Author's note: The villains are gonna come out in this chapter! Well, I think you're familiar with them already.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

Chapter 11 : Hearts

Rukia went back to the hotel but she felt bad for what Ichigo reacted. Although he didn't say anything, she knew something must be bothering the man she loves.

"Excuse me, your highness. I'm Yoshino Todo, a journalist from Sakura Magazine." A woman introduced herself. "May I have a short interview from you?"

"Yeah…sure!" she replied.

"What do you feel about your sudden engagement with the only heir of Abarai Corporation?"

"Well, I'm shocked about it. I did not have any idea that something like this will happen tonight."

"Is it true that Renji-san is a childhood friend of yours?"

"Yes, it's true. We used to play a lot back then."

"This is the last question, your highness. I would like to know if you agree with this engagement. Why or why not?"

The princess suddenly became speechless. She didn't know what to answer. If she says yes, then it might hurt Ichigo but if she says no, it might create bad publicity.

"Your highness, is there something wrong?" the journalist asked out of concern.

"Nothing… About your question, I think the royal family will talk about it fist before announcing something official."

"Thank you for your time, Princess Rukia." And she left.

----------ooo000ooo----------

As Ichigo walked through the dark narrow alley going to his house, he thought of the princess. He never expected to fell for her, not even in dreams. He tried his best to stop his feelings but it appeared that the more he control it, the deeper he loved her. Whenever the princess was with him, how he wishes that he can have the power to stop time and be together as long as they want. He felt living in dreams and now, he'll soon wake up and face reality. While he was getting nearer to his place, he noticed a shadow standing in front of the doorway. It seemed a girl for it has long hair and a womanly figure. Soon, he found out that an old friend of him owned the shadow.

"Kurosaki-kun!!!" she called out happily waving her arm widely in the air.

"Inoue?! Is that you?" he asked as he ran towards the door.

"Shashiburi, Kurosaki-kun? O genki desu ka?"

"I'm fine, arigatou!" he opened the door and invited her to come in.

Inside Ichigo's house…

Orihime sat on a comfortable black sofa while Ichigo prepared something to drink. She carried a bulky pink trolley and a handbag. It seemed that she came from a very far place.

"So, why did you come here all the way to Tokyo?" he asked as he offered her a tea.

"Umm… I came here to do a very important thing. But… I'm not sure how long I would be here?"

"Do you have a place to stay?"

"For that… I kind a…" she can't say anything.

Ichigo sighed and said, "If it's fine with you, you cant stay in my place but I don't think you would feel comfortable here."

"It's fine! It's fine! Arigatou, Kurosaki-kun. You don't know how much burden you took off from me… I don't know how to thank you enough."

So the two had a very long talk about different things like friends, relatives, work, personal life and almost everything.

----------ooo000ooo----------

Meanwhile, everybody in Rukia's party was absolutely having a good time. Some were chatting with the other guests while others were enjoying their meals. But all of their attention was caught when the party host announced the beginning of the princess's eighteen roses dance. The music played was Waltz. And so it started. Her first dance was the King and everyone was quietly watching. After seventeen dances, the host finally said the last man to dance with the princess. "This is all what everybody's waiting for. Princess Rukia's eighteenth dance is none other than…. Abarai Renji-san!" and everyone applauded.

The two danced gracefully while the other people were amazed for they look good together.

"I didn't have a time to tell this a while ago. Will you give me the opportunity to say it now while we're dancing here together, Rukia-hime?"

"Fine. I'll listen to you."

"Long time no see Rukia-chan! I missed you."

"You act like a kid. Shall I call you Renji-kun?" And they laughed.

Soon, the dance was finished and Rukia sat on her chair to take a rest. 'How I wish, you are my eighteenth dance, Ichigo' she thought.

----------ooo000ooo--------

Back to Ichigo's house…

"Nee, Kurosaki-kun! Tell me. Do you have a girlfriend?" Then, Ichigo's face was colored ten shades of red. "Look! Your face is all read." She laughed at Ichigo.

"No. I don't have one." He said with a rather depressed tone.

"Really?! Not even once?" she looked at him with anticipation with his answer.

"I can say that." He said scratching his head.

"Eh? I can't understand you clearly demo yokata!!!" she sounded relieved.

"What's good about that?"

"I thought I'm the only one who got no lover among my friends. I'm glad we're on the same boat." She cackled again.

----------ooo000ooo----------

The next morning, Ichigo was waiting for the princess at the garage while wiping the car. She will be going to the university to finish a group project together with her classmates.

"Ohayo, Ichigo." a familiar voice called him.

"Your highness, ohayo gozaimas." He bowed with respect.

"Hey! What's wrong with you? Why are you calling me 'your highness' again? Didn't I tell you…" she was stopped when someone just called her attention.

"Rukia, ohayo!" It was owned by Renji.

"Renji-kun… what are you doing here?" the princess went near to him.

"I'm paying you a visit. I really want to have a long chat with you after a long time we haven't seen each other. But, do you have time?"

"Well, I'm going back to my university to finish a project."

"Very well. May I take the honor to take you there?"

"You don't need to do that. I have my driver here."

"I insist." Rukia did not have any more time to argue and just agreed to him.

"Ok just give me a sec."

"Fine. I'll just get the car over there and wait for me here." Renji then left.

Rukia quickly walked towards Ichigo and said "You can go home and rest now. I'll just go with Renji."

"I understand." He looked down and slowly turned his back to her.

Author's note: Thanks for reading and please just submit reviews.