Masquerading Phantom

[Moonie]

Just that morning, Kaito would have had a normal day with his brother and friends. Maybe even the girl who claimed to be his girlfriend. But instead, he now stood in front of a large building, elegant beyond what he was used to. It was for the wealthy and popular, not for someone like him. But he had no choice, thanks to Akaito. He couldn't shake the memories leading up to this point.

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He had woken up as normal as ever. Luckily it wasn't to his brother's obnoxious noises or music. Kaito had shuffled his way to the kitchen in the humid heat, pulling a bowl from the cupboard the second Akaito walked out of his room. He glanced at the redhead, eyeing him for a moment before continuing to get his breakfast, a bowl of Raisin Bran Crunch. But if he was expecting a silent, peaceful morning, his brother saw to it that it didn't happen.

"Pack your bags, Kaito. We're going on a trip."

"A trip..." he repeated with a low tone, letting the cereal soften in the milk while he amused his brother. "What kind of trip? The one to the stripper bar or the regular bar where one of us usually comes home with a black eye and assorted lacerations?"

Akaito was silent at first, causing a tension in his brother. Suddenly he smirked, raising an eyebrow as he watched his younger brother take a bite of his breakfast. "We're going back home. To Radiant Garden. We were meant to be there. If not me, then you. Moving here only made things worse."

The moment Kaito heard his brother's confession, he nearly choked. Pushing the bowl away, he looked at his brother like he had lost his mind. After the first seven years of living in this town, he had stopped dreaming of going back to Radiant Garden. He had stopped a lot of things.

"On top of that, we get to go to a masquerade ball. Courtesy of a friend of a friend. You'll get to meet some people, maybe get in with the right crowd. You'll feel like you belong again."

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But he knew he was never going to feel that way. It had changed while he was away. He had grown up too fast and now everything was clear that Radiant Garden wasn't the place of dreams and contentment like it was when he was a child. He was naive. But he had to indulge his brother. It was his twenty-fourth birthday and Akaito had gone through the trouble. At least he could feel comfortable that no one would recognize him after so many years.

Especially wearing a ridiculously extravagant suit with a cape. It seemed a little much to him, but in order to blend in, he had to look rich and popular. Definitely not what anyone would remember or think of when it came to Kaito Shion.

He looked at the white porcelain mask in his hand, tracing the gold embellishments with his thumb. At least tonight, he thought, I can be somebody that could matter. Kaito slid the mask onto the right side of his face, not in the least bit surprised when it fit his features nearly perfectly.

Hearing the crunch of gravel behind him, Kaito glanced back to see his brother. A smirk was on his face. He wore a dark red suit, adorned with a short cape the covered only his left arm. His mask was black, the only thing visible being his mouth and below.

"No one will even recognize us."

Attachments:

[Juicebox]

"Up Next: Will Hatsume Miku be making a comeback? This topic has left fans buzzing at the possibility of early retirement for the rising pop-star, Miku. The cancel of promotions on her newest album has drawn the attentions of the entertainment industry. Still no comment from either agencies or parties involved on the recent scandal have been issued yet. Kamui Gakupo has continued refusing to address the intimate photos released online or explain his latest breakup with the award-winning actress, Anne Westwood. A even bigger puzzle is the pop-star's sudden leave, leaving fans to wonder if there's more to the photos than they're willing to admit."

"Don't watch that trash."

The woman's stentorian order was the first to break their silence in hours. Seconds later, its distinct hum emitted from the screen after the television turned off. A soft thud of the remote on the couch cushion went unnoticed by the shadowed woman. Bright eyes stayed transfixed ahead in a unseeing gaze. Days in and this was the most she'd seen of the singer.

Incensed by the lack of response, Luka reached for Miku's wrist and proceeded to drag her down the hall in stomping strides. "Get up, we have to get you ready." She ordered in a voice that brooked no argument, her grasp was close to a iron foothold trap.

