AN: I just really wanted to thank mjp03 for helping me write this chapter by being an awesome beta reader. Thanks! :)

Party

Shiki was quite very amused at the moment. She was standing in front of the Atobe mansion where the party she and her mother were invited to. The reason she was very amused was because she and her mother were hearing something strangely like Atobe arguing with one of his regulars. It sounded like a vase was-

"Oi! Gakuto! That was ore-sama's mother's vase!"

-broken.

Shiki glanced at her mother to see her stiffling her laughter, and then she rang the bell, chuckling herself as well.

"Ahn~ Who is it?" Definitely Atobe.

"Ah, it's Kobayashi Naomi and Shiki here," replied Naomi, still very amused at what she just heard.

Nothing happened for a few seconds before there was a sudden beep and the gates opened up. There was a butler standing there who led them towards the mansion door and opened it for them to step in.

When they went inside, Atobe was sitting on a couch, both arms and legs crossed, glaring at Gakuto who was laughing. Still irritated, Atobe threw Gakuto a look of disgust before raising his arms high above him as if showing off his mansion.

Smirking arrogantly, he said, "Welcome to the party."

~x~

"You look beautiful tonight Kobayashi." Atobe smirked.

"And you look dashing yourself, Atobe," replied Shiki.

Shiki was wearing a knee length black dress that was simple, but beautiful on her. It had two straps that were connected to a velvet cover for her top that stopped and flowed down until her knees. With the dress, she wore her tear drop necklace and black heels.

Her mother wore a floor length, emerald dress that complemented her eyes very well. She also wore simple heels that went well with the dress.

Shiki looked around the party room she was in. What caught her eyes were the two golden staircases that twisted towards another level on the top, and the marvelous chandelier on the ceiling. The room was magnificent beyond words. As expected of the residence of the Atobe family.

There were many people that were starting to come in the room suddenly. Atobe turned towards her.

"Ore-sama must go greet the guests." He told her.

Shiki smiled. "I understand. Go ahead."

"Enjoy the party." Atobe bowed ridiculously before leaving, causing Shiki to roll her eyes in exasperation.

She watched him leave before looking around the room to see if she could find her mother. She did, but not before seeing two people that made her pause.

She walked fast, but elegantly, to her mother and asked, "Do you see them too?"

Naomi sighed, "I do. It's expected though, that they would be here."

"I know. Doesn't mean I like it." replied Shiki. She returned her steady gaze towards those two people again.

Namikaze Saori and...Namikaze Shino.

Lucky for them, the Namikazes didn't see them yet, but Shiki didn't want to think about what would happen if they did. She began to drag her mother away, but unfortunately, at that precise moment, Namikaze Shino looked up and locked eyes with Naomi. He froze, surprised, and he said something quietly to Saori, and she looked towards them too.

The two walked over to the Kobayashi's and soon, all four of them were standing together.

Shino paused for a second before speaking, "Kobayashi-san."

Naomi smiled softly, "Namikaze-san."

Shino glanced at Shiki before looking back at Naomi saying, "I see your daughter is here too."

"Yes, Shiki is here too. I see that Saori is here too." replied Naomi hastily. She knew that what he just said made Shiki mad, and she didn't want to make the situation even worse than what it already was. Shino was about to speak when all of a sudden the room fell silent.

Atobe had someone bring him a microphone so he could address the audience. "Welcome, guests, to the party. Now is the time for everyone to take a seat and have dinner. Please, enjoy."

Naomi nodded at Shino before taking Shiki's arm and gently leading her towards a table. Shino and Saori sat at a table that was far away from theirs. Shiki scowled at this arrangement.

The butlers had brought out delicious food and Shiki momentarily forgot what just happened and simply enjoyed eating her food.

~x~

Shiki was leaning on the rail of the balcony at the very back where no one could see her. She was just looking out towards the sky when she felt someone next to her. She looked to her right to see Atobe. "What is it, your Highness? I'm not in the best of moods right now to attend to your silly pretenses."

"Ahn? So rude to your host." Atobe drawled, raising an eyebrow at her, as if daring her to retaliate.

Shiki smiled a little bit before it dropped as she remembered something.

"Why didn't you tell me they were here?"

Atobe was silent for a bit until he finally replied, "Would it have made a difference? And it most certainly is not ore-sama's magnificent fault. You knew they'd be here. You just didn't want to admit it."

Shiki chuckled softly. "Ah, you know me so well."

"Of course ore-sama does. Who do you think ore-sama is?"

Atobe and Shiki were quiet as they stood next to each other, looking at nowhere particularly.

"Are you going to stay outside?" asked Atobe.

Shiki tilted her head slightly. "Ah. I'll stay out for a little bit more. Don't worry Atobe. I'll go in soon."

"Hmph. Ore-sama did not worry about you. Don't say such things."

Shiki laughed before replying, "Of course you didn't. Now go in before I make you go."

Atobe rolled his eyes before going back in. It was quiet and Shiki just stood there until she felt another presence next to her. She knew it wasn't Atobe. Even without turning around, she knew exactly who it was.

"Namikaze." She pronounced each syllable with spite, twisting around slowly.

The figure raised an eyebrow. "Kobayashi."

Saori and Shiki stared at each other before Saori looked away towards the outside. "It's a beautiful view right?"

Shiki stared for a few more seconds before looking outside, "It is beautiful."

Saori glanced at her and said, smiling a little, "You're beautiful too. You know that right?"

Shiki smirked, "You're only complimenting yourself. Don't even try."

Saori grew a bit flustered, and flushed as she shouted "Shiki...you-!"

"Shut up. Why are you being so nice? You know that I don't care what you say. Nothing will change." said Shiki, glaring. She glared at Saori before she replied.

"Because you're my sister."

Completely taken by surprise, Shiki forgot to glare. She just stared at Saori dumbly.

Saori continued. "You're my sister. I don't care if you hate father, I do too. I don't mind if you hate me. Because you're my sister."

Shiki was quiet for a few seconds. She responded more calmly than before, recomposing herself. "Sister or not, I will win Nationals. Rikkai Dai will win."

'I'll finally defeat you' went unsaid, but both of them heard it.

Saori smiled. "I look forward to it...twin."