Not Crazy...Just Mentally Disturbed

Devil in a Sweet Kiss -Chapter III

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:43:21 GMT

Disclaimer: I don’t own Twilight or any of the characters, else I wouldn’t be writing fanfiction of it.

Story: What if there was a reason for Bella’s clumsiness? What if she’d been paralyzed her whole life, but had recently learned to move? And the reason why she could suddenly move was because…she was telekinetic. When she moves to Forks, her new doctor, Carlisle Cullen, just might be the first to discover her secret. And yet, there are several more things drawing them together –and some things that’ll try to draw them apart.

Set AU since the beginning of Twilight.

Spoilers: Maybe, if I can incorporate just right. I’ll warn you beforehand.

Warnings: ????

Pairings: Carlisle/Bella, slight Edward/Bella, Jasper/Alice, Emmett/Rosalie…

Devil in a Sweet Kiss

Chapter Three: Something About Us

“Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite patient,” Carlisle teased, making Bella blush. This was her third visit with him and already they were a little familiar with each other.

“Dr. Carlisle,” she greeted back.

“Just Carlisle,” he automatically corrected with a grin.

“Hello, Just Carlisle.”

Carlisle rolled his eyes, “Ha ha, funny. I’m practically in stitches now.”

She pouted, but he could see a slightly hidden smirk. He started the examination, as usual, but told her they were going to do something else.

“I want to do blood work today, okay Bella?”

She cringed.

“Don’t like the sight of blood?” he teased her again, but he smiled to show he wanted her to be okay.

“No. I can’t stand the smell,” she wrinkled up her nose.

His blond eyebrows shot up, “You can actually smell blood?”

“Yeah. It smells like rust and salt mostly.”

Carlisle couldn’t believe it, but decided he had to when as soon as he started to draw blood from her, her nose had wrinkled and then she’d fainted. He didn’t know whether he should be worried or laugh.

He decided on chuckling when she’d woken up, groaning and pale but relatively fine.

“Are you okay?” he smiled at her.

“Yeah, yeah. Laugh at me,” she pouted.

He chuckled again, “Don’t worry, Bella. We won’t have to do blood work for awhile.”

Unfortunately, when she’d come to meet him again the next day, he looked apologetic.

“I’m sorry, Bella. But it seems there was a mix up at the lab and your blood sample was replaced. I need to collect some more,” then he’d held up a medium-sized pan of apple pie, the smell drawing Bella nearer. “But I got pie for you to smell, rather than your blood. Is it a deal?”

She gave him a double thumbs up, “Of course, Carlisle. What do you take me for?”

He chuckled and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, moving her over to a chair and prepping her to take her blood. Good thing she was preoccupied with the pie.

“I’ll be free after you’re done here. Would you like to come with me to meet my family?” Carlisle asked as he wiped the puncture wound and put a band aid on it.

“Oh…um, is Alice and Jasper going to be there?” Bella muttered, unsure how she felt about the two.

Just yesterday, they’d invited her to sit at their table. After Jasper had hugged her again, and then Alice, the fey-like girl, had chattered non-stop about shopping, even after they’d finally gotten to the table. They intimidated her quite a bit, and confused her with their actions. Their other two siblings kept quiet, but seemed very amused. But she did like them all.

“Yes, they’ll probably be there,” Carlisle said, knowing Alice had probably seen him asking Bella about it and wanting to stay home to hang out with Bella more.

“Sure. I guess.”

Bella didn’t know whether to be scared or happy.

+
+
+
+
+
+

It wasn’t as bad as she feared it would be. Carlisle had driven her there, after she’d called Charlie to tell him where she was going, and was surprised at the beautiful glassy house. She had immediately met Esme, who was very beautiful and mothering towards her.

“Hello, dear. You must be Bella,” the caramel-haired woman smiled brightly.

Shyly, Bella nodded. She didn’t get a chance to say anything in return, because Alice danced into the room, her big smile widening upon seeing Bella. Jasper followed after her, his eyes widening when he caught sight of Bella, and his arms twitched.

“Hello, everyone,” Bella timidly greeted.

Carlisle laughed, “No need to be shy, Bella. We’re all very happy to have you here. Why don’t I give you a tour of the house, and then we can watch a movie in the living room?”

“Oh, that sounds nice,” Bella smiled back more confidently.

They walked passed Alice and Jasper, who stiffly hugged her as she passed by him. Not to be outdone, Alice hugged her afterwards as well, with a lot more gusto.

Esme laughed at them, “Well, aren’t we in a hugging mood?” and then proceeded to hug Bella as well.

Carlisle sighed in exasperation at his family, enclosing his hand around one of Bella’s and leading her away. “I’m sorry about my family. They’ve been…waiting to meet you.”

Bella couldn’t see why.

Carlisle gave her the tour, animatedly acting the part of a tour guide and making her laugh. When they were gone with the tour, they were about to head back down. Bella was still laughing so hard that she briefly lost her concentration on her telekinetic hold on her body and tripped. Carlisle quickly caught her, but if he’d missed, she would’ve gone tumbling straight down the stairs.

“That would’ve b-been a nasty fall,” Bella said weakly, looking up at him. Her breath caught in her throat when he gazed back at her intensely with ocher eyes.

“Yes, it would,” he agreed, his voice coming out husky.

Bella turned bright red, recognizing the close proximity between them. In a moment, he did too and he’d straightened them up, setting Bella upright at arm’s length.

He gave her a hesitant smile, “Let’s continue down, shall we?”

Downstairs, they’d noticed no one was there and it was eerily quiet in the house.

“Carlisle, where is everyone?”

“Knowing Alice, probably on a shopping spree. And she probably dragged Jasper with her. Esme loves interior designing so she probably went with Alice so she could check things she could use to rearrange or add to the house. Emmett and Rosalie have been out since this morning. So what do you want to watch?”

Bella walked over to their large collection of movies, gasping aloud happily when she saw one. Grabbing it, she turned around and held it up to her chest with wide eyes.

“Can we watch this one?”

Carlisle looked at the title and smirked. Almost Famous.

“I don’t see why not.”

+
+
+
+
+
+

The next day was Sunday and Bella spent most of it on the reservation, hanging out with Jacob as he fixed his car. When it was time for her appointment, Jacob drove her there and she met with Carlisle. For some reason, her heart started to beat faster at the sight of him.

He looked puzzled for a second as he first stared at her, but then his usual smile crossed his face. She smiled back.

“Hiya there, Just Carlisle,” she teased.

He shook his head, mockingly reprimanding her, “Isabella Marie Swan, you stop that right now.”

She shivered, hearing him say her first name like that. She gave a hesitant smile and hopped onto the bed, straining to keep her hold on her body. She’d been straining since that morning, because she’d had trouble sleeping the night before. She’d need to rest soon, if she didn’t want to faint or…collapse. She shivered again, for an entirely different reason.

“Are you okay, Bella?” Carlisle asked her worriedly, noticing her shivering.

“I’m fine, Carlisle. Just a little tired. I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night,” she assured him.

He gave her a warm smile and then began her exam. Despite his cold hands, Bella felt like she was on fire. She stopped herself from shivering again, not wanting to alarm Carlisle, but she was definitely feeling something for him.

When she looked up and examined him, her breath hitched and her hand unconsciously reached out and touched his arm. He stopped, staring puzzled at her. Her face lightly blushed in return and she just stared, wanting to say something but not knowing what. His golden eyes darkened as well, and he leaned closer, hovering above her. He place a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Let me finish your examination and then let’s go out for some ice cream, okay?”

She breathed in his scent and replied softly, “Okay.”

Bella leaned on him, holding onto his waist, as he finished working on her legs.

That examination passed by in a blur, and they quickly headed to the only place that sold ice cream –the diner she usually went to with Charlie. They sat in a booth close to the window, both of them ordering banana split sundaes.

“How have you been really, Bella?” he asked her softly.

She gave him an awkward grin, “You should know. There hasn’t been a day that’s passed that I haven’t seen you.”

“I just want to make sure…and I want to hear you say it.”

She blushed again, slightly darker than before. “I am fine, though.”

He smiled happily, “That’s good. But I’ll worry about you regardless, you know.”

“You don’t have to,” she chuckled, avoiding giggling like a silly schoolgirl.

“Again. Yes, I do.”

“Uh, hey Bella, Dr. Cullen,” Mike’s voice interrupted them, and they moved away from each other. He was still slightly looking at them in suspicion.

Bella reluctantly turned to Mike, smiling though a tiny voice in her head was grumpily snarking at Mike to mind his own business. Carlisle had already plastered on a polite smile.

“Hey Mike. What are you doing here?”

“Hello, Mr. Newton.”

Mike smiled widely, “I’m grabbing a steak sandwich to go for my mom. She’s craving.”

“That’s very nice of you, Mr. Newton. Would you like to sit with us for awhile?” Carlisle offered politely.

He looked taken aback and an unsure look crossed his face, before he smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, I have to get home and give this my mom. Maybe next time. I’ll see you guys!”

He left just as their ice cream came in. Carlisle turned his attention back to her. “Well, now that we’re alone again...Bon appétit!” he lifted his spoon in a toast to her and she actually did giggle this time. She lifted her spoon and clinked it against his.

“Bon appétit,” she agreed.

+
+
+
+
+
+

Bella changed into pajamas when the tremors started. She lifted her shaking hand and stared at it with wide eyes. She’d been so tired the entire day. It started with her lack of sleep and then she just grew more tired as the day went on. It was all catching up to her.

“Charlie,” she whispered, trying to yell. “Charlie! Dad!”

Charlie ran into the room, panicking as he heard his daughter yell. He saw her trembling and ran towards her, holding her in a tight embrace.

“What’s wrong, sweetie?! Should I call Dr. Cullen?”

“N-no!” she gasped. “He’ll find out about…about everything…if you do. I don’t want him to know how much of a freak I am.”

“You are not a freak,” he whispered vehemently against the top of her head, rocking her back and forth as they slid to the floor. “I love you, Bells.”

She hiccupped, “I love you too, Daddy.”

Charlie held her tighter, fighting back his own tears. It’s been awhile since his little girl called him daddy. In fact, she hasn’t called him that for a long while…probably since she was a little girl.

“I want you to stay home tomorrow, okay? I’ll take care of you, baby, I promise. You’ll be okay.”

Her tiny hands gripped onto her shirt tighter, and her crying grew more. They stayed on the floor for another hour before Bella fell asleep, and Charlie carried her to her bed and held her while she slept, eventually falling asleep himself.

The next day, Charlie called the school and told them Bella wasn’t going to be able to make it. He called in as well, making it a point to say that he didn’t want to be called in unless it was an emergency. They both decided that they’d see how Bella felt before cancelling her appointment with Carlisle.

“Daddy, don’t leave me, okay?” she told him sleepily.

“I won’t,” he promised.

Started 12/22/08 –Completed 3/7/09

Devil in a Sweet Kiss -Chapter II

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:40:34 GMT

Disclaimer: I don’t own Twilight or any of the characters, else I wouldn’t be writing fanfiction of it.

Set AU since the beginning of Twilight.

Spoilers: Maybe, if I can incorporate just right. I’ll warn you beforehand.

Warnings: ????

Pairings: Carlisle/Bella, slight Edward/Bella, Jasper/Alice, Emmett/Rosalie…

A/n: Skimmed over and lightly edited.

Devil in a Sweet Kiss

Chapter Two: The Less Traveled Road

Jacob was driving her to school. She was being driven to school. How embarrassing is that?

The whole reason Charlie had wanted her to meet Jacob and Billy again was because he was worried about her driving to school, when she had a lapse in control. She admitted that that would produce horrible results, considering she wasn’t sure if she would be able to protect herself in a car crash after her moment of weakness. But still…

“I’m sorry, Bella. I’m sure at least my company won’t be so bad,” Jacob joked weakly, and she smiled at him for his effort.

“Thanks, Jake. It’s cool. Don’t tell…anyone, okay? At least not around here.”

He nodded. “Everyone at the reservation already knows, but they won’t say anything. Charlie’s picking you up, right?”

“Yeah. I’m not looking forward to being picked up by the cruiser,” she grimaced.

“That’s too bad. Charlie was going to give you this truck, but…you know. I guess it’s still your truck. You just won’t be able to drive. Well, not for awhile…”

She laughed at his rambling at the end. “I suppose. Just drop me in the front, okay? I need to go to the front office.”

“You’ll be fine?”

“Yes, don’t worry,” she reassured him, and she was cheered even more by the adorable smile he gave her. It made her want to pinch his cheeks.

She hopped out of the truck, stumbling a little by the quickness and suddenness of her move. She gave another reassuring smile to Jacob, who looked alarmed, before heading inside. She headed straight to the office, meeting a maternal red-haired woman at the desk.

“H-hello,” Bella greeted nervously.

The red-haired woman looked up and smiled brightly, “Hello, dear. What can I do for you?”

“I’m Isabella Swan,” she announced.

The woman’s smile actually grew bigger before she shuffled around some papers and finally found what she was looking for. Handing Bella her schedule, a map she went over, and a slip for her teachers to sign, Bella thanked the woman and left. She went to first period English, meeting Mr. Mason and having him sign the slip, and then Bella immediately went to sit in the back. She met Eric Yorkie in that class. He, nicely enough, helped her go to her next class.

The rest of the morning passed by in a blur, with only her trigonometry teacher, Mr. Varner, making her stand up in front of the class and introduce herself. She also met Jessica Stanley in both Trig and Spanish. She was a nice enough girl, who liked to talk a lot. It suited Bella just fine, considering she didn’t like to.

Soon enough, it was lunch and she just walked in, wondering where she was going to sit. All of a sudden, hard marble arms wrapped around her and the cafeteria grew quiet. A minute later when the stone arms had removed themselves, she found herself gaping at a topaz-eyed boy with honey hair like her new doctor’s. He was absolutely gorgeous, with pale skin and perfect features. Bella took a quick glance around to see people staring at them, and some glancing at a pixie-like girl. Seeing the pixie girl just smiling brightly and bouncing in her seat, the others went back to staring at them in astonishment.

“You looked like you needed a hug,” the blond boy muttered before he’d quickly retreated to the table where the pixie girl was sitting at. She immediately pulled him into quiet conversation, though she was still animated, and everyone went back to their usual clamor. It was still tinged with glances at Bella or at the table where the mysterious blond and pixie sat at.

She felt herself be hooked onto by Jessica, who excitedly pulled her to her table.

“Wow, Bella! How do you know Jasper Hale?”

Bella’s mouth worked a few times before she settled on a shrug. “I don’t. That was the first time I’ve ever even seen him.”

Jessica gazed at her in awe. “The Cullens and Hales never mix with the rest of us.”

And she proceeded to tell Bella all about Jasper and Rosalie Hale, and Edward, Emmett, and Alice Cullen. Even from the first glance of them, Bella had already deducted they were Dr. Carlisle’s family. Charlie was right that she would have no trouble picking them out. But it was nice knowing more information about them. She’d have to ask Dr. Carlisle about their move from Alaska. It would be interesting to know what Alaska was like.

Unfortunately, lunch ended soon. Bella bid them bye and headed to Biology II with another person she’d just met, Angela Weber. They were both shy, which helped because they understood each other more easily.

They split up once they entered the classroom, Angela having to go to her seat and Bella having to go talk to the teacher. Mr. Banner easily pointed her out to the only empty seat in the room, after giving her the class materials. And then she saw Edward Cullen.

She flinched, seeing him glaring at her with fierce coal eyes, almost snarling at the sight of her. She hesitantly went over to her seat next to him, flinching again when he moved his seat sharply farther from her. She watched in shock as throughout the whole class, he cringed away and turned his nose from her. His body was tensed and his hands had balled up into fists, never clenching or relaxing in the slightest.

Bella waited anxiously for the class to end to get away from his antagonistic stare. She was bewildered by his hostile greeting. She hadn’t even met him before then.

She wanted to run away as soon as the bell ran, but he beat her to it, shooting out of his seat jerkily. She refused to cry, not understanding his attitude. She even wondered if Dr. Carlisle had said something to his family.

“Hey! I’m Mike Newton,” a cute blond introduced himself.

She quickly composed herself. “Hi, I’m Bella.”

He grinned. “Are you headed to your next class?”

“Um, yeah. I have gym next.”

“That’s great! I have gym next too! Do you want to walk there together?”

Bella smiled unsurely, “Sure.”

He talked a lot on the way, reminding her a bit of Jessica. But he was very nice. He didn’t broach the subject of Edward Cullen, as she’d thought he would by the questioning glance he’d given her in the beginning and then the quick look at Edward’s retreating figure. Instead, he talked a lot about the school and the events coming up. He’d also informed her of the notable places in Forks.

Gym finished quickly without Bella having to dress, though Coach Clapp had found her a uniform already. Soon, she was on her way to the office again, and was surprised to find Edward Cullen in there arguing with the receptionist –about changing sixth-hour Biology to any time!

They’d never even met each other, and yet he was being a complete jerk and there was absolutely no reason for him to act this way towards her.

He’d abruptly stiffened and then glanced behind him at her. A small snarl almost formed before he told the receptionist never mind and left quickly, brushing passed Bella carefully.

She’d quickly handed the signed slip to the receptionist before running out.

+
+
+
+
+

She was quiet when Charlie picked her up, steadfastly refusing to let her tears fall. Charlie looked at her in concern, but didn’t say anything. Bella was grateful for that.

“I’m a little late, so we can just head over to the hospital right now. That okay, Bells?” her father asked.

Bella gave him a faltering smile.

“I’m still working, so after you’re done just call me up at this number, okay?” Charlie handed her a piece a paper with a phone number scrawled on it.

“Sure, Dad. No problem,” she mumbled.

He dropped her off at the hospital, still glancing at her worriedly. She went inside, checked in, and waited for her turn to be called to the doctor. It wasn’t long until she met with Dr. Carlisle.

“Hey there, early bird,” he greeted her with a smile.

“Hi,” she said back timidly.

He looked at her confused. “Are you okay, Bella?”

“I’m fine, Dr. Cullen.”

He frowned, “I told you, Bella, just call me Carlisle. What’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?”

She shook her head. “No. It’s just…did you talk about me to your family or something?”

Dr. Carlisle looked surprised. “No, not really. Today was your first day at school, right? Did you meet my kids?”

“Yes. But…did I do something or did you say something? Because your son Edward doesn’t seem to like me very much. I don’t even know what I did.”

He frowned again. “I’ll talk to him. He was probably just in a bad mood. Don’t worry about it.”

She sighed, but nodded.

“Alright. Now let’s get started, shall we?”

+
+
+
+
+
+

When Carlisle arrived home, he wasn’t sure if he was or wasn’t surprised to hear Edward banging on the piano. The others uncertainly meandered around, certainly avoiding the area around Edward.

“Edward, I’d like to speak to you now,” Carlisle spoke lowly, though he was sure everyone in the house could hear him. The racket Edward was making stopped. Soon enough, his first son stood before him.

“What’s wrong, Carlisle?” Edward asked him anxiously.

“Let’s talk in my study.”

He led a nervous Edward there and began the talk as soon as they had sat down.

“Edward, why were you acting hostile towards Bella Swan today?” he got right to the point.

Edward grimaced. “I didn’t mean to. You don’t understand, Carlisle. It was like her blood sang to me. I smelled her and I almost lost control in class. She was…intoxicating.”

Carlisle almost matched Edward’s grimace, but held it in. If only Edward knew…she had called out to Carlisle in the same way.

“Still, you have better control than that, Edward. As it was, I get the feeling she thought you were out to murder her.” Which really wasn’t that far out from the truth, if you think about it.

“I think I have to go away for awhile. To compose myself. It’ll be a week at the most,” Edward told him reluctantly.

“Very well. But when you get back, I want you to apologize to her.”

“I was planning on it,” Edward gave him a sheepish smile.

Carlisle shook his head, but smiled back.

Strange. If Bella Swan was Edward’s singer, then why did she call out to him in the same way?

+
+
+
+
+
+

“That was kind of you, Jasper,” Alice teased.

Her husband would’ve blushed if he could. “I couldn’t help it. There was like this constant ache underneath all of her surface emotions, like a subtle pain she hid from everyone. I just reacted.”

Alice giggled. “Still, I thought it was very sweet. I wanted to go over too, but I think that would’ve overwhelmed her. Well, her and the entire school.”

“I can’t believe you asked earlier if she smelled as good as you smelled her from our table,” he grumbled.

She shrugged, “Well, she smelled really good. You heard Edward just now. I was just wondering if the smell was stronger when you hugged her. I wanna hug her now.”

Jasper lightly laughed. “We can invite her over to our table tomorrow.”

Alice squealed. “Really? That’d be great! Oh, I just can’t wait until tomorrow now.”

“I still wonder why she’s hurting so much, though.”

Alice immediately stopped laughing, making Jasper turn to her in concern.

“What’s wrong, love?”

She didn’t immediately answer him, so he continued. “Your visions…? Did they tell you why?”

He could feel her sadness and he wanted to make it go away.

“Yes. But it’s her secret to tell,” Alice murmured. “I will tell you that more pain is going to come to her. I just recently had a vision. Two of them. Carlisle was supposed to get together with Bella.”

Jasper’s widened. “Are you serious?”

Alice sighed, “Yes. But then I had another that contradicted it. That Bella would get together with Edward. I saw two possible futures for Bella.” Jasper was about to interrupt her. “It means that she wasn’t chosen yet. But because the vision with Carlisle came first, it is the most likely.”

“And with Edward going away and Carlisle spending time with Bella every day…” Jasper concluded, “It would definitely seem more likely.”

“I want Carlisle to be happy…except I want Edward to be happy too. Except, as I saw into Edward’s future with her, I saw him causing her more pain than happiness. With her future with Carlisle, I only saw them getting together. I couldn’t search any more into it.”

“The road less traveled…is the unknown future,” he murmured.

“It is also a problem because Edward already seems a little bit infatuated with Bella. Her smell is what set him off. It’s worse because Bella is both Edward and Carlisle’s la tua cantante.”

“Both of them?!”

Alice nodded grimly. “It was only Carlisle’s perfect control that kept him composed enough to deal with her.”

“We’ll just have to keep an eye on things, then,” Jasper assured.

“I hope we can.”

Started 12/6/08 –Completed 12/20/08

Omake!

“Jasper! That was great!” Alice grinned.

Rosalie rolled her eyes. “Did you really have to go hug that human?”

Jasper knew that if he could, he would be turning red at that moment. “I couldn’t help it. Her emotions were so strong.”

Alice abruptly pulled him closer, and ignored the other three at the table.

“Did she smell as good up close as she does from here?” she began her interrogation.

Jasper grunted an affirmation.

“Oh, come on, Jazzy!”

He sighed in exasperation, “Yes. She smells even better.”

Alice’s grin grew bigger, “Jasper, you smell a little like her! Ohh, come closer!”

She yanked him a little closer, sniffing at him lightly. Jasper twitched and the other three held in their laughter.

“Jazzy, I want to go over to her now! Maybe her smell will rub off on me too! And then I can go around smelling her scent all day. Even better, maybe I can make her wear my clothes and then when I wear it, I can smell her!”

They couldn’t help themselves. They started laughing

Started 12/20/08 –Completed 12/20/08

Devil in a Sweet Kiss -Chapter I

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:20:31 GMT

Disclaimer: I don’t own Twilight or any of the characters, else I wouldn’t be writing fanfiction of it.

Set AU since the beginning of Twilight.

Spoilers: Maybe, if I can incorporate just right. I’ll warn you beforehand.

Warnings: ????

Pairings: Carlisle/Bella, slight Edward/Bella, Jasper/Alice, Emmett/Rosalie…

A/n: The basis of Bella’s condition is based off of Rico’s condition in Gunslinger Girl. The reason she can move was taken from another idea for a story of mine. Also, only did a quick read over, so there might still be some mistakes. Anyways, enjoy and review!

Devil in a Sweet Kiss

Chapter One: Emptiness Inside Her

Quiet. Silent. Eerie.

The constant beeping of the heart monitor was the only loud sound in the room. There was, of course, the soft breathing of the bedridden girl and the frequent delayed sounds of the oxygen pump. There used to be echoes of shoes running passed the closed door to the room, once when she had been placed in a hospital and not her bedroom now.

‘I’m sorry. There seems to be no chance of your daughter ever regaining mobility. Her entire body is paralyzed for the rest of her life…’

She remembered those words. They would never leave her mind, haunting her and making her cry. She had been this way her entire life. How could that ever change?

No one knew why fourteen year old Isabella Swan was unable to move her body since birth, or why at the very least she was able to breathe without the pump for a limited amount of time or was able to move her eyes. But that…was all she was capable of doing.

She lay in that bed, trapped and unable to do anything.

Later that year, a miracle had happened. Bella was able to move. And by move, she was able to move freely. But there was a secret to how she could –after all, she was supposed to be paralyzed for the rest of her life. And it was something Renee, Phil, and Charlie knew no one could ever know.

Bella was telekinetic.

She was able to move things with her mind. They saw her do so in the room, trying to help herself when no one was around or when she didn’t want to trouble them. More commonly, she used it to try to communicate with them.

Two years later, Bella was able to perfect it the point where she could completely move her body around with her power. Unfortunately, the current doctor that was working with her was getting too close to figuring out their secret, so they knew it was time for her to move on to another doctor. They all decided it might be a good idea for Bella to move to Forks, Washington to live with Charlie.

“Are you sure you’ll be fine, sweetheart?” Renee asked worriedly.

“Really, we could move to the next state over instead of having you move all the way over there,” Phil added.

Bella shook her head, “It’s alright, guys. It’ll be good for me, I think. I have a good feeling about this.”

“If you’re sure,” Renee gave in uncertainly.

Bella gave them a hesitant smile before going to her plane. Several hours later, she was in Forks, already feeling the jetlag and hoping Charlie would be there already. She was in luck; she could already see him standing up excitedly with a poster board proclaiming her name.

“Hey, Dad,” she greeted him awkwardly. He gave an awkward smile back, reminding her that she had a lot more in common with Charlie than admittedly her mom. Not that she didn’t have to take care of both of them.

“Hey, Bell. You ready to go?”

Bella shrugged, but wobbled as she took another step closer. Alarmed, her dad leaped forward to make sure she stayed upright.

“I’m okay, I’m okay.”

Charlie didn’t look like he believed her, but he didn’t question her. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve already set up your first appointment with your new doctor. He’s got a really attractive family; you’d know who they were right away.”

“Really attractive, huh?” Bella tried to sound interested, to avoid feeling a headache coming on from the fact she had to already face a doctor.

“Oh yeah, but you should see the doctor! It’s too bad he’s not married any more. The nurses already had trouble concentrating on their work when he’s around, but now that he’s back on the market they’re practically zombies!” Charlie chuckled.

Bella couldn’t help but chuckle along, though she still felt trepidation at her appointment.

“When is my appointment?”

“Oh…in half an hour.”

“Charlie!”

+
+
+
+
+
+

“Carlisle! You should try this online dating,” Esme Cullen grinned at her ex-husband as she navigated the dating website.

“You can’t trust those things, dear. Besides, they’ll change their minds once they find out what you are,” Carlisle Cullen sighed fondly.

“Ah, but you can always put in that one of your interests are vampires.”

“That would attract lunatics, Esme.”

She huffed and he laughed at her.

“Alice, are you okay?” Carlisle asked worriedly, seeing his daughter seemingly lost in a vision.

She snapped out of it, looking at him appraisingly. Then she smiled brightly. “You’re going to meet someone special real soon. And she’s going to be my best friend.”

Carlisle almost gaped at Alice, but instead smiled. “I do have an appointment soon with Chief Swan’s daughter, Isabella, right now. Which I’ll need to be leaving soon for.”

“Call her Bella, Carlisle.”

He waved at his two girls and then left. Alice got another vision and Esme watched her apprehensively. “Alice, dear. Are you okay?”

Alice winced. “This isn’t good, Esme.”

She told her about both visions, and Esme agreed. “This is going to cause problems.”

And while they were discussing Alice’s visions, Carlisle was driving to the hospital for his impromptu visit with the Chief’s daughter. He’d read her files, and he agreed with the other doctors that it was strange. He’d never seen anything like it, and he’d lived a long time.

This girl was entirely paralyzed until recently, miraculously able to move her limbs when everyone had predicted long-term paralysis. And yet no one could understand why she was paralyzed in the first place, or why her paralysis was different from the norm. And the question on everyone’s mind was how could she suddenly move again, after fourteen years of not being able to?

The notes from the doctors differed, and very often were bizarre. He knew he’d have to rely on his own observations more than referring back to her files.

It wasn’t long before he was face to face with the girl the whole town was already gossiping about.

“Hello, Bella,” he greeted her after saying hello to her father.

She looked momentarily surprised, before a pleased light entered her eyes. He’d have to thank Alice for telling him about that little tidbit. If only she’d told him…how pleasing Bella’s scent was.

It’s been more than a long time since he’s ever been tempted by human blood. And Bella’s was outright singing to him to take her and drink from her right in front of her father. It took all of his hard-earned self-control to calm himself down and focus on the task.

Bella herself was beautiful, though she didn’t seem to think so. She was thin, as expected from being unable to gain real sustenance for years, but she seemed to be gaining weight. Her hair was dull (probably again from being bedridden), but was starting to gain a more healthier appearance. Her eyes were a dark chocolate shade, but he did admit to seeing the hidden emptiness in it –an emptiness that gave him concern and wariness. She was very pale as well, but that wasn’t something that could be solved in Forks. Still, if she kept taking care of herself, her beauty would become even more enhanced than it was now.

“I’m Dr. Carlisle Cullen. You can just call me Carlisle, seeing as how we’ll be working closely in the coming days. Chief Swan, if you’d like to stay or step out?”

