I did not abandon Freed or Normality. Just so you know. But I've been taking that new challenge: 50 AUs one shot past time. As a sucker for history and AU, I had to take it. Next update will be Normality, I swear :p Greatest thanks to Liz who betaed a bit less than half of it but helped me a lot!

Title: Sinned Paths
Author: syneiam
Prompt: priest
Fandom: Bleach
Pairing: Ichigo/Rukia
Warning: PG-13
Word count: 8781
Author's notes: this one shot takes place during the Anarchy (in 1249 to pinpoint it). All the non-Bleach names (Stephen and Matilda, Bishop Henry) are names of people who really existed.

Ichigo ran a nervous hand through his hair. He didn’t understand. Oh, well, it was true that his last scene was really bad, even from his point of view.

“You do understand,” continued the Father Ukitake, “that you are not ready for this. You need more time.”

“But Father,” he protested, “I’ve studied more than most of the boys here! I really want to become a priest!”

“You are not even part of the orders yet. And even so, you still fought those men. We who serve our Lord cannot tolerate such behaviour.”

“But they were badmouthing you! I couldn’t stand there and do nothing!”

“Even so, fighting is prohibited. And you are supposed to abide by the rules. What are we going to do with you?”

“You already punished me! And now I have to wait more before truly taking the Holy Orders?”

“You’ll take them when you’re ready, my son.”

“But I was meant to take my vows tomorrow!”

“I have another task for you instead.”

Ichigo blinked, surprised. “What task, Father?”

“Today, the young sister of the Duke Kuchiki Byakuya is coming. She will stay ten days, as she wishes to have some calm while she waits to welcome her brother who is returning from the Crusades. Her name is Rukia and you will show her the abbey and the town.”

“What, I must pamper a girl?” he exclaimed.

Ukitake glared. “It’s not some girl. She’s from a noble family that always donate a lot of funds to us, so you better behave. She’ll arrive this afternoon, so you will be there at that time. Case closed,” declared the priest, forcing him to retreat.

---

Rukia spurred her horse, in a hurry to arrive at the abbey.

“Please, Lady Rukia,” shouted Kiyone, “Don’t gallop! It doesn’t suit a lady! You should ride in the carriage!”

She looked back at her chaperone, who was in said carriage, and grinned. “But riding a horse is much more fun you know! Besides, we’ve nearly arrived in Shrewsbury.”

Kiyone sighed and abandoned her idea, which relieved Rukia. I’ve been travelling for two days in that thing already, no way I’m going to pass more time in it. Feeling the fresh air around her was good. Autumn was coming to an end and she hoped that her brother wouldn’t come back too late and be struck by the snow. She breathed in hard, trying to hide the happiness that filled her right now. “Look,” she said, “the first houses! Let’s go!”

---

Ichigo groaned, clearly annoyed. He was helping at the gate, just to be sure that he wouldn’t miss her. I suppose she’ll be in a carriage of some sort, since she’s a noble… And I forgot to ask Father Ukitake what she looks like. Pestering against his own stupidity would not help him, so he shut up. Just as the thought popped in his mind, he saw a carriage and three horses beside it. Ah, maybe it’s her? When they finally got closer, he found himself surprised to find that one of the riders was actually a girl with black hair. She had a good posture, but her clothes were just travelling clothes. Very warm clothes though, high quality too. Is she the chaperone? Why a chaperone would be on a horse was beyond his imagination, so he waited for more explanations.

Soon enough, they arrived at the gate.

“I am Lady Kuchiki Rukia,” she announced herself. “I am expected for a stay in this abbey.”

She was surprising, he decided. Black hair and violet eyes, she was looking at him perched on her horse –a really good mare, if his eyes didn’t deceive him. “Yes, my lady. I am Brother Ichigo, the one in charge of showing you the abbey and around town. Do you wish to see Father Ukitake right now?”

“I am going to change my clothes before that. And why did he think I’d need a guide?” she asked impatiently.

He took the halter in his hand and guided the mare into the courtyard. “No matter how much Shrewsbury is safe, it is best to have you protected, especially outside the abbey,” he replied trying to not lose his cool. What, complaining already?
She shrugged and jumped off her horse. “If you say so. Show me the hotel, then.” She turned around and waited for someone.

Surprised, he looked at her. “Aren’t we going?”

“Yes, yes we are. Just wait for my chaperone please. I think she’s a bit sick in the carriage.”

“Oh.” That was unexpected. Usually nobles didn’t care about other people around.

“Let me take that to Lady Rukia, I am her chaperone, I can do it better than you!” he heard. A young girl was actually bickering with an older-looking man, looking quite pissed off.

“How dare you? I’ve been working with the Kuchiki family longer than you!” he protested loudly. “Therefore, I will bring the lady’s present for Father Ukitake and the abbey myself!”

The young lady beside him was caught between a sigh and laughter. “Kiyone, Sentarou, I swear it’s no big deal. Just give me that, I’ll manage. But, Sentarou please, could you look up after Snow for me please?” she said, taking something carefully wrapped in a tissue from Kiyone’s hands.

“Snow?” Ichigo asked, frowning.

“My mare,” she explained.

“Oh, but the monk in charge of the stables will do it,” he replied.

“I’m going to help him!” retorted said Sentarou. “It’s a pleasure to serve under you, my lady. Do not worry for Snow, she’ll be fine!”

“Thank you,” she smiled.

“Now, let’s go to the hotel, my lady! You need to change your clothes and meet with the Father Ukitake,” said Kiyone, while looking at him, apparently perplexed.

