Chapter 18 Foretold Events

A/N: A million apologies! My husband just got his visa recently and came to America so I was busy helping him get adjusted. This story is important to me, believe me! I haven't forgotten any of my awesome reviewers/readers! It's because of you I keep going! Thanks!

Rukia absent-mindedly twirled the dandelion Inoue had given her with her index finger and thumb, not fully paying attention to the redhead's direction of how to weave the flowers together to create a bracelet. Truth be told, she had jumped at the first opportunity she had gotten to get away from Karin and her suspicious looks and questions; even if it had meant sitting with Inoue and Yuzu in the girls' room making flower jewelry.

Now as Inoue enthusiastically encouraged her to thread the flowers together, Rukia was starting to doubt her choice to join them in the first place. She glanced to her left to see the dark-haired sister seated on a divan next to the window, sharpening an arrow with a hunter's knife. Rukia stared at the dandelion in her own hand and half-wished she could have joined her.

She sighed. At least I don't have to answer any more of her questions though. Her mind drifted back to the conversation earlier.

"What is your relationship with Ichigo?" Karin asked.

Rukia had to take a moment to put herself together before she could answer properly or remember for that matter. "I-I am his personal guard."

Karin rolled her eyes and shook her head. "No, besides that. You two are more than just a sentry and a Prince. I can see it."

Rukia scoffed, despite her fast beating heart. "I apologize Princess Karin, but I am only Prince Ichigo's personal guard. Nothing more, nothing less."

Karin scowled. "Let me tell you two things. First, don't ever call me Princess again. If you have any respect for me as a person you will refer to me by my first name and first name alone. And secondly…" She made her way towards Rukia, her eyes narrowed in a way a sentry stared down a criminal into confessing, "I am not blind nor stupid. You and my brother have a relationship beyond what it seems and sooner or later, you will not be able to deny it." With that, she had turned heel and walked down the opposite corridor.

Rukia swallowed. What had she meant by that my relationship with Ichigo is much more? She bit her bottom lip, more confused than ever. She had thought of him more than often, but she told herself that was normal because he was her friend and she worried for him. But another voice in the back of her head spoke, Renji's also your friend, but your heart doesn't flutter at the thought of him. Nor do you feel breathless at the sight of him.

Rukia shut her eyes tightly, trying to knock away all the thoughts and voices in her head. Thinking about it too much was giving her a headache.

"Ahem. Pardon for the intrusion." A male voice spoke up from the girls' bedroom doorway. "May I enter?"

"Of course, Ishida-kun." Inoue replied with a friendly wave of her hand.

The lean advisor entered the room rather regally, stopping at just the foot of the bed where Rukia, Inoue and Yuzu sat.

"Princess Yuzu, I have something for you." He said. He brought his hands from behind his back, revealing a brown-furred teddy bear with a light brown square patch sewed just over the right leg.

Yuzu squealed with joy, reaching for the teddy bear and squeezing it with a hug. "You fixed him!" Karin, let out a scoff, that could be heard across the room.

Rukia gaped at him in awe. "You can sew?"

"Yes, well…" Ishida pushed up his glasses on the bridge of his nose. "It is a very useful hobby of mine."

"You should see what else Ishida-kun can make." Inoue praised. "He makes the most beautiful dresses!"

"Thank you so, so much!" Yuzu said, jumping to her feet and giving Ishida a hug, who had a ghost of a smile on his face.

"It was my pleasure entirely, Princess Yuzu." He said, giving her a slight pat on the head. Then he glanced at Rukia. "Now if you don't mind, I'd like to take Miss Rukia away for an important task."

Rukia sat up straighter at this. Yuzu nodded her head. "Of course." Just as the words left the young girl's mouth, Rukia already had jumped to her feet and reached the advisor's side, more than happy to finally be doing something.

"Thank you for having me as company." Rukia said, bowing her head. "Princess Yuzu. Lady Inoue and…" She glanced over to the window at the other dark-haired sister, "…Karin."

Karin's lip quirked up at the corner in a small smile as Yuzu and Inoue responded together, "It was nice having you." They burst out in giggles just as Rukia and Ishida exited the room.

