrupted. "You are never gentle or care—you have a mouth that could swallow the kingdom if you opened it wide enough".
"I like her", Tomo chuckled as his brother glared at him. "She speaks the truth beyond context".
"Just wait till they really get at each other's throats", Kaien snickered. "That is quite the show".
"You make them seem like a form of entertainment", Karin sighed while looking over to me. "She seems far too small to handle, Ichi-nii".
"Indeed, Rukia is a midget—", my fist connected with Ichigo's jaw for the name.
"Silence, blacksmith" I growled with ice crackling my fingers; he groaned while rubbing his cheek in pain. "Continue insulting me and we shall see whether you will live any longer".
"I take those words back" Karin smirked while looking down at her wounded brother. "She could probably handle Ichigo and the rest of you", she pointed to her brother's. "Along with dad and Toshiro—"
"What did I do to be grouped with them?" Toshiro hissed from beside her. "I have not said a word".
Karin ruffled his hair, getting a growl from her suitor. "It is only an example, Shiro"
"Enough with that pet-name" Toshiro growled with a glare. "It is a nuisance and takes away my seriousness with my warriors".
Karin pinched his cheek roughly. "Now, now, Shiro" she cooed. "You are as cute as a button when angry—"
"Karin" he growled in irritation but stopped when Yuzu leaped on them both.
"You two are so adorable!" she squealed to her sister while hugging them close together. "Just wait till you two are married and start making babies", the two turned red for the comment. "Little Histugaya babies will be everywhere within months!" the sandy-haired girl squealed with excitement.
Kaien chuckled as he rubbed his wives stomach. "There will be lots of babies around here soon", he proudly said.
"Do not think you will be touching me once this one is born" Miyako growled; her husband tensed. "We shall be waiting—a long time before another is considered".
"But, Miyako, our son needs a princess to protect—", he tried.
"It can be a girl, do not jump to conclusions about the babies gender" Miyako snapped before hitting her husband over the head softly. "Baka"
Masaki giggled as she looked at the two couples. "Well, there is going to be Kaien and Miyako's baby first. Then Karin and Toshiro—", the comment made the two red again and Yuzu to squeal. "And once Ichigo and Orihime are married we will be getting the news of another little one on the way".
I tensed for the sudden reminder of Ichigo's arranged marriage—Orihime, the woman who saved me back at the castle. I have yet to speak with her since that day, but, I would like to know a little about her.
"Unless!" Isshin announced. "Rukia-chan beds our son first".
All eyes went to me and the blacksmith; I stared down at my lap with red cheeks as I shook my head quickly—the thought has come to mind before, but my father would kill him if he knew. My mother would probably turn in her grave if I mated with the blacksmith, just like she wanted.
Mom would be laughing from the heavens—tickled pink that my father's wishes of me wedding another were destroyed but my raging desires.
As the kingdom's next head was born, and the power crossed the lands to all the king's ears—my father would cry and plead for his power back, apologize for all he has done. Such thoughts would make me jump the blacksmith if they were true; but my father is stubborn and egotistical.
"Rukia?" I flinched as Ichigo called my name. "You okay? You have not spoken for a few minutes"
Blinking quickly I noticed the concerned look on the families faces while Isshin grinned from ear-to-ear; it's like he knew what I was planning in my head or something like that. "She was thinking about bedding you", the father sang; my face went red again as I shook my head in denial.
"N-No", I stuttered with embarrassment. "Bedding is not on my mind, Kurosaki-kun" he chuckled along with his son's expect for Ichigo who gave me a serious glaze. "I just have a little headache still—"
"Really?" Yuzu leaned towards me. "You took the kingdom's pill a day or two ago. The symptoms should be gone by now", she worriedly rushed to my side and felt my face. "You do not have a fever" she whispered before looking at her brother. "Did she bump her head?"
"Yuzu-san" I smiled for her caring nature. "It is nothing, do not worry" I tried; I felt a little guilty for lying to her still… she really is a sweet girl.
"Perhaps Ichigo already got her in bed" Tomo teased while making his brother flustered. "The headache could be from all the screaming and grunting he did last night or before they got here"—what?! I would never allow that, not in a million-years.
