Hye there! this is my second fan-fics. i haven't post the update chapters for Love Hurts, but here i am, writing for another new fics (sigh). i have lost the idea suddenly so i will not post the chapters for a while. but i promise to post it before i went back to school next year. so, here you are. my new fanfiction! hope you guys like it. the story doesn't have any relation with Bleach, just want to do it different from Love Hurts. Enjoy and review it if you like ^^ Please forgive my bad english! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. Just the certain characters.

THE PRINCE'S FIRST LOVE

CHAPTER ONE

"Rukia!"

A loud, high-pitched voice echoing in the huge hall, calling a name that seems quite deaf to answer her calls. Her throat almost sore with the extremely loud calling, but still, the young girl never appeared after her. She let out a sigh, massaging her ache neck; try to reduce her temperature before it explodes in front of the other girls.

"Where's that girl?" she angrily spat, her small eyes narrowed to scan the surrounding, searching for the tiny girl, even her shadow, as she supposed to mopping the floor after sweeping it. Now, she had left the broom and the dustbin at the hallway and disappeared herself before she even could finish her house chore!

"Hinamori, where's Rukia?" she asked the girl that was cleaning the closet. The girl startled upon hearing her name being called, stopping her current action and hastily making her way to the lady. She bowed her head, her hand clenching together, and her lips tremble to answer her question.

"R-Rukia-san…S-She was at the library, Madam Chizuru," she answered stuttering. All the time, she fixed her sight at the floor; never dare to lift her head up.

Chizuru stared at the shy girl that always bowing her head and clenching her fingers together, by no means dare to meet her amber eyes. Am I to frightening? She soberly thought. Always that simple questions dancing in her mind, at the same time, crush her only heart with the lonesome feelings.

"Did you see her?" Her voice getting lower as she strives to let her anger washes out with the simple question. Her hands gripping her waist, patiently waiting for the answer. Her small eyes rolling to the side, catching the glimpse of a blunted action by one of the maid. She let her gaze dropped to Inoue, a tall and slim maid with the orange-hair colored whose now slowly cleaning an antique pot, carefully holding it with her left hand, and the other hand wiping it with the deliberate movement. A very slow movement!

God, this girl. Can she even make it fast? Till what time will she be finish it?

"Inoue! Could you speed your hand?" she spat, staring intensely at her. The girl, as Chizuru imagined how she will react with her sudden questions, startled and harshly turning her head to her. She open and close her mouth, still thinking how to reply to her question.

"Um…I'll try." She gravely replies, showing her confidents in her words as she bowed her head vaguely, and continue with her works. She only speed her movement a little, afraid to broke the jar accidentally or slipped it from her hands.

That's it? 'I'll try'? Urgh! I give up.

Thinking how the girls do their works make her head winced in pain. Even so, she still cared about that petite girl. Focusing back on Hinamori, she saw the lass still remained in silent, but moreover, clenching her fingers more tightly than before.

"Um…yes. I-I saw her making her way to the library room," she said, stuttering to reply her questions.

"I understand. Continue with your work," she calmly ordered. Without a single thought, the girl quickens her pace to join with her other friends, leaving her without a turning back. Chizuru shook her head unbelievably. Becoming the Chief Maid had made their relationship truly far apart. Not only the young girls, even the chef and the guard also over highly respect her as the chief. They bowed to her and make the way for her every time she met them.

That's not actually what she wanted.

Truthfully, she had ever dreamed this position ever since she was young. She was adore by the credibility of the previous Chief Maid, on how they customized the works brilliantly and ordered the others so perfectionist. She admire how they always so cool but yet, elegant in their own way. She, in the contradictory, being fearful by the other employees.

She had devoted her whole life to the Kurosaki's family from the time when she was a seven, when the deceased master, Kurosaki Hajime, brought her to the manor. She still bitterly recalled the first time she ever stepped into the mansion, with only her smelly attire and messy hair. Unexpectedly, her arrival to the house had been warmly welcomed by the household, giving her a proper place to stay and a beautiful relationship to be hold.

