New Beginning

chapter 9

The room was humid and hot and felt so closed in that Ichigo wanted to get out the nearest window but he promised to keep Shiro in sight and he was trying to behave in a room full of nobles. Dressed in his finished formal wear that was the color of midnight blue with black pants and calf high boots of soft leather. He was currently leaning up against the wall people watching he had shoved the white prince off on Grimmjow just to get a break from the royal. Ichigo was trying to blend in because the moment that he was announce all eyes were on him and he could feel them whenever he moved. He figures that staying out of the way was the best way to keep from causing trouble but it seemed that no one told the other royals nor the guards about that.

Kisuke was over by the King and Queen talking about something Shinji and his group were scatter about and most were drunk while Ichigo has no idea where Aizen was; Kaien was surrounded by ladies and men while Shiro and Grimmjow was off somewhere. Neliel was on the dance floor a different partner each time.

“Some party huh?” Kaien asks as the raven takes a spot next to Ichigo.

“I guess,” the orangette sighs out. “I’m not really one for formal events.” He admits.

“Yeah I know what you mean. If I could I would be somewhere else but someone has to be here to rub elbows with the nobility and truth be told not all of them are horrible.” Kaien laughs at the expression on Ichigo’s face. “it’s true the nobles in this kingdom are used to our brand of strangeness and are more relax then others in other countries.”

“If you say so,” Ichigo took a glass of a passing tray taking a tentative sip making sure that it wasn’t alcohol, he went back to watching the castles guest dance. Out of the corner of her eye he sees a flash of white and orange that could only belong to Severn the being has been keeping close but far enough away to be out of sight. Heaving an another sighs the orangette was about to make a disappearing act out to one of the balconies his arm is pulled out to the dance floor. Thinking of saying something the words die in his mouth when he met the smiling face of the Queen.

“Mind sharing a dance with me Ichigo dear?” though asked they were already on the floor dead center of the floor with everybody watching them. Ichigo only nodded and waited for the music to start. “It’ll be fine Ichigo just remember what you learned and I’ll help you if you need it.”

The music was slow which was good for someone never had much experience with waltzes. Taking the lead Ichigo lead the Queen with at first uncertain steps then gaining confidence as the dance went on even giving her a few twirls and dips but by the end of it the orangette was having fun and he was very happy with the chance to dance with Masaki, it was like what dancing with his mother could have been and Ichigo was glad for it.

Escorting the Queen back off the floor and into the arms of her smiling husband. “Ichigo it’s good to see you having fun.” Isshin shouted only to tone it down when Masaki sent him a chilling smile. Isshin only sent his wife his own smile before nodding back to Ichigo, leaving the orangette to his own devices.

 Ichigo gave a low bow to the retreating forms before making his way back to his original spot but was pulled again by Shiro who return a big grin at the scowling orangette. He yanked and pulled the reluctant orangette back to the dance floor but instead of the slow waltz Ichigo was surprise to hear something close to some of the fast pace music from his home. Soon he found himself dancing along with Shiro and Kaien and he can’t help the laugh that escapes his mouth. When the dance was over he found himself with another dance partner then another until his own dance card could rival Kaien’s.

When he could break away he grab another drink and some food and quickly got outside. The cold air took away the heat he accumulated while dancing that he shivered. Allowing his body to rest Ichigo stared up at the sky taking in the stars and the moon he couldn’t stay out for too long due to the cold but mostly because he would soon be the object of a man hunt by Shiro and the others.