I know it's been quite a while since my last chapter but I had a lot of computer issues that I have finally gotten fixed. So I hope you enjoy this chapter!

He was still furious at the demons for entering his homelands. Tengus didn't dare travel from the mountains, and to be this deep into the valley, he knew they were hunting the Unseelie Hime. He clenched his jaw at the thought of her. He had no idea what was wrong with him. He knew she was supposed to be the 'enemy,' but with everything that was going on, whatever part of his brain that had told him in the beginning to be careful was long gone. He nearly wrapped her in his arms for Amaterasu's sake! Goddess help him, he didn't want to even think about what that could mean.

Groaning, he laid his forehead down on the desk, not aware that his father had joined him.

"One would think the soon to be boy king could handle a few birds." He jolted upright, not only at his father's voice, but his choice of words, and it had him once again thinking of the currently unconscious hime. The yukionna, Shirayuki, had told him that she would be fine, but it still didn't halt his worry. This was the second time it had happened, and it couldn't be coincidence. A hand snapped in his face, and he leaned backwards, staring up at his father. He watched something pass his father's features, maybe realization of something, but he knew it was deeper than the casual amusement and carefree attitude his father always adopted. It disappeared quickly, and he watched his dad sit down across from him, a smile on his face. Ichigo scowled.

"What old man?" the smile never faltered, which irritated Ichigo all the more, but before he could demand his dad to answer, he spoke.

"I did not expect the hime to look so much like her sister." Ichigo was surprised at his words, before he remembered that the Unseelie Queen told him that she had been friends with his father once. He looked at his father, wondering what it must've been like to live in those lands. Everything about his father screamed that his place was with the Seelie, but it hadn't always been the case. And if it wasn't for his mother, would he even be here? Would Ichigo and sisters be fullblooded Unseelie?

"Do you ever wish to go back?" the question was out before he could fully think about it, but his dad took it in stride. He chuckled.

"Sometimes I miss the lands, the creatures that the forests hold, but I could never leave my family, my people. I've never been much of a cold-blood anyway." It was said with a laugh, but Ichigo couldn't shake that his father missed it more than he let on. Before he could say something else, his father surprised him by asking a question of his own.

"Are you attracted to her?"

XxXxXx

As soon as Rukia woke, she demanded that they get ready to leave. Toshirou had woken up some time in the middle of the night telling Shirayuki that he was fine and that they needed to leave in the morning. Word spread quickly, and Rukia was surprised to see both Seelie princesses camped out in front of her rooms when she woke. Both were dressed in charcoal trousers and deep red kimono tops, but she could see coats laying over their laps. She was not sure how long they would stay, but she knew that she would get them whatever they needed when they arrived to her home. She told them as much when she saw them, and they nodded in understanding. She took a breath, glancing around for bright orange hair, then chided herself on searching him out. It was a subconscious thing, and she wasn't sure when it started happening.

Clenching her jaw, she put on an outfit similar to the twins, the magick settling over her skin in all white trousers and a kimono top. She knew that once they hit Unseelie territory, and the expansive woods, she would transform, and her clothing would do so along with it. It was safer for her to move around as such, and with her cousin unable to help defend them, she would need to be on top of her game. She couldn't rely on the Seelie Prince, even being near him was a dangerous thing. As if her thoughts caused him to appear, he sauntered down the hallway towards them, dressed in all black, a living shadow, with leather armor covering him and no doubt being something to help keep his warmth in once they left his lands.

She couldn't help but rove her gaze over his form, and she knew it sounded insane but it felt like she could feel his body heat against her, despite the fact that he was several feet from her. Feeling completely crazy at her mood swings, and the things she was thinking, she was thankful for Yuzu standing up to greet him. She felt like if she looked up into those amber orbs, she would be lost, and she wasn't sure exactly what that meant. She just knew that he caused her to act so unlike herself, to feel things she didn't dare feel. She didn't know if she could be honest with herself, if she could admit how much it terrified and thrilled her.

"Are you ready?" his voice cut through her like thunder, and she couldn't even answer. Shirayuki, noticing something was off, spoke up for her.

"Yes. We need to grab Hitsugaya and then we can leave."

XxXxXx

They made quick work of getting through the Seelie lands. When they first left, it was filled with good wishes and farewells, but Rukia was still feeling cold at seeing Orihime wrap her arms around the Seelie Prince, and then daring to place her lips to the side of his mouth in farewell. There was no reason to feel that way, she knew it, she was trying to force herself to believe it, but her body was demanding otherwise. He hadn't said anything, didn't shove the woman off, he merely continued on his way, following after the group. She didn't notice Shirayuki and Karin watching her, she only focused on Toshirou, his body close to hers so that he could lean on her strength and build up his own.

