The Nightingale
Chapter 68: Prelude
Summer — x493 / July 15
Ichigo is a prodigy of the gift.
Not only because his contract with the Shadow, the tattoo on his back, is the largest on record in the kingdom, nor because he has channeled the gift since he was given to the Shadow in that ceremony or because he has learned to control it before all the other children of the same age as him; but because Ichigo understood the Shadow in a different way than the others.
Being a prodigy didn't mean that just by wishing he could use the gift at will, but it meant that it was much easier for him to learn to summon and tame Shadows. The proof was that he managed to summon the hellhounds at a very young age, with the help of his uncle, but the summoning had been done by him because the dogs had obeyed him; though afterward he couldn't do it again.
Ichigo still had a lot to train and learn to be able to say that he fully mastered the gift, but for what he needed to do at that moment, all he needed was the magic that fluttered between his fingers because of the fury he felt.
He was definitely going to kill the king of Gardelia for daring to hit Rukia, whether she asked him to or not.
Ichigo could tolerate that they threatened him or tried to kill him, it was just another "Monday morning", and because one way or another, he would make the person responsible pay for that audacity; but he did not intend to allow someone to have the audacity to hit his wife without suffering the immediate consequences for it.
Koga didn't even get in his way, the murderous look that Ichigo had at that moment was all the warning that was needed for the prince of Jetaiya to decide not to play the hero and prevent the massacre that was about to happen.
Ichigo walked through the curtains that separated the balcony from that party room where everyone was still enjoying the celebration, oblivious to what had happened on that balcony, and walked over to the man in white who was talking animatedly with Uncle Kisuke, as if nothing had happened a few moments ago. Ichigo didn't say anything, he just approached them with the silence of a shadow, and punched the King of Gardelia in the face causing the man to stagger and end up on the floor completely stunned.
That act caused some of the guests, those who were close to them, to cry out in surprise.
Everything happened in less time than it seemed.
That blow made Ichigo feel too good, to the point of smiling in that strange way that said how much he was going to enjoy killing the king that way. It wasn't the first time Ichigo had smiled that way, and Yushiru wouldn't be the first king he would kill.
However, Ichigo did not get to give the king of Gardelia a second blow. A pair of hands stopped him, pinning him down and pinning both hands behind his back, and another pair of hands forced him away from the king, who had a bruised nose and many skin wounds that bled profusely.
The movement of the men who stopped Ichigo was quick and fluid, perhaps a second too late on initial shock, but it was definitely a quick move. Yhwach was the one who held Ichigo, and Kisuke was the one who pushed him so that the momentum would keep him away from the King of Gardelia, who was still on the floor and whose white clothes were stained with his own blood.
— Let go of me! I'm going to kill him! — Ichigo yelled, trying to free himself from the grip of those hands. — That bastard deserves to die!
— Ichigo! Calm down! — King Yhwach's strong voice sounded in the party hall, where silence had settled after Ichigo dealt that first blow to the king of Gardelia.
Everyone was looking at him, everyone was silent, and everyone seemed scared because Ichigo had hit King Yushiru.
— I'll calm down when I kill him! The bastard dared to hit my wife! — Ichigo was furious and completely ignored that it was his grandfather who was holding him up so he wouldn't attack the king of Gardelia again.
His uncle Kisuke was helping King Yushiru to get up from the floor, who was covering his nose and mouth trying not to get more blood. All Ichigo wanted at that moment was to hit the king of Gardelia again until he begged for his own life.
— How dare you hit me?! Insolent child! — King Yushiru yelled trying to get closer to Ichigo, revealing the bleeding wounds on his face.
Blood did not stop flowing from the wounds on the King of Gardelia's face, and although the pain must have been excruciating, King Yushiru was tolerating it well. Perhaps he was too angry to notice the pain and peculiarity of those injuries.
— Your Majesty, you must be attended to. — Kisuke spoke, holding King Yushiru so he wouldn't get close to Ichigo, whose look was one that promised pain, suffering and death to the King of Gardelia. — Your injuries are too serious.
— I don't need help! I need that child to pay for his offense! — Yushiru yelled, still trying to get Kisuke to let go of him. — I'll cut off his hand for this!
— No one will cut off anyone's hand! — Yhwach yelled. — Someone take King Yushiru to the doctor. This is a family problem.
— This is not a family problem! It is a lack of respect towards me person! — Claimed the king of Gardelia, whose voice sounded strange due to the anger and the blood that was still dripping from his nose.
— It's a family problem, big brother. Tomorrow King Yhwach will surely explain to us the reason for this aggression. — Yoruichi called him, who took his arm to get out of there and made use of all the prudence that was in her. — Let's get you checked out by a doctor, you're bleeding too much.
Yoruichi was next to Yushiru before Ichigo arrived, and she was the only one who noticed Ichigo's anger because she knew that part of him well, even so she didn't have time to get her brother away from there. Ichigo came too fast and she could only take a few steps away at just the right time.
Yushiru intended to stay there, but Yoruichi insisted again until she managed to make her brother give up the idea. However, Ichigo didn't intend to leave that man alive and if he couldn't hit him with his bare hands, then he would make the Shadow do it. That man was definitely not going to get out of there alive.
Being a prodigy of the gift also meant that the gift manifested too strongly and the bearer had to be just as strong to keep it in control.
— I order you to calm down, Ichigo! — His grandfather shouted again, who was still holding him firmly so that he would not launch himself against the king.
Yushiru at that moment was on his way to the exit to be taken to the doctor accompanied by Yoruichi and a couple of other people.
