A/N: Welcome back readers. *Does the cha cha.* I thank you for reading this chapter, Chapter 4! I hope you all have grown to like Maadi because this chapter is once again in her point of view. But soon Toshiro will make a comeback! *Happy dance.*
And some more characters are introduced. Come my pretties! *Waves for huge mob to dance to the disco music.* Now you must go and read.
Disclaimer: All Bleach characters and terms belong to Tite Kubo. I only own my characters and plot line.
The training grounds were large and sprawling. The dirt was patted down flat so that our feet walked over it easily like the flooring in the castle. We, the castle guard, were once again lined in straight rows. Separated only by what Division we belonged to. My Division, the Second, stood as one of the last rows. Every single castle guard currently stood at attention in their pressed uniform.
Before us was the removable wooden stage that was placed in the middle of the training grounds every morning. Standing behind the podium was the leader of the Castle Guard, Hannibal Christer. Tall with broad shoulders he wore his light grey uniform in the cool morning air. Staring down at us with his cold gaze he was silent.
Taking a deep breath he spoke. "Good morning Guards." The man didn't need a microphone to be heard. He naturally spoke at an insanely loud level. "Good morning, Head Guard!" We hollered keeping our gazes neutral.
"I congratulate you all on another week of spotless conduct." He waited as we shouted our thank you. "Now on to the morning announcements. Each of you will practice sparing in groups of three. Afterwards, your Division leaders will assign you to your new posts for this week." Hannibal informed us. "Yes, Head Guard!" We saluted him. Saluting us back the Head Guard then swiftly turned and walked off the stage.
As he left, the Leader of the 1st Division blasted the horn for the beginning of sparing. Saluting the Division Leaders we stayed poised until they had left the training grounds. Once they were gone we broke our stance and separated into groups of three.
I crouched down into a fighting pose as Saaya and Mark did the same. "Hand to hand or weapon of choice?" Mark asked, over the cries of the fighters. I smiled broadly. "Choice of person." I answered smugly. He cocked a thin eyebrow at me. "That wasn't a choice." He said as he shifted his foot and began to move his hand behind his back. "It is now." I told him, watching his every move.
"Don't forget about me!" Saaya shouted as she jumped my left side. Dodging her out stretched foot I grabbed her calf and swung her. Causing her to turn mid-flight and collide with Mark. I barked a laugh as the two landed in the dirt. Jumping off each other they turned to face me. "Let the games begin." I said ominously, smiling at them evilly. "Haa!" They shouted, charging me.
Dodging feet, fists, and jabbing fingers I continued to fight the two until time was called. "Alright! Good work guards. Now come and get your assignments!" The 1st Division Captain called. Tired and sweaty we made our way to our Captain.
Myra Suborn held a stack of square cut sheets of paper. Holding it up in her dark hand she smiled at us. "I applaud you all on practice. I saw some great improvement in many of you." We nodded and thanked her. "Now let's see here..." She murmured, brushing her springy hair behind her ear. "Truman!" She called, starting at the top of the list of names in our group.
Drifting off to the side I watched as guard after guard walked up to get their paper. Finally my name was called. "Kendella." Stepping forward I reached for the paper. Only to have it taken out of my reach. "I saw what you were doing out there." Myra jerked her chin to the sparing station. "Good work." I smiled and bowed my head, taking the paper she held
"Where are you stationed?" Saaya asked jogging over. I looked down at the paper as we walked under the sheltered path to the back end of the weight room. "The-" As I spoke I was cut off by the ringing of the bell.
Pausing, all guards looked up. Listening. 'Dang Dong' "The announcement bell." I murmured as Saaya nodded. "Guess you'll have to tell me later." "Yeah." I agreed as we jogged with the other guards into the sprawling building.
Assembling into our lines among the different people in the court yard we returned to our stoic stances. Once again the Generals and Leaders of both guard groups stood in two lines at the end of the stage. We waited in silence for the King.
The trumpets rang out as the huge silver and gold plated doors swung open. The royal body guards came down the steps and separated allowing the King to come up to the stage. Looking oddly worn and tired the King leaned against the podium.
"Good morning everyone!" He spoke into the floating microphone. "Good morning you're Highness." We all chorused back. "I thank you for showing up so promptly." He chuckled. Being answered with silence he continued. "This morning we will be pulling out the name for the marriage." He told us, gesturing a gold ringed hand to the floating ceramic white bowl. That bobbed up in down in the air where the throne had been placed yesterday.
Turning back to us he looked over the crowd. "The one who will be chosen will then be engaged to the shinigami of the Soul Society's choice." He explained, standing up and extending his hand. The bowl floated over and bobbed in front of him.
Clearing his throat he rolled up his white sleeve. Taking the bowl in his hand he held it. Slowly taking his hand he began to dig into the slips of papers. That supposedly held the names of every noble and royal in the country.
Looking over to Saaya I saw her peering back at me. Shaking her head she turned back to the stage. Sighing, I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "Alright." The King murmured, pulling out a slip of paper. "And here is the name of the person who will be our tie with the shinigami." He announced, holding up the small paper.
Unfolding it the King cleared his throat again. "And the name is..." He paused reading it. Clenching his jaw he glanced out at us then back to the paper. Folding the paper back up he leaned against the podium once again. "Maadi Fio Burnbell Kendella. Please come up." He murmured in to the microphone. Standing up, he watched as I clicked my heels, saluting him. Then continued to watch as I walked through my row and rounded the stage. Clomping up the steps and stopped at his side.
Examining me with his deep brown eyes his rested his large hands on my leather clad shoulders. "I know you'll make a great wife." He told me softly. Watching my face he leaned in hugging me. Promptly, the crowd burst into applause. They must have heard what he'd said.
Plastering on a smile I hugged his Highness back. "Thank you your Highness." I told him at normal volume. Then I whispered in his ear. "Freya told me." Feeling him stiffen I pulled back and smiled in his face. Seeing him pale gave me an odd sense of satisfaction.
'I guess of part of me had been upset over the news.' I thought as the King composed himself. Quickly turning back to the crowd the King took my hand and raised my arm up. The crowd roared in applause as we smiled out at them. "Maadi come to dinner tonight." He said out of the side of his mouth. "We'll see." I murmured. Again feeling satisfaction as his jaw twitched. A look of discomfort crossing his face.
"Alright. Alright!" The King cried, dropping my hand and waving to the crowd. "Thank you all for coming." He turned to me. "You can go back now, honey." He told me gesturing. I nodded and headed back to my spot.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Please read Chapter 5 when it's up!