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(Rukia POV)
In the past we were feared creatures that took on the shape and form of man, every weakness we had was a lie, early vampires created these to evade death. we are immortal beings but we have a few weaknesses such as no blood meant no energy which often lead to our deaths you could say we were anaemic and die from that sort of malnutrition or even a stake through the heart, then burn our bodies to ashes and separate them to avoid us coming back from the dead. We weren't the only ones; witches, lycans also known as werewolves were hunted though we are creatures of the night we could venture out under day the rays of the sun but it could quite painful.
In those days mistakes were made and many paid with their lives but still some evaded death like the plague; diseases weren't any harm to us so many of our people helped the suffering pass on draining their blood so we could live, some were unconscious and we bled them slightly and they survived but we couldn't help everyone. None became fellow vampires but they tended to like their meat slightly rarer one of those who liked it this way was King Henry VIII no-one suspected their king to have had his blood sucked by what were they again…oh that's it a monster.
People show their fear rather easily, as recognition sets in it flashes through their eyes. If ever this happened an angry mob chased after you with pitchforks, stakes and torches. They drove us out killed a few but our losses were nothing compared to theirs.
Although in today's society we have become nothing more than a myth, there aren't many of our species around anymore our blood has become tainted with humans making harder for hunters to track us down but there are a select few who haven't strayed away form their inheritance mainly those of pure blood like mine, my family's and other families making it in total of four noble houses and one royal family our king and queen.
I'd learned that in the vampire society was run by the women even though the men were respected it just was very matriarchal. Many vampires were extremely rich my older brother is proof of that he owns his own corporation and jointly owns a music company; twilight records with the royal family, he is the current head of the family I would take over when I'm eighteen in human years but as soon as I marry he takes head again until I settle with my betrothed. I don't want to take it away however if he wishes it I will.
Those of pure blood age slowly one year for every ten years, half- blood also daphmirs aged one for every five yet they stopped for several decades once they reached eighteen, females wear a rosary around our neck to suppress our other personality and urges I think the males wear a ring on both middle fingers.
The rosary can only be removed on a full moon or by a pure blood of the opposite sex, for my initiation ritual as a full vampiress it will be removed either by my brother or the chosen suitor who I will not be able to see, but I could touch, hear, smell and taste.
--- The initiation ritual ---
"Tonight is a new night, one of the full moon… tonight we welcome a new vampiress to our midst, a lady of nobility" recited the high priestess as she drew the pentagram. Many vampires there had been to lots of these rituals decades previously the last noble initiated was my sister and one month later they married, around a decade later she died in childbirth…yes this was another way to die but at least this was as close to natural as we could get; her blood reacted to something I can't remember much, my memory of her very vague.
Although I should be hyped up to do this I wasn't I was very nervous because I shouldn't be doing this for another three years although I'm not complaining something feels slightly off.
I watched form my end of the room as five figures cloaked in black slowly and gracefully stepped to a point each came to a standstill holding a candle that had emerged from inside their cloaks. Each of the candles lit simultaneously the priestess spoke again but from the centre of the pentagram
"Goddess of the night, we here wish to serve and continue serving and worshiping your path you have chosen for us, thank you for all you have given us we are here to bind these two souls I pray that you approve." She bowed to each point then motioned me to enter and start my dance before joining her in the centre.
As I swayed to the non-existent music a voice male joined, it shot toward me then began swirling round the room after it bounced from my movements.
'She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies…'
My dance continued, this dance was for him, he was the person…my chosen suitor.
'And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes…'
His voice was so mesmerising I couldn't help closing my eyes and wear a faint smile - even though he couldn't see me - from the shocks coursing through my body.
'Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies'
I had never practised this routine with him there but as his last word escaped his lips I stepped to the priestess and bowed, dipping low and graciously. I returned to a standing position it was then that she had blindfolded me, blackness clouded my eyes.
I heard footsteps approach, his smell hit me first. His smell was driving me crazy then I heard a large intake of air I gathered I was effecting him too. A feminine hand grasped mine and pulled it high into the air when a much larger and masculine one retrieved it and placed a kiss on it as it descended.
"Shirayuki, please grant me the honour of tasting your blood to complete this ceremony so that when we part it won't be for long. When we meet again I shall know and make you my bride." He whispered gently. Shirayuki is my code name.
"Why Sir Zangetsu I would like to grant your wish. Zangetsu I also wish to taste your blood in honour so that when we do meet I will be yours." I whispered in return.
"To complete this, remove the rosary… Zangetsu please pull it off with care." His fingers touched my neck I had to suppress a shiver form the contact, I felt the bindings fall off.
"Shirayuki please do the same." His hands were placed in mine and steadily I slid the ring off both fingers.
