I spent the next few days alone at the penthouse suite of my family's hotel here in Karakura. My family owns a lot of businesses here and in the other countries, including this five-star Karakura Sun hotel. This was divided into 2 divisions though, Sun Rise and the Sun Set. Why sunrise? Because every morning, the sunrise would clearly be seen from the glass windows of those residing in the Sunrise Wing. The sunset, however, could clearly be seen at the Sunset Wing. But nevertheless, the views were magnificent from above. When I look down from the penthouse, I see the town I fell in love with: the greenery, the forests, the shoreline just a few miles away. My brother actually asked me to stay at Ukitake-dono's but I didn't want to bother him at all.
Speaking of Nii-sama, it's already Monday. He said he will come back last week, but he didn't. I will call him later, but right now I'm late for my first day.
Another week, another day... only this time, I think I'll see him again.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
Days passed me by but it's always the same. I've always felt the same, felt so stuck, so lost, so frozen, so out of place. I don't know why I continue to exist. The world is so dull to me. This is not my time. I have no family and friends here. I have no one and am a nobody.
As I walked around the streets, I've felt nothing change. I am still here, trying to find a reason to live.
My dad once told me that I have the gift of immortality, that I should treasure and make good use of these gifts. What am I to make of my lifetime now?
I watched people pass me by. They walk, they run briskly, some were jogging, some were biking. But they had a goal and a place to go to. They had a direction and a place to return to. And here I walk, without direction, without a goal and a place to call home. I walk... I just walk.
And then, all that walking had led me to one place. I saw her enter the school gates, and as fast as lightning, I felt alive again.
A new week, a new day... but this time, I think it'll be different.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
The Lifeblood Doctrine
.
Chapter Four:
Unfolding Secrets
I've been roaming around, I was looking down at all I see
Painted faces fill the places I can't reach
You know that I could use somebody
You know that I could use somebody
Someone like you.
-Use Somebody by Kings of Leon
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
I don't know why the schedule of the classes here at Karakura University are so different, so like high school. I thought my highschool was over but what the hell... culinary arts? A coed swimming physical education? Arts and Literature? History and Geography? Some are not even related to my course. Curse the minor subjects!
Rukia's brow furrowed in frustration. She crumpled the piece of parchment and threw it at the dusty bin just by the corner of the room. She was obviously moody today. Her friends have ambushed her on the gate and she was forced to tell the story (about Paris, the incident at the mansion, the latest incident) and lie to them over and over again. She was grateful for their expression of sympathy but sometimes, it was just better to be left alone in solitude and she'd always feel guilty when lying. When she looked for her first class, the subject was History and the professor Ukitake Juushiro have suddenly called in sick. So, what was so frustrating about it? It was alright, it was a great time to bond with old and new friends, but... with almost all of the girls squealing and giggling like the lovesick fools that they were, it was impossible to ignore his presence - right beside her.
If only they knew what he was and that their attraction was only due to his innate ability to be charming, would they still fangirl over him?
Classes went on and on but both Rukia and Ichigo found themselves almost classmates in every minor yet required subjects that were not related to their course. This was the merit of enrolling late. Her schedule was almost the same with his. It was a good thing that Rukia also got to see her old friends on some subjects like Tatsuki, Hinamori, Mahana, Chizuru, Inoue and more. At least some other people would try to get her mind off of... things.
As a standard on the first day of class, they were asked to introduce themselves over and over again. By the end of their classes, every female murmured and memorized Ichigo Kurosaki's full name and like an instant plague, he became the most popular and hottest man that ever lived - or so his fangirls said. But Rukia disagreed, though she won't be saying it out loud, and she thanked the Heavens that Chizuru was with her.
"Rukia, that's called checking out," Chizuru who was beside her suddenly whispered.
"What?" Rukia turned to her, quite boggled with her statement.
"You've been staring at him. But I can't blame you, everyone seems to be staring at his "nice" ass," she explained and Rukia followed her gaze to the behind of the person answering some questions on the board.
Ichigo certainly heard this discussion from the board and he smirked at the comment, waiting for Rukia to agree with her friend.
"I wasn't staring at his ass," she countered. She was simply spacing out.
"Really? You aren't? That must mean... you're just like me?" Like a tomboy?
"No, no."
"Oh! Thank you! You don't know how much that meant to me! Every girl here has been head over heels over him! That's just so ridiculous! Don't you agree?"
"I agree."
"But you know what?" Chizuru leaned closer and whispered, "I always find him staring at you." Rukia looked at the man who was slowly writing answers on the board. And only for a second, she caught the motion of his eyes as he looked at her. Chizuru grabbed her hands causing her to give attention back to her, and smiled excitedly. "If you claim him, then all the girls will stop seeking for his attention! Then... then... I only have to get rid of that bionic woman and Orihime and I... Orihime and I..." she continued on dreamily.
