I prepared the carriage before Ichigo woke and we set out during the afternoon.

The towns people wouldn't and shouldn't recognize a prince from far off Karakura, but we still took precautions. I had forced him wear nice but suitable clothes for our endeavor though his highlighted hair amongst others attracted attention on its own.

The small town was centered inside a large valley, where in the right spots, open views of surrounding mountains became visible. It withheld several barters, shops containing hand woven fabrics, metal work and plenty carving vendors with cheap rates.

During our visit I brought him towards the a tavern as that lifeless look plastered on his face persisted. Every now and then he skimmed his eyes across the roads but remained silent as it had been harder then we thought trying to keep our appearance subtle.

The men and especially women of the town continued eying our clothes so I forced Ichigo with a quick shove into the old tavern, Crimson Alehouse. I was familiar of the place, ever so often dropping by as the faces always seemed friendly.

"Whiskey?" Ichigo asked me, finally open his mouth as we took our seats, ignoring the commoners around us. I nodded and he called to the bartender, "Whiskey."

Laying my hat and gloves atop the bar, I made sure I had enough room for my elbows to rest against the old wooden surface. Surprised that Ichigo had actually seemed keen on drinking for once I scoffed, "What's got you so bent out of shape the past few days?"

"It's not just that," He paced himself, and waited for his drink to be handed to him in order to take his first shot, "I don't have much time till I have to go back."

The whiskey was thick and gave me that satisfying burn.

I began to wonder, "Can I ask why you were thinking about moving away from home originally?"

"Truth is I've always liked it here. If I remain in Karakura my father will give up the thrown as a means to get me married. If I were even ready for marriage, I still don't think I'm ready to assume the throne. I have the chance to pass the crown to my sisters of course but I don't wish to burden them at such a young age," Ichigo put on a horrible scowl, "This is all my fathers idea. The idea was to move here to find a bride while my father kept the crown to give me more time; It was a deal we made. And as much as I miss Karakura, if I go back I'll be forced to wed-"

"-in to the Kuchiki family," I had to interrupt. It had been brought up several times, "I know. I just didn't realize you didn't want to see Rukia."

"The man's crazy," He mumbled into his glass before another drink as if he didn't hear me at first, "It's not like that with me and her."

"Well, for my sake, I was thinking about inviting Orihime to my place tomorrow, along with a couple other people of course. I really want to talk to her about what has been happening lately," I shrugged it off after he never replied, observing his attitude with a blank expression. The stress was now completely stifling him.

Three drinks later the bartender cleaning our glasses who I distinguished was eying us the whole time, finally directed, "Where you two from?"

Ichigo grimaced, "Mind your own business, will ya?"

The bartender gave a mournful sigh about opening his mouth and left. Even the man next to us staring make me feel a little uneasy.

"Alright. No more drinks," I added finishing my last, noticing Ichigo slouch. I knew he had way more then myself, "Are you going to be okay?"

"Don't know," He slurred, "I-I don't even care a-anymore."

"Alright, that's enough liquor for you," I grabbed his next shot away to take it for myself when he pouted and knocked my gloves off the counter, "Quit it and get up!"

I pulled him off his chair after putting on my gloves and reached for my hat. It was hard to see him that way but I couldn't blame him for getting slammed.

We made our way to the end of the road where Tessai promised to meet us and I made Ichigo take a seat. Shutting his eyes in an attempt to sleep, I turned to find our ride when I recognized a carriage similar to our own.

"Hey, Ichigo," I harped, snapping in front of his face, "I'll be right back, got it? " After he gave me a wave I shuffled through the crowd to see who it was.

The older carriage driver perched in his authorized position noticed I was trying to get his attention and tossed his head to see me fully with his one available eye.

"Can I ask which house you've come from?"

"Sir Abarai," A woman's voice came from behind me. I recognized the small girl with long hair pink from the gathering nights ago.

"Princess Riruka?" I wasn't expecting her but I quickly remembered to bow, "How is it that you've ended up in town?"

