And here is Chapter 8 my loving fans! :3
Disclaimer: I do not own Xiaolin Showdown cause if I did, I would be making more episodes
Please enjoy
Kimiko surveyed herself on the full-length mirror before her. Keiko, the Demi-Dieu class assistant that her father forced upon her, looked visibly pleased with the results of her handiwork. The other servants seemed awed and more than appreciative of their mistress' looks.
The hours and activity that passed by did not distract Kimiko from the memory of what happened the night before.
She involuntarily shivered for the hundredth time when she recalled those bloodthirsty eyes, the way he stalked her like an alluring beast cornering its prey…
It was frightening.
But if she were to be entirely honest with herself, she was not completely afraid. She could have fought him with no problems. After all, in their current states, she was more powerful than him. However, all power and abilities were drained at the sight of him – so dangerously handsome, so perfectly destructive. He, more or less, attracted her like an unknowing moth drawn to a flame.
Her eyes closed for a brief second, imagining what it would be like for those pearly white fangs to sink into her skin. Would it hurt? She shouldn't wonder, since she had been bitten before. She had shared a few drinks with her aunt in a playful stint, but that was it. But to be bitten by someone other than a family member, a stranger…a man. Shizuoka Raimundo.
Would his lips be warm? Or would they be cold, just like any vampire's touch? She had never felt warmth from any of her species before. Humans were a different case.
And why are you wondering about all of these things?
In a space of a second, she had conjured up all these sinful thoughts about the Shizuoka heir and it brought a blush to her lightly powdered cheeks.
"Is this all to your liking, Kimiko?" Keiko asked, her husky voice interrupting Kimiko's turbulent thoughts.
"Ah, y-yes," Kimiko said, mentally chastising herself for having such preoccupations. She gave of a reassuring smile for the people who worked so hard on how she looked right now.
Her hair was artfully and tastefully adorned in small, white flowers that held together the curls and waves that accentuated her beautiful face. The light foundation did not make her skin paler, but made it creamier and more glowing. A light touch of pinks and reds blended together perfectly colored her eyelids. Her lips never needed any form of artificial coloration, but nevertheless, a touch of shell pink gloss would do no harm. Her neck was adorned by a fine diamond necklace with a silver chain holding the expensive jewel in place. The De Luca family's crest was etched on that rock, and so was shown proudly.
Her crimson dress settled itself in flowing tresses as it trailed on the ground. The low-cut but still modest-looking bodice hugged her curves elegantly. Everything was perfect. She was absolutely perfect.
She mentally rolled her eyes. It would amaze her to no end how wonderful her mother's tastes were, but more often than not, she would go overboard. However, she could not blame De Luca Celia on this one. This ball was the formal introduction of the De Luca family's place and influence in the vampire world after many years of detachment. She had to be the walking testament of their family's legacy and the crowning glory of their comeback.
As the heiress…
A knock interrupted her perusal.
Nervous crystal eyes landed on the clock on her dresser.
It's time!
It's time.
Raimundo had been restraining his breath for more than a minute now. He had successfully brought his seemingly heavy legs from his quarters to De Luca Kimiko's. After last night's incident, and after that response he got earlier from his mother, he had been so anxious that he had not left his room. It was a relief that no one found this strange. It was more of a relief that no one tried to disturb him in his solitude.
He needed to think. Indeed, he did.
After that stunt with Kimiko, he was left in a storm of thoughts and emotions that he had never experienced in his life. He had never been so disturbed and daunted. He had never felt so out of control. He had always held himself together, always put himself in the most proper and impeccable of demeanors. But he lost it last night.
He nearly sucked someone's entire supply of blood.
And it would be no surprise if he had indeed sucked all of Kimiko's blood. His mind was suddenly thrown out of his body and all that was left of him was the most primal and predatory need to feed.
Raimundo abruptly stopped and leaned against a pillar. He briefly glanced at the oak doors that marked his destination. He gritted his teeth in annoyance and regret.
All he did was to utter a silly apology and rush out of the scene. He never checked if she was alright. He only assumed that she was fine. He had been guiltily feeling her vampiric aura the whole day and it seemed normal.
