A/N: Inspired by the awesome moment in manga chapter 116, and episode 41; when Ichigo and Rukia meet for the first time since her arrest.

Disclaimer: Would you actually believe me if I said I owned Bleach? No, of course not, because it belongs to Kubo Tite.

Prince and Princess

Princess

If Rukia had been a princess in a fairy tale she would have swooned with relief and joy when she saw Ichigo flying towards her. If she had been a princess she would have smiled sweetly at him when he turned to greet her and tears would have gathered in her eyes when he nobly declared that he was here to save her. Hell a princess might have even thrown herself into his arms or pulled his head down for a passionate kiss.

Rukia, however, was not a Princess. She was a shinigami. A girl who had been dead for nearly a century. So when she saw Ichigo flying towards her she did not swoon, she clenched her fists; and the tears in her eyes were not a product of relief or sentimentality, but of anger at his pigheaded stupidity. She refused to thank him and instead berated him for following her, the weakness from her incarceration in the tower the only thing stopping her from beating some sense into him.

Rukia may have not been a princess, but then again, Ichigo wasn't much of prince.

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Prince

If Ichigo had been a prince in fairy tale he would have cried out something sweet and heroic when he saw Rukia standing on the bridge below him. If he had been a prince he would have greeted her with a charming smile and a soft hand on her cheek, the pad of his thumb wiping away the tears she shed. Hell a prince may have even swept her up in his arms, bridal style, or leant in for a passionate kiss.

Ichigo, however, was not a prince. He was accidental shinigami. A fifteen year old high school student. So when he saw Rukia standing on the bridge below him he remained silent, and he did not greet her with a charming smile. Instead he ignored her, going to his new friends first. When he did finally acknowledge her, he didn't even make eye contact, smirking slightly at her surprise and arrogantly stating that he was here to save her. He frowned at her angry tears and started an argument when she refused to see sense.

Ichigo may not have been a prince, but then again, Rukia wasn't much of princess.