'Oh Isshin, how you will miss out on teasing your son now that he is showing interest in women.'
Yoruichi Shihōin
XXXX
Darkness. All he can see is black, but he hears sounds, voices maybe as he struggles to find his way back. The last thing he remembers is a girl with brown hair and eyes, but she means something to him, something important.
'Fuck! Why can't I remember!?'
A voice he knows, he hears her clearer.
"Brother, I am sorry. I don't know what happened, one second he was fine, the next he just falls unconscious to the floor. He didn't say a word, he just fell."
"It's okay Rias. It's not your fault. I'm sure his injury is the cause of his fainting spell. Luckily Amyntas and I were on our way here, so he will be able to check on him and make sure he isn't relapsing."
He knows that voice as well. Gremory, Sirzech Gremory.
'Why is he here? Uncle Amyntas is too? What is going on?'
"Rias, Akeno my dears, you shouldn't work yourselves up so much over things you can't control. His injury will act up from time to time and affect him. All you can do is what you did tonight. Call either me or one of your brother's servants. As for what I think happened tonight is pretty obvious, he had a delayed reaction to the robbery attempt. Somewhere his mind finally caught up to his actions and he just overexerted himself is all. Nothing a little rest won't cure."
'Delayed reaction my ass Uncle. I know what I saw, she is important to me and I'm going to find out why.'
"Amyntas-sama is there anything else we should know about Ichigo-sama besides his head injury? Like how does he know how to fight the way he does? I've have seen things like that before, but what he did isn't normal."
"Akeno-chan you must understand this as well as anyone, a person of his position must know how to defend themselves. He has had extensive training in the past because he needed it."
"I'm sorry if I stepped out of line Amyntas-sama, forgive me."
"Akeno-chan, please think nothing of it. Just keep a watch over him; he has along way to go before he fully recovers, if he recovers his memories at all."
"Why are you all talking like I'm dying or something?" Ichigo decides to interrupt the oh-so-joyful conversation then.
"Ichigo!/Ichi-kun!/Oniisan!" The three teen women shout in sync when he opens his eyes.
"Ompp!" He grunts when the smallest girl jumps on his bed and squeezes her arms around him.
"Oniisan! Are you okay?" She whispers to him, while staring into his eyes.
Freeing one of his arms, he ruffles Koneko's hair as he looks at her and then the rest of the occupants of his room. The first two he sees are his crimson and black-haired roommates, both looking a little worse-for-wear around their eyes. He then spies the older brother grinning slightly as he looks down at him. Finally his uncle is standing behind Sirzech with a small frown.
"I'm fine Koneko. Maybe I over did it at the shouten." He keeps his eyes on his uncle and sees the frown lessen just a bit.
"Ichigo you had us worried." Rias says as she sits on the bed with Akeno taking up the other side and grabbing his free hand.
He finds his other hand free when Koneko finally releases her hold on him, which Rias quickly takes up. Sirzech is watching the three girls as they hover over the young man and when he sees his sister grab his hand, he can't help the feeling of giddiness that forms. Glancing over to the older man in the room, he can see that the man has his own speculative look as he watches his nephew getting doted on by the three girls, especially Rias.
"Ichigo."
Looking at his uncle, Ichigo gives him a look. "Uncle."
"Do you know what happened to you?"
"I saw…something." Why he said that, he would never know but the effect was immediate.
"You saw something Ichigo. What?" His uncle gently asks him.
Looking at his hands still being held, Ichigo decides to tell the truth. "I saw a girl, a girl with brown hair and brown eyes when I looked at Koneko earlier. I…I know her somehow, but I can't remember."
Ichigo watches both his uncle and Sirzech and he sees nothing. By nothing, no reaction at all and that made the hair on his neck stand straight up. Then his uncle closes his eyes and crosses his arms as he exhales slowly.
"Ichigo you must have remembered something about your past. Your doctors said it might happen from time to time, that you might have these episodes as well. As for what you remembered tonight, I honestly don't know but I don't want you to worry about it."
"Don't worry about it?" Ichigo asks.
"Yes, don't worry about it, it just means you are healing. Brain injuries are very delicate. You might regain everything or you might gain only bits and pieces for the rest of your life. I don't want you to dwell on it and get depressed. You have your whole life ahead of you yet. Make new ones." As he finishes, his hand sweeps to the three girls sitting on him or next to him when he does so.
Ichigo can see blushes form on both the older girls and sees Koneko give him a smile, a shy smile. Squeezing both hands holding his, he looks back up at his uncle.
"Thanks Uncle Amyntas. I just want to know who she is one day. I have this feeling she is very important to me somehow."
"Ichigo, we…haven't been close for a number of years. My traveling and your home schooling didn't make a lot of time for us. I wish I could help you but this is something that only time can heal. Just try to be patient, don't give up hope but be ready to accept the fact that you may never get it back."
"I know Uncle. I'll deal with it."
"Not alone you aren't Ichigo. Me, Akeno and Koneko are going to be with you everyday to help you. So no you aren't going to just 'deal with it', you are going to deal with it with us. No more heroics either mister. Two close calls in one night were enough. From now on you are going to listen to us. That's final."
Eyes going wide and sputtering soon after, the orange head yells back. "No way in hell Rias. For all I know between shopping and my mornings could be the reason I had my blackout as well. Who the hell sleeps nude and uses a guy for a damn…"
'Shit!'
'Dumbass.'
'Hentai.'
'Moron!'
