Author's Note:
Hey everybody, and welcome back!
I was re-reading one of my favorite stories, "Waxing, Waning", and that gave me the inspiration to write a Medieval/Renaissance AU for my next multi-chapter HitsuKarin story. I'm rather excited about this one, as it's different from what I'm used to, and I hope you all enjoy it, too! There will be some mystical elements to it, but everyone is a normal human in this story. Even though it's going against the time period, I just couldn't bring myself to use the speech of Medieval times…it just felt too odd, coming from the characters' mouths; so, I hope you'll forgive that!
My plan is to update weekly, but I may post two chapters a week. We'll see if I can control myself, lol.
Enjoy reading, and make sure to leave a review to let me know if you liked it!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. All credit goes to Tite Kubo.
The kingdom of Karakura was just as hot, humid, and vibrant as he remembered; even in October. Established in the warm climate of the southern hemisphere, the kingdom was surrounded by thick woods adorned with a continuous flush of bright green leaves, colorful flowers of various shapes and sizes, and numerous exotic animals that he only knew about from books.
Karakura, the largest and most powerful kingdom in the southern hemisphere, was truly a sight to behold. While not nearly as old as his own kingdom, or any of the other twelve ancient kingdoms, it was a large and prosperous place that boasted one of the most powerful militaries in the world. Its king was generally considered to be rather silly and eccentric; but Isshin Kurosaki was well-respected, and admired, as a brave and kind king by both his subjects, and other royal families across the globe.
The kingdom's reputation came from the daring exploits of its crown prince, Ichigo Kurosaki. He was renowned for his skills in, and mastery of, swordsmanship, and he was also a brilliant tactician; a fact he had proven many times on the battlefield during the past several years of the kingdom's expansion. The young prince was practically bursting with raw power, ambition, and talent…as well as a hot head, and stubborn attitude; five attributes which helped lead to their current dominance on the world stage.
Even its princesses were well-known, and well-respected, for their abilities. Ichigo's wife, princess Orihime, was one of the best healers in the land; and his younger sister Yuzu was her sister-in-law's right hand. Both women were known for their kindness, gentle nature, and sweet disposition; and had been practicing medicine for most of their lives. Neither of them had the personality, or appetite, for battle; so, they established what has now become known as one of the best schools of medicine in the world. People traveled from across the globe to attend the Kurosaki Royal School of Medicine; and it was an oddity in that, despite its name, it accepted all who had a genuine desire to become healers, regardless of class or fortune.
Contrary to her pacifist-natured twin sister, Ichigo's other younger sister, Karin, was also well-known, and respected, on the battlefield for both her skills as a swordswoman, and as a highly talented archer; a skill she inherited from her mother. While she was known for her short temper, sarcastic attitude, and lack of care for convention, Karin had gained a reputation as a fierce warrior, and talented tactician. Her name was honored, and feared, in equal measure to her brother's; and she was Ichigo's second-in-command.
What set her apart from her brother, however, was her skill with a bow and arrow. Having been trained from a young age by her mother, Queen Masaki, to wield the weapon with deadly accuracy and precision, she and her specially trained unit of archers were the prince's most reliable and effective method of ambush and guerilla warfare. According to reports, Karin could pin a fly to a tree from 100 yards away without killing it; a skill her brother exploited to its greatest advantage.
Masaki Kurosaki had descended from the Quincy people, of the kingdom Wandenreich, and had passed on her knowledge of the Quincy's specialty to her daughter before her untimely demise at the hands of an assassin eleven years prior. The Quincy had been a dominant force on the world stage until about fifty years ago, when their kingdom was attacked, and destroyed; and their people scattered. A large majority of the Quincy were slaughtered, and the remainder sought shelter in neighboring kingdoms. Masaki's family had fled to Karakura before she was born; and, there, she met the crown prince, Isshin Kurosaki, when they were both eighteen. They married just two years later, and the kingdom had loved her very dearly. She had been a model of all that was proper, selfless, and respectable; the heart of both her kingdom, and her family. Her death had been a huge blow to everyone, and the kingdom had mourned collectively for years until Ichigo married Lady Orihime from the respected house of Inoue. Everyone in the kingdom admired and loved Isshin, Ichigo, and Karin greatly; but it was in Orihime and Yuzu that they saw the spirit of their dear departed queen reflected.
