Bonjour mon amies! J'adore les chapitres? Oui, non?
I really do hope y'all enjoyed and I thank all of the reviews! I feel so special!
Disclaimer: I do not own Xiaolin Showdown T^T
That was unusual.
"Good morning, Raimundo," Haruna greeted, gracefully and swiftly walking around the couch and faced Raimundo.
Raimundo gave her a small smile, his chin resting on his fist as he concentrated on his thoughts.
The other members of the Pur-Sang followed Haruna and found their places in the common room, sitting and wondering what was on Raimundo's mind.
"What's wrong, Raimundo?" Omi asked.
"I saw the De Luca heiress," Raimundo said.
Alix gasped. Omi's eyebrows shot up. Abassi stared. Haruna gave a choked exclamation. Clay simply frowned deeper. And Luna gave a secret smile.
"What did she look like?" Alix asked, without thinking.
"I didn't get the chance to see her," Raimundo said.
"I thought you said you saw her," Omi interrupted. Abassi shot him a furtive look.
Raimundo didn't mind this. "I wasn't able to get some sleep and was reading a book when I heard laughter. I took a peek, since it was daytime and I knew that everyone should be asleep and inside their rooms. And I saw her, strolling around in a white dress and hat."
"What did she look like?" Haruna asked eagerly.
"I didn't get the chance to see her face," Raimundo said. "She sensed my presence and disappeared, using magic to impair my vision temporarily... so that I couldn't see her face."
Haruna grumbled. "How dare she do that to you."
"You didn't get to shield the attack?" Clay asked.
"No," Raimundo said. "As we all know, she has acquired her full powers. I haven't. She has the edge for now. And that's what the De Luca is good at anyway – disguise, deception, and hiding."
They all know that. Every clan has a special technique known to them. The Adze family was known for plasma control, sharp senses, and ability imitation. The Highgate family was known for ice element power, impeccable bloodlust control, and power manipulation. The Knight family owned lightning, body replication, and telekinesis. The Tunda family possessed wind control, mind reading, and body manipulation. The Xiao-Yu family had water control, mind manipulation, and the power over all forms of technology. The Nguyen family owned fire, stunning, the owning of familiars, and sword skills. And aside from disguise, deception and hiding skills, the De Luca family also possessed the power of earth.
While the Shizuoka family possessed all.
Unfortunately, Raimundo still couldn't use its full potential. And right now, the De Luca heiress can overpower him.
But there were still skills up his sleeve that De Luca would never know how to use.
"What now?" Abassi asked.
"Right now, we do nothing and wait," Raimundo said, standing up. "We should attend to our classes. It will start in five minutes."
They all nodded and stood up.
"Let's go," Raimundo said.
And they all disappeared.
The rest of the Final Year class was already at the spacious classroom by the time the Pur-Sang arrived.
When they appeared inside, the whole class composed of nobles, stood up and gave respectful bows.
Raimundo and the rest went and sat at the top seat of the room, since the chairs and tables were in a stair-like arrangement. These were the seats exclusively for them.
Alix sat near the aisle far right, fiddling with some papers she took out. Haruna walked and sat to her left, already used to the open-mouthed expressions and awed gazes by the male noble population of the room and some girls. Abassi sat beside Haruna, his stare intent at the door, as though expecting a monster to come in any second. Omi sat at the far left, stretching his left foot in a measly attempt to trip Clay. Clay stepped on Omi's foot and sat to his right, ignoring the loud grumbles the baldhead gave. Raimundo sat beside Abassi, ignoring everything that was going on in the room, his mind going the same way as Abassi's and Luna sat on Raimundo's right getting a faraway look and talking to her familiar in her mind.
A distant echo of a bell chimed, signaling the start of the classes.
The class all settled down as a cheerful Shizuoka Fung appeared before them, smiling happily.
"Good evening, class," he greeted.
"Good evening, headmaster," they all responded.
"Welcome to another year of learning and honing your skills," he continued. "I hope you would enjoy what you have learned and let us all bear in mind that this is your final year in this academy, so I hope you will enjoy what time you have left and make it memorable. The school will be very proud of you."
