A/N: LJ prompt. A ByakuyaRukia (ByaRu) fic this time...
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Taken one by one, it didn't mean anything to him, as he picked up the shards of his broken heart and tried piecing them together. There was always something missing, something that caused the fragments of the picture he was trying to piece together to break time and time again, each time he thought he had managed to put them together.
It was like a puzzle. A puzzle that wouldn't hold unless he stuck the pieces together with glue.
But he knew that once together, the picture that would appear would mean the most in the world to him.
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Kuchiki Byakuya had never considered himself to be afraid of anything. He was fearless, he could take on Menos without breaking a sweat, he wasn't afraid of Arrancar. He was the revered Kuchiki-taichou of the 6th Division, and the 28th Head of his clan. There was nothing he was afraid of...
...except losing Kuchiki Rukia.
Rukia, though he never admitted it to her, was the source of warmth in his cold, cold world. She was the only person to see through his defenses, to see past the emotionless wall of ice that was in his eyes, to stare deep into his soul and see what kind of person he really was. Byakuya found himself growing attached to her, and though he told himself many times that the only reason for this was because she looked like Hisana and his heart hadn't truly healed yet, in reality, Kuchiki Byakuya loved her. He loved her with all his heart.
When he first learnt of her disappearance in the Living World, he was truly afraid, though he never showed it. He was afraid when he found her powerless, her power taken by the human boy, Kurosaki Ichigo. He thought that if the offending boy was eliminated, Rukia's powers would return and things would go back to normal.
Senbonsakura had warned him that it was not to be so, but he turned a deaf ear to her tinkling voice.
Then came the order for Rukia's execution, and the stoic captain found himself at loss.... torn between the promise he made to his late wife, and the promise he made to himself to keep the laws.
In the end, fear drove Byakuya to shunpo between the blade that was hurtling towards his sister's body, Senbonsakura letting out a scream as Shinsou sank into his chest.
"Nii-sama... Why?" Rukia had asked, her voice full of shock and fear. Why did you save me?
Because I love you.. And I'm afraid of losing you... Byakuya wanted to answer, but he couldn't. Instead, he settled on telling her Hisana's story; the truth.
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Things changed after that. It wasn't Byakuya alone that picked up the broken shards of his heart and pieced them together, but Rukia was with him, constantly by his side, to help him put together the puzzle he could never figure out.
And then one night, it was finally completed, after decades of putting them together. It was completed, with a single sentence, a single kiss, and a single whisper that spoke his name in the darkness of his room. The picture that formed was his future, a future that had a clear sky and sakura blossoms and the person that was now crying out his name, kissing him with incredibly soft lips.
Kuchiki Rukia was the glue that held the pieces of his heart together, and painted a vision of how his future would be.
Byakuya would not lose her, no matter what. Because if he did, the picture would go spiralling to the ground again, to shatter into a million pieces, never to be reconstructed.
Hisana had shattered it with her death, Rukia had pieced it back together.
And Byakuya wanted to keep it that way.
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Fear coursed through his veins, almost making him loose his hold on Senbonsakura. Minutes after Yamamoto-soutaichou had issused the order to infiltrate Hueco Mundo, Byakuya led his team in search of Rukia while Zaraki, Soifon and Hitsugaya fanned out to find Renji and the rest, and to take down Aizen if they could.
She was lying still. Too still.
"Rukia..." his voice came out as a hoarse whisper as he shunpoed to her prone from, kneeling on the ground to cradle her body in his arms. Blood stained Rukia's face and shikakusho, a broken Sode no Shirayuki still tightly held in her grasp. Nearby, the remains of the Espada she had killed lay, but he paid no attenttion to it, his gaze riveted on her pale, pale face, heart hammering wildly in his chest. He tried to search for a pulse, but there was none.
Already, he could feel the cracks begining to grow.
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Rukia lay curled up with Byakuya for one last time in his bed, her head tucked neatly under his chin, his arms wrapped warmly around her. Slowly, almost regretfully, she moved, trying to gently distangle herself from him. Byakuya stirred, and his voice rumbled in his chest as he stopped her. "You don't have to go, Rukia."
"I.. I have to, Byakuya," Rukia softly said. "Orihime is.. my nakama. I know how it feels like to be captured. I know the pain and loneliness of being locked up with no one there for me. She went through so much to save me... I can't just stand by and let Aizen do this to her. I have to save her."
"Rukia..."
"Don't stop me, because whatever you do, I will still find a way to Hueco Mundo, by hook or by crook." Rukia pushed away from him and got up to get dressed. "Nothing can change my mind. I will save Inoue Orihime."
Byakuya stood and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Then promise me this. Promise me that you will come back safe and alive."
Rukia had barely the time to blink as his lips descended on hers in an intoxicating kiss. When she pulled away half-dazed, she gave him a soft smile. "I promise. Let me go, Byakuya... Renji should be waiting by now..."
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"A promise is a promise, Rukia..." Byakuya said through gritted teeth, searching for her rieatsu since he couldn't find her pulse. "A promise is a promise... keep it!" Beside him, Senbonsakura lay in shocked silence, offering no comfort for her distraught master. "Rukia..." Byakuya closed his eyes, focusing solely on her and... there! It was the tiniest silver of red ribbon, but it was there, though unravelling at an alarming speed.
Rukia wasn't dead yet! She could still be saved!
Shinigami turned in shock and surprise as they felt Byakuya's rieatsu flare, and they turned around to see their taichou pour as much of his rieatsu as he could into his sister's prone body. Byakuya may not be good in healing, but he had studied the basics from Unohana once before, and could heal if he wanted to.
"Open your eyes, Rukia...." He tried ordering her as he fought to keep her tiny silver of rieatsu there, just there, so he could build it with his own reiatsu, and bring her back to life. "Open your eyes, dammit!" Byakuya never swore, never, but this was a desprate situation, and he didn't care if a thousand and one profanities spewed from his aristocratic mouth now. He just wanted Rukia to open her eyes.
"Nii-sama..."
It was the faintest of whispers, the barest twitch of a hand, the slight flutter of eyeslids, that Byakuya knew he had done it. He had saved her. "Rukia..."
And Rukia opened world-weary eyes, looking up at him with the faintest of smiles on her face. "Nii..... Byakuya-sama..."
There and then, Byakuya embraced her tightly, feeling her thin arms wind around his shoulders, hugging him in return. They never noticed the surprised and joyful cheers of the Shinigami that surrounded him, nor the elated cry of Senbonsakura as she scattered herself in her joy without Byakuya's command, swirling madly around them, enclosing them in a world of their own.
Rukia was safe, and that was what mattered. The picture that was his future would not shatter, ever again.
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For so long, he had been alone in his task of putting together his heart that Hisana shattered.
Then Rukia had come into his life and put it together without it breaking again.
It was then that Byakuya realised, Rukia was the glue to holding together his life, his future.
He also realised, he was afraid of losing her.
Because.... he loved her. More than anything else in the world.
He loved her.
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A few months later, after Aizen's defeat...
Byakuya smiled down at his wife that was curled up next to him, and gently kissed her forehead. "I love you," he softly whispered into her ear.
A small ghost of a smile appeared on Rukia's lips as she slept, as if his words had reached her in her dreams, and she squeezed his hand ever so slightly. I love you too......
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Phobia
A/N: LJ prompt, really.... I was having writers block...
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Zaraki Kenpachi would never admit it, but the only thing he was ever afraid of was losing his cheerful, headstrong 4th Seat, Kamaitachi Ryorin. He had met her in Rukongai after stopping her from stealing Ikkaku's money bag, and was surprised to have her retalliate with a zanpakutoh, managing to scratch his arm as well too.
Needless to say, he found Kamaitachi Ryorin to be a very intriguing female.
Ryorin was not your usual girl-on-the-Division-block. She cussed and swore as loudly as Renji and Ikkaku, drank as much as Shunsui and Matsumoto, and enjoyed fighting just as much as Zaraki did. Yet, she seemed to mantain some level of feminity about herself, caring about her hair as much as Yumichika cared about his beauty, and mantained a slightly muscled, if not slim body.
True, she wasn't as well-endowned as Matsumoto was, but she had a filled figure. Not like Kuchiki Rukia, who was ridiculously skinny, in Zaraki's opinion.
Heck, she even wore a shikakusho belt with an unusally long material, tied into a bow at her back, the ends almost reaching her ankles.