Four teens turn slowly to look at the two older men and see something that three had expected but the fourth wasn't. The older brother had a huge smile on his face, while the uncle was trying his hardest not to laugh, his red face however betraying his own amusement.
"Ah I can explain Sirzech-sama..." Ichigo tries to begin his defense only for a hand to put a stop to it.
"I see you haven't changed much Rias, but I must say your tastes have improved sister." The crimson elder brother smiles at his deeply blushing younger sister.
"Wait! You know she does this Sirzech?"
"Of course Ichigo. She has always slept naked but this is the first time she has had a living hugging pillow. I must say, you must have made an impression somehow Ichigo."
"Wait a minute! You said she had unusual habits, not about using a person as a damn pillow, while nude!"
"Ehmm, must have slipped my mind Ichigo, I apologize." Sirzech says with a smile as he turns away.
"May I speak to you privately Amyntas?"
"Of course Sirzech-sama."
"Wait! Ah, Uncle just one question before you go." Ichigo says before either man can leave.
"Of course Ichigo. What do you need?"
"Not to be nosy, but why are you here and how did you get here so quick. I thought you were in India."
"That's because I arrived back in Tokyo yesterday and I was planning on seeing you this weekend. To make sure you were settling in and if you need more funds."
"So does this mean I won't see you then this weekend now?"
"I still have to find a hotel but …"
"No you will stay with us Amyntas-sama. We have plenty of spare rooms and the staff will be more than adequate to serve you. I must insist you stay with us this weekend." Rias says firmly.
Bowing back to the young woman, Amyntas gives his thanks. "I thank the Gremory Clan for their kindness and accept. Until Saturday Ichigo, Rias-san, Akeno-chan, Koneko-chan."
"Night Uncle."
"Good night Amyntas-sama."
"Safe travels Amyntas-sama."
"Good night Amyntas-sama."
Ichigo and the girls watch as his uncle and Rias's brother leave his room. When they are alone the three girls turn their attention to the young man and soon Ichigo begins to feel fear when three sets of eyes turn hard.
"ICHIGO YOU IDIOT!"
XXXX
The two adults keep their thoughts to themselves until they are outside the house and they stop at the driveway where Surtr awaits both men. The younger man turns to the older man and begins the topic of discussion.
"Amyntas what happened to him? Who is the girl he says he saw? Is he going to be a threat to my sister and her peerage?"
Amyntas looks back towards the house, organizing his thoughts before he speaks to his Maou. "The girl is his younger sister Yuzu. She is the daughter of Isshin and my granddaughter Masaki, as is Karin her twin. But I think what just happened is something that was hidden even from me Lucifer-sama. I believe the shouten owner has a few tricks up his sleeve and is pursuing his own agenda. The other fact is that for Ichigo to even of had that vision of his sister, means that Urahara lied to everyone. He never erased Ichigo's memories, he only hid them and being here has started to awaken those memories. As for being a threat to your sister and her peerage, then I must be honest and say I don't know Sirzech-sama. If you wish me to remove him, I will at once."
The Maou slaps the shoulder of his friend and shakes his head. "I think we will just have to keep a closer eye on my sister and her friends discretely if possible. As for your great-grandson I think he should stay here Amyntas, it seems my sister has taken a liking to your young heir. Who knows? Maybe, just maybe, he might save my father and me a beating from our respective spouses."
"Are you suggesting…?"
"Who knows what the future may bring Amyntas, who knows? Now that is taken care of, how about some dinner? My treat."
"Fine, but I get to buy this weekend for your sister."
"Agreed. Come Surtr, we are going to do onigiri in Kyoto."
XXXX
Ichigo is silently enduring his current treatment. Being hand fed his dinner by his red-head amateur nurse-maid.
"Open wide Ichigo." She smirks as he gives her his best scowl but she doesn't budge while holding a pair of chopsticks with a piece of beef dangling.
"I can…" Chew. "feed myself…" Chew. "Rias. So…" More food is quickly placed in his open mouth.
"Ichigo, we talked about this. You are in bed until tomorrow. I am going to take care of you and that is final."
Wide eyed and still chewing, Ichigo stares at her with mild annoyance before he swallows and tries once again to argue with his faux nurse. "Rias, there was no discussion; you told me what I was going to do. I got no say in the matter and you then you kicked Akeno out for wanting to help. And poor Koneko had to hear what you two insinuated about me and the bath, AGAIN!"
Grabbing his mouth and making his lips look like that of a goldfish; she gives him a glare as she speaks. "Ichigo, you got into a fight with two thieves. You blacked-out because of a memory and lastly you are under the Gremory Clan's care both physically and mentally. I am in charge of your well-being Ichigo and what I say goes. Do we understand each other? I will not be the one to tell your uncle that you got pig-headed and wound-up in yet another coma."
He sees in her eyes she is serious in her words and that in her voice she means what she says. Soon he relents. "Fiine, youb bwin."
"Now time for your bath, so get undressed and I will help you." She gets up and makes no effort to turn away. Nor is she intimated when he points to her to leave. Shaking her head and grinning she starts to undress herself. "Nah huh Ichigo. You saw me this morning, my turn now, so let's go."
"Wait a minute dammit! I didn't ask you to sneak in here naked, I didn't take a bath in your bathroom and I certainly didn't ask you to take care of me now. I can at least do this myself."
"And if you should have another flashback and you black-out again, how are we going to know you aren't drowning. Well I know then." She smiles evilly. "We will just have to make sure one of us is with you during baths from now on. So get up and get in there." By now she is down to her panties and nothing else.
