Author's Note: Thank you for all your wonderful reviews! You guys are awesome; I really didn't think people would like my writing, thank you all for your support! Like I said before, I write for you guys! So, Kiba will be in this chapter as well. How it'll happen, I don't know yet, I'm still trying to figure it out. Yes, when I write a chapter, I just sort of wing it. Lol, so let's get it started!

"Good-bye Yoshiro, thank you for coming," Yuri called, waving Yoshiro out the door.

"I told you, call me Shi-kun," he said, turning back.

"Yes, yes, I know," she said, waving her hands impatiently. "Maybe next time, now good-bye!" She shut door, leaving Yoshiro standing outside with an amused grin. He shook his head lightly and waved for his driver to bring the car around to him.

"Ugh!" Yuri cried, plopping down at the kitchen table. "Why on earth did I agree to go to that thing with him?"

"Because you wanted to do him a favor," Hitomi replied, tossing some chopped vegetables into a simmering skillet.

"And why would I want to do him a favor?"

"Uh, because—"

"Because I'm a chump, that's why!" Yuri finished. Throwing her arms lifelessly onto the table, she carelessly let her face drop into the table as well, groaning loudly. "I'm an idiot," she groaned, her voice muffled but still understandable, "the ball is in two days! And he just told me it is going to be a formal affair. Gowns, heels, jewelry—the whole nine yards! What am I going to do? I don't have anything to wear to something like that! I have no clothes other than that which you and Jane have bought me, and what I've been borrowing from you two. And I have no money!"

"Calm down, we'll think of something," Hitomi replied. "Don't worry about it."

"Oh no, you two have done enough for me. I'll just have to find a job and make tons of money in two days…" her voice grew slower as she spoke, gradually turning into another frustrated groan. "Oh god, I'm delusional!"

"Oh, relax," Hitomi replied. "And try this sauce," she said, handing a spoon to Yuri.

"No," Yuri replied. Then looking at Hitomi's startled expression she hurriedly added, "Oh, the sauce is great, I mean the whole ball thing. I'll just have to call him and tell him that I can't go and he'll have to find someone else."

"Yuri! Hey, Yuri!" Jane's calls from the livingroom cut into their conversation.

"What?" Yuri answered.

"The mail's here, come over here!"

"What for? I never get any mail."

"Ugh," Jane answered exasperatedly. "You've a package, now get your ass over here to open it, I want to see what it is!"

"So open it already, I'm talking to Hitomi," Yuri replied. Jane's head peeked into the kitchen, looking quite frustrated.

"I can't open your mail, it's yours, now get over here and open it."

Yuri sighed deeply and hoisted herself out of the chair she sat in. "I'm surprised at you Jane, I would've thought you would open it right away."

"Oh posh," Jane scoffed. "I have some pride."

Yuri laughed, walking into the livingroom. A long, fairly wide, and somewhat flat box lay on the coffee table. "Who could be sending me packages?" Yuri wondered aloud.

"Oh who cares? Just open it!" Jane cried.

Pulling Yuri over to the table, Jane shoved the package into her arms. Yuri sat on the couch, carefully opening the package. Inside was another box, the same size as the thicker, protective cardboard box. Yuri pulled the second box out of the larger one carefully, eyeing the large label on it with curiosity.

"What? Ooooooo," Jane exclaimed, staring at the box Yuri held. "I know that label, that brand I mean. It's really expensive, whom ever sent this to you must have a lot of money," Jane said, rubbing her index and middle finger with her thumb in a very suggestive manner.

Yuri shrugged and carefully began to open the package. Yuri pulled the layers of tissue paper inside apart, her eyes opening wide in shock. "Oh my—"

"Wow!" Jane exclaimed.

Yuri pulled the gown slowly out of the box, standing as she did so. "It's gorgeous," she breathed. It was a floor-length gown, an emerald green that matched Yuri's eyes perfectly, form fitting, with broad straps that would settle just below her shoulders. It was plainly adorned, but the unique cut, style, and quality of the fabric is what gave the gown its beauty.

"But who—" Yuri began.

"There's a note inside," Jane commented, noticing the small note that lay on the bottom of the box.