She was an abandoned child, but here, in the huge mansion, she slowly feels the love that alluring her heart, and unintentionally erasing all those dark memories of her, making her to forget who she really was. Now she was 32 years old, never had the intention to get married or leave the house. She had sworn, will only and only served the Kurosaki's family, until her last breathe.

Living in the castle for 25 years had given her a lot of experienced in handling the house chore and also the social connection between them as a maid and the Kurosaki's family. She learned the rule; the love between the master and the maid are forbidden. She totally obeyed it until now, and it is her duty to bear it in the mind of the other maids to hold back their feelings and buried it deeply.

Appointed as the Chief Maid hold a greater responsibility in the Kurosaki's household. Ever since the Lady Masaki died in the accident, she had become the main person in the house, as well in the family. She organizes their daily routine, the house chores, and also doing the preparation for any ceremony or event. Being one of the important families in the country, surely the house never stop been visited by the outsiders and she has to keep them the company to make sure they receive the high class services, thus, she's quite famous with the family's acquaintance.

However, in the house, hearing her name is definite scary enough to frighten those girls and her voice, she believes all the girls will hide themselves after hearing one slightest of her tone. She's maybe quite older than them, so it is normal for them to show respect, but not in that kind way, hidden likes a little mouse when it met its enemy.

But, there is one exception.

That small girl. And every day, every minute she had to hold her temperature to control the head-strong girl, forcing her to obey her words and make her to finish her job. Twenty-four hours haven't past, and she done it again, disappearing herself, and heading to her favorite place. She should have known, whenever she gone, there is only one place in the house she will go.

At this moment, she quietly makes her way to that place.

To the Library Room.

Her small, pale hand moving slightly over the border of hundred of books in the bookshelf, searching for one book. She bended a little, looking for the lower shelf, and scanning the title but she found none. She tilted her head up, furiously staring at more books on the upper shelves, searching for the 'Fantasy Category' and found it almost at the top of the bookshelves, thinking vaguely how to reach it. She saw the ladder at the end of the shelves, near the exit door, and she winced in the slightest of the sight.

"I don't want to fall again…" she mumbling to herself, unexpectedly a hand massaging her shoulder, feeling the ache pain. She shrugged her head a little, and then move towards the ladder. Slowly and cautiously, she steps on the first level, balancing her petite body as both her hands gripping fiercely the ladder's side. She let out a relief sigh, and deliberately moving upward to the fourth level, stopping and tilted her head up. She hardly can see the title as it was very far from the place she stands, thus, she hastily kick the side of the shelf, moving the ladder to the other shelves.

"Ah…I see it!" she happily exclaimed as soon as she catch the glimpse of the book, smiling widely. "But it's too high," she said, refusing to move upward as she realizes she had stand too far from the ground.

"Why he must put the book at the upper shelf?" she speak in the incoherent tone, quite annoying with the boy, and at the same time have the feelings he intentionally hidden it higher than her so she scarcely can reach it. Thousands of book with variation of categories make her head spin and blurry her sight. She now hardly can see the book though it is so easy to recognize as it have light yellow color with the red ink tinted in every words.

"Should I take it?" Thinking how far the book was safely keep, the spirits to read the book bit by bit faded, but the boy words hanging in her mind, purposely coaxing her to read the book.

"You never gonna miss the book! It's really amazing with the great plot and story. On top of that, it is your favorite author who wrote it. You should read it!"

"No! I must take it!" The sudden urge to read the book suddenly explode in her body as soon as she recall the words. It is Arthur J. Dayle, can't you believe it? I must read the book no matter what!

With that determination, she steps further and every step she takes, she could feel her heart pounding faster and faster. Her stomach growling with tense and she senses that her leg trembles with fear. She almost there, but at the same time standing very far from the ground. Looking slightly before her, she cleared her throat, gulping the saliva back to her lump. Her slender fingers feel really cool, in spite of the cold air the air conditioner produces.

Standing stiffly, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. This is her limit. She couldn't force herself to climb higher than she already does. Snapping her head up, she saw the book, saw the title plainly and also the author's name.

