Here is the second chapter I promised! Please enjoy *bows*

Disclaimer: I do not own Xiaolin Showdown

Once she got in her room, Kimiko relaxed knowing that no one would be able to find her. Not even members of the Pur-Sang. For that was the expertise of the De Luca clan – seals and secrets. Her luxurious hair fell to her back and merrily by her sides. Her beauty was unearthly. It was electrifying. She opened a crusty book from the trunk that she brought along. She could never leave her precious books at their home in Italy. Sighing, she finally found what she was looking for. The book was entitled, L'Ancien. It was a French, historical book about vampires. She particularly valued the past for she believed that one cannot move forward without knowing the past. She smiled contentedly to herself as she nestled on the spacious silken bed. She sat there like a glorious princess reading an aged book.

Satisfaction enveloped her.

She was home.

"I'm bored," Clay said with a yawn.

"I'm hungry," Haruna said.

"So?" Omi said, glaring at her.

Haruna looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Let me have a bite," she said. "Just one."

"No way!" Omi complained. "I already gave you three hours ago. Your appetite is not a woman's."

Haruna grumbled. "Haruka-chan!" she called out.

Haruna's Sorciere assistant appeared in a flash. Everyone knew that each Pur-Sang has a noble-class student vampire that worked as a servant, a rank that matches Netopyrs in the view of purebloods.

Yadomaru Haruka appeared beside Haruna. "Yes, Xiao-Yu-sama?" she asked formally.

"A bite," Haruna said. "Just one."

Haruka consented and exposed her neck. Haruna bit it down instantly.

"Bloodlust," Abassi said. "Common for our age."

"Only you don't have it," Omi said. "Abnormal as usual."

Abassi glared at him. "An Adze family specialty."

"Of abnormality," Omi teased.

Then, he felt his hand bleed.

"HEY!" he yelled. "No using of powers!"

Abassi grinned. "Couldn't resist."

Raimundo watched on, disinterested. He had been feeling power fluctuations from a strange source within the vicinity along with his cousin's. He was sure it was the De Luca girl, but she didn't seem to be fond of crowds and she may be watching from afar.

Raimundo bared his eyes, still looking interested with the party but actually looking around for signs of a pureblood.

One knew a pureblood from other classes of vampires. Point one was they had paler skin. Point two was that they all had golden flecks in their eyes. Point three was they were the most beautiful. Point four was that they had an extraordinarily alluring scent that was unique to every family, and as Raimundo noticed, the De Luca family smelled strongly of jasmine. And point five was that even when calm, the purebloods exuded a different level of spiritual pressure.

Because the ability of vampires came from the tampering of their spirits. Where are you hiding?

The night flew by quickly, as rapidly as it came. Morning came and the rooms of the Gehenna Dormitory were closed, everyone sleeping – deep in dreamless wonderlands. For a vampire has no luxury of having dreams. Their slumbers are blank, void of any emotion and vision.

Their rooms were dark, not allowing any fingers of the sun's ray's creep through the windows. Vampires do not fear light, they just have low tolerance for it. Their sight, engineered for night vision, takes in too much light that the burden on their eyes was somewhat unbearable. Their pale skins were close to glowing underneath the glory of the sun. It wasn't allowed because the sight was too much for a human to behold.

But they can certainly take walks in the morning. Although it was rare and they choose not to.

And this was the perfect opportunity if a vampire who does not want to be seen by his fellows could take a walk.

And this was when the De Luca heiress chose to take a stroll.

She walked along the corridors of the Alyssum Academy's square. The garden was beautiful, filled with the rare flower named Blood Lilies. They were scarlet in color and were an enchanted plant, made by a member of the Shizuoka family seven years after the vampire race was born. The Blood Lily's dew could restore a wounded vampire. And the same applies if vampires drink blood.

She glided across the lawn, plucking one Blood Lily, which was magically replaced by another blossom. She kissed the flower with her equally scarlet lips. Her body felt a surge of warmth, the energy of the bloom revitalizing her. Placing the flower in her hair she walked around even more. Stopping she saw another vampire, only to realize it was the Nguyen from the other night. Taking a steady breath she walked over and smiled at what she saw. She thought she was the only one who liked mornings. Kimiko saw it as a way to escape the vampire world, even if it was for a day. When she was back in her homeland, she was never allowed to go out in the daylight. She never had any companions aside from her family – her father, mother and aunt. There were also some Sorciere that loyally served the De Luca clan for years – those who willingly removed themselves from their glamorous, public life and worked for the prestigious vampire clan in their years of detachment from the vampire world.

