Solemnity

Her back collides with the wall.

"Stop! Please stop!" she winces. "It hurts! Stop it!"

"I'm sorry," he stumbles away; ashamed. "I'm sorry, Miku. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just-"

"No," she looks away. "You are here to request a lie, but my decision is my own. You do not rule my life, Kaito. If ever you thought that you did then you are a greater fool than I had ever perceived you to be."

She starts to walk away. The click of her shoes rattles against the marble. The shadows attempt to close about her but her hair is too bright.

"Wait!" he yells. "Miku, please listen to me! Please!"

She shakes her head. The crystal drops are beginning to cascade. She places a hand over her mouth to seal the words that she so desperately wishes to speak and they are swiftly devoured, becoming little more than secrets and regrets.

She hates to appear weak. She wants to be composed and strong but her feet take her away faster and faster. Too soon she is running. The bitter and painful knowledge that she cannot out-run the cause of her misery deepens the wounds that no needle can close and no poultice can soothe.

She buries her face in her hands. The despairing wail that seeks to be free is stronger than the armour she has crafted for her heart. She can feel it beckoning for release, but summons more lies to dissuade them instead. Her fingers curl. She cannot look away and she cannot escape.


Kaito stands near one of the great windows of the ballroom. His back is achingly erect. His legs tremble. He has been standing, dancing and making unnecessary and fruitless conversation with other men on par with his social standing. A senior official waltzes by, his wife on his arm, and he smiles, raising his glass in a gesture of respect. Whether it has been seen, acknowledged or ignored is of no consequence.

He is hurt. He is wounded and he bleeds. His blood, however, is not known. None can witness its brilliant crimson plumage. None can marvel at his heart's endless outpour. His militaristic suit would be drenched, but it is not. His wound has sprung from love and only to his love, to his injurer, can it be seen.

"Are you all right?" a voice says from beside him. "You seem pale."

Kaito turns, sheepish. "I apologise, Merli. I am merely… distracted. Would you like to dance?"

"No," she smiles, content. "I would rather speak to you."

Her lack of courtesy almost brings a frown to his face. He chokes the expression back. He has to be kind to her. It is as much for her sake as it is for his – and for Miku's. He smiles as warmly as he can.

"I would enjoy that very much."

Merli's smile widens as she almost glows with happiness. For a small moment, an instant even, his heart pangs with a deadly mixture of grief and guilt.

She takes his hand gently in hers. There is now softness in her gaze. He doesn't recognise the expression on her. He isn't sure whether or not it suits her.

"Kaito…" she begins, uncertain and unsure. "I would… I would that you meet my family. Is that… Is that all right?"

He forces himself to smile. "They are here?"

She laughs, her decorum slipping away and nods in relief. "Yes. My father is pre-occupied, but my sister is present. She would meet you. As would my mother, I feel. She sometimes has the habit of following my father, so it may be difficult to speak with them tonight… So, I suppose that leaves only my sister. Ha – what a foolish question. Would you meet with my sister would have been more appropriate…"

"I would," he clears his throat, hoping that the shrillness has gone from his voice. "I would meet your sister, Merli. That would make me very… happy."

She nods excitedly, taking his hand and quickly pulling him through the crowds. The perturbed guests jolted and jostled in their wake glower after them. Sharp, reprehensible words lash at their backs. Merli ignores them. Having been wild her entire life, the considerations of others have had little impact on her life. Kaito, however, follows knowing that the wrath of his mother will descend swiftly and without mercy.

However, he is soon distracted by a flash of red. Akaito. On the dance floor. Miku in his arms. A grin slices across his face. Mania pervades his darting eyes.

"So you are Kaito," a cold voice jerks him back to reality. She ignores him, instead finding interest in the white wine swirling in her glass. "It is a pleasure to meet you, good sir. My sister speaks often of you. She is… very much enamoured of you. You shall treat her well, I presume."

The hairs on the back of his neck rise. He knows her. She was the one who allowed Miku to slip away unnoticed with him at such social events as this. Aoki, he thinks her name is.

"Yes," Merli nods. "Isn't he wonderful?"

"Absolutely, sister," Aoki's gaze flashes to him. "Though, I would like to again state: you shall treat her well."

He straightens. "I would do her no harm. I swear it."

Merli laughs and chides her sister playfully. "Oh, leave him be! He's wonderful – you even said it yourself! Don't take to playing the protective sister now!"

Kaito is silent, lost in thought as the sisters continue with their banter, not entirely sure whether it was Merli she was speaking on behalf of. Worse than that, he can tell by the dark glint in the younger sister's eyes that was her intention.

Author's Note: Unofficial hiatus over! I'm sorry, I keep doing this. I don't mean to. Really. I just find myself stressed and over-burdened by matters of academia. However, all is good and all fair and you won't be seeing even this chapter until the conclusion is either over or imminent. So you won't have to wait for any particular length of time – unless I forget. I have been known to do that, but I will do my utmost to remember.

Thank you for reading!