Rose of Jericho

by peterpauper

Would we laugh at gilded butterflies? Sequel to Chrysanthemum.

33. Chapter 31

-

Chapter 31

-

The night of the party arrived with much anticipation. It was a big party. An annual event. Celebrities and the business elite turned up to mingle at a winter ball, hosted by a different family each year. This year, in honour of their efforts to the World Wide Health Crisis, the Ootori group was the leader.

Yuuki sat on the counter beside her sink and brushed her teeth. She and Kyoya had been at the venue all morning, making sure things were set up right. The girl watched her husband do his tie up.

"Uh." Her speech was muffled. "Half Windsor. Double is too thick."

Kyoya paused before wrapping the tie around itself again. "Half is too thin."
"If you pull it tight." She stopped brushing and held her hands out, beckoning him closer. Yuuki undid his tie and redid it. "There." She rinsed her mouth. "Better."

Her husband looked at the girl, sitting in between a compact, brushes, mascara and various other items men knew little about, barefoot and in a dress that didn't seem to fit right. He worked out why when she slid off the counter and onto the floor, turning so she could put on a pair of diamond earrings. The back of her dress was comprised of a tight set of tiny silk buttons and that would require a vast amount of twisting to do up. She hadn't done it yet. Kyoya did them for her.

Yuuki smiled at him in the mirror. "Thank you."

He kissed the back of her neck. "You look wonderful." A man should always tell a woman if she looks good, she always forgets it for herself.

Yuuki was wearing a black dress. Strapless with a scalloped neckline. It dipped to a V at the back where a line of almost invisible black buttons wrapped up the centre and caused the material to fold intricately, lifting the dress from plain to elegant. It flowed well and gently touched the floor. It was made of silk with a chiffon overlay to allow for soft movement. She'd curled her hair and pinned it into a bun. Some of it escaped and was pinned with small, white, pearl beads that matched her necklace. It was a bit of a modern Grace Kelly look. Soft, but proud. Gentle but in control.

Kyoya turned Yuuki around and kissed her amiably. She dropped her arms around his neck. He tried to run his fingers into her hair but she protested. "That took too long to do."

"How long?" He pressed his mouth to the corner of hers so that she could tell him.

"Two hours."

"Two?"
"Okay, more one and a half."

"You know...we can just get you a stylist for this sort of thing."
"I like to do it."
"You do it well." He tucked short curl off her face and behind her ear. "The media is going to appreciate you're effort."
"Ew." She pulled a face.

"Just smile and tell them who you're wearing. Say something about life so they don't ask. Try not to fall over."
"The latter is going to be difficult. The heels have the thinnest stiletto. It's stupid."

"Why do you wear them?"
"Because, Chanel paid me to. I get them for free."
"I could buy them."
"No. Why when I can get them for free?"

Kyoya laughed softly and let her go. "Alright. Go find them. We have to leave soon."

"Where's your mask?"
"On the bedside table." He was dressed completely in black and white. In true Kyoya style, his mask was black too, and on a stick so he didn't actually have to wear it. Yuuki had decided to match and bought the same thing, but in white. No one actually wore their masquerade attire until they had passed the media. They all thought it was just a black and white ball. One needed a real face for the public.

Yuuki put her shoes on and teetered delicately for a moment before walking a bit. They weren't high, just hard to balance on for the first few minutes until one got used to them. "Okay. Let's go."

Kyoya did his cuff buttons up and caught her as she veered a little too off balance for his liking. "I said we had to leave soon, not A.S.A.P." Pause. "You're struggling with forward motion."

"Thanks captain obvious."

He straightened her necklace out. She smelt like roses in autumn. A warm, sweet scent. He kissed the base of her throat, just above the pulse.

Yuuki stood in his arms for a moment. "We'll be late."

Kyoya stood straight and lingered.

His wife looked him straight in the eye. "I know we can't avoid meeting her, so, can you not avoid it?"
"I won't. I won't even leave your side."
"You're allowed to." Yuuki fixed his tie again. "We're not attached."

Kyoya smiled slightly. "No. But one wouldn't protest."

"Yes. But you have your business. To be quite frank, your business partners are old and only know how to talk of themselves."
"What would you talk of?"
"Politics."
"Dangerous subject."
"Fine. History."
"How about medical literature."
"Freud?"
"Perfect."
"Great. I can state his theory that all ugly people marry beautiful partners."
"I'm not ugly." Kyoya said haughtily.
Yuuki smiled smugly. "Not with an ego like that."
"So you're argument just died."
"No, you're just short sighted."
"No one will get that pun."

"I got it. It made me laugh. Deep down inside."

"Well, that's all that counts." He pressed his hand into the small of her back and turned her gently away, guiding her to down the stairs and to the door. "Remember, there is no comparison."

Yuuki hesitated. "Okay."
"Okay? It was a mistake."
"Okay." She nodded. "Okay. I'll tell her that."
"Play nice."
The girl breathed. "Okay."
"Stop saying okay."
"Okay." Pause. "Sorry."

Kyoya smiled. She was nervous, not because of him, because of the potential jealousy that could ensue. They'd talked about 'the situation' for hours. Yuuki was still uneasy even though she understood, accepted and forgave his misdemeanours. He was an eighteen year old man who had just had his heart broken, in a foreign country full of beautiful women who would fall at his feet at a whim because he was, well, Kyoya Ootori. Those women would just have to accept that he was not actually like he had been in that year. He was as he had been the year before. And sensible. Mistakes exist so they don't happen again.

-

I just spoke silence with the seeker next to me; she had a heart with hesitant, halting speech

That turned to mine and asked belligerently 'what do I live for?'

I see the scars of searches everywhere I go, From hearts to wars to literature to radio

There's a question like a shame no one will show, what do I live for?

