Of Roses, Scent And Rain

STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLY: I ABSOLUTELY DON'T own any of the characters from Rurouni Kenshin. And I DON'T make money out of this. This is for entertainment purposes only.



Author's notes:

Things changes. Ah! I would like to thank Sonia - and the special pals in the a+m yahoogroups who also had appreciated this - for the support given to me to continue this fic. It had been 2 years since I started this fic and I can't simply make a good ending of it. Writer's block, that is! AH! Promise to finish it as soon as my busy sched permits me. Need to recharge my inspirations to this one. ah!





I don't own the characters of Ruruni Kenshin.



Gomen for the grammar.







Chapter 16



The enchanting classical music of the foreign orchestra had began to fill the massive hall area as various costumed guests strolled their way towards the center to dance. People were unaware of what had just happened outside the mansion. They had their own of businesses to attend to, still clinging to the word what 'high and elite society' had always been offering. Kokoro was about to chase the man who had rescued her at the balcony from the malicious hands of a crazed vermin, but to no avail. Though he had wounded her pride as a renowned high-school martial artist of Kempo, Kokoro was still eager to give him her deep gratitude of saving her. Surrendering, she finally admitted to herself that the man she had battled with earlier was close to the mysterious man's identification of the fiend’s character - murderous and lusting fool who will stop at nothing just to have his desires very much satiated. But nevertheless, she should have had her own vengeance on him on taunting her with his maliciousness. Her other self was ranting. She should be the one who did it, not the mysterious man who had appeared out of nowhere in the middle of her fight. Shivering inside, she moved herself from the terrace door's threshold, walking back towards the fine Victorian tables of the other guests. But as she was half way to it, she suddenly had thought otherwise. Somehow, she had felt the need of grooming herself up again for her princess costume was tattered caused by the fight she had induced a while ago at the balcony with the maniac. After the leaping and kicking she did, its possibility could not be entirely denied. After asking the direction where the nearest lady's room located to a certain lady in the crowd, she abruptly headed to the inquired place.



As she had expected, the lady's room was so vast even her room would totally fit in. She could see that the room was always properly maintained. The flooring was in black granite tiles mixed with another type of tile in green marble hues. She saw the cubicle partitions' color was in pale beige and the plumbing fixtures were renowned ones, designed by one of the most leading brands in international market. The vanity area was superbly magnificent. Victorian style was strongly emphasized in which the mirrors were framed with arching color gold vines and the countertop was mended with black impala granite tile also. Turning her vision to the ceiling, she saw a maiden dressed in cream-colored robes - to her judgment, the maiden was one of the infamous sultry goddesses in Greek Mythology, Aphrodite - sprouting in the giant lily plant floating in the vastness of a blue river. The image was so beautiful that made Kokoro gasped in great amazement. The scent. It was very evident. The room was filled with natural smell of combined potpourri of lime and cherries as if she was roaming in certain countryside of a European country. She had never seen such immense beauty in such a space in a house. Well, what else would you expect into a rich man's house? All were done so extravagant, too much for her to handle.



Luckily, she was all alone inside the room. No one had seen her innocent and naive reactions at the said things. She walked to the vanity area and looked at her reflection at one of the huge oval-shaped Victorian-style mirrors. Under her white matte fairy mask, her makeup was a little bit distressed due to her sweat. With minor fix-ups on her lipstick and blush on, she was ready to go. But what about her slim, princess-like dress? Checking the side hems of her dress, she scrapped the visible crumples and dirt. Fortunately, its rear and front were still manageable, only few alternations to be made. Her feather wings at her slender back were luckily undamaged. On assessing her new overall image status, a slight chance of her embarrassment was evitable. She's as good as new like she had firstly come in to the mansion with Soujiro. Perhaps even better.



Suddenly, she had thought of her new friend, Soujiro - the birthday celebrant. She had almost forgotten about his existence and the whole celebration after what had happened earlier to her. After receiving such unwelcome greetings from the hag temptress Misanagi, without regret she instantly left him with her in the middle of their chaos. Things will be much better without her to their coupling. And it had been! Far more better than the dreadful attack was made to her a while ago.



Leaving, she had one last look at her reflection to the vanity mirror, checking once more of her image. Her black braided hair. What about it? No visible tangles were seen and it's neatly clipped with her black tie ribbon and pins. Braid isn’t fit for an evening ball and she hadn't paid much attention to it. There was this feeling inside of her needing to fulfill. Somehow, she began to be restless to the style of her hair projecting. But what for? This is an evening ball - a special one because it was her first one to attend. Maybe that would answer her question.



