Chapter Twenty: Twas the Night Before...

(A/N: This chapter was really hard to write and you'll see why
in a bit. I have a really big feeling that your all going to
go bonkers after reading this so...enjoy and review!)

"Itai! Itai Oka-san." A little girl pouted as her mother put a bandage on her knee.

"I know it hurts, but it'll heal soon okay Rie?"

Blue orbs stared at her mom and the little girl gave a smile. "Hai! Can you read me my story now?"

Masami gave a laugh,"Alright you, get in the covers and I'll read you a bedtime story." Rie eagerly nodded and threw her blankets over herself and looked up at her mom. Masami pulled from a brown bookshelf, a thick red book that looked near to torn. She settled in a white armchair that was propped next to the bed and flipped through the pages one by one.

"Mommy you don't have to search for one! I like Cinderella remember?" Rie chirped as she looked at her mother. Masami gave a sad smile and nodded.

"I know Rie," Masami said softly as her eyes watered,"but don't you want to hear a different story?"

"Nope, just this one because she gets to have a fairy god mother! Please mom!" Rie begged. Masami gave a laugh then nodded.

"Alright," and she began to read, "…Once upon a time, there lived near the capital city of a large kingdom a very worthy gentleman and his beautiful and amiable young wife. They loved each other tenderly, and they had not been wedded long before there was a pretty little girl baby in the nursery…."

Rie watched her mother read and gave a smile. Her father use to read with her mother, sometimes they took turns to read the characters like in a play. Now her father was no where in sight; what she missed the most about him was his hugs. Rie pulled herself into a hug as she continued to watch her mother read.

Masami tried to hold her tears in as she neared the end of the story. It was physically and mentally hard for her to be up and about but she had to be strong for Rie. She watched her daughter curl up into a ball and a tear slid down her face. The first time she had seen Rie curl up into a ball was the day after her fathers funeral.

"Honey are you sick?" Masami asked Rie as she saw her daughter drop to the ground to hug her knees to her chest.

"No...I'm doing this because I miss daddy's hugs and he isn't here anymore to give them to me." Masami ran to Rie and embraced her in a tight hug. The two cried while hugging each other in the snow that was falling slowly down from the darkening sky.

"You are my princess." The prince said. Cinderella was filled with joy. No sooner had the slipper fitted did the fairy godmother appear and changed Cinderella's ragged clothing into a fine silk dress. She was also lavished with white pearls. And of course, she was wearing her glass slippers. The Prince swept her off of her feet and carried her into the carriage. Soon afterwards they were wedded and lived…happily ever after…" Masami finished then she began to sob.

Rie stood up startled from her mothers abrupt crying. "Oka-san! What's wrong?"

Masami reached for her daughter and Rie ran to her mothers lap as they embraced each other. "I'm sorry Rie. Oka-san is so sorry she couldn't give the life you wanted. Please forgive me." Masami repeated over and over again as she cried.

Rie felt a tear fall and hugged her mother's neck. "It's okay mom, I only need you and I'll be happy." Rie said as she began to hiccup. Another tear went down her face as she suddenly heard her mother coughing.

"Rie-get Nana." Her mother let her go and began to cough up blood in her hand. Rie flew off the chair and whipped open her bedroom door.

"NANA! Hurry come quick!" Nana ran out of her room and into Rie's room. She went to the huddled mistress and gave her a clean cloth to cough the blood in. Rie inhaled and exhaled slowly as she watched Nana take Masami to her room. Before Masami went to her room she turned to Rie,"Good night honey, I wish I could heal your pain." The words sounded warped somehow and it echoed down the hall to Rie.

Rie jerked herself awake as she stared around her room, her head throbbing in pain. 'I wish I could heal your pain.' Her mothers words ran through her head and tears ran down her face. Yesterday night had been a dream. A very bad dream Rie hoped hadn't been true. She shuffled off the bed when she heard a knock on the door. Rie gave a jump and a yelp of surprise at the door.

"Sia Rie?" A low voice asked uncertain.

Rie calmed herself then walked to the door and unlatched it. "Yes?" She asked as the door opened. Rie was surprised to see Seiren standing in front of her doorway. "Can I help you?"

