Quincy are loyal by ranks. It's what I've learned so far being here in this ice palace. Hichigo's new form was only know about to Uryu and I. He wasn't much annoying now that I've given him a physical form.

He's even been nicer too. Not calling me names or calling me out on my mistakes. I think inside he's grateful for the body. But today, I planned on sneaking out of my room and finding a way out.

"How are you planning on doing that?" Hichigo asked.

Uryu brought him some Quincy clothes as he was dressed up like the soldiers. White on pale skin was an odd combination.

"Easy," I held up a small, white key. "Uryu gave me this key too let me wonder free. I just need to be cautious and don't cause any commotion along the way so I can come back in here."

Hichigo breathed in deeply, slowly exhaling it out. "This plan is crazy. But it's your death wish, not mine."

I rolled my eyes at him and stuck the key into the key hole. "Be quiet. Are you coming or not?"

"Aren't I forced too?" He asked with the question hanging in the freezing air.

"Yes, but I'm just making sure you know."

Hichigo mumbled under his breath some more before the door opened. It gently opened it, the hallways colder than my cambers. Clicks and clacks of heels came down the corridor as I ran towards the nearest pillar.

A girl came striding down the hall, shaking her hips has if she owns the place. Her long, shining dark brown hair bounced around her shoulders in waves. Her eyes were the same color, but they held no light at all, only the same coldness from the hallway.

I look back at the door and found Hichigo had barley closed the door and was peeking through.

Suddenly, the girl stopped and looked right towards me. My blood stopped cold, freezing me to the palace floors. She grins and wags her finger in the air.

"Looks like the princess was caught sneaking out of her room."

I tried not to scowl and stare with a straight face. "I just wanted to explore around the place, that's all."

For a moment, I believed she was convinced of my lie, but I was dead wrong. Moments just like lighting, pinned me against the wall. The only space I had was the enclosed bubble I made.

Her eyes narrowed dangerously, striking into my soul with her venom, "If your exploring the place then you must have an escort. We wouldn't want any princess to be lost, left and alone~"

She gripped my wrist as I winced at her strength. This girl was skinny, but her strength was no joke. I could feel the bruises appearing on my skin. From the corner of my eye I could see Hichigo gripping the side of the door, wanting to step in but he couldn't be known.

"Bambeitta, let her go."

Instantly shivers traveled down my spine. I've only heard that voice once, but it's enough to linger in my memory. I turned my head along with Bambeitta to stare. Yhwach trudged down the hallway with a powerful figure.

Bambeitta quickly let go of my wrist and knelt on one knee in front of him. "Y-Your majesty!"

His rust eyes bored down upon her, if not me for Bambeitta was only simply doing her job. His height towered over hers as he simply grabbed her by the head.

Fear was clear in Bambeitta's eyes as she bit her tongue from screaming her lungs. Blood ran down the sides of her head, dripping slowly downwards and staining the clear, ice floor.

"Stop!" I yelled, furiously and directly towards the person who claims to be my grandfather.

His hands twitched slightly at my tone of voice. Being his majesty, I bet he's never be spoken to his way. His eyes moved, sluggishly over me. I wouldn't let myself quake in my shoes, not now when someone's life was at my sakes.

"You dare speak towards me in that tone, (y/n)?"

Bambeitta started gasping and twitching uncontrollably. My heart hammed against my chest as I bared my chest. "I do. I demand you let go of Bambeitta. She was only doing her job and taking me back into my room. You're killing one of your own kind, it's cruel and utter corruption upon yourself."

The air became colder as my cheek began to throb at the temperature. Slowly, he let's go of her head. Bambeitta fell to the floor face first, panting and moaning from the pain. I didn't dare consider to see his eyes anymore and stared at her blood, wanting to disappear from this situation.

"You're my granddaughter. I will only let this slide once because of your tone of voice. Speak to me once more again, and I'll punish you by my own hand."

"Yes sir."

I could see him turn as his cape swished around him. Before he could disappear, he whispered some words under his breath. "She's just like her. I should have known Fuyuki would have never told her anything about the ways of the Quincy."

What did that mean... and what did he mean by my mother? Is... is he really my grandfather? I shook off the thought and rust to Bambeitta's side. Her long, chocolate colored hair was stained with thick coats of blood. Hichigo rust to my side and helped me lift her up.

"D-Don't touch me!" She howled, pushed me away, but Hichigo kept his grip on her.

"You should be grateful (y/n) saved your life," Hichigo tugged at the end of her hair. "Because your majesty would have let you die in your own, filly blood. If I were you I would be accepting the help rather than bitching."

She shut her mouth soon after as I let Hichigo drag her inside my room. He just let her lay on the floor, coughing and shivering both at the same time.

"Shouldn't we do something about her?" I asked.

Hichigo shrugged. "I don't know anything about healing."

A sigh came from the other end of the room, even seeming to be tired. Uryu came in and was looking at the scene. In one hand, he was holding a bottle with translucent turquoise fluid. I almost mistaken it for a crystal in a bottle.

"Yhwach told me about what happened and order me to give Bambeitta this medicine." He spoke, fixing his glasses.

"Go ahead."

Uryu nodded and went towards Bambeitta. I studied the edge of his narrow face, seeing the beginning lines of stress. It was clear on his forehead, but under the eyes was total different cause. Bambeitta drank the medicine hastily, even hacking up some blood.

Uryu ignored the stains of blood and let her lay on the floor, even being generous enough to cover her with a blanket. I leaned against the bed and gently touched Uryu's hand. "Are you alright?"

He didn't turn to look at me. He only looked towards the wall, breathing inwards and outwards in tiny waves. "Are you still enraged towards me?"

Ah, so this is what he's worried about. When we last spoke I took out all my anger on Uryu. What had become of Soul Society. So many souls died and others injured. But the most of all, is Yhwach. Uryu told me Ichigo's bankai has been broken and needs to be restored, but without Hichigo he's powerless.

For the first time in forever... I felt guilt. All of this happened because of me, and what I am. A hybrid, much like Ichigo from the point on. Rumors have spread around that I'm not the only one anymore, the ability to have Soul Reaper and Quincy powers.

I smiled weakly towards Uryu, "I'm not mad anymore. Thank you for letting me vex everything onto you. I'm... sorry about those slaps to the face."

Uryu snicker at my apology, "I suppose that's reasonable enough. But enough of this, I need you to come with me on the next invasion."

"What? I mean... why?"

"If you can become powerful enough by training with me, then I think you stand a chance against Yhwach. If your loyalty flares through, he'll most likely take you with him as a weapon against the Soul Reapers."

"Impossible!" Hichigo raged suddenly. "You've seen her power level compared to him! She's an ant, waiting to be squeezed tightly against his boot! Face it, we're both stuck at a dead end."

I stood up and peered my eyes at him. "What makes you think I'm done? I can train, and the only reason my power level is so low is because of Hotaru. If I can somehow trick him into giving me enough energy to fight, I can absorb the energy right back into me."

"That can be possible..." Uryu mumbled, but was cut short when he looked at the time. "I must go. I'll talk to you both later."

I watched as Uryu left the room. I went to check up on Bambeitta, but Hichigo stopped me with his hand. "If you're going out on the lines, I'm coming with."

"But-"

"I can still turn into a weapon in this form. I've been practicing."

"Why are you doing this?" I asked and avoided his answer. "After all this time of wanting to kill me, you now want to protect me. I... need to know why this change in you."

I waited, but didn't get an answer. He turned around and sat on the chair by the table, staring out the window. I wanted to question him, but I thought just then, maybe he didn't have an answer for me right now.