There was a time, not very long ago, where we lived in a world of elegant palaces and grand parties...

The scents of fine food and expensive perfume mingled together in the air, floating atop the loud conversation and laughter that filled the grand ballroom. Round tables lined the walls, pushed far away from the center of the room. A grand band of instruments stood to the western side, where the musicians played the most elegant yet lively of tunes to dance to.

And dance they did.

Beautiful women twirled about with grace in colorful dresses of all shapes and sizes. Each one seeming to float across the large expanse of space offered for dancing. Their hair twisted into perfection atop their heads, and their wrists and necks adorned with fine jewels that sang softly with even the slightest twist of the hand.

The men they danced with were dressed in suits littered with medals of status placed proudly upon their chests. For a certain few, a sword of fine craftsmanship was even be placed on their hip. A symbol for all, of their status, strength, and relation to the royal family.

Those not dancing or mingling with fellow guests, snuck peeks at the large thrones at the top of a grand staircase to the north. More specifically, at the single member of the royal family still seated and watching the festivities.

The Empress sat upon her throne, as beautiful in her older years as she had been as a young woman. Her magnificent golden brown curls, bearing not a single strand of gray, had been twisted atop her head and adorned with gleaming jewels.
The gown she wore far out matched that of any other woman, the blood red color of the cloth alone displaying the wealth of the royal family. Made by a master seamstress, it was just as elegant as the woman itself. With long gold, embroidered sleeves that disappeared under a lengthy velvet cloak of deep purple. Her waist was cinched in by a black sash with similar embroidery, highlighting a curvaceous body that did not seem to yield to the passage of time; despite the four children she had birthed in her youth.

If one were to follow her warm gaze, they would find it settled upon the group dancing in the very center; her children, grandchildren, and so forth.

But no star shone brighter than her darling niece...

.

Slender hands brushed over the smooth glass of a picture frame, brushing over the painted image of wide gray eyes and beautiful hair not unlike her own.

.

"Auntie!"

The tall, regal woman turned her head away from the festivities. And just in time, as thin arms circled her waist in a warm hug she readily returned. There was only one person who could warm her heart with a hug alone.

"Ah, ah..." She soothed the excited young girl in her arms, running a slender hand over the head of curls pressed against her bosom. "Now, now, what is all this hm?"

The girl looked up, wide grey eyes as bright as the stars beyond the grandly sized windows that lined the extravagant ballroom. She too wore an expensive gown the color of emeralds, with golden embroidery along the hem of the skirt and the cuffs of her long sleeves. The colors clashed pleasantly with the pretty auburn curls carefully pinned back away from her face.

Her pale cheeks were flush with excitement as she gazed upon the elder woman, never once relinquishing her hold on the soft velvety material of the Empress' clothing.

"Will you dance with me, Auntie?" She begged, "Please, oh, please!"

The Empress' lips curved into a warm smile, her hand lightly cupping the cheek of the girl who was arguably her favorite niece.

"I suppose, perhaps-"

"Now, now, little Princess..." A smooth voice cut her off, "I thought I reserved a dance for the night?"

.

A tremor shook through her as her eyes shut tight, pale lips mouthing a single name with sorrow.

.

"Uncle Gin!" The little princess bounced away from her Aunt, all but throwing herself at the tall silver haired male as he strode up the stairway. He caught her easily, hoisting her up into his arms effortlessly on his right side, for on his left rested a sword bearing the royal crest upon its scabbard.

"Do I not get my dance?" He questioned, voice as smooth as silk even as he feigned a vague look of hurt. Though it was difficult, as he directed a sly smirk toward his Empress. The princess in his arms paid no mind, believing fully that she had indeed hurt her Uncle's feelings.

"Go," The Empress chuckled, waving a hand toward the dancing guests. "I can wait for my dance, darling."

