Raze walked on with a silent ambition bellowed within his heart. 'What am I trying to do here?' His thoughts, lingering then protesting each other as every step began to warn the end of this intimate moment.

He felt weak in some places. He had no personal interest in girls. For a great deal of time he's tried to avoid as much intimacy with others as possible. Avoidance, anti-sociality, and the list goes on, feeling as if he needed more people in his life. He knew he needed human contact. To talk, relate and communicate to quench that social thirst ever human being possesses. But Raze could not stand the feeling of loss.

She snuggled into his chest as her eyes began to rest during the long walk. His gaze upon her is heavy as his eyes seemed locked upon her peaceful frame. Truthfully, she is trying to shield her face from growing another shade of red. Her face settles in a corner on his arms.

She too bares a quiet intention. Reasonably she does not know her desire. She felt a strange emotion run through her. She didn't want, not with him. 'Not with him. It can't be!' She panicked inside due to suddenly realizing that she felt good in his arms. The warmth, his touch... 'Oh no...' She surrendered. She felt something for him, that's a fact. She keep her thoughts at bay, hoping that they wouldn't come out.

He sighs. His grip on her tightens slightly as his thoughts debate yet again. 'She seems so happy.'

Ulrika opens her soft eyes, allowing her innocent shade of green to glisten in the dim lighting. "Raze?"

"Yeah?" At heart, he panicked, yet he skillfully guided his features to calm themselves.

"How much longer?" She asks. Trying to make conversation.

"I don't know. These caves go pretty deep and I've only been on the surface." He seemed worried. Maybe their never gonna make it out. Then again, there was only a single path in there.

"At least the path doesn't split." Raze calmed himself. "Yeah, we'll be out of here in no time just as long we keep going."

Her thoughts linger to the darkness ahead. 'We'll probably be here for a while.' Her attention directed to him. 'Maybe I can...No, no!' She protested to herself. her thoughts seemed loud in her head, filling the empty silence she beheld about her. Raze did the same.

The silence in the real world was all to deafening. "Umm...Raze?"

"Yeah?" He said.

She pondered for a while as to what she would say. Her attention directed to his sweating hands against her back and legs. He seemed nervous. 'Could he be...? No, no!' Her thoughts began to consume her again.

"Ulrika?" Her personal quarrel was in plain sight. She felt a bit embarrassed. "Umm... Why are you doing all of this?"

"What do you mean?" He felt a bit hurt.

"Why are you helping me out? Wrapping my wound, jumping off the cliff to save my life..." She blushed deeply and looked away. But this time, he could see it. "Carrying me throughout the cave..." He returned the favor with his own shade of red.

"I wanted to change." His sudden answer caused her to squeak. Raze trailed off with a slight hint of victory in his heart at her blush.

"Do I matter to you?" She asked, instantly regretting having done so.

Raze didn't waste time. "More than nothing, less then acquaintances..." Her heart cringed at his words. "But I have to admit, I would like to be friends." He shot her a smile.

"Oh, okay." Raze felt great inside, as if a weight was slowly lifting itself from his shoulders.

The darkened path began to widen into a large arch.

They gasped. The cave opened before them as a large room filled with glowing green stone burst around them. The first thing that caught their eyes was a large glowing green crystal in the center. The zircons decorating the walls shined almost as bright. Holes from the ceiling brought in the sun's beams, lighting the room with luminescence.

"Amazing..." He commented.

"It's like the light's wrapping itself around you." Raze settled her down near the opposite opening.

"Yeah...I know what you mean." Raze examined the rare rock before them. "These things are so rare nowadays..." He seemed entranced, focused on the glistening rock.

He gives a child-like smile. His eyes shimmering in a youthful glow. "Just imagine what we can do with this stuff."

She giggled a bit. His eyes softened as his cheek revealed joy sheltered within. 'She's actually pretty...cute.' He thought. Time began to slow as her eyes began sway at the sides of her face. He hadn't noticed before but her headband was off. He didn't mind, not in the slightest.