Yumichikia often teased him about it, about being overprotective of Ryorin, but he was simply afraid of losing her. Not many girls could make it in the 11th Division, what with it being bloodthirsty and filled with leering men, but she had made a place for herself there, earning the respect of said leering men with her abilities.
Renji had once stated to Byakuya; "Kamaitachi has a mean kick..."
She walked the walk, talked the talk and wasn't afraid to roll in the dust with the others. But still, Zaraki noticed, she wasn't like those modern-days Yakuza "Onee-san"s, still keeping a sense of dignity and self-consiousness.
Ryorin bathed in the early hours of the morning before everyone got up, late at night after everyone was asleep, or made the trip to the local bath-house if she wasn't in the mood to wake up early. She never exposed her body when she fought, and took great offence if anyone ogled her. She tried not to give any ideas to the many men that were in the Division, watching her words and her behavior, trying not to go overboard with her rough and crude actions.
Yes, Kamaitachi Ryorin was a very intriguing female indeed.
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"Ne, taichou."
"What?" Zaraki grunted, looking back at her out of the corner of his eye as she helped him attach the last bell on the highest spike of his hair.
"Why dontcha let Yumi do this fer ya?" Ryorin grinned as the bell went into place and slid down his back, landing with a little thump. "I mean, he seems eager enough t' help."
"Che, I ain't lettin' that fruity bastard anywhere near my hair," Zaraki growled, checking his reflection in the mirror for one last time before turning. "And ya better stay put, or I'll get Yachiru t' watch ya."
Ryorin pouted, clad in a white yukata with bandages all over. She had sparred with Kuchiki-taichou yesterday, and had pressured him into releasing his shikai. If Yachiru hadn't cheerfully and casually stated that "Rin-chan was really gonna get it from Byakushi now", Zaraki would'nt have rushed there in time to save her ass. She had been holding out pretty fine, until Senbonsakura's petals sliced into her. It took Zaraki everything to not gut that pompous captain that watched and walked away without a word of apology.
"We were just sparrin', taichou." Ryorin sounded irritated. "Kuchiki-taichou wouldn't have killed me. He would've alerted Unohana-taichou, 'neways."
"Still, I ain't lettin' ya leave till yer wounds heal," Zaraki said, using the stern tone he usually reserved for Yachiru when he was sleeping and he wanted her to shut the hell up. Ryorin caught the warning glare in his eyes and settled for sulking, knowing that whatever punishment he was thinking of if she didn't listen to him wasn't that bad and actually benifited her. But still, he was Captain and she had to obey him.
Even if the punishment was getting to sleep the whole day in the 11th Division's cell with sake hidden for her under the bed.
"Whatever."
"Hn." With a final warning look, Zaraki turned and walked out of her room, leaving her to sit on the edge of her bed, legs dangling.
Yeah, she wouldn't leave for now. Not till her wounds were completely healed. Because said and done, Zaraki Kenpachi cared for her as much as he cared for Yachiru. And he was afraid of losing her.
It was his only phobia, anyone might say.
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Zaraki Kenpachi would never admit it, but the only thing he was ever afraid of was losing his cheerful, headstrong 4th Seat, Kamaitachi Ryorin. He had met her in Rukongai after stopping her from stealing Ikkaku's money bag, and was surprised to have her retalliate with a zanpakutoh, managing to scratch his arm as well too.
Needless to say, he found Kamaitachi Ryorin to be a very intriguing female.
Ryorin was not your usual girl-on-the-Division-block. She cussed and swore as loudly as Renji and Ikkaku, drank as much as Shunsui and Matsumoto, and enjoyed fighting just as much as Zaraki did. Yet, she seemed to mantain some level of feminity about herself, caring about her hair as much as Yumichika cared about his beauty, and mantained a slightly muscled, if not slim body.
True, she wasn't as well-endowned as Matsumoto was, but she had a filled figure. Not like Kuchiki Rukia, who was ridiculously skinny, in Zaraki's opinion.
Heck, she even wore a shikakusho belt with an unusally long material, tied into a bow at her back, the ends almost reaching her ankles.
Yumichikia often teased him about it, about being overprotective of Ryorin, but he was simply afraid of losing her. Not many girls could make it in the 11th Division, what with it being bloodthirsty and filled with leering men, but she had made a place for herself there, earning the respect of said leering men with her abilities.
Renji had once stated to Byakuya; "Kamaitachi has a mean kick..."
She walked the walk, talked the talk and wasn't afraid to roll in the dust with the others. But still, Zaraki noticed, she wasn't like those modern-days Yakuza "Onee-san"s, still keeping a sense of dignity and self-consiousness.
Ryorin bathed in the early hours of the morning before everyone got up, late at night after everyone was asleep, or made the trip to the local bath-house if she wasn't in the mood to wake up early. She never exposed her body when she fought, and took great offence if anyone ogled her. She tried not to give any ideas to the many men that were in the Division, watching her words and her behavior, trying not to go overboard with her rough and crude actions.
Yes, Kamaitachi Ryorin was a very intriguing female indeed.
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"Ne, taichou."
"What?" Zaraki grunted, looking back at her out of the corner of his eye as she helped him attach the last bell on the highest spike of his hair.
"Why dontcha let Yumi do this fer ya?" Ryorin grinned as the bell went into place and slid down his back, landing with a little thump. "I mean, he seems eager enough t' help."
"Che, I ain't lettin' that fruity bastard anywhere near my hair," Zaraki growled, checking his reflection in the mirror for one last time before turning. "And ya better stay put, or I'll get Yachiru t' watch ya."
Ryorin pouted, clad in a white yukata with bandages all over. She had sparred with Kuchiki-taichou yesterday, and had pressured him into releasing his shikai. If Yachiru hadn't cheerfully and casually stated that "Rin-chan was really gonna get it from Byakushi now", Zaraki would'nt have rushed there in time to save her ass. She had been holding out pretty fine, until Senbonsakura's petals sliced into her. It took Zaraki everything to not gut that pompous captain that watched and walked away without a word of apology.
"We were just sparrin', taichou." Ryorin sounded irritated. "Kuchiki-taichou wouldn't have killed me. He would've alerted Unohana-taichou, 'neways."
"Still, I ain't lettin' ya leave till yer wounds heal," Zaraki said, using the stern tone he usually reserved for Yachiru when he was sleeping and he wanted her to shut the hell up. Ryorin caught the warning glare in his eyes and settled for sulking, knowing that whatever punishment he was thinking of if she didn't listen to him wasn't that bad and actually benifited her. But still, he was Captain and she had to obey him.
Even if the punishment was getting to sleep the whole day in the 11th Division's cell with sake hidden for her under the bed.
"Whatever."
"Hn." With a final warning look, Zaraki turned and walked out of her room, leaving her to sit on the edge of her bed, legs dangling.
Yeah, she wouldn't leave for now. Not till her wounds were completely healed. Because said and done, Zaraki Kenpachi cared for her as much as he cared for Yachiru. And he was afraid of losing her.
It was his only phobia, anyone might say.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Random RO Love Story
A/N: >< RAGNAROKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAARGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!! I WANNA PLAY RO!!!!! *Punches the poor unsuspecting wall* Dammit.. it's been so long since I last played RO, and I played it for a bit yesterday using my friends' computer... Anyway, because I now have RO firmly stored in my head.. it made me think of the times I had three years ago, when I was a mere Swordswoman falling in love with a certain Magician, striving to be a Crusader...
Sigh.... I miss Densuke sometimes. That reminds me, I gotta finish up my Ragnarok story...
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The shuffling sound of feet and the heavy breathing of a woman was heard within the dimness of the dungeon. Amenthyst eyes flashed, a fire burning within them as she twisted, searching for her unseen foe, her long blonde hair swishing behind her. "Dammit... this isn't good, Ichigo."
The red-haired Priestess turned to look at the Crusadress out of the corner of her eye. "It was a mistake to come to Glast Heim. The whole place is teeming with monsters. I wouldn't be surprised to find a Baphomet come charging out at us the next minute."
"I'll protect you, Ichi." A Knight said. "I'll kill that Baphomet single handedly if it tries to do anything to you."
"Says you, Chaos." The blonde Crusader shot at him. "If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be facing this Kinght of Abyss now."
"Excuse me?" Chaos glared. "If it wasn't for your overbearingly loud voice, Ririn, the Knight of Abyss wouldn't have found us when I told us to hide!"
"Yeah, right! Who came running back to us in the first place, giving away our location?!"
"Oh, shut up, you guys..." A brown haired Wizard muttered. "Let's not fight when we have a situation at hand, shall we?"
