I in no way shape or form claim ownership over this series and/or characters. Just sayin.
Setsuna looked at the outfit on the bed and sighed. She had gotten an anonymous invitation in the mail a few days before. It was to a ball hosted by the Konoe, a masquerade to be precise. The Konoe were like royalty in these parts and Setsuna was extremely curious as to why her…
Either way, she finished drying her hair and decided to leave it down as she changed. What she enjoyed about this outfit was the simple elegance of it. She decided to forego a dress to make it easier to move around. A simple pair of black slacks, long-sleeved button-down dark grey shirt, with nice shoes and a sleeveless trench coat tailored to her. Her black mask covered the top of her face with a silver dragon running across it. She had decided to leave her contacts at home. They served no reason other than to hide her red eyes, and not having them would help hide who she is.
She checked her invitation one last time; it said 7:30, same as all the other times. She checked her watch 7:13. After checking she had her keys, wallet, and invitation she headed out the door.
Konoka's breath was being held in anticipation; her servants were to tell her as soon as Sakurazaki Setsuna arrived. She had sent Setsuna an invitation she had made herself.
"Konoka-ojou-sama, the invitation has arrived. However you have said that this Setsuna was a female correct?"
"I did. Why?"
"The person with your invitation was male, or at least that is how it seems." Konoka was confused and decided to confront the man.
"What does he look like?"
"He had a black mask with a silver dragon across it and a black sleeveless trench coat." Konoka nodded.
"Thank you. I will take it from here."
Setsuna was standing off to the side feeling fairly interested in leaving. Multiple girls had come up to her and asked for a dance. She had declined all of them, and was still absolutely floored at the aspect of being here. Suddenly an absolute beauty showed up in front of her.
"May I see your invitation?" Setsuna stared at her as she reached into her coat to retrieve said document and passed it to the woman.
"Why do you have this? This invitation was made specially for Sakurazaki Setsuna." Setsuna was now even more confused.
"Specially made? Why?"
"I ask that you not patronize me, why do you have this?" Setsuna reached for her mask and took it off, causing a shocked look to pass over the woman's face.
"Simply because I am Sakurazaki Setsuna. May I now ask why this invitation was made just for me?"
Konoka stared at the dark haired beauty before her. Finally comprehending the question asked of her she blushed and ducked her head after demanding such answers as she had before.
"I… I'm sorry, my name is Konoe Konoka and…" She never got the chance to say more as Setsuna bowed lowly.
"Forgive me Miss Konoe, I did not recognize you." Konoka just scowled.
"Get up. Please get up. I hate it when people do that." Setsuna got up but refused to look into Konoka's eyes.
"Y-you said that my invitation was specially made. May I ask why?" Konoka half smiled.
"Because you didn't treat me like this when I met you before." Startled Setsuna looked into her eyes and was immediately drawn in, as was Konoka. It took some time, but Setsuna finally turned away and put back on her mask, clearing her throat in the process.
"Um… Have I met you before?"
"You, uh, you saved me earlier this week… Don't you remember me?" Setsuna looked back at her, carefully this time, eyes searching.
"I don't…" Her eyes widened, "You were the one who was about to be… How did you get my name?" Konoka looked down…
"Yes that was me. I just happen to have many resources and a swordswoman tends to pop out at people." Konoka just smiled again. "I wanted to thank you, for saving me… Would you like to dance?"
"I'm afraid I've never been a dancer… But I suppose I could make an exception." Setsuna smiled a bit and Konoka responded with a larger one.
"Come with me, I'll take you somewhere we can dance privately." Konoka grabbed her hand and led Setsuna to a balcony. It was well secluded but they could still hear the music from inside. Konoka put Setsuna's hands on her waist and put her own on Setsuna's shoulders. She looked up at Setsuna's face and giggled even with her mask on it was easy to tell that she was blushing.
"So, um, -clears throat-, so why were you out in the town, like one of us… Like a regular civilian?" Konoka frowned at her as she pulled away.
"Because I hate it when people do this type of thing, I hate people acting like I'm someone to be revered. I'm still human. I'm still Konoka. If I have to dress in rags for others to see that then fine, that's what I'll do."
"But… You've seen what some people are like, those men…" Konoka put a finger to her lips.
"If it hadn't been for those men, I would never have met you; you would never have shown me kindness. A kindness I've never seen before. Thank you, Setsuna. Thank you." Setsuna simply blushed and pulled Konoka back into the dance.
"Of course, Konoka." Now it was Konoka's turn to blush, as she buried her face in to Setsuna's shoulder.
They stayed like that for some time just swaying to the music, but Konoka had a question.
"Why did you come?"
"Wh-what? I don't understand…"
"Why did you come? What made you come here? From what I know you've never been to anything like this, so why?"
"I… honestly don't know. I guess I just wanted to see what it was like. Wanted to try something new…"
"May I ask one more thing?"
"Of course, anything."
"Why did you know what was going on? In the village, and it seemed as though you simply appeared." Setsuna was quiet for a long time and the silence turned to tension which tightened around them quickly.
"I'm sorry." Setsuna let her go and stepped back. "I should never have come, I thank you for the night my lady however I must take my leave."
Konoka looked close to tears. Setsuna hardened herself, bowed, and left. Konoka went after her.
"Just like that? You're going to leave just like that?" Konoka tried to catch her gaze but Setsuna refused to look anywhere near her.
"Yes. Forgive me my lady, but I must go." Konoka grabbed onto her arm.
"No, and I will not let go until you answer me." Setsuna rounded on her, grabbed her shoulders and brought their faces close. The anger in Setsuna's eyes was frightening Konoka.
"I am doing this for you. I am doing this so that you can live un-damned!" She pulled away her eyes saddening, "You don't deserve it. You of all people don't deserve it. Live your life Konoka. Live it and forget me. Knowing me will give you nothing but strife." The tears began running down Konoka's face and Setsuna wiped them away.
"I still don't understand. This isn't making any sense." Setsuna sighed.
"I am not what you think I am, Konoka. I'm not fully human, I'm a monster, I'm abnormal, and I'm not worth the life I have. Thank you, I will forever remember this night. You are a beautiful woman who can dazzle anyone with just a few words." She kissed the back of Konoka's hand. "Goodbye, Konoka." She ran as fast as she could to make it away before Konoka came to her senses.
Konoka looked down at her hand, tears still making their way down her face. She knew that she would never forget this night either, that it would haunt her forever until she found Setsuna again. She headed to her room, knowing this would not be the last time they would meet.
