A/N: This is a Rukia x Ichigo NelX NNor fic . Also, OOC and A/U warning, first time writing Nel x NNoi so...yea.
A/N: As always please read and review, flames are welcome, critiques greatly appreciated! Slight lemon warning, cant even really call it that, but just a heads up. LOLOL
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, or the series
Rukia sighed staring down at his sleeping form, of course he hadn't wanted to talk about it. He was copping out as usual. How could she make him? He didn't seem at all interested in mending whatever relationship they had. She should just give up on it, he was in his own little world, and it seemed like she only fit into it when it was convenient for him.
She went home stashing her money with the rest and got into bed. Tomorrow she would go over later and not barge in like she had today. ~
Nell picked at her lunch, too nervous to eat. Her time was already up, and she knew it, he sat staring at her. He had come in early in the morning with his slick grin, knowing that today would be the day that she paid up. He hadn't even given her a chance to shower before he reminded her of it. Now he sat gazing at her like a wolf eyeing a baby lamb.
"Can you stop staring? Don't…don't you have other things to do?"
"Nope."
She wanted to wipe that grin off his face, but she had already agreed to do this. If she didn't there was no way for her to get her revenge. But even so, his gaze was making her restless. Her body felt like it was on fire and the memory of last night continuously played in her head. The way she had felt as he touched her. She wouldn't admit it, but she wanted more of it. "So, all that is on your agenda for today is watching me like a hawk? Where do you think I'll be going to?" he said nothing, and she sighed pushing away her lunch.
"Can we just get this over with so you could leave my room?" she stood her hands going to the buttons on her dress. If he just wanted to have sex then getting that out of the way as fast as possible was the best thing to do, that way she could focus on getting rid of the king.
"You're that ready to get fucked Princess? And here I thought you were against this."
"I'm against being watched like some animal in a zoo. It's quite unnerving." That was partly the truth, but really, she wanted to experience the pleasurable feeling she had last night.
"Don't worry Princess we'll get to that later, as for now, have you come up with an actual plan?" Nnoitra stood from his seat, coming towards her, his hands stopping her own. He was going to savor this for awhile, he didn't want to rush and be over with it. He planned to take his time with her.
"The poison must be put in his food, that's where you come in. I just need you to slip some onto his plate. I of course wouldn't be able to, but as the prince I am sure you'll be able to sneak into the kitchen and put it in." She had decided on a slow start for him. After a day or two when he was too sick to get out of bed, she would finish him off, stabbing him in the heart and watching him bleed out.
"Pretty anticlimactic if you ask me. Are you sure you want to do it that way?"
"Yes, I'm sure. He deserves to feel all the pain I have felt for the last three years."
He shrugged not really caring, if this was what she wanted he would give it to her. "Ok then princess, make sure you dress up for tonight's festivities then." He held her head in his hand, his long fingers brushing against her redden cheeks, relishing the softness.
She stared up at him, her lips partly open, her tongue darted out wetting her suddenly dry lips. She wanted him to kiss her, "Nnoitra?" The look in his eyes sent a shiver through her, the feeling settled in the apex of her thighs.
"Make sure you call my name just like that tonight," he smirked letting her go and leaving.
She stood there almost ashamed of how she had reacted to him. Was this what it felt to want someone? She pushed the thoughts out of her mind and set about getting ready for dinner.
~~~~~Dinner~~~~
Her anticipation was off the charts, she could barely sit still in her chair.
"You're being to obvious Princess," he grinned at her. "Is it the thought of what's happening after dinner getting you so thrilled or killing my father?"
She frowned, trying to subdue herself. All her hopes and dreams would converge here. He would finally get what he deserved. In truth though, both had her heart racing. She would finally have vengeance and on top of that, she would learn the touch of a man. Her body had been anticipating it, her thoughts had been filled with him, and how he touched her, the exquisite feelings he had conjured up. The king hadn't been in her thoughts at all, even though tonight was the night.