Tatsuki, who was just two seats away from Chizuru, threw an eraser at her head. "I can hear you right here and who are you calling bionic woman, you perverted lesbian?"
"That's why I called you bionic! You have bionic ears!"
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
Ichigo fully leaned on the back of his chair and tapped a pen on his desk. So many girls have spoken to him and he just gave them a cold shoulder nor did he spare them a glance. Nevertheless, his gruff attitude did not make them loath him at all. In fact, the cold, indifferent attitudes only made him more intriguing and mysterious to them. It only made him look cooler.
What Chizuru had whispered to Rukia left him thinking. He won't deny it though. He really was staring at her because she intrigued him. He was trying to find her out. Moreover, ever since that night he looked into her eyes, he had been captivated. It wasn't because her big round eyes were beautiful but it was in the way they sparkled, the way her eyes blinded his. It was teeming with life, serenity and light. He found himself always wanting to see those in her eyes. It was like... it felt like... salvation.
"Hey! Kurosaki?" called Chizuru once the bell had rung. It was now lunch break.
All the other girls were behind her: Inoue, Tatsuki, Mahana, Michiru, Ryo and Hinamori.
"Chizuru, you aren't..." Rukia, who was beside her, asked narrow-eyed.
"Are you hungry? Want to come join us for lunch?"
"No! Can't you see? He's not hungry! He's not coming with us!" she protested.
"Actually, I am hungry," Ichigo teased Rukia.
Rukia knew what he meant of course. Vampires shouldn't have appetites for normal food. Only blood would satisfy their hunger. Getting annoyed that he emphasized his hunger while looking at her like she's some delectable turkey on a platter, she hissed. "What're you looking at?"
"Ah! Please excuse her. She can be very hostile."
"I can see that."
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
The situation had become very awkward. Ishida also joined the fray and sat just right beside Ichigo. But thanks to Rukia, Ichigo and his superb acting, their friends had not suspected a thing at all. Though they could slightly sense something with the occasional glances Ichigo would give Rukia, or the glares he received from Ishida. Sometimes Ishida would throw inquiring looks at Rukia and she would just avoid meeting his gaze. Actually she've avoided looking at the both of them. She didn't know if Ishida knew something but she was thankful he hadn't been asking her questions. She had no idea if she will tell him or not. Well, as for Ichigo, her avoidance was nothing but a product of annoyance.
They gathered at a big round table at the canteen. Not only had Ishida joined, but Keigo, Mizuiro and Chad as well. It was just like a grand highschool reunion. Except that Rukia didn't actually spend her highschool days in Karakura and Ichigo was... who knows how many highschools he have already attended? Their simple conversations span from current occupations, subject schedules, love stories up to Rukia's dreaded topic.
"Kuchiki-san," Ishida called. "Do you mind if I take a look at your wound? My father owns the largest hospital here and I learned a few about medicine from him."
Ichigo switched his gaze from Ishida to Rukia. The wound his bite gave her was still covered by a bandaid.
"No," she declined, meeting Ichigo's gaze before Ishida's. "I mean, I'm fine. It's just a scratch."
"Can you retell me how you got that?" Ishida wanted to confirm if she was bitten. Though if it was indeed true, why was it that she had to hide the wound or the vampire's identity. True that she might sound crazy but at least not from him. Why is it that they seemed to have an unspoken contract? Or is it because she's...?
"It's... It was itchy so... I scratched it... so there I have it."
Ishida didn't buy it.
Ichigo almost spit his drink in laughter but instead he choked trying to contain it. That was lame, he thought.
And as if Rukia read his thoughts, she thought, I know it's lame. Serves you right for laughing at me! She kicked him from under the table.
"Oh you shouldn't have scratched it then. Use ointment next time!" said Inoue who was beside Tatsuki. "I know a recipe for homemade ointments!" Everyone turned their heads away in disgust imagining what kind of ointment that would be.
"Maybe it just needs a bit of a lover's kiss to heal!" said the lively Keigo.
"Anyway, Kuchiki-san -" continued Ishida.
His interrogation was yet to end, so Rukia decided to escape. "I have to go call Nii-sama! So, umm... maybe later?" She quickly took her things and scrammed.
As soon as she was out of the canteen, Ishida followed.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
She had just finished calling her brother and as always, it was just that damn annoying good-for-nothing answering machine. It was already the fourth time she called and left a message. He hadn't called her after she was hospitalized and she was starting to get really worried. Just a text or anything to keep me from worrying would be nice, she thought sadly while leaning on a wall on one of the less crowded corridors.
And in the split of a second, her worries averted to the most recent one. Ishida is suprisingly persistent and stubborn today. Could it be that he knows something? Must I confront him? Come to think of it, had he seen what Takamura looked like? She turned to the side and started to walk to her next class. She needed to cool down from the stress people were giving her lately.