She realizes this is an extremely rare sight as she looks upon his face. His gentle smile keeps her silently gasping for air. 'Maybe... I can admit it to myself at least...' She couldn't hold back the happiness in her heart. Her eyes, lost in his teal orbs. 'I love him.'

She held out her hand. "C'mon, I think I can walk." Maintaining their eye contact, their expressions still heartfelt and comforting.

He grabbed her hand, pulling her up to him. His jerk was gentle but she wouldn't have that. She stumbled forth into his arms.

'He might not be carrying me but this is totally worth it.' She leaned into his embrace. She broke off from him with the gleeful air about her. "Sorry, I guess I forgot how to stand." She shot him a cheerful smile.

They laughed.

She headed off into the opening on the other end. "Hurry up!" She urged playfully.

He chased after her. "H-hey! Wait." He called out with the same tone.

'I'll try to snuggle next time.' She grinned with mischief in her heart.

It was not long till it was all over. The cave had ended into a forest on the other side of the mountain.

Vines hung at the exit. Raze stepped in front of Ulrika pushed them away for her to pass. "Thanks." She said.

Raze sighed as she walked into the forest at the outside. Looking at her now, he felt like he could've flustered whenever they met if he had stayed this way even after the disappearance of his granddad.

She walked on.

She felt dissatisfied. Raze was an entirely different person now. They could've been great friends. 'I guess it was my fault, really.' She pushed a half smile then sighed in defeat. 'I don't think, after how I treated him, that he'd ever accept me...'

Raze quickened his pace to catch up to her.

As he neared her, his expression changed to that of worry as her features seemed saddened. Raze took her hand in his. She shot awake at his touch. "Hey..." She turned to the teal haired male. "Everything's going to be fine."

She smiled.

His heart sang.

'Who am I kidding.' Turning off into the distance of the glowing treetops. 'Of course he will. That's all in the past now, and this is the present. Today, we're friends.' She tightened the grip of her hand in his. '...And, hopefully, before the day is done, probably even more.'

Ulrika wrapped herself around his arm. Raze did not protest, not looking the gift horse in the mouth. She felt warm pressed against his arm. She lay her head on his shoulder. "Hey..." She whispered.

"Yeah?" Raze answered while trying to maintain his footing, making sure nothing broke this moment.

"I..." She couldn't utter it. She held back her confession, trying to avoid milking this moment too much.

His heart beat rapidly. Hoping that she couldn't hear it. "Yeah?"

She surrendered, she wanted...no, needed to say this.

"I..." She buried her head in his shoulder. Her grip tightened trying to release the frustration of her inability to complete the sentence.

A large rumble could be heard in the near distance behind them. The large Elemental emerged from the cave wall.

"How'd it get in the cave!?" He shouted.

She released her grip from his arm. Raze felt the crushing notion of loss. "I'm tired of running away." Her eyes lit with energy and thrift.

They exchanged glances. He nodded.

They charged towards it.

Ulrika tossed an orb that split into several blades that struck through it, piercing it's stone armor.

Distracted, Raze ran up it's leg then stabbed it in the chest. Pulling himself up onto his knife, raze jumped, withdrawing the blade. He spun diagonally with his blade slicing the thick armor of rock as he fell to ground zero. It reacted with a screech.

The golem stomped it's foot down onto Raze. He dashed back, successfully dodging the right foot. He dashed forward with his grown blade and nearly shattered the leg.

Meanwhile, Ulrika had ran to it's arm on the left. Her weapon transformed into a bladed whip. She spun it around the arm, allowing it wrap around it. The bladed tip stopped and stabbed on the shoulder. As Ulrika effortlessly pulled the whip, the blade began to drag around the arm, leaving a swirling cut mark on it's arm. As it reached it's end and retracted to Ulrika's hands, the beast stumbled to it's side.