"Ruka-sama wants you to bring fresh clean towels to her room. She would like to take a bath." At the sound of Ruka's name Rie felt an itch of irritation pass her by.

"Tell her I'll be there." Rie said as she closed the door in Seiren's face. She exhaled a breath before walking to the bathroom and washing her face. Red swollen eyes stared back at Rie as she looked in the mirror and pressed her cold palms against them. She blinked then grabbed a brush and combed out her hair. It had become extremely long and was now shoulder blade length. Rie placed the brush on the sink and turned to go bring Ruka her towels.

It felt real, too real, as Rie walked up the stairs. She could hear Kaname and Ruka's voices yelling from her door way as she stood and a flash of them kissing. Her senses were going haywire as her dream flickered to life. Had it all been a dream or was it really reality?

'One way to find out.' Rie whispered in her mind as she knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Ruka's voice said sweetly. Rie hesitated a second at the door knob. Should she really go inside? Her fingers curled around the gold door knob and twisted it open. Like usual Lilac and white embraced her eyes and she felt a breeze as her eyes followed the stream of sunlight slipping through the opened balcony door. The silk curtains slid around in coils like snakes ready to attack. Rie found Ruka sitting on her bed side, her lilac curtains for her bed closed except for a tiny amount where she was sitting.

Her smiling eyes held triumph as she walked towards Rie slowly. Ruka was only wrapped in a silk purple blanket as she circled Rie. Rie shifted uncomfortably not liking what she was seeing. Ruka usually woke up wearing a hideous frilly white night gown and a purple robe, they were not in sight.

"I have brought the towels Ruka-Oujo."

"So you have..." Ruka said as she stopped circling Rie and stood in front of her. The air was thick with tension as if Ruka was waiting for a thunderstorm. "Rie, I know that you have tried very, very hard to keep Kaname in your hands but-" Ruka walked to the curtains shielding whatever was behind them and began to draw them open.

'Don't let her do it! Don't let her open them!' Rie's mind screamed. But it was already to late as Ruka stopped opening the curtains to revel a man sleeping in her bed. He was bare chested and had a finely chiseled body. His long black midnight hair was tousled but curved and framed his sharp jaw line and cheek bones. His lips were neither smiling or frowning but in a state of calmness and tranquil. His eyes were closed and were framed with black thick lashes. If he had been awake his eyes would have been a pool of maroon, deep and mysterious that anyone would drown in. He slept peacefully and shifted a little making the thick lilac blanket drop lower down his unclothed stomach which made no one doubt that he was not dressed downwards either.

"Oh god..." Rie whispered as she slowly placed a hand over her mouth. The flashes from yesterday night flashed again and again from the confession to the bite. Her blue orbs flashed to Ruka's neck and there on her white neck was a red blotch with a teeth mark on it. She was trying to breath evenly but her breath had left her as she stared at the two.

"Unfortunately it seems that Kaname's choice in woman would have to be the more dangerous and pleasurable ones. I'm sorry Rie but he isn't going back to you anymore." Ruka said victoriously as she bent over the bed and kissed Kaname on the lips.

"Kaname wake up the maids are here." Ruka whispered in his ears. Kaname opened his eyes and smiled at Ruka. Rie watched in horror as he pulled her to his side and kissed her tenderly.

'Kami-sama please...' Rie begged as a tear slid. They broke the kiss and Ruka shifted to revel Rie with towels at her feet forgotten. Her eyes bruised and battered with betrayal.

"Oh god Rie..." Kaname whispered as he pulled himself out of bed with a blanket wrapped around his waist. Rie wiped her tears quickly though they kept falling and gave a bow.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you two. I'll now g-go." Her voice broke as she ran out of the room slamming the door behind her.

Kaname was stunned. What was going on?

"Ruka what's going on?" Kaname asked again as he stumbled out of bed with his boxers on. "I'm going after Rie-"

"No you don't Kaname," Ruka's voice wavered with authority, "She's none of your concern!"

Kaname quickly began to dress and opened Ruka's door. "I'm not sure what happened yesterday night Ruka, we will discuss this when I get back," with that he left a wide eyed Ruka.

