Hi everyone~~ This is going to be my last update for this story for a while... I kinda don't really know where the plot is going~ ;_; I really hope you will continue to follow it! _ thank you everyone for the reviews so far! I have taken them all into consideration~ Please enjoy this chapter!

Morning had arrived, the sunlight beamed onto Ichigo's eyelids as he slowly awakened. It had already been a week since his clown of a father left for the home kingdom; the feeling of elation should have been present, but to Ichigo it was just another boring day in a boring castle in a more boring kingdom. Suddenly, he heard a loud thud on the door that jolted him out of bed. He rushed out, remembering his father say that Rukia would be visiting soon. He quickly ran his fingers through his hair and popped a few mint tablets into his mouth. As he rushed down the stairs his grin faded when he saw bright red hair and tattoos.

"Ossu… where is Rukia?" Ichigo asked. His eyes quickly scanned Renji, the husband, the figure standing between Ichigo and Rukia's happiness.

"Oh yeah, she got caught up with some affairs with Captain Kuchiki, something about the house, I can't really remember. Anyhow, that's not important, the important thing is that you and I are going to a ball tonight. I heard the princess here is a total babe." Renji said as he nudged at Ichigo's side.

"Shut up. You're married? Or did you forget?" Ichigo inquired. The mood between the two suddenly became serious.

" Che… the only one who would forget that here is you. I mean after all…"Renji stopped midsentence. "Well today's about you, I'm supposed to be the substitute Rukia. So I guess I should start by getting you some nice clothes and a present for the gracious host."

"I don't feel like meeting any snobby princess. I'll just stay here, why don't you just go in my honor. I'll grant you the title of substitute Ichigo, prince of Getsu no Kuni." Ichigo said arrogantly as he headed towards the dining area. "Besides, I already have a potential wife candidate."

"Rukia's out of the question… she's already married to me," Renji said as he lifted up his left hand to display his wedding ring. Ichigo ignored the red head's last statement, and quickly paced off with Renji chasing behind him.

In the palace of Hana no Kuni, a young princess stretches out her arms as she awakes from another night of slumber. Tonight will be her third and last ball before her fate will be sealed. Orihime had known, ever since Sora's sudden death, the economic situation of the country had gone sour. The lost of the young king caused many trading partners to cut off treaties, many of the citizens wandered out of the kingdom to seek a stable life elsewhere. Productivity hit an all time low, until two countries came in and bailed out the small kingdom. It was decided that the princess would be the reward, she would either marry one of the princes of Noches, or the prince of Gestu no Kuni.

Orihime did not mind being married to a total stranger, because she honestly did not have a lover and the only two men she had felt attached to were gone, one was dead and the other had left to marry some other woman. She felt as if she was in love with her Hero-sama, but it was more of a strong admiration, and since her brief enounter with him the other day, she knew he had wanted nothing more to do with her. Since the prince of Getsu no Kuni was a mystery, Orihime had decided to marry Ulquiorra, simply because he was dedicated to her or so that was what everyone told her.

"Kyah~~ Ulquiorra is so lucky, Ohime-sama is choosing him… but truth be told, I think the younger one.. .Grimmjaw would be a good choice too, he is so spontaneous!" Momo said as she and Kira set up the decorations.

"Hinamori-san, keep it down okay, we don't want news to get out that Ohime-sama is getting married, no one would come if they knew they had no chance with her." Kira whispered.

To Orihime, it was not that she chose Ulquiorra, it was simply just the only option. He was level headed, calculative, collect, and a strong leader; to her no one else would be a better King for Hana no Kuni. Ulquiorra was fourth in line for the throne, but he would not have a good chance of being ruler in Noches, for there was a constant battle for the crown. If he were to marry Orihime, he would be guaranteed a position as King, which was a huge plus for him.

As for the other option, Ichigo, she didn't think much about him; in fact she had no opinion. She had never met the man, but she did like Isshin a lot more than Aizen. She also over heard Momo say that Ichigo had a lover who was a bit older than him, but it was somewhat of a forbidden love. That made Orihime more inclined to not chose him, she would have not only ruined her own chance at a happy love, she would of ruined their happiness as well.

Orihime let out a small sigh, as much as she wanted freedom, she knew she had a duty as the princess to make the lives of her subjects easier. Running away would solve nothing.

"Nee, I wonder if you ever think of me… because I always think of you, Onii-chan." Orihime said silently as she curled up into a small ball. Raindrops began to hit her window as the clouds slowly crowded out the bright sun. Night could not come any faster.

Meanwhile, two Princes of Noches arrived to the castle hours before the main event. Dressed in the latest suits the two rushed into the halls before the rain washed out their new fashion.

"Oi, you stupid asshole, don't walk so fast." Grimmjaw yelled.

"Remember your manners here Grimmjaw, you are to call me Onii-san." Ulquiora said calmly as he began to pat himself with his handkerchief.

"In your dreams, you are only older than me by a month, plus you were born prematurely, so I don't see you as an older brother, you're just trash that is in my way for the throne. So don't get too full of yourself, Onii-chan", Grimmjaw threatened as he walked further into the castle. "But don't worry, I'll behave, as long as it gets you out of my way."

"Perfect." Ulquiorra says as he goes on to greet the castle servants.