Coruscating and dilated, blue orbs blinked confused at Luka's announcement. After much failed struggling and agony, Miku was inexorably roped into Luka's social obligations. Face painted light and sleek in maquillage, the ensorcelling illusion was ruined by the popstar's risible glower. Finishing touches included probing pulls adjusting at all ends of her gown and slaps to her hand if raised needlessly, Miku just swayed at every adjustment in lax enthusiasm. "Okay, I get why you have to attend. But why do I have to be suffocated into this stupid corset and join you? Did you forget why I'm laying low? What part of this seems like a good idea to you; this is the opposite of lying low."

Tetchy. Luka's jeweled eyes rolled heavenward, her reflection caught in the facing mirror forefront. Arms snaked behind and engulfed her backside in soft warmth, Miku stilled at the precipitous embrace. "Way to be a killjoy. If you're going to hide out at my place, you have to suffer along with me. Just relax, no one's going to recognize you once you put on a mask. People are going to be too busy with themselves to notice us, so tonight your only goal is to have fun. Or drown your sorrows. Whatever gets you off my couch. Hurry up. I have a car waiting for us downstairs."

Slow and careful, Miku was freed from Luka's arms. She watched her friend's retreating back out the door. Great. There was no getting out of this one, was there?

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Miku's Attire
Luka's Attire

Spheres of nebulous light radiated from gilt-framed sconces, marble pillars were decked in iridescent drapery and decor. At the center was a crystal chandelier, a kaleidoscopic myriad of opalescent spots glittered the room and near-blinded the two as they walked into the ballroom. It would be a lie if Miku said she wasn't awed by the glamor and mystique of the party. Energy was high on the dancefloor, gales of laughter and mingling voices were like a thunderclap to the singer's ears. Full of jugglers, jesters, living statues, stilt-walkers, and string musicians- the sight was nothing short of surreal.

"Glad to be here now?" Luka gave an all-knowing smile behind her sumptuous folding fan that irked the singer, unhappy she had been seen gawking. Cheeks huffed with faint flush, Miku stole away her hand from their linked arms to open her own fan. "Not yet."

"Fine, be that way. By the end of the night, you'll be thanking me. C'mon, I need to find the hosts and thank them for the invitations. We can't let us beautiful roses linger among the weeds." No matter how hard-pressed, Miku always found it easier to tolerate Luka's snobbery than trying to reason with her. Allowing herself to be ushered away, they soon melted into the crowds and lost to the splendors of the masquerade. The singer's silent plea drifted away along the way. Stars and stones, please let this night be over with soon.

[Moonie]

As Kaito walked alongside his brother, his eyes skirted around at the people. All of them lingering, acting as if they were on top of the world here. But once they left the confines of the beautifully transformed building, they'd be reduced to regular beings like everyone else. Just with more money than the normal person. He was never one to be around pompous, ignorant people like Akaito. His brother wore the facade like a second skin.

Akaito paused his brother by putting a hand on his shoulder and pulled something out of his jacket. Leaning in close, he kept his ruby eyes on everyone but his brother. "Take this. If you're my brother, you'll need it. Everyone needs a little fun sometimes," he murmured with a smirk as he pressed the small syringe into Kaito's hand. The younger man, by a mere few minutes, looked at it. His eyes widened and his gaze flew up to his brother.

"You're date rape injection? Are you kidding me, Akaito?" hissed Kaito.

"You have to be like me in some way or else our parents would have given us unique names. We're one letter apart. I'm telling you, you'll use it. Now go out there and bag a nice, pretty rich girl."

Kaito watched his brother walk away and meld into the crowd. Grimacing at the syringe, he slid it inside of his own jacket. He wouldn't use it. In fact, he didn't want to be here. He was thankful his brother tried, but he belonged to the drudge of the streets, living week by week. Kaito began making his way through the crowd toward what he hoped to be a potential exit. Without even thinking, he weaved fluidly between people, as if it was a normal crowded street on a normal day, complete with one or two bumped shoulders. However, this particular moment was not so normal.