“I am in charge of showing you the abbey and Shrewsbury,” he explained again.

“Oh! I supposed it’s a good idea. You’re a monk, right?”

“I’ll enter in the orders soon, miss,” he replied evasively, preferring to not touch the sensitive subject.

“Ah, perfect then. I won’t have to worry about you,” she grinned.

“Kiyone!” exclaimed the lady, quite shocked.

“It’s not you, my dear, it’s the men that I do not trust. Your brother would kill me if anything happened before your marriage.”

Her mistress cast her gaze down, pinching her lips together slightly. “I know that very well, do not worry,” she murmured, so low that her hyperactive chaperone, who was already a few feet away, didn’t catch it.

He studied her in the corner of his eyes, a bit surprised. I suppose it’s normal… how old is she? Fifteen, maybe sixteen at most. It’s a wonder she didn’t get married before… “I thought you said she was sick in carriages,” he noted, dropping the subject.

“She is. She just doesn’t want to show it because she doesn’t want me to worry,” she replied.

He glanced at said chaperone, who was, it was true, a bit pale. “The hotel is right there. I’ll take you to Father Ukitake after you have changed your clothes.”

“Thank you.”

---

Rukia hated to admit it, but she was truly impressed and intimidated by the priest standing in front of her. A strong aura of gentleness emanated from him. It’s his eyes I think.

“Lady Rukia,” he said, “it is a pleasure to meet you. I hope you had a good trip.”

“Father Ukitake, the pleasure is mine. And the travel was tiring, but luckily we didn’t meet any bandits, so in the end it was good. I fear though that my chaperone may be a bit sick for now because she can’t stand travelling much.”

He looked surprised. “Oh. Then you should definitely go see Brother Hanatarou. He brews various decoctions, so I am sure he can help her.”

She smiled brightly. “Thank you Father, I’ll ask Brother Ichigo to show me the way.”

The Father nodded, beaming. “I hope brother Ichigo didn’t cause you any troubles?”

How peculiar. It’s as if he’s checking on him. “No, why? Although I do wonder why you decided to make him my guide.”

“Ah, he’s a good boy, but very impulsive,” he grinned. “As to why I chose him, it is simply that if anything happens and you’re attacked, he may be the only one in this abbey beside the guards who can help you and protect you. As the son of the Marquis Kurosaki, he was trained to be a knight, but he just decided to drop everything and come here.”

She nearly choked. “He was a noble?” she exclaimed. Kurosaki… that does ring a bell…

The priest chuckled. “Indeed, he was. Still is, as long as he’s not in the orders I guess.”

How could that novice be from a noble family? And a Marquis, not some low cast noblemen. He doesn’t give that impression at all… maybe because he is really set on becoming a priest. “I wouldn’t have guessed, if you hadn’t told me so,” she replied, honestly surprised.

“Well, he doesn’t like this part of himself very much. I think he should accept it more before making his vows. Hopefully, he’ll get there. But enough of that. Your brother is on his way back from the Crusades?”

“Yes, that is why I came here, hoping to meet up with him on the road. However, I am afraid that, if the winter is here too soon, he won’t be able to join me. And I hope we won’t be blocked here as well; I certainly do not want to be a burden for your community.”

“It should be alright,” he reassured her, “although the air is really chilly these days.”

“I hope so,” she sighed. “By the way, I came with this for you and the abbey,” she added, giving him the present. “This came from my personal effects.”

He unwrapped it carefully, discovering the book she had been eager to donate. His eyes went wide. “A book of Psalters?”

“I suppose you already have plenty,” she said, blushing, “but I wanted something more special than mere gold so…”

He opened it, turning the pages with a strange smile on his lips. “Do not worry, my daughter, it is just that this book is truly beautiful. It is an invaluable present that you make here. And the miniatures are exquisite too. But won’t you miss it?”

She let out a sigh of relief. “I am so glad that you like it,” she smiled. “I have my own book of Psalters, so I figured I could offer this other one I had.”

“This is really generous and shall not be forgotten. Thank you very much, my daughter.”

She bowed her head and stood up. “I am going to leave you for now. I’ll be at the prayer for Vespers,” she finished.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he grinned.

---

He was becoming impatient –what took her so long, it wasn’t as if paying her respects to Father Ukitake could take so much time– when she exited the private office.

“Finally,” he said, leaning on the wall. “I nearly had to wait.” Women.

She frowned, a bit annoyed. “I didn’t ask you to wait for me. And where is Kiyone?”

“I sent her back to sleep. She could barely walk.”

“Is that so? I hope she’ll be alright,” she worried immediately. “Ah, Father Ukitake told me there was someone who made decoctions. Brother Hanatarou I think? He said he could probably help her.”

“Sure, let’s look for him,” he replied. So she managed to talk about her chaperone to Father even though she could have shrugged it off. She really cares.

They walked out from the abbot’s residence, passing the court in front of the hotel.

“The herbalist’s shack is there,” he explained, “just behind the hotel. Brother Hanatarou works here, but he may be in town to look out for anyone who needs help.”

They walked beside the garden that now seemed so dead since winter was nearly here. He opened the shack’s door, and was immediately greeted by several strong scents. He invited her in the well-maintained cabin. Her eyes showed surprised, as she fixed her gaze upon the various jars –scrupulously tagged– and dried herbs –each bouquet perfectly separated from each other. There was a little cauldron hanging in the fireplace, but its fire was extinguished and the shack empty.

“It seems that he’s gone,” he commented. “We can try to find him later, if you want.”

