AN-I finally got round to updating this again! The last time I was updated was May-time, so this chapter is long overdue really….I think I was a little put off since a chunk of it is really just copying a scene from the manga , I hope I was able to convey the feelings that were there in the manga and make it sound like I wasn't just copying lines from it ^^'''. Well enjoy! Please let me know what you think! =).

P.S-I promise I won't take as long to update again next time! ^^'

It was the night of the soiree. I was pretty sure I'd never felt so nervous before in my life. There was a knot in my stomach that kept pulling tighter with each passing second. So much pressure. I couldn't disappoint Kaname. I sat huddled on the floor in the corner of the elaborate room. A room without windows. My body trembled, and I winced hearing footsteps coming towards me.

"Okay, let's begin." Ruka declared in her authoritative tone. We were in Aido's home, in one of the spare rooms preparing for the soiree that would take place in a few hours time. They had been preparing since we'd arrived a few hours ago, maids had been bustling around, cleaning and priming the vast ball room for the night's event. The preparation itself had struck fear into my heart. Ruka had promised Kaname she would help to dress me and prepare me for the night, knowing all too well I had no idea how to do it myself. I was so out of my comfort zone it was unreal.

"R-Ruka…I don't think I'm going to make it. I'm starting to get nervous….really nervous…" I replied, the last two words were barely audible. Though I had my back to her I could almost feel the anger radiating from her.

"Stop that! The maids from the Aido family are here too you know!" She ordered, the anger apparent in her voice. Clearly she didn't want me to make a fool of myself in front of the Aido staff….it was true, I was a pureblood. Purebloods were meant to maintain a regal composure at all times, to be envied and adored. I expect had I not been taken away from my pureblood family at such a young age, I would be used to such events by now…but as it was fate had arranged things this way…so here I was.

"Don't mind her and get to it!" Ruka snapped at the maids. I felt bad for them, they must have felt awkward seeing a pureblood behaving in such a childish way. Suddenly feeling hands on me I yelped, feeling my clothes being tugged off. I blushed furiously, even if I was nervous I could dress myself!

"I can dress myself!" I reiterated my thoughts out loud, covering myself with my bare arms. They hadn't stripped me naked, just down to my underwear. I quickly flapped my arms, indicating I wanted to be left alone. They looked to Ruka apprehensively, awaiting instruction from her. She rolled her eyes at me. The maids brought me my dress that I would be making my first public appearance in. It wasn't exactly my style…no…it wasn't exactly Yuki Cross's style….but it was Yuki Kuran's.

Though I was allowed to dress myself, they still fluttered around me, straitening the skirts out, and fastening the dress properly. Yes, the last thing I needed was to have my dress come undone during the soiree. I smiled gratefully as one of the young women tied the large ribbon that sat beneath my chest, tying it into a large bow. Even tied, I noticed the long ribbon trailed down the front of my dress, right down to the hem of the dress that fell just above the carpeted floor.

Once they were finished, I stepped toward the long mirror before me, surprised to find I actually liked the elaborate dress. The short sleeves were made of a chiffon type material. The dress was modest, and the skirts flowed gently over my waist and hips, not accentuating them. I turned slightly. Admiring the layers of frilled skirts that could only been seen through a parting at the back of the dress. I actually smiled, feeling for the first time like a pureblood.

Ruka beckoned for me to sit with her at the dressing table so she could apply make up and accessories. I felt a little intimidated by Ruka, she was kind and caring, but also authoritative like an older sister almost. She fastened a pearl earring into each of my ears, before handing me a pearl necklace that matched. Lifting my hair I fastened the necklace myself, admiring the shimmer of the pearls.

"You're going to see many people you already know." Ruka informed me as she placed a pearl covered headband on top of my head, carefully smoothing my hair down with it. I nodded, picturing all of those from the night class…Aido, Kain, Shiki, Rima. "But make sure you don't lose your calm demeanour, just because there are friendly faces." She finished, handing me a pair of elegant gloves. I gulped.

"I'll be careful." I sincerely promised. Why was it…Zero seemed to come to mind when she'd said 'be careful'. I sighed, would Zero even be there? It was possible, but I wouldn't say it was likely. Still…even if he was there….we were now in two separate worlds. We weren't to meet again, not as allies anyway. Always lusting for the other's blood, but never able to satisfy the thirst…My mind wandered to my dear Kaname. He was surely speaking with the hunter society as I sat frivolously priming myself for the soiree. It did bother me that I was so useless, like a mere child as much as I wanted to help, I knew I would just be a hindrance to him right now.

I was left alone when Ruka had finished working on my appearance, satisfied that I was presentable. As always was isolated in a windowless room by myself. I stood up from the stool I had been perched on, finding my back was aching too much to tolerate sitting there for much longer. I quickly checked my hair in the mirror, such a feminine thing to do, before smoothing my dress down. I tested my balance in the high-heeled shoes. I took a few practice strides across the dimly lit room. The weight of the many skirts floating beneath the dress seemed to throw my balance a little.

