Holy Crazy Week, Batman! Seriously, this week was nuts, and this chapter (which is insanely long) took forever to write and rewrite, but here it is! The Noble Summit Ball is about to begin and I'm super excited for where the story's going from here! I hope you are too!
I feel extremely nervous on how this chapter will be received. There are a LOT of things happening in it and being set up...I just hope it flows as well as it did in my mind as it will for you reading it.
In addition, I was thinking, in honor of 100+ reviews (THANKS TO YOU ALL!) I would do a special "Character mini-bio" for the 3 Kamaguchis. If you own the Bleach Manga volumes, you know what I'm talking about, they're at the end of the first ones. That's to come in the next three chapters, so get ready.
As for reviewers and readers, it was a GREAT week! You all have amazing reviews and ideas! I'm inspired! Special Thanks to:
fanficfreak103, Ann Kip (Thank you! Yeah, I would have been so embarassed if it'd happened to me!), soulraven98, bleach-chan (I'm not really shipping too heavy so far, but we'll see where the story takes us. Thank you for the suggestion! I never know if people are shipping KarinxToshiro or not...I've heard KarinxRenji so far...but...ehhh I don't know...), theloverofanime (Yeah, Kenpachi's so a perv here, and Toshiro's innocent bwahaha. I hope you like the start of the Noble Summit Ball this chapter!), Roguesama (Thanks, I hate leaving the story at cliffhangers, but sometimes it's the best place to), fluco99, kiwiVega, Garnet-AsianAngel (Yeah, Karin's in a little over her head, even moreso as we'll find out this chapter! I hope you like it!), t.h.E.s.r. (Layla is very much like Byakuya in that they love their nobility...and as for Karin's zanpaktou "Problem," a solution will be hinted this chapter, and also the human torch was an inspiration! I also thought of "Ace" from the manga "one piece." As for flying...we shall see bwahaha), stormcrowley (I am really happy how the fight scene turned out, and your review made me smile! I hope this chapter lives up to expectations!), Turtle-chan in Blue (Oh no! For some reason your last two reviews did NOT show up! That sucks...*unhappy face* But I will high five you as well. No Boobs fan club, here I come...I hear they have jackets), and finally (PLEASE REFRAIN FROM READING IF YOU DISLIKE PROFANITY) thanks to fuck ya ya fuckity fuck fuck (I'm guessing you did this just so I would write it here, right? haha, nice name though. :D )
Enjoy the chapter,
Romania Black
Chapter Thirty-Six
Pride is a cloth
You cannot take off
Karin lay on the floor and stared at the ceiling of her room; the white plaster was spackled, as if the person who had drywalled really hadn't cared. She gave an exasperated huff, tilting her head on the ground so she could glance out a crack in the wall beside her. Sunlight...it's probably closer to noon now though...
The young Shinigami had spent the last day and a half in this empty, cold room as punishment for what apparently the younger Shinigami of Division Six were titling "The Squad Seven Incident."
Karin could still feel spiritual traces from the sensation of flames on her skin, but the entire ordeal itself made her face grow slightly warm, pink flushing her face. No one, luckily, knew about Karin's transformation except Captain Komamura, Captain Hitsugaya, Kenpachi, Yachiru, and Leta. The first captain had sworn to Leta he would speak nothing of this to anyone, as had Toshiro. Kenpachi had been a tougher customer to convince, but after a while agreed with a casual swing of his sword upon his shoulder.
"Hmph," He gruffly exhaled, "As if I give a damn about any of this."
Yachiru had been the worst to convince to be silent; finally succumbing after Leta offered her all the sweets her mansion could afford and Kenpachi threatened her to just 'go along with it' with a growl. Even now, Karin wasn't convinced the pink-haired imp could be trusted. But what choice did they have?
As for Karin, she was promptly given new robes by Captain Komamura and greeted very unhappily by her Captain, Byakuya Kuchiki. The stone-cold glare he gave Leta and Yoruichi that she hoped to never receive was exactly what was given to her, along with a steady lecture about her responsibilities to the division, and to him. Just thinking about his talk made her head heavier. Had Leta and Captain Komamura not been there, she wondered if he would have used his zanpaktou to punish her. A shiver ran down her arms; it had been a good thing they weren't alone.
The worst part about the punishment, being confined to her room, was that there was literally nothing to do. The room was bare except for her cot and her clothes and a newly placed wooden desk for her to work on homework at. The desk sat so low though, that you didn't need a chair, only to sit in order to work.
Karin sighed, she had to miss class yesterday, but luckily it had been Friday. Now there was no class for at least two more days. That's not too bad...at least I can make up a day's worth of homework after the Ball...
Luckily, in the last day and a half, she'd been given her meals by Rikichi, who apologized at least twenty times before Karin slapped in the face and told him to 'dry it up' and that it was okay. She honestly couldn't blame him for anything; it had been her decision to stay behind. She was merely happy he hadn't been punished as well. She imagined that Captain Kuchiki would be far less lenient on Rikichi since he wasn't obligated to protect him like he was Karin, which he had reminded her at least ten times yesterday. Apparently he'd made it back to the gates in time for Renji to let him in without notice.
