They didn't talk about the man who'd died that morning. They never spoke about the men who died. Orihime wasn't sure if it was because her sisters didn't care or because there was nothing they could do to stop it. She didn't think it was the first one – Rukia always looked positively brokenhearted, and her talk with that guard of hers, the one with the bright orange hair, had left her looking shellshocked on her futon.

Dead men or not, the music beckoned. Like clockwork, once they were locked inside their shared room, the princesses stripped off their nightwear and donned their finery and dancing slippers. Orihime wore the sparkling blue flower pins that she'd inherited from her mother; she wore them every night, as though they might protect her.

The strains of violin music always drew them like a spell; Orihime followed her older sisters down beneath the palace and through the magical place that they'd found. She knew that not all of her sisters were as enamored of their dance partners as she was; Rukia and Nanao seemed positively repelled by their partners, and Orihime was certain that Tatsuki was going to come to blows with hers, Though, she thought, Tatsuki and Grimmjow might actually consider that flirting.

But just because her sisters didn't like their princes didn't mean that Orihime couldn't enjoy hers. Her prince was so very handsome, though so somber that she just wanted to make him smile. Ulquiorra bowed to her as she met him at his little boat, and she curtsied with a sweep of her pale green dress. "You are beautiful tonight as always," he told her as he helped her into the craft and stepped in after. He pushed off from the shore once Prince Sosuke's boat was in the water, and they traveled toward the brightly lit palace across the water.

"You're too kind," she told him sweetly. They traveled the rest of the way in silence, but it was companionable, and Ulquiorra's hands were gentle as he helped her onto the dock at the other side. And then they were dancing, sweeping across the ballroom in a swirl of green silk and white trousers. His bright, emerald-green eyes never left hers as they spun and twirled, though Orihime had always thought that her sister Rangiku was prettier than her, and Isane and Nanao far more striking.

"How strange that you still compare yourself to your sisters," he said, and Orihime blushed as she realized she'd spoken out loud. Before she could reply, the music changed and Ulquiorra led her to the banquet table. "Have something to eat with me."

Orihime's stomach grumbled its hunger, and her cheeks heated. "You take such good care of me, Ulquiorra," she said. The table was covered in little finger foods and fruits that could be eaten with the hands, and they both filled their plates.

"It is my duty, woman," he replied solemnly, but there was a hint of softness in his bright green eyes. "You are my partner, after all – are you not?"

She was sure her cheeks were red as cherries, but Orihime just smiled up at him as he guided her to a little table with chairs off to one side of the ballroom. "I am," she agreed.

Ichigo stood guard over the princesses' room for the next five nights. No other men came to try their luck at solving the mystery, and so Ichigo listened carefully at the door each of those nights. There was always a lot of rustling and laughter, some of it awfully strained. And one night one of the smallest girls chattered something about princes before she was hushed. Eventually things would go quiet and he would listen for other sounds. Each morning he mapped out the exterior of the room and the rooms surrounding it, looking for an entrance into the princesses' room or some other way they were getting in and out. But there was nothing.

On the sixth day, he slept, and then went to find Renji. "I know what's happening to the princesses," Ichigo said when he stood in front of the Sergeant at Arms. "And I'm going to prove it."

Renji eyed him unfavorably. "You're going to get yourself killed," he growled. "Why the hell would you do something so stupid?"

But Ichigo tapped the hilt of Zangetsu lightly. "I'm not going to get myself killed," he promised. And thought: Rukia would never forgive me.

Renji scowled at him and ran a hand through his bright crimson hair. "I'd rather not bury you, Kurosaki. I hope you're right."

With that reluctant blessing, Ichigo changed into his best uniform and gathered up the cloak that the old woman had given him. He remembered, suddenly, what she'd told him: not to drink anything that the princesses gave him. And so, he neatened up his hair as best he could and walked back into the palace.

