Can you help me?
Counting the Days
Chapter IV
Blissful Ignorance
"The evil that is in the world almost always comes of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence if they lack understanding."
-Albert Camus
"In order to survive, all living things in this world fight desperately and devour those they defeat . . . Must one kill other living things in order to survive? Must one destroy another world in order to allow one's own world to continue? The wounded in turn wound and torment those weaker than they themselves are . . . There are only the killers and the killed . . . The sinners who are judged, and the victims that do the judging. What meaning is there to such a world?"
-Time Devourer (Chrno Trigger)
"Wake up boy; you ain't dead . . . yet anyway. Come on get your ass up." The man kicked Ichigo hard in his ribcage. Ichigo winced at the pain he felt.
He felt pain. Ichigo slowly awoke from the haze. His eyes opened wide enough to see people staring down at him.
Why was he on the floor? Better question . . . .
Where the fuck was he?
"Well since you're up, I'll go get Orihime. Don't stay on the floor too long. I have a bad habit of kicking things, if you know what I mean." The man walked away from Ichigo looking pissed.
"He's not always mean to new people. He just hates you. That was Tsubaki by the way. I'm Shun'o, that's Baigon, Hinagiku, Lily, and Ayame. Your friends are waiting outside for you. I'll go get them." So Tsubaki hated him? What the hell did he do? Ichigo sighed, that's another name on his "people who hates my guts" list. The rest of them left the room. Ichigo began to rise up from the floor when someone's hand reached out towards him.
"I see you're not dead yet." Renji inwardly sighed at seeing the Prince. He was glad he was going to see another sunrise. Ichigo smirked, and grabbed Renji's hand tightly. Renji pulled him up from the floor and patted him on the back.
"Ichigo! My goodness, you're still breathing?" Rukia moved toward the two men smiling and giggling with each footstep.
"Yeah, I am. Where exactly are we? What is this place? This rooms smells like sickness."
"Well that sickness smell is you, this is the Health Ward, and to answer your first question we're at a temple." Rukia answered. She had noticed that Ichigo was on the floor, when there were nice clean beds along the walls of the room. What was he doing on the floor?
"I was wondering why the hell I was on the floor too." Ichigo noticed her looks and answered her question.
"Anyway, let's get out of here before they come back. They want answers. We cannot have these people jeopardize our mission. So let's get going while it's good." Rukia stated. These people were a hazard and they didn't need anybody messing up their plans.
"Rukia Kuchiki from the Kuchiki clan. Sister to the current head of the Kuchiki clan, Byakuya Kuchiki, also known as the captain of the Sixth Division of the Court Guard Squads of the Gotei Thirteen. Renji Abarai, currently the lieutenant to Captain Kuchiki's Sixth Division. You began in the Fifth Division as a regular 'ol Private. You were eventually moved to the Eleventh Division and later transferred to your current squad. Ichigo Kurosaki. You're a long way from Karakura aren't you? Nice too meet you by the way. My name is Kisuke Urahara." The trio whipped around to see a handsome blonde haired man with droopy eyes and an ugly looking hat.
Renji reached for his sword only to find that only the sheath was there, the same went for Rukia.
"My assistant has your toys, don't worry you'll get them back. Oh, where are my manners? Please have a seat on the beds, no need to waste your strength by standing, right?" Urahara smiled at them while they aimed venomous glares at the man. They sat down as they were told, understanding that he wasn't someone to play with.
"Oh don't give me that look! We're all friends here, right? Questions? Comments? Concerns? Please speak up, don't be afraid to tell em anything." They continued to stare at him. How did he know so much already?
"Well I don't think I know much, but I do have cameras around the forest. So everyone already knows why you're here. Maybe you should tell the Lieutenant here to keep things on the hush-hush when you're in unfamiliar territory. You know what I'm saying, right? Enemies are watching you and all that stuff!" Rukia and Ichigo stared at Renji. If their looks could set him on fire, there would be nothing left of Renji at that point.
