(A/N: Here's chapter five! Enjoy!

Andromeda: Thanks for your review like always! You make me feel like you are the only one reading this story, and I appreciate that a lot. Unfortunately, you still have to wait a little bit longer before the main story begins. And why won't I just follow the manga after the anime finishes? Well, several reasons. 1] I don't know where to get the manga. And even if I could, I don't have the money to buy it. Unless, you know of a free online website that has it. 2] I heard that manga isn't even finished, so even then I would rather just wait for it to be completed before continue the story in case I want to start diverging things. But that's a big if. 3] When I originally started this, I kinda had my own idea on where to go after the anime finishes. That's why I said I might turn this into my own original, non canon ending. That's what the AU is for. Though, I won't be above taking some ideas from the anime and manga {if I ever get to it}. 4] Reading the manga would just make me feel guilty with all Yona/Hak moments in it, I guess. Assuming that there would be more moments of them since they are the main couple. It was easy to stomach not doing Yona/Hak because their romance is barely developed in the anime. Just subtle hints here and there. In the anime, there is no reason to pair Yona/Hak together, other than the fact that they look cute together. Of course, this does not include all of their romantic moments in the manga because I'm sure they have a ton of more chemistry and sweet moments that just wasn't developed in the anime because it was cut too short. That's it. Those are my reasoning.)

Lost Love

No one has seen Princess Orihime since the news of Ichigo's death. She locked herself in her chamber for days, only eating the barest amount of food to survive. No one could get her to move or respond. Not even her little sister, Yona.

Who could blame her? She just lost the love of her life. She was still mourning Ichigo's death.

Yona was the one who was the most worried. She would personally deliver her sister's meals everyday, and chat with her, even if the conversations are one sided on the most part. The red haired princess was at a loss of what to do. Your beloved older sister was experiencing a broken heart, and she didn't know how to fix it or cheer her up. After all, she never lost someone she loved before. She never lost Soo-Won. Her love was still alive while her sister's love was gone, never to return again.

Orihime wouldn't be looking forward to any more greetings with Ichigo. No more anxiously and excitedly waiting for letters. The one she got right around Ichigo's death would be the last one. She won't ever receive the joy of feeling his warmth and love again.

Yona could never understand what attracted Orihime to that brash man. She never understood how he stole her sister's heart, but Orihime had always been a good judge of character. Despite his rough, obnoxious exterior, Ichigo must've been a very kind and loyal man to capture her older sister's undivided attention, love, and devotion.

She knew how extremely bad and distressing the situation was when Hak hasn't give any of sarcastic or crude remarks within these past few days. Although, he was still an insensitive jerk. He hasn't visited her sister once since the tragic news of her fiance's death.

Though, on second thought, maybe Yona was being a little too harsh. He's been… What's the word? Pensive? Yeah, that's it. Hak's been more pensive, distant, and...distraught lately. It was hard to tell what her raven haired bodyguard behind his hard, stoic mask, but there was no denying the painfully dark and sorrowful surrounding him or the wistful and longing gazes he shoots her sister's whenever he passes by it during one of his patrols. The redhead princess could only conclude he hasn't visited Orihime because he didn't know what to say when he saw her. Guess, he really does care about her sister. She shouldn't be so harsh to him, and let Hak grief in his own way.

Yona tried asking her father to help her big sister, but even he didn't know what to do. He tried cheering Orihime up by offering her the finest jewelry, beautiful flower gardens, knowing how much she loves those, or anything else young women are into these days, but she wouldn't budge. In the end, King Il just sadly told his daughter to give her older sister time to grief and mourn for her beloved's death. He went through the same situation when he lost his wife and their mother. Only time could heal a broken heart.

Yona reluctantly agreed with her father, silently praying Orihime would return to her kind, gentle self one day.

Orihime felt numb. Her body felt numb all over. The world around her was blank. She could barely make out the sounds of voices that tried to talk and comfort her.

In her hand was a letter. Ichigo's last letter. She reread and reread its content a dozen, and each time it makes her tear up more than the last.

Dear Orihime,

How are you, my love? I'm about to head into battle against some forces from Xing. I want to write this letter to you before I head out in a few days' time. Do not fret. I would do everything in my power to survive, so just wait for my return, my love. And about our wedding… Are you just as excited as I am? You know I am! I keep getting more and more impatient as the days leading up to it pass. I'm not a very mushy or poetic man, but I do love you, Orihime, very, very much. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You're the woman I've chosen to be by my side forever. And I don't love you because of your status or the fact that you are the princess of the Kouka Kingdom. I love you for you. There are some things I want to tell you now because I just want to keep it between the two of us. So I will just deliver you my own private wedding vow before our actually.

Do you remember the day we first met? I'm not talking about the time we met in the forest outside the castle. You may not remember it, but I met you way before them. You were very little at the time, and I only caught a quick glimpse of you, but a quick glimpse was more than enough for me to become infatuated with you. One smile from you, and you quickly captured my heart. We were both nearly three at the time, and watching in that flower garden was the most magnificent sight I ever saw. I fell in love with your beautiful smile, your lovely hair, and your free spirited and compassionate personality. You were a breath of fresh air, and your long, flowing hair was as beautiful and captivating as the sunset. It was too bad I had to leave before saying 'hi' to you. Though, I would never forget your smile. You made my world more colorful. Your smile changed me.

