Disclaimer: I don't own bleach okay!
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Michiko sighed loudly, still being forced to be confined in the Captain's quarters. She looked around, the place was a mess. She sighed loudly how long must she be confined here? She wanted to see her mother again, the melancholy beauty. Her black hair and sad blue eyes were quite enchanting she understood why her father and Renji and fallen for her. She saw her own reflection would she one day be enchanting the hearts of young men with her own blue eyes. She heard a knock on the door. She opened it to find Kaien. He smiled at her; she blinked and closed the door in his face.
"Wait!" She hesitantly opened the door a crack.
"Yes?"
"Miko, I want you to come play with us!" She was quiet.
"Who is, us?"
"Your fellow taicho and fuku-taicho relations." She was quiet again.
"Abarai-san told me to stay here."
"He's probably going to put the moves on your mother so he won't be back for awhile. On top of that it would be better to know the other kids so you'll socialize." She considered his offer, they were about the same age he was probably younger than her. She decided no harm could come from it.
"Alright."
"Ururu I won't let you get married!"
"Renji-kun?" She blushed when she realized what she said.
"Gomen ne!" She added quickly
"No, I like it when you call me Renji-kun." He told her slowly.
"Renji-kun, why do you always help me?"
"I promised Jinta and myself I'd look after you….."
"You don't have to do all this."
"I want to."
"How will you stop me from getting married? You wouldn't be able to convince my father."
"I'll marry you." He told her. Her face grew flushed and twitchy.
"Abarai-taicho, you don't have to do that for me."
"I want to."
"Abarai-taicho doesn't need to marry me in order to help me."
"I love you Ururu, that's why I'm doing this."
"Abarai-taicho?"
"I know you probably don't feel the way I do but I still care about your happiness!" She looked down softly.
"I feel great affection for Abarai-taicho but I do not know how to express what I feel." She turned away blushing.
"You can start by this." He pulled her face to his and pressed against her mouth. Then he woke up.
He was in a room, in a futon. He saw Ururu walk into the room with a bowl of cold water. She blinked in surprise. She knelt down next to the bed and placed the bowl on the floor. She wet a towel and wiped his brow with it. He realized he was lying in her bed. He forced himself to block the onslaught of perverted images coming to mind. She luckily didn't seem to notice.
"You fainted." She told him quietly.
'Way to go Renji, that's real manly. She'll be sure to want you now!' He scolded in his head.
"I carried you back to my rooms, I know this may be inappropriate and I'll be punished if Mayuri-sama finds out but my rooms were closer." He couldn't imagine how stupid he must have looked being slung over her shoulder.
"No, thank you Ururu-chan. It was kind of you." She looked down embarrassed. Then she smiled gently.
"I'm glad." He sat up and noticed she had made him some tea. He hesitantly took it and took a long sip.
"Delicious." He sighed and she grinned at him. He loved it when he made her happy.
"That reminds me I have a gift for you." He told her reaching into his clothes. Ururu perked up. He handed her the parcel she unwrapped it. He enjoyed her confused and astonished expression. The minute she laid eyes on the flower her expression softened.
"For me?" He nodded. Her eyes welled up with tears and she smiled, incredibly touched by the gift. She hugged him tightly.
"Domo arigato Renji-san." She whispered. His face flushed heavily at the feeling of her soft chest pressing against his and her smooth hands brushing his neck. He could have stayed like that forever. Of course all good things must come to an end.
"Ururu, what do you think you're doing you little harlot!" He watched in horror as Mayuri yanked her away by her black hair. He pulled her up to his face and snarled.
"How dare you embarrass me, you're getting married soon and here I find you alone with another man!" She whimpered as he tugged harder on her hair. Renji knew he would regret this but he ran over and punched Mayuri in his freakish face. He dropped Ururu who collapsed in pain.
"Don't you ever hurt her again!" He roared. Mayuri pulled out his sword and attempted to strike Renji, but hit Ururu instead. She jumped in front of him to prevent him from getting hurt.
"Enough, I apologize Mayuri-sama. Nothing happened, and you'll be punished if you draw your blade against another taicho." He glared at her. He yanked his zampacto from her shoulder, she yelped. She clutched her bleeding shoulder.
"It's time for you to leave Abarai-taicho." He picked up the papers containing the flower knowing Mayuri would crush on sight. He spared her one last glance, any part of the happy girl he had known moments before had disappeared beneath an indifferent shell.
"When is my wedding Mayuri-sama, as he is of a prestigious family I assume there will be a ceremony?"
"In one week child, enjoy your freedom while you can."