Rukia followed Ishida's brisk pace, turning the corridors of the forest engravings on the marble walls, and opulent paintings on the draperies down another corridor. Finally, they reached the familiar double doors to the Prince's study. Ishida knocked once, waited and then gestured for her to enter, shutting the door softly behind her.

Inside, the Prince was pacing in front of his desk while rubbing his hand over the back of his neck; a habit Rukia quickly noted meant Ichigo was distressed. His brown gaze found hers and she felt her breath caught in her throat.

Damn. Why is it he has that effect on me? She thought to herself. Then Karin's words echoed in the back of her mind, 'You and my brother have a relationship beyond what it seems'. She felt her face flush. She quickly bowed her chin to her chest, hoping to hide her face. She did the salute as a distraction.

"Rukia, I'd like to introduce you to someone. An old acquaintance of mine." He gestured with his hand to a person leaning against the opposite wall. "Yoruichi."

Rukia followed his outstretched hand to see a tall, tan, large-breasted woman dressed entirely in black leather step out from the shadows, a friendly grin on her face. "Well, this here is your personal guard eh, Ichigo?"

Rukia blinked. No one ever talked so casually to the Prince like that before, well besides herself. It caught her off guard. Yoruichi approached her and patted Rukia's head approvingly, while leaning down to look into her eyes.

"She doesn't look like much, but I can tell from experience never to underestimate anyone."

"Uh, thank you?" Rukia replied uncertainly. She was both insulted and complimented at the same time.

"Rukia has proven herself more than capable to be my personal guard." He met her gaze sincerely, "And I do not regret my choice since then."

Rukia silently hoped her face wasn't as hot as she felt in that moment.

"Yoruichi, is the leader, or rather, the Mistress of the Silent Knights."

Rukia gaped in awe at Yoruichi. She had heard stories of the Silent Knights since she was a child; how they were like shadows, moving as silently as cats. She remembered one particular story her sister had told her when she was young about a Silent Knight sneaking up behind a notorious criminal and capturing him before he could even blink; no one even could explain what had happened to him. One second he was in the street with his loot, and then next, he was gone like he had disappeared into thin air. The Silent Knights were legendary, and to be in the presence of their leader…it was beyond words.

"I've heard so much about you." Rukia said. She took a bow. "It is a great honor to be in your presence."

Yoruichi chuckled and waved a hand. "My stories are nothing compared to the ones about you." Rukia furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "A young woman like yourself demanding the Prince allow you in the Guard. From where I come from, that's a story worth telling a million times over."

Rukia smiled modestly. "I didn't do it for the praise nor the recognition. I did it because I wanted to stand up for those who cannot do so themselves. It's a part of who I am."

Yoruichi grinned. "I can tell you and I are going to get along very well."

Ichigo continued. "Yoruichi and her men will be here around the palace guarding its walls in case..." He let his sentence drift off into the shadows of the room. A small silence ensued before the Mistress of the Silent Knights cleared her throat.

"Well then Ichigo, I'll meet with you come evening. I'll go and inform my men of their tasks. I hope we meet again Rukia." She winked at her and exited the room in a blink of an eye, leaving the two alone.

"Rukia, I need you to-" Ichigo started.

She put up a hand to stop him. "I already know what you're going to say Ichigo. You want me to stay inside the palace walls." She paused to see Ichigo close his mouth right away. She continued. "But I cannot do that. Not with a threat like Gin loose in the city."

"Which is exactly why I want you to stay indoors where its much safer."

A nerve pounded on Rukia's temple. She fisted her hands and forced herself to keep her temper in check. "I am not a child. I can take care of myself. And I do recall you saying that I've proven myself to be your personal guard. Or was that a lie?"

Ichigo exhaled deeply and looked away as if that would help avoid the confrontation. "It was the truth, but that doesn't mean I am going to allow you to put yourself at risk."

"Really? Because I was under the impression the Guard was taught to put their lives at risk for their king and kingdom. Were we not trained that?"

"Your circumstances are different."

"Why?" Rukia half-shouted. "Because I'm a woman?"

"Damn it, Rukia! Why don't you understand what I'm trying to say?"

"Tell me, Ichigo." Rukia folded her arms across her chest, fire burning in her enticing violet eyes. "Tell me what I fail to understand you are trying to say."