Even as the years passed, there were no women who had a smile as bright and enchanting as yours. I bet you were able to win a lot of guys' hearts with your smiles. Hak, for instance.

Speaking of Hak. Does he still have an interest in you? Truthfully, at first, I didn't want to butt in. You guys were friends, and I was just some stranger getting in the way. Although, as time passed and my feelings grew, I couldn't hold back any longer. I decided to just go all in. Especially after seeing your mopey and gloomy face. You seemed like you needed a good kick to get you up and running again. If you and Hak had a close relationship, I would easily back off.

Orihime, the time I've spent with you was one of the happiest moments of my life. I can't wait to spend and create more memories with you. I look forward to the day when we would become husband and wife. With you around, even the most trivial of things become significant and wonderful. I just have to ask though… Am I in your thoughts just as much as you are in mine? Am I in your heart like you are in my mine?

I should probably wrap this letter up. There is just one more thing that I need to really know… What are you going to do, if something were to happen to me? I know this is something awfully dreadful of you to think about. It wouldn't dare to cross your mind. However, I know I'm not as optimistic as you are. As much as we both hate it, there is still a chance I won't make it. I'm going into battle, and battles have casualties. I'm just a human. I have my limits, even if I am a general. I'm not immortal or a god. So I just have to ask, what would you do if something terrible and tragic were to happen to me? Well, here's one thing you should do…

Live.

Live on, Orihime. Live on for the sake of the future of the Kouka Kingdom. Live on for our friends' sake. Live on for your father and little sister's sake. Live on...for me. Don't you dare think about dying, so you can follow me in death. I know this is hypocritical for me to say, but I can't bear the thought of you dying, Orihime. You mean the world to me. I'm sure others feel the same. This country needs your and your wonderful smile, Orihime, so live. Keep on living and moving forward. Stay firm in your beliefs, no matter what anyone says. Make your dreams come true!

One last thing, I left you a little gift. It's a necklace I found in a shop outside the castle. I know you don't care much about jewelry, unlike your sister, but I couldn't help but to buy it. I was compelled to, especially when it reminds me so much of your beautiful eyes. I love you, Orihime. Always have and always will.

Your beloved, Ichigo.

Wet, sorrowful drops of tears hit the letter as it was clenched in shaky hands. The necklace was indeed beautiful. It was a simple yet elegant piece of jewelry. The necklace was made of sterling silver with a stylishly, gray colored flower shape design at the center with a blue gem in the center.

Orihime was already wearing it, and she would never take it off. It would be a reminder of her last gift from her dear Ichigo. She would keep it forever, so that she could always remember him.

She wanted to… She clenched her necklace, and her lips quivered as small, sad whimpers escaped her. She wanted to see her fiance one more time. However, she knows her father wouldn't allow her outside the castle grounds. She could already hear his voice reprimanding her that it's too dangerous to go outside. Because she's a princess, her life would be in constant danger the minute she steps into unknown territory. But… But…

But she just has to see Ichigo, or at least his grave. She wants to see him. Just one more time.

Just one more time.

Hak was busy patrolling the castle grounds. It's the only thing he could, otherwise his mind would be filled with Orihime utterly devastating and absolutely broken expression of that tragic night. He hasn't seen her since that dreadful rainy night. He wanted to approach her, see her, talk to her, comfort her, but he would stop himself just minutes away from opening the door to her room because...how? How would he cheer her up? What could he do for her to return her to her cheery self again?

His hand tightened around his Hsu Quandao. Damn, Ichigo. How dare he die on Orihime, leaving her behind and breaking her heart. The raven haired man wished Ichigo was alive right now, so that he could kill him himself.

Suddenly, a rustling sound caught his attention. His body tensed and his eyes narrowed. Was there an intruder in the castle? How did they manage to get past the guards? There was no time to dwell on that. If there really was an intruder, then he would just have to dispose of or capture him quickly.

Gripping his Hsu Quandao tightly, Hak raced off to the source of the noise.

Orihime has successfully managed to sneak past all the guards. Memorize the patterns and times of all the guards' positions, stations, and patrols at every hour of the day sure does come in handy for times like these. She has sneak out of the castle in her younger days because of this.

She wore a simple light blue kimono dress with a short skirt, so it could offer her swift and easy mobility. She was also wearing a brown cloak that she could use to hide herself, but mostly to conceal her auburn hair because her hair is a dead giveaway to her identity. She was almost kidnapped once because of her hair. Luckily, Ichigo was able to save her that time because she used her hair to leave a trail to her kidnappers. He saved her life that day, and complimented her hair. That's why she calls it her 'red string of fate' because her long, flowing, auburn hair symbolizes her love for Ichigo.

She was almost at the gate. Just a few more steps, and she'll be out. Just a few more minutes, and she'll be out.

Gray orbs caught a glimpse of something silver and gleaming in her peripheral vision. She jumped just in time to dodge an assassination attempt on her life. However, her hood was sliced open, revealing her auburn head of hair.