****



The masked guests were gladly enjoying the whole lovely evening ball, celebrating the young master of the House's birthday. The classic sound of music continued to lure the affluent visitors to the center to have their time to dance until their feet swayed to rest. The men and women were dancing like flowers willowing in the sensitive touches of the smooth cool wind, particularly the young ones. They partnered themselves with their chosen respective dates and strolled towards the middle of the hall on which its floor was lavishly marbled and designed with giant symbol of a crescent symbol of a royalty family - Soujiro's - and have their ways of enjoying their romantic evening with a slow dance in each others’ arms. The whole dancing crowd had begun to increase after Kokoro had left them to go to the comfort room. Moments after, the London Orchestra had ended another classical song – Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of Flowers - and was about to prepare another ‘waft’ one to beat. The entranced crowd in the dance floor waited for the upcoming music as they chatted respectively, giving each other praises for their wonderful act. Somehow, Kokoro envied them for having such happiness for the fantastic evening. She, too, did want to be a part of that experience but something in her wasn’t eager enough to push through. None of the masked male guests in the entire grand ball had enticed her to dance. Thought she felt that she had been not that “approachable” to the eyes of the male species for this night in this very place, she cared none. But in truth, it was totally the opposite. Many claimed for a dance but she refused to go. She’s just not in the right mood for the right moment…or the right man. It was simply odd of her to do so. Everything has its reason and she can’t figure it out why.



This was just a perfect example of wasting one’s time, she told herself. If she had declined Soujiro’s request from the very beginning, she would surely be at her bed, taking her needed sleep she had long wanted after all the training she had done with her sensei. The night of pretending had to be stop but what can she do. She had to wait for the curfew time for everything will be over soon. She had to find something that will keep her occupied for a while until the celebrator come to his senses, escaping from the tight grip of the witch, to take her home like they have agreed upon.



What a lovely evening for her to bear! If she had known that this will happen to her, she shouldn't have come in the first place even Soujiro pleads to her to his death.



If she can't have a good, enjoyable evening tonight, might as well get into her feet to take a small tour around Soujiro's magnificent Victorian-designed building instead. Thinking that the terrace she had previously strolled was pretty "occupied" by someone, she decided it will be best to check on the other opened rooms, such a galleries, in the ground floor. Such huge and elegant mansion like this surely had awesome sights of meticulous decorations and memorabilia to be displayed for visitors to look and mesmerize at.



The brawny waiters served the guests with champagne and some delightful finger foods. People were bragging with each other, buzzing their lavish stories - stories only the rich ones can comprehend. She can't stand being alone in the crowd and making her hear such insufferable words of boasting flying around her. With a tiny patience on her personality, think what she can do after being fed-up with such wasted talk into her mind. Silently bidding the entranced crowd with her sweet excuses, she stood, leaving her table as she was about to exit the place. She had to politely excuse herself in order to not to make a huge fuss about her moment departure. But who cares anyway? She was just a “nobody” to them.



She was half way to the main arch when 4 eligible men from the cream-of-the-crop crowd inside the hall - the group belonging to Soujiro's father - had abruptly chased after her as soon as they perceived her sudden leaving. They were men of great status; 2 of them were sons of wealthy high-ranking politicians in the current government of Japan, while the two remaining were young business tycoons, owning a vast network of electronic companies and stock markets at New York and Canada. Eyeing for a rare beauty was always their favorite subject matter, old habits hard to die. Having perceived the young damsel dressed in a white, slim and silky dress of a princess with a pair of wings attached on her slender almost exposed back did turn their heads frantically. They had observed her in her solitary for too long in their respective corners and finally made up their decisions to approach the young lady whom they firstly saw with Soujiro, their long-time friend and associate. Surely, nothing is wrong on getting to know the rare belle even when she was owned by someone else. The first time they had laid their eyes on her was breath-taking and now, the sensation had increased into triple hold after what Kokoro had done to fix herself up. Thank God that the birthday man was gone with someone keeping him reluctantly busy for a while, out of the picture this young woman’s embrace. It will be their perfect timing. With her aura of undisputed innocence and elegance strongly emanating from her, the four influential good-looking men were truly lured to her bedazzling charms, seemingly so head-over-heels for her.



"Hey Miss!" one of the men dressed in a Captain Navy’s uniform called after her but Kokoro was just too occupied at her thoughts, unintentionally unhearing the young man's soft yell. "Wait, my lady!" It was all-white and had several pinned special medals on his left side of his broad chest. There were also a Navy hat on his head and black shoes to partner with. Overall, he was pictured as a true gentleman Navy officer.