He shut his eyes tightly, feeling the remnants of bloodlust come back. The memory of how Kimiko looked and how her blood smelled had imprinted itself on his mind. The smell was unlike anything he had ever sensed. It was a mighty aphrodisiac and he couldn't help but succumb. And in alarm, he had no choice but to turn to his beloved mother for answers.
Dearest Raimundo,
How are you now, my son? After the letter that you sent me late last night I had no choice but to respond as fast as I could. I understand your distress at what happened and I am glad that no misfortune fell upon Miss De Luca. It would do you and our family no good if you harmed her in any way.
However, our social standing is not what bothered me the most. It is the fact that the answers to your questions regarding this surprising incident are things that shocked me more than you could imagine. I am sure that you will easily grasp these new concepts but I am not sure that you would easily accept that this has never happened before. Never in the history of vampires. Not that I know of.
Bloodlust is something that happens to all vampires, my dear. It defines our species. We drink blood for survival. Also, to fill that void that has been present since our creation – a price to be paid for damning ourselves in the eyes of the original Creator.
However, judging from what happened to you, this is no ordinary bloodlust. Bloodlust can be controlled if it's only hunger or emptiness that drives you. And we don't necessarily direct our desires to a person of our kind. We often choose our assistants or humans for the 'smaller' types of bloodlust. But yours is the kind of bloodlust that vampires, especially the Pur-Sang, have for their mates.
I am certain you are very confused but I assure you, my son, that this is a serious matter. And I am certain of my answers since I have experienced exactly the same bloodlust you have described in your letter. However, I only experienced this when the Blood Orchid had already chosen me as your father's mate. And it is often aroused when the Shizuoka heir finally partakes from the blood of his chosen partner, as a ceremonial act of accepting the mate chosen by the Blood Orchid. I am sure you are already aware of this ceremony since we have rehearsed these methods for quite some time during your summer vacation.
It is unusual, indeed, since this type of bloodlust should not even be apparent until the choosing and partaking. And what's more surprising is that you are experiencing bloodlust for the De Luca heiress. The Blood Orchid has never chosen a De Luca to be a Shizuoka mate before. However, if Kimiko is indeed the chosen one, then there is nothing we can do about it.
I will have to consult your father about this incident and I will inform you of his insight. Do not be anxious, Raimundo. Everything will be alright.
I love you.
- Mother.
This was exactly the answer he had expected, and that was the answer that he got. However, he could not help but feel that this abnormality needed more answers. His mother did what she could, and it was now all up to him. If he could control his bloodlust for the De Luca heiress or not.
He sincerely hoped to all the gods he could possibly pray to that this bloodlust would only appear if De Luca Kimiko bled. And not by mere sight.
When he opened the door, he was proven wrong. At least by half.
What is the difference between bloodlust and lust?
Because even though Shizuoka Raimundo was already, technically, 180 years old, he had never felt strong attraction or desire for anybody aside from the blood that they have. This young woman that stood so majestically and beautifully in front of him had broken down every single barrier he had erected to create the perfect heir to the most powerful vampire family in existence.
He could have broken to a literary and artistic fit just to attempt to describe the wonder of the creature that smiled almost reluctantly and shyly up at him. Her cheeks had burned red under his intense gaze, and he did not intend to feel abashed at showing his appreciation. All of his worries earlier had disappeared in an instant.
He could not stop himself from grinning in a seductive manner and raising his hand, indicating that she place hers on it.
She smiled once again, putting her satin-covered hand on his awaiting hand. He took it and kissed it, just to assure himself that she was real.
"Good evening, Kimiko."
"Good evening, Kimiko."
The way Shizuoka Raimundo said her name sent shivers up her body. Thankfully, her firm countenance held itself together and she stopped herself from swooning. Dear god, forgive her. She knew that it took all her willpower not to swoon at the sight of him.
She had been dealing with all these sinful thoughts about him ever since he nearly attacked her. And now all those things were rushing back to her like water gushing out of broken floodgates.