When night fell, they had finally made their way to the Unseelie border. A forest had started encroaching onto the open valley of the Seelie lands, and Rukia could sense the snow about to fall. Almost like releasing a sigh, she felt her magick wash over her in a blast of cold that surprised the twins, if Yuzu's gasp was anything to go by. When the winds relaxed, she glanced down at herself, seeing herself dressed in the furisode that she wore when she first met the Seelie Prince. Glancing over her shoulder, she could see the twins' breath appearing in the air, but all she received from the recently stoic prince was silence and avoidance. He wouldn't even look in her direction. She clenched her jaw, debating whether or not she should try to speak to him, but she was saved the choice when footfalls sounded from the right, where the forest was thickest.

They all turned, and to her surprise a group of Yukionna stepped from the forests, all clothed in white. There was at least 8 of them, ranging from as young as 10, to Shirayuki's appearance of 27. They all had varying shades of light blue hair, and at once they all bowed to Rukia. She could sense unease, but she wasn't sure if it was coming from the Seelie or the Yukionna. Regardless, one of the oldest stepped forward, gesturing to Toshirou. He looked at her evenly, but Rukia could see the trouble he was having making the journey back. She knew without them speaking, that they wanted to take care of him and bring him back to the manor for her. The Yukionna were creatures that had ancient magick, and an ability to travel their lands in a way beyond merely walking. She nodded her head in acquiesce, knowing it would be easier and safer for all of them to travel that way.

Toshirou looked to her for a moment, and she could see worry and annoyance line his features. The thought of him traveling with a band of snow women brought a smile to her face and he rolled his eyes as if he could read her thoughts. While they were distracted, one of the youngest yukionna quietly made her way to Rukia, staring up at her with awe-filled violet eyes. Surprised at the girl having moved so quickly, Rukia's gaze snapped downwards to her, and she watched the girl gasp, a name falling from her lips.

"Skadi." She was surprised at the name, because she hadn't heard it in so long. Hearing it echoed from Karin, she turned, not realizing how close the Seelie hime was behind her.

"What does that mean?" Rukia glanced to Shirayuki, who smiled to the dark hime and took a step forward.

"Skadi is a goddess of forests and snow. I told your brother a story once, on our way to your lands, of how our hime was born, of the gift Tsukuyomi gave us Unseelie. To others, people believe Rukia was gifted with Yukionna blood. To us Yukionna, we know the truth. We know that Tsukuyomi gifted us with a goddess that will protect our lands." Karin looked slightly confused at that.

"Your lands are already protected, what would you need a goddess for?" Shirayuki looked grave for a moment.

"You saw them at your gala. It seems that Susanoo's children are getting restless." Rukia knew Shirayuki didn't want to say what they were all fearing, but she could see Karin read between the lines and comprehend well enough. The young hime could tell that war was brewing with the demons.

XxXxXx

The rest of the journey was filled with silence. The yukionna had disappeared into thin air once the group had their backs turned, and Hitsugaya was gone with them. Yuzu had seemed worried, but Rukia smiled at her and told her that he would be alright. She didn't notice the prince watching her when she wasn't looking. That was all the prince seemed to be doing. He rarely said a word to anyone, just kept watch over the snowy lands. It was only once they reached a familiar clearing did they see any sort of reaction from him.

"Reindeer!" he blurted, and Rukia didn't miss the dry look Karin sent his way. However, she had sensed the great creatures' presences a few hours ago and bid them to meet them at the clearing before they reached the Rukongai. Knowing their reason for being there, they started towards the hime, Mai leading them over. The great white creature bowed her head to Rukia, antlers just passing beyond the hime's body. The Seelie prince could see how at ease they were with one another, and he felt as if he were intruding. Yuzu, however, was dumbstruck. They didn't have reindeer in their lands, she was used to playing with foxes and hares. As if sensing her amazement, a smaller one, with a mottled, grey coat made its way towards her, head clear of antlers. It bowed its head to her, and she couldn't help but take a step forwards.

"Where are your antlers?" she murmured. It looked at her, as though it fully understood.

"She has not yet earned them." Yuzu squeaked and whirled, surprised at Shirayuki having snuck up on her. The woman smiled and apologized, and Yuzu looked curiously at the other reindeer in the clearing. In all, there were 5 of them, and this reindeer was the only one without antlers. Shirayuki continued, as if reading her thoughts. "Reindeer here are creatures capable of great magic. They are ancient, but still they have offspring. It is only when they come into their own magic, prove themselves worthy of their heritage, that their antlers begin to grow." Yuzu nodded at that, turning back to the reindeer. Before she could say something else, the Unseelie hime spoke, and when Yuzu turned, she could see the hime on the back of the white reindeer.

"Do not fear them. There will bring us to my home, the mountain is too dangerous to traverse by foot. If it makes any of you feel better, the reindeer can carry 2 people." Yuzu saw Karin look to her in question, but before she could respond, the mottled reindeer nudged her shoulder. She looked into silver eyes who seemed to be telling her not to worry. She watched them flash lilac for only a moment, so quickly she thought she was seeing things, but when the shadow of Mai and the Unseelie Hime fell upon her, she wondered otherwise. She looked up to see the hime smiling at her.

