Chapter 401: 401 Bleach: Kuchiki Rukia, A Relationship of Lies, Desperate Situation and Shinigami Powers.
The whole group was hypnotized by Rukia. She was a beauty different from Orihime's more innocent style, like a princess from the Edo era. Her eyes radiated charm and delicacy. Her body radiated a noble aura. If they had to describe her, she would be like the legendary Yamada Nadeshiko.
Of course, it was all a lie...
'Aizen's plan of the mysterious beauty is working, the human boy can't take his eyes off me,' Rukia thought without breaking her perfect smile.
Allen was impressed; in the original story, Rukia had tried to pass herself off as a lady of high society, but it ended up being more of an awkward and comical performance. This time she looked like a real lady of the upper class.
...
Gwen – If anyone can turn that arrogant girl into a delicate flower, it's Aizen, the master of acting.
Nikky – Hey, is it all a lie?! I feel cheated, I thought we were finally going to have an elegant princess.
Diana – What does that mean?
Barbara – Now that I think about it, Diana is a princess...
Diana – What?!
Nikky – You're a princess... a strong princess?
Starfire – ...
Raven – Yeah... Starfire is Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran...
Nikky – That's right, we've got elegant and charming princesses here Hehe...he please do not kill me!
...
Her movements were delicate as if she were trying to blend in with the surroundings. She walked gracefully, leaving a sweet scent in the air that made both boys and girls drool.
Rukia stopped next to Allen, who was in the second-to-last row and looked at Keigo, who was sitting to Allen's right.
"Do you need something from me, Kuchiki-san?"
Keigo smiled, pretending to be a charming gentleman. The looks of awe were inevitable—did the fool Asano Keigo really know the moon princess?
The glares of anger were aimed at Keigo, and he only became more smug.
'That's right, bastards, I'm the protagonist, Keigo-sama, always have been!' Keigo's thoughts soared high but were destroyed with just one sentence from Rukia.
"Excuse me, could you give up your seat?" Rukia asked, flashing a soft smile and a dreamy look.
Keigo became dazed for a moment, as if hypnotized, and grabbed his things before moving to an empty seat.
Keigo sat near the trash can, coming out of his daze without knowing what had happened.
Rukia placed her things on her school desk and turned to Allen, giving a slight bow and a smile with a faint blush on her cheeks. "I guess we'll be neighbors; it's a pleasure~"
"Yeah, it's a pleasure."
Keigo froze upon hearing Rukia's last words. Next to him, a blue-haired boy put his hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, it was inevitable."
"Shut up, Mizuiro!"
Keigo yelled at his friend Kojima Mizuiro, who only smiled in response. "How cruel, I was just trying to console you."
Mizuiro was a pale-skinned, short, slim young man who seemed to stir excitement among the ladies, or at least, that was until Allen's arrival. His eyes were black, the same as his short hair, with a lock falling over his forehead.
His main characteristic was his dark stomach—he was a guy with no ill will but often a bit cruel. The phrase "He'd stab you with a smile" applied to Mizuiro. But despite having villain potential, he was someone intelligent and loyal to his friends.
"Say that while you're not recording it to post on your blog!"
"Haha, you found me out~"
"You..."
The teacher slammed a book on her desk. "Idiots, don't forget that we're in class!"
...
During lunch, Allen was dragged by Tatsuki and Orihime to eat on the rooftop. Allen remembered that a few years ago, they had banned this in Japan, but it seemed that in this world, they still did it.
Orihime pulled out three stacked bento boxes, as she was famous for her big appetite.
Tatsuki pulled out her own, which was just one box.
Surprisingly, Allen also pulled out a bento.
"Allen-kun, you're bringing a bento today?"
"Yeah."
Since Allen would be attending Karakura High, it was necessary to bring lunch. He thought it would be a good task for his maids, but he found himself being pressured by several girls who offered to make it for him. This was because, during his time at school, Allen used to make his own food, and Gwen and Natasha weren't good at cooking at that time, so there was no experience there.
The girls decided to take turns, and it grew into a sort of competition.
....
Nokotan – Good morning, ladies and gentlemen!
Nokotan appeared on the stream, in the corner of the screen as an impromptu commentator.
Allen didn't react because this happened every day for the last month whenever it was lunchtime.
Nokotan – Today, our challengers are the adorable Bocchi and me, the unimaginable and perfect Nokotan~
Allen opened the lid, and it was a traditional Japanese bento, with rice, sausages shaped like octopuses, and tamagoyaki, Japanese-style fried eggs.
Nokotan – It may seem simple, but Bocchi-chan practiced to make it delicious, right, Bocchi-chan?!
Nokotan pulled Bocchi into the stream.
Bocchi – I... I don't... I'm sorry...
