Sakura Ai

How can you describe insanity?

A simple definition does no justice. The word only gives a brief idea of a world without control.

I lick my lips as I sit-up from the bed—eyes dull along with my soul. I feel nothing but numbness that waves through my body like a note of music in a long valley.

"You have awaken," I turn to see Masaki as she rings-out a soaked cloth.

The trickling water blurs my hearing—all I recall is seeing the image of the blacksmith: tall, muscular and with his blade in hand ready to attack/kill me.

'I am dead,' echoes my thoughts—a world without Ichigo? Is a world I would never want to exist in—it'd be nothing but a cruel land where innocence is filth, happiness is utter sorrow and every day is like watching paint dry.

"Rukia-san," the mother calls from my side; I don't flinch or make a sound. "Rukia?"

"Is Ichigo alive?" I ask without hesitation—she set-back by my sudden question and dries her hands on her dress.

When the mattress bounces from her weight I look over to meet her warm-eyes, they seem sad or even frightened by my aura. "Ichigo is unharmed—not even a scratch to his body," upon the news my heart is at ease—he's alive and well, thank the heavens. "He is worried for you though, my dear."

I look down to my hands—the white bandages brighten my violet eyes in the strong candle-light. "Why is he concerned for me?" I whisper; looking forward she tenses.

"Well…" she trails—I cringe once she raises a hand that moves a lock of hair behind my ear. "He was frightened that you would die during your battle with Jinta," Masaki finished. I wish to laugh for the concern—me? Kuchiki Rukia, a princess from the Kuchiki kingdom—one who's taken down several lands and taken crowns since childhood—defeated by a half-blood? Father would wet himself for the thought.

"Nonsense," I sigh. "That mage could not defeat me even if he had an army of royals."

Masaki strains for my cocky remark. "Jinta does not have to end your life to win, Rukia."

I snap my head towards the mother and raise a brow, "Last I recall that is the main determinate of battle."

"Not when you are a mate," the woman growls.

I'm silent for her vulgar-tone—I never really thought about it like that: death doesn't not determine whether you win in battle, but your mate does. Would that mean I lose the battle against Jinta? How does this work?

Masaki notices my confusion and pats my head softly—I glance to her hand and then to her face, she is tense for her hidden information. "When you lose in battle you do not lose as an individual, but your mate does as well—they lose their sanity, which you have experienced."

"It is nothing but a numbing pain," I shiver—when I felt my sanity slipping away… it felt like there was an old and cold witches hand on my shoulder, whispering dreadful taunts from hell—as she continued to whisper in my ear she took a chunk of my soul until there was nothing left.

I watched inside an empty shell—sobbing for the loss of Ichigo and the aching in my heart, while she took control of my body and caused mayhem—in simple-terms: she made me a deal, one where she'd reap my lover's revenge and I can weep/grieve in peace. I didn't contemplate my decision.

"Honestly…" Masaki begins, "I do not know what to tell you at the moment."

"If I were in your shoes," I whisper softly, "I would not know either."

I lean back against the cotton pillow—I can't get the image of that thing inside me out of my mind, nor the pain that came once the idea of Ichigo being gone re-entered my thoughts.

'Love is nothing but a painful reminder,' the voice chirps; I flinch for the remark and blink with unsettlement. Is this voice the woman?

She was quite beautiful—mesmerizing even: tall stature, elegant features, pale as the purest ice skin, eyes hues of shimmering crystals, long flowing hair that remind me of whisking snow on a winters day. The kimono on her form was completely ice and snow, nearly snowflakes.

I would assume it's all a bad dream or fable, but I can still feel her touch—cold, smooth and delicate on my shoulder as her pale nails crinkle my clothing. It's as though she is still here, whispering in my ear about the land of complete isolation.

I want to know this woman. Is that wrong of me?

"I saw a woman," I tell Masaki with a stern voice.

"What in the world do you mean? You were the only woman in the training area—, "she attempts to make sense of my flawed logic, but I know what/who I saw, and where.

"She was…." I interrupt, "…in my head."

Masaki falls silent as I peer down to my hands, I can feel her touch in my palms—cold fingers laying gently in mine and a soft toned voice speak the same words she did. Is this a spirit? Could it be my mother speaking to me from the grave? Is that even possible?

