Hello, readers! HAHA! Sembreak is finally here so to welcome and celebrate its arrival, I have a new chapter with me! Been too long. But here it is. Enjoy and rock on!

-toucHeart-

Red Carnation – My Heart Aches for You

"Owwwwww!"

Then another thud followed, echoing throughout the Atobe manor – the only sound disturbing the still silence. Every maid and butler in the house turned their heads in wonder and worry towards the dancing hall of the house, some just shook their heads and sighed hopelessly. Because then, they know the reason of that exclamation. A dancing lesson. Their young master and a part time maid just like them dancing in the ballroom. Although, they weren't too sure if dancing really is the right word to use.

A group of maids were tidying the grand living room and were all worried for their young master's safety. It was the beginning of the week and the new set of flowers to be placed throughout the manor were already delivered. The porcelain and crystal vases were expected to be polished and ready as the red carnations are freshened up.

"I sure hope that the young master's alright. It would be too sad if he bruises his flawless skin."

"That girl he's with definitely can't dance! She's hopeless."

"Of course, she can. But unfortunately, she can only dance one kind."

"What?"

"The Dance of Destruction."

At that, they all laughed. Although they weren't too careful because somebody heard them.

"I'm sorry! Oh, Atobe-san. Let's just drop this! I'm hopeless." Irah apologized and requested for he umpteenth time that morning. She stood up from the floor, trying her best not to wince when she felt a sharp pain grip her ankle.

Atobe grabbed her arm. "Oh no, you don't- not again. I've been telling you from the very beginning of this deal that there would be dancing lessons and you agreed. You won't take back your word and I won't break mine."

I didn't agree, you jerk! You forced me! She wanted to shout at his face, but he was trying to hide his irritation and he was the very first dancing instructor ever to last this long trying to teach her steps, so she kept her mouth shut and let her eye spark with anger.

She has two left foot. Damn, she can't even walk properly and tripped a lot! Her stepmom made her take dancing lessons and they all gave up on her. That's why she gave up all hope in being able to dance properly. She took a step towards the refreshment area. At the third step, the sharp pain she felt on her ankle got an intensity worse and her feet gave her away.

She was about to shriek as she saw the hard, shiny, granite floor about to hit her flat on her face. So you can imagine her surprise when her face fell on something warm, sturdy and smelled a lot like the guy she liked. What surprised her even more was when she felt herself being lifted into the air and drowned further into that wonderful smell within. She looked up and was greeted by the one of the most handsome faces in her history. She blushed.

"O-Ohtori-senpai? Why-"

"Why are you here, Chotarou?" Atobe approached them. She, in the arms of the person she liked the most. Kyaaaaaaaah! What are you doing you insensitive Demon King? Practice the fox trot and leave me alone here!

Her Prince Charming just smiled and said, "Good morning to you, too, Captain," he pulled out a roll of papers from his sling back. "The Vice-Captain's report for the year's Student Council Club Checks."

"Ooshitari made all these?"Atobe asked as he scanned the papers and their contents.

"Yes, Capatain."

She blinked. Why are they talking with her in a princess cradle? Between them? She blushed more.

"That's okay. Anything more you have to do with me?" Atobe asked as he handed the papers back to her Prince Charming.

Irah saw a shadow of hesitation in Ohtori's eyes. Silence steamed. He looked straight at his Captain and then outside. She couldn't stand him looking like that so she whispered, "Ohtori-senpai?" With that, he looked at her with worriedly, and then something like a strong resolve passed his eyes and they were cheerful again as he replied a short, "Nothing else, Captain." He continued looking at her, "Nothing else."

It seemed like there were only the two of them at that room when Atobe said, "I see. Put her down, then. She weighs like a pig."

Irah wanted to scream. She just served tea to both her Prince Charming and the Demon King. Well, not actually tea. Cola. How ironic to think that forces of good and evil can enjoy each others' company on one table. They chatted and talked and drank and sometimes laughed, punching each other on the shoulder.

Everything would've been fine if only they didn't enjoy too much and forgot that she was nearby, forced to suffer and see them having such a good time until sunset. Until her Prince Charming went home and her insensitive Young Master sent him off. She didn't even get the chance to flirt. Oh hell yeah, she knew how to flirt if she set her mind to it. She didn't get the chance to make a move. Oh, she wasn't that innocent. What Irah wants Irah gets… as long as she knew she had a chance to get it, nothing is gonna stop her from getting it. Come winds or high waters.

