Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

A/N: Sorry for the wait! But I hope you will enjoy this chapter again! Thank you for all of you who reviewed, followed and favorited my story! I may not be able to mention each and every one of you but do know how much I appreciate your support for my story! This story has a long way to go so we'll be still in each other's company a little longer! READ AND ENJOY!

Chapter 21: Secret Conversations

The evening of their arrival in Karakura quickly came to pass. The next day, the four had shared meals together with the king and the twin princesses. Despite the suddenness of their arrival, Princess Orihime and Ishida Uryuu had been cordially welcomed and were treated by the royal family as kin. Yuzu has presented herself to be the Inoue princess' tour guide and the two princesses and the retainer had then left for town immediately after breakfast.

" Where are you going, Rukia?" The prince asked when the petite lady as she walked off somewhere. After the meeting in the throne room, the lady had locked herself up in her room and had prohibited anyone from disturbing her. That included the prince who had been dying to talk to her.

" The library." She answered, not stopping.

Her reply was short and monotonous. Ichigo had immediately noticed but dismissed the thought, knowing that the midget was grouchy when tired. After having a long journey, it was understandable that she would turn into a raging beast with him at the receiving end of her lashing. He'd seen and experienced it too many times. And every time it happened, all he ever did was to put up with it until she gets a better mood. The prince went after her and matched her pace, walking beside her. " I guess I'll go read something as well."

Rukia stopped short and spun to face the male, her face slightly jaded. " Shouldn't you be helping the princess ease up here?" The woman asked, voice sounding a little snappy. " She's going to be your future bride Ichigo." She then resumed walking, her pace increased.

The prince blinked, taken aback for a while until her words sunk in his mind then cut her walk as he stood in front of her effectively blocking her way. " Why do you always remind me of that, midget?!" He asked with irritation, immediately feeling her grouchiness rub on him. He never knew such a thing was contagious. Not until now when he can no longer help his brows knitting together tightly.

" Because that's the fact that you can't get away with!" The lady answered in a bellow, eyes staring hard at the orange-head male. " You can't defy the king, Ichigo!" She reminded with finality.

" Shut up! I'm thinking of a way to get out of this situation and you should be helping me!" He fired back, eyes blazing with determination. He'd been up all night thinking of a way to escape his father's shenanigan. He'd been thinking about it alone which was quite rare for him to do when he usually just let Rukia walk all over his plan as she usually get to decide on everything if he wanted to survive from her violent tendencies. " And in case you've forgotten, I told you I'll only marry the woman I love!" He added for no particular reason as words just suddenly escaped his mouth.

There was a pause as Rukia's breath was caught in her throat. But that was simply a fleeting moment as she immediately regained her mental balance, her cool. "Haven't we been through this before?! Are you sure you'll never learn to love her? Don't you think that it's actual fate that you two met? Don't you think that there might be a reason as to why we met her? Perhaps, she's the one you're destined to fall in love with." Her voice shook slightly as she felt herself suddenly tremble.

The prince's face became unreadable. " So that's how you want it to happen now?!" He asked, as he lifted his face and stared into her eyes. It was as though she was searching them for something.

Rukia immediately averted her eyes away from him and clenched her fists beside her. " That's how it should be!" She almost yelled at him but held herself.

Silence fell between them. Tension filled it. Rukia tried to remember the last that they had an argument like this. They've been with this topic over and over again but this time, she knew it will be the last time. Her instinct told her so. He walked away, not uttering another word nor casting her a final glance. She just watched him leave.

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The atmosphere between them was cold. The rest of the people inside the castle was able to tell immediately that something was off between the tandem who used to be an inseparable pair. Despite the busy preparations for the party tomorrow evening, it's quite a surprise how everyone managed to notice the tension between the prince and the lady. Not speaking with each other for three days in a row was bound to be a good indicator that something was wrong with the two.

