Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach!

Bleach Star

Chapter Fifteen- Unveil

Rukia sat on her bed, her thoughts filled with the night she was kidnapped and rescued. She still wasn't any nearer to finding out who those people were and she couldn't tell Momo or Kenpachi about it. They would inform her father and he, along with the council, will abort this mission and bring her home. Sure, here wasn't exactly the freedom she wanted, but it was better than being in Seirei. However, if she was successfully kidnapped again her opinions wouldn't matter, nothing would. Plus, there was the mysterious person who rescued her; 'Yo'. She could understand why she was being kidnapped being a princess and all, but why would someone rescue her? They definitely weren't working for her father, and they didn't demand anything.

"No, yet anyway…" she muttered.

Her thoughts were disturbed momentarily by a knock at the door, "Permission to enter your Highness."

"Granted."

Isane entered, bowed and stood facing Rukia,

"You called?"

"Yea, sit."

Isane obeyed and sat next to Rukia on the bed.

"Do you remember the night I went to the concert."

"Yes, yes I do Your- Rukia."

"Well… there is something I didn't tell you, you see- I was almost kidnapped."

"WHAT!" Isane eyes widen in shock.

"Sssssshhhhh."

"Forgive me, but this is urgent!"

"I know but be quiet."

"You could have been hurt or worst."

Rukia looked anxiously at the door,"I know, I know, keep your cool."

"You could have died."

"Do you think I don't know that?" Rukia hissed,

"We must inform…"

"You must do nothing, until I say otherwise."

Isane frowned, "We are talking about your safety, Your Highness and your responsibility to Seirei."

"Isane, we're also talking about me, Rukia, you know? The one without the crown, I refuse to be a prisoner to everything that goes bump in the night. There is clearly someone looking out for me after all I was rescued."

"Rescued?"

"I was unconscious during most of it, but when I woke up, I was sitting on a bench outside the mall, with a pain in my head and someone standing not too far off."

"Someone? Who?"

"A woman, I couldn't see her face though. She told me she was 'Yo', to be careful and that she knew who I was. Was anything mentioned at any of those meetings about an outside security team or something?"

"No, nothing like that was mentioned."

"Oh, unlikely anyway, if my father was behind this hidden team and he knew about the threat I wouldn't be here. Clearly someone knows I am in Karakura but who?"

"I don't know, Rukia."

"We have to find out." Rukia said getting up from her bed and to her computer.

"And how do we do that?" Isane asked following,

"Ummm, let's start with what we know."

"Which is you've been kidnapped by someone and you've been rescued by another mysterious someone. They must be following you because they know your whereabouts and they know your disguise. What else?" Isane asked,

"The council and my father are unaware of these parties; so my security is flawed somehow, that means they both could know where I reside."

"Not possible."

"Huh?"

"The measures in place to travel to and fro from this house are paramount."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Mayuri Kurotsuchi is charge of the mansion surveillance and transportation."

"Mayuri Kurotsuchi…"

Rukia didn't like that man, he was weird in every possible way, from his attire to his practices, however now she knew why Isane was so sure. His knowledge of technology was unrivalled. He owns one of the largest software companies in the world. He has kept Seirei's governmental networks and the palace safe from many threats for some years now. She should know her father would never let anyone else be in charge of her home away from home.

'But he isn't perfect, I still got out of here without anyone knowing, maybe this has to do with that blueprint; just how did it get into my box?'

"Those blueprints that I got, that you asked about, I found them in my room, with those I was still able to leave here."

"You don't value your life very much." Isane said in clear disapproval,

"I do; but that isn't the main point here, someone in this house did it."

"An inside person…"

"Yes, but what are they after? Me or something else."

"I don't know and we certainly can't find out now, you have a schedule meeting that starts soon so please prepare yourself."

"Fine."

Twenty minutes later, Rukia, along with Isane, made her way to the mansion's conference room. When she got there the two guards at the door refuse to let them in.

"Open this door at once." Rukia shouted,

"We are sorry, Your Highness, but we can't not obey that order."

"And why not?"

"His Majesty's order has ordered against it."