Some near wenches gathered along their way had heard the fine-looking man and were disappointed after knowing that they were not the ones being summoned, more especially after another 3 eligible, also good-looking, young men strolled past through them having the same intention. Who might be the lucky girl of the ball, being crazily chased by 4 of the most prominent, gorgeous and sought-after bachelors in the world of business and leisure?



"Don't make her leave until I have her name and phone number." Another one wishfully muttered as he followed the first one. He was dressed in long dragon-embroidered silks like the ones often used by the Emperors in China date back to Han Dynasty.



"I should have asked her out earlier if I had known from the beginning that you will all pursue on her." One of the young business tycoons dressed in a Shakespearean outfit swore menacingly as he swiftly passed by one of his fellows towards the targeted girl.



"No one will have the belle of the ball but me!" The last one, a son of a general, strongly exclaimed. He was dressed like a World War 2 soldier outfit, with an old fake M-16 gun hanging on his back and a netted helmet.



At the main arch, Kokoro was ceased from exiting entirely from the grand hall by the man who dressed in a Captain Navy’s suit. She was startled upon receiving his words of pleading halt and after feeling the grip on her wrist. Her facial impressions suddenly turned puzzled as she waited for the young man's reason of stopping her leave. Others had finally caught up.



"Such beauty as yours should not be wasted outside the cold walls of Akuma's hall, wandering around without a reliable acquaintance." He took Kokoro's right hand and placed a gentle kiss at its smooth back. The man had felt the unknown bliss upon his lip’s immediate contact to her immaculate hands. Experiencing a gallantry at this particular night with a nameless man had shocked her - well, almost. Her defenses were down, still couldn't believe what she was experiencing. So, she was "approachable" by the male species, particularly the men, after all – according to her awakened senses. But nevertheless, she have to do what she intended to do whenever this happens – reject the offer at all cost. "May I have this dance, my fair petite lady? I'm so eager to have this dance with you but it seems that I have not gathered my whole courage in time to approach you earlier for it. That I fully regret now." He looked at her other suitors, piercing them a threatening glance with a wry smile curving in his thin lips then he looked back at the beautiful maiden in front of him. "My name is Brad Gates, the only heir to the most dominant and world-renowned Computer Software Company in America. Doing the honor of dancing with you on this whole charming evening will likely lighten everything in this tedious evening ball.”



Kokoro was astounded. Never in her dreams will she meet a rich and influential man belonging to this kind of high status - and also a foreigner. He possessed a muscular body, an athlete’s one. Blonde hair and white blemish-free skin were features hardly left unnoticed. And from the way he dressed, he emitted an aura of pure confidence. He definitely had lots of it - commonly seen in the rich, spoilt, brat kids.



"After years of knowing you, Brad, I'm quite shock on your newly acquired perfect gentleman manners, I say.” The man in a Chinese emperor’s classic clothes, tall and charming as he can be, commented to Brad and gave his gaze back to Kokoro. He had a long chestnut-brown hair tied properly, shining marvelously in the evening. His language tone was distinguished to be of Scottish, a highlander. Surely, he must have come from abroad for too long to have acquired such ‘skill’. He must have been there for his studies or business perhaps. "My name is Shoujo Amakusa. It's a great pleasure meeting you." He also took the young woman's hand, the other one, and kissed its back, mimicking Brad's questionable gallantry move to mock him. He didn't let her hand go from his soft, manly grip.” It will be best if you will come with someone whose blood flows at the same nationality. And by that I humbly present myself for that part."



The other one, the youngest of them all - the one whose in soldier's uniform - had ushered himself up into their conversation. His features were strong and very mannish. Ruggedness projected massively on his attributes. There was this wild side that depicted on his whole persona. "And with that kind of thought, I totally agree but the stunning maiden will not go with you but with me. I, Rui Yamagata, the eldest son of Japan’s Secretary of Defense, am willingly stepping down from my prestigious pedestal to be at your meek service for this evening. You should be thankful for the rare opportunity, my lady, for so many females - young and prettier ones - in the ball that had asked for my company but I had simply shunted their pleas all at the expense of having you this evening. Paying for what I had lost will likely end for my blistering misery and that will be you, spending a night of dance with me." He deliberately curved a malicious smile into his arrogant, rugged face, thinking another "delightful" option on how to occupy his time on her. As he brushed with his fingertips his thick raven hair, his dark amber eyes raked on a magnificent view of Kokoro's innocent slender young body. "Or perhaps...."



This man was not to be trusted, that's for sure. She felt the urge to stay away from him as much as possible. She reflexively took a step back from her suitors, especially from him. His arrogance had lessened his point on winning her to dance with him but somehow, she was flattered at what the young man's taunting confession - if it's the truth. But there was still this uneasiness to be with him that makes her more cautious from him. Maybe because of his eyes had projected the same filthiness that she had seen from her previous attacker. Once is enough. She had to be more careful especially she was dealing with not some ordinary men of prestigious society. She had to because this time, no one will be able to rescue her but nevertheless, that was the lesser issue to worry about. She can do it for herself.



