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The sound of a loud thud from a nearby bookshelf broke Rukia from her reverie.
Odd, she thought as she closed the book and glanced at the location of the sound.
Their academy was known for many things: world-class education, top-of-the-line facilities, picturesque school grounds, and hauntings. The hauntings seemed like a natural occurrence since the school grounds and everything within it were over five centuries old.
One of the most haunted locations in the academy, so they say, was the library.
Sighing tiredly, Rukia placed the book beside her and pushed herself up from the floor. Her footsteps echoed through the area as she made her way towards the location of the fallen book. Rukia bent down to retrieve it and stood up before looking at the cover.
Shakespeare.
Her hand smoothed over the tattered leather cover feeling the engraved letters beneath her fingers. Rukia felt odd that a book this old is out in the library’s general circulation. She clearly remembered that books like the one in her hand were hidden away in a special room. Rukia opened its cover and saw on the top right hand corner of its yellowed page, the initials I.K.
Moments later, she felt the hairs on her neck stand up and goosebumps rise on her arms. She lifted a hand on her neck and glanced at her surroundings. All she could hear was her erratic and heavy breathing. Rukia composed herself and slipped the book back into its slot in the shelf.
She looked at her wrist watch.
It was already 7:45 in the evening.
Feeling her stomach rumble, Rukia made her way to her sitting spot by the window before gathering all her things. Before she left towards the direction of the exit, she paused and looked at the spot where the book had fallen. Rukia made her way to the exit when she saw that there was no one between the bookshelves. Just as the door closed, its sound echoing throughout the entire library, a young gentleman had emerged from behind the bookshelf, his amber eyes looking at the spot where Rukia had been.
---- ---- ----
Rukia stirred from a deep slumber when she heard the distinct sound of a book falling on the floor.
Again.
Her bleary amethyst eyes blinked as it tried to adjust to the light of the dusk filtering in through the large window. Rukia lifted herself from the wall and stretched a bit, her eyes landing on the book on the floor. She huffed annoyingly before standing up and walking towards it. Just as she retrieved it and was about put it back on the shelf, she heard the sound of a gentleman’s voice beside her.
“Rukia, is it?”
Rukia froze, her hand holding the book in midair. Every hair on her body stood up and there was no mistaking the distinct cold spot that was on her right side. She could feel her heartbeat hammering against her ribcage and cold sweat forming on her forehead.
“Are you all right, Rukia?”
The voice sounded worried.
Rukia took deep breaths and slowly turned to the direction of the voice.
Ever since she was a little girl, Rukia could see spirits and creatures that weren’t of this plane of existence. Most of them, mainly the spirits, interacted with her almost on a daily basis. They were mostly the warm, kind-hearted, and friendly kind. Her family had gone through great lengths to ensure she was protected from malevolent spirits. Things weren’t that much different when she started studying in the academy.
Everyone around her, even her close friend, weren’t aware of her ability.
Rukia preferred to keep it that way.
The last thing she wanted to do was to cause a commotion.
Most of the ghosts in the academy were from centuries ago. Unlike some places where the spirits that inhabit it were a mixture from different time periods, their academy was different. It was as if this was an entirely exclusive place for those spirits. They were the spirits of servants who once served their master, the original owner of the academy and its grounds.
She would see most of them walking around, ensuring that everything was in excellent shape. Hence, the so-called “hauntings,” where broken things fix themselves, where lost things become found, etc. Rukia had the occasion of talking to one of them. The dear old maid said to her was that they were keeping the estate in shape, waiting for their lady to be reunited with their master.
That was the last time she ever talked to one of them.
Now, Rukia shouldn’t be surprised to see someone or something in the library.
However, there are instances where she was caught off-guard. In her surprise, she instinctively threw the book at the young gentleman beside her. She watched as it went past through him before crashing to the wall behind him.
The young man frowned worriedly and looked at the book on the floor before turning to her.
“I’m sorry?” He spoke.
Rukia blinked before taking deep breaths to try and calm herself down. She shook her head before looking at the spirit by the bookshelf. He flashed her an amused smile before fully revealing himself to her. Rukia felt speechless as the spirit appeared before her. It was the first time that she had actually seen him.