"I know I sound insane," I say; eyes snapping a stare into Masaki's, "it seems nothing but a jester in my hand, but I know she is real—just like you and I…" I trail. "It does not make sense—none of this makes sense to me—"

"She must be your Hogo-sha," Masaki's tone grows serious.

Hogo-sha? They exist?

I've only heard of these guardian's from fables the maid would tell me—living in secret around their master—it's like a secret familiar that only appears when you're in grave danger. Many call them guard-angels, but in the Japanese culture of believing in Samurai's and great warriors, it lead to the legends of the Hogo-sha.

Hogo-sha: known as guardians. They are fables told to children before bed, preferably when a child is frightened by another fabled creature—it brings them a sense of safety and security while they sleep.

The maid told me: the Hogo-sha's are great warriors who passed away during battle or sickness. Each Hogo-sha met a grave death with dignity and pride. At the end of their lives the greatest warrior to ever live, visited them and asked them to take his hand in battling away demonic spirits who lurk the land.

Every Hogo-sha agreed to this visitor's proposal, took the gods hand and left their dying body for the heavens. Upon arriving they'd be assigned to an individual person who's cursed by demons, later they would be sent back to earth to watch the person in secret—in tree's, rivers, roof-tops and more—never revealing themselves to the person. When the day came and the demons came after the person, the Hogo-sha would attack and kill the demon. Leaving the civilian alive and protected by the Hogo-sha's seal.

"I thought they were nothing but fables," I whisper.

"Everything that is a fable can be true. We just seize to know because we are frighten for what lurks in the shadows," Masaki explains while wearing a grin. "But then again, with all good there is evil."

~Cherry Blossoms~

The comb pulls through my raven locks as my eyes stare into the wooden walls of the cabin.

I feel like I'm in a trance—an unhealthy one. What is this? Could it be that woman trying to take control of my body once again? No, no, this can't be—I…I've felt her taking control of me before, and this isn't it. Maybe this is an after-shock of insanity—that makes more sense than my other theories.

Closing my eyes tightly, I listen to the snipping of the scissors as Yuzu evens-out my roughly chopped hair.

I wish to snicker as each lock of raven-hair feathers to the ground. Father would be livid if he saw this—all my birth hair falling to the floor like it's nothing. Perhaps this is the last-step to forbid my father from ruling my life, and controlling me like his puppet—yet again, I decided upon that decision once I stole the Blacksmith's steed and fled without a plan.

But this—my hair—is a sign of purity and innocence. For a princess to never allow anyone but chosen hands of a servants to touch her locks, it is pure like clouds (so the kings consider). We are never to cut or change our hair, unless it is merely styled, until marriage and our first bedding. It's a fickle of a belief but it's one that every princess must follow.

These beliefs and fables can only be forgotten once: the princess is crowned queen, married, mates without blessing or her father's wishes, if a servant went out of line and cut the girls locks without permission, loss of her stature or death—all situations would lead to death ultimately, except for marriage and being crowned.

"It is but a shame, Rukia-san," Yuzu sighs as she places the scissor onto the bench. "You had such wondrous hai—"

"It was nothing but a burden in which I am happy to rid," I interrupt with a dull tone.

"But it was nothing but locks—, "she tries.

"Where I am from, untouched hair means: an untouched woman of purity, " I fiddle with the stray bang wavering in my face—it's been there since I was a child; I should cut the long piece of hair, but I can never drive myself to do so. "Either way, it was a heavy nuisance during battle. Now, I can fight knights without the worry."

The blonde is silent as she clasps her hands into her lap—there isn't anything to say to me, because it's all true. Having long locks only give an advantage for the enemy, and just like Jinta's magic, they can grab it and kill me—I cannot have such a weakness on the field.

"I believe so," Yuzu sighs; I tense once her hands run through my short-locks, fluffing them out and shaking the excess strains to the floor. "Now," she whispers while reaching for a mirror, "this is the new you. One whom can live in freedom," she finishes as she shows my reflection.

I see a woman—myself—strong features, white-skin, short raven-hair brushing her jawline, large violet eyes that reflect…pain—so much pain.

