The next day was an odd one for Ichigo. In the morning, he was woken up by not just his dad, but also by Yuzu, who was gushing over wedding plans and pressing for even more details about how Ichigo proposed. Even Karin shot him a bunch of snide remarks about finally becoming a man across the table. Within his own mind the feelings of elation at being engaged crossed swords with persistent notion that being engaged as a high school student was ridiculous, and with suspicions of what was going on with the Kasumioji Clan. Ichigo was certain that there were some pieces missing to the puzzle, but he kept it all to himself.

As he was leaving to go to school, Isshin pulled him aside into the kitchen and whispered to him, "Son, I felt the battle that happened last night, and Kisuke has informed me of our noble visitors. There is something happening here, keep your guard up around the princess."

Ichigo felt a little annoyed at the lecture and about Kisuke and his dad always having secret meeting somewhere behind his back.

"Of course I will, I'm not stupid," Ichigo replied as he shouldered his bag and began walking out.

"Ichigo, there was something off about that man's spiritual pressure last night," Isshin said with a serious face. "Just keep that in mind."

Great, another thing to worry about, Ichigo thought to himself. But he answered, "Got it. I'm off now."

He met Princess Rurichiyo with Kenryu and Enryu at the school. Both bodyguards still looked totally out of place with their school uniforms. He wondered if they had to keep manipulating the memories of the students and faculty to keep up the charade. They obviously did not belong.

"Good morning to you, Ichigo," Rurichiyo called. "I am so ever looking to another fun-filled day of learning!"

Ichigo raised an eyebrow at that.

"Milady, it is not proper for you to be so informal with the Substitute Soul Reaper, even if he did help save you last night," Kenryu whispered intently.

"Nonsense, I feel like Ichigo and I are very much equals," the princess declared.

"But that would be lowering yourself to his status, Lady Rurichiyo," Kenryu gasped.

"What is this crap I'm hearing," Ichigo grumbled. "She can talk however she wants, man."

Kenryu glared at Ichigo and said, "A member of your class could never fully understand the weight of tradition and expectation on the princess' shoulders. She has to maintain her noble appearance, even at this… school. If she does not, then I fear that it could become a weakness in the future, and her enemies will exploit any weakness they can detect!"

"You are so stuffy Kenryu," Rurichiyo huffed.

Kenryu looked to Enryu for help, but the bigger man just shrugged. Rurichiyo suddenly took Ichigo's arm, causing the two men to blush and Ichigo to twitch a little.

"Now, how about you escort me to class," she asked sweetly.

"But Milady, he's engaged," Kenryu spluttered.

"That doesn't mean that he cannot be a gallant gentleman, right?" Rurichiyo prompted.

"Whatever," Ichigo grumbled, and he let the princess hang on as he strode inside. He was hoping to hurry, because the debate was attracting people's attention. He also did not want Kenryu's statement about his engagement to suddenly become public they were in class, Ichigo saw Chad and suddenly realized that he had forgotten to tell his pal what had all been happening. He moved over and whispered the spark notes version to his buddy. With characteristic silence, Chad processed the information.

In his low voice he whispered back, "Does Orihime know?"

"Yes, she does," Ichigo answered.

"And you proposed last night?"

"Yes."

"When will the wedding happen?"

"Don't know yet."

Chad grunted and then said with a slightly bemused tone, "Make sure that I get invited."

"I'm making you a best man. If I have to suffer through this, so do you," Ichigo said darkly.

Chad raised an eyebrow and said, "I thought you'd never ask me."

"Shut up," Ichigo said and he slunk back to his desk in time for class to begin.

Ichigo saw out of the corner of his eye Orihime walking down the hall and he sighed in relief to know that she was already back in school. He had worried that he depression might have lasted longer. He knew that she wasn't fully over what was happening, but there was nothing else he felt could be done for her then.