I didn't feel comfortable in the candle lit room all alone. It felt as if I had been thrown back in time, into some Victorian type house. I wrapped my fingers around one of the golden beams supporting the four-poster bed. Despite the ornate appearance of the room, it didn't feel homely. The furniture in the room was clearly meant to create the illusion of homeliness. The grand bed was covered with a delicate snow white cover, the pillow plumped and inviting. The dressing table and stools were the only other items of furniture in the room. No. This room didn't feel 'lived in'. It seemed to me that vampire homes were more designed to look elegant than built for comfort, a strange prospect it seemed considering the lifespan of vampires far exceeded that of humans….surely vampires should design their homes to be lived in, considering the amount of time they would spend in them. Then it occurred to me, perhaps our lifespan made us appreciate the ones we loved more, meaning we didn't care as much for trivial things like sentimental objects.

Knock knock knock

The sound of someone wrapping on the door made me jump. I gulped uneasily, uncertain whether I was expected to answer the door myself, or if someone was meant to let the visitor in….It was one of many socially awkward moments I was sure I would encounter at the soiree…Even though both Kaname and Ruka had taught me a great deal on etiquette and how a pureblood princess should behave…it was the simple things such as this that had be fretting. They'll think you're rude if you leave them waiting much longer. Becoming more and more agitated, I was about to answer when a familiar and comforting voice cut through the silence, crystal clear despite the door separating us.

"May I come in, Yuki?" My heart somersaulted at the sound of Kaname's sensual tone of voice. His voice was a calm, almost seductive sound to which I wanted to cling, wanted to melt and disappear into. His calm voice represented everything I was not. As if he sensed I was to wound up to give him a reply, he entered regardless. A warm blush colored my already pink cheeks as his gaze travelled the length of my body. His expression was an almost flirtatious one, and the corners of his lips curved upward into a small smile. I couldn't help but wonder what was going through his mind as he surveyed me.

"Kaname-sama" I spoke softly. Promptly, I remembered my manners, gently taking the satin material of my dress in my gloved hands and stooping low into a curtsey before the pureblood prince, my fiancé. I allowed myself only a small glimpse at him, for fear he would look so captivating that I would lose myself completely before even stepping foot into the soiree. When I did look up, my gaze met with a sudden change in his expression. A small frown adorned his face, one that made him look intimidating, though not unattractive.

"No." He announced to me, causing me to gulp. A lump caught in my throat. Had I somehow forgotten my etiquette? Had I made a fool of myself before being introduced to the vampire community? My hand instinctively groped for the pearls at my neck, for something to fiddle with to calm my nerves. My hand stopped halfway there, at my chest, restraining the urge remembering Ruka had told me not to do such a thing. Even a gesture like that will attract attention…then they'll know if what they're saying is making you nervous, a pureblood princess cannot allow herself to have any give-aways. You must remain aloof, even if you are feeling nervous. I curled my hand into a fist, and allowed it to drop beside me. How would I possibly learn to control my subconscious movements?

"You promised to call me just 'Kaname' tonight, remember?" He finished. I blinked a few times, surprised that this was the only error I seemed to have made. So far so good Yuki. I smiled just a little, nodding, just enough to show him I remembered. He extended a hand before saying, "Let's go in…Yuki. Come with me." My gaze dropped to the floor, and my limbs trembled with fear. How could I possibly do this? It was as if I were playing a role….How could I behave like a pureblood should when I really had no experience….I lifted my head back up, looking him in the eye, hoping my sincere emotions would show through. I was sure I could feel tears threatening to sting my eyes. Ruka would be furious if I allowed myself to cry, causing my make up to run after she'd spent so long preening me….I clenched my teeth in an attempt to halt the assault of tears that seemed imminent as my heart rate quickened. Even if I could somehow mask the panic etched on my face, the deafening beating of my uneasy heart would surely give me away to a room full of vampires. Kaname's expression was warm, and he smiled at me in that familiar way that made me want to melt. Without a word that man managed to dispel most of my fear, as if he himself had somehow made me take the few steps toward him. I reached out, and allowed him to take my quivering hand in his steady palm.

A wave of reassurance seemed to wash over my entire form as his fingers enveloped my petite hand. I took a deep breath and allowed him to lead me away from the security of the room, out into the corridor. I shivered slightly, the temperature seemed much cooler here, and I had to restrain myself from instinctively rubbing my arms in an attempt to create warmth. I peeked at him as he escorted me down the corridor towards the entrance of he ballroom. I could already hear music playing, and the assortment of many male and female voices all gathered together in one room.