"Are you out of your mind?" Hisagi snarled at him when Ichigo presented himself to him – and to Muguruma – with his intentions.

"No," Ichigo said, and left it at that.

With a shake of his head, Muguruma led him into the emperor's throne room. "Bow when you are ten feet from the throne and do not rise until the Emperor says you can," Muguruma ordered. "And don't insult him, or the princesses."

When the doors opened, Ichigo stepped in, Muguruma following, and did as his fellow guard ordered. The room was the most opulent he'd ever seen: painted watercolors lined the walls in gilt frames, and the ceiling was carved with intricate floral images. The path he walked was covered in thick tatami mats; they felt springy under his boots.

At the end of the path sat the Emperor Yamamoto on a heavy wooden throne. He was old, Ichigo thought, although he shouldn't have been surprised: Rukia was thirty, after all. The long white beard down the front of his body, wrapped in black ribbon, only added to the feeling of age. He seemed almost small in the dark robes he wore, although Ichigo knew that the man had been formidable in his youth.

Rukia, wearing a silver coronet atop her head, was seated at her father's right hand, and her sisters surrounded them: eleven other women and girls in a rainbow of colorful kimonos. He recognized Rangiku, Nanao, and Orihime among them.

When he judged himself to be around ten feet from the throne, Ichigo bowed. "You may rise," Yamamoto said, and Ichigo straightened up. Rukia was staring at him, all color washed from her face as she gripped the arms of her chair tightly. "Who are you and why have you come here, soldier?" the Emperor asked.

"Your Imperial Highness," Ichigo greeted. "My name is Kurosaki Ichigo. I am a veteran of your army and a member of the palace guard. I have come to solve the mystery of your daughters' slippers."

Rukia's eyes were wide and dark in her pale face. Rangiku and Orihime exchanged a plainly nervous look. But Ichigo stood silent while the Emperor looked him over.

"You have three nights, Kurosaki Ichigo. If you succeed, you may have any one of my daughters as your wife. I trust, as a guard of the palace, that you understand what will happen if you fail."

Ichigo nodded firmly. "I understand. And I will not fail," he vowed. He watched as Rukia's eyes filled with tears but kept his gaze on the Emperor.

"Hn. Many have said that. But perhaps you are correct," Yamamoto said in his low, growly voice. "Muguruma, you will escort this man to the princesses' bedroom this evening. You are dismissed, Kurosaki Ichigo. Good luck."

Ichigo bowed again and backed away from the throne. He kept his eyes on Rukia as he did, and broke eye contact only when Muguruma indicated that he could turn around.

"Come on. The rules are that you get meals and a place to rest during the day, then spend each of the three nights in the princesses' bedroom," Muguruma said. He started down the hallway and Ichigo followed. They arrived at a small room, though it was only a little less opulent than the throne room. Upon a small table was laid a place setting, and even as Ichigo sat down, a servant arrived through a side door with a plate of exquisite-looking sashimi.

The meal was some of the best food Ichigo had ever eaten in his life – though he was careful not to overindulge. He didn't drink any of the sake or beer he was offered and asked only for cold water. It wasn't quite a feast, but it was much better than what he ate in the barracks: elegantly crafted sushi followed the sashimi, and there was delicate soup to follow that. There was a small platter of seared tuna as well, sliced to show off the brilliant pink-red flesh inside, and fragrant rice. There were even pastel-hued mochi.

When the meal was done, Ichigo followed Hisagi and Muguruma back through the palace. The night guard – a man Ichigo didn't recognize – shook his head as he unlocked the door to let him in.

"Good luck, Kurosaki," Muguruma said gruffly, and Hisagi echoed the words. Then the door was locked behind him, and Ichigo was locked in a room with twelve princesses. And they were all staring at him.

Rangiku was the first to speak, and she waggled her eyebrows as she looked him over. "Well, I didn't expect to see you here," she said, and grinned at him. "Hoping to capture the hand of our lovely Rukia, handsome?" she teased. But there were shadows in her eyes as she said the words.