“I, ah…..well, gentlemen. Please try not to be…” she tried to explain her side of not accepting their flattering offers when the fourth one interlude her.



"Unlike your respectable General father, you want your women hopelessly drooling/yearning for you just to satisfy your ‘other’ needs. Obviously, you are, once again, staining the good name of your kin, as always. I admit that that hobby of yours sometimes had been helpful at our own discretion. Keep it up." The last one shoved the young, arrogant Rui Yamagata aside and gave an engaging smile at Kokoro.



All of them were stabbing at each other with harsh, mocking words. It was the way of the rich people hike up their own price tags from each other. Only the fierce ones survive in this wild arena of the loaded as they say.



"The night is not getting any younger and it should be spent with someone that will make you at all ease. My lady, let me introduce myself,"



Rui cut into his solemn introduction, seemingly snorting, "His DISgracefulness, Marcus Jarred Langley of Elmgrove, England; the highly-privileged royal bastard,” also gave a taunting laugh for his ‘enticing’ presentation for the young earl.



Marcus’ eyes began to cast threatening looks towards the young man who had revealed his darkest secret to the young maiden. “I bid you my apologies for the man’s detestable personality, my belle,” then he glanced back to Kokoro, giving her apologies for the man who take the cowardly step to gain her attention. “I, Marcus Jarred Langley – Earl of Elmgrove, England, would like to have a dance and share an evening with the most stunning beauty of the night. It is you my yearning eyes and heart desire.”



“I, ah…” She was indeed speechless. Having men of great stability demanding for your full attention will certainly take your breath away. Nothing like this happen to her whole life until now. “I don’t know what to say.”



“You don’t have to think further, my lady.” Rui took her hand again and proceeded to walk back inside the grand hall. “It will be best if you have all your attention to me, not with some lowlifes I know.” He had indeed begun to strike the war to all the 3 left, men of prestige, just to claim Kokoro.



Kokoro was forcefully hauled by Rui’s tight grip, taking her away from the other men she had previously been introduced to. “Wait! What about the…”



The three men abruptly followed Kokoro and Rui inside the grand ball. They will not have this defeat from him no matter what.



“Who gave you the right to make the young lady’s choice prefer to you, Rui?” Marcus Langley strongly protested as he strolled past them, blocking their way towards the center of the gala. And within this start of sparking conversation, the crowd around them was disrupted staring to inquire what was this all about.



“Surely, the woman will pick me instead of you. She will go with someone whose statuses are of ‘pure’ and had been breed from a strong, rich family lineage.” Rui said as he tried to mock the young earl in front of Kokoro. But to his dismay, it didn’t give any inclination to Marcus of being torn by his mocking naive tongue. As a gentleman, he surely knew how to temperate his temper in front of a lady.



“You two have your fights outside!” Brad yelled as he massaged with his two fingers his left temple, drawing more attention to the startled crowd. “By God! This is insane.” He mumbled it to himself. “Acting like fools.”



Shoujo Amakusa silently watched the three other men from Brad’s behind back. He was like waiting for something, like an eagle preying for his meal.



Kokoro didn’t know what to do. Two men were fighting over her. This isn’t the night that she wished for. Indeed she liked to be swooned by romance but this was all getting out of hand. She had to decide what tactic she will go to use to stop the impeding fight between ‘long time friends’. Somehow, she felt she had no right on being the cause of the 4 men’s breakage of friendships all because of a dance and attention for the whole night. This got to stop.



“If this still continues, it will be better for me to leave this place. I don’t want to have any fight for this special evening of Soujiro just because for your airy stuff. You people had drawn so much unnecessary attention to yourselves which is indeed so childish!” Wow. That was a perfect example of irony speaking of ‘childish’, having it heard from her very mouth. Kokoro forcefully jerked away her wrist from Rui’s hard grip. Luckily with one action, it was taken away. “I am no some tart being tossed in this game of yours.”



Suddenly, all 5 of them felt the quizzical stares of the crowd who had encircled them. Behind the masks worn, they have sensed their scorn to them for causing such attention in Soujiro’s birthday.



“I didn’t start it!” Young Rui claimed like a child washing his stained hands. “All I want is to have this all get over with.”



“Oh sure, taking the young lady against her will is the best thing to do, am I right? A great shame to have such disgusting characteristic when one’s been born and brought up legitimately by a well-respected family of Japan’s political relations.” Finally cracked up, Marcus had rendered words of sarcasm to Rui.