It hadn't been a few minutes until she heard that voice again. "Kuchiki-san," Ishida called from behind. When she turned to face him, he swiftly tapped a small cross-like accessory at her head. She was caught off-guard that she dropped her cellphone on the ground.
"Wha-what was that?" she flipped.
"No reaction...?" Ishida asked himself. What he used on her was his family's artifact, the Quincy Cross. Though he doesn't know what other unnatural powers lie in the cross, he was certain that it would help repel hypnosis. Getting no reaction between the Cross and Rukia, there was only one answer to his previous question. She chose to help the vampire of her own free will.
"Ishida, what the hell are you doing...?" she asked, bemused.
She needs to know.
"Will you please come with me, Kuchiki-san?"
She was dragged, even before she could answer.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
VIII. Thou shall honor the Lord, the Covenant, his Sire and the Doctrine.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
Connecting..
Connecting...
Connected.
Three windows appeared at a giant LCD screen that hung by the wall in front of Byakuya Kuchiki's neat desk. He was at Korea addressing some emergency business issues, but no other issues could be as important as this meeting. He cancelled his appointments with important clients and asked the secretary not to let anybody interrupt him. His room was sound-proof so that any confidential information may not leak. And being the CEO of the company, his room's area span for about 25 square meters, furnished with red carpets and expensive ornaments.
He sat at his comfortable reclinable chair and waited for the conference members to sign on.
One by one, images and live videos of the session participants appeared. The first one was Unohana Retsu, the second to appear was Ukitake Jushirou and the last was Shunsui Kyouraku.
"Hey handsome!" greeted Shunsui. "Looking good with that tuxedo huh."
Byakuya was indeed wearing a tux as part of his formal attire.
"I cancelled my first day for this," said Ukitake.
"And I cancelled the operation of my patient for this," laughed Unohana jokingly.
"I guess it's just the four of us today," informed Shunsui.
"Where are the others?"
"Mayuri is too crazy to be included in this conference."
"Ishida Ryuuken refused to cooperate with us as usual," said Ukitake.
"I understand."
There were only few families who knew the existence of vampires. The rest of the other families were left to live their own lives normally, without the knowledge passed onto their descendants. Such families were the Shiba, Hitsugaya and Kurosaki. It never occured to them that the alliance of the families would be resurrected on this very day.
"Shunsui, did you do as I asked?" asked Byakuya.
"Oh so straight and business-like," commented Shunsui. "But of course, the antiques are hidden safe in my custody. The police and mediamen do not know any information at all. The attacks were logged as savage beasts to cover it up. Your butler, by the way, turned into an unidentified jumping object."
"Very funny Shunsui," said Unohana in sarcasm. "But you shouldn't be joking about the deceased. How very ill-mannered of you."
"Aw, to be told off by a woman. Sorry."
"Anyway," Unohana turned towards Byakuya, "there are no autopsies that could explain the creature he's turned into. But based on his wound, he was stabbed directly at the heart. Someone must be knowledgeable enough to know how to kill him."
"I see. I assume then, that the hougyoku was used on him," said Byakuya.
"Yes, probably. And as far as I see it, the culprits that attacked your mansion and the Shiba's are two separate entities. The crooks that attacked your mansion are an independent group, while the man that attacked the Shibas is strong and powerful enough to have almost destroyed the entire house from the inside. I suspect a group behind that man, otherwise, that man alone wouldn't have dared and wouldn't have known that the Shiba family safeguards the most powerful artifact of all."
"It was the perfect time for them to attack now that you're away and cannot oversee things here. We should've been prepared," said Unohana.
"What happened now to the Shiba Clan?"
Ukitake frowned. He was very close to the Shiba Family and he was Kaien's mentor. Although the Shiba Clan was one of the families which was part of the alliance, the Shiba children were unaware of it because the head of the family died early. Since then, Ukitake had always been one of a father-figure to them and trained the eldest to be a combatant in case the inevitable comes.
"The situation is bad... Miyako Shiba had just died two hours ago," declared Ukitake.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
From the darkness of an unknown territory, another meeting had ensued.
A scar-faced vampire had emerged and knelt in front of a pedestal that was cloaked in the shadows. The man who sat high on the chair opened his dark red eyes and stared blankly at his subordinate. "Metastacia, you have returned."
"Yes, Aizen-sama," he answered. "And I took the liberty of testing it for a run."
"And?"
"It was indeed the hougyoku, such a magnificent thing," said Metastacia.
Aizen's eyes glinted with anger, yet he remained calm. "That is all?" he stood up.
"Yeah."
In a second, Aizen appeared in front of Metastacia and tore his right arm away. He screamed in pain. It would take time for his arm to regenerate. "What did I tell you?" Aizen asked coldly. "Learn to obey my orders." He took the Hougyoku from his other hand.