" How are you faring in Karakura, princess?" Rukia asked the moment she crossed paths with the female royalty while walking in the garden mid-afternoon. It was their fourth day in Karakura and the princess had been busy roaming around the kingdom with Princess Yuzu since their arrival.

" Rukia-san! I haven't seen you in a while!" Inoue exclaimed in delight. " I am well! Everyone's been nice. Yuzu-chan had been a great tour guide and Karin-chan's a tad energetic." She relayed with a laugh. " I'd never had this much fun since forever. I've only been here for three days and it already feels like home."

The lady's eyes mellowed as she observed the princess. " I'm happy that you feel that way, your highness."

" You can never know how grateful I am with you and the prince!"

" Tomorrow is your engagement night. Are you nervous?" Rukia asked.

The princess blushed at the reminder. " Yuzu-chan's helped me with preparations.

There was a pause before the raven-head lady had spoken again, as though she had struggled to find the right words to say. " I'm certain that you will become a great queen of Karakura. I am assured."

Inoue Orihime looked at the lady with a bit surprise on her face. " Rukia-san?"

" Yes?"

" Is something the matter?" The princess asked.

Rukia blinked at her, wondering why she asked such a thing. " Why do you ask your highness?"

The princess pursed her lips together and stared at the petite woman intently. " You sounded so sad for a moment I thought you would cry."

Lady Rukia froze for a moment then cleared her throat. " You must have been imagining things, your highness." She replied with a big smile on her face in an attempt to immediately dismiss the topic. " By the way, where's Ishida-san?"

" I think he's with the prince…oh, there they are!" The princess pointed enthusiastically at the direction of the two male who were approaching them, only a few meters away.

" Princess. Rukia-san." Ishida bowed at the two women.

" Your highness." Ichigo greeted the princess. His eyes passed by Rukia but didn't say anything. Instead, he stared at the rose bush beside her, busying himself with it.

This act of ignorance didn't pass the other two's attention but they chose not to say anything and pretended that nothing happened.

" Princess Orihime." Ishida broke the ice. " Kurosaki and I had been talking about you. I've told him your interest in learning about the royal family's heritage. He said he'd be willing to tell you about their history."

Inoue gasped and blushed. " I-Ishida-kun! You didn't have to say that!" She then turned her attention towards the prince. " Your highness, you don't have to go out of your way just for me. I don't want to impose on you too much."

" Don't worry about it." The prince answered. " I'm certain that some people will be delighted if they see me share my time with you." He uttered before smiling at the auburn-head woman momentarily, much to the princess' surprise. " Shall we go, princess?" He invited, offering his hand to her which the princess took shyly.

Leaving the other two in the garden, the two royalties went inside the castle with the purpose of heading towards the library, somewhere that the princess hadn't gone to before. The silence between them was deafening and awkward, as though each one was wary of the other.

" Y-your father is a really nice guy. He's funny." Inoue began, trying to strike a conversation.

" You think so? It's funny while it last. He can be annoying in the long run." Ichigo responded, eyes remaining up ahead of them, surveying the long deserted hallway up front.

The princess played with her fingers. The padding of their feet against the stone floor echoed in her ears, making her more restless. She'd read romance novels before, once that was brought to her by her brother for entertainment when she had been locked up inside the tower. She'd read about the 'comfortable silence' that one shares with the person they like. But this time, it was nowhere comfortable when she could feel the prince's tension from a mile away. And she thought she knew the reason for it. " Forgive me for asking but are you angry with Rukia-san?"

" NO!" Ichigo paused for a while, making the princess stop as well in wonder. " What makes you think that?" He asked with monotony.

Inoue Orihime seemed alarmed, wondering if she had overstepped her boundary for asking. " I'm…I-I'm…uh…I'm just concerned about your friendship. You two seem so close that seeing you all cold with each other is a little off the norm. Even Yuzu-chan and Karin-chan are worried about you two." She babbled but when no response came from the prince, she hung her head low. " I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked that."