Folding the gown again carefully, Yuri took the note from Jane and opened it:

"I believe you mentioned something about not having enough money to buy a gown to wear. Don't think I would let something like that stop you from coming with me; you promised you would. I saw it and couldn't help myself, the color reminds me of your beautiful eyes. I believe it should fit you, but if not, well, that can be easily remedied. Until next time,

Your dutiful admirer,

Yoshiro Matsushita."

Yuri smiled despite herself. "Yoshiro," she murmured.

"What? Yoshiro sent you this?" Jane asked. "Wow, he must really like you!" Jumping to her feet, Jane dashed into the kitchen, leaving Yuri alone, staring at the gorgeous gown. "But why?" she thought.

"Guess what?" Yuri could hear Jane from the kitchen. The rest was incoherent murmurs until Yuri heard Hitomi's, "What?" Moments later, the two girls were in the livingroom ogling at Yuri's gown.

"Well it's the least he could do, what with all of his money and such," Hitomi noted, her arms crossed.

"What do you mean?" Yuri asked.

"I mean the guy's loaded," Hitomi replied. "Come on, don't tell me you didn't know," she said. Receiving blank stares in response, Hitomi sighed and continued, "His family owns some major corporation. He actually owns this city, and on top of that, he is of noble lineage. He is Jagura's first cousin, on his mother's side," Hitomi finished.

"Jagura?" Yuri gasped. "He's related to Jagura?"

"Yes, didn't you hear me? What's wrong?"

Yuri looked distressed. So he was Jagura's cousin, huh? "Boy, you've really sunk low here, Yuri," she thought. What would Kiba say if he knew? "I wouldn't even speak to this guy if Kiba were here," she thought. But Kiba wasn't there, he would never know. Still it felt like she was betraying Kiba by befriending someone who was related to the person who was causing him so much strife—besides, Yuri didn't like Jagura much herself.

"We're here."

"Where do we go now?" Tsume asked, crossing his arms in front of him. "Where do we begin?"

"We can start by looking for some food," Hige suggested hopefully.

"Would you stop thinking about your gut for once and focus on what's important for once?" Tsume snapped.

"Sorry, I can't focus on an empty stomach," Hige replied cheerfully. "Come on, Toboe and I can scrounge up some food while you and Kiba look for the entrance to Jagura's keep. We'll meet up back here, that alright with you?"

Finding argument a useless waste of time, Kiba hastily agreed, and he and Tsume left their separate way, leaving Hige and Toboe to find food.

"Yuri, he's here," Jane said, rapping on the door lightly. "Are you done yet?"

"Almost," Yuri called. She put the finishing touches on her hair, making a note to thank Hitomi again for letting Yuri borrow her things.

"Done," she sighed, taking her purse into her hands. She took one last look into the mirror to examine herself. She wouldn't admit it to anyone else, but she was certainly happy at outcome. Yoshiro had impeccable taste—this dress suited her well; fit her like a glove. Her eyes shone brightly, made brighter by the fabric. A slight frown erased the smile from her face—if only Kiba were there to see her. Afterall, he was the only one she wanted to please. What was the use of looking good if he was not there to enjoy. "Ugh," she sighed, "I have got to stop thinking about him. It only depresses me and right now, I have to at least appear happy, even if I'm not."

With one last deep sigh, Yuri turned the knob and walked out. Yoshiro was waiting in the livingroom, talking to Jane and Hitomi. "And have her back at a reasonable hour, young man," Jane teased. She caught Yuri's approach from the corner of her eye and turned, smiling widely.

Noticing Jane's attention had shifted, Yoshiro turned in the same direction, his gaze immediately arrested by Yuri as she walked into the light of the livingroom. His mouth fell open, his eyes wide in admiration of her beauty. Yuri blushed slightly at his actions, nervously scratching at a nonexistent itch in the back of her neck.

"S-so, uh, I guess it fits," Yoshiro stuttered, realizing how stupid he must have looked, standing there with his mouth gaping open.

"I'll say," Jane answered loudly. Yuri smiled, lighting the whole room with the brilliance of her smile. Her long hair was held up in an elegant sort of bow, neatly kept out of her face save for a few select strands, "Just for style," Hitomi had said as she carefully pulled and tugged at Yuri's hair. "Almost done," Hitomi had said, adding the last few touches. Yuri's hair was elegantly adorned with tiny jewels that glittered and shone as she turned and walked. Yuri's milky white shoulders were bare, continuing gracefully from her swan-like neck, set with a simple necklace, borrowed from Jane.