Metastacia gritted his teeth. He would've fought him, if only he was not his Sire. He had no power to defy him. He then remembered the specific orders Aizen had given him. He was to covertly steal the Hougyoku without any disturbance or causing any commotion. Yet, he was unable to control his hunger when he saw Miyako alone in the house. He was of course unable to eat her without a fight. And that fight led to her battered body. But he enjoyed it. Not soon after, Kaien Shiba returned and badly wounded him. So he did something, told something to his wife, just to make him pay real bad. Oh he paid, real bad.
But by doing what he did, the local families were alarmed and their group was one step closer to being discovered by Kuchiki Byakuya, the greatest threat against their cult.
Aizen held the Hougyoku in front of Metastacia. "A-Aizen-sama?" he asked in shock. A black spiritual aura enveloped him.
"Quiet. I'm testing it."
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
Back to the Family Alliance meeting...
"What about the twins?" asked Byakuya.
"Unfortunately, both have already awakened," informed Shunsui.
"The Kurosaki one may not be a threat at all, but we can't be sure of that. However, the Shirosaki boy is obviously more dangerous," said Ukitake. "We may have a war pending now."
"Then I suggest you prepare for it," said Byakuya. "You know how far my aid could only extend."
"Yes, we know. As for now, Byakuya, we need you to locate Urahara and contact the Vizards. We need all the help we can get."
Byakuya nodded in agreement.
"Your sister, we may need her as well," said Ukitake.
"No. She will not be joining this battle," declared Byakuya firmly.
"She is already in this battle. As I've reported to you the last time we had this conference, she was bitten. We have no primary suspects yet but it's safe to assume that she may have met one of the brothers, the Kurosaki boy perhaps. She was the only survivor of the attack. I've taken care of all the medical records and told her it was nothing. She does heal faster than normal though but don't worry, she was not turned," said Unohana.
"She have been hospitalized again last Friday. She've been attacked by Takamura and it's just a matter of time until she starts looking for answers," said Shunsui. He still remembered how Ishida Uryuu rushed Rukia to the hospital and how ragged she looked. There were a few cuts on her back that were quickly tended by Unohana. It was Ishida who told him about the incident.
"No. Shunsui, you will deport her immediately here at Korea," commanded Byakuya sternly.
"Byakuya, you cannot keep her away from her destiny," said Unohana. "Certainly you know of her heritage. She truly resembles her."
"You know, the more you keep her away, the more she will strive to come back," said Ukitake.
"I won't deport her. Maybe it's time to let her know what your family truly is. Then, let her decide her own fate."
Everyone nodded in agreement, except Byakuya. He remained silent, contemplating the steps he should take.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
The library was quiet. There were only very few students reading books. It was the first day of class, so no assignments or research works yet to do. In the corner table sat both Ishida and Rukia.
"What did you say?"
"I know how you survived the fall. I know who saved you, what saved you," said Ishida.
Rukia sighed. "So you knew all along. I'm sorry, I didn't know if I should tell you or not."
"Was he the one who bit you? Did he hypnotize you? It's surprising that he didn't erase your memories at least," he said. "And even more, that you freely collaborate with him. Did he allure you?"
"I-Ishida! It's true that I am hiding his identity but it's just because I didn't want to be branded insane! I was not collaborating with him in any way!" she countered. "And he did try to erase my memories, but he couldn't."
He couldn't...? Perhaps she had a Quincy cross or any charm that repels hypnotism? It's possible since...
"I see. Thanks for the clarification. I'm glad you're not friends with him, because you really are not supposed to be."
"What did you mean by that?"
Ishida took out a parchment from his bag. He unfolded it flat in front of him and pushed it towards Rukia. Rukia stared at him and then to the paper. It was already brownish in color, probably aged by time, but the inscriptions were still readable.
Pledge of The Alliance
Founders of the Anti-Demon Faction
Kurosaki Family... Kuchiki Family...
Kyouraku Family... Unohana Family...
Juushiro Family... Shiba Family...
In allegiance with:
Vizards
Quincy
Matsumoto Family
Hitsugaya Family
Mysterious Salesman & Co.
Rukia's eyes widened. There were signatures at the bottom of the paper as proof of the groups and families' compliance. All of the families were still existing as of now. Except that Rukia didn't know of the Vizards Group and Mysterious Salesman & Co. What a weird group name... So, the alliances and coalitions were real. More than that, the Kuchiki, her family, was part of the alliance? Even more shocking was the Kurosaki Family. "Isn't Ichigo a Kurosaki?"
"Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. You know how easy it is for him to change papers and surnames. He may be using Kurosaki to avoid being hunted by the other members of the alliance."
"Or maybe he's originally a member of the Kurosaki family and was turned?" It was plausible since Ichigo attended school and went to the Church. He seemed to be very much in control too, except that night he awoke of course. But didn't those thugs call him Lord...?
