Earlier in the morning Tatsuki woke me and helped me dress like usual.

She was asking questions about the party the night before so I felt obliged to answer as she helped me with my hair, hiding pins to keep the mass amount in place. The select two from my brother were bedded next to the tightly coiled mesh as we conversed.

I explained that since I met Riruka that night, I wanted Tatsuki to remind me to meet with her very soon for tea.

"Miss, did you only spend time with Riruka," Her voice turned stern, "You were supposed to be mingling."

I shifted slightly under her glare, "I couldn't accept any mans invitations to dance because I didn't like any of them, Tatsuki."

"Hm," She grumbled, "I suppose it's possible you might meet with someone you like today."

"Yeah," I began to wonder if the man by the name of Kurosaki would possibly arrive, "Um, Tatsuki?"

She stopped fiddling with the laces at the back of my gown, "Yes, too tight?"

I giggled, "No, its fine. I was just curious if you've ever heard of a man with the last name Kurosaki? Do you know anything about him?"

She started to pull on the laces again, "I'm positive there was a Kurosaki on the guest list," She pondered and forcefully swiped her hair from her face, "Yes, I believe It was Kurosaki Ichigo. Prince of Karakura, I'm sure."

Ichigo. For finally learning his name I gave a pleased sigh.

"That's extremely far off from here," I could not help becoming very curious about the man.

"It is indeed. Rumor has it that he's considering to settle down here yet," Her voice got louder in my ear as she stood to view her work behind me, "Did you meet him?"

"Yes," My hands joined onto my stomach as Tatsuki finished tightening up and I smiled when she came around to see me, "So far he's been the only man to make an impression."

She returned the smile, "That's great to hear Miss," Tatsuki was then interrupted by my tummy rumble, "Let's get you some breakfast, alright?"

Ulquiorra Schiffer was the mans name; I couldn't forget.

For some time I'd been seeing him at parties of the most costly value. Holding himself up with the most class as his manor had been sustainably impeccable; known for good taste, posture and language. Earning admiration amongst woman seeing as how he had been a few years older as well as being compatible. And now I was being reacquainted.

It was Tatsuki who constantly begged for me to brave a conversation with the man after my brothers death, managing to make me believe he would be a good match for me.

"You must be Princess Inoue," He bowed, "I'm happy I finally get the honor of meeting the hostess."

Throughout our conversation he persuaded me in joining him for a more private talk during a tour. He never seemed forward or direct, always holding a composed expression, "It's a lovely place."

"Thank you," I clasped my hands together and twiddled my thumbs, "I've heard many amazing stories of your home. I'm sure it's quite beautiful."

People spoke of the Schiffer house to be one of the best architectural designs. Even though the man was of the same class, I couldn't help but feel that he was so much more admired than myself.

He gave a soft laugh, "Word gets around too easily."

I couldn't help but smile, swallowing as I forced myself to make more conversation, "How long do you wish to stay in town?"

"Not long," His posture changed as he rubbed his lower lip with his index finger, "I don't want to seem too forward, but I had been hoping to visit with you for some time. I hope we could see each other again soon?"

I smiled at his proposal, "Of course."

Just then I saw Ganju, standing solemnly behind Ulquiorra in the hall with a look that meant business.

He bowed after getting my attention, "Prince Inoue, may I please have a word?"

He passed me towards a near by room after Ulquiorra gave me a reassuring smile and waved me to follow.

I knew it was going to be something awful, finally gaining the courage to look up at him as I closed the door.

"What's the matter?"

"Princess," He moved closer to explain, raising his arms to hold my shoulders but then rethinking it.

I tried to hold back my tears and confusion when Ganju left, forcing myself to hurry my departure from Ulquiorra. It was so hard not to cry even with him standing there. He could tell I looked quite upset, stating that it was his time to go home. When suddenly, during his goodbye he turned behind himself to stare at something. I couldn't fully see over his shoulder so in a curious and edgy state I moved to look past him to see Mister Kurosaki with a distinguished look on his face.

I could not believe he had found me or better yet, was even searching for me; But this wasn't the right time.

Ulquiorra left quickly for my privacy and I took a deep breath to calm myself in front of Mr. Kurosaki, "Y-You. How did you find me?"

He laughed, "Well, Renji knows who you are apparently, Orihime."

