Hello again! I'm back with part nine! Thanks to all those who reviewed! I'm very sorry if this took so long! You see, I'm quite busy and I have a writer's block. Warning: lot of kissing!! Anyway, here's part nine!!

Part Nine: The Night Comes

A few hours from now and the palace ball would soon start. She could hear the bustling sounds of the servants that paced back and forth outside her room. She didn't want to go outside, she'd rather stare at the four corners of her room rather than hear the happiness inside the palace.

Three gentle knocks echoed in her quiet room. She didn't move an inch. The door creaked open and Mimi stepped in.

Mimi's eyes softened as she stared at her silent friend. She tried to make a conversation with her but to no avail. Sora just kept quiet and stared into space.

"Hi Sora"

As she expected, Sora didn't replied. Mimi sighed and sat beside her friend. "I saw your dress. It was really lovely! Have you tried it on yet?" she asked cheerfully.

The only movement that Sora did was to blink her eyes. Mimi can't stand the sadness of her friend any longer.

"Princess, please say something! You haven't eaten anything and you just stay inside your room! Pleasetalk to me" Mimi pleaded.

"MimiI'm so devastated" Sora whispered as tears started to fall from her eyes. "I'm so devastated I love him so much"

Mimi hugged Sora. "You'll be together againI'm sure of it"


Yamato waited patiently by the palace gates, waiting for Mimi's carriage. He sighed and glanced at her room. If only he could turn back time, he'd shut his mouth and hugged her instead. He didn't realize that she was different from those people who have treated his mother badly.

What if it's too late for me to get her back?

The question scared him. Losing her would cause his heart to break. Only now did he realize that she's already a part of him. A day without her is already sadness.

He sighed again and puts his hand in his pocket and played with Sora's locket. He was to caught up with his thoughts that he didn't hear the sound of a carriage coming. It stopped beside him and the door flew open.

"Shall we go now, Sir Yamato?"

Yamato raised his head and entered the carriage. Mimi looked at the frowning boy across from her. She could see that he's thinking of something really deep.

"How is she?" Yamato asked suddenly out of the blue. Mimi sighed and looked outside the carriage window.

"She's not doing very well, Sir Yamato - "

"Mimi, please drop the formalities. After all, we are friends right?"

Mimi nodded and continued on. "She won't eat, won't talk and won't smile"

"It's my fault, isn't it?" replied Yamato miserably.

"Partly, I believe it's my fault also. She's in deep misery because you are her first love and yet she thought that you're not serious with her." Mimi explained, watching Yamato frown in thought.

Yamato brushed his hair and looked at Mimi. "I am serious with her but sometimes, I can't just hold my temper."

"Well then, tonight will make up for it. Pleasemake her happy again."

I hope so Yamato thought as the carriage continued on towards the Tachikawa house.


After dawn(we all know what "prince charmings" look like, right? With those cape and everything. Well, just imagine Yamato is a "prince charming", okay?)

Yamato sighed nervously as Mimi and one of her servants studied his outfit. It's obvious that the servant like him, which causes him to flush.

"Yamato, why are you slouching? Stand straight. " Mimi ordered, which Yamato did. Mimi nodded her head slightly and smiled.

"Okay, you're ready! Now, you know that gentlemen don't speak too much but when they speak, they speak fluently and well."

Yamato rolled his eyes and eyed himself in the mirror. He smiled and moved around for a bit, enjoying the movement of his cape.

"Now, I'll have the carriage to be ready."

Yamato turned to Mimi and thanked her gratefully.

"Nonsense! Of course, I'll do anything for a friend!"

Before Mimi could turn around, Yamato asked for something, which caused Mimi to smile. "Mask? Why do you need a mask?"

"Just please give me one" Yamato pleaded. Mimi nodded and called her servant again. "Claire, please make this gentleman a mask for the ball." Then she turned to Yamato.

"You'll have to wait for the mask. That means, you'll be late for the ball."


Sora stared at her reflection in the mirror. She was beautiful, as her mother and the servants have told her. Her auburn hair was tied up in a high bun and tow curly strands of hair fell by her ear. On her ears were diamond earrings. White gloves that cover her hand up to her elbow clothed her arms. Her orange dress hugged her slim body perfectly and new shoes covered her delicate feet. She brought her eyes back to her face and saw a small frown.

Should I be happy tonight?

She asked herself. She turned her head towards the door and saw her mother. She was well-dressed also and she was smiling.

"Sora, won't you come down to see the decors?"