She looked around again –the table, the bench, the herbs. “Could we… wait for him here? I think I like this place…”

He closed the door, to keep the heat in the shack. “Of course,” he replied.

She stretched out her arm, lightly touching a bouquet. “What kind of herbs does he use?” she asked, curious.

“I know he uses a wide variety of plants. I help him sometimes with the garden or the remedies. Some are deadly though, you’d better off not touch everything like this.”

“Isn’t it rosemary?”

“That one yeah. But there are some plants that you must touch very carefully too; if you’d swallowed some part of it, you’d die.”

“He uses herbs that dangerous? What for?”

“External usage only.” He shrugged. “I just help from time to time so I’m not exactly sure…”

She sat on the bench, looking thoughtful. “Shouldn’t you study and be devoted to only one task?”

“Well, I already studied everything the novices have to learn. I’ve been here for three years, but it’s because of my behaviour that the abbot refuses to let me take my vows,” he replied, his shoulders suddenly weighing a lot more than usual. “He says that my spirit cannot stay focused for too long on something and that’s why I’ve tried nearly everything here. I helped with the horses, I’ve been a copyist, I helped here, I helped with the masses and at the kitchen too. I come back here from time to time when Brother Hanatarou needs help though. Now that it’s winter it’s calm, but when spring comes, he needs help with the garden. And then, he suddenly decided to make me your bodyguard,” he pouted.

She chuckled lightly. “Oh, now I understand why I had the impression that the abbot was checking on you; you seem to have a hard time fitting in.”

“But I truly want to be a priest though…”

She nodded. “You’ll surely find what you need to do soon. It’s not like he can keep you eternally from taking your vows. And isn’t it how it is when God calls?”

Ah. He was a novice… he wasn’t supposed to tell lies, was he? She’d probably call me an idiot and look down on me if she knew… “I suppose your brother has been called by God if he went to the Crusade despite the war between Stephen and Matilda?”

She opened her mouth and closed it, casting her eyes down, hesitating to reply. “I am not sure,” she finally replied. “But my sister’s death was the trigger I think.”

He raised an eyebrow. “He left you in the middle of a civil war to go to the Crusade just because your sister died?” He was lost and kind of angry. How could anyone do that? Not that I am better, he suddenly thought guiltily.

“Oh,” she replied, “that’s true, you might not know. I just assume people know. I am not a Kuchiki by blood. My brother married my sister and adopted me because we had no family left and I was too young back then. So, it’s my sister, but his wife who died. He was still mourning her when he went…”

“Even so… it’s dangerous!”

“Well, he planned to stay neutral anyway. Just trying to protect our people from the war… Actually, going to the Crusade might have been part of the plan. And he left people to take care of me too, so I wasn’t alone. Beside, he only took a few men with him. Our men are still protecting our lands.”

Still, her eyes… “I’m sorry, for your sister,” he sighed. He knew this kind of pain too, losing someone dear… A brief and cheerful smile passed before his eyes before evaporating into nothingness. She must be an angel now, as she was when she lived.

“Are you feeling well?” She was looking at him with questioning eyes.

“Ah, yeah, sorry. It’s just that I understand how he feels, somehow. My mother died when I was still young.” Only a few years, but already an eternity, how odd.

“Oh. I’m sorry.” She was hesitating, apparently going to add something when the door opened and Brother Hanatarou entered.

Surprised to find them here, Hanatarou jerked back. He had always been, since Ichigo entered in the abbey, sickly and intimidated by the nobles who stayed there. So seeing one casually seated on his bench had nearly caused him to faint. She promptly got up though, a bit puzzled.

“Lady Rukia, let me introduce you to Brother Hanatarou. Hanatarou, this is lady Rukia; she came because the abbot told her you might have something for her.”

“For her?” he asked, surprised. “Are you ill, my lady?”

She cracked a smile. “No, it’s not for me, but for my chaperone. She feels sick after travelling for days in that carriage. So if you had something for her, it would be most helpful.”

Immediately, Hanatarou’s caring side took over, while he begun to look out for a jar. “Is she usually sick during travels, or is that normal?”

“Well, I didn’t want her to come because the journey was long and I knew she’d be sick. She is always sick, but she didn’t want to leave me alone.”

“I see,” he replied, taking a little bottle and filling it carefully with the jar’s substance. “Give her a little spoon of that with some hot wine, she should get better. And if she’s still feeling not well by the morrow, then give her another one.”

She took the bottle in her hands, smiling cheerfully. “Thank you very much! We’ll definitely come back with her so that she can repay her thanks properly!”

“Ah, it’s nothing, really,” he replied, blushing a bit.

---

A few minutes later, they were at her chaperone’s side, with a glass of hot wine and a spoon for the decoction.

“I’m so sorry, Lady Rukia,” said Kiyone weakly. “I’ll definitely get better soon!”

“Do not worry like this and take your medicine,” she grinned. “Then you’ll be able to say that you’ll get better soon!”

Kiyone took her concoction without complaining and drank the hot wine, colouring her cheeks with a light pink in the process. “Thank you, my lady.”

“For once, it’s me who’s taking care of you,” she chuckled. “Brother Hanatarou said that if you still felt unwell tomorrow, then you’d have to take a spoon of the decoction again.”

“I’m sure I’ll be better! You’ll see how fast I’ll be back!” she declared with a fierce grin.

“I trust you then. But for now, you need to rest!”

She nodded. “Yes, thank you. Brother Ichigo, please, take care of her while I’m still bed sick!”

“I will, do not worry about that.”