Stepping closer to Luna she sat right next to her, "Hello Luna-chan."

Opening one eye, Luna smiled over at Kimiko, "Hello sister, lovely morning isn't it?"

"Yes, very lovely. So what made you come out this morning?"

"It's lovely weather, who wouldn't come out here?"

"The other vampires' maybe?"

Shrugging Luna sat up, "Maybe, but I am different."

Kimiko smiled, "We both are; now I am going to keep walking, would you like to join?"

"I'm fine here. You go and enjoy nature. See you in class tonight."

Kimiko nodded and went on without her new friend. After a few minutes she sighed. Oh how she wish she could be like her best friend Tatsuki. She was a Netopyr and one of the best ones at that. After that thought, she smiled. At least in this academy, where no humans can go near, one can walk upon the vast grounds freely. There was no issue if vampires were seen by ordinary folk. It was just that their beauty so dazzled them that they wonder too much. Some people, those that called themselves vampire hunters, identified the extraordinarily beautiful and sought to kill them. Not that they could kill them. The humans only have the capacity to kill the Sang-Contamine, for they had no special abilities, only brutally strong with no sanity. The Netopyr were beautiful themselves but they were given the capability to lessen their glorious appearances and make them look like ordinary humans blessed with good looks. No pale skin. No glow. No unearthly aura. Kimiko was jealous of them for that reason. That was why they could wander around without fear of attracting too much attention towards themselves. They could perform tasks that their masters ask them to.

She sighed to herself. The members of their huge manor were all limited in freedom. The De Luca family cared for their secrecy.

Why did the De Luca family detach itself from the vampire world for two centuries?

It was De Luca Fiammetta's wish, upon assuming the title as the new head of the De Luca clan. He wished to be rid of the political and general eyes tracking his family, which were considered as the most controversial of the Pur-Sang. And he wished to be at less odds with the Shizuoka family and its new head.

There was also the issue of De Luca Fiammetta wishing to enrich the clan further and strengthen its powers and foundations. But this was only known within the family. They did not wish for a rumor to spread that they did so to plan to improve themselves to have the ability to overthrow their long-standing rival, the Shizuoka family.

And there was another tale, a tale that intrigued her so much that she was aching to ask her father since she was blessed with a mind of her own. But she did not dare because of the consequences that might lie when she intruded in these things.

An Sorciere in their palace named Moretti Cosima was her closest friend. They had to be separated after Cosima was taken to Alyssum Academy a year before her transfer. The De Luca heiress wished to see her friend again but she still had no chance to do so. Not when the Pur-Sang's Children were prancing around this school, all bowing at their sight.

The De Luca heiress shrugged to herself. She was a princess in her own manor. She was insanely wealthy but yet would never let anyone spoil her; besides her father but that was also on rare occasions. But in the Alyssum Academy where only the elite reside, there was a big population of nobles bowing and lowering themselves to the purebloods. She was not used to this, that even the rich and accomplished bowed down to them. And one could not see the others' appearances when they were on the ground groveling before their superiors. It was a common show of respect. It was part of one's education – etiquette. Know your place.

Then there was the story that Cosima told her – which De Luca Fiammetta was madly in love with Xiao-Yu Chiyo. Unfortunately, Chiyo was chosen by the Blood Orchid for the Shizuoka heir, Shizuoka Daichi. So, Fiammetta tragically lost his love.

And in his misery, he drowned himself in his duties and married the Highgate family's youngest daughter, Highgate Celia. And they had her – De Luca's Princess.

She had never seen Shizuoka Chiyo. But according to rumors, she was the most beautiful creature that walked on earth. She was indeed so heavenly in her attributes that one could simply stare at her. She was also purported to be soft-spoken and highly-intelligent. She was revered because of her kindness and unique powers. And her powers were added when she joined the Shizuoka family.

And rumors say that she loved her husband dearly, that was why she rejected De Luca Fiammetta.

Shizuoka Daichi – the vampire considered to be the supreme ruler of all vampires. Not technically, but it was known that he was the most powerful, almost untouchable. He was kind but just, as many say – a man of perfection. De Luca's princess never laid eyes on Shizuoka Daichi. She was far too enclosed in her own life to know anything of the outside world. She only had the knowledge that they attended the opening ceremonies of their academy. She was deathly curious, but she relented. She was more into exploring than finding out trivialities that she would eventually find out, now that she was in the outside world.

But she knew the Shizuoka heir. She saw him last night, although she shut down her sense of hearing and did not hear his speech. She focused on his appearance and even from afar, she could feel his spiritual energy erupting. It was poorly-controlled. Or maybe, he meant it to be poorly-controlled.