Shoujo finally opened his mouth to finish what they have started. He went close to Kokoro, blocking the fierce view of two men – Rui and Marcus – on their heated argument. “The young lady was definitely dismayed at you two gentlemen, men of high status, were displaying. It will be better to have our heads calm down and talk this over with, having no mockery and sarcasm being held with each other.”



Kokoro silently agreed to the chest-nut brown haired guy in front of her, nodding slightly her head. Her petite hands clasped at each other on her bosom.



“The young lady will decide who she will be going with this whole evening. I won’t protest if she chooses the others instead of me. You have my word for it. I’d rather have left contended for this matter.” Shoujo was looking through the big bluish eyes of Kokoro, then to Rui who had defied them all. Rui had only produced a gruff sigh, agreeing to what being settled.



“My young lady, who would you want from the four of us to have a date tonight?” Shoujo asked her, with his eyes seemingly touching her very innocent soul.



“I, ah…” She was thinking of the right words to reject their offer but she can’t manage the find one. “Oh…”



“He had done it again. Damn it!” Brad muttered to himself. Shoujo had his upper hand take over the rest. “Cheater.” He knew that he was using his reverse psychology method – again – to persuade Kokoro’s decision.



No words coming out from her mouth. She was afraid to tell these men about her not accepting a date for this evening. She preferred to be alone for the whole evening. That she wanted to say to them.



“Decide quickly, young lady! This will surely end all of your problems.” One of the around spectators had yelled at her, tiring for the long wait.



“A girl being torn by 4 men’s eagerness to have her. How pathetic. Why can’t I be the one they chase after? Obviously, I am much prettier than that scanty-clad female with not much richness tangling on her side.” A tall, curvy lady dressed in black leather spandex and had a long whip attached to her belt – like a Catwoman - commented at the scene. She was known to be one of the rich ones living in Paris who was invited to share the special night of Soujiro’s introduce to high society. It was really an immense slap on her face to know that this girl – Kokoro – was causing great attention from the crowd especially from this men whom she, at first, had difficulty of chasing after them to have their eyes on her.



“My dear, it is because that you don’t have the ‘innocence’ running in your purple veins anymore. Try not to be too sorry for yourself, huh.” A gay man behind her had countered, mocking. “They have seen something in her that will never be found in you. Not in a million years. That’s life.”



“You talk too much, fag.” The Cat woman snapped back, lighting her slim cigarette. “They were only chasing the ‘young, stunning and freshest’ ones in the market. And you know what I mean, darling. These men are expert on it. Once they have what they came for, she will be just a part of their history.”



“I never thought that we will meet into a common conclusion. Beauty queens are full of surprises these days, don’t you think? ” The gay man sarcastically gawped at the woman and gasped for more air. Instead of sharp words to strike back, she puffed smoke right in his flowery-masked face.



The crowd still waited for Kokoro’s answer. The four men were also in it too. The atmosphere had become more tensed.



“I, ah..” She didn’t want to choose because it will likely cause the tear from their long-time friendship.



Suddenly from the sea of the crowd, a male figure appeared at the middle circle, centering the whole attention to him. He was wearing a black tuxedo with a cape on his back. He had an evening hat on his head and on his face had a white mask hiding his true handsomeness. Appearing behind Kokoro, he took her hand from her clasp and made her face him from his broad chest.



“Sorry to keep you waiting, my darling,” the man told them, seemingly acknowledging them that he knew this belle and he is her date for this evening. “I had some other businesses to attend to before I get back and it took me a lot of time to persuade them for my leave. That I am terribly apologizing.” His hands moved to bring her hand to his ruby lips, capturing her thoughts about this sudden pretending.



“YOU?” Kokoro was twice been stunned, her hand had almost covered her open mouth but was able to avoid its outcome. The man had stepped inside the commotion circle to capture her attention for this evening. But this time, she was glad someone did and it was him, the man who saved her from Chou. Having sensing his thoughts and seeing his winking right blue eye, she immediately caught his idea of pretending to be his date for the night so that these men won’t pursue more of their desires for her. She was not equip with coziness to them, no matter what and that had shunned her for their want. Somehow, in words she couldn’t explain, she felt really safe in this man’s arms, protecting her from them. She will indeed have to make a decision and it have to be at that very moment.



“Oh yes, I forgot about that. I was very much taken away from these men’s flattering pursuits for a girl like me.” Kokoro was looking straight in the eyes of these 4 eligible men in front. A woman in the crowd, the one who gave a bold-against statement to Kokoro reacted upon hearing her ‘humble’ words. “They had not given me a chance to tell them of my ‘status’ for this evening.”