Raze, taking advantage of this, ran to the damaged leg and slashed through it with still visible slash. He dashed to slash it's leg again leaving an "x" shaped mark that still glowed. The energy from the still remaining slashes grew then exploded as Ulrika made her way a distance from the creature. The leg was no more.

The elemental was caught off guard. In full view of it, Ulrika had fired wave after wave of blasts towards the creature, knocking it back effectively to the wall. Raze Enlarged his blade then tossed it through the chest of living rock, pinning it to the wall. Before it could roar in agony, Raze had tossed his expanded blade it's chest. He lept into the air in a similar fashion of to his counter against the rhinos then fell onto the hilt of the blade, causing eruptions from both the mountain face it was pressed against and the enraged monster itself.

Raze retrieved his blade as the crumbling remains of their foe fell to the ground and covering the cave.

"Wow...that was easy!" She was astonished at their power. The towering opponent that had struck her with so much fear had been defeated without a scratch on them!

"Or maybe we just work well together." He says as he takes her hand again.

She returns to her position around his arm.

Close by, Chloe, Goto, who had just come along, and Peperoni had traced the side of the mountain, trying to find them. Chloe saw the intimate moment the two had Goto had seen it as well and smirked within his suit. Glancing at the staring Chloe he saw the "I must be seeing things" expression on her face as she rubbed her glasses with her shirt.

Goto sighed at the beautiful sight. As they were sheltered under the shade with bit light beaming from above, Ulrika and Raze were upon an open area, differentiated by the light that made the area glow. They were close, one in the other's arm. The wind swayed her hair to brush across his back. Then, suddenly, he had taken the arm she attended and wrapped it around her waist as her arms fell into his own.

She could hear his heart beat, fast. He caressed her side. He pulled her in.

"Ulrika!" Goto called at the right moment. Ulrika quickly let go as Chloe placed her glasses on, and Peperoni and had finally caught up, gasping for air.

Ulrika adjusted her eyes to the dim shades in the distance. "Goto!" She replied gleefully. Raze felt disheartened.

They headed towards her, though she stayed at his side.

They halted before them. Peperoni glared upon the smiling Raze. "Ooh! Who's your new friend?"

Chloe's eye twitched for a split second. "That's Raze, don't you recognize him?"

Peperoni squinted his barely visible eyes through his hat. "Oh! Wow! I didn't notice." Chloe smacked her forehead in irritation. "He usually doesn't smile." He added.

Ulrika felt the sudden irritation that Raze had so constantly. "Guys, don't be mean!" He turned to him, only to find he was still smiling. "He saved my life." The group, save for Goto who was taking mental notes of the entire situation, were dazed in shock, eyes wide.

"Don't worry, I understand how it is. I haven't been the best kind of person recently." He said with a chuckle.

"Does this mean we're aligning with them now?" Chloe asked.

"Probably." Ulrika kept her gaze affixed on him.

"We should probably be going." Peperoni commented. Chloe agreed with nod, everyone else didn't though.

Ulrika, with a sign of reassurance in her eyes, looked to him. "We'll talk later, okay?"

Nodded as he looked to the brightly lit area behind him.

They walked off, a feeling of regret in Ulrika's heart. The further the distance they made as Raze stood there, the more they began to silently beckon each other. They could hear each other's silent call in midst of their emotion.

Ulrika couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Raze!" She ran back with the same silenced desire as his.

Goto turned to watch her off. However, Chloe and Peperoni followed suit on the same focus. He panicked. "Gyah!" He jumped then pushed their heads down, unable to see what was happening as he alone enjoyed the sight only he among them could understand.

Raze turned as Ulrika speedily made her way to him. He had turned all the way, something she did not anticipate. Aiming for the cheek but landing on the lips, she kissed him.

She stayed their for a while. His "cheek" had an unusually good taste. She broke free of him, realizing the two soft bumps pressed against her own lips. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I was aiming for the cheek and..."