She then realized that maybe he wanted to bring her down using that pressure. She wasn't sure. But for precautionary measures, she left.

He was handsome – devilishly so. She could tell, although in close range it could have been more detailed. This much she could tell, along with the precariously-colored brown hair that was a bit disheveled. It was made that way, but it made him better-looking.

The De Luca heiress abandoned her trail of thought and walked forward, reaching the widest area of the academy – the grounds. It separated the main part of the campus from the Gehenna Dormitory.

By enchantment, the sunlight was limited, not the light she glimpsed from outside her window in her room back in her home.

It was good, along with the cool wind blowing softly on her classy sun dress. It was colored white, hugging on her figure. Her hair swirled around her face, happily flying with the wind under a hat with a brim wide enough to shield her from the sun.

She laughed loudly, loving the feel of everything surrounding her. She was sure no one would hear her. Everyone was fast asleep.

Then, she sensed something, a pair of eyes on her back. She concentrated and closed her eyes. She found it, she knew who it was.

Smiling, she turned around to face those eyes looking at her from a window in one of the rooms of the Gehenna Dormitory.

Her head remained on level, so that a person standing on higher ground can see no part of her face. She smiled wider and decided on a trick.

She raised her hand to wave, along with her head, giving the on-looker the pleasure of getting a very vague glimpse of her face.

A blinding light and she left.

Shizuoka Raimundo never got a wink of sleep. He sat on the stylishly-designed couch in the middle of his private suite in the Gehenna Dorm, reading a book by the author Anne Rice, entitled The Vampire Lestat.

'Ah, the taste and feel of blood when all passion and greed is sharpened in that one desire!'

He grinned at this. He could never agree more to this passage. He was a great lover of fiction, and he was very much entertained by this 19th century human author who fancied herself in the world of morbidity – in the world of vampires. It was a bit surprising that she knew quite a many things, although there are errors in the way she depicts her characters' way of life. For vampires do not wander so much as Lestat does, and neither do they seek ways to battle what is not worthy of battling. Lestat's abilities were superficial and weak, not to be compared with the real vampires. He was even no match for the mere Prospecta of their race.

Raimundo was often entertained by the way humans indulged themselves in their works of fiction; especially the ones concerning vampires.

There were beliefs that vampires were afraid of sunlight, the crucifix, and garlic. He found all of these hilarious, the things that humans do to unveil the supernatural. But maybe that's why they survived for all these years – they were surprisingly curious.

Laughable these stories were, but nonetheless, they fed on his knowledge about human thought and imagination.

And he needed them in the future, if he should mingle.

There were stories about vampires falling in love with humans. Raimundo found the concept laughable. For in their society, consorting with humans was an unspeakable crime, and the punishment was death.

The only reason that the vampire race did not go extinct is because they are capable of creating vampires in the mystical ways that only purebloods can. Those who attempt to make vampires by biting or experimenting with live and healthy humans make an Sang-Contamine, which was dangerous.

And that was exactly what the De Luca clan did…

Raimundo shifted slightly on the couch, finally lying down and resting his head on a throw pillow. His gaze left the book he was avidly reading and was directed at the line of paintings on the wall.

But he wasn't really focusing on the pictures. His mind was wandering over to the mysterious De Luca girl who was spying on the whole affair last night and not making herself known.

He was intrigued and a bit annoyed by what the De Luca girl was doing. Who does she think she is?

But Raimundo mulled over the fact that with a big MAYBE, the heiress might still be uncomfortable about being the new kid in the academy. Although there was nothing to be worried about because in the first place, she was a member of the Pur-Sang, even though her family had hid themselves for a long time.

Even before Raimundo was born, specifically 20 years before he was born, the De Luca clan had already proclaimed that they would temporarily remove themselves from the affairs of the vampire world and retreat into a world of 'peace' – away from the intrigue that surrounds them. It was De Luca Fiammetta's wish upon assuming his role as head of the family.

Now they were back in the world of power and privilege they were once accustomed to. And De Luca Fiammetta's daughter, how would she fare in this world where everyone saw her family as a villain? And Raimundo was sure she never really experienced the full blow of being in the vampire society of the elite, because of the hiding her family did.

And he was sure they hid her from the world, like all the Pur-Sang's children were, only coming out when needed.

He would live up to his promise of taking care of the girl – like everything he did for the entire Alyssum Academy. It was his duty to protect. His father named him Raimundo for him to be able to protect things he loved the most.

And he loved the vampire community. Even in an early age, he knew he was destined to protect it. With great power comes great responsibility.

