AN: Once again I couldn't decide between chapter titles and used them both. Does some of the humor get lost in the explanations?

Who do you think Takumi went to see in the last chapter? Will anyone's neck be bitten?

Over 100 views again last week! Thank you all again for the reviews, follows, and favorites!

Note that italics are used as flashbacks, emphasis, and thoughts.

Disclaimer: I do not own KWMS. All honor and glory to Hiro Fujiwara-san! Nor do I own any other fairy tales or stories.

Chapter 16 – The Mask, Chuck Russell, 1994 or Dirty Dancing, Emile Ardolino, 1987

Colorful characters filled the ballroom, chatting, dancing, and play-acting. In a dark corner, trying his best to blend in, Usui scanned the crowd. His imperturbable patience was being tested. His costume did not help matters either. It wasn't exactly unobtrusive. Already he had needed to fend off a few overly enthusiastic party-goers hoping to coax him out onto the dance floor. Damn that flamboyant Aoi and his ostentatious tendencies.

Once again, the door cracked open, a hand reached out, grabbed his shirt, and yanked him into the room.

"I knew you'd be back." Aoi smirked in a self-satisfied way. "We're going to have some fun tonight!"

He pulled out a large garment bag and laid it on the bed. Red fabric spilled out as he unzipped it. Two identical costumes were revealed. Usui just blinked at Aoi, politely puzzled.

"What? Red isn't your color?" Aoi looked a bit put out at his friend's less than enthusiastic response.

"Uh, no. I was just wondering why there are two."

"I'll explain later, just hurry up and change." Aoi pushed one of the costumes into his hands.

Minutes later, the two stood in front of the mirror admiring the ornately detailed swashbuckling-type costumes, looking like twins. With their similar builds, the only giveaways were their hair and eye color.

"As expected of the fashion godfather. But…" Usui was still perplexed.

Aoi cut in, "But who are you supposed to be?"

"No, it's obvious I'm the Scarlet Pimpernel. (1) But then who are you supposed to be?"

"The Scarlet Pimpernel, duh!" Aoi looked incredulous. He expected his friend to be quicker on the uptake.

A look of understanding finally appeared in Usui's eyes. They were going to play a little game of switch-a-roo tonight.

"You have my utmost gratitude." He bowed dramatically.

"You should be thanking me. I was supposed to be dressed as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He's not exactly a typical hero, but the man had crazy style! But then after you came by that first night, I immediately contacted a good friend to send me these two. They just arrived this morning. His designs are not quite to my personal standards, but I'll make an exception for tonight."

The Walker Enterprises contingent arrived in less than perfect spirits. After the nearly disastrous visit at Usui's room, a very grumpy Richard had spent the rest of the journey peppering Gerard and Tora with questionable dating advice to woo Misaki, even going so far as to suggest "slipping her a mickey".

Almost immediately after setting foot in the ballroom, Penguin and the Joker approached the group. The Joker gave Richard a hearty slap on the back with a "Hey, old bean!" Instead of the expected explosion, Richard's face brightened considerably. He sauntered off with the newcomers but not before shooting a severe look at the two boys.

"Well, he seems in a considerably better mood." Tora sounded surprised.

"Yeah, they have a friendly rivalry and those other two just suffered a failed product launch. I'm sure he'll enjoy rubbing their face in it." Gerard had a chagrined look. "Well, time for us to get to work." He put on the full-face helmet he had been carrying.

Tora looked at him, completely baffled. "Um, Gerry, how do you see in that thing and who exactly are you supposed to be?"

Gerard wore what looked to be a seventeenth century French nobleman's outfit full of ruffles and frills. On his head was a red and gold, robotic looking helmet, definitely not seventeenth century or French. Gerard flipped up the front of the helmet.

"What do you mean? Isn't it obvious? I am that popular American superhero, you know, Tony Stark, The Man in the Iron Mask. Leonardo Downey Jr. and Robert DiCaprio portrayed him and his friend Rodin in the movies. It's so wonderful that comic book legend Stan Lee was a fan of renowned French novelist Alexandre Dumas." (2)

Tora just stood there gobsmacked. He had an overwhelming urge to smack Gerard upside the head. Instead, he just shook his head at the buffoon and patted him on the shoulder, trying to hide his exasperation.

"Well, good luck with that." He walked off in search of a stiff drink. He had had enough of the ridiculous Walkers for the night. It was still early and looking around he saw many delicate necks in need of some nibbling.

Aoi and Misaki reached the ballroom doors. "Fashionably late, although it seems appropriate," she teased him, looking at their costumes. "I was surprised you weren't ready when I arrived."

Aoi scoffed, "I couldn't risk damaging my outfit doing your hair and makeup." With his nose stuck in the air, he pulled open the doors.

Misaki confidently strode into the ballroom. As her eyes swept the crowd, her steps faltered. With everyone in costumes, this was going to be harder than she thought. As she began to frown, a disgustingly hairy man in a toga approached.

"Hey baby, if I said you had a great body, would you hold it against me?"

Normally she would respond to that kind of line with a swift kick or knee, strategically directed so that the pig would be left squealing. However, she restrained herself, not wanting to make a scene and settled for merely unleashing her demon aura.

The boorish man quickly withered under her fierce glare and crawled back to his drinking buddies who were now doubled over with laughter. Fortunately, they were saved from the same fate as their comrade when Aoi suddenly grabbed her hand and dragged her away. "Let's dance Misaki-chi!"

Reluctant at first, she soon realized this was an ideal way to search the crowd. Aoi noticed her distraction and decided to tease her.

"Are you looking for someone Misaki-chi?" He had a knowing grin.