Ichigo stopped moving and stopped trying to free himself, just like his grandfather had ordered, and allowed the don to control him like he had that time on Cikram beach. It was perhaps the most intoxicating sensation of power that could be experienced in life, it was like drinking the best liquor in the world, eating the most exquisite food ever cooked or trying the best drug ever created.
And it was dangerous both for the bearers and for those who were close to them.
— Yeah... I'm going to calm down. — Ichigo whispered in such a chilling way that it made King Yhwach hold him tighter even though he had stopped struggling to be released. Ichigo just looked at the king of Gardelia the way one looks at prey before the hunt, studying it just to know which way to attack. — Now... let go of me dear grandfather... I promise you I'm not going to do anything...
— Don't let him go, dear father. — Kisuke stood in front of Ichigo and grabbed his face the same way he had in that cell on Trinity Island, checking if the man who was there was still Ichigo. — He is not in control, he is so angry that he is not in control. Whatever it was that made him so angry, really pushed him to his limit.
— Of course I'm in control, dear uncle. — Ichigo didn't lose that chilling smile. — Look how well I control it.
After those words, a growl was heard and a shadow, who did not know where it came from, launched itself against the king of Gardelia, who was about to cross the exit door. Everything was too fast and, if it weren't for the reflexes of one of the guests that stopped that shadow with a wave similar to the one Ichigo used in the battle against Kisuke, the king of Gardelia would definitely have died at that moment.
— Get King Yushiru out of here! Now! — Kisuke ordered before Ichigo had a chance to throw anything at the King of Gardelia again, then hit Ichigo twice in the chest so fast Ichigo didn't know when he was knocked unconscious.
If they understood Ichigo's mind when he was in that condition, they would have realized that attack was a decoy.
—
It had all happened so fast that Rukia went from anger to concern at the same time that Ichigo went from hitting the King of Gardelia to being on his knees on the floor being held down by King Yhwach. At that moment Rukia ran towards Ichigo, calling his name and kneeling in front of him, just to hold his cheeks and look him in the face, trying to make him open his eyes.
— Kisuke, get her away from him. — The king ordered in a deep and strong voice. Rukia was about to protest at those words when the king spoke again. — And take her to my office.
— Sure, dear father. — Uncle Kisuke's voice sounded with the same seriousness that the moment deserved as he grabbed her arm to make her get up from the floor and move away from Ichigo, who was still unconscious and on his knees.
— No… no, your majesty… please… don't…
— Now.
Rukia, who at that moment was trying to get Uncle Kisuke to release her, felt fear at the tone of the king's voice. She was no longer a child but at that moment she felt like that, like a child; so she just complied with the order even though all she wanted was to be with Ichigo.
The way to the king's office was tense and silent, Uncle Kisuke had released her and Rukia just walked next to him without making more noise than her shoes. Uncle Kisuke offered her a chair for her to sit in after lighting the candles inside that office, awaiting the king's arrival.
— What are they going to do to Ichigo? — Rukia asked, unable to contain her nerves anymore and fear about Ichigo's fate.
— Nothing. Then I'll take you to him, if the king doesn't say otherwise. — Uncle Kisuke looked worried, like he was afraid something really bad was going to happen, and like the last thing he wanted was to be there.
That only made Rukia more afraid of what could happen in that office when the king arrived, but she didn't have time to imagine too many scenarios and possibilities, since King Yhwach, along with Queen Aiko who seemed quite angry at the time, entered that place just a few minutes after Uncle Kisuke said those words to her.
Rukia got up from her seat and bowed to the king and queen, with all the respect she should show and trying not to make the situation worse. She wanted to talk, she wanted to ask questions, but she knew the questions would be asked by them, and she just had to answer truthfully. Her hands began to sweat again because of her nerves, and it was at that moment that she realized that her hands were stained with her own blood.
Nobody sat down.
— Tell us why Ichigo lost control and attacked the king of Gardelia in such a way. — The king was upset and trying to modulate his voice so as not to shout. Clearly no one expected something like this to happen at a party.
Rukia felt afraid because she was alone in front of three people who with a single order could get rid of her, and the only thing she was grateful for was that Kirio wasn't there, because she felt that Kirio would only make things worse and would blame her for everything. She wrung her hands nervously, looked at the king, the queen and Uncle Kisuke, and for a moment she wanted to run away from there, but she didn't. Rukia steeled herself and tried to arrange the events in an order that was really coherent, because lying to people in front of her was not an option.
At this point, Rukia began to recount what had happened when King Yushiru's servant had come to them and presented the wine as a birthday present for Ichigo, as well as what Ichigo did with that wine and the little rabbit. Queen Aiko was just listening to everything in silence, but King Yhwach was just looking at her with a growing anger that Rukia hoped wasn't directed at her.
— And why didn't Ichigo come to us to tell us about the wine? — The king asked, again modulating his voice but in a slightly higher pitch than normal, interrupting Rukia's narration at that moment.
At that moment, Rukia felt that she hated Yoruichi and Kirio with all her being, because it was because of them that they were in such trouble.
— What happens between the king of Gardelia and Ichigo is something personal, because of the relationship that Ichigo had in the past with the princess of Gardelia. Ichigo knows that the king is not happy with the way they broke up that relationship and wanted to settle the matter on his own. — Rukia explained looking at the king and queen.
— And how does this relate to the fight we just witnessed? — The king asked, obviously annoyed and suspecting that this was not the whole story. Rukia couldn't tell if King Yhwach was upset about the fight or the poisoned wine; she hoped it was for the wine. — Why did he wait so long to confront the king? Why did he do it this way and not in private?