The Vice-Captain had also graced Karin with his presence several times, mostly just to talk, but sometimes to ask Karin advice on what he should wear to the Ball; questions Karin had no experience in whatsoever.
"Should I wear the purple that matches...or...this green?" Renji sheepishly held up two ties, one was a dark plum color that was plain, the other a forest green. Karin tilted her head with an exasperated sigh,
"I don't know...the green matches your hair better." She thought green and purple looked good anyway, considering that Rukia was wearing purple.
"I have no clue what the Hell I'm doing," Renji groaned, "Thanks. I'll wear green I guess."
"Don't we wear our Shinigami robes?" Karin hadn't at all thought about dressing up.
"Some of the captains keep their Haoris on, for professional reasons," Renji explained, tucking the ties into his robes by his chest, "But we're supposed to look...formal." He cringed at the word.
Karin didn't own any other clothing other than her Shinigami robes. "What am I going to wear?"
Renji gave her a half-smirk, "I'm sure Leta'll find you something nice. You two are about the same size," He gave her a glance from her head to her feet.
Karin sighed, running a lone finger down the cold stone wall. Today was the day of the Noble Summit Ball, the gathering of both Gotei 13 captains as well as the noble families that made up and supported the Council of 46, the highest governing body of the Soul Society. If any plans were being made to use Karin, they would have the first word. It was Leta and Yoruichi's goal to find out what the council wanted with the young Shinigami, but here she was, the center of it all, completely out of the loop.
I haven't even met this 'date' of mine, Karin groaned to herself. 'Date' didn't seem the appropriate word. Babysitter, that seemed more likely. Karin frowned and gave a pouty huff, This is ridiculous. Byakuya probably won't even let Leta in to see me.
An hour later, her prediction proved the opposite.
Karin had fallen asleep on her cot, tired with boredom and thoughts about the upcoming events, when a fast sing-song like tapping rattled her door. Karin jolted awake, and rubbed her eyes. Sluggishly rising to her feet, she teetered to the doorway and started to turn the knob.
"Come i-"
"Good Afternoon, Karin!"
The door flew open and knocked Karin against the wall, the door trapping her against the stone with a loud crash. Leta barged in, her trademark huge grin illuminating the room. The smile quickly turned to confusion as her eyes darted around all corners of the tiny space.
"Oh! Karin? Karin where are you?"
"H-here," Karin mumbled as she slowly started to push the door off her. Leta smiled serenely,
"Sorry, Karin. I thought you'd moved out of the way." She helped drag the door off her and dusted off her robes quickly from head to toe. Karin coughed as the dust flew into the air.
"How was class yesterday?" Karin wheezed, bent over with her hands on her knees.
Leta gave her a thin, sympathetic smile. "Fine. I'm sorry Captain Kuchiki is being so," She paused to refrain from saying something Karin was certain was a less than 'noble' comment, "...up tight...about all this." She looked around Karin's room suddenly as if seeing it for the first time. Her face altered immediately from happy to that of near severe disgust, "Good Heavens, you stay here? This is like a prison cell!" She stomped her foot across the stone ground, her hands shoved onto her hips.
"It's not too bad," Karin commented, straightening, "There's just nothing to do in here."
"No, this is unacceptable," Leta shook her head, the smile gone from her face. "You're coming to the mansion to get changed for tonight." She glanced at Karin, "Besides, we have to go over our strategy for the council." Her voice had a darker tone to it with the last sentence.
Karin gave Leta a concerned look, "Are you sure Captain Kuchiki is going to let you just walk out with me?"
"Well, he can't keep you from going," Leta frowned, an uncharacteristic look for her, "Especially since your date is a Noble."
"About that," Karin stretched, following Leta towards the door. Apparently Leta was in no mood to stay in Karin's room for any longer than she had to. "I haven't even seen this guy yet, err, your brother, that is. Is he okay with taking me tonight?"
Leta tilted her head towards Karin. Her face was beaming as usual once again, "Oh, he's always interested in meeting new people! Don't worry about it." But her answer wasn't a 'yes' or a 'oh of course he's okay with it,' so Karin wondered if Leta in fact, had blackmailed her brother into taking Karin much like she had blackmailed a lot of other people into doing her will.
"Just wait until you see the dress I've picked out for you!" Leta seemed more interested in talking about Karin's wardrobe than her brother, "It's great, it's from when I was younger so it'll suit your age, but it's still classy and mature," she rambled, adding the last comment as she saw Karin's eyes flare at the word 'younger.' Karin calmed down after Leta had finished the sentence. They were nearly to the exit of the tower.
"And where would you be traveling to with my ward, Madame Kamaguchi?"
Karin felt the chills crawl up her back; she knew it was Byakuya behind them. Leta didn't even bother to turn around, but she did stop walking. "I'm taking Karin to my mansion to get prepared for tonight." Her voice was cheerful, but underneath the surface Karin could sense the bite it brought. "Why else did you think I came here?"
"I don't recall giving permission for you to take her with you," Byakuya's purple-grey eyes narrowed villainously. Karin felt the pressure in the room tighten. With only Karin there, these two were not playing nice with one another, even in conversation.
"I actually wasn't planning on taking her from here," Leta's face was still turned away from Byakuya's, "But then I saw the...room...you were keeping this girl in." She finally tilted her face so one hazel eye was staring at him, her voice low, "As a Noble, you can't expect me to stay in those conditions."