"Thank you very much, Yuzu-san," I stand from the floor and glance over to the maiden who nods with a grin. "I need'st ask for thee forgiveness my cold demeanor," I blank apologize, "I feel none of myself this evening."

"It is fine," she grin—I know she is lying. "You have seen things that are detrimental and I understand," that is not a lie, I can tell by the spark in her eyes. "I can only hope my brother can easer such despair from your thought's and…" her hands rests on my breast, "your heart."

I hope for the same thing, but don't speak such words aloud—it's far too embarrassing. It seems Yuzu got the hint once her eyes linger towards the door entering the living-room. I know beyond that wood-frame, sits Ichigo awaiting me—worried.

"Ichi-nii will be happy to see you," the blonde squeals as she pushes me slightly. "He has been worried sick since you arrived."

"Why? I was in the best of hands," I conclude with a slight racing heart—it feels strange.

"Any man in love would be worried for their mate," Yuzu smiles, "not to mention your victory against this mage my brother's speak of—"

"You have not met Jinta?" I'm stun by the news. I recall Ichigo telling me that the mage was a friend of his family, and he trained with Karin at a certain point of time; why not Yuzu? Has she not laid eyes on the devilish wizard?

"Papa and Mama, tell me that my hands are not meant for such meetings," she grins with her eyes down at her palms. "They want me to create life, not death like my siblings."

My violet hues stare at the low hum of light coming from her hands, when I think about it—Jinta makes others worse nightmare, a woman like Yuzu would be scarred if she met him, but what is her power?

When I think of Yuzu, I think of warmth—life if anything, even the rising sun because of her humble nature and the happiness she wishes to bring to the world. Yuzu's innocent which is good in many ways, but bad in others.

"Come, come," Yuzu beckons me as she opens the wooden-panel. "Ichigo awaits."

Upon hearing such words my heart begins to race and my hands clench into fist. Ichigo…I thought he was dead a little while ago, but now, I get to see him again. Oh how I want to see him—touch his body and kiss his lips till they are red.

"I and the others will be joining you shortly," Yuzu tells me as the living room comes into view. "We have a few things to discuss."

I nod anxiously before stepping into the room, eyes on the male staring out at the backyard where the moon-light reflects off the glass.

Hearing the wooden door close softly, I step towards the blacksmith's brood back, bright-locks and stern eyes on the outside world—I want him wrapped around me.

"…Ichigo," I whisper.

He turns quickly, eyes bright as they rest on my form as he swiftly walks over to me. "Thank god," I hear him sigh.

The warmth of his hands envelope my cheeks as his breath tickles my lips and my eyes stare into his amber orbs. "Y-You're alive," I stutter; my hands pull slightly at his scruffy cheeks as tears come to my eyes—this is real. It's the real Ichigo, right here, right now. "Thank goodness," I sniffle, laying my forehead against his.

My finger grasp the back of his orange-locks—I don't want to let him go; I'm afraid that if I did, I'd go insane once again. "I never died," his voice kisses my ear.

I look up as he moves the stubborn strain of hair from my cheek to my ear. "I could never leave you, my princess," my breath hitches in my throat as his lips came closer to mine. As the tender petals of flesh mold against my mouth, the sweet taste of the blacksmith covered my sense: warmth, spice, honey, comfort and safety.

His arms snake around my waist, pulling me closer to his chest and burying my lips deeper into his—I could feel them through my clothing; fingers slowly tracing the heap in my back, which causes goosebumps to form over my pale flesh.

'Take me,' I suddenly thought as my throat rumbles with an excited purr—I crave more—my body wants more.

The bubbling warmth in my loins ripples throughout my limps—my legs, arms, throat and stomach—I felt like a boiling pot of water.

Slowly his lips left mine, leaving me mulling in displeasure—I thought this would go farther; that he would want more.

Ichigo embraces me and I buries my burning cheeks into his chest—why did I want more?

My hands wrap around his back, tracing the muscles, once they touch each other I can feel the heat of my own skin—it feels like a nagging warmth but yet it's comforting. Either way it weighs on my heart; the lewd thought are getting worse and the temptations are heating my frozen exterior. Is something wrong with me?