Truth be told, even Ichigo didn't completely understand what he was trying to say. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose with his index finger and thumb, while thoughts ran wildly in his mind. Why doesn't she understand that I don't want her to get hurt? Another voice responded. Because it's more than that. You're afraid.

Afraid? Afraid of what? Ichigo asked himself, hoping to get an answer, but there was no reply.

"Well?" Rukia asked, breaking into his thoughts.

He opened his eyes to see her stare him down like an executioner giving the final judgment to a criminal. He scowled in return. "Why can't you just do what you're told, Rukia?"

She matched his scowl with one of her own. "Baka! I am trying to do my task as your personal guard, but you won't let me!"

They were so close in each other's faces now, that their noses were almost touching, their hot breaths mingled with one another's. Ichigo's eyes fortuitously flickered to Rukia's mouth, and he inwardly cursed himself for even daring to stare at her succulent, irresistible red lips. Rukia, on the other hand, realized her close proximity to Ichigo and told herself to promptly move away, but her feet felt like they were rooted to the marble ground.

They remained oblivious to the door opening and in coming a certain dark-haired girl who watched them with utmost interest. "Wow, you two argue like a married couple."

"Karin." Ichigo said with a shocked look on his face. He and Rukia both immediately took two major steps away from each other, as if they were caught red-handed. "Wh-what are you doing here?"

"I knocked a few times, but you and your personal guard were too busy arguing to hear, so I let myself in."

They both looked away with embarrassed looks on their faces.

"Is everything alright?" Ichigo asked.

"I came to tell you that Yuzu was sewing when she accidentally pricked herself with the needle. She poked a nerve which wouldn't stop bleeding. We took her to Healer Unohana."

"I'll go with you." Ichigo said, retrieving his cloak hanging on the back of his wooden throne. The three headed out of the room, making their way to the infirmary in thick silence, while Karin had a knowing smirk on her face.

At the infirmary, Ishida, Unohana, and Inoue stood surrounding a pale-faced Yuzu resting on one of the beds. Rukia automatically took position at the end of the bed, while Ichigo rushed forward and took a hold of his sister's hand. "Yuzu. Are you alright?" He asked.

Yuzu's eyes alight with joy at the sight of her brother. "Nii-sama! I am doing okay now. It was only a prick."

"But you should've have seen it bleed." Karin added. "It was like a river of blood."

Ichigo glanced at her and then back to Yuzu again, who quickly shook her head. "No, no. It wasn't like that at all!" Karin chuckled and Ichigo smiled, patting his younger sister's head. "I'm glad you're doing better, Yuzu."

Rukia couldn't help, but to smile. Ichigo cares for his sisters so much. He's a really great person. She glanced sideways only to see Karin watching her. When she caught her eye, Karin gave her a lop-sided smirk. A smirk that echoed her words earlier that day: You and my brother have a relationship beyond what it seems and sooner or later, you won't be able to deny it. Rukia looked away, feeling her face go red. Why do her words make me feel as if I am under water?

Lost in her own thoughts, Rukia didn't even catch what news the young, alarmed servant had brought; and she had barely missed what Ishida said to the Prince, who looked rather defeated.

Before she could properly ask, Ichigo met her eye and said with a resigned sigh, "Let us be on our way, shall we?"

"Please Lady Nel, don't do anything rash!" One of the blonde-haired maids exclaimed, her hands pressed to her chest dramatically.

Ichigo took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to ignore the burning feeling of frustration running through every one of his nerves at that moment. But with the present event taking place in front of him, it was proving rather difficult to do.

Three maids were lined up in the furthest part of the room, surrounding Nel, who was seated on a divan with her legs folded beneath her and waving a knife around like a caged animal. Her eyes were wide and wild, and her face was set in a snarl. "Don't you dare come closer! Any of you! I told you I will only talk to Prince Itysgo and no one else!" She waved the knife again in warning. "If he does not come to see me, I will kill myself!" She said, placing the blade on her wrist.

All three maids exchanged looks, not sure what to do. They had sent a messenger to find the Prince at once, but Nel had only gotten wilder after that, stating that they were lying and the Prince was never coming.

