A/N: Konbawa minasan! ^^ How are you guys doing today? First of all, I am extremely sorry for being away for so long, just had exams going on and SAT prep. That ate up all of my time, and brains T.T. Now that I am done with that shizz, I'll have more time to update here. Please do review, it gives me the encouragement I need. =)

A big big big big big big biggggg thank you to everybody who reviewed the last chapter! Nightshroud, BloodySparrow, Madeline, TESKATLIPOKA, LouiseRisa, Inufan155687, Crimson-Midnight-Moon and Mangaxanime. You guys are like, the best ^^

DISCLAIMER: Look. I didn't own anything in this story, except my Oc characters. Now shoo. *sticks out tongue*

9th Night: The Masquerade Dream

Yuki fingers curved on Takuma's arm, and she moved closer. He smiled and escorted her inside. The silver disco ball, the dim lights, the lush bar, all created a very modern, American feel. The lot was used to this by now, so they weren't surprised, but the décor and arrangement was still praiseworthy. "Everyone," Takuma said to the others in a low voice, "Stay close, mmkay? Don't get carried away" Everyone nodded.

2 hours later

"Shots! Shots! Shots!" Yuki's loud laughter was echoing in the distance. Rima and Shiki were downing tequila shots one by one, both having amazing liquor-handling skills. Aidou was surrounded by girls, dancing with one after the other. On one side, the Russian nobles Anastasya and Vera grinded with him and stayed sticking close to him, on the other the French ones, Louise and Madeline clung onto his other arm and danced closely.

Kain danced with the Pureblood Juliette. She twirled and spun, as he took her hand and spun her several times, her long blonde hair swaying with each spin. Takuma stayed at the bar with Rima, when Shiki was dragged away by Abigail, the American Pureblood and asked to dance. Yuki accompanied them at the bar, until a waitress in black and white started distributing masks.

"The next dance," Joshua called out, "is the men's choice, so brace yourself for some dancing ladies," he called out before he changed to the next song, "also, rely on intuition because everyone's masked now!" he called out louder and turned the music really loud. Rima was asked to dance by a masked stranger. By the time Takuma came back to the bar, Yuki was already pulled on to the dance floor by her masked mystery man.

The electro-house beat, accompanied by everyone's cheers was deafening to the outsider. Yuki was too bewildered to first take notice of the audacious stranger who had just held onto her tiny hand and brought her to the dance floor, without so much so as even introducing his name. His hands were familiar, his scent was familiar. Behind the huge, feathery mask that covered his eyes, she could see a familiar pair of amethyst eyes that watched her, intrigued.

Silver hair, broad shoulders, masculine jaw.
She didn't need an introduction.

Pressing her cheek close to his chest, she let her arms snake their way up to his neck and wrapped them there, his lips touched her head, as he cradled her little frame, his arms wrapped protectively around her waist.

When you fall in love
Do it with the better
And I feel good baby
Cause you're by my side

He put one hand on her waist and with the other, expertly spun her round. She spun several times before she put her hand on his cheek, caressing it with her fingers, the other on his shoulder, her hips moving to the beat.

Tonight
Gonna show ya
The way it should be
Your body next to mine

He moved closer, still dancing, but she backed a bit, calling him onto her as she smiled. He saw that, even in the darkness on the dance floor.

I think I love you baby
I think I love you baby

His hand slid on to her back, caressing her spine with one and with the other held her head firmly and buried his face inside her neck, nuzzling.

When you're in love
It feels so right
It feels so good
That you can leave the world behind

He rested his head against hers, their noses touching, smiles on their faces, holding hands.

Leave the world behind
Leave the world behind

They closed their eyes. The beat started gaining momentum, so did their movements.

When you fall in love
Come closer
Don't be shy
I need you in my life

He pulled her onto him, inhaling the scent emanating from her beautiful, long, silken hair. Cupping her face with one of his hands, and using the other to push her hair away from her face, he passionately crashed his lips against hers.

