Part five: The ball.

Nokoru spent all of the next week pondering what Mamoru had meant but had no time to go and see him about it, both of them were run off of there feet with preparations for the ball.

Soon the night itself arrived Nokoru stood at the side of the ball wearing a wonderful white tuxedo, his eyes scanned the crowd for Mamoru and spotted him leaning against a pillar, wearing a midnight blue tuxedo, his eyes were shadowed by his fringe he appeared to be staring into his cup. Nokoru jumped he hadn't been expecting to see Mamoru there after all he was supposed to be at orchestra practice. Nokoru made his way round the dance floor to the Mamoru and tapped him on the shoulder, Mamoru looked round at him and smiled. "Why aren't you at practice?" Nokoru asked softly.

"I decided to skip it tonight, in favour of coming to the dance, why aren't you dancing. Wait let me guess so you don't slight the other ladies by choosing one of them over all of the others."

Nokoru smiled at him. "You know me too well."

Mamoru smiled back. "I suppose I do."

Nokoru blushed slightly. "Can we go some were and talk?"

Mamoru nodded. "Shore."

They stepped out into the night air and Mamoru lead Nokoru to a secluded arbour, Nokoru seated himself Mamoru stood and looked down on him. "What is it?" Mamoru asked gently.

Nokoru looked up into Mamoru's deep brown eyes. "What were you going to tell me last time I was here?"

Mamoru let out a breath and looked up at the sky for a moment and then back down at Nokoru, he knelt down in front of Nokoru, Mamoru lowered his head and upbraided his hair then he looked up at Nokoru.

Nokoru's eyes went the size of golf balls and he spoke in a hushed voice. "You, your the girl I saw playing the violin."

She nods. "Yes, my name is Yosei Taiyo."

Nokoru recognizes the name instantly and said in rushed words. "The world famous singer?"

Yosei nodded her reply to his question. For the first time in his life Nokoru found himself speechless, Yosei's cheeks went crimson and she turned away from him unsure as to what this reaction meant.

Nokoru watched her turn away and realised that she was going to run from him again, his hand shot out and caught her arm. "Oh no you don't."

Yosei looked down at his hand and then turned to face Nokoru, he was looking at the floor his face hidden by his fringe. "Nokoru-kun?" She spoke quietly.

Nokoru looked up at her his eyes burning. "Why? WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?" His anger was shining clearly in his eyes as well as in the tone of his voice.

Yosei blanched white and struggled against his grip but found it too strong, Nokoru spoke again. "Why?" It was a quiet but demanding question.

Yosei looked at the floor. "Because I wanted to be different from all those other girls who come after you." She said exasperated.

Nokoru realised his grip. "You were different all right." Yosei could hear the disgust in his voice.

Yosei yanked her arm out of his grip and walked away from him, dressing back into Mamoru-senpie as she went, soon she reached the house and turned back to look at him with large hurt eyes before entering the party once more. When she was gone Nokoru felt desolate and suddenly realised with an acute pain in his heart that he had just made the biggest mistake of his life.

After a few moments to regain his composure, Nokoru took a deep breath and also returned to the party, which he found was in full swing, Nokoru looked around desperately for Mamoru but couldn't find 'him' any were. Soon however he spotted Akira and made his way over to the young man, Akira spotted him coming and smiled, Utako was as ever standing devotedly by his side. "Good evening." Nokoru said quietly.

"Good evening chairman wonderful party don't you think?" Said Akira looking dashing in his tuxedo (his man of many faces one except with out the mask.)

Nokoru bowed politely to Utako, who curtsied in return and then he turned his blue eyes on Akira. "Have you seen Mamoru-senpi?"

Akira looked thoughtful for a few moments. "He was here a few moments ago, I wonder were he went?"

The band began a new song and Utako pointed past the two men to the dance floor, Akira and Nokoru's eyes went huge, dancing next to a beautiful blond woman was the dark haired Mamoru looking like prince charming from a fairytale, his steps were perfect, he was strong, noble, athletic and intricate all at the same time when he danced. Nokoru felt his mouth open wide, he shut it sharply and watched 'him' dance in absolute awe.

All to soon the dance was over Nokoru watched the women eyeing Mamoru's partner with envy, Nokoru made his way over to 'him' and when he finely got there gently but firmly tapped him on the shoulder. Mamoru turned round, there eyes met and it was as if the ball room had fallen into silence as if nothing but them existed. "You dance well Mamoru-senpi."

Mamoru bowed a look of calmness in 'his' eyes. "Thank you."

Nokoru smiled widely, he leant towards Mamoru's ear and whispered softly. "Don't worry your secret is safe with me." He moved back slightly and Mamoru politely assented his head in a thank you.

"I'd like to talk to you Mamoru-senpi if I may?" Said Nokoru for the others to hear.

"Of cause. Ladies if you will excuse us." Mamoru turned and bowed to them politely, Nokoru followed his example and they then returned to the garden.

Mamoru guided Nokoru to the side of the garden pond. "Please sit?" Said Mamoru gesturing to the marble seat at it's edge.

Nokoru went over and sat down and Mamoru spoke again. "Well what did you want to talk about Nokoru-kun?"

Nokoru took a deep breath unsure were to start, Mamoru watched his face, his eyes betrayed his uncertainty. "I dress like this so I can get an education in peace before you ask why and yes it's very painful to do this to myself. . ." Mamoru began to try and explain.

"I'm sorry." Nokoru said quietly, Mamoru stopped short in his explanation and looked at Nokoru confused.

There was a long silence before Mamoru spoke again. "Pardon?"

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shouted at you like that, I should have waited to hear your explanation first." Mamoru looked down at Nokoru who was looking at the floor.

"Nokoru-kun . . ." Mamoru whispered but was cut off as Nokoru looked up his cheeks wet with tears.

"Please stop hiding, let me protect you please?" He said an earnest look on his face. "I love you, let me protect you please."

Mamoru's eyes went wide and then soft. "All right, starting tomorrow I'll come to school as myself and I will let you protect me because I love you too and I trust you."

Nokoru rose from were he was sitting and smiled at 'him'. "Thank you. So I'll see you . . . the female you tomorrow at 9:00 am?"

Mamoru looked confused. "What for?"

Nokoru smiled. "Why to pick you up for school of cause. I can't take any risks."

Mamoru laughed. "But I already walk to school with Touya and Sakura."

Nokoru grinned at him. "One more person will increase security."

Mamoru laughed again. "Your very kind to me, thank you."

"I'm protective of the ones I love." Said Nokoru firmly.

"I noticed." Said Mamoru still smiling.

They returned to the party with there secret love, that didn't remain a secret for very long, once Mamoru became Yosei they were soon the best know and most well respected couple on campus and it came to no ones surprise that as soon as Nokoru had finished university that they married.

(well this is it at the moment was thinking of a longer fight what do you think or a longer bit of them after they get closer whist still at school?)