Warning: This is a story based on the Holocaust. It follows real-life events and things that happened to real people. While the characters in this are not real and based off Tite Kubo's manga, Bleach, some of what happens to them are what actually happened in the Genocide of the Jews. If you are unfamiliar with the Holocaust or have difficulty with it, there may be some sections that will be disturbing. When these parts come up, I will place a warning in the note before-hand and will put the section in a ruler of its own, you will be notified that it may be disturbing. Please be aware that this is an M rated story.

Another Warning: This is a bit less serious but still read anyway. As I did not live during the Holocaust, nor am I a Jew, some of what happens in here will be purely fictional, in fact most of it probably is if the general events are based on real life. Please do not automatically think that what happens here is exactly the truth, although if you have some questions about whether it is or not, please feel free to message me or leave it in a review. But please don't go complaining about some things that happen that you do not think are true to the Holocaust as this is not a historical account at all!

Yet another warning, it's like watching CSI: As this tends to be a rather sensitive topic, I will be treating Jews and their customs with the utmost respect. If you see something you feel is disrespectful to them or their religion, please tell me as I would hate to seem to be mocking what happened.

Finally, (nope no warnings this time :p) as this is a sensitive issue, and very hard to write about, especially in terms of a love story, please be patient and kind with me as I have never tackled such a story before and want to do it justice. Please do not think that any derogatory terms I use in terms of Jews OR Germans is my opinion. I have the utmost respect for them and I love German food, especially Baklava, yumm (that is German, right?) So please understand this and be nice :) Niceness is always appreciated.

Summary: Set in World War II. She is a Jew taken from her friends, family and lover, to Los Noches labour camp. He is a German commander there, instructed with the genocide of the Jews. They were never supposed to talk or make physical contact, let alone to fall in love...
Starts out as IchiHime then moves onto UlquiHime. Other pairings include GinRan, NnoiNel and RenRuki.

Whew OK , sorry about that, the next chapters will not have such loooong notes. Now finally onto the story!

"Thank you very much, enjoy your bread," said the sunset-haired girl, waving at a customer from behind the counter holding pastries and rolls.

"And you have a good day Miss Inoue," replied the man, taking his bag of bread and leaving the shop.

She smiled happily and turned to the shelves holding freshly-made bread behind her. She frowned, they were nearly out.

"Sora!" she called, looking over at her dark-haired brother who was kneading dough. "There are only four loaves left."

He looked over at the racks and smiled, "That's good, business is booming. I'll have more up in a few minutes Orihime, don't worry."

She nodded happily.

"Orihime!" came a shrill voice belonging to a red-headed woman with glasses.

"Good morning Chizuru," she enthused. "What can I get you today?"

"Just your lovely self is fine," giggled Chizuru. "However, I would like a poppy-seed loaf and some pastries."

"Coming right up!"

She bustled around, taking the last loaf of poppy-seed bread and a wrapped selection of the woman's favourite pastries. As she was placing them on the counter and collecting the money, the door opened, a bell ringing loudly as it did so, to reveal a tall man with shocking orange hair and warm, brown eyes.

"Ichigo!" she cried, waving enthusiastically at him.

"Hello Orihime," he said, smiling a smile that did not quite reach his eyes, his hands twitching over a rolled-up newspaper.

Her smile wavered, "Are you alright?"

"I'll leave you two lovebirds to it," grinned Chizuru cheekily, gathering up her food. "See you later Orihime."

"Bye Chizuru," she replied absently.

Ichigo strode forward, genuinely smiling this time, and planted a kiss on her forehead, "I'm fine sweetheart, I came to talk to Sora about something."

Her renewed smile faded again, she had been hoping to go out with him that day.

"Oh, he's just back there," she pointed to the kitchen behind her.

He walked around the counter and into the kitchen, "Hey Sora, can I talk to you for a moment?"

The man looked up from his kneading, concern on his face, "Sure Ichigo. Orihime, do you mind taking over this bread here, Ichinose should be able to keep the customers for a bit," he said, referring to an employee of the Inoue Bakery.

She did as he said, rolling up her sleeves and taking the bread. Sora quickly washed his hands of the flour covering them and went over to a door which he pushed open to reveal a hap-hazard study. Ichigo took the invitation and walked in quickly. Sora smiled at his sister who had her tongue between her teeth and she pushed the dough, and followed the man in.

Closing the door behind him he crossed his arms and stared at Ichigo who was running his hands through his hair absently.

"I have a feeling that this abrupt visit is not for permission to ask for Orihime's hand in marriage?" he said sternly.

Ichigo sighed and shook his head, "Unfortunately not, and it may not be happening for a while. Have you read today's Gazette?"

The baker shook his head and took the outstretched paper from Ichigo's hand. He read it quickly, his face blank as he took in the words. He finally looked up at the agitated man, folding the paper up.

"Well, which part did you want me to react to?"

"What do you mean which part?" he cried. "I mean the part about the fact that Hitler is invading Poland! He'll be at our borders by next week at the latest!"

