Chapter 3

Camembert was a quaint old village in the Normandy district of northern France, located a good way from Paris and thus not directly affected by the war. It was known for its Camembert cheese, a soft and creamy cheese that was first made there in the late eighteenth century.

Camembert was set against a picturesque landscape, and the bellowing of cows and ringing of bells could be heard from miles away. There was always a pleasant smell of milk and warm bread and fresh cut grass that wafted delightfully throughtout the little village. It was peaceful and quiet, yet at the same time bustling with activity and life that one would hardly expect from such a small population.

As regards the population, we've already met Monsieur Jushiro. He was the unofficial village judge, unofficial because nobody called him that, it was only understandable from the fact that everyone went to him with their problems, and he would expertly solve them, and all would be as though nothing had changed. His adopted children, Kotetsu and Kotsubaki, were a comical twosome, one always competing with the other to get their father's attention. In the end, they'd end up on the floor in a tangled mess, accusing each other with pointed rage.

Jushiro's close friend is another aquaintance we've seen, Monsieur Kyorako and his stern assistant, Mademoiselle Nanao. Nanao elder sister had passed away when she was very young, so the kind-hearted Kyorako took her in. And since then, even though she tends to be of the most uncomfortable stiff-upper-lip characters he's known, Kyorako was fond of his most loyal companion. Together, they ram the local bookstore, which was of increasing importance in the days of revolution, as books and pamphlets were all the rage in an ambitious attempt to educating France of the evils of aristocracy. Still, Camembert was silent in that respect, and listened to rumors with one ear, kindly bidding them farewell as they left the other ear.

Madame Unohana was the local doctor. She took it upon herself to be of some use to society, and from a broken down old shack she gradually went on to build one of the finest establishments in healthcare Camembert had ever seen. Not that it had seen many, mind you, but it was impressive nonetheless. It echoed the strength and gentle firmness of its founder, and was kept up by Isane Kotetsu, Madame Unohana's devoted subordinate.

There was also Kukaku and Ganju Shiba, the brother-sister duo who ran the local village shop. It was a small and modest building, despite its eccentric owner. Mademoiselle Kukaku Shiba was the strong, outspoken and sometimes overly-authoritative older sister of Ganju Shiba, who you would call earnest but slightly lost as respect to his pursuits. Still, the two of them together were a humorous addition to the small village of Camembert.

We'd be doing her a great injustice if we forget to mention Camembert's lively youth, which comprised of Shinji and Hiyori, who owned the two dress boutiques in the village, not to mention the most complicated partnership in the whole of France .It was a typical can't live with them-can live without them-but for their sake-relationship, and most of the folk decided that some questions were better left unanswered. Then we have Rose, a calm and rather overdressed young man with long wavy blond hair. He was the local hairdresser, and despite people's initial apprehensions, he turned out to be pretty good. We also have Kensei, Mashiro, Lisa and Love who formed the villages "General Odd Jobs" community. They were the ones you'd go to if you needed your shoes fixed, your gown stitched, your announcements made public and other needs of the vaguest kinds. Apparently, it was very well accepted in Camembert.

And finally we find ourselves before the old orphanage, run by our very own Ayame and Tatsuki Arisawa. Well if you must know, Ayame isn't probably her name anyway, you may remember that she just supplied it because it sounded a lot like her original name, whatever that was. So for a girl who'd forgotten her first name, you can't expect her to remember her last, and so the village folk settled on calling her just Ayame. What did they know of her history? Fairly little, she was found as a little girl of nine, lost and wandering helplessly alone about the outskirts of Camembert by Tatsuki and her mother. She had no clue who she was, only that her head hurt miserably because of an obvious crash to the skull and that her brother was looking for her. She had in her tenure a necklace of utmost value and torn rags, but by the looks of its remains, they knew at once she was nobility. But in these war-stricken days, that was a dangerous title and so, they kept mum about it, instead welcoming her into the orphanage and into their hearts.

Many of the children at the orphanage weren't actually orphans, rather they were the children of those parents who found themselves in the midst of war in Paris and the major cities. To keep their future safe, these couples sent their children to far villages, like Camembert. A handful of the kids though, like Ururu and Jinta, and little Jeanette and Derek and a few others were orphans, yet they couldn't ask for a better family than the one they were associated with now.

So there, Camembert at a glimpse. Sure, we could introduce you to a few of our cows too, but then we'd lose the point of this narration, wouldn't we? Hence we must return our fair maiden Ayame, who was on her way to the neighboring town of Beuvron-en-Auge.

Ayame hummed to herself as Chatain trotted gracefully upon the stone road, she stopped as she saw the board that said 'Beuvron-en-Auge'. She sighed. Here, the effects of the war were a little more obvious. From the first glance, you could make out the Jacobin code of attire that ranged from the strongest man to the littlest toddler, all of them proudly upholding the revolutionary motto of 'no breeches'. It was early October, so news of the recent massacre at the Tuileries Palace on August the tenth was still fresh. Ayame found it disconcerting.