We are Hosea's wife

We are squandering this life

Using people like ladders and words like knives

If we've eyes to see, if we've ears to hear

To find it in our hearts and mouths the word that saves is near

Shed that shallow skin, come and live again

Leave all you were before, to believe is to begin

There is truth in little corners of our lives, there are hints of it in songs and children's eyes

It's familiar, like an ancient lullaby, what do I live for?

We are Hosea's wife

We are squandering this life

Using bodies like money and truth like lies

If we've eyes to see, if we've ears to hear

To find it in our hearts and mouths the word that saves is near

Shed that shallow skin, come and live again

Leave all you were before, to believe is to begin

We are more than dust,that means somethin'

We are more than just blood and emotions, inklings and notions, atoms on oceans

We are Hosea's wife

We are squandering this life

Using people like ladders and words like knives

If we've eyes to see, if we've ears to hear

To find it in our hearts and mouths the word that saves is near

Shed that shallow skin, come and live again

Leave all you were before

To believe is to begin

(Hosea's wife, Brooke Fraser)

-

As the hosts, the Ootori couple had to be there relatively early. Already though, there were others filtering into the foyer of the grand hall. The event was being held within the city gardens, inside what used to be an old hotel. The grand room of which was two stories high with a domed roof and a balcony that wrapped right around the top level for prime viewing of the bottom. The windows were large to afford a view of the snow. The fireplace was large to provide warmth the whole night. It had walls of plain white and panels of black. It was very oriental inside but had been decorated to a Venetian standard. Exotic, mysterious and exceptionally lavish. A ten piece orchestra was set up in one corner, just in front of the glass. Music and a good view. But no one had reached the room yet. The media loved the event, it was when the rich and famous and various mixtures of both came out to play, socialise and, in all probability, cause a stir.

It was snowing softly when Yuuki and Kyoya arrived. A small cheer broke out from the masses lining up to see anyone of supposed worth. The girl still couldn't quite understand why they did that, they were just business people. Maybe it was because they gave hope. Or were a sign of something most people wanted.

"Good evening." A man with a microphone and camera man approached them. "A penny for your thoughts?"

Kyoya smiled pleasantly. "Just contemplating the snow and whether we'll have to provide shelter for the media."

Yuuki laughed inside. He was not thinking anything of the sort. The man was flattered though. "Oh, Mr Ootori, that won't be necessary. We are the thickest skinned of any industry." He beamed. "So who can we expect from the invite list?"
This time Kyoya laughed. "That would take a lot to recall." Money's on that he could. "Just expect a lot of people, all of whom expect to be interviewed. I sent out a warning of sorts to each party. You'll have good pickings this evening."

"And, Mrs Ootori, what will you be doing?"
"Just being a wall flower." She smiled at him. "I'm his smiles."

Her husband put an arm around her waist and nodded his dismissal to the journalist. "'His smiles'?"

"Want me to be you're frowns?"
He kissed her cheek as they moved past a few of the screaming-journalist-types and towards the more professional versions. "I want you to be you."
"We all know what a scandal that would produce."
"Then, let them have their scandal." Pause. "It's good for business."
Yuuki didn't say anything of the other scandal possibility. That didn't need to be brought up. It was part of a slate that was now clean. She just remembered what it had said. "So, what am I tonight then?"
"My wife."
The woman looked up at him. "Duh."

Kyoya pulled them into a mass of cameras and individuals dressed in business suits. "I hope the cold isn't insufferable?"
A woman went straight to Yuuki. "You're wearing a strapless dress, aren't you cold?"

"Oh." Yuuki could still feel Kyoya pressed against her. Except slightly behind. It was more visually effective. "No. It's a nice dress. It would be a shame to cover it."

"Who are you wearing?"
"Dress by Peter Alexander, he's this amazing Australian designer, shoes by Chanel, Jewellery by...whatever was in my jewellery box."

She got a laugh from the last quip. "And who styled you this evening?"
"I did. Kyoya..." Who was otherwise engaged. "...says I should get a stylist, but I used to ride horses for a living. You learn how to create hair that will endure."

"How long did that take?"

Yuuki smiled and looked down before bringing her gaze back to the woman. "A long time."

Another journalist, interested in the couple and not their individual fame, pressed forward. "What of the Ootori Empire? I hear it is undergoing an international expansion? What does that mean for us as consumers?"
Kyoya pushed his glasses up. "It means good things for consumers. The expansion means that we get more support from other companies and more income, resulting in lower fees and more opportunities for medical advancement."

"Is he at work a lot?" To Yuuki.

She looked at her husband. "An Empire wasn't built in a day."

"You studied history at university did you not?" On the topic of empires and education.

"Yes. It was part of my degree. Or, I chose it as part of my degree."
"How is the Ootori Empire, to you, great?"

Yuuki paused. "Well, it learns from its mistakes. Its flexible. I mean...there have been a lot of empires, Rome; which died because of numerous civil wars, treachery and treason. The Ottoman Empire, full of furniture for some reason..." Small laughs. They liked her media persona. "...The German Empire. Now that was good. Especially the second time round. Except they made the mistake of celebrating with a World War. Twice. The Austro-Hungarian Empire had the potential but chose to slowly collapse like a flan in a closet." She shrugged. "Things have happened to teach us to do otherwise. And that's what the Ootori Empire is about. Adapting to the times, to the people's needs, seeking happiness. Business is like Hosea's wife, from the Bible, and its advocates like Hosea. Things go wrong and you can't control them, but you can keep trying to provide a better future."
"And that's your job? To stop your husband from making mistakes?"
"He's quite apt, Kyoya doesn't need my help."

Her husband scoffed. "We keep each other out of trouble."
"I'm not trouble." She shot back.