Momo Hinamori was the one who answered her question; she had made her way to the door accompanied by some ambassadors of Seirei. The ambassadors all bowed in respect of the princess and entered the room leaving Momo, Rukia and Isane behind.

"Pardon?"

"His Majesty feels that you don't need to be weighed down with these meetings, so he has banished you from them during your stay here."

Isane looked on as Rukia stepped forward in disbelief, "Why would my father do that? I'm should be be learning from these meetings."

"His Majesty feels that your focus should be on your studies alone at the moment."

"My focus should also be on Seirei's matters, if I am to be Queen I need to know what is going on in my land, especially now that I am away from it."

"That is so, but these are His Majesty's orders, I thought you would've been pleased to hear this." Momo said raising an eyebrow.

"Why didn't my father talk to me about this?"

"His Majesty is especially busy, he told me to relay the message to you."

"Too busy to call…"

"I am sorry Your Highness but I must go, you can attend to your training earlier today instead." With a bow, Momo left them and enter the conference room.

"Wow, my father is so busy he can't even kick me out of a meeting over the phone." Rukia remarked walking away,

"I'm sure there is a good reason."

"Of course, he has more 'pressing matters'." Rukia said sarcastically,

"It is weird that you aren't allowed to attend." Isane commented,

"My father obvious has an indecisive mind, one minute I must be involved in Seirei no matter what and the next I'm exiled from the very meetings that allow me to do this. I don't understand and I also don't care to try."

"But you have to know about what is going on, you will soon be ruling Seirei." Isane insisted,

"He doesn't want me to."

"Isn't that a tad suspicious Rukia."

Rukia stopped walking and turn to face Isane, "What are you trying to say?"

"I don't mean to speak out of place, but many unexplainable things have been happening, maybe you should talk to your father."

"My father has more important things to deal with."

"I don't think so…"

"You are dismiss now Isane, I am going to my training."

'Today is a Sun Hime day and I should be thinking Sun Hime thoughts, Sun Hime doesn't know Ichigo hence he should not be in her mind'

Orihime stood in bathroom starring at herself, her true long hair and gray eyes self. She was rehearsing for a few hours now and was taking a quick five minute break to focus. So far it wasn't really working. Since the day that Ichigo told her he would no longer be in her business she was miserable. She wanted him in her business. The hour of detention they had after school nearly drove her insane. She was dying to speak to him for the entire time but speaking isn't allowed in detention and after he stuck to his promise, left quickly and in absolute silence, not even a glance.

Sighing, she held her injured hand ,"I need to stop thinking about him."

Feeling no different, she exited the bathroom and went out to the studio. Her sis had just finish singing a song when she entered, "Great work Moto." Their director, Shūhei Hisagi, said. Moto took off her headphones and exited the recording room to where Orhime and Shūhei were.

"How are you feeling? Are you ready?"

Orhime smiled, after the accident Matsumoto was constantly fretting over her and really trying her best to be the supportive big sis she wasn't before.

"I am, no worries."

Matsumoto gave her one last look then motioned towards the recording room with her head. Orhime swept away a loose bang from her face as she walked in and took her position by her mike.

"Ready?" Shūhei asked,

"Yea, I am." She said making sure her headphones were in place.

Shūhei started the track as Moto sat in looking on.

"So there was a storm last night, the rain was your tears

What started out as something sweet, turn so bitter

What happened to the smiles and the laughs

What happened to our beautiful past,

There are no more pictures and the ones that are left just hurt

It can't get worst, so you can do better

But now, I know you want the dark to hide your sad face.

Get the strength I beg you, Look outside

Just breath in and let it all out

Breathe in and let it all out

It's damaging you, breath in and let it-"

The track played along leaving Orihime behind.

"Sun? are you okay?"

She wasn't, her voice escaped her as her eyes stared and her knees went weak.

'There…is no…way…he can't be really… here?'

But he was, Ichigo was in the studio with another man his height standing behind Shūhei. He didn't look at her though; he was looking over some papers in his hand while listening to the other man. The glass that separated her from them seem so paper thin.

"Sun?" Shūhei said in his mike.

When Shūhei spoke, Ichigo looked up at her; his eyes piercing through the glass. Orihime held onto the mike breathing deeply.