I look up to the blacksmith with pleading eyes, hoping he's experiencing then same thing and I'm not the only one going through this bubbling sensation that arising whenever he touched me. Do you feel what I feel?—probably not, his skin's always warm to the touch and whenever he touched me it never daring or bold—it's innocent and kind.

"You are ready to mate," the voice echoes in my thoughts; I tense against the blacksmith and hold my breath—mating? "You can barely with hold the temptations now, little one," I know it's true and grimace for reality.

"What must I do to end this?"I question the voice—I know mating is something that animal do, but what does that have to do with me and Ichigo? We're humans.

"You need to be bedded by your mate," the voice giggles.

I snap my eyes around the room—bedded? By Ichigo? I've dreamed of it, and want to, but it's sudden—plus, it would only dig us deeper into trouble. First, I've run-away from home, won't marry my father's suitor of choice, and have to fight my father and his army, keep a low-profile in Soul Society and god-knows what else. If the Blacksmith were to bed me, and my father… my father would kill him upon the knowledge.

"Blacksmith," I mutter into his shirt; he replies with a gentle-hum and kiss on head. "Do you…" I blush for the taunting voice giggling in my ear "… want to… bed me?"

"Huh?" I step back and look over his expression, it's confused and twisted. "W-Where is this coming from all of a—"

"The voice it keeps telling me—"

"Voice? Rukia, are you sure you are well?"—he doesn't believe me? Does he not have a voice in his mind?

"The—the Hogo-sha," I blurt out without thinking. "It is telling me that my body needs to mate—but why? Why do I need to mate?" in confusion I feel tears well-up in my eyes; I cannot think of anything else.

"Rukia," he whispers.

"All I can think about now, is you and your body," I admit; he blushes for the confession. "I have lewd thoughts that I have never had before. My skin gets hotter with a simple kiss and my mind becomes a realm of desire—do you not have those thoughts?"

"Of course he does!" the voice chirps in my ear. "The mating age comes together with soulmates."

Looking over his thoughtful expression, I found my answer: "You do have those thoughts," he narrows his eyes to the side to avoid my gaze. "Why do you deny them?" I ask.

He's silent.

Pressing my lips together as I slowly feel my heart cracking like ice. My throat clogs with fear—is he ashamed of me—of wanting to do those things with me? "You're ashamed…" my voice cracks; the Blacksmith doesn't reply. "You do not want to do those things with me?" I whisper—he goes to open his mouth. "That is it… isn't it? You wish to bed with someone else—"

"Stop already," he grasps my shoulders; his eyes search mine as he bites his lip with fear. "I want to do that with you—all of it, Rukia," Ichigo admits; slowly my eyes widen. "I am just… just afraid."

"Why do you hold fear?" I whisper with an urge tone.

The blacksmith sighs softly and presses his forehead against mine, his breath lingers on my lip as he collects his thoughts. "I am dangerous…" he trails; I look into his eyes with confusion.

"Dangerous?" I squeak.

"Yes, Rukia," he says with a hint of hurt. "I am dangerous—the magic that Seanna spoke of, is true—it runs through my veins and creates evil things—"

"Ichigo," I interrupt—I wasn't going to allow him to continue this foolish explanation. If he believes that such a reason will keep me away, he's completely wrong. I'm the princess of Kuchiki kingdom—the woman who took down King's, Prince's and army's without breaking a sweat. "I do not care if you are dangerous… I know you will not hurt me, and I know that with all my heart," holding his hand in mine, I stare down at his large palms.

"But Rukia—"

"I am the princess of Kuchiki land. A woman who has killed more men than stars, I've taken down kingdoms within a bat of a lash and sent great royals to live in secret," I silence him with the facts about myself. "If anything, I am the dangerous one out of us both."

"I do not wish to hurt you," he sighs.

"I love you, Ichigo," I admit with a blush on my cheeks. "I would rather you kill me, then my father or an army. Dying by your hand would put my heart at ease."

The blacksmith goes to speak but the panel opens and we pulls away from each other to see Masaki, Isshin and Tomo. "Rukia-chan!" the bearded father exclaims with joy. "You are awake and healthy."

"Indeed, thank you for your help," I bow slightly.

