Hello everyone! Though this isn't my first story, it is my first attempt at Bleach fanfiction. It seems my sanity was held ransom by this rabid plot bunny and I had to start writing again. I'm very excited for the plot, which should pick up after a couple introductory chapters, so feel free to consider this a prologue of some sort. If anyone wonders, this story is set in ~1900 and will be limited to the continental US. I drew inspiration from several sources so I'll point them out as we go. Enjoy =D.

Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo.

They are waiting for you... Just breathe.

Orihime Inoue took one last deep breath before she descended down the majestic staircase, only to be received by the impressed whispers of her guests. Her heartbeat was a frantic one, as usual, but she kept her head high. She imagined her brother, Sora, standing at her side, and looked forward to the actual warmth of his presence later that night. Yes, she needed to be brave. This was her night.

Everything in her life was finally falling into place. After losing her beloved parents at a terribly young age, Sora had done everything in his power to give her the perfect life. As the inheritor of the extensive Inoue fortune, Sora had shielded his younger sister from all notions of discomfort and raised her to be a respectable young lady with pristine spirit and a kind heart. Now, with this latest arrangement, he had permanently guaranteed the happiness of his precious Orihime. All she needed to do now was greet her destiny.

She glided to the bottom of the staircase, curtsied in her exquisite satin gown, and bowed her head respectfully, with the grace typical of a young lady of her class. The mesmerized crowd graciously lauded her with complements and congratulations. She was the incarnation of beauty at 17. Her russet-colored hair was elegantly pulled up in a chignon, adorned with two cerulean floral pins. Her face was glowing with natural vitality and her brilliant gray eyes sparkled brighter than the precious jewels on her neck. Yet, there was one thing above all others that kept her admirers hopelessly captivated this evening― her smile made of sun.

"You look beautiful, Hime!" Tatsuki Arisawa exclaimed while embracing her best friend. She could detect the anxious pounding in Orihime's chest and squeezed her friend's gloved hands, flashing another one of her reassuring grins.

"Oh, my little Orihime!" Orihime was once again engulfed in a hug but this time by a large-bosomed blonde, Rangiku Matsumoto. "I'm so happy you chose the off-the-shoulder gown! Ulquiorra will be ogling you all night!" Orihime blushed madly at the woman's comment. Not only was she embarrassed by the frankness of her older cousin, but the very idea of Ulquiorra ogling was just unthinkable! Ulquiorra was one of the finest gentlemen they knew, one that rarely expressed indecent feelings. In fact, he rarely felt anything at all…

Snatched from her thoughts by the combined tugging of the two women, she was lead out into the crowd who continued to shout their praises.

"Doesn't she look gorgeous, darling?"

"—practically royalty!"

"—a mirror image of her mother!"

She couldn't help but blush at all of the attention she was receiving. Orihime had never been the type of girl to think herself deserving of people's admiration. She was accustomed to a sheltered life, but this engagement had frighteningly thrust her into unknown, open waters. While love and matrimony was all she dreamed of as a young girl, she was afraid of losing herself to the scrutiny and capricious interests of her social class. She had always felt so different and out of place. However, her fears of not finding acceptance were slowly receding. She was now society's sparkling star and was about to accomplish what many others hadn't.

She was a blossoming debutante in New York society about to become a respectable lady—through marriage to a respectable gentleman. Ulquiorra Schiffer was the ward of one of Sora's rich associates, Sosuke Aizen, making this match both sensible and enviable.

"Oh, how I'd like to slap that grin right off her face!" Loly Aivirrne was on the verge of cracking the delicate wine glass in her hand as she and her cousin, Menoly Mallia, stood apart from the crowd in a corner of the lavish ballroom.

"Calm down, Loly! It's the money these people are drooling all over. Without it, she'd be a spineless, piece of trash." Menoly consoled her pig-tailed relative as she discreetly rescued the trembling glassware from certain destruction.

"Still… I can't stand it when my Sosuke stares at her. He never bothers to give me a second glance. I already told you how he basically brushed my father off when he tried to suggest our betrothal!" Loly seethed, remembering the hours she spent weeping after her father informed her of his failure. No one expected Sosuke Aizen, one of society's elite, to marry a woman an iota below his expectations, but she certainly could not be disregarded as a serious candidate. Her family possessed both wealth and a good name. Just what was he waiting for? It was enough to drive her mad!

