I don't own any of the Blood+ characters.

Ball

Hagi

I was playing the cello in Saya's room while she went through her closet. She was deciding on a dress to wear to Joel's birthday tonight. One after the other, a gown flew out of large closet and onto the floor. Finally she came out, hands on her hips, face full of frustration.

"This is unacceptable!" She huffed.

I put the cello down and stood up. "What's the matter. Saya?"

She turned to me. "There's not a single gown that I can find for the party tonight." She picked up to of the ones she threw out. "It's Joel's birthday and I have to look the part. What example would it give to the guests if I show up in rags?"

"Well I wouldn't call them rags-" I tried console her but she kept going.

"What do you think, Hagi?" She pulled out a green dress and held it in front of herself. "How about this one?"

Lovely, and I didn't mean the dress. "You are beautiful in everything you wear, Saya."

A blush rose to her cheeks and she turned away. I fingered the comb that lay rested in my trousers. A gift I had been meaning to give to her for some time now. But I had decided that tonight would be it.

She let out a sigh of defeat. "I give up." She sat on her bed. "I guess I just won't go to the party."

"Don't say that." I kneeled in front of her and took her hands. "There are many things here than you can wear. You shouldn't not go because you don't think you'll be etiquette enough." I stroked her cheek. "The Saya that I know is behind the dress. Elegent and lovely. A true dream."

She giggled and leaned into my palm. "You always know exactly what to say, Hagi." She sighed. "You make me feel happy. And pretty."

I smiled. "I'll always be here to make you feel happy."

Before she could reply, there was a knock at the door. "Miss, Saya?" One of the maids asked. Her name was Hilga. "It is time to get dressed. Have you decided what you wanted to wear?"

That got Saya to scowl again. "Not yet."

The maid tsked, "Now, Saya, the party is in an hour. Go find a dress or we'll find one for you." She then turned to me. "And you, Hagi, go to your room and change. It's in proper to see an unmarried lady in a state of undress. Go."

I held back my chuckle. Little did that woman know that I had seen Saya's undergarments before when we were younger. But no need to anger the woman. "I'll see you in an hour, Saya." Then I left.

Joel

"Have all of the tables and china been placed?" I asked one of the servers.

The man bowed to me, "Yes, Master Joel. Everything is set. Guess should be arriving any moment."

I nodded. "Good. Make sure that everything is accounted for." He bowed once more and walked off. I pull out my pocket watch and check the time. Not too long now.

"So," A voice mused. "I hope you don't plan on backing out on tonight."

I sighed. I knew what he was discussing. Saya. "I don't. We must go through with it. Otherwise, we'll never know how her kind really comes to be."

Anshel's smile was shameless. "I have a sutor who will take care of it tonight."

My withered gaze met his. "Oh?"

He nodded. "He'll be able to take care of her while under my observation." He fixed his bow tie. "It will follow through. I'll make sure that Hagi is well occupied as well."

I snapped my watch shut. "How do you plan on observing them, pray tell. If Saya were to see you, she'd know that we planned this. Then she'll leave and that will be the end of it." I stroked my coat. "And the one in the tower is much too violent to let anyone near her."

His chuckle echoed in the room. "I've given him instructions to take her to a specific room. He will give me the signal, and I will follow. There is a two-way mirror. I will see them. But they won't see me. Don't worry." His smile turned into a nasty grin. "Everything will be witnessed and analyzed thoroughly."

Sagging my shoulders in defeat. The researcher in me taking over. He was right. If I decided to wait any longer, I would not be able to se the girls' full potential before I met my end. "Alright, Anshel. Do what you will."

"Master Joel." The butler came in and bowed. "The guests are arriving now."

I waved him off. "Thank you. Now go and greet them. We'll be there shortly."

Hagi

I waited not far from Saya's room. Fidgeting my cuffs and my tie over and over. Why was I so nervous?

Because you plan to ask the love of your life if you may court her, you fool!

My shirt began to feel really tight. What if she says no? What if she says yes? I honestly don't know what I would with either answer. Well…obviously if she said no, I would never ask her again. And possibly never look her in the eye either. If she said yes…

Now why is it so warm all of a sudden?

"Hagi?" An angelic voice sounded from behind me. I swerved around to see the person of my thoughts. "Are you alright?"

She wore a light pink dress with black lines that started at the sides of her chest down to the ruffled skirt where the tied into bowes and held the white underskirt together. On her chest sewed to the white lace collar was a pink bow with black striped and a single pink rose in the center. Her entire outfit was completed with black gloves. (Those of you who are Black Butler fans…you know what dress I'm talking about. ;D)

I shook myself out of my stupor and smiled. "I'm fine. Don't worry." I bowed down and took her hand in mine. With a glance at her face I press my lips to her covered hand. "You look lovely, Saya."

She blushed and turned away. "There was a hat that came with it. Hilga wanted me to wear it but I insisted that it was too much." Her lips lifted. "I remember I bought this dress a long time ago when we went to to Paris for a few days. I forgot I even had it." A small smile toucher her lips. "You're quite dashing yourself tonight, Hagi.

I rose to my full height, trying hard to keep the blood from my cheeks. "Thank you so much. And of course you look marvelous as ever. A true beauty." I give her my arm. "Shall we go? No doubt Joel is waiting."

She nodded and eagerly links her wrist to my elbow. "Yes, we shall."

