I don't think the previous chapter got as enthusiastic a reception as I deemed… … but here's an all new addition! I had fun with this, hope you all enjoy it!

Love you all, my dear sugarplums!

Chapter 11

As the bright rays of the morning sun streaked through the yellow curtains, Ayame stretched and blinked in surprise when she realized she was waking up in an unfamiliar room. She sat up straight, gawking at the finery all about her, when she abruptly realized that she and Tatsuki were at the duke's castle. That's right! She beamed as the events of the previous day all came back to her in a rush.

Beside her, Tatsuki lay blissfully asleep, immune to the sun's brightness invading the privacy. Ayame, in a flurry of excited anticipation, hopped out of bed and ran to the wardrobe. She quickly picked out a pretty green gown that had frills and simple work, and sprinted for the washroom. In a half hour, she was washed and glowing, and reentered just when a drowsy Tatsuki lazily opened her eyes.

"Bonjour, Tatsi! Quickly now, we cannot be languid guests in the face of such hospitality! I'm on my way to the kitchen… I'll see if there's something I can do! Hurry down!" she waved goodbye, before a single word passed through her friend's stunned lips.

As she walked down the great stairway, Ayame regarded the castle with a more astonished eye than that of the previous night; in daylight the place was even more breathtaking! But her stomach's protests allowed her no time to gape at the exquisiteness surrounding her; breakfast was of higher value now! Yay! Her favorite part of the day! Then was the midmorning snack, then lunch, then-

"Oui, mademoiselle! Bonjour! A beautiful morning is it not?" asked Yumichika, startling her out of her musings. She nodded energetically, displaying childlike enjoyment that was always so loved by all who knew her. "Oui, monsieur! Have you had you breakfast?"

"No, we were on our way to the kitchen right now. Shall we?" Ayame giggled as she accompanied a scowling Ikkaku and a well-dressed Yumichika to their destination. As they walked through the doors, they were shocked as a flying piece of meat landed slap on the wall beside them. Ayame stared stupidly at the scene before her.

"W-What did you do that for!? I only asked you to chop them into smaller pieces the next time!" stammered a frightened Shuuhei. The cook was currently hiding his face behind a large pan.

"Shut up! I don't need no fancy cook to tell me how to handle my meat!" yelled a large, imposing man. His hair stood in stiff spikes and he wore an eye-patch over one eye. The large knife in his hand completed the look of destruction that he was so successfully sending out.

"Now now Kenpatchi… there's no need to get all flustered up." cautioned Momo.

"Kenpachi. Stop that infernal racket." commanded Toshiro, walking through the doors. A little girl with bright pink hair and a bubbly smile suddenly appeared on the big man's shoulder, and she laughed heartily before patting Kenpachi on the head. "Playtime's over, Kenny! You had your fun!" she paused at the sight of the auburn-haired newcomer, and pointed at Ayame.

"You're pretty! Who're you?" in a flash, she was on the ground and in front of the bewildered girl. Ayame smiled.

"Hello! I'm Ayame. Pleased to meet-"

"Why didn't you say so? I heard about you! Kenny, she's the duke's friend!" before the maiden could protest, the girl ran back to her former position and stared. "My name's Yachiru. And this is Kenny! We're the local butchers!" she announced gleefully.

"And meat isn't the only thing we'll be chopping soon!" Kenpachi glared as Shuuhei Hisagi gulped in apprehension. Momo clapped her hands. "Okay, everyone! Breakfast time! Uryu and Chad will be down soon. We can get started. As the crowd took their places at the table, Ayame felt her mouth water at the sight of pure beauty before her! Croissants, cheese, apples, oranges, tea, baguette, jam, butter… oh good Lord! She practically attacked her plate of food, and the crowd laughed. Although embarrassed, she smiled warmly and felt completely at home with her new friends.

A while later, Tatsuki joined them, followed by Uryu and Chad. When everyone was finished and satisfied, Ayame walked to Momo and asked if there was anything she could help with.

"But, Ayame! You are a guest! You shouldn't worry about not doing anything, you don't have to!" she explained. "But it isn't fair. Tatsuki and I are still common peasants. We cannot live as guests because we'd be indebted to the duke. There must be something we can do!" she pleaded. Momo thought for a bit and sighed. "If you insist, you can help me with the housework. The library needed some dusting today…"

"Oh thank you, Momo! That's fantastic!" she hugged the girl and ran to tell Tatsuki.

"That's good. Anyway, I'll be at the stables with Chad, he said an extra hand was welcome, and I'm good with horses. We'll meet at lunch time." She couldn't help but smile as Ayame beamed brilliantly and made towards Momo.