"Well, it's not like the Inoue girl will be of any competition to you on that matter. Mr. Aizen can look all he wants but she's set to marry Mr. Schiffer." The blonde woman commented bluntly as she tracked Orihime's movement through the room with her emerald green eyes.

"Yes, but being married to Sosuke's ward means that she'll get to see him practically every day. It's more than I can bear!" She growled as she snatched the glass of wine back from her cousin and downed the rest of the drink in one gulp.

"Watch it," Menoly whispered. "Her highness is coming this way." Loly followed her cousin's pointing finger to the approaching figures of Orihime, Tatsuki, and Rangiku. The group had slowly been making their way around the enormous room to greet and thank the guests for coming. Loly, in a tremendous effort to compose herself, took a deep breath and hesitantly turned to face them.

"Miss Aivirrne. Miss Mallia." Orihime greeted them with a polite smile and bow. "I am so glad you two could join Ulquiorra and me on this festive occasion." Loly and Menoly responded with appropriate bows and flaunted their most convincing masks in the presence of their hostess.

"We are most gracious for the invite, Miss Inoue," Loly crooned. "One does not come by an engagement party like this one every season. However, it is a shame that the prospective groom didn't enter with you. Don't tell me you've already lost track of his whereabouts. A missing husband is the first sign of a faulty match." Loly's smile widened as she admired the effect her malicious words had on the unsuspecting Orihime. The bride-to-be couldn't help but lower her eyes to stare at the swirling patterns of the marble floor.

"Mr. Schiffer is just running a bit late." Rangiku quirked while moving to place a reassuring hand on her cousin's shoulder.

"Yes, that Aizen had him working on several accounts today." Tatsuki said smugly. "You'd think he'd lighten up on the poor guy on the night of his engagement party. I suppose sensibility isn't one of his stronger traits." The three could practically see the fumes coming from Loly's barely composed figure. Sensing the oncoming danger, Menoly hastily smiled and bowed, before firmly grasping a hold of her cousin and leading her away.

"Oh, Tatsuki, you didn't have to say all that," Orihime sadly pleaded. "You know how she feels about Mr. Aizen."

"She had it coming, Hime… And it definitely doesn't sit well with me how Ulquiorra went along with Aizen's decision," Tatsuki huffed while crossing her arms. "Any other groom would have known to put his fiancée first!"

Tatsuki has been Orihime's best friend and protector since they were both little girls. After the death of Tatsuki's mother, she became the ward of Rangiku, her aunt through marriage. As a result, the two girls grew up together and developed a bond close to sisterhood. Still, the younger girl's naiveté had always been a cause for worry since she was often preyed upon by other girls who envied her beauty, fortune, and, now, her fiancée. Even if it meant earning a certain "un-ladylike" reputation, Tatsuki was determined to keep Orihime away from harm.

This engagement was no different to her eyes. She couldn't shake a feeling of dread whenever Sosuke Aizen was around and it wasn't very different in Ulquiorra's case. She detected him to be completely indifferent to Orihime and feared that her fortune had more to do with this arrangement than anything else.

"Alright, we're all aware that no one says 'no' to Sosuke Aizen!" Rangiku interjected. She could sense how Tatsuki's comments weren't helping Orihime's ever-growing anxiety. "That doesn't mean that we should be so hard on Ulquiorra. I'm sure he's rushing over here as we speak." The buxom woman smiled once again at her younger cousin and gave Tatsuki one last correcting look. Whenever Sora wasn't around, she knew to assume a somewhat parental authority.

Rangiku was the heiress to her own fortune and a member of one of the Inoue family branches. With Sora's parents dead, she was the closest thing Orihime had to a mother, a role she served well at times like these. Rangiku wasn't as skeptical as Tatsuki about the engagement. As an adult she realized the significance of this match and understood that any particular chemistry between Orihime and Ulquiorra was minor in comparison to the security that the marriage could provide.