'The Light and Dark' by Arthur J. Dayle.

She stretched out her right hand, gasping it to reach for the upper shelf. Then, she touches it, but only the border. She grunted, almost in the frustration mood, still, she lift her feet a little from the ladder's level and grip the book, gradually inching it outside from the shelf.

"I almost….almost….ther-"

"Rukia! What the hell are you doing?"

Chizuru stand in front of the huge, quite old, but antique door, carefully gripping the door's knob and make the slightest turn. Silently, she pushes the wood door, and sneaks a look in the huge room, searching for the tiny frame. Her brows knitted as she can't seem to find the one she was looking for. She hurriedly steps in, wondering around in the rooms that contain almost thousand of books, and every corner fill with bookshelves, either small or big. At the center of the room, lied a wood table, with the antique chair that cost a thousand for a pair. On the table, an old lamp place carefully, along with the others stationery. A black colored antique phone somewhat been dirt by the dust, proving that no one has ever use the phone since the late master. Each sides of the room, stand hundred of bookshelves and in front of the table, there are red-colored couch along with the tea-table.

The ambiance rather hazy with the dim lights and the very silent surrounding, apparently she can hear her heart beating with the every seconds passes.

"She's not here? That's strange," she thought curiously, in the hope to see the small girl sitting on the couch, relaxing herself while reading her favorite books. She's thinking to caught her red-handed, surprising her from behind, and give her the suitable punishment for her unreasonable behavior. She turned around, her eyes wandering and took the sight of each corner in the room. Then, she heard a soft grunted. She knew the voice. Smiling widely, she took the steps toward the voice, carefully not making any noise.

She's hidden behind these huge shelves. And more, it is at the very deep corner of the room. That's why I can't see her. What is she doing here?

Chizuru saw a figure, standing on a ladder, though her sight being disturbed by the shelves, still she can see the girl through the hole from each shelves. Grinning, she suddenly appeared herself behind the trouble girl, yelling at her in her utmost high tone.

"Rukia! What the hell are you doing?"

"W-What-…Aargh!"

Chizuru open her mouth in shock, her small eyes widen in fright, and her hands clasp her mouth, preventing her from letting her voice out with howl. "Rukia! Oh my!" she exclaimed, harshly grabbing the small body that now lying on the floor, groaning in pain.

Once again, the girl has fallen. And at this moment, from the very high level. Chizuru holds Rukia in her arms, carefully gripping her upper body to lie on her lap.

"Why did you that?" Rukia snare, trying to lift her body up in the sit position. As soon as she used her right hand to balance her body, she could feel the pain shaken at her arm. She shrieked, falling again on Chizuru's lap.

"You sprained your arm. You have to meet the doctor," Chizuru speak in almost calm tone although the feeling of guilty ripped through her heart.

"You shouldn't surprise me like that," she angrily spat. Chizuru took a glance, shook her head in disbelief. She still has the will to quarrel with me, she thought blissfully. So she's alright now.

"Okay, I know. I'm sorry. But it's your fault to leave your work undone, young lady!" It is her time to reward her with her anger. She could notice the frowned look on her face, trying to control her anger that mix with the feeling of guilty.

"Now, you should take a rest. Tomorrow we have a busy day."

"Madam Chizuru, could you help me for one thing?"

"What is it?" she asked as she helps her to stand on her feet.

"I want that book," she offered, pointing at the yellow-covered book that still haven't move by her touch. She stared at the woman, widen her beautiful violet eyes with the piteous gaze and smudge her face with the sad smile.

Chizuru saw the eyes and the sad smile. After a moment, she let a sigh, feeling defeated with the teary eyes and the piteous face.

"I understand." Lastly, she totally gives up. She couldn't handle the girl.

Rukia allowing her smile to spread widely upon hearing at those words. I win!

Rukia is lying on her small bed in the maid's room, which means, their rooms. The room was small, and there are four single beds at the center of the room. Hers, Inoue, Momo, and Tatsuki. Beside the bed is the cupboard, the furniture to place their personal belongings. The room quite plain with the white colored paint and nothing to be decorated in the room as it was very small to set with other object.

