Disclaimer: I don't own HYD.

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His hand tightened around the wine glass as he saw Rui kiss Tsukushi. He didn't notice when the fragile glass shattered. The waiter quickly rushed to his side, cleaning up the mess. Tsukasa waved him off and took the new wine glass from him. Tsukasa stared at them, anger boiling within him. 'Hanazawa.' he thought furiously. 'I'll kill him. Just like the rat that he is, when no one's looking he sweeps in and takes the prize. Well too bad for him. Tsukushi's mine. She'll always be mine.' He gulped the wine down. He looked over to Tsukushi. His eyes softened. She looked beautiful. She was the epitome of grace and beauty. He wanted to go over and take her away. He wanted to tell her she was beautiful, that she was everything he ever wanted. He looked down using his hat to cover himself as they got up and left. He'll take back what was his… soon.
"Guess what Tsukushi?" Rui said as he rushed through the doors leading to the terrace.

Tsukushi, gardening with the gardener, stopped packing soil into the clay pot as she heard Rui's voice. "What, Rui?"

"My mother wants to throw a formal masquerade ball next weekend."

"Really? I've never been to one before."

"Well then, it'll be my honor to escort you, milady," he said as he took one of her gloved hand.

Tsukushi giggled. "But Rui, what should I wear?"

"Ha! I'm already one step ahead of you Tsukushi. I've already got your dress made."

"What?! Rui!"

"What? It'll be fun. Not only that, I'll get to see how you look as a 19th century lady," Rui teased.

"So you'll be wearing tights then?" Tsukushi giggled.

"Absolutely not! Hah… I'll be wearing a black, long tailed tux like the rest of the men."

"No fair. But it sounds like lots of fun!"

"It will be, I promise."

Night of the Masquerade…

Tsukushi had the maid help dress her. From what the maid told her, her dress was a light lavender color with gold and cream designed pleats. She felt the cool air brush across the top of her chest, letting her know that it was low cut. 'I wish I could see how this dress looked like.' She had her hair styled into a bun with a few strands of hair curled to give it a wispy look.

"Oh miss, you look like you could've walked out of a history book."

"Thank you, Kyoka."

There was a knock on the door. "Come in."

Rui walked in dressed in his black long coat tuxedo and top hat, with a white mask that covered his eyes and nose. He gave a whistle when he saw Tsukushi.

"Wow. You look amazing."

Tsukushi smiled. "Thank you, Rui. And I'm sure you look handsome as usual."

Rui bowed and took Tsukushi's hand to kiss. "Thank you, milady. Are you ready to go?"

"Almost. Do you mind putting this on me?" she asked as she handed Rui the necklace he gave her.

"I'd be honored," he flushed with pleasure, as he clasped the necklace around her neck. After he was done, he gave her a kiss on her bare shoulder. "Beautiful. You ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Tsukushi said with a nervous smile.

The man standing on the other side of the room, noticed Tsukushi as she came in on the arm of Rui. He moved quickly, striding to blend in with the crowd.
He put her hand in the crook of his elbow and lead her down to the ball. As they entered, Rui whispered to her, "Put up your mask and smile. Don't be nervous. I'll be by your side."

That calmed Tsukushi. She knew Rui would take care of her. She put her mask on and smiled as she walked side by side with Rui. With her now sharper hearing ability, she could hear the faint murmurs of the other female guests as she passed by.

"It's that girl. She was Tsukasa's girlfriend, until Rui stole her away."

"Really?! I heard she tried to make Tsukasa jealous, but it backfired and now the only option she has is Rui."

"Well I heard that after she went blind, Tsukasa didn't want her anymore, so now Rui wants to have his fun."

Tsukushi felt her confidence falter. Rui noticing the change in her demeanor asked her what was wrong.

Tsukushi forced a smile. "Nothing Rui. I just feel a little overwhelmed with all the noise."

"Don't worry. You'll get used to it, but if you want to leave, let me know and I'll take you back up to your room, okay?"

Tsukushi nodded. "Okay."

"I've got a surprise for you."

"What is it?"

"Not a what… more like who."

"Tsukky!"

Tsukushi turned in the direction of Yuki's voice. "Yuki?"

Yuki grabbed her arm and pulled her into a hug. "Tsukky, you look gorgeous!"

"Thanks, Yuki. It's been so long since I've seen you. How have you been?"

"I'm great. Soujiroh's here too."

"Hey Tsukky."

"Hey Soujiroh. So you got dragged into coming huh?" Tsukushi joked.

"I wouldn't say that exactly. We just wanted to come see you."

Tsukushi felt a lot better with Yuki and Soujiroh here.