"But, before we start with our lessons, let me introduce to you a new classmate," Fung added, his demeanor constant.
Murmurs erupted from the class. Only the Pur-Sang remained stoic, anticipating what was to come.
"She is a transfer student and I ask you all to please help her in her stay here," he added. "Our new student has spent her early education until the year before in private lessons and tutorials. She has never been in a school with many vampires such as yourselves."
The murmurs grew louder as the class speculated on this new girl.
"Everyone, please rise and greet your new classmate," Fung said, "De Luca Kimiko-san."
Everyone stood up as a fairly short girl walked in the class in a classy and very graceful manner that made them all stare in wonder.
Not only was the movement the only thing that captured them – it was the girl's over-all appearance.
She was no doubt the most beautiful creature they have ever laid eyes upon.
She was even more beautiful than Xiao-Yu Haruna, whose beauty captivated everyone for the past years. This girl beat the pureblood by miles.
She had midnight blue-colored hair that seemed to change from purple to black in different degrees of light. Her skin wasn't pale but closer to cream. It looked as soft as velvet and as fine as cotton. A faint blush covered her cheeks as her rose lips twisted in the sweetest smile. The Alyssum Academy's uniform, that always seemed so good when worn by vampires, looked a thousand times better on her. Her figure was a stunner – long, shapely legs, narrow hips, flat stomach, a VERY noticeable chest and bust, and slender arms. She was a monument of perfection. And her eyes – they were a crystal blue, the color of ice when it first forms. They were pretty and warm. They twinkled with her smile. Her petite and prettily-shaped nose settled itself perfectly on the center of her small face.
And her neck – it was delectable to look at.
And when she spoke, all they could do was listen in wonder.
"Good evening," she said, voice the ultimate music to everyone hearing it. "My name is De Luca Kimiko and I will be your new classmate."
As if on cue, the whole class woke up from the dream this girl brought and whispered delighted and awed comments.
"Hai, hai," Fung said. "Everyone, if you have questions for De Luca-san, I think you could ask her. Can they do that, De Luca?"
De Luca Kimiko smiled and revealed a perfect set of white teeth. "Of course, headmaster," she replied.
A girl with bubblegum pink hair raised her hand tentatively.
"Yes, Nakashima-chan?" Fung called out.
Nakashima rose from her seat. "De Luca-sama," she said. "Headmaster said you were never in school. Why is that?"
Kimiko smiled. "As you all know, the De Luca clan has been inactive in the affairs of the vampire community for two centuries now. Since I was born, I have never known fully about the vampire race. I have never attended social functions and only mingled with my family and trusted vampires. I have been taught by tutors ever since I was a child."
"Did you find that sad?" a boy with brown hair asked.
"Sometimes," she answered frankly. "But I knew someday I'd be able to meet more of my kind, so I waited patiently. And now, it has come true! And it's amazing!
They all smiled appreciatively at the frankness of De Luca Kimiko.
Except for the vampires at the top seats.
"Well then," Fung interrupted. "You'll know her better in the days to come. Right now, let's proceed to our lessons."
"Take a seat, Kimiko-san," he added. "You shall sit with the other members of the Pur-Sang."
The class noticed that Kimiko blushed.
"I cannot choose a seat of my own?" she asked bashfully.
Fung looked mildly surprised, but then smiled in understanding. "Members of the Pur-Sang always sit together in any public situation as to show trust. I'm guessing you were never told that am I right?"
Kimiko reddened more. "No sir," she replied. "I wasn't informed about that since I never sat with any other members of the Pur-Sang for almost all my life."
The headmaster nodded in understanding and gestured again towards the top row. "Please, take a seat," he said. "Your seatmates would guide you for your needs."
"That's very kind of them," Kimiko said thoughtfully, finally walking up the steps.
When she reached the top seat, the members of the Pur-Sang looked at her in a withdrawn manner.
Everyone except Shizuoka Raimundo and Nguyen Luna.
Raimundo had to admit, De Luca Kimiko was a surprise for all of them. She was also extremely beautiful and soft-spoken. He was a bit distracted when she entered, and surprised that this wonder of a creature was part of the De Luca family.