Rukia was silent at that question because she didn't know how to explain that part, there were too many things together, too many people involved, and if she said something wrong it could cause more problems for her and Ichigo. That again made her mentally damn Kirio and Yoruichi.
— Can't you answer or don't you want to answer? — Queen Aiko asked after a moment of silence. Rukia shivered as she heard the queen's completely serious voice.
— Your Majesty, it's just… I feel like I'm not the right person to talk about this. I think it should be Ichigo who explains this situation.
— But Ichigo can't speak. — Uncle Kisuke added with a nervous smile. — He will be unconscious for at least two days, and this matter must be resolved tonight because the King of Gardelia will expect an explanation in the morning and we must know what to say to him. So I think you should tell us what you know, dear niece, because this is no longer a personal matter between Ichigo and the king of Gardelia.
Rukia looked surprised at Uncle Kisuke when he said that, everything had gotten out of control in a way they could never have imagined and she had no choice but to agree to what they said. Rukia only entrusted herself to the Shadow so that everything would be favorable for her and Ichigo and that what she said would not bring them more problems than they already had.
— This began the day the king of Gardelia and his sister arrived.
Rukia had to swallow the discomfort of making that story and adjust the facts before narrating them. She didn't have to alter anything about that part of the story, Ichigo and she are the victims of Kirio and Yoruichi's conspiracies no matter how you looked at the situation; but she also had to be aware that many times they ignored the truth just to keep up appearances. A clear example was what Ichigo did to save her family even though they were confessed traitors who deserved death.
The situation could turn out the same way, and Rukia didn't like that possibility.
As Rukia narrated the events that happened that day, the ones that Ichigo had narrated to her after the fight with Uncle Kisuke, she could see that the expressions of the king and queen changed from anger to curiosity, and then to surprise. Rukia couldn't tell if it was because they found out about the pregnancy that the princess of Gardelia lost, or if it was because it was supposed to be something neither Ichigo nor she should know about; but at that time she did not have time to think about it in detail, but she continued to tell what happened.
Rukia told everyone in that room about Ichigo's suspicions about Aunt Kirio's desire to get him and Yoruichi back together; based on how strange Yoruichi's presence at that party was for him, how strangely they had "coincidentally" met after Rukia had gone to a tea party organized by Aunt Kirio, and Kirio's comments when she was at Adelaar regarding her preference for Yoruichi.
The queen bristled when Kirio's name fell from Rukia's lips, but she still didn't interrupt the narrative for more than a couple of occasional questions that seemed to have no more relevance than to reaffirm an idea.
— In the end what Ichigo thought would happen happened, the king of Gardelia took me privately to distract me while the princess of Gardelia talked with him. — Rukia kept playing with her hands, which were still stained with her own blood and the one she had stained her dress with.
Throughout the narration she tried to remain calm, but she felt that she couldn't take it anymore, she was upset and desperate because the last thing she wanted was to be there talking about those issues that she didn't have to be talking about.
Rukia clenched her fists before speaking again and doing what was best for her and Ichigo at the time.
— And I allowed it because I knew Ichigo and Yoruichi had to talk, but I don't know why they used the party. The princess of Gardelia could have called Ichigo for a private meeting at any time of the day and I wouldn't have refused. — Rukia let her voice tremble as she spoke. — Why would I refuse to let him see her? I don't know why the desire to do everything hidden, as if it were something forbidden. Is it something forbidden, your majesty? — Rukia asked showing her hands still stained with her blood, letting the emotions invade her and her eyes filled with tears. — Because I was beaten because of the princess's conspiracies. King Yushiru hit me when I mentioned that we would give King Yhwach the poisoned wine he sent Ichigo as a birthday present. Ichigo was just defending me. Did I deserve to be beaten for this, Your Majesty?
The interrogation with the king and queen ended sometime after Rukia asked those questions, and this time it was Uncle Kisuke's turn to give her a handkerchief for her to dry her tears. They let her out of that office but didn't let her go see Ichigo under the excuse that he was dangerous for her at the time, instead they made her go to the beach house to rest.
Rukia didn't like that, but she couldn't refuse that order.
Uncle Kisuke offered to accompany her, and all the way she was silent, looking at the plants and thinking about what she had to do the next day. Rukia didn't want to imagine what could happen to the king of Gardelia and his sister, but one of the many possible things would be that she would have to apologize for everything that happened in Ichigo's name, and that was humiliating.
— You lie very well, dear niece. — Uncle Kisuke commented as they stood at the entrance to the beach house. Rukia looked up to see Uncle Kisuke, who was looking at her with a sharp gaze and a smile hidden behind his fan. — For a moment I almost believe your tears, but there's something you haven't told us, isn't there?
Rukia looked at Uncle Kisuke, first with a confused expression and then with an expression that showed that she had been found out; it was almost like a smile that wasn't a smile. It was almost anger, but it wasn't.
— Dear uncle, there are many things we haven't told you. — Rukia took off the queen's ring and handed it to Uncle Kisuke so he could feel it.
She could see the surprise in Uncle Kisuke's expression when he had that ring in his hand; it was evident that he knew the ring as well as she had come to know it, and he would realize that this ring was a fake made by Ichigo.
— If there is a victim in this whole situation, it is not me. Ichigo is in the middle of Aunt Kirio and Princess Gardelia's conspiracies, as if he were an object and not a person. — Rukia added, still seeing the uncle's expression in the light of the torches that illuminated the entrance to the beach house. — King Yushiru didn't hit me because I told him that we were going to deliver the wine to King Yhwach, but because I threatened to kill King Yhwach with that wine and make him look like the culprit, as well as make him believe that Ichigo would kill Princess Yoruichi with the same wine he sent.