Karin had never imagined Byakuya being stabbed in the chest or anything violent such as that, but the expression on his face mirrored such a gesture. The very air in the room seemed chilled.
There was a long moment of silence, before Captain Kuchiki finally spoke.
"I grant you permission to give her formal attire for tonight," He said, with his head held a bit higher than normal, looking down upon Karin as if she was an ant, "but upon arrival at the Noble Summit Ball she will be under my watch." The finality in his voice was smothering.
Leta's grin slowly returned to her face as she realized her triumph. "Ah, as you wish Captain. Oh," She paused before they reached the exit, "Layla informs me she would have loved to have had you as a date tonight."
Byakuya looked as if he was considering spitting on Leta, which would have been the most un-Byakuya-like happening Karin could ever have witnessed, but instead, he merely turned his head with seemingly great effort and stormed stoically in the opposite direction.
Leta sighed lightly, "They're both so stubborn. Oh well. Let's get out of here," She motioned to Karin as they exited the tower.
It was only once Leta and Karin were outside the Sixth Division barracks before either spoke. And when Karin did, it felt as if she'd held back the words so long her lungs might have burst.
"WHOA! What was that back there?" Karin exploded, nearly grabbing Leta, who looked both thoroughly confused and about to laugh at the same time.
"What are you talking about?" She said with a slight giggle.
"Are you kidding? You took on the Captain! The spiritual pressure in there was intense! And you-you-out-out-prided him!" She could think of no way else to say it.
Leta smiled congenially, "I highly doubt I've upset his pride any."
"You're not serious, are you?" Karin was incredulous as she stared at her instructor, her hands rising to her hips and her eyes narrowing to match her sly grin, "You totally played the 'Noble card' against him!"
Leta looked at Karin for a split second in silence before erupting into laughter.
"Oh my!" Leta laughed, "Noble card? I'll have to tell Layla that one," She pressed a finger against her bottom lip, still smiling, "No, I was just playing fire with fire. I knew Captain Kuchiki would understand what I meant, him being a Noble as well, and in the end he would have let you come with me anyway." She flashed her teeth to Karin, "I just didn't want to wait that long."
The Mansion was bustling with servants running in and out of its hallways. They were all carrying various items; some had various colored clothes draped heavily over their arms. Others were practically juggling boxes of shoes, while most were simply running around the Manor looking for work or orders to fulfill. Karin had to dodge several of them as they aimlessly bounded past her. Leta seemed very equipped to dealing with the panic, easily and gracefully weaving her way down the halls, leading a much more clumsy Karin behind her.
"Everyone's gone crazy," Karin murmured to herself.
Leta smiled, "These sort of occasions are usually a big deal to Nobles. Not only is it a time to mingle with heads of power, and wear something other than a kimono," She joked, "but it only occurs every couple of decades, if that, so they take it pretty seriously here."
"You don't seem to," Karin noted.
The instructor eyed Karin with a shake of her head, "Oh, I'm just used to the panic. I take tonight very seriously," her grin broadened, "Just not like my siblings do."
"Ma'am!" One of the servants carrying several bags of what appeared to be clothing stopped, breathing heavily at Leta's side, "In your room are all the assorted dresses for you to try on."
"Excellent," Leta clasped her hands together enthusiastically. "Karin is wearing one of my older outfits. It's in the White Room. See to it that she's dressed properly," She ordered happily, turning to Karin, "You'll be in good hands, don't worry. Now I'm going to get ready. I'll see you shortly?" She smiled. The servant with the bags of clothing was already pushing Karin down the hallway towards the set of guest bedrooms.
"Sure," Karin said meekly.
She had never been one for primping, and this was certainly no exception. Leta may find all this exciting...but this stuff has never interested me...It would have been Yuzu's thing for sure, She thought sadly. She had just now gotten her sister's image out of her head, and here it was again, causing a pang in her chest. Great...
"Wow," the servant observed with a satisfied expression, "Madame Leta picked you a wonderful gown for tonight."
Karin seemed practically made for the outfit Leta had given her. It was a midnight blue and sleeveless, with two thick straps that wrapped around her shoulders at an angle and crisscrossed in the back. The thick material was still manageable to walk in, and slightly belled out from the waist, so it wasn't clingy. Karin had never worn something so elegant. She insisted on wearing black flats; there was no way in the world she'd ever wear heels. The servants offered her various amounts jewelry to wear with the gown, but the young Shinigami thought the giant diamond necklaces were tacky, too much for the dress, and instead went with a simple pair of pearl earrings. As for her hair, the servants tried to pull it up, but Karin would have none of it. Instead it stayed against the sides of her face, straight and down to her collar bone.
Karin checked herself once over in the mirror. Though her face and hair looked virtually the same, she felt somewhat different in the bell-shaped dress. More...grown up. Karin smiled, Thank goodness Goatbeard isn't here. He'd want to take so many stupid pictures of me in this...
Karin waited at the base of the stairs by herself in the main room for what seemed like half an hour. Karin figured she had taken the least time getting ready, but wanted to be downstairs so they could leave as soon as possible. She stood by a large mirror and twirled her hips in place, causing the dress to move back and forth in a slow sway. For some reason, her stomach felt as if it was filling with butterflies.