'What freedom?' She laughed bitterly in her mind. She waited until he was long gone before she fell to her knees and wept hopelessly. What freedom? She wanted her daughter; she wanted to make her own decisions! She wanted to live in a traditional Japanese home by the sea, she wanted to live there with her sister and daughter, Jinta-kun, Kisuke-san, Tessai-san and Abarai-san. She wanted to eat her favorite foods, go on picnics and play in the surf! Why must she be continuously denied her happiness? She remained strong for the sake of her sanity but there was so much she could take.
"So this is where you all hang out?"
"Yup, now let me introduce you." Kaien swept his arm in a broad motion.
"You already met Yukiko, the girl with the silver hair is her sister Yukihana, and the young boy is their brother Ryumaru." He pointed to the triplets standing together. Ryumaru had black hair, Yukihana had silver and Yukiko had white hair. All three had the same bright green eyes.
"This is my younger sister Amanohara." He pointed to a young girl with bright orange hair and indigo eyes. She smiled at her.
"And that little guy is Haruka, the kid of Kyoraku-Taicho and Kyoraku-Fuku-taicho of the eighth division." A boy with serious indigo eyes and thick wavy brown hair stared at her with critical eyes.
"We're going to have a new addition soon; Matsumoto-fuku-taicho is having a baby soon."
"Hi."
"Everyone this is Michiko, she's posing as Renji-san's niece but she really Kurotsuchi-chan's daughter." They all nodded in acknowledgement.
"Hello." A sweet, delicate voice chimed behind them.
"Ah! Hadankyouhana-chan!" Shrieked Amanohara. She looked to see a very delicate-looking girl. Her eyes were delicate lavender and her black hair was partially tied up to keep it from dragging on the ground. Her face was shy and delicate. She was wearing a yukata but it was of high quality.
"That's a long-ass name." Michiko remarked.
"Who is this?" Her way of speaking was almost annoyingly polite.
"She's Michiko, Kurotsuchi-chan's daughter."
"She's quiet lovely. So exotic too, unlike me." Was she fishing for a compliment, this new girl was gorgeous. While Michiko was indeed exotic but plain when compared to a beauty like what's her name.
"T-thank you." She mumbled, there was something about her that made her nervous.
"You can call me Kyou-chan, that's what everybody calls me." She held out her hand beckoning Miko to shake it.
"You can call me Miko-chan." She shook her hand hesitantly. It struck her later while she was playing with the other children that Michiko never learned who Kyou-chan was the daughter of. Michiko decided it probably wasn't important and continued playing with the others.
"Abarai-taicho!" Mayuri had been following him.
"We still have matter to discuss."
"Do we?" He asked, he was still angry about him injuring Ururu.
"Why are you harassing my creation?"
"Excuse me?"
"Ururu, it is vital she remains pure and untouched. She's a perfect candidate for his bride! If you have interest in her you'll have to act on it somewhere else. She is promised."
"What makes her so perfect?"
"She's quiet and submissive like a doll, and he finds her attractive."
"She's not a doll, is this what she wants?"
"Why does that matter?"
"Kurotsuchi-taicho, I'm going to come out and say it. Kurotsuchi-taicho, I want to marry your daughter."
Hadankyouhana climbed through her window as quietly as she could. However her efforts were in vain. As her father's voice rang through her room.
"Where were you?"
"Otou-sama!" She shrieked falling into the room.
"I asked where you were, Hadankyouhana."
"I was playing with the other children." She said quietly.
"Do they know who you are" He asked coolly.
"No."
"I do not want you sneaking out again, do you understand."
"Hai." She was quiet and looking at her feet.
"Hadankyouhana, I'm not doing this to be cruel to you, understand that. You are my heir, and my only child. I lost your mother, they say she was ill but I'm positive it was poison. I have hidden you all these years to keep you safe. Do you wish to die as your mother?"
"Iei Otou-sama."
"Good, don't sneak out again."
"Hai."
"You are the future of the Kuchiki clan, Hadankyouhana. Please be mindful."
"Hai, Otou-sama."
Nemu had finished her duties and was given the rest of the day to practice her kido skills. She walked to her quarters to change into a clean kimono. She found her sister sitting curled up in a corner her eyes red from crying. She was solemn and her cheek was red and her shoulder was caked with dry blood. Mayuri had been cross with her.
"Nee-sama."
"Ururu-chan, what happened?"
"I am getting married."
"Oh. To whom?" When it came to Nemu and occasionally Ururu, they believed that marriage was something of convenience, neither of them ever experiencing love. Ururu knew it could be for marriage but Nemu was till unaware.