She looked up, only to meet his brown eyes. It seems that he’s been scarred too… was he really called by God? He avoided my question when we were talking in the shack… She frowned a bit, wondering what was the truth behind his serious face.

“What are you going to do, my Lady?”

“Ah, I’m going to visit the abbey a bit and see if I can help around. It’s too late to go in town now, the bells will ring Vespers soon.”

“I hope the abbot will forgive my absence from Mass,” mumbled Kiyone.

“It’s alright, don’t worry about this,” grinned the novice beside them. “He won’t take offence for that you know. Especially after a tiring travel.”

“Well, let’s let Kiyone rest for now, instead of telling her to! See you, Kiyone!”

“Don’t do… un-lady-like stuff,” she pleaded her hesitantly before she exited the room.

She looked back at her chaperone and grinned. “Me, doing un-lady-like stuff? Never!”

“Un-lady-like stuff, heh?” said Ichigo quietly, a cocky grin on his face.

She felt her cheeks burn while quickly tearing her gaze away from his.

---

Ichigo was kind of taken aback. Un-lady-like stuff? I wonder what her chaperone was talking about…

“What is it?” he insisted despite her cheeks turning bright red.

“Uh, let’s say, I kind of–”

She was interrupted by the Prior Aizen who was walking in direction of the church. “Oh, you are Lady Kuchiki, aren’t you?” he asked with a kind smile. “The abbot Ukitake spoke about you at the chapter; I am Prior Aizen. Did you have a good trip?”

“Oh, yes thank you,” she replied a bit thrown off.

“That’s good to hear. I have to go, Vespers are coming! By the way, I’ve been told that the Baron Ichimaru would come too in a few days; I believe you should know him, since he’s been under your brother’s command?”

“He is coming to Shrewsbury? Why?” she exclaimed.

It wasn’t her outburst that surprised him the most; no, it was the fear he was reading in her eyes, right before she cast them down, mumbling an excuse for her behaviour.

“Like you, he wishes to welcome his lord. I shall go now,” he added, bowing his head before leaving them in the middle of the yard.

She still had her eyes down, holding her left arm with her right hand, as if she was fighting something bottling up inside of her. “Haha, this is not good,” she whispered. He poked her head, catching her attention. “Hey,” she protested, outraged, “what are you doing?”

He grinned lazily. “What, you forgot that you wanted to go to Vespers? It’ll begin soon you know!”

“Oh!”

“Thought so too.”

It had been two days since he first watched her praying in the church as if there was no tomorrow. Her face, very serious and concentrated, a hint of despair, all of this disappeared afterwards behind a smile. They had been quite comfortable around each other –maybe because they knew they’d have to separate soon and not worry about what the other thought or would say once apart. Her chaperone was feeling better and was now accompanying them everywhere. They had visited Shrewsbury and this time, Ichigo was showing them the castle..

“Given your rank, you could enter easily you know,” he noticed.

“Is it true that the King Stephen hung the whole garrison when he took Shrewsbury?” she asked instead of replying.

They were looking from afar and it was true that they couldn’t tell that an army took the castle a few years ago. The nature is still stronger, he thought. Or maybe that’s just how things go; people fight, but in the end, no one remembers. “Ah, so I’ve heard. He never did such a thing after that so maybe he regretted his impulse?”

“That’s why… I hate wars. Isn’t it stupid? These guards thought they were protecting something worth it, didn’t they? Their pride, or their beloved, the peace, something for what they shouldn’t have died. In the end, was it worth fighting? Was it worth dying?”

A familiar pang stirred in his chest, one that he thought he’d totally forgotten once he became a novice. “Of course it is! It’s worth fighting, if you want to protect something or someone dear!”

“And once you’re dead, you can’t do that anymore! What is the point?”

He had an odd impression; for once Kiyone was a few feet away, staying outside their chat and Rukia seemed particularly touchy on the subject. Her face was showing an unusual outburst of emotions. “I…” He stopped in the middle of his sentence, trying to catch his breath. He was once like those guards too, he remembered it too well.

She looked up at him, suddenly frowning. “Are you feeling well? You look awfully pale.”

“It’s not like that, my lady. I was once like those men. There was a time when I too wanted to protect someone dear to me,” he ended up, talking so low that he wasn’t sure that she heard it correctly. “But she died. And I couldn’t do anything.”

“But it wasn’t your fault!” she protested. “And yet you’re–”

“How is it not my fault, when I was the cause of her death?”

Surprised, her lips formed a perfect, but soundless ‘oh’ while her eyes widen. She closed her mouth and cast her gaze down. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, suddenly paling down.

“Damn, I’ve known you for not even three days and I’m telling you that! What the hell,” he muttered, scratching his head.

She chuckled. “Since when are you supposed to swear?”

He blushed, like a child caught while doing something forbidden –such as playing with his father’s sword when he told him not to. “It slipped, I’m sorry!”

“It’s ok, I won’t tell, I promise,” she grinned, highly amused. She looked a last time at the castle, with its thick fortification, protecting a massive keep. “Let’s go now.”

He nodded and silently they began to come back to the abbey.

---

It happened on their way back. Ichigo was joking about how the Prior Aizen wanted to take the Bishop Henry’s place when three men literally jumped on them.

“Be careful to not hurt her!” shouted one of them.

What? They’re after me? They were armed, she noticed; one was after Kiyone and the other fighting with Ichigo, who was skilfully avoiding the blows. The last one came to her, a sly grin on his face. “Come on sweetie, and nothing will be done to your friends!”

