Kaname stepped from the luxury car that had brought him to Takuma's manor. The few guards who were watching the home bowed and stepped aside as he entered. Kaname stepped up to the door of Takuma's study. He was trying to decide if he should knock or not, when the door was opened by an elderly butler. Kaname nodded a thank you and proceeded inside.
Takuma sat behind an oak desk, looking over a few papers. He set them down when he saw Kaname. His calm somewhat sober expression was replaced by the warm, kind smile that had once been so normal to him. "Kaname" he stood up and crossed around the desk. "I'm glad you came"
Kaname nodded "Of course I did, Ichijou" he was relieved to see his oldest friend, at least from this lifetime, smile again. With Sara having been around, and keeping Takuma like a personal toy, Ichijou hadn't smiled in a long time. Not a real smile anyway.
"I wanted you to know that I'm throwing a party tonight, and I wanted to personally invite you and Yuki" Takuma smiled again.
Kaname felt a smile pull at his lips. This seemed just like Takuma to do something like this. After all, he did it to Yuki for his birthday party a few years back."Thank you for the invitation, Takuma. I'll be there, and I'm sure Yuki would enjoy it as well"
"How is Yuki anyway?" Takuma asked, pouring a glass of water and adding a blood tablet. He turned and offered the glass to Kaname, who accepted politely.
"She's well" he hesitated before deciding to share their news. After all, Takuma was his best friend. "She's with child"
"Really?" Takuma's kind smile widened. "Thats wonderful news, congratulations to the both of you"
"Thank you" Kaname moved the cool glass to his lips, taking a generous sum from the liquid contents. "I should go inform Yuki of the soiree" he said gently, setting the glass down "I'll see you there"
Takuma nodded and smiled "Of course"
Kaname nodded and left. It might not have shown, but he was grateful to have Ichijou back to how he was. Even the stress from being the new head of the Ichijou family wouldn't affect him as much as Sara had. At least with his work, he could get a break.
Kaname had barely stepped back into his home before he was attacked. . . by Yuki.
"Kaname!" she giggled, jumping into his arms "I missed you!"
Kaname caught her easily, holding her close "I wasn't gone that long" he pointed out, before burying his face against her neck "But I missed you too" he pulled away a few seconds later "Ichijou is throwing a party tonight and we're invited" he said softly "Do you think you'll feel well enough to go?"
Yuki's eyes lit up at Takuma's name "Of course I'll feel good enough! I wanna see Takuma!"
Kaname smiled gently "Don't over work yourself, Yuki" he advised.
"Don't worry, Onii-sama, I won't!" she smiled "I should go get ready, I have a reputation as a Pureblood after all" she giggled, blushing slightly.
Kaname grinned "As do I. Though I look forward to your presentation, my dear" he kissed her hand gently.
She blushed, still a little nervous from his embrace. She knew it was a little foolish to feel nervous, but she couldn't help it. Ten years of past experience couldn't be erased in a few years. Yuki turned and headed upstairs. Ruka would most likely do her nails again, unless Kaname decided to. Even over a year later, that still shocked her. She shut the door of their room before opening the closet. Her gaze turned towards the half containing her evening dresses. A beautiful cloudy blue caught her attention so she pulled it off the hanger. It was perfect; spaghetti straps, gauzy layers flowing to the ground and forming a small train. She looked it over before deciding to say something out of the ordinary for her "Well, do you think I'll look ok in this?"
Silence met her. Of course it would. She was talking to thin air. Well, sort of. She'd been talking to the baby. She never had before and it felt strange, talking to her stomach. She took the dress with her into the bathroom, where she began to draw a warm bath in preparation. It was midday, but after she finished everything that she needed to do it would be sunset - or really close. She had to wash her hair, dry it, style it. Then there was makeup, nails, shoes, the list went on.
Thankfully Ruka would help her with her makeup, and nails. She leaned back in the mild water, enjoying the warmth.
Over four hours later, her hair had been washed, dried and straightened. Pale blue makeup had been applied to her eyes along with eyeliner and mascara. Any type of foundation had been ruled out thanks to her naturally flawless skin. Ruka was just putting the finishing touches on her nails; one coat of clear nail polish on both her fingers and her toes. Her nails had been filed to perfection and smoothed out before being painted. Out of everything, who knew there was a small block that makes the top of your nails so smooth it looks like natural nail polish? It made them so smooth and shiny.
Once her nails dried, Ruka helped Yuki to pick out a beautiful pair of Greek style black sandals. Lastly, she stepped into the dress while Ruka pulled it up around her. The loose layers allowed her to move freely, and hide her pregnancy, even if she wasn't showing. By the time everything was complete and she had a small clutch in her hands, it was sunset. She'd heard from Ruka that Kaname had relieved Aido of his room while he got ready. Ruka had come already dressed for the ball at hand.
Yuki took a deep breath, looking at her finished outfit. Ruka had tried to persuade Yuki to wear a necklace more suited to the outfit, but Yuki had refused. She wore her locket instead. Besides, in her opinion the gold and the ruby added a nice touch to it. It was a plesent break from the constant blue of her attire.
Yuki smiled at Ruka, nodding a thank you. She was amazed that Ruka got herself ready in so short a time. Especially with Akatsuki as her date for the night. She brushed her hand over her stomach for the last time before leaving the room. Ruka was already downstairs with the others.
Kaname watched Yuki reach the top of the stairs. Her mere appearance took his breath away. She looked stunning. The blue of the gown was perfect on her. He hid a small smile as he noticed she was still wearing the locket. Feeling very formal all of a sudden, he bowed to her as she began her decent, holding his hand out to her elegantly.
Yuki smiled, and quickened her pace to take his hand. Kaname helped her down the last few steps before gently tucking her arm in his. "Well now, shall we go?" he asked, squeezing her hand gently.
Yuki nodded "Yes.."
Kaname smiled and nodded to the others, who opened the door before allowing the two Purebloods to exit. Seiren closed and locked the door before hurriedly returning to the group.
Two cars stood outside; one for Kaname and Yuki and one for everyone else. Kaname helped his beloved into the car before he entered as well. He shut the door against the night before signaling to the driver to procede. Behind them, Akatsuki displayed the same type of manners that Kaname had by helping Ruka into the car. Aido offered to help Seiren, but she slid in without a word. After several more minutes, the second car sped into the night to follow the Purebloods.