His eyes stayed even, not once straying to a face. But one stood out in his peripherals, practically attracting his attention like a magnet. He made the mistake of moving his head toward the woman, his eyes moving slowly over her covered face, down, to the very detail of the way she walked. He was unsure if she actually fit in here, according to the sure, planned steps she took. But despite that, something instantly attracted his attention.

Four steps, two. Kaito stopped, his eyes never once leaving her face. Six steps, four, two more left. Kaito reached out his hand just as music began softly blaring around them, a soft melody. He placed his hand gently on her arm, just enough slight pressure to stop her. His mind nearly stopped, but he instantly recovered.

"Would you to dance...?"

(Song: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKob701mPAI&feature=youtube_gdata_player )

[Juicebox]

"You're Maeri Megurine's daughter? It's a shame she couldn't attend but I'm glad the tickets didn't go to waste. All the more now you two are here to join us tonight. If you'll excuse me, I have to greet other guests. Please enjoy yourselves tonight and give my best to your mother."

A chaste kiss brushed their cheeks in the woman's hurried departure, pungent perfume choked them in the enclosed proximity and followed her in her wake. Luka gave a long-suffering scowl at her friend, no care for being discreet of her irritation by fanning away the stench. Miku hid a smile behind a gloved hand, the price of her presence almost paid in full at the sight. Luka near-tears because the nostril burning redolence was enough to make her night. Witnessing the delighted glitter in the popstar's eyes, she gave a soft growl and dug her elbow into Miku's ribs. "Oh shut up. Let's circulate before we're eaten up."

Joking aside, the attention they were attracting was nothing short of unsettling. Faceless strangers leering at them like starving wolves encircled around easy prey wasn't the most pleasant of feelings. Luka seemingly brushed off the unwanted adulation with little regard to anyone but Miku. "Honestly, you'd find better company at a bar. Rather tempted to poke their eyes back into their sockets if they keep hounding our every move."

Threading through, they streamed between idle flocks on the stairs to the dancefloor. Miku quivered at the disturbing sensation of being watched, prickling into gooseskin and fresh nerves. Even stagefright hadn't perturb her like this. Desperate to cover up her unease, she jested uneasily. "Oh yes, being tear-gassed and stalked by wealthy snobs is the highlight of my night. Thanks for bringing me."

"Don't push it. I'm sure there's one decent soul around here that you can play with." Luka insisted, slapping her fan shut on the palm of her hand in stern determination. Hawk eyes espied the room in search of possible candidates. Dismayed, she trailed after her friend's brisk gait, hands full of her skirts to keep from tripping. "I'm not here to play, Luka. I just want to-"

Lustrous pupils widened at the unexpected constriction on her forearm, faltering in her chase to a standstill. Baffled at the intervening culprit, she recoiled from him in surprise. Eyes locked onto his star-bright gaze, a warm haze washed away her panic and left her tongue-tied. Taking the incentive for her, Luka snuck behind to whisper into the lobe of Miku's ear. "Look, your champion for the night. Try to have fun.".

Not allowing any further hesitation or excuses, Luka gave a helpful nudge to her friend's shoulder. Calling out with a friendly wave of the hand, Luka gave the okay to the pair with her mock blessings. "She'd love to." Unprepared for the unseen force, Miku tumbled forward close to crashing into the man. Before she could protest the situation, Luka started to venture away from the two. Damnit.

Recomposing herself, Miku hugged her arms and looked to the orchestra. A new song began performing to make things all the more cumbersome, no use in turning him down after being abandoned. Defeated, she faced the man with a short smile. "One dance won't hurt I guess."

[Moonie]

Kaito's eyes flickered briefly to the other woman who seemed more than anxious to push her forward. He moved his hands deftly to the smaller woman's forearms and helped keep her footing steady. He couldn't help but notice how warm her soft skin was. Aside from that, once he looked into her eyes, something seemed to pull at him. He wasn't sure what it was, but whatever the emotion, it was practically trying to control him. Who was this and why was he interested so badly?