"Dear Lord!" she silently exclaimed as she opened the great doors to the library. What she saw was something she hadn't expected in the wildest of dreams. Books! As far as the eyes could see and the mind could wander! Shelves and caskets and cupboards all lined up with books of the most varied colours, binds, textures, languages…she was truly awestruck. Did nobility really read so much? How could they ever manage!

She stumbled forward, feeling oddly out of place yet right where she belonged in these hallowed halls; dusting cloth in one hand, necklace clutched in the other. She made towards the closest shelf and began cleaning up the rack. Shelf after shelf, she went on, occasionally stopping at a book and sneakily opening it, then abruptly replacing it back for fear of being caught. This went on until her eyes fell on a familiar title, when she dropped the cloth and shrieked in delight.

'Little Sophia' smiled back at her. Before she knew it, she was engrossed in the read, unaware of the gentle knock on the great library doors.

"Hello?" she suddenly turned back at the sound of the female voice, and hurriedly put back 'Little Sophia' in its place, pretending to dust the shelves; albeit haphazardly.

"Is anyone in here?" the voice called, now louder. Ayame looked back, her eyes widening. This must be the Marquise Rukia Kuchiki! She saw a young woman with a straight back and a stern gaze with dark hair that came to her shoulders. She was elegantly dressed in a long purple gown, artistically embroidered and softly falling in frills, and she held a closed fan in one hand. Ayame nervously answered, "Yes, madame!" She scurried over to the noble, and bowed. Rukia showed no surprise; her violet eyes were as steady as ever.

"You must be Ayame. Don't bow, please! I am Rukia Kuchiki. Pleased to meet you."

The young lady was very welcoming towards the peasant. The two found it easy to talk to the other, and pretty soon they were conversing on the big sofas that adorned the center of the room.

"Hmph! Men!" Rukia exclaimed upon hearing of the other's chase. "They can all be positively outrageous!" she grumbled under her breath. Ayame shook her head earnestly.

"Oh no, my lady! Not all men! The duke is quite the opposite!" she defended. At the woman's questioning gaze, she shyly stuttered. "W-well… what I mean is… he's rather kind. He's been very helpful since the day we've met. I'm indebted to him for all he's done."

Rukia gazed at her thoughtfully. Just then, the doors were thrown open and a tall, suited man interrupted the silence. He had flaming red hair and strange black markings over his eyes and neck. He could've been mistaken for an educated thug easily.

"Renji! Must you be so careless? Haven't you heard of knocking, it's quite admirable you know!" Rukia spat at him. The man shrugged. "I had nothing to do. Uryu's busy sewing a curtain and Chad is at the stables. Keigo was his annoying self. Ichigo has a guest to attend to, so I came looking for a good book. Oh, hello there." He bowed to Ayame, and she chuckled. "Sir, it is I who must greet you! I am Ayame." she curtsied.

"Renji Abarai. It is a pleasure."

"It's so exciting to meet so many new people!" The maiden chirped. She happily settled back to animatedly describing her future book to the smiling Marquise and the confused valet. Today was a beautiful day!

Ichigo was at his study when Uryu knocked on his door. "I'm afraid we have a guest, my lord." At the duke's frown, he continued. "The Marquis Aizen Sousuke of Rafaell awaits your presence in the green and white lounge ."

Ichigo breathed. Not that suspicious snoop again! He nodded in defeat and sighed as the door closed.

The Marquis was the former financial advisor of the late duke Inoue. With the end of the Inoue lineage, he retired to his capital and occasionally met with Ichigo and his father, Isshin Kurosaki to assist him in the search for the treasure. He was always most unhelpful. It was almost as if he were hiding the location of the fortune, and using the duke as a pawn to find something more. But nobody would believe that. Aizen Sousuke was a charming man and owned a pleasant personality. Women swooned over him; men envied him… Ichigo quite frankly disliked him. But the Marquise had assisted his father financially in the past at a crucial time, so the Kurosaki family was indebted to him.

Let's just get this over with, he scowled as he made his way towards the unwanted guest.

He walked through the halls up to the green door that led to the aforementioned room and opened the door to a confidently smirking Marquise. The aristocrat wore a black vest and a stark white waistcoat that stood in the dim room. Ichigo frowned, trying to gently prove how annoyed he was at having to speak with this man yet again.

"Hello, Ichigo. You look… disturbed." He said slowly, pleasantly pretending as though he didn't know the reason. Ichigo exhaled and sat down. "Hello, Aizen. Would you… like some refreshments?"

"Thank you, I've already been served."