"Are… you …kidding…me…Rias?" He sputters at the woman standing nearly nude in front of him. "You can't make that decision on your own Rias; I mean what would your mother and father say if they knew you were doing this?"
"Nothing."
"Huh, nothing? What do you mean nothing?"
"Exactly what I mean Ichigo, nothing. My parents trust me and they must trust you to let you live here with me. So they will do…nothing." She ends in a sing-song voice.
"I hate you." He whines as he is being dragged out of his bed by a panty clad only woman. Not even fighting it, he lets her guide him to his bathroom and in a stroke of luck for her; he sees no towels to hide behind. Turning he sees her smirking as she holds a few towels in her hand, she motions for his to get started.
Shaking his head he gives up and undresses in front of the young teen girl, blushing when a comment on his superior rear is made as he pulls his boxers down, he cheats the girl out of her prize as he sits on the stool and covers himself quickly. Looking over his shoulder, he sees her smiling at his ingenuity. She throws a towel at his face, which he quickly covers himself with as she fills the bucket with hot water for washing his back.
"Rias, seriously your parents really wouldn't get mad at you and me for doing this?"
Soaping the wash-cloth, she begins to wash his back while explaining her family. "Ichigo each of the servants you see here are not servants, they are part of my Clan. We treat them fairly and never abuse them, not ever. My family is seen as unique in our treatment of those that others see as below them in status or station. Akeno, Koneko and Yuuto are my precious friends even if they do serve my family. Akeno is my best friend, Yuuto while he doesn't live with us, is a trusted companion and Koneko is like a little sister to me. Each has pledged their loyalty to me and my Clan and as such I will see to it that no harm comes to them if I can help it."
As she washes lower, Ichigo sits there and thinks about her words. "So where do I fit in Rias?"
"You Ichigo are our guest. It's my duty to make sure you recover and nothing happens to you. Your uncle has been a trusted friend of my family for a number of years. It's an honor to help him anyway we can. So you Ichigo are precious to me now as well."
Twisting his head so he can talk to her easier, Ichigo begins again. "You haven't explained this though."
She pushes his arms up so she can wash the sides of his chest and under his arms. "Nudity has never bothered me when I am with someone I trust Ichigo. Oh, I know you think I might be naïve but the truth is I know you won't do anything to me without my permission. Even now while you did undress in front of me, you didn't stare openly at me and you still hid your modesty from me, not out of embarrassment but because you are worried about my person presumably. Thank you for that by the way Ichigo, but you don't have to worry though. I like being nude but I'm not ready for that level of intimacy, not yet."
"So you and Akeno just like to tease me then?" He gets an answer with a small laugh.
"I'll be honest, it's nice to see you blush Ichigo but you are still sweet judging by your intentions." He feels her kiss his back between his shoulder blades. "I just wish I had met you earlier Ichigo." He doesn't hear that as she begins to rinse him.
XXXX
After suffering through a bath with Rias, not in a bad way but by the amount of comments at his expense made Ichigo wonder if he is either the luckiest man in the world or the punch line of someone's joke. Rias made no effort to neither hide her body nor hold back in her colorful commentary on his own physique. He hopes that she isn't like this the next time they take a bath together and that makes him come to a stop.
'I need to talk to my uncle, soon.'
"Ichi-kun."
Turning he sees the dark-haired Akeno standing in his doorway, a tray in her hands. She smiles as she enters the room and Ichigo sees three cups and full pot of tea. He watches as she pours all the cups and then picks up one and hands it to him, while she picks up one for herself. The person that the third cup waits for comes out of the bathroom, thankfully wearing clothes, even if it is slightly sheer négligée but still better than nothing.
"Thank you Akeno." Rias says as she picks up her cup and sits on the bed with Ichigo and Akeno.
Soon the three teens drink their tea in silence as Ichigo watches both the girls give the other the evil eye. He shakes his head in disbelief, even now they are willing to tease or even argue. Deciding it is in his best interest to avoid being in the middle of a war, he breaks up their match.
"Thank you Akeno, Rias. I think I'll turn in now. School and all tomorrow."
"Of course Ichigo. Thank you Akeno for the tea as well. We will see you and Koneko in the morning."
"Buchou?"
"Rias?"
"I am sleeping here tonight Ichigo."
"What!?"
"I told you Ichigo, I have picked you for a hugging pillow." The crimson-haired woman says while smirking at her queen, who is pouting.
Resisting the urge to bodily throw both girls out, he exhales slowly before he tries to argue with his roommate. "Rias, I'm not a damn pillow."
"Your right Ichigo, you're better."
"Fufufu, Ichigo you can't and won't win with Buchou. Once she makes her mind up, no one can make her see otherwise."
"And you Akeno are you going to sneak in as well or should I just…" He can't finish as a hand on his mouth stops him, a glare sent to the other girl who begins to giggle.
"I think you are spoken for Ichigo, but no I think I will stay in my room if I value my life. She can be so evil when she gets mad." Akeno still giggling, she takes away the tray before retreating out the room.
"Goodnight Ichi-kun, Buchou. Don't do anything I know I would do if I slept with him."
"Akeno!"
The door closes on the giggling teen, leaving Ichigo and Rias alone in his room. Shifting to one side of the bed, Ichigo looks over at the girl still in his room, alone.
"Rias, I know you are worried about me, but seriously I'm fine."
"And I was being serious Ichigo. You help me sleep so I'm staying."
Before he can argue she gets up and walks to his door and switches of the ceiling lights in his room, leaving only a small night-light on. Walking back to his bed, she pushes him to the middle of the bed before she pulls the covers over the both of them.