I hadn't noticed before, but Kaname looked ravishing. He looked like the perfect gentleman in his elegant suit. I suddenly realised how lucky I truly was to be attending the soiree with him…..how lucky I was to be with him at all. For the first time I was realising what a dream come true this really was. A few months ago I had accidentally stumbled across a vampire soiree after being tricked into going there by a little vampire child….Back then I had glimpsed into Kaname's world for the first time, and on that same night I had realised how unsuitable I really was for him. Despite what he had said to me, since that night, I hadn't felt adequate. I hadn't felt like I belonged with him, or that I deserved him….now things were so different. Instead of peering into an alien world, I was entering that world….the world I had truly belonged to all along without knowing it. That's right….I belong….After so many years of suffering in ignorance, not knowing where I belonged…I was finally being shown where I belonged…This gave me courage. Not confidence, but courage, and that was good enough for tonight at least, confidence would come with time and experience. I would surely find a way to fit in…..This was where I belonged.

As we stopped before the grand doors, I took one last deep breath before entering the lion's den. I knew I had to assert my authority as one of them, and not as some little human girl that had been flung in there as a snack. I wasn't that little human girl anymore. I was one of the lions that devoured innocent beings….

The doors were flung open, and Kaname guided me in. The ballroom was vast, and I was aware of all eyes fixing on us as we stepped into the room. My heels seemed to make a deafening sounds as I walked across the marble floor. Still, I kept my cool, even when Kaname leaned in closer to me, his lips against my ear.

"Stay calm Yuki, good girl." He whispered so low, I had to strain my advanced hearing to catch what he said. I felt my apprehension begin to wane as the seconds passed. Silence. Even the music coming from the orchestral instruments had ceased at our presence. I wondered….if my presence was as menacing to them as that of Kaname's. I doubted it, but I didn't let it show. My softly painted lips turned up in to a regal smile. Not too friendly, but not cold either. This was how a purebood was expected to behave. Detached.

We glided forward, yet as we did some strange feeling within me urged me to turn my head. The instinct felt so pure I trusted it, slowly turning my head to the left, not enough to make the movement seem planned or abrupt. No, in a fluid way that made it seem like coincidence. Fate has a funny way of greeting you with something unexpected….yet completely anticipated at the same time, a conflicting emotion that makes little sense, even to the one who is experiencing it.

Of course, as I turned, my cool eyes met with those oh so familiar cold steely lilac ones. And it was as if a year hadn't passed between us, as if we had seen one another everyday since we'd parted….or perhaps we had, at night when we slept, we always seemed to meet in the realm of dreams where meetings are not forbidden…not even for star-crossed lovers. However, at the same time it was the biggest shock I could possibly receive to see him standing before me like some shadow from the past, a distant past…a lifetime ago.

As cliché as it may sound, it was like we were the only two people in the room, as if time had halted completely, and there was only us. It was romantic…but it wasn't. Two souls that long for one another finally being drawn together in the same room…..their pure feelings for one another imprisoned under two blank masks….two people who are now enemies. Although it didn't show on the outside my heart was throbbing painfully. What had I expected? A smile? A greeting? No. Perhaps a flicker of anger, of pain….or recognition. It's that nostalgic feeling of seeing someone you once shared a close bond with through the curtain time has built, one that makes those two people strangers to one another, unable to even dignify one another with even the simplest of gestures. His gaze was blank and empty, even when I seemed to be staring through his eyes into his soul I saw nothing. It hurt. Though I didn't show it. He'd kissed me a year ago, and mutually we'd gazed into one another's eyes….I'd peeked into his soul, and found all I'd ever wanted from him in those lilac eyes. Everything I wanted to know about him had poured from his soul as if he had spoken or cried, when he hadn't uttered a word. His pain, his anger, his sadness, his love. It had all become clear in those moments we'd shared. How had all of that been lost in a year? Or was it….was it his feelings were still there….what had changed was….I was no longer allowed to see them. Never again would those lilac eyes reveal to me the secrets of his soul.

And though the moment felt like hours…it was second. Under a minute. I turned away with all the arrogance a pureblood should possess, pretending to myself, to the room…to him, that I felt nothing for the silver haired boy leaning against one of the pillars. He was nothing to me. Now I remembered what Kaname had said to me.

"Yuki, Kiryu will be at the soiree too." He had informed me casually while doing my nails, pausing a moment to switch to my other foot. It had certainly caught my attention, and the thought had made me reluctant to attend…. "Worried? He may point his gun at us…" He had continued, purposely separating the two phrases instead of combining them into one question….implying he would indeed threaten us. Although on the inside I had been yearning for such a thing….I had replied simply.

"No…the Zero I know…will focus on his work…when he is on the job." I had replied apprehensively, knowing full well the Zero I knew was probably long gone….I had wondered how he had changed in the year of my absence. Kaname had replied with a short laugh, realising why I had paused when I did.

Now we were actually here….I realised I had been right. The Zero I knew was going to focus on his work….So if I was right….why did I feel so heart-broken? Why did I long for him to cut through the crowd and aim his blood-rose gun at my head…for him to whisper goodbye, as he pulled the trigger.

And with that, I walked away with Kaname at my side, fooling everyone into believing I had no connection with the young hunter, or for those who knew our history….that I had moved on.