Title: The Lost Princess

Summary: Orihime is a girl living in the slums of Japan, throughout her struggles and travels, she finds out a life changing fact about her past and who she really is. She falls in love with Prince Ulquiorra, but he's already engaged. Ulquihime. AU.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, Tite Kubo-sama does.

Chapter one: Hairpins

"Damn it", Tatsuki breathed as she ran along side Orihime. They were being chased by a pudgy shopkeeper because they had got caught stealing food. Orihime and Tatsuki desperately made their way through the slums as the middle-aged woman swung her broom like a sword, aiming for them. The plump woman's fat jiggled as she yelled for them, her dark eyes were filled with anger. She was catching up with them fast. Tatsuki's bare feet burned as the dirt road scraped them with every desperate move her feet made, Orihime, on the other hand, was wearing torn sandals she had found in the trash can. They could here each others desperate pants for air while they tried to escape the shopkeeper's angry wrath. The hot sun burned them as they tried to make their way through the crowded dirt roads.

"You little whores, next time I see you I will make you pay for the food you took from my shop!" The pudgy woman with dark skin yelled as her legs gave out, her voice was bitter and scratchy. This wasn't the first time that they had stolen from her shop, they were thankful that her husband wasn't working today, or else they would've at least had a few cuts and bruises on their thin bodies.

Tatsuki and Orihime dodged a handful of rocks the middle aged woman threw at them, they sighed in relief as they watched the raven haired woman storm to her shop. Their paced slowed now that they were safe and they filled their aching throats with much needed air. There was a silence as Tatsuki and Orihime walked side-by-side together, they were too busy catching their breath as they watched some shopkeepers glare at them.

There was different types of people who lived in the slums. Half of them were people who had jobs and only made enough yen to buy a few kimonos a year and a fair amount of food each week. Those were the people who were considered rich in the slums, they did not steal and they treated the ones who did like trash. The other half were either jobless men, whores, young girls, or orphans.

"That was close", Tatsuki said as her breathing evened out. She wiped the drops of sweat of her fore-head with the back of her dirty hands.

Yeah, but at least we got enough food for us both... But we don't have enough for-"

"Keigo-kun, Mizuiro-kun, and Mizuho-chan can get off their lazy asses and get some food of their own! They always cheat us into getting food for them. When we get home, we're gonna tell 'em to get their own food tonight. Heh heh heh, I can already imagine the look on Mizuho-chan's face", Tatsuki grinned deviously as she stopped in her tracks to pick up a walking stick.

"I-I don't know... isn't that mean?" Orihime asked nervously as she smiled at the small sack of food in her arms, she held it like one would hold a baby. Food was really hard to obtain in the slums for a jobless girl.

"No, Hime-chan, it's fair", Tatsuki declared as she rubbed her empty stomach. "I can't wait to eat in front of them", Tatsuki smiled as she dragged her stick behind her, it left trails in the hot sand of the slums. Their small shack was in view.

Orihime and Tatsuki walked inside their small house made of drift wood and card board. The stuffing and hot atmosphere of the 'home' didn't bother them, they were used to it. The smell of sweat and dirt filled their nostrils as they watched Mizuho's surprised reaction to their presence.

Oi! Keigo-kun, They're here!" Mizuho sang as she danced her way to Tatsuki and Orihime. Mizuho tugged at the rags she wore and smiled. "Let me help you with that, Orihime-chan", the older girl insisted as she snatched the bag from Orihime. She licked her plump lips as she hugged the bag close.

"Oi! Give it back!" Tatsuki roared as she marched to the innocent acting Mizuho.

"I was only trying to help", Mizuho said in rude tone. She threw Tatsuki the bag and sat down on the floor where they ate because they couldn't afford a table nor find one in a dumpster.

"We ain't sharing. Go get your own food for once! We're sick of you cheating us", Tatsuki shouted as she studied the priceless look on their faces. She let a small smirk grace her lips.

"I work! Business has been slow, y'know! Men with enough money here are hard to come across. I'm hungry... Please be a dear and share some of that with me", Mizuho pleaded as she tried her hardest to cry, making her appear constipated.

"Don't give me that crap! I work two jobs around here! I gotta steal and whore myself out. From now on, startin' tomorrow, we're gonna take turns stealing each week. Today, you have to get your own food, along with those two idiots!" Tatsuki demanded as she glared at the two flabbergasted boys.

"What! No! No! No! Aren't I your friend? Haven't I-"

"Cut the crap!" Tatsuki commanded as she pointed a long jagged stick at keigo's face. "You know darn well how lazy you are", Tatsuki said in disgust.

"I work... " Keigo said as fake tears slid down his cheeks.

"Che, All you do is go door-to-door and beg like a sap", Tatsuki said as she watched Kiego's bow his head in shame.

"I work", Mizuiro challenged as he pulled a small sack of money out of his torn pockets. A hint of a smirk could be seen on his thin lips.

"Hmm", Tatsuki mumbled as she eyed the coins. "That's about enough for only you to eat... We're not sharing today, so go take your money and buy yourself some food", Tatsuki said as she stared into Mizuiro's pleading eyes.