"Ahhh…. Ulquiora-sama and Grimmmjaw-sama, you two are very early! Let me have Kira show you to your chambers." Momo says graciously as she beckons Kira to come over. "Please, rest up my two lords. I expect you to be of great energy tonight at the party!"

Ulquiorra was selfish, being raised in an environment in which everyday is a test allows one to develop traits that are centered around the benefit of one's own self. He did not care about Orihime, he did not care about her country, her subjects, or her intentions. He did though care about himself, being the fourth prince of Noches, he already had power, he wanted to know more about emotions, what was love and how did it have the ability to enslave others? He wouldn't mind marrying Orihime if she taught him how she could be held up on a pedestal, how was a mere girl loved by a kingdom?

"Hey you shithead, that isn't how you're supposed to dress! You'll ruin my image if you go to the party like that!" Ichigo complained. Of course Renji would take the opportunity to ruin the silly Prince. Renji was draped in a formfitting robe that hardly left anything for one's imagination.

"I was going for a more holy look. God knows you need some help after all your dirty rumors with women." Renji said half jokingly.

"Just shut up, I'll go to that stupid party… but the invitation does say I am to bring a guest. Do… you.. augh never mind," Ichigo said with a light blush on his cheeks. He quickly turned his face away from Renji, who had a smug look on his face.

"If you wanted me to accompany you that badly, all you have to do is ask nicely." Renji teased. "Or I could not go, I know you work well around strangers."

"Shut up… it's not like I'm afraid of them, I just have nothing to talk about. I don't avoid them okay, and it doesn't make me uncomfortable. I just… no wait, just forget it, I don't need your pity company. I'll be fine… yeah… just fine." Ichigo managed to slur out. "I'm changing, if you did want to go we'll head out in an hour."

"Che… such a child." Renji said before heading back to his own room to get changed.

Renji was on royal business, it was his duty to push Ichigo's buttons and force him to go to the ball. Isshin knew it would be Ichigo's last chance to try to woo Orihime and gain control of her kingdom. A highly political mission, it was first assigned to Rukia, but due to the conflict of Ichigo's scandal, Renji was forced to take over his wife's mission. Isshin spoke highly of Orihime, saying that she reminded him of their late queen Masaki, he had always wanted his son to marry someone who was caring and gentle. Orihime seemed perfect, not only would she be a good bride, she always had a handsome dowry, and an geographically advantageous kingdom.

The halls were decorated with gold and lace, the rooms jeered with noise, and the small Princess awaits her chosen Prince, Ulquiora. She knows he is already present. She feels nervous; her palms are sweating, must she really decide, why was there so little time? An unfamiliar hand rests upon her shoulder; she quickly turns in the direction of the owner.

"Hey, I didn't expect to see a familiar face so soon. Anyhow, my brother's been looking for you, but let's play a little trick on him. Come with me for a little, Princess." Grimmjaw explains as he drags Orihime with him. "Don't worry, I won't hurt ya, in fact when I'm done you'll probably be begging for more."

Orihime jerked her hand away, but it was futile, Grimmjaw's brute strength was on a completely different level. She pleads him to let go, but she is only ignored. Suddenly a pale hand grabs her free wrist, followed by a familiar cold voice.

"What are you doing to her?" he inquires coldly.

"Hey, shut up, I'm just trying to have some fun, besides it makes you look better Onii-chan." Grimmjaw smirks, he quickly lets go of Orihime and pushes her toward Ulquiorra causing her to fall on the stotic man.

Ulquiorra get ups, quickly he looks at Orihime, her eyes are teary, and her body is trembling. She's weak, but how does she have so much power? She posses everything he would like to experience. He makes his way towards her, and leans down.

"You don't want the whole kingdom and guests to see you in this state, do you? I'll come up with an excuses, please get some air." Ulquiorra says as he heads back into the party.

"Thank you…"

"Hey are you sure this is the right way?!", Renji asks. He and Ichigo have been aimlessly wandering around the castle. Oh lucky, there is a girl right there, let's go ask her. "Hi Miss…"

"Ehh?! Hero-", Orihime's mouth was quickly covered by Ichigo who began to drag her.

"Oii, Renji, leave us alone for a bit okay? You see I know her, and I wanted to talk to her about some stuff… go entertain yourself somewhere else, and I'll meet you." Ichigo says as he leads Orihime off into the darkness.

"Mou~~ Hero-sama, it's a little cold here, let's go inside, we can talk more in there." Orihime whinned as the cold wind blew. She led him into a quieter corner of the castle, only to be greeted halfway by Ulquiorra.

His green eyes fell upon the couple, because of the cold Ichigo had placed his jacket on Orihime's shoulders. They were huddled together because she was leading him into the castle, and their hands were intertwined because they could of easily lost one another in the dark, none of this mattered to Ulquiorra. In fact, it interested him to come up with a better plan.

"So, it seems you've met." He says with a dark smirk.

Ulquiorra is really hard to portray. He's my favorite character, but it is extremely hard to keep him in character and portray the character I want to portray. As for Ichigo, he is sort of out of character as well, he is a bit moody but it comes off as whiney. :( I'll try my best for the next chapter! For now, it's back to the drawing board with ideas~~~ ^^* please review! Thank you!~

リナ