Upon Kimiko's arrival, Raimundo flicked his glance towards his seatmates, gauging their reactions. Omi was wide-eyed. Clay's frown was gone, his face holding a blank expression symbolizing that he was thinking very deeply. Abassi's mouth was half-open. Alix's hand was on her lips, clearly surprised. Haruna went from total shock to a raised eyebrow, showing that it was unacceptable that the De Luca heiress was more beautiful than her. Finally, his eyes landed on his cousin and was surprised to see a gentle smile on her lips. He'd ask about that later.
To alleviate the tension rising, Raimundo stood up and appeared beside Kimiko, smiling at her.
It was De Luca Kimiko's first time to see the Shizuoka heir up close, and her breath was stolen from her.
It was indeed her first time in front of so many vampires like her. But somehow she gained a confidence rooting from the fact that she was of higher rank than all of them, except of course the Shizuoka heir. And the whole class seemed to like her appearance.
So far, this young man in front of her was the best-looking vampire she had ever met. And he seemed to be the only one who was not affected by how she looked. He smiled at her, revealing a perfect set of white teeth, the longer fangs glinting beautifully even in the moonlight. His pale skin covered his perfectly-toned body. His spiky brown hair was somewhat in disarray, but this made him more beautiful, saved from being a conventional 'elite-looking' appearance by having such rugged hair. His sharp nose and sensual mouth were wonderfully-shaped. And his eyes – liquid emeralds. She felt lost in them.
"De Luca-san," he said, velvet voice caressing her ears. "Welcome."
De Luca Kimiko quickly composed herself. "Hi," she said cheerfully, bowing.
Raimundo was a bit surprised. This woman was unfazed in meeting members of the Pur-Sang. She was carefree.
He observed her as she looked around the room and her eyes landed on Luna who smiled at her with reassurance.
"Where am I supposed to sit?" she asked.
"Here," Raimundo said, snapping his hand.
A chair appeared right in the middle of Haruna and Alix.
"My name is Shizuoka Raimundo," he said, extending his hand.
Kimiko took it. "De Luca Kimiko."
All the members of the Pur-Sang stood up, following suit.
"Tunda Alix," Alix said, smiling shyly.
"Xiao-Yu Haruna," Haruna introduced, staring coldly at Kimiko.
"Adze Abassi," Abassi said, expression guarded.
"Highgate Clay," Clay spoke, mouth in a frown.
"Knight Omi," Omi said, looking cautiously at her.
"Nguyen Luna," Luna said, her smile still present and gave Kimiko a look that says to go along with it.
"Nice to meet you," Kimiko said, taking her place between Haruna and Alix.
Raimundo went back to his seat and clasped his hands together.
Class has begun.
After finishing all of her classes De Luca Kimiko sat on the chair of her dorm room, staring at the piece of paper lying before her.
It was a letter sent by her aunt, Deoderia.
Deoderia came from the second branch of the De Luca family. No one knew of this particular 'extension' of the De Luca family since Ambrosi himself created this. But the second branch grew extinct, and Deoderia is the sole survivor. Acting as a sister to Fiammetta was merely a cover-up.
Kimiko had no qualms about Deoderia. The girl, who was about her age, was more like a sister to her.
She looked at the contents of the letter, a small smile gracing her lovely lips.
Oi Kimiko,
From the start of the letter Kimiko let out a faint laugh at the informality of the introduction. Kimiko loved this more than the tightly-composed letter her father gave her and the all-too-flowery ones her mother sent.
How's school? I hope that Shizuoka fellow isn't giving you a hard time, or else I will crush him.
Kimiko laughed again. Now that she thought about it, Shizuoka Raimundo didn't give her any hard time at all, let alone give her any time of his own. He was busy wandering about with his pals and being the boss.
Well, he did offer her to be with the other members of the Pur-Sang and have some 'acquaintance' chats or something, but she gracefully refused.