But then again, she didn't even have the chance to challenge the forces of nature, especially if the Demon King controlled such forces. She wanted to scream.

She stomped out of the kitchen least she break some plates from the Ming Dynasty and headed for the quarters. Her footsteps were silenced by the soft red carpet that covered the hallway in a somewhat mane of roses. The walls were illuminated in a romantic way as the lamps provided. The chandeliers above glowed along with the wall. In the silence of the household and of the night, everything seemed so comfy… so elegant… so… familiar. Suddenly, slowly, a faint melody of an English waltz floated in the air. She followed the sound.

Ballroom. The lights weren't on. The moon was the only source of light and it silhouetted the room beautifully. She looked around. No person in sight. She walked towards the CD player and was about to turn it off. But then, she suddenly remembered what her Prince Charming said and how his face blushed when he complimented her as well as cheered her on.

You can really dance, Irah-chan. Don't let anybody's words get to you and just do your best.

"That was probably the most beautiful lie I've heard."

And the voice of somebody else…

Stupid! Don't think too much of the steps. Hold on to me and just feel the music, woman!

"That was uncalled for." But she still smiled.

She increased the volume of the music a level higher.

Then, she started following the second voice's advice.

She closed her eyes and she was carried away…

Atobe proceeded back to the ballroom, carrying a bottle of chilled water. He just practiced the steps that he was gonna teach Irah later on. He wore himself out too much. And he knew that somehow that night, he didn't dance as gracefully as well. Sublimation? He chuckled to himself. But then, an image of strong arms cradling the soft body of someone he considered his personal maid flashed his mind.

Something unexplainable somewhat gripped his whole being. He didn't know what it was, but he didn't feel good. At all.

Something crunching and dripping on his hands forced him to look down. "Shit…" he whisked the water away from the already ruined bottle of water he was carrying. "Perfect…"

At that moment, he heard the music from the ballroom. He found it weird since he left the CD player at a volume where it wouldn't be heard by that distance. With swift steps, he arrived at the doorway and stopped abruptly. He peered inside. What he saw made his eyes widen in surprise then after a moment, his lips smile with fascination.

Without making a sound he approached Irah that was gliding on the floor in time with the music. Her eyes were closed, he arms outstretched as if she was dancing with an invisible partner.

She was having fun. He knew. She was smiling.

She was oblivious to how the moon's light illuminated her skin like glowing snow. He saw. She was beautiful.

He slipped into the space that she was dancing with and he fit perfectly. Could she be dancing with him in her imagination?

Everything seemed so real to Irah all of a sudden. She thought that it was just her imagination when something was forcing her in some direction. She thought that it was just her when she suddenly bended gracefully in her imaginary partner's strong arms. This doesn't seem so bad. To actually dance with no one in particular but your imagination.

She smiled with her eyes still closed when the music stopped.

And wasn't so surprised when she felt her partner still hold her hand. He seemed so real she can almost smell him, embrace him, feel him. He cupped her face and forced her to look up. She opened her eyes.

I see him. Emotions. Then realization. She felt her heart beginning to break. Weakness permeated her whole body that her knees gave away. She needn't worry. Atobe supported her fall, embracing her.

Her situation didn't get any better when Atobe's face began descending down on her again. Her heart beat loudly against her ribs and there was a ringing sound on her ear, a warning bell that always went off frantically when she was near this man. it was the warning bell that made her tease him, fight him off, ignore him, push him away, all in the hope of him disliking her, ignoring her and forgetting her existence.

"Why can't you just ignore me?" she mumbled in the faintest of words as she gripped his sleeve. She hung her head thus making Atobe's lips land on her hair. He kissed it anyway. She can hear her heartbeat went wild. Or was it Atobe's? It didn't matter. "Why won't you leave me alone?"

Her grip balled into fists. She felt him smile. Her desperation worsened. "Why can't you just go away?"

"'Cause I'm a gentleman. Gentlemen keep their promises."

"Bull."

He chuckled. Then, the words she dreamed of him saying poured out of his lips like honey. "I think I like you, Irah."

"Y-you think?" She hurt. Badly. So painfully it almost made her crazy. How can something she dreamed of happening feel so right and yet… wrong? In a shaking voice, she added, "Keep thinking."

"That wasn't a very helpful suggestion. Help me, Irah." Atobe's grip on her became tighter. "This shouldn't be happening to me."

"Damn right you are. You're just confused. You don't need me. You… already have my sister." Her tears were finally permitted to fall. "You already have a fiancé."

- End of Red Carnation -