He gave a brief nod, and a look of promise to return, before whisking away the young girl. Bubbly laughter followed as he quite literally twirled them down to the floor and through the crowd. The joy in the room seemed to increase as two of the most loved members of the Royal family joined the dancing once more.

And the Empress' heart was filled with joy.

"She is as beautiful as her mother..."

Eyes drawing away from the festivities, all the Empress could offer was a nod and a grim smile in agreement.

"Ah, but with her brother's kindness." She commented lightly, and the man standing beside her chuckled.

"No... she is far more kind than I will ever be," he hesitated, though it was only for a heartbeat. "and I worry she will be too kind to rule once I am gone."

The older woman felt the corners of her mouth drop, but was given no time to respond as her nephew stepped forward into her sights. Though he was still quite young, he stood as a man should. A man who bore the weight of a country on his shoulders, and would not allow himself to relax while carrying such a burden. The pommel of the sword at his hip glittered brilliantly as he settled a hand on the hilt, raising his free hand in the air.

The effect was instant, as the loud rapping of a staff upon stone echoed loudly throughout the ballroom, drawing all chatter and music to a halt.

And their Emperor spoke.

"I would wish to thank all of you for joining us, on this night," he began, his voice echoing with power over the mass. "I am filled with pride, knowing my family's reign has reached its 300th year... I only wish my dear parents were here to celebrate with us."

A soft murmur hummed over the crowd as they wished the souls of the earlier ruler's peaceful rest in the afterlife.

"A toast," he picked up a slender flute from the tray of a servant as he rushed to kneel at the Emperors feet. Behind him, still seated in her throne, the stand-in Empress took her own glass from a second kneeling servant. With elegance, she rose to her feet, raising her glass to the air, along with the Emperor.

"To 300 years of peace, and joy!"

.

Tears dripped onto the glass, and she hurried to wipe them away with her shawl.

.

"Sora," The Empress began, approaching her nephew as the music began to play once more. "Are you certain you wish for me to return... I am capable of aiding you in caring for our country, I assure you."

"You have already done far more than I asked, Aunt Rangiku. I thank you." He offered a tired smile to his kin, nodding his head down to the crowd where his little sister was now attempting to drag Gin back up to the thrones. The silver haired man seemed to be doing a stand-up job of slowing her down, leaning his weight back as the tiny girl continued to pull him up the steps with strength surprising of a princess.

"Big Brother Sora!"

The tired gaze the Emperor wore melted away within moments as he crouched down, opening his arms to catch the bright sunshine of a girl as she released Gin's hand. Her little arms circled his neck, head burying in his shoulder as her muffled voice reached him;

"I thought you would never come!"

He laughed openly in response, pulling away far enough to give her cheek a gentle pinch.

"Silly girl, what kind of brother would I be if I forgot your present in my hurry?" Sora teased gently, smiling fondly toward the girl.

Those were the golden words it seemed, as her large eyes grew impossibly larger with curiosity.

"My present?" She questioned, as though she feared she heard wrong.

"Your present," he confirmed, his tone growing softer. "now, close your eyes Princess."

Her eyes squeezed shut tight, and she even went as far as to cover them with one hand. The Empress chuckled softly, extending a hand out to take her husband's arm as he joined her side once more. Both, already knowing what the gift was to be as Sora withdrew a small square box from his pocket.

He took his sisters hand, holding it palm up to place the box in and curl her fingers over the edges.

"Go ahead, open."

She peeked her eyes open, excitement poorly hidden in their depths as they took in the box now resting in her palm. And as carefully as if she were handling a baby bird, she slid the top off.

Nestled in a tiny bundle of fabric, sat a long but thin silver chain necklace. And on the end, lay a beautiful hibiscus flower made of a carefully carved blue gem. It was tiny, but glittered just as beautifully as a large gem would.

As expected, the Princess' reaction was pure joy and adoration. Her fingers traced the hibiscus' shape tenderly, marveling in its craftsmanship and beauty before her eyes met her brothers. As though she were asking his permission. And once again he laughed, gently plucking the item from the box.