Ririn was about to counter, but her sharp hearing picked up a faint ghostly whinny. "He's coming back for another round at us. Get ready." Her Grand Peco tossed it's head nervously and she reined it in to control her mount. Next to her, Chaos's Peco Peco backed up, causing the Knight to grumble. "Our mounts aren't as calm as us, Rin. We have to fight on foot."
"Dammit." Ririn let loose another curse, but didn't think twice as she swung her leg over her mount, landing with a soft thump. Her Grand Peco, immensely relieved at being free, bolted out, followed by Chaos's Peco Peco. "If anything happens, you'll answer to the Prontera Chilvary for this, Chaos."
"Fine by me."
"Here he comes!" Ichigo suddenly said, hearing the sound of galloping hooves. As one, they immedieately tensed and clutched their weapons. "Kyrie Eleison!" A shimmering barrier appeared around them, deflecting a black spear that had appeared out of nowhere.
"Brandish Spear..." Chaos murmured as he shifted his grip on his sword, ready to attack. "Back me up!"
"Here goes!" Ririn crowed. Both Crusader and Knight leapt at the Knight of Abyss, ready to take it down.
"Pierce!" Chaos's blade moved in a series of repeated attacks, dealing damage after damage to the monster.
"Holy Cross!" A huge glowing cross appeared in front of Ririn, and the Holy Elemental attack dealt a huge damage to the Dark Elemental creature that had attacked them. An unearthly scream came from the monster, it's horse reeling on it's hooves. A black mist began surrounding them, and Ichigo regconized the attack.
"Guys, it's going for a Darkness Attack!"
"I'm on it." Densuke, who had been silent all this while, was standing in a glowing circle of light, eyes closed and a look of pure concentration on his face. Now he opened them and lifted a hand, shouting out a command. "Meteor Storm!"
Red meteors appeared around him, glowing menacingly as they hurled themselves at the Kinght of Abyss, Ririn and Chaos leaping clear just in time. Ririn turned her head slightly. "Ichigo! I need a bit of help for my casting!"
Ichigo closed her eyes, a soft light infusing around her as she lifted her palms, pointing them at Ririn as she landed. "Suffragium!"
Instantly, the Crusadress felt the strengthening effects of the Spell, and as the Knight of Abyss flailed among the Meteors, she rammed her Holy Guard down on the ground and dropped to a knee. "GRAND CROSS!"
A glowing cross appeared around her with Ririn in the center and the Knight of Abyss at the longest point of the cross. The monster roared in pain as the air around it began to sizzle with electricity, but Ririn didn't go unaffected as well. Her health was draining from her at a alarming rate as she used herself to deal a heavy attack to the creature.
"Ririn!" Densuke shouted. "Ichigo, I-"
"She can make it on her own." Ichigo assured him. "Her dexterity is high. But if you insist. Suffragium!"
Densuke smiled his thanks as he turned to cast a spell without chanting. "Lord of Vermillion!"
The area around the Knight of Abyss exploded, finally killing the monster. Ririn crouched behind her shield to protect herself from the debris while Ichigo cast a safety wall around herself and Densuke. Chaos however, got blown back.
"That was.... amazing." Ririn chuckled weakly as she got up and fished around in her pouch for a Blue Potion to replenish her health. Chaos groaned at the opposite side of the room. Densuke helped his fiance up and hugged her. "You know I don't like it when you use yourself to deal the attack."
"I'm a Crusadress, Den," Ririn replied simply. "We exist to protect. And I'd give my life just for you, just to see you safe.
"I know... but it pains me to see you hurt." Densuke's smile grew.
Ririn laughed softly, and placed a hand over his chest. "Heal." A light appeared around them for an instant and vanished, healing him of any injuries. "Come on. Let's get out of here. After facing that monster, I don't think I want to return to Glast Heim for a long, long time. I'd so much prefer to go to Payon... or Umbala... or Amatsu.. yeah, Amatasu sounds nice. We could use a break."
Still rambling to herself, Ririn turned and joined Ichigo, who was tending to a grumbling Chaos. Densuke gazed at her amored form, knowing that beneath all those layers of metal and cloth was a woman slim and fragile, with soft skin and a rosary nestled between her breasts, but with an Iron will and a Fiery spirit.
This was the woman he loved, from the first time they met in the Zombie Caves as a Magician and Swordswoman in Payon, till now. Form the first time he had met her, he knew she was the one.
Yes, she was the one.
And he didn't have to choose another.
Sigh.... I miss Densuke sometimes. That reminds me, I gotta finish up my Ragnarok story...
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The shuffling sound of feet and the heavy breathing of a woman was heard within the dimness of the dungeon. Amenthyst eyes flashed, a fire burning within them as she twisted, searching for her unseen foe, her long blonde hair swishing behind her. "Dammit... this isn't good, Ichigo."
The red-haired Priestess turned to look at the Crusadress out of the corner of her eye. "It was a mistake to come to Glast Heim. The whole place is teeming with monsters. I wouldn't be surprised to find a Baphomet come charging out at us the next minute."
"I'll protect you, Ichi." A Knight said. "I'll kill that Baphomet single handedly if it tries to do anything to you."
"Says you, Chaos." The blonde Crusader shot at him. "If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be facing this Kinght of Abyss now."
"Excuse me?" Chaos glared. "If it wasn't for your overbearingly loud voice, Ririn, the Knight of Abyss wouldn't have found us when I told us to hide!"
"Yeah, right! Who came running back to us in the first place, giving away our location?!"
"Oh, shut up, you guys..." A brown haired Wizard muttered. "Let's not fight when we have a situation at hand, shall we?"
Ririn was about to counter, but her sharp hearing picked up a faint ghostly whinny. "He's coming back for another round at us. Get ready." Her Grand Peco tossed it's head nervously and she reined it in to control her mount. Next to her, Chaos's Peco Peco backed up, causing the Knight to grumble. "Our mounts aren't as calm as us, Rin. We have to fight on foot."
"Dammit." Ririn let loose another curse, but didn't think twice as she swung her leg over her mount, landing with a soft thump. Her Grand Peco, immensely relieved at being free, bolted out, followed by Chaos's Peco Peco. "If anything happens, you'll answer to the Prontera Chilvary for this, Chaos."
"Fine by me."
"Here he comes!" Ichigo suddenly said, hearing the sound of galloping hooves. As one, they immedieately tensed and clutched their weapons. "Kyrie Eleison!" A shimmering barrier appeared around them, deflecting a black spear that had appeared out of nowhere.
"Brandish Spear..." Chaos murmured as he shifted his grip on his sword, ready to attack. "Back me up!"
"Here goes!" Ririn crowed. Both Crusader and Knight leapt at the Knight of Abyss, ready to take it down.
"Pierce!" Chaos's blade moved in a series of repeated attacks, dealing damage after damage to the monster.
"Holy Cross!" A huge glowing cross appeared in front of Ririn, and the Holy Elemental attack dealt a huge damage to the Dark Elemental creature that had attacked them. An unearthly scream came from the monster, it's horse reeling on it's hooves. A black mist began surrounding them, and Ichigo regconized the attack.
"Guys, it's going for a Darkness Attack!"
"I'm on it." Densuke, who had been silent all this while, was standing in a glowing circle of light, eyes closed and a look of pure concentration on his face. Now he opened them and lifted a hand, shouting out a command. "Meteor Storm!"
Red meteors appeared around him, glowing menacingly as they hurled themselves at the Kinght of Abyss, Ririn and Chaos leaping clear just in time. Ririn turned her head slightly. "Ichigo! I need a bit of help for my casting!"
Ichigo closed her eyes, a soft light infusing around her as she lifted her palms, pointing them at Ririn as she landed. "Suffragium!"
Instantly, the Crusadress felt the strengthening effects of the Spell, and as the Knight of Abyss flailed among the Meteors, she rammed her Holy Guard down on the ground and dropped to a knee. "GRAND CROSS!"
A glowing cross appeared around her with Ririn in the center and the Knight of Abyss at the longest point of the cross. The monster roared in pain as the air around it began to sizzle with electricity, but Ririn didn't go unaffected as well. Her health was draining from her at a alarming rate as she used herself to deal a heavy attack to the creature.
"Ririn!" Densuke shouted. "Ichigo, I-"
"She can make it on her own." Ichigo assured him. "Her dexterity is high. But if you insist. Suffragium!"
Densuke smiled his thanks as he turned to cast a spell without chanting. "Lord of Vermillion!"