Though she inwardly wished that Ulquiorra could one day come to love and adore her Hime, the fact remained that he was just so hopelessly stiff! A child as effervescent and luminous as Orihime deserved to live her life in the sun. However, one look at Ulquiorra made you wonder if the man spent most of his time in a dark, gloomy cave. Rangiku knew a thing or two about enjoying a nocturnal lifestyle but he was simply ridiculous!

"Good evening, Miss Matsumoto, Miss Arisawa, and Miss Inoue." The three women's attention was soon directed at a spectacled newcomer, with neatly cut dark hair and dressed in an impressive suit. "Please excuse my tardiness but I see neither Mr. Schiffer nor Mr. Inoue have arrived yet," he said as he adjusted his glasses with a glint.

"Uryuu, dear, it's a party! Lighten up!" Rangiku exclaimed as she slapped him merrily on the shoulder. "There's no need for you to be so formal tonight."

"As you wish, Miss Matsumoto—I mean Miss Rangiku—Rangiku!" He desperately sputtered as his usual cool deportment was offset by the older woman's insistence of close personal contact. Tatsuki and Orihime giggled as Rangiku attempted to pull Uryuu into a motherly embrace. Orihime was elated to see him. Uryuu Ishida has been Sora's brilliant legal aid for years and diligently helps him manage his business ventures and his extensive assets in the west. Not to mention, he's also one of the family's closest friends.

"As can be expected, Aizen's been keeping Ulquiorra, but we haven't heard anything from Sora yet." Tatsuki chuckled as she finally caved in and wrestled Uryuu from Rangiku's smothering grasp. "You haven't heard from him, have you?"

"Uh, no." Uryuu took a moment to readjust his suit and glasses. "I just knew to expect his train to come in this afternoon. He's been delayed many times before so I thought it was reasonable to expect him to show up later tonight."

"That's good to hear, Uryuu." Orihime sighed with relief. "I can't imagine this night without him." She subconsciously reached for the cerulean hair pins that adorned her silky auburn twist. They were a gift from her brother many years ago and despite their intended formal purpose, she wore them with just about anything.

"I can assure you, Miss Orihime, the Sora I know wouldn't miss this special night for the world."

"Now what did I say about keeping it informal!"

Orihime couldn't help but feel a new influx of warmth as thoughts of Sora's return filled her mind. She even tuned out Rangiku's new attempts at stretching out Uryuu's cheeks, as well as Tatsuki's subsequent laughter. She was pulled away from the moment by the excited sounds of the crowd as more guests had just arrived. She eagerly looked towards the door and listened hard for any indication of the person's identity.

The crowd responded with coos of admiration and awe as a group of men entered the large ballroom. At the front was a rather handsome gentleman, dressed in an extremely expensive looking white suit. His dark brown hair was elegantly pulled back with one loose strand hanging over his forehead. He wore a confident smirk that perfectly complimented the intensity of his brown eyes. The women near him were close to swooning while the men appeared to be almost… squirming.

"Now where is the lovely bride-to-be?"

The crowd instantly silenced itself and slowly parted to create a path for him and his followers. Though Orihime readily recognized the voice's owner, it wasn't until she saw the imposing figure of Sosuke Aizen making its way over to her that she began to feel weak and slightly faint. There was something about Mr. Aizen that intuitively unsettled her. Sure, he had always been kind and polite to her, but the way he looked at her sometimes made her skin crawl.

"My, my, you've certainly become a beautiful flower, Orihime."

Aizen gracefully bowed and captured her hand in a single movement. He gently lifted it up to his face while maintaining his hypnotic gaze.

"I don't blame Sora a bit for wanting to keep you hidden away." He purred as he brushed her hand with his lips. As hard as she tried, Orihime could not break away from the trance. She felt like a wide-eyed doe caught by surprise in the middle of a field. The power this man exuded was paralyzing.

"You had best be on the lookout, Ulquiorra… or someone is bound to steal her away from you." Just then Orihime acknowledged Aizen's three ivory-dressed companions. The grinning, silver haired young man to Aizen's right, Ichimaru Gin, was his oldest ward and rumored successor. Out of the corner of her eye she saw her older cousin give him a friendly wink. It was no mystery that there was some rather heated attraction going on between Rangiku and Gin. The two always managed to simultaneously disappear at events much like this one. At Aizen's left was his silent associate, Kaname Tousen. Though they knew him as one of Aizen's most hard-working and loyal business partners, others viewed him as more of a personal body guard.