Bocchi became depressed, but she saw Allen grab the chopsticks and take a bite of her food, then continue eating. Bocchi blushed, apparently happy with her cooking.
Nokotan – Good job, Bocchi-chan~
MJ – Wait, deer, what did you do? Don't tell me you did nothing because you criticized my use of store-bought ketchup.
Felicia – It's true, you insulted the burritos I made last week, but I don't see anything from you here.
Kara – That deer almost cursed me for making him a simple cheeseburger!
Raven – Kara, honestly, that was too much, even Donna made something from scratch...
Nokotan – Nokotan is innocent, and of course, I helped with the dessert~
...
Allen noticed there was something else in the bag where the bento came from, and it was Shika Senbei (Deer Crackers).
The Chat looked down on the deer, but Nokotan drooled at the sight of the deer crackers in Allen's hands as if they were the most delicious treat in the world.
Allen smiled, 'I know who made the bento and the crackers...'
To make it more interesting, Allen couldn't know who had made the lunch and had to try to guess in the end.
[Who do you think made them this time?]
'Haha, the crackers are from Nokotan, and the bento is from Bocchi.'
[How do you know?]
Allen smiled mysteriously, making Bocchi blush more. "I know my Bocchi," Allen said, only to be overheard by Chat. As a result, Bocchi swooned with smiling happily.
"Oh, it's a normal bento~"
Orihime leaned over to Allen and looked at his food. It was a regular bento, but considering that over the last month, the girls, along with him, had seen him eat all kinds of food (from something extravagant like an alien kebab to now a simple bento this was nothing surprising.
"Wait" Tatsuki grabbed an octopus sausage, and instead of the happy faces how it should be, it had desperate expressions.
"Allen, which Maid made this bento?"
Allen couldn't hide too much, so he told the truth about having maids.
"Quite a lovely pair... one optimistic and always cheerful, and the other adorable but a little pessimistic."
Nokotan blushed when she heard Allen's words.
Tatsuki narrowed her eyes, "Do you have a lot of maids? Are you some young master from another country or something?"
Allen Walker was a mysterious figure. People didn't know much about his identity, only that he was an exchange student, very attractive, and had personal maids.
"I..."
Allen was about to deny it but remembered that now he was some kind of king or something and even had a castle.
Allen smiled mischievously, locking eyes with Tatsuki. "That's right, you caught me, I'm royalty."
"You..." Tatsuki blushed and frowned at the same time. She admitted she had a weakness for Allen's charm, even though she knew he liked teasing her reactions, which usually annoyed her.
"What?!" Orihime jumped and dropped her bento, but Allen caught it.
"Orihime, be careful," Allen said, setting the bento down on the bench.
"It doesn't matter," Orihime brought her beautiful, innocent face close to Allen's. Her eyes were sparkling, and her breath was heavy as if she had met an idol or a legend. "Does that mean you're an Ojii-sama (Prince)?!"
...
Rick – Tell her you're a king, and if she wants, you can make her a Queen *burp*
Not FBI – That would be so much fun~
McDragon – Hey, you! You don't have anything to say! Allen was reborn or something, so he's still not of age in that world!
Not FBI – That's not... wait!... he's right! D:
PercyJ – Brother Walker, you defeated the FBI wtf
Tony – That son of a b*tch did it!
[I.M] "You guys are seeking a permanent ban..."
Allen was also stunned by the comments but soon returned to reality.
"Orihime, don't believe everything they say..." Tatsuki didn't even react to Allen's words, as she considered them a joke. What would a prince be doing in a school like this in the middle of Karakura Town? "That only happens in shoujo mangas."
"It can't be…" Orihime became depressed, and Allen comforted her by stroking her head, but she only felt better when Allen proceeded to feed her.
"Nom Nom~"
"Orihime… are you okay with that?"
Tatsuki had a stunned look on her face. Orihime wasn't a little girl, and Tatsuki knew her friend was quite aware of that, but she accepted being treated as one by Allen. On the other hand, Tatsuki felt jealous of the way Orihime was being treated, and she wasn't the only one—other girls in the chat were jealous.
Allen stopped his movements and looked at the door leading to the stairs. It opened, and Kuchiki Rukia appeared.
"Good morning, would you mind if I eat with you?"
"Kuchiki-san?" Tatsuki was surprised that the refined girl would choose to eat with them here.
"Don't worry and sit down with us~" Orihime was too distracted by being pampered by Allen and didn't object. Allen knew Rukia was purposely seeking him out, and he didn't mind either.
"It's a pleasure to have you here, Kuchiki-san," said Allen with a half smiling.
Rukia stopped her movements and felt flustered. It wasn't the first time Allen spoke to her, but his eyes now reflected the sky, and they really seemed beautiful.