Rie ran outside her heart thumping like mad in her chest. "It was real...everything was real." Kaname had confessed his love to Ruka and he had slept with her. She ran to the orchids and stopped as she gasped for breath. Everything was getting out of focus.

"Rie," A voice said from behind her. Rie froze and slowly turned around to stare at a half dressed Kaname. His black slacks had been pulled on and his white shirt was flapping open. His hair stood up in the wind and he was wearing no shoes.

The tension between the two was thick enough to cut as they stared at one another both breathless.

"I can explain-" Kaname began desperately.

"No you can't, not this time Kaname." Rie quietly said.

"Rie just let me-"

"I heard you tell Ruka you love her. I saw you kiss her and I saw you in her bed this morning. What more are you keeping away from me? Are you secretly engaged as well?" Her voice had risen. Kaname looked at her and said nothing.

"Oh god..." Rie whispered as a tear leaked from her eyes, "Y-your engaged too?"

"Rie if you would just let me explain, the contract hasn't even been made yet. It's something my grandmother is making me consider. As for Ruka...I'm not sure what happened yesterday night." Kaname said as he rubbed a hand over the temple of his foreheads.

"You're not sure what happened yesterday night? Then are you denying that you didn't tell Ruka you loved her? Are you denying that you kissed her?" Rie whispered.

"If that was all you saw then you are mistaken Rie. I set it straight with Ruka yesterday night-"

"Stop it, just stop. I've heard this for months now and I wanted to ask. Am I really just a rebound for you? I want to know because Kaname I'm so tired. I want to know the truth." Her blue eyes wept with tears.

"Yo-"

"Am I-am I just someone you used to get over Ruka? Did this relationship really mean nothing to you," Rie stared at him, her throat beating in her heart. Kaname looked at the sorrow on Rie's face and anger bubbled up inside of him. Why couldn't she just listen? Why couldn't she understand. But as he looked at her now, he knew she would never hear his side. Feeling reckless with anger fueling inside of him Kaname snapped at Rie.

"Yes! Yes you were just a rebound, is that what you wanted to hear?" Kaname said ruthlessly. Rie looked up at his handsome face in horror not believing his words,"it's true, I did love Ruka and I still do-" A loud crack was heard as Kaname stumbled. Pain coursed through his head as he touched his nose, Rie had broken it. He saw her, hands balled into fists as her head was bowed down.

"You're just like every other prince. So please leave." Rie said with her voice cracking. Kaname stared at her bewildered but turned to leave. Rie waited till she could hear him no more before she clutched her shirt and let out a wretched sob as her knees gave out. Her body shook with nothing but raw sorrow that Kaname felt as he walked back to the castle.

It spread like wild fire around the castle, Kaname and Rie were done and Kaname and Ruka were engaged again. Rie was given the sorrow treatment from all her fellow Maids but brushed them off and concentrated on only one thing, her job. Yori felt her friends pain and also halted her and Aidou's activities. Through the rest of the week till Kaname's Birthday Rie made as little trips as she could from the bakery. Baker shin had left her in charge of the cake and Rie was glad she could do something to blow off her steam.

Everyone around her felt her change in a weeks time. She wasn't nice or caring than usual and she now had an air of confidence swirling around her head. Her opinions were harsher more real and more like her new self. Kaname had seen the changes also, starting with her short hair. She had cut it to her shoulder and it now curled inwards framing her face.

Rie had asked Yori to cut it. She wanted a new change, a different look because she was no longer the Rie everyone knew. Her eyes had also changed to a darker color, a more mature but content maya blue.

"If Zero saw you he would have a cow." Yori joked with a laugh.

"I think he would have two cows instead of one." Rie said also with a laugh. Yori was currently propped on a counter top watching Rie measure cups of water. She was trying very hard to keep the water constant in each bowl.

"Neh Rie...have you spoken to Kaname at all?" Yori asked her friend.

"Him? Nope, don't have to." Rie said casually as she measured her last cup of water.

"Oh will you quit it!" Yori said as she leaped off the counter and walked up to Rie, "He hurt you till your heart ached but you can't tell me that you don't care a bit about him!"

