A/N: This is a Rukia x Ichigo fic, mostly but other couples will be in here. Also, OOC and A/U warning, first time writing Nel x NNoi so...yea.
A/N: As always please read and review, flames are welcome, critiques greatly appreciated!
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, or the series Bleach it belongs to Kubo Tite.
An explosion woke them, Nel scrambled to her feet listening intently to the dark night. It was quiet eerily so, then a blood curdling scream echoed into the night. Anguished voices littered the sky, the sounds of cries, metal clashing, and explosions was deafening.
Nel and Momo hugged close together terrified of what could be happening outside their cell door. After a while nothing but silence greeted them. They stared anxiously at the door.
"We need to get..." suddenly the door was rammed open and Toshiro walked in, the keys dangling from his hand. He unlocked the cell door and freed them from their cuffs. Momo threw her arms around him crying into his shirt "I knew you would save me." She whispered tearfully.
"Of course I would have, now we have to get out of here. Grab your friend and let's go." His voice was piercing in the silence
Nel jumped up following behind the two. The door was suddenly swung opened and they stopped.
"The Demon King…" Momo barely breathed out fear seizing her voice.
Nel glanced at her, then up at him his eye bore into her. "Nnoitra?" he stood there with a crescent sword blood dripping from it, his face dark and incensed. An aura of death surrounding him.
He pushed past the two grabbing her by the hand. He hauled her out into the chaotic scene. Black clad bodies laid around, buildings on fire, she stared on disbelief. Had Nnoitra did this? The carnage turned her stomach. She halted her hand slipping from his.
He stopped momentarily to stare at her, "What the fuck are you doing?"
She crumpled to the ground clutching her side, an anguished gasp escaping her lips.
"Ōmaeda." He spat staring at the man that stood grinning behind the fallen princess.
"The one and only." His smirk grew but no more words were said as he lunged forward attacking him.
Nell watched on in agony as they fought, their blades glistening in the night sky. She tried to hold on to consciousness, but she was too weak. His name escaped her lips as she (everything) faded to black. *
Nel awoke a while later. Her hand went to her side, a dull pain radiated from it, but it was bandaged up. She stared around the darkened room; it was not hers. What happened when she passed out? Where was Momo and most of all she wondered where was Nnoitra.
She sat up wincing slightly, she got out of the big bed, walking to what she hoped was the bathroom. She washed her face, then stared down at the bandage around her waist. Had he done this? Undressed her and bathed her? Nel went to the closet searching for something suitable to wear, but it was just men's clothes, his clothes.
She sat on the big bed, the dark silky sheets beckoning her back to their embrace. She laid there hoping tomorrow she would find the answers to her questions. *
She woke with a gasp, expecting to still be chained in that horrid cell. The room was still dark, had she slept through the day? Nel got up going to the heavy curtains that blocked the window. She pulled back as the bright sun illuminated the room. This was not her kingdom, but then again, she had already guessed it wouldn't be. She stared at the world below, humming with life.
She watched curiously; his kingdom rivaled hers yet how come she had never heard of it. She pursed her lips stepping away from the window. She needed to find some clothes. Any minute he could walk in and, she would not be comfortable being caught naked. Too late, the door swung open and he sauntered in. His eye immediately on her.
"What are you doing out of bed?" he shrugged off his cape and fell into bed closing his eyes.
"I have no clothes…" her voice caught at the sight of him. How had she thought she could forget him?
"You have no need for clothes, come." He didn't open his eye but gestured for her and foolishly she obliged, kneeling on the bed next to him.
"So, I am your prisoner now? Am I to be locked in this room until you find use of me?" she crossed her arms over her naked chest, a scowl firmly planted on her face.
"It could be arranged." He murmured his voice already taking on the silken tone she knew all too well.
She stared at him; he couldn't mean it could he? She was a princess not a concubine. She sighed, had she expected something else? He had taken her casually and if he hadn't been called away, she was sure that was all that he would have done. "Can I go home?"
He stared at her through slitted eyes, "This is your home now Princess." An underlying note of ire laced his voice.
"If I refuse?"
"I don't need your consent."
She sat there silently just watching him, he had rescued her just to put her into another cell. Rescued ha, he was no knight in shining armor. "Ok then." Nel stood going to the balcony, this was not how she wanted to live her life. She wanted a happy ending. She wanted a fairy tale love, a love like her parents'.
She stared over the edge; it was a long fall it would do. She gingerly climbed up the railing, was this better than living with him. She glanced back once; he was still lying in bed. He wouldn't care either way, he'd probably be happy to be rid of her. With resolve she closed her eyes letting go. She expected to feel the wind rushing at her as she fell but there was none. She opened her eyes to stare into his. He had caught her.
