A/N: Thanks for waiting. Again, no beta. If you see something wrong or awkward that could be improved upon, please let me know. This chapter is like the "calm before the storm." Next chapter is the climax! And then after that, the finale! Look forward to them! And as always, read and review!

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"Thanks for helping me out there Mugi, Yui. I don't know what I would have happened to me with those men. I was so…so…" I shivered a bit and closed my eyes.

"I really didn't notice anything until then though." Mugi said. "Up to that point I was still running after Yui-chan and Azusa-chan but when they stopped and split up, I saw what was going on and got into my role at the last second." Mugi cast her head down before looking back up at me. "As a host, and more importantly, your friend, I should have paid more attention to what was going on. I'm so sorry I didn't notice sooner, Mio-chan." I could see tears in Mugi's eyes and I felt remorse at not only causing her to cry, but for my own helplessness.

"It's not your fault, Mugi. I should have known better than to have let myself be cornered like that. I was too focused on finding Ritsu that I lost track of my surroundings. And even when I had a chance to break away, somewhere in my mind I guess I thought everything would be okay. Since we all know Ritsu is here, I assumed that she would have saved me like she always does but maybe this time she didn't…want to…" I stopped speaking and tried to compose myself.

I didn't want to cry in front of everyone but with everything that had happened tonight, I just didn't know how much more I could take.

"There's no way she would ever not want to be there for you, Mio-senpai." Azusa interrupted as she glared angrily at the dispersing crowd of people before turning her gaze to the rest of us. "Ritsu-senpai, Yui-senpai, Mugi-senpai, Mio-senpai, and me, we are all friends, aren't' we?"

The three of us looked at one another before giving slow nods as Azusa breathed deeply before speaking again.

"Friends depend and help support each other no matter what type of situation they are in. Ritsu-senpai is the type of person who even though comes off as childish and selfish at time, she's always thinking about her friends and how to be there for them. "

Everyone murmured words of agreement and Azusa continued.

"As her best friend Mio-senpai, no matter if it was a friend or enemy trying to hurt or frighten you, Ritsu-senpai would most definitely want to be there by your side, protecting and helping you in whatever way she could."

"That…that's right. But…" I wanted to say more, but I something inside me prevented me from doing so.

"But nothing! As your best friend, no, as someone who loves you, she will definitely always be by your side. All of us here care for each other and would do anything for each other, but for Ritsu, you will always be first, Mio-senpai. You are the one she loves most. And nothing will ever change that."

I felt a bitter tugging in my heart as I went over her last sentence.

But things have changed, haven't they?

Before I could continue my thoughts, Azusa grabbed my hands earnestly.

"Mio-senpai, if you don't find Ritsu-senpai before I do, not only will I hit her on the head for you, but I'll bring her right to you and demand that she explains what she's been doing, if not to all of us, then at least you. C'mon Yui-senpai! You're coming with me!"

"Oh, ho, ho! So forceful Azunyaaa-ah! Why'd you hit me?!"

"Enough playing around, Yui-senpai. Just do what we're supposed to do and behave!"

"Azunyan is being mean!"

I slightly smiled and shook my head at their retreating forms before turning to Mugi.

"Mio-chan, should I go with you this time? I don't want another incident to occur."

I'm glad to have a friend like Mugi. In fact, I'm glad to have everyone.

"No, I should be alright this time. And there are more guards on alert now, right?"

"Mmm, yes. There should be a guard every ten feet or so." She said, looking around the ballroom.

"Then we shouldn't have any problems then. If anything happens, I'll yell out to get their attention or yours. I promise, okay?" I gave Mugi a quick hug and tried to smile reassuringly at her. She didn't seem entirely convinced that I'd be ok but she nodded and gave me a small smile.

"Well, I'll go speak to some people around the floor and the guards to see if anyone saw her. Let's meet here back here at midnight."

"Alright." I said, glancing at a huge clock on top of a nearby fireplace.

With that, Mugi squeezed my hand and took off toward the dance floor, leaving me to ponder where to start my search for Ritsu.

I felt compelled to leave the ballroom and walk up the stairs in a nearby corridor. True to her word Mugi's guards were scattered every few feet and I felt safe with my exploration. I passed by a few doors which I assumed were bedrooms. When I passed by one door that was slightly ajar, I pushed it further open and noticed it was considerably colder in the room than in the hallway and shivered slightly. I saw two doors leading to a balcony open and wondered who left them like that. As I went to close them, I noticed it was lightly snowing. I stepped outside and was wonderfully surprised.

The scenery that lay before me was breathtaking. The whole area was covered in fresh snow, the moonlight peeking in and out of the clouds made everything seem as tiny crystals were dancing in the snow. I saw a garden below with two large fountains which were illuminated by lights that changed various colors every few seconds. I could faintly hear the sound of the orchestra coming from below. I peered over the edge of the balcony and saw Azusa running away from Yui. Yui stopped to catch her breath and I saw rapid white puffs come from her as she wheezed out,

"W-w-wait! Azu…Azunyan! Why…why are you running away? We have t-to kiss under the mistletoe! It's tradition!

"Yui-senpai, that's a Western tradition! This is Japan!" Azusa stood her ground as Yui made her way to Azusa, still gasping for air as she spoke.

"It...It doesn't matter...matter where it came from, Azunyan. I love you and want to show it!"

I was sure both Azusa and I had the same speechless look on our faces right about now. Azusa appeared as if she were petrified.

Yui really knows how to catch Azusa off guard. I thought humorously.I waited to see what would happen next.

I love you Azunyan!" Yui said as she nuzzled against Azusa. "I just wanted to show you how much."

She was too far away for me to tell, but I had a feeling Azusa was bright red at this moment.

"I-I know that Yui-senpai…I mean, I too…toward you…I want to…Hey wait a minute! Where do you think you're leaning into? No! Let go of me Yui-senpai!"

"Aw, Azunyan doesn't love me!" Yui said as she tried to kiss Azusa again.

"That's not it! No means no!"

I couldn't help but laugh as I continued to watch them run around in the garden a few more times before disappearing into the deeper recesses of the garden. I sighed and went back into the bedroom, closing the doors to the balcony. I sat down on the edge of the bed and just stared out the windows in the balcony doors. It took me a few minutes but I noticed that it had stopped snowing. I thought about the scene I first saw when I looked out from the balcony and tried to relax. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply, then exhaled slowly as I tried to think of my next step to take.

"Enjoying yourself here, are you?"

I jumped up and turned around to find Jigai-san locking the door behind him. He had a bottle of wine with him and he took a deep drink from it before giving me a greasy smile.

"Now then." He said. "How about I enjoy myself here too?"