Charlie hesitated and then looked questioningly at his daughter. She smiled at him and shook her head. He sighed and bid him a hasty goodbye before leaving to wait in the waiting room.

“Just sit right here, Bella,” Carlisle directed her over to the examination bed, that she sat on. “We’re going to continue your physical therapy. I think it would benefit you to help you get used to moving around, seeing as I’ve heard you’ve become very clumsy since you’re started moving about. It’ll also help me observe any changes, relapses, and try to understand this sudden capability in movement. Assuming the clumsiness is from you still not used to moving yet?”

“Yes,” she answered automatically. It was a quick and simple answer, but for something in Carlisle felt like there was more to it than that.

“We’ll be doing other examinations, tests, and maybe even some blood work as well. Is that fine with you, Bella?”

She gave a small smile and nodded. “That’s fine, Dr –um, Carlisle.”

He smiled back at her and motioned to her legs. “May I?”

Bella nodded and scooted back more on the bed. He took a hold of one leg and started at the ankle, putting pressure.

“Can you feel that?”

“Yes, sir. Your…hands are so cold.”

Carlisle paused. “I…have trouble keeping warm, especially in this hospital.”

“Hospitals are known for being cold,” she murmured. He was relieved she bought his excuse.

He continued his examination for a few more minutes, concluding by checking her heartbeat.

“We’ll be seeing each other every day, at the same time. It’ll be around after school, so you don’t have to miss anything. Four is alright with you, yes?”

“Four is fine, Carlisle,” she grinned up at him, much more comfortable after being in his presence longer.

He gave her an answering grin.

+
+
+
+
+
+

“So, how was it?” Esme asked him, smiling mischievously.

“How was what?”

Esme rolled her eyes, “Your appointment with Bella Swan.”

“Alice told you about her, didn’t she?”

She smiled patronizingly at him. “Of course she did, dear. I hoped it went well?”

Carlisle took off his jacket and sat down heavily on the couch. “I suppose. She’s interesting and a bit enigmatic.”

“And pretty.”

He was about to agree before he registered exactly what she had said. “What? Esme, what exactly are you implying?”

She smiled mysteriously at him. “She’s pretty. Alice drew a picture of her for me. If she was turned, she would be even more beautiful and I would have another beautiful daughter.”

Carlisle shook his head, “That’s out of the question, Esme. There isn’t even a reason to turn her.”

He frowned disapprovingly at her before walking away.

She sighed. “That’s what you say now.”

Oh, but if what Alice had told her were true, things were about to get very interesting very soon.

+
+
+
+
+
+

“Bella, you remember Billy Black, right? And this is his son, Jacob,” Charlie introduced the two russet-skinned males near him.

“Hey there, Bella! Long time no see, eh?” Billy said, wheeling himself closer and holding out a hand.

She smiled and shook it, turning to shake Jacob’s hand next. She felt the jetlag completely overtake her, and her lapse in concentration and rising fatigue caused her to momentarily lose control of the telekinetic hold she had over her body. Collapsing, she hyperventilated as she tried to gain back her control, vaguely feeling Jacob pick her up and carry her hurriedly inside, while Billy and Charlie panicked behind them.

“Bella, are you okay? I should’ve known you would be too tired after the flight and the appointment. I’m so sorry!” Charlie practically screamed.

If she was more coherent, she would’ve laughed. Instead, feeling herself paralyzed again, she continued panicking and hyperventilating, remembering how helpless she had been for the first fourteen years of her life. She never wanted to feel like that again.

Closing her eyes, she focused on calming down. Once she’d settled, she opened her eyes again and looked at the three in front of her, all racked with worry.

“I’m fine now,” she smiled weakly.

“I’m sorry, Bella. But I think, to be careful, that Jacob could drive you to school in the mornings. I’ll come pick you up after.”

She knew after what had happened that that had sealed the deal. She sighed, resigned to her fate.

“I didn’t know Billy and Jacob knew…about this.”

“I’ve known since you were young. Seen you paralyzed and witness some of your power. I’d just warned Jacob about it recently,” Billy smiled sadly at her.

“Don’t –don’t pity me,” she choked out as she willed her tears not to fall.

And they tried not to show it.

Started 11/27/08 –Completed 12/6/08

A Series of Kakashi Events -Chapter II

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:14:55 GMT

Disclaimer: Nope don’t own Naruto, and I never will. I’m only saying this because I’m at gunpoint. I do own Naruto…I mean I don’t!

Story: Kakashi was a brilliant shinobi at a young age. He had the best jounin sensei after all. His crush, Naruto-sensei. So what happens when he meets his future self from an alternate timeline, where Naruto is his student?

Set as an AU…and yet not.

Spoilers: Yeah, a little.

Warnings: Shota, sexual situations, and some violence.

Pairings: KakaNaru, NaruKaka, NaruOthers

A Series of Kakashi Events

Chapter Two: I’m Not Your Sensei!

“When can I meet, sen –Naru-chan?” Kakashi-kun asked his older self.

“Later.”

“When’s later?”

“When he’s out of the hospital,” Kakashi-san revealed exasperated.

“He’s in the hospital?!” Kakashi-kun became alarmed.

“Yare, yare. Calm down. He’s fine. We’ll visit him later, after we’ve settled this whole thing with Godaime-sama.”

“Godaime-sama? We have a fifth Hokage already?”

“Yes. It’s Tsunade.”

Kakashi-kun ‘hmmed,’ waiting for time to speed up and then he could meet with Naruto again.

“How does Naru-chan act like here?” Kakashi-kun asked curiously.

Kakashi-san took a moment to think. “Well, he’s kind of like a big ball of sunshine.”

“Kawaii!” Kakashi-kun grinned to himself.

Kakashi-san eyed him with disbelief, “Am I really like this in the other timeline?”

“Not really. Only when it comes to Naru-chan,” Kakashi-kun replied, his mind preoccupied with how he was going to introduce himself to Naruto.

“Just don’t be too clingy. Naruto’s…kind of emotional right now,” Kakashi-san glared.

“You just don’t want your reputation blown,” Kakashi-kun rolled his eyes. “And if he’s emotional, I’ll take care of him. And stop calling him N-Naruto,” Kakashi-kun turned bright red at using Naruto’s name. “It’s Naruto-san or preferably Naruto-sama.”

Kakashi-san sighed, “Hurry it up so we can see Godaime-sama and sort you out. And maybe she can figure out a way to get you back home or something.”

“Hn,” sometimes Kakashi-san could see the similarities between them. Sometimes.

+
+
+
+
+
+

“Okay…he’s your cousin from your father’s side of the family, popping up from a long stay in Snow Country?” Tsunade asked in disbelief.

“Hai,” both Kakashi said at the same time.

Tsunade shivered, then began massaging her head. “What a pain.”

“Kakashi-san,” Kakashi-kun muttered impatiently, “When are we going?”

“Now,” Kakashi-san gritted his teeth as he muttered back.

Tsunade looked questioningly at them, but didn’t really care. She just wanted them out so she could take out the bottle of sake she was hiding in her desk just for occasions like these.

“Nani? What are you two still doing here? Hurry it up and get out,” Tsunade said irritated.

The two Kakashi bowed and hurried out, already heading to the hospital.

“When we get there, don’t overwhelm him, okay? He doesn’t even know you, remember?”

“Hai, hai.”

But as soon as Kakashi-kun laid eyes on the younger Naruto, his heart beat as fast as it did with his sensei. His face warmed up and his mouth went dry.

He couldn’t help himself.

“SENSEI!”

Kakashi-kun flew at Naruto and hugged the injured boy, thoroughly surprising the blond.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt? Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you,” Kakashi-kun said all at once.

Naruto looked at a lost. Kakashi-san groaned and walked forward to come near the two, “Naruto, this is my cousin. I think he’s mistaken you for someone.”

Naruto nodded, but let Kakashi-kun hold onto him, “Anou, what’s your name, Kakashi-sensei’s cousin?”

Kakashi-san almost said something when Kakashi-kun interrupted him, “Call me Kashi-kun, anou…um…”

“Naruto. You can call me Naruto,” the blond smiled at the chuunin, feeling better than he had for what seemed like ages.

“N-Naruto,” Kakashi-kun blushed.

Kakashi-san felt odd at the sight of the two younger males together. He could almost say it was jealousy.

“Naruto, when are you released from the hospital?” Kakashi-san asked, trying to cut short the moment.

“Um, tomorrow morning.”

Before Kakashi-san could respond to that, Kakashi-kun immediately asked, “Will you take me around the village?”

Both Kakashi-san and Naruto looked surprised at this, but the blond shrugged, “Sure.”

Kakashi-kun grinned from underneath his mask and jumped on the bed, next to Naruto. The two began chatting like their old friends. For some reason, Kakashi-san felt as if he had been dismissed or that they had forgotten about him.

He walked away and left them to themselves.

+
+

+
+
+
+

Kakashi-kun was having a great day. He had spent the majority of it in Naruto’s hospital room, talking about all sorts of things with the younger boy.

It was strange at first. After all, Naruto-sensei was older than him and now suddenly Kakashi-kun had met his sensei’s younger self in an alternate dimension or something. It was bizarre enough that he’d met his own mirror image, and now he was practically best friends with his sensei’s mirror image!

He didn’t take into account how it should’ve been stranger seeing his mirror image than seeing his sensei’s.

Anyways, it didn’t really matter. Despite looks and age-wise, Naruto was still Naruto. They both still loved ramen, dreamed of becoming Hokage, and cared a lot about their precious people. Kakashi-kun was looking forward to becoming part of this Naruto’s precious people, like he had done so with Naruto-sensei.

However, the hospital staff was being difficult. It was past visiting hours and they wouldn’t let him stay with Naruto. So he had gone to the bathroom, waited until they left and then snuck back into the room, surprising Naruto. They chatted in low tones, until Naruto drifted to sleep. Kakashi-kun couldn’t sleep, not when he was so close to Naruto.

And then the nurses were doing one last round and had caught him in the room. Kakashi-kun had been reprimanded and then kicked out of the hospital, with a strict reminder on when visiting hours would begin again the next day. That wasn’t Kakashi-kun’s intentions. Kakashi-kun waited until it was late enough, probably around two in the morning, when Kakashi-kun used his skills to sneak back into the hospital and into Naruto’s room.

That’s where the exasperated hospital staff found the silver-haired boy the next morning, loosely wrapped around the Kyuubi jinchuuriki’s body as he laid next to Naruto. Leaving the two alone, they gave up and decided to check on Naruto later, giving up on the mysterious boy’s determination to stay next to the blond.

+
+
+
+
+
+

Kakashi-san felt strangely unhappy seeing his younger self wrapped around Naruto on the hospital bed the next morning when he came to visit. He had the thought that he should visit and check on his wayward student, and make sure Naruto was okay checking out of the hospital, even helping the blond out if needed. He didn’t expect Kakashi-kun to be there already, and sleeping closely to Naruto.

“Aren’t they cute?” a random nurse asked him as she walked by. The nurse next to her giggled. Kakashi-san grunted.

“I’ll admit the little bugger annoyed the whole staff, when he kept trying to sneak in. The kid managed it around early morning, they say one or two, and nestled around Uzumaki-san. Well, they made such a cute picture we couldn’t possibly bother them.”

Again Kakashi-san grunted. The two nurses left giggling and gossiping to themselves, after one of them had checked on Naruto’s vitals.

Feeling vindictive, Kakashi-san flicked Kakashi-kun’s head. Hard.

Kakashi-kun yelped, waking up, and Naruto stirred. Both Kakashi froze, staring at the blond. When it appeared Naruto wasn’t going to wake up, Kakashi-kun glared at his older self.

“What was that for?”

“What did I tell you about causing trouble?” Kakashi drawled, looking bored.

Kakashi-kun huffed, “I wasn’t causing trouble.”

“Really. Then what’s this I hear about the hospital staff having to keep guard against you?”

Kakashi-kun blushed heavily, “It wasn’t big trouble, really. I just wanted to stay the night with Naruto.”

“Oh? No honorific?” Kakashi-san mocked.

“Naruto let me use his name,” Kakashi-kun lifted his chin in defiance, glaring angrily.

Kakashi-san glared back, and the two of them kept silent, glaring until Naruto woke up.

+
+
+
+
+
+

The first thing he saw were the almost identical images of his sensei glaring at each other. Naruto almost freaked out, but then remembered the day before, when he met the strange cousin of Kakashi-sensei. Remembering Kashi-kun, Naruto almost blushed but held back.

He had woken up earlier, when it was around five or six in the morning. The first thing he’d noticed was the extra warmth and weight near him. When he’d looked, he was definitely sure what he saw wasn’t what he’d been expecting. He’d almost had a heart attack, catching sight of Kashi-kun so close to him. It was a compromising position as well.

“Why are you two glaring at each other?” Naruto asked nervously.

Kakashi-kun immediately turned and smiled happily at him, “No reason. I can’t wait to go on that tour today, Naruto-sensei.”

Kakashi-san twitched and almost corrected Kakashi-kun, but Naruto beat him to it.

“Eh, Kashi-kun, I’m not your sensei,” Naruto laughed.

Kakashi-kun looked startled and then blushed with embarrassment and at the sound of Naruto’s laugh.

“Gomen, gomen,” Kakashi-kun apologized.

“Kakashi-sensei, can you tell Baa-chan that I’m fine and I left to get ramen with your cousin?” Naruto switched his attention to Kakashi-san.

Kakashi-kun, though a little annoyed that his stupid older self stole his Naruto’s attention, was happy that Naruto was eager to get out of the hospital and spend time with him.

“Well, shouldn’t you stay –” Kakashi-san was cut off when Naruto stood up from the bed quickly and grabbed Kakashi-kun, running out the door.

“Thanks, sensei! Bye!”

Kakashi-san was left again, and was not feeling very happy at the moment.

+
+
+
+
+
+

Naruto was frantic. Where had his student gone? He had turned the Hatake estate inside out, looking for Kakashi. The feeling of foreboding was deepening, and Naruto didn’t like it one bit.

Especially when he was sure that the feeling foreboding had something to do with Kakashi.

“Oi, Naruto! Where are you? Is the bozu alright?” Obito’s voice asked from the front door.

Naruto whirled around and stared at the Uchiha’s figure.

“Obito, I can’t find Kakashi! He’s gone! The only thing I’ve seen of him is a half-eaten bowl of teriyaki on the kitchen table. There’s no sign of a struggle or anything. He’s just gone!”

“Calm done, Naruto,” Obito soothed, worried for his friend. He came closer and pulled Naruto close, a little miffed that Naruto was taller than him. He remembered their genin days, where the blond was short.

“Anou, Obito, what should I do?”

“We are going to tell your Dad what we know, get your other genin to help search out Kakashi-kun’s whereabouts, and we’ll go from there. We don’t have much to go on, Naruto, but we can at least keep calm and hope.”

Naruto sighed and nodded.

“I hope he’s alright. I’m worried how he’ll take care of himself.”

Obito snorted and joked, hoping to lighten the mood, “It wouldn’t be that way if you didn’t mother him so much.”

Naruto smiled sheepishly and the two of them laughed lightly, a somber mood still hanging over them.

Started 11/4/07 –Completed 5/24/08

Dollhouse Panoramics

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 06:20:30 GMT

Fanfiction Archive

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:47:32 GMT

I decided to put a nice little entry to collect all of my fanfiction for easier viewing, instead of having to go through the entire thing. And does anyone know how to make the links titles different?

Well, here goes. I decided to put a nice little entry to collect all of my fanfiction for easier viewing, instead of having to go through the entire thing. And does anyone know how to make the links titles different?

Well, here goes.

BLEACH

The Red String of Fate
Story: After the invasion of the ryoka and Aizen’s betrayal, Yamamoto decides he should come up with something to ease tensions and let everyone loosen up. Using the concept of the red string of fate, everyone lands themselves “a fated lover” until the game’s over. Ukitake is paired with Ichigo, and tries to somehow survive some very jealous people. And there’s still the trouble with the three traitors, with plenty of Hollows.
Set after Soul Society.
Spoilers: Soul Society arc, probably Bount arc too.
Pairings: Ukitake/Ichigo
felicity-dream.livejournal.com/4240.html#cutid1
felicity-dream.livejournal.com/4415.html#cutid1
felicity-dream.livejournal.com/6201.html#cutid1
felicity-dream.livejournal.com/6466.html#cutid1
felicity-dream.livejournal.com/6896.html#cutid1
felicity-dream.livejournal.com/7104.html#cutid1
felicity-dream.livejournal.com/7364.html#cutid1

DANNY PHANTOM

Narcissism: Deadly Sins

Story: Danny’s not quite the Danny everyone knows when he’s older. He may not be Dan, but who’s to say he isn’t worse…

Set all over the place.

Spoilers: I’m not sure…most probably.

Warnings: Eh….

Pairings: Danny/Dan, Maddie/Jack, one-sided Vlad/Danny, Clockwork/Jazz, pseudo-incest Jazz/Danny (not to be taken seriously), Paulina/Star, one-sided Sam/Danny, one-sided Tucker/Valerie, one-sided Valerie/Danny, Tucker/Sam, one-sided Dash/Danny, and one-sided Kwan/Danny. Can’t you tell there’s going to be angst?

community.livejournal.com/dannyphantom/460093.html

NARUTO

Snapshots in the Universe

Story: A collection of drabbles, one-shots, etc for Kakashi/Naruto.

Set after various places.

Spoilers: Um…sort of from the first movie, some from the recent manga chapters (Japanese-wise), a bit of Sasuke’s defection and Sannins.

Warnings: Mainly yaoi and some angst…

Pairings: KakaNaru (sublime others)

felicity-dream.livejournal.com/1905.html#cutid1
felicity-dream.livejournal.com/2303.html#cutid1

The Black Dahlia

Story: At an early age, Naruto met Kyuubi and has almost completely merged with it. His features vulpine and elfin, the Council uses him to create ties with the other villages and other potential allies.

Set as an AU.

Spoilers: Eh, not really.

Warnings: Shota, sexual situations, and some violence.
Pairings: KakaNaru, NaruOthers
felicity-dream.livejournal.com/2811.html#cutid1

Yare, Yare! Naruko Gaiden

Story: Naruto is outgoing, outspoken, and oblivious. His female counterpart is the same, only she’s engaged, in love with a jounin, and the Hokage loves to dress her up. And she can use mokuton jutsu.

Set as an AU.

Spoilers: Eh, not really.

Warnings: ????

Pairings: KakaNaru, NaruOthers
felicity-dream.livejournal.com/3054.html#cutid1

A Series of Kakashi Events

Set as an AU…and yet not.

Spoilers: Yeah, a little.

Warnings: Shota, sexual situations, and some violence.

Pairings: KakaNaru, NaruKaka, NaruOthers
felicity-dream.livejournal.com/3110.html#cutid1

Heaven Sent

Story: Naruto has requested a team transfer and Orochimaru is his new sensei. Team Seven are angry at the turn of events and Tsunade is worried Naruto might be corrupted by her teammate. Jiraiya strangely doesn’t know where he stands. The world might need to get ready for another Orochimaru in the coming.

Set after Sasuke is brought back.

Spoilers: Eh, I don’t know…

Warnings: Yaoi, sexual situations, and some violence.

Pairings: KakaNaru, NaruOthers
felicity-dream.livejournal.com/3366.html#cutid1

The Craft of Shinigami

Story: Naruto wasn’t an ordinary genin when they started. No, he was Captain of Fifth Squad in the Gotei 13, a shinigami with prodigious talent and a great actor.

Set as an AU.

Spoilers: Eh, not really.

Warnings: ????

Pairings: I don’t know. Maybe I’ll make this into KakaNaru or not, depending.
felicity-dream.livejournal.com/3600.html#cutid1

Jigoku Shoujo: Eikyuu no Sonzai
Story: At midnight, there is a site that can only be accessed then and only if there is hatred and a need for revenge. Type in the name of your enemy and Jigoku Shoujo will send them to Hell. And Naruto will do so.

Set as an AU.

Spoilers: Hai, for both Jigoku Shoujo and Naruto.

Warnings: Violence, language, etc.

Pairings: I don’t know. I don’t really think it’ll be the main part anyway.

felicity-dream.livejournal.com/6082.html#cutid1

Of New Things

Fri, 30 May 2008 04:55:09 GMT

Oh wow, senior year is almost over!!! I'm graduating high school in June 12 and I'm anxious but happy at the same time. There's been hecka work from the school year, but things are hopefully sort of dwindling down. I finally have a myspace account, where I'll be posting news about updates but not the actual stories themselves. Excerpts, poems, my thoughts, quotes I made or someone else made, and update news and expectations will go there. My stories, notes, movie reviews, day to day happenings, and more of my thoughts and feelings will be on my livejournal.

Here's my myspace url:
http://www.myspace.com/eri_quin

Also, here's my fanfiction.net account, which I update more and faster:

http://www.fanfiction.net/u/262184/

Open These Eager Eyes III

Fri, 30 May 2008 04:01:47 GMT

Mr. Brightside

“So you’re married now, are you?” William Blake asked his son bitterly.

Edward nodded stiffly, still feeling a bitter grudge against his father for all those years of harsh treatment and so-called lessons of the family.

“To that tart, I assume.”

“Don’t call her that!” Edward hissed.

William smirked, tilting his head and narrowing his cold eyes at his son.

“She’s not my wife. I can call her whatever I want.”

“Kathleen is your daughter in law and the mother of your grandchildren! After all these years, you can’t get over her common wealth?”

William grimaced at the reminder of his grandchildren, for he was very fond of them and loved them more than he had ever showed to his own children.

“Very well. She wasn’t what I wanted to talk to you about anyway. I am dying, Edward. Soon I will be dead and the family fortune will go to you.”

Edward stared at his father, not quite registering the words William had spoken.

“I know you have been masquerading around as William Dover, so I will tell you now. I will not hand my fortune to William, but to Edward. If you want your inheritance, you will have to disown that name and reveal the truth to your wife.”

“I-I can’t,” Edward protested weakly.

He had already established his life as William Dover and he would destroy it in one sweep of his hand if he revealed the truth.

“Then you will get nothing. If you will not do it for yourself, do it for your family. They can use the money that you are so willing to throw away for a lie,” William told him sternly.

Perhaps his father really did care about Kathleen, and maybe even himself, if he was willing to push Edward into revealing a lie that he did not want to keep.

“And send my grandchildren over. Their grandfather wants to spend time with them,” William finished irritably.

***

He had snuck into Kathleen’s old house, lonely from the years without its occupants. Alexander Rose had been arrested for conspiracy years ago, after the wedding, but it hadn’t hurt Kathleen as much as he had feared it would.

Or at least she was masking it in a strong façade. He loved her all the more for it.

He had written a letter as his old self, not signing his name. In fact, he couldn’t remember if he ever told her his real name before he had left her to become William. He heard her rummaging around the house, and then there was silence. He was sure she had found the letter.

Her footsteps were hurried as she ran into her room and the door slammed shut. Frowning, he waited awhile before slipping out through the window and into the cab he had “borrowed.”

He saw her harried figure slip out of the house with her stuff, spotting him quickly. She walked all the way to the place he had parked at, far away to be inconspicuous. He drove over to her place, and then gritted his teeth. She hadn’t told him where she lived. He glanced back and saw she hadn’t noticed his mistake.

Her stuff went into the boot and he then went back into the cab. She told him the destination that he ignored and went the opposite way. She began pounding on the window separating the two of them, and he braked sharply, turning to look at her. Her face was inches away from his in a silent scream.

His face was molded back into the cold face of Edward for the first time in a long time, and he wondered if William’s more emotional face was so different that his own wife couldn’t recognize him.

Swallowing his regret, he turned back around pressed on the gas, hoping she’d forgive him for everything afterwards.

He didn’t have far to go. He was heading towards the rose garden that she used to visit when she was younger, the one that was near his old home. His home that he was about to inherit.

Stopping, he went out of the cab and marched straight to his stone bench and waited for her to come out to meet him. She’ll come, especially since he was right there and she had always been a curious thing.

Sure enough, the cab door open again and she was tentatively moving out. She was staring at him fearfully, walking what to her seemed like doomed steps towards him.

When she reached him, she gasped aloud. So the game was up already.

“William, what is the meaning of this?!” her voice was trembling with confusion and anger.

He looked up with the face of Edward, of himself, and said steadily, “Kathleen, I’ve been lying to you since you first met me as William Dover. I am and have always been Edward Blake, your fiancé from before this.

“I’m sorry. I told you when I was going out to war that I wouldn’t be that far from you. They wanted me to go undercover to spy on your father because they found out he was funding the enemies.”

“So you were the one who had my father arrested!” she screeched in tears, and Edward’s theory was about her hiding her pain was true. He flinched.

“H-he deserved it. I love my papa, but he did do wrong,” she muttered tearfully.

“Before that, they allowed me to stop the mission. You already loved me as William, not as Edward, and I didn’t want to lose you. So I stayed pretending to be William because I couldn’t bear to lose you when I’ve learned true happiness with you.”

“Were lying about your feelings with me all those years as William?” she spat out.

“No! As William, I could show you all the emotions I didn’t know how to express as Edward. All my life, I’ve learned how to repress my emotions. It was so hard to tell you how I really felt when I first started courting you. It was why I always gave you flowers that you could find out the meanings to.”

She was quiet and he began getting desperate. He was going to say something else when she interrupted him.

“Wil –I mean Edward. Take me home. I have to see to the children. There is a lot I have to think about,” she said softly.

He nodded curtly and then hesitated before he held out his arm. She stared foolishly at it before taking it just as hesitantly as he had offered it. They walked back to the cab and made it home in silence.

She did not speak to him for a week after that, and he was getting depress as time went by. Even their children had noticed something was amiss between their parents and always showed their anxiety about it.

He lay in their bed every night, watching her stiff back face him. They hadn’t touched, they hadn’t kissed, they hadn’t spoken a word to each other since that day.

The feeling of self-hatred filled him more as time kept passing and sometimes he wished himself a painful death, or any death to take him away from this hellish existence.

One night, he couldn’t take it anymore and he cried himself hoarse. He tried to keep his sobs low so he wouldn’t wake her up, but he was tired and lonely. He wanted to love her and her to love him. He missed her so much, even though she was so close to him.

Through his crying, he whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Getting closer to her without being too close, he was close enough to press a soft kiss to her temple and whisper something else into her ear.

“I love you.”

***

It was strange. After that, Kathleen would look at him and look like she wanted to say something. Or was trying to say something. Even the hard look in her eyes softened towards him.

She even started to lay on her back again in bed, though still refusing to touch him. It meant she was becoming more comfortable with sleeping on the same as him again.

He didn’t if he should try talking to her or do anything, but he was so worried he would do or say something that would mess up all the progress that had been made between them that he did try anything at all.

It was surprising then, when she approached him and handed him a bouquet of flowers. There was a violet rose, a daffodil, a red carnation, and an amaranth. The flower he first gave her as Edward, and the first trio of flowers he gave as William. But there was one more, in the middle…

The red tulip, a flower she had given to him.

I declare my love for you again.

Open These Eager Eyes -Part II

Fri, 30 May 2008 03:59:32 GMT

On the Outside Looking In

“Alexander Rose? I’m William Dover. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m most grateful for your generosity,” Edward smiled politely, hoping he would not meet Kathleen in this guise so soon.

“Welcome, William. You don’t mind me calling you that, do you lad?”

“No, sir.”

“Well, William, welcome to my humble abode. You’ll be meeting my family soon, but why don’t you settle in? I’ll fetch you for dinner.”

“Thank you again, sir. I appreciate it.”

Shooed off, Edward headed up the stairs and headed into a quaint bedroom that was dominated by the color of sky blue. Setting his bag aside, he locked the door and flung the brown wig off his head, revealing dark locks.

He unhappily dressed down to become more comfortable, wondering how he would live under the same roof with his intended for an indeterminable time. He hadn’t even kissed her yet.

‘How is she going on without me?’ Edward thought, dreading the thought of finding her relieved at the lack of his presence, though he didn’t wish her to feel horrible.

‘It’s only been months since we first met. My continued aloofness has put her off and she is no longer as excited at the sight of me as she once was in the beginning. If I was not so cold to her, maybe she would have come to love me.’

He sighed and curled up on the bed, closing his eyes and wishing he could just sleep everything away.

***

Edward did get to see Kathleen at dinner. She looked lost, though she acted normal. To be honest, Edward didn’t know how he should feel about it. He was more confused than anything.

It was like that for months afterward, his stay with the Rose family dull except for the moments he allowed himself to watch Kathleen. Inside of him, he felt a guilty pleasure at the reaction his beloved was showing, but he was still sorry that she seemed miserable at times. For what, he couldn’t understand. If he had to guess, it was her promise to him.

Did she regret it? Probably. However, Edward couldn’t find it in himself to muster up any remorse for it. At the moment, the promise was the only thing holding her to him. It wouldn’t be long before it didn’t matter anymore.

He tried to focus on his mission, spying on Kathleen’s father. Every Thursday, the man had friends over and they would talk quietly amongst themselves in the parlor. Only recently had he begun to eavesdrop, carefully sneaking to the door and listening with great care.

It was only a matter of time before he could infiltrate their little circle. It takes time after all. Edward needed to gain Alexander’s trust. That couldn’t be done so quickly.

Deciding to retire early that night, he wearily climbed the stairs and was almost to his room when an awake Kathleen stared at him curiously from the bathroom door.

“Mr. Dover, you are awake still?”

Uncomfortably, Edward stopped his mouth from saying something that would give him away. Composing himself, he gave her a polite smile.