"No, mother. I'll just stay here for a while"


The moon was already up when Yamato went to the castle. He was awed with the beauty of the castle. He could already smell the flowers that adorned the palace walls.

"Excuse me, Sir. Where's your invitation?"

Yamato turned to the palace guard. "Yes, of course" Yamato looked everywhere in his outfit but found no invitation.

"Oh damn it! I forgot it in Mimi's place!" he muttered.

"Sir, the invitation?" The palace guard said impatiently.

"I forgot it"

The palace guard glared at him and pointed to the door. "Sorry, Sir. But the rules apply." Yamato muttered angrily and went out.

Arriving outside, he went directly to the kitchen. He opened the wooden door and saw the bustling cooks, including Cory and Suzanne and Tessie.

"Sir, you're not allowed here in the kitchen." Cory said, moving Yamato to the door.

"But Cory, it's me!" Yamato exclaimed.

Cory stopped pushing the young man and raised her eyebrow. "Who are you?"

Yamato removed his mask and flashed the cook with his wonderful smile. "Yamato Ishida" he answered, bowing like a gentleman. Cory laughed and hugged Yamato. "My boy! How handsome you are! What are you doing here in the dirty kitchen?! You should be out there with our lady!" Cory exclaimed.

"I forgot my invitation."

Cory grunted and pushed Yamato to the other door, which leads to the inside of the palace. "You go on now! I'm sure Lady Sora would be happy if she sees you!"

Yamato's smile faltered and he turned to Cory. "Really?" he whispered. Cory's eyes saddened when she noticed Yamato's eyes seemed to be dismayed.

"I'm sure, my boy. Now, go!"

Yamato smiled and tied the mask again that covered only revealed his blue eyes. "Thanks Cory! Wish me luck!"


Yamato stood there among the buffet table. He held his cup of wine nervously as his eyes turned to the king and queen. Where is she? He asked himself upon noticing that the seat beside the queen was empty.

Suddenly the trumpets roared and the king stood up, raising his left hand in the air. "I believe you all know why we held a ball tonight and I wish you'll have a great time here! And may I introduce to you our only daughter, Sora!"

Yamato settled the cup down on the table and looked up at the stairs. His breath was caught upon seeing his lady on top of the stairs. His eyes lingered on her beauty as she went down the stairs.

The guests, especially the men, were open-mouthed and amazed at the beauty they are seeing. Her dress swayed with her every movement. Her red hair perfectly placed in a bun and her diamond earrings adorned her heart-shaped face, yet somehow, Yamato noticed the sadness in the princess' eyes.

Sora sat down beside her mother and the music started. Couples soon danced in the center. Many gentlemen went to Sora to offer a dance, but Sora replied gently and sweetly as possible.

"I'm sorry for I'm not in the mood for dancing."

The men went away sulking and tried to find some women who'll dance with them. Muriko sighed.

"Sora, why don't you dance with them?"

"Maybe later, mother" Sora replied. The truth is, she plans of staying on her chair until the end of the ball.

Yamato gathered up his courage and made his way towards her, ignoring the offers of ladies that wants to have a dance with him.

He stood up straight and walked towards the princess, who seems to not notice him. He bowed down in front of the king and queen and looked at Sora.

Sora turned her head to the young man who bows down at her. He held out his hand, signaling her if she could dance with him. Intrigued by the man's mysteriousness, she gave her hand to him and he led her to the center of the dance floor.

They stood there for a moment until Sora placed her left hand on his shoulder and reached her right hand to hold the man's right hand.

Yamato smiled and rested his left hand on her waist and, together, they danced. Sora continued to stare at the man with fascination.

"Not to be rude, Sirbut do you speak?"

The man smiled and just nodded his head.

"Then, may I ask your name?"

The man shook his head and they waltz together, oblivious to the jealous glares of the other young men.


Muriko poked her husband. "Leonard, look at our daughter" Leonard indeed looked and smiled. "What do you think about them, Muriko?"

"I think they fit each other!"


Yamato stared at Sora's curios face. He smiled even wider when she asked again.

"If you would be so kind as to please say your name?" Sora asked for the third time. Yamato laughed a little.

"Do you not recognize me, princess?" he whispered.

Yamato? Sora thought. Nowhy would he want to see me "Are you - "

Yamato smiled and continued their waltz. He tightened his hold of Sora. "I'm Yamato, your highness."