Am I...getting excited about this dance? She shook her head and gave herself a grimace, Nah...it's probably just anxiety about spying on the council...Even though this was a formal affair; Karin, Leta, and Yoruichi would have their own mission: To discover the true intentions of the Soul Society Council of 46. Karin smirked to herself, I feel like one of those secret agents in those movies Goatbeard was always watching...the undercover spy Karin Kurosaki!
"Oh Karin," An awed voice called from above the young Shinigami, as Karin turned to see her mentor Leta descending the stairwell, "You look simply beautiful."
But Karin thought she couldn't compare to Leta. The teacher was dressed in a tight-fitting bright yellow dress that had one strap across her shoulder and a slit on the right side that rose from her ankle all the way to the, dangerously appealing, upper part of her thigh. It fit her snugly, and showed off her lean frame. Her strawberry blonde hair, golden enough not to clash with the dress, was parted down the middle and then clumped into two large buns on either side of her face. The buns were adorned with black barrets and black beaded clips.
"Speak for yourself," Karin smiled in return.
"You like it?" Leta spun in place, eyeing herself from all angles. "The servants complained that the hair is a bit much, but I like it." She stopped and gave Karin's hair a look, her smile fading slightly, "You didn't do anything different with yours."
"I like it the way it is," Karin replied simply. "Besides, there's not much you could do with it."
Leta didn't meet Karin's eyes, her focus still on the young Shinigami's locks, "That depends on who you're talking to."
"I think it looks fine," a voice called from atop the stairs. Leta and Karin both looked up to see Layla, the elder sister of Leta, gracefully glide down the stairs. Karin would have argued with anyone that it seemed more like floating than gliding, her movements were so fluid and airy.
Layla's dress was much more conservative. She wore a pale, almost white, periwinkle flowy sleeved gown made of thin layers of material. It looked to Karin like a dress made of several dozen doilies, but only Layla could have pulled it off and made it look stunning. Her ample chest filled out the top part of the strapless dress, and her dark green hair was smooth and wrapped delicately into a long braid draped across her right shoulder.
"You wore that last year, sister," Leta said in an almost disappointed voice.
"I enjoy wearing it," Layla countered contently, "I sincerely doubt the council will remember what I wear from year to year," She added with a wispy smile.
Leta smirked, "That depends on who you're talking to." Only this time she said the phrase, it was much more playful. She gave Karin a wink, which made the young Shinigami smile. Those two are definitely sisters.
"Lyall is on his way down," Layla looked cautioningly at Karin, her eyes cast downward at her, "He had to inform the servants of a few things before we left."
"Is he in charge of the Manor?" Karin asked.
"Technically," Layla's smile stretched the tiniest bit, "He's the leader of the Kamaguchi clan."
Karin felt her throat tighten a little, "Really?" She said with a slight effort. Leta's set me up to go to this Ball with a Noble Family clan leader? Karin gave Leta a judging look that clearly stated "And you didn't tell me this before because-?"
Leta smiled with a hint of nervousness; her face clearly responding "You would have found out eventually..."
"Ah," Layla clasped her hands together, her eyes drawing towards the stairs, "Here is our dear brother."
If you had told Karin that Leta, Layla, and Lyall Kamaguchi all had different parents and were not related at all, she would have believed you. Just like Layla and Leta only shared the shape of their eyes as a common feature, for Lyall, the traits he shared with his sisters were the sharp, thin nose like Layla's and his pencil eyebrows that mimicked Leta's. That was the extent of his similarity with his siblings.
Lyall was in between the heights of Layla and Leta, slightly taller than Karin. He was athletically, almost like a young adolescent, thin, especially his legs, which looked like two slightly bow-legged toothpicks. His skinny body was shrouded tonight in a royal purple suit with a black cape strung together with a golden rope that crossed his chest horizontally. His black shoes were perfectly polished and indicated he had large feet. His hands were slightly large as well, and his face was a heart shape. Lyall's hair seemed thick and wavy like Leta's, but was an auburn brown, shaggy enough to where it framed his face. His eyes were in a permanently narrowed state, and were brown; in fact, his entire facial expression seemed to be that of narrowed and pensive, as if dissatisfied by something, but in an oddly gracious and attractive manner.
He glanced from his sisters to Karin with a curiosity that Karin could only liken with a scientist. "Is this her?" He said curtly. The two sisters nodded instantly. Karin didn't know what to expect as Lyall hovered over her, then bent down to meet her eyes. There was a moment of silence.
Lyall extended his hand, "A pleasure to meet you."
Both Leta and Layla let out simultaneous sighs of relief. Karin, wondering for a moment if they'd expected him to do something completely different, stared at him for a second before remembering her manners.
"Hello," She shook his hand; his skin was very warm, "My name is Karin Kurosaki."
"So I've heard," Lyall's narrowed face let up enough for him to smile slyly, "I'm Lyall Kamaguchi, but I'm sure you already know that." His head tilted with an unexpected playfulness.
Karin didn't know what to make of this man, "Y-yeah."
"Shall we go?" Layla said with a peaked voice, her hand gesturing to the door. "We're already going to be fashionably late."