Leading them toward a more spacious area a few paces away, Kaito took her left hand in his right, placing his own left hand on the small of her back. The soft hum of the piano keys echoed as he took the first slow steps of the dance. He focused his eyes on her covered face, but his mind saw more than that.

"You have nothing to be nervous about," he murmured, attempting to crack a bit of her stiffness away. "I can tell you probably want to leave just as badly as I do. But if I have to remember tonight, I at least wanted try and give it more of a reason than an invitation."

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Akaito had been steadily watching his brother from the cover of the crowd. He had known Kaito would try to flee the first chance he had, so the red-head was more than ready to intercept him. However, as a last minute surprise to the older sibling, his brother had actually stopped to dance with girl. A small grin appeared on his face at this, but his eyes were now following the other woman who had left her friend behind. She seemed glad, eager almost, to have her friend dance. The question was, did she have the same eagerness to give herself away?

Snatching two glasses from a passing waiter, Akaito made his way through the crowd until he found himself almost face to face with the mystery woman. Holding one out to her, almost sure she would stop to accept it, he eyed her through the black mask.

"Quite a feat, being able to shove your friend onto someone so easily. You should tell me your secret in case I need to distract my brother again," he said to her with a smirk.

[Juicebox]

"Says the nameless stranger holding my hand and waist." Miku muttered, not feeling any less edgy in the close proximity they shared. Heat burned away the soft rosiness of her cheeks to a flaring red, a unbecoming sight for anyone- let alone a stranger inches away. The intense stare was little overpowering at first but she rose up to meet his eyes, unyielding. Being a head taller than her made her gazing more fervent than needed.

He picked up on her apprehensiveness all too quickly for her liking. Was she that easy to read? She turned a deaf ear to his reasoning, more intent on leaving than ever. Why bother giving it reason? It would only make it a bigger hassle.

Miku tried to focus on anything in the room other than him. Music, the spinning scenery around them, people who caught her eye- nothing seemed to work. Powerless to keep focus, her mind kept returning to the stranger. The heat radiating off of him, his luring scent, and the magnetism of his eyes. All too much to endure, she feared. Clearing the tightness of her throat, she concentrated on the steps of the dance instead. "You want to leave? Why did you come to the party in the first place?"

Curiosity was natural. Questioning was harmless. So why did Miku fear she stepped on a landline the moment they met? Unconscious of her habit showing, she began to bite the bottom of her lip in rumination. Why hadn't Luka rescued her by now? She didn't truly desert her to some masked man, did she. "Sorry, I'm not used to this sort of thing. Consider it a blessing I haven't stepped on your foot or tripped on myself."

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Proud of her handiwork of pushing Miku into society again, the woman found a corner to admire the splendor of the gala undisturbed. It was good to see her nervous, any emotion would've been welcomed at this point. One small step toward recovery from being a shut-in. She was willing to take any course of action to restore the popstar to her former self, a small push was minuscular thing in comparison.

Trailing long nails against the curve of her jaw, she brushed roseate tresses from her face with locks laced between her fingers over her shoulder. Now her friend was more than occupied at the moment, Luka was growing bored. She wasn't enthusiastic enough to exert effort into socializing. Talking to shallow people was a chore in itself, outsiders purely interested in only her family's prominence. It was pointless in engaging with others outside of their reach, years of practice made isolation easy to bear. Being alone is easier.

On the verge of moving on, a champagne glass came to eyesight. Following the hand that held the beverage, she found the rubicund eyes behind the dark mask and froze. Great, what one-liner was this one going to use on her. Luka's quirked brow went unseen behind her veiled visage but the displeased contort of her lips was on full display. Like she was going to drink something from a complete stranger; she chose to ignore the glass offered.