Only Tunda Alix seemed genuinely eager to accept her with Luna already being her friend. Adze Abassi was reluctant; judging from the way he so often adjusted his glasses to hide his fazed expression. Knight Omi was always frowning and his eyebrows knitted together. He kept looking at Raimundo in protest whenever the latter invited Kimiko to something or somewhere.
Highgate Clay, to Kimiko's relief, had no trace of interest in his face. At least this tells her that he wasn't repulsed, or by any aspect, affected, by her presence.
But of all these reactions, Kimiko was most humored by Xiao Yu Haruna's. Kimiko wasn't even angered or insulted. She was plain amused. The girl often looked at Kimiko with utmost rage, ill-hidden jealousy, and banked impatience. She was openly saying that she was against Raimundo's invitations of Kimiko, until the Shizuoka heir silenced her with one look.
Over all, De Luca Kimiko was receiving normal responses from her pureblood peers.
It has been fine here. Too fine actually, without our little trouble-maker around. Fiammetta has been exceedingly immersed in work to make up for the years the De Luca family has been dormant to the vampire society. He and Celia have been attending functions and so for the couple of weeks since you have left. They both constantly talk about at dinner of speculations as to how you have been, if the other Pur-Sang are treating you right. This is because they suspect that you are not giving them every detail of your stay in Alyssum Academy in your letters.
Kimiko's crystal eyes gentled on this part of the letter. She wondered briefly why the mistakes of the past burden those of the future. She remembered her beautiful and wonderful family. De Luca Fiammetta, whose cold and calm exterior belied the gentle man that he truly was; he would sweep Kimiko into his strong arms when she was a little girl and kiss her cheeks. He would talk to her in that deep, velvety voice he had.
"How's my beautiful princess?" he would whisper. This side of him was unknown to the people that surrounded the family.
Kimiko would sometimes ask the people around her why they were so scared of her father.
"I'm fine, daddy," she would cheerfully reply, hugging her father. "When I grow up, I want to marry someone exactly like you, dad!"
Fiammetta would chuckle and he would tickle Kimiko, "Child, there is no one like me. But I sure hope your dream man would be the best."
Kimiko would smile. Then her mother would appear – the warm and dazzling Celia. Even though the adult Kimiko heard the rumors about Chiyo and her father, she didn't believe them. She saw the way her parents were behind the eyes of the strangers that tried to peer into their lives. Her mother would steal her from her father's embrace and give her a new doll that she made herself. Kimiko would snuggle up to her just to smell the clean scent of flowers and sweet fields emanating from her body.
"Daddy," Kimiko would say, "You are lucky to have mommy."
Fiammetta would laugh and move closer to his wife and daughter.
And they would always have these precious moments until Deoderia would come and be, in her boyish self, spouting out laughter at how 'mushy' they were.
Fiammetta would give Kimiko to Celia and carry a surprised Deoderia. They would all shower the squirming and yelling girl with pecks until she would surrender in a fit of giggles.
Those were the moments that Kimiko had. And no matter how the world sees her and her family, the reality would always be stamped on her heart and mind.
Although it seems that their peace has been shattered upon coming out to the vampire society.
I hope the days would fly by and that you will come to our new home. It's a couple of miles from your academy. It's a great place. I attached some shots to this letter – photos of the mansion, along with your room. The place is a bit bigger than the one we had in Italy.
She put her hand into the envelope and fished the rest of the contents with excitement. She looked at the pictures and laughed aloud. The mansion, even at the picture, was colossal. It was like a palace. And it was also of modern design with a touch of the ancient. It was amazing. Kimiko breathed in wonder as she was filled by the sight of the great dining hall, a dazzling reception hall, the kitchens, some shots of the huge bathrooms, Deoderia's 'suite', the Master suite with a surprised Celia on the bed clutching a book, her father's new study, hallways and many other rooms.
Finally, there was a picture of her room, or better yet, her suite. Kimiko's eyes widened. It was huge. With ornately polished furnishings, oak tables at a small living room she had, a beautiful mirror with the walls covered in a cream color and her bed covered in hibiscus flowers. It was a princess' dream room.
That's not all to your suite, by the way. I didn't get to take a picture of your bathroom since brother wouldn't give me access. I wonder why.
