A/N: Yes, another story. But this one, I promise, I am keeping. Please enjoy and review.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, but this story is mine, mine, mine!

Chapter 1: Acceptance

Rukia took in the landscape before her. She stood on the Sunset Cliff, which was famous for the beautiful scenery of the sun setting in the evening. Her friend, Renji, stood at her side, appraising her.

"Are you sure about this, Rukia?" He asked.

Rukia nodded her head solemnly, her eyes forward. "I can't take this life anymore, Renji. I want to do something for myself."

"Why become a sentry?" He asked, not bothering to hide the dissatisfaction in his voice. "There are plenty of other things you can do that are more…suited for you."

Rukia side glanced at him, noticing his agitation. "Just say it, Renji. There are other womanly jobs I can take on, like sewing and healing." Renji was quiet. "Those are not for me. I want to do something I know I'm good at. I thought you'd support me."

Renji brushed back his fiery red hair, looking at the sun that was mostly set. "I don't know…"

"And you'll be there, too." Rukia continued. "You'll have my back. Like always."

Renji closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose with his finger and thumb. "You're sure about this? Nothing I say is going to change your mind, is it?"

"No."

Renji peeked open an eye and looked at her for a moment. "…Fine. We'll do it. But you have to promise me you won't go picking fights."

Rukia grinned at him. "Only if someone else starts them."

Renji didn't find that very promising.

Ichigo pressed the heel of his hand to his forehead, trying to lessen the headache that was threatening to consume him.

"Tell me one more time, Ishida." He said to the dark-haired man that stood before him.

Ishida pushed up his glasses on the bridge of his nose. "It would have been much easier if you had attended the meeting yourself, Prince Ichigo."

"I'm glad I didn't go. Those elders are insane. They are always telling me how to do things; how I should dress; what I should say…" He paused and added as an afterthought, "…and especially what not to say."

"They only want what's best for the kingdom." Ishida said, his hands neatly folded behind his back. "But today's meeting wasn't about your…ahem, behavior. It was about your marriage."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow.

Ishida continued. "They wish for you to wed and produce a heir to be able to take over the throne after you."

Ichigo stood up now and walked over to the large window that overlooked the kingdom…his kingdom. "What's their freakin' hurry?" He asked. "I barely took over the throne from my father 3 years ago. I still have a long way to go before they can get rid of me."

Ishida cleared his throat. "You know of the war between Hueco Mundo and Seireiti. Gin has been taking over small towns like a spreading disease. Sooner or later, he will head here next."

"So the elders are afraid I'll be killed." Ichigo said bluntly.

When Ishida didn't respond, Ichigo exhaled a deep sigh. "Even if the worst comes, there's still Karin and Yuzu. They can take over after me."

"Well…" Ishida said, carefully picking his words. "The throne only goes down to every male heir."

"Damn those stinkin' elders." Ichigo cursed. "I've already took their advice by accepting concubines. What more do they want from me?"

"It's true you've accepted the young ladies into your palace, but you haven't given them your time."

"I'm going to die by the elders' hands faster than by my enemies'." Ichigo turned to his advisor. "Ask them for an extension."

"I've already done that. I doubt they'll listen now."

"Oh, c'mon, Ishida. Your speeches could put a rowdy child to sleep. I know you can convince the elders to give me another extension."

Ishida frowned. "Flattery isn't your thing, Prince. Very well. I will see what I can do." He made his way to the door, but glanced over his shoulder at him. "But this is the last time. You need to make a decision. And make it soon."

Rukia frowned at the back of the burly man standing before her. She had been waiting in line nearly three hours since sunrise, and the line was barely moving.

Renji had insisted that they arrive early, considering the large number of populace that come every day for entrance into sentry training.

Rukia had awoke a little before sunrise, sleepy-eyed and pretty grouchy, complaining that Renji could have at least waited for the sun to come up. However, when she reached the palace grounds, she was surprised to see two dozen people already standing in a long line to the barracks gate.

"When will they start moving the line?" A man somewhere behind Rukia asked. "I'm getting tired." He said in a whiny voice.