Sora sighed and leaned against the desk, placing the paper down on it, "Haven't you heard that England and France have decided to help us out? Besides, this war won't last long, everyone's saying it won't."

"Do you really believe that?" asked the man, shooting him a look.

"I-no…no I don't. But I've got to try to, for Orihime's sake."

Ichiog's gaze softened slightly, "That's why I'm worried, how can we hope to have a future together when war is upon us? It's going to happen, no matter what the Allies do, Germany's got Russia and Japan, and even Italy although who knows what that's going to do."

Sora chuckled softly, "Well with luck we will be safe from the Nazis, I mean what are they going to do to us?"

"Are you joking?" asked Ichigo incredulously. "You have heard the rumours right, about the Jew discrimination in Germany?"

"Of course I have," he said waspishly. "But remember this Ichigo; they're just that, rumours. You cannot prove them until you see evidence. And as all I have heard are plain and simple rumours, I am not inclined to believe them."

"What do you mean by that? If you ask me, we should get out of the country right now!"

Sora's eyes flashed, "Don't be rash Ichigo. You cannot afford to simply leave, and where would you go?"

"I don't care!" he yelled. "I'm thinking of all of us, not just my own father and sisters but you and Orihime too! I can't live without her!"

"And how are you thinking of getting us out, we still don't know if these are true statements, why would Hitler hate Jews so much anyway? I understand you're worried, I am too, but I've got my business to run, I've got Orihime to think about, and, frankly, I don't have nearly enough money to support us in a race across Europe to find some safe country that is most likely in jeopardy anyway. And how would we survive, we would have no food, we would end up in a country where we could not speak the language, that's not surviving, we'd most likely die in the process!"

"Didn't you hear me before?" he cried. "I DON'T CARE! WE'VE JUST GOT TO GET OUT AND GET OUT NOW!"

"And didn't you hear me before? I said that we've got to think ahead! Orihime's not strong, neither is Yuzu, Karin could hold out but it would not be much longer, they're only 13 and Orihime's just 18, we couldn't support them! Maybe you, you're father and I could survive, but the girls would probably die or be seriously injured in the process."

"Well it's better to do it while trying to get away rather than just staying and letting death come to us!"

"Like I said, you're being rash! Jews may be being discriminated but I'm sure it's not as bad as you make it out to be."

"Maybe not but you could at least listen to me!"

"Well here's something," cried Sora, finally losing his temper. "WHY DON'T YOU TRY LISTENING TO ME?"

"Umm, Sora?" came a timid voice from the door.

The two men whipped around to see Orihime peering into the room looking frightened. She could feel the tension in the room, it was so thick it could be cut with a knife; she could practically see sparks between the two men.

"There are too many customers and Ichinose is complaining again, we need some backup."

He relaxed and smiled at her, "Thank you Orihime, I'll come right away, you go back and finish up that bread."

She hesitated at the door, worry etched clearly over her face.

"Don't worry," he said, giving her a reassuring smile. "Ichigo and I were just having a discussion, we'll be right out."

She nodded, still looking apprehensive, but left the room, leaving flour markings on the door where her hands had been.

Sora turned back to where Ichigo was standing, fists clenched, his face contorting strangely as he looked at the door.

"I think the case is closed," he stated coldly, opening the door and waving his hand toward it. "After you."

The hot-headed man stayed where he was, eyes glassy and unseeing.

"You could take Orihime out?" Sora suggested quietly.

"Maybe later," he replied, his voice shaky. "I need to go home and talk with my father."

He pushed past Sora and out of the room.

"Ichigo?" called Orihime, looking up from the baking tray she was holding.

"It's alright, Orihime," said Ichigo, turning to face her and giving her the most genuine smile he could manage. "We were talking, but it's fine."

She still looked worried, her big, starry grey eyes gazing widely at him. He sighed and walked over to her, planting his big hands on her shoulders and looking directly at her.

"I don't think I can today, but let's go out tomorrow, I'll take you to the markets and we can go to the park."

Her eyes lit up and she smiled happily at him, "I'd like that."

"Good," he leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips.

She sighed happily and fell into the kiss, feeling the corners of his mouth turn up in a smile. They broke apart when they heard a non-too-discreet cough from Sora who was taking some bread out of the oven. Ichigo grinned and pulled away from her a little reluctantly then walked out of the kitchen, waving his hand at her.

"I'll see you tomorrow Orihime. Good day Sora."

"You too Ichigo," replied her brother.

Orihime pressed the back of her hand to her burning cheeks and sighed as she remembered the kiss she could still feel on her tingling lips.

"Come on Orihime, we've got more bread to make!" chided Sora kindly.

"Oh right!" she exclaimed, kneading the dough faster, smiling at the prospect of the next day.

Sorry, a little short I know, but I hope you liked it. Do tell me if any of you think it is worth continuing, I like a challenge so hopefully I can do this justice.

*hugs* -Cerice