Right now
I am gonna show ya
How it could be
When we leave the world behind

She grabbed his shoulder with one hand, and his hair with the other, pushing back into the kiss. He smirked as he kissed her enthusiastically, passion burning through.

When you're in love
When you're in love
Nothing else matters
You can leave the world behind

He kissed her deeply, savoring the taste of her mouth. He knew he shouldn't, but he had to. He needed her, the way she needed him. This bond, they couldn't break it. No matter how much time passed, it would always be like this. Zero and Yuki would always be Zero and Yuki.

When the song ended, another played in its place. People jumped up and down, their hands in the air, around them. But they didn't care. They just stood still as ice on the dance floor, hugging each other tightly.

"Problem," Rima abbreviated to the point. Shiki and Takuma finally spotted the two hugging. Kain joined them, "Did you guys just— see" he began but was interrupted by a sour-faced Aidou who crossed his arms and joined them. "This isn't good," he said, as the corners of his mouth turned into a frown.

Swiftly kissing her head, Zero Kiryu disappeared in the crowd, leaving Yuki standing alone, until she was asked to dance by the German Pureblood Borsilov. Finally exhausted from all the dancing, Yuki made her way to the bar and leaned on Shiki's shoulder. He patted her head. "That was a whole lot of dancing, Yuki-sama," he said in a monotone. She smirked. "You weren't bad either."

"I'll be right back," Yuki said, and grabbing Rima's hand, hurried on to the isolated second floor of the multi-storied house. "Yuki-samaa.." said Rima said exasperatedly. "Just a minute, bathroom," she smiled apologetically at Rima. While Yuki went inside, Rima waited on the couch outside.

A scent filled the room outside, and Rima fell into a sleep-like trance. Abigail smiled and opened the door of the ladies' room. Yuki was now out, fixing her long brown hair in the mirror. Abigail moved behind her in a movement as fast as lightning, and dug a dagger in to the skin of her chest, barely missing her heart by inches.

Yuki gasped in pain. Shiki, who had followed Rima upstairs, saw her sleeping on the couch, and slapped her lightly several times to wake her up. "Rima, Rima!" he called out in a voice louder than his usual stoic tone, worry apparent in the laid-back music of his voice. She opened her eyes slowly. "I…slept. Yuki-sama!" She called out and ran towards the bathroom, where she saw a wounded Yuki laying on the dance floor, still as ice.

"Shiki!" she called out, the latter, rushed into the ladies' room and picked Yuki up in his arms. He darted for the ground floor, Rima following closely behind. "Akatsuki, Hanabusa, Ichijou, everyone, OUT," he shouted. A silver haired vampire snapped his neck in their direction, recognizing the scent of Yuki's blood, and jolted out of the door. The foreign Purebloods ran outside too, terrorized how such a crime could be committed inside a party hosted by Purebloods.

Abigail faked horror and shock on her face. "What happened to Yuki?" she screamed and put her hands over her mouth. "Yuki-sama, Yuki-sama," Aidou shook her. The dagger was stuck inside her chest, her face was frozen, eyes widened, lips apart. "Takuma, should I pull it out?" He asked, having never seen the unfamiliar weapon before, worried, alarmed, helpless. "Let's try doing that," Takuma said slowly as Shiki and Takuma held down Yuki's shoulders, Rima and Kain held her legs.

Yes, pull that dagger out of her, kill her instantly, let the poison spread, Abigail thought to herself. What will you do now, Kaname Kuran? She thought to herself, smiling.

"Don't pull that dagger!" Zero shouted as he ran towards them, tears swelling up in his eyes.

-I'll also show you a sweet dream, next night-

A/N: Phew, that was a short chapter I guess? Sorry guys, I updated after so long, plus I was having a writer's block for this one so gomen, I'll try to write better, sorry for the lousy chapter T_T. Will Zero be able to reach Yuki in time? How will Abigail's true nature be exposed? Find out in the next chapter. :D

The song I used in this chapter was When I Fall in Love (Original Mix) by Mastiksoul & Dada ft. Angelico Vierira.
Comments, suggestions, tips, reviews welcome! ^^

XrossYuuki.