“Just. I was only filling my thirst a little. I’m sated now so I should think I’ll go to sleep.”

“Oh…”

He couldn’t help a genuine smile from crossing his face as he passed her to go to his room. But he paused and gazed at her unsteadily, licking his lips cagily. And then he leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly against hers, straightening abruptly afterwards. He strode away, feeling his face heating up, and sure he had left her confused and dazed.

***

The next encounter he had with her was when Alexander hosted a small party in celebration of Kathleen’s birthday. She was turning fifteen and he was still as in love with her as ever.

He watched throughout the party as all sorts of men, boys really, approached her. He watched with envious eyes as they gathered around her, complimenting and giving the barest of touches.

He hadn’t noticed that he kept drinking glass after glass of wine, the alcohol draining his reserves and persuading him to join the others in asking for her affections.

When the party dwindled down, and everyone had left, he was alone with her. They took care of the mess left behind by the guests, her parents having already retired to their room. It was an opportunity he had wanted and yet dreaded.

“Mr. Dover…”

“William,” he interrupted her. As much as he disliked the name because it was his father’s, he wanted to be as familiar with her as he never could as Edward Blake.

“William, that kiss before…why did you –?”

“Because you are a creature of beauty that needed to be worshipped.”

And all the words he could not saw before, flowed through him now.

So he really couldn’t be at fault when he reached over to her and pulled her close, smelling the scent of apples in her hair. He swept his lips all over her face, placing butterfly kisses to slake his urge to kiss her wholly. When at last he knew he had to go or else he would lose control, he leaned back and tilted her chin up. He stared into those trusting amber eyes and kissed her tenderly, wanting to slant his mouth and kiss her deeply. But he resisted and left her there, just like the first time he kissed her.

It was unfortunate that not too long after, Alexander began letting Edward into his circle of friends. And it wasn’t too soon after that that Edward was sent off to stay with one of Alexander’s friends, and help the mutinous plans to develop over there.

He wouldn’t forget the heartbroken look on Kathleen’s face as he left, a look that had been absent when Edward Blake had left.

It was ironic that he had lost Kathleen to himself, or rather his alter ego.

***

Edward heard about her troubles with men, unable to attract one to her, and her family’s increasing worry over their daughter’s lack of marriage. He was unable to completely rein in his envy as he imagined men coming near his Kathleen. He knew her family’s worry would push her to forget her promise to him. He just tried to put all his focus on his mission, sabotaging from the inside while reporting to his superiors. He hadn’t expected the mission to last this long.

Imagine his surprise and happiness when his superiors announced that he could officially stop the mission. He wasn’t quite ready to go back to being Edward Blake, but he still wanted to go back to courting Kathleen. And if it was as William Dover, then so be it.

She was thirty-two by then, and he thirty-eight. A long time had passed since they had met each other, either by when he was Edward or William, and he wasn’t sure if she remembered him any more.

So he set out back to see her, with three flowers in hand. A daffodil, a red carnation, and an amaranth.

My heart aches for you…unrequited love…immortal love…

She had told him once, before she had ever met William Dover, that after the first flower he had given her, she had asked her mother to teach her the language of flowers. He was sure then she would understand the underlying meanings of the flowers, though not the true depth or why he picked those certain flowers for their meanings.

He was happy to see her eyes light up with knowledge, and knew she had read the flowers correctly. Of course she only knew the what, but not the why.

She had accepted them, and him as well of course, and they began the courting process. He was reintroduced to her family as her intended, them accepting of him as they hadn’t been with Edward.

He was William now, he realized.

Because as William, he was able to keep Kathleen, or else lose her as Edward.

***

Their wedding was small, but humble. Even more, it was beautiful. It didn’t have to be grand, but as long as it made the both of them happy Edward was fine with that.

He had no one on his side of the Church, though her family certainly took up all of the spots in hers. Enough so that they had to occupy his side, but it didn’t really matter to Edward because none of his family would want to be there to support him. And he cared more about getting married than trivial matters such as that.

“I, William Dover, take you Kathleen Rose, for my wife,
to have and to hold,
from this day forward, for better,
for worse, for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”

Their vows were said and Kathleen became Mrs. Dover, and they were happy.

However, Edward couldn’t keep his smile as real as he wanted it to be, not when for some reason there was this hole inside of him.

“I, Edward Blake, take you Kathleen Rose, for my wife,
to have and to hold,
from this day forward, for better,
for worse, for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”

Those were those vows he had wanted to say, should have said. But it was too late for that now, wasn’t it? Now Kathleen was married to William, and not really him.

‘Til Death do us part…

Open These Eager Eyes -Part I

Fri, 30 May 2008 03:52:43 GMT

This was based off the short story in my English IV literature book called the Demon Lover, and we had to do an assignment to write a prequel, during the story from the man's POV, or a sequel. As you can guess, I went overboard and did all three and made a complete short story. Enjoy.
Names made up by myself, except for certain things that were taken from the story. The entire thing is mostly by me, though certain events were based or influenced by elements from the original story. Edward Blake/Kathleen Rose

Open These Eager Eyes

By Eri Quin

"Perfect love is rare indeed -
for to be a lover will require
that you continually have
the subtlety of the very wise,
the flexibility of the child,
the sensitivity of the artist,
the understanding of the philosopher,
the acceptance of the saint,
the tolerance of the scholar and
the fortitude of the certain."
~Leo Buscaglia~

The Language of Thorns

He knows what people see him as. They say he’s not a kind man. He’s not affectionate with anyone. He would agree with them entirely if he had not met Kathleen Rose. She was fourteen when his heart stopped at the sight of her, refusing to beat without the first smile she cast at him.

And that smile meant more to him than anything else in his twenty years of life.

After that fateful moment, Edward Blake found himself habitually visiting the little rose garden that was placed near the estates of several wealthy families. He always sat on a stone bench, watching as she flitted around the rose bushes, admiring her as much as she admired the beauty of the flowers. He had not expected her to come up to him, as he averted his eyes some umpteenth time to pretend he had not been watching her, and smile that bright luminous smile of hers at him.

“Hullo there. I’m Kathleen Rose. Will you take a walk with me around the garden?”

He silently accepted and held out his arm for her to take, the cloth of his dress jacket stretching. Her gentle hand touched his forearm slightly before holding just a little tighter. His breath sped up, but he wouldn’t dare to show his feelings.

She talked the whole time and he listened attentively, his narrow face stoic. But he was still content to feel her soft brown curls against his fingers as he sneaked in a touch, and was more than happy to peer into her wide amber eyes.

It was the same routine after two months of knowing each other. Every day he would not say a thing to her, but they would walk around the rose garden contentedly. He addressed her then, more comfortable around her presence than anyone else’s.

“Miss Rose, please accept this and find its meaning,” he said as he slipped a thorn-less violet rose into her hand, turning it to place a chaste kiss on the smooth skin of the back of her hand.

He took his leave, returning the next day to sit on his bench. He took note of her arriving early, harried and frantically looking for him. Her lithe legs strained themselves to reach him quickly and she held something tightly in her right hand.

“My mum told me what the rose meant,” she said shyly, ducking her eyes once before bashfully raising them to reach his. “A violet rose means love at first sight, the same if it is thorn-less.”

He hid a smile and focused his cobalt eyes on her blushing face. He wondered what he would say, for he didn’t have any prior knowledge of courting.

“The language of flowers was meant to convey the feelings of humans. Their beauty enables us to speak when our mouths and looks cannot. Not even all our actions can show the truth, when our actions can be misrepresented. This is the language I can speak to you, my Rose.”

She smiled, and what a lovely smile she always gave, and handed him a flower in return. It was what was clenched tightly in her hand before. A single red tulip that made his heart soar.

Though he didn’t express it outwardly, he was delighted at her declaration of love.

***

His hand itched for the bottle of brandy sitting innocently on his cabinet. His head was aching, but he still wanted a shot of the liquor to burn down his throat, if only to erase the image of his father sitting calmly in front of him.

“Edward, she’s a commoner. You can’t expect to marry her into the family,” Edward watched his father thread his hand through his peppered hair. The cold gray eyes of William Blake bore into Edward with damnation and disappointment in them.

“I can and I will,” Edward answered brusquely, refusing to give into the urge to throttle his father.

“Edward,” William spoke in a threatening tone.

“Father,” he echoed mockingly.

“Don’t be a fool,” his father glared angrily, his cool slipping from his tight grasp.

Edward’s normal calm façade broke down first.

“Bloody Hell! I’m old enough to decide if I want to be a fool or not. I don’t want you meddling in my affairs. It shouldn’t be your business who I want to be with for the rest of my life,” Edward growled, his lip curling up in anger.

William’s face was wiped blank and his father stood up abruptly.

“Don’t marry her. I will disown you if you do.”

When his father turned on his heel and strode out without another word, Edward went to his expensive bottle of brandy, uncapped it, tossed a gulp into his mouth, and then threw it at the wall.

Fingering the smooth band of the ring in his breast pocket, he was determined to defy his father. The next day, he proposed to Kathleen Rose and never showed his happiness when she accepted.

***

Despite William’s threat, he never went through with disowning Edward from the family. Edward was the heir of the Blake fortune, and the only one to have been trained in taking over the family estate. Without Edward, William would have to start all over from the beginning with his other son, who had shown nothing but rebellion since he was born. The two brothers were comparatively alike.

In the months following, he had briefly met Kathleen’s family, but neither of them had come to know anything about the other. The only mutual link between Edward and her family was Kathleen herself.

Kathleen was as bright as always and her smile always made him happy. He loved listening to her and did whatever he could to make her happy. His only regret was his inability to show any emotion towards her.

He loved her. Truly, he did. But in the Blake family, one learned to mask their emotions since an early age. He didn’t have the time he needed to unlearn any of his family’s teachings, and he knew he came off cold to her. He tried, continuously giving her a different flower to signify his devotion to her, but she was still unable to understand him as completely as he had come to understand her.

He feared he would lose her.

***

“I’m not doing this.”

“Why not? Lieutenant Blake, you’ve been inactive for awhile. We need you to go undercover for this to work.”

Edward sighed. The only reason he had joined the army was to spite his father. Now that he had met Kathleen he wanted no part in the war.

“I’m engaged to Kathleen Rose. I’ll buy my way out of the ranks if I have to.”

His superior officer smirked at him. “Oh, but Miss Rose’s father is funding the Germans.”

Edward froze, his body stiffening and he knew he was cornered.

“Alright. Do I at least get to work with Alexander Rose personally?”

He had to protect Kathleen, even if it was from her own father.

“Of course. You’ll be spying on him and several other men. The mission perimeters are in this folder. You’ll have to pick an alias.”

“William…William Dover,” he said absentmindedly, picking up the folder that had been turned over to him and skimming through it.

“How long will it take?”

“Years, Mr.…Dover.”

Edward’s heart ached. To protect Kathleen. He had to do this for her.

He’ll lose her.

***

He wore his military uniform the day he told her. Her chin was up defiantly and he imagined her eyes were boring into him much like his father’s had when William had confronted Edward about Kathleen. He had placed her hand onto one of his buttons, willing the ice to melt from his eyes so that she would see a warm look come from him at least just this once. His mouth was pressed in a firm line and he no doubt looked uncaring to her.

But he did care so very much. So much that it hurt.

As he told her he was leaving and how long, he made sure to make her promise to wait for him. He didn’t even realize how hard he had her pressing her hand against his button, so desperate for her to give him a reason to come back to this life. If it made a mark, Edward wished it would stay to keep others away.

He knew he was being selfish, but he’d rather be selfish than lose the first thing that ever made him happy. And he wanted to let the wishful mark on her hand mark her as his when he could not claim her otherwise.

So many thoughts whirled through his mind as he gazed at her, a girl who probably thought him unkind and perhaps even cruel. He suddenly regretted the mark he had forced onto her, not wanting to mar her beautiful skin.

Please don’t hate me.

Don’t leave me.

Promise…you promised you’ll wait for me. Don’t break your promise.

Kathleen…

…I don’t want to lose you…

He walked away feeling heavier with every step, abandoning his life as Edward Blake for the time being. Now, he was William Dover and he mustn’t look back. He couldn’t.

He wouldn’t if it meant seeing a happy look on her face on the thought of his leave.

Jigoku Shoujo: Eikyuu no Sonzai -Chapter V

Fri, 30 May 2008 03:23:35 GMT

Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto or even the idea of Jigoku Shoujo.

Story: At midnight, there is a rumor of a site that can only be accessed then and only if there is hatred and a need for revenge. Type in the name of your enemy and Jigoku Shoujo will send them to Hell. And Naruto will do so.

Set as an AU.

Spoilers: Hai, for both Jigoku Shoujo and Naruto.

Warnings: Violence, language, etc.

Pairings: I don’t know. I don’t really think it’ll be the main part anyway.
A/n: not corrected.

Jigoku Shoujo: Eikyuu no Sonzai

Chapter Five: Garasu no Fuuken

Naruto moved quietly with her team, searching for others with scrolls that they needed. She remembered now where she had seen Kabuto before. It was surprising that Kabuto would be here now, and she could probably guess he was working with Orochimaru.

A young silver-haired boy hurriedly typed in the name, worried he would be caught at any moment. The hospital was eerily quiet, but he knew that his adoptive father could catch him at any moment. He clicked the submit button and anxiously waited.

“You summoned me.”

8 year old Kabuto stood up abruptly, the chair teetering to the ground behind him. His glasses almost slipped off, but he pushed them back up as he gaped at the apparition before him.

“Jigoku Shoujo!”

She stayed silent, staring at him unblinkingly.

“That man took me in, but he has done nothing but hurt me! I hate him! I don’t ever want him to hurt me again,” Kabuto yelled. His tiny frame shook with silent sobs.

“Take this,” Enma Ai said, handing a black straw doll to the boy.

“If you truly wish to eliminate your antagonist, you must pull the red string. He will be ferried immediately to Hell. However, once I have delivered the revenge, I must have you make restitution to me. When one person is cursed, two graves are dug. Your soul will also fall into Hell, forever wandering in pain and suffering. Well, that’s after you die.”

No one had ever explained the concept of Hell to Kabuto before. It didn’t sound pleasant, but it seemed like it described his situation now already...

“It feels like hell already,” Kabuto said, looking down.

Enma Ai looked at him and then tilted her head, “Do you want it to stop? Do you want the pain to stop?”

“Yes,” he whispered.

“I will exact your revenge.”

Kabuto looked up, seeing her face right in front of his, her red eyes boring into his own. He didn’t even feel himself move to pull the string.

She stared a little longer into his eyes before saying, “I’ll make things better. Don’t worry.”

Later, Kabuto blankly stared into the mirror, seeing the mark on his chest. He didn’t realize the significance of it, but he had the feeling that it had something to do with Jigoku Shoujo.

“I guess I’ll go to Hell now,” Kabuto said, looking at the mark. He felt scared at the prospect, just as he had been scared about meeting Jigoku Shoujo. But he was happy too. He was free.

Little Kabuto’s grown up, she could see. No longer was he the hapless child whose adoptive father abused. Now he was a follower of Orochimaru, still getting revenge on a village that had allowed him to endure that suffering. It vaguely reminded Naruto of her own past and present.

She quickly shut off those thoughts before they could evolve and bring out her emotions. It wouldn’t do to let her emotions run her.

“Anou, Naruto, I never said it before, but thank you for saving me from Zabuza,” Sakura told her as they continued running through the forest.

Naruto glanced at her, hiding her surprise.

“You’re welcome,” Naruto said shortly, speeding up. Still, Sakura smiled even as she was left behind.

“When we meet with Kabuto, we will join him,” Naruto said from out of the blue, startling the other two.

“Why?” Sasuke narrowed his eyes at her.

She gave him a meaningful look that he understood. Sakura knew she had been left out, and felt upset that she didn’t understand what her two teammates had been talking about. Didn’t they trust her?

“Sakura, with me. Sasuke, go behind,” Naruto immediately ordered, and the two went into position.

“Why are we in line position, Naruto?” Sakura asked, wandering why she was ahead with Naruto.

“Since it’s just the three of us, it’s easier to maintain. Also, we can easily move into any of our formations this way. If there were more of us, it wouldn’t work out as well,” Naruto explained, staring ahead. She felt a presence she didn’t like.

Scowling, she sped up, forcing the others to speed up as well.

She knew she needed to get to Kabuto before that presence reached them. That presence felt oily and dark. It brushed the fringes of her senses, making her feel the same anger that had plagued her at her death.

“Yakushi!” she called to his attention, their destination found. The other two with Kabuto were surprised but went into battle stances. Kabuto stayed surprised, but all three of Naruto’s team could tell that even Kabuto had shifted so that he was ready to attack or defend at any moment.

“Anou, Naruto-chan…what’s wrong? Why did you follow us?” Kabuto smiled pleasantly.

Naruto cocked her head to the side and examined him. She said only one line.

“I will exact your revenge.”

Kabuto’s eyes widened and he stepped back uncertainly, losing his subtle stance. Instead, he stared at Naruto with a frightened and awed gaze, so very similar from long ago.

“Ai-sama,” he gasped.

“Kabuto-kun…whose allegiance does yours truly lie?” she murmured purposefully, staring soulfully into Kabuto’s gaze.

“Yours. Always. Gomen nasai, he –”

Kabuto’s teammates cut him off.

“What are you doing, Kabuto?! Are you stupid? When he hears about this –”

Naruto frowned and her eyes turned red, eliciting another gasp from Kabuto. She teleported to his teammates’ destination and created a dark, crackling energy blast.

“How would you like to try dying this once?” she said softly, her deadened eyes staring at the doomed shinobi.

Without being able to scream, Naruto killed the two with the blast.

“Sakura and Sasuke’s chakra will be disguised as your teammates. I will mask my own chakra. We’ll travel together to the tower. Kabuto, you will give your scroll to us and report to me as my spy,” Naruto moved her head slowly to look at Kabuto, staring unblinkingly at him with red eyes. The same red eyes he remembered when he was young.

His hand trailed onto his chest, on the same place he knew the mark would be. The same mark he now recognized from her chakra card.

“Hai, Ai-sama.”

Naruto nodded and started the way.

+
+
+
+
+
+

They reached the tower and both Sasuke and Sakura seemed subdued. Kabuto dutifully followed the stoic leader of the group, who had not said another word after they had left.

At the tower, Naruto nodded to Kabuto. He waited outside for the three to come into the tower first. He handed the scroll to them as they moved forward, but kept his mouth shut as well, only addressing Naruto with a respectful nod.

“We open the scrolls together at the same time. Sasuke, Sakura ,” Naruto ordered.

The two nodded and took the two scrolls in front of them. At the count of three, they opened the scrolls which opened with a blinding flash and smoke billowing out. When it all cleared, Iruka stood in front of them.

“Well, look who made it! Congratulations! It looks like you’re the first,” Iruka grinned and then Naruto changed.

She smiled back congenially, “Iruka-sensei, let’s have ramen, ne? Since we can’t leave, wanna bring it here?”

Iruka barked out laughter, “Alright, alright. As a congratulations on being the first ones to arrive, not to mention getting as far as you have on the Exam.”

“Hai, hai! Let’s go!”

Sasuke and Sakura traded disbelieving looks, but they followed after the two. They watched as the usually stoic Naruto chatted happily with Iruka, completely different from when they had just been running across the forest to the tower.

They headed inside the tower and all four of them heard the bang behind them. Looking behind, they saw the Suna team catching up to them. The red head’s eyes were drawn to Naruto, but the other two looked surprised to see others there before them. The chuunin was Mizuki, who looked disgruntled to see them there. Or was it more that he was anxious seeing Naruto? At least, that was what it seemed like to everyone else.

“We should head in,” Naruto smiled shrewdly.

All of them proceeded cautiously, even Iruka feeling the change. There, they were met by a pair of jounin who were busy talking to each other. Iruka left to go get the ramen while Kabuto joined them. They were going to split when the pair of jounin began talking loudly.

“Are you serious? Jigoku Shoujo is real?”

“Yeah, a bunch of people revealed they met her and she granted them their revenge. Anko said she met her, and you know Anko doesn’t lie. She’s way too blunt about things.”

“Damn, I want to try it. How do you contact her?”

Kabuto reacted, his mouth moving into a snarl and he started forward. However, Naruto’s slender hand stopped him and he took deep breaths to calm himself down.

“You can’t just try it. You need to hate this person. You need to want revenge.”

“Oh…but how does it go anyway?”

“At midnight, if you really hate this person and want revenge, you go to a website called Jigoku Tsuushin. The site will come up as a black screen with a white box in the middle. The words ‘We will exact your revenge’ are on top of the white box, where you type in the person’s name. An hourglass will appear and turn, fizzling out. Then you wait for her to reject or accept your case. It’s very rare for her to reject a case, but it’s been known to happen. It happened to Anko when she tried to use it on Orochimaru, but someone’s already targeted the snake.”

“What’s the revenge?”

“The people who met her revealed that the revenge is that the person is sent to Hell.”

“Woah, that’s a scary thought. If someone dislikes you so much, they could easily send you to Hell.”

Naruto turned on her heel, leaving the conversation behind with a calm face. Who knew what she was thinking. Her two teammates, Kabuto and Mizuki followed behind her to wherever she was heading. The Suna team was left behind, but they were all thinking about the conversation they had just overheard.

Later that night, a laptop was turned on in the main hall. The person typed in the website, watching as the error page appeared. When midnight appeared, the website was refreshed. A flame appeared in the middle of the screen before becoming smaller and blacking out the screen except for the infamous white box. The words ‘We will exact your revenge’ appeared on top of the box just like everyone said it would.

She said the name as she typed in, her face glaring in hatred at the screen, “Sabaku no Kankuro.”

She clicked on submit and the hourglass appeared and fizzled out. She waited patiently.

“You called.”

Startled, Temari whipped around and gaped at Naruto.

“Y-you’re Jigoku Shoujo?”

“I am Enma Ai. Take this.”

Naruto held out a black straw doll and Temari tentatively took it. Other than the conversation she overheard, she had no idea on what was going to happen.

“If you truly wish to eliminate your antagonist, you must pull the red string. He will be ferried immediately to Hell.”

Temari was terrified of the prospect, but began building her resolve.

“However, once I have delivered the revenge, I must have you make restitution to me. When one person is cursed, two graves are dug. Your soul will also fall into Hell, forever wandering in pain and suffering. Well, that’s after you die.”

“I will also go to Hell?!” Temari gasped out in horror.

She wanted Kankuro to go to Hell. Her brother didn’t really care for Gaara, never even tried to bring back their brother. Now Gaara was lost to them both. She should’ve tried harder, but Kankuro did nothing!

“I will wait. When the time comes, I will pull the string,” she whispered.

Naruto nodded and disappeared. Kankuro wasn’t the most important part of the mission, that was Gaara’s role, but Kankuro still had a part to play. Temari would wait until after the invasion. Somehow, she knew Enma Ai wouldn’t say anything about the plans on Konoha. Temari had a feeling it was already being taken cared of.

+
+
+
+
+
+

Naruto felt the call of someone immediately. She frowned, wondering if she could get away without anyone noticing. Seeing the others preoccupied with eating, she silently made a kage bunshin and switched with it. Disappearing once again, she reappeared in a very unlikely place.

“Naru-neechan?”

The small voice startled and sent a small thread of fear in her. She even felt a bit of sadness.

“Konohamaru…”

The little boy sniffled and wiped his nose with one hand. He looked up at her with watery eyes and his tiny figure shook.

“Naru-neechan, you’re Jigoku Shoujo, right? Please help me, Naru-neechan.”

“What happened, Konohamaru?” Naruto asked, more in the persona of herself than Enma Ai or Jigoku Shoujo. She knelt near the little boy and pulled him into her arms.

‘Takuma.’

At that moment, Konohamaru reminded her of the little boy who everyone blamed and hunted. The same little boy who looked at her for help just like Konohamaru was doing at that moment. Takuma was so helpless and reminded her of herself once upon a time.

“Uncle Asuma always ignores me. He doesn’t mean to, but he does. And it’s all his fault that my otousan died. If it weren’t for him, then otousan would be here right now,” Konohamaru sniffled.

“Pull it, Tsugumi. Send Hajime to Hell. It’s his fault your mother died. If it wasn’t for him, you’d still have your mother.”

Naruto swallowed thickly, her memories threatening to rise to the surface. But then she pushed it down and pushed Konohamaru away enough to look at him in the eyes.

“Konohamaru, do you understand what you are asking? What you are risking?”

‘Please don’t make me have to send you to Hell.’

“Do you understand that you will be sending Asuma to Hell, and when you die you will also?”

‘Please, Konohamaru. I don’t want to do it. Don’t condemn yourself like this.’

“Do want to go to Hell when you die?”

Konohamaru sobbed and tears came rushing down his face, his hands scrambling to wipe his face clean.

“No!”

Naruto breathed a sigh of relief.

“But I want otousan! Asuma-ojisan doesn’t even care that he’s dead.”

“Do you know that for sure? Maybe Asuma-san is just trying to be strong for you or doesn’t want to think about it too much because it hurts. Talk to him, Konohamaru. Promise me, you’ll talk to him first at least. Before you think about doing anything.”

Konohamaru nodded reluctantly, still wiping his face and trying to stop his sobbing. Naruto hesitantly handed him the black straw doll and felt another calling her.

“I have to leave, Konohamaru. Remember our promise.”

Naruto left the Sandaime’s son there, teleporting out and into a more familiar place. Seeing who was calling her, she artfully took the person before the others’ very eyes, without them seeing her.

“Yuuhi Kurenai, you called me,” Naruto said stoically, much more in control of herself than just a little while ago.

The genjutsu mistress looked a little uncertain, but determined. Naruto observed her new client and waited for her to talk.

“Jigoku Shoujo, I request to send Hyuuga Hanabi to Hell,” Kurenai said formally, her eyes firmly staring into Naruto’s.

Naruto cocked her head to the side, “Why?”

Kurenai looked shocked for a second, not expecting the question, but quickly composed herself. She hesitated, but then went on.

“Hinata is my student, as you know Naruto-san. She tries very hard, but Hanabi always puts her down. It hurts Hinata every time. Hinata tries hard to be a good sister, but she feels bad every time that brat talks down to her. Hinata not only feels inferior, but as if she’s always letting down Hanabi. That girl will never learn, and Hinata will always feel bad behind her sister’s shadow. Hinata won’t be able to move pass her sister if Hanabi will become upset at Hinata’s progress either. In any way, Hanabi stops Hinata from being happier and stronger.”

Naruto stared deeply into Kurenai’s eyes, seeing the utter belief and adoration the woman had towards her student.

“Take this.”

Started 12/3/07 –Completed 3/3/08

Jigoku Shoujo: Eikyuu no Sonzai -Chapter IV

Fri, 30 May 2008 03:20:31 GMT

Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto or even the idea of Jigoku Shoujo.

Set as an AU.

Spoilers: Hai, for both Jigoku Shoujo and Naruto.

Warnings: Violence, language, etc.

Pairings: I don’t know. I don’t really think it’ll be the main part anyway.
A/n: not corrected.

Jigoku Shoujo: Eikyuu no Sonzai

Chapter Four: Yami no Naka Shoujo

Naruto sharpened her kunai, preparing for the Chuunin Exam. Kakashi had entered her and the others into it, declaring they could handle it. They would be okay, she surmised. They had good teamwork, not great, but good. And they also had a lot of jutsu to draw from.

Their taijutu, she knew, was lacking quite severely. At least Sakura had been able to learn more genjutsu while Sasuke focused on his ninjutsu. She supposed out of all of them, she didn’t really train at all except for when it was time for team training. She had been too busy doing her duty.

“Naruto! Come on! Kakashi-sensei is waiting for us,” Sakura yelled at her.

Naruto strode over to her and walked alongside her to meet up with Sasuke. All three of them walked to where the exam was being held in, with applications in hand. Their teacher smiled underneath his mask at them and congratulated them for coming together.

“This is a group test. If just one of you didn’t want to take it, none of you would’ve been able to,” Kakashi told them.

Seeing all but Naruto actually looking like they were paying attention, Kakashi sighed and let them go, wishing them luck.

Team 7 entered a room full of genin clamoring to be able to go to the exam, but couldn’t because they were blocked by two guys next to the entrance.

“This isn’t the correct floor,” Naruto said to her team.

“There’s a genjutsu around the guys and the door,” Sakura added, pointing out what was really obvious to them. Though probably not obvious to the rest of the genin.

“Should we interrupt or go to the stairs and continue?” Naruto asked them.

“We should interrupt,” Sasuke smirked. Sakura immediately agreed.

“You know, if we don’t cut in, the weaker of the genin will be weeded out and our time won’t be wasted,” Naruto looked at them through the corners of her eyes.

“Sounds good,” Sasuke grunted, acknowledging the plan. He’d rather not have to fight weaklings.

They went back out and headed to the stairs, missing blank eyes and two pairs of dark eyes watching them.

They entered the room to the real 301, and saw a roomful of genin meaning business.

“Sasuke!”

“Naruto!”

Sasuke was grabbed by Ino and was twitching madly, while Naruto stood still with Kiba hanging off her neck. She looked to the side and stayed her eyes in that direction, observing the others while ignoring the presence around her neck.

The sand siblings’ eyes were drawn to her, feeling something different. It was almost like Gaara. He was madness while she was darkness. It was odd, but they didn’t think too much on it as they watched another Leaf shinobi come near the reunited rookies.

“Hey, don’t you know you guys are attracting a lot of bad attention, right now?” the silver-haired Leaf-nin told them, pushing up his glances.

Kiba and Ino glared at him from their positions around Naruto and Sasuke respectively. He put his hands up in good faith, smiling.