"Ichigo turn off the light and sleep."
"Yes ma'am."
XXXX
Green-blue eyes stare at the face of the young man as he slept restlessly, his orange hair damp from the night-sweats that started shortly after his first nightmare began. The worried creases around her eyes watch to see if he is going to start screaming as he did during his last bout. She didn't understand a word he said, mostly because he was mumbling or his screams were animalistic in nature. Rias held him tight the moment he began to thrash about when the first of his dreams began, tossing and turning he had woken her up almost immediately. Now after almost three hours, she had no choice but to use her most passive magic to surround him with her essence, to help create the illusion of peace. Her own nightgown had been tossed aside early on, as his sweat drenched body clung to hers as she helped him finally calm down enough for him to rest easier.
'What happened to you Ichigo?'
Sitting on either side of the bed was her queen and her rook. Each had been summoned by Rias early on to help her if she needed it. But now they too looked like her, worried and scared for their newest member. Koneko, who never shows her emotions, had to wipe a stray tear after one of his raged filled screams filled the room. Akeno was sitting with her arms around her knees as she rocked back and forth, watching his face finally relaxed enough for her to give a relieved sigh.
"What was that Buchou? Not even Koneko-chan or Yuuto-kun had nightmares that powerful. And those screams, I never heard such rage or anger from a human before. Exactly what have we gotten ourselves into?"
Rias can only keep Ichigo still, her head keeping his tucked next to her chest, her arms holding his body close to her as she finishes her last incantation to still his mind. Nothing more than the whisper of peaceful images to help his psyche find a way to shut down whatever images had been driving his night-terrors.
"I have no idea Akeno but I think one of you should go and get my brother or my father. They will want to know about this."
"I'll go immediately Buchou. Koneko have Harumi call the Academy and report us in as sick for tomorrow. Buchou should we tell Sōna as well?"
"No Akeno, just my…" A magic circle appears in Ichigo's room and a familiar woman makes her presence known.
"Mother." Rias says trying not to shout or let her mother see her worry.
She looks at her daughter and sees the emotions clearly evident on her face as she holds the young man in her arms.
"Venelana-sama." Both Akeno and Koneko say as they bow to the wife of the Clan head.
She turns to them and begins to take charge. "Akeno-chan, go back to the estate and inform my husband and my son that I am taking charge of the young man's well-being as of now. Koneko-chan, can you have Harumi-chan make me some of her special tea? Rias, I want you to take a bath now and then you can come back. Now hurry."
Akeno and Koneko both leave to do as the woman who runs the Gremory Clan's home with Grayfia without questioning her instructions. Rias slowly disentangles herself from the now still Ichigo, her hand running down his face one last time, making sure he stays still. Looking at her mother, she tries to keep her tears back, but she walks to her mother and begins to hug her, her tears silently fall with her quiet sobs as she holds onto the older woman's dress. Venelana hugs her daughter back, kissing the top of her head in comfort.
"Shhh Rias. You can't let him see you like this, it will only make him hurt if he knows he is the cause of your tears daughter."
The nodding of crimson answers the gentle admonishment of her mother. "I have never heard anyone scream like that Mother. They were in-human, terror, rage, despair. What did he live through to cause him that kind of suffering?"
"Rias all I can tell you is this, keep him close to you and the others. Make sure he knows he is never alone, no matter what kind of day he is having. He will need you in the future my lovely daughter, just be there for him."
"Mother what is it that no one is telling us?"
Cupping her daughter's cheeks, Venelana tilts her youngest child's head and smoothes the tears away as she speaks. "All I will tell you Rias is that he is very special. Now take a bath and put something warm on."
Watching her daughter leave the room, Venelana turns her attention to the now sleeping youth in his bed. Walking up to his side, she caresses his forehead, a soft light from her hands envelopes him briefly. When the light fades, he is in a deep sleep. She doesn't react when yet another magic circle appears and her oldest child arrives.
"Mother."
"Sirzech."
The current leader of the New-Satan faction walks to the unoccupied side of the bed. He stands there looking down at the now still man, his face a frown as he peers down at the rough appearance of the sleeping war veteran.
'War hero at sixteen and suffering in ignorance, not knowing why he does.'
"I understand that you are taking charge Mother. May I ask why?" Sirzech asks his face neutral.
Still sitting next to the sleeping Ichigo, she only gives her son a slight look as she answers. "Sometimes Sirzech its best not to ask, this is one of those times my son. Let me do this my way."
"You understand the situation then? Who he really is?"
"I know that he is a former shinigami Sirzech. Although I am surprised by what I learned, I won't betray his trust and I will keep Ichigo alive as you, my husband, and Rias have sworn to do as well. You should go and tell his Uncle the news and tell him I will be keeping a closer eye on him as well."
"How did you find out if I might ask Mother? The only ones who know are Father, I and Grayfia, so who told you?"
Turning to face her son with a smile she just picked up makes her son take an involuntary step back at his mother's disposition. "A little black cat told me Sirzech-Lucifer."
Trying to keep his laughter down, her son starts to make a circle of magic, he bows to his mother. "Then I wish you the best of luck Mother. I will inform our mutual friend of the new arrangements."
"Good night Sirzech, give my love to Grayfia and Millicas."
"Good night Mother, let Rias know for me as well." She watches her son disappear as quickly as he came.
