What Sets Us Apart
Chapter Nine - The Battle for Her
Author's Note: This story is kind of taking long…Heh…I guess I'll shorten it a little. Maybe not? The story is so complex!!! 15-year-old thinking of so much things…makes my brain hurt.
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"Y-Your highness!" A soldier ran as quickly as he could towards Ichigo holding a scroll of parchment in his plump hands. His armor clattered wildly as he took his time to breath and hand over the message. "A…a ransom note from the Ishida Territory." He gasped for air and kneeled down before his king. Ichigo rose his eyebrow and stared at the paper with confusion and anger.
"…The hell?" He whispered to himself. "…Why would Uryuu have Rukia?" He crumbled the paper and threw it away. "SEND out the damn troops and locate them at the border lines of the enemy kingdom." He muttered hopping off of his seat. Why? Why does he have Rukia? Ichigo thought angrily. The knight quickly left and commanded the others for their long journey. I'll find you Rukia…
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"How's the weather?" Ulquiorra asked as Rukia entered the cavern with a weary look. She had done so much things that satisfied her, she was too tired to do more. "Heh. Such an adventurous I see." He commented running his fingers through her dark hair, like a pet. He was obviously trying to tease her, but she couldn't care. Sleep took over her.
As she fell asleep, he could pity her a little. He needed to sacrifice her and Ichigo to resurrect his master, yet he felt strange in doing so. "So little time…" He muttered under his breath and continued playing with her hair. He coughed up blood and lay against a nearby couch. He watched the sleeping queen happily sleep, and it…it made him happy.
"…Ulquiorra. Ichigo has sent his troops over at Ishida's kingdom." Grimmjaw replied, entering the quiet living room. He found the man stare at Rukia with wonder, and gave a cocky grin. "Heh. I didn't think you'd start to like her this soon." He remarked as he found Ulquiorra gazing at her with…a loving stare.
"Shut up…" He responded immediately and looked away. "She reminds me…so much of master. Calm…" He murmured. Grimmjaw rolled his eyes and snorted.
"Who cares? We'll GET to see master if we sacrifice her!" He pointed out and grinned as he jabbed his index finger at Rukia's direction.
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"Master! A declaration of war!" Nemu entered Orihime's room and ran with a small message. Ishida stood up and adjusted his glasses.
"What's the meaning of this?" He asked in confusion gazing at the scroll. He clenched onto it and dashed outside.
Upon going on the balcony he found groups of soldiers preparing for battle. They had their armors already on, and weapons polished. "WHO told you to prepare for battle?!" Ishida shouted angrily at his people. The army gazed at their king and pointed at their new general commander Mayuri… "What is the meaning of this, Mayuri-san?" Ishida grumbled and glared at the twisted up man.
"I'm only trying to protect our country." He gave a smooth reply and smiled gently towards his king. Ishida growled and tossed the paper towards the general.
"…Question Kurosaki's troops, first. Then attack if it is necessary." He responded. Mayuri shrugged and stuffed the piece of paper into his coat.
"Fine."
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Yoruichi was angered. "Where making a meaningless battle!" She hissed at Urahara who seemed to agree as well. "The hell with Ichigo? What is he doing!? " She complained and dashed next to the troops following her. Urahara split paths from her as they were commanded by Ichigo himself.
"DAMN that Ishida! What are you doing?" Ichigo replied riding on a horse. He grew so angry he didn't realize that he was leaving all of his troops behind as his horse ran across the border.
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Inori stared outside of the kingdom and found it quite disturbingly peaceful. His father had left to command a battalion, and his mother was somewhere kidnapped. He sighed and traced his fingers across the windowsill trying to see how much dust had been residing there. "…I hope she's alright." He whispered absent-mindedly. He did not notice the shadow casting over him.
"…She'll be perfectly fine." Unohana replied. "She was always strong." She smiled kindly and leaned against the window with him. Inori turned red. It had been long since they had a time to talk together. It was strange. She was his mother for fifteen years…now he found her so distant. "…Well…let's get everything prepared." She replied quietly.
"For what?" Inori asked in curiosity.
"To see the outcome of war…" She answered. "Something seems wrong."
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"Alright everyone, prepare yourselves." Mayuri sighed with boredom as he found Ichigo's troops come closer.
"B-But what about what Ishida-sama said?" A soldier asked and held onto his lance with hesitation. Mayuri let out a wide grin.
"The one who owns this castle is Orihime-sama…not Ishida-sama. I swore only to obey Orihime-san. Not Ishida." He replied. "Therefore, since I am her trustworthy soldier…you should follow me." He added and tossed the parchment that his king gave on the floor. The soldiers hesitated, but somehow…Mayuri's words were correct in a way.
"Fire, the cannon." Mayuri yawned.
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Ichigo's troops stood beside him as they saw a huge cannonball fly through the sky. Quickly it dug through the earth, causing some men to get off balance or have a serious injury. "Shit." Ichigo grumbled running his hand through his yellow bright hair. Yoruichi grunted and got in a fighting position. Urahara neatly took his staff apart revealing a brilliant gleaming sword. "…So is that it? Ishida? You really want to start this damn war?" He asked with anger.
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He swore he heard one of his cannons blow, and he was definitely correct. Ishida stared outside of the vast window and gazed at the occurring scene. His men got ready for battle and Mayuri seemed to enjoy himself. "Damn it!" Ishida shouted angrily. "I'll come back, Orihime." He whispered to sleeping woman as he dashed out of the kingdom.
"What is the meaning of this!?" He shouted at the soldiers who seemed to be ignoring him. Mayuri held his left shoulder and gave a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry. I can handle everything." He cackled and shoved his majesty brutally on the floor. Ishida gazed at him, and so did the other soldiers. "…Stay down…if you interfere, you'll regret it."
"W-What's going on!?" A soldier grumbled with irritation. "How dare you hurt his majesty!?" Mayuri shrugged with laughter in between his sighs. "Do not laugh! Say something!" Another grumbled pointing a sword at the generals neck.
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"What's going on?" Urahara whispered under his breath. "All of the sudden…the cannons have stopped firing." He added. Yoruichi seemed concerned as well.
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She woke up and found him standing in front of the cave's entrance. "Kuchiki-san. Time to go." He smiled and walked towards her. She was confused as he lent his hand towards her, but she followed him anyways. "…Grimmjaw! Luppi!" Ulquiorra announced with a threatening voice. "Prepare the carriage. Head towards the Ishida Manor." He replied coolly.
As they waited for the carriage, she found it uncomfortable. He kept on glancing at her from time to time. Like a nervous stare. She sighed, "Is something bothering you?" She had a rather rough voice, though she felt a little awful since he was at least a kind kidnapper.
"…No…nothing." He whispered.
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She stood in front of him with a smile, he could feel warmth around him as she lent out a hand. "…Hello!" Her sweet voice replied. "My name…is…Kuchiki…Hisana." She bowed politely. "You're name will be…Ulquiorra…Aizen-san requested it." She gave a rather small distant frown.
He blinked. Confused as he found himself in a strange world. He was able to speak, a language that was never even taught to him. What WAS he?
"From now on…" A man's voice replied in the deep shadow behind him. "You will only obey us." He muttered and left.
Ulquiorra gazed as the man left. "Don't worry…I'll take good care of you." Hisana replied lovingly like a mother.