Next chapter!! Yehey! It took me longer than expected to finish writing this because of laziness. Haha! What a silly excuse. By the way this is sort of like a continuation of the previous chapter.
Thanks for the review!
CharmedNightSkye: I'm glad you like that. And the phrase translations are at the bottom of the page of this chapter.
AngelicWar: You enjoyed it? That's great! And about the Nobunaga I kind of just picked it somewhere. Hehe!
I hope you'll like this new chapter. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: It's not mine.
Chapter 3:The News
"I told you it was going to be fine." Ichigo glanced at Rukia.
"Well it was a good thing Nii-sama didn't say anything."
The two were now heading towards the barracks of the Army. A soldier had instructed her where to find Kuchiki Byakuya's vice-captain who is her best friend Abarai Renji.
"Hey, earlier, why were you clutching my sleeve anyway? I know you pulled me to bow but obviously I can keep leaning down by myself."
"Just to make sure you won't run away"
"What the-"
"Holding on to you made me feel at peace." She replied in a gentle tone. His own expression softened.
She stopped for a moment then continued, now in her usual old self,
"But don't think highly of yourself! It was just that it's really awkward being around the emperor especially my brother. I needed someone to absorb pressure. That's it! Nothing more nothing less!
"You're really cocky for a priestess" that comment earned Ichigo a fist on his face.
"Ack! What the hell is your problem?" he exclaimed while nursing his punched cheek.
"You shouldn't speak to me like that. I am your priestess and to inform you I am also a noble Kuchiki."
"And so? I don't have anything to do with that." He noticed that she smirked at that.
"Well, you could say that. But as far as your concern, between the two of us, I'm the boss here." She was grinning. Rukia loved bullying boys. Well she doesn't consider it bullying, she's just being her simple self. After all she doesn't get to do that on the manor.
He rolled his eyes. "Where are we going anyway?" He inquired looking around.
"We're looking for someone. Better hurry up so we can catch him."
As they turned right at the intersection Rukia called someone.
"Renji!" she ran off towards the man. Ichigo just walked casually with his hands on the back of his head staring at the figure next to Rukia.
"Oi Rukia!" the man with red hair and tattoos on his face up to his arm whom Rukia called replied. He was wearing the vice-captain's army uniform. He looked at Rukia then turned his gaze to the boy that was following her. He was wearing black robes and has a huge sword on his back. And he's got an unusual hair color, worse than his, orange. Renji's brows furrowed. He didn't like this feeling and he seems to understand why Rukia would look for him there.
"I have a news for you! I'm a full-pledged priestess now. I finally have my own Guardian Spirit." The raven-haired girl seems so excited. Her violet orbs were beaming. He knew this would happen. Even he doesn't approve of it he still wants Rukia to be happy.
"That's good. I mean great. Ah, so have you received your mission yet?" Renji asked. Ichigo was now beside Rukia watching their conversation.
"Renji, it's our first day and we're just new. We wouldn't be given any yet but I hope they will sooner. You know that I want to prove Nii-sama that I'm doing good with my duties."
"Yah you do. So, uhm, congratulations and good luck."
"Thanks. Oh, Ichigo this is fukutaicho Abarai Renji, my bestfriend. And Renji, this is Kurosaki Ichigo my Guardian Spirit."
"Yo" Ichigo greeted.
"Do your job very well. Don't ever let Rukia get hurt or you'll pay for it. Remember that." Renji said or more like ordered.
"I know what I have to do. You don't have to remind me that." Ichigo replied with annoyance. He was sure this Renji guy isn't a good actor, not as 'good' as Rukia. He sure looks pissed. Whatever that is Ichigo doesn't know and is not interested to know.
"I need to go" Renji turned to Rukia. He didn't want to stay any longer talking about her being a priestess. Plus he has many things to do in his quarters so he decided to head off.
"Ok then. See you around." The priestess replied.
"Yeah, see you again" the vice-captain waved as he turned his back on the two. The two headed out to the opposite direction.
"What now? Don't tell me we would go around looking for people so you could just say 'hey I'm an official priestess now and here's my guardian'" Ichigo asked mimicking Rukia. This time it was a kick on the shin. The carrot-top winced in pain.
"Shut up! I'm going to tour you around town so you will know your way when I send you on errands."
"I'm not your servant."
"Of course your not. But I'm still your master so you are required to obey me."
"That's a lame excuse."
"There's nothing you can do about it."
"You know, I've been wondering how the hell did you pass as a priestess. I mean look at you, your brutal, annoying, evil and-" he was cut off by the pain delivered by Rukia's elbow on his stomach.