Stultified by the typical topic, she looked to her friend in realization. So the smooth talker was his brother. Go figure. Luka shrugged her bare shoulders in blithe nonchalance. "Certainly, pushing people is such a exigent and grueling endeavor. What makes you think I would want your brother around my friend again?" She gave a mocking grin of her own, wanting nothing more than to cut him at his knees. Another cocksure sweet-talker wasn't what she needed right now.

[Moonie]

Kaito was about to answer her question, but he remembered he had to be different. He couldn't risk anyone, if anyone here even knew him, recognizing him. He had to keep the mystery in place. But he did let a brief smile appear at her words about dancing. As the song picked up just a little, he moved his hand away from her back and stepped away, his outstretched hand still holding onto hers. He forced himself to be bold and confident, the complete opposite of his true self, as he brought her back to him with a soft tug. But instead of facing each other, her back to him. He placed his free hand on her waist, adjusting the one on her hand to be more comfortable.

"If you're not used to dancing, why did you agree to dance?" he asked her in response instead of answering her own. It was practically one in the same. An idea came to mind as the voiceless music began coming to an end. Lowering his face so he was near her ear, he spoke, "There's a reason why everything happens the way it does. If you don't dance, then do you sing?" As he said this, he had moved his hand from her waist up to her neck, fingers splaying softly across her throat. It was a movement he didn't remember thinking of nor doing it. He pushed his realization away, waiting for her answer.

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Akaito was taken aback by her brusque defense, but he hid it well. He was just going to have to play this as hard to get. Shrugging slightly, he began drinking the one he had originally offered her, placing the extra glass on a nearby surface. She was a quick one, a girl who knew from right and wrong, it seemed. But whether she played by rules was another thing he was yet to see.

"Who said I was thinking about your friend?" He finished the glass and swapped it for the full one. "I admit, it was a lousy question. But it made you talk to me, nonetheless." He looked back at his brother, curious to see if he had finally decided to leave. But instead of a vanishing act, he was still engrossed in a dance. A bold dance, at that. He had never witnessed anything like it from the man before. In fact, it almost didn't seem like his brother at all. "You're friend is in good hands, I can promise you that much."

[Juicebox]

"I suppose I did," She indistinctly murmured, surprised by the fact. Luka typically ignored men like him, those who sweet-talked women into submission were easy to spot out. Engaging in a light conversation might seem harmless until defenses were lowered and sieged. A mistake, so small and insignificant, was her undoing before. This time around she would choke the weed before it entangled her.

"Promises are worth nothing, even from pretty faces and pretty mouths." Indigo orbs withdrew from her friend to the tenacious man, scrutinizing him head to toe curtly. Certainly handsome, in a rakish way. Shame, it was a waste not to indulge him for a night but Miku had to be looked after. Nonetheless, she would be collecting her friend shortly and they would leave unscathed. His brother better not grow too attached or she'd would be forced to use some bite next time.

Obviously he didn't have her friend's interests in mind, she scoffed at his words. Luka didn't didn't question his ability of cognition, she denied its very existence. So why was she humoring him like this? "Pity that I'm not in good hands when your's seem so capable."

Saved from her own mischief, a suave bachelor ambled to the woman. Literally a dime a dozen at this gala and this one rescued Luka from her own stupidity. Reckless encouragement with no intention on taking him would only be bothersome. Impatiently, she waited for the intruding man to muster up the courage to ask the predictable question. Hurry up, I've seen snails move faster than your wits. Pick a damn line already.

"Would you allow me the honor of a dance?"

Finally. Luka gave her hand to his, smiling. "Love to," With a last glance to the bold stranger, she gave a teasing smirk over her shoulder. Escape assured as she was led away to the dancefloor, there was no harm in one last taunt she reasoned. "Looks like another pair of hands caught me first. Do enjoy the night's festivities."

