Lights, Camera & Action

"Renji you don't look too shabby in that suit." Grimmjow commented with a mischievous grin that Renji scowled when he tried understanding how he got roped into this.

"This is ridiculous, I don't see why I have to participate."

"Just comply and have a little fun. You do know how to do that, dontcha?" Mocking him as Renji spat that he of course knew how to have fun, the two tussled gently not to rip their suits before Kim cleared her throat from atop the staircase.

"Gentlemen," she was dressed in a stunning deep blue dress that shocked them both into silence. She walked slowly down the staircase with one hand on the railing and her dress shimmered a bioluminescent color that entranced them both.

"Whoa…" Renji gaped. "How are you making the dress do that?" He walked towards her without realizing and Kim seemed amused by his reaction.

"I'm a genius when it comes to clothing. Hence your suit," pointing that out and seeing his expression she couldn't help but laugh. "And might I add that you don't look too bad yourself in my creation." Her words not meaning anything too deep, it was a surprise to see Renji blush to such words as she fixed his tie. "Be a proper escort and lets have some fun tonight."

"I—" he stuttered and covered his mouth not to say something ridiculous when Kim approached Grimmjow.

"What's that look for?" She asked him.

"…we didn't go to the ceremony for your diplomas. I'm just wondering what changed."

"Oh that; Kasumi called the principal and asked that he just mail it us. We were too caught up with something else to really attend the whole thing for it."

"Well its your graduation thing, so do whatever you want."

"We will." Her make-up accentuating her eyes as she delicately made it look she was from the sea, Grimmjow was entranced by the way women could transform themselves. "She's coming." Excited as she looked up to the staircase, Grimmjow followed suit and was stupefied.

Grimmjow stared intently at her for what seemed like eternity as though time itself stopped for him. His now beating human heart thumping loudly in his chest ached as he felt a turmoil of emotions erupting from himself. She paced herself walking down the steps. Kicking the dress in small flutters that revealed the crimson red swirls, he was entranced. Her hair was done up similar to Kim's with waves and decorative pieces fitted in her hair, but somehow he seemed more enamored by hers.

"I must say you two are truly a surprise." Renji broke his stupor as he admired them both. "If you two introduced yourselves are mere high schoolers I never would have believed you."

"We're not children though," Kasumi stated. "I'm already 18 and so is Kim. We've been in the adult world long enough to not be considered young in most eyes."

"Is that right." Renji's impression of them both may have been increased, but he said nothing more as he looked to Grimmjow. "So we're heading to that school again?"

"Yes. The limo should already be up front."

"I'm not driving?" Grimmjow asked and both Kim and Kasumi laughed.

"For this type of event and how grand it is, no. We'll be riding a limo and arriving in style." She approached Grimmjow and the two just stared at one another for a moment. "The suit looks good on you…and your hair is slicked back…" her cheeks flushed slightly as she complimented him, he felt a twitch in his hand to touch her but refused to do so.

"Renji's idea…says I look like a thug."

"Hehe, that's true." She smiled with enhanced charm that it caught him by surprise. "Thank you Renji for cleaning him up and also partaking in the escort business."

"Yeah well…thanks for taking care of him and offering to take us home."

"You're welcome."
They each headed out to the awaiting limo and rode in silence. Kim seemed calm and focused on something as she stared down at her phone. Kasumi looked distant as she stared out the window of the passing scenery. The school came up into view and they waited till the car stopped and the door open when Grimmjow and Renji stepped out first to take their hands and begin their escorting.

~OoOoO~
Kim

The extravagance that the ball held was no small feat. The chandeliers that were ordered and placed were laced with sparkling diamonds that only should be seen in movies of great importance. The décor was nothing short to excellence either. With beautifully carved marble statues properly adorned in the ballroom and rich satin drapes overlaying the large windows, everything in and out the venue was perfectly suitable to the rich and wealthy lifestyle. The sparkling floors being buffed and shined made every footstep tap lightly like tiny bells clicking against one another. Checking the details of how the theme really suited the atmosphere it was simply wonderful having it come all together.
As I walked inside with Renji and noticed that only the host club members arrived before the other students were allowed in for the great reveal, it was a little awkward holding onto a strangers arm and being guided in.

"You alright?" He asked.

"Oh, yeah…" unsure how to act around him seeing as I kind of forced him to wear a suit and had his hair done a certain way, he didn't seem to mind now that he was here, but it still bothered me a little. "You sure your alright being here? I mean you are here and all but—"

"It's fine. After calming down a bit and thinking clearly, this is a simple request considering all you've done for Grimmjow."

"Right…um, would you mind leading me to the punch bowl?" My heels slightly taller than I like them to be, I did have other shoes in the clubroom just as a back up pair in case I can't handle the heels.

"Are those the members of your club you mentioned?" He pointed out the others and they were checking things before getting ready to open the doors.

"Yeah. Looks like Kasumi and Grimmjow will come in after she organizes the timing of the press."

"…press?" He questioned.