He dropped her abruptly, glaring daggers at her, "You would choose death over me?"
She couldn't meet his gaze, "I am not a slave, you cannot treat me as such. I am a princess." She huffed.
"You are my queen; I will treat you however the fuck I want to." He dragged her up from the spot on the floor, throwing her not too gently onto the bed. "You try that shit again and I will kill you myself."
She had no doubt he would do it. she shrank into the corner of the bed drawing the sheet over her figure watching him.
He let out a ragged breath leaving her alone in the room.
Nel let out a sigh of relief, what was wrong with her? Had she really tried to take the cowards way out? She wished she could talk to her mom, ask her how she had dealt with her feeling towards a new husband. How was she supposed to handle a man that didn't love her?
Even if Momo was there it would be better. The days she had spent in captivity had turned almost bearable with her to talk to. They were almost the same and understood each other quite well. She closed her eyes. Where was she? what had happened to her and Toshiro? Her thoughts died away as she fell asleep. *
He did not return last night and somehow, she felt disappointed. She sat up, the pain now almost non-existent. The curtains were opened and light streamed in. Nel yawned getting out of bed, noticing a chest in the center of the room. She cautiously opened it, it was filled with dresses and undergarments. The dark colors were not something she usually picked out, but she was grateful. She chose one and went to bathe, scrubbing away at her skin. She dressed her wound first, then pulled on the silky fabric of the dress.
She stood in the big room; was she really expected to stay locked away like the princess in the tower? If only then she would be rescued by a Prince ready to take her away. The door opened and she stood there waiting for him to say something, but another man entered.
"Your awake. Are you hungry your highness?"
She nodded; she was starving. "I'm Neliel and you."
"I know who you are your Highness. I am Tesra. If you are in need of anything I am at your service." He said nothing else as he led her down the winding stairs to the banquet hall. He bowed to Nnoitra and left.
She stood awkwardly for a second before she took a seat next to him. Her plate had already been set and she ate slowly aware of his eye on her.
"What happened to Momo?" she broke the silence.
"She's safe."
She was undeterred by his clip tone, "That doesn't really explain anything Nno…your Majesty."
"The boy took her with him."
"Good," she felt relieved, she knew Toshiro would protect her.
She stared down at her meal unable to look him, "Why did you come to rescue me? How did you know where I was? You were gone for months I thought you had forgotten about your Queen." She tried to hide the hurt in voice.
"Even though you keep calling me your Queen, I thought you had discarded me. Right after taking what you wanted." He had bedded her then left as swiftly as he'd come. Without so much as a farewell. He probably had been happy to be rid of her.
He glanced up then, "that is a funny way to say thank you. Maybe I should instruct you in the proper etiquette." His eye glinted something wicked, his silken tone sending a curl of desire through her.
"Why do you refuse to answer my questions?"
"They are stupid, and unnecessary. Did you really think I would not come for you?"
"No," she slumped in her seat "I expected my father to show up with his men." She said truthfully. She had not thought of him saving her. "I thought you had forgotten me." She said frankly.
"I didn't take you as my Queen to let you sit at your father's house. You are my Queen, therefore my responsibility."
"Then why did you?" she really wanted to know. There were other princesses just as beautiful as her. She was only as special as the next one. Even though her Kingdom was substantial and thriving, there was no need for him to want the rights to hers.
He didn't answer, why did she think he would? If he was just going to ignore her, what was the point of keeping her there? He didn't need a wife he needed a doll. Someone to just sit around, look pretty, and be used for his pleasure. "Can I be excused?" she really didn't feel like sitting here under his scrutiny.
"Out of questions?" he chuckled setting his silverware down.
"What's the point when you refuse to answer the important ones." Her frown deepened, as she glared at him "Why did Momo call you the Demon King?"
An all too menacing smirk came to his lips, "Are you afraid dear princess?"
She hesitated, was she? No she wasn't, he had yet to actually hurt her and she doubted he would. "No, just curious is all. It does not seem like a nickname given by a friend."
His lips twisted into a smirk, "It was given to me by my wife."
" Excuse me if I don't believe you."her eyes flittered to his face, he was no longer smiling.
"Wife?" her eyes widen with disbelief, "why didn't you tell me you were already married? Should I be worried about what happened to her? Or is she locked up in one of your rooms upstairs? Waiting patiently for her King to find need of her?" was that to be her fate, was she going to wither away in his castle like some forgotten flowers.
"She died, almost eighteen years ago." His eye held hers.
"Eighteen years ago?" She echoed, "You are jesting right?"
"No."
"Even if you had married young you couldn't possibly be old enough." She observed him, she hadn't thought him that much older than herself. The usual signs and wrinkles of old age weren't there. "How old are you?"
"I assure you, I am." he chuckled, totally ignoring the question.