"It's finally going to happen, how can I not be impatient?" she whispered, she wasn't going to tell him that he was the reason for it. She stood bowing along with him as the king walked in.
Their food had already been placed and now as the king took his seat, his was placed in front of him. Nel ate her food slowly, Nnoitra had assured her that he had been able to poison the king's food, but she didn't dare look at him. She didn't want any suspicion on her, so she kept her eyes on her plate.
"I see your appetite has returned…good you're going to need all that strength tonight." His voice was low a smirk on his lips.
"I eat when I am nervous…That's all," her face flushed. Why was he constantly reminding her of it? She threw a glance to the king who was slowly eating his food. With each bite he was consuming the poison.
"So how long before it starts?" He glanced at his father who appeared to be just fine munching away on his dinner.
She observed him, she had told him to put about ten drops into it. It should start taking affect a few minutes after eating. Her thoughts were cut off by a bout of hacking coughs coming from the king.
"Are you ok Father?" Nnoitra said, without the slightest hint of concern on his face.
The king stood abruptly violently coughing up a lung. Immediately a guard came to his side, shouldering him and escorting him out of the dining hall. "Call the Royal doctor immediately!" he shouted to another guard.
Nel sat there her eyes watching the scene, the biggest smile on her face as she observed him. Why did this feel so satisfying seeing him in so much pain? "Should we follow him?" her eyes were alit with joy. She stood forgetting about being inconspicuous and followed the guards out, the king was now flanked by a group of men, rushing him to his room.
"He's not dying tonight right? Let's go before they think you have something to do with it." He stopped her pulling her along in the opposite direction.
She hadn't really thought of that, the first time eating again with the king, and he gets violently sick of course blame might be placed on her. It wouldn't matter after tonight, the old king would be dead, she would be safe.
They ended up in his bedroom. Being in there overwhelmed her, it was finally going to happen. She was about to give herself up to this man. He let go of her hand going to his bed and handing her a box, "I want you to wear this."
She opened it slowly, there was nothing in the box. She glanced up as his slick smirk and threw the box at him. It was finally time to pay up. She turned her back to him, and slowly removed her clothes. She took a deep breath turning around, her hands covering her breasts. Why was she so nervous? It was just sex. All she had to do was lay there and let him do what he wanted; then why did her heart feel as if it would burst out of her chest?
"Come." He beckoned her over and she hesitantly walked towards him, her eyes avoiding his naked body. He scooped her up, carrying her to the bed. "Tonight, Princess, you belong to me."
All she could do was nod, as he laid her down on the bed. ~~~~~~
Nel awoke to the sound of pounding on the door, "Your Majesty! Your majesty!"
She groaned, her body feeling like a ton of bricks, everything hurt.
"What the fuck are you bothering me for?" Nnoitra untangled himself from her then stood up stretching, he glanced down at her. He had taken and taken from her body, but still he wasn't satisfied, he wanted to fuck her again. He threw on his robe and went to the door, "What could be so damn important that you've interrupted me?"
"Prince Nnoitra the king has passed…"
Nel sat up then let out a whimper in pain. That shouldn't be right, he should only be in immense agony now. Did Nnoitra give him too much?
"Then shouldn't you be addressing me as King?"
"I'm sorry…I'm sorry your Majesty I just thought that since she…" his words were cut off as Nnoitra slashed him with a weapon out of nowhere. Killing him.
Nel scooted to the side of the bed, trying to get up, she had to go see if it was true. She tried to ignore the discomfort as she picked up each article of clothing and put them on.
Nnoitra frowned when he turned around to see her dressed, "Why are you out of bed, I know you're in pain, rest, his body isn't going anywhere."
"I don't want to, I need to see that he's really gone, I need to make sure that he has paid for everything with his life." She was crying but why? She should be ecstatic that he was finally gone so why were tears rolling down her cheeks?
He sighed, scooping her up into his arms.
"I… I can walk..." Being this close to him after last night was already wreaking havoc on her senses.
"A simple thank you would be good enough Princess." He carried her out the door and to his father's room the guards stepped aside as he entered.
