The Glass Zanpaktou: A Bleach Cinderella

Author's Note: Yeah! A chapter! *throws confetti* I was really set on releasing this so I'm happy I can turn it in! I know its two weeks but I'm going at a steady pace. I would like to thank all who read and reviewd: Koatan, KiRish KiRish, toshiko-san21 and KoKomimicHan. Also, please check out Big Sis Lil Sis; I'll be hoping to update that soon!

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or the Grimm Brothers' works. It'd be cool but I don't.

Additional Note: Edited for a few little errors, not much. -19/11/11

Toshiro opened his eyes to the streaming sunlight from his window. Slowly sitting up he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He glanced out the small window in his room and looked at the forest below. Tears glistened in the sunlight and winked at him. Stifling a yawn he rolled his futon and changed from his white yukata into a light green yukata with a green leaf print. Walking over to the window he leaned onto the sill and inhaled the fresh air.

"Looks like the storm cleared from last night."

'When winter came the snow spread a sheet over the grave, and when the spring sun had drawn it off again, the man had taken another wife. The woman had brought two daughters into the house with her, who were beautiful and fair of face, but vile and black of heart. Now began a bad time for the poor step-child.' -Cinderella, Grimm Brothers

Turning his head, Toshiro glanced over at the small, lion toy snoring away. The lion mumbled in his sleep and Toshiro swore he could see a light blush creep on his cheeks.

"What a pervert." Taking a pillow, he threw it straight at the animal's head. The stuffed toy quickly woke up with a start and spun his head around. "W-what the? What the hell is going on?" Turning around, the toy glared at Toshiro and the scowl on his face.

"Why'd you do that? I was covered with babes, ready to serve my every whim!" Kon grumbled. "We were all in a harem; the girls in their seductive suits begging for me to-" Another pillow graced his face before he could complete his thought.

"Oh shut up with your perverted fantasies. I don't need to hear about them and witness another nosebleed," said Toshiro.

Kon threw the pillow away back at Toshiro. "You're just upset because you're too young to have awesome dreams about babes," Kon yelled. "I bet you haven't even hit puberty!"

The plush animal stopped as he felt a murderous glare seize his body and freeze it. Toshiro's eyes were ice cold as he leered at Kon.

"My interests are none of your concern," Toshiro said with a chilling voice. "Anyways, hurry up. We don't have all day and Renjii and Ikkaku will be upset if their breakfast isn't ready."

With that, Toshiro opened a door on the floor and jumped through. Kon followed suit and closed the door of the attic behind him as he went down the wooden ladder. Taking a grand leap he perched himself on Toshiro's shoulder.

The white haired boy walked through the single corridor that led from his room in the attic to the stairs. It was his usual routine; wake up in the morning, make breakfast for his step brothers and then do any menial task they had for him. Usually it was to clean their rooms they were too lazy to bother with. Sometimes it was chores around the dojo and other meaningless tasks they felt fit.

Ever since Toshiro's step father, Ukitake Juushiro, was ill and lived under the care of Unohana Retsu, his nurse, all the dojo's care and well being went under his sons, Renjii and Ikkaku. Ukitake had graciously let Toshiro under his wing when his mother passed away but that didn't mean Renjii and Ikkaku felt likewise. They enjoyed burdening him with chores, but of course, behind Juushiro's back. Toshiro knew that he could easily handle them two but he felt that he shouldn't trouble Juushiro after all the things he took to take care of Toshiro as his own.

And like that, Toshiro's days repeated in motion.

Entering the kitchen he heated the kettle with water and set some rice to boil. Using leftover meat from yesterday, Toshiro started making a meat curry.

Kon gazed at Toshiro from his side. Toshiro's face was stone cold with a dull glint in his eyes. Kon felt compassion for the white haired boy—it was him that saved him from the streets and took him in. Before no one cared for him but Toshiro brought him to the dojo and cleaned him up.

"Hey Toshiro."

"What?" Not even knowing the question, Toshiro was already annoyed.

"Why do you let Renjii and Ikkaku push you around?" Kon could feel Toshiro tense up. "You could easily beat them up."

The white haired boy stood in silence; his only movement, his hand stirring the meat curry.

"That's none of your concern Kon," Toshiro replied. There it was again. The cold, steel voice Toshiro used when he didn't want to talk.