Orihime's heart took one last jump when she finally noticed the man hidden behind the three taller gentlemen in front of her. At Aizen's cue, her fiancée stepped forward to bow before her.

"Forgive me, my dear Orihime. It was not my intention to keep you waiting."

Ignoring what she thought was an impatient huff from Tatsuki, Orihime curtsied and kindly smiled back. Upon looking at him, there was something notably different about him tonight, a deviation from his usually staid demeanor. Appearance wise, he was as attractive and composed as ever, his jet black hair excellently framing the fine features of his face. But to her surprise, she saw a trace of a smile on those pale lips that decided to linger for the moment.

"I'm just happy you're finally here." With that, she placed her hand on Ulquiorra's extended arm and followed him out to the dance floor. Her guests buzzed with excitement as they prepared to witness the couple's first dance. Orihime couldn't help but lose herself in her partner's mesmerizing jade eyes as he led them in a waltz.

Like Tatsuki and Rangiku, there was a time when she thought Ulquiorra to be too melancholy and despondent for her. On their first meeting, she was terrified that her ramblings about the little blue men that allegedly snuck into her room on a daily basis had effectively weirded him out—or worse—bored him. Their chaperoned visits downtown mostly consisted of her babbling on about her favorite foods, absurd dreams, or romantic idealizations, which he only occasionally responded to with an uninterested "yes" or "no." Usually he just walked at her side, with his hands in his pockets, most likely silently pondering the limits of the woman's energy.

However, there would also be instances when Orihime could swear she saw the corners of his mouth turn up during one of her more ridiculous musings or when he acknowledged her existence by protecting her from her own clumsiness.

On one particular occasion, Orihime remembered how she had just about reached the end of her rant on the intricacies of her latest extraterrestrial infested dream when she felt herself fall forwards into the strong arms of her quite speedy fiancée.

"Watch where you're going, woman. However do you expect to make it all the way to the altar?" Ulquiorra scolded as he shook his head disapprovingly and pointed at the jagged piece of rock on the cobblestones behind them.

"Oh, thank you, Mr. Schiffer! I can be a bit clumsy at times, hehe!" Orihime nervously blushed.

"Call me Ulquiorra," he said sternly. "And there's no need to thank me. Once we're married, I suspect it'll be my full-time job to protect you from danger... even if it is of your own causing." Just then, she spotted the brief flash of an amused smile. In the second that she turned backwards to see if her cousin and Mr. Gin had seen it (both hopelessly distracted by their suspiciously scandalous conversation) it was gone. Her curious gaze was halted by his silent signal to resume walking, allowing the rest of the day to progress without incident.

Occasions like these were rare, and truth be told, the smile never did upgrade to a laugh or chuckle. Nevertheless, Orihime was thankful that there were moments when Ulquiorra could feel comfortable enough to somewhat discard his stoic composure. She was sure that once they were married, she could have the privilege of being perhaps one of the few people to know that other side of him.

As her mind returned to the present, she heard the joyous applause of the guests as the waltz concluded. She glowed a shade of pink when Ulquiorra leaned in to whisper something in her ear.

"Try not to dwell on daydreams too much tonight. Stay with me for now." He boldly murmured, causing her body to tense up instinctively at his proximity. When he faced her normally again, she shyly nodded and noticed the incoming onlookers that had decided to join them for the next dance. As the small chamber orchestra began another waltz, the pair became gradually surrounded by other couples, leaving only a thin ring of remaining spectators to enjoy their wine and conversation. Ulquiorra once again lead his fiancée into another twirl, allowing them to step in turn with the other dancing couples.

All the while, Orihime's gray orbs remained transfixed on his own, delighted not only by the subtle smile that still remained but by the amount of care and attention he was giving her. The butterflies that had plagued her body with anxiety just an hour ago had transformed into feelings of unbridled bliss and relief. She flashed another pearly smile as a single tear of joy escaped down her face. While this act unsettled Ulquiorra for a moment, he merely sighed and lifted her up by the waist for a spin. Orihime's laughter rang across the room as she twirled in the air momentarily.