"His name was odd, I'm afraid I don't remember it." To the ordinary person such a sight would be strange; sister having casual conversation while one of them was critically injured. Ururu adjusted her hold on her shoulder; more blood ran over her hand.
"I see."
"Abarai-san was here earlier. Mayuri-sama got angry with me for being alone with him."
"Oh so he stabbed you because of that?"
"He was trying to stab Abarai-san, I stood in front."
"Well I'll tend to your wounds" the sister seldom let others ted to their wound for their blood itself was poison like their father's.
Michiko had returned from her romps with the other children recently. She sat down with a cup of tea to relax. Without warning Renji stormed in slamming the door behind him. She trudged across the room, took some of the tea and sat down across from her.
"Damn fool, how dare he laugh at me?"
"What happened?"
"Your mother's getting married." She almost dropped her tea.
"What?"
"Yeah Mayuri forced her into an arranged marriage to some guy that will undoubtedly treat her badly like him! I asked if I could marry her instead and he laughed at me!"
"You asked to marry her?" He froze.
"Uh, I, well….."
"Don't worry about it I already knew." No duh she knew, it was obvious.
Ururu was tidying up her quarters. It was only a few days until the wedding. Her sister had gone ahead to the training grounds. She was just putting away her futon when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist. She yelped in a surprise as she felt herself lifted up. She tried to wiggle out of the arms. The person put her down and spun her around.
"Kunoaske-san?!"
"Hello Kurotsuchi-san." His cruel eyes bore into her uncertain ones. He pulled her against him; she attempted to struggle out of his grip, but did so in vain.
"I'm not letting you get away." He hissed. Her eyes widened.
"Kunoaske-san, this is very inappropriate." She whimpered.
"Are you worried about getting punished, I have permission to do whatever I please to my future wife."
"Kunoaske-san please, no."
"However you will be punished if you refuse me in any way."
"Please….. no…." She managed.
"You're my wife in practice if not by law." He shoved against a wall she yelped in protest. She knew she could not refuse him but she made a show of it hoping he might lose interest if she continued to struggle and cry. Unfortunately it did not discourage him at all. He had gotten one of sleeves completely off and the other still clinging to her injured shoulder. He was about to kiss her when she heard an unmistakable clang. She collapsed to her knees and looked to her rescuer; it was Renji on time of course.
"Abarai-san…." She managed to whimper.
"Ururu! Are you alright? I came by to make sure your shoulder was okay but I find him….." He knelt down to where she lay shaking on the floor.
"I'm his future wife he had every right to treat me that way." Her voice was shaking.
"BULLCRAP!" Renji shouted; she glanced up startled. He pulled off his Haori trying to ignore her flinch and wrapped it around her.
"I'm taking you to the fourth division, you need to get some actual help for that shoulder, and it's my fault you got hurt anyway. You'll be safe with Unohana; she won't let anyone hurt you."
"I'll be punished." She tried.
"If he tries I'll stop him. He isn't going to hurt you again." She was still shaking violently.
"Do you need me to carry you?" She shook her head so that her pigtails flopped.
"Thank you for being so kind to me Abarai-san, I told you, you needn't do so!"
"Forget it, you need to get someone to look at your shoulder…." he reached to touch it but she flinched.
"My blood is poisonous; if you touch it you will die without an antidote." She whispered touching his hand delicately.
"Come one let's get you checked out by Unohana."
The week went by so quickly. Michiko spent most of her time hanging out with the other kids; none offered any help in saving her mother. Kaien however kept looking at her. It was kind of stalkerish. Everyone really liked Hadankyouhana; she was incredibly beautiful and probably was another Captain's daughter. But oddly, she had the most beautiful clothing. After wondering for a long time she decided to confront the girl about it.
"Kyou-chan."
"Hai?"
"Why won't you tell us who you are?"
"What do you mean?"
"We don't know your family name."
"Oh didn't I tell you?"
"No."
"I'm uh……."
"Yes….?" Her eyes met Michiko's for a moment then they flicked down her long lashes shielding them.
"Look, my mother was poisoned when I was young, or that's what my father believes. Nobody in my clan even knows I exist except a few servants. They didn't approve of my mother since she was a commoner born. My father only wants to protect me. I want to play with the other children and be happy."
"I can understand that, my heritage was kept a secret. I won't ask again."
"Sorry I can't tell you, Otou-sama forbade me."
"Hey, I'm sorry about your mother, now I'm grateful just to know mine's alive."
"So you grew up without your mother."
"Yeah, I was under the impression she was dead. It wasn't all bad though. My dad loved me and I never felt unhappy. He raised me kind of like a guy, kept my hair above my shoulders; I wore overalls and played sports. I didn't mind tough, my father loved me dearly. He loved my mother too. Everything he's done was just for me to be happy and safe." Hadankyouhana put a hand to her chest.