We leave the hall and head to the main ballroom. Joel had decided to have his party inside this year. Heaven knows why. He always preferred it inside. Finally reaching the large room, we are first greeted by Joel himself.

"Hagi, Saya!" He said happily. "I was getting worried about the two of you."

I smiled. "Nothing to worry about. We're here now."

He nodded happily. "Now go have fun, you two. Eat, drink, dance. It is a party after all!" We all three laughed together at his boldness.

I turned to Saya, "Well, shall we dance?"

She smiled. "We shall."

Keeping her hand in my arm, I walk her to the center of the room. The music slowly starts to change as she released my elbow. We step back so we are facing each other. I bow to her as she lifts her skirts in a low curtsey, then I take her hand in mine and we let our bodies take over. We dance together in harmony as the music plays throughout the room. Our bodies twirling around the room, completely forgetting about the people around us. I lose my stare into her beautiful auburn eyes. Her long eyelashes framing those magnificent orbs.

When the music stopped, we bowed to the other once again. Then I hold my hand out to her. "Saya, will you join me on the terrace?"

Her eyes lit up. "Of course." She placed her hand in mine and I led her outside. "So what did you want to talk about?"

I gulped rather loudly. Again, where is all the air in this planet? "Saya, there's something that I've been meaning to ask you." My hand slowly reached into my pocket, searching for the comb. "It's very impotent. Important!" She blinked. "Important."

She crossed her arms and raised a brow. "Are you alright?"

Not in the slightest. "I'm fine."

Her gaze narrowed. "You sure?"

No. "Yes." I shook my head and finally let my body do the talking. Slowly, I got down on one knee and took ahold of her left hand. "Saya, will you do me the great honor and let me court you?"

She gasped, "What?"

Finally, I pull out the comb. "I have wanted to give you this for a long time." I look back up to her tearful gaze. "I want you to be my bride, Saya." I stood back up and took her face into my palms. "Say yes."

She smiled through her tears and nodded happily. "Yes, Hagi. You may court me."

I smiled back at her and then placed the comb in her hair. "Thank you." Then I wipe away some of her tears then stroke her cheeks. She looks up at me in wonder, and I can't help but feel a strong force taking over me. Slowly, I lean in. My lips only a breath away from hers. So close.

"Excuse me? Are you Saya?" A voice stopped us cold.

I lifted my head to glare at the man who dared interrupt us. "May we help you?" It was a tall man with short light brown hair and brown eyes.

"Hagi, don't be rude!" Joel snapped from behind him. "This is a dear friend. Jack is his name."

The man, or Jack, bowed. "An honor to meet you, Hagi." Then he turned to Saya and took her hand. "Echante, Mademoiselle." He kissed her gloved hand. "May I have this dance?"

I stepped in, "You may no-"

"Hagi…" Joel sent me a warning look.

Saya looked at me for assurance before nodding to the stranger and being led off to the dance floor.

"Come with me, Hagi." Joel said. "I'd like you to meet someone." He held gestured to someone and a young woman came over. She had blond hair pulled up into a bun on her head. Her green eyes observed me with certainty. "Meet Meredith."

I bow to her, "My lady."

The woman giggled. "My, Hagi, you are quite charming."

I ground my teeth. "Thank you."

"I'll leave you two be." Joel said before walking away to mingle.

Meredith giggled and batted her eyelashes behind her hand fan. I sighed in annoyance.

I do hope that this dance ends soon.

Saya

I danced with the stranger with the grace of a proper lady. Trying to keep from stepping the man's toes. When really all I could think about was Hagi's proposal. He'd ask to court me. That means that he wants to eventually marry me.

It also means that he isn't afraid of you.

One of my greatest fears was Hagi being afraid of me. I knew that I wasn't normal. He knew it too. Of course, I'd met him as a young boy of twelve and I was still the same as I am now. He is a full grown man now. A man that doesn't care what I am. But who I am.

"My dear?" The man asked. "Are you alright?"

"I apologize." I stuttered. "I'm rather distracted."

"Oh?" He seemed interested.

"It's nothing." I assured him.

He smiled. "Alright." The music stopped and we separated to applaud the performers. "Will you come with me?" He asked suddenly.

I raised a brow. "Whatever for?"

He seemed bashful, "There's a room that Joel wanted me to go to. And you see, this manor is quite large. I don't want to get lost. I just want to make sure I'm going in the right direction."

Hating the idea of Joel scolding me again, I agreed. So we left the ballroom and down the hall to the east wing. He kept going on how beautiful the artwork. But I didn't pay him any mind. I just wanted to get this done and over with.

When we reached the room, he let me in first.

When I took in my surroundings, I got confused. "Wait, this a bedroom. Why do you need-"

Click!

I spin around to see that Jack had locked the door behind him. His kind smile now gown. All that was on his face was a leer.

"Why did you lock the door?" I backed away slowly.

He threw off his jacket and started unbuttoning his shirt. "So you can't escape."

My blood ran cold. "What are you going to do?" His shirt slipped off his arms and onto the floor. He started to take off his belt. "Please answer me!"

His hard gaze met mine and he then came up and shoved me on the bed. I hit the comforter with a yelp. I tried to back away but he took my wrists and held them above my head. His face close to mine. "I'm going to give us our own little party." And he ripped off the front of my dress.

I knew then what was going to happen. And I was defenseless to stop it.

Hagi, save me!

Sorry Sorry, it was late and I was rushing. I fixed the typos best that I cold.

*could damn it!