Kisuke looked up from the ring upon hearing that confession from Rukia's lips, clearly showing that he couldn't believe she had said that and turning his attention to her.
— But what do you say… did you cause the king to hit you? Did you cause all this?
— No, dear uncle. I just didn't think the king would have the audacity to hit a woman, I thought he would run to his sister, but he hit me, insulted me and then left. — Rukia paused before adding something else. — And I would never think of attacking dear grandfather, I was just giving King Yushiru a lesson about not getting into business that is not his and not underestimating people. That matter was just between Ichigo and Yoruichi, but evidently she involved her brother, and therefore, I had to get involved.
— You are too clever, dear niece. I'll applaud that move, but don't do it again; this time it was a blow, the next time it could be something more serious. — Uncle Kisuke handed the ring back and opened his fan to play with it. — I'll keep your secret safe, but we need to talk about this ring after we get this little problem sorted out.
Rukia put the ring back on her finger and nodded at what Kisuke said.
Summer — x493 / July 16
That night, Rukia was only able to sleep after Tatsuki gave her some tea for her to relax; her mind kept replaying all the events of the party and the interrogation in King Yhwach's office, as well as what might happen during the day. It wasn't something she liked to think about, because the more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed that she would have to apologize to the king of Gardelia on Ichigo's behalf.
Rukia knew the scales of power, she had learned them well, and everyone was always below kings. If the kings said that the day is night, then so it will be written for perpetuity.
Upon waking up, Rukia lay in bed for too long a moment, breathing in the scent of Ichigo's pillows and gathering the courage she was going to need that day to face any kind of situation that came her way. It was supposed to be a vacation in Vermist, not problem after problem.
And dear Aunt Kirio is the one responsible for most of the problems that were happening at that time.
Ichigo had promised to take her to see the nightingales, they were supposed to walk around the city, spend a day at the beach, taste typical food in the market and do that ceremony with Ulquiorra and Orihime before returning to Adelaar, but their time was running out on Vermist and it seemed that they would not do anything that they had planned.
Rukia damned Kirio and Yoruichi a thousand times over, and wished the Shadow would take them away. Her little revenge list had added the names of Yushiru and Yoruichi.
Tatsuki entered the room with a breakfast tray and Rukia immediately got up from the bed, she had already armed herself with courage and was ready to start the day. Rukia prepared herself with Tatsuki's help and put the Winter Diadem on her head, only to feel Ichigo's presence next to her during the day.
Dear Grandpa told her that she could see Ichigo during the day, and she hoped so, though she also braced herself for a refusal. Ichigo told her the day they arrived, they were guests there and were subject to the palace rules.
— Tatsuki, today you will accompany me for the whole day. — Rukia commented after making sure everything was in order with her clothes and the rest. — We'll spend most of the day in the palace, so I guess we'll eat there.
Tatsuki nodded and Rukia stared at her for a moment.
The maid dressed as all Adelaar's maids did, in a simple dress that reached a little below the knees, plain shoes, and her hair tied back. Rukia remembered the time she saw Tatsuki for the first time. Tatsuki wore make-up that enhanced her natural beauty, gold trim in her long hair, and she wore almost see-through clothing but kept necessary body parts covered.
Tatsuki was a prostitute, a very beautiful and highly paid one, who sold her services to soldiers and men who could pay for the pleasure of her company, but at the time Tatsuki was just a maiden.
— What would happen if I exchanged those clothes for nicer clothes? — Rukia asked after a moment of silence and circling around Tatsuki, looking at the type of clothes she was wearing, while Tatsuki just looked at her curiously.
— I would no longer look like a maiden. — Tatsuki responded with a slight smile. — Nor could I fulfill my usual obligations without the fear of dirtying the clothes or ruining them.
— You're right, I can't change your clothes. — Rukia conceded, though Tatsuki's activities weren't really hard or heavy, and she didn't have to get dirty unless they were traveling. — But you can adorn your hair, can't you? Like you used to do before you worked for me. I liked your hair before.
— My hair ornaments remained in the brothel, Madame Cyan did not allow me to keep them. I walked out of there with the clothes I was wearing.
— Right, Madame Cyan. — Rukia nodded to what Tatsuki said and then started searching among her own hair ornaments for something that would work for Tatsuki, until she found a comb with pink stones that someone had given her but she couldn't remember who. — Put this on, I'll buy more for you when we get back to Adelaar. — You are my personal maid and you cannot go around looking like a simple maid, they have to know that my hand is in you and that I protect you. You've been with me for a year, it's only fair that you get your well-deserved reward.
Tatsuki refused at first, because it was obviously too valuable a comb, and because she wasn't expecting any such "reward". Tatsuki was happy working for Rukia because she had an honest life and she didn't have to sleep with men for money, only for pleasure and if she wanted to.
But Rukia insisted until Tatsuki relented and put the comb in her collected hair.
Rukia smiled victoriously at that, and then they left the beach house in the direction of the palace to look for Uncle Kisuke so they could go see Ichigo, but Uncle Kisuke was busy, and it was a servant who took them to where Ichigo was. Rukia mentally thanked Uncle Kisuke, and followed the servant through some corridors until he showed her a door that was guarded by an unarmed soldier.
That soldier was probably a Shadow, who in theory would be one of the few who could stop Ichigo, though Rukia doubted anyone could stop him if he got out of control.
— Prince Ichigo is in there. He is asleep and may not wake up for a couple of days, so be aware of that, Your Highness. — The servant clarified and then looked at the soldier who was still standing guard at the door. — Her Highness Princess Rukia, by order of King Yhwach, is the only visitor allowed to enter Prince Ichigo's room.