He set her down and she hesitantly made her way to the bed. She gazed down at his face searching for any signs of life. He was pale and his face looked sunken. She had finally done it. He was truly dead.
She should be more than delighted, yet why did it feel like she had committed a crime? He was evil and heartless; this was more than he deserved. She turned to Nnoitra "I guess it's…it's over…" She had finally accomplished what she had set out to do, so why did she feel so empty? What was she going to do now?
"Come now Princess. You're satisfied now, aren't you?"
Nel nodded letting him pick her up without any complaints. She expected him to return her to her room but instead he took her to his.
"Rest now, I have a few things to take care of." He laid her down gently on the bed placing a kiss on her forehead. He stroked her cheek lightly before stepping back. What was he doing?
She nodded, "thank you Nnoitra, for everything." She really meant it; he had given her some well needed closure.
He really wanted to get back in the bed and just hold her next to him, but he left not really liking how he was feeling.
-a week later-
It had been a week since the king had been killed, no inquiry or anything had gone towards it. Nnoitra had claimed the crown as his own and her as his bride. He had proposed to her even though he hadn't said anything about love. Instead, he had offered her anything in the world for her to continue to stay with him.
Nel could have gone back to her normal life of putting herself in danger for gold coins or sit in the lap of luxury with him. She chose the latter, but it wasn't just because of that, she had started having feelings for him. She wasn't sure what it was she felt, but she knew she didn't want to be separated from him.
She sighed getting up from her seat, he had gone out for urgent business for the last two days and tonight he would return. She had taken to exploring his castle to pass the time, which she did freely, no one dared approach her. Today she would explore the western part of the castle then get ready for his return. She walked along the hallways quietly, peeking into random rooms, they were all immaculate if albeit a little dusty. She remembered her castle being just like this, but every room had been well taken care of because they always had guests.
Here it was different, she stopped suddenly at the sound of voices. She moved silently next to the ajar door.
"I'm tired of wearing this foolish costume master. Don't you think it's time for this façade to be over with?"
Nnoitra sighed, "no, you look better this way anyways." He chuckled out loud, "what would she think if you suddenly returned unharmed?"
"Since when does what she thinks matter? You've taken this too far. Are you just going to keep up this pretense forever. You know in the end she will hate you."
"You sure have room to fucking talk. I should have killed you when you tried touching her."
"I didn't even touch her. And you were the one that told me to push her Master, or have you forgotten that along with your brain."
Nnoitra wanted to just kill him, "just disappear."
"You need to think about this logically. What happens if she finds out that you really are the king? You're the one that killed her parents and ruined her life? Even if she has submitted herself as your wife, do you think she'll stay? Do you think this 'love' you have for her will keep her?" Tesra sighed his master's plan had been ridiculous from the beginning. But he had gone with it playing his part as best as he could to be the evil king.
At first it was amusing to see his master so flustered, it was different from his usual self it was quite hilarious seeing him pander to a human. There was no doubt in his mind that his master was in love with the human. He had never seen him go to such lengths before for a woman. "All I am saying is you should be thinking about the long run, and what you will do when she finds out."
"I wouldn't have to worry so much if you weren't always bringing this shit up. Just go do whatever it is you do and stay away from Nelliel." He wasn't a fool; he had already thought of the possibility of her finding out. He was just going to actually kill Tesra from the beginning, but in the end his loyalty and usefulness were unmatched. He couldn't count on any of his royal advisors for shit, if something needed to be done, Tesra was the only one that could do it in his place.
"Is that anyway to talk to your father? I thought I taught you better than that." Tesra chuckled donning his priestly robes and headed to the door. "I wont lecture you anymore your Majesty, but do know I will be the first to say, 'I told you so'."
Nel scurried away from the door, hiding in another room, trying to calm down. She listened as he walked by, her mind must be playing tricks on her. That was definitely his father's voice and what he said, it couldn't be true. Nnoitra wouldn't have lied to her. She hurried to her room. This had to be just a joke, there was no way the Nnoitra she knew could have killed her parents.