'He can't see me here.' She held down her head quickly allowing her hair to fall in her face.

Moto stood up from the couch she was in and walked over to Orihime, "What's wrong?"

Moto did the signal that meant 'privacy' to Shūhei, he flipped a switch and took his headphones off, directing his attention to the Ichigo and the other man.

"That's Ichigo… he goes to my school… he can't see me." Orhime said dragging her sister in front of her.

"What? He is the guy that saved you? What is he doing here?"

"Ssssssshhhh, I don't know. What I do know is he can't be here, who is the guy that he is with?"

Matsumoto did a quick glance, "He is the new technician, Shinji Hirako, remember? The old one had to quit so Shūhei hired a local one he said was a friend of his."

"I guess Ichigo works with him," Orhime inhaled and held onto her sister tightly, "What am I going to do?"

"We could fire them?" Matsumoto suggested,

"Ummm, no no no, I can't do that, the boss is Shūhei's friend, we would have to explain and…and, we just can't, we can't fire them."

"Then what?"

"I don't know, I'm panicking."

"Look at me," Matsumoto hissed, "Do not panic, let go of me and look natural, like we're just having a normal and sisterly conversation."

"Moto…"
"Do what I said."

Orhime let go of her sis and lifted her head, but she turned it to a side, "Now what?"

"You have got to get a grip, he knows a dark hair girl with hazel eyes who hates singing and is awfully clumsy, he doesn't know Sun. Just be Sun and everything will be okay."

"Are you sure about this?"

"I've been doing this longer than you have, trust me, you'll be fine."

Matsumoto return to the couch and motioned for Shūhei to continue.

'I am Sun, not Inoue.'

"Are you ready now Sun?" Shūhei asked,

"Yea, just had to pass an idea by my sis before I forgot. Start the track again."

"No problemo."

Orhime put back on her headphones and held onto the mike stand confidently.

Using singing as an anchor to steady her emotions, she sang the entire song beautifully and with every bit of confidence she had. She forgot everyone in the studio which helped to remove her focus from Ichigo, well during the song anyway.

"That was great, wow! You really put your all into that, wasn't recording officially for the cd yet but I just might have to use this; that was brilliant."

"Thank you Shūhei."

Matsumoto clapped, "That really was something."

"It was, wasn't it? I don't know where it came from." Orihime stated,

At that moment, the door to the inner studio opened and Shūhei, along with Ichico and his boss entered.

"Girls, I want to introduce you to that friend of mine I told you about."

Orhime stood frigid as Matsumoto stood ahead of her with an outstretched hand, "Hi nice to meet you... Shinji Hirako right?"

"Yes, that is right, nice to meet the famous Moto."

Matsumoto flashed her winning smile and toss her purple hair over her shoulder,

"Thank you." She moved her attention to Ichigo, he was seem so cool just standing there unlike most men she meet who eyes remained on her in this perverted way. One of his hands was in his jeans pockets, he stood tall and rocked on his feet.

"And you are?"

"Ichigo Kurosaki."

"Ichigo, I like that name, nice to meet you." Matsumoto offered her hand which he shook with his free hand.

"Thanks."

"The voice you guys just heard came from this powerhouse hiding behind Moto, Sun Hime."

Orihime blushed at Shūhei's words, stepped from behind Matsumoto.

"Shūhei, you don't have to say that."

"Ahh but he knows what he is talking about and you are a star after all." Shinji stated shaking Orihime's hand.

"Thank you, Mr. Hirako, I guess you are right"

"I am."

Orhime smiled as her eyes landed on Ichigo's. She managed to keep the smile despite how nervous she felt.

"Hello, Ichigo Kurosaki."

"Hello."

When they hands touched, Orihime fought hard not to blush. The way Ichigo looked intensely in her eyes it was as if he was searching for something.

'He's looking at me like that day my contact fell out!'

With that thought, Orihime quickly took her hand from his and looked at the clock present on the wall.

"Wow! Wouldja look at the time! I have to get going, I have this thing and I can't be late."

"Wait! You aren't done here yet!" Shūhei called out as Orihime rushed through the door.