"You have some explaining to do," Tomo suddenly says as he steps out of line with his parents to reveal Jinta who's glaring at me with raging eyes.

My hands crackle upon seeing the red-head mage, the air screams with a chilling song as the floor creeps white. "Calm down," the blacksmith sighs; grabbing my hands he shakes his head.

A smirk appears on the mages lips for the control the blacksmith seems to have over my temper—I would've let it slid until he spoke: "Controlling your beast aren't you blacksmith."

"R-Ruk—, "Ichigo tries to stop me but my speed is too much for him.

"Silence!" I snap at the blacksmith with my hand wrapped around the mages throat. "Your disrespect toward me is out of place, peasant," I whisper into the red-heads ear—the snickering from the woman inside me could be heard throughout my thoughts.

"Y-You're… the one who's out of place, beast," he chokes.

Masaki tenses as the ice crackles over Jinta's throat, "Rukia-san—"

"I shall teach you a royal lesson, mage," I coldly chuckle; releasing his throat, the mage coughs heavily and grasps the panel. "You are from the Blood kingdom originally," he narrows his gaze upon my statement, "Your King Zaraki—is a man of bravery, but completely blinded once dealing with his own people. But, who am I to speak of Zaraki Kenpachi, you lived in Blood whilst King Tenchi ruled—"

"How the hell did you—, "Jinta tries.

"I met King Tenchi when I was young. A fickle of a man he was… especially with that bright red hair he was cursed with," I interrupt with a smirk—Jinta glares in displeasure. "Even for his half-blooded son, you still got the cursed hair."

"You're wrong! I got his magic—, "Jinta exclaims.

"Even with his power he could not win against the Kuchiki army," I sigh. "King Tenchi—truly was a disrespectful fool, just like yourself—"

"Where are you going with this?" Jinta growls.

My eyes flicker with dull light, "The war started once King Tenchi spat on my father's shoes," a gasp erupt from Tomo's lips for the news. "My father is not a man of tolerance—tell me, Jinta—how did the war against Kuchiki end?"

His brown eyes widen as he came to the conclusion. "The king of Blood passed."

"Correct," I whisper as an icy-blade swirls into my palm, "I was the one who killed King Tenchi—when I was merely a toddler. My father had enough with the pitiful war and sent me out to the field to end the battle. I killed every solider within seconds… then made my way to the castle, where I killed the disrespectful king."

"You killed my father?!" Jinta cries slightly.

"Now, onto the royal lesson," I flick the blade to his throat with a dark eye. "When in front of a person of royal-lines, you bow."

"I'd rather die before bowing to you," Jinta growls.

"I can arrange those demands," I says; kick his shin, the mage falls to the ground with a thud. He looks up to my tall form with wide eyes, the blade's point peering into his orb. "Call me a disrespectful name once more and I shall have no mercy. At the moment I am being tolerant because you were a worthy opponent for battle, but that does not excuse your ignorant behavior. Understood?"

Jinta stiffly nods with his eyes on the white-edge. "Yes, your highness."

"Good," I flick my wrist and the sword vanishes from my grasps, turning into a fog of tiny particles that melt in the air.

Isshin chuckles from besides Masaki who follows his amusement. "You indeed are your father's daughter," the mother admits.

"What do you mean, Masaki-san?" I question with a raised brow.

"Byakuya would not deal with disrespect ever since he was a kid," Isshin answers; arms crossed over his chest and a grin on his lips. "I recall him ignoring me if I disrespected him the slightest."

"You played with my father when he was a child?" I say with a surprised tone.

"Yes, yes," Isshin chuckles with an arm wrapped around his wives waist. "We were good-friends, well so I thought."

Tomo's silently trying to put the puzzle together—I can tell since his thoughts are all over the map, which is causing me a headache. "Everyone needs to explain?!" he sudden hollers.

Ichigo looks over his brother with a sigh, "Tomo, you need to calm down—"

"Like hell I shall calm down!" Tomo snaps, "I just found out that the woman—you are living with—is the Kuchiki Princess. A woman whose killed more people than the population of Soul Society—"

"It is only natural for someone to be frightened at first," Masaki tells her son with a gentle tone. "But Tomo, we have nothing to fear… Rukia-san is not here to harm anyone."