"Well, if you're already that tired Shen, then I suggest you don't go any further." Another man responded in a raucous voice. "This isn't the royal spa that you're going to soak up all your worries. As soon as you pass that gate, you're in for a world of Hell."

"Hey, you." Someone said, poking Rukia in the back. "The line's moving."

Rukia took a moment to glare at the sandy-hair boy with a raised eyebrow, but when she saw the warning glance from Renji, she quickly moved to join the man that was now a few paces ahead.

"The line is moving, but you still have a chance to back out." Renji said, whispering close to her ear.

Rukia scowled at him. "I'm not backing out, Renji." She glanced at the gate that was now quickly filling with members that were content and nervous to finally get past. The man's previous comment still went through her mind: ….you're in for a world of Hell. "No matter what."

Renji slumped his shoulders and folded his arms across his chest. He thought he could change her mind. Apparently that wasn't possible.

They finally reached the front of the gate, Renji taking the lead. He approached the wooden desk where a stout man with a beard sat, writing down names on a parchment with a quill.

"Name." He said in a gruff voice.

"Abarai Renji."

"Next." The man called, not bothering to look up. "Name."

Rukia stepped forward, chin held high, despite her short stature than the rest of the group. "Rukia."

The man paused his writing and stared up at her, squinting in the sunlight. His eyes widened. "You're…You're a girl?" He said, his tone sounding more accusatory than questioning.

"Last time I checked." Rukia replied, well aware of the baffled stares she was getting from nearby citizens.

The man shook his head. "Sorry, no girls allowed in the training grounds. Next."

Before the next man could come up, Rukia stopped him and glared at the seated man. "What do you mean no girls allowed?"

"I mean what I said: No. Girls. Allowed." He said slowly, putting emphasis on each word as if she were dumb.

"That's impossible!" Rukia exclaimed. "Who would make such a stupid rule?"

"It's been that way for years." The man said, twirling the quill in his meaty fingers. "Now if you don't mind, there are real soldiers that need to get in. Next."

"Listen here, you -" Rukia started, her finger pointing threateningly in the man's face.

"Rukia!" Renji came back, running from the gate, watching her get into some sort of heated argument with the man. "What's going on?"

"Apparently," She said, glaring at the man, "women are not allowed in. And I will not stand for it!"

"Rukia, Rukia." Renji said, pulling her to the side. "Please don't do this. This has to be some sort of sign."

"Sign? Really, Renji?" Rukia spat. "I think it's a sign that I need to get this matter to the Prince. Women should be allowed to do whatever they want. Even if it means being a sentry."

"Rukia, look…" Renji was looking back at the gate and then to her again, "If you want, we can both leave here now. I won't go in if you don't want me to. We'll find something else to do together."

Rukia took a deep breath and released it, feeling a bit more at ease than before. "No, no." She said, looking away. "I don't want both of us to be failures. You go ahead and go on to training. Besides, at least one of us would have a story to tell."

Renji looked uneasy. "You sure? I don't want to upset you."

"No, I'm fine." Rukia forced a smile. "Make sure to be the best. Tell me about everything when you get home."

Renji relaxed a bit…just a bit. "O-okay. You're going to be alright?"

"Yeah. Sure. You go ahead and get going. You don't want to get in trouble on the first day."

Renji nodded his head. "Okay. I'll…see you later then?"

"Yeah. Of course."

"Alright." Renji started walking backwards to the gate, waving to her. "Stay out of trouble, you hear?" He said, jokingly.

"You got it." Rukia replied, a plan already unfolding in her mind.

"Hanataro!" Ichigo called. A moment later, a young boy with dark hair appeared in the doorway of the bedroom.

"Yes, Prince?" He asked shyly.

"Get me a new shirt, will you?" He asked, undoing his shirt and tossing it on the bed. He warily inspected the numerous shaped holes that were torn into the right shoulder and lower part of the shirt.

Hanataro came running with a new white silk shirt, handing it to the Prince. Ichigo handed him his old one. "Throw this one out, will you?"

Hanataro inspected the damage. "Wh-what happened, sir? Did you go to the training grounds?"

Ichigo rolled his eyes. "No, I went to see my- the concubines."

"Oh." Hanataro said, a blush on his face.