"Stop flirting, Ran," Sui-Feng ordered and rolled her eyes. "He's just like all the rest, isn't he? Trying to find out the 'mystery' and get rich."

There was a murmur that swept through the room at that, but Ichigo only had eyes for Rukia.

"You fool," she whispered, and the other women sobered. "I told you to leave it alone!"

He crossed the room to her, boots echoing on the wooden floor. There was a strange echo when his heel tapped one of the floorboards, and Ichigo frowned even as he reached Rukia. "I told you," he said quietly when they were only a few feet apart. "I will not fail." Behind them Orihime and one of the dark-haired girls gave twin sighs. Rangiku just leered. And Rukia – well, Rukia's eyes filled again. When a single tear spilled over Ichigo wiped it away with his thumb.

"Well. It's time for bed, ladies," Nanao said into the silence as Ichigo stared into Rukia's eyes. There were a few more sighs, and then Sui-Feng came forward.

"Have a drink with us, Kurosaki Ichigo," she offered, and held out a porcelain cup full of sake.

Don't drink anything the princesses offer you. The warning came back to him, and Ichigo took a breath. "Thank you, your highness, but I don't drink. It's bad for the liver." It wasn't entirely a fib – he drank only very rarely and hadn't done so at all since arriving at the palace.

"Your futon is behind that screen," Nanao said matter-of-factly before Sui-Feng could press the issue. "We need some privacy to change for bed."

Ichigo nodded briefly and exchanged one more look with Rukia before he stepped behind the wooden screen that had been set up in one corner of the room. There, he pretended to ready himself for sleep: removing his belt and boots and hanging his cloak up. He made a bit of noise as he went: yawned as if he was tired despite not drinking, arranged the futon and lay down on it as if he was going to sleep. On the other side of the screen dresses and blankets rustled. Eventually someone blew out the lamps, and all was silent.

Ichigo turned on his side and in a few minutes, evened out his breathing as much as he could. He didn't like being in the dark like this, hemmed in behind the screen. There was no light at all; nothing to remind him that he wasn't trapped. He reminded himself that the women were on the other side of the screen and that he wasn't alone.

The first rustle of a blanket forced his eyes open a few minutes later. Whispers echoed throughout the room and Ichigo could hear the wardrobes near his futon opening. He shut his eyes but listened carefully.

"He didn't drink the sake," one of the women hissed. "What if he wakes up?"

"Do you hear him? He's sound asleep."

"What about – are you okay, Rukia?"

"I'm fine. Just help me with the floorboards." That was Rukia's voice, and it was all Ichigo could do not to give himself away. The floor had sounded odd – hollow. That was how they were getting out.

He heard the sound of the boards being pried up; not all of them, by the sound of it, just a few. And then something heavy hit the floor.

"Follow me," Rukia said. Ichigo listened to the rustling of fabric as the women moved. He waited until the last girl vanished in a flurry of steps that seemed to be getting further away, and then sat up. Ichigo strapped his sword back on and threw the cloak from the old woman around himself. He pulled the hood on and crept out from behind the screen.

It was a trap door. There was a trap door in the middle of the princesses' rooms – in the middle of the palace. Ichigo followed as silently as he could. leaving his boots behind. The princesses were just ahead of him, dressed in ballgowns and wearing their dancing slippers. He could see Rukia in the lead, her gown pale blue and her hair pulled up into an elegant knot. The other women were a rainbow of colors, hair done up as if for a party.

He was careful not to fall too far behind them but to stay far enough away from the youngest girl that he wouldn't step on her pretty pink frock. But then they passed through the grove of silver trees, and Ichigo's jaw dropped open. He looked up – there was no ceiling that he could see.

But the sisters were continuing forward, and he followed through the grove of golden trees and then through the grove of bejeweled trees. He shook his head in astonishment and thought – here was his proof. Before he could decide whether to break off a twig, the princesses moved on and they reached the shore of the lake.

