Now this is what you call getting busy. LOL.

Will update ALL of my fics. Yep, that's what I am. Busy, busy busy! =) All for you guys. *showers you all with kisses*

Hello again to my fan fiction, Bloody Banquet. I have to reformat the whole thing in my brain and well, I think I can recall how I wanted the story to go. So, I will go with it. =)

Gomen, again, for the late update.

Chapter 8

Right and Wrong

"I hope our daughter is doing well," Yuriko said, sipping a cup of fresh blood slowly while scanning the view of the night sky.

The Kuchiki couple had been gone most of the time, engaging more in the vampire world and preparing for the ball that they would be hosting in Azulith Academy. There was no time to rest or to be private. They had gone out of hiding to be reunited with the world they once knew.

"I'm sure she is doing her best," Byakuya replied, closing the book that he was reading. "Rukia assured me so."

Yuriko nodded. "But that Xiao Yu girl…"

"What about her?"

Yuriko's brown eyes turned cold with malice. "You know that I have a gift of vision, Byakuya. I have entered Orihime's mind more than once to be assured that she is being treated properly."

Byakuya leaned over from his seat, watching his wife intently. He was against some of her sneaky methods, but if it involves their daughter, he had to comply. He knew that there was something going on that Orihime was hiding.

"What happened?" he asked in a hushed tone.

"Xiao Yu Jen engaged our daughter in a meaningless squabble over the Aizen heir," Yuriko said, rolling her eyes in distaste. "She is… jealous, of the attention Orihime has brought upon herself."

"And what about the Aizen heir?" he asked again. "I was under the impression that he sought to take care of our daughter."

"Yes, he had been doing well in it. He had stopped the fight after all," Yuriko assured him. She could feel her husband's energies spiking, and it was not good to see Kuchiki Byakuya angry. "Xiao Yu Jen wounded Orihime, but she managed to be calm about the situation. But I am worried, Byakuya."

The Kuchiki head stood up abruptly. His normally cold demeanor turned icy. "Is this why there had been reports about Upir Likhyi sightings near the academy?"

"Yes," Yuriko said carefully, laying a calming hand on her husband's shoulder. "Please sit down, Byakuya. Do not underestimate your daughter's abilities. She is the most powerful vampire of her generation as of now. She has remained civil about her affairs at school and has tried her best in every aspect. Let us not demean her efforts."

Byakuya nodded, sitting down. "But we must increase her protection."

"Yes," Yuriko agreed. "Especially during the ball. Apparently, the cause of the rift between our Orihime and Xiao Yu Jen was that Aizen Ichigo chose our daughter to be his partner for the ball."

Yuriko suppressed her laughter as she saw her husband's eyebrows and lips twitch. Byakuya had always been overprotective when it comes to Orihime and Rukia. The two poor girls could not find proper love lives on their own because Byakuya guarded them like a hound. Yuriko wanted to ease her husband's tension but she knew that she could not help but be anxious as well. Anyone could take advantage of a pureblood heiress. And it came as a shock to her that the Aizen heir would invite the Kuchiki heiress to be his partner. It was unusual and unheard of.

"I wonder, maybe Ichigo-sama chose our daughter to be his partner to protect her, as he promised to you," Yuriko said, wanting her husband to be relieved.

Byakuya let out a huff, which seemed condescending enough. "But we still have to employ guards to watch over Orihime."

Yuriko sighed. "And what will Shinryuuji-sama say about that? I fear he would say that we think his abilities as headmaster is not enough."

"Well, he cannot oversee an entire school with hundreds of students alone," Byakuya said. "Orihime has just been attacked by Upir Likhyi. This just goes to show that the academy lacks security. I will station guards for her, Yuriko. And try talking to your – " he paused, contemplating coldly at the word, " – siblings, once in a while. Let them know that you are anxious for your daughter's condition and that they, especially for your brother, should always keep the Lilith's best interests at heart, and not their personal vendettas."

Yuriko groaned inwardly at this. She slumped back almost ungracefully to her seat but quickly corrected herself. It has been years since she talked informally to her siblings – Masaki and Shin. After she had been married to the Kuchiki heir, the Xiao Yu family practically disowned her. It was like a venomous practice amongst the Lilith. Whoever marries into the Black Sheep family will be disowned. It was an unfair personal code, an unjust discrimination. It was usually the weakest or youngest offspring that was presented for a wedding interview with the Kuchikis. And the family would not be very choosy, since they knew of this way they were being treated.

Fortunately enough, Xiao Yu Yuriko was married to a kind-hearted Kuchiki, one who vowed to protect her and cherish her. She had not been regretful that she was married to the Kuchiki family. She was grateful, because she would not have to live under scrutiny since there was already an established reputation about them. She did not like her birth family anyway. Masaki had been kind, but the duties entrusted to her and being chosen as the Aizen bride made the two sisters drift apart. Shin was ambitious and a fool, marrying a madwoman and letting a little monster of a daughter loose.

