A/N: Hey everyone! I've been in a fairytale mood lately, so I thought I would write a nice little fairytale-ish story featuring the awesome characters of Bleach. AiHimeIchi.

Disclaimer: Bleach and its characters all belong to Tite Kubo.

Chapter One

"Nothing Lasts Forever"

"Can I go, just this once, Mother?" a little voice called from under a heap of red hair as an ivory comb ran through it gracefully. The older woman laughed and shook her head at the little girl.

"I'm sorry Orihime, you're just too young. One day though, my pretty Princess; one day you'll be the most beautiful young woman at the Christmas Ball. I can see it now. You'll be dancing with all of the handsome young gentlemen who will stop at nothing to make you their very own princess."

"And I'll get to eat all of the delicious cakes and pies that Miss Unohana makes, right?" little Orihime asked, turning to face her mother on the bed. Her mother laughed once more and nodded.

"Yes, you will, I suppose. Now turn around. I must finish your hair before I get ready myself!" and with that the young girl turned and closed her eyes to the humming of her mother. The song was from a familiar dance that everyone in the Karakura Court knew. Orihime knew that it was her duty to learn the dance at the age of sixteen and perform it with her father at her first Christmas Ball. She couldn't wait. Every year, she watched her mother adorn herself with the finest jewels and the softest red gown in all of the kingdom. Every year, Orihime counted down until it would be her turn to waltz down the marble steps of the ball room and dance with the many handsome princes.

One day, one day. That day couldn't come soon enough.


Ten Years Later

Orihime could see all eyes on her as her hair seemed to be the starkest color in the brisk, cold, white graveyard. The snow pelted on the hood of her fur cloak, some of the flakes dropping further to the tip of her nose, making her shiver. She flicked her eyes over to her brother Sora, who was staring solemnly at the closed casket.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are gathered here today for the death of a great King, a great man and a great father. Richard Inoue, King of Karakura, will be missed. He will be seen shining among the heavens as one of the greatest kings in the history of Karakura." The priest droned on as the wind whipped through the small crowd allowed in the graveyard. The subjects of the town were not invited to the private burial, much to Orihime's disapproval. What was a king without his people? Though she knew it wasn't true. Her father was a man with a hollowed heart, having no use for people he considered lower in status than himself.

She shifted her gaze over to Sora, this time catching his eyes with her own. They both knew what the other was thinking. Sora was now to be King of Karakura, a young man of just twenty-one years of age. Orihime would still remain a princess, yet one step closer to a throne she never wanted.

"May, in God's name, you rest in peace, King Inoue." The priest ended his soliloquy as the people of the high court began to drop roses on the casket before finding each of the orphaned children to give their condolences. Orihime smiled briefly to each one, though she could hear the whispers. 'Both her parents are gone, what a poor child.' they'd say before shaking their heads in pity for the princess.

"Orihime, are you ready? We still have things to discuss." Kisuke Urahara, the chief regent, whispered in her ear as she watched the last few visitors leave. Turning to him, she placed a hand in his and nodded.

"Of course, we still have Sora's coronation to get through." She stated, stepping through the crunching snow back to the carriage. Sora helped her into the carriage and closed the door behind them.

Orihime couldn't help but lift the curtain and watch the casket of the man she once called 'Father' disappear into the fog.


"You know this changes things, sister." Her brother's voice came on strong as he walked into the sitting room. Orihime clutched her cup of tea tighter as she stared into the fireplace.

"I know. We have to go into mourning, Sora. That means the castle curtains are drawn, candles are the only source of light and the color black must be worn at all times." She mused before turning in her chair to Sora. He nodded and furrowed his brows before continuing.

"That also means that we cannot hold our annual Christmas Ball, Orihime." He continued, wincing as the anger flared in her eyes. She stood up and slammed her tea cup onto the table beside her.

"But, brother! This is the first year I can attend, the first year I can dance! Mother would be appalled and Father would want us to continue our traditions!" she complained, biting her lips to will her eyes not to water at the thought of her beloved mother.

"Father is dead, Orihime. I will not tolerate such disrespect from a sixteen year old princess. As for Mother…well you know where I stand on her. The wench disappeared on us years ago, you naïve little girl." Sora replied, standing up to meet her. Orihime stepped back and clenched her fists.

"What's wrong with you? Just because you are now King, you think you can just run everything to shambles? You're not acting like the sweet Sora I call my brother. Fine, I'll along with your mourning and even the cancellation of the ball, but I will not have you speak about our beloved mother that way. She was a great Queen and something did happen to her. I just know it." Orihime screamed, causing Urahara to rush into the room to see what was going on. His eyes glanced from the teary eyed princess to her older brother.

"My King, my lady, is everything alright in here?" he asked in his usual drawl that always comforted Orihime. Sora shook his head and sat back down.