"Oh Yuri, dear, you look like a picture!" Hitomi cried, rushing to Yuri's side. "Now, be careful with your hair, I don't want to see you coming back with it all over the place. I put too much work into it for that," she said, fussing over Yuri's hair, adjusting her dress.

"Come on," Yuri whined, squirming out of Hitomi's grasp. "It'll be fine. God, you sound like my mother," she sighed, grinning happily. She honestly appreciated the way Hitomi and Jane had fussed over her as she prepared for her outing. It reminded her of the way her mother used to fuss over her when she was small, scolding her vehemently when she tracked mud into the house or appeared with scuffed knees and torn dresses.

"Well," Yoshiro interrupted, clapping his hands together happily as he tore his eyes away from the way Yuri's dress so perfectly accented the delicate curve of her body, her shapely hips and tiny waist. "We'd better get going, or we'll be late."

"Right," Yuri nodded. Yoshiro extended his right arm, to which Yuri wrapped her left arm.

Jane and Hitomi waved happily from the door, Hitomi still giving Yuri tips on how to keep her hair in order and Jane making lovey-dovey gestures and acting like an all-around smart aleck kid. "Oh look Hitomi, our little girl is all grown up," she said in a mock-cry, drying nonexistent tears from her eyes.

"Oh grow up," Hitomi scoffed.

Jane laughed outright. "Have fun you two!" she called.

Yoshiro held Yuri's hand as she stepped into his vehicle, his chauffer holding the door open for the both of them. "You really do look stunning," he said, once inside.

"Thank you," Yuri answered, her tone distinctly hushed.

"Is something wrong?" Yoshiro asked, concern marring his joyful expression.

"No, I just feel a bit out of sorts today, I don't know what it is. Maybe I'm just nervous!" Yuri replied, her last statement sounding a bit hopeful. She knew why she felt out of sorts. As much as she wanted to forget the pain and the emptiness the thought of him left her with, Yuri couldn't help but feelKiba's presence with her. It should have been a welcome feeling, but the biting conviction that he would never again be with her in actuality was ever the more painful to endure because of it. But if it was so painful, why couldn't she help but feel this way? Why couldn't she help but see his face instead of Yoshiro's as he held the door? Why, even as Yoshiro spoke cheerfully of all the fun they would have, couldn't she stop thinking about him? Feel him next to her?

Why did Kiba feel so near?

"This is it," the boy said, pointing to the large chasm filled with what looked like large red wires. "You guys aren't seriously considering going in there, are you?"

"Yeah, we are," Kiba replied. He turned to Tsume, his expression resolute. He nodded, and they leapt into the chasm, gracefully leaping through it as it led them inside Jagura's keep.

"Please smile, Yuri," Yoshiro pleaded. "Please."

"I'm sorry, I'm being a terrible companion," Yuri apologized, looking down.

"No, no, don't feel badly. I just want you to have a good time. Just try to enjoy yourself. I know you probably aren't used to fancy affairs like this, and to tell you the truth, I've never gotten used to them, but they're not all that bad. Especially when you have someone nice to share them with," Yoshiro said, looking hopefully into Yuri's eyes. He held her hands in both of his, squeezing them tightly. "I promise you Yuri, tonight will be a night you will never forget."

The vehicle slowed and gradually came to a halt. Yuri could see nothing through the darkly tinted windows, so she waiting patiently inside with Yoshiro, clasping her purse tightly as Yoshiro drummed his fingers on his legs. "What—" Yuri began, but stopped abruptly as the door was slowly opened. Indicating for Yuri to wait, Yoshiro stepped out and walked around to Yuri's side, offering her his hand to assist her. Yuri's breath was caught in her chest as she stared up at the magnificent structure before her.

"It's so big," she breathed.

"That's my cousin for you," Yoshiro smirked. "Ever the show-off." Yuri smiled, chucking lightly. "That's more like it," Yoshiro said happily. "Finally I get I smile out of you." Yuri blushed. "Come on," Yoshiro said, once again offering Yuri his arm, "the night is young, and there are a few people I would like you to meet."

The large doors swung open as if of their own accord; Yuri felt like a princess of sorts, and very uncomfortable. They walked down a large scarlet, velvet carpet with gold embroidery. As she looked around, Yuri noticed the presence of many more people around them, some dressed as elegantly as Yuri, and others who appeared to be servants, politely ushering people into the ballroom.