"Who the hell are you and how did you know all that?" Ichigo snapped at the older gentleman.
"I told you who I was. Weren't you listening?" Urahara stared at Ichigo with a stupid smile on his face.
"I was listening! Just who are you really, who are those people? What do you want?" Ichigo yelled out.
"Do you mean like my occupation? Well, I am a priest. Those people, as you referred them to, are simple refugees, who have been here for years. My assistant, he's standing by the window, Tsukabishi Tessai. That's Hanakari Jinta and Tsumugiya Ururu they're here for manual labor when I throw my back out." The trio looked at the people he indicated. When did they get in here? "They were always in the room. You just didn't notice them. Don't mind them at all." Urahara said casually, brushing off any further questions about them.
"You still didn't answer my question! What do you want with us? We have nothing to give you!" Ichigo was beginning to feel like a child in this man's presence.
It unnerved him.
"I don't want materials, I want information. You see, this is my forest. I have been here since the emergence of the four great kingdoms. I was here when all the Inoues were exterminated and Levier fell. I am still here, as you can see. However, recently, a friend of mine has been slacking off in her job; she lives here when she's not busy with work. Anyway, her recent slacking off has sidetracked my flow of information. I don't know what is happening in the outside world. If you could maybe, oh I don't know, gimme some details you'll be closer to leaving." Urahara looked at the three. He could tell what they were thinking again. "None of your personal business that's for sure. How about letting me know what Aizen is up to? Why are his friends here in my forest?" Urahara was the embodiment of seriousness now. He wanted to get straight down to business.
"Ha! Your all seeing eyes don't let you see everything then. They're looking for this place. I guess it's something you have that they want." Rukia noticed the slight twitch Urahara had when Renji said that it was something that he had that Aizen wanted. Before Rukia could analyze his body language further, the sudden movement was gone and Urahara was back to grinning.
"Oh? Really? Dear me, I have nothing he could possible want. Or have for that matter! Troublesome Sosuke. So, what's Aizen up to?" He replied smartly. Urahara knew not to let anything slip that could give them any edge.
Unless he wanted them to know. . . .
"We don't know! Now let us go! You said you would let us go, we don't know a damn thing no let us fucking out of here!" Renji bellowed at the man. Urahara was unfazed by this brute of a man. He could yell, throw things, have tantrums but he wouldn't let them leave. Not yet anyway.
"Shut up boy! You're loud as hell!" The man known as Tsubaki entered the room with the woman. Renji eyed the older man nastily. This Tsubaki was a bastard. As for the woman, they only stared at her. Her hair was so oddly orange, just like a certain someone. Her hair was wavy and it fit around her body perfectly reaching down to her lower back.
"I have already introduced myself to your friends Kurosaki but to you I have not. My name is Orihime. Pleased to meet you. Prince. Greetings, Lieutenant Abarai and Sergeant Kuchiki. I hope your stay has been a pleasant one so far." Orihime said sweetly. These people had caused a disruption in their lives and she wanted them gone, she wanted to feel safe again.
She felt vulnerable.
That was never a good feeling.
"Ah, so this is the temple that initiated you into maidenhood then? And he is your priest?" Ichigo stared up at the woman. What the hell was such a beautiful woman doing around a bunch of cut throats and a crooked priest?
"The answer is yes to both of your questions, Prince Kurosaki. The better question is when will you be leaving our humble abode? You sort of outstayed your welcome I'm afraid." Orihime stated. She watched the Lieutenant and Sergeant fidget on the bed nervously while the Prince remained impassive. Orihime wasn't used to acting so mean. But Tsubaki said when they had visitors she couldn't be nice to them so she had to toughen up.
It really just wasn't in her nature to act so mean. She especially didn't want to act mean in front of the Prince. He was so striking! His manners were less than charming but it made him all the more attractive. She was extremely nervous around him and when he stared at her it made her want to melt into a puddle of goo! She was, however, embarrassed that he saw her cry. He had really hurt hand when he had grabbed it so tightly and the pain became too much for her, so she started to cry like a little girl.
