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What Sets Us Apart
Chapter Two - Welcome Home
Author's Note: Yeah. I'm gonna take a short break on this short series, and write another Fanfiction. J
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Everything…was so formal. Everyone was expecting to see him. The butlers standing on the side of the hallways saluting him with a bow, while the two women ahead watched him steadily enter the kingdom. "So…that's him?" Karin asked Yuzu with a rather displeased look. "Sure doesn't look like Ichi-nii-san's child…" She replied as she sat comfortably on her throne. Yuzu let out a sigh. Her sister, these days, became rather cruel. Ever since, their brother died.
"Please…at least be kind to him." Yuzu whispered to her sister's ears as they eyed him with curiosity. "Father would want that as well…you know how badly he wanted to see him." She added, making Karin feel a little disheartened.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
He was now at the top of the throne. His eyes met Karin's and then Yuzu's with a little curiosity as well. All three, no matter their relation, could not think of anything to say. It was strange. He had…aunts. That he never heard of.
"…Your name?" Karin asked staring at him intently. Yuzu smiled kindly, blushing. She was obviously embarrassed around her sister's manners. Inori flustered.
"…Inori…" He grumbled under his breath. Karin snorted. He looked up to see her face turn red with laughter. "W-What's so funny?!" He asked angrily.
"Nothing…Nothing!" The woman replied, laughing harder. Yuzu apologized for her sister's strange behavior. He could already tell he'd hate living here.
"…Your highness…if I may…" Unohana interrupted the queen's roar of giggles, and stepped up. Karin excused her selfish attitude and dismissed Yuzu to take care of Inori while she did some other matters.
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"So…you're Ichi-nii-sama's son…" Yuzu replied quietly, staring at him. There was something in her eyes that made him feel a little uncomfortable. "…It's been along time since I've seen you, ya' know." She added smiling childishly. She was at least twenty five years old…and both she and Karin took care of the throne when they were only fifteen (after Rukia and Ichigo left the throne).
"…Why was she laughing?" Inori scoffed while crossing his arms. Yuzu smiled. He was exactly like her brother. Every time someone laughed, Ichigo would automatically assume that he was the source of the laughter.
"…She only laughs, because she's nervous." The woman replied and opened a door. He stepped in, finding a gigantic room - all for him. "…You don't know how much stress has been placed on her after your father left…"
"My father?" Inori asked as she stepped on top of the red silken bed. It felt so bouncy and comfortable not like his old feathery pillow and straw bed. He acted like a toddler as he repeatedly bounced on top of his bedpost. "…I'm sorry…but I don't know anything about him…" He added.
Yuzu gazed at him with eyes shimmering. She bit her lower lip. Her strands of hair slowly wavered as she stared at that child with such…sadness. "He was a great man…" She replied sitting on the edge of his bed. He stopped bouncing and eyed her.
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"…I have a suspicion that someone will be after him." Unohana replied quietly. She played with her fingers and eyed Karin who seemed to understand her.
"Ok…I'll take care of that brat." She replied casually. "Just do me a favor…" Karin murmured and bit her lower lip. "If they ever succeed to bring Ichi-nii-sama…can you please…" Unohana understood her as well.
"I will."
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"SO let me get this straight!" Inori hollered with dissatisfaction. He was now found lying on the carpet floor gazing at the chandelier above him. "My father…was this crack head…who, like, went nuts…because he took a LOT of drugs…to save this woman?" Inori asked while yawning. Still he did not interpret what Yuzu was telling him. He found her letting out a defeated sigh. He was hopeless.
"Heh. You're also quite…like your mother…" She replied heavily. "Rude…but people could never get mad at her…" Yuzu closed her eyes and then opened them once more after relaxing for a while.
Inori stared at her. "What was my mother like?" He asked getting a little interested. He had, for so long, lived with a woman who faked to be his mother…and now her truly wondered what his real mom was like. "Was she beautiful, intelligent?" He asked her numerous questions, and she paused him.
"Don't worry…" He eyed Yuzu who seemed to be crying only a little. "She was everything…" She replied. "Beautiful…smart…she even was powerful…if you gave her a sword." She recalled all those moments. Seeing her brother leaning against Rukia who had calmed him down. He was bloodied, and a small slit was found that had entered through his heart. He was smiling though…because he was glad she was with him. He was glad…that Rukia was with him.
Inori gazed at Yuzu who seemed to be flooding with tears. She tried so hard to wipe them, but unfortunately she was such a cry-baby. Just like what her siblings said. At that time Karin had entered and found Yuzu weeping.
"Jeez. What did you do?" Karin asked pointing at Inori accusingly.
"I-I did nothing!" He stuttered and waved his hands back and forth. He eyed the woman's lunatic eyes that were following his every movement.
"Heh. I guess it was probably because of your stupid resemblance." Karin rolled her eyes and heaved Yuzu up with her arms. "Don't worry, Yuzu…" She whispered sweetly. "Don't you know, Inori…you look exactly like your father and mother." She whispered.
His eyes widened.
"You have your father's hair, but your mother's hair color. You have his narrow eyes, but your mother's amethyst orbs. You have your father's figure…but your mother's smile…" Karin replied. She was drowning him with lots of resemblances. "If you don't believe me…look at that picture over there." She pointed at a small portrait that stood above the wardrobe.
He slowly walked up, and found them.
"…So…you…were him?" He asked, finding a man with orange hair. That same man that had entered his dreams so many times….it actually hurt. His eyes then wandered and found a young woman who sat down on a finely carved chair. He started crying. The same woman who had left me…He whispered to himself and placed the portrait back. Karin was right…he had their traits…
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Unohana stood outside of the room, hearing Inori cry softly. Her heart fastened but slowly began beating at it's own pace. She sighed. "Gomen…Inori-chan." She whispered and left.
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Grimmjaw gazed at the palace with admiration. "Been a long time…" He replied sweetly to himself. He grinded his teeth and clenched his bony fingers. "Better get going…" He grumbled with delight and raced towards the back entrance.
…Heir's blood, right? That'll be easy…He scoffed to himself. "Why couldn't he get it himself!?" He shouted spitting out a little drool. He wiped his mouth and scratched the back of his head. "Damn you Ulquiorra…I'll get you sooner or later." He replied.