Turning her attention back to the young man in bed, she brushes her hand once more across his forehead, infusing a dream into Ichigo as she used to do for Rias when she was younger and had her own nightmares. Smoothing away a stray bit of his sweat-soaked hair, she studies the face under her. Despite her and her daughter's magic, he still had a slight scowl. She chuckles as she remembers her newest associate's description of Ichigo.
'The easiest way to recognize Ichigo is by his prominent scowl and his orange hair.' The were-cat woman said.
"If you have the strength to survive what your sensei told me Ichigo, I will make it my mission to make sure we restore what has been taken from you if we can." Venelana whispers into his ear.
A noticeable sigh escapes the young man then. Smiling Venelana moves to a nearby empty seat to wait for her daughter. Soon a knock at the door announces that both Koneko and Harumi have brought tea. The young neko takes her place again next to Ichigo's side while holding a glass of milk. Harumi moves to serve tea to the Gremory Clan's Mistress. After asking and being told that tea would be fine, the young maid bows before leaving the room. Not soon after the feeling of a magic circle in another part of the house marks the return of her daughter's queen. Akeno makes her way into the room with a yet another bow before she too takes up her place again. The last to return is her daughter, freshly showered and dressed in another but suitable nightgown.
Rias quickly took up her spot next to Ichigo, sliding under the covers once again before she lays her head down on his slowly rising chest. Just before she falls asleep, she thought she saw her mother give her a knowing smile.
XXXX
Ichigo slowly blinks his eyes and the familiar sight of crimson meets him once again. However when he goes to nudge her awake, he finds that she is wearing different clothes. Then he senses more than sees that he and Rias are not alone in his bed. Slowly twisting to one side he sees a head of black hair on the other side from his red-head sleeping partner and looking down he can't help the small yelp when he sees the youngest is using him as her personal futon.
'Koneko. Rias. Akeno. What in the…'
"Shhh Ichigo." A new voice interrupts his thoughts.
Maneuvering his way around, he finally has enough room to lift his body up a few inches to see an older version of Rias sitting comfortably in a chair. Next to her, sits a tea-pot and an empty plate. Swallowing the terror he wants to give life to, he sees the woman smiling at him, not in an 'I'm gonna kill you' kind of way thankfully.
In a low whisper she begins to speak. "I am Venelana Gremory Ichigo. I'm Rias's and Sirzech's mother."
"Ah, this isn't what it looks like Gremory-sama." Ichigo breathes out; hoping he appears sufficiently cowed enough.
"Ichigo, Ichigo, Ichigo your attempt at humble doesn't suit you. I know what is going on better than you." Her face keeps him from protesting his innocence. "You have done nothing wrong, so relax. However you do seem to be useful as a pillow and a futon for the girls." Her laugh at the end finally lets him relax.
"Yeah that I can see. When I went to bed it was only with…" His eyes go wide at what he was about to say.
"With Rias because she has decided to use you as her hugging pillow. Correct Ichigo?" Venelana says again with a friendly smile.
Just nodding his head in answer he starts explaining again. "Yeah she said I was her new pillow and since the first night, I've found her in my bed. These two are a surprise though; I figure I was off-limits or something. Sorry Venelana if I or the girls are offending you in any way."
That brought a smile to the brunette sitting next to his bed. "Ichigo, I have known of Rias's particular habits since she was a baby. She can't sleep without something to curl her body around for quite sometime. Go back to sleep Ichigo, you and the girls will not be going to school today, call it an unscheduled holiday."
Letting his eyebrows fall, his consciousness quickly succumbs.
XXXX
Upon waking a second time that day, he is mildly worried when he wakes alone. Since his first night with his new roommates, he has awoken to the sight of crimson every time. He lays there wondering what is going on when a sudden shout lets him know that all is well in the Gremory house.
"AAKKEENNOO! What did I say about trying to sneak into his room!? I told you yesterday about that didn't I Akeno!?"
"Ara, ara Buchou. You said I couldn't sneak in at night. It's now afternoon and still daylight out; therefore I can't be sneaking in."
"That doesn't matter Akeno, you are sneaking in because you are wearing your white yukata, your see-through white yukata!"
He cringes as his door opens and a figure starts to step inside, however he breathes out when the small form of Koneko shows herself, her back to him as she carries a tray in. The first thing he notices is her hair is no longer just blonde but some pure white has started to bleed through at her roots. She turns around and sees him watching her; a smile comes to her face, when she recognizes the relief evidently forming.
"You're awake oniisan. I brought you lunch if you are hungry." The little teen says as she walks to his bedside.
Taking the tray from her, he puts it's on his lap and points to her hair as he begins to lift the cover off of his plate. "Your hair is changing Koneko. Are you dyeing it or something?"
She touches her hair subconsciously before she frowns. "No oniisan, the dye is washing out again."
"Washing out? You dye your hair blonde Koneko?"
"Yes oniisan, because when I was in primary school, the other kids would tease me. Call me names like albino or Shiro, even…"
"They teased you because of your hair color Koneko?" She shivers when she hears the anger entering his voice.
Nodding slowly, she almost jumps when his arms grab her and lift her to his side. "Well no more dyeing your hair Koneko. From now on I want to see your real hair color and if anyone bothers you, I'll set them straight, got it?"
"Yes oniisan." She smiles at him and sits next to him when he begins to eat again.
However the peace is destroyed when a fuming Rias marches into the room, stopping as she takes one look at Ichigo sitting up in bed eating with Koneko sitting off to the side of him. Both are staring at her with neutral expressions.
"What!? Can't a girl walk into her room without being stared at!?"