Nel wanted to ask what kind of women she had been, that she could still hold his heart captive so long after death. Would he even answer? She knew that whatever the answer would be she would be hurt. She felt let down, no wonder he couldn't feel anything for her. He had his love and she was now just a replacement body for him to use.
"I see." She stood to leave, why did she feel so distraught at this knowledge? It wasn't as if she thought he could ever care for her.
"I did not say you could leave."
She sighed, feeling drained, that had hit her hard. "Sitting here is aggravating my wound, it hurts, I need to lie down for a bit." the one on her side was virtually pain free but the one forming in her heart was threatening to consume her.
He was holding her before she knew it, carrying her swiftly up the stairs and to the bedroom. He set her down, easily removing her clothes and the wrappings. He inspected it carefully. She stared at the door, trying to calm the tears that were brimming to the surface, she covered her face, ashamed that she was crying.
He glanced up at her, her barely audible sobs shaking her body slightly. He picked her up sitting so she was cradled like a baby in his lap, "Why are you crying?"
She continued to sob, "I'm important to you but I can never…I can't…" words failed her as she tried to express herself.
"Stop fucking crying Princess." Even though his words were harsh his voice was soft as he held her. He was not sure what he could say to comfort her, so he held her closely, until her sobs had died and she was asleep.
He laid her in bed, staring down at her. It was never any easier, each time was more difficult than the last. He sighed leaving her alone in the room. *
"Go find her and protect her with your life!" Nnoitra shouted over all the noise, His sword gleaming with blood. Tesra nodded and made his way back to the castle. He turned back to the wall of hollows that was led by the man he knew all too well.
"Funny seeing you again." Omeada laughed viciously.
"You must mean funny getting beat by me again."
Nell had awoken to strong arms pulling her from her sleep.
"My queen get up, and get dressed we must leave!"
She blinked not completely comprehending him, "Where's Nnoitra?" Was that smoke? The sudden heat brought her to her senses, the room was on fire! She wrapped the sheet around her as best as she could, "Where's Nnoitra?" she asked terrified.
"Don't worry he'll be fine. We have to go now…"
"Too late…" the voice she knew all too well stopped them.
There he stood his hair wild, his crescent sword in hand. His eyepatch was gone, the empty socket glowed with teeth like razors lining it, his sinister smirk was one of nightmares.
"Nnoitra?" her voice soft was filled with fear.
"You have to run now Your Highness!"
Tesra was yelling at her, but she couldn't make her legs work, her heart was griped with fear as she watched him. Tesra pulled out his sword, putting himself between her and him, "You have to get out of here!" Tesra lunged at him but was easily thrown away.
Nnoitra cornered her, his usual expressive eye dull and blank. "Nnoitra… what's wrong…what happened to you?" He pushed her against the wall pinning her there. She struggled to get away, pushing against him with all the strength she could muster. He stared at her as if just now seeing her. He paused, kissing her softly, his long tongue slithered out to brush her cheek, "Nnoi…" her words were cut off as his sword impaled her. She let out a scream, as he callously pushed it in deeper. Her eyes flittered close as she died. ~
"What the fuck?!"
Rukia glanced up at his outburst usually he would be asleep by now, "what?"
He scrunched up his face at her, "Are you serious? You just killed off the princess."
"What really OMG when did that happen?" She asked sarcastically.
He frowned at her, "That was not a happy ending at all."
She stood stretching her legs, "Interrupting is rude Ichigo. I know where it's going, so just lay back and enjoy the story."
He sighed moving onto his back, "You're making it hard to."
She chuckled, "I didn't take you for one of those starry-eyed romantic types."
He sat up then getting out of bed, "I'm going to get some water, want some?"
She nodded, again his mood had changed, she was beginning to think there was something wrong with him. She glanced down at her watch, it was still pretty early, she would stay for a few more hours.
"Here." He handed her a glass then got back into bed, "Can I ask you something Rukia?" he stared intently at her, and she averted his gaze.
"Sure…" she said hesitantly taking her usual spot.
"You said you've never had a boyfriend before. Why haven't you?"
She stared down at her fidgeting hands, "I don't know, I guess I haven't really been interested in guys like that." She shrugged. That wasn't the truth at all, It was mostly because of Byaykya that she was still single. He didn't allow her to 'date'. If it wasn't for Hisana, she probably wouldn't be able to leave the house freely.
"Are you interested in me?"
She was silent for a while, not quite looking at him. "Why don't we continue the story Ichigo." She finally said, not sure how to answer his question.
"That wasn't an answer." He pouted.
"It's what you're getting, take it or leave it." she snickered.
"Fine then, continue." He sulked, pulling the blanket up to his chin.
A/N: OK so that's the fourth chapter. Hopefully you guys enjoy it.