"Her name is Tsubaki and she likes you, Yuzu. Trust her, she will take care of you." Yuzu stared, momentarily awed, before nodding and bowing.

"Thank you!"

XxXxXx

He sensed the magick shift once more when they entered the Rukongai, and he couldn't help but watch how the Unseelie interacted with their hime. From the back of their group, he watched as older fae treated the hime with distant respect. They seemed to fear her, and she did nor said nothing to let them believe anything else of her. Yet he saw the way she spoke to Yuzu and Karin. He saw the way she looked at any of the young fae that would dare to approach her. He could see her gaze soften, watch her lean down off of Mai to speak to them, to show them magick if they asked. He wondered why she allowed herself to be seen as a monster when that was quite possibly the last thing she could be.

All too quickly, they made their way to the entrance at the foot of the mountains where 4 guards were stationed. At the approach of her, he watched the soldiers drop into kowtows, and couldn't help but remember his first journey here. As if she were thinking the same thing, he watched the hime look over her shoulder to him, and he couldn't help but look quickly away, his father's words echoing in his head. "Are you attracted to her?" he couldn't answer his father, he didn't know how to answer, but it was only the luck that a guard came to fetch him that saved him from answering. Remembering the look on his dad's face, in his eyes, Ichigo knew that it mattered not that he didn't answer. Whatever his dad had seen, it was enough, but for Ichigo, he had no idea what that meant.

He was broken from his thoughts when a voice called out the Unseelie hime's name. A distinctly male voice.

"Rukia!" Everyone turned to look behind them, where the voice was coming from, and with Ichigo's position in back, he was the first to see the red-headed fae who was so at ease with speaking his princess's first name in front of everyone. His stomach felt molten, and he clenched his jaw at his own new jerk reaction. The man looked over him, harsh tattoos only highlighting his features, before he disregarded him and continued looking for the Unseelie hime. Ichigo felt fury take him then at being so easily cast aside, and it only skyrocketed when the hime steered Mai back towards him, stopping right next to him before getting off of the white reindeer and meeting the fae. He grinned down at her, and Ichigo tightened his fist, not realizing when he closed his hand. He also didn't realize the fact that the temperature around him was slowly starting to raise, even in the cold temperatures. So lost in his anger, he missed the conversation between the two in front of him, only to feel a cold blast of air hit him.

"Ichigo!" the voice was cold, but the fact that the Unseelie hime was the one saying it, made something settle heavy in his stomach. He looked down to see her staring hard at him, but beyond the glare, he could see the unspoken question of whether he was okay. Giving a sigh, he only raised an eyebrow at her, a slight smirk curling his lips. He watched her roll her eyes and exhale sharply. So lost in her, he didn't see the look the red-haired fae gave him, gave both of them. It didn't matter, the hime had captivated him.

She spoke again. "This is Abarai Renji. He is one of our elite soldiers, and my friend." She directed a hand towards the man, and Ichigo gave a slight nod. The man only watched him. She turned to him then, lifting a hand towards the ginger-haired prince. "And this is Kurosaki Ichigo, Seelie Prince." The title was polite and it annoyed Ichigo, but he couldn't pinpoint why. Everything she said was truth. He saw the man incline his head slightly, and Ichigo pulled his gaze away and back to watching the white-haired hime.

She was speaking again, to Renji, about why they were there, when Renji offered to bring them up to the castle. She nodded, and Ichigo couldn't help but glare off to the side, a scowl on his face. It turned to surprise when a snowball smashed into the side of his face, and he spluttered, looking around. Both Karin and Yuzu had wide eyes, while Shirayuki was laughing behind his sisters. Rukia still had her back to him, but if he looked closely, he could see the male fae's eyes flick between the hime and himself. He suppressed a smirk and merely allowed her the victory. He would have plenty more opportunities to get her back.

XxXxXx

When Rukia and her company finally reached the manor, she was completely surprised to see Hisana running towards her. Quickly climbing off of Mai, she landed quietly onto the ground, only for her sister to slam into her, her arms quickly wrapping themselves around her.

"I was so worried about you Rukia. Are you okay?" her sister was trembling, and Rukia could only imagine what she must've heard. She held her tight and nodded.

"I'm okay Hisana. We're all okay." Her sister seemed to visibly relax before pulling away and seeing the others. Rukia could see the surprise on Yuzu and Karin's faces with how similar Rukia and her sister looked. Rukia watched her sister transform from a deep grey gown to a deep red kimono, with a pale floral pattern covering the outer layer in pale pinks and oranges. Her obi matched the under kimono in its deep red, but it made the queen shine. She turned to them and inclined her head.

"It is a pleasure to meet you all and I wish it were under better circumstances." She met the surprised gazes of Yuzu and Karin, and smiled. "You both look very much like your parents." They looked as though they wanted to speak, but Hisana raised a hand. "Later we may speak. For now, please follow me. We will lead you to your rooms and then we will meet in the throne room."