She had to bear her lies for this evening just to escape from them, at all cost.



“What? This is interesting.” The Catwoman smirked as new development had risen. The crowds’ eyes had gone with it.



“Another man to retrieve the damsel from her distress, I say. This is indeed interesting, my dear.” The gay man spoke, automatically rising an eyebrow. “I’m dying to meet her man. Look at his….his…behind.” He shamelessly purred the subject, staring intently to the mysterious man great buttocks though it was hidden beneath in his long black cape.



“Hah! He will not go with someone like you who’s a fake.” The Catwoman eyed the mysterious man’s whole physique. He was definitely an attractive man to reckon with. Strange, none of the 4 influential men got to the nearest level on his manly charms…preferably the sexual aura coming out from him. “That man needs a woman, true woman of experience.”



“From the way he looks,” the gay man probed the mysterious man’s over-all, “he will not insist wanting a whore to please his needs.”



“Neither a faggot like you!” She grinned and smoked her petite cigarette. “We’ll just see about that.”



The four men couldn’t believe at what they were seeing and hearing. The young lady had already had a date for this evening, making them a complete fool of themselves. People around them had seen their stupidity over one beautiful, remarkable woman which indeed marked their story out of the charts.



“This can’t be. You are just lying.” Marcus growled, disbelieving what he was witnessing.



“Yes, I agree. I saw you come in this grand hall with a different man, my lady. Soujiro-san escorted you a while ago.” Brad said, doubting Kokoro and the mysterious man’s claim of story.



Kokoro was about to tell them about Soujiro leaving her for another woman from the party when the mysterious man took the stand, interrupting her excuse.



“Yes, you are right about that. But it seems the young master of this house had been too busy, and still is, for covering all the guests’ needs to his very special night. I believe that he’s with someone else right now,” he looked intently at Kokoro, taunting for the last statement. “I gladly took the privilege on filling what should her partner had done to her earlier. It’s just that I have claimed her earlier at the moment of her loneliness. She had indeed fully accepted my acquaintance for this night long before you all came, sirs.” It had slapped the pride out of the four influential men’s faces. By the way the mysterious man’s explanations, it was close to the truth to believe.



“Sorry for not telling you all immediately about this. It was just that…..that… you never had given me a chance to express my thoughts at first.” Kokoro gave them a sheepish smile, wishing that all of this will end at that moment. Hiding the truth from them is the best solution for her dilemma even if it takes with the unexpected help from this mysterious man.



“Well,” Brad melted the ice between them all, finally succumbing. “If that’s that case, I will be willingly admitting my defeat for this lovely lady. I wouldn’t want to cause any more trouble for this night. But please, will you save one dance for me?”



Kokoro silently thought for a few seconds and gave a shy, slight nod. She agreed to have this one dance on him. It was her way of apologizing for causing them such trouble in amidst of the inquisitive crowd. She also had given the others her time of single dance with them. Rui, the youngest and the most aggressive of them all, was quite mad at what it all turned out. He will be having the girl for a single dance and that’s all. But what can he do when all of the people staring at them and could see his violence if he never agree to the arrangement. He gave up the idea of fighting for the maiden’s hand for the evening. All his ‘malicious’ thoughts for the young woman had suddenly vanished, accepting his defeat for this mysterious eerie-looking man. He couldn’t describe the feeling about him. There was this aura from him that stopping Rui from making any further arguments, the eeriness. He saw his dark blue eyes shimmering beneath his white porcelain mask which certainly, hard to admit, gave the creeps out of him. He decided to let go and let him have his woman – Soujiro’s woman – for this evening.



At last, all was settled and the disturbed crowd had gone back to their own ways. Kokoro was led by the mysterious man towards the center of the hall. He had decided to take all this pretending to make more believable to the eyes of the guests, principally over the 4 prominent men who were still looking, locking at their gazes on her. There goes their prey, swooning in the arms of the unknown man.



“May I have the belle of the ball, as they call, to dance with me for this whole evening?” He smiled like a wanton suitor. “Don’t get me wrong. You have to show them that you and I are indeed close acquaintances for the night.” His voice was warm, warmer than the first time she had encountered with him on the terrace.



She stared at his eyes, seeing it that his was blue and seemingly sparkling behind his porcelain mask. It had beguiled her, making her mouth spoke her answer of yes when someone had appeared on the back of her date.



“Sorry to disturb you two. There is something that I have to inquire to the young lady in your arms right now. You wouldn’t mind, right?” Shoujo interrupted.



The mysterious man gave him enough space for him to talk to Kokoro, but not far enough to leave her alone with him. The young business tycoon will have to abide to this setting, having a knight never departing from Kokoro side. Sighing in grief, he had to talk to her in front of him.