I watch as Tomo's eyes fearful look over my form, hands shaking slightly—knowing the popularity of my kingdom and my strength, he probably knows about all my battles. To add onto his worries, he is a survey-member, which meant: if I were to go off the rails, he'd be called into battle with the knights. He must be fearless, even though the enemy is me—I'm positive that if I were to face myself in battle, I too, would be terrified.

"Tomo," he flinches for my tone and looks over to me. "You do not need to worry. I have spoken to your King, and agreed to live here temporarily. I shall be gone once my business is handled. I do not wish to start a war with Soul Society and have no intentions of harming anyone. I am to be on my best behavior—not to touch a citizen of the kingdom or a guard, even if I were to be harassed—if anything, I am defenseless."

"I believe that is fabled!" Jinta shouts with a narrow eye. "Ahh!" he cries as I kick him to the ground once again.

"Silence," I growl. "I only took that route with you because I cannot stand those whom believe they are bigger than someone because of their abilities. Also, you are not a citizen of this kingdom—you are a visitor—you are not in the deal."

"Rukia," I turn my heated glare away from Jinta as a hand touched my shoulder—warm and tender—glancing over I meet Ichigo's bright amber orbs. "It is fine, just calm down" the blacksmith whispers in my ear.

An exhausted sigh rolls pass my lips as I look over to Tomo—it feels like a weights been lifted off my shoulders since he knows. At least that leaves to two younger women of the family, they aren't frightening—well, Yuzu isn't, but Karin has her quirks… especially with her suitor around.

"How am I to believe these allegations?" Tomo calmly questions—I don't fret since it's most likely his worry for the King's safety—it isn't exactly unknown for a royal to turn against their word, especially a prideful royal from Kuchiki kingdom.

"I bowed," looking straight into Tomo's demonic eyes, I admit the truth. "I bowed before your King," I bravely tell the survey-member. "And when a member of my family bows to another, it is a great pact."

My father used to tell me: "Never bow to those who do not offer you a great wage," when I was a kid it meant nothing—I simply bowed to maids who fetched my bath or dress. As I grew older, my grand-father told me the true meaning of a bow—one from a Kuchiki land—it's a pact to the person; you're displaying: weakness, loyalty, life and lack of pride.

To bow to someone and turn back on your word, it's claimed as cowardly and shameful—if/when the elder Kuchiki's found out, you'd be stripped of your title and tosses out of the land to live in the woods. So, when I bow to someone, it means: I'm throwing my title on the line and promising them with all my morals.

~Cherry Blossoms~

Later that night, I lay in bed—back at Ichigo's home.

My eyes look out to the milky-sky as I think about the course of events that have brought me to this exact spot: meeting the blacksmith outside my window, my first dance with Ichigo, meeting Renji, finding out his and Aizen's plans, fleeing my kingdom, threatening the blacksmith's life for a mere fire and horse, traveling with him, falling in love, meeting Yoruichi and Kisuke, getting accepted into Soul Society, bowing to the King, meeting the Kurosaki's and finding out the truth.

Image if I hadn't looked out that window and greeted the stranger below—the blacksmith who was to make my engagement ring—it would've never come this far.

"Are you asleep?" the voice of Ichigo brushes my ears and I turn over to look at the door-frame.

Standing against the wooden-frame he folds his arms over his exposed chest and looks over my laying form—I feel as those he can see pass all the blankets and fabric on my body, but it doesn't embarrass me as much as it used to. I wonder if he feels the same as I look over the navy-blue rob he wears to bed.

"Not at all," I admit.

He smirks as he walks into the room and throws his body onto the bed. I squeak with the springs for his weight upon my chest. "You are not as light as a feather, blacksmith!" I chuckle; he looks up from my stomach where his head leisurely lays.

"You are tough," he mumbles into the sheets. "I know you can handle my weight," I snicker as my fingers run through his orange-locks, eyes to the ceiling as warmth vibrates from his body.

I felt calm with Ichigo around—it's almost like his presence could wish away all my anxious thoughts and bring me peace. Either way, I didn't want this to end—the basking moonlight shining through the window, illuminating both of our features like sparking gems, his warm body laying peacefully on top of mine, the soft texture of his hair, his scent whispering in my nose and the amicable aura.