Liar! She felt awfully powerless –she learned to defend herself with a knife, but she definitely couldn’t bring that to the abbey. She began to run, without even thinking, her gown getting in the way. “Hey, I’m there!” she replied, trying to lure them away from Kiyone and Ichigo. It’s my fault, again! Did she have to always bring bad luck to people around her? She heard a cry –it was Kiyone– and, worrying, she eyed back to see what was happening. One man had knocked out her chaperone while the other was still fighting Ichigo… and the last…

She gasped as he put his arms around her, stopping her in her élan. “You’re staying with me, m’lady.”

No way in hell! She elbowed his ribs violently, before knocking his balls –‘that always hurt a man’ Kaien had told her, a long time ago when he was training her secretly. Her attacker fell on his back, cursing loudly. She vaguely saw another guy fall, as Ichigo had punched him in the jaw. A sound of cracking was heard, but he didn’t have any time to rest as the last one went against him.

“What do you want?” shouted Ichigo, visibly angry.

“You bitch!”

She had made one error, she’d reckon. It was about then that she saw her attacker already back at her. Ah. She evaded the blow he was landing with a knife, but barely. It ripped her dress, cutting her thigh; she winced and watched as the blood was staining her pretty dress. Ah, I liked it, she thought, somehow sad that she wouldn’t be able to wear it anymore. Standing up was definitely too difficult, as the wound was too painful and the blood loss made her head spin. She barely felt the ground as she fell.

“Rukia?” she heard Ichigo cry.

And then, all was dark.

---

It had to be a nightmare, Ichigo thought while running to her side.

“Idiot, I told you to not touch her!” shouted the one he was fighting against.

Rukia’s attacker seemed pretty shocked, as his face was now paler than white. He began to run away, seeming truly scared about something. “I’m not staying!” he exclaimed.

His companions must have thought alike, as they promptly followed him without even asking for more.

Ichigo kneeled down. “Rukia, Rukia, wake up,” he pleaded, shaking her gently. “You must not sleep.”

“What happened?” asked Kiyone’s voice behind him, on a completely freaked out tone. Ah, she’s awake now. Good.

“She’s been hurt,” he replied shortly. We must bring her to the abbey, to take care of her wound. Can you walk?”

“Yes, he didn’t hit with his full strength I guess. The miss, will she be okay?”

He easily pulled Rukia in his arms, carrying her gently, hiding her legs with the shredded dress. “I hope so.” Please, don’t die.

He thanked God that she was so light, allowing him to walk at fast speed. He let out a sigh of relief when they reached the gates of the abbey. All happened in a blurry then; monks running everywhere, the youngest shocked by the sight of blood, the oldest already knowing the violence that happened outside. Without a word, he walked until the infirmary.

“Brother Iemura,” he pleaded once there, “please, save her!”

The nurse Brother ran up to them. “Quick,” he ordered, “put her on the bed.” Other orders followed as another Brother lent him a hand.

Ichigo, feeling powerless, sat on a chair, his gaze fixed on Rukia. They were cleaning the cut she earned in the fight when Kiyone, who had followed them without him noticing, broke down in tears. “Ah, Lady Rukia,” she sobbed.

Father Ukitake appeared when a Brother took Kiyone away and Iemura put the bandage on her thigh. Ichigo felt his hand on his shoulder, but he couldn’t dare look up at him. “I failed,” he mumbled. “She got hurt.”

Father Ukitake sighed. “It is not your fault, my son; if anything, I am to blame much more than you.”

“How can that be, Father? It is I who had the duty to protect her.”

“You heard of Aliénor of Aquitaine, right?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Who wouldn’t?”

“Did you know that, right after her divorce with Louis VI and before her remarriage with Henry II, people tried to kidnap her?”

“What for?”

“Obviously. To marry her, because she was a good match. She had power, money, lands, castles, titles.”

“I don’t see–”

“Do you know how old Lady Rukia is?”

He blinked. “What? No, I don’t. Sixteen? Seventeen at most?”

“She’s already eighteen. At her age, she should already be married, but successions of unfortunate events lead her to be still single. I knew all of this, of course, and I feel responsible because I didn’t tell you that the risks were high. Some men would do all they could to marry her, just for the lands and money that she brings.”

“How? Isn’t it her brother the one who holds everything?”

“No, she’s still the descendant of her own family and has titles and lands that go with. She’ll also probably be the heir of the Kuchiki, as her brother doesn’t want t remarry anyone. Someone marrying her right now would become very powerful and would probably influence the war between Stephen and Matilda if he were to take party for one or the other. And they could do that even with a forced marriage. Only the kings can have a divorce after all.”

Ichigo was speechless as he watched the woman sleeping soundlessly. “I still failed to protect her as you asked me.”

“Yes, but it is also my fault for I have been careless. It’s too late now. But Brother Iemura told me that she should be alright. I am leaving for now; tell her I’ll visit her again when she’ll feel better. You can stay here and skip the Masses if it’ll make you feel better. Her chaperone has been walked back to her room and Brother Hanatarou gave her something to sleep.”

Silently he nodded. He came closer, sitting on the bed next to hers, gritting his teeth, waiting for her to wake up.

He lost the track of the hours, but when she finally opened her eyes, he felt a huge relief overwhelm him.

“Lady Rukia,” he called her softly.

She turned her head and grinned at him. “Oh, so it’s ‘Lady’ again, uh?”

He blinked. “What?”

“Well, you dropped the ‘Lady’ while I was falling, I’m sure of that. And now it’s back again,” she grinned.