Twelve men and boys stood by twelve boats, and when Rukia greeted the tall brunet, Ichigo's hackles rose. He hadn't been wrong: she didn't look thrilled, she looked terrified and helpless. And he had no idea why. No one had noticed him, not even the men, and so Ichigo stepped into the boat of the smallest princess and her beau. He crouched down and made himself as small as possible.

"The boat feels heavier tonight, Ururu," the redheaded boy commented as he poled them across the lake. "We're falling behind your sisters."

"Aa – I am not sure why," Ururu murmured. "Perhaps your paddle is caught in kelp?"

"There's no kelp in the lake, idiot," the boy said, and Ichigo raised an eyebrow. Ururu just pouted and slumped on the wooden bench in the center of the boat.

Ichigo couldn't believe his eyes when he saw it: there was a palace beneath the city! They had to be in the city, still, he thought – the walk from the trap door to the lakeshore hadn't been that long. He wondered how such a structure could have remained hidden for so long. The emperor obviously didn't know about it. The whole building was lit up and he could hear music coming from it.

The other eleven boats had already docked by the time the one carrying Ururu and Ichigo arrived; the snotty redheaded boy didn't even help Ururu onto the stone dock. Ichigo waited until she was safely out of the boat before he stepped onto the dock as well, and he hung back and watched as the twelve princesses and their twelve escorts walked into the building.

There was something very ceremonial about the way it happened: they walked together in two lines through the enormous doors of the underground palace, and then separated into pairs once they were inside. "Inside" turned out to be a grand ballroom like nothing Ichigo had ever seen before. It was grander even than the throne room! And Urahara had pointed him in the right direction: the princesses were coming here to dance. Ichigo found as inconspicuous a spot as he could and watched as ten of the twelve princesses danced with their partners. The two youngest girls just chased their partners around the ballroom.

Despite how beautiful Rukia looked, she seemed frightened of her partner. So did some of the other sisters – although Nanao looked more bored than anything else. Orihime and Rangiku, however, seemed genuinely smitten with theirs. Rangiku sparkled in pale yellow on the arm of a fox-faced man with silver hair, and Orihime was on the arm of a pale and somewhat dour looking man who nevertheless looked rather soft every time he turned his attention to his dance partner.

The dancing went on for hours and hours, and Ichigo stifled yawns behind his cloak. Though apparently no one could see him, he stayed as still as possible until the music stopped and the dancers walked back to the boats. Once again, he stepped into a boat behind a princess; this time he chose the dark-haired, athletic looking one whose partner looked much stronger than the little redheaded boy. There were no complaints of weight on the way back.

"You'll come back tomorrow night," the brunet who'd partnered Rukia said smoothly when the boats were all on the lakeshore. She jerked back from him when he tried to touch her cheek.

"We can't dance with you each night," she said, as she backed away from him. "Our father is unhappy with how much of the day we spend sleeping."

But there was a strange light in the tall man's eyes, and his smile struck Ichigo as smarmy. "Oh but you must, princess. You must all come back and dance tomorrow night. And you mustn't tell anyone about our dancing. You do know that, princess."

The words seemed to cast a spell on Rukia, for she wilted before him and nodded tiredly. "We will be back tomorrow night," she whispered, and turned down the path back toward the palace.

Ichigo ran ahead of the women and quickly snapped off twigs from the jeweled trees, then from the golden and silver trees. He hid them beneath his cloak and ran up the steps toward the trap door. Before Rukia's feet touched the wood of her bedroom, Ichigo was back behind the screen, breathing evenly and pretending he was asleep. When he heard the wooden boards being pushed back into place, he closed his eyes and really did fall asleep.

The next morning the guards opened the doors and let him out. "Did you find out what's going on?" Muguruma asked, and eyed Ichigo carefully.

