Another chapter! The many updates explain the rapid posting of this fan fic and because I'm talking about things that I consider closest to my mind. To everyone who reviewed, I LOVE YOU ALL! =)
To workshy – The name YUZU was purely coincidental. I'm TOTALLY not referring to Kurosaki Yuzu. I'm not that unimaginative. And to the OOC Ichigo, I want it that way. If I place the characters in a different light, it's because I want to – and to add to the vampiric aura around them. And in my opinion, Ichigo is actually very smart in the real anime – Bleach. It's just that he was given a ruthless and protective personality. I gave him more refinement here. And don't worry. Later in the story, many parts of Ichigo's original character will come out due to MANY circumstances. So, this story is my conceptualization, so please bear with it.
To Blitch – I so love your opinions on my stories. Thanks for the BloodLust. Haha.
Chapter 5
Premier
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 rays 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 permittable. 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 Kuchiki heiress chose to take a stroll.
She walked along the corridors of the Azulith Academy's square. The garden was beautiful, filled with the rare flower named Blood Lilies. They were scarlet in color and was an enchanted plant, made by a member of the Aizen 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.
Unlike others of her kind, she loved the mornings. It was an escape from the world she frequented in. 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 Empusa that loyally served the Kuchiki 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.
There were also some Netopyrs who swore their allegiance and kept themselves secret just to guard the family's wish of anonimity. They did their tasks and were the ones who mingled most with the humans. The Kuchiki heiress envied them for they were free to roam the world.
At least in this academy, where no humans can go near, one can walk upon the vast grounds freely, without the fear of being seen both by people or by fellow vampires.
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 Upir Likhyi, 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.
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 Kuchiki family cared for their secrecy.
Why did the Kuchiki family detach itself from the vampire world for two centuries?
It was Kuchiki Byakuya's wish, upon assuming the title as the new head of the Kuchiki clan. He wished to be rid of the political and general eyes tracking his family, which were considered as the most controversial of the Lilith. And he wished to be at less odds with the Aizen family and its new head.
There was also the issue of Kuchiki Byakuya 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 Aizen 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 lay when she intruded in these things.
An Empusa in their palace named Neliel tu Oderschvank was her closest friend. They had to be separated after Neliel was taken to Azulith Academy a year before her transfer. The Kuchiki heiress wished to see her friend again but she still had no chancen to do so. Not when the Lilith's Children were prancing around this school, all bowing at their sight.
The Kuchiki heiress shrugged to herself. She was a princess in her own manor. She was insanely wealthy and spoiled to the roots of her hair. She had servants kissing the floor in honor of her. She was used to these things. But in the Azulith 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 grovelling before their superiors.
It was a common show of respect. It was part of one's education – etiquette.
Know your place.
And Neliel's story – that Kuchiki Byakuya was madly in love with Xiao-Yu Masaki. Unfortunately, Masaki was chosen by the Bloody Diamond Rose for the Aizen heir, Aizen Sousuke. So, Byakuya tragically lost his love.
And in his misery, he drowned himself in his duties and married the Xiao-Yu family's youngest daughter, Xiao-Yu Yuriko. And they had her – Kuchiki's Princess.
She had never seen Aizen Masaki, even though technically, she was her aunt. Because her mother married into the Kuchiki family, the outcast of the Lilith, Yuriko has been disowned by the Xiao-Yu clan. According to rumors, Yuriko's older sister Masaki 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 Aizen family.
And rumors say that she loved her husband dearly, that was why she rejected Kuchiki Byakuya.
Aizen Sousuke – 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.
Kuchiki's princess never laid eyes on Aizen Sousuke. 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 Aizen 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 orange hair that was a bit disheveled. It was made that way, but it made him more good-looking.
The Kuchiki 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 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.
She smiled and 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.
Aizen Ichigo 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 lot, 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 Netopyr of their race.
Ichigo 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. Ichigo 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 Upir Likhyi, which was dangerous.