At lunch, Ichigo met with the usual gang on the roof. He told Chad and Uryu separately about the attack the night before. They both agreed that they would have to increase their vigil to watch over the princess. Ichigo still did not voice his concerns that something was missing in all of this. Rurichiyo and her men joined them and Ichigo observed how the young princess interacted with his friends. Though she continued to speak in somewhat outdated language, he noticed that she quickly adapted to the ways of the teenagers around her. Kiego suggested that everyone go to the arcade after school, and Rurichiyo readily agreed. To Ichigo's surprise, Uryu also announced that he would be joining them.

"Doesn't that just seem a little beneath you," Ichigo ribbed him.

"Not at all. It has been a busy semester, and some levity sounds good." Uryu then pushed up his glasses and said softly, "Also, we are supposed to keep an eye on Rurichiyo. Assassins don't always wait until the dead of night to attack their targets."

"I guess you have a point there," Ichigo conceded.

"Then I expect to see you there as well," Uryu said, getting up to leave.

After school, they all met to make their way to the arcade. Ichigo had managed to find Orihime in the halls and invite, but she had told him that she would not be able to ome. After a lame excuse and the threat of held back tears about to spill out, Orihime had dashed away. Ichigo felt bad about it and figured that he should have had someone else invite her. Especially because Tatsuki berated him for the next period, demanding to know what he had done to make Orihime upset.

He was glad that she had to run off to work and couldn't annoy him further at the arcade. Once they were there, Keigo was making an utter fool of himself trying to get Kenryu and Enryu to enjoy themselves. Rurichiyo quickly took to the games and seemed like a pro in no time. She invited Ichigo to join her for a two-player shooter game that had been imported from America. With the blaring ruckus of the game and Keigo's antics, the princess was able to hold a somewhat private conversation with Ichigo.

"So, how did you propose to Rukia last night," she asked slyly, while tearing into a zombie with her gun.

"What!? You too," Ichigo sighed.

"Yes, we girls enjoy that kind of stuff. It makes for some of the best gossip and entertainment at court, too. I guess I'm prone to be curious," Rurichiyo answered.

"I proposed to her on top of the town ferris wheel. I gave her my mother's ring."

"That sounds highly romantic Ichigo," she said. "Anything else?"

Ichigo shrugged while taking out a few zombies himself, "We went to places around town that have meaning for us and that was about it."

"Interesting, the princess mulled it over a bit. "Ichigo, is it actually serious between you and Lady Rukia?"

This caused to Ichigo pause, and his character was ripped apart by the zombie horde as a result. He didn't bother putting more money into the machine.

"Ichigo? Is everything okay," Rurichiyo asked, looking intensely curious.

Ichigo sighed and then said, "Yes."

"Really? Because that doesn't sound convincing," the princess said lightly.

Ichigo looked her in the eye and answered, "Rukia and I share a very special bond. Maybe it's destiny or all the battles we fought together, or maybe something else entirely. But last night, despite the doubts I had earlier, when I was in the moment with her I knew that she was the one. The one for me. It still doesn't feel entirely kosher, because I'm still in high school and all, but I know it's right... I love Rukia."

"Oh," Rurichiyo said quietly. "I see."

She studied Ichigo eyes intently and suddenly tears welled up in her own. She suddenly fled into the crowd, leaving Ichigo alone. He stood there for a moment until Chad tapped him on the shoulder.

"You might want to get Rurichiyo to restrain her bodyguards. Enryu looks like he's about to snap Keigo in half."

Ichigo snapped, "Then that idiot should stop prodding people so much. Also, I don't see Rurichiyo right now."

A second later, both Kenryu and Enryu were at his side.

"What do you mean Lady Rurichiyo is gone," Kenryu shouted, almost hysterical. "We can't let her get lost here!"

"Calm down, and let's just search for her." Ichigo said, trying to sound reasonable.

Enryu shoved his face into Ichigo's and Kenryu said, "You'd better pray she didn't wander far."

It was dark outside, and Rurichiyo was walking along a canal lost in her thoughts.