He pressed a finger to her lips. "Don't explain. I don't mind." She watched lovingly as she inched closer resting her head in his chest. 'Just like before...' She thought.

'I thought so...' He grinned. Recalling his first kiss. The meek girl he met amongst his first days of training. The one he thought he would never see again. 'Mulberry...' That was all the name he could remember, all the name that kept his heart at bay. He was sure it was her, the one he was waiting for.

She backed away. "I have to go." Keeping her tone.

"Sure, Ms. Mulberry. I'll see you later." Quietly, they knew what the other was thinking

"Is that a promise, Mighty?" She played along with the childhood nicknames.

"Promise." He winked as he took out his pinky. She followed. The fingers locked and, in a flash, they saw each other. Young and vibrant, ever challenging the growing world.

As she ran back to her friends, he watched their younger selves go off into the distance of a cherished memory.

She watched Goto let go of the two then attempt to calm them down.

"Sorry, needed to find out something." Ulrika traced the dirt path. "Let's go." They walked onward. Ulrika took one last look at Raze as he waved. He turned around then ran into the direction of the cave.

The Academy was embellished in the snow. The area, lush with the white crystals that so greatly beautified it, was thick on the surface. So much so that some students walked over the flower patches that etched the sides of the Campus Grounds without even noticing.

The moat that surrounded the area was frozen. Underneath the thin ice were the striving undersea wildlife. Few students dared to venture there and meet the fish, face to face. As they touched the cold surface, the fish had gathered around it, interested in the unique object above them.

The snow atop the auditorium slid off into large cylindrical containers on the ground. The janitor laughed haughtily at his precision. He would purify this water later, or use the snow for something special.

Many had gone out to see this ivory wonderland first hand.

Snowball fights, a frozen tundra with the spell casting, blade wielding, players.

Peperoni was running about, flailing snow angels onto the ground.

"Just what am I supposed to be?" Goto acted as the head of an ice sculpture. Chloe kept gathering the snow for it. "Cthluthu." She patted the arm of the swamp god, adding detail. "Now, hold still while I add tentacles to your face." She pulled out her book from her sling.

"Oh! No way!" He jumped off then ran out into the distant crowd.

"You just scared off Goto." Peperoni commented.

"He'll be back." Her eyes, shaded underneath her hair, seemed to glow unnervingly at the glasses.

Enna lifted Puniyo to place the head of their snowman on. The puni brothers kept note of the event. It was cute and they were getting closer.

He realized that, though she was light, she still bore an amount of weight. Losing his composure, he let go as she fell upon his chest. "Ooof!"

"Puni? Puni!" She panicked, trying to wake him. The brothers rushed to them.

"That seems to be happening a lot lately." Raze commented. He had just gotten back.

His back was in pain and his jacket was a mess.

He looked to the workshop building in the distance. "I should probably head back."

The snow fell around him as his thoughts took him away. "Ulrika..." He smiled.

The cold ebony steel of the doors gave off an uneasy feeling.

As he pushed it open, he was met with a welcoming smile from across the room. "Raze!" Whim called out with a wave.

Raze returned it with a smile of his own while imitating her gesture.

The entire room froze at the sight. Yun was stoic at the sight at first, till he realized that Raze was actually happy! His eyes widened in shock, an expression only seen when Raze's blade began to glow the first time they met.

Et was chipper. She leaped from the stacked boxes and onto the unsuspecting swordsman. "Yay! Raze is happy!" He caught in her in his arms. She began to fluster slightly but was happy overall.

He laughed with her.

Lily, however, was the most effected. Jealousy sprung forth from it's roots once more. He was happy to see Whim was now giving Et, of all people, a HUG!?

Her wild and inaccurate imagination took over. 'Are those two together? They've been in the same class for so long so, have I failed?' She looked to Whim who gave her a questioning look mixed with concern. 'And what about Whim?' She gasped inwardly. "Something must've happened to them last night." Well, maybe not too inaccurate.