"Just quickly picking something up for a friend," She giggled and gave me a shy smile, "I'm surprised I never saw you at the party last night."

I couldn't comprehend what she had just said, "I-I'm sorry?"

Her brows creased, "The ball at the Inoue estate last night."

"U-Uh," I suddenly felt a lump in my throat and pulled on my tie to relieve it, "I, Well. Next time, I'm sure."

She fiddled with her small hand bag and glanced up at me, "Yes, of course."

Suddenly it occurred to me, "Actually, tomorrow- I was thinking of having a small get together. Maybe if possible, you could accompany Orihime to my place? She'll know where to take you."

She tilted her position slightly, a smile forming on her lips as her eyes stationed a glance on the pebbled road, "That would be lovely, Renji."

I tipped my hat and she curtsied with a lovely smile, "Take care, Princess."

As I walked away two things became apparent. First, was that Orihime had curiously not sent me an invitation to a party I had no knowledge of. Second, was that Princess Riruka had actually just called me by my first name.

"Sir, may I request that next time you give me at least a few days notice," Tessai remarked, standing fearfully inside the kitchen as several well dressed waiters and cooks fluttered past.

A large table with sculpted ice, expensive cheese platters and champagne outlined the greeting area outside Renji's bachelor pad. The patio itself was large and confined by the amazing valley view and close running field. Everything appeared ready as people laughed, but I was yet to make an appearance.

"Tessai, we're fine. Let the caterers deal with everything," Renji argued while fixing his tie in the nearby mirror.

"It's amazing how you could pull off a proper procession. I mean I know your place is big enough but, well, it's still you we're talking about," I stationed myself in the hallway near the kitchen, watching the spectacle before me. I found myself hiding from the rest until Renji began to shove me towards the patio doors.

"Just get out there and mingle."

"Wait," I pushed back, "You didn't invite any Kuchiki's did you?"

"What? Are you afraid of her," He laughed at me and fixed his cufflinks, "You wont know till you get out there."

After another quick nudge I was out in the public eye once again to see quite a crowd on display.

It was just big enough for me to confuse faces but there was one I couldn't help notice. Speak of the devil.

"Ichigo," Rukia beamed a smile , "Have you been enjoying your stay at Renji's place? It's nicely secluded."

I shrugged and put my hands inside my suit pockets. Cutting us short of an audience, I moved us further from the crowd, "It is nice I guess. What about you? Where has your family been staying?"

"We've been in touch with the Inoue house quite a bit recently so we've been staying in an establishment not too far off."

"That right," I uttered, watching the crowd, "I heard your family's investigator was appointed to the autopsy."

She backed away slightly baffled, "Where did you hear that?"

"Renji told me because he's well acquainted with her. Is it true?"

"Yes, it is true," She gave me a look of grief, "My brother says Sora was a good friend of his so he's been taking it a bit hard. Not to mention everyone's worried for the poor girl."

I nodded to agree about the worrying, "How are the guards working out for her?"

"We've had a fair amount of guards on watch throughout the night," She explained while gazing out at the other guests and seemed to hesitate when asserting, "Ichigo, I've been meaning to ask you. When will you come back to Karakura?"

"Well, a week maybe," I myself hadn't even really known, "What about you?"

"Me? I leave tomorrow," She seemed quite displeased with it, "We have no real reason to stay anymore so my brother should really be getting back."

Just as the awkward silence grew Renji emerged cut in and bowed to Rukia, "Nice to see you again. How are you today?"

Rukia laughed at his invasion, "Very well thank you, and yourself?"

"I'm great thanks. I just wanted to make sure everything's going well," I scowled at him while Rukia couldn't see, "Do you need any drinks?"

Rukia looked about the table to notice there was quite an assortment, "Oh yes please, that would be great! Ichigo?"

I placed my hand up to show it wasn't necessary and they both gawked at me, "No thanks, I'm well without."

"Alright. Hope you like champagne?" Renji made his leave after he got Rukia's approval.

"You know, I really like that man," Rukia giggled into her glove, "He really seems nice."