And that was exactly what the Kuchiki clan did.
Ichigo 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 Kuchiki girl who was spying on the whole affair last night and not making herself seen.
He was intrigued and a bit annoyed by what the Kuchiki girl was doing. Who does she think she is?
But Ichigo 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 Lilith, even though her family had hid themselves for a long time.
Even before Ichigo was born, specifically 20 years before he was born, the Kuchiki 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 Kuchiki Byakuya'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 Kuchiki Byakuya's daughter, how would she fare in this world where everyone saw her family as a villain? And Ichigo 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 Lilith'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 Azulith Academy. It was his duty to protect. His father named him Ichigo 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 Kuchiki heiress wouldn't like the idea of an Aizen member protecting her.
His glance flicked to the huge window being covered by heavy draperies to hide the sun. He didn't know 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... The night was his bloody banquet.
He stood up swiftly, surveying his reflection in the mirror. He wore an expensive black polo shirt and black pants. The necklace Jen gave him as a present suited perfectly upon his pale skin. It was black – just like what he wore. It made his orange hair stand out more. Bright amidst darkness.
He crossed the room, replacing the book he was reading into the heavily-stocked shelf he had.
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 Azulith 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 Empusa or Lamia-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 Lilith. He was absolutely sure about that.
And he had a gut feeling that it was the Kuchiki heiress.
Dusk came and the residents of the Gehenna Dormitory prepared themselves for the first day of formal classes.
Tunda Hinamori 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 Ichigo-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 Hinamori was.
In the suite directly across Hinamori's...
Long, dark purple hair was brushed gracefully in its wavy tresses. Xiao-Yu Jen 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.
Jen 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 18 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," Jen said, standing up and finally putting on her uniform.
Haruka admired Xiao-Yu Jen – easily said as the most beautiful girl in the world. Her deep, blue eyes that neared the shade of purple itself was always glittering. Her skin was pale and her choice in clothing excellent. She exuded grace and power. She was a Lilith after all.
And Haruka prayed that her mistress would be chosen as Aizen Ichigo's bride.
The first of December was the selection, upon Aizen Ichigo's birthday.
Jen rose and reached for her bag. The door swung open automatically. She loped gracefully outside the corridor.
In the suite beside Xiao-Yu Jen's...
Highgate Toushirou 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 huffed a lock of silver hair that fell on his jade eyes. This is getting nowhere.
He silently thought if he could ask Hinamori a favor again.
He shook his head. Drawing blood from Hinamori for the third time is growing more embarrassing.
Toushirou 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 Hinamori was simply to shy to ask the others for blood.
And she would gladly offer herself to him.
Deep inside the white-haired boy, he wished Hinamori wouldn't be chosen by the Bloody Diamond Rose.
He fixed the tie of the midnight-blue tie of his white uniform and proceeded outside, to the common room of the members of the Lilith.
Behind the doors directly across Toushirou's...
Knight Renji was awake early, for one of the rare moments of his school life. Unlike his other companions, Renji 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 Kuchiki girl was.
He knew that she was bound to appear today. No normal Lilith 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, already 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.
Red hair fell gracefully around his shoulders, with those artfully-done tattoos. He looked a bit intimidating with them, but, it was ignored. 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 Renji's suite...
"I think this year would go nicely," Ishida said into the phone.
"Glad you think it would be," his mother, Adze Isane said from the other line, her voice smooth and clear even over the phone. "Be careful of yourself."
Ishida laughed. "What could possibly go wrong, mom?"
Isane sighed. "It's that Kuchiki heiress," she said. "I'm a bit worried."
"Why would you be worried?"
"I hope there would be no conflict between Ichigo-sama and the Kuchiki girl."
Ishida took a deep breath. "I don't think there would be trouble. Knowing Ichigo-sama, he won't let any petty dispute ruin the peace in Azulith Academy."