The area around the Knight of Abyss exploded, finally killing the monster. Ririn crouched behind her shield to protect herself from the debris while Ichigo cast a safety wall around herself and Densuke. Chaos however, got blown back.
"That was.... amazing." Ririn chuckled weakly as she got up and fished around in her pouch for a Blue Potion to replenish her health. Chaos groaned at the opposite side of the room. Densuke helped his fiance up and hugged her. "You know I don't like it when you use yourself to deal the attack."
"I'm a Crusadress, Den," Ririn replied simply. "We exist to protect. And I'd give my life just for you, just to see you safe.
"I know... but it pains me to see you hurt." Densuke's smile grew.
Ririn laughed softly, and placed a hand over his chest. "Heal." A light appeared around them for an instant and vanished, healing him of any injuries. "Come on. Let's get out of here. After facing that monster, I don't think I want to return to Glast Heim for a long, long time. I'd so much prefer to go to Payon... or Umbala... or Amatsu.. yeah, Amatasu sounds nice. We could use a break."
Still rambling to herself, Ririn turned and joined Ichigo, who was tending to a grumbling Chaos. Densuke gazed at her amored form, knowing that beneath all those layers of metal and cloth was a woman slim and fragile, with soft skin and a rosary nestled between her breasts, but with an Iron will and a Fiery spirit.
This was the woman he loved, from the first time they met in the Zombie Caves as a Magician and Swordswoman in Payon, till now. Form the first time he had met her, he knew she was the one.
Yes, she was the one.
And he didn't have to choose another.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
A Bleach AU
A/N: I dunno... I think I've been listening too much to Avril Lavigne and playing too many musical instruments, lol. Hey, guess what? Just two days ago, I printed out the piano score for Ayumi Hamasaki's "Moments", and now I'm just too crazy over their songs... >.<
1) Yeah, Umi! Gin is SO HOT!! Totally agreed!!
2) Umm... Khayma? Ichigo, for a fact, belongs to me and Umi not to you... (again)
Disclaimer: I do not own Avril Lavigne nor Ayumi Hamasaki's songs. Right, Dante dear?
Dante: You own me, babe. Heart, body and soul. ^///^
Me: Awww.... I wuv you too.... *glomps*
Vergil: Seriously, you guys.. get a room...
___________________________________________________________________
Byakuya parked his black Mercedes under a Sakura tree and walked slowly up to the large mansion situated right in the middle of the estate. Risa was his fiance after all... why shouldn't he pay her a visit and find out more about her? After all... this was an arranged marrige. But anyone who knew him would've noticed the slight crease between his brows, the quick darting of his pupils... The great Kuchiki Byakuya was nervous.
As he lifted a hand to knock on the door, it swung open and he found himself face to face with an elderly man. "Ah, Byakuya-sama. Welcome to the Akamatsu estate. We've been expecting you."
Byakuya nodded. "Aa. And you must be Jirou, the butler. Is Arisa-dono around?" He stepped into the large hall, looking around. It wasn't as big nor as lavish as the Kuchiki mansion, but it still potrayed wealth and nobility.
"Yes, Arisa-sama is upstairs in her room." Jirou looked slightly apprehensive under his long eyebrows and beard. "I tried to tell her that you wers coming, but she just laughed and told me to bring you up."
"I see." Byakuya restrained himself from frowning disapprovingly. Risa lacked the manners but had the grace of a noble. But still, this wasn't the way to treat your future husband. Wives were taught to be submissive, no matter how firey their spirit may be. Rebellion was quelled and proud necks were bent. Unfortunately, Risa was not an easy one to tame. "Show me to her room and leave us."
"At once, Byakuya-sama. This way, please." Jirou began to lead him up the large palace-like stairs. They passed the libary and the music room before stopping by two mahogany doors. "Arisa-sama..." He knocked on the door, but didn't get a reply. "Arisa-sama! Please open the doors. Byakuya-sama is here to see you."
When there was still no reply, Jirou simply pushed the doors open himself. Risa was sitting Indian style on her bed, a guitar splayed out across her legs, face rapt with concentration and intently listening to her I-Pod. A music junkie... Byakuya thought with a little groan. I got engaged to... a music junkie...
Jirou opened his mouth to speak, but Risa held a up a hand and waved him out, motioning that Byakuya stay and the doors be closed behind them. Jirou sighed and obeyed her silent order, before Byakuya started to address her sternly. "Arisa. As my-"
"Shhhhh!" To his shock, Risa silenced him and tossed her head, flipping her hair over her shoulder before removing an earplug. "Listen.... music must be played in total silence. Only then will you feel the lyrics bond and connect with your soul, bringing what you feel to life." She bent over her guitar and began singing.
"Are you aware of what you made me feel, baby
Right now I feel invisible to you like I'm not real
Didn't you feel me lock my arms around you
Why'd you turn away?
Here's what I have to say
I was left to cry there
Waiting outside there
Grinning with a lost stare
That's when I decided
Why should I care?
Cuz you weren't there when I was scared, I was so alone
You, you need to listen
I'm starting to trip
I'm losing my grip
And I'm in this thing alone..."
Risa's voice fell and rose in a haunting tone, bitterness and anger clearly in it, making Byakuya wonder just who was she so angry at, and he shivered at her sudden change in personality. Pain clouded her eyes, the lines on her face set in a grim, disappointed look. He waited till she finished the song, and Risa closed her eyes briefly to catch her breath, and in that instant, the bitterness he had seen vanished, replaced with the carefree, smiling Risa he knew.
"Music. It brings out what's hidden in your soul. And when you sharpen the talent, you'll be able to sing as if you've never sung before. " She smiled vaugely at him and placed a hand on her chest. "Feel the song, understand the lyrics, and sing with your heart. I don't know how to explain it, but it's a magical feeling to bring a song to life." Risa slid her legs off the bed and looked sideways at him. "What brings you over, Byakuya? I heard you wanted to see me."
"Iie. I merely wanted to spend time with my fiance." Having recieved no invitation to sit, Byakuya seated himself in a small armchair by the side of her bed. "I... just wanted to get to know you, to know what kind of person you are, as this is an arranged marrige."
"Hmph..." Risa smiled and snorted lightly. "Then know one thing about me. I'm a singer and music is my soul. I don't care if I'm a Noble. It's merely a title. I make friends easily with everyone anywhere, and I just like to have fun." She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "I hate being restricted. So don't try locking me up in a house. Believe me, I know of ways that I can get out."
Byakuya leaned back, absorbing the information with intrest. "But you are a Noble, are you not? As Nobles, we should set good examples to commoners, not indulging ourselves in activities that will bring shame to the-"
"Oh, please. I've heard that a thousand times before." Risa waved a hand impatiently. "As a Noble, you should do this, do that, etc. etc. etc., blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda... I've heard all that, but I choose not to follow it." She pushed her face close to his, eyes narrowing. "Tell me, Byakuya-bo... When was the last time YOU had fun?"
Byakuya-bo... A flicker of annoyance appeared in Byakuya's eyes. Shihouin Yoruichi had indeed left an impression on her. "Please don't refer to me with that term. I'm older than you by three years. And fun is merely a waste of time. I don't have... fun."
Risa rocked back on her bed, clearly appalled. "Damn... you're just like what Kaien, Urahara and Yoruichi said." A grin appeared on her features. "A stick in the mud."
Byakuya's cheeks heated up and he stiffened. "I beg your pardon?!"
"A stick in the mud," Risa carried on, undaunted. "Though that term belonged to Kaien, not me. I'd refer to you as.... a boring block of ice."
Byakuya rose. He didn't need to waste his time with this.... impudent girl. He would leave, and he would tell the Kuchiki Elders that the marriage was a mistake, and that Akamatsu Arisa was a rude, uncivillized person, unfitting to hold the title of 'Noble'. But he had barely taken two steps towards the door when the lively strumming of a guitar filled the air, and Risa's voice soared, sounding cheerful and alive.
"Everything's changing when I turn around all out of my control I'm a mobile
Everything's changing out of what I know everywhere I go I'm a mobile
I'm a mobile..."
Byakuya turned around, glaring, but stopped when he saw the look on her face. Risa was rocking to the beat, a light shining from her eyes, a playful and naughty smile or grin on her face, playing her guitar with a lively tune, but what caught his attenttion was the fact that she looked so alive.
"Everything's changing everywhere I go
All out of my control
Everything's changing everywhere I go out of what I know..."
