Hitomi: Thank you again for the reviews, favorites, and/or alerts! But, I would appreciate it more if you guys review often because I want to hear what people think of this story. I just want to know what everyone thinks since… o_o Well, you guys have been putting my story on favorites and/or lately, so I want to know why you like this story so much. Seriously, though, thank you all for thinking my writing is good and I would love to hear feedback from you.

Hmmm, I'm still trying to figure out stuff here when it comes to the mission… That includes the possible Innocence that resides in the masquerade. But, let's see what's going to happen. But, I already told you the power, so… You'll see—or you probably already know—where I'm going with this.

Disclaimer: I do not own D . Gray-Man, Hoshinou Katsura-sensei does. The only thing(s) I do own in here would be my OC(s).

Unravel

XI

Snow Waltz

[Everything's cold that it burns.

While it's supposed to be warm inside,

The memories we refuse to remember makes us feel colder.

Everybody, dance like it's the last day we will ever dance.

Remember to move forward in our lives with no regrets,

Even if the past and our doubts continue to haunt us.]

Everything in the castle was luxurious as the four made their way inside. In the wide hallways, the walls were decorated with exquisite paintings and intricate design. There were important possessions lying around such as ancient artifacts or rare antiques. The floors were marble and had red carpeting.

The ballroom was very spacious with lots of décor with a platform in the center. The room was brightly lit by a giant chandelier in the ceiling while a big fireplace served its purpose of warming the room up from outside's chill. There were a lot of guests for the masquerade doing a lot of things such as eating, dancing or just talking and the room was abuzz with chatter.

It didn't take long for a certain redhead to go off into that mode of his…

"STRIIIIIKE!!!" Lavi cried out in utter bliss, his one green eye looking like it was filled with hearts as he whizzed over to numerous ladies in the room, ready to sweet talk them.

"Too late…" Lenalee sighed lightly, shaking her head in exasperation. Kanda only scoffed, annoyed that his companion finally went into his flirtatious side, though it really couldn't be helped as he was always like that. As for Rue, she only merely raised an eyebrow at this, only confusion settled within her. Oddly enough, she was still wearing Lavi's whole orange scarf around her neck, which made the bright color stand out in contrast of her black and white attire.

"He's like that when there are pretty women around," the Chinese girl explained to the befuddled female, shaking her head again. "You'll get used to it."

"Well, it's the first time the shorty has seen the stupid rabbit like this, so it's no wonder she reacted like that." The grumpy male shook his head too, as if agreeing on having the same opinion, as he was clearly embarrassed on how he had to put up with such an idiot like Lavi.

"I see…" Those were the only words that came out from her mouth as she watched the older teen flirt with one attractive woman to the next. "So, Lavi is like this when beautiful females are around…" Though, still puzzled, her expression furrowed into such a serious scowl.

"Rue?" Lenalee's voice sounded a little concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, don't worry about it. It's just as Kanda said, I've never seen him like that before, so I've to learn to get used to it. This…" The question she asked came out to be puzzled and awkward, the girl's expression one of unease. "Happens on every mission, doesn't it?"

The other female could only laugh at what she said, grinning widely as she replied, "Well, this is if he spots girls on missions. It depends, really."

"Would you mind having a dance with me, miss?" A voice interrupted the conversation. The three turned around to find a handsome young man with a mask on asking. He was not facing Lenalee; instead, he was looking at Kanda.

"Urgh…" The male samurai looked irked at such a request, ready to bolt out of the room. Nonetheless, he answered with a high voice as if making the effort to sound more feminine. "No thanks, I'd rather stay out of this. Hate to break it to you, but I'm not all that good in ballroom dancing. Besides, it's not my thing to do."

"Oh, come on, Yuuri!" The dark teal haired female Exorcist urged her comrade, which made him shoot a dark glare at her for calling him that while the boyish-looking girl was feeling the faint glee on the fact her rival was being looked at as a total female. "You know you want to. Besides, masquerades are supposed to be fun and you need to have fun. Really, you're very grumpy for a female."

"But, Lenalee—"

"Go! We didn't come here all the way from England for nothing. And besides, we have Lavi and 'Rafale' (Rue decided to let them use her assassin name as her alias for the mission) watching over us, so we have nothing to worry about." She shoved "Yuuri" to the young man, who took "her" gloved hand and lead "her" to the ballroom floor. Kanda—Yuuri—shot Lenalee another glower before stalking off there. "Have fun!"