And he wouldn't care if the De Luca heiress wouldn't like the idea of a Shizuoka member protecting her.

His glance flicked to the huge window being covered by heavy draperies to hide the sun. He didn't know why, but he resented daylight. The moon was his glory – he loved it. It was quiet, but exuded great power. It was harmony for him. The coolness welcomed him. Heavenly fangs cutting through the moon...

He stood up swiftly, surveying his reflection in the mirror. He wore an expensive black polo shirt and black pants. The necklace Haruna gave him as a present suited perfectly upon his pale skin. It was black – just like what he wore. It made his brown hair stand out more. Bright amidst darkness.

He crossed the room, replacing the book he was reading into the heavily-stocked shelf.

He frowned when he suddenly heard a sound – a musical, delightful sound that endeared his ears. He didn't want to lie to himself, he loved how it sounded. It's just that the sound was a laugh – a loud, carefree laugh.

And no one he knew would wander the grounds in the daylight. Unless, it was human.

But it can't be. No human could enter the Alyssum Academy. They would be destroyed by enchantments if they tried.

He quickly rushed and opened the draperies of the huge window. He was briefly stunned by the sunlight and heat but he adjusted and readapted himself quickly. He looked at where the laughter came from.

A young woman, clearly a vampire because of her pale skin, stood in the middle of the grounds, her white dress flying all around her and a hat taming her beautiful hair. Her frail but stunning figure amazed him and he couldn't recall ever seeing anyone like her in the academy before. He was sure he didn't know her.

As if sensing his presence, she turned. His breath caught, waiting for her to show her face.

She turned, but her head wasn't lifted. He couldn't see her face. He frowned.

Something was going on. Who the hell is this woman? He thought.

He saw her neck strain to lift her head up.

He saw a vague trace of her luscious lips curved to an endearing smile.

A flash of light.

A surge of magic.

She was gone.

He staggered, dazed. It was a powerful magic. If it were ordinary Sorciere or Demi-Dieub type vampire, he wouldn't be affected. He would still be able to see them before they disappeared and he could instantly summon them back.

But the girl had a different level of powers.

The girl was a Pur-Sang. He was absolutely sure about that.

And he had a gut feeling that it was the De Luca heiress.

Dusk came and the residents of the Gehenna Dormitory prepared themselves for the first day of formal classes.

Tunda Alix fixed her dark hair up in a usual ponytail, facing a huge mirror in front of her. She tidied up the beautiful tresses of her immaculately white uniform.

She smiled to herself. She loved the silky and comfortable feel of their uniform – the sapphire buttons, the white cloth and the black linings.

She touched the hem of her short skirt and raised it so that she could look at the welt on her pale leg. It was a bruise she got from her father when she failed to do her task at the ball and whenever he got a positive comment on his daughter from Raimundo-sama.

Her smile fell to a frown and tears formed in her eyes. She was glad she owned her own suite in the Gehenna Dormitory, or else everyone would see how unhappy a pureblood Alix was.

In the suite directly across Alix's, long, dark purple hair was brushed gracefully in its wavy tresses. Xiao-Yu Haruna smiled at Yadomaru Haruka, her assistant. The girl was already in her school uniform as early as she could, so that she could dutifully execute her mistress' wishes on time.

Haruna was still in her bath robe, surveying the beauty of her assistant. She briefly wondered why there were still no marriage proposals for the already eighteen Haruka. She was sure that a noble lad would have taken the girl for her amazing looks. Haruka's hair was golden and shoulder-length, tied up in pigtails by red ribbons.

"I think that's enough," Haruna said, standing up and finally putting on her uniform.

Haruka admired Xiao-Yu Haruna – easily said as the most beautiful girl in the world. Her deep, blue eyes that neared the shade of purple itself were always glittering. Her skin was pale and her choice in clothing excellent. She exuded grace and power. She was a Pur-Sang after all.

And Haruka prayed that her mistress would be chosen as Shizuoka Raimundo's bride.

The first of December was the selection, upon Shizuoka Raimundo's birthday.

Haruna rose and reached for her bag. The door swung open automatically. She loped gracefully outside the corridor.

In the suite beside Xiao-Yu Haruna's...

Highgate Clay mumbled grumpily as he looked for something to eat. His assistant forgot to bring the fresh blood he ordered.

He gave out a frustrated sigh as he blew a lock of silver hair that fell on his jade eyes. This is getting nowhere.

He silently thought if he could ask Alix a favor again.

He shook his head. Drawing blood from Alix for the third time is growing more embarrassing.