I wonder why also, Kimiko thought. A surprise, maybe? She loved surprises.
She finished reading the letter all the way when she heard a knock on her door.
It was Toudo Tadashi, Omi's assistant.
"De Luca-sama," Tadashi said, bowing deeply.
"Yes, Tadashi-san?" she asked.
"Shizuoka-sama, Nguyen-sama, Xiao-Yu-sama, Knight-sama, Adze-sama, Highgate-sama and Tunda-sama are already in the dining room," he continued. "They are all waiting for you. They wish to know if you still intend to join them for dinner."
"Oh no!" Kimiko gasped. She forgot about the occasional weekend dinner the Pur-Sang had together. I was every Saturday night that all of them gathered to eat.
"Are you –" Tadashi started to ask and was cut off by Kimiko.
"I'll be there in a minute!" she said, closing the door.
"Where the hell is she?" Omi fumed. "I'm starving!"
"Best hold your appetite a little longer Omi," Haruna said with sarcasm. "We have to wait for our princess."
Just then, Tadashi appeared.
"Well?" Haruna asked.
"She's coming, Xiao-Yu-sama, and – " Tadashi said as he was cut off from his sentence as De Luca Kimiko appeared behind him and startled him with a tap on the shoulder.
Alix laughed at this and Raimundo smiled.
"Pardon me for being late," Kimiko said, bowing. "I was too busy reading the letter my Aunt Deoderia sent me that I forgot about the dinner."
"Ridiculous," Haruna said scathingly. "How does a Pur-Sang forget the traditional dinner?"
Kimiko, to the others' surprise, shot Haruna a sweet smile and said, "Maybe because you have been doing this tradition for a longer time than me, Xiao-Yu-san."
She walked over to the vacant seat beside Alix and Luna and they greeted her, ignoring a fuming Haruna.
"Well then," Raimundo said. "Let us start our feast."
The goblets were immediately filled with delicious, crimson blood.
Raimundo smelled the rich thickness of the deliriously sweet smell along with his companions. He smiled as he observed the others eat the meal before them and drink the blood prepared.
His eyes laid on De Luca Kimiko and the way she also smiled at observing the others eat. She had barely touched her food and her drink.
Amidst the glamour that surrounded her and the sudden thrust to the highest echelon of the vampire society, De Luca Kimiko seemed unfazed. She had some point to her confidence, being the most beautiful creature Shizuoka Raimundo had ever laid eyes upon. If he would judge with no biases, he would honestly say that she might be the most beautiful woman on Earth – even more beautiful than his own mother, or Haruna.
She was also intelligent. Never in the history of Alyssum Academy did any of the students get scores close, let alone on par with Raimundo's. Kimiko managed to, in their first month's finals; get five out of the twelve tests scores equal with Raimundo's, and the rest only falling back by not more than one to four points.
She awed and dazzled the students. Even daughters and sons of the nobles approach her to be friends with her. And unlike the other members of the Pur-Sang, she wouldn't just simply smile or say a word or two. She would actually stop and talk to the students. When this happens, she would forget other company, namely the Pur-Sang, and just chat.
This would often elicit funny reactions from the others, especially Haruna. Raimundo would ignore and would just feel glad that Kimiko was getting along with the other students as well.
But her problem was interacting with the Pur-Sang.
Only Alix and his-self were acceptable of her presence. Clay was neutral and it doesn't help. But fortunately, Kimiko was dealing with this situation just fine.
"Eat, De Luca-san," Raimundo said.
Kimiko laid him with mildly surprised eyes. She laughed, "I'm sorry," she said. "I was just having fun watching Knight-san eat. And I also don't drink this kind of blood. I'm allergic."
Sensing her discomfort Luna snapped her fingers and out came a man with black hair, dark skin, and red eyes. Walking over to her, he handed her a wine glass filled with blood, "From my mistress' secret stash. This is white wolf blood. Sine you both are allergic to human blood after all. My name is Jiroku by the way. So if you need me, I shall always be there."
After all that was over and Kimiko had her new wine glass Omi stopped eating abruptly and shot Kimiko with annoyed eyes, face red and mouth so full, he couldn't say anything.