"How long do you think he's going to last?" Rue asked curiously, though she was still amused. "Really, I've a feeling he won't last for long because of the high heels."

"That or let's hope the poor guy doesn't meet Mugen if he dares to provoke 'Yuuri.'" The other female agreed with another laugh.

Another young man came up to ask Lenalee this time to dance, which she accepted. Before she went off to the dance floor, she whispered to Rue urgently, "I think this'll be a good time for you to look for the Innocence now. But, make sure you come back here, so there'll be no suspicion. Besides, you and Kanda still have to participate in the crossdressing guessing contest, so make sure to come back before it starts."

"Noted," she nodded curtly. "Be careful, though."

"The same to you, Rafale." With that, she left the strawberry blonde girl alone to waltz.

As "Rafale" made her way to the buffet table to eat, she spotted the Bookman apprentice with a gorgeous brunette who was a bit older than him. She was shamelessly flirting with him while he grinned in return and they were located in a somewhat secluded section of the ballroom. Though a little unsettled, the young assassin felt quite incensed for some odd reason when seeing the girl trying to seduce her comrade.

Perhaps, this was because that she was barely present with females when being in the Underground Society. Of course she did interact with them, but she never thought women could be like the brunette in front of her. Even though she had not much of an interest on interacting in female affairs; she still felt that they had class and decency, at least.

Perhaps, it was because of her tomboyish personality. Because of not being around females so much when fulfilling assassin obligations, adding in the fact that the majority of the Underground Society are male, she wasn't taught how to be a proper lady. But Riley sensed—and even told her a few times—that even if she were to live normally and not go to extremes, he just couldn't see her being so feminine. To Rue, that comment had always been taken into consideration as a compliment of sorts.

Or perhaps, it could also be because she just doesn't like flirty women or men (Lavi and, respectively, Riley being the only exceptions), period. She didn't mind people flirting at all in actuality, and it's not like she understood the concept of it in the first place, but if the female—or male—in question was trying so hard to win the boy's—or girl's—affections to the point it could be put off as aggressive, desperate, and/or just flat out bothersome…

That was another story altogether.

Already eating away at her food, Rue went up to the pair. Shooting the brown-haired female a serious look as if telling her to go away, said-female walked away with an angry huff and a glare to the boyish-looking girl—though this stranger was unaware that Rue was female, anyway—while winking at the redhead over her shoulder.

"Women…" The thirteen-year-old growled sourly when the older female was out of audible range, shaking her head as she was helping herself to her meal.

While laughing at her remark, Lavi pouted playfully as he whined, "Awww, Rue! Why'd you have to go scare her off like that?! Seriously, I was just about to claim her as my lover too!"

"Bah. It wouldn't have worked out and you know it as well as I do, Lavi. You're an Exorcist, and if you would've called that a potential… Hm… What's the word…?"

"Relationship? Is that the word you were looking for?"

"Well… I guess." She scratched the back of her neck uncomfortably, not really knowing where he was getting at for she had never experienced such a thing, just only observed it. Of course, just analyzing it didn't help matters either since she truly doesn't understand it. Bearing that in mind, she continued to eat a scone. "As I was going to say, you're an Exorcist, and if that would've bloomed into a potential 'relationship' of sorts, it wouldn't have worked out, anyway."

"That's a very good point…" His face drooped sadly at the reality of her words, but he brightened up again as he stated with a grin, "Then again, I would've made it last just for tonight because of the mission and all."

"Isn't that being rather… Tactless, though?" She frowned again, eating away at her slice of meat pie. "Not to be a guilt tripper, of course, but…"

"Oh, come on! When you put it like that, it's like I lose either way!"

"That's because you will, given the fact it's a lose-lose situation, and that's what makes it inevitable with whatever choice you make."

"Smartass…" He growled playfully as he messed up her hair, to which she made a face in return that almost looked like a pout. Almost.

"I'm just saying the truth."

"Yeah, I know. Oh yeah…" The Bookman trainee was smirking now as he took a sip of champagne. "I know that Lenalee's all good with this, but as for 'Yuuri…' How's 'she' holding up?"

"Well, as far I know, 'Yuuri' is on the dance floor right now." There was that expression again, one would swear on it that Rue was smirking because her rival was being tortured in the worst way possible. "Why do you ask?"

"I just want to know how 'she's' doing with all of this."

"Well, I already told Lenalee I bet 'she' wouldn't last long because of the high heels. 'She' was complaining about them earlier on the train ride heading here as you recall."

