Hi again! Sorry for the long wait! Had exams to write and learn for, but now I'm on holiday! hope you enjoy!

The Ball

Anticipation coursed through her body! The doors, through which they had entered this beautiful foyer, were magnificent to behold. Built extravagantly big and inlaid with circular patterns of gold and silver, it was probably the most expensive doors in Japan. But then again it fit in perfectly with the rest of the building. It was a massive building in the style of the French period of the kings. All the furniture was imported to match the mansion style. Gilded and stuffed with velvet covers.

The Foyer had a large staircase that led upstairs to several rooms, one of which was being used as a coat room for this evening, or we should rather say a shawl room as it was much too hot for anybody to wear a coat.

Chiaki led Serena, or Usagi as she was to be called tonight, upstairs. At the appropriate room she handed the servant her shawl. Chiaki then led the way back downstairs and stopped in front another set of doors. These were similar in size and shape to the front doors, except that instead of circular patterns, this one had a heavenly scene, portraying a look of the heavens at night on the one side and at day on the other.

Chiaki turned towards her,

"This is an important ball for me. There are some people with whom I have to speak and arrange… certain matters with. Therefore I will not be able to stay by your side the entire time. But I need you to smile and chat with the guest and generally make a good impression."

The serious look gave way to a smile as he reached for Usagi's hand. Bending forward he placed a kiss on her hand, then turned the hand over and placed another kiss on her palm. But he didn't stop there. Moving along her hand he placed kiss up to her wrist. Looking up, he saw the blush spreading across her cheeks. Chuckling quietly he let go of her and straightened.

"We shall test your sensitivity later this evening"

The blatant sensuality in his voice sent shivers down Usagi's spine. At her age she had never experienced someone coming on this strong and was at a loss as how to react. But it seemed as if none was needed, as in the next moment Chiaki pushed open the doors. She placed a smile on her face as he tugged her gently to his side.

At first she was blinded by a brilliant light. As her eyes quickly adjusted, she realized that the circular room had a large and exquisitely beautiful chandelier hanging from the bubble like ceiling. At regular intervals along the walls were small alcoves where couples were standing in an intimate atmosphere. At the other end of the room a buffet table had been set up. People were walking around with small plates in their hands, stopping and chatting at the different groups. Before she had taken everything in, they were already across the room and drawing closer to an older couple. Everyone seemed to stop and chat with them upon arriving before moving off somewhere else. From this she deduced that the couple was the host for the evening. Chiaki stopped in front of them and nodded his head.

"Mr and Mrs Le Grand, an excellent ball this evening! I was so delighted to be invited this evening!"

A small laugh escaped Mr. Le Grand.

"As always, you charm the host right of the bat. It is good to se you my friend!" at this he slapped Chiaki on the back. His glanced shifted.

"Who might this charming young lady be?" Chiaki looked down at me and then at Mrs Le Grand, who had asked the question.

"This is my beautiful date, Usagi."

"A bit young for you, don't you think old boy"

"Not in the slightest!" His smile had turned minutely colder as a blush crept across Usagi's cheeks. True, she was a lot younger than him, but he was so gentlemanly that it hardly seemed to matter. His grip on her arm tightened as he looked at Mr. Le Grand again.

Mrs. Le Grand seemed to sense the rising tension and quickly grabbed Usagi's hand.

"I think I will steal her for a little a while, so you gentleman can talk business first. That way it is done and you can enjoy the rest of the evening."

Not giving either one a chance to reply she moved off, pulling Usagi along. Nothing was said between them for a while as they moved around and greeted or rather as Mrs. Le Grand introduced her to other people around the room. Usagi became uncomfortable under some of the looks and straying eyes of some of the men she met. They ogled her breasts and seemed to be undressing her with their eyes. She was starting to wish the dress didn't fit so nicely.

But once again Mrs. Le Grand came to the rescue, whisking her away. She seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to tense situations.

"You have not attended very many of these Functions, have you, my child?"

The question seemed more like a statement and Usagi just shook her head.

"This is the first time I have attended anything of this scale."

She hesitated to say more. She wanted to forget what happened earlier today.