"Uh, no," she was too quick to respond, "Just admiring everyone's outfits."

Her cheeks reddened, matching her painted lips, as she turned her head away. Aoi took the opportunity to signal to a figure lurking in the shadows. As the music picked up pace, Aoi began to spin Misaki in and out. She was surprised at first, but enjoyed how her dress swirled as she twirled around with a smile.

Aoi spun her out particularly vigorously. As she twirled, her fingers slipped out of his grip. Just as concern set in that her momentum would carry her into the other dancing couples, her hand was firmly grasped. A strong tug spun her back, to where she collided with a hard, muscular chest.

She looked up in surprise to see a pair of mischievous emerald eyes peeking through the red eye mask.

"You!" A number of emotions flitted across her face, starting with complete shock and ending with a mixture of amazement and suspicion.

"Good evening, my princess." He sounded as suave as usual.

Quickly regaining her composure, she haughtily corrected him, "That's Vampire Queen to you."

"Well your highness, it's a good thing I have my neck covered." (3) He winked at her.

Remembering the game she was determined to play tonight, she bared her prosthetic fangs at him in a leering grin. Tonight she was the temptress, the queen of the night. His eyes sparkled with amusement at her actions.

They continued dancing as the song changed to a slower, sultrier tempo. He spun her around and when she was back in his arms, he dipped her low. Playing along with the dramatic music and her plan of attack, Misaki raised her arms over her head, arching her back, and giving him a good view of her costume. Usui took the bait and let his gaze drift from her face to her body. There, nestled between the soft curves of her cleavage, sparkling wickedly again her creamy skin lay a silver cross, inlaid with blood-red jewels. He inwardly groaned at the sight of her necklace peeking out from her dress. She would be the death of him.

"You're rather dangerous tonight. Are you trying to tempt me?" There was a seductive undertone to his voice.

"I could say the same to you. How bold to wear red while dancing with a vampiress." She flashed a sly smirk at him.

The music swelled to the chorus. He pressed her to him as his lips brushed her ear, quietly serenading her, "I find that I am haunted by you, and you are haunted by me too…" (3)

Suddenly she became aware of something hard digging into her hip. Her face glowed in embarrassment as she tried to turn away.

"What's wrong?" He was concerned. "Are you not enjoying the dancing?"

"It's nothing." She was still refusing to look at him, trying to think of a way to excuse herself.

He held her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. She was definitely agitated about something.

"It's not nothing. Tell me."

Turning even redder, she sputtered.

"Um…something…uh…hard…on my hip…"

He glanced down. A peel of laughter burst from his mouth. She stood still, completely shocked, and then began punching him on the chest.

"YOU PERVERT -"

Before she could yell any further profanities, he angled her gaze downwards.

"It's just my sword." He continued to chuckle.

She stared at the silver hilt of the offending piece of plastic tucked into his sash.

"Did you think it was something else?" He teased her.

Recalling once again the game and her goal, she rapidly composed herself.

"Maybe…" She gave him her best suggestive look through half-closed eyes.

His eyes widening, he held her tightly against him. They swayed to the music, his arms around her waist, hers on his chest.

As the next song began, Misaki braced herself, determined to get what she came for. She did not want to break the mood, but it was time for some answers.

"I know who you are."

He looked down, surprised to see amber eyes, blazing with determination, staring up at him.

"Excellent! Even though I am portraying one of the lesser-known literary characters…"

She put a finger on his lips, preventing further explanations. "I'm surprised you didn't come as a perverted, outer space alien, from Planet Pheromone." She winked.

His eyes sparkled as a wide grin spread across his face.

"Took you long enough. Ow!"

He hopped a bit, rubbing his shin where she had kicked him.

"So now what?" He tried to hide his hopefulness.

"Let's get out of here. We can go up to my room." She grabbed his hand and began pulling him off the dancefloor.

"You're so forward Misa-chan."

This earned him a glare and another punch as they slipped out the side door unnoticed, except for a pair of indigo eyes watching from the bar.

Gerard had spotted his prey from across the room. She was looking incredible in that slinky black dress. Now to finish what he started earlier today. Unfortunately, she was dancing with some clown dressed in red. As the couple spun around, he caught a glimpse of blond hair from under the oversized hat and a flash of emerald. Takumi was supposedly sick in his room. Gerard's eyes narrowed. 'Naughty, naughty, little brother.' He started to make his way over when suddenly his visor slammed down. Cursing his costume designer, he stumbled before finally halting to raise it again. She had disappeared. Gerard scanned the room. There he was, over by the bar. Gerard hurried over and roughly grabbed his shoulder. "Someone's been a bad boy… "

"Excuse me?" Narrowed indigo eyes met wide blue ones. Aoi turned the rest of the way around and coolly appraised an ashen faced Gerard. "You're not my normal type, but I could make an exception."

"S-sorry! Mistook for you for someone else." Gerard quickly slunk away, his face burning. Aoi winked, and Gerard's soul left his body. Turning back around, Aoi smirked to himself. Gerard was too easy to tease. The lovebirds' evening would now be uninterrupted.

1 – "The Scarlet Pimpernel", play and novel, Baroness Orczy, 1903 and 1905

2 – Gerard is once again confusing his actors and movies. Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., appeared in the Iron Man and Avengers movies as part of the Marvel Universe, 2008 - 2019. Leonardo DiCaprio starred in "The Man in the Iron Mask", Randall Wallace, 1998. He is also confusing Rhodey, Tony Stark's friend, with Rodin, the famous French sculptor.

3 – "Phineas and Ferb, Episode 199, Druselsteinoween", animated TV series, Robert F. Hughes, 2013