'How a hot-headed idiot like Ichigo ended up marrying someone so sweet and kind is a mystery even I can't solve' Toshiro thought sarcastically as his carriage stopped in front of the grand entryway of the large limestone palace that boasted the royal crest of Karakura above the doorway: a stalking tiger, with waves of energy resembling flames bursting out from behind the animal. Behind him, the carriages of the other twelve ancient royal families came to a stop; all of their rulers exiting, and stepping into the grand foyer of the palace.
The last time he had been here was for Masaki's funeral; as his parents had been good friends of the royal house of Karakura, and had been invited to attend the service. It seemed like ages ago now; which, in reality, it was. So much had changed since he'd last seen Isshin, or the family. His parents had been murdered, he had become king; and, even at his young age of twenty, he was now a seasoned and battle-hardened soldier. He'd been on the battlefield from the time he was twelve, and had gained far more experience and knowledge of life and death than anyone of his age should possess.
Unfortunately, it was yet another tragedy which brought him here again. War had been raging for many years between the thirteen ancient kingdoms, and the heinous king Aizen of the west; whose kingdom had grown to monstrous proportions over the years through plunder, pillage, and massive bloodshed. Aizen had spent the better part of sixteen years during his youth discreetly conquering smaller kingdoms throughout the western hemisphere, before finally trying to expand his territory north; attempting to overthrow Toshiro's family, and seize power, after he murdered the young prince's parents. When that plan had failed, and he had been forced to retreat, he made similar attempts with several of the other ancient royal families, which also proved futile. Finally, he combined his numerous separate territories, creating his own kingdom of Hueco Mundo, and launched a full-scale war on the thirteen kingdoms. The first attacks had happened eight years ago; and, up until now, the thirteen kingdoms, whom held a centuries-long alliance, had been able to keep Aizen in check. Now, however, the power-mad king had amassed an army too large and powerful for the thirteen kingdoms to handle; and they needed reinforcements. Hence, their visit to Karakura. They knew Isshin would not be enamored with the notion of going to war; but he ruled over one of the most powerful kingdoms in the world, and his military might was second to none. If they could gain the power and prestige of Ichigo and his armies, they had a real shot of finally overpowering Aizen, and putting an end to this endless war.
Looking from his fellow rulers, and back towards the interior of the grand palace, Toshiro saw the king of Karakura making his way towards them. Isshin was dressed in the colors of the royal family: red and pastel brown fabrics with gold braiding and, embroidery; a flowing red cape with a gold clasp on either shoulder, connected by a gold chain; and a gold crown adorned with rubies of the richest shade of red Toshiro had ever seen. Each kingdom had a distinctive stone and color scheme to distinguish its rulers, and Karakura's was the ruby. Toshiro thought it quite fitting, given both the tropical environment the kingdom was located in, and the fiery temper of its ruling family.
Each of the monarchs took turns shaking hands with Isshin in greeting, before the king led them into the palace; passing several recreational rooms, the library, training room, and study, before entering into the large war room in the back of the palace. Waiting in the room was Ichigo, with a large map stretched out on the table before him.
Each ruler greeted the crown prince, and took their seats, as Isshin took his spot at the head of the table; looking over the assembly of rulers before him. "Thank you all for coming so far at such short notice; it is greatly appreciated. As you know, I've been monitoring your war with Aizen for many years now, but do not know the full extent of the conflict. My purpose for calling you here is twofold: first, I would like to know how the war effort against king Aizen, and his army, is progressing; and, second, I would like to know specifically what it is that you would be requesting of Karakura, should I agree to join your war against him; the current conditions of your kingdoms, and what Karakura would gain in return for our aid."
Each head swiveled in the direction of the ruler of the most powerful of the thirteen kingdoms: king Kyoraku of Saikyo. His was the most ancient and powerful kingdom in the world, as well as the largest. The middle-aged man had just recently come to power after the death of his grandfather, the late king Yamamoto, but had spent decades as his grandfather's general. If anyone knew all of the intricacies of war, it was Shunsui; and, in just the short time he had officially been on the throne, he had already made bold moves to try and contain Aizen's continuous advance on his allied kingdoms' territories. He had proven to be a shrewd, and cunning, man; as well as a brilliant strategist, and tactician. He could find every possible advantage in a situation in a short amount of time, and come up with ways to most effectively utilize those advantages. Every ruler agreed that he was more than living up to his grandfather's legacy as the mightiest sovereign in the world.