Clay would never admit it, but he had grown more concerned about the girl over the years. Her occasional bruises that she desperately tried to hide. A hit from another pureblood vampire would be hard to heal, unless one drinks the blood of another pureblood. And Alix was simply too shy to ask the others for blood.

And she would gladly offer herself to him.

Deep inside the blonde-haired boy, he wished Alix wouldn't be chosen by the Blood Orchid.

He fixed his midnight-blue tie on his white uniform and proceeded outside to the common room of the members of the Pur-Sang.

Behind the doors directly across Clay's...

Knight Omi was awake early, for one of the rare moments of his school life. Unlike his other companions, Omi treasured sleep and he often showed up late in his classes.

But not tonight...

Strangely, he wanted the school year to start. For one thing, it got his mind out of boredom and he wanted something significant to do.

And he was deathly curious to who this De Luca girl was.

He knew that she was bound to appear today. No normal Pur-Sang would go absent on the first day of classes. Even if her powers are already mature or even though she might be learned in her own right, she still has to dutifully attend to what must be attended to.

He didn't know exactly what he should do. He glanced at his black bag, ready for the taking. Strangely, he had been responsible enough to fix his things hours before.

He surveyed his reflection and let out a huff. Just a day without sleep gave him light bruises under his eyes. He was simply not used to staying up.

But he wasn't sleepy. He just hated looking bad. But he was still unnaturally good-looking.

What now?

He decided to just leave. There was nothing more to do or think about anyway.

He loosened his collar in a very relaxed way and left his suite.

Beside Omi's suite...

"I think this year would go nicely," Abassi said into the phone.

"Glad you think it would be," his mother, Adze Efia said from the other line, her voice smooth and clear even over the phone. "Be careful of yourself."

Abassi laughed. "What could possibly go wrong, mom?"

Efia sighed. "It's that De Luca heiress," she said. "I'm a bit worried."

"Why would you be worried?"

"I hope there would be no conflict between Raimundo-sama and the De Luca girl."

Abassi took a deep breath. "I don't think there would be trouble. Knowing Raimundo, he won't let any petty dispute ruin the peace in Alyssum Academy."

"I know that," Efia said. "But what about De Luca? Would she be as level-headed?"

"I hope so," Abassi replied. "I just hoped she showed herself before."

"Why? Wasn't she at your dorm party?"

"No," Abassi said, confirming his mother's ill-hidden doubts. "None of us have seen her, even for a bit."

"What?" Efia said, slightly alarmed. "Why would she hide herself?"

"De Luca Fiammetta said that she was sickly," Abassi said. "Maybe at that time, she still was."

"I don't believe it," Efia said. "I think she had been watching you."

"Raimundo also thinks so," Abassi said.

"Why didn't he do anything about it?"

"De Luca didn't do anything wrong. Raimundo just let her do as she wishes. We'll just see her today."

"She can't escape the Pur-Sang forever," Abassi added. "So don't worry."

"Alright," Efia said. "Take care son."

"Take care too, mom," Abassi said. "Bye."

"Good-bye."

Abassi put the phone back to its cradle and took his bag.

He hoped that this day would be as good as the previous years.

He just hoped, and prayed, that the De Luca heiress wouldn't be up to something bad.

Abassi sighed. He had to be on guard always, as well as the others. They had to help Raimundo.

Even though they were in the same classification of vampires, they had to be loyal to the Shizuoka family. Not just because of power, because Shizuoka Raimundo was their friend.

And he was a very good person.

Beside Abassi's room..

Nguyen Luna had awakened from her nap and was hurrying to get ready. Her best friend and familiar Jiroku curled up on her bed watching in amusement.

"I told you to wake up Kit. You didn't listen."

Glaring trough the mirror, she stuck he tongue at him. "Oh hush Jiro. I'm up. Now, do you want to come with me or are you staying here to take a nap?"

Standing up on all fours, he stretched his body. His back arching as he jumped off the bed, "I think I'll come with you Kit. I want to meet the De Luca child. From the way you talk she seems nice."

Luna nodded and smiled. "She is. You'll love her Jiro. Now let's go."

After a few seconds Jiroku's body turned into a mist and absorbed into her body. A minute or two went by before Luna began moving again. Grabbing her bag she met Abassi and the others as they walked down the stairs.

Alix, Haruna, Clay, Omi, Luna and Abassi walked in their exclusive common room. When they entered, they saw that Raimundo was already seated at the couch directly in front of the fireplace, not acknowledging their presence.

And that is the finished version of chapter 4! Don't worry, Kimiko will be there shortly. I promise. Please keep reading and reviewing!

I thank you all.