He spoke my name with such pride but I couldn't take much more. I was going to cry.

"I asked Tatsuki for no visitors," Thinking back, she did promise me I could be alone.

"I-I'm sorry. Should I leave?"

I started to panic, finding what I just said to be unbelievable.

"No," I tried to make him believe me with one look, "I'm sorry, I don't mean it like that."

I could tell he was sensing my grief as well once he asked gently, "Are you alright?"

I fought to get a grip on myself, "I-I am fine. Though I really should-"

I tried to leave but he carefully gripped my hand.

"Please, don't go like last time."

I felt as if I was hurting him but I didn't want him to see me like this.

"There you are!"

Mister Kurosaki released my hand once Tatsuki bellowed, "I have to ask you to leave."

"Tatsuki, it's quite alright!" I was so afraid to see his expression, slightly tainted with guilt.

She pointed at him, "No, it's not! You don't just fly passed people."

"Tatsuki," I cried at her for pushing too far.

"No, she's right," He gave in, "Pardon me for the interruption."

His words tore me apart.

I didn't honestly want him to leave like this but I couldn't stop him.

Tatsuki ran to me with a quick apology after he left.

"Ganju told me what's going on, Orihime," I couldn't remove myself from Tatsuki's hold as she held me, I sobbed uncontrollably. I could tell she was crying herself by how her voice broke when she tried to calm me down.

After a while it must have been quite the scene for Renji when he spotted us both on the floor.

I heard him gasp but I couldn't look at him yet, "My god, what is going on?"

Renji lent down and knelt with us on the floor.

"Orihime," His hand touched my shoulder as I refused to face him, calming myself in Tatsuki's grasp, "Please tell me what's wrong."

"It is-It's," I failed to speak. I covered my mouth and tried to calm my breathing, "It's about Sora."

Renji waited calmly for me to finish, until I finally cried, "Sora had been murdered, Renji."

After the seemingly hellish night we had we rode our tormented bodies back to Renji's Bachelor pad. I was feeling oddly wounded after the earlier events, knowing there would be no way I would be able to stop thinking about the matter.

Renji himself wasn't helping by spiking my curiosity, after refusing to tell me what happened after our reckless abandonment on the Inoue estate. His temper towards me had changed, his arms gripping on his reins fearfully facing straight forward with a certain determination in his eyes.

Though we had been hardly moving he was concentrated on riding while every now and again he would gaze at the clouds with this perturbed look.

"Please, just tell me what happened," It had been too much for me to keep watching him sigh and continue to ignore me, "Renji, I asked what's wrong with you? Are you mad at me?"

He stared point-blank in front of him, "It doesn't concern you. This is something that stays between the Inoue house."

"Renji, come on. I am just as concerned as you," He didn't budge, only keeping his perfect balance against the horses foot steps, "I don't want to sit idly by-,"

"-I am just worried," He suddenly mumbled and his hands loosened on the reins. He took a deep breath and looked about the woods as if anyone could be watching. It seems my words had made an impression on him since I knew he would understand, "There's been news over Sora's Autopsy."

"Autopsy?"

It seemed a bit odd for such news to finally arrive, though, it had only been a week.

"They had to," Renji said as if reading my thoughts, "He died so young."

"I'm sorry," I shared sympathy and condolences even though I had never known the man, "But what went wrong?"

Renji again hunted about the scenery, "Someone poisoned the King." I was slightly thrown off realizing that this had been more important information than I expected. "It is the fact he was murdered is what concerns me," My horse finally caught up with his own and he tilted his head back tiresomely to look at me, "Someone is responsible for what has been happening to the Princess. It could be anyone we know, anywhere, and even have access to inside of the estate by association. I just, don't know what to do."

Finally I understood why Renji was so worried, for my head began to fill with horrible questions, "What about the Princess? If someone's trying to kill off royals doesn't that mean she is in trouble? She can't honestly be left alone right now!"

He waved his hand, trying to gauge my tune, "Ganju has assigned body guards to take precaution."

"Ganju? Ganju Shiba," I repeated the name as to recall where I had heard it before, "That man works for the Kuchiki house. Why is he here?"

"I've already talked to Ganju. He claimed that he had be appointed by their Investigator Urahara Kisuke to tell her personally. Apparently that is why the Kuchiki's are in town, was because of the funeral. Mister Urahara did the testing because the Inoue house no longer has a doctor."