That clarification puzzled Rukia a bit, but she didn't comment on it. The soldier nodded and stepped aside to let her into that room, and Tatsuki simply stood outside, along with the soldier, who looked at her curiously and then smiled at her.
Rukia entered the room and discovered that the place was really big and very nice, with a big window where a bit of daylight came in, but she wasn't there to admire the room but to see Ichigo. She immediately approached the bed where Ichigo was sleeping and noticed that he was still wearing his clothes from the night before; they had only taken off his boots and laid him on that bed.
Ichigo was lying exactly in the center of the bed, completely still and breathing slowly and calmly. Rukia had seen him like this many times, the first was when they escaped from Maranni, and the others when he practiced and exceeded the use of the gift; but those times he didn't sleep more than half a day.
So, for them to say that Ichigo wasn't going to wake up for a couple of days, or more, meant that he really had overused the gift.
Rukia watched him in silence for a long moment, and then sat down next to him so she could stroke his forehead and hair, watching him sleep and knowing he wouldn't wake up any time soon.
— That's what you look like when you lose control, isn't it? — Rukia asked softly, squeezing his hand as she spoke. — Is this how I will look if I let the gift dominate me? I really have to learn to control it, right?
Rukia knew that it didn't make much sense for her to talk to Ichigo right now; he had explained to her that it was like not being there, as if all the senses were turned off and only an empty body remained. Still, knowing those details, Rukia leaned over him and gave him a soft kiss on the lips.
— Someday you'll wake up when I kiss you, just like in children's stories. — Rukia whispered and settled down next to him, lying down next to him, listening to his heart beat inside his chest until she fell asleep.
Rukia woke up a long while later, when her stomach rumbled because she was hungry, and she let out a sigh before giving Ichigo one last kiss on the lips. She promised Ichigo that she would come back with clean clothes to take off what he was wearing, and threatened to beat him up if he woke up and she wasn't there. She stroked his hair in farewell and took one last breath.
Once again, she damned Kirio, Yoruichi, and Yushiru.
Outside the room was Tatsuki, who was adjusting her hair again, and when Rukia saw her, she gave her a nervous smile. Rukia narrowed her eyes at Tatsuki and then turned to look at the soldier, who seemed too focused on some point on the front wall.
Rukia told Tatsuki that they were going to eat and then look for clothes for Ichigo, and both of them began to walk down that corridor in a slightly strange silence. It wasn't an awkward silence, it was a silence that precedes some curious question that isn't supposed to be asked.
— They say that the king of Gardelia has a broken nose from the blow. — Tatsuki commented calmly after walking a few meters away from the soldier. — And they say that he is so offended that he will leave for his kingdom tomorrow, after the king's doctor gives him a final check-up at the request of King Yhwach.
— They say? — Rukia asked, looking at Tatsuki with a mischievous smile. — Or the soldier says? Because you have the wrong comb placed.
Tatsuki turned completely red at that last comment and Rukia started laughing at that reaction before asking a few more questions, which inevitably made Tatsuki start laughing too. Rukia didn't interfere in Tatsuki's life, she simply told her that she had to be discreet, because rumors used to spread like water in the castle.
— And he wasn't even that good. — Tatsuki said with a nonchalant shrug. — I've been with better, for example, Renji's friend. He is very good.
— Tatsuki! With Uryu?
— He is nice. It's nothing serious, we just hang out. And I'm not charging him. — This time it was Rukia's turn to blush and Tatsuki to laugh at those words.
Rukia started to ask Tatsuki questions about that relationship with Uryu while they both walked through the corridors to go in search of the kitchen and they could eat something, when she realized that the princess of Gardelia was walking down that same corridor directly towards them with an expression that said that she was really angry.
Rukia didn't want to talk to her, she had nothing to talk about with her although many times she had imagined that meeting and the words she would say to her, so she just stepped aside hoping the princess would ignore her and move on, but it didn't happen. The Gardelia princess stood in front of her, and Rukia could clearly see the anger on her face.
— You! — Yoruichi pointed a finger at her, as if Rukia was someone below her. — I was looking for you! What did you do to Ichigo? Tell me what you did to him! Because the man who attacked my brother last night was not my Ichigo!
Yoruichi seemed quite upset. Rukia didn't like that way of referring to Ichigo from the princess, and she had to take a deep breath not to hit her at that moment.
Tatsuki moved to try to get Rukia away from there, but Rukia stopped her by raising a hand and the maid only had to obey that order; at that moment she was no longer Kia, she was the princess of Avanta.
Rukia figured that by now King Yushiru had already talked to Yoruichi, so pretending to be an innocent girl would be a waste of time and energy. Queen Masaki's words "you must act as calmly as possible so that no one suspects you when you act against those who offend you" resounded in her mind, and the princess of Gardelia was definitely offending her.
— Your Highness. — Rukia commented, ignoring the anger in Yoruichi's expression, and trying not to sound too hostile. — I don't understand what I've done to you to make you treat me this way. I don't think I have offended you, because we have only exchanged a couple of words, so I don't understand your attitude towards me or your claims, which invade my private life and that of my husband.
— Of course you have offended me! Your presence offends me! — Yoruichi began, who seemed to have been looking forward to this meeting more than Rukia. — What did you do to my Ichigo? Tell me!
— Do you also think I put a spell on my husband?
— Don't say that word! Which is too big for your mouth.
