~Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo~
AU

Hello Readers! I started working on this new story so hopefully you guys like it. Helpful reviews and feedback are always appreciated, but I also have feelings so please be nice ;) I'm attempting to keep most characters in there original canon personalities. This is an Ichihime inspired fiction, enjoy!

Takes place in about 18th France. Orihime is at the age of 21 in the beginning of the story.

Chapter 1

Memories

"And that tree?" The little boy asked with a smile on his face.

"That was where he taught me how to sword fight," the woman replied with a knot in her throat.

"Sword fight?" The little boy questioned, gently squeezing the woman's hand.

"Mhm," She hummed, a sad smile now gracing her face.

"If he were here, would he have taught me?" The little boy questioned, walking along the cobbled bath. As the sun shined down on the pair, he began to look around the colorful field once more, flowers of all varieties around him.

"Yes," She replied with no hesitation, suppressing a giggle, "He knew how to work a sword unlike any other in the entire kingdom. He was kind and loyal, smart and strong. H-He was my first and only love." She whispered, voice now hoarse, staring at the little boy in front of her. "You know, you remind me a lot of him."

"Really?" The little boy asked exited, "Maybe one day I'll be as great as him," he asked with a finger on his chin.

"I know you will, after all you are his son," The woman said. Bending down on her knees and giving the little boy a soft kiss on his forehead, she grabbed his hand. Continuing there walk across the meadow, they began to speak once more.

"Mother, where's father?" The boy questioned. As the woman stopped, she bent down once more to his level. "Right here," she said pointing to his heart.

"Will I ever be able to meet him?" The little boy questioned. As his curiosity hung in the air, the woman in front of him took a deep breathe. "One day," she responded, trying to prevent the tears from falling.

"Do you think father will like me?" The little boy sadly asked looking away from his mother.

"Your father will love you just as much as I do," She replied. "You're the best child anyone could ask for, thank you for letting me be your mother," the woman said, finally allowing the tears to fall.

"I'm sorry, I made you cry mommy," the little boy immediately regretted his question, wiping the tears away from his mothers face with his small gentle hands.

"Don't ever apologize for something like that, these t-tears, they're tears of joy. I'm so thankful for you Daichi," the woman said holding her son tightly.

"I love you mommy," Daichi said hugging his mother back.

"You know, you have his hair, and his eyes. You look just like him, identical in fact. Your personality too, you both do such a good job at protecting me," the mother said moving back to look at her son.

"Everyday, it is my job you know," Daichi said, his chocolate brown eyes showing nothing but love, loyalty, and compassion.

Giggling, the mother stared at her son. Her auburn hair stroke by the warm wind as the sun shined on her face, brightening her flawless features. Smiling at her son, she wiped the tears away. "I love you too Daichi, more than anything else in the world," the mother said. Her words brought a smile to her sons face, "I'm hungry, lets go home." Nodding with her son, the two slowly made there way back to the castle.

Walking back onto the premises of the estate, the auburn haired woman was thrown a stampede of questions.

"Princess are you alright?"

"Do you need anything?"

"Would you like me to take care of Daichi?"

"A glass of water milady?"

Nodding her head no and thanking them, she continued her walk. While her dress swiveled around her as she kept her pace slow for the child accompanying her, she kept the grip on her sons hand.

"Orihimeeeee," a boisterous voice echoed down the castle walls. Passing by the diamond antiques, flowers, and swords aligning the wall, the woman named Orihime was greeted by a taller female. With shiny blue eyes and blonde hair, the woman quickened her pace down the hall finally reaching Daichi and Orihime.

"Lunch is prepared, if you are hungry I would love it if you accompany me," she smiled down at the boy sending a chill down his back, "and the king would like a word with you after." Rangiku said.

"Good afternoon Auntie Rangiku," Daichi greeted, regretting so.

"Hello there Daichi!" Rangiku exclaimed, hugging the boy, his face went from tan to white to purple.

"R-Rangiku! You're hurting him!" Orihime attempted to pull her son away.

"Oh look at that! I'm sorry Daichi!" The woman pulled back.

"I-It's alright." He responded, treasuring the air around him.

After eating lunch in the dining room, Orihime took her son to the king's chambers. Approaching the knights, they politely bowed down to the pair. As she thanked them, they opened the large wooden doors for her. Walking side by side with her son, her posture screamed grace and authority.

"Hello father," the princess said, "Hello mother," she greeted.

"Orihime, Daichi, how are you?" the pair asked.

"Well, thank you," Orihime said with a warm smile on her face, glancing down at her son.

"Fine thank you grandma, grandpa." He smiled up at the king and queen.

"That's my boy," the king responded, "Now come and give grandpa a hug, I missed you!" The king exclaimed. As Orihime saw her son run to the king and queen, a smile stretched on her face.

"Was there something you needed father?" Orihime questioned after a few minutes.

As he stopped tickling Daichi, he lifted the little boy up on his lap. Becoming serious, Orihime stiffened. It must be important.

"My dear daughter, just because I removed my smile does not mean its not good news." The king began to laugh, followed by Daichi and the queen.

"Orihime, we have something to tell you," the queen gently smiled, her blonde hair up in a bun adorned by her crown, her blue eyes gently observed her daughter.

"As you know Daichi's fourth birthday is coming up and I would like to celebrate. Tomorrow I was planning on traveling to England. The nations are coming together to re-sign our treaties to maintain peace. I would also love for my grandson, next in line to be king, to be introduced to what he will expect in the years to come." The king finished.

"Daichi has always wanted to sail; it will be such a great experience for him! And of course Rangiku, my self and the king will be going. Would you and Daicho like to join us?" The queen asked.