Before Kon could retort the kettle whistled. Silently, Toshiro poured the tea into two cups and spooned rice into two bowls. Taking some meat curry he poured some onto each bowl and placed them on trays.

Climbing up the stairs he made his way to a room on his left. Opening the door with his foot he shouted, "Renjii! Wake up." Toshiro walked to the side of Renjii's futon and placed down one tray. The red haired man restly turned around in his futon before opening one eye at Toshiro.

"I hope you remembered my green tea, runt."

Toshiro replied in a monotone voice, "Of course, brother."

"Good. It better be right this time or else. By the way, the dojo needs cleaning again. Ikkaku's last sparring bloodied the floors, again." Renjii smirked. "Just take care of it. We don't want people thinking we're pigs."

Too late for that, Toshiro inwardly replied.

Picking up Renjii's tray, Toshiro went to the next room. Ikkaku was snoring loud and mumbled incoherent things in his sleep. The white haired boy placed the tray down before exiting the room and making his way down to the dojo.

The house had three levels; the attic, the second floor and the main floor. The stairs from the second floor came into the back next to the kitchen and living room. In the front, near the door was the Dojo.

As hard as it was to believe, Juushiro was the head. He would train the villagers of Sereitei in swordsmanship before he got sick. After that, Renjii and Ikkaku were left to teach the classes.

That was not a problem at all, more of a thrill actually. Instead of teaching a class, a day in the Dojo was a match to see who was left standing and who had the most ijnuries. It's no wonder that business dropped to the occasionally cocky kid who would end up suffering from many wounds-internal and external.

Grabbing a pail of water and cloth Toshiro started to scrub the blood stains off the wooden floors. He stared blankly, his eyes with no emotion, as he cleaned. Kon watched from afar.

"Don't worry, Toshiro. It can only get better."

"Hime-sama, it is time to get up."

Momo opened her eyes to the streaming sunlight from the newly opened windows. She squinted at the shawdowed figures as she got up. With the assistance of her two maids she got changed into her usual plum red robe and washed her face. Momo put her hair up in the usual high ponytail with red ribbon.

"Thank you, I shall take my breakfast in my room again."

She sat at her study and began to read her books when she noticed that the two maids were not leaving.

"We are sorry Hime-sama but the Emperor orders your presence at the table for breakfast."

Takign up her chopsticks, Momo ate in silence. Usually she wouldn't eat with her father but sat in her study or by the garden. It was a real surprise when the Emperor would request her presence.

Eating the food in his presence seemed to take the taste from the food. Everything tasted bland and Momo could feel nothing but the cold stare from her father. Only being under his watch could make her feel like small and insignificant. That was the magic of his brown eyes. That simple colour could drown you in cold fright if they wanted too or they could envelop you with a warm veil of kindness.

Momo yearned and longed for that warm comfort that she did everything she could so that she could please him. Ever since she was little, she learnt what those eyes could do, the hard way.

"Momo."

The sudden tone of his voice froze Momo midway of eating. It took all of her willpower to swallow her food before replying.

"Y-yes Father."

"Don't stutter."

Momo felt his words slap her on the cheek and leave a painful sting. Again, it took all of her will power to hold back her tears.

He sighed as he continued.

"Momo, you are now sixteen and it is time that you find a suitor."

Momo felt her heart stop. They had this conversation before, it wasn't a first. She could still feel those cold eyes pierce and choke her when she refused before. It left her in a cold sweat. Momo bowed her head down to avoid his stare.

"Soon you will rule this land and you must have a husband. It would be a disgrace if you do not find a worthy emperor. We will arrange for a tournament to be held where you shall spar with all the eligiable males. Whoever manages to defeat you shall have the honor of marrying you. I hope you take into consideration my offer this time. I have given plenty of time to consider this and have been merciful in allowing you to have free will for so long."

Momo lifted her head up and instantly regretted it. His dark eyes held her in its grasp and there was no will to let go. Each agonizing second felt like a year as her heart raced. She tried to speak but her voice had fled. She could only nod, her eyes wide with fear.

The emperor smiled as he saw her look of terror.

"Excellent."

After their breakfast Momo was dismissed. As soon as the Emperor left the dining hall Momo eagerly dashed out of the room and into her garden.