"Uhhh... Fine... But when I return I will eat my food nice and slow right in front of you", Mizuiro said in annoyance.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah", Tatsuki muttered as she watched Keigo and Mizuho followed the raven haired boy. Tatsuki figured that they were going to pester him to share his food.

Tatsuki turned to Orihime, who had been quiet through out the whole ordeal. "Let's eat!" Tatsuki cheered as she smiled at her beautiful friend.

Tatsuki and Orihime had just finished their meal. They each got an apple, two slices of ham, and a single slice of bread.

"I'm going to the pond to bathe tonight, please come I don't want to go alone", Orihime spoke timidly. It had been a two weeks since she had bathed. Orihime didn't really look like a greasy or dirty girl, she was quite beautiful. The only way you could tell she was from the slums of japan was her dirty and torn clothing, the way she smelled, and the few dirt smudges on her face.

"Of course", Tatsuki nodded as she got up from the dirt floor of their shack.

As soon as the stars graced the night sky, the two teenage woman dived into the pond to bathe. Tatsuki and Orihime had discovered this pond near their home, that was completely surrounded by trees. It was perfect for them to bathe in. Mizuho often joined, but she was else where tonight.

Orihime lathered her hair with some shampoo that she stole awhile back, it lasted so long because she rarely bathed. Orihime admired the smell of her shampoo as she washed it out of her hair, it smelled like strawberries. The night air cooled her exposed skin as she bathed. She would occasionally splash Tatsuki while she admired the feeling of being clean. This was luxury for her.

This was the life of a peasant.

After they had gotten out of the pond, they headed home. The sky was getting darker and darker. Keigo, Mizuiro, and Mizuho were nowhere to be seen. They should've been home by now. Tatsuki and Orihime talked, trying to pass the time. In the back of their minds they were worried for the three. The five of them were like family... Where are they?

"Alright, I've had enough! C'mon, Hime-chan, we're gonna go find 'em", Tatsuki demanded, her eyes were full of worry and annoyance. She helped Orihime up off the dirt floor and proceeded to march out the card board door.

"I hope they're okay", Orihime said, her soft voice was full of worry as she gazed at the star filled sky with a sad look in her eyes.

"Me too", Tatsuki sighed, she was starting to feel bad about what she had said earlier. Tatsuki picked up her pace along with Orihime. They wanted to hurry up and get back with Keigo, Mizuiro, and Mizuho. "We should run if we wanna hurry up", Tatsuki suggested. Orihime gave Tatsuki a determined look as she nodded in agreement.

The two girls ran through the slums until they spotted Keigo, Mizuiro, and Mizuho. Keigo was on his knees begging, Mizuiro was trying to compromise his way out of something, and Mizuho was sobbing... Just what exactly happened here?

"Oi! What happened here?" Tatsuki asked a man with a well built body, who was yelling at her dear friends.

"They were caught stealing! Now that Ulquiorra-sama's here he's gonna make these ass wholes pay!" The angry shopkeeper roared as he glared at the two girls.

Everyone's attention snapped to the fancy carriage as it pulled over right in front of them. Keigo, Mizuiro, and Mizuho started to shake out of fear. Prince Ulquiorra was going to greatly punish them.

"Please! Please! Let them go!" Tatsuki begged her eyes were starting to tear up. "Please let them go and I'll sell myself to you! Please!" Tatsuki tried again, she was on her knees.

"Nonsense, Ulquiorra-sama is already here!" The shopkeeper smirked mockingly as he ran a hand through his spiky white hair, watching Prince Ulquiorra step out of the fancy carriage.

Orihime began to sob quietly as she watched Prince Ulquiorra and his royal assistant walk towards them. His assistant wore glasses and a fancy white suit, he had raven hair and deep blue eyes that were somewhat cold. Orihime had only heard rumors of Princes and Princesses, she knew that there were dozens of them who resided in japan. She had only heard little about Prince Ulquiorra... Would he let them of the hook?

Orihime studied them as they walked toward the shopkeeper, they did not look happy. The one named Ulquiorra had piercing green eyes, very pale skin, and straight silky black hair. He was very attractive, in fact, Orihime never seen a more handsome man, but that was to be expected, since she was a petty girl from the slums.

"Kensei-san, is my merchandise ready?" Ulquiorra asked in a monotone voice that made Orihime blush. She observed Ulquiorra's kimono, he was a prince alright.

"These three over here ruined it!" The shopkeeper roared as he pointed to the shaking culprits. "They were trying to steal it and they ended up dropping it all in the dirt!" The man named Kensei roared in anger and frustration as he returned his piercing brown eyes to the royal duo.

"No! I swear, I had money to buy food. I'm not with them! I had no idea what they were up to. I don't even know them. Kensei-san, I'm not with them", the smooth talking Mizuiro denied.

"What? Are you serious?" Ulquiorra's asked in a hushed tone as he glared at Keigo, Mizuiro, and Mizuho. He was infuriated with them. He was having a rough day and his patience was wearing thin. "Don't you have anymore made?" Ulquiorra asked, his eyes were threatening and cold.

"N-not at this moment, Ulquiorra-sama. My greatest apologies", the silver haired man bowed his head in disappointment. "I can give you these three as servants", the man with brown eyes said while raising his head up.