"He has his moments," I rolled my eyes.

"Cut him slack. I'm sure anyone submissive enough to take you in is worth his weight in gold," She fussed.

I smiled thoughtfully, remembering her need to argue. The looming of a near proposal had currently wrecked our friendship that I was beginning to forget what she was actually like.

We watched as couples drifted close by and I remembered that the one girl I had my heart set on seeing still hadn't arrived. Searching for auburn hair amongst the live conversationalists only to be detached.

"Um, please excuse me, Rukia. I hope to see you a little later."

I left her in my shadow, knowing that she completely understood as she waited to for her soon to arrive drink.

Returning inside only to escape through the front door, I searched for the Princess. I felt heavy with anticipation, trying to tame it but my effort forced my need to get away. Leaving for the side of Renji's estate I placed directly inside the core of a tulip dominated garden. The thoughts of the girl were suppressed in my memory, only, this time I hadn't been in the picture.

"Still deep in thought?"

She was settled on the ledge of the garden, eyes sparkling down at me as she held her dress up to keep from getting dirty. Her auburn hair had been neatly pulled away from her face like before, her arms bare while her ears and neck had been decorated with gems.

Waiting tentatively for a reply I realized I was helpless against answering, just trying to focus on her features.

"I came to apologize for what happened the last time we met. I hope you can forgive me." Her eyebrows rose to finalize a perplexed look.

I stopped to rearrange my thoughts and made my way up to her, "You don't need to apologize for anything. I understand."

"Thank you," She responded daintily, "Would you, mind taking another walk?"

She seemed troubled so I forced some pressure on my neck and hiked to her side.

I couldn't refuse, "Of course."

For the first time I explored the gardens and far off pond as part of my current residence. We started light talk while furthering our adventure across a wooden modeled bridge. Enjoying the sight of water below, she pulled herself to the rail and watched a tiny fish revel beneath the glassy surface.

"I take it that you now understand what happened to my brother," Her hands graced the wood while she construed.

"I had been informed, and I'm very sorry," Before I could say much else she began with something new.

"There has been another death," It caught me off guard, "A man by the name of Sosuke Aizen had been found yesterday with the same threat of poison to his body. I have, never personally met the man, but the deaths are too scarcely similar to ignore."

I rested on the ledge beside her, "Who did this man Aizen work for?"

"He worked for the Schiffer house, a resident of Ulquiorra's," She sighed calmly. The mention of the mans name caused a pain in my stomach I chose to ignore. Closing her eyes she kept her still figure, "I'm so confused as to what's going on."

At the sight of her pain I unintentionally moved closer, "I honestly believe it would be in your best interest to explain this to Renji. I'm actually a hundred percent positive that it's the reason why he had this party today, was to talk with you."

She finally fluttered her ocean eyes to me trying to decipher my expression, "You think I should?"

"With him living nearest you I'm sure he could be some assistance. Please except my help as well, Princess."

She looked away shyly, "Thank you."

The sight of her uncovered shoulders closing in order to protect herself from her troubles, made me realize that she was alone, "Did someone accompany you here?"

"I came with Miss Riruka as well as a few guards," As if eager she explained, "Though I requested my privacy with you.'

Her eyes never left my own as I sought meaning, enthralled in a trance. My actions were impossible to subdue seeing as how her eyes displayed the very interest of want and curiosity as my own. But our intentions never played.

Shyly she turned away fiddling with her lips, "I should head back to them before they search on their own."

"I won't get in the way," I smiled.

She hesitated with her smile, her eyes focused before her thoughtfully, "I appreciate your concerns for me."

When she turned to leave I realized that I was throwing my time away that I had with her.

"Is there a chance I could see you tonight?"

"If only. I have inquiries I have to attend to," She gave me a hopeful smile regardless. I found myself unable to respond as my eyes lingered on her figure, appearing to rethink her response, "Well, if you don't mind it being very late. I could meet you after nine? Our escape place?"

I couldn't keep from smiling, "I'll be there."