Ishida thought about it. She may be right. He took the parchment back once Rukia finished viewing it and said, "I will find what more I can find at the church archives. I will ask my family about this too. You should talk to your brother. Remember, no matter what he's still a vampire. I saw the way he looked at you. You can't trust him."
"I know. I will take necessary precautions."
"You know that their greatest weakness is the heart. If he attacks, just stab him at the heart. Don't forget to call me if something happens," Ishida stood up.
"Okay. Thanks. I'll update you once I get a talk with Nii-sama. By the way, you have a new number?" Rukia stood up and looked for the phone in her pocket - empty pocket. She quickly remembered how startled she was at Ishida's strange approach that she forgot she dropped her mobile phone. "Shit! I dropped it!"
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
"Where the hell is Ishida and Kuchiki? First day of class and they're skipping my subject for a date? That's so humiliating!" Kagine-sensei assumed.
"Wow. Ishida and Kuchiki? Never saw that combination," someone whispered.
"Where could they be dating?" whispered Inoue to Tatsuki.
"Who knows, Orihime," answered Tatsuki flatly, mildly amused of her friend's apprehension of their teacher's exaggeration.
Ichigo paid no attention to the ranting of their professor. If that midget was dating with that weirdo, why should he care? But it was kind of weird though. He did notice Ishida occasionally glaring at him. It was as if he knew something and held a grudge against him. But he won't dare find out if he did. As far as he's concerned, he'd done nothing wrong to him... yet. Whatever his problem is, is his problem.
Unfortunately, the problems just get passed onto even the most unwilling people...
"Hey, you!" Kaginei pointed a finger at him. "Don't you know that school policies forbid students of dying and bleaching their hair? What're you, a blonde-wanna-be, carrot-top?"
Ichigo's eye twitched in annoyance.
He promptly stood up, just in time for Ishida's arrival. Everyone turned their attention on him. "Sorry, sensei. I fell from the stairs and Kuchiki-san brought me to the clinic."
"She brought you to the clinic and you left her there?"
"She had something to get, so... she will be here soon," he answered.
"I cannot start this class with incomplete students! You, orange-head, find her quick."
Ishida turned to Ichigo, and instantly his eyes sharpened into a glare. "I can go get her myself, sensei."
"No! You have disappeared enough. And didn't you say you fell from the stairs? Now sit down," the professor commanded. Ishida could do nothing but sit down as Ichigo turned to leave the room. That was a lame ass excuse! Ichigo didn't object though, he really wanted to get away from that hot-headed professor. "Now, come back with her or with your undyed hair!"
"Jeez..." he muttered, ruffling his own hair as he walked alone, following the trail of scent Rukia had left behind.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
The LCD screen in front of the president's desk was now pitch black. Still, the Kuchiki president lingered on his seat as the clock sped itself into 4 pm. It would be the toughest decision he had to make, and as a family, as her brother, he must ensure her safety. It was what he had been doing the whole time. It was a promise. It was something he would fulfil no matter the cost, even if it would hurt her in the process.
He lifted his mobile phone and started to read the mails and listen to the voice messages. There were at least 4 messages left by his sister:
"Nii-sama... How are you? You haven't called. Will you return this Sunday? I... have something I'd like to talk to you about. Please call."
"Byakuya-nii? T... Takamura-san is... he... passed away. He... I don't know how to say this... Please talk to me."
"Nii-sama, it's Monday. You said you will return last week. I'm worried..."
"It's me again. You still haven't called. There're a lot of things I wanted to ask you, but if you don't want to talk to me, it's fine. Just, please let me know you're alright."
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
"Clinic my ass," Ichigo said in front of the clinic door. Though he could follow her scent, he decided to check on the Clinic first. Truly, that Ishida was one big fat liar. She wasn't there, neither did she even pass by there.
He continued on, this time following only the tiny fragment of scent that was soon to fade.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
Rukia sighed while running from the library and into the main building. If only that damn librarian hadn't blocked her for so long.
"Ah, Kuchiki? The famous Kuchiki family?"
Maybe she should've said no. "Y-yes."
"You know I'm a big fan of your brother."
"Thank you in behalf of my brother."
"Would you kindly ask your brother for an autograph for me? Or a picture at least? I'll even bring my whole family."
"I'll let him know once he returns."
And on and on...
Every delay she encounters would just increase the probability of that phone being stolen. And what if her brother called?
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
Byakuya have decided.
He flipped his phone open and dialed his sister's number.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
Ichigo ended up at the corridor where her scent was strongest, but he couldn't find her there... until he heard a ring. On the floor, he found a light blue gadget with a rabbit accessory. The phone vibrated and flashed simultaneously.
On his time, which were decades ago, there were no mobile phones, so this was new to him. Although he could remember using an old fashion wired phone, he had no idea how to answer the call. Then he decided to just flip the phone. To his surprise, someone asked: "Rukia?"