Sora's eyes widened and she was about to walk out on him but he held a firm grip on her. "Please listen to me first, then I'll let you go"

Sora glared at Yamato, who was already untying the mask. She flushed. He was gorgeous that night. His eyes seemed to dazzle under the lights and he was indeed handsome.

"Well?" Sora asked.

Yamato led her out of the dance and went away from the nosy people. He motioned Sora to step outside to a veranda.

Sora inhaled the fresh night air and stared at the dark velvet sky.

"Sora"

She turned around, surprised with Yamato's whisper. He was behind her and his arms that rested on the ledge locked her. She gulped, hoping that Yamato is not seeing her blushing.

"Yes Sir Yamato?" she tried to say calmly.

He didn't say anything for a while. When Sora turned her head to him, she gasped and saw tears on Yamato's face.

"Yamato" she whispered

"Pardon me princess, if I'm crying but I can't help it. Please forgive me if I said the things that have hurt you."

Yamato pulled away from Sora and smiled at her sadly. "Believe me when I say I'm sorry. It hurts me more to see you sad."

Sora stepped closer to him and, out of nowhere, tears escaped from her eyes. She reached out her hand and cupped his cheek, wiping the bead of tears with her thumb.

"Yamatoonly now have I realized that I truly love you" she whispered. Yamato smiled and hugged her tight, crying loudly.

"Yamato, why are you crying?" Sora asked, running her hand through his hair.

"I'm just happy to have you back again" he whispered. They both stared at each other for a while and their lips came together.

The feeling was heaven. He kissed her passionately, savoring the moment. "Tell me you missed this" Yamato whispered, continuing to kiss her.

"You know I have" Sora replied. Her tongue came in and tasted the roof of his mouth, licked his soft lips that she had missed so much.

His hands went all over her back, trying to pull her close. Sora moaned out his name and went on with their kiss.

Finally, they both parted, each grasping for breath.

"I have something to give you." Yamato finally said, fishing something out of his pocket. Sora's eyes widened as Yamato turned her around and placed the necklace on her neck.

She faced him again, smiling. "You kept this all along?!"

"Of course. That's a treasure. And I'm returning it back to you."

Sora hugged Yamato by the neck and kissed him on his cheek.

"You're great in dancing..." she said, making Yamato blush. He meekly shook his head and stared at the sky.

"Mannen taught me how to dance without making the others laugh..." he said, recalling their little tutorial

"Yamato!! You don't step on your partners feet!!!"

He chuckled a bit and draped his arm over her shoulders.

Sora circled Yamato's waist with her arms and sighed. "I don't want you to ever leave me again" she said.

Yamato smiled and kissed her head. "I feel the same" he whispered.

Sora stayed in that position for a while, not letting go of Yamato. "Yamato, will you stay with me tonight?" Sora whispered.

Yamato looked down on his princess. He held her chin and tipped it so that they're looking at each other. His eyes twinkled and desire filled him. "I have not much of self-control. If I stay with you, it's not just kissing that will happen." Yamato answered, warning her.

Sora sighed and rested her head on Yamato's chest. "I don't care what will happen as long as I'm with you"

Yamato hugged her again and closed his eyes, and opening them again hoping that the night was not a dream at all.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes"


Once the room was locked, Yamato didn't wait any further. He kissed her lips again fully, making her moan.

"Yamato"

"I told you I haven't got much of self-control" he whispered huskily, moving his kiss on her neck. He ran his hand on her hair and tugged her hair gently. The red locks came tumbling down on her shoulders, a part of which fell seductively over one eye.

"You're beautiful" he breathed out, kissing her forehead, then down to her nose. Finally, he returned his attention to her luscious lips.

She closed her eyes and felt his hand traveled down on her arm. He stopped his kiss and looked at her arm.

"What are these for?" he asked touching the silk fabric glove.

Sora let out a small laugh. "They say they go with the dress"

"Well" Yamato touched the glove and started pulling it down slowly. "I don't like it. Mainly because it covers much of your soft skin"

Sora giggled as Yamato remove the other glove. "Really?"

Yamato smiled. "Yes"

Sora couldn't wait any longer. She kissed him on the lips, in which Yamato gladly welcome. It was the kiss of reunited lovers

"Yamato" she whispered.

The night continued on as stars continued to multiply in the sky. It sparkled with great joy as the stars and the moon bear witnessed to the two lovers.

too much heat is in this chapter!! I might change the rating to R coz this wouldn't be the only part with "hot" scenes. And there's killing also. Anyway, hope you like this chapter. Please review!!