His eyes were as mesmerizing as ever, probably her favorite feature in his entire physical being. His height and movement stood out proudly and exuded such grace and litheness that she was sure that he was capable of anything. She suddenly wondered what it felt like to be protected by this man… how it felt like to be cradled in those strong arms that pushed through the expensive jet black fabric of his suit, to be trapped by the wall of his firm chest that was smoothly covered by a midnight blue shirt and a dark red tie that matched her dress, to be pinned by those long, sinewy legs that seemed to glide in purpose…
She wondered what it felt like to run her hands through that brown spiky hair. She had an inkling that they were soft despite their spiky arrangement. She thought of how it would feel like to touch his skin – to trace her fingers through his jawline that seemed to be built to perfection. Angles and all…
And when he grinned flirtatiously at her, all anxieties of what he almost did the previous night evaporated into the tension-filled air. The air around her, especially inside of her, seemed hotter than before. When she put her hand in his, he placed a daring kiss on it. The satin did very little to protect her skin from the sensation of the searing kiss and the tingle that action left on her afterwards.
He swiftly led her to the hallway that connected the Pur-Sang's quarters to the main hall of the dormitory. The ball was held inside the grand building at the middle of Alyssum Academy, and it would be wiser that they just use their 'disappearing and reappearing' skills to get to their destination.
"You look absolutely stunning tonight," Raimundo said, his voice low as if it was choked up by something Kimiko could not quite identify.
"Thank you," she managed to say, careful to avoid looking at those mesmerizing green eyes. "You look very good as well."
"Very good?" he repeated with a chuckle. "That's all you can say? Why, that's perhaps the smallest compliment I have ever received in my entire life! You certainly have high standards, Kimiko."
There he goes again, she thought. Addressing her with such familiarity.
"Well, Raimundo," she said, "I am too… ah, preoccupied to think of the proper adjective."
Raimundo would never admit it aloud, but he absolutely loved the way his name sounded on her lips. "Too preoccupied huh?" he said, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
She ignored his jibe as they finally worked their magic and arrived at the venue.
"Kimiko was too modest in saying her family only had simple celebrations," Alix commented, surveying the entire place in awe. "This party is absolutely amazing!"
"Different, not amazing," Haruna said, obviously annoyed.
"Oh hush Haruna, I see this as a beautiful artwork!" Luna exclaimed as her hand gently touched the frozen lilies.
The whole ball was different, indeed. The entire hall was covered in ice and snow, like a winter wonderland. It was like a cave had been carved out, made of twinkling ice that seemed to have an enchantment put on them. Lights emerged out of the wonderfully shaped 'stalactite' chandeliers, gracing the dance floor with an explosion of colors. Frozen blood statues were at the center of every table, sprouting a fountain of cold blood that pooled at the bottom, ready for taking. The goblets were even made of carved ice, the stems covered in silver. Even the tables and seats were made of ice.
The setting was more modern that their previous balls. It was sophisticated, but it wasn't boring, unlike the 'parties' they were used to that often bordered on conventional and traditional. This ball by the De Lucas was built more for the enjoyment of the students. It also had an almost cozy feel to it.
"I like it," Clay commented. He always had a thing for winter. And being a vampire, there was no issue of 'being cold' or anything of the sort. He was completely at home with the entire theme.
"Definitely suits your personality," Omi mocked, snickering into his goblet. This resulted in a sudden explosion of the said goblet he was holding. Luckily, he had anticipated what was about to happen and had put his drink out of his body's, or suit's, range.
"Watch what you say my dear Omi," Luna winked as she held Abassi's hand in hers.
Abassi merely shook his head in frustration at the childish antics of the two. He was about to tell them off when a sudden presence intruded amongst their group.
An imperious clearing of one's throat was heard as five heads whipped around to look at the source.
All eyes widened as they recognized the petite, raven-haired woman standing before them. De Luca Deoderia.
No one found the voice to speak but it seemed that the sharp, dark eyes of the De Luca sister detected the surprise.
"I was wondering if any of you have seen my niece, Kimiko?" she asked, her strong and somewhat commanding voice clouding the less than intimidating figure she was blessed with.
Omi, who was deemed as the hothead amongst the group, seemed to have taken the authoritative tone the wrong way and raised his eyebrows. "No, we haven't, De Luca-sama," he answered, deliberately stressing his answer and the honorifics in De Luca Deoderia's clan name to insult her.
It was obvious that Deoderia did not miss the insult, as she raised her eyebrows back at Omi in challenge. "Your name is Omi of the Knight clan, is it not?"
"Yes," Omi said, seemingly miffed that he did not acquire the desired effect he wanted to inflict on the arrogant noblewoman. "What's it to you?"