"I still love him..." Rie said bluntly, "but I can never bring myself to see his face anymore. Not even if we pass by each other, not even if he forced me to. I still love him, but I can't stand the sight of him. So what does a woman do when she still loves a man but can't look at his face without crying? She changes herself to be someone stronger so when shes ready to let go of that love she can stare him in the eye and say good bye without a tear."

"You still love him but you can't stand to see his face. Isn't that a bit harsh?" Yori asked Rie.

"No...isn't it harsh that you broke it off with Aidou because Kaname did that to me?" Rie gave a friend a raised eyebrow.

Yori cleared her throat,"It's not! Mainly its common sense to not see the enemy."

"And since when have the nobles at the Palace become our 'enemies?'" Rie asked staring at Yori.

"Since they all look to Ruka like she's their Queen or something."

"She is, they are engaged you know." Rie said as she carefully added the icing on the fifth layer of the cake. It was a five layered cake that was thick. It took a round shape to it. On top was a sculpted figure of Kaname with a crown on his head sitting on his Throne. Stair cases lead up to his feet and it had red icing down the stairs that looked like a runway carpet. Rie eyed the King and rolled her eyes. 'No surprise how well he looks sitting up in his Throne. He was born for it.'

"I just love how you say that in a casual tone." Yori said pleasantly.

A smile grazed Rie's lips.

Kaname quietly leafed through his reports. His guest were settling in quiet nicely, his grandmother would be coming soon, preparations needed to be arranged and done. The west wing hall was quite today which struck Kaname as odd. It was always bustling with maids or the guards. Kaname closed one file report as he opened the other one. The hand writing struck Kaname as he began to read the report. On weekly basis when the maids had time they were to write a report on how the preparations for his birthday were coming along. Aidou usually read them but had no time today thus asking if Kaname would read them. Kaname was currently reading Rie's report which was very amusing yet at the same time offending.

"The Fourth and Fifth layers of the cake will be done the morning before Kuran-Ouji's baka Birthday party. The filling is a nasty color that looks like Ruka-Ojou's hair color. Along the sides of the cake will be dying roses from the Garden outside. Hopefully insects will be crawling over the cake. Kaname Kuran's little sculpted figure sitting on top of his Throne makes him look even more ridiculous than it already does. The sculpted figure is made entirely of edible butter cream frosting that tastes like rotten bananas. That is all." Rie's name was written on the bottom with a small dot of chocolate. Kaname reread her report again before clearing his throat so he wouldn't laugh. He did not miss the underlinings of 'little' or 'ridiculous' and the occasional bashing of him and Ruka's names.

'She is one gutsy girl to send this to Aidou.' Kaname thought. After their break off he just couldn't stop looking at her. Something had changed about her and it wasn't just her hair. It was how she presented herself; she wasn't quiet anymore yet neither was she totally outspoken. Her eyes had changed to a darker shade that held less warmth than they had previously. Kaname liked the change but it also brought changes to them.

She didn't speak to him if not directed nor did she look up at him anymore when he was with or without Ruka. Through the past week she had been scarce especially at breakfast, lunch and dinner set ups. Baker Shin had said that Rie was too busy on other things to help the other maids out with the dinners. The capacity in the dinning hall had become enormous due to all the guest. Dinner was always prepared right after Lunch which left all the maids in particularly bad moods. But they had been brighten when Yuuki had given them all large quantities of money to go buy their own gowns for the ball that was taking place on Saturday night.

Kaname had asked Yuuki if she had given Rie hers but Yukki merely shook off her brother. Yuuki had given Kaname the silent treatment when finding out what had happened. She had broken almost every antique in Kaname's bedroom that night she had confronted him. He could remember her hurt filled words.

"Onii-san how could you? And to Rie, who has actually been a good friend to a Princess like me! Do you know how hard it is to find an actual friend? Now she wont even talk to me because I'm your sister!"

He had to almost use his own power to stop Yuuki's from breaking his last antique in his room but she had stopped her tantrum on her own. Now it was just Ruka who talked to him since Akatsuki and Aidou had refrained from speaking to him that didn't have anything to do with work. It was driving him crazy how breaking it off with Rie had brought him so much trouble. He could still feel her tears and sorrow spread like a fever down his body. It made him feel disgusted of himself and guilty. Which everyone told him he should be. But how could he go against the council and his grandmothers own wishes?