Yuriko chose to be distant with her family, since they did not care. They chose to act civilly towards each other, but that was it. However, she knew when it was time to speak up. If it means defending and preserving her daughter's well-being, she would fight until death. And she would not be worried if she had to go against the Aizen or Xiao Yu family. God knows, she was more powerful than Shin now and maybe quite enough of a match for Masaki.

She stood up and followed her husband outside the study. She hastened to Rukia's room to ask for help. They were going to choose Orihime's dress for the ball.

"Is there something troubling you?" Hinamori asked, looking over worriedly at her auburn-haired companion.

Kuchiki Orihime had been staring outside her window for more than three minutes. After the encounter with Ichigo, Orihime was still left furious and shocked. She had an inkling as to what sort of environment he grew up in. She knew that he was used to getting everything that he wanted, but it was not fair at all. Orihime knew that one simply does not have a way with the world. She was not as spoiled and revered as the rest of the Lilith, and nor does she ever dreamed to be. There was hypocrisy in the hierarchy of the vampire world, and the Kuchiki family has taken the brunt of all of that.

"Sorry," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I am just… displeased by the way Aizen Ichigo acted."

She could hear the suppressed gasp of Hinamori at the way she addressed Ichigo. But she did not care. As far as she knew they were all equals. She had to put her foot down. She had her rights.

"Yes, but Aizen-sama only did what he had promised to do," Hinamori justified, sitting on Orihime's bed and moving close to her. "I do not think it's such a bad thing."

"Perhaps for you," Orihime said gently, looking over at her newly found friend. It was nice to have someone gentle and level-headed like Hinamori. She was not a spoiled brat at all. Orihime could only feel sympathy for the girl. The Tunda girl was not nurtured and cared for like other heirs in their circle. Orihime knew how Hinamori was treated in her home, and she simply despised it.

"I just don't see the point," Orihime continued. "I can protect myself. I am not a Kuchiki for nothing."

Hinamori smiled a bit sadly at that. "I think you now found out the harm in being a Kuchiki can bring."

I know that very well, Orihime thought, feeling depression seep into her being. She did not let it bother her at first, implanting in her mind that she was not in Azulith Academy to please others, but rather, to stand on her own two feet in the vampire society and prove once and for all that the Kuchikis should be considered with respect.

"What was it like?" Hinamori suddenly asked.

"Hmm?" Orihime said, looking at her friend.

"To be hiding for so long?" she added, her look turning glazed.

"Well, it's certainly not as bad as anyone would think," Orihime said in fond amusement. "It's peaceful and wonderful. Although the only thing deprived of me is being able to go out freely. I think it's the same for all of us, though."

Hinamori nodded in agreement. "No one from the Lilith can ever roam freely. Everyone in the vampire society is after our blood. Powerful as we are, we are the most vulnerable. Even for us, the families who are not in hiding, the children are not allowed to go outside as much as we please. Only for functions which are quite boring."

Orihime laughed. "Boring indeed," she agreed. "We don't have as much functions as you apparently have here, but we do celebrate important occasions. And they were always a source of laughter and merriment."

"Really?"

"Yes. The Kuchikis are not brooding and scheming as everyone here seems to think. The past generations of Kuchiki heads have made it clear that we do not intend to wallow in the past. Unfortunately, not everyone in this society seems to agree. So we had to live in seclusion."

"Oh," Hinamori said, looking downcast. "Orihime-chan, if ever you marry, who would be the heir of the Kuchiki clan? You are the only child, are you not?"

"Hm… yes," Orihime said thoughtfully, as though she was not really serious about the matter. "I don't think I'm going to be married off though! Who would want me?"

"Don't jest," Hinamori said in reprimand. "You are by far the most beautiful being in existence!"

"You flatter me too much," Orihime said, blushing slightly. "But if ever someone does marry me, then the second child would most probably be the next Kuchiki head. I think that is what the rules say."

"Oh yes, I remember," Hinamori said. "Even that is the case with Aizen-sama."

"It's probably sad," Orihime commented. "Not being able to choose who you are married to. I mean, the rest of the Lilith has the option as to whom they should marry, even though their options are limited to their own kind. However, the Aizens really have no choice."

"But isn't it fabulous and mysterious though?" Hinamori said. "After all these years, your betrothed is kept a secret. Only the best is chosen for you, and you are guaranteed to fall in love with this person. And it's not at all as you make it out to be for us Lilith, Orihime-chan."

"What do you mean?" Orihime asked. "Is it not true that the rest of us have an option?"

"You do know what Bloodlust is, right?" Hinamori explained helpfully. "Not all of us know who our mates are for sure. But over time, their being and blood calls out to us, then we must respond. Therefore, we will know who is made for us."

Orihime sighed. "That's pretty convenient." She briefly imagined having said Bloodlust for the other members of the Lilith.