"It's a rather long story, but she is announcing something to correct a wrong that Kyoya's father done."

"The kid from earlier?"

"Yes. Political things that I would rather not get myself involved in." By the punch bowl and getting a drink, Renji seemed enthused of the scenery here. "You like the theme?"

"I'm admiring the work done here, yes. This is nothing like what I've experienced back home."

"Well try to enjoy some festivities. Anything can happen tonight."

"Is that—"

"Kim," Tamaki came waltzing over with his dazzling self and showcasing his finery of choice. "What do you think? Am I not the perfect being standing before you?"

"Yes, yes, very flattering. I notice that you and Haruhi are wearing something similar. And that she's in a dress…" admiring Haruhi across the floor as she shyly waved. "So we're really revealing her gender tonight huh."

"Well…yes…? He was actually shy about it and looked abashed. "It was her decision and I wished to encourage it."

"Well I'm glad. You two look good together. And as such it would be unwise to leave her alone during this time as we're getting ready to open the doors."

"R-right! I also wanted to say thank you for your hard work Kim. This ball and creativity is thanks to your inspiration."

"This will be a grand night to remember."
Leaving on good terms as he snapped his fingers for the boys to ready themselves, I noticed Kaoru looking at me in a daze with Anne on his arm. Not feeling as hurt and having accepted what happened, I nodded in their direction and took Renji's arm without thinking.

"Kim?"

"S-sorry…can I lean on you for a moment?"

"Sure…" he followed the cue from Tamaki and walked me over to the top of the staircase to stand on top and I heard the back door entrance open to Grimmjow leading Kasumi inside.

"Well there they are, must have finally finished. Just in time too, we're ready to open the doors."
Kasumi and Grimmjow quickened their pace to get into position and I felt a deep atmosphere of hate come off from Kyoya's direction. He was fuming so openly I was surprised he'd show such animosity in front of the others.

"Renji, will you help me keep an eye on Kyoya? I don't like the way he's looking at Kasumi." I whispered as Tamaki was announcing the ball to be open.

"I'll assist in any way I can."
The doors were opened and hundreds of students came into the ballroom with awe and gleaming expressions to the décor. Tamaki stepped forward with Haruhi in hand and bowed to the audience as he began his announcement.

"Welcome to the Rose Maiden Ball. May all your dreams and fervent wishes be as bright as these stars to your future."
All of us stepped forward, taking our bow as we all took a breath in unison.

"Enjoy yourselves to the fullest, my lovely audience."
A practiced sentence that was perfectly executed. Everyone in the crowd began to chatter and fill the room with noise as the band hidden in the nook of the wall behind a dark curtain was unveiled to begin playing music.

"That was different…" Renji was surprised since he didn't know what just happened and I couldn't help but laugh at his expression.

"I should have at least warned you, I'm sorry." Unable to stop laughing and having him escort me down to the dance floor, we kept our sights on Kasumi as she was being led by Grimmjow to the floor as well.

"Shall we dance then?" Taking the initiative, surprised by his invitation, I still don't fully trust the guy but there was no harm in a dance at least.

"…I'd love to." Taking his hand and led to the center amongst other students, I was surprised to find him pretty good at leading.
His hand gently taking my waist and dancing smoothly to the waltz, it was a thrilling sensation that's been missing in me for some time. Kaoru danced with me, a little clumsy as it was, but it was sweet and I remember it so vividly. I danced with Renji and listened to the soft music playing and when I was gently spun around I saw Kaoru dancing with Anne not far away from us. I felt my heart clench not just from seeing them together, but from his smiling face not directed towards me any longer and the fact that he looks happier. Perhaps because I was thinking about us just seconds ago made this scene hurt a little bit as I thought I got over it.

"Are you alright…" he stopped and pulled me in and I was grateful he was hiding my face. "Kim…?"

"I think I'm done…sorry," wanting to run, it was something I didn't expect to do tonight, but when I felt Renji's hands wrap around and taking me away from the floor he didn't pry; didn't say anything more and let him just guide me through the throng of people and leading me outside to overlook the garden. We walked down the small flight of stairs and I took off my shoes to walk in the lush grass as we wound up beside the roses where we'd met earlier today. "…thanks," trying not to let emotions take me tonight, he leaned against a tree and stared at the sky.

"You know, back home we don't have stars like these. This atmosphere here is completely different from where I'm from." I stayed quiet and just listened. This was a first hearing him talk nicely about his home that I didn't realize it was making me feel better. "The captain holds extravagant venues like these once in a while with Lady Mizu, but nothing compares to what Raito can do." He laughed and looked sad he was away from home. "You guys have a unique way of life here I won't be able to comprehend no matter how long I live for. Take things in stride and don't let the small things hinder you…you have one life, cherish it." Speaking as though he's experienced death already, his somber look making me feel indifferent, I stared at the sky alongside him and just let everything I felt go away.

"Thanks, Renji…" he said nothing more than just letting the silence answer my feelings of everything going on.