"I know that," Isane said. "But what about Kuchiki? Would she be as level-headed?"
"I hope so," Ishida replied. "I just hoped she showed herself before."
"Why? Wasn't she at your dorm party?"
"No," Ishida said, confirming his mother's ill-hidden doubts. "None of us have seen her, even for a bit."
"What?" Isane said, slightly alarmed. "Why would she hide herself?"
"Kuchiki Byakuya said that she was sickly," Ishida said. "Maybe at that time, she still was."
"I don't believe it," Isane said. "I think she had been watching you."
"Ichigo-sama also thinks so," Ishida said.
"Why didn't he do anything about it?"
"Kuchiki didn't do anything wrong. Ichigo-sama just let her do as she wishes. We'll just see her today."
"She can't escape the Lilith forever," Ishida added. "So don't worry."
"Alright," Isane said. "Take care son."
"Take care too, mom," Ishida said. "Bye."
"Good-bye."
Ishida 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 Kuchiki heiress wouldn't be up to something bad.
Ishida sighed. He had to be on guard always, as well as the others. They had to help Ichigo-sama.
Even though they were in the same classification of vampires, they had to be loyal to the Aizen family. Not just because of power, because Aizen Ichigo was their friend.
And he was a very good person.
Hinamori, Jen, Toushirou, Renji, and Ishida walked in their exclusive common room. When they entered, they saw that Ichigo was already seated at the couch directly in front of the fireplace, not acknowledging their presence.
That was unusual.
"Good morning, Ichigo-sama," Jen greeted, gracefully and swiftly walking around the couch and faced Ichigo.
Ichigo gave her a small smile, his chin resting on his fist as he concentrated on his thoughts.
The other members of the Lilith followed Jen and found their places in the common room, sitting and wondering what was on Ichigo's mind.
"What's wrong, Ichigo-sama?" Renji asked.
"I saw the Kuchiki heiress," Ichigo said.
Hinamori gasped. Renji's eyebrows shot up. Ishida stared. Jen gave a choked exclamation. Toushirou simply frowned deeper.
"What did she look like?" Hinamori asked, without thinking.
"I didn't get the chance to see her," Ichigo said.
"I thought you said you saw her," Renji interrupted. Ishida shot him a furtive look.
Ichigo 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?" Jen asked eagerly.
"I didn't get the chance to see her face," Ichigo said. "She sensed my presence and disappeared, using magic to impair my vision temporarily... so that I couldn't see her face."
Jen grumbled. "How dare she do that to Ichigo-sama."
"You didn't get to shield the attack?" Toushirou asked.
"No," Ichigo 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 Kuchiki 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, stunning and power manipulation. The Knight family owned fire, body replication, and telekenesis. 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. And aside from disguise, deception and hiding skills, the Kuchiki family also possessed the power of earth.
While the Aizen family possessed all.
Unfortunately, Ichigo still couldn't use its full potential. And right now, the Kuchiki heiress can overpower him.
But there were still skills up his sleeve that Kuchiki would never know how to use.
"What now?" Ishida asked.
"Right now, we do nothing and wait," Ichigo said, standing up. "We should attend to our classes. It will start in five minutes."
They all nodded and stood up.
"Let's go," Ichigo said.
And they all disappeared.
The rest of the Final Year class were already at the spacious classroom by the time the Lilith arrived.
When they appeared inside, the whole class, composed of nobles, stood up and gave respectful bows.
Ichigo 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.
Hinamori sat near the aisle far right, fiddling with some papers she took out. Jen 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. Ishida sat beside Jen, his stare intent at the door, as though expecting a monster to come in any second. Renji sat at the far left, stretching his left foot in a measly attempt to trip Toushirou. Toushirou stepped on Renji's foot and sat to his right, ignoring the loud grumbles the redhead gave. Ichigo sat beside Ishida, ignoring everything that was going on in the room, his mind going the same way as Ishida's.
A distant echo of a bell chimed, signalling the start of the classes.