"Of course," Lyall said with an apologetic frown to his sisters and Karin, "I would have been ready sooner if my work hadn't caught up and kept me behind this afternoon."
"What do you do?" Karin asked as they walked out of the Mansion.
"I'm the Captain of the Kido Corps," Lyall said simply.
Karin's mouth dropped open. She had read about them in class, the Kido Corps. Apparently, there was the Gotei 13 court guard that protected the Royal Family of the Soul Society, and then there was also the Kido Corps, the association that assisted the Gotei 13 and were responsible for the Kido spells that Shinigami could use. They were a division separate from the Gotei 13, yet a huge functioning organ of the organization as well. Lyall being the Captain was a big deal. Yet he said it as if she had asked what color the sky was. Karin forced her mouth shut,
"Really?"
"Oh yes," Lyall replied, "I have been for about seventy years now."
"...I see," Karin didn't want to think of all the spells this man could perform just by looking at her. She gulped slightly and turned her head so he couldn't see her frightened face.
It was extremely funny to use shunpo, the Shinigami act of moving at a fast pace, to get to the Noble Summit Ball, especially in dresses, but Karin managed fairly well. She sensed the others were going slower to allow her to keep up, but she didn't mind. The conversation bantered between Leta and Layla most of the way about who was going to the Ball with who. But Lyall was very curious about Karin, and her life in the Real World. As it turned out, he'd never visited there as a Shinigami, despite being as Karin found out, roughly three-hundred and fifty years old.
"Do you have siblings?" He asked in a very calm voice.
How could he not know about Ichigo? Was he just being polite? "Yeah, I have a brother and a sister...she's my twin in fact." Karin added, just for detail. Lyall nodded his head, his dark eyes scanning her face intently.
"Does she look like you?"
Karin almost snorted, "No, the complete opposite."
He seemed mildly surprised, "And your brother?"
"Everyone says we look similar, but I don't believe them." Karin replied. Lyall looked at her and then slowly smiled. His smile was very smug and superiority was displayed in the curve of his thin dimples,
"I see. We're very alike in that respect." He looked ahead to his sisters ranting to each other, and Karin realized what he meant. She felt a smile play upon her face; Lyall was mysterious, but in a good way so far.
In about an hour they arrived at a road that, unlike the ones she'd seen so far, was paved in golden bricks. Karin couldn't imagine how expensive this road must have been. It led to a set of golden gates opening to a giant green courtyard on a small hillside, a giant mansion of white marble and red clay shining with numerous metal oil lanterns lighting the path towards it. Unlike the Kamaguchi mansion, there were no trees hiding this place; open countryside surrounding the grounds had fountains, elegant tents, tables, and matching lanterns for people to see each other in the darkness. It was as if the place was on display for all to see and be awestruck by its sheer expensive and luxurious beauty.
"They weren't very modest with the design," Karin noted quietly.
Leta giggled, "Oh, this is the Noble Summit Hall. All the forty-six Council members have special emergency meetings here and gatherings for nobles; it was built specifically to serve the Noble Families in case of recreational activities. Basically it's to show off how great the Nobles are."
Karin stared at the vast yard and the many people scattered throughout chatting with one another as they walked through the golden gateway, "So no one lives here when there's not parties?"
Leta smiled, "No." Her gaze turned more serious, "My family actually designed a Kido spell to protect this location when we're not using it. That way, normal passers-by wouldn't try to sneak in or vandalize the Hall."
The young Shinigami looked ahead in awe, "No way..."
Without warning a small black butterfly suddenly perched onto Leta's shoulder. "Oh! Leta-" Karin pointed to the insect, but Leta smiled, gracefully lifting it towards her ear as it rested on her index finger.
"Aha," The instructor smiled, "It's a Hell Butterfly, Karin. Apparently, my date has arrived!" She smiled broadly and started to bounce back towards the gates the way they came in, "I'll be right back!"
This left Lyall, Karin, and Leta standing in the middle of the courtyard amidst numerous individuals that Karin didn't know at all. She looked around, hoping to see Renji, Rukia, or Yoruichi, but the only faces she could see belonged to strangers.
Lyall's face darkened slightly, "Her date? Is she taking her Captain again?" He didn't sound thrilled about this prospect.
"Yes," Layla's eyes were matte and dull as she said this. Karin wondered what they had against Captain Komamura. He seemed very nice and respectable to her, other than the fact that he looked like a werewolf.
"I suppose the choice could have been poorer," But Lyall's face was full of doubt.
Layla's face mimicked his, "Indeed."
"Madame Kamaguchi!" A voice shot out from the crowd, and Layla, Lyall, and Karin turned to see a woman dressed in white Greek-looking robes walk towards them. Layla smiled serenely, looking to Lyall and Karin.
"She's a council member I'm friends with," She told Karin specifically, "If you'll excuse me." She greeted the woman, who appeared in her mid-forties, with a firm handshake and the two set off across the courtyard, instantly talking to one another like old friends.
Lyall gave Karin a sly grin, "I would gather you know no one here."
Karin crossed her arms with a slight pout, "You would be correct, sir."
Lyall glanced at her up and down with an amused curiosity, "You do not carry yourself with the weight of a thirteen-year-old," He noted finally.