"You will marry Ruka on your Crowning day. There is no other exception than Ruka. I want you to full fill my last wish before I die." Noriko, Kaname's grandmother's voice floated in his head.

"The engagement has been made complete Kuran. Now you will have to sign it."

'Rie...if I had not promised my grandmother to grant her last wish, then for certain I would have stayed with you. Speak of the devil.' Kaname said in his head as he saw Rie close the door to the supply room carrying two boxes of icing for the cake. She took a glance over her shoulder and stopped for a few moments, her maya blue eyes scanning Kaname's face quickly then fell down to the floor. He stood still as he watched her give a bow then turned around to the next corridor.

Kaname slammed his fist against the brick stone and made a small indent. Not one word and she left. Deep inside of himself he still loved her, he hoped that she still loved him.

Rie slammed the two boxes of icing on the counter and began to open them. Her eyes were getting teary again as she took out the icing to let it thaw. Pressing her head to the cold steel counters tears fell from her eyes. She thought she could forget it and move on but just the glance at his face sent her tears falling. Was it too hard to just stop all of this?

By the next morning everyone was awake before six in the morning. Maids bustled up and down the corridor sending and returning things to the Kurisutaru Ballroom. Half of them had gone over to decorate and finish cleaning the ballroom itself. Rie was in the kitchen adding on the finishing touches and the inside filling of the cake. It had to look 'magnificent' and 'eye catching' or so Baker Shin said. No one had seen the process of the cake except for Yori and herself. Ruka had tried barging in yesterday night but Rie had locked her out, and since she had the key no one was going in or out besides her.

Rie gently squeezed the pink frosting into the Rose template so it could take on the shape of a rose for the bottom of the cake. She had already made thirty three roses since five this morning but waiting for them to harden in the freezer was the painful part. Rie opened the colossal freezer and removed ten of the ones that she knew where hard and popped them from the templates. Gently to not hurt or mess up the frosting she inserted the bottoms onto the cake. She would be finished, if no one disturbed her, by mid afternoon.

Kaname stared down at the silver box that held a ivory colored dress. It was strapless and had a small heart shape at the top of it. The silk cloth was slightly stretched to the left side of the dress which gave it a small ruffle effect. Sown carefully into the dress were flower patterns that started from the top to the right side of the dress and curved down to the left. The dress itself was simple but elegant at the same time. (A/N: You can see the dress on my avatar!) Kaname touched the dress lightly and placed inside the box a pair of tear drop diamond earrings with a matching necklace. On top of the jewelery set Kaname placed a light blue mask with silver flowers embroidered on it into the box as well.

A knock came from the door and Kaname closed the box, while tucking it underneath his bed sheets. Ichijou walked in with an air of happiness among him and closed the door behind him.

"Everything seems to be in place Kaname. The Ballroom is all cleaned up and the guest are all anxious for the ball to begin." Ichijou informed Kaname with a bright smile.

"Thank you Ichjiou, you yourself should get ready." Kaname nodded to Ichijou's dusty suit.

"Ah...don't worry about it. Although I must say you look very spiffy yourself Kaname." Ichijou gave a laugh as he closed the door. Kaname was wearing a red tie with a white suit. His collared shirt was a creamy silk white which made his skin seem even paler than usual. His black hair stood out in next to his white suit and it was combed out as best as it could be. 'One more thing before I leave.'

Instead of finishing the cake at mid afternoon, Rie finished past the afternoon and into the evening. She was ordered by Yuuki to unlock the doors so the rest of the desserts could be moved to the Ballroom. As she did maids came flooding in starring at the cake. Complimenting it from Kaname's little sculpture to the rose designs. The crowd had thinned out which meant less taste stealing but usually Rie would find a Rose missing from its place and had to make a new one. It was now currently almost eight at night now. Rie added the last touch, powdered sugar before two other bakers and Baker Shin boxed it up and took it to the Ballroom.

She watched the trio take it out the door and she slumped against the counter. Rie hadn't stopped since her lunch break and she was starved. 'This is what you get for trying to work till you drop.' She scolded herself. She had flour and pink frosting on her hands and arm not to mention some in her hair. How it got there she would never know. A knock at the bakery door made Rie turn around.

