Large, heavily guarded doors swung open upon Kish's instruction. Trumpets sounded resiliently as fresh morning air breezed quickly throughout the foyer of the elegant palace, who's marble floors and pillars shone smooth and beautiful.

Gasping, breathless at the display before her, Ichigo followed Kish's lead as he calmly stepped into the palace's threshold, an air of confident superiority overwhelming the crowd that awaited him.

Well known upper-class dukes and duchesses stood in groups and throngs and pairs, staring, in awe, at their prince. These men and women were obviously of vampiric decent, having ivory fangs protruding from their lips, their skin as pale as the fresh snow. Their eyes, a familiar crimson, shone in confusion at the odd little girl beside Kish.

"Everyone, I would like you all to meet my fiance. Please, accept her warmly and welcome her into our world. Her name is Ichigo, Momomiya Ichigo. She is the one I have spoken of previously." his voice, loud and booming, quieted the crowd about them.

"So, she's the supposed 'hidden rose vampire' that our prince has spoken of?!"

"She looks like a measly snack to me."

"Look at how earnestly she's been dressed! She's just a prostitute vampire who has enthralled our dear prince!"

Snickers and chuckles and overall mocking could be heard from the young women that stood to the side, sending her angry glares and taunting smirks.

If it hadn't been for Kish, she would have shy'd away and retreated behind him.

"Ladies over there. You seem to think something about my fiance is amusing. Others of you have begun to insult her. She is in the line of royalty, and should be treated as such! I will not have you saying such things of her!" upon stating this, he reached over and pulled said fiance to his side, holding her lovingly, protectively beside him.

"Oh, and whatever 'royalty' is in her blood?!" crossing her arms in defiance, the leader of the group of girls began to tap her foot in expectation and await his response to that.

"The Momomiya Line, of course. She is Sakura Momomiya's only offspring. Her father was human, yes, but that part of her only makes her stronger. I'm sure you're familiar with this fact, but those few vampires with even a hint of human blood are much stronger than ordinary vampires. They also have more compassion as well." there was an audible growl within his voice, obviously challenging anyone to go against him.

"Fine, but I still think she's a lowlife prostitute! She's brought disgrace to her mother's bloodline! She isn't worthy to be called royalty, Prince Kish." sticking her nose high into the air, the girl was almost sure her prince would kill her. Yet, it was odd, the fact that it never came. No angry words of scolding, no yelling, no threats.

Opening her eyes wide, she came upon quite a site. There Kish stood, his eyes flaming red and narrowed to kill. His fangs of pearly white were drawn and ready to attack. His skin, originally fair, to an extent, was now ghostly pale. His fists had been balled up tightly, his knuckles matched his face. In all sense of the word, he was ready to KILL!

Yet, there, holding him back easily, when, obviously, he was using his full force to push forward, was Ichigo, a calm expression about her.

"Kish, calm down. It's not worth getting into a fight. Let there be not a single drop of blood shed today in revenge, nor in rage." at her words, confident and sweet, he pulled back his rage and took on his usual air of calmness.

"Did you see that?!"

"Yeah, she's tamed the prince!"

"He's never been tamed before! When he's angry, the object of his anger has always been 'dismissed'."

Voices about her were but mere whispers. Of fear or of admiration, she didn't care. Fingers pointed in disbelief and jaws hit the floor.

"Oh my...You truly are something, aren't you, little half-blood?! I suppose it would be quite futile to challenge you here and now. Though, when the time comes, will you accept my request to fight you, one on one?" reaching out a bold hand to her, the girl's face appeared blank.

"No! You should be grateful that she is holding me back. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here now. Would you? Just leave here now, so that I do not have to deal with the likes of y-" having been cut short on his threat, he looked down at Ichigo, who had extended her hand, a blank look upon her face.

"It's officially a deal then. Whenever you would like, you may schedule a full out battle with me. I promise that I will not bring the aid of any one person or parties into this fight. You, in turn, may do whatever you wish, as long as you are not harming anyone else. You may attack at any time. Just remember, I won't be the one to start this fight."

He knew he had no room to protest, by the way her eyes shown, semi-red, yet still chocolate at the same time. So, watching in horror as she lifted her hand to the girl's own, he simply shook his head. It was a deal between two vampire women, unable to be broken.

"It's a deal. The first one to die, or to cry for mercy wins. Also, I suppose I should tell you. My name is Katerina. I am, very much, looking forward to our battle." upon shaking hands, she swiftly turned on her heal and disappeared, back into the throng of gossiping women, who had been silenced by the commotion.

Walking off beside Kish, Ichigo's expression remained blank. It was then that Kish decided he should point out the obvious fact that she was, indeed, crazy.

"What are you thinking?! Do you honestly think you can face a full vampire noble?! Gah!" pulling her behind a pillar, cornering her, he awaited her response.

"Of course I know what I'm thinking. Besides, she's the one who challenged me. I look forward to it immensely." crossing her arms in front of her, she simply dodged Kish's attempt to catch her and disappeared into the throng of people, who'd gone back to talking.

"Get back here! You can't just go around in a crowd of vampires unprotected! I happen to know that Kei is here, waiting to pounce on you while you're unable to protect yourself." pulling her with him, he added, "Besides, I need to get you dressed, show you around, and let you meet Pai and Taruto!"

He was trying his best to avoid letting her venture out, into the crowd, as best he could. Yet, it was obvious that he was failing miserably.

"Fine, let's go. I'm sorry I scared you so much, but I'm fairly sure I can handle a fight with Katerina." gazing up at him in apology, she hoped he wouldn't be too mad at her.

"It's alright. Besides, I don't blame you. Now come! We must hurry. The gathering is nearly at an end anyways, and the large crowd will soon disperse to their own homes. I'll stay up with you for a while and get you comfortable with this new home of yours."

I know what you're thinkin'! 'Jeez, she's really let it slip by now.' I know too! I'm sorry that this was such a short chapter, but I'd finally gotten over my writer's block and wanted to update! Besides, I've established a crucial building block for the action of this fic, as well as the villain, besides Kei. If you review, I will reward you in Cyber cookies! It's either a review or five bucks! I believe the review would be less costly though. God Bless all of my lovely reviewers!

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