He almost said yes – but there was something deeper happening. It wasn't just that the princesses were staying up late to dance. Something about the tall man partnering with Rukia was sinister, and his insistence that the sisters dance every night was suspicious. "I'm on the right track," he said instead. "But I will need another night."

Muguruma let out a breath. "That's more than anyone else has said," he muttered. "Well. You're breakfasting with the princesses. I'll take you to a room to get cleaned up and change."

The amenities in the palace were much nicer than those in the barracks, and there was no comparison at all between the palace and his time on the border. Though he was distracted by the puzzle of the dancing princesses and their sinister-looking partners, Ichigo took his time bathing with clean, hot water. There was a razor and a bar of shaving soap, as well as a mirror, and Ichigo took the time to shave his face free of orange stubble.

Then he dressed in clothing more luxurious than he'd ever worn – soft hakama and a russet-hued silk kimono – and stepped back outside.

"Well. You do clean up," Muguruma said, and grinned at him. "Come on, their highnesses should all be ready now."

Breakfast with the princesses was – an experience. Ichigo sat between Rukia and Nanao, the latter of whom raised an eyebrow at him and glanced meaningfully at Rukia. Rangiku was practically asleep in her rice and eggs, and Orihime was enthusiastically pouring some kind of red sauce onto hers. The other, younger women were a little more awake than Rangiku was, but everyone except for the two youngest were drinking tea that smelled so strong Ichigo wrinkled his nose at it.

"You slept all night," Rukia murmured to him while her sisters were occupied.

But Ichigo's hand found hers beneath the table and lightly pressed against hers. "No," he said.

The single word had her turning to stare at him, eyes wide and bright amethyst in the sunlight coming in from a skylight overhead. "But – you didn't tell Captain Muguruma to take you to my father," she whispered. Her hand turned against his and twined their fingers together.

"Hn. Leave it with me a little while longer, will you?" Ichigo asked, and his hand squeezed hers.

Some of the tension left Rukia's body and she turned her attention to her breakfast. Ichigo had to let go of her hand to eat his own meal – he topped his rice with a large egg and pieces of smoked fish, as well as a little natto. He could feel eyes on him, and as the women finished their breakfasts, he asked Rukia quietly, "Introduce me to everyone? I only know princesses Nanao, Rangiku, and Orihime."

The color returned to Rukia's cheeks and she tapped lightly on the table. Immediately the soft chatter of the other women stopped. "I neglected to introduce our guest last night, sisters," she said, and looked around. "This is Kurosaki Ichigo. He is a guard in the palace and a veteran of the border wars. Will you tell him your names?"

One by one Rukia's sisters did as she'd asked. Ichigo was actually terrible at remembering names and faces of anyone he didn't know well; he'd gotten only a little better at it over the years – but he thought he'd at least try.

Then, suddenly, breakfast was over, and the princesses were getting up and leaving. All except for Rukia, whose hand stayed his own departure. "What do you know?" she asked, as Muguruma glanced curiously into the room and his eyebrows rose high.

"I'll see you tonight, your Highness," Ichigo said instead of answering. "I would offer to escort you somewhere – but I think I'm off duty for two more days." That he said with a teasing grin, which only widened when Rukia huffed at him.

"I would rather not lose the guard who knows me best," she said lightly. "Guards are so hard to break in."

But Ichigo looked at her so intently that her cheeks flushed and he said, "I made a promise, your Highness." Then he gestured toward the open doorway. "Perhaps you should follow your sisters?"

Rukia's pupils were a little dilated as she looked at him, but she did as he suggested. When she had turned a corner and was out of sight, Muguruma clapped Ichigo on the shoulder. "So that's how it is, you and the Crown Princess?" he asked.

Ichigo glanced at him. "You going to tell the Emperor?"

But Muguruma just shrugged. "Don't see a need. Might even help you figure out what's going on, if she wants you alive."

"Hn. Yeah – that's how it is. And I will find out what's happening to the princesses," Ichigo told him.