Seeing the attention of the room directed at him, Shunsui spoke. "We appreciate your willingness to hear our request, king Isshin. As you know, for the last many years, the war effort has remained in a constant tide of ebb and flow; neither side gaining advantage over the other. Unfortunately, Aizen has continued to expand his territory in areas where we simply cannot send soldiers to guard; thus, expanding his empire greatly in the last few years, and adding to his ranks, powerful units of men. Our resources are simply stretched too thin at this point, and he's beginning to encroach on our allied kingdoms' boundaries with increased aggression. My kingdom lies at the center of our combined stronghold, with king Byakuya's, king Rojuro's, king Renji's, and king Mayuri's kingdoms to my east; queen Sui-feng's, king Tetsuzaemon's, king Kenpachi's, and king Kensei's's kingdoms to my west; king Shinji's, queen Lisa's, and queen Isane's kingdoms to my south, along with yours; and king Toshiro's kingdom to my north. Aizen has attacked the western border kingdoms with ruthlessness and cunning that greatly disturbs me, and he has managed to deal a significant amount of damage to them. As Toshiro's is the only kingdom to the north, and contains most of the northern hemisphere, Aizen has been making his way there next; as well as sending scouts to the southern border kingdoms to assess possible strikes. We've managed to capture a few, but they know of no information that is useful to us. Yours is one of the largest, and most powerful, kingdoms currently on the world stage; and we believe that your armies, combined with ours, can overpower Aizen's forces. It is our intention to finish this war within one to two years with your help. Without your help, I fear our allied kingdoms may begin to fall before too long, and then what would be left to stop this madman?" Shunsui finished; looking from Isshin, to Ichigo, and back again, with a steady gaze.
At this point, the crown prince of Karakura decided to voice a question. "How is it possible that Aizen has gained enough land, and power, to pose a significant threat to the ancient thirteen kingdoms? Your combined strength is legendary, so how has he managed to put you back on your heels? How much of the western hemisphere could he really possibly have under his control?" he asked; looking at them all with slight suspicion.
Seeing several pairs of eyes travel to him, Toshiro got up from his seat, and made his way over to the laid-out map on the table. Taking a piece of grey chalk, he lightly circled two-thirds of the western hemisphere, and also circled a portion of the south-western hemisphere. The total land circled rivaled the size of the entire thirteen kingdoms combined, if you discounted the swath of northern land under Toshiro's dominion that was uninhabited. Looking back at a visibly shocked Ichigo, the young king spoke. "I've had scouts assessing the territories for months. This is the approximate land mass Aizen has conquered over the last twenty-three years. Currently, he's making his way north using this route," at which point, Toshiro pointed to a rather narrow mountain pass in the north-western hemisphere. "While it's not a smart route to travel, it's the only one available to him to reach my kingdom from his territory. Any other way besides coming from Saikyo's, or Kiryu's, territory would be a mass-suicide mission."
Ichigo looked closely at the area Aizen's men were supposedly traveling, before giving a skeptical look to Toshiro. "How are you defending the Dragon's Pass from his men? I've heard the weather conditions over there are horrendous on a good day; so, are you really stationing men there to defend it, or are you letting the frigid climate, and treacherous terrain, of your kingdom do the work?" he asked with probing curiosity.
The young king merely gave the crown prince a blank stare before looking back down at the map. "I'm handling it. Rest assured; the pass is secure. The bottom line is, if we don't end this war soon, Aizen will be a significant threat to Karakura, as well as the rest of the world. If he takes us down, you won't have a chance at fending him off. So, to ensure that doesn't happen, what we propose is this: Karakura would become part of our centuries-long treaty; thus, enjoying all of the trade benefits that come with the alliance, as well as the assured protection, and assistance, of the thirteen kingdoms, if and whenever needed. You would also receive any previously unconquered land in the southern hemisphere that Aizen has taken. It would expand Karakura's boundaries, and bolster your kingdom's standing on the world stage." he said; his gaze travelling from the map on the table, to the Karakura rulers.