But he wiped her tears away.
Thoughts of her brother swarmed her mind. She hated remembering those awful memories. They always made her want to cry a lot.
"Orihime and her band of attendants are refugees from Levier from eleven years ago. She has been with me for that long; I even trained her as a maiden since she was so highly capable to perform clerical duties and such. Yep this little missy over here saved your life Ichigo. Some thanks, perhaps?" Urahara added in his two cents. He could sense the emotions between those two and it was on fire! How cute!
"Yeah, thanks for not letting me die." Ichigo said rudely. He couldn't afford to trust these people who knew too much when he knew little. From what Urahara had said earlier he could already deduce the fact that he knew all about them.
Their mission had been compromised.
In Las Noches all was silent.
There was a quiet fury emerging from the depths of the sands.
Its King was livid.
Las Noches could feel the anger from deep within the recesses of the palace.
"My patience has worn thin. It seems that even Sergeant Aaroniero could not live up to my expectations. The incompetence of my soldiers knows no bounds I suppose. Has anyone located General Odelschwanck and her subordinates?" Aizen stared at his nine Espadas. Nine! He sighed. No one could tell him how Sergeant Aaroniero's dead body was found at the edge of the Forest of Deception. How was he ever going to succeed in his plans when such stupidity circulated around his soldiers?
They couldn't get anything done.
"No, Sire. She and her two Corporals have been officially labeled, missing in action. However, under the accusations of Commander Jiruga her status might need to be altered. If we presume what Commander Jiruga told us is true then she will be classified as AWOL." Tosen was just one of Aizen's advisors. The other one, Gin, was snickering throughout the whole conversation.
Tosen despised the company Aizen kept around him.
For even a blind man such as he, could see that these fools were dim-witted and tactless. The dark skinned man swished his braided hair to the side and inhaled deeply.
Tosen threw his kaiken forward, hearing it whiz past the target's head and hit the wall instead. Everyone at the table glanced at Tosen and turned their heads to see a pissed Grimmjow.
Grimmjow's cheek was bleeding. He held his fingers gently against the scratch; he wiped the blood away, giving Tosen a smirking glare.
Tosen could tell that maybe he had not made his point clear enough. Before Grimmjow could even take a breath, Tosen was kneeling on the table in front of him.
He grabbed the blue haired man by his collar painfully. He leaned down to whisper in his ear. "If you are not careful, you may find yourself taking your last breath of air. Very soon. I despise you with all of my being. Give me a reason to put an end to your existence. Give me one." Tosen pushed the man backwards. His chair slammed into the wall hard. The Espadas looked at Grimmjow sprawled oddly in his chair. He must have been talking about Aizen again for Tosen to have done something to him.
"Let this be a lesson. Mutiny will not be tolerated in the halls of Las Noches." Tosen stepped down gracefully from the table. He walked towards his spot next King Aizen.
"Tosen I never knew you could be so amusing, you must do this more often." Aizen grinned at the man. Tosen was a faithful dog. Without turning his head, Aizen's eyes looked towards Gin. Not once did he laugh through the whole ordeal. The man was always snickering.
"Is something the matter Gin?" Aizen turned to face Gin. Gin turned to his King. His lips held a smile but his eyes were telling a different story.
"Of course not, Sire. You needn't worry yourself over little 'ol me. I'm just enjoyin' the scene." Gin answered with a calm smile. Aizen dismissed the notion. He did not feel like pestering over something so trivial.
"I see. You all may return to your quarters." The Espadas stood and bowed, leaving the room in an orderly fashion, "Szayel. May I have a word?"
"Certainly your, Excellency. Is there anything you need in particular?" The pink haired man bowed before the throne, his glasses slipping to the edge of his nose.
Aizen watched the young man before him. He knew that Szayel was no dog, if he ever had an opportunity to take what he wanted, he would seize it without a second thought.
Snake.
That's what he is.
