A/N: Sorry for posting so late guys! RL has been a pain in the butt. Anywho, let me respond to some reviews and once again encourage people to Review, I enjoy it. :D
Whitecloud1: Hehe, thank you. I figured that Byakuya would be a good choice for Rugen's position and Renji for Inigo's, they're really the only two that fit the characters. And thank you again, I do my best, its hard sometimes to keep them all in character. And aye, Szayel fit the bill as Vizcini, because I have plans for Mayuri. *rubs hands together and cackles*
DarkChocol8807: lol, I would recommend it. Its what I've been doing to write. I usually forget what happens so I need to see the movie or reference the book to remember certain things. And we'll say, I'm not saying anything yet. :P
SplitToInifinty: I'm glad! And I know right! Hehe.
Yemi Hikari: I want to thank you for the nitpicking and would politely remind you that this is a story, and is meant to be enjoyed. Toshiro doesn't recognize the characters that are closest to him because it wouldn't fit the story that I am writing. The only other way to do this story would be to fill it with OC's, which would not be fun, nor easy, and I doubt it would get too many readers. So please, read and enjoy rather than notice Toshiro's lack of recognization. I also want to thank you for the reminder, and I do know what Plagiarism is, but you see, when you take a story like The Princess Bride, there are certain things that you cannot leave out. Case in point, the rhyming sequence. I am doing my best to make it my own and twist it up, but this is a Bleached version of Princess Bride, so it's a little hard. Bare with me, and if you have any suggestions that will help, please, tell me. Thank you.
Anim3 Lov3r: Thank you, I'm so glad you're enjoying it! Hehe, that has yet to be seen ;P and I know he is, its just too much fun to write for the Shiro's XD
IluvBleach: lol, reviews are always good, I enjoy them. I'm also glad that you're enjoying it, I aim to please :D As for the Characters, all will be revealed at the end when I put up the final dramatis personae, I want to keep a few of the appearances a surprise. And if you haven't already, I suggest watching The Princess Bride, hopefully then the character placement will make sense.
UekiTeN: I'm workin' on it, I'm workin' on it. I'm going as fast as both the real world and my creative mind allow me to work on this story. I still hold the reason for Fantasies as true … because it is. If I had a list for every story I started and then abandoned half way through, I would use up a lot of paper.
I also want to apologize ahead of time to people who are reading this, I have only been on a boat once in my life, and that was when I was 9, I have no knowledge of sailor talk so … yeah, you'll see. I also want to apologize for a bit of Szayel OOC-ness in this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or the Princess Bride … I do however own an awesome Hyorinmaru replica sword.
Toshiro took a sip of the water that Ukitake had gotten for him a while ago, his attention completely taken by the story he was being told. He didn't even make an effort to hide it anymore. He was now looking at the older captain, waiting for him to keep telling the story. Ukitake had taken a short moments rest to sip his own water. When he was done he set the glass of water down on the nearest table and smiled his trademark smile. "How are you feeling Toshiro-kun?"
"I'm fine Ukitake-taicho. Please, continue the story." Hitsugaya said with just a hint of urgency. Ukitake laughed a bit and pulled the book back up so he could read, grinning all the while knowing that his story had caught the attention of the young captain. "Now, where were we … ah, yes. Rukia had just been kidnapped by the three mercenaries and was on her way to Los Noches. She sat against the right side of the boat, Szayel across from her with a small dagger in his hand, keeping watch on their prisoner. Chad was moving back and forth on the boat, making sure that everything was in working order, and Renji sat at the back of the boat, looking over his shoulder at the moonlit water, his sword was laying against his shoulder.
"It was silent except for the sounds of the waves and water against the boat, the wind in the sails and the footsteps of Chad moving around. Szayel sighed and watched Chad, their short, raven haired companion wasn't doing anything note worthy anyway. Renji's eyes squinted, but nobody could say the small action. 'Nobody knows about our mission, right?'
"'Huh?' Szayel turned to look curiously at Renji, who was still looking over his shoulder at the water behind them. 'What was that you asked?'
"'Are you deaf? I asked if anyone knew about our mission.'
"'Besides our employer and us, no, nobody knows about our mission.'
"'You're sure?'
"Yes I'm sure!' Szayel shouted and scoffed before turning to look at their captive. He tapped his knife against his thigh for a moment before turning to look back at Renji and ask, 'Out of plain curiosity, why do you ask?'
"'I though you didn't care …'
"'I don't … just tell me why you do.'
"Renji turned around to look at Szayel, and spoke calmly, 'Because as I'm looking out behind us, I notice another boat behind us. Exactly behind us, moving the same speed.'
"'What?' Szayel got up and moved to the back of the boat to stand next to Renji and look out. And sure enough, there it was, the other boat, its white sails clear in the moonlight. Nobody seemed to be moving around, almost as if it were a ghost ship. 'Must just be some fishermen … out at night … in hollow infested water.'
"'Sure, that seems reasonable.' Renji scoffed. Chad didn't move to see what was going on, he just kept his pacing. It was then that Rukia spoke up. 'Right, you're both stupid. Fishermen, out at this hour? Its someone from Seireitei come to rescue me. They'll board this ship and imprison you.'