I have standards and rules for that—my father taught me all of them… well the maids did but still, I was taught rules. I am not to be bedded by a man until wedded, and once bedded I shall only be with that man. If that man tries to take charge of my body, I have the right to fight his force and ask for respect.
"I-I am not bedded", I told them. "My father would have a fit if he knew I was bedded by a man he never approved of—not to mention, he would start more than war if I went against his wishes or ignored his efforts to find me a suitable suitor—" I stopped myself and covered my lips. Shit, I said too much!
"A suitor? You are to be wedded!" Kaien pursed his lips together as his wife exclaimed the news. He knows that I ran from my kingdom and suitor.
"No, no" I tried but she shook her head.
"Do not tell fables! Now, you must tell us about this suitor" Miyako encouraged with stars in her eyes. "Is he handsome? Strong? Have an English accent? Rich? Well-mannered? You must speak of this man!"
He is known of those damn things: he's rude, selfish, barbaric, and poor. "Uh—", I looked over to Ichigo would seemed furious by the pushing questions; just by the look in his eyes I could tell he was pissed off. "Ichigo?" I questioned him; he looked over quickly. "Is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine", he sighed before looking over to his foolish father. "I wanted to speak with you about the marriage anyways", I tensed for the knowledge and blinked for the blacksmiths calm demeanor. "Orihime is not someone for me—"
"Too bad" his mother snapped. "You are to wed her".
"Indeed, but I wish to not do so", he tested his mother while rubbing his neck softly. "She is far too clumsy, air-headed and kind for a man like me".
Karin smirked for her brother words. "Just imagine the ego Ichi-nii would have once being with a woman would praise him every second—he will be unbearable" I cringed for the thought; it would be repulsive.
"Indeed", the blacksmith sighed. "I would become unbearable to you all and would never come back for dinners because Tomo would wish to kill me—"
"Cancel that arrangement" Tomo growled from his seat. "I beg of you! A gloating Ichigo is something I would slaughter before he can blink".
"I would hate to arrest both of my brother's", Kaien sighed.
"Arrest?!" Yuzu shouted before looking at her mother. "I cannot bear to visit a prison to see my brother's, mother!" I wouldn't want her near a prison. The men would do some crude things to someone like Yuzu; they'd have a field-day.
Isshin looked over his wife as she shook her head. "We cannot cancel it. The king is more than knowledgeable of the marriage now, and it would only cause trouble".
The room went quiet as everyone thought about things, but from the look on Yuzu's face it seemed like she was thinking more than anyone at the table. I leaned towards the girl, making her sigh heavily and look over to Tomo who shrugged something off. Did they know something about Orihime woman?
"There seems to be plenty of marriages this time of year", Toshiro broke the silence while his eyes roamed the table. "Especially with royals".
"Hai", Tomo agreed.
"Why is that?" Yuzu questioned. "It seems like their parents are trying to marry them off now, rather than later", it's true. At the moment it is wedding season for the royals, mostly because of the winter coming and the different effects.
The white-head prince closed his eyes as he held Karin's hand tightly. "Usually royals have children around the same year, so when it is time to pass on the throne there is not an elder-royal to look down on the newer kings and queens. When others feel threatened or small they tend to start more wars; for instance the Great War between the magic kingdom and blood. The king of magic is quite kind and understand but, when the blood-kingdoms king was crowned he was rather bashful and violet. When the magic king told him to refray from starting wars, he was offended and started one with the magic kingdom", the prince explained.
My mother told me about that war—it was uncalled for and brutal—the magic kingdom only has women and the blood-kingdom (known as Zaraki) have mostly men. When the women started winning the men were enraged and tried to get Kuchiki to help them; mother instructed father very clearly to not get involved. He listened thankfully, and in the end the war was announced a tie because of causalities within Zaraki kingdom.
"What is the most mysterious royal to be wedded this season?" Karin asked with curiosity.
The prince leaned back while thinking about the lands. "That is a rather hard question to answer since there are many kingdom's that are known as mysterious, but the most feared arrangement is the marriage of Kuchiki kingdom—"
"Why?" I quickly interrupted; my sudden interest made the table look over to me.
