Author's Note: I've always been a big fan of Bleach, and especially for Ichigo and Orihime. This is the first Bleach fanfiction I have ever written and it's still a work in progress. I hope that I can truly deliver my best for this couple. Please read, review - and most importantly - enjoy!

Disclaimer: All characters belong respectfully to Tite Kubo, the creator of Bleach.

Preface

It was the dead of winter. The coldest season Japan had to endure all year long. The season of death and despair, where people like him barely got by. The village he had come to known as home had quieted down for the night after the excitement that had ensued earlier in the day. At a time where people always seemed to worry, it seemed this information hadn't brought any peace of mind for the peasants. Ichigo Kurosaki had been out on an small errand for his father - Isshin Kurosaki - when he had first heard the news. One of the village gossipers had rounded up a small group of woman who had 'free' time on their hands to listen to the lady's crazy encounter. As the fifteen year old gentleman handed the cashier he had bought bread from his money, he couldn't help but not overhear the gossiper's enthusiasm.

"I saw it with my very own eyes!" the lady shrilled, "The Prince was struck down from his horse! I couldn't see who attacked him from the angle I was at, so there is much to be speculated. What could this mean if he's seriously injured?"

Ichigo Kurosaki grumbled at the group of women as he passed them by with his purchase in one arm. His mother had never been like this when she was alive. She kept to herself, took care of the family, and most certainly did not look for a thrill in rumors and gossip. That was before she passed. Now it was up to his father and him to provide for the family. His twin sisters - Yuzu and Karin - didn't need to worry about the current affairs of the kingdom's political state. Even if that current political state was now endanger of falling.

Orihime Inoue waited outside her brother's corridors impatiently as she prayed for Sora's well being. She had been napping when her messenger and chef, Sado, had came barging through her doors out of breath. Orihime didn't need to ask the young man what had happened, for her attention had been shaken when she noticed a visible rusty color on his overcoat. She had arisen from her bed, darting past her friend, and began to run in the direction of her brother's room. The teenager knew Rukia would have scolded her for her improper lady-like behavior - however - higher stakes had now become top priority. Her brother was now at risk of dying.

As time crawled by, many people had moved in and out of Sora's room. Orihime Inoue was not one of those people. At the moment, Rukia Kuchiki had joined her mistress' side to offer moral support and Tatsuki Ariwasa had gone to fetch Sado for dinner preparations. How much longer, Orihime confided to herself. Out of all the maids and doctors who had entered Sora's corridors during the day, she had not heard her brother's voice once.

"Oh, Kuchiki-san...why has no one said anything to me? How am I suppose to know if Nii-sama is alright?" Orihime asked her caretaker, staring at her straight into her heart. Rukia could not look her friend in the eye for quite some time. She knew that the outcome could not have been good if not one doctor had taken the time to inform Ms. Inoue of her brother's condition. The petite girl sighed, knowing full-well she needed to say something to ease the princess' mind.

"Inoue-sama, please do not worry over your brother. I'm sure he will overcome this just like every other illness that's been brought upon him," Rukia reassured. However, Orihime did not seem quite so convinced on the matter.

A half hour later, one of the doctors had emerged out of Sora's room, looking rather exhausted and solemn. Orihime had known this man for many years, playfully calling him her adopted father because of how often he was around for her when she was sick. The beautiful teenager got onto her feet and walked over to greet the doctor.

"Dr. Haichi, how is Nii-sama? May I go see him?" the princess nervously questioned while lacing her fingers together.

The large man's gaze went straight down towards the marble flooring, feeling the need to avoid Princess Inoue's eye contact. He feared his expression might reveal away too much for the girl. Yet he knew she could not be left out in the dark pertaining to the startling information.

"I'm very sorry Inoue-san...we tried our very best to resuscitate him, but we were unable to revive your brother," Haichi spoke truthfully to the princess. Orihime felt the world stop in place. Sora was dead and he wasn't coming back. What about his promise he had made to her after their parents had died?

"I will always be by your side, forever...Orihime. I shall protect you with my life."

Who was going to protect her now? The princess could feel warm water start to trickle down her face, and she had a feeling that her legs were going to give way any moment.

"Inoue-san, there is something you should know," Dr. Haichi stated with an unsettling tone in his voice. Orihime glanced up from her hair while wiping the tears from her eyes. She couldn't bear anymore terrible news from this man.

"Inoue-sama wasn't sick...he was murdered."