Face Behind a Mask
Chapter 9 – Dancing the Night Away
"I've been charmed by your eyes from far away; wake up and wait for me
Call out and break the night's barricade; the crowd comes out of the reflection
(There is no way out) if you plan to endure the impact
(Until it collapses) a projected lie

Smile as you become reborn and paint your whole body
See the world suddenly burning up miraculously as we met by chance
(Hold me gently as I break down)"
- Sleepless Beauty – Gravitation -
"Why do girls take so long to get ready?" Domon complained. The guys sat waiting on the chairs set up around a make shift dance floor. Unfortunately this was a formal dance and all the music that had been played so far were waltzes.

"Ah, if only France's princesse, Maria Louise was here…" George sighs, "Yet she is performing her duty back in France."

"Yeah, I wish the girls were here too, I kinda miss them you know?" Chibodee adds.

"Eww…what is up with this crappy music huh?" A female voice says from behind them. They guys turn to see all the girls dressed up in their prom like dresses, smiles on their faces.

"Wow, you guys look stunning!" Chibodee says with a grin and a whistle.

"Thank you Chibodee, so what do you think Domon?" Rain did a little spin and the skirt of her pink dress rose from her ankles for a slight moment before touching back down.

Domon blushed, "Er…yes"

"I can't believe these people, trying to make us attend an oldies dance!" Mallory cut off the embarrassing feeling in the air.

"Umm…" Erin blinked, not really seeing what was the matter with the music or atmosphere.

"Hey wait! Erin, you have some cds with you, right?" Mallory asked while pointing to the book bag the blonde had slung over her shoulder.

"Well yes…but…" Erin began to reply.

"Great! Let's go change the music. Someone, quick, make a distraction!" Mallory happily grabbed onto Erin's arm and began dragging her off.

"Dis…traction…?" Sai sighed. "What should we do?"

Chibodee already had an idea that was sure to grab all attention, "Ahh! It's the Devil Gundam!"

"And it's being piloted by a pink and yellow polka dotted clown!" Domon added, smirking.

"And it's attacking a butterfly!" Allenby added, just for kicks as she tried not to laugh at the people staring up at the sky, looking for this interesting sight.

"What the Devil Gundam?"

"Where? Do you see it?" Murmurs passed through the crowd as Erin and Mallory changed the disks in the cd player.

"Oops, sorry, our eyes must be playing tricks on us!" Allenby grinned and rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment as the two girls finished up their task, pressed play and quickly scurried off.

Suddenly from the speakers blared the loud tunes of the Japanese rock band, Duel Jewel and their newest hit song.

"Yes!" Cheered Mallory. She ran out to the floor and started dancing wildly and head banging to the music. Rain and Allenby ran out to dance as well while Erin and Cecil stood there with amused glances.

"And you think, I used to think Mallory was a polite and quiet country girl." Chibodee sighed, shrugged and went off to join the three ladies, all the while dragging Erin along with him.

"Hey! Why do you always pick on me? Don't you know it's not right to pick on short people!" Erin and Chibodee laughed as "Souda! We're Alive!" by Morning Musume erupted from the speakers, scaring away or deafening anyone who was insane enough to stand right by the speakers.

From the shade of several trees Schwarz watched with slight amusement as the girls and Chibodee danced like crazy people to the loud and blaring music.

"She really hasn't changed at all…" He closed his eyes, smiled and then faded into the shadows.

"These types of dresses aren't exactly good for dances like this, I'll be right back!" Erin yelled over the music to her companions. She walks away from the crowds and to her book bag where she had stashed another change of clothes.

About ten minutes later she returned, dressed in blue jeans and a blue short sleeved top. She wore slightly raised boots to make herself seem a little taller as well. Erin quickly ran back to the dance floor, nearly tripping over a tipped chair.

"Sorry I took so long!" She said apologetically to the others.

"It's no problem." Rain smiled warmly.

'It kinda reminds me of my mom's smile…' Erin thought absentmindedly before apologizing again for staring.