Kaname was standing in the doorway looking ten times as dazzling as he usually did. His whitish silvery suit matched him and also his red tie. Rie stood watching him walk towards her. In his hands was a silver box with a light blue bow on top. Rie felt her heart drop to her stomach.

"Rie..." Kaname said softly. He hadn't said her name in a while, it felt good.

"Your Highness." Rie said not looking at him. Kaname felt a sting of regret as he saw that her eyes would not meet his.

"I would like you to have this." He held the present out to Rie. She stood in front of him not moving a single muscle.

"Kuran-Ouji I think it would be best if you give the dress to Ruka-Ojou inst-" Rie gave a squeak of surprise as Kaname gave her a crushed her to his chest. His arms were around her tightly crushing her to the present in his chest. For some reason it felt good to be hugged by him. Rie felt a sudden rush of heat make its way to her cheeks. If the present hadn't been blocking their bodies Rie would have clung to the warmth vibrating from his body.

"Rie," She could feel his breath on her ears and realized how close his face was to hers,"I know that i've hurt you. But please understand this, the feelings that I had for you for the past five months have been true and wholehearted. Which is why I want you to wear this dress for me. Rie-"

"I can't. Please don't make me Kaname-I can't." Rie's voice broke as tears feel down her face.

"Rie...If your feelings for me were true as mines were then come to the Ball wearing what's in the box. And if not then please leave the box in front of my bedroom door. It's up to you to make the choice now Rie. I'll be waiting for you." Kaname whispered as he let her go and crossed the room and was out the door. Rie stood shocked as she gripped the silver box in her hands tears falling silently down her face. She let herself slump to the ground. 'What should I do now?'

Rie finished cleaning the bakery as she saw the gleam of the silver box. She had been trying to not walk over and open the box for a while now. Her curiosity was going to get the best of her. She stood in front of it, her feet tapping impatiently on the tiled floor. 'Just open it!' a voice said obviously annoyed at her indecision. Rie grabbed the top and pulled it off slowly. She gasped as the contents in the box were revealed. Inside was a dress, a set of jewelery, and a mask. It was a ivory colored mask just like the dress. It was magnificently too beautiful to wear. Rie closed the box back up and released a shaky breath.

'Can I really go to the ball wearing this? Am I ready to meet him? To fully accept that I do still love this man who hurt me?' Rie wondered as she wandered the hall. It was a full moon tonight and a shiver ran up Rie's spine. The palace was completely empty since everyone was at the ball except for Rie. Suddenly from behind her she heard footsteps.

Rie was never paranoid at night but tonight she turned around in a frenzy. Standing in the hallway looking like a ghost was Seiren. Her silvery locks sent a ghostly look upon her pale face as she stared at Rie. "Ruka would like to see you."

"Ruka? Hasn't she already gone to the ball?" Rie asked in confusion.

"Come now, its urgent." Seiren said.

"Hai." Rie gave a bow and turned herself around to the south wing with Seiren trailing behind her. 'Geez that's scary!' Rie cried in her head at the stoic woman. If given the option, Rie would have never come back to Ruka's room again. But with Seiren trailing behind her she would rather go willingly than forced. Rie saw the familiar double doors and was about to knock when she heard Ruka's voice.

"Enter." It sounded low and unlike Ruka's usual voice.

Rie opened the door and stepped in. "Ruka-" A hard blow hit Rie on the head as she went flying to the ground, the silver box flung from her hands. Pain spread through her head and she gripped her hand to her head as she tried to get up. Rie turned her maya blue eyes to see Ruka standing above her wearing a dark purple silk dress with too many ruffles to count. Her face was contorted with rage as she grabbed Rie's hair and pulled her up.

"Ah! Ruka that hurts!" Rie screamed as she was tossed into the glass coffee table. The wind was knocked out of her as her back hit the side of the glass making it shatter. Rie gasped for breath as tears prickled to her eyes.

"You BITCH! I told you to stay away from him didn't I!" Ruka growled out as she yanked Rie's hair up and slapped her across the face. Rie gave a gasp as she turned to look at Ruka.

"What are you talking about!" Rie yelled at Ruka which made her receive another slap across the face.

