Senri watched Shiro as she twirled and hummed in his arms. They had been dancing for half the night together, much to the chagrin of Senri's fangirls. But he was too taken with her serene beauty and mystery to give her up to another partner. She looked so very content dancing with him, and she was, truly. Shiro had never been attended to by anyone other than Kuro, and she was basking in the light of another. She had proof now that others could like her; Kuro had always shielded her against other people, and she had become inclined to think that she was just not a likable person.

"You are enjoying the dance," he said. It was not a question, but she nodded in reply. Shiro's eyes were closed as she moved wholly with the music and with Senri. But, too soon, Senri felt a tap of his shoulder. He stopped dancing, pulling Shiro to an abrupt halt as well, which she did not welcome. Behind them was Kuro and Rima.

"Might I dance with my sister?" Kuro enquired politely, but he had already taken her hand. Shiro was pulled regrettably from Senri and into Kuro's arms. His blue eyes met hers with firmness.

"What is it?" Shiro asked. She knew that gaze – the one that she herself used so often. He was thinking of something that troubled him. And she could guess what it was. "I am not attached to Senri."

"You are, or at least you will be," Kuro muttered, pulling her round in an elegant loop. A fast waltz had begun, Shiro and Kuro's favorite. They had danced the waltz together since they could remember. "I don't like this separation."

Shiro's heart plummeted. She could feel his dismay and jealousy and heartbreak all in one. He was afraid that Senri was taking her away from him.

She lifted her hand to delicately caress his cheek, marveling at the likeness they shared. It was as if she was staring straight into a mirror. Kuro leant into her touch, happy to have his other half against him once more. When they were merged, he would be complete.

"I am you, and you are me," Shiro said slowly, comfortingly. "We can never be apart, and no one can deny us of each other. Brother, Kuro, do not fret."

To the others in the room, their exchanged seemed too affectionate for brother and sister, but they tolerated it, as purebloods often married their kin. Little did they know, this was not the case for Shiro and Kuro.

But suddenly, Kuro smelt blood. It was the purest he had ever smelt, sweet and strong. It was of a pureblood's, but not Kaname's. His mentality turned towards pursuit then and there. If he wished to gain strength and independence, he needed to drink the blood of another pureblood. His eyes flashed red, and Shiro panicked. He was thirsty for a blood she could smell too.

Shizuka Hio…

Kuro took her hand in his and they ran swiftly from the room. Senri and Rima, who were dancing nearby, watched them go anxiously. They should follow, Senri decided. He did not like the way that Kuro had dragged Shiro from the room, and he certainly wouldn't hesitate to hurt him if something happened to her.

Woah...plot acceleration. Let me know what you think :) Thank you to the anonymous reader who urged me to update. It's much appreciated and helping me to find incentive to write :)