He was rough around the edges and spoke like a brute, but he had never hurt her. Even the night he had taken her virginity, he had been tender easing her into it. He had treated her like a doll. She should just ignore what she had heard, just live a blissful, if not oblivious life with him.
She wanted to cry or scream. Why was everything so fucked? She couldn't stay there. Anytime she looked at him, it would be in the back of her head. What if he was just a killer? She sighed, he wasn't supposed to be back until tonight, she had time to escape.
It had been surprisingly easy to slip out of the castle. No one stopped her or even paid attention to her. Now as she rode like a bat out of hell, her thoughts overwhelmed her. All of this had been one big sick game to him. He didn't care about her. There would never be any love from him. She had been a fool, just falling for him because he said he'd give anything for her to be his wife. She had stupidly believed everything he had said.
Was she just a complete idiot? He had killed her parents, took away her home and now thoroughly humiliated her. She tried to clear her mind, she needed to get as far away from his kingdom as possible. She rode for hours until she finally returned to her home. It was small and in the middle of a bustling city, but it had been perfect. Now it felt empty. She grabbed a few items of clothing, and the gold she had stashed. Where could she go now? ~
"Where the fuck is she?" His voice reverberated throughout the castle, as he tore through her bedroom, looking for any sign of her. All the clothes and trinkets he had gotten for her were still there. Nothing was out of place.
"We've searched everywhere your Majesty, she's gone."
Nnoitra glared at them in disbelief. "All of you are fucking useless," with flick of his wrist nothing was left of them but crumpled bodies on the floor.
Tesra stepped between the bodies gazing down at them with disregard.
"Don't fucking start, or I'll kill you."
Tesra glanced at him, trying to hide the small smile on his face, "I told you it would happen Master." He dodged a hit meant for his head, "she left the castle earlier, apparently no one bothered to stop her. She just went to the stables took a horse and rode out."
Why had she left? She hadn't said anything about wanting to leave. Even the night before he had left, she had urged him to return swiftly because she would miss him.
"Why do you have to go? Can't you just send someone else?" she sulked her lips in a pout, "this is supposed to be our honeymoon, right?"
He sighed slipping on his jacket, "if I thought anyone else could manage it, I would send them."
"So, it doesn't matter that your beautiful blushing bride is going to be lonely without you?" She laid her hand on his chest and stared up into his eyes. From first sight she had thought he was handsome but now he looked perfect to her. She didn't want him to leave after only just experiencing these fresh feelings of want, desire, love …
"You've grown quite attached in such a short time or are you afraid something might happen to you."
"No, not in the slightest. You've said before that no one would dare touch something that belonged to you. I'm not fretting over my life I'm truly going to miss you."
Nnoitra wrapped his arms around her. Was it too much to hope that she felt the same way? "And why is that my queen?"
She pressed her head closer to his chest listening to his heart and feeling his warmth, "because I-I love you..."
When those words had escaped her lips, he felt as if he would die. He had taken her to bed and made love to her till she had begged for no more. So why in the fuck did she run away? Had it just been a lie, to keep herself in his good graces? He had thought he'd shown her he would never hurt her, that he cared for her. Maybe he should have repeated the words back to her.
"Your majesty, we've found where she might have run off to."
It had taken a day's ride to end up at the small village, with no sign of her.
"Maybe she has already moved on." Tesra said, it wasn't a big village, not many places for her to hide. He and his men had searched every building to no avail.
Nnoitra sighed, he was becoming very upset "You know what to do. I'll head to the next town then; she couldn't have gotten very far."
"Do you think that is wise, Master. There is nothing of value here. It would be a shame to..."
"Do as your fucking told. I don't give two shits about these humans. Take whatever but make sure nothing is left." He was pissed, he couldn't think straight. Why had she run away? Why leave him after making him feel like this about her?