"Sora should be here for this." Tatsuki groaned. She stood watching with Uryuu and Rangiku, who had yet to join the guests on the dance floor.

"He still has plenty of time. Worst case scenario, he'll just have Orihime recount all of the night's events to him tomorrow.' He assured her as he took a small sip of his wine.

"I suppose you're right. Still, this is something he might've had to see to believe. Who'd have guessed that stiff Ulquiorra was so light on his feet!" Tatsuki smirked as the couple made another twirling pass by them.

"Indeed, this is a pleasant surprise... Seeing her happy like this." He responded with a relieved smile of his own. "I have to admit, my initial unease about the whole situation is starting to wear away."

Tatsuki glimpsed his alleviated, yet weary expression and responded with a questioning look.

"From the start I asked myself what Sora was thinking, to give away his own sister to a man like that," he confessed. "It was only after Aizen insisted repeatedly that he had agreed to give Ulquiorra a chance. Yet even now, we're not entirely confident in Aizen's intentions. He's been a dependable business partner to Sora throughout the years, but despite the wealth they've amassed together, Aizen's hunger for power has yet to be satisfied." As Uryuu's eyes became lost in the ominous glint of his spectacles, Tatsuki grimaced from the thought of Orihime becoming a tool for that man's greed.

"But don't worry, Tatsuki, Sora would never allow Orihime to come within an inch of harm," he promised. "As for Ulquiorra, a part of Sora believes he's not who we think he is."

You got that right, she mentally grumbled. Despite all of the reassurances, something didn't feel right. She prayed that, for Orihime's sake, Sora wasn't being too trusting of these people.

She turned to face Rangiku, who had remained silent the entire time, but withdrew in aversion after catching the older women making suggestive faces to a certain individual across the room. She snorted and turned to stir up a more pleasant conversation with their spectacled friend.

"Gin, can't you refrain from your damn antics for just one second!" Tousen growled as his grinning associate shrugged his shoulders and turned to face his critic.

"I was just being friendly," he whined. "We are at a party y'know." Though his blind companion scoffed in disapproval, Aizen merely smiled and swiveled the crimson drink in his glass. The trio of ivory clad men had up until now chosen to enjoy their drinks privately in an isolated corner of the ballroom.

"It's quite all right, Tousen," he amusingly voiced. "A festive occasion like this does call for celebrating."

He continued to confidently transmit some more thoughtless greetings to passing members of elite society, all whom were far too intimidated to completely engage him in an actual exchange. A few moments later he turned to Gin with a significantly lower tone of voice, "Any news from our little friend downtown?"

"Eh, I figured something quick and clean might be fittin'," Gin casually uttered. "It won't be long now I think. You mind if I have some fun 'til then?" He deviously smirked while tilting his head in the direction of the grand staircase.

"Go ahead." Aizen coolly replied.

Gin slithered off into the crowd, ignoring Tousen's final expression of disdain. Seconds later, the magnificently clad gentleman waved his hand to relax his remaining companion and leisurely walked off on his own. As he sauntered undisturbed, he took much pleasure in the surveying of the luxurious furnishings of the ballroom and generously admired every glass ornament and gilded frame. He could feel himself becoming engulfed with dark anticipation whenever he turned to see the throng of people who would very soon fall to his feet cowering. Or at least those that weren't already, he entertainingly asserted to himself.

He then came upon a large family portrait that bore an old rendering of the Inoue siblings and their deceased parents. Though they all possessed the same striking grayish eyes, the Mr. and Mrs. lacked the vivacity that was so evidently present in their children. Rumor had it that the couple had suffered regularly from marital problems, and that Mrs. Inoue's health deteriorated because of it. The young Sora looked to be around eighteen, the age when his father granted him equal authority over the estate's management. The decision had not come too soon, for after Mrs. Inoue submitted to the plight of consumption, Mr. Inoue resigned himself to heavy alcoholism, and died a few months later. Aizen agreed that Sora was to be commended for single-handedly saving the Inoue estate and his sister from utter ruin. Yes, even he had to admit that without Sora, this place and that girl would have no value to him now.