"I'm only doing this because I love you Hadankyouhana. I couldn't protect your mother but I'll protect you." The feeling of his big hands pulling her into a hug comforted her. She could feel his eyes shedding tears on her black hair. She was his everything all he had in the world that meant something to him.
"My Otou-sama is like that too. He loves me so much."
"Dear, that man just likes making my job hard doesn't he? Giving the two of you poison blood." Unohana sighed as she finished stitching up her shoulder.
"What was his reason this time?"
"He was trying to hurt Abarai-san, I stood in front."
"I heard you are getting married."
"Yes."
"My congratulations. "
"Thank you."
"How long now?"
"Three days." The way she said it made it sound like a death sentence. It wasn't that far from the truth. Unohana snipped the last of the stitching.
"The stitches will dissolve as the wound heals. Come back in a few days to make sure there were no complications." Ururu nodded. She got up and left the room. Renji went to follow her but Unohana stopped him.
"Don't let her go back, see to it she's kept away from him for today and tomorrow. She's a good girl, she shouldn't have to kill. She's a mother now, I can tell every time she comes with wounds she can't tend to herself, it huts her to fight. Just because one has the power to fight doesn't mean they should. Ururu doesn't want to, neither does her sister. They don't have the heart to fight but they fight anyway. Protect her so she can go back to her daughter one day." Renji flushed and nodded. He would protect her. He ran behind her and grabbed her hand. Her hands were so dainty and small, how could these be the hands of as fighter.
"Ururu, don't go back so soon. I'm sure Matsumoto-san would like to spend some time with you."
"Demo, I have to return to my duties, I'll be punished."
"You're going to be married in a few days shouldn't you spend time with friends before you become a wife."
"Demo……."
"Come on, we all want to spend time with you."
"Alright."
Hadankyouhana awaited her father's visit that he gave her every day. She was dressed in her favorite lavender kimono with red flowers. Her father knocked on her door and slid it open. She got up and threw her arms around him. He blinked and hugged her back. He felt his parental affection radiate for his daughter and heir.
"Hadankyouhana?"
"Welcome Otou-sama!" She squeezed hard before letting go. She ran over to her pile of scrolls and grabbed one.
"Otou-sama, I made this for you." He took it from her. He opened it to find a sketch of his Hisana and Hadankyouhana.
"This is quite good. You show excellence like a Kuchiki should be." He patted her head.
"You're unusually cheerful today." He remarked.
"I just realized how lucky I am to have an Otou-sama who loves me so much." He looked confused but accepted her affection.
"Otou-sama, do you think Okaa-sama loved me?"
"Of course she did."
The women's shinigami association meeting had commenced. The member sat in their respective seats when Matsumoto burst in. Rangiku was heavily pregnant. She was practically glowing and her belly protruded out quite far. She had yet to tell who the father was and knowing Rangiku one could only guess. Her long red hair was pulled a ponytail. She sat down next to Ururu.
"Matsumoto-san you should be resting, you're due any day now."
"Ah it's nothing. From what I heard off the grapevine little Ururu-chan is getting married soon. We should throw a bachelorette party they do it all the time in the human world. Of course I want to join in the drinking but can't because of Junior here."
"Matsumoto-san, Ururu-chan really doesn't like that kind of stuff."
"Eh, you said the same thing but that's how you finally hooked you with your husband!" Momo blushed.
"My wedding……" Ururu said softly.
"Eh, what's the matter, it's because it's arranged marriage isn't it."
"Hai Mastumoto-fuku-taicho."
"Ahhh, call me Rangiku." She whined. She gasped.
"Junior's kicking!" She giggled. Ururu without thinking put her hand to Rangiku's belly. She realized what she had done and pulled away. Rangiku giggled.
"It's alright Ururu-chan." Ururu put her hand back. They remembered that she still missed her daughter.
"It reminds me of Michiko. When I was pregnant, Michiko would always kick so hard. I thought she would break my ribs, but no matter what I loved her. Even Mayuri told me she would be my death, I still loved her." Everyone was quiet, Ururu never really mentioned her daughter.
"I'm sure she's a fine young lady by now." Said Momo encouragingly.
"I just wish I could hold her. I wish I could tell her I love her." Rangiku smiled uneasily then shrieked. Everyone turned to face her. He face was contorted in pain.
"The baby! It's time!" All the women panicked and managed to get Rangiku to the 4th Division. Several hours of screaming and swearing later they heard a baby cry. They entered to find an exhausted Rangiku.
