Disclaimer: The only I own relating to Bleach are the ones for laundry. By the way, anything italicized in this chapter are the thoughts of the characters.

"How did this happen?" Ichigo muttered for the hundredth time. Even in her head the question repeated like an angry curse.

It was all sudden.

Just when she was expecting another good morning, her father informed her that she's in an arranged marriage with a prince from the South lands. That may have been all what he said, but the message is clear just by those words.

She, who is only fifteen, is already engaged to a man who is a complete stranger to her. Is that even good news? Obviously no!

"I'm not of the proper age, I'm not even royalty, and he's a prince who I have not met my whole life."

"It's the only option that both the North and the South lands have if the two lands are to be united. Contracts or treaties are not enough. Marriages make the union a thousand times stronger. And about what you said about you not being royalty; yes we have no princesses here and only princes, but it's the same with the South lands. And you're the well-respected sheik's daughter, so you're the only choice to make this work out."

Ichigo sighed irritatedly, falling back on the bed while spreading out her shoulder-length hair.

Momo couldn't say anything else to comfort Ichigo, even though she's always the one who gives advice to the younger girl that would support her. Right now, she was at a total loss at what to say and nothing made her friend feel better.

"I understand how arranged marriages can bother you, Ichigo-san. But you can't get away from it, even how much you want to. If there was a chance, I would help you."

That was all she can say, but she meant what she said and held the orange head's hand.

"Whatever. You did what you can, Hinamori. I appreciate your concern, but I need some time alone." The words were gentle but that unhappy tone didn't disappear. Of course, Ichigo was half-pissed and half-upset.

Hinamori left soon after to do some housework, and she just stayed there on her bed, not making a move or a sound.

I need help!

Her body's resting, but her mind isn't. No one would be able to remain so calm when they get such news, no matter how much they try.

She's obviously freaked out about it. If it wasn't her, anyone else would feel the same thing unless they're really stupid and hopelessly crazy for love but she's not that kind of person.

It's been a week since she was told that news, and she acted normal as usual after spending that shocking day with nothing but her millions of thoughts about her situation. But she's still upset, and wants to cancel the engagement but it's common sense for her to know that it's not easy. Their teacher left for a while, giving the class a little time to talk. And, like a few days ago, they all turned to Ichigo and asked her about the marriage.

She frowned and dropped her pen, like it was completely expected for them to swoop around her like vultures. But what else can she do but go with the flow?

"So, you know who his name is?" Inoue questioned with her legs shaking left and right in excitement.

Ichigo pouted slightly, "No. And though he's supposed to be my future husband, my dad won't even tell me at least his name. Come on. I mean, what is that?"

They laughed and she joined in, but only chuckled quietly.

"Maybe because he's such an important prince that Dad wants to surprise me."

Tatsuki shrugged. "You may be right. But, who knows? Whatever happens, I'll be there to make you feel better." Now there was a friend who just wanted to console her, and not just approach her for the news.

She nodded in understanding when the spikehead tomboy patted her on the back, and she started to write. Her eye batted to the door and the others followed her look, where the teacher returned and they sat properly again. It almost made her laugh but she's not in the mood to laugh anymore, and she once again wallowed deep into her worry of being married.

Will that ever end? It's already almost eating at her and even though she tried to ignore it and focus on something else it never worked. Looks like the news started to ruin her life, slowly as possible.

Two weeks later...

Camels walked at a steady pace through the sand, and thank the gods that there were no sandstorms and only breezes to keep them from feeling like they're under seven suns. One of the few people inside the carriage peeked out the drapes often, but he didn't see any sign of a village or anything.

"You're a little impatient, aren't you?" another person asked while crossing her legs.

"Along with being nervous. I can't believe I'm going to meet my bride." he replied monotonously, closing the drapes and looking back at his lap.

"Well, if I were in your place I would have acted the same. I have no room to argue, but the only thing you can do is wish that she's not a horrible woman."

Byakuya frowned at his sister's statement. "She's the daughter of a very respected sheik. I'm sure that even he knows how to handle his daughter."

Rukia shook her head and touched her brother's knee.

"Listen, you shouldn't judge people and how they handle others because of their status in society. Who knows what kind of person his daughter is?"

He sighed, knowing that she had a point but it didn't cease to bother him. He still had one year before he's of legal age to get married, but the higher-up's needs for unions and such made them so impatient. "Do I really have to take her to the palace? She would be far away from her home."

"You have no choice, Nii-sama."

"And do I really have to get married? I'm sure that both she and I are not happy about this."

"Like I said, you have no choice."

"Hmmm, hm-hmmmm..." she hummed while sitting on the couch and reading new books that her father bought for them all to read. Yuzu and Karin rested beside her and Isshin was out to take care of some matters.

"I wonder if that engagement was real..." she exhaled, setting her book on the table and looking at the ceiling. It's been almost a month but there was nothing else that she got about the subject.

A tick appeared on her forehead, when she thought that it was just a joke to set her off. If it was then it would have been more humiliating to her than if the news is really real. "Dad will really get it from me if that was just a joke."

One of her hands clenched in a tight fist and she wanted to break the glass table but knew it would cost her a lot. She stared at her left ring finger where there was supposed to be an accessory that would symbolize her engagement to whoever that man she will be wed with.

How interesting it would be... to how would she feel when she would have a ring on her finger.