The ballroom was a feast for the eyes, the opulence of which Yuri had never before seen nor seen since. Eyes followed Yuri and Yoshiro as men and women alike had their gaze arrested by the startling beauty of the girl whose arm was wrapped around Yoshiro's.

Yuri smiled nervously in return, ill-used to such scrutinizing gaze. "But if I can survive Kiba's death-stare," she thought, "this should be a piece of cake." She smiled inwardly.

Outside, two young men were stealthily creeping the corridors of the castle, carefully checking behind every corner.

"You hear that?" the older one asked in a barely audible whisper.

The younger one turned, nodding grimly. "Sounds like people, lots of them."

"Let's go," the older one said, giving the corner one last check before darting out from behind it and silently running down the corridor in the direction of the voices. The younger man followed suit.

The two young men stopped suddenly, thrusting themselves into the shadows as a man walked past the corridor they were in. "Damn!" the older one cursed. They crept closer.

"I can smell her," the younger one said. "I can smell Cheza; she must be close."

"Right."

Back inside the ballroom, Yoshiro held Yuri tightly; basking in the appreciative stares his date was receiving. He smiled at everyone smugly, introducing Yuri to what seemed like every person in the room.

"This is Mr. Iyniski," he said gleefully, bringing Yuri to an elderly man. The man took Yuri's hand and kissed it, commenting on Yuri's beauty and Yoshiro's luck in finding her.

"Mr. Iyniski owns a large…" Yoshiro explained. Yuri nodded and smiled, seemingly paying attention. As Yoshiro began to lead her toward the entrance, to greet couples as they arrived, Yuri stopped, her eyes wide. "It's him!" she breathed.

"Kiba, what's wrong?" Tsume demanded, turning back as he noticed Kiba's detachment. "We've got to find another way in, there are too many people here, come on."

Kiba did not move. He stood stock still, staring wide-eyed at the large entrance to the ballroom. The two wolves were carefully hidden in the shadows, but Kiba could distinctly see every person that entered the ballroom. In one direction, Kiba caught Cheza's scent growing stronger. But in the other, in the direction of the ballroom, Kiba caught another scent, familiar, welcome, loved. He must be dreaming, it smelled like her…

Yuri stared in the direction of the entrance. She could feel it in the pit of her stomach, in the tips of her fingers, the depths of her soul. She was bound to him by love, how could she not feel his presence? But here, now, how could this be? Was it really that impossible?

"Yuri, are you alright?" Yoshiro asked. Yuri did not answer, only stared at the entrance, tears beginning to well up in he eyes—she could feel him more now, it had to be. It had to be Kiba, he was here, and she would find him…

"Kiba!" Tsume whispered urgently, shaking his friend's shoulder. "Kiba!"

"No, I must be dreaming," Kiba thought. He could hear Tsume's voice, in some far off distance, but he couldn't understand what Tsume was saying. But her scent, the smell of her hair filled his nostrils, driving all other scents away. And now he could see her, looking up at him in the throws of love and passion. She invaded his thoughts, his consciousness—he could feel her in his arms now—and he was lost.

Yuri wrenched her wrist from Yoshiro's grasp, moving desperately toward the door. God, she could almost touch him! She pushed people aside, tears trailing down her cheeks in her maddened dash for the door. "Kiba!" she cried.

"Yuri…" murmured. Her voice, it was near. She was here, she was, she was! Kiba moved, slowly at first, walking as if in a trance out of the shadows toward the entrance. Yes, her scent was getting stronger. He moved faster, recklessly…

"Yuri!" Yoshiro called as he chased after her—she was almost at the door…

"Kiba!" Tsume called, snatching at Kiba to stop him, afraid to give away their presence, but failing to do either. Kiba was almost at the entrance…

"Yuri!" he cried.

"Kiba!" she called.

"Yuri!"

"Kiba!"

Yeah I know, a cliffy. Sorry! I'm also very sorry about how long it took me to get this update up. I've been buried in homework lately. Oi! But I hope this satisfied you for now, and there was more Kiba, just like I promised. Wow, I was having a bit of trouble writing this one, so I hope it was up to scratch. Thanks for reading guys! Hope you enjoyed it!