Ichigo doesn't want to die yet so he kept quiet. But he was sure one day this midget would be the death of him. He will not die in the hands of enemies but in the hands of this merciless priestess. He sighed. Fortunately the raven-haired girl had cooled her head off. She was now pointing on numerous stalls, houses, stores and etc. blabbering on and on. They have reached the different parts of the town including the residential and secluded areas where Renji takes her to play when she gets the chance to escape from their servants long ago when they were just children. The priestess and her Guardian Spirit had a lot of fun together even though they were bickering from time to time. It was already time for dinner so they went back to the temple.
As soon as they reached the gate she recognized that a man standing there is one of the servants on the Kuchiki manor. He was talking to one of the temple's guards. As they approached the two men the Kuchiki servant turned to her as they have been noticed.
"Lady Kuchiki your brother, Kuchiki taicho, requests for your presence. He asks you to join him for dinner tonight at the manor."
'Nii-sama? What could be the reason for him to call me? I didn't screw up earlier, right? Oh this is bad!' She thought.
"I will be accompanying you. You are coming, right my lady?"
"Of course. I will gladly attend to my brother's invitation. Please lead on."
The manservant led the way towards the Kuchiki manor. Rukia nodded to the temple guard before she walks away. Ichigo silently followed. He was wondering why would Rukia suddenly stiffen just by the mere mention of his brother. It was a quiet walk. Nobody bothered to speak for everything feels so awkward.
"Kuchiki-sama is waiting for you at the dining room. He instructed us that you proceed on your own my lady." A maidservant informed her as she and Ichigo walk down the hall. She nodded then made her way to the said room. She was very nervous and is now imagining horrible things that might happen to her. She shook her head to clear her mind. It was good Ichigo kept quiet because bantering with him wouldn't be of any help.
She sighed then slid the door open. Rukia entered the room followed by Ichigo. She stood straight then bowed before Byakuya.
"Take your seat" Byakuya said with a fixed cold gaze in his face. Rukia sat on the opposite side of the table to face her brother. Ichigo sat beside her. The orange-haired guardian thought that the way his priestess behaves was very out of character. 'Is this really Rukia? Damn! This brother of hers looks like he has some stick shove up in his ass.' He glanced at the foods that were prepared. It was more than enough for three people and all looked delicious. His attention was caught when Byakuya spoke again.
"Rukia, I see your Guardian Spirit seem peculiar and…impolite."
"I am sorry if he displeases you Nii-sama."
"Aren't both of you rude to insult me in front of my face. And peculiar? What do you mean by that?" Ichigo exclaimed
"Ichigo keep quiet. And do not talk to Nii-sama like that. Nii-sama I beg for your pardon once again."
'Did she say keep quiet? She could just say shut up like she used to. Seriously, Rukia seem sane at the moment. And what's up with this Byakuya? He's the weird someone here.' Ichigo thought silently as he crossed his arms to his chest.
"You should teach him how to be proper Rukia. It would be a shame for a noble Kuchiki to have an impolite guardian. I do not want you to displease the Emperor." Byakuya said after sipping a cup of tea.
"Hai Nii-sama." Rukia replied as she bowed. Ichigo snorted.
"And as a Captain of the Seiretei Army I ask you to do your duties with your guardian responsibly and accurately. We wouldn't want anything bad to happen because of carelessness, don't we?"
Rukia twitched. The last statement Byakuya said gave her a chill. "Hai Nii-sama"
The whole dinner was very silent. It was like a long sitting persecution. And Ichigo was glad it was already finished. He and Rukia retired to the priestess' room at the manor for it was late night and Byakuya insisted for them to stay.
Ichigo was again sitting by the window musing himself with the brightness of the full moon. Rukia was sitting beside her futon deciding whether to sleep or stay up for a little. He noticed Rukia haven't said any word since they have walked out of the dining room. She looked bothered. He already asked her but she wouldn't answer, she just insisted she was fine. He looked at her. She was staring blankly at the futon as if it was there was something interesting in it. Then she spoke.
"Ichigo"
He was startled. She stood up then headed to his direction. She looked outside the window then said something.
"There's somewhere I want to go. Will you…come with me?"
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fukutaicho – vice captain
taicho – captain
Nii-sama – older brother
Hai – yes
Jap phrases from the previous chapter:
Urusai – shut up
Ohayo gozaimas – good morning
Arigato gozaimas – thank you
A/N: I hope it's not bad. Please review! I need at least 5 reviews. Pwitty please! Anything would be appreciated. Oh, yeah! Till next chap!