"So what about it?" Haruna said, annoyed.
Kimiko merely smiled at her. "Nothing, I wasn't aware that freedom of expression is severely frowned upon."
"Severely frowned upon?" Haruna repeated venomously. "It might be that your freedom of speech has insulted someone. I don't know what they have taught you, but clearly you have isolated yourself far too long that you have forgotten ethics in your home-based curriculum."
"But if those ethics show that a vampire should be hostile to another vampire for no reason at all except feelings of competitiveness, then I would question the foundations of your curriculum, Xiao-Yu-san," Kimiko responded, directing her frank stare at all of them. "Excuse me, Shizuoka-san," Kimiko added, "I must take my leave. I wasn't really hungry in the first place. And thank you Nguyen-san for the delicious blood. I'll be sure to ask for a bottle of it later on."
Waving her hand in dismissing way, Luna smiled, "It is no problem. And please call me Luna; De Luca-san."
"Then you may call me Kimiko; Luna-chan. Now I will leave you be."
Raimundo nodded as Kimiko strode away and out of the hall, leaving astonished vampires and a fuming pureblood.
Raimundo held his goblet to his lips as he said, "I'm impressed by her impeccable control."
"What?" Clay interjected.
"It is very rare for a new fully-developed pureblood not to break something in the midst of an argument," Raimundo answered. "It's either she already has complete control over her powers or she hasn't got any emotion at all."
Omi, who was still wide-eyed about the incident finally spoke, "I wasn't really offended, Haruna. I was a just a bit annoyed of what she did. You always tease the way I eat. I don't get mad. Why would I feel differently if the De Luca girl laughed?"
"Because you hate her!" Haruna said, her tone rising. "I could see that by the way you look at her!"
"I do not hate her," Omi said, rolling his eyes. "I just don't trust her."
Sighing, Luna also rose, "No one hates her besides you Haruna. So the next time she is here keep your mouth shut. It'll only cause problems." Kissing Raimundo's cheek she whispered, "Keep your bitch in line or bad things will happen." After that she walked away calmly and up the stairs to get to her room.
Xiao-Yu Haruna's eyes filled with tears and she fled.
"What shall we do now?" Abassi said, sipping from his goblet.
"Let them be," Raimundo said. "Someone should warn Haruna that even with De Luca-san being able to control her powers, she must not antagonize her. Haruna might have her full powers as well, but she is still no match for a De Luca. I hope she remembers what rank Kimiko-san's family is amongst the Pur-Sang. And you all might do well in remembering that too."
Alix sighed. "I hope we will all just learn to accept De Luca-san. Even with your claim, Raimundo-kun, we still have to consider that she is a young woman just like me and Haruna. We have to befriend her not because we fear her. The only difference she has from us is that she has hidden for so long and is still new to all of this. Imagine what and how she must feel."
"But Alix," Abassi replied. "We still must not forget that this girl is a part of the clan who has always harbored great feelings of wrath towards the vampire society that condemned them. She might be pure and confused to you, but God knows what she really is. Raimundo said it himself. For a full-fledged pureblood to control herself, she should have complete control of his powers and emotions OR no emotion at all. The no emotions part of that hits me as villainy."
"And where is your proof in that, Abassi?" Clay said. "You are forgetting one crucial fact if you believe in what you have just said."
"And what is that?"
"Keep your friends close, and your enemies, closer," Clay said, standing up and bowing. He left the others, Abassi's gaze sweeping the unknown.
"That boy is really a genius," Omi said, leaving as well.
"Excuse me, Raimundo, Alix," Abassi said, disappearing.
Only Alix and Raimundo remained.
"I have to agree with you, Alix. We have to give De Luca-san a chance," Raimundo said.
Alix turned to him in surprise and smiled meekly. "I think we really should. I hope the others would see that."
"I hope they would too," Raimundo added.
"Good night, Raimundo-kun," Alix said, leaving.
"Good night to you as well, Alix," Raimundo said, leaning back to his chair.
And there you have it! Chapter Five :3
Lire et Revior!
Now, au revoir!