It bore no clasp, so there was no need for her to lift her hair as he brought it over her head. The length of the chain made the pendant fall quite far down on her torso, but in time she would grow into it.

"Beautiful." The Empress smiled fondly, watching the girl both swell with pride and turn a lovely shade of pink. Beside her, her husband squeezed the hand tucked into the crook of his arm. Their gift to the Princess would come later.

"Now," The Emperor stood to his full height, holding out his hand to his little sister with a twinkle in his eye. "I believe the Princess owes me a dance."

"Yes!" The girl agreed, eager to dance with her older brother. There hadn't been a single ball where the two had not danced together, dating back to the Princess' first year when the young boy had gently swayed with a small baby in his arms.

.

Her heart broke once more in memory, and she raised a fist to her mouth to stifle the soft sob that might have escaped.

.

Suddenly, a harsh gust of air burst the double doors open on the other side of the ballroom, blowing out three of the six magnificent chandeliers all at once. Casting the ballroom in a dull, unsettling light.

The music halted, as did the dancing, as hundreds upon hundreds of heads turned to gaze questioningly at the darkness beyond the doors.

A chill settled over them all as a slender frame stepped out of the darkness, dressed in a heavy black cloak with the hood drawn up to conceal their face. They moved slowly, and calmly. And each echoing step sent a shiver down the spine of every member of the Royal Family.

The Emperor narrowed his eyes, gently but firmly guiding his sister back by the shoulder toward Gin and the stand-in Empress. He did not step forward until she was safely behind Gin, who took a step forward with his hand on the pommel of his sword.

"My... what a delightful festivity," A silken voice drawled. "it really is such a shame I did not receive an invitation..."

There was a collective inhale from the high-ranking officials.

"Aizen..." The Emperor hissed, grasping the hilt of his sword, and quickly striding down the steps. The crowd parted like the sea, pressing up against the walls and windows as their Emperor - enraged - strode forward.

"How dare you set foot inside these walls!" He boomed, and the crowd stirred uneasily.

The cloaked man, Aizen, seemed unaffected by his anger. Casually, he drew his hood off, revealing the handsome face beneath. Hair as dark as coal, and slicked back to display the sharp features of his face.

"Your Highness... you sadden me with your words." The man drawled, calmly tugging at the fingers to a single glove and removing it in a painstakingly slow manner. "I had thought us to be good friends..."

This time the entire Royal Family, apart from the little Princess, made sounds of disgust in the back of their throats. But none had more of a reaction than the Empress herself.

She glided past her husband, slipping through his outstretched fingers to stand at the edge of the steps. Her eyes, often light and joyful, now resembled that of steel.

"You traitor!" She roared, and the crowd trembled nervously. "You have betrayed all of us! You filthy-"

"Rangiku!" Sora whipped his head around, sending his aunt a dark gaze that demanded her silence. And though her lips curled into an unflattering sneer, she took a step away. And he turned his attention back to the man standing calmly before him.

"I have banished you, Aizen... a mercy I shall not offer twice. Guards!"

There was a flurry of movement, the clash of swords, and the wide sweep of a cloak.

And the place Aizen had once stood became empty, the dozen guards that had swept in gazing at each other in confusion as their swords pulling back slowly.

Nothing.

The crowd began to murmur, shoving against one another as they tried to search for the man that so obviously sent the Royal Family into a panic. He had vanished.

"Foolish..."

Heads whipped up, searching for the source of the voice as it echoed throughout the ballroom.

"I had thought to give you one last pathetic chance in life, Sora... but in attacking me you have doomed yourself... and your family."

Dark eyes locked with those of a young, terrified girl hidden behind the Captain of the royal guard.

"Hear me now - you, and your family will die within' the fortnight... I shall destroy the Royal Family Bloodline. Forever."

Distantly, a grandfather clock chimed 12.

.

And she wept.