Deoderia laughed, a loud and boisterous laugh that made some heads turn towards her direction. The frills of her deep violet gown swished with her humorless movement as she directed a withering gaze at Omi, "You act more interestingly than the others here, Knight-san. Very amusing."
With that comment, she left, disappearing amidst the crowd.
This left a shocked bunch of Pur-Sang and a fuming Omi.
"What was that all about?" Haruna spat.
"Why is she here?" Alix asked, wringing her hands together. "She seems exactly like what they rumored the De Lucas to be."
"And here you thought they were different?" Abassi added to Alix's worries.
"You should not judge to quickly, Abassi-kun," Luna justified quickly. "Don't forget, you all judged me because of who I am. Alix is just saying that Kimiko is different but her family still has a scary aura. Am I right Alix?"
Alix just nodded, not really wanting to start any kind of fight.
"She just thinks she's mightier than everyone else here," Omi growled, swiftly drinking another glass of blood to ease his anger.
"As do any of us," Alix chided him.
"I guess she's just worldlier than Kimiko-san," Abassi commented, adjusting his eyeglasses.
"What do you mean?" Haruna asked suspiciously.
"She's more aware of how we perceive their clan," Abassi stated. "And she acts like someone who is certainly protective of themselves. She's certainly good at it, that's for sure."
"Good, my ass," Omi muttered furiously.
"Seems like she made quite an impression on you," Clay teased, chuckling slightly.
"Impression?" Omi ground out. "That damned midget? No way did she ever – "
A sudden hush from the celebrating crowd silenced the disgruntled Pur-Sang.
All eyes were on the young man and woman who stood at the entrance of the grand hall, traditionally and fashionably late, but otherwise attracting all the positive attention.
The words, 'beautiful', 'amazing', 'perfect', 'wonderful', 'lovely', 'wow', and whatever degree and variation of compliments that could be thought of were hurled towards the couple that entered the scene. Shizuoka Raimundo and Xiao Yu Haruna might have looked great when they were seen together for the past years but seeing the Shizuoka heir with what many described as, possibly, the most beautiful creature on this land, was the stuff of perfection. Of romantic fairy tales.
Really, they suited each other perfectly.
And everyone could tell that they had something Raimundo and his former constant companion, Haruna, did not have. That was attraction.
Everyone smart enough could tell by the way Kimiko captured Raimundo's eyes. Rarely did someone catch the pureblood's pure and undivided attention. De Luca Kimiko, despite people not knowing her as well as Raimundo, seemed to like Raimundo's company very much. She seemed to be comfortable enough to be put beside him – not caring too much of how she looked with him or how she acted with him. Her total lack of awareness of the gravity of her beauty and sexuality had an added effect to the whole endearing package. And it put her in a more solid position beside the equally self-assured Shizuoka heir.
And because of this, many questions have sprung if Xiao Yu Haruna would be the one chosen for Raimundo.
No one noticed Haruna leave the room in a flourish of cloth and tears, even as Raimundo and Kimiko approached the stunned Pur-Sang.
"Kimiko!" De Luca Deoderia called out, gathering her skirts and rushing towards her niece in excitement.
"Auntie!" Kimiko exclaimed, abandoning Raimundo's arm for a while to give a warm hug towards her unabashed relative.
"What are you doing here?" Kimiko asked after releasing her aunt from their embrace.
"I was asked to oversee the whole thing," Deoderia said, gesturing at the entire place for emphasis. "It was quite tiring, but rewarding at the same time."
"And it's wonderful," Kimiko gushed, grinning from ear to ear. "Ice is really your thing, huh?"
"You have an affinity for ice?" Clay interrupted.
Deoderia's eyes laid upon a boy that was seemingly calm, smiling brightly at him she relpied back in a positive and calm way. "Yes," she answered, smiling gently. The gentleness of her smile seemed to have shocked an onlooker by the name of Knight Omi. "I assume that you are the Highgate heir?"
"Yes," the blonde-haired boy replied.
"It seems that you found another person like you, Clay," Raimundo commented. "But if you will excuse us, De Luca-sama, and to you all," he paused, nodding at the other members of the Pur-Sang, "I wish to take Kimiko dancing."