"Tell me, how are things going with your little . . . research project?" Szayel looked at him with bewilderment. He wanted to ask about that?
"Everything is in perfect order; the progress of the subjects has exceeded my initial expectations." This project was something of inconsequentiality- compared to his other projects at least.
"Good. Good. By the way, you've been cooped up in this dreadful place for so long. I wouldn't want any of my subordinates to be cramped up here for so long; it's unsightly to be stiff. Take Sergeant Yammy when you do. Rendezvous with those two females, you know what I want. Get it done. Dismissed." Aizen patted Szayel's head, like he would a dog.
Aizen sighed and headed out the room with his two lackeys following behind him, leaving Szayel with his head still bowed.
The Sergeant sighed and pressed a tiny button on his watch. A sphere arose from the watch, rotating patiently, and waiting for a command.
"Yammy Riyalgo." The sphere rotated faster, zooming in and out, until finally a square image emerged. Szayel sighed in annoyance has he watched the fat oaf gorge himself in the kitchen. Yammy slowly looked up to see Szayel looking at him in disgust.
"What nerd? I'm busy here, the hell do you want?" Yammy continued gathering food and placing it in his mouth.
"Get your things ready. We're meeting up with the two corporals in the forest. Failure is not an option this time. Meet up with me at the entrance." Szayel was careful not to say anything to the ignorant man. If Yammy was to fly off the handle this time, Szayel would be quick to silence him forever. He was not in a good mood.
"Yeah, yeah. Be there in a sec." Yammy stopped eating and left the room.
And the mess.
The image closed itself after Yammy left. Szayel sighed for the umpteenth time.
"General Halibel will have an aneurysm when she sees the kitchen."
Orihime twiddled her hair pin anxiously. She watched Urahara and Tsubaki argue before, well Tsubaki did. Why couldn't they just let her do what she wanted to do? It was her decision right?
"You worry far too much. Let her live a little!"
"You don't worry enough! I am her guard! I was left in charge of her, to protect her. She will not be leaving."
"Silence! Not another word out of you two. Tsubaki you must see reason. We are blind. That man is out there masking this world in darkness, while we are hidden from the world. We cannot begin to comprehend the magnitude of his power if we stay here. How can we expect to do any good when we are up to our necks in ignorance? If we are to avenge anything we must seek knowledge. I know you worry for me, and I appreciate this. I am not a child though! As the future queen, you will not sway me, for my kingdom depends on me. Now stand down!" Orihime never had to play that card before, but she played it right. The two men looked absolutely stunned. Their little Orihime had just raised her voice at them.
Tsubaki knelt down before her. He had watched her grow, raised her from childhood. She was a daughter to him. Now stood before him the future queen of Levier.
Such prowess.
"Do not kneel. I only wanted to show you that I was tough, you know," Orihime knelt down in front him, lifting his chin up with her delicate fingers. His eyes met hers, he could see the tears whelming up, threatening to fall over, "There were too many smiles to count . . . and I know that I was smiling, too. But now . . . when I look back . . . the people who should be here aren't. The ones who should be smiling with me aren't here. And I'm scared. I'm so afraid! I'm always thinking what if, you know? I always hoped that when I wake in the morning I'll still be that seven year old. I can see everybody smiling at me, laughing with me. Then I would call your names. No one answered me. They never answered me!" Tsubaki watched her bury her face into the depths of her arms. His rough hands unfolded her arms, taking her hands into his. She slowly lifted her head; her face was running with tears, eyes a deep red. She tried wiping her face, knowing it was unsightly, however, when she tried, Tsubaki held a firm grip on her hands. He slowly released them and wrapped his arms around her neck, holding her gently, swaying ever so slightly.
No words were spoken, as Orihime gripped Tsubaki's shoulders, scared of letting go, scared he might let go.
Like a silent consent, Orihime buried her face in the crook of his neck, and like a weight that rose from her shoulders, she let it all go.
Years of pain, years of struggling, all those years of sorrow, they disappeared.