"Well then." He began. "What brings you here, Aizen?" the other shrugged. "The same thing that had brought me the last times too. Have you found any clue to the treasure?"

"No." Aizen didn't have to know.

"Likewise, Ichigo. I'm afraid we have stumbled upon a hurdle."

"You are welcome to quit, Aizen. But I'm determined to stick with it. I will find that treasure." He stated, a determined glint in his eye.

The Marquise smiled knowingly. Truly the duke was not in it for the money. "I know. All for our little Orihime." Ichigo glared at him. "She was never 'our' Orihime. And I do it as a matter of pride; an entire family's good history lies in its discovery."

Just as he'd thought. The duke hadn't realized that the young maiden he was housing under his roof was in fact the lost duchess. It was too simple! He swerved the direction of conversation.

"So, are you to attend Byakuya Kuchiki's ball?" Ichigo nodded in distaste. "With heavy displeasure. I find I have no choice."

"I hear that the countess Rangiku Matsumoto is to attend." At this, the duke's eyes widened. Countess Matsumoto was the last closest living relation to the Inoue family. He silent;y understood the reason behind this disclosure.

"I believe she can be of assistance in our… quest." Aizen supplied. The duke blinked and stood up. "What happens, happens. We cannot be too sure. If that is all, I'd be delighted to see you to the door."

Aizen Sousuke stood up gracefully and dusted his attire. "No need. I can see myself out. I wish you a good day." And with that, he exited the room and walked forward without another look back. Ichigo Kurosaki sighed and ran his hand through his bright locks; this was getting laborious. He strode to the large portrait over the fireplace, the one of his late mother. She was elegantly dresses in a light red ball gown and a beautiful smile decorated her cheerful face. She seemed so perfect; so calm.

"Mother." He whispered longingly. "I don't know how much longer I can do this. Soon, the duchy will be in my hands. I just, I just wish you and Orihime were here with me…"

There was so much to do, so much to think of. He had the peasantry to pacify, a treasure to find… and a fiancée to marry. His face twisted in grimace. Why were things so hard? Why was life so alien from what it used to be in the golden days of his childhood? So many questions… yet no proper answer. He straightened his back and fixed his customary scowl. So what if things changed; there was nothing he could do about it now. Sure, bad things happen, but if he kept sulking about the past he would never make it to the future. He'll find the treasure, and find his purpose. He'd even have to settle for this outrageous marriage… but he'd do it. He couldn't help but remember his childhood best friend once again.

Sigh. If only life were simpler. He cleared his throat and made his way back towards his study. There was work to be done.

It was after lunch when the two maidens met. Ayame excitedly recounted all of her day's happenings to bemused Tatsuki, as they strolled through the garden. It was a charming place; the whispering trees, the songbirds, the trickling stream… it was the perfect place for a good afternoon of relaxation. As the two of them walked, a third soon joined them, and in a quick moment, Ayame, Tatsuki and the Marquise Rukia were all seated on the clean grass, laughing about the most trivial things.

"My lady! I still don't know what brought you here!" cried Ayame, wiping the tears from her prior fit of chuckles. The noble paused and looked down. "My brother is to have a ball soon and… I was sent here to invite the duke Isshin Kurosaki and his family."

"That's wonderful! Oh I love balls!" Ayame chirped. Tatsuki bonked her on the head and smirked. "You've never been to one." "And what if I haven't?" The grinning red head got up and twirled. "I've read about so many of them in books… it's so easy to imagine!" she hummed a tune as she swayed across the green carpet, dancing with an invisible partner. Her moment was rudely interrupted when Tatsuki broke out in unsurpressed mirth. "Oh Aya! You're a good dancer, but you've a lot to learn!" Rukia stood up, brushing off the grass from her dress.

"That's alright." She said. "I'll teach you." Ayame gasped in delight and hugged the unsuspecting noble in a crushing embrace. "Oh right." She blushed in embarrassment, releasing a choked Rukia. "Sorry. Thank you, my lady." She curtsied sweetly. They three laughed and before long, Ayame, Tatsuki and Rukia were dancing to their giggles and humming.

"Ahem… forgive me for intruding." The three girls looked back at the scowling face of the duke. Although he was trying hard to repress a small smile. "I came to see how everyone was doing, and by the looks of, quite well, I presume." To the newcomers' surprise, Rukia threw a dainty slipper at the duke, who expertly dodged it.

"What are you trying to do?! Is that any way to treat the host, midget?" he shouted. She screamed back, "Who do you think you are, barging in like that?!" "Last time I checked, I didn't open a door!"

Tatsuki and Ayame looked back and forth between the arguing nobles, in utter fascination.