"Thank you," Rukia said, clearing her throat, unaware that she had slipped out of her act.
Rukia had a complicated past. She was "born" in a poor district of Rukongai and grew up fighting to survive, sometimes having to resort to stealing food. It was a sad situation until she was adopted by the Kuchiki clan, which improved her circumstances. Rukia received the education of a noblewoman, but her true personality had been forged in the dangerous streets of Rukongai, which initially made her noblewoman's act seem fake.
Allen didn't point that out, Orihime didn't even notice, but Tatsuki was different. She crossed her arms when she noticed Rukia was acting. As a girl with a strong sense of morality and justice, she didn't like that Rukia was pretending to be someone else.
Rukia quickly tried to excuse herself.
"Haha, I'm sorry. My family is very strict, and I have to act a certain way, or they'll scold me."
'That was a good save…' Allen thought with a lazy look.
Tatsuki, hearing Rukia's words, felt deflated for having misjudged the situation. "I'm sorry, Kuchiki-san."
"That's really sad," Orihime lamented and hugged Rukia. However, instead of cheering her up, it only made Rukia feel very irritated.
"G… thank you, Inoue-san."
Allen chuckled lightly. Due to Orihime's large breasts, an innocent and compassionate gesture like a hug seemed more like a walking insult to a more modest girl like Rukia.
'This is thanks to you?' Allen narrowed his eyes looking off into the distance.
Aizen anticipated that Rukia would eventually reveal her true self because no matter how much she practiced, Rukia couldn't hide her real personality forever; in case she was discovered, this was a good excuse,e, and it was a half-truth.
Allen didn't have any ill intentions toward Rukia. If Aizen was planning something, she would just be a disposable pawn, or everyone would be.
…
During the following week, Rukia joined Allen for meals. Allen didn't always eat with Orihime and Tatsuki, sometimes he ate with Chad, Keigo, and Mizuiro... though the latter didn't seem to trust Allen as much as Chad and Keigo did.
One day, while the group ate sitting on the grass in the courtyard, Keigo leaned toward Mizuiro and whispered, "Hey, don't you think he should've noticed by now?"
Mizuiro looked at Allen, who was eating a French sandwich made by Emma. Next to him, Rukia was laughing with her hand over her mouth.
It was more than obvious that Rukia was following Allen around. She did it so blatantly that it didn't matter if Allen was eating with boys, girls, or teachers. She would appear at his side.
"He should've noticed, but he decided not to do anything," Mizuiro said, shrugging.
He, too, was a popular guy with women and knew those awkward moments when a girl was too persistent, but you don't reject her because you don't want to seem rude. However, in Allen's case, it was different. He didn't react too much because he knew that the refined Rukia wasn't the real Rukia. She was just acting under Aizen's advice to get closer to him and learn more about him.
Allen observed Rukia, a charming girl with a look similar to her sister, who had a natural noble charm. Allen closed his eyes and then raised his head to the sky 'Masaki would arrive tomorrow.'
By this point, Aizen should know that Allen is the nephew of Kurosaki Masaki, and being Aizen, he would know that Masaki is a Quincy with the power to face a Gotei 13 captain. So, if Aizen was going to make a move, it would happen today.
…
That day, Allen would return home with Rukia. Orihime was reluctant to be dragged by Tatsuki, as she didn't want to go back without Allen. As for Tatsuki, she gave Allen a "we'll talk later" look before leaving.
"Being popular must be hard, Walker-san," Rukia said.
Allen smiled. "The two girls are like little sisters to me… troublesome little sisters. By the way, you can just call me Allen. I'm not used to honorifics."
Allen started walking.
"Then I'll just call you Allen."
Rukia made a bitter expression as she saw that Allen simply nodded without showing any other emotion.
She had been getting closer to Allen, but there was an invisible barrier preventing her from going beyond being just classmates. Rukia didn't mind at first, but seeing how he smiled at his friends, especially at Orihime, made her feel a strange bitter feeling. However, Rukia couldn't complain since she herself wasn't being sincere.
Allen and Rukia walked in silence, side by side. Today, Rukia invited Allen to walk back together, hoping their relationship would improve so she could learn more about Allen and his strange condition.
'What am I doing?'
Rukia glanced at Allen and felt down. What could she do to break that barrier?
Allen was simple with his friendships. He would return kindness with kindness, courtesy with courtesy… but of course, lies wouldn't be met with sincerity. While Rukia was the main heroine in this world, Allen wasn't obligated to get along with her, especially if she continued acting in front of him.
*Yelling*
'Hollows?!' Rukia felt her hair stand on end; she felt the pressure of many strong Hollows nearby.
"I'm sorry, Allen..."
Rukia immediately left her Gigai and became a Shinigami again. However, to any bystander, she seemed to have fainted suddenly, and Allen caught her.