She didn't have to be brave.
She didn't have to be strong.
She didn't have to face it all alone.
And for those years she held her head up high, those years she toiled with determination, for those years of trying, she cried.
Eleven years worth of tears.
Tsubaki cradled the back of her head; she held so much inside. She kept pretending it was alright for everyone's sake, pretending she was alright.
She had been brave.
She had been strong.
She had faced her troubles all alone.
And Tsubaki was ashamed of that, but to see her in such a vulnerable position, for her to show herself when her emotions were bared for all to see, he was honored. He was honored that she would cry before him. She had placed an immeasurable amount of trust in him, and he would not betray that trust. Orihime slowly lifted her head, and blushed as she looked at him. Tsubaki removed his arms from around her and wiped her tears away with the sleeve of his shirt, even the snot. Her face was swollen and red, and her hair was tousled, but despite all that she smiled at him.
He narrowed his eyes and gave her a funny look. "I just wiped your snot on my shirt and you smile? Can't believe this," She kept smiling, giggling even! He put his hand in her face, pushing her away slightly, and feigning disgust. "Go fix yourself up snotty, you don't want everyone to see your snot infested face, right?" He heard her gasp and a soft patting sound rush out the room. Tsubaki sighed and was stunned when that same sound came back in the room.
"Thanks." Her lips found their way to his cheek, and then she was gone again. The feeling lingered as his whole face burned a bright red. His fingers touched his cheek slightly, scared that he might dissipate the whole feeling; he rose from his spot on the floor and turned to meet a room full of chuckling people.
"I don't know if you know, but your face is red." Lily commented slyly. Tsubaki blushed a little more as he walked past them. They followed him out the room, snickering along the way.
"Don't you have something better to do?" Tsubaki was already embarrassed at the little smooch and equally embarrassed that they saw it.
"Not really." Lily replied smartly.
"Okay, let's leave him alone. Tsubaki might be in shock right now." Urahara shooed them away, leaving the embarrassed man in the hallway with the last person he wanted to talk to right now.
"What Marshmallow? Leave me alone already, damn!" Tsubaki longed to be left alone. Orihime had inconvenienced him in the worst way possible, now he was ashamed, not wanting anyone to see his red face full of embarrassment.
"I remember sitting in the garden with her. She ran around picking all kinds of flowers, when she stopped and looked at me. 'Marshmallow, where's Tsubaki?' I told her I didn't know where you were at the time. She pouted ever so slightly. 'He can't keep his future wife waiting forever! He's a bad future husband Marshmallow!' I laughed at what she said. Then I asked her, 'You want to marry him?' She looked at me like it was obvious. I couldn't help but laugh again. 'Well, I don't know about marriage anymore, but I know that no matter what happens, even if the world becomes my enemy, he'll always be my knight. Even if he's late. I can always count on Tsubaki!' That's when you showed up and she chastised you for being late and not coming sooner." Shun'o chuckled at the expression on his friend's face. He didn't understand.
"You did well." Shun'o patted his friend's shoulder and left him there in the hallway to ponder further on what he had said.
Tsubaki tilted his head back and sighed with relief.
"Yeah, I guess I did."
"We can leave?" Renji asked incredulously.
"Of course, I told you, you could. However, you'll be leaving with some more baggage." Urahara smiled at the three as they all scowled at him.
"What the fuck? We didn't discuss anything like that! Define baggage!" Renji shouted at the older man, he knew there was a catch. There was always something.
"Just some people. Nothing much." Urahara brushed it off as if the whole thing was trivial to him, but Renji kept it up.
"People? PEOPLE? Hell no!" He shouted at him more. Urahara was getting irritated now.
"Renji please! As the lieutenant of the Sixth Division of the Gotei Thirteen, you are acting like a child, and disrespecting the man who has shown us kindness. Do not shame your Captain. Big brother would be disappointed in you! Get a hold of yourself now!" Rukia scolded the taller man. She was just as upset as he was, however he should have chosen not to voice it. She felt Ichigo's hand on her head. She sighed and shut her mouth.