Tesra shrugged, his master was never one for mercy, but it seemed now he was even less inclined to offer any. He went to the middle of the small square, where most people had gathered after they forced their way into their homes. "Listen up, we are looking for a young woman, if you value your lives give up Queen Nelliel. If not, within thirty minutes this place will be nothing but ashes." He watched the fear flash across the villagers faces, ignoring their complaints and pleas.
He stood there, as the time slowly ticked by, the humans had been scrambling for the past half-an-hour, grabbing bags and stuff. He sighed time was up, moments later the town was on fire as people ran trying to get their belongings and family to safety. ~
He went from town to town, searching for her, and all that was left in his wake was villages destroyed by all-consuming fire. Watching the fires burn, and listening to the agony he caused gave him no joy. This was his fun; this should make him feel something but all he felt was devastated. How could she snatch his heart so quickly, that nothing but her consumed his mind?
He needed to find her, talk to her, see what happened. He would bring her back kicking and screaming if he had to. If she was with him, nothing else mattered. It had been three days of traveling already and each place he had visited there was no sign of her. He decided to break at an inn to collect himself and figure out where she could be. He had already had someone check her grandmother who said she hadn't been seen since their last visit.
The inn was shabby and unkept, but all he really needed was somewhere to rest his head and somewhere to drink. Maybe that would calm him down a bit. He took a seat at one of the empty tables in the bar. He surveyed it, his eye was drawn towards the doorway. It was her. There was no mistaking it. Her green hair had been put up, but even from the mere glimpse he had caught he knew it was her. He hurriedly got up running to the door. He stared around the darkened street, where the fuck had she run off to that fast.
Tesra sighed, he already knew the song and dance, he went to the square and made his usual announcement. He glanced at Nnoitra who's eyes scoped out everyone that ran from the little hovels.
Nel sat up in the attic of the old inn she had seen the horses when she had returned from grabbing more supplies for the rest of her journey. She couldn't face him now when her emotions were still so raw. She would fall right back into his arms as if nothing had happened. She couldn't do that; she needed space and time to clear her heart and mind.
Even after the reports of villages being destroyed by him, she couldn't bring herself to go back. How long could he really do this, after awhile he would give up right? Find someone else to play with, someone else to totally ruin their life.
She should have just jumped on one of the horses and took off but hadn't had time to flee, so she hid instead. She had found an older footlocker that was big enough to house her. She waited listening for any commotion, but it was deadly quiet until it wasn't. All she could hear were screams and then felt unbearable heat.
She pushed at the top trying to open it, finally she was successful but the whole place was covered in flames. The smoke burned her lungs as she desperately tried to open the door. She gave up going to the window it was high up but this moment she had no choice.
Either burn, choke to death or take her chances. She jumped.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" Nnoitra stopped, glancing at the rider. After the flames had started, he had left. If she were gone, she hadn't gotten much of a head start he or one of his men would catch up to her.
"We've found her, but...I think…"
He didn't bother listening as he rode back to the village. Smoke filled the air, as the flames from the buildings continued to burn. There just outside the village, Tesra sat holding her limp body. He pushed him aside picking her up, her face was covered in soot, her breath barley there.
"Fuck fuck fuck." Why was he so damn impulsive. He needed to get her back to the castle, get a doctor to check her out. He got on his horse holding her body close to him and set off.
Less than an hour later, he kicked in her grandmother's door. This had been closer than the ride back to his castle. She was a witch; he was sure there was something she could do for her. "Where the fuck are you Granny?!" The shack was the same as he remembered, he pushed opened the closed door that led to a small bedroom. He set Nel down gently on the bed. She groaned out in pain, coughing violently.
"What did you do to her?" Muriel appeared from nowhere, pushing him away from Nel. She stared into her face, "go get me some water. Hurry!" She swiftly removed the binding clothing from her, taking the water and cleaning her off. She rummaged through her shelves finding what she hoped would work. There was no telling if it would, her body was weak and her breaths shallow.
Nnoitra stood at the door watching Muriel work, he had already sent his men to find a doctor and drag them there.