"Uhuh." He steered her away, much to the amusement of the pack.
Yuuki scowled at him. "I'm not trouble. I just gave you're company the monologue of a lifetime."
"And I gave the follow up quip."
She smacked him good-naturedly with her clutch bag.

"They like you." He said down to her, smiling continuously for the never ending flashes. It was a subdued version of the Oscars Red Carpet.

"They like you and thus have no choice but to like me."
"I'd have gone vice-versa."
"And you're always right." Yuuki added sarcastically.

"Most of the time." He said smugly.

"I'd go...ninety percent of the time. But that doesn't mean I'm wrong for the other ten."

"Of course not. You're very frequently right. Just in the wrong manner."

"You're being exceptionally superior."

"Just part of the game."
"And you like this game?"
Kyoya looked at her, still maintaining a smile. Only, it reached his eyes for her. "Relax."

"I feel like an old film. All the black and white. It's like Shindlers List."
"You compare the event to the holocaust."
"It wouldn't be a stretch to imagine."
He laughed. "Interesting view." Pause. "By the way, your witticism about the world's empires may come back to bite you. Especially from the Germans."
"I speak German. And have the ability to flatter with ease." She said mischievously. "And the Romans, I'm sure won't mind. The Austrians and the Hungarians have long since gone their own ways. The past is the past. Learn from it."

"Underlying message taken."

"There was none, but if you want to take it that way, be my guest."

Kyoya hadn't let her go, they moved undercover, just before the foyer. "Cold?"

"What do you think?" Little pieces of soft ice had been falling on her. Romantic or not, it was freezing.

"Inside." He softly urged. "How are your feet?"
"Don't worry about me." Yuuki watched the people coming in. Somewhere amongst them was the cast of a recently award winning film, a singer who just made number one, and Rose. "You don't need to bend the rules for me."
"It's not a matter of need." Kyoya's tone was strong. As per usual. But it was laced with something softer.

Yuuki turned to him and smiled softly before kissing him. It was warm and tender. Kyoya lingered above her and smiled. The girl blushed, realising that more than a few camera's had caught the moment. "That was stupid. I'm sorry."

"It wasn't stupid." He kissed her again. "Just a little embarrassing."

Yuuki laughed. "It's the same thing."
"Only to you."
She shook her head humorously and turned back to the throng. "All for appearances sake."
Kyoya scoffed haughtily. "My left foot."
"Awww...you're using my phrases."

"You've started saying 'yes'."
"I know. I'm going to have to teach you to say 'yeah' sometime."

"No."
"It's quite the possibility."
"Quite." Kyoya shot back sarcastically.

There was a cheerful cry, but not from the media. Someone and their entourage had just entered out of a stretch Hummer. There were two guys and three girls, the leader of which was obviously principal in both command and subtle wildness. Her friends were the ones yelling, causing everyone to turn. The head girl was dressed in a bright red cocktail dress. To a black and white ball. She had peroxide blonde hair piled Marilyn Monroe style and cherry red lips. Rose was five foot eight bright green eyes and a body that would have rivalled Jessica Simpson in her Dukes of Hazard days.

Yuuki let her head fall backwards onto Kyoya's shoulder. She looked up at him from that position. He did not look pleased at all. The woman had just ruined the demure nature of the event with her ostentatious entrance. Kyoya was frowning. The media went ever so slightly insane as the French Ambassador and his wife climbed out of the car following and smiled as if their daughter's attire was the most natural thing in the event. Even though they themselves were entirely in black and white.

Kyoya looked down at Yuuki, put a hand on her hip and turned them towards the foyer. His wife glanced over his shoulder from her place in front of him and watched Rose saunter towards the door, her dress was in no way elegant. It was sensual. Red, slinky, bejewelled.

"Don't." Kyoya admonished. "She is wanton, licentious and without shame."
"I would be too if I looked like that."
"Why do you want to look like that?"
"Most desired height, most desired hair colour, most desired shape..."
"Genetics, fake, fake." He stopped and Yuuki sharply. "Don't ever try to be like that. Ever. There is nothing beautiful about her."
"She's stunning Kyoya."
"Not inside."
"Well. Sometimes I'd like to be stunning outside too."
"You are." He ran the back of his fingers down her neck. "There is nothing as captivating as you. Nothing as beautiful."
"You'll stay captivated?"
"How could I not?" He smiled genuinely. He'd never stopped being enthralled by the little dark girl. She was beautiful because she was her. Completely. Poignantly. "You are my world."
Yuuki caught his hand as it reached her collarbone. "Okay. Sorry." She hadn't meant to bring it up.

"You have no idea." Kyoya quipped and put his free hand in his pocket characteristically.

"Don't." She scolded. "We talked about this. It's over."

"Then why are you upset?"
"Who wouldn't be jealous?"

"You shouldn't be. You're the bell of the ball."

His wife smiled. "Alright."

"You look wonderful tonight."
"You clean up pretty well yourself." Pause. "And I'm not just saying that."

Kyoya squeezed her hand back and then began the tedious task of greeting guests. Once a Host, always a Host. Yuuki stood a few feet away and spoke to the fancy-to-do women as their husbands discussed business with her husband. Everyone gave compliments to everyone and then took some of them back in the private gossip circles. The female Ootori held her tongue at the talk of the Ambassadors daughter. She hadn't met the girl, she would make no judgement. And said so when asked.

"I think it is a debate that will rage all evening and in the weeks to come. But she's European, the fashion and demeanour there is vastly different to that of Japan." There were a few nods. "Meet her, and talk the choice of her dress. But play nice, ladies."

