Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

AN: Hello again! Don't condemn me for starting another!

I have honestly been working for a while on finding an outlet for my love of history and especially Egyptology, so I have been outlining ideas on a Bleach AU fiction that takes place in Egypt for some time. As the history and legend surrounding Caesar and Cleopatra is one of my favorites and one I can't help toying w/ when I get the chance- I'm giving it a go w/ the Bleach cast. I'm hoping to blend worlds smoothly, while also bringing in creative twists that are my prerogative as a writer!

Note: I have done a similarly themed fiction for Escaflowne (under an alternate author name- also another that was titled the same as this w/ a different plot, but I pulled it long ago), but while this will have some of the same elements and might follow a bit of the storyline, I imagine this will be darker and less romance-inspired- at least between the two power figures. The romance will come in w/ Ichigo and Rukia.

And yes my OC is from another of my fics, but while she will have the same features, her personality should differ greatly given that she is a representation of Cleopatra the VII whom I associate with cunning, confidence, ambition, and intelligence (the first 3 qualities are those that differentiate her from the character in the other fic).

But enough yammering!

So here it is:

Seducing Setesh: Preview

Title: Seducing Setesh

Universe: Alternate

Setting: Greco-Roman Egypt and Seiretei ( the equivalent of Rome)

Genre: Drama/Romance/Adventure

Characters: Ensemble

Pairings: IchiRuki, ByaXOC, YoruXUra, Slight IchiHime and RenRuki

Rating: M for Violence, Language, and Sexual Content

The queen paced behind him slowly, her gown trailing, brushing the marble floor with a soft whisper, "Do you really think they will all be so pleased to welcome you back in victory to Seiretei? Do you think that with this defeat of a rival you are one step closer to a crown? A worthy ambition, but a fruitless dream… The republic you're so proud of with its reinstated Central 46, a group of aging aristocrats that think themselves a force of greatness bringing equality to Seiretei… will not allow a king to rule again."

"What makes you think it is my intention to be named king? Seiretei is a republic as you've said. It has been many decades since a king has held power. We've moved beyond such things." He spoke coolly and did not look back at her in his place at the head of the table, sitting rigidly, his hands on the arms of the chair.

Setting up his headquarters in the throne room had seemed like a prudent idea at the time as it was a central location in the palace, but now that she had returned to claim her rightful place it seemed foolhardy. She thought of this room as her domain, and regardless of how powerful he may be outside these walls, here he was simply a guest and subject to her whims. She would not bow nor cater to his demands here.

She laughed, "Oh how, ideal of you… Do you really think I cannot see further than that façade? A man like you who has won countless battles and continues to conquer territory after territory in the name of Seiretei cannot possibly wish to be a mere soldier forever. No… No, no… You like control. You like knowing that you will never be questioned. And the title of king…" She breezed around him and whispered this next word like a lover in his ear, "Imperator… has such a sweet ring to it, does it not?" With all the sinuous grace of the cats the Egyptians were so fond of, she sank back into the chair at his left watching him with those calculating green eyes.

"I believe you are mistaking me. Your eastern sentiments do not make much sense in the minds of men of higher learning." He said, shooting her only a momentary glance.

She only smiled at this jibe and formed her lips into a mocking pout.

"Oh, indeed… But perhaps while in the Two Lands you will see a bit of our eastern reasoning… Perhaps you can be persuaded to see the benefit of a government in which there is a sole ruler." She rose languidly from her chair and as she sauntered away, her hips swaying in a hypnotic rhythm her perfume wrapped itself around him like a silk noose.

Even when she had carried herself beyond the double doors without as much as a "farewell, my lord" he did not move. His hands seemed to be imbedded in the armrests, wrapped so tightly around them he could hear the wood crack and groan. He closed his eyes, but still the perfume lingered and behind his lids he was haunted by green pools and sensuous lips. He forced darkness to blot out all images- his mind going blank. He opened his eyes slowly, the grey of his irises bright like polished steel as he felt the fire of resolve harden him once more. He stood. He was not a man that could be manipulated- not a man that could be swayed by hennaed lips and a pair of venomous eyes.

He was a conqueror, like Hannibal, like Alexander… A woman could not get the better of him. He would need to put her from his mind… And there was only one sure way for him to do so; he would have to prove her weaker, he would have to make her… submit.

"Ah, Ichigo! Looks like you found her before I even had to point her out! She's a goddess, isn't she?" Renji clasped his comrade on the shoulder with a longing sigh.

Ichigo could not answer. It was as though the desert winds had invaded his mouth and left dry sand behind. He was a stalwart soldier, and though he had a habit of leaving behind a trail of broken hearts in many of his ports of call when on the march, he had never found himself so in awe of a woman. His glances toward the fairer sex were appreciative, bordered on smug and suggestive, but never had his eyes betrayed him with a sense of adoration. Still he stood there, gazing across the courtyard at the woman his friend had indicated had once been the other man's fiancé.

Ebony hair, glossy and resplendent in the sunlight, caught the warm breeze swept in from the port. Compared to many of the women who favored darker or even olive complexions in this region, her skin was like alabaster, her high cheekbone just visible in profile as she pushed her hair back behind her ear. Even dressed in a white kilt and tunic, boyish dress common to the natives, her golden jewelry marking her as highborn, it was obvious she was foreign. He could see her pouted pink lips move as she murmured gently to the black mare whose neck she stroked with long delicate fingers. He inwardly groaned as he wondered what such hands might feel like on his skin.

And then slowly, slowly the little goddess turned her head in their direction, and he felt the earth fall away from his feet. Lapis Lazuli eyes encased by thick black, endless lashes, stared back at him. Numbness swept him and then his lips began to twitch.

"Ichigo? Oi- Ichigo!" Renji shook him.

With a smirk, his brown eyes suddenly very brown- dark with thought, Ichigo scoffed as he pushed his friend's hand away. "That- that was the girl they wanted you to marry however many years ago?"

Renji frowned in confusion as he looked from his friend, back to the young woman who was now turning away her hand gripping firmly to her horse's reins as she led her away. "Ugh yeah…" He finally said uncertainly, "You- know her?"

Ichigo's eyes narrowed, his lips curled almost sinisterly before he gave a short laugh. "Ha- you dodged an arrow my friend! That little midget is nothing but a spoiled bitch!"

AN: If this may be of interest to you, drop a review- I appreciate the enthusiasm before I run headlong into it because as I mentioned before the history of Cleopatra the VII is very near and dear to my heart as is Egyptology in general. Updates might be infrequent as I wish to do it justice (not to mention the fact that I have other fics that need attention).

Thanks!