Rukia thought there were other things about Ichigo that were too big for her mouth as well, but if she said it she might not look good because she's supposed to be a lady, and ladies don't talk about such things in public. Rukia also didn't intend to sit down with Yoruichi to talk about how good Ichigo was in bed or about those details that weren't relevant, but she had to make it clear to Yoruichi who the wife is there, because it seemed that the princess of Gardelia still didn't understand it and she only made a fool of herself.
— Your Highness, I believe there is a misunderstanding between us which I must clear up, for your own good. — Rukia extended her left hand in front of Yoruichi just so the princess could see the two rings she had on her ring finger. — The ring of the Queen of Vayalat, a stone as ancient as the kingdom itself, given by Queen Aiko to Ichigo so that he could propose to me. And the wedding ring, placed on my hand by Ichigo the day he and I got married, designed by Queen Masaki's own jeweler for that day.
Rukia said that, looking at Yoruichi as she said it, studying the anger in the princess of Gardelia that seemed to grow more and more. Rukia knew that provoking her could make the princess attack her like King Yushiru did, but she was fed up with that situation and if Yoruichi had come looking for her, she wouldn't leave without knowing her place.
— You shouldn't even be wearing those rings! Everyone knows that you forced my Ichigo to marry you. — Yoruichi reached out with the intention of taking them off, but Rukia quickly withdrew her hand.
Rukia really wanted to hit Yoruichi every time she referred to Ichigo that way: "my".
— The one who should be offended is me. Your presence, princess of Gardelia, should offend me, but not even that provokes me. I see you and all I feel is pity. My Ichigo, you say? — Rukia took a step back, giving Yoruichi an up and down look. — Two sneaky meetings and a memory dance must have been enough for you to realize that the man you say I put a spell on chose me and not you. I know what you wanted, it's too obvious, but you still didn't get anything, or was I wrong? He is not your Ichigo, he is mine. My husband, mine.
Princess Gardelia's expression of anger changed to an expression of triumph, as if she had a truly forceful response to what Rukia had said. Rukia noticed and tried to mentally prepare herself for whatever the princess would say, because it obviously wouldn't be good or nice.
— You feel pity for me, you say. — Yoruichi took another step towards Rukia, leaving them both face to face. The princess of Gardelia smiled and Rukia just looked at her as one looks at a rival. — But I have something that you will never have, and it is really mine. I made him a man, and everything he does with you, he learned with me. Maybe I couldn't get anything done in two meetings and a dance, but I definitely know that the man who slept with me every night is still there. — Yoruichi smiled as she said it, enjoying this moment and this confrontation. — Now live with that, live knowing that everything he does to you he did to me first, live knowing that everything he says to you, he said to me first. Live knowing that you will always be my shadow, my replacement.
Yoruichi smiled, the way someone smiles when they think they've won something.
At that moment, Rukia felt anger and jealousy run through her veins like a blazing flame, and the gift of war awoke once again; she could feel it fluttering between her fingers like the wings of a butterfly, as if it had a life of its own. Yoruichi was so close to her that grabbing her neck and causing the same injuries she caused Ichigo would be too easy; she could kill her at that moment and that would be the end of it, but Rukia clenched her fist and closed her eyes, she would not allow the princess of Gardelia to treat her like that and she would not end up like a weak girl. Her pride prevented it.
If Yoruichi wanted to talk about those topics, then they were going to talk about those topics.
— He learned it from you, and I thank you, as well as all the women who passed through his bed. Did you think you were the only one who slept with him and taught him things? You believed it! — Rukia answered with a smile that wasn't a smile, it was more of a grimace that reflected the internal struggle between killing her right there or letting her live another day.
— He would never sleep with...
— Oh! But he did it! In this palace, in the lands of the sunset, in Avanta... Did you think you were unique and special? — Rukia's words had the same intention to hurt as Yoruichi's words, and she knew she was succeeding when she saw the Gardelia princess's expression. She didn't want that meeting with the princess of Gardelia, but she wouldn't leave until she won it. — Perhaps I was not the first in his bed, but I have something that you will never have; I have him, the man. Now it's me who sleeps every night in his arms, now it's me he whispers his love to. Did he ever tell you that he loved you? — Rukia said that and approached Yoruichi, getting so close that it seemed like the meeting between two rivals to the death before the final showdown. — Besides, I will have something that you will never have, no matter what you do, what you say or the "wonderful" past you have had with him. I will have children with Ichigo, children born of a legitimate and blessed marriage, but above all, children that he really wants to have.
Yoruichi took a step back so quickly that Rukia didn't notice until it was too late and Yoruichi's hand slammed into her cheek echoing down the hall from the blow. Tatsuki screamed seeing that Rukia had been hit and tried to get closer to her, but Rukia stopped her with just a look.
Rukia was really angry and the gift fluttered between her fingers asking to be used, but she just clenched her fists to keep from hitting her. Now she had proof of the Princess of Gardelia's aggression marked on her face and intended to use it to her advantage. If she had to pretend to be a victim, then she would, and that included not hurting Yoruichi.
— Did it hurt you so much to hear the truth that it was necessary to hit me? — Rukia asked looking directly at Yoruichi, who seemed to be considering whether to beat her to death or not. Rukia took a few steps away from Yoruichi to avoid hurting her. — Well, now live with it, because it's the truth. Live knowing that I have everything that you will never have. You lost, Yoruichi, you yourself ruined your destiny.
Rukia said those words and turned her back on Yoruichi with the intention of leaving, she had nothing else to do there and she hoped that the princess of Gardelia would understand that it was her presence that was unnecessary.