Yuuki smiled at them and then laughed along with them. Kyoya glanced over from his sea of suits and shook his head in a dismissive manner. Discharging the female creature and her apt methods of reconnaissance. His wife stuck her tongue out at him and shattered his entire mental argument. It caused a great deal of pleasant talk of the sweetness of her nature and his fortune in finding her. The women reminisced on the times when they had been young and proud and could do the same thing without being rebuked for it. Yuuki told them that they were still young and proud enough. It was a masquerade after all. She had her media mask up and swiftly put her masquerade one up to prove her point. Her husband knew how to get behind it, and that was all that mattered.

-

Yuuki was with Kyoya again when Rose came over to be introduced. She seemed to remember the youngest Ootori. Her father was with her. The Ootori had to be polite and play his part.

"Good evening, Kyoya." They shook hands. "Wonderful set-up."
"Thank you, Jean. I hope you enjoy the evening." He turned to look at his wife. "This is Yuuki."

"Yuuki Cunxin?" Came the modest reply.

"Only sometimes." She said, shaking the man's offered hand.

"Well. This is my daughter, Rose." He motioned the half distracted girl behind him. She was spinning her mask on a manicured finger.

"Hello." She said in a thick accent. "Long time no see." She smiled coyly at Kyoya.

"It has been a while."
"I'd like to catch up again." Rose turned her gaze to Yuuki. "Hello, I'm Rose." She smiled a brilliant smile and offered her hand.
"Yuuki." Came the reply. Kyoya put an arm around his wife's waist, she glanced at him.

"Are you two an item?" The Ambassador quipped.

His daughter put her mask up and examined the couple through its eyeholes. "I'd say more so." Her direction went down to Yuuki's left hand as it closed around the Ootori's torso. "Father, I do believe Miss Cunxin is no more."

"Oh?"

"Yuuki is my wife." Kyoya said contentedly.

"Oh!" The man exclaimed. "I'm sorry. I was not aware of the union."

"It was a private affair."

Yuuki stared incredulously at her husband. He shot her a glance that they would discuss that later. It had been a private affair. As in only for those who they had directly had verbal contact within that year.

"Smiles to the happy couple!" Rose exclaimed happily. "What fun."

Yuuki smiled at her little outburst. "When did you arrive in Japan?"
"Two days ago."
"You should come around for tea sometime."
"Yes, the Japanese are big on tea, and the English." The woman picked up on Yuuki's half blood.

"Apparently so." Kyoya was talking to the ambassador and had left her to fend for herself.

"So...how long have you two been...an item?"
"Four years married, we met...the end of junior year high school."
"Oh, high school sweethearts! How delightful. Surely that must have been hard with studies? Seeing each other frequently must have been difficult."
Yuuki laughed softly. "No. I used to board at the school but the scholarship was withdrawn when I fell off my horse."
"Yes. I remember seeing that on the news. And then them mentioning at the Olympics."

"It was quite the event. But after that happened, I moved into the Ootori mansion. They had a bunch of spare rooms."
"I know." Rose said absentmindedly. "Kyoya's is two stories."
"It's quite the marvel." Yuuki said, avoiding the topic.

"I remember seeing it and wondering just how rich he was."
The Ootori laughed awkwardly.

Rose didn't stop. "The house itself is huge. Bigger than mine. You don't have to worry about running into anyone in it in the middle of the night."

"It is convenient."

"Oh. Very." Rose had decided that she didn't like Kyoya's wife. She wasn't about to retaliate an obviously sensitive topic. She had a shameless nature. "The noise doesn't carry through it either."

Yuuki coughed awkwardly. Her husband looked at her for a second and then at the other woman. "It's a pleasure to meet you again, Rose."

"Oh. The pleasure was all mine." She extended her hand.

Kyoya pretended not to notice as Yuuki steered them inconspicuously to another group of people. The dinner call would go off soon. "What did she say?"

"Oh." His wife said lightly. "Just a whole bunch of stuff about...what was it? Oh yes...your bedroom."

"Really? She's never even been to the house."

Yuuki stopped. "What?"
"I told her about the house, architecture talk with her father. But she'd never been. Who brings someone like her into the Ootori household?"

"Point." Pause. "Why...?"
"To try rile you up."
"Ah."
"Did it work."
"Not in public."

Kyoya laughed, deep and low. "Remember what we talked about?"
"No."
He gave her a questioning look.

"I remember. But you have a clean slate now. It's not written down."
"You're incredible."

"In a good or bad way?"
"In an I-have-no-idea-what-to-make-of-you way."

Yuuki glanced over her shoulder at Rose. The woman was watching them with a corporeal eye. Or watching Kyoya as such. She hadn't forgotten. "Kyoya..."
"I know. I'm sorry."
She slowed her walk as they passed an alcove. "I've decided. She's not beautiful. She's confused."
"You don't hate her guts?"
"I think she hates them."
"Really?"
"Kyoya, no one seeks ... that sort of thing unless they think it's going to give them merit. And it didn't bring you any. I think the ambassador's daughter is just very confused."
"I don't know if that's a compliment or not." He said roguishly.

Yuuki pinched him. "You're such a...man." She smiled. She trusted him, she'd never stopped. "She wants attention, primarily yours, but what she needs is something different..."
"What?"
"I have no idea."
"Seen this case before?"
"I work at a youth shelter. Every single girl this week has come in wearing miniskirts and heels. I talked to each and they all told me it was because it made them attractive. Loveable."
"That's not love."

"No. It's not. But they were socialised to think it was. Who's her mother?"
"Ran off with a Spanish actor and pretends her daughter is her cousin." High point of gossip for a long time.

"Exactly."

Kyoya pondered this a moment and then kissed the top of her head. "You really are odd."
"Just the town shrink, but thank you." She smoothed his tie and beamed softly at him.