"'Who're you calling stupid?!' Renji practically shouted as he stood up. Szayel put a restraining hand on his companion's shoulder.
"'My dear princess, that idea is completely and utterly implausible. Nobody from your country knows what we did and Los Noches won't have any clue until war is declared. So your hope, as wonderful as it may be, is completely false.' Szayel grinned, hoping that his demoralizing was finished. Rukia just laughed and shook her head.
"'You obviously don't know Aizen or Byakuya like I do. They are both accomplished trackers, so accomplished in fact that you all have no hope of escaping them. They are coming, you can rest assured of that.' Chad had stopped his pacing and was now looking at the chasing boat. Szayel growled and closed his eyes, leaning his head back, Renji had turned away in a huff and was now staring at the boat, getting the odd taste of … 'Strawberries.' He mumbled.
"Szayel looked at Renji and sighed. 'What'd you say?' It was then that they heard a splash from behind them. Szayel growled in frustration. 'Please don't tell me that's what I think it was.'
"Chad looked out the side of the boat, watching Rukia swim away. 'Its what you think it was.' He said quietly. Szayel shouted in frustration and ran to the side of the boat, grabbing Renji by his shirt and dragging him along with him. They watched the short woman swim away from them. Renji whistled as he watched Rukia swim.
"'Midget sure can paddle.' He said. A rock that had mysteriously found its way to Rukia's hand whistled through the air and hit Renji square in the forehead, knocking him onto his back and causing him to yelp in pain, the sound of Rukia yelling 'I am not a midget!' echoed to them through the night. Szayel just growled, ignoring the rock that had just whizzed by his head and hit his companion. He glared down at Renji and pointed out to Rukia.
"'Go get her!' He commanded loudly. Renji stood up and grabbed Szayel by his shirt, growling out, 'Look, I just got hit in the head by a freaking rock, a little compassion would be nice!'
""You want compassion?! You might want to put some ice on that bump, AFTER you go and get her!' Szayel shouted back, still pointing out at Rukia, who was getting further and further away from the boat. Renji let go of Szayel and turned his face to side as he scratched his chin, mumbling something. 'What was that?' Szayel asked.
"'I said … I'm afraid of the water.' Renji turned further away from his companions to hide his embarrassment. Szayel laughed and looked at Chad. 'What about you big guy?'
"Chad shook his head and said in his casual, monotone, 'I don't know how to swim.' At this, Szayel growled in frustration, and ran to change the direction of the sails to point them closer to Rukia, who was still swimming as fast as she could away from her kidnappers. She stopped when she heard a deafening screech. She swam in place for a moment, looking around the water for what could have made that sound. She turned several times when she heard yet another screech from behind her. She turned to her side and saw a bunch of teeth swimming towards her before veering slightly to the right. She gasped in fright as the monster swam past her.
"'Do you know what that sound is midget?' Renji shouted as he ducked another rock being thrown at him. 'That sound is the Hollows crying out for food, and you so happen to be right there for them to eat. So we can do this one of two ways: you can come back to the boat, or we can leave you out there to get eaten.'
"As he finished another Hollow swam past Rukia, screeching into her ear and causing her to scream. Another one appeared in front of her and began swimming at her at a very fast pace. She sat still in the water, trying to get her body to move, but finding it impossible. 'Help me, help me, help me!' she cried out in her head. Just when the Hollow was about to reach her, a blade came down and severed the creatures head from its neck and a large hand grabbed Rukia by the back of her dress and pulled her wet body out the water, setting her down against the mast of the ship.
"Renji cleaned his katana and sheathed the blade as he turned to look at Chad tying up their prisoner. She didn't even struggle, she was still too frightened. Renji scoffed and turned back to take his seat at the back of the ship, watching both the water and the other boat.
"Hours had passed since the event and Rukia had fallen asleep, along with Chad, who was sitting next to the short woman, his head hanging down as he rested. Szayel was steering the ship toward their destination. Renji tapped Szayel gently on the leg.
"'What?' The pink haired man demanded as he looked at Renji.
"'The guy from last night is still following us.'
"'What?!'
"'I said, the-guy-from-last-night-is-still-following-us. Damn clean out your ears.' Renji scoffed as he got up and casually strode across the boat to rouse Chad from his sleep. Szayel growled at yet another insult hurled his way. It seemed that Renji was winning in that regard. But when he turned around to look, he found his red haired companion to be right. The ship was still there. The pink haired man ground his teeth together and turned back to face forward, waving it off.
"'It doesn't matter anyway, we're almost to our destination. See?' He pointed to the large cliffs in front of them. 'Those cliffs are the barrier to Los Noches and they hold only one port. Once we dock there, our pursuer will have to circle around for another port.'
"'Sounds simple enough.' Renji said aloud. He looked forward to the cliffs and rested his hand on his katana, his gut telling him to prepare for trouble."
A/N: I AM SO SORRY that this took forever to update! Damn RL and my own mind not wanting to stay on topic. Anywho, I hope you enjoy this one. The next one is going to Renji and Ichigo fighting, so I had to get all the dialogue out early, they aren't going to be talking much in the next chapter. Also, I'm using the AN to promote Fantasies, my one shot … GO READ IT! :D