They sat at a table and chatted about what's been happening since she left and since she's been here. Rui got up as the music started. "May I have this dance, Tsukushi?"

Tsukushi hesitated. "But Rui, I can't dance."

"Yes you can. Remember I taught you."

"But it wasn't with this big crowd."

"No buts, let's go," he grinned as he pulled her to the dance floor. "Just follow my lead like I taught you."

They danced around the ball room floor with the other couples, laughing as they twirled in circles. Tsukushi felt so free dancing and moving to the music, knowing Rui will be there to catch her if she fell. As the music started to end, Rui led her towards the terrace.

"That was amazing, Rui. I had so much fun," giggled Tsukushi.

"I told you, didn't I?" he said smugly.

"Yes you did."

"How about a drink?"

"I'd love one, thanks."

"Okay, I'll be right back," he said as he strolled back into the ballroom.

Tsukushi sighed, breathing in the cool, crisp air. She turned at the sound of footsteps.

"Back already, Rui?"

She felt someone stand in front of her. "Rui?" she asked again. She felt a hand cup her face, thumb slowly stroking her cheek. She touched the hand touching her face. They weren't Rui's hands. She stepped back immediately.

"Who are you?"

Tsukasa looked at her standing in the moonlight. She looked ravishing. Only his Tsukushi could make a goddess green with envy. He walked towards her when Rui left.

"Back already, Rui?" she asked with a faint smile. He felt jealousy hit him hard as he heard that bastard's name leave her lips. He walked up to her, standing so close he could smell the flowery perfume she always wore.

"Rui?"

He raised his hand to cup her cheek, slowly stroking the smooth, soft skin. She reached up and touched the back of his hand. She frowned and backed away.

"Who are you?"

"Me?" he said as he took a step forward. "I'm the man you dream of at night." He took another step forward as Tsukushi took another back. "I'm the man you want." He kept stepping closer. "I'm the man who you yearn for." Tsukushi stepped back only to feel the cold wall against her back. "I'm the man you need." He placed his left hand on the wall as he gently tilted her chin with his right. He moved his head close to her until their lips were barely an inch apart. "I'm the man you'll always love." He heard her gasp before he crushed her lips with his.

'Tsukasa!' she gasped. She felt those hot lips envelop hers. 'How can this be?' All the memories she kept locked up came flooding back. Her arms went up to push him away, but instead they grabbed the lapels of his coat to pull him closer to her. She felt tears fall down her face through their kiss. Tsukasa pulled back and gently wiped away her tears.

"Don't cry, sweetheart. I'm sorry if I scared you," he said as he pulled her into his arms.

"What? How? Why did-" Tsukushi didn't know where to start.

"Why did I come here?" Tsukusa asked.

Tsukushi nodded tears clogging her throat.

"For you, Tsukushi. I came here for you."

"But I thought…" she trailed off.

"Tsukushi?" Rui called out.

"Rui…" Tuskushi whispered.

Rui looked around until he saw the couple embracing in the darkness.

"Domyouji," Rui growled as he advanced towards them.

"Hanazawa."

"You're not welcomed here. Kindly leave."

"That's fine with me. Tsukushi, go get your stuff."

"She's not going anywhere with you, Domyouji," he sneered as he dragged Tsukushi away from Tsukasa.

"Rui, what are you doing?" Tsukushi asked.

He pushed Tsukushi behind him. "Don't worry, Tsukushi. I won't let him harm you." He looked at Tsukasa with hatred. "Leave, Domyouji, before I have you thrown out."

"Not without Tsukushi."

"She's not going anywhere with you. Get it through your head," Rui said coldly. "Haven't you hurt her enough?"

"Why would I hurt her? She's mine."

"She's not something you own, Domyouji," Rui spat.

"You're wasting my time. Come on Tsukushi, let's go."

"Rui held up an arm, warding Tsukasa away from Tsukushi. "She not going anywhere."

"Both of you stop it!" Tsukushi cried in frustration. But neither one of them heard her.

"I suggest you move out of the way, Hanazawa, before I make you move."

"Bring it on, Domyouji."

Tsukasa's fist struck out first, slamming into Rui's jaw. Rui struck back, swinging a punch that clipped Tsukasa chin. Tsukushi, hearing the men's grunting and punching, blindly stepped forward intended on stopping them.

"STOP IT! STOP IT THIS INSTANT!" she yelled.

Tsukasa's right hook sent Rui flying backwards towards Tsukushi, knocking her back. Tsukasa saw Tsukushi fall and stepped forward, trying to grab a hold of her. Tsukushi's head fell back hitting a large clay garden pot with a sickening thud.

"Tsukushi!"

Seems like Tsukushi's always the one getting hurt... men.. sheesh ;) please review!