"I believe thanks are in order, my dear friend." Aizen maliciously chuckled as he rose his glass one more time so as to toast the motionless figure in the painting. His lips eagerly welcomed the sweet taste of impending victory and smiled once more when he recognized the twirling bodies of his charge and his fiancée, glimmering through the transparent bowl of the glassware.

After what seemed like hours of dancing and spinning around the spectacular hall, Orihime found it impossible to stand up without leaning onto Ulquiorra for support due to sheer dizziness. Although she insisted on remaining with her friends and guests, Ulquiorra staunchly pulled her to the side and escorted her outdoors to the mansion's exquisite gardens. The impeccably trimmed shrubs and wide assortment of spring blossoms were all lighted by soothing lanterns, which hung from nearby trees. The glowing lights appeared to frolic before her merrily, as if fairies themselves had become guests in her home. She almost felt like skipping to the ashen marble fountain at the center of the gardens, where Ulquiorra had suggested they rest until she was no longer faint.

Once she sat down, she felt the urge to shut her eyes and breathe in the familiar floral aromas that she had grown up with, filling her lungs with the fresh air that had been denied to her in the hot, bustling ballroom. The steady rhythm of the flowing water immediately alleviated the rapid beating of her heart and she remained momentarily oblivious to the piercing jade eyes that maintained watch over her.

Though Ulquiorra sat stationary and silent, his center felt as tumultuous as the fountain's miniature cascade. The erratic pounding of water drops adequately reflected the chaotic splashing of his thoughts. Somehow it still surprised him to see his fiancée like this, in her most peaceful and stunning state. Her creamy skin seemed to glisten beneath the moonlight and her full lips were spread in an infectious smile that exuded waves of warmth. Although he knew very well that his mandate was to remain at her side tonight, a part of him actually desired her presence. The more he stared, the more he longed to reach out and feel the velvety sensation of her skin, to play with the smooth tendrils that framed her cheeks, and to possibly summon those unexpectedly pleasant spells that emerged whenever he was near her.

He had not told Aizen of this disturbing addiction—this inexplicable attraction that had him uncontrollably yearning for the sound of her voice, the fragrance of her hair, and the tenderness of her care. Its doses were overwhelming, but he could not understand how this person, of all people, had succeeded in captivating his senses. The accompanying discomfort in his lack of control annoyed him. Here he was prepared and willing to play the part that he was asked to, to perform a simple duty, and this stupid woman had managed to complicate everything.

"Ulquiorra? Is something wrong?" Orihime asked and with both hands grasped his neighboring cold one. Her gray eyes were now wide open and full of earnest concern after noticing the solemn, brooding expression that Ulquiorra had engraved on his face. He responded with a small shake of his head, internally wishing to soon be rid of this perplexing irritation.

"I'm sorry if I dozed off there again," she blushed embarrassedly. "If you'd like to rejoin the party then I promise I'll do my best this time!" Ulquiorra sighed apathetically in response to her sudden bold look of determination. It was almost enough to make him believe in her words. He didn't doubt her sincerity, but the woman had a tendency to bite off more than she could chew, all in the hopes of pleasing those around her. Since the moment he met her, he could sense how willing she was to hand out pieces of her heart without considering the costs. He looked down at the hand enveloped by hers.

There's a piece of your heart right there, isn't there?

During and after his past visits with Orihime, all he could do was wonder why Aizen had specifically chosen him for this mission. Did he think that he was capable of enduring her ridiculous musings with a stony face, that he could treat her worries and insecurities with a compassionless hand? Or did he require someone immune to her absurd notions of love, who saw the weak sentiment for the futile exertion that it was? Five months ago, he would have agreed that he was the best candidate for the job, based on those descriptions.

Then what was the explanation for this damned furor that plagued him now? All night he had felt the need to shield and protect her from all distress and—dare he say it—enjoyed her company. Was this a subconscious attempt at showing sympathy… or mercy? Regardless, such weakness on his part didn't matter anymore. They had already come too far to have something like this ruin their claim to victory. All that was left was for him to complete his task and accept truth.

Stupid woman. Don't you understand that I'm going to be the end of you?

