Yuki stepped out of the car, her hand firmly in Kaname's. The entire manor was alive with lights and cars and people in beautiful ball gowns. For a split second, Yuki felt horribly under dressed. Well, considering most of the dresses had skirts that billowed out like a princess, and her dress simply fell to her ankles. However, unlike them, she was a Princess. And with Kaname beside her, she felt like a Queen.

The couple advanced towards the door, where Takuma greeted each of his guests before allowing them inside. "Kaname! Yuki!" he smiled brightly at the appearance of the two Purebloods. "Welcome! I'm glad you came!"

Kaname returned the smile, placing his hand on Ichijou's shoulder "We wouldn't miss it" he replied. Yuki nodded, sending Takuma her own bright smile, before they entered the house. It was easy enough to find the ballroom; every vampire in the house was heading towards it. Not to mention it was the brightest room in the house. Like the Aido house, the ballroom was big. Easily bigger than the Aido ballroom as well.

Behind them, Yuki could hear Takuma greeting the others. She wanted to touch her stomach but refused the urge. With as many vampires around as there were, she would be easy prey to them if they learned she was pregnant. She already knew Kaname would vote to isolate her even more than he had after her awakening when she was further into her pregnancy. And for a change, she actually agreed. She felt his hand slip down to hold her around her waist and she looked up at him, curious as to what he was thinking. His eyes were focused on Aido's younger sister.

Kaname looked from Aido's sister to gently kiss Yuki's forehead. "I'll be right back, my dear. I wish to relay condolences for her father's death"

Yuki nodded and watched him depart. He had already relayed his condolences to Aido the first chance he was able. The first time she had ever seen Aido's sister was at the ball... back when she was still human. All of the girls had been flirting with Kaname and it had made her feel inferior to him. She brushed the feeling aside. Her and Kaname were married now. End of story. No more flirty women. He was hers and hers alone.

She looked through the crowd to find someone she knew, but before she could, an Aristocrat woman stepped up to her. The woman bowed politely to her before starting to talk quite rapidly. It seemed the subject ranged from her being a Pureblood to the weather, to Yuki's dress. It was quite annoying, but Yuki put up with it, smiling attentively and replying when needed. Finally the woman's husband came to claim her and the two left together. The woman was babbling happily about her conversation with the Pureblood.

"Did I miss something?" a low voice asked from behind her. Yuki spun around before laughing. Kaname stood behind her, an amused smile on his handsome face, and two champainge flutes of blood tablets in his hands.

She took one of the glasses from him and took a sip "Not really.." she assured him "Just a woman who wanted to have a conversation with me"

"Oh? And how did that play out?" he questioned.

"Well enough I suppose. You know older women, mostly talk" she smiled "I missed you though"

The rest of the evening was fairly uneventful. Elders talked to them both, and they replied in turn. Action came towards the end of the night, when Takuma drew attention to himself at the foot of a flight of stairs.

"I'd like to thank you all for attending tonight" he started "I know I invited you all here with the idea that this was because I am now the head of my house. Well, this isn't entirely true" he paused and held his hand out. From the front of the crowd, a lovely woman with brown hair and wearing a green dress took his hand. "I'd like you all to meet my fiancee, Hiromi" Takuma smiled, taking Hiromi's hand in his own.

Applause broke out through the entire room, echoing off the smooth walls. Yuki smiled, clapping with the others. She could tell the news had startled Kaname, but she doubted it was in a bad way. They both thought that Takuma deserved to be happy. After everything Sara had done to him, a beautiful loving wife would be a significant improvement.

Kaname watched the proceedings silently. He was silently wishing all the best wishes he knew on his dearest friend. The girl was unfamiliar to him, but he didn't doubt that Takuma would have taken the time to know what she was really like. He just hoped it wasn't a whirlwind romance and that she would hurt him even more. For now, he could only hope that she was genuine.

The party ended shortly after the announcement. Everyone gave their congratulations before filing out. Kaname and Yuki were among the last to leave, having waited patiently for their turn. The only others left in the room were Akatsuki, Ruka, Aido and Seiren. They could have claimed it at any time, but as the last in the room it allowed them to speak freely. Not that anything to be said was a secret, but being able to speak freely in such a large room was a big help.

"Kaname, I want to thank you and Yuki again for coming tonight" Takuma smiled, his arm around his fiance's shoulder.

Kaname smiled and inclined his head politely "But of course. I was quite happy to hear of your engagement"

Hiromi smiled and dropped into a curtsy before the Purebloods. "Permit me to echo Takuma's praise of you being here" she said in a warm voice.

Yuki smiled, deciding to talk to Hiromi while Kaname spoke with Takuma "But of course. Takuma's a good friend of Kaname's. He wouldn't miss it for the world"

Hiromi opened her mouth to reply, but Yuki held her hand up to stop her. Her stomach was turning in a not so good way. "Forgive me for interrupting... but where is a bathroom?" she asked. To cover her reason she quickly added "I'm afraid some of my makeup is running..." It was a lame excuse, but right now she didn't care. When Hiromi pointed the way to her, it was all she could do not to run out of the room. As she left she noticed Kaname pull Takuma to the sidelines.

Kaname had overheard Yuki's request and quickly guessed the real reason she was seeking a bathroom. It took him two seconds to decide to spoil her when they got home. In the mean time, he needed to make sure of something. Gently pulling Takuma out of earshot of his bride-to-be, he requested that Takuma keep Yuki's pregnancy from Hiromi.

Takuma nodded slowly, his face serious, but not to much so. "Of course Kaname. I wouldn't tell her without your permission anyway"

Kaname nodded a thank you before saying a quick goodbye. If Yuki was ill it was time to leave. He retreated with his small posse to find her, catching up to her just as she exited the bathroom.

Yuki sighed gratefully when she saw Kaname. The others with him could only mean he was ready to leave. Much to her relief. Hiromi was nice enough, but if her morning sickness was starting for the time being, she didn't want to be there. Kaname's strong arm wrapped around her shoulders, helping to support her as they made their way outside.

At his insistence, the others left before them. Just as he was helping Yuki into the car, a vampire lunged from the other side of the car, trying to bite her. In one fluid motion, Kaname pushed Yuki inside grabbed the attacker and shoved him against the car door. The attacker was a youth of sixteen or so, with shaggy brown hair and green eyes.

The boy thrashed desperately against Kaname's hand, struggling to be free "Please..." he whispered. He green eyes were quickly drown by the crimson of blood-lust.

Yuki watched from inside the car as Kaname's eyes narrowed. She knew that look. He would kill the teenager for such an attempted attack. "No! Kaname don't!" she shouted, darting from the car to stop him.

Kaname glared at the boy. How dare he beg for freedom while his eyes clearly lusted for Yuki's blood. Only Yuki's interference had stayed his hand. He released the youth, helped Yuki back in the car before getting in himself. He glanced behind him as the car took them from the young vampires sight.