"It was awkward?"
"Very."
"Right."
"Don't beat yourself up. But if you do, I'm not entirely opposed to the act."
"Be nice."
"I love you."

"I love you too. Only you."

When you love someone that much, lust for another disappears. It just becomes part of the praise you hold for that which is the dearest to you. That which exists within you.

-
Standing by a broken tree
Her hands are all twisted, she's pointing at me,
I was damned by the light comin' over all as she
Spoke with a voice that disrupted the sky.
She said, walk on over, yeah, to this bit of shade

I will wrap you in my arms and hold you safe
Let me sign, let me sign.

(Let me Sign, Robert Pattinson)

-

Dinner that night was an event of sorts. Yuuki was seated beside Kyoya, Rose across from him. There was no seating plan, so her entourage had tagged along to the table where the high and respected families had congregated.

"I'm sorry about them." She said, waving a hand at her friends; not one spoke a word of Japanese. "They are wonderful people."

"Then please tell them to stop using profanities." Kyoya said flatly. "Their 'club' talk is not appropriate. Even when they think no one understands. This is not a downtown party scene."
Rose was a little taken aback at first and then exceptionally pleased. "I forgot you spoke French."

Yuuki was talking to the elderly woman beside her. Discussing Etta James. She was a sweet grandmother, all with millionaire children and an interest in music. She had met her husband while working as a Geisha before World War two. It was a not-so-melodramatic version of Memoirs of a Geisha and the woman was the nicest old person Yuuki had ever met. And fascinating. She trusted her husband with the Ambassadors daughter.

"It's been a while." Kyoya replied flatly.

"It has. Too long." The woman began speaking her native tongue.

The Ootori continued to reply in Japanese, knowing she would get lost in translation eventually. "You like Japan?"

"I do." Rose was drinking wine. "It's beautiful. I was only here briefly last time."
Kyoya pushed his glasses up. "I am aware of the fact."
She took a sip of her drink. "No hard feelings? My boyfriend needed me." She raised her brows over the rim. "He doesn't need me anymore. Not that one anyway."
"I don't think feelings were involved at all between us." His tone was flat. Hard. Dismissive.
"Just attraction." She replied huskily. "Even still."
"No."
"No?"
"No. Rose. Just no." The Ootori said firmly.

"Is this because you're wife is beside you?" Rose smiled. "She's very pretty."
"This is not because of her. I would say no under any circumstance."
"Except the one before."
"No. That was not a circumstance."
"What was it then?"
Kyoya paused and examined the woman. She was expecting him to say something that he couldn't imagine himself ever saying. Her ego filled the dining hall. "It was a mistake." It hardly offended her.

"Oh?"
"Yes. End of discussion."
"Oh!" She leant back happily. "I get it. You're playing hard to get."
"I'm not playing."
"So, you're just hard to get then?"
"No."
"You're easy?"
Kyoya stared at her, fill on. And angry. "Rose. If you do not end this discussion, I will. I am very aware that you told no one because it would wreck you're image."
"I will tell." She leant forward across the table. "I'll tell that little half-breed wife of yours. I lose nothing."
"Neither do I."

"So I can tell her?"
"She knows, Rose."

The woman seemed a little taken aback. "She knows?"
"Yes."
"And she doesn't mind?"
"We weren't together at the time." Pause. "And if you have a problem with half breeds, then why do you chase me so adamantly?"
"Oh. Kyoya. I have no desire for children."
"No. Obviously."

"What we had was nothing Rose. A one night stand does not signify anything other than lust. You can't win someone by throwing yourself at them." He was frank. "I don't think you understand what happened."
"Enlighten me." She'd switched back to Japanese. Picking up that he didn't mind who listened.

"I think you know perfectly well."
Rose took another sip of wine. "I know what you are."
"What am I, Rose?"

"The type that see's women as disposable pleasures."

"If I'm not mistaken, you're the one who flew out in the morning."

"I had somewhere to be."
"I think you used me just as much as I used you."
"Mmmm." She leant back. "Good party." She changed the topic. "We need better music. And wine."

Yuuki smiled at the woman across the table. Kyoya looked at his wife. She turned to him. Rose watched them. It was like everything had ceased to exist. As if her discussion with Mr Ootori had been expected and accepted by his wife. As if she didn't mind. But she did. She'd not judged it. Nor avoided it. Her tight nature indicated such. But her husband spoke. Simple words. About the table setting. Somehow they seemed to mean more. When their eyes actually met, Rose turned her gaze to the table cloth. She didn't know why. It was like a subconscious privacy barrier, turning people away from something that no one but they understood. Yuuki didn't kiss Kyoya as she would have. It was gentle, soft. Poignant. Rose would have probably driven him into the table and pressed deep. But she saw that Yuuki's effect was greater than any passionate drive. One of the Ambassadors entourage spoke to her. Rose blinked and nodded before asking them to repeat the question. She felt something she had never felt. Jealousy. Towards the delicate half-blood girl and the world she could give. The world perfected by the person she had married. It was a gift, one she didn't understand, comprehend or know how to give.

-

The string quartet didn't much of a chance to play. They were swapped by the DJ who was controlling the sound for the evening. Someone had requested Fergalicious and very few knew how to dance to that. Very few except Rose and her crew. They had turned the centre of the floor into a club.

Yuuki stood with Kyoya, near the DJ. He was going to change the song as soon as possible. "That's not dancing."

A group of young men and had clambered into the little group. All of whom were drunk. Kyoya raised his eyebrows. "What is it then?"
"Foreplay." She said flatly.

Rose stumbled out of the circle and towards them. "Hey! Come dance! It's awesome!" She was speaking in French so Yuuki had no idea what she was saying.