"I know, but I can't stay now, busy, busy, busy girl, I'll come early tomorrow, I promise."

Matsumoto chuckled to herself as she looked at Shūhei's bewildered expression.

"Moto, what is she doing?"

"Like she said, busy busy busy girl."

Orihime grabbed her bag as she entered the hallway of that floor. She got into the elevator down the hall and headed for the ground floor.

"This can't be happening, I can't believe he saw me, the real me." Orihime looked in her reflection of the elevator walls.

"So much for Sun Hime thoughts."

Renji got off the bus, cross the street and entered his apartment building. He dropped his bag on the floor, headed to the sink and filled up a kettle of water which he then place to boil. As he walked over to the couch the phone ran. Renji stopped and look at it, not moving an inch. When it stopped, he inhaled softly, sat in his sofa and turned on his television. He flipped through channels as he waited. He knew she would call back.

Sure enough as the kettle whistled, the phone rang. Renji picked up the phone this time.

"Oka-san."

"Hello Renji."

"What can I do for you?"

"Is that anyway to talk to your mother? And what is that noise?"

"Ohh, the kettle." Renji went and turn off the stove, "Sorry."

"I hope you are careful out there."

"It's just a kettle Oka-san, the whistling won't kill me." Renji retorted,

"Other things, Renji, other things. I think it is time you return home."

"What?"

"You have responsibilities to attend to here in Seirei." Retsu stated firmly.

"I will be there for the ball, I said I will be there."

"The ball isn't your only task, you must be involved, you are Seirei's future king."

"Oka-san, King Byakuya's daughter is next in line for the throne and I do not want it."

"Seirei needs a king not a little girl that hides from her people."

"What do you mean?"

"The princess has been hidden from her country for the past five years, and she isn't even in the country now."

"Sounds like a smart girl." Renji muttered,

"She clearly doesn't care for Seirei but I know you do son."

"I do mother, but it isn't my place, I don't belong in that position."

"You do! The Abarai name is not one that should be sideline, you have what it takes to place this family where it belongs."

"Mom, I would blow off this ball if you don't stop."

"Renji, I just trying…"
"To do what? Make sure I never return? 'Cause if you keep talking about this king thing I will never come back."

There was silence on the other end of the phone, Renji held his breathe. As much as he meant what he said, he knew his mother was one not to play with. He was hoping she'll call his bluff.

"I am sorry son."

More silence.

"Clearly you have made up your mind."

"I have."

"Very well, I still expect to see you at the ball, that is one thing I will not forgive if you miss it."

"Like I said, I will be there."

"All the arrangements have been made; someone will call you with the details."

"Okay."

"See you soon, son."

"Goodbye."

Ishida was waiting on Orhime in Dango Coffee in Ji Mall. It was a favourite spot of his and he suggested it for their next project meeting. He sat in one of the back tables and opened up his laptop. Sipping on a hot cappuccino, he replied to a few emails and browse. This history assignment proved not to be a challenge, like most of his school work and Orihime managed to pull her weight. The only that bothered him was that after all the digging he still couldn't find out the reason for the Queen Hisana's death.

Even while trying to focus on other parts of the Seirei history he couldn't help but wonder about the Queen's mysterious death. All past royalty deaths, whether they were by natural causes or by accidents, they all had reasonable explanations, all except for Queen Hisana. Really and truly it shouldn't matter to him, but since it was a mystery he was curious and it challenged him. Was the queen really in an accident?

There was also the daughter, she wasn't seen in Seirei for many years now, well not out of the palace. Her farewell ball was under a strict invitation list and no cameras were allowed. After that she was whisked away to some undisclosed location. The only pictures he got online of her were at her mother's funeral and by artists who sketch what she may look like today. He couldn't help but wondered why this family was so secretive. The only member of the family ever really seen was the King and what was his part in this?

"It just doesn't make any sense?" he muttered,

"What doesn't make sense?"

Orihime stood smiling in a teal t-shirt dress, black leggings, pale orange scarf and boots; her jacket and her bag were swung over her arm.

"Oh, hi Inoue."

"Sorry I'm late." She said sitting,

"It's no problem, sit." As she did, Ishida signaled a waiter so Orihime could order.