Rukia took a couple of steps, with Tatsuki at her side and feeling the gift slowly calm down, when she felt someone pull her hair so hard it made her take a few steps back before that same someone threw her to the ground. At that moment Rukia was aware of what was happening, and that the princess of Gardelia was the one who made her end up on the floor. Rukia tried to get up, but the princess climbed on top of her, starting to hit her as she told her that everything that happened was her fault.
Tatsuki tried to separate the princess of Gardelia from Rukia, who only managed to cover her face with her arms so that Yoruichi wouldn't hurt her, but every time she tried, the princess of Gardelia also hit or pushed her. Rukia could only hear the princess of Gardelia's wishes for her to be dead, and tried to get her to get off her, but she was a bit stunned from the initial blow and from all the others that Yoruichi was giving her.
It was in a second that everything calmed down, suddenly Rukia no longer felt Yoruichi's blows or weight on her, but she was still on the floor and someone was trying to get her up. She was in pain, she no longer heard Yoruichi's screams either, but even so she couldn't get up from the floor when hands tried to help her.
Rukia heard someone scream, but she didn't care, she was too sore at the time and she closed her eyes.
—
The queen was really furious.
Kirio hadn't seen her like this in a long time and it wasn't a nice thing to see, because the queen had no mercy when it came to passing sentences and she didn't care who was punished. The queen's private office was a place no one wanted to be when the queen was angry.
— Did you plan all this so that Yoruichi would attack my dear granddaughter? — Asked the queen raising her hand to point to some point outside that office.
Kirio didn't expect that question, and she didn't expect that the queen had called her to blame her for the fight between Yoruichi and Rukia, but that was definitely happening. Queen Aiko was suspicious of her, and Kirio decided that it was better to deny everything because there was really no proof that she had anything to do with that fight, although she was the one who told Yoruichi where she could find Rukia. The only culprit there was fate.
If the queen had come a little later, possibly Rukia would be dead and that problem would have been over, because one way or another, her death would be covered up to make it look like an accident.
— No, dear mother.
Queen Aiko stared at Kirio for a very brief moment, as if weighing that response carefully, and Kirio felt panic course through her body. The queen's anger was palpable, it could feel like suffocating pressure, and Kirio knew that it could only get worse if she didn't manage to divert the subject.
— You were responsible for taking care of Yoruichi while she was Ichigo's lover, did you know about the pregnancy?
That was another question Kirio never expected to hear again. Kirio knew that the king and queen were aware of this situation because Masaki talked to them, and the first time they questioned her, she denied everything claiming that it was possibly Yoruichi's carelessness.
— No, dear mother.
— Did you know that was the reason my dear daughter came? — The queen asked again, with a suspicion that made Kirio shiver.
— No, dear mother. Until they explained to me the reason for the presence of our dear Masaki, I did not know about that pregnancy.
— So you deny your involvement in all this trouble, do you?
— That's right, dear mother. It's just a teenage romance gone badly that led to this situation. — Kirio said that without even blinking. — I took care of Princess Yoruichi, but it's not my fault that she didn't drink the tea as requested and got pregnant. I was totally unaware of that detail until the arrival of our dear Masaki. I didn't know that she would come to Vermist for that reason, I don't know how Masaki found out about that. And I definitely didn't provoke the fight in the hallway.
The queen stared at Kirio as she spoke, as if considering the answers she was giving her. Kirio wondered why the queen had asked her such questions, since those topics were supposed to have been buried in the past; there was no reason to bring them out again.
From one moment to another, the room became a little darker and the air thicker.
— So you don't know anything about what's going on under your nose, do you? — The queen asked and Kirio shivered again. — So what do you know? Things are entrusted to you and power is delegated to you because you will be queen, because you will take my place when Yhwach deems it necessary to retire and Kisuke ascends the throne, but from what I see now, I am beginning to seriously doubt your ability as my successor.
— Dear mother, I don't...
— A teenage romance, you say? — The queen continued speaking, preventing Kirio from defending herself. — Rukia talked to us, told us things that she definitely wasn't supposed to know unless Ichigo knew, and Ichigo wasn't even supposed to know those things. Kisuke told us everything, every detail, so that we could understand this situation, and yet you dare to deny that you were involved from the beginning? What the hell did you intend! Is this how you educate your children? Is this how you take care of the children under your protection?
— Dear mother… I only did it because it was the best for our dear Ichigo. I only thought of him and his happiness. They forced him to marry that girl! Understand me! I've taken care of him and watched him grow up, I couldn't let his life be ruined like this! He is like a son to me!
— But you are not his mother! You can't decide on him no matter how much affection you have for him! The king of Gardelia hit my dear granddaughter and Ichigo almost killed him because of it, he lost control because of it! A man doesn't react like that when he's forced to marry! And you know it very well. — Queen Aiko was completely upset and the pressure inside that office was really suffocating for Kirio who was struggling not to sit down or lean against anything. If they continued like this, the queen was going to kill her by suffocation. — Can you imagine what is going to happen to Princess Yoruichi when Ichigo finds out that she nearly beat Rukia to death?
— But Ichigo doesn't have to find out about that, we cannot tell him what happened. — Kirio at that moment felt despair running under her skin. — Ichigo wouldn't be able to hurt a woman, he would never raise his hand against Yoruichi. He understands it, he's a gentleman. He never…
— For the Shadow, Kirio! Ichigo is obviously going to find out! — The queen paused, trying to regain her composure. Kirio was able to breathe well at that moment, feeling relief in her lungs. — Masaki doubted you. She suspected that you had something to do with this matter and I decided to give you a vote of confidence, now I see that I was wrong. Not only did you put Yoruichi through unnecessary and too terrible pain, you put both Ichigo's and Masaki's lives in danger if Isshin found out about this situation. And as a consequence of those actions, Yoruichi's brother sent Ichigo a death threat, again putting his life in danger. Now we have Ichigo asleep from losing control of the gift, and Rukia with bumps and scratches. And you dare to say that he doesn't have to know?