"Ah, I see, and that's true. Well, at any rate, at least I got blackmail on him. He already knows I won't let this go for a long time."

Nodding in agreement, the two companions were in silence, watching their surroundings. Occasionally, they looked over to check on Lenalee and Kanda and they, too, were doing okay. After a while, finishing her dinner, Rue broke the silence.

"Lavi."

"Hm? What is it, Rue?"

"I'm already done eating and Lenalee told me that, since the contest isn't commencing just yet, this is a good time to check on the Innocence. That is, if we can find it."

"That is, if the Innocence exists in the first place." Getting himself off the wall he was leaning on, Lavi removed his currently small hammer from his pocket and held it cautiously in his hand. While Rue didn't activate Deathtrap and Lifeline, one hand rested on a sheathed dagger securely.

Together, the two left as discreetly as possible, making sure they had disappeared without a trace less people were to suspect.

* * *

"I think it may be up here." Rue concluded while the duo climbed up the stairs of the highest tower.

"Given that we've been going around this gigantic place, this is the only area we haven't checked yet." Lavi commented with a weak laugh, his exhalation short, since he was a bit fatigued from searching around the palace.

Looking back as she was ahead of him, the girl went back down the staircase with a serious face, peering up at him because of consideration of their height difference.

"Lavi, you look tired…"

"Eh?" Seeing her frown, the Bookman apprentice smiled, shaking his head as if telling her not to worry. "Don't look so grim about it! It's not like I'm going to die or anything, so don't make such a face as if I'm about to. This is nothing, really!"

"But, we haven't had any stops to rest a bit since time is rather crucial. We're on a mission, after all. Still, it wouldn't hurt if we had a small break to catch our breath."

"You're right about that, but don't act like I've gotten severely injured or something. I'm fine, okay? So… Don't fuss so much. I don't want you to get stressed out over something small." He brushed past her, indicating this was the end of the conversation, continuing on walking up the spiral stairwell. He didn't seem to say it in a cold way or tried not to make it that way, he was just saying it to reassure her; but, there was a sense that his "Deak" persona was still present all around him even now.

A small sigh escaped from her lips, still serious blue-gray averting their gaze to the ground as she trailed behind the older boy quietly. Once more, there were traces of emotions she didn't understand about at all and she couldn't help but feel them because of her companion. In thought, she was trying to realize what feelings were stirring up inside her by recalling the lessons of sentiments from General Tiedoll, which she still had been under session of.

This feeling… It comes up when a person would see another person acting differently from their normal selves. By differently, it would probably be neutral or bad. Rue reflected, remembering the sessions she's had so far with the General. Like those times when Komui would have this look on his face when he's overloaded with paperwork or when Lenalee would be the opposite of her usual self. Kanda, he's always been in a bad mood or maybe that's just the way he is, but something tells me he wasn't always like that…

Lavi… I've seen two sides, your good and "bad" sides… Which one are you using right now? Just a moment ago… It was bad, right? Or were you trying to be indifferent? Or… Was it because you feel you should toughen it out?

Catching up to him, Rue grabbed Lavi's arm, which made the redhead's body jerk in surprise. He looked like he was about to say something when he looked back at her, but he was speechless when he saw the smaller girl draping said-arm around her shoulders. It took him a while to even say anything.

"What…?"

Without looking at him, just looking straight ahead, the girl only replied softly, "…Even if this isn't enough to kill you, you shouldn't push yourself too much. It's not wrong to take a rest for just only a few moments."

He couldn't say anything to that, still off-guard, feeling her small hand clasping softly on his wrist.

"I'm not… Letting you overexert yourself. This may not be the outcome of your death, dying of exhaustion and all, but I refuse to let you get tired. What if Akuma were going to attack us right now? You wouldn't even have the strength to fight with your Innocence and what then?" Her eyes flickered to darkness, as if remembering a bad memory, but they had lightened again with an unknown emotion. "If you're not ready for battle when you need to be at full power; then, you would be dead ten times over in the fray. Being unable to prepare yourself is bad; but, getting ready when you've not even well rested to your full potential is worse."

"Rue…" Still, he couldn't say anything. Though confused and still astonished, he looked to be rather touched. "Are you… Really worried about me? Why?"

So, that's it. She finally realized, knowing what the feeling finally was. General Tiedoll would tell me about the definition of worry or, to make another synonym, concern. I've felt it a few times when seeing others being in less than high spirits… Even around Riley back in the old days, but I've never understood emotions that time.