Ichigo looked to his father, who looked at him, before both men turned their attention back to the room full of royals; Isshin rising from his chair. "Thank you for the update, your highnesses. I need to call a meeting with my council before I give you a final decision, but I won't keep you waiting long. I understand that most of you have to return to your kingdoms immediately, but I would be grateful if you, Shunsui, and whoever else you feel should be present, would stay for dinner, and return home in the morning. I will give you my answer during the meal."
The dark-haired man nodded in reply; the amethysts adorning his white gold crown shimmering in the dim light of the room. "Of course. As Aizen's men are beginning their advance northward, I will be keeping king Toshiro with me. If you agree to ally yourselves with us, he can bring back with him however many troops you choose to send us to secure the few vulnerable areas of his borders, and provide some relief to Kensei's men guarding Kiryu's borders."
Isshin nodded in agreement, before thanking the other rulers for coming, and seeing them to their carriages. While it may have been a very long distance to have them travel for such a short meeting, Isshin had wanted to see the looks on their faces as he was appraised of the situation. The easiest way to tell if a man is lying is to look him in the eye when you talk to him. What he'd seen in the faces of these rulers was solemn resignation; clearly not pleased that they couldn't handle the situation on their own anymore. He saw no malice, or ill-intent, from any of them; which led him to believe that they were all trustworthy, and true to their word on what was happening. He was glad they had agreed to come.
Watching as Isshin left the room with all of the other rulers, Toshiro turned to the orange-haired prince next to him, who was staring at him with a rather intense gaze. Cocking a questioning eyebrow, the young king waited for the prince to speak.
Ichigo nodded, and started talking. "What about the Visord? Have you spoken with them? If my father and I agree to join you all in the war effort, we need to know exactly what you have available."
Toshiro nodded, and turned back towards the map on the table. "Yes, we've already asked them for assistance. Since Aizen has taken control of the land their base resides in, they were more than willing to join us. It's been helpful, but mercenaries only do so much; there's not enough of them to cause significant damage. We need numbers, not just raw power. Fortunately, your kingdom has both; mainly thanks to you and your sister. While I'm loath to admit it, we're out of options, and we need your help."
"Wow, Toshiro; I never thought I would see the day when you ask for help."
Surprised by the unfamiliar voice, Toshiro looked up from the map, and found the gaze of a young woman whom he approximated to be about 18 years old; and who boasted Isshin's spiky, jet-black hair that was pulled back into a high ponytail; with bangs framing both sides of her face. She was pretty, and attractive; with a very curvy, but clearly fit, and toned, figure. Her large dark grey eyes had a piercing affect to them that unsettled him for a reason he couldn't name; almost as if they could see into your soul, and extract your darkest secrets. She was wearing a ruby-red, sleeveless tunic that fell to just above her knees; with dark brown leggings, and boots. The leather belt around her waist carried her sword; and she had a bow, and quiver full of arrows, on her back. Around her throat, resting just above her collarbone, was a gold necklace adorned with intricate filigree that held the royal stone of Karakura at its center: the mark of the royal family.
Ichigo smiled widely at the girl, before throwing her a playful smirk. "Karin! Nice of you to finally show up, now that the meeting is over."
Karin returned her brother's smirk with one of her own, and put a hand on her hip. "Aw, did you miss me, brother?" she asked; her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Ichigo barked out a laugh, before crossing his arms over his chest; his smirk still intact. "Yeah, like the plague. Seriously, though, where were you?" he asked; raising a curious eyebrow at her.
Walking over to her brother, Karin stopped in front of the two men; keeping her gaze on the carrot-top. "You're a big boy now, Ichigo; I knew you could handle it without me. Besides, you knew my schedule, since you were the one who asked me to supervise training today."
Ichigo nodded, and rolled his eyes; mock-exasperation on his face, but a small smile gracing his lips. "True, but you know you still should have been here; at least to say hello to Byakuya, and Renji. So, how did it go? Is everyone fully recovered?"
Karin nodded her head in reply. "Yes, they seem to be. Ayame and Kija are back to bickering, so that's definitely a good sign." she said; a smirk on her face.