Kyoya, amused by her previous statement, enlightened her. "She wants you to join them."
"I'm wearing a gown. As are most of the women here. It's very difficult."
Rose was very, very, very drunk. Very. The first two hours after dinner had been good, relaxed dancing. Light mood. But the ambassadors daughter kept seeing Kyoya and his little wife waltzing and had decided to change things up a bit. Especially after the second bottle of expensive grape. "This is an awesome party. Too many old people though."

"Rose, you're father is here." Kyoya pushed his glasses up while Yuuki asked for a song change. Something more appropriate. Like Etta James.

"I know. He's sooo proud of his little girl. Boy. Can I dance!" She threw her arms around him. Rose pointed a finger at Yuuki over the man's shoudler. "Hands off. He's mine."

Yuuki laughed.

Rose was confused. "What?"
"No. I was just looking at Kyoya's face."
"He's pleased. Isn't he?"

The man pushed her off. "Quite the opposite. I assure you."

Yuuki caught the woman as she teetered. "You alright?"
"No. Of course I'm not alright you...you...little half-blood."

"What's wrong?"

"Kyoya is mine. You hear? He's mine."
"Why?"
"Because. Tonight, I decided he was."

The man in question had steered them out of the hall.

"And tomorrow?" Yuuki helped the other woman along.
"You can have him back."

Yuuki helped Rose balance. "That's hardly fair. You won't even remember."

"I don't care. I just want him."
"Uhuh. Okay." She held her hand out. Kyoya slid a chair over. Rose was soon settled into it. "Okay" She wasn't letting Yuuki go.

"You have such pretty hair. So natural. Not like mine. It's from a bottle. Most people can't tell." Rose had Yuuki by the wrist.

"That's nice, Rose. That's nice."
"Why do you get him?"
"What do you mean?"
"I want him."
"In what way?"
"In a way I'm not prepared to tell you about."

"Okay." Kyoya pried the woman's fingers off his wife. She had fingernail marks on the skin of her wrist. "Rose. That's not going to happen."
"But why?"

"Because, you're drunk."
"I'll get sober."
"No."
"Why?"
"No. Rose."

Yuuki put her hands on Kyoya's chest and steered him back a little. "I've got this." She whispered. "It's alright. You have guests." He looked at the drunk woman. Yuuki spoke quietly to him. "I can help her. You know I can and you know she needs it. There are too many people like that, Kyoya."

"Then why help one?"

"Because, that one needs it."
He sighed. Rose stomped her foot on the ground. "That's why." She pointed at them. "What's why I want him." She stared at Yuuki. "I want to be you."

The Ootori let her husband go and turned. "Why would you want to be me?"
"Because. You have someone who wants you. People only want me for sex. Do you know what that's like?" Odd pause. "The being wanted for sex, not...sex."

"I understand. It's okay. Did you really think getting drunk would help?"
"No. But it makes it easy. Guy's like to hold you when you're drunk."
Yuuki knelt beside the chair. "I've been drunk before."
"No way. Get out!" She was disbelieving.

"No. Really. Ask him." They both looked at Kyoya.

He had a hand in his pocket. "She's being serious."
"Really?" Rose said, looking at Yuuki. "So you get it then?"

"I get that you'll have a mighty hangover if you don't get some water into you."

"Really?"
"Really, really."
"You know, if there was a God, I'd ask him to get rid of hangovers forever."

"Maybe hangovers are God's way of telling you that you pushed your mortality a little too far."
"Hmmmmmmmm...So. Tell me about when you were drunk?"
"Well. It was a Halloween party. I got taken out by some friends, they like to play games."
"Oh! Did you do shots? Shots are fun."
"I only had one."
"Oh really?"
"Yes."
"You suck at drinking."
"Yes. Well. I remember vividly keeling over a toilet bowel and throwing up everything I'd eaten that week. I also remember him being very, very angry at me."

Kyoya nodded. Rose frowned. "Really?"
The man pushed his glasses up. "It has absolutely no merit in it, getting drunk to be drunk."
"It helps one forget and live in the moment."

Yuuki shifted. Her shoes hurt. "Do you want to remember those moments?"
"No. So we do it again. And again. And again. And...somehow this topic has veered."
"You want Kyoya."
"Oh yeah. I remember."

"Good."
"Why are you saying good? You should hate my guts."
"Rose. You'll find the right guy. I promise."
"How can you promise me that?"
"Because my mother promised me that."
"When?"
"When I was six."
"Did she promise you when you were sixteen?"
"She died two hours after she told me."
"How?"
"Truck."
"You're mother was a truck driver?"
"No. She rode horses. She took me riding and the horse bolted. I fell off, she didn't."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"I fell out of the way. My mother and her horse died."
"Oh. So falling is good?"
"No." Yuuki brushed a hair off her face. "No. Falling makes us remember things. Important things."
"And I have to remember...."
"That you're worth so much more than what you have become."
There was a long pause. "I know." Rose leant forward and put her head in her hands. "I know."
"What are you going to do about it?"
"I don't know."
"Why don't we get you back to your hotel. You go upstairs, have a hot shower, drink a couple glasses of water and go to bed."
"Alone?"
"Yes."
"I'll get lonely."
"You won't get used."

Rose heard the song change. It was the sort of one she would request away from. "Why are you so...good?"
Yuuki laughed. "Hardly."
"Mmmm...." Rose let her head fall back against the chair. "I like the sleep idea. I'm tired. I'm sick and tired of everything."
"Okay." Yuuki looked up. Kyoya was gone. He reappeared a minute later in another door and ushered her over. The girl lifted Rose up. The other woman had promptly passed out and had to be half-dragged to the door.

Kyoya went to help and got told off. "This is woman's business." Yuuki handed him Rose's shoes.

"She's too heavy for you."
"You're heavier."