Since the time she was little, Momo would escape to her garden whenever she felt troubled or just need some time to herself. The only entrance to it was from her bedroom so she could come as she pleased. The garden was filled with flowers of all kinds planted by herself: bleeding hearts, roses, daffodils, tulips and many more. Several lines climbed up the stone wall that stood in between her garden and the palace. A sakura and peach tree stood tall in the middle of the garden. The whole atmosphere was calming and serene.

Momo sat on her stone bench beneath the sakura tree as she pondered what happened at breakfast.

"I wonder why Father is distraught. Lately he has been getting more anxious and stressed out," Momo sighed.

When she was a kid she remembered how her father would always be kind to her and teach her everything. Her earliest memory could go as back as to the first time he taught her how to hold a sword. From then on, he constantly trained her in the basics; step by step she became stronger.

But, by the time she was ten, the façade shattered. The graceful smiles she loved were slowly replaced by displeasing frowns. His loving teachings became harsh rebukes and before she knew it, painful slaps. After he couldn't take it anymore, he hired a tutor, rumored to be a protégée; Gin Ichimaru.

From then on, Momo was tutored by the silver haired man. Gin had always had an air of mystery floating around him which Momo wished to pass through, but his cold smile always leered her away. He was truly an enigma, only to be seen when fighting Momo. Otherwise, he fled to his room like a bat during the day.

Momo sighed as she mulled over all the things that happened. She fingered the flower in her hands.

"I wish Father was not upset. Then he would not bring that topic up."

Marriage wasn't something that Momo wished to dwell upon. Of course she knew her duty; she was a princess of course. Bred and brought up she was taught that one day she would marry and rule Seireitei. But, she didn't want an arranged marriage.

Growing up with a father who could change his moods like the weather changes outside, Momo took shelter in her books; from Sleeping Beauty to Snow White. Each word, each page lulled her into a world of damsels in distress and chivalrous princes ready to fight for true love.

But of course, that was looked down upon by her Father. That was why she was trained to a swordsman. He believed that there was no reason why a woman shouldn't hold a sword and that 'weak girls were useless.'

That was the reason why the idea of marriage was a touchy subject for both of them. The emperor wanted her to marry a man of equal strength and skills as her. That way, he would know that he could depend on a worthy heir to take over the throne.

But, that wasn't what she wanted.

True Love was only a fleeting dream that she could visit in the nights; nothing more, nothing less.

Momo frowned. "Maybe if I were to do something to please him he might reconsider the marriage until later." Nodding in agreement with herself she got up. "That way, we can both forget about it until I have another plan."

With a sure plan in her mind, Momo made her way out of her private garden and towards her father's private study. Tip toeing silently she stood outside her father's door. Taking a deep breath, Momo was about to knock before she overheard hushed tones from inside.

"Time is almost up Gin. He's going to come and take it away from me."

Momo's eyes widened as she recongnized that voice. Father. He sounds distressed.

"S'ok. Everything'll be all right. We can find him."

Momo knew that twang anywhere: it was none other than Gin Ichimaru, her tutor. Momo felt her insides run cold as she heard a loud crash.

"I don't want that, damn it. I want him found now. Even if you have to tie him by his limbs, bring him." The cold menace in his voice rose up old memories that were buried deep down and the princess could feel her knees almost break away but she held still.

"How hard is it to find a damn white haired brat? Obviously there's no one like him out there. Especially not with her emerald eyes. We need the Rei seal or else."

The Rei seal? Whats that? And who's this white haired boy? Momo frowned as thought hard about what she was going to do. Maybe if I bring him to Father, Father will be happy and then he can forget about the marriage.

Quickly scurrying off, Momo failed to notice the last bit of the conversation.

"You understand Gin that if we are to rule the kingdom we have to kill all the future heirs. That is why we need to unlock the Rei seal. I will get back what is truly mine."

"Yes Aizen-sama."

A/N: Wow, another cliffie. ;) How could I put Aizen-that baka-into the story? I just don't know when to stop. I know it sounds weird but I can't help thinking that I made Aizen sound like feminist...weird thought to chew on. But, let's just say that he treats women equallly-in other words he won't give a second thought if he has to fight them. and beat them until their unrecongizable as an actual thing. Is that better?

Plz review ^_^ PCE!