Toshiro bit his lip as he chuckled softly. "There are many reasons to that", he started with hesitation. "The king of Kuchiki has been known for his record of taking down kingdoms, but he is not the one who has taken the other lands—it is the princess. According to some of my men that have visited the war-zones of Kuchiki it is not a pretty sight. They tell me the princess is something that could kill anything it a single-touch and there are rumors stating her mother taught her all the different ways to rule a kingdom before passing", my jaw tightened for the news. My mother did teach me most things. "Even with a usual husband she would be a fine ruler. She would not need an army just herself and possibly her children—"
"That is impossible" Tomo snickered with a cool eye. "A single woman? Taking down any kingdom?"
Toshiro nodded. "I was surprised as well, but it is true. Why do you think the king of Soul Society is frighten when Kuchiki kingdom is mentioned? That woman could take anyone down, probably even main-kingdom—"
"No she could not", Isshin interrupted. "Main kingdom has all lands as allies. If she were to attack main-land they rest of the lands would come to their aid and over-power her… even if she is the strongest king she would not be able to handle magic and land soldiers" his eyes looked over to me and held my glaze as he spoke. "But, there was a rumor years ago when Shiba kingdom was still standing"—I broke eye contact and looked over to Ichigo who tensed. "The queen of Kuchiki promised to wed her daughter to the first son—"
"Was it not, Kuchiki that took down Shiba?" Karin questioned; I clenched my hands into fist.
Why? Why did my kingdom take down Shiba?
"Indeed, Karin-chan" Masaki smiled as she placed the meal down on the table. "Kuchiki took down Shiba due to the king's wishes" Ichigo perked in interest, I gripped his hand next to me and locked eyes with him. "Apparently he heard rumors of betrayal along the shores of Kuchiki; that Shiba was going to take the land and kill off the royals but leave the daughter".
"Where did that rumor come from?" I questioned—I have never heard of this rumor, if it were true then it would have been in the kingdoms records; I have read those records hundreds of times but there was nothing on the rumor or Shiba land.
"Nobody knows", Isshin sighed while grabbing his drink. "Shiba kingdom was destroyed in hours and the royals have went into hiding. Once the news spread across the land about the rumor, all the kings were furious with Shiba and wanted the royals dead. Nobody knows where they are now—well—more or less".
What?
"But, why did it matter? Kingdoms betray each-other all the time. Why would it matter then?" Yuzu asked as she slapped Tomo's hand away from the food.
"Well, according to Soul Society records the marriage of the two royals was to end difference within the lands" Kaien spoke up calmly. "The Shiba prince and Kuchiki princess were to wed, have their first child and that child was to take the thrown of the head-kingdom", he smiled while rubbing his wives belly. "That child would have both royal, noble and magic blood. It would be unstoppable".
"Unstoppable?" I heard Ichigo whisper from beside me.
"Seeing as the Kuchiki king is quite a demanding and egotistical man, once hearing the news that his daughters child would end his lines of power, he was probably on edge for attack" I looked over to Toshiro while he snickered happily about my father. "Once the rumor was spread around his land about the planned betrayal, he could not wait to attack and brought war on the Shiba's before dawn".
I gritted my teeth for my father's doings. This is beyond what I thought it would be—indeed I figured it was over power, but over a rumor? Did he not have the common sense to speak with the king of Shiba to see whether it was true or not? Couldn't he ask a foreseer of the land to tell him whether it was fable or not? But, rumors don't start unless someone wishes to have them begin—there was someone who wanted my father to take down Shiba land; could that be?
"Do you think Shiba hates Kuchiki now?" I shot my eyes to Ichigo as he looked over to his father and mother—both quietly staring at the other—they seem as though they were having a secret discussion. "Especially the princess", the blacksmith finished.
Masaki grinned while she shook her head. "I believe not", she waved for the family to start eating. "That little girl probably does not remember the war or the deal. Either way, she is probably the one suffering for the loss of Shiba. The prince was her mate—now he is lost and she is forced to marry someone else, whether she wants to or not".
The rest of the dinner went smoothly: chatting about different things and tells, even Karin's wedding that was to happen in the winter.
But the thought of the destruction of Shiba didn't sit well with me.
ストーリーや親族 : Stories and Relatives.
R&R