Renji-san? Orihime thought, and suppressed a grunt of laughter. It was not that he was a bad choice, but she could not just picture herself with any mate any time soon. She knew that the time must be near, but she did not really dwell on that fact.

Ishida-san? She thought again but frowned. Adze Ishida was not really warm to her, so having the prospect that he could be her future husband was met with negative thoughts. She would just be ridiculed.

Then there was Toushirou-san. But it was clear that Hinamori and Toushirou already had Bloodlust for each other. As much as Hinamori tried to hide it, she could not conceal the numerous bite marks on her neck and the frequent smell of fresh Lilith blood (which Orihime knew belonged to Toushirou) that showed from her body.

So it was clear that the choice for the Bloody Diamond Rose was already narrowed down to three eligible young women – Xiao Yu Jen, Adze Yuzu and herself.

I'm betting on Jen, she said with an amused smile.

"I don't think I should bother with that at the moment," Orihime said, laughing uncomfortably.

Hinamori consented, letting the matter pass.

Ichigo paced in his study, a habit which he often did when he was thinking of something enjoyable. The source of his presence mood was the auburn-haired young woman who stood up to him. It was rare for such a gentle-acting creature to suddenly turn brave and fiery. It seemed that she was the type of person who would not put up a fight unless provoked. She had no sense of negativity about her, and it bothered him.

He had been watching over her for the past weeks, and he could find no hint of malice within her. The only act of defiance he could recall was during the welcoming ceremonies where she chose to hide herself, and of course that little scene she had with him during broad daylight. He was not sure of anything about her, but he entranced nevertheless.

He decided that it was best to calm his thoughts by strolling along the moonlight. He swiftly put on his shoes and went outside.

The breeze tugged his dark blue collared shirt. He inhaled the wonderful scent of the garden – with its flowers, bushes and trees. He could smell everything. He could see small animals wandering aimlessly from under the thickets.

A whooshing sound alerted him to the presence of somebody else. He turned around and saw Kuchiki Orihime, observing him with a small frown. It was neither an unfriendly frown nor an angry one. It was just… sympathetic.

"You enjoy wandering the grounds at night as well?" Ichigo asked, ignoring his thoughts.

Orihime nodded slowly, still wearing the sympathetic frown. She looked over the rose bushes and walked gracefully towards it, holding a white blossom in her delicate-looking hands.

Ichigo looked on with fascination at the way the light played on the features of her face, how her gray eyes turned dark as they capture the shadows.

"I feel anxious," Orihime finally spoke out, her voice a bit strained.

Ichigo did not ask, but waited for her to continue.

"I do not know my place but I do not want any place in this world of yours," Orihime said. "I just want to be peaceful and happy. But I have to do my duties."

"We always sacrifice what we want the most," Ichigo said, walking over to where she stood.

"I wonder what you have to sacrifice for," she said aloud, clearly voicing her thoughts. As soon as she said this, she winced. In her preoccupation, a thorn pricked her hand.

"Clumsy," she said, giggling slightly. She was about to suck on her cut finger when a sudden spark of power made her turn around.

The soft night breeze that once enveloped the two vampires had turned into a biting wind. Leaves were torn from their stems and branches, swirling about the person who seemed to be responsible for what was going on.

Orihime stared, wide-eyed, as Aizen Ichigo's eyes glowed red. The warm brown in the sockets were no more, but was filled with crimson, glowering down at her startled face.

"W-what…?" she began to say, thinking of ways to contradict the smothering pressure that started to surround her. But she could not move, not because of fear or the inability to do anything, but because Ichigo's stare captivated her. It was like the pair of eyes were drawing her closer – beguiling her.

"Your… blood," he said in a rasped voice, reaching out to her. When he touched her arm, he yanked her towards him. She gasped as their bodies collided. She could not help but blush at the sudden contact.

What's happening? Is he hungry? Is this… Bloodlust?

Orihime refused to believe. She knew for a fact that the Aizen heir never felt Bloodlust until after the Bloody Diamond Rose has chosen. So this must be ordinary hunger, like the glows of crimson she witnessed when her parents and her aunt Rukia would bite into their assistants' necks. Blood was best served from the bodies of living things after all, and not in cold glasses which they thought civil for ordinary days and functions.

Ichigo held Orihime's injured hand in a vice-like grip. He could not restrain himself and he did not know why. Perhaps because he hadn't drunk enough blood during dinner, but he wasn't one to succumb to starvation. He also did not have a large appetite to begin with. But there was something about the color and the smell, oh the smell, of Orihime's blood that made him move and yearn for it. He wanted to taste it, to drink it…

"Ichigo…" was all Orihime could breathe out.

His predatory form suddenly stiffened as he let go of her hand, the pricked finger oozing with blood.

Orihime looked over in worry at the Aizen heir who suddenly had a lapse. His face was paler than usual and his eyes were wide in shock. He wasn't looking at her as he muttered an apology and disappeared.

That's it for now. I'll update soon though!

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