A slower song began and everyone paired up, even if they weren't a couple. George was dancing with Mallory as a friend, even though he liked Maria Lousie, or at least that's what the others had said. Same with Natasha and Argo. She wasn't sure about Chibodee though…did he have someone special like everyone else?

"These types of songs just don't fit me…" She said before walking off into the dark night.

- - - - -

"Master…we welcome you back. The true King of Hearts." A woman with dark purple hair bowed politely to a looming dark shadow.

"Yes and now that 'he' has given us power we shall regain our titles and show the world what it is really like to feel fear and despair." A familiar voice spoke with a direct and commanding voice. "And we shall kill off the Wild Card before they even know who they are…" An echoing, demented laughter echoed through an abandoned building…

Who were they?

- - - - -

Erin felt a shiver down her spine. "Hmm…bad feeling…hey…I wonder what ever happened to Schwarz…I didn't see him tonight." She muttered as she walked back to camp. This was a perfect time to check out her new weapon. On her own she managed to pry open the large metal crate. Inside was what looked like to be a silver colored pole and blade. It was hard to tell with the small light source she had.

"Wait! This is…"

- - - - -

Chibodee had returned back to camp early. He had promised the girls he'd call and he didn't want them to be worried about him. He picked up him phone in his tent and dialed the number of the home they shared.

"Hello?" Came a slightly annoyed tone on the end of the line.

"Well good evening to you too" Chibodee laughed.

"Chibodee, is that really you?" A hint of surprise and relief was in the receiver's voice.

"Yup Shirley, it's me. Is there something wrong?"

"Well…today Bunny and Cath went out to get lunch and on the way they were attacked by a mugger, or maybe even an assassin." She replied, her voice beginning to shake.

"What the hell?! Are you sure?"

"Yes Chibodee, I'm sure. I wouldn't joke about this…ever." She replied sadly. "They are both asleep now and they managed to get away before any damage was done to them with what they had learned on the streets of New York."

"What kind of jerk would do such a thing?! Dammit…" he clenched his fists tightly. "You guys be careful, okay?"

"Alright Chibodee…" There was a click as Shirley hung up. There as definitely something wrong.

"Who ever did this…I'll make them pay." He muttered, and he never backed down.
Nuriko: Here's another chapter. Long awaited I suppose ^^; I am glad that so many people are enjoying it and I hope you'll read to the end! (And just keep bugging me for update, I think I am a hopeless cause when it comes to updating ^^;;;)

To the Reviewers…
Dracou Malfouy: ^^;; Gomen a million times for taking so long to always get chapters of this up. Please don't be mad. I really hope you still like it though and I will try not to keep you in suspense anymore!

Shadow Tide: Arigatou for your kind words ^^ I am glad that you enjoy my stories and it is great that there are people out there that like them. I hope you enjoyed this chapter also and will continue to read the story!

Allanby: I will try to update more often…but as you can see…I'm not very good at that ^^;; I will try harder!

Sonic1: Well the Rising Gundam will make a comeback…but not until the plot begins to thicken and things begin getting ugly ^^

Animedragon: Thank you very much for taking the time to review ^^ I am glad you liked it and I hope you will continue to read it!

Shadowfox8962: Unfortunately no much Schwarz in the dance…he kinda went…poof and disappeared. But don't worry, he shall be back soon and Erin shall find out something quite interesting about him ^^

Natalie: Thank you for reviewing and I'm glad you like this ^^;; The match up for Schwarz and Erin was something I made up on my own with the help of a friend. I hope you will continue to read this story!
Nuriko: Okay, stay tuned for the next chapter!

Bakura: Must you always say that?

Nuriko: Yes =_=;; Now leave me alone or I shall get Yukino Miyazawa from Kare Kano to attack you! And you have seen how she is when she is mad! Especially at Tsubasa!

Bakura: o_o; Eep. *runs off*

Kenji: What did he do to you now?

Nuriko: Questioning me --;

Kenji: Well at least he isn't running around in his boxers.

Schwarz: …

Allenby: That must be a pretty scary sight.

Kenji: At 2 am…yes, it is.

Nuriko: ^^;; C ya later everyone!