“My name’s Yakushi Kabuto. How about all of you?”

Everyone introduced themselves, Sasuke warily and Naruto uncaringly.

“You know, these cards in my hand are chakra cards. I put a little chakra in them and they reveal information on every genin here.”

“Uzumaki Naruto,” a Hyuuga, Neji if the rookies remembered his name, said.

The weird-looking boy next to him looked disappointed, but then shrugged and said another name, “Uchiha Sasuke.”

“Alright, let’s do this,” Kabuto took out two cards from his deck and revealed the first one.

“Uchiha Sasuke, 30 D-ranks, low genjutsu, above average taijutsu, and above average ninjutsu.”

Kabuto took the other card and revealed it, his eyes widening. Nothing came out, except from a black-flame crest.

“No information on Uzumaki Naruto,” Kabuto said to the silent room. He slipped her card into his shirt, swallowing nervously. He’d seen that mark before, but he couldn’t remember when or where. Just seeing it brought shivers up and down his body.

All eyes were drawn to Naruto, who looked impassively to the front of the room. It looked somehow ridiculous with Kiba hanging off her like that.

Chuunin poofed into the room, surrounding them. The head of them, it seemed, was a tall, large man with multiple scars crisscrossing his face and a bandanna covering his head.

“Alright, maggots, let’s get started!”

Everyone scrambled to a seat and some of the chuunin began passing out papers.

“This is an actual test,” Ibiki said, introducing himself and then started talking about the rules of the test. He noticed Mizuki staring steadfastly to one genin, someone he recognized as the Kyuubi jinchuuriki.

Now why would Mizuki be staring at Uzumaki Naruto?

The genin began putting their brains to use, trying to answer the questions on the paper before them. Some people began to discover the true meaning behind the test. It wasn’t long before Ibiki found a bunch of them cheating. He grinned and let the chuunin discovering the cheaters do their job. After that, a lot of teams began to disqualify, dismaying all the genin.

He looked back at Mizuki and saw he was still staring at Naruto. Frowning, Ibiki watched her as well. She sat there, pen in hand, staring back at him with red eyes. He flinched and felt a small amount of fear, for some reason feeling more than wary of this girl.

Suddenly one of the chuunin they had placed with the genin, convulsed in his seat before falling to the groung and convulsing more violently as time passed. Ibiki saw Mizuki glance at the chuunin horrified before turning the horrified gaze back to Naruto.

No way, he had watched her. He had a freakin’ staring contest with her. She hadn’t done anything.

Ibiki scowled and looked at Naruto. His body froze. She tilted her head slightly to the right, eyes fully red and whiskers gone. Her mouth held a tiny smirk on it. He couldn’t hear anything. It was complete silence and Ibiki felt deaf. He couldn’t hear the pencils scratching, genin mumbling, anything. Her mouth began moving, mouthing something.

“How would you like to try dying this once?”

Then everything went back to normal, Naruto was starting to work on her test and he could hear again.

Ibiki shivered violently. Had that all been a genjutsu?

No, it was too real to be a genjutsu. No one had been able to see it but him, but Ibiki was quite sure he had just been messed with by Naruto. A mere genin.

“Time’s up!” Ibiki hid the tremor in his voice. He did the tenth question part and the genin not brave enough left with their team. Ibiki passed them and waited for Anko to crash through, like she always did. When she did, scaring most of the genin, Ibiki hightailed out of there to find a place to calm his breathing.

“What’s got you worked up?” Anko grinned, punching Ibiki hard on his arm.

Ibiki shook his head, sitting in the jounin lounge still not able to forget the incident. It had been an hour since.

“Fuck it, Kakashi, your kid is one hell of shinobi,” Ibiki cursed, startling the others.

“Huh? You mean Sasuke?” Kakashi asked, tearing his attention away from his book.

“No…the blonde. Uzumaki. Brat pulled me into the best genjutsu I’ve ever been in. I doubt Kurenai would say anything different. Made me second-guess if it was genjutsu or not, it was freakin’ real.”

Kurenai blinked, “What happened?”

“She just did something that made me lose hearing and no one noticed anything out of the ordinary between me and her. She didn’t have the whiskers and her eyes were just this blood red. Not slitted eyes or anything like the Kyuubi’s. This was her eyes just plain red. And she was smirking at me. She mouthed the words, ‘How would you like to try dying this once?’ to me and then suddenly everything went back to normal. I was fucking shivering in fear and disturbed.

“This happened after one of the chuunin we placed in there convulsed to the ground. Mizuki had been staring at her, but after that he glanced horrified back and forth between the chuunin and her. I thought it was no way that she could have done it, we were just staring at each other minutes before, and she had red eyes then. I had looked over to see her staring at me with red eyes. And then that chuunin dropped from nowhere. She had messed with me!”

“What?” Kakashi blinked in surprised.

Anko had narrowed her eyes suspiciously, her thoughts being confirmed. “Mizuki, huh. Ibiki, just a while ago we were trying to find out if Jigoku Shoujo was true. You were interrogating someone at the time. Well, I met her and then dragged Mizuki here because I suspected he knew something. He told us about her and showed us the flame-crest on his chest as a mark of the covenant he made with Jigoku Shoujo.”

“A flame-crest on his chest? The man I was interrogating at the time, had one too,” Ibiki told them. K

“Bring him,” Anko looked serious.

Ibiki nodded and had some lower shinobi bring the man there. He was rugged, with looks that were still handsome if it weren’t for the mad gleam in his eyes and the haunted manner in which he acted.

“You had a flame-crest on your chest, I remember,” Ibiki started off, knowing he didn’t have to psychologically mess with this one. This one was crazy already, nothing could really daunt the man.

The man laughed, “The mark of the damned.”

Anko nodded and she said bluntly, “Yeah, I guess. Do you know who Jigoku Shoujo is?”

The man looked at her sharply, his eyes glaring, “Jigoku Shoujo, the avenging angel. I hated that man so much. Even after the deed was gone, I didn’t feel an ounce of remorse. I’m glad he was sent to Hell.”

Anko was about to talk again when the man cut her off, “It’s a mark of ruin,” he ranted. “He cannot return from it, cannot go back on your contract. I’m okay with that! I feel no remorse!”

The shinobi who brought him in moved to restrain him, but Ibiki told them to wait.

“Pretty little girl, pretty, pretty! Jigoku Shoujo, you say? Enma Ai, you say? Uzumaki Naruto, you say? Avenge, avenge! Bring Hell forth and grant revenge! Kitty, kitty, kitty… are you lost?” he sang the last part, seeming even more mad than they had thought originally.

The shinobi began dragging him away, but he was still ranting, “Boss, they call me? Taicho, they say! Have you heard of Enma Ai? Jigoku Shoujo really exists! Why, why, why? I sent that stupid Amekage to Hell!”

He screamed as he was dragged out.

“Naruto…Jigoku Shoujo?” Kakashi couldn’t believe it. But he knew Enma Ai was Naruto, so saying that Enma Ai was the Hell Girl…and flat out even saying Naruto’s name when he was sure that that man couldn’t have met Naruto…

“I knew it,” Anko closed her eyes, ignoring the others staring at her from her words, “As soon as I met her, I was thinking how alike she looked to Kakashi’s kid.”

“But why? Why does she do this?” Kakashi asked frustrated.

“There’s only one way to find out,” Anko said determinedly. “The second part of the Chuunin Exam. We call her again. Is there anyone who hates someone here?”

“I sent her to Hell,” Hayate said glazed, staring at his glass of water.

“I heard a rumor the Hyuuga head almost sent the Raikage to Hell,” a random person said.

“I sent my best friend to Hell for double-crossing me.”

“I sent my husband to Hell for cheating on me.”

“I sent someone to Hell for bullying me for so long.”

A bunch of people in the room began confessing. Anko looked incredulously at them.

“Why then? Why didn’t you tell us earlier that any of you had met her? That you knew her, knew about her!”

A handful of the confessors touched the places where they were marked, some of them pushing aside their clothing.

“We respect her. Grateful for what she has done for us, happy she has fulfilled our need for revenge. But no one speaks of her. Not the truth at least. The ones who meet her, do not respond to the rumors. They know the truth. They will not open their mouths to speak of her like gossipers, because they know the truth. And they don’t have to share it because no one else will understand. The pain one suffers and then her getting revenge…we don’t have to tell the world because it’s enough that we know.”

The rest were speechless at the last confession of theirs.

“You want to speak to her, then I will send someone to Hell,” Kurenai said, surprising everyone.

“K-Kurenai, you?” Asuma stuttered, his cigarette falling to the ground.

“Hai. I want to send Hyuuga Hinabi to Hell.”

Started 11/25/07 –Completed 12/1/07

Client: Yuuhi Kurenai

Target: Hyuuga Hinabi

Status: Pending

Jigoku Shoujo: Eikyuu no Sonzai -Chapter III

Fri, 30 May 2008 03:16:13 GMT

Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto or even the idea of Jigoku Shoujo.

Set as an AU.

Spoilers: Hai, for both Jigoku Shoujo and Naruto.

Warnings: Violence, language, etc.

Pairings: I don’t know. I don’t really think it’ll be the main part anyway.
A/n: not corrected.

Jigoku Shoujo: Eikyuu no Sonzai

Chapter Three: Yuuyami no Kanata Yori

Naruto sighed, rising from the water and letting it drip down her body. She headed inside her cottage, drying herself with a tower set aside at the door.

“Obaa-san, I’m going to get some cherries.”

She slipped into her seifuku before going back outside and roaming around until she spotted the cherry bush. She felt lonely. She had gotten so used to the presences of Wanyuudo, Honne-Onna, and Ichimoku Ren that she’d forgotten how lonely it was to be alone.

“Enma Ai, I’m not willing to let you go just yet. I will allow you to live as a human in your hometown, taking on your birth name Uzumaki Naruto. From this day forth, you will live a double-life as Naruto and Jigoku Shoujo,” the Lord of Hell told her.

Everything became white and she disappeared. When she gained consciousness, she saw she was in a bed in a hospital. An old face she barely remembered sat next to her in a chair.

“Ah, Naruto! How are you? It’s been so long. What happened to you?”

The old man Hokage. He was still nice to her. Naruto spilled out everything, weary and tired. She thought she had died after those people had attacked her after she had saved Takuma. But the Lord of Hell said he wasn’t done with her just yet. And now, she had to live like a normal human while fulfilling her duties as Jigoku Shoujo.

“Naruto, would you like me to call you Ai?” Sarutobi asked her.

She nodded, “I don’t have anyone else other than Obaa-san to call me that. It would be nice if at least one person would call me that so that I can remember those three that I have lost.”

“Hai, Ai.”

She didn’t particularly care if she was called Naruto or Ai. But she wanted someone she cared about to call her Ai, just like the others used to, even though she preferred her real name.

“I like my name Naruto. It’s just nice to have someone call me Ai just like they did,” she whispered to herself, taking a cherry and biting into it.

“Ai, you have a request.”

“Hai, Obaa-san.”

She did the usual and saw who it was. She smiled grimly and teleported to her designation.

“You summoned me.”

The man laughed hollowly, “Jigoku Shoujo.”

“…”

“That woman lied to me. I loved her with everything I had. She never felt the same, I know now.”

“Take this. “

He took the doll and gritted his teeth, feeling consumed with the thought of revenge.

He flinched, “…Hell…can I think this over?”

“Hai.”

When she disappeared, Gekkou Hayate thought about what he had just done and if he should go through with it.

Was sending Yuugao to Hell worth it?

Naruto received many requests that week. Having needed no one to turn into a straw doll for her, Naruto could easily accept more requests without restricting herself because of the number of dolls she had.

Hiashi and Hayate still had their dolls.

The team went well, going back and forth between D-ranks and C-ranks. Naruto went to work at night, entertaining people at the Opal, and then leaving at midnight to receive requests if she immediately deems them worthy. At any time, she fulfilled revenge, sometimes leaving a kage bunshin behind to do any of her team duties until she came back.

She was always busy.

That same week, Kakashi kept trying to access Jigoku Tsuushin. He even really trained his students, giving them each an elemental scroll to study on while focusing on trying to see if that site was a hoax. Every night he stayed up trying to access it, knowing that he wouldn’t. He didn’t hate anyone and he had no need for revenge. Perhaps he should ask Anko to try after all.

“That man…he’s so like Shibata Hajime,” Naruto muttered, glancing at Kakashi nodding off in a tree while staring at the scroll on lightning jutsu he had given her.

She sighed and went onto the third jutsu on the scroll, before she suddenly felt a chill go up her back. Someone pulled the string. She glanced over at Kakashi again, making sure the man was truly focused on something else, and then made a kage bunshin to replace her as she left.

A week later, Hiashi and Hayate still had their dolls. People all over requested revenge, and as usual all of them pulled the string. It was always a rare case when a client decided not to get revenge, but it did happen at least a handful of times. Trouble still came to them most of the time.

Someone pulled the string again.

She teleported there and inwardly was surprised to see Hayate. So he had pulled the string after all.

The jounin coughed harshly into his hand, “I tried to see if she was sorry. She wasn’t. At all. I loved her, but I guess I wasn’t enough. I don’t understand why she even bothered with me.”

Naruto watched Hayate talking to himself in pain and a tinge of regret. She normally didn’t see the client after they’d pulled the string, but Hayate seemed such a lonely soul…

“Demon!”

“Stupid monster!”

Naruto tightened her jaw a little, and then remembered her place. She teleported to her home and put on her outfit before setting out. She had researched Yuugao, and the woman wasn’t the least bit remorseful. She would also learn her place…in Hell.

Naruto had faced something like this before. Many times before. But the type of woman she struck by Yuugao as was reminiscent of a sort of recent case of Yasuda Haruka and Todaka Namiko. It didn’t seem like she was going to get much rest tonight.

“What is this?” Yuugao scowled, finding herself in a boat with a beautiful strange girl ferrying it.

“I shall carry this revenge to Hell,” was all that Naruto would say.

“N-no…it can’t be!”

As much as Naruto had thought of torturing her before sending her to Hell, Naruto had this feeling she was going to be called on. It felt like maybe Hiashi…she should’ve checked on him, even if she’d had no time. She finished the case quickly and then teleported to the Hyuuga estate. She saw Hiashi miserably bent over on his desk, hovering over the straw doll in his hands. He was trembling all over.

“Just pull this string, huh? Pull it and he’ll be gone forever, never to bother my family again,” Hiashi muttered, glaring at the doll as he addressed Naruto.

“…”

“Fine…” he reached for the string at the same time as his door burst open.

“Chichi-ue! No!” Hinata sped inside, interrupting Hiashi. “I heard, I heard all about it, Chichi-ue! I was listening in on you the first time. I’m sorry, I’ll try harder, but please don’t do it! I don’t want you to go to Hell!”

Hiashi stared in surprise at his daughter, but then quickly turned serious. “If he’s gone, Hinata, he can never bother this family again. You’ll be safe. And I can finally go lax on you and not have to worry about you getting kidnapped.”

“Chichi-ue! I don’t care, I don’t want you to go to Hell!” Hinata stated stubbornly, throwing herself at her father and encompassing him in an embrace.

Hiashi flinched, “A-alright, Hinata.”

He moved to pull away and give the doll back to Naruto when it caught and began to loosen. Both Hiashi and Hinata’s eyes widened and then Hinata slammed her hands around the doll, not letting the string loosen any further. They sweated and looked at Naruto, who looked stoically at them.

“You have the choice, Hiashi. The string is halfway off, but is not completely taken off. You may continue to pull the string or give it back to me,” Naruto intoned.

Hinata licked her lips nervously, relieved that the deal wasn’t fulfilled because of an accident, and stared expectantly at her father. Hiashi hesitated, but his eyes watered.

“Please, take it. I don’t want my daughter unhappy anymore.”

Naruto nodded and the straw doll disappeared, along with Jigoku Shoujo herself.

+
+
+
+
+
+

“This is most unyouthful, Kakashi! Revenge is horrid!” Gai proclaimed.

“But we don’t want revenge. We want to see if Jigoku Shoujo was true,” Asuma said, lounging on a sofa.

They were all gathered to see if Jigoku Shoujo was true, hovering around a laptop in the jounin lounge. Anko sat in front of the laptop, waiting for midnight to come so she could call up Orochimaru’s name. As much as she hoped the site was true, she didn’t have high hopes.

Orochimaru deserved death, but she wanted more. She wanted him to suffer.

“It’s midnight!” Asuma pointed out and Anko quickly refreshed the page. A flame erupted in the middle of it and then a box appeared with the words ‘We shall exact revenge for you’ atop of it. Anko grinned manically, so far so good. She typed in Orochimaru’s name and clicked submit. The hourglass appeared and turned, fizzling out.

“Did it work?” Genma asked, chewing on his senbon nonchalantly.

“Anko?” Kakashi asked.

“Anko?”

She sat there staring at the screen, eyes unblinking and body stiff. She didn’t respond to any of them.

A minute later, she snapped out of it, shaking.

“Anko, what happened? You just blanked for a second,” Kurenai asked her friend with wide eyes.

Anko trembled, fumbling as she got up from the chair and began walking away. She refused to even look any of them in the eye, staring at the ground and just silent. The door slammed shut behind her.

“What the hell just happened?” Asuma asked for all of them as they stared at the closed door.

Naruto’s visage disappeared from the window’s reflection.

“W-what the hell is this?” Anko said, finding herself in a strange place. The red skies seemed to creep her out.

“You summoned me,” Enma Ai appeared before her.

“N-nani?”

“I am Enma Ai.”

“You’re Jigoku Shoujo. I recognized the name Enma Ai, that famous whore. But you look like Kakashi’s kid,” Anko narrowed her eyes at her.

“…”

“What the hell am I doing here?” Anko snarled.

“You summoned me.”

Anko drew back a little, remembering. “Will you exact my revenge?”

“Iie.”

“What?! Why’d you even bring me here then?” Anko glared, feeling hatred build in her.

“Because someone else has already targeted him.”

Anko stopped short, “What did you say?”

Enma Ai held out a black straw doll, “Someone has already made a contract and is planning on pulling it soon. Orochimaru is already fated to fall.”

Anko froze up, her eyes wide, “Who? Who else would want revenge on that snake?”

“Many people. Only one has succeeded before all others.”

“What will happen to Orochimaru?”

“There’s no more time. You must go back.”

And Anko found herself shaking, snapped back to where she remembered last being, surrounded by the others.

Naruto could’ve dealt with that in numerous ways, but she chose to just bring Anko into her world via her mind. At any other time, she could’ve just waited a while until Anko was alone and then bring her to Naruto’s home, but Naruto choose to just do what she did. Naruto could’ve even taken Anko’s body from that room with the others watching and then brought her back, but she didn’t want to be too obvious.

But now Naruto felt like she had to deal with two Avengers that had the vengeance taken from them. At least, Naruto hoped it wasn’t so.

+
+
+
+
+
+

An hour later, Anko came back with Mizuki in hand. She dragged the chuunin to the others, who were still lounging around and wondering what had just happened. This time, Anko was a lot more composed.

“Alright, explain.”

Mizuki kept his mouth closed, but flinched when Anko shook him hard.

“How’d you know anyway?” Mizuki glared spitefully at the tokubetsu jounin.

“Because I just remembered you muttering about Jigoku Shoujo weeks ago,” Anko glared back.

Mizuki roughly yanked himself away from her and then straightened up, looking back up to face multiple curious jounin. Knowing he wouldn’t be able to get out of this, he began to talk.

“You’ve heard the basics, but the legend around the kids is a site called Jigoku Tsuushin. It can only be accessed at midnight by those who want revenge and have the hatred for the person they want revenge on. Once you type in the name and submit it, Jigoku Shoujo comes and gives you a black straw doll. She tells you this,

‘Take this. If you truly wish to eliminate your antagonist, you must pull the red string. He will be ferried immediately to Hell. However, once I have delivered the revenge, I must have you make restitution to me. When one person is cursed, two graves are dug. Your soul will also fall into Hell, forever wandering in pain and suffering. Well, that’s after you die.’

“And then you have the choice to go through with it or not. In exchange for revenge by sending the one you hate to Hell, your soul is automatically fated to go to Hell also, after you die.”

“That’s not what I’ve heard,” Asuma said, “My kids talk about that legend also, but they’ve only mentioned the site and how to access it. How’d you know all that?”

Mizuki sighed and unbuttoned his button-up shirt to his middle. He grabbed his collar and pulled it side to reveal a flame-crest mark.

“This is the mark of the condemned. It’s the sign of the covenant I made with Jigoku Shoujo.”

They all stared shocked at the mark.

“You…you met her? You actually met her? So she’s real?” Gai asked stunned.

Mizuki nodded sharply.

“So I wasn’t dreaming,” Anko said.

“What do you mean, Anko?” Kurenai cornered her friend.

“I-I met her too. I wanted revenge, but she said someone else had made a contract to send Orochimarut to Hell. Hell…so that’s the revenge. I hope that person pulls the string soon.”

“Can I go now?” Mizuki backed away.

“Go,” Anko snapped at him, and he turned tail.

“Well, we have some info now,” Asuma put out his cigarette.

“But who is Jigoku Shoujo and why is she doing this?” Kakashi said to himself.

Anko unnoticeably flinched, having some idea about the first half of Kakashi’s question.

Started 11/24/04 –Completed 11/25/07

Client: Gekkou Hayate

Target: Yuugao

Status: Fulfilled

Client: Hyuuga Hiashi

Target: the Raikage

Status: Cancelled

Client: Anko

Target: Orochimaru

Status: Turned down

Client: Unknown

Target: Orochimaru

Status: Pending

Jigoku Shoujo: Eikyuu no Sonzai -Chapter II

Fri, 30 May 2008 03:13:42 GMT

Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto or even the idea of Jigoku Shoujo.

Set as an AU.

Spoilers: Hai, for both Jigoku Shoujo and Naruto.

Warnings: Violence, language, etc.

Pairings: I don’t know. I don’t really think it’ll be the main part anyway.
A/n: not corrected.

Jigoku Shoujo: Eikyuu no Sonzai

Chapter Two: Sagasu

Nothing happened to disturb their mission further. In fact, it was noted that Gato had disappeared without a trace. Tazuna immediately brightened up, celebrating at night with a bottle of sake.

Team 7 was suspicious, but didn’t complain. It made their job easier.

At last, they headed home. It was odd that nothing had happened, but they weren’t about to curse their luck. They reported, received their pay, and went their separate ways.

The next day, their next mission was once again a D-rank. Their attitude towards one another was none better than when they’d started, and it was starting to wear the team down. Unfortunately for them, no one was willing to work towards a change.

Sakura continually focused on Sasuke, who cared for nothing but getting stronger. Every once and awhile, he’d stare intensely at Naruto, who hadn’t change from her indifferent attitude. Kakashi just ignored them.

“You know what you guys need, a night out!” Kurenai recommended, the jounin sensei and students all gathered together.

Kakashi blinked.

“You know, all of us get together and eat out. A group outing with our students. We get to know them a little more and they can have a little fun.”

Kakashi and Asuma shrugged, but Gai went full blast into genki mode. The students were listening interestedly, with Lee joining his sensei in rejoicing.

“Sounds like fun. Where will we be eating out?” Ino asked.

“Let’s eat out at the barbecue place, and then we can decide what to do from there,” Asuma suggested.

A chorus of agreements echoed around the group and everyone dispersed. Naruto stayed sitting, looking down at her lap. Kakashi, noticing her staying behind, stayed behind also.

“So, Naruto. What’re you still doing here?” he asked, pretending to read his book.

“…I’m sitting down to just… relax, I guess,” she answered, not looking up.

“Sou ka…are you planning on going to the outing?” Kakashi asked another question.

“Iie,” she answered straight.

Kakashi blinked in surprise, “Huh. Are you ditching completely or suddenly leave the group?”

“I’ll be nagged to death to come by Sakura so I’ll leave the group at an opportune moment. Besides, there’s free food.”

Kakashi smirked, “I think I’ll join you.”

She shrugged.

+
+
+
+
+
+

They all ate at the barbecue restaurant, before deciding on going shopping in the shopping district. Kakashi noticed Naruto slipping off as soon as the girls got excited and began chattering loudly. The guys were just exasperated, leaving Naruto to not be noticed as she slipped away.

“Hey, told you I’ll join you,” Kakashi said cheerfully, easily catching up.

She didn’t say anything, she just kept walking.

“So, where are we going?”

Her response was the same, but Kakashi already knew. The bright lights, loud laughter, cooing voices, and raucous noises. The pleasure districts.

“Oi, Naruto, you shouldn’t be going into places like these. You’re a little too young, right?” Kakashi was ignored again, and he saw that they were heading towards the number one whore house, the Opal.

“We definitely can’t go in there,” Kakashi winced, knowing the rates and the high-class structure of everything from the building to the whores.

Naruto suddenly smiled at him, “Yeah we can.”

That was the first time Naruto had any other expression than the expressionless look she always had. Kakashi blushed a little. Naruto was beautiful otherwise, but that smile made her even more attractive somehow.

They entered the clean-cut establishment, Naruto disappearing on him. He swallowed nervously, looking around and seeing whores everywhere, attached to someone.

“Kakashi-sensei.”

He looked to see Naruto, and his jaw literally dropped. Not that anyone noticed because of his mask.

Her hair was done up elegantly, her lips painted red, and she wore a navy kimono with a dragon design running from hem to hem. She was naturally tall, so she had always seemed older, but the whole getup made her look even more mature. So much so that Kakashi was having inappropriate thoughts running through his head.

“I’m Enma Ai. I’m free tonight, would you like to take my offer? I’ll give you a discount of 500,000 yen,” she smiled like before, making him shiver. Without thinking, Kakashi nodded and handed her the money, following up the stairs to her room.

“Is this why you didn’t want to stay with the group?” Kakashi asked distractedly.

“This and because I just really didn’t want to be there,” Naruto laughed lightly, sitting him down on her bed and then going to her ehru.

“Relax, Kakashi-sensei. I’ll play the ehru for you and you can loosen up.”

Kakashi nodded, laying down on her bed and listening to the beginning notes of her playing. It was beautiful and had lulled him to a feeling of laxness. Soon enough, he had drifted off to sleep with a smile.

When Kakashi awoke, the sun was streaming in and hitting his face. Blinking away the sleep and confusion at where he was, he sat up and saw a plate of toast and a pot of tea set out for him on the low table. Remembering the events from the night before, Kakashi went over and began eating and drinking.

The door clicked open and Kakashi instinctively knew it was Naruto.

“Enjoying yourself, Kakashi-sensei?”

Kakashi shrugged and then joked, “I don’t know, maybe I need a little persuading.”

Naruto laughed, “Right, whatever.”

“Why didn’t you kick me out earlier?” Kakashi asked curiously.

“I never kick out my clients. In respects to them and reputations, I never do. If I did, then the rest will tease them to no end about how I wasn’t satisfied with them or something. This way, rumors like that are avoided and no one’s embarrassed.”

“You didn’t have to charge me, you know. I’m your sensei after all,” he hinted.

Naruto snorted, “I have to charge. I make exceptions for no one.”

Kakashi sighed, “Oh well. At least I tried.”

Naruto rolled her eyes, “If you’d forgotten, we have training today since we don’t have a mission.”

Kakashi groaned, “Dammit. I really did forget.” He viciously took a bite out of a toast, munching annoyed.

“Say, when they say this is high-class, that means, most of the girls here entertain guests like you with the ehru, right?”

“Sort of. You see, there are two divisions here. One is where the girls aren’t willing to use their bodies and the other section is the girls that are. It doesn’t mean that one side is totally just for sex. Both sides just entertain. However, the side that is willing just means there’s a possibility that the customer might want to have sex. For example, I’m on the willing side. I entertain my customers however they want, playing music or massaging them or whatever. But when it comes down to it and the customer wants it, I’ll be ready to have sex with them.”

“That was blunt,” Kakashi deadpanned, though his face looked pinkish.

Naruto waved a hand in a ‘oh well’ gesture, “Well, that’s just how it is. By the way, the opposite section is the basically the same without the sex.”

“Huh…well, ready to go train?”

“I guess.”

Naruto sighed inwardly, wondering if paying homage to Honne-Onna this way was okay. She missed the woman, but Naruto knew she was in the past. If the former geisha saw her now…

+
+
+
+
+
+

“Enma Ai, huh? I heard of her. Perfect, beautiful, charming, and irresistible. So she’s our Naruto-chan…” Kakashi muttered under his breath, ignoring the genin trying to better their teamwork.

Naruto had gone back to her regular uncaring self. It was strange seeing the two different personas and knowing they were the same person.

He glanced at them, satisfied with the progress, and then went back to his thoughts.

“Kakashi-sensei! When are we going to do a harder mission again?” Sakura yelled at him.

Kakashi shrugged, not really paying attention to what she was asking.

“Ugh!”

Sasuke stopped and just walked away suddenly, Sakura stopping her yelling and staring in surprise at him.

“Oh, Sasuke!” she yelled again, trailing after him.

That left Kakashi alone with Naruto again. He closed his book and pocketed it, turning to look at her. She was sky gazing again.

“You know, I never quite told you how I didn’t appreciate you answering for the team. If we were going to continue that mission, we all should’ve talked it over.”

Naruto didn’t answer him, and Kakashi huffed.

“Come on, brat. Let’s go get some ramen.”

He smiled underneath his mask when Naruto followed behind him.

When they found seats at Ichiraku’s and had ordered they were met by Iruka and Mizuki.

“Kakashi-san, what a surprise. And Naruto! How have you been, aijin?” Iruka hovered over Naruto, checking this and that.

Kakashi watched bemused, though a little…curious as to the relationship between Iruka and Naruto. Aijin, dearest or sweetheart; one’s cherished. How very odd a title to give to someone who’s supposed to be like a sister.