"What happened to their doctor?"

Uninterested and still deeply enclosed in his thoughts he uttered, "Hm? Oh, just retirement. It's all really confusing. I mean the next royal to take Sora's and Orihime's place for the crown is Sora's cousin, Yukio. He was absolutely fond of Sora! Like an older brother or an idol. I just don't know why some one would do this."

Before I knew it our deep conversation had brought us back to Renji's. The palace gleamed like a white beyond inside the forest of weeping willows in the setting sun. I would simply call it an early night even though I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep.

In her short time of knowing me she may not of considered me as anything even remotely close to a friend, yet she looked at me in a way that no other girl had. An acquaintance may be all I was in her crystal eyes, but I wanted more.

The night went by gravely slow as if I could count the was right in the line of fire and there was nothing I could do to defend her, dreading the fact that she was so close by yet so out of reach.

My eyes remained open under the impression that if I gave in to sleep I would wake to a frightful nightmare. Several times I went to the bathroom sink for water as my temperature dwindled along high. I told myself over and over that there was nothing to worry myself over until the clock struck one, when I finally opened my window and condemned myself to sleep.

Renji lingered downstairs inside his upscale kitchen with his breakfast, reading a column in the paper when I made my way to the table.

Eying a full plate a seat away from his own as I entered, Renji peered up at me from behind his paper, "I had Tessai make you something. I was just about to wake you up."

I gave him my thanks, keeping my sleep deprived state a secret and took a seat, grazing my fingers across the cool beige surface of the table as I admired my food.

Herb filled scrambled eggs with cheese, smoked ham along with pastry fogged my vision. I was only a few bites in when Renji scoffed, rising from his chair to toss the paper in my direction, "Get a load of that!"

I finished swallowing before I read the title, 'Princess becomes Queen?'. Underneath the column title showed a snapped photo of yesterdays luncheon with the princess and the new dark haired suitor by her side, sneaking into the estate.

"I see."

Before I read further, Renji spoke for me with replete certainty, "Apparently, they spent all yesterday together. What a load of crap. I don't even believe it to tell you the truth."

"I do," I trifled my food as Renji gawked at me, "I saw them together before I left yesterday."

"Schiffer," Renji hummed as if reading his name over.

"Prince Schiffer," I repeated, "I've heard the name before but I've never met him."

"His kingdoms not far from here, but I guess he came to see her," Renji ran his teeth over his bottom lip and shook his head, "God, I don't believe this."

"Think he could have a hand on what's happening?" In my own sadistic way I wished it was true. It would make it easier to end things.

"I have no idea. I've heard so many great things about this guy that it would be out of character," He gave the paper an odd look while I scowled, starting on the ham on my plate when he interrupted, "You know, it's a good thing you guys weren't caught and put in the paper."

I choked on my food, "What, why?"

He pointed his dirtied fork at me, "Well it may upset Rukia, your father or maybe even your entire family if you hadn't told them."

"Gee thanks. Though I myself wouldn't of minded. Everyone can butt out of my business," I sighed and slightly changed the subject, "And you know it was very odd of my father to not mind me staying here."

"True. I was sure he put up a fight and say you had no choice," He mumbled quickly then gave me a cynical look, "And Ichigo, you're a prince. What do you expect?"

"Privacy," I spoke sincerely as I chewed my food, yet kept my scowl, "And you shouldn't call me by my first name without addressing me as prince."

"Quit being so harsh. Plus, I kind of did it in that sentence," He grinned, "And just so you know, Orihime let's me say her name all the time."

I stopped cutting with my fork and knife to look at him, "Really?"

"She's just that type of girl," He added rising from his seat and weighted his hand on my shoulder, "It's a shame this guy came into the picture."

I was starting to wonder just how much this new guy had meant to her now.

"I would say that I would like to attend another of her parties, but I don't know what to say to her after what happened. When we first met it was simply spontaneous."

While gripping his hands on a nearby chair for support, Renji chuckled, "It all makes sense now. You both popping out of the bush and missing out on the newsprint photos."

He continued to laugh but I just ignored it when soon after I was finished,Tessai arrived to take my plate.

Forcing the new information from my mind I started planning something spontaneous for the day, slapping the folded paper to Renji's chest, "Forget I said anything."