"Princess?!"

The eldest princess immediately recognized Hak's stunned and appalled voice. Inwardly sighing and cursing her luck, she slowly turned around to face him. He had the look of absolute guilt and shameful horror when he realized he came so close to killing her. But then it morphed into one of reprimand and a stern frown.

"What are you doing out here so late at night, Princess Orihime?" Hak questioned her, checking her outfit and to see if he had accidentally hurt her.

"I...uh… I just…" Orihime knew she couldn't come up with a plausible lie. For one, she wasn't a very good liar in the first place. Always wearing her heart on her sleeve. And two, Hak knows her. He knows she's usually asleep by this hour. "I just wanted to go outside," she admitted, her soft voice full of emotion, her bangs shadowing her face. "I just wanted to see him."

The raven haired man's face softened considerably. "Princess, you know you are not allowed outside the castle."

"I know that, but still… But still… I just wanted to find him or visit Ichigo's grave," she confessed sorrowful, lifting to reveal her tear stricken face.

"She's not thinking clearly. She's still grieving. She was willing to put herself in danger just to find him," Hak thought sadly. His blue eyes took notice of her hand tightly clenching a necklace for the first time. She never had that particular piece of jewelry before. Then he remembered the letter she received the night of her fiance's death. Was the necklace in there? Was it a gift from Ichigo?

"Hak, let me go," Orihime demanded, already making her towards the gate.

He grabbed her wrist, effectively stopping her. "No," he refused. He refused to let her go off and wander the world aimlessly in the unsettled and low spirited state she's in. "You know I can't do that, Princess. Your father had ordered me to protect you and Princess Yona."

"Then…" She started trembling, her body shaking uncontrollably. Her lips quivered as she did her best to hold back her sobs. Why can't she go outside? Why was Hak refusing to let her go? All these rules…! It's just not fair! She just wanted to see him! She wanted to say goodbye to Ichigo! IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?!

"If you were ordered by my father to look after me and my sister, Hak," she started in a tone that was none too quiet. "Then, as the eldest princess of the Kouka Kingdom, I am ordering you to let me go!" she tried to command him in what she thought was a forcibly strong voice, but just came out needy and desperate.

Hak just gaze at the struggling auburn haired princess with a woefully sad and wretchedly dismal expression. His grip on her wrist tightened. But it wasn't painful. It was more of a warm and comforting manner. Still, she fought against him with all the might of a ferocious cat.

"Let me go! Let me go! Let me go!" she screamed. Her tone becoming louder, angrier, and more desperate as sorrowful tears of frustration shimmered down her face. Though, Hak wouldn't budge, no matter how much she frantically twisted her arm or viciously pounded his chest.

"You know I can't do that, Princess Orihime," he replied in a determined voice that was full of warmth and commiseration. He wasn't not going to let her go. Not in the despair driven, grief stricken state she's in. The king had ordered him to look after his daughters, no matter what, and he would obey him completely. Plus, he can't stand to see her so broken and desperate. It twisted his heart painfully to see how her so mournfully distraught.

"Why can't you?!" Orihime pleaded in a weak tone. "Just let me go! Let me go see him! Let me see Ichigo!"

"I'm here to protect you, Princess, even if it's from yourself," Hak responded in a serious and dutiful tone.

"Protect me, huh? Is that it? Is that what you want, Hak?" She half glared at him through tearfully miserable, heart wrenchingly depressing, and distressingly hopeless eyes while desperately holding the last thing she has to remind of Ichigo. "Fine then! You'll just have to share this burden with me for the rest of your life!" she furiously shouted at him with all the rage, grief, and sorrow she could muster.

Hak surprised her by getting down on one knee, and gently held her hand. His electric blue eyes gazed with such a fierce yet caring intensity that she kept stunningly silent, waiting for him to reply.

"Princess, I am your bodyguard. No matter what, I would protect you with my life. Use me to carry your burden. Use me as your strength to lean on. Use me as your pillar to stand on. Use me, so you can continue living," Hak finished with an almost uncharacteristic sweet and gentle tone in his voice, placing a soft, chaste kiss on the back of the auburn haired princess's hand.

It was at that moment that Orihime broke down. She dropped down on her knees and wrapped her arms around Hak's neck, burying her face in his shoulder, and crying her heart out. Only Hak's comforting hand tenderly rubbing her back soothed her from her grief and loss.

It's almost time for spring. Her first spring without her beloved Ichigo at her side.

(A/N: That's the end of chapter five! After the next chapter, the main story starts! Oh, I should also say that I'm putting the characters ages until the main story starts just so you guys would be informed of the ages of the characters at the time of the chapter. I also added their ages in the previous chapters. And for people who are curious about how long Orihime and Ichigo were together before Ichigo, you know, died. They have been together for about two to three years. Dating/courtship/lovers, I mean.

Orihime - 18

Hak - 16

Soo-Won - 16

Yona - 14

Leave any comment in a review, and thanks for reading! I also have a new poll up, so check it! Nothing serious. Just for fun for any Orihime lovers/fans like myself.)