"I will not ask again, what did you do to her?" Muriel closed the door behind her. Nel was asleep, she had done what she could and now even her breathing was better, but she knew she wasn't out of the woods yet.
"Nothing I would never hurt her…"
Muriel pursed her lips, "yet you show up on my doorstep, with her half dead."
How could he explain the situation to her? That he had been reckless and burned down a bunch of villages trying to smoke her out of wherever she had been hiding.
"She figured it out, didn't she? And like an idiot you chased after her burning all the places she could hide? I could kill you right now King Nnoitra. You need to leave. If she wakes up and finds you here, I do not think it would be good for her."
"I will not. I don't care what you do to me Granny. She's my wife, I will not give her up."
"Wife?" Muriel chuckled; she had been right. "Fine but do not disturb her, she needs to rest if she will have any chance of recovering." ~
He sat in the dark room watching, the small rise and fall of her chest, straining to listen to her soft snores. He was an idiot. He had almost killed the most important person in his life. He didn't give two shits about anyone else right now. If she pulled through, he didn't care if she hated him, as long as she was alive.
"Nnoitra?" her voice was soft her eyes still closed.
He sat up going to her bedside. Had he just imagined her calling his name? He kneeled next to the bed, taking her hand in his. "I'm here Princess."
The room was silent. Had he nodded off and dreamt of her sweet voice calling him? Even the doctor that had come had said in no uncertain terms there was nothing else he could do. If she didn't want to pull through no amount of any medicine would make her.
"Why…why did you do it…?" Her voice was barely audible, "so many people…my parents…" Her voice quivered as if it took everything she had in her to speak. "You destroyed everything…" she coughed her voice trembling, "I…even after I told you I loved you… you still...you didn't change…"
He watched her face as it contorted in pain, nothing he could say could make it right. "You fucking ran away and left me…" how selfish did he sound. She was the only thing that mattered to him now.
"You made me a fool…then a whore for you." Her eyes opened slightly, and she gazed at him, he looked pitiful. "How am I supposed to feel? Being in love with the one man I should hate with every fiber of my being?" She coughed, stirring slightly, her whole body ached, she couldn't stand it anymore, but she couldn't go before she cleared her chest. "I want to…want to hate you…so much Nnoitra but…" her words were cut off as her breaths came shorter. Her eyes closed on the tears; her body went limp.
Nnoitra stared down at her figure, "Nelliel? Nel!" He shook her gently, picking her up and cradling her against his chest. She was gone.
Muriel burst into the room, tears streaming down her wrinkled face. He had killed her, the last family she had left in this world. The last reminiscence of her lost daughter. She said a spell under her breath, making him unable to move.
Tesra pushed the door open, feeling a strange energy from the room his Master had occupied.
Muriel turned to face him, casting the same spell. Her hair flared around her, her pupils disappearing, "I warned you what would happen if you dared hurt her."
Nnoitra tried to move yet he couldn't, it was as if he were in a trance. Fear was not in his vocabulary, and he doubted she was going to kill him, but that did not stop him from feeling apprehension at her words.
"You will love one eternally, a desire and fire burning your soul. A thousand lifetimes and more, but that love will never be returned. True love you will never be gifted, only death in exchange for her sweet charms." Her eyes landed on him, a cruel smirk across her lips. ~
******xxx*****
Rukia awoke suddenly sweat pouring down her face, her heart beating erratically. It had been a dream, no a nightmare. Her whole body felt chilled to the bone with fear. Why was it her face and not her picture of Nel in that dream? She got up rubbing at her face, her head was killing her. She got up shakily her head pounding as her dream replayed in her mind. Why was she having such a strong sense of deja -vu.
She hurriedly brushed her teeth and got ready, she needed to talk to Ichigo right now. ~
"Rukia you're here early I…"
She held up a hand stopping him, "are you the demon king?"
A/N: So I'm getting to the end of the story. I appreciate all the reviews and follows. Idk I felt really bad having to kill Nel, but it had to be done.