Ulquiorra retracted his hand sharply and stood up, startling Orihime with his brisk movement. She looked on worriedly as he adopted another pensive look and stood still for a second. She shyly allowed her eyes to travel down from the striking features of his face to the elegant detailing of his suit. He almost seemed to glow angelically in the moonlight, much like the marble sculptures that decorated the gardens. Bathed in moonshine, he looked as though he could easily join them, even though the expression on his face was definitely more solemn than serene. Solemn or not, she decided, his handsomeness deserves to be immortalized in stone.

Shocking her out of her childish contemplation, Ulquiorra bent down on one knee and tenderly grasped her hand with his own, prompting some timid flushing from her. She became calm only after perceiving his forceful gaze, loaded with smoldering conviction.

"These last few months have been indescribable, my dear Orihime," He declared. "Although our union was planned before we had the chance to meet, I have grown very fond of you and believe that this marriage will serve as a gateway to a happy life together. Now that I'm certain I've earned the blessings of all of your loved ones, I feel justly comfortable asking you for your hand the way a real man should."

From deep within the folds of his coat, he pulled out a small black box. Orihime's heart threatened to jump out of her chest as she waited for him to open it, but once he did, she simply ceased breathing. Its insides held a beautiful engagement ring, with a grand sapphire gem mounted on platinum with filigree detailing. She could tell it must have cost him a fortune, but it wasn't anything less than what she had always expected in her dreams. Her eyes were almost filled to their limit with tears but she forced herself to hold on until he finally said the words she had waited her entire life to hear.

"Orihime, will you marry me?"

The tears fell freely and unrestrained.

In the midst of her dignified sniffling, she whispered a "yes," and it cued Ulquiorra to gently slip the ring onto her finger. She couldn't believe her eyes as she held up her hand to admire the precious stone under the light of the starry sky. When she turned to look at her fiancée, she recognized the same subtle smile that had enthralled her for so long. In a fit of uninhibited joy, she leapt forward and captured him in an embrace that he tentatively returned.

"Ulquiorra… You've made me so happy. Thank you." With those last words, she buried her face in his shoulder and continued to cry softly. Caught off guard by the emotive nature of her actions, Ulquiorra slowly regained his composure and pulled them both into a standing position with his arms wrapped around her trembling figure. It was done… and he had felt nothing.

He had never cared much for marriage; a union between a man and woman was nothing more than a political stepping stone for his kind. This match was never meant to be any different. The sooner he came to accept the fact, the sooner he could convince himself that this girl was wrong to hope for anything different. Orihime Inoue was a predator's ideal prey. She was very eager to please, overly trusting, and too caught up in her silly fantasies to sense the danger that constantly lurked around her. Her naïve notions of romance and kindness were bound to be quashed one day. Though money had granted her privilege to many joys it also served as a cruel curse. The pain of belonging to a world ruled by greed was inevitable and she would feel its pitiless touch soon enough.

He looked down to observe the weeping woman in his arms, and suddenly wished he hadn't. A familiar sense of annoying discomfort had been triggered. As Orihime tightened her grip on his shoulders, he strengthened his hold and held her tightly against his chest. He placed a hand on her head, and stroked her silky, auburn hair. He shivered upon reaching the base of her neck and the softness of her delicate skin, like the petals of a freshly picked blossom. It had been far too easy for someone like him to hurt such a fragile flower. His presence alone was akin to that of a poison. When he thought of the union's ultimate result and this woman's inescapable fate, he admitted that the chances of her unguarded heart surviving were slim to none.

In the end, what difference did it make if the suffering came by his hand or not? Misery was a reality in the life of those who were too weak-willed to defend their own interests. But if he truly regretted nothing, then why did a small part of his being dread the sight of this foolish woman in tears?

"Ugh! Can we please stop soon, this is embarrassing!" Tatsuki implored as Uryuu twirled her masterfully around the floor. The fabric and ribbons of her canary yellow gown flowed playfully around her, and her glossy black hair threatened to come out of its pinned up twist.

"Honestly, though, Tatsuki. You're not as bad as you thought you were." Uryuu insisted encouragingly, and spun her once more despite her protests.

"If I had known that you'd be this skilled I wouldn't have agreed to a dance! I feel like an idiot!" She sputtered and reddened tensely when he pulled her into a dip. Uryuu was very tempted to laugh when he saw an uncharacteristic gleam of panic in Tatsuki's chocolate brown eyes.