Her eyes took in his tall and lean body that was encased in a dark blue samurai's kimono. He had pale skin that became transparent as the light from the now rising moon hit it. She couldn’t help but be mesmerized by his handsome face, boyish and charming, with a pair of amber-colored eyes, well-defined cheeks, nose, and jawbone, shapely lips, and a hair as bright and orange as the flaming sun.
“You scared me, that’s all.” Rukia murmured before walking past him and retrieving the book.
“How so? “He asked curiously as he watched Rukia return the book back in place. “My servants say you’re the only one in the entire academy who can see and interact with them.”
“You just surprised me.” Rukia shrugged before turning to him. “I guess I’m the only one who can.”
She could smell a hint of amber, cinnamon, and something woody from him. It was a scent that she would associate with the library, especially in between the bookshelves.
“Oh, I apologize for that. “He spoke as he bowed.
“It’s all right, sir.” Rukia bowed as she now remembered where she had seen the face of the gentleman.
She was talking to none other than the Lord and owner of the academy, Lord Ichigo Kurosaki. His large portrait could be seen in the entrance of the academy and at the back of the library.
“I hope I didn’t interrupt your uh, business.” Rukia spoke, unsure of what to really say to him.
“No, you didn’t.” He spoke dismissively as he walked towards her favorite sitting spot by the window.
Rukia watched him curiously and went over to sit back on the floor. She grabbed her book and turned it to the page where her bookmark was. Lord Ichigo didn’t hesitate to sit down beside her. His amber eyes watched her closely as she resumed her reading.
“Do you like Shakespeare, Lord Kurosaki?” Rukia asked as she paused from her reading to look at him.
If Rukia didn’t know better, she could see a faint trace of blush on his cheeks seeing how close they were. She chalked it up as a trick of the light. He blinked, trying his best not to drown in the depths of the pair amethyst eyes that were looking at him curiously. Ichigo cleared his throat and nodded.
“I guess that explains things.” She spoke. “I love Shakespeare too.”
“What are you majoring in?” He asked.
“History and Literature.” Rukia replied with a proud smile.
Before Ichigo could speak again, a ringtone interrupted their conversation. Rukia pulled out a smartphone from her bag and opened a new message. Ichigo watched her as her fingers danced across the screen as she wrote her reply before pressing send. She then gathered her things and stood up. Ichigo followed suit unable to speak as Rukia smoothed out her uniform and turned to him, bag in tow.
“I’m sorry, Lord Kurosaki. “She spoke. “I have to go.”
“Oh, all right.” It was all he could say.
Rukia bowed and ran towards the direction of the exit. Ichigo listened as the sound of the door closing echoed all throughout the library. A few moments later, he was left in the deafening silence alone. Ichigo could still smell the scent of her perfume: lavender and amber lingering in the air. He pulled out a pocket watch and flipped it open. His amber eyes followed the ticking of the minute hand on the face.
It had been a full five minutes before he pocketed it back and he looked at the window of the library.
And there, always in perfect timing, Rukia walking out of the academy to join her friends.
A small smile graced Ichigo’s lips.
It was nice finally meeting her.
---- ---- ----
Two weeks later…
Ichigo paused in front of the window admiring the view of the full moon against the starry sky.
He could hear the sound of dance music being played in the distance.
Today was dance night, he thought. Ichigo remembered as he recalled seeing the students, clad in their most beautiful and dapper outfits, walking around the grounds excitedly. If he could remember correctly, the dance was being held at the academy gymnasium which used to be his family’s training area. His mind wandered to Rukia. He hadn’t seen her throughout the day.
In fact, he hadn’t seen her for the past weeks.
I could’ve wandered out of the library to look for her, he thought as he saw a familiar figure walking towards the academy. But Ichigo knew that it wasn’t the case with him. He was bound to where he was and he didn’t have the freedom to wander around like his servants. His amber eyes widened in surprise as he saw that it was Rukia coming towards him. No, towards the academy, he corrected himself.
Ichigo took out his pocket watch and looked at the time.
Five minutes later, he heard the door to the library being opened.
---- ---- ----
Rukia sighed with relief as she entered the library.
She bent down and slowly began to take undo the straps of her heels and slip them off her feet. Rukia sighed contentedly as her bare feet touched the cool marble floor of the library. After stretching her toes to relieve the tension, she walked over to her favorite spot in the library. The window was located at the end of the library. Unlike the others, it granted a view of the entire grounds and the sky.
It was also here where she could be at peace.
Its far-off location seemed to cancel out any noise, even from the nearby tables in the library.
Rukia would come to the spot to do her school work, read, and just listen to music. But most of the time, she used this place to escape from everyone and everything.
“It’s nice to see you again, Rukia.”
Rukia looked up to find Lord Ichigo standing by the window with a happy smile on his face.
She was about to bow when he raised a hand indicating her to stop.
“There’s no need to be formal,” He spoke softly. “It’s just the two of us.”
Something warm and pleasant filled her entire body when she heard his words. Rukia merely shrugged it off and walked up to the window where Ichigo was.
“It’s nice to see you too, Lord…I mean, Ichigo.”
“How was school? I trust that you got everything done.”
“Yes, I did. The preparations for the dance preoccupied most of my time. But I’m glad that the dance is going smoothly.”
Ichigo nodded before a comfortable silence wrapped around them.
“I uh…missed our interaction.” Ichigo spoke after a few minutes.
“Oh,” Rukia spoke as she felt heat creeping through her face and she willed down a blossoming blush.
Ichigo cleared his throat and turned to her with a smile, his hands behind his back. Rukia thought he looked like the picture of a perfect gentleman.
“Won’t your date be looking for you?”
Rukia pressed her knuckles to her lips to stifle her laugh. A few moments later, she composed herself and shook her head. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at this. He was sure there was nothing amusing in his question.
“No, I don’t have a date.” She replied, her amethyst eyes lit up in mirth. “Someone asked me. But, no. “
For some strange reason, Ichigo felt relieved at that.
“If you’re asking why,” Rukia began as he noticed his expression. “I didn’t want to give him hope. He is a good friend of mine. But I can’t give him what he wants.”
“Which is?”
“A relationship. I just don’t have time for that.”
Ichigo couldn’t help but admire how Rukia looked that evening, barefoot and all. She was clad in a light lavender-colored lace skater dress. Her small waist was further accentuated by the silver belt that was wrapped around her dress. The lace detailing on her sleeves and shoulders seemed to soften her look. His amber eyes then trailed over to the midnight hair that was neatly made into a messy bun.
His breath, if he could call it that, hitched as he looked at her underneath the moonlight.
Rukia wore minimal makeup and Ichigo preferred it that way. The young lord loved it when she didn’t wear one. He couldn’t help but stare at her. Her pale skin glowed, her eyes shone like burning sapphires, and her lips were full and inviting. She tilted her head, curiously watching him as he observed her.
“Are you okay, Lord Kurosaki?”
A smile graced his lips and he nodded.
He was more than okay.
Both turned to look outside when they heard a piano piece being played from the distance. Ichigo closed his eyes and for a moment he was transported back in time. He imagined a pair of fair hands running skillfully over the black and white keys in tune with the music he was hearing. Fragments of an image of a young lady clad in a lilac kimono playing the instrument filled his mind.
The last thing he saw was the graceful smile that was on the young woman’s lips.
Ichigo opened his eyes and glanced at Rukia beside him.
Her head was tipped back; her face being illuminated by the moonlight.
“What song is this?” He whispered that he doubted Rukia heard him.
“Hmm? Oh, its Mariage d Amour.” Rukia replied in a perfect French accent as she looked at him.
“It’s a wonderful piece. It’s the first time that I’ve heard of it. Who is the composer?”
“This was composed by Paul de Senneville in 1979.”
“It’s such a beautiful piece.” It was all Ichigo could say as he approached her.
Rukia raised her eyebrows questioningly as the apparition stood right in front of her. Her arms crossed against her chest in an attempt to fight the cold air he was emanating. Ichigo chuckled and offered his hand to her. Countless thoughts ran through head. Was he asking her to dance with him? She thought. He noticed the hesitance on her face and laughed softly before something happened.
It had to be a trick of the light or she could be dreaming because Rukia saw that the once transparent apparition in front of her, began to solidify. She stepped back as the spirit in front of her became a real live man! Rukia was torn between running and screaming bloody murder or fainting on the floor. What she was witnessing was impossible. He couldn’t possibly be a spirit!
“I have only one chance to do this.” Ichigo spoke softly with a sad smile.
“And I hope you would do me the honor.”
Rukia looked at his outstretched hand and slowly unfolded her arms to reached out to him.
Her breath hitched as his hand felt surprisingly warm and tender. Once their hands touched, Ichigo slowly pulled her into a dance. They danced in tune with the music that was playing from afar. It felt strange dancing with him. Strange in a way that felt familiar and sad. Ichigo might be smiling but she could sense he was yearning for someone.
She felt like she was levitating, the way he danced with her. Time stood still and for a moment all that filled the entire library was the sound of the music. It was not in Rukia’s nature to pry into the lives of all the spirits that she meets. She would only intervene or help if they come to her. Because she felt that it was not in her place to know things which she didn’t need to know.
But now, as she watched Ichigo’s joyous smile, her curiosity piqued.
Rukia observed that although he felt real, she could see that way the light passes through him. Dancing with him felt like an eternity but she knew only a few minutes passed. And when the final notes to the song played, both of them parted and bowed to each other.
“Thank you.” Ichigo spoke breathlessly. His amber eyes seem to glow with life.
“It was my pleasure,” Rukia spoke with a smile as she bowed. “Ichigo.”
“Yes?”
“The servants, they mentioned about your wife. What happened to her?”
Ichigo gave her a sad smile before turning his attention to the window.
“I still don’t know.” He replied. “I’m still waiting for her to come back. She went out on a trip where I was the one supposed to be in. And…”
Rukia could see in Ichigo’s eyes the struggle in trying to recall what happened then. Her heart twisted in pain as she watched him shake his head and pinch the bridge of his nose. Desperate, desperate to recall what had happened centuries before. She regretted asking him such a question. A few moments later, he sighed in frustration before shaking his head.
“Forgive me,” He whispered. His hands were now at the back and he flashed her an apologetic smile.
“I couldn’t recall. All I know is, is that she’ll be coming home. And I’ll wait for her.”
Rukia was about to offer words of encouragement until her phone rang. She took the phone and answered it. Ichigo swore he could hear the voice of a panicked woman on the other line. He was rather proud to see how Rukia easily pacified her as she slipped on her heels with ease. She then bowed and hurriedly took his leave of her to take care of things at the dance.
Ichigo bowed in return and turned to watch by the window to see her emerge five minutes later from the building. A smile graced his lips as he pocketed the watch in his breast pocket.
Always on time.
---- ---- ----
Ichigo watched as the students said their goodbyes with each other.
The first semester had already ended and the semester break had just begun.
He could hear plans of camping outdoors, shopping in the mall, and venturing into a new business among others from the students. Even the faculty had plans of going on a getaway to destress. His eyes alight with delight as he watched everyone slowly filter out of the school grounds. Some of them left in pairs, in groups, and some even with their families. But he had been looking for one particular student all morning.
Just when he was about to give up, he saw her emerge from the academy with her group of friends. Clad in nothing but her yellow pastel sundress and open toe sandals, Ichigo thought she looked magnificent. Ichigo watched as she happily chatted with them and laughed when a friend cracked a joke. She had been looking at her phone in between conversations and wondered why.
When a silver SUV pulled into the gravel driveway, he knew why.
Ichigo watched as a young man went out of the driver’s seat and helped her friends into the car. They chatted briefly before the former went back to his seat. He thought that he would be seeing her off without a goodbye. But when she paused and looked up at him, Ichigo was happy. He raised a hand and waved goodbye. She waved back at him before entering the SUV.
His amber eyes watched as it drove away from the gravel pathway and out of the academy grounds.
Ichigo sighed before retreating into the back of the library.
He took a deep breath and even if she had visited the library yesterday, he could still smell her scent. Lavender and amber. Even in this life, she always liked and wore the same scent. Feeling the locket in his left breast pocket, he slowly took it out and opened it.
“One day, my love.” He whispered forlornly. “one day.”
There, inside the pendant, was the picture of a young woman with Rukia’s face, smiling back at him.
End