Suddenly, the atmosphere in her room changed. Byakuya noticed the way the bed was so strategically placed so the soft sunlight streamed in through the window, lighting up the figure on the bed, the way leaves drifted outside the window, swirling in the breeze, and the fresh air that came in, making the room brighter and easier to breathe. Everything seemed to have changed at that instant of realization, and even his reflection in the mirror seemed to have became more alive. Risa laughed gaily, and he thought he had never heard a sound so sweet before.
"La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la la
Everything's changing when I turn around all out of my control I'm a mobile
Everything's changing when I turn around all out of my control I'm a mobile..."
Risa finished the song and smiled at him wordlessly, amused at his dazed expression. Finally, Byakuya managed to shake himself out of his stupor. "How... What happened?"
"I told you. Music is the food of the soul." Risa leaned her arms on her guitar. "A bitter song makes you bitter. A sad song makes you cry. A happy song makes you laugh. And a cheerful, lively song.... makes you feel alive. Tell me, Byakuya... did you feel alive? Did you actually stop for once and notice the life that goes on around you?"
"..."
"Learn to live, Byakuya-sama." A sad look came into her eyes. "If I am to marry you, then I will make sure I teach you how to live you life to the fullest. Because... I don't want to live or sleep next to someone who hasn't experienced the fun-filled life like I've had...." She looked away and strummed a few sad notes on her instrument absently. "I'm sorry for my words earlier, Byakuya-sama. Forgive my impudence."
There was silence for a while, then Risa felt strong arms wind about her slender frame, and she almost squeaked in surprise as the smell of cologne assulted her senses. "Teach me how to live, then.. Akamatsu Arisa," Byakuya murmured into her ear. "Teach me how to live through your voice, your songs, your music. Teach me."
A smile graced Risa's lips and she leaned back in his arms, singing softly,
"I don't know who you are...
But I...
I'm with you..."
~Owari~
1) Yeah, Umi! Gin is SO HOT!! Totally agreed!!
2) Umm... Khayma? Ichigo, for a fact, belongs to me and Umi not to you... (again)
Disclaimer: I do not own Avril Lavigne nor Ayumi Hamasaki's songs. Right, Dante dear?
Dante: You own me, babe. Heart, body and soul. ^///^
Me: Awww.... I wuv you too.... *glomps*
Vergil: Seriously, you guys.. get a room...
___________________________________________________________________
Byakuya parked his black Mercedes under a Sakura tree and walked slowly up to the large mansion situated right in the middle of the estate. Risa was his fiance after all... why shouldn't he pay her a visit and find out more about her? After all... this was an arranged marrige. But anyone who knew him would've noticed the slight crease between his brows, the quick darting of his pupils... The great Kuchiki Byakuya was nervous.
As he lifted a hand to knock on the door, it swung open and he found himself face to face with an elderly man. "Ah, Byakuya-sama. Welcome to the Akamatsu estate. We've been expecting you."
Byakuya nodded. "Aa. And you must be Jirou, the butler. Is Arisa-dono around?" He stepped into the large hall, looking around. It wasn't as big nor as lavish as the Kuchiki mansion, but it still potrayed wealth and nobility.
"Yes, Arisa-sama is upstairs in her room." Jirou looked slightly apprehensive under his long eyebrows and beard. "I tried to tell her that you wers coming, but she just laughed and told me to bring you up."
"I see." Byakuya restrained himself from frowning disapprovingly. Risa lacked the manners but had the grace of a noble. But still, this wasn't the way to treat your future husband. Wives were taught to be submissive, no matter how firey their spirit may be. Rebellion was quelled and proud necks were bent. Unfortunately, Risa was not an easy one to tame. "Show me to her room and leave us."
"At once, Byakuya-sama. This way, please." Jirou began to lead him up the large palace-like stairs. They passed the libary and the music room before stopping by two mahogany doors. "Arisa-sama..." He knocked on the door, but didn't get a reply. "Arisa-sama! Please open the doors. Byakuya-sama is here to see you."
When there was still no reply, Jirou simply pushed the doors open himself. Risa was sitting Indian style on her bed, a guitar splayed out across her legs, face rapt with concentration and intently listening to her I-Pod. A music junkie... Byakuya thought with a little groan. I got engaged to... a music junkie...
Jirou opened his mouth to speak, but Risa held a up a hand and waved him out, motioning that Byakuya stay and the doors be closed behind them. Jirou sighed and obeyed her silent order, before Byakuya started to address her sternly. "Arisa. As my-"
"Shhhhh!" To his shock, Risa silenced him and tossed her head, flipping her hair over her shoulder before removing an earplug. "Listen.... music must be played in total silence. Only then will you feel the lyrics bond and connect with your soul, bringing what you feel to life." She bent over her guitar and began singing.
"Are you aware of what you made me feel, baby
Right now I feel invisible to you like I'm not real
Didn't you feel me lock my arms around you
Why'd you turn away?
Here's what I have to say
I was left to cry there
Waiting outside there
Grinning with a lost stare
That's when I decided
Why should I care?
Cuz you weren't there when I was scared, I was so alone
You, you need to listen
I'm starting to trip
I'm losing my grip
And I'm in this thing alone..."
Risa's voice fell and rose in a haunting tone, bitterness and anger clearly in it, making Byakuya wonder just who was she so angry at, and he shivered at her sudden change in personality. Pain clouded her eyes, the lines on her face set in a grim, disappointed look. He waited till she finished the song, and Risa closed her eyes briefly to catch her breath, and in that instant, the bitterness he had seen vanished, replaced with the carefree, smiling Risa he knew.
"Music. It brings out what's hidden in your soul. And when you sharpen the talent, you'll be able to sing as if you've never sung before. " She smiled vaugely at him and placed a hand on her chest. "Feel the song, understand the lyrics, and sing with your heart. I don't know how to explain it, but it's a magical feeling to bring a song to life." Risa slid her legs off the bed and looked sideways at him. "What brings you over, Byakuya? I heard you wanted to see me."
"Iie. I merely wanted to spend time with my fiance." Having recieved no invitation to sit, Byakuya seated himself in a small armchair by the side of her bed. "I... just wanted to get to know you, to know what kind of person you are, as this is an arranged marrige."
"Hmph..." Risa smiled and snorted lightly. "Then know one thing about me. I'm a singer and music is my soul. I don't care if I'm a Noble. It's merely a title. I make friends easily with everyone anywhere, and I just like to have fun." She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "I hate being restricted. So don't try locking me up in a house. Believe me, I know of ways that I can get out."
Byakuya leaned back, absorbing the information with intrest. "But you are a Noble, are you not? As Nobles, we should set good examples to commoners, not indulging ourselves in activities that will bring shame to the-"
"Oh, please. I've heard that a thousand times before." Risa waved a hand impatiently. "As a Noble, you should do this, do that, etc. etc. etc., blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda... I've heard all that, but I choose not to follow it." She pushed her face close to his, eyes narrowing. "Tell me, Byakuya-bo... When was the last time YOU had fun?"
Byakuya-bo... A flicker of annoyance appeared in Byakuya's eyes. Shihouin Yoruichi had indeed left an impression on her. "Please don't refer to me with that term. I'm older than you by three years. And fun is merely a waste of time. I don't have... fun."
Risa rocked back on her bed, clearly appalled. "Damn... you're just like what Kaien, Urahara and Yoruichi said." A grin appeared on her features. "A stick in the mud."
Byakuya's cheeks heated up and he stiffened. "I beg your pardon?!"
"A stick in the mud," Risa carried on, undaunted. "Though that term belonged to Kaien, not me. I'd refer to you as.... a boring block of ice."
Byakuya rose. He didn't need to waste his time with this.... impudent girl. He would leave, and he would tell the Kuchiki Elders that the marriage was a mistake, and that Akamatsu Arisa was a rude, uncivillized person, unfitting to hold the title of 'Noble'. But he had barely taken two steps towards the door when the lively strumming of a guitar filled the air, and Risa's voice soared, sounding cheerful and alive.
"Everything's changing when I turn around all out of my control I'm a mobile
Everything's changing out of what I know everywhere I go I'm a mobile
I'm a mobile..."
Byakuya turned around, glaring, but stopped when he saw the look on her face. Risa was rocking to the beat, a light shining from her eyes, a playful and naughty smile or grin on her face, playing her guitar with a lively tune, but what caught his attenttion was the fact that she looked so alive.
"Everything's changing everywhere I go
All out of my control
Everything's changing everywhere I go out of what I know..."