"Give him to me I'll teach him hurt me like that!" She snarled. They handed her son to her. Her berating gradually became coos to the little one. The baby's crying faded into giggles. Ururu watched the scene touched. She put her hand subtly to her belly where her daughter had once been. Rangiku noticed it.
"Ururu-chan, would you like to hold him?" Ururu nodded vigorously. She cradled the little one in her arms. She pictured holding her own little one.
"Your son, he's as small as Michiko was."
"Who's the father Rangiku-san?" Asked Momo.
"That's a secret." She winked.
Michiko walked the halls of Serietei her mind and thoughts clouded. She walked into a wall without realizing it. She felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you alright?" She turned her head to see her aunt, Nemu.
"Yes, I'm fine thank you." She whispered brushing herself off. Nemu had green eyes, her mother had blue. She cringed when Nemu invaded her personal space, staring at her.
"Can I help you?"
"You look like my little sister."She laughed nervously.
"Really how so?"
"Your facial structure and eyes are very similar to my sister's. Your skin is a different tone and the color and consistency of your hair is quite different."
"What's your point?" Nemu drew back.
"My sister had a baby with a young man with bright red hair, hair a couple shades lighter than yours. Her baby was a girl and she would be about your age now."
"Are you suggesting I'm that baby?"
"Yes."
"Aren't you tactful?" She muttered dryly.
"I can't help it; it's how I was programmed." Miko came her an odd look.
"What do you want?"
"To know what you want."
"What kind of answer is that?"
"An honest one."
"Why do you care?"
"She's my sister." Michiko eyed her aunt suspiciously. She had been told this woman was loyal to her horrid grandfather, but she was more loyal to her sister. She could trust her.
"I want to set her free and take her back where she belongs. If you dare tell your Master be prepared to face my wrath."
"I have no intention of stopping you or informing Mayuri-sama of your intentions. In fact I hope to be to assistance. If there is anything I could do, just inform me."
"Aren't you loyal to your master?"
"My sister is more important to me."
"I heard she's getting married, anything you can do?"
"No, nothing."
"Well you're not very helpful are you."
"I may not be able to do anything based on my position but I do have plan."
"Go on."
"Alright this was my idea….."
-Omake-
"I wonder why Mayuri makes those girls wear such short uniforms. You'd think he'd do anything but make them sexy." Mastumoto mumbled, half-drunk.
"I wonder if he does it because he wants his daughters to learn how to be immune from embarrassment." Kira continued, hiccupping.
"I guess but so far all its accomplished is having men stare at their legs." Mastumoto chuckled. She looked over where Renji was trying to keep quiet while drinking his sake. Matsumoto's face lit up in a grin.
"Of course one person here has definitely acknowledged the short uniforms."
"Huh, who?"
"Why Renji of course!" Mastumoto chuckled, Renji spat out his drink.
"What the hell are you talking about?!" He demanded, Matsumoto let out a huge laugh.
"Oh come on we've all seen the way you look at Ururu." Shunsui laughed.
"Hey wasn't she a kid when they first met?" Kira asked.
"Yeah, I really hope Renji didn't do anything inappropriate to her." Matsumoto smirked.
"Considering that Kisuke considers her a daughter of his it would be unwise to deflower her."
"You all suck!" He shouted half-drunk himself.
"Oh look here she comes."
"Yeah right. Just because I find her so freaking sexy that I want to jump her doesn't mean you guys can play, 'oh she's behind you'!" Whoops he hadn't meant to say the sexy and jumping part.
"Abarai-san?" A voice that was all too familiar.
'Crap!' He shouted in his head. He turned to see Ururu standing there completely unaware of what he had just said.
"Good evening Abarai-san." She told him.
"Nanao-san sent me to find her husband and 'drag him back'." She told them.
"Alright, well I'm out. My beloved Nanao-chan is waiting for me!" Shunsui chuckled and walked off. Ururu followed him leaving an embarrassed Renji behind.
"Shunsui-taicho?"
"Hm?"
"What did Abarai-san mean when he said he 'wanted to jump me'?" It took all he had not to laugh.
"I'm not sure; you might want to ask him tomorrow." She seemed to have inherited the blunt and oblivious nature that her sister had.
"Okay I will." Tomorrow would be a fun day, Shunsui concluded.
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Princess: Holy Horses in a Bucket! I finished. These chapters take so long to write because I made them so freaking long! Omakes was fun as usual, Ururu is cute and Michiko is sassy. I really don't have much else to say.
Reviews: (looks in the box and fory moths fly out.)
Okay seriously please review when you read this I'll at least know someone's reading this I mean I do this for free, you get entertainment for free please at review so I feel inclined to continue.