The class all settled down as a cheerful Aizen Shinryuuji 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," Shinryuuji added, his demeanor constant.
Murmurs erupted from the class. Only the Lilith 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 tuitorials. 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," Shinryuuji said, "Kuchiki Orihime-san."
Everyone stood up as a fairly tall girl walked in the class ina 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 Jen, whose beauty captivated everyone for the past years. This girl beat the pureblood by miles.
She had honey-colored hair that seemed to change from light to auburn in different degrees of light. Her skin wasn't that pale, it was close 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 Azulith 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 gray, the color of the clouds on a stormy day. 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 Kuchiki Orihime 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," Shinryuuji said. "Everyone, if you have questions for Kuchiki-san, I think you could ask her. Can they do that, Kuchiki?"
Kuchiki Orihime 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, Tomoyo-chan?" Shinryuuji called out.
Tomoyo rose from her seat. "Kuchiki-sama," she said. "Headmaster said you were never in schools. Why is that?"
Orihime smiled. "As you all know, the Kuchiki 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 tuitors 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 Kuchiki Orihime.
Except for the vampires at the top seats.
"Well then," Shinryuuji interrupted. "You'll know her better in the days to come. Right now, let's proceed to our lessons."
"Take a seat, Orihime-san," he added. "You shall sit with the other members of the Lilith."
The class noticed that Orihime blushed.
"I cannot choose a seat of my own?" she asked bashfully.
Shinryuuji looked mildly surprised. "Members of the Lilith always sit together in any public situation. Weren't you taught that?"
Orihime reddened more. "No sir," she replied. "I wasn't informed about that since I never sat with any other members of the Lilith 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," Orihime said thoughtfully, finally walking up the steps.
When she reached the top seat, the members of the Lilith looked at her in a withdrawn manner.
Everyone except Aizen Ichigo.
Ichigo had to admit, Kuchiki Orihime 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 Kuchiki family.
Upon Orihime's arrival, Ichigo flicked his glance towards his seatmates, gauging their reactions. Renji was wide-eyed. Toushirou's frown was gone, his face holding a blank expression symbolizing that he was thinking very deeply. Ishida's mouth was half-open. Hinamori's hand was on her lips, clearly surprised. Jen went from total shock to a raised eyebrow, showing that it was unacceptable that the Kuchiki heiress was more beautiful than her.
To alleviate the tension rising, Ichigo stood up and appeared beside Orihime, smiling at her.
It was Kuchiki Orihime's first time to see the Aizen 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 Aizen heir. And the whole class seemed to like her appearance.
So far, this young man in front of her was the most good-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 orange hair was somewhat in a 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 – golden brown. She felt lost in them.
"Kuchiki-san," he said, velvet voice caressing her ears. "Welcome."
Kuchiki Orihime quickly composed herself. "Hi," she said cheerfully, bowing.
Ichigo was a bit surprised. This woman was unfazed in meeting members of the Lilith. She was carefree.
He observed her as she looked around the room.
"Where am I supposed to sit?" she asked.
"Here," Ichigo said, snapping his hand.
A chair appeared right in the middle of Jen and Hinamori.
"My name is Aizen Ichigo," he said, extending his hand.
Orihime took it. "Kuchiki Orihime."
All the members of the Lilith stood up, following suit.
"Tunda Hinamori," Hinamori said, smiling shyly.
"Xiao-Yu Jen," Jen introduced, staring coldly at Orihime.
"Adze Ishida," Ishida said, expression guarded.
"Highgate Toushirou," Toushirou spoke, mouth in a frown.
"Knight Renji," Renji said, looking cautiously at her.
"Nice to meet you," Orihime said, taking her place between Jen and Hinamori.
Ichigo went back to his seat and clasped his hands together.
Class has begun.
Finished! Just recovered and Lasting Accidents Chapter 22 isn't finished yet so please wait until tomorrow! Sorry. :)