— Dear mother… — Kirio tried to speak.
— Don't call me that way! Now get out of here, I don't want to see your face. When we solve this problem with the king of Gardelia, Yhwach will decide your punishment.
Summer — x493 / July 18
The first thing Ichigo felt when he regained consciousness was the soft and relaxing smell of Rukia's mint, and that made him smile even before he opened his eyes. Little by little he began to feel like his body was his again, and he was aware of Rukia's presence next to him, hugging his side next to his heart. He immediately hugged her and opened his eyes only to see her sleeping next to him, which filled his heart with joy and made him feel happy and lucky.
His light, his life and his eternity, was with him.
Ichigo realized that the room was brightly lit, as if it wasn't even past noon yet, and that it definitely wasn't the beach house. He didn't know how many days he had been unconscious and he didn't care, the only thing that mattered to him was that Rukia was with him at that moment. He shifted a bit to get a better fit on the bed, although his whole body felt sore from sleeping in the same position for so long, when Rukia complained that he was moving around a lot and wouldn't let her rest.
He smiled and it was perhaps the funniest moment of his life as Rukia sat up in bed so fast she nearly fell over realizing he had woken up.
— You're awake! Finally! — Rukia was excited and launched herself at him only to shower him with little kisses all over his face before pulling away from him and sitting back on the bed and scolding him. — Three days! You slept for three days! How can you sleep for so many days?
Rukia was more relieved than annoyed, and that made him smile guiltily. If he hadn't let the gift control him, his uncle wouldn't have hit him like that or left him unconscious for so many days; at least he was mentally thankful that this time they didn't chain him up or put him in a cell.
— It's for using the gift, I overdid it. — He said, by way of apology before sitting up on the bed. His entire body protested the pain of that movement, and it was impossible to hide the wince.
— Are you okay? I bring something? — Rukia asked quickly, but Ichigo just shook his head before taking her hand and pulling her to him for a proper hug.
— I'm fine, I have everything I need here. — Ichigo whispered closing his eyes, feeling Rukia's hug that was so sweet and the natural way she gave him small kisses on the shoulder while repeating the word "mine". Rukia's scent was simply soothing and addictive.
Ichigo gave her small kisses on her neck, with no other desire than to kiss her skin, and hugged her tightly as he repeated the word "mine".
— Tell me I broke the king of Gardelia's nose. — Ichigo whispered into that hug.
Rukia gave him a small kiss on the lips, before smiling victoriously; as if an evil plan had worked perfectly. Ichigo had to admit that the situation at the party had turned out better than expected, until everything got screwed up because of that guy. Just remembering that made him angry again, but he was so weak that he couldn't even manifest magic even if he tried.
— Yep, you broke his nose and I think his pride too. — Rukia got up from the bed and helped Ichigo sit on the edge of it. — From now on he will think things better before doing them. Yushiru may be a dangerous guy, but he's not very smart. I don't know how he became king.
— Wonderful! He deserves it for hitting you. — Ichigo replied sitting on the edge of the bed before grabbing her waist to pull her to him. The last thing he wanted was to be away from her. — He became the king because he killed all his brothers and then possibly killed his father, or because his mother is a powerful concubine, but let's not talk about that, better tell me how do you feel? Did you have any discomfort after the blow, my Moon?
Ichigo caressed her cheek gently causing Rukia to close her eyes from that simple touch. Magic healed many things, but there were others it couldn't heal, and he feared that Yushiru had hurt her beyond what magic could fix in her.
— I'm fine, it was just the blow that day. — Rukia held Ichigo's hand to her face for a moment, and then sat on top of his legs. Ichigo held her tight so she wouldn't fall and noticed a worried expression on her face. — My Sun, we need to talk. Do you want to do it now or after lunch?
That surprised him at the time, because although there really were things to talk about and he wanted to know how much had happened after his uncle knocked him unconscious, he didn't expect her to bring it up with him just regaining consciousness. Whatever Rukia had to tell him, it had to be really important and urgent.
— Let's talk while we eat. — Ichigo suggested without much encouragement but hungry from not having eaten in days. He just hoped the problems hadn't gotten any bigger.
Special regards to Guest, diah77, jobananasan and Nikkiebelles, and thanks to everyone who keeps reading this crazy story. A huge hello to everyone.
I'll upload the next chapter as soon as it's ready.
Author's note:
Before you guys lynch me, I'll make it clear that Rukia was lying to Yoruichi. Ichigo didn't sleep with anyone while he was with the mercenaries, not in Vermist, not anywhere. Clarified this point, now if I'm going to tell you what I have to say.
I had planned this story to make 4 seasons, but I just realized that I divided the times in the wrong way, and the 3rd season turned out to be longer than expected. So I decided to end the 3rd season with the next chapter, so I can organize the next chapters and the times within the story. What I want to say is that it will no longer be 4 seasons, but 5. [It's the plan for now.]
I think it's also consistent with previous seasons.
The first season was about Ichigo and Rukia against their own individual wishes, because he wanted his right to the throne back and she didn't want to get married, until they met. The second season was about Ichigo and Rukia matching their individual desires in order to be together, and where Rukia had to start growing up to survive in this wild world. And the third season is about Ichigo and Rukia's first year of marriage, testing how solid their relationship can be and what they would do for each other.
This author hopes that this will not cause you any inconvenience. XOXOXO
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