Ichigo gave a light chuckle, before responding. "Great. Thanks for the update, and for overseeing training today. Now, would you join me and Dad in the study to discuss what you missed in the meeting? There are some decisions that need to be made." he said, as he glanced quickly over to his white-haired companion, before refocusing on his sister.
Karin looked from one man to the other before nodding, and turning to leave. "Sure, let's go. See you later, Toshiro." she replied; walking over to the open doors of the war room, and disappearing out of sight.
Ichigo watched his sister leave, before looking over at his silent companion; an amused look on his face from the sight of Toshiro's thoughtful and analytic expression. "She's a bit different than you remember, isn't she?" he asked; a humorous smile on his face.
Toshiro merely nodded in reply; his eyes never leaving the door Karin had just exited through. "It's been over eleven years; I'm not surprised she's different. I see the lack of care for convention runs in the family, though; that was hardly a proper greeting."
Ichigo let out another laugh, before catching the young king's attention, and motioning for him to follow him out of the room. "Karin's never cared much about proper manners…or proper anything, really. She's a soldier's daughter, and a soldier herself; she doesn't give a damn. Come on, I'll show you to your room before I join them in the study." the crown prince said, as he started walking towards the door.
Toshiro followed silently behind Ichigo, and the strawberry led him back to the front of the palace until they reached the foyer, up a grand staircase on the left, and took a left at the top; bringing him down the men's gallery, before stopping at a large oak door about a third of the way down. "Here you are, Toshiro. Now, if I still know you at all, you'll find the private training room down the same hallway we just came from. Follow it two-thirds of the way down, and take a right. That will bring you to the indoor gardens, and the entrance to the training room is on the other side. There are other ways to get there, but that's the quickest route from your room. I'll see you and Shunsui at dinner." he said; turning, and making his way back up the corridor.
Watching as the strawberry walked away, Toshiro entered the room, and found his small case of luggage already sitting on the bed. He quickly shed his fur-lined cape, boots, and jacket; and put on a simple dark green, sleeveless tunic; black pants, and a pair of plain black boots. Taking off his Damascus steel crown inlaid with clear, pure diamonds, he refastened the thin silver chain that held his sword around his shoulders with the clasp that bore his kingdom's crest: a four-pointed star with a dragon's head in the center. Leaving his teal scarf on the bed, he exited his room, followed Ichigo's directions, and found his way to the private gardens.
He found Shunsui sitting on one of the stone benches in the center of the labyrinth of exotic flowers; enjoying the sun through the clear glass paneling of the ceiling. 'Thank god I changed out of my furs, it's like a sauna in here' he thought to himself, as he began to walk across the garden; nodding his head to the royal as he passed him, and making his way to his desired location.
Once there, he stayed for over three hours, and practiced with his family's ancient sword, Hyorinmaru. The blade was made of the same Damascus steel that comprised his crown, and the four points of the star-shaped hilt were adorned with the diamonds from his kingdom.
Every royal family had an inherited sword, each with its own special ability. These swords were some of the few mystical weapons known in the world, and they partially contributed to the power, and prestige, that each kingdom boasted. With his kingdom being from the northern hemisphere, his family's sword had the ability to freeze anything it came into contact with, as well as release powerful blasts of ice from the blade. A special phrase needed to be said to activate the abilities, so the sword could double as a regular combat weapon, as well. It was a priceless treasure from his family heritage, and he never went anywhere without it.
The young king was so absorbed in his training, and solitude, that he lost track of time; and, once he heard the large grandfather clock in the training room chime out the announcement that it was approaching dinner time, he finally sheathed his sword.
Making his way back to his room to bathe, and dress for dinner, he hoped that they would receive a favorable answer from his parents' old friend. 'For the sake of all of our kingdoms, they don't have much of a choice' he thought, as he retraced his footsteps from earlier.
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The majority of dinner was uneventful, and much of the time was spent making small talk. Karin and Ichigo were conspicuously absent, and Toshiro wondered whether that was a deliberate snub, or if something important was going on. 'Well, at least the other two princesses had the good manners to join us for dinner' he thought, as he talked with Yuzu; while Shunsui engaged in conversation with Orihime, and Isshin.