I know that Ichigo is betrothed to Rukia, and that the difference between our stations are so vast it could fill a kingdom, but I feel that he is the one for me. If I had him at my side, and not just as a bodyguard, there is nothing I wouldn't be able to do. Does that guy not realize how he makes girls weak at the knees!? He would be snatched up for a husband so fast in court, and normally I'd have him all to myself, but then there is Lady Rukia…

Gah! Why does it have to be this way?

She walked straight into Orihime, who was also lost in her own thoughts.

"Ouch! I would ask that you watch where you are going," Rurichiyo spluttered.

"Oh, I'm sorry, you'll have to forgive me," Orihime began to gush. "I had to go out for a walk to clear my head, and then I realized I needed to get some groceries, but I was on the other side of town from where I usually like to shop, so that meant I needed to walk there, because the buses slow down after dark and so I thought I would take the shortcut along the canal."

"That will do, you-," the princess suddenly stammered. "Wait a second, don't I know you from school?"

"Oh yes, now I recognize you, too! You're Rurichiyo Kasumioji! And I'm Orihime Inoue, and we have the final hour together. But… Aren't you a little young? Or are you on an advanced track," Orihime continued to gush.

Rurichiyo gave Orihime a curious look and then asked, "Aren't you a friend of Ichigo Kurosaki's?"

"Y-Yes I am," Orihime answered, suddenly getting a little emotional.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to upset you," Rurichiyo then said. "You are forgiven for bumping into me."

"Don't worry, that's not what I'm crying about. Not that I'm crying or anything over Ichigo! I just mean th-"

Smoke bombs erupted all around the girls and their field of vision was quickly obscured. Orihime heard the whistling of blades drawn and swung. She launched herself on top of Rurichiyo and and cast her shield. Four swords came crashing down, but as they collided with the Santen Kesshun her Koten Zanshun kicked into effect and cut down the four assailants.

"What's going on," Rurichiyo cried out.

"Don't worry! I'll protect you," Orihime said.

"Fat chance of that you brat," a harsh voice called out.

Orihime stood up and dismissed her shield to catch a better glimpse of the speaker. A man stood in ninja clothing with a shrouded face and light armor strapped to his left shoulder. He was attaching what looked like a broad bladed short spear to his arm.

"Who are you," Orihime called to the man.

"He looks like the last guy who attacked me," Rurichiyo gasped. "Oh dear, where is Ichigo!? He is supposed to protect me!."

Orihime spared the younger girl a quick and confused glance. The man took the brief distraction to swing his weapon up and a flash of light sped towards the pair. Orihime's shield was up once again in the nick of time, but then the light coalesced and formed solid stone. The weight pressed back down on Orihime and she sprang aside to avoid being crushed. Rurichiyo wisely followed suit.

The man quickly advanced, swinging his odd spear and throwing up walls to cut the girls off from any hope for escape. Orihime tried to retaliate, but her Koten Zanshun was easily knocked aside by the assassin.

"Oh no," she moaned. "I am not focused enough. ...I feel too much self doubt. I-I can't do this."

"You're saying this now!?"

Rurichiyo looked at her short-timed savior in absolute disbelief. Orihime's tears began to spill out and she cast up her shield once again. The assassin sent a wall at the two of them. Her Santen Kesshun once again blocked the attack, but once again the weight of the stone pressed down on the two girls threatening to crush them. They both cried out when suddenly there was an explosion from the other side and two pairs of strong hands grabbed at the stone. Kenryu and Enryu heaved the stone up and Enryu then threw the stone at the assailant. The man was already flying away trying to avoid Ichigo, who was hot on his tail. Bright Quincy arrows followed the assassin and pierced him in the lower back. The man cried out and fell from the sky.

He then started swinging crazily, throwing up even more walls, trying to ward off Ichigo. The Substitute Soul Reaper stood his ground and shrugged off the blows of light, sending rubble tumbling to the ground. He swung Zangetsu up into the air and brought the blade down with a measured Getsuga. Once the dust settled, the assassin lay on the ground, hardly able to move as his chest was ripped open and charred.