"Rukia?!"
Rukia looked at Allen, worried, and bit her lip before looking up at the sky. She couldn't let such many powerful hollows get close to Allen. She didn't know if she could stop them without him getting hurt.
Rukia walked away from the place where Allen was.
...
Rukia jumped over the buildings, and while doing so, a long tail attacked her. She drew her sword and stopped the attack from a hidden Hollow. She cut the tail, but another hollow appeared behind her. She used her Shunpo to move away.
"That's strange."
Rukia's eyes widened as she realized she was about to enter the mouth of a whale-like Hollow.
"Damn it," Rukia used her zanpakuto to cut through the Hollow's mouth, then pointed her palm at it. "Hadou 31: Shakkahou!"
A red fireball shot from Rukia's palm, hitting the whale Hollow and making it scream.
Rukia used her Shunpo once more, and when she reappeared, there was a bird-shaped hollow above her. Rukia's pupils shrank. Hollows were irrational creatures that attacked based on their hunger, so they mostly acted like monsters.
There were hollows with intelligence, but those only evolved and existed in Hueco Mundo, which, along with the Soul Society and the human world, formed the vast world of Bleach.
Rukia drove her sword through the hollow's chest while squinting. "This is very strange. It almost seems like the Hollows…"
"They're working together, aren't they?"
"…!"
She froze, as behind her, without her noticing, an enemy had gotten too close. Rukia tried to turn around, but it was too late. A sword shot through her stomach.
She had been stabbed!
"Bastard!"
Rukia wasn't a damsel in distress. Even with such an injury, she managed to turn and strike her enemy, but he had vanished.
Rukia felt weak from the wound, and many hollows were closing in on her with clear intentions to devour her.
"Is this poison?!"
Rukia felt her extremities losing sensitivity, which was caused by something inside her body. The mysterious enemy hadn't just hurt her, they had made sure to poison her to guarantee her death.
Rukia felt exhausted.... unable to avoid it, Rukia fell from the sky...
"I'm sorry, brother..."
Rukia fell into someone's arms, and when she opened her eyes, it was Allen.
Rukia smiled faintly "So you can see me after all?..."
She suspected that Allen had some spiritual energy; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to attract hollows.
"I'm sorry."
Allen started running from the hollows while carrying Rukia in his arms.
"You don't have to apologize. I lied to you too... I'm not refined, nor charming, nor a pleasant girl in general."
"I know, haha."
"Fool, you should lie and say I'm charming."
Allen smiled sincerely, "Well, I don't know... you haven't given me the chance to really get to know you, Rukia..."
Rukia's eyes widened, and she blushed, "Shut up..."
Allen entered an alley while a hollow crushed a car behind him.
"Leave me here!" Rukia's senses were dulled due to the poison, but now she realized the terrible situation.
"What are you saying?"
"You fool, they're going to kill you!"
"I'm not going to leave you, you idiot."
Allen ignored Rukia's complaints and continued escaping. He wanted to kill all the hollows, especially the one who had done this to Rukia, but he knew someone had to be watching him, so all he could do was run.
Rukia clenched her fists at Allen's refusal. At this rate, they would both be killed. No, she couldn't allow Allen to die—he was just a human, and she was a shinigami with the duty to protect the world.
"I'm going to—"
Allen gave her a headbutt to silence her.
"Ouch!"
"Just calm down, Rukia. I have no intention of dying. I won't let you die, just calm down and trust me."
Rukia blinked in disbelief, not only had a human child scolded her, but now he was protecting her. She felt humiliated, but at the same time, happy in her heart. She grabbed her zanpakuto and began channeling her Reiryoku into her sword.
On the other hand, Allen frowned. He could feel eyes watching him from somewhere. The moment he used Quincy's powers, Chi, or cursed energy, either he or they would know. If the culprit was Aizen, he needed to understand Allen's limits in his world. This was information that could be fatal in the hands of someone like Aizen.
But on the other hand, Allen wasn't going to let Rukia die, so he decided to use his power.
"Allen!"
Rukia interrupted Allen's thoughts.
"What's wrong?"
"Allen, listen to me," Rukia's gaze sparkled with determination. "I'm going to pass all my shinigami powers to you... it's the only way to save both of us..."
Allen opened his eyes, 'Is this some kind of inevitable fate?'
Rukia stared seriously at Allen, "Allen, I don't want you to die, so trust me..."
Allen could only smile. Regardless of whether this was fate or someone manipulating things from the shadows, Allen wouldn't reject Rukia's sincere determination.
Allen nodded...
Rukia drove her sword through Allen... and with that, she granted him the power of a Shinigami (God of death)
===
A/N: This moment sounds better with Number One- ost