All of a sudden, their peace was broken when the dining room doors burst open, and in flew Ichigo; a rather large bruise on his cheek, but dressed in formal attire for dinner.
Every head at the table pivoted from the crown prince now lying on the floor, and scrambling to get back up, to the very angry princess standing in the doorway. Wearing a dark purple gown with long flaring sleeves, a form-fitting waistline, and a full skirt; with her hair pulled up into an elegantly braided bun, and adorned with her royal tiara and kingdom's jewelry; Karin's graceful appearance was a far cry from her current attitude. Her face was beet red, and her hand was still balled into a fist. "SHUT THE HELL UP, ICHIGO! I'm a warrior, not an overheated housemaid! Say that to me again, and I'll pierce you where you stand!"
Ichigo managed to get to his feet, and he stalked over to his irate sister; a deep scowl on his now purpling face. "Yeah, I know; but you're young, attractive, and I won't be there with you! Plus, you'll be surrounded by strange men! Of course I'm going to worry about you!"
Karin took a step towards her brother, and whacked him on the back of the head. "I'm ALWAYS around strange men, you idiot! Stop being so damn over-protective!" she yelled back, before making her way over to the table, and sitting down next to Toshiro with a huff.
The young king stared at the raven-haired hot-head; wide-eyed, and speechless, before looking to her father, who burst into laughter.
Everyone at the table cringed.
Grumbling, Ichigo took his seat at his father's right, and Isshin quelled his own amusement as he tapped his glass with his knife; gathering everyone's attention. "Well, now that everyone is here, I would like to give you my answer, Shunsui; if I may." he said; looking to the Saikyo ruler, who gave him a nod to continue.
Nodding in return, Isshin spoke again. "After careful consideration, and weighing all of the pros and cons, we have decided to accept your offer. The kingdom of Karakura will gladly join you in your fight against king Aizen. We realize that if we don't act now, he will inevitably threaten our kingdom's existence as well. Our best shot of taking him down is with the thirteen kingdoms still strong, and standing. If we wait, it will not end well. So, to that end, my two generals and I have devised our strategy on how we will divide our forces. Ichigo will remain near the southern hemisphere with two-thirds of our men to both guard our own borders, and provide reinforcements to the western kingdoms closest to us; while Karin takes one-third of our men to the northern hemisphere, along with her team of archers, to provide reinforcements for the kingdoms that reside closer to the north, and secure the few vulnerable areas of Toshiro's borders. I hope you will forgive my children's absence for the majority of dinner; but they were busy informing our troops of this development, and organizing them accordingly. Now, is that an agreeable plan?" he asked; looking to the two rulers expectantly.
Shunsui and Toshiro looked at each other for a moment, before looking back to Isshin, and nodding in agreement; Shunsui giving an appreciative smile to Karakura's ruler. "Thank you, Isshin; this will make all of the difference. We will help get your men established, introduce princess Karin to our own generals, and begin coordinating attacks. We will also be sure to keep in regular contact with you."
Isshin nodded in reply; a smile adorning his own face. "Splendid. I'm glad that's settled, then." he said, before looking over to Toshiro; meeting the young ruler's gaze. "Toshiro, would it be too much to ask if Karin and her archers resided at your castle? From what I understand, it's a short enough journey from your home to Saikyo's, and Kiryu's, borders; and your castle is very strategically placed so as to be almost continuously secure simply due to the environmental and geographical conditions."
Toshiro nodded in agreement, which made Isshin smile wider. "Of course; It would be an honor to host the princess for the duration of her time stationed in the north. You're right, my castle is technically the safest place to be, due to the extremes of my region."
"Wonderful! Thank you, Toshiro! I knew I could rely on you, just as I knew I could rely on your dear father, and mother!" Isshin exclaimed; his hands clasped together with almost childlike excitement that the rest of the adults found slightly unsettling. "So, Toshiro, how is Rangiku doing? It's been quite some time since I last saw her." the Karakura ruler asked, as a softer expression overcame his face.
The young king was surprised that Isshin remembered his general; it had indeed been many years since they had last spoken, and he thought that the ruler of Karakura would have forgotten by now. 'Well, I suppose one never truly does forget his own subjects, even if they left twenty years ago' he thought; just the hint of a smile on his face. "She is doing very well. Still lazy, but one of the most loyal people I have ever met. She is even being courted by Kensei's general. You heard that her husband died five years ago, didn't you?"