The man began to reach for something in a small pouch tied at his waist, but Chad appeared and ripped the pouch away. The assailant's eyes widen with anger, but he did not utter a single other word. Ichigo landed next to his head and spoke.

"Okay, this is enough. You attacked the princess and one of my friends. This is inexcusable! Now then, tell me who has been organizing these attacks and how I might be able to get into contact with them."

Ichigo flashed the man a smile, which bespoke that he meant bloody business. He then flinched and caught a quarrel that had been aimed at his head. In the moment of distraction he missed the dart that took the assassin in the throat. Ichigo looked in the direction that the darts came from and saw three more assailants charing him and Chad. Chad threw an excellent punch, breaking one's neck as he drew too close, and Ichigo spun Zangetsu to dispatch the others. They both noticed the chain and hook too late. The strange weapon was wrenched from the dead assassin's arm and pulled towards another band of shrouded assailants. One without a head cover and slightly purplish hair stood forefront with the retrieved weapon.

Uryu's arrows fell among the gathered enemies and they quickly scattered with a barrage of smoke bombs. Ichigo could still see the light of a Senkaimon for a second and then enemy troops were all gone.

"So much for that," Ichigo sighed.

"Ichigo, we should get out of here before the commotion summons the cops and they see us here," Chad said.

Ichigo agree and he helped bring everyone back to where they had stashed his body. As they walked, he noticed that Orihime looked emotional and unsure of herself. He hung back to speak with her.

"You did a good job back there, keeping yourself and Rurichiyo alive."

"Oh, thanks Ichigo, but I don't think I helped out at all," Orihime said with a slight sniffle.

"Nonsense, you kept the two of you alive long enough for us to get there," Ichigo huffed.

Up ahead he saw the princess lauding her two bodyguards with praise for their timely intervention. He wished that Orihime would take his compliments as well as Kenryu and Enryu.

"Why were you out here anyway," he asked Orihime.

"Oh, you see, I needed to do some shop-"

"The real reason you were out," Ichigo pressed.

Orihime remained silent, even long after Ichigo was reunited with his body. Uryu and Chad escorted the princess home with her men. Orihime then spoke up trying to say that she could go home alone, but Ichigo insisted. Again, his friend clamped her mouth and would not speak with him. But when they were finally at her apartment she spoke.

"I'm sad that our destinies seem to be getting chosen for us. With you around, my future always seemed so bright. There was so much that I wanted to see and do, but now I can't see anything. And I can't keep up anymore…"

"Then damn it all and do what you want," Ichigo said, feeling frustrated. "I know you are upset about what is going on with me, but it can't be helped. Rukia and I are now engaged!"

Orihime reacted as though he had slapped in her in the face. He was sorry to break the news to her this way, but he pressed on.

Ichigo now spoke a little more softly, but still resolutely, "We are all friends, Orihime. We will not leave you behind! But I can't be the only reason you move forward. Move forward for yourself! Be all that you want to be."

"Then why were you so melancholy when you lost your powers!? Weren't we enough," Orihime asked hysterically.

Ichigo looked down and then spoke slowly, "I had to be this. A Soul Reaper. It was both destiny and choice. Rukia and I have been intertwined since the beginning. I don't know how best to say it, but I have moved along this path because I feel that it is the right one in my heart. And I have to be true to that. Without my powers, I could not do that. And so, I was depressed, but with my powers back… And with Rukia back, I could be who I am supposed to be."

Orihime nodded to that and whispered, "It makes sense.. I'm sorry Ichigo. I will try and be the girl you think I can be then."

And with tears in her eyes once more, she dashed upstairs. Ichigo watched flabbergasted. These past three days had been nothing but bizarre and it was beginning to drain him. He could only hope that Orihime would eventually get over him and her feelings, even if that was a heartless thought.