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
Rukia was almost there. She went first to the office to look in the Lost and Found section just in case someone turned her cellphone in. When she confirmed it, she swiftly ran through the stairs, corridors and on-going classes. It was either there or gone forever.
But what she did not know, was a man waiting for her just by a corner near her classroom. Of course, she'd dare not let any blockmates nor the professor see her running around and not coming in to class. She yelped once she bumped into the person and he quickly covered her mouth. "Kuchiki..."
Rukia blinked. The man in front of her looked so haggard and devastated. "Kaien-dono...?"
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
"I'm not Ru -" Ichigo stopped in realization, "So this is Rukia's."
Byakuya asked, "Who are you?"
"None of your business."
Byakuya was no doubt irritated by his answer. "It is my business if you are meddling with my sister. I want you to give her the phone."
"Oh, so you're her brother."
"Where is she?"
"I don't know. I'm looking for her myself."
"I demand to know who I am speaking to."
"If it would leave you more at peace, then, Kurosaki Ichigo."
Byakuya froze realizing who the person on the other line was. And no way in hell had that name left him more at peace. Rather he was boiling with anger and confused with turmoil knowing he was pursuing his sister. He didn't know what to do and it took time for him to collect himself and end the call. What does he want with her? There were numerous logical answers to that question but he wasn't the type of person to jump into conclusions. He will find that out soon, but right now, he knew what he've got to do.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
It was a windy afternoon at a grove near the school. Although modernized, the natural resources were well taken care of. The forests were barricaded with barb-wires so no illegal trespassers would be able to log the trees. But of course the locals were still allowed to roam the forests, nurture the animals living in it and grow more plants or gather food but with certain limitations too.
There were also stone steps to easily navigate the forest's uphill landscape. And at the very top was a deadend, a cliff where most campers would stay overnight, view the zoomed-in Moon and count the stars.
There, Kaien brought Rukia. This was the safest place he could think of. This was his last -
Rukia looked at the silent man beside her. His eyebags were obvious. He hadn't slept for days. On his eyes were a mixture of emotions: sadness, guilt, anger,... hopelessness. What she was seeing right now, was a man who was crushed; who seemed to have lost everything. She couldn't speak. She was too sad for him to say anything. It pained her to see him like this, and if he needed company, then she'd be here for him.
They sat together right in front of a setting sun. Kaien bittersweetly smiled and spoke, "Do you believe in destiny, Kuchiki?"
"I have... never thought about it," she answered.
"I was told once by my grandfather that on this place, I could meet my destiny. I had no idea what he meant when he said that. I was just a boy back then," he started and looked straightly at the setting sun with a smile on his face.
"I used to keep coming back here from time to time, trying to meet my destiny, thinking there was a sort of magic that would tell me what I am destined to be. Years passed and my grandfather died, and then my father. I've started to forget the magic of this place and was in misery because of the loss," his smile faded remiscing the pain.
"I... became the head of the family and took care of my siblings. But one day, I just... had this sudden urge to come back on this cliff for the last time... and it's when it happened. I met her. She bumped into me and almost tipped me over the cliff. All that time I was cursing and thinking whatever would happen to my siblings if I am to fall over? I was so mad at her even when she said sorry multiple times and helped me up. She would always come to the house to help us. She made life so much easier." he laughed. "I knew when I met her, that she was my destiny...
... But now... she's gone..." His voice shook as he lowered his head.
Rukia carressed his shoulder to comfort him. "I'm sorry, Kaien-dono..."
"And the worst is...", there were droplets of tears from his eyes, "I killed her."
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
Byakuya had quickly cut the line of the phone leaving a pissed off Ichigo on the other line. The situation was worse than he anticipated. He clicked on the call button of his Telecom and his secretary answered. "Kuchiki-sama?"
"Book me the earliest flight to Japan. I need to come back home."
"As you wish, Kuchiki-sama," and the line was cut.
He've decided that he'd have to get Rukia out of Karakura himself.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
IX. Thou must avoid anything that would endanger his life.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
It was nine in the evening when Rukia returned to her suite. She opened the television to watch out for any news and quickly went to the bathroom to brush her teeth, wash her face and check on her wounds. The wounds on her back had healed quickly - much to her suprise, but the bite on her neck healed slower. Maybe because it was deeper?
She changed from the school uniform outfit into a white pajama with rabbit designs. She sighed as she looked at her reflection on the mirror above the sink.
She was tired, exhausted and sad. She kept getting bombed with shocking revelations and it was taking a toll on her emotional, spiritual and physical state.
She cannot forgive him. The person who ruined Kaien and his family. She will not forgive that vampire.
"I'm leaving..." she recalled him say. "I can't stay here anymore. I'm going to find him, and kill him."
He was dead set on revenge. "I won't rest until I find him. After that, I will turn myself in to the police..."
But it was not his fault...
He had no choice.
