5. Masquerade

There were a lot more people that Kai or any of his companions expected to be at the ball. All around them, ladies and gents everywhere chatted with one another, perhaps had a sip of alcoholic drinks, or were dancing with one another.

"How the heck are we supposed to find him!?" Kawachi exclaimed, gesturing to the tons of people in front of them. "He could be anywhere in this mob!"

Kai sighed. "I didn't think it was going to be this complicated..." he muttered. "Shoot..."

"Maybe we should split up and search for him." Tsukino suggested. "He would probably notice us more if we're all together, but alone, I don't think he should be able to figure us out so easily."

Kai sighed as he leaned against the wall, watching the dancers and the talkers and the drinkers from a distance.

Why did searching for demon that could possibly cause a bloody massacre having to be so bloody boring?

Even worse, he was the only one focused on the task at hand. Shachioko had started dancing with Monica, something he definitely did not like, and Tsukino was off chatting with the rest of his companions. He was the only one who was straining his eyes; in the hope that he could see that demon, walk over to him, and give him a solid beating (for nearly Kanmuri and trying to deceive him and Monica earlier).

"Excuse me, sir?" Kai turned to see a woman walk over to him. She wore a metal mask of white, and her ballgown of light blue and pale white consisted of a few frills at the hem, but too many that it looked ridiculous. Her skin was pale, and her long, blonde hair was tied back. "You seem to be quite...stressed, if I'm correct...Are you alright?" She asked, concerned.

"I'm fine, thank you." Kai responded, with a slightly gruff tone. "And what would someone like you be doing here?" He asked.

The lady seemed to be a bit surprised at his response, but she spoke with a calm tone. "I thought I could find someone to dance with. That's all." She responded quietly, politely. The two were quiet for a moment, before she spoke up again. "Perhaps you would like to dance with me?"

Kai eyed her carefully. Something about this woman seemed familiar, and he had a feeling he would have to take a risk to figure out if he was correct.

"I accept."

A red-haired girl watched the two stroll over to the dance floor, positioning themselves for a waltz when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder gently. She turned, and saw the Princess Tsukino, standing there.

"Princess Tsukino?" The girl asked, her eyes wide with surprise. "How did you-"

"A few of my knights and I escaped Yukino's capture, Mizuno." Tsukino explained quietly. "We are currently searching for a man with long, blond hair and pale blue eyes. He's a demon, and my companions and I think that he might be here to cause some bloody massacre."

Mizuno paused, before responding quickly, "I conversed with him earlier, he said that he was merely travelling and heard about the ball and-" She paused before blurting out, "I think I might have seen him around here just now. He's wearing a dress, and he went to dance with some guy with dark black hair."

"So tell me, have you travelled far?" The woman asked as the two continued their dance.

"Not too much." Kai lied. "Only to go see some friends here. And you?"

"I travel quite a lot, to be honest." She responded, giving a smile towards him. Her eyes seemed to widen considerably, suddenly, and she paused before she continued. "Have any girls ever taken affection towards you? A handsome man like you would probably be a hit with the women, I'm sure...or maybe, perhaps, do you take affection towards anyone in particular?"

"Not that I know of. Not that I care." Kai responded bluntly. "And why do you ask?"

She paused before speaking, "Despite your fierce demeanor, it's obvious that you take affection towards one, perhaps that orange-haired girl I saw you with earlier?" Kai mentally froze at that statement. "Tell me...do you like her? Because if that's the case," She leaned close enough to whisper in his ear, "I'll make sure you die with her watching you."

Blood sprayed from the 'woman's' chest as Kai slashed at Sylvan with his katana, that was skillfully hidden earlier. Sylvan clutched his chest as he staggered backwards a bit, giving Kai a small frown as Kai glared at him.

"You're going to pay for what you did to Kanmuri. And for trying to play innocent while you were with Monica and I!" Kai shouted, everyone else in the ballroom pausing in whatever they were doing and looking at the two in shock. "You're going to pay for that, demon!"

Sylvan let out a snarl, before he licked the blood off his hand that previously clutched his chest. "You are going to pay for what you did to me just now." He spoke harshly. "Do you have any idea how long it took me to drink enough of Kanmuri's blood so that I got away in time and to make sure it was enough to last me a while!? I would have honestly loved to drink yours first, but I sadly could not wait any longer. But now you're making me mad." A sword appeared in his left hand, and he gripped it tightly as he pointed it at Kai. "I hate it when people like you get me so riled up."

Many people screamed and ran as the two ran at each other and their blades clashed as they fought, a desire to make the other surrender so obvious in their actions. Neither one wanted to lose against the other.

Kai tried to stab the demon, but the older man was far too quick and kept skillfully blocking the blows with his sword. Eventually, the two found themselves chasing each other in the midst of all the swordplay, and ended up on a balcony. Kawachi, Azuma, Tsukino, Mizuno, Kanmuri, and Shachioko followed, also intent on stopping the demon.

"Give it up, Sylvan!" Tsukino shouted. "We have you cornered. Either you surrender now, or I may have to order my soldiers to destroy you completely."

"Shut up, Princess." Sylvan hissed back. "You think I wish to surrender? No. As long as Yukino reigns, I cannot, and will not, stop fighting those who oppose her. I was bound to serve her since the day I met her. I have no choice."

"Yukino?" Monica asked, confused. "I thought she was something in the myths and stuff-"

"And obviously, she is real." Sylvan interrupted. "Again, I cannot surrender, because-"

"You shut up, Sylvan." A voice spoke out of nowhere. Everyone froze in shock. "You have failed to finish your task. You should have killed everyone in the ballroom by now!"

"Yukino, please, I can explain-" Sylvan spoke, but Yukino interrupted him.

"As you have failed, you are no longer fit to serve me anymore. You can go ahead and die."

The balcony split apart suddenly, and the next thing Kai knew before hitting the rapids below was that Sylvan wrapped his arms around him, an attempt to make sure the dive into the water wasn't too painful.