"So you knew? When?"
"When you were…taken. I couldn't sense you anymore. I tried to beat it out of Ichigo, but he wouldn't say anything." Tatsuki looked at her best friend with dark eyes, holding regret. "I went to Urahara's shop and saw Ichigo leaving through the portal. That's when Urahara told me what had happened to you. Everything else I learned from going back to his shop during the time you were gone."
"But, why?" Orihime's caramel orbs started to shake. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"I'm so sorry, 'Hime." Tatsuki pulled her friend in for an embrace. "I wasn't strong enough to protect you. I couldn't trust…anyone for a while. I thought I knew everyone, but it turned out I knew nothing."
Orihime fought back the tears, happy to have her good friend back. "It's okay, Tatsuki. I understand why you held back." She pulled away and held Tatsuki's hands in hers. "But now you're part of something bigger. And you can help...with us."
"I want to learn, Orihime. So I can be stronger and protect the ones I love." Subconsciously, Tatsuki averted her eyes quickly to glance at the vibrant redhead not far away.
Orihime smiled, knowing that her friend was about to embark on a new journey. She could find and conquer anything that came her way. Even love.
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Ichigo stole Rukia away from the group for a moment, and didn't waste his time. He pulled her behind a tree and immediately grasped her face for a kiss. He pressed against her hard, wrapping his arms around her tiny body until there was no space left between them. His mouth slid across her swollen lips, bruising them to gain an entrance. She let him in eagerly, meeting the velvet of his tongue with a lashing from her own. Suddenly, he broke their passionate kiss and she went limp against his chest, too worn out to retaliate.
"Now that I know you'll keep your trap shut, you stopped me from saying something earlier." Ichigo's tone was crossed between irritated and arrogant from his ability to render the young warrior into a pile of jelly.
Rukia lifted her face to his, violet eyes meeting deep hazel. She was still reeling from the intensity of their kiss and could barely comprehend what he was saying. But he didn't need to say it; she could read it in his eyes.
"I love you, Kuchiki Rukia." He had said it anyway. Rukia felt a tremor course through her senses. He didn't need to say it, she repeated to herself, but he said it anyway. Their mutual, unspoken understanding had broken down its walls and there was no turning back now.
"I love you, Kurosaki Ichigo."
With those simple words, Ichigo let his sharp face soften, leaning his forehead against hers. He traced her face and memorized her features with the new sensation of touch. He brought her in for another kiss, this time softer, but deeper, as if he could reach her soul. Rukia let herself fly these feelings. He could reach her soul if he wanted. He already had it.
Then they let themselves breathe, Rukia couldn't help a wide grin from spreading across her china-doll face. "Nii-sama is going to kill you," she giggled.
"He tried that already," Ichigo snorted. "I beat him then, and I can do it again." He pulled her in for a tight embrace, bringing his head down to her ear. "I will always fight for you."
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Ishida sat on the grassy knoll, watching the fireworks in the sky. His intellect was still picking part the details of the night, trying to comprehend what had happened. He had won Orihime and was met with a Goddess. A Goddess: one who could easily bend people and situations at will. Was that what brought them together? If so, was it real? His mind was so tangled with questions he barely noticed the presence of someone else until she slid down near him.
Orihime quietly sat down in front of Ishida's outstretched legs, pulling herself back against him so his chest would press against her back. She maneuvered his arms around her waist, so he would hold her in a tight hug. Ishida felt a hitch rise in his breathe as his pale hands wrapped around her tiny waist. He rested his head on her shoulder, perfectly matching the notch in her frame. He swallowed, not sure if he wanted to know the answer to the next question.
"Do you still love him?"
His question would have shocked her, but she expected to hear it. She wanted to be completely honest with Ishida, ready to venture into fresh feelings that weren't met with pain and disappointment. "Yes," she started, "The same way I love Tatsuki and my late brother."
Ishida tightened his grip for a quick hug at her response. He had never been so relieved to hear news in all his life.
"You know that I love you, right, Orihime?" His question came out more like a statement.
She grinned. "I know." She leaned back against his chest, raising a hand around his neck and gently playing with his midnight locks. "I don't know if I love you yet, Uryuu…but I know that I could." She turned to look into his dark eyes with a sweet smile.
"Ask me again tomorrow."
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"Oi, this is sooo not fair!" Keigo whined. "Everyone's paired up except for me! Even Arisawa the Man Hater!"
"I heard that," Tatsuki yelled a few yards away. She nearly got up to kick his ass, but Renji pulled her back down. He held her close to him, his left arm tightly wrapped around her hip. "You bastard," she said quietly but with a smile.
"Tell me something I don't know," Renji growled against her with a grin from ear to ear.