And Mizuki, too, gave him a peculiar feeling. It was made worse as Mizuki’s intense stares directed at Naruto caught his attention.

They all chatted amicably, Iruka and Naruto directing most of the talk between themselves as Kakashi and Mizuki faced off once Mizuki caught on to Kakashi’s hostile glares.

“Do you know about the rumor of Jigoku Tsuushin?”

“Hell Correspondence? Yeah. They say that you can access it at midnight if you want revenge and really hate that person. Jigoku Shoujo will exact revenge on your behalf.”

Mizuki and Naruto became noticeably quiet, Mizuki even becoming withdrawn. The two girls walked away from the ramen stand, changing the subject to more common things like boys.

Kakashi was intrigued, having never heard of such a thing as Jigoku Tsuushin. It was a dark subject, but he was still fascinated by the idea.

Iruka huffed, “It’s ridiculous. It’s just an urban legend and yet everyone seems to think it’s real. Or hope it is.”

Mizuki didn’t reply to that and neither did Naruto.

Kakashi noticed, but didn’t say anything. It probably meant nothing. Naruto was always silent like that and he didn’t know Mizuki that well.

But he was curious about that sight.

+
+
+
+
+
+

“Why? Why didn’t you do it?” Sasuke cried out angrily.

“…”

“You were supposed to send Itachi to Hell! I don’t care if I do too, as long as he goes with me! He has to pay for his crimes!”

“Itachi, too, will go to Hell,” Enma Ai said plainly.

“Then how come he’s still here?! I heard! He’s still out running from Oinin!”

Enma Ai shook her head, “Because he used my services to get rid of Uchiha Shusui. Itachi has my mark. He will go to Hell when he dies.”

Sasuke was quiet, “Then he slaughtered the clan because he knew he was going to Hell anyway.”

“Hai. If you still want to get revenge on him. Pull it…but it will be a wasted effort. You’re condemning yourself for a condemned man. Pull the string if you want me to send him to Hell. You’re hesitating because you don’t want to. You say I was supposed to send him to Hell and yet you couldn’t even pull the string all the way. It is still tied loosely around the doll.”

Sasuke flinched. He stared at the doll in his hand and bit his lip. He shoved it back towards her.

“Fine. I will train to become stronger and kill him, so he can go to Hell early. I may not want to use your services, but I will use the results of your services to my advantage.”

She disappeared just like that.

Waking up in a sweat, Sasuke recalled that experience as if it had happened just at that moment. He remembered the shock and surprise when Naruto entered the class the next day, loud and annoying as usual, but he now saw the resemblance to Enma Ai. Naruto didn’t have the red eyes and Enma Ai didn’t have the whisker scars, but they looked too alike for it to be a coincidence. He knew they were the same person, especially feeling the same ominous feeling from Naruto that he got from Enma Ai when his classmate looked over to him with a smile.

If he hadn’t been so upset, he would’ve recognized Naruto as Enma Ai the moment he summoned her.

As it stands, he now had Jigoku Shoujo on his team.

+
+
+
+
+
+

Kakashi waited until midnight came and then he refreshed the page. Nothing.

“Huh. I guess it was just a rumor after all.”

Then he thought back to what else was needed to access the site. Hatred and the need for revenge.

He joked in his mind about asking Sasuke to access it, but then his mind seriously considered it. He flinched, thinking he was thinking stupid, but then he thought about something else.

Someone else.

He resolved to ask her tomorrow and see if all the jounin wanted to see if Jigoku Tsuushin and Jigoku Shoujo were true.

At the same time, at another place, a man looked straight at the computer and clicked submit. The hourglass appeared, turned, and then fizzled out.

“You summoned me.”

Hyuuga Hiashi smirked sardonically, “I always knew there was something about you, Naruto.”

“…”

Hiashi sighed and turned in his chair to face her, “He deserves to die. He ordered them to kidnap my daughter. That is unforgivable.”

Naruto took out a straw doll and handed it to him, the red string tied around it seeming to draw in Hiashi.

“If you truly wish to eliminate your antagonist, you must pull the red string. He will be ferried immediately to Hell.”

Hiashi wearily reached for it and stared down at it, “Hell…”

Hiashi kept staring at it, thinking it over.

“You shouldn’t be so harsh on your daughter, Hiashi,” Naruto surprisingly said, stepping out of her role.

“I don’t want her to get kidnap again. I am hard on Hinata because I want her to become stronger so she will never be easy to kidnap again. I can’t go through it again, the pain of a father losing his child. I almost lost her, I will not let it happen again,” Hiashi tightened his jaw, his hand determinedly reaching for the string.

“You would go to Hell. Hinata will not be happy about that,” Naruto actually tried to convince him not to, never letting her emotions get in the way before.

Hiashi looked hesitant, but reluctantly grabbed the string.

“At least think about it first.”

Hiashi sighed, his hand recoiling from the doll.

Naruto disappeared, leaving Hiashi to himself and the black straw doll that stared ominously at him.

Started 11/21/07 –Completed 11/22/07

Client: Uchiha Sasuke

Target: Uchiha Itachi

Status: Cancelled

Client: Uchiha Itachi

Target: Uchiha Shusui

Status: Fulfilled

Client: Hyuuga Hiashi

Target: the Raikage

Status: Pending

The Red String of Fate -VII

Fri, 30 May 2008 03:08:07 GMT

Disclaimer: The only kind of Bleach I own is for the laundry.
Story: After the invasion of the ryoka and Aizen’s betrayal, Yamamoto decides he should come up with something to ease tensions and let everyone loosen up. Using the concept of the red string of fate, everyone lands themselves “a fated lover” until the game’s over. Ukitake is paired with Ichigo, and tries to somehow survive some very jealous people. And there’s still the trouble with the three traitors, with plenty of Hollows.
Set after Soul Society.
Spoilers: Soul Society arc, probably Bount arc too.
Pairings: Ukitake/Ichigo
Warnings: My usual crap…crazy writing, some perverseness every now and then, drama, angst, wild humor, drama, romance, yaoi, drama, and that kind of thing…
A/n: not corrected.

The Red String of Fate

Chapter Seven: This Feeling’s Taking Control of Me

Everything that Kyouraku had said stuck to the forefront of Ukitake’s mind, refusing to be buried into the deep recesses where they belonged. Not even paperwork helped to distract him.

In just a blur, the rest of the day, and for that matter the rest of the week, had passed by and Ukitake couldn’t stop his strange thoughts or that of Kyouraku’s words. Ichigo had noticed, but hadn’t said anything. Though he was worried, Ichigo didn’t want to nag at Ukitake or anything. If Ukitake wanted to say something, he would.

It was only when Ichigo found Rukia on his front doorstep did he had an inkling of what was wrong. But he wasn’t even sure it was that.

Ukitake frowned for her entire spontaneous visit, every once in a while looking back and forth between Ichigo and Rukia accusingly. Then he suddenly left and didn’t return until she had gone, still not talking. But Ichigo had figured it out.

Ukitake was in love with Rukia.

It made sense. Rukia has been in his division for a long time and he’s probably known her for quite a while. And they’re close.

Now suddenly Ichigo comes into the picture, takes Rukia’s first kiss and is closer to her than most. Ichigo could understand why Ukitake was upset. If you loved someone, you didn’t want to see them with anyone else.

Still, Ichigo had to find a way around this if he didn’t want to feel that strange ache in his chest, which happened the last time they were apart. They’d hardly ever felt the pain the others did, but Ichigo knew it was because they were getting along well. And now this had to happen, and Ichigo didn’t want to be on bad terms with Ukitake.

Even though, Ichigo managed to subtly touch Ukitake so that the ache would lessen. Not that they didn’t touch frequently. They did; they held hands, were as physical as friends were –meaning they hugged, bumped shoulders, shoved each other playfully, that kind of thing –they were near to each other whenever possible so that there wasn’t any distance, but Ichigo was starting to feel the ache more and more as time passed and they still hadn’t really talked about what was bothering Ukitake. A small distance had even grown.

Ichigo had to somehow keep touching Ukitake, the ache was slowly driving him insane. Even his Hollow was getting restless, and that always boded ominously for him.

Regardless, Ichigo had to wait until Ukitake was ready. A small part of him, though (even Shirosaki agreed with that part), hoped Ukitake was feeling some sort of discomfort like Ichigo was going through.

+
+
+
+
+

Finally Ichigo had enough and cornered Ukitake at school, school having just ended. Glaring menacingly, Ichigo pointed to Ukitake’s abandoned chair and the captain nervously sat down, wondering what was wrong with Ichigo.

Ichigo opened his mouth to snarl out a reply when both of them keeled over from the pain. Ichigo wondered what was going on through the haze of pain in his mind, but Ukitake knew exactly what was happening.

‘The second stage is beginning!’ Ukitake crawled over to where Ichigo was whimpering on the ground, turning the orange-haired teen onto his back from his curled position.

For a second the captain hesitated before closing his eyes and leaning forward, kissing Ichigo until the pain subsided. Cautiously sitting back, he saw Ichigo staring wide-eyed at him.

“Uh, s-second stage, huh?” Ichigo flinched.

That meant touching wasn’t enough and they’d have to kiss more. Even in public. And Ichigo couldn’t be subtle anymore, he definitely had to confront Ukitake.

“Hey, Jyuushiro. Are you in love with Rukia?” Ichigo asked bluntly.

Ukitake sputtered, but then to Ichigo’s surprise shook his head adamantly.

“No! Of course not. Wherever did you get that idea?” Ukitake stared at Ichigo strangely.

Ichigo shrugged, “You were acting strangely when Rukia came to visit. You know…you were being unhappy and frowning. Then afterwards, you were being distant. I just thought…”

Ukitake’s face colored, “I was just having a bad time. There were a lot of things on my mind.”

Ichigo tentatively asked, “Do you want to talk about it?”

“No, not really,” and Ukitake offered a smile to reassure Ichigo.

“Okay, then. We’ll go home,” Ichigo said finally, shrugging the whole thing off. He stood up and offered a hand to help up Ukitake, and then brushing off the dust and dirt that had gotten on him when he had fallen to the ground.

Ukitake looked uncertain, but then he leaned forward and kissed Ichigo again. Ichigo blinked in surprise, a light blush flooding his cheeks.

“What was that for?” Ichigo asked uncomfortably.

Ukitake shrugged. “I was still feeling a little shaky,” he offered by way of explanation.

Ichigo nodded, accepting that answer. “Come on!” Ichigo yelled over his shoulder as he walked out. Ukitake stared after him, before reluctantly following.

Ukitake really shouldn’t be taking advantage of the second stage by kissing Ichigo whenever he could.

+
+
+
+
+
+

Ukitake claimed pain whenever he kissed Ichigo and Ichigo never questioned it. The captain felt bad about lying, but he finally accepted Kyouraku’s words as truth. Maybe he did like Ichigo more than he should. But Ichigo seemed like he was in love with Rukia.

Funny that, Ichigo thinking Ukitake was in love with Rukia. That was exactly what Ukitake had been thinking about Ichigo.

Sometimes, Ukitake wondered what would happen if he told Ichigo the truth. Then horrible scenarios would play themselves out in his head and Ukitake would try to switch to another topic. But that became increasingly harder as Ukitake kept kissing Ichigo whenever he felt like it, and noted the sweet taste of chocolate on Ichigo’s lips with an undertone of strawberries.

Lying was bad. Taking advantage is even worse.

Ukitake reminded himself it was wrong every time he snuck a kiss, but even as he did there was no stopping him. He liked when Ichigo blushed sweetly, when the teen sputtered, or even when Ichigo flicked his forehead to cover up his embarrassment. Sometimes, Ukitake could imagine Ichigo liked him too. The captain scolded himself repeatedly for acting this way, but he did feel infinitely happier than he had been in a long time.

He hadn’t gone back to Soul Society in awhile, and it was probably a good thing too. With the way he was acting, Kyouraku would point it out immediately and then deduce what was happening without Ukitake even saying a word to him. And he couldn’t see Rukia’s face, not when he had a suspicion that she liked Ichigo more than she let on. Especially with that kiss. Not only would he feel guilty, but because she liked Ichigo too then she might’ve been able to tell that he was feeling the same way.

It was also good to keep it secret because he didn’t really want Ichigo to know just yet. Probably never. Preferably.

“Jyuushiro, you’re spacing out again!” Ichigo bopped his head, appearing from out of nowhere and at his side.

Ukitake smiled, not really fazed by Ichigo’s sudden appearance, but his heart started to beat faster as Ichigo kept leaning closer. The orange-haired teen placed his forehead against Ukitake’s, staring into his eyes with curiosity.

“Are you okay?” Ichigo blinked once.

“Yes. Every heard of personal space?” Ukitake smirked.

“Rukia’s right. You have been hanging out with me too much,” Ichigo jaw dropped slightly. Grinning cheekily, Ichigo kissed Ukitake and then straightened up finally. Ukitake blushed red in surprise and delight, but then he composed himself and shook his head.

“You know, we haven’t been out in a while. Let’s go out somewhere! It’s Wednesday and I want to go to the café that opened yesterday,” Ichigo said from out of the blue. Ukitake shrugged nervously, though he looked alright on the outside.

“Sure,” Ukitake muttered.

“Do you want to? I mean, I’m not forcing you to go out with me or anything,” Ichigo asked hesitantly.

Ukitake shook his head, realizing he was acting a little closed off. “Let’s go to that café. Though it has to have sweets,” he said, already on the move. Ichigo grinned and followed him out the door.

“Let’s share a red velvet cake,” Ichigo announced as they walked. Ukitake looked questioningly at him. “Well, I think it’s sweet and it’s chocolate. I love chocolate, you love sweets. Perfect match, ne?”

Ukitake’s thumped loudly.

“Yeah.”

+
+
+
+
+
+

The café was actually styled traditionally Japanese, with each group separated into their own rooms and with sliding paper doors. Each of the rooms held a floor table, tea already ready and cushions to sit on.

“Is this really a café or is it a restaurant?” Ichigo stared in surprise. Ukitake chuckled, striding forward and taking a seat. Ichigo followed after him, bringing his cushion around to sit next to Ukitake. He leaned on the 13^th division captain comfortably, reaching forward for Ukitake’s tea and taking a sip from it.

“Like old times, eh?” Ichigo reminiscence, which reminded him that he had forgotten to go to the shop today and that he’d have double work to do tomorrow.

Ukitake nodded, feeling deliriously happy at the contact and that Ichigo was showering him with affection that day. Ichigo poked Ukitake for more of a reaction, seeing as he had begun to space out.

“Hey, don’t spaz out, you dork,” Ichigo poked one last time, eliciting a roll of eyes and a playful growl.

“What would this couple like to order?” the young waitress came to take their order, her violet kimono complimenting the style of the café.

Ichigo almost said that they weren’t a couple when Ukitake lightly bumped his shoulder surreptiously. He blushed and did so even more when he heard what Ukitake had to say.

“My husband and I would like to share a red velvet cake, please,” Ukitake said calmly. It was so natural that Ichigo even believed that they were married for moment.

“Alright. Is there anything else?” she smiled, her face hinting at a blush.

Ichigo observed her slightly. Was she one of those yaoi fangirls, or whatever you call them?

“Just some more tea later,” Ukitake smiled warmly, even putting an arm around Ichigo’s waist.

“O-okay,” she almost lost her composure, but she recovered nicely and left them with a wide smile.

“Sorry, Ichigo. But you know…” Ukitake said, his arm moving away, but Ichigo stopped him and scuttled closer. Ichigo didn’t say anything, but just stubbornly stared straight ahead with his usual scowl. But Ukitake was even happier than he was earlier.

“You know, the Winter Dance is coming up. Since we’re supposed to be husbands, you wanna come with?” Ichigo twitched, not used to this sort of thing.

“Wouldn’t be anyone else I’d rather go with,” Ukitake declared, pulling on Ichigo’s ear once.

“Better not,” Ichigo mock-pouted, returning to normal.

They were interrupted when the waitress came back and held a medium-sized plate with their cake on it and she placed it in front of them. She also held only one fork that she placed right beside Ukitake, before she just hovered near the doorway. Both males looked at her with a raised eyebrow before Ukitake had an idea. Forking a piece of cake, Ukitake held it up to Ichigo’s mouth. The teen’s eyebrows shot up before he awkwardly leaned forward and placed his lips around the fork and took the piece of cake.

Ichigo immediately sat up straight, chewing on the chocolate piece, when Ukitake leaned forward and slowly licked the corner of his mouth. When Ukitake moved away, Ichigo stared at him in shock.

“You missed a spot,” Ukitake drawled, looking at him teasingly.

The waitress let out a loud, embarrassed giggle before she skipped out of the room. Ichigo punched Ukitake in the shoulder, blushing bright red, as Ukitake fell back laughing.

“Dork, I’ll get you for that,” Ichigo pouted and glared at the same time.

“Promise?” Ukitake looked at him mischievously. Ichigo returned the look, but with suspicion instead. “You’ll see,” he muttered.

Ukitake suddenly leered, surprising and panicking Ichigo.

“Good. I’m looking forward to it,” Ukitake said with finality and tackling Ichigo to the floor, looking satisfied and vaguely…perverted?

Ichigo actually squeaked.

Started 8/31/07 –Completed 8/31/07

The Red String of Fate -Chapter VI

Fri, 30 May 2008 03:04:44 GMT

The Red String of Fate

Chapter Six: It’s All in My Head

“He’s my…husband alright,” Ichigo actually said.

Ukitake flinched inside, but said nothing. Tatsuki looked appraisingly at him. It was almost as if she was sizing him up.

“He already has white hair,” Tatsuki said flatly.

Ichigo scowled fiercely, “He’s only 26 and it was an arranged marriage anyway. It’s not like he had a choice in this either. It’s a good thing we get along so well or else I would be angry at the arrangement.”

The dark, short-haired girl narrowed her eyes at both of them, “You didn’t have to accept it, you know. And you could have told us!”

“It was just recent!” Ichigo glared.

“You don’t even know him that well,” Tatsuki fired back.

“How would you know?” Ichigo sneered.

“You would have told us about him,” she held her head higher.

Shit. He hadn’t of thought of that.

“I –” he wet his lips and tried again, “We’ve met a couple of weeks ago, but I didn’t know we were to wed. I didn’t think to tell you because I didn’t think it would be that important. It’s not like any of you tell me about everyone you meet.”

Tatsuki visibly bristled, but both sides were right. That is, if Ichigo had been telling the whole truth.

“Fine! Be that way! I’m going to get lunch before I waste any more of my time,” she turned on her heel and walked out, leaving the rest to be uncertain. Uryuu followed after her and so had Mizuiro. Which left Orihime, Chad, and Keigo.

Keigo looked hurt, but stayed where he was, shifting side to side on his feet.

“I guess I should formally introduce all of you,” Ichigo said, more for Chad’s and Keigo’s sake, though Chad sort of knew who Ukitake was.

“This is Ukitake Jyuushiro, my husband. This is Chad, Inoue, and Keigo, my friends,” Ichigo pointed to each one.

Ukitake tried to smile friendly, and show he wasn’t any threat. Keigo relaxed a little, but didn’t lose the hurt look. Orihime smiled back at him and Chad nodded, and Ichigo guessed that was as good as it was going to get.

“Um, we’ll leave you two alone, Kurosaki-kun!” Orihime said, pulling the two boys after her.

“That was a little intimidating,” Ukitake remarked, sighing.

Ichigo joined in the sighing, but actually smiled. “Like I said, whatever. It’ll be fine.” And then Ichigo wrapped his arms loosely around Ukitake’s neck and looked outside, staring at the blue sky. Ukitake decided he could get used to this as he sat back, reaching up and grasping Ichigo’s wrists, staring outside with him.

School went smoothly and the only change Ichigo had was to head over to the infirmary and wait for Ukitake to get ready to walk home together. They chatted about nothing, at ease like they usually were with each other and it seemed that the small little meltdown was just another distant memory.

“Oi, Jyuushiro! We didn’t really get to eat out. We were kind of interrupted with Inoue and Ishida, so if you want we could go to another restaurant. My treat,” Ichigo said gruffly, looking off to the side with his familiar scowl.

“Actually, I miss your tea,” and just like that, Ichigo’s mouth quirked upwards just a little bit.

+
+
+
+
+
+

Ukitake munched a bit on the apple, looking back and forth between the textbook and the paper. Ichigo had long ago fallen asleep, but he had been a little restless and decided maybe he could take a look at Ichigo’s homework.

Well, this was work that not even the Shinigami Academy gave out. Chemical reactions, no. Trignometry, nuh uh. Essays, sometimes. Depending on topic, and definitely not on fictional books.

Taking another bite, he fearfully pushed the paper on solutions away, staying far away from taking another look at Ichigo’s math homework, and deciding he could take time to read Ichigo’s essay instead of skimming it. When he finished the apple, he had just finished Ichigo’s essay and could say he was impressed. Knowing Ichigo probably worked hard to prove himself to the teachers was rather endearing.

Tossing the apple away, Ukitake leaned back in the chair and stretched. He sorted through his thoughts, more of his recent ones, and contemplated them. His mind’s thoughts revolved a little to the kiss Ichigo had shared with Rukia and wondered if that had been Ichigo’s first. Then he wondered what Ichigo’s lips tasted –

Wait, what?

Ukitake shook his head and decided he was a little delusion because the tiredness was getting to him. Swallowing harshly, he rubbed his eyes and headed over to the bed, slipping into it and trying to fall asleep. The heat of Ichigo’s body reached him and Ukitake forced himself to tune it out and just sleep…

Tuesday morning came quickly, too quickly. Ukitake slowly blinked his eyes opened, trying to wake up. When he was a little more aware, it was to be aware that somewhere during the night he had attached his head to Ichigo’s shoulder and used it as a pillow, also slinging his left arm over Ichigo’s waist.

Almost flinging himself off of Ichigo, Ukitake decided he should get ready before Ichigo woke up and found him acting weirdly. It didn’t seem as if the shower worked, because Ukitake was still feeling a little tetchy.

“Something wrong, Jyuushiro?” Ichigo yawned.

Ukitake breathed in deeply, seeing Ichigo with a half-lidded look as if he was still half-asleep.

“It’s nothing, shower’s free,” he muttered.

Ichigo passed him, poking his side and saying with a lazy grin, “Hey, who said you could use my shower?”

“You don’t want to be associated with a husband that smells, do you?” Ukitake grinned, trying to act like normal.

“Che,” Ichigo rolled his eyes, walking out into the hallway.

Ukitake hurriedly dressed, about to brush his hair when Ichigo appeared again, taking the brush from his hand and doing the task himself.

Tying Ukitake’s hair with a tie he nabbed from Yuzu’s room, Ichigo stepped back to admire his work.

“Eh, Jyuushiro, you want to go out today?”

“Actually, I’m going to go to Soul Society today.”

Ichigo looked disappointed for a second, before his face was wiped blank. Ukitake hid his flinch.

“Um, do you want to come with me?”

Ichigo shrugged nonchalantly, but Ukitake could see a small smile growing. Ukitake smiled too and held out his hand.

“We ready to go?”

“Ready.”

Ichigo grasped his hand and they started to walk to school.

+
+
+
+
+

Nothing happened except all of Ichigo’s friends were being stiff. Orihime and Chad were fine, except when Tatsuki dragged Orihime away and then it left three. Keigo had followed after the others, though he would hesitantly look over to them.

Still, Ichigo would just frown back at all of them and talk to either Chad or Ukitake when he had a chance. The classes went by in a blur and soon Ichigo and Ukitake were heading to Soul Society. Already, Ichigo was planning on visiting Rukia and Renji, and maybe say hi to the others. He was definitely going to avoid Zaraki.

Stepping through the portal, Ichigo turned to Ukitake and asked, “What are you going to do right now?”

“I think I’ll check my division and then visit Shunsui. I might possibly have a captains’ meeting later, but we’ll see. Do you want to come with me so you can say hi to Rukia?”

“Alright!” Ichigo actually cheered, and unexpectedly looped an arm around Ukitake’s. When they started walking forward a lot of other shinigami began to notice them. Ukitake was uncomfortably aware of how close the two of them were, and that there were a lot stares.

When there began to be whispering, Ukitake subtly flinched.

“Not bothered, are you?” Ichigo whispered from the corner of his mouth. Ukitake glanced over to him and saw Ichigo grinning softly at him. Ukitake tightened the hold around Ichigo’s arm and shuffled closer.

“Nope,” Ukitake grinned widely.

The 13^th division wasn’t any better, with everyone gaping as they walked in arm in arm. As soon as they reached his office, the 13^th division erupted into whispers. But Rukia only heard that they were there and started going straight to Ukitake’s office.

“Ukitake-taicho, Ichigo!” Rukia burst into the office, wearing a happy face.

“Rukia,” Ichigo smirked at her. Ukitake smiled at her, though he went back to grimacing at the pile of paperwork on his desk.

“Kiyone and Kotetsu keep doing them, but it seems the paperwork never stops coming in,” Rukia gestured apologetically.

“That’s too bad, Jyuushiro. And here I am, with nothing to do,” Ichigo sighed dramatically.

“You could work on your homework or chat with Rukia,” Ukitake threw the top paper on the stack at Ichigo.

“Hey! I could’ve gotten a paper cut!” Ichigo pouted after he watched the paper float down in front of him. “And you missed.”

Ukitake pretended to get ready to toss another one when Rukia burst out laughing.

“What the hell’s your problem?” Ichigo stuck his tongue out at her.

“You’re guys are so cute,” Rukia giggled, and Ichigo mock-glared at her at the same time as Ukitake feigned a look of horror.

“Oh, the shame,” Ukitake said sarcastically.

“You’ve been hanging around Ichigo too long, Ukitake-taicho. He’s been a bad influence,” Rukia gave him pointed look that didn’t really have much effect as long as she was still giggling.

“I know, I know. But I’m stuck with him.”

“Hey!” Ichigo threw the papers back at him, though they had been folded into paper airplanes.

Rukia sighed and looked at sympathetically, to which Ichigo tackled her and mercilessly started tickling her. Ukitake laughed and watched amusedly as the two fell to the ground and Rukia tried hopelessly to wiggle away and Ichigo laughed madly.

“All of you…are insane,” Kyouraku’s voice cut into the madness, the 8^th captain lazily smiling at them from beneath his straw hat.

Ichigo rolled off of Rukia, smirking and she was pouting. Ukitake shrugged.

“It’s common. You go into the human world and you become corrupted. Faster when you’re with Ichigo,” Ukitake said plain-faced, though he pleaded innocence when Ichigo jumped up from the floor and tackled him this time, actually tickling the white-haired captain.

“Yare, yare. What a party!” Kyouraku laughed, walking in and closing the door behind him.

“Rukia, let’s leave the old people to their reminiscing,” Ichigo snickered, grabbing her hand and running out the door.

“So what’s wrong, Jyuushiro?” Kyouraku asked immediately once they were gone.

“What do you mean?” Ukitake asked indifferently, though he averted his eyes to his desk and had begun to work on the stack of paperwork.

“I mean, what’s going on? I can tell something’s bothering you,” Kyouraku warned him with a light glare.

“Do you think about Ise-fukutaicho weirdly?” Ukitake asked suddenly.

Kyouraku was taken aback, but answered the question after a moment’s thought, “I suppose. It depends on what you mean weirdly.”

“Like,” Ukitake hesitated but then continued, “like how her lips taste like.”

The other captain stared at him strangely before his face changed to knowing. The long-haired man sighed before seating himself and looking Ukitake straight in the eye.

“Jyuushiro, are you finally aware that you might like Ichigo as more than just a…friend? Or whatever you two are.”

Ukitake dropped the brush he was holding, ink splattering on his desk. At least it had avoided the papers.

“Shunsui, don’t play with me. What are you talking about?” Ukitake bit out more harshly than he intended to.

Kyouraku shrugged, “Look at the signs, Jyuushiro. And who the hell else are you talking about when you asked me whose lips tasted like? I know you; we’ve been friends since the academy. It’s been a long time, and I’ll tell you there is no one else who’d know you like I do. That is until you give a chance for Ichigo to be something more than anyone has ever been to you.”

“Never mind, Shunsui. Obviously you’re really drunk right now and not thinking straight. I’m probably just over thinking things,” Ukitake said as he stubbornly refused to look at Kyouraku and instead focus on cleaning up the mess he made.

Kyouraku looked at him incredulously. Nanao had stolen and hidden his sake bottle from him that morning, and he hasn’t had a drop of sake since. He was very much, quite sober –thank you very much! At least he wasn’t the one in denial.

Started 8/26/07 –Completed 8/28/07

The Red String of Fate -Chapter V

Fri, 30 May 2008 03:02:18 GMT

The Red String of Fate

Chapter Five: Say Ok

“What do you want to do today?” Ichigo asked as they sat on the front step and stared into the street.

“Let’s watch a movie. Rukia talks about the theatre here and I want to check that out,” Ukitake replied surely.

“What do you want to watch?”

Ukitake stared at him blankly.

Ichigo snickered and rolled his eyes, “Come on then. I’ll choose the movie.”

Ichigo stood up and stretched. He helped Ukitake up before they walked to the movies, their strides matching up. When they arrived, Ichigo held back his laughter when he saw Ukitake look around in amazement.

“Are you hungry?” Did Ichigo really have to ask that?

Ukitake nodded eagerly. Ichigo walked to the stands, thinking how predictable it was.

Two hours later, Ukitake was brimming with cheer and excitement. Ichigo shook his head at the captain’s display of childishness, but considering how…weird and outdated shinigami were…

“That was good. It was a little sad though. So, where are we going next?”