As Daichi froze on the king's lap, the excitement that ran through his veins could not be suppressed. "Sailing? Really! Is it okay with you mother?" He questioned, begging, he ran to his mother. "Please?"

"W-Will it be safe?" Orihime questioned her parents, looking down at her son.

"Yes Orihime, we will be accompanied by my best men." The king responded, once more serious. After all, he understood why his daughter was so serious.

As she heard Daichi's silent pleas, she no longer could reject her son. Her father said he would make sure it was safe, that was enough for her.

"Alright, if you would like Daichi," Orihime surrendered.

"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you mother!" Daichi jumped into his mothers arms causing her to giggle.

"Daichi, don't you think you should be giving us the hugs? It was our idea after all…" The king began. Half a second later, Daichi had run up to them and gave them a bear hug. "Thank you," He whispered into there ear, placing a kiss on both of there cheeks. The king and queen looked at there grandchild and smiled at him, looking at there daughter and once more at there grandchild, a sad smile played upon there lips. Later that night, Daichi slept next to his mother. They had plans early in the morning and as the slept, there ship was being filled with necessary supplies.

The morning was fast paced and the royal family was very busy. But as Orihime stood on the dock, her three soon to be four year old son in her arms, she knew she made the right choice. With her older sister Rangiku behind her, followed by the King and Queen of France, they enjoyed the views. It was her child's first time on a ship after all.

As the cool salty water splashed on there faces, Daichi reached out in front of him.

"One day, I will be a great captain, an amazing knight too. I'll teach my self how to protect with a sword and I'll become stronger. I want to protect you mommy, and Auntie Rangiku. Grandma and Grandpa too. I want to protect the people I love and all of France. I promise you." He swore to her. Orihime couldn't help but think of a man who's words sounded just like Daichi's.

Her strong knight.

Her friend.

Her lover.

The father of her child.

Smiling down at her son, she gave him a kiss on his forehead.

"On behalf of all of France and myself, I would like to thank you Daichi," she whispered, "but you have to promise to take care of yourself too! That means sleeping during your bed time." Orihime scolded. Daichi's laughter that followed was worth the comment.

As night rolled a long and most people in the ship were asleep, Daichi snuggled close to his mother. As Orihime lied in bed next to her son, she slowly rubbed his back.

Where are you Ichigo? I know you're out there; I will never give up hope. We have a son, his names Daichi… He misses you. I miss you. He wants to meet you too, very much. He wants your approval. H-He's perfect Ichigo. Our baby, he's perfect.

Choking back a sob, Orihime's heart began to shatter. It had been years since she last had seen Ichigo. Before Daichi had been born, France had gone in to war. Ichigo was one of the strongest knights in the kingdom; he was loyal to royal family but also all of France. He'd befriended Orihime while they were only children, his family coming from a long line of knights. He swore to protect her and all of France, and he stood next to that promise. The night before he sailed off to fight on behalf of France, he visited Orihime. He wanted to say good bye, one last time, just in case. That night he made her a promise and followed through with it.

"…I swear to you, I will protect France. Nobody will make it through our barriers. I will make sure your safe Orihime." Ichigo said, looking at watery silver eyes, he felt something in side of him churn. He had climbed up the wall outside her window so nobody would see him. Wiping a drop of sweat away, he was wearing is battle gear, sword sheathed next to him.

"P-Promise me, p-promise you will come back. Safe, in one piece. Promise me you'll come back to me!" She said, her voice cracking.

He didn't respond.

"I-Ichigo, Promise!" She repeated.

"I love you," the orange haired man said.

"I-Ichigo." Orihime whispered.

"Ever since we were children… I-I just wanted to tell you now. I cant believe I waited this long," he laughed to himself, "I just wanted to prove myself… I wanted to gain a few more ranks higher and prove myself, to you… the king. I was going to ask for your hand in marriage, how foolish of me? You deserve a king, a strong ruler of nations. Not some petty knight." Ichigo said looking down.

"Stop," Orihime. "Stop that, I-Ichigo you aren't just some 'petty knight'", she spit out the words like they were poison. "Ichigo your strong, the strongest man I've ever met… and kind… You care about all those around you… and smart, you've always been better at math than I have… your perfect to me. I-I love you too, Ichigo," she whispered the last part.

"Will you stay with me?"

"O-Orihime, your name, I must leave before someone comes. It would harm your reputation-"

"I don't care."

"Orihme..."

"Ichigo, I don't care what others think. I just care about you..."

They spent the rest of the night together, in each others arms. Lying in the sheets, there legs entangled, the moonlight shined over them like a second blanket. As the night rolled along and a new day came, there confessions led the pair to a new tomorrow. Waking up early the next day, the two young ones in love had no idea what to expect. As Orihime gave her lover once last farewell, she would not know that would be the last night she'd see him. As he moved along the dirt road on his horse accompanied by the rest of his comrades, he looked back at her one last time. Smiling his special smile, he made his way to the war. A few weeks later, Orihime would find out she was pregnant. The king and queen of France were furious, but they also understood the love between there daughter and there most treasured knight. To protect not only her reputation but also her child, the king agreed to allowing Ichigo to marry his daughter once he came back from the war. Months after, the war came to an end. There was an excruciatingly large number of casualties on both sides.

Ichigo never came back.

Wrapping her fingers around the snowflake necklace on her throat, Orihime was reminded of the night Ichigo gave it to her. They were only six years old, it was one of the first gifts he gave her. But the greatest of all gifts he had given her was Daicho.

Come back to me Ichigo, come back to us.

Thanks for reading this story! What'd you think? I'd love to know!

until next time,

loverofliterature_111