Did he? “No I didn’t,” he denied. He’d never admit it, even if she was right.

“Yes you did!”

His eyes twitched. “I definitely didn’t!”

A pillow landed on his face. “You’re so stubborn!” she exclaimed, wincing a bit.

“Ah! Don’t! You’re going to hurt yourself more,” he said, jumping on his feet to place the pillow back under her head. “Just stay calm, alright?”

She sighed. “You can drop it you know.”

“Drop what?”

“The ‘Lady’. I don’t mind.”

“If you feel more comfortable then, I’ll drop it. Rukia,” he grinned. “Does that hurt a lot?” he asked, quite concerned.

“I can bear with it. I guess it’s the punishment for doing un-lady-like stuff.”

He raised an eyebrow. “How come?”

“Oh. It’s because I kicked him where it hurts for the guys,” she grinned. “He became angry because of that.”

“So this is your way to call fighting?” He was dumbfounded –she was so thin and petite, so light!– and, at the same time, he had to suppress the urge to laugh.

She flushed and looked away. “Maybe,” she grumbled.

“And what about the lady-like stuff? Like embroidery?”

“I hate needles,” she shortly replied.

This time, he couldn’t stop himself and he laughed.

“That’s not funny! It’s not you who’s forced to do these boring things!”

She humphed and his laughter died, only to be replaced by a huge grin. “Well, in my book, that’s okay I guess.”

“It’s not like your opinion matters. You’re not supposed to have a say, as someone who will take in the Holy Orders soon.”

Had he forgotten? Perhaps, because her statement left him speechless. “Probably.” Probably. It left him with an unsettling feeling though.

Three days had passed and she was forced to use a cane to walk. It was still painful, but at least now she could move around a bit, though she limited herself a lot –the church, Hanatarou’s shack where she got some painkillers, the hotel were the only points where she ended up usually. Once a day, Ichigo would clean her wound and put a new bandage. The first time, she recalled his guilty face when he did it. ‘Don’t make that face,’ she had told him, ‘as this is the result of my own carelessness.’ As he replied nothing and still showed the same guilt, she took him by surprise. ‘Oh come on, you’re touching a woman’s thigh and that’s the reaction I get?’ she had teased him. That, at least, had worked. He suddenly realised what he was doing and nearly dropped the bandage. And even now, he still blushed like mad when he had to take care of her wound.

All in all, despite her wound, life was rather calm. She was able to be herself around Ichigo, which was a big change from her home where everyone treated her like a little princess –resulting in putting a wall between them and her.

Yes, she thought while leaning on her cane, accompanied by Ichigo and Kiyone, life wasn’t so bad.

“Oh, my, Lady Rukia. What happened?”

The sly voice took her aback and she nearly jolted. Refraining the wince that the pain gave her, she turned around to discover the one she truly didn’t want to see. “Baron Ichimaru, good evening. I had some problems with brigands. Luckily, we could get out rather unscathed.” She hoped she concealed her fear too.

“I see,” he replied, taking her hand to kiss it, bowing excessively in the process. “I hope that does not hurt too much,” he added with his usual creepy grin.

“No, it’s quite alright. When did you arrive?”

“Just now. I am lucky to meet you like this; maybe it is fate. I have to meet up with the abbot, but I sure hope we can talk again. I cannot wait to give my best regards to your brother the Duke,” he finished, looking at her intently.

She nodded. “Goodbye then.”

He slowly walked away and, letting out a silent sigh of relief, turned around again. “Let’s go,” she said, feeling a bit nervous. Ichimaru’s last sentence was nearly nerve-wrecking. He’s really going to do it, even though he’s just a Marquis. Oh, God, please, save me, she prayed silently.

Three days had passed since the Baron’s arrival. If anything, thought Ichigo, it left Rukia very unsettled. She tried everything to avoid him the most and it wasn’t even subtle; it was always written all over her face that the man terrorized her –scared, he had decided, wasn’t strong enough to describe the fear that appeared in her eyes every time he showed up. And the most frustrating part was that even if he wanted to do something, he couldn’t ask what was going on because, as she already told him, he was just a man dedicated to God who couldn’t meddle with her life. He couldn’t afford it, he knew it; he was already too much involved with her, he felt it.

As the bells for Compline rang, he wondered what he could do, really. He didn’t like feeling that powerless at all.

---

She was resting in her room, waiting for compline to end and Ichigo to come and take care of her wound, when Kiyone entered.

“Ah, Lady Rukia. A monk just told me that Brother Ichigo would wait for you in the shack for your wound. I guess he ran out of that mixture Brother Hanatarou gave to put on,” she explained.

“Oh,” she replied, surprised, “then I should go now. Give me my cloak and my hat, I’ll go now.”

“Wait up, I’m coming with you!” exclaimed Kiyone.

“No need,” she reassured her, “it’s not that far and Brother Ichigo will be there anyway.” That had nothing to do with the fact that she missed their conversations without anyone around to listen, of course. No, nothing at all.

It took her less than what she had estimated to arrive at the shack. Inside, it was warm and she took out her hat before seating down on the bench. It hurts less and less, today should be the last time Ichigo needs to verify that wound. Somehow, it saddened her a bit.

She was lost in her thoughts when she heard the door open. “Ichi–” The name died on her lips as Ichimaru entered and closed the door behind him.

“Oh, lucky! Rukia, you’re here too,” he grinned.

Why oh why did she have the impression that it wasn’t all about luck? Or rather bad luck, in my case. “Baron Ichimaru,” she greeted him. “What are you doing here?”