"your room?" Ichigo's voice becomes dangerous but it has no affect on the Gremory daughter.
"You're right Ichigo. Not my room but our room." She finishes with a smile.
Downstairs as Akeno and Harumi are finishing making tea for everyone, a loud crash is heard from upstairs, shouts following shortly from the room of the orange-haired roommate.
"Fufufu, I'm guessing Ichigo just found out about his new sleeping arrangements Harumi-chan."
"I would have to agree Akeno-san, but I don't think he is in agreement with it as of yet." The maid says while continuing making a light lunch for the girls.
Koneko soon files into the kitchen, a smile on her face causing both of the older women to stop what they are doing. "Koneko?"
"I am fine Akeno-neesan. They are funny though, Rias-sama and oniisan. I didn't know a plate could dent bricks."
Akeno and Harumi start shaking their heads as Koneko and Akeno both sit for lunch, Harumi going to retrieve Rias. The two devils wait for their mistress to make her way to the dining room after the commotion finally died down.
"Koneko-chan, exactly how angry was Ichi-kun?"
Shrugging her shoulders as she plays with a stick of celery, she retells her version. "He was very angry at first but it didn't take long for Buchou to argue that he was a guest, an injured guest and it would be her fault if anything should happen to him again. He then tried to tell her that across the hall was good enough, but she hit him with his new position as of now."
"Her new hugging pillow."
"Yes. He isn't happy about that either."
"I did say he was going to lose that argument. Now he has lost that and now it seems he losing his room as well."
A new voice speaks up, taking the two sitting somewhat surprisingly. "He sees the error of his ways Akeno. So there will be no more disagreements from now on."
Akeno smirks as she asks the obvious. "How did you manage that Buchou?"
"I took care of it actually Akeno-chan." The older Gremory woman says as she rounds the corner behind her daughter. "I have never seen a man so red in my life when you just mention the word father, daughter, nude and bed in the same sentence."
"Speaking of Father, is he coming with brother and Amyntas-sama, Mother?" Rias says as she takes a place next to Akeno.
Handing her daughter a plate, she shakes her head in affirmative. "Yes your Father, brother and Amyntas will arrive around three pm. I think they are going to make sure of his condition for themselves and then have dinner with us. Amyntas will then stay until late Sunday night before he returns to his estates. Your brother and Grayfia will go home tonight; I'll be staying for a few weeks before I go home. Maybe I can convince Grayfia to let Millicas stay for the weekend as well."
Akeno squeals when she hears the name of her master's nephew. "Oh I do hope he can stay Venelana-sama. I'd love to see him and Ichi-kun in the same room together. They are both so serious at times it makes me wonder if Millicas-kun would be how Ichi-kun's son might act someday." A dreamy look overtakes the sadist's eyes.
"Well before we marry Ichigo off, we need to get a room ready for Amyntas, Hugo and myself for our stays. Also we need to shop for dinner tonight because I think it would be nice if you Rias and Akeno-chan made it. You know your father and brother love your cooking Rias, as well as yours Akeno-chan."
"I think food poisoning sounds better Mother." Rias says with a grumpy tone in her voice.
Venelana frowns at her daughter as she speaks. "I know you are upset with what they did Rias, but they had to do something about the Clan. I know you have been promised at least until after you graduate Rias, but I don't want you to deny yourself fun, even if he was to have orange hair and brown eyes by chance."
Rias stops chewing as she slowly looks over at her mother. 'Did she just say what I think she did?'
"Now Akeno-chan, you and I will go out after lunch and I want you to take me to those quaint shops down in the old section of town. We will leave your moody Buchou here to take care of her roommate. Koneko you can join us or stay."
"I'll come Venelana-sama." The young teen says.
"Then it's settled. Rias have fun with your Ichigo. I'm sure he might be calm enough to approach soon."
XXXX
'She didn't. No she did. I can't believe this. I…I have to share my room with her!'
Ichigo lies in his bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind was trying to wrap itself around the fact that not only was Rias going to be sleeping in his bed every night, but that her mother approves of it as well.
'I live in house of crazies. That's it, a house of crazies. How could she? And Rias smirking all the while, letting her mother blackmail me into this.'
'It could be worse; she could have said all three would be sleeping with me.'
"Ichigo?"
'Speak of the devil and ye shall receive.'
"Yes Venelana."
"May I come in?"
"Ah sure. Come in."
Ichigo didn't move from his back but shifts when her weight settles next to him, a hand touching his forehead. He was feeling somewhat down after learning he had developed a high fever last night causing him to act out his dreams. The girls had taken turns during the night to keep him cool as they called the Gremory family as well as his uncle, who was coming back later after checking on him last night. He frowns deeper at the trouble he was causing not only the Gremory family but his own as well.
"Why the frown Ichigo?"
Shifting his eyes, he sees the familiar blue-green that most of the family shares looking into his. "I'm sorry about making everyone worry last night Venelana; I should've listened to her then."
Venelana looks at Ichigo before she speaks to him. "Well I know my daughter; Akeno-chan and Koneko-chan are in safe hands Ichigo. I heard about what you did at the shouten."
"It was nothing Venelana; they just got unlucky in picking that place." He avoids looking at her.
Seeing he doesn't want to talk about it, she changes the subject to one she knows he really doesn't want to talk about. "Ichigo I hope you don't think badly of me or Rias, but if it helps Rias sleep better, I have no problem with her sleeping with you."
He struggles to sit up then. "Venelana are you crazy?" He hisses softly. "What happens if her father, YOUR HUSBAND, walks in on us? Will he even give me a head-start to run or does he like to skewer his victims first?"