Keigo frowned on the outside, but was inwardly pleased with the outcome of tonight's events. His friends seemed close again, the memory of the Winter War fading from their minds. The thoughts of war were replaced with thoughts of love, or the prospect of. He sighed, determined to keep his goofy appearance up with the group's standards. "Oi, Mizuiro, why don't you lend me one of your dates?"
A resounding 'NO' came from all three mouths.
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"Oi, Dad, put that camera away!" Karin hissed in a whisper.
"My boy is becoming a man! I'm proud of you son!" Isshin faked wiping a tear from his eye. He had witnessed his first born dragging Rukia behind the tree. He mentally reminded himself to check the locks on his son's door when he got home.
"Daddy, please, it's embarrassing!" Yuzu hardly ever pushed her father away from meddling with Ichigo's business, but this was no joke anymore. Ichigo was in love with Rukia, and they had finally confirmed it. She didn't want to know anything more beyond that.
With an exaggerated sigh, Isshin put the camera down. His twin daughters returned to watching the sky's musical of light and color. He smiled to himself. Masaki, my love, you would be proud.
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"You'd think my own ancestor would visit me," Yoruichi grumbled. She remained in her cat form for the time being, enjoying the loving scratches Urahara gave to her ears.
"Who's to say I won't?" a voice as calming as the deep sea came from a nearby tree.
"Benzaiten Kami-sama, must You constantly do that?" Urahara interjected. "It is not fitting for a lady of Your stature to spend Her time amongst the trees."
"I do what I want, Kisuke. You should know that by now. Even My dragon Husband has no say." The silver-eyed beauty cocked a wary eyebrow in his direction. The shopkeeper tipped his green and white striped hat to her.
For a moment, the three stood on the hilltop, watching the group of apprentices discuss their recent encounter. A sudden burst light and the smell of burning sulfur filled the air; the fireworks had begun to die down.
"Midnight, it must be," Benzaiten let out a small sigh.
"And the boy?" Urahara kept his eyes fixed to the sky, the flashes of fire highlighting his blonde hair.
"Yasutora Sado, the Calm Tiger. He will need your guidance in this upcoming time. I fear war never lingers far away."
"Have you foreseen it?" the black cat's deep male voice sounded harsh against the bells of the Goddess.
Benzaiten smirked and looked down at her far descendant. "Yoruichi, you shouldn't stay in that feline form for too long. Otherwise, poor Kisuke would be committing bestiality." Urahara's face turned red to suppress his laughter. The black cat just rolled her golden eyes. The Goddess grinned, and turned to make her leave.
"Benzaiten Kami-sama," Urahara started.
"Yes, Urahara Kisuke?"
The shopkeeper stood, careful to support Yoruichi's cat form in his arms. He bowed, deep with respect for one of the beings of creation standing before him. "Thank You," he paused. "For them. And for me."
Silver eyes smiled in the night.
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Chad sat in the midst of his friends, but he didn't notice them. Nor did he hear the gunfire bursts as the fireworks exploded in the midnight sky. All he could think about was what had happened that night. He had been enchanted by a Goddess and She had chosen him. He could feel the new power course through his veins, pulsing with vibrant energy. It swelled and fell like waves. He would come to learn how to harness this power—to wield it in Her name.
He looked up into the heavens, past the light of the fireworks to see the stars bridge. Vega and Altair shone back, twinkling a message. Chad let a small smile cross his lips. He could understand their language.
Of course, my Lady…
…For all time.
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^__^ REVIEWS ARE Super Happy LOVE ^__^
This concludes Night of Seven. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and fav'd this story!
Special Thanks to: MatsuMama, Hobohunter, J'aime Manga, and hisanachan for constantly reviewing
Super Special Thanks to Pippin's Socks for acting as my beta early on ^_^
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Theme Music for this story was "Love Remains" by Gavin Rossdale.
I will have a drawing of Benzaiten posted on my DeviantART account.
Check out my profile page for the link!
Detailed information about Benzaiten:
Benzaiten is the Japanese Goddess of Love, Beauty, Eloquence and Music, as well as a Sea-goddess. Her husband was a wicked dragon whom She reformed, and She is often shown riding one. Dragons and their smaller relatives snakes are sacred to Her and snakes are often Her messengers. She is said to prevent earthquakes and is worshipped on islands, especially the island of Enoshima. Benzaiten is originally of Hindu origin and is associated with Sarasvati, the Indian goddess of music and wisdom, and is sometimes shown with eight arms. Benzaiten is also linked to Kwannon or Kwan Yin, the sometimes female, sometimes male deity of compassion in Buddhism.
Benzaiten is one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune who sails on the Takara-bune, the Treasure Ship. Traditionally, a picture of the Takura-bune placed under the pillow on New Year's Eve will bring a lucky dream.
Benzaiten brings luck and good fortune, persuasion and seduction.
Alternate names: Benten, Benzai-tennyo.