Isshin shook his head sadly; his expression sorrowful. "No, I did not hear about Gin. What happened?"
Toshiro's face darkened, and an angry frown appeared on his face, as he looked down at his plate. "Aizen." was all he said; and the table went quiet for a moment, before Isshin decided to try, and lighten the mood. "I'm very sorry to hear that, but it makes me glad to know that she's finding happiness once more. I was always fond of Rangiku, so it's good to hear she's doing well." he said; a kind smile on his face.
Toshiro's facial features relaxed, and he looked back over at Isshin. "Thank you. I'll be sure to tell her that you asked about her; she'll be happy to hear that. She's always been fond of you as well, and I know she still misses you."
Isshin's smile broadened, and he nodded. "Thank you, Toshiro. That would be greatly appreciated. Please, tell her I miss her, too. Despite her laziness, she was always the student that I had the most fun training."
The young king nodded in reply, and the rest of dinner passed by quickly; with the kings, and generals, discussing preparations, plans, and any other necessary information, before retiring for the night.
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Toshiro only slept for a few hours, before waking at four in the morning. Unable to go back to sleep, he decided to get up, go for a walk, and enjoy the cooler early morning temperatures, before the heat of the day started setting in. He was anxious to get on the road, and back to his own kingdom; but he wasn't looking forward to the many weeks ahead of him stuck in the carriage. 'Maybe I'll just go on horseback. At least, that way, I won't be trapped in a stuffy box for hours on end' he thought, as he walked in the gardens behind the palace.
The incredible array of color, and plant variety, in the south always amazed him; living in the far north, he rarely saw such lush greenery. 'My kingdom has its own beauties, though; things the south doesn't get to enjoy' he thought, as a small smile formed on his face while he walked through the thick forests on the outskirts of the formal garden.
He'd been walking for about a half an hour, when he suddenly heard rustling behind him. Spinning around, he came face to face with a large, fierce-looking tiger stalking towards him; its piercing eyes locked onto his every move. Slowly, Toshiro reached for the hilt of Hyorinmaru, before he heard a high-pitched whistle. The tiger stopped it's advance immediately, and looked in the direction of the noise; turning, and running over to the dark-haired woman making her way towards them.
To his surprise, Karin scratched the animal behind the ears, and watched in shock as the tiger laid down to let Karin rub its belly. The young Kurosaki spent a minute petting the animal, before looking towards him; a humorous smirk on her face. "Sorry, Toshiro; did Todoroku Kaze scare you?" she asked; slight teasing in her voice, and laughter in her stormy grey eyes.
The young king's shocked expression morphed into a disapproving frown as he stared at the girl; not amused by the comment. "Hardly; I just didn't expect a wild animal to be living within the palace grounds. It has a name?" he asked; curiosity in his voice.
"She has a name, yes. Todoroku Kaze is my pet; I raised her from a cub. She's actually very sweet once she gets to know you. Here; come over, and see." the princess said; smiling, and ushering him over to the animal.
Fighting against his better judgement, Toshiro hesitated for only a moment, before walking over to them. The tiger growled at him, but Karin took his hand, and put it on the animal's stomach; letting him pat the large cat as it relaxed, and closed its eyes.
The raven-haired princess smiled approvingly at her pet, before looking back at him. "See? Like I said, she's sweet. Since I'm with you, she knows you're trustworthy."
The faintest smile graced Toshiro's face as he ran his hand along the smooth striped fur of the animal; listening to it purr, before looking over to Karin. "And what would have happened if you hadn't been here? Would I have been her breakfast?" he asked; a smirk on his own face.
Karin laughed, and patted the animal's head. "No, she would have stayed out of sight, and watched you from a distance. She knows not to get near people, unless I'm around."
Toshiro nodded in reply, before looking back at the large cat in front of him. A moment of silence passed, before he spoke again. "Will you miss her while you're gone?"
Nodding her head, Karin took a piece of meat out from the pouch tied to her waist, and fed it to the animal. "Of course, I will; but, Yuzu will take good care of her while I'm away. It's not like this will be the first time I leave her for an extended period of time." she said; absentmindedly running her hand along the cat's smooth, striped fur.