But that wasn't the case. Ichigo recalled earlier when Hanataro had come rushing into the infirmary with the news, his face as white as chalk and sweat falling off his forehead like rain. He looked panicky…well, more than usual. He reported that Nel had gone 'mad' and was threatening to 'kill herself' had the Prince not shown up in person to see her. It was the last thing Ichigo needed at that moment with the things that were happening, but thanks to his over-supportive advisor, Ichigo was advised to set things straight or else news would travel fast of the Prince's concubine murdering herself.

Ichigo cleared his throat, loud enough for everyone in the room to turn to look at him. The maids had an immediate look of relief on their faces as they did the salute. "You are all dismissed." Ichigo said and they scurried out of the room like their skirts were on fire. He looked to Nel, who dropped the knife at his presence. Her temporarily shocked look vanished and she broke into a childish grin, running towards him.

"I knew you'd come, Prince Itysgo!" She was half-way towards him when she stopped mid-way in her tracks, a half-surprised and half-glare on her face. "Why is she here?" She asked, pointing at Rukia, who stood just a distant away, behind Ichigo. "She shouldn't be here." Nel said, as if she had expected Rukia to have gone off on a mission and never return.

Without turning around, Ichigo replied, "She is my personal guard. She goes wherever I go."

Now Nel glared full on. "But I only wanted to see you, not her!"

"Like I said, Nel…" Ichigo said in a cold voice. "She will go wherever I go. If you want to talk to me, then she stays."

Nel scrunched up her nose, contemplating her choices. "Fine." She finally said grumpily. "But she has to stay where she can't hear anything."

Ichigo glanced over his shoulder and gave Rukia a nod of his head which she completely understood. She did the salute and made her way to the opposite side of the room; just a distant away where she couldn't hear, but close enough to see everything that was going on.

Ichigo gestured to the divan, motioning for Nel to sit down. She did, but she grabbed a hold of his arm, bringing him down to sit right next to her. She rested her head on his shoulder. "You know, Prince Itysgo, I miss when you used to come and visit me and sit with me."

Ichigo gently removed her arm away from his own, getting her to sit up straight and look at him. "What were you thinking Nel, threatening to kill yourself?"

Nel pouted. "It's because you said you wouldn't visit me anymore. I was sad. I thought if I can't have you then I will end my life."

"Nel, I am a Prince. I have more important things to do. I have to take care of my kingdom. I can't come here just to keep you company all the time."

She thought for a moment, staring at the ground and then back to him with the same grin again. "Then marry me!"

Ichigo's mouth was slightly open and his cheeks light pink. "Wha-?"

"Marry me! Then we will always have time for each other!" Her eyes were alight with excitement. "I will give you children! So many children! Then you won't be burdened with so much responsibility as Prince." She squealed with joy, clasping her hands together. "Yes, it's a perfect idea!"

Ichigo got to his feet, shaking his head. "No, Nel. That is not a good idea. I-I'm not ready for marriage." He said, while thinking to himself, Especially not with you.

"But why not?"

"With everything that's going on right now, marriage is the last thing I have on my mind."

"But I could be by your side and help relieve your stress." She ran her index finger seductively down his chest, adding with a whisper, "I know a lot of ways how to."

Ichigo gently, but firmly grabbed a hold of her wrist, getting her to look into his eyes. "Nel, I am only going to tell you this once more. I do not have time for these things. My family and the people of my kingdom are more important to me than anything. Nothing will change that, so I suggest you do not bring up the talks of marriage again." He released her, walking away. Rukia joined him in a few quick steps.

"And Nel…" Ichigo said, turning half-way towards her, "If I hear you attempted to commit suicide again, I will banish you. Remember that." With the last word, Ichigo strode out of the room, Rukia in close tow, who shut the door with a satisfying 'thud' on the way out.

"So what did she have to say?"

Ichigo scowled. "Who?"

"You know who I am talking about." She strode along side the tall Prince, her arms folded across her chest, a frown on her face. "That concubine of yours."

"Nel, you mean." He corrected. "Nothing special."

Rukia let out a scoff.

"What?"

"Well, she was getting very comfortable with you from what I could see."

