Hearts of Glass, Steel, Fire and Ice
Being creatures of habit, Orihime's footsteps eventually led to the front steps of Urahara's Shop and Ichigo followed along after her.
Also out of habit, Orihime called out as she approached the threshold, "Good morning!" in her usual cheerful tone to which there was a just as cheery reply from the back room telling the visitors to come in.
In the back room of the store, Kisuke Urahara had a ledger open and seemed to be taking inventory. While he seemed to give off an air of breezy carelessness, the shop owner was impeccably dressed with a crisp white shirt, pressed pants that were slightly wrinkled from the work done so far that day and a deep purple apron protecting his clothes from dust and dirt.
As soon as he saw Orihime, Kisuke's smile widened as he said, "Well, well, well. You'd think I'd be used to you both dropping by my humble establishment so often, but it is always a pleasure to see you two come walking through my door each and every time."
Orihime's cheeks were a little pink as her smile widened and she replied, "Looks like you are in high spirits today, Mr. Urahara. We came by to see if there was anything you needed us to do today."
Giving Orihime and Ichigo a knowing look, Kisuke replied, "I know what you're after, Miss Orihime, and I will most certainly finish telling you that story that we started yesterday if you would help me out by dusting off the shelves and products."
Immediately, Orihime picked up a dust rag and set to work while Ichigo spared a moment to give Kisuke the usual 'I-can't-believe-you-make-us-do-work-for-free' scowl before he set to work alongside Orihime as usual. With both of them working (Ichigo making sure that he was the one who used the ladder to reach the top shelves) it took only about a half-hour for them to finish. When they had finished, Tessai seemed to come out of nowhere laden with the usual tea tray and exchanged pleasantries with Orihime and Ichigo before everyone sat down for tea.
Taking a sip of his tea, Kisuke gave a sigh and said, "As tasty as always, Tessai. However, it seems to me that when our young friends come over around tea time for whatever reason a wider variety of goodies seem to appear on the tray. Interesting, don't you think?"
Giving his employer a blank, polite look, Tessai replied evenly, "That is very interesting, Boss. I wonder why that might be?"
Before either man could carry on the banter, Ichigo cut in saying, "Would you quit it already? You left Orihime hanging yesterday with that story and now she can hardly sit still waiting for you two to knock it off and finish the stupid story."
Face flushing, Orihime tried to stutter out an apology on Ichigo's behalf as well as for her not being able to show more patience, but Kisuke cut her off when he smacked himself on the forehead in mock recollection as he said, "I knew I was forgetting something. Well, Orihime, I don't remember what the story was or where we left off."
Trying to compose her voice, Orihime replied, "You were telling the story of how the Princess of Snow and the Knight of Fall met as children and became really good friends. As they grew older, though, the Minister of Shadows took notice and decided to see just how strong their friendship truly was."
Nodding his head and settling himself more comfortably with his cup of tea in hand, Kisuke went on with his story:
While the Princess of Snow had dominion over the night sky and the Knight of Fall was guardian of the daytime, the Minister of Shadows could move freely and effortlessly at any time of day since there are always shadows cast by the light of both the moon and sun. However, the Minister of Shadow had to be careful about planning his little trick as the King of Spring did not take kindly to those who might cause harm to his younger sister, however innocent or petty the cause or reason.
At the time, all the guardians of the seasons, weather and so on were able to freely move about the world and interact with one another as well as directly influence and be a part of their human charges' lives.
One day, the Princess of Snow and the Knight of Fall met in their usual spot beside the Shinigami River and a human boy and girl saw them both and joined them. They talked for a time and were content to wade and play on the shore of the river, none of them noticing the Minister of Shadows watching them from inside the Arrancar Forest.
Without warning, a large blue panther attacked the young teenagers. They tried to get away, but the panther pinned down the human girl and was about to strike when the human boy threw himself into the path of the panther's claws to save her. The boy was tossed aside and he moved no more.
The panther then charged for the Princess of Snow which caused her to stumble, fall and strike her head against a stone. As she lay senseless on the ground, the Knight of Fall valiantly tried to come to aid, but was not fast enough to stop the panther from picking up the Princess and piercing through her chest and back with its long fangs before tossing her away like it had with the human boy. Then the panther bounded away and melted into the Arrancar Forest as suddenly as it had appeared.
Even though the Princess of Snow was an immortal being, the Knight of Fall swept her into his arms and rushed to the Lady of Water's home as the Princess had been gravely wounded. The human girl gathered the human boy into her arms and cried over him since he had sacrificed his life to save hers.
The Emperor of the Heavens witnessed these proceedings with a heavy heart, all though he was quite blind to the Minister of Shadow's role in the whole affair. Immediately, the Emperor called together a Council of the Guardians and declared that from that day forward none of the guardians were to interact with one another unless their domains directly influenced one another and even then, contact was to be minimal. Also, they were no longer to directly interact with the humans.
At this news, all the guardians were greatly shocked and began to protest until the Count of Prophecy foretold that things would return to the way they were when a human boy looked into the eyes of night and shadow and showed no fear despite the threat of death and a human girl was able to relinquish the deepest and most desperate desire of her heart.