Another moment of silence passed, before the young king decided to speak again. "Still, it can be hard to leave pets behind; especially if you have a special bond with them." he said; watching the tiger push its head into Karin's hand for another rub.
Surprised, the raven-haired Kurosaki looked back at him; curiosity evident in her eyes. "That's true. My mother gave me Todoroku Kaze for my seventh birthday, so I do have a special bond with her. Aside from archery, she's really the only thing I have left of my mother. You speak as if you know what it's like; do you have a pet, too?" she asked; observing him closely.
Toshiro looked over at her, and his gaze found hers for a moment, before he looked back down at the cat. "Kind of." he replied, as he reached up, and scratched behind the animal's ears; listening as the purring got louder.
Karin was very curious now, but she knew she wouldn't get any more information out of the stoic northern ruler…at least for the time being. The last time she'd seen Toshiro, he was still a young prince; only nine years old, with a bad attitude, and living parents. Even back then, he'd been very reserved, and unemotional; but, even so, he'd at least still been an innocent child, like herself. Now, he was an orphan, a king, and a soldier of many years; who'd fought and bled alongside his men on the battlefield countless times. He'd grown into a handsome young man, but she could tell that he was just as cold, and reserved, as she remembered. 'I wonder how he can live like that? I think I would sooner be dead, than live without laughter and joy' she thought, as she watched him pat her tiger.
Now that she'd seen a little bit more of him, though, and actually engaged in some conversation, she was rather interested to see if there really was more to the man behind the icy façade than she'd originally assumed. Toshiro's reputation was that of a cold, hard, stoic man; who did not tolerate childish behavior, and was a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Seeing this glimpse of a potentially softer side to him made her curious. When her father had given her the assignment to go north, she'd initially not been very excited about it; preferring to stay closer to her kingdom, and aid her good friend, queen Sui-feng, instead. Ichigo hadn't liked the idea, either; freaking out about her being without him, and surrounded by foreign men. He was no idiot; he knew his little sister was an attractive woman, and he worried about them trying to take advantage of her…particularly, the ruler with whom she would be staying. It had been that particular comment that had earned him a punch in the face as they were making their way to dinner the previous night. She may not know him well, but Karin at least knew enough of Toshiro to know that he would never do anything to dishonor her…and, even if he tried, she'd just break a few of his bones.
The two remained in silence for a few minutes, as they pet Todoroku Kaze; before they noticed the first light of the morning quickly make its appearance. Deciding that it was time to return to the palace, and prepare for their departure, Karin hugged her pet goodbye; both of them getting up, and returning the same way they'd come.
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It took them two hours to get everything organized, finalize the weapons count for the Karakura army; and for Karin to make sure she had all of her men, as well as say goodbye to her family.
Mounting his white horse, Toshiro gave Isshin a nod, as Shunsui climbed into his own carriage. Next to him, Karin and her archers were mounted on their own steeds; Karin's being the only black one in the group of ten. The rest were buckskins, each with a white marking of some kind.
Walking up to the young ruler, Ichigo crossed his arms over his chest; a stern frown on his face. "Take good care of my sister, Toshiro, or you answer to me. Remember, she's not just the princess; she's my second-in-command. Be sure to treat her with the respect she deserves." the crown prince said; a silent challenge in his eyes, and warning in his voice.
Toshiro frowned back at the crown prince, but nodded. "I always treat people with the respect they're due, Ichigo. I promise, I'll do everything I can to keep her as safe as possible; and I'll send you regular updates on how things are going on our end as the war progresses."
Ichigo nodded in reply; his frown softening slightly. "That would be appreciated, thank you. Safe travels, Toshiro. Tell Rangiku we say hello." he said; a genuine smile on his face now.
"I will. Thank you, your royal highness." the young king replied, before thanking Isshin one last time for the hospitality, and riding up to the front of the large precession with Karin and her group of archers.
Waving goodbye to the three royals, and their new military units, Yuzu and Orihime cried as they watched their beloved sister ride off; with Ichigo and Isshin praying that this new alliance would finally put an end to Aizen's reign of terror.