During the course of the evening Chiaki came to her side a couple of times. Once to dance with her and once to stand and eat with her. He insisted she drink some wine too, even when she protested.

"I'm not 21 yet. I'm under aged and it's illegal!"

"Nonsense! Today, with me, you can do anything you like!"

With this he handed her the glass. She had never before had wine and sipped carefully at the glass. It was a white wine. Slightly bitter and very dry. Not something she enjoyed, but for the sake of Chiaki she finished the glass. He waited until she finished that and the plate of food he had brought for her before being of to talk to another "Friend". She was starting to feel lonely. Sure she had met many people tonight and had chatted with them, but it was all so superficial and she had only done it because Chiaki had asked her too! She had smiled all night long as well and now her cheeks were starting to hurt. As she sat down on one of the tables close to the buffet to rest her sore feet, a man suddenly stopped in front of her.

He was tall and had broad shoulders. His blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail that reached is lower back. His face was like a Greek statue of the God Adonis. He was certainly not Japanese. His figure blocked out the light from the chandelier, giving him a goldish outline.

"Is this seat taken?"

He waved at the one on the other side of the table. She shook her head and he sat down.

"I don't believe we have been introduced yet! My name is Stefan."

He held out his hand to her. Thinking he wanted to shake hands she reached across the table and placed her hand in his.

"I'm Se …Usagi"

But instead of shaking her hand, he brought it to his lips.

"What a pleasure to make your acquaintance! I must say you are the most beautiful and lively thing I have seen tonight! This parties are infinitely boring, but I see that tonight I am no the only one!"

His smile made her feel relaxed and allowed the first real smile for the evening to appear on her lips. He seemed to catch his breath and then dramatically placed a hand over his heart!

"Alas, the smile of the maiden pierces my heart and leaves thorns to grow!"

A small husky laugh escaped her lips. He was an interesting character. And the only "real" person she had met today. The rest of the evening se chatted with this strange Adonis like creature. Laughing at his dramatics and jokes and even talking about serious subjects that were important to both. She felt like she had known him forever. During one of his jokes, which always involved touching her on the arm or hand to make sure she was listening, Chiaki arrived. On his face was an expression dark as midnight and cold like the bleakest of nights at the very centre of the arctic. He looked utterly furious, but in a cold suppressed way that was frightening. A shiver ran through her body and it was this that alerted Stefan to the danger. Looking over his shoulder he say the dark brooding man, whose eyes moved between him and his hand on Usagi's arm. Slowly, as if nothing happened he turned back to Usagi and moved his arm down to her hand. She flinched at the look on Chiaki's face and tried to pull her hand out of Stefan's. He was having none of it and stubbornly wouldn't let go. At this Chiaki grabbed his shoulder and pulled him from her. You could see that he wanted to hit Stefan, but he reigned in this urge, simply balling his fists at his side.

"Don't ever touch her again. Do it and you will lose the hand!"

He turned abruptly away from Stefan and grabbed her arm, pulling her out of her chair!

"We're leaving!"

He didn't give her a chance to say or do anything; he dragged her out across the room and out the doors. In the Foyer he barely slowed down as he barked an order for someone to bring Usagi's shawl. A small cry escaped her lips, as a black figure detached itself form the shadows. But again she was given no time to catch up with what was going on. He pulled her out the doors and shoved her into the waiting car! Following her inside he moved over to her. Grabbing her wrist he pulled her against his chest. Her writs hurt and she was confused as to what was going on. He stared at her face like a hungry lion would look at a lamb. Bending down he brutally assaulted Usagi's lips. One hand moved to bury itself in her hair and keep her head in place while the other moved to her waist pulling her even closer to him.

For the first few seconds she was paralyzed with shock and the she started to struggle. But in vain! The grip Chiaki had on her was making it impossible to move.

"You are never to let another man touch you! You belong to me!!" He growled in a low voice. His eyes had darkened. There was no love in them as he said those words, only lust and a possessiveness she had never seen.

"I don't belong to anyone!" she spat out defiantly, her eyes sparkling with fire, before good sense could stop her.

His eyes stared hard at her. He kissed her again brutally.

"We shall see. Driver, take us home and have them bring Aichi over."

With this he moved away from her and brooded.