Kisuke finished his story by saying, "And that is why the guardians have never been seen by human eyes to this very day," then he took a long sip from his teacup.
Hearing a loud sniff, Ichigo turned his head to see Orihime's eyes swimming and positively overflowing with tears. When she saw Ichigo looking at her, Orihime hurriedly tried to mop up her face with her sleeves.
Speaking in a slightly bored tone, Ichigo said, "There's no use trying to get rid of the evidence now, Orihime. Besides, it's not like I haven't seen you cry before so don't worry about it."
Sniffling, Orihime replied in a shaky voice, "But it's just so sad! The poor Princess and that boy! My heart hurts thinking about all the pain the Minister of Shadows inflicted on everyone that day. And all just to play a trick! It wasn't even a trick! It was an evil scheme and cruel!"
Putting his hands behind his head, Ichigo said, "You're right about that. The guy obviously couldn't be real because no one is that twisted."
Kisuke looked at Ichigo with an unreadable expression as he said, "I wouldn't be too sure about that, if I were you."
Before Ichigo could say anything else, Kisuke stood up and said breezily, "Well, this has been quite a fun tea time and I do thank you profusely for all your help, but I do have more chores to get done around here. You two should go back outside as it is a lovely day."
Two minutes later, Ichigo and Orihime were out wandering the streets of Karakura and eventually their footsteps led them to the gate of the wall. After talking to the guards for a few minutes, Ichigo and Orihime made their way outside Karakura Town and down a ways until they sat down on the banks of the Shinigami River. They both knew why they had made their way to that spot and so neither one felt the need to break the silence just yet as they collected their thoughts and took in the sight of the water moving along.
Leaning back on his hands and looking over at Orihime, Ichigo spoke first saying, "Hey Orihime."
Turning her eyes on him, Orihime responded with, "Yes Ichigo?"
His eyes taking on a serious glint, Ichigo said somberly, "No matter what, I'll always protect you. I promise."
She didn't laugh or scold or say anything for a time. Returning his gaze, Orihime could see that he meant every word and her heart responded to his declaration.
Turning to face him fully, Orihime said just as sincerely, "And I promise that despite any hardships that we may face that I will always make you happy."
"Ichigo! Orihime!"
Both children turned around at the sound of their names and saw Masaki Kurosaki waving at them and making her way over in their direction with a basket dangling from her arm.
Getting to his feet, Ichigo said to Orihime, "Mom must have brought us lunch. Race you there!"
As they ran, both Ichigo and Orihime were so caught up in the thrill of racing each other and the prospect of a delicious meal on the way that they didn't realize the danger they were in until it was too late. When they saw Masaki look at something off to their left in shock and horror before dropping the basket and running as fast as she could towards them, Ichigo and Orihime turned to see what had startled the woman only to freeze in utter terror.
A large, blue panther was bearing down on them and the first thought that entered Orihime's head was that this was just like the story Kisuke had just told while the first thought that crossed Ichigo's mind was that he had to protect Orihime at all costs.
"Orihime run!"
Unfortunately, neither Ichigo nor Orihime could seem to force their legs into motion. Ichigo could only manage to extend his arm out in order to push Orihime squarely behind him and brace for impact. About ten paces from them, the panther crouched and jumped which caused Ichigo to shut his eyes.
When he heard the sound of a muffled cry, ripping clothes and a loud snarl, Ichigo's eyes flew open in time to see his mother viciously thrown through the air by the panther's claws.
In that moment, something erupted in Ichigo's mind and for the next few moments he had no control over his actions. He charged headlong at the panther, waving his arms and screaming at the top of his lungs. For whatever reason, the panther paused for a moment before turning and running back towards the Arrancar Forest.
It took Ichigo's brain a few moments to process what had just happened, but soon he collected his thoughts to remember that his mother had jumped in front of the panther first and as he turned around his eyes met with a heart wrenching sight. His mother was lying in a crumpled heap and he found his gaze filled by the sight of blood slowly seeping from gashes across her neck and chest and the lifeless, glazed look in her eyes.
Ichigo had been told by his mother and father many times that his name meant 'one who protects'. He had promised Orihime that he would protect her, but he had failed and his mother had paid the price.
In that moment, Ichigo's mind told him that he would never forgive himself and that he would never again be truly happy.
Author's Note:
So, just in a bit of explanation, instead of labeling them as gods, Rukia and the other are guardians of different seasons, places, objects, emotions and so on. Rather like gods, but not quite the same as no one will be worshipping them.
Maybe you can figure out who some of the guardians are if you care to try.
Anyway, the whole Masaki incident really had to happen for a specific and you'll see why in the next chapter. I try to write substantial chapters, but then again I let them come to their natural conclusion in my mind so sometimes they don't turn out all that long.
Hope you enjoyed this part and weren't too depressed by Masaki's death, plus as always let me know if I didn't explain something properly or if you have ideas for things that could happen in the future or characters you would like to see pop up! There are a number that will be making an appearance sooner or later, but there are some characters from the original 'Snow Queen' story whom I have yet to assign to a character from Bleach, so ideas would be helpful.