As she entered town, she didn't fail to notice the many eyes on her form making its way to the old sweet shop. "Must be because of my unconventional clothing" she shrugged and refused to take notice. Ayame was always a head-turner. Although she was currently wearing a cloak that covered her hair and her other unique features, those who met her could always tell it was her. She had long ginger coloured hair that resembled that of Boudica of old Britain, fiery and enlightening. Her petite frame was surprisingly very strong, thanks to Tatsuki's training, and she was quick on her feet. But what made her really stand out was her conduct, which seemed innocent enough, but there was a particular dignified edge to it that just did not belong to Camembert. Naturally, with all the attention she attracted, there were more Shinjis out there willing to get her attention.

Ayame sighed again. Not more men.

Though she spoke fondly about princes and knights, she never really had a deep interest in the pursuit of the opposite sex. Men who constantly flirted were disrespectful, men who silently flirted were annoying, and men that spoke to women just to get their hands on them were a shame to modern society. Good men like Jushiro, Kyoraku… even Shinji, who spoke in the name of fun, were good company and understandable. Not the ones currently ogling at her.

She stuck her chin up and elegantly got off Chatain and walked into the sweet shop.

"Well if it isn't Ayame! Come in come in!" cried Monsieur Urahara. Ayame smiled gratefully. Here was another of those good-hearted men she looked up to. "Hello, monsieur Urahara, it's a wonderful day isn't it? I came to restock our jam store, God alone knows how fast it is emptied when in the hands of children!" she explained. "It is but natural. Sit down while I get you your order, and a cup of tea."

"Tessai, bring in some refreshments" he called. Urahara Kisuke was an enigma. He seemed to be very carefree and light-hearted, but when situations turned dire, he was always the first one to act. He was cunning, yet trustworthy, mischevious yet honest… he couldn't be explained. He was also one of the literate few, and collected news like it was his job.

"What news of Camembert? I hear the cheese is to die for!" he began. Ayame chuckled. Of course he'd die for cheese.

"It's as uneventful as ever. But do you know? I do believe my brother's name was Sora!" she exclaimed, finding the need to confide in someone. Usually, it was Tatsuki and Urahara that heard her musings on family and the past. To this information, Urahara stiffened. Sora? Now where had he heard that name before?

"And how did you come up with that?" he asked innocuously. Must be his mind playing tricks on him again.

"Ooh but I had a dream! And this time, I'm almost certain I heard right!" she could barely contain her happiness. Urahara smiled. She was such a trusting girl. What was her place in the midst of such violence? "I believe in you" he said quietly. Normally, this would be the time he started off on a sarcastic tease, but something told him that today was not a day for jokes. "You will find your family. There's no way around it"

Ayame smiled brightly. She knew she would too. "Is Yoruichi gone? I don't see her around… usually she'd be out before you" she noticed. "Ah yes, she's gone up to Paris for some… unfinished business." He laughed at her shocked expression, "Nothing serious, just buying a new gown or something equally preposterous."

"A gown? From Paris? In this mess?" Ayame couldn't go on, well aware of her friend's undescribable peculiarities.

"Yes… she is to attend Countess Soi Fon's feast in a month, so she must prepare." "A countess? But I thought you were on the side of the peasants?"

"Ayame, not all aristocracy is as evil as you imagine. Countess Soi Fon has offered her protection to the peasants of her land in these violent circumstances, and there is the Marquis of Rukongai, Monsieur Byakuya Kuchiki who is an avid supporter of the overthrowing of the monarch- "

"But doesn't that mean he'll lose his importance?"

"It may. But sometimes, pride is more a question of preserving your integrity in the face of circumstance. I believe he knows what he's doing. It is the same with the Duke of Dumonde, Lord Isshin Kurosaki. He is a former acquaintance, and if I'm not mistaken, he's looked after the funding of the healthcare services provided for his province, to save the victims of war. His son, Ichigo Kurosaki is currently incharge of the administrative aspects of the province."

Ayame took in all this information with a grain of salt. Somehow, she still felt uneasy at the mention of nobility. She knows that her people often mention that she was probably born into it herself, but the thought made her perturbed. It must have been the same for Urahara, for he was of noble birth himself, but he left it all to come and live as a humble peasant, for he grew tired of the twisted ways of the rich. Her friend Yoruichi was similar, born into the family of a Count, but her 'outgoing ways' soon led to her banishment. All she did was help a poor man defend himself against the gendarme; she was unrightfully condemned. Ayame frowned. Nobility frustrated her.

"Here's your jam dear, please, come back soon!" said Urahara as he handed here a bucket. She'd need that much.

"Au revoir, Monsieur! I will!" she waved goodbye and climbed over Chatain.

"Hmm…. Sora… now I wonder…" he considered quietly, a light in his eyes.

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there! A little back story on Camembert.. don't you just love cheese?

And I don't know how you'll enjoy the townsfolk, let me know!

I guess i really must be going and studying now, no more till a few days so yeah... rate and review! It keeps me motivated!

Take care all of you! Goodbye! gotta go study about haloalkanes...!