"…Yes." She stated bluntly, supporting the boy's weight as she still kept her eyes forward, matching their steps together as they resumed moving up. "And that's because… You're important to me. Now, lean on me and continue on like this. I know we have to get moving fast, but I don't want you to waste all of your energy. Let's get up there slowly…"

He blinked, unsure if he heard right. But as he did as he was told, using the girl as his support, her face looked serious with sincerity while bearing with his weight on her much smaller torso.

"You're important to me." Her words echoed into his mind, replaying over and over as he looked at her with a kind expression. That's the first time I've ever heard her say something like that to anyone. I think she's trying to say that… It's because I'm her friend and that's why she's helping me like this.

Even though you seem intimidating or unapproachable to strangers, even though you're always serious and straightforward, and even though you can't express yourself well because of the environment you grew up in… You really are a good person, Rue, no matter how much you don't express it.

"Lavi?" Her voice snapped him out of his thoughts, seeing puzzlement forming in her stormy eyes.

"…Thank you." He replied back quietly, a small smile on his face.

Without thinking of anything to say, she only nodded briefly in return, still intending to reach their goal. It took them a little while longer to get to the end, but they finally did.

What they didn't expect was what had happened as they neared the door. As they were approaching closer to their objective, about to see if the Innocence was there, Rue loosened her grip from her comrade's wrist and released it, her body falling on the floor as both hands immediately clutched at her light colored hair.

"Rue?!" Lavi yelled in panic when he saw this, letting himself hit the ground as he knelt by her side. "Are you all right?!"

"Shit…" The alarmed male heard her hiss out a curse, her already tight fists clenching into a strong grip. "Damn it, I don't want to remember any of that… I don't want to remember anything…!"

"I don't need a weak assassin like you if you're going to keep making mistakes!"

"If you mess up again, just be prepared to get punished for it. You know how I can't stand those who are weak. They're better off being dead."

"I don't care if you're hungry or tired right now, even if you're not voicing it out. If you don't complete your usual training, you're forbidden from eating later."

"Remember your duties on the day you've been brought here, Rue. Your purpose in this life is to kill and only kill. Throw away all emotions because they will only be a distraction and a nuisance to you. With such trivial things, they will become your downfall in the line of obligation. Now, be a good girl and kill those who go against us."

The days before I entered the Underground Society… I don't want to think…

The memories may be blurred in her mind, but the dialogue was still there. Rue was breathing sharply, hissing and cursing quietly as she did so. She was shaking violently all over, suppressing the urge to vomit from the power her recollections were holding over her.

As Lavi was about to reach out to her, certain reminiscences also unlocked from deep inside him as well, the presence of Deak now overwhelming him with the constant reminder of his obligations. He felt sick when hearing the voice of the Bookman elder in his head while his 48th persona was at the sidelines, rubbing in the cold facts.

"As a Bookman, there is no necessity for a feeling called heart."

"The moment you've decided to become my apprentice when you've thrown away your real name… Just know that the only condition I have is to not get attached to people."

"So, I see you're slowly being pulled away from your objective… You know how it is with us when it comes down to have even a little sliver of attachment for someone. Come now, we're leaving this place first thing in the morning and going elsewhere. I ordered you over and over again to not interact with others so intimately, so do as you're told."

"People are just droplets of ink on paper, caught up and written in an endless book that we call life. When it comes to the Bookman clan, we only need history in our lives. We eat, sleep, breathe, live, and sometimes, even die for history and nothing else. Always bear that in mind since you're under my command now. Remember not to get too involved with the war or with others, we're only there to record what shapes the world."

Damn it, this again… For as long as I can remember, I've been following Gramps to the ends of the earth, jotting down centuries' worth of history. All the while, I've done as he's told, not to get attached to people. It's painful to even recall now.

Every day, it's been getting difficult to stay neutral…

The historian-in-training was feeling a headache throbbing strongly, the voice of Deak constantly mocking him in the dark recesses of his mind. His right eye—covered by the black eye patch—was beginning to sting now, which caused him to even mutter his own swear or two under his breath.

"I… We…" He heard the female besides him struggling to speak. He looked over to her and saw her vacant face; however, her eyes were dark now, holding a trace of something he couldn't decipher. Slowly, the hands fisting her hair uncurled themselves while her arms fell loosely to her sides. "We can't go any further to what lies beyond the door. If we do, I'm sure we'll… We'll…" Right now, she was trying not to let her blank expression break, no matter what.