Karin stared at him, not sure whether to take offense or not. She decided he wasn't mocking or being rude. "I've always had to act mature. Since my mother died when we were young, and my father," She cringed, "has the maturity of an infant...I've always had to be the responsible one."
Lyall gave her a considerate smile, "You are the oldest I take it."
"No," Karin had to grin at the comment, "I'm the middle child...technically. Yuzu and I are twins, but I'm older."
This comment made Lyall's eyes widen to a non-narrowed state, which to Karin made him look a hundred times friendlier. Without a moment's hesitation, he laughed out loud, causing Karin to stare in wonder.
"Interesting," Lyall finally said as he calmed himself, "We are seeming more alike with each passing moment." He smirked, which made Karin's cheeks grow warm. She tried to hide the fact that she was possibly blushing. When she turned her head she saw a familiar face.
"Renji!"
The Vice-Captain of her division was dressed up in a black suit, wearing the green tie Karin had suggested. His long crimson hair was in a thick braid down his back, which oddly enough looked nice. With his white bandana gone she noticed he had widow's peaks, with tattoos filling in the spaces above his eyebrows. He looked rugged and surprisingly handsome, but awkwardly so with the expression he wore. It clearly said "I don't fit in here."
Rukia on the other hand looked as if she was made for this sort of occasion. Her petite frame was draped in a dark plum dress that dropped straight to the ground. The sleeves were diagonal, so they met at a "v" at her chest. She wore a simple necklace with a plum cherry blossom jewel, her hair pulled up into an updo with a few locks gently hanging around her ears and her trademark one between her eyes.
"Yo," the Lieutenant said with a less than enthusiastic voice.
"Karin!" Rukia looked happy but puzzled nonetheless.
"Hi Rukia," Karin smiled, "It's good to see you here." It seemed like months since she'd seen the Shinigami. "You look nice," She gave Renji an extra big smile, "You especially."
Renji turned his head away in embarassment, "Quit it."
Rukia looked at her date curiously, then turned back to the young Shinigami. "Thank you, Karin, but," She tilted her head in confusion, "What are you doing here?"
"I invited her," Lyall suddenly decided to join the conversation, his hand extending towards Rukia.
The Shinigami's eyes widened, "Captain Lyall Kamaguchi! You-?"
Lyall grasped Rukia's hand and gave it a quick kiss, "A pleasure as always, Madame Kuchiki." His eyes turned to Renji and narrowed slightly, "You must be the Vice-Captain to Captain Kuchiki."
"Yeah," Renji replied bluntly. It was clear Renji didn't like Lyall kissing Rukia's hand in the least bit but wasn't about to do anything about it. "How'd you guess?"
Lyall smirked, "The Captain would only allow you to take his beloved sister for that reason I'm sure."
Karin stared at her date, baffled by what had just been said. Renji's hands formed slowly into fists, his eyes blazing. Rukia gripped his wrist though, before he could say anything; her eyes intently staring into his, as if to tell him to not waste his breath. Lyall looked as if he noticed none of this.
"Oh good, you're still here!" Leta had returned, luckily in time to draw everyone's attention towards her and her date, Captain Komamura.
The captain was much taller than Leta and larger; in fact, she appeared to be a child compared to him. He was dressed in a black suit as well, but with an ivory sash draped around his neck and hanging down across his shoulders. He reminded Karin of the "Beast" in the children's book she'd read; a monster dressed up as a prince. But she knew Komamura was no monster; he was in fact probably the most respectable person she'd met as far as manners and kindness were concerned.
"Ah, and Renji and Rukia are here too!" Leta grinned widely.
"Greetings," Komamura said with a nod of his head. He looked down to Lyall, "It is an honor to see you again, Captain Kamaguchi."
Lyall's mouth formed a smug frown, "Please, you can refrain from titles with me tonight. Lyall will do." He said it as if Komamura was not fit to say "captain" in front of him. Karin didn't like this side of her date at all; neither did Renji from the look on his face. Rukia's expression was unreadable.
"Play nice," Leta murmured under her breath, her smile widening.
"Are all the Captains gathering here?" A harsh voice questioned.
A new person had joined the group. This was a woman barely taller than Karin, but just as thin. She was wearing an outfit that was midnight blue as well, but that's where the similarities ended. It was an outrageous two-piece attire; the top being practically a bra with cloth hanging on the sides of it that connected to the bottom piece. The bottom was barely three strips of midnight blue cloth sewed together. It reminded Karin of a belly dancer's outfit. The woman wearing the 'dress' didn't look thrilled about it either; she had a dark blue hair that was short, save for two thin braids that hung down her back. Her eyes were glaring, and her lips pursed thin. Karin was trying her hardest not to stare at the bizarre outfit, for fear of making her mad. She looked threatening enough as it was.
"Not exactly, Captain," Leta smiled, eyeing the outfit too.
Everyone, in fact, seemed to be taking a sudden interest in the newcomer's wardrobe. Karin could tell that everyone had the same thought on their minds, but no one dared to say it. No one that is, except for Karin's instructor.
"Did you make your own dress this year, Soi Fon?" Leta asked casually.
Karin tried to stifle the urge to laugh, pinching her arm tensely. Rukia and Renji stared at Leta with horror, Captain Komamura with sudden apprehension, and Lyall with a disapproving glare.