"Soo, what doesn't make any sense?"

"It's nothing, just our history assignment."

"Well, it can't be nothing, we can't fail."

"Not so much the assignment, the history, the Queen, it doesn't make sense."

"You're talking about the queen's accident. Aren't you?"

"I'm not paranoid, but there are too many unanswered questions Inoue."

"I guess, but the country appears to be doing fine without knowing the answers."

"It happened long ago, they probably didn't ask any questions then and won't now." Ishida remarked,

"But we don't have to worry about that, we have all we need." Orihime said,

"I know but something makes me wonder, her death is so unexplained."

"I guess you have a point, I don't see anything like police reports or a scene, in fact where did the accident happen?"

"Scene…scene! You're right! There is no scene, no reports, no articles nothing!"

"Ishida, you aren't saying that…"

"the accident never happened? Yea."

At that moment the waiter brought Orihime's order of a mocha latte and a cookie. Sipping her drink she furrowed her brows, "I'm not so sure, isn't that a bit drastic?"

"It only seems drastic because it sounds unbelievable, but something like this can and has happened." Ishida stated,

"So if there was no accident, what really happened then?" Orihime asked,

"I don't know, could be anything."

Ishida shook his head slightly and pushed his glasses up his nose. He was usually able to figure out stuff like this; maybe he was just hoping for more just for the fun of it. But he couldn't bring himself to believe that. He knew he was on to something.

"Well this isn't much help but the Suisei ball is coming up, this ball hasn't happened since twenty years ago, I wonder if the princess will be attending, she has too I think."

"The Suisei ball?"

"Yea, it says one of the most prestigious families of the country host this ball every time the comet appears. The royal family has always attended it."

"I guess, she isn't in Seirei anymore though, she left recently."

"Oh, so where is she?" Orihime asked, "She's our age, what would she do outside of her country?"

"I don't know, wait…wait a minute, she's our age you say."

"Yea."

There is no way- but I'm right, it makes perfect sense.'

"She's our age, Seirei isn't that well know here right?"

"True, I've heard of it before but it's not a place I remember often."

"So here would be a perfect place, not much news concerning that country is mentioned around here."

"And it wouldn't matter, she is hardly even seen in her own country."

"Right, almost like Seirei doesn't have a princess."

"She could stay anywhere really." Orihime said in mid chew.

"She doesn't even have to change her entire name."

"Huh?"

Ishida paused, "Rukia Yastiro…Rukia Kuchiki."

"What?"

"She came to KT the same time it's rumored the princess left Seirei."

"What?"

"Rukia is the princess."

Orihime covered her mouth to prevent any of the cookie she just ate from falling out.

"There is no way, look at her hair."

"That's easy, disguises Inoue."

"But…but-"

"You…you took pictures at the concert here, do you have them on you laptop?" Ishida asked excitedly,

"Uh yea I do, but come on, Rukia?"

"Look for the pictures, Inoue, I'm right."

Orihime sighed and navigated to the pictures she took. "Here."

Ishida browsed quickly of a picture of Queen Hisana, he placed both pictures side by side and closed in on the screen. Pictures didn't lie. Their eyes, their nose were the same and Ishida knew then that Rukia's bright hair really wasn't her own.

"This is crazy."

"Look for yourself."

The realization dawn on her as she looked, there was no denying it. Rukia wasn't just Rukia. She was a princess alright.

'I'm not the only one- I'm not the only one hiding.'

Her throat instantly became dry, Ishida's mind and quest for answers proved to be something quite scary.

"We have to talk to her."

"We can't." Ishida noticed that Orihime was suddenly pale. "We can't just go to her and tell her we know her secret."

"I have to talk to her, she lied to you, Tatsuki, she lied to all of us. She isn't who she says she is."

"She has a good reason for that."

"Why would you say that?, Ishida narrowed his eyes, "Did you know about this already?"

'I'm making this too personal.'

"No…no I didn't. I just can't believe it. I'm shocked" Orihime lied.

"We'll keep this to ourselves, but we are talking to Rukia on Monday."

Now that I have updated all of the chapters, I will be uploading a new one very soon. Please look forward to it!

Thanks for reading!