The prince sighed. " Don't apologize. The midget's just being stubborn as she is. We'll make up sooner or later. It's not the first time we fought."

Hearing Ichigo's words, Orihime's mood lightened up. " That would be great!"

" Yeah." The male royalty then resumed walking, slowing his pace for the princess to catch up. " We're already here." He announced once they arrived in front of a wooden door. He pushed it open and they were welcomed with millions of books in built-in bookcases from floor to ceiling of a very big and tall room. Couches and beanie bags were placed in the center of the room, a fire place in one corner with a desk beside it, and a tall window on the other side overlooking the garden.

The princess wandered her eyes and saw some books scattered on the floor. Picking it up and giving it a closer inspection, she saw that they were about bunnies and rabbits. " I wonder if Yuzu-chan likes rabbits that much." She asked herself.

" Those books are Rukia's." Ichigo answered absent-mindedly as he went towards the window and opened it. " The midget likes rabbits too much it's ridiculous." From a distance, he saw that Rukia was still in the garden. However, it was no longer Ishida who was with her. It was Shiba Kaien.

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" It's rare to see someone inside the castle's gallery," Rukia spoke the moment she spotted Ishida Uryuu standing in front of a woman's portrait.

The archer turned around to face the lady who had brought freshly cut peach roses. " I just happened to discover this room." He told her as he followed the lady with his eyes. Rukia had come near the vase beside the portrait he had been observing, taking out the wilted roses in it and placed the fresh flowers inside it. " Are they for her?" He asked, referring to the woman in the portrait.

Lady Rukia shifted her gaze towards the portrait. " Yes." She paused then added, " This is the least I can do."

" If I'm not mistaken, this woman is Queen Masaki." Ishida guessed.

" She is Ichigo's mother. Queen Masaki." Rukia began, sounding almost rueful as she gazed at the portrait with mellow eyes. " She's beautiful, isn't she? One of the most beautiful and pure hearted women, willing to give up her life for the sake of someone else."

Ishida glanced at Rukia for a brief moment, studying her reaction. " That's a famous story. I've heard it several times while I was out roaming in town."

" It sounded like those legends I heard while I was a child. Never knew I'd see such a person first hand." The lady said, her eyes now cast down to the ground. " If only she wasn't like that then perhaps Ichigo wouldn't be as lonely as he is now."

" You make it sound as though you regret her decision," Ishida noted. " Do you actually blame her for her kindness? Or Because her act of valor left a deep void in Kurosaki's heart?"

Rukia's head sprung as she looked at Ishida with a perturbed expression. " No! Never! How can you even come up with that kind of conclusion?!"

The archer shrugged. " Because sometimes, people decide foolishly, sacrificing the chance to spend a life with their loved one in exchange for valiancy…telling themselves that it's the right thing to do. Sometimes, you will hurt others because of it. Although, you're actually hurting yourself more."

" That's…deep." The lady remarked, an amused look on her face. " Are you talking about yourself? And the fact that you're in love with the princess?" She muttered. It wasn't a question but a statement. It had been obvious to her. It wasn't even like he was hiding it in the first place. " Then why did you let her…?" She trailed off, clamping her lips and averting her gaze away from the male.

He stared at the woman ardently then smiled to himself, knowing that she wouldn't see it. " I think you know very well the answer to that. Ignorance truly is a bliss. It's a way to protect those you care about." Ishida stated as he propped his glasses up the bridge of his nose. " I just don't understand why you're doing the same thing though." He knew she didn't want to reply. The diffident look on her face told him so. Thus, he carefully added, " There's a reason for everything. Whether it is right or wrong, only you can know. But if you've convinced yourself that it's the right path to tread…made yourself believe that it's for the best…then there's no stopping you."

Rukia carefully mused upon his words then let out a playful smile. " Love is such a complicated word, do you not agree?"