Ichigo shrugged, “What? No more ideas from midget?”

“Can we eat out?”

Ichigo was surprised. He had never taken Ukitake out to eat, even though he had talked about restaurants. In fact, they’d only eaten over at his house or snacked at Urahara’s. In the beginning, it was only tea.

“Sure, there’s a restaurant around here where you can cook your own food,” Ichigo led the way, though he made Ukitake finally get into a gigai. It wouldn’t do for him to eat with things floating around. No one could really notice at the movies, but this was a restaurant…

“Anou, Ishida-kun...is Kurosaki-kun on a date?” Orihime gasped.

Uryuu pushed up his glasses, “It would seem so. Follow?”

“Follow.”

+
+
+
+
+
+

“Hey! It’s overcooking right there!” Ichigo pointed out. Ukitake quickly flipped the meat over, and gave a sheepish smile.

“You know, being as old as you are, you would think you’d know how to cook,” Ichigo stated sarcastically.

“True, but most of the shinigami in Soul Society can’t cook either,” Ukitake snapped his tongs at Ichigo, smarting over the comment of his age.

“At least you’re good looking for your age, Jyuushiro,” Ichigo grinned, placating the other man.

Ukitake’s face flushed red at the compliment, but the older shinigami tsked to cover it up.

“Anou sa, Kurosaki-kun…” Orihime’s voice cut in.

Ichigo looked away from Ukitake in horror, seeing Orihime and Uryuu standing there and looking at them. Ukitake just smiled in confusion, wondering what was wrong.

Both Uryuu and Orihime had finally recognized the captain, but only Orihime had caught the matching rings.

“Anou, Kurosaki-kun, are you on a date with your husband?” Orihime continued.

Ichigo choked on air, shaking his head furiously. “No, Inoue. Jyuushiro and I are hanging out as friends. Jyuushiro, you remember Inoue and Ishida, right?”

Ukitake nodded as Orihime went on, “But you two have matching rings…”

Ukitake and Ichigo froze, their eyes drifting to the matching rings. Uryuu looked to where the other three had looked at, finally noticing as well.

“Okay, long version or short version?” Ichigo grimaced.

“Whatever explains best,” Uryuu kept staring.

Ichigo let Ukitake explain, shoving his head into his hands and leaving Uryuu to take out the food as Orihime listened intently.

“You’re always getting yourself into these things, Kurosaki,” Uryuu pointed the tongs accusingly at him.

Ichigo glared, “I didn’t even do anything this time!”

“Itadakimasu!” Orihime grinned, snapping apart the chopsticks and eating. For the next silent minutes, everyone ate uncomfortably, though Orihime seemed quite fine.

“This is going to be weird…” Ichigo gritted his teeth.

Meanwhile, the rest of the group that was at the movies wondered where Orihime and Uryuu had gone.

When Ukitake and Ichigo had finally extricated themselves from the other two, they hurried home to Ichigo’s room.

“Well, that was awkward,” Ukitake shrugged.

For the first time, Ichigo actually glared at him and meant it. Hurt, Ukitake stayed silent and waited for Ichigo to talk first. Instead, the orange-haired teen paced back and forth in front of his desk, looking ready to tear his hair out. Ukitake opened his mouth, but shut it after nothing came to him.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you like that. It’s not your fault,” Ichigo looked away ashamed.

“It’s okay,” Ukitake muttered, shrugging nonchalantly, though he wasn’t going to mention how really bothered he was.

“I’m sorry,” Ichigo repeated, striding over and grasping Ukitake’s left hand. Ichigo began caressing his ring again, making Ukitake wonder if it was becoming habit or comfort.

“But…Inoue had the right idea. If anyone has to ask, someone who doesn’t know about shinigami, we could…pretend to be husbands in an arranged marriage,” Ichigo choked out, hardly believing he was suggesting it.

Ukitake stared at the struggling teen, who seem to be on the verge of a mild breakdown. He realized that the real effect of the game was starting to crash down on Ichigo, who realized that he couldn’t keep going with just hiding Ukitake in his house and have secret rendezvous with.

And Ichigo’s image built up since junior high was crumbing into pieces.

“Ichigo, it’s okay. We could try to take off the rings and I’ll just stay here –” Ichigo cut him off, shaking his head. “I doubt we can and I don’t want you stuck here.

“It’s, uh, not like I’m ashamed of you or anything. It’s not you –”

‘It’s this whole thing,’ Ukitake finished in his head. He knew Ichigo probably didn’t want to go around and tell people he was married and to a man. Ichigo was young and possibly hadn’t even thought about anything like sexual preferences and marriage. Now Ichigo would have to say some things and those things would be attached to Ichigo for the rest of his life.

“You really don’t have to, Ichigo.”

“No…no, it’s okay. Things will go fine,” Ichigo gave him a wry smile.

That was the end of the discussion. Ukitake knew how stubborn Ichigo could be and it would be useless to argue the point. But he noticed Ichigo never really smiles.

“Okay.”

He’ll work on that at least.

+
+
+
+
+
+

Monday the both of them had gone back to normal, though Ichigo seemed a little strained.

“Ah, I’ll see you after school,” Ichigo uncomfortably waved.

Ukitake smiled back and waved, but his face turned sour as he left for Soul Society. Unlike him, he violently kicked a pebble on his way to the 13^th division.

“Whoa, Ukitake-taicho! Is everything alright?” Rukia’s petite figure looked worried even as she hurried towards him. He forced a smile onto his face and waved it off.

“I’m fine, Rukia. Just a little tired.”

“Tired? Taicho, maybe you should lie down then,” Rukia clung onto his arm and almost dragged him to the division.

Ukitake let a small smile cross his lips before she hurried him to his quarters, gently letting him down.

“I told you I’m fine, Rukia,” he said, laughing lightly at her worry.

“I should make you some tea still,” Rukia said, already working on it. She gave a cup to him and he sipped at it, realizing just how much he missed Ichigo’s tea.

Rukia sat still, calmly in seiza position right next to him, “Ukitake-taicho…how’s Ichigo?”

He should have realized it was coming.

“He’s…okay,” Ukitake chose his words carefully. “We, that is, I think we got into our first fight last night.”

Rukia’s eyes widened and she listened attentively, leaning forward unconsciously.

Ukitake cringed but continued, “It wasn’t even a fight. Ichigo’s was freaking out; I think it just suddenly dawned on him what was really going to happen. And well, I kind of just stood not knowing what to do. I mean, I felt a little hurt, but I understood.”

Rukia nodded knowingly, “I kind of thought Ichigo’s reaction before was mild. Actually, first time around, I expected it to go like this ‘What?! They can’t do that! They have no authority over me! They can’t order me around and put me into this game! I oughta go over there and kick their asses!’”

Ukitake laughed heartily.

“Oh, and I fully expected him to come here and do just that,” Rukia finished off with a grin.

“That’s Ichigo for you,” Ukitake agreed.

“Go back, taicho. Everything will be fine, you’ll see. If I know Ichigo as well as I think I do, he’ll get over it. He may be obsessed with his image, but when it comes to friends no one else’s opinions matter. Not even other friends.”

Ukitake smiled gratefully at her, “Thank you, Rukia. I’m feeling a lot better, I think I’ll go and do just that.”

“Oh! Ukitake-taicho, one more thing,” Rukia handed him a letter. “It’s from Yamamoto-soutaicho.”

Rukia gave him one last smile before leaving. Opening the letter, Ukitake finished off his tea as he read. A grin slowly spread across his face.

He left for the living world.

+
+

The first three periods passed by slowly and Ichigo was losing patience quickly, especially with Orihime and Uryuu passing notes to him while conversing in whispers with their other friends. When the bell rang, signaling the end of third period, Ichigo excused himself to go to the school’s infirmary for some aspirin. His head felt like it was going to burst.

He almost slammed the door open in irritation, but managed to catch the door in time before it made contact with the wall. He walked in, only to stop and gape. For Ukitake was decked in a suit and in a doctor’s coat and sitting in a chair, grinning at him.

Already forgetting the tense moments the night before and from this morning, Ichigo grinned back and strode closer.

“What are you doing here, baka?” Ichigo punched his shoulder lightly.

“Nothing…just that Yama-ji set it up so I could spend more time with you by working as a temporary doctor,” Ukitake smirked.

Ichigo snorted, “Do you even know any medical procedures?”

“Of course I do!...I mean I know some basic medical aid. And Unohana said she’d help me,” Ukitake pouted.

Rolling his eyes, Ichigo flicked Ukitake’s forehead, “Whatever you say.”

Frowning, Ichigo swept some of Ukitake’s hair back, but some of it fell forward again. Taking out the brush Yuzu had misplaced in his bag. Ichigo moved behind a blushing Ukitake and started brushing the long, white strands.

“You have soft and silky hair, Jyuushiro,” Ichigo spoke softly, brushing his fingers through the locks. Idly taking all of Ukitake’s hair, he searched Ukitake’s desk for a rubber band. Muttering that it’ll do for now, Ichigo took the pretty tresses and tied it at the nape of Ukitake’s neck.

“There. Now your hair won’t get in your way as you work. It looks good,” Ichigo winked.

“Ah…right,” Ukitake replied lamely, still feeling his face heating up.

“So, this is your husband, eh? Ichigo,” Tatsuki glanced between Ichigo and Ukitake, the rest of the group behind her. Orihime looked apologetically at them, Uryuu looked stoic, Keigo looked confused, Chad looked okay, and Mizuiro looked calculatingly at Ukitake.

Ichigo mentally groaned. Can’t he just go on without always being confronted?

Started 8/24/07 –Completed 8/25/07

The Red String of Fate -Chapter IV

Fri, 30 May 2008 03:00:01 GMT

The Red String of Fate

Chapter Four: Only the Ring Finger Knows

Could his dad and Yuzu see Ukitake? It was strange…his father saw him carry Ukitake into the house and Yuzu had talked to Ukitake that day.

But Ukitake wasn’t in a gigai.

His suspicions were to be put on hold because his door slammed opened and an irritated Karin stood in the doorway. She was holding up a soccer ball that she promptly tossed in his direction.

“Ichi-nii! Did you forget? You were supposed to come play soccer with me!” she scowled at him.

He gave her a teasing grin and darted passed her, running down the stairs to the outside. It was further down the street when his sister caught up and she aimed a punch to his shoulder, but there was a small smile on her lips.

“You’re such a dork, Ichi-nii,” Karin complained, wrestling the ball from him.

“But you love me anyway,” Ichigo nodded satisfactorily, a smug look on his face.

“Ichi-nii…who was that man earlier? With the white hair?” Karin asked hesitantly.

It wasn’t as surprising finding Karin could see Ukitake as finding out his father and Yuzu could. It was rather known that Karin could see spirits like her brother.

“That was Ukitake Jyuushiro. He’s a friend and…a captain,” Ichigo knew he could say things to this sister, who sort of knew, but not really. He could say half-truths and she would accept them because he was at least saying something.

“Then why are the both of you wearing matching rings on your left ring fingers?” Karin lightly glared at him.

Ichigo laughed out loud, “It’s a long and complicated story. Maybe I’ll tell you one of these days…are you jealous Karin?”

“No!” but her cheeks were pink.

Ichigo just chuckled and ran ahead, spotting the park a little ways away.

Overprotective sisters were adorable. Jealous overprotective sisters more so.

+
+
+
+
+
+

Kyouraku grinned at his friend, “You look great.”

Ukitake grinned back, “Do I?”

“Oh yeah! What happened? You’re up and about, and actually looking a little healthy. Actually, you’re a lot more happier looking too.”

“I don’t know. I guess something must’ve happened,” Ukitake looked contemplative.

“Or someone,” Kyouraku muttered, hiding his grin behind his sake saucer.

“What do you mean?”

The 8^th division captain chuckled, it rumbling out deep and loud, “You went back yesterday morning to the living world after the night before you had told Kurosaki-kun about the game. You didn’t come back until today afternoon.”

“So?” Ukitake replied defensively.

“Hey, hey! No need to get defensive, Jyuushiro. It’s just that you are healthier it seems, but more importantly happier. Go check up with Unohana-taicho, huh? I think she’s taking a break from Zaraki in her division.”

“Okay, Shunsui. But whatever you’re implying, drop it,” Ukitake warned, though he wasn’t quite sure what Kyouraku was implying either.

He left his friend on the 8^th division porch, heading towards the 4^th division this time without dread. He was feeling a lot better…

“Unohana-taicho? I’ve been sent over by Shunsui to make sure I have a check up,” Ukitake called out, rolling his eyes.

Unohana appeared looking frazzled, but in a second her demeanor changed and she was smiling politely. Though there was that hidden vein popping out at the corner of her head.

“Ukitake-taicho, come in! A check up, yes? It’s been awhile. We should definitely check to see how you’re doing.”

She ran a couple of tests and Ukitake sat comfortably on one of the division’s guest beds. He couldn’t help humming a little at the wait.

“Ukitake-taicho, this is amazing,” Unohana whispered, looking at the results in her hands. She walked over to him and held it out, but Ukitake didn’t really understand the medical graphs and photos.

“Your tuberculosis is receding,” she stated in amazement, completely different from how she was just moments ago.

Ukitake’s eyes widened and he took a second look at the results, trying to read into them, “But how?”

“I need you to tell me everything that’s happened recently that may have caused this,” Unohana told him seriously.

He recited going to Urahara’s the first time and then to coming back to Soul Society today with what Kyouraku had commented.

“I see,” Unohana murmured.

“Did that tea that Ichigo give me really cure me?”

‘Ichigo, huh?’ Unohana thought, a little grin played on her lips before she put on a serious mask.

“No, I don’t think so. It helped alleviate your symptoms though. It’s probably why you haven’t been perspiring or coughing as much. You say you haven’t been having any pain, fever hasn’t come back, more energy, and you’re eating a lot more than you usually do. Without an attack, you eat a lot…but since you haven’t even had an attack in a while, you eat even more. And you really do look healthier.”

“Oh…um, Unohana-taicho. Am I contagious?”

She snorted and then she looked embarrassed about losing her composure, “Really, Ukitake-taicho, you choose now to ask. If you were contagious, you wouldn’t be walking around freely. You only have extrapulmonary TB, which isn’t contagious. Be thankful you don’t have pulmonary TB as well, or else you wouldn’t be able to go as you please.”

“Well, if that’s all, can I go?” Ukitake suddenly felt pain in his chest, different from the attacks he usually had.

“Yes, go on. Be sure to say hi to Kurosaki-kun for me, and to say thanks for whatever he’s doing,” she smirked uncharacteristically.

“Uh, sure.”

As Ukitake left, Zaraki came in. “I heard something about Ichigo. Is he around? I want to fight him again.”

Unohana actually growled, throwing the results she was holding at the other captain’s head.

Meanwhile, Kyouraku caught Ukitake before the white-haired captain left for the living world once again. Ukitake was still feeling that pain.

“First attack, huh? Or is it your illness?” Kyouraku asked him.

“First attack?” Ukitake questioned.

“Aa, each pair here hasn’t been getting along well or are too distant. People are barely touching. That means everyone’s getting this pain in their chest that spreads until the pair touches. And if people are fighting, touching can only do so much. The ‘severe consequences’ are starting to be understood. If this is your first attack, then you must be getting along quite well with Kurosaki-kun, eh?”

“I guess this is my first attack. I just came from the fourth division and I’m supposed to be really healthy right now. I haven’t seen Ichigo since noon when we had lunch at his house. It’s six right now right? I’m guessing that each pair doesn’t have to be together for a couple of hours. That should be fine, I see Ichigo everyday anyway,” Ukitake muttered that last part to himself.

Kyouraku grinned. Such familiarity between the two! Seeing each other everyday and on first name basis!

In Kyouraku’s head, he was busy singing about Ukitake and Ichigo sitting in a tree.

‘Why does Shunsui keep looking at me knowingly? He did it earlier and then Unohana did it as well. Both of them keep hinting something…’ Ukitake thought, looking suspiciously at Kyouraku.

“I’m going to go see Ichigo now,” Ukitake said warily.

“Yeah, you go do that,” Kyouraku said teasingly, waving bye and pursing his lips in a weird kissy face and fluttering his eyelashes, his head waving side to side. Disturbed, Ukitake left.

+
+
+
+
+

“Just in time, Jyuushiro. We’re getting ready to eat,” Ichigo smirked at him as he opened the door to let Ukitake in.

“That’s great. I’m starving,” Ukitake smiled back.

Ichigo snorted and mentioned something about an understatement. Ukitake shrugged it off and went into the kitchen, immediately going to help Yuzu out. Ichigo had to finish up in the clinic and Isshin was busy bickering with the teen. Ukitake almost faltered when he noticed Ichigo’s other sister staring at him intensely.

He smiled hesitantly at her and waved slightly. She continued to stare for a second longer before nodding approvingly. Approving of what, Ukitake didn’t know.

“Karin, help get this lughead off of me before I beat his head in!” Ichigo yelled, before finally grabbing the back of his father’s shirt and tossing him away and towards the table.

“Now, now. No fighting. It’s time to eat,” Yuzu declared.

Ukitake still felt the pain, but it had lessened with Ichigo’s presence. Smiling, he took a place at the table and everyone began to eat. Sometime later, Ichigo walked up the stairs with Ukitake trailing behind him. Entering his room, Ichigo immediately closed the door and grabbed a hold of Ukitake’s hand.

“You, um, felt it too?”

Ichigo’s face twitched, “Yeah…it wasn’t really painful. It was more weird actually. But then you came and it became harder to breathe. It’s better now though. It’s supposed to be, right? If we touched all the time, then we won’t feel like that?”

“Yeah…I think because we’re getting along fine that we haven’t had an attack until now. Since we have, I guess that means we need to start touching more,” Ukitake had to force that out, feeling strange because Ichigo still hadn’t stopped caressing his hand, especially where his ring was.

“Mmhm. This is going to be hard with you in Soul Society and I’m in school and in the living world. You’re going to go back soon, right?”

Ukitake stared at his ring, where Ichigo was still caressing. Swallowing roughly, he pulled his eyes from the sight and looked into Ichigo’s face. He felt anxiety creep up again when he realized what he was just about to suggest.

“Actually, I was thinking I should start sleeping over. I’m not sure we can last longer than a couple of hours. Six at most, I think,” Ukitake murmured, his eyes suddenly drifting back to their joined hands.

“Oh…um, I guess. Tomorrow’s Sunday so we’ll have the day to ourselves. Then on Monday, you’ll leave for Soul Society after I leave for school…right?”

“Sure. I don’t I’m needed at the division right now.”

“Okay then.”

There was an awkward pause before they both moved towards the bed at the same time. Letting Ichigo get on first, Ukitake climbed on after, still feeling their hands joined. Ichigo shifted just a little closer before immediately falling asleep. It took a little more time for Ukitake, but he fell asleep soon after.

In Soul Society, Kyouraku was pouting at the bar with Hitsugaya sitting disgruntled next to him.

“Lucky, Jyuu-chan! He’s lucky he landed an easy partner, unlike me stuck with grumpy Hitsugaya!” wailed the drunk captain. Hitsugaya twitched. Unfortunately, Kyouraku didn’t notice. “First name basis! First names! And they get along and talk to each other! They’re willing to touch I bet too…and they’re already seeing each other everyday…they’ve only had one attack and that was today…”

“Why exactly are we talking about those two? It’s not like everyone else isn’t doing enough talk about them,” Hitsugaya scowled.

They both felt the attack come on and Hitsugaya touched a fingertip to Kyouraku’s shoulder. The shorter captain waved the bartender over, “Bring some more sake,” he grunted.

+
+
+
+
+
+

“I’m not sure I should be all that surprised. Actually, I really shouldn’t be so surprised that the Ukiichi pair is the most successful pair so far,” Yamamoto nodded sagely.

Komamura sighed.

“Everyone talked at first about the pairing. Now they’re the subject of jealousy for being so successful,” Yamamoto continued, chuckling.

“Only when each pair isn’t having much luck. People are still mostly talking about the unusual pairing.”

“I’m sure things are going to go great,” Yamamoto smiled happily.

Komamura sighed again.

Started 8/23/07 –Completed 8/24/07

The Red String of Fate -Chapter III

Fri, 30 May 2008 02:57:27 GMT

The Red String of Fate

Chapter Three: The Play’s Beginning

“The stage is set,” Yamamoto declared, his new partner looking at him strangely.

“How so, Yamamoto-soutaicho?” Komamaru asked.

“You did not think that I had set this up without purpose, did you? I will explain to you why our bond is different from the others. Everyone has issues; I just decided to force them to face them. Though you have issues with the betrayal of Tousen, I chose you to oversee by my side compared to the rest who are worse off. Seeing others make fools of themselves would cheer you up anyway…that is why we will only pretend we are a part of this little game.

“Of course I want everyone to relax and have fun, but before we get into the war with Aizen, we must not have any unresolved conflicts from within. It would be bad anyway to be with regrets.

“I based my pairs in accordance to what this game could do for them. Kuchiki-taicho and Kuchiki-san must settle their differences, Abarai-fukutaicho and Kusajishi-fukutaicho was something that would be…amusing to see, Unohana-taicho and Zaraki-taicho have had conflicts in the past due to their squads’ dislike of the other, Hisagi-fukutaicho and Hinamori-fukutaicho knew each other from the Academy and were both recently betrayed by their captains, Matsumoto-fukutaicho and Kira-fukutaicho were betrayed by the same man and fought each other because of that same man, Fong-taicho and Shihoin have a history that needs to be talked out, both Kurotsuchi have a rather dysfunctional relationship, and my own fukutaicho is rather nonsocial whereas his partner is shy.

“Kyouraku-taicho is too laid-back and Hitsugaya-taicho is too uptight, Ise-fukutaicho needs to loosen up and her partners need someone to ground them down and teach them to stop fighting with each other all the time, and Urahara feels he needs to talk to Kurosaki about what he’s done to his son. As for Kurosaki-kun and Ukitake-taicho…you’ve seen the resemblance between the former Kiba-fukutaicho and Kurosaki-kun. I figured I could use this as an opportunity for Ukitake-taicho to face the past, but it seems he is dealing just fine and becoming fast friends with the human. A little nudge, something might just happen. Kukukuku!”

Komamura coughed politely, staring at the commander general, “That’s great, Yamamoto-soutaicho. That’s very great.”

Inwardly, he hoped this whole thing ended without it blowing up in everyone’s faces. Especially Ukitake and Ichigo, who seemed to be the figure heads and main topic of the whole mess…

+
+
+
+
+

The weird night had passed and it was time for school. If it weren’t for the fact the there was that ring sitting innocently on his finger, he would’ve thought he’d dreamt it all up.

As it was, he was getting ready for school and maybe a little more freaked out than he had been the night before. It didn’t help that things seemed normal. That was never a good sign for him.

He ran through his usual routine, his annoyance returning due to his father, and almost forgot about everything until he reached school. Avoiding a flying tackle from Keigo, Ichigo plopped into his seat with a yawn.

“Hey, Ichigo…what’s with the ring?” Keigo asked quietly, and it was only then that Ichigo noticed he had used that hand to cover his mouth as he yawned.

“Anou, did Kurosaki-kun get married?” Orihime asked with wide eyes.

Uryuu choked on the water he had been drinking, and the eyes of all his friends stared at him. Ichigo cursed in his head, dropping his head to his desk with a thud.

“NO. And it’s none of your businesses anyways. It’s just a long story,” Ichigo grumbled.

Before they could continue questioning him on it, the teacher walked in and everyone had to go to their seat. Everything passed by rather slowly, with nothing unusual happening, and lunch came around at a snail’s pace.

Ichigo dreaded the upcoming interrogation.

But before he could be cornered, Tessai, Jinta, and Ururu came from out of nowhere and ambushed him. In record time, he had been taken to the Urahara Shouten.

A smug shop owner stood grinning in front of the shop.

“What’s the big deal, Geta-boushi?!” Ichigo growled.

“Maa, you forgot your appointment this morning.”

“This morning?” Ichigo furrowed his eyebrows. What appointment?

Urahara pouted and gestured to the shop, “You said you were going to come to the shop this morning. What happened?”

Ichigo blinked in surprise before rolling his eyes, “Obviously I forgot, or did you forget the whole crazed up night?”

Urahara waved it off, “I remember clearly. Your beau is inside sleeping.”

“My what?” Ichigo glared.

“Ukitake-san is inside. I told him yesterday you’d be here in the morning. Obviously he remembered, and he stayed here until he fell asleep,” Urahara said as he walked into the store.

Ichigo felt the beginnings of guilt creep up on him, but he shook it off. Now wasn’t the time, he had to see if Ukitake was alright.

“Oi, oi! Ukitake-saan! Are you awake?” Urahara called into the house/shop.

“In here…I just woke up,” Ukitake’s tired voice sounded from the sitting room.

Ichigo shoved past Urahara and went into the room loudly, the sliding door opening with a clang. Ukitake stared in surprise from the ground, offering a goofy smile and a small wave.

“Konnichi wa, Kurosaki-kun! You’re here; don’t you have school?”

“Baka! You’re almost as baka as Urahara-san. Come here, I’m taking you home where I can watch you better without this other baka to hover around like a pervert,” Ichigo reprimanded, grabbing a hold of Ukitake and lifting him up.

“What, no stopping me?” Ichigo’s glare intensified and Urahara actually shivered.

Ukitake had missed it because…he had gone back to sleep.

Urahara did snicker as he passed, Ukitake tucked into his arms. Without another incident, Ichigo reached his home safely and entered with his father blinking rapidly from the clinic’s entrance.

Isshin looked back and forth from the clock to Ichigo’s disgruntled figure, Ukitake still oblivious.

“Anou, Ichigo…aren’t you supposed to be in school?”

“Saa, my friend needs help. Can you call school and say I left because of a family emergency?”

“Ichigooo! My eldest is so responsible!” Isshin cried a river of tears, twirling to the phone and singing about how Ichigo was such a loyal friend.

“Feh, whatever,” Ichigo continued on up the stairs and into his room. Settling the captain onto his bed, Ichigo left for a few supplies and some tea.

When Ukitake next woke up, a wet, folded towel was on his forehead and he was lying down on a nice, soft bed. He wished they had mattresses in Soul Society instead of the tatami mats and hard futons available…

The aroma of chamomile tea floated around and Ukitake hummed in delight, unknowingly attracting the attention of the other in the room. Sensing movement, Ukitake shifted his head a little to the left and saw Ichigo fixing a cup of tea. He almost spoke out when Ichigo said something first.

“I have some tea for you, Ukitake-taicho. I mixed in a special family medicine that’ll help cure your sickness. Can you sit up?” Ichigo murmured, mindful of how Ukitake could be feeling.

The teen helped Ukitake up and then placed the cup to his lips, after Ichigo had blown on it, gently easing the warm liquid into Ukitake’s mouth. Ukitake sipped at it for awhile, not noticing he had almost finished it. Drinking up the last dregs, he smiled gratefully at Ichigo.

“Feel better?”

In fact, Ukitake was slowly feeling a lot better –if not more drowsy.

“Mmhm…” he yawned, struggling to keep his eyes opened.

“Sleep,” Ichigo whispered, raising a hand over Ukitake’s face.

The last thing he saw before letting sleep take him was Ichigo’s hand glowing white.

It was dark when he awoke again. Ichigo’s body was slumped over his desk, sleeping. Figuring it was too late to go back to Soul Society, Ukitake tried to swallow but his throat was too dry. Frowning, he hoped Ichigo didn’t mind if he went downstairs to find something to drink.

He was surprised to find the lights on in the kitchen. As he entered, he could already feel Ichigo’s father’s reiatsu suppressing itself and that Isshin seating calmly at the table with a glass of water didn’t surprise him.

“Ukitake-san,” Isshin nodded respectfully.

Ukitake smiled and sat down across from him, taking the glass and taking a huge gulp from it. His throat felt slightly better afterwards.

“It’s been awhile…Kurosaki-taicho,” Ukitake let his smile turn into a small mischievous grin.

Isshin chuckled, “Haven’t been a captain in a while, Ukitake-san.”

Ukitake sighed, “Unfortunately. You were a great captain, as I recall. I’m quite happy that I had supported your promotion. It’s a shame they made you choose between Masaki and captaincy.”

“Yes, but life’s been good and I’m happy with my family. Which brings me to what I wanted to talk to you about. Did…Ichigo do something unusual today?”

“Not that I remember. Well, after I had woken up earlier and he had given me some tea, I was falling asleep quickly and I noticed his hand glowing white. I’m not quite sure it happened though.”

Isshin grimaced, “Just…if something happens like that again…try to make sure Ichigo doesn’t do it often.”

“Is there something I should know about?” Ukitake narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

“Not really. If Ichigo chooses to tell you, he will,” Isshin said vaguely, effectively evading a direct answer.

“I see,” Ukitake nodded to Isshin, standing up gracefully and leaving the kitchen. His hand held tightly onto the cool glass of water, his mind going over the strange conversation.

Back in Ichigo’s room, he hesitantly headed back to the bed. Finishing the water, he placed it onto the table top of the drawer next to the head of the bed. Settling himself next to Ichigo’s sleeping body, Ukitake fell asleep wondering about what Isshin had been hinting at.

It was next morning when Ichigo woke up first. He froze when he felt another body next to his. Turning his head slightly, he saw Ukitake sleeping peacefully. No perspiration, no furrowed brows, no pained face…good, so his sleep wasn’t illness induced.

Ichigo smiled slowly, letting it stay awhile before molding his face back into its usual scowl.

“Ukitake-taicho, are you awake?” Of course not.

“It’s nice to see you looking so peaceful, baka. So stop overdoing it.”