She also felt hurt. She trusted Whim and felt that there was something between them.

The royal daughter was about to flee the scene till Whim settled a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, this is the new him. This is your chance." She encouraged as she pushed her down the steps.

"This is great! We're gonna have so much fun!" Raze had let go of Et. She was happy to see someone now shared her smile.

"Umm...Raze?" Her tone, much less demanding with a pitch of pleading, arose his senses. Something was up.

"Yeah?" He felt as if he was here before.

She retreated her hands to her chest. She was having difficulty speaking, that much was certain. "I..." Yup, he was definitely reliving this.

He put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. I won't bite." His smile was so unlike him yet filled him so perfectly.

She began to fluster. Her face was so deep in crimson that Yun almost mistook her for another fire mana.

She walked in closer, pressing against his chest. She leaned her head to the side. "I love you..." She uttered.

Raze's gaze softened as he wrapped his arms around her.

Puniyo and Enna stood at the open doorway with the punis. Jiro and Kichi sighed in the comforting scene. Taro gave an approving smile.

Enna reached for Puniyo's hand. She welcomed the notion and squeezed it.

As Ulrika passed by, she saw the comforting scene, first at the young, azure gowned pair, then next to the teal haired man inside. A single tear escaped her eye.

After the Nativity was finished and placed at the corner of the room beside the door and the crates, Raze was brewing something at the large cauldron. "Almost done." He said as he dropped an object from the cave, cupped in his hands.

Yun was the only other person in the room. Raze looked at him as he stared outside the window. Raze recalled his sudden disappearance the previous night. "Where were you last night?"

He groans. "Et dreams about cuddling with stuffed animals and pulled me into a death grip." He walked to him. "I slept there eventually..."

Yun was disinterested in his synthesis but was all too curious with his new found personality. "So what's with the change in attitude?"

He chuckled. "I wanted to change."

"For who?" His inquisitive manner was unexpected.

"No one, just me." The mixture was nearing completion as it boiled heavily.

"Just keep telling yourself that..." Yun walked out of the room.

Raze pulled out a chain from the cauldron. Slowly but surely, he had succeeded in his creation.

It shined in his eyes. "Perfect."

In the auditorium, all the students were gathered. Toni stood at the stage with Marta at his side. The wide podium was at the corner of the room, granting full view of the entire stage.

The chairwoman announced, "Today, we are going to prepare you for the upcoming Christmas Dance!"

The musical troupe began to play their violins. The sound carried throughout the room along with the piano music.

He began to instruct as he held the chairwoman's hand and waist. "Be gentle with your partner. Dancing must be smooth as silk. It is not rough." Tony instructed.

They began their square-like movement. "Any sparks?"

"Zero." He replied bluntly.

"Good." They agreed wholeheartedly.

"Find your partner and follow us." She called out.

Ulrika ran to the end of the crowd, trying to find Raze. Pushing away the numerous people in her path. She didn't want to lose him.

To her dismay, he was already taken by the girl who stood directly behind him, Lily.

A grey haired boy named Francesco, who she recognized standing at the job counter, approached her. "Care to dance?" His gesture was pure.

She took his hand with slight regret in her heart. "O-okay."

Her eyes loomed to the other blonde and the teal haired male.

Envy emitted from majority of room. Many girls had an interest in him, which is why he chose to ask a girl who was obviously interested in someone else. Ulrika, because of her strife, was the object of affection of many of the men.

The pair was admired but a few men noticed Ulrika's glances at Raze. Gossip spread quickly.

She kept stealing glances at him and Lily. She lay comfortably in his arms, resting her head on his chest. She sighed.

A sickening, selfish, feeling brewed at the bottom of her stomach. "Raze..." She relished on the memory of him. Beckoning his name. Hoping that, someway, somehow, he could hear her silent cry.