"Whatever. Just hurry the hell up; we don't have time for this." Ichigo said. This whole predicament was bad. He learned nothing from this whole endeavor. This trip was a bust. They would never find out what Aizen was looking for here.
"I apologize for making everyone wait." The woman that had healed Ichigo came toward them with a joyful smile on her face. Ichigo looked her up and down, disapproving of her appearance at once. Her hair was pinned up in a messy style. Her clothing was unsightly as well, boots, trousers, and a baggy shirt. She looked like a boy!
"I'm sorry I don't have many clothes, I wear what I can. So, um would you please stop staring, it's embarrassing." She chuckled nervously as Ichigo scoffed and turned his head. Orihime was upset at the fact he would look at her like that.
"Don't apologize Orihime, you aren't here to please these people. You look good in whatever you wear, sweetie." Her attendant Lily came from behind her and patted her head, affectionately.
"But your hair could be better," Lily began to work her magic on Orihime's hair. The finish product was more pleasing to the eye. "There you go! You look even more beautiful!" Lily fixed her hair up in a more competent style. A simple ponytail. Orihime smiled at her attendant with gratitude and walked towards the three who waited patiently for her to join them.
"Hold on! Shun'o is coming!" Lily called to them. Urahara glanced at the Princess. She looked absolutely lost. She hadn't seen the world in eleven years. She was nervous, excited, anxious, and a lot more rolled into one. Urahara turned around to see all of her attendants standing at the door, watching her. Their little Princess.
"Why are they coming with us? What are you trying to do?" Rukia asked as she watched the group that stood at the door.
"Evacuation. It makes no sense to stay here when others could be on the way. Besides, you're not taking all of us. Only Orihime, Shun'o, and Tsubaki. The rest of us will be along shortly. No need to worry." Urahara said. At the mention of their names, Tsubaki and Shun'o hurried out of the temple. Orihime brightened up a little more when she saw them approach her.
"We have our own horses, they're waiting besides yours. No need to worry, so if you're done looking let's go." Tsubaki said rudely. He walked off and Shun'o followed after him. Rukia and Renji turned to follow the two men and left Ichigo and Orihime standing in the clearing.
Orihime looked at her loved ones. They waved and smiled at her.
She was afraid.
If she turned away, would they still be there? Smiling? Waving?
This was a wondrous sight. She didn't want to turn around.
"Orihime! Let's move it!" She heard Tsubaki beckoning to her, she turned to rush towards him, and suddenly she stopped moving.
Ichigo looked at her. What the hell was she doing? He watched her turn around slowly and glance at those people at the door again, like she was reassuring herself of something. He was surprised when he saw her smile so whole heartedly. She lifted one arm and waved, the other soon followed and she was waving at them madly.
He shook his head and walked off. As he walked past her he could have sworn he heard her say something. He looked at her; she smiled at him stupidly before turning and running to meet up with the rest of the group. He stared at her back. What had she meant?
"They're still there?"
Ichigo turned around to see them still there. They must be watching us leave, he thought. He turned his head slightly, and Ichigo caught Urahara's eyes. Urahara smiled goofily, and waved at Ichigo with his fan.
Ichigo scowled at the sight and walked off, eager to put some distance between them.
Once the others were out of sight, the group dissolved, leaving Urahara at the door. His assistant, Tessai, stood next to him.
"Everything is in order," Tessai spoke but Urahara made no move. "Sir?" Tessai started to touch him but Urahara turned and walked into the temple.
"Let's get ready for some company! I'm just itching with excitement," Urahara was oozing with anticipation. "I wonder who's coming for a visit this time!"
She's consumed with everything that's been goin' on
She says
Whatever happens, don't let go of my hand
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(^.^)
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Haha, I'm glad people are reading this.
Thank you RedSun for pointing that out! I'm glad someone caught my mistake. Reviews are extremely appreciated! And thanks for reading! Til next time then. See ya next chapter.