"I hope you know fair lady I will not break"
"I didn't say you would I prefer to do this lady like"
"hu-hum" the priestess interrupted our conversation. "I will now give you a little cut add the blood to a cup of wine and then finish with a dance together to finalise the contract, ceremony or ritual which ever you may wish to call it."
"Thank you" we both chorused at the same time.
She smiled and produced a small knife that sliced along my palm; we weren't allowed to use our fangs so a restraint was placed over our powers so that the smell of blood wouldn't affect us too badly maybe a case of arousal but no biting to stake a claim was allowed until after the ceremony.
I was told to close it until the cup came, it appeared under my hand I flexed it, blood dripped until it was covered by a cloth. The same process was repeated to him it wasn't fair we couldn't learn the others real name until the go ahead was given only parents or in my case my brother, so he could learn my suitors background, because if he didn't like the suitor or if he didn't they were good enough he would have cancelled the ceremony.
The blindfold was removed but we were told not to open them a mask was then in its place. The cup with blood was placed before me before we could drink any she made the hands we cut touch, a shock shot through like a 1000 volts because of the connection our hands were glued together they had to be forced apart then the cup was thrust into my hand then commanded to drink.
The red liquid slid down my throat giving off a warm sensation, my eyes closed revelling in the sweet taste I reopened them to find warm amber brown eyes locking to mine they shown a multitude of emotions; hope, happiness, possibly love.
I got lost in his gaze; I came back to reality when music began playing.
He bowed and held my hand "my lady the finale" I would have giggled at his voice but in front of other nobles, my brother and royalty…no way so I smiled a true smile not the fake ones I had to plaster on in front guests in return he gave me a beautiful smile that held such warmth a tear fell from my eye no-one ever smiled to me.
"Kind sir, this will be one finale I will never forget." I curtseyed in response. We danced a waltz stepping and turning by the end of the song we were panting quite heavily but still smiling his forehead touched mine, his breath tickled my cheek.
"I wish thee good luck and hope, lady Shirayuki I will be in touch soon you can guarantee, I will think of thee from now and forever until my life comes to an end."
"Thank you Zangetsu I will be waiting and how come you get to steal my lines… but I wish you luck and that you have the goddess on your side kind sir."
--- His parents and Byakuya ---
"My, my Byakuya-san your daughter is beautiful." Stated Isshin
"Ah, so the participant is your son your highness?"
"Yes the ties between our families will be even stronger…" he paused. "Please forgive my intrusion on private matters but when will you tell the girl? She thinks that she your sister, she has come of age"
"I wish to tell her but I don't know how to tell her, I can't come out with something like 'oh I'm sorry Rukia for lying to you for the whole of your life you're not my sister in fact you are my only daughter, heir to all the Kuchiki fortunes because I didn't have a son so it falls to you. if your mother were she alive would be fawning over and treating how I can't because you look too much like her it pains me to look at you' how little do you think that will make her feel?" he asked.
"I see your point but-" their conversation was interrupted by the shockwaves they and the teens felt as they watched as their son/daughter connect hands; they were surprised at the strength of it.
"Ooh, Ichigo and Rukia are destined to be together…the goddess approves of their partnership" gushed Masaki.
"Their soul binding is very strong, one of the strongest since Masaki's and mine or even yours and lady Hisana. It is almost impossible to break even in this stage but whilst it is just beginning to bind it can and it will if the prophecy is to come true, thus we must move quicker than planned they must see each other more make them meet but unawares how we used to. So instead of night school make them go to human school and meet the others planned to meet there but first we must discuss the prophecy with them."
"I agree wholeheartedly Rukia will understand but they must not find out who the other is until school"
"That's settled Ichigo will meet her at school, so for now my dear friend we must depart, I'll send an invite in order to cause an indirect interaction."
"…" he nodded, bowed and departed to gather Rukia.
--- Ichigo and Rukia ---
My hands were placed in position as was his. It was lucky I was put in for dance lessons at a young age, along with other classes a lady should do; speech – poetry etc, singing, etiquette and others. The tempo was set, he led my feet followed, twirling when required.
"Thank you for this dance my lady, for our next meet I wish to learn more about you"
"As do I but I must part, goodbye" his hands dropped from mine.
"Goodbye" and placed a kiss on my cheek.
I rushed away due to the embarrassment; my head was down as I passed the assembled families. I bumped into someone I began to apologise as they steadied me but the words would not spill.
"Steady Rukia, come there are matters to discuss."
"Yes, brother." I glanced back once more and there he was watching me I gave a smile and turned not waiting for his but I could tell he retuned it.
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She walks in beauty – Lord Byron