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In one part of the castle's vast garden, a small barnyard can be found. It is the habitat of the royal family's pets, all animal have their own space where they can run, hop, roll and swim. The caretaker rarely leaves the place unattended, but when the prince had set foot, he wasn't in attendance.

Slowly, he approached the spot which held his golden puppy, appearance margining between a pup and a lion cub—but he was certain that it was a puppy. " Kon!" He greeted the puppy that he hadn't seen in a while as he knelt down and offered a hand to it. As usual, instead of wagging his tail adorably at his master, he bumped his head on the prince's hand and barked unamused. " Wow, you never change huh? You still don't like it when it's just the two of us? Why do you prefer midget when I'm your master?" He asked as he forced his way to pamper the dog who clearly showed his dislike. " You should be good to me! That short-stuff prefers that stupid rabbit over you. What's that stupid rabbit called again?"

" Chappy." Echoed a displeased reply coming from behind him. " That's the name of the stupid rabbit that you speak of."

He almost regretted turning around as he saw Rukia, towering over his stooping figure, with the wretched rabbit on her hand. Her glare was boring at him. " R-Rukia!" He sprung up in surprise. " What are you doing here?!" He almost barked.

She raised a dark brow at the male. " Am I prohibited from entering here now?"

" No!" Ichigo immediately responded. " No. That's not what I mean. I'm just surprised that you're here."

" I went to see Chappy." She told him as she placed the rabbit down on the ground and let it free.

" Chappy. Of course. I'm actually here to see how Kon is doing." The prince bent down once more to reach Kon but the pup was no longer within his reach as it went and wagged its tail, acting all adorable, in front of Rukia. " Get back here Kon!" He demanded with a vexed expression.

Kon, hearing his name, glanced back at the prince but decidedly ignored him when he focused again to Rukia with pleading puppy eyes.

" Aww." The lady cooed as she picked the puppy up, holding him on her chest where the puppy snuggled comfortably. " Did you really miss me that much, Kon?"

Ichigo glowered at the pup. " Certainly he did." Then he glanced at the woman and sighed, placing his hands on his hips and looking up in the blue sky. " I'm surprised you're talking to me."

" You're the one who ignored me first." Rukia caressed Kon's head making the pup growl in delight.

" Look, midget..." Ichigo began with an exhausted voice. " …we s—"

" Let's not argue about it anymore Ichigo. I'm actually relieved that the princess is the one you'll be marrying. I don't have to worry about anything." The lady told him as she stared at the male with resolute eyes and a timid smile. " I'd like to personally congratulate you, Ichigo. On your engagement."

The prince pursed his lips into a thin line, brows knitted together. " Why don't you say that to my face tomorrow evening?" He uttered with a hint of anger in his voice though it was quite obvious how he was fighting himself to remain impassive.

Rukia stared at him with wide eyes. She gaped but then closed her lips and looked elsewhere. She let go of the pup and spun around to leave just in time to hear another voice calling in.

" Rukia-san!" Ishida Uryuu's voice boomed at the entrance of the barnyard. " You were with Kurosaki, huh?" He noted, seeing the male royalty behind her. " I've been searching everywhere for you. Come, we must be quick! There is something that I need to consult with you." He told her.

The lady nodded and hastily left the place together with Orihime's retainer, glad of the sudden interruption which gave her a valid excuse for leaving.

Clenching his fists, the prince tensed his jaws and released the pent up tension that suddenly bubbled inside him. " We're not done talking yet." Then he pursued the pair that had just departed. However, they were fast enough that he lost them at the first corner. " How can that midget be so fast?" He muttered to himself and decided to search the rooms one by one.

" You mean, Rukia-chan's finally decided to leave?" The prince overheard the royal adviser's voice coming from the balcony of the king's study. " But leaving so soon? On such a short notice? It must be very urgent."

" It was bound to happen sooner or later that she must leave with me. Rukia is the only reason why I had come here."

The prince knew that voice very well.

Shiba Kaien.

-to God be the glory!-