They walked past the lovely courtyards that opened to the lush greenery outside, where the target boards and practice dummies stood just a distance away; the place where Ichigo had first suggested he train Rukia privately. That seemed like a century ago now.

"That's just the way she is." Ichigo replied in a way that meant the conversation was going no where and they should just end it. He already had too much on his mind as it was. Nel was already physically disturbing him; the last thing he needed was for her to mentally disturb his thoughts, too.

But Rukia continued. "And yet you didn't seem to stop her when she made fruitless attempts at you."

"What are you talking about?"

Rukia paused. She wasn't sure what exactly she was talking about. All she knew was that her middle was on fire like someone had lit a firework inside her, and she wanted to slice something apart with her sword. It was a strange feeling, but somehow she felt it was justified; especially when she kept playing the image of Nel's head resting on Ichigo's shoulder over and over again in her mind.

"Damn it, Ichigo! You're an idiot." She blurted out.

Ichigo stopped in his tracks, reached out and grabbed her elbow, getting her to look at him. "Rukia…"

She glared at him full on. "If you don't like Nel or have any feelings for her in that way then you shouldn't allow her to be with you like that! It gives the wrong idea!"

Now Ichigo looked more confused than ever, but that only made Rukia angrier. He asked with half-perplexity and half-irritation, "Why are you so upset the way I act with Nel?"

She pushed past him. "Forget it, baka!" She said, making her way down the corridor, and down the stairs, leaving him there, both aghast and frustrated.

"What's her problem?" Ichigo asked aloud to no one in particular.

"Simple." Came a young female's response. "She's jealous."

Ichigo turned to see Karin standing behind him, her hands on her hips, dressed in a black kimono instead of the usual torn hunting clothes.

"Jealous?" The Prince repeated. "Of what?"

"Not what, but rather who."

"That doesn't make any sense. Why would Rukia be jealous of anyone?"

Karin rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Ichigo, I never thought in a million years I would be the one to talk to about this, but I guess there's no other option." Before he could open his mouth to ask a list full of questions filling his mind, Karin gestured with her head towards the back corridor that led to the Prince's private training room. "Let's have a talk big brother."

Ever since her argument with Ichigo, Rukia had retreated to the front entrance of the palace, pacing the marble ground like her kimono was on fire. She continuously pushed away any thoughts of Ichigo far from her mind since she still didn't completely comprehend why she reacted the way she had. The way he acts with his concubine is his business. She told herself. Then why were you so angry at him? Another taunting voice in her mind asked.

Rukia shook her head. I don't want to think about it anymore. She took a deep breath of the fresh night wind. It immediately cooled and relaxed her insides as she exhaled slowly. What a beautiful night. She thought, leaning her head back to look at the dark sky filled with millions of shining stars.

She smiled, thinking back to the night of the festival when she and Ichigo were atop the roof, watching the fireworks. That was a peaceful night. It's a shame we don't get too many of those. She sighed. I guess I should head back inside before…

Her gaze fell onto the barracks. There, a single flickering light could be seen just at the corner of one of the training buildings. It almost looked as if it was moving. Her muscles tensed up and a knot formed in her middle. There's an intruder.

Against her better judgment, she strode forward silently, sliding out her sword from its scabbard.

The light moved once more, going from one side of the training camp, to the other, almost as if it was taunting her. She made her steps faster, barely making a sound, catching up with the light. It had just turned a corner where the two barracks met and Rukia knew for a fact that it was a dead end.

She took a deep breath and made her steps slowly, reaching the end of the corner. Despite a warning voice in the back of her head, she swiftly turned at the edge of the building with her sword aimed before her. "Halt! Who goes there?" She said, but was taken aback when there was nothing but darkness.

Get out of here! A voice shouted in her mind. It's a trap! But just as she turned around, a hooded figure stood before her, his face mostly hidden, and his mouth spread into a smile too big for his face. A smile that immediately sent chills down Rukia's back. Before she could even lift her sword, her world went dark in a flash…haunted by the sinister smile on her assailant's ghost-like face.

A/N: Sorry for the cliffy. I just couldn't help myself. I apologize if this chapter seemed a bit...slow, but now that Rukia's caught, the story should be going on the right track from here on out. Thanks for reading/reviewing!