"I know your little scheme you slut! Give it up!" Ruka said as she kicked Rie in the side with her silver heels. Rie gave a grunt as Ruka aimed a kick at her stomach.

"Ruka! Stop this!" But Ruka wasn't listening as she dragged Rie to her bed side and yanked out her drawer. Rie saw her draw out a long black whip and fear crossed her eyes.

"Since your denying that you haven't tried to seduce him your going to pay for it!" Ruka said as she drew the whip back.

"Ruka! I really don't know what your talking about!" Rie yelled.

Ruka dropped the whip and pointed to the silver box. "Who gave you that?" She demanded.

Rie said nothing and Ruka yanked her hair making their eyes meet. "I said who gave you that!" Ruka yelled.

"Y-Yuuki." Rie said and suddenly she heard the crack of the whip. Heat soared on her back as Ruka slashed the first hit on Rie's back. Rie doubled over in pain, tears falling down her face.

"Who gave you that package?" Ruka asked again with the whip in her hand.

"Yuuki!" Rie said again and felt the whip go across her skin as she gave a gasp and sob.

"Tell me the truth! Kaname gave it to you didn't he!" Another and another slash of the whip was embedded into Rie's back. She gave a scream and began to sob uncontrollably.

Ruka grabbed her hair and pulled it so Rie could see her face. "It was Kaname wasn't it!"

"Yes! It was Kaname." Rie sobbed out as she felt another whip. She gave another gasp and sob as the pain shot through her body. It hurt even more than when her skin had been torn opened by a Level E.

"I knew it you Bitch! Seiren!" Ruka said and Rie saw Seiren cross the room. "Whip her till she begs." Ruka said with a nasty smile.

"Ruka-sama! Please, stop. Please stop!" Rie pleaded as she was slashed again in the back with the whip. Her yelps of pain and sobs were echoed through out the room. Ruka crossed the room and grabbed open the box. Inside she found the dress, mask and Jewelery set.

"You thought that you could go to the ball wearing these? Sia Rie you weren't made for royalty! If your going to go," Ruka got up and pulled out a pillow case that was ripped and torn, "go to the ball wearing this instead." She said as she flung the pillow case into Rie's face and laughed.

"Please-Ruka, please stop!" Rie sobbed out. Her back was raw from the whipping.

"Seiren I'll be back I have to change into new clothes." Ruka said as she left to go to her closet.

"Seiren, please stop! Please stop this!" Rie begged with Seiren but she said nothing as she continuously whipped Rie.

'What have I done to deserve this?' Rie said as tears fell down her face the pain hurt so much.

She heard Ruka come back. "Ruka-sama, she's bleeding heavily." Seiren said quietly stopping the whip. Rie gave a small whimper as she felt the blood seep around her clothes.

"Already?" Ruka said irritatedly," fine pour the chemical on her."

'Chemical?' Rie thought frantically.

"Yes madam." Seiren said as she grabbed a bottle off Ruka's counter and poured a green liquid mixture on Rie's back. Rie gave a scream as the liquid cut into her injuries and stung.

"Let's go Seiren. We'll dispose of her when we come back or hopefully the chemical will do it for us." Ruka said with a air of laughter.

"Yes ma'am." Seiren threw the whip down and followed Ruka out of the room.

"Have fun Rie. And sweet dreams." Ruka said with a laugh as she turned off the lights and closed the door.

Rie could smell the green chemical and immediately knew what it was. It was the same chemicals Vampire Hunters used after large massacres of vampires. 'Sotake' was the chemical. It ate up blood and dead decaying body. 'It eats blood!' Rie thought as tears ran down her face. "Someone please help me!"

Next Chapter to Be up SooN! This chapters name had to be changed to: "Twas the night before..." I thought it would be more appropriate than "I broke up today". I know right now everyone hates Ruka but she'll get her 'happy ending' at the end. Please look forward to the next update! Read and Review!

P.S. Since this Story will soon be ending shortly I would like to write another story. If you want a request in which Anime/Manga you want me to write in next you can write it in your Review. The only thing is I will only write the story if I know the characters and the Anime/Manga. You can check my profile for the list.

Thanks Guys!

Lena :E