Just then when she was about to continue reading the door opened that made her almost jump out of her bed and wake up her sisters but Momo looked tense like there was no time left. Isshin followed Momo from behind and he appeared calmer but he also looked like he had something urgent to say.

"What happened?"

"I'll explain upstairs. Right now, just change into your finest outfit."

Ichigo's eyes wrinkled and her lips parted, which made a completely confused expression but she was baffled as of the moment. Momo dragged her upstairs and she almost tripped because the former was so hasty and so unsteady.

"Ack!"

She felt her ankle twist a little but it wasn't enough to make a strain.

"Slow down already!" she snapped, but Momo already finished dragging her once they were in her room. The brunette opened the closet and threw every clothes on the bed.

"Hey... wait... Oh!"

She caught everything that missed the bed and placed it there once Momo was done.

"Would you at least tell me what's happening?" Her hands firmly grabbed the other's shoulders. A sigh to regain composure came first. Momo wasn't able to breath properly since the news reached her.

"Look, your fiancee's heading here and you have to look at your best." Because he's a prince...

It was a pain to search through the stack of dresses, mainly because it was Momo's fault. I'm the one who's supposed to be freaked out here, not her.

"Alright... alright. I'll just wear this then." Her hand dug deep in all the clothes and took out something that captured her friend's eyes like a man enthralled by the song of a siren.

"Isn't that what your mother made for you?"

She nodded, and stared solemnly at the piece. "By the way, get Yuzu and Karin dressed as well."

Momo nodded and left immediately, this time not rushing too much. "I might as well please her by wearing this." she whispered. And please I hope that man doesn't laugh at me... because he'd be insulting one of my mother's last tokens.

In a while, Byakuya landed down the carriage with his sister and tried his best not to look at the others' stares of awe and bewilderment either because of how nice their carriage is or the fact that people of royal blood are in the North lands.

"Should we come down as well?" a young man asked. "No. Just wait here. I feel uncomfortable in getting a lot of attention." Byakuya replied, and the man withdrew back inside.

"They're rich as well?" he asked, because the house was a little larger than the others. Not that the people's houses are a hovel or anything.

"Maybe they're in the higher middle-class."

As it says ladies first, he let Rukia enter and he followed but not before looking back once where their stares remained just the same. He couldn't resist but see the exact expressions on their faces. He wanted to laugh at the priceless looks he saw but didn't. Royalty sure is admired here, I wonder if I would make the same face if I were one of them...

Momo was lucky to wipe all the sweat formed from the tension off her head before they went in, and she immediately bowed.

"Hello. My master is honored to have you-" A raised hand told her to stop.

What?

"You don't need to be so formal toward us, Miss..." he trailed off, not knowing her name.

Yikes... I may have done a lot of tasks in this house for years but I don't even know how to properly introduce royalty in the house. This is awkward, but I must not waver! "They're in the living room. This way please."

Momo tried not to gulp. Rukia glanced at her for a moment, giving her a welcoming smile. She started to relax, especially when Byakuya tilted his head slightly as a sign that she should calm down and act normal.

Guess they're not the arrogant type of royalty. She opened the door for them. The Kurosaki family wore their best, and they never thought they would have to unless when at an extremely grand party. Both siblings bowed. Though of royal blood and are usually the ones bowed to, they also had manners towards people who are of lower status.

"So... where is my brother's fiancee?" I can't help but ask it. I want to know who she is.

"Rukia!" the raven head quietly called, for it was too sudden and they were supposed to state their names first. "Pardon my sister." No bad impressions now, Byakuya. But she's right. Where is she?

"No harm done, your Highness. If you're asking for where my daughter is..."

Ichigo appeared from behind Isshin. "I'm here. It's also a pleasure to meet you." Damn it! Why do I sound too weird and formal? When she straightened her body after bowing, she turned to Byakuya and she froze. He wasn't who she imagined he would be.

From what she heard often before, any man wearing a unique white hair piece or rather a kenseikan is always from the Kuchiki family which have been well-known for years. My fiancee is a royal member of the Kuchiki family... It was impossible!

She did know she's engaged to a prince but she didn't expect it to be someone from the Four Families that created the North, South, West and East lands. Now... she was just completely dumbfounded. No way... "A Kuchiki..." she slipped, but quickly regained her composure while walking towards him and stopped when they were only three feet apart.

"I thought that we were supposed to come into your castle so you two would meet." Isshin asked, feeling uneasy both for her daughter and for what's happening.

Whoa! She's beautiful. Byakuya shook his head at what the shiek said. "It wouldn't hurt to do things the other way around. And, I wanted to meet your daughter in person. If I'm to get married to her, I want to know about it."

He let the tone that he's not also very much pleased with his news show in those words. But while talking to the sheik he never took his eyes off Ichigo who just looked too beautiful especially in that moonlight silver dress.

"Ichigo Kurosaki." she said, knowing that she had to hold out her hand. He took it and kissed it, but both felt awkward at that act and she immediately withdrew her hand as he bowed his head.

"Byakuya Kuchiki." He gestured a hand to Rukia and she did the same. "I'm his sister, Rukia. Nice to meet you, Ichigo."

Again... awkward.

A/N: It's weird that the song Madness of Duke Venomania by Gakupo is what inspired me to make this though that was a smutty yet dark song. But I loved it nonetheless because it's Gackt's Vocaloid. (Can't help it, I love the man!)

If something confuses you, tell me it will be cleared up soon. I would also like to get some reviews for motivation.

And MnM, if you're reading this I hope you loved the first chapter. :D