The man thought about that statement a moment and decided to let his wife be for the moment.

Rose woke up half way and stumbled forward out of the other woman's grip. "Where are we going?"
"Cab. Out back." Kyoya said, putting his mobile away.

"Where is the cab taking us?"
"It's taking you to your hotel."

"Are you coming?"
"No. Rose. I'm not."
Yuuki helped the girl down the stairs to the rode that ran behind the building. A car was sitting, waiting for them. "What will you do when you get back?"
"Um..."
"Rose. You remember. You're not stupid."
"I'm going to have a shower and drink water and go to sleep."
"Good girl."

"Will I not have a hangover then?"
"No. You'll still have a hangover. But you might remember some of tonight."
"Do I want to remember?"
"Yes." Kyoya opened the door and helped guide the drunk woman inside.

"Really."
Yuuki gave the driver some cash to see she got inside safely. "What hotel Rose?"
"The Hilton."
"Okay. What room number?"
"One hundred and seventeen."
"Okay. Do you have a key?"
"Always leave one at the counter."
"Good girl. Alright." Yuuki stood up and shut the door. "Goodnight Rose."
"Night...what's-your-face."

The car pulled away and disappeared. Yuuki crossed her arms and turned around, right into Kyoya. "You did good." He said.

"I did what I was trained to do, and what I would have done for anyone." Pause. "I told you she was confused."
"So, you don't mind..."
"No. Duh I mind. You were still a jerk. But you're probably the nicest jerk she ever met."
"Um...thank you?"
"You're welcome." Yuuki smiled and headed back upstairs. She'd done what she had to do to finally accept what had happened.

Kyoya had acted as Shadow King and made sure it was alright. Or that it was going to be. "You are..."
"Amazing?" She turned around and bowed on the little balcony before the door. "Thank you. Thank you. I'll be here until..."
"Forever." He caught her as she straightened and pulled her close.

Yuuki lost her mask somewhere along the night. But it didn't matter. "You know who would be good for her?"
"Who?"
"The twins. Or...one of them. Probably Kaoru."
Kyoya laughed. "That would teach them."
"Mmmm. I'm glad I did that. I really wanted to kick her..."
"I know." Her husband cut her off. "I'm glad you did it too."

"Many men left over tonight."

Kyoya ran his fingers down her neck before resting his hand behind it. "We're alright?"
Yuuki nodded. "Yes. I've seen what you were like back then now."

"What was I like back then?"
"The sober version of that. Hurt. Alone."

"Absolutely furious."
"At yourself."

"Mmm."

Yuuki brushed the hair out of his eyes. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Everything...Losing it at you...For getting drunk." She laughed. "Oh my gosh, its scary seeing what a drunk person is like."
"You didn't mean to."

"Maybe not...but still." Yuuki sighed. "I guess we're all to blame then."

"Being human is not an excuse."
"No. But it is a reality."
Kyoya let her run her fingers down the side of his face and through the back of his hair. He kissed the hollow behind her ear and lingered, her skin was cold. Yuuki liked how warm he was. How warm his breath was.

"What happened to the Cinderella stories all the girls were raised with?" She said quietly. "Surely boys watched them too."
"They saw the prince getting the girl. And the dragons."
"And the dragons." She smiled. He wouldn't have seen it. He was running the tip of his nose down her jaw.

Kyoya kissed her sweetly. There was an edge of desperation to the way he did it. As if he couldn't tolerate having it any other way. Yuuki reacted amorously and caught her breath as they lingered in that moment. There were no photographers, no drunk or unsound women, no music, just them and the snow. Finding warmth in each other rather than from anything else. It was a risky business, letting go like that to fall in love, but if you did it into the right person; then it brought you back up again. Higher than before.

When Kyoya pulled away, Yuuki followed and kissed him sincerely. Her husband smiled as she did so and slid his hand from behind her neck and down her spine. Her skin was freezing. It was often hard to tell with her, she was pale enough for no one to notice.

When he pulled away, Kyoya noticed her nose had a slight red tone. "You're glacial."

"Glacial hey?"

"Mm."
"Sweeping generalisation." She stood closer to him.

Kyoya closed his arms around her for a moment before opening the door inside. "Warm."
"Yes, sir." Yuuki stepped into the building. "She'll be alright?"
"Who?"
"Rose."
"She'll be fine."
"And you?" Yuuki knew her husband felt like a moron for not being a gentleman. Even if it had been a long time ago.

"I'm fine." He pushed his glasses up.

His wife folded her arm around his torso as they slipped back into the party. "Don't go be an Ootori. Just stay with me. Please?"
"Worried I'll run off?"
"Not at all."
Kyoya smiled. "Alright."
"Sweet." Yuuki said smugly.

He fit his hand into small of her back and held her against himself. Enjoying the way she aligned with him. Accepted him.

-

Yuuki lay in bed late that night and watched the snow through the window. It was piling up on the windowpane and then being blown off by a harsh wind. But she was warm under the covers, pressed neatly against her husband. His neck formed a makeshift pillow and she could feel his pulse against her skin. It was steady and didn't falter. The girl pulled the blanket higher over her shoulder. Kyoya shifted as she did so before settling again. He was fast asleep and obviously preferred the current situation to the couch. Yuuki rested her fingers on his collarbone and closed her eyes. He was her world and she was his. Planets never stop turning and lives never stop living. Even when you want it to pause for a moment so you can make it last longer. Linger.

Kyoya had his hand in the curve of her back, the other between her shoulder-blades; holding her near. Even in sleep. They were lucky to have found the other. Incredibly lucky. If they hadn't, they would have lived their whole life through, not knowing what love actually was and settling for a different version of it.