Ichigo gently got up and got ready, wondering why his father hadn’t drop kicked him.

Since it was Saturday, Ichigo didn’t have to deal with his overzealous friends. Instead, he decided to do the shopping and figured that maybe he should bring back some umeboshi-chazuke for Ukitake. He chuckled under his breath, remembering how he found out that was Ukitake’s favorite food.

“Let’s play a game. We talk all about our life, but we don’t even know the basics like likes and dislikes. So we’re going to play This or That,” Ichigo said as he lay stretched out on the floor, the low table pushed aside while Ukitake drank his tea next to him.

“Okay…how do you play?” Ukitake asked uncertainly.

Ichigo rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath about shinigami and no knowledge about the living world.

“I say two things and you have to choose between the two and then it’s your turn. Ready? Toushiro or Kyouraku-taicho?”

Ukitake scrunched up his face adorably, and Ichigo almost laughed, “That’s hard. Shunsui is my best friend and all, but Hitsugaya-kun and I are but Shiro-chan! And our names are alike…ara, don’t tell Shunshui, okay? I choose the other Shiro-chan.”

Ichigo couldn’t help it, he burst out laughing and Ukitake lightly pushed his shoulder.

“Sweet or spicy?”

“Spicy,” Ichigo said at once. At Ukitake’s look, Ichigo shrugged his shoulders. “What? I like spicy food. So, chocolate or candy?”

“Aren’t they the same thing? Chocolate is a sweet. But I like all sweets, though I guess chocolate is my favorite sweet…I haven’t really thought about it. I just like any sweet…”

“As long as you like chocolate…otherwise, I may have to disown as my friend,” Ichigo nodded stubbornly.

Ukitake snickered, “Okay, okay. Renji or Rukia?”

Ichigo snorted, “Ugh, both of them are annoying.”

Ukitake raised an eyebrow, “Careful now, Rukia’s in my division. I might just let slip that you didn’t pick right away. Or that you said she was annoying.”

“Right, whatever you say,” Ichigo said, rolling his eyes. “Neither. I’d choose Byakuya over them.”

The 13^th division captain laughed, “What? Why?”

“Because. At least Byakuya will be quiet and I won’t get annoyed. Food or tea?”

Ukitake actually pouted, “I’m not answering.”

Ichigo poked his side, “Fine, fine. Ichimaru or Aizen?”

“Hm…I’ve never thought of which of the two I’d…I don’t know, are we talking who’s worse or who would be easier to pick or something?”

“Easier to pick.”

“I guess Ichimaru. Aizen was well-respected by everyone and loved. But it was all a lie and for deceiving so many thoroughly, I don’t think he’d deserved forgiveness.”

“I see what you mean. I mean, looking back and remembering, fox face seemed a little sorry at leaving. Especially because of that one woman. Definitely pick Ichimaru, because I heard what Aizen did and Aizen is a total badass,” Ichigo nodded solemnly.

Ukitake stared at him in disbelief before breaking out in laughter.

“What?”

“You have great descriptions,” Ukitake murmured, clutching his stomach. Ichigo cracked a grin.

“Hey, what’s your favorite food?” Ichigo asked suddenly.

“What? The game’s over?” Ukitake continued laughing silently.

Ichigo flicked his forehead, “I’m just wondering. You like to eat and you don’t have any food you dislike. So what’s your favorite?”

“I love umeboshi-chazuke.”

Ichigo chuckled at the memory. Maybe they should do another round of This or That.

When he approached his house, he saw Ukitake talking amicably with Yuzu on the front yard as Yuzu worked on the little garden in front of their home. Ukitake casually leaned on his elbows, shifting a little on his seat on the step.

As Yuzu finished up, Ichigo called out, “Oi, Yuzu! I brought home groceries.”

“Ichi-nii! Thank you!” she smiled happily, taking the bags and heading inside to start on lunch.

Taking a seat right next to Ukitake, he held out the umeboshi-chazuke.

“Ukitake-taicho, I got something for you,” Ichigo said.

“Oh! Thank you, Kuro –um, about that. Could I call you Ichigo?” Ukitake asked flustered.

“Uh, sure.”

“And you can call me Jyuushiro.”

“Okay,” Ichigo almost let a small smile out, but held it in. Though Ukitake caught it. Hiding his own grin, he opened up the small box containing the umeboshi-chazuke and started snacking on it.

Every once and a while, Ichigo would sneak in and grab a bite.

Started 8/21/07 –Completed 8/23/07

My Almost Lover -Chapter VII

Fri, 30 May 2008 02:49:50 GMT

Disclaimer: Wow, if I owned POTC…I would’ve drowned it with Norribeth…or even Sparrowbeth…heck, even Beckabeth.
Story: Elizabeth finds What if’s too much to bear and wishes that if she could, she would want things to be different from the first time around.

Set after AWE.
Spoilers: For all three movies.
Pairings: Norribeth [Norrington/Elizabeth]
Warnings: Not sure…
A/n: Not corrected.

My Almost Lover

Chapter Seven: A Marital Interlude

“I suppose that’s a fine idea. Are you two sure you don’t want to marry in the Church?” Governor Swann implored.

“Yes, Governor Swann. We’re quite sure. We’d like to be married at the Fort,” James said firmly.

“I’d rather be married on the Pearl,” Elizabeth quipped.

Governor Swann looked scandalized and James discreetly rolled his eyes.

“So it’s settled then? At the Fort?” James brought them back to the discussion.

“Yes, yes. That is fine. I’ll just have to work harder on making the Fort was presentable and perfect for darling,” Governor Swann waved off, walking away.

James started to look horrified and began to follow the Governor when Elizabeth held him back. She laughed at his look and tugged him down to her.

“Relax, James. I’m sure Father won’t terrify your Fort. Much,” she laughed at the pained look and chastely kissed his cheek.

“We. Still. Having. Planning. To. Do.”

James sighed and nodded reluctantly, gazing at the doors where Governor Swann had left in despair.

***

“Roses or violets?”

“Neither. I want gardenias.”

“White gardenias to go with your gown?”

“And how would you know what my gown looked like? You’re not supposed to know!”

“I don’t! I was just guessing!”

“Estrella! Has James been sneaking around my room?”

“I would never!”

“No, Miss Elizabeth. Commodore Norrington hasn’t done any such thing”

“Are you quite sure? Has he been stalking my balcony then? Again?”

“I have not stalked your balcony! Elizabeth, would you stop that?”

“If you looked at my gown, it will be bad luck.”

“But I didn’t. Besides, it supposed to be bad luck when the groom sees the bride in the gown, not just the gown.”

“You’re just covering up for yourself.”

“Elizabeth!”

***

James and Elizabeth entered their favorite bakery. She remembered how James brought her there for the first time and how they shared the most delicious cake. She treasured those times and hoped they would have many more like it.

“Miss Swann, Commodore! What a pleasant surprise! What will you have?” the old lady, Mrs. Montesque Elizabeth learned her name was, smiled genially at them.

“Actually, we were wondering if you could do us a big favor. We’re getting married and we would like for you to do the dessert catering,” James asked.

Mrs. Montesque’s smile grew, “I heard the two of you were getting married! And I knew it come to this! Of course I will. I’ll have the best desserts littering your hall from end to end, dears. I hope you two enjoy yourselves and live long and happy lives together.”

“Thank you,” both James and Elizabeth smiled back at her.

***

The two of them walked along the shores, tossing ideas about other wedding plans to each other. The sea was calm and sun shined down on them, brining in fresh air and a lovely feeling came to them.

“I would request something of you, James,” Elizabeth turned serious, looking at him.

James looked at her questioningly.

“Don’t wear you wig on our wedding.”

James started to protest, but Elizabeth shushed him. Going up to him, she took off his wig then and let it fall to the ground. James flinched and was about to pick it up when she stopped him.

Threading her fingers through his hair, she said, “I love your hair.”

He blushed uncommonly for a man and she had to smile at that.

“I love it a lot and I miss the times when you were a lieutenant and a captain and you never wore your wig around me. I love James, not just the Commodore.”

She kissed him and he felt all his thoughts fly away.

***

“Elizabeth, I was most proud of you when we were fighting those pirates,” James said suddenly, as the two of them read side by side in her father’s library.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you fought well. I guess those lessons paid off.”

She laughed, “Aren’t you glad I pestered you about teaching me how to use a sword? Now you do not have to worry as much.”

“I know, but I still will worry.”

They shared secret smile and went back to their books of vengeful sea goddesses and broken lovers.

***

The wedding rehearsal was a mess. Andrew, his best man, snickered throughout the whole thing, Jack bumbled around, Theodore was beyond panicky –and he was not even the groom, and even he and Elizabeth were far too busy conversing with their eyes and missing their own cues.

Governor Swann shook his head and massaged his temples.

‘He’s rather droll, the minister,’ Elizabeth’s eyes twinkled.

‘Quite,’ James sent back.

“Commodore Norrington, your line!”

Flushing red at being caught not paying attention, James fumbled in his mind to remember the words he had to say while ignoring Andrew snickering again with Jack joining him. Even Theodore sent him an amused look.

“Um, I can’t quite remember the whole thing,” James admitted embarrassed.

The minister growled and threw his hands up.

The three other men laughed uproariously as James ducked his head in embarrassment. Governor Swann decided that he needed a good amount of a drink.

Elizabeth held her mirth silently, her eyes damnably twinkling and her smile wide.

***

Estrella hummed happily as she helped Elizabeth into her wedding gown. Laces, pearls, embroidery fitted such a marvelous gown that Elizabeth couldn’t even think to dream up. She slipped her feet into dainty flats that matched her gown, but were still covered by the hem and stayed hidden as she walked.

Her trail was long, but silky as every other part of her wedding dress. Choosing not to wear any gloves, Elizabeth wore the pearl bracelet James had given her on her debut, along with her mother’s seven rings necklace that she also wore then.

Her debut…it seemed so long ago. She never thought she would ever have the chance to be marrying James of all people.

Her hair intricately woven into a fanciful hairstyle, she let Estrella weave some gardenia petals into the brown strands. Her face was soon painted and soon it was time.

When Estrella left, she could hear her maid exclaim in surprise.

“Commodore! What are you doing here? It’s bad luck to see the bride now.”

“I know, Estrella, but I wanted to talk to Elizabeth before the ceremony started. I won’t look, the door will stay closed. I only want to talk to her,” James reassured the maid.

There was a few more exchanged words that she didn’t hear and suddenly James voice addressed her.

“Elizabeth? Are you there?”

“Right here, James,” she replied, leaning up against the door and talking through it. She placed her hands flat on the surface, and she could almost imagine it as James’ strong chest.

“I wanted to wish you…us luck. I love you,” he whispered.

She could still hear it though, and her mouth tugged into a smile.

“Close your eyes, James. And don’t look.”

She gave him a moment and then opened the door. Tiptoeing to reach him, she leaned forward and caressed his lips slowly.

“I love you too,” she said.

Then she went back in and closed the door behind her. James kept his eyes close, his mouth turning upwards into a loving smile. He slowly opened his eyes and walked to where he should’ve been minutes ago had he not taken the detour to see Elizabeth.

She listened to his retreating footsteps happily.

Elizabeth was to be married soon after all.

***

Everyone was held up. No one was there on the gloomy day. Her father was gone. Her fiancé not even there.

She was supposed to be getting married.

The rain splattered around her, drenching herself and the decorations. It was all too reminiscent of the past that was. Bitterly, she wondered if James had decided not to marry her after all. Her mouth tightened into a scowl until she remembered the last time this happened. She was to be married to Will and Beckett had interrupted the ceremony.

But her wedding with Will had been later on. She had specifically moved the wedding up tremendously to avoid this.

The unmistakable sounds of boots marching echoed hollowly in her ears. Turning to look behind her, she saw some of them there waiting.

She stood up and her dress trailed behind her as she rushed forward to meet them displeased.

Her scowl returned a hundred-fold.

Started 10/10/07 –Completed 10/10/07

What if James and Elizabeth were to be married?

What if James and Elizabeth could just tell what the other was thinking?

What if James and Elizabeth were getting married early?

What if Beckett interrupted James and Elizabeth’s wedding ceremony?

My Almost Lover -Chapter VI

Fri, 30 May 2008 02:46:27 GMT

Set after AWE.
Spoilers: For all three movies.
Pairings: Norribeth [Norrington/Elizabeth]
Warnings: Not sure…
A/n: not corrected.

“You have bewitched me, mind, body and soul.” –Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice)

My Almost Lover

Chapter Six: Nine Crimes

“Sparrow handed this back to me,” Andrew stated, handing the medallion back to James.

James was handing it Elizabeth when she shook her head.

“It belongs to Will. He should keep it.”

James sighed and nodded, turning to find Will around the deck and hand him the gold coin. He found the blacksmith staring into the sea, slumping into the railings.

“Mr. Turner, I believe this belongs to you,” James said curtly, handing the medallion to a surprised Will.

“I see. Thank you, Commodore,” Will murmured, staring at the medallion sadly.

James hesitated, but then firmly grasped Will’s shoulder and squeezed comfortingly. He left quickly after.

“Commodore,” Jack stopped James. He knew the pirate was serious because Jack never used his title to talk to him.

“What is it, Sparrow?” James asked tiredly.

“The Pearl’s caught up. She’s right behind.”

James cursed softly, but nodded to show he’d understood. When he came on deck, everyone was scurrying around.

“We’re shallow on the draft, right?” Elizabeth said as she gazed beyond them to the side.

“Aye,” Anamaria confirmed, wary about what was to come next.

“What’s this about, Elizabeth?” James interrupted.

“Can’t we lose them amongst those shoals?” Elizabeth pointed to where she was staring.

“We don’t have to outrun them for long. Just long enough, right?” Andrew said at the same time as Gibbs saying, “We don’t have to outrun them long, just long enough.”

Andrew shuddered and Gibbs flinched from the unlikely thinking likeness they had shared.

Anamaria shook her head, “Lighten the ship, stem to stern!”

“If you’d been a man, you would make Admiral,” James shook his head.

Elizabeth snorted and gave him a smirk, “If I was a man, I wouldn’t be engaged to you.”

“Anything affordable, put it to the sea!” Gibbs’ voice interrupted them as the man shouted to the crew.

They see the Black Pearl ready to fire and Anamaria starts off mournfully, “It was a good plan…up ‘till now.”

Elizabeth snarled, and James and Andrew stared at her, “We make a stand and fight! Load the guns with anything we have, everything we have!”

Everyone scrambled to obey her orders, hearing an authoritative tone in her voice that they automatically sought to follow.

“Elizabeth, you would make a fine captain,” Andrew said solemnly, staring at her still.

She pouted, “What happened to being a fine woman? James, I am still a fine woman, right?”

James’ lips twitched upwards, “Yes, Elizabeth. In fact, you are more than a fine woman.”

She rolled her eyes and then turned back to address the crew, remembering what she ordered next, “Lower the anchor on the right side –!”

“The starboard side?!” Andrew exclaimed in surprise.

“You’re daft lady!” Anamaria said shocked.

“Daft like Jack!” Gibbs yelled gleefully, “Do it, ye dogs, or you’ll be loaded into the cannons!”

Once that was gone, Elizabeth told Anamaria to let go of the wheel.

“Steady! Keep us steady!” James yelled.

“Fire all!” Elizabeth yelled after him.

“We could use more ideas, lass,” Gibbs said to Elizabeth.

She shrugged, “Your turn.”

“We’ll give them a devil’s dowry,” Gibbs suggested.

“We’ll give them her!” Anamaria shouted, pointing at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth paled and James was about to shout how to stupid that idea was when Will finally made his appearance.

“She’s not what they’re after,” the blacksmith said quietly.

He was stared at and then he went off again. Suddenly, they were being boarded and they see Jack swing in to land in front of them.

“Sparrow! I can’t believe it, but I’m so glad to see you!” Andrew yelled.

“Bloody empty,” was all that Jack replied, handing Gibbs his canteen back.

“You stole my rum, you fiend,” Gibbs muttered.

Barbossa chuckled, “Well, look at that, crew. We got ourselves what we wanted and more. The medallion, Jack.”

“I don’t ‘ave the medallion. I just got over here, ‘member mate?” Jack said annoyed.

“Not you. We named the monkey Jack,” Barbossa said as he retrieved the medallion from the monkey and grinned wickedly.

“Our hope is restored, gents!”

+
+
+
+
+
+

Back onboard the Black Pearl, the mismatched group stared down the cutthroat group of Barbossa’s. Tied to the mast, however, it was all they could do.

“Welcome back, miss. You took advantage of our hospitality last time. It holds fair now that you return the favor,” Barbossa said as he wrenched Elizabeth away from the others and tossed her over to his crew.

She screamed and struggled as they pulled and clawed at her from all sides. James snarled and tried to wrestle free of his bonds; Andrew horrified and distractedly trying to do the same, but failing as he watched in terror for his friend.

Will made his second appearance, yelling for them to stop.

“Who are you, boy?” Barbossa narrowed his eyes at Will.

“Doesn’t matter. She goes free,” Will said stubbornly.

“Why should we listen to you, boy?” Barbossa laughed.

“I am Bill Turner’s son and if you don’t do as I say I’ll shoot myself!”

Everyone stilled.

“Bootstrap’s boy?” the Pearl’s crew muttered to each other.

“Name your terms, Mr. Turner,” Barbossa said cautiously.

“Elizabeth goes free,” Will scowled.

“Yes, we know that one,” Barbossa said sarcastically.

“And the crew’s not to be harmed. And Norrington and Gillette go with Elizabeth.”

“You really think we’ll let the Scourge of Piracy go with the lass?” Barbossa sneered.

Will cocked the pistol and pointed it under his chin.

“Alright, Mr. Turner. We have an accord,” Barbossa reluctantly agreed.

“Next time the Scourge is within our sights, we’ll not be letting him go,” Bo’sun, Barbossa’s first mate, growled.

However, Will soon found out specifics were required.

“This was not what we agreed on!”

“Was it not? You said to let them go. You didn’t specify when or where. Shame to lose something so fine, though.”

“Aye!” Barbossa’s pirates echoed.

“So I’ll be having that dress back before you go,” Barbossa smugly stated.

Elizabeth twitched, “Fine.”

She took it off and tossed it to Barbossa, with the other pirates jeering. James clenched his jaw, angry and worried for Elizabeth. He felt Andrew tense up next to him.

“The dress is still warm,” Barbossa cooed.

Elizabeth scowled, but walked across the plank, hoping to avoid a repeat of being forcefully driven from the plank.

“Too long!” Bo’sun complained.

Apparently, she still hadn’t been fast enough and the plank was shaken with her being thrown off.

“Elizabeth!” James yelled, throwing himself forward until someone caught him from behind and kept him still.

Jack went next, “I’d really hoped we were passed all this.”

“Jack, did ya not notice? That be the same island that we made you Governor of on our last little trip.”

“I did notice,” Jack winced.

“Perhaps you’ll be able to conjure up another miraculous escape…but I doubt it. Off you go.”

“Last time, you left me a pistol with one shot,” Jack said, staring at the island.

“You’re right. Where be Jack’s pistol? Bring it forward.”

“There’ll be four of us. Care to spare another three pistols? As a gentleman would,” Jack tried.

“It’ll be one pistol as before…you can be the gentleman and shoot the lady. The rest of you can fight like dogs and starve,” Barbossa threw the pistol into the sea and Jack dived after it.

James and then Andrew were pushed forward quickly afterward, James treated far more harshly than the others.

They regrouped at the island and Jack stared wistfully after the Black Pearl.

“That’s the second time I’ve had to watch that man sail away with my ship.”

“You’ve been stranded here before, haven’t you?” Andrew looked at him reproachfully.

“Yes, of course. But last time…last time,” Jack jumped on a certain spot and then opened it, “I was here a grand total of three days. Rumrunners used this place as a cache and I was able to barter a way off. They look like they’ve been out of business for a while. Wouldn’t be your work, would it Norrie?”

“I knew that story was a load,” Andrew sneered.

Jack waved it off, going down to the cellar and retrieving four bottles of rum.

“Y-you spent a grand total of three days, just drinking rum?!” James asked in disbelief.

“Welcome to the Caribbean, loves!” Jack popped open his bottle and swigged a drink.

Giving up, they all began to drink rum with him until they were all being merry.

“We’re devils and black sheep and really bad eggs. Drink up me ‘earties yo ho! Yo ho, yo ho! A pirate’s life for me!” Jack and Elizabeth sang and danced around the fire.

James chuckled. Both he and Andrew countered by singing just as loudly Navy songs they learned when they were younger.

“Blah, blah, blah! Shush you two! Lizzie, I love this song! Really bad eggs! Ooh!” he fell down. He laughed, “When I get the Pearl back, I’ll teach it to the whole crew, and we’ll sing it all the time!”

“My crew knows all the Navy songs and we sing it all the time!” James slurred out.

“Bah! It’s no good without any sense of piracy in it!” Jack complained.

Andrew snorted, “Says you. And look where’s piracy gotten us. Stranded!”

“Oh my, Andrew is becoming an emotional drunk! He needs love!” Elizabeth giggled and before the poor lieutenant knew it, three persons began smothering him in what they thought were hugs. He thought they were trying to kill him.

“The Pearl is freedom,” Jack mumbled suddenly.

Suddenly, James actually understood Jack. In that respect, did they agree. Their ships, the sea…they were freedom.

Elizabeth smiled in remembrance, “To freedom.”

“To the Black Pearl,” Jack grinned.

Jack fell asleep and the other three suddenly sobered up.

The next morning, Jack awoke to smoke. Boxes, leaves, and trees were piled and burning up.

“No! Not good! Stop! Not good! What are you doing? You burned all the food, the shade! The rum!”

“Yes, the rum is gone,” Elizabeth played along.

“Why is the rum gone?” Jack asked in despair.

“Because the rum is gone,” Andrew sniggered.

“We need a signal and this is at least two feet high,” James explained.

“But why is the rum gone?”

Exasperated, Elizabeth sat back and watched the sea, “Just wait, Jack. An hour or two and we’ll be seeing white sails. They’ll be looking for us. After all, they wouldn’t just let a commodore and a governor’s daughter be lost at sea.”

“What about me?” Andrew asked.

“You’re not important,” Elizabeth said without pause.

“Hey!”

Elizabeth burst into laughter. Suddenly, the Dauntless comes into their view.

“There’ll be no living with her after this,” Jack said, James and Andrew laughing at him.

Elizabeth pouted.

+
+
+
+
+
+

“Theo, thank God,” Andrew muttered under his breath.

They all were taken onto the Dauntless.

“Commodore Norrington, where to?” Theodore asked upon James’ arrival.

James looked over to Elizabeth and sighed.

“We go after Turner and save his scrawny ass,” he ordered, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

“But sir…”

“No buts. Jack, the heading.” James felt Elizabeth slide next to him, her hand gripping his.

“I’m going to marry you,” James whispered happily to Elizabeth.

“I know,” she replied with a twinkle in her eyes.

“Weddings! I love weddings! Let’s bring around the drinks!” Andrew sighed and smacked the back of Jack’s head.

James twitched in mild annoyance, but then ordered his men to continue on. Gesturing for Andrew, Jack, and Elizabeth to follow him, they congregated in his office onboard the ship.

“First things first, we need to figure out how to fight these pirates,” James said first.

“Undead pirates,” Jack nodded his head, holding up a finger and his face all-knowing.

“Yes, yes. Undead pirates,” Andrew rolled his eyes.

“We go all together. Jack, you’ll be wanting your revenge against Barbossa, and I wouldn’t want to let Elizabeth out of my sight. The pirates have a good chance of attacking the Dauntless and I’d rather not let you here by yourself. Besides, you’d rather be fighting and probably escape from the Dauntless anyhow,” James addressed Elizabeth at the end. “However, like I said, they probably would attack the Dauntless. Therefore, Andrew since you are more informed, I’d trust you to keep safe the ship and lead the men here in my place.”

Andrew nodded reluctantly. He’d rather have been with them, but he also couldn’t let James down.

“Let’s start this fight,” Jack concluded, with a grin.

+
+
+
+
+
+

Barbossa and Jack were going at it increasingly, not tiring and both undead. James, Elizabeth and Will fought side by side and tackling the rest of the pirates in the cave.

After Jack had come swaggering in and interrupted the blood ritual, he gave off the signals to James and Elizabeth to attack as soon as Jack had ended talking and stealing a coin. Most of the other pirates had left beforehand to attack the Dauntless, but the leftovers were being picked off by the three.

Will having figured it out from watching and listening to Jack talk before, was steadily gaining more confidence and fought more aggressively than he had ever done so.

As James and Elizabeth fought together, when Will signaled he was going to leave for a second, they kept the rest of the pirates in bay until Will and Jack outsmarted Barbossa and Jack finally used his one shot.

“Well, wasn’t that exciting?” James said sarcastically, slightly breathing heavily.

Elizabeth laughed.

However, their troubles didn’t seem to be over. Jack was to be hanged with the rest of the pirates captured. Dismayed, Elizabeth pleaded to James.

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth. But I really can’t do much for my station. This is beyond me,” James told her sincerely.

Elizabeth felt herself tearing up and held onto James tightly. She wondered if this time Will would save Jack again, or Jack really would hang.

At the day of the hanging, when it was Jack’s turn and they began reading his crimes, Elizabeth held onto James’ hand tightly. Anticipation and fear ran through her. Would Will do it? Did she change too much? When was he coming? It should’ve been at any time.

Suddenly, Will appeared dressed fancily. He stopped by Elizabeth and James and hesitated. Looking to James sorrowfully, Will said, “Thank you, Commodore. Take care of her…and yourself.”

He left them and made a rucus, saving Jack and attempting to flee with him. Elizabeth was about to move forward when James gripped her hand. She looked back to him and he had this pleading, ‘trust me’ look. Biting her lip, she nodded. He pulled her along and they chased after Will and Jack.

“This is wrong and I won’t let it happen. Jack is a good man and doesn’t deserve to be hanged,” Will protested strongly, as they were cornered at the parapets.

“I know,” James said to the surprise of his soldiers. “Give me a few seconds, please,” he continued confusingly.

‘Come on…hurry it up. Please let it be on time,’ James prayed in his mind.

“Ja –Commodore!” Andrew ran, seeming flustered. “There’s a letter for you. The bearer said to give it to you immediately without delay.”

“Finally,” James nodded, accepting the letter. Skimming it, a smile grew on his face.

“By order of the King of England, Jack Sparrow is to be pardoned of all crimes and be allowed to work as a privateer for Her Royal Majesty’s Navy under my command,” James stated authoritatively.

Everyone looked surprised at his announcement, but Elizabeth was also pleased and delighted. Will seemed relieved and Jack looked smug.

“Why, thank you Commodore!” Jack bowed.

“Aren’t you going to give us a grand leave?” James looked at him with one eyebrow raised.

“What’s that? What do you mean?”

“You, Jack Sparrow, have a penchant for leaving with a…bang. Your entrances, most of the time, hold the same finesse. So let’s have it. One of your famous exits!” James was enjoying himself, Elizabeth could tell. She was having a hard time holding back her own giggles.

“Alrighty then,” Jack shrugged. He backed away, “This is the day you will always remember you almost ha –” whatever he was going to say was cut off as Jack fell off and crashed into the waters.

James yelled down to him, “The Pearl’s that way, Captain Sparrow. Have you lost your sense of direction as well as you grace? Welcome, Privateer Captain Jack Sparrow!”

James laughed loudly as Jack cursed and began swimming towards his ship. Elizabeth looped her arm around James’ and let herself giggle a little.

“Not the same, but still a good exit,” James finished.

Elizabeth let out full-blown laughter.

“I did a lot of it for you, you know,” James murmured, only her hearing. “You convinced me to let him have a chance. He saved your life, now I’ve saved his. I don’t doubt he won’t be a pirate, but I think I may be marrying a pirate myself,” he looked at her meaningfully.

Elizabeth smile sweetly, feeling touched by the gesture and his thoughts. She leaned on him unnoticeably to everyone else but him.

He returned the smile.

Started 10/1/07 –Completed 10/9/07

What if James had given the medallion back to Will, and therefore Will and Elizabeth never had that moment underneath the Pearl?

What if James, Elizabeth, Andrew and Jack were marooned together?

What if James had been fighting alongside Elizabeth?

What if Will had never confessed his love for Elizabeth as Jack’s attempted hanging?

What if Elizabeth had convinced James not to chase after Jack?

What if James had saved Jack for Elizabeth because Jack saved her and because she wanted Jack to live?

My Almost Lover -Chapter V

Fri, 30 May 2008 02:43:02 GMT

Set after AWE.
Spoilers: For all three movies.
Pairings: Norribeth [Norrington/Elizabeth]
Warnings: Not sure…
A/n: Not corrected.

“Whatever happens today, will last an eternity.” –Maximus (Gladiator)

My Almost Lover

Chapter Five: The Blackest of Pearls

Once again she was captured by pirates. And the only thing she had to bargain with was the knowledge of where the medallion they wanted was. For she didn’t have it this time.

James stood with a group, trying to figure out where Elizabeth had gone. Jack was there as well, seeing as how he was much more familiar with workings of this particular crew and as a pirate himself.

“They’ve taken her. They’ve taken Elizabeth!” Will burst in.

James sighed, averting his eyes for a moment towards the people coming in injured or dead.

“I’m well aware of that, Mr. Turner. Please leave this to us. You’ll become a liability.”

“Don’t you understand? We have to hunt them down! We must save her!”

Frankly, this was starting to grate on James’ already frayed nerves.

“Don’t you think I don’t know that? My fiancé is captured by pirates and we don’t have a damn clue where the hell she’s at!”

