Mighty Kings, My Two Kings (Bleach Fanfiction)

Chapter 2: The Kuchikis

Ichigo closed the door of the carriage and looked back to ensure that the King and his lady were safely inside. Once he heard the announcement from the herald, he snuck away, looking to his left and right before making his way around the manor. The white stone of the manor eventually turned into glass as he made his way across, concealing himself in the darkness of the shadows made by trees surrounding the area. Most of the windows were curtained, revealing only silhouettes of dancing and chattering royals but the music held no secrets. It could be heard clearly from the outside. The only clear view of the ballroom was seen from the uncurtained windows of a set of glass doors leading inwards.

Ichigo stopped at a stunning marble water fountain where a statue of a stone lady carrying pitchers stood as a centerpiece. He took one last look inside, scanning what he could see of the room searching for Maxima and her King but to no avail.

“Boo.” Ichigo jumped and quickly turned around at the sound of a gentle voice whispering in his ear. Before him stood an orange-haired beauty dressed in a sparkling white gown. From afar, the two would have looked like a couple standing at an alter waiting to be wed.

Ichigo grinned and lifted the lady up off her feet, spinning her around before kissing her and allowing her to settle back on the ground. When they pulled apart, she ran her fingers through his orange strands before settling her hand on his cheek. He closed his eyes and smiled gently at her touch.

“I’ve missed you so much Orihime,” he whispered, placing his hand atop the one on his cheek. He moved her hand off carefully and guided it towards his lips, where he lightly kissed it as he looked up at her. Even in the moonlight, her eyes shone bright at him. Orihime then wrapped her arms around him and fitted her face perfectly in the groove between his shoulder and his neck.

“I just wish you could stay,” Orihime whispered sadly and Ichigo held her tightly in his arms.

Suddenly, the sound of music wavered and gasps could be heard from inside accompanying the sound of a plate crashing. Ichigo looked inside through the glass doors but could only see various people turning to look in one particular direction. Ichigo and Orihime pulled away from each other and they both quickly ran inside.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Maxima stood quickly and rubbed her shoulder, focusing more on her embarrassment than the pain.

“Renji! See what you did?” She heard a lady exclaiming with a strong voice. Maxima tried to stand up and she felt someone grasp her elbow, guiding her onto her feet.

“Hey, that wasn’t my fault. If you hadn’t have pushed me.” came the reply. This second voice was deeper than the first but seemingly more playful. Surprisingly, it was a voice Maxima knew very well.

Maxima turned at looked at the man who helped her up and gasped excitedly. He was a tall and well-built young man with fiery red hair, which was tied up, and flaring out. His forehead was tattooed with thick black stripes that looked like they were leading off from his eyebrows. Maxima recognized him to be an old childhood friend of hers. “Red Pineapple?”

Renji raised one eyebrow after hearing his old nickname, but his confused face was replaced with a sly grin.

“No way! Chococat!” Renji shouted, embracing her but quickly letting go after realizing where they were. Neither of them noticed that the music had stopped until the violins started singing again.

Maxima could see Ichigo and Grimmjow running at her from different directions but she was more concerned with the lady standing with them, who had giggled at hearing their nicknames for each other.

“Red Pineapple? Wow, that suits you Renji,” she snickered. The young lady had a very skinny figure and black hair that was short and neat. She was dressed in a pale pink evening gown that flowed straight down, accentuating her figure perfectly. Unfortunately, there was now a large orange and oily stain towards the bottom near the hem. Beneath them were remnants of shattered china and meaty bits that was previously food belonging to the lady. Maxima looked at her apologetically as Renji moved to stand between them.

“Oh, Maxima, this is Rukia Kuchiki, the princess of Senbonzakura, the 6th Kingdom of the North. Rukia, this is Maxima Shihoin, betrothed of Grimmjow, King of the 6th Kingdom of the South. She and I became friends after you left,” Renji said cheerfully, glad to introduce his two childhood friends.

“Pleasure to meet you,” the two ladies said in unison. They giggled at each other as Grimmjow approached Maxima first.

He held her by the shoulders and looked at her from head to toe. He noticed that the loose sequin now dangled off her navy dress, dragging the rest of the embellishment with it. The detail was now just a string of shimmering sequins in filigrees hanging loosely off a thread. Grimmjow then looked towards Rukia, also noticing the stain left on her dress. He sighed deeply and shook his head at his fiancé.

“Look at you both, you’re a mess,” Grimmjow said, unimpressed. Maxima frowned at him as Ichigo finally reached them. He was accompanied by Orihime and noticing the look on Maxima’s face, he said nothing to ease the situation. He looked around at the others standing with them and took particular notice of the young lady in pink, Rukia. Acknowledging his gaze, Rukia became conscious of the filth that was on he garment and pushed it between her legs in an attempt to hide it. She looked back up at Ichigo to find that he had a faint half-smile on his face.

Grimmjow, on the other hand, was not amused. He bent down next to the tattered string on Maxima’s dress and in one quick motion, bit off the dangling nuisance, leaving her with a plain navy gown. Grimmjow stood and quickly placed the line of sequins into his pocket before looking at her irritably. He bowed as a forced apology to Rukia and was getting ready to lead Maxima away until he noticed someone else approaching, almost with the same frustrated look that he had on his own face.

“What is the meaning of this? Oh Rukia,” Maxima watched as a handsome young man with long black hair approached Rukia. He had a side fringe that was adorned with a white head piece made up of 3 white triangular prisms. He also had an identical piece on the opposite side of his head, just above his ear. His face was morbid, like it was forever plastered into a frown.

After tutting at Rukia’s dress, he bowed at Grimmjow and Maxima apologetically and the couple returned the gesture, but Maxima looked up much earlier than Grimmjow. For some reason, she could not avert her eyes from this mysterious gentleman.

After they were all standing Grimmjow and the stranger shook hands. “I apologise for my sister’s behaviour. She can sometimes become reckless at social events,” said the mystery stranger. His voice was relatively monotonous, but it was deep and smooth. Maxima found it slightly attractive, but she chose to ignore it. She saw Rukia scowling behind him.

Grimmjow nodded, still slightly irritated but was hiding it well. “Never mind that Byakuya. My fiancé is very much the same so I completely understand,” Grimmjow’s voice was rough again and Maxima looked at Rukia and rolled her eyes.

“Fiance? Oh, I was under the impression that she was your wife,” Byakuya said, staring at her intently. Maxima looked away, unable to stand the pressure of his gaze. She wasn’t certain, but Maxima felt like she may have caught a glimpse of him smiling, but only ever so slightly.

Grimmjow chuckled and held her hand. “No, we’ve not been wed yet. But I’m sure we will be soon. Oh, let me formally introduce you. Byakuya, this is Maxima Shihoin who, as you know, is my fiancé. Maxima, this is Byakuya Kuchiki, King of Senbonzakura, the 6th Kingdom of the North.”

Byakuya took Maxima’s hand and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles, his eyes remained locked on hers the whole time. Now, she was sure she saw him smile.