As Murphy would have it, Put your hands up for Detroit started blasting from the bedside table. Yuuki groaned and twisted her head to look at her phone. It was lit up and vibrating, singing its annoying techno tune.

Kyoya growled. His wife twisted in his grip and picked the mobile up. "Turn it off." He grumbled.

Yuuki made a small noise of dismissal and looked at the number. "It might be an emergency." She answered. "Hello?"

"Yuuki..." The voice was gruff. "...I'm in trouble."

She looked at the number again. "Dad. Don't call me."

"No. Wait. Please."

"No." She didn't want to speak to him. She didn't know what to expect from him.

"I'm in jail."

Yuuki felt her heart falter for a second before it picked up again. "Good."

"You have to come get me."
"It's too late."
"Come in the morning."
"I didn't mean time wise."

"Yuuki..."
"It's too late dad, you made your choice."

"You can't do this to me." His tone got harsh. Just as it always did when he didn't get his way.
"Watch me. If you come near this property again, call me, call my house, call my friends; then so help me you will be in jail properly." Pause. She couldn't just cut him off. He was still a human being. "Call Mako."

"I can't. I just used my one phone call."
"Think before you do something. Why would I let you out?"
"Because you were the softest."

"Pay bail." Yuuki spat.

"Cant for three days."
Kyoya took the phone and put it to his ear. "Sleep sweet." He turned it off and put it on his side of the bed.

Yuuki was staring at the ceiling. "What do I do with him?"
"Leave it."
"But...I helped Rose. How come I can't help my father?"
"Because, sometimes you need someone who wasn't a direct part of the problem to solve it."
"Do you think that someone at the youth home, one of the psychiatrists, would be able to see him?"
Kyoya pulled her back to him. "You don't want a psychologist?"
"I'm pretty sure drugs will be needed."
"I don't think you should see him again."
"Neither do I, but...I want to see him off, metaphorically, on a good note." Maybe that's why she hadn't said goodbye properly. Let go.

Her husband inhaled deeply. Fighting sleep for a short while. "Okay."
Yuuki kissed his throat. "Sorry. Sleep."

"Okay." Kyoya was half way there anyway. He'd never even come full awake. He was surprised he hadn't thrown the phone.

His wife paused a moment before settling properly against him again. Her father was in jail and she found herself not even wondering why. That is what it had come to. He had abused her trust that many times. Yuuki wondered if she even still loved him. If she ever had for that matter. The girl sighed and buried her face against Kyoya and pulled the covers up to the bridge of her nose. Hiding.

Kyoya couldn't deal with the issues between Rose and himself, Yuuki couldn't deal with the ones between her and her father. She was too biased in the situation. To used. Too much bad had happened between them for them to repair it properly themselves.

Kyoya exhaled gently into her hair. It was warm and comforting. Yuuki relaxed and marvelled that, even in sleep, he could help her in a way she couldn't herself. Surely if she could accept his misdemeanours...no. She'd always known her father. Everything he had ever done had impacted her directly. Somehow, it was a similar situation with no similar answer. All because of the degree of relationship and the lax attitude toward fixing it. Kyoya had wanted her. Dearly. He had been prepared to sleep on the couch until she was ready to take him back, but he never once left. She'd never left him. Never given up on him. Even now, Yuuki hadn't given up on her father, but she couldn't help him. She just couldn't help a man who didn't want her but only what she had to offer. There are some things love is required for. And it just wasn't there. And never had been.

Yuuki didn't feel hurt by the revelation, just enlightened. It had always been there, she'd just never put it into thought.

Kyoya opened his eyes. "What?" His tone was almost a growl.

"I didn't say anything."
"You didn't have too."
"Sorry."
"Talk to me."
"There isn't anything to talk about. It's over. I can't help him, I never loved him, or not in the way I should have. He made that impossible. The only way I can help is by getting him help."

"Sometimes you just have to decide what's good for you and what you thought was good for you."
"You're good for me."

"Mmm." Sleepy.

"I'm good for you."
"Mmm."
"Pickled eggs and maple syrup."
"Mmm."
"Yes. I thought so."
"Hn...what?"
Yuuki laughed softly. "Sleep."
"You first."
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"...okay."

Kyoya made sleepy patterns with the fingers that rested on the small of her back and gently ushered her to sleep. As soon as Yuuki's breathing pattern changed he stopped and pulled her closer before disappearing with her. The next morning, he called a friend who owed him a favour and had Shang Cunxin taken out of jail and put into rehabilitation. Just like his wife had done for him the night before, there were certain things someone else had to do for you. Someone who loved you enough to put themself in a situation they aren't comfortable in but are prepared to enter, just so that they can move on.

-

I dreamed I was missing, you were so scared
But no one would listen, 'cause no one else cared
After my dreaming I woke with this fear
What am I leaving when I'm done here
So if you're asking me, I want you to know

When my time comes, forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some reasons to be missed
And don't resent me, and when you're feeling empty keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest, leave out all the rest

Don't be afraid, I've taken my beating
I've shared what I made
I'm strong on the surface; not all the way through
I've never been perfect, but neither have you

Forgetting all the hurt inside you've learned to hide so well

Pretending someone else can come and save me from myself
I can't be who you are

When my time comes, forget the wrong that I've done
Help me leave behind some reasons to be missed
And don't resent me, and when you're feeling empty keep me in your memory
Leave out all the rest, leave out all the rest

(Leave out all the rest, Linkin Park)

-

--------

Expect a short delay in posting. I'm rather busy at the moment and will be for a few weeks. Sorry if that's a problem, please tell me if it is and I'll maybe cut down the length of the chapters or do something if you have a problem with it. Sorry.

Anyway. Hope you enjoyed that chapter. ^-^

Please let me know what you thought.

Constructive criticism welcome.

Blessings,

-pp