Captain Soi Fon's face suddenly turned a bright red.
"No, Leta Kamaguchi! How dare you utter such things! I would not have worn this ridiculous arrangement here if I hadn't been told how gracious it looked by-"
"Ah, some familiar faces!" Yoruichi Shihouin was now with them, looking absolutely stunning. Her long, dark green halter dress showed off every curve she had perfectly, as well as matched her plum hair.
"See," Karin commented quickly to Renji, "I told you. Plum and Green do look good together."
Renji gave her a cold, silent stare in return. Rukia looked over to both of them, "What are you two talking about?"
"I picked out this dress for Soi Fon!" Yoruichi stated proudly, "Doesn't it look great on her?"
Karin could not imagine why Soi Fon would have let someone else design her outfit, but then again, she couldn't imagine how Yoruichi had found that dress to be appealing in the first place.
"Indeed," Komamura nodded his head, breaking the awkward silence, "It's flattering Captain."
Karin didn't know if he was serious or not, but his kind words made her like Captain Komamura even more. Lyall, however, shook his head,
"Your fashion sense is highly medeival, Madame Yoruichi," He noted, not as politely as the Captain before him. Way to be honest, Lyall, Karin gave him an upset expression, which he ignored. "In any case, have you already spoken to the Nobles?"
Yoruichi nodded, her expression more serious, "Have you?"
Lyall dusted his shoulder, "I was getting ready to venture that direction." He turned and gave Karin a glance accompanied by a small smile, "Would you care to join me?"
"Actually," Yoruichi butted between them and gripped Karin's shoulder, "I need to borrow Miss Kurosaki if that's alright." She looked down at Lyall, since he was a few inches shorter than her with a slightly intimidating stance.
The Kido Captain smiled with an apparent understanding that Karin didn't comprehend, "Sparing her from the droll of Nobles, Madame Shihouin?"
"If it's fine with you," Yoruichi grinned back. Must be an inside joke, Karin decided to herself.
"It is," Lyall gripped Karin's hand and raised it to his mouth. In a similar fashion to Rukia, he kissed her hand, but this time let his lips linger for a second longer. "I shall return shortly." He gave her a quick flash of a grin before flash-stepping up the hill towards the Mansion. Karin watched him vanish with a flustered expression. What ...was that?
Renji leaned over so that his head was inches from Karin's ear. "That's a nice date you have there," He teased in a whisper.
Karin placed her hand on his cheek and shoved his face away from her, "Back off, jerk!" She barked. Great...She was trying to hide the fact that her face felt hot and was probably blushing immensely. Renji looked pleased that his taunt had been a success.
"Yoruichi," Leta suddenly looked at her colleague with an expression that Karin knew meant this conversation would be about their mission tonight. She listened carefully as Leta continued, "Captain Komamura and I need to meet with the Nobles as well. Would you care to stay with Karin and keep her company until Lyall comes back?"
Yoruichi nodded in a soldier-like fashion, "Of course."
Karin watched her instructor walk away with her arm entangled in Captain Komamura's. She guessed Leta was planning on meeting with the Nobles to find out any possible leads as to what they wanted with Karin. So this is it, she thought with an excitement building in her chest, We're starting to move "Operation Information" into effect...
Rukia glanced around Yoruichi with a disappointed frown, "I was hoping to see Shou tonight. Is he not here?"
The flash goddess gave Rukia a warm smile, returning to the conversation at hand. "Oh he is here actually," She chuckled, "I've been handing him around to several individuals. You know how people go crazy over seeing infants at occasions like this."
"Hopefully I'll get to see him," Rukia smiled.
Renji scratched the back of his head, looking around the courtyard. "Rukia, let's go see if we can track down Kira. He said he'd be here."
"That's right," Realization dawned on Rukia's face, "He was coming tonight," She turned to Karin, giving her a sympathetic smile, "We'll see you again afterwhile, Karin. I'm happy you're okay here. Renji's been filling me in on how you've been doing."
Karin smiled in return, "I'm glad he has." She glanced mischieviously at Renji, who was blushing slightly and gently tugging on Rukia's arm.
"Let's go," He gave Karin a quick look, "See ya, kid. Yoruichi. Soi Fon."
After the two had left, Soi Fon gave an evil smirk to Yoruichi, "I knew it was only a matter of time before she brought him to this event."
"A blind man could have forseen it," Yoruichi nodded, her face giving off an equally playful grin.
"So you're Ichigo Kurosaki's sister?" She turned her attention to Karin and gave her a stiff glance, "I wouldn't have guessed."
Karin was surprised by this. "Really? You're the first person to say that! Everyone usually says I'm just like him."
"They're morons," Soi Fon uttered bluntly, causing Yoruichi to stifle a short laugh.
"Speaking of which," The flash goddess offered dryly, moving the conversation, "Would you care to go and find Captain Kuchiki? I was needing to talk to him, but Leta's having me stay here with Karin until Lyall returns."
Soi Fon gave Yoruichi a confused and slightly agitated glance, "Why do you need to talk to him now? I'm sure he'll find his way towards us eventually."
"It involves the Noble I met inside," The feline femme replied smoothly, "I'm afraid if he doesn't hear this information soon it will be for the worse." Her eyes narrowed onto Soi Fon and her voice grew heavier, "I've wasted enough time already. It is urgent that I find him."