"No, Urahara, I was just about to discuss the marriage plans we had for the princess." Orihime gasped at the quick change of subject and took a step back before slowly taking a seat.

"What…what do you mean, Sora?" she asked timidly. Sora smiled a little as he could see he won the war.

"Well, Orihime, you are sixteen, and the purpose of the ball was to have you meet the array of suitors who would love to marry the daughter of King Inoue. Seeing that the ball will not be happening in this year of mourning, we will just bring the suitors to you and I'll pick the man that I see fit." He explained before awaiting her reply.

"So that's it? Father dies, you become King, and I just become some charity award to some lucky, old King from a faraway kingdom? Sora…please…" she began crying, her tears spilling out onto her cheeks. Sora looked down to avoid her eyes and shook his head.

"I'm sorry, little princess…" he whispered, using his old nickname for her, "It's the way it must be done."

Orihime gathered her cloak from the floor and dashed out of the room and into the dark hall. She ran until she reached her bed chambers. Bursting through the door, she nearly gave her maid-in-waiting a heart attack.

"Princess! Are you alright?" the girl asked. Orihime took one look at the young woman's raven hair, with the ever present stubborn bang, and burst into tears as she fell to the floor.

"I don't want to…I don't w-want to get m-married, Rukia! It's just n-not fair. I wish Mother was here…she'd stop all of this. Where'd she go? Why?" Questions just continued to slip through her lips as Rukia bent down to hug her princess. At a loss of words, the maid just hugged Orihime tight and shushed her.

"It'll be okay, Princess, you'll see."


A few weeks after the funeral, Orihime was wandering down the halls of the castle with Rukia as she stopped at the window. It was covered by a deep maroon curtain to block out the light, but Orihime pulled it back slightly to be blinded by the crystalline snow covered ground below.

"Princess! That's against mourning rules!" Rukia whispered harshly, attempting to pull the others arm. Orihime held strong and smiled.

"Oh c'mon Rukia, as if Sora will ever know. He hasn't talked to me since I blew off that disgusting King from…I don't even remember where." The red head quipped as she stifled a giggle. Her brother was very angry at her response to King Kyoraku. The man had constantly flirted with her and kept kissing her hand until she spilled her hot tea in his lap.

"I guess so…but I'm not getting in trouble for this!" the maid stated before crossing her arms. Orihime laughed again and looked out the window. From her view, she could see the old gardener, Ukitake, working in the winter greenhouse. He always had good stories for her, especially about her mother and the court life in the past.

"Ukitake's in the greenhouse, let's go visit him! Mourning or no mourning, Sora can't keep me from talking with my friends, right?" Orihime reassured Rukia as she grabbed the woman's arm and made her way to the grand staircase.

The air was still brisk and bitter as the two walked through the snow to the vast greenhouse. The Queen had always loved flowers and so her Father always made sure that they were planted regardless of the weather. It always surprised Orihime to see such little compassion from a man who showed her no attention. She opened the door and immediately greeted the gardener.

"Ukitake! It's so good to see you! Everything is so dark and dreary in the castle." She complained, running her hand across the dainty petals of a lily. Ukitake smiled and picked one of them before handing it to her.

"I'm sure you two ladies can find something to do, Princess. The King would be highly displeased if he saw you out here, especially during mourning." He scolded her lightly.

"He won't know. He barely pays attention to me anymore with his new duties. Which, I guess I can be happy about because that means he's called off the aggressive hunt of selling me to a husband." She retorted, anger flashing briefly in her eyes before she leaned in to smell the lily in her hand.

"I'm sure there is a fine young man who will treat the Princess Inoue like a Queen. You're much like your mother and the older Kings can see that; quite a commodity for their young princes. She was quite a woman, your mother." Orihime's eyes beamed as she gestured for him to continue.

"Please tell me more about her! I feel like I can hardly remember what she was like." Ukitake smiled at her and shook his head.

"I have much to do here, but I will tell you this…Your mother was never bored in that castle. She believed it was enchanted, you know." He explained in a hushed tone. Rukia rolled her eyes and Orihime waved her hand in a nonchalant manner.

"I've heard those stories and never once have I seen any sort of enchantment in the palace. Have you been in here too long, Ukitake?" she teased. Ukitake laughed and reached into his pocket, pulling out what looked like a silver key. Orihime looked at the key and then back up to the older man. He winked at her and pushed the key into her hand.

"Go into your Mother's room, you'll see what I mean."


A/N: I know Ichigo or Aizen did not show up in this chapter…as it was just an introductory/setting the scene chapter. Let me know what you think and if you think I should continue this. The next chapter will definitely have Aizen in it. Thank you for reading and please review. ConCrit is welcome.