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Part Four

Scene One

A slender figure slipped out onto the balcony. Aakesh gave a soft sigh of relief as he breathed the cool night air. The youkai couldn't understand how the human lords did it, party after party. Despite popular belief, most of his kind rarely gathered in large groups. Exploring the world was so much more interesting than the constant singing and dancing at King Oberon's court.

Another person already stood there. In Aakesh's opinion, Mizuki looked radiant. He was pleased to see she wore his present. The gems sparkled in the moonlight and the simplicity of the design made the piece look far more common than it actually was. There was no need to invite awkward questions about the entertainer's daughter. The youkai cared not a whit for her rank, but he knew others would.

It was an amazing night. Stars sparkled like diamonds on a bed of black velvet. From the balcony, the pair could see past the city's edge. Mountains rose in the background, their peaks covered in snow.

A soft breeze swept through Mizuki's hair as she regarded the tranquil scene. The brunette leaned forward to get a better look. Heights had never really bothered her. "It's beautiful," she murmured.

"You should see it from higher up," Aakesh told her. "Farmland and forests become patches on a quilt and buildings appear to be children's toys."

Honey-brown eyes turned to meet his. "Really?" she asked, wonder in her gaze. "Can you see the people?"

The youkai nodded. "They look like ants." At Mizuki's reproachful look he hurried to defend himself. "I'm being serious, see it for yourself if you don't believe me."

Mizuki rolled her eyes. "In case you've forgotten, I don't have wings." Slight exasperation colored her tone.

"So," Aakesh was starting to get excited. "I do, I can carry you." A brilliant smile spread across his face. "You miss so much, being stuck here on the ground."

"And how could I be sure you wouldn't drop me?" Mizuki regretted the words the moment they left her lips.

Hurt flashed across the youkai's face. How could she think such a thing? He had thought, well it didn't matter what he had thought. Aakesh was gone before his companion could stop him.

"Aakesh come back," remorse flooded the young woman's soul. "Aakesh please, I didn't mean it." There was no response; the youkai couldn't hear her. Mizuki just hoped she would get the chance to apologize.

Scene Two

Mizuki searched the crowd as she gave her performance. She still hadn't been able to make amends with Aakesh. She hadn't even seen the youkai since that night on the balcony. He always managed to drop by when she was else ware.

But, Aakesh had never missed one of her shows. Slender fingers brushed the materials she had prepared for the occasion. Hopefully, she would get the chance to use them.

There, Mizuki spotted the youkai. With his exotic features he was hard to miss. An ornate fan was pulled from what appeared to be mid-air. The young woman fluttered her eyelashes at the crowd, causing them to laugh.

Inwardly she was amused by the situation. Mizuki was a girl, disguised as a boy, pretending to be a girl. The graceful figure sidled up to Aakesh. Her hand was briefly covered in smoke. When it cleared, the brunette held a single flower. It was identical to the one the youkai had given her the day they met.

Violet eyes widened in shock as the flower was presented to him. A soft smile lightened his features. The gesture meant more to him than words ever could. Maybe he hadn't ruined everything. The youkai deeply regretted his words that night.

Unknown to Aakesh, Mizuki had similar thoughts. It was only the presence of the audience that stopped her from apologizing right then and there. She knew it had been her fault. The young lady hadn't realized before just how much the youkai's company had come to mean to her.

Later that evening, the two sat at a small table. They weren't doing much, just talking. Neither one wanted to break the peace that was forming between them.

Inevitably, the conversation led to the performance. Aakesh examined the flower Mizuki had given him with a critical eye. "All right," he admitted. "I give, I understand how you kept it fresh. It is not real after all."

The brunette nodded approvingly. The blossom was made of silk. It would last a very long time.

"But where did it come from?" the youkai continued. "I didn't see a thing." That comment meant a lot coming from him. Aakesh was far from unobservant, and his senses were keener than humans. He had gotten very good at discerning Mizuki's family's tricks.

Red lips were pressed together tightly as the young woman tried not to laugh at the frustrated expression on her companion's face. Her eyes glittered with mischief. "Now now," she teased. "What kind of magician would I be if I revealed my secrets? Mizuki was totally unaffected by the youkai's pout.

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I'll try to get another one up today

I thought about putting the next scene in this part

but it just doesn't fit with the others

Please R&R