Swing and a Miss

By, AbhorsenSabriel87

Well, considering I'm writing something new, I want to start off a little differently. Unless I'm directly answering reader questions or other some such official business, I will not put any authors notes after this one. No, really, I mean it. Seriously.

Anyway, this story is based off of a roleplay my friends and I started up, including all original characters (who belong to each player respectively); Frederic is based in Eternal Sonata, but his story has been changed to fit, Jay is mine (based on Jazz from Eternal Sonata, but only loosely), Ires and Noodles are Grim-Angel-Camui's, and Jeanne-Blanc is KinReynard's. Any other characters who may appear as OC's will be mentioned in proper accordance in their chapter.

Feel free to check into my author profile for a link to the RP, if you want to read the original. x3 This chapter is going to start near the end, but it'll work its way back around again.

Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran Host Club or any affiliated characters, nor Eternal Sonata/Trusty Bell: Chopin's Dream or any other video game/anime/comic previously copywritten and mentioned in this story. I also do not own any musical references, be they song titles, CD's, or the musicians themselves.

As the car pulled around the corner to the decidedly commoner neighborhood, the driver glanced back, his cattish black eyes the only thing visible in the rear-view mirror of the sedan. All windows other than the windshield were heavily tinted—at this time of night, almost nothing could be seen out of them, save in the direct line of the streetlamps—and everything within the vehicle was black as well. LED lights were installed in the backseat's lighting for the sake of his master, each covered with a thick panel of red colored glass to prevent their brightness from straining him too much.

The Master and Mistress worried much for their eldest child, so they took every precaution necessary to keep him healthy and safe. That did not, however, limit his choice in schooling or friends; no matter how much they objected, he stubbornly refused until they caved, allowing him the opportunity he craved. And now…

"We have arrived, Master Umehito."

"Thank you very much. I can show myself to the door."

"As you wish, Master. When shall I come to take you home?"

"I will be certain to call you, I promise. But thank you for your concern."

"It is my pleasure, my lord." And indeed it was. For almost twenty years he had served the Nekozawa clan, and the past eighteen were almost exclusively towards the first-born child's care… for Umehito's sake. Their young master was a strong-willed man and very charismatic. It was actually a small wonder that this event had not happened sooner, what with his angelic appearance and mischievous love of the dark arts. Then again, perhaps that was the reason why he never really had many friends in the first place, let alone…

"Enjoy your time out, Master."

"I shall. Thank you." As the car door opened, only a little glimmer of light drifted into the darkness that shrouded the backseat. Cloth ruffled and snapped, and the slender young man left the safe confines of the vehicle to step out into the night. He stood for a moment, his right hand keeping the black parasol he'd bought for this particular outing well-situated and guarding his face like a silken shield, then stepped forward into the night whilst shutting the door behind him.

This was it. This was Nekozawa Umehito's first date.

He couldn't believe it at first. It was so odd the way everything had just spilled out like that, leaving perfectly black and fertile soil for that seed to be planted. That seed of curiosity and fascination, a wondering that had never crossed his mind before. He was never interested in this sort of thing; not like Kirimi. However, he could not help but be drawn in by that unsure yet confident tone, luring him in like a siren's call. He could still remember that first fateful day when they met… how he'd loved hearing that voice even then; so full of surprise at first, then concern. It made him come back over and over again, more so than the fleeting thrill of seeing the look on Suoh's face every time he made a grand entrance. That same shock and punishment every time he snuck up on its bearer, knowing what would come and hardly caring save for the initial response.

Now… now he was finally going to understand something that even they didn't; not with their flirtatious "debauchery", as his sister called it, nor the acts they put on for the façade of companionship. Theirs would last for only a few hours.

He had a feeling that this would keep for far longer.

"Ah, Nekozawa! You're here early! Come inside; I've got dinner ready for us." Glancing up, the blonde heir felt his pale cheeks flush slightly as he met dark eyes and scanned over tanned features—features he himself could never hope to own. Yet, somehow, that was one thing that made it alluring; knowing that he could never be the same and appreciating the differences between them, like the moon glowing in the radiance of the sun. He held his hand out, then pulled it back, tentative. Was there a certain way they did things where they came from? Was he unaware of a custom?

Before he could ask, a warm, rough hand clasped his own, gentler than he could have even expected. It startled him, and he blinked, staring at their joined and opposing flesh without immediate comprehension.

"Come on. There's no need to be shy. I won't bite, if that's what you're worried about." He felt his flush deepen ever so slightly, knowing that in the right light his pale visage would be clearly marked by the crimson tinge.

"O-of course not. Please, lead the way."

And so began Nekozawa Umehito's first date.