“Well, I have to get on with what I have come for, I believe.” Shoujo grinned, with a crooked brow on his left then glanced at Kokoro. “After all the heated arguments, I suppose we all four are entitled to know the young maiden’s name who had lured us well into such foolishness caused by her bewitching beauty.”



With a serene smile on her face, she spoke of her name. “Shiawase, Kokoro. I’m deeply sorry for everything, Sir Amakusa.”



His eyes began to probe Kokoro’s whole physique from toe to head. Something in him wouldn’t want to let her out of his senses. She is indeed one-hell of attractive woman. One dance with her will never cease his hunger for her attention.



The mysterious man had caught his dark look towards Kokoro and simply had come in between the two, somehow sheltering her to him. But Shoujo Amakusa didn’t budge to his sudden protectiveness towards his apple of the eye.



“No need to worry about that, Miss Shiawase. I’m glad that it happened. I may never have gotten to know you without such a fuss.” Having learned gentleman’s custom, he took her hand and placed a light kiss even a towering height of the other man semi-barricading him towards her. “Well, all I have to do is to wait for my turn for the dance.” Sensing that the mysterious man’s eyes were piercing him again his hunting looks, Shoujo bid them a fair good-bye, for now.



Finally, alone with the mysterious man, Kokoro gasped for air in relief. “That was one-hell-of-an-experience. I shouldn’t have come here if I knew this is all going to happen.”



The mysterious man stared at her for a moment and took her hands with his. He gently heaved her to middle of the dance floor which made Kokoro’s senses alarmed.



“Wait! Not here! It will only cause more attention and I don’t dance well. Please! Let’s just have it on the side.”



“I told you to go home and you deliberately didn’t take my advice. Now you have to pay the price.” His voice had become cold.



“But, but…”



The man mindlessly continued to walk towards the center while grasping Kokoro’s little wrist in his manly hand. All the couples in the dance floor had seen their approach to the middle and had simply given them a wider space for the middle circle of the dance floor. Kokoro’s cheeks flushed in crimson as she sensed the couples’ eyes around them, staring at her with meaningful smiles on their masked faces as if they judged that they too were couples – in love. Love, indeed. But that was a whole lie. This dance with him, being his date for the evening was a whole lie that somehow, she wanted it to be true. She couldn’t explain the feeling about being with him, in this closeness on his sturdy body. She was like going mad for having this feeling continuously ranting in her mind and heart.



Only man could only do this to her and she knew there’s no possibility that that man would be in this special night of hers. Her first dance will only from him, not from this mysterious man. But she owed him one – well, two to be exact.



“I, ah.” She muttered as she was about to give her gratitude to him for saving her again.



“Don’t speak.”



“What?”



“I said, don’t speak.” He sternly said to her. His eyes were searching for someone else in the crowd.



It had irritated Kokoro but maintained her womanly patient composure. “I beg your pardon?”



The London Orchestra was about to start a piece for the next dance when someone in the crowd had claimed all of the guests’ attention. It was Soujiro’s trusted man on the House – Iwasu who was dressed in white Tuxedo and a black bow on his neck. He went up in the stage and took the microphone at the maestro’s. He was about to announce something.



“My dear ladies and gentlemen, sorry for the sudden interruption. I am here to announce that a very special guest direct from America came to give us a pleasant song present for our dear young Master’s tremendous night. He will make us swoon for his enchanting voice, making this night for all of us a very memorable one.” He introduced and paused for a moment, waiting for the singer to come and stood on the front stage. “Let me introduce you to the man whose voice had capture – and still is - most of the female’s heart in the world. Ladies and gentleman, I give you Sir Michael Buble!”



Everyone gave a warm of applause to the man in a maroon formal suit, as a balladeer as he is, that was introduced in the stage. He needed not to have a mask and costume for the night thought it was supposed to be according to its decorum but he still stood otherwise without disrespecting the Masters of the House. He wanted to be all-true to the eyes of his spectators, like an honorable code to be taken.



All were anxiously waiting for his live performance for the night. Iwasu instructed the London Orchestra to play the next piece into a 50’s tune setting, much to what Mr. Buble’s preference of music for singing. The young singer gave them a bow of appreciation for meeting the renowned musicians coming from London. He was deeply happy on knowing that he will be singing a song, performing with them.



“Whoa!” Worry had become a thing of a past as soon as Kokoro’s eyes had lain on the magnificent singer. She loves his music very much since the first time she heard his voice on the radio. “It’s him! I can’t believe it!” Without hesitation, she clapped lively to let the singer hear her great appreciation for him. It was a dream come true to her to hear his romantic voice in his live performance. “Please do sing for us!”