Suddenly, the atmosphere in her room changed. Byakuya noticed the way the bed was so strategically placed so the soft sunlight streamed in through the window, lighting up the figure on the bed, the way leaves drifted outside the window, swirling in the breeze, and the fresh air that came in, making the room brighter and easier to breathe. Everything seemed to have changed at that instant of realization, and even his reflection in the mirror seemed to have became more alive. Risa laughed gaily, and he thought he had never heard a sound so sweet before.
"La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la la
La la la la la la
Everything's changing when I turn around all out of my control I'm a mobile
Everything's changing when I turn around all out of my control I'm a mobile..."
Risa finished the song and smiled at him wordlessly, amused at his dazed expression. Finally, Byakuya managed to shake himself out of his stupor. "How... What happened?"
"I told you. Music is the food of the soul." Risa leaned her arms on her guitar. "A bitter song makes you bitter. A sad song makes you cry. A happy song makes you laugh. And a cheerful, lively song.... makes you feel alive. Tell me, Byakuya... did you feel alive? Did you actually stop for once and notice the life that goes on around you?"
"..."
"Learn to live, Byakuya-sama." A sad look came into her eyes. "If I am to marry you, then I will make sure I teach you how to live you life to the fullest. Because... I don't want to live or sleep next to someone who hasn't experienced the fun-filled life like I've had...." She looked away and strummed a few sad notes on her instrument absently. "I'm sorry for my words earlier, Byakuya-sama. Forgive my impudence."
There was silence for a while, then Risa felt strong arms wind about her slender frame, and she almost squeaked in surprise as the smell of cologne assulted her senses. "Teach me how to live, then.. Akamatsu Arisa," Byakuya murmured into her ear. "Teach me how to live through your voice, your songs, your music. Teach me."
A smile graced Risa's lips and she leaned back in his arms, singing softly,
"I don't know who you are...
But I...
I'm with you..."
~Owari~
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Lay Me Down To Rest
Tell me what is wrong with me
And lay me down to rest
I can't keep my eyes open any longer
I'm slipping away
Words don't come to me
No longer
Writing this poem
I need you here beside me
The touch of your hand on my face
Your hot lips tasting mine
The comfort I feel, being wrapped in your arms
Listening to your heart beat as I fall asleep
It's wrong
The shadows surround me
But nii-sama, I love you
And I know you do too
I'm falling asleep, nii-sama...
I'm falling asleep
I'm scared
I need you next to me
It hurts to be alone
It hurts to wait alone
Yet I'm happy
Just to read your words
Kill me, nii-sama
Put an end to this pain
Hold me close and kiss me
Then shut my eyes and pray
My eyes are closing
I can't hold them open for long
Voices sink to a whisper
As I go back to my sleep
Against you
Listening to the lullaby
Of your heart beating
And your warmth protecting
Me
Your sleeping beauty
~Rukia~
And lay me down to rest
I can't keep my eyes open any longer
I'm slipping away
Words don't come to me
No longer
Writing this poem
I need you here beside me
The touch of your hand on my face
Your hot lips tasting mine
The comfort I feel, being wrapped in your arms
Listening to your heart beat as I fall asleep
It's wrong
The shadows surround me
But nii-sama, I love you
And I know you do too
I'm falling asleep, nii-sama...
I'm falling asleep
I'm scared
I need you next to me
It hurts to be alone
It hurts to wait alone
Yet I'm happy
Just to read your words
Kill me, nii-sama
Put an end to this pain
Hold me close and kiss me
Then shut my eyes and pray
My eyes are closing
I can't hold them open for long
Voices sink to a whisper
As I go back to my sleep
Against you
Listening to the lullaby
Of your heart beating
And your warmth protecting
Me
Your sleeping beauty
~Rukia~
Monday, August 20, 2007
02Jam
For most of his life, she had been the only one he had ever thought of. Her long beautiful brown hair swishing about her shoulders as she played her guitar, large dark eyes captivating enough to hypnotize anyone that stared into them, laughter evident as she played the last few unique notes of a song.
Yes, for most of his life, Amber had been the only girl he had ever thought of.
___________________________________________________________________
"Hey... Hey! Hey, Jou!!" Terry called out as he ran down the corridors of Kalliope Hall, weaving in and out of Jammers to catch his friend. "Eh?" Joey turned, hefting his Bass over his shoulder and drawing a few admiring sighs and giggles from some girls passing by him. "Hey, Terry. What's going down?"
"Have you- Have you seen Amber?" Terry panted, leaning an arm on a wall for support.
"Ambernite? Lady Ambernite?" Jou began to grin. "Oh yeah.. She's heading for Thalia today with her friends. Ya know... you should just tell her if you like her that much. Don't wait and stick it out or one day you'll wake up and find out that she's already taken."
"Shut the hell up, Jou..." Terry growled. "I just asked you if you'd seen her, not your opinion on when I should court her or-"
"Have you heard? They're releasing Fantasy on the 24th!" a girl's excited voice floated to his ears, followed by sounds of agreement and excitement.
"That's just great! I've been meaning to try out some new songs myself, other than Aiming High!"
"You haven't mastered the song yet, Shari... All I hear are random gibberish sometimes."
"Well, I'll show you one person who has mastered the song... in THREE days... Amber!"
Terry looked up to see Amber and her group of friends go walking by, laughing and joking together. Amber's head was slightly lowered, a small blush spreading across her cheeks. "It wasn't three days!" she protested. "It took me relatively a week before I got to play with mnimal Misses."
"But you didn't take any breaks!" Shari countered. "We literally had to pull you away from Kleo and force you to sleep and eat!"
Amber's blush intensified. "Yeah, I know... stupid idea... but you know how determined I can be sometimes..."
"I sure do." Jou waltzed up to them, making them stop in their tracks. "So... how bout this, girls. You, me in a private Kleo room, playing some Soul... whaddya say?" The three girls giggled at his words, Shari and Ginger agreeing immedieately. Jou turned his gaze to Amber, but she shook her head. "Nope. I'm heading to Thalia by myself today. Sorry, Jou."
"No problem, sweetheart. But ya know.. in case you get lonely..." Jou turned slightly and winked at Terry. "But anyway, I'll see you around, Lady Ambernite. Now, ladies.. if you would follow me..." He led his group away, leaving Amber and Terry behind.
Terry flushed beet red as Amber turned a questioning gaze on him, and cleared his throat. "Umm... I, errr... Amber, I.."
"Amber! Wanna spar for a bit?" A boy at the end of the corridor yelled loudly, effectively interrupting what Terry was going to say.
Amber turned. "Not today, Nolan. I'm in casual today. Heck, I'm even hiding my tail and wings!" she laughed, referring to the dragon-like accessories she always wore when she spent the day sparring.
Nolan made a face at her. "Please? I swear we'll play Call Me Again.. and V3... and Bride In Dream NX...."
Amber blinked at the mention of her favourite songs. "I... Oh well, fine. Terry, would you like to join me?"
Terry straightened in shock, then nodded in amazement. "Sure."
Nolan gave a crow of joy. "Room 28! Let's go!"
___________________________________________________________________
Each time a Jammer played a certain song, it always came out in his or her unique way. It reflected the Jammer's soul and personality, and watching Amber strum her guitar to create a note that sounded like the low breath of a dragon, Terry felt that whatever she played reminded him of sophistication.
She was hard to get, and it was a clear message for those not worthy enough of her familly to stay away.
But how could he, when she was the only love of his life?
(Flashback)
The large Kalliope hall intimidated Terry as he entered slowly, hearing music of every kind drift to his ears. All around him, Jammers chatted to each other, some carrying instruments, others empty-handed or with other stuff. One or two ohms bounced by, following their owners, someone with an Angel Wing accesscory easily evaded the crowd by swooping overhead. He was here at last, registered as a Jammer... but where should he begin?
Keeping his eyes ahead of him, Terry wandered into the crowd, feeling out of place as he listened to snatches of eager conversations about Songs, Misses and how fast the tempo could get. He never noticed the girl in front of him stop to let someone pass by her, and ran smack into her back, bouncing off her Dragon Wings.
"Kyaa!" she fell as well, forwards, and for a while there was a bit of chaos. "Amber! Amber!" A girl helped her to her feet. "Are you alright?!"
"Yeah, I'm fine..." The girl named Amber steadied herself on her friends's shoulder. "Where's my Dragon's Breath? Nii-sama got it for my birthday, and he'll be disappointed if it's broken."
"It's right here, not a scratch on it as well." Another girl picked up the guitar from where it had fallen and pushed it back into Amber's hands before turning to scowl at Terry. "Can't you see where you're going? You could've hurt her!"