"When I came back to the house, it was thrashed and there was blood everywhere. I found Miya on the floor and that fucking bastard was on top of her, gorging her neck. He was so indulged he didn't sense me there but Miya, so weakly saw me and silently told me to run. How can I just do that? So I grabbed a shattered glass and quickly stabbed him at the back multiple times. He was hurt and angry. He told my wife to get up and kill me. I don't know what happened, but she followed his command. As if she was... under a spell. I couldn't comprehend what happened. And the scar-faced asshole... he healed and left. His eyes were red and he had... fangs. I know it may sound crazy, but... I think he's a vampire. Do you believe me?"
"Yeah, I do," she recalled herself answer.
"I... didn't know what to do to my wife... I was only trying to disarm her when she hit her head badly tumbling down on the floor... I caused her to go on a comatose... I..."
And that was it, the whole story. She couldn't believe someone would be so cruel to do this to him and to his wife. But she was reminded of that vampire reality. They shouldn't be playing with people's lives, they shouldn't have control at all. They were dangerous.
She touched the bite mark on her neck, her fingers feeling the punctured skin and the pain that slightly seeped. "He is dangerous..."
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
He shouldn't be here.
He really shouldn't be here for the sake of a freaking lost cellphone, but he was.
He opened the window and came in. That was one high window to jump on. No he did not jump, he sort of flew... or glided. Whatever they call it. He actually crossed sixteen floors before getting at the pent house window. He slipped inside, the curtains waved with his movement. He noticed how big the room was and elegantly furnished. There was one gigantic wooden closet at the other end. On his right was the queen sized bed and couches. On the left was the LCD television that was turned on and the bathroom door that was open, but he was not a pervert and he only needed to return the gadget anyway. He wasn't supposed to stay long.
He walked towards the bedside table. His black leather shoes made noise as it met the carpet floor. He left the cellphone near the lampshade and wondered if he'd leave right away or...
Rukia noticed the opening of the window and the noisy footsteps that followed. She knew then that someone was inside her suite, and there was no way anyone would be able to get inside without knocking at the tightly secured locked door unless he came from the outside of the building - through the windows. She quickly scanned the room for any pointy object she can use against him. There were only a scissor and a blade. Damn it!
Maybe the scissor will do... It was sharp anyway.
She heard the footsteps stop. Only the newscaster on the television was audible. She peeked and when she saw his back turned - facing the bedside table so she charged. He turned. She lunged forward, causing him to lose balance and fall, and held the scissor on her right hand, ready to stab him at the heart. But then she stopped.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
X. Thou must not fall in love.
Love is the only weapon that could crush the heart without physically touching it.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
Her other hand was right on his chest and she was sitting on his stomach. He just... stared at her. He wasn't startled, neither scared. It was her who was shocked and mystified by what she saw. The eyes that met with hers, the face that held emotions, the unspoken words that said Go on... Kill me... The feelings, the same as Kaien's. Hopelessless... A person who had lost everything and was on the edge of losing himself as well...
"I'm going to kill you, why don't you do anything? You knew I was going to attack the moment you heard me run."
"What do you want me to do?" he asked, lying on the floor as if it was a comfortable mattress. "And it's not like you can kill me, and with that too," he eyed the scissor that she gripped tightly.
"No," she said. She remembered what he spoke of the night Takamura had died. The only way you can save him is by killing him. She was so sure now. "You know what I think? I think you're looking for salvation."
"You know nothing."
"You're right. I know nothing about you. I don't know what it's like to be left by time... but I do understand what it feels like to be left alone. I don't have the strength to kill you, take what you've been deprived of for a very long time," she dropped the object she gripped tightly on the floor. "Don't live just because you're alive. Don't die, just because you're alone. I understand that you're very dangerous but even though, you were given a life so you could live it the way you want to."
She was certain that if there were bad vampires, then there also were good ones and that Ichigo was one of them.
"I will keep your secret. But promise me to never hurt anyone. Can you do that?"
"When did I ever hurt anyone?"
"Do you promise?" Rukia raised her right hand's pinky finger signifying a yubikiri (Finger cut-off; pinky promise/swear).
Ichigo laughed. "That's childish."
"Just do it, will you?"
Ichigo knew he could do better than to oblige with her request. He knew he had the advantage, the speed, the strength, the power to just do whatever he wanted. But instead, he found himself raising his right's pinky finger and slowly entwining it with hers to seal the promise. He knew better than to let a human control him, but he also knew what he needed the most. It was not the kill, not the blood, not the power he'd achieve, not revenge but... someone. A friend. A company. Someone who'd acknowledge him for what he is. That unforced acceptance. Someone who'd truly understand him.
"Yeah. Promise..."
He was moved. He was shocked, first of all, to get a lecture about life from a stranger, and to be read so easily by a stranger. He'd felt so empty and so dead inside that he'd welcome death itself whenever it would come at him. He had no purpose living this life he had now. But this girl saw through that and just basically told him to... not give up on living. She was very confident that she could kill him because she was able to read him. She knew he will not fight her back. She saw the goodness in him, the loneliness in him, the emptiness... him.
