Chapter 6: The Meeting (a first and last time for everything)
"Ready?" Urahara smirked. Ready for what? Ichigo wanted to ask but his mind was so busy he could only manage speak the words.
"Everything's prepared." Kaien spoke with closed cell phone in hand. It seemed strange that he would be communicating to the spirit world with a mere phone. Again, more questions flew though Ichigo's head but he was debating whether or not they'd even answer them.
It had been a long day so far and not even past noon. It was only a couple nights ago they broke the news to him about his engagement (something he saw as completely unreasonable) and now he was preparing for his journey to Soul Society. It had been hard to secretly say goodbye to his dad and sisters. For all they knew, he was going to the store to get milk. According to Urahara, they would never knew he had even left.
"Now for you." Urahara turned to the dazed Ichigo, whose mind was still at the house, saying goodbye to his family.
"Here, eat this." Kaien suddenly threw a small piece of candy towards Ichigo's direction. He came to his senses just in time to save it from the straw floor. The candy was small and green. Hardly looked appetizing, let alone edible. "I'm not eating this!" Ichigo reasoned. He still had trouble believing their story about soul society and his trust in them was hanging on a string.
"You have to." Someone said simply. Ichigo was too consumed in his reasoning to pay attention.
"Since when do you tell me what to do?!"
"Tough one, aren't you." Urahara scoffed and then lifted his cane up towards Ichigo's forehead and before he could react, the end of the cane was driven into his skull.
"What the hell!" Ichigo cursed colorfully as he regained his balance. He felt suddenly lightheaded and a charge of energy raked though his skin.
"Come, Seireitei will only let their defenses down for so long." Kaien picked up the green candy that had fallen on the floor and threw it to Urahara. "Take care of this."
"Will do."
Ichigo was gawking at his soulless body that he recently spotted on the floor. "What the hell did you do to me?!"
Kaien sighed and redirected his attention from his cell phone. "You cant expect to enter soul society with a body do you? You are merely a soul at this point." Ichigo remained silent. He was about to open his mouth to argue when Urahara interrupted him.
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of your body." As if that was enough of an answer, Kaien urged Ichigo to move quickly. Kaien's cell phone rang once, twice, and then suddenly all of Ichigo's senses began to fade.
That last thing he saw before slowly materialized into a different dimension, was a black butterfly that flew before his eyes.
"Just one last touch Rukia-sama." The maids sang as they mixed ornaments in with Rukia's hair.
Rukia took a deep breath and closed her eyes, anything to retrieve that soothing feeling she had been enjoying only minutes ago in the garden. It was how she was going to spend the remainder of the day, reading and enjoying the smell of the fresh rain before her meeting with Kurosaki. But all too soon had the maids directed her to the house saying. "Kurosaki is here!" and 5 hours early too.
"She's ready!" Everyone nodded their heads in approval.
Rukia tried desperately not too look at herself as she passed the mirror. But the maids crowded her and pushed her to the view of the reflecting glass. She wore a Furisode, the most formal of kimono for an unmarried woman. It was pink and decorated with all sorts of flowers that danced upon the long sleeves. Cherry blossom branches climbed down from the shoulders towards a pond at the bottom edges where a bird happily swam in the water. Her brother had given it to her when she first entered the Kuchiki family; it would be her last time wearing it.
'Last time', the words rang through her head.
She started for the door with all the maids gazing and whispering among themselves. "Beautiful" she could hear some of them say. Rukia couldn't entirely agree. She thought that a Furisode could make anyone look beautiful (with the right pattern and colors). They had powdered her face, painted her lips in deep red, and even added color around her eyes. The only bit of skin that remained bare was her hands. It was all just a clever way to hide a woman's ugly features. Then, perhaps, the men would be blinded and get lost in their fantasies.
"Byakuya-sama is waiting for you Rukia-sama." One of the servants bowed.
Rukia sighed as she made her first step towards the door. "Good day, Nii-sama"
He made no reply. "Be sure to behave." Where his only words as we began to the slow walk to the tea room.
"Yes, Nii-sama." She etched his warning into her head. The truth was: she wasn't sure she could behave. Many tempting tricks where already running through her head.
"Kuchiki-sama and Rukia-hime will arrive momentarily." A male servant Ichigo and Kaien as they entered the fancy room.
It was straw floor room that seemed to serve no purpose except for decoration. A low table sat in the middle, surrounded by silk pillows. Several paintings and sculptures where organized across the walls. It was a truly authentic Japanese tea room. Ichigo couldn't remember the last time he had been in a real tea room such as this.
The moment Ichigo arrived in Soul Society, he had been pulled aside a dressed in traditional Japanese clothing as well. He couldn't help but wonder if this really was Soul Society or a trip into feudal Japan. But his wonder was short lived when he remember why he was here.
One other person had already made himself comfortable at the table as he and Kaien where directed to their own seats. It was an old man, dressed in black clothing with a white cloak that had a large 1 printed on the back of it. He looked important, and even strong for his old age, but definitely intimidating.
Ichigo had spared one glance into the man's direction and he had been greeted with a scowl.
"Kuchiki-sama and the noble lady, Rukia-hime." A voice announced from the side of the room. Ichigo looked over, happy to change his view to something else. Of course, he had been completely unprepared and before he knew it his future bride was sitting right across from him. His curiousness changed to a scowl.
"Kurosaki-sama." Kaien suddenly started using formalities. Ichigo couldn't imagine why. "This is Kuchiki Rukia." Rukia bowed her head out of politeness but avoided eye contact. Ichigo avoided her entirely. He merely looked off into the distance.
There was quietness as the servants brought out tea. Ichigo didn't even touch his. All he could do was scowl at the Rukia's appearance. Look at all that makeup! What is she a beauty freak!? He wondered what she really looked like. From what he could tell, she looked average… at least.
The silence was broken at the old man cleared his throat. "Thank you Kaien. You are dismissed." Kaien scooted back and bowed his head to the floor before he got up to leave. He looked back at Ichigo one last time and nodded a goodbye.
And there was Ichigo, alone, with 3 strangers (2 of whom had swords), in a different dimension. There was no escape.
"The wedding will begin two day's from now." The old man continued after he had sent the servants out the door as well. There was obviously no room for discussion on the matter.
"How long will I be here?" Ichigo immediately blurted out. The question had been running though his head all day.
"Once the marriage is complete, this will be your new home; until death, do you part."
Ichigo tried hard not to burst out in rage. He knew what the answer would be. Kaien had lied to him. Temporary, my ass. He recited the words to himself.
"Is there a problem?"
Ichigo grunted slightly, but it was ignored.
"You will stay here until the wedding. Get to know your fiancé. I expect you to be on your best behavior."
Best behavior…. We'll see.
I wanted to write more for this chapter but I think this is all I'll do for now.
The two have met now, but next we'll have to see how they act face to face.
It took me way to long to get the chapter written and in the end I got really lazy with it but I had to deal with major writers block and school work.
The honorifics changed a lot in the chapter and almost too much. In some parts the servants call Rukia with sama. Then later she was introduced as Hime. I did this mainly because in Japan, even the Noble women where called by hime. I think I'll probably continue to switch the honorifics like this according to the situation because if just helps to understand the level of formality. Or at least I think it does.
RR please. . I always enjoy ideas and comments.