"So that's his name." Francesco spoke out.

"Huh?" Ulrika snapped out of it. The red filling her cheeks again.

"He's pretty good at the bounty hunting thing. He does practically every job you lay out for him." He was actually praising him. "He's a pretty determined person..." They released as the music stopped. "Much like yourself." He gave her a reassuring smile.

She returned it but her gaze was then affixed to Raze again. She watched from afar. She wanted him to hear her.

"Oh, sorry it's just..."

"Shh..." He pressed a finger to her lips. "Let me handle this."

Francesco moved to Lily who was about to take Raze for the next song. "May I cut in?" Raze stepped aside without protest. "But I..." Lily tried to counter but Francesco gave off his trademark smile. Charmed and dazzled she melted in his arms.

Ulrika was at his side. "Raze?" Raze turned to her. Took her hand and kissed it. "It would be my pleasure."

The music was slow as they began to sooth their ears. She held him the same way they did in the cave. Holding on for dear life, as if they were one. He could sense her longing. He tightened his grip.

The campus grounds were dark. Lights dimmed and flickered. The crickets played their own melody here the snowy outdoors.

The snow had stopped falling for now but it's recent activity was still visible.

Ulrika walked throughout the cold. She hadn't noticed but she was still wearing her regular outfit. She was freezing when she hadn't noticed. She looked around trying to find a way out. She ran through the cold and found herself at the Administrative Building. It was dark, but open.

No one was inside.

"Ulrika!" Raze called out.

Ulrika turned to see Raze running towards her, low on energy.

He panted and breathed heavily in front of her. "I... have something... for you." He said between gasps of air.

She giggled. "C'mon, let's head inside first."

Raze pulls out a necklace fashioned from the same zircon they found in the cave. She covered her mouth in shock. "Oh my...Raze, you didn't have to."

He laughed. "Let me put it on you." She pulled up her hair up as he hooked it behind her neck. Stealing a moment with her soft skin.

"I thought the cave was closed up." She said.

"You can only imagine how long it took to get there then." His tone was cheerful and victorious.

She could only imagine the amount of effort it took him to enter. His back nearly breaking and the amounts of sweat and energy he spent on his own birthday!

She turned around to face him. It glowed with the luminescence it did in the cave. "It looks great on you." He says.

She looks down. Her heart cringed and rebelled, fighting back the realization of the heart she could have called her own. "I love it..." She could not face him. Her hair sheltering her eyes. "I love it...so much." Holding back her tears, she restrained her soft sobs. "Ulrika...?"

She gazed into his eyes. "Ulrika..." His hand caressing her cheek.

She wanted to tell him. Tell him how much she wanted to shout to the heavens her confession. How she wanted to tell the world that even the devil can't hinder the her heart. How his happiness was the only thing standing in the way.

She felt the smooth texture of the oval shaped stone. The silver chain shined majestically in her eyes. 'I can't be his...' She thought.

Teardrops fell to the ground. "I'm so sorry..." He attempted to hold her but she pushed him away as she ran out.

"Wait!" He chased after her but as he ran out, she was already so far away. "No..." He was about to go further till a hand grabbed his shoulder.

"Raze, we need to talk." Lily wasn't demanding or angry in her tone. She sounded as if a weight was on her.

He gave her his now usual reassuring smile, trying to bar down his emotions for now. She half smiled, hoping that he'd take this well.

The day had come, the Christmas Dance.

The Auditorium was refitted to suit the occasion. Decorative banners with insignias of the elements lined the walls. The band played on stage with new instruments conducted from all over the world. The personal favorite amongst the male students was the electric guitar that played all sorts of sounds. Though experimental, it is still an eye opening instrument.

Chloe had removed her glasses for her partner when they were practicing. After that, she stole his heart. She had a date, simply, and kept it secret till Goto bragged his many offers. He accepted all of them, of course, though he couldn't control himself.