Deoderia was never one to hide her feelings. Suspicion, disbelief and surprise immediately splashed on her face. Her eyebrows threatened to disappear behind her hairline. However, seeing that her niece was looking at her feet and blushing slightly, she merely nodded in consent. Well, this was a progress that she never expected.
"Thank you," Raimundo answered, sweeping Kimiko into the dance floor.
"I guess it's time to dance," Clay muttered, following the two with Alix in tow.
"Yes, shall we Luna?" Abassi asked holding her hand and walking towards the dance floor.
"That sounds wonderful Abassi-kun," Luna said with a small smile.
Omi, whose partner had gone missing, merely sat down on one of the ice thrones and looked at nowhere in particular.
Deoderia, not really caring what the others did, sat down beside Omi without even the slightest anxiety that he might do something to her after the small fiasco they had earlier.
The baldhead, having noticed this, frowned deeply. "What are you doing here?"
"Sitting, as you might obviously see," Deoderia wittily shot back.
"And you're not even aware you're sitting at where you're not supposed to sit."
"As far as I know there is this absurd tradition that members of the Pur-Sang should sit together during public events. And this is a public event, is it not? And this is the area where we are supposed to sit, is it not? And of course I would know that since I personally oversaw all the arrangements to this ball," Deoderia answered, not even bothering to take her eyes off the seemingly flustered Omi.
Omi concluded that the De Luca women always left others in surprise. You never quite know what to expect from them. This feisty young woman before her seemed to be of the exact same age as them, but the way she carried herself showed a woman who has known her way around the world – a woman who has seen and experienced it all. Her intelligent stormy eyes never left anyone she spoke to, proving that she wasn't intimidated at all in holding conversations with anyone. And she certainly held up her end well.
At these realizations, Omi chuckled, causing the raven-haired young woman beside him to stare at him even more.
"You just earned my respect, De Luca," he stated, laughing slightly and raising a glass to her.
Deoderia, having been caught off-guard by this statement, merely nodded and looked away.
"Hmm," Raimundo said, thoughtfully looking over his shoulder and noting, with amusement, that Omi's turbulent aura had finally calmed down, "It seems that Omi has finally come to a better mood with your aunt."
Kimiko, who was too flustered to answer because she was more aware of how possessive Raimundo pinned her against his body while they were dancing, just nodded in acknowledgment of what he said.
"Are you alright?" he asked, surveying her face with amusement.
She nodded mechanically again.
Raimundo suppressed a grin as he twirled her around and brought her to an elegant dip, earning a gasp from Kimiko.
"Beautiful," he whispered into her ear, causing Kimiko to shiver. From where she was, she could see his pulse beating against his strong neck. For some reason, she wanted to bite into it…
She quickly restrained herself, flabbergasted at her train of thought. After that, all she saw were a pair of liquid green eyes that bore down to her very soul, claiming her mind and body…
Everyone around them noticed the crackling tension that surrounded the two most powerful vampires of their generation. They could only stop and stare as they danced together in perfect harmony and synchronicity.
"Do you think she's the one?" Clay asked Abassi, who had also stopped dancing just to watch Raimundo and Kimiko.
"Who can say?" Abassi said, not really knowing how to respond.
"I'll bet my family's ring that De Luca Kimiko is the one the Blood Orchid will choose," the often serious and stoic Highgate heir said.
This elicited a gasp from his companion, Alix.
"Clay-kun!" she said in surprise. "That's your family heirloom!"
"I don't care," Clay said, challenge in his eyes as he looked at Abassi. "I'll bet."
Unknown to everyone, Clay and Abassi always made bets on the silliest of things. So far, this has to be the most extreme and high-stake bet Clay ever challenged him on. Abassi's pride wasn't about to allow him to back down.
"Deal," Abassi said. "I bet my family's brooch too, then. I bet that it would be anyone other than her."
"Deal," Clay said. He bit into his palm – just enough to let blood ooze from the skin, and extended it towards Abassi, who did the same.
This was how vampires make deals. And the two weren't strangers to how they seal deals.
Thus, this bet was made.
Alix and Luna looked at eachother with grim face, things were about to happen and they sure as hell were gonna stay out of it. . . For now.
I don't know about y'all, but I was amazed at how this chapter turned out lol
Review my minions lol