Her laughter then unnerves him even more before her melodious voice sounds. "Oh Ichigo, you really don't know us that well I see. Don't worry about what my husband is going to think, just worry about what Rias is going to do if you try and keep her out. You, Ichigo, are her safety valve. She needs you as much as you need her at this point young man."
"That's what I mean Venelana, why me? Why did she choose me of people in the world? What about Yuuto?"
"Because Ichigo you treat her as Rias. Not Rias Gremory. You treat her as a person, not as a thing or a person of status. You see her only as a woman, even now you defend her honor, even if she doesn't care what others might think of this, you think of her. Even if you do argue about offending us, which you won't by-the-way, you are still only thinking of her. That Ichigo is why she chose you."
"After one day?"
"My daughter instincts are first-rate Ichigo; she knows who is out to harm her or who is out to use her. I have watched my daughter all my life and she hasn't been wrong once in whom she keeps close to her. If she feels this comfortable around you already, she must know you can be trusted."
"I can't talk my way out of this can I?"
Laughter fills the room. "No you can't. Now rest up, your uncle will be here in a few hours and I want you to rest until then, understand?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Smarty-pants."
XXXX
Dinner was quite the event for Ichigo. When he first arrived, with Rias as his escort/nurse maid, he was stunned by the feast in front of him and by all the people sitting there waiting for him and Rias. Besides Venelana, Akeno and Koneko, there was Hugo Gremory, Rias's father, Sirzech and Grayfia and their son Millicas. Also his Uncle Amyntas and the man from the store, Surtr, and Yuuto as well have been invited.
Ichigo tried to sit away from Rias, but between Venelana and Akeno he didn't stand a chance.
"Ichigo why don't you want to sit with me?" The crimson-haired beauty pouted.
"Because dammit, you are going to try to force feed me again, I'm not that helpless Rias! I'm sure I can use the chopsticks just fine."
"I know that Ichigo, but I just want you to sit next to me." Her words sound hurt because of his own.
Taking a quick glance at everyone else around the table shows him that maybe he just pushed the verbal jabs once to far with the teenage girl who has only done just about everything for him.
"Sorry Rias, I guess my temper got the best of me. I'm sorry everyone, I think I'll just head back to my room if you don't mind."
Before anyone can stop him, he turns on his heel and walks away heading back to the stairs to his room. Everyone else at the table make no move to follow or stop him, all stare at the crimson-haired teenager whose blank face follows Ichigo as he ascends the stairs to his floor.
A voice breaks her out of her own thoughts. "Are you going to let him leave Rias, or are you going keep your promise to yourself?"
Rias turns to stare at her mother with confusion evident in her eyes. "Mother, I don't understand?"
The older Gremory woman gets up and stands next to her daughter and whispers something that no one else in the room can hear. Whatever was said made the younger woman blush and then a smile that light up the room forms. Grabbing two plates and quickly filling them with food, she dashes upstairs after her pig-headed roommate to make some things clear to him. The mother smiles as her daughter leaves the dinner guests to themselves.
"Dear?"
"Save it Hugo. It's for our daughter and me alone." Venelana takes her place once again between her husband and her only grandchild at that point.
Turning to their guest, she smiles as she looks at Amyntas. "Quite a nephew you have there Lord Naberius. I hope one day to see what he once was."
Hidden shock forms on the faces of those who know the truth.
The addressed man shakes his head then and before he drinks his wine, he smiles back at the Gremory Clan's mistress. "I hope so one day as well Venelana-san, I hope so myself."
XXXX
Ichigo wasn't even in his room more than five minutes before his door slams open, quickly turning he sees Rias glaring at him with two plates of food. The teenage man takes an unconscious step back as she marches into the room and forcefully hands him a plate.
"Eat. Now."
"Rias?"
"Shut up Ichigo. I said eat now, we'll talk afterwards." She then leaves the room for a short time only to return with a bottle of wine and two glasses. Not saying a word to her roommate she pours two glasses and hands him one. Shifting on the chair while holding his plate, he looks at the glass then at her with a questioning look.
"Drink."
'Oh damn, she's pissed.'
Ichigo instinctually drank when commanded, somewhere inside him; he knew not to piss the woman off anymore than he already had. As the red liquid touches his tongue, he gives a surprise grunt at the sweet taste. He didn't recall any memories of drinking before but he had to admit the taste of the wine wasn't bad. Placing his glass down the two ate in silence, him on the chair, Rias on the floor. As he ate, he could see the emotions flying across her face. Some he knew like the pout of her lips when she was brooding over something or the narrowing of her eyes as she gave him the look of death, yep anger for sure. However he was curious as to why her cheeks and the rest of her face match her nickname at one point, that he wasn't sure of but if he had to guess, embarrassment maybe.
Rias's mind was racing at the words her mother spoke to her. She couldn't have been serious but she gave a wink no one else could see. She was desperate to know why her mother would even say anything like that to her as she sat there on the floor. Not that her current company was unpleasant, no he was downright infuriating to her for the moment, she even gave him her best look when she got mad. She smirks internally to see his unconscious flinch at that point but as she looks at him a new thought comes to mind. Now she has to hide her face least she sees how just looking at him now makes her long for what her mother said.
'Take what you want Rias and damn the consequences later.'