"Hn", Ulquiorra took a moment to examine the three. They were shaking and the two with brown hair were crying. "That won't be necessary, if I took them against their will they would be slaves, not servants ", Ulquiorra spoke as his assistant, Uryū, nodded in agreement. "The natural punishment for stealing is to cut off their right hand. That would teach these... uncivilized beings to behave, now, wouldn't it?" Ulquiorra said as he eyed the three culprits... Dirty slum children.

"Of course, Ulquiorra-sama", Kensei said as he pulled a rather large blade out of his pocket.

"Wait! Please don't! They were just hungry!" Tatsuki screamed as she desperately ran in front of the green-eyed prince. "Please, I'll sell myself to you for a night if you let them go!" Tatsuki begged again. She had sold herself before and she felt dirty, she was okay with being dirty on the outside, but not on the inside. It left her depressed, but she did it to put food on the table.

"As if I want a dirty slum girl in my bed", Ulquiorra said coldly, causing Uryū to laugh. "Be gone, my patience is wearing thin, Saseko", the royal prince spoke in cold tone.

Tatsuki was speechless as her eyes dimmed into a much darker shade of brown.

"Wait, please!" Orihime cried. "Please, don't hurt my family, hurt me instead", Orihime breathed as tears leaked out of her ash-gray eyes. She stood in front of Ulquiorra and Uryū as she pleaded to them.

Uryū blushed at her presence. She was one of the most attractive looking women that he had ever seen, despite her dirty and torn clothes. What was a girl like her doing in the slums of Japan? She was far too pretty.

Why would she sacrifice her right hand for these three? Are they honestly that important to her? Surely their lives aren't as important as hers.

Keigo, Mizuiro, and Mizuho were flabbergasted. They wouldn't let her do this for them. It wasn't right. As soon as they were about to protest the prince spoke.

"That won't ... be necessary, Kensei-san. Just let them go, I'll pay for the merchandise they ruined", Ulquiorra, the crowned prince, decided. A chorus of gasps could be heard.

"Ulquiorra-sama-"

"He means what he says", Uryū responded to Kensei coldly while he adjusted his glasses, his deep blue eyes warned Kensei's sharp brown ones.

"Of course", Kensei said as he bowed to the raven haired men. His eyes turned cold and hard as he turned around to face the three delinquents. "Shoo! I don't want to see you three near my store again!" Kensei roared. The three ghostly pale kids nodded in fear.

"Here", Ulquiorra said in a hushed tone as he dropped a sack of money in the hands of the shocked auburn haired girl. "Hopefully your 'family' won't be caught stealing this week", Ulquiorra said as he looked into beautiful gray eyes.

"I couldn't-"

"Orihime-chan!" Keigo, Mizuiro, Mizuho, and Tatsuki fumed in disapproval.

"O-okay", Orihime replied timidly as hugged the sack. "Thank you very much, Umm... Ulquiorra-sama", Orihime said as she bowed her head and dashed towards her friends. Ulquiorra didn't get a chance to respond to her appreciation.

Ulquiorra, the crowned prince and Uryū, the royal assistant, rode in the carriage together, they were on their way back to Schiffer Castle. The stomping of the horses hooves could be heard as they tried to reach their destination. Uryū stared at his master, it wasn't like himself to be so kind to people... Not at all. Ulquiorra schiffer was respectful, but not kind.

"Why did you act so kind to that peasant girl?" Uryū asked, his voice was full of curiosity. "Was it because you had an interest in her looks?" Uryū teased, he knew that wasn't the case.

"Fool... " Ulquiorra breathed as he shut his eyes in annoyance. "Honestly, did you even notice her hairpins?" Ulquiorra harshly asked. His vacant eyes clashed with deep blue ones.

"No, I did not... Why would that matter? What do you know?" Uryū questioned in suspicion as he stared intensely at his superior.

"Those where the same hair pins that the deceased Queen Aki Inoue wore. Obviously she is the long lost child of King Ryota and Queen Aki, the one who went missing at the age of three", Ulquiorra spoke knowingly. "King Sora will be happy to hear that his dear sister is alive and well", Ulquiorra spoke as a hint of a smirk graced his thin lips. "That girl is indeed the lost princess of the second nation", Ulquiorra told his shocked assistant.

Uryū knew Ulquiorra too well, he would not go through the trouble of doing something as big as this, unless it was for his own benefit... Why is he doing this?

A/N: OMFG! I really enjoy writing this(: This is an idea I had when I was in the process of writing another Ulquihime fic and watching some crazy movie at the same time... I decided I liked this idea better lol. Oh, and this really won't be your typical fairytale story, it will have allot of drama and affairs. The chapters will be longer, I just felt I should stop it right here.

Haha, you're probably going to assume that Sora comes and finds his sister and they reunite and become a happy family. That doesn't happen. Next chapter, you'll find out why.

Saseko means a girl who sleeps with everybody for money.

I hope you enjoy this fic! I have big plans for it! Please don't hesitate to review! So how did you like it? Was someone OOC or IC? Please tell me what you think in a review! Thank you(: