12I must apologize. I don't mean to keep teasing everyone with the ending. I sort of last minute decided to expand the story a little bit, hopefully you are enjoying it enough and you will not mind. I believe it will make the ending a little more "satisfying". Hehe, so here is new stuff but more is yet to come. Thanks again!
Reyes assisted Ruka into her gown. All three girls were in Ruka and Rima's room preparing themselves for the Carnival ball.
"What do you say Ruka? Shall the two of us dance together again like last time? Really give them a good show this go-round?" She asked cinching the waist closed on the corset. Ruka was slightly spaced out, she had various thoughts swimming in her mind and she wasn't quite sure how to sort them all out. She zoned back to the present when Reyes handed her a chocker necklace.
"I guess, yes, we should, definitely as a way to thank you for everything Reyes."
"Will you help me then?" Reyes asked Ruka, who pulled the strings for Reyes' dress. Hers was a unique corset, black leather with a halter neckline. The skirt was less voluminous than Rukas, and was an interesting striped pattern of black and indigo. Once more Reyes added opera length gloves to her ensemble. Rima giggled.
"Wow Reyes, you sort of look like a dominatrix!" Reyes twitched her eyebrows.
"So are you saying I should carry a whip?" All three girls laughed before picking out their masks. Before they exited, Reyes cleared her throat as if to make an announcement. "Ladies! Tonight we will celebrate and say farewell to the flesh. But perhaps we will toast on blood."
"Wow! I can't believe we are having our own masquerade ball!" Ichijo exclaimed admiring the mask of his choosing as everyone made their way to the ballroom. The boys eventually encountered the girls as they made their entrances together. The girls' selection included some plumage, giving them a very regal presence. They almost did not look like creatures of this earth.
"Ah! These must be Goddesses who have graced our path!" Aidou greeted the ladies when the golden lights danced around them in the ballroom. The Day Class grew into a great bustle when the Night Class finally arrived. The girls squealed seeing their idols in their masks, the boys left speechless by the beauteous and elaborate gowns and masks, especially from Ruka and Reyes. For the most part everyone was into the festivities. Ichijo and Reyes did a splendid job arranging for the decorations, layout, food, and music. It almost resembled a Renaissance festivity in Venice. She reached for Ruka's hand.
"Let's open this ball with our paso doble!" The two of them first approached the orchestra, then made their way to the middle of the dance floor. Everyone was finally present and Kaname arrived just in time to watch the beginning of their dance.
When the music started the entire ballroom followed in an uproar of applause and random shouts from the crown cheering on Ruka and Reyes. The level of decibel seemed to increase when they began with Reyes lowering Ruka down in a back-bending dip. Keeping their masks on added to the theatrical aspect of what they were doing. This time Ruka led Reyes in a series of circles and twirls around her and in unison. Upon their completion, the amount of applause and cheering was double what they received the first time.
Ruka adjusted her gown, feeling her heart accelerate as she approached Kaname.
"Kaname-sama, would you please join me in dancing?" her breath was bated with anticipation. Kaname gave his usual kind and subdued smile.
"Certainly Ruka, although I don't know that dance, so I cannot assure you that I will be a decent partner."
"Oh don't worry about that, just kind of feel where I am going with the music." Ruka felt her heart leap with joy as she was finally dancing with the pureblood she worshipped from afar. The music and everything was enjoyable, but Kaname's typical distance dampened the experience a little. Ruka enjoyed every second of it, but felt something was missing. The song ended, Kaname thanked Ruka for the dance, and a tango came echoing from the orchestra. She looked over at Reyes, laughing coquettishly and flirting with everyone, male and female alike, fluttering her fan and acting coy behind her mask.
"That girl really does have no shame," she whispered under her breath, feeling slightly envious of the Spanish girl's free spirit. Looking over she noticed Reyes taking Kain's hand and bringing him onto the dance floor. A subtle burning sensation weld in her belly and seemed to rise to her throat. The tightening that followed concluded that it was definitely jealousy. However, this was a greater experience of jealousy than even when she observed other girls approaching Kaname. This was more than just someone grabbing at a thing she desired, it was seasoned with concern. Perhaps she was just worried and looking out for one of her best friends. She snapped out of her daze when Kain approached.
"Do I get a turn now?" He asked pushing his carnival mask up to look at her. Ruka found herself blushing slightly. Looking at Kain, who was wearing a tuxedo with a cape, she smiled and extended her hand. Why have I never noticed how handsome he is before? She wondered for a moment, and then realized she could answer her own question. A lovely waltz came on and Ruka rested her hand on his shoulder. She felt very glad to be dancing with Kain now and found herself not wanting the moment to end. The warmth, comfort, and ease seemed fresh and new.
The next thing she noticed, he pulled her body a little closer to his, and she surrendered to the gravitational pull that brought her head to rest just below his shoulder. Closing her eyes she felt the rhythm of the orchestra coupled with her friend's heartbeats draw her into a soothing state of relaxation and a trance. She felt at one with the lights, the music, energy and ambiance.
Suddenly the music ended, Ruka found herself in quite a position and felt her cheeks grow hot and flustered. No, she could not do this. Even if she did have feelings for him it was too late. He was with Reyes now and there was no rivaling her. She did not have the sexual audacity to compete and would not lower herself into doing such a thing. Very gently she pushed herself away from Kain.
"Thank you for the dance. I'm sorry but you will have to excuse me." Ruka pardoned herself, grabbed a shoulder wrap and headed out to one of the verandas. Kain felt stunned and not sure what to do. He looked over at Reyes who motioned for him to go after her with the fan. As Kain headed in Ruka's direction, Ichijo looked at the scene and gave Reyes a puzzled look.
"What's going on over there? He asked. Reyes giggled, fluttered her fan against her skin which was beginning to glow a little from perspiration, and removed her mask.
"Oh just a little awakening of what is meant to be." She answered, pulling all of her hair on top of her head, exposing her neck to cool and fan it off. Letting her hair drop, Reyes looked sideways at Ichijo, who seemed enchanted and entranced by what he just witnessed. "What do you say about us dancing?" She then asked. Ichijo's face lit up and flashed his trademark smile.
"Ah yes, absolutely!" But before they could go onto the floor, Aidou tapped her on the shoulder.
"And will I have the opportunity to partner with you in a dance tonight as well? And perhaps a little later you could teach me some new moves?" Reyes smirked as she looked back at him, placing her fan in front of her lips.
"Well I most certainly would mijo, however, I know for a fact you really could not keep up." She winked and allowed Ichijo to escort her away, releasing echoes of laughter in her wake.