"Rue…"

"If we do…" Her eyes grew even darker if ever possible, her mouth forming a hint of a grimace. "The mystical force here will unlock our pasts even further. We can't enter here alone, not without Kanda and Lenalee because they have to know too. It's too powerful for the both of us to face…"

Slowly getting up, though he could feel that his legs were still weak, Lavi kept himself standing without making a reply to what his companion just said. Giving Rue a look of concern, he held out his hand to her. Confused, seeing his outstretched hand, the girl realized she was still on the floor and brought out her own hand to reach his. As she reached closer, her fingers hovering over his own, she intended on letting him take it except her fingers twitched a bit and withdrew involuntarily, a sure sign of her hesitation.

"You don't have to hold back," she heard him chuckle, a gentle smile on his face. "It's not like I'm going to bite, you know."

"I… I know that already, Lavi. You don't need to tell me that." She suddenly blurted out sternly, shaking her head furiously. After stalling for a few more moments, she finally took her hand into his, helping him hoist herself up.

"Come on, we have no time to lose now." Without even waiting for her to say something, the older boy tugged her by the arm and the two of them went downstairs. "We have to report to Kanda and Lenalee what we just experienced."

"L-Lavi!" She stuttered, surprised by the sudden commotion, as she was trying to keep up with his strides. He took no notice of her fussing, unaware that she reacted like this due to the fact that their hands were still linked together as he led her down.

His hand is bigger than mine. Rue wanted to smack herself for thinking such a thought. Well, of course it is! Lavi is male, after all…

But… I feel odd. I guess it's because it's the first time holding hands with another male other than Riley. Though, it doesn't change the fact that, while it feels strange, it's…

It's warm. Lavi's hand is warm…

* * *

"About time both of you came back, you idiots!" Kanda shouted angrily the moment the two reappeared in the ballroom. "If you guys hadn't arrived sooner, I would've hunted you down and make sure you paid for testing my patience!"

"Why so violent now, Yuuri? As a lady, you should have more fortitude as well as courtesy." Lavi cracked a grin as he saw the female "swordswoman" ready to get out Mugen for such a taunt.

Lenalee exclaimed with a low voice, in between snickers, "While you guys were investigating on the Innocence's whereabouts, Kanda here kept getting dragged to the dance floor by so many males. Well, I told him to go with it to make the time pass by quickly. But, as you've obviously noticed, he's not too happy now, especially because of him being in high heels."

"Was that why?" Rue shook her head, feeling rather self-righteous towards her "older brother" figure for once. "So, the girly looking boy couldn't handle the pain, after all…"

"Do you want to die right now, you boyish looking girl?" The samurai gave her a threatening glare. "I can just gut you with Mugen right here and now."

"Not my fault you have to disguise as a girl, so I'm not taking that threat seriously."

"I didn't volunteer for it, you know!"

"Again, not my fault. You have to stay like that for the rest of the night, Yuuri, and you've no way out of it unless we're done with this mission."

The Bookman apprentice just grinned widely at this exchange between the two, bickering rivals while the Chinese female just shook her head amusedly.

"So," Lenalee began again with a serious tone this time, casting a look to the two "bodyguards" she had given the task to. "Did you two find any abnormality within this place?"

The redhead began to explain what had happened when they were at the staircase earlier, the much younger girl just giving one word replies of agreement. At this, the dark green-haired Exorcist frowned a little at the report, making note of it.

"From what you two have told me; then, chances are that that would be the Innocence's power. If you guys were able to recall your pasts when you were approaching that unclosed door, but you weren't able to retrieve it right away because of recalling…"

"We better get it quickly." Kanda noted with a serious face. "If we don't get it soon, the Akuma will. Somehow, we have to find a way to get the Innocence without anyone trying to poke their noses into our business. Though, I honestly don't know how the stupid rabbit and shorty didn't get interrogated once they exited their way out from here."

"That's true. However, the real problem is how we are going to get through that door without getting c—"

"Ladies and gentlemen, the crossdressing guessing contest will start in a few moments! Would the contestants please gather at the back of the stage? Thank you!"

The four companions looked at each other when this was announced, each exchanging the others glances.

Lavi was grinning widely now at Kanda as he laughed quietly, "Well, well, Yuuri, it looks like you have to go up there and let people speculate on what gender you are. Let's see how many people vote you for female more than your original gender."