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"No sooner spoken than broken."
Not about to admit it aloud, a part of her was enjoying his evasive roundabout. She wanted to laugh in frustration at his dodging. She hadn't expected him to be the truthful sort yet her patience for secrets was waning. Miku was close to putting an end to the whole charade when their positions changed with her back to him. Instead of relishing the the heat sinking into her spine, panic instill her when she found no trace of Luka on the sidelines. Frantic gaze darted over the room, seeing nothing but smeared blear. Her previous fear of being abandoned to some stranger returned. An accustomed sense of betrayal sunk in her chest. Luka wasn't going to be easily forgiven after this.

Taken out of her vengeful thoughts, she near jumped at the abrupt intimacy of his voice in her ear. Close enough to feel his breath on her lobe. Funny how her breathing slowed to almost nothing all the while her heart was racing, ready to leap from her ribcage. The contrast of these sensations made her shy away from his face, bowing her head away from his. She turned rigid at question, certain his fingers could feel the tauten contraction of her throat or the reverberating pulse. Had it been harmless or did he recognize her?

Miku braved facing him, eyes caught on his, contemplating the meaning behind his silence. Without notice, the idol had slowed until her dancing came to a standstill no sooner than the rest of the room. Standing in a stupor, her hand began to retract from his. Fingers reached hesitantly at the stranger's hand on her throat, pulling away from him. Anxious to break free, the woman gently excused herself. "I believe that was one dance, all I agreed to."

[Moonie]

Akaito smirked humorlessly at her replies. She definitely knew the game fairly well. But he wondered if she was as good as himself. He'd played countless women into his arms over the past few years, but none quite as difficult as her. It was becoming a challenge, and one he was going to enjoy the most.

"Pretty mouth...?" he muttered quietly as she spoke, throwing him off a little. He'd been called several things and complimented on many aspects, but never had he heard anything about a pretty mouth before. Just as he was about to offer her his rather capable hands, he noticed a man stumbling slightly nearby. He narrowed his gaze at the man as he took his time, looking as wound up as a high school loner trying to work his courage.

The last thing he expected was for the woman to accept the request, however. But he admitted it was a smart move, and a move that was sure to keep him chasing. Akaito couldn't help but laugh lightly at her words, showing a charming smile as she began to walk away.

"Maybe so. But it doesn't mean those will be the hands you'll end up with by the end of the night." Slowly, Akaito melded into the crowd as she left. He felt it might be a decent time to leave the party, especially now that any other woman in the party would just be wasteful time. He needed to collect his brother before he decided to do something irrational.

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Kaito waited for an answer, or a reaction. The fact she gave neither made him wonder even more about the girl. Some sort of curiosity bore into him ever since setting eyes on her. A sense of being that didnt feel like himself plagued his mind, taunted him, even. Almost to the point where he wanted to just give in to it and relinquish the control he kept.

Suddenly he noticed her body grow tense, cold against own. Beneath his fingers, he felt the muscles of her throat move unsteadily. With her head bowed away, Kaito let slip a small smirk. A reaction. Whether it was towards the dance or the question, he wasn't sure. Just as he was about to move and release her, his eyes met hers. Instantly he felt he was sinking deep into the sea, drowning in the mysteries she held. It was then he began to wonder what she would be like if they met normally. How would she react to Kaito, the reasonably kind-nature guy compared to this daring, shielded man. An idea sprouted into his mind instantly, a twisted one that demanded attention. And being the weak one, Kaito was caving in to it.

He let her hand slip away, never once moving his azure gaze away from hers. He let her remove his other hand from her throat, her soft skin, despite the fact he wanted to provoke her farther into doing the opposite. He nodded at her words; one dance was all he asked for. The problem was that now he wanted more, compulsed by that clever, darker side in his mind. Glancing around, something caught his eye.

"Of course. But..." Kaito trailed quietly for a moment before looking at her again. "If you wouldn't mind indulging me a bit longer, I wanted to show you something. I promise I'll bring you back within reasonable time so your friend won't worry."