"So..." Rukia spoke again, getting up from sitting on his stomach. She looked at the cellphone that was left near the lampshade. She quickly understood why he came. "Thanks for giving it back."
"I didn't return it for free though," Ichigo teased. He sat on the carpet floor in an indian-seating position.
"What do you mean by that?" she retorted angrily.
"Your brother called by the way. He was rude. He hung up on me."
"You talked to my brother? What did he tell you?"
"Nothing much. He was looking for you."
Rukia sighed. "Great, the only time he called and I missed it." She grabbed the phone and it was already dead on battery. She opened the table's drawer and charged the phone on one of the power sockets.
"Where were you?"
"Just..." Rukia paused, remembering her conversation with Kaien. "Do you know any scar-faced vampire?"
"None that I could recall of. Why?"
Rukia chose to answer "Nothing." What would she say? That Kaien is out there hunting one of his kin?
"I haven't met with any of my kind. I don't know if they still exist."
"Don't you have any vampire family?"
Ichigo recalled a certain person who looked so much as him. A twin. A brother. And recalling him only brought back the memories of the past. Of what he've done... Of his crime... In his mind, walls were crumbling... his body starting to petrify. He could hear his brother scream in anger, blaming him for everything that happened. He saw him writhe in pain as his flesh hardened into a rock - which he also experienced soon after. Things weren't supposed to turn out the way they did... He have sinned... against his own family...
"I need to go," he uttered quickly, halting the flow of memory in his mind. He stood and walked over to the open window.
Rukia, although boggled, managed to say, "Can you atleast act human and use the door instead?"
"Yeah." He went to the other end of the room to open the door. Rukia followed behind him. He turned the knob and opened the door a bit; paused; and closed the door again.
"I thought you're leaving?"
Ichigo realized, "I have nowhere to go."
"So you're saying..."
"Can I..." Ichigo turned to face her and scratched his head, "stay here?"
"You must be crazy!"
"Rukia... I really have nowhere to go to," he said stressing the point that he was a lost kid who needed shelter from the storm.
"Don't call me by my first name. We're not even that close yet."
Ichigo smirked. "I can do something about that," he walked closer, so close their skin would almost touch. "How about this close?"
"I didn't mean it literally, dummy!" she said as she beamed from the closeness and took a few steps away to keep the distance. "Alright. But under one condition."
"What?"
"You sleep in the closet," Rukia pointed to the big closet near them.
"What? You freaking want me to sleep in that closet? That's inhumane!"
"Um... are you exactly human?" she pointed out. "Besides, don't you vampires sleep in coffins? What difference does a closet make?"
"Do I look like Dracula?" he asked in annoyance. He've read about Dracula on his free time as he was searching for his kind, people who he could relate to, and he actually laughed at how lame vampires were today. Coffins? Seriously?
Rukia opened her mouth to counter but couldn't find the words to say. She've actually imagined Dracula and there was no way Ichigo'd look like him. But to annoy him more, she responded, "Well... I suppose you do," as she laughed imagining Ichigo with super long nails, wearing a Dracula costume and coming out of a coffin growling and roaring.
"Whatever..." he swiftly ran and spread himself on the queen-sized bed taking full cover of it.
"What - Unbelievable..." was all Rukia could mutter.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.
"Hey, handsome. Want more booze?" said the woman bartender who seemed to be in her mid-twenties. She was already slightly drunk as her eyes were in a haze. She has taken quite an interest in the recently awakened vampire, as had every other girl inside the bar.
The vampire snickered before emptying the glass of liquor in one gulp. "More," he said, and the bartender gave him another glass.
"I have never seen you around. Are you new here?" she asked, trying to initiate a conversation.
"Oh I lived here way longer than you or any of your ancestors did."
The bartender was puzzled. "What's your name, boy?"
"Do not call me a boy," he gnarled. It made her feel so uneasy and frightened. "Hichigo Shirosaki", he answered anyway.
"Shirosaki? Never heard. You have any family here?"
His temper was rising at an incredible speed. He didn't have a family. That traitorous bastard Ichigo was not his family! Just the thought of him boiled his blood with anger. "You are very talkative. I'm getting hungry."
"Oh," she took the menu and handed it to the sitting man, "what can I serve you with?"
Hichigo only spared the menu a seconds glance before smirking evilly at the bartender.
"You."
.
A/N: There are a lot of things happening at the same time and I hope it wasn't that confusing or too fast or too dragging. lol xD
And... I know the last commandment is damn corny. Slap me. -_- I'm kinda lazy to proofread or add whatever so just inform me if anything's off. xD
I'll try to update as fast as I can since Halloween's coming. =D
Anyway, to those who reviewed the previous chap, thanks as always and sorry for the late update! =P