"Uryuu, you fool," she muttered darkly, "if you don't release me at once I'll murder you." Uryuu laughed nervously and removed his hand from her waist, almost causing the pair to tip over. With a huff, Tatsuki gave Uryuu a half-hearted, rushed bow of her head, and then turned to march off the dance floor. She had only taken a couple angry steps when she nearly crashed into a tall blue figure.

"Are you Miss Inoue?"

In front of Tatsuki stood five intimidating police officers, all looking terribly grim. Before she could respond, Uryuu reappeared and stepped forward.

"No. This is her engagement party. How may we help you gentlemen?" Uryuu's question was received with depressing looks and the chief, judging by his embellished uniform, stepped in to answer him.

"We need to have a word with her… about her brother, Mr. Inoue."

"What about Sora? Is that cousin of mine in any trouble?"

All heads turned to face a very boisterous and scarlet Rangiku who was being partly held up by a smirking Gin. "If he's gone and embarrassed himself please direct your complaints to me." Tatsuki and Uryuu shuddered uncomfortably as the older woman hiccupped drunkenly.

"Ma'am, we should continue this conversation in private, in the presence of Miss Inoue," the officer demanded but Tatsuki interrupted angrily.

"What do you guys want with her? And what's wrong with Sora? Is he all right?"

"Yes, I'd prefer you tell us what's going on. I'd rather we didn't involve Miss Inoue in something she needn't be just now."

The police chief sighed tiredly and realized it was pointless to disobey their pleadings.

"Mr. Inoue… has been killed. His train arrived this evening as scheduled—but when a bus boy checked his private compartment—he was already dead."

"Wha… What?"

A broken whisper was the only sound that could come out of Tatsuki's mouth. Adjacent to her, Uryuu had become ghostly pale and stood deathly still. Even Rangiku had snapped out of her inebriated state to stare wildly at the officer, as if he had just dared to shout a vulgar obscenity. Her silver-haired companion maintained his grip on her, as it seemed she was no longer trying to stand on her own. His usual smirk had flattened to a grim line.

"He and his escorts were shot down sometime shortly after the train came to a stop; we suspect someone at the station had been waiting for him."

"How could you let this happen?" Tatsuki shouted heatedly, allowing heavy drops to fall from her eyes.

"Miss, forgive us, but the murderer went and did the deed before station security could detect his presence—"

"—but surely someone must've heard the firearm go off!" Uryuu retorted furiously. "Are you trying to say no one heard this monster fire multiple shots!"

"Uryuu! Tatsuki! Stop it!" Rangiku shrieked. By this time nearly all of the guests had become aware of the distressing disturbance and had become silent with the exception of a few murmurs and whispers. Women were gasping with shock as their husbands shuddered with disbelief at the news. In the lone corner of the ballroom, Kaname Tousen and Sosuke Aizen skulked unaffected by the morbid whispers surrounding them. Aizen didn't even bother to hide his amusement.

Still, the buzzing noise was more than Rangiku could bear. "All of you stop this right now!" she shouted and broke free from Gin's hold. Everyone stared apprehensively as she staggered forward, on the verge of teetering over. "These are all lies! Sora can't be dead… Sora can't be… dead… He can't be…!" She broke down sobbing and allowed Gin to scoop her back into his arms.

"Rangiku, why are you crying?" Rangiku's body felt as though it had been doused with freezing water as she and everyone else turned to see Orihime walk over to them, Ulquiorra in tow.

The bride-to-be was incredibly confused by the sight of her friends' tears and the appalling atmosphere that seemed to be weighing down the hall's spirits. What's more, she was puzzled by the sound of Sora's name emanating from everywhere even though he was nowhere to be seen.

"Rangiku… Tatsuki… Uryuu… Is something wrong?" she asked innocently, but was answered with dead silence.

"Where is my brother?"

She felt her hand being squeezed by Ulquiorra's, but when she looked to him, he decidedly turned away.

"Orihime… Sora is dead."

Forgive me for any typos or trace of rustiness. There certainly wasn't a beta section on when I used to write so the idea is still pretty new to me. I'll consider it if people think I'm being incoherent at any point. ^_^

I really hope the pacing from here on out won't bug too many people.

R&R !