"Why, you conniving, little—! Damn bastard, when we're done with this mission, I'll definitely kick your ass out of the highest floor of the Order and make sure you're dead!"

"Kanda, don't say that!" Lenalee scolded him, purple eyes giving him a stern look. "If big brother Komui, General Tiedoll, and Bookman were to hear that, oh dear… They're not going to approve."

"Che! Like I care what the old geezers have to say to it, I'm still going to do it!" As the normally pigtailed female was going to shoot back a retort on how Komui wasn't old, the sullen Exorcist stalked off to the platform, his high heels clicking madly with each step.

"And there he goes, being his usual, short-tempered self…" Rue sighed noisily, facepalming as that same hand slid down her face. "I just hope he won't kill anyone in the process."

"He was about to beat the males to a bloody pulp, though." Lenalee clarified with a short laugh at her breath. "It was because he was requested to dance with them countless times that he grew irritated quickly. Since he was also dragged there almost the whole time we've been here, he's also complaining about how painful his feet are as they've been in high heels for so long."

"Ah, well. What can I say? Yuu does look good as a girl. It's not like I've taken his threat seriously, anyway." Lavi stated with the wide grin still there. "Because I already know that's the way he is. Besides, it's fun teasing him a lot this way!"

"One day, Lavi, you're going to pay for it." The serious girl gave him a calm look. "If you keep doing this, I won't be surprised if he does go out of his way to kill you one of these days."

"I don't know how he even escapes it… Really, it's like he's one inch away from Death's door every time he provokes Kanda and escapes unscathed."

"Girls, don't talk as if I'm about to die any time soon because I'm too young for that! Not only do I have to accomplish my goal on becoming the old man's successor, but I want to woo as many beautiful females as possible!"

Lenalee giggled at Lavi's outburst, knowing that he had a point. However, she stopped as she noticed something peculiar.

"Lavi?"

"Eh? What's wrong, Lenalee?"

She pointed boldly, confusion and surprise etched on her face. Not knowing what she was referring to at first, he only raised an eyebrow at her behavior. However, it had finally hit him as he looked to the direction where she was pointing. When he saw, he was starting to go red because he had forgotten he was still holding Rue's hand from the time they came back into the ballroom when looking for any signs of the Innocence.

"S-Sorry…" He mumbled bashfully, causing Rue's head to perk up to look at him. She, too, had been unaware of it when she realized Lavi was intending to go back (though, as you remember, she protested on it before) and was about to ask why he was apologizing until she saw their hands still clasping together.

"Y-Yeah, don't worry about it." She nodded, her expression impartial but her eyes averting to the floor as she let go of his hand.

"Well…" The other girl was trying to break the awkward atmosphere that was building up. "Good luck in the contest, Rafale. Let's see if you or Kanda will win this. Who knows, maybe both of you may be tied the winners since you're going to confuse people so much." She was grinning amusedly, feeling hopeful for both of her teammates.

"I know… Thanks." Ending it at that, the tomboy walked past the two, heading to the platform.

"Lavi." The redhead turned towards his female companion, his face still red with a bright blush. "Did something happen between you and Rue?"

"No, Lenalee. Nothing happened." He answered a little quickly, not looking at her straight in the eye, but still going to be honest. "It's just that after I grabbed her hand and led her down here after discovering that there was Innocence. I've forgotten that I was still holding her hand until you pointed it out."

"Is that so… I see."

Though she turned away, he could still see a hint of a grin on her face.

"Lenalee… Don't tell me you—"

"Well, you did say nothing happened between you two, right?"

"It's true! You have to believe me on that!"

"I know, I know." She was still grinning widely, though. "But now, I'm just a little suspicious about it."

And the redhead only groaned in response, giving up on convincing her otherwise.

The ballroom was loud with gossiping now as the contest began to commence…

Hitomi: DONE. *dies*

Okay guys, sorry I haven't updated lately. I was busy with prelim exams all week here and stressing out on other stuff, so I apologize for the wait.

I'm not going to talk about what happened in this chapter for now since I've a party to prepare for in a few hours. That and this took so much time to write, now I'm just a bit lazy for writing out elaboration on some stuff. *SHOT*

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed reading the chapter! Please, review~ Feedback is really appreciated.

Also, look forward to next chapter… I'll be putting in action, hehe. XD And can you just imagine Kanda fighting in a dress…? *snickers*