Family Duties
"Yo. Long time no see, huh… Your Majesty." Hollow Ichigo to Kurosaki Ichigo
A/N: So I came up with this while thinking about the King and his Army. I mean, honestly, why hasn't the King already interfered the war? It's his kingdom after all!
A/N2: Yare, yare… Shirosaki's quotes fit perfectly well into the storyline… I wonder why… *hinthint**raises eyebrows*
Ichi: Torimodose! My right of succession!
"Ichigo?"
"Eh? Dad? What is it?"
His usually hyper father sighed tiredly: "Well, there's something I have to tell you, son…"
Hueco Mundo…
"Are you sure we are able to open that damn Garganta?"
"Well, I hope that Kurotsuchi-taichō can manage it. Orherwise we're in even deeper shit than before."
"Thanks, Pineapple, I know that myself."
"Just shut the Hell up, Strawberry!"
"Kurosaki Ichigo, please come with us."
Everyone turned around at that cold voice.
The Shinigami's breath stopped in their tracks, the humans didn't really now what to do but what everyone's attention escaped at first was Ichigo's expression of pure horror.
Rukia was the first to notice since she stood right beside him and only because she heard him whisper in terror: "No… I was told I had still time…"
"Ichigo? What is the matter?"
His eyes looked at her for some seconds before he once again locked gazes with the woman leading the small group of Shinigami.
"Rukia… you should know who they are."
Ichigo himself stepped forward: "Why now? I was told I had some time left."
That statement silenced the crowd around him up.
Rukia was totally stupefied: "What? You KNEW they were coming?"
He didn't spare her a glance: "Sure I knew. I was told they would take me to the King's Realm as soon as the war is over. That's why I'm asking them why NOW."
"Who are they anyway?" Except for Ichigo and the three newly arrived Shinigami everyone turned around at Ishida.
It was Ichigo answering: "They are the 0th Division, the Cero Guard. They are the King's Army."
~*~
The woman once again began to speak: "I'm very sorry, Kurosaki Ichigo but because of the latest turn-out of the war we don't have the privilege of time. So, please, follow us."
"Wait… which turn-out?"
"Well, it seems… that Aizen Sōsuke has defeated the members of the Gotei 13 that were stationed in the Living World and is now on his way to Soul Society. So, please, follow us."
Ichigo's face became blank and emotionless matching his now cold and venomously voice: "You can't force me and you know that, Kirio."
"But we have to."
Without as much as a sign the two men she had brought with her shunpoed behind Ichigo and grabbed him by the upper arms. Said teen struggled – what a surprise.
"Let go off me! I know for sure you guys wouldn't do this if-!"
But before he could end his sentence he was already dragged through the gate leading for the King's Realm leaving his friends and the other Shinigami in silence.
That was until Inoue spoke out loud the thoughts of her human friends: "Kuchiki-san? What exactly did just happen?"
"Well, Inoue" Rukia's voice was shaking a bit: "Usually, when the Cero Guard contacts a Shinigami… that means… that they force said Shinigami… to become a member of said Division. That they dragged him away… means they will make him one of them… and that isn't a job you can quit… or decline."
~*~
"What was that supposed to mean, Kirio?! Are you guys freakin' nuts?!"
"Please, Kurosaki-sama! Calm down!"
"I won't, Kirio! You guys friggin' kidnapped me! Me! You guys are supposed to be my personal ARMY, not some assassins dragging me away! I told you I won't do this annoying crap until this war is over!"
"But-!"
"Don't 'but' me! I'm your King so shut the Hell up! That's an order! Geez, I agreed to do this and become the King after my demented father told me he couldn't because of Yuzu and Karin – what I understand – but I did this under the condition that the official crap will start after the war! And that I would tell my friends about it! And not that they get a heart attack because the King's Army dragged me away! Now they'll think you recruited me! Great! Now we have the mess!"
"I know that and I'm really sorry about it but since Aizen's on his way we had to do it!"
"Why? Where's the difference? I could've killed him in Soul Society as well as in the Fake Karakura Town! Where's the difference, damn it?"
"The difference is that with his intruding in Soul Society he spat on your family's pride and that is nothing you should take without fighting back for your family's pride. You have to fight him as the King, not as the former Ryoka, Kurosaki-sama. That is why you have to claim your birthright now.
"Your family keeps secrets and powers and your family is honorable and proud – especially when it comes to said honor, pride and their origin.
"Let me give you a good advice, Kurosaki-sama. Begin to be proud of your family and your title. You were born with power and the right to rule. You are in no way like Aizen Sōsuke who tries to steel such a right that is engraved in your very being by your ancestors. Begin to fight for your right of succession. Begin to claim that very right of yours to follow your ancestors to the throne."
Ichigo was quiet after her speech and then sighed. Without as much as a last look at her he went for what he knew were his personal rooms which she wasn't allowed to even look at.
~*~
"So… Ichigo-kun is with the 0th Division now?"
"I'm afraid he is, Ukitake-taichō…"
"Well, then we'll have to fight Aizen without the Shinigami-daikō."
The white-haired and the black-haired Shinigami turned to look at Yamamoto whose wounds – liked those of the others – got healed by now. No one of them had enough strength left to defeat the traitors – everyone knew that – but they would at least put up a last fight before they would fall.
"With all respect but you know we will fall, Sōtaichō."
"I know that, Kuchiki, but we have to fight to the last."
"Ah! Nice of you! A greeting committee!"
All of them turned around to be met with Aizen Sōsuke and his fellow traitors along some Arrancar. He didn't have any Espada left but the lower Hollows would do the same effect to the weakened Gotei 13, he was sure of that.
"Gin? I remember you have a thing for killing little girls? How about the little Kuchiki? I'm sure she is as much of a matching target as little Hinamori-kun."
Without a word the fox-faced ex-Shinigami activated his Shikai. His sword became longer and longer and nobody saw him- or herself able to move. When the blade was only inches away from her face and about to stab her a high and clashing sound was heard and Rukia only saw a flash of black, deep red and bright orange before her savior was engulfed by a cloud of dust created by the meeting swords impact.
"I will tell you guys that only once. If you bring Rukia to shed only one bit of her blood… I will kill you in the most cruelest way possible."
All eyes became wide when the dust cleared and revealed Ichigo in his Bankai robes looking coldly at Ichimaru like he couldn't decide how to successfully torture him to death.
"Ichigo…?"
He turned to look at her and smiled reassuringly: "You alright?"
When she nodded he sighed in relief and looked back at Ichimaru: "You're lucky she isn't injured, otherwise… just say I would be more than cruel while killing you bastard."
Well, I'm not really satisfied with this chapter… but I'm never satisfied and always hate what I've written…
LOL, Ichigo quote Hitsu-chan XD
R&R! Won't update till I got 10 Reviews!
torimodose - claim