Disclaimer: All characters belong to Matsuri Hino. No copyright infringement intended--this story is meant strictly for entertainment purposes.

Chapter Two: Unnecessary Playthings

It took her the better part of an hour to find someone her own age. She'd been looking forward to this night only because it would be the first time she'd be able to interact with others of her peerage, and, up until now, her stomach had been clenched with anticipation. Her mother was wrong, she knew—they weren't toys. They were going to be her friends.

The girl was leaning against a banister, her chin in her hands and a dreamy expression on her face. Pale, dusky rose hair licked her shoulders, and her deep blue gown billowed out behind her in expect folds. She was pretty, but Sara knew with an assurance that held no jealousy, but she had nothing of Sara's own radiant beauty.

Directly beside her stood a young man. His suit had been treated with ill care, to put it lightly. His collar was unbuttoned, his jacket rumpled. Just as the girl was surveying the surrounding party with a conflicted look of interest and boredom, he watched the girl. Finally, he let out a sigh and ran one hand through his stringy, orange-red hair. Sara took the opportunity to clear her throat authoritatively.

The girl was the first to notice. "S-Sara-sama," her voice came out surprised, to say the least, but she soon reigned in her shock so that there was nothing but gracious elegance on her face. "Pleased to make your acquaintance. My name is Ruka Souen."

Her overly formal words disappointed Sara, and she paused slightly before smiling softly. "Charmed, I'm sure," she murmured, her eyes downcast. Was that really how young teenagers were supposed to greet one another? Of course, she was a pureblood, but wasn't there a way of being polite without being so…distant?

"This is Akatsuki," the girl continued, gesturing to the boy on her right. His amber eyes gazed at Sara for one long moment before dropped deferentially. "Akatsuki Kain."

"Pleasure to meet you," he said. Sara nodded again, her smile feeling plastered to her face. His voice was rough, wild, and Sara found herself desperately searching the lines of his face for any sign of welcome or friendliness. However, she was disappointed. The way they spoke was just as it should have been, but Sara had honestly thought her mother was joking when she had said that. Surely, there would be something more welcoming about them in person? Or so she'd thought.

"So, do you two enjoy these parties?" Sara queried. Maybe, if she made an effort, they'd respond? Of course they would; there was nothing wrong with her. Ruka and Akatsuki were just a bit shy; as soon as she warmed up to them, they would see that, and all of this propriety-imposed loneliness would fade away.

"This is actually my second one," Ruka said with a shy smile. "I don't think I've seen enough to form an opinion just yet." The words were spoken with a tentative laugh. Akatsuki let Ruka do most of the talking; that was fine with Sara, as long as Ruka kept talking.

"And what about this party?" Sara asked, a gleam in her eye.

"Oh, I didn't mean that this one wasn't fantastic, Sara-sama!" Ruka corrected herself quickly, though Sara wished she hadn't. "I mean, the music and the décor, and your dress, Sara-sama, everything is so amazing."

"I see," Sara said, her heart dropping. Maybe Ruka and Akatsuki were just shy, but they didn't have to flatter her that much, even if she was a pureblood. Didn't they know that she could tell they weren't being honest?

"Sara," she heard her mother's voice behind her and turned on her heel. "You haven't greeted Ichiou, yet, have you? He's this way." Sara nodded, taking one step away from Ruka and Akatsuki before turning back to them.

"It was nice meeting you," she said, "Maybe I'll come find you again later?"

"Of course, Sara-sama, if you wish to," Ruka said with another false smile. Still, Sara was somewhat satisfied as she stepped away from the other girl. After all, you had to start somewhere, didn't you? Maybe that conversation, forced though it had been, would foster a friendship.

And yet, as Sara walked away, she heard Ruka mutter to Akatsuki in a quick aside, "You haven't spotted Kaname-sama yet, have you? This night really will be a waste if we don't get to see him again, don't you think?"

A waste? A waste? Was that what she thought? Suddenly surging with jealousy of Kaname-sama—the Kurans' son?—Sara stepped away from the balcony. Her dress made loose swish-swish noises against the tiles as she followed her mother's retreating back.

She didn't need those two. Let them go running to their precious Kaname-sama. After all, what were they to her?

Nothing more than toys.