Having heard the thundering sound of her claps, the young ballad singer had turned his head towards the source and smiled at her warmly. His eyes were pleased to see a young beautiful maiden appreciating his gift of talent on sharing love by his music to all men. With a simple gentle nod of his head and blue eyes caressingly staring at a rare splendor, he gave thanks to her deeply. Kokoro had captured again another man’s heart in the vastness of the entranced crowd.



“Behavior such as yours cannot be tamed by one word of request.” The mysterious man sternly spoke at her, staring at the young giggling girl beside him. Though feeling disrespected on how she had disregarded his order for her to remain silent, he remained as calm as he was. Had jealousy became more visible this time around with his words?



After hearing his sarcasm, Kokoro gazed at him with newly fuming eyes. “Just that you have saved me twice in this evening doesn’t mean you have all the right to order me around fully. Yes, I do owe you one, I mean two, but that will not be the reason for me to keep silent for this whole evening.” A loop-sided smile curved in her ruby lips. “And besides, it will be a great bore if both partners act like logs.”



She was really testing his patience. The young rose of the ball was slowly showing her spiky thorns, nice and very easy upon him. It was exactly the opposite of his needed payment for saving her life twice in troubles she had caused. But a true gentleman wasn’t have to be persuaded into such lowness but put more understanding to the woman’s need of passion for this evening. She’s young, charming and innocent - or better yet naïve. And that makes her very, very unique in his eyes for tonight.



He had been at one of the corner huge pillars of the grand hall earlier eyeing for someone when he saw again the young angel princess being trapped in a heated argument amongst 4 men of prestige on who will she be pledging her whole attention for this magical night. Upon perceiving her bluish eyes of confusion and little fear, something in him made him decided reluctantly to come to rescue her again to her another unexpected ordeal. T’was like a knight to rescue his princess from her distresses, that is. Somehow, in no particular reason, it had caused his heart erase some logical reasons on his battling mind. She had defied his command to go home and that was her rightful punishment on disobeying him. But what can he do? At least someone should be adult enough from the two of them. As he approached the confused maiden in the midst of the busy crowd, he had noticed something indeed had changed to the Rose of the Ball. She, somehow, had become more mature on her freshened image. She was like a skimpy girl that had long hidden in the shadows of boyishness and finally been grown up into a young beautiful belle of the night that had indeed stolen many of the men’s interests and women’s harsh discretion. And by that, he won’t take any more chances of letting her be alone among the eyes of the wolves.



The balladeer affectionately smiled at the waiting crowd, especially to Kokoro, and took the microphone at his holder. Upon seeing his romantic action, Kokoro had instinctively gasped. In his hum, the London Orchestra had started the first musical notes for his song number. The combination of the piano, strings, drums and flutes were smooth to hear. The people were mesmerized to its charming tune as the couples in the floor began to start for their assembly for a romantic dance. “The Way You Look Tonight” – that was the song for that very specific intimate moment.



As soon as the mysterious man had heard the start tunes, he instinctively grasped for Kokoro’s hand, gently clutching it for the beginning of their dance. Kokoro’s attention from the singer had suddenly vanished after the mysterious man touched her. Her eyes, at first, were at his hands leading their way to the proper positioning for the dance then to his masked face. Her heart began to pound fast for having an awkward closeness with him. She wanted to speak words that will lessen her nervousness to the dance they were about to share. Anything just to keep her heart from stopping to race.



“Ano, Mister…Ano….”



“Don’t speak.” His gaze went down on her lovely face though it was also been covered by her fairy mask.



“I can’t!” She snapped, obviously not aware that she again caught the attention of the nearby dancing couples. “I’m, I’m….I’m…..drats!” Her gaze went down to her sandaled feet.



He had sensed her nervousness from the very beginning. He knew he had to do something to ease his tensed lovely Rose. “Words are very unnecessary for this evening for your beauty, your presence alone paints a thousands holds, disabling my thoughts go wander.” Somehow, his voice became husky which he himself had startled, but nevertheless it was worth it for the Rose had become smoothened. Kokoro’s blue eyes became still to him.



“I. ah…” Little nervous words still tried to escape from hers but he held his calloused index finger into her pretty young lips to silence her.



“What did I just say? Hush.” Looking straight at her bulging blue eyes, he took the first lead for their dance as soon as he heard Michael Buble’s voice to the music. His left hand embraced her small waist while the other had grasped her petite left hand, motioning for the dance. His lean body had rhythmically swayed closer to hers, locking her into his embrace as he slowly bent to softly whisper something at her right ear. “Just like what the song of the night implies, I love the way you look tonight.”





tbc......