"Yeah," the first girl agreed. "Watch where you're going next time, newbie." With that, they walked away. Amber hung back and offered him a hand, pulling him up. "Sorry 'bout that," she whispered, smiling. "They act like my bodyguards just because I come from a high class family. But no worries, I'm not hurt." She pushed up her red sunglasses to reveal large, dark eyes. "I'm Amber. Oh... and if you're lost... the beginner's class is that way." She pointed down the corridor from where he had just came from. "Just go striaght and turn left. You won't miss it. I'll see you around, then. Have a good Jam." She turned and winked, hurrying off after her friends.
Terry was left dumbfounded from where she left him, until a tap on his shoulder caught his attenttion. "Yo. First day here and you're digging that chick, huh?" A teen older than him and carrying a Bass Guitar said. "Interesting... I didn't know kids nowadays are brave enough to do that kind of stuff on their first day here."
"I wasn't!" Terry turned red, furious. "She helped me, that's all!"
The handsome boy laughed and held up his hands. "Relax, I was just messing around with you, that's all. The name's Joey, or Jou for short. And you are?"
"Terry."
"Well, let me tell you, Terry..." Jou hooked an arm around his shoulders and began guiding him to the beginner's class. "Lady Ambernite is a very hard-to-get girl. She comes from one of the noble famillies on 02Planet, and trust me... she is rich. The problem is... you mess with her, you're messing with the head of her clan as well. Her older brother is the head of her clan, and what more, I heard he's in love with her. Amber was adotped into his familly, see? So it's okay if he marries her. However, I'm just warning you. Don't try messing around with Amber. You'll really, really regret it. Here's your class. Good luck, newbie!"
Terry found himself pushed into a room, but he was still thinking about Amber's eyes....
(End of Flashback)
He sighed as the music started. He just needed to try harder to live up to her familly's expectations.
Yes, for most of his life, Amber had been the only girl he had ever thought of.
___________________________________________________________________
"Hey... Hey! Hey, Jou!!" Terry called out as he ran down the corridors of Kalliope Hall, weaving in and out of Jammers to catch his friend. "Eh?" Joey turned, hefting his Bass over his shoulder and drawing a few admiring sighs and giggles from some girls passing by him. "Hey, Terry. What's going down?"
"Have you- Have you seen Amber?" Terry panted, leaning an arm on a wall for support.
"Ambernite? Lady Ambernite?" Jou began to grin. "Oh yeah.. She's heading for Thalia today with her friends. Ya know... you should just tell her if you like her that much. Don't wait and stick it out or one day you'll wake up and find out that she's already taken."
"Shut the hell up, Jou..." Terry growled. "I just asked you if you'd seen her, not your opinion on when I should court her or-"
"Have you heard? They're releasing Fantasy on the 24th!" a girl's excited voice floated to his ears, followed by sounds of agreement and excitement.
"That's just great! I've been meaning to try out some new songs myself, other than Aiming High!"
"You haven't mastered the song yet, Shari... All I hear are random gibberish sometimes."
"Well, I'll show you one person who has mastered the song... in THREE days... Amber!"
Terry looked up to see Amber and her group of friends go walking by, laughing and joking together. Amber's head was slightly lowered, a small blush spreading across her cheeks. "It wasn't three days!" she protested. "It took me relatively a week before I got to play with mnimal Misses."
"But you didn't take any breaks!" Shari countered. "We literally had to pull you away from Kleo and force you to sleep and eat!"
Amber's blush intensified. "Yeah, I know... stupid idea... but you know how determined I can be sometimes..."
"I sure do." Jou waltzed up to them, making them stop in their tracks. "So... how bout this, girls. You, me in a private Kleo room, playing some Soul... whaddya say?" The three girls giggled at his words, Shari and Ginger agreeing immedieately. Jou turned his gaze to Amber, but she shook her head. "Nope. I'm heading to Thalia by myself today. Sorry, Jou."
"No problem, sweetheart. But ya know.. in case you get lonely..." Jou turned slightly and winked at Terry. "But anyway, I'll see you around, Lady Ambernite. Now, ladies.. if you would follow me..." He led his group away, leaving Amber and Terry behind.
Terry flushed beet red as Amber turned a questioning gaze on him, and cleared his throat. "Umm... I, errr... Amber, I.."
"Amber! Wanna spar for a bit?" A boy at the end of the corridor yelled loudly, effectively interrupting what Terry was going to say.
Amber turned. "Not today, Nolan. I'm in casual today. Heck, I'm even hiding my tail and wings!" she laughed, referring to the dragon-like accessories she always wore when she spent the day sparring.
Nolan made a face at her. "Please? I swear we'll play Call Me Again.. and V3... and Bride In Dream NX...."
Amber blinked at the mention of her favourite songs. "I... Oh well, fine. Terry, would you like to join me?"
Terry straightened in shock, then nodded in amazement. "Sure."
Nolan gave a crow of joy. "Room 28! Let's go!"
___________________________________________________________________
Each time a Jammer played a certain song, it always came out in his or her unique way. It reflected the Jammer's soul and personality, and watching Amber strum her guitar to create a note that sounded like the low breath of a dragon, Terry felt that whatever she played reminded him of sophistication.
She was hard to get, and it was a clear message for those not worthy enough of her familly to stay away.
But how could he, when she was the only love of his life?
(Flashback)
The large Kalliope hall intimidated Terry as he entered slowly, hearing music of every kind drift to his ears. All around him, Jammers chatted to each other, some carrying instruments, others empty-handed or with other stuff. One or two ohms bounced by, following their owners, someone with an Angel Wing accesscory easily evaded the crowd by swooping overhead. He was here at last, registered as a Jammer... but where should he begin?
Keeping his eyes ahead of him, Terry wandered into the crowd, feeling out of place as he listened to snatches of eager conversations about Songs, Misses and how fast the tempo could get. He never noticed the girl in front of him stop to let someone pass by her, and ran smack into her back, bouncing off her Dragon Wings.
"Kyaa!" she fell as well, forwards, and for a while there was a bit of chaos. "Amber! Amber!" A girl helped her to her feet. "Are you alright?!"
"Yeah, I'm fine..." The girl named Amber steadied herself on her friends's shoulder. "Where's my Dragon's Breath? Nii-sama got it for my birthday, and he'll be disappointed if it's broken."
"It's right here, not a scratch on it as well." Another girl picked up the guitar from where it had fallen and pushed it back into Amber's hands before turning to scowl at Terry. "Can't you see where you're going? You could've hurt her!"
"Yeah," the first girl agreed. "Watch where you're going next time, newbie." With that, they walked away. Amber hung back and offered him a hand, pulling him up. "Sorry 'bout that," she whispered, smiling. "They act like my bodyguards just because I come from a high class family. But no worries, I'm not hurt." She pushed up her red sunglasses to reveal large, dark eyes. "I'm Amber. Oh... and if you're lost... the beginner's class is that way." She pointed down the corridor from where he had just came from. "Just go striaght and turn left. You won't miss it. I'll see you around, then. Have a good Jam." She turned and winked, hurrying off after her friends.
Terry was left dumbfounded from where she left him, until a tap on his shoulder caught his attenttion. "Yo. First day here and you're digging that chick, huh?" A teen older than him and carrying a Bass Guitar said. "Interesting... I didn't know kids nowadays are brave enough to do that kind of stuff on their first day here."
"I wasn't!" Terry turned red, furious. "She helped me, that's all!"
The handsome boy laughed and held up his hands. "Relax, I was just messing around with you, that's all. The name's Joey, or Jou for short. And you are?"
"Terry."
"Well, let me tell you, Terry..." Jou hooked an arm around his shoulders and began guiding him to the beginner's class. "Lady Ambernite is a very hard-to-get girl. She comes from one of the noble famillies on 02Planet, and trust me... she is rich. The problem is... you mess with her, you're messing with the head of her clan as well. Her older brother is the head of her clan, and what more, I heard he's in love with her. Amber was adotped into his familly, see? So it's okay if he marries her. However, I'm just warning you. Don't try messing around with Amber. You'll really, really regret it. Here's your class. Good luck, newbie!"
Terry found himself pushed into a room, but he was still thinking about Amber's eyes....
(End of Flashback)
He sighed as the music started. He just needed to try harder to live up to her familly's expectations.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Another Zaraki thingy...
A/N: 1) Umi, there's no way Mayuri could be sexier than Zaraki, cause yeah... Kurotsuchi-taichou is kinda hot when we don't see him in that freaky uniform.... but I STILL say Zaraki's hotter!
