A/N: Hello!

More Ichihime awaits!

Disclaimer: Oh I come from a place, from a faraway land where the caravan camel roam. I like to sit on the beach and watch Bleach, but alas the anime I do not own (And that first line too. It's from the Aladdin theme song). :'P

The chapter's a little short but I hope to have the next one up soon.

Enjoy!


Chapter – 2

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The sound of voices outside drew the Prince's attention and he quickly whispered to her.

'I will be rude. Please bear with it.'

She nodded.

There was a knock on the door before Aizen and his soldiers gathered in the room once more.

'So?' the awful brown-haired man questioned.

She held back a gasp as the Prince's arm snaked around her waist, pulling her to himself.

'I'm going to marry her.'

Apparently this was something that Aizen hadn't bargained for. His smooth expression turned into a slight frown.

'What?'

'Come now, Uncle. It is my decision.'

'But why her?'

'Why not? She's beautiful and she has royal blood.'

'That is true, but why would you bind yourself, Ichigo? You're young . . . you can have so many options.'

She swallowed as bile rose to her throat. Repulsive man. She would rather slit her own throat than be used as a plaything.

'Really Uncle, you can't expect me to give away such a fine treasure. You know I don't share.'

Hoots and catcalls greeted his words and even Aizen smirked. The Princess tried hard to remember that the very same man who said those words had also said that he would protect her. And at this point, there was none other to trust.

'That much is true. Very well, Ichigo. Do as you wish. The engagement will take place this evening and the wedding will be held tomorrow.'

The arm around her tightened and the orange-haired man smirked lecherously.

'The sooner, the better.'

The jeering laughter picked up once again.

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Her new fiancé walked her to the room she was to stay in until the wedding. He'd used the pretext of 'I want to get better acquainted with my bride' as an excuse to buy them this short while of solitude.

He stopped outside the door and opened it for her.

'I'm sorry.' He said and she nodded in acknowledgement of his apology.

He shut the door and went away, leaving Orihime to her befuddled thoughts.

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She sat in front of the window, trying to find some reprieve from the afternoon heat as she mused upon another incident that would change her life. She was no stranger to change. Her life had been full of it. But she could not dwell in the past for long as thoughts of her wedding came to mind. As a little girl, she had obviously dreamed of what her wedding would be like. But while growing up, she had to understand that her marriage would probably be for political reasons. Still, she could dream, couldn't she?

Knock knock.

'Enter.' She called and in came two of her ladies-in-waiting, who were more friends than anything else.

'Tatsuki! Rangiku!'

Sharp and athletic Tatsuki Arisawa was the sole female officer of what had been Karakura's army. She had dark, waist-length hair that had been pulled into a tight braid. She wore pants and a shirt, her sword dangling from the belt at her hip. Tatsuki knew Orihime since childhood and the two could have been sisters. The second woman Rangiku, had a figure that called to the eyes of men and a bubbly, outspoken nature that along with her habit of alcohol consumption led to quite a many interesting happenings. Her strawberry-blonde hair flowed till the mid of her back and she had icy blue eyes that were narrowed in displeasure at the Princess's fate.

'We just heard.' Tatsuki said, a frown taking over her face.

'Is it true? Are you going to go through with it?' Rangiku asked.

Of all the ladies-in-waiting, Tatsuki and Rangiku were the only ones allowed to drop formality.

'Yes.'

'But – '

'Tatsuki. Was there any other choice? With this, I can at least try to help my people.'

'I know. But I don't have to like it.' The dark-haired woman grumbled.

'So that was it? That was the proposal?'

'Rangiku.' She chided softly.

'But that's preposterous! What do we even know about him?'

'Nothing. It wasn't a proposal. It was a negotiation. Who knows what the horrible man has in store.' said Tatsuki bitterly.

'Please.' Orihime said, 'I'm trying to do my best. Besides, there is no need to lose hope yet.'

'You're right. Sorry. But what do you mean?'

She quickly told them about the Prince's vow and his offer. Their only reply was stunned looks and silence.

'He said that? The Prince?' Tatsuki asked finally.

She nodded. A moment later, she was caught in a bone-crushing hug as her strawberry-blonde friend embraced her.

'Orihime, I pray that he keeps his word. I pray that he is an honorable man.' Rangiku muttered, her voice breaking as she held back her tears.

'I do too, Rangiku.'

'Oh, he'd better.' Tatsuki added as she fingered her sword, 'If he doesn't want a certain part of his anatomy missing.'

The two women parted to stare incredulously at their friend.

'You know that he is the Prince, right?' asked Rangiku.

'So? There's going to be hell to pay if anyone hurts my best friend.' By the end of her sentence, even the tough-as-nails Tatsuki had wetness at the corner of her eyes and did not object when Orihime pulled her into a hug and whispered, 'Thank you.'

The dark-haired woman cleared her throat and awkwardly patted the Princess's head.

'Come on now, let's talk about happier things.'

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The ceremony was short, unbelievably so and it was held in her room. There were no frills or finery. The only one who were present, apart from Tatsuki and Rangiku was Prince Ichigo Kurosaki. Thankfully, Aizen hadn't appeared. She made the introductions and polite conversation was exchanged. The Prince didn't say much as he took her left hand and slipped a simple ring of gold onto her finger. She repeated the gesture for him. There was a touch a finality to the moment as she realized that now, there was no going back. This pathetic excuse for an engagement ceremony was just the start of things and moments that she would never get. Her life was in her hands no more.

He left soon after that.

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'There.' said Rangiku as the final stroke was added.

Orihime sat in the middle of the floor, her hands and feet covered in beautiful, intricate patterns drawn with henna. The old woman who was the one behind the lovely handiwork had tears streaming down her face. They had been acquainted for a long time and the old lady had always done the henna work for Orihime on every festival.

'Shh, it's alright.' Said Orihime, trying to soothe her.

'B-but Your Highness! We already lost the country and now we have to give away our beloved Princess to the enemy!' the woman sobbed.

After a while, with the help of Rangiku and Tatsuki, she was able to calm the woman down and manage a small smile for her sake. The three other women exited her room and the smile faded as once again, thoughts of the unwelcome start of a new life drifted into her mind.

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A/N: Tada! Hope you liked it! Lemme know your thoughts!