"It's not what you think." Ichigo said quickly. "It's just…that Nel is real trouble. That's the second shirt she's ruined. And the elders wonder why the hell I never visit those ladies." He shook his head. "Where's Yuzu and Karin?"

"They are in the kitchen with Orihime."

"What about Ishida?"

Hanataro thought for a moment. "I-I don't know, sir. Last I saw him, he was in the library."

Ichigo ran a hand through his unruly orange hair. "Well, when you see him, let him know I'm going to be in my study."

"Very well, sir." Hanataro did the customary salute and then left out of the room.

Rukia had promised Renji that she would stay out of trouble, but he didn't say not to defend herself if trouble found her.

After leaving Renji at the training grounds, she had marched straight to the castle and demanded an audience with the Prince. She wanted to settle the matter of women not being allowed as sentries.

But there was a stubborn guard that would not let her pass by; claiming that the prince was not to be disturbed.

Rukia didn't care. She was not leaving until she spoke with him, even if she had to stay all day and night.

But that freakin' guard had tried to get rid of her through force. Luckily, Rukia knew a few secrets moves. When the guard launched at her, she dodged his flying fist and rammed her knee into his stomach. When he stumbled back, she fisted him in the face, giving him a pretty bad nosebleed.

"Bitch!" The guard spat blood on the ground. Before he could pull out his sword, a backdoor opened.

"Halt." A male voice said in a stern voice.

The guard abruptly stopped in his tracks and tensed. His face seemed to have gone as pale as the marble wall. "Ad-advisor Ishida!"

Rukia turned to look at the man that approached them. He was about Rukia's age, a year or two older, with a lean figure. He had smooth dark hair and wore glasses that hid his eyes from view in the sun's glare.

He looked to Rukia and then to the guard. "What's going on here?" He asked.

The guard shuffled nervously on his feet. "N-nothing I couldn't handle sir." He said.

Ishida raised an eyebrow. "Really? Your bruised lip and bleeding nose says otherwise."

The guard turned a bright red, glaring at Rukia.

Ishida then turned to her. "What's your name?" He asked.

She blinked twice and then answered. "Rukia."

"Well, Rukia. What seems to be so urgent that I had to come end this feud?"

Rukia held her chin high. "I wish to talk with the Prince."

"The Prince is not to be disturbed."

"Fine. I will stay here as long as I can until I get an audience with him." Rukia said, folding her arms across her chest.

Ishida pressed his lips together tautly, examining her closely. Rukia swallowed noticeably.

"Come with me." He started a brisk walk toward the opposite direction, Rukia rushing to catch up with his long legs.

The marble hallways were decorated with carvings of flowers and mountains and trees. It looked like she was walking through a grand forest.

Ishida seemed to know the way around the palace; of course, he was an advisor, but to Rukia, it felt like she was walking through a maze, with so many twists and turns at every corner.

Before she could ask where they were headed, they already reached their destination. Ishida turned to her.

"Wait here." He said. Without waiting for a reply, he knocked once on the oak door and entered.

Rukia bit her bottom lip and couldn't help, but to wonder what kind of man the prince was. She had never met with the prince before, but saw some paintings of him in the village. Some described him as the Handsome Prince who did great things for his community; others were less praising, and said he was a 'demon prince'.

Well, whoever he was, Rukia wasn't going to let him intimidate her. He was going to have to listen to her request, whether he liked it or not.

Ichigo heard the single knock on the door to his study, and was aware when someone entered, but he didn't bother turning around. He remained rooted to his seat with his back turned, staring out through the window to the city.

"Ahem." The voice said, trying to get his attention.

"What is it now, Ishida?" Ichigo asked.

"I spoke with the elders." Ichigo turned around expectantly. "And they agreed on a month's extension…" Ishida said, trailing off.

Ichigo knew there was more to it. "But?"

"But in turn, they expect you to spend more time with your concubines."

Ichigo leaned his head back against his chair and closed his eyes. "Those tricky bastards. I knew they wouldn't agree to my request unless they could gain some advantage from it."

"At least some good did come out of it. You've got a month." Ishida said, shrugging his shoulders. "Besides, how bad could it be spending time with the young maidens?"