“I had a headache and heard that I could find something here for that,” he replied, approaching way too close to her for her taste. “But now my headache seems to be gone as I see you,” he grinned. “My future fiancée, standing there… isn’t it perfect?”

She was frozen on her bench. “I suppose,” she barely managed to comment, “that Brother Ichigo is not meant to come here?”

“Oh,” he said happily, “you already guessed?” His cold hand reached her cheek, caressing it lightly.

She jerked away. “I am not your fiancée yet,” she protested violently.

“But there is no one else left. They all got scared away for some reason I can’t figure out. And despite my low title, I am still very rich, which is to take under consideration.”

It was all true and she knew it. It was also partly why she left, hoping to have a talk with her brother about him, but he guessed her true intentions and went ahead of her, once again.

“But,” he continued, looking creepier than ever while kneeling down in front of her, “if I were the one to take his sister’s virginity, he’d be forced to accept my request. No one else would want a tainted wife, would they?”

She let out a small cry as he pressed his hand against her wound. He took the opportunity to capture her lips with his and invading roughly her mouth with his tongue. She tried to bite him, but with his free hand he forced her to keep her mouth opened. Eyeing her cane, she grabbed it and began to knock him with it.

He pulled away and grabbed the cane. “So feisty,” he grinned, wresting it from her hand and flippantly tossing it aside.

---

Compline, he thought, had taken longer than usual. Or maybe that was only because he wasn’t really into it. He knocked on Rukia’s door and was greeted by Kiyone’s surprised face.

“How come you’re here? Aren’t you supposed to be in the herbarium’s shack with Lady Rukia?”

He felt a chill and began to run.

It didn’t take him long –and yet so long at the same time– before he opened the shack’s door. The Baron was there, kissing a Rukia laying down on the bench, a hand under her dress while she vainly tried to get away from him.

“What is going on?” he exclaimed furiously.

“Oh, my. Excuse me, my Brother. I just wanted to have a taste of my future fiancée; I guess I was too impatient,” grinned slyly the man, licking his fingers. “Delicious,” he added, avoiding Ichigo’s fist that seemed to attack without him realising. “Oh well. I’m leaving you for now. See you, Lady Rukia,” he finished gleefully, stepping out of the shack.

Ichigo watched him as he disappeared in the darkness and closed the door, dashing towards Rukia. She was shaking hard, gasping as she tried to breathe. It was burning inside of him, the desire to hold her close and protect her from everything and everyone. He gritted his teeth and took a glass, filling it with the hippocras Hanatarou had.

“There,” he whispered. “Drink, you’ll feel a bit better afterwards.”

He sat her down, put an arm around her shoulders to keep her from shaking too much and forced her to drink.

“You came,” she finally said, so low that he barely heard it. “Thank God you came.”

“I’m here,” he replied, “and not going anywhere. It’s ok, everything’s fine now.”

She seemed to calm down as she rested in his arm. “Thank you, Ichigo,” she murmured.

He nodded and forced him to pull away from her. Or I’ll never be able to let her go, he thought darkly. “Let me see this wound,” he asked her. After all, he was there for that too.

He pulled her gown up, gently, and felt the blush invade his cheeks as he revealed her pale skin. But, as soon as he saw the bandage, he frowned. “How come it’s bleeding again?” he asked.

“He pressed his fingers against it until it bled,” she muttered.

Bastard. He took the preparation Hanatarou showed him and begun to unwrap the old bandage.

“Why do you want so much to be a priest?” she suddenly inquired. “Isn’t it hard?”

“But can’t I help more people like this? Compared to being a simple monk?” he asked back.

“You could have helped people while being the heir of the Kurosaki too,” she said, thoughtful.

His eyes went wide, as he looked at her. “How do you know?”

“What? That your father is the Marquis Kurosaki? Father Ukitake told me the day I arrived, so of course I knew.”

“Oh.” And somehow, she didn’t bring it up until now; he was a bit surprised. “Well, it’s true but…” I couldn’t stay there. “As for being a priest, it is thanks to my father. He said that, as a Kurosaki, I shouldn’t aim for less than priest. And that if I failed, I had to leave the Orders. I am still in trial, for both my father and Father Ukitake I guess.” He was applying the preparation carefully. Even though it must hurt, he noticed, she doesn’t complain or wince… She was strong, maybe too strong for her good. He then wrapped the bandage and looked up. She was lost in her thoughts.

“Shall we go?” he asked.

“You want to be a priest, right? So, can I make my confession to you?”

He stopped dead in his track. “I’m not a priest yet! You should go to a real priest.”

“I don’t plan to,” she replied. “And you’ll know what you can have to face when people make their confessions.”

“I… alright. What is it, my daughter?” He didn’t know what she could possibly have to confess, but he’d hear it through.

“Father, no one ever heard what I am about to say,” she began, joining her hands in a prayer gesture and bowing her head, her eyes closed. “Please, forgive me, for I have sinned.”

He gulped. “I’m listening.”

“When I was thirteen years old, I fell in love with a married man. Although that was forbidden, I couldn’t help it.”

“You had a relationship with a married man?” he exclaimed.

“What? No!” she retorted, glaring at him. “That’s not what I said. I loved him but he was happy with his wife. Beside that, I admired his wife greatly. I would have never done such a thing. But I caused their deaths. His wife and I were outside when I was attacked. She protected me and I barely escaped. However, by the time I came back with him, she had been killed. He became so crazy that he looked up after her murderers and died while fighting them. Later on, I learned that they wanted to kidnap me. So, undoubtedly, I am the cause of their deaths.”