After a moment, during which the petite captain appeared to be thinking to herself, she glanced up at Yoruichi and nodded her head with an irritated frown, "Yes, I can go and retrieve him for you."
"Thank you, Soi Fon," the cat woman said with a grateful grin. The diminuitive captain flash-stepped out of sight. Three seconds later, Yoruichi quickly turned and led Karin silently towards a nearby tree, still in sight of the mansion, but far enough away from everyone for her to talk one-on-one with Karin uninterrupted.
Karin focused her gaze on Yoruichi, "Okay, what's happening?"
"So far so good," Yoruichi explained, her eyes glowing golden even in the darkness. "This night is actually working in our favor. Leta is infiltrating the mansion to hopefully scout information, while you and I are free to talk about the next step of the plan."
"What about Soi Fon? You didn't really need to talk to Captain Kuchiki did you?"
"Ah," Yoruichi grinned, "I actually lied to Rukia. I haven't been passing Shou around to the Nobles. I left him in the care of Byakuya inside the Summit Hall."
Karin stared at the cat woman as if she was insane, "Are you kidding? You left your son with...with...with Captain Kuchiki?" She couldn't believe it.
"He won't do anything to my son," Yoruichi was grinning wide at Karin's innocent and honest reaction, "Plus, it keeps him occupied and away from you." Her grin became a smirk, "I heard about your zanpaktou."
Karin's face suddenly turned red, which she was sure Yoruichi could see even in the dark away from the lanterns, "Oh you heard about that, did you?"
"I have news about that later," Yoruichi's smirk faded, "But for now, we need to focus. Soi Fon won't take long finding Byakuya, that's a certainty."
Karin blinked, "What's the plan?"
"Originally, Leta and I were going to send you into the Summit Hall in hopes that a Council member would take you aside and attempt to recruit you," She looked grave, "But we realized with Lyall there as your date, they might become slightly intimidated and not talk to you at all, but instead push their actions into motion faster, with or without your recruitment."
Karin understood this as it sank in, but frowned, "So why'd you set me up with Lyall to begin with?"
"It was the only option at the time," Yoruichi answered impatiently, continuing, "We've had time to think since then however, and have realized what a poor decision that was. The point is, Leta is going to infiltrate inside now and see if she can scrounge any information from the Nobles. It's protocol that all Noble Family members meet and greet with the Council. It's a check-up of sorts. Hopefully, Leta will find some information that is useful. Then, we'll switch places and I'll do some investigating of my own." She took a breath, looking slightly exasperated.
Karin was severely disappointed. So wait, I'm not going to be doing anything here? Just standing around talking to people I don't know?
"Why am I even here then?" Karin objected angrily, "I'm not going to be spying at all?"
"It's too dangerous," Yoruichi stared grimly at Karin, "The Council are not people to be trifled with. Your fate hangs in the balance of this evening," She paused and gave Karin an apologetic frown, "I'm sorry that we drug you into this without thinking beforehand. Lyall makes this entire equation more complicated than you could possibly imagine."
Karin gave the older Shinigami and understanding glance, "I think I could imagine."
"I would ask what you're doing here in the shadows," Lyall's voice broke the quiet around the two of them, nearly making Karin jump out of her skin. Yoruichi turned with a feline quickness towards the youthful man as he stood about three feet from them. "But then again, with you Madame Shihouin, there's no telling." He grinned slyly, his eyes narrowed.
Karin had no clue how long he'd been standing there; she hadn't been able to detect his spiritual pressure at all.
"Ah, Lyall," Yoruichi grabbed Karin's arm as they made their way back towards the lightened area of the courtyard. Lyall had his hands in his suit pockets, standing casually by a lantern. "The Nobles didn't droll on forever I see."
"Not after I told them who my date was this evening," Lyall grinned to Karin's horror, and, as she looked up, to Yoruichi's terror as well, "They would not let me carry on the conversation any longer without taking her to meet them."
Yoruichi's teeth were grinding as she spoke, "You don't say."
"I was surprised as well," Lyall smirked, "But apparently your reputation proceeds itself." He stated to Karin proudly, as if she were a prize he'd won. Karin felt as if the stack of cards Yoruichi, Leta, and herself had so perfectly crafted were tumbling down in shambles.
"So I've heard," Karin managed to mutter, her voice stiff.
"I'm sorry to interrupt whatever you were discussing," Lyall grabbed Karin by the hand, "But the Nobles are insisting they see Miss Kurosaki immediately."
Yoruichi had composed herself by now, her voice even, and her eyes calm. "Certainly. Please bring her back though," She said with a small smile, her eyes finding Karin's with a nervousness that only Karin would notice, "We didn't get to finish gossiping."
Lyall gave a gentle, playful laugh as he drug Karin alongside him, "No worry, Madame Shihouin. She'll be back before you remember her leaving."
Ahhhh, next chapter up as soon as possible!
I hope you liked this introduction to the ball! I felt like it was rushed...I hope to take more time on the next chapter. Let me know what you thought! and if there's a specific character you'd like to see cameo next chapter! I have some already in mind, bwahaha!
Have a great weekend,
Romania Black