Ichigo scowled at his advisor. "Are you kidding me? I'd rather spend an evening with Kenpachi than to suffer with those women." He shuddered. "They're so…clingy. Especially that Nel. She's always trying to undress me when I'm there."

"Well, it's the only condition the elders offered. You can take it or leave it."

Ichigo groaned. "Do I have a choice? I'll do it, but…" His brown eyes glanced at Ishida, ".you have to come with me. Maybe I'll get lucky and they'll get distracted by your glasses."

Ishida frowned.

"Is that all then?" Ichigo asked, standing and stretching. "I promised to take Yuzu out to the markets before mid-day."

"Actually, there is one other thing. There's a young lady outside who is requesting an audience with you."

Ichigo exhaled a sigh. "Okay. Send her in." He watched Ishida walk to the door and crack it open a bit, gesturing to someone.

Seconds later, in came a young girl with dark shoulder-length hair. Her eyes gazed expertly around the room, taking in her surroundings. Then, her eyes landed on his.

Ichigo was momentarily frozen by the intensity of her violet eyes as she watched him.

She wasn't very tall; and judging from her tunic that was two sizes too big for her and her torn leggings, she was a peasant from across the gate; maybe even from across the village.

Despite her short stature, she held her head very high, as if she were from a noble class. She bowed her chin to her chest, fisting her hand over her heart. "Prince Ichigo." She said.

"What concerns have brought you to my palace today?" Ichigo asked.

"I came with my friend so we could train under the Royal Guard, but I was refused because I am a girl."

Ichigo inspected her for a moment. It shocked him that a girl her size wanted to enter training with hundreds of filthy, ruthless men.

"What is your precise request?"

"My request is that you allow women to train as sentries." Rukia replied simply.

Ichigo cocked his head to the side. "And why should I do that?" He thought he saw anger flash in the girl's eyes, but it was gone just as fast as it came.

"Because…" She said, sticking out her chin, "women deserve equal chances as men do. Just because we have different attributes than men doesn't mean we're less capable than they are."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow. He was impressed. He side glanced at Ishida, who pushed his glasses up his nose, and Ichigo could tell, he was, too.

Nevertheless, he cleared his throat. "Allowing women into the sentry can cause certain problems for the other soldi-men."

"Such as?" Rukia asked.

Ichigo's cheeks turned pink and when he turned to Ishida for help, he had a look on his face that meant he wasn't going to dig Ichigo out of a hole he dug himself.

"Well…" Ichigo continued, trying to hide the creeping blush off his face. "Men have certain…de-desires when it comes to women."

Rukia managed to keep a blank face. "Well, since those men are training to be warriors, they should learn self-control."

Ichigo appraised her for a moment. There's more to her than meets the eye.

He inhaled sharply. "Becoming a sentry isn't an easy job, Miss -"

"Rukia." The girl said, interrupting him.

"What?"

"My name is Rukia. Not Miss."

A small smile appeared on Ichigo's lips. "Rukia." He said, liking the way the name rolled off his tongue.

"Well, Rukia, there are constant hardships, the harsh living environment, the challenges and attitudes. Do you think you can handle that?"

Rukia smiled bitterly. "It doesn't sound any different from my current lifestyle." She met his gaze straight on. "At least when I am a sentry, I can do good for the unfortunate. I can give myself, and others around me, a better life."

Ichigo was silent, the girl's words still in his thoughts. He smiled a genuine smile, which was rare for him. Even Ishida looked at him in temporary shock.

"Fine." Ichigo said, folding his arms across his well-built chest. "I will accept your request."

Rukia's eyes widened in surprise and then she grinned widely. "R-really? Thank you, Prince -"

"On one condition." Ichigo said, interrupting her.

Rukia blinked several times. "Y-yes. Anything, Prince."

He walked over to Rukia, his strapping body towering over hers. His eyes stared into her violet orbs for a long moment, waiting to see if she would cower. Rukia didn't.

A ghost of a smile appeared on Ichigo's face. "You must beat me in a battle of swords."

A/N: Next chapter, Rukia vs. Ichigo. Who shall triumph? I'd love to know how I did. I've been working on this story for two days straight, so any type of criticism is welcomed. Thanks.