His mouth dried, as he tried to find words of comfort. What would a priest say? He had no clue.

“Please forgive me, for I have sinned,” she continued. “Two years after that, my brother the Duke began to speak about how it was time for me to marry someone. He had spoke with someone already, but I felt relieved when something came up and the marriage wasn’t possible anymore, because I still loved that man who died. Please forgive me, for I have sinned. When my sister died, my brother was overwhelmed by sadness and decided, alongside to go to the Crusade, to put a hold on my marriage. I felt relieved. Please forgive me, for I have sinned. When the Baron Ichimaru began to terrorize all the men that showed any interest in me, I regretted that the first marriage couldn’t have been celebrated.”

While he gazed at her, he could see it all; her naked emotions, the pain, the guilt, the love. He was frozen, could not speak nor move. It seemed to be too hard and his body didn’t respond to him anymore.

“Please forgive me, for I have sinned,” she continued, suddenly looking up at him and locking her eyes with his. “Because, although I do wish to be forgiven for everything that I confessed, I also wanted to confess to stop you from becoming a priest.”

There were too many emotions poured in that confession and he felt the chaos in his heart; he had felt it all. The jealousy, the pain, the need to protect, the love. He knew them too and they still tainted his own soul. Why did you send her to me, my Lord? He kneeled down slowly. “Please, forgive me my Lord, for I am about to sin,” he barely said, kissing her softly. He pulled away and cast his gaze down. “I am a liar, Rukia. And, now that I look back, I am also a coward.”

“What?” He heard the confusion in her voice, but he couldn’t blame her.

“I was never called by God,” he said miserably. “I just didn’t want to marry some unknown woman, so I made it up. Thus my father could not oppose to my wish. I didn’t care, because I never encountered a woman such as you. But now, how can I return to my monastic life, when the idea of you in someone else’s arms makes me feel both angry and wretched?”

“Maybe I should become a nun then, just like you’re going to be a priest,” she grinned.

“You can’t!” he protested. “You can’t do the same as me. As for me…” He scratched the back of his head, quite ashamed. “I have to talk with Father Ukitake. I guess my father won, after all. I…” … want you… “… think it’s best to go to Father Ukitake right now. You should come and complain about the baron too.”

He stood up and took her in his arms. “I can walk!” she said, pounding his shoulder with her fist.

“I know, but it’s the least I can do right now.”

---

She was utterly confused, as he carried her until the abbot’s house. What should they do? Even my word against the baron won’t do a thing, I’m still only a woman, even though my titles are higher than his, she thought bitterly. She bit her lip, trying to find what words to say to Father Ukitake. If my brother were here, he could speak up in my name and he would be heard.

They were greeted by a half-sleeping abbot, still in night clothes. As he saw them, his jaw dropped.

“May we have a word with you, Father?” asked Ichigo, gripping her hard.

“Sure,” he replied, letting them enter.

Once in his office, Ichigo sat her on a chair and took the chair right beside her.

“So,” continued Ukitake, “what is the matter?”

“You were right,” said Ichigo, very straightforwardly, “I cannot be a priest, or take in the Holy Orders for that matter.”

Ukitake nodded, smiling lightly, inviting him to continue.

“I… have been forced to face my own cowardice and immaturity. Running away from my duties… my family… my friends and everyone who counted on me was not the right thing to do.”

Even though he sounded guilty, she thought, he was very determined. She felt herself dragged in by his strength.

“I am glad that you finally realised it,” grinned the abbot. “It is something I always knew, somehow. But what do you intend to do now?”

Ichigo ran a hand in his hair. “I’ve had little to no time to think about this, however I’ll have to talk with my dad. And probably fight with him too.”

“Why?” she asked out of loud.

“Uh,” he replied, “because he probably won’t agree with me. I mean, the bride’s choice.” His cheeks coloured in slight pink and, while he was muttering those words, he looked away.

She blinked. “Uh?”

“You! I mean you!” he exclaimed, finally locking his gaze with hers.

“Hey, I never agreed!”

“You have to take responsibility now!”

“What kind of reasoning is that?”

It was Ukitake’s chuckling, before he completely laughed out of loud, that stopped their quarrel. “Excuse-me, but I’m still here you know,” he finally said, making them blush.

“Sorry,” they apologise in unison.

“Anyway, my Lord, do you remember who you were promised to?”

Ah, there’s her too… maybe she ended up in the same troubles as I am now?

“I don’t think I was ever told,” he sighed.

“Because,” grinned the abbot, “you’ll have a lot of work to do to regain her brother’s favour now that you once rejected her.”

Whatwhatwhatwha– wait, what?

“Lord Kuchiki said it so in the letter he wrote to me recently; knowing that his sister was going to the abbey, he added a post scriptum, writing that if you were to change your opinion and wanted to marry her, he’d make sure you’re worthy of her first.”

She got up so fast that her wound hurt. “You’re saying that the one who refused to marry me was him?” she asked, pointing a finger at him.

“What, it was her?” inquired Ichigo at the same time, pointing at her in the same manner.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she continued.

“I thought you’d remember each other’s name, but apparently, I was wrong. That’s also why I put him at your service, my Lady.”

She grinned devilishly. “Oh, Ichigo,” she said, “you’re so going to pay for that…”

“By the way,” added the abbot, “your brother should arrive tomorrow morning.”

Ichigo’s face won her laugh, but it died on her lips as he talked. “It’s ok. I’ll manage,” he grinned.