Mighty Kings, My Two Kings (Bleach Fanfiction)

Chapter 5: Silly Superstition

It had been a two days ride from the Middle Kingdom for Grimmjow and Maxima to return to Pantera, the 6th Kingdom of the South. Despite the fact that the South was a morbid place, Pantera was full of life, even at night. The kingdom was always alight, whether it be the light of the sun or the flames of a bonfire. However, the liveliness was sometimes not the pleasant kind and the Panterians indulged themselves in tournaments of combat, fights to the death. Maxima was never fond of the idea, however she knew that this was what Pantera was known for: destruction. Although she didn’t like the idea of being a queen of destruction, Maxima knew that this was part of the package. One could not agree to marry a King without agreeing to take his kingdom. Nevertheless, Pantera was now home to her, even if it was not the home she once knew.

Grimmjow and Maxima arrived back in Pantera in the evening, the perfect time for rest. After their travels, the couple felt extremely fatigued and was ready to collapse into their respective beds. Despite the fact that they were engaged, it was not a common custom for them to share the same room until they were wed. Grimmjow escorted Maxima back to her room first before placing a gentle kiss on her cheek and bidding her good night.

Grimmjow was just about to leave but he stopped and turned towards her. “Oh, by the way, I still offered to pay Byakuya back for the damages to Rukia’s dress. I believe it used to be Hisane Kuchiki’s, his ex-wife’s.  How much do you think I should send back? I mean, you’re more familiar with these kinds of affairs clearly.”

Maxima felt a lump in her throat at the sound of Byakuya’s name but she made sure to keep her face blank and unreadable.  “Do not worry my love, leave it to me. Just send for one of the inter-district messengers tomorrow, preferably Orihime Inoue, so we can pay our debts as soon as possible.” Maxima said with tired eyes.

Maxima then noticed that Grimmjow’s face was gentle and admiring, despite the malicious grin on his lips. She felt strong flutters moving restlessly in her stomach as stared into his sky blue eyes.

Without warning, he lifted her chin and kissed her lips gently. “I love it when you talk like a queen,” he whispered as he pulled away from her, admiring the shimmer of her bronze eyes in the candlelight.

Maxima’s voice tinkered in a gentle laugh and Grimmjow’s grin slowly transformed into a cheeky smirk. He reached behind her and slowly lifted the latch of her bedroom door, pushing it open. Maxima’s bedroom glowed with a soft red tinge in the moonlight for her curtains on her four-poster bed, her bed covers, her pillows, even her desk was glazed with a deep red. Grimmjow felt as though it was beckoning to him.

Grimmjow was very experienced in the field of the bedroom however, Maxima was still a pure being in that respect. Despite the fact that she preferred to save herself until marriage, she had no objections if Grimmjow were ever to try his luck, just as he was now.

Just as Grimmjow was moving in for another kiss, hoping to go even further that night, they were interrupted by a loud “Ahem!” The couple turned to the side and found Ichigo standing only a few metres away carrying all their luggage in his hands. The two were actually quite surprised that they hadn’t noticed Ichigo approaching considering how close he already was.

“So sorry, carry on. I was just passing through,” Ichigo said slyly as he marched into Maxima’s room, placing her bags down onto her wooden floors. Grimmjow pulled away from her with a frustrated sigh and grabbed his own bags out of Ichigo’s hands. He swiftly placed another kiss on Maxima’s forehead before making his way back to his own chambers.

As soon as Grimmjow was out of sight, Maxima leaned her back on the wall next to her door, breathing out a heavy sigh. The fatigue was starting to set in again so she made her way to her bed, glaring at Ichigo as she walked past him.

“What? I said ‘carry on’,” Ichigo said with a laugh as Maxima plonked herself on the edge of her bed. She kicked off her heels and Ichigo sighed, picking them up off the floor and placing them a top her wardrobe. “I’ll call one of the maids to help with your dress,” he said cheerfully while Maxima remained unmoving, staring at her floorboards.

Ichigo sighed once again as he sat next to her, nudging her with an elbow to her side. Maxima was quite ticklish in that spot so even a small poke would cause her to jerk. In this case, she jumped before squinting at Ichigo.

“Let’s go,” he said resolutely. Without a moment's hesitation, Maxima grinned as she followed him.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Maxima and Ichigo sat atop the roof of the royal palace, watching the bonfires blazing below. Maxima was hugging her knees close to her chest while Ichigo had his wrist draped over a raised knee, the other leg straightened out. The rooftop became something of a secret spot to both Ichigo and Maxima, simply because they were the only two who knew how to make it up there. Whenever they decided to venture to the roof, they were always different from the way they would be around others. It was almost like their getaway.

Maxima and Ichigo recounted the events at the Karakura Peace Ball, still laughing about the dress incident.

“Although, to be fair, you did an excellent job with Rukia’s dress,” Ichigo said lightheartedly. Despite the fact that his voice sounded playful, Ichigo’s eyes were distant and he seemed to be deep in thought.

Maxima laughed. “Rukia? I wasn’t aware that you two were on a first name basis already,” she teased. Ichigo only chuckled but said nothing although his face remained unchanged.

“Well, we shared the last dance together. You know what they say about the last dance,” he said softly.

Maxima looked at her friend, confused. “Huh? What do they say about the last dance?” She knew that the last dance at the Peace ball was important, but she only thought it was because it was the big finale, the great conclusion. She wasn’t aware that there was actually a superstition about it.

Byakuya Kuchiki’s face suddenly flashed in Maxima’s mind. She suddenly remembered the look on his face, the mystery in his eyes and his memorable smile. Maxima rested her chin on her knees, hugging them tighter to her chest.

Ichigo noticed her recoil and slapped her on the back playfully, laughing loudly. He stood up and dropped his jaw into a shameless yawn, ready to head to bed. “Relax Max, it’s just a saying. I don’t know about you but I am about to pass out. Good night Max.” Ichigo spoke much too quickly but he hoped it would be enough for him to evade her.

Maxima turned her eyes toward Ichigo, keeping her chin rested. “Ichigo, what do they say?” Her voice was soft but still full of authority.

Looking down at her, Ichigo sighed in defeat. He then turned his eyes up at the sky above them, watching as the smoke from the fires lifted and danced around the stars. “The song of the last dance was the one that they used to use for a couple’s first dance at their wedding. So they say that whomever you share the last dance with at the Karakura Peace Ball is the one you will love forever.” Ichigo’s face was serious as he spoke, but it quickly changed into a look of amusement. “Heh, but it’s just a stupid superstition. Nobody believes it anyway.”

Maxima laughed as though she didn’t believe in a word but the fluttering in her stomach would not cease.  

Ichigo gave her quick wave and disappeared off the roof, leaving Maxima to contemplate on his words, which continued to ring in her head. The one you will love forever… The one…

Maxima shook her head in an attempt to remove her doubts and thoughts of Byakuya. “Maxima, it’s just a silly superstition,” she whispered to herself as she began to admire the stone on her finger, the symbol of her promise to Grimmjow.

“Besides, it’s not like you’ll be seeing Byakuya again anytime soon.”

Oh, how wrong she was.