First off, I want to apologize. Some horrible tragedies happened to my computer and I could not upload this story. I am very sorry and hope all of you enjoy.
~Salem
_

Kaito opened the door and let Meiko go in front of him. When she entered, all of the thrilled laughter fell silent and everyone turned to see who she had arrived with.
Mieko grinned. "Good evening my public." She said clearly for everyone to hear. "My father has sent me here to choose my suitor."
Everyone clapped and cheered, excited to see who the lucky man was going to be. Meiko cleared her throat and held up a hand to stop the noise. "I'm sorry to disappoint you my people, but I am just here to have fun!" she giggled.
Several jaws dropped at the Princess's proclamation. She was refusing to comply King Sakine's orders?
A young man stepped forward. He was dressed in a black and grey checkerboard vest and rather stylish leather boots. He wore an ornately cut ruby around his neck. His brown hair was very neatly brushed to one side but on his face he wore a very stuck up expression.
Meiko didn't seem happy to see him. "Good evening Lord Allison." She said pursing her lips.
Allison walked forward and bowed respectively. "Good evening my beautiful Princess Sakine." He said tenderly. He stood back up and took her hand. "Would you kindly do me the honor of providing a waltz?"
Rin watched as Kaito's shoulders slumped. This wasn't how it was supposed to happen! She floated down and sat on Kaito's shoulder. "L-Lord Kaito…I'm sorry. Forgive me." She whispered sadly.
Kaito blinked and turned to the crowd. "Let the ball commence." He said.
Cries of happiness and excitement echoed through the mansion as Lord Allison led Meiko onto the court. Kaito watched him twirl her gracefully around the floor, like a water lily spinning slowly on the undisturbed surface of a koi pool. He sighed and walked in the other direction. An open door led out to a refined white veranda.
Rin watched her master lean against the rungs of the veranda. "Please Sir. She did not look contented to see that fool, so I suspect you still have a chance." She said hopefully.
Kaito ignored her. The zephyr ran through his hair, making him look unkempt. He eyed Lord Allison heatedly and his sapphire eyes grew slowly into slits. "Rin this was a bad idea." His back grew rigid. "Ha…" he sighed, "I want blood."
Rin shook her head. "No Sir, you mustn't! The guiltless are in the court!" she protested.
Kaito narrowed his eyes. "It's a feast Rin. Watching their bodies, their firm legs, it only makes me want them more."
Rin put her hands on his chest to stop his advance. "I said no!" she yelled insolently.
Kaito pushed her off of him. "Fine! Have it your way you insubordinate little Imp!" he snapped. He ran his fingers through his hair and over looked the forest. It looked as lifeless as he felt, with dead trees poking out of the ground like sticks stuck in sand. An emaciated fox scuffed through the dirt below, desperate for even the tiniest scrap of sustenance.
Rin sighed and sat on the edge of the balcony, watching tasteful visitors enjoy themselves. There is just not enough happiness in the world to fill every void. She thought glancing at Kaito.
"I thought this glorious country was supposed to be kind to us." Kaito mumbled. He squeezed his eyes shut. "We were wrong for venturing all this way. It is just like London."
Rin wasn't listening, as usual. She stood up and squinted through the mass of citizens. "My Lord! They are backbiting!" she exclaimed pointing at Princess Meiko and Lord Allison.
Kaito looked up in surprise. Sure enough the two dancers were arguing in the pit of the crowd. He watched as Meiko raised her hand to clout Allison but bit back her anger and let her fist drop to her side. She pressed through the crowd and stomped in their direction.
Rin jumped into the air. "Sir she is coming your way!" she said in a panicked tone.
Kaito muted her with a pat on the head and met Meiko at the doorway. "My princess are you weeping?" he asked when he caught prospect of the crystal like tears that clung to Meiko's round cheeks.
Meiko refused to congregate with Kaito's eyes. "Oh Lord Ryuumaru…Allison is a ghastly person!" she cried. "My father desires me to walk down the aisle aside him, which is why I have attended your ball. He is supposed to ask my hand, but I do not want to spend all of my days with that fiend!"
Kaito put his hand on her shoulder. "I believe that you should be able to love whoever you wish my lady." He said comfortingly. "Matrimony that is held against one's will is not love at all. It tugs at the soul and drags you down, as though you have been thrown through the gates of Hades. Don't listen to anyone Meiko. You give your heart to whoever you feel holds the correct key."
Meiko blinked and looked him in the face. "Well you seem to have quite a way with words Lord Ryuumaru. Just listening to you speak takes away my worries." She smiled and wiped the tears from her expression.
Rin smiled from the shadows. She had never heard her master speak with such passion. He wasn't even speaking to her and his words still put a powerful feeling into her heart. He was more of a romantic than she initially thought.
Meiko looked out across the forest. "It looks so dormant." She said resting her chin in her hands. She paused. "Do you ever feel like nothing goes in your favor Ryuumaru?"
Kaito nodded. "Quite often actually. It's like nothing ever goes the way you want it…Like you are stuck in a well."
Meiko grinned. "Exactly!" she looked down at the foliage below and listened to the beautiful music. "This song reminds me of what Oliver would sing to me when I was sick." She swayed gently to the striking piece of music. "He's like my adopted father you know."
Kaito cocked his head. "King Sakine doesn't care for you?" he said in disbelief.
Mieko shook her head. "No. He doesn't even recognize my presence anymore." She straitened Kaito's collar. "It's good to know that there are good people like you in this merciless world." She hugged him gently.
Kaito placed his hands on her thin waist and gently rocked her back and forth to the silvery sound of the French horn. "If you ever need help, send Oliver to me and I will be right over." He whispered.
Rin's eyes widened. She tugged on Kaito's hair. "What are you doing?" she hissed. "What if she comes during the day? We can't keep the house looking like this in the sunlight!"
Kaito stuck out his tongue at her. "Shut up!" he mouthed.
Meiko leaned her head back and looked up at Kaito. "You are an excellent dancer Ryuumaru…" she trailed off.
Kaito brushed her silken hair out of her face. "What is it?" he asked.
Meiko blinked slowly. "You remember how you told me that I should only give my heart to whoever holds the key?" she said softly.
Kaito nodded.
Meiko reached up and tenderly touched his face. "The key you hold in your palm is plated in fine, unspoiled, gold…and it fits the lock to my heart."

You guys like? I'm trying to make this as enjoyable as possible! Please review and flames not welcome!
~With love, Salem Marionette