2) Ichigo is NOT yours, Khayma. He belongs to Umi and me. I'm locking you in the Library's Resting Room when I have the chance, you IRRITATING FREAK SPECIMEN OF NATURE!!!
3) Completely off topic, I make it a point to state again that Dante is mine, Shyam... And I declare war because you CANNOT be married to him, not when my BOYFRIEND is willing to roleplay Dante for my sake.
4) Zaraki is hot. Believe it. Or Yachiru will come after you...
___________________________________________________________________
Whispers... Sometimes the night whispered to her, bringing back memories of her sister, Hisui. Kamaitachi Ryorin sat on the roof of the Eleventh Division's barracks, clutching at a jade around her neck, eyes staring blankly at nothing. The still emptiness of the night tormented her, seemingly loud and deafening though there wasn't a sound to be heard. Shaking, she pulled the cloak she had wrapped herself in closer around her seemingly small figure, and immedieately loosened it again in disgust. Dammit! Why was she shaking all because of a nightmare? Hisui's death had been real.. she had been the one to cause it.. but it was over now! She couldn't turn back time, so why was she so affected? Growling, she tore savagely at the jade at her neck and threw it as far out as she could, watching as it landed somewhere in the Eleventh Division's gardens.
She had expected to feel a bit of relief, but strangely, it didn't help at all. If anything, she just felt empty.
A tiny whisper of wind was all it took for Ryorin to be alerted of an intruder, and she leaped aside, barely missing a stone that had whizzed at her head. Rage mounting at the culprit, she began to unsheath Tsume, when a very irritated Zaraki appeared in front of her, holding her broken jade. "Dammit, gal... This yours?" he snarled, rubbing the back of his head. "Did'ja hafta fuckin' throw it right at t'spot where I was napping? Ain't nice t'get hit when yer sleepin', I tell ya."
"Sorry, taichou..." Ryorin muttered, looking anywhere but at the broken jade in his huge palm. "Won't happen again. Promise."
"Hn." Zaraki closed his fist around the two halves of stone when he saw that she wasn't going to take it. "What's wrong now, gal? Ya look wasted."
"Ain't nothing, taichou." Ryorin dropped back into her sitting position. "It's too damn quiet, that's all."
"An' it's about t'get quieter." Zaraki glared and sat as well, giving an almighty yawn. "Ya better not make a sound, ya hear me? One peep outta ya an' I'll toss ya into a cell fer a day."
"Whatever."
"Ch. Watch yer mouth too." Zaraki stretched out and after stashing the Jade away in a hidden pocket, closed his eyes to resume his sleep.
___________________________________________________________________
It wasn't as tormenting as before.
Ryorin realized belatedly that she could breathe easily now that her captain was nearby. Zaraki's eight-foot stature seemed to scare away all the voices that had been whispering in her ear since she woke up shaking... and talking about that, she wasn't even shaking now.
No, she had lasped into a somewhat better position, her tensed muscles relaxed. Ryorin sighed and smiled to herself. It was comfortable to have Zaraki's presence around. His silent strength and presence indirectly fueled her will to dismiss her fears, to throw them away to the wind. And then she realized, Zaraki was always there to lend her a bit of his strength, no matter where they went. Be it napping in the shadows with one leg propped up and zanpakutoh against his shoulder, or simply stretched out on a roof, his silence was always comforting to her, and it made her feel better in ways she hadn't known.
Ryorin chuckled and stretched out as well, cuddling against her taichou's broad back. Screw not disturbing him. Screw getting thrown into the lockup. She just wanted his nearness now.
___________________________________________________________________
The next morning, she woke up in a bed, covers pulled warmly to her chin. Stretching and sitting up, she yawned and scratched her head, noting that the sun's rays were shining brightly through the bars of her cell. Her broken jade had been repaired, and sitting next to it was a box of sake bottles and a scribbled note.
Oi gal,
I did warn ya, didn't I? Yer gonna spend t'day in here. I got yer stone fixed by that sick guy... what's his name again... yeah... Ukitake. So celebrate and drink till yer drunk. If ya get bored, Madarame's in the next cell, wasted. He'll know how t'get t' ya.
Zaraki Kenpachi
Ryorin smiled and laughed, picking up a bottle. "Here's t'ya, taichou... fer being t'best taichou in t'world!"
2) Ichigo is NOT yours, Khayma. He belongs to Umi and me. I'm locking you in the Library's Resting Room when I have the chance, you IRRITATING FREAK SPECIMEN OF NATURE!!!
3) Completely off topic, I make it a point to state again that Dante is mine, Shyam... And I declare war because you CANNOT be married to him, not when my BOYFRIEND is willing to roleplay Dante for my sake.
4) Zaraki is hot. Believe it. Or Yachiru will come after you...
___________________________________________________________________
Whispers... Sometimes the night whispered to her, bringing back memories of her sister, Hisui. Kamaitachi Ryorin sat on the roof of the Eleventh Division's barracks, clutching at a jade around her neck, eyes staring blankly at nothing. The still emptiness of the night tormented her, seemingly loud and deafening though there wasn't a sound to be heard. Shaking, she pulled the cloak she had wrapped herself in closer around her seemingly small figure, and immedieately loosened it again in disgust. Dammit! Why was she shaking all because of a nightmare? Hisui's death had been real.. she had been the one to cause it.. but it was over now! She couldn't turn back time, so why was she so affected? Growling, she tore savagely at the jade at her neck and threw it as far out as she could, watching as it landed somewhere in the Eleventh Division's gardens.
She had expected to feel a bit of relief, but strangely, it didn't help at all. If anything, she just felt empty.
A tiny whisper of wind was all it took for Ryorin to be alerted of an intruder, and she leaped aside, barely missing a stone that had whizzed at her head. Rage mounting at the culprit, she began to unsheath Tsume, when a very irritated Zaraki appeared in front of her, holding her broken jade. "Dammit, gal... This yours?" he snarled, rubbing the back of his head. "Did'ja hafta fuckin' throw it right at t'spot where I was napping? Ain't nice t'get hit when yer sleepin', I tell ya."
"Sorry, taichou..." Ryorin muttered, looking anywhere but at the broken jade in his huge palm. "Won't happen again. Promise."
"Hn." Zaraki closed his fist around the two halves of stone when he saw that she wasn't going to take it. "What's wrong now, gal? Ya look wasted."
"Ain't nothing, taichou." Ryorin dropped back into her sitting position. "It's too damn quiet, that's all."
"An' it's about t'get quieter." Zaraki glared and sat as well, giving an almighty yawn. "Ya better not make a sound, ya hear me? One peep outta ya an' I'll toss ya into a cell fer a day."
"Whatever."
"Ch. Watch yer mouth too." Zaraki stretched out and after stashing the Jade away in a hidden pocket, closed his eyes to resume his sleep.
___________________________________________________________________
It wasn't as tormenting as before.
Ryorin realized belatedly that she could breathe easily now that her captain was nearby. Zaraki's eight-foot stature seemed to scare away all the voices that had been whispering in her ear since she woke up shaking... and talking about that, she wasn't even shaking now.
No, she had lasped into a somewhat better position, her tensed muscles relaxed. Ryorin sighed and smiled to herself. It was comfortable to have Zaraki's presence around. His silent strength and presence indirectly fueled her will to dismiss her fears, to throw them away to the wind. And then she realized, Zaraki was always there to lend her a bit of his strength, no matter where they went. Be it napping in the shadows with one leg propped up and zanpakutoh against his shoulder, or simply stretched out on a roof, his silence was always comforting to her, and it made her feel better in ways she hadn't known.
Ryorin chuckled and stretched out as well, cuddling against her taichou's broad back. Screw not disturbing him. Screw getting thrown into the lockup. She just wanted his nearness now.
___________________________________________________________________
The next morning, she woke up in a bed, covers pulled warmly to her chin. Stretching and sitting up, she yawned and scratched her head, noting that the sun's rays were shining brightly through the bars of her cell. Her broken jade had been repaired, and sitting next to it was a box of sake bottles and a scribbled note.
Oi gal,
I did warn ya, didn't I? Yer gonna spend t'day in here. I got yer stone fixed by that sick guy... what's his name again... yeah... Ukitake. So celebrate and drink till yer drunk. If ya get bored, Madarame's in the next cell, wasted. He'll know how t'get t' ya.
Zaraki Kenpachi
Ryorin smiled and laughed, picking up a bottle. "Here's t'ya, taichou... fer being t'best taichou in t'world!"
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