Her pain leisurely subsided after the doctor had given her the treatment. There is no one but her in the room and she definitely relaxing herself while reading the book she truly wanted to have. Out of the blue, she could hear a noise, breaking the silence atmosphere. She tensed; her head lift up from the pillow and her eyes staring at the door, waiting anxiously for the visitors.

As the door opened, she saw a tall, broad-muscle figured appeared at the front door, with the worried feelings illustrate well on his handsome face. She lit a smile, welcoming him with the sweetest smile of her.

"Ichigo, you come back early today."

"Of course, you idiot! I almost feel a heart attack after hearing your falling. How's your injury?" Despite his harsh words, he really concerned about Rukia, concerned everything about her.

Hearing the word 'idiot', her temper raised abruptly. But then, the boy shows his concerned side, wash out the anger that crept in her body. She chuckled slightly. "I'm okay now. Just a small scratch. I'm strong, you know."

Ichifo soften his gazes, smile softly at the petite girl. His gaze drop to her pale hands that was holding a book, and he had to fight the urged to touch the hands, feeling the warmth of the skin beneath his calloused hands and deliberately soothing her. He looked away, avoiding those small hands but then, he saw the book.

"Oh? You found the book?" he asked, raising one brow.

"Of course! I know you intentionally keep it ahead from me, but I already tell you. I will find it no matter how far you keep it," she determinedly replied, showing her head-strong side.

"You have to be guilty, Ichigo. It is your fault I've fall."

"Me? Why?" he numbly asked. "You know I'm not tall enough but yet, you still keep it at the upper shelf," she grimly replied.

Ichigo stunned. Because of me? "R-Rukia, is it true? I truly sorry! Seriously, I didn't mean to. I just-" his words was cut off as he saw the smile on her face. By only seeing the smile on her face, all the negative feelings he ever have, washed away by the simple act. He knew, she had forgiven him, and she always do no matter what he ever done to her. Nothings had changed, and she always remained the kind-hearted Rukia he knew since they meet at the first time.

"Um..Ichigo-sama?"

Both of them startled, looking at the front door. Inoue steps in with a glass of hot chocolate in her hands.

"For me?" Ichigo asked before taking the drink from her hands. Inoue nodded her head slightly, slowly making her way beside Rukia's bed.

"Thank you, Inoue. You always know what I like."

Hearing those words, Inoue smile softly, a hinted of blush colored her cheeks, and she bowed her head shyly.

"How's the preparation going, Chizuru?" a voice spoke, his small eyes met the amber one.

"All doing great, Isshin-sama. Tomorrow, we will do the preparation for the party," the soft voice reply. Her hand holding a pen, writing something in her notebook. The man nodded his head.

"What about the invitation card?"

"Already delivered to the guests, Isshin-sama."

"I see. You're doing great, Chizuru. I don't know what I'm supposed to do without you," Isshin said, stroking his hair, feeling restless.

"It's my duty," Chizuru offered, restrict her blushing face. "You should rest more. You're being tired out of work."

"You're right," he soberly replied. His hand drop to his tie, loosened it a bit. "Oh, how about the VIP guest? Will he come?"

"Yes, Isshin-sama. He already replies our invitation. It's a great honor to have him in Ichigo-sama's birthday party."

Isshin nodded his head, agree with her. "He just came back from US. Never expect him to reply to our invitation. But I guess, he is Ichigo's best friend, is he not? Surely he will spend his precious time, even for a couple of hours for Ichigo. Really looking forward to meet the young prince…"

"…Kuchiki Byakuya."

So how is it?^^ Byakuya will make his first appearance in the next chapter, so please wait for him! :) when i first wrote the story, i want to make Rukia's his maid, but then, i change my mind since i found it difficult to elaborate his royal life therefore i changed her to become Ichigo's maid. Oh, please forgive my grammar if you found one...or more. really sorry for my bad english. please review it or correct any of my mistakes. i receive any feedbacks for my writing. i will try harder to post any new chapters for both fics. Ganbatte! ^^