Chloe emerged from her dorm dawned in her mother's dress. It was brown in color, almost gold and made of silk, and unveiled a circle of skin beneath her neck. It was sleeveless and embarassing, and the heels were something of torment, but if it was for her date and her mother, she would take it with a smile and like it.

She knocked at Ulrika's door. "Are you coming?"

"I guess..." Ulrika exited her room, not even bothering to lock.

She opened the door and locked it from the inside. Shutting it in, she glared at her disapprovingly. "Seriously, stop moping, it's only going to make matters worse."

Ulrika was gowned in a white dress that revealed her back. The dress was wrapped around her snugly. The lower half was a free moving skirt that stopped at her knees at one end and the other continued at the side down to the level of just above her foot. Her head band gripping her hair in the regular fashion. "At least you're dressed."

Chloe pulled her out passed the many rooms, meeting with a few of their fellow girls.

At the dance, everyone was talking about the new music. The man bands played that just got them dancing.

Ulrika was unaffected. She sighed at the sight of the many couples. Even Chloe was having fun.

Peperoni was at the drinks, chaperoning, with Yun.

Uryu floated above her. "Uhh? Uhh!" He uttered.

She watched her floating companion in all his naivete. "I'm sorry, Uryu, not today."

"Why aren't you dancing?" Goto had just gotten out of his group dates.

"Don't ask..." She groaned.

"If you're waiting for Raze, then go find him." She didn't seem to notice that he knew.

"He has Lily..." She swallowed the punch she'd been chugging down.

Lily had entered the room with her arms around Francesco's. "I don't think so." He grinned.

Ulrika felt her dark cloud had drifted away.

Et followed with no one at her side but was instantly met with many men, asking for her. She denied them all, of course. She was there to have fun, not fall in love.

Puniyo and Enna were already at the dance floor. This time, the punis were just watching.

She approached the pink haired girl as she sat down with Peperoni. "Hey, Et?"

Seeing the country girl, she burst in excitement. "Ulrika! What's up?"

"Where's Raze?" She was quick to ask.

"Oh, I don't know." She seemed disappointed about it herself. Ulrika would have thought more into it but denied her imagination it's wild satisfaction.

"Oh, okay..." It had taken almost an hour through the night. Ulrika was about to give up.

"I can't do this anymore." A tear almost escaped her eye.

The doors flung open. A man with teal hair, pulled back and sharpened, and finely knit vest and tie, entered the room. His expression filled the air as he made his slow stride to Ulrika. The crowds watched the transformed swordsman as his true colors began to bloom.

"Can you stand?" He said. Ulrika recognized the voice. The weight was gone as she drifted up and stumbled into his arms. "Sorry, I guess I forgot how to stand." She winked.

She pulled him to the dance floor. "Oh, wait!" He held her hand in his. "I don't think you'll be needing this." He took off the headband that sheltered her locks, allowing her hair to flow in full color.

Slow music began to play as they reached the center of the room. All couples stopped to watch them. The whole world disappeared as they were alone on the dance floor. He took her hand and her waist but she would not have that. She took his hand to her side then let her arms fall to his shoulders.

He felt the skin of her back with his wandering fingers. He pulled her in further, allowing their hearts to resonate. His hand escaped and relaxed upon her flowing hair.

'Maybe... I can admit it to him...' She gazed into his blue eyes, taking in the silent whispers his smile seemed to speak.

"Hey..." Her tone was soft, relieved and silent.

"Yeah?" His was comforting.

"I think I like you... A lot." She did not stutter. She was open about her heart now.

"I think I like you too." He takes his hand to her cheek, lifting her gaze to his. "Wanna find out for sure?" He smiled playfully.

"Hmm...Why not?" She wasted no time.

Their lips linked as one pressed against the other. Pulling each other in with the overwhelming sensation.

That night came to a close, as all souls rested for the day. As the lights flickered off, the new dawn would hold a different story.