What she wanted was a life of freedom, one that she had control of, not one dictated to her by her family or other nobles. That meant the man in the room with her right now was going to be the start of her independence from her family obligations, then so be it. She wants what Ichigo has, a choice. He even said that he wouldn't marry for anything less than love not duty. The orange-head that now sat quietly as he ate is what she wants to be, free.
"Ichigo." She suddenly starts.
Startled at the suddenness of her voice, he almost drops his plate. "Ye…Yes Rias."
Biting her lower lip, the heiress makes up her mind. "Do you not want me to stay with you?"
Ichigo can only stare at the head of red in front of him; he can see her head looking down, afraid to look at his face when he does answer. That is when a feeling comes over him, a foreign feeling but a feeling he swears is right. Placing his meal down, he gets up from his chair and sits in front of Rias, his hand hesitant as he lifts her chin gently so he can see her face. What he does see makes him berate himself. The normally cheerful, happy confident Rias is now anxious and scared as she looks back at him. Again the unconscious flinch marks his features as he looks at the timid woman sitting across from him.
"Why?"
She blinks once. "Why what Ichigo?"
"Just tell me why you picked me Rias. Out of everyone you know, why am I the one you want?"
"Because I don't feel alone with you."
"Alone? But you…"
Shaking her head to cut him off, she speaks softly to him. "I am Rias Gremory. My family and I are as you would say nobility in our social circles Ichigo. I am the heiress of my Clan and one day I will be the head of my family. But unlike you, one who is free, I have certain obligations that must be met, no matter what I feel about it, I am not like you. I can't choose my life's course Ichigo, but I want too and you can show me the way. I want what you have Ichigo and need you to be the one to show me how to do it. I chose you because…because I trust you not to hurt me. I trust you to treat me as a woman and not as an object. I trust you to be my real friend Ichigo, without worrying who or what I am."
"Free? You're your own person Rias, why…"
"Because I'm…I'm not free Ichigo. My life has already been decided for me. Who I'm going to marry, what I'm going to do with my life, and how…how to spend it until the end of my days." Her voice finally betrays her fear.
She can see his face contort from puzzlement then slowly the realization of what she said, she sees something she hasn't really expected to see, fury. True anger inducing fury begins to creep into his face as he mouths the words she winces from.
'Arranged marriage.'
She shakes her head slowly in answer. "Yes Ichigo, my husband has already been decided. I am engaged."
"LIKE FUCKING HELL YOU ARE! THIS AIN'T THE GODDAMN FUEDAL ERA RIAS! WHO THE FUCK STILL DOES THAT SHIT!?"
"Ichigo please listen to me! Please!" She looks at the door to their room, panic setting in if someone should hear him. But no one will as she sees a spell has been placed on the door, keeping their conversation to themselves.
'Thank you Mother.' It's all she can think.
Turning around she is looking at his groin area and a blush ensues but then her mind catches up and her logic kicks in. He is trying to leave the room, while enraged. She acts out of desperation and trips him by grabbing both of his legs and forcing him to fall over. As he falls, he twists his body so he lands on his back, not his assailant. Taking advantage of his position, she crawls up his body and before he can say anything she places one hand on his mouth and the other on his chest as she bends down. Nose to nose, she is staring into his brown orbs, filled with both fury and shock.
"Don't." She whispers pleadingly.
'Why? Why? WHY?' His eyes are shouting at her.
"Please Ichigo. Not yet. Please for me don't." Resignation fills her whisper.
He stops then; his anger slowly changing into worry at her pleading voice, her body he notices is shaking while she lays on him. Slowly he wraps her in his arms as he pulls the now visibly upset woman closer to him. Her face finds its way to the crook of his neck, her breath heavy on his neck as she pants rapidly.
"Ichigo, I can't do anything yet but I'm not going to stop trying to find away out of this. Just do me one favor, this is all I beg of you to do, just treat me like you want me to treat you. As a person. And I promise not to hover over you anymore or make you feel like an invalid."
She feels his chest heave then and his voice however full of his own resignation. "Panties and a nightgown."
She bolts up at that. "Huh?"
He glares at her then. "If you are going to use me as a damn pillow, you have to wear panties and a damn nightgown or no deal. Got it?"
"I guess." She pouts.
"Now tell me why you are already engaged at sixteen Rias."
"Our families are among the oldest Ichigo, its tradition for us to marry those of our station. But since I've been in Japan, all I want is a real life and a real future. I want to travel and see the world, not stuck at home as a baby factory for someone I don't even love. I want what you have Ichigo, the right to choose what to do with my life. Shhh, I can see you getting angry again but I want you to swear to keep this to yourself for now."
"Yeah, I'll keep quiet for now Rias, but so help me, if anything happens to you, I'll find a way to hurt who ever does."
She shushes him again with her finger and she leans down and places a kiss on his cheek, a long kiss. "Thank you Ichigo. We should rejoin the others though. We are the hosts after all."
"I should apologize anyways. I don't want to leave them with a bad impression of me. My hair does that on its own."
"You have nothing to worry about Ichigo. My family will understand but if Grayfia gives you a death glare, please do your best to ignore it."
"I'll try."
"Good now we better get up before any…"
"Anyone does what Buchou?" Click.
Two heads turn and see the black hair of the club's vice-president standing in the doorway, a phone in her hand as she smiles at them. "Ara, ara Buchou such a scandal could ensue if this were to get out, don't you think?"
Downstairs all heads turn to the sudden shout that threatens the very foundation of the mansion.
"AAAKKKEEENNNOOO!" Both the orange-head and red-head screech at the top of their lungs.
The only one not reacting is Koneko. "I guess oniisan and Buchou made up."