It went quiet and no one spoke. Will looked wide-eyed at him, and hurt began to register at his words. Elizabeth was engaged.

“Commodore Norrington, a letter for you,” Gillette handed him a letter. Immediately, James recognized Elizabeth’s writing. He opened it quickly and read the first line.

“Gillette, Sparrow, with me.” He led them out and then proceeded to read the letter aloud.

James,

I’ve only minutes to write this, but have Andrew and Jack Sparrow with you. Please keep the medallion safe, they are after it. I’ll probably bargain its location along with invoking the right of parlay, but know that I am safe for the time being. Jack, use your compass to go straight to Isla de Muerta. They’ll take me straight there, but they’ll be going slow. Make sure to have gun powder on the Interceptor. And they have need of Will as well, to work with the medallion. Try to bring him along. James, I –

It was smeared at the end and couldn’t be read any further. James gritted his teeth.

“Sparrow, you’ll have some explaining to do. But now we’ll need to detain Mr. Turner.”

“Only, I don’t think that’s possible,” Jack pointed out to sea, watching as the Interceptor started sailing away with the rest of the crew on the Dauntless and the original crew of the Dauntless in the waters.

“I would’ve been on the Dauntless, but I had to give you that,” Andrew said quickly.

“Will Turner stole the Interceptor.”

“Didn’t think the lad had it in him,” Jack swaggered.

“Doesn’t matter. We’ll have to catch him and take back that ship,” James glared after the fading sight of the ship.

“He’ll be going to Tortuga, you know. We can find a crew there as well,” Jack grinned.

“I suppose you’re right. But we can find men here to form a crew,” James countered.

“Aye, but we’ll be needing a crew that fits in. Trust me on this, Norrie.”

James scoffed, but acquiesced. As long as they can save Elizabeth.

+
+
+
+
+
+

“Groves will be heading the rest of the fleet around the sea. We’ll be dropped off to Tortuga, find Turner, and then head to Isla de Muerta,” James mapped out.

The compass, Isla de Muerta, and the curse explained by Jack, they headed off to the pirate port. First things first, Jack led them to find Gibbs. Finding him drunk in a pig pen, Jack threw a bucket of water at him.

“You don’t wake a man up suddenly, especially when the rum’s gone!” Gibbs awoke, sputtering from the water.

“It’s alright if you know how to counter waking a man when the one doing the waking is offering rum and a proposition,” Jack grinned.

Gibbs looked confused for a second before shrugging, “Aye, as long as there’s rum. A proposition, you say? Interestin’.”

Andrew threw another bucketful of water at him. “You stink,” the lieutenant scrunched up his nose. Gibbs grunted and shrugged apologetically.

When they had all sat at the bar, rum served, Jack began to talk. James and Andrew warily eyed their mugs, but otherwise did not pay any mind to it.

“If you don’t want ‘em, we’ll take ‘em,” Gibbs said, gesturing to Jack and him. They began sipping their rum cautiously and Gibbs shrugged. Jack cleared his throat.

“You see, I ‘ave half mind to go after Black Pearl.”

“Are you mad? You of all people know the stories about the ship.”

“Aye,” Jack agreed somberly, “But I’ve got leverage.”

“What leverage is that?” Andrew cut in.

“Will Turner is the son of Bootstrap. We find him, we got our leverage,” Jack said plainly, feeling amused.

“I’m not fond of Mr. Turner either, but I don’t think his life should be traded in,” James cut in.

“Don’t you worry, Norrie. This’ll all work out in the end. Now, Mr. Gibbs, we’ll be needing a crew. Spread the word out that the Pearl’s somewhat of an interest, but not too much. That a way, it attracts dear William but doesn’t stave off too many potential crew.”

“Aye, Captain. Right away.”

“It’s two captains. This one here likes to be in command and will probably chew my head off,” Jack pointed at James, who looked sardonically back.

“Take everything away!” Gibbs proclaimed jovially.

“Give nothing back!” Jack finished.

The next morning, the crew assembled looked like bunch of mismatched pansies. Jack looked over them and hmmed.

“Well, this lot’ll do. You there –” one of the recruits stepped out and decked him one. “If that’s who I think it is, then I deserve that.”

“What is it now?” Andrew half-sneered. “Last night it was two women, who slapped you for your…casual acquaintance, now you’ve a boy on the side?”

The same recruit dealt Andrew one, and James admitted that one may have been deserved.

“You, shut up. And you!” her vehemence returned tenfold as she turned her attention back to Jack. Jack slipped that hat off and her hair fell into view. She slapped his hand away and glared. “You stole my ship!”

“It’s more like borrowing without asking. I was going to return it,” Jack said hastily.

“But you didn’t! You owe me a ship, Sparrow!”

James and Andrew groaned. “I knew I should’ve let you hang, Sparrow,” James said exasperatedly.

“Ah, but you, your lass, and Lieutenant Kiss Ass right next to you are too attached to little, old me.”

Andrew’s scowl deepened, but James had to hold back a bark of laughter, “You know, Andrew, he’s sort of right. You do kiss up a lot sometimes.”

“Rarely!” Andrew protested.

Anamaria coughed to get back their attention. “Right then, ma’am. I apologize for earlier. Go on ahead and kill Jack Sparrow,” Andrew said with a straight face.

“Apology accepted. Now let me at that bastard!” Anamaria growled.

“By all means,” James and Andrew stepped aside, revealing Jack who had been hiding behind them.

“I heard something about the Black Pearl…” Will’s voice trailed off and immediately he turned to run, only to have three men tackle him to the ground.

“Sorry, love, gotta deal with this lad first,” Jack directed towards Anamaria.

“And then I’ll personally assist you in murdering Jack,” Andrew added.

“Hey!”

James sighed to himself and focused on the squirming figure of Will.

“We know where they’re heading, Mr. Turner. If you’d just calm down and listen…”

Will stopped struggling and James continued, “We’ll tell you on the way there, but we need to be fast. Elizabeth is fine for now, but that may not last.”

“Alright. I’m listening, Commodore.”

+
+
+
+
+
+

“So I’m to be used as a bargaining chip?” Will scowled.

Jack threw his hands up, “We shouldn’t have told him. Why did we tell him?”

James threw Jack a look, “Because it wouldn’t be right otherwise. Mr. Turner, I’m aware this is hardly a sound plan, but we need you to bargain with if worst comes to worst. But Plan A, we’ll have Sparrow stay behind and be distraction while we retrieve Elizabeth. He’ll bargain knowledge of your whereabouts and we’ll move from there.”

“Well, if Jack’s left behind, I guess that’s fine.”

Jack growled, muttering about ungrateful scalawags.

“Then it is settled. We move forward with this plan.”

In a matter of days, they were getting closer to Isla de Muerta with the help of Jack’s compass. Gibbs regaled them with the tale of how Jack was marooned and left with a pistol and one shot, and how he escaped on sea turtles tied together by rope made from hair on his back.

Unbelievable.

“That pistol you have, it’s one shot, you’re saving it for Barbossa, right?” James asked, taking a swig from his mug. He was thirsty and all they had was rum, so he had to deal.

“Payback, is what it is,” Jack scowled.

“Aye. But it’s one shot, and you might miss,” Andrew said glumly, staring into his own mug.

“I waited ten long years. I can wait for the perfect shot.”

“Off of this grim subject, when do we reach Isla de Muerta?” Will cut in, starting to feel a little uncomfortable.

“Tomorrow, we set sail on its waters,” Jack answered.

“We’ll be ready by then,” James said determinedly.

When they did come about Isla de Muerta, Jack had to head in first. James and Andrew would be behind him, and Will was to stay behind and help them if things went wrong. Even though Will didn’t like it, he stood down.

“Well, Miss Swann, how long are we to wait for those scalawags to come lurking around? We’re awaitin’ here. Surely, they’ll come for you soon and with the medallion hopefully, yes?” Barbossa laughed.

“I told them to bring the medallion, yes. They’ll be along soon. They’ll come for me,” Elizabeth’s strong voice gave life to James’ cold heart. He had felt so barren after Elizabeth’s capture, but just hearing her gave him hope.

“What’s this lass doing here?” Jack swaggered in.

“Jack? Jack Sparrow?” Barbossa asked incredulously.

‘It’s Captain Jack Sparrow,’ James actually thought. Elizabeth echoed his sentiments aloud.

Barbossa laughed again, “Jack isn’t captain of anything. Not anymore at least.”

“Yes, well…” Jack scowled before, it was replaced with the usual self-satisfied grin.

“I thought you were dead, Jack.”

“You forget, I’m Captain Jack Sparrow.”

Barbossa smirked, “This time, there’ll be no forgetting.”

Barbossa had a pistol pointed at Jack. Jack winced and pulled out their Ace, the medallion James had slipped to him.

“But I’ve got this. As for the matter of the girl, well…let’s get that curse off, shall we?” Jack paraded forward, standing next to Elizabeth. “Too bad this isn’t a Turner. But I do know of the location of a certain Will Turner, son of Bootstrap Turner. Ah, but how do we find dear William? Why, we bait him.”

“We knew she isn’t the one we were looking for. She’s here to bring us the medallion. That we now have. Though I’m a bit interested in hearing about this Will Turner.”

‘Too early, too early!’ James’ mind screamed. Jack discreetly slid his eyes over where James was hiding and James knew. There was a change in plans.

Jack walked away from Elizabeth and closer to Barbossa, all eyes focused on them. Elizabeth had all been forgotten. In fact, James had looked away for a second and she was gone.

“I’ve got her, James,” Andrew muttered and he whirled around to see Andrew with an exhausted looking Elizabeth.

“Elizabeth,” he breathed out. She smiled back weakly and threw herself into his arms. “I’ve missed you, James. Thank you for coming.”

He didn’t answer, just clutching her closer and breathing in the scent of apples in her hair.

“Let’s go, James. Elizabeth, we have to go,” Andrew said anxiously.

The two reluctantly parted and they began to leave.

“What about Jack?” Elizabeth asked concerned.

“He’s staying behind. He’s going to keep them off us for a few more minutes and then bargain Will’s location to keep himself alive. They’ll follow for sure, but from there we need to keep planning,” James hurriedly explained.

Elizabeth nodded grudgingly and they continued their leave of the place.

Started 10/1/07 –Completed 10/1/07

What if Elizabeth didn’t have the medallion to bargain with?

What if Elizabeth was able to warn James about the future a little?

What if James had asked for Jack’s help to find a way to rescue Elizabeth?

What if James had been around with Jack and Will the first time they recued Elizabeth?

My Almost Lover -Chapter IV

Fri, 30 May 2008 02:39:07 GMT

Set after AWE.
Spoilers: For all three movies.
Pairings: Norribeth [Norrington/Elizabeth]
Warnings: Not sure…
A/n: Again, not corrected.

“Goodbye my almost lover

Goodbye my hopeless dream

I'm trying not to think about you

Can't you just let me be?

So long my luckless romance

My back is turned on you

I should have known you'd bring me heartache,

Almost lovers always do

We walked along a crowded street

You took my hand and danced with me

images

And when you left you kissed my lips

you told me you would never

Ever forget these images, no.” –Almost Lover (A Fine Frenzy)

My Almost Lover

Chapter Four: A Fine Frenzy

Elizabeth hummed to herself as she continued her walk to James’ office for a visit. Giggling lightly, she waved to Andrew and then walked in unannounced.

“Elizabeth, I love you. Would you marry me?” James pronounced to the window, back straight and jaw jutting out.

“I’m over here,” Elizabeth said, offering a weak grin. Her heart beat wildly.

James whirled around, eyes wide. He offered no explanations and Elizabeth didn’t push it. While James hadn’t meant to say it, he wasn’t going to take it back. She decided to pretend it hadn’t happen and allow him to do it properly, as he would want to do.

“I have something to tell you, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth wondered if James was going to try again right then. She felt herself fill up with anticipation, but pushed it down. It wouldn’t do if it was something else.

“I’m to become Commodore of her Royal Majesty’s fleet,” he told her anxiety.

“That’s brilliant, James! Congratulations!”

He smiled weakly, before deciding he should sit down. He offered her the same before quickly looking down.

“I remember you were very disappointed to learn I didn’t tell you I was becoming Captain last time. Even though I didn’t know, I know how much you would want to be told first. Well, this time I was the first told by the Admiral and now I’ve told you. As of right now, we’re the only two who knows. It’s like a secret between us, yes? And the Admiral, but he doesn’t count.”

Elizabeth laughed delightedly, rushing over to him and pulling him into a hug.

“I’m near your station now,” he said meaningfully.

“I know,” she replied with a mysterious smile.

+
+
+
+
+
+

This was the day she had hated waiting for. Not only because of the changes that had been and would be wrought, but also for how Jack Sparrow, the Black Pearl, and her destiny would meet. And her engagement.

As last time, her father came in with a gorgeous dress and that blasted corset. He hinted at the marriage proposal she should accept from Commodore Norrington and she suddenly stopped Estrella from finishing her job with the dress. She looked her father in the eye and impishly stuck out her tongue. Her father sighed but Elizabeth wasn’t finished.

“Father, I’ve waited for this far longer than you think. I know what you’re trying to do and let my do it my way.”

Her father looked surprised, “I see. So you weren’t kidding when you said you wanted to marry him when you were twelve.”

Elizabeth choked on her breath. “You actually remember that,” she muttered embarrassed.

Governor Swann shrugged and jovially walked away, content with his daughter’s happiness in hand.

“Estrella, don’t pull my stays too tight. Have the corset breathable. I don’t wish to faint because of it,” she said, looking back to the last time she had worn this dress. Maybe she could salvage it this time around.

Because of her looser corset, Elizabeth was able to appreciate the ceremony better. She smiled brightly and looked on proudly at James. He looked over to her and smiled back, seeing her proud look for him. Afterwards, she got the usual case of déjà vu, only this time it was because James asked her for a moment once again to the parapet.

“Elizabeth, I –”

“Be straight, James. There’s no need to be nervous and ramble around me,” Elizabeth caught him off, not really impatient –after all, she’s waited how many years again? –but more to help him feel better and keep calm.

“I love you. Maybe since I first met you, but I’ve only just realized when I saw you gliding down that staircase in such a vivid vision of green that my heart stopped for a moment. I’ve been so terrified that I’d lose you to Mr. Turner or to some other man that I didn’t know if I could make you as happy. I’ve tried hard to reach this position so that I may be of closer station to you and be allowed to ask…for your hand in marriage.”

Elizabeth smiled softly and tilted upwards to plant a small kiss on his cheek.

“And you have it,” she said softly.

A grin slowly spread across his face and he pulled her closer and muttered thanks into her tightly wound hair.

‘No, thank you…’

Smiling, she excused herself to inform her father when she decided to spy on James a little. She was happy enough that she hadn’t fainted; maybe her luck would last a little longer.

Down a few levels, she stood near the rocks at ground level with the ocean nipping at her toes.

She leaned back a little to see James, only to see him staring down at her.

“Here I was, looking to stare at the ocean depths only to see my fiancé lurking down there. What are you up to, Elizabeth?”

“Spying on you,” Elizabeth said bluntly.

James burst into laughter and Elizabeth grinned widely at his response. She stepped back to get a better view of him, only to realize she was stepping into water.

“James!” she gasped.

She plunged into the waters, pulled down even more with the weight of her dress.

“Elizabeth!”

Without a second thought, James jumped off the parapet and went into the waters after her.

“What a crazy couple,” Jack Sparrow stared at the remnants of a splash, with Murtogg and Mulloy next to him.

+
+
+
+
+
+

James struggled a little to bring Elizabeth back up, but the weight of her dress was too much. Hoping she would forgive him, James ripped her dress off and swam to the surface. Not really wanting to make it to any other shore before checking Elizabeth, he settled for a flat surface of a rock and kept Elizabeth on his lap. Seeing her still not breathing, this time he hoped for Governor Swann’s forgiveness and he quickly cut her stays and let the corset fall into the waters. Averting his eyes, he took off his jacket and put it around her before hugging her close to keep her warm.

“‘Ello there, mate! Need a hand?” James blinked at the weirdest looking man he’d ever met, swimming near him. Then his eyes narrowed as he realized it was a pirate.

“Not from the likes of you, pirate!”

“Just wantin’ to help, is all. Are you sure?” Jack gave him a toothy grin.

James hesitated before wincing, “If you’d get us a boat, it’d be much appreciated.”

“Then I’ll be back.”

James watched as the man swam back to two figures he recognized as Murtogg and Mulloy. Together, they pioneered a small boat to the correct side and then Jack came sailing back, still with a toothy grin.

“Here she is, mate. By the by, name’s Captain Jack Sparrow.”

James introduced himself with a bland face, “Commodore James Norrington.”

“And the lass?” Jack asked as he came closer and stopped before him.

James winced again, but accepted the other man’s help in bringing Elizabeth into the boat.

“My fiancé, Elizabeth Swann,” he answered shortly.

“Alrighty then. Let’s start sailing back, you two crazy lovebirds,” Jack started humming something awful, and James unwillingly felt his mouth quirk upwards into a smirk.

“That there smirk is better than that horrid scowl on yer face, Norrie,” Jack said cheerily.

James rolled his eyes, “It’s Commodore Norrington, Sparrow.”

“And it’s Captain Sparrow, Commodore,” Jack said with cheek.

James almost bit back his next words, but he put them out regardless, “Not that you really deserve it, Captain Sparrow, but I have a mind to offer you a privateer spot and have your crimes…forgotten. As my thanks.”

“Privateer, eh? No thanks, I like bein’ Captain.”

‘Captain of what?’ James thought with another eye roll.

“You’ll still be captain of your ship, only your occupation would be as a privateer, idiot.”

“Well then, if that’s the case we ‘ave an accord!”

James sighed and clutched Elizabeth closer, feeling her cold body warm up.

“As long as it isn’t by the East India folks,” Jack muttered.

James was surprised, “You know Cutler Beckett, then?”

Jack actually scowled, “I’ve got stories to tell you about that man that’ll make any pirate seem like a saint.”

James smirked, “Then we have another accord.”

They shared another look, and settled into an even more companionable air.

+
+
+
+
+
+

The screams tore through the night. Elizabeth was terrified. Her earlier happiness from the engagement and from listening in on James and Jack’s conversation was nowhere near as she felt the fear of running away. Only hours before she had thought of how different and crazy things had gone, now she could only think of how much everything had gone the same.

She paused. She had been a pirate lord and proficient in a swordfight. Why was she scared?

Oh, she had been scared back then too. But she had pushed it down and fought like hellcat.

Taking inspiration, Elizabeth gathered her wits about herself and found a sword. It was a bit rusty and didn’t seem like much use, but she did her best fighting with it. She only needed to see Pintel and Ragetti and say parlay, but until then she would protect the mansion.

Coming in, Jack gaped in surprise at how she fought back the pirates.

“Now that lass has some spirit in her.”

Unfortunately, the two Elizabeth had been waiting for came up behind Jack and knocked him out. As he crumpled into place, Elizabeth caught sight of the two and stopped. Inches before a sword cut into her, she proclaimed, “Parlay.”

And now was where the true changes would begin.

Started 10/1/07 –Completed 10/1/07

What if James had had the guts to confess his love to her earlier?

What if Elizabeth had not fainted on the parapet?

What if they had gotten engaged on the parapet?

What if James had jumped in after her?

What if James had Jack help him and offered him a privateer job?

Back and Updating

Fri, 30 May 2008 02:34:57 GMT

Hey everyone, I'm back and with a lot of updates. A LOT of updates. I'll start with My Almost Lover, James/Elizabeth timetravel/AU/What If? I'm just updating so I didn't take the time to look over them and make sure they were corrected, so sorry for any mistakes.

Disclaimer: Wow, if I owned POTC…I would’ve drowned it with Norribeth…or even Sparrowbeth…heck, even Beckabeth.
Story: Elizabeth finds What if’s too much to bear and wishes that if she could, she would want things to be different from the first time around.

Set after AWE.
Spoilers: For all three movies.
Pairings: Norribeth [Norrington/Elizabeth]
Warnings: Not sure…

“I catalog these steps now 
Decisive and intentioned 
Precise and patterned specifically to yours 
I'm talented at breathing 
Especially exhaling 
So that my chest will rise and fall with yours

 I'm careful not to wake you 
Fearing conversation 
It's better just to hold you 
And keep you pacified 
I'm talented with reason 
I cover all the angles 
I can fail before I ever try

I am fairly agile
I can bend and not break
Or I can break and take it with a smile
And I am so resilient
I recover quickly
I'll convince you soon that I am fine

Try to understand, there's an old mistake that fools will make
And I'm the king of them, pushing everything that's good away, so
Won't you hold me now (I will not bend, I will not break)Won't you hold me now (for you I rise, for you I fall)

Just hold me close to you, just hold me close to you 
Just hold me close to you, just hold me close to you, to you.” –Bend and Not Break (Dashboard Confessional)

My Almost Lover

Chapter Three: Bend and Not Break

Elizabeth smiled and listened to Will talk of the swords he was crafting and how he thought he was getting pretty good at it. She laughed when he made a particular comment about Mr. Brown.

“Have you heard, Elizabeth? They’re making Lieutenant Norrington Captain!”

That was news to her. She started to bristle, knowing that James hadn’t told her yet. She excused her to leave, ignoring Will’s sad puppy eyes. She smiled at him, wishing she didn’t have to act this way with him.

“I’ll see you, Will.”

Ignoring the pang in her heart, Elizabeth hurried away and to where she knew James was. Where else, but his office?

“James Norrington, you horrible man! How dare you not share such valuable information with your best friend?!” she screeched upon reaching his office.

James looked at her like she was crazy. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Elizabeth. Come in and close the door.”

She huffed and stomped in, almost deciding to slam the door.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were made Captain?” she asked hurt.

James looked confused, “What?”

At that moment, Andrew entered without knocking. He looked between the two and turned red.

“Sorry, I should’ve knocked. Continue on, I’ll just be back later,” Andrew turned to leave, but Elizabeth stopped him.

“Andrew, didn’t James make Captain? Will told me!”

“Oh…that,” he looked uncomfortable. “Um, I don’t know how Mr. Turner got that information, but L-I mean Captain Norrington hasn’t even been informed. It was just sailor talk…we heard from the Admiral and started talking and Mr. Turner must’ve heard.”

Elizabeth flushed red, embarrassed. James looked pleasantly surprised, but not as happy as Elizabeth would’ve thought he’d be.

“Well then, I’ll be taking the day off. Andrew, take care of things here, okay? Elizabeth, why don’t we go out to celebrate?”

Elizabeth gave a bright smile, all embarrassment and anger forgotten. Andrew threw her a smirk over James’ shoulder as they walked out.

Elizabeth couldn’t believe the places James knew. She never really got to know him as much in her time, but here she was surprised at how free James could be outside of society’s expectations and his own inhibitions.

That rest of the day, James to her out to lunch at the beach, went sailing on cutter at that same beach, and then went to eat dinner at an Irish pub. They danced the whole night there.

+
+
+
+
+
+

Despite all that, it was hard to catch the attention she wanted from James. She was having no luck, and even Andrew was starting to get frustrated. He treated her like a grownup, but James just wasn’t reciprocating. At least, not that she could see.

Time to be desperate.

For that week, she had a new boy on her arm every day. He didn’t even so much as bat an eye. For the rest of that month, she had a different older man walking her arm each week. Three different guys giving alarm to the new Captain.

She felt somewhat successful.

The third man, however, gave her and him a bad feeling. He was a visitor from England on vacation there. He seemed okay enough, but Elizabeth was nervous being around him. And James felt warning signs go up immediately when he first saw him.

Elizabeth almost found out just how much that bad feeling was right when he started to lead her unwillingly to a boat. James came right at the nick of time, shoving him into the boat and ordering his return to England. She didn’t expect James to grab her and pull her away roughly until they were on the docks.

“You, Elizabeth, was stupid for a smart, young woman,” he scolded.

Despite that, she was happy he considered her smart and a young woman.

He didn’t know why she skipped away happily from his lecture.

+
+
+
+
+
+

The year she turned fifteen wasn’t eventful, only she redoubled her efforts. The last time around, she remembered starting to give up and give Will a chance. Well, this time she knew what to do and that something could happen if she kept at it.

Sixteen had been her favorite year last time around, and so it was this time.

Her debut was coming up and she hadn’t even seen James since the small party his crew threw. She was nervous because last time she had danced the most with James, almost forgetting about her dance card. Would it be the same or would she not dance with him at all? Would he even be there? It didn’t seem like it, not if his not seeing her meant something. She hoped he wasn’t angry with her.

“Elizabeth, you’ve been ignoring me for the past 10 minutes. Are you okay?” James’ voice suddenly tuned in.

“Great, now I’m even hearing his voice in my head,” Elizabeth scowled.

“What are you talking about?”

She jerked her head up, almost catching James’ face who had been stooping so that they were face to face.

“James! Where have you been?”

“I’ve been here, in front of you,” James said sarcastically.

“No! I meant why haven’t I seen you since that party?”

“Oh, I’ve had a lot of work to do. I’m sorry. Did you miss me?” James asked mischievously.

“Of course, you idiot!” Elizabeth scrunched up her nose at him and hit his shoulder with her fan.

“Well, I’ll be gone a while longer,” he said apologetically.

She felt her body go cold. “You’re…not going to my debut?”

James actually looked appalled, “Of course I am, you silly minx! I just have to finish some things up right now, so I have to leave after I’m done talking to you. Therefore, I insist you save the first and last dance for me on your dance card. Okay?”

Elizabeth beamed, “Okay.”

“I’ll see you, Elizabeth. Happy sixteenth,” James bent down again and kissed her forehead.

That night, Elizabeth walked down the staircase apprehensively, wearing a long fitted emerald gown that reminded her very much of James’ eyes. Her father had finally remembered, after years, that she had wanted a green dress. The hem of the gown cascaded down past her ankles in waves as a full-length dress. For once, she was glad for the corset as it accentuated her figure and allowed the off the shoulder bodice to show some cleavage. Her arms felt horribly bare though, as she had forgone any jewelry save for the seven rings necklace that her mother had imported a long time ago from China.

She searched the crowds for a familiar face, but the one she really wanted wasn’t there yet. Resigning herself to having to decline any dances until he came, Elizabeth reluctantly stepped off the stairs to a crowd of applause.

Smiling politely, she curtsied and started to head towards her father when James suddenly appeared by her side. Surprised, Elizabeth let her happiness how in her smile.

“James, I thought you would be late.”

“Not for you,” he murmured, a shine in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. He licked his lips nervously before he took out a medium-sized box from his breast pocket.

Opening it, Elizabeth gasped at the bracelet of different pastel-colored pearls.

“They’re…freshwater pearls from off the coast. And that there spacing them is sterling silver. I picked the pearls myself, but I had someone make the bracelet. I hope you like it, Elizabeth.”

“It’s gorgeous, James!” she felt herself fall even more in love with him.

“Well, I’ve come to collect my first dance, then,” he grinned roguishly, and suddenly she realized how lucky she was to have met James before he became jaded or when he was so stiff around her.

“Don’t change, James. I’ll kill you if you do,” she said seriously, which was ruined the next moment when she giggled and tugged him to the dance floor.

“You are the craziest and most loveliest girl I’ve ever met,” he muttered under his breath, but she still caught it. Grinning to herself, she pulled him first into a waltz.

Hours later, after many more dances with others, Elizabeth was once again cornered by James.

“And I believe the last dance is mine as well,” he bowed before her before straightening up with a soft smile.

They entered the last dance also in a waltz. It felt like it was lasting forever, and she hoped it would go on, but alas it was not so. She curtsied to him and he bowed to her.

“I have something else to give you, Elizabeth. If you would come to my office tomorrow…”

She smiled a silent yes and he bowed again to excuse himself.

The next day she was walking over in a sundress when she was caught off by Will.

“Elizabeth, you look beautiful!” he smiled widely at her and she smiled back, though a little sorry that Will was trying so hard and this time she wasn’t giving in.

“Thank you, Will.”

“Um, I’m sorry I couldn’t be there yesterday or last night, but happy birthday!” Will handed it her a small bouquet of roses that she took with gentle care.

“I appreciate it, Will. I’ll see you some other time then,” she left after hugging him, careful not to crush the roses and started for James’ office again.

“James, I’m here!” she called out cheerily, entering his office with a dramatic flair.

He rolled his eyes, and put down the glass of brandy he had been drinking. She eyed it with a smirk and he shook his head.

“Not this time, Elizabeth,” he smirked. His face turned serious and he took something out of his desk and then held it up for her to see. It was the medallion that she had forsaken so long ago.

“Do you remember that night, Elizabeth? I promised you I would keep it safe. I’ve kept it safe and now I think you should have it. I don’t think anyone would suspect you of keeping it,” James went around his desk and stood in front of her, placing the medallion with the utmost care into her hand.

“It’s your turn to keep it safe. I trust you would.”

Her heart started to beat fast. She saw a gleam in his eyes that she’d only seen last night, only fiercer now.

“Whose roses are those?” he asked nonchalantly, breaking the spell.

“Oh…Will gave me those just now.”

He frowned, “He did, did he?”

The jealousy was hidden carefully, but somehow she had known to look for it.

Sixteen. Sixteen was the time when James started to look at her differently. She didn’t notice before, but this time she could see it clearly.

And now was the time to start cutting down on trying to get his attention and let him start doing all the work. Time for her to just start watching and noticing James’ subtle affection. She didn’t look hard enough before, but she knew it was there now.

Started 9/29/07 –Completed 9/30/07

What if Elizabeth just thought of Will as a friend?

What if James had learned to loosen up around Elizabeth before?

What if Elizabeth saw how James really felt?

What if James had allowed her to have the medallion?