As she slipped her shoe back on, Ichigo breathed out slowly, scowled once at Rukia, and turned his attention towards the audience. "Pardon us for such poor behavior, mademoiselles. I pray your day has been well?" he couldn't help but gawk again at the sight of an uncovered head of auburn hair, radiant in the afternoon sun.

"Why yes, my lord!" Ayame jumped happily. "Everything is just perfect! Rukia was just teaching us how to dance!" he smiled at the beaming little maid and looked at Rukia. "About that, when is the ball exactly?" he asked drily.

"The Thirteenth of December." She replied as drearily. Ichigo fixed his cravaat and bowed to the group. "Then, good day, mademoiselles." He retreated back to the castle.

"Hmm… what was that about? Does Monsieur duke really detest balls that much?" asked Tatsuki. Rukia fidgeted with her fan uncharacteristically. "No, just this one."

"… Why is that?"

"It's a ball celebrating my engagement." The petite raven-haired woman's voice was emotionless, and dull.

"Why does that bother the duke then?"

"Because…. He's my fiancée."

OOPS! Why are there so many twists in this story?! Goodness, someone knock some sense into me!

So, before I move to my shoutouts, I have an important issue to clear up before the RukiIchiHime debate world out there. Quite frankly, I love both Rukia and Orihime. And I'm being totally honest when I say that Ichigo has had his convincing moments with both our girls. It's not easy to pick out who he likes or whatever because, well... he isn't really much of a help! I admire both Rukia and Orihime, individually and together, but I'm more for Ichihime because I'm a sucker for happy endings.

Ichigo and Orihime have a good relationship, and it feels more complete. Ichigo and Rukia have a good relationship too, but then the poor healer would be left out. and Renji? Well... he hasn't really shown more about his feelings towards Rukia since, forever? But still, I'm content with IchiHime and RenRuki.

Dont' hate on anyone, unless you really need to if they're the bad guys and all but EVEN THEN, hate is such a strong word!And let Tite Kubo do his thing, we can dream and hope all we want but in the end, it's his manga. And besides, there's bigger problems in the world, like wars, whales and the Arctics... I'm guessing Ichihime can really be stimulating but come on! Life is more meaning than that! I write this fic because I love to write, and i love Ichihime. It can easily become an obsession, so make sure it doesn't and work on it if it does! Love everything you'll get because ultimately, that's the end. And I know Tite Kubo is up for a happy ending too... so lets wait and see! But don't hate on any fandom, most have their reasons and explanations so... let it go! Let's all be good sugarplums!

So yeah, back to the story, I hope to finish it by Chapter 16 or 18 or something, because school is coming in the way and I have finals to prepare for. I'm also casually suffering from writer's block, but every one who cares enough to review and follow and favorite truly make me get up and get typing. Speaking of which, review replies!

Raininglight1: Thanks so much for the candy, I enjoyed them! ;) And thank you ever so much for being such a staunch supporter! I really wish I could cuddle you in a bear hug! *grins sheepishly* hehe, you're awesome! And you like apple pie! That makes you... awesomer! Please don't hit me for being so ungrammatical, you're partly to balme... 8D! Love to hear more form you!

erica . phoenix16: everyone is so close to uncovering the truth, yet more obstacles come in the way. I believe there's just one more thing to come up, and then the fun starts! Thank you for the review! *happy dancing* I'm so glad you did! hope to see more of you!

hapezibah: Aizen really needs to get a hobby, knitting maybe? x0 hehe I can just imagine Aizen-sama in rocking chair, knitting a little espada uniform... that's actually creepy... hehe and Shuuhei as a cook is very believable! Don't worry, your sleepy talking is making perfect sense! Love you!

Magdelena88: yay! you're back! And yes the last chapter was such a jaw-dropper! Masaki? really? I'm at my seat's edge in dreaded anticipation for the next chapter! Oh, and thank you for your review! I try my best to make everyone seem as in character as possible... So glad to hear it's working! Hope everything's going well for you!

A shoutout to everyone who favorited this story! Duke Kurosaki grumbles his thanks! Devil's-Butterfly-Maid, Generalhyna ,Magdalena88, Sissy5286, Talita Silva , hapezibah ,naleah ,xXxChoco-BunnyxXx !

And don't think I forgot about all who followed too! This goes out to xXxChoco-BunnyxXx, teddybunny99, Talita Silva,naleah, Sissy5286, Mitsukistar,Magdalena88, hapezibah, Gonewiththerain09, Generalhyna, 16, Devil's-Butterfly-Maid,Alice O'Conelly, aimee hime !

God bless us, every single one! Goodnight, sugarplums!