"I wish we could stay like this…forever," I whisper to Ichigo.

He's silent for a moment. The blanket ruffles as he shifts his gaze onto me and our eyes connect—I tense for the serious expression on his handsome mask; it something I've never seen before.

"There is a way for all of this to be your forever," I can tell by his tone that he is serious—there isn't a fiber in Ichigo's soul that is joking about this manner.

"Really?" I sigh in disbelief—a world of normality and freedom—it seems like dream. "What would this way or option be?"—I know it isn't possible, something so good can't be true, but I would like to hear this way anyways.

"Marry me"—I flinch for the sudden answer and look down at the blacksmith, his honey-orbs swirling with serious intentions. I've thought about it many times, marrying the blacksmith, but—could I really marry him?

"We cannot be absurd Ichig—, "I try but he doesn't allow it.

"I am serious Rukia," he interrupts with a dark eye. "I wish for you to be mine: heart, soul and all. I want to come home to you every-day, eat dinner with you, lay in the same bed and bicker with you in the market without worrying about a status on our appearance."

"What about the other things that come with marrying me, Ichigo?" I ask in worry. "By marrying me you will be the next King of Kuchiki kingdom, you will have to fight a war with my father, own a country with starving people and dying citizens, face nobles—"

"If it means: I can marry you and have you bare my old-spring, then I will rule over the main kingdom if that is the condition," he straddles my body and looks down from above, lips parted and hands patted near my head. "I may only remember being a peasant with no experience of ruling any land or knowing the royal hand-scroll by heart… but, I do know that I will do anything to call you my beloved."

Violet eyes wide, I look at the blacksmith—there isn't any words that came to mind—what do I say to that? Right now my brain is screaming: don't be foolish this is only trouble, but my heart is pleading: take a chance—take a moment to be happy.

Ichigo as the king of Kuchiki land? He can be stubborn which is needed with some of the nobles and guards—his tatted temper will be a bothersome to ruling a kingdom and dealing with others—the highly heroic trait of the blacksmith would land him heart-broken when war, a pledge, poverty or whatnot hits the kingdom and death-tolls rise. But—I know he would make an absolutely astonishing king.

My slim hand caresses his cheek as I look into his burning amber eyes—this is the man I love—one who's willing to do so much… if only my father could see and understand this, even give a blessing.

"You do know to marry a royal, you must court them?" I grin shyly.

Leaning down he brushes his nose against mine with a wholesome smile—one that could take my breath-away. "Courtship is meant to see whether the suitor or royal is their ideal spouse," he snickers.

"Are you saying: I am your ideal wife?" I tease.

"You are much more than that," Ichigo whispers in a hum. "You are my ideal future."

I kiss his soft lip gently, hand wrapped in his orange-locks as our lips move as one. The beating of my heart races as his lips slowly move with mine. Gradually my hand vanishes from his locks, move down his neck and to his shoulder, making the fabric of the robe move and reveal his tanned flesh.

Pulling away I lay my head on his bare-chest, listening to his steady heart-beat while one of his large hands strokes my raven-locks. "Ask me…once more," I whisper as my nose inhales his wondrous scent.

Ichigo kisses my hair and I pull away from his chest to look him in the eye. "Will you, Kuchiki Rukia, give me your hand in marriage?" he says.

"There is no one, I would rather wed," I answer; arms wrapping around his brood shoulders and back, I bury myself into his neck. "Blacksmith," he hums in response to his title. "Can you sleep with me tonight?"

His skin turn red for the sudden request but he nods solemnly. I pull the sheet back, he crawls underneath and I curl-up to his side. His warmth cover me like a blanket whilst an arm presses me firmly against his side. To wed Ichigo…means, to sleep next to him every night—just like this.

I think… I will follow my heart this time.

.

.

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私の心に従ってください means: Follow my heart.

I have decided that after I've completed: Why not, I will be writing the extremely short-story of Toshiro and Karin's meeting, and what not, because it is quite